bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting the martensite content of metastable austenitic steels after cryogenic turning using machine learning
Authors: Glatt Moritz , Hotz Hendrik , Kölsch Patrick , Mukherjee Avik , Kirsch Benjamin , Aurich Jan C.
Published: October 2020

During cryogenic turning of metastable austenitic stainless steels, a deformation-induced phase transformation from γ-austenite to α’-martensite can be realized in the workpiece subsurface, which results in a higher microhardness as well as in improved fatigue strength and wear resistance. The α’-martensite content and resulting workpiece properties strongly depend on the process parameters and the resulting thermomechanical load during cryogenic turning. In order to achieve specific workpiece properties, extensive knowledge about this correlation is required. Parametric models, based on physical correlations, are only partly able to predict the resulting properties due to limited knowledge on the complex interactions between stress, strain, temperature, and the resulting kinematics of deformation-induced phase transformation. Machine learning algorithms can be used to detect this kind of knowledge in data sets. Therefore, the goal of this paper is to evaluate and compare the applicability of three machine learning methods (support vector regression, random forest regression, and artificial neural network) to derive models that support the prediction of workpiece properties based on thermomechanical loads. For this purpose, workpiece property data and respective process forces and temperatures are used as training and testing data. After training the models with 55 data samples, the support vector regression model showed the highest prediction accuracy.
Integrated processing of ground- and space-based GPS observations: improving GPS satellite orbits observed with sparse ground networks
Authors: Huang Wen , Männel Benjamin , Sakic Pierre , Ge Maorong , Schuh Harald
Published: October 2020

The precise orbit determination (POD) of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) satellites and low Earth orbiters (LEOs) are usually performed independently. It is a potential way to improve the GNSS orbits by integrating LEOs onboard observations into the processing, especially for the developing GNSS, e.g., Galileo with a sparse sensor station network and Beidou with a regional distributed operating network. In recent years, few studies combined the processing of ground- and space-based GNSS observations. The integrated POD of GPS satellites and seven LEOs, including GRACE-A/B, OSTM/Jason-2, Jason-3 and, Swarm-A/B/C, is discussed in this study. GPS code and phase observations obtained by onboard GPS receivers of LEOs and ground-based receivers of the International GNSS Service (IGS) tracking network are used together in one least-squares adjustment. The POD solutions of the integrated processing with different subsets of LEOs and ground stations are analyzed in detail. The derived GPS satellite orbits are validated by comparing with the official IGS products and internal comparison based on the differences of overlapping orbits and satellite positions at the day-boundary epoch. The differences between the GPS satellite orbits derived based on a 26-station network and the official IGS products decrease from 37.5 to 23.9 mm ($$34\%$$

34
%

improvement) in 1D-mean RMS when adding seven LEOs. Both the number of the space-based observations and the LEO orbit geometry affect the GPS satellite orbits derived in the integrated processing. In this study, the latter one is proved to be more critical. By including three LEOs in three different orbital planes, the GPS satellite orbits improve more than from adding seven well-selected additional stations to the network. Experiments with a ten-station and regional network show an improvement of the GPS satellite orbits from about 25 cm to less than five centimeters in 1D-mean RMS after integrating the seven LEOs.
Bioengineering studies and pathway modeling of the heterologous biosynthesis of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid in yeast
Authors: Thomas Fabian , Schmidt Christina , Kayser Oliver
Published: October 2020

Heterologous biosynthesis of tetrahydrocannabinolic acid (THCA) in yeast is a biotechnological process in Natural Product Biotechnology that was recently introduced. Based on heterologous genes from Cannabis sativa and Streptomyces spp. cloned into Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the heterologous biosynthesis was fully embedded as a proof of concept. Low titer and insufficient biocatalytic rate of most enzymes require systematic optimization of recombinant catalyst by protein engineering and consequent C-flux improvement of the yeast chassis for sufficient precursor (acetyl-CoA), energy (ATP), and NADH delivery. In this review basic principles of in silico analysis of anabolic pathways towards olivetolic acid (OA) and cannabigerolic acid (CBGA) are elucidated and discussed to identify metabolic bottlenecks. Based on own experimental results, yeasts are discussed as potential platform organisms to be introduced as potential cannabinoid biofactories. Especially feeding strategies and limitations in the committed mevalonate and olivetolic acid pathways are in focus of in silico and experimental studies to validate the scientific and commercial potential as a realistic alternative to the plant Cannabis sativa.

Key points

• First time critical review of the heterologous process for recombinant THCA/CBDA production and critical review of bottlenecks and limitations for a bioengineered technical process

• Integrative approach of protein engineering, systems biotechnology, and biochemistry of yeast physiology and biosynthetic cannabinoid enzymes

• Comparison of NphB and CsPT aromatic prenyltransferases as rate-limiting catalytic steps towards cannabinoids in yeast as platform organisms
Evolution and biogeography of the Zanclea-Scleractinia symbiosis
Authors: Maggioni Davide , Arrigoni Roberto , Seveso Davide , Galli Paolo , Berumen Michael L. , Denis Vianney , Hoeksema Bert W. , Huang Danwei , Manca Federica , Pica Daniela , Puce Stefania , Reimer James D. , Montano Simone
Published: October 2020

Scleractinian corals provide habitats for a broad variety of cryptofauna, which in turn may contribute to the overall functioning of coral symbiomes. Among these invertebrates, hydrozoans belonging to the genusZanclearepresent an increasingly known and ecologically important group of coral symbionts. In this study, we analysed 321Zancleacolonies associated with 31 coral genera collected from 11 localities across the Indo-Pacific and Caribbean regions, and used a multi-disciplinary approach to shed light on the evolution and biogeography of the group. Overall, we found high genetic diversity of hydrozoans that spans nine clades corresponding to cryptic or pseudo-cryptic species. All but two clades are associated with one or two coral genera belonging to the Complex clade, whereas the remaining ones are generalists associated with both Complex and Robust corals. Despite the observed specificity patterns, no congruence betweenZancleaand coral phylogenies was observed, suggesting a lack of coevolutionary events. MostZanclea clades have a wide distribution across the Indo-Pacific, including a generalist group extending also into the Caribbean, while two host-specific clades are possibly found exclusively in the Red Sea, confirming the importance of this peripheral region as an endemicity hotspot. Ancestral state reconstruction suggests that the most recent common ancestor of all extant coral-associatedZancleawas a specialist species with a perisarc, occurring in what is now known as the Indo-Pacific. Ultimately, a mixture of geography- and host-related diversification processes is likely responsible for the observed enigmatic phylogenetic structure of coral-associatedZanclea.
Amotio-retinae-Versorgung während der Corona-Pandemie
Authors: Kaupke N. , Spitzer M. S. , Kromer R.
Published: October 2020

Hintergrund

Eine Amotio retinae ist ein ophthalmologischer Notfall. Verzögerung der Diagnose oder Therapie kann die Visusprognose reduzieren. Aus Presseberichten geht hervor, dass Notfallpatienten aus Angst vor einer Ansteckung mit dem Coronavirus SARS-CoV‑2 erst deutlich verspätet einen Arzt aufsuchen und die Diagnose und Therapie verschleppen. Diese Arbeit untersucht, ob die Corona-Pandemie Auswirkungen auf die Versorgung von Patienten mit Netzhautablösung hatte.

Methodik

Für diese Studie wurden 60 Patienten mit im Zeitraum 15.03.–05.05.2020 in der Augenklinik des Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf operativ versorgter rhegmatogener Netzhautablösung retrospektiv eingeschlossen. Als Vergleichszeitraum wurde der entsprechende Vorjahreszeitraum gewählt. Signifikante Unterschiede zwischen den Vergleichsgruppen wurden mittels Hypothesentests untersucht.

Ergebnisse

Im Vergleich zum Vorjahreszeitraum zeigten sich während der Corona-Pandemie keine signifikanten Unterschiede von Geschlecht, Alter, Symptomdauer, vorherigem Arztbesuch, präoperativem Visus, Makulabeteiligung, Amotioausdehnung, Vorhandensein von proliferativer vitreoretinaler Retinopathie (PVR), Operationsverfahren oder Operationsdauer. Während der Corona-Pandemie gaben 29 % der befragten Patienten mit Amotio retinae generelle Sorgen um ihre Gesundheit aufgrund des Coronavirus SARS-CoV‑2 an.

Diskussion

Während der Corona-Pandemie zeigte sich eine unveränderte Versorgung von Patienten mit Amotio retinae. Im Gegensatz zu anderen medizinischen Notfällen zeigte sich keine reduzierte Fallzahl oder erhöhte Morbidität im Vergleich zum Vorjahreszeitraum.
Clinical results of the BoneWelding®Fiji® anchor for the treatment of Stener lesions of the thumb
Authors: Kastenberger Tobias , Kaiser Peter , Schmidle Gernot , Stock Kerstin , Benedikt Stefan , Arora Rohit
Published: October 2020

Introduction

A new technology (Sportwelding®) was recently presented, which uses ultrasonic energy to meld a resorbable suture anchor at the interface with the host bone. A standardized clinical use was not investigated yet. This study prospectively evaluated the surgical and clinical outcomes of the Fiji Anchor® (Sportwelding®, Schlieren, Switzerland) in the repair of an ulnar collateral ligament lesion of the metacarpophalangeal joint of the thumb.

Material and methods

The range of motion, grip and pinch strength, disability of arm, shoulder and the hand (DASH) and patient rated evaluation (PRWE) score, pain, satisfaction, complications and adverse events were assessed in 24 patients after surgical treatment for an acute displaced rupture or avulsion of the ulnar collateral metacarpophalangeal ligament of the thumb using the Fiji Anchor® after 6, 12 and 52 weeks.

Results

At final follow up, the range of motion of the metacarpophalangeal joint reached almost the contralateral side (49.3° SD 11.7°). Thumb opposition showed a Kapandji score of 9.7 (SD 0.5; range 9–10). Grip strength, the lateral, tip and the three jaw pinch showed nearly similar values compared to the contralateral side (83–101%). Pain was low (0.2 SD 0.7 at rest and 0.6 SD 1.0 during load). The DASH score was 5.0 (SD 7.3) and the PRWE score was 4.1 (SD 9.0). 81% of patients were very satisfied at final follow-up. Two patients were rated unstable during the follow-up period due to a second traumatic event. Three cases experienced difficulties during anchor insertion, whereby incorrect anchor insertion resulted in damage to the suture material; however, this was resolved after additional training.

Conclusion

One advantage of this anchor appears to be its stable fixation in cancellous bone. The surgical treatment of an ulnar collateral ligament lesion of the thumb using the Fiji Anchor® can lead to an excellent clinical outcome with a minor complication rate; however, long-term dangers and the cost effectiveness of the procedure are not known yet.
Quantitative 1H and 23Na muscle MRI in Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy patients
Authors: Gerhalter Teresa , Marty Benjamin , Gast Lena V. , Porzelt Katharina , Heiss Rafael , Uder Michael , Schwab Stefan , Carlier Pierre G. , Nagel Armin M. , Türk Matthias
Published: October 2020

Objective

Our aim was to assess the role of quantitative 1H and 23Na MRI methods in providing imaging biomarkers of disease activity and severity in patients with Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD).

Methods

We imaged the lower leg muscles of 19 FSHD patients and 12 controls with a multimodal MRI protocol to obtain STIR-T2w images, fat fraction (FF), water T2 (wT2), water T1 (wT1), tissue sodium concentration (TSC), and intracellular-weighted sodium signal (inversion recovery (IR) and triple quantum filter (TQF) sequence). In addition, the FSHD patients underwent muscle strength testing.

Results

Imaging biomarkers related with water mobility (wT1 and wT2) and ion homeostasis (TSC, IR, TQF) were increased in muscles of FSHD patients. Muscle groups with FF > 10% had higher wT2, wT1, TSC, IR, and TQF values than muscles with FF < 10%. Muscles with FF < 10% resembled muscles of healthy controls for these MRI disease activity measures. However, wT1 was increased in few muscles without fat replacement. Furthermore, few STIR-negative muscles (n = 11/76) exhibited increased wT1, TSC, IR or TQF. Increased wT1 as well as 23Na signals were also present in muscles with normal wT2. Muscle strength was related to the mean FF and all imaging biomarkers of tibialis anterior except wT2 were correlated with dorsal flexion.

Conclusion

The newly evaluated imaging biomarkers related with water mobility (wT1) and ion homeostasis (TSC, IR, TQF) showed different patterns compared to the established markers like FF in muscles of FSHD patients. These quantitative biomarkers could thus contain valuable complementary information for the early characterization of disease progression.
Verhalten von Windkraftanlagen mit doppelt speisenden Asynchrongeneratoren (DFIG) bei Kurzschlüssen und anderen Netzfehlern
Authors: Schürhuber Robert , Oswald Bernd R. , Fickert Lothar , Fortmann Jens
Published: October 2020

Motiviert durch die Energiewende steuert die elektrische Energieversorgung in vielen Ländern auf eine Erzeugungsstruktur zu, welche von leistungselektronisch gekoppelten Erzeugungseinheiten, allen voran Windkraftwerken (WKW) und Photovoltaikanlagen, dominiert wird. Dies hat zur Folge, dass sich die Auslegung der elektrischen Betriebsmittel sowie die Planung und der Betrieb der Netze zunehmend an den Eigenschaften solcher Anlagen ausrichtet. Wegen ihrer technischen Komplexität stellen dabei Windkraftwerke (WKW) mit doppelt speisenden Generatoren (double-feed induction generator bzw. doubly-fed induction generator, DFIG) eine besondere Herausforderung dar, da bei ihnen sowohl die durch die Physik bestimmten Eigenschaften der rotierenden elektrischen Maschine als auch das maßgeblich durch Steuerung und Regelung beeinflusste Verhalten des Umrichters zum Tragen kommt. In diesem Artikel wird das Verhalten der aktuellen Technologie von DFIG bei Kurzschlüssen und anderen Netzfehlern beschrieben, der Stand der Technik in der für Anlagenauslegung wichtigen Kurzschlussnorm erläutert sowie ein neuer Vorschlag für die Nachbildung der WKW mit DFIG in dieser Norm unterbreitet. Weiters wird auf spezielle Anforderungen an den Netzschutz eingegangen.
One-year experience of hybrid closed-loop system in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes previously treated with multiple daily injections: drivers to successful outcomes
Authors: Petrovski Goran , Al Khalaf Fawziya , Campbell Judith , Umer Fareeda , Almajaly Douha , Hamdan Manar , Hussain Khalid
Published: October 2020

Objective

To evaluate the effect of a 1-year hybrid closed-loop (HCL) system on glycemic control in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) previously treated with multiple daily injections (MDI).

Methods

This was a 1-year observational study, as a continuation of the previous 3 months prospective study of pediatric patients with T1D conducted at Sidra Medicine in Qatar. The study enrolled individuals aged 7–18 years with T1D > 1 year, on MDI with self-monitoring of blood glucose or continuous glucose monitoring, with no prior pump experience, and with an HbA1c level < 12.5% (< 113 mmol/mol). After the first 3 months of HCL use, patients were followed at 6, 9 and 12 months, where HbA1c was obtained and pump data were collected.

Results

All 30 participants (age 10.24 ± 2.6 years) who initiated HCL completed 12 months of HCL system use in Auto Mode. The participants used the sensor 88.4 ± 6.5% of the time with Auto Mode usage 85.6 ± 7.4% during 12 months of HCL system use. HbA1c decreased from 8.2 ± 1.4% (66 ± 15.3 mmol/mol) at baseline, to 6.7 ± 0.5% (50 ± 5.5 mmol/mol) at 3 months (p = 0.02) and remained stable to 7.1 ± 0.6 (54 ± 6.6 mmol/mol) at 12 months (p = 0.02). TIR (70–180 mg/dL) increased from 46.9% at baseline to 71.9% at 1 month and remained above 70% during the 12 months of HCL use.

Conclusion

HCL system (MiniMed 670G) in children and adolescents previously treated with MDI significantly improves glycemic outcomes (HbA1c and Time in Ranges) immediately during the first month. This improved glycemic control was maintained over the 1 year following Auto Mode initiation.
Relevanz homologer Allergene bei der spezifischen Immuntherapie von Pollenallergien
Authors: Horak Fritz , Bohle Barbara , Gadermaier Gabriele , Hötzenecker Wolfram , Idzko Marco , Niederberger-Leppin Verena , Rosenkranz Alexander R. , Szépfalusi Zsolt , Zlabinger Gerhard
Published: October 2020

Eine Allergie gegen Pollen ist die häufigste Indikation für eine allergenspezifische Immuntherapie (AIT). Dabei ist es entscheidend, das richtige Präparat für den jeweiligen Patienten zu wählen. Aus der Forschung wissen wir, dass viele Allergene einzelnen homologen Gruppen zuzuordnen sind (Birken-Gruppe, Gräser etc.). Die Referenzallergene dieser Gruppen können für die Diagnostik und Therapie eingesetzt werden. Eine Mischung homologer Allergene (z. B. Birke + Erle + Hasel) für die AIT ist aus heutiger Sicht daher nicht mehr nötig. Auf der anderen Seite ist eine Mischung nicht-homologer Allergene (z. B. Birke + Gräser + Beifuß) dezidiert nicht zu empfehlen, da dies zu einer Reduktion der Allergenmenge für die einzelnen Allergene führt und es zu möglichen Wechselwirkungen der Extrakte kommen kann, sodass mit schlechteren Erfolgsaussichten der AIT zu rechnen ist. Für die Patienten (Erwachsene, Jugendliche und Kinder) sollen von der verschreibenden Ärztin/dem verschreibenden Arzt die relevanten 1–2 Allergene für die AIT ausgewählt und in separaten Lösungen in jeweils einen Arm appliziert werden. Pharmafirmen sind aufgefordert, auf den Anforderungsformularen die Bestellmöglichkeit nicht-homologer Allergenmischungen zu vermeiden und das Prinzip der homologen Referenzallergene bei der Auswahl der Extrakte zu berücksichtigen.
Cranial bone flap resorption—pathological features and their implications for clinical treatment
Authors: Göttsche Jennifer , Mende Klaus C. , Schram Anastasia , Westphal Manfred , Amling Michael , Regelsberger Jan , Sauvigny Thomas , Hahn Michael
Published: October 2020

Cranioplasty following decompressive craniectomy (DC) has a primary complication when using the autologous bone: aseptic bone resorption (ABR). So far, risk factors such as age, number of fragments, and hydrocephalus have been identified but a thorough understanding of the underlying pathophysiology is still missing. The aim of this osteopathological investigation was to gain a better understanding of the underlying processes. Clinical data of patients who underwent surgical revision due to ABR was collected. Demographics, the time interval between craniectomy and cranioplasty, and endocrine serum parameters affecting bone metabolism were collected. Removed specimens underwent qualitative and quantitative histological examination. Two grafts without ABR were examined as controls. Compared to the controls, the typical layering of the cortical and cancellous bone was largely eliminated in the grafts. Histological investigations revealed the coexistence of osteolytic and osteoblastic activity within the necrosis. Bone appositions were distributed over the entire graft area. Remaining marrow spaces were predominantly fibrotic or necrotic. In areas with marrow cavity fibrosis, hardly any new bone tissue was found in the adjacent bone, while there were increased signs of osteoclastic resorption. Insufficient reintegration of the flap may be due to residual fatty bone marrow contained in the bone flap which seems to act as a barrier for osteogenesis. This may obstruct the reorganization of the bone structure, inducing aseptic bone necrosis. Following a path already taken in orthopedic surgery, thorough lavage of the implant to remove the bone marrow may be a possibility, but will need further investigation.
Oblique sand ridges in confined tidal channels due to Coriolis and frictional torques
Authors: Hepkema Tjebbe M. , de Swart Huib E. , Nnafie Abdel , Schramkowski George P. , Schuttelaars Henk M.
Published: October 2020

The role of the Coriolis effect in the initial formation of bottom patterns in a tidal channel is studied by means of a linear stability analysis. The key finding is that the mechanism generating oblique tidal sand ridges on the continental shelf is also present in confined tidal channels. As a result, the Coriolis effect causes the fastest growing pattern to be a combination of tidal bars and oblique tidal sand ridges. Similar as on the continental shelf, the Coriolis-induced torques cause anticyclonic residual circulations around the ridges, which lead to the accumulation of sand above the ridges. Furthermore, an asymptotic analysis indicates that the maximum growth rate of the bottom perturbation is slightly increased by the Coriolis effect, while its preferred wavelength is hardly influenced.
Streamflow-based evaluation of climate model sub-selection methods
Authors: Kiesel Jens , Stanzel Philipp , Kling Harald , Fohrer Nicola , Jähnig Sonja C. , Pechlivanidis Ilias
Published: October 2020

The assessment of climate change and its impact relies on the ensemble of models available and/or sub-selected. However, an assessment of the validity of simulated climate change impacts is not straightforward because historical data is commonly used for bias-adjustment, to select ensemble members or to define a baseline against which impacts are compared—and, naturally, there are no observations to evaluate future projections. We hypothesize that historical streamflow observations contain valuable information to investigate practices for the selection of model ensembles. The Danube River at Vienna is used as a case study, with EURO-CORDEX climate simulations driving the COSERO hydrological model. For each selection method, we compare observed to simulated streamflow shift from the reference period (1960–1989) to the evaluation period (1990–2014). Comparison against no selection shows that an informed selection of ensemble members improves the quantification of climate change impacts. However, the selection method matters, with model selection based on hindcasted climate or streamflow alone is misleading, while methods that maintain the diversity and information content of the full ensemble are favorable. Prior to carrying out climate impact assessments, we propose splitting the long-term historical data and using it to test climate model performance, sub-selection methods, and their agreement in reproducing the indicator of interest, which further provide the expectable benchmark of near- and far-future impact assessments. This test is well-suited to be applied in multi-basin experiments to obtain better understanding of uncertainty propagation and more universal recommendations regarding uncertainty reduction in hydrological impact studies.
“Everybody has to get a Chance to Learn”: Democratic Aspects of Digitalisation in Preschool
Authors: Enochsson Ann-Britt , Ribaeus Katarina
Published: October 2020

The aim of this article is to examine the ways in which curriculum goals on digitalisation are viewed in relation to the overarching democratic mission of Swedish preschools. Groups of preschool staff from three preschools located in different areas were interviewed with the focus on how they discuss democracy and the democratic aspects ofdigital toolsand children’sdigital competence, which are concepts used in the curriculum. Collective mind maps – constructed by the participants – were used as focal points in the interviews. The analysis centres on the content of these discussions, but also touches on the ways in which the groups communicated. The findings show that the groups from the three preschools expressed very different views on using digital tools and developing preschoolers’ digital competence, and that these views corresponded with their general views on democracy. The ways in which the groups expressed their views of democracy are also reflected in their discussions with each other. Preschool teachers’ and childcare workers’ own lack of digital competence is mentioned briefly as a reason for not using digital devices by the group using them the least, but this does not seem to be the main reason for their infrequent use of digital media with the children.
Moroccan City Festivals, Cultural Diplomacy and Urban Political Agency
Authors: Dines Nick
Published: October 2020

Over the last two decades, cultural festivals have been established and consolidated in cities across Morocco. Their proliferation has coincided with the reign of Mohammed VI, well known as an enthusiastic and extremely wealthy patron of the arts, and the concomitant state-controlled democratization of Moroccan politics and society. Drawing on two examples—the Marrakech International Film Festival and the Mawazine music festival in Rabat—this article interrogates the ways in which festivals and the urban scale combine to function as vehicles for cultural diplomacy. Contra the common tendency in recent policy debates that perceive the city (with or without its administration) as an active agent in translocal cultural relations, I argue for a more nuanced perspective that understands the urban festival as a diplomatic platform through which the cultural politics of the state are rescaled and where a range of actors contest ideas about the local, national and global trajectories of society and cultural life.
Accounting for differences in income inequality across countries: tax-benefit policy, labour market structure, returns and demographics
Authors: Sologon Denisa M. , Van Kerm Philippe , Li Jinjing , O’Donoghue Cathal
Published: October 2020

This paper presents a framework for studying international differences in the distribution of household income. Integrating micro-econometric and micro-simulation approaches in a decomposition analysis, it quantifies the role of tax-benefit systems, employment and occupational structures, labour and financial market returns, and demographic composition in accounting for differences in income inequality across countries. Building upon EUROMOD (the European tax-benefit calculator) and its harmonised datasets, the model is portable and can be implemented for cross-country comparisons between any participating country. An application to the UK and Ireland—two countries that have much in common while displaying different levels of inequality—shows that differences in tax-benefit rules between the two countries account for over one third of the observed difference in disposable household income inequality. Demographic differences play negligible roles. The Irish tax-benefit system is more redistributive than UK’s due to a higher tax progressivity and higher average transfer rates. These are largely attributable to policy parameter differences, but also to differences in pre-tax, pre-transfer income distributions.
Crystallization behavior of ternary γ–γ′ Co–Al–W alloy
Authors: Migas Damian , Gradoń Paweł , Mikuszewski Tomasz , Moskal Grzegorz
Published: October 2020

In the investigation, crystallization behavior of ternary γ–γ′ alloy based on Co–Al–W system was analyzed. The alloy with nominal composition Co–9Al–9W (at.%) was prepared via vacuum induction melting. Solidification characteristics of the investigated superalloy were obtained by a method of thermal analysis based on temperature measurement of metal solidifying in a mold. After casting, obtained metallic materials were investigated by differential thermal analysis in order to determine characteristic temperatures and compare results with those of obtained in the first thermal analysis. Furthermore, a description of primary microstructure was performed for ingots solidified with two different cooling rates. The analysis was made using X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The crystallization path of alloy was investigated. The solidification range of alloy was narrow. The crystallization in a sand mold resulted in the dendritic microstructure containing γ single phase. The as-cast microstructure after solidification with higher cooling rate was comparable; however, observed crystals were mostly columnar, while sand cast was characterized by equiaxed crystals structure.
Employment effects of payroll tax subsidies
Authors: Collischon Matthias , Cygan-Rehm Kamila , Riphahn Regina T.
Published: October 2020

This paper exploits several reforms of wage subsidies in the framework of the German Minijob program to investigate substitution and complementarity relationships between subsidized and non-subsidized labor demand. We apply an instrumental variables approach and use administrative data on German establishments for the period 1999–2014. Particularly in small establishments (0–9 employees), subsidized Minijob employment comprises large shares of the work force, on average over 40%. For these establishments, robust evidence shows that increasing the subsidization of Minijob employment crowds out non-subsidized employment. Our results imply that Minijob employment in 2014 may have eliminated more than 0.5 million unsubsidized employment relationships just in small establishments. This represents an unintended and harmful consequence of the Minijob subsidy.
Remembering events and representing time
Authors: Boyle Alexandria
Published: October 2020

Episodic memory—memory for personally experienced past events—seems to afford a distinctive kind of cognitive contact with the past. This makes it natural to think that episodic memory is centrally involved in our understanding of what it is for something to be in the past, or to be located in time—that it is either necessary or sufficient for such understanding. If this were the case, it would suggest certain straightforward evidential connections between temporal cognition and episodic memory in nonhuman animals. In this paper, I argue that matters are more complicated than this. Episodic memory is memory for events and not for the times they occupy. As such, it is dissociable from temporal understanding. This is not to say that episodic memory and temporal cognition are unrelated, but that the relationship between them cannot be straightforwardly captured by claims about necessity and sufficiency. This should inform our theoretical predictions about the manifestations of episodic memory in nonhuman behaviour.
Every Country for Itself and the Central Bank for Us All?
Authors: Neck R. , Blueschke D.
Published: October 2020

This paper used a small stylized nonlinear three-country macroeconomic model of a monetary union to analyse the interactions between fiscal (governments) and monetary (common central bank) policymakers. The three fiscal players were divided into a financially stable core and a less stable periphery. The periphery itself consisted of two players with different perceptions of the trade-off between fiscal stability and output growth. Using the OPTGAME algorithm, solutions were calculated for two game strategies: one cooperative (Pareto optimal) and one non-cooperative game type (the Nash game for the feedback information pattern). Introducing a negative demand shock, the performance of different coalition options between players were analysed. A higher level of cooperation leads in general to a better overall outcome of the game, however, with highly varying burdens to be borne by the players.
Correction to: Clinical Characteristics and Multisystem Imaging Findings of COVID-19: An Overview for Orthopedic Surgeons
Authors: Reddy Gireesh B. , Greif Dylan N. , Rodriguez Jose , Best Thomas M. , Greditzer Harry G. , Jose Jean
Published: October 2020

The published article listed an incorrect credential for Jose Rodriguez, MD. It is corrected here.
Measurement of Quality of Life in Spanish Regions
Authors: de Maya Matallana Manuel , López-Martínez María , Riquelme-Perea Prudencio José
Published: October 2020

The present paper measures quality of life through a set of dimensions included in the following partial indicators of objective well-being: demography, economic endowment, academic training, employment, health, cultural goods, environment, housing habitability, security and family. Additionally, and independently, subjective well-being is studied to measure the degree of happiness of the population. As a result, a quality of life indicator is obtained that combines both objective and subjective indicators. The methodology used corresponds to that provided by Pena Trapero through the distance measure DP2, which has been widely used in many empirical studies on well-being and quality of life. Among the results obtained, it is worth noting that happiness diminishes as per capita income grows, and that prosperity, understood as social welfare, can be achieved without relying exclusively on material growth. Thus, the Spanish development model must be revised since the material objectives and economic growth do not guarantee the happiness of the population.
Language-based translation and prediction of surgical navigation steps for endoscopic wayfinding assistance in minimally invasive surgery
Authors: Bieck Richard , Heuermann Katharina , Pirlich Markus , Neumann Juliane , Neumuth Thomas
Published: October 2020

Purpose

In the context of aviation and automotive navigation technology, assistance functions are associated with predictive planning and wayfinding tasks. In endoscopic minimally invasive surgery, however, assistance so far relies primarily on image-based localization and classification. We show that navigation workflows can be described and used for the prediction of navigation steps.

Methods

A natural description vocabulary for observable anatomical landmarks in endoscopic images was defined to create 3850 navigation workflow sentences from 22 annotated functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) recordings. Resulting FESS navigation workflows showed an imbalanced data distribution with over-represented landmarks in the ethmoidal sinus. A transformer model was trained to predict navigation sentences in sequence-to-sequence tasks. The training was performed with the Adam optimizer and label smoothing in a leave-one-out cross-validation study. The sentences were generated using an adapted beam search algorithm with exponential decay beam rescoring. The transformer model was compared to a standard encoder-decoder-model, as well as HMM and LSTM baseline models.

Results

The transformer model reached the highest prediction accuracy for navigation steps at 0.53, followed by 0.35 of the LSTM and 0.32 for the standard encoder-decoder-network. With an accuracy of sentence generation of 0.83, the prediction of navigation steps at sentence-level benefits from the additional semantic information. While standard class representation predictions suffer from an imbalanced data distribution, the attention mechanism also considered underrepresented classes reasonably well.

Conclusion

We implemented a natural language-based prediction method for sentence-level navigation steps in endoscopic surgery. The sentence-level prediction method showed a potential that word relations to navigation tasks can be learned and used for predicting future steps. Further studies are needed to investigate the functionality of path prediction. The prediction approach is a first step in the field of visuo-linguistic navigation assistance for endoscopic minimally invasive surgery.
Schulformen und sozioökonomischer Erfolg im jungen Erwachsenenalter: Werden unterschiedliche Ausbildungswege auf dem Arbeitsmarkt gleich honoriert?
Authors: Becker Michael , Tetzner Julia , Baumert Jürgen
Published: October 2020

Inwiefern der Besuch unterschiedlicher Schulformen Lernen und Bildungsverläufe beeinflusst, ist ein vieldiskutiertes Thema. Arbeiten zu Effekten der Schulformen für den Erfolg auf dem Arbeitsmarkt liegen jedoch bislang nur wenige vor. Hier setzt der vorliegende Beitrag an, in dem in einer längsschnittlichen Perspektive (N = 5292 Personen) überprüft wird, welche Effekte der Besuch unterschiedlicher Schulformen in der Sekundarstufe (vom Beginn der 7. Klasse) auf spätere berufliche Merkmale (Berufsprestige, Einkommen und Arbeitslosigkeit im Alter von knapp 31 Jahren) aufweist. Die Ergebnisse weisen prima facie auf Unterschiede zwischen Schulformen hin, aber ein Großteil der Effekte lässt sich durch schulische bzw. berufliche Abschlüsse, sowie individuelle und soziale Hintergrundunterschiede erklären. Zumindest für das Einkommen und Arbeitslosigkeit erscheinen vor allem die schulischen und beruflichen Abschlüsse maßgebend. Der Effekt des Besuchs der Hauptschule im Vergleich zu anderen Schulformen bleibt jedoch mit einem niedrigeren Berufsprestige assoziiert, auch unter zusätzlicher Kontrolle des individuellen und sozialen Hintergrundes. Die Ergebnisse legen nahe, dass unterschiedliche Wege durch die Schulformen der Sekundarstufe auf dem Arbeitsmarkt partiell differenziell entlohnt werden: nicht für das Einkommen und Erwerbslosigkeit, aber für den beruflichen Status.
EOQ inventory model for perishable products under uncertainty
Authors: Patriarca R. , Di Gravio G. , Costantino F. , Tronci M.
Published: October 2020

Perishable products require accurate inventory control models as their effect on operations management can be critical. This assumption is particularly relevant in highly uncertain and dynamic markets, as for the ones generated by the pandemic era. This paper presents an inventory control model for perishable items with a demand rate variable over time, and dependent on the inventory rate. The model also considers the potential for backlogging and lost sales. Imperfect product quality is included, and deterioration is modelled as a time-dependent variable. The framework envisages the possibility to define variables affected by uncertainty in terms of probability distribution functions, which are then jointly managed via a Monte Carlo simulation. This paper is intended to provide an analytical formulation to deal with uncertainty and time-dependent inventory functions to be used for a variety of perishable products. The formulation is designed to support decision-making for the identification of the optimal order quantity. A numerical example exemplifies the outcomes of the paper and provides a cost-based sensitivity analysis to understand the role of main parameters.
Review of Experimental-Numerical Methodologies and Challenges for Floating Offshore Wind Turbines
Authors: Chen Peng , Chen Jiahao , Hu Zhiqiang
Published: October 2020

Due to the dissimilar scaling issues, the conventional experimental method of FOWTs can hardly be used directly to validate the full-scale global dynamic responses accurately. Therefore, it is of absolute necessity to find a more accurate, economic and efficient approach, which can be utilized to predict the full-scale global dynamic responses of FOWTs. In this paper, a literature review of experimental-numerical methodologies and challenges for FOWTs is made. Several key challenges in the conventional basin experiment issues are discussed, including scaling issues; coupling effects between aero-hydro and structural dynamic responses; blade pitch control strategies; experimental facilities and calibration methods. Several basin experiments, industrial projects and numerical codes are summarized to demonstrate the progress of hybrid experimental methods. Besides, time delay in hardware-in-the-loop challenges is concluded to emphasize their significant role in real-time hybrid approaches. It is of great use to comprehend these methodologies and challenges, which can help some future researchers to make a footstone for proposing a more efficient and functional hybrid basin experimental and numerical method.
Study on Ultimate Compressive Strength of Aluminium-Alloy Plates and Stiffened Panels
Authors: Liu Bin , Doan Van Tuyen , Garbatov Y. , Wu Weiguo , Guedes Soares C.
Published: October 2020

This work reviews the ultimate compressive strength of aluminium plates and stiffened panels. The effect of boundary condition, initial imperfection, welding-induced residual stress and heat-affected zone are discussed. As the effect of manufacturing technology lacks in the literature, this effect is analysed employing the finite element method, considering the technology of welding and integrated extrusion. The numerical analyses have shown that the ultimate strength of the integrated extruded stiffened panel is relatively higher than the one of the traditional welded panel.
Sex Differences in Cancer Cachexia
Authors: Zhong Xiaoling , Zimmers Teresa A.
Published: October 2020

Purpose of Review

Cachexia, a feature of cancer and other chronic diseases, is marked by progressive weight loss and skeletal muscle wasting. This review aims to highlight the sex differences in manifestations of cancer cachexia in patients, rodent models, and our current understanding of the potential mechanisms accounting for these differences.

Recent Findings

Male cancer patients generally have higher prevalence of cachexia, greater weight loss or muscle wasting, and worse outcomes compared with female cancer patients. Knowledge is increasing about sex differences in muscle fiber type and function, mitochondrial metabolism, global gene expression and signaling pathways, and regulatory mechanisms at the levels of sex chromosomes vs. sex hormones; however, it is largely undetermined how such sex differences directly affect the susceptibility to stressors leading to muscle wasting in cancer cachexia.

Few studies have investigated basic mechanisms underlying sex differences in cancer cachexia. A better understanding of sex differences would improve cachexia treatment in both sexes.
Fungal diversity and metabolomic profiles in GM and isogenic non-GM maize cultivars from Brazil
Authors: Gasperini A. M. , Garcia-Cela E. , Sulyok M. , Medina A. , Magan N.
Published: October 2020

There is little knowledge of the microbial diversity, mycotoxins and associated secondary metabolites in GM maize and isogenic non-GM cultivars (cvs). This study has quantified the microbial populations and dominant fungal genera in 6 cvs of each type representative of herbicide, pesticide or stacked resistance to both. The predominant mycotoxins and targeted metabolomics profiles were also compared between the two sets of cvs. This showed that the overall fungal populations were 8.8 CFUs g−1maize. The dominant genera, isolated from maize samples, whether surface-sterilised or not, in all maize cvs wereFusarium, followed byPenicillium,Aspergillusand occasionallyCladosporiumandAlternaria.The analysis of the targeted metabolomics showed that approx. 29 different metabolites were detected. These were dominated by fumonisins and minorPenicilliumspp. metabolites (questiomycin A and rugulovasine A). Interestingly, the range and number of mycotoxins present in the GM cvs were significantly lower than in the non-GM maize samples. This suggests that while the fungal diversity of the two types of maize appeared to be very similar, the major contaminant mycotoxins and range of toxic secondary metabolites were much lower in the GM cvs.
The contribution of small-scale, privately owned tropical aquaculture to food security and dietary diversity in Bolivia
Authors: Irwin Sean , Flaherty Mark S. , Carolsfeld Joachim
Published: October 2020

New aquaculture systems are emerging in new contexts around the world in part due to aquaculture’s perceived development benefits. However, linkages between aquaculture and food security in these systems are unclear. This study investigated the impact of emerging small-scale, business-oriented fish culture in central Bolivia on the food security and dietary diversity of aquaculture producers (n = 40) and workers (n = 26) in the value chain and compared them to local non-aquaculture farmers (n = 40). Three pathways were investigated: fish consumption, household income, and women’s participation. Food insecurity was widespread and did not vary in a statistically significant way between groups, but a trend toward greater food security amongst aquaculture producers was observed. Dietary diversity was highly homogenous, with the notable exception of high fish consumption amongst producers. Aquaculture was related to higher income, and income has a modest positive effect on food security for aquaculturists and non-aquaculture farmers, but not aquaculture value chain workers. Income did not have an effect on dietary diversity. Women’s involvement in aquaculture was correlated positively to productivity, profitability, and size of operation, while male-only aquaculture was negatively correlated to these. The value chain generated employment, especially for women, but average wages were higher for men. The research provides important insight into aquaculture-food security linkages by showing that the introduction of small-scale business-oriented aquaculture systems can provide nutritious products for regional consumption and can have positive effects on food security but is not sufficient to change local dietary preferences more broadly.
Four Element Meditation
Authors: Anālayo Bhikkhu
Published: October 2020

One of the mindfulness exercises described in theSatipaṭṭhāna-suttaand its parallels concerns the four elements of earth, water, fire, and wind, which stand representative of the qualities of solidity, cohesion, temperature, and motion. Within the ancient Indian setting, the early Buddhist analysis of matter into these four elements can be seen to eschew the two extremes of materialist annihilationism and eternalism; closer inspection also shows that the employment of these elements does not reflect the influence of Brahminical cosmology, as assumed by Alexander Wynne. The ultimate concern of mindful contemplation of the elements is their transcendence, which is to be achieved through cultivating liberating insight into their impermanent and empty nature.
Development of calcium stabilized nitrogen rich α-sialon ceramics along the Si3N4:1/2Ca3N2:3AlN line using spark plasma sintering
Authors: Ahmed B. A. , Laoui T. , Hakeem A. S.
Published: October 2020

Calcium stabilized nitrogen rich sialon ceramics having a general formula of CaxSi12-2xAl2xN16 with x value (x is the solubility of cation Ca in α-sialon structure) in the range of 0.2–2.2 for compositions lying along the Si3N4:1/2Ca3N2:3AlN line were synthesized using nano/submicron size starting powder precursors and spark plasma sintering (SPS) technique. The development of calcium stabilized nitrogen rich sialon ceramics at a significantly low sintering temperature of 1500 °C (typically reported a temperature of 1700 °C or greater) remains to be the highlight of the present study. The SPS processed sialons were characterized for their microstructure, phase and compositional analysis, and physical and mechanical properties. Furthermore, a correlation was developed between the lattice parameters and the content (x) of the alkaline metal cation in the α-sialon phase. Well-densified single-phase nitrogen rich α-sialon ceramics were achieved in the range of 0.53(3) ⩽ x ⩽ 1.27(3). A nitrogen rich α-sialon sample possessing a maximum hardness of 22.4 GPa and fracture toughness of 6.1 MPa·m1/2 was developed.