bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Planning and conducting internal audit in practice in the private sector
Authors: Jović Zorica
Published: March 2021

During the data collection process to understand and assess risk, internal auditors gain significant insight into operations and opportunities for improvement that can be extremely beneficial to the organization. This paper presents valuable insights into practical work that will assist internal auditors in the process of planning and conducting internal audit in the private sector. In the process of internal audit, it primarily starts from planning through the creation of an audit universe that includes a list of all potential audits based on risk and exposure assessment. The chief audit executive develops an annual action plan based on the audit universe. The annual plan should be broken down into four quarters and each defined audit should be arbitrarily assigned to one quarter. The beginning of the process of the planned audit begins with preparatory activities that include defining the objectives of the individual audit, preparation of a detailed schedule of the individual audit, conducting a preliminary survey. What follows is that audit sampling techniques (defined as the application of audit procedures to less than 100% of items within a class of transactions or account balance so that each sample unit has a chance to be selected) perform sample selection from the population. According to the selected model, the audit is approached on the basis of which the opinion of the internal auditor is issued in the created engagement report.
Personal interview with clients in insurance agency and brokerage
Authors: Žarković Nebojša
Published: March 2021

This Article explores a direct, personal interview as the most important type of communication with a client in insurance agency and brokerage, that is in insurance business as a whole. The accent is primarily placed on the preparation for an interview and within that the selection of clients, scheduling interviews, pro-viding necessary data and preparing the supporting material. It is quite reasonable that this paper predominantly deals with conducting a personal interview, whereby it is advisable to obey particular rules and stages of the interview. The Article also highlights the importance of analyzing the interviews conducted with the Insured. Particular chapters deal with the characteristics of personal interviews in modern environment, especially its relation with machine interview as one of the outcomes of emerging new technology. Insurance agents and brokers have the task to use and benefit from this innovation if they wish to maintain their success on the market.
Internet and freedom of expression in the case law of the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Mijović Ljiljana
Published: March 2021

Internet as a means of communication, whatever the type of information it might be used for, falls within the exercise of the right to freedom of expression, as guaranteed by Article 10 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. As established in the European Court's case law, freedom of expression constitutes one of the essentials of a democratic society, therefore limitations on that freedom foreseen in Article 10 § 2 of the Convention are to be interpreted strictly. In order to ensure effective protection of one's freedom of expression on the Internet, States bear a positive obligation to create an appropriate regulatory framework, balancing the right to freedom of expression on one and the limitations prescribed in Article 10 § 2, on the other hand. Special attention in doing so is to be paid to the risk of harm posed by content and communications on the Internet to the exercise and enjoyment of other human rights and freedoms guaranteed by the European Convention, particularly the right to respect for private life. While it is the fact that the electronic network, serving billions of users worldwide, will never be subject to the same regulations and control, because of the national authorities' margin of appreciation, the European Court established commonly applicable general principles regarding the Internet as a media of exercising right to freedom of expression.
A Critical Discourse Analysis of School-Based Behavioural Policies: Reconceptualizing Understandings of Responses to Student (Mis)Behaviours
Authors: Colorado Cara , Janzen Melanie D.
Published: March 2021

Students who have been labeled as having “behaviour problems” in the school system have some of the worst academic and social outcomes of any student group. In most Canadian provinces, responses to students who misbehave are legislated through Safe Schools policies intended to guide districts and individual schools in responding to student misbehaviour. In this research project, we conducted a critical discourse analysis of Manitoba’s Safe and Caring Schools documentation in order to analyze the ways in which provincial policies construct school-based responses to behaviours. Based on our analysis, recommendations for policy-makers to better support studentsinclude revising policies to reflect reconceptualized views of children, non-deficit understandings of behaviour, and ethical responses to student behaviour.
Review of the book Los sentidos del cuerpo: Un giro sensorial en la investigación social y los estudios de género. Center for Gender Research and Studies, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Mexico City, 2019
Authors: Mosquera Acevedo Einer
Published: March 2021

This collective endeavour is a recent contribution that, according to the foreword writer and international figure of renown in sensory sociology David Howes, makes a remarkable contribution to the matureness of the sensory turn in social sciences. For Howes this is a book that expresses solidly the consolidation of a stance regarding what he considers an appropriate study of the body, emotions and senses; i.e. understanding them as constructions and configurations produced by a constant interrelation between people and the material and social world surrounding them. Howes takes up on the review of work lines that he considers fundamental for the maturation of the sensory turn as axes that in one way or another are present in the different contributions to the book. The Canadian researcher highlights the adequate handling of the methodological strategies and the high grade of theoretical sophistication in each chapter.
SOSYAL MEDYA ORGANLARINDA CANLI YAYIN YAPMA ALIŞKANLIĞI: TWITTER’DA ÖLÜMLÜ TRAFİK KAZALARI İÇERİKLİ İLETİLERİN İNCELENMESİ
Authors: ŞENLİK Ahmet
Published: March 2021

21.Yüzyıl teknolojik gelişmelerin zirve yaptığı bir zaman dilimi olmuştur. İçinde bulunduğumuz bu yüzyıla teknolojik gelişmeler neticesinde dijital çağ ya da internet çağı da denmektedir. Yeni medya çatısı altında inceleyebileyeceğimiz çevrim içi iletişim, bilgi, katılım, etkileşim ve iş birliği olarak adlandırılan sosyal medya uygulamaları (Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, İnstagram vb.) Web 2,0 teknolojisinin toplum hayatına eklemlenmesiyle bireylere internet ortamında sadece tüketici olarak değil üretici olarak da varlık gösterebilme imkânı sunmuştur. Bireyler bu uygulamalarla anlık canlı yayın yapabilir hale gelmiştir. İlk bakışta göze ve kulağa hoş gelen bu gelişmeler beraberinde birtakım olumsuzluklar da getirmiştir. Bireyler sosyal medya mecralarında takipçilerine içerik üretebilmek adına, aşırı dikkat gerektiren araç kullanımı sırasında dikkatlerini bu canlı yayınlara yönlendirerek trafik kazalarına sebebiyet vermektedir. Hedef kitle konumunda olan kişiler bu tarz kaza haberlerine ilgi duymaktadır. Bu anlamda yeni medya teknolojileri nedeniyle kaza yapan bireylerin, sosyal medya kullanıcıları bağlamında etkileri araştırmanın ilgi odağındadır. Bunun nedeni sosyal medyada canlı yayın kaynaklı trafik kazalarının “Ölümle” sonuçlanmasıdır. Bu makalede 01.03.2018 - 30.11.2020 tarihleri arasında twitter’da canlı yayında trafik kazası geçirenlerle ilgili haberlere yorum yazan 50 adet tweet derlenerek içerik analizi bağlamında incelenip, hedef kitlenin bu haberleri nasıl yorumladığı ortaya çıkarılmaya çalışılmıştır.
High throughput microRNAs sequencing profile of serum exosomes in women with and without polycystic ovarian syndrome
Authors: Zhang Feng , Li Su-Ping , Zhang Tao , Yu Bin , Zhang Juan , Ding Hai-Gang , Ye Fei-Jun , Yuan Hua , Ma Ying-Ying , Pan Hai-Tao , He Yao
Published: March 2021

Background

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is the most common type of endocrine disorder, affecting 5–11% of women of reproductive age worldwide. microRNAs (miRNAs) stably exist in circulating blood encapsulated in extracellular vesicles such as exosomes; therefore, serum miRNAs have the potential to serve as novel PCOS biomarkers.

Methods

To identify miRNA biomarkers that are associated with PCOS, we performed a comprehensive sequence-based characterization of the PCOS serum miRNA landscape. The serum exosomes were successfully isolated and characterized in a variety of ways. Next, sequence-based analysis was performed on serum exosomes to screen the differentially expressed miRNAs in women with and without PCOS.

Results

The sequence data revealed that the levels of 54 miRNAs significantly differed between PCOS patients and normal controls. The levels of these miRNAs were detected by RT-qPCR. The results show that hsa-miR-1299, hsa-miR-6818-5p hsa-miR-192-5p, and hsa-miR-145-5p are significantly differentially expressed in PCOS patients serum exosomes and identify these microRNAs as potential biomarkers for PCOS. Furthermore, Gene Ontology (GO) analyses and KEGG pathway analyses of the miRNA targets further allowed to explore the potential implication of the miRNAs in PCOS.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that serum exosomal miRNAs serve important roles in PCOS and may be used as novel molecular biomarkers for clinical diagnosis.
Screening and identification of endometrial proteins as novel potential biomarkers for repeated implantation failure
Authors: Wang Chong , Feng Ying , Zhou Wen-Jing , Cheng Zhao-Jun , Jiang Mei-Yan , Zhou Yan , Fei Xiao-Yang
Published: March 2021

Inadequate endometrial receptivity may be responsible for the low implantation rate of transferred embryos in in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatments. Patients with repeated implantation failure (RIF) impact the clinical pregnancy rate for IVF. We collected endometrial tissue during the implantation window of hysteroscopy biopsies from September 2016 to December 2019 and clinical data were collected simultaneously. Patients were divided into RIF and pregnant controls group according to pregnancy outcomes. A total of 82 differentially expressed endometrial proteins were identified, including 55 up-regulated proteins (>1.50-fold, P < 0.05) and 27 down-regulated proteins (<0.67-fold, P < 0.05) by iTRAQ labeling coupled with the 2D LC MS/MS technique in the RIF group. String analysis found interactions between these proteins which assembled in two bunches: ribosomal proteins and blood homeostasis proteins. The most significant enriched Gene Ontology terms were negative regulation of hydrolase activity, blood microparticle, and enzyme inhibitor activity. Our results emphasized the corticosteroid-binding globulin and fetuin-A as the specific proteins of endometrial receptivity by Western-blot. Our study provided experimental data to establish the objective indicator of endometrial receptivity, and also provided new insight into the pathogenesis of RIF.
Heparin-binding protein and procalcitonin in the diagnosis of pathogens causing community-acquired pneumonia in adult patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Cai Rentian , Li Huihui , Tao Zhen
Published: March 2021

The performance of inflammatory markers in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) caused by different pathogens has not been fully studied. We sought to find the differences in the concentrations of procalcitonin (PCT) and heparin-binding protein (HBP) between patients with CAP caused by different pathogens. We enrolled 162 patients with CAP, divided into three groups on the basis of bacterial (n = 108), fungal (n = 21) and viral (n = 33) infection. Complete leukocyte counts and the concentration of HBP and PCT were measured, and the differences were compared with nonparametric tests. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the significant differences in the sensitivity and specificity of the indicators. The leukocyte and neutrophils counts and the concentrations of HBP and PCT in the viral group were significantly lower than those in the other two groups (p < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the concentration of HBP and PCT as well as leukocyte and neutrophils counts were 0.927, 0.892, 0.832 and 0.806 for distinguishing bacterial from viral infection, respectively. The best cut-off value was 20.05 ng/mL for HBP, with a sensitivity of 0.861 and specificity of 0.939. The best cut-off value was 0.195 ng/mL for PCT, with a sensitivity of 0.991 and specificity of 0.636. The best cut-off value was 5.195 × 109/L and 4.000 × 109/L for leukocyte and neutrophils counts, with sensitivity of 0.694 and 0.880 and specificity of 0.667 and 0.636, respectively. The AUC of HBP, PCT and leukocyte and neutrophil counts for distinguishing fungal from viral infection were 0.851, 0.883, 0.835 and 0.830, respectively. The best cut-off values were 29.950 ng/mL, 0.560 ng/mL, 5.265 × 109/L and 3.850 × 109/L, with sensitivity of 0.667, 0.714, 0.905 and 0.952 and specificity of 0.970, 0.879 0.667 and 0.606, respectively. There were no significant differences in the three indicators between the bacterial and fungal infection groups. The concentration of CRP showed no significant differences among the three groups. Consequently, the stronger immune response characterized by higher inflammation markers including HBP and PCT can help distinguish bacterial and fungal CAP from viral CAP.
Which Strategy to Manage Severe Vaso-occlusive Crisis in Patients with Sickle Cell Disease in Countries with Limited Healthcare Capacities?
Authors: Ngolet Lydie Ocini , Bango Chelsea Jayne , Mawandza Peggy , Dokekias Alexis Elira
Published: March 2021

We evaluated the treatment of morphine by intravenous patient controlled analgesia versus intermittent subcutaneous routes on patients with sickle cell disease developing severe vaso-occlusivecrisis.

Objectives: The primary objective was to compare intravenous patient controlled analgesia (PCA) versus intermittent subcutaneous injection of morphine (SC) on sickle cell patients developing severe vaso-occlusive crisis during the first 24 hours of admission. The secondary objective was to assess the side effects of morphine in both regimens.

Methods: A randomized controlled trial of 77 patients in the PCA and 81 in the SC group was conducted at the Sickle Cell Center of Brazzaville in the Republic of Congo. Participants aged from

15 to 45 years old with severe vaso-occlusive crisis were included in the study.

Results: Both regimens provided pain relief. However, a significant pain reduction was observed 30 minutes after the administration of morphine in the PCA group (P= 0.001). The mean scores in the PCA and SC regimens were respectively: 1.16±1.40 and 4.30±2.32. The total median dose of morphine administered in the PCA regimen was markedly lower: 24,6±4,16 mg versus 36.6±3.1 mg in the SC group (P=0.01). Morphine administered by PCA provided pain relief during 24 hours while intermittent severe pain was experienced in the SC group (P=0.014). Sedation score S2, S3 was significantly observed in the SC group (P< 0.05).
Establishing Robust Control for Epoxy Open Time
Authors: Capili Michael D.
Published: March 2021

The Open time is called the time it takes for this chemical transition from liquid to solid. The epoxy moves into a gel state from the liquid state as it recovers, until it enters a solid-state. This article will address the development of a new, regulatory-compliant in die attach epoxy that establishes robust Epoxy Open Time control to improve the performance of product reliability with the following quality output response characteristic in Die Attach was consider; Epoxy Coverage, epoxy voids, Bond Line Thickness (BLT), and Die Shear Test (DST) strength response.
Modeling of Leadframe Strip Warpage after Die Attach Cure Process
Authors: Talledo Jefferson
Published: March 2021

In the leadframe package assembly process, silicon die is attached to the leadframe using a die attach adhesive material and the bonded strip is then cured. However, excessive strip warpage after the die attach cure process is a challenging problem that also affects the succeeding assembly processes. In this study, strip warpage modeling was done using a finite element analysis (FEA) technique to understand the warpage mechanism after die attach cure and find options to reduce strip warpage. The effect of changing the leadframe thickness, die thickness, and the leadframe design in terms of the number of strip panels or changing the connecting bar was analyzed. Modeling demonstrated that lead frame contracts faster than the silicon die resulting in the “frowning” warpage that agrees with the actual observation. It was also shown that increasing the die thickness by 25% results in 27% warpage reduction. Results also showed that increasing the number of panels or maps in a strip could significantly reduce the strip warpage. Improving the panel-to-panel isolation using stress relief cuts is also another option to reduce warpage after die attach cure.
Estimated Prevalence of US Physicians With Disabilities
Authors: Nouri Zakia , Dill Michael J. , Conrad Sarah S. , Moreland Christopher J. , Meeks Lisa M.
Published: March 2021

This survey study uses data from the Association of American Medical Colleges National Sample Survey of Physicians to assess the prevalence and characteristics of US physicians with disabilities among a survey of 6000 practicing physicians.
Retrospective SPECT/CT dosimetry following transarterial radioembolization
Authors: Thompson Briana C. , Dezarn William A.
Published: March 2021

Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) effectively treats unresectable primary and metastatic liver tumors through intra‐arterial injection of Yttrium‐90 (90Y) beta particle emitting microspheres which implant around the tumor. Current dosimetry models are highly simplistic and there is a large need for an image‐based dosimetry post‐TARE, which would improve treatment safety and efficacy. Current post‐TARE imaging is 90Y bremsstrahlung SPECT/CT and we study the use of these images for dosimetry. Retrospective image review of ten patients having a Philips HealthcareTM SPECT/CT following TARE SIR‐Spheres® implantation. Emission series with attenuation correction were resampled to 3 mm resolution and used to create image‐based dose distributions. Dose distributions and analysis were performed in MIM Software SurePlanTM utilizing SurePlanTM Local Deposition Method (LDM) and a dose convolution method (WFBH). We sought to implement a patient‐specific background subtraction prior to dose calculation to make these noisy bremsstrahlung SPECT images suitable for post‐TARE dosimetry. On average the percentage of mean background counts to maximum count in the image across all patients was 9.4 ± 4.9% (maximum = 7.6%, minimum = 2.3%). Absolute dose increased and profile line width decreased as background subtraction value increased. The average value of the LDM and WFBH dose methods was statistically the same. As background subtraction value increased, the DVH curves become unrealistic and distorted. Background subtraction on bremsstrahlung SPECT image has a large effect on post‐TARE dosimetry. The background contour defined provides a systematic estimate to the activity background that accounts for the scanner and patient conditions at the time of the image study and is easily implemented using commercially available software. Using the mean count in the background contour as a subtraction across the entire image gave the most realistic dose distributions. This methodology is independent of microsphere and software manufacturer allowing for use with any available products or tools.
A Single‐Dose, Implant‐Based, Trivalent Virus‐like Particle Vaccine against “Cholesterol Checkpoint” Proteins
Authors: Ortega‐Rivera Oscar A. , Pokorski Jonathan K. , Steinmetz Nicole F.
Published: March 2021

Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death globally. Lowering cholesterol levels in plasma is the mainstay therapy; however lifelong treatment and adverse effects call for improved therapeutic interventions. A trivalent vaccine candidate targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin‐9 (PCSK9), apolipoprotein B (ApoB), and cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is developed. Vaccine candidates are developed using bacteriophage Qβ‐based virus‐like particles (VLPs) displaying antigens of PCKS9, ApoB, and CETP, respectively. Vaccine candidate mixtures are formulated as slow‐release PLGA:VLP implants using hot‐melt extrusion. The delivery of the trivalent vaccine candidate via the implant produced antibodies against the cholesterol checkpoint proteins at levels comparable to a three‐dose injection schedule with soluble mixtures. The reduction in PCSK9 and ApoB levels in plasma, inhibition of CETP (in vitro), and total plasma cholesterol decrease is achieved. Altogether, a platform technology for a single‐dose multi‐agent proteins is presented.
Therapeutic Delivery of Pip4k2c‐Modified mRNA Attenuates Cardiac Hypertrophy and Fibrosis in the Failing Heart
Authors: Magadum Ajit , Singh Neha , Kurian Ann Anu , Sharkar Mohammad Tofael Kabir , Sultana Nishat , Chepurko Elena , Kaur Keerat , Żak Magdalena M. , Hadas Yoav , Lebeche Djamel , Sahoo Susmita , Hajjar Roger , Zangi Lior
Published: March 2021

Heart failure (HF) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. One of the risk factors for HF is cardiac hypertrophy (CH), which is frequently accompanied by cardiac fibrosis (CF). CH and CF are controlled by master regulators mTORC1 and TGF‐β, respectively. Type‐2‐phosphatidylinositol‐5‐phosphate‐4‐kinase‐gamma (Pip4k2c) is a known mTORC1 regulator. It is shown that Pip4k2c is significantly downregulated in the hearts of CH and HF patients as compared to non‐injured hearts. The role of Pip4k2c in the heart during development and disease is unknown. It is shown that deleting Pip4k2c does not affect normal embryonic cardiac development; however, three weeks after TAC, adult Pip4k2c−/− mice has higher rates of CH, CF, and sudden death than wild‐type mice. In a gain‐of‐function study using a TAC mouse model, Pip4k2c is transiently upregulated using a modified mRNA (modRNA) gene delivery platform, which significantly improve heart function, reverse CH and CF, and lead to increased survival. Mechanistically, it is shown that Pip4k2c inhibits TGFβ1 via its N‐terminal motif, Pip5k1α, phospho‐AKT 1/2/3, and phospho‐Smad3. In sum, loss‐and‐gain‐of‐function studies in a TAC mouse model are used to identify Pip4k2c as a potential therapeutic target for CF, CH, and HF, for which modRNA is a highly translatable gene therapy approach.
Copper (II) Phthalocyanine (CuPc) Based Optoelectronic Memory Device with Multilevel Resistive Switching for Neuromorphic Application
Authors: Das Biswajit , Samanta Madhupriya , Sarkar Pranab , Ghorai Uttam K. , Mallik Abhijit , Chattopadhyay Kalyan K.
Published: March 2021

The 1D nanotubular organic semiconductor, copper (II) phthalocyanine (CuPc), embedded in poly‐methyl methacrylate (PMMA) is employed for the first time for multilevel resistive switching (RS) and neuromorphic applications. Single–double bonded planar CuPc tubes are synthesized via simple solvothermal methods and dispersed in the PMMA solution with different weight concentrations. The composite sample is deposited on an ITO coated transparent, flexible and conducting PET substrate to form Ag/CuPc@PMMA/ ITO device. I–V characterizations of the cell reveal a formation free, bipolar, non‐volatile, multilevel RS effect. The device shows a significantly large resistance ON/OFF ratio of 104, low threshold operating voltage (<2 V), large endurance (>104 cycles) and long retention time (>104 s) at room temperature. The multilevel resistive states are induced by visible light illumination. Based on the experimental data, the conduction mechanism of this type of RS memory device under the optical and the electrical impulse is attributed by the charge trapping and detrapping methods. The synaptic short‐term and long‐term potentiation are also studied on the device during the identical pulse training process. The proposed RS active material is a potential candidate for future artificial neural systems that simulate characteristics of human memory.
Investigating HOMO Energy Levels of Terminal Emitters for Realizing High‐Brightness and Stable TADF‐Assisted Fluorescence Organic Light‐Emitting Diodes
Authors: Lee Yi‐Ting , Chan Chin‐Yiu , Tanaka Masaki , Mamada Masashi , Balijapalli Umamahesh , Tsuchiya Youichi , Nakanotani Hajime , Hatakeyama Takuji , Adachi Chihaya
Published: March 2021

By simple modification of the functional groups on the boron–nitrogen‐containing skeleton, the energy level of the highest occupied molecular orbital (EHOMO) of emitters can be easily adjusted. Blue‐emission derivatives are developed, which are capable of showing small full width at half maximums and high photoluminescence quantum yields. Blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF)‐assisted fluorescence organic light‐emitting diodes (TAF‐OLEDs) based on two new emitters as the terminal emitter are fabricated, resulting in high external quantum efficiency (EQE) of up to 21.9%, high color purity, and high brightness (Lmax = 63 777 cd m−2). By analyzing the transient electroluminescence spectra of the TAF‐OLEDs, it is found that a smaller EHOMO difference between TADF‐assistant dopant (TADF‐AD) and terminal emitter efficiently helps to decrease hole trapping inside the emitting layer, hence resulting in a lower efficiency rolloff and a longer operational device lifetime. TAF‐OLEDs based on CzBNCz as a terminal emitter having the closest EHOMO to that of TADF‐AD show a maximum EQE of 21.9% together with a reduced efficiency rolloff (EQEs of 21.2% and 19.8% at 100 and 1000 cd m−2, respectively). This research provides a designing principle for a terminal emitter in TAF‐OLEDs with well‐matched energy levels towards reaching the requirements of commercial displays.
Epitaxial Stabilization of Metastable 3C BaRuO3 Thin Film with Ferromagnetic Non‐Fermi Liquid Phase
Authors: Lee Sang A , Ok Jong Mok , Lee Jegon , Hwang Jae‐Yeol , Yoon Sangmoon , Park Se‐Jeong , Song Sehwan , Bae Jong‐Seong , Park Sungkyun , Lee Ho Nyung , Choi Woo Seok
Published: March 2021

Thin films of perovskite ruthenates of the general formula ARuO3 (A = Ca and Sr) are versatile electrical conductors for viable oxide electronics. They are also scientifically intriguing, as they exhibit nontrivial electromagnetic ground states depending on the A‐site element. Among them, realization of the cubic perovskite (3C) BaRuO3 in thin film form has been a challenge so far, because the 3C phase is metastable with the largest formation energy among the various polymorph phases of BaRuO3. In this study, 3C BaRuO3 thin films are successfully prepared employing epitaxial stabilization. The 3C BaRuO3 thin films show itinerant ferromagnetism with a transition temperature of ≈48 K and a non‐Fermi liquid phase. The epitaxial stabilization of the 3C BaRuO3 further enables to make a standard comparison of perovskite ruthenates, thereby establishing the importance of the RuO orbital hybridization in understanding the itinerant magnetic system.
Fabrication of High Specific Electrical Conductivity and High Ampacity Carbon Nanotube/Copper Composite Wires
Authors: Bazbouz Mohamed B. , Aziz Atif , Copic Davor , De Volder Michael , Welland Mark E.
Published: March 2021

A challenge is to integrate Cu with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and form a free‐standing composite wire. This is achieved by first making a CNT filament using high concentration (20 g L−1 ) CNT dispersion, an acid‐free wet spinning process and then by replacing the polymer with copper using heat based polymer decomposition and periodic pulse reverse electroplating. It is demonstrated that indeed the specific conductivity and the current‐carrying capability (or ampacity) are increased manifold. The multiwalled CNT (MWCNT)/Cu composite wires developed in this paper have electrical conductivity σ ≈ 5.5 × 10 5 S cm−1. These MWCNT/Cu wires are 2/3rd the weight of bulk Cu wires. Their specific electrical conductivity is σρ ≈ 9.38 ×10 4 S cm2 g−1 which is 45% higher than International Annealed Copper Standard Cu. These composite wires have an ampacity of A ≈ 20 × 105 and 4 × 105 A cm−2 for 1.5 and 17 mm gauge length wires, respectively, which is four to six times higher than pure Cu depending on the wire lengths. MWCNTs volume percentage in the MWCNT/Cu wire is about 40%.
Sustainable optimization of waste management network over extended planning time horizon
Authors: Saif Yousef , Almansoori Ali , Elkamel Ali
Published: March 2021

This study proposes a multiperiod mixed integer linear programming model for the management of a single municipal solid waste (MSW) treatment plant with sustainability as the objective. Discrete and continuous variables define the capacity selections for diverse MSW technologies, and the operation of the MSW network, respectively. The economic target is considered to maximize the net present value. The environmental impact is the minimization of a normalized environmental objective function (NEOF). The social target is the maximization of jobs. An interesting feature about the research work is the requirement of biodrying technologies for MSW moisture content control. Due to the conflicted nature among the sustainability components, a multiobjective optimization (MO) is carried out to find the Pareto optimal solutions. The MO results show that the Pareto optimal solutions vary around profit range of $4.9–8.5 billion, NEOF impact range of 3.2–3.6 units, and social benefit range of 2700–4828 jobs.
Dispersionsgebundene, isolierte Dimere in der Gasphase: Beobachtung des kürzesten intermolekularen C‐H⋅⋅⋅H‐C Abstands mittels stimulierter Raman‐Spektroskopie
Authors: Maué Dominique , Strebert Patrick H. , Bernhard Dominic , Rösel Sören , Schreiner Peter R. , Gerhards Markus
Published: March 2021

Triphenylmethan und seine (substituierten) all‐meta‐tert‐Butyl‐Triphenylmethan‐Dimere, (TPM)2 und (T tBuPM)2, wurden mit stimulierter Raman‐Spektroskopie in Molekularstrahlexperimenten (Ionization loss stimulated Raman spectroscopy, ILSRS) untersucht, um struktursensitive Schwingungen zu analysieren. Damit konnte die Frage beantwortet werden, ob die kürzlich beschriebene lineare Kopf‐an‐Kopf‐Anordnung in (T tBuPM)2 aufgrund von Kristallpackungseffekten resultiert oder auch in der Gasphase vorherrscht und folglich durch außerordentlich starke London‐Dispersionswechselwirkungen (LD) bedingt ist. Unsere Studie belegt eindeutig, dass die Kopf‐an‐Kopf‐Anordnung auch unter isolierten Molekularstrahlbedingungen ohne Kristallpackungseffekte beobachtet wird. Bei entsprechend deuteriertem (T tBuPM)2, welches in der hier zugeordneten Struktur einen ungewöhnlich kurzen C‐D⋅⋅⋅D‐C‐Abstand aufweist, zeigt die zentrale Raman‐aktive aliphatische C‐D‐Streckschwingung eine charakteristische Blauverschiebung im Vergleich zu anderen Dimeranordnungen. Da im Fall von (TPM)2 die LD‐stabilisierenden tert‐Butylgruppen fehlen, zeigt es eine annähernd S6‐symmetrische Rücken‐an‐Rücken‐Anordnung.
Antitumor Agents Based on Metal–Organic Frameworks
Authors: Gao Peng , Chen Yuanyuan , Pan Wei , Li Na , Liu Zhuang , Tang Bo
Published: March 2021

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) hold great promise for biomedical applications owing to their unique properties. The porous structures make MOFs excellent candidates for the delivery of different drugs; the flexibility in choosing metal ions and organic ligands makes it feasible to prepare MOFs with intrinsic antitumor activities and further devise MOF–drug synergistic systems; many other types of antitumor agents could also be developed using MOFs as the precursors/templates. Thus, the past two decades have witnessed the great development of MOF‐based drugs, especially in the antitumor field. This Minireview mainly focuses on the design and applications of MOF‐based antitumor agents. Four aspects covering the whole field are introduced: MOFs as carriers, MOFs as antitumor agents, MOF–drug synergistic systems, and MOF‐derived antitumor agents. The challenges and opportunities of MOFs for clinical antitumor applications are also discussed.
Facile preparation of agaraldehyde chitosan‐based composite beads as effectual adsorbent especially towards amido black
Authors: Kholiya Faisal , Singh Ankit , Gosai Amit , Meena Ramavatar
Published: March 2021

Agaraldehyde and chitosan (CHI) functional beads as dye adsorbent were prepared under aqueous medium under ambient temperature and used for removing seven dyes from aqueous solutions. The resulting porous CHI‐Aald (R‐Aald‐CHI) bio‐beads were characterized by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope. The dye removal efficiency was studied using seven dyes (amido black [AB], bromophenol blue, crystal violet, bismarck brown, cotton blue, methyl orange, methylene blue), but detail study was done on AB. AB adsorption was followed the Langmuir‐isotherm and pseudo‐second order kinetics. The effects of adsorption parameters were investigated, and maximum AB 1506 mg/g was adsorbed under the optimum conditions. The linear and nonlinear forms of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and two kinetic models pseudo‐first‐order and pseudo‐second‐order were studied. The results show that adsorption follow both isotherm model while for kinetics of adsorption follow pseudo‐second‐order. The results of this work showed that R‐Aald‐CHI was encouraging adsorbent to remove dyes from wastewater, especially AB.
Tensor product‐based model transformation approach to cart position modeling and control in pendulum‐cart systems
Authors: Hedrea Elena‐Lorena , Precup Radu‐Emil , Petriu Emil M. , Bojan‐Dragos Claudia‐Adina , Hedrea Ciprian
Published: March 2021

The paper presents the application of the tensor product (TP)‐based model transformation technique to model and control the cart position of single‐input multi‐output pendulum‐cart systems (PCSs). The modeling is first carried out. The derived TP model, the nonlinear model of PCS, and the laboratory equipment are tested in the same open‐loop scenario, and their corresponding outputs are collected, measured, and compared. The parallel distributed compensation (PDC) technique is next applied to TP‐based cart position controller design. A linear state feedback control design is also designed in order to conduct a comparative analysis. The two proposed control system structures are experimentally validated and tested in the same scenarios on the laboratory equipment, and their performance indices are analyzed and compared.
Carlson's Trophic State Index is a poor predictor of cyanobacterial dominance in drinking water reservoirs
Authors: Fernandez‐Figueroa Edna G. , Buley Riley P. , Barros Mario U. G. , Gladfelter Matthew F. , McClimans William D. , Wilson Alan E.
Published: March 2021

A 20‐month survey of 71 surface drinking water utilities across 44 waterbodies was conducted to determine whether the commonly used Trophic State Index (TSI) is a reliable indicator of eutrophication in drinking water sources. Raw water quality results showed that cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins (i.e., microcystin), and taste and odor (T&O) compounds (i.e., 2‐methylisoborneol and geosmin) were generally low in the utilities sampled. TSI values based on chlorophyll concentrations (TSI Chl‐a) were closely related to phytoplankton, cyanotoxin, and T&O concentrations and indicated that most drinking water sources were mesotrophic or eutrophic. However, TSI values based on total phosphorus (TSI TP) indicated that the drinking water sources were eutrophic or hypereutrophic. These results suggest that TSI Chl‐a is a better predictor of cyanobacteria and their compounds than TSI TP. Phytoplankton abundance decreased with depth; therefore, managers should consider switching to deeper intakes when TSI Chl‐a values increase to reduce removal costs.
Surgical innovation revisited: A historical narrative of the minimally invasive “Agarwal sliding‐clip renorrhaphy” technique for partial nephrectomy and its application to an Australian cohort
Authors: Silagy A. W. , Young R. , Kelly B. D. , Reeves F. , Furrer M. , Costello A. J. , Challacombe B. J. , Corcoran N. M. , Kearsley J. , Dundee P. , Agarwal D. K.
Published: March 2021

Objective

To evaluate local clinical outcomes of sliding clip renorrhaphy, from inception to current utilization for open, laparoscopic, and robotically assisted partial nephrectomy.

Methods

We reviewed prospectively maintained databases of three surgeons performing partial nephrectomies with the sliding‐clip technique at teaching hospitals between 2005 and 2019. Baseline characteristics, operative parameters, including surgical approach, RENAL Nephrometry Score, and post‐operative outcomes, including Clavien‐Dindo classification of complications, were recorded for 76 consecutive cases. We compared perioperative and 90‐day events with patient and tumor characteristics, stratified by operative approach and case complexity, using Wilcoxon rank‐sum test for continuous variables and the Chi‐squared or Fisher's exact test, for binary and categorical variables, respectively.

Results

Open surgery (n = 15) reduced ischemia time and operative time, but increased hospital admission time. Pre‐ and post‐operative estimated glomerular filtration rates did not change significantly by operative approach. Older patients (P = .007) and open surgery (P = .003) were associated with a higher rate of complications (any‐grade). Six grade ≥3 complications occurred: these were associated with higher RENAL Nephrometry Score (P = .016) and higher pathological tumor stage (P = .045). Limits include smaller case volumes which incorporate the learning curve cases; therefore, these data are most applicable to lower volume teaching hospitals.

Conclusion

The sliding‐clip technique for partial nephrectomy was first described by Agarwal et al and has low complication rates, acceptable operative time, and preserves renal function across open and minimally invasive surgeries. This series encompasses the initial learning curve with developing the technique through to present‐day emergence as a routine standard of practice.
Improved generalized raking estimators to address dependent covariate and failure‐time outcome error
Authors: Oh Eric J. , Shepherd Bryan E. , Lumley Thomas , Shaw Pamela A.
Published: March 2021

Biomedical studies that use electronic health records (EHR) data for inference are often subject to bias due to measurement error. The measurement error present in EHR data is typically complex, consisting of errors of unknown functional form in covariates and the outcome, which can be dependent. To address the bias resulting from such errors, generalized raking has recently been proposed as a robust method that yields consistent estimates without the need to model the error structure. We provide rationale for why these previously proposed raking estimators can be expected to be inefficient in failure‐time outcome settings involving misclassification of the event indicator. We propose raking estimators that utilize multiple imputation, to impute either the target variables or auxiliary variables, to improve the efficiency. We also consider outcome‐dependent sampling designs and investigate their impact on the efficiency of the raking estimators, either with or without multiple imputation. We present an extensive numerical study to examine the performance of the proposed estimators across various measurement error settings. We then apply the proposed methods to our motivating setting, in which we seek to analyze HIV outcomes in an observational cohort with EHR data from the Vanderbilt Comprehensive Care Clinic.
Error‐free recombination in sugarcane mediated by only 30 nucleotides of homology and CRISPR/Cas9 induced DNA breaks or Cre‐recombinase
Authors: Zhao Yang , Karan Ratna , Altpeter Fredy
Published: March 2021

Precision genome editing by homology directed repair has tremendous potential for crop improvement. This study describes in planta homologous recombination mediated by CRISPR/Cas9 induced DNA double strand break in proximity to a single short (∼30 nt) homology arm. The efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated recombination between two loxP sites was compared with Cre (Cyclization recombination enzyme) and codon‐optimized Cre‐mediated site‐specific recombination in sugarcane. A transgenic locus was generated with a selectable nptII coding sequence with terminator between two loxP sites located downstream of a constitutive promoter and acting as transcription block for the downstream promoter‐less gusA coding sequence with terminator. Recombination between the two loxP sites resulted in deletion of the transcription block and restored gus activity. This transgenic locus provided an efficient screen for identification of recombination events in sugarcane callus following biolistic delivery of Cre, codon‐optimized Cre, or the combination of sgRNA and Cas9 targeting the 5′ loxP site. The Cre codon optimized for sugarcane displayed the highest efficiency in mediating the recombination that restored gus activity followed by cre and CRISPR/Cas9. Remarkably the short region of homology of the loxP site cleaved by Cas9 (30 nt)‐mediated error‐free recombination in all 21 events from three different experiments that were analyzed by Sanger sequencing consistent with homology directed repair. These findings will inform rational design of strategies for precision genome editing in plants.
Copper‐catalyzed Regioselective Hydroaminations of Allylic Sulfones With Aromatic Amines
Authors: Kim Kundo , Cho Soohong , Park Subin , Lee Yunmi
Published: March 2021

The highly regioselective copper‐catalyzed hydroaminations of terminal or γ‐substituted allylic sulfones with aromatic amines is described. The combination of an N‐heterocyclic carbene‐copper complex and KOt‐Bu plays an important role in promoting selective amination under mild reaction conditions. This catalytic reaction tolerates a wide range of functional groups and enables the efficient syntheses of new and versatile functionalized β‐amino sulfones in high yields (up to 98%) with >98% regioselectivity.
Person‐centred experiential therapy: Perceptions of trainers and developers
Authors: Haake Rinda , Hardy Gillian E. , Barkham Michael
Published: March 2021

Background

Top‐up training in person‐centred experiential therapy (PCET) was developed in 2011 and is offered, through four university centres, to counsellors working in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) services in England. Research into PCET training has now gained more importance, with the implementation of the IAPT Data Set Version 2.0 in September 2020, which requires IAPT services to report on the qualifications of care personnel. Previous research has explored the experiences of PCET trainees, but there is a need to investigate similarities and differences in the views and experiences of other stakeholders in the PCET initiative.

Method

Ten trainers and developers of the model were interviewed, including the full population of those personnel currently delivering the training. The framework method was used in the analysis of transcripts.

Findings

Tensions were identified between the individualism of the person‐centred approach and the standardisation expected by IAPT. Participants recognised that manualisation of the PCET model was controversial, but welcomed the coherence of the model and the ability to articulate theory and practice. Practical differences between centres were identified in the delivery of training, raising the question of whether such differences reflect the individualism of the person‐centred approach and the flexibility of the model, or reveal a lack of consistency in the understanding and delivery of PCET nationally.

Conclusions

PCET training is an opportunity to improve the consistency of PCET therapists' theoretical understanding and practice, enhancing their status and opportunities for research. Differences between training centres may compromise this consistency.
Swimming against the tide: Therapists' accounts of the relationship between p/Politics and therapy
Authors: Winter Laura Anne
Published: March 2021

Objectives

There has been an increasing emphasis on ‘social justice’ across applied psychology, counselling and psychotherapy. Nevertheless, despite hints at the political nature of this concept and work, limited prior research has considered the connection between politics and therapy. This research aimed to explore therapists' understandings and experiences of politics in their work.

Design

An exploratory, qualitative methodology was used.

Methods

Data were generated via a qualitative online survey and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Five main themes were developed: (1) Swimming against the tide: working against p/Politics in therapy; (2) Therapeutic work as p/Political; (3) ‘We have to park our impressions of politics at the door’; (4) Professional ethics and p/Politics: striking a balance; and (5) ‘A culture of silence’: lack of training and support.

Conclusions

This analysis suggests that therapists' experience p/Politics as influencing therapy in a myriad of ways. It is both something inherent to therapy and something external, which exerts an influence on the work. Attending to the p/Political and the ethical in therapy can be challenging and is experienced as a lonely and unsupported process at times. Implications for practice and training are discussed.
Advances of Ultrasonic Scaling Removal Technology and Heat Transfer Enhancement Technology
Authors: Zhao Kelin , Wu Jinxing , Li Xue , Li Zhe , Chen Yabo
Published: March 2021

The presence of scale substances seriously affects the normal operation of industrial equipment. Ultrasonic scaling removal technology has been getting significant attention because of cleanliness, safety and no secondary pollution. As a new heat transfer enhancement technology, ultrasonic has also achieved good results. This article reviews the research progress and innovations made in recent years on the ultrasonic scaling removal technology and heat transfer enhancement technology. A special focus is concentrated on the influence of the key factors on the comprehensive performance. These factors include ultrasonic parameters, fluid parameters, geometry parameters. At present, ultrasonic heat transfer enhancement technology mainly stays in the laboratory research stage, and there is no industrial‐scale application.