bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Threshold selection and trimming in extremes
Authors: Bladt Martin , Albrecher Hansjörg , Beirlant Jan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe consider removing lower order statistics from the classical Hill estimator in extreme value statistics, and compensating for it by rescaling the remaining terms. Trajectories of these trimmed statistics as a function of the extent of trimming turn out to be quite flat near the optimal threshold value. For the regularly varying case, the classical threshold selection problem in tail estimation is then revisited, both visually via trimmed Hill plots and, for the Hall class, also mathematically via minimizing the expected empirical variance. This leads to a simple threshold selection procedure for the classical Hill estimator which circumvents the estimation of some of the tail characteristics, a problem which is usually the bottleneck in threshold selection. As a by-product, we derive an alternative estimator of the tail index, which assigns more weight to large observations, and works particularly well for relatively lighter tails. A simple ratio statistic routine is suggested to evaluate the goodness of the implied selection of the threshold. We illustrate the favourable performance and the potential of the proposed method with simulation studies and real insurance data.
Mentoring Students with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities: Evaluation of Role-Specific Workshops for Mentors and Mentees
Authors: Agarwal Rumi , Heron Laura , Naseh Mitra , Burke Shanna L. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTransitioning to post-secondary education is often challenging for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). To address this, Florida International University, specifically FIU Embrace, piloted the Embrace Mentoring Program (EMP), which provided unique role-specific workshops to both faculty/staff mentors, and student mentees with IDD. A mixed-method design was used to analyze knowledge acquisition and participant perceptions of the workshops. Quantitative findings indicated knowledge improvement in a key area for mentors, while qualitative data demonstrated a positive response to workshop content, and highlighted areas of improvement for future workshops. Ultimately, the results from the pilot EMP demonstrated promise in supporting students with IDD towards academic and career-related goals, by providing mentorship training to both mentors and mentees.
Designing an adaptive production control system using reinforcement learning
Authors: Kuhnle Andreas , Kaiser Jan-Philipp , Theiß Felix , Stricker Nicole , Lanza Gisela 
Published: July 2020

AbstractModern production systems face enormous challenges due to rising customer requirements resulting in complex production systems. The operational efficiency in the competitive industry is ensured by an adequate production control system that manages all operations in order to optimize key performance indicators. Currently, control systems are mostly based on static and model-based heuristics, requiring significant human domain knowledge and, hence, do not match the dynamic environment of manufacturing companies. Data-driven reinforcement learning (RL) showed compelling results in applications such as board and computer games as well as first production applications. This paper addresses the design of RL to create an adaptive production control system by the real-world example of order dispatching in a complex job shop. As RL algorithms are “black box” approaches, they inherently prohibit a comprehensive understanding. Furthermore, the experience with advanced RL algorithms is still limited to single successful applications, which limits the transferability of results. In this paper, we examine the performance of the state, action, and reward function RL design. When analyzing the results, we identify robust RL designs. This makes RL an advantageous control system for highly dynamic and complex production systems, mainly when domain knowledge is limited.
Cellulose Acetate and Cardanol Based Seed Coating for Intraspecific Weeding Coupled with Natural Herbicide Spraying
Authors: Friuli Marco , Nitti Paola , Cafuero Luca , Prete Alessia , Zafar Muhammad Shajih , Madaghiele Marta , Demitri Christian 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAgricultural pesticides can become persistent environmental pollutants and their use is destined to be reduced. Consequently, weed control is shifting to green products and strategies. A combined approach, made of pelargonic acid based herbicide spraying and interspecific competition (i.e. seeding of plants species competing for growth against weeds) could boost the weeding effect. In case of the contemporary seeding and spraying, needed to reduce costs, seed coating is necessary as barrier to herbicide toxic effects but, at the same time, the coating has to be endowed with the right features to allow germination. This work aims to verify the feasibility of using cellulose acetate/cardanol (CA/Card) as seed coating polymer–plasticizer blend and to identify possible relationship between material features and germination rate. For these purposes, untreated and pelargonic acid herbicide treated coated seeds coated through solvent evaporation methods (CA/Card ratios from 0/0 to 100/0) were subjected to germination test. Coatings were characterized through SEM, EDX, media uptake, DSC and mechanical analysis with and without conditioning in seeding conditions. Germination test showed that 70/30 seeds, treated and untreated with herbicide, presented the best germination rate. Germination assays showed that coating presence reduced and slowed (without stopping) seeds germination equally with and without herbicide treatment. Consequently, was possible to conclude that CA/Card coatings allowed germination and presented a barrier effect against herbicide. Thus coating resulted suitable for seed coating in herbicide spraying/interspecific combined applications. No strong correlations were found between material features and germination, but it is plausible to hypothesize that both water absorption and mechanical properties of the coating play an important role and have to be optimized to improve germination rate avoiding difficulty in sprouting. Finally, the study opened a new perspective in the use of cellulose acetate for seed coating from waste sources such as cigarette filters.Graphic Abstract
Context and Literality in Idiom Processing: Evidence from Self-Paced Reading
Authors: Beck Sara D. , Weber Andrea 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn a self-paced reading study, we investigated how effects of biasing contexts in idiom processing interact with effects of idiom literality. Specifically, we tested if idioms with a high potential for literal interpretation (e.g., break the ice) are processed differently in figuratively and literally biasing contexts than idioms with a low potential (e.g., lose one’s cool). Participants read sentences that biased towards a figurative or literal reading of idioms and continued with resolutions that were congruent or incongruent with these biases (e.g., [The new schoolboy/the chilly Eskimo] just wanted to break the ice [with his peers/on the lake]…). While interpretations of high-literality idioms were strengthened by supporting contexts and showed costs for incongruent resolutions, low-literality idioms did not show this effect. Rather, interpreting low-literality idioms in a literal manner showed a cost regardless of context. We conclude that biasing contexts are used in a flexible process of real-time idiom processing and meaning constitution, but this effect is mediated by idiom literality.
Dynamics of a coupled mechanical system containing a spherical pendulum and a fractional damper
Authors: Freundlich Jan , Sado Danuta 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe presented work deals with nonlinear dynamics of a three degree of freedom system with a spherical pendulum and a damper of the fractional type. Vibrations in the vicinity of the internal and external resonance are considered. The system consists of a block suspended from a linear spring and a fractional damper, and a spherical pendulum suspended from the block. The viscoelastic properties of the damper are described using the Caputo fractional derivative. The fractional derivative of an order of $$0 < \alpha \le 1$$

0
<
α
≤
1

is assumed. The impact of a fractional order derivative on the system with a spherical pendulum is studied. Time histories, the internal and external resonance, bifurcation diagrams, Poincaré maps and the Lyapunov exponents have been calculated for various orders of a fractional derivative. Chaotic motion has been found for some system parameters.
Patient-guided modifications of oral anticoagulant drug intake during Ramadan fasting: a multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Batarfi AbdulAziz , Alenezi Haitham , Alshehri Abdulrahman , Balelah Saud , Kazim Hameedullah , Algthami Mohammed , Hussain Mariam M. , Alshehri Nada , Alsharif Rahaf , Ashour Hadeel , Althobaiti Mutaz , Alotaibi Shomokh , Steinmetz Helmuth , Foerch Christian 
Published: July 2020

AbstractFasting Ramadan is known to influence patients’ medication adherence. Data on patients’ behavior to oral anticoagulant (OAC) drug intake during Ramadan is missing. We aimed to determine patient-guided modifications of OAC medication regimen during Ramadan and to evaluate its consequences. A multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in Saudi Arabia. Data were collected shortly after Ramadan 2019. Participants were patients who fasted Ramadan and who were on long-term anticoagulation. Patient-guided medication changes during Ramadan in comparison to the regular intake schedule before Ramadan were recorded. Modification behavior was compared between twice daily (BID) and once daily (QD) treatment regimens. Rates of hospital admission during Ramadan were determined. We included 808 patients. During Ramadan, 53.1% modified their intake schedule (31.1% adjusted intake time, 13.2% skipped intakes, 2.2% took double dosing). A higher frequency of patient-guided modification was observed in patients on BID regimen compared to QD regimen. During Ramadan, 11.3% of patients were admitted to hospital. Patient-guided modification was a strong predictor for hospital admission. Patient-guided modification of OAC intake during Ramadan is common, particularly in patients on BID regimen. It increases the risk of hospital admission during Ramadan. Planning of OAC intake during Ramadan and patient education on the risk of low adherence are advisable.
Impact of chronic kidney disease on long-term outcome of patients with valvular heart defects
Authors: Kuźma Łukasz , Małyszko Jolanta , Bachórzewska-Gajewska Hanna , Niwińska Marta Maria , Kurasz Anna , Zalewska-Adamiec Małgorzata , Kożuch Marcin , Dobrzycki Sławomir 
Published: July 2020

Abstract
Introduction
Valvular heart diseases (VHD) are becoming a significant problem in the Polish population. Coexistence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) in patients with VHD increases the risk of death and affects further therapeutic strategy.

Aim
Analysis impact of CKD on long-term prognosis in patients with VHD.

Material and methods
The inclusion criteria were met by 1025 patients with moderate and severe VHD. Mean observation time was 2528 ± 1454 days.

Results
The average age of the studied population was 66.75 (SD = 10.34), male gender was dominant 56% (N = 579). Severe aortic valve stenosis (AVS) occurred in 28.2%, severe mitral valve insufficiency (MVI) in 20%. CKD occurred in 37.1% (N = 380) patients mostly with mitral stenosis (50%, N = 16) and those with severe MVI (44.8%, N = 94). During the observational period, 52.7% (N = 540) deaths were noted. Increased risk of mortality was associated mostly with age (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00–1.03, p < 0.001), creatinine (OR:1.27, 95% CI: 1.12–1.43, p < 0.001), CKD (OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.17–1.44, p < 0.001), reduced ejection fraction (EF) (OR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97–0.99, p = 0.01) and coexisting of AVS (OR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.04–1.35, p = 0.01).

Conclusions
Mitral valve defects more often than aortic valve defects coexist with chronic kidney disease. Regardless of the stage, chronic kidney disease is an additional factor affecting the prognosis in patients with heart defects. Factors increasing the risk of death were age, creatinine concentration and reduced EF. The monitoring of renal function in patients with VHD should be crucial as well as the implementation of treatment at an early stage.
Towards control strategies for microplastics in urban water
Authors: Fältström Emma , Anderberg Stefan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMicroplastics (plastic particles < 5 mm) is a pollution of growing concern. Microplastic pollution is a complex issue that requires systematic attempts to provide an overview and avoid management solutions that have marginal effects or only move the pollution problem. Substance flow analysis (SFA) has been proposed as a useful tool to receive such an overview and has been put forward as valuable for substance management. However, as the research on microplastics has only emerged recently, detailed and reliable SFAs are difficult to perform. In this study, we use three SFA studies for three pollutants (cadmium, copper and pharmaceuticals) to compare flows and strategies to control the flows. This in order to seek guidance for microplastic management and evaluate potential strategies for controlling microplastics. The analysis shows that there has been rigorous control on different levels to abate pollution from cadmium, copper and pharmaceuticals, but where in the system the major control measures have been carried out differ. For microplastics, there are many potential solutions, both in terms of preventive actions and treatment depending on the type of source. When forming management plans for microplastics, the responsibility for each measure and the impact on the whole urban system should be taken into consideration as well as which receiving compartments are particularly valuable and should be avoided.
Resistance genes mediate differential resistance to pine defensive substances α-Pinene and H2O2 in Bursaphelenchus xylophilus with different levels of virulence
Authors: Rui Lin , Liu Hongbin , Liang Rui , Wu Xiaoqin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe pine wood nematode (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner & Buhrer) Nickle, is the pathogen of pine wilt disease (PWD) which can devastate forests. PWN can be of high or low severity and the mechanisms underlying the differences in virulence are unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to study the relationship between differentiation of PWN severity and its resistance to the main defensive substances of pine species (i.e., α-pinene and H2O2). The feeding rate and fecundity of PWN was examined at different levels of virulence under conditions of α-pinene and H2O2 stress. Moreover, the expression patterns of the main resistance genes of PWN with different virulence were determined under conditions of α-pinene and H2O2 stress. The feeding rate and fecundity of the high virulence strain AMA3 were higher than those of the low virulence strain YW4. The expression levels of the autophagy gene BxATG5, cytochrome P450 gene BxCYP33D3, and glutathione S-transferase genes BxGST1 and BxGST3 in AMA3 increased significantly upon exposure to α-pinene for 2 h, while these genes showed smaller degrees of upregulation in YW4. Under conditions of H2O2 stress, the expression levels of BxATG5, catalase genes Bxy-ctl-1and Bxy-ctl-2, and the 2-cysteine peroxiredoxin gene BxPrx in AMA3 were higher than those in YW4. These findings suggest that high virulence PWN has greater resistance to pine defensive substances α-pinene and H2O2 than low virulence PWN, and resistance genes mediate the differential resistance of PWN strains. This study will contribute to the clarification of the mechanism underlying virulence differentiation of PWN and will advance understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of PWD.
Surface water quality assessment with reference to trace metals in River Mahanadi and its tributaries, India
Authors: Hussain Jakir , Dubey Arati , Hussain Ikbal , Arif Mohd. , Shankar Ajay 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTrace elements (As, Cr, Cu, Cd, Hg, Fe, Pb, Ni, and Zn) in surface water of Mahanadi River and its tributaries were measured in order to investigate their geospatial metal distribution and extent of contamination. The study was designed to make water quality comparisons with local and global average values. As the river and its contributing tributaries flow through a diverse geologic, topographic, hydrologic, and industrial region, a large catchment area comprising 17 inter-distant water quality sites was chosen. A total of seventy-five water samples were analyzed for the concentration of trace metals in dissolved phases using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The contamination factor data suggest that several metals had higher concentrations than acceptable and permissible limits prescribed by World Health Organization. Principal component analysis reveals the relationships between metal groups, viz. Ni, Cr, Cu, and Fe, and Hg, Pb, and Cd, and Zn and As. It indicates a difference in the sources of their origin. Further, Pearson’s coefficient analysis revealed a strong and specific intermetal relationships among studied metals. The statistical analysis points toward various industrial wastes and municipal wastes as primary contributing factors for most of the excess dissolved metals in the Mahanadi River.
L’assorbimetria a raggi X a doppia energia: oltre l’osso c’è di più
Authors: Frigerio Francesco , Poggiogalle Eleonora , Donini Lorenzo M. 
Published: July 2020

SommarioAlla base dell’attuale epidemia di obesità (globesity) la sedentarietà occupa un posto di primo ordine: non solo perché mantiene l’eccesso di tessuto adiposo, ma perché predispone il soggetto obeso all’erosione della massa muscolare scheletrica (sarcopenia) e del patrimonio minerale osseo (osteopenia/osteoporosi). In questo scenario si inserisce la DXA che, a fronte di un costo biologico e tempi di esecuzione minimi, nella versione total-body fornisce una fotografia attendibile e dettagliata della composizione corporea (si pensi alla massa magra appendicolare o al tessuto adiposo viscerale). Dettagli che però sono essenziali proprio per le diagnosi di sarcopenia e obesità.
Ein tödlicher Kettenschuss
Authors: Gotsmy Walther , Stampfer Karl , Matzenauer Christian , Monticelli Fabio , Pittner Stefan 
Published: July 2020

ZusammenfassungEin junger Maschinist verlor während der Bedienung eines Mastseilgeräts mit Kran und Prozessor – zum Rücken, Entasten und Einschneiden von Bäumen – plötzlich das Bewusstsein und verstarb trotz Reanimationsmaßnahmen noch an der Arbeitsstätte. Bei der ärztlichen Leichenschau fiel ein ca. 1,5 × 1 cm großer Hautdefekt rechts an der Brustkorbvorderseite auf, welcher nicht genauer zugeordnet werden konnte. Die Umstände des Unfalls konnten durch die Obduktion und Untersuchungen am Unfallort geklärt werden. Die Sägekette des Prozessors war gerissen und ein Teil davon gelangte in die Sicherheitskabine des Mastseilgeräts, da die Sicherheitstür mit 12 mm Polycarbonatverglasung nicht geschlossen war. Dieser Kettenteil traf den Maschinisten in die Brust, was letztlich tödliche Verletzungen verursachte.
Piezoelectric Materials for Controlling Electro-Chemical Processes
Authors: Qian Weiqi , Yang Weiyou , Zhang Yan , Bowen Chris R. , Yang Ya 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPiezoelectric materials have been analyzed for over 100 years, due to their ability to convert mechanical vibrations into electric charge or electric fields into a mechanical strain for sensor, energy harvesting, and actuator applications. A more recent development is the coupling of piezoelectricity and electro-chemistry, termed piezo-electro-chemistry, whereby the piezoelectrically induced electric charge or voltage under a mechanical stress can influence electro-chemical reactions. There is growing interest in such coupled systems, with a corresponding growth in the number of associated publications and patents. This review focuses on recent development of the piezo-electro-chemical coupling multiple systems based on various piezoelectric materials. It provides an overview of the basic characteristics of piezoelectric materials and comparison of operating conditions and their overall electro-chemical performance. The reported piezo-electro-chemical mechanisms are examined in detail. Comparisons are made between the ranges of material morphologies employed, and typical operating conditions are discussed. In addition, potential future directions and applications for the development of piezo-electro-chemical hybrid systems are described. This review provides a comprehensive overview of recent studies on how piezoelectric materials and devices have been applied to control electro-chemical processes, with an aim to inspire and direct future efforts in this emerging research field.
Separation and Unity: Zen Koan in Environmental Theory and Education
Authors: Chang David 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe ecological crisis has been traced to a rupture in the human-nature relationship, which sees the natural world as inert materials that serve human utility. This prevailing sense of separation is thoroughly embedded in Western culture through engrained metaphors that reinforce a view of the Earth as a subject of human mastery. To counter the disjuncture between humans and nature, some theorists have suggested a unitive view of nature, while others have argued for more expansive forms of identification that engender a more responsive ecological ethics. Despite these efforts, the human-nature dichotomy remains a perennial issue of debate, especially for environmental educators who strive to cultivate a more harmonious relationship with the earth. This article examines the Zen Koan (case or example) as a pedagogical innovation that hones the learner’s ability to entertain opposing propositions. Humans are both united withandseparate from nature at the same time. The Koan encourages an epistemological fluidity and openness to ambiguity that can enrich and deepen inquiry. In the context of environmental education, this contemplative approach to investigation can complement immersive pedagogies that enjoin somatic and sensory experience in explorations of the natural world.