bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A real‐time quadrotor trajectory planning framework based on B‐spline and nonuniform kinodynamic search
Authors: Tang Lvbang , Wang Hesheng , Liu Zhe , Wang Yong
Published: November 2020

Autonomous navigation of quadrotor is required by many application scenarios, such as exploration, search, and rescue. The trajectory planning algorithm is the core of autonomous navigation, which can undoubtedly greatly enhance the safety of flight. In this paper, a trajectory planning framework based on B‐spline and kinodynamic search is proposed. This framework can be used for a limited‐sensing quadrotor to plan safe and dynamically feasible trajectories in unknown environments, and the flight is safe and effective along with these trajectories. First, a B‐spline based nonuniform kinodynamic (BNUK) search algorithm is proposed to generate dynamically feasible trajectories efficiently. The characteristics of nonuniform search make the generated trajectories safe and reasonable time‐allocation. Then, a trajectory optimization method based on control point optimization is proposed. The trajectory generated by BNUK is further optimized by solving a quadratically constrained quadratic programming problem. The smoothness of the trajectory is improved, and the control cost is reduced. Extensive analysis and comparative simulation experiments verify the advancedness of the proposed framework. We also integrated it into a vision‐based quadrotor autonomous navigation system, and multiple outdoor flight experiments show the effectiveness of the proposed framework.
Development and application of the Hydric Soil Technical Standard
Authors: Berkowitz Jacob F. , Vepraskas Michael J. , Vaughan Karen L. , Vasilas Lenore M.
Published: November 2020

The concept of hydric soils evolved over time with advances in soil science and wetland resource management. Hydric soils are identified in the field by examining morphological characteristics, including organic matter accumulation and redoximorphic features that form in response to prolonged periods of saturation and anaerobic conditions. The Hydric Soil Technical Standard (HSTS) was developed to provide a quantitative procedure for evaluating the hydric status of a soil based upon direct measurements of saturation, anaerobic conditions, and precipitation normality. In practice, the HSTS is used for (a) identifying hydric soils when a field indicator of hydric soils may not be present (e.g., naturally problematic or disturbed soils); (b) evaluating the current functional hydric status of a soil; (c) developing new field indicators of hydric soils; and (d) proposing changes to existing field indicators of hydric soils. The HSTS procedures have progressed over several decades with new approaches to soil analysis, including novel methods to document anaerobic conditions. The following review describes the development of the hydric soils concept and provides guidance for measuring each HSTS component. Practical approaches for collection and submission of HSTS data to the National Technical Committee for Hydric Soils, the group responsible for approving approaches to hydric soil identification in the United States, are also discussed. Expanding the understanding and application of the HSTS promotes technical accuracy, transparency, and efficient decision making in support of hydric soil and wetland resource management.
Study on adaptive‐passive eddy current pendulum tuned mass damper for wind‐induced vibration control
Authors: Wang Liangkun , Nagarajaiah Satish , Shi Weixing , Zhou Ying
Published: November 2020

Tuned mass dampers (TMDs) are used to control wind‐excited responses of high‐rise building as traditional vibration control devices. A TMD will have an excellent control effect when it is well tuned. However, a traditional passive TMD is sensitive to the frequency deviation; the mistuning in frequency and damping ratio both will decrease its control effect. In the previous research, an adaptive‐passive variable pendulum TMD (APVP‐TMD) is proposed, which can identify the TMD optimal frequency and retune itself through varying its pendulum length. However, it is found that the frequency variation will change the TMD damping ratio, and an unreasonable damping ratio will lead to a decrement in the robustness of a TMD. In this study, an adaptive‐passive eddy current pendulum TMD (APEC‐PTMD) is presented, which can retune the frequency through varying the pendulum length, and retune the damping ratio through adjusting the air gap between permanent magnets and conductive plates. An adjustable eddy current pendulum TMD (PTMD) is tested, and then, a single‐degree‐of‐freedom (SDOF) primary model with an APEC‐PTMD is built, and functions of frequency and damping ratio retuning are verified. The 76‐story wind‐sensitive benchmark model is proposed in the case study. The original model without uncertainty and ±15% stiffness uncertainty models are considered, and response control effects of different controllers are compared. Results show that because the APEC‐PTMD can both retune its frequency and damping ratio; it is more robust and effective than a passive TMD. It is also found that the APEC‐PTMD has a similar control effect with the active TMD, with little power consumption and better stability.
Literacy in Lockdown: Learning and Teaching During COVID‐19 School Closures
Authors: Chamberlain Liz , Lacina Jan , Bintz William P. , Jimerson Jo Beth , Payne Kim , Zingale Remy
Published: November 2020

Across the globe, students have been away from schools and their teachers, but literacy learning has continued. In many countries, students’ literacy proficiency is often measured via high‐stakes assessment tests. However, such tests do not make visible students’ literacy lives away from formal learning settings, so students are positioned as task responders, rather than as agentive readers and writers. The authors explore the fluidity and diversity of literacy events and practices for students and their teachers observed during the recent period of COVID‐19 lockdown restrictions.
Chemical and biological indicators of soil health in Chicago urban gardens and farms
Authors: Ugarte Carmen M. , Taylor John R.
Published: November 2020

Urban food production is conducted in highly heterogeneous environments that have undergone considerable manipulation by building, demolition, and/or industrial pollution. This study evaluated soil quality characteristics in urban sites currently used for vegetable production across an urban to peri‐urban gradient in Chicago, IL, USA. Twenty‐one sites were classified based on the scale of management as private home gardens, community gardens, institutional farms, and private urban farms. We quantified indicators of soil fertility, nematode trophic composition, and indicators of the food web status (Maturity Index, Enrichment Index, Channel Index, and Structure Index). We also quantified concentrations of soil contaminants including lead (Pb), arsenic (As), and zinc (Zn). Analysis of free‐living nematode families suggested that communities differ across sites based on their scale of management and are likely influenced by soil organic matter and soil pH. Concentrations of Pb, As, and Zn were below the levels of concern and did not influence nematode community structure. Finally, soil fertility was significantly increased by management, particularly in community gardens and urban farms. Adoption of best management practices in urban agriculture, such as reduced mixing through tillage, and the use of soil testing as a decision‐support tool that helps optimize compost application, would reduce potential ecosystem disservices and promote food webs with greater functional diversity.
Building Opportunities for Learning Multiplication
Authors: Mendes Fátima , Brocardo Joana , Oliveira Hélia
Published: November 2020

This chapter seeks to illustrate a comprehension-based learning approach focused on multiplication. We use episodes to show the potential of a teaching design of multiplication focused on the development of mental calculation based on tasks with appropriate contexts and calculations anchored in the use of benchmark numbers and operation properties, with examples to explain the ideas that are introduced. They are based on a collaborative work experience between a third-grade primary teacher and a researcher (the first author of this chapter). Using these specific examples, we discuss mathematical ideas and didactic options that can guide the actions of teachers when teaching multiplication. Finally, we discuss some points of convergence between the approach introduced here and the lesson study approach.
Multiplication of Whole Numbers in the Curriculum: Singapore, Japan, Portugal, the USA, Mexico, Brazil, and Chile
Authors: Olfos Raimundo , Isoda Masami , Estrella Soledad
Published: November 2020

This chapter shows how the teaching of multiplication is structured in national curriculum standards (programs) around the world. (The documents are distributed by national governments via the web. Those documents are written in different formats and depths. For understanding the descriptions of the standards, we also refer to national authorized textbooks for confirmation of meanings.) The countries chosen for comparison in this case are two countries in Asia, one in Europe, two in North America, and two in South America: Singapore, Japan, Portugal, the USA (where the Common Core State Standards (2010) are not national but are agreed on by most of the states), Mexico, Brazil, and Chile, from the viewpoint of their influences on Ibero-American countries. (The National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards (published in 2000) and the Japanese and Singapore textbooks have been influential in Latin America. Additionally, Portugal was selected to be compared with Brazil). To distinguish between each country’s standard and the general standards described here, the national curriculum standards are just called the “program.” The comparison shows the differences in the programs for multiplication in these countries in relation to the sequence of the description and the way of explanation. The role of this chapter in Part I of this book is to provide the introductory questions that will be discussed in Chaps. 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 to explain the features of the Japanese approach. (As is discussed in Chap. 1, the Japanese approach includes the Japanese curriculum, textbooks, and methods of teaching which can be used for designing classes, as has been explored in Chile (see (Estrella, Mena, Olfos, Lesson Study in Chile: a very promising but still uncertain path. In Quaresma, Winsløw, Clivaz, da Ponte, Ní Shúilleabháin, Takahashi (eds), Mathematics lesson study around the world: Theoretical and methodological issues. Cham: Springer, pp. 105–122, 2018). The comparison focuses on multiplication of whole numbers. In multiplication, all of these countries seem to have similar goals—namely, for their students to grasp the meaning of multiplication and develop fluency in calculation. However, are they the same? By using the newest editions of each country’s curriculum standards, comparisons are done on the basis of the manner of writing, with assigned grades for the range of numbers, meanings, expression, tables, and multidigit multiplication. The relationship with other specific content such as division, the use of calculators, the treatment of multiples, and mixed arithmetic operations are beyond the scope of this comparison. Those are mentioned only if there is a need to show diversity.
Problematics for Conceptualization of Multiplication
Authors: Isoda Masami , Olfos Raimundo
Published: November 2020

This chapter addresses the problematics for the conceptualization of multiplication in school mathematics and fundamental difficulties, which include semantics for defining multiplication meaningfully, syntax in relation to languages, and difficulties that originate from historical transitions. The chapter discusses the contradictions or inconsistencies in the various meanings of multiplication in school mathematics situations. Many of these problems of multiplication are originated from European languages. This discussion of these problematics provides some answers to the questions posed in Chap. 2 and provides bases for the necessity to consider the Japanese approach described in Chaps. 4, 5, 6, and 7 of this book. The terminology of multiplication discussed here is related to mathematical usages of multiplication in relation to situations and models. Educational terminology used for multiplication to explain the curriculum and task sequences for designing lessons are discussed in Chap. 4 of this book.
Teaching the Multiplication Table and Its Properties for Learning How to Learn
Authors: Olfos Raimundo , Isoda Masami
Published: November 2020

Why do the Japanese traditionally introduce multiplication up to the multiplication table in the second grade? There are four possible reasons. The first reason is that it is possible to teach. The second reason is that Japanese teachers plan the teaching sequence to teach the multiplication table as an opportunity to teach learning how to learn. The third reason is that memorizing the table itself has been recognized as a cultural practice. The fourth reason is to develop the sense of wonder with appreciation of its reasonableness. The second and the fourth reasons are discussed in Chap. 1 of this book as “learning how to learn” and “developing students who learn mathematics by and for themselves in relation to mathematical values, attitudes, ways of thinking, and ideas.” This chapter describes these four reasons in this order to illustrate the Japanese meaning of teaching content by explaining how the multiplication table and its properties are taught under the aims of mathematics education. In Chap. 1, these were described by the three pillars: human character formation for mathematical values and attitudes, mathematical thinking and ideas, and mathematical knowledge and skills.
An Ethnomathematical Perspective on the Question of the Idea of Multiplication and Learning to Multiply: The Languages and Looks Involved
Authors: Sabba Claudia Georgia , D’Ambrosio Ubiratan
Published: November 2020

This chapter invites appreciation of the development of an ethnomathematical perspective on the question of the idea of multiplication. The teaching approach described here is grounded on miniprojects that integrate diverse areas of knowledge. It reveals a style of work being performed in the Waldorf Schools of São Paulo, Brazil, where the concept of multiplication is constructed together with the geometry of plane figures through the elaboration of mathematical thinking together with figures mounted on a circular wooden table. The sequence highlights ideas of context connected to the use of cellular phones by the students to introduce the concept of proportionality by taking photos of their bodies and faces, and then using them to study Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man.
Biochar–Compost Mixtures as a Promising Solution to Organic Waste Management Within a Circular Holistic Approach
Authors: Varalta Federico , Sorvari Jaana
Published: November 2020

In the common linear economy approach, organic waste treatment mainly generates energy, due to the existing demand and the goal of reducing the use of fossil fuel. Yet recent innovations and associated products are calling for an increasingly diverse use of organic waste within a circular holistic framework where the biochar and composting mixture appears to be the key to achieving a robust solution for sustainable development. Nonetheless, the inhomogeneity of organic waste and the synergies between biochar and composting require further investigation before broad-scale field application. In this chapter, we illustrate how governmental policies should be updated and revised to effectively support the development of new sustainable solutions, that should take into account social, economic and environmental implications, as well as their mutual interactions. As a consequence, robust tools and reliable procedures to evaluate sustainability will have to be established in this new ecological structure.
Role of Cassava and Sweetpotato in Mitigating Drought in Semi-Arid Makueni County in Kenya
Authors: Githunguri C. M. , Njiru E. N.
Published: November 2020

Cassava and sweetpotato are major factors in food security across sub-Saharan Africa. Though cassava and sweetpotato varieties that are early maturing and resistant to diseases have been developed, many farmers still grow local varieties. Cassava and sweetpotato cultivars that mature between 6 and 12 and 3 and 4 months after planting, respectively, are available. The objective of the synthesis was to obtain a general overview of cassava and sweetpotato production in Matiliku subcounty of Makueni County in semi-arid eastern Kenya before the establishment of a seed system for them. Participatory rural appraisal and focused group discussions with key stakeholders in Makueni County on the current status of these crops provided very useful information. It was observed that there are a few early cassava and sweetpotato adopters, meaning a lot of effort in communicating the need to commercialize them needs to be made. Even though the farmers had sufficient experience in growing them at subsistence level, they were searching for cultivars that combine both nutritional and food security. There is a need to engage more extension service providers in order to campaign on their adoption. There is a need to carryout training and awareness creation on their role in food security and wealth creation.
Estonia: A Positive PISA Experience
Authors: Tire Gunda
Published: November 2020

According to Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) run by Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Estonian education system stands out as a high performing system where students from different socio-economic backgrounds achieve high results. In PISA 2018 Estonian students ranked first in reading and science and third in mathematics among the OECD countries. What has Estonia done to be at the top of the PISA league tables? There are many aspects that have contributed to the success of Estonian education. The following chapter will look at the historical background, describe the factors, policies and conditions that have contributed to the current educational landscape that has attracted considerable attention from all over the world.
In Memory of Sergey G. Psakhie
Authors: Shilko Evgeny V. , Popov Valentin L. , Vasiljeva Olga S. , Ostermeyer Georg-Peter
Published: November 2020

This introductory chapter is dedicated to the life and work of Sergey Grigirievich Psakhie, his outstanding contributions to the development of science and education in Russia and especially in the Tomsk region as well as to his numerous international collaborations and research interests. It further includes personal notes from some of his closest collaborators: Georg-Peter Ostermeyer, Valentin L. Popov, Lev B. Zuev and Valery V. Ruzich. The Chapter is concluded by an overview of Sergey G. Psakhie’s most significant scientific publications.
Application of Crumpled Aluminum Hydroxide Nanostructures for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Lozhkomoev Aleksandr S. , Mikhaylov Georgy , Turk Vito , Turk Boris , Vasiljeva Olga
Published: November 2020

The tumormicroenvironment regulates tumor progression and the spread of cancer in the body. Applications of nanomaterials that can dysregulate tumor-microenvironment are emerging as a promising anti-cancer approaches, which can improve the efficacy of existing cancer treatments. We have reported that agglomerates of radially assembled Al hydroxide crumpled nanosheets with the disordered defective surface structure have a large positive charge and therefore can lead to ion imbalance at the cell perimembranous space through the selective adsorption of extracellular anionic species. This effect was demonstrated in vitro by reduced viability and proliferationof tumor cells, and further validated in a murine melanoma cancer model. Furthermore, crumpled Al hydroxide nanostructures showed a much stronger suppressive effect on tumor growth in combination with a minimally effective dose of doxorubicin. Taken together, the described approach of tumor microenvironment dysregulation through selective adsorption properties of folded crumpled nanostructures opened a new avenue for development of innovative anticancer therapy strategies.
Microstructure-Based Computational Analysis of Deformation and Fracture in Composite and Coated Materials Across Multiple Spatial Scales
Authors: Balokhonov Ruslan R. , Romanova Varvara A.
Published: November 2020

A multiscale analysis is performed to investigate deformation and fracture in the aluminum-alumina composite and steel with a boride coating as an example. Model microstructure of the composite materials with irregular geometry of the matrix-particle and substrate-coating interfaces correspondent to the experimentally observed microstructure is taken into account explicitly as initial conditions of the boundary value problem that allows introducing multiple spatial scales. The problem in a plane strain formulation is solved numerically by the finite-difference method. Physically-based constitutive models are developed to describe isotropic strain hardening, strain rate and temperature effects, Luders band propagation and jerky flow, and fracture. Local regions experiencing bulk tension are found to occur during compression that control cracking of composites. Interrelated plastic strain localization in the steel substrate and aluminum matrix and crack origination and growth in the ceramic coating and particles are shown to depend on the strain rate, particle size and arrangement, as well as on the loading direction: tension or compression.
Particle-Based Approach for Simulation of Nonlinear Material Behavior in Contact Zones
Authors: Shilko Evgeny V. , Smolin Alexey Yu. , Dimaki Andrey V. , Eremina Galina M.
Published: November 2020

Methods of particles are now recognized as an effective tool for numerical modeling of dynamic mechanical and coupled processes in solids and liquids. This chapter is devoted to a brief review of recent advances in the development of the popular particle-based discrete element method (DEM). DEM is conventionally considered as a highly specialized technique for modeling the flow of granular media and the fracture of brittle materials at micro- and mesoscopic scales. However, in the last decade, great progress has been made in the development of the formalism of this method. It is largely associated with the works of the scientific group of Professor S. G. Psakhie. The most important achievement of this group is a generalized formulation of the method of homogeneously deformable discrete elements. In the chapter, we describe keystones of this implementation of DEM and a universal approach that allows one to apply various rheological models of materials (including coupled models of porous fluid-saturated solids) to a discrete element. The new formalism makes possible qualitative expansion of the scope of application of the particle-based discrete element technique to materials with various rheological properties and to the range of considered scales form microscopic to macroscopic. The capabilities of this method are especially in demand in the study of the features of contact interaction of materials. To demonstrate these capabilities, we briefly review two recent applications concerning (a) the effect of adhesive interaction on the regime of wear of surface asperities under tangential contact of bodies and (b) the nonmonotonic dependence of the stress concentration in the neck of the human femur on the dynamics of hip joint contact loading.
Study of Dynamics of Block-Media in the Framework of Minimalistic Numerical Models
Authors: Filippov Alexander E. , Popov Valentin L.
Published: November 2020

One of the principal methods of preventing large earthquakes is stimulation of a large series of small events. The result is a transfer of the rapid tectonic dynamics in a creep mode. In this chapter, we discuss possibilities for such a transfer in the framework of simplified models of a subduction zone. The proposed model describes well the basic characteristic features of geo-medium behavior, in particular, statistics of earthquakes (Gutenberg Richter and Omori laws). Its analysis shows that local relatively low-energy impacts can switch block dynamics from stick–slip to creep mode. Thus, it is possible to change the statistics of seismic energy release by means of a series of local, periodic, and relatively low energy impacts. This means a principal possibility of “suppressing” strong earthquakes. Additionally, a modified version of the Burridge-Knopoff model including a simple model for state dependent friction force is derived and studied. The friction model describes a velocity weakening of friction between moving blocks and an increase of static friction during stick periods. It provides a simplified but qualitatively correct stability diagram for the transition from smooth sliding to a stick–slip behavior as observed in various tribological systems. Attractor properties of the model dynamic equations were studied under a broad range of parameters for one- and two-dimensional systems.
Transforming Society Through Pilot and Demonstration Projects
Authors: Ryghaug Marianne , Skjølsvold Tomas Moe
Published: November 2020

This chapter introduces pilot and demonstration projects as a key mode of innovation within contemporary energy and mobility transitions. It argues that such projects are important political sites for the production of future socio-technical order. The politics of such projects are contested: on the one hand, they have been argued to remove political agency from deliberative fora in favour of private decisions, on the other hand they have been argued to constitute new democratic opportunities. This chapter situates a discussion on these issues within Science and Technology Studies (STS). The chapter further discusses the relationship between STS and some of the currently dominating approaches to sustainability transitions and argues how STS can bring new insights to the study of energy transitions and societal change. The chapter also provides basic insights into some key social and technical aspects of current energy and mobility transitions.
Catering for Socio-technical Transformations: Rethinking Technology Policy for Inclusive Transformation
Authors: Ryghaug Marianne , Skjølsvold Tomas Moe
Published: November 2020

This chapter zooms out from looking at concrete pilot projects to looking more broadly at the implications of discussions on pilot projects as sites of politics. We discuss how such a perspective might feed into the work of innovators, funding bodies and the making of broader technology policy agendas. The chapter highlights the great potential in pilot projects as a mode of innovation for energy transitions, but bring to the fore the way such innovation activities often take on traditional and technology-centred characteristics. We argue that there is a need to change not only the ways that projects are funded to ensure diverse scientific participation. It is equally important to challenge the underlying assumptions and questions asked in pilot activities, as well as the goals of such energy transition activities. This entails a distributed agenda, where actors across the ecology of innovation share responsibilities for moving towards more just, democratic and humane modes of experimenting for sustainability.
Introduction to Antimicrobial Resistance and the Maternal Sepsis Intervention
Authors: Ackers Louise , Ackers-Johnson Gavin , Welsh Joanne , Kibombo Daniel , Opio Samuel
Published: November 2020

This chapter describes the threat to global health and security caused by the growing resistance of infectious organisms to antibiotics or antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Growing global connectivity ensures that AMR is a threat to us all wherever we are and with specific impacts on Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). The chapter outlines international responses to AMR including the Global Action Plan and the impact this has had on one LMIC; Uganda. It then introduces a recent UK funding call focused on improving the management of antibiotics or ‘Antimicrobial Stewardship’.
Task Shifting, Midwifery Empowerment and the Nascence of Clinical Pharmacy
Authors: Ackers Louise , Ackers-Johnson Gavin , Welsh Joanne , Kibombo Daniel , Opio Samuel
Published: November 2020

This chapter addresses the role that the intervention has played in shaping professional engagement within the multi-disciplinary team. The existence of laboratory results has triggered the emergence of clinical pharmacy roles. The chapter traces the impact of this on prescribing behaviour and on procurement planning and hospital policies. Whilst celebrating the progress made and viability of the model, it describes the structural impact that access to antibiotics and IPC supplies has on the realisation of optimal change.
Change Processes: Multi-Disciplinary Teamwork
Authors: Ackers Louise , Ackers-Johnson Gavin , Welsh Joanne , Kibombo Daniel , Opio Samuel
Published: November 2020

This chapter examines the importance of multi-disciplinary team-working to the management of antimicrobial stewardship and behaviour change processes. MDT has played a major role in improving communication and reducing professional boundaries that had previously contributed to high levels of infection; extended use of, often inappropriate antibiotics and poor patient outcomes. The functioning of such teams facilitates the role of clinical pharmacy.
Eine nachhaltige Sicherheitskultur als Transformationsansatz für Industrie 4.0 in kleinen und mittleren Unternehmen
Authors: Digmayer Claas , Jakobs Eva-Maria , Borg Anna , Buschmeyer Achim , Hahn Cornelia , Kluge Johanna , Reinartz Jonathan , Westerbarkey Jan , Ziefle Martina
Published: November 2020

Dieser Beitrag beschreibt einen Transformationsansatz, der kleinere und mittlere Unternehmen (KMU) auf dem Weg zu Industrie 4.0 bei der Entwicklung einer digitalen Sicherheitskultur durch ein strukturiertes Vorgehensmodell sowie geeignete Strategien (Anforderungs-Analyse, Ist-Analyse, Identifikation von Nutzenpotentialen, Entwicklung von Umsetzungsinstrumenten) unterstützt. Der Transformationsansatz erweitert die eher technisch orientierten Herangehensweisen der Arbeitssicherheit, indem ein präventiv und partizipativ erarbeitetes Sicherheitskulturkonzept in den Unternehmen implementiert wird. Dabei werden etablierte Instrumente und Vorgehensmodelle des Arbeits- und Gesundheitsschutzes (AGS) erweitert und an die neuen Anforderungen der digitalisierten Arbeitswelt angepasst. KMU werden so befähigt, neue Anforderungen im AGS durch flexible Lösungen zu bewältigen sowie ein passgenaues Sicherheitskulturkonzept für Industrie 4.0 zu entwickeln und zu etablieren. In diesem Beitrag werden die dazu notwendigen Schritt aufgezeigt und anhand von Praxisbeispielen veranschaulicht. Der Beitrag schließt mit den wichtigsten Befunden (Lessons learned) bei der Etablierung einer Sicherheitskultur für Industrie 4.0.
Informatorische Assistenzsysteme in der variantenreichen manuellen Montage
Authors: Bläsing Dominic , Bornewasser Manfred , Bendzioch Sven , Hinrichsen Sven , Nikolenko Alexander , Sehr Philip
Published: November 2020

Die zunehmende Komplexität von manuellen Montageprozessen wirft in Unternehmen die Frage auf, wie die damit verbundenen Anforderungen an die Verarbeitung größerer Informationsmengen und die damit einhergehenden Zuwächse an kognitiven Beanspruchungen infolge zunehmender Unsicherheit seitens der Beschäftigten zu bewältigen sind. Eine Antwort hierauf liegt in der Integration von informatorischen Assistenzsystemen in bestehende Montagesysteme. Erklärtes Ziel solcher Assistenzsysteme ist die informatorische Unterstützung der Beschäftigten in der Form, dass in der Summe eine kognitive Entlastung erfolgt, die zu weniger Zeitverlusten und Montagefehlern und damit zu einer höheren Produktqualität führt. Dies setzt voraus, dass informatorische Assistenzsysteme nach kognitiv-ergonomischen Gesichtspunkten gestaltet sind und ihr Einsatz durch eine möglichst objektive Erfassung von kognitiven Beanspruchungen vor Ort am konkreten Arbeitsplatz begleitet wird.
Pretreatment central quality control for craniospinal irradiation in non-metastatic medulloblastoma
Authors: Dietzsch Stefan , Braesigk Annett , Seidel Clemens , Remmele Julia , Kitzing Ralf , Schlender Tina , Mynarek Martin , Geismar Dirk , Jablonska Karolina , Schwarz Rudolf , Pazos Montserrat , Walser Marc , Frick Silke , Gurtner Kristin , Matuschek Christiane , Harrabi Semi Ben , Glück Albrecht , Lewitzki Victor , Dieckmann Karin , Benesch Martin , Gerber Nicolas U. , Rutkowski Stefan , Timmermann Beate , Kortmann Rolf-Dieter
Published: November 2020

Purpose

Several studies have demonstrated the negative impact of radiotherapy protocol deviations on tumor control in medulloblastoma. In the SIOP PNET5 MB trial, a pretreatment radiotherapy quality control (RT-QC) program was introduced. A first analysis for patients enrolled in Germany, Switzerland and Austria with focus on types of deviations in the initial plan proposals and review criteria for modern radiation technologies was performed.

Methods and patients

Sixty-nine craniospinal irradiation (CSI) plans were available for detailed analyses. RT-QC was performed according to protocol definitions on dose uniformity. Because of the lack of definitions for high-precision 3D conformal radiotherapy within the protocol, additional criteria for RT-QC on delineation and coverage of clinical target volume (CTV) and planning target volume (PTV) were defined and evaluated.

Results

Target volume (CTV/PTV) deviations occurred in 49.3% of initial CSI plan proposals (33.3% minor, 15.9% major). Dose uniformity deviations were less frequent (43.5%). Modification of the RT plan was recommended in 43.5% of CSI plans. Unacceptable RT plans were predominantly related to incorrect target delineation rather than dose uniformity. Unacceptable plans were negatively correlated to the number of enrolled patients per institution with a cutoff of 5 patients (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

This prospective pretreatment individual case review study revealed a high rate of deviations and emphasizes the strong need of pretreatment RT-QC in clinical trials for medulloblastoma. Furthermore, the experiences point out the necessity of new RT-QC criteria for high-precision CSI techniques.
Upconverting nanoparticle reporter–based highly sensitive rapid lateral flow immunoassay for hepatitis B virus surface antigen
Authors: Martiskainen Iida , Talha Sheikh M. , Vuorenpää Karoliina , Salminen Teppo , Juntunen Etvi , Chattopadhyay Souvick , Kumar Dinesh , Vuorinen Tytti , Pettersson Kim , Khanna Navin , Batra Gaurav
Published: November 2020

Detection of hepatitis B Virus surface antigen (HBsAg) is an established method for diagnosing both acute and chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. In addition to enzyme immunoassays (EIAs), rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) are available for the detection of HBsAg in resource-poor settings. However, the available RDTs have inadequate sensitivity and therefore are not suitable for diagnosis of patients with low levels of HBsAg and for blood screening. To provide a high-sensitivity RDT, we developed a lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) for HBsAg utilizing upconverting nanoparticle (UCNP) reporter. The UCNP-LFIA can use whole blood, serum, or plasma and the results can be read in 30 min using a reader device. When compared with a commercial conventional visually read LFIA, the developed UCNP-LFIA had a Limit of Detection (LoD) of 0.1 IU HBsAg/ml in spiked serum, whereas the LoD of the conventional LFIA was 3.2 IU HBsAg/ml. The developed UCNP-LFIA fulfills the WHO criterion for blood screening (LoD ≤ 0.13 IU HBsAg/ml) in terms of LoD. The UCNP-LFIA and conventional LFIA were evaluated with well-characterized sample panels. The UCNP-LFIA detected 20/24 HBsAg-positive samples within the HBsAg Performance Panel and 8/10 samples within the Mixed Titer Performance Panel, whereas the conventional LFIA detected 8/24 and 4/10 samples in these panels, respectively. The performance of the assays was further evaluated with HBsAg-positive (n = 108) and HBsAg-negative (n = 315) patient samples. In comparison with a central laboratory test, UCNP-LFIA showed 95.4% (95% CI: 89.5–98.5%) sensitivity whereas sensitivity of the conventional LFIA was 87.7% (95%CI: 79.9–93.3%).
Distinct clinical and biological characteristics of acute myeloid leukemia with higher expression of long noncoding RNA KIAA0125
Authors: Wang Yu-Hung , Lin Chien-Chin , Hsu Chia-Lang , Hung Sheng-Yu , Yao Chi-Yuan , Lee Sze-Hwei , Tsai Cheng-Hong , Hou Hsin-An , Chou Wen-Chien , Tien Hwei-Fang
Published: November 2020

Expression of long non-coding RNA KIAA0125 has been incorporated in various gene expression signatures for prognostic prediction in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients, yet its functions and clinical significance remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the clinical and biological characteristics of AML bearing different levels of KIAA0125. We profiled KIAA0125 expression levels in bone marrow cells from 347 de novo AML patients and found higher KIAA0125 expression was closely associated with RUNX1 mutation, but inversely correlated with t(8;21) and t(15;17) karyotypes. Among the 227 patients who received standard chemotherapy, those with higher KIAA0125 expression had a lower complete remission rate, shorter overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) than those with lower expression. The prognostic significance was validated in both TCGA and GSE12417 cohorts. Subgroup analyses showed that higher KIAA0125 expression also predicted shorter DFS and OS in patients with normal karyotype or non-M3 AML. In multivariable analysis, higher KIAA0125 expression remained an adverse risk factor independent of age, WBC counts, karyotypes, and mutation patterns. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that higher KIAA0125 expression was associated with hematopoietic and leukemic stem cell signatures and ATP-binding cassette transporters, two predisposing factors for chemoresistance.
Bacterial Communities of Ballan Wrasse (Labrus bergylta) Eggs at a Commercial Marine Hatchery
Authors: Bone Aileen , Bekaert Michaël , Papadopoulou Athina , McMillan Stuart , Adams Alexandra , Davie Andrew , Desbois Andrew P.
Published: November 2020

Ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta, Ascanius 1767) are cleaner fish cultured in northern Europe to remove sea lice from farmed Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar, Linnaeus 1758). Despite increasing appreciation for the importance of the microbiota on the phenotypes of vertebrates including teleosts, the microbiota of wrasse eggs has yet to be described. Therefore, the aim of this present study was to describe the bacterial component of the microbiota of ballan wrasse eggs shortly after spawning and at 5 days, once the eggs had undergone a routine incubation protocol that included surface disinfection steps in a common holding tank. Triplicate egg samples were collected from each of three spawning tanks and analysis of16S rRNAgene sequences revealed that 88.6% of reads could be identified to 186 taxonomic families. At Day 0, reads corresponding to members of the Vibrionaceae, Colwelliaceae and Rubritaleaceae families were detected at greatest relative abundances. Bacterial communities of eggs varied more greatly between tanks than between samples deriving from the same tank. At Day 5, there was a consistent reduction in16S rRNAgene sequence richness across the tanks. Even though the eggs from the different tanks were incubated in a common holding tank, the bacterial communities of the eggs from the different tanks had diverged to become increasingly dissimilar. This suggests that the disinfection and incubation exerted differential effects of the microbiota of the eggs from each tank and that the influence of the tank water on the composition of the egg microbiota was lower than expected. This first comprehensive description of the ballan wrasse egg bacterial community is an initial step to understand the role and function of the microbiota on the phenotype of this fish. In future, mass DNA sequencing methods may be applied in hatcheries to screen for pathogens and as a tool to assess the health status of eggs.
Is working in a cold environment associated with musculoskeletal complaints 7–8 years later? A longitudinal analysis from the Tromsø Study
Authors: Farbu Erlend Hoftun , Höper Anje Christina , Brenn Tormod , Skandfer Morten
Published: November 2020

Objective

Exposure to a cold environment at work is associated with a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and chronic pain in cross-sectional studies. This study aims to determine the association between working in a cold environment ≥ 25% of the time and musculoskeletal complaints (MSC) 7–8 years later.

Methods

We followed participants from the sixth survey (Tromsø 6, 2007–2008) to the seventh survey (Tromsø 7, 2015–2016) of the Tromsø Study. Analyses included 2347 men and women aged 32–60 years who were not retired and not receiving full-time disability benefits in Tromsø 6. Three different binary outcomes were investigated in Tromsø 7: any MSC, severe MSC, and MSC in ≥ 3 anatomical regions. We excluded participants with severe MSC, MSC in ≥ 3 regions, or missing values in Tromsø 6. The association between working in a cold environment and future MSC were examined using Poisson regression and adjusted for age, sex, number of moderate MSC, education, physical activity at work, smoking status, body mass index, and self-reported health in Tromsø 6.

Results

258 participants reported to work in a cold environment ≥ 25% of the time in Tromsø 6. They had an increased risk of having any MSC in Tromsø 7 (incidence rate ratio 1.15; 95% confidence interval 1.03–1.29). There was no significantly increased risk of severe MSC or MSC in ≥ 3 regions.

Conclusion

Working in a cold environment was associated with future MSC, but not with future severe MSC or future MSC in ≥ 3 regions.
Matching Cut in Graphs with Large Minimum Degree
Authors: Chen Chi-Yeh , Hsieh Sun-Yuan , Le Hoang-Oanh , Le Van Bang , Peng Sheng-Lung
Published: November 2020

In a graph, a matching cut is an edge cut that is a matching. Matching Cut is the problem of deciding whether or not a given graph has a matching cut, which is known to be $${\mathsf {NP}}$$
NP
-complete. While Matching Cut is trivial for graphs with minimum degree at most one, it is $${\mathsf {NP}}$$
NP
-complete on graphs with minimum degree two. In this paper, we show that, for any given constant $$c>1$$

c
>
1

, Matching Cut is $${\mathsf {NP}}$$
NP
-complete in the class of graphs with minimum degree c and this restriction of Matching Cut has no subexponential-time algorithm in the number of vertices unless the Exponential-Time Hypothesis fails. We also show that, for any given constant $$\epsilon >0$$

ϵ
>
0

, Matching Cut remains $${\mathsf {NP}}$$
NP
-complete in the class of n-vertex (bipartite) graphs with unbounded minimum degree $$\delta >n^{1-\epsilon }$$

δ
>

n

1
-
ϵ

. We give an exact branching algorithm to solve Matching Cut for graphs with minimum degree $$\delta \ge 3$$

δ
≥
3

in $$O^*(\lambda ^n)$$

O
∗

(

λ
n

)

time, where $$\lambda$$
λ
is the positive root of the polynomial $$x^{\delta +1}-x^{\delta }-1$$

x

δ
+
1

-

x
δ

-
1

. Despite the hardness results, this is a very fast exact exponential-time algorithm for Matching Cut on graphs with large minimum degree; for instance, the running time is $$O^*(1.0099^n)$$

O
∗

(
1
.

0099
n

)

on graphs with minimum degree $$\delta \ge 469$$

δ
≥
469

. Complementing our hardness results, we show that, for any two fixed constants $$1< c <4$$

1
<
c
<
4

and $$c^{\prime }\ge 0$$

c
′

≥
0

, Matching Cut is solvable in polynomial time for graphs with large minimum degree $$\delta \ge \frac{1}{c}n-c^{\prime }$$

δ
≥

1
c

n
-

c
′

.
Gefäß(endo)protheseninfektionen: Erfahrungen und Lehren aus 8 Jahren prospektiver Begleitung der VASGRA-Kohorte am Universitätsspital Zürich
Authors: Mayer Dieter O. , Hasse Barbara
Published: November 2020

Gefäß(endo)protheseninfektionen (GEPI) nach offener Chirurgie oder nach interventioneller Behandlung sind gefürchtete Komplikationen mit weitreichenden Konsequenzen für die betroffenen Patienten. Die Morbiditäts- und Mortalitätsraten des heute immer noch weitgehend gültigen Goldstandards, nämlich die radikale Prothesenentfernung mit in-situ oder extraanatomischer Rekonstruktion, teilweise kombiniert mit plastisch-chirurgischer Deckung, sind generell hoch. 2013 initiierten wir am Universitätsspital Zürich (USZ) deshalb die prospektive Vascular-Graft-(VASGRA)-Kohortenstudie mit dem Ziel, generell vorhandene Unsicherheiten und Unklarheiten bezüglich GEPI zu erforschen und einen allgemeingültigen Managementpfad für GEPI Szilagyi Grad 3 bzw. Samson Grad 3–5 zu entwickeln. Der neue Ansatz bestand darin, extra- und intrakavitäre GEPI mit einem möglichst minimal-invasiven, die Prothese erhaltenden oder teilerhaltenden Konzept unter lokaler NPWT multidisziplinär zu behandeln und zu erforschen. Zum gegenwärtigen Zeitpunkt haben wir umfassende Informationen zu 180 prospektiven Patienten mit GEPI in der Datenbank. Die Indexoperationen bei diesen Patienten mit nachgewiesenem GEPI waren Operationen der thorakalen Aorta (55), Operationen der abdominalen Aorta und/oder Iliakalarterien (92) und infrainguinale Gefäßoperationen (33). Die zensurierte 2‑Jahresmortalität der intrakavitären GEPI beträgt 25 %, diejenige der extrakavitären GEPI ist, nicht signifikant, leicht darunter. Die durch einen GEPI direkt bedingte Langzeit-Mortalität in der VASGRA-Kohortenstudie beträgt 8 %. Zur niedrigen Kurz- und Langzeitmortalität beigetragen haben unserer Ansicht nach das von Beginn weg gelebte multidisziplinäre Gesamtkonzept und neu gewonnene Erkenntnisse der Bildgebung und mikrobiologischen Diagnostik.
Towards environmentally sound intensification pathways for dairy development in the Tanga region of Tanzania
Authors: Notenbaert An , Groot Jeroen C.J. , Herrero Mario , Birnholz Celine , Paul Birthe K. , Pfeifer Catherine , Fraval Simon , Lannerstad Mats , McFadzean Jamie N. , Dungait Jennifer A.J. , Morris Joanne , Ran Ylva , Barron Jennie , Tittonell Pablo
Published: November 2020

The gap between milk demand and domestic supply in Tanzania is large and projected to widen. Meeting such demand through local production of affordable milk presents an opportunity to improve the welfare of producers and market agents through the income and employment generated along the value chain (VC). Efforts to maximize milk yields, production and profitability need to be balanced with long-term sustainability. We combined environmental and economic ex-ante impact assessments of four intervention scenarios for two production systems in the Tanzanian dairy VC using the CLEANED model and an economic feasibility analysis. Intervention scenarios propose increases in milk production through (i) animal genetic improvement, (ii) improved feed, (iii) improved animal health and (iv) a package combining all interventions. Results show that economically feasible farm-level productivity increases of up to 140% go hand-in-hand with increased resource-use efficiency and up to 50% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensities. Absolute increases in water, land and nitrogen requirements in mixed crop-livestock systems call for careful management of stocks and quality of these resources. An overall rise in GHG emissions is expected, with a maximum of 53% increase associated with an 89% increase in milk supply at VC level. The CLEANED tool proved effective to evaluate livestock interventions that improve incomes and food security with minimal environmental footprint. Here, our simulations suggest that due to current low productivity, the greatest efficiency gains in combination with relatively low increases in total GHG emissions can be made in the extensive agro-pastoral dairy systems, which represent the majority of herds.