bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What do multiple objectives really mean for performance? Empirical evidence from the French manufacturing sector
Authors: Obloj Tomasz , Sengul Metin
Published: June 2020

Research Summary

We explore the performance consequences of the simultaneous pursuit of multiple objectives in organizations. Taking advantage of a unique dataset covering both the objectives pursued and performance outcomes, we test the hypothesis that is the cornerstone of multiple objectives theory: performance on a given metric increases when it is pursued as an objective but decreases with the number of other objectives pursued simultaneously. We find overall support for this hypothesis, which holds for most, but not all, objectives. We further unpack the link between multiplicity of objectives and performance, investigating the moderating effects of organization design choices. This study suggests that multiple objectives impose a cost on organizations, but also provide a benefit of alleviating tradeoffs in achieving higher performance in multiple dimensions.

Managerial Summary

Most organizations simultaneously follow multiple goals, rather than focus on a single, well‐defined objective. For example, manufacturing firms often concurrently strive to decrease costs, increase revenues, and enhance margins. We study the consequences of such pursuit for firm performance. We show that explicitly setting objectives plays an important role in driving performance improvements. We also show that performance on any given dimension decreases with the number of other, simultaneously, followed goals. This regularity holds across different types of organizations, from simple to complex. Finally, we show that setting goals in multiple dimensions can play a beneficial role in forcing firms to actively manage tradeoffs inherent in their strategic choices. Our findings point to how managers could balance the costs and benefits of multiple objectives.
Recommending software features to designers: From the perspective of users
Authors: Liu Chun , Yang Wei , Li Zheng , Yu Yijun
Published: June 2020

With lots of public software descriptions emerging in the application market, it is significant to extract common software features from these descriptions and recommend them to new designers. However, existing approaches often recommend features according to their frequencies which reflect designers' preferences. In order to identify those users' favorite features and help design more popular software, this paper proposes to make use of the public data of users' ratings and products' downloads which reflect users' preferences to recommend extracted features. The proposed approach distinguishes users' perspective from designers' perspective and argues that users' perspective is better for recommending features because most products are designed for users and expect to be popular among users. Based on the lasso regression to estimate the relationship between the extracted features and the users' ratings, it first distinguishes the extracted features to identify those recommendable and undesirable features. By treating each download as a support from users to the product featurefeatures, it further mines the feature association rules from users' perspective for recommending features. By taking the public data on the market of SoftPedia.com for evaluation, our empirical studies indicate that: (i) selecting recommendable features by lasso regression is better than that by feature frequencies in terms ofF1measure; and (ii) recommending features based on the feature association rules mined from users' perspective is not only feasible but also has competitive performance compared with that based on the rules mined from designs' perspective in terms ofF1measure.
Application of Fly Ash from Pulp and Paper Industries as Slag Formers in Electric Arc Furnace Stainless Steel Production
Authors: Jarnerud Tova , Hu Xianfeng , Karasev Andrey V. , Wang Chuan , Jönsson Pär G.
Published: June 2020

During electric arc furnace (EAF) steelmaking process, burnt lime is charged together with other slag forming materials to attain a specific basicity of the slag and to achieve purification by removing unwanted elements. Herein, fly ash (FA) containing ≈60% CaO generated from pulp/paper mills is tested to partially (15–50%) replace primary lime (PL) in pilot scale EAF trials. The obtained results show good possibilities. It is found that an increased amount of FA instead of PL reduces the required amount of FeSi (up to 3 kg t−1 of scrap) and increases the sulfur content in the final slag. As a result, the amount of required slag/ton of steel can be decreased. However, the phosphorus content in the metal is slightly increased. The replacement ratio of FA will be limited by the acceptable phosphorus level in the final steel, due to higher phosphorus content in FA from pulp and paper mills compared with that in PL. Applications of FA as slag formers can reduce the consumption of natural resources in the metallurgical processes. In addition, it can reduce the amount of wastes from pulp/paper industries sent to landﬁll, which is important from an environmental point of view.
Genome‐wide lncRNAs identification and association analysis for cold‐responsive genes at the booting stage in rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Leng Yue , Sun Jian , Wang Jingguo , Liu Hualong , Zheng Hongliang , Zhang Minghui , Zhao Hongwei , Zou Detang
Published: June 2020

Long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are essential regulators of a broad range of biological processes in plants. The spectacular progress made in next‐generation sequencing technologies has enabled a genome‐wide identification of lncRNAs in multiple plant species. In this study, a genome‐wide lncRNA sequencing technology was used to identify cold‐responsive lncRNAs at the booting stage in rice by comparing a tolerant variety, Kongyu131 (KY131) and a sensitive variety, Dongnong422 (DN422). A total of 1485 lncRNAs were identified, and 566 of these lncRNAs were defined as differential lncRNAs by comparing four samples. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses were performed, focusing on the cis‐ and trans‐ target genes of the differential lncRNAs. To identify cold‐responsive genes, a meta‐analysis was used to integrate 35 cold‐tolerant QTLs at the booting stage. In summary, 12 candidate genes and their target lncRNAs were identified by qRT‐PCR. LncTar was used to identify the interaction between lncRNAs and the candidate genes. In addition, 130 rice cultivars with rich genetic diversity were collected to verify the association of candidate genes with cold‐resistance. The results revealed that five SNPs in LOC_Os07g42940, three SNP and one InDel in LOC_Os02g03410 were associated with cold‐resistance at a significant level using association analysis. This study provides new gene resources and insights into cold‐resistance research for rice.
Classification and function of RNA–protein interactions
Authors: Liu Shurong , Li Bin , Liang Qiaoxia , Liu Anrui , Qu Lianghu , Yang Jianhua
Published: June 2020

Almost all RNAs need to interact with proteins to fully exert their functions, and proteins also bind to RNAs to act as regulators. It has now become clear that RNA–protein interactions play important roles in many biological processes among organisms. Despite the great progress that has been made in the field, there is still no precise classification system for RNA–protein interactions, which makes it challenging to further decipher the functions and mechanisms of these interactions. In this review, we propose four different categories of RNA–protein interactions according to their basic characteristics: RNA motif‐dependent RNA–protein interactions, RNA structure‐dependent RNA–protein interactions, RNA modification‐dependent RNA–protein interactions, and RNA guide‐based RNA–protein interactions. Moreover, the integration of different types of RNA–protein interactions and the regulatory factors implicated in these interactions are discussed. Furthermore, we emphasize the functional diversity of these four types of interactions in biological processes and disease development and assess emerging trends in this exciting research field.

This article is categorized under:

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein‐RNA Interactions: Functional Implications

RNA Interactions with Proteins and Other Molecules > Protein‐RNA Recognition

RNA Processing > RNA Editing and Modification
Fermionic CFTs and classifying algebras
Authors: Runkel Ingo , Watts Gérard M.T.
Published: June 2020

Abstract

We study fermionic conformal field theories on surfaces with spin structure in the presence of boundaries, defects, and interfaces. We obtain the relevant crossing relations, taking particular care with parity signs and signs arising from the change of spin structure in different limits. We define fermionic classifying algebras for boundaries, defects, and interfaces, which allow one to read off the elementary boundary conditions, etc.

As examples, we define fermionic extensions of Virasoro minimal models and give explicit solutions for the spectrum and bulk structure constants. We show how the A- and D-type fermionic Virasoro minimal models are related by a parity-shift operation which we define in general. We study the boundaries, defects, and interfaces in several examples, in particular in the fermionic Ising model, i.e. the free fermion, in the fermionic tri-critical Ising model, i.e. the first unitary N = 1 superconformal minimal model, and in the supersymmetric Lee-Yang model, of which there are two distinct versions that are related by parity-shift.
Super-Schwarzians via nonlinear realizations
Authors: Galajinsky Anton
Published: June 2020

Abstract

The

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 1 and

$$ \mathcal{N} $$

N

= 2 super-Schwarzian derivatives were originally introduced by physicists when computing a finite superconformal transformation of the super stress-energy tensor underlying a superconformal field theory. Mathematicians like to think of them as the cocycles describing central extensions of Lie superalgebras. In this work, a third possibility is discussed which consists in applying the method of nonlinear realizations to osp(1|2) and su(1, 1|1) superconformal algebras. It is demonstrated that the super-Schwarzians arise quite naturally, if one decides to keep the number of independent Goldstone superfields to a minimum.
Werden die Karten der CT-Koronarangiographie mit der FFRCT neu gemischt?
Authors: Gutberlet Matthias , Krieghoff Christian , Gohmann Robin
Published: June 2020

Die koronare Computertomographie-Angiographie (CCTA) besitzt, insbesondere aufgrund ihres hohen negativen prädiktiven Werts und der hohen Sensitivität, bereits einen hohen Stellenwert in der Primärdiagnostik der koronaren Herzkrankheit (KHK) bei allerdings limitierter Spezifität. Invasiv lässt sich die Spezifität der Herzkatheteruntersuchung (HKU) mit der „fractional flow reserve“ (FFR) mittels Nachweises der hämodynamischen Relevanz einer morphologisch nachgewiesenen Koronarstenose gut erhöhen. Neue, entweder auf „computational fluid dynamics“ (CFD) oder „machine learning“ (ML) basierende, nicht-invasive Methoden der FFR-Bestimmung in der CT (FFRCT) zeigen vielversprechende Ergebnisse. Die Möglichkeit des Einsatzes der CCTA wird aber v. a. von der Bildqualität und der Möglichkeit einer guten Segmentierung der Koronararterien bestimmt, die in 7–12 % der CCTA für die Anwendung der FFRCT nicht ausreicht, obwohl eine rein morphologische Beurteilung meist möglich ist. Beim Verschluss eines Koronargefäßes, z. B. zur Beurteilung des Kollateralflusses, kann die FFRCT ebenfalls nicht angewendet werden. Die FFRCT ist somit allein kein „game changer“ bei der Diagnose der chronischen KHK („chronic conorary syndrome“, CCS), sondern vielmehr ist es der ergänzende Einsatz zur CCTA bei nicht eindeutigen Fällen. Außerdem gibt es bisher nur einen kommerziellen Anbieter der FFRCT, bei dem die Analyse zeitlich verzögert („off-site“) erfolgt, was den akuten Nutzen bisher noch einschränkt. Es gibt allerdings auch On-site-Lösungen, die jedoch bisher nur für wissenschaftliche Zwecke und nicht klinisch eingesetzt werden dürfen. Eine sinnvolle Ergänzung zur rein morphologischen Beurteilung stellt die FFRCT aber auf jeden Fall dar. Wenn On-site-FFRCT-Lösungen auch kommerziell verfügbar sind, werden sie die Wertigkeit der CCTA im klinischen Alltag zur Primärdiagnostik des CCS in jedem Fall noch weiter erhöhen helfen.
Beruflich erworbene MRSA-Besiedelung in der berufsdermatologischen Begutachtung (BK-Nr. 3101)
Authors: Erfurt-Berge Cornelia , Schmidt Anne , Angelovska Irena , Mahler Vera
Published: June 2020

Hintergrund

Von Mensch zu Mensch übertragene Infektionskrankheiten können eine Berufskrankheit(BK)-Nr. 3101 bedingen, wenn sie bei Versicherten auftreten, die infolge der Ausübung ihrer Arbeitstätigkeit in bestimmten Bereichen einer gegenüber der allgemeinen Bevölkerung wesentlich erhöhten Infektionsgefahr ausgesetzt sind.

Ziel der Arbeit

Es erfolgt die Darstellung der besonderen medizinischen und versicherungsrechtlichen Aspekte einer beruflichen MRSA-Kolonisation am Beispiel eines Gutachtenfalles und Auswertung der BK-Verdachtsanzeigen (BK-Nr. 3101) der gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften und Unfallversicherungsträger.

Patienten und Methoden

Die Geschäftsergebnisse und BK-Dokumentation der gewerblichen Berufsgenossenschaften und Unfallversicherungsträger 2007 bis 2012 wurden zur BK-Nr. 3101 ausgewertet sowie das Patientenkollektiv berufsdermatologischer Begutachtungsfälle 2007 bis 2012 der Hautklinik Universitätsklinikum Erlangen zum Vorliegen von Mensch zu Mensch übertragener Infektionskrankheiten der Haut retrospektiv untersucht.

Ergebnisse

Von Mensch zu Mensch übertragene Infektionskrankheiten der Haut sind in der berufsdermatologischen Begutachtung selten. Von den 2007 bis 2012 erfassten BK-Verdachtsanzeigen waren 2,6 % BK-Nr. 3101-Verdachtsfälle; 4,2 % aller anerkannten BKen entfielen auf BK-Nr. 3101-Fälle, darunter 9 Fälle von MRSA (Methicillin-resistenter Staphylococcus aureus). Eine symptomlose MRSA-Besiedlung wird im Gegensatz zur manifesten Infektionskrankheit nicht als BK-Nr. 3101 anerkannt. Bakterielle Superantigene können eine atopische Dermatitis (AD) triggern. Im Einzelfall kann eine AD infolge einer beruflich erworbenen MRSA-Ansteckung auftreten und eine BK-Nr. 3101 begründen.

Diskussion

Ein frühzeitiger Nachweis einer MRSA-Kolonisation und Eradikation sind notwendig für eine Rehabilitation. Der Umgang mit Hauterkrankungen als Folge einer Infektionskrankheit im Berufskrankheitenverfahren wird dargelegt.
Die neue Strahlenschutzgesetzgebung – Teil 1
Authors: Bohrer Evelyn , Schäfer Stefan B. , Krombach Gabriele A.
Published: June 2020

Hintergrund

Zum 31.12.2018 trat in Deutschland die neue Strahlenschutzverordnung in Kraft und konkretisierte das neue Strahlenschutzgesetz. Alte Strahlenschutzverordnung und Röntgenverordnung wurden damit ersetzt.

Ziel der Arbeit

Die wesentlichen Änderungen in Hinblick auf die arbeitstägliche Routine in der Radiologie wurden zusammengefasst.

Methode

Die Änderungen und Neuerungen von neuem Strahlenschutzgesetz und neuer Strahlenschutzverordnung zur alten Strahlenschutzverordnung und Röntgenverordnung wurden herausgearbeitet. Der Hauptschwerpunkt lag hierbei in der Bedeutung für die Arbeitsabläufe in der klinischen Routine.

Ergebnisse und Diskussion

Die neue Strahlenschutzgesetzgebung beinhaltet eine Reihe von Anordnungen, die dem Strahlenschutz, der Qualitätssicherung und der Dosisoptimierung entscheidende Werkzeuge zu deren Umsetzung in die Hand legen. Dies geht aber auch mit einem zeitlichen und personellen Mehraufwand einher.
Adaptive evolution of low-salinity tolerance and hypoosmotic regulation in a euryhaline teleost, Takifugu obscurus
Authors: Zhang Hanyuan , Hou Jilun , Liu Haijin , Zhu Haoyong , Xu Gangchun , Xu Jian
Published: June 2020

The mechanism of osmoregulation is crucial for maintaining growth, development, and life activities in teleosts. Takifugu obscurus, the only euryhaline species in the genus Takifugu, is a proper model organism for studying the mechanism of low-salt tolerance and hypoosmotic regulation. In this study, whole-genome sequencing data were obtained from 90 pufferfish representing five species within this genus, T. rubripes, T. obscurus, T. flavidus, T. niphobles, and T. bimaculatus. Using a phylogeny, PCA, and population structure analyses, we observed similar amounts of population genetic differentiation among species. The five species are closely related to each other and have differentiated within a relatively short period, while T. bimaculatus and T. flavidus shared the most similar genetic backgrounds. We further identified hundreds of genes under selection related to hypoosmotic regulation between T. obscurus and other Takifugu species, including 16 representative genes involving ion transporters (atp1a3, atp2a2, atp2a3, slc13a1, slc5a8, slc12a2, slc12a4, slc26a2, scn1b, and kcna2/3/10), genes involved in hormone regulation (fyn, prlr, and grb2), and a gene associated with water absorption (aqp3). Our findings provide preliminary insight into the mechanism of osmoregulation and will facilitate follow-up validation of candidate genes related to osmoregulation in T. obscurus.
Haemostatic Efficacy of Topical Agents During Liver Resection: A Network Meta‐Analysis of Randomised Trials
Authors: Wells Cameron I. , Ratnayake Chathura B. B. , Mentor Keno , Sen Gourab , Hammond John S. , French Jeremy J. , Wilson Colin H. , Manas Derek , White Steve , Pandanaboyana Sanjay
Published: June 2020

Background

Hepatic resection carries a high risk of parenchymal bleeding both intra‐ and post‐operatively. Topical haemostatic agents are frequently used to control bleeding during hepatectomy, with multiple products currently available. However, it remains unknown which of these is most effective for achieving haemostasis and improving peri‐operative outcomes.

Methods

A systematic review and random‐effects Bayesian network meta‐analysis of randomised trials investigating topical haemostatic agents in hepatic resection was performed. Interventions were analysed by grouping into similar products; fibrin patch, fibrin glue, collagen products, and control. Primary outcomes were the rate of haemostasis at 4 and 10 min.

Results

Twenty randomized controlled trials were included in the network meta‐analysis, including a total of 3267 patients and 7 different interventions. Fibrin glue and fibrin patch were the most effective interventions for achieving haemostasis at both 4 and 10 min. There were no significant differences between haemostatic agents with respect to blood loss, transfusion requirements, bile leak, post‐operative complications, reoperation, or mortality.

Conclusions

Amongst the haemostatic agents currently available, fibrin patch and fibrin glue are the most effective methods for reducing time to haemostasis during liver resection, but have no effect on other peri‐operative outcomes. Topical haemostatic agents should not be used routinely, but may be a useful adjunct to achieve haemostasis when needed.
Is post-bleaching recovery of Acropora hyacinthus on Palau via spread of local kin groups?
Authors: Cros Annick , Toonen Robert , Karl Stephen A.
Published: June 2020

Palau suffered massive mortality of reef corals during the 1998 mass bleaching, and understanding recovery from that catastrophic loss is critical to management for future impacts. Many reef species have shown significant genetic structure at small scales while apparently absent at large scales, a pattern often referred to as chaotic genetic patchiness. Here we use hierarchical sampling of population structure scored from a panel of microsatellite markers for the coral Acropora hyacinthus across the islands of Yap, Ngulu and Palau to evaluate hypotheses about the mechanisms of previously described chaotic genetic structure. As with previous studies, we find no isolation-by-distance within or between the three islands and high genetic structure between sites separated by as little as ~ 10 km on Palau. Using kinship among individual colonies, however, we find higher mean pairwise relatedness coefficients among individuals within sampling sites. Comparing population structure among hierarchical sampling scales, we show that the pattern of chaotic genetic patchiness reported previously appears to derive from genetic patches of local kin groups at small spatial scales. Genetic distinction of Palau from neighboring islands and high kinship among individuals within these kinship neighborhoods implies that the coral reefs of Palau apparently recovered through a mosaic of rare thermally tolerant colonies that survived the 1998 mass bleaching and are now spreading and recolonizing reefs as local kin groups. This pattern of recovery on Palau gives us a better understanding for effective coral reef conservation strategies in which protecting these rare survivors wherever they occur, rather than specific areas of reef habitat, is critical to increase coral reef resilience.
Diffusive dynamics of elongated particles in active colloidal suspensions of motile algae
Authors: von Rüling Florian , Kolley Francine , Eremin Alexey
Published: June 2020

Swimming microorganisms can influence the diffusion of passive particles. The effect of this swimmer-particle interaction depends on different properties, such as the hydrodynamic field of the swimmer and the relative sizes of microorganisms and particles. We investigated an enhancement of the diffusion of silica doublets in a suspension of microalgae Chlamydomonas reinhardtii in a flat capillary. Depending on the concentration of microswimmers, the translational and rotational diffusion constants increase by several orders of magnitude in the presence of the swimming algae. For low concentrations of algae, the doublets exhibit Brownian motion in a fluctuating flow field generated by multiple swimmers. One can observe strong, diffusive transport caused by occasional large displacements. At high swimmer concentration, the algae form dense clusters, where the rotational motion of the doublets shows a subdiffusive behaviour while the translational motion remains diffusive.
A constitutive analysis of nonlinear shear flow
Authors: Narimissa Esmaeil , Schweizer Thomas , Wagner Manfred H.
Published: June 2020

We analyse shear stress and normal stress data obtained by cone-partitioned-plate (CPP) shear rheometry in recent years. The data sets of Schweizer et al. (Rheol. Acta 47, 943–957, 2008) and Costanzo et al. (Macromolecules 49, 3925–3935, 2016; & Fluids 4, 28, 2019) on nearly monodisperse polystyrene melts and solutions are considered to be among the most reliable shear data available. The Doi-Edwards independent alignment (DEIA) model (J. Chem. Soc., Faraday Transactions 2: Molecular and Chemical Physics 74, 1802–1832, 1978a,b) allows for quantitative description of the steady-state values of shear viscosity $$ \eta \left(\dot{\gamma}\right) $$
η
(

γ
̇

)
and first normal stress coefficient $$ {\psi}_1\left(\dot{\gamma}\right) $$

ψ
1

(

γ
̇

)
, while it underpredicts the stress overshoot of the stress growth coefficient of the shear stress, η+(t), and fails in predicting a stress overshoot of the stress growth coefficient of first normal stress difference, $$ {\psi}_1^{+}(t) $$

ψ
1
+

t

. On the other hand, the extended interchain pressure (EIP) model (J. Rheol. 64, 95–110, 2020) provides an excellent prediction of the stress overshoots of both shear stress and first normal stress difference, while overpredicting the steady-state shear viscosity and the first normal stress coefficient. We demonstrate that the shear stress overshoot is the result of a combination of orientational stress overshoot and stretch overshoot, while the normal stress overshoot depends solely on the overshoot of the stretch. Based on these considerations, we propose a novel constitutive approach consisting of a combination of the DEIA and the EIP model, and predictions of this approach are found to be in quantitative agreement with the data sets of Schweizer et al. and Costanzo et al. within experimental accuracy.
Characteristic of COVID-19 infection in pediatric patients: early findings from two Italian Pediatric Research Networks
Authors: Parri Niccolò , Magistà Anna Maria , Marchetti Federico , Cantoni Barbara , Arrighini Alberto , Romanengo Marta , Felici Enrico , Urbino Antonio , Da Dalt Liviana , Verdoni Lucio , Armocida Benedetta , Covi Benedetta , Mariani Ilaria , Giacchero Roberta , Musolino Anna Maria , Binotti Marco , Biban Paolo , Fasoli Silvia , Pilotto Chiara , Nicoloso Flavia , Raggi Massimiliano , Miorin Elisabetta , Buonsenso Danilo , Chiossi Massimo , Agostiniani Rino , Plebani Anna , Barbieri Maria Antonietta , Lanari Marcello , Arrigo Serena , Zoia Elena , Lenge Matteo , Masi Stefano , Barbi Egidio , Lazzerini Marzia ,   on behalf of the CONFIDENCE and COVID-19 Italian Pediatric Study Networks
Published: June 2020

Detailed data on clinical presentations and outcomes of children with COVID-19 in Europe are still lacking. In this descriptive study, we report on 130 children with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosed by 28 centers (mostly hospitals), in 10 regions in Italy, during the first months of the pandemic. Among these, 67 (51.5%) had a relative with COVID-19 while 34 (26.2%) had comorbidities, with the most frequent being respiratory, cardiac, or neuromuscular chronic diseases. Overall, 98 (75.4%) had an asymptomatic or mild disease, 11 (8.5%) had moderate disease, 11 (8.5%) had a severe disease, and 9 (6.9%) had a critical presentation with infants below 6 months having significantly increased risk of critical disease severity (OR 5.6, 95% CI 1.3 to 29.1). Seventy-five (57.7%) children were hospitalized, 15 (11.5%) needed some respiratory support, and nine (6.9%) were treated in an intensive care unit. All recovered.

Conclusion:This descriptive case series of children with COVID-19, mostly encompassing of cases enrolled at hospital level, suggest that COVID-19 may have a non-negligible rate of severe presentations in selected pediatric populations with a relatively high rates of comorbidities. More studies are needed to further understand the presentation and outcomes of children with COVID-19 in children with special needs.

What is Known:• There is limited evidence on the clinical presentation and outcomes of children with COVID-19 in Europe, and almost no evidence on characteristics and risk factors of severe cases.

What is New:• Among a case series of 130 children, mostly diagnosed at hospital level, and with a relatively high rate (26.2%) of comorbidities, about three-quarter had an asymptomatic or mild disease.• However, 57.7% were hospitalized, 11.5% needed some respiratory support, and 6.9% were treated in an intensive care unit.
Climate-related risks in the construction of Xiongan New Area, China
Authors: Wang Yujie , Song Lianchun , Han Zhenyu , Liao Yaoming , Xu Hongmei , Zhai Jianqing , Zhu Rong
Published: June 2020

In the paper, we analyze the climate-related risks of rainstorm floods, droughts and water shortages, high temperatures, and heavy hazes in the Xiongan New Area. A warming and drying trend was seen in Xiongan New Area during 1961–2018, as evidenced by the increase in the number of high-temperature days and the maximum rainfall intensity per hour, a decrease in surface water resources and groundwater levels, a reduction in wind speeds, and weakening of the self-purification capacity of the atmosphere. It is estimated that the areas at high risk of floods and heats will increase by 15.7 and 15.6% in around 2035 relative to 1986–2005, respectively. Although the runoff in the Daqing River Basin will increase, the construction of Xiongan New Area means that the imbalance between the supply and demand of water resources will remain. Climate change adaptation measures should therefore be improved in the planning and construction of Xiongan New Area. Finally, we discuss the approaches to address climate-related risks in this new area.
Correction to: Mechanisms mediating the relation between reading self-concept and reading comprehension
Authors: Locher Franziska Maria , Becker Sarah , Schiefer Irene , Pfost Maximilian
Published: June 2020

The article Mechanisms mediating the relation between reading self-concept and reading comprehension, written by Franziska Maria Locher, Sarah Becker, Irene Schiefer, and Maximilian Pfost, was originally published electronically on the publisher’s internet portal on 23 January 2020 without open access.
ABBA: adaptive Brownian bridge-based symbolic aggregation of time series
Authors: Elsworth Steven , Güttel Stefan
Published: June 2020

A new symbolic representation of time series, called ABBA, is introduced. It is based on an adaptive polygonal chain approximation of the time series into a sequence of tuples, followed by a mean-based clustering to obtain the symbolic representation. We show that the reconstruction error of this representation can be modelled as a random walk with pinned start and end points, a so-called Brownian bridge. This insight allows us to make ABBA essentially parameter-free, except for the approximation tolerance which must be chosen. Extensive comparisons with the SAX and 1d-SAX representations are included in the form of performance profiles, showing that ABBA is often able to better preserve the essential shape information of time series compared to other approaches, in particular when time warping measures are used. Advantages and applications of ABBA are discussed, including its in-built differencing property and use for anomaly detection, and Python implementations provided.
Correlates of Post-traumatic Growth Following a Myocardial Infarction: A Systematic Review
Authors: Hegarty Gayle , Storey Lesley , Dempster Martin , Rogers Dave
Published: June 2020

Correlates of post-traumatic growth (PTG) have been examined in the area of health psychology previously, with much focus on aspects of personality, coping, and social support. This systematic review aimed to examine correlates of PTG for those who have experienced a myocardial infarction (MI). Studies which met inclusion criteria were assessed for quality and reviewed. Results showed an inconsistent strength of associations between studies and so conclusions cannot be drawn. Possible reasons for these differences are discussed and recommendations for future research are suggested.
Psycholinguistic Investigation of the Immediate Interpretation of Plural Nouns in the Scope of Sentential Negation in Polish
Authors: Gulgowski Piotr , Błaszczak Joanna
Published: June 2020

The number meaning of grammatically plural nouns is to some extent context sensitive. In negative sentences, plural nouns typically receive an inclusive reading referring to any number of individuals (one or many). This contrasts with their more frequent exclusive reading referring to a group of two or more individuals. The present study investigated whether a plural noun in a negative sentence is treated as inclusive immediately when it is encountered or whether this interpretation is delayed. In an experiment using a technique based on a numerical variant of the Stroop effect (Berent et al. in J Mem Lang 53:342–358, 2005. 10.1016/j.jml.2005.05.002; Patson and Warren in J Exp Psychol Learn Mem Cogn 36(3):782–789, 2010. 10.1037/a0018783), participants counted visually presented singular and plural Polish nouns embedded in either affirmative or negative sentences. The nouns were displayed once or as two copies. Plural nouns were easier to count when they were repeated twice on the screen than when only one copy was displayed. For singular nouns this pattern was reversed and the effect was weaker. Crucially, no difference was found for plural nouns appearing in affirmative and negative sentences. This indicated that an inclusive (“one or more”) reading of plural nouns in the scope of sentential negation was not immediate. The results are in line with past research suggesting that the semantic processing of a negative sentence may proceed in two phases (Fischler et al. in Psychophysiology 20(4):400–409, 1983. 10.1111/j.1469-8986.1983.tb00920.x; Kaup et al. in J Pragmat 38:1033–1050, 2006. 10.1016/j.pragma.2005.09.012; Lüdtke et al. in J Cogn Neurosci 20(8):1355–1370, 2008. 10.1162/jocn.2008.20093; Spychalska in Proceedings of the 2011 ESSLLI student session, 2011).
Control trajectory optimisation and optimal control of an electric vehicle HVAC system for favourable efficiency and thermal comfort
Authors: Cvok Ivan , Škugor Branimir , Deur Joško
Published: June 2020

In order to increase the driving range of battery electric vehicles, while maintaining a high level of thermal comfort inside the passenger cabin, it is necessary to design an energy management system which optimally synthesizes multiple control actions of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. To gain an insight into optimal control actions and set a control benchmark, the paper first proposes an algorithm of dynamic programming (DP)-based optimisation of HVAC control variables, which minimises the conflicting criteria of passenger thermal comfort and HVAC efficiency. Next, a hierarchical structure of thermal comfort control system is proposed, which consists of optimised low-level feedback controllers, optimisation-based control allocation algorithm that sets references for the low-level controllers, and a superimposed cabin temperature controller that commands the cooling capacity to the allocation algorithm. Finally, the overall control system is verified by simulation for cool-down scenario, and the simulation results are compared with the DP benchmark. The results show that the control system behaviour can approach the DP benchmark if the superimposed controller bandwidth is tuned along with the allocation cost function weighting coefficients, where a fast controller tuning relates to better thermal comfort while a slow tuning results in improved efficiency.
Mathematical Modeling of Furnace Drainage While Tapping Slag and Metal Through a Single Tap-Hole
Authors: Olsen Jan Erik , Reynolds Quinn Gareth
Published: June 2020

Furnace tapping is a critical operation on pyrometallurgical furnaces known for unpredictable performance in many cases. A reduced order mathematical model capable of predicting tapping rates of both slag and metal is presented. The model accounts for separate liquid phases and particle bed resistance to flow. The model is compared for consistency against results from both a water-model experiment and computational fluid dynamics simulations. The model is applied to study drainage from a typical ferro-manganese furnace. The model results show that particle bed conditions in the immediate vicinity of the tap-hole strongly influence tapping rates and that the slag/metal interface deformation due to suction pressure near to the tap-hole is significant and must be accounted for in such models.
Comparison of Residual Stress Measurements Conducted by X-ray Stress Analysis and Incremental Hole Drilling Method
Authors: Bobzin K. , Wietheger W. , Knoch M. A. , Schacht A. , Reisgen U. , Sharma R. , Oster L.
Published: June 2020

The level of residual stresses is of great importance for many applications. In this work, the two established residual stress analysis methods x-ray stress analysis and incremental hole-drilling combined with electronic speckle pattern interferometry are compared. Each stress analysis method has its specific limitations. Furthermore, the residual stress state of a material is influenced by its processing history. To compare both methods, aluminum-based specimens (AlCu6Mn, AlZn5.5MgCu) with different processing histories were investigated. Measurements with both methods were conducted on the same specimens and on the same measurement spots. Highest stress levels were found in the mechanically machined specimen, while heat treatment via tempering or deposition welding shows reduced stress levels inside of the specimens. In case of cold spraying, the stresses in the feedstock material are considered negligible. In contrast, cold-spray coatings deposited on construction steel substrate exhibited tensile stresses, which relax over time at room temperature.
Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery Significantly Improves Carotid and Cardiac Function in Apparently Healthy People with Morbid Obesity
Authors: Giudici Alessandro , Palombo Carlo , Kozakova Michaela , Morizzo Carmela , Losso Lorenzo , Nannipieri Monica , Berta Rossana , Hughes Alun D. , Cruickshank J. Kennedy , Khir Ashraf W.
Published: June 2020

Purpose

Obesity clearly increases cardiovascular risk, often inducing high blood pressure (BP), impaired left ventricular (LV) function, and increased arterial stiffness. Intensive weight loss and bariatric surgery induce improvement in hypertension and diabetes for morbid obesity. Carotid artery haemodynamics is a powerful prognostic indicator for stroke and cognitive decline independent of BP. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of a 3-stage bariatric strategy of diet, bariatric surgery, and consequent weight loss on carotid haemodynamics and cardiac diastolic function.

Material and Methods

This prospective study included 26 patients (45 ± 10 years, 4 men) with severe obesity undergoing bariatric surgery without comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes, etc.). Anthropometry, BP, Doppler echocardiography, and common carotid haemodynamics by ultrasound were measured at three times: (1) baseline, (2) after 1-month diet (post-diet), and (3) 8 months after surgery (post-surgery). The lnDU-loop method was used to estimate local carotid pulse wave velocity (ncPWV).

Results

Baseline BMI was 47.9 ± 7.1 kg/m2 and reduced by 5% and 30% post-diet and post-surgery, respectively. BP decreased only post-diet, without pulse pressure change. However, ncPWV, 6.27 ± 1.35 m/s at baseline, was significantly reduced by 10% and 23% post-diet and post-surgery, respectively, also adjusted for BP changes. The E/A ratio rose from 0.95 ± 0.20 to 1.27 ± 0.31 (p < 0.005), without change in LV geometry or mass, while heart rate and cardiac output fell substantially.

Conclusion

Weight loss following diet and bariatric surgery is associated with reduced carotid arterial stiffness and improved LV diastolic function. Diet and bariatric surgery are effective treatments for morbid obesity with its concomitant adverse cardiovascular effects.
A review of development methods and EOR technologies for carbonate reservoirs
Authors: Xu Zheng-Xiao , Li Song-Yan , Li Bin-Fei , Chen Dan-Qi , Liu Zhong-Yun , Li Zhao-Min
Published: June 2020

Carbonate reservoirs worldwide are complex in structure, diverse in form, and highly heterogeneous. Based on these characteristics, the reservoir stimulation technologies and fluid flow characteristics of carbonate reservoirs are briefly described in this study. The development methods and EOR technologies of carbonate reservoirs are systematically summarized, the relevant mechanisms are analyzed, and the application status of oil fields is catalogued. The challenges in the development of carbonate reservoirs are discussed, and future research directions are explored. In the current development processes of carbonate reservoirs, water flooding and gas flooding remain the primary means but are often prone to channeling problems. Chemical flooding is an effective method of tertiary oil recovery, but the harsh formation conditions require high-performance chemical agents. The application of emerging technologies can enhance the oil recovery efficiency and environmental friendliness to a certain extent, which is welcome in hard-to-recover areas such as heavy oil reservoirs, but the economic cost is often high. In future research on EOR technologies, flow field control and flow channel plugging will be the potential directions of traditional development methods, and the application of nanoparticles will revolutionize the chemical EOR methods. On the basis of diversified reservoir stimulation, combined with a variety of modern data processing schemes, multichannel EOR technologies are being developed to realize the systematic, intelligent, and cost-effective development of carbonate reservoirs.
Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction in the Netherlands: room for improvement!
Authors: Ten Have P. , Hilt A. D. , Paalvast H. , Eindhoven D. C. , Schalij M. J. , Beeres S. L. M. A.
Published: June 2020

Aim

To analyse non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) care in the Netherlands and to identify modifiable factors to improve NSTEMI healthcare.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study analysed hospital and pharmacy claims data of all NSTEMI patients in the Netherlands in 2015. The effect of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during hospitalisation on 1‑year mortality was investigated in the subcohort alive 4 days after NSTEMI. The effect of medical treatment on 1‑year mortality was assessed in the subcohort alive 30 days after NSTEMI. The effect of age, gender and co-morbidities was evaluated. PCI during hospitalisation was defined as PCI within 72 h after NSTEMI and optimal medical treatment was defined as the combined use of an aspirin species, P2Y12 inhibitor, statin, beta-blocker and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin II receptor blocker, started within 30 days after NSTEMI.

Results

Data from 17,997 NSTEMI patients (age 69.6 (SD = 12.8) years, 64% male) were analysed. Of the patients alive 4 days after NSTEMI, 43% had a PCI during hospitalisation and 1‑year mortality was 10%. In the subcohort alive 30 days after NSTEMI, 47% of patients were receiving optimal medical treatment at 30 days and 1‑year mortality was 7%. PCI during hospitalisation (odds ratio (OR) 0.42; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37–0.48) and optimal medical treatment (OR 0.59; 95% CI 0.51–0.67) were associated with a lower 1‑year mortality.

Conclusion

In Dutch NSTEMI patients, use of PCI during hospitalisation and prescription of optimal medical treatment are modest. As both are independently associated with a lower 1‑year mortality, this study provides direction on how to improve the quality of NSTEMI healthcare in the Netherlands.
Tensions in future development of organic production—views of stakeholders on Organic 3.0
Authors: Milestad Rebecka , Röös Elin , Stenius Tove , Wivstad Maria
Published: June 2020

This study analysed Swedish stakeholders’ views on future developments of organic production and consumption based on Organic 3.0, a strategic initiative by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM). Focus group discussions were carried out with actors representing different parts of the organic value chain in Sweden. These identified a number of tensions, four of which represented an unresolved dichotomy in the way forward for the organic movement and its relevance for organic production in most settings. The first tension was between the drive for increased efficiency to achieve higher yields and an agroecological approach with broader sustainability values. The second concerned availability of plant nutrients in organic agriculture including safe recirculating of nutrients from society. The third tension set new technology against the precautionary principle and the notion of naturalness. The fourth concerned the role of organic as an innovation system; whether organic should be a forerunner, i.e. performing well above average and fostering innovation, or whether organic should be a broader movement including more farmers but then requiring more regulations that may hinder innovation. These tensions will result in important choices on direction for the organic sector as it pursues the Organic 3.0 goal of sustainably feeding a growing population based on farming systems based on organic principles.
Modified Usability Framework for Disaster Apps: A Qualitative Thematic Analysis of User Reviews
Authors: Tan Marion Lara , Prasanna Raj , Stock Kristin , Doyle Emma E. H. , Leonard Graham , Johnston David
Published: June 2020

The public has access to a range of mobile applications (apps) for disasters. However, there has been limited academic research conducted on disaster apps and how the public perceives their usability. This study explores end-users’ perceptions of the usability of disaster apps. It proposes a conceptual framework based on insights gathered from thematically analyzing online reviews. The study identifies new usability concerns particular to disaster apps’ use: (1) content relevance depends on the app’s purpose and the proximate significance of the information to the hazard event’s time and location; (2) app dependability affects users’ perceptions of usability due to the life-safety association of disaster apps; (3) users perceive advertisements to contribute to their cognitive load; (4) users expect apps to work efficiently without unnecessary consumption of critical phone resources; (5) appropriate audio interface can improve usability, as sounds can boost an app’s alerting aspect; and, finally (6) in-app browsing may potentially enhance users’ impression of the structure of a disaster app. As a result, this study argues for focussed research and development on public-facing disaster apps. Future research should consider the conceptual framework and concerns presented in this study when building design guidelines and theories for disaster apps.
Generalized dice similarity measures for q-rung orthopair fuzzy sets with applications
Authors: Jan Naeem , Zedam Lemnaouar , Mahmood Tahir , Rak Ewa , Ali Zeeshan
Published: June 2020

Recently, Yager has established that the notion of q-rung orthopair fuzzy set (q-ROFS) is more accomplished than pythagorean fuzzy set (PyFS) and intuitionistic fuzzy set (IFS) to cope with awkward and complicated information in real decision theory. This notion works with yes-, no- and refusal-type fuzzy information. The constraint of q-ROFS is that the sum of n-power of the truth grade and the n-power of the falsity grade is bounded to unit interval. Generalized dice similarity measures are complimentary concepts quantifying the difference and closeness of q-ROFSs. In this paper, we suggested a number of novel dice similarity measures (DSMs) in the surroundings of the q-ROFS, and we examined some prevailing dice similarity measures and their limitations. In addition, we took the DSMs broad view to some globalized dice similarity measures (GDSMs), and we examined some of their particular cases. We employed the novel suggested GDSMs to the best selections of items on identification problems, and we analyzed their acquired consequences. There is a development of novel work in which many situations are evaluated, and from this perspective, the suggested work is changed into already prevailing work. This study also examines the merits of novel DSMs and the limitations for DSMs of IFSs and PyFSs. The comparison between established measures with existing measures is explored and their graphical interpretations are also discussed to show the reliability and effectiveness of the explored measures.
Analysis of fracture mechanism for surrounding rock hole based on water-filled blasting
Authors: Wang Jun , Yang Jingxuan , Wu Fengfeng , Hu Tengfei , Faisal Shams Al
Published: June 2020

The principles of fracture development during underwater blasting are examined based on explosion and impact dynamics, fluid dynamics, fracture dynamics, and field testing. The research reveals that the fracturing of the surrounding rock during underwater blasting is due to the combined action of shock and stress waves for the initial rock breakage and subsequent water expansion. The fracture development model for the surrounding rock of a drilling hole during underwater blasting is established. The rock fracturing range under the combined action of shock and stress waves is developed, as well as the fracture propagation rules after the wedging of the water medium into the fractures. Finally, the results of deep-hole underwater blasting tests on large rocks confirm the efficient utilization of explosive in the hole to improve the safety conditions. Accordingly, safe and static rock breaking under the detonation of high-effect explosive can be achieved. In addition, super-dynamic loading from the explosions and static loading from the water medium in the hole can be adequately combined for rock breaking.