bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new enabling variational inference model for approximating measurement likelihood in filtering nonlinear system
Authors: Ma Zhengya , Wang Xiaoxu , Liu Mingyong , Wang Lixin , Gao Pu , Yan Gongmin
Published: December 2021

This article considers the filtering problem with nonlinear measurements. We propose a new enabling variational inference model for approximating measurement likelihood, which is constructed by a linear Gaussian regression process. The resulting filter is referred to as the new enabling variational inference filter (NEVIF). In variational inference framework, the NEVIF obtains the variational posterior of state by minimizing the Kullback–Leibler divergence between the variational distribution and the true posterior. Then, the accuracy improvement and robustness of the NEVIF compared with the traditional methods are analyzed. Furthermore, an evaluation rule called the filtering evidence lower bound is developed to analyze the estimation accuracy performance of filters. Finally, the efficiency and superiority of the proposed filters compared with some existing filters are shown in numerical simulations.
Melanogenic Effect of Dersimelagon (Mt-7117), a Novel Oral Melanocortin 1 Receptor Agonist
Authors: Suzuki T. , Kawano Y. , Matsumoto A. , Kondo M. , Funayama K. , Tanemura S. , Miyashiro M. , Nishi A. , Yamada K. , Tsuda M. , Sato A. , Morokuma K. , Yamamoto Y.
Published: November 2021

Background

The activation of melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) on melanocytes stimulates the production of eumelanin. A tridecapeptide α melanocyte-stimulating hormone (αMSH) is known to induce skin pigmentation.

Objectives

We characterised the properties of a novel oral MC1R agonist dersimelagon (MT-7117) with respect to its specific binding to MC1R, downstream signalling and eumelanin production in experimental models.

Methods

The competitive binding and production of intracellular cyclic adenosine 3′, 5′-monophosphate in cells expressing recombinant melanocortin receptors were examined. A mouse melanoma cell line B16F1 was used for the evaluation of in vitro melanin production. The in vitro activity of MT-7117 was determined with αMSH and [Nle4, D-Phe7]-αMSH (NDP-αMSH) as reference comparators. The change of coat colour and skin pigmentation were evaluated after repeat administration of MT-7117 by oral gavage to C57BL/6J-Ay/+ mice and cynomolgus monkeys, respectively.

Results

MT-7117 showed the highest affinity for human MC1R compared to the other melanocortin receptors evaluated and agonistic activity for human, cynomolgus monkey and mouse MC1R, with EC50 values in the nanomolar range. In B16F1 cells, MT-7117 increased melanin production in a concentration-dependent manner. In vivo, MT-7117 (≥0.3 mg/kg/day p.o.) significantly induced coat colour darkening in mice. MT-7117 (≥1 mg/kg/day p.o.) induced significant skin pigmentation in monkeys and complete reversibility was observed after cessation of its administration.

Conclusions

MT-7117 is a novel oral MC1R agonist that induces melanogenesis in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its potential application for the prevention of phototoxic reactions in patients with photodermatoses, such as erythropoietic protoporphyria and X-linked protoporphyria.
2D Arsenene and Arsenic Materials: Fundamental Properties, Preparation, and Applications
Authors: Hu Yi , Liang Junchuan , Xia Yuren , Zhao Cheng , Jiang Minghang , Ma Jing , Tie Zuoxiu , Jin Zhong
Published: November 2021

As emerging 2D materials, arsenene and arsenic materials have attracted rising interest in the past few years. The diverse crystalline phases, exotic electrical characteristics, and widespread applications of 2D arsenene and arsenic bring them great research value and utilization potential. Herein, the recent progress of 2D arsenene and arsenic is reviewed in terms of fundamental properties, preparation, and applications. The fundamental properties of 2D arsenene and arsenic, including the crystal phases, environmental stability, and electrical structure, from theoretical to experimental reports are first summarized. Then, the experimental processes for preparing 2D arsenene and arsenic, along with their respective advantages and disadvantages, are introduced including epitaxial growth, mechanical exfoliation, and liquid‐phase exfoliation. Moreover, applications of 2D arsenene and arsenic are discussed, suggesting a wide range of applications of 2D arsenene and arsenic in field‐effect transistors, sensors, catalysts, biological applications, and so on. Finally, some perspectives about the challenges and opportunities of promising 2D arsenene and arsenic are provided. This review provides a helpful guidance and stimulates more focus on future explorations and developments of 2D arsenene and arsenic.
Low‐Temperature Atomic Layer Deposited Electron Transport Layers for Co‐Evaporated Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Erdenebileg Enkhtur , Wang Hao , Li Jia , Singh Nandan , Dewi Herlina A. , Tiwari Nidhi , Mathews Nripan , Mhaisalkar Subodh , Bruno Annalisa
Published: November 2021

In this work, we explore the potentials and the characteristics of electron‐transporting layers (ETL) grown by atomic layer deposition (ALD) at low temperature in co‐evaporated perovskite solar cells (PSCs). The thermal‐based ALD process has been investigated by tuning the main growing conditions as the number of cycles and the growth temperature. We show that un‐annealed ALD‐SnO2 thin films grown at temperatures between 80 °C and 100 °C are efficient ETL in n.i.p co‐evaporated MAPbI3 PSCs which can achieve power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) consistently above 18%. Moreover, the champion PSC achieved a PCE of 19.30% at 120 °C with 150 cycles. We show that the low‐temperature processed ALD SnO2 is very promising for flexible, large‐area PSCs and mini‐modules. We also report the first co‐evaporated PSCs employing low temperature processed ALD ZnO with PCEs approaching 18%. This work demonstrates the potential of the low‐temperature ALD deposition method as a potential route to fabricate efficient PSCs at low temperatures.
The Role of Ending Groups in Nonfullerene Acceptors for Interfacial Modification in Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Xue Baoda , Huang Gaosheng , Wang Boxin , Wang Hui , Shi Xinghua , Han Bing , Zhang Hong , Zhang Yuan , Zhou Huiqiong
Published: November 2021

The defects in organic–inorganic halide perovskite films are detrimental to device efficiency and the stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Interfacial modification is a universal way to passivate defects and improve device performance. However, the effect of terminal groups in non‐fullerene acceptors (NFAs) on interfacial passivation in PSCs is still under investigation. Here, we demonstrate that ending groups of NFAs play an important role in interfacial modification. By comparing four different non‐fullerene molecules with different ending groups (ITCC, ITIC, IT‐M, IT‐4F) applied as passivation layer, we found that devices with ITCC showed better performance, which was attributed to the assistance of the S atom in the ending group of ITCC enhancing adsorption to the perovskite surface compared to the ITIC case, leading to a tighter contact with the perovskite layer and better charge transfer. As a result, in FA0.85MA0.15Pb(I0.85Br0.15)3 based PSCs, we achieved a power conversion efficiency of 21.21% and an open‐circuit voltage of 1.15 V. Meanwhile, the device with ITCC showed extraordinary stability, maintaining more than 90% initial efficiency after 2000 h. The findings of this work could provide deeper insights into designing novel passivation materials at molecular scale for high efficiency and stable PSCs.
Systematic Evaluation and Studies on the Effect of Octenyl Succinic Anhydride Treatment on Structural, Functional, Morphological, and Flow Properties of Underutilized Chenopodium album Starch
Authors: Singh Renuka , Singh Sukhcharn , Saxena D.C.
Published: November 2021

The Chenopodium album starch is isolated and further modified by using different octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) concentrations (1%, 2%, 3%) in slightly acidic and alkaline conditions (pH = 5, 6, 8, 9). The modification of starch significantly reduces amylose content as well as functional properties viz. solubility, swelling power, water, and oil absorption capacity. The higher compressibility is found in native starch (35.32%) as compared to modified starch (17.42% at pH 9) as elucidated from Carr's index indicating very poor and fair relative flowability, respectively. The decline in the cohesive nature of native starch is also detected from the reduced caking strength (1072.03 to 367.23 g mm) and cohesion index (15.37 to 11.37 mm) after modification. Modified starch also reflects a rise in pasting temperature from 80.05 to 87.10°C. SEM images and X‐ray diffraction reveals the development of regular‐shaped and larger starch particles and an increase in peak intensity. Overall, the present findings confirm that OSA treatment significantly increases the flowability to fair flow compared to native starch's cohesive nature.
Cars and Energy in the Future ‘Paradigm Shift to Motor/Capacitor/Wireless’
Authors: Hori Yoichi
Published: November 2021

What will cars look like in 100 years' later? They must run by ‘electric motor’ and will receive energy directly from electric power infrastructure like electric trains. The key technologies here are ‘supercapacitors’ to excel in power input and output rather than batteries, and ‘wireless power transfer’ to connect cars to power infrastructure. Furthermore, energy efficiency and safety will be dramatically improved by the technology of ‘motion control’ to make use of the excellent torque control characteristics of electric motor, also together with automatic driving technology. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Electrical Treeing Breakdown Characteristics of Epoxy/TiO2 Nanocomposites Influenced by Aggregates of Nano‐Sized TiO2
Authors: Murakami Yoshinobu , Yamada Daichi , Kodama Norihiko , Kawashima Tomohiro , Hozumi Naohiro , Yoshida Shigeyoshi , Umemoto Takahiro , Mabuchi Takahiro , Muto Hirotaka
Published: November 2021

Inorganic fillers and additives are commonly used as polymer insulating materials such as an epoxy resin (EP) to enhance the thermal, mechanical, and, in some cases, electrical characteristics. The electrical treeing breakdown test is conducted to investigate the filler addition effect on EP's electrical features containing titanium oxide with nano‐size (nTiO2) and the submicron—a few micros‐sized aggregates of nTiO2. EP with a nTiO2 content of 1 vol% has about a 60% higher treeing breakdown voltage under an AC ramp voltage application and a longer insulation lifetime under a constant AC voltage application than those of EP. Furthermore, the treeing breakdown tests in the multi‐insulation configuration adapted to the practical rotating machine were performed. The enhancement effect caused by adding the nTiO2 is also confirmed in the multi‐insulation configuration containing the mica sheet and the EP/nTiO2 nanocomposite. The nTiO2 filler may capture an electron, leading to the generation and growth of an electron avalanche. The submicron—a few micron‐sized aggregates of nTiO2 may also improve the treeing property by the field relaxation effects caused by many tree branching, and the increasing impact of the effective distance between electrodes due to the nTiO2 aggregates as well as the electron capture effect and the barrier effect on the tree channel by filling nTiO2. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Nutritional consulting in regular veterinary practices in Belgium and the Netherlands
Authors: Blees Niels R. , Vandendriessche Veerle L. , Corbee Ronald J. , Picavet Philippe , Hesta Myriam
Published: November 2021

Background

Increased interest in nutrition by dog and cat owners stresses the importance of providing tailored nutritional guidance for each patient by veterinarians. The World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA) has provided guidelines to help veterinarians implement this in every‐day patient care, by screening patients for the presence of nutritional risk factors, establishing tailored nutritional plans and providing adequate patient follow‐up tools.

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the use of nutritional assessments in companion animal practices, and to investigate differences between Dutch and Belgian veterinarians.

Methods

A survey was conducted among Dutch and Belgian veterinarians. Of the 423 respondents, 53% were from Belgium, and 47% were from the Netherlands.

Results

Only 21% had prior knowledge of the WSAVA nutritional assessment guidelines. General trends in the usage of nutritional assessments were similar in the examined countries. Aside from weighing, diet evaluation by collecting dietary information and body condition or muscle condition scoring were used infrequently, mostly due to insufficient knowledge of the methods. Nutritional recommendations were often made as part of a treatment plan, and were mostly made by veterinarians, but in Dutch practices also by veterinary nurses.

Conclusion

Despite the fact that nutritional recommendations are a regular part of treatment plans, nutritional risk factors may be missed due to a lack of completely performed nutritional assessments. It remains important to promote the benefits of regular nutritional assessments to veterinarians, which will improve patients’ health.
A Carefare Regime
Authors: Fodor Eva
Published: November 2021

Hungary’s anti-liberal government has invented a novel solution to the care crisis, which I call a “carefare regime”. This chapter describes four key features of the policies, policy practice and discourse that make up Hungary’s carefare regime. I argue that in contrast to welfare state models familiar from developed democracies, in post-2010 Hungary, women’s claims to social citizenship are most successfully made on the basis of doing care work. The state is re-engineered rather retrenched: services are not commodified but “churchified” in an effort to redistribute resources and build political loyalty. Women are constructed as “naturally” responsible for reproduction and care and this responsibility is tied to sentimentalized notions about femininity and true womanhood. In addition to providing care in the household, women are increasingly engaged in the paid labor market too, where the tolerance for gender inequality is officially mandated. A carefare regime provides limited financial advantages for a select group of women, while simultaneously increasing their devalued work burden both in and outside the household: it feeds a growing underclass of women workers.
Fostering in a Carefare Regime
Authors: Fodor Eva
Published: November 2021

This chapter is about foster parents and their work. Recent changes in the regulation of foster care illustrate the formation and operation of a carefare regime: the transformation of state policies and services and the integration of foster parents into the “deserving” female working and caring underclass. Relying on two years of participant observations and interviews with foster parents, experts, guardians, social workers and foster parent agency personnel, I describe the highly skilled care work most foster parents provide in demanding circumstances for a practically endless number of work hours. I explain how their status has been transformed from being volunteers to being contracted employees who work in increasingly precarious circumstances for extremely low wages. I argue that sentimentalization of care work is used by policy makers to discipline foster mothers into accepting the new terms of their relationship and by foster parents too to rationalize their compliance.
Armut und soziale Netzwerke: Empirische Befunde
Authors: Knabe André
Published: November 2021

Die ersten beiden Abschnitte des Literaturteils beschäftigen sich mit den Wechselwirkungen zwischen Armut und sozialen Beziehungsnetzwerken. Armut beeinflusst soziale Netzwerke hinsichtlich ihrer Größe, ihrer Zusammensetzung und der Qualität der Beziehungen, also des Umfangs der Ressourcen, die sich aus Netzwerken ziehen lassen (3.1). In der entgegengesetzten Richtung werden Mechanismen des sozialen Drucks (z. B. in Peergruppen) sowie ressourcenintensiver Anstrengungen der Anpassung an statushöhere Gruppen (Armut verbergen, versuchen, „oben“ mitzuhalten) diskutiert, die dazu führen können, dass sich die Armutssituation reproduziert oder sogar verschärft (3.2). Im dritten Abschnitt werden Typologien betrachtet, die diese Zusammenhänge innerhalb der Gruppe der Armen differenziert betrachten (3.3). Schließlich werden die Ergebnisse des Literaturstudiums in einem zusammenfassenden Abschnitt reflektiert, um daraus Überlegungen und Fragestellungen im Hinblick auf die eigene empirische Untersuchung abzuleiten (3.4).
Ein Mixed-Methods-Design zur Erforschung »sozialer« Armut
Authors: Knabe André
Published: November 2021

In diesem Kapitel werden die Datengrundlage, die Befragungsinstrumente und die Vorgehensweise bei der Datenerhebung vorgestellt, um darauf aufbauend die Schritte der Auswertung der so gewonnenen Daten zu beschreiben. Em Ende steht eine Reflexion zum Verhältnis von standardisiert erhobenen Netzwerkdaten zu qualitativem Interviewmaterial und zu den Möglichkeiten und Grenzen der Integration dieser beiden Ansätze.
»Soziale« Armut aus struktureller und subjektiver Perspektive
Authors: Knabe André
Published: November 2021

Die Analyse der standardisierten Netzwerkdaten und der problemzentrierten Interviews erfolgt in drei Schritten. Zunächst werden die Strukturen der sozialen Beziehungsnetzwerke der Befragten unter Anwendung statistischer Verfahren analysiert. Dazu werden Netzwerkmaße berechnet, und einer explorativen Faktorenanalyse unterzogen, mithilfe derer Dimensionen zur Unterscheidung der Netzwerke im Sample identifiziert werden. Die quantitative Typisierung der Netzwerke erfolgt im Rahmen einer Clusteranalyse, aus der drei voneinander zu unterscheidende Netzwerktypen hervorgehen.Im zweiten Schritt werden die subjektive Wahrnehmung und das Bewältigungshandeln der Befragten analysiert. Im Zentrum dieser Analyse stehen ihre alltäglichen Handlungsstrategien unter der Bedingung materieller Knappheit und Statusunsicherheit. Es wird analysiert, inwiefern es den Befragten gelingt, ausgehend von ihrer sozio-strukturellen Einbettung ein Leben im Einklang mit ihren persönlichen und kollektiven Idealen, Interessen und Verbindlichkeiten zu führen (→ Agency nach Emirbayer und Goodwin – siehe Abschnitt 2.3.2). Besondere Aufmerksamkeit wird dabei auf die Bewältigungschancen und -hindernisse gerichtet, die aus der Einbettung in soziale Beziehungen resultieren. Auch die Ergebnisse dieser Analyse werden in einer Typologie festgehalten.Schließlich erfolgt im dritten Schritt die Zusammenführung der qualitativen mit der quantitativen Analyse. Es wird gezeigt, welche Wechselwirkungen zwischen der Einbettung in quantitativ identifizierbare Gelegenheitsstrukturen und der subjektiven Wahrnehmung der Befragten bestehen und welche Bewältigungschancen sich daraus ergeben.﻿
Digital souveräne Gestaltung von Services – ein marktfähiger Mehrwert?
Authors: Lehmann Claudia , Dörr Luca
Published: November 2021

Viele kleine und mittelständische Unternehmen (KMU) befinden sich in einem Transformationsprozess, der die von ihnen angebotenen Dienstleistungen und Produkte genauso verändert wie ihre Geschäftsprozesse und Organisationsstrukturen. Die Wertschöpfung einzelner Unternehmen verändert sich zur Wert Co-Creation innerhalb eines Produktionsnetzwerkes. Hierbei spielt die Generierung sowie der Austausch von Daten über den gesamten Produktlebenszyklus eine Schlüsselrolle. Diese ermöglichen die Zusammenarbeit, um mittels Datenanalysen geeignete Dienstleistungen für Endkunden anzubieten. Zur Realisierung einer umfassenden digitalen Wertschöpfungskette ist ein Umdenken von Unternehmen und deren Mitarbeitenden in vernetzten Dienstleistungssystemen notwendig. Dies ist in vielen Fällen nicht so einfach umsetzbar, da Dienstleistungssysteme und deren Entwicklung durch eine hohe Komplexität gekennzeichnet sind. Der nachstehende Artikel zeigt auf, welchen Herausforderungen und Chancen KMU im Transformationsprozess gegenüberstehen und wie insbesondere der Einbezug der Aspekte digitaler Souveränität dazu beitragen kann, verschiedenste Stakeholder und Ressourcen kollaborativ auf ein gemeinsames Wertversprechen zu bündeln und nutzerzentrierte Dienstleistungssysteme zu entwickeln. Souveränität wird in diesem Kontext als die Eigenschaft verstanden, sich selbstständig über relevante Technologien sowie neue technische Möglichkeiten zu informieren, um darauf aufbauend zwischen mehreren Optionen das passende und nutzenstiftenden Angebot auszuwählen, sodass die Fragen „Was bedeutet Digitalisierung für mein Unternehmen und wie setze ich den strategischen Kurs?“ beantwortet werden können.
Regulierung und Zertifizierung von KI in der Industrie: Ziele, Kriterien und Herausforderungen
Authors: Mangelsdorf Axel , Wittenbrink Nicole , Gabriel Peter
Published: November 2021

Mit dem Vorschlag der Europäischen Kommission zur Regulierung von Künstlicher Intelligenz (dem Artificial Intelligence Act) ist die Zertifizierung von KI-Systemen in den Fokus gerückt. Gleichzeitig werden mit der Veröffentlichung der ersten Prüfkriterien die Anforderungen der Zertifizierung für Unternehmen konkreter. Der vorliegende Beitrag stellt den Regulierungsvorschlag der Kommission vor und fasst die dazugehörige Fachdebatte zusammen. Danach werden die Anforderungen eines Prüfkatalog zur Zertifizierung von KI-Systemen anhand eines ersten Vorschlags aus dem Projekt „Zertifizierte KI“ präsentiert und bewertet.
On the double copy for spinning matter
Authors: Bautista Yilber Fabian , Guevara Alfredo
Published: November 2021

Abstract

We explore various tree-level double copy constructions for amplitudes including massive particles with spin. By working in general dimensions, we use that particles with spins s ≤ 2 are fundamental to argue that the corresponding double copy relations partially follow from compactification of their massless counterparts. This massless origin fixes the coupling of gluons, dilatons and axions to matter in a characteristic way (for instance fixing the gyromagnetic ratio), whereas the graviton couples universally reflecting the equivalence principle. For spin-1 matter we conjecture all-order Lagrangians reproducing the interactions with up to two massive lines and we test them in a classical setup, where the massive lines represent spinning compact objects such as black holes. We also test the amplitudes via CHY formulae for both bosonic and fermionic integrands. At five points, we show that by applying generalized gauge transformations one can obtain a smooth transition from quantum to classical BCJ double copy relations for radiation, thereby providing a QFT derivation for the latter. As an application, we show how the theory arising in the classical double copy of Goldberger and Ridgway can be naturally identified with a certain compactification of $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 Supergravity.
Cuts for two-body decays at colliders
Authors: Salam Gavin P. , Slade Emma
Published: November 2021

Abstract

Fixed-order perturbative calculations of fiducial cross sections for two-body decay processes at colliders show disturbing sensitivity to unphysically low momentum scales and, in the case of H → γγ in gluon fusion, poor convergence. Such problems have their origins in an interplay between the behaviour of standard experimental cuts at small transverse momenta (pt) and logarithmic perturbative contributions. We illustrate how this interplay leads to a factorially divergent structure in the perturbative series that sets in already from the first orders. We propose simple modifications of fiducial cuts to eliminate their key incriminating characteristic, a linear dependence of the acceptance on the Higgs or Z-boson pt, replacing it with quadratic dependence. This brings major improvements in the behaviour of the perturbative expansion. More elaborate cuts can achieve an acceptance that is independent of the Higgs pt at low pt, with a variety of consequent advantages.
Topological Loops with Decomposable Solvable Multiplication Groups
Authors: Al-Abayechi Ameer , Figula Ágota
Published: November 2021

In this paper we deal with the class $$\mathcal {C}$$
C
of decomposable solvable Lie groups having dimension six. We determine those Lie groups in $$\mathcal {C}$$
C
and their subgroups which are the multiplication groups Mult(L) and the inner mapping groups Inn(L) for three-dimensional connected simply connected topological loops L. This result completes the classification of the at most 6-dimensional solvable multiplication Lie groups of the loops L. Moreover, we obtain that every at most 3-dimensional connected topological proper loop having a solvable Lie group of dimension at most six as its multiplication group is centrally nilpotent of class two.
A Primer on Coorbit Theory
Authors: Berge Eirik
Published: November 2021

Coorbit theory is a powerful machinery that constructs a family of Banach spaces, the so-called coorbit spaces, from well-behaved unitary representations of locally compact groups. A core feature of coorbit spaces is that they can be discretized in a way that reflects the geometry of the underlying locally compact group. Many established function spaces such as modulation spaces, Besov spaces, Sobolev–Shubin spaces, and shearlet spaces are examples of coorbit spaces. The goal of this survey is to give an overview of coorbit theory with the aim of presenting the main ideas in an accessible manner. Coorbit theory is generally seen as a complicated theory, filled with both technicalities and conceptual difficulties. Faced with this obstacle, we feel obliged to convince the reader of the theory’s elegance. As such, this survey is a showcase of coorbit theory and should be treated as a stepping stone to more complete sources.
Combining spectral and POD modes to improve error estimation of numerical model reduction for porous media
Authors: Ekre Fredrik , Larsson Fredrik , Runesson Kenneth , Jänicke Ralf
Published: November 2021

Numerical model reduction (NMR) is used to solve the microscale problem that arises from computational homogenization of a model problem of porous media with displacement and pressure as unknown fields. The reduction technique and an associated error estimator for the NMR error have been presented in prior work, where both spectral decomposition (SD) and proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) were used to construct the reduced basis. It was shown that the POD basis performs better w.r.t. minimizing the residual, but the SD basis has some advantageous properties for the estimator. Since it is the estimated error that will govern the error control, the most efficient procedure is the one that results in the lowest error bound. The main contribution of this paper is further development of the previous work with a proposed combined basis constructed using both SD and POD modes together with an adaptive mode selection strategy. The performance of the combined basis is compared to (i) the pure SD basis and (ii) the pure POD basis via numerical examples. The examples show that it is possible to find a combination of SD/POD modes which is improved, i.e. it yields a smaller estimate, compared to the cases of pure SD or pure POD.
Fatigue performance of endodontically treated premolars restored with direct and indirect cuspal coverage restorations utilizing fiber-reinforced cores
Authors: Fráter Márk , Sáry Tekla , Molnár Janka , Braunitzer Gábor , Lassila Lippo , Vallittu Pekka K. , Garoushi Sufyan
Published: November 2021

Objectives

The aim of this in vitro study was to investigate the fatigue survival and fracture behavior of endodontically treated (ET) premolars restored with different types of post-core and cuspal coverage restorations.

Materials and methods

MOD cavities were prepared on 108 extracted maxillary premolars. During the endodontic treatment, all teeth were instrumented with rotary files (ProTaper Universal) to the same apical enlargement (F2) and were obturated with a matched single cone obturation. After the endodontic procedure, the cavities were restored with different post-core and overlay restorations (n = 12/group). Three groups (A1–A3) were restored with either conventional composite core (PFC; control) or flowable short-fiber-reinforced composite (SFRC) core with/without custom-made fiber posts and without overlays. Six groups had similar post-core foundations as described above but with either direct PFC (B1–B3) or indirect CAD/CAM (C1–C3) overlays. Fatigue survival was tested for all restorations using a cyclic loading machine until fracture occurred or 50,000 cycles were completed. Kaplan-Meyer survival analysis was conducted, followed by pairwise post hoc comparisons.

Results

None of the restored teeth survived all 50,000. Application of flowable SFRC as luting-core material with fiber post and CAD/CAD overlays (Group C3) showed superior performance regarding fatigue survival (p < 0.05) to all the other groups. Flowable SFRC with fiber post and direct overlay (Group B3) showed superior survival compared to all other direct techniques (p < 0.05), except for the same post-core foundation but without cuspal coverage (Group A3).

Conclusions

Custom-made fiber post and SFRC as post luting core material with or without cuspal coverage performed well in terms of fatigue resistance and survival when used for the restoration of ET premolars.

Clinical relevance

The fatigue survival of direct and indirect cuspal coverage restorations in ET MOD premolars is highly dependent on whether the core build-up is fiber-reinforced or not. The combination of short and long fibers in the form of individualized post-cores seems to offer a favorable solution in this situation.
Land cover transitions and effects of transhumance on available forage biomass of rangelands in Benin
Authors: Ellison James , Brinkmann Katja , Diogo Rodrigue V. Cao , Buerkert Andreas
Published: November 2021

This study examined the effects of transhumance pressure on total abavoe-ground biomass and forage availability on rangelands in Benin. We also investigated the implications of land cover transitions on rangelands over a 31-year period. Our work was carried out in three regions of Benin representing distinct phytogeographic regimes: Ketou, Tchaourou, and Sinende. Ground-truthing and biomass sampling of the herbaceous and phanaerophyte strata were carried out between the 2016 peak vegetation period and the onset of the 2017 rainy season. Herbaceous biomass was determined by destructive sampling, and biomass of shrub and trees was estimated using non-destructive sampling and allometric equations. Historical and present-day Landsat data allowed an analysis of land cover change for the 1986–2002 and 2002–2017 periods. Land cover analyses yielded evidence of significant expansion of agricultural areas, especially in the latter period. The data also revealed progressive landscape fragmentation and transformations to a land cover of reduced total phytomass. There were no long-term effects of transhumance on trees, but likely on herbaceous biomass. Land cover changes in the study regions seem primarily the result of population pressure, infrastructural changes, persisting norms, and traditions regarding environmental management and the increasing popularity of livestock keeping as an insurance strategy. Rangeland transformations had negative impacts on transhumant herds’ mobility and forage availability. As rangeland stability and consent between agricultural and pastoral land users are at a tipping point, informed policies, and land use planning that foster compromises among all stakeholders are needed.
The integrated multiomic diagnosis of sporadic meningiomas: a review of its clinical implications
Authors: Robert Stephanie M. , Vetsa Shaurey , Nadar Arushii , Vasandani Sagar , Youngblood Mark W. , Gorelick Evan , Jin Lan , Marianayagam Neelan , Erson-Omay E Zeynep , Günel Murat , Moliterno Jennifer
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Meningiomas are generally considered “benign,” however, these tumors can demonstrate variability in behavior and a surprising aggressiveness with elevated rates of recurrence. The advancement of next-generation molecular technologies have led to the understanding of the genomic and epigenomic landscape of meningiomas and more recent correlations with clinical characteristics and behavior.

Methods

Based on a thorough review of recent peer-reviewed publications (PubMed) and edited texts, we provide a molecular overview of meningiomas with a focus on relevant clinical implications.

Results

The identification of specific somatic driver mutations has led to the classification of several major genomic subgroups, which account for more than 80% of sporadic meningiomas, and can be distinguished using noninvasive clinical variables to help guide management decisions. Other somatic genomic modifications, including non-coding alterations and copy number variations, have also been correlated with tumor characteristics. Furthermore, epigenomic modifications in meningiomas have recently been described, with DNA methylation being the most widely studied and potentially most clinically relevant. Based on these molecular insights, several clinical trials are currently underway in an effort to establish effective medical therapeutic options for meningioma.

Conclusion

As we enhance our multiomic understanding of meningiomas, our ability to care for patients with these tumors will continue to improve. Further biological insights will lead to additional progress in precision medicine for meningiomas.
Thinking out of the box—by thinking in other boxes: a systematic review of interventions in early entrepreneurship vs. STEM education research
Authors: Barth Joanna , Muehlfeld Katrin
Published: November 2021

Scholars increasingly converge on the view that entrepreneurship education (EE) should start early during the formative years of individuals’ educational careers, ideally in primary and secondary education. They also agree that promotion of attitudinal factors, especially, entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) is of crucial importance. Yet, empirical evidence on effective interventions to foster ESE in early EE is still scarce. Therefore, this study, first, systematically reviews and systematizes this limited literature consisting of eight quantitative studies. Second, in order to develop suggestions for future ESE-oriented interventions in early entrepreneurship education, the study draws on insights from systematically reviewing a second, related yet already more developed literature: research on self-efficacy-oriented interventions in early STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. Third, this study compares the interventions across both research streams in terms of research design, theoretical framework, structure and content of the interventions, and the findings of the studies. As a result, it derives implications for future research on ESE-oriented interventions in early EE: regarding the research design (e.g., use of several treatments); the structure and content of the programs like pedagogical and methodological components (e.g., use of specific learning strategies); analysis of potentially important moderating variables (e.g., gender, social background). Finally, the study discusses the potential for developing cross-disciplinary interventions aimed at simultaneously encouraging self-efficacy in the domains of STEM and entrepreneurship.
Predicting the Number of GHB-Related Toxicologic Admissions Using Google Trends Data
Authors: Kapitány-Fövény Máté , Ferenci Tamás , Demetrovics Zsolt , Sulyok Mihály
Published: November 2021

In the era of novel psychoactive substances (NPS), the internet became a relevant source of information and purchase for those who consume psychoactive drugs. Parallelly, a growing body of research aim to utilize web search metrics (most commonly by relying on Google Trends data) in the prediction of substance use-related trends, including epidemiological forecasting. The main goal of the current study was to assess the utility of web search queries in the prediction of Gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB)-related toxicologic admissions in Hungary by performing additive decomposition of time series to identify trend and seasonal components. Monthly data identified GHB-related search volume representing nationwide web interest towards this substance was found to be a significant covariate of admission rates; the seasonal component showed two peaks in the admission rates: one in December/January and another one in May, whereas more admissions on the weekends were observed as compared to weekday data in Hungary. By taking into account the subtle effect sizes of this study, these results suggest that Google Trends data may be useful in forecasting toxicologic admissions on a monthly level, yet a number of limitations should be considered when interpreting these associations. Web search metrics can therefore be used for early warning purposes in the field of toxicology as well. An external validation approach is also suggested by the authors.
Gesundheitsbezogene Verhaltensänderungen in der nachberuflichen Lebensphase
Authors: Krüger Nina , Killersreiter Birgitt
Published: November 2021

Hintergrund

Im Anschluss an die Erwerbszeit gestaltet sich das Gesundheitsverhalten bei Menschen im Ruhestand unterschiedlich. Doch welche Möglichkeiten bestehen aus Sicht der Betroffenen, um gesundheitsrelevante Veränderungsabsichten leichter umzusetzen? Und wie können daraus neue Gewohnheiten etabliert werden?

Methodik

Im August 2020 erfolgte die Datenerhebung im Rahmen einer qualitativen Forschung durch Face-to-face-Interviews mit deduktiv ausgewählten Personen in der nachberuflichen Lebensphase. Das gewonnene Material wurde systematisch und regelgeleitet auf Basis der qualitativen Inhaltsanalyse nach Mayring ausgewertet. Zur Orientierung diente ein Kodierleitfaden in Anlehnung an das HAPA-Modell (Health Action Process Approach model).

Ergebnisse

Die Aussagen der Befragten deuten auf eine starke Absichtsbildung als bedeutendsten Vorhersagewert für eine längerfristige Durchführung von gesundheitsfördernden Handlungen hin. Weitere Verstärker zeigen sich in der selbstbestimmten Schaffung neuer Gewohnheiten, der Visualisierung von Vorteilen, einem Barrierenmanagement, Erfolgserlebnissen, Ersatzbefriedigungen und individuellen Handlungsplänen, die auch Freude bereitende Aspekte beinhalten.

Schlussfolgerung

Unter Beachtung mehrerer beeinflussender Faktoren könnten die Erfolgsaussichten bei selbstgesteckten Gesundheitszielen wirksam erhöht werden. In Eigenregie oder gemeinschaftlich erstellte Konzepte würden dabei als Verstärker wirken. Zu diesem Zweck könnte ein niedrigschwelliges Seminarangebot unterstützend zur Verfügung gestellt und ggf. in Kooperation mit Ärzt*innen, Krankenhäusern oder Rehabilitationseinrichtungen forciert werden. Auch situative Einflüsse scheinen die Absichtsbildung zu beeinflussen und sollten daher in das HAPA-Modell (Health Action Process Approach model) integriert werden.
Clinical results of image-guided interstitial brachytherapy with or without external beam radiotherapy for postsurgical vaginal recurrence of cervical and endometrial cancers
Authors: Kanemoto Ayae , Sugita Tadashi , Ayukawa Fumio , Takahashi Kotaro , Horiuchi Ayano , Haino Kazufumi , Kikuchi Akira
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcome and efficacy of image-guided interstitial brachytherapy (ISBT) for postsurgical vaginal recurrence of cervical and endometrial cancers.

Materials and methods

The study included 11 patients who received CT-based image-guided high-dose-rate ISBT with or without external beam radiotherapy (EBRT). Local control, progression-free survival, and treatment-related toxicities were evaluated retrospectively.

Results

Of the 11 patients, 4 underwent ISBT with EBRT and the other 7 ISBT alone; two of the latter patients received previous pelvic radiotherapy. After a median follow-up of 43.9 months (range 3.9–92.7 months), the 2-year local control rate was 100%. The median equivalent doses in 2 Gy fractions received by at least 90% of the clinical target volume for ISBT with versus without EBRT were 82.2 Gy (range 60.4–84.2 Gy) versus 69.0 Gy (range 50.8–98.2 Gy). The 2-year progression-free survival rates after ISBT with versus without EBRT were 75% versus 80%, and the difference was not significant (p = 0.74). Grade 3 late toxicities occurred in two patients.

Conclusion

Our radiotherapy strategy using image-guided ISBT, either with or without EBRT, for postsurgical vaginal recurrence showed effective treatment outcomes.
Systemische Rationalisierung 4.0. Wie Wettbewerb und Geschäftsmodelle die Digitalisierung in Handel, Logistik und Finanzdienstleistungen prägen
Authors: Buss Klaus-Peter , Oberbeck Herbert , Tullius Knut
Published: November 2021

Der gesellschaftliche, politische und wissenschaftliche Diskurs um die Digitalisierung wird geprägt durch das irreleitende Bild eines disruptiven Technologieschubs, der in der Wirtschaft technologische Entwicklungen ermöglicht, die noch bis vor kurzem undenkbar waren und große Teile der heute bestehenden Arbeitsplätze und ganze Berufsfelder bedroht. Auch sozialwissenschaftliche Deutungsangebote geben nur unbefriedigende Antworten auf die gegenwärtige Konstellation, weil sie oftmals recht pauschale und deterministische Aussagen zum Wandel betrieblicher Strategien und Geschäftsmodelle treffen. Der Beitrag argumentiert, dass die gegenwärtig stattfindenden Veränderungen überwiegend nicht als technologiegetriebener Umbruch, sondern als branchenspezifische Entwicklungen einer systemischen Rationalisierung zu interpretieren sind. Der eigentliche Treiber der Digitalisierung und Einsatzzweck digitaler Technologien ist, so lautet die These auf Grundlage eigener empirischer Befunde, der Versuch der Optimierung und Steuerung von Marktbeziehungen und Wettbewerbsprozessen, die primär von den Spezifika der jeweiligen Branchen – hier: Handel, Logistik, Finanz- und Versicherungsdienstleistungen – bestimmt werden.
The Impact of Bariatric Surgery on the Muscle Mass in Patients with Obesity: 2-Year Follow-up
Authors: Martínez Marta Comas , Meli Enzamaria Fidilio , Candia Fiorella Palmas , Filippi Francesca , Vilallonga Ramon , Cordero Efrain , Hernández Irene , Eguinoa Alba Zabalegui , Burgos Rosa , Vila Anna , Simó Rafael , Ciudin Andreea
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Bariatric surgery (BS) induces a significant and sustained weight loss in patients with severe obesity (SO). Nevertheless, apart from significantly reducing body fat, fat-free mass (FFM) might also be lost. At present, there is little and controversial data in the literature regarding the impact of BS on FFM. In recent years, bioimpedance (BIA) has emerged as a reliable test to assess body composition easily to use in the daily clinical practice. On the bases, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the impact of BS on the FFM, evaluated by means of BIA.

Material and Methods

This is a prospective, observational study, including consecutive patients with SO that underwent BS between February 2018 and February 2019 at our center. At baseline, 1, 6, 12, and 24 months after the BS, all the patients underwent complete medical history, physical and anthropometric evaluation, and body composition assessment by means of BIA (using Bodystat QuadScan4000®).

Results

Eighty-five patients with SO were recruited, 72.9% females, aged 45.54 ± 9.98 years, pre-BS BMI 43.87 ± 6.52 kg/m2. FFM significantly decreased continuously after BS at all timepoints. The loss of FFM 24 months post-BS accounted for approximately 21.71 ± 13.9% of the total weight loss, and was independent of BS technique or protein metabolism. Pre-BS HOMA-IR and FFM were independent predictors of FFM at 24 months.

Conclusions

Significant and early loss of FFM in patients with SO that undergo BS was seen, not related to protein metabolism parameters or the BS technique used, suggesting an independent mechanism.

Graphical abstract
Prognostic value of fibrinogen to albumin ratios among critically ill patients with acute kidney injury
Authors: Xia Wenkai , Li Chenyu , Yao Xiajuan , Chen Yan , Zhang Yaoquan , Hu Hong
Published: November 2021

Fibrinogen to albumin ratios (FAR) have shown to be a promising prognostic factor for improving the predictive accuracy in various diseases. This study explores FAR's prognostic significance in critically ill patients with acute kidney injury (AKI). All clinical data were extracted from the Multiparameter Intelligent Monitoring in Intensive Care Database III version 1.4. All patients were divided into four groups based on FAR quartiles. The primary endpoint was in-hospital mortality. A generalized additive model was applied to explore a nonlinear association between FAR and in-hospital mortality. The Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine the association between FAR and in-hospital mortality. A total of 5001 eligible subjects were enrolled. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that higher FAR was an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality after adjusting for potential confounders (HR, 95% CI 1.23, 1.03–1.48, P = 0.025). A nonlinear relationship between FAR and in-hospital mortality was observed. FAR may serve as a potential prognostic biomarker in critically patients with AKI and higher FAR was associated with increased risk of in-hospital mortality among these patients.
Potassium carbonate-based ternary transition temperature mixture (deep eutectic analogues) for CO2 absorption: Characterizations and DFT analysis
Authors: Ghaedi Hosein , Kalhor Payam , Zhao Ming , Clough Peter T. , Anthony Edward J. , Fennell Paul S.
Published: November 2021

Is it possible to improve CO2 solubility in potassium carbonate (K2CO3)-based transition temperature mixtures (TTMs)? To assess this possibility, a ternary transition-temperature mixture (TTTM) was prepared by using a hindered amine, 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPD). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) was employed to detect the functional groups including hydroxyl, amine, carbonate ion, and aliphatic functional groups in the prepared solvents. From thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), it was found that the addition of AMPD to the binary mixture can increase the thermal stability of TTTM. The viscosity findings showed that TTTM has a higher viscosity than TTM while their difference was decreased by increasing temperature. In addition, Eyring’s absolute rate theory was used to compute the activation parameters (∆G*, ∆H*, and ∆S*). The CO2 solubility in liquids was measured at a temperature of 303.15 K and pressures up to 1.8 MPa. The results disclosed that the CO2 solubility of TTTM was improved by the addition of AMPD. At the pressure of about 1.8 MPa, the CO2 mole fractions of TTM and TTTM were 0.1697 and 0.2022, respectively. To confirm the experimental data, density functional theory (DFT) was employed. From the DFT analysis, it was found that the TTTM + CO2 system has higher interaction energy (|∆E|) than the TTM + CO2 system indicating the higher CO2 affinity of the former system. This study might help scientists to better understand and to improve CO2 solubility in these types of solvents by choosing a suitable amine as HBD and finding the best combination of HBA and HBD.