bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Battery Powder as a Source of Novel Graphene Nanocarbons
Authors: Dąbrowska Agnieszka , Urbańska Weronika , Warczak Magdalena , Osial Magdalena
Published: May 2022

Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) waste is classified as a dangerous one. Hopefully, LIBs can be recycled, and they are already a valuable source of metals. This work is focused on the properties of the spent LIBs powder, which is a postproduct of the proposed organic leaching process and is presented as a source of nanocarbons with a unique structure. Furthermore, attention is paid to revealing the properties of the carbon component that can find a second life in other applications like photocatalysis or sorbents. Raman spectroscopy is used for the characterization of graphitic carbon. Scanning electron microscopy images are numerically quantitatively analyzed to provide additional parameters (for instance, the total length of edges) about the structure of materials, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) further check their composition.
The Effect of Carrier Transport Layer on the Electroluminescent Properties of Solution‐Processed Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescent Device based on 4CzPN
Authors: Zhang Lijiang , Lü Zhaoyue , Wang Junling
Published: May 2022

The performance of solution‐processed organic light‐emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on thermally activated delayed fluorescent (TADF) emitter of 3,4,5,6‐tetrakis (carbazol‐9‐yl)‐1, 2‐dicyanobenzene (4CzPN) is optimized via adjusting the carrier transport layer. The device with 1,3,5‐Tris(1‐phenyl‐1Hbenzimidazol‐2‐yl) benzene (TPBi) as electron transport layer (ETL) demonstrates much higher efficiency compared to the device with 1, 3, 5‐Tri [(3‐pyridyl)‐phen‐3‐yl] benzene (TmPyPB) as ETL. The proposed mechanism is that triplet‐charge annihilation is alleviated since fewer holes are accumulated at the interface between the emission layer (EML) and ETL due to lower lying highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) of TPBi. In addition, the hole transport material of (N,N′‐bis (3‐methylphenyl)‐N,N′‐bis (phenyl)‐benzidine) (TPD) inserted at the PEDOT:PSS/EML interface could block electron leakage and suppress the exciton quenching by PEDOT:PSS. And thus, the device efficiency is improved. The current efficiency of 18.46 cd A−1 and external quantum efficiency of 5.99% are achieved for the solution‐processed 4CzPN‐based device with TPBi as ETL and TPD as hole transport layer (HTL). It is illuminated that suppressing exciton quenching via manipulating carrier behaviors in the EML is an efficient approach for fulfilling high‐performance solution‐processed TADF devices.
Distributed control for complex missions: Quasi‐linear parameter varying approach
Authors: Attallah Aly , Werner Herbert
Published: May 2022

A distributed flocking control scheme is presented for a swarm of non‐holonomic vehicles modeled as linear parameter varying (LPV) systems. The vehicles are assumed to perform tasks that arise when exploring scalar fields on , which may represent, for example, concentration levels of a toxic substance in air or water. Here we consider in particular level surface tracking and level surface monitoring missions. It is assumed that agents can sense gradient and Hessian information of the scalar field at their current position. The control architecture of each vehicle is structured into two modules: a flocking filter which represents avirtual layerof the network, and local tracking controllers for vehicles on thephysical layer. The flocking filter receives data from neighboring vehicles and generates a reference signal. An LPV tracking controller for the vehicles, and a network flocking filter that stabilizes the whole network, are designed separately. Simulated mission scenarios with swarm of autonomous underwater vehicles demonstrate the practicality of the proposed approach.
Crystal Surface Engineering Induced Active Hexagonal Co2P‐V2O3 for Highly Stable Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Zhou Wei , Ma Liang , Zhao Dengke , Li Jinliang , Chen Zhemin , Mai Wenjie , Wang Nan , Li Ligui
Published: May 2022

Purposeful control of the highly active crystal planes is an effective strategy to improve the nanocrystalline catalytic activity. Therefore, Co2P nanocrystals with high exposure of (211) lattice plane loaded at 2D hexagonal V2O3 nanosheets (H‐Co2P‐V2O3) are designed via the control of morphology. After optimization, this H‐Co2P‐V2O3 boosts the redox kinetics of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) in lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs), which is due to the increase of the Co‐active sites by exposing more (211) lattice planes of Co2P, and the high adsorption and catalysis characteristic of H‐Co2P‐V2O3 for the conversion of LiPSs into LSBs. In the case of modification separator by H‐Co2P‐V2O3 composite, the battery achieves an outstanding reversibility of 876.9 mAh g−1 over 500 cycles at 1 C, a superior rate property of 611.5 mAh g−1 at 8 C, and a long‐term cycling performance with a low attenuation of 0.04% per cycle over 1000 cycles at 4 C for LSBs. Impressively, a remarkable areal capacity of 12.38 mAh cm−2 is retained under the high sulfur loading of 14.5 mg cm−2 after 100 cycles. It is believed that the crystal surface engineering provides guidance to further improve the electrochemical performance of the LSB field.
Hydrogen‐Bond Disrupting Electrolytes for Fast and Stable Proton Batteries
Authors: Su Zhen , Chen Junbo , Stansby Jennifer , Jia Chen , Zhao Tingwen , Tang Jiaqi , Fang Yu , Rawal Aditya , Ho Junming , Zhao Chuan
Published: May 2022

Rechargeable aqueous proton batteries are promising competitors for the next generation of energy storage systems with the fast diffusion kinetics and wide availability of protons. However, poor cycling stability is a big challenge for proton batteries due to the attachment of water molecules to the electrode surface in acid electrolytes. Here, a hydrogen‐bond disrupting electrolyte strategy to boost proton battery stability via simultaneously tuning the hydronium ion solvation sheath in the electrolyte and the electrode interface is reported. By mixing cryoprotectants such as glycerol with acids, hydrogen bonds involving water molecules are disrupted leading to a modified hydronium ion solvation sheaths and minimized water activity. Concomitantly, glycerol absorbs on the electrode surface and acts to protect the electrode surface from water. Fast and stable proton storage with high rate capability and long cycle life is thus achieved, even at temperatures as low as −50 °C. This electrolyte strategy may be universal and is likely to pave the way toward highly stable aqueous energy storage systems.
Bevacizumab‐Laden Nanofibers Simulating an Antiangiogenic Niche to Improve the Submuscular Stability of Stem Cell Engineered Cartilage
Authors: Zhu Xinsheng , Xu Yong , Xu Xiaoxiong , Zhu Junjie , Chen Linsong , Xu Yawen , Yang Yang , Song Nan
Published: May 2022

Bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) engineered cartilage (BEC) is prone to endochondral ossification in a submuscular environment due to the process of vascular infiltration, which limits its application in repairing tracheal cartilage defects. Bevacizumab, an antitumor drug with pronounced antiangiogenic activity, is successfully laden into a poly(L‐lactide‐co‐caprolactone) system to prepare bevacizumab‐laden nanofiber (BevNF) characterized by 5% and 10% bevacizumab concentrations. The in vitro results reveal that a sustained release of bevacizumab can be realized from BevNF, exhibiting inhibitive cytotoxicity toward human umbilical vein endothelial cells whereas non‐cytotoxicity toward BMSCs‐induced chondrocytes. A model is also established by encapsulating BEC within BevNF, aiming to realize an antiangiogenic niche under conditions of sustained and localized release of bevacizumab to inhibit the process of vascular invasion, resulting in the eventual stabilization of the cartilaginous phenotype and promotion of the process of cartilage maturation in the submuscular environment. These results also confirm that the chondrogenesis stability of BEC increases with an increase in the bevacizumab concentration, and 10% BevNF is sufficient to protect BEC from vascularization. This demonstrates that the use of BevNF can potentially help develop an effective strategy for regulating the submuscular stability of BEC to repair the defects formed in tracheal cartilage.
In Situ Growth of Crystalline and Polymer‐Incorporated Amorphous ZIFs in Polybenzimidazole Achieving Hierarchical Nanostructures for Carbon Capture
Authors: Hu Leiqing , Bui Vinh T. , Pal Sankhajit , Guo Wenji , Subramanian Ashwanth , Kisslinger Kim , Fan Shouhong , Nam Chang‐Yong , Ding Yifu , Lin Haiqing
Published: May 2022

Mixed matrix materials (MMMs) hold great potential for membrane gas separations by merging nanofillers with unique nanostructures and polymers with excellent processability. In situ growth of the nanofillers is adapted to mitigate interfacial incompatibility to avoid the selectivity loss. Surprisingly, functional polymers have not been exploited to co‐grow the nanofillers for membrane applications. Herein, in situ synergistic growth of crystalline zeolite imidazole framework‐8 (ZIF‐8) in polybenzimidazole (PBI), creating highly porous structures with high gas permeability, is demonstrated. More importantly, PBI contains benzimidazole groups (similar to the precursor for ZIF‐8, i.e., 2‐methylimidazole) and induces the formation of amorphous ZIFs, enhancing interfacial compatibility and creating highly size‐discriminating bottlenecks. For instance, the formation of 15 mass% ZIF‐8 in PBI improves H2 permeability and H2/CO2 selectivity by ≈100% at 35 °C, breaking the permeability/selectivity tradeoff. This work unveils a new platform of MMMs comprising functional polymer‐incorporated amorphous ZIFs with hierarchical nanostructures for various applications.
High Sensitivity of Non‐Fullerene Organic Solar Cells Morphology and Performance to a Processing Additive
Authors: Alqahtani Obaid , Lv Jie , Xu Tongle , Murcia Victor , Ferron Thomas , McAfee Terry , Grabner Devin , Duan Tainan , Collins Brian A.
Published: May 2022

Although solvent additives are used to optimize device performance in many novel non‐fullerene acceptor (NFA) organic solar cells (OSCs), the effect of processing additives on OSC structures and functionalities can be difficult to predict. Here, two polymer‐NFA OSCs with highly sensitive device performance and morphology to the most prevalent solvent additive chloronaphthalene (CN) are presented. Devices with 1% CN additive are found to nearly double device efficiencies to 10%. However, additive concentrations even slightly above optimum significantly hinder device performance due to formation of undesirable morphologies. A comprehensive analysis of device nanostructure shows that CN is critical to increasing crystallinity and optimizing phase separation up to the optimal concentration for suppressing charge recombination and maximizing performance. Here, domain purity and crystallinity are highly correlated with photocurrent and fill factors. However, this effect is in competition with uncontrolled crystallization of NFAs that occur at CN concentrations slightly above optimal. This study highlights how slight variations of solvent additives can impart detrimental effects to morphology and device performance of NFA OSCs. Therefore, successful scale‐up processing of NFA‐based OSCs will require extreme formulation control, a tuned NFA structure that resists runaway crystallization, or alternative methods such as additive‐free fabrication.
Nanocellulose‐assisted preparation of electromagnetic interference shielding materials with diversified microstructure
Authors: Zeng Zhihui , Qiao Jing , Zhang Runa , Liu Jiurong , Nyström Gustav
Published: May 2022

Sustainable and renewable nanocellulose attracts more and more attention in various fields due to its high strength‐to‐weight ratio, small diameter, large aspect ratio, and abundant functional groups. The excellent properties and structural characteristics enabled a great potential of nanocellulose for efficient interactions with functional nanomaterials such as carbon nanotube, graphene, transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes), and metal nanoparticles, which is beneficial for preparing high‐performance electromagnetic interference (EMI) shields. We review the advances in the nanocellulose‐assisted preparation of composite films and aerogels for EMI shielding application. The nanocellulose‐based composites are evaluated in terms of their EMI shielding performance and the shielding mechanisms, including conduction, polarization, and multiple reflections are summarized. In addition to the constituent structure and contents, we highlight the significance of the microstructure design in enhancing the EMI shielding performance of the nanocellulose‐based EMI shields. Finally, the current challenges and outlook for these fascinating nanocellulose‐based EMI shielding composites are discussed.
Multifunctional Organic Additive for Improving the Open‐Circuit Voltage of Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Zhu Ting , Gong Hongkang , Song Qi , Dong Yi , You Fangtian , Li Dan , He Zhiqun , Liang Chunjun
Published: May 2022

The interfacial or bulk defects of the perovskite layer are important factors that affect the stability and photoelectric conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, a multifunctional amino alcohol, 2,2‐Bis (3‐amino‐4‐hydroxyphenyl) hexafluoro propane (BHF), C15H12F6N2O2, is used as an additive of the active layer in p–i–n organic–inorganic halide perovskite solar cells. The BHF additive passivates perovskite predominately at grain boundaries. This additive leads to a vertically aligned crystal grain and reduced defect densities. The BHF‐treated perovskite films show suppressed nonradiative recombination with enhanced photoluminescence, longer carrier lifetimes, and reduced ionic migration. The device doped with 1 mg mL−1 BHF is able to improve power conversion efficiency to 20.30% (from 16.83% of the control), mainly due to the improvement of open‐circuit voltage. In addition, BHF passivation generates a more stable perovskite structure, resulting in improved operational stability of the PSCs.
DevOps benefits: A systematic literature review
Authors: Faustino João , Adriano Daniel , Amaro Ricardo , Pereira Rubén , da Silva Miguel Mira
Published: May 2022

Among current IT work cultures, DevOps stands out as one of the most adopted worldwide. The focus of this culture is on bridging the gap between development and operations teams, enabling collaborative effort toward quickly producing software, without sacrificing its quality and support. DevOps is used to tackle a variety of issues; as such, there are differing benefits reported by authors when performing their analysis. For this research, we aim to reach consensus on the DevOps benefits reported in existing literature. To accomplish this objective, two systematic literature reviews. The first intends to find all benefits reported in the literature, while the second review will be used to map the benefits found in the first one with DevOps implementation case studies, providing empirical evidences of each benefit. To strengthen the results, the concept‐centric approach is used. During this research it was possible to observe that the most reported benefits are aligned with the DevOps premises of better collaboration between developers and operators, delivering software and products quicker. Based on DevOps implementation case studies, most reported benefits include a faster time to market as well as improvements in synergy and automation. Less reported benefits include a reduction in failed changes and security issues.
Effects of Sulfur on the Surface Crack in Medium Carbon Bloom
Authors: Xing Lidong , Zhang Zefeng , Zhao Lihua , Bao Yanping
Published: May 2022

The surface cracking problem in medium carbon sulfur‐containing steel is gradually emerging in continuous casting production. Therefore, this article investigates the effect of sulfur content on the surface cracks of medium carbon steel. In addition to macroscopic cracks, network cracks are visible on the surface of medium carbon sulfur‐containing bloom. 3D confocal laser scanning microscopy and industrial computed tomography are used to characterize the 3D realistic morphology of the network and macroscopic cracks. Thermodynamic calculations and hot ductility tests’ results exhibit the higher precipitation of MnS in the sulfur‐containing steel, resulting in the second brittle zone of steel. The microstructure near the cracks revealed a high correlation between cracks and a high proportion of proeutectoid ferrite near the surface of the medium carbon sulfur‐containing bloom. In addition, the sulfur‐containing steel has 0.05% more linear shrinkage than the low‐sulfur steel during the transformation from austenite to ferrite, which increases its crack sensitivity. As a result, this article clarifies the effect of sulfur on the surface crack of medium carbon bloom.
Pathogen reduction by ozone–biological activated carbon‐based advanced water reclamation for reuse
Authors: Teel Lydia , Pagilla Krishna , Sundaram Vijay , Li Lin , Guarin Tatiana , Haak Laura
Published: May 2022

Ozone–biological activated carbon (ozone‐BAC)‐based technologies are emerging as an appealing option for potable reuse systems; however, uncertainty remains regarding the reduction of waterborne pathogens. Common log reduction requirements have been modeled after California Department of Drinking Water's 12–10–10 log reduction value (LRV) for enteric virus, Cryptosporidium, and Giardia, respectively. The objective of this research was to investigate appropriate LRVs of pathogens that can be achieved in ozone‐BAC‐based treatment systems and to assess the applicability of employing drinking water pathogen guidelines for potable reuse applications. A pilot scale ozone‐BAC‐based treatment train was operated at two water reclamation facilities in Reno, Nevada, USA. Virus, Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and bacterial indicators were monitored across individual and combined treatment processes. Pathogen barriers investigated include conventional filtration, ozonation, and ultraviolet disinfection. Based on sampling and treatment validation strategies, the three pathogen barriers can provide minimum LRVs of 13–9–9.5 for virus, Giardia, and Cryptosporidium. Secondary biological treatment can provide additional pathogen LRVs with site‐specific sampling. The present study addresses regulatory uncertainties associated with ozone‐BAC pathogen reduction.

Practitioner Points

Ozone–biological activated carbon‐based advanced treatment can meet pathogen LRV requirements with a minimum of three pathogen barriers.

Successfully applied drinking water pathogen reduction guidelines for potable reuse applications verified by operational criteria.

Low presence of pathogens requires surrogates and indicator analyses and variety of monitoring techniques to verify pathogen log reduction.
Mainstream partial denitrification‐anammox in sand and expanded clay deep‐bed polishing filters under practical loading rates and backwashing conditions
Authors: Fofana Rahil , Huynh Huu , Jones Kimberly , Delgado Vela Jeseth , Long Chenghua , Chandran Kartik , Bott Charles , Akyon Benay , Liu Wenjun , deBarbadillo Christine , De Clippeleir Haydee
Published: May 2022

This study focused on evaluating the feasibility of expanded clay and sand as media types for mainstream partial denitrification‐anammox (PdNA) in deep‐bed single‐media polishing filters under nitrogen and solids loading rates as well as backwash conditions similar to conventional denitrification filters. The surface roughness and iron content of the expanded clay were hypothesized to allow for enhanced anammox retention, nitrogen removal rates, and runtimes. However, under the tested loading rates and backwash conditions, no clear benefit of expanded clay was observed compared with conventional sand. This study showed the feasibility of PdNA in filters with both sand and expanded clay with PdN efficiencies of 76% and 77%, PdNA rates of 840 and 843 g N/m3/d and TIN removal rates of 960 and 964 g N/m3/d, respectively. Glycerol demands were 1.5–1.6 g COD added per g TIN removed, thus indicating potential carbon savings up to 75% compared with conventional denitrification. Overall, this study showed for the first time PdNA filters performing at nitrogen removal rates double that of previous PdNA studies under realistic conditions while providing insights into the media choice and backwashing conditions. Future research on expanded clay backwash conditions is needed to provide its full potential in PdNA filters.

Practitioner Points

Hydraulic and TSS loading rates similar to conventional denitrification can be applied in PdNA filters.

Conventional sand can be used when retrofitting conventional denitrification filters into PdNA filters.

Carbon savings up to 75% can be achieved with glycerol when retrofitting conventional filters into PdNA filters
Occurrence patterns of wild turkeys altered by wild pigs
Authors: Walters Clay M. , Osborne Douglas C.
Published: May 2022

Eastern wild turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) are an important game bird in the United States, particularly in the Southeast. The introduction of wild pigs (Sus scrofa) can negatively affect native wildlife, habitat quality, and ecosystem functions. To explore the potential effects that pig presence, through habitat degradation and interspecific competition, may have on wild turkeys, we evaluated changes in occupancy of co‐occurring wild pigs and wild turkeys.We deployed camera‐monitored bait stations on 3 wildlife management areas in Arkansas during January–April 2017–2019 and collected >680,000 images to determine turkey and wild pig occurrence. We evaluated presence/absence of turkeys and wild pigs in camera trap images using Timelapse2 image analyzer software® and then used program MARK to create 2‐species occupancy models and determine the effect of wild pig presence and various landscape covariates on the occupancy and detectability of wild turkeys. The occupancy rate of wild pigs was 50.4% (95% CI = 46.9%–54.0%) and included positive relationships with the percent cover of deciduous forest and the number of wildlife openings within 500 m. The occupancy rate of turkeys increased from 45.5% (95% CI = 39.3%–51.6%) when wild pigs were not present to 59.4% (95% CI = 45.2%–73.5%, 95%) when wild pigs were present, indicating a tendency of the 2 species to select for similar environmental conditions (Species Interaction Factor = 1.13). Detectability of turkeys decreased when wild pigs occupied a site at any point during the season, regardless of whether or not the wild pigs were detected during the same trapping occasion. The decrease in detectability suggests a possible short‐term displacement of turkeys by wild pigs. This displacement can have indirect effects through alteration of breeding behaviors and altered habitat use patterns, and these indirect effects represent an important topic for research moving forward.
Foraging and travel success of wild turkey poults in southern Illinois grasslands
Authors: Tebo Ryan G. , Bottom Christopher R. , Nielsen Clayton K.
Published: May 2022

Few studies have assessed potential differences in foraging behavior between wild‐strain and commercial‐strain gallinaceous chicks often used to assess habitat quality. We conducted field trials during summer 2013 using wild‐strain (n = 54) and commercial‐strain (n = 64) wild turkey (Meleagris gallapavo) poults to assess foraging efficiency and mobility in burned and unburned grassland sections in southern Illinois. Foraging efficiency of turkey poults did not differ between burned or unburned fields, or between wild and commercial‐strain poults. All poults selected invertebrate orders Coleoptera, Hymenoptera, and Isopoda during all field trials, whereas poults avoided orders Araneae, Diptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera, and Orthoptera, and orders Collembola, Diplura, and Protura in class Entognatha. Overall, the lack of differences in behavior between poult strains should allow researchers to confidently use commercially‐raised chicks as an alternative to wild‐captured chicks in studies that assess forage quality and travel efficiency.
Trans* Vulnerability and Resistance in the Ballroom: The Case of Pose (Season 1)
Authors: Hidalgo-Ciudad Juan Carlos
Published: May 2022

The TV series Pose explores ballroom culture in 1980s New York bringing to the fore a variety of vulnerable subaltern identities who go through a process of total rejection and nullification in both homo and heteronormative communities due to their ethnicity, gender, class and sexuality, finding a site for self-assertion and empowerment in the micro-world constituted by houses and balls. In this chapter, the author analyses trans*-ness as an interstitial move that problematises any simplistic reading of essentialisation and naturalisation and explores the trans* condition as resisting more than reproducing heteronormative dichotomies of gender, sex and sexuality in a continuous process of what (Sullivan,.Stryker and Whittle (eds), The Transgender Studies Reader, Routledge, New York, 2006) has called “(un)becoming other(s)”. In doing so, the trans* subject reflects the contradictions inherent to any embodiment of a model figure, a failed attempt which the author, following (Halberstam,.The Queer Art of Failure, Duke University Press, Durham and London, 2011), reads as a generative nothingness which explodes in a volatile multiplicity that nullifies “normality”.
Two More Power Plants
Authors: Ibrahim Jimoh , Loch Christoph , Sengupta Kishore
Published: May 2022

The Zungeru dam and power plant had its share of problems (including protesting local communities affected by it) and suffered a three-year delay, but it looks to be completed in 2022. The case includes a characterization of “enabling conditions for project completion” as seen by a senior civil servant.

The Delta State Oghareki was initiated with great promise but was then squarely brought down by corruption (the most glaring case in our sample), after a large initial payment disappeared through a contractor that allegedly was controlled by people close to the parliament. The project never progressed to substantive facilities, but no charges have been brought in Nigeria (while charges did indeed come to fruition in the UK, related to bribery of officials by UK-based component contractors). This case demonstrates how damaging corruption can become when it is not tracked and punished.
What We Know About the Management of Very Large Projects
Authors: Ibrahim Jimoh , Loch Christoph , Sengupta Kishore
Published: May 2022

A lot of professional knowledge has been accumulated about the management of very large (government) projects. Very large projects are complex beasts, and one can get them wrong in a hundred different ways. So existing frameworks contain many success variables. This study is based on this knowledge—it is unlikely that in the Nigerian context, forces are at work which have never been observed anywhere else before. But not all the influence factors are equally important, and we do not know which ones are the most critical in the Nigerian context. This chapter develops a framework of success drivers reflecting previous work, which will then be empirically examined for the key factors among them that are causing failure in the Nigerian context.
A Description of the 38 Matched Projects
Authors: Ibrahim Jimoh , Loch Christoph , Sengupta Kishore
Published: May 2022

This chapter gives a short description of all 38 projects with summary statistics (size, which years, completed/abandoned, which sectors) and the reason for inclusion in the investigation. This gives the reader an overview of the richness of the data set.
Diversity und Diversity Management: Ein kritischer Überblick
Authors: Genkova Petia
Published: May 2022

Im folgenden Kapitel werden die Themen Diversity und Diversity Management aus forschungs- und anwendungsbezogener Perspektive behandelt. Zu diesem Zweck wird als erstes die Relevanz von Diversity Management in zunehmend heterogenen Gesellschaften und Unternehmen beschrieben. Das Kapitel verdeutlicht dabei, dass Diversity als ganzheitliches Konzept wahrgenommen und implementiert werden muss, um die Potenziale von Vielfalt tatsächlich nutzbar zu machen und Diskriminierung zu verhindern. Um die Relevanz dieses Ansatzes zu verdeutlichen, werden Prädiktoren, Zusammenhänge und mögliche positive sowie negative Auswirkungen von Diversity im Unternehmen vorgestellt und diskutiert. Anhand aktueller Erkenntnisse aus der Forschung wird dargelegt, wie Diversity Management in Organisationen erfolgreich umgesetzt werden kann und warum die Forschung dazu insbesondere top-down Führung und Diversity Beliefs betrachtet. Darüber hinaus wird ein praxisorientiertes Modell vorgestellt, das dabei helfen kann, Bereiche mit Entwicklungsbedarf zu bestimmen und Maßnahmen in ihrer Wirksamkeit zu bewerten.
Intercultural Competence and Studying Abroad: Does Studying Abroad Influence the Promotion of Intercultural Competence?
Authors: Genkova Petia
Published: May 2022

Intercultural competence and social attitudes towards foreigners are increasingly important in the modern (working) life. The current study investigated intercultural competence in relation to international experience and its effect on national identity and xenophobia. The current chapter shows that certain characteristics of an interculturally competent personality relate to international experiences and predict social identity and xenophobia. The results emphasize the importance of intercultural competence for a work environment coined by tolerance and diversity.
Der Weg der kulturellen Annäherung – Vergleich der Gruppengrenzen in der Hochschul- und Betriebswelt
Authors: Semke Edwin , Theobald Wanda
Published: May 2022

In diesem Kapitel wird eine Studie zur Wahrnehmung der Gruppengrenzen unter Studierenden sowie Berufseinsteigern und Berufseinsteigerinnen vorgestellt. Die Auswirkungen von Gruppengrenzen auf die Zusammenarbeit verschiedener Personengruppen sind folgenreich und ein Abbau findet meist nur langsam statt. Aufbau und Hintergrund des Interviewleitfadens sowie die Auswahl der Teilnehmenden werden eingehend erläutert. Zudem werden Auswertungsmethoden und Ergebnisse der qualitativen Fragen präsentiert und mögliche Implikationen diskutiert sowie detailliert auf die Größe der Freundeskreise und deren Gemeinsamkeiten beziehungsweise Unterschiede zu anderen Freundeskreisen eingegangen. Die aus den Ergebnissen gezogenen Schlüsse, beispielsweise wie der Prozess der kulturellen Annäherung abläuft und was ihn hindert oder antreibt, werden diskutiert.
Social Competence and National Identity Predict Pupils’ and Students’ Intercultural Competence
Authors: Genkova Petia , Flohr Benita
Published: May 2022

The following chapter presents a study examining the influence of social competence and social identity on intercultural competence among pupils and students.

Social and intercultural competences have become an important educational objective of schools and universities. The current study investigates how social competence and national identity relate with pupils’ and students’ intercultural competence. Furthermore, the study examines in which educational system (school versus university) intercultural competence is supported more. Applying a cross-sectional study design with 544 pupils and students (aged 16–34 years), we test for differences between male and female and age groups. Results showed social competences to be a suitable predictor for pupils’ and students’ intercultural competence. Additionally, positive correlations were found between intercultural competence and positive attitudes towards the outgroup. Limitations and implications for future research are discussed.
Seasonal patterns of microhabitat selection in the Southern Iberian spined-loach Cobitis paludica
Authors: Elvira Benigno , Nicola Graciela G. , Ayllón Daniel , Almodóvar Ana
Published: May 2022

The Southern Iberian spined-loach Cobitis paludica is an Iberian endemism threatened by human activities, including habitat destruction. For this reason, the development of conservation and the recovery plans for the species calls for a precise knowledge of its habitat requirements. Here, microhabitat use and selection patterns were investigated to determine the limiting factors for the species in different seasons, corresponding to a gradient in flow conditions. The microhabitat of the loach was analysed in the River Jarama (Tagus River basin, central Spain) in the period of maximum activity between March and September 2013. No significant differences in microhabitat use were found between males and females, and only very weak ontogenetic changes were detected. The microhabitat used by the loach varied significantly throughout the study period, generally adapting to the flow-mediated dynamics of available habitat. The most stable pattern throughout the year was the use of very low water velocities. Additionally, the loach made selective use of certain microhabitat features, with slight adjustments to the seasonally changing habitat conditions. The loach significantly selected positions with abundant silt substrate and aquatic vegetation, and avoided coarser substrates. The availability of fine substrates and abundant vegetation is therefore a critical habitat requirement for the loach, which needs instream structures that provide foraging substrate, refuge and safe positions for spawning. Selection of refuge elements (deep habitats, aquatic vegetation) was especially apparent under low-flow conditions. Human activities leading to the loss of these critical microhabitats may threaten the survival of already scarce loach populations.
Propensity score-matched analysis comparing dose-escalated intensity-modulated radiation therapy versus external beam radiation therapy plus high-dose-rate brachytherapy for localized prostate cancer
Authors: Tamihardja Jörg , Lawrenz Ingulf , Lutyj Paul , Weick Stefan , Guckenberger Matthias , Polat Bülent , Flentje Michael
Published: May 2022

Purpose

Dose-escalated external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) and EBRT + high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR-BT) boost are guideline-recommended treatment options for localized prostate cancer. The purpose of this study was to compare long-term outcome and toxicity of dose-escalated EBRT versus EBRT + HDR-BT boost.

Methods

From 2002 to 2019, 744 consecutive patients received either EBRT or EBRT + HDR-BT boost, of whom 516 patients were propensity score matched. Median follow-up was 95.3 months. Cone beam CT image-guided EBRT consisted of 33 fractions of intensity-modulated radiation therapy with simultaneous integrated boost up to 76.23 Gy (DMean). Combined treatment was delivered as 46 Gy (DMean) EBRT, followed by two fractions HDR-BT boost with 9 Gy (D90%). Propensity score matching was applied before analysis of the primary endpoint, estimated 10-year biochemical relapse-free survival (bRFS), and the secondary endpoints metastasis-free survival (MFS) and overall survival (OS). Prognostic parameters were analyzed by Cox proportional hazard modelling. Genitourinary (GU)/gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity evaluation used the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events (v5.0).

Results

The estimated 10-year bRFS was 82.0% vs. 76.4% (p = 0.075) for EBRT alone versus combined treatment, respectively. The estimated 10-year MFS was 82.9% vs. 87.0% (p = 0.195) and the 10-year OS was 65.7% vs. 68.9% (p = 0.303), respectively. Cumulative 5‑year late GU ≥ grade 2 toxicities were seen in 23.6% vs. 19.2% (p = 0.086) and 5‑year late GI ≥ grade 2 toxicities in 11.1% vs. 5.0% of the patients (p = 0.002); cumulative 5‑year late grade 3 GU toxicity occurred in 4.2% vs. 3.6% (p = 0.401) and GI toxicity in 1.0% vs. 0.3% (p = 0.249), respectively.

Conclusion

Both treatment groups showed excellent long-term outcomes with low rates of severe toxicity.
Endotracheal intubation in trauma patients with isolated shock: universally recommended but rarely performed
Authors: Stausberg Timo , Ahnert Tobias , Thouet Ben , Lefering Rolf , Böhmer Andreas , Brockamp Thomas , Wafaisade Arasch , Fröhlich Matthias ,   the TraumaRegister DGU
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The indication for pre-hospital endotracheal intubation (ETI) must be well considered as it is associated with several risks and complications. The current guidelines recommend, among other things, ETI in case of shock (systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg). This study aims to investigate whether isolated hypotension without loss of consciousness is a useful criterion for ETI.

Methods

The data of 37,369 patients taken from the TraumaRegister DGU® were evaluated in a retrospective study with regard to pre-hospital ETI and the underlying indications. Inclusion criteria were the presence of any relevant injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale [AIS] ≥ 3) and complete pre-hospital management information.

Results

In our cohort, 29.6% of the patients were intubated. The rate of pre-hospital ETI increased with the number of indications. If only one criterion according to current guidelines was present, ETI was often omitted. In 582 patients with shock as the only indication for pre-hospital ETI, only 114 patients (19.6%) were intubated. Comparing these subgroups, the intervention was associated with longer time on scene (25.3 min vs. 41.6 min; p < 0.001), higher rate of coagulopathy (31.8% vs. 17.2%), an increased mortality (8.2% vs. 11.5%) and higher standard mortality ratio (1.17 vs. 1.35). If another intubation criterion was present in addition to shock, intubation was performed more frequently.

Conclusion

Decision making for pre-hospital intubation in trauma patients is challenging in front of a variety of factors. Despite the presence of a guideline recommendation, ETI is not always executed. Patients presenting with shock as remaining indication and subsequent intubation showed a decreased outcome. Thus, isolated shock does not appear to be an appropriate indication for pre-hospital ETI, but clearly remains an important surrogate of trauma severity and the need for trauma team activation.
Das „impulsive Irresein“ nach Emil Kraepelin
Authors: Rendel Teresa , Steinberg Holger
Published: May 2022

Hintergrund

Als Teil seines klassifikatorisch-konzeptuellen Gesamtentwurfs beschreibt Emil Kraepelin zu Beginn des 20. Jahrhunderts detailliert das bis dahin wenig umgrenzbare Krankheitsbild des „impulsiven Irreseins“. Die dargestellten Erscheinungsformen entsprechen weitestgehend den als typisch weiblich bezeichneten Straftaten des späten 19. und frühen 20. Jahrhunderts.

Fragestellung

Wie legt Kraepelin klassifikatorisch das „impulsive Irresein“ an und welche Formen beschreibt er? Trifft es zu, dass Kraepelin diese Störungen vorwiegend bei Frauen sieht, stellt er eine Verbindung zur Kriminalität von Frauen her und wie passt dies in die Diskurse der Zeit über Weiblichkeit, Strafrecht und Degeneration?

Material und Methoden

Grundlage der Studie ist das von Emil Kraepelin beschriebene Krankheitsbild „impulsives Irresein“, wie er es in seinem Hauptwerk, der zwischen 1909 und 1915 erschienenen 8. Auflage seines Lehrbuches der Psychiatrie, niederlegt. Diese Ausführungen werden ausführlich analysiert und anhand von Sekundärliteratur in einen inhaltlichen und historischen Kontext gesetzt.

Ergebnisse

In Rudimenten ist Kraepelins klinische Einteilung bis heute nachvollziehbar, wenngleich sich große inhaltliche Differenzen zu späterer Literatur zeigen. Kraepelin beschreibt das „impulsive Irresein“ eindeutig als mit dem Weiblichen besetzte Triebstörung.

Diskussion

Mithilfe des „impulsiven Irreseins“ positioniert sich Kraepelin zu wesentlichen wissenschaftlichen Diskursen des frühen 20. Jahrhunderts wie der Strafrechtsdebatte und der Degenerationslehre. Anhand der einzelnen von Kraepelin beschriebenen Formen des „impulsiven Irreseins“ lassen sich verschiedene Konzepte zur Konstruktion und Pathologisierung von Weiblichkeit nachvollziehen. Es diente offenbar auch dazu, gängige Frauenverbrechen innerhalb der patriarchalen Hegemonie erklärbar zu machen.
Manifestationen im Zentralnervensystem nach COVID-19
Authors: Gerhard Ameli , Prüß Harald , Franke Christiana
Published: May 2022

Zahlreiche Erkrankungen des Zentralnervensystems sind insbesondere in der Postakutphase nach einer Infektion mit SARS-CoV‑2 („severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2“) beschrieben. Diese umfassen neuroimmunologisch vermittelte Erkrankungen wie Enzephalopathien, Enzephalitiden, Myelitiden, ADEM (akute disseminierte Enzephalomyelitis), ANHLE (akute nekrotisierende hämorrhagische Leukoenzephalitis) und NMOSD (Neuromyelitis-optica-Spektrum-Erkrankungen), aber auch andere wie PRES (posteriores reversibles Enzephalopathiesyndrom), OMAS (Opsoklonus-Myoklonus-Ataxie-Syndrom) sowie zerebrovaskuläre Erkrankungen. Ein para- oder postinfektiöser Zusammenhang wird diskutiert, jedoch sind pathophysiologische Mechanismen bislang unbekannt. Ursächlich könnte eine virusgetriggerte Überaktivierung des Immunsystems mit Hyperinflammation und Zytokinsturm, aber möglicherweise auch die Bildung spezifischer Autoantikörper gegen Gewebe des Zentralnervensystems sein. Eine direkte Schädigung durch die Invasion von SARS-CoV‑2 in das Gehirn oder das Rückenmark scheint keine relevante Rolle zu spielen. Eine exakte klinische Phänotypisierung und Einleitung von Zusatzdiagnostik, auch zum Ausschluss anderer Ursachen, ist empfohlen. Bislang existieren noch keine medikamentösen Therapieoptionen zur Behandlung von ZNS-Manifestationen beim Long-COVID(„coronavirus disease“)-Syndrom. Erste Befunde zu Inflammation und Autoimmunität sind jedoch vielversprechend und könnten zu neuen Therapieansätzen führen.
Reliability-based bottom-up manufacturing cost optimisation for composite aircraft structures
Authors: Morse Llewellyn , Cartabia Lorenzo , Mallardo Vincenzo
Published: May 2022

A novel methodology is presented for the reliability-based manufacturing cost optimisation of composite aircraft structures. A comprehensive bottom-up costing approach is employed, enabling precise manufacturing cost estimation in terms of material, machine, labour, tooling, and indirect costs. This approach splits the manufacturing process into many individual activities, which can be combined in many different ways, allowing the proposed optimisation methodology to be applied to a wide range of composite aircraft structures. A genetic algorithm (GA) is coupled with a deep neural network (DNN) to efficiently determine the optimal composite ply stacking sequence for every part of an assembled structure. A numerical example featuring a composite-stiffened aircraft fuselage panel is investigated. The reliability of the panel is measured in terms of its buckling resistance, and its manufacturing cost is estimated based on the individual costs of over 20 activities. The labour times for each activity were estimated based on data collected from an aerospace company specialising in the manufacture of advanced composite aircraft structures. Results indicate that material, machine, labour, and tool costs can vary significantly depending on the level of structural reliability required, demonstrating the importance of accounting for non-material costs when designing composite aircraft structures.
Point of care ultrasound in pelvic health: scope of practice, education and governance for physiotherapists
Authors: Smith Mike , Donnelly Gráinne M. , Berry Lucia , Innes Sue , Dixon Jane
Published: May 2022

Pelvic health and pelvic floor dysfunction have wide-reaching implications across a range of patient groups. Placing ultrasound imaging into the hands of assessing and treating clinicians (i.e. point of care ultrasound, PoCUS) can provide a step change in clinical effectiveness and efficiency. Pelvic floor dysfunction is managed by one or more members of a multi-disciplinary team that includes physiotherapists. Physiotherapists’ involvement includes diagnosis, patient education, identifying shared treatment goals, using rehabilitative strategies and empowering patients through self-management. Drawing upon existing publications in this area and applying framework principles, the authors propose a clinical and sonographic scope of practice for physiotherapists as part of supporting the consolidation and expansion of pelvic health PoCUS. Education and governance considerations are detailed to ensure the robust and safe use of this modality. Alongside empowering the use of ultrasound imaging by clinicians such as physiotherapists in the UK and internationally, we provide clarity to other members of the care pathway and ultrasound imaging professionals.
Fully conservative overset mesh to overcome the blunt body metric singularity in finite difference methods
Authors: Teschner F. , Mundt Ch.
Published: May 2022

A fully conservative overset mesh method is proposed and applied to overcome the metric singularity at the symmetry line for blunt bodies, e.g., capsules and blunted cones, in general curvilinear coordinates. The overset mesh is placed automatically at the symmetry line by avoiding the collapse of the grid lines using a hexahedral structure in contrast to the prismatic structure of a body-orientated mesh. In addition, the grid points of the overset mesh coincide with those of the body-orientated mesh to avoid interpolation techniques to interchange the flow variables between the two meshes. This coincidence ensures the conservation of the flow variables and avoids uncertainties at the shock as the method is naturally conservative. The thin-layer Navier–Stokes equations for high Reynolds number flows are solved using an AUSM+ or an AUSMPW+ flux vector splitting in combination with a mesh adaption to capture the shock accurately. For verification purposes of the proposed method, a supersonic 2D-axisymmetric hemisphere cylinder is chosen and the results along the wall are verified. Furthermore, the conservative properties of the applied overset mesh method are shown and the results on the stagnation line are presented. In addition, a supersonic 3D calculation is investigated to show the applicability of the presented method for simulations with an angle of attack.