bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Introduction
Authors: Keilman Nico , Mazzuco Stefano 
Published: September 2020

AbstractFuture trends in population size, age structure, regional distribution, and other demographic variables are important for a wide range of planning situations. Hence, many statistical agencies and independent researchers compute demographic forecasts at various levels of detail. The primary aim of this book is to sketch new developments in the field of demographic forecasting. This chapter addresses various issues taken up by the authors of this volume. We discuss deterministic and probabilistic approaches to forecast uncertainty, Bayesian and frequentist perspectives, the role of experts compared to purely data driven methods, and ways to communicate forecast results to the users.
New Approaches to the Conceptualization and Measurement of Age and Ageing
Authors: Scherbov Sergei , Sanderson Warren C. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractPeople’s views on population ageing are influenced by the statistics that they read about it. The statistical measures in common use today were first developed around a century ago, in a very different demographic environment. For around two decades, we have been studying population ageing and have been arguing that its conventional portrayal is misleading. In this chapter, we summarize some of that research, which provides an alternative picture of population ageing, one that is more appropriate for twenty-first century. More details about our new view of population ageing can be found in. (Sanderson and Scherbov 2019). Population ageing can be measured in different ways. An example of this can found in the UN’s Profiles in Ageing, 2017. One way is to report on the forecasted increase in the number of people 60+ years old in the world.
Coherent Mortality Forecasting with Standards: Low Mortality Serves as a Guide
Authors: Booth Heather 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMortality forecasts are an important component of population forecasting and are central to the estimation of longevity risk in actuarial practice. Planning by the state for health and aged care services and by individuals for retirement and later life depends on accurate mortality forecasts. The overall accuracy or performance of mortality forecasting has improved since Lee and Carter (1992) introduced stochastic forecasting of mortality to the demographic community, and further improvements can undoubtedly be made.
European Mortality Forecasts: Are the Targets Still Moving?
Authors: Keilman Nico , Kristoffersen Sigve 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMany statistical agencies routinely produce population forecasts, and revise these forecasts when new data become available, or when current demographic trends indicate that an update is necessary. When the forecaster strongly revises, from one forecast round to the next one, a forecast for a certain target year (for instance the life expectancy in 2050), this indicates large uncertainty connected to mortality predictions. The aim of this chapter is to shed more light on the uncertainty in mortality forecasts, by analysing the extent to which life expectancy predictions for 2030 and 2050 were revised in subsequent rounds of population forecasts published by statistical agencies in selected countries. It updates and extends earlier work that focused on United Nations and Eurostat forecasts published between 1994 and 2004 (Keilman et al. 2008). There the conclusion was that life expectancy forecasts for 18 European countries for the year 2050 had been revised upwards systematically, by around 2 years on average during the 10-year publication period. A recent analysis based on official population forecasts for Norway published in the period 1999–2018 led to the same conclusion (Keilman 2018). Here we will show that the period of upward revisions seems to have ended for some European countries.
On the Spectrum of the Local $${\mathbb {P}}^2$$ Mirror Curve
Authors: Kashaev Rinat , Sergeev Sergey 
Published: September 2020

AbstractWe address the spectral problem of the formally normal quantum mechanical operator associated with the quantised mirror curve of the toric (almost) del Pezzo Calabi–Yau threefold called local $${\mathbb {P}}^2$$

P

2

in the case of complex values of Planck’s constant. We show that the problem can be approached in terms of the Bethe ansatz-type highly transcendental equations.
A maltose-regulated large genomic region is activated by the transcriptional regulator MalT in Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110
Authors: Droste Julian , Kulisch Martin , Wolf Timo , Schaffert Lena , Schneiker-Bekel Susanne , Pühler Alfred , Kalinowski Jörn 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 is the industrially relevant producer of acarbose, which is used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Recent studies elucidated the expression dynamics in Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110 during growth. From these data, we obtained a large genomic region (ACSP50_3900 to ACSP50_3950) containing 51 genes, of which 39 are transcribed in the same manner. These co-regulated genes were found to be stronger transcribed on maltose compared with glucose as a carbon source. The transcriptional regulator MalT was identified as an activator of this maltose-regulated large genomic region (MRLGR). Since most of the genes are poorly annotated, the function of this region is farther unclear. However, comprehensive BLAST analyses indicate similarities to enzymes involved in amino acid metabolism. We determined a conserved binding motif of MalT overlapping the -35 promoter region of 17 transcription start sites inside the MRLGR. The corresponding sequence motif 5′-TCATCC-5nt-GGATGA-3′ displays high similarities to reported MalT binding sites in Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, in which MalT is the activator of mal genes. A malT deletion and an overexpression mutant were constructed. Differential transcriptome analyses revealed an activating effect of MalT on 40 of the 51 genes. Surprisingly, no gene of the maltose metabolism is affected. In contrast to many other bacteria, MalT is not the activator of mal genes in Actinoplanes sp. SE50/110. Finally, the MRLGR was found partly in other closely related bacteria of the family Micromonosporaceae. Even the conserved MalT binding site was found upstream of several genes inside of the corresponding regions.

Key points

• MalT is the maltose-dependent activator of a large genomic region in ACSP50_WT.
• The consensus binding motif is similar to MalT binding sites in other bacteria.
• MalT is not the regulator of genes involved in maltose metabolism in ACSP50_WT.
The Fun Factor: Does Serious Gaming Affect the Volume of Voluntary Laparoscopic Skills Training?
Authors: IJgosse Wouter Martijn , van Goor Harry , Rosman Camiel , Luursema Jan‐Maarten 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThe availability of validated laparoscopic simulators has not resulted in sustainable high‐volume training. We investigated whether the validated laparoscopic serious game Underground would increase voluntary training by residents. We hypothesized that by removing intrinsic barriers and extrinsic barriers, residents would spend more time on voluntary training with Underground compared to voluntary training with traditional simulators.MethodsAfter 1 year, we compared amount of voluntary time spent on playing Underground to time spent on all other laparoscopic training modalities and to time spent on performing laparoscopic procedures in the OR for all surgical residents. These data were compared to resident’ time spent on laparoscopic activities over the prior year before the introduction of Underground.ResultsFrom March 2016 until March 2017, 63 residents spent on average 20 min on voluntary serious gaming, 17 min on voluntary simulator training, 2 h and 44 min on mandatory laparoscopic training courses, and 14 h and 49 min on laparoscopic procedures in the OR. Voluntary activities represented 3% of laparoscopic training activities which was similar in the prior year wherein fifty residents spent on average 33 min on voluntary simulator training, 3 h and 28 min on mandatory laparoscopic training courses, and 11 h and 19 min on laparoscopic procedures.ConclusionSerious gaming has not increased total voluntary training volume. Underground did not mitigate intrinsic and extrinsic barriers to voluntary training. Mandatory, scheduled training courses remain needed. Serious gaming is flexible and affordable and could be an important part of such training courses.
Angewandtes Quantencomputing
Authors: Lässig Jörg 
Published: September 2020

ZusammenfassungQuantencomputing ist als Konzept mittlerweile zwar mehrere Jahrzehnte alt und hat von der Idee bis zu den heutigen Noisy Intermediate-Scale Quantum Maschinen verschiedene Phasen stetiger Entwicklung durchlaufen, jedoch insbesondere in den letzten Jahren deutlich an Dynamik gewonnen. Im aktuellen Stadium stehen Quantenrechner zur Verfügung, die zwar noch immer stark limitiert sind, jedoch die Ausführung maßgeschneiderter Algorithmen unterstützen, die bestehende Schwächen dieser Maschinen mit ihrem speziellen Design zu umgehen versuchen. Diese Algorithmen adressieren dabei mit Maschinellem Lernen, kombinatorischer Optimierung und Simulationsanwendungen sowie weiteren potenziellen Anwendungsfeldern Problemstellungen, die praktisch vielfältig relevant und deshalb von breitem, allgemeinen Interesse sind. Das prinzipielle Potenzial des Quantencomputers, in bestimmten Anwendungsfeldern deutlich leistungsfähiger zu sein als klassische Rechner, ruft viel Aufmerksamkeit hervor. Außerdem stellt bereits eine ganze Reihe von prinzipiell für jedermann zugänglichen Softwareframeworks Implementierungen aktueller Quantenalgorithmen zum Test und zur Evaluierung bereit. Der Artikel stellt die bisherige Entwicklung, aktuelle Verfahren sowie weitere Perspektiven der Technologie in Grundzügen dar und informiert über mögliche Anwendungsgebiete aber auch bekannte Grenzen des Quantencomputing-Paradigmas.
The challenge of sustainability in healthcare systems: cost of radiotherapy in the last month of life in an Italian cancer center
Authors: Rossi Romina , Danesi Valentina , Massa Ilaria , Balzi William , Romeo Antonino , Foca Flavia , Nanni Oriana , Maltoni Marco , Altini Mattia 
Published: September 2020

Abstract
Purpose
Cost evaluation is becoming mandatory to support healthcare sustainability and optimize the decision-making process. This topic is a challenge, especially for complex and rapidly evolving treatment modalities such as radiotherapy (RT). The aim of the present study was to investigate the cost of RT in the last month of life of patients in an Italian cancer center.

Methods
This was a retrospective study on a cancer population (N= 160) who underwent RT or only an RT planning simulation in an end of life (EOL) setting. The cost of RT procedures performed on patients was collected according to treatment status, care setting, and RT technique used. Costs were valued according to the sum of reimbursements relating to all procedures performed and assessed from the perspective of the National Health System.

Results
The total cost of RT in the last month of life was €244,774, with an average cost per patient of €1530. Around 7.7% and 30.3% of the total cost was associated with patients who never started RT or who discontinued RT, respectively, while the remaining 62.0% referred to patients who completed treatment. Costs associated with outpatient and inpatient settings represented 54.3% and 38.6% of the total cost, respectively. The higher average cost per patient for the never-started and discontinued groups was correlated with patients who had a poor ECOG Performance Status.

Conclusion
Improved prognostic accuracy and a better integration between radiotherapy and palliative care units could be a key to a better use of resources and to a reduction in the cost of EOL RT.
On the Use of X-ray Computed Tomography in Assessment of 3D-Printed Components
Authors: Khosravani Mohammad Reza , Reinicke Tamara 
Published: September 2020

AbstractTechnical advantages of additive manufacturing (AM) have drawn great attention over the past few years. This cost-effective manufacturing process proved its potential applications in a wide range of fields. Although AM techniques (known as 3D printing) are able to fabricate geometrically complex components, it is necessary to evaluate internal and external dimensions of the printed parts. In this context, x-ray computed tomography (CT) as a nondestructive evaluation technique has been utilized. Indeed, CT can be used for geometric analysis, defects detection, quantitative comparison, structural quantification and porosity analysis. In the current study, we present a brief review of 3D printing processes and evolution of CT technology. Moreover, applications of CT in assessment of 3D-printed components are explained in detail. Although CT has been used in academic and industrial researches, abilities of this inspection method are not yet fully documented for precision engineering applications. In this work, usage of this technique in study of printed components are categorized in four subdomains and discussed. The documented data proved that CT is an appropriate non-contact technique for technical evaluation of various printed parts. As usage of CT in assessment of printed parts is still evolving, the limitations, challenges and future perspective are outlined.
Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Water and Wastewaters by Sulfur-Containing Precipitation Agents
Authors: Pohl Alina 
Published: September 2020

AbstractRestrictive requirements for maximum concentrations of metals introduced into the environment lead to search for effective methods of their removal. Chemical precipitation using hydroxides or sulfides is one of the most commonly used methods for removing metals from water and wastewater. The process is simple and inexpensive. However, during metal hydroxide precipitation, large amounts of solids are formed. As a result, metal hydroxide is getting amphoteric and it can go back into the solution. On the other hand, use of sulfides is characterized by lower solubility compared with that of metal hydroxides, so a higher degree of metal reduction can be achieved in a shorter time. Disadvantages of that process are very low solubility of metal sulfides, highly sensitive process to the dosing of the precipitation agent, and the risks of emission of toxic hydrogen sulfide. All these restrictions forced to search for new and effective precipitants. Potassium/sodium thiocarbonate (STC) and 2,4,6-trimercaptotiazine (TMT) are widely used. Dithiocarbamate (DTC) compounds are also used, e.g., sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate (SDTC), and ligands for permanent metal binding, e.g., 1,3-benzenediamidoethanethiol (BDETH2), 2,6-pyridinediamidoethanethiol (PyDET), a pyridine-based thiol ligand (DTPY) or ligands with open chains containing many sulfur atoms, using of a tetrahedral bonding arrangement around a central metal atom. The possibility of improving the efficiency of metal precipitation is obtained by using a higher dose of precipitating agent. However, toxic byproducts are often produced. It is required that the precipitation agents not only effectively remove metal ions from the solution but also effectively bind with dyes or metal complexes.
Living income benchmarking of rural households in low-income countries
Authors: van de Ven Gerrie W. J. , de Valença Anne , Marinus Wytze , de Jager Ilse , Descheemaeker Katrien K. E. , Hekman Willem , Mellisse Beyene Teklu , Baijukya Frederick , Omari Mwantumu , Giller Ken E. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe extreme poverty line is the most commonly used benchmark for poverty, set at US$ 1.90 by the World Bank. Another benchmark, based on the Anker living wage methodology, is the remuneration received for a standard work week necessary for a worker to meet his/her family’s basic needs in a particular place. The living wage concept has been used extensively to address incomes of plantation workers producing agricultural commodities for international markets. More recently intense discussion has emerged concerning the ‘living income’ of smallholder farmers who produce commodities for international supply chains on their own land. In this article we propose a simple method that can be used in all types of development projects to benchmark a rural ‘living income’. We launch the Living Income Methodology, as adapted from the Living Wage Methodology, to estimate the living income for rural households. In any given location this requires about one week of fieldwork. We express it per adult equivalent per day (AE/day) and data collection is focused on rural households and their immediate surroundings. Our three case studies showed that in 2017 in Lushoto District, rural Tanzania, the living income was US$ PPP 4.04/AE/day, in Isingiro District, rural Uganda, 3.82 and in Sidama Zone, rural Ethiopia, 3.60. In all cases, the extreme poverty line of US$ PPP 1.90 per capita per day is insufficient to meet the basic human rights for a decent living in low-income countries. The Living Income Methodology provides a transparent local benchmark that can be used to assess development opportunities of rural households, by employers in rural areas, including farmers hiring in labour, while respecting basic human rights on a decent living. It can be used to reflect on progress of rural households in low-income countries on their aspired path out of poverty. It further provides a meaningful benchmark to measure progress on Sustainable Development Goal 1, eliminating poverty, and 2, zero hunger and sustainable food systems, allowing for consideration of the local context.
Arbeitsbündnisse in der Migrationsgesellschaft
Authors: Vogler Jens 
Published: September 2020

ZusammenfassungDie Zusammenarbeit von sozial arbeitenden Personen mit ihren Adressat*innen ist im Kontext Migration überwiegend durch ungleiche (Macht‑)Verhältnisse gekennzeichnet. Die bisher kaum untersuchten Ursachen dieser Asymmetrien und wie sie sich in den Begegnungen der Akteur*innen zeigen, bilden den Ausgangspunkt des Beitrags. Neben der theoretischen Rahmung werden eigene Forschungsergebnisse anhand von Audioaufzeichnungen von Interaktionen zivilgesellschaftlicher und professioneller Akteur*innen mit ihrer Zielgruppe in Handlungsfeldern Sozialer Arbeit gezeigt.
“Masculine” Describes Gender Expressions, Not Neurobiologies: Response to Dutton and Madison (2020)
Authors: Walsh Reubs J 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis letter is a response to “Gender Dysphoria and Transgender Identity Is Associated with Physiological and Psychological Masculinization: a Theoretical Integration of Findings, Supported by Systematic Reviews” by Dutton and Madison (2020), which relies on theorisations for which substantial counter-evidence exists, fails to engage with these or other criticisms of the theories upon which it seeks to build, and reaches conclusions that contradict existing evidence. Furthermore, the original theorisations contained in Dutton and Madison (2020), and the conclusions drawn from those theorisations, risk causing serious harm to already-marginalised groups.
The upward tilt of honeycomb cells increases the carrying capacity of the comb and is not to prevent the outflow of honey
Authors: Oeder Robert , Schwabe Dietrich 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe cells of the combs ofApis melliferaare tilted upwards by approximately 13°. The literature says that this tilt serves to prevent the outflow of honey. We checked this by hanging empty honeycombs upside down into beehives. Honey was stored in these inverted honeycombs in the same way as in the normally oriented combs, and inverted combs were also well accepted for rearing the brood. We thus show that the benefit for the bees of the upward tilt of the cells is not to prevent leakage of honey. Honey is obviously in a Wenzel state on the hydrophobic, micro-structured cell walls. The associated wetting of the cell wall causes adhesion that prevents leakage. We propose that the benefit of the inclination of the cells is to direct about 10% of the weight of cell contents onto the midwall, thus increasing the carrying capacity of the comb.
Resilience-Driven Road Network Retrofit Optimization Subject to Tropical Cyclones Induced Roadside Tree Blowdown
Authors: Hu Fuyu , Yang Saini , Thompson Russell G. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis article focuses on decision making for retrofit investment of road networks in order to alleviate severe consequences of roadside tree blowdown during tropical cyclones. The consequences include both the physical damage associated with roadside trees and the functional degradation associated with road networks. A trilevel, two-stage, and multiobjective stochastic mathematical model was developed to dispatch limited resources to retrofit the roadside trees of a road network. In the model, a new metric was designed to evaluate the performance of a road network; resilience was considered from robustness and recovery efficiency of a road network. The proposed model is at least a nondeterministic polynomial-time hardness (NP-hard) problem, which is unlikely to be solved by a polynomial time algorithm. Pareto-optimal solutions for this problem can be obtained by a proposed trilevel algorithm. The random forest method was employed to transform the trilevel algorithm into a single-level algorithm in order to decrease the computation burden. Roadside tree retrofit of a provincial highway network on Hainan Island, China was selected as a case area because it suffers severely from tropical cyclones every year, where there is an urgency to upgrade roadside trees against tropical cyclones. We found that roadside tree retrofit investment significantly alleviates the expected economic losses of roadside tree blowdown, at the same time that it promotes robustness and expected recovery efficiency of the road network.
Development of a&nbsp;3D&nbsp;printed simulator for closed reduction of distal radius fractures
Authors: Dixon William , Miller Nathaniel , Toal Georgia G. , Sebok-Syer Stefanie S. , Gisondi Michael A. 
Published: September 2020

Background The use of simulators in medical education is critical for developing procedural competence prior to treating patients. Current training of emergency physicians to perform distal radius fracture reduction is inconsistent and inadequate.
Approach We developed a 3D printed distal radius fracture simulation training model that is easy to assemble and relatively inexpensive. We present step-by-step instructions to reproduce the model.
Evaluation The model was found to have high fidelity for training by both instructors and participants in a simulation-based mastery learning course.
Reflection We successfully designed a low cost, easy to reproduce, high fidelity model for use in a simulation-based mastery learning course to teach distal radius fracture reduction.
Efficiency without Apology: Consideration of the Marginal Excess Tax Burden and Distributional Impacts in Benefit–Cost Analysis
Authors: Boardman Anthony E. , Greenberg David H. , Vining Aidan R. , Weimer David L. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractSome issues in the application of benefit–cost analysis (BCA) remain contentious. Although a strong conceptual case can be made for taking account of the marginal excess tax burden (METB) in conducting BCAs, it is usually excluded. Although a strong conceptual case can be made that BCA should not include distributional values, some analysts continue to advocate doing so. We discuss the cases for inclusion of the METB and the exclusion of distributional weights from what we refer to as “core” BCA, which we argue should be preserved as a protocol for assessing allocative efficiency. These issues are topical because a recent article in this journal recommends ignoring the METB on the grounds that desirable distributional effects offset its cost. We challenge the logic of this article and explain why it may encourage inefficient policies.