bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sociological modeling of smart city with the implementation of UN sustainable development goals
Authors: Kolesnichenko Olga , Mazelis Lev , Sotnik Alexander , Yakovleva Dariya , Amelkin Sergey , Grigorevsky Ivan , Kolesnichenko Yuriy
Published: January 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic before mass vaccination can be restrained only by the limitation of contacts between people, which makes the digital economy a key condition for survival. More than half of the world’s population lives in urban areas, and many cities have already transformed into “smart” digital/virtual hubs. Digital services ensure city life safe without an economy lockout and unemployment. Urban society strives to be safe, sustainable, well-being, and healthy. We set the task to construct a hybrid sociological and technological concept of a smart city with matched solutions, complementary to each other. Our modeling with the elaborated digital architectures and with the bionic solution for ensuring sufficient data governance showed that a smart city in comparison with the traditional city is tightly interconnected inside like a social “organism”. Society has entered a decisive decade during which the world will change by moving closer towards SDGs targets 2030 as well as by the transformation of cities and their digital infrastructures. It is important to recognize the large vector of sociological transformation as smart cities are just a transition phase to human-centered personal space or smart home. The “atomization” of the world urban population raises the gap problem in achieving SDGs because of different approaches to constructing digital architectures for smart cities or smart homes in countries. The strategy of creating smart cities should bring each citizen closer to SDGs at the individual level, laying in the personal space the principles of sustainable development and wellness of personality.
Fracture Resistance of Advanced High-Strength Steel Sheets for Automotive Applications
Authors: Frómeta D. , Lara A. , Grifé L. , Dieudonné T. , Dietsch P. , Rehrl J. , Suppan C. , Casellas D. , Calvo J.
Published: January 2021

The fracture resistance of different advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) sheets for automotive applications is investigated through conventional tensile tests, fracture toughness measurements, and hole expansion tests. Different fracture-related parameters, such as the true fracture strain (TFS), the true thickness strain (TTS), the fracture toughness at crack initiation (w
e
i
), the specific essential work of fracture (w
e), and the hole expansion ratio (HER), are assessed. The specific essential work of fracture (w
e) is shown to be a suitable parameter to evaluate the local formability and fracture resistance of AHSS. The results reveal that fracture toughness cannot be estimated from any of the parameters derived from tensile tests and show the importance of microstructural features on crack propagation resistance. Based on the relation fracture toughness-local formability, a new AHSS classification mapping accounting for global formability and cracking resistance is proposed. Furthermore, a physically motivated fracture criterion for edge-cracking prediction, based on thickness strain measurements in fatigue pre-cracked DENT specimens, is proposed.
Gate Capacitance and Off-State Characteristics of E-Mode p-GaN Gate AlGaN/GaN High-Electron-Mobility Transistors After Gate Stress Bias
Authors: Lai Yu-Chen , Zhong Yi-Nan , Tsai Ming-Yan , Hsin Yue-Ming
Published: January 2021

This study investigated the gate capacitance and off-state characteristics of 650-V enhancement-mode p-GaN gate AlGaN/GaN high-electron-mobility transistors after various degrees of gate stress bias. A significant change was observed in the on-state capacitance when the gate stress bias was greater than 6 V. The corresponding threshold voltage exhibited a positive shift at low gate stress and a negative shift when the gate stress was greater than 6 V, which agreed with the shift observation from the I–V measurement. Moreover, the off-state leakage current increased significantly after the gate stress exceeded 6 V during the off-state characterization although the devices could be biased up to 1000 V without breakdown. The increase in the off-state leakage current would lead to higher power loss.
Benefits of Hydrogen in a Segmented-Anode Plasma Torch in Suspension Plasma Spraying
Authors: Dolmaire Alice , Hartikainen Enni , Goutier Simon , Béchade Emilie , Vardelle Michel , Geffroy Pierre-Marie , Joulia Aurélien
Published: January 2021

Suspension plasma spraying (SPS) enables the production of various coating microstructures with unique mechanical and thermal properties. Aeronautical manufacturers have been working for fifty years to improve the thermal barrier coating (TBC) performances in gas turbines. Commercial plasma torches with a segmented anode that are characterized by stable plasma jets should enable a better control of the TBC microstructure. The addition of diatomic gases such as hydrogen in the plasma-forming gas affects the plasma jet formation and causes some instabilities. However, it enhances the thermal conductivity of the gas flow, the plasma mass enthalpy and the heat transfer to particles. This study aims to characterise and describe the coating microstructure changes of yttria-stabilised zirconia when gradually adding hydrogen with argon into the plasma gas mixture. The effect of hydrogen is weighted out due to the gas mass enthalpy, mean velocity at the nozzle exit and “hot zone” length of the plasma jet. The coating microstructures, which depend on these plasma jet parameters, will be mapped from feathery and porous to dense and cracked deposits depending on the spraying conditions.
Selective Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Alpha Modulators (SPPARMα) in the Metabolic Syndrome: Is Pemafibrate Light at the End of the Tunnel?
Authors: Fruchart Jean-Charles , Hermans Michel P. , Fruchart-Najib Jamila , Kodama Tatsuhiko
Published: January 2021

Purpose of Review

Adoption of poor lifestyles (inactivity and energy-dense diets) has driven the worldwide increase in the metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Of the defining features of the metabolic syndrome, an atherogenic dyslipidaemia characterised by elevated triglycerides (TG) and low plasma concentration of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a major driver of risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Beyond lifestyle intervention and statins, targeting the nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) is a therapeutic option. However, current PPARα agonists (fibrates) have limitations, including safety issues and the lack of definitive evidence for cardiovascular benefit. Modulating the ligand structure to enhance binding at the PPARα receptor, with the aim of maximising beneficial effects and minimising adverse effects, underlies the SPPARMα concept.

Recent Findings

This review discusses the history of SPPARM development, latterly focusing on evidence for the first licensed SPPARMα, pemafibrate. Evidence from animal models of hypertriglyceridaemia or NASH, as well as clinical trials in patients with atherogenic dyslipidaemia, are overviewed.

The available data set the scene for therapeutic application of SPPARMα in the metabolic syndrome, and possibly, NASH. The outstanding question, which has so far eluded fibrates in the setting of current evidence-based therapy including statins, is whether treatment with pemafibrate significantly reduces cardiovascular events in patients with atherogenic dyslipidaemia. The PROMINENT study in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and this dyslipidaemia is critical to evaluating this.
Clinical benefit of treatment after trastuzumab emtansine for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer: a real-world multi-centre cohort study in Japan (WJOG12519B)
Authors: Yokoe Takamichi , Kurozumi Sasagu , Nozawa Kazuki , Ozaki Yukinori , Maeda Tetsuyo , Yazaki Shu , Onishi Mai , Fujimoto Akihiro , Nakayama Sayuka , Tsuboguchi Yuko , Iwasa Tsutomu , Sakai Hitomi , Ogata Misato , Terada Mitsuo , Nishimura Meiko , Onoe Takuma , Masuda Jun , Kurikawa Michiko , Isaka Hirotsugu , Hagio Kanako , Shimomura Akihiko , Okumura Yuta , Futamura Manabu , Shimokawa Mototsugu , Takano Toshimi
Published: January 2021

Background

Trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1) treatment for human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2)-positive metastatic breast cancer after taxane with trastuzumab and pertuzumab is standard therapy. However, treatment strategies beyond T-DM1 are still in development with insufficient evidence of their effectiveness. Here, we aimed to evaluate real-world treatment choice and efficacy of treatments after T-DM1 for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer.

Methods

In this multi-centre retrospective cohort study involving 17 hospitals, 325 female HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients whose post-T-DM1 treatment began between April 15, 2014 and December 31, 2018 were enrolled. The primary end point was the objective response rate (ORR) of post-T-DM1 treatments. Secondary end points included disease control rate (DCR), progression-free survival (PFS), time to treatment failure (TTF), and overall survival (OS).

Results

The median number of prior treatments of post-T-DM1 treatment was four. The types of post-T-DM1 treatments included (1) chemotherapy in combination with trastuzumab and pertuzumab (n = 102; 31.4%), (2) chemotherapy concomitant with trastuzumab (n = 78; 24.0%), (3), lapatinib with capecitabine (n = 63; 19.4%), and (4) others (n = 82; 25.2%). ORR was 22.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 18.1–28.0], DCR = 66.6% (95% CI 60.8–72.0), median PFS = 6.1 months (95% CI 5.3–6.7), median TTF = 5.1 months (95% CI 4.4–5.6), and median OS = 23.7 months (95% CI 20.7–27.4).

Conclusion

The benefits of treatments after T-DM1 are limited. Further investigation of new treatment strategies beyond T-DM1 is awaited for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients.
Assessment of Plasmodium antigens and CRP in dried blood spots with multiplex malaria array
Authors: Jang Ihn Kyung , Aranda Sara , Barney Rebecca , Rashid Andrew , Helwany Muhammad , Rek John C. , Arinaitwe Emmanuel , Adrama Harriet , Murphy Maxwell , Imwong Mallika , Proux Stephane , Haohankhunnatham Warat , Ding Xavier C. , Nosten François , Greenhouse Bryan , Gamboa Dionicia , Domingo Gonzalo J.
Published: January 2021

Dried blood spots (DBS) typically prepared on filter papers are an ideal sample type for malaria surveillance by offering easy and cost-effective methods in terms of sample collection, storage, and transport. The objective of this study was to evaluate the applicability of DBS with a commercial multiplex malaria assay, developed to concurrently measure Plasmodium antigens, histidine-rich protein 2 (HRP2), Plasmodium lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH), and a host inflammatory biomarker, C-reactive protein (CRP), in whole blood. The assay conditions were optimized for DBS, and thermal stability for measurement of Plasmodium antigens and CRP in dried blood were determined. Performance of the multiplex assay on matched DBS and whole blood pellet samples was also evaluated using the clinical samples. The results indicate the acceptable performance in multiplex antigen detection using DBS samples. At cutoff levels for DBS, with a diagnostic specificity with a lower 95% confidence bound > 92%, diagnostic sensitivities against polymerase chain reaction (PCR)–confirmed malaria for HRP2, Pf LDH, Pv LDH, and Pan LDH were 93.5%, 80.4%, 21.3%, and 55.6%, respectively. The half-life of pLDH was significantly less than that of HRP2 in thermal stability studies. Results with DBS samples collected from Peru indicate that the uncontrolled storage conditions of DBS can result in inaccurate reporting for infection with P. falciparum parasites with hrp2/3 deletions. With careful consideration that minimizing the unfavorable DBS storage environment is essential for ensuring integrity of heat-labile Plasmodium antigens, DBS samples can be used as an alternative to liquid whole blood to detect P. falciparum with hrp2/3 deletions in malaria surveillance.
Correction to: Clinical expert consensus document on rotational atherectomy from the Japanese association of cardiovascular intervention and therapeutics
Authors: Sakakura Kenichi , Ito Yoshiaki , Shibata Yoshisato , Okamura Atsunori , Kashima Yoshifumi , Nakamura Shigeru , Hamazaki Yuji , Ako Junya , Yokoi Hiroyoshi , Kobayashi Yoshio , Ikari Yuji
Published: January 2021

The article Clinical expert consensus document on rotational atherectomy
Catalytic ozonation for removal of antibiotic oxy-tetracycline using zinc oxide nanoparticles
Authors: Mohsin Maha K. , Mohammed Ahmed A.
Published: January 2021

The traditional wastewater treatment plants are mostly not designed to deal with polar micropollutants such as pharmaceuticals. Therefore, antibiotics must be completely removed before their emission to ecosystems. Catalytic ozonation is used to increase the efficiency of sole ozonation further. In the present study, semi-batch experiments were conducted to investigate the efficiency of sole ozonation and catalytic ozonation in the degradation of oxy-tetracycline (OTC) as an environmental hazards contaminant in an aqueous solutions. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) were used as a catalytic agent with ozone (ZnO/$${\mathrm{O}}_{3})$$

O
3

)

. The influence of operational parameters such as pH (3–11), initial oxy-tetracycline concentration (10–100) mg/l, temperature (15–35)°C, ozone generation rate (0.138–1.38)mg/s and catalyst dosage (25–200) mg/l on the ZnO/$${\mathrm{O}}_{3}$$

O
3

process was investigated. Ozone dosage was found to have the noticeable effect on the degradation process; however, the ZnO dosage was found to be less effective. The optimum condition was 1.38 mg/s at pH = 7, and after 35 min, a 94% of OTC removal was achieved. The results demonstrated that catalytic ozonation was a very effective method for degradation and mineralization of OTC in aqueous solution.
Preparation and characterization of powdered and granular activated carbon from Palmae biomass for mercury removal
Authors: Egirani Davidson , Latif Mohd T. , Wessey Napoleon , Poyi Nanfe . R. , Shehata Nabila
Published: January 2021

Two forms of activated carbon (i.e., granular and powdered forms) used to test mercury removal in solution. These activated carbons were obtained from the shells of a palmae biomass and used in mercury ion removal in aquatic systems. The African palmae shell taken out from a broadly and simply full-fledged palm tree. This biomass serves as a precursor in the formulation of activated carbons not documented. The powdered and granular fractions of activated carbons described for chemical composition, isoelectric point, and surface area. The mechanism of reactions and the kinetics involved were studied using the results of protonation and rate limitations. The parameters used in the batch mode study included pH, contact time, initial concentration of the adsorbate and the dose of the activated carbons. A comparison of performances, contact time demonstrated the highest adsorption efficiency of 93% for the powdered activated carbon and 92% for the granular activated carbon. The dosage recorded the lowest adsorption efficiency of 84% using granular activated carbon. Comparatively, this study brought to the fore that activated carbon derived from the Plamae biomass remains a novel bio-sorbent
Integrating risk management concepts into the drilling non-productive time
Authors: Barakat Mohamed , Abu El Ela Mahmoud , Khalaf Fouad
Published: January 2021

Introducing the non-productive time (NPT) concepts in the 1960s was a necessity dictated by the ever-increasing cost and complexity of the oil and gas well drilling. The NPT definition stayed unsettled until two decades later, the definition converged toward its accepted current definition of “the time when planned or out-of-plans drilling-related activities do not add value to the operation objectives.” NPT as it is defined in drilling nowadays is a form of time waste or loss which adversely impacts the overall efficiency of the drilling operation. Since the 1980s, risk management (RM) has become a sound technique to evaluate operational losses or wastes of many resources, including time. This paper presents an attempt to couple RM techniques with NPT philosophy together with other concepts such as Systems Thinking, Synergy, Continuous Improvement, and Total Quality. These concepts and derived techniques suit well controlling the intolerable waste that shows up in the form of delay in operations and materializes into most of the undesirable costs of drilling. These concepts, adopted herein, were applied on data from 60 rigs which were used to drill 250 wells for a period of 1 year of operation. In all 19 types of NPT were considered. A Java software model was developed and used to express NPT as an undesired event with probability of happening, in order to follow with RM terminology. The probability levels (related to the NPT values) for each rig were then defined and further classified into the four familiar ranks and their colors as used in RM: Acceptable (green), Tolerable (yellow), Inadmissible (orange), and Unacceptable (red). A matrix was established for all NPT categories and for the 60 rigs and was then named Rig-NPT Risk Matrix. A maximum probability ceiling was established as a reference for unacceptable risks of all NPT categories and for all the 60 rigs. Finally, sets of risk control recommendations were proposed to minimize the NPT in order to improve rigs performance. The concept of NPT and the science of RM when integrated gave a new approach to minimize the drilling losses. Using NPT analysis coupled with risk management was used to indicate where to optimize exerted efforts in order to synergize improvement of overall drilling performance.
Modelling of continuous surfactant flooding application for marginal oilfields: a case study of Bentiu reservoir
Authors: Abbas Azza Hashim , Elhag Hani Hago , Sulaiman Wan Rosli Wan , Gbadamosi Afeez , Pourafshary Peyman , Ebrahimi Shirin Shafiei , Alqohaly Osamah Yahya , Agi Augustine
Published: January 2021

Enhanced oil recovery (EOR) is a proven method to increase oil production from the brown fields. One of the efficient EOR methods is injecting surfactants to release the trapped oil. However, few unconsolidated behaviours were observed in both field and laboratory practice. In this study, a new framework was adapted to evaluate the continuous surfactant flooding (CSF) in Bentiu reservoir. The study aims to quantify the expected range of the oil production, recovery factor and residual oil saturation (Sor). The motivation came from the oil demand in Sudan and the insufficient cores. The framework adopted in the study includes numerical simulation modelling and proxy modelling. Thirty-six cores obtained from the field were revised and grouped into five main groups. The interfacial tension (IFT) data were obtained experimentally. The CSF sensitivity study was developed by combining different experimental design sets to generate the proxy model. The CSF numerical simulation results showed around 30% additional oil recovery compared to waterflooding and approximately oil production between (20–30) cm3. The generated proxy model extrapolated the results with concerning lower ranges of the input and showed an average P50 of oil production and recovery of 74% and 17 cm3, respectively. Overall, the performance of CSF remained beneficial in vast range of input. Moreover, the generated proxy model gave an insight on the complexity of the interrelationship between the input factors and the observants with a qualitative prospective factors. Yet, the results confirmed the applicability of CSF in core scale with an insight for field scale application.
3,4-Secocycloartane Triterpenoids from the Cones of Pseudolarix amabilis
Authors: Xiao Si-Jia , Li Bo , Huang Zheng-Rui , Yuan Wen-Lin , Ye Ji , Li Hui-Liang , Xu Xi-Ke , Shen Yun-Heng , Zhang Wei-Dong
Published: January 2021

Four new 3,4-secocycloartane triterpenoids, pseudolactones A–D (1–4), were isolated from the ethanol extract of the cones of Pseudol arixamabilis. Their structures were established by extensive 1D- and 2D-NMR experiments. The cones of P. arixamabilis are enriched in the ring-expanded or cleaved cycloartane triterpenoids. This work provides new insight into cycloartane triterpenoids from the cones of P. arixamabilis.

Graphic Abstract
Natural Products in Cancer Therapy: Past, Present and Future
Authors: Huang Min , Lu Jin-Jian , Ding Jian
Published: January 2021

Natural products, with remarkable chemical diversity, have been extensively investigated for their anticancer potential for more than a half-century. The collective efforts of the community have achieved the tremendous advancements, bringing natural products to clinical use and discovering new therapeutic opportunities, yet the challenges remain ahead. With remarkable changes in the landscape of cancer therapy and growing role of cutting-edge technologies, we may have come to a crossroads to revisit the strategies to understand nature products and to explore their therapeutic utility. This review summarizes the key advancements in nature product-centered cancer research and calls for the implementation of systematic approaches, new pharmacological models, and exploration of emerging directions to revitalize natural products search in cancer therapy.
Anti-microbial Effects In Vitro and In Vivo of Alstonia scholaris
Authors: Zhao Yun-Li , Gou Zhong-Ping , Shang Jian-Hua , Li Wan-Yi , Kuang Yu , Li Ming-Yuan , Luo Xiao-Dong
Published: January 2021

Alstonia scholaris could be used as a traditional medicinal plant in China for the treatment of acute respiratory, which might be caused by respiratory tract infections. The investigation tested the anti-infective effects of total alkaloids extract (TA) from leaves of A. scholaris, and as a result, TA inhibited herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza A virus (H1N1) in vitro respectively. In addition, the survival days of mice were prolonged, and the lung weights and mortality of mice were decreased significantly, after oral administrated TA in H1N1 and beta-hemolytic streptococcus infectious models in vivo respectively. The finding supported partly the traditional usage of A. scholaris in the treatment of respiratory infections.

Graphic Abstract
Gallbladder cancer detected by elevated serum KL-6 levels during the follow-up of interstitial pneumonia: a case report
Authors: Yonenaga Yoshikuni , Kurosawa Manabu , Higashide Shunichi
Published: January 2021

Serum Krebs von den Lungen-6 (KL-6) is clinically used for the diagnosis of interstitial pneumonia (IP) as well as the evaluation of its disease activity. A female patient was diagnosed with idiopathic IP when she was 62 years old. Four years later, serum levels of KL-6 had been elevated gradually from 2400–3821 U/ml, and she was found to have gallbladder cancer detected by contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) and 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET)/CT. She thus underwent a radical extended cholecystectomy. After the operation, serum levels of KL-6 showed a steep decline to 590 U/ml. Immunohistological examination revealed that KL-6 presented in gallbladder cancer cells. Taken together, serum KL-6 was shown to be produced by gallbladder cancer cells. Here, we present the first patient in whom increased serum KL-6 levels led to the diagnosis of gallbladder cancer during follow-up of IP. When serum levels of KL-6 are elevated during the follow-up care of IP despite no worsening of IP, an examination of the whole body should be performed to find possibly existing malignant tumors.
Different types of bullae of limbs with necrotizing fasciitis predict different outcome: a prospective study
Authors: Huang Tsung-Yu , Tsai Yao-Hung , Kuo Liang-Tseng , Hsu Wei-Hsiu , Hsiao Cheng-Ting , Hung Chien-Hui , Huang Wan-Yu , Wu Han-Ru , Chuang Hui-Ju , Li Yen-Yao , Peng Kuo-Ti
Published: January 2021

Study objective

Necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is an uncommon life-threatening necrotizing skin and soft tissue infection. Bullae are special skin manifestations of NF. This study was conducted to analyze the differences between different types of bullae of limbs with NF for providing the information to emergency treatment.

Methods

From April 2015 to August 2018, patients were initially enrolled based on surgical confirmation of limbs with NF. According to the presence of different bullae types, patients were divided into no bullae group (Group N), serous-filled bullae group (Group S), and hemorrhagic bullae group (Group H). Data such as demographics, clinical outcomes, microbiological results, presenting symptoms/signs, and laboratory findings were compared among these groups.

Results

In total, 187 patients were collected, with 111 (59.4%) patients in Group N, 35 (18.7%) in Group S, and 41 (21.9%) in Group H. Group H had the highest incidence of amputation, required intensive care unit care, and most patients infected with Vibrio species. In Group N, more patients were infected with Staphylococcus spp. than Group H. In Group S, more patients were infected with β-hemolytic Streptococcus than Group H. Patients with bacteremia, shock, skin necrosis, anemia, and longer prothrombin time constituted higher proportions in Group H and S than in Group N.

Conclusions

In southern Taiwan, patients with NF accompanied by hemorrhagic bullae appear to have more bacteremia, Vibrio infection, septic shock, and risk for amputation. If the physicians at the emergency department can detect for the early signs of NF as soon as possible, and more patient’s life and limbs may be saved.
Interstitial Laser Occlusion of the Systemic Feeding Vessel in a Hybrid Lung Lesion: Technique, Clinical Course, Perinatal Outcome and a Review of Literature
Authors: Berwal Vidhika , Sreedhar Sarala , Abraham Mohan , Krishnan Vivek
Published: January 2021

The two most common fetal lung lesions include Bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) and Congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM).Their co-existence is known as a hybrid lesion. Fetal hydrops in such cases is associated with very high morbidity and mortality. Several fetal interventions have been recommended over the past years to treat the same, with varying success rates. We describe a case of a hybrid CPAM complicated by hydrops which was successfully treated by interstitial laser coagulation of the systemic feeder artery. We also review current literature on the available interventions and conclude that interstitial laser has emerged as the preferred modality of treatment over the years.
Prenatal Binder Phenotype: Physician’s Dilemma-A Case Report
Authors: Gupta Ashutosh , Aneja Anjila , Bahl Neena , Arora Rupam , Sehgal Renu Raina , Saini Pankaj
Published: January 2021

The Binder phenotype is defined by midface hypoplasia, underdeveloped frontal sinuses, hypoplastic and abnormally positioned nasal bones, nostrils appearing moon or comma-shaped and prognathism.
It is heterogeneous in etiology and not fully understood. Multiple causative factors are described.
The physician’s dilemma is of diagnosing the fetal abnormalities on antenatal ultrasound for which there is no confirmatory testing. There are management and ethical problems regarding the diagnosis, further investigations and confirmation of the diagnosis. The Binder phenotype is a clinical diagnosis with multiple differential diagnoses. It carries an uncertain and unpredictable course and prognosis which might be difficult for both clinician and parents to predict and comprehend. Genetic counseling has to be variable depending upon the diagnosis.
Fuzzy inventory model for NVOCC’s returnable containers under empty container repositioning with leasing option
Authors: Rajeswari S. , Sugapriya C. , Nagarajan D.
Published: January 2021

At present, the entire globe gets engaged in importing and exporting the products for promoting their business in which supply chain management is playing a vital role. The main aspect of any effective supply chain management is the transportation of cargoes. To avoid the damages of cargoes during transportation and for minimizing the cost, the returnable containers are used. The present research deals with an inventory model of Non-Vessel Operating Common Carrier (NVOCC) for returnable containers with price dependent demand under fuzzy environment. In this study, it is presumed that the import of cargoes is less than the export. The Empty Container Repositioning (ECR) and the leasing options are utilized to replace the deficit containers which prevent shortages. The proportion of the used containers returned, the proportion of the repositioned containers and the fraction of repairable from the returned containers are considered as Triangular Fuzzy Numbers [TFNs]. Fuzzy inventory model is framed for the purpose of attaining optimal length of the screening, the repositioning cycle and the leasing cycle which are used to minimize the expected total cost and the proposed model is illustrated with the numerical example. The sensitivity analysis is performed to show the effect of fuzziness of return rate, repositioning rate and repairable percentage along with the changes in parameters.
A Hybrid Swarm and Gravitation-based feature selection algorithm for handwritten Indic script classification problem
Authors: Guha Ritam , Ghosh Manosij , Singh Pawan Kumar , Sarkar Ram , Nasipuri Mita
Published: January 2021

In any multi-script environment, handwritten script classification is an unavoidable pre-requisite before the document images are fed to their respective Optical Character Recognition (OCR) engines. Over the years, this complex pattern classification problem has been solved by researchers proposing various feature vectors mostly having large dimensions, thereby increasing the computation complexity of the whole classification model. Feature Selection (FS) can serve as an intermediate step to reduce the size of the feature vectors by restricting them only to the essential and relevant features. In the present work, we have addressed this issue by introducing a new FS algorithm, called Hybrid Swarm and Gravitation-based FS (HSGFS). This algorithm has been applied over three feature vectors introduced in the literature recently—Distance-Hough Transform (DHT), Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG), and Modified log-Gabor (MLG) filter Transform. Three state-of-the-art classifiers, namely, Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), K-Nearest Neighbour (KNN), and Support Vector Machine (SVM), are used to evaluate the optimal subset of features generated by the proposed FS model. Handwritten datasets at block, text line, and word level, consisting of officially recognized 12 Indic scripts, are prepared for experimentation. An average improvement in the range of 2–5% is achieved in the classification accuracy by utilizing only about 75–80% of the original feature vectors on all three datasets. The proposed method also shows better performance when compared to some popularly used FS models. The codes used for implementing HSGFS can be found in the following Github link: https://github.com/Ritam-Guha/HSGFS.
Relationship between rock uniaxial compressive strength and digital core drilling parameters and its forecast method
Authors: Gao Hongke , Wang Qi , Jiang Bei , Zhang Peng , Jiang Zhenhua , Wang Yue
Published: January 2021

The rock uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) is the basic parameter for support designs in underground engineering. In particular, the rock UCS should be obtained rapidly for underground engineering with complex geological conditions, such as soft rock, fracture areas, and high stress, to adjust the excavation and support plan and ensure construction safety. To solve the problem of obtaining real-time rock UCS at engineering sites, a rock UCS forecast idea is proposed using digital core drilling. The digital core drilling tests and uniaxial compression tests are performed based on the developed rock mass digital drilling system. The results indicate that the drilling parameters are highly responsive to the rock UCS. Based on the cutting and fracture characteristics of the rock digital core drilling, the mechanical analysis of rock cutting provides the digital core drilling strength, and a quantitative relationship model (CDP-UCS model) for the digital core drilling parameters and rock UCS is established. Thus, the digital core drilling-based rock UCS forecast method is proposed to provide a theoretical basis for continuous and quick testing of the surrounding rock UCS.
Physicochemical, mineralogy, and thermo-kinetic characterisation of newly discovered Nigerian coals under pyrolysis and combustion conditions
Authors: Nyakuma Bemgba B. , Jauro Aliyu , Akinyemi Segun A. , Faizal Hasan M. , Nasirudeen Mohammed B. , Fuad Muhammad Ariff H. M. , Oladokun Olagoke
Published: January 2021

In this study, the physicochemical, microstructural, mineralogical, thermal, and kinetic properties of three newly discovered coals from Akunza (AKZ), Ome (OME), and Shiga (SHG) in Nigeria were examined for potential energy recovery. Physicochemical analysis revealed high combustible but low levels of polluting elements. The higher heating values ranged from 18.65 MJ/kg (AKZ) to 26.59 MJ/kg (SHG). Microstructure and mineralogical analyses revealed particles with a rough texture, surface, and glassy lustre, which could be ascribed to metals, quartz, and kaolinite minerals. The major elements (C, O, Si, and Al), along with minor elements (Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, S, and Ti) detected are associated with clays, salts, or the porphyrin constituents of coal. Thermal analysis showed mass loss (ML) ranges from 30.51% to 87.57% and residual mass (RM) from 12.44% to 69.49% under combustion (oxidative) and pyrolysis (non-oxidative) TGA conditions due to thermal degradation of organic matter and macerals (vitrinite, inertinite and liptinite). Kinetic analysis revealed the coals are highly reactive under the oxidative and non-oxidative conditions based on the Coats–Redfern Model. The activation energy (Ea) ranged from 23.81 to 89.56 kJ/mol, whereas the pre-exponential factor (ko) was from 6.77 × 10–4/min to 1.72 × 103/min under pyrolysis and combustion conditions. In conclusion, the coals are practical feedstocks for either energy recovery or industrial applications.
GeantV
Authors: Amadio G. , Ananya A. , Apostolakis J. , Bandieramonte M. , Banerjee S. , Bhattacharyya A. , Bianchini C. , Bitzes G. , Canal P. , Carminati F. , Chaparro-Amaro O. , Cosmo G. , De Fine Licht J. C. , Drogan V. , Duhem L. , Elvira D. , Fuentes J. , Gheata A. , Gheata M. , Gravey M. , Goulas I. , Hariri F. , Jun S. Y. , Konstantinov D. , Kumawat H. , Lima J. G. , Maldonado-Romo A. , Martínez-Castro J. , Mato P. , Nikitina T. , Novaes S. , Novak M. , Pedro K. , Pokorski W. , Ribon A. , Schmitz R. , Seghal R. , Shadura O. , Tcherniaev E. , Vallecorsa S. , Wenzel S. , Zhang Y.
Published: January 2021

Full detector simulation was among the largest CPU consumers in all CERN experiment software stacks for the first two runs of the Large Hadron Collider. In the early 2010s, it was projected that simulation demands would scale linearly with increasing luminosity, with only partial compensation from increasing computing resources. The extension of fast simulation approaches to cover more use cases that represent a larger fraction of the simulation budget is only part of the solution, because of intrinsic precision limitations. The remainder corresponds to speeding up the simulation software by several factors, which is not achievable by just applying simple optimizations to the current code base. In this context, the GeantV R&D project was launched, aiming to redesign the legacy particle transport code in order to benefit from features of fine-grained parallelism, including vectorization and increased locality of both instruction and data. This paper provides an extensive presentation of the results and achievements of this R&D project, as well as the conclusions and lessons learned from the beta version prototype.
Effect of Hepatitis C Drugs on Blood Coagulability in Patients on Warfarin Using the Medical Information Database Network (MID-NET®) in Japan
Authors: Sawada Sono , Ando Takashi , Hirano Mai , Komiyama Noriyuki , Iguchi Toyotaka , Oniyama Yukio , Ishiguro Chieko , Uyama Yoshiaki
Published: January 2021

Background

Previous studies suggested that direct-acting antivirals (DAAs) against hepatitis C increased the blood coagulability of patients on warfarin. This study aims to descriptively investigate the effects of DAAs on the blood coagulability and liver function of patients on warfarin in Japan.

Methods

The Medical Information Database Network (MID-NET®) was used as data source. Fluctuations of blood coagulability and liver function were examined before and after DAA treatment in patients who were prescribed both DAAs and warfarin at least once during the study period from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2017.

Results

For the 16 eligible patients, the mean values of both PT-INR and WSI (warfarin sensitivity index) defined as the value obtained by dividing the PT-INR by the warfarin daily dose slightly decreased at the date of completion of the DAA treatment in comparison with those at the date of initiation and subsequently increased at 12 weeks after treatment completion. In contrast, the warfarin daily dose increased at the date of completion of the DAA treatment, followed by a decrease at 12 weeks after its completion. Several laboratory tests related to the liver function also revealed a similar decrease at the end of the DAA treatment.

Conclusion

The analysis of MID-NET® data provides useful information on drug safety assessment of real-world patients. The results of this study imply that fluctuation of the liver function test results may relate to the fluctuation of blood coagulability in patients on both DAA and warfarin. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the usefulness and limitations of real-world data in MID-NET® for regulatory purposes.
Real-World Data for Planning Eligibility Criteria and Enhancing Recruitment: Recommendations from the Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative
Authors: Evans Scott R. , Paraoan Dianne , Perlmutter Jane , Raman Sudha R. , Sheehan John J. , Hallinan Zachary P.
Published: January 2021

The growing availability of real-world data (RWD) creates opportunities for new evidence generation and improved efficiency across the research enterprise. To varying degrees, sponsors now regularly use RWD to make data-driven decisions about trial feasibility, based on assessment of eligibility criteria for planned clinical trials. Increasingly, RWD are being used to support targeted, timely, and personalized outreach to potential trial participants that may improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the recruitment process. This paper highlights recommendations and resources, including specific case studies, developed by the Clinical Trials Transformation Initiative (CTTI) for applying RWD to planning eligibility criteria and recruiting for clinical trials. Developed through a multi-stakeholder, consensus- and evidence-driven process, these actionable tools support researchers in (1) determining whether RWD are fit for purpose with respect to study planning and recruitment, (2) engaging cross-functional teams in the use of RWD for study planning and recruitment, and (3) understanding patient and site needs to develop successful and patient-centric approaches to RWD-supported recruitment. Future considerations for the use of RWD are explored, including ensuring full patient understanding of data use and developing global datasets.
Recent progresses in the mechanism, performance, and fabrication methods of metal-derived nanomaterials for efficient electrochemical CO2reduction
Authors: Mustafa Azeem , Lougou Bachirou Guene , Shuai Yong , Wang Zhijiang , Razzaq Samia , Shagdar Enkhbayar , Zhao Jiupeng , Shan Jingjing
Published: January 2021

The electrochemical CO2reduction (ECR) to produce valuable chemicals and fuels using clean energy resources is a promising and effective route to support energy storage and reduce the large CO2concentration to avoid climate change.
In situ generation of a soft–tough asymmetric composite electrolyte for dendrite-free lithium metal batteries
Authors: Zhang Ningyue , Wang Guoxu , Feng Ming , Fan Li-Zhen
Published: January 2021

Asymmetric CPE was prepared by utilizing the natural settlement of LLZAO during the monomer polymerization process. This asymmetric CPE can successfully achieve both excellent interfacial contact with electrodes and dendrite suppression of Li anode.
Revisiting the Natural History of Chronic Scaphoid Nonunions: A Retrospective Study of 20 Cases
Authors: Jerome J. Terrence Jose
Published: January 2021

Background The natural history of scaphoid nonunion is the development of degenerative arthritis. A lot of information is still unclear about this progression. The purpose of this study is to analyze patients with scaphoid nonunions who had not received any kind of treatment and to assess the functional outcome.

Materials and Methods This is a retrospective study that analyzed the patients with chronic scaphoid nonunions between 2009 and 2019. None of the patients received any treatment. The age at the time of injury, examination, pattern of fracture, types of scaphoid nonunion, symptoms, and duration of nonunion were noted. Diagnosis was confirmed by radiographs, computed tomography (CT) scan, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Scapholunate and radiolunate angles were recorded. Pain score, modified mayo wrist score, grip strength, range of movement, and the functional outcome of these scaphoid nonunions were analyzed. A statistical correlation between the scaphoid nonunion presentations and the functional outcome was assessed.

Results The mean age of the patients was 62 years (range: 35–82 years.). There were 17 male and 3 female patients. There were 9 waist and 11 proximal pole scaphoid nonunions. The mean duration of scaphoid nonunion was 34 years (range: 10–62 years). None of the patients had avascular necrosis (AVN) of the proximal scaphoid. The age at examination, gender, side of injury, fracture pattern (waist/proximal pole), fracture displacement ≤ 1 mm or > 1 mm, nonunion duration, and radiographic arthritic parameters had no significant impact on the functional outcome.

Conclusions Untreated chronic scaphoid nonunion leads to the development of degenerative arthritis over a period of years, which is still unpredictable. Most of the patients become aware of the nonunion following a precedent injury or other reasons. Most of the patients have fair/good functional outcome despite reduced range of movements and grip strength. Many do not favor surgical intervention in the course of nonunion. Chronic nonunions open a lot of unanswered questions.

Clinical Relevance There have been numerous studies on the treatment aspects of scaphoid nonunion, with little knowledge about certain people with nonunion who did not have any kind of treatment. The demographics, clinical findings, and radiological parameters do confirm the progression of these nonunion to arthritis, but most of them had fair-to-good outcome throughout their life. It opens our thinking about the real need of treatment in such nonunions and raises numerous questions about the disease.

Level of Evidence This is a Level IV study.
Palmar Musculature: Does It Affect the Development of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome? A Pilot Study
Authors: Simcox Trevor , Seo Lauren , Dunham Kevin , Huang Shengnan , Petchprapa Catherine , Wollstein Ronit
Published: January 2021

Background The etiology of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is multifactorial. Static mechanical characteristics of CTS have been described, but dynamic (muscular) parameters remain obscure. We believe that musculature overlying the transverse carpal ligament may have an effect on carpal tunnel pressure and may explain the prevalence of CTS in manual workers.

Questions/Purposes To utilize magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) imaging to estimate the amount of muscle crossing the area of the carpal tunnel and to compare these MRI measurements in patients with and without documented CTS.

Methods A case–control study of wrist MRI scans between January 1, 2018, and December 1, 2019, was performed. Patients with a diagnosis of CTS were matched by age and gender with controls without a diagnosis of CTS. Axial MRI cuts at the level of the hook of the hamate were used to measure the thenar and hypothenar muscle depth overlying the carpal tunnel. Muscle depth was quantified in millimeters at three points: midcapitate, capitate–hamate border, capitate–trapezoid border. Average depth was calculated by dividing the cross-sectional area (CSA) by the transverse carpal ligament width. Statistical analysis included Student's t-test, chi-square test, and Pearson's correlation coefficient calculation.

Results A total of 21 cases and 21 controls met the inclusion criteria for the study. There were no significant differences in demographics between case and control groups. The location and depth of the musculature crossing the carpal tunnel were highly variable in all areas evaluated. A significantly positive correlation was found between proximal median nerve CSA and muscle depth in the capitate–hamate area (correlation coefficient = 0.375; p = 0.014). CSA was not significantly associated with chart documented CTS.

Conclusions We found large variability in our measurements. This likely reflects true anatomical variation. The significance of our findings depends on the location of the muscles and the line of pull and their effect on the mechanics of the transverse carpal ligament. Future research will focus on refining measurement methodology and understanding the mechanical effect of the muscular structure and insertions on carpal tunnel pressure.

Level of Evidence This is a Level 3, case–control study.
Return-to-Sport Review for Current Cartilage Treatments
Authors: Skelley Nathan W. , Kurtenbach Chad , Kimber Kristofer , Piatt Bruce , Noonan Benjamin
Published: January 2021

The return to play outcome is an important measure for orthopaedic sports medicine treatments. This variable is especially important when discussing cartilage treatments because there are many different cartilage options available to athletes with articular injuries and this population is particularly interested in the ability to return to activities. Although many outcome variables are considered in any surgical procedure, the return-to-sport variable is focused on an active population and can be tailored to that patient's sport-specific goals. In this article, we will review some of the most recent and up-to-date articles describing return-to-sport outcomes for various knee cartilage treatments. This article will focus on the most common current knee cartilage treatments including microfracture, autologous chondrocyte implantation, osteochondral autograft transplant, and osteochondral allograft transplantation.