bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Naturalistic Driving Observation for Assessing Elderly Drivers: Implementing a Contemporary Research Approach in Clinical Use
Authors: Rubin Varda , Josman Naomi , Mazer Barbara , Kizony Rachel
Published: July 2020

Date Presented 03/26/20

The naturalistic driving observation is an appropriate method for assessing fitness-to-drive of elderly drivers. By utilizing this unique assessment, real-life driving performance is captured, enabling the reduction of test-related discomfort associated with the current gold standard test of driving ability, the standard on-road driving evaluation. OTs could consider incorporating this assessment that is structured, score-based, and individualized for each driver.

Primary Author and Speaker: Varda Rubin

Contributing Authors: Naomi Josman, Barbara Mazer, Rachel Kizony
Integrating an OT Health and Wellness Program (OT-HAWP) Into a Cancer Community Site: Outcomes of a Four-Week Intervention Program
Authors: Polo Katie , Sommers Sharaya
Published: July 2020

Date Presented 03/26/20

The results of a four-week quasi-experimental pretest-posttest research study examining the effectiveness of an OT-HAWP on health-related quality of life, fatigue, sleep quality, and self-perceived satisfaction or performance of daily activities of cancer survivors in the community setting will be presented. Understanding these results allows OTs to consider practicing this effective intervention and to discern their role within an emerging practice area in cancer survivorship.

Primary Author and Speaker: Katie Polo

Additional Authors and Speakers: Sharaya Sommers
Examining Hyper-Reactivity to Defecation-Related Sensations in Children With Functional Defecation Disorders (FDD)
Authors: Beaudry-Bellefeuille Isabelle , Lane Shelly , Lane Alison , Ramos-Polo Eduardo
Published: July 2020

Date Presented 03/27/20

This study investigated the relationship between sensory reactivity and FDD. Parents of three- to six-year-old children with and without FDD completed two questionnaires: the Toileting Habit Profile Questionnaire-Revised and the Short Sensory Profile. Children with FDD had higher levels of sensory hyper-reactivity. Screening for sensory hyper-reactivity may be important when working with children with FDD who have difficulty participating in toileting routines.

Primary Author and Speaker: Isabelle Beaudry-Bellefeuille

Additional Authors and Speakers: Shelly Lane

Contributing Authors: Alison Lane, Eduardo Ramos-Polo
Effect of the Addition of La2O3 on the Properties of ZrO2-Al2O3 Ceramic Composites for Coatings in Aerospace Turbines
Authors: Gomes Natasha Lopes , Domingues Rebeka Oliveira , Silva Noelle D’Emery Gomes , Lucindo Vitor de Moura , Ferreira Ricardo Artur Sanguinetti , Yadava Yogendra Prasad
Published: July 2020

Ceramic matrix composites have attracted the interest of turbine manufacturers for use in coating hot sections because of their higher capacity to withstand high temperatures and because they have a lower requirement for air cooling. One of the most commonly used ceramic coatings is zirconia-yttria. However, its main disadvantage is the inherent fragility of ceramics, which limits the use of these materials in mechanical structures and industrial applications. Ceramics are generally reinforced with the incorporation of additives to reduce their brittleness and increase their mechanical strength and toughness. It is known that La2O3 which are potential source for stabilization of zirconia composites. In this context, ZrO2-Al2O3-La2O3 based ceramic matrix composites were developed for deposition of a thermal barrier coating on the substrate of exhaust nozzles of aerospace turbines varying the content of La2O3 by 5, 7 and 10 wt%. The composites were produced by a thermomechanical process and sintered at 1385 °C. The properties of these composites were studied by X-ray diffraction, relative density, scanning electron microscopy, and Vickers microhardness tests. The results indicate that the composite with 10% La2O3 has great potential for use as ceramic coatings of turbine exhaust nozzles in the aerospace industry.
Large difference in aerosol radiative effects from BVOC-SOA treatment in three Earth system models
Authors: Sporre Moa K. , Blichner Sara M. , Schrödner Roland , Karset Inger H. H. , Berntsen Terje K. , van Noije Twan , Bergman Tommi , O'Donnell Declan , Makkonen Risto
Published: July 2020

Abstract. Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) emitted from vegetation are oxidised in the atmosphere and can form aerosol particles either by contributing to new particle formation or by condensing onto existing aerosol particles. As the understanding of the importance of BVOCs for aerosol formation has increased over the years, these processes have made their way into Earth system models (ESMs). In this study, sensitivity experiments are run with three different ESMs (the Norwegian Earth System Model (NorESM), EC-Earth and ECHAM) to investigate how the direct and indirect aerosol radiative effects are affected by changes in the formation of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) from BVOCs. In the first two sensitivity model experiments, the yields of SOA precursors from oxidation of BVOCs are changed by ±50 %. For the third sensitivity test, the formed oxidation products do not participate in the formation of new particles but are only allowed to condense onto existing aerosols. In the last two sensitivity experiments, the emissions of BVOC compounds (isoprene and monoterpenes) are turned off, one at a time. The goal of the study is to investigate whether it is of importance to treat SOA formation processes correctly in the models rather than to evaluate the correctness of the current treatment in the models. The results show that the impact on the direct radiative effect (DRE) is linked to the changes in the SOA production in the models, where more SOA leads to a stronger DRE and vice versa. However, the magnitude by which the DRE changes (maximally 0.15 W m−2 globally averaged) in response to the SOA changes varies between the models, with EC-Earth displaying the largest changes. The results for the cloud radiative effects (CREs) are more complicated than for the DRE. The changes in CRE differ more among the ESMs, and for some sensitivity experiments they even have different signs. The most sensitive models are NorESM and EC-Earth, which have CRE changes of up to 0.82 W m−2. The varying responses in the different models are connected to where in the aerosol size distributions the changes in mass and number due to SOA formation occur, in combination with the aerosol number concentration levels in the models. We also find that interactive gas-phase chemistry as well as the new particle formation parameterisation has important implications for the DRE and CRE in some of the sensitivity experiments. The results from this study indicate that BVOC-SOA treatment in ESMs can have a substantial impact on the modelled climate but that the sensitivity varies greatly between the models. Since BVOC emissions have changed historically and will continue to change in the future, the spread in model results found in this study implies uncertainty into ESM estimates of aerosol forcing from land-use change and BVOC feedback strengths.
Non-target and suspect characterisation of organic contaminants in Arctic air – Part 2: Application of a new tool for identification and prioritisation of chemicals of emerging Arctic concern in air
Authors: Röhler Laura , Schlabach Martin , Haglund Peter , Breivik Knut , Kallenborn Roland , Bohlin-Nizzetto Pernilla
Published: July 2020

Abstract. The Norwegian Arctic possesses a unique environment for
the detection of new potential chemicals of emerging Arctic concern (CEACs)
due to remoteness, sparse population and the low number of local
contamination sources. Hence, a contaminant present in Arctic air is still
considered a priority indication for its environmental stability and
environmental mobility. Today, legacy persistent organic pollutants (POPs)
and related conventional environmental pollutants are already well-studied
because of their identification as Arctic pollutants in the 1980s. Many of them
are implemented and reported in various national and international
monitoring activities including the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme
(AMAP). These standard monitoring schemes, however, are based on compound-specific quantitative analytical methods. Under such conditions, the
possibility for the identification of hitherto unidentified contaminants is
limited and random at best. Today, new and advanced technological
developments allow a broader, unspecific analytical approach as either
targeted multicomponent analysis or suspect and non-target screening
strategies. In order to facilitate such a wide range of compounds, a
wide-scope sample clean-up method for high-volume air samples based on a
combination of adsorbents was applied, followed by comprehensive
two-dimensional gas chromatography separation and low-resolution
time-of-flight mass spectrometric detection (GC × GC-LRMS). During
the study reported here, simultaneous non-target and suspect screening were
applied. The detection of over 700 compounds of interest in the particle
phase and over 1200 compounds in the gaseous phase is reported. Of those, 62 compounds were confirmed with reference standards and 90 compounds with a
probable structure (based upon mass spectrometric interpretation and library
spectrum comparison). These included compounds already detected in Arctic
matrices and compounds not detected previously (see also
Fig. 1). In addition, 241 compounds were assigned
a tentative structure or compound class. Hitherto unknown halogenated
compounds, which are not listed in the mass spectral libraries used, were
also detected and partly identified.
Capturing temporal heterogeneity in soil nitrous oxide fluxes with a robust and low-cost automated chamber apparatus
Authors: Lawrence Nathaniel C. , Hall Steven J.
Published: July 2020

Abstract. Soils play an important role in Earth's climate system through
their regulation of trace greenhouse gases. Despite decades of soil gas flux
measurements using manual chamber methods, limited temporal coverage has led
to high uncertainty in flux magnitude and variability, particularly during
peak emission events. Automated chamber measurement systems can collect
high-frequency (subdaily) measurements across various spatial scales but
may be prohibitively expensive or incompatible with field conditions. Here
we describe the construction and operational details for a robust,
relatively inexpensive, and adaptable automated dynamic (steady-state)
chamber measurement system modified from previously published methods, using
relatively low cost analyzers to measure nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon
dioxide (CO2). The system was robust to intermittent flooding of
chambers, long tubing runs (>100 m), and operational temperature extremes (−12 to 39 ∘C) and was entirely powered by solar energy.
Using data collected between 2017 and 2019 we tested the underlying principles
of chamber operation and examined N2O diel variation and rain-pulse
timing that would be difficult to characterize using infrequent manual
measurements. Stable steady-state flux dynamics were achieved during 29 min
chamber closure periods at a relatively low flow rate (2 L min−1).
Instrument performance and calculated fluxes were minimally impacted by
variation in air temperature and water vapor. Measurements between 08:00 and
12:00 LT were closest to the daily mean N2O and CO2 emission. Afternoon fluxes (12:00–16:00 LT) were 28 % higher than the daily mean for
N2O (4.04 vs. 3.15 nmol m−2 s−1) and were 22 % higher for CO2 (4.38 vs. 3.60 µmolm-2s-1). High rates of N2O emission are frequently observed after precipitation. Following four discrete rainfall events, we found a 12–26 h delay before peak N2O flux, which would be difficult to capture with manual measurements. Our observation of substantial and variable diel trends and rapid but variable onset of high N2O emissions following rainfall supports the need for
high-frequency measurements.
Historical aurora borealis catalog for Anatolia and Constantinople (hABcAC) during the Eastern Roman Empire period: implications for past solar activity
Authors: Maden Nafiz
Published: July 2020

Abstract. Herein, Anatolian aurorae are reviewed based on the existing catalogs to establish a relationship between the aurora observations and past solar activity during the Medieval period. For this purpose, historical aurora catalogs for Constantinople and Anatolia are compiled based on the
existing catalogs and compared with those in the Middle East region. The available catalogs in the literature are mostly related to the records observed in Europe, Japan, China, Russia, and the Middle East. There is no study dealing only with the historical aurora observations recorded in Anatolia and Constantinople. The data of the catalog show that there is a considerable relationship
between the aurora activity and past strong solar activity. High auroral
activity around the extreme solar particle storm in 774/775 and the Medieval grand maximum in the 1100s in Anatolia and the Middle East is quite consistent with the past solar variability reported in other scientific literature.
A regional hindcast model simulating ecosystem dynamics, inorganic carbon chemistry, and ocean acidification in the Gulf of Alaska
Authors: Hauri Claudine , Schultz Cristina , Hedstrom Katherine , Danielson Seth , Irving Brita , Doney Scott C. , Dussin Raphael , Curchitser Enrique N. , Hill David F. , Stock Charles A.
Published: July 2020

Abstract. The coastal ecosystem of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) is especially vulnerable to the effects of ocean acidification and climate change. Detection of these long-term trends requires a good understanding of the system’s natural state. The GOA is a highly dynamic system that exhibits large inorganic carbon variability on subseasonal to interannual timescales. This variability is poorly understood due to the lack of observations in this expansive and remote region. We developed a new model setup for the GOA that couples the three-dimensional Regional Oceanic Model System (ROMS) and the Carbon, Ocean Biogeochemistry and Lower Trophic (COBALT) ecosystem model. To improve our conceptual understanding of the system, we conducted a hindcast simulation from 1980 to 2013. The model was explicitly forced with temporally and spatially varying coastal freshwater discharges from a high-resolution terrestrial hydrological model, thereby affecting salinity, alkalinity, dissolved inorganic carbon, and nutrient concentrations. This represents a substantial improvement over previous GOA modeling attempts. Here, we evaluate the model on seasonal to interannual timescales using the best available inorganic carbon observations. The model was particularly successful in reproducing observed aragonite oversaturation and undersaturation of near-bottom water in May and September, respectively. The largest deficiency in the model is its inability to adequately simulate springtime surface inorganic carbon chemistry, as it overestimates surface dissolved inorganic carbon, which translates into an underestimation of the surface aragonite saturation state at this time. We also use the model to describe the seasonal cycle and drivers of inorganic carbon parameters along the Seward Line transect in under-sampled months. Model output suggests that the majority of the near-bottom water along the Seward Line is seasonally undersaturated with respect to aragonite between June and January, as a result of upwelling and remineralization. Such an extensive period of reoccurring aragonite undersaturation may be harmful to ocean acidification-sensitive organisms. Furthermore, the influence of freshwater not only decreases the aragonite saturation state in coastal surface waters in summer and fall, but it simultaneously decreases the surface partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO2), thereby decoupling the aragonite saturation state from pCO2. The full seasonal cycle and geographic extent of the GOA region is under-sampled, and our model results give new and important insights for months of the year and areas that lack in situ inorganic carbon observations.
A revision of Ophidiaster davidsoni de Loriol and Pellat 1874 from the Tithonian of Boulogne (France) and its transfer from the Valvatacea to the new forcipulatacean genus Psammaster gen. nov.
Authors: Fau Marine , Villier Loïc , Ewin Timothy A. M. , Gale Andrew S.
Published: July 2020

Abstract. Forcipulatacea is one of the three major groups of extant
sea stars (Asteroidea: Echinodermata), composed of 400 extant species, but
only known from fewer than 25 fossil species. Despite unequivocal members
being recognized in the early Jurassic, the evolutionary history of this
group is still the subject of debate. Thus, the identification of any new
fossil representatives is significant. We here reappraise Ophidiaster davidsoni de Loriol and
Pellat 1874 from the Tithonian of Boulogne, France, which was assigned to
another major extant group, the Valvatacea, and reassign it within a new
forcipulatacean genus, Psammaster gen. nov. Psammaster davidsoni gen. nov. possess key Forcipulatacea
synapomorphies including compressed ambulacrals and adambulacrals and
typical organization of the body wall and arm ossicles. A phylogenetic
analysis including Psammaster davidsoni gen. nov. does not place it within any existing
forcipulatacean family. Instead, Psammaster davidsoni gen. nov. exhibits a mix of plesiomorphic
and derived characters and is resolved as a sister clade to a large group
including the Asteriidae, Stichasteridae, and Heliasteridae. Removal of this
species from the Ophidiasteridae means their oldest fossil representative
now dates from the Santonian, Upper Cretaceous.
Validation of the Dynamic Core of the PALM Model System 6.0 in
Urban Environments: LES andWind-tunnel Experiments
Authors: Gronemeier Tobias , Surm Kerstin , Harms Frank , Leitl Bernd , Maronga Björn , Raasch Siegfried
Published: July 2020

Abstract. We present the capability of PALM 6.0, the latest version of the PALM model system, to simulate neutrally stratified urban boundary layers. The studied situation includes a real-case building setup of the HafenCity area in Hamburg, Germany. Simulation results are validated against wind-tunnel measurements of the same building layout utilizing PALM's virtual measurement module. The comparison reveals an overall very high agreement between simulation results and wind-tunnel measurements not only for mean wind speed and direction but also for turbulence statistics. However, differences between measurements and simulation arise within close vicinity of surfaces where the resolution prevents good representation of the inertial sub-range of turbulence. In the end, we give guidance how these differences can be reduced using already implemented features of PALM.
Survival of the Qaidam mega-lake system under mid-Pliocene climates and its restoration under future climates
Authors: Scherer Dieter
Published: July 2020

Abstract. The Qaidam Basin in the north of the Tibetan Plateau has undergone drastic environmental changes during the last millions of years.
During the Pliocene, the Qaidam Basin contained a freshwater mega-lake
system although the surrounding regions showed increasingly arid climates.
With the onset of the Pleistocene glaciations, lakes began to shrink and finally disappeared almost completely. Today, hyperarid climate conditions
prevail in the low-altitude parts of the Qaidam Basin. The question of how the mega-lake system was able to withstand the regional trend of aridification
for millions of years has remained enigmatic so far. This study reveals that the mean annual water balance, i.e. the mean annual change in terrestrial water storage in the Qaidam Basin, is nearly zero under present climate
conditions due to positive values of net precipitation in the high mountain
ranges and shows positive annual values during warmer, less dry years. This finding provides a physically based explanation for how mid-Pliocene climates
could have sustained the mega-lake system and that near-future climates not much different from present conditions could cause water storage in
reservoirs, raising lake levels and expanding lake areas, and may even result in restoration of the mega-lake system over geological timescales. The study reveals that a region discussed as being an analogue to Mars due to
its hyperarid environments is at a threshold under present climate
conditions and may switch from negative values of long-term mean annual water balance that have prevailed during the last 2.6 million years to
positive ones in the near future.
Coseismic fluid–rock interactions in the Beichuan-Yingxiu surface rupture zone of the Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake and its implication for the fault zone transformation
Authors: Wang Yangyang , Gao Xiaoqi , Li Sijia , Wang Shiyuan , Shi Deyang , Shen Weibing
Published: July 2020

Abstract. Mechanism of fluids in modifying mineralogy and geochemistry of the fault zone and the role of rock-fluid interaction in the faulting weakening is still debatable. Through analyzing mineralogical compositions, major elements as well as micro-structural characteristics of outcrop samples including wall rocks, low damage zone, high damage zone and oriented fault gouge samples from principal slip zone gouges, mineralogical and geochemical variations of the fault-rocks is observed from Shaba outcrop of Beichuan-Yingxiu surface rupture zone of the Mw 7.9 Wenchuan earthquake, China. The element enrichment/depletion pattern of fault rock shows excellent consistency with the variation pattern of minerals in terms of the notable feldspar alteration and decomposition, decarbonization, coseismic illitization, and chloritization that occurs in the fault zone. The Isocon analysis indicates that the overall mass loss amount of the Shaba fault zone is ranked as low damage zone
A Sociolinguistic Study of Street Names in Amman, Jordan
Authors: Hsiyan Ahmad Saleem Ali
Published: July 2020

The present study investigates street names in Amman, Jordan from a sociolinguistic point of view. It is mainly concerned with categorizing these names and investigating the reasons behind using them, which leads necessarily to an investigation of the relationship between street names and culture. For the purpose of the study, a total of 845 street names were obtained from Amman Greater Municipality. Data shows that street names can be classified into five major categories: names of Arabic/Islamic significance, names of nationalistic significance, geographical place names, or names expressing abstract and religious values, and names from nature. This study also shows that names of Arabic/Islamic significance form the largest group of street names in the sample. A questionnaire is also designed and distributed to 50 people who live in Amman with the purpose of answering questions of the study. The analysis shows that the public would select names of Arabic/Islamic significance if they were to name a street.
Unaccusativity and Perfect Auxiliary Selection in Romance: Theory and an Observational Study in Second Language Acquisition
Authors: Sams Christopher D.
Published: July 2020

The aim of this paper is to investigate the properties associated with unaccusativity and the selection of auxiliary verbs (AUX) in the perfect tenses of the modern Romance languages. The modern languages that have a split-AUX system (such as Italian and French) operate under a principle in which some intransitive verbs select the equivalent of to be as their AUX in the compound past tenses, and others select the equivalent of to have. In research I have conducted over the past decade in the Italian language classroom, Bentley and Eythórsson’s auxiliary selection hierarchy (ASH) is best suited to explain how L2 Italian learners acquire the ability to make the appropriate surface AUX selection.
Six Poems from Blossoms in Snow: Austrian Refugees in Manhattan
Authors: Parker Joshua
Published: July 2020

Among the estimated 135,000 Austrians who fled the country after the Anschluss of 1938 were some 1,200 writers. A good number of these were among the estimated 35,000 Europeans coming through Austria to the United States just before and during the Second World War. Among this lost generation of Austrian authors were some of the best literary voices of their day, offering timely observations on the experience of exile and on America. Many remained in the United States at the war's end, often taking US citizenship. Yet because many of them continued over their lifetimes to write and publish in German, most American readers still have yet to hear their voices or their stories. Examples are provided here of some of the poetry of Ulrich Becher, Guido Zernatto, and Ernst Waldinger.
Dancing monkeys in Serbian and Korean – exhaustivity requirements on distributive share markers
Authors: Bosnić Ana , Spenader Jennifer , Demirdache Hamida
Published: July 2020

In some languages, distributive markers/quantifiers can attach to the argument that is being distributed (the distributive share), as opposed to the restrictor of the sentence (the distributive key). Researchers agree that distributive share markers can also distribute over events (and not only individuals), but disagree as to what these markers are semantically – universal distributive quantifiers or event plurality (pluractional) markers. In this paper, we experimentally probe spatial event distribution. On a universal quantification account, exhaustive distribution over a spatial distributive key is enforced, while on the pluractional analysis there is no such requirement. We carried out two picture verification experiments to test exhaustivity requirements in intransitive sentences with distributive share markers from two typologically different languages: the Serbian marker po and the Korean marker -ssik. We found evidence for an exhaustivity requirement over pluralities of non-atomic individuals (groups), but not over designated spatial locations. We interpret these findings as evidence that the semantics of (spatial) event distribution with distributive share markers involves a (spatial) distributive key. Specifically, po/-ssik have a universal quantificational force (with a meaning akin to per (each)) establishing a distributive relation between individual events and elements of the spatial distributive key. Plural individuals made salient in the visual input can serve to divide up the spatial key into chunks of space that have to be exhausted.
Weighting features by the value displacement rebound
Authors: Yatsko Andrew
Published: July 2020

Learning from examples draws on similarity, a concept which formalisation leads to the notion of instance space. Continuous spaces are easier to embrace since, unlike discrete, they often can be seen as hyper-constructs of 3D. Unsurprisingly, the instance-based learning methods are more developed for continuous domains than for discrete ones. The value difference metric (VDM) is one of the few examples of metrics for discrete spaces. Mixed reports about utility of VDM exist. In this paper VDM is compared with another approach where data features are weighted by the Information Gain. Some vulnerabilities of VDM are identified. A weighting method, nothing like VDM, although inspired by the former, is proposed. The results are in favour of the new weighting scheme with illustration of utility for health diagnostics.
A drug-coated balloon treatment for urethral stricture disease: Two-year results from the ROBUST I study
Authors: Mann Rachel A. , Virasoro Ramon , DeLong Jessica M. , Estrella Rafael E. , Pichardo Merycarla , Rodríguez Lay Ramon , Espino Gustavo , Roth Joshua D. , Elliott Sean P.
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Mechanical balloon dilation and direct visualization internal urethrotomy (DVIU) are the most widely used treatments for urethral stricture disease in the U.S., but recurrence rates are high, especially after re-treatment. This study investigates the safety and efficacy of the Optilume™ paclitaxel-coated balloon for the treatment of recurrent strictures.

Methods: Men with recurrent bulbar strictures ≤2 cm with 1–4 prior endoscopic treatments were treated with the Optilume™ drug-coated balloon. Patients were evaluated within 14 days, three, six, 12, and 24 months post-treatment. The primary safety endpoint was serious urinary adverse events. The primary efficacy endpoint was ≥50% improvement in International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) at 24 months. Secondary outcomes included quality of life, erectile function, flow rate, and post-void residual urine volume.

Results: A total of 53 subjects were enrolled and treated; 46 completed the 24-month followup. Forty-three percent of men had undergone >1 previous dilations, with a mean of 1.7 prior dilations. There were no serious adverse events related to treatment at two years. Success was achieved in 32/46 (70%), and baseline IPSS improved from a mean of 25.2 to 6.9 at 24 months (p<0.0001). Quality of life, flow rate, and post-void residual urine volumes improved significantly from baseline. There was no impact on erectile function.

Conclusions: Two-year data indicates the Optilume™ paclitaxel-coated balloon is safe for the treatment of recurrent bulbar urethral strictures. Early efficacy results are encouraging and support further followup of these men through five years, as well as further investigation with a randomized trial.
Comparison of a magnetic retrieval device vs. flexible cystoscopy for removal of ureteral stents in renal transplant patients: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kapoor Anil , Akerman Jason , Wong Emily , Vasisth Gaurav , Hassan Fadil , Tajzler Camilla , Piercey Kevin , Hoogenes Jen , Lambe Shahid
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Placement of a ureteral stent at the time of renal transplantation can reduce complications when compared to non-stented anastomoses. Removal by flexible cystoscopy can be associated with discomfort, risk for infection, and high costs. New magnetic stents offer a means of bypassing cystoscopy by use of a magnetic retrieval device. Our objective was to compare clinical and cost-related outcomes of conventional and magnetic stents in patients undergoing deceased donor renal transplantation.

Methods: Patients were randomized to receive either a conventional or a Black-Star® magnetic stent. Clinical, procedural, and cost outcomes were assessed, and the Ureteral Stent Symptom Questionnaire (USSQ) was administered with the stent in situ and after stent removal. All variables were compared between groups.

Results: Forty-one patients were randomized to conventional (n=19) or Black-Star (n=22) stent. The total time for stent removal under cystoscopy was significantly longer compared to Black-Star removal (6.67±2.47 and 4.80±2.21 minutes, respectively; p=0.019). No differences were found in the USSQ domains between groups. Rates of urinary tract infections and surgical complications between groups were similar. Stent removal was well-tolerated in both groups. Black-Star stent use resulted in a cost savings of $304.02 Canadian dollars (CAD) per case.

Conclusions: USSQ scores suggest that stent removal with the Black-Star magnetic stent is as equally well-tolerated as flexible cystoscopy by renal transplant patients. Black-Star stent removal was significantly faster than conventional stents. No differences in discomfort, infection rate, or complication rate were found. Use of the Black-Star stent resulted in an estimated annual savings of $27 360 CAD at our centre.
A Fully Immersive Virtual Reality Method for Upper Limb Rehabilitation in Spinal Cord Injury
Authors: Lim Da Young , Hwang Dong Min , Cho Kang Hee , Moon Chang Won , Ahn So Young
Published: July 2020

Objective To determine whether a fully immersive virtual reality (VR) intervention combined with conventional rehabilitation (CR) can improve upper limb function more than CR alone in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), we conducted a prospective, randomized, controlled clinical trial.Methods Participants were randomly assigned to either the control group (CG; n=10) or experimental group (EG; n=10). The participants in the CG received 60 minutes of conventional therapy per day, 4 days per week for 4 weeks, whereas those in the EG received 30 minutes of VR training and 30 minutes of conventional therapy per day, 4 days per week for 4 weeks. The clinical outcome measures included Medical Research Council grade, the American Spinal Injury Association upper extremity motor score (ASIA-UEMS), and scores in the Hand Strength Test, Box and Block Test, Nine-Hole Peg Test, Action Research Arm Test, and Korean version of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure (K-SCIM). The assessments were performed at the beginning (T0) and end of the intervention (T1).Results Grip power and K-SCIM score significantly improved in the EG after the intervention. When comparing differences between the groups, elbow extensor, wrist extensor, ASIA-UEMS, grip power, lateral pinch power, and palmar pinch power were all significantly improved.Conclusion VR training of upper limb function after SCI can provide an acceptable adjunctive rehabilitation method without significant adverse effects.
Sense of Place and Placelessness of Urban Open Spaces in Dar es Salaam
Authors: Sanga Edson E , Mbisso Daniel A
Published: July 2020

Provision of urban open spaces, such as parks and squares has been manifested during planning and designing of cities with the goal of enhancing ecological, social and economic benefits. Socially, it is argued that urban open spaces offer urban residents solace and recreational platforms where residents can interact and perform active and passive recreational activities. Through observations and interviews conducted in two urban squares in Dar es Salaam, it has been revealed that the spaces do not produce a sense of place to its users due to low frequency of visitors and unintended uses. This paper concludes that in order to enhance sense of place, the provision of urban open spaces should address the socio-cultural everyday experiences and desires of the target population.
Assessment of the Spatial Relationship between Air Pollutants in Kaduna Metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Daful M. G. , Adewuyi T. O. , Muhammad M. N. , Oluwole O. A. , Dadan-Garba A. , Ezeamaka C. K.
Published: July 2020

This study analyzes the varying spatial relationship between air pollutants [Carbon monoxide (CO), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Carbon dioxide (CO2) and Particulate Matter (PM2.5 and PM10)] in Kaduna metropolis. This was aimed at having more insight into be characteristics of air pollutants in the study area, which was geared towards efficient environmental management of the city. Validated portable pollutant monitors (MSA Altair 5x Gas Detectora, CO2 meter Model AZ-0002-DL and CW-HAT200 Particulate Counter) were utilized for data collection, on the concentration of air pollutants CO and SO2; CO2 and particulate matters (PM2.5 and PM10) respectively. Pearson correlation and Geographical Weighed Regression (GWR) were used for data analysis, whereas, maps and tables were utilized for data presentation. The findings revealed that a non - perfect positive linear relationship exists between the air pollutants. The GWR model revealed that the distribution of the local R2 values vary spatially across Kaduna Metropolis, indicating that there is a spatially varying relationship between the air pollutants. Higher R2 values were mostly in the central and southern part of the metropolis except for PM2.5 and PM10 in the Northern part of the metropolis. The finding further reveals that CO has the strongest association with SO2, SO2 has the strongest association with PM2.5 and PM10, CO2 with SO2, PM10 has the highest association with PM2.5, likewise PM2.5 with PM10. The use of GWR to establish the existence of locally varying relationship between the air pollutants was successful. Hence, this study recommends the use of GWR to model air pollutants in cities with limited monitoring capability.
Potential of Jackfruit Waste for Biogas, Briquettes and as a Carbondioxide Sink-A Review
Authors: Nsubuga Denis , Banadda Noble , Kabenge Isa , Wydra Kerstin D.
Published: July 2020

One of the key aspects of a green economic development model of a country is to develop indigenous resources and local expertise while utilizing sustainable technologies. This review explored the possibilities of utilizing jackfruit waste for production of biogas, briquettes and biochar. In many of the developing countries, there is huge potential for organic waste conversion into appropriate energy solutions. These can contribute to developing rural areas especially small holder farmers and diversifying the available energy sources. Biomass waste like jackfruit waste when managed well can produce bio-energy, but also the GHG emissions need to be reduced from unmanaged, decomposing organic material. When put to use, agricultural biowastes like jackfruit waste could be used as raw materials in the production of bio-products (biofuels, biochar, bio pesticides), briquettes, among others. The biochar can be mixed with the soil producing carbon-rich soils and contribute to CO2 sequestration and soil fertility. This paper reviews works focused on using jackfruit waste for anaerobically producing of biogas, briquettes and biochar for improved crop production. The paper concluded that jackfruit waste can anaerobically decompose to produce biogas and it can also be used for briquette production. It was further concluded that jackfruit waste can undergo decomposition at high temperatures to produce biochar which can be incorporated into the soil creating a CO2 sink hence helping in mitigating the effects of the climate change.
User-Related Issues in Design and Use of Smartgrids Seen as Complex Sociotechnical Systems: Example of the VERTPOM Project
Authors: Loup-Escande Emilie , Capo Sophie , Raharison Helios
Published: July 2020

The impact of human activities on the environment is no longer to be demonstrated today and concerns many fields. With a view to environmental protection, applied to global warming limitation and fossil fuels preservation, Smartgrids are currently emerging, especially, under the impetus of European and French legislation. In emerging technologies, end-user-related issues, articulated with the design process, continue to raise conceptual, methodological and operational questions. The perspective of complex sociotechnical systems is useful for Smartgrids and to underline the necessary multidisciplinary approach to design. Yet raised for decades, the articulation of multidisciplinary approaches in the design of complex systems still questions fundamental problems today. These questions are all more unresolved in the context of innovative technologies such as Smartgrids. The objective of this paper is to propose 1) a conceptual reflection applied to the design of these Smartgrids seen as emerging sociotechnical systems, and 2) a case study by illustrating with the VERTPOM project. On the one hand, we discuss four fundamental points in user-centered design of Smartgrids: we describe the legislative impulses for the rollout of smart metters and the emergence of Smartgrids, we highlight the supplier/consumer synergy that is essential for efficient energy management, we explain the importance of adapting systems to the wide public in domestic, professional and public situations in the context of consumer control of energy demand, and we address the issue of the more traditional field of supervision and control of complex dynamic processes by operators. On the other hand, we present the VERTPOM project aiming at developing a set of digital tools for energy management and energy efficiency in order to make a positive energy territory that produces more energy than it consumes by introducing the project and its actors and explaining how design acceptable Smartgrids for consumers and operators of energy suppliers.
M&A in het tijdperk van nationale beschermingsmechanismen: gaan we richting een Europese CFIUS?
Authors: Gasseling L.
Published: July 2020

M&A in het tijdperk van nationale beschermingsmechanismen: gaan we richting een Europese CFIUS?

Op 19 maart 2019 is de Screeningverordening aangenomen, waarmee een kader verschaft is voor coördinatie en samenwerking tussen lidstaten en de Europese Commissie ten aanzien van de screening van FDI. In dit artikel bespreekt de auteur investeringsscreening in de EU en VS, en of de Screeningverordening een stap is in de richting van een Europese CFIUS.
Verstoppertje in het enquêterecht
Authors: Broere P.H.M.
Published: July 2020

Verstoppertje in het enquêterecht

Onlangs oordeelde de Hoge Raad in de SNS-enquête dat aan het verschoningsrecht in het enquêterecht ook betekenis toekomt. De auteur bespreekt de beschikking van de Hoge Raad en de implicaties daarvan voor de enquêtepraktijk. Om aan de gevolgen van SNS te ontkomen wordt een drietal oplossingsrichtingen aangereikt.
Geen silver bullet, wel optimisme: verslag van het symposium ‘Diversiteit’
Authors: van Dijk L.K.
Published: July 2020

Geen silver bullet, wel optimisme: verslag van het symposium ‘Diversiteit’

Op 6 februari 2020 vond in Amsterdam ter gelegenheid van de verschijning van het boek Diversiteit in de Van der Heijden-reeks een symposium plaats. De sprekers hebben elk een ander aspect van het overkoepelende thema diversiteit belicht. In deze bijdrage bespreekt de auteur in hoofdlijnen hun voordrachten.
Defensive Gun Use (DGU) in the American Gun Debate
Authors: Mzaur Karol , Hasij Justyna
Published: July 2020

These instructions give you guidelines for preparing papers for ASEJ Scientific Journal. Use this document as a template if you are using Microsoft Word 2003 or later. Otherwise, use this document as an instruction set. The format of this paper is a letter size, one column text, with 20 mm top and bottom margins and 16,5 mm left and right margins. Do not cite references in the abstract. The abstract should be self-contained and should not exceed 200 words. Follow the style of structured abstracts, but without headings. It should contain main items: place the question addressed in a broad context and highlight the purpose of the study, briefly describe main methods or treatments applied in the paper, summarize the paper's main findings; indicate the main conclusions or interpretations with the proviso that it cannot contain results which are not presented and substantiated in the text.
Has there been a “refugee crisis”? New insights on the recent refugee arrivals in Germany and their integration prospects
Authors: Brücker Herbert , Kosyakova Yuliya , Vallizadeh Ehsan
Published: July 2020

Approximately 1.2 million refugees arrived in Germany between 2015 and 2016. The national and international public discourse surrounding the arrival of these refugees covers the full spectrum of opinions. These opinions range from sceptical assessments regarding the 2015 influx as a “refugee crisis” to optimistic appraisals considering the immigration of refugees to be a solution to demographic change and labour shortages. These views are often driven by ideology and emotions rather than grounded in evidence. In this paper, we use data from a unique, nationally representative household survey of refugees who came to Germany between 2013 and 2016 to describe who these refugees are, focusing particularly on demographic and skill characteristics relevant for their successful and sustainable economic integration. We also discuss German public policies and institutional environments to promote refugees’ integration. Our descriptive analysis shows that the processing of asylum applications and the overall provision of accommodations, safety-nets, and integration programs by German authorities have advanced the refugees’ integration process, although the initial shortcomings have been widespread. Over the years, German institutions have generally been open to helping refugees and other immigrants gain ground in Germany. However, there are still challenges for policymakers. One such issue is the gender gap that is reflected in the support for female refugees with childcare obligations, which delays their language acquisition and slows their integration. Nevertheless, the empirical evidence has - contrary to the expectations - given no indications that the influx of refugees in 2015 led to a “refugee crisis” in Germany.
Selectivity profiles of recently arrived refugees and labour migrants in Germany
Authors: Spörlein Christoph , Kristen Cornelia , Schmidt Regine , Welker Jörg
Published: July 2020

Migrant selectivity refers to the idea that immigrants differ in certain characteristics from individuals who stay behind in their country of origin. In this article, we describe the selectivity profiles of recent migrants to Germany with respect to educational attainment, age and sex. We illustrate how refugees differ from labour migrants, and we compare the profiles of Syrian refugees who successfully completed the long journey to Europe to Syrian refugees who settled in neighbouring Lebanon or Jordan. We rely on destination-country data from the IAB-BAMF-GSOEP Survey of Refugees, the Arab Barometer, and the German Microcensus, as well as on a broad range of origin-country data sources. Regarding sex selectivity, males dominate among refugees in Germany, while among economic migrants, sex distributions are more balanced. Relative to their societies of origin, labour migrants are younger than refugees. At the same time, both types of migrants are drawn from the younger segments of their origin populations. In terms of educational attainment, many refugees compare rather poorly with average Germans’ attainment, but well when compared to their origin populations. The educational profiles for labour migrants are mixed. Finally, Syrians who settle in Germany are younger, more likely to be male and relatively better educated than Syrians migrating to Jordan or Lebanon.
Das erste Forschungsprojekt
Authors: Mannewitz Tom
Published: July 2020

All too often, research methods and working techniques are treated separately from each other—but (prospective) political or social scientists have to master both to make a project a success. This volume is therefore to be understood as a ‘map and compass’ that guides the reader through their first empirical project in the course of their studies: from their search for a supervisor to their review of the state of research, and their selection and application of the survey method to the writing process and the presentation of their results. At ‘milestones’ and forks in the road, the volume presents suggestions on and aids to decision-making. Chapter summaries, concrete examples from research practice, annotated literature recommendations as well as a glossary and an index make this book a reliable companion to first empirical research work.

Dr Tom Mannewitz is an assistant professor of political science research methods at the TU in Chemnitz.
Leistungsbezogene Bestimmungsrechte im BGB
Authors: Gottschalk Jonas
Published: July 2020

This thesis focuses on §§ 315 f. BGB, as well as new § 650b BGB and § 651f BGB created in 2018. For the first time, the paragraphs are considered in context and are examined in a comparative and fundamental way. In particular, the author first classifies each of the norms individually with regard to the essential principles of the German Civil Code, i.e. freedom of contract, the principle of certainty and equivalence. Thereby, detailed questions on the standards are also clarified, which play a significant role in practice. The examination of the standards enables comparative analysis. In the end, a differentiated overall pattern is created into which the paragraphs can be classified.