bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Zusammenfassung und Diskussion der Ergebnisse
Authors: Störkle Mario
Published: January 2021

Im folgenden abschliessenden Kapitel werde ich die zentralen Ergebnisse der empirischen Analyse, die auf Einzelinterviews und Gruppendiskussionen basieren, präsentieren. Ausserdem werde ich diese in Bezug zu den eingangs erörterten theoretischen Konzepten und Ansätzen reflektieren. So erscheint es mir hier sinnvoll, noch einmal die Zielsetzung meiner Untersuchung zu verdeutlichen. In dieser Studie setze ich mich mit dem freiwilligen resp. zivilgesellschaftlichen Engagement von Expatriates im Kanton Zug auseinander.
Use radiography rarely, not routinely, for hip hemiarthroplasty
Authors: Maling Lucy Clare , Lynch John Martin , Walker Robert William , Norton Mark Ross , Middleton Rory George
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Hip hemiarthroplasty (HA) is a commonly performed operation. A post-operative radiograph forms part of the routine hip fracture pathway, although patients are often mobilised prior to this investigation. This study seeks to provide evidence for a pragmatic clinical change to optimise patient safety and allocate limited resources within the National Health Service (NHS).

Methods

We undertook a retrospective database review of 1563 HA procedures to assess whether the routine ordering of check radiographs played an important role in a patient’s post-operative care.

Results

18 (1.2%) mechanical complications led to a return to theatre within 6 weeks of the index procedure. All were dislocations. Ten had a normal post-operative radiograph and five had documented suspicion of dislocation prior to radiography. The post-operative check radiograph was the sole identifier of dislocation in only three patients (0.2%). All three of these patients were pre-morbidly bed bound and non-communicative due to cognitive impairment (AMTS 0/10).

Conclusion

Unless a patient is pre-morbidly bed bound and cognitively impaired, routine post-operative radiography following HA surgery is of little clinical benefit, yet may carry considerable risk to the patient and cost to the NHS. A pragmatic compromise is to perform intra-operative fluoroscopic imaging.
Lichtschutz für Lösungen zur parenteralen Ernährung von Säuglingen und Kindern bis zum Alter von 2 Jahren
Authors:   Bundesverband Deutscher Krankenhausapotheker e. V. (ADKA), Erdmann H. , Heimke-Brinck R. ,   Ernährungskommission der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin e. V. (DGKJ), Mihatsch W. , Bührer C. , Ensenauer R. , Jochum F. , Kalhoff H. , Körner A. , Koletzko B. , Lawrenz B. , Rudloff S. , Zimmer K.-P. ,   Ernährungskommission der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Kinder und Jugendheilkunde (ÖGKJ), Greber-Platzer S. , Haiden N. , Hauer A. , Lanzersdorfer R. , Pietschnig B. , Scholl-Bürgi S. , Sperl W. , Weghuber D. , Zwiauer K. ,   Arbeitsgemeinschaft Chronisches Darmversagen (AGCDV) der Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Gastroenterologie und Ernährung e. V. (GPGE), Ballauff A. , Burmester G. , Busch A. , de Laffolie J. , Felcht J. , Garino J. , Hilberath J. , Kohl M. , Krohn K. , Lieb A. , Posovszky C. , Querfurt A. , Rückel A. , Wessel L. , Mihatsch Walter A.
Published: January 2021

Das Bundesinstitut für Arzneimittel und Medizinprodukte (BfArM) empfahl im Rote-Hand-Brief vom 02.09.2019: „Während der Verabreichung an Neugeborene und Kinder unter 2 Jahren sollen entsprechend zugelassene Arzneimittel zur parenteralen Ernährung (PE), die Aminosäuren und/oder Fettemulsionen enthalten, vor Licht geschützt werden (Behältnisse und Infusionsbestecke)“.

Ziel dieser Stellungnahme ist es, evidenzbasierte Empfehlungen zum Lichtschutz für Lösungen zu parenteraler und heimparenteraler Ernährung bei Säuglingen und Kindern bis zum Alter von 2 Jahren zu geben.

Der Bundesverband Deutscher Krankenhausapotheker, die Ernährungskommission der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Kinder- und Jugendmedizin, die Ernährungskommission der Österreichischen Gesellschaft für Kinder und Jugendheilkunde und die Arbeitsgemeinschaft Chronisches Darmversagen der Gesellschaft für Pädiatrische Gastroenterologie und Ernährung empfehlen in Übereinstimmung mit den internationalen Empfehlungen zur pädiatrischen parenteralen Ernährung der Fachgesellschaften ESPGHAN, ESPEN, ESPR und CSPEN: 1. Parenterale Nährlösungen, die Fette und/oder Vitamine enthalten, sind während der Applikation durch geeignete Maßnahmen vor Licht zu schützen. 2. Parenterale Nährlösungen, die keine Fette und/oder Vitamine enthalten (z. B. Lösungen mit Aminosäuren, Glucose, Elektrolyten oder Spurenelementen) bedürfen keines speziellen Lichtschutzes. 3. Bei heimparenteraler Ernährung können im Hinblick auf die kindlichen Bedürfnisse normale Spiralleitungen verwendet werden, solange lichtschützende Spiralleitungen nicht verfügbar sind.
A review of microstructure evolution during ultrasonic additive manufacturing
Authors: Li Dezhi
Published: January 2021

Ultrasonic additive manufacturing (UAM) is a solid-state metal additive manufacturing process, with the combination of layer by layer ultrasonic seam welding and CNC machining. Due to the friction and deformation at the bonding interface, the ultrasonic softening effect and temperature generated, the microstructure of the substrate materials is evolving constantly. In this paper, in order to better understand the bonding mechanisms, the good practice and the capability of UAM, and the influence of different key process parameters on bonding quality, the microstructure evolution during UAM is reviewed in detail. Defects can be generated at the UAM bonding interface, but by choosing the right material combination and the right process parameters, defects can be reduced to minimum. Plastic deformation is very important for the bonding between layers during UAM, and plastic flow is important for redistribution of oxide layer, forming of mechanical interlocks, filling micro-valleys on the mating surface, and filling the gaps when embedding elements. UAM process can cause recrystallization and grain refinement at the welding interface and the intimate bulk materials around, and it will also gradually change the texture from rolling texture to shear texture. In the meantime, when further layers of materials are deposited on the top of the existing part, the microstructure will have some accumulative change. In order to reduce the defects number and increase the strength, sometimes, heat treatment needs to be carried out to the as-deposited parts, which will change the microstructure as well. Finally, the relevant research is summarised and the perspectives of further research are recommended.
Linking Genes to Traits in Fungi
Authors: Romero-Olivares A. L. , Morrison E. W. , Pringle A. , Frey S. D.
Published: January 2021

Fungi are mediators of the nitrogen and carbon cycles in terrestrial ecosystems. Examining how nitrogen uptake and organic matter decomposition potential differs in fungi can provide insight into the underlying mechanisms driving fungal ecological processes and ecosystem functioning. In this study, we assessed the frequency of genes encoding for specific enzymes that facilitate nitrogen uptake and organic matter decomposition in 879 fungal genomes with fungal taxa grouped into trait-based categories. Our linked gene-trait data approach revealed that gene frequencies vary across and within trait-based groups and that trait-based categories differ in trait space. We present two examples of how this linked gene-trait approach can be used to address ecological questions. First, we show that this type of approach can help us better understand, and potentially predict, how fungi will respond to environmental stress. Specifically, we found that trait-based categories with high nitrogen uptake gene frequency increased in relative abundance when exposed to high soil nitrogen enrichment. Second, by comparing frequencies of nitrogen uptake and organic matter decomposition genes, we found that most ectomycorrhizal fungi in our dataset have similar gene frequencies to brown rot fungi. This demonstrates that gene-trait data approaches can shed light on potential evolutionary trajectories of life history traits in fungi. We present a framework for exploring nitrogen uptake and organic matter decomposition gene frequencies in fungal trait-based groups and provide two concise examples on how to use our framework to address ecological questions from a mechanistic perspective.
Novel typing of iliac vein compression in asymptomatic individuals evaluated by contrast enhanced CT
Authors: Li Jiaying , Chen Haibo , Chen Wujie , Zhou Kefeng , Xu Zhichao , Xu Maosheng , Sun Zhichao
Published: January 2021

Purpose

Compression of the iliac vein between the iliac artery and lumbosacral vertebra can cause iliac vein compression syndrome (IVCS). The purpose of this study is to assess compression characteristics and establish a new sub-typing in asymptomatic IVCS individuals using contrast-enhanced CT.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of abdomen contrast-enhanced CT images from 195 asymptomatic subjects with iliac vein compressed was investigated. Patients had no history of venous pathology, and images were collected from June 2018 to January 2019. Qualitative and quantitative characteristics of compression were examined including the location, pattern, minor diameter, area, and the percentage compression on an orthogonal section by the post-processing of multiple planar reconstruction and volume rendering.

Results

There were 107 females and 88 males with age range 18–92 years. The most common site of iliac vein compression was localized to the left common iliac vein (LCIV) (178/195, 91.3%). Notably, four compression types (type I–IV) were established according to the compression location, with type II being the most common. The four compression types had differences in the upper limit and fluctuation range of compression. It was found that the average level of iliac vein compression was below 25%. The compression degree of the left common iliac vein in type II was relatively concentrated, and the upper limit of compression was close to 70%.

Conclusion

Asymptomatic iliac vein compression was categorized according to compression location. The proposal of four types might help clinicians to predict which IVCS patients would benefit from interventional therapy.
Short-term cardiac outcome in survivors of COVID-19: a systematic study after hospital discharge
Authors: Sechi Leonardo A. , Colussi Gianluca , Bulfone Luca , Brosolo Gabriele , Da Porto Andrea , Peghin Maddalena , Patruno Vincenzo , Tascini Carlo , Catena Cristiana
Published: January 2021

Background

COVID-19 has caused considerable morbidity and mortality worldwide and cardiac involvement has been reported during infection. The short-term cardiac outcome in survivors of COVID-19 is not known.

Objective

To examine the heart of patients who survived COVID-19 and to compare the cardiac outcome between patients who recovered from mild-to-moderate or severe illness.

Methods

With use of ECG and echocardiography, we examined the heart of 105 patients who had been hospitalized with COVID-19 and were consecutively recruited after hospital discharge while attending follow-up visits. Survivors of COVID-19 were compared with 105 matched controls. We also compared the cardiac outcome and lung ultrasound scan between COVID-19 patients who had mild-to-moderate or severe illness.

Results

Cardiac data were collected a median of 41 days from the first detection of COVID-19. Symptoms were present in a low percentage of patients. In comparison with matched controls, no considerable structural or functional differences were observed in the heart of survivors of COVID-19. Lung ultrasound scan detected significantly greater residual pulmonary involvement in COVID-19 patients who had recovered from severe than mild-to-moderate illness. No significant differences were detected in ECG tracings nor were found in the left and right ventricular function of patients who had recovered from mild-to-moderate or severe illness.

Conclusions

In a short-term follow-up, no abnormalities were identified in the heart of survivors of COVID-19, nor cardiac differences were detected between patients who had different severity of illness. With the limitations of a cross-sectional study, these findings suggest that patients who recover from COVID-19 do not have considerable cardiac sequelae.

Graphic abstract
Sensory acquisition functions of the cerebellum in verbal working memory
Authors: Peterburs Jutta , Liang Yu , Cheng Dominic T. , Desmond John E.
Published: January 2021

Several fMRI studies have shown that the superior cerebellum exhibits load-dependent activations during encoding of letters in a Sternberg verbal working memory (VWM) task. It has been hypothesized that the cerebellum regulates the acquisition of sensory data across all modalities, and thus, that VWM load activations may reflect high- vs low-load differences in sensory acquisition demands. Therefore, increased difficulty in sensory data acquisition should elicit greater activation in the cerebellum. The present fMRI study manipulated sensory acquisition in VWM by presenting visually degraded and non-degraded stimuli with high and low memory loads, thereby identifying load-dependent regions of interest in the cerebellum, and then testing if these regions showed greater activation for degraded stimuli. Results yielded partial support for the sensory acquisition hypothesis in a load-dependent region of the vermis, which showed significantly greater activation for degraded relative to non-degraded stimuli. Because eye movements did not differ for these stimulus types, and degradation-related activations were present after co-varying eye movements, this activation appears to be related to perceptual rather than oculomotor demands. In contrast to the vermis, load-sensitive regions of the cerebellar hemispheres did not show increased activation for degraded stimuli. These findings point to an overall function of association-based prediction that may underlie general cerebellar function, with perceptual prediction of stimuli from partial representations occurring in the vermis, and articulatory prediction occurring in the hemispheres.
Evidence for seasonal changes in population structure of Reed Buntings (Emberiza schoeniclus) in the Lake Neusiedl Region: a stable-isotope approach
Authors: Kofler Barbara , Wanek Wolfgang , Voigt Christian C. , Schulze Christian H.
Published: January 2021

Migrating species and populations are affected by conditions existing across large geographical scales. The degree to which populations mix at stop-over sites and wintering grounds is variable and can involve important fitness consequences. Thus, the link between breeding and wintering grounds and seasonal shifts in population structure are important to understand population demographics, local adaption and diversification patterns. This work aims to infer migration patterns and population connectivity in the Reed Bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus) community of a Ramsar-designated wetland, Lake Neusiedl, Seewinkel, Austria. Stable isotope markers (hydrogen, δ2H, carbon, δ13C) in feathers were analyzed to assign individuals to a specific breeding or natal area. Based on the geographic assignment, birds were compared with respect to their ecomorphological traits and their habitat selection (large reed bed versus more open habitat at shore of an alkaline lake) during winter to assess potential ecological differences and possibly associated morphological divergence. Stable isotope data revealed that the local Reed Bunting community undergoes seasonal changes in population structure. Three different populations that vary in their δ2H signature and to some extent in morphological characteristics as well as in δ13C values were identified. Indications for differential migration related to age and/or sex were additionally found, since males and females as well as first-year birds and adults showed remarkable differences in their traits and feather isotope values. δ2H values diverged significantly between these groups in both age and sex classes and birds with highest feather δ2H values were considered to represent the local breeding population at Lake Neusiedl and possibly also Reed Buntings from close surroundings. Moreover, this group had the highest δ13C values in first-year individuals as well as in adults. In both sex classes, the assignment of Reed Buntings to different populations was ultimately possible due to differences in bill shape with residents being characterized by more massive bills than individuals belonging to populations visiting the study area only during migration or for wintering. During winter, beak shape and feather δ2H and δ13C values differed significantly between birds caught in the reed stand of Lake Neusiedl and those captured near the salt pan, hence, indicating differential habitat selection among co-occurring populations during winter. These findings suggest that morphological attributes, such as bill shape and size as well as linked adaptations to different food sources play a decisive role for niche segregation among wintering populations. The results provide evidence that different populations mix during migration and during winter at Lake Neusiedl and the extent to which they are specialized to a specific habitat varied.
Modeling Cash Plus Other Psychosocial and Structural Interventions to Prevent HIV Among Adolescent Girls and Young Women in South Africa (HPTN 068)
Authors: Stoner Marie C. D. , Edwards Jessie K. , Westreich Daniel , Kilburn Kelly , Ahern Jennifer , Lippman Sheri A. , Gómez-Olivé F. Xavier , Kahn Kathleen , Pettifor Audrey
Published: January 2021

Poverty alleviation programs can reduce HIV incidence but may have greater impacts when combined with other psychosocial interventions. We modeled the change in HIV incidence among South African adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) associated with combining a cash transfer (the South African Child Support Grant (CSG)) with other structural and behavioral interventions. We modeled observational data from the HPTN 068 study where 2328 HIV negative AGYW (13–20 years) were followed for 4 years. In a Monte Carlo simulation based on this cohort (N = 10,000), CSG receipt was not independently associated with HIV incidence. Providing the CSG combined with increasing caregiver care and reducing adolescent depression had the largest reduction in HIV incidence with the fewest number of combined interventions (RD − 3.0%; (95% CI − 5.1%, − 0.9%). Combining a monthly grant with interventions to increase caregiver care and reduce adolescent depression could substantially reduce HIV incidence above the provision of cash alone.
Expressive Flamenco ©: An Emerging Expressive Arts-Based Practice
Authors: Sánchez García Laura , Pinna-Perez Angelica
Published: January 2021

Expressive Flamenco© theory and praxis is presented by Sánchez through this art-based personal reflection paper, which explores the applications of flamenco for its inherent psycho-somatic therapeutic capacities. She asserts the applied practice of flamenco (in its broadest definition), when combined with other expressive arts practices, can have therapeutic benefits; including (but not limited to) psycho-social, spiritual, and aesthetic connection to the individual's unconscious. During these experiences of arts based emotional expression, one can transcend the self into divine connection with their authentic self, what the author understands as the “duende”. By allowing one’s authentic truth to be expressed through Expressive Flamenco©, a spirit of evocation, born from within the self, appears when the self-connects with and is in creative conversation with its unconscious. The main hypothesis asserts the emergence of the “duende” facilitates an epistemological process of self-knowledge and an emotional process of catharsis, suggesting that when this art form is utilized as ‘Expressive Flamenco’ it helps facilitate holistic healing. This paper aims to stretch flamenco into new applied therapeutic practice territories, specifically in the arts therapies. Practical applications of Expressive Flamenco in the expressive therapies, including expressive arts therapy and dance/movement therapy, is presented along with the preliminary results of a virtual telehealth group facilitated during Covid-19. Professor Pinna-Perez′s critical reflections on Expressive Flamenco© and its importance to the field is presented in response to this emerging expressive arts practice.
Modelling Soil Moisture in Hyper-Arid Conditions
Authors: Shao Yaping , Fraedrich Klaus , Ishizuka Masahide
Published: January 2021

In most land-surface models, the evolution of soil moisture is governed by soil-hydraulic processes. In hyper-arid soils, these processes break down, but soil moisture continues to show clear temporal variations, suggesting that other processes may be at work. We hypothesize that moisture in such soils varies due to evaporation in the soil and to vapour fluxes at the air–soil interface. To test this, we include vapour exchange between the air and soil in a land-surface model, apply the model to a desert site, and compare the simulated and observed soil moisture. The good agreement between the simulations and observations confirms our hypothesis. Using the model results, we examine the interactions between the soil-moisture and soil-vapour phases and influences of the soil-vapour phase on the surface energy balance.
Inflammation as a determinant of healing response after coronary stent implantation
Authors: Ochijewicz Dorota , Tomaniak Mariusz , Opolski Grzegorz , Kochman Janusz
Published: January 2021

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death and morbidity worldwide. Inflammation plays an important role in the development of atherosclerosis and is associated with adverse clinical outcomes in patients after percutaneous coronary interventions. Data on stent elements that lead to excessive inflammatory response, proper identification of high–risk patients, prevention and treatment targeting residual inflammatory risk are limited. This review aims to present the role of inflammation in the context of evolving stent technologies and appraise the potential imaging modalities in detection of inflammatory response and anti-inflammatory therapies.
Role of CO2 During Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane Over Bulk and Activated-Carbon Supported Cerium and Vanadium Based Catalysts
Authors: Djinović Petar , Zavašnik Janez , Teržan Janvit , Jerman Ivan
Published: January 2021

CeO2, V2O5 and CeVO4 were synthesised as bulk oxides, or deposited over activated carbon, characterized by XRD, HRTEM, CO2-TPO, C3H8-TPR, DRIFTS and Raman techniques and tested in propane oxidative dehydrogenation using CO2. Complete oxidation of propane to CO and CO2 is favoured by lattice oxygen of CeO2. The temperature programmed experiments show the ~ 4 nm AC supported CeO2 crystallites become more susceptible to reduction by propane, but less prone to re-oxidation with CO2 compared to bulk CeO2. Catalytic activity of CeVO4/AC catalysts requires a 1–2 nm amorphous CeVO4 layer. During reaction, the amorphous CeVO4 layer crystallises and several atomic layers of carbon cover the CeVO4 surface, resulting in deactivation. During reaction, V2O5 is irreversibly reduced to V2O3. The lattice oxygen in bulk V2O5 favours catalytic activity and propene selectivity. Bulk V2O3 promotes only propane cracking with no propene selectivity. In VOx/AC materials, vanadium carbide is the catalytically active phase. Propane dehydrogenation over VC proceeds via chemisorbed oxygen species originating from the dissociated CO2.

Graphic Abstract
The influence of animal species, gender and tissue on the structural, biophysical, biochemical and biological properties of collagen sponges
Authors: Sorushanova Anna , Skoufos Ioannis , Tzora Athina , Mullen Anne Maria , Zeugolis Dimitrios I.
Published: January 2021

Although collagen type I is extensively used in biomedicine, no study to-date has assessed how the properties of the produced scaffolds are affected as a function of species, gender and tissue from which the collagen was extracted. Herein, we extracted and characterised collagen from porcine and bovine, male and female and skin and tendon tissues and we subsequently fabricated and assessed the structural, biophysical, biochemical and biological properties of collagen sponges. All collagen preparations were of similar purity and free-amine content (p > 0.05). In general, the porcine groups yielded more collagen; had higher (p < 0.05) denaturation temperature and resistance to enzymatic degradation; and lower (p < 0.05) swelling ratio and compression stress and modulus than the bovine groups of the same gender and tissue. All collagen preparations supported growth of human dermal fibroblasts and exhibited similar biological response to human THP-1 monocytes. These results further illustrate the need for standardisation of collagen preparations for the development of reproducible collagen-based devices.
Composition dependent density of ternary aqueous solutions of ionic surfactants and salts
Authors: Calderón Silvia M. , Prisle Nønne L.
Published: January 2021

Surfactants exist in atmospheric aerosols mixed with inorganic salts and can significantly influence the formation of cloud droplets due to bulk–surface partitioning and surface tension depression. To model these processes, we need continuous parametrizations of the concentration dependent properties of aqueous surfactant–salt solutions for the full composition range from pure water to pure surfactant or salt. We have developed density functions based on the pseudo-separation method and Young’s mixing rule for apparent partial molal volumes for solutions that mimic atmospheric droplets of marine environments. The developed framework requires only model parameters from binary water–salt and water–surfactant systems and includes the effect of salinity on micellization with composition-dependent functions for the critical micelle concentration (CMC). We evaluate different models and data available in the literature to find the most suitable representations of the apparent partial molal volume of sodium chloride (NaCl) in aqueous solutions and the CMC of selected atmospheric and model surfactants in pure water and aqueous NaCl solutions. We compare model results to experimental density data, available in the literature and obtained from additional measurements, for aqueous solutions containing one of the ionic surfactants sodium octanoate, sodium decanoate, sodium dodecanoate or sodium dodecylsulfate mixed with NaCl in different relative ratios. Our model follows the experimental trends of increasing densities with increasing surfactant concentrations or increasing surfactant–salt mixing ratios both, below and above the CMC, capturing the effect of the inorganic salt on the surfactant micellization.
Stimulus Features of the Object Relations Technique Affecting the Linguistic Qualities of Individuals’ Narratives
Authors: Negri Attà , Ongis Martino
Published: January 2021

Previous studies on projective techniques have investigated the effects of variation in stimulus features on individuals’ response behavior. In particular, the influence of chromatic colors and form definition on the images elicited by the stimuli has been tested. Most studies have focused on the Rorschach and TAT and have examined effects in terms of variables such as reality testing and reactions to perceptual details. This is the first study to examine the effects of variation in visual stimuli as represented in features of the Object Relations Technique (ORT) cards on linguistic indicators of connection to emotional experience using measures of the referential process. The ORT was administered to 207 Italian non-clinical participants to explore effects of color, form and content variation on language style. The sample was stratified by age, gender, marital status and education to be representative of the Italian population. The stories told in response to the card images were rated using computerized linguistic measures, including the Weighted Referential Activity Dictionary—Italian version (IWRAD) which indicates the degree to which language is connected to nonverbal experience, and the Weighted Reflection/Reorganization List—Italian version (IWRRL) which detects a linguistic style of personal re-elaboration of emotional experience. The results provide support for the color-affect and form-reality testing hypotheses. Cards with better form definition, including color definition, and with fewer silhouettes of people elicited responses that were higher in IWRAD and lower in IWRRL, and also higher in the degree to which the two measures varied together. Implications of the results for use of ORT in clinical assessment and intervention are discussed.
Upscaling proximal sensor N-uptake predictions in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) with Sentinel-2 satellite data for use in a decision support system
Authors: Wolters S. , Söderström M. , Piikki K. , Reese H. , Stenberg M.
Published: January 2021

Total nitrogen (N) content in aboveground biomass (N-uptake) in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) as measured in a national monitoring programme was scaled up to full spatial coverage using Sentinel-2 satellite data and implemented in a decision support system (DSS) for precision agriculture. Weekly field measurements of N-uptake had been carried out using a proximal canopy reflectance sensor (handheld Yara N-Sensor) during 2017 and 2018. Sentinel-2 satellite data from two processing levels (top-of-atmosphere reflectance, L1C, and bottom-of-atmosphere reflectance, L2A) were extracted and related to the proximal sensor data (n = 251). The utility of five vegetation indices for estimation of N-uptake was compared. A linear model based on the red-edge chlorophyll index (CI) provided the best N-uptake prediction (L1C data: r2 = 0.74, mean absolute error; MAE = 14 kg ha−1) when models were applied on independent sites and dates. Use of L2A data, rather than L1C, did not improve the prediction models. The CI-based prediction model was applied on all fields in an area with intensive winter wheat production. Statistics on N-uptake at the end of the stem elongation growth stage were calculated for 4169 winter wheat fields > 5 ha. Within-field variation in predicted N-uptake was > 30 kg N ha−1 in 62% of these fields. Predicted N-uptake was compared against N-uptake maps derived from tractor-borne Yara N-Sensor measurements in 13 fields (1.7–30 ha in size). The model based on satellite data generated similar information as the tractor-borne sensing data (r2 = 0.81; MAE = 7 kg ha−1), and can therefore be valuable in a DSS for variable-rate N application.
Response shift in results of patient-reported outcome measures: a commentary to The Response Shift—in Sync Working Group initiative
Authors: Sprangers Mirjam A. G. , Sajobi Tolulope , Vanier Antoine , Mayo Nancy E. , Sawatzky Richard , Lix Lisa M. , Oort Frans J. , Sébille Véronique ,   The Response Shift—in Sync Working Group
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The Working Group undertook a critical, comprehensive synthesis of the response shift work to date. We aimed to (1) describe the rationale for this initiative; (2) outline how the Working Group operated; (3) summarize the papers that comprise this initiative; and (4) discuss the way forward.

Methods

Four interdisciplinary teams, consisting of response shift experts, external experts, and new investigators, prepared papers on (1) definitions and theoretical underpinnings, (2) operationalizations and response shift methods, (3) implications for healthcare decision-making, and (4) on the published magnitudes of response shift effects. Draft documents were discussed during a two-day meeting. Papers were reviewed by all members.

Results

Vanier and colleagues revised the formal definition and theory of response shift, and applied these in an amended, explanatory model of response shift. Sébille and colleagues conducted a critical examination of eleven response shift methods and concluded that for each method extra steps are required to make the response shift interpretation plausible. Sawatzky and colleagues created a framework for considering the impact of response shift on healthcare decision-making at the level of the individual patient (micro), the organization (meso), and policy (macro). Sajobi and colleagues are conducting a meta-analysis of published response shift effects. Preliminary findings indicate that the mean effect sizes are often small and variable across studies that measure different outcomes and use different methods.

Conclusion

Future response shift research will benefit from collaboration among diverse people, formulating alternative hypotheses of response shift, and conducting the most conclusive studies aimed at testing these (falsification).
Cross-Sectional Model-Building for Research on Subjective Well-Being: Gaining Clarity on Control Variables
Authors: Bartram David
Published: January 2021

Happiness/well-being researchers who use quantitative analysis often do not give persuasive reasons why particular variables should be included as controls in their cross-sectional models. One commonly sees notions of a “standard set” of controls, or the “usual suspects”, etc. These notions are not coherent and can lead to results that are significantly biased with respect to a genuine causal relationship.

This article presents some core principles for making more effective decisions of that sort.  The contribution is to introduce a framework (the “causal revolution”, e.g. Pearl and Mackenzie 2018) unfamiliar to many social scientists (though well established in epidemiology) and to show how it can be put into practice for empirical analysis of causal questions.  In simplified form, the core principles are: control for confounding variables, and do not control for intervening variables or colliders.  A more comprehensive approach uses directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) to discern models that meet a minimum/efficient criterion for identification of causal effects.

The article demonstrates this mode of analysis via a stylized investigation of the effect of unemployment on happiness.  Most researchers would include other determinants of happiness as controls for this purpose.  One such determinant is income—but income is an intervening variable in the path from unemployment to happiness, and including it leads to substantial bias.  Other commonly-used variables are simply unnecessary, e.g. religiosity and sex.  From this perspective, identifying the effect of unemployment on happiness requires controlling only for age and education; a small (parsimonious) model is evidently preferable to a more complex one in this instance.
TT2020 meeting report on the 16th Transgenic Technology Meeting
Authors: Hinttala Reetta , Kuure Satu
Published: January 2021

The 16th transgenic technology (TT) meeting of the International Society of Transgenic technology (ISTT) took place on October 26–29th 2020 and was quite unique as it was the first-ever virtual meeting in the history of ISTT events. Dr. Rebecca Haffner-Krausz at Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, was the local organizer of the meeting, which attracted 756 registered participants from 32 different countries.
Driving forces of temporal-spatial differences in CO2 emissions at the city level for China’s transport sector
Authors: Liu Yuxiang , Yang Songyuan , Liu Xianmei , Guo Pibin , Zhang Keyong
Published: January 2021

The paper aims to investigate the influencing factors that drive the temporal and spatial differences of CO2emissions for the transportation sector in China. For this purpose, this study adopts a Logistic Mean Division Index (LMDI) model to explore the driving forces of the changes for the transport sector’s CO2emissions from a temporal perspective during 2000–2017 and identifies the key factors of differences in the transport sector’s CO2emissions of China’s 15 cities in four key years (i.e., 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2017) using a multi-regional spatial decomposition model (M-R). Based on the empirical results, it was found that the main forces for affecting CO2emissions of the transport sector are not the same as those from temporal and spatial perspectives. Temporal decomposition results show that the income effect is the dominant factor inducing the increase of CO2emissions in the transport sector, while the transportation intensity effect is the main factor for curbing the CO2emissions. Spatial decomposition results demonstrate that income effect, energy intensity effect, transportation intensity effect, and transportation structure effect are important factors which result in enlarging the differences in city-level CO2emissions. In addition, the less-developed cities and lower energy efficiency cities have greater potential to reduce CO2emissions of the transport sector. Understanding the feature of CO2emissions and the influencing factors of cities is critical for formulating city-level mitigation strategies of the transport sector in China. Overall, it is expected that the level of economic development is the main factor leading to the differences in CO2emissions from a spatial-temporal perspective.
Current treatment concepts of calcifying tendinitis of the shoulder
Authors: Loew Markus , Schnetzke Marc , Lichtenberg Sven
Published: January 2021

Calcifying tendinitis is a very common pathology in the shoulder region, which may be acute or chronic. The rotator cuff, particularly the supraspinatus tendon, is most frequently affected. The tendons of the rotator cuff undergo a natural cycle of destruction and regeneration. The development of calcifying tendinitis is caused by defective tendon repair. Typical is a chronic course with acute pain exacerbation, which leads to medical presentation. Treatment options range from conservative therapy including rest, physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and shock wave therapy, to surgical therapy with arthroscopic removal of the calcific focus. This article discusses the current stage-dependent therapeutic concepts and provides a treatment recommendation.
Early introduction of anakinra improves acute pericarditis and prevents tamponade in Staphylococcal sepsis
Authors: Sicignano Ludovico Luca , Massaro Maria Grazia , Savino Marinica , Rigante Donato , Gerardino Laura , Manna Raffaele
Published: January 2021

The clinical response to anakinra observed by this patient concurrently treated with antibiotics indirectly confirms the potentially pathogenic role of IL-1 in maintaining the pericardial disease and shows how IL-1 blockade might allow avoiding the pericardiocentesis procedure. The report supports the hypothesis that anakinra is an effective and safe tool in the early treatment of acute pericarditis of presumed bacterial origin nonresponding to targeted antibiotic therapy.
1H, 13C, and 15N NMR chemical shift assignment of the complex formed by the first EPEC EspF repeat and N-WASP GTPase binding domain
Authors: Karjalainen Mikael , Hellman Maarit , Tossavainen Helena , Permi Perttu
Published: January 2021

LEE-encoded effector EspF (EspF) is an effector protein part of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli’s (EPEC’s) arsenal for intestinal infection. This intrinsically disordered protein contains three highly conserved repeats which together compose over half of the protein’s complete amino acid sequence. EPEC uses EspF to hijack host proteins in order to promote infection. In the attack EspF is translocated, together with other effector proteins, to host cell via type III secretion system. Inside host EspF stimulates actin polymerization by interacting with Neural Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome protein (N-WASP), a regulator in actin polymerization machinery. It is presumed that EspF acts by disrupting the autoinhibitory state of N-WASP GTPase binding domain. In this NMR spectroscopy study, we report the 1H, 13C, and 15N resonance assignments for the complex formed by the first 47-residue repeat of EspF and N-WASP GTPase binding domain. These near-complete resonance assignments provide the basis for further studies which aim to characterize structure, interactions, and dynamics between these two proteins in solution.
Die Migrationspolitik der deutschen Länder
Authors: Meyer Daniel , Philipp Jonas , Wenzelburger Georg
Published: January 2021

Der vorliegende Aufsatz untersucht, (1) inwieweit Unterschiede in der Ausgestaltung der Migrationspolitik auf substaatlicher Ebene in der Bundesrepublik Deutschland bestehen und (2) wodurch sich die Policy-Varianz zwischen den deutschen Ländern erklären lässt. Während bestehende Studien ähnlich gelagerte Fragen meist nur auf Basis eines spezifischen Indikators der Migrationspolitik untersucht haben – wie etwa der Ausgaben – schlagen wir ein mehrdimensionales Messkonzept vor, das sechs unterschiedliche Dimensionen der Migrationspolitik auf Länderebene unterscheidet: (1) die Art der Unterbringung, (2) die Art der Leistungserbringung, (3) die Gesundheitsversorgung, (4) die Aufnahmepraxis, (5) die Abschiebepraxis, sowie die (6) bundesstaatliche Positionierung am Beispiel der „sicheren Herkunftsländer“. Zur Analyse möglicher Pfade zur Erklärung der Unterschiede zwischen den Bundesländern nutzen wir eine fuzzy-set QCA-Analyse und greifen auf Parteipolitik, sozioökonomischen Kontext und die Einstellungen der Bevölkerung als Bedingungen zurück.

Unsere Ergebnisse zeigen, dass in der Tat substanzielle Unterschiede zwischen den Bundesländern bestehen. Zudem finden wir, dass die parteipolitische Zusammensetzung der Regierung in unterschiedlichen Pfaden eine wichtige Bedingung für das Vorliegen restriktiver bzw. permissiver Migrationspolitik ist. In keinem einzigen kausalen Pfad der fsQCA-Analyse ist überhaupt eine Erklärung restriktiver bzw. permissiver Migrationspolitik ohne Berücksichtigung der Parteiideologie möglich – ein Ergebnis, das klar für die hohe Relevanz der parteipolitischen Zusammensetzung der Regierung spricht. Die Einstellungsmuster der Bevölkerung in dem jeweiligen Bundesland, die Migrationspolitik und die sozioökonomischen Bedingungen scheinen hingegen nur eine untergeordnete Rolle zu spielen.
Beyond the Expected—Residual Risk and Cases of Overload in the Context of Managing Alpine Natural Hazards
Authors: Hartmann Sönke , Pedoth Lydia , Dalla Torre Cristina , Schneiderbauer Stefan
Published: January 2021

Structural protection measures are designed to protect the population and infrastructure against natural hazards up to a specific predefined protection goal. Extreme events with intensities that exceed the capacity of these protection structures are called “cases of overload” and are associated with “residual risks” that remain after the implementation of protection measures. In order to address residual risks and to reduce the damages from overload events, a combination of structural protection measures with additional, nonstructural measures is required. Based on data collected through a literature review, a questionnaire survey, expert interviews, and an expert workshop we highlight the status quo as well as key challenges of dealing with residual risks and cases of overload in Alpine countries in the context of geohydrological hazards and gravitational mass movements. We present a holistic conceptual framework that describes the relationships of residual risks, cases of overload, and protection goals in the context of both risk governance and integrated risk management. This framework is valuable for decision makers aiming at an improved management of natural hazards that takes adequate account of residual risk and cases of overload in Alpine countries and mountain areas worldwide.
The Nature–Culture Distinction in Disaster Studies: The Recent Petition for Reform as an Opportunity for New Thinking?
Authors: van Riet Gideon
Published: January 2021

This article constructively challenges the often cited distinction between the so-called hazard and vulnerability perspectives in disaster studies. In a context of increasingly intertwined, dense, and complex socioecological dynamics, disaster scholars often hold onto an apparently untenable distinction between nature and culture, manifested as either a hazard or a vulnerability approach. This article maintains that the typically undesired approach (the hazard approach) is inherent to the preferred (vulnerability) perspective. The article builds on Oliver-Smith’s (2013) critique of the magnitude of requirements placed upon practitioners given the full implications of the vulnerability perspective. Although critical of the vulnerability perspective, this article does not fundamentally disagree with the validity of its claims. Instead, by drawing on the pragmatist philosophy of Rorty (1989) and by demonstrating the potential value of posthumanism for disaster studies, I wish to argue for greater pragmatism within disaster scholarship. The article considers the recent petition or manifesto for disaster studies (Gaillard et al. 2019) for more inclusive disaster research as a potential opportunity to challenge the aforementioned nature–culture distinction in the field, as the petition signed by a number of disaster scholars outlines various concerns over the asymmetrical power relations between local and external researchers. These power relations have adverse consequences for the appropriateness of knowledge production in many contexts. I am primarily concerned with the very local level of disaster occurrence, where posthumanism might be most valuable.
Optimization of UV-Electroproxone procedure for treatment of landfill leachate: the study of energy consumption
Authors: Kermani Majid , Shahsavani Abbas , Ghaderi Pegah , Kasaee Pooria , Mehralipour Jamal
Published: January 2021

With increased population, treatment of solid waste landfill and its leachate is of major concern. Municipal landfill leachate shows variable, heterogeneous and incontrollable characteristics and contains wide range highly concentrated organic and inorganic compounds, in which hampers the application of a solo method in its treatment. Among different approaches, biological treatment can be used, however it is not effective enough to elimination all refractory organics, containing fulvic-like and humic-like substance. In this experimental study, the UV Electroperoxone process as a hybrid procedure has been employed to treat landfill leachate. The effect of various parameters such as pH, electrical current density, ozone concentration, and reaction time were optimized using central composite design (CCD). In the model fitting, the quadratic model with a P-Value less than 0.5 was suggested (< 0.0001). The R2, R2 adj, and R2 pre were determined equal to 0.98,0.96, and 0.91 respectively. Based on the software prediction, the process can remove 83% of initial COD, in the optimum condition of pH = 5.6, ozone concentration of 29.1 mg/l. min, the current density of 74.7 mA/cm2, and process time of 98.6 min. In the optimum condition, 55/33 mM H2O2 was generated through electrochemical mechanism. A combination of ozonation, photolysis and electrolysis mechanism in this hybrid process increases COD efficiency removal up 29 percent which is higher than the sum of separated mechanisms. Kinetic study also demonstrated that the UV-EPP process follows pseudo-first order kinetics (R2 = 0.99). Based on our results, the UV-EPP process can be informed as an operative technique for treatment of old landfills leachates.

Graphical abstract