bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Health-related quality of life and overall survival: a prospective study in patients with head and neck cancer treated with radiotherapy
Authors: van Nieuwenhuizen A. J. , Buffart L. M. , Langendijk J. A. , Vergeer M. R. , Voortman J. , Leemans C. R. , Verdonck-de Leeuw I. M. 
Published: December 2020

Abstract
Purpose
We aimed to examine whether pre-treatment, post-treatment and change in health-related quality of Life (HRQoL) is associated with survival, in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods
We included 948 newly diagnosed HNC patients treated with primary or adjuvant (chemo)radiotherapy with curative intent. The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire was assessed pre-treatment and at 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months post-treatment. Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to examine whether HRQoL at all time points and changes in HRQoL over time were associated with survival, after adjusting for demographic, clinical and lifestyle-related variables.

Results
Higher HRQoL scores were significantly associated with improved 5-year overall survival at all time points, except for the subscale global QoL at 6 weeks. Changes in HRQoL at 6 weeks post-treatment compared to pre-treatment were not significantly associated with survival. Changes in physical (HR: 0.88 95% CI: 0.82–0.96) and emotional functioning (HR: 0.90 95% CI: 0.85–0.96) from pre-treatment to 6 months post-treatment and changes in global QOL, and physical, emotional, and social functioning from pre-treatment to 12 months post-treatment were significantly associated with survival.

Conclusion
Higher HRQoL reported pre-treatment and post-treatment (6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months) are significantly associated with improved survival, as well as changes in HRQoL at 6 and 12 months compared to pre-treatment. Our results highlight the value of monitoring HRQoL and to identify those patients that report decreased or deteriorated HRQOL. This may help to further improve cancer care in a timely and efficient manner.
FLUKA Simulations of Pion Decay Gamma-Radiation from Energetic Flare Ions
Authors: MacKinnon Alexander , Szpigel Sergio , Gimenez de Castro Guillermo , Tuneu Jordi 
Published: December 2020

AbstractGamma-ray continuum at $> 10 $
>
10
MeV photon energy yields information on $\gtrsim 0.2 $
≳
0.2
– 0.3 GeV/nucleon ions at the Sun. We use the general-purpose Monte Carlo code FLUktuierenden KAskade (FLUKA) to model the transport of ions injected into thick and thin target sources, the nuclear processes that give rise to pions and other secondaries and the escape of the resulting photons from the atmosphere. We give examples of photon spectra calculated with a range of different assumptions about the primary ion velocity distribution and the source region. We show that FLUKA gives results for pion decay photon emissivity in agreement with previous treatments. Through the directionality of secondary products, as well as Compton scattering and pair production of photons prior to escaping the Sun, the predicted spectrum depends significantly on the viewing angle. Details of the photon spectrum in the $\approx 100$
≈
100
MeV range may constrain the angular distribution of primary ions and the depths at which they interact. We display a set of thick-target spectra produced making various assumptions about the incident ion energy and angular distribution and the viewing angle. If ions are very strongly beamed downward, or ion energies do not extend much above 1 GeV/nucleon, the photon spectrum is highly insensitive to details of the ion distribution. Under the simplest assumptions, flares observed near disc centre should not display significant radiation above 1 GeV photon energy. We give an example application to Fermi Large Area Telescope data from the flare of 12 June 2010.
Comments on the Theory of Fluid Flow Between Solids with Anisotropic Roughness
Authors: Persson B. N. J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractI consider fluid flow at the interface between solids with random roughness. For anisotropic roughness, obtained by stretching isotropic roughness in the x-direction by a factor of $$\gamma ^{1/2}$$

γ

1
/
2

and in the y-direction with a factor of $$\gamma ^{-1/2}$$

γ

-
1
/
2

, I give an argument for why the flow conductivity in the critical junction theory should be proportional to $$\gamma $$
γ
in the x-direction and proportional to $$1/\gamma $$

1
/
γ

in the y-direction.
Mathematikleistungen von Schülerinnen und Schülern der gymnasialen Oberstufe in Deutschland: Ein Review und eine Sekundäranalyse der Schulleistungsstudien seit 1995
Authors: Rolfes Tobias , Lindmeier Anke , Heinze Aiso 
Published: December 2020

ZusammenfassungDie Mathematikleistungen von Schülerinnen und Schülern der gymnasialen Oberstufe sind in den letzten zehn Jahren in Deutschland verstärkt in den Fokus der Bildungsforschung, der Hochschullehre und der Bildungspolitik gerückt. Der vorliegende Artikel hat das Ziel, die vorhandene empirische Befundlage genauer in den Blick zu nehmen und so zu einer Bestandsaufnahme beizutragen. Dazu wird im ersten Teil des Artikels ein systematisches Review über die seit 1995 durchgeführten Schulleistungsuntersuchungen zu Mathematikleistungen in der Oberstufe berichtet. Dabei wurde analysiert, welche Facetten mathematischer Fähigkeiten in diesen Schulleistungsstudien erfasst, welche Aspekte der übergreifenden Bildungsziele vertiefte Allgemeinbildung, Wissenschaftspropädeutik und Studierfähigkeit in den Schulleistungsstudien abgebildet und welche Niveaustufenmodelle zur kriterialen Einordnung der Schülerleistungen entwickelt wurden. Es zeigte sich, dass die verwendeten Instrumente jeweils nur einen besonderen Ausschnitt der mathematischen Fähigkeiten abbildeten und wichtige Aspekte (z. B. prozedural-technische Fertigkeiten) nahezu unberücksichtigt ließen. Auch wurde deutlich, dass ein kriterialer Vergleich der Ergebnisse aus den unterschiedlichen Schulleistungsstudien bisher kaum erfolgte. Deshalb wurden im zweiten Teil des Artikels die Daten und Ergebnisse der Schulleistungsuntersuchungen einer Sekundäranalyse unterzogen. Die Schülerleistungen wurden auf vergleichbare Skalen transformiert und anhand vorhandener Niveaustufenmodelle verglichen. Es zeigte sich, dass der größte Teil der Schülerschaft im Bereich der Allgemeinbildung lebensweltliche Problemstellungen auf der Basis der mathematischen Begriffe und Verfahren der Sekundarstufe I bewältigen konnte. Bezüglich der Wissenschaftspropädeutik und der Studierfähigkeit zeigte die Mehrheit deutliche Defizite, da sie mit fachspezifischen Lerninhalten der Oberstufe (z. B. Analysis, Analytische Geometrie) nur eingeschränkt umgehen konnte. Implikationen für die mathematikdidaktische Forschung zum Mathematikunterricht in der gymnasialen Oberstufe und seinen Bildungszielen werden diskutiert.
Peridynamic Formulation for Higher-Order Plate Theory
Authors: Yang Zhenghao , Oterkus Erkan , Oterkus Selda 
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this study, a new peridynamic model is presented for higher-order plate theory. The formulation is derived by using Euler-Lagrange equation and Taylor’s expansion. The formulation is verified by considering two benchmark problems including simply supported and clamped plates subjected to transverse loading. Moreover, mixed (simply supported-clamped) boundary conditions are also considered to investigate the capability of the current formulation for mixed boundary conditions. Peridynamic results are compared with finite element analysis results and a very good agreement was obtained between the two approaches.
Chitin- and cellulose-based sustainable barrier materials: a review
Authors: Yu Zeyang , Ji Yue , Bourg Violette , Bilgen Mustafa , Meredith J. Carson 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe accumulation of synthetic plastics used in packaging applications in landfills and the environment is a serious problem. This challenge is driving research efforts to develop biodegradable, compostable, or recyclable barrier materials derived from renewable sources. Cellulose, chitin/chitosan, and their combinations are versatile biobased packaging materials because of their diverse biological properties (biocompatibility, biodegradability, antimicrobial properties, antioxidant activity, non-toxicity, and less immunogenic compared to protein), superior physical properties (high surface area, good barrier properties, and mechanical properties), and they can be assembled into different forms and shapes (powders, fibers, films, beads, sponges, gels, and solutions). They can be either assembled into packaging films or used as fillers to improve the properties of other biobased polymers. Methods such as preparation of composites, multilayer coating, and alignment control are used to further improve their barrier, mechanical properties, and ameliorate their moisture sensitivity. With the growing application of cellulose and chitin-based packaging materials, their biodegradability and recyclability are also discussed in this review paper. The future trends of these biobased materials in packaging applications and the possibility of gradually replacing petroleum-based plastics are analyzed in the “Conclusions” section.
Movement tracing and analysis of benthic sting ray (Dasyatis akajei) and electric ray (Narke japonica) toward seabed exploration
Authors: Funano Shun-ichi , Tanaka Nobuyuki , Amaya Satoshi , Hamano Akira , Sasakura Toyoki , Tanaka Yo 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCreation of a seabed map is a significant task for various activities including safe navigation of vessels, commercial fishing and securing sea-mined resources. Conventionally, search machines including autonomous underwater vehicles or sonar systems have been used for this purpose. Here, we propose a completely different approach to improve the seabed map by using benthic (sting and electric) rays as agents which may explore the seabed by their autonomous behavior without precise control and possibly add extra information such as biota. For the first step to realize this concept, the detail behavior of the benthic rays must be analyzed. In this study, we used a system with a large water tank (10 m × 5 m × 6 m height) to measure the movement patterns of the benthic rays. We confirmed that it was feasible to optically trace the 2D and 3D movement of a sting and an electric ray and that the speed of the rays indicated whether they were skimming slowly over the bottom surface or swimming. Then, we investigated feasibility for measuring the sea bottom features using two electric rays equipped with small pingers (acoustic transmitters) and receivers on a boat. We confirmed tracing of the movements of the rays over the sea bottom for more than 90 min at 1 s time resolution. Since we can know whether rays are skimming slowly over the bottom surface or swimming in water from the speed, this would be applicable to mapping the sea bottom depth. This is the first step to investigate the feasibility of mapping the seabed using a benthic creature.
Predation of invasive raccoon (Procyon lotor) on hibernating bats in the Nietoperek reserve in Poland
Authors: Cichocki Jan , Ważna Agnieszka , Bator-Kocoł Anna , Lesiński Grzegorz , Grochowalska Renata , Bojarski Jacek 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe raccoon Procyon lotor is an invasive species inhabiting Europe and its impact on local populations, particularly on endangered species, is not well known. The aim of the study was to determine whether raccoons pose a threat to bats wintering in the Nietoperek nature reserve, one of the largest hibernation sites in Central Europe. In the winter of 2016–2017, 67 raccoon scats were collected in one of the main underground corridors in the reserve. It was confirmed, with the use of molecular methods, that the scats belonged to raccoons. Raccoon prey was identified based on the features of skulls, jaws or hair found in the scats. Analysis of the determinable remains indicates that bats (including Daubenton’s bat/Natterer’s bat/Brandt’s bat M. daubentonii/nattereri/brandtii, Natterer’s bat Myotis nattereri, greater mouse-eared bat Myotis myotis, brown long-eared bat Plecotus auritus) made up the largest percentage of raccoon diet (96%). Remains of other mammal species, lizards Lacerta spp., plant materials and anthropogenic food were also identified in raccoon scats. The results of the research indicate that predation by raccoons can constitute a significant factor in the increasing mortality of bats wintering in Nietoperek.
Acoustic and In‐Situ Observations of Deep Seafloor Hydrothermal Discharge: An OOI Cabled Array ASHES Vent Field Case Study
Authors: Xu Guangyu , Bemis Karen , Jackson Darrell , Ivakin Anatoliy 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe Cabled Observatory Vent Imaging Sonar (COVIS) was installed on the Ocean Observatories Initiative's Regional Cabled Array observatory at ASHES hydrothermal vent field on Axial Seamount in July 2018. The acoustic backscatter data recorded by COVIS in August–September 2018, in conjunction with in situ temperature measurements, are used to showcase and verify the use of COVIS for long‐term, quantitative monitoring of hydrothermal discharge. Specifically, sonar data processing generates three‐dimensional backscatter images of the buoyant plumes above major sulfide structures and two‐dimensional maps of diffuse flows within COVIS's field‐of‐view. The backscatter images show substantial changes of plume appearance and orientation that mostly reflect plume bending in the presence of ambient currents and potentially the variations of outflow fluxes. The intensity of acoustic backscatter decreases significantly for highly bent plumes as compared to nearly vertical plumes, reflecting enhanced mixing of plume fluids with seawater driven by ambient currents. A forward model of acoustic backscatter from a buoyancy‐driven plume developed in this study yields a reasonable match with the observation, which paves the way for inversely estimating the source heat flux of a hydrothermal plume from acoustic backscatter measurements. The acoustic observations of diffuse flows show large temporal variations on time scales of hours to days, especially at tidal frequencies, but no apparent long‐term trend. These findings demonstrate COVIS's ability to quantitatively monitor hydrothermal discharge from both focused and diffuse sources to provide the research community with key observational data for studying the linkage of hydrothermal activity with oceanic and geological processes.
Rock Water as a Key Resource for Patchy Ecosystems on Shallow Soils: Digging Deep Tree Clumps Subsidize Surrounding Surficial Grass
Authors: Montaldo Nicola , Corona Roberto , Curreli Matteo , Sirigu Serena , Piroddi Luca , Oren Ram 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMediterranean mountainous areas of shallow soil often display a mosaic of tree clumps surrounded by grass. The combined role and dynamics of water extracted from the underlying rock, and the competition between adjacent patches of trees and grass, has not been investigated. We quantified the role rock water plays in the seasonal dynamics of evapotranspiration (ET), over a patchy landscape in the context of current and past seasonal climate changes, and land‐cover change strategies. Soil water budget suggests deep water uptake by roots of trees (0.8–0.9 mm/d), penetrating into the fractured basalt, subsidized grass transpiration in spring through hydraulic redistribution. However, in summer trees used all the rock water absorbed (0.79 mm/d). A 15‐year data set shows that, with increasing seasonal drought‐severity (potential ET/precipitation) to >1.04, the vertical water flux through the bottom of the thin soil layer transitions from drainage to uptake in support of ET. A hypothetical grass‐covered landscape, with no access to deep water, would require 0.68–0.85 mm/d more than is available, forcing shortened growing season and/or reduced leaf area. Long‐term decreasing winter precipitation and increasing spring potential ET suggest drying climate, so far with stable vegetation mosaic but progressively earlier peak of grass leaf area. Intervention policies to increase water yield by reducing tree cover will curtail grass access to rock moisture, while attempting to increase tree‐related products (including carbon sequestration) by increasing forest cover will limit water availability per tree leaf area. Both changes may further reduce ecosystem stability.
On the Influence of the Current Feedback to the Atmosphere on the Western Mediterranean Sea Dynamics
Authors: Renault L. , Arsouze T. , Ballabrera‐Poy J. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe ocean Current FeedBack to the atmosphere (CFB) has been shown to be an unambiguous physical process to achieve proper equilibrium in the Ocean. However, its effects on the Western Mediterranean Sea (WMS) are not known. In this study, eddy‐rich coupled ocean‐atmosphere simulations are carried out for the WMS to assess the extent to which CFB alters the WMS circulation and to characterize the low‐level wind and surface stress responses to CFB. By generating conduits of energy from oceanic currents to the atmosphere, CFB slows the mean circulation by about 10% and acts as an oceanic eddy killer, reducing the mesoscale activity by 25% and attenuating the intensity of their intermittency. It also alters the mean barotropic vorticity balance of the WMS Gyre, reducing the role of wind stress curl, nonlinear torque, and bottom pressure torque. By reducing the eddy‐mean flow interaction, CFB has a large influence on the properties of the Algerian Current, reducing the presence of standing eddies near Sardinia and improving the realism of the circulation. It also modifies the Alboran Gyres formation and the Northern Current retroflection. Finally, coupling coefficients from the coupled simulations are estimated and are consistent with those for other regions. The CFB coupling coefficients can be used to parameterize the CFB in a forced ocean model. Overall, our results show that, as for other regions, the CFB is another physical mechanism to be considered for the representation of the WMS circulation.
Spatiotemporal Characteristics and Associated Synoptic Patterns of Extremely Persistent Heavy Rainfall in Southern China
Authors: Zhang Chi , Huang Xiaogang , Fei Jianfang , Luo Xia , Zhou Yan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPersistent heavy rainfall has a longer duration than short‐duration heavy rainfall (SHR), with few studies on its extreme duration. Hourly gridded precipitation data from April to September during 2008–2019 were used to define and study extremely persistent heavy rainfall (EPHR) in southern China. It was found that the EPHR process was asymmetric, with growing time about 1 h shorter than fading time on average. On average, EPHR accounts for less than 40% of duration but nearly 3/4 of precipitation in events. There was a tendency for EPHR to occur near land‐sea boundaries and mountainous areas. It was more frequent in the early morning, differing from the “afternoon peak” observed for SHR. There were five EPHR high‐incidence areas (HIAs). EPHR with longest duration occurred in coastal areas, and the largest precipitation was recorded near the Yunkai Mountains. Influenced by local characteristics, the peaking time of monthly and diurnal variations differed in HIAs. The low in Beibu Gulf was closely related to the occurrence of EPHR, but the relative positions of the low and HIAs varied in different synoptic pattern types. The trough at 500 hPa and the low vortex or shear line at 850 hPa interacted with the surface convergence mechanism to produce strong upward motion. There was also a warm and wet tongue at 850 hPa above the HIAs, combined with the vertically integrated moisture flux convergence. Additionally, the marine boundary‐layer jet and isentropic ascent in lower troposphere possibly supported the coastal EPHR.
Two‐Phase Fluid Flow Properties of Rough Fractures With Heterogeneous Wettability: Analysis With Lattice Boltzmann Simulations
Authors: Guiltinan Eric J. , Santos J. E. , Cardenas M. Bayani , Espinoza D. Nicolas , Kang Qinjun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractFractures are conduits for fluid flow in low‐permeability geological formations. Multiphase flow properties of fractures are important in natural processes and in engineering applications such as the evaluation of the sealing capacity of caprocks and productivity of hydrocarbon‐bearing tight rocks. Investigations of flow and transport through fractures typically focus on the effects of fracture geometric and mechanical factors such as aperture, roughness, and compressibility. The wettability of the fracture surfaces and its influence on microscale interfacial phenomena and macroscale effective transport properties are seldom studied. Here, we investigated the effect of heterogeneous wetting properties on the displacement of water by supercritical CO2 through a series of lattice Boltzmann method simulations. The results show the evolution of the CO2 plume within a fracture is controlled by both the roughness of the aperture field and the wetting distribution. We combined these factors into a capillary pressure map that can be related to the macroscopic flow behavior of the fracture. We observed that heterogeneous wetting distributions promote the residual trapping of water where lower capillary pressures allowed for isolated water pockets in higher capillary pressure zones. Analysis of fracture unsteady relative permeability shows the effect of wetting on permeability evolution and provides support for the viscous‐coupling relative permeability model. Finally, analysis of the steady‐state relative permeability and saturation demonstrates a strong correlation between permeability and the standard deviation of the capillary pressure field. Thus, characterizing the distribution of wetting properties of fractures is crucial to understanding multiphase fracture flow and transport properties.
Disentangling the Impact of Catchment Heterogeneity on Nitrate Export Dynamics From Event to Long‐Term Time Scales
Authors: Winter Carolin , Lutz Stefanie R. , Musolff Andreas , Kumar Rohini , Weber Michael , Fleckenstein Jan H. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDefining effective measures to reduce nitrate pollution in heterogeneous mesoscale catchments remains challenging when based on concentration measurements at the outlet only. One reason for this is our limited understanding of the subcatchment contributions to nitrate export and their importance at different time scales. While upstream subcatchments often disproportionally contribute to runoff generation and in turn to nutrient export, agricultural areas (which are typically found in downstream lowlands) are known to be a major source of nitrate pollution. To examine the interplay of different subcatchments, we analyzed seasonal long‐term trends and event dynamics of nitrate concentrations, loads, and the concentration–discharge relationship in three nested catchments within the Selke catchment (456 km2), Germany. The upstream subcatchments (40.4% of total catchment area, 34.5% of N input) had short transit times and dynamic concentration–discharge relationships with elevated nitrate concentrations during wet seasons and events. Consequently, the upstream subcatchments dominated nitrate export during high flow and disproportionally contributed to overall annual nitrate loads at the outlet (64.2%). The downstream subcatchment was characterized by higher N input, longer transit times, and relatively constant nitrate concentrations between seasons, dominating nitrate export during low‐flow periods. Neglecting the disproportional role of upstream subcatchments for temporally elevated nitrate concentrations and net annual loads can lead to an overestimation of the role of agricultural lowlands. Nonetheless, constantly high concentrations from nitrate legacies pose a long‐term threat to water quality in agricultural lowlands. This knowledge is crucial for an effective and site‐specific water quality management.