bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SPC scheme to monitor surgery duration
Authors: Shore Haim
Published: December 2020

A unified statistical process control (SPC) scheme is developed to monitor work‐process duration of repetitive processes (constant work content), semi‐repetitive (work content somewhat varies between cycles) and memoryless (no typical work content). As a basic paradigm to develop the new scheme, we monitor surgery duration (SD), known to represent durations of all three types of work processes. Recently, a new bi‐variate model for SD was developed and empirically validated. Based on the new model, we derive an approximation to the distribution of SD sample average and use it to construct a two‐stage SPC scheme (for a medically specified subcategory of surgeries). In the first stage, SD distributional shape, as reflected in third and fourth moments, is monitored to determine that no shape‐changing assignable causes are active (e.g., work‐content variation is stable); in the second stage, location and scale parameters are separately monitored via a traditional Shewhart scheme. Using an existent database of surgery times, application of the new scheme is demonstrated, and average‐run‐length properties explored. Extensions (like incorporating co‐variates) and generalizations are addressed.
Hypothesis testing of process capability index Cpk from the perspective of generalized fiducial inference
Authors: Meng Fanbing , Yang Jun , Huang Shuo
Published: December 2020

Hypothesis testing of is an essential part for decision making on process capability. The difficulty to test the hypothesis of is the complexity of the natural estimator distribution even under the normal distribution. Thus, traditional methods of the hypothesis testing of based on the natural estimator only give the approximate test method under the normal distribution and seldom discuss the hypothesis testing under some commonly used but complex non‐normal distributions. The emerging generalized fiducial inference (GFI) in recent years is an effective method for statistical inference on complex statistics. Thus, we first propose a novel hypothesis testing method for based on generalized p‐value. For application, the mathematic expression of the proposed method for the commonly used normal distribution, Gamma distribution, Weibull distribution, and two‐parameter exponential distribution is derived in detail. Next, to study the performance of the proposed method in terms of the frequency property, the real probabilities of Type I error and Type II error are calculated through simulation. The calculated results show that the proposed method has satisfactory performance for different distributions. Finally, the implementation of the proposed method is illustrated by two real examples.
The carbon stable isotope compositions of glyphosate and aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA): Improved analytical sensitivity and first application to environmental water matrices
Authors: Limon A. Williams , Moingt Matthieu , Widory David
Published: December 2020

Rationale

The presence of glyphosate and its degradation product aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in the environment has adverse effects on environmental quality, raising the need to better constrain their fates, in particular the processes that control their production and degradation. Our aim was to improve the sensitivity of their δ13C analysis and demonstrate the feasibility of measuring them in natural surface water.

Methods

The δ13C values of dissolved glyphosate and AMPA were determined using isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) (Delta V Plus instrument) coupled to a high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) unit, where glyphosate and AMPA were separated on a Hypercarb column.

Results

We demonstrated an improved sensitivity of the δ13C analysis for glyphosate and AMPA by LC/IRMS compared with previous studies. For waters from the carbonate and silicate hydrofacies, while no pretreatment was required for the isotope analysis of glyphosate, removal by H3PO4 acidification of dissolved inorganic carbon, that co‐elutes with AMPA, was required prior to its analysis. We successfully tested a freeze‐drying pre‐concentration method showing no associated isotope fractionation up to concentration factors of 500 and 50 for glyphosate and AMPA, respectively.

Conclusions

We demonstrated, for the first time, the feasibility of measuring the δ13C values of glyphosate and AMPA in natural surface waters with contrasted hydrofacies (calcium carbonate and silicate types). This opens new fields in pesticide research, especially on the characterization of processes that control their degradation and the production of their secondary byproducts.
Bronchoplasty for the treatment of carcinoid tumour
Authors: Zribi Hazem , Ben Ayed Ahmed , Abdelkbir Amina , Bouassida Imen , Maazaoui Sarra , Marghli Adel
Published: December 2020

Lung carcinoid tumours are rare neoplasms with a favourable prognosis. Bronchoplasty can be a conservative treatment for typical carcinoid tumours and can be applied for patients with limited respiratory function. We report the case of a 34‐year‐old woman, with a polypoid tumour located at the distal right main bronchus. Bronchial biopsy showed a typical carcinoid tumour. After resection of the tumour in the right main bronchus, bronchoplasty was performed by end‐to‐end anastomosis of the remaining right main bronchus, right upper lobar bronchus, and the upper bronchus intermedius. Bronchoscopy showed a good quality anastomosis with slightly reduced endoluminal calibre only. The post‐operative period was uneventful and the patient was discharged at the seventh day. One year later, no complications occurred and the patient is still being followed up regularly.
Traumatic iatrogenic chylothorax after external electrical cardioversion
Authors: Ralli Maria , Justesen Tobias , Frevert Susanne C. , Schultz Anders N. Ø.
Published: December 2020

Chylothorax, an uncommon cause of pleural effusion, results from the accumulation of lymph in the pleural space due to damage or obstruction of the thoracic duct. Chylothorax can be due to several aetiologies, many of which are rare, and it is often a diagnostic challenge to identify the cause. This case report refers to a patient with rapid recurrent episodes of bilateral pleural chylothorax due to damage of the thoracic duct after external electrical cardioversion treatment. The diagnosis took place by the method of exclusion, when all known causes of chylothorax, both non‐traumatic and traumatic, were ruled out. A review of the literature on chylothorax was performed using PubMed to assess the different aetiologies, investigations, and treatments usually performed. Chylothorax is usually secondary to malignancy, trauma, congenital diseases, and infections. However, even non‐invasive thoracic procedures, such as the one described in our case report, can be the cause.
Titanium‐Based MOF Materials: From Crystal Engineering to Photocatalysis
Authors: Li Lan , Wang Xu‐Sheng , Liu Tian‐Fu , Ye Jinhua
Published: December 2020

Titanium (Ti)‐based metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted intensive attention due to the low toxicity, high earth's crust abundance, and unique photocatalytic properties of Ti elements. Great efforts have been devoted to the synthesis of novel architectures and their potential applications involving photocatalysis. However, Ti‐MOFs are still very scarce owing to their challenges in controlling the Ti chemistry in the reaction system. Until now, some significant results have been achieved, which may shed new insight into the future investigation of Ti‐MOFs. Herein, some representative researches in Ti‐MOFs are summarized and reviewed from the following four aspects: first, various synthetic strategies for preparing Ti‐MOFs are introduced; second, diverse structures containing multi‐connected ligands are presented in detail; third, the potential photocatalytic applications of Ti‐based MOFs involving H2 production, CO2 reduction, H2O2 production, N2 fixation, remediation of organic and inorganic pollutants, as well as organic transformation reaction and photocatalytic sensors are discussed; finally, perspectives on current challenges and emerging opportunities in this research field are discussed. Through summarizing this specific type of MOF, this review is expected to stimulate researchers’ interest for in‐depth investigation of novel structures synthesis, as well as new applications and concepts in these intriguing fields.
Modeling of a Continuous Charging Electric Arc Furnace Metallic Loss Based on the Charge Mix
Authors: Mombelli Davide , Dall'Osto Gianluca , Mapelli Carlo , Gruttadauria Andrea , Barella Silvia
Published: December 2020

In the recent years, a revolution of the worldwide development policies has taken place, mainly driven by the idea of achieving the sustainable development scenario (SDS). The electric steelmaking route mainly based on the scrap recycling can be already considered as a successful example of circular economy: the possibility of recycling metallic scraps a theoretically infinite number of times allowed the increase of crude steel production by electric arc furnace (EAF) especially in the Eastern and developing countries. Therefore, the optimization of the charge mix, by empirical mathematical models, has become a fundamental practice aimed at decreasing the metallic loss, increasing the furnace performance and obtaining a proper melt chemistry. Herein, regression modeling is used to investigate the relationship between the metallic loss and the charging material. For the calibration and validation of the model, the data regarding 56 experimental heats, performed by a continuous charging EAF, are used. In particular, the model developed to foresee the metallic loss starting from a given charge mix, highlighting, furthermore, the interactions among the several charging materials.
Better together: Extending JMP® with open‐source software
Authors: Abousalh‐Neto Nascif , Guan Meijian , Hummel Ruth
Published: December 2020

JMP is commercial software designed for interactive data analysis and exploration. JMP's high‐level, visual interface makes it an outstanding tool for teaching best practices, methods and model building techniques. JMP is also designed for extensibility, with features that allow the embedding of and deployment to open‐source packages and environments. In this paper, we will explore use cases that illustrate how JMP users can take advantage of the broad support and rapid pace of change of open‐source software while still benefiting from JMP's streamlined interface and robust capabilities.
Full‐scale tests on bridge kerbs subjected to horizontal actions
Authors: Meda Alberto , Rinaldi Zila , Spagnuolo Simone , Grecco Raffaella
Published: December 2020

The construction of new kerbs or the replacement of existing ones is usually due to the need of installing safety or anti‐noise barriers. A suitable experimental survey has been studied and developed at the Laboratory of the University of Rome “Tor Vergata" aiming at verifying the vulnerability of the system kerb safety barrier in a bridge deck. The main scope is the analysis, through full‐scale experimental tests, of the system performances under horizontal actions simulating the vehicle derailment. Particular care has been devoted in reproducing actual geometries and materials. Furthermore, the actual elements usually installed in Italian infrastructures (roadways and highways), are adopted, in order to highlight the true damage typologies and failure modes. Both the cases of application of barriers on existing and new cast kerbs are analyzed, and two kerbs geometries, generally found in Italian bridges are cast and tested. The obtained results provide useful information on the safety check to be developed on this kind of structures.
Extracts of Jasminum sambac flowers fermented by Lactobacillus rhamnosus inhibit H2O2‐ and UVB‐induced aging in human dermal fibroblasts
Authors: Ho Chih‐Chu , Ng Shang‐Chuan , Chuang Ho‐Lin , Wen Su‐Ying , Kuo Chia‐Hua , Mahalakshmi B. , Huang Chih‐Yang , Kuo Wei‐Wen
Published: December 2020

Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation is a crucial factor that leads to skin photoaging and results in increased DNA damage, oxidative stress, and collagen degradation. Jasmine flowers have been utilized as a traditional medicine in Asia to treat various diseases, including dermatitis, diarrhea, and fever. Furthermore, the fermented broth of Lactobacillus rhamnosus has been reported to exert protective effects on the skin. In the present study, jasmine flower extract was fermented with L. rhamnosus. We investigated the antioxidant and collagen‐promoting effects on UVB/H2O2‐induced HS68 dermal fibroblast cell damage. The results indicated that treatment with the fermented flower extracts of Jasminum sambac (F‐FEJS) could enhance the viability of HS68 cells. Furthermore, the UVB/H2O2‐induced excessive production of reactive oxygen species, degradation of collagen, activation of MAPKs, including P38, ERK, and JNK, and premature senescence were remarkably attenuated by F‐FEJS in dermal fibroblast cells. The nuclear accumulation of p‐c‐jun, which is downstream of MAPK, and the inactivation of p‐smad2/3, which is one of the crucial transcription factors that enhance collagen synthesis, were reversed in response to F‐FEJS treatment in UVB/H2O2‐exposed cells. Notably, the expression of antioxidant genes, such as HO‐1, and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 were further enhanced by F‐FEJS in UVB/H2O2‐treated cells. Interestingly, the F‐FEJS‐induced increase in ARE luciferase activity indicated the activation of Nrf2/ARE signaling. In conclusion, our findings demonstrated that F‐FEJS can effectively ameliorate UVB/H2O2‐induced dermal cell aging and may be considered a promising ingredient in skin aging therapy.
Fetal echocardiographic predictors of biventricular circulation in hypoplastic left heart complex
Authors: Haberer K. , Fruitman D. , Power A. , Hornberger L. K. , Eckersley L.
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To determine which echocardiographic features of hypoplastic left heart complex (HLHC) in the fetal period are predictive of biventricular (BV) circulation and to evaluate the long‐term outcome of patients with HLHC, including rates of mortality, reintervention and development of further cardiac disease.

Methods

Echocardiograms of fetuses with HLHC obtained at 18–26 weeks and 27–36 weeks' gestation between 2004 and 2017 were included in the analysis. The primary outcome was successful BV circulation (Group 1). Group 2 included patients with single‐ventricle palliation, death or transplant. Univariate analysis was performed on data obtained at 18–26 and 27–36 weeks and multivariate logistic regression was performed on data obtained at 27–36 weeks only.

Results

Of the 51 included cases, 44 achieved successful BV circulation (Group 1) and seven did not (Group 2). Right‐to‐left/bidirectional foramen ovale (FO) flow and a higher mitral valve (MV) annulus Z‐score were associated with successful BV circulation on both univariate and multivariate analysis. Bidirectional or left‐to‐right FO flow, left ventricular length (LVL) Z‐score of < –2.4 and a MV Z‐score of < –4.5 correctly predicted 80% of Group 2 cases. Late follow‐up was available for 41 patients. There were two late deaths in Group 2. Thirteen patients in Group 1 required reintervention, 12 developed mitral stenosis and five developed isolated subaortic stenosis.

Conclusions

BV circulation is common in fetuses with HLHC. Higher MV annulus and LVL Z‐scores and right to left direction of FO flow are important predictors of BV circulation. Long‐term sequelae in those with BV circulation may include mitral and subaortic stenosis. © 2020 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
Oxid‐Halbleiter mit ultrabreiter Bandlücke
Authors: Grundmann Marius
Published: December 2020

Die Gepulste Laserdeposition (PLD, pulsed laser deposition) ist eine vergleichsweise einfache physikalische, vakuumbasierte Methode zur Herstellung von Dünnschichten. Hier werden verschiedene Aspekte der Abscheidung von oxidischen Halbleitern beleuchtet, insbesondere für das (Al,Ga,In)2O3‐System mit sehr großer Bandlücke. Die von uns entwickelte Methode der kombinatorischen PLD für einen lateralen Konzentrationsgradienten (CCS‐PLD, continuous composition spread PLD) erlaubt eine einfache Darstellung von Legierungsreihen. In Kombination mit anschließenden ortsaufgelösten Methoden zur strukturellen, elektrischen und optischen Charakterisierung ergibt sich eine effiziente und systematische Untersuchung der physikalischen Eigenschaften der Legierungshalbleiter.
Liveschaltung zum Dünnschichtwachstum
Authors: Krause Bärbel , Abadias Gregory
Published: December 2020

Echtzeitmessungen während der Sputterdeposition ermöglichen einen einzigartigen Zugang zum Wachstum von dünnen Schichten und Nanostrukturen. Eine einfach umsetzbare, hochempfindliche Methode ist die optische Messung der Eigenspannung. Die Interpretation des Signals ist wegen der Vielzahl von potentiellen Ursachen der Eigenspannung eine Herausforderung. Dieses Problem kann mit gleichzeitigen Messungen der Strukturänderungen überwunden werden. Im Folgenden stellen wir einen sehr vielversprechenden Ansatz dafür vor, basierend auf simultanen Röntgen‐ und Spannungsmessungen. Das Potential dieser Methode wird am Beispiel der Metall/Silizium‐Grenzfläche demonstriert. Nach nur 2‐3 Nanometern zeigen beide Metalle eine plötzlich auftretende Zugspannung, danach entwickelt sich die Eigenspannung jedoch sehr unterschiedlich. Unsere Messungen enthüllen, dass die Zugspannung in beiden Fällen auf einen Kristallisationsprozess zurückzuführen ist, sich die Grenzschicht jedoch fundamental unterscheidet.
Modern Monte Carlo methods for efficient uncertainty quantification and propagation: A survey
Authors: Zhang Jiaxin
Published: December 2020

Uncertainty quantification (UQ) includes the characterization, integration, and propagation of uncertainties that result from stochastic variations and a lack of knowledge or data in the natural world. Monte Carlo (MC) method is a sampling‐based approach that has widely used for quantification and propagation of uncertainties. However, the standard MC method is often time‐consuming if the simulation‐based model is computationally intensive. This article gives an overview of modern MC methods to address the existing challenges of the standard MC in the context of UQ. Specifically, multilevel Monte Carlo (MLMC) extending the concept of control variates achieves a significant reduction of the computational cost by performing most evaluations with low accuracy and corresponding low cost, and relatively few evaluations at high accuracy and corresponding high cost. Multifidelity Monte Carlo (MFMC) accelerates the convergence of standard Monte Carlo by generalizing the control variates with different models having varying fidelities and varying computational costs. Multimodel Monte Carlo method (MMMC), having a different setting of MLMC and MFMC, aims to address the issue of UQ and propagation when data for characterizing probability distributions are limited. Multimodel inference combined with importance sampling is proposed for quantifying and efficiently propagating the uncertainties resulting from small data sets. All of these three modern MC methods achieve a significant improvement of computational efficiency for probabilistic UQ, particularly uncertainty propagation. An algorithm summary and the corresponding code implementation are provided for each of the modern MC methods. The extension and application of these methods are discussed in detail.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Monte Carlo Methods

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Sampling
Integral equation technique for water wave interaction by an array of vertical flexible porous wave barriers
Authors: Koley Santanu , Sahoo Trilochan
Published: December 2020

Scattering of obliquely incident surface gravity waves by an array of partial flexible vertical porous wave barriers of varied configurations is studied in finite water depth and deep water cases. For the mathematical modeling purpose, linearized water wave theory is considered. Firstly, the problem associated with double vertical barriers is handled for a solution. To solve the problem, the associated BVP (boundary value problem) is transformed into a system of Fredholm integral equations of the second kind. By using suitable quadrature formulae, these integral equations are converted to a system of linear algebraic equations. These are solved to compute various important physical quantities associated with wave scattering. The energy identities for both finite water depth and deep water cases are derived. These derived energy identities are used to check the computational accuracy and to quantify the loss of wave energy by the barrier system. Subsequently, the study is extended to deal with wave scattering by multiple non‐identical unequally spaced barriers using wide‐spacing approximation and results for equally spaced identical barriers are obtained as a special case. The methodology is further generalized to deal with Bloch problem to incorporate a periodic array of infinite barriers. Occurrences of Bragg resonance in case of multiple barriers are analyzed. From the results associated with the linearized water wave theory, the second‐order mean wave forces are computed and compared with the first‐order wave forces. The phenomena of cloaking for wave scattering by multiple impervious barriers are discussed for a wide variety of wave and structural parameters. The methodology used in this present study can easily be generalized to solve similar problems that arise in mathematical physics.
Climate Change Resistant Energy Sources for Global Adaptation
Authors: Ife-Adediran Oluwatobi Ololade , Aboyewa Oluyemi Bright
Published: December 2020

A holistic response and adaptation to climatic vicissitudes and extreme conditions as well as their associated risks to human and ecological sustainability must adequately cater for energy needs and optimization. An interventional approach should, among other measures, seek to improve the resilience of existing and prospective energy systems to climate change. The structured and policy-driven nature of adaptation measures require a bottom-up proactive approach that envisages the performance and efficiency of these systems, especially in terms of their sensitivity and vulnerability to changing climate conditions. Therefore, this chapter seeks to scrutinize various sources of energy concerning their resistance capabilities to climate change in the face of increasing global energy demands and consumption. Renewable and conventional energy sources are co-examined and compared vis-à-vis the current trends and predictions on climatic factors that are bearing on their principles of production, supply, and distribution. Findings from this article will serve as assessment tools for decision makers and corroborate other ongoing discourse on climate actions towards socioeconomic development and a sustainable environment.
Economic Analysis of Climate-Smart Agriculture Technologies in Maize Production in Smallholder Farming Systems
Authors: Mujeyi Angeline , Mudhara Maxwell
Published: December 2020

Smallholder farmers who grow the staple maize crop rely mainly on rain-fed agricultural production, and yields are estimated to have decreased by over 50% largely due to climate change. Climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies, as adaptive strategies, are thus increasingly being promoted to overcome problems of declining agricultural productivity and reduced technical efficiency. This study analyzed profitability and profit efficiency in maize (Zea mays) production as a result of CSA technology adoption using cost-benefit analysis and stochastic profit frontier model. The study used data from a cross-sectional household survey of 386 households drawn from 4 districts in Mashonaland East province located in the northeastern part of Zimbabwe. Results from the cost-benefit analysis reveal that maize performs best under CSA technologies. The profit inefficiency model shows that extension contact, number of local traders, and adoption of CSA had significant negative coefficients indicating that as these variables increase, profit efficiency among maize-growing farmers increases. This implies that profit inefficiency in maize production can be reduced significantly with improvement in extension contact, access to farm gate/local markets, and adoption of CSA. The findings call for development practitioners to incorporate market linkages that bring buyers closer to the farmers, support for extension to be able to have frequent contacts with farmers, and promotion of CSA adoption.
Intelligent decision-making support system for manufacturing solution recommendation in a cloud framework
Authors: Simeone Alessandro , Zeng Yunfeng , Caggiano Alessandra
Published: December 2020

Cloud manufacturing represents a valuable tool to enable wide sharing of manufacturing services and solutions by connecting suppliers and customers in large-scale manufacturing networks through a cloud platform. In this context, with increasing manufacturing network size at global scale, the elevated number of manufacturing solutions offered via cloud platform to connected customers can increase the complexity of decision-making, resulting in poor user experience from a customer perspective. To tackle this issue, in this paper, an intelligent decision-making support tool based on a manufacturing service recommendation system (RS) is designed and developed to provide for tailored manufacturing solution recommendation to customers in a cloud manufacturing system. A machine learning procedure based on neural networks for data regression is employed to process historical data on user manufacturing solution preferences and to carry out the automatic extraction of key features from incoming user instances and compatible manufacturing solutions generated by the cloud platform. In this way, the machine learning procedure is able to perform a customer segmentation and build a recommendation list characterized by a ranking of manufacturing solutions which is tailored to the specific customer profile. With the aim to validate the proposed intelligent decision-making support system, a case study is simulated within the framework of a cloud manufacturing platform delivering dynamic sharing of sheet metal cutting manufacturing solutions. The system capability is discussed in terms of machine learning performance as well as industrial applicability and user selection likelihood.
Somatostatin administration following pancreatoduodenectomy: a case-matched comparison according to surgical technique, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ score and Fistula Risk Score
Authors: Furbetta Niccolò , Gianardi Desirée , Guadagni Simone , Di Franco Gregorio , Palmeri Matteo , Bianchini Matteo , Pisani Kevin , Di Candio Giulio , Morelli Luca
Published: December 2020

Purpose

This study evaluated the controversial role of somatostatin after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD), stratifying patients for the main risk factors using the most recent postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) classification and including only patients who had undergone PD with the same technique of pancreatojejunostomy.

Methods

Between November 2010 and February 2020, 218 PD procedures were carried out via personal modified pancreatojejunostomy (mPJ-PD). Somatostatin was routinely administered between 2010 and 2016, while from 2017, 97 mPJ-PD procedures without somatostatin (WS) were performed. The WS group was retrospectively compared with a control (C) group obtained with one-to-one case–control matching according to the body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists’ score, and Fistula Risk Score (FRS).

Results

A total of 144 patients (72 WS group versus 72 C group) were compared. In the WS group. 6 patients (8.3%) developed clinically relevant POPF, compared with 8 patients (11.1%) in the C group (p = 0.656). In addition, on analyzing the subgroup of high-risk patients according to the FRS, we did not note any significant differences in POPF occurrence. Furthermore, no marked differences in the morbidity or mortality were found. Digestive bleeding and diabetes onset rates were higher in the WS group than in the control group, but not significantly so.

Conclusions

The results of the present study confirm no benefit with the routine administration of somatostatin after PD to prevent POPF, even in high-risk patients. However, a possible role in the prevention of postoperative digestive bleeding and diabetes was observed.
Influence of urbanization on the avian species-area relationship: insights from the breeding birds of Rome
Authors: Di Pietro Stefano , Mantoni Cristina , Fattorini Simone
Published: December 2020

The species-area relationship (SAR) is one of the most investigated patterns in ecology and conservation biology, yet there is no study testing how different levels of urbanization influence its shape. Here we tested the impact of urbanization on avian SARs along a rural-urban gradient using the breeding birds of Rome (Central Italy). We divided the city into 360 cells of 1 km2. Each cell was classified as rural, suburban or urban using the proportion of impervious surface calculated from remote sensing data. For each of these three landscape categories, we constructed a SAR as a species accumulation curve (Gleason function) using bird species distribution data. SAR intercepts (i.e. the number of species per unit area) decreased from rural to urban areas, which indicates that urbanization depressed the number of species, reflecting the loss of specialized species strictly associated with natural habitats. The slope was highest for the rural curve, indicating that natural landscapes have the highest turnover due to their higher habitat heterogeneity. A higher slope for the urban cells, compared to the suburban ones, can be explained by the presence of green spaces embedded in the built-up matrix which host different avian communities. Previous studies that compared whole cities with natural areas failed to find differences in the respective SARs. Our study, which constructed SARs for different levels of urbanization, indicated significant changes in the SARs along the rural-urban gradient. Further analyses in other cities and taxa will be useful to test how general are our findings.
Genomics-directed activation of cryptic natural product pathways deciphers codes for biosynthesis and molecular function
Authors: Tsunematsu Yuta
Published: December 2020

Natural products, which can be isolated from living organisms worldwide, have played a pivotal role in drug discovery since ancient times. However, it has become more challenging to identify a structurally novel molecule with promising biological activity for pharmaceutical development, mainly due to the limited methodologies for their acquisition. In this review, we summarize our recent studies that activate the biosynthetic potential of filamentous fungi by genetic engineering to harness the metabolic flow for the efficient production of unprecedented natural products. The recent revolution in genome sequencing technology enables the accumulation of vast amounts of information on biosynthetic genes, the blueprint of the molecular construction. Utilizing the established heterologous expression system, activation of the pathway-specific transcription factor coupled with a knockout strategy, and manipulating the global regulatory gene, the biosynthetic genes were exploited to activate biosynthetic pathways and decipher the encoded enzyme functions. We show that this methodology was beneficial for acquiring fungal treasures for drug discovery. These studies also enabled the investigation of the molecular function of natural products in fungal development.
The dynamic change of pore structure for low-rank coal under refined upgrading pretreatment temperatures
Authors: Li Teng , Wu Cai-Fang , Wang Zi-Wei
Published: December 2020

Pore structure characteristics are significant factor in the evaluation of the physical characteristics of low-rank coal. In this study, three low-rank coal samples were collected from the Xishanyao Formation, Santanghu Basin, and low-temperature liquid-nitrogen adsorption (LP-N2A) measurements were taken under various pretreatment temperatures. Owing to the continuous loss of water and volatile matter in low-rank coal, the total pore volume assumes a three-step profile with knee temperatures of 150 °C and 240 °C. However, the ash in the coal can protect the coal skeleton. Pore collapse mainly occurs for mesopores with aperture smaller than 20 nm. Mesopores with apertures smaller than 5 nm exhibit a continuous decrease in pore volume, whereas the pore volume of mesopores with apertures ranging from 5 to 10 nm increases at lower pretreatment temperatures (<150 °C) followed by a faint decrease. As for mesopores with apertures larger than 10 nm, the pore volume increases significantly when the pretreatment temperature reaches 300 °C. The pore structure of low-rank coal features a significant heating effect, the pretreatment temperature should not exceed 150 °C when the LP-N2A is used to evaluate the pore structure of low-rank coal to effectively evaluate the reservoir characteristics of low-rank coal.
Cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus Mushroom on Substrates Made of Cellulose Fibre Rejects: Product Quality and Spent Substrate Fuel Properties
Authors: Grimm Alejandro , Eilertsen Lill , Chen Feng , Huang Renyuan , Atterhem Lars , Xiong Shaojun
Published: December 2020

This paper explores an alternative valorisation method for high-moisture content waste streams from the pulp and paper industry. Cellulose fibre rejects from industrial-scale recycling/pulping of waste paper was used as an ingredient in substrates for cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus, commonly known as oyster mushroom. Three substrates with 40, 60, and 80 wt% fibre rejects were tested, and a conventional substrate formula based on birch (Betula ssp.) sawdust was used for comparison. The spent mushroom substrate (SMS) fuel characteristics were assessed through ashing procedures. Mycelium growth was faster on substrates based on fibre rejects. The average biological efficiencies of the first flush of fruit bodies were between 29 and 36% compared to 42% for birch sawdust substrates. The fruit bodies had good nutritional values, i.e., crude protein (22–25 wt% d.b.), crude fat (3–3.5 wt% d.b.), crude fibre (8–10 wt% d.b.), and carbohydrates (57–62 wt% d.b.). The concentrations of heavy metals, 5–10 µg/kg Pb, 19–28 µg/kg Cd, 5–6 µg/kg Hg, and 26–53 µg/kg As were well below the limit values for food products set in EU regulations. The SMS could be used as fuel for direct combustion or co-combusted with other biomasses.

Graphic Abstract
Varying perceptions of the role of “nurse as teacher” for medical trainees: A qualitative study
Authors: Doja Asif , Venegas Carolina Lavin , Clarkin Chantalle , Scowcroft Katherine , Ashton Gerry , Hopkins Laura , Bould M. Dylan , Hilary Writer Hilary , Posner Glenn
Published: December 2020

Introduction The informal curriculum—an essential complement to the formal curriculum—is delivered to medical trainees through learning outside the classroom. We sought to explore nurse-mediated aspects of trainee education in the informal curriculum in obstetrics and gynecology (OBGYN), as well as nursing perceptions of their role in medical trainee education.
Methods Naturalistic, non-participant observations (40 h) were performed on a tertiary care birthing unit (BU) to document teaching and learning interactions. Insights gleaned from observations informed subsequent semi-structured interviews with BU nurses (n = 10) and focus group discussions with third-year medical students who had completed an OBGYN rotation (n = 10). Thematic analysis was conducted across data sets.
Results Conceptions of nurse-mediated education differed considerably between nurses and trainees. Nurses were widely acknowledged as gatekeepers and patient advocates by both groups, although this role was sometimes perceived by trainees as impacting on learning. Interest and engagement were noted as mediators of teaching, with enhanced access to educational opportunities reported by trainees who modelled openness and enthusiasm for learning. Nurse-driven education was frequently tailored to the learner’s level, with nurses feeling well positioned to share procedural knowledge or hard skills, soft skills (i.e. bedside manners), and clinical insights gained from bedside practice.
Discussion Nurses are instrumental in the education of medical trainees; however, divergence was noted in how this role is enacted in practice. Given the valuable teaching resource BU nurses present, more emphasis should be placed on interprofessional co-learning and the actualization of this role within the informal curriculum.
Serum β2-microglobulin as a predictor of residual kidney function in peritoneal dialysis patients
Authors: Jaques David A. , Davenport Andrew
Published: December 2020

Background

While clinical guidelines recommend that residual kidney function (RKF) is measured in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients, 24-h urine collection is cumbersome and prone to errors. We wished to determine whether an equation using serum β2-microglobulin (β2M) could prove of clinical benefit in estimating RKF and identifying patients who could start PD with incremental prescriptions.

Methods

We measured serum β2M in consecutive PD outpatients recently starting dialysis with continuous ambulatory PD (CAPD) or automated PD (APD), attending a single tertiary hospital for their routine clinical visit. RKF was defined as the mean of 24-h urine clearances of creatinine and urea. An equation estimating RKF (eRKF) was generated based on serum β2M levels on a randomly selected modelling group.

Results

We included 511 patients, of whom 351 in the modelling group and 150 in the validation group. Mean age was 58.7 ± 15.8, 307 (60.0%) were men and median RKF value was 4.5 (2.4–6.5) mL/min/1.73 m2. In the validation group, an equation based on β2M, creatinine, urea, age and gender showed minimal bias of − 0.1 mL/min/1.73 m2to estimate RKF. Area under the receiving operator characteristic curve was 0.915 to detect RKF ≥ 2 mL/min/1.73 m2.

Conclusion

An equation based on serum β2M concentration would not be able to replace 24-h urine collection as the standard of care when an exact measurement of RKF is required. However, it could prove useful in identifying patients suitable for an incremental PD prescription and for monitoring RKF in individuals unable to reliably collect urine.

Graphic abstract
Reparation for Victims of Armed Conflict
Authors: Correa Cristián , Furuya Shuichi , Sandoval Clara
Published: December 2020

Are victims of armed conflict entitled to reparation, which legal rules govern the question, and how can reparation be implemented? These key questions of transitional justice are examined by three scholars whose professional, theoretical, and methodological backgrounds and outlooks differ greatly. They discuss how regional human rights case law, international criminal law, the practice of ad hoc international bodies, and domestic practice give rise to a right to reparation. This right emerges out of the interplay between international and domestic law. The problems of mass claims, fragile statehood, and the high risk of marginalisation of particular groups of victims are addressed. The analysis is alert to the current backlash against international legal institutions, and to the practical constraints in making post-conflict law work. The multiperspectivism of the trialogical setting exposes the divergence and complementarity of the authors' approaches and leads to a richer understanding of the law of reparation.
Institutional Memory as Storytelling
Authors: Corbett Jack , Christian Grube Dennis , Caroline Lovell Heather , James Scott Rodney
Published: December 2020

How do bureaucracies remember? The conventional view is that institutional memory is static and singular, the sum of recorded files and learned procedures. There is a growing body of scholarship that suggests contemporary bureaucracies are failing at this core task. This Element argues that this diagnosis misses that memories are essentially dynamic stories. They reside with people and are thus dispersed across the array of actors that make up the differentiated polity. Drawing on four policy examples from four sectors (housing, energy, family violence and justice) in three countries (the UK, Australia and New Zealand), this Element argues that treating the way institutions remember as storytelling is both empirically salient and normatively desirable. It is concluded that the current conceptualisation of institutional memory needs to be recalibrated to fit the types of policy learning practices required by modern collaborative governance.
Managing Transition
Authors: Henneberg Sabina
Published: December 2020

Examining the factors that shaped the first interim governments of Tunisia and Libya, which formed in the immediate aftermath of the 2011 uprisings that brought down their governments, Managing Transition analyses each interim government to enhance our understanding of how political transition occurred within two North African countries. Tracing the importance of the key decisions made during these transition periods, Sabina Henneberg demonstrates the importance of these decisions taken during the short phase between authoritarian collapse and first post-uprising elections, including decisions around leadership, institutional reform, transitional justice, and the electoral processes themselves. By documenting, in close detail, the important events of the 2011 Arab Uprisings, and the months that followed, this study shows that while pre-existing structures strongly influence the design and behaviour of first interim governments, actors' choices are equally important in shaping both immediate and longer-term phases of transition.
Mean and variance of balanced Pólya urns
Authors: Janson Svante
Published: December 2020

It is well-known that in a small Pólya urn, i.e., an urn where the second largest real part of an eigenvalue is at most half the largest eigenvalue, the distribution of the numbers of balls of different colours in the urn is asymptotically normal under weak additional conditions. We consider the balanced case, and then give asymptotics of the mean and the covariance matrix, showing that after appropriate normalization, the mean and covariance matrix converge to the mean and covariance matrix of the limiting normal distribution.
The social legitimacy of basic income: a multidimensional and cross-national perspective. An introduction to the special issue
Authors: Chrisp Joe , Laenen Tijs , van Oorschot Wim
Published: December 2020

In this special issue, authors present and discuss the findings of a series of recent national and EU cross-national empirical studies on public support for basic income. As such, the special issue offers new and innovative insights on such support and its individual and contextual drivers. The articles employ heterogeneous data and methods and therefore, as a whole, navigate the multi-dimensional nature of (opinions on) basic income. Three of the contributions use unique survey data to study the levels of support for basic income among various European populations and the complex ideological and social divides that explain such support. The other two contributions use qualitative data, from democratic fora, focus groups and in-depth interviews, to explore how citizens interpret basic income and what types of arguments they use in favour or against the implementation of the policy.
Le choc des paradigmes en études métisses depuis l'arrêtPowley
Authors: Bériault Xavier , Dubois Janique
Published: December 2020

Depuis l'arrêtPowleyde la Cour suprême du Canada en 2003, les études métisses se sont fortement politisées dans la mesure où les conclusions des chercheurs qui servent d'experts dans les causes portées devant les tribunaux ont le potentiel d'avoir une influence concrète sur les jugements rendus. Cet article cartographie les réseaux intellectuels formés par les publications en études métisses à partir d'une analyse de réseaux qui utilise le logiciel UCINet. Notre analyse révèle la présence de deux paradigmes distincts qui proposent des conceptions opposées de l'identité métisse. D'une part, les chercheurs du paradigme de l'hybridité présentent le Métis comme étant issu d'une ascendance mixte. D'autre part, les chercheurs du paradigme de l'ethnogenèse conçoivent le Métis comme appartenant à une nation autochtone distincte. Notre analyse des réseaux en études métisses met en lumière les relations de pouvoir qui animent les débats politiques, juridiques et culturels sur l'identité métisse.
STATE AND CORPORATION IN AMERICAN POPULIST POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY, 1877–1902
Authors: JÄGER ANTON
Published: December 2020

This article examines the political theory of the late nineteenth-century American Populist movement, with a particular focus on its theories of state and corporation. Recent scholarship on populism has tended to present the phenomenon as a variant of direct democracy intrinsically opposed to intermediary bodies, a feature consistently traced back to American Populism as well. In this account, American Populists opposed new discourses of corporate personhood and free incorporation in the late nineteenth century owing to their tendency to distort natural bonds between peoples and leaders and to disperse the popular will. This article questions the tenability of this opposition through a close contextual engagement with original Populist texts. As the first self-declared ‘populist’ movement in modern history, Populists theorized about the usage of corporate personality for their own co-operatives and put forward ambitious visions of American statecraft, breaking with the proprietary individualism that characterized Jeffersonian agrarianism before. The article focuses on two particular genres of Populist thinking: first, their advocacy of the corporate form for their co-operative farm organizing and, secondly, a specifically statutory vision of state reform. It concludes with reflections on how these findings destabilize assumptions governing the current populism debate in political theory and American historiography.