bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inflexible silicon solar cell encapsulation process on curved surfaces: Experimental investigation
Authors: Kassaei Farshid , Rafiei Reza , Torabi Farschad
Published: July 2020

The process of encapsulating solar cells on curved surfaces is one of the most challenging subjects today and has been widely studied. In most studies, thin‐film and flexible cells have been chosen for curved surfaces. In this article, a new method is proposed to carry out the process of encapsulating a solar cell on the curved surfaces using inflexible silicon solar cell. In this method, transparent epoxy resin is injected into the solar cell area using an embedded mold. Once the resin is cured and the mold is removed, the obtained surface forms the desired curved shape. This method can be used for fixed curved surfaces that are not exposed to tension. The method was performed on a sectional sample of a wind turbine blade which resulted in a curved and transparent layer on the cells. Then the section was tested under the environmental condition and exposed to direct sunlight. The results showed a normal performance of the cell with high efficiency and a maximum error rate of 8% compared to the laboratory report of the manufacturer. Voltage and current of the cell were normal in this experiment. The I–V curve diagram showed the standard behavior of cells as well. The maximum power output from the section was 1.308 W. Results showed that this method is suitable for solid curved surfaces to be used as a photovoltaic module.
The relation between two barriers to self‐compassion and clinical characteristics in individuals with eating disorders
Authors: Geller Josie , Kelly Allison C. , Samson Lindsay , Iyar Megumi M. , Srikameswaran Suja
Published: July 2020

There is growing support for the role of self‐compassion in recovery from an eating disorder (ED) and two types of barriers have been identified in this population: (a) fears that self‐compassion will result in a failure to meet personal and interpersonal standards (meeting standards); and (b) fears that self‐compassion gives rise to difficult emotions such as grief and unworthiness (emotional vulnerability).

Objective

This research examined the relative contribution of meeting standards and emotional vulnerability barriers to the clinical characteristics of individuals with EDs.

Method

Participants (N = 349) completed the fears of compassion for self‐scale, and measures of self‐compassion, ED and psychiatric symptom severity, interpersonal and affective functioning, quality of life and readiness for ED change.

Results

Together, the two barrier types accounted for significant variance in all study variables. Meeting standards was associated with lower readiness to change and greater over‐control. In contrast, emotional vulnerability was associated with lower self‐compassion, readiness, and quality of life, poorer interpersonal and affective functioning, and greater ED and psychiatric severity.

Conclusion

While both barriers to self‐compassion were related to functioning in individuals with EDs, the emotional vulnerability barrier accounted for more variance in pathology and may be most beneficial to target in treatment.
Phagocytosis‐related NADPH oxidase 2 subunit gp91phox contributes to neurodegeneration after repeated systemic challenge with lipopolysaccharides
Authors: Shahraz Anahita , Wißfeld Jannis , Ginolhac Aurélien , Mathews Mona , Sinkkonen Lasse , Neumann Harald
Published: July 2020

Repeated systemic challenge with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) can induce microglia activation and inflammatory neurodegeneration in the substantia nigra pars compacta region of mice. We now explored the role of mononuclear phagocytes associated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 2 (NOX‐2) in inflammatory neurodegeneration. Cybb‐deficient NOX‐2 knock‐out (KO) and control wild type (WT) mice were treated intraperitoneally daily over four consecutive days with 1 μg/gbw/day LPS. Transcriptome analysis by RNA‐seq of total brain tissue indicated increased LPS‐induced upregulation of genes belonging to the reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species production, complement and lysosome activation as well as apoptosis and necroptosis in WT compared to NOX‐2 KO mice. Validation of up‐regulated gene transcripts via qRT‐PCR confirmed that LPS‐challenged NOX‐2 KO mice expressed lower levels of the microglial phagocytosis‐related genes Nos2, Cd68, Aif1/Iba1, Cyba, Itgam, and Fcer1g compared to WT mice at Day 5 after systemic inflammatory challenge, but no significant differences in the pro‐inflammatory genes Tnfα and Il1b as well as microglial IBA1 and CD68 intensities were observed between both genotypes. Furthermore, loss of tyrosine hydroxylase positive (TH+) and NeuN positive neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta upon repeated systemic LPS application were attenuated in NOX‐2 KO mice. Thus, our data demonstrate that loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta after repeated systemic challenge with LPS is associated with a microglial phagocytosis‐related gene activation profile involving the NADPH oxidase subunit Cybb/gp91phox.
Global, regional, and national burden of nasopharyngeal carcinoma from 1990 to 2017—Results from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017
Authors: Hu Chuan‐Yu , Wang Wei‐Ming , Chu Xiu‐Hong , Ren Zhen‐Hu , Lyu Jun
Published: July 2020

Background

The aim of this study is to estimate the incidence, mortality, and disability‐adjusted life years (DALYs) of nasopharyngeal carcinoma from 1990 to 2017.

Methods

We collected detailed information on nasopharyngeal carcinoma from 1990 to 2017 based on data from Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study 2017. The global incidence, mortality, and DALYs attributable to nasopharyngeal carcinoma was reported, as well as the age‐standardized rates (ASRs).

Results

The ASR of nasopharyngeal carcinoma incidence decreased from 1.88 (95% UI: 1.76‐2.00) in 1990 to 1.35 (95% UI: 1.28‐1.42) in 2017. The ASR of mortality decreased from 1.19 (95% UI: 1.13‐1.25) in 1990 to 0.86 (95% UI: 0.82‐0.89) in 2017, while ASR‐DALYs decreased from 38.2 (95% UI: 35.9‐40.2) in 1990 to 25.4 (95% UI: 24.4‐26.5) in 2017.

Conclusions

The ASR of incidence, mortality, and DALYs of nasopharyngeal carcinoma have decreased slightly worldwide. East Asia carried the heaviest burden of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The majority of nasopharyngeal carcinoma burden was observed in men, especially among male aged 55 to 69 years.
Perceived managerial and leadership effectiveness within the Canadian public sector
Authors: Hamlin Robert G. , Whitford Sandi
Published: July 2020

This study responds primarily to numerous calls for specific public management and public administration‐related research to better understand public leadership currently performed in an increasingly complex and ambiguous world. It also responds to calls in the human resource development (HRD) literature for more qualitative managerial behavior research. The inquiry explores perceptions of what behaviorally distinguishes effective managers from ineffective managers, as expressed by managers and nonmanagerial employees within a Canadian public utility company. It reaches for generalization by comparing the results against findings from equivalent qualitative managerial behavior studies carried out in three subareas of the British public sector. Using the critical incident technique (CIT), concrete examples (critical incidents [CIs]) of observed managerial behavior were collected from managers and nonmanagerial staff. The CIs (n= 530) were subjected toopenandaxialcoding to identify a smaller number of discrete behavioral categories (BSs).Selectivecoding of the identified BSs (n= 99) resulted in 16 positive (effective) and 12 negative (ineffective) behavioral criteria (BCs) being deduced. Over 92% of the Canadian BSs are convergent in meaning with over 81% of the compared British BSs. Consequently, they are likely to be generalizable to other subareas of the Canadian public sector. The 8% of nonconvergent Canadian BSs and their respective underpinning CIs contain no content that could be construed as beingcontext‐specificto the Canadian public utility sector. Implications of these study findings for HRD research and practice are discussed.
Chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients withIGHtranslocations are characterized by a distinct genetic landscape with prognostic implications
Authors: Pérez‐Carretero Claudia , Hernández‐Sánchez María , González Teresa , Quijada‐Álamo Miguel , Martín‐Izquierdo Marta , Hernández‐Sánchez Jesús‐María , Vidal María‐Jesús , de Coca Alfonso García , Aguilar Carlos , Vargas‐Pabón Manuel , Alonso Sara , Sierra Magdalena , Rubio‐Martínez Araceli , Dávila Julio , Díaz‐Valdés José R. , Queizán José‐Antonio , Hernández‐Rivas José‐Ángel , Benito Rocío , Rodríguez‐Vicente Ana E. , Hernández‐Rivas Jesús‐María
Published: July 2020

Chromosome 14q32 rearrangements/translocations involving the immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGH) are rarely detected in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). The prognostic significance of theIGHtranslocation is controversial and its mutational profile remains unknown. Here, we present for the first time a comprehensive next‐generation sequencing (NGS) analysis of 46 CLL patients withIGHrearrangement (IGHR‐CLLs) and we demonstrate that IGHR‐CLLs have a distinct mutational profile with recurrent mutations inNOTCH1,IGLL5,POT1,BCL2,FBXW7,ZMYM3,MGA,BRAFandHIST1H1Egenes. Interestingly,BCL2andFBXW7mutations were significantly associated with this subgroup and almost half ofBCL2,IGLL5andHISTH1Emutations reported were previously identified in non‐Hodgkin lymphomas. Notably,IGH/BCL2rearrangements were associated with a lower mutation frequency and carriedBCL2andIGLL5mutations, while the other IGHR‐CLLs had mutations in genes related to poor prognosis (NOTCH1,SF3B1andTP53) and shorter time to first treatment (TFT). Moreover, IGHR‐CLLs patients showed a shorter TFT than CLL patients carrying 13q−, normal fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and +12 CLL, being this prognosis particularly poor whenNOTCH1,SF3B1,TP53,BIRC3andBRAFwere also mutated. The presence of these mutations not only was an independent risk factor within IGHR‐CLLs, but also refined the prognosis of low‐risk cytogenetic patients (13q−/normal FISH). Hence, our study demonstrates that IGHR‐CLLs have a distinct mutational profile from the majority of CLLs and highlights the relevance of incorporating NGS and the status ofIGHby FISH analysis to refine the risk‐stratification CLL model.
Intertemporal price discovery between stock index futures and spot markets: New evidence from high‐frequency data
Authors: Sifat Imtiaz Mohammad , Mohamad Azhar , Amin Kevin Reinaldo
Published: July 2020

This article utilizes high‐frequency 15‐s intraday data from September 2017 through to August 2018 to investigate price leadership dynamics between Kuala Lumpur index futures (FKLI) and its underlying spot market: FTSE Bursa Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (FBM KLCI) in Bursa Malaysia. Harnessing the explanatory powers of Wavelet analysis, we employ Maximal Overlap Discrete Wavelet Transform to evaluate interdependence between contemporaneous futures and spot returns. We observe that price discovery between futures and spot markets at granular level is a scale‐dependent phenomenon. Moreover, we record a counter‐intuitive but not unprecedented evidence of futures market lagging the spot market in price formation. This discrepancy approaches convergence in 1–8 min. Our findings constitute evidence against the efficient market hypothesis and hint at opportunities for statistical arbitrage by high‐frequency trading. The results from time‐frequency domain receive strong support from vector error correction robustness checks, though corroboration is less conclusive from DCC‐GARCH and Baba, Engle, Kraft, and Kroner‐GARCH results.
Military expenditure, financial development and environmental degradation in Turkey: A comparison of CO2 emissions and ecological footprint
Authors: Gokmenoglu Korhan K. , Taspinar Nigar , Rahman Mohammad Mafizur
Published: July 2020

This study investigates the long run equilibrium relationship among military expenditure, financial development, energy use, economic growth and environmental degradation in Turkey for the period of 1960–2014. Ecological footprint and carbon dioxide emissions are used as separate proxies for environmental degradation. Fully modified ordinary least squares (FMOLS) estimator results suggest that military expenditure, energy use and economic growth increase the environmental degradation while financial development improves the environmental quality in Turkey. Toda Yamamoto (1995) causality test results reveal that there is a unidirectional causality running from military expenditure to CO2 emissions and ecological footprint; and a bidirectional causality between military expenditure and economic growth. The findings of the study confirm the existence of destruction theory for the case of Turkey.
Economic impact of monetary policy: Focus on real estate sector in Italy
Authors: Ahmed Irfan , Socci Claudio , Medabesh Ali , Severini Francesca , Zotti Jacopo
Published: July 2020

This study investigates the nexus between financial market and real estate (RE) sector against the backdrop of ECB's unconventional monetary policy. A financial dynamic computable general equilibrium (DCGE) model is calibrated on the financial social accounting matrix (FSAM) of Italian economy. The findings confirm that the inclusion of financial intermediation into real economy affects the real estate sector's output, value added, and pricing.
Ubiquilin proteins regulate EGFR levels and activity in lung adenocarcinoma cells
Authors: Kurlawala Zimple , Saurabh Kumar , Dunaway Rain , Shah Parag P. , Siskind Leah J. , Beverly Levi J.
Published: July 2020

Ubiquilin (UBQLN) proteins are involved in diverse cellular processes like endoplasmic reticulum‐associated degradation, autophagy, apoptosis, and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition. UBQLNs interact with a variety of substrates, including cell surface receptors, transcription factor regulators, proteasomal machinery proteins, and transmembrane proteins. In addition, previous work from our lab shows that UBQLN1 interacts with insulin‐like growth factor receptor family members (IGF1R, IGF2R, and INSR) and this interaction regulates the activity and proteostasis of IGFR family members. We wondered whether UBQLN proteins could also bind and regulate additional receptor tyrosine kinases. Thus, we investigated a link between UBQLN and the oncogene epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Loss of UBQLN1 occurs at high frequency in human lung cancer patient samples and we have shown that the loss of UBQLN1 is capable of altering processes involved in cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition in lung adenocarcinoma cell lines. Here, we present data that loss of UBQLN1 resulted in increased turnover of total EGFR while increasing the relative amount of phosphorylated EGFR in lung adenocarcinoma cells, especially in the presence of its ligand EGF. Furthermore, the loss of UBQLN1 led to a more invasive cell phenotype as manifested by increased proliferation, migration, and speed of movement of these lung adenocarcinoma cells. Taken together, UBQLN1 regulates the expression and stability of EGFR in lung cancer cells.
Synthesis, cytotoxicity and apoptosis‐inducing activity of novel 1H‐benzo[d]imidazole derivatives of dehydroabietic acid
Authors: Li A‐Liang , Yang Ya‐Qun , Wang Wen‐Yan , Liu Qing‐Song , Sun Yue , Gu Wen
Published: July 2020

With the expectation of finding new and effective antitumor drugs, a series of novel N‐(1H‐benzo[d]imidazole‐2‐yl)‐benzamide/benzenesulfonamide derivatives of dehydroabietic acid were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxic activity against three human cancer cell lines (MCF‐7, HeLa, and HepG2 cells) and one human normal hepatocyte cell line (LO2). As a result, a number of derivatives showed moderate to good antitumor activities. Among them, compound 8h exhibited the most potent activities against three cancer cell lines with IC50 values of 0.87 ± 0.18, 9.39 ± 0.72, and 8.31 ± 0.64 μM, respectively, and was less active to normal hepatocyte LO2 cells. Further mechanism studies revealed that compound 8h could arrest the cell cycle of MCF‐7 cells at S phase and induce the apoptosis of MCF‐7 cells in ROS‐mediated mitochondrial pathway.
How does chronic multimorbidity affect daily routines? An experience sampling study of community‐dwelling adults in Hong Kong
Authors: Lai Francisco T. T. , Ma Tsz W. , Hou Wai K.
Published: July 2020

Limited by conventional data collection methods, it is unclear how community‐dwelling multimorbid people's daily routines are affected by their co‐occurring illnesses. This study investigated the differences in everyday life schedules between multimorbid and nonmultimorbid people. Three hundred community‐dwelling adults, representative of the Hong Kong Chinese population, provided real‐time self‐reports of daily routines over a 7‐day study period. Stratified by baseline multimorbidity status, we implemented generalized linear mixed models (binomial) for each of the four outcomes: meal, chores, conversation, and work/school, with time intervals as independent variable and potential confounders adjusted. The odds of engaging in these activities were compared between multimorbid and nonmultimorbid participants by time intervals. Significant differences were identified. Unlike nonmultimorbid participants, late evening (22:00–24:00) was estimated to be the most frequently observed meal time among multimorbid participants (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 8.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.59–26.01 vs. 14:00–16:00), who also did chores significantly earlier in the morning (AOR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.09–3.58 in 8:00–10:00 vs. 14:00–16:00). Conversations were significantly less likely among multimorbid participants throughout the day. Last, multimorbid participants seemed to have less typical working/schooling hours. Further studies are warranted to investigate how these disruptions may lead to lower levels of quality of life and poorer mental health.
α5‐nAChR and survivin: Two potential biological targets in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Zhang Yujie , Sun Yilin , Jia Yanfei , Zhang Qian , Zhu Ping , Ma Xiaoli
Published: July 2020

Recent studies have shown that the overexpression of α5 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α5‐nAChR) is associated with nicotine‐related lung carcinogenesis. Survivin is one of the biomarkers of a worse prognosis for smoking‐related lung cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate the association of α5‐nAChR, survivin, and clinical outcomes in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). We analyzed the expression level and correlation of CHRNA5 (encoding α5‐nAChR) and BIRC5 (encoding survivin) in LUAD with The Cancer Genome Atlas data set. The relationship between overall survival (OS) and the expression of CHRNA5 or/and BIRC5 was evaluated by the Kaplan–Meier method and Cox proportional hazards model. Moreover, our results showed that the expression of α5‐nAChR mediated survivin expression in lung cancer cells and in lung tumor xenografts. Relationships between the expression of α5‐nAChR and/or survivin with clinical‐pathological characteristics were analyzed using LUAD tissue samples. The results showed that expression of α5‐nAChR was correlated with survivin expression in vitro and in vivo. The group coexpressing α5‐nAChR and survivin had a worse prognosis than other subgroups in LUAD (p < .05). In conclusion, ascertaining the expression of both α5‐nAChR and survivin provides a better measure of prognosis for LUAD patients. The combined inhibition of α5‐nAChR and survivin may be a promising multitargeted gene therapeutic strategy in LUAD diagnosis.
Carnosol suppresses RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis and attenuates titanium particles‐induced osteolysis
Authors: Li Yongxian , Lin Sipeng , Liu Panjie , Huang Jianbin , Qiu Junxiong , Wen Zhenkang , Yuan Jinbo , Qiu Heng , Liu Yuhao , Liu Qian , Zhou Tengpeng , Luo Peijie , Guo Huizhi , Ma Yanhuai , Guo Danqing , Mo Guoye , Tang Yongchao , Xu Liangliang , Liang De , Xu Jiake , Ding Yue , Zhang Shuncong
Published: July 2020

Osteolysis is a common medical condition characterized by excessive activity of osteoclasts and bone resorption, leading to severe poor quality of life. It is essential to identify the medications that can effectively suppress the excessive differentiation and function of osteoclasts to prevent and reduce the osteolytic conditions. It has been reported that Carnosol (Car), isolated from rosemary and salvia, has anti‐inflammatory, antioxidative, and anticancer effects, but its activity on osteolysis has not been determined. In this study, we found that Car has a strong inhibitory effect on the receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κB ligand (RANKL)‐induced osteoclast differentiation dose‐dependently without any observable cytotoxicity. Moreover, Car can inhibit the RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis and resorptive function via suppressing NFATc1, which is a result of affecting MAPK, NF‐κB and Ca2+ signaling pathways. Moreover, the particle‐induced osteolysis mouse model confirmed that Car could be effective for the treatment of bone loss in vivo. Taken together, by suppressing the formation and function of RANKL‐induced osteoclast, Car, may be a therapeutic supplementary in the prevention or the treatment of osteolysis.
An efficient synthesis of 6‐benzyl‐2‐arylthieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐ones catalyzed by HCl involving a Friedel‐Crafts alkylation reaction
Authors: Pan Wan‐Chen , Wang Yi‐Chun , Li Tuan‐Jie , Liu Jian‐Quan , Wang Xiang‐Shan
Published: July 2020

Aldehyde could undergo not only the subsequent condensation and cyclization with 2‐aminothiophene‐3‐carboxamide to build a pyrimidine ring, but also a Friedel‐Crafts alkylation reaction with thiophene moiety to give unexpected 6‐benzyl‐2‐arylthieno[2,3‐d]pyrimidin‐4(3H)‐ ones in good yields catalyzed by concentrated HCl.
Longitudinal epidemiology of human coronavirus OC43 in Yamagata, Japan, 2010–2017: Two groups based on spike gene appear one after another
Authors: Komabayashi Kenichi , Matoba Yohei , Tanaka Shizuka , Seto Junji , Aoki Yoko , Ikeda Tatsuya , Shimotai Yoshitaka , Matsuzaki Yoko , Itagaki Tsutomu , Mizuta Katsumi
Published: July 2020

Human coronavirus OC43 (HCoV‐OC43) is divided into genotypes A to H based on genetic recombination including the spike (S) gene. To investigate the longitudinal transition of the phylogenetic feature of the HCoV‐OC43 S gene in a community, phylogenetic analysis of the S1 region of the S gene was conducted using 208 strains detected in Yamagata during 2010 to 2017 with reference strains of the genotype. The S1 sequences were divisible into four groups: A to D. All Yamagata strains belonged to either group B or group D. In group B, 46 (90.2%) out of 51 Yamagata strains were clustered with those of genotype E reference strains (cluster E). In group D, 28 (17.8%) and 122 (77.7%) out of 157 Yamagata strains were clustered, respectively, with genotype F and genotype G reference strains. In cluster G, 28 strains formed a distinct cluster. Monthly distributions of HCoV‐OC43 in Yamagata in 2010 to 2017 revealed that group B and group D appeared one after another. In group B, the cluster E strains were prevalent recurrently. In conclusion, epidemics of HCoV‐OC43 in Yamagata, Japan might be attributable to two genetically different groups: group B showed a recurrent epidemic of strains belonging to a single phylogenetic cluster and group D showed epidemic strains belonging to multiple clusters.
Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET)
Authors: Alasti Mohammad , Mirzaee Sam , Machado Colin , Healy Stewart , Bittinger Logan , Adam David , Kotschet Emily , Krafchek Jack , Alison Jeffrey
Published: July 2020

Junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) is a tachyarrhythmia arising from the atrioventricular node and His bundle area. Enhanced normal automaticity has been postulated as the mechanism of JET in the majority of patients. It is more common in children and can be seen as congenital or in postoperative settings. It is often a narrow complex tachycardia but can present as a wide complex tachycardia as a result of aberrant conduction. Its differentiation from other arrhythmias especially atrioventricular nodal reentrant tachycardia (AVNRT) can be challenging. Medical treatment of JET is difficult, and catheter ablation remains the mainstay of treatment in refractory cases with a high risk of atrioventricular block and recurrence.
A wavelet artificial neural network method for medium‐term rainfall prediction in Queensland (Australia) and the comparisons with conventional methods
Authors: Ghamariadyan Meysam , Imteaz Monzur Alam
Published: July 2020

This study aims to develop a medium‐term rainfall forecast model to predict monthly rainfall 1, 3, 6, and 12 months in advance using hybrid wavelet‐artificial neural networks (WANN) for Queensland, Australia. To assess the performance of the models, seven input sets comprised of either past rainfall magnitudes, selected climate anomalies, or combinations of rainfall with different climate anomalies as independent variables were defined. The data of the years 1908–1999 and 2000–2016 from 10 weather stations in Queensland were used for training and verification of the models, respectively. The results showed that the WANN enhances the average prediction accuracy in terms of root‐mean‐square‐error (RMSE) with 90, 52, 32, and 15% at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months lead time, respectively compared to of the artificial neural networks (ANN). Also, the current prediction system of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology (BOM), Australian Community Climate Earth‐System Simulator–Seasonal (ACCESS‐S) provided the predictions with the average RMSE values of 91.0, 102.7, and 100.3 mm for 1, 3, and 6 months lead times, respectively. In contrast, the corresponding RMSE values of 8.2, 37.6, and 52.4 mm are obtained through the WANN. Moreover, performance of the WANN method was compared with the autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) and multiple linear regression (MLR) models. ARIMA and MLR produced similar performances at same lead times; corresponding average RMSE values of 78.8, 82.72, 80.9, and 79.5 mm were obtained through ARIMA compared to the 75.9, 79.5, 79.0, and 78.9 mm through the MLR. The results of the current study indicate than the performance of the WANN is more accurate than the ANN, ARIMA, MLR, and ACCESS‐S forecasts.
Thermomechanical stress in GaN‐LEDs soldered onto Cu substrates studied using finite element method and Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Liu E. , Conti Fosca , Bhogaraju Sri Krishna , Signorini Raffaella , Pedron Danilo , Wunderle Bernhard , Elger Gordon
Published: July 2020

Local thermomechanical stress can cause failures in semiconductor packages during long‐time operation under harsh environmental conditions. This study helps to explain the packaging‐induced stress in blue GaN‐LEDs soldered onto copper substrates using AuSn alloy as lead‐free interconnect material. Based on the finite element method, a virtual prototype is developed to simulate the thermomechanical behavior and stress in the LED and in the complete LED/AuSn/Cu assembly considering plastic and viscoplastic strain. The investigations were performed by varying the temperature between −50°C and 180°C. To validate the model, the simulation results are compared to experimental data collected with Raman spectroscopy. Studies of the
phonon mode of GaN semiconductor are elaborated to understand the induced thermomechanical stress. The model enables evaluation of the stress in the interfaces of the assembly, which otherwise cannot be accessed by measurements. It serves to predict how assemblies would perform, before committing resources to build a physical prototype.
High‐reliability gate driver on array using noise sharing of precharging node for thin film transistor–liquid crystal display application
Authors: Zheng Guang‐Ting , Liu Po‐Tsun , Du Chia‐Heng , Wang Teng‐Yu
Published: July 2020

A hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a‐Si:H) thin‐film transistor (TFT) gate driver with negative bias stress on precharging node for noise sharing with high‐reliability 10.7‐in. automotive display has been proposed. The proposed circuit is composed of precharging block, pull‐up and pull‐down block, and noise‐free block. The precharging block not only starts up the gate driver but also reduces noise with 33% duty cycle. Duplicate output signals are responsible for turning on next stage to decrease the loading of output of gate line. Moreover, negative bias voltage recovering of TFTs could be created by setting another lower voltage source to lower the threshold voltage degradation of TFTs. According to lifetime test results, the proposed gate driver of 708 stages passes the extreme temperature range test (90°C and −40°C) for simulation and −40°C for measurement and remains stable over 800 h at 90°C test. Finally, this design is successfully demonstrated in a 10.7‐in. HD (1280 × RGB × 720) TFT‐LCD panel.
Constructing customer knowledge in knowledge‐intensive customer relationships
Authors: Heikka Eija‐Liisa
Published: July 2020

Knowing your customers and their needs is a topic that has attracted increasing interest in the business and academic worlds. In line with this, constructing customer knowledge has come under examination in this study. A firm's ability to construct customer knowledge creates solid ground for responding better to its customers' needs. In the business‐to‐business markets, customers are demanding increasingly knowledge‐intensive services. Therefore, examining the topic is particularly important in this specific context. In this study, the purpose is to find out how customer knowledge is constructed in knowledge‐intensive customer relationships. To accomplish this purpose, a qualitative multiple case study is organized around seven case relationships allowing within‐case and cross‐case comparisons. The findings of this study describe a variety of practices knowledge‐intensive firms can utilize in constructing customer knowledge in their daily activities. This study helps KIBS organizations in their efforts to create a source of competitive advantage as customer knowledge is a critical asset for firms, especially in a fast‐changing knowledge‐intensive environment.
Corrosion behavior of aluminum alloy 5754 in cement‐based matrix‐simulating nuclear waste disposal conditions
Authors: Mendibide Christophe , Dusquesnes Vincent , Deydier Valérie , Bourbon Xavier , Crusset Didier
Published: July 2020

Depending on the lifetime and level of radioactivity of radioactive wastes, different disposal facilities are considered. Though low‐ and intermediate‐level short‐lived waste can be disposed in surface disposal facilities, deep geological disposal is considered for high‐ and intermediate‐level long‐lived waste. In France and Belgium, long‐term disposal is studied in clay host rock media. For aluminum, the disposal concept is based on encapsulation of the waste in a cement‐based matrix. It is also well‐known that aluminum is prone to severe corrosion in sufficiently alkaline environments leading to possible hydrogen production. To ensure the safety of the disposal facilities and the integrity of the cement capsules, the amount of aluminum that is disposed in each waste package must be specified and is limited to mitigate the level of hydrogen production by aluminum corrosion. In the present study, the corrosion resistance of an aluminum alloy (grade EN‐AW‐5754/H111) in two different cement matrices was studied in different configurations at room temperature. In each case, the evolution of hydrogen production was monitored to address the corrosion rate variation versus time.
Triple‐lobe combined latissimus dorsi and scapular flap for reconstruction of a large defect after sarcoma resection
Authors: Karakawa Ryo , Yoshimatsu Hidehiko , Tanakura Kenta , Imai Tomohiro , Yano Tomoyuki , Sawaizumi Masayuki
Published: July 2020

Background

In the setting of the reconstruction for a large defect, we must make the maximum use of the limited human tissue with the minimum damage. In this article, we report on reconstruction using a combination of three‐skin paddle latissimus dorsi and a scapular flap for a large defect after soft tissue sarcoma resection to minimize donor site morbidity.

Methods

From 2000 to 2012, six patients underwent primary reconstruction using free or pedicled triple‐lobe combined latissimus dorsi and scapular flap after wide resection of soft tissue sarcoma. There were five male patient and one female, and their average age was 66.8 (range, 49–80 years). The location of the defects was the thoracic wall in three, the thigh in one, the knee in one, and the shoulder in one. The average size of the defect was 18.8 × 13.9 cm.

Results

The average size of the ascending scapular flap and the skin paddle of the latissimus dorsi flap was 6.8 × 13 cm and 7.3 × 14.7 cm. One patient had partial necrosis of the skin paddle of the latissimus dorsi flap, which was treated conservatively. The triple‐lobe combined latissimus dorsi and scapular flaps survived completely in five cases. Neither anastomosis complications nor infections were encountered. The average follow‐up period was 63.67 months. All patients were satisfied functionally and esthetically with the reconstruction outcomes at the end of follow‐up.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the triple‐lobe combined latissimus dorsi and scapular flap is one of the options for reconstruction of a large defect after sarcoma resection to minimize donor site morbidity.
A Computational Approach to Identify Potential Novel Inhibitors against the Coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2
Authors: Battisti Verena , Wieder Oliver , Garon Arthur , Seidel Thomas , Urban Ernst , Langer Thierry
Published: July 2020

The current pandemic threat of COVID‐19, caused by the novel coronavirus SARS‐CoV‐2, not only gives rise to a high number of deaths around the world but also has immense consequences for the worldwide health systems and global economy. Given the fact that this pandemic is still ongoing and there are currently no drugs or vaccines against this novel coronavirus available, this in silico study was conducted to identify a potential novel SARS‐CoV‐2‐inhibitor. Two different approaches were pursued: 1) The Docking Consensus Approach (DCA) is a novel approach, which combines molecular dynamics simulations with molecular docking. 2) The Common Hits Approach (CHA) in contrast focuses on the combination of the feature information of pharmacophore modeling and the flexibility of molecular dynamics simulations. The application of both methods resulted in the identification of 10 compounds with high coronavirus inhibition potential.
Why the Kanak Don't Fear Sharks: Myths as a Coherent but Dangerous Mirror of Nature
Authors: Clua Eric , Guiart Jean
Published: July 2020

This study focuses on the important role of sharks in the Melanesian mythology. Based on unpublished stories essentially originating from New Caledonia, we show how strong the links are between myths and the physical environment in which Kanak live. As prevalent mythical animals, sharks can indifferently play the role of avengers and righters of wrongs, or vehicles for the spirits of living or dead people. They can be either allies or enemies in wars, and their role as potential man‐killers is never overlooked. However, when humans are attacked and killed by a shark, it is always for a material reason: the victim broke a rule or a tabu, the shark was an enemy, the sharks withdrew protection, the event allowed a pregnant woman to reach a new territory, etc. Beyond arbitrary metaphysical justifications, such perceptions reflect respect for social and natural order. For Kanak ni‐Vanuatu and other Pacific Islander peoples, sharks are part of a coherent Nature that includes natural and social hazards. In the quest for sustainable development of the planet, more in harmony with Nature, so‐called ‘developed societies’ might draw inspiration from such perceptions. Indigenous understandings could also help change the globally negative perception of sharks, and support shark conservation efforts in Oceania and worldwide.
College campuses' influence on student weight and related behaviours: A review of observational and intervention research
Authors: Bailey Caitlin P. , Sharma Shanti , Economos Christina D. , Hennessy Erin , Simon Caitlin , Hatfield Daniel P.
Published: July 2020

Research indicates that most college students are not meeting dietary and physical activity guidelines, and the average student gains an estimated 1.6–3.0 kg during 4 years of study. College administrations are well‐positioned to influence student weight‐related health behaviours by ensuring that campus environments/policies promote health. However, to date, campus health interventions have largely addressed individual and interpersonal factors rather than environmental/policy‐level changes. Using an ecological perspective, this narrative review synthesizes the literature on campus environmental/policy‐level factors (e.g., food availability, physical activity requirements) associated with student diet, physical activity and weight, as well as campus interventions to address these factors. Web of Science and PubMed databases were searched between December 2018 and November 2019. Results indicate that campus food environments may contribute to overconsumption and weight gain, and the number of campuses requiring students to participate in physical activity courses is in decline. Eight examples of environmental/policy‐level campus interventions are presented: nutrition labels in dining halls, campus‐wide healthy choice marketing campaigns, restricted payment methods for à la cart dining, trayless dining, health‐themed residence halls, peer health education programmes, active classroom spaces and physical activity course requirements. Implications for research and health promotion programmes/policies in the field of college health are discussed.
In‐line characterization of dispersion uniformity evolution during a twin‐screw blending extrusion based on near‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: He Zhangping , Zhang Fei , Lei Yu , Lin Zenan , Wang Mengmeng , Jin Gang
Published: July 2020

Properties of an immiscible polymer blend have been proved to be closely related to dispersion uniformity of the minor phase. At present, dispersion uniformity is difficult to evaluate during the blending process, resulting in hysteretic feedback. Aiming at this problem, this work utilized near‐infrared (NIR) spectroscopy to in‐line characterize dispersion uniformity evolution during a twin‐screw extrusion. A multichannel NIR measurement system was set up and applied to evaluate the blending process of polypropylene and polyolefin elastomer (POE). Based on the NIR spectra collected at different positions of the extruder, five prediction models of POE content were established using the light gradient boosting machine algorithm. Dispersion uniformity was characterized through the fluctuation of the predicted content. The evolution of dispersion under such processing parameters was consistent with scanning electron microscopy.
The actor, agent, and author across the life span: interrelations between personality traits, life goals, and life narratives in an age-heterogeneous sample
Authors: Larissa Bühler Janina , Weidmann Rebekka , Grob Alexander
Published: July 2020

According to the integrative framework for studying people, personality manifests and develops along three separate, but related, levels: the actor (e.g. traits), agent (e.g. goals), and author (i.e. narratives). Although these levels are thought to be conceptually interrelated, few studies have empirically examined such interrelations. To address this gap, the present study tested how traits, goals, and narratives are longitudinally related to each other and whether master motives (getting along and getting ahead) serve as helpful tools to structure these interrelations. Applying a developmental approach, we further explored these interrelations against the background of age-related effects. A sample of 141 participants (14–68 years, M = 35.40 years) completed self-reports on traits and goals at the beginning and end of a 2-year study. In between these measurements, participants took part in a life story interview that assessed narratives. We applied multilevel analyses and found that traits, goals, and narratives were meaningfully related to each other. Interactions with age occurred in less than 20% of the cases, emerged among the majority of variables (except for agreeableness and openness), were most pronounced for narratives and were mainly found among young and middle-aged participants. The findings are discussed in view of master motives.
Mechanisms of Csp2–H functionalization of aldehydes with triplet O2 catalyzed by NHPI: A density functional theory investigation
Authors: Deng Zhe‐Peng , Zhou Da‐Gang
Published: July 2020

The mechanisms of Csp2–H activation of aldehydes to yield carboxylic acids catalyzed by NHPI have been investigated with M06‐2X‐D3/ma‐def2‐TZVP method and basis set in the Universal Solvation Model Based on Solute Electron Density (SMD). The computational results suggest that the activation of NHPI, rather than aldehydes, would be finished by triplet O2 with lower energy barrier. The obtained radicals PINO and HOO˙ could help to achieve this Csp2–H activation of aldehydes, then triplet O2 would continue to react with generated intermediate to obtain Criegee intermediate radical; the following H‐shift reactions happened to produce Criegee intermediate; finally, SN2 reaction would help to yield the final product carboxylic acid. Meanwhile, the obtained carboxylic acid radical captures one proton to yield carboxylic acid. The localized orbital locator (LOL) isosurfaces of pi orbitals, and electron spin density isosurface graphs could reveal the single electron transfer process. The results would provide valuable insights into these types of interactions and related ones.
Regression Rate Characterization of HTPB‐Paraffin Based Solid Fuels for Hybrid Rocket
Authors: Mahottamananda Sri Nithya , Kadiresh Nagarajan P. , Pal Yash
Published: July 2020

Hybrid rockets are entitled with unique features such as simplicity, thrust modulation, safety, and low cost compared to that of conventional liquid and solid rockets. Despite their distinct advantages, the polymeric solid fuels exhibit a low regression rate, which limits their potential applications for the various space missions. In this study, pure hydroxyl‐terminated polybutadiene (HTPB), paraffin wax, and blended HTPB‐paraffin solid fuels, namely 80P, 60P, 40P, 25P were characterized for ballistic performance. The viscosity, local regression rate, average regression rate and combustion chamber pressure of solid fuels were evaluated on a lab‐scale ballistic motor. It was found that the viscosity of blended fuels decreased with increasing the paraffin wt. % in the formulation. The local regression rates of blended fuels increased in the range of 0.53 mm/s to 1.58 mm/s at oxidizer mass flux range of 85 kg/m2s to 150 kg/m2s. The results indicate that increasing the wt.% of paraffin in the blend will enhance the average regression rate performance, besides suppressing the low‐pressure oscillations during steady‐state operation.
Design and validation of a cross‐specialty simulation‐based training course in basic robotic surgical skills
Authors: Scott Susanne I. , Dalsgaard Torur , Jepsen Jan Vibjerg , von Buchwald Christian , Andersen Steven Arild Wuyts
Published: July 2020

Background

The aim of this study was to design and validate a cross‐specialty basic robotic surgical skills training program on the RobotiX Mentor virtual reality simulator.

Methods

A Delphi panel reached consensus on six modules to include in the training program. Validity evidence was collected according to Messick's framework with three performances in each simulator module by 11 experienced robotic surgeons and 11 residents without robotic surgical experience.

Results

For five of the six modules, a compound metrics‐based score could significantly discriminate between the performances of novices and experienced robotic surgeons. Pass/fail levels were established, resulting in very few novices passing in their first attempt.

Conclusions

This validated course can be used for structured simulation‐based basic robotic surgical skills training within a mastery learning framework where the individual trainee can practice each module until they achieve proficiency and can continue training on other modalities and more specific to their specialty.
A bivariate autoregressive Poisson model and its application to asthma‐related emergency room visits
Authors: Al‐Wahsh Huda , Hussein Abdulkadir
Published: July 2020

There are no gold standard methods that perform well in every situation when it comes to the analysis of multiple time series of counts. In this paper, we consider a positively correlated bivariate time series of counts and propose a parameter‐driven Poisson regression model for its analysis. In our proposed model, we employ a latent autoregressive process,AR(p)to accommodate the temporal correlations in the two series. We compute the familiar maximum likelihood estimators of the model parameters and their standard errors via a Bayesian data cloning approach. We apply the model to the analysis of a bivariate time series arising from asthma‐related visits to emergency rooms across the Canadian province of Ontario.
Sample size calculation in three‐level cluster randomized trials using generalized estimating equation models
Authors: Liu Jingxia , Colditz Graham A.
Published: July 2020

Three‐level cluster randomized trials (CRTs) are increasingly used in implementation science, where 2fold‐nested‐correlated data arise. For example, interventions are randomly assigned to practices, and providers within the same practice who provide care to participants are trained with the assigned intervention. Teerenstra et al proposed a nested exchangeable correlation structure that accounts for two levels of clustering within the generalized estimating equations (GEE) approach. In this article, we utilize GEE models to test the treatment effect in a two‐group comparison for continuous, binary, or count data in three‐level CRTs. Given the nested exchangeable correlation structure, we derive the asymptotic variances of the estimator of the treatment effect for different types of outcomes. When the number of clusters is small, researchers have proposed bias‐corrected sandwich estimators to improve performance in two‐level CRTs. We extend the variances of two bias‐corrected sandwich estimators to three‐level CRTs. The equal provider and practice sizes were assumed to calculate number of practices for simplicity. However, they are not guaranteed in practice. Relative efficiency (RE) is defined as the ratio of variance of the estimator of the treatment effect for equal to unequal provider and practice sizes. The expressions of REs are obtained from both asymptotic variance estimation and bias‐corrected sandwich estimators. Their performances are evaluated for different scenarios of provider and practice size distributions through simulation studies. Finally, a percentage increase in the number of practices is proposed due to efficiency loss from unequal provider and/or practice sizes.