bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Petrographically Quantifying the Damage to Field and Lab-cast Mortars Subject to Freeze-thaw Cycles and Deicer Applications
Authors: QIAO CHUNYU , Nanehkaran Nima Hosseinzadeh , Suraneni Prannoy , Wei Sihang , Rothstein David
Published: March 2021

Although calcium oxychloride (Ca-Oxy) is known to damage cementitious materials exposed to calcium chloride (CaCl2) deicers, there is little direct observation of Ca-Oxy in the field due to its instability. This paper uses optical microscopy (OM) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX) to detect the formed Ca-Oxy and quantify its associated damage in a field mortar subject to freeze-thaw cycles and deicer applications. The characterized damage in the field mortar is compared to that in lab-cast portland cement paste and mortar which are submerged in a CaCl2 solution of 25 wt. % under freeze-thaw cycles (-8 to 25 °C). The field and lab-cast mortars show similar cracking patterns that are parallel to the exposure surface with a variation of 30-45° in the preferred orientation due to the constraints of sand particles. During each lab-controlled freeze-thaw cycle, the high CaCl2 concentration of 25 wt. % stabilizes the formed Ca-Oxy, which continually damages the mortar and eventually results in 3-4 times higher crack density compared to that in the field mortar. SEM-EDX analysis confirms the presence of secondary deposits including Friedel’s salt, ettringite and Ca-Oxy. Image analysis on thin section photomicrographs shows a reduction of 86.4% in calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) content in the damaged field mortar compared to the undamaged field mortar, suggesting significant leaching of Ca(OH)2 to form Ca-Oxy due to the deicer application.
Morphological and Microsatellite DNA Diversity of Djallonké Sheep in Guinea-Bissau
Authors: Dayo Guiguigbaza-Kossigan , Houaga Isidore , Somda Martin Bienvenu , Linguelegue Awa , Ira Mamadou , Konkobo Maurice , Djassi Bacar , Gomes Joao , Sangare Mamadou , Cassama Bernardo , Yapi-Gnaore Chia Valentine
Published: March 2021

Background: The present study aimed at characterizing the Djallonké Sheep (DS), the only local sheep breed raised in Guinea-Bissau. A total of 200 animals were sampled from four regions (Bafatá, Gabú, Oio and Cacheu) and described using 7 visual criteria and 8 measurements. These parameters have been studied by discriminant analysis and principal components analysis. The genetic diversity and population structure of 92 unrelated animals were studied using 12 microsatellite markers.Results: The values of quantitative characters in the Bafatá region were significantly higher than those obtained in the other three regions. A phenotypic diversity of the DS population was observed and three types of format distinguished: a “large format” in the region of Bafatá, an “intermediate format” in the regions of Gabú and Oio and a "small format" in the Cacheu region. The hair coat colors are dominated by the white color, the shape of the facial head profile is mainly convex and the ears "erected horizontally". Most of the morphobiometric characteristics were significantly influenced by the “region” and “sex of animals”.The average Polymorphism Information Content (PIC) of 0.65 ± 0.11 supports the use of markers in genetic characterization. Gabú subpopulation had the highest genetic diversity measures (He = 0.716 ± 0.089) while Cacheu DS subpopulation presented the smallest (He = 0.651 ± 0.157). Only Gabú and Bafatá subpopulations presented significant heterozygote deficiency across all loci indicating possible significant inbreeding. Mean values for FIT, FST, FIS and GST statistics across all loci were 0.09, 0.029, 0.063 and 0.043 respectively. The overall genetic differentiation observed between the four DS subpopulations studied was low. Bafatá and Gabú were the most closely related subpopulations (DS = 0.04, genetic identity = 0.96) while Bafatá and Cacheu were the most genetically distant subpopulations (DS = 0.14, genetic identity = 0.87), which is consistent with the morphological analysis and the factorial analysis of correspondence. Conclusions: The molecular results on DS population of Guinea-Bissau confirmed the ones obtained with morphological analysis. The three formats observed phenotypically might be due to a combination of the agro-ecological differences and the management of breeding rather than genetic factors.
Glitazones, PPAR-γ and Neuroprotection
Authors: Kumar Ashwini Prem , P Prabitha , Kumar B.R. Prashantha , Jeyarani Victoria , Dhanabal S.P. , Justin Antony
Published: March 2021

The transcriptional factor PPAR-γ belongs to the nuclear receptor family, which has become
a potential therapeutic target for several neurodegenerative diseases and metabolic disorders.
Interestingly, PPAR-γ has been reported to have beneficial effects in various chronic neurological
conditions via upregulation of its transcriptional co-activator PGC-1α and followed by regulation of
multiple molecular events. Although several factors contribute to the progression of neurodegeneration,
the dysfunction of PGC-1α expression is primarily interlinked with the pathogenesis of major
neurodegenerative diseases. This review gives an insight that ligand-dependent activation of PPAR-γ
by glitazones could initiate the structural conformational changes of the secondary proteins, thus recruiting
the PGC-1α to form a stable regulatory complex that hampers the various molecular pathways
contributing to neurodegeneration. The promising outcomes of the preliminary in silico studies included
in this review support that PPAR-γ dependent activation of central PGC-1α signaling by novel
glitazones is an encouraging strategy to enhance the oxy-radicals detoxifying system, antiinflammatory
responses, and mitochondrial biogenesis required for neuroprotection in various neurodegenerative
conditions.
Sodium Ligninsulfonate-assisted Synthesis of Lithium Bismuthate/bismuth
Oxide Microspheres and Solar Light Photocatalytic Performance
Authors: Yu C.H. , Mao Y.J. , Xue Z.Y. , Kong J.L. , Li H.Y. , Pei L.Z. , Fan C.G. , Tang S.D
Published: March 2021

Background:

Great attention has been paid to the environmental pollution by organic dyes,
which are difficult to be degraded in the natural environment and have been an unavoidable and urgent
global problem. It is essential to develop green wastewater treatment technology with high removal efficiency
and low-cost for protecting the surrounding and human health.

Objective:

The aim of the research is to synthesize lithium bismuthate/bismuth oxide microspheres
with good photocatalytic performance for the removal of gentian violet (GV).

Methods:

Lithium bismuthate/bismuth oxide microspheres were successfully prepared by a sodium
ligninsulfonate-assisted hydrothermal synthesis route. The lithium bismuthate/bismuth oxide microspheres
were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier
Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and solid UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum.

Results:

XRD pattern and SEM observation show that the lithium bismuthate/bismuth oxide microspheres
are composed of cubic LiBi12O18.50 and monoclinic Bi2O3 with a diameter of 250 nm-1 μm.
Irregular microscale and nanoscale particles are formed under low hydrothermal temperature, low sodium
ligninsulfonate concentration, and short duration time. By increasing the sodium ligninsulfonate
concentration, hydrothermal temperature, and duration time, irregular particles are transferred into microspheres.
Lithium bismuthate/bismuth oxide microspheres possess a band gap energy of 1.85 eV,
suggesting good visible light absorption ability. The photocatalytic removal ability for GV is enhanced
by prolonging light irradiation time and microspheres dosage. GV solution with the concentration of 10
mg•L-1 is able to be totally degraded by 10 mg lithium bismuthate/bismuth oxide microspheres in 10
mL GV solution under solar light irradiation for 6 h.

Conclusion:

The lithium bismuthate/bismuth oxide microspheres show good photocatalytic removal
ability toward GV in wastewater under solar light irradiation.
Progress of Nanomaterials in Preventative and Restorative Dentistry
Authors: Rattan Supriya , Fawcett Derek , Tennant M. , Granich Joanna , Poinern Gerrard Eddy Jai ,   Murdoch Applied Nanotechnology Research Group. Department of Physics, Energy Studies and Nanotechnology, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia
Published: March 2021

To date, many studies have examined the development and use of novel materials, enhancing the performance of existing dental composites and improving methods for restoring tooth structure. In recent years, nanotechnology-based techniques have been used to develop a variety of nanomaterial-based dental products aimed at conservative dentistry applications. These new nanomaterial-based materials offer improved physicochemical and mechanical properties, combined with enhanced aesthetics that makes them superior restorative materials in several dental procedures. This review discusses tooth structure, the oral microbial environment, chronic dental diseases such as dental decay (or caries), and periodontal disease, as well as systemic diseases in light of nanotechnology-based preventative and restorative dental filler product advancements. Considerations regarding human health and safety associated with the use of nanomaterials in dentistry are discussed. Lastly, knowledge gaps and limitations including future perspectives warranting further research are outlined. The study is followed by a conclusion which condenses the extensive data into a brief summary to establish a link between new nanomaterials and human interactions. This paper draws out and distils the current findings that have emerged from a substantial bibliographical review of a range of articles to provide an insight into the use and development of novel nanomaterials for preventive and restorative dentistry.
The Experience of Key Stakeholders During the Implementation and Use of Trauma Therapy via Digital Health for Military, Veteran, and Public Safety Personnel: Qualitative Thematic Analysis (Preprint)
Authors: Smith-MacDonald Lorraine , Jones Chelsea , Sevigny Phillip , White Allison , Laidlaw Alexa , Voth Melissa , Mikolas Cynthia , Heber Alexandra , Greenshaw Andrew J , Brémault-Phillips Suzette
Published: March 2021

BACKGROUND

Exposure to occupational stressors and potentially psychologically traumatic events experienced by public safety personnel (eg, paramedics, police, fire, and correctional officers), military members, and veterans can lead to the development of posttraumatic stress injuries and other mental health disorders. Providing emergency services during COVID-19 has intensified the challenges. Owing to COVID-19 restrictions, mental health service providers offering support to these populations have had to rapidly pivot to use digital versus in-person methods of service delivery.

OBJECTIVE

This paper aims to explore the experience of mental health service providers regarding digital health service delivery, including the current state of digital mental health service delivery, barriers to and facilitators of the use of digital health for mental health service delivery experienced during the pandemic, and recommendations for implementing and integrating digital health into regular mental health service delivery.

METHODS

This embedded mixed-methods study included questionnaires and focus groups with key stakeholders (N=31) with knowledge and experience in providing mental health services. Data analysis included descriptive, quantitative, and qualitative thematic analyses.

RESULTS

The following three themes emerged: being forced into change, daring to deliver mental health services using digital health, and future possibilities offered by digital health. In each theme, participants’ responses reflected their perceptions of service providers, organizations, and clients. The findings offer considerations regarding for whom and at what point in treatment digital health delivery is appropriate; recommendations for training, support, resources, and guidelines for digitally delivering trauma therapy; and a better understanding of factors influencing mental health service providers’ perceptions and acceptance of digital health for mental health service delivery.

CONCLUSIONS

The results indicate the implementation of digital health for mental health service delivery to military members, public safety personnel, and veterans. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, remote service delivery methods for trauma therapy are urgently needed to support the well-being of those who have served and continue to serve.

CLINICALTRIAL
Certified Examination Assistants in the Age of Telemedicine: A Blueprint Through Neurology (Preprint)
Authors: Bragin Ilya , Cohen Dylan T
Published: March 2021

UNSTRUCTURED

The optimal approach to a clinical physical examination via telemedicine is still being explored. The medical community has no standardized or widely followed criteria for telemedicine examinations, so a broad spectrum of approaches is used. Unfortunately, the need for telemedicine is outpacing physical examination validation research. Given that certain specialties have been using telemedicine longer than others, lessons from those specialties might aid in developing standardized protocols for telemedicine. Neurology has been at the forefront of telemedicine use, initially through stroke care and later in multiple subspecialties. We present a framework for optimizing the history taking and physical examination process via telemedicine based on our experience in neurology. This mainly includes remotely examining a patient unassisted or with an untrained assistant present on the patient side of the connection. We also discuss the need for trained, certified assistants to assist the off-site physician in history taking and physical examination. These certified assistants would be allied health professionals who perform high-quality cued patient examinations under direct physician supervision with no responsibility to diagnose or treat. This contrasts with the approach seen in advanced practice providers such as physician assistants and nurse practitioners who undergo years of training to diagnose and treat patients under supervision. This training process would serve as a stepping stone for the development of dedicated certification programs for neurology and other medical specialties; however, assessments of practical training, costs, implementation, and longitudinal quality are warranted.
Types of Errors Hiding in Google Scholar Data (Preprint)
Authors: Sauvayre Romy
Published: March 2021

UNSTRUCTURED

Google Scholar (GS) is a free tool that may be used by researchers to analyze citations; find appropriate literature; or evaluate the quality of an author or a contender for tenure, promotion, a faculty position, funding, or research grants. GS has become a major bibliographic and citation database. For assessing the literature, databases, such as PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, and Web of Science, can be used in place of GS because they are more reliable. The aim of this study was to examine the accuracy of citation data collected from GS and provide a comprehensive description of the errors and miscounts identified. For this purpose, 281 documents that cited 2 specific works were retrieved via Publish or Perish software (PoP) and were examined. This work studied the false-positive issue inherent in the analysis of neuroimaging data. The results revealed an unprecedented error rate, with 279 of 281 (99.3%) examined references containing at least one error. Nonacademic documents tended to contain more errors than academic publications (U=5117.0; P<.001). This viewpoint article, based on a case study examining GS data accuracy, shows that GS data not only fail to be accurate but also potentially expose researchers, who would use these data without verification, to substantial biases in their analyses and results. Further work must be conducted to assess the consequences of using GS data extracted by PoP.
MODELING THE ELECTRONIC CHARACTERISTICS OF ELECTRICAL CERAMICS. PART. II
Authors:   V.V. Eremina Amur State University, Eremina V.V. , Zhilindina O.V. ,   O.V. Zhilindina Amur State University, Podolko E.A. ,   E.A. Podolko Amur State University
Published: March 2021

The efficiency of mathematical modeling of the operational frequency spectra of composite materials caused by the processes of elastic electronic polarization is examined. The second part of the paper presents the results of modeling the electronic properties of pure oxides.
Cardiac resynchronization therapy: Interventricular delay during ventricular and supraventricular tachyarrhythmia
Authors: Roland Stroobandt , Andreas Kucher , Stroobandt Roland
Published: March 2021

Introduction

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) for cardiac
resynchronization therapy (CRT-D) with the capability of LV sensing
enable the assessment of interventricular delays in ventricular (VT) and
supraventricular tachycardias (SVT).

Methods and Results

In total, 1078 EGM recordings of VT or VF episodes were investigated
that have been transmitted via Home Monitoring. Only those EGM
recordings showing the onset of the tachyarrhythmia were used for
investigation. In the 623 cases eligible for evaluation leftsided VTs
could be identified in 349 cases, right-sided VTs in 252 cases. SVTs
with a 1:1 antegrade conduction were found in 22 cases. VT can present
three different interventricular delays whereby the right-ventricular
sensed event (RVs) is either preceding the left-ventricular sensed event
(LVs), or the LVs is preceding RVs, or there can be a simultaneous
occurrence of RVs and LVs. In SVTs, either the LVs events were delayed
or occurred simultaneously with the RVs events. SVT cases with LVs
preceding the RVs events were not found.

Conclusion

The LV-EGM channel enables to distinguish between left- and right-sided
premature ventricular complexes. The assessment of the interventricular
delay in VTs is useful to differentiate between a possible apical-,
left- or right-sided origin of the VT but not to identify SVTs.
Learning to Implement Teaching Games for Understanding During Teaching Practice
Authors: CRUZ Alberto , LI Chung , KAM Kevin Wai Keung
Published: March 2021

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in English; abstract also in Chinese.
The purposes of this study were to examine the process of learning to teach TGfU and the factors that influence student teachers to implement this approach during the teaching practice. 23 secondary student teachers who intended to try the approach in the teaching practices were purposely invited to take part in the study. Passive participant observation, formal and informal interviews, journal writing and document analysis were used to collect qualitative data. Data were organized and analyzed through inductive analysis and constant comparison. The participants equipped the knowledge of application of the TGfU through various learning channels: Trial teaching, observation of peer teaching and discussion among colleagues. Post-lesson reflections also helped to refine their practices. They spent much time in lessons preparation. They adopted “start and end with a game” lesson format and used facilitated questions between the game activities. Students, teaching experience, preparation, class management, school facilities and support were major factors influencing the implementation of TGfU. They emphasized the importance of the experiences of implementation and the post-lesson reflective process within the learning to teach process. Findings of the study hold implications for the practice of physical education teacher educators with respect to the learning to teach TGfU process.
本研究目的是探討學習教授領會教學法及影響實習老師於實習時實踐領會教學法的因素。二十三位實習老師參與是次研究。透過被動參與式觀察、正式及非正式訪問、老師反思日誌及文件分析等方法收集數據。然後以持續比較法分析資料。結果顯示實習老師透過不同學習模式掌握應用領會教學法知識。影響實習老師實踐領會教學法因素包括學生、教學經驗、準備、課堂管理、設施及支援。此等結果給予體育師資工作者培訓領會教學法多方面啟示。
Project management and entrepreneurship competences
Authors: Tamberg Taavi , Kuura Arvi , Soosaar Reet
Published: March 2021

Competence frameworks are increasingly used in several practice fields and have been an object of research. A typical development trend has been encapsulation into a particular field, not considering the developments in related fields. Similarly, in research, learning from neighbouring disciplines has been rare. Yet, during the past decade, there have been several attempts at linking essentially related disciplines in practice, such as entrepreneurship and project management. This is a reaction to the trends in the labour market – a growing demand for people with diverse competences. In this context, converging different fields via competences deserves more attention. This paper compares the competences required for project managers and entrepreneurs; in addition, it explores the possibilities for mutual enrichment, contributing to further linking of project management and entrepreneurship conceptually. The cross-examination of competences for entrepreneurs (The Entrepreneurship Competence Framework or EntreComp) and for project managers (International Project Management Association's Individual Competence Baseline [IPMA-ICB]) reveals some quite significant, but also weak, correlations. The linguistic approach used has natural limitations, as different terms have been used to convey the same concepts. Thus, a relational linguistic analysis and conceptual analysis have also been applied. The main implication is the recommendation to integrate core project management competences into competence models for entrepreneurs. A natural progression of this work is to build a common competence model for entrepreneurs and project managers.
Matrices of fidelities for ensembles of quantum states and the Holevo quantity
Authors: Fannes Mark , de Melo Fernando , Roga Wojciech , Zyczkowski Karol
Published: March 2021

The entropy of the Gram matrix of a joint purification of an ensemble of $K$ mixed states yields an upper bound for the Holevo information $\chi$ of the ensemble. In this work we combine geometrical and probabilistic aspects of the ensemble in order to obtain meaningful bounds for $\chi$. This is done by constructing various correlation matrices involving fidelities between every pair of states from the ensemble. For $K=3$ quantum states we design a matrix of root fidelities that is positive and the entropy of which is conjectured to upper bound $\chi$. Slightly weaker bounds are established for arbitrary ensembles. Finally, we investigate correlation matrices involving multi-state correlations in relation to the Holevo quantity.
Differential Activation Energy and NBO Interaction Approaches to Torquoselectivity and Its Dependence on the Conformational Profile of the Substituent
Authors: Yadav Veejendra
Published: March 2021

The torquoselectivity of ring opening of 3-CF3-cyclobutene, 3-CHF2-cyclobutene, 3-CH2F-cyclobutene, 3-CF3-oxetene and perfluoro-3-CH3-cyclobutene have been studied at the MP2/cc-pVTZ level of theory and the results analysed by using the differential activation energy approach and also differential NBO interactions of the breaking ring bond with the substituent bonds. The outward or inward ring opening that has lower activation energy in the differential activation energy approach or larger interaction in the differential NBO interaction approach constitutes the preferred mode. The predictions from the two approaches are largely found to be contradicting each other, specifically when the substituent is electron-deficient. The CHF2 and CH2F substituents on cyclobutene and oxetene can adopt three distinct conformations with respect to the cleaving ring bond. It has been discovered that each conformer exhibits a distinct level of torquoselectivity and some may even contribute to the overall selectivity substantially. The conformational profile of the substituent, therefore, is recommended to be taken into account in any serious treatment of the subject. The experimental torquoselectivity, if otherwise, is a likely consequence of secondary reactions, specifically equilibration through reaction reversal while honouring the relative thermodynamic stabilities of the ring opened products.
Acylboronates in Polarity-Reversed Generation of Acyl Palladium(II) Intermediates
Authors: Trofimova Alina , Holownia Aleksandra , tien chieh-hung , sirvinskas martynas , Yudin Andrei
Published: March 2021

We report a catalytic cross-coupling process between aryl (pseudo)halides and boron-based acyl anion equivalents. This mode of acylboronate reactivity represents polarity reversal, which is supported by the observation of tetracoordinated boronate and acyl palladium(II) species by 11B, 31P NMR, and mass spectrometry. A broad scope of aliphatic and aromatic acylboronates has been examined, as well as a variety of aryl (pseudo)halides.
Standard Underpotential Deposition Shift. A New Parameter to Characterize the UPD Phenomenon.
Authors: Vicente Rafael Alcides , Gomes Heloísa Vampré Nascimento , Fernández Pablo
Published: March 2021

Underpotential deposition (UPD) is a phenomenon where atoms of an element M are deposited from ions Mn+ on a substrate S at potentials more positive than for the deposition of Mn+ on M. These systems have been studied for more than a century and are interesting from both the applied and the fundamental point of view. Despite the vast literature on the subject, there is no thermodynamic parameter so far able to characterize an UPD system. Even if the so-called “UPD shift” has been used for decades, the limitations of this parameter has been fully recognized in the field. Herein, using a simple Nernstian treatment and straightforward measurements, we show how to measure and calculate a new proposed fundamental thermodynamic parameter namely, the “Standard UPD potential”. We showed results for the deposition of Cu+2 on Au in acidic media, in solutions containing ClO4- or SO4-2 anions. We obtained Standard UPD potential= 0.65 ± 0.02 V, independently of the concentration of the acid and the nature of the anion.
Design of Huge Complex Building of Two Structurally Independent Seismic Isolation Structures Coupled by Unique Expansion Joint
Authors: Kokonno Masaru , Maeda Tatsuhiko , Tahara Keita , Kouda Marina , Sawai Yoshiaki , Ikeda Hidemi
Published: March 2021

For large‐scale complex facilities, the authors designed seismic isolation structures which were ensured the highest‐level safety in a rational and economic way.

We split the building into two first, and then planned the buildings so that their spans and story heights might be optimum according to their uses, and performed the structural design of each building in pursuit of rationality and economic efficiency as well as safety. Finally, the buildings were integrated into one by connecting the two seismic isolation buildings with special expansion joint which was developed for these buildings.

Additionally, we considered long‐period earthquakes and strong inland earthquakes that were larger than the reference earthquake of the Japanese Building Codes to ensure highest‐level aseismic performance.
Prescribing Bridge Architecture for Social Resilience
Authors: Nasab Maxim D.
Published: March 2021

Communities can have the most beautiful buildings and parks, but if their infrastructure continues to be designed in the often misquoted “form ever follows function” mentality, it will always be the weakest link of any city. Shouldn’t we start investing in the beauty of our cities for future generations? Is beauty not also a function that can have a profound return on investment to the surrounding communities?

This paper explores how we can prescribe language in RFPs, which integrate aesthetics and bridge architects efficiently within infrastructure projects, so aesthetics can be implemented while cost be greatly minimized. Today, aesthetics should no longer be an option. It should be required on any bridge project that has visibility and should not be limited to reveals and ornamental railings. Rather it should blend within the project so seamlessly that it becomes integral to the structure. When successful it resonates through communities, regions, and countries. It brings people closer towards a common goal, a common agreement. Beauty is not in the eye of the beholder but in the eye of the masses. By creating collaborative environments between engineers, architects, and builders we will be able to work together as a team towards a common goal where we can design and build socially responsible, successful and everlasting bridges for our cities.
Bridge bearing solutions that facilitate quick and efficient bearing installation and bridge construction
Authors: Hoffmann Simon , Kutumbale Amit , Della Ca' Danilo
Published: March 2021

A bridge’s bearings, arguably its most critical components, perform a vital function throughout the bridge’s service life, but the bearings used can also have a significant impact on the bridge construction process. Suitably designed adjustable bearings are an integral part of the incremental launch method of bridge construction, for instance, which can be a very efficient construction method. Adjustable bearings may also support other bridge construction methods, such as segmental bridge construction, where fixities/freedoms that applied during the construction phase require to be changed before the bridge enters service. Lifting bearings, the height of which can be increased, may enable a lack of precision in the structure to be tolerated, and measuring bearings may enable load distribution during bridge construction to be verified, where this is required by the construction method. Design features of otherwise standard bearings that support quick and high-quality installation can also contribute towards the efficiency of the overall bridge construction process, as can the use of bearing designs which minimize bearing size. Bearing solutions and features that facilitate bearing installation and bridge construction in ways such as these are described.
Incremental Launching Method for Cayirköy bridges
Authors: Pissot François , Erdogan Julien , Scotto Giulio
Published: March 2021

Çayirköy viaduct is part of the Northern Marmara motorway, an alternative road to link the western part of the country to Istanbul via the 3rdBosporus Bridge. The 750m long viaduct, made of two carriageways, cross a valley at more than 60m high. This paper gives an overview of the construction methods of this viaduct and focuses on ist specificities. The major ones are earthquake loads to be considered during construction and the launching downhill with a - 2.8% slope. The incremental launching method (ILM) has been completely rethought to be adapted to this viaduct. A system has been designed in order to block the deck during stop phases against earthquakes, but also to brake it during launching phases. Temporary structures associate to ILM will also be described in this paper, as one of the challenges was to adapt equipment from previous projects.
Main span closure for the New Samuel de Champlain Bridge (NSCB) - An innovative alternative closure using a temporary king-post to accelerate construction
Authors: Osborne Gonzalo , Saleh Frederic
Published: March 2021

Signature Saint Laurent (SSLC) is the consortium comprised of SNC Lavalin, Flatiron Constructors Canada, Dragados USA and EBC, that selected the design and construction for the New Samuel de Champlain Bridge (NSCB) in Montreal, Canada.

The NSCB’s construction schedule was the major challenge for a successful project completion. The geometry of the main bridge is complex, with an asymmetric stay cable arrangement and a unique transverse behavior with three independent corridors connected by crossbeams, involving the location of the stay cable anchorages. This geometry questioned the constructability and the stringent schedule requirement. The subject of this paper is relevant to this conference as it pertains to an innovative construction method for cable-stayed bridges.

The back span was fully erected on temporary towers in advance, followed by the main span which was to be built with heavy lifting equipment in cantilever sequentially from the main single pylon towards to the East approach. A set of three gantries erected the preassembled segments from the ground to the tip of the deck, where they were connected to the previous segment.

To expedite the construction, an innovative method was developed to erect some segments from the opposite end with cranes from the ground, with a stick-built conventional method. The closure location was therefore shifted by 50 meters (four segments) towards the pylon. These segments would be supported with temporary stay cables anchored to a 36-meter high king-post on top of the deck. The king-post would be sitting on top of the deck, supported temporarily by shoring towers to reduce the demands in the superstructure and adjacent pier.

This erection system can serve as an alternative method to expedite construction for long span single tower cable stayed bridges, by erecting segments with a temporary stay tower from the opposite end, therefore reducing schedule constraints.
Stadthöfe Hamburg – Innovative Structural Design between Water, Heritage and Modern Lifestyle
Authors: Wetzel Markus , Vazquez Francisco
Published: March 2021

Along the Stadthausbrücke between the roads of Neuer Wall and Grosse Bleichen, behind historic facades, a new quarter with a gross floor space of approx. 45.000 m² has been put under construction for retail, office and residential use. The high complexity of the planning and construction task results from the many constraints caused by the tight inner-city situation. In particular, the small scale and nested courtyard-like arrangement of the objects, the boundary development and development of the Alsterfleet, a former waterbody, as well as the demanding requirements of heritage protection were especially challenging.
Optimizing the multi-hazard resilience of bridge and building structures
Authors: Mendez-Galindo Carlos , Moor Gianni , Baillés Borja
Published: March 2021

As the expectations of populations all around the world continue to increase in relation to the resilience of their bridges and buildings to hazards such as seismic events, the need for appropriate solutions – which can be applied both to new structures and to existing ones – grows accordingly. A wide range of solutions is available, such as shock absorbers and shock transmission units which can be used to dampen or optimally transmit forces that would otherwise damage a structure, and seismic isolators which can protect buildings and bridges from destructive ground motions. Expansion joints can be equipped with features that protect a bridge, at its key movement nodes, from damage due to larger-than-expected movements, and structural health monitoring (SHM) can be used to enable hazards to be identified and to provide immediate notification of any event that might make a structure unsafe. Various such methods of enhancing resilience of structures to seismic and other hazards are described.
Lanciau Bridge – First spatial tubular truss railway bridge
Authors: Bouvet Caroline , Delémont Thierry , Moïa Pierre
Published: March 2021

The old Lanciau bridge, constructed in 1904, needed to be replaced by a new bridge which would allow for a continuous ballasted track.

The new bridge was designed with a view to maintaining the spirit of the old one by keeping a truss structure, while modernizing it both from the point of view of its shape (spatial triangular truss with variable height) and its sections (pipes). It took advantage of the presence of the concrete trough to connect this to the steel truss, in order to increase the rigidity of the bridge with the composite effect.

This bridge is one of the very first railway bridges made of tubular truss, which provides a pure and smooth design thanks to its compact and pure assembling nodes.

The new truss structure is really the key point of this bridge because of the tubular nodes which do not meet any standards. In particular, the fatigue resistance analysis of the 3D tubular nodes required the application of very specific documentation and results from PhD’s, as well as the use of volume finite element computations.

The new Lanciau bridge is now ready to service MOB panoramic trains, and to continue the tradition of Swiss alpine steel railway bridges.
ENPOLITE: Comparing Lithium-Ion Cells across Energy, Power, Lifetime, and Temperature
Authors: Dechent Philipp , Epp Alexander , Jöst Dominik , Preger Yuliya , Attia Peter , Li Weihan , Sauer Dirk Uwe
Published: March 2021

Lithium-Ion battery lifetimes from cyclic and calendar aging tests of more than 1000 cells were compared employing novel plots termed ENPOLITE (energy-power-lifetime-temperature). Battery cell data from in-house measurements and published data were combined into a uniform database; the total dataset size exceeds 1000 GB. At a glance, ENPOLITE plots inform about the nominal capacity, cell format, cell chemistry, average aging test duration, measurement temperature, specific power employed for testing, energy density, and the achieved lifetime for every cell. A battery lifetime coefficient was derived, allowing the comparison of lithium-ion batteries with different weights or volumes, capacities, and cell chemistries. The combination of multiple parameters in ENPOLITE facilitated a thorough comparison of various batteries' respective lifetimes. In addition to the cell-specific parameters during cycling, the specific stored energy and the storage temperature were depicted in a calendar ENPOLITE-Plot.
RANCANG BANGUN APLIKASI PENYEWAAN LAPANGAN FUTSAL BERBASIS WEB
Authors: Pratama Raga Kurnia , Piliang Faisal
Published: March 2021

Sistem pemesanan lapangan pada AsboenFutsal masih bersifat manual. Memesan lapangan harus datang langsung ke AsboenFutsal. Selain itu bukti pembayaran masih menggunakan banyak kertas atau buku untuk membuat laporan pembayaran, sehingga jika ingin melakukan rekap data pengelola kesulitan karena ada banyak kertas yang akan dikumpulkan dan juga tidak terorganisir penyimpanan data pemesanan penggunaan lapangan Futsal dengan baik dan benar sehingga memungkinkan data-data tersebut akan hilang. Tujuan penelitian ini untuk membantu dalam meningkatkan keefektifitasan proses booking lapangan dan pengolahan data padaAsboenFutsal. Adapun metodologi pengembangan sistem yang digunakan adalah System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) model Waterfall yang meliputi tahapan perencanaan, analisis, perancangan dan implementasi sistem. Sistem dibangun menggunakan bahasa pemrograman PHP dan untuk database server-nya menggunakan MySQL. Hasil yang dicapai dari penelitian ini adalah sistem informasi simpan pinjam berbasis web. Dengan adanya sistem ini diharapkan menjawab kesulitan yang sering dihadapi oleh pengelola maupun pelanggan sehingga bisa lebih efisien dan efektif.
Intrawound vancomycin application after spinal surgery: a propensity score–matched cohort analysis
Authors: Vakayil Victor , Atkinson Jeremiah , Puram Vikram , Glover James J. , Harmon James V. , Statz Catherine L. , Polly David W. , Bulander Robert E.
Published: March 2021

OBJECTIVE

Surgical site infection (SSI) following spine surgery is associated with increased morbidity and healthcare costs. In an effort to reduce SSI rates, the application of intrawound vancomycin powder has gained popularity. However, there is limited high-quality evidence to support the safety and efficacy of this practice. The authors sought to determine if intrawound application of vancomycin powder improves 90-day overall SSI rates.

METHODS

The authors performed a retrospective, vancomycin exposure–matched cohort study at a single tertiary care hospital over 21 months. They included all patients undergoing elective spinal surgery and stratified the patients into two groups: those who received intrawound vancomycin powder application and those who received no application of vancomycin powder. The primary outcome of interest was the 90-day overall SSI rate. Secondary outcomes included rates of superficial SSI, deep SSI, wound disruption, and a post hoc analysis of the microbiology and minimum inhibitory concentrations. Baseline patient demographics, clinical presentation, comorbidities, perioperative factors, and 90-day postoperative outcomes were manually abstracted from patient charts. To mitigate bias, we performed 1:1 matching after calculating propensity scores and identified 1 patient from the no-vancomycin cohort for each patient in the vancomycin cohort.

RESULTS

A total of 997 patients met our inclusion criteria (473 patients receiving vancomycin and 524 patients not receiving vancomycin). Propensity score matching produced 221 matched pairs. Risk-adjusted analysis demonstrated similar overall SSI rates between the groups (OR 1.9, p = 0.329). On unadjusted analysis, the overall 90-day SSI rate was greater in the vancomycin group (n = 10 [4.5%]) than in the no-vancomycin group (n = 5 [2.3%]) (p < 0.001), as were the superficial SSI rate (7 [3.2%] vs 4 [1.8%], p < 0.001), deep SSI rate (3 [1.4%] vs 1 [0.5%], p < 0.001), and wound disruption rate (5 [2.3%] vs 1 [0.5%], p < 0.001). No cultured isolate demonstrated vancomycin resistance.

CONCLUSIONS

The authors observed no difference in SSI rates after the intrawound application of vancomycin powder during spine surgery. Vancomycin use did not contribute to antimicrobial resistance; however, it may select out gram-negative bacteria and increase rates of wound disruption.
The Effect of Corporate Social Responsibility on Brand Performance with the Mediating Role
of Corporate Reputation, Resource Commitment and Green Creativity
Authors: Ebrahimi Hesari Ailar , Shadiardehaei Elmira , Shahrabi Behzad
Published: March 2021

Following the strategic decisions of business managers in the community, issues have been raised that lead to changes in the community. One of these issues, which is becoming increasingly important, is consideration of corporate social responsibility. Therefore, the focus of this study was the effect of corporate social responsibility on brand performance with the mediating role of corporate reputation, resource commitment and green creativity. The research method was survey. The statistical population was employees of private banks, 507 of whom participated in the study. Structural equation modelling with SMARTPLS software was used to analyse the data. The results showed the effect of corporate social responsibility is positive and significant on resource commitment, green creativity, corporate reputation and brand performance. The effect of resource commitment, green creativity and corporate reputation is positive and significant on brand performance. Brand performance will be improved if the company supports employee higher education, encourages employees to develop their skills and abilities, implements flexible policies to provide work-life balance for employees, prioritizes employee needs and demands, has plans to reduce the negative effects of the company on the environment, and participates in activities aimed at protecting and improving the quality of the environment.
Performance-Based Analysis of Blockchain Scalability Metric
Authors: Yadav Jyoti , Shevkar Ranjana
Published: March 2021

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum, are widely known applications of blockchain technology, have drawn much attention and are largely recognized in recent
years. Initially Bitcoin and Ethereum processed 7 and 15 Transactions Per Second (TPS) respectively, whereas VISA and Paypal process 1700 and 193 TPS respectively. The
biggest challenge to blockchain adoption is scalability, defined as the capacity to change the block size to handle the growing amount of load. This paper attempts to present the
existing scalability solutions which are broadly classified into three layers: Layer 0 solutions focus on optimization of propagation protocol for transactions and blocks, Layer 1
solutions are based on the consensus algorithms and data structure, and Layer 2 solutions aims to decrease the load of the primary chain by implementing solutions outside the
chain. We present a classification and comparison of existing blockchain scalability solutions based on performance along with their pros and cons
Microclimatic variations of land surface temperatureon Galindez Island (western part of the Antarctic Peninsula)
Authors:   Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute, State Service of Emergencies of Ukraine and National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Savenets M. , Pysarenko L. ,   Ukrainian Hydrometeorological Institute, State Service of Emergencies of Ukraine and National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Pishniak D. ,   State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine
Published: March 2021

The study presents analysis of microclimatic conditions on Galindez Island (western part of the Antarctic Peninsula), in particular: seasonal variability and spatial heterogeneity. Based on land surface temperature (LST) data derived from loggers and MicroClimate Monitoring Station, we analyzed areas with active growth of local plants. Seasonal variations formed mainly under annual and semi-annual cycles, with no dependencies of amplitudes and phases form area location. LST highly correlates with air temperature and total incoming irradiance. It is emphasized that spatial orientation of relief microforms plays the most significant role for LST formation on micro-level. Using cluster analysis, it was found that temperature loggers which are located along shoreline and oriented to the north–north-east could be grouped by similar LST distribution.
Improving the detailing of atmospheric processes modelling using the Polar WRF model: a case study of a heavy rainfall event at the Akademik Vernadsky station
Authors:   State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Pishniak D. , Beznoshchenko B. ,   State Institution National Antarctic Scientific Center, Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine
Published: March 2021

The Antarctic Peninsula region is of growing interest due to the regional climate change features and related atmospheric circulation patterns. The regional mesoscale atmospheric model Polar Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) v4.1.1 was used in this research to study a heavy precipitation event over the Ukrainian Antarctic Akademik Vernadsky station region (Antarctic Peninsula). The passage of the cyclone over the Antarctic Peninsula as a typical synoptic process as well as a case of the daily precipitation maximum amount of 2018 were chosen for investigation in this research. The estimation of the modelling quality and downscaling was done by comparing the obtained results with in-situ observation at the Akademik Vernadsky station and cross-domain tracking of average meteorological values and their deviation. The concept of the nested domains allowed to increase the horizontal resolution of the simulated atmosphere up to 1 km and to reproduce the wind regime of this region with high quality. Comparison with measured data showed a significant improvement in wind simulation with increasing of resolution, but worse representation of surface temperature and humidity. The Polar WRF made a general cooling of near surface temperature of 2 °C during the period of simulation and increased precipitation amount by 4.6–8.4 mm (12–21%) on average over the territory relative to the initial data from Global Data Assimilation System. This can be explained by the contribution of noise and imperfection of the model (including static input data of the terrain description). Based on the modelled results, the interaction of wind flow with the mountainous terrain of the Antarctic Peninsula creates a range of complex dynamic effects in the atmosphere. These effects cause local precipitation maxima both over the Peninsula and over the adjacent ocean. These are, respectively, bay-valley areas of increased precipitation and increased precipitation on the crests of shock waves from orographic obstacles. Under certain background wind conditions, the influence of the latter effect can reach the Akademik Vernadsky station and cause the formation of heavy precipitation here.