bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The political economy of state responses to infectious disease
Authors: Coyne Christopher J. , Duncan Thomas K. , Hall Abigail R.
Published: February 2021

How can public policy best deal with infectious disease? In answering this question, scholarship on the optimal control of infectious disease adopts the model of a benevolent social planner who maximizes social welfare. This approach, which treats the social health planner as a unitary “public health brain” standing outside of society, removes the policymaking process from economic analysis. This paper opens the black box of the social health planner by extending the tools of economics to the policymaking process itself. We explore the nature of the economic problem facing policymakers and the epistemic constraints they face in trying to solve that problem. Additionally, we analyze the incentives facing policymakers in their efforts to address infectious diseases and consider how they affect the design and implementation of public health policy. Finally, we consider how unanticipated system effects emerge due to interventions in complex systems, and how these effects can undermine well‐intentioned efforts to improve human welfare. We illustrate the various dynamics of the political economy of state responses to infectious disease by drawing on a range of examples from the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Proto‐proteins in Protocells
Authors: Despotovic Dragana , Tawfik Dan S.
Published: February 2021

Phase separation, and coacervates in particular, may have played a key role in the transition from an abiotic to a biotic world, in providing early membrane‐less compartments and promoting metabolism. Herein, we highlight another potential role of coacervates in providing the milieu in which short abiotically formed peptides evolved gradually into structured, functional proteins. Coacervates, amyloids, and other rudimentary forms of self‐assembly enable short peptides to form supramolecular structures, thus providing the level of structural pre‐organization and complexity needed for biochemical function. Coacervates, however, are unique in also enabling co‐assembly of peptides and nucleic acids, and in promoting the acquisition of helical structures. These two properties, combined with their potential to promote the synthesis of biopolymers, make coacervates a feasible springboard for the emergence of the early nucleic acids binding proteins. Herein, we outline this putative evolutionary scenario and the evidence supporting it, also regarding the emergence of cationic amino acids that are critical to coacervate formation.
Operational and emerging capabilities for surface water flood forecasting
Authors: Speight Linda J. , Cranston Michael D. , White Christopher J. , Kelly Laura
Published: February 2021

Surface water (or pluvial) flooding is caused by intense rainfall before it enters rivers or drainage systems. As the climate changes and urban populations grow, the number of people around the world at risk of surface water flooding is increasing. Although it may not be possible to prevent such flooding, reliable and timely flood forecasts can help improve preparedness and recovery. Unlike riverine and coastal flooding where forecasting methods are well established, surface water flood forecasting presents a unique challenge due to the high uncertainties around predicting the location, timing, and impact of what are typically localized events. Over the past 5 years, there has been rapid development of convection‐permitting numerical weather prediction models, ensemble forecasting, and computational ability. It is now theoretically feasible to develop operational surface water forecasting systems. This paper identifies three approaches to surface water forecasting utilizing state‐of‐the‐art meteorological forecasts: empirical‐based scenarios, hydrological forecasts linked to presimulated impact scenarios, and real‐time hydrodynamic simulation. Reviewing operational examples of each approach provides an opportunity to learn from international best practice to develop targeted, impact‐based, surface water forecasts to support informed decision‐making. Although the emergence of new meteorological and hydrological forecasting capabilities is promising, there remains a scientific limit to the predictability of convective rainfall. To overcome this challenge, we suggest that a rethink of the established role of flood forecasting is needed, alongside the development of interdisciplinary solutions for communicating uncertainty and making the best use of all available data to increase preparedness.

This article is categorized under:

Engineering Water > Engineering Water
The UK forensic science regulator: Fit for purpose?
Authors: Nsiah Amoako Emmanuel , McCartney Carole
Published: February 2021

The role of Forensic Science Regulator (FSR), created in 2007, was established to assure the achievement and maintenance of forensic science service (FSS) provision that commands public confidence. The FSR works at an organizational level, to assure, and improve the quality of forensic service provision and manage the risks of quality failures by Forensic Service Providers (FSPs). Despite this apparent introduction of “regulation,” forensic science provision in the United Kingdom has continued to receive a critical assessment. FSPs are meant to voluntarily adopt the Regulator's quality standards, achieve and maintain accreditation, and comply with regulatory requirements and guidance, including reporting complaints and quality failures to the Regulator. The effectiveness of the FSR thus cannot be gauged by examination of the actions of the Regulator alone, but also requires evidence of impact upon FSPs. Using public data, supplemented by interviews with FSS providers, to facilitate an initial assessment of whether the FSR's role is “fit for purpose,” we outline five demands made of FSPs in delivering FSSs to the criminal justice system and the five objectives of the FSR to support and enhance the ability of FSPs to meet these demands. We provide a prefatory commentary on whether the FSR is able to effectively fulfill this purpose. It is argued that the FSR role in its current form cannot be considered “fit for purpose” when evidence of the impact of regulation is lacking. Finally, we briefly summarize “inhibitors” that prevent the FSR from being more effective.

This article is categorized under:

Jurisprudence and Regulatory Oversight > Expert Evidence and Narrative
European Starling Nest‐site Selection Given Enhanced Direct Nest Predation Risk
Authors: Blackwell Bradley F. , Seamans Thomas W. , Pfeiffer Morgan B. , Buckingham Bruce N.
Published: February 2021

The European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is recognized, outside its native range, as an invasive species, and efforts to deter its nesting have generally been unsuccessful. Enhancing perceived risk at the nest site is a little‐explored route in developing a nest deterrent. Specifically, nest predation risk affects site selection, reproduction, antipredator behavior, and fitness in nesting birds. We questioned whether perceived predation risk as related to a snake model positioned inside a nest box, in striking form, moving, and present throughout the period of cavity site selection would induce European starlings to avoid or delay nest construction. We conducted our study on the 2,200‐ha National Aeronautics and Space Administration Plum Brook Station (PBS), Erie County, Ohio, USA. Our objectives were to examine nest initiation, clutch development, and hatching success by starlings relative to 4 nest‐box treatments: moving snake model, movement mechanism only, immobile snake model, and control (empty box). We applied treatments across 120 nest boxes on PBS (30 boxes/treatment) from 15 April through 17 June 2019. We observed no treatment effects on nest initiation or date of nest bowl formation. Starlings occupied (laid ≥1 egg) in 76% of nest boxes (moving snake model = 22 boxes, movement mechanism = 25 boxes, immobile snake model = 21 boxes, control = 23 boxes). We observed no effects of treatment on likelihood of starlings laying a clutch, date of first egg, clutch size, or hatching success. We suggest that starlings adapted to perceived risk because models, despite animacy, did not attack. Therefore, snake models, as developed herein, are ineffective starling nesting deterrents. Published 2021. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
New Dihydrogenhypodiphosphates of Alkaline‐Earth Metals: Preparation, Crystal Structure, Vibrational Spectrum and Thermal Behavior of AE[H2P2O6] ⋅ n H2O (AE=Ca, Sr and n=1.5, 2)
Authors: Haase Madeline , Gjikaj Mimoza
Published: February 2021

Two new alkaline‐earth metal dihydrogenhypodiphosphates, AE[H2P2O6] ⋅ n H2O (AE=Ca, Sr and n=1.5, 2) have been prepared and structurally characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction. Calciumdihydrogenhypodiphosphate sesquihydrate, Ca[H2P2O6] ⋅ 1.5 H2O (1) (lattice parameters: a=6.619(1) Å, b=10.201(1) Å, c=20.922(2) Å, β=107.95(1)°, VEZ=1343.9(2) Å3, Z=4), crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c and strontiumdihydrogenhypodiphosphate dihydrate, Sr[H2P2O6] ⋅ 2 H2O (2) (lattice parameters: a=7.548(1) Å, b=11.906(1) Å, c=7.880(1) Å, VEZ=708.2(2) Å3, Z=4), in the orthorhombic space group Pbcn. The crystal structure of compound 1 consists of chains of edge‐ and face‐sharing of [CaO6] and [CaO8] polyhedra linked by dihydrogenhypodiphosphate(IV) anions to form a three‐dimensional network. The structure of 2 consists of alternating layers of chains of edge‐sharing [SrO8] polyhedra and respective anionic units. The different water‐content compositions result from the corresponding alkaline‐earth metal coordination polyedra and by the preferred number of water molecules in their coordination sphere, respectively. The IR/Raman spectra of the title compounds have been recorded and interpreted, especially with respect to the [H2P2O6]2− group. The phase purity of 2 was verified by powder diffraction measurements.
Theoretical evaluation of TKX‐50 as an ingredient in rocket propellants
Authors: Klapötke Thomas M. , Suceska Muhamed
Published: February 2021

Dihydroxylammonium‐5,5′‐bistetrazolyl‐1,1′‐diolate (TKX‐50), is one of the most promising energetic materials that has been reported in recent time. TKX‐50 shows great potential for future application as a secondary explosive, due to its sensitivity and explosive performance data. In this work, we report initial computational results which have been undertaken to investigate the viability of the application of TKX‐50 as an energetic ingredient in rocket propellants.
Prehistoric Human Tracks in Ojo Guareña Cave System (Burgos, Spain): The Sala and Galerías de las Huellas
Authors: Ortega Ana I. , Ruiz Francisco , Martín Miguel A. , Benito-Calvo Alfonso , Vidal Marco , Bermejo Lucía , Karampaglidis Theodoros
Published: February 2021

In 1969, members of Grupo Espeleológico Edelweiss discovered the Sala and Galerías de las Huellas in Ojo Guareña Cave system (Burgos, Spain). These contained hundreds of ancient human footprints, preserved in the soft sediment on the floor. These footprints represent the tracks of a small group of people who walked barefoot through these complex passages in the cave. Owing to the difficult compatibility of the documentation and preservation of these prints, it was not possible to study them before the development of new non-invasive remote sensing techniques. However, since 2012 optical laser scanning and digital photogrammetry have been used in Galerías de las Huellas, in combination with GIS techniques, to obtain a model of the cave floor, where the footprints and their internal morphology can be observed in detail. We have identified over 1000 prehistoric human footprints and at least 18 distinct trackways through the passages, which could have been left by around 8–10 individuals. Since 2016, an archaeological field study has been conducted in this sector, in order to determine and explore its surrounding area and find other archaeological evidence that may be directly associated with these tracks. Numerous remains of torches are preserved on the walls and floor in the immediate surroundings of the footprint sites. Some of them have been dated, which has revealed the intensive use of this underground landscape from the Upper Palaeolithic to the Mesolithic-Neolithic. However, the remains in Sala and Galerías de las Huellas date solely to the Chalcolithic, around 4300 calBP.
Inferences from Footprints: Archaeological Best Practice
Authors: Bennett Matthew R. , Reynolds Sally C.
Published: February 2021

Animal footprints are preserved in the archaeological record with greater frequency than perhaps previously assumed. This assertion is supported by a rapid increase in the number of discoveries in recent years. The analysis of such trace fossils is now being undertaken with an increasing sophistication, and a methodological revolution is afoot linked to the routine deployment of 3D digital capture. Much of this development has in recent years been driven by palaeontologists, yet archaeologists are just as likely to encounter footprints in excavations. It is therefore timely to review some of the key methodological developments and to focus attention on the inferences that can and, crucially, cannot be justifiably made from fossil footprints with specific reference to human tracks.
Repetition Without Repetition: A Comparison of the Laetoli G1, Ileret, Namibian Holocene and Modern Human Footprints Using Pedobarographic Statistical Parametric Mapping
Authors: McClymont Juliet , Crompton Robin H.
Published: February 2021

It is traditionally held that early hominins of the genus Australopithecus had a foot transitional in function between that of the other great apes and our own but that the appearance of genus Homo was marked by evolution of an essentially biomechanically modern foot, as well as modern body proportions. Here, we report the application of whole foot, pixel-wise topological statistical analysis, to compare four populations of footprints from across evolutionary time: Australopithecus at Laetoli (3.66 Ma, Tanzania), early African Homo from Ileret (1.5 Ma, Kenya) and recent modern (presumptively habitually barefoot) pastoralist Homo sapiens from Namibia (Holocene), with footprints from modern Western humans. Contrary to some previous analyses, we find that only limited areas of the footprints show any statistically significant difference in footprint depth (used here as an analogy for plantar pressure). A need for this comparison was highlighted by recent studies using the same statistical approach, to examine variability in the distribution of foot pressure in modern Western humans. This study revealed very high intra-variability (mean square error) step-to-step in over 500 steps. This result exemplifies the fundamental movement characteristic of dynamic biological systems, whereby regardless of the repetition in motor patterns for stepping, and even when constrained by experimental conditions, each step is unique or non-repetitive; hence, repetition without repetition. Thus, the small sample sizes predominant in the fossil and ichnofossil record do not reveal the fundamental neurobiological driver of locomotion (variability), essentially limiting our ability to make reliable interpretations which might be extrapolated to interpret hominin foot function at a population level. However, our need for conservatism in our conclusions does not equate with a conclusion that there has been functional stasis in the evolution of the hominin foot.
Perspectives on Pliocene and Pleistocene Pedal Patterns and Protection
Authors: Trinkaus Erik , Jashashvili Tea , Patel Biren A.
Published: February 2021

As a framework for interpreting Pliocene and Pleistocene hominin footprints, the functional implications of australopith and Homo pedal remains are reviewed. Despite minor variations in pedal proportions and articular morphology, all of these remains exhibit tarsometatarsal skeletons fully commensurate with an efficient (human) striding bipedal gait. The Middle and Late Pleistocene Homo pedal phalanges exhibit robust and distally flattened metatarsal 1 heads, hallux valgus, relatively short lateral digits with largely straight proximal phalanges with dorsally oriented metatarsal facets, all similar to those of recent humans. The Pliocene and Early Pleistocene halluces lack hallux valgus and have bulbous metatarsal 1 heads. The australopith pedal remains have lateral proximal phalanges that are relatively long and dorsally curved and have more proximally oriented metatarsal facets. In addition, pre-Upper Paleolithic Homo lateral phalanges have robust diaphysis implying the habitual absence of protective footwear, whereas the Upper Paleolithic ones are variably gracile, especially at higher latitudes, indicating more consistent use of footwear. These paleontological considerations provide a framework for interpreting the distal portions of earlier hominin footprints (especially with respect to hallucal orientation and digital length) and suggest that many of the Late Pleistocene footprints may be unrecognized given the use of footwear.
The Reserved Young Citizens of the Nordic Countries
Authors: Lieberkind Jonas , Bruun Jens
Published: February 2021

Both in citizenship education research and public debate, interest in understanding the role and significance of young people in the current state and future of democracy is ongoing. From one point of view, young people are seen as alienated and passive, thus raising concern. From another point of view, young people are seen as drivers for change, thus raising hope. This chapter intends to explore such contradicting roles of the young Nordic citizens. The basic questions are as follows: (1) What are the characteristics of the Nordic youth relative to the youth in other regions? (2) What are their main perceptions and attitudes towards the active and passive dimensions of citizenship? (3) Have these characteristics and perceptions changed over time? Empirically, the analyses and interpretations are based on IEA’s International Civic and Citizenship Education Study (ICCS) 2009 and ICCS 2016 data applied to demonstrate the regional trends, similarities, and differences among youth. In general, the Nordic youth are relatively passive with regard to political participation. At the same time, however, they are knowledgeable and democratically engaged. We propose a new analytical concept to understand this “double-sided” civic engagement of the Nordic youth as the reserved young Nordic citizens.
TransWork – Transformation der Arbeit durch Digitalisierung
Authors: Schnalzer Kathrin , Mütze-Niewöhner Susanne , Jeske Tim , Daum Mario , Lindner Matthias , Link Maike , Latos Benedikt Andrew , Eisele Olaf , Zanker Claus , Hamann Karin , Harlacher Markus , Lennings Frank , Dworschak Bernd
Published: February 2021

Im Rahmen des Beitrags werden die Forschungsergebnisse der TransWork (Transformation der Arbeit durch Digitalisierung) Projektpartner anwendungsorientiert dargestellt. Die fünf TransWork Teilvorhaben stellen Ergebnisse zu den Themen Kompetenzentwicklung, Beherrschung von Komplexität, Produktivitätsmanagement und Gestaltung sowie Regulierung von Arbeit vor. Dabei werden Lösungsansätze, Handlungsempfehlungen und unterstützende Faktoren für betriebliche Normsetzungsakteure und Anwendungsunternehmen aufgezeigt, die dafür genutzt werden können, den Herausforderungen durch Digitalisierung und der Automatisierung innerhalb der Arbeitswelt zu begegnen
KAMiiSo
Authors: Baschin Julian , Vietor Thomas , Zorn Victoria , Kauffeld Simone , Bardenhagen Tim Claus , Spielmann Christoph , Guse Michael
Published: February 2021

Moderne Produkte werden zunehmend durch verteilte Teams aus unterschiedlichen Engineering-Domänen entwickelt. Es resultieren komplexe Produktentwicklungsprozesse, die geplant werden müssen. Zur Strukturierung und Parallelisierung dieser Prozesse, Kommunikation zwischen den Stakeholdern und Unterstützung bei Entwicklungsaufgaben können Methoden und (Software)Tools eingesetzt werden. Um die Effektivität in der Entwicklung zu erhöhen, müssen diese Methoden und Tools allerdings zielgerichtet ausgewählt und in den Prozess integriert werden. Außerdem sind Kompetenzen im Umgang mit den Methoden und Tools sowie die Kommunikation und Entwicklung in den verteilten, interdisziplinären Teams notwendig. Zur Lösung dieser Probleme werden im vorliegenden Kapitel Konzepte sowie softwarebasierte Tools vorgestellt, die den Entwickler und Projektmanager bei der Projektplanung- und Durchführung unterstützen und zu einer kooperativen Produktentwicklung führen. In Arbeitsszenarien wird die Leistungsfähigkeit der Konzepte und Tools demonstriert.
Integration digitaler Assistenzsysteme für die industrielle Montage
Authors: Keller Thimo , Bayer Christian , Metternich Joachim , Schmidt Stephanie , Saki Mehrach , Sträter Oliver
Published: February 2021

Mit der zunehmenden Digitalisierung von Herstellungsverfahren ändern sich auch in industriellen Produktionsumgebungen die Arbeitsinhalte und das Arbeitsumfeld der Beschäftigten. Die Diversifikation von Produkten erhöht die Komplexität in der Produktion, wodurch die Anforderungen an die Beschäftigten steigen. Unter Berücksichtigung der Bedürfnisse der Mitarbeitenden und der betrieblichen Interessen stellt sich die Frage, wie eine leistungsförderliche Arbeitsplatzgestaltung aussehen soll. In Zusammenarbeit zwischen Forschung und Industrie entwickelt und erprobt das Forschungsprojekt IntAKom (Intelligente Aufwertung der manuellen und teilautomatisierten Arbeit durch den Einsatz digitaler Kommunikationstechnologie) konstruktive Ansätze guter digitaler Assistenz in der Produktion.
Informatorische Assistenzsysteme
Authors: Bläsing Dominic , Bornewasser Manfred , Hinrichsen Sven
Published: February 2021

Im Verbundprojekt Montexas4.0 wird das Potenzial von informatorischen Assistenzsystemen in der manuellen Montage im Hinblick auf eine Steigerung der betrieblichen Produktivität durch eine Reduzierung der mentalen Beanspruchung untersucht. Hintergrund dieses Ansatzes bildet die zunehmende Komplexität von Montageprozessen infolge wachsender Variantenvielfalt, die Montagebeschäftigte dazu zwingt, auf der Basis hoher Wachsamkeit permanent Entscheidungen zwischen auszuwählenden Teilen, Werkzeugen und Arbeitsmethoden zu treffen. Diese Situation löst Unsicherheit aus und führt über zunehmende Fehlerwahrscheinlichkeit und Zeitverluste zu einer Verringerung der betrieblichen Arbeitsproduktivität. Die dadurch steigende kognitive oder mentale Beanspruchung soll durch informatorische Assistenzsysteme reduziert werden, indem passende Informationen in leicht aufzunehmender und zu verarbeitender Weise angeboten werden. Es wird aufgezeigt, wie mentale Beanspruchungen erfasst werden können und vor welchen Problemen eine valide Messung mittels objektiver Verfahren steht.
SynDiQuAss – Synchronisierung von Digitalisierung, Qualitätssicherung und Assistenzsystemen
Authors: Rusch Tobias , Hueber Michael , Kerber Florian , Sochor Robin , Fink Klaus , Klug Hermann , Stelzle Benedikt , Romanelli Massimo
Published: February 2021

Als Ergebnis des Förderprojektes SynDiQuAss liegt ein partizipatives und praktisch evaluiertes Vorgehensmodell zur Integration von digitalen Assistenzsystemen an Montagearbeitsplätzen in KMU mit produktionstechnischem Hintergrund vor. Als normatives Rahmenwerk wurde zu Beginn ein gemeinsames Commitment der Projektpartner unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der Interessen der betroffenen WerkerInnen verabschiedet, welches durch regelmäßige Evaluationen die Akzeptanz und den Systemnutzen der entwickelten Lösungsansätze absichert. Anhand prototypischer Anwendungsszenarien wurden Methoden für systematische Auswahl und Applikation kognitiver und physischer Assistenzsysteme an bisher nicht automatisierten Montagearbeitsplätzen entwickelt. Eine zentrale Software implementiert das formale Modell der digitalisierten Montageanweisung, mit der die Assistenzsystemfunktionalitäten für jeden Montageschritt gesteuert werden, und realisiert die Schnittstelle zur Anbindung anderer Unternehmensbereiche. Das modulare Aufbaukonzept wurde in einem spezifizierten Demonstratorarbeitsplatz umgesetzt und in den beteiligten Industriepartnern mit deren MitarbeiterInnen evaluiert.
Empowerment in der agilen Arbeitswelt
Authors: Boes Andreas , Gül Katrin , Kämpf Tobias , Lühr Thomas
Published: February 2021

Das konsequente Empowerment der Beschäftigten ist der Schlüssel für den langfristigen Erfolg agiler und humaner Arbeitswelten und muss in der Unternehmenspraxis einen zentralen Stellenwert einnehmen. Das ist das zentrale Ergebnis des Projekts „Empowerment in der digitalen Arbeitswelt“ (EdA). Gelingen kann Empowerment mit einem ganzheitlichen Ansatz und wenn seine Rahmenbedingungen beteiligungsorientiert gestaltet werden. Der im Projekt entwickelte Empowerment-Index umfasst die relevanten Dimensionen von Empowerment in der agilen Arbeitswelt und unterstützt Unternehmen dabei, zentrale Ansatzpunkte für Gestaltungsmaßnahmen zu identifizieren.
Digitalisierung der Arbeitswelt kommunaler Energieversorger
Authors: Borchert Margret , Martinetz Simone , Bienzeisler Bernd , Mohr Olaf , Fregin Marie-Christine , Roth Ines , Becker Sascha , Schmidt Katharina , Straub Matthias , Troch Sonja Luise
Published: February 2021

Ziel des Verbundprojekts AKTIV-kommunal war die Entwicklung, pilothafte Umsetzung und Evaluierung einer integrierten Toolbox für die digitale Transformation kommunaler Energieversorger. In drei integriert bearbeiteten Teilprojekten standen die Digitalisierung von Arbeitsprozessen, digitale Arbeitsmodelle sowie Digital Leadership im Mittelpunkt der Projektaktivitäten. Dabei bildeten jeweils ein Forschungspartner und ein Anwendungsunternehmen ein Tandem, um zu wissenschaftlich fundierten und praxistauglichen Ergebnissen zu gelangen. Der Projektbeirat, dem namhafte Vertreter/-innen aus Unternehmen, von Verbänden, der Sozialpartner und weitere Wissenschaftler angehörten, gab zusätzliche Impulse für die Projektarbeit. Im vorliegenden Beitrag werden die zentralen Ergebnisse von AKTIV-kommunal vorgestellt. Darüber hinaus werden Hinweise zu den im Projektverlauf erstellten Transfermaterialien gegeben und erfolgt ein Ausblick auf zukünftige Forschungsaktivitäten.
DigiTraIn 4.0: Ein Beratungskonzept für die Transformation in eine digitale Arbeitswelt
Authors: Kaiser Stephan , Kozica Arjan , Littig Bianca , Müller Madlen , Rauch Ricarda , Thiemann Daniel
Published: February 2021

Das Projekt DigiTraIn 4.0 hat ein Beratungskonzept entwickelt und erprobt, das Unternehmen bei der erfolgreichen Digitalisierung ihrer Arbeitswelt unterstützt. Das Beratungskonzept basiert auf vier anwendungsorientierten Instrumenten: Der Digitalisierungsatlas bildet die Digitalisierung der Arbeitswelt in all ihren Dimensionen ab und ermöglicht es, die Notwendigkeit sowie Chancen und Risiken der Veränderungen zu verstehen. Hierauf aufbauend können Unternehmen mit dem Digitalisierungsindex ihren aktuellen Ist-Digitalisierungsgrad der Arbeitswelt individuell bestimmen. Der individuelle Digitalisierungsgrad dient als Ausgangspunkt für den Digitalisierungskompass, der es dem Unternehmen ermöglicht, die Soll-Vorstellung der digitalen Arbeitswelt zu illustrieren und eine unternehmensspezifische Transformationsagenda abzuleiten. Der Beratungsprozess und die Entwicklung der zentralen Instrumente werden in diesem Beitrag dargestellt.
Game of Roster – GamOR
Authors: Blaudszun-Lahm Annette , Kubek Vanessa , Meyer auf’m Hofe Harald , Schlicker Nadine , Velten Sebastian , Uhde Alarith
Published: February 2021

Der Pflegeberuf wird als wenig attraktiv wahrgenommen: physische Belastungen, Schichtdienst, vergleichsweise geringes Gehalt sind – neben weiteren Faktoren – dafür ausschlaggebend. Negative Auswirkungen von Schichtarbeit können dadurch reduziert werden, dass das Autonomieerleben der Mitarbeitenden erhöht wird. Ziel ist, dass sie nicht weiter das Gefühl haben, dass (neben ihrem Berufsleben auch) über ihr Privatleben verfügt wird. Pflegekräfte selbst sollen gestalten. Diesen Gestaltungsspielraum adressiert das Verbundprojekt GamOR: mithilfe einer kollaborativen, d. h. gemeinschaftlichen, und zugleich digitalisierten Dienstplanung soll die Autonomie und damit auch die Zufriedenheit der Pflegekräfte erhöht werden.
Digitalisierung der Arbeit in der ambulanten Pflege
Authors: Bleses Peter , Breuer Jens , Busse Britta , Friemer Andreas , Jahns Kristin , Kludig Rebecca , Raudies Stephanie
Published: February 2021

Die Digitalisierung dringt mit der Einführung digitaler Tourenbegleiter in die ambulante Pflege in die Arbeit von Pflegekräften vor, die zuvor meist noch wenig Erfahrung mit digital gestützter Arbeit hatten. Pflegearbeit ist hier durch eine berufskulturelle Prägung gekennzeichnet, deren Kern in der persönlichen Interaktionsbeziehung liegt. Um digitale Technik erfolgreich in die ambulante Pflege einführen zu können, ist ihre Integrationsfähigkeit in die Pflegearbeit aus Perspektive der Pflegekräfte zentral: Digitale Technik sollte Pflegearbeit unterstützen, darf sie aber nicht stören oder mit guter Pflege unvereinbar sind. Und v. a. sollte die Digitalisierung der Pflegearbeit angesichts zunehmend belastender Arbeitsbedingungen auch die Arbeitsqualität der Pflegekräfte verbessern. Das Verbundprojekt KoLeGe hat in der ambulanten Pflegepraxis Lösungen erarbeitet, wie digitale Tourenbegleiter unter Berücksichtigung der Bedarfe von Pflegekräften gut in die Praxis eingeführt werden können.
Entwicklung eines digitalen Lehr- und Lernarrangements für das deutsche Handwerk
Authors: Spieth Patrick , Klos Christoph , Röth Tobias , Schmidt Ludger , Funk Johannes , Klingauf Anna , Robak Steffi , Knaut Moritz , Klimpel Maria , Heidemann Lena , Schüttler Friedrich , Gringel Heiko
Published: February 2021

Das BMBF/ESF Projekt FachWerk entwickelte während der dreijährigen Projektlaufzeit ein multimediales Lehr- und Lernarrangement zur Adoption von Informations- und Kommunikationstechnologien im deutschen Handwerk. Ziel ist die digitalisierte Fachkräftequalifizierung für die zukünftige Arbeitswelt. Im Rahmen des Projekts wurden verschiedene Mega- und Technologietrends sowie Erfolgsfaktoren identifiziert, Bedarfe für zukünftige Qualifikationen definiert, ein konkretes Lehrkonzept gestaltet und darauf basierend die digitale Lehr- und Lernplattform entwickelt, getestet und evaluiert. Die nachhaltige Verwertung der Plattform wird durch assoziierte Partner langfristig sichergestellt. Die Plattform dient somit als ein wichtiger Schritt zur digitalen Transformation des Handwerks.
Digitalisierung und Arbeitsorganisation
Authors: Holst Hajo , Metternich Joachim , Schwarz-Kocher Martin , Ardelt Thomas , Brunsen Hendrik , Kalff Yannick , Kleine Nadine , Kutlu Yalcin , Meißner Alyssa , Müller Marvin , Niehoff Steffen , Seibold Bettina , Sinopoli Robert
Published: February 2021

TeamWork 4.0 beschäftigt sich mit der Einführung von digitalen Assistenzsystemen und ihren Rückwirkungen auf industrielle Gruppen- und Teamarbeit. Die in den Verbundunternehmen entwickelten und erprobten Assistenzsysteme adressieren jeweils Shopfloor-Herausforderungen, die in industriellen KMU weit verbreitet sind: Das bei der Mahr GmbH entwickelte digitale Dokumentationssystem macht die aus der kundenindividuellen Maschinenfertigung erwachsende Komplexität an Dokumentationen beherrschbar, die bei der Homag AG entwickelte KVP-App erleichtert die Beteiligung der Mitarbeitenden an Verbesserungsprozessen und das bei der Voith AG eingeführte Shopfloor Management-System erhöht die Transparenz von Problemlösungen. Der von TeamWork 4.0 verfolgte beteiligungsorientierte Ansatz stellt sicher, dass die Assistenzsysteme in der Belegschaft über eine hohe Akzeptanz verfügen und die Weiterentwicklung der bestehenden Gruppen- und Teamarbeit unterstützen.
Holographic and localization calculations of boundary F for $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SUSY Yang-Mills theory
Authors: Van Raamsdonk Mark , Waddell Chris
Published: February 2021

Abstract

$$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 Supersymmetric Yang-Mills (SYM) theory can be defined on a half-space with a variety of boundary conditions preserving scale invariance and half of the original supersymmetry; more general theories with the same symmetry can be obtained by coupling to a 3D SCFT at the boundary. Each of these theories is characterized by a quantity called “boundary F”, conjectured to decrease under boundary renormalization group flows. In this paper, we calculate boundary F for U(N) $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 SYM theory with the most general half-supersymmetric boundary conditions arising from string theory constructions with D3-branes ending on collections of D5-branes and/or NS5-branes. We first perform the calculation holographically by evaluating the entanglement entropy for a half-ball centered on the boundary using the Ryu-Takayanagi formula in the dual type IIB supergravity solutions. For boundary conditions associated with D3-branes ending on D5 branes only or NS5-branes only, we also calculate boundary F exactly by evaluating the hemisphere partition function using supersymmetric localization. The leading terms at large N in the supergravity and localization results agree exactly as a function of the t’ Hooft coupling λ.
Additive manufacturing of biomorphic scaffolds for bone tissue engineering
Authors: Caiazzo Fabrizia , Alfieri Vittorio , Bujazha Brahim David
Published: February 2021

Bone tissue engineering has evolved owing to new opportunities of deep customisation offered by additive manufacturing technologies. Gyroid structures, which have been widely used for energy absorption or chemical catalysis, are now being employed as biomorphic structures as well to provide customer-oriented scaffolds for missing or injured bones. Unfortunately, limited data in terms of manufacturability and mechanical properties are available in the literature to support a wide application scope, because the bone to match is strongly dependent on the individual. Therefore, the study aimed at addressing this lack of knowledge, assessing the manufacturability of metal gyroids and further developing the correlation of the structural response with the designed geometry, so to allow the designer to provide the proper biomorphic structure on a case-by-case basis. Biocompatible steel was used to manufacture samples via laser powder-bed fusion; their elastic moduli and yield strengths were evaluated as a function of the orientation of the elementary cells, the symmetry and the wall thickness based on compression testing. Grounds have been given to support potential applications for tibias and vertebras.
External financial dependence and firms’ crisis performance across Europe
Authors: Eppinger Peter S. , Neugebauer Katja
Published: February 2021

How do financial market conditions affect real economic performance? Empirical investigations of this question have often relied on measures of external financial dependence (EFD) that are constructed using US data and applied to other countries under the assumption of a stable industry ranking across countries. This paper exploits unique, comparable survey data from seven European countries to show that correlations of EFD across countries are weak, casting some doubt on this assumption. We then use the novel survey-based EFD index to show that the global financial crisis had a disproportionately negative impact on the real performance of financially dependent firms. Further investigations highlight the importance of supply chains in propagating the credit shock.
Derivation of the Landau–Pekar Equations in a Many-Body Mean-Field Limit
Authors: Leopold Nikolai , Mitrouskas David , Seiringer Robert
Published: February 2021

We consider the Fröhlich Hamiltonian in a mean-field limit where many bosonic particles weakly couple to the quantized phonon field. For large particle numbers and a suitably small coupling, we show that the dynamics of the system is approximately described by the Landau–Pekar equations. These describe a Bose–Einstein condensate interacting with a classical polarization field, whose dynamics is effected by the condensate, i.e., the back-reaction of the phonons that are created by the particles during the time evolution is of leading order.
Mineralogical, chemical and stable C and O isotope characteristics of surficial carbonate structures from the Mediterranean offshore Israel indicate microbial and thermogenic methane origin
Authors: Spiro Baruch , Ezra Oded , Najorka Jens , Delgado Antonio , Bialik Or , Ben-Avraham Zvi , Coleman Dwight , Makovsky Yizhaq
Published: February 2021

The Eastern Mediterranean continental slope offshore Israel became a focus of exploration for, and production of, natural gas in recent years. The 2010–2011 Nautilus ROV expedition performed detailed video recordings and sampling in two areas offshore Israel: the Palmachim disturbance, southwest of Tel Aviv, and an area offshore Acre, north of Haifa. An analytical programme regarding the carbonate structures was carried out, examining the overall mineralogy, stable C and O isotopes, and Ca, Mg, and Mn concentrations. This provided information on their composition and as a result, an indication of the carbon sources and temperature of formation. The major authigenic minerals identified comprised magnesian calcite, dolomite, aragonite, and kutnohorite. The detrital minerals included quartz, clays, feldspars, and rare augite and enstatite, likely transported from the Nile estuary. The carbon isotope composition of aliquots taken from nineteen samples from these areas have an overall δ13C range from −62.0 to −0.1‰PDB, indicating a range of microbial/biogenic and thermogenic methane contributions. The range of δ18O from 2.7 to 7.0‰PDB reflects the range of temperatures of formation. The δ18O characteristics differ among areas. In general, high values; δ18O >5‰PDB are recorded from area N2 of the Palmachim disturbance, indicating low temperature of formation. Low values of δ18O (<5‰PDB) were measured from areas W2 and W3 of the Palmachim disturbance, together with samples from area N2 of the Palmachim disturbance, and samples from areas A1 and A2 offshore Acre indicate high temperature origin. Samples from an inactive chimney from area N2 range from pure dolomite to pure magnesian calcite. This trend is linked to δ13C increase from −39.9 to −0.1‰(PDB), and δ18O decrease from 6.2 to 4.7‰(PDB). These values indicate a decrease in the methane-derived carbon contribution and an increase in temperature. Kutnohorite, Ca(Mn2+, Mg, Fe 2+)(CO3)2 is a major component in samples from Acre, and less so in the Palmachim disturbance. An exploratory investigation of the relationship between Mn/Ca, δ18O and δ13C revealed that samples having Mn/Ca < 0.1(wt./wt.) have δ13C<−50‰PDB indicating a microbial methane source, while samples with Mn/Ca > 0.1 have δ13C between −35 and −22‰PDB suggesting a thermogenic origin. These results suggest that the mineralogical, isotopic δ13, δ18O, and chemical (Mn/Ca indicative of kutnohorite) characteristics of surficial carbonate structures can indicate and distinguish between deep and shallow methane sources in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Critical appraisal of the 2020 ESC guideline recommendations on diagnosis and risk assessment in patients with suspected non-ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndrome
Authors: Giannitsis Evangelos , Blankenberg Stefan , Christenson Robert H. , Frey Norbert , von Haehling Stephan , Hamm Christian W. , Inoue Kenji , Katus Hugo A. , Lee Chien-Chang , McCord James , Möckel Martin , Chieh Jack Tan Wei , Tubaro Marco , Wollert Kai C. , Huber Kurt
Published: February 2021

Multiple new recommendations have been introduced in the 2020 ESC guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes with a focus on diagnosis, prognosis, and management of patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation. Most recommendations are supported by high-quality scientific evidence. The guidelines provide solutions to overcome obstacles presumed to complicate a convenient interpretation of troponin results such as age-, or sex-specific cutoffs, and to give practical advice to overcome delays of laboratory reporting. However, in some areas, scientific support is less well documented or even missing, and other areas are covered rather by expert opinion or subjective recommendations. We aim to provide a critical appraisal on several recommendations, mainly related to the diagnostic and prognostic assessment, highlighting the discrepancies between Guideline recommendations and the existing scientific evidence.
High risks of failure observed for A1 trochanteric femoral fractures treated with a DHS compared to the PFNA in a prospective observational cohort study
Authors: van der Sijp Max P. L. , de Groot Marianne , Meylaerts Sven A. , du Pré Karel J. , Verhage Sander M. , Schipper Inger B. , Niggebrugge Arthur H. P.
Published: February 2021

Introduction

Both the DHS and the PFNA are common and well-studied treatment options for stable trochanteric fractures. The aim of the current study was to compare the implant failure rates of these two implants in 31A1 type trochanteric femoral fractures.

Materials and methods

A single-centre observational cohort study was conducted in the Hip Fracture Unit of a multicentre level 1 trauma teaching hospital between December 2016 and October 2018. Patients with an AO/OTA type 31A1 fracture were included. Pathological fractures, bilateral fractures, high-energy traumas and patients younger than 18 years of age were excluded. Surgery was performed using either a DHS or PFNA. Both were used routinely for stable trochanteric fractures, and allocation was decided by the surgeon performing the operation. The primary outcome of this study was the implant failure rate in the first postoperative year. Secondary outcomes included the reoperation rate, functional recovery, pain and morphine use.

Results

Data were available from 126 patients treated with a DHS (n = 32, 25.4%) or PFNA (n = 95, 74.6%). Minor differences were observed in the patient characteristics including the prevalence of cognitive impairment (18.8% vs 40.2%; P = 0.028), prefracture independence in activities of daily living (87.1% vs 67.4%; P = 0.034) and prefracture mobility (independently without aides: 61.3% vs 40.4%; P = 0.033). Fractures treated with a DHS showed 25% implant failures, compared to 1.1% for fractures treated with a PFNA (P = 0.004). No differences were observed in any of the secondary outcomes.

Conclusions

Significantly more implant failures were observed for the DHS compared the PFNA within 1 year after surgery. Despite the fact that this did not result in differences in revision surgery, we conclude that the PFNA, considering the minimal number of implant-related fractures is a viable implant for A1 type trochanteric fractures.
TERT promoter mutations in penile squamous cell carcinoma: high frequency in non-HPV-related type and association with favorable clinicopathologic features
Authors: Kim Sang Kyum , Kim Jang-Hee , Han Jae Ho , Cho Nam Hoon , Kim Se Joong , Kim Sun Il , Choo Seol Ho , Kim Ji Su , Park Bumhee , Kwon Ji Eun
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Penile carcinoma is a rare malignant neoplasm with a largely unknown molecular pathogenesis. Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERT-p) mutations have been detected in several types of human malignancies. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of TERT-p mutations in penile squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and their associations with clinicopathologic features.

Methods

In this retrospective study, Sanger sequencing was performed to detect TERT-p mutations in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue samples from 37 patients with penile SCC, 16 patients with cutaneous SCC, and 4 patients with non-neoplastic penile/skin tissue. The expression of p16INK4a and Ki-67 was investigated via immunohistochemistry. Associations of TERT-p mutation with clinicopathological factors, immunohistochemical results, and clinical outcome were statistically analyzed.

Results

Recurrent TERT-p mutations were identified in 18 out of 37 (48.6%) penile SCCs, including all 3 carcinoma in situ cases. TERT-p mutations were significantly more frequent in non-human papilloma virus (HPV)-related penile SCC types than in non-HPV-related penile SCC based on both histologic classification and p16INK4a immunoreactivity. Furthermore, TERT-p mutation was associated with a low histologic grade, low mitotic count, absence of necrosis, low Ki-67/MIB-1 labeling index, and absence of lymph node or distant metastasis.

Conclusion

Our study shows TERT-p mutations are the most frequent somatic mutations in penile SCC. In addition, TERT-p mutations are far more frequent in non-HPV-related penile SCC than in HPV-related penile SCC, indicating TERT-p mutations may have a role in tumorigenesis distinct from HPV-related penile SCC.
Graph Reconstruction from Unlabeled Edge Lengths
Authors: Garamvölgyi Dániel , Jordán Tibor
Published: February 2021

A d-dimensional framework is a pair (G, p), where $$G=(V,E)$$

G
=
(
V
,
E
)

is a graph and p is a map from V to $$\mathbb {R}^d$$

R

d

. The length of an edge $$uv\in E$$

u
v
∈
E

in (G, p) is the distance between p(u) and p(v). The framework is said to be globally rigid in $$\mathbb {R}^d$$

R

d

if every other d-dimensional framework (G, q), in which the corresponding edge lengths are the same, is congruent to (G, p). In a recent paper Gortler, Theran, and Thurston proved that if every generic framework (G, p) in $$\mathbb {R}^d$$

R

d

is globally rigid for some graph G on $$n\ge d+2$$

n
≥
d
+
2

vertices (where $$d\ge 2$$

d
≥
2

), then already the set of (unlabeled) edge lengths of a generic framework (G, p), together with n, determine the framework up to congruence. In this paper we investigate the corresponding unlabeled reconstruction problem in the case when the above generic global rigidity property does not hold for the graph. We provide families of graphs G for which the set of (unlabeled) edge lengths of any generic framework (G, p) in d-space, along with the number of vertices, uniquely determine the graph, up to isomorphism. We call these graphs weakly reconstructible. We also introduce the concept of strong reconstructibility; in this case the labeling of the edges is also determined by the set of edge lengths of any generic framework. For $$d=1,2$$

d
=
1
,
2

we give a partial characterization of weak reconstructibility as well as a complete characterization of strong reconstructibility of graphs. In particular, in the low-dimensional cases we describe the family of weakly reconstructible graphs that are rigid but not redundantly rigid.
Consensus guidelines for botulinum toxin therapy: general algorithms and dosing tables for dystonia and spasticity
Authors: Dressler Dirk , Altavista Maria Concetta , Altenmueller Eckart , Bhidayasiri Roongroj , Bohlega Saeed , Chana Pedro , Chung Tae Mo , Colosimo Carlo , Fheodoroff Klemens , Garcia-Ruiz Pedro J. , Jeon Beomseok , Jin Lingjing , Kanovsky Petr , Milanov Ivan , Micheli Federico , Orlova Olga , Pandey Sanjay , Pirtosek Zvezdan , Relja Maja , Rosales Raymond , Sagástegui-Rodríguez José Alberto , Shahidi Gholam Ali , Timerbaeva Sofia , Wan Xinhua , Walter Uwe , Saberi Fereshte Adib
Published: February 2021

Botulinum toxin (BT) therapy is a complex and highly individualised therapy defined by treatment algorithms and injection schemes describing its target muscles and their dosing. Various consensus guidelines have tried to standardise and to improve BT therapy. We wanted to update and improve consensus guidelines by: (1) Acknowledging recent advances of treatment algorithms. (2) Basing dosing tables on statistical analyses of real-life treatment data of 1831 BT injections in 36 different target muscles in 420 dystonia patients and 1593 BT injections in 31 different target muscles in 240 spasticity patients. (3) Providing more detailed dosing data including typical doses, dose variabilities, and dosing limits. (4) Including total doses and target muscle selections for typical clinical entities thus adapting dosing to different aetiologies and pathophysiologies. (5) In addition, providing a brief and concise review of the clinical entity treated together with general principles of its BT therapy. For this, we collaborated with IAB—Interdisciplinary Working Group for Movement Disorders which invited an international panel of experts for the support.