bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fully Printed and Industrially Scalable Semitransparent Organic Photovoltaic Modules: Navigating through Material and Processing Constraints
Authors: Wachsmuth Josua , Distler Andreas , Liu Chao , Heumüller Thomas , Liu Yang , Aitchison Catherine M. , Hauser Alina , Rossier Michael , Robitaille Amélie , Llobel Marc-Antoine , Morin Pierre-Olivier , Thepaut Anaïs , Arrive Charline , McCulloch Iain , Zhou Yinhua , Brabec Christoph J. , Egelhaaf Hans-Joachim
Published: August 2023

While the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of organic photovoltaics (OPV) on small‐area lab cells has rapidly increased during the last few years, the performance on module level and the availability of OPV modules on the market is still limited, primarily due to specific constraints imposed by the industrial production process. This work deals with the upscaling process of latest‐generation OPV from small‐area lab cells to fully solution‐processed modules, which are compatible to industrial roll‐to‐roll (R2R) printing. This transfer is demonstrated step by step from material selection and process optimization for every single layer of the stack (photoactive layer, charge transporting layers, and solution‐processed top electrode)–including long‐term stability investigations (thermal and light)–to scaling up the device area by a factor of >100. Thus, a semitransparent OPV module with 10.8% PCE on 10.2 cm2 active area is achieved, which is among the highest performances for semitransparent, fully solution‐processed OPV modules. The individual developments all meet the requirements for industrial R2R printing (green solvents, processing in air, annealing ≤140 °C, etc.), which ensures that both the optimized layer stack and the fabrication process are fully scalable and easily transferable to large‐scale production.
Impact of Treatment with Superheated Steam on the Structural, Thermal, and Functional Characteristics of Quinoa Starch
Authors: Almeida Raphael Lucas Jacinto , Santos Newton Carlos , Ferreira Iêda Letícia de Souza , Pedro Marcelo da Silva , Morais Jessica Renaly Fernandes , de Oliveira Adolfo Pinheiro , Ribeiro Victor Herbert de Alcântara , Silva Virgínia Mirtes de Alcântara , de Lima Thalis Leandro Bezerra , de Moraes Maria Suiane , Silva Semirames do Nascimento , Freire Vitória de Andrade , Galdino Pablícia Oliveira , Silva Rebeca de Almeida
Published: August 2023

The objective of the study is to evaluate the impact of treatment with superheated steam on the structural, thermal, and functional characteristics of quinoa starch. The superheated steam treatment is applied to the starch at 130 and 170 °C for 1 and 4 min, then dried at 50 °C and stored. Moisture adsorption isotherms are performed at 25 °C, and data are fitted to the Oswin, GAB, and Peleg models. Structural characterization is done using XRD and FTIR, thermal analysis using DSC, and functional characterization include water absorption capacity (WAC), oil absorption capacity (OAC), and syneresis. The QS170/4 treatment shows a reduction in crystallinity index of up to 48.24%, with the appearance of the amylose‐lipid complex, an increase in initial and final gelatinization temperatures, and a decrease in enthalpy of up to 39.53%. For modified starches, WAC and OAC increase by 9% and 7%, respectively, and syneresis decreases significantly by 17.4%. The results demonstrate the feasibility of modifying quinoa starch with superheated steam treatment, which, unlike other methods, has the advantage of altering the amylose and amylopectin chains in just a few minutes. Thus, the results show a new perspective for the use of superheated steam in starch modification.
Electrical Properties of Alicyclic Epoxy Resins for Application to Varnish of Rotating Machine Winding
Authors: Ikenomata Ryo , Kawashima Tomohiro , Hozumi Naohiro , Murakami Yoshinobu
Published: August 2023

Epoxy resins (EP) are commonly used to power apparatus due to their excellent electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. Two types of EP resins were prepared to develop the varnishes for a rotating machine winding. A bifunctional alicyclic EP were used as an EP main resin, and an acid anhydride [mixture of hexahydro phthalic anhydride and methyl hexahydro phthalic anhydride (HHPA), or methyl nadic anhydride (NMA)] were used as a curing agent. The DC and impulse breakdown strengths of the EP‐HHPA were higher than that of EP‐NMA regardless of the applied voltage waveform and the temperature. The PDIV of the twisted pair sample coated with EP‐HHPA under the surge voltage application was also higher than that of twisted pair sample without the coating with EP resin and that with EP‐NMA. Furthermore, the transferred and/or accumulated charge amount of the EP‐HHAP on bulk and surface properties at high temperatures were superior to that of EP‐NMA. From these results, it is considered that EP‐HHPA may be preferable varnishes materials than EP‐NMA for a rotating machine winding. © 2023 Institute of Electrical Engineer of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
[(K,Rb)@([2.2.2]crypt)]2(K,Rb)4[Si9W(CO)4] ⋅ 13.4 NH3 – The First Tungsten Functionalized Silicon Zintl Cluster
Authors: Braun Paul A. , Westermair Franz F. , Gschwind Ruth M. , Korber Nikolaus
Published: August 2023

The reaction between the heteroleptic metal carbonyl complex [W(CO)4(tmeda)] ((tmeda)=N,N,N′,N′‐Tetramethylethane‐1,2‐diamine) with [Si9]4− silicon Zintl clusters in presence of [2.2.2]crypt ([2.2.2]crypt=4,7,13,16,21,24‐Hexaoxa‐1,10‐diazabicyclo[8.8.8]‐hexacosane) in liquid ammonia yielded the compound [(K,Rb)@([2.2.2]crypt)]2(K,Rb)4[Si9W(CO)4] ⋅ 13.4 NH3. The compound was analyzed by single crystal X‐ray diffraction and crystallizes in the space group
(a=11.48390(10) Å, b=19.7383(2) Å, c=19.8983(2) Å, α=112.5760(10)°, β=97.4210(10)°, γ=95.3760(10)°, V=4079.01(7) Å3). The compound represents the first group 6 carbonylate‐functionalized silicon Zintl cluster. The central moiety is composed of a tricapped trigonal prismatic nine‐atom silicon species which coordinates with the lone pair of one capping atom to the tungsten tetracarbonylate, forming a pseudo trigonal bipyramidal carbonylate cluster anion [Si9W(CO)4]6−. The chemical bonding in the new cluster entity is analyzed using theoretical calculations and subsequent analysis using QTAIM and NBO.
FPGA-Based Network-Attached Accelerators – An Environmental Life Cycle Perspective
Authors: Steinert Fritjof , Stabernack Benno
Published: August 2023

Homogeneous computing systems are reaching their limits with the growing demands of current applications. Accelerating compute-intensive applications ensures manageable computing times and boosts energy efficiency, which is an important lever as part of ongoing efforts to tackle global climate change. Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) accelerators are well-known for increasing throughput and, in particular, energy efficiency for many applications. FPGA accelerators connected directly to the data center high-speed network are ideal for integration into a heterogeneous data center, avoiding the energy and resource overhead of a carrier system. The standalone Network-attached Accelerators (NAAs) further benefits from low latency and predictable line-rate network throughput, as well as an interoperable communications interface. For selected use cases, we compare a heterogeneous computing cluster extended by NAAs with a homogeneous CPU-based cluster not only in terms of computing performance and energy efficiency, but also considering resource efficiency. For this purpose, we perform a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for both systems based on the Key Performance Indicators for Data Center Efficiency (KPI4DCE) indicator set, which takes into account the manufacturing phase in addition to the usage phase. The KPI4DCE tool has been extended to include modeling of NAAs. This allows us to show that NAAs are not only more energy-efficient, but also more resource-efficient for the selected applications, leading to a strong improvement of the environmental impact of the manufacturing phase.
Bernhard Riemann 1861 revisited: existence of flat coordinates for an arbitrary bilinear form
Authors: Bandyopadhyay S. , Dacorogna B. , Matveev V. S. , Troyanov M.
Published: August 2023

We generalize the celebrated results of Bernhard Riemann and Gaston Darboux: we give necessary and sufficient conditions for a bilinear form to be flat. More precisely, we give explicit necessary and sufficient conditions for a tensor field of type (0, 2) which is not necessary symmetric or skew-symmetric, and is possibly degenerate, to have constant entries in a local coordinate system.
Age, growth, and population structure of the African cuttlefish Sepia bertheloti based on beak microstructure
Authors: Guerra-Marrero Airam , Bartolomé Aurora , Couce-Montero Lorena , Espino-Ruano Ana , Jiménez-Alvarado David , Castro José J. , Perales-Raya Catalina
Published: August 2023

In this study, we explored the feasibility of using the beaks of the African cuttlefish Sepia bertheloti for age estimation and growth analysis. The rostrum sagittal section (RSS) of the lower beak was the most suitable region in the species. It was applied in samples caught off Morocco and Guinea-Bissau between June 2018 and January 2020. A maximum life expectancy of around 14 months was observed (specifically 419 days for cuttlefishes from Morocco and 433 from Guinea-Bissau). The males presented greater longevity, as the maximum age of the females was between 9 and 11 months. Sepia bertheloti showed a negative allometric growth; however, the exponential model better describes each population growth. By sexes, the males of both locations followed an asymptotic growth model while the females exhibited a non-asymptotic growth. The growth rates were different between locations, with the highest values in Guinea-Bissau. The males, in turn, grew faster for both study locations. In Guinea-Bissau, these growth differences were influenced by the hatching season since individuals born between autumn and winter were the fastest-growing. Samples from Morocco did not show growth differences between the hatching season and other seasons. These results indicate that the RSS of lower beaks are suitable for estimating the age, growth pattern, and population structure of Sepia bertheloti.
Topological data analysis to identify cardiac resynchronization therapy patients exhibiting benefit from an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
Authors: Veres Boglárka , Schwertner Walter Richard , Tokodi Márton , Szijártó Ádám , Kovács Attila , Merkel Eperke Dóra , Behon Anett , Kuthi Luca , Masszi Richárd , Gellér László , Zima Endre , Molnár Levente , Osztheimer István , Becker Dávid , Kosztin Annamária , Merkely Béla
Published: August 2023

Background

Current guidelines recommend considering multiple factors while deciding between cardiac resynchronization therapy with a defibrillator (CRT-D) or a pacemaker (CRT-P). Nevertheless, it is still challenging to pinpoint those candidates who will benefit from choosing a CRT-D device in terms of survival.

Objective

We aimed to use topological data analysis (TDA) to identify phenogroups of CRT patients in whom CRT-D is associated with better survival than CRT-P.

Methods

We included 2603 patients who underwent CRT-D (54%) or CRT-P (46%) implantation at Semmelweis University between 2000 and 2018. The primary endpoint was all-cause mortality. We applied TDA to create a patient similarity network using 25 clinical features. Then, we identified multiple phenogroups in the generated network and compared the groups’ clinical characteristics and survival.

Results

Five- and 10-year mortality were 43 (40–46)% and 71 (67–74)% in patients with CRT-D and 48 (45–50)% and 71 (68–74)% in those with CRT-P, respectively. TDA created a circular network in which we could delineate five phenogroups showing distinct patterns of clinical characteristics and outcomes. Three phenogroups (1, 2, and 3) included almost exclusively patients with non-ischemic etiology, whereas the other two phenogroups (4 and 5) predominantly comprised ischemic patients. Interestingly, only in phenogroups 2 and 5 were CRT-D associated with better survival than CRT-P (adjusted hazard ratio 0.61 [0.47–0.80], p < 0.001 and adjusted hazard ratio 0.84 [0.71–0.99], p = 0.033, respectively).

Conclusions

By simultaneously evaluating various clinical features, TDA may identify patients with either ischemic or non-ischemic etiology who will most likely benefit from the implantation of a CRT-D instead of a CRT-P.

Graphical abstract

Topological data analysis to identify phenogroups of CRT patients in whom CRT-D is associated with better survival than CRT-P. AF atrial fibrillation, CRT cardiac resynchronization therapy, CRT-D cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillator, CRT-P cardiac resynchronization therapy pacemaker, DM diabetes mellitus, HTN hypertension, LBBB left bundle branch block, LVEF left ventricular ejection fraction, MDS multidimensional scaling, MRA mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist, NYHA New York Heart Association
Contributing factors for intraocular pressure control in patients with mostly normal-tension glaucoma after initial Ex-PRESS drainage device implantation
Authors: Aoyama Yurika , Sakata Rei , Fujishiro Takashi , Honjo Megumi , Shirato Shiroaki , Aihara Makoto
Published: August 2023

Purpose

To investigate the postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) control and identify the factors associated with failure of initial Ex-PRESS surgery in patients with open-angle glaucoma for 3 years.

Methods

A total of 79 patients with medically uncontrolled open-angle glaucoma (55 normal-tension glaucoma and 24 primary open-angle glaucoma) were enrolled. All patients underwent Ex-PRESS implantation (including combined cataract surgery). The outcome measure was the survival rate using life table analysis, the failure was defined as IOP of > 18 mmHg (criterion A), > 15 mmHg (criterion B) or > 12 mmHg (criterion C) and/or IOP reduction of < 20% from baseline (each criterion) without any glaucoma medications. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to identify risk factors for IOP management defined as the above criterion. 

Results

The mean preoperative IOP was 19.3 ± 5.8 mmHg. At 36 months, the mean IOP was 11.8 ± 3.6 mmHg with a mean IOP change of 7.5 mmHg (reduction rate 39.0%). The cumulative probability of success was 58% (95%CI: 42–64%) (criterion A), 48% (95%CI: 37–59%) (criterion B) and 30% (95%CI: 20–40%) (criterion C). In multivariate analyses, factors that predicted poor IOP control included the intervention of bleb needling after 6 months after the surgery (HR: 2.43; 95%CI: 1.35–4.37; P = 0.032). Transient hypotony was observed in 4 patients.

Conclusion

The implementation of bleb needling after Ex-PRESS surgery in the late postoperative period was suggested to be the main risk factor for achieving lower IOP.
“Here, I will stay until I die”—exploring the relationship between place attachment, risk perception, and coping behavior in two small Norwegian communities
Authors: Lie Leikny Bakke , de Korte Laurien , Pursiainen Christer Henrik
Published: August 2023

This empirical study explores the interplay between place attachment, risk perception, and coping behavior, within two small Norwegian communities exposed to flash flooding. Through a mixed-methods narrative approach, we found that most of our respondents exhibited positive attachment to their communities, aligning with previous studies in rural settings. Using a conceptual model of place attachment (Raymond et al. 2010), the study identified five dimensions of attachment among the respondents: place identity, place dependency, family bonding, friend bonding, and nature bonding. The most dominant narratives centered around practical ties to the area through family and place dependency, combined with symbolic attachments in the form of nature and identity. Place attachment through generational ties, closeness to nature, and access to historical knowledge influenced residents’ risk perception, here displayed as heightened awareness of flash flood-related risks. This risk awareness did however not translate directly into feeling at risk. Findings point to residents’ underestimating risk close to home, which could partially be explained by strong place attachment. Coping behavior was mainly motivated by previous hazard experiences. Place dependency and family bonding contribute to explaining the resident’s reluctancy to relocate as a coping strategy. We found that place attachment can act as both a mediator and a moderator between risk perception and coping behavior, and the relationship between place attachment, risk perception, and coping behavior is complex. While no clear causal relationship was established, understanding common elements in risk narratives can enhance community resilience and inform strategies to address community concerns.
How African Pasts Can Inspire Alternative Responses to Climate Change: a Creative Writing Experiment
Authors: Logan Amanda L. , Grillo Katherine M.
Published: August 2023

How can we use the past to help us solve today’s urgent climate change concerns? Archaeology provides one way forward by providing a long-term view of what worked and what did not work in the past. Indigenous knowledge systems have long curated a range of survival strategies that provide powerful inspiration for thinking differently about sustainability. Inspired by Africanfuturism—or how writers of African descent have creatively reimagined Black futures—we explore how creative writing can mobilize the past to rethink climate change responses. We have designed this piece for use in middle and secondary school science, history, or literature classes. An introductory explanation and “what we know” sections provide teachers with the necessary framing and background knowledge. The two short stories could be assigned to 13–18-year-old students to illustrate the kind of reimagining they might pursue based on archaeological and oral historical information.
A general framework to quantify the event importance in multi-event contests
Authors: Goller Daniel , Heiniger Sandro
Published: August 2023

We propose a statistical framework for quantifying the importance of single events that do not provide intermediate rewards but offer implicit incentives through scheduling and the reward structure at the end of a multi-event contest. Applying the framework to primary elections in the US, where earlier elections have greater importance and influence, we show that schedule variations can mitigate the problem of front-loading elections. When applied to European football, we demonstrate the utility and meaningfulness of quantified event importance in relation to the in-match performance of contestants to improve outcome prediction and to provide an early indication of public interest.
Spectrality in Convex Sequential Effect Algebras
Authors: Jenčová Anna , Pulmannová Sylvia
Published: August 2023

For convex and sequential effect algebras, we study spectrality in the sense of Foulis. We show that under additional conditions (strong archimedeanity, closedness in norm and a certain monotonicity property of the sequential product), such effect algebra is spectral if and only if every maximal commutative subalgebra is monotone $$\sigma $$
σ
-complete. Two previous results on existence of spectral resolutions in this setting are shown to require stronger assumptions.
Leaving no One Behind: Displaced Persons and Sustainable Development Goal Indicators on Sexual and Reproductive Health
Authors: Le Voir Rosanna
Published: August 2023

This paper critically reviews evidence on the sexual and reproductive health (SRH) of people displaced due to conflict and violence, addressing the question, “How visible are displaced persons in sustainable development goal (SDG) indicators on SRH?” Gaps in monitoring processes are not just statistical limitations; indicators are modes of power, and who and what gets measured counts. The data corpus comprises national surveys recommended as data sources for SDG indicators 3.7.1 (contraceptive demand satisfied by modern methods) and 5.6.1 (SRH decision making), conducted in Asia since 2015. The review identifies 31 national surveys collecting data on these indicators, of which six include some form of displacement screening. The quality of displacement questions is mixed, but overall, does not meet recommendations by the Expert Group on Refugee, IDP and Statelessness Statistics. Estimates of SDG indicators 3.7.1 and 5.6.1 are presented for displaced vs. national host populations, but comparability is limited by measurement and representation issues. Certain groups are made invisible, including younger adolescents, older and unmarried women and the heterogeneity of displaced people is blurred.
Staged pain or systemic crisis? Research on the employment effect of enterprise green transformation
Authors: Wang Haixing , Zhou Yaodong
Published: August 2023

The green transformation is a necessary path for industrialization to reach the advanced stage. Currently, achieving a win-win situation between green transformation and stable employment for residents has become a common concern for theoretical researchers and policymakers. This paper analyzes the influence mechanism of enterprise green transformation on employment using the partial equilibrium model. Furthermore, the employment effect and mechanism of enterprise green transformation are empirically verified with panel data from companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges. The results indicate a dynamic non-linear relationship between enterprise green transformation and employment. As the transformation deepens, its impact on employment changes from negative to positive. Mechanism analysis reveals that enterprise green transformation has the potential to induce output growth and employment virtuous cycle. Additionally, environmental protection investment and labor employment in the transformation have a factor complementary effect. There is heterogeneity in the employment impact of enterprise green transformation, especially for production personnel, low-skilled labor, non-state-owned, heavy-polluting, and medium-low-tech enterprises, which experience stronger employment deprivation.
The Influence of Nucleus Mechanics in Modelling Adhesion-independent Cell Migration in Structured and Confined Environments
Authors: Giverso Chiara , Jankowiak Gaspard , Preziosi Luigi , Schmeiser Christian
Published: August 2023

Recent biological experiments (Lämmermann et al. in Nature 453(7191):51–55, 2008; Reversat et al. in Nature 7813:582–585, 2020; Balzer et al. in ASEB J Off Publ Fed Am Soc Exp Biol 26(10):4045–4056, 2012) have shown that certain types of cells are able to move in structured and confined environments even without the activation of focal adhesion. Focusing on this particular phenomenon and based on previous works (Jankowiak et al. in Math Models Methods Appl Sci 30(03):513–537, 2020), we derive a novel two-dimensional mechanical model, which relies on the following physical ingredients: the asymmetrical renewal of the actin cortex supporting the membrane, resulting in a backward flow of material; the mechanical description of the nuclear membrane and the inner nuclear material; the microtubule network guiding nucleus location; the contact interactions between the cell and the external environment. The resulting fourth order system of partial differential equations is then solved numerically to conduct a study of the qualitative effects of the model parameters, mainly those governing the mechanical properties of the nucleus and the geometry of the confining structure. Coherently with biological observations, we find that cells characterized by a stiff nucleus are unable to migrate in channels that can be crossed by cells with a softer nucleus. Regarding the geometry, cell velocity and ability to migrate are influenced by the width of the channel and the wavelength of the external structure. Even though still preliminary, these results may be potentially useful in determining the physical limit of cell migration in confined environments and in designing scaffolds for tissue engineering.
Geographic Variation in Genomic Signals of Admixture Between Two Closely Related European Sepsid Fly Species
Authors: Giesen Athene , Blanckenhorn Wolf U. , Schäfer Martin A. , Shimizu Kentaro K. , Shimizu-Inatsugi Rie , Misof Bernhard , Podsiadlowski Lars , Niehuis Oliver , Lischer Heidi E. L. , Aeschbacher Simon , Kapun Martin
Published: August 2023

The extent of interspecific gene flow and its consequences for the initiation, maintenance, and breakdown of species barriers in natural systems remain poorly understood. Interspecific gene flow by hybridization may weaken adaptive divergence, but can be overcome by selection against hybrids, which may ultimately promote reinforcement. An informative step towards understanding the role of gene flow during speciation is to describe patterns of past gene flow among extant species. We investigate signals of admixture between allopatric and sympatric populations of the two closely related European dung fly species Sepsis cynipsea and S. neocynipsea (Diptera: Sepsidae). Based on microsatellite genotypes, we first inferred a baseline demographic history using Approximate Bayesian Computation. We then used genomic data from pooled DNA of natural and laboratory populations to test for past interspecific gene flow based on allelic configurations discordant with the inferred population tree (ABBA–BABA test with D-statistic). Comparing the detected signals of gene flow with the contemporary geographic relationship among interspecific pairs of populations (sympatric vs. allopatric), we made two contrasting observations. At one site in the French Cevennes, we detected an excess of past interspecific gene flow, while at two sites in Switzerland we observed lower signals of past microsatellite genotypes gene flow among populations in sympatry compared to allopatric populations. These results suggest that the species boundaries between these two species depend on the past and/or present eco-geographic context in Europe, which indicates that there is no uniform link between contemporary geographic proximity and past interspecific gene flow in natural populations.
Heavy metals in urban dust inside and outside homes during the Covid-19 pandemic in Mérida, Yucatán, México
Authors: Andrade Arcaeli , Aguilera Anahí , Gallegos Ángeles , Aguilar Yameli , Quintana Patricia , Bautista Francisco
Published: August 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a decrease in outdoor activities but an increase in indoor ones. Does this situation cause changes in pollution patterns? The objective of this study was to compare heavy metal contamination in indoor and outdoor dust in homes in the city of Mérida, Yucatán. Dust was collected in 51 homes on the weekends of May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic when there was a lockdown. Three hundred ninety-six samples were obtained (203 indoors and 193 outdoors on the sidewalk). Heavy metal concentrations were measured in triplicate with a portable XRF Genius 7000 spectrometer from Skyray Instruments. The contamination factor was calculated using a local (decile 1) and a global background value. To identify whether there were differences in indoor and outdoor heavy metal concentrations, mixed linear models were used, and the statistical inference was made using hypothesis tests. The risk to human health was evaluated using the USEPA methodology. Using decile one as background, the contamination factor's median showed moderate contamination for Lead (Pb), Manganese (Mn), Iron (Fe), Calcium (Ca), Strontium (Sr), and Yttrium (Y) indoors and outdoors. Using world concentrations as background, higher Ca, Sr, and Y concentrations were found outdoors, while Copper (Cu), Pb, Titanium (Ti), and Zinc (Zn) concentrations were higher indoors. Pb represented a risk of developing health problems for children inside homes. These studies help design public policies to reduce urban emissions and pollution, implement dust and risk management programs, and conduct citizen cleaning campaigns.
How to Improve Decision Making and Acting Under Stress: The Effect of Training with and without Stress on Self-Defense Skills in Police Officers
Authors: Voigt Laura , Zinner Christoph
Published: August 2023

Pressure training (PT) has been shown to counteract performance declines in either a decision-making or a motor task under stress, when the practiced skills were tested in the same task and under the same stressors employed in training. This study tested whether PT also improved performance in a skill that requires both cognitive and motor adaptations to a changing environment. Using a pretest-intervention-posttest design, 84 police officers trained knife-defense skills in various exercises without (control group, n = 33) or with stressors (experimental group, n = 51). Officers’ performance was assessed on several variables in reality-based scenarios before and after training by three independent police trainers using video analyses. Although the experimental group reported more stress and mental effort during the training interventions than the control group, both the experimental and control group improved in all performance variables after training (all p < .05). Contrary to the existing literature, the additional use of simulated stressors did not improve the effectiveness of training. The divergent results may be explained by the type of skill practiced and the difference in training and testing conditions.
Progression of drip irrigation and fertigation in cotton across the globe and its future perspectives for sustainable agriculture: an overview
Authors: Vaddula Yamini , Singh Kulvir
Published: August 2023

Sustainable use and efficient management of water as an agricultural input have become a major global challenge. Agriculture consumes 70% of global freshwater sources, of which cotton alone is consuming 11%, and thus necessitates for appropriate water and fertilizer savvy strategies such as drip irrigation and fertigation. Drip irrigation has slowly progressed from being a novelty in 1960s to be now an accepted method among farmers. However, documented information on progress of drip fertigation in cotton over the last two decades is little available. In this global review, we have summarized a total of 124 studies not only from developed countries like China, USA but also from developing countries like India, and the Middle East showcasing the adoption and practice of drip fertigation in major cotton growing regions over the last 20 years, besides its role in improving productivity and rational resource use in a sustainable manner. Present findings reveal that drip fertigation could save 20–30% fertilizer and around 50–60% of water besides improving cotton yield. However, despite distinguished advantages, its adoption is limited in most of developing countries with the main impediment being the high initial investment. The area in India alone can be increased 15 folds as compared to present acreage under drip, which can translate into huge saving of water and fertilizer resources. Since, the long-term benefits can help to compensate for the initial cost, farmer friendly policies are required to popularize this technology. While providing quantitative evidence of the significant water and fertilizer savings achieved through drip fertigation, this study could significantly contribute to the existing body of knowledge besides helping to reduce water footprint of cotton across the globe.
Interacting with Machines: Can an Artificially Intelligent Agent Be a Partner?
Authors: Schmidt Philipp , Loidolt Sophie
Published: August 2023

In the past decade, the fields of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI) have seen unprecedented developments that raise human-machine interactions (HMI) to the next level.Smart machines, i.e., machines endowed with artificially intelligent systems, have lost their character as mere instruments. This, at least, seems to be the case if one considers how humans experience their interactions with them. Smart machines are construed to serve complex functions involving increasing degrees of freedom, and they generate solutions not fully anticipated by humans. Consequently, their performances show a touch of action and even autonomy. HMI is therefore often described as a sort of “cooperation” rather than as a mere application of a tool. Some authors even go as far as subsuming cooperation with smart machines under the label ofpartnership, akin to cooperation between human agents sharing a common goal. In this paper, we explore how far the notion of shared agency and partnership can take us in our understanding of human interaction with smart machines. Discussing different topoi related to partnerships in general, we suggest that different kinds of “partnership” depending on the form of interaction between agents need to be kept apart. Building upon these discussions, we propose a tentative taxonomy of different kinds of HMI distinguishing coordination, collaboration, cooperation, and social partnership.
Automatic Identification of Thaw Slumps Based on Neural Network Methods and Thaw Slumping Susceptibility
Authors: Zhang Huarui , Wang Huini , Zhang Jun , Luo Jing , Yin Guoan
Published: August 2023

Thaw slumping is a periglacial process that occurs on slopes in cold environments, where the ground becomes unstable and the surface slides downhill due to saturation with water during thawing. In this study, GaoFen-1 remote sensing and fused multi-source feature data were used to automatically map thaw slumping landforms in the Beilu River Basin of the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau. The bi-directional cascade network structure was used to extract edges at different scales, where an individual layer was supervised by labeled edges at its specific scale, rather than directly applying the same supervision to all convolutional neural network outputs. Additionally, we conducted a 5-year multi-scale feature analysis of small baseline subset interferometric synthetic aperture radar deformation, normalized difference vegetation index, and slope, among other features. Our study analyzed the performance and accuracy of three methods based on edge object supervised learning and three preconfigured neural networks, ResNet101, VGG16, and ResNet152. Through verification using site surveys and multi-data fusion results, we obtained the best ResNet101 model score of intersection over union of 0.85 (overall accuracy of 84.59%).The value of intersection over union of the VGG and ResNet152 are 0.569 and 0.773, respectively. This work provides a new insight for the potential feasibility of applying the designed edge detection method to map diverse thaw slumping landforms in larger areas with high-resolution images.
Effects of infill temperature on the tensile properties and warping of 3D-printed polylactic acid
Authors: Croccolo Dario , De Agostinis Massimiliano , Fini Stefano , Mele Mattia , Olmi Giorgio , Campana Giampaolo
Published: August 2023

Although extensive research has been carried out on the effects of temperature on the properties of parts by fused filament fabrication, no study considered the opportunity to use different temperatures and cooling strategies for the contour and the infill region. The purpose of this investigation is to explore such an opportunity through an experimental campaign on polylactic acid. Specifically, the variations in tensile properties and warping occurring with different infill temperatures and cooling methods are documented. The results demonstrate that diversifying process parameters used for the contour and infill of the part allow for significant improvements in mechanical properties without affecting the distortion of the manufactured samples. This result can be achieved by either increasing the nozzle temperature or switching off the cooling fan during infilling.
Recent advances and future challenges in federated recommender systems
Authors: Harasic Marko , Keese Felix-Sebastian , Mattern Denny , Paschke Adrian
Published: August 2023

Recommender systems are an integral part of modern-day user experience. They understand their preferences and support them in discovering meaningful content by creating personalized recommendations. With governmental regulations and growing users’ privacy awareness, capturing the required data is a challenging task today. Federated learning is a novel approach for distributed machine learning, which keeps users’ privacy in mind. In federated learning, the participating peers train a global model together, but personal data never leave the device or silo. Recently, the combination of recommender systems and federated learning gained a growing interest in the research community. A new recommender type named federated recommender system was created. This survey presents a comprehensive overview of current research in that field, including federated algorithms, architectural designs, and privacy mechanisms in the federated setting. Furthermore, it points out recent challenges and interesting future directions for further research.
Mutual desecuritization as a model of détente? Foreign policy change in the US-Cuban dyad
Authors: Felfeli Anna , Stahl Bernhard
Published: August 2023

In foreign policy dyads characterized by enmity, mutual desecuritization can serve as a crucial asset for détente. But how does “the way out of the emergency mode” function, considering mutual securitizations over decades? Embarking from theoretical insights provided by second generation scholars on securitization and desecuritization studies, the authors generate a theory-based model of détente for dyads. This analytical tool contributes to the study of the dissolution of historically grown, mutual (re-)securitization processes in interstate relations. By clarifying the impact and functioning of the four desecuritizing modes (replacement, silencing, change through stabilization, and rearticulation), our model allows us to trace dynamics of change and assess the sustainability of détente. Especially mutual desecuritization as rearticulation has the potential to substantially change the self-other relation with effects on the social structure of a foreign policy dyad. The heuristic case study of US-Cuban relations serves as a prime example of a complex dyad of enmity which became a subject of change due to the Obama–Castro diplomacy in 2014. The study on US-Cuban foreign policy issues before and after 2014 helps to sharpen our understanding of dynamic securitization and desecuritization processes. The overall analysis demonstrates that the modes of desecuritization during the Obama–Castro diplomacy lifted the process of détente to a new and unprecedented level.
Von der „Losigkeit“ zum Facharzt für Allgemeinmedizin
Authors: Funk Franziska , Steinhäuser Jost
Published: August 2023

Hintergrund

Vor gut 30 Jahren erkämpfte sich die Allgemeinmedizin gegen umfangreiche Widerstände den Status eines eigenen Fachgebietes. Kennzeichnend für den vorherigen Zustand des „Losigkeitssyndroms“ war u. a., dass es keine eigene Terminologie, keine definierten Gebietsgrenzen und keine akademische Tradition in den alten Bundesländern der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (BRD) gab. Ziel der vorliegenden Analyse war es, Hypothesen für die Entwicklung des Facharztes für Allgemeinmedizin in Deutschland als wesentlichen Schritt heraus aus der „Losigkeit“ darzustellen.

Methoden

Es wurden Ärzt*innen der Allgemeinmedizin aus der ehemaligen Deutschen Demokratischen Republik (DDR) und der BRD zur Entwicklung des Facharztes für Allgemeinmedizin mithilfe eines teilstandardisierten Interviewleitfadens befragt. Die Interviews wurden inhaltsanalytisch deduktiv und induktiv nach Mayring ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Insgesamt wurden Interviews mit 28 Teilnehmern durchgeführt. Das durchschnittliche Alter der Teilnehmenden betrug 75 Jahre (Minimum: 50 Jahre Maximum: 91 Jahre); 18 % waren weiblich und 64 % ursprünglich in der BRD tätig. Die Teilnehmenden sahen unter anderem die verschwimmenden Grenzen zu anderen Gebieten, die die Zusammenarbeit mit Spezialisten damals prägte, und die mangelnde Akzeptanz der Eigenständigkeit des Fachs als hemmende Faktoren in der Entwicklung eines eigenen Gebiets. Als begleitendes Symptom dieser Situation wurde die fehlende und nur schleppend voranschreitende Etablierung des Fachs an den Hochschulen benannt. Es gab einen wichtigen Einfluss der in der DDR qualifizierten Allgemeinärzten für die Einführung eines gesamtdeutschen Facharztes für Allgemeinmedizin.

Schlussfolgerungen

Der Facharztstatus für die Allgemeinmedizin ist durch den Einfluss des Selbstverständnisses für das Fach in der ehemaligen DDR mit beeinflusst worden. Die andauernde Entwicklung im Bereich der Optimierung der Weiterbildung und in der Forschung sorgt bis heute dafür, dass sich das Gebiet der Allgemeinmedizin immer selbstbewusster entwickeln kann.
Cambridge Guide to Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
Authors: Polnay Adam , Pugh Rhiannon , Barker Victoria , Bell David , Beveridge Allan , Burley Adam , Lumsden Allyson , Mizen C. Susan , Wilson Lauren
Published: August 2023

A unique and accessible guide to contemporary psychodynamic therapy and its applications. An author line-up of experienced educators guide the reader through the breadth of psychodynamic concepts in a digestible and engaging way. The key applications of psychodynamic psychotherapy to a range of presentations are explored, including anxiety, depression, problematic narcissism as well as the dynamics of 'borderline' states. Specific chapters cover the dynamics of anger and aggression, and working with people experiencing homelessness. A valuable resource for novice and experienced therapists, presenting a clear, comprehensive review of contemporary psychodynamic theory and clinical practice. Highly relevant for general clinicians, third-sector staff and therapists alike, the authors also examine staff-client dynamics and the development of psychologically-informed services underpinned by reflective practice. Part of the Cambridge Guides to the Psychological Therapies series, offering all the latest scientifically rigorous, and practical information on a range of key, evidence-based psychological interventions for clinicians.
Research Design in Clinical Psychology
Authors: Kazdin Alan E.
Published: August 2023

Gain a thorough understanding of the entire research process – developing ideas, selecting methods, analyzing and communicating results – in this fully revised and updated textbook. The sixth edition comprises the latest developments in the field, including the use of technology and web-based methods to conduct studies, the role of robots and artificial intelligence in designing and evaluating research, and the importance of diversity in research to inform results that reflect the society we live in. Designed to inspire the development of future research processes, this is the perfect textbook for graduate students and professionals in research methods and research design in clinical psychology.
The impact of trade liberalisation on the gender wage gap in urban China: The role of sectoral switching costs
Authors: Sun Haopeng
Published: August 2023

The effect of trade liberalisation on the welfare of workers depends on the nature and magnitude of switching costs that workers face in moving across sectors. This paper investigates the impact of trade liberalisation on the gender wage gap in China, emphasising the role of sectoral switching costs in driving the effect. Using the local labour market approach as the identification strategy, I find that a one-standard-deviation increase in regional trade exposure is associated with a 3.2% increase in the gender wage gap during the 1992–2009 period. The emergence of the empirical pattern is mainly because the sectoral switching costs are larger for females than males. Since trade liberalisation leads to labour reallocation across sectors, the presence of asymmetric sectoral switching costs thus prevents female workers initially employed in the manufacturing sector from accessing advanced service industries, resulting in a rising gender wage gap after the trade. As a response, female manufacturing workers are forced to either be employed in low-skill service industries or exit the labour market. This paper carries strong implications for policies that both promote gender equity and help trade-displaced workers.
Lexical stability of psychiatric clinical notes from electronic health records over a decade
Authors: Hansen Lasse , Enevoldsen Kenneth , Bernstorff Martin , Perfalk Erik , Danielsen Andreas A. , Nielbo Kristoffer L. , Østergaard Søren D.
Published: August 2023

Objective:

Natural language processing (NLP) methods hold promise for improving clinical prediction by utilising information otherwise hidden in the clinical notes of electronic health records. However, clinical practice – as well as the systems and databases in which clinical notes are recorded and stored – change over time. As a consequence, the content of clinical notes may also change over time, which could degrade the performance of prediction models. Despite its importance, the stability of clinical notes over time has rarely been tested.

Methods:

The lexical stability of clinical notes from the Psychiatric Services of the Central Denmark Region in the period from January 1, 2011, to November 22, 2021 (a total of 14,811,551 clinical notes describing 129,570 patients) was assessed by quantifying sentence length, readability, syntactic complexity and clinical content. Changepoint detection models were used to estimate potential changes in these metrics.

Results:

We find lexical stability of the clinical notes over time, with minor deviations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Out of 2988 data points, 17 possible changepoints (corresponding to 0.6%) were detected. The majority of these were related to the discontinuation of a specific note type.

Conclusion:

We find lexical and syntactic stability of clinical notes from psychiatric services over time, which bodes well for the use of NLP for predictive modelling in clinical psychiatry.
‘Now I Have Found Myself, and I Am Happy’: Marta Olmos, Sex Reassignment, the Media and Mexico on a Global Stage, 1952–7
Authors: Jones Ryan M.
Published: August 2023

In May 1954, the story broke internationally of Marta Olmos, recipient of the first widely known, male-to-female sex reassignment conducted in Mexico. Her doctor, Rafael Sandoval Camacho, claimed that homosexuality could be cured and that, through transitions, queer Mexicans could be made into ‘socially useful’ citizens. While initially celebrated as a scientific triumph placing Mexico among elite nations, and receiving support from individuals close to the Ruiz Cortines administration, opinions soured as critics – physicians, politicians, cartoonists and clerics – condemned Marta for renouncing manhood through a fraudulent cure that threatened the binary sex/gender order underpinning Mexican nationalism. Sex reassignment, understood through foreigners including Christine Jorgensen and associated with ‘anti-social’ queer Mexicans, thus exemplified misplaced priorities during a period in which the state sought to ‘modernise patriarchy’. While self-affirming for Marta and permitted unofficially through state indifference, sex reassignment became seen as anti-Mexican. Thus, Marta's case illuminated how the state reconciled development with policing its patriarchal order.
Unravelling Britishness
Authors: Webster Wendy
Published: August 2023

This piece follows Stuart Ward's Untied Kingdom as it traverses a collapsing British Empire and an increasingly disunited United Kingdom to tell the complex history of Britishness in retreat across the world, mainly between 1945 and the early twenty-first century. It reviews some of the shifting meanings of Britishness that Ward charts in different contexts, different territories and at different moments in this history and the dwindling resonance of Britishness almost everywhere. It reviews other main themes that thread through the book: language, migration, race, belonging and unbelonging, nationalism, violence, and the impact of imperialism and colonialism on cultures, societies and mindsets.