bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of white matter lesion shrinking in early multiple sclerosis: An intuitive or naïve notion?
Authors: Pongratz Viola , Schmidt Paul , Bussas Matthias , Grahl Sophia , Gaser Christian , Berthele Achim , Hoshi Muna‐Miriam , Kirschke Jan , Zimmer Claus , Hemmer Bernhard , Mühlau Mark
Published: September 2019

Background and purpose

New or enlarging T2‐hyperintense white matter lesions (WML) are associated with clinical disease progression in multiple sclerosis (MS). The prognostic value of WML shrinking is unclear. Assuming that waning of acute inflammation and repair processes would be the main drivers of WML shrinking, we aimed to assess the prognostic value of WML shrinking in early MS.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed a cohort of 144 early MS patients with three brain MRI scans at baseline and after 1 and 3 years available. All patients were therapy naïve at baseline and 70.5% of them treated with disease modifying drugs at year 1. We determined the volume of WML shrinking between MRI scans, total WML volumes, number of gadolinium‐enhancing and new WML, white matter (WM) and gray matter volumes at each MRI scan. Clinical disability was measured by Expanded Disability Status Scale. We performed the correlation analyses of WML shrinking with other MRI parameters and clinical outcome.

Results

White matter lesions shrinking was highly variable between patients and correlated with the initial number of gadolinium‐enhancing WML and with WM volume decrease. WML shrinking was not associated with clinical outcome.

Conclusion

We found no indication of a prognostic value of WML shrinking in early MS patients. WML shrinking seems to be related to waning of acute inflammation.
MACC1 regulates PDL1 expression and tumor immunity through the c‐Met/AKT/mTOR pathway in gastric cancer cells
Authors: Tong Gangling , Cheng Boran , Li Jingzhang , Wu Xuan , Nong Qiaohong , He Lirui , Li Xi , Li Laiqing , Wang Shubin
Published: September 2019

Background

Immunotherapy and its mechanisms are being studied in a wide variety of cancers. Programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL1) is associated with immune evasion in numerous tumor types. Here, we aimed to assess the relationship between metastasis associated in colon cancer‐1 (MACC1) and PDL1 and examine their effects on gastric cancer (GC) tumor immunity.

Methods

The expression of MACC1, c‐Met, and PDL1 in human GC tissues was first assessed using quantitative RT‐PCR (qRT‐PCR) and immunohistochemistry. We then focused on the relationships among MACC1, c‐Met, and PDL1 using RT‐PCR and western blotting after cell transfection and inhibitor treatment in vitro and on the identification of their roles in immune killing in vitro and in vivo.

Results

We found that expression of MACC1, c‐Met, and PDL1 was upregulated in human GC tissues, and there was a positive correlation between the expression levels. In addition, we found that ectopic expression of MACC1 (silencing and overexpression by transfection) resulted in corresponding changes in c‐Met and PDL1 expression levels, and c‐Met/AKT/mTOR pathway inhibitors (SU11274, MK2206, and rapamycin) blocked the regulation of PDL1 expression by MACC1. Furthermore, silencing of MACC1 led to an increase in antitumor and immune killing in vitro and in vivo, and overexpression of MACC1 resulted in a decrease in tumor immunity in vitro and in vivo.

Conclusions

From these data, we infer that MACC1 regulates PDL1 expression and tumor immunity through the c‐Met/AKT/mTOR pathway in GC cells and suggest that MACC1 may be a therapeutic target for GC immunotherapy.
High tissue MMP14 expression predicts worse survival in gastric cancer, particularly with a low PROX1
Authors: Kasurinen Aaro , Gramolelli Silvia , Hagström Jaana , Laitinen Alli , Kokkola Arto , Miki Yuichiro , Lehti Kaisa , Yashiro Masakazu , Ojala Päivi M. , Böckelman Camilla , Haglund Caj
Published: September 2019

Matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14), a membrane‐associated matrix metalloproteinase, has been shown to influence the invasion and metastasis of several solid tumors. Prospero homeobox protein 1 (PROX1), involved in the development and cell fate determination, is also expressed in malignant diseases functioning either as a tumor‐suppressing or oncogenic factor. In certain cancers PROX1 appears to transcriptionally suppress MMP14 expression. This study, therefore, aimed to explore the association between MMP14 and PROX1 and understand their potential as prognostic biomarkers in gastric cancer. The cohort consisted of 313 individuals operated for gastric adenocarcinoma between 2000 and 2009 in the Department of Surgery, Helsinki University Hospital. MMP14 and PROX1 expressions were studied using immunohistochemistry in the patient sample and using immunoblotting and immunofluorescence in gastric cancer cell lines. We generated survival curves using the Kaplan‐Meier method, determining significance via the log‐rank test. A high MMP14 expression associated with being ≥67 years (P = .041), while a positive nuclear PROX1 expression associated with tumors of a diffuse histological type (P = .041) and a high cytoplasmic PROX1 expression (P < .001). Five‐year disease‐specific survival among patients with a high MMP14 expression was 35.9% (95% confidence interval [CI] 24.9‐46.9), compared to 45.3% (95% CI 38.0‐52.6) for patients with a low MMP14 (P = .030). Survival was worse specifically among those with a high MMP14 and absent nuclear PROX1 expression (hazard ratio [HR] 1.65; 95% CI 1.09‐2.51; P = .019). Thus, this study confirms that a high MMP14 expression predicts a worse survival in gastric cancer, revealing for the first time that survival is particularly worse when PROX1 is low.
Elevated expression of G3BP1 associates with YB1 and p‐AKT and predicts poor prognosis in nonsmall cell lung cancer patients after surgical resection
Authors: Zheng Hongmei , Zhan Yuting , Zhang Yuting , Liu Sile , Lu Junmi , yang Yang , Wen Qiuyuan , Fan Songqing
Published: September 2019

Purpose

G3BP1 is an RNA‐binding protein and plays roles in regulating signaling pathway. YB‐1 is a DNA/RNA binding protein encoded by YBX1 gene. Phosphorylated AKT (p‐AKT) acts as a pivotal molecule in PI3K/AKT pathway. YB‐1 drives stress granules (SGs) formation by activating G3BP1 translation under diverse conditions. SGs are involved in many different metabolic and signaling pathways which may include PI3K/AKT/mTOR. So far, there has been no report on the relationship between expression of G3BP1, p‐AKT, and YB1 and clinicopathological features/prognosis in surgically resected nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients.

Methods

In this study, data from TCGA (The Cancer Genome Atlas) were downloaded to investigate the mRNA expression of G3BP1 and YB1 (YBX1) and their correlation in NSCLC. Also, expression of G3BP1, YB1, and p‐AKT proteins was studied using immunohistochemistry in tissue microarrays of NSCLC and in noncancerous lung tissues.

Results

We found that the mRNA expression of G3BP1 and YB1 was higher in NSCLC tissues (both P < .05), and G3BP1 was positively correlated with YB1 in mRNA level (r = .399, P < .001). Also, expression of G3BP1, YB1, and p‐AKT proteins was higher in NSCLC tissues (all P < .05). And higher expression of G3BP1 and YB1 proteins was seen in patients with clinical stage II and III compared with stage I (both P < .05). Besides, expression of G3BP1 protein had a positive correlation with YB1 and p‐AKT (both P < .05). Moreover, overall survival was shorter in patients with overexpression of G3BP1, YB1, and p‐AKT proteins (all P < .05). Multivariate analysis confirmed that overexpression of G3BP1 protein was an independent poorer prognostic factor for NSCLC patients (P = .039).

Conclusion

G3BP1 may play a crucial role in activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. G3BP1 might be served as a novel prognostic biomarker for surgically resected NSCLC patients, which afforded new insights into the study on the mechanism and therapy of NSCLC.
Application of rectal retractor for postprostatectomy salvage radiotherapy of prostate cancer: A case report and literature review
Authors: Ghaffari Hamed , Afkhami Ardekani Mahdieh , Molana Seyed Hadi , Haghparast Mohammad , Sanei Mastaneh , Mahdavi Seied Rabi , Mofid Bahram , Rostami Aram
Published: September 2019

Using a rectal retractor (RR) during salvage radiotherapy after radical prostatectomy is a promising approach for reducing dose to the rectum. The patient well tolerated the daily RR insertion. This area of research encourages researchers for a comprehensive evaluation of the role of the RR in postprostatectomy radiotherapy.
Tranexamic acid‐induced fixed drug eruption confirmed by the drug lymphocyte transformation test
Authors: Kawaguchi Kenji , Kinoshita Shotaro , Ishikawa Motonao , Sakura Hiroshi
Published: September 2019

We present the first case of multiple fixed drug eruption caused by tranexamic acid, which was confirmed by the LTT. This case was difficult to diagnose because the drug‐induced aseptic meningitis by loxoprofen was occurred simultaneously.
Silicone: Moleküle mit maßgeschneiderten Eigenschaften
Authors: Achenbach Frank , Hock Kristina
Published: September 2019

Silicone decken ebenso wie Kunststoffe einen breiten Anwendungsbereich ab. Der Beitrag stellt die Herstellung der Silicone ausgehend von Quarz vor und führt in die Chemie der Silicone ein. Anhand ausgewählter Anwendungsbeispiele werden Struktur und die daraus resultierenden Eigenschaften der Verbindungen erläutert.

Im Chemieunterricht lassen sich ausgehend von Kenntnissen aus der anorganischen und organischen Chemie Eigenschaften ausgewählter Silicone aus deren chemischer Struktur ableiten. Im Experiment „Brennverhalten“ kann aus den Verbrennungsprodukten auf die Hauptbestandteile Silicium (Siliconprobe) bzw. Kohlenstoff (Kunststoffprobe) zurückgeschlossen werden. Im Unterricht kann deshalb das Struktur‐Eigenschafts‐Konzept auch am Beispiel der Silicone erarbeitet werden.
Pharmacogenomics and Placebo Response in a Randomized Clinical Trial in Asthma
Authors: Wang Rui‐Sheng , Croteau‐Chonka Damien C. , Silverman Edwin K. , Loscalzo J. , Weiss Scott T. , Hall Kathryn T.
Published: September 2019

Genetic variation may differentially modify drug and placebo treatment effects in randomized clinical trials. In asthma, although lung function and asthma control improvements are commonplace with placebo, pharmacogenomics of placebo vs. drug response remains unexamined. In a genomewide association study of subjective and objective outcomes with placebo treatment in Childhood Asthma Management Program of nedocromil/budesonide vs. placebo (N = 604), effect estimates for lead single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were compared across arms. The coughing/wheezing lead SNP, rs2392165 (β = 0.94; P = 1.10E‐07) mapped to BBS9, a gene implicated in lung development that contains a lung function expression quantitative trait locus. The effect was attenuated with budesonide (Pinteraction = 1.48E‐07), but not nedocromil (Pinteraction = 0.06). The lead forced vital capacity SNP, rs12930749 (β = −5.80; P = 1.47E‐06), mapped to KIAA0556, a locus genomewide associated with respiratory diseases. The rs12930749 effect was attenuated with budesonide (Pinteraction = 1.32E‐02) and nedocromil (Pinteraction = 1.09E‐02). Pharmacogenomic analysis revealed differential effects with placebo and drug treatment that could potentially guide precision drug development in asthma.
Classifying and inferring behaviors using real‐time acceleration biotelemetry in reproductive steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)
Authors: Fuchs Nathaniel T. , Caudill Christopher C.
Published: September 2019

Movement behaviors are central to ecology and conservation. Movement sensing technologies can monitor behaviors that are otherwise difficult to observe under field conditions and may enhance the ability to quantify behaviors at the population scale. We monitored steelhead trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) spawning behaviors in a seminatural enclosure using accelerometer telemetry tags while simultaneously observing behaviors with underwater cameras. Behavioral assignments from visual observations were compared to acceleration histories to develop assignment criteria for acceleration data, including for a key behavior (oviposition). Behavioral events independently classified using acceleration data prior to reviewing video were compared to video scoring and 97% of holding behaviors, 93% of digging behaviors, and 86% of oviposition/covering behaviors were correctly assigned using acceleration data alone. We applied the method to at‐liberty steelhead in spawning tributaries. Acceleration records revealed putative spawning and oviposition in at‐liberty female steelhead, and time budgets for at‐liberty steelhead were similar to those monitored within enclosures. The use of similar movement sensing tags and classification approaches offers a method for monitoring movement behavior, activity budgets, and habitat use in a broad array of aquatic and terrestrial taxa, and may be especially useful when behaviors are cryptic.
Limited evidence for spatial resource partitioning across temperate grassland biodiversity experiments
Authors: Barry Kathryn E. , van Ruijven Jasper , Mommer Liesje , Bai Yongfei , Beierkuhnlein Carl , Buchmann Nina , de Kroon Hans , Ebeling Anne , Eisenhauer Nico , Guimarães‐Steinicke Claudia , Hildebrandt Anke , Isbell Forest , Milcu Alexandru , Neßhöver Carsten , Reich Peter B. , Roscher Christiane , Sauheitl Leopold , Scherer‐Lorenzen Michael , Schmid Bernhard , Tilman David , von Felten Stefanie , Weigelt Alexandra
Published: September 2019

Locally, plant species richness supports many ecosystem functions. Yet, the mechanisms driving these often‐positive biodiversity–ecosystem functioning relationships are not well understood. Spatial resource partitioning across vertical resource gradients is one of the main hypothesized causes for enhanced ecosystem functioning in more biodiverse grasslands. Spatial resource partitioning occurs if species differ in where they acquire resources and can happen both above‐ and belowground. However, studies investigating spatial resource partitioning in grasslands provide inconsistent evidence. We present the results of a meta‐analysis of 21 data sets from experimental species‐richness gradients in grasslands. We test the hypothesis thatincreasing spatial resource partitioning along vertical resource gradients enhances ecosystem functioning in diverse grassland plant communities above‐ and belowground. To test this hypothesis, we asked three questions. (1) Does species richness enhance biomass production or community resource uptake across sites? (2) Is there evidence of spatial resource partitioning as indicated by resource tracer uptake and biomass allocation above‐ and belowground? (3) Is evidence of spatial resource partitioning correlated with increased biomass production or community resource uptake? Although plant species richness enhanced community nitrogen and potassium uptake and biomass production above‐ and belowground, we found that plant communities did not meet our criteria for spatial resource partitioning, though they did invest in significantly more aboveground biomass in higher canopy layers in mixture relative to monoculture. Furthermore, the extent of spatial resource partitioning across studies was not positively correlated with either biomass production or community resource uptake. Our results suggest that spatial resource partitioning across vertical resource gradients alone does not offer a general explanation for enhanced ecosystem functioning in more diverse temperate grasslands.
Application of affinity capillary electrophoresis for charge heterogeneity profiling of biopharmaceuticals
Authors: Hutanu Andrei , Kiessig Steffen , Bathke Andrea , Ketterer Rolf , Riner Sonja , Olaf Stracke Jan , Wild Markus , Moritz Bernd
Published: September 2019

Charge heterogeneity profiling is important for the quality control (QC) of biopharmaceuticals. Because of the increasing complexity of these therapeutic entities [1], the development of alternative analytical techniques is needed. In this work, flow‐through partial‐filling affinity capillary electrophoresis (FTPFACE) has been established as a method for the analysis of a mixture of two similar monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). The addition of a specific ligand results in the complexation of one mAb in the co‐formulation, thus changing its migration time in the electric field. This allows the characterization of the charged variants of the non‐shifted mAb without interferences. Adsorption of proteins to the inner capillary wall has been circumvented by rinsing with guanidine hydrochloride before each injection. The presented FTPFACE approach requires only very small amounts of ligands and provides complete comparability with a standard CZE of a single mAb.
Influence of cyclic wetting‐drying on the mechanical strength characteristics of coal samples: A laboratory‐scale study
Authors: Chen Shaojie , Jiang Tianqi , Wang Huaiyuan , Feng Fan , Yin Dawei , Li Xiushan
Published: September 2019

Water‐coal interactions have gained much recent attention, although few studies focus on the strength of coal under wetting‐drying cycles. This study investigates changes in the microstructure and mechanical strength of coal that are induced by water‐coal interactions, at the macroscale and microscale. Fourteen specimens after continuous wetting and fourteen specimens after wetting‐drying cycles were tested, indicating that peak stress and elastic modulus decrease with increasing continuous wetting time and number of wetting‐drying cycles, while peak strain increases. We analyzed changes in the coal microstructure using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and the Image Pro Plus 6.0 (IPP 6.0) software. The regression model for cyclic wetting‐drying reveals that porosity and pore circularity are the main correlation indicators associated with uniaxial compressive strength. Therefore, different numbers of wetting‐drying cycles could induce different degrees of damage to coal, which increases progressively through gradual changes to its microstructure. These findings indicate that wetting‐drying cycles have a more significant impact on the stability of coal mass than continuous wetting. Our results are of use in determining the size of coal pillars, and expanding the knowledge base related to the mechanical properties of coal mass, water bursting, water recharge channels, and the stress‐crack‐permeability evolution law in mines.
Maternal Transfer of Persistent Organic Pollutants to Sea Turtle Eggs: A Meta-Analysis Addressing Knowledge and Data Gaps Toward an Improved Synthesis of Research Outputs
Authors: Muñoz Cynthia C. , Vermeiren Peter
Published: September 2019

Maternal transfer of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) confronts developing embryos with a pollution legacy and poses conservation concerns due to its potential impacts unto subsequent generations. We conducted a systematic review focusing on: 1) processes of POP maternal transfer, 2) challenges and opportunities to synthesizing current knowledge on POP concentrations in eggs, and 3) a meta-analysis of patterns in current egg pollution data. Results suggest selective maternal transfer of individual compounds. These relate to biological factors such as the foraging and remigration behavior, and to the selective mobilization of POPs during vitellogenesis, such as increased diffusion limitation for lipophilic POPs and slower release and higher reabsorption of apolar POPs. A key gap relates to knowledge of further selective toxicokinetics during embryonic development, as research to date has mainly focused on initial uptake into eggs. Challenges in the synthesis of current data on egg contamination profiles relate to methodological differences, varying analytical approaches, restricted data access, and reporting transparency among studies. To increase opportunities in the use of current data, we propose best practice guidelines, and synthesize a database on POP concentrations within sea turtle eggs. The meta-analysis revealed a geographical and taxonomic bias on the West Atlantic Ocean, including the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea, with most studies conducted on green turtles. Concentrations of POPs show temporal patterns related to trends in usage, production, release, and persistence in the environment, often with regional patterns. The trophic level has the potential to influence POP patterns with higher concentrations in loggerheads compared to other species, but this is confounded by temporal and geographic trends. We argue for more mechanistically process-focused and methodologically comparable research. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;39:9–29. © 2019 SETAC
Characterization of juice fermented with Lactobacillus plantarum EM and its cholesterol‐lowering effects on rats fed a high‐fat and high‐cholesterol diet
Authors: Jeon Yu Bin , Lee Jae‐Joon , Chang Hae Choon
Published: September 2019

The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of Lactobacillus plantarum EM as a starter culture to control cabbage–apple juice fermentation and to explore the cholesterol‐lowering effects of the fermented juice (EM juice) in rats. L. plantarum EM produced strong antimicrobial activities against bacteria and fungi, suppressing other microorganisms in the fermented juice, and was the dominant organism during fermentation and storage. The EM juice also showed strong and broad‐spectrum antimicrobial activity. Rats fed a high‐fat and high‐cholesterol diet and administered EM juice showed significantly reduced total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride, and LDL‐cholesterol levels, as well as a reduced atherogenic index, lower cardiac factors in serum, and lower TC levels in the liver, while total lipid and TC levels in the rat feces increased. Reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that the hepatic mRNA expression of HMG‐CoA reductase decreased and the expressions of cholesterol 7α‐hydroxylase and low‐density lipoprotein receptor increased in rats administered EM juice. The effects of EM juice on rats included inhibition of cholesterol synthesis as well as enhancement of cholesterol uptake and cholesterol excretion. The results of this study indicate that the use of L. plantarum EM as a functional starter culture for juice fermentation exerts microbial control, enhances sanitary safety, and provides beneficial food effects against hypercholesterolemia.
Up‐regulation of miR‐let7a‐5p Leads to Decreased Expression of ABCC2 in Obstructive Cholestasis
Authors: Balasubramaniyan Natarajan , Devereaux Michael W. , Orlicky David J. , Sokol Ronald J. , Suchy Frederick J.
Published: September 2019

Adenosine triphosphate–binding cassette subfamily C member 2 (ABCC2/Abcc2) is critically important to biliary excretion of many endobiotic and xenobiotic compounds, and is a major driving force for bile acid–independent bile flow. Abcc2 expression is reduced at the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels in various forms of experimental cholestasis. In a microRNA (miRNA) screen of mouse liver after biliary obstruction, we found that miRNA let7a‐5p was significantly up‐regulated approximately 4‐fold. Similarly, ABCC2 mRNA was depleted and miRNA let7a‐5p was elevated over 4‐fold in livers of children with biliary atresia compared with normal livers. In silico analysis predicted that let7a‐5p would target the 3′ untranslated region (3′ UTR) of ABCC2/Abcc2 RNA. The objective of this study was to determine whether let7a‐5p contributes to the depletion of ABCC2/Abcc2 in cholestasis. To demonstrate the functional importance of miRNA let7a‐5p in regulating the expression of ABCC2, co‐transfection of a let7a‐5p mimic and an ABCC2‐3′ UTR luciferase construct into Huh‐7 cells led to a marked inhibition of luciferase activity by about 60%‐70% compared with controls, which was reversed by a let7a‐5p mimic inhibitor. Expression of this mimic led to a significant decrease in endogenous ABCC2 mRNA and protein levels in a Huh‐7 liver cell line, which could be blocked by expression of a let7a‐5p mimic inhibitor. Injection of a lentivirus let7a‐5p inhibitor into normal mouse liver or into mouse liver after common bile duct ligation led to a significant increase in endogenous Abcc2 mRNA and protein levels and a depletion of let7a‐5p mRNA levels compared with untreated, saline‐injected livers or livers treated with an inactive lentivirus control. Conclusion: These studies demonstrate that miR‐let7a‐5p is involved in regulating ABCC2/Abcc2 expression, and is aberrantly up‐regulated in obstructive cholestasis.
Metabolic syndrome affects the long‐term survival of patients with non‐endometrioid carcinoma of the uterine corpus
Authors: Shou Huafeng , Yan Kangzhen , Song Jia , Zhao Lingqin , Zhang Yingli , Ni Juan
Published: September 2019

Objective

To probe the influence of metabolic syndrome (MS) on the long‐term survival of patients with non‐endometrioid adenocarcinoma.

Methods

Between January 2003 and December 2012, 139 Chinese patients with non‐endometrial adenocarcinoma were analyzed in a retrospective study. Patients who had received any treatment before surgery were excluded. Survival times were compared between patients with and without MS.

Results

Overall, 41 (29.5%) patients had MS; the highest incidence of MS was observed in those with uterine serous carcinoma (19/45, 42.2%). For uterine serous carcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma, MS was an independent predictive factor of morbidity (P=0.023 and 0.016, respectively). For the overall population, those with MS had a significantly lower survival rate than those without MS (P=0.008), and the median overall survival (mOS) was 15 months versus 55 months (P<0.001, hazard ratio [HR] 0.45, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.29–0.69). Similarly, a lower survival rate (P=0.020) and shorter mOS (19 months vs 55 months, P=0.007, HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.20–0.83) were also found in the uterine serous carcinoma population with MS. Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that disease stage (P=0.023) and MS (P=0.008) were independent prognostic factors for uterine serous carcinoma.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that MS is a prognostic factor for non‐endometrioid adenocarcinoma, especially uterine serous carcinoma.
Use of SysML for the creation of FMEAs for Reliability, Safety, and Cybersecurity for Critical Infrastructure
Authors: Hecht Myron , Baum David
Published: September 2019

A method for producing a Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) from SysML is presented together with a simple critical infrastructure system example. The significance of the method is the modeling of failure propagation which enables not only an automated approach but significant additional analysis results that can be used to support reliability, safety, and cybersecurity. The analysis products from a tool implementing this method together with the insight and analytical benefits they provide are discussed.
Usage of Digital Twin Technologies during System Modeling and Testing in Vessel Traffic Services System Project
Authors: ÜZÜMCÜ Serdar , MERT Abdullah Aykut , ATAY Fatih
Published: September 2019

Design and Integration of a Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) System with the implementation of a newly VTS software is a highly complex project with some challenges on interfaces and timing. The involvement of directives of command operation center personal and information from shipleader as stakeholder as well as different systems as automatic identification system, radar systems, electro optical systems, physical security systems beside the traffic services system makes is difficult manage the overall system design. A system of systems approach with MBSE techniques and usage of tools as designing with digital twin technology helps to simplify overviewing system design and checking interface definitions on the left side of the Vee model before implementation and integration process starts. A software intensive system with involvement of electrical and mechanical engineering including structural engineering for measurement of tolerances of sensors installed on towers gives an opportunistic theme for digital twin modeling of devices.
Inclusion of human values in the specification of systems: bridging design and systems engineering
Authors: Pinto José , Falk Kristin , Kjørstad Marianne
Published: September 2019

This paper investigates a method for ensuring that systems engineers generate requirements related to human values. It looks at the work of a project team that designs and develops complex systems in a company recognized for the application of Systems Engineering to deliver innovative systems. The research data was drawn from a real project. We developed a tool that prescribes a structure to analyze human stakeholders and to describe use case scenarios. The tool enabled the systems engineers to generate twenty‐five new requirements all of which were added to the system specification. Thirteen of these requirements contain aspects related to human values. Initially, the specification included only two requirements related to human values. We conclude that the importance of specifying human values has increased among the engineers of the team. Further investigation is ongoing in order to evaluate the potential of generalizing the new tool, its efficiency and effectiveness.
An SSM‐TRIZ Methodology for Business Problem Structuring
Authors: Phillips Ibukun , Kenley C. Robert
Published: September 2019

Checkland developed Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) to address problem situations from a systems perspective; however, SSM needs to be extended with other methods to find superior solutions that overcome the need for a compromise or trade‐off between conflicting or contradictory elements. This paper extends Checkland's SSM approach to resolve problems with conflicting or contradictory elements. This work integrates the powerful benefits of TRIZ‐based analysis into SSM and provides a means for systemic resolution of business problems with conflicting sub‐system elements. This paper acknowledges that soft problems can have conflicting relationships among their elements, compares the strengths and weaknesses of SSM and TRIZ in problem structuring, and presents a collaborative SSM‐TRIZ approach for problem structuring. Finally, this paper applies the joint methodology to examine the business problem of developing a Professional Development platform for INCOSE. Although SSM‐TRIZ helps structure problems with opposing requirements, it does not always provide definitive, prescriptive solution implementations for technical and business issues. Hence, hard thinking approaches cannot be discarded in practice after implementing SSM‐TRIZ.
A strategic asset planning decision analysis: An integrated System Dynamics and multi‐criteria decision‐making method
Authors: Elsawah Sondoss , Danesh Darius , Ryan Michael
Published: September 2019

Asset planning is a complex and dynamic problem, where the decision maker is often faced with the challenge of making decisions now about aspects that will change over the asset lifetime. This paper is a part of an ongoing study whose goal is to develop decision‐support methods and tools (qualitative and quantitative) to support asset planning. In this context, this paper's objective is to demonstrate an integrated approach for combining System Dynamics (SD) and Multi‐criteria Decision‐Making (MCDM). To support the design approach, the paper uses a multi‐method design framework, from the wider Operations Research/Management Science (OR/MS) literature, as a theoretical lens to review and synthesize literature. To apply and test this approach in practice, the paper uses as a test case the classic asset replacement problem from the asset management literature. The test case is applied in a real‐life decision support project for fleet planning in a military organization. Results showcase the value of using SD (qualitative and quantitative) methods and MCDM, both independently and integrated, to support asset planning.
Augmenting requirements with models to improve the articulation between system engineering levels and optimize V&V practices
Authors: Bonnet Stephane , Voirin Jean-Luc , Navas Juan
Published: September 2019

Model‐based systems engineering has developed significantly over the last few years, resulting in an increased usage of models in systems specification and architecture description. The question of the positioning of requirement engineering versus MBSE is a recurrent one. This paper describes one vision of this articulation where textual and model requirements actually complete each other. The results are improved contracts across engineering levels and more formalized verification and validation practices.
Toxic effects of triptolide on adrenal steroidogenesis in H295R cells and female rats
Authors: Xu Ling‐Yan , Wu Wei , Cheng Rui , Sun Li‐Xin , Jiang Zhen‐Zhou , Zhang Lu‐Yong , Zhang Zun‐Jian , Su Yu‐Wen , Huang Xin
Published: September 2019

Triptolide (TP), a major active ingredient of Tripterygium wilfordii, exerts potent immunosuppressive effects in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis but is not widely used in clinical practice due to its multiorgan toxicity, particularly hepatotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. An LC‐MS/MS approach was employed to explore the endocrine‐disrupting effects of TP. The endocrine‐disrupting effects of various concentrations (0‐100 nM) of TP for 48 hour were firstly investigated using an in vitro model (H295R cell line). It was found that TP did not decrease cell viability. The transcriptional levels of steroidogenic enzymes in H295R cells were assessed by quantificational real‐time polymerase chain reaction. The possible adrenal and endocrine effects of oral administration of TP (0, 50, and 500 μg/kg) for 28 days on both normal and collagen‐induced arthritis (CIA) rats were also explored. The serum and adrenal tissue hormone levels (corticosterone and progesterone) and adrenal histopathology were analyzed, with the results that TP significantly decreased the level of cortisol in H295R cells and the level of plasma corticosterone in both normal and CIA rats. Histological alterations in adrenal cortex were observed at the dose of 500 μg/kg. Exposure to TP for 48 hour had an obvious inhibitory effect on the messenger RNA transcript levels of HSD3B2, CYP21A2, CYP17A1, and CYP11B1, which is essential for the synthesis of corticosteroids. In a word, TP leads to the disorder of corticosteroid synthesis and secretion, and corticosteroid may be a potential biomarker for the treatment of multiorgan toxicity of TP.
Revising the definition of vertical margin involvement following endoscopic polypectomy may reduce unnecessary surgery in patients with malignant colorectal polyps
Authors: Richards Colin , Kumarasinghe Priyanthi , Hessamodini Hannah , Waldron Alice , Fernando Diharah , Hodder Rupert , Jacques Angela , Raftopoulos Spiro
Published: September 2019

Background and Study Aims

Endoscopically resected malignant colorectal polyps (MCPs) present a dilemma regarding whether the risk of residual disease justifies a major bowel resection. Overtreatment is common, and the vast majority of patients who undergo resection have no residual tumor. The aim of this study was to investigate whether revising the definition of vertical margin involvement following MCP polypectomy could reduce unnecessary surgery.

Patients and Methods

This was a cohort study of consecutive patients with MCPs treated at a tertiary hospital between 2004 and 2018. Data on demographics, index colonoscopy, polyp pathology, and any subsequent surgical resection were analyzed. Polypectomy resection margins were reviewed and measured to the nearest decimal place. The ability of existing guidelines (requiring a margin clearance of ≥ 1 mm) to predict residual disease was compared to a revised version requiring a margin clearance of ≥ 0.1 mm.

Results

A total of 129 patients with an MCP were included. Of these 129 patients, 77 (60%) underwent surgical resection, of which 62 (81%) had no residual tumor. Existing guidelines, requiring a margin clearance of ≥ 1 mm, classified 28 patients as being at “low risk” for residual disease. Of these, four underwent surgery, but none had residual tumor (P = 0.031). Revised guidelines, requiring a margin clearance of ≥ 0.1 mm, classified 44 patients as “low risk.” Of these, in the 13 that had surgery, no residual tumor was found (P = 0.003).

Conclusions

Revising the definition of vertical margin involvement leads to more patients being correctly classified as being at low risk of residual disease. This has the potential to reduce unnecessary surgery in patients with MCPs.
Consumers' choice among peer‐to‐peer sharing platforms: The other side of the coin
Authors: Stofberg Nicole , Bridoux Flore
Published: September 2019

Many peer‐to‐peer sharing platforms are transforming their business model from sharing for free to renting with or without in‐person interactions. How will these changes affect consumers’ participation in peer‐to‐peer sharing of personal items? The work studies consumers’ choice among three business models that vary on two dimensions: “free versus renting” and “with or without in‐person interactions.” The novelty is to consider that consumers’ choice can be driven by their perceptions of relationships among peers, which are shaped by the business models of sharing platforms. Perceptions of communal sharing (CS) relationships among peers are found to differ across business models and to predict consumers’ choice among the platforms above and beyond the economic and social benefits that consumers seek. Interestingly, perceptions of CS are not only found to explain the choice of a sharing for the free business model over the two others, but also the choice of renting with in‐person interactions over renting without in‐person interactions. For managers of peer‐to‐peer sharing platforms, this means that renting does not make sharing completely similar to traditional market exchanges as long as in‐person interactions are involved. For scholars, this calls for more work on the factors that bring about perceptions of CS.
Highlights from the Innovation Zone
Authors: Sechrist Stephen
Published: September 2019

Now in its eighth year, the Innovation Zone at Display Week showcased emerging, best‐in‐class display technology in a casual and highly collaborative format that is hard to find at any other event.
Automotive Displays and HMIs Showcase Innovation
Authors: Blankenbach Karlheinz
Published: September 2019

Display Week 2019 relayed strong signals about where the industry is headed. One automotive expert examines them here.
Surfactant‐Mediated and Morphology‐Controlled Nanostructured LiFePO4/Carbon Composite as a Promising Cathode Material for Li‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Khan Sourav , Raj Rayappan Pavul , George Laurel , Kannangara G. S. Kamali , Milev Adriyan , Varadaraju Upadhyayula V. , Selvam Parasuraman
Published: September 2019

The synthesis of morphology‐controlled carbon‐coated nanostructured LiFePO4 (LFP/Carbon) cathode materials by surfactant‐assisted hydrothermal method using block copolymers is reported. The resulting nanocrystalline high surface area materials were coated with carbon and designated as LFP/C123 and LFP/C311. All the materials were systematically characterized by various analytical, spectroscopic and imaging techniques. The reverse structure of the surfactant Pluronic® 31R1 (PPO‐PEO‐PPO) in comparison to Pluronic® P123 (PEO‐PPO‐PEO) played a vital role in controlling the particle size and morphology which in turn ameliorate the electrochemical performance in terms of reversible specific capacity (163 mAh g−1 and 140 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C for LFP/C311 and LFP/C123, respectively). In addition, LFP/C311 demonstrated excellent electrochemical performance including lower charge transfer resistance (146.3 Ω) and excellent cycling stability (95 % capacity retention at 1 C after 100 cycles) and high rate capability (163.2 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C; 147.1 mAh g−1 at 1 C). The better performance of the former is attributed to LFP nanoparticles (<50 nm) with a specific spindle‐shaped morphology. Further, we have also evaluated the electrode performance with the use of both PVDF and CMC binders employed for the electrode fabrication.
In Situ/Operando Spectroscopic Characterizations Guide the Compositional and Structural Design of Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Tian Jing‐Hua , Jiang Tao , Wang Mengfan , Hu Zhongli , Zhu Xingyu , Zhang Li , Qian Tao , Yan Chenglin
Published: September 2019

Lithium–sulfur batteries have gained incredible increasing attention due to their high theoretical energy density and comparable low cost. Although great advances are made in optimizing Li–S batteries via rational design of the composition and architecture, daunting challenges remain to restrain the shuttle‐effect issue associated with the extremely complicated “solid‐liquid‐solid” reaction routes. In recent years, researchers have reached a consensus that the characterization of practical working mechanisms of Li–S batteries is an important prerequisite for optimizing their performance. Numerous in situ/operando spectroscopic techniques with light sources of 10−10–103 m wavelengths, such as X‐rays, UV–vis, nuclear magnetic resonance (radio), infrared, etc., are introduced to supply real‐time and console‐displayed signals related to the reaction variations of Li–S batteries, thus helping to put forward further optimization strategies in the internal designs. This review systematically summarizes the state‐of‐the‐art in the optimal design of Li–S batteries with the aid of in situ/operando spectroscopic characterizations, including the progress in cathodes, binders, interlayers, electrolytes, and Li metal anodes, aiming to show the powerful ability of in situ/operando spectroscopic techniques in revealing the working and degradation mechanism and scientifically guiding the further optimal design of Li–S batteries.
Protecting wastewater workers from disease risks: Personal protective equipment guidelines
Authors: LeChevallier Mark W. , Mansfield Theodore J. , Gibson Jacqueline MacDonald
Published: September 2019

The 2013–2016 Ebola epidemic revived concerns about infection risks to wastewater workers. Prior research has shown that wastewater can contain a variety of known and emerging pathogens and that wastewater workers are at increased risk of infectious illnesses. However, guidelines on using personal protective equipment (PPE) to decrease these risks are lacking. We engaged 34 wastewater utility personnel and public health experts to conduct a job safety analysis identifying tasks in which workers could be exposed to pathogens and to develop a PPE selection matrix for preventing those exposures. We identified 43 relevant job tasks. Recommended PPE ranges from durable gloves (all tasks) to safety glasses (24 tasks), Tyvek suits or coveralls (4 tasks), and respiratory protection (N95 mask or face mask, depending on the activity, 10 tasks). The PPE selection matrix can serve as a guide for protecting the 120,000 wastewater workers in the United States from known and emerging pathogens.

Practitioner points

Wastewater workers are at increased risk of infectious illnesses.

Policies to protect wastewater workers from these illnesses are lacking.

We developed guidelines for use of personal protective equipment by wastewater workers to prevent exposure to infectious agents.
Synthesis and Characterization of Group 12 Metal(I) Complexes Bearing Extremely Bulky Boryl/Silyl Substituted Amide Ligands
Authors: Juckel Martin , Dange Deepak , de Bruin‐Dickason Caspar , Jones Cameron
Published: September 2019

Two extremely bulky boryl/silyl‐substituted amide ligands, –N{B(DipNCH)2}(SiR3) (R = Me TBoL, R = Ph PhBoL; Dip = 2,6‐diisopropylphenyl) were used in the preparation of the group 12 metal halide complexes, PhBoLZnBr, {TBoLCd(μ‐I)}2, TBoLHgI, and PhBoLHgI. The reduction of these, and two previously reported compounds, PhBoLZnBr(THF) and {PhBoLCd(μ‐I)}2, using a magnesium(I) compound, {(MesNacnac)Mg}2 (MesNacnac = [(MesNCMe)2CH]–, Mes = mesityl), were carried out, leading to mixed results. In several cases these reactions led to decomposition, and deposition of the group 12 metal. However, in two instances the homobimetallic metal(I) complexes, TBoLM–MTBoL (M = Zn or Hg), were isolated and crystallographically characterized. The reduction of {PhBoLCd(μ‐I)}2 afforded the known cadmium(I) complex, PhBoLCd–CdPhBoL, but also gave a very low yield of the thermally unstable complex, PhBoLCd–Mg(THF)(MesNacnac). The X‐ray crystal structure of this compound reveals it to contain the first example of a Cd–Mg bond in a molecular compound.
Kohlenmonoxid – ein unterschätztes Risiko? Bekanntheit, Wahrnehmung, Wissen und Präventionsverhalten
Authors: Jungnickel Katrin , Lohmann Mark , Böl Gaby-Fleur
Published: September 2019

Hintergrund

Jährlich behandeln die Krankenhäuser in Deutschland etwa 450.000 Menschen aufgrund von Vergiftungen. Um die Anzahl an Vergiftungsunfällen zu reduzieren, ist es essenziell, die Bevölkerung umfassend über Vergiftungsrisiken und Präventionsmöglichkeiten aufzuklären.

Ziel

Ziel ist es, die Risikowahrnehmung gegenüber Vergiftungen genauer zu erforschen, um auf dieser Basis geeignete Kommunikationsmaßnahmen zu entwickeln. Als spezielles Schwerpunktthema wurde das Risiko einer Vergiftung durch Kohlenmonoxid (CO) gewählt.

Methode

1012 Personen ab 14 Jahren wurden in Deutschland telefonisch zu Bekanntheit, Wahrnehmung und Wissen im Zusammenhang mit Vergiftungsrisiken, insbesondere Kohlenmonoxid, befragt.

Ergebnisse

Die höchsten Bekanntheitswerte erreichen Alkohol‑, CO- und Pilzvergiftungen. Gerade für Kinder bedeutsame Risikoquellen wie Knopfzellenbatterien, Lampenöle oder Flüssigkeiten in E‑Zigaretten sind dagegen kaum präsent. 82 % aller Befragten haben schon einmal von Vergiftungsfällen im Zusammenhang mit Kohlenmonoxid gehört und 41 % schätzen das Risiko einer unbeabsichtigten Vergiftung mit CO als eher hoch oder sehr hoch ein. Dennoch besitzen nur 15 % einen CO-Melder. Obwohl die überwiegende Mehrheit der Befragten angibt, die Ursachen und Symptome von CO-Vergiftungen zu kennen, glauben dennoch mehr als ein Drittel fälschlicherweise, man könne Kohlenmonoxid am Geruch, an der Rauchentwicklung oder am Alarmsignal des Rauchmelders erkennen. Zudem besteht Aufklärungsbedarf zur möglichen CO-Intoxikation beim Shisharauchen in geschlossenen Räumen und bei der Lagerung von Holzpellets.

Diskussion

Die Ergebnisse liefern erste Hinweise zu Zielgruppen und Verbreitungswegen für zukünftige Risikokommunikationsmaßnahmen.