bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Merging Shuttle Reactions and Paired Electrolysis: E-Shuttle Unlocks Reversible Halogenations
Authors: Dong Xichang , Röckl Johannes L. , Waldvogel Siegfried R. , Morandi Bill
Published: July 2020

Polyhalogenated molecules have found widespread applications as flame retardants, pest-control agents, polymers and pharmaceuticals. They also serve as versatile synthetic intermediates in organic chemistry due to the inherent reactivity of carbon-halogen bonds. Despite these attractive features, the preparation of polyhalogenated molecules still mainly relies on the use of highly toxic and corrosive halogenating reagents, such as Cl2 and Br2, which are hazardous compounds to transport, store, and handle. Moreover, the use of such highly reactive reagents inherently makes the development of the reverse reactions, retro-dihalogenations, highly challenging, despite their potential for the recycling of persistent halogenated pollutants. Here, we introduce an electrochemically-assisted shuttle (e-shuttle) paradigm for the facile and scalable interconversion of alkenes and vicinal dihalides, a class of reactions which can be used both to synthesize useful polyhalogenated molecules from simple alkenes and to recycle waste material through retro-dihalogenation. The power of this reaction is best highlighted by an example, in which different soils contaminated with a persistent environmental pollutant (Lindane), could be directly used as Cl2-donors for the transfer dichlorination of simple feedstock alkenes, merging a recycling process with a synthetically relevant dichlorination reaction. We further demonstrate that this paired electrolysis-enabled shuttle protocol, which uses a simple setup and inexpensive electrodes, is applicable to four different, synthetically useful transfer halogenation reactions, and can be readily scaled-up to a decagram scale. In a broader context, the symbiotic merging of shuttle reactions and electrochemistry introduced in this work opens new horizons for safer transfer functionalization reactions that will address important challenges across the molecular sciences.
Antidiabetic evaluation of bioflavonoid nanopar ticles selection technique by using the analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Satheesh Kumar D  , Shailendra Kumar  , Ravichandran S
Published: July 2020

The aim of this study was to a choice most exceptional technique for the development of antidiabetic nanoparticles encompass natural polymer particles using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). In our method of selection may be lead to waste of time, loss of products and financial resources. Based on the above reasons, AHP has employed to discover the appropriate method. In the AHP, a special hierarchy was built with a goal for alternatives. After constructing the AHP, the expert select software was used to calculate the overall priority of criteria, sub-criteria and options. The best alternative selected was founded on the highest priority. Based on the Nanoscale to formulate and evaluate antidiabetic nanoparticles encompasses natural polymer particles, and it shows the particle size Polydispersity Index and zeta potential were within acceptable limits. Drug content and entrapment efficiencies were 94.16% and 86.14%, respectively. Our study concludes that AHP was the feasible and real tool for choosing the most suitable method for the formulation and evaluation of antidiabetic nanoparticles.
VULNERABILIDAD FÍSICA EN LAS EDIFICACIONES DEL SECTOR DE BOCAGRANDE, CARTAGENA DE INDIAS; ANTE UN EVENTO DE TSUNAMI.
Authors: Bolivar Wilfrido , Quintero Ibañez Julian Orlando , Herrera Vásquez Emerson
Published: July 2020

Los tsunamis se encuentran entre los fenómenos naturales más devastadores y poco frecuentes, resultado de una perturbación submarina que irrumpe en la zona costera. Sin embargo, la investigación científica en el mar caribe con respecto a estos eventos es menor debido a su ocurrencia inusual si es comparado con el océano pacífico. Se evaluó la vulnerabilidad física de 305 edificaciones del sector de Bocagrande; una zona notable a nivel socioeconómico y turístico; implementando el modelo Papathoma Tsunami Vulnerability Assessment (PTVA4) el cual ha sido analizado y validado obteniendo estudios satisfactorios. Asimismo, por medio de la aplicación móvil survey 123 for ArcGIS se recolectó la información pertinente, representando los resultados en mapas temáticos con base a sistemas de información geográficos. Se pudo determinar el índice de vulnerabilidad relativa de cada edificación, aportando una herramienta para futuras toma de decisiones e implementación por parte de autoridades locales.
Enhancing long-term governance - Parliament's vital oversight role
Authors: Boston Jonathan , Bagnall David , Barry Anna
Published: July 2020

This article explores how the New Zealand Parliament scrutinises the quality of long-term governance and considers how such scrutiny could be made more systematic, proactive and rigorous. The analysis is based, among other things, on extensive interviews with current and former MPs and other active participants in the policy process. Interviewees were generally critical of the existing system of parliamentary scrutiny: it was variously described as ‘weak’, ‘inadequate’, ‘cursory’, ‘patchy’ and ‘unduly partisan’. Scrutiny of long-term matters – such as governments’ strategies, foresight, planning and risk management – was seen as inferior, on average, to other forms of scrutiny, especially the scrutiny of legislation. Drawing on the suggestions of interviewees and the experience of legislatures in several other parliamentary democracies, we outline and assess various options for parliamentary reform.
Centralization: Opening the Window of Opportunity
Authors: Hinson Brent , S Deary Kevin , Herig Tina , L Martinez Eric
Published: July 2020

Legit Global was a major manufacturer of residential and commercial windows. Each division of the company had their own distinct engineering services department. This allowed for custom-fit solutions and engineering organizations, but also communication gaps and inefficiencies. Would centralizing engineering services increase productivity and decrease costs, or would it hamper creativity and sow dissent?

Edgar Madera, the Global Director of Engineering for Strategic and Capital Projects at Legit Global had been under a great deal of pressure lately; Madera had been tasked by Tad Legit, the Executive Vice President (EVP) at Legit Global to centralize engineering processes. Madera had worked with Legit long enough to know quick decisions that produced significant impacts were the expectation of the EVP. Legit had envisioned centralized engineering as an opportunity to reduce costs since the product demand softened in 2019 and was predicted to stay flat in 2020. In Legit Global, the Engineering and Quality Department had operated processes and standards independently and did not share best practices across the Department. The rest of the functional groups, e.g. Finance and Accounting, were centralized a few years back and were reaping benefits for the company. How much more time was Madera afforded to centralize engineering processes at Legit Global before Legit closed the window of opportunity?

Legit Global had grown rapidly over the last ten years. Newly acquired entities had brought the challenge of integrating additional equipment, personnel, capabilities, and systems. Legit Global had addressed most of these challenges, with more work to be done. They had focused on centralizing the processes of many different functional groups within the company. Functional groups that changed had standardized processes across the company, reduced costs, and increased financial performance. Some employees thought that centralization had increased bureaucracy and slowed operations. To further intensify the dissonance regarding centralization, corporate executives mandated increased oversight from managers, further fueling fears of tighter management control and increased bureaucracy.

The Engineering Department had not kept pace with the other functional groups within the company. Madera had reviewed department practices and discovered most engineering resources and processes existed in silos and were controlled by the Division Vice President (VP). Progress had always been reported by each lead division engineer directly to the VP, then reported to Legit.

Was the research that Madera conducted enough to make a compelling case for centralized operations amidst the inevitable resistance from functional VPs? How would he implement and fund centralized engineering processes at Legit Global? Was there a technology platform that could help centralize Engineering? Were centralized processes the key to Legit Global’s future success?
SICK OF IT: HOW CORONAVIRUS PLAGUED A CASE STUDY PROJECT
Authors: McCarty Will , Forsyth Rachel , S Nunneley Ian , A Champagne Robert , VanderKolk Allison
Published: July 2020

Five senior USF EMBA students are unexpectedly notified that the case study topic that they were expecting to proceed with for a capstone course assignment did not receive the required publication approval. The coronavirus pandemic only complicates the issue. The team must quickly determine what they should do instead.
TOXOPLASMOSIS: SEROLOGIC PROFILE OF PREGNANT WOMEN AT THE BRAZZAVILLE UNIVERSITY CENTRE HOSPITAL (CHUB)
Authors: Obili G Sékangué , Ibara BR Ossibi , Mpia NSB Potokoué , Doukaga T Adoua , C Itoua
Published: July 2020

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a disease caused by an obligate intracellular coccidia Toxoplasma gondii, which is transmitted by cats. In pregnant women, it is a concern because of the severe complications to the foetus. The objective of this study is to determine the toxoplasma serologic profile in pregnant women at the Brazzaville University Centre Hospital (CHUB).

Materials and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study from September 2015 to March 2016 (6 months) which includes sera from pregnant women received at the Parasitology Mycology laboratory of the CHUB for Toxoplasma serology. Immunoglobulins G and M searches were done by immuno-analysis (Biomerieux, Mini-Vidas technology). The data was analysed by the IBM SPSS version 20 software. The comparisons of proportion is done by the khi 2 test. The level of significance of statistical data were fixed at 5%.

Results: The mean age of pregnant women included in our study was 27, 8+/- 6,84 with the extremes ages of 15 and 44 years.

Toxoplasma seroprevalence in this study is 47,2% (68/144). The types of immunoglobulins (Ig) retrieved were IgG alone in 45,1% of cases (65/144), IgG associated to IgM in 2,8% of cases (4/144). Serological profiles were: no immunity (52,1%) immunised (41%), recent infection (1,4%) active infection (2,8%) equivocal result (2,8%).

Conclusion: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis which represents a real public health issue in our environment, even when the level of immunised pregnant women seems high.
THE IMPACT OF LIBERALIZATION OF ASEAN AIR TRANSPORTATION ON INDONESIAN AIRLINES
Authors: Wahjoe Oentoeng , Heniarti Dini Dewi , Puspawati Anita
Published: July 2020

Liberalisation of air transportation practically is known as open sky policy. In the practice, the liberalisation of air transportation is divided into two group of services, i.e.: air transportation services, for passengers and goods (air service) which is categorized as hard rights and supporting services of the air transportation services (ancillary services) which is categorized as soft rights. The research in this paper focused in air transportation services for passengers and goods, consists of nine freedom of the air. The impact of the policy such as the Agreement regarding ASEAN open sky policy, is the readiness of Indonesian air transportation companies to compete with foreign air transportation companies. The government of Indonesia has to regulate the implementation of ASEAN Open Sky Policy to be projected in order to comply with national development, i.e. the function of air law in national development. The policy has been implemented by enact or amend the existing law as air law that regulate flight lines, the following provisions: To regulate flight line for foreign airlines to open flight lines in Indonesia region which may not or have not land and sea transportation. The regulation is intended to support mobility of humans, goods and services that may fulfil the needs of the people of Indonesia, which materially and spiritually and the development of the region. The regulation of flight lines of foreign air transportation for region of tourism, industrial and trade center. The regulation is intended to support the national economic development of Indonesia.
A Critical Review of Value Chain for Irish Potato in Zimbabwe with Specific Regards to the Economic Policy: A Review
Authors: Sakadzo Nyasha , Mavugara Jeremiah , Musara Ashel
Published: July 2020

Potato production and consumption are booming worldwide, greater quantity of it is being processed into food and snacks. It is the most important horticultural crop which is a good substitute for maize to supplement carbohydrates. It was declared a national strategic food security crop on 18 May 2012 by the government of Zimbabwe. This paper critically review the value chain of Irish potato in Zimbabwe with a focus on its any government policy and support with regards to promoting the crop and key stakeholders involved in the value chain. The Irish potato value chain in Zimbabwe has great potential to improve and if well supported, it can contribute to the GDP of the country. This can be done if the government improve on its policy implementation through capacity development of its research and extension workers and more resources have to be availed to this area has showed great potential in terms of marketing and production. The key drivers at production level who will help in ensuring that necessary interventions are carried out to improve long term performance of the Irish potato value chain operate in an enabling environment. This is done by offering incentives to the potato farmers and all the value chain players. The economy of a country is driven by having well thought out policies and interventions that can even subsidies inputs and other raw material required along the value chain.
A modelização do gênero “comentário argumentativo do Facebook”
Authors: Resende Daniele Conde Peres , Poletto Rodrigo De Souza , Barros Eliana Merlin Deganutti de
Published: July 2020

Desde 1822, a diversidade racial e étnica predominou nos debates relacionados com a identidade nacional brasileira. No âmbito literário, a mistura racial dominou os discursos intelectuais e influenciou a produção literária. Os escritores da época começaram a buscar as causas do atraso econômico do Brasil em relação aos países desenvolvidos. Aluísio de Azevedo, um dos mais proeminentes escritores do naturalismo brasileiro, também parecia preocupado com o subdesenvolvimento brasileiro. Isso se nota em O cortiço, uma das narrativas mais importantes de Azevedo. Neste contexto, o objetivo deste estudo é analisar o que para Azevedo poderiam ser as possíveis causas do subdesenvolvimento brasileiro. Se conclui que em O cortiço existe uma forte conexão entre o desenvolvimento econômico do país e a raça branca, assim como existe uma relação entre o subdesenvolvimento e a miscigenação, representados respectivamente por Portugal e os personagens brancos do sexo masculino e pelo Brasil e as personagens femininas mestiças. Os casais Romão/Bertoleza/ e Jerônimo/ Rita simbolizam a antiga organização econômico-social colonial demonstrando que apesar do Brasil ser politicamente independente de Portugal o modelo econômico colonial persiste.
El movimiento antifracking en tierras vascas: relato, movilización y disputa de la evidencia científica
Authors: Orbegozo Terradillos Julen , Del Amo Castro Ion Andoni , Zarrabeitia Bilbao Enara
Published: July 2020

Este trabajo de investigación examina el movimiento de oposición al fracking en tierras vascas, estudiando la construcción del conflicto medioambiental y del discurso por parte de sus actores y el contexto en el que se desarrolló. Para ello, este estudio de caso ha empleado una metodología basada en entrevistas, y análisis del discurso y de contexto. La rápida creación, y la sólida pero dinámica organización del movimiento, junto a la profunda labor de documentación de sus portavoces, contribuyó a que se constituyera un interlocutor creíble. La combinación de lenguajes de valoración, desde la disputa de los datos científicos y económicos, hasta el desarrollo de lenguajes de valoración alternativos en base a argumentos medioambientales y de salud, no limitando su argumentario a la alarma social, llenó de legitimidad y eficacia al movimiento ante la sociedad. Las plataformas contra el fracking recurrieron a la movilización social como estrategia de presión, una movilización que fue in crescendo tanto cuantitativa como cualitativamente. El estudio, en suma, contribuye a documentar y entender mejor la historia y dinámicas de los movimientos medioambientales.
URGENSI AUDIT JUDGEMENT PADA POST CLEARANCE AUDIT
Authors: Muchtar Masruri , Utama Prasetya
Published: July 2020

ABSTRACT:The auditor should have eminence audit judgment to support their assignment This research aims to provide empirical evidence that self-efficacy, experience, level of education, and skepticism have an impact on audit judgment. The population are auditors who had carried out post-clearance audit assignments. This research uses a quantitative approach by testing the theories and hypotheses that have been prepared. Ordinary least square (OLS) linear regression as an analytical model is used in this study. Results show that experience and education level have no impact on audit judgment, whereas self-efficacy and skepticism have a positive and significant impact on audit judgment. Efforts to improve self-efficacy and auditor skepticism are urgently needed. The coefficient of determination describes the variation of variables of self-efficacy, experience, level of education, and skepticism able to explain the variation of audit judgment variables by 51%. The remaining 49% is explained by other variables not involved in this study. Future studies may enhance with other variables and employ in-depth interview methods.Keywords: audit judgment, experience, level of education, post-clearance audit, self-efficacy, skepticism, post-clearance audit ABSTRAK:Auditor seyogyanya memiliki kemampuan audit judgment yang berkualitas guna mendukung penugasannya. Tujuan penelitian adalah memberikan bukti empiris bahwa efikasi diri, pengalaman, tingkat pendidikan, dan skeptisisme memiliki pengaruh terhadap audit judgement. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah auditor Direktorat Jenderal Bea dan Cukai (DJBC) yang pernah melakukan post clearance audit. Ini merupakan pendekatan kuantitatif yang menguji teori serta hipotesis yang telah disusun. Riset ini menggunakan regresi linear ordinary least square (OLS) sebagai model analisis. Hasil studi memperlihatkan pengalaman dan tingkat pendidikan tidak berpengaruh pada audit judgement, namun efikasi diri dan skeptisisme berpengaruh signifikan pada audit judgement. Implikasinya DJBC perlu memberikan perhatian khusus terhadap berbagai upaya dalam peningkatan efikasi diri dan skeptisisme auditor. Tulisan ini adalah pengembangan beberapa penelitian sebelumnya namun dalam konteks pengujian untuk jenis audit ketaatan. Nilai koefisien determinasi menggambarkan variasi variabel efikasi diri, pengalaman, tingkat pendidikan, dan skeptisisme dapat menjelaskan variasi variabel audit judgement sebesar 51%. Sisanya sebesar 49% dijelaskan oleh variabel lainnya yang tidak diujikan dalam tulisan ini. Dengan adanya keterbatasan waktu pada penelitian ini diharapkan mendorong penelitian berikutnya untuk dapat menyertakan beberapa variabel lain yang relevan dan melengkapinya dengan metode in-depth interview.Kata Kunci: bea dan cukai, efikasi diri, pengalaman, skeptisisme, tingkat pendidikan
Trait anxiety is associated with reduced typicality asymmetry in fear generalization
Authors: Wong Alex H K , Beckers Tom
Published: July 2020

In fear conditioning, training with typical category exemplars has been shown to promote fear generalization to novel exemplars of the same category, whereas training with atypical category exemplars supports limited if any generalization to other category members, amounting to a typicality asymmetry in fear generalization. The present study sought to examine how trait anxiety bears on typicality asymmetry in fear generalization. Participants in one condition were presented with typical exemplars during fear acquisition and atypical exemplars of the same category in the subsequent generalization test (typical condition), whereas in the other group, atypical and typical exemplars were presented during fear acquisition and generalization test, respectively (atypical condition). We observed a typicality asymmetry in fear generalization in self-reported expectancy ratings in low trait anxious individuals only. High trait anxious individuals showed a similar degree of fear generalization in both conditions. The current results help illuminate why some individuals are at risk for exhibiting broad fear generalization after exposure to an aversive event.
Social biases in word embeddings and their relation to human cognition
Authors: Caliskan Aylin , Lewis Molly
Published: July 2020

We review recent methods for measuring social bias in word embeddings, and present evidence for their relationship to human cognition.
Coping with peer aggression and bullying: Antecedents, processes, and outcomes.
Authors: Hunter Simon C.
Published: July 2020

Conflicting results from published school-based anti-bullying initiatives have prompted psychologists to suggest that advances in tackling bullying will rely upon developing a greater understanding of the psychological processes underpinning bullying behaviour. This thesis aimed to address this issue by attempting to clarify the coping processes engaged in by pupils experiencing peer aggression or bullying. In order to achieve this aim, pupils’ use of coping strategies was examined within a transactional coping framework, where coping was conceptualised as a dynamic interaction between the person and their environment. Participants were 837 pupils (318 P5s, 306 S1s, 213 S2s; 48.4% male) attending mainstream Primary and Secondary schools in Scotland. Pupils completed a range of measures, at five different points in time, over a period of approximately 18 months. Variables measured at more than one data point included victimisation, appraisals (threat, challenge, control), coping strategy use, and psychological well-being (depression, self-esteem). Variables measured once included sociometric status of P5 pupils, self-efficacy of S1 and S2 pupils, bullying behaviour and emotional reaction to peer aggression.Five separate studies are reported, each focusing on a different aspect of the coping process: the stability and persistence of bullying; how pupils cope with different types of bullying; how pupils’ appraisals, emotions and coping strategies are related; the self-efficacy and hostile attribution biases of pupils involved in bully-victim problems; and the efficacy of coping strategies for maintaining psychological well-being and preventing subsequent bullying. Findings support the utility of the transactional coping model for examining coping among bullied pupils, and highlight the need to incorporate appraisals of, and emotional reactions to, bullying when researching coping responses. Furthermore, results indicate that different types of bullying are coped with in different ways, and that a “vicious circle” may operate where by victimisation leads to further victimisation. Such findings are discussed in relation to their potential impact upon future intervention strategies, while suggestions for future research examining pupils’ coping strategies are also considered.
Experimental and fractional analysis of half-value thicknesses of polyethylene absorber
Authors: Çalık A. E. , Sirin H. , Şen M.
Published: July 2020

In this study, half-value thicknesses and mass attenuation coefficients of polyethylene absorber have been measured experimentally using the beta sources 99Tc, 147Pm, 137Cs, 204Tl, 210Pb and 36Cl. There is an inconsistency between experimental and calculated values of half value thicknesses obtained with the help of standard attenuation equation. In order to overcome this discrepancy, the fractional attenuation equation which was redefined and resolved using Caputo fractional derivative has been used. The theoretical results obtained according to this new equation are in agreement with experimental results around 0.3 value of the order of fractional derivative.
Wheat germ, mamey seed, walnut, coconut, and linseed oil thermal characterization using photothermal techniques
Authors: Lara Hernandez G. , Hernandez Aguilar C. , Cruz Orea A. , Arias Duque N. P. , Wilches Torres A. , Flores Cuautle J. J. A.
Published: July 2020

The cosmetic industry has turned its attention to using vegetable products; the number of different vegetable oils used in the cosmetic industry has risen in the last years. In this work, the so-called photopyroelectric techniques are used for studying the thermal effusivity and diffusivity of wheat germ, mamey seed, walnut, coconut, and linseed oils. The thermal conductivity was calculated using a mathematical relationship and density was measured. Therefore, full thermal characterization is achieved. The obtained values for the studied oils are closed to other vegetable oils already reported. This similarity is partially a consequence of the similar chemical structure presented in this type of materials.
Crystal structure, microstructure, and magnetic properties of the Fe2CrSi nanostructured Heusler alloy elaborated by the mechanical alloying method
Authors: Djaidi Fatiha , Mechri Hanane , Azzaz Mohammed
Published: July 2020

The Fe2CrSi nanostructured Heusler alloy was prepared by mechanical alloying followed by heat treatment. The structure, microstructure, and magnetic properties of the samples were studied by the following analysis methods: X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, and a vibrating sample magnetometer. The a-Fe (Si, Cr) solid solution with a disordered body centered cubic (bcc) crystal structure was obtained after 24 h of milling. An example of the sample milled for 32 h with a disordered crystal structure a-Fe(Si, Cr) was chosen to investigate the transformation with temperature using differential scanning calorimetry. The effect of annealing temperatures on the structural, microstructural, and magnetic properties of the ordered Fe2CrSi Heusler phase for the sample milled for 32 h was investigated.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of rolled Mg–Gd–Zn–Zr–Ag–Al–Li alloys
Authors: Chen Xianhua , Tu Teng , Chen Tao , Liu Chunquan , Pan Fusheng
Published: July 2020

The microstructural evolution and mechanical properties of hot rolled Mg-12Gd-1Zn-0.5Zr-0.5Ag (in wt.%) (MGZKA) alloys, with and without Al and Li additions, were investigated in this study. The Al and Li-containing alloys achieved excellent overall mechanical properties, especially MGZKA-6Al5Li alloy with a high elastic modulus of 52.2 GPa and a good plasticity of 15%. Compared with Al and Li-free MGZKA alloy, the fragmented Al2Gd and nanoscale Al2Li3 phases with high modulus are observed in Al and Li-containing MGZKA-4Al3Li and MGZKA-6Al5Li alloys, which contribute to the overall elastic modulus of the alloys. The dynamic recrystallization regions of Al and Li-containing alloys increased while c/a ratio reduced, leading to the weakened texture. The activation of non-basal slip in Al and Li-containing alloys is closely related to the fine grains and weakened texture, which jointly promote the plasticity of Al and Li-containing alloys.
The Limits of Liberal Democracy
Authors: Asara Viviana
Published: July 2020

This critical commentary discusses Stephan Lessenich’s recent work on democracy. It argues that—to understand the structural boundaries of welfare capitalist democracy—we must critically unearth the limits of liberal democracy. This article first maintains that the absence of an economic democratization dimension is an outcome of liberal democracy’s shrinking of the meaning of the political. It next claims that defining democracy in terms of rights does not duly consider how these unfolded historically and recently, nor clarifies their relation with negative freedom. The article then contends that the environmentally destructive dialectic of democracy and the belittlement of reproductive work stem from the constitution of a narrowly defined economic sphere, from which “reproductive activities” are excluded. Finally, the text reflects on what “democratizing democracy” should entail.
Assessment of internal pressure effect, causing additional bending of the pipeline
Authors: BAKTIZIN Ramil , ZARIPOV Rail , KOROBKOV Gennadii , MASALIMOV Radik
Published: July 2020

Article justifies accounting for internal pressure effect in the pipeline, causing additional bending of the pipeline. According to some scientists, there is an erroneously used concept of the equivalent longitudinal axial force (ELAF) Sx, which depends on working pressure, temperature stresses, and joint deformations of pipelines with various types of soils. However, authors of the article use ELAF Sx concept at construction of mathematical model of stress-strain state (SSS) for complex section of the trunk pipeline, and also reveal it when analyzing the results of calculating the durability and stability of the pipeline. Analysis of SSS for calculated section of the pipeline was carried out for two statements of the problem for different values of operation parameters. In the first statement, effect of internal pressure causing bending of the pipeline is taken into account, and in the second it is neglected. It is shown that due to effect of ELAF Sx at p0 = 9.0 MPa, Dt = 29 °C extreme value of bend increases by 54 %, extreme values of bending stresses from span bending moment increase by 74 %, and extreme value of bending stresses from support bending moment double with regard to corresponding SSS characteristics of the pipeline. In case of neglecting the internal pressure effect causing additional bending of the pipeline (second statement of the problem), error in calculating the extreme value of bend is 35 %, extreme value of bending stresses from span bending moments is 44 %, and extreme value of bending stresses from support bending moments is 95 %.
Development of mathematical models to control the technological properties of cement slurries
Authors: CHERNYSHOV Sergei , GALKIN Vladislav , ULYANOVA Zoya , Macdonald David
Published: July 2020

Oil and gas producing enterprises are making increasingly high demands on well casing quality, including the actual process of injection and displacement of cement slurry, taking into account requirements for the annular cement level, eliminating possible hydraulic fracturing, with developing a hydraulic cementing program. It is necessary to prevent deep invasion of cement slurry filtrate into the formation to exclude bridging of productive layers. It is impossible to fulfill all these requirements at the same time without application of modifying additives; complex cement compositions are being developed and applied more often. Furthermore, need to adjust cement slurries recipes appears for almost every particular well.

In order to select and justify cement slurries recipes and their prompt adjustment, taking into account requirements of well construction project, as well as geological and technical conditions for cementing casing strings, mathematical models of the main technological properties of cement slurries for cementing production casing strings in the Perm Region were developed. Analysis of the effect of polycarboxylic plasticizer (Pl) and a filtration reducer (fluid loss additive) based on hydroxyethyl cellulose (FR) on plastic viscosity (V), spreadability (S) and filtration (F) of cement slurries is conducted. Development of mathematical models is performed according to more than 90 measurements.
Chemical heterogeneity as a factor of improving the strength of steels manufactured by selective laser melting technology
Authors: ALEKSEEV Vadim , BARAKHTIN Boris , ZHUKOV Anton
Published: July 2020

The aim of this paper was to establish the causes of the heterogeneity of the chemical composition of the metal obtained by the LC technology. The powdered raw material was made from a monolithic alloy, which was fused by the SLM, the initial raw material was a laboratory melting metal of a low-carbon chromium-manganese-nickel composition based on iron.

To determine the distribution pattern of alloying chemical elements in the resulting powder, electron-microscopic images of thin sections were combined with X-ray analysis data on the cross-sections of the powder particles. As a result, it was found that transition (Mn, Ni) and heavy (Mo) metals are uniformly distributed over the powder particle cross-sections, and the mass fraction of silicon (Si) is uneven: in the center of the particles, it is several times larger in some cases. The revealed feature in the distribution of silicon is supposedly due to the formation of various forms of SiO4 upon the cooling of the formed particles.

The internal structure of the manufactured powder is represented by the martensitic structure of stack morphology. After laser fusion, etched thin sections revealed traces of segregation heterogeneity in the form of a grid with cells of ~ 200 μm.
Ultrasound combined with biochemical parameters can be used to differentiate parathyroid carcinoma from benign tumors in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism
Authors: Huang Hui , Li Manying , Pan Jiamin , Tong Wenjuan , Cheng Meiqing , Liang Jinyu , Zheng Yanling , Xie Xiaoyan
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND: Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) results from excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone from parathyroid tumors. Differentiating parathyroid tumors can be challenging before operation. OBJECTIVES: To differentiate parathyroid carcinoma from benign tumors in patients with PHPT by the application of ultrasound and biochemical parameters. METHODS: This study is a retrospective study. The study enrolled 17 patients with parathyroid carcinoma (PC) and 57 patients with parathyroid adenoma (PA), confirmed by postoperative pathology, between September 2010 and July 2017. This study retrospectively compared the ultrasonic features of the tumors included echotexture, maximum lesion diameter, shape, margin, blood flow inside the mass, intralesional calcifications, cysts in the mass, and biochemical parameters included serum calcium, phosphorus, parathyroid hormone (PTH), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels, gender distribution and age of patients between patients with PC and those with PA. RESULTS: In the US images, the two groups showed significant differences in heterogeneity, the appearance of a taller-than-wide shape, irregular or lobulated margins, and intralesional calcifications (p < #x003C;< #x200A;0.05). However, no significant difference was found in echogenicity, maximum lesion diameter, blood flow, and cystic components of the mass (p > #x003E;> #x200A;0.05). The mean PTH levels were significantly different between the two groups (p < #x003C;< #x200A;0.05). The PC and PA patients did not differ significantly in terms of mean serum calcium, mean serum phosphorus, and mean ALP levels (p > #x003E;> #x200A;0.05). There were significant differences to distinguish PC from PA in calcifications in mass or/and taller-than-wide shape combine with PTH > #x003E;> #x200A;1000 pg/mL (p < #x003C;< #x200A;0.05). Significant difference existed in the age between the two groups (p < #x003C;< #x200A;0.001). No significant difference existed in the gender distribution between the two groups (p > #x003E;> #x200A;0.05). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound features especially intralesional calcifications and taller-than-wide shape combine with an extremely high serum PTH (>1000 pg/mL) are helpful in differentiating between benign and parathyroid tumors in patients with PHPT.
Assessment of celiac artery compression using color-coded duplex sonography
Authors: Römer Claudia , Fischer Thomas , Haase Oliver , Möckel Martin , Hamm Bernd , Lerchbaumer Markus Herbert
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND: Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a rare condition due to compression of the celiac artery (CA) by an anatomically abnormal median arcuate ligament. With ultrasonography (US) as first-line diagnostic modality in patients with unclear abdominal pain, there is limited data on its diagnostic performance in MALS. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the value of CA peak systolic velocity (PSV) in the workup of patients with suspected MALS. METHODS: Patients with diagnosis of MALS between 2009 and 2019 were referred by Department of Visceral Surgery after clinical and gastroenterological workup. Diagnosis was confirmed by surgery or further cross-sectional imaging. B-mode US findings and PSV in the CA during various respiratory states were compared between patients with a final MALS diagnosis and patients not meeting the diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: Patients with proven MALS (n = 10) had higher median CA PSV during normal inspiratory breath-hold (239 [IQR, 159–327] vs. 138 [IQR, 116–152] cm/s; p < #x003C;< #x200A;0.001), and expiratory breath-hold (287 [IQR, 191–412] vs. 133 [IQR, 115–194] cm/s; p < #x003C;< #x200A;0.001) compared to patients without MALS (n = 26). CA PSV in both inspiratory breath-hold (AUC 0.88, 95% CI 0.77–1.00) and expiratory breath-hold (AUC 0.89, 95% CI 0.78–1.00) was of diagnostic value for confirming MALS. The best diagnostic performance (100% sensitivity, 80% specificity) was found for the combination of CA PSVexpiration + 2.4 · PSVinspiration > 550 cm/s . CONCLUSIONS: Since results on optimal cutoff values are inconsistent, a combination of CA PSVs during breathing maneuvers may help to diagnose or rule out MALS.
Prediction of long-term prognosis of age-related macular degeneration treated by hemorheologic therapy using baseline laboratory indicators - Experimental-clinical model
Authors: Blaha M. , Langrova H. , Blaha V. , Andrys C. , Stepanov A. , Lanska M. , Vejrazkova E. , Dlouha D. , Loefflerova V. , Studnicka J. , Kostal M.
Published: July 2020

BACKGROUND + OBJECTIVE: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the most common cause of practical blindness in people over 60 years of age in industrialised countries. We formulated a hypothesis that a group of initial laboratory parameters would be suitable for prediction of prognosis of AMD, allowing for individual modifications in treatment intensity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 66 patients with dry form of AMD were treated using rheohaemapheresis with an individual follow-up period of more than 5 years. The patients’ initial laboratory data was split in two subgroups based on treatment success and analysed using discriminant analysis (analysis of the linear and quadratic models using the automated and interactive step-wise approach) by means of the Systat 13 software. RESULTS: Prediction of prognosis based on the initial laboratory parameters was correct in 79% of unsuccessfully treated patients, allowing for early detection of high-risk patients. With the use of a quadratic model, the prediction was correct in 100% of unsuccessfully treated patients and in 75% of successfully treated patients. CONCLUSION: Implementation of discriminant analysis is a promising method for prediction of prognosis, especially when the patient is at risk of AMD progression, which allows for early and more intensive monitoring and treatment.
Glutamine Antagonist JHU-083 Normalizes Aberrant Hippocampal Glutaminase Activity and Improves Cognition in APOE4 Mice
Authors: Hollinger Kristen R. , Zhu Xiaolei , Khoury Elizabeth S. , Thomas Ajit G. , Liaw Kevin , Tallon Carolyn , Wu Ying , Prchalova Eva , Kamiya Atsushi , Rojas Camilo , Kannan Sujatha , Slusher Barbara S.
Published: July 2020

Background: Given the emergent aging population, the identification of effective treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is critical. Objective: We investigated the therapeutic efficacy of JHU-083, a brain-penetrable glutamine antagonist, in treating AD using the humanized APOE4 knock-in mouse model. Methods: Cell culture studies were performed using BV2 cells and primary microglia isolated from hippocampi of adult APOE4 knock-in mice to evaluate the effect of JHU-083 treatment on LPS-induced glutaminase (GLS) activity and inflammatory markers. Six-month-old APOE4 knock-in mice were administered JHU-083 or vehicle via oral gavage 3x/week for 4–5 months and cognitive performance was assessed using the Barnes maze. Target engagement in the brain was confirmed using a radiolabeled GLS enzymatic activity assay, and electrophysiology, gastrointestinal histology, blood chemistry, and CBC analyses were conducted to evaluate the tolerability of JHU-083. Results: JHU-083 inhibited the LPS-mediated increases in GLS activity, nitic oxide release, and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in cultured BV2 cells and primary microglia isolated from APOE4 knock-in AD mice. Chronic treatment with JHU-083 in APOE4 mice improved hippocampal-dependent Barnes maze performance. Consistent with the cell culture findings, postmortem analyses of APOE4 mice showed increased GLS activity in hippocampal CD11b+ enriched cells versus age-matched controls, which was completely normalized by JHU-083 treatment. JHU-083 was well-tolerated, showing no weight loss effect or overt behavioral changes. Peripheral nerve function, gastrointestinal histopathology, and CBC/clinical chemistry parameters were all unaffected by chronic JHU-083 treatment. Conclusion: These results suggest that the attenuation of upregulated hippocampal glutaminase by JHU-083 represents a new therapeutic strategy for AD.
Validity and Reliability of the German Quality of Life–Alzheimer’s Disease (QoL-AD) Self-Report Scale
Authors: Stypa Vanessa , Haussermann Peter , Fleiner Tim , Neumann Sandra
Published: July 2020

Background: The Quality of Life–Alzheimer’s Disease (QoL-AD) scale is a widely used measure of quality of life (QoL) in dementia. Although the instrument has been validated in several languages, the psychometric properties of the German self-report version have not yet been analyzed. Objective: This study examines the internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and construct validity of the German QoL-AD self-report scale. Methods: The sample included 30 patients suffering from mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease or vascular dementia (19 females; mean age 77.3 years; mean Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score 19.7 points). To determine test-retest reliability, the QoL-AD self-report scale was re-administered four to seven days apart. For construct validity analysis, the Dementia Quality of Life instrument (DQoL), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), MMSE, and an adapted short form of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) were used. Results: The German QoL-AD self-report scale shows an internal consistency of α= 0.79 and a test-retest reliability of r = 0.75 (p < 0.01). Regarding construct validity, there was a significant positive correlation between the total scores of the QoL-AD and DQoL (r = 0.47, p < 0.05). The analysis revealed no significant correlations with the GDS or the adapted NPI. No association could be observed between the QoL-AD and the MMSE (r = 0.01), confirming divergent validity. Conclusion: The results indicate that the German QoL-AD self-report scale is a suitable instrument for assessing QoL in patients suffering from mild to moderate dementia, thus supporting its use in clinical practice and research.
Could Self-Consciousness Be Enhanced in Alzheimer’s Disease? An Approach from Emotional Sensorial Stimulation
Authors: Arroyo-Anlló Eva M. , Sánchez Jorge Chamorro , Gil Roger
Published: July 2020

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) provides a valuable field of research into impairment of self-consciousness (SC), because AD patients have a reduced capacity to understand their mental world, to experience and relive previous personal events, as well as to interpret thoughts, feelings, and beliefs about themselves. Several studies observed that AD patients had an altered SC, but not a complete abolition of it. Emotions are an integral part of the construction of personal identity, therefore of Self. In general, most studies on emotion in AD patients have observed that emotion is not completely abolished and it lets them better remember autobiographical events with greater emotional charge. The positive effect of autobiographical memories rich in emotional content, evoked directly/automatically by sensorial stimuli such as familiar odors or music, could be used to reestablish/reinforce the permanence and coherence of the Self in AD. We studied the research of empirical evidence supporting the power of the sensorial cues associated with emotion, which could be capable of enhancing the SC in AD. We presented the studies about “Emotional stimulations” using odor, music, or taste cues in AD. All studies have shown to have a positive impact on SC in AD patients such as odor-evoked autobiographical memories, taste/odor-evoked autobiographical memories, emotional sensorial stimulation using musical cues, and multi-sensorial stimulations using healing gardens. We found research supporting the notion that emotional sensorial stimulations can even temporarily exalt memory, affective state, and personal identity, that is, the SC in AD. The emotional sensory stimulations could be used as a tool to activate the SC in AD and hence improve the quality of life of patients and caregivers.
Fuzzy control strategy of pure electric vehicle based on driving intention recognition
Authors: Qi Wanqiang
Published: July 2020

The main reason that currently hinders the commercialization of electric vehicles is a bottleneck in battery, motor and electronic control technology, however, an In-depth study of electronic control technology is one of the most effective means to break through this bottleneck at present. The purpose of this paper is to solve the problem that the pure electric vehicle is difficult to meet the driver’s acceleration intention in the urban road cycle acceleration work condition and the brake energy recovery process does not consider the battery state of charge during the deceleration work condition. Proposed a control strategy that can meet the requirements of road cycle conditions and driver’s driving intentions and take account of the vehicle operating status. Use a fuzzy control algorithm to develop a fuzzy controller that taking the motor demand speed change rate and battery state of charge as input, the motor demand torque compensation coefficient as output. The experimental results show that the modified control strategy can improve the actual output power, the actual output torque of the motor and actual driving force of the wheel under the premise of maintaining economy; it also improved the acceleration performance and climbing performance of pure electric vehicles, and can recycle braking energy efficiently. The experimental results show that the secondary development control strategy can meet the requirements of the cycle work condition CYC_ECE_EUDC for the speed and driving force and the driver’s driving intention under the premise of not sacrificing economics.