bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The role of social trust in reward crowdfunding campaigns’ design and success
Authors: Shneor Rotem , Mrzygłód Urszula , Adamska-Mieruszewska Joanna , Fornalska-Skurczyńska Anna
Published: February 2021

Trust is critical for successful participation in online marketplaces. In crowdfunding, fundraisers seek to win the trust of potential supporters towards contributing to their projects despite risks of non-delivery or deviations from campaign promises. This study explores how cultural differences in social trust proclivities influence reward crowdfunding campaign design and success. Specifically, we analyze data about 700 campaigns from a relatively high social trust society (HTS) – Finland, and 700 campaigns from a relatively low social trust society (LTS) – Poland. We find that sharing campaign information via social media is positively associated with campaign success in both contexts. Building on the Elaboration Likelihood Model, we show that central route cues to persuasion are more prevalent in campaigns from LTS vs. HTS, and that some peripheral cues are more prevalent in campaigns from HTS than LTS. Finally, we find partial support that central route cues are more important for campaign success in LTS.
Understanding continued smartwatch usage: the role of emotional as well as health and fitness factors
Authors: Siepmann Carolin , Kowalczuk Pascal
Published: February 2021

Smartwatches are the most popular wearable device and increasingly subject to empirical research. In recent years, the focus has shifted from revealing determinants of smartwatch adoption to understanding factors that cause long-term usage. Despite their importance for personal fitness, health monitoring, and for achieving health and fitness goals, extant research on the continuous use intention of smartwatches mostly disregards health and fitness factors. Grounding on self-determination theory, this study addresses this gap and investigates the impact of health and fitness as well as positive and negative emotional factors encouraging or impeding consumers to continuously use smartwatches. We build upon the expectation-confirmation model (ECM) and extend it with emotional (device annoyance and enjoyment) as well as health and fitness factors (goal pursuit motivation and self-quantification behavior). We use structural equation modeling to validate our model based on 335 responses from actual smartwatch users. Results prove the applicability of the ECM to the smartwatch context and highlight the importance of self-quantification as a focal construct for explaining goal pursuit motivation, perceived usefulness, confirmation and device annoyance. Further, we identify device annoyance as an important barrier to continuous smartwatch use. Based on our results, we finally derive implications for researchers and practitioners alike.
Paraphilic Interests: The Role of Psychosocial Factors in a Sample of Young Adults in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Heng Choon
Published: February 2021

Background

Little is known about the prevalence and nature of paraphilic interests in the Hong Kong young adult population. This study explores the psychosocial factors associated with paraphilic interests.

Methods

Testing the propositions of several criminological theories (i.e., the theories of self-control, general strain, social learning, social control, and routine activity), the study recruited 1171 participants (18–40 years old), from September 2018 through April 2020, to examine both general and 14 subtypes of paraphilic interest (i.e., voyeurism, exhibitionism, scatologia, fetishism, transvestic fetishism, frotteurism, sadism, masochism, biastophilia, urophilia, scatophilia, hebephilia, pedophilia, and zoophilia).

Results

The findings indicate that males reported significantly higher levels of general and 12 subtypes of paraphilic interest than females, while females had a higher level of transvestic fetishism than males. No mean difference is found between males and females in interest in masochism. Relative to females, males reported significantly higher levels of negative temperament, alcohol and drug use, and risky sexual behavior, whereas females had higher levels of self-control, social bonds, and perceived neighborhood disorganization than males. Multivariate analyses indicate that in general, high levels of negative temperament, alcohol and drug use, risky sexual behavior, and perceived neighborhood disorganization and low levels of self-control and social bonds were important factors associated with the participants’ likelihood of having general and 14 subtypes of paraphilic interest.

Conclusions

These findings provide support to the significant role of psychosocial factors in understanding different paraphilic interests in the Hong Kong young adult population.

Policy Implications

This study has implications for practice, in the form of reducing, if not eliminating, the tendency to develop an interest in paraphilic behaviors. This may be more important when referring to paraphilic behaviors that are criminally oriented.
Clarifying Misconceptions of the Zone of Latent Solutions Hypothesis: A Response to Haidle and Schlaudt
Authors: Bandini Elisa , Reeves Jonathan Scott , Snyder William Daniel , Tennie Claudio
Published: February 2021

The critical examination of current hypotheses is one of the key ways in which scientific fields develop and grow. Therefore, any critique, including Haidle and Schlaudt’s article, “Where Does Cumulative Culture Begin? A Plea for a Sociologically Informed Perspective,” represents a welcome addition to the literature. However, critiques must also be evaluated. In their article, Haidle and Schlaudt (Biol Theory 15:161–174, 2020. 10.1007/s13752-020-00351-w; henceforth H&S) review some approaches to culture and cumulative culture in both human and nonhuman primates. H&S discuss the “zone of latent solutions” (ZLS) hypothesis as applied to nonhuman primates and stone-toolmaking premodern hominins. Here, we will evaluate whether H&S’s critique addresses its target.
Tissue engineering of collagen scaffolds crosslinked with plant based polysaccharides
Authors: Rekulapally Rohit , Udayachandrika K. , Hamlipur Sirisha , Sasidharan Nair Anuja , Pal Biswajit , Singh Shashi
Published: February 2021

Ideally, a bioscaffold should mimic the characteristics of an extracellular matrix of a living organ of interest. The present study deals with the formation of composite scaffolds of collagen with gum arabic. Collagen was cross-linked with oxidized gum arabic having aldehyde groups to form a porous block. By changing the oxidation level of gum arabic, incorporation of the polysaccharides into the scaffold could be varied resulting in scaffolds with variable polysaccharide to protein content. A series of scaffolds were made by altering collagen concentration and oxidation level of gum arabic. The scaffolds were tested for their physical properties, stability, biocompatibility and ability to support the cell growth. Results implied that variable polysaccharide incorporation into the scaffolds was possible depending on the oxidation level of gum arabic which could influence the swelling behavior. The scaffolds showed non-toxic behavior towards the mesenchymal stem cells and nucleus pulposa cells using viability assay in culture conditions up to 30 days; the growth of cells was seen at all combinations of gels. Nucleus pulposa cells were able to maintain their phenotype in the GACO gels. The studies show that these scaffolds are potential candidates in applications, such as tissue engineering, and can be designed to match the requirement of different cell/tissues as per their ECM.
Parent Experiences of Autism Spectrum Disorder Diagnosis: a Scoping Review
Authors: Makino Amber , Hartman Laura , King Gillian , Wong Pui Ying , Penner Melanie
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this review was to identify the quantity, breadth, and methodological characteristics of literature examining parent perspectives of autism spectrum disorder diagnosis, synthesize key research findings, and highlight gaps in the current literature. A systematic search was conducted for the period January 1994–February 2020. One hundred and twenty-two articles underwent data extraction. The majority of studies took place in Europe and North America in high-income countries. Over half of the studies used qualitative methodology. Four key components of the diagnostic experience were identified: journey to assessment, assessment process, delivery of the diagnosis and feedback session, and provision of information, resources, and support. Themes of parental emotions and parental satisfaction with the diagnostic process were also found.
Introducing a Psychiatry Clerkship Curriculum Based on Entrustable Professional Activities: an Explorative Pilot Study
Authors: Pinilla Severin , Cantisani Andrea , Klöppel Stefan , Strik Werner , Nissen Christoph , Huwendiek Sören
Published: February 2021

Objective

The authors evaluated a reformed psychiatry clerkship curriculum based on entrustable professional activities (EPAs).

Methods

The authors conducted an exploratory pilot study of a reformed clerkship curriculum based on EPAs. A novel workplace-based assessment format including an entrustment-supervision scale and curricular adaptations were introduced. The Kirkpatrick model was used to evaluate outcomes of the reformed clerkship curriculum on three levels (1 = acceptance, 2 = learning, 3 = change of behavior).

Results

The pilot student cohort (n = 10) completed a questionnaire, 180 self-assessments (18 per student) on need for supervision, and 63 workplace-based assessments (6.3 per student, in 4 weeks). Level 1: high overall satisfaction with the clerkship (five-point Likert item: average, 4.9; range: 4.0–5.0). Level 2: the overall significant decrease in self-assessed need for supervision before and after the clerkship was two supervision levels (direct to indirect supervision; p < 0.05). The most frequently documented admissions included schizophrenic disorders (n = 11; 28%), affective disorders (n = 10; 25%), substance abuse disorders (n = 5; 13%), and anxiety and stress-related disorders (n = 5; 13%). Level 3: clinical supervisors used history taking, assessing the mental status, and documentation and presentation for workplace-based assessments. According to supervisors’ ratings, there was a decreasing need for supervision from the first to last week of the clerkship.

Conclusions

Students reacted positively to the reformed clerkship curriculum. The workplace-based assessments with entrustment ratings appeared to support achievement of competency-based learning objectives. Better understanding of how to cover assessment of all core EPAs in the psychiatry clerkship is needed.
Research in Action—Students’ Perspectives on the Integration of Research Activities in Undergraduate Biomedical Curricula
Authors: de Vegt Femmie , Otten Johannes D. M. , de Bruijn Diederik R. H. , Pluk Helma , van Rooij Iris A. L. M. , Oostendorp Thom F.
Published: February 2021

We describe and evaluate our practice-based learning approach for research in undergraduate students studying Biomedical Sciences at Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands. First-year students who started their study between 2015 and 2018 actively participated in data collection and measurements, including anthropometry, electrocardiogram findings, genetic variants, and lifestyle habits. All data were entered into one anonymous database, which was used by students to analyze their research questions. In 2019, 44 of the 87 students (50%) valued active measurements better than questionnaires. Most students (strongly) agreed that they have learned about data collection and were inspired to learn more about biomedical research.
Cohort intelligence with self-adaptive penalty function approach hybridized with colliding bodies optimization algorithm for discrete and mixed variable constrained problems
Authors: Kale Ishaan R. , Kulkarni Anand J.
Published: February 2021

Recently, several socio-/bio-inspired algorithms have been proposed for solving a variety of problems. Generally, they perform well when applied for solving unconstrained problems; however, their performance degenerates when applied for solving constrained problems. Several types of penalty function approaches have been proposed so far for handling linear and non-linear constraints. Even though the approach is quite easy to understand, the precise choice of penalty parameter is very much important. It may further necessitate significant number of preliminary trials. To overcome this limitation, a new self-adaptive penalty function (SAPF) approach is proposed and incorporated into socio-inspired Cohort Intelligence (CI) algorithm. This approach is referred to as CI–SAPF. Furthermore, CI–SAPF approach is hybridized with Colliding Bodies Optimization (CBO) algorithm referred to as CI–SAPF–CBO algorithm. The performance of the CI–SAPF and CI–SAPF–CBO algorithms is validated by solving discrete and mixed variable problems from truss structure domain, design engineering domain, and several problems of linear and nonlinear in nature. Furthermore, the applicability of the proposed techniques is validated by solving two real-world applications from manufacturing engineering domain. The results obtained from CI–SAPF and CI–SAPF–CBO are promising and computationally efficient when compared with other nature inspired optimization algorithms. A non-parametric Wilcoxon’s rank sum test is performed on the obtained statistical solutions to examine the significance of CI–SAPF–CBO. In addition, the effect of the penalty parameter on pseudo-objective function, penalty function and constrained violations is analyzed and discussed along with the advantages over other algorithms.
Representation and application of Fuzzy soft sets in type-2 environment
Authors: Paik Biplab , Mondal Shyamal Kumar
Published: February 2021

This paper has represented a soft-set in the type-2 environment by its simplest form as an augmentation to soft-set theories. Furthermore, we have applied the type-2 fuzzy soft set(T2FSS) by using our most straightforward representation to find the solution of a decision-making-problem (DMP) based-on T2FSS as well as weighted type-2 fuzzy soft set (WT2FSS). We have proposed two definitions, namely, Mid-$$\alpha $$
α
-threshold fuzzy-set of a T2FSS and Mid-$$\lambda $$
λ
-threshold fuzzy-set of a T2FSS. Furthermore, we have presented the definition, namely, level fuzzy-soft-set(LFSS) of a T2FSS. Using this concept, we have prepared two algorithms to select one object in T2FSS as well as WT2FSS based on DMP, which take regret disinclination and expectation preference of decision-makers into consideration in the decision procedure. Also, we have presented two numerical examples at the end.
SRPM–CNN: a combined model based on slide relative position matrix and CNN for time series classification
Authors: Li Taoying , Zhang Yuqi , Wang Ting
Published: February 2021

Research on the time series classification is gaining an increased attention in the machine learning and data mining areas due to the existence of the time series data almost everywhere, especially in our daily work and life. Recent studies have shown that the convolutional neural networks (CNN) can extract good features from the images and texts, but it often encounters the problem of low accuracy, when it is directly employed to solve the problem of time series classification. In this pursuit, the present study envisaged a novel combined model based on the slide relative position matrix and CNN for time series. The proposed model first adopted the slide relative position for converting the time series data into 2D images during preprocessing, and then employed CNN to classify these images. This made the best of the temporal sequence characteristic of time series data, thereby utilizing the advantages of CNN in image recognition. Finally, 14 UCR time series datasets were chosen to evaluate the performance of the proposed model, whose results indicate that the accuracy of the proposed model was higher than others.
Use of Bevacizumab in Advanced Ovarian Cancer: Consensus from an Expert Panel Oncologists
Authors: Advani Suresh H. , Doval D. C. , Koppikar Smruti B. , Vijay Anand Reddy P. , Prasad S. V. S. S. , Bapna Ajay , Narayanan Prasad , Dwary Amit Dutt , Krishna Vamshi , Dhanushkodi Manikandan , Joel Anjana , Pillai Unni S. , Srinivas Kayathanahalli Govindachar , Ramanjinappa Nagendra
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To discuss and reach a consensus on the use of bevacizumab in women with advanced ovarian cancer in Indian settings.

Methods

An advisory board meeting comprising Indian oncologists was convened to review key literature available on the role of bevacizumab in the management of advanced ovarian cancer. Key recommendations were devised via consensus by the expert panel based on the analysis of available scientific evidence and clinical experience.

Results

The expert panel recommends the use of bevacizumab in patients with advanced ovarian cancer in first-line settings, as well as in recurrent settings.

Conclusion

This document summarizes key discussion points and recommendations provided by the advisory panel, which helps guide clinicians on the use of bevacizumab for managing advanced ovarian cancer in the Indian setting. It also acts as a pragmatic tool to assist clinicians in making appropriate treatment decisions with respect to advanced ovarian cancer.
Lost and found: applying network analysis to public health contact tracing for HIV
Authors: Pasquale Dana K. , Doherty Irene A. , Leone Peter A. , Dennis Ann M. , Samoff Erika , Jones Constance S. , Barnhart John , Miller William C.
Published: February 2021

Infectious disease surveillance is often case-based, focused on people diagnosed and their contacts in a predefined time window, and treated as independent across infections. Network analysis of partners and contacts joining multiple investigations and infections can reveal social or temporal trends, providing opportunities for epidemic control within broader networks. We constructed a sociosexual network of all HIV and early syphilis cases and contacts investigated among residents of 11 contiguous counties in North Carolina over a two-year period (2012–2013). We anchored the analysis on new HIV diagnoses (“indexes”), but also included nodes and edges from syphilis investigations that were within the same network component as any new HIV index. After adding syphilis investigations and deduplicating people included in multiple investigations (entity resolution), the final network comprised 1470 people: 569 HIV indexes, 700 contacts to HIV indexes who were not also new cases themselves, and 201 people who were either indexes or contacts in eligible syphilis investigations. Among HIV indexes, nearly half (48%; n = 273) had no located contacts during single-investigation contact tracing, though 25 (9%) of these were identified by other network members and thus not isolated in the final multiple investigation network. Constructing a sociosexual network from cases and contacts across multiple investigations mitigated some effects of unobserved partnerships underlying the HIV epidemic and demonstrated the HIV and syphilis overlap in these networks.
Structure and influence in a global capital–ownership network
Authors: Khalife Sammy , Read Jesse , Vazirgiannis Michalis
Published: February 2021

Relationships between legal entities can be represented as a large weighted directed graph. In this work, we model the global capital ownership network across a hundred of millions of such entities with the goal of establishing a methodology for extracting and analysing meaningful patterns of capitalistic influence from the graph structure. To do so, we adapt and employ metrics from graph analytics and algorithms from the area of influence maximization. We characterize the relationships extracted and show that our analysis aligns with information from macro-economic studies; for example it recovers the presence of known tax heavens, which appear in dense subgraphs of countries. We also identify and quantify cases where capital is principally owned by others, corresponding to global influence. Beyond confirming known patterns and justifying our novel application of influence maximization methodology in this area, the outcome also offers new insight and metrics in this domain, by highlighting the existence of strong communities of capitalistic property. We leverage influence maximization methods as a means to evaluate the impact of entities in these contexts. Finally we formulate the results of our study into recommendations for future analyses of this kind.
Outbreak detection for temporal contact data
Authors: Sterchi Martin , Sarasua Cristina , Grütter Rolf , Bernstein Abraham
Published: February 2021

Epidemic spreading is a widely studied process due to its importance and possibly grave consequences for society. While the classical context of epidemic spreading refers to pathogens transmitted among humans or animals, it is straightforward to apply similar ideas to the spread of information (e.g., a rumor) or the spread of computer viruses. This paper addresses the question of how to optimally select nodes for monitoring in a network of timestamped contact events between individuals. We consider three optimization objectives: the detection likelihood, the time until detection, and the population that is affected by an outbreak. The optimization approach we use is based on a simple greedy approach and has been proposed in a seminal paper focusing on information spreading and water contamination. We extend this work to the setting of disease spreading and present its application with two example networks: a timestamped network of sexual contacts and a network of animal transports between farms. We apply the optimization procedure to a large set of outbreak scenarios that we generate with a susceptible-infectious-recovered model. We find that simple heuristic methods that select nodes with high degree or many contacts compare well in terms of outbreak detection performance with the (greedily) optimal set of nodes. Furthermore, we observe that nodes optimized on past periods may not be optimal for outbreak detection in future periods. However, seasonal effects may help in determining which past period generalizes well to some future period. Finally, we demonstrate that the detection performance depends on the simulation settings. In general, if we force the simulator to generate larger outbreaks, the detection performance will improve, as larger outbreaks tend to occur in the more connected part of the network where the top monitoring nodes are typically located. A natural progression of this work is to analyze how a representative set of outbreak scenarios can be generated, possibly taking into account more realistic propagation models.
Verwandtschaften, Wahlverwandtschaften und andere Beziehungskisten: Deutschdidaktik als transdisziplinäres Fach
Authors: Schilcher Anita , Meier Christel
Published: February 2021

Deutschdidaktische Forschung hat sich seit dem PISA-Schock Anfang des Jahrtausends wesentlich verändert. Während traditionell ein starker Bezug zu den germanistischen Fachwissenschaften besteht, kann deutschdidaktische Forschung der letzten Jahre als domänenspezifische Bildungswissenschaft mit zahlreichen Bezügen zu unterschiedlichen Disziplinen charakterisiert werden, wobei die Rückbindung an die Germanistik gerade für den bildungswissenschaftlichen Diskurs von entscheidender Bedeutung ist.
The Situation of Young People at Home During COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Lips Anna
Published: February 2021

The political restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic affect all population groups. However, they are of particular importance for those, whose current phase of life is mainly shaped by social life in public space – adolescents and young adults. The (at least temporary) closure of schools and universities, youth facilities, sports grounds, and pubs as well as contact restrictions changed the living conditions of young people. Life shifted mainly to the home environment and young people are obliged to deal with the people they are living with more than before. The Germany-wide survey “JuCo – Experiences and Perspectives of Young People during the COVID-19 Pandemic” asked young people about their well-being, worries and experiences during the time of lockdown. This article presents results on the situation at home and the well-being of adolescents and young adults of n = 5,520 respondents. Regression analysis is used to determine which influencing factors (e.g. money worries) affect well-being at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results show that different factors are influencing youth’s well being at home during the lockdown. Especially the emotional and social nature of their home environment has a very significant impact on how young respondents experience it during lockdown as well as their possibility to go outside.
Functional illiteracy and developmental dyslexia: looking for common roots. A systematic review
Authors: Vágvölgyi Réka , Bergström Kirstin , Bulajić Aleksandar , Klatte Maria , Fernandes Tânia , Grosche Michael , Huettig Falk , Rüsseler Jascha , Lachmann Thomas
Published: February 2021

A considerable amount of the population inmore economically developed countriesare functionally illiterate (i.e., low literate). Despite some years of schooling and basic reading skills, these individuals cannot properly read and write and, as a consequence have problems to understand even short texts. An often-discussed approach (Greenberg et al. 1997) assumes weak phonological processing skills coupled with untreated developmental dyslexia as possible causes of functional illiteracy. Although there is some data suggesting commonalities between low literacy and developmental dyslexia, it is still not clear, whether these reflect shared consequences (i.e., cognitive and behavioral profile) or shared causes. The present systematic review aims at exploring the similarities and differences identified in empirical studies investigating both functional illiterate and developmental dyslexic samples. Nine electronic databases were searched in order to identify all quantitative studies published in English or German. Although a broad search strategy and few limitations were applied, only 5 studies have been identified adequate from the resulting 9269 references. The results point to the lack of studies directly comparing functional illiterate with developmental dyslexic samples. Moreover, a huge variance has been identified between the studies in how they approached the concept of functional illiteracy, particularly when it came to critical categories such the applied definition, terminology, criteria for inclusion in the sample, research focus, and outcome measures. The available data highlight the need for more direct comparisons in order to understand what extent functional illiteracy and dyslexia share common characteristics.
An Existence Theory for Gravity–Capillary Solitary Water Waves
Authors: Groves M. D.
Published: February 2021

In the applied mathematics literature solitary gravity–capillary water waves are modelled by approximating the standard governing equations for water waves by a Korteweg-de Vries equation (for strong surface tension) or a nonlinear Schrödinger equation (for weak surface tension). These formal arguments have been justified by sophisticated techniques such as spatial dynamics and centre-manifold reduction methods on the one hand and variational methods on the other. This article presents a complete, self-contained account of an alternative, simpler approach in which one works directly with the Zakharov–Craig–Sulem formulation of the water-wave problem and uses only rudimentary fixed-point arguments and Fourier analysis.
Deep neural network and model-based clustering technique for forensic electronic mail author attribution
Authors: Apoorva K. A. , Sangeetha S.
Published: February 2021

Electronic mail is the primary source of different cyber scams. Identifying the author of electronic mail is essential. It forms significant documentary evidence in the field of digital forensics. This paper presents a model for email author identification (or) attribution by utilizing deep neural networks and model-based clustering techniques. It is perceived that stylometry features in the authorship identification have gained a lot of importance as it enhances the author attribution task's accuracy. The experiments were performed on a publicly available benchmark Enron dataset, considering many authors. The proposed model achieves an accuracy of 94% on five authors, 90% on ten authors, 86% on 25 authors and 75% on the entire dataset for the Deep Neural Network technique, which is a good measure of accuracy on a highly imbalanced data. The second cluster-based technique yielded an excellent 86% accuracy on the entire dataset, considering the authors' number based on their contribution to the aggregate data.
A novel QoE based cross-layer scheduling scheme for video applications in 802.11 wireless LANs
Authors: Srinivasa Rao D. , Berlin Hency V.
Published: February 2021

In the past two decades, 802.11 based Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) have gained popularity in offering Internet services and increasingly supporting data driven video streaming applications. Such services demand enhanced view quality to all the end-users in the network. However, due to the sharing of limited resources and lack of proper scheduling mechanisms, WLANs are unable to meet the requirements of numerous video users and provide them better quality. Therefore, an effective resource scheduling approach is needed that can achieve high user satisfaction for the ever changing user needs for quality video viewing. In this paper, a Quality of Experience based Cross-Layer Scheduling (QoECLS) scheme to enhance the user experience for video applications in WLANs is proposed. Here, the Mean Opinion Score has been used as a measure to evaluate the user experience. In order to provide the average user throughput with guarantee of fairness among users, the QoECLS scheme uses cross-layer information from the application and physical layer, respectively. The QoECLS algorithm allocates transmission resources by considering application feedback along with channel state information and buffer status. The performance of the QoECLS approach was extensively studied through simulations and the results showed an improvement in user experience and throughput, while maintaining fairness among the users. In terms of throughput, the proposed scheme achieves 25%, 45 %, and 50% improvement compared to QoE Aware Scheduling scheme, Modified-Largest Weighted Delay First scheduler and Exponential-Proportional Fair scheduler, respectively.
Assessment of an electrical coolant pump on a heavy-duty diesel engine
Authors: Kiesenhofer Markus
Published: February 2021

Hybridization of the drive train in commercial vehicles is a key solution toward meeting the strict future requirements to reduce carbon dioxide emissions within the European Union. In order to decrease fleet consumption a large number of different hybrid systems are already available in series in the passenger car sector. Due to the cheap and powerful 48 volt hybrid components and the lower hazard potential compared to high voltage, future commercial vehicles could also benefit from the 48V technology and contribute to lower fleet fuel consumption. Therefore, a complete 48V mild hybrid system was built on the diesel engine test bench as part of a research project. This paper highlights the utilization of a powerful 48V-motor to propel the coolant pump on a diesel engine of the 13-L commercial vehicle class. Three different drive variants of the coolant pump were implemented and measured on the diesel engine test bench. MATLAB®/Simulink®-simulations were conducted to assess the possible fuel savings in three different driving cycles. This paper provides a summary and interpretation of the measurement and simulation results. The simulation studies predict a decrease of fuel consumption of up to 0.94%. Furthermore, the additional advantages of electrified coolant pumps based on 48V are discussed.
Pt nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped porous carbon as efficient oxygen reduction catalysts synthesized via a simple alcohol reduction method
Authors: Tachibana Naoki , Yukawa Yasuyuki , Morikawa Kazuo , Kawaguchi Masahiro , Shimanoe Kengo
Published: February 2021

Pt nanoparticles supported on nitrogen-doped porous carbon (NPC) were investigated as both a highly active catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and a suitable porous support structure. Pt/NPC catalysts with loadings of 8.8–35.4 wt.% were prepared via a simple alcohol reduction method and exhibited homogeneously dispersed Pt nanoparticles with a small mean size ranging from 1.90 to 2.99 nm. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurement suggested the presence of strong interactions between the Pt nanoparticles and NPC support. 27.4% Pt/NPC demonstrated high catalytic activity for the ORR in a rotating disk electrode system and was also effectively applied to a gas diffusion electrode (GDE). A GDE fabricated using the Pt/NPC with a fine pore network exhibited excellent performance, especially at high current densities. Specific activity of Pt/NPC and Pt/carbon black catalysts for the ORR correlated with the peak potential of adsorbed OH reduction on Pt, which was dependent on the particle size and support.

Graphic abstract
Selectivity index and separation efficiency prediction in industrial magnetic separation process using a hybrid neural genetic algorithm
Authors: Paledi Usef , Allahkarami Ebrahim , Rezai Bahram , Aslani Mohammad Reza
Published: February 2021

It is essential to know the process efficiency in the industrial magnetic separation process under different operating conditions because it is required to control the process parameters to optimize the process efficiency. To our knowledge, there is no information about using artificial intelligence for modeling the magnetic separation process. Hence, finding a robust and more accurate estimation method for predicting the separation efficiency and selectivity index is still necessary. In this regard, a feed-forward neural network was developed to predict the separation efficiency and selectivity index. This model was trained to present a predictive model based on the percentage of iron, iron oxide and sulfur in mill feed and cobber feed, 80% passing size in mill feed and cobber feed and plant capacity. Therefore, this work aims to develop an intelligent technique based on an artificial neural network and a hybrid neural-genetic algorithm for modeling the concentration process. Results indicated that the values of mean square error and coefficient of determination for the testing phase were obtained 0.635 and 0.86 for selectivity index and of 4.646 and 0.84 for separation efficiency, respectively. In order to improve the performance of neural network, genetic algorithm was used to optimize the weights and biases of neural network. The results of modeling with GA-ANN technique indicated that the mean square error and coefficient of determination for the testing phase were achieved by 0.276 and 0.95 for selectivity index and of 1.782 and 0.92 for separation efficiency, respectively. The other statistical criteria for the GA-ANN model were better than those of the ANN model.
The potential of sweet potato biorefinery and development of alternative uses
Authors: Rizzolo Joana Antunez , Woiciechowski Adenise Lorenci , Júnior Antonio Irineudo Magalhães , Torres Luis Alberto Zevallos , Soccol Carlos Ricardo
Published: February 2021

The bioethanol production from the sweet potato variety BRS Cuia using three different strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (LPB1-93, ATCC-26602, and CA-11) was carried out in this research. Comparative analyses of consumed sugar, ethanol yield, and productivity (in tons per hectare) increased along with the concentration of cells in the inoculum. Additionally, to verify the aromatic quality of a potential sweet potato distilled spirit, volatile organic compounds were analyzed. The results showed a yield of over 90% ethanol. It was observed that the sugar consumption and ethanol production rates can be increased with a higher initial concentration of cells. This resulted in higher concentrations of ethanol in shorter times. From 100 g of the sweet potato variety BRS Cuia, the highest concentration of ethanol obtained was 25.74 g L−1 using the LPB1-93 strain. The estimated bioethanol production is about 10,000 L ha−1, with two sweet potatoes crops in a year. The ethanol production from the sweet potato variety BRS Cuia is viable, representing a sustainable alternative to fuel bioethanol, as well as an alcoholic beverage due to the volatile organic compounds present in the distilled fraction.
Sparse quantum Gaussian processes to counter the curse of dimensionality
Authors: Kuś Gaweł I. , van der Zwaag Sybrand , Bessa Miguel A.
Published: February 2021

Gaussian processes are well-established Bayesian machine learning algorithms with significant merits, despite a strong limitation: lack of scalability. Clever solutions address this issue by inducing sparsity through low-rank approximations, often based on the Nystrom method. Here, we propose a different method to achieve better scalability and higher accuracy using quantum computing, outperforming classical Bayesian neural networks for large datasets significantly. Unlike other approaches to quantum machine learning, the computationally expensive linear algebra operations are not just replaced with their quantum counterparts. Instead, we start from a recent study that proposed a quantum circuit for implementing quantum Gaussian processes and then we use quantum phase estimation to induce a low-rank approximation analogous to that in classical sparse Gaussian processes. We provide evidence through numerical tests, mathematical error bound estimation, and complexity analysis that the method can address the “curse of dimensionality,” where each additional input parameter no longer leads to an exponential growth of the computational cost. This is also demonstrated by applying the algorithm in a practical setting and using it in the data-driven design of a recently proposed metamaterial. The algorithm, however, requires significant quantum computing hardware improvements before quantum advantage can be achieved.
Quality and Authenticity of Metformin Tablets Circulating on Japanese Websites
Authors: Zhu Shu , Yoshida Naoko , Tsuboi Hirohito , Matsushita Ryo , Kimura Kazuko
Published: February 2021

Background

Low-quality medicines and falsified medicines represent long-standing problems in developing countries. In Southeast Asia, the circulation of low-quality diabetes drugs (metformin) has been confirmed. It is possible that low-quality metformin has entered Japan via personal import through the Internet. This study evaluated the pharmaceutical quality and authenticity of metformin tablets obtained via the Internet in Japan.

Methods

In total, 33 samples of 500-mg metformin tablets and 7 samples of extended-release/sustained-release tablets (500, 750, and 1,000 mg) were purchased via personal import in January 2017. Confirmation of a prescription was never requested purchase. The obtained samples were subjected to visual observations and authenticity investigations. Additionally, quantitative analysis, content uniformity and dissolution tests were performed using HPLC–PDA.

Results

Our authenticity investigations revealed that seven samples were genuine products, whereas the authenticity of the remaining 33 samples was unclear. Referring to United States Pharmacopeia 2014 for validation, four samples failed quality testing, five samples failed content uniformity testing, and two samples failed dissolution testing.

Conclusions

Our findings illustrate that metformin tablets of poor-quantity and unregistered/unlicensed doses are available online and that it is important to increase consumer awareness about the presence of these medicines on the Internet to prevent the purchase of substandard medicines.
Advancing UK Regulatory Science Strategy in the Context of Global Regulation: a Stakeholder Survey
Authors: Cruz Rivera Samantha , Torlinska Barbara , Marston Eliot , Denniston Alastair K. , Oliver Kathy , Hoare Steve , Calvert Melanie J.
Published: February 2021

Background

The UK’s transition from the European Union creates both an urgent need and key opportunity for the UK and its global collaborators to consider new approaches to the regulation of emerging technologies, underpinned by regulatory science. This survey aimed to identify the most accurate definition of regulatory science, to define strategic areas of the regulation of healthcare innovation which can be informed through regulatory science and to explore the training and infrastructure needed to advance UK and international regulatory science.

Methods

A survey was distributed to UK healthcare professionals, academics, patients, health technology assessment agencies, ethicists and trade associations, as well as international regulators, pharmaceutical companies and small or medium enterprises which have expertise in regulatory science and in developing or applying regulation in healthcare. Subsequently, a descriptive quantitative analyses of survey results and directed thematic analysis of free-text comments were applied.

Results

Priority areas for UK regulatory science identified by 145 participants included the following: flexibility: the capability of regulations to adapt to novel products and target patient outcomes; co-development: collaboration across sectors, e.g. patients, manufacturers, regulators, and educators working together to develop appropriate training for novel product deployment; responsiveness: the preparation of frameworks which enable timely innovation required by emerging events; speed: the rate at which new products can reach the market; reimbursement: developing effective tools to track and evaluate outcomes for “pay for performance” products; and education and professional development.

Conclusions

The UK has a time-critical opportunity to establish its national and international strategy for regulatory science leadership by harnessing broader academic input, developing strategic cross-sector collaborations, incorporating patients’ experiences and perspectives, and investing in a skilled workforce.
Correlation of Flexor Pollicis Longus Tendon Status by Ultrasonography with Plate Position on Radiographs Following Volar Plate Fixation of Distal Radius Fractures with Pronator Quadratus Repair
Authors: Bhat Anil. K. , Acharya Ashwath. M. , Mane Prajwal P. , Karegowda Lakshmikanth. H.
Published: February 2021

Background

Purpose was to correlate flexor pollicis longus tendon (FPL) attrition using Ultrasonography with plate position on radiographs following volar locked compression plate fixation (LCP) in patients who have undergone pronator quadratus (PQ) repair for distal radius fractures.

Methods

Status of flexor pollicis longus tendon was analyzed by ultrasonography in patients who underwent volar locked compression plating with pronator quadratus repair at a minimum of one year follow up. Soong’s criteria was used to assess the plate position and then correlated the ultrasonography findings of flexor pollicis longus.

Results

There were 33 patients included in our study, of which 15 belonged to Soong’s grade zero, 10 were grade one and eight were grade two. Flexor pollicis longus attrition was noted in all cases with grade two plating.

Conclusion

Pronator quadratus repair may not prevent attritional changes in higher grades of Soong’s, hence follow up may be required in these patients to identify attritional changes and early implant removal to prevent complications.
World History and National Identity in China
Authors: Fan Xin
Published: February 2021

Nationalism is pervasive in China today. Yet nationalism is not entrenched in China's intellectual tradition. Over the course of the twentieth century, the combined forces of cultural, social, and political transformations nourished its development, but resistance to it has persisted. Xin Fan examines the ways in which historians working on the world beyond China from within China have attempted to construct narratives that challenge nationalist readings of the Chinese past and the influence that these historians have had on the formation of Chinese identity. He traces the ways in which generations of historians, from the late Qing through the Republican period, through the Mao period to the relative moment of 'opening' in the 1980s, have attempted to break cross-cultural boundaries in writing an alternative to the national narrative.
Nosocomial transmission of a blaVIM-2 carbapenemase integron between isolates of two different Pseudomonas species
Authors: Büchler Andrea C. , Wüthrich Daniel , Wicki Jauslin Melanie , Egli Adrian , Widmer Andreas F.
Published: February 2021

We report the first documented in-hospital patient-to-patient-transmission of a blaVIM-2 integron between isolates of Pseudomonas alcaligenes and P. aeruginosa. Molecular typing looking only for difference within species may fail to detect nosocomial transmission of resistance genes.
Challenges to the infection control team during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in a quaternary-care medical center in Saudi Arabia
Authors: Amer Hala A. , Alowidah Ibrahim A. , Bugtai Chasteffi , Soule Barbara M. , Memish Ziad A.
Published: February 2021

Background:

King Saud Medical City (KSMC) is a quaternary care center based in the center of the capital city, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), and it is one of the key Ministry of Health (MoH) facilities dedicated to the care of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients in the central region.

Methods:

A comprehensive surge plan was promptly launched in mid-March 2020 to address the pandemic, and it expanded in a phase-wise approach. Supporting the capacity of the infection prevention and control department (IPCD) was a main pillar of the surge plan. Task force infection control teams were formed to tackle the different aspects of pandemic containment processes. The challenges and measures undertaken by the IPC team are described here.

Conclusion:

Infection prevention and control staff are frontline responders in public health emergencies like COVID-19, and a solid infection prevention and control system in the healthcare setting supported by qualified and sufficient manpower, a well-developed multidisciplinary team approach, electronic infrastructure, and efficient supply utilization are required for effective crisis management.
CHARACTERISTIC POLYNOMIALS OF SIMPLE ORDINARY ABELIAN VARIETIES OVER FINITE FIELDS
Authors: JONES LENNY
Published: February 2021

We provide an easy method for the construction of characteristic polynomials of simple ordinary abelian varieties

${{\mathcal A}}$
of dimension g over a finite field

${{\mathbb F}}_q$
, when

$q\ge 4$
and

$2g=\rho ^{b-1}(\rho -1)$
, for some prime

$\rho \ge 5$
with

$b\ge 1$
. Moreover, we show that

${{\mathcal A}}$
is absolutely simple if

$b=1$
and g is prime, but

${{\mathcal A}}$
is not absolutely simple for any prime

$\rho \ge 5$
with

$b>1$
.