bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introducing fundamental accountability principles in sustainability reporting assessment: A cross‐sectoral analysis from the Greek business sector
Authors: Vouros Panagiotis , Nomikos Stylianos , Halkos George , Evangelinos Konstantinos , Sfakianaki Eleni , Konstandakopoulou Foteini , Fotiadis Stefanos , Karagiannis Ioannis , Skouloudis Antonis , Nikolaou Ioannis E.
Published: August 2020

In recent years, sustainability reports have been gradually adopted by businesses and organizations in order to enhance their preparedness, competitiveness, and ability to adapt to a rapidly changing world. The aim of this study was to assess the comprehensiveness of 44 Greek companies’ corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports published in 2016. For this purpose, an evaluation methodology was developed in line with the accountability reporting principles suggested by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI)‐G4 guidelines for preparing and publishing sustainability reports. The overall findings indicate moderate levels of satisfaction as the sample Greek firms performed adequately at embedding the GRI reporting principles into their corporate disclosures. Most firms’ integration of the “accuracy” and “reliability” principles was poor. Emerging from the latter outcome, together with the low integration of some materiality issues, are problems of transparency, credibility, balance, and completeness related to the publishing of CSR reports. It is likely that operational features such as type, size, and sector have the potential to influence the style and comprehensiveness of reports.
Renormalization and conformal invariance of non-local quantum electrodynamics
Authors: Heydeman Matthew , Jepsen Christian B. , Ji Ziming , Yarom Amos
Published: August 2020

Abstract

We study renormalization group flow in a non-local version of quantum electrodynamics (QED). We determine the regime in which the theory flows to a local theory in the infrared and study a possible UV completion of four-dimensional QED. In addition, we find that there exist non-local conformal theories with a one-dimensional conformal manifold and non-local deformations of QED in three dimensions that are exactly marginal. Along the way we develop methods for coupling non-local derivatives to external sources and discuss unitarity and conformal vs. scale invariance of these theories.
Stationäre Versorgungskosten, kostenverursachende Faktoren und potenzielle Vergütungsprobleme bei Verletzungen und Frakturen im Rahmen epileptischer Anfälle
Authors: Verboket René D. , Mühlenfeld Nils , Sterz Jasmina , Störmann Philipp , Marzi Ingo , Balcik Yunus , Rosenow Felix , Strzelczyk Adam , Willems Laurent M.
Published: August 2020

Hintergrund

Die Analyse krankheitsspezifischer Kosten gewinnt in einem zunehmend ökonomisch ausgerichteten Gesundheitssystem an Relevanz, wobei vor allem chronische Erkrankungen aufgrund der langen Krankheitsdauer sowie häufiger Hospitalisierung und Arztbesuche von besonderem Interesse sind. Epilepsien stellen eine häufige neurologische Erkrankung dar, welche mit paroxysmal auftretenden epileptischen Anfällen und häufig hiermit assoziierten Verletzungen einhergeht und alle Altersgruppen betrifft.

Ziel

Ziel der Arbeit ist die Aufarbeitung der stationären Behandlungskosten anfallsbedingter Verletzungen sowie die Analyse hinsichtlich relevanter kostenverursachender Faktoren. Mittels alternativer Kalkulation der Versorgungskosten soll zusätzlich der Frage nach potenziellen Vergütungsproblemen im aktuellen DRG-System („diagnosis related groups“) nachgegangen werden.

Methoden

Grundlage dieser monozentrischen, retrospektiven Analyse ist der tatsächliche Erlös der stationären Behandlung von 62 Patienten, die zwischen 01/2010 und 01/2018 im Universitätsklinikum Frankfurt aufgrund von Verletzungen im Rahmen epileptischer Anfälle erfolgte. Die Analyse potenzieller kostenverursachender Faktoren bezog sich auf relevante soziodemographische und klinische Aspekte, die alternative Kalkulation der Versorgungskosten wurde mit gängigen gesundheitsökonomischen Methoden durchgeführt.

Ergebnisse

Der mittlere DRG-Erlös betrug 7408 € (±8993 €, Median 5086 €, Spanne 563–44.519 €), die mittleren kalkulierten Kosten 9423 € (±11.113 €, 5626 €, Spanne 587–49.830 €). Als signifikant kostenverursachender Faktor konnte eine Liegedauer ≥7 Tage (p = 0,014) identifiziert werden. Aufgrund des signifikanten Unterschieds (p < 0,001) zwischen Erlös und kalkulierten Kosten erfolgte eine Analyse nach Faktoren für potenzielle Vergütungsprobleme, welche für eine Aufenthaltsdauer von ≥7 Tagen (p = 0,014) sowie für eine Behandlung auf Intensivstation (p = 0,019) signifikant verblieb.

Schlussfolgerung

Die stationären Versorgungskosten von Patienten mit Frakturen aufgrund epileptischer Anfälle sind hoch und daher gesundheitsökonomisch relevant. Generell scheint die auf Fallpauschalen basierende Vergütung nach G‑DRG die tatsächlichen Kosten zu decken, bei Patienten mit einer langen Liegedauer oder einen Aufenthalt auf Intensivstation können jedoch Vergütungsprobleme bestehen.
The human immunosenescence phenotype: does it exist?
Authors: Pawelec Graham
Published: August 2020

“Immunosenescence” has been invoked as the root cause of increased incidence and severity of infectious disease in older adults and their poorer response to vaccination, and is implicated in increased solid cancers and increased autoimmunity with age. But how to define it in the individual and to show that immunosenescence is responsible for these adverse health outcomes? How can we monitor interventions aimed at restoring appropriate immune function to overcome these perceived immune deficits? Hence, the many efforts over the years aimed at establishing biomarkers of immunosenescence which to be useful must exhibit robust correlations with the chosen clinical outcome. Developments in “omics” technologies acquiring unprecedently detailed data on personal trajectories of immunosenescence and taking into account the under-appreciated importance of gender, ethnicity geography, socioeconomic, and multiple other differences will be of pivotal importance to identify biomarkers that are clinically useful at the level of the individual. This contribution addresses the question of whether or not we are currently in possession of any such useful biomarkers.
The impact of the initial severity on later outcome: retrospective analysis of a large cohort of botulinum toxin naïve patients with idiopathic cervical dystonia
Authors: Hefter Harald , Samadzazeh Sara , Rosenthal Dietmar
Published: August 2020

Background

The aim of study was to demonstrate that the first three injections of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT/A) appear to be less effective in botulinum toxin naïve patients with idiopathic cervical dystonia (CD) with mild symptoms and low severity scores (TSUI-scores) at onset of BoNT/A-therapy compared to patients with full-blown CD and high initial TSUI-scores.

Methods

In 337 patients with CD who started BoNT/A-therapy in the BoNT-outpatient clinic of the university hospital in Düsseldorf during the last 12 years, demographical and treatment-related data as well as outcome measures (TSUI-scores) of the first four visits were extracted from the treatment ACCESS data bank.

Results

Distribution of the severity of CD scored using the TSUI-score significantly changed with the first three injections. In patients with a high baseline severity (TSUI-score > 10), mean TSUI-score continuously decreased (p < 0.001), whereas in patients with a low initial severity (TSUI-score < 6), mean TSUI-score increased (p < 0.001) during the first three injection cycles. Individual responses varied between 100% improvement, no response at all, and even worsening. Improvement of CD at the end of an injection cycle was observed in less than 25% in the mildly affected patients, but in more than 80% in the more severely affected patients.

Conclusion

Clinical response to the first three BoNT/A-injections in severely affected de novo CD-patients is different from the response to BoNT/A in mildly affected de novo CD-patients. This has implications for further scientific studies and the patient management of mildly affected de novo patients with cervical dystonia.
Tree-related microhabitats are similar in mountain forests of Europe and North America and their occurrence may be explained by tree functional groups
Authors: Asbeck T. , Basile M. , Stitt J. , Bauhus J. , Storch I. , Vierling K. T.
Published: August 2020

Key message

Drivers of the abundance and richness of tree-related microhabitats are similar in mountain forests of Europe and North America and their occurrence may be explained by tree functional groups.

A common approach to support forest-dwelling species in managed forests is to preserve valuable habitat trees. To assess the quality of habitat trees, a hierarchical typology of tree-related microhabitats (TreMs) is applied in the European context for inventory standardization. The first aim of this study was to evaluate whether it is possible to use this hierarchical typology as a standard protocol regardless of location, which is important for potentially standardizing future studies of TreMs, by testing whether the typology could be applied to the western North American mountain forests of Idaho. The second aim of the study was to analyse drivers that influence TreMs in forests of the region. Thirdly, we assessed whether the occurrence of TreMs could be explained by functional groups of trees across the western mountain forests of Idaho and Central European mountain forests, using TreM inventory data previously collected in the Black Forest, Germany. Abundance and richness of TreMs per tree were analyzed as a function of tree species, live status (dead vs. live trees), diameter at breast height (DBH), and site factors (latitude and altitude). Our results show that the TreM typology could be applied with slight modifications in the forests of Idaho. The abundance and richness of TreMs per tree increased with DBH. Snags offered more TreMs per tree than live trees. We were able to group tree species from the two continents in functional groups that were related to the occurrence of certain TreMs. Tree functional groups offer an opportunity to predict the role of certain tree species for habitat provision through TreMs. Combinations of trees from different functional groups could be used to optimize provisioning of TreMs within forest stands.
Das COMET-Projekt COMMBY – Aufbau eines fachübergreifenden Forschungsnetzwerkes zur Nutzung metallhältiger Nebenprodukte
Authors: Antrekowitsch Jürgen , Hanke Gustav , Flachberger Helmut , Melcher Frank
Published: August 2020

Recycling spielt seit langem in vielen Bereichen eine nicht mehr wegzudenkende Rolle. In der Metallurgie ist vor allem die Wiederverwertung von Schrotten weit verbreitet und neben primären Erzen eine wichtige Quelle für viele Metalle. Eine alternative Rohstoffressource stellen aber auch Nebenprodukte, welche in allen Metallherstellungsrouten anfallen, dar. In vielen Fällen werden diese jedoch nicht verarbeitet, wodurch oft beachtliche Mengen an gewinnbaren Wertstoffen verloren gehen. Außerdem stellt die Deponierung dieser Reststoffe Firmen vor große Probleme, da sie häufig als gefährlicher Abfall eingestuft werden, was mit erhöhten Auflagen und Kosten einhergeht. Da diese Materialien sich aber aufgrund ihrer Entstehung teils erheblich von primären Erzen unterscheiden, ist eine Evaluierung des Materials und das Einbringen in bestehende Prozesse oft schwierig beziehungsweise nicht möglich. Erschwerend kommt hinzu, dass es für sekundäre Rohstoffe keine Beurteilungsverfahren gibt, wie sie für primäre Lagerstätten seit langem üblich sind. Solche Verfahren sind ein wesentlicher Faktor, um Firmen und Investoren Sicherheit in Bezug auf die Beurteilung dieser Ressourcen zu geben.

Das Projekt „COMMBY“ wurde an der Montanuniversität Leoben ins Leben gerufen, um die Verwertung von metallurgischen Nebenprodukten zu forcieren. In Zusammenarbeit mit sieben Industriepartnern werden verschiedene Reststoffe beurteilt und entsprechende Prozesse entwickelt und optimiert. Ein wichtiges Ziel dieses Projekts ist es, ein Beurteilungsschema für sekundäre Rohstoffe zu entwickeln. Dieses Schema wird im Aufbau prinzipiell jenem für primäre Rohstoffe ähneln, allerdings an die besonderen Eigenschaften und Herausforderungen von metallurgischen Reststoffen angepasst sein.

Diese Veröffentlichung stellt die Hintergründe des Projektes COMMBY im Überblick vor und präsentiert die Schwerpunkte „Charakterisierung“, „Evaluierung von Halden“ und „Evaluierung der Verfahrenstechnik“. Anhand von Beispielen bisher erfolgter Arbeiten werden einige Besonderheiten und Herausforderungen in der Evaluierung metallurgischer Nebenprodukte aufgezeigt.
On the convergence of adaptive iterative linearized Galerkin methods
Authors: Heid Pascal , Wihler Thomas P.
Published: August 2020

A wide variety of different (fixed-point) iterative methods for the solution of nonlinear equations exists. In this work we will revisit a unified iteration scheme in Hilbert spaces from our previous work [16] that covers some prominent procedures (including the Zarantonello, Kačanov and Newton iteration methods). In combination with appropriate discretization methods so-called (adaptive) iterative linearized Galerkin (ILG) schemes are obtained. The main purpose of this paper is the derivation of an abstract convergence theory for the unified ILG approach (based on general adaptive Galerkin discretization methods) proposed in [16]. The theoretical results will be tested and compared for the aforementioned three iterative linearization schemes in the context of adaptive finite element discretizations of strongly monotone stationary conservation laws.
Does Liolaemus lemniscatus eavesdrop on the distress calls of the sympatric weeping lizard?
Authors: Fong Lydia J. M. , Navea Fernando , Labra Antonieta
Published: August 2020

For a prey, its best ticket to stay alive is to get early and accurate information on predation risk and so, escape from predation at low cost. Some prey species have evolved the ability to eavesdrop signals intended for others, which contain information on predation risk. This is the case for the vocalizations produced by prey species when interacting with predators. Although primarily studied in birds and mammals, eavesdropping on vocal signals has been recorded in some lizard species. Here, we explored whether the lizard Liolaemus lemniscatus eavesdrops on the distress calls of its sympatric species, the Weeping lizard (L. chiliensis). Individuals of the Weeping lizard respond to these calls by displaying antipredator behaviours (i.e., reduced movement), and individuals of L. lemniscatus may potentially display similar defences if they decode the information contained in these calls. Our playback experiments showed that individuals of L. lemniscatus responded to the sound stimuli (distress calls and white noise), reducing their activity, but they did not discriminate between these two stimuli, suggesting that L. lemniscatus does not eavesdrop on the distress calls of its sympatric lizard species. We discuss some hypotheses to explain the lack of eavesdropping by L. lemniscatus on the Weeping lizard distress calls.
Validation and application of OCT tissue attenuation index for the detection of neointimal foam cells
Authors: Nicol Philipp , Hoppman Petra , Euller Kristina , Xhepa Erion , Lenz Tobias , Rai Himanshu , Jinnouchi Hiroyuki , Bulin Anna , Castellanos Maria Isabel , Lahmann Anna Lena , Koppara Tobias , Kastrati Adnan , Joner Michael
Published: August 2020

Neointimal infiltration with foamy macrophages is recognized as an early and important sign of de-novo atherosclerosis after stent implantation (neoatherosclerosis). Recent histopathological studies have proven that automated quantification of signal attenuation using intravascular optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging allows for sensitive identification of macrophages in native atherosclerotic disease. Whether this is true for neointimal foam cells in the setting of neoatherosclerosis remains unknown. Autopsy samples of stented coronary arteries (n = 13 cases) were evaluated by histology and OCT. After co-registration with histology, the attenuation rate of emitted laser light was measured in regions with and without neointimal foamy macrophages relative to its peak intensity at the blood-tissue interface. Attenuation index was subsequently determined as slope of a regression curve fitted to individual data points. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis was used to establish an optimal cut-off for detecting foamy macrophages in homogenous and non-homogenous neointima, respectively. Finally, the tissue attenuation index was applied to confirm or exclude the presence of neointimal foamy macrophages in symptomatic patients presenting with in-stent restenosis and undergoing intravascular OCT imaging (n = 29 cases). Tissue attenuation index derived from post-mortem samples differed significantly between histologically confirmed regions with and without neointimal foamy macrophages (− 1.23 ± 1.42 vs. − 0.52 ± 1.79, p < 0.05). ROC analysis was able to distinguish neointima with foamy macrophage infiltration from neointima without (93% sensitivity, 73% specificity, cut-off − 0.79, AUC 0.87 for homogenous neointima and 40% sensitivity, 95% specificity, cut-off − 1.93, AUC 0.69 for non-homogenous neointima). In symptomatic patients presenting with in-stent restenosis after stent implantation and undergoing intravascular imaging with OCT, neointimal foamy macrophages were detected in 34.2% of homogenous and 43.6% of non-homogenous neointimal ROI’s evaluated. OCT-derived and histopathologically validated tissue attenuation index enables identification of neointimal foamy macrophages in stented coronary arteries. Such image-based post-processing software algorithm may help discern and triage subjects at increased risk for device-related events.
Microscale mechanical modeling of deformable geomaterials with dynamic contacts based on the numerical manifold method
Authors: Hu Mengsu , Rutqvist Jonny
Published: August 2020

Micromechanical modeling of geomaterials is challenging because of the complex geometry of discontinuities and potentially large number of deformable material bodies that contact each other dynamically. In this study, we have developed a numerical approach for micromechanical analysis of deformable geomaterials with dynamic contacts. In our approach, we detect contacts among multiple blocks with arbitrary shapes, enforce different contact constraints for three different contact states of separated, bonded, and sliding, and iterate within each time step to ensure convergence of contact states. With these features, we are able to simulate the dynamic contact evolution at the microscale for realistic geomaterials having arbitrary shapes of grains and interfaces. We demonstrate the capability with several examples, including a rough fracture with different geometric surface asperity characteristics, settling of clay aggregates, compaction of a loosely packed sand, and failure of an intact marble sample. With our model, we are able to accurately analyze (1) large displacements and/or deformation, (2) the process of high stress accumulated at contact areas, (3) the failure of a mineral cemented rock samples under high stress, and (4) post-failure fragmentation. The analysis highlights the importance of accurately capturing (1) the sequential evolution of geomaterials responding to stress as motion, deformation, and high stress; (2) large geometric features outside the norms (such as large asperities and sharp corners) as such features can dominate the micromechanical behavior; and (3) different mechanical behavior between loosely packed and tightly packed granular systems.
How to Justify the Symmetrization Postulate in Quantum Mechanics
Authors: Bigaj Tomasz
Published: August 2020

The aim of this paper is to reconstruct and correct one argument (known in the literature as the exchange degeneracy argument) in support of the symmetrization postulate in quantum mechanics. I identify the central premise of the argument as a thesis specifying a particular ontic (or epistemic) property of quantum superpositions. The precise form of this thesis depends on some underlying assumptions of a metaphysical character (concerning identifications of objects across possible worlds, or representations de re). I compare the exchange degeneracy argument with alternative formal arguments for the symmetrization postulate, and I discuss the role and meaning of labels in the symmetric/antisymmetric representations of the states of many particles.
Synthetic X-ray Tomography Diagnostics for Tokamak Plasmas
Authors: Jardin A. , Bielecki J. , Mazon D. , Dankowski J. , Król K. , Peysson Y. , Scholz M.
Published: August 2020

Tomography diagnostics represent an essential tool in tokamaks to infer the local plasma properties using line-integrated measurements from one or several cameras. In particular, soft X-rays (SXR) in the energy range 0.1–20 keV can provide valuable information on magnetohydrodynamic activity, magnetic equilibrium or impurity transport. Heavy impurities like tungsten (W) are a major source of concern due to significant radiation losses in the plasma core, thus they have to be kept under acceptable concentrations. Therefore, 2D SXR tomography diagnostics become crucial to estimate the W concentration profile in the plasma, quantify the W poloidal distribution and identify relevant impurity mitigation strategies. In this context, a synthetic diagnostic becomes a very valuable tool (1) to study the tomographic reconstruction capabilities, (2) to validate diagnostic design as well as (3) to assess the error propagation during the reconstruction process and impurity transport analysis. The goal of this contribution is to give some highlights on recent studies related to each of these three steps, for the development of SXR synthetic diagnostic tools in tokamak plasmas.
Thermodynamics of antibiotics: natural cyclodextrin inclusion complex formation and covering of nano-metric calcite with these substances
Authors: Szaruga Konrad , Fuz Maja , Wszelaka-Rylik Małgorzata , Gierycz Paweł
Published: August 2020

Isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) has been used to characterize inclusion complex formation of natural (α-, β-, γ-)cyclodextrins with antibiotics (ampicillin—sodium, penicillin G—sodium, streptomycin sulfate) in aqueous solutions. ITC measurements were taken at 298.15 K on Isothermal Titration Calorimeter Nano ITC. The experimental data were analyzed on the basis of the independent site model. Based on the experimental values of equilibrium constant (K) and enthalpy of complex formation (ΔH), the Gibbs energy of complex formation (ΔG) and the entropy of complex formation (ΔS) have been calculated. The analysis of the obtained inclusion complexes show that independently of the kind of cyclodextrin and antibiotics the obtained equilibrium constants are almost the same, but it is a difference between the changes in enthalpies of complex formation for the investigated systems. The stoichiometry of complexes formed both by ampicillin—sodium and by penicillin G—sodium with all the natural cyclodextrins is the same and equal to 1:1 and the complex formation is entropy driven. Three antibiotics (ampicillin—sodium, penicillin G—sodium and streptomycin sulfate) have been used further for covering of the monodisperse calcium carbonate nanoparticles obtained in the reactor (three-phase reaction) with rotating disks. Three series of experiments have been performed. First was connected with adsorption of the antibiotics on the surface on nano-calcite and two others with intercalation of the drugs into nano-metric CaCO3 structure (aggregates). An intercalation has been performed in two ways: one where the antibiotic was added to the reactor chamber at the beginning of the precipitation reaction and second where it was added just after the end of the reaction. Both pure CaCO3 nanoparticle and antibiotic-coated CaCO3 powders were deeply analyzed by the use of the thermogravimetric and the differential scanning calorimetry method. The performed investigations showed that all the antibiotics used can be both adsorbed and intercalated into the nano-metric CaCO3 obtained in the reactor with rotating disks. The different adsorption obtained by different antibiotics was caused by the different interaction between them and nano-calcite, caused by their different structure. The experimental data have allowed also for distinction between the antibiotics molecules present on calcite surface (adsorption) or antibiotics molecules intercalated into the nano-calcite structure. The conducted research shows that both approaches, i.e., formation of inclusion complexes with natural cyclodextrins and covering (adsorption and intercalation) of nano-metric CaCO3, can be successfully implemented for their pharmaceutical applications.
Synthesis and thermogravimetric analysis of monoclinic yttrium citrate dihydrate
Authors: Janusz Władysław , Skwarek Ewa , Sternik Dariusz , Pikus Stanisław
Published: August 2020

The yttrium citrate was synthesized using freshly precipitated yttrium hydroxide and citric acid (or monosodium citrate) in the aqueous environment by the hydrothermal treatment at 80 °C or 100 °C. The properties of the samples were investigated using the CHN, XRD, TGA and static light scattering. Crystalline yttrium citrate dihydrate is formed by the reaction of citric acid with freshly precipitated yttrium hydroxide after 14 days of reaction at 80 or 100 °C. The thermogravimetric analysis of the crystalline sample of yttrium citrate dihydrate, thermal decomposition of the compound in the synthetic air occurs in four stages with the release of mainly water and carbon dioxide. Methane and propyne are formed in smaller amounts.
The Effect of Type of Femoral Component Fixation on Mortality and Morbidity after Hip Hemiarthroplasty: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Imam Mohamed , Shehata Mohamed , Morsi Mahmoud , Shawqi Muhammad , Elsehili Ahmed , Trikha Paul , Ernstbrunner Lukas , Unnithan Ashwin , Khaleel Arshad , Monga Puneet , Narvani Ali , Sallam Asser
Published: August 2020

Background

Hip hemiarthroplasty is a well-established treatment of displaced femoral neck fracture, although debate exists over whether cemented or uncemented fixation is superior. Uncemented prostheses have typically been used in younger, healthier patients and cemented prostheses in older patients with less-stable bone. Also, earlier research has suggested that bone cement has cytotoxic effects and may trigger cardiovascular and respiratory adverse events.

Questions/Purposes

The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare morbidity and mortality rates after cemented and uncemented hemiarthroplasty for the treatment of displaced femoral neck fractures in elderly patients.

Methods

Using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, we searched seven medical databases for randomized clinical trials and observational studies. We compared cemented and uncemented hemiarthroplasty using the Harris Hip Score (HHS), as well as measures of postoperative pain, mortality, and complications. Data were extracted and pooled as risk ratios or standardized mean difference with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals in a meta-analysis model.

Results

The meta-analysis included 34 studies (12 randomized trials and 22 observational studies), with a total of 42,411 patients. In the pooled estimate, cemented hemiarthroplasty was associated with less risk of postoperative pain than uncemented hemiarthroplasty. There were no significant differences between groups regarding HHS or rates of postoperative mortality, pulmonary embolism, cardiac arrest, myocardial infarction, acute cardiac arrhythmia, or deep venous thrombosis.

Conclusions

While we found that cemented hemiarthroplasty results in less postoperative pain than uncemented hemiarthroplasty in older patients with femoral neck fracture, the lack of significant differences in functional hip scores, mortality, and complications was surprising. Further high-level research is needed.
Let’s Talk About Fixed Effects: Let’s Talk About All the Good Things and the Bad Things
Authors: Collischon Matthias , Eberl Andreas
Published: August 2020

With the broader availability of panel data, fixed effects (FE) regression models are becoming increasingly important in sociology. However, in some studies the potential pitfalls of these models may be ignored, and common critiques of FE models may not always be applicable in comparison to other methods. This article provides an overview of linear FE models and their pitfalls for applied researchers. Throughout the article, we contrast FE and classical pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) models. We argue that in most cases FE models are at least as good as pooled OLS models. Therefore, we encourage scholars to use FE models if possible. Nevertheless, the limitations of FE models should be known and considered.
How and when do big data investments pay off? The role of marketing affordances and service innovation
Authors: De Luca Luigi M. , Herhausen Dennis , Troilo Gabriele , Rossi Andrea
Published: August 2020

Big data technologies and analytics enable new digital services and are often associated with superior performance. However, firms investing in big data often fail to attain those advantages. To answer the questions of how and when big data pay off, marketing scholars need new theoretical approaches and empirical tools that account for the digitized world. Building on affordance theory, the authors develop a novel, conceptually rigorous, and practice-oriented framework of the impact of big data investments on service innovation and performance. Affordances representaction possibilities, namely what individuals or organizations with certain goals and capabilities can do with a technology. The authors conceptualize and operationalize three important big data marketing affordances: customer behavior pattern spotting, real-time market responsiveness, and data-driven market ambidexterity. The empirical analysis establishes construct validity and offers a preliminary nomological test of direct, indirect, and conditional effects of big data marketing affordances on perceived big data performance.
A constraint-based approach for optimizing the design of overhead lines
Authors: Cicconi Paolo , Manieri Steve , Nardelli Miriam , Bergantino Nicola , Raffaeli Roberto , Germani Michele
Published: August 2020

The use of computational methods in engineering design is a long-standing issue. Several mathematical approaches have been investigated in the literature to support the design optimization of engineering products. Most of them are focused on the optimization of a single structure, without considering a system of structures. The design of supports for electric lines requires tools for the management and sizing of a system of structures that interacts with each other under specific load conditions. This paper deals with a framework to support the design optimization of an overhead line using methods related to the theory of the Constraint Satisfaction Problem. The object-oriented model of a transmission line has been described and then implemented into a prototypical software platform. The parameters to be considered as variables are defined by the designer at the beginning of the optimization process. These variables are geometrical dimensions, poles locations, cable pre-tension, etc. The set of constraints is related to normative, climate conditions, datasheets, material limits, and expert knowledge. To demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach, a case study has been developed considering a variable number of constraints and parameters. In particular, the case study is focused on the design of a low-voltage sub-network between two distribution substations.
Mucormycosis of Neck a Rare Presentation
Authors: Kancharu Feroze Khan , Viswam Vineeth , Sreeram P. , Warrier Anup , Karunakaran Aparna
Published: August 2020

Mucormycosis is a dreaded clinical entity caused by filamentous fungi of the order Mucorales mainly affecting immunocompromised individuals. Usually seen involving paranasal sinuses, orbit, lungs and gastrointestinal system, it is extremely rare in other areas. Herein we report a rare presentation of Mucormycosis affecting the ear and neck where early detection, timely intervention, multidisciplinary involvement and judicious use of local antibiotics apart from the mainstay treatment regimen like surgical debridement and intravenous Amphotericin B has saved the patient and given him a reasonably good quality of life devoid of morbidity.
Balancing the Activity and Selectivity of Propane Oxidative Dehydrogenation on NiOOH (001) and (010)
Authors: Li Lisheng , Wang Hua , Han Jinyu , Zhu Xinli , Ge Qingfeng
Published: August 2020

Propane oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) is an energy-efficient approach to produce propylene. However, ODH suffers from low propylene selectivity due to a relatively higher activation barrier for propylene formation compared with that for further oxidation. In this work, calculations based on density functional theory were performed to map out the reaction pathways of propane ODH on the surfaces (001) and (010) of nickel oxide hydroxide (NiOOH). Results show that propane is physisorbed on both surfaces and produces propylene through a two-step radical dehydrogenation process. The relatively low activation barriers of propane dehydrogenation on the NiOOH surfaces make the NiOOH-based catalysts promising for propane ODH. By contrast, the weak interaction between the allylic radical and the surface leads to a high activation barrier for further propylene oxidation. These results suggest that the catalysts based on NiOOH can be active and selective for the ODH of propane toward propylene.
Response and Recovery of Eelgrass (Zostera marina) to Chronic and Episodic Light Disturbance
Authors: Wong Melisa C. , Vercaemer Benedikte M. , Griffiths Gwendolyn
Published: August 2020

Reduced light availability is a leading cause of seagrass declines worldwide. Light deficiency can be chronic or episodic, where pulsed light stress is punctuated by periods of optimal light. Seagrass resilience to light stress is likely modulated by the durations of light stress and the level of light reduction, yet remains poorly understood. We used a laboratory experiment to examine the response and recovery of Zostera marina to 16 weeks of three types of light disturbance: (i) continuous (C; constant shade), (ii) episodic low (EL; cycles of 4 days shade:3 days no shade), and (iii) episodic high (EH; cycles of 12 days shade:2 days no shade), each implemented at three shade levels (40, 60, and 80% shade). Declines in shoot density and biomass began after 8 weeks and were highest in C and EH disturbance in 60 and 80% shade. Declines were minimal in 40% shade across all light disturbances and in EL across all shade levels. Sheath length responded mainly to shade level, initially increasing in 60 and 80% shade before decreasing. Rhizome carbohydrates initially declined in all light disturbances with 80% shade but did so earlier in C and EH disturbance, and then increased once shoot density decreased. When ambient light was restored, physiological measures recovered, but shoot density, biomass, and morphology did not. Our study showed that shade level strongly modulated Z. marina responses to light disturbance. Not only will chronic high light reduction have negative impacts but pulsed light disturbance can as well, especially when light-stress periods are long and light reduction high.
Numerical study on heat transfer between airflow and surrounding rock with two major ventilation models in deep coal mine
Authors: Guo Pingye , Su Yi , Pang Dongyang , Wang Yanwei , Guo Zhibiao
Published: August 2020

Not only is the thermal environment of the coal mining face related to the temperature of the surrounding rock, it is also closely associated with the ventilation model of the working face. In this study, the numerical methods were applied to study the impact of two major ventilation systems on the airflow temperature of working face in coalmine. Firstly, a heat transfer model of the surrounding rock and airflow was established to reveal that the wall roughness of the surrounding rock could enhance heat transfer between the surrounding rock and the airflow. Moreover, an analysis was conducted of the heat transfer between the airflow and the surrounding rock under different modes of ventilation in the first mining face. According to the analytical results, the temperature of airflow in the U-type ventilation system is lower than in the Y-type ventilation system. For the next adjacent coal mining face, however, the Y-type ventilation system is more conducive in reducing the temperature of the airflow. Therefore, with regard to the mine as a whole, the Y-type ventilation system is more effective than a U-type system in reducing heat and humidity in the ambient environment.
Zeolite-based catalysts for the removal of trace olefins from aromatic streams
Authors: Reddy Jakkidi Krishna , Lad Shruti , Mantri Kshudiram , Das Jagannath , Raman Ganesan , Jasra Raksh Vir
Published: August 2020

Removal of trace olefins from aromatic liquids was investigated on UZM-8 and MCM-22, which are the family of MWW zeolites. Both these zeolites were synthesized with similar Si/Al ratio and characterized by various techniques such as XRD, SEM, ICP, N2 adsorption, Ammonia TPD and solid-state MAS-NMR. Olefin conversion activity over UZM-8 was found to be significantly higher than that of MCM-22. In addition to this, deactivation of UZM-8 was slower than the MCM-22. UZM-8 with irregular stacking of MWW layers possess high external surface area and exposes more number of active sites to the reactant molecules. Mesopores generated due to the disordered layers of UZM-8 allows the fast diffusion of the substrate molecules in which pore clogging does not occur, thus making it more active and slow deactivation than that of MCM-22.

Graphic abstract
Contaminated soil amendment by diatomite: chemical fractions of zinc, lead, copper and cadmium
Authors: Piri M. , Sepehr E. , Samadi A. , Farhadi K. H. , Alizadeh M.
Published: August 2020

High concentration of labile metals in soil directly affects soil quality, water health and human safety. Decreasing mobility of metals, especially in contaminated soils, by cost-effective amendments may alleviate environmental problems. Natural diatomite was investigated to immobilize toxic elements of zinc, lead, copper and cadmium in a contaminated calcareous soil. The diatomite was characterized using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry and scanning electron microscopy. Contaminated soil was incubated with 0, 2 and 5 weight -% of diatomite at 25 °C for 8 weeks. Tessier sequential extraction method was also used as a suitable method for identification of chemical forms of heavy metals; metal stability index and mobility factor were calculated. Results showed that application of diatomite in soil significantly decreased the metals in the exchangeable fraction and increased them in the residual fraction. The exchangeable metal fractions decreased by 66–88%, and residual fractions increased by 18–94% in the 5 weight -% of diatomite treatment after 8-week incubation. With an increase in the amount of diatomite applied and the incubation time, metal mobility factor values significantly decreased and soil pH values increased. Application of diatomite caused the heavy metals redistribution toward more stable forms and leads to an increase in stability index values. In conclusion, in situ immobilization of heavy metals by application of diatomite, as a low-cost amendment, had a significant potential to stabilize metals in the contaminated calcareous soil.
Effects of Resistance Training on Physical Fitness in Healthy Children and Adolescents: An Umbrella Review
Authors: Lesinski Melanie , Herz Michael , Schmelcher Alina , Granacher Urs
Published: August 2020

Background

Over the past decades, an exponential growth has occurred with regards to the number of scientific publications including meta-analyses on youth resistance training (RT). Accordingly, it is timely to summarize findings from meta-analyses in the form of an umbrella review.

Objectives

To systematically review and summarise the findings of published meta-analyses that investigated the effects of RT on physical fitness in children and adolescents.

Design

Systematic umbrella review of meta-analyses.

Data Sources

Meta-analyses were identified using systematic literature searches in the databases PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library.

Eligibility Criteria for Selecting Meta-analyses

Meta-analyses that examined the effects of RT on physical fitness (e.g., muscle strength, muscle power) in healthy youth (≤ 18 years).

Results

Fourteen meta-analyses were included in this umbrella review. Eleven of these meta-analyses reported between-subject effect sizes which are important to eliminate bias due to growth and maturation. RT produced medium-to-large effects on muscle strength, small-to-large effects on muscle power, small-to-medium effects on linear sprint, a medium effect on agility/change-of-direction speed, small-to-large effects on throwing performance, and a medium effect on sport-specific enhancement. There were few consistent moderating effects of maturation, age, sex, expertise level, or RT type on muscle strength and muscle power across the included meta-analyses. The analysed meta-analyses showed low-to-moderate methodological quality (AMSTAR2) as well as presented evidence of low-to-very low quality (GRADE).

Conclusion

This umbrella review proved the effectiveness of RT in youth on a high evidence level. The magnitude of effects varies according to the respective outcome measure and it appears to follow the principle of training specificity. Larger effect sizes were found for strength-related outcome measures. Future studies should consistently report data on participants’ maturational status. More research is needed with prepubertal children and girls, irrespective of their maturational status.
Position paper on the safety/efficacy profile of Direct Oral Anticoagulants in patients with Chronic Kidney Disease: Consensus document of Società Italiana di Nefrologia (SIN), Federazione Centri per la diagnosi della trombosi e la Sorveglianza delle terapie Antitrombotiche (FCSA) and Società Italiana per lo Studio dell’Emostasi e della Trombosi (SISET)
Authors: Grandone Elvira , Aucella Filippo , Barcellona Doris , Brunori Giuliano , Forneris Giacomo , Gresele Paolo , Marietta Marco , Poli Daniela , Testa Sophie , Tripodi Armando , Genovesi Simonetta
Published: August 2020

Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) are mostly prescribed to prevent cardioembolic stroke in patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF). An increasing number of guidelines recommend DOAC in AF patients with preserved renal function for the prevention of thromboembolism and an increased use of DOAC in daily practice is recorded also in elderly patients. Aging is associated with a reduction of glomerular filtration rate and impaired renal function, regardless of the cause, increases the risk of bleeding. Multiple medication use (polypharmacy) for treating superimposed co-morbidities is common in both elderly and chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients and drug-drug interaction may cause accumulation of DOAC, thereby increasing the risk of bleeding. There is uncertainty on the safety profile of DOAC in patients with CKD, particularly in those with severely impaired renal function or end stage renal disease, due to the heterogeneity of studies and the relative paucity of data. This document reports the position of three Italian scientific societies engaged in the management of patients with atrial fibrillation who are treated with DOAC and present with CKD.
OpenTSN: an open-source project for time-sensitive networking system development
Authors: Quan Wei , Fu Wenwen , Yan Jinli , Sun Zhigang
Published: August 2020

Time-sensitive networking (TSN) is a promising technique in many fields such as industrial automation and autonomous driving. The standardization of TSN has been rapidly improved by the IEEE 802.1 TSN working group. Currently, it has formed a comprehensive standard system with a wide range of choices. However, there is a large gap between TSN standards and application specific TSN systems. Designers need to determine the required TSN standards and standard implementation methods based on the application’s transmission performance and reliability requirements. Therefore, an easy-to-use developing platform for rapid TSN system prototyping and evaluation plays a vital role in the application of TSN technologies. This article mainly introduces OpenTSN, an open source project that supports rapid TSN system customization. This project has three features, which are SDN-based TSN network control mechanism, time-sensitive management protocol and time-sensitive switching model, for building an efficient TSN system. OpenTSN opens all the hardware and software source codes so that designers can quickly and flexibly customize the TSN system according to their own needs, maximizing the reuse of existing code and reducing the customization complexity. With this project, two FPGA-based prototyping examples with star and ring topology are presented at the experimental section. The experiment results show that the synchronization precision of the entire testing network is under 32 ns and the transmission performance matches the theory analysis of the testing Cyclic Queue and Forwarding based TSN network.
Biologia Futura: integrating freshwater ecosystem health in water resources management
Authors: Bogardi Janos J. , Leentvaar Jan , Sebesvári Zita
Published: August 2020

Sustainable water use implies the simultaneous protection of water quality and quantity. Beyond their function to support human needs such as drinking water provision, transportation and recreation freshwater bodies are also habitats. Conceiving them as water users on their own with respective biological, physico-chemical and morphological requirements could help maintaining their healthy state. Healthy freshwater ecosystems are also attractive for high-value human uses. Dwindling per capita availability of water, increasing demands, human well-being and climate change lead to competition for, and pressures on freshwater ecosystems. This has been conceptualized through the modification of the drivers–pressures–state–impacts–responses framework. This distinguishes between pressures, associated with the achievement of human well-being, and stressors, which are defined as the negative effect of excessive pressures or combination thereof on aquatic ecosystems. Guidelines usually specify threshold values to classify water bodies as appropriate for certain utilitarian uses. However, only few guidelines focus on freshwater ecosystem health. Eight guidelines for monitoring of freshwater ecosystem health were analysed in the UNEP-funded project “International Water Quality Guidelines for Ecosystems”. Based on this review, general benchmark values are proposed for key physico-chemical indicators. Furthermore, adaptive pathways towards improved monitoring and protection of the health of freshwater ecosystems are recommended. In this paper, we review the main findings of the report and also review its recent uptake. Water quality guidelines for freshwater ecosystems cannot be conceived without societal consensus and vision. Different climatic, geographical and socioeconomic contexts are to be considered too. Their development is embedded in an adaptive cycle. Its multiple phases and steps indicate a long-term approach including reassessment and potential revisions.