bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A second‐order reduced multiscale method for nonlinear shell structures with orthogonal periodic configurations
Authors: Yang Zhiqiang , Liu Yizhi , Sun Yi , Ma Qiang
Published: October 2021

This article develops an efficient second‐order reduced multiscale (SORM) method to study the nonlinear shell structure with orthogonal periodic configurations. The heterogenous shell structure is periodically distributed in orthogonal curvilinear coordinate systems. At first, the nonlinear problems for the shell structure are introduced, and the detailed higher‐order nonlinear multiscale formulas based on the asymptotic homogenization approach are given including microscale unit cell functions, effective material parameter and the homogenized equation. Also, since it requires a large number of computation cost to solve the nonlinear multiscale problems by the traditional high‐order homogenization methods, the novel reduced order multiscale model is constructed. Further, according to the reduced‐order multiscale models and higher‐order nonlinear formulas, an effective SORM algorithm is provided for studying the nonlinear shell structures. The main characteristics of the proposed algorithm are that the novel reduced forms established to investigate the nonlinear shell structures and an efficient higher‐order homogenized solution evaluated by postprocessing that does not need higher‐order continuities of the homogenization solutions. Finally, according to some typical nonlinear examples including block structures, cylindrical shell and double‐curved shallow shell, the availabilities of the SORM algorithm are confirmed.
Enhancing the Reduction Kinetics of LiSF6 Batteries by Dispersed Cobalt Phthalocyanines on Porous Carbon
Authors: He Huajin , Liao Ying , Zuo Wenhua , Li Guochang , Gu Jiabao , Li Yixiao , Hu Zheng , Yang Yong
Published: October 2021

Reducing SF6 (as gas cathode) in Li batteries is a promising concept for the double benefit of mildly converting greenhouse SF6 and providing a high theoretical energy density of 3922 Wh kg−1. However, the reduction process is hampered by its sluggish kinetics. Here, cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) molecules immobilized on porous carbon matrix are, for the first time, introduced to the LiSF6 chemistry to deliver an enhanced energy density. It is revealed that the high redox potential of Co(II)Pc/[Co(I)Pc]− (≈2.85 V) facilitates the formation of Co(I)N4 sites to catalyze the SF6 electrochemical reduction. By using highly porous holey nitrogen‐doped carbon nanocages as carbon matrix, the LiSF6 cells deliver a high discharge voltage of 2.82 V at 50 mA gC+CoPc−1 and an unprecedented areal capacity of 25 mAh cm−2 at 0.1 mA cm−2, much superior to previous results. This work opens up new possibilities for high‐efficiency conversion of SF6 in lithium batteries.
In Situ Derived Hybrid Carbon Molecular Sieve Membranes with Tailored Ultramicroporosity for Efficient Gas Separation
Authors: Lee Tae Hoon , Moghadam Farhad , Jung Jae Gu , Kim Yu Jin , Roh Ji Soo , Yoo Seung Yeon , Lee Byung Kwan , Kim Jin Hee , Pinnau Ingo , Park Ho Bum
Published: October 2021

Fine control of ultramicroporosity (<7 Å) in carbon molecular sieve (CMS) membranes is highly desirable for challenging gas separation processes. Here, a versatile approach is proposed to fabricate hybrid CMS (HCMS) membranes with unique textural properties as well as tunable ultramicroporosity. The HCMS membranes are formed by pyrolysis of a polymer nanocomposite precursor containing metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) as a carbonizable nanoporous filler. The MOF‐derived carbonaceous phase displays good compatibility with the polymer‐derived carbon matrix due to the homogeneity of the two carbon phases, substantially enhancing the mechanical robustness of the resultant HCMS membranes. Detailed structural analyses reveal that the in situ pyrolysis of embedded MOFs induces more densified and interconnected carbon structures in HCMS membranes compared to those in conventional CMS membranes, leading to bimodal and narrow pore size distributions in the ultramicroporous region. Eventually, the HCMS membranes exhibit far superior gas separation performances with a strong size‐sieving ability than the conventional polymers and CMS membranes, especially for closely sized gas pairs (Δd < 0.5 Å) including CO2/CH4 and C3H6/C3H8 separations. More importantly, the developed HCMS material is successfully prepared into a thin‐film composite (TFC) membrane (≈1 µm), demonstrating its practical feasibility for use in industrial mixed‐gas operation conditions.
Methods and Technologies for Mastering Uncertainty
Authors: Groche Peter , Abele Eberhard , Al-Baradoni Nassr , Bartsch Sabine , Bölling Christian , Brötz Nicolas , Gehb Christopher M. , Geßner Felix , Götz Benedict , Hartig Jakob , Hedrich Philipp , Hesse Daniel , Heßler Martina , Hoppe Florian , Joggerst Laura , Kersting Sebastian , Kloberdanz Hermann , Knoll Maximilian , Kohler Michael , Krech Martin , Lenz Jonathan , Leštáková Michaela , Logan Kevin T. , Martin Daniel , Melz Tobias , Müller Tim M. , Öztürk Tuğrul , Pelz Peter F. , Platz Roland , Rapp Andrea , Rexer Manuel , Schaeffner Maximilian , Schulte Fiona , Sinz Julian , Stegmeier Jörn , Weigold Matthias , Wendt Janine
Published: October 2021

Uncertainty affects all phases of the product life cycle of technical systems, from design and production to their usage, even beyond the phase boundaries. Its identification, analysis and representation are discussed in the previous chapter. Based on the gained knowledge, our specific approach on mastering uncertainty can be applied. These approaches follow common strategies that are described in the subsequent chapter, but require individual methods and technologies. In this chapter, first legal and technical aspects for mastering uncertainty are discussed. Then, techniques for product design of technical systems under uncertainty are presented. The propagation of uncertainty is analysed for particular examples of process chains. Finally, semi-active and active technical systems and their relation to uncertainty are discussed.
Outlook
Authors: Pelz Peter F. , Groche Peter , Pfetsch Marc E. , Schaeffner Maximilian
Published: October 2021

Bertolt Brecht once closed a text with the words “We are disappointed to see the curtain close and all questions are left unanswered” [1]. In this book, it has become clear that uncertainty is immanent in the product life cycle of technical systems in mechanical engineering from (B) production, (C) usage, (D) reuse to (E) sourcing. The latter is the starting phase of the following sequence B, C, D, E. Uncertainty has been relevant since the beginning of the industrialisation, cf. Theodor Fontane’s ballad ‘The Tay Bridge’ quoted in Chap. 10.1007/978-3-030-78354-9_1 and this will continue to be so. Hence, we will never see “the curtain close”, but a perpetual contribution of engineering science, applied mathematics, law and further branches of science to master uncertainty in mechanical engineering.
Analysis of the Hydrological Behavior of Watersheds in the Context of Climate Change (Northwestern Algeria)
Authors: Belarbi Halima , Touaibia Bénina , Boumechra Nadir , Abdelbaki Chérifa , Amiar Sakina
Published: October 2021

The aim of this work is to study the temporal evolution of the rainfall-runoff relations of four basins in northwestern Algeria: the Tafna Maritime, Isser Sikkak, downstream Mouilah and Upper Tafna basins. The adopted approach consists of analyzing hydroclimatic variables using statistical methods and testing the nonstationarity of the rainfall-runoff relation by the cross-simulation method using the GR2M model. The results of the different statistical methods applied to the series of rainfall and hydrometric variables show a decrease due to a break in stationarity detected since the mid-1970s and the beginning of the 1980s. The annual rainfall deficits reached average values of 34.6% during the period of 1941–2006 and 29.1% during the period of 1970–2010. The average annual wadi flows showed average deficits of 61.1% between 1912 and 2000 and 53.1% between 1973 and 2009. The GR2M conceptual model simulated the observed hydrographs in an acceptable manner by providing calculated runoff values in the calibration and validation periods greater or less than the observed runoff values. The application of the cross-simulation method highlighted the nonstationarity of the rainfall-runoff relations in three of the four studied basins, indicating downward trends of monthly runoff.
Post-cold War Ethiopian Land Policy and State Power in Land Commercialisation
Authors: Soboka Teshome Emana
Published: October 2021

Land policy is one of the issues that affects the lives of millions of people in Ethiopia. The main purpose of this chapter is to explore how the policy has become instrumental for state land commercialisation after the 1991 regime change when the guerrilla fighter group—the Ethiopian People’s Revolutionary Democratic Front (EPRDF)—took power by overthrowing the military dictatorial government. Based on the data gathered from various sources, the chapter argues that the government has implemented different land policies, all of which were used to strengthen state power over land ownership. This state land monopolisation assisted the government to commercialise land by developing state-sponsored institutions that have been catalysing the process of land transaction in favour of large-scale commercial farming. At the beginning of its coming to power, the EPRDF-led government promised to overhaul the land policy of the country with the objective to ensure fair access to land for the citizens. In the meantime, however, all the legal frameworks were directed towards the strengthening of state power over land. This state domination over land ownership brought about several unintended outcomes, such as corruption and unfair access to the land, which, in turn, resulted in mistrust between the state and society.
Operative treatment of fragility fractures of the pelvis: a critical analysis of 140 patients
Authors: Rommens Pol Maria , Hofmann Alexander , Kraemer Sven , Kisilak Miha , Boudissa Mehdi , Wagner Daniel
Published: October 2021

Background

Fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) are a clinical entity with an increasing frequency. Indications for and type of surgical treatment are still a matter of debate.

Purpose

This retrospective study presents and critically analyses the results of operative treatment of 140 patients with FFP.

Setting

Level-I trauma center.

Materials and methods

Demographic data, comorbidities, FFP-classification, type of surgical stabilization (percutaneous (P-group) versus open procedure (O-group)), length of hospital stay (LoS), general in-hospital complications, surgery-related complications, living environment before admission, mobility and destination at discharge were retracted from the medical and radiographic records. Patients were asked participating in a survey by telephone call about their quality of life. SF-8 Physical Component Score (PCS) and SF-8 Mental Component Score (MCS) were calculated as well as the Parker Mobility Score (PMS) and the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS).

Results

Mean age was 77.4 years and 89.3% of patients were female. 92.1% presented with one comorbidity, 49.3% with two or more comorbidities. Median length of hospital stay was 18 days, postoperative length of hospital stay was 12 days. 99 patients (70.7%) received a percutaneous operative procedure, 41 (29.3%) an open. Patients of the O-group had a significantly longer LoS than patients of the P-group (p = 0.009). There was no in-hospital mortality. There were significantly more surgery-related complications in the O-group (43.9%) than in the P-group (19.2%) (p = 0.006). Patients of the O-group needed more often surgical revisions (29.3%) than patients of the P-group (13.1%) (p = 0.02). Whereas 85.4% of all patients lived at home before admission, only 28.6% returned home at discharge (p < 0.001). The loss of mobility at discharge was not influenced by the FFP-classes (p = 0.47) or type of treatment (p = 0.13). One-year mortality was 9.7%. Mortality was not influenced by the FFP-classes (p = 0.428) or type of treatment (p = 0.831). Median follow-up was 40 months. SF-8 PCS and SF-8 MCS were moderate (32.43 resp. 54.42). PMS was 5 and NRS 4. Follow-up scores were not influenced by FFP-classes or type of treatment.

Conclusion

Patients with FFP, who were treated operatively, suffered from a high rate of non-lethal general, in-hospital complications. Open surgical procedures induced more surgery-related complications and surgical revisions. Mental and physical follow-up scores are low to moderate. Condition at follow-up is not influenced by FFP-classes or type of treatment. Indications for operative treatment of FFP must be critically examined. Surgical fixation should obtain adequate stability, yet be as less invasive as possible. The advantages and limitations of different surgical techniques have to be critically evaluated in prospective studies.
Partial intracapsular tonsillectomy in the treatment of pediatric obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome: a prospective study with 5-year follow-up
Authors: Cavaliere Matteo , De Luca Pietro , De Bonis Egidio , Maurizi Riccardo , Cassandro Claudia , Ralli Massimo , Cassandro Ettore , Scarpa Alfonso
Published: October 2021

Objective

To assess efficacy and safety of tonsil reduction with bipolar forceps electrocautery as treatment of paediatric obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS).

Study design

Prospective interventional study.

Methods

Two hundred and sixty-three children aged 4–10 years with OSAHS and an apnea hypopnea index (AHI) > 3 were enrolled from March 2013 to January 2016. Pre-operative evaluation included oropharyngeal clinical examination with fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy, OSA-18 questionnaire and overnight sleep study. All children were treated with adenoidectomy and tonsillotomy with bipolar forceps. OSA-18 questionnaire and overnight sleep study were performed 30 days after surgery.

Results

Pre-operative average of the OSA-18 questionnaires was of 70.3 (SD = 9.7); 30-day post-operative score was 23.15 (SD = 8.2; p = 0.045). Pre-operative average Apnea Hypopnea Index (AHI) score was 9.41 (SD = 4.1); 30-day post-operative average of AHI score was of 1.75 (SD = 0.8; p = 0.012). Oxygen Desaturation Index (ODI) rate changed from 7.39 (SD = 4) to 1.34 (30-day post-operative) (SD = 4.7; p = 0.085). NADIR rate changed from 79% (SD = 6.32) to 90% (30-day post-operative) (SD = 5.18; p = 0.00012). Peri- and post-operative complications in our sample were mainly pain (average 75 doses of paracetamol), while bleeding did not occur (0%). All patients received a follow-up examination 5 years after surgery to evaluate tonsil size; at this time-point, a reduction in tonsil size from 3.6 (3–4; SD = 4.2) to 1.3 (1–2; SD = 5.5) was found, while tonsil regrowth was observed in five children (2%).

Conclusion

This study showed that partial tonsillotomy with bipolar forceps electrocautery associated to adenoidectomy is an effective technique in treating OSAHS symptoms in children and ensures less complications in terms of hemorrhage, postoperative pain and infections compared to traditional adenotonsillectomy. The very low tonsillar regrowth rate reported in this study may support the routine use of this technique.
Long-term clinical outcome and satisfaction survey in patients with neurotrophic keratopathy after treatment with cenegermin eye drops or amniotic membrane transplantation
Authors: Sacchetti Marta , Komaiha Chiara , Bruscolini Alice , Albanese Giuseppe Maria , Marenco Marco , Colabelli Gisoldi Rossella Anna Maria , Pocobelli Augusto , Lambiase Alessandro
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) is a degenerative corneal disease caused by damage of trigeminal innervation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes and patient-reported satisfaction of treatment with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) or cenegermin eye drops in patients with NK.

Methods

Clinical charts of patients with NK treated with AMT (group A) or cenegermin eye drops (group B), with at least 12 months of follow-up, were reviewed for demographics, medical history, corneal healing, and disease recurrence. Patient satisfaction was evaluated by a newly developed questionnaire investigating patient’s appreciation of treatment of NK (2 items) and satisfaction with NK treatment outcomes (5 items).

Results

At the end of treatment, complete corneal healing was observed in 13/15 (86%) patients in group A and in 23/24 (96%) in group B. At 12 months follow-up, 6/13 patients (46%) in group A and 3/23 patients (13%) in group B showed recurrence of NK (p = 0.037).

Survival analysis showed that group B remained recurrence free for a significantly longer period of time than the group A (p = 0.028). Patients in group B showed a significantly higher satisfaction when compared with patients in group A (total score: 65.7 ± 15.7 vs 47.4 ± 12.8, p = 0.003), both in terms of patients’ appreciation of treatment (78.3 ± 15.9 vs 52.2 ± 30, p = 0.020) and satisfaction with treatment outcomes (60.7 ± 21 vs 45.4 ± 13.3, p = 0.037).

Conclusions

Treatment of NK with cenegermin was associated with long-term maintenance of corneal integrity and a higher degree of patient satisfaction.
Clinical outcome of bonded partial indirect posterior restorations on vital and non-vital teeth: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Dioguardi Mario , Alovisi Mario , Troiano Giuseppe , Caponio Carlo Vito Alberto , Baldi Andrea , Rocca Giovanni Tommaso , Comba Allegra , Lo Muzio Lorenzo , Scotti Nicola
Published: October 2021

Objectives

The survival rate of indirect partial adhesive restorations on vital versus endodontically treated teeth is still controversial. The hypothesis is that there may be a difference in the survival rate of partial adhesive restorations performed on non-vital teeth compared to vital teeth.

Materials and methods

This systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA guidelines. The considered clinical studies investigated the outcomes of adhesive inlays, onlays, and overlays conducted over the past 40 years, focusing on Kaplan–Meier survival curves to calculate the hazard ratio (primary objective) and the survival rate (secondary objective) between vital and non-vital teeth. The risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle–Ottawa Scale. Studies included in the review were identified through bibliographic research on electronic databases (“PubMed,” “Scopus,” “Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trial,” and “Embase”). The K agreement between the two screening reviewers was evaluated.

Results

A total of 55,793 records were identified on PubMed, Scopus, and other bibliographic sources, and after the application of the eligibility and inclusion criteria, eight articles were included for qualitative analysis and six for quantitative analysis. The meta-analysis of the primary and secondary outcomes demonstrated that hazard ratios (HR = 8.41, 95% CI: [4.50, 15.72]) and survival rates (OR = 3.24, 95% CI: [1.76, 5.82]) seemed more favorable for indirect partial adhesive restorations on vital teeth than for those on endodontically treated teeth.

Conclusions

Within the limits of this study, these findings suggest that the risk of failure of indirect partial adhesive restorations on endodontically treated teeth is higher than on vital teeth.

Clinical relevance

The use of partial adhesive restorations on vital and endodontically treated teeth showed different long-term clinical outcomes.
Formation of lithiated gold and its use for the preparation of reference electrodes — an EQCM study
Authors: Behling Christopher , Mayrhofer Karl J. J. , Berkes Balázs B.
Published: October 2021

Lithiated gold wires can be used to build reference electrodes with outstanding potential stabilities over several days and even over the course of one year. These electrodes are well suited for investigations in the context of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). In this work, a detailed procedure for the preparation of such electrodes with tailored mechanical properties, which can be fitted gastight into electrochemical cells using commercially available fittings, is given. The electrochemical lithiation process is studied using the electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) technique, and the differences in lithiation of wire type and thin film type gold electrodes are discussed. All experiments were carried out with two different electrolytes, namely, a LiPF6 and a lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide (LiTFSI)-based electrolyte, and we conclude that for a higher lithiation rate and long-term stability, the use of LiTFSI-based electrolyte in the preparation phase is beneficial. The EQCM data provides a better insight in the analysis of film formation processes, like the buildup of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) during the lithiation, the rate of deposition of metallic lithium, or additional information on the kinetics of Li-Au alloy formation.
Intervening and Letting Go: On the Adequacy of Equilibrium Causal Models
Authors: Weinberger Naftali
Published: October 2021

Causal representations are distinguished from non-causal ones by their ability to predict the results of interventions. This widely-accepted view suggests the following adequacy condition for causal models: a causal model is adequate only if it does not contain variables regarding which it makes systematically false predictions about the results of interventions. Here I argue that this condition should be rejected. For a class of equilibrium systems, there will be two incompatible causal models depending on whether one intervenes upon a certain variable to fix its value, or ‘lets go’ of the variable and allows it to vary. The latter model will fail to predict the result of interventions on the let-go-of variable. I argue that there is no basis for preferring one of these models to the other, and thus that models failing to predict interventions on particular variables can be just as adequate as those making no such false predictions. This undermines a key argument (Dash in Caveats for causal reasoning with equilibrium models. University of Pittsburgh. PhD thesis, 2003) against relying upon causal models inferred from equilibrium data.
Genetic Risk Variants for Class Switching Recombination Defects in Ataxia-Telangiectasia Patients
Authors: Amirifar Parisa , Mehrmohamadi Mahya , Ranjouri Mohammad Reza , Akrami Seyed Mohammad , Rezaei Nima , Saberi Ali , Yazdani Reza , Abolhassani Hassan , Aghamohammadi Asghar
Published: October 2021

Background

Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder caused by mutations in the ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene. A-T patients manifest considerable variability in clinical and immunological features, suggesting the presence of genetic modifying factors. A striking heterogeneity has been observed in class switching recombination (CSR) in A-T patients which cannot be explained by the severity of ATM mutations.

Methods

To investigate the cause of variable CSR in A-T patients, we applied whole-exome sequencing (WES) in 20 A-T patients consisting of 10 cases with CSR defect (CSR-D) and 10 controls with normal CSR (CSR-N). Comparative analyses on modifier variants found in the exomes of these two groups of patients were performed.

Results

For the first time, we identified some variants in the exomes of the CSR-D group that were significantly associated with antigen processing and presentation pathway. Moreover, in this group of patients, the variants in four genes involved in DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) repair signaling, in particular, XRCC3 were observed, suggesting an association with CSR defect.

Conclusion

Additional impact of certain variants, along with ATM mutations, may explain the heterogeneity in CSR defect phenotype among A-T patients. It can be concluded that genetic modulators play an important role in the course of A-T disease and its clinical severity.
The Ethics and Economics of Middle Class Romance
Authors: Slegers Roos
Published: October 2021

This article shows the philosophical kinship between Adam Smith and Mary Wollstonecraft on the subject of love. Though the two major 18th century thinkers are not traditionally brought into conversation with each other, Wollstonecraft and Smith share deep moral concerns about the emerging commercial society. As the new middle class continues to grow along with commerce, vanity becomes an ever more common vice among its members. But a vain person is preoccupied with appearance, status, and flattery—things that get in the way of what Smith and Wollstonecraft regard as the deep human connection they variously describe as love, sympathy, and esteem. Commercial society encourages inequality, Smith argues, and Wollstonecraft points out that this inequality is particularly obvious in the relationships between men and women. Men are vain about their wealth, power and status; women about their appearance. Added to this is the fact that most middle class women are both uneducated and encouraged by the conduct literature of their day to be sentimental and irrational. The combined economic and moral considerations of Wollstonecraft and Smith show that there is very little room for love in commercial society as they conceived it.
Applying the DSM-5 Criteria for Gambling Disorder to Online Gambling Account-Based Tracking Data: An Empirical Study Utilizing Cluster Analysis
Authors: Catania Maris , Griffiths Mark D.
Published: October 2021

The emergence of online gambling has raised concerns about potential gambling-related harm, and various measures have been implemented in order to minimise harm such as identifying and/or predicting potential markers of harm. The present study explored how the nine DSM-5 criteria for gambling disorder can be operationalised in terms of actual online gambling behaviour using account-based gambling tracking data. The authors were given access to an anonymised sample of 982 gamblers registered with an online gambling operator. The data collected for these gamblers consisted of their first three months’ gambling activity. The data points included customer service contacts, number of hours spent gambling, number of active days, deposit amounts and frequency, the number of times a responsible gambling tool (such as deposit limit) were removed by the gamblers themselves, number of cancelled withdrawals, number of third-party requests, number of registered credit cards, and frequency of requesting bonuses through customer service (i.e., the number of instances of ‘bonus begging’). Using these metrics, most of the DSM-5 criteria for gambling disorder can be operationalized (at least to some extent) using actual transaction data. These metrics were then applied to a sample of online gamblers, and through cluster analysis four types of online gambler based on these metrics (non-problem gamblers, at-risk gamblers, financially vulnerable gamblers, and emotionally vulnerable gamblers) were identified. The present study is the first to examine the application of the DSM-5 criteria of gambling disorder to actual gambling behaviour using online gambling transaction data and suggests ways that gambling operators could identify problem gamblers online without the need for self-report diagnostic screening instruments.
Efficient importance sampling for large sums of independent and identically distributed random variables
Authors: Ben Rached Nadhir , Haji-Ali Abdul-Lateef , Rubino Gerardo , Tempone Raúl
Published: October 2021

We discuss estimating the probability that the sum of nonnegative independent and identically distributed random variables falls below a given threshold, i.e., $$\mathbb {P}(\sum _{i=1}^{N}{X_i} \le \gamma )$$

P
(

∑

i
=
1

N

X
i

≤
γ
)

, via importance sampling (IS). We are particularly interested in the rare event regime when N is large and/or $$\gamma $$
γ
is small. The exponential twisting is a popular technique for similar problems that, in most cases, compares favorably to other estimators. However, it has some limitations: (i) It assumes the knowledge of the moment-generating function of $$X_i$$

X
i

and (ii) sampling under the new IS PDF is not straightforward and might be expensive. The aim of this work is to propose an alternative IS PDF that approximately yields, for certain classes of distributions and in the rare event regime, at least the same performance as the exponential twisting technique and, at the same time, does not introduce serious limitations. The first class includes distributions whose probability density functions (PDFs) are asymptotically equivalent, as $$x \rightarrow 0$$

x
→
0

, to $$bx^{p}$$

b

x
p

, for $$p>-1$$

p
>
-
1

and $$b>0$$

b
>
0

. For this class of distributions, the Gamma IS PDF with appropriately chosen parameters retrieves approximately, in the rare event regime corresponding to small values of $$\gamma $$
γ
and/or large values of N, the same performance of the estimator based on the use of the exponential twisting technique. In the second class, we consider the Log-normal setting, whose PDF at zero vanishes faster than any polynomial, and we show numerically that a Gamma IS PDF with optimized parameters clearly outperforms the exponential twisting IS PDF. Numerical experiments validate the efficiency of the proposed estimator in delivering a highly accurate estimate in the regime of large N and/or small $$\gamma $$
γ
.
Impact of ambient temperature on life loss per death from cardiovascular diseases: a multicenter study in central China
Authors: Lv Ling-Shuang , Zhou Chun-Liang , Jin Dong-Hui , Ma Wen-Jun , Liu Tao , Xie Yi-Jun , Xu Yi-Qing , Zhang Xing-E
Published: October 2021

Background

In the context of global climate change, studies have focused on the ambient temperature and mortality of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). However, little is known about the effect of ambient temperature on year of life lost (YLL), especially the life loss per death caused by ambient temperature. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between ambient temperature and life loss and estimate the impact of ambient temperature on life loss per death.

Methods

We collected daily time series of mortality and meteorological data from 70 locations in Hunan province, central China, in periods ranging from Jan. 1, 2013, to Dec. 31, 2017. Crude rates of YLL were calculated per 100,000 people per year (YLL/100,000 population) for each location. A distributed lag nonlinear model and multivariate meta-regression were used to estimate the associations between ambient temperature and YLL rates. Then, the average life loss per death attributable to ambient temperature was calculated.

Results

There were 711,484 CVD deaths recorded within the study period. The exposure-response curve between ambient temperature and YLL rates was inverted J or U-shaped. Relative to the minimum YLL rate temperature, the life loss risk of extreme cold temperature lasted for 10 to 12 days, whereas the risk of extreme hot temperature appeared immediately and lasted for 3 days. On average, the life loss per death attributable to non-optimum ambient temperatures was 1.89 (95% CI, 1.21-2.56) years. Life loss was mainly caused by cold temperature (1.13, 95% CI, 0.89‑1.37), particularly moderate cold (1.00, 95% CI, 0.78‑1.23). For demographic characteristics, the mean life loss per death was relatively higher for males (2.07, 95% CI, 1.44‑2.68) and younger populations (3.72, 95% CI, 2.06‑5.46) than for females (1.88, 95% CI, 1.21-2.57) and elderly people (1.69, 95% CI, 1.28-2.10), respectively.

Conclusions

We found that both cold and hot temperatures significantly aggravated premature death from CVDs. Our results indicated that the whole range of effects of ambient temperature on CVDs should be given attention.
Cooling out after breaking up. Milieuunterschiede im Umgang mit dem Beziehungsscheitern
Authors: Eckert Judith
Published: October 2021

In seinem Aufsatz „On cooling the mark out. Some aspects of adaptation to failure“ erwähnt Erving Goffman das Scheitern von Paarbeziehungen als Paradebeispiel für Cooling-out-Prozesse in informellen sozialen Settings. Daran anknüpfend fragt der vorliegende Beitrag zum einen, inwiefern das Cooling-out-Konzept für die gegenwärtige familiensoziologische Theoriebildung fruchtbar gemacht werden kann. Indem es, so wird argumentiert, ein integratives und genuin soziologisches Instrumentarium zum Verständnis materieller und vor allem symbolischer Trennungsfolgen, die damit einhergehenden interpretativen Krisen sowie deren Bewältigung bietet, hat Goffmans Konzept gegenüber den bislang dominierenden psychologischen Konzeptualisierungen deutliche Vorzüge. Zum anderen wird danach gefragt, inwiefern die Analyse des Umgangs mit dem Scheitern von Paarbeziehungen zur Weiterentwicklung des Cooling-out-Konzepts beitragen kann. Auf der Grundlage qualitativer Interviews mit Getrennten wird gezeigt, dass es milieuspezifische Präferenzen bezüglich der „abkühlenden“ Deutungsrahmen gibt, auf die die Akteure bei der Situations- und Selbstredefinition zurückgreifen. Während im individualisierten Milieu die (Re‑)Konstruktion „verborgener Wahrheiten“ in vertrauensvollen Gesprächen und die reflexive Arbeit am Selbst im Vordergrund steht, ist im traditionalen Milieu die Mobilisierung öffentlicher Fürsprache angesichts infrage stehender Geschlechterrollenperformanz von zentraler Bedeutung. Erweitert um Goffmans Rahmenanalyse und milieusoziologisch angewandt, lassen sich somit mithilfe des Cooling-out-Konzepts stark divergierende Deutungsmuster und Praxen in der Verarbeitung von Trennungen beschreiben.
Transforming to a regenerative U.S. agriculture: the role of policy, process, and education
Authors: Day Cathy , Cramer Sarah
Published: October 2021

U.S. agriculture is both a major source of global food and a key contributor to multiple interconnected crises. Climate change, biodiversity loss, and severe impacts on soil and water quality are among the challenges caused by U.S. industrial agriculture. Regenerative methods of farming are necessary to confront all these challenges simultaneously, in addition to addressing the increasing challenges to farm labor conditions. Transforming U.S. agriculture to a regenerative system will require a focus on creating traction for the values, beliefs, worldviews, and paradigms that effectively support such transformation while decreasing the friction that works against them. With a focus on creating traction for transformation, we review the factors and processes that tend to promote and maintain ecological improvements on farms. Starting from a case study that points to some of the sources of friction and traction in the current U.S. agricultural system, we use the framework of three spheres of transformation to focus discussion on how processes that form beliefs and values shape and can reshape farming. We develop a series of points of entry for engaging the systemic changes that will offer farmers traction for transformation. We review literature on agricultural networks, polycentric governance, social learning, agricultural education, and farmer characteristics that lend themselves to ecologically mindful change, thereby identifying interventions that tend to provide traction for change. These approaches, and the supports that allow rural communities and the people that work in them to survive and thrive, are necessary to create the traction needed for farms to undergo a shift to regenerative agricultural practices. We link these changes to the promise of the twentieth century New Deal agricultural programs and the potential of the Green New Deal.
Opportunities and Challenges for Process Mining in Organizations: Results of a Delphi Study
Authors: Martin Niels , Fischer Dominik A. , Kerpedzhiev Georgi D. , Goel Kanika , Leemans Sander J. J. , Röglinger Maximilian , van der Aalst Wil M. P. , Dumas Marlon , La Rosa Marcello , Wynn Moe T.
Published: October 2021

Process mining is an active research domain and has been applied to understand and improve business processes. While significant research has been conducted on the development and improvement of algorithms, evidence on the application of process mining in organizations has been far more limited. In particular, there is limited understanding of the opportunities and challenges of using process mining in organizations. Such an understanding has the potential to guide research by highlighting barriers for process mining adoption and, thus, can contribute to successful process mining initiatives in practice. In this respect, the paper provides a holistic view of opportunities and challenges for process mining in organizations identified in a Delphi study with 40 international experts from academia and industry. Besides proposing a set of 30 opportunities and 32 challenges, the paper conveys insights into the comparative relevance of individual items, as well as differences in the perceived relevance between academics and practitioners. Therefore, the study contributes to the future development of process mining, both as a research field and regarding its application in organizations.
Paddy seed variety identification using T20-HOG and Haralick textural features
Authors: Uddin Machbah , Islam Mohammad Aminul , Shajalal Md. , Hossain Mohammad Afzal , Yousuf Md. Sayeed Iftekhar
Published: October 2021

The seed is an inevitable element for agricultural and industrial production. The non-destructive paddy seed variety identification is essential to assure paddy purity and quality. This research is aimed at developing a computer vision-based system to identify paddy varieties using multiple heterogeneous features, exploiting textural, external, and physical properties. We captured the paddy seed images without any fixed setup to make the system user friendly at both industry and farmer levels, which can lead to illumination problems in the images. To overcome this problem, we introduced a modified histogram oriented gradient (T20-HOG) feature that can describe the illumination, scale, and rotational variations of a paddy image. We also utilized the existing Haralick and traditional features and the dimensionality of the features is reduced by the Lasso feature selection technique. The selected features are used to train the feed-forward neural network (FNN) to predict the paddy variety. The experiments conducted on two different datasets: BDRICE, and VNRICE. Results of our method are shown in terms of four standard evaluation metrics, namely, accuracy, precision, recall, and F_1 score, and achieved 99.28%, 98.64%, 98.48%, and 98.56% score, respectively. We also compared our system efficiency with existing studies. The experimental results demonstrate that our proposed features are effective to identify paddy variety and achieved a new state-of-the-art performance. And we also observed that our newly proposed T20-HOG features have a major impact on overall system performance.
Integration and classification approach based on probabilistic semantic association for big data
Authors: VandanaKolisetty Vishnu , Rajput Dharmendra Singh
Published: October 2021

The process of integration through classification provides a unified representation of diverse data sources in Big data. The main challenges of big data analysis are due to the various granularities, irreconcilable data models, and multipart interdependencies between data content. Previously designed models were facing problems in integrating and analyzing big data due to highly complex and dynamic multi-source and heterogeneous information variation and also in processing and classifying the association among the attributes in a schema. In this paper, we propose an integration and classification approach through designing a Probabilistic Semantic Association (PSA) method to generate the feature pattern for the sources of big data. The PSA approach is trained to understand the data association and dependency pattern between the data class and incoming data to map the data objects accurately. It initially builds a data integration mechanism by transforming data into structured and learn to utilize the trained knowledge to classify the probabilistic association among the data and knowledge patterns. Later it builds a data analysis mechanism to analyze the mapped data through PSA to evaluate the integration efficiency. An experimental evaluation is performed over a real-time crime dataset generated from multiple locations having various events classes. The analysis of results confined that the utilization of knowledge patterns of accurate classification to enhance the integration of multiple source data is appropriate. The measure of precision, recall, fall-out rate, and F-measure approve the efficiency of the proposed PSA method. Even in comparison with the state-of-art classification method and with SC-LDA algorithm shows an improvisation in the prediction accuracy and enhance the data integration.
Hate speech operationalization: a preliminary examination of hate speech indicators and their structure
Authors: Papcunová Jana , Martončik Marcel , Fedáková Denisa , Kentoš Michal , Bozogáňová Miroslava , Srba Ivan , Moro Robert , Pikuliak Matúš , Šimko Marián , Adamkovič Matúš
Published: October 2021

Hate speech should be tackled and prosecuted based on how it is operationalized. However, the existing theoretical definitions of hate speech are not sufficiently fleshed out or easily operable. To overcome this inadequacy, and with the help of interdisciplinary experts, we propose an empirical definition of hate speech by providing a list of 10 hate speech indicators and the rationale behind them (the indicators refer to specific, observable, and measurable characteristics that offer a practical definition of hate speech). A preliminary exploratory examination of the structure of hate speech, with the focus on comments related to migrants (one of the most reported grounds of hate speech), revealed that two indicators in particular, denial of human rights and promoting violent behavior, occupy a central role in the network of indicators. Furthermore, we discuss the practical implications of the proposed hate speech indicators—especially (semi-)automatic detection using the latest natural language processing (NLP) and machine learning (ML) methods. Having a set of quantifiable indicators could benefit researchers, human right activists, educators, analysts, and regulators by providing them with a pragmatic approach to hate speech assessment and detection.
Effectiveness of eccentric-biased exercise interventions in reducing the incidence of falls and improving functional performance in older adults: a systematic review
Authors: Kulkarni Durga , Gregory Sarah , Evans Michelle
Published: October 2021

Background

Exercise has been known to preserve and enhance functional performance in older adults. Eccentric exercise involves muscle contractions characterised by unique features such as lengthening of the muscle–tendon complex by a greater opposing force.

Aims

To systematically review randomised-controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effectiveness of eccentric exercises in reducing the incidence of falls and improving the functional performance in older adults.

Key methods

We conducted a systematic review of RCTs following the PRISMA-P guidelines. Searches were completed in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, CINAHL, Medline, and Global Health CABI. We included RCTs reporting at least one of the following outcomes—falls, Berg balance scale, timed-up and go test, chair stand test, stair climb test, maximal walking speed, and minute walking distance. Two reviewers screened papers for eligibility and assessed the quality of included papers using the Cochrane Collaborative risk-of-bias tool for randomised trials. Data were extracted by a single reviewer and cross-checked by the second reviewer. A narrative synthesis was undertaken, given the high level of heterogeneity across studies.

Results

Ten studies were assessed as eligible for inclusion in the review. Overall, eccentric exercises were as effective as conventional resistance exercises in improving the selected outcomes by most studies. Additionally, when pre-exercise and post-eccentric exercise functional performance measures were compared, there was a statistically significant improvement in nearly all measures. The quality of trials was mixed (one high, four moderate, two low–moderate, and three low risk of bias).

Conclusions

Our systematic review suggests that eccentric exercises can be as effective as conventional exercises in older adults. Evidence suggests that such exercise interventions can lead to an improvement in geriatric function.
Job stress and mental health among social workers: evidence from a field experiment at a public employment support institution in Japan
Authors: Ishikawa Yumi , Kohara Miki , Nushimoto Aya
Published: October 2021

This study examines the causal effects of job stress on workers’ mental health. Evaluating the causal relationship between job stress and workers’ mental health is challenging due to an endogeneity problem, as heavy workloads and thus job stress are likely assigned to workers in good mental health condition. Endogeneity can also be problematic due to workers’ unobserved heterogeneity, such as personal capacities and stress resistance, which are associated with both job stress and mental health outcomes. To solve this problem, we conduct a field experiment at a public employment support institution in Japan. In the experiment, we randomly assign counsellors to jobseekers who are visiting the institution for the first time. Since jobseekers experience varying levels of difficulty finding work, this random assignment results in unexpected workloads, adding job stress for counsellors. We then collect counsellors’ daily records on mental health conditions for 4 consecutive weeks, matching the responses with the random assignment data on job counselling. Utilising a panel structure of the dataset and applying a fixed-effects model, we remove counsellors’ time-invariant unobserved heterogeneities. We measure counsellors’ mental health in terms of both subjective, self-reported perceptions and objective aspects of blood pressure and pulse. The results reveal that the job stress driven by newly assigned problematic jobseekers deteriorates aspects of counsellors’ objective mental health, whereas it does not appear to affect their subjective mental health. This result suggests that workers can accumulate the negative effects of job stress on mental health that they may be unaware of.
Cytogenetic identification and molecular marker development for the novel stripe rust-resistant wheat–Thinopyrum intermedium translocation line WTT11
Authors: Yang Guotang , Zheng Qi , Hu Pan , Li Hongwei , Luo Qiaoling , Li Bin , Li Zhensheng
Published: October 2021

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is one of the most destructive diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) worldwide. Xiaoyan 78829, a partial amphidiploid developed by crossing common wheat with Thinopyrum intermedium, is immune to wheat stripe rust. To transfer the resistance gene of this excellent germplasm resource to wheat, the translocation line WTT11 was produced by pollen irradiation and assessed for immunity to stripe rust races CYR32, CYR33 and CYR34. A novel stripe rust-resistance locus derived from Th. intermedium was confirmed by linkage and diagnostic marker analyses. Molecular cytogenetic analyses revealed that WTT11 carries a TTh·2DL translocation. The breakpoint of 1B was located at 95.5 MB, and the alien segments were found to be homoeologous to wheat-group chromosomes 6 and 7 according to a wheat660K single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array analysis. Ten previously developed PCR-based markers were confirmed to rapidly trace the alien segments of WTT11, and 20 kompetitive allele-specific PCR (KASP) markers were developed to enable genotyping of Th. intermedium and common wheat. Evaluation of agronomic traits in two consecutive crop seasons uncovered some favorable agronomic traits in WTT11, such as lower plant height and longer main panicles, that may be applicable to wheat improvement. As a novel genetic resource, the new resistance locus may be useful for wheat disease-resistance breeding.