bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preclinical Challenges in Proton Minibeam Radiotherapy: Physics and Biomedical Aspects
Authors: Datzmann Gerd , Sammer Matthias , Girst Stefanie , Mayerhofer Michael , Dollinger Günther , Reindl Judith 
Published: November 2020

The concept of spatial fractionation in radiotherapy was developed for better sparing of normal tissue in the entrance channel of radiation. Spatial fractionation utilizing proton minibeam radiotherapy (pMBRT) promises to be advantageous compared to X-ray minibeams due to higher dose conformity at the tumor. Preclinical in vivo experiments conducted with pMBRT in mouse ear models or in rat brains support the prospects, but the research about the radiobiological mechanisms and the search for adequate application parameters delivering the most beneficial minibeam therapy is still in its infancy. Concerning preclinical research, we consider glioma, non-small cell lung cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma as the most promising targets and propose investigating the effects on healthy tissue, especially neuronal cells and abdominal organs. The experimental setups for preclinical pMBRT used so far follow different technological approaches, and experience technical limitations when addressing the current questions in the field. We review the crucial physics parameters necessary for proton minibeam production and link them to the technological challenges to be solved for providing an optimal research environment. We consider focusing of pencil or planar minibeams in a scanning approach superior compared to collimation due to less beam halos, higher peak-to-valley dose ratios and higher achievable dose rates. A possible solution to serve such a focusing system with a high-quality proton beam at all relevant energies is identified to be a 3 GHz radio-frequency linear accelerator. We propose using a 16 MeV proton beam from an existing tandem accelerator injected into a linear post-accelerator, boosted up to 70 MeV, and finally delivered to an imaging and positioning end-station suitable for small animal irradiation. Ion-optical simulations show that this combination can generate focused proton minibeams with sizes down to 0.1 mm at 18 nA mean proton current - sufficient for all relevant preclinical experiments. This technology is expected to offer powerful and versatile tools for unleashing structured and advanced preclinical pMBRT studies at the limits and also has the potential to enable a next step into precision tumor therapy.
Risk Factors for Sexual Offending in Self-Referred Men With Pedophilic Disorder: A Swedish Case-Control Study
Authors: Wittström Felix , Långström Niklas , Landgren Valdemar , Rahm Christoffer 
Published: November 2020

BackgroundThe risk of child sexual abuse among non-forensic, non-correctional patients with Pedophilic Disorder (PD) is largely unknown.MethodsWe recruited a consecutive sample of 55 help-seeking, non-correctional adult men diagnosed with DSM-5 PD at a university-affiliated sexual medicine outpatient unit in Sweden. PD participants were compared with 57 age-matched, non-clinical control men on four literature-based dynamic risk domains and self-rated child sexual abuse risk.ResultsPD participants scored higher than controls on all tested domains (0–3 points); expectedly so for pedophilic attraction (2.5 vs. 0.0, Cohen’s d = 2.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): [1.91–2.89]), but also for sexual preoccupation (1.6 vs. 1.0, d = 1.11, 95% CI: [0.71–1.51]), impaired self-regulation (1.4 vs. 1.0, d = 0.44, 95% CI: [0.06 to 0.81]), impaired cognitive empathy and antisocial traits (0.9 vs. 0.1, d = 1.18, 95% CI: [0.78–1.59]), and self-rated child sexual abuse risk (1.0 vs. 0.0, d = 1.56, 95% CI: [1.13–1.98]). When summarizing all five domains into a pre-specified composite score (0–15 points), PD subjects scored substantially higher than matched control men (7.5 vs. 2.1, d = 2.12, 95% CI: [1.65–2.59]). Five (9%) PD participants self-reported any previous conviction for a contact child sexual offense and eight (15%) for possession of child sexual abuse material or non-contact sexual offending (adult or child victim). Eighteen subjects (34%) acknowledged past week, child-related sexual behaviors.ConclusionSelf-referred, help-seeking men with PD scored higher (small to very large effect sizes) than non-clinical control men on psychiatric measures of dynamic risk of child sexual abuse suggested in prior research with correctional samples diagnosed with PD. Our findings, including the composite risk measure, might inform clinical practice, but needs validation against actual sexual offending behavior.
Placing Cognitive Rigidity in Interpersonal Context in Psychosis: Relationship With Low Cognitive Reserve and High Self-Certainty
Authors: García-Mieres Helena , Usall Judith , Feixas Guillem , Ochoa Susana 
Published: November 2020

Introduction: People with psychosis show impairments in cognitive flexibility, a phenomenon that is still poorly understood. In this study, we tested if there were differences in cognitive and metacognitive processes related to rigidity in patients with psychosis. We compared individuals with dichotomous interpersonal thinking and those with flexible interpersonal thinking.Methods: We performed a secondary analysis using two groups with psychosis, one with low levels of dichotomous interpersonal thinking (n = 42) and the other with high levels of dichotomous interpersonal thinking (n = 43). The patients were classified by splitting interpersonal dichotomous thinking (measured using the repertory grid technique) to the median. The groups were administered a sociodemographic questionnaire, a semi-structured interview to assess psychotic symptoms [Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)], a self-report of cognitive insight [Beck Cognitive Insight Scale (BCIS)], neurocognitive tasks [Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS)], and the repertory grid technique. We used a logistic regression model to test which factors best differentiate the two groups.Results: The group with high dichotomous interpersonal thinking had earlier age at onset of the psychotic disorder, higher self-certainty, impaired executive functioning, affected abstract thinking, and lower estimated cognitive reserve than the group with flexible thinking. According to the logistic regression model, estimated cognitive reserve and self-certainty were the variables that better differentiated between the two groups.Conclusion: Cognitive rigidity may be a generalized bias that affects not only neurocognitive and metacognitive processes but also the sense of self and significant others. Patients with more dichotomous interpersonal thinking might benefit from interventions that target this cognitive bias on an integrative way and that is adapted to their general level of cognitive abilities.
IT Services Architecture for Oil Refinery Information Systems
Authors: Koronatov N. N. , Il’in I. V. , Levina A. I. 
Published: November 2020

An oil refinery is a complex process manufacturing system that needs to be efficiently supported at all levels by information systems and technologies.Aim.The presented study aims to formulate requirements for the IT services of oil refinery information systems in accordance with the architectural approach to enterprise management.Tasks.The authors analyze existing approaches to the formation of requirements for oil refinery information systems, outline functional requirements for oil refinery information systems, and develop a high-level architecture for the IT services of oil refinery information systems.Methods.The methodological basis of the study includes a service-oriented approach to analyzing the requirements of the enterprise management system for IT support.Results.The authors propose a model service-oriented architectural solution for the IT support of oil refining processes and formulate industry-specific requirements for IT services in BI, ERP, MES, and APC systems.Conclusions.By designing a service-based IT architecture for an enterprise, it is possible to implement an information flow management system that would meet current business needs, including an automated system. When designing the IT architecture of an oil refinery, it is important to pay special attention to manufacturing execution systems (MES) and automated process control systems (APCS). Implementations of such systems use IT solutions designed by developers specializing in the automation of oil refining enterprises.
Development of Strategic Entrepreneurship in Small and Medium-Sized Tourism Enterprises: The Role of Coopetition
Authors: Hasan Agha M. 
Published: November 2020

Aim. The presented study aims to assess the potential of coopetition as an additional strategy to creating an integrated model for managing strategic entrepreneurship in the tourism sector.Tasks. The authors define the concept of strategic entrepreneurship; determine and analyze the concept of coopetition; formulate the concept of strategic entrepreneurship in tourism; present the results of a qualitative study aimed at determining the most important forms of cooperation between tourism companies.Methods. This conceptual study relies heavily on the examined literature, on theoretical reasons for using strategic entrepreneurship and coopetition in tourism enterprises, and on a qualitative study aimed at identifying meaningful areas of cooperation with competitors. Results. Strategic entrepreneurship is a new field based on the integration of entrepreneurship and strategic management. If used by the management, it can significantly boost the company’s performance. However, in small and medium-sized tourism enterprises, critical resources are usually limited. As a result, they have to cooperate with competitors to gain access to additional assets and opportunities. Coopetition is used as part of the strategic activities of tourism enterprises to provide the missing resources and promote innovations that could help satisfy the needs of tourists. Conclusions. Ccoopetition as an additional strategy will improve the strategic model of entrepreneurship, helping tourism enterprises achieve better performance.
A Search for Polarized Thermal Emission from Directly Imaged Exoplanets and Brown Dwarf Companions to Nearby Stars
Authors: Jensen-Clem Rebecca , Millar-Blanchaer Maxwell A. , van Holstein Rob G. , Mawet Dimitri , Graham James , Sengupta Sujan , Marley Mark S. , Snik Frans , Vigan Arthur , Hinkley Sasha , Boer Jos de , Girard Julien H. , De Rosa Robert J. , Bowler Brendan P. , Wiktorowicz Sloane J. , Perrin Marshall D. , Crepp Justin R. , Macintosh Bruce 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Aerosols in the atmospheres of cloudy gas giant exoplanets and brown dwarfs scatter and polarize these objects’ thermal emission. If such an object has an oblate shape or nonuniform cloud distribution, the net degree of linear polarization can show an increase ranging from several tenths of a percent to a few percent. Modern high-contrast imaging polarimeters are now poised to detect such low-polarization signals, opening up a new window into the rotational velocities and cloud properties of substellar companions to nearby stars. In this paper, we present the results of a near-IR survey searching for linearly polarized thermal emission from a sample of two planetary-mass companions and five brown dwarf companions using GPI and SPHERE-IRDIS. We probe the subpercent linear polarization regime that typifies polarized free-floating brown dwarfs and place limits on each object’s degree of linear polarization. We relate our upper limits on each target’s degree of linear polarization to its rotation rate, and place our results in the context of rotation rates measured using high-resolution spectroscopy.
Spiral-arm Substructures in the Asymmetrical Dust Rings of the Circumstellar Disk MWC 758
Authors: Shen Bo-Ting , Tang Ya-Wen , Koch Patrick M. 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
Asymmetrical features in disks provide indirect evidence of embedded objects, such as planets. Observed with the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), the circumstellar disk in MWC 758 traced with thermal dust continuum emission at wavelengths of 0.9 mm with an angular resolution up to 01 (15 au) exhibits an asymmetrical dust ring with additional features. In order to analyze the structures azimuthally and radially, we split the dust ring into small segments in azimuth. For each segment, we fit two-Gaussian functions to the radial intensity profile. The obtained best-fit parameters as a function of azimuth are analyzed. Three spiral-like arm structures are identified. When fitting the 0.9 mm features with the spiral density wave theory using the WKB approximation, two sets of disk aspect ratios are found: one solution gives relatively low values (∼0.03) while the other solution is at the upper bound of the free parameter (∼0.2). The planet locations suggested by the upper-bound result are similar to the ones determined by Benisty et al. for the NIR polarized intensity image. Comparing the reported spiral-like structures with the higher angular resolution (004) ALMA image in Dong et al., we identify different structures in the west of the disk due to differences in the adopted analysis methods and the respective resolutions of the images.
Accretion and Intercycle Variations in the PMS Interacting Binary AK Sco
Authors: Gómez de Castro Ana I. , Vallejo Juan Carlos , Canet Ada , Loyd Parke , France Kevin 
Published: November 2020

Abstract
There are only a handful of known short-period pre-main-sequence spectroscopic binaries with significant accretion rates (Class II sources). AK Sco stands out in this list because the system is composed of two equal mass F5 stars in a highly eccentric orbit thus both stars get as close as 11 stellar radii at periastron passage. This configuration is optimal for accretion studies because enhanced accretion events can be precisely timed at periastron passage. In this work, we present the results from the monitoring of the AK Sco system with Hubble during three consecutive periastron passages. These data provide a unique data set to spectroscopically characterize accretion and evaluate the intercycle variability of the system. Clear evidence of accretion rate enhancement was observed in cycles 1 and 3: the blueing of the near-UV continuum, the sudden flux increase of important accretion tracers, such as the N V, Si IV, and C IV lines, and also of neutral/singly ionized species such as O I and C II. Also, variations in the Si III]/C III] ratio reveal an enhancement of the electron density by an order of magnitude during the periastron passage. Moreover, in cycle 3, the spectral resolution of the observations obtained with the Cosmic Origins Spectrograph enabled us to discern that the flow was channeled preferentially into one of the two components. The most remarkable feature in the cycle-to-cycle variations was the detection of a notable increase of the UV flux from cycle 1 to cycle 2 that was not accompanied by enhanced accretion signatures.
Stratégie soviétique et chute du pacte de Varsovie
Authors: Paris Henri 
Published: November 2020

Le Pacte de Varsovie représente la plus formidable coalition mili­taire et politique que le monde ait connu depuis deux siècles. En réalité l’organisation du Pacte ne visait qu’à assurer la gestion des Forces alliées et encore plus la direction politique de la coalition, dans la conti­nuité de l’Internationale communiste née au lendemain de la Révolution d’Octobre. Quant au commandement opérationnel des forces alliées, il était assumé par la Direction suprême politico-militaire de l’URSS et par le commandement militaire soviétique.

La stratégie militaire développée par les seuls Soviétiques était d’une redoutable efficacité.

Comble du paradoxe, c’est au stade du plus grand perfectionnement que le pacte de Varsovie s’est effondré en même temps que l’URSS, pour les mêmes raisons, à la suite d’impasses insurmontables dans les domaines militaires, sociaux et économiques. Mais, c’est surtout la chute de l’idéologie communiste qui a entraîné la dislocation de l’ensemble.

Le pacte de Varsovie reste cependant un modèle que les Russes reprennent en le débarrassant de son idéologie pour reconstruire une entité étatique, à partir de la Communauté des États Indépendants, surgie des décombres de la défunte Union soviétique. Le pacte est ainsi la clé de l’avenir.

Cet ouvrage est issu d’une thèse de doctorat soutenue en 1993 à l’Université de Paris-I (Panthéon-Sorbonne) avec la mention « très honorable, avec les félicitations du jury » par le général (CR) Henri Paris. Le directeur de cette thèse était le Professeur René Girault.
Effects of Fear of COVID-19 on Mental Well-Being and Quality of Life among Saudi Adults
Authors: Alyami Mohsen , de Albuquerque Julia Vajda , Krägeloh Christian U. , Alyami Hussain , Henning Marcus A. 
Published: November 2020

Background:
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has been very disruptive, and thus is likely to result in substantial challenges to mental health.

Objectives:
This study aimed to investigate the effects of fear of COVID-19 on the mental well-being and quality of life among Saudi adult population and to evaluate the impact of perceived social support.

Materials and Methods:
This cross-sectional study used an anonymous online survey, where participants were administered the Fear of COVID-19 Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, European Health Interview Survey-Quality of Life and Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. A path analysis was used to investigate the proposed theoretical domain structure linking fear of COVID-19 with perceived social support, mental well-being and quality of life.

Results:
A total of 1029 Saudi adults with a mean age of 33.7 years (SD 11.5) responded to the survey. Descriptive analysis showed that this sample was fearful of COVID-19, anxious and depressed but, at the same time, reported high quality of life and perceived social support scores. Path analysis indicated that increased fear of COVID-19 was directly associated with diminished mental well-being, which in turn was associated with lower quality of life. The beneficial effects of perceived social support were stronger on quality of life than on mental well-being. No direct link was found between fear of COVID-19 and quality of life.

Conclusion:
These findings emphasize the importance of having effective social systems in place to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental well-being and quality of life.
Optimal approximants and orthogonal polynomials in several variables
Authors: Sargent Meredith , Sola Alan A. 
Published: November 2020

AbstractWe discuss the notion of optimal polynomial approximants in multivariable reproducing kernel Hilbert spaces. In particular, we analyze difficulties that arise in the multivariable case which are not present in one variable, for example, a more complicated relationship between optimal approximants and orthogonal polynomials in weighted spaces. Weakly inner functions, whose optimal approximants are all constant, provide extreme cases where nontrivial orthogonal polynomials cannot be recovered from the optimal approximants. Concrete examples are presented to illustrate the general theory and are used to disprove certain natural conjectures regarding zeros of optimal approximants in several variables.
DETERMINANTS OF FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF COMMERCIAL BANKS LISTED AT NSE IN KENYA
Authors: Ndungu Kenneth Njihia , Bosire Joshua 
Published: November 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to establish the determinants of financial performance of NSE listed commercial banks in Kenya.
Methodology: A descriptive study design attributed to a census approach aiming at the eleven listed commercial banks in Kenya was applied. The research relied on secondary data obtained from the audited financial statements of the said banks to create the correlation between the research variables. The information on the financial effecting of the listed banks was collected using a data collection matrix. The data was analyzed by the assistance of SPSS and the outcome presented in tables using statistical aspects, which include means and standard deviations.
Results: The study established that government securities (r = 0.680) had a positive and strong correlation with financial performance. Similarly, Real estate (r = 0.738), Loans (r = 0.922) and, stocks (r=.469) had a positive and weak correlation with financial performance. The findings of study show loans (p=0.000) was most significant, followed by funds allocated to Government securities at p=0.149 then by funds allocated to stocks (p=.850) and least significant was real estate financing at p=0.972 at 95% confidence level. The findings show that there was a strong positive correlation (r=0.926) between Funds allocation and financial performance of commercial banks, according to the findings, 85.7% of financial performance of commercial banks could be attributed to the funds allocation to various assets. Adding another variable say, x5 will lower the strength of the model from 85.7 % to 84.6 %.
Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The study recommends that listed commercial banks should diversify their real estate finance schemes to make it reachable to more customers since real estate had a significant effect of their financial performance. A study should be conducted on other variables such as inflation, exchange rates and interest rates fluctuations. A study should also be conducted to investigate the low yield of investment in loans in contrast to investment in government securities
Performance Evaluation and Mechanism Study of a Silicone Hydrophobic Polymer for Improving Gas Reservoir Permeability
Authors: Zhang Jie , Yao Xu-Yang , Bai Bao-Jun , Ren Wang 
Published: November 2020

The permeability of tight gas reservoirs is usually lower than 1 md. When the external fluids from drilling and completion processes invade such reservoirs, formation damage occurs and causes serious damage to oil and gas production. Fluorocarbon surfactants are most often recommended for removing such damage because they have extremely low surface tension, which means that they can change the reservoir wettability from water wet to gas or oil wet. However, they are not normally applied in the field because they are not cost-effective. Besides, some environmental concerns also restrict their application. In this work, we studied the effects of an oligomeric organosilicon surfactant (OSSF) on wettability modification, surface tension reduction, invasion of different fluids, and fluid flow back. It was found that the amount of spontaneous imbibition and remaining water could be reduced by the surfactant as a result of surface tension reduction and wettability alteration. Compared to the distilled water, the concentration of 0.20 wt% OSSF could decrease water saturation of cores by about 4%. At a flow-back pressure of 0.06 and 0.03 MPa after 20 PV displacement, permeability recovery could increase from 8 to 7–93% and 86%, respectively. We also found that the mechanism of OSSF includes the physical obstruction effect, surface tension reduction of external fluids, and wettability alteration of the reservoir generated. Meanwhile, quantum chemical calculations indicated that adsorbent layer of polydimethylsiloxane could decrease the affinity and adhesion of CH4 and H2O on the pore surface.