bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of spaceflight aboard the International Space Station on mouse estrous cycle and ovarian gene expression
Authors: Hong Xiaoman , Ratri Anamika , Choi Sungshin Y. , Tash Joseph S. , Ronca April E. , Alwood Joshua S. , Christenson Lane K.
Published: March 2021

Ovarian steroids dramatically impact normal homeostatic and metabolic processes of most tissues within the body, including muscle, bone, neural, immune, cardiovascular, and reproductive systems. Determining the effects of spaceflight on the ovary and estrous cycle is, therefore, critical to our understanding of all spaceflight experiments using female mice. Adult female mice (n = 10) were exposed to and sacrificed on-orbit after 37 days of spaceflight in microgravity. Contemporary control (preflight baseline, vivarium, and habitat; n = 10/group) groups were maintained at the Kennedy Space Center, prior to sacrifice and similar tissue collection at the NASA Ames Research Center. Ovarian tissues were collected and processed for RNA and steroid analyses at initial carcass thaw. Vaginal wall tissue collected from twice frozen/thawed carcasses was fixed for estrous cycle stage determinations. The proportion of animals in each phase of the estrous cycle (i.e., proestrus, estrus, metestrus, and diestrus) did not appreciably differ between baseline, vivarium, and flight mice, while habitat control mice exhibited greater numbers in diestrus. Ovarian tissue steroid concentrations indicated no differences in estradiol across groups, while progesterone levels were lower (p < 0.05) in habitat and flight compared to baseline females. Genes involved in ovarian steroidogenic function were not differentially expressed across groups. As ovarian estrogen can dramatically impact multiple non-reproductive tissues, these data support vaginal wall estrous cycle classification of all female mice flown in space. Additionally, since females exposed to long-term spaceflight were observed at different estrous cycle stages, this indicates females are likely undergoing ovarian cyclicity and may yet be fertile.
Investigation on boron and iodine behavior during nuclear glass vapor hydration
Authors: Zhang Haohan , Suzuki-Muresan Tomo , Morizet Yann , Gin Stéphane , Abdelouas Abdesselam
Published: March 2021

Understanding the durability of nuclear glass in the vapor phase is essential for evaluating the long-term safety of the nuclear glass. This work studies the vapor hydration of borosilicate and iodine-bearing glass at 90 °C and relative humidity at 99%. Hydration kinetics was monitored by analyzing the boron and iodine released during the vapor hydration process. It is found that boron becomes more easily released after iodine being added to the glass matrix. The results related to boron release and retention indicate the possible transformation of tetrahedral [4]B to trigonal [3]B on the hydrated glass surface, which may enhance the release of boron in the form of boric acid afterward. Release of iodine occurred but at a far lesser extent than boron with 92% of iodine retained in the alteration layer, thus opening good perspectives with regard to the disposal of high-level waste containing iodine.
High fecal carriage of blaCTX-M, blaCMY-2, and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes among healthy Korean people in a metagenomic analysis
Authors: Kim Jieun , Park Kye-Yeung , Park Hoon-Ki , Hwang Hwan-Sik , Seo Mi-Ran , Kim Bongyoung , Cho Youna , Rho Mina , Pai Hyunjoo
Published: March 2021

To characterize the carriage of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in the gut microbiome of healthy individuals. Fecal carriage of ARGs was investigated in 61 healthy individuals aged 30 to 59 years through whole metagenome sequencing of the gut microbiome and a targeted metagenomic approach. The number of ARGs in the gut microbiome was counted and normalized per million predicted genes (GPM). In the Korean population, the resistome ranged from 49.7 to 292.5 GPM (median 89.7). Based on the abundance of ARGs, the subjects were categorised into high (> 120 GPM), middle (60‒120 GPM), and low (< 60 GPM) ARG groups. Individuals in the high ARG group tended to visit hospitals more often (P = 0.065), particularly for upper respiratory tract infections (P = 0.066), and carried more blaCTX-M (P = 0.008). The targeted metagenome approach for bla and plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) genes revealed a high fecal carriage rate; 23% or 13.1% of the subjects carried blaCTX-M or blaCMY-2, respectively. Regarding PMQR genes, 59% of the subjects carried PMQR, and 83% of them harboured 2‒4 PMQR genes (qnrB 44.3%, qnrS 47.5% etc.). The presence of blaCTX-M correlated with ARG abundance in the gut resistome, whereas PMQR genes were irrelevant to other ARGs (P = 0.176). Fecal carriage of blaCTX-M and PMQR genes was broad and multiplexed among healthy individuals.
Obesity is a risk factor for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma progression associated with alterations of metabolic activity and immune status
Authors: Yugawa Kyohei , Itoh Shinji , Iseda Norifumi , Kurihara Takeshi , Kitamura Yoshiyuki , Toshima Takeo , Harada Noboru , Kohashi Kenichi , Baba Shingo , Ishigami Kousei , Oda Yoshinao , Yoshizumi Tomoharu , Mori Masaki
Published: March 2021

Body mass index (BMI) is well known to be associated with poor prognosis in several cancers. The relationship between BMI and the long-term outcomes of patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is incompletely understood. This study investigated the relationships of BMI with clinicopathological characteristics and patient outcomes, focusing on metabolic activity and immune status. The relationship between BMI and the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) was analyzed. In addition, immunohistochemistry was performed for programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), cluster of differentiation 8 (CD8), and forkhead box protein P3 (Foxp3). Seventy-four patients with ICC were classified into normal weight (BMI < 25.0 kg/m2, n = 48) and obesity groups (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2, n = 26), respectively. Serum carbohydrate antigen 19–9 levels were higher in the obesity group than in the normal weight group. Tumor size and the intrahepatic metastasis rate were significantly larger in the obesity group. Patients in the obesity group had significantly worse prognoses than those in the normal weight group. Moreover, BMI displayed a positive correlation with SUVmax on 18F-FDG PET/CT (n = 46, r = 0.5152). Patients with high 18F-FDG uptake had a significantly higher rate of PD-L1 expression, lower CD8 + tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL) counts, and higher Foxp3 + TIL counts. The elevated BMI might predict the outcomes of patients with ICC. Obesity might be associated with ICC progression, possibly through alterations in metabolic activity and the immune status.
Genome-wide transcriptome profiling uncovers differential miRNAs and lncRNAs in ovaries of Hu sheep at different developmental stages
Authors: Shabbir Samina , Boruah Prerona , Xie Lingli , Kulyar Muhammad Fakhar-e-Alam , Nawaz Mohsin , Yousuf Salsabeel , Liu Tianyi , Jabeen Farhat , Miao Xiangyang
Published: March 2021

Ovary development is an important determinant of the procreative capacity of female animals. Here, we performed genome-wide sequencing of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and mRNAs on ovaries of 1, 3 and 8 months old Hu sheep to assess their expression profiles and roles in ovarian development. We identified 37,309 lncRNAs, 45,404 messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and 330 novel micro RNAs (miRNAs) from the transcriptomic analysis. Six thousand, seven hundred and sixteen (6716) mRNAs and 1972 lncRNAs were significantly and differentially expressed in ovaries of 1 month and 3 months old Hu sheep (H1 vs H3). These mRNAs and target genes of lncRNAs were primarily enriched in the TGF-β and PI3K-Akt signalling pathways which are closely associated with ovarian follicular development and steroid hormone biosynthesis regulation. We identified MSTRG.162061.1, MSTRG.222844.7, MSTRG.335777.1, MSTRG.334059.16, MSTRG.188947.6 and MSTRG.24344.3 as vital genes in ovary development by regulating CTNNB1, CCNA2, CDK2, CDC20, CDK1 and EGFR expressions. A total of 2903 mRNAs and 636 lncRNAs were differentially expressed in 3 and 8 months old ovaries of Hu sheep (H3 vs H8); and were predominantly enriched in PI3K-Akt, progesterone-mediated oocyte maturation, estrogen metabolism, ovulation from the ovarian follicle and oogenesis pathways. These lncRNAs were also found to regulate FGF7, PRLR, PTK2, AMH and INHBA expressions during follicular development. Our result indicates the identified genes participate in the development of the final stages of follicles and ovary development in Hu sheep.
Knee-related disability was largely influenced by cognitive factors and disturbed body perception in knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Nishigami Tomohiko , Tanaka So , Mibu Akira , Imai Ryota , Wand Benedict Martin
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to explore the existence of subgroups in a cohort of people with knee osteoarthritis (OA) based upon data from multiple pain-related variables and to profile identified clusters according to levels of pain intensity and knee-related disability. Three hundred and three people with knee OA were recruited. Latent profile analysis was used to confirm the optimal number of knee OA subgroups. Body mass index, radiographic knee OA severity, pain catastrophizing, pain related self-efficacy, and knee specific self-perception, were incorporated into the model. Cluster, demographic and clinical variables were compared between the resulting classes. Four distinct classes were identified. Cluster 1 (28.7%) represented early radiographic OA, and moderate pain intensity, disability and cognitive and perceptual dysfunction. Cluster 2 (18.8%) showed advanced radiographic OA, and moderate pain intensity, disability and cognitive and perceptual dysfunction. Cluster 3 (34.3%) represented various levels of radiographic OA, and the lowest pain intensity, disability and cognitive and perceptual dysfunction. Cluster 4 (18.1%) represented various levels of radiographic OA, the highest disability and cognitive and perceptual dysfunction. Considering cognitive factors and disturbed body perception may help to explain the phenomenon of the discrepancy between the knee-related disability and the severity of radiographic knee OA.
Thermodynamically stable polymorphs of nitrogen-rich carbon nitrides: a C3N5 study
Authors: Ghasemi S. Alireza , Mirhosseini Hossein , Kühne Thomas D.
Published: March 2021

We present novel structures of C3N5 with new structural motifs obtained based on a systematic search. Density functional calculations indicate that they have suitable band-edge positions for photocatalytic water splitting applications.
Chitosan/tripolyphosphate nanoformulation carrying paraquat: insights on its enhanced herbicidal activity
Authors: Pontes Montcharles S. , Antunes Débora R. , Oliveira Ivan P. , Forini Mariana M. L. , Santos Jaqueline S. , Arruda Gilberto J. , Caires Anderson R. L. , Santiago Etenaldo F. , Grillo Renato
Published: March 2021

A paraquat-nanoherbicide presented distinct electroactivity behavior compared to its analytical counterpart, which may explain its greater herbicidal activity on plants.
Copper-catalyzed tandem annulation of 2-alkynoyl-2′-iodo-1,1′-biphenyls with isocyanoacetates: a rapid access to pyrrole-fused tetracyclic skeletons
Authors: Ouyang Yifan , Wu Kaifu , Zhou Wei , Cai Qian
Published: March 2021

A copper-catalyzed [3 + 2] cycloaddition/C–C coupling tandem process was developed based on the concept of trapping organocuprate intermediates.
Comparative evaluation and design of a G-triplex/thioflavin T-based molecular beacon
Authors: Gao Jingru , Liu Qiang , Liu Wei , Jin Yan , Li Baoxin
Published: March 2021

Compared with the common G-quadruplex-based molecular beacon, the G-triplex-based molecular beacon exhibits higher sensitivity and faster response speed.
One-step mild preparation of tough and thermo-reversible poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogels induced by small molecules
Authors: Dong Chuang , Zhou Jiahua , Shi Dongjian , Song Yufang , Yu Xi , Dong Weifu , Chen Mingqing , Kaneko Daisaku
Published: March 2021

Tough and reversible PVA hydrogels were prepared by only adding small molecules, which induced crystallization in the PVA network.
Nickel-catalyzed Heck reaction of cycloalkenes using aryl sulfonates and pivalates
Authors: Zhou Jianrong Steve , Huang Xiaolei , Teng Shenghan , Chi Yonggui Robin
Published: March 2021

Nickel-catalyzed Heck reaction of cycloalkenes produces uncommon isomers with aryl rings in conjugation with olefins.
Low-temperature fabrication of crystalline MnCoO spinel film on porous carbon paper for efficient oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Kwon Sunglun , Lee Ha Eun , Han Donghoon , Lee Jong Hyeon
Published: March 2021

A thin film of MnxCo3−xO4 (MnCoO) nanocatalyst on a porous carbon fiber paper (CFP) electrode for efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
Controlling the spin-crossover behavior of the [Cr(indenyl)2] family via ligand functionalization
Authors: Navarro Laia , Rodriguez Fileto , Cirera Jordi
Published: March 2021

A computational study of the [Cr(n-Meindenyl)2] family explains the effect of ligand functionalization on their spin-crossover properties. The results quantitatively match the experimental data and can predict the behavior of new family members.
CO2 utilization in built environment via the PCO2 swing carbonation of alkaline solid wastes with different mineralogy
Authors: Rim Guanhe , Roy Noyonika , Zhao Diandian , Kawashima Shiho , Stallworth Phillip , Greenbaum Steven G. , Park Ah-Hyung Alissa
Published: March 2021

A circular economy in the built environment via carbon mineralization of alkaline industrial wastes and silicate minerals via PCO2 swing or via pH swing, employing acid and base generated from electrolysis using renewable energy.
Interface design of carbon filler/polymer composites for electromagnetic interference shielding
Authors: Chen Runxiao , Yu Rongrong , Pei Xiaoyuan , Wang Wei , Li Diansen , Xu Zhiwei , Luo Shigang , Tang Youhong , Deng Hui
Published: March 2021

The main three methods of interface design for carbon/polymer composites for different carbon materials.
Polymyxin B-functionalized phthalocyanine for chemo-photodynamic antibacterial therapy in enhanced wound healing
Authors: Mei Lin , Xu Zhenlong , Miao Zhiqiang , Yun Mengyao , Luan Yidan , Yang Dehong , Xia Luxi
Published: March 2021

The rapid healing of bacteria-infected wounds was achieved via synergistic photodynamic antimicrobial therapy and chemotherapy using polymyxin B-functionalized phthalocyanine.
Plasmonic photothermal catalysis for solar-to-fuel conversion: current status and prospects
Authors: Luo Shunqin , Ren Xiaohui , Lin Huiwen , Song Hui , Ye Jinhua
Published: March 2021

Hot carrier activation and photothermal heat can be constructively coupled using plasmonic photothermal catalysts for synergistically promoted solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency.
Torque estimation of permanent magnet synchronous machine using improved voltage model flux estimator
Authors: Taherzadeh M. , Hamida M. A. , Ghanes M. , Maloum A.
Published: March 2021

A torque estimator for permanent magnet synchronous machines is presented based on flux estimation. The voltage model of the machine (Faraday's law) is employed to estimate the flux where pure integrators are applied to the electromotive force (EMF) of the machine. To solve the problem of DC drift due to pure integrators, a current‐model flux estimator modified by a Kalman‐like observer is temporarily switched on to reinitialise the pure integrators. The current‐model estimator with its associated observer is activated only if the difference between the reference and estimated torque exceeds a predefined threshold. For the remainder of the operating time, only pure integrators are used to estimate flux. Furthermore, an online EMF offset detector is designed to compensate EMF offsets before integral action to avoid divergence of the estimated flux. The proposed approach allows smooth estimation at standstill compared with existing approaches that use filters. Moreover, the method allows space to be freed up at the central processing unit because it is not always highly occupied during motor operating times. The simulation and experimental results show the capabilities of the proposed torque/flux estimator.
Optimization of efficiency and output power of 8/6 switched reluctance motor using new neural network‐based adjoint Lp metric method
Authors: Rahmani Omid , Sadrossadat Sayed Alireza , Mirimani Seyyed Mehdi , Mirimani Seyyed Hossein
Published: March 2021

Here, the authors present a new constrained multi‐objective optimization method for maximizing output power and efficiency of switched reluctance motor (SRM). The constraints play a significant role in this process. Artificial neural network‐based models are created to represent the SRM behaviour which is a difficult task. For this reason, a single neural network for each objective is built and the number of training data has been increased to reach a good accuracy. The authors propose a neural network‐based adjoint L

p
metric technique to combine several objective functions and constraints with different weight factors to a single function which should be minimized. To apply the constraints, an adjoint term is added to the original L

p
function including only objective functions. The flux densities of the magnetic materials are selected as the optimization constraints. When approaching as close as possible to the saturation level, the SRM has a better performance. Adding an adjoint term to the original L

p
leads to better optimization results which were proved by comparing with a conventional optimization. Also, all obtained results were finally validated by the Ansoft Maxwell software.
Secure high capacity tetris‐based scheme for data hiding
Authors: Su Guo‐Dong , Chang Chin‐Chen , Lin Chia‐Chen , Yao Zhi‐Qiang
Published: March 2021

Information hiding is a technique that conceals private information in a trustable carrier, making it imperceptible to unauthorised people. This technique has been used extensively for secure transmissions of multimedia, such as videos, animations, and images. This study proposes a novel Tetris‐based data hiding scheme to flexibly hide more secret messages while ensuring message security. First, an LQ  LQ square lattice Q is selected to determine the maximum embedding capacity, and then it is filled without gaps through rotating and sliding tetrominoes while making the shape of each tetromino different. Secondly, according to the decided Q, the reference matrix and corresponding look‐up table are constructed and then used for secret messages embedding and extraction. In the authors approach, each pixel pair of the original image can be processed to conceal 4‐ or 6‐bit secret messages. The experimental results show that their proposed Tetris‐based scheme has excellent performance, exceeding the performance of some state‐of‐the‐art schemes in both embedding capacity and visual quality. The proposed scheme also provides secure covert communication.
Hybrid DSSCS and convolutional neural network for peripheral blood cell recognition system
Authors: Joshi Shivani , Kumar Rajiv , Dwivedi Avinash
Published: March 2021

In this study, an efficient a deep learning architecture‐based peripheral blood cell image recognition and classification is proposed using hybrid disruption‐based salp‐swarm and cat swarm (DSSCS)‐based optimized convolutional neural networks (DSSCSCNNs) method. The DSSCSCNN method is employed to overcome the hyperparameter problem in CNN and it also helps this model to work on small peripheral blood cell data sets. In the DSSCSCNN method, the authors develop a binary coding technique that converts parameter tuning problems into an optimization problem. The original salp swarm algorithm is enhanced using a disruptive operator and salp swarm optimization algorithm to form the novel DSSCS algorithm which increases the diversity of the search space by providing higher classification accuracy. In this study, the CNNs use Vgg‐16 architecture is used for training purposes. The global classification accuracy obtained when trained with the Vgg‐16 model is 97%. This method establishes a fine‐tuning process to develop a classifier trained using 15,976 images acquired from clinical practice. The proposed model gives improved performance in terms of accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity. In the WBC determination, the proposed approach has shown 100% achievement. It also provides the best overall classification accuracy of 99%.
Direct active damping control for grid‐connected AC/DC converter with LCL filter using augmented look‐up table
Authors: Zhang Chuanjin , Li Yutan , Jia Chenxi , Fu Hong , Zhang Xiao , Zhang Hui
Published: March 2021

This paper presents a novel approach to adapt the conventional direct power control (DPC) methods that are applied to ac/dc converters with an inductive capacitive inductive (LCL) filter. These new solutions improved the conventional DPC with an active damping algorithm via multi‐variable constraint adjustment, which is based on an augmented look‐up table and multi‐variable comparators. The novel look‐up table proposed for the active damping algorithm of the LCL filter allows an optimal voltage vector assignment to be chosen using differences in converter‐side current and capacitor voltage. This method is also compared with the DPC method with active damping via the addition of a virtual damping resistor and a harmonic rejection loop. The steady‐state (total harmonic distortion of the grid current) and dynamic performances (response time on step changes of the set current), as well as the immunity under distorted grid voltage conditions of the proposed system, are verified through simulation results and experimental measurements.
Investigation of correlation of design parameters in wireless power transfer system
Authors: Biswal Sushree S , Kar Durga P. , Samal Satish Kumar , Bhuyan Satyanarayan
Published: March 2021

Achieving higher power transfer efficiency with permissible output load power is a formidable challenge in designing a magnetically coupled resonant wireless power transfer system. Consequently, to instigate the power transfer characteristics, the theoretical models based on reflected load theory as well as lumped circuit models have been employed, which have been substantiated with the experimental measurements. It has been apprehended that maximum efficiency as well as the power delivered to the load can be enriched from the depreciated value through appropriate deliberation of coil's quality factor (coil design dependent) and coupling coefficient with acceptable operating frequency under different electric load conditions. The obtained results illuminate the correlation between the maximum power transfer ability and the quality factor of the coils, as well as the coupling coefficient, under different electric load conditions.
The surface brightness–colour relations based on eclipsing binary stars and calibrated withGaiaEDR3
Authors: Graczyk D. , Pietrzyński G. , Galan C. , Gieren W. , Tkachenko A. , Anderson R. I. , Gallenne A. , Górski M. , Hajdu G. , Kałuszyński M. , Karczmarek P. , Kervella P. , Maxted P. F. L. , Nardetto N. , Narloch W. , Pavlovski K. , Pilecki B. , Pych W. , Southworth J. , Storm J. , Suchomska K. , Taormina M. , Villanova S. , Wielgórski P. , Zgirski B. , Konorski P.
Published: March 2021

Aims.The surface brightness–colour relation (SBCR) is a basic tool for establishing precise and accurate distances within the Local Group. Detached eclipsing binary stars with accurately determined radii and trigonometric parallaxes allow calibration of the SBCRs with unprecedented accuracy.

Methods.We analysed four nearby eclipsing binary stars containing late F-type main sequence components: AL Ari, AL Dor, FM Leo, and BN Scl. We determined very precise spectroscopic orbits and combined them with high-precision ground- and space-based photometry. We derived the astrophysical parameters of their components with mean errors of 0.1% for mass and 0.4% for radius. We combined those four systems with another 24 nearby eclipsing binaries with accurately known radii from the literature for whichGaiaEDR3 parallaxes are available in order to derive the SBCRs.

Results.The resulting SBCRs cover stellar spectral types from B9 V to G7 V. For calibrations, we used Johnson opticalBandV,GaiaGBPandG, and 2MASSJHKbands. The most precise relations are calibrated using the infraredKband and allow angular diameters of A-, F-, and G-type dwarf and subgiant stars to be predicted with a precision of 1%.
Effect of low temperature culture on the biological characteristics and aggressiveness of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Sclerotinia minor
Authors: Jia Ruifang , Li Min , Zhang Jian , Addrah Mandela E. , Zhao Jun
Published: March 2021

Sunflower White Mold caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Sclerotinia minor is a devastating disease worldwide. To investigate the effect of low temperature (4 °C) on biological characteristics and aggressiveness of isolates of the two species, which were collected from the same field in Baiyinchagan, Inner Mongolia, their mycelial growth rate, oxalic acid secretion level and polygalacturonase activity were compared under normal culture temperature (23 °C) and low temperature (4 °C). Aggressiveness was also evaluated on detached leaves by inoculating the isolates produced in both temperatures. The results suggested that culture of isolates at 4 °C not only promoted mycelial growth, but also enhanced secretion of oxalic acid and polygalacturonase activity of both S. sclerotiorum and S. minor isolates compared to that cultured at 23 °C. Additionally, the corresponding aggressiveness of tested isolates of the two species also increased after culture at 4 °C. However, S. sclerotiorum always showed faster mycelial growth, higher oxalic acid levels and greater polygalacturonase activity than S. minor at both 23 °C and 4 °C, indicating that S. sclerotiorum is generally the more aggressive species than S. minor.
The beneficial effect of information sharing in the integrated production–distribution planning of textile and apparel supply chain
Authors: Safra Imen , Jebali Aida , Jemai Zied , Bouchriha Hanen , Ghaffari Asma
Published: March 2021

The present paper proposes an integrated production–distribution planning approach for a textile and apparel supply chain. Tactical and operational decisions are considered in the proposed multi-product and multi-period planning problem. Using a rolling horizon, the approach aims at defining optimal quantities to produce, to store and to deliver. The integration consists in coordinating informational flows between producer and retailer. Information sharing will allow the producer to estimate more accurately the future replenishment orders that may happen at the operational level and adjust production capacity requirements accordingly. For this purpose, a two-stage planning approach is devised; the first stage deals with the tactical level while the second stage deals with the operational level. The monthly decisions taken at the tactical planning level are accounted for in the operational planning considering a variable rolling horizon. Moreover, accurate forecasts of future replenishment orders are established based on information sharing and introduced in the operational planning to determine the weekly decisions. Linear programming models are used to build production and distribution plans at the tactical and operational levels. Using real-life data from a textile and apparel Tunisian firm, we show that producer-retailer coordination based on the sharing of current sales information, yields significant cost savings reaching up to 20% of the supply chain cost. These findings can only motivate the partnership between producer and retailer through reliable information sharing in joint tactical-operational and production–distribution planning.
An integrated, multi-criteria approach based on environmental, economic, social, and competency criteria for supplier selection
Authors: Baki Rahmi
Published: March 2021

Supplier selection (SS), which is a critical stage of supply chain management (SCM), is no longer evaluated solely from the perspective of traditional criteria, due to increasing environmental problems and ethical concerns. In this study, a multidimensional approach including environmental, economic, social, and competency concepts was proposed to evaluate SS, and an integrated approach based on Best Worst Method (BWM) and fuzzy TODIM (an acronym in Portuguese of Interactive and Multi-criteria Decision Making) techniques was developed. In the developed approach, BWM was used to first obtain the importance level of the criteria and then to rank the suppliers with fuzzy TODIM. The proposed approach was tested on an automotive company in Turkey. The outcomes of the analysis revealed that the most important main criteria for SS are economic (0.377) and environmental criteria (0.290). In addition, the sub-criteria with the highest criteria weight were listed as product cost (0.120), on-time delivery (0.112), quality control (0.094), logistics costs (0.069), management commitment (0.054), and flexibility (0.054). The results of this study offer theoretical and practical outputs to companies that want to improve their SS process, selection of suppliers, and contributions of the researchers working on the topic.
A multistage stochastic lot-sizing problem with cancellation and postponement under uncertain demands
Authors: Testuri Carlos E. , Cancela Héctor , Albornoz Víctor M.
Published: March 2021

A multistage stochastic capacitated discrete procurement problem with lead times, cancellation and postponement is addressed. The problem determines the procurement of a product under uncertain demand at minimal expected cost during a time horizon. The supply of the product is made through the purchase of optional distinguishable orders of fixed size with delivery time. Due to the unveiling of uncertainty over time it is possible to make cancellation and postponement corrective decisions on order procurement. These decisions involve costs and times of implementation. A model of the problem is formulated as an extension of a discrete capacitated lot-sizing problem under uncertain demand and lead times through a multi-stage stochastic mixed-integer linear optimization approach. Valid inequalities are generated, based on a conventional inequalities approach, to tighten the model formulation. Experiments are performed for several problem instances with different uncertainty information structure. Their results allow to conclude that the incorporation of a subset of the generated inequalities favor the model solution.
Sport bei Adipositas – Welche kardiovaskulären Effekte können wir erwarten?
Authors: Erbs Sandra , Thiele Holger
Published: March 2021

Adipositas ist weltweit eine der Hauptursachen für die Entwicklung kardiovaskulärer Erkrankungen. Der Anstieg der Adipositasprävalenz ist mit einem Mangel an körperlicher Aktivität assoziiert. Körperliche Inaktivität wurde als ein unabhängiger Prädiktor der kardiovaskulären Sterblichkeit identifiziert. Adipositas und körperliche Inaktivität tragen zur Entwicklung einer generalisierten Endotheldysfunktion als Initialstadium der Arteriosklerose bei, wobei diese bereits viele Jahre vor makroskopisch sichtbarer Manifestation arteriosklerotischer Plaques auftreten kann. Eine Imbalance zwischen Produktion und Abbau von endothelial synthetisiertem Stickstoffmonoxid, des wichtigsten endogenen Vasodilatators, führt zu einer Alteration der normalen Vasomotion hin zur Vasokonstriktion. Die Endotheldysfunktion stellt einen starken Prädiktor für das Auftreten späterer kardiovaskulärer Ereignisse dar. Interventionsprogramme zur Steigerung der körperlichen Aktivität zielen daher auch darauf ab, durch eine Verbesserung oder zumindest Stabilisierung der Endothelfunktion die kardiovaskuläre Morbidität und Mortalität zu senken. Der zumindest partiellen Korrektur der Endotheldysfunktion durch körperliches Training via regulatorische Prozesse direkt am Endothel sowie über Modulation der im Fettgewebe sezernierten Adipozytokine kommt daher eine zentrale Rolle im Langzeitverlauf der Erkrankung zu.
Stellungnahme des „Expertenkreises Aerosole“: Aerosole und SARS-CoV-2 – Entstehung, Infektiosität, Ausbreitung und Minderung luftgetragener, virenhaltiger Teilchen in der Atemluft
Authors: Brockmann Stefan , Dittler Achim , Grün Gunnar , Haibel Michael , Iftner Thomas , Kräusslich Hans-Georg , Mizaikoff Boris , Niessner Jennifer , Richter B , Spahn Claudia , Stergiaropoulos Konstantinos , von Baum Heike
Published: March 2021

Aerosole werden gegenwärtig als einer der wesentlichen Übertragungswege für SARS-CoV-2 angesehen, doch ein umfassendes Verständnis der Prozesse und entsprechendes Handeln/Anpassen von Schutzkonzepten erfordert den Austausch von Informationen über interdisziplinäre Grenzen hinweg. Vor diesem Hintergrund hat die baden-württembergische Landesregierung Anfang Oktober 2020 einen multidisziplinären „Expertenkreis Aerosole“ aus Ingenieuren, Naturwissenschaftlern und Medizinern ins Leben gerufen. In seiner Stellungnahme hat der Kreis den aktuellen Kenntnisstand in allen relevanten Fachrichtungen im Kontext der luftübertragenen SARS-CoV-2 Infektion zusammengetragen. Darin wird neben den allseits bekannten Hygiene- und Abstandsregeln die Bedeutung des richtigen Tragens wirksamer Masken hervorgehoben und der Eigen- sowie Fremdschutz verschiedener Masken gegenübergestellt. Weiterhin wird auf die Notwendigkeit des dynamischen und richtigen Lüftens hingewiesen und es werden exemplarisch Lüftungsintervalle und -zeiträume für unterschiedliche Szenarien illustriert. Auf die Wirksamkeit stationärer oder mobiler Innenraumluftfilter als ein wichtiger Baustein im Schutzkonzept wird eingegangen. Die erste Stellungnahme des Expertenkreises macht deutlich, dass die bestehenden Hygiene- und Abstandsregeln (AHA+L) nur in ihrer Kombination und richtig angewandt, den bestmöglichen Schutz vor einer SARS-CoV-2 Infektion bieten.
Augen auf bei der HWS-Behandlung – Neurozentriertes Training mit einer Schmerzpatientin
Authors: Andreas Könings , Teichmann Martin
Published: March 2021

Unser Körper nutzt primär drei verschiedene Syste me zur Orientierung in der Umwelt: das visuelle, das vestibuläre und das propriozeptive. Möglichst alle diese drei Systeme zu berücksichtigen, um Beschwerden langfristig zu lindern, ist Kernelement des neurozentrierten Trainings. Aus dem Profisport und der Trainerbranche ist es inzwischen schon nicht mehr wegzudenken – und auch in der Physiotherapie gewinnt es zusehends an Bedeutung.
Neustart am Nil – Ein Leben als Physiotherapeutin in Ägypten
Authors: Lenzen Sophia
Published: March 2021

Sophia Lenzen entscheidet sich nach ihrer Physiotherapie-Ausbildung für ein Leben in Ägypten. Dass sie dort ihre Kollegen erst mal eine Zeit lang beobachten muss, um Umgangsformen und Behandlungsarten zu verstehen, ist für sie Neuland. Ein Abenteuer, das die junge Visionärin täglich an ihre Grenzen bringt.
Laudatio für Prof. Karl Lauterbach Sc.D. anlässlich
der Verleihung der Salomon Neumann Medaille der DGSMP
Authors: Rosenbrock Rolf
Published: March 2021

Der Beitrag enthält die Laudatio anlässlich der Verleihung
der Salomon-Neumann-Medaille 2020 der Deutschen Gesellschaft für
Sozialmedizin und Prävention (DGSMP) an Prof. Karl Lauterbach.
Syntheses and Transformations of Sulfinamides
Authors: Qingle Zeng , Zhang Qiaoling , Xi Jufang , Ze He
Published: March 2021

Sulfinamides, especially enantiopure sulfinamides, are widely used in organic and medicinal synthesis. Syntheses and transformations of racemic and enantioenriched sulfinamides have achieved great progress. Especially sulfinamides demonstrate interesting and valuable reactivity, which deserves to be pertinent. This review summarizes the latest development in the synthesis and transformation of sulfinamides and will be helpful for future related research.

1 Introduction

2 Synthesis of Sulfinamides

2.1 Synthesis of Racemic Sulfinamides

2.2 Synthesis of Enantiomerically Pure Sulfinamides

2.3 Synthesis of Other Sulfinamides

3 Transformations of Sulfinamides

3.1 Condensation with Aldehydes and Ketones

3.2 Reaction with Alkynes

3.3 Reaction with Alkenes

3.4 Reaction with Aryl and Alkyl Halides

3.5 Reaction with Alcohols, Dibenzyl Ether, and Benzyl Mercaptan

3.6 Synthesis of tert-Butyldisulfanyl-Substituted Hetarenes

3.7 Synthesis of Asymmetric Sulfides

3.8 Synthesis of N-Phosphino-sulfinamide Ligands

3.9 Asymmetric Synthesis of γ-Amino Acids

3.10 Sulfonylation of Heterocyclic Compounds

4 Summary and Outlook
Is the Tradition of Nasal Packing Just an Illusion of Permanence or a Necessary Evil?
Authors: Mathialagan Arulalan , Singh Suyash , Jaiswal Awadhesh Kumar , Manogaran Ravi Sankar , Mishra Prabhakar , Keshri Amit Kumar
Published: March 2021

Background Nasal packing after an endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA) is a routine practice. There is a very urgent need for a level-I recommendation pertaining to the necessity of these packs and, if required, then the timing of its removal. However, the opponents of this practice mention its various disadvantages, among which infection is the most important. In our study, we have evaluated the bacteriological profile of the nasal packs, following endoscopic anterior skull base surgery.

Materials and Methods Thirty consecutive cases (2017–18) of anterior skull base pathologies operated by EEA were included, and preoperative nasal swab and postoperative period, the nasal packs were sent for microbiological culture. The colony of bacteria grew, and clinical condition, histopathology and demographic profile of the patients were noted.

Results Of the 30 patients, 40% (n = 12) showed an increase in nasal bacterial flora after packing, with methicillin-sensitive coagulase negative Streptococcus (MSCNS) in three patients, Escherichia fecalis (E. fecalis) in three patients, and methicillin-resistant coagulase negative Streptococcus (MRCNS) in two patients. Other rare organisms grew, including Acinetobacter baumanni with E. fecalis, Acinetobacter baumanni with MRCNS, Citrobacter koseni, and Escherichia fecium (E. fecium) with MRCNS and MRSA in one patient each.

Conclusion Packing increases the bacterial load of the nasal cavity. This bacterial flora can be a potential source of meningitis. We advocate that packing should be avoided, and if at all required, should be removed within 3 days. A routine practice of nasal swab in the preoperative period and culture of the packs may give information on the possible organism that may cause meningitis and the appropriate antibiotic sensitivity of the organism.
Acute Type A Dissection during Pregnancy with Marfan's Syndrome
Authors: Heim Christian , Müller Philipp P. , Weyand Michael , Harig Frank
Published: March 2021

Background Marfan's syndrome (MFS) is a connective tissue disorder, caused by a mutation in the FBN-1 gene and affecting multiple organ systems including the vascular system. During pregnancy, women with MFS have an increased risk of aortic dissection due to changes in the cardiovascular system.

Case Description We present a 39-year-old woman that suffered from an acute aortic dissection in week 33 of her third pregnancy who urgently required lifesaving surgery. Three-dimensional reconstruction of computed tomography scan was performed with unborn child in utero.

Conclusion Monitoring of patients with suspected or confirmed MFS appears essential and interdisciplinary treatment and prevention strategies are required.
Real-Life Management of Central and Branch Retinal Vein Occlusion: A Seven-Year Follow-Up Study
Authors: Arrigo Alessandro , Crepaldi Anna , Viganò Chiara , Aragona Emanuela , Lattanzio Rosangela , Scalia Giovanni , Resti Antonio Giordano , Calcagno Francesca , Pina Adelaide , Rashid Hassan Farah , Bandello Francesco , Battaglia Parodi Maurizio
Published: March 2021

Retinal vein occlusion is the second most common retinal vascular pathology after diabetic retinopathy and a major cause of vision impairment. Nowadays, both central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) and branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) can be well-managed by intravitreal treatments. However, considering the long-life expectance of the patients, few data are present in the literature about the very long-term outcome of CRVO and BRVO. The present study was an interventional, retrospective analysis of the morphological and functional long-term outcome of CRVO and BRVO patients, followed in an Italian referral center. We collected data from 313 eyes (178 CRVO eyes and 135 BRVO eyes). Mean follow-up was 45 ± 25 months (range 12–84 months). Both CRVO and BRVO eyes experience a significant visual acuity improvement secondary to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor/dexamethasone treatments (from 0.57 ± 0.25 to 0.41 ± 0.24 LogMAR in CRVO and from 0.53 ± 0.42 to 0.30 ± 0.41 LogMAR in BRVO, respectively) (p < 0.01). Also, central macular thickness (CMT) resulted significant recovery at the end of the follow-up (from 585.54 ± 131.43 to 447.88 ± 245.07 μm in CRVO and from 585.54 ± 131.43 to 447.88 ± 245.07 μm in BRVO, respectively) (p < 0.01). CRVO eyes received a mean of 10.70 ± 4.76 intravitreal treatments, whereas BRVO underwent 9.80 ± 5.39 injections over the entire 7-year follow-up. Our analyses highlighted different time points indicating the best obtainable improvement. This was the first year for CRVO (12-month follow-up) and the second year for BRVO (24-month follow-up). After these two time points, both visual acuity and CMT resulted stable up to the end of the follow-up. Ischemia was associated with significantly worse outcome.
Validation of Outcome Instruments for Pediatric Postthrombotic Syndrome: Introducing the Peds-VEINES-QOL, a New Health-Related Quality of Life Instrument
Authors: Smith Julie , Thornhill Dianne , Goldenberg Neil A. , Brandão Leonardo , Knapp-Clevenger Rhonda , Warren Beth Boulden , Sung Lillian , Kahn Susan R. , Manco-Johnson Marilyn
Published: March 2021

Background There is need for validated outcome measures for postthrombotic syndrome (PTS) following pediatric venous thromboembolism (VTE), with a focus on quality of life (QoL).

Aims This article assesses reliability and validity of two PTS and two QoL scales for children following lower extremity VTE.

Methods Pediatric patients following lower extremity VTE were recruited from three thrombosis clinics. The Manco–Johnson (MJ) and the modified Villalta (MV) PTS scales were compared with each other and with the generic pediatric health-related QoL, PedsQL, and a newly developed pediatric venous-specific QoL, the Peds-VEINES-QOL.

Results Eighty children following VTE and 60 healthy control children were enrolled. Internal consistency measured by Cronbach's α was high for the two QoL scales, and moderate for the two PTS scales. Inter-rater reliability using intraclass correlation coefficients was moderate to high for the MJ, MV, and Peds-VEINES-QOL, and moderate for the PedsQL. Evidence of high internal consistency by Cronbach's α coefficients, and moderate to high interitem correlations support the premise that a single construct was measured by each instrument. Correlations between the four instruments indicate convergent validity.

Conclusion The MJ and MV scales detect similar outcomes in children following VTE. As used, the MJ is slightly more sensitive to QoL because a positive diagnosis requires pain which is the leading factor in reduced QoL following deep vein thrombosis. When using the MV, a requirement for pain or abnormal use to diagnose PTS would make the MV a better predictor of QoL.
Control of the spatial distribution of ion flux in dual inductively coupled plasmas
Authors: Cho Sung-Won , Moon Jun-Hyeon , Zhang Aixian , Chung Chin-Wook
Published: March 2021

The effects of external discharge parameters (applied RF power, operating pressure, and gas flow rate) on ion flux uniformity are investigated in a dual inductively coupled plasma. The ion fluxes and electron temperatures are measured using a Langmuir probe floated by a DC blocking capacitor based on the floating harmonic method. The RF power applied to the top antenna focuses on the total ion flux control throughout the chamber, while the power introduced to the bottom antenna can control the ion flux uniformity in the diffusion chamber. At high pressures, the local electron heating in the vicinity of the bottom antennas results in local maximum ionization, thereby increasing the ion flux near the chamber wall. Furthermore, the ion flux uniformity also can be affected by the gas flow rate and pressure because they are associated with the gas residence time and the electron heating region. A physical understanding of the effects of external discharge parameters on plasma uniformity is useful for optimizing plasma processes.
Short-channel robustness from negative capacitance in 2D NC-FETs
Authors: Lin Yuh-Chen , Rayner G. Bruce , Cardenas Jorge , Franklin Aaron D.
Published: March 2021

To date, the robustness of performance, including tolerance to channel-length scaling effects, in scaled transistors has become increasingly important. Negative capacitance (NC) field-effect transistors (FETs) have drawn considerable attention and many studies have revealed that the NC effect is beneficial for device scaling. However, there is a lack of experimental evidence of short-channel behavior in NC-FETs with two-dimensional (2D) semiconducting channels and theoretical studies are limited. Here, we experimentally study 2D MoS2-based NC-FETs using MoS2 with CMOS-compatible hafnium zirconium oxide (HfZrO2 or HZO) as the ferroelectric (FE) and demonstrate remarkable short-channel behavior compared to similar 2D MoS2 FETs. It was observed that the subthreshold switching improvement becomes increasingly significant at shorter channel lengths, down to 20 nm. From analysis of the capacitive network, we show that the NC effect is impacted by a larger magnitude of polarization in the ferroelectric, which enhances gate control and is beneficial to channel-length scaling.
Physics-guided deep learning framework for predictive modeling of bridge vortex-induced vibrations from field monitoring
Authors: Li Shanwu , Laima Shujin , Li Hui
Published: March 2021

Vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs) with large amplitudes have been observed on long-span bridges worldwide. Classic semi-empirical VIV models that depend on wind tunnel tests are challenged when required to predict the VIV response of real bridges due to the complexity of real winds, high Reynolds number effects, and uncertainty of bridge structures. The prediction accuracy by these laboratory-based models may, thus, be reduced for real large-scale bridges. Emerging field monitoring systems on prototype bridges allow one to reconsider modeling of bridge VIVs with considerations of real natural winds and full-scale structures by massive monitoring data. In this research, first, we derive a general form of time-dependent ordinary differential equation based on Scanlan's semi-empirical model and field observed bridge VIVs to describe VIV dynamics. Second, guided by the formulation and field observation, we propose a deep learning framework to identify the VIV dynamics, leading to a data-driven model. We demonstrate the proposed framework on a real long-span bridge by performing long-time prediction of the VIV response under real natural winds.