bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation in plant leaf traits affects transmission and detectability of herbivore vibrational cues
Authors: Velilla Estefania , Polajnar Jernej , Virant‐Doberlet Meta , Commandeur Daniel , Simon Ralph , Cornelissen Johannes H. C. , Ellers Jacintha , Halfwerk Wouter
Published: September 2020

Many insects use plant‐borne vibrations to obtain important information about their environment, such as where to find a mate or a prey, or when to avoid a predator. Plant species can differ in the way they vibrate, possibly affecting the reliability of information, and ultimately the decisions that are made by animals based on this information. We examined whether the production, transmission, and possible perception of plant‐borne vibrational cues is affected by variation in leaf traits. We recorded vibrations of 69 Spodoptera exigua caterpillars foraging on four plant species that differed widely in their leaf traits (cabbage, beetroot, sunflower, and corn). We carried out a transmission and an airborne noise absorption experiment to assess whether leaf traits influence amplitude and frequency characteristics, and background noise levels of vibrational chewing cues. Our results reveal that species‐specific leaf traits can influence transmission and potentially perception of herbivore‐induced chewing vibrations. Experimentally‐induced vibrations attenuated stronger on plants with thicker leaves. Amplitude and frequency characteristics of chewing vibrations measured near a chewing caterpillar were, however, not affected by leaf traits. Furthermore, we found a significant effect of leaf area, water content and leaf thickness—important plant traits against herbivory, on the vibrations induced by airborne noise. On larger leaves higher amplitude vibrations were induced, whereas on thicker leaves containing more water airborne noise induced higher peak frequencies. Our findings indicate that variation in leaf traits can be important for the transmission and possibly detection of vibrational cues.
T cell‐expressed microRNAs critically regulate germinal center T follicular helper cell function and maintenance in acute viral infection in mice
Authors: Zeiträg Julia , Dahlström Frank , Chang Yinshui , Alterauge Dominik , Richter Daniel , Niemietz Julia , Baumjohann Dirk
Published: September 2020

Constitutive T cell‐intrinsic miRNA expression is required for the differentiation of naïve CD4+ T cells into Tfh cells, thus making it difficult to study the role of miRNAs in the maintenance of already established Tfh cells and ongoing germinal center (GC) responses. To overcome this problem, we here used temporally controlled ablation of mature miRNAs specifically in CD4+ T cells during acute LCMV infection in mice. T cell‐intrinsic miRNA expression was not only critical at early stages of Tfh cell differentiation, but also important for the maintenance of already established Tfh cells. In addition, CD4+ T cell‐specific ablation of miRNAs resulted in impaired GC B cell responses. Notably, miRNA deficiency also compromised the antigen‐specific CD4+ T cell compartment, Th1 cells, Treg cells, and Tfr cells. In conclusion, our results highlight miRNAs as important regulators of Tfh cells, thus providing novel insights into the molecular events that govern T cell–B cell interactions and Th cell identity.
Oleogelation: From Scientific Feasibility to Applicability in Food Products
Authors: Scharfe Maria , Flöter Eckhard
Published: September 2020

Oleogels offer the possibility to replace conventional saturated fatty acid (SAFA)‐based lipids with a healthier alternative by immobilizing liquid edible oils in a 3D‐network which is provided by an oleogelator. Numerous molecules which can structure oils rich in (poly)unsaturated fatty acids have been identified. These differ greatly in their chemical composition, network formation, and interactions and thus macroscopic properties of the respective oleogels. Oleogels have been a focal point of food research for over 20 years, yet product applications are lacking. Hence, the question arises whether the application of oleogels is unfeasible or if science lost sight of its objective. This review aims to assess different structuring systems concerning their availability, their potential for the utilization in food products and, if possible, their prices. Moreover, recent studies comprising the application of oleogels in food products are reviewed with special emphasis on the state and the function of the lipid phase during processing and in the final product. Therefore, the physical properties and preparation methods of different oleogels need to be considered in connection with the respective food application. Finally, it is discussed whether the application of oleogels is justified in these products and advantageous in comparison to liquid oil.

Practical Applications: A diet rich in mono‐and polyunsaturated fatty acids which make up the majority of liquid edible oils lowers the risk to suffer from cardiovascular diseases. Unfortunately, these oils cannot provide texture to food products in their native state. Oleogelation has the potential to deliver the solid structure necessary for numerous food products by transferring an oil rich in essential fatty acids into a solid‐like structure. Besides, the nutritional value of these oils remains practically unchanged. Although oleogelation has been the objective of various research groups for more than 20 years, product applications are scarce. This review aims to stimulate the mindfulness of research concerning the successful application of oleogels in food products. This hopefully enables a better connection between science and industry.
Assessing the influence of thermal energy storage on the performance of concentrating solar power plant
Authors: Bhogilla Satya Sekhar , Rama Sreekanth P. S.
Published: September 2020

Site‐based changes in the yearly solar radiation affect the plant performance parameters like efficiency, output, and cost of generation of concentrated solar power (CSP). The risks involved in setting up the plant can be minimized by performing simulations for a proper understanding of performance parameters. The present work considers detailed techno‐economic viability using simulations to weigh out the performance dissemblance of CSP plants with and without thermal storage using parabolic trough concentrator with that of a photovoltaic system. Jodhpur, India is chosen as a test site for an assessment, and the results are validated with coequal plant in Andasol, Spain. GREENIUS is used to create a model 50 MW CSP plant. The simulation results are found to be in close conjunction, at error less than 8%. A detailed techno‐economic study was also done to clinch the optimum solar field based on power generation costs. Each design condition has arrived at least the cost of power generation. The result shows that CSP plant with 7‐hour storage is the choicest combination in terms of the techno‐economic bargain.
What explains differences in waiting times for health care across socioeconomic status?
Authors: Simonsen Nicolai Fink , Oxholm Anne Sophie , Kristensen Søren Rud , Siciliani Luigi
Published: September 2020

In publicly funded health systems, waiting times act as a rationing mechanism that should be based on need rather than socioeconomic status. However, several studies suggest that individuals with higher socioeconomic status wait less. Using individual‐level data from administrative registers, we estimate and explain socioeconomic inequalities in access to publicly funded care for seven planned hospital procedures in Denmark. For each procedure, we first estimate the association between patients' waiting time for health care and their socioeconomic status as measured by income and education, controlling for patient severity. Then, we investigate how much of the association remains after controlling for (i) other individual characteristics (patients' family status, labor market status, and country of origin) that may be correlated with income and education, (ii) possible selection due to patients' use of a waiting time guarantee, and (iii) hospital factors which allow us to disentangle whether inequalities in waiting times arise across hospitals or within the hospital. Only for a few procedures, we find inequalities in waiting times related to income and education. These inequalities can be explained mostly by geographical and institutional factors across hospitals. But we also find inequalities for some procedures in relation to non‐Western immigrants within hospitals.
Performance patterns and strategy use in number line estimation among preschool children with different spontaneous focusing on numerosity tendencies
Authors: Liang Yuan , Zhang Lijin , Wang Chunling , Liu Yujuan
Published: September 2020

This study investigated the influence of spontaneous focusing on numerosity (SFON) tendency on the performance and estimation patterns on number line estimation (NLE). To examine this question, 147 preschoolers (3.51–4.52 years) completed two types of SFON task (referenced SFON task and non‐referenced SFON task) and three conditions of NLE (non‐symbolic area, number‐to‐position, and position‐to‐number). The participants' SFON tendencies were classified as high, average, and poor using latent profile analysis. Children with high SFON tendency performed better and preferred to use more advanced strategy than their poor‐SFON peers on NLE tasks. The proportion of children with irregular NLE pattern increased as SFON tendency decreased. These findings contribute to our understanding of the relationship between performance patterns of different NLEs and SFON tendencies for preschool children.
The Origin, Development, Application, Lessons Learned, and Future Regarding the Bayesian Network Relative Risk Model for Ecological Risk Assessment
Authors: Landis Wayne G
Published: September 2020

In 2012, a regional risk assessment was published that applied Bayesian networks (BN) to the structure of the relative risk model. The original structure of the relative risk model (RRM) was published in the late 1990s and developed during the next decade. The RRM coupled with a Monte Carlo analysis was applied to calculating risk to a number of sites and a variety of questions. The sites included watersheds, terrestrial systems, and marine environments and included stressors such as nonindigenous species, effluents, pesticides, nutrients, and management options. However, it became apparent that there were limits to the original approach. In 2009, the relative risk model was transitioned into the structure of a BN. Bayesian networks had several clear advantages. First, BNs innately incorporated categories and, as in the case of the relative risk model, ranks to describe systems. Second, interactions between multiple stressors can be combined using several pathways and the conditional probability tables (CPT) to calculate outcomes. Entropy analysis was the method used to document model sensitivity. As with the RRM, the method has now been applied to a wide series of sites and questions, from forestry management, to invasive species, to disease, the interaction of ecological and human health endpoints, the flows of large rivers, and now the efficacy and risks of synthetic biology. The application of both methods have pointed to the incompleteness of the fields of environmental chemistry, toxicology, and risk assessment. The low frequency of exposure-response experiments and proper analysis have limited the available outputs for building appropriate CPTs. Interactions between multiple chemicals, landscape characteristics, population dynamics and community structure have been poorly characterized even for critical environments. A better strategy might have been to first look at the requirements of modern risk assessment approaches and then set research priorities. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:79–94. © 2020 SETAC

KEY POINTS

The paper reviews the development of the relative risk model (RRM) and the follow on Bayesian network relative risk model (BN-RRM) from the late 1990s to 2020. The RRM and BN-RRM have been demonstrated to describe risk due to chemicals, disease, land use change, and nonindigenous species to a variety of biotic and abiotic endpoints including human wellbeing at sites across the world. Adaptive management in collaboration with diverse stakeholders and incorporating ecological risk assessment is applicable to long-term restoration and conservation. Contrary to many claims, much research in the field of environmental toxicology is not done in a manner appropriate to the quantitative risk assessment. Risk assessment depends on understanding exposure-response relationships as curves and distributions, not point estimates, and p values.
Mind your meat: Religious differences in the social perception of animals
Authors: Manokara Kunalan , Lee Albert , Kamble Shanmukh V. , Krumhuber Eva G.
Published: September 2020

While previous work demonstrated that animals are categorised based on their edibility, little research has systematically evaluated the role of religion in the perception of animal edibility, particularly when specific animals are deemed sacred in a religion. In two studies, we explored a key psychological mechanism through which sacred animals are deemed inedible by members of a faith: mind attribution. In Study 1, non‐vegetarian Hindus in Singapore (N = 70) evaluated 19 animals that differed in terms of their sacredness and edibility. Results showed that participants categorised animals into three groups: holy animals (high sacredness but low edibility), food animals (low sacredness but high edibility) and neutral animals (low sacredness and low edibility). Holy animals were deemed to possess greater mental life compared to other animal categories. In Study 2, we replicated this key finding with Hindus in India (N = 100), and further demonstrated that the observed pattern of results was specific to Hindus but not Muslims (N = 90). In both studies, mind attribution mediated the negative association between sacredness and edibility. Our findings illustrate how religious groups diverge in animal perception, thereby highlighting the role of mind attribution as a crucial link between sacredness and edibility.
Enabling systems engineering in a new product development process via a tailored A3 architecture overview approach
Authors: Hooft Daniel 't , de Kroon Jan , van Omme David , Bonnema G. Maarten
Published: September 2020

This paper describes the development of a systems engineering (SE) approach to enable the application of SE and systems thinking in a new product development (NPD) process in an organization that is unfamiliar with the application of SE. The application of SE is enabled by using a tailored A3 architecture overview (A3AO) template. By using this template, a mechanism is presented to start the application of systems engineering in an organization that has limited experience with SE. By using A3AOs directly a way to capture and communicate the system architecture among stakeholders is provided. This approach is implemented and evaluated in a small‐scale case‐study.
Using your BRAIN to get beyond “It Depends…”
Authors: Gibson Ian
Published: September 2020

This paper describes an approach for framing a problem where the potential operational scope is large and diverse, and for quickly evaluating potential points in the solution‐space in a manner which is easy for non‐technical stakeholders to digest and interact with. The two aspects of scenario framing and concept assessment work well together but can easily be decoupled depending on the needs of the task at hand. It has been used so far on series of tasks exploring concept and pre‐concept phase options in the UK Defence environment, but has wider applicability to any situation that shares similar characteristics.

The scenario framing approach addresses the familiar problem of getting past stakeholder responses of “it depends” when they are asked to validate processes or behavioural models. The concept assessment approach, based upon the acronym BRAIN, is intended to be quick and easy to apply, supporting rapid iteration. Two case studies are used to illustrate the combined approach.
Implementing Systems Engineering in Early Stage Research and Development (ESR&D) Engineering Projects
Authors: Hahn Heidi Ann , Lombardo Nick , Hodges Ann , Kerman Mitchell , Autran Frédéric
Published: September 2020

Early Stage Research and Development (ESR&D) is one of the most crucial phases in the design process. It is of interest to Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), university affiliated Research and Development (R&D) centers, government entities, and public and private commercial enterprises. This paper explores the topics of whether and when to apply systems engineering (SE) in ESR&D projects, how much SE to apply and how to make that determination, and barriers to implementation with advice on how to overcome them. The authors conclude that applying SE in the early stages of R&D projects is a necessary element of the overall risk management strategy, but that the SE effort must be appropriately tailored to balance investment with value while supporting scalability for future growth.
Do Product Lines have Sweet Spots?
Authors: Harper Keith G , Pickard Andrew C
Published: September 2020

Creating a Product Line should not be undertaken lightly. There are many complexities to consider relative to development of individual products or cloning of existing designs. However, in today's business environment, development of multiple, similar products as individual or clone projects is unsustainable, both from the viewpoint of cost and of availability of suitably skilled engineers.

This paper considers approaches to development of Product Lines in the context of gas turbine engine full authority digital electronic control systems. The Product Line in this paper was created for an existing engine, with new Applications and a new control system for multiple helicopters.

The paper explores the challenges with developing the Product Line and the benefits relative to development of individual products. The benefits are illustrated by an investigation of software cost and schedule metrics for Product Line builds, Application Builds and non‐Product Line builds.
What's the Problem? Issue Investigation and Engineering Change on Legacy Products
Authors: Dunford Charlotte N , Pickard Andrew C
Published: September 2020

Systems Engineering best practice has changed greatly over the past 10 to 20 years. Aero‐engines are normally in service for over 30 years (an example is included in this paper of a recent modification to a WWII engine) and so many still in service were not designed using current systems engineering best practice. When changes need to be introduced into these products the pre‐work required to get the product information dataset to the point that current best practice can be employed is often not worth the benefit (Bahill & Briggs 2001). The challenge is to decide what level of systems engineering rigor is of value to apply when making changes to these legacy products. This paper describes the authors’ work tackling this issue focusing on understanding the change needed. It proposes a generic approach for tailoring systems engineering to understand the change needed on a legacy product.
Achieving System‐of‐Systems Interoperability Levels Using Linked Data and Ontologies
Authors: Axelsson Jakob
Published: September 2020

Interoperability is a key concern in systems‐of‐systems (SoS). Numerous frameworks have been proposed to deal with this, but they are generally on a high level and do not provide specific guidance for technical implementation. However, in the context of simulation, the Levels of Conceptual Interoperability Model (LCIM) has been proposed. Also, the semantic web initiative has been introduced to provide description logic information to web pages. This paper investigates how these two concepts can be combined into a general approach for SoS interoperability. It also expands on the LCIM model by providing more details about the world models of a system and its content on the higher levels of interoperability. The combination is illustrated using an example of autonomous vehicles, and experiences from other applications are also discussed.
Case Study: Achieving System Integration through Interoperability in a large System of Systems (SoS)
Authors: Hoehne Oliver
Published: September 2020

This paper provides a case study on system of systems engineering (SoSE) being performed in a multi‐billion‐dollar program – the California High‐Speed Rail System – viewed from the systems integration perspective. The paper discusses why the subject program of projects (PoP) can be viewed as a system of systems (SoS), identifies the SoSE challenges faced, describes the SoSE activities performed, and summarizes the achieved outcomes and conclusions as of today.

Specific SoSE challenges discussed include SoS authority, leadership, architecting, collaboration, integration, and emergence. The paper reviews how decision‐making in independently operated and managed constituent systems (projects) resulted in unanticipated SoS emergent behavior, which is one of the key challenges in the engineering of SoS.

The paper further discusses the performed SoSE activities, including an international best practice review, the tailoring of SoSE to the specific SoSE challenges, and provides examples where SoSE principles are being applied to perform successful SoS integration.
An Approach to Architect using Spaces and Flows
Authors: Kumar Anand , Natarajan Swaminathan , Lokku Doji Samson
Published: September 2020

Today, architecture as a discipline is gaining prominence for addressing the increasing complexity associated with enterprises, systems, software, software intensive systems and other entities. This is evident by the increasing architecture related activities that are performed as part of many of these endeavors. Many architecture frameworks, that have been found useful by communities of practice, are increasingly found applicable in different situations requiring architectural interventions. However, it is often the case that there is no foundational basis for many of these practices other than the fact that they are found to be useful. In this paper, spaces and flows are introduced as the foundational concepts for architecting any entity. An approach that utilizes these concepts is proposed. The underlying rationale for the approach and the foundational concepts is also discussed. Further, the usefulness of these concepts and approach is illustrated by means of an exemplar.
Electing User Needs Related to Human Values through Illustrative ConOps ‐ a new‐energy case study
Authors: Aarsheim Runar Tunheim , Falk Kristin , Kjenner Svein
Published: September 2020

This paper investigates how to better understand end users’ human values at an early phase of system design in an innovative new‐energy project. By early involvement of end‐user, companies can avoid making costly design mistakes that reduce the usability of the system. For the innovative system there were no end‐users from where to directly obtain the operational knowledge. The paper has adopted research methods from the Design Thinking process, and uses industry‐as‐laboratory, conducting in‐depth interviews with end‐users from related applications. The research focuses on needs that originate from “human values” defined as an expressed emotional feeling addressing how the users perceive the system. The interviews resulted in 105 user needs translated into 17 relevant stakeholder requirements. The results showed that conducting interviews showing an illustrative ConOps gave 17% more chance of finding needs originating from human values compared to not using this attribute. This research proposes a process for integrating the human values into the early phase of systems engineering.
Systems and Software Interface Survey
Authors: Muscarella Sally , Osaisai Macaulay , Sheard Sarah
Published: September 2020

INCOSE formed the Systems and Software Interface Working Group (SaSIWG) in 2017, in response to Corporate Advisory Board interest in software, and problems identified in the systems and software interface (physical, logical, data and human). This third SaSIWG paper presents the results of a survey of systems engineers, software engineers, and project managers as to what are best practices and what are the priority challenges related to the interface between systems and software. The best practices mentioned by the 31 interviewees are grouped and summarized, followed by information on priority challenges and problems. Systems engineering must be done well, and that includes an ever‐increasing amount of Model‐Based Systems Engineering. It also includes developing and holding to a vision, addressing data, ensuring interdisciplinary work, planning systematic verification, and ensuring modularity. Systems Engineering must evolve to meet new challenges and most important, the expertise of systems engineers must include software engineering.
Systems Engineering Evidence in Commercial Kitchens
Authors: Armstrong James R.
Published: September 2020

INCOSE has expressed interest in the application of systems engineering principles and practices in industries outside of the classic aerospace, communications, and other large system developments commonly related to the discipline. In this case, a visit to the kitchen at the Inn at Little Washington triggered thinking about how and why it was so different from other commercial kitchens. The resulting analysis of how systems engineering has significant relationship to the design of a wide variety of commercial kitchens is provided in this paper. The objective is to learn how we can see systems engineering in places it isn't normally found to both find other ways it can be applied and to help others improve their results by using systems engineering discipline.

Summary

This discussion was initiated by observing something quite unexpected and realizing that it had a lot of the earmarks of systems engineering thinking. This turns out to be the case for the specific instance of the Inn at Little Washington kitchen. However, in expanding the question to include commercial kitchens of various types, we find that the core concerns of systems engineering are the principal factors in the variety of applications and designs that exist. When hearing the term commercial kitchen, the stainless steel approach in Figure 5 probably comes to mind along with some nominal set of hardware. However, as we go through the list of types, we find that each design starts with the specific operational concept of what is being prepared, for whom, how much, where, in what environment, and what the business purpose is. These all drive the requirements along with various local restrictions and regulations. The functionality has to be understood and there may be alternatives that will drive the design. There are architectural and design options for trade analysis. Modeling may be more based on drawings and mental models but still exists and actual prototypes and exercises have been used. There is a lot of integration involved with both the internal and external elements and human interfaces are important. The final product must work as advertised and, in the truest sense of validation, must support a successful business. There are several areas where specialty engineering is involved such as safety, reliability, and maintainability. In summary, we see a significant relationship to the classic world of systems engineering even if it doesn't use the same vocabulary.

So what should we gain from this discussion? Its aim is to help systems engineers to recognize the discipline in other places where it is not normally talked about and be able to learn from those applications. Also, it can help in recognizing that we can better tailor our explanation of our best practices for others who could benefit from more discipline in their work. It is up to the systems engineering community to use this discussion to aid such a two‐way flow of ideas for the benefit of all.
Delivering Change
Authors: Stolzar Lauren , Mooney Carolyn , de Lucena Paul , Ferraioli Patrick , Koufopoulos Michelle , Misek Nicole , Simone Ashley , Whitt Signy
Published: September 2020

How does systems thinking expand into new domains? As we move into INCOSE Vision 2025, this question becomes increasingly important to answer. Grubhub, a tech and logistics company in the United States focused on matching diners to restaurants, embarked on a journey to implement systems engineering, systems analysis, and systems thinking. This paper explores that journey, focusing on areas of success and failure that helped lay the groundwork for this capability to be developed within the company.
Systems of systems ontology in practice
Authors: Nilsson Robert , Viswanathan Shivaram , Mason Amanda , Jurland Per , Durgempudi Papi , Fischer Jake
Published: September 2020

This paper explores possibilities for collaboration between two companies that share interest in a System of Systems (SoS). Although traditional architectural frameworks and standards are applicable, there has been little work presented of how they can be used for collaboration by a practician. As a response to harmonize use of words for an SoS in relationship to standardized set of definitions an INCOSE Work Group project developed a proposal for an ontology that could support collaboration in the context of directed SoS and acknowledged SoS. This ontology is evaluated in the paper, first by a mapping of terms used in product development to test the ontology terms. Then the ontology is further explored with an example of how it could be used in architecture work in relation to directed SoS, specifically from a system safety aspect.
Techno‐Social Contracts for Security Orchestration in the Future of Systems Engineering
Authors: Dove Rick , Willett Keith D.
Published: September 2020

Security orchestration is the command and control behind security operations. Command includes governance and adjudication logic and rules. Control includes the messaging infrastructure and message set for bidirectional communication between the orchestration engine and the constituent parts of its enclave. Open Command and Control (OpenC2)1 is one effort advancing the messaging infrastructure and message set. Automating the command portion of orchestration remains largely unexplored and will emerge as a symbiosis between people and technology. Technology will have some autonomy including the ability to establish and sustain relationships (argued in a social sense) with other technology. To help facilitate trust relationships and interactions that secure the respective systems and their environment, techno‐social contracts are explored as an approach to explicitly encode technology‐to‐technology rules of intra‐protection and inter‐protection as part of security orchestration.
Implementing MBSE – An Enterprise Approach to an Enterprise Problem
Authors: Papke Barry L. , Wang Gan , Kratzke Ron , Schreiber Chris
Published: September 2020

Model Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) is now widely accepted throughout the industry, from commercial to aerospace and defense. However, while we understand and accept the principles of MBSE, successful adoption and implementation is still a challenge within the industry. The migration from document‐based systems engineering processes to MBSE requires more than purchasing tools and a one‐week course on Systems Modeling Language (SysML). MBSE does not change the practice of Systems Engineering as defined in the INCOSE SE Handbook or ISO/IEEE 15288, but it does affect the way in which systems engineering processes are implemented and supported within and across organizations. Organizations adopting MBSE must address issues such as new skill and competency requirements for systems engineers, model and data management over the lifecycle of the system, and integration with other engineering tools and processes, among others. It is not a tool problem or a modeler problem. It is an enterprise problem and requires an enterprise approach. The approach must be defined and guided by an enterprise architecture, which is broader than just the engineering tools and their interfaces. It includes the enterprise strategic vision, capabilities, operational concepts, organizations, and material solutions required to achieve MBSE adoption, how they relate to one another, and their evolution over time. This paper provides a broad overview of the fundamentals of MBSE adoption and the broader effort of digital engineering transformation, presenting the digital engineering environment as a system‐of‐systems. It presents the use of enterprise architecture as a roadmap for MBSE adoption within the industry.
Novel toxicity of tris(1,3‐dichloro‐2‐propyl) phosphate in adult male rats
Authors: Kobayashi Shohei , Abe Kodai , Isobe Anna , Nakayama Airi , Akimoto Takahiro , Hatakeyama Taichi , Saito Yoshiaki , Yanagisawa Rie , Koike Eiko , Suzuki Noriyuki , Kawaguchi Maiko , Ohta Ryo
Published: September 2020

The widespread use of tris(1,3‐dichloro‐2‐propyl) phosphate (TDCIPP) as a flame retardant has led to its release to the environment. Thus, the toxicological effects of TDCIPP on humans and animals are of importance. For better understanding of its potential toxicities, TDCIPP (250, 500, or 650 mg/kg/day) or vehicle control was administrated orally to adult male Wistar‐Imamichi rats for 7 days. After the final administration of compounds, organ weights, histopathology, blood biochemistry, and hematology were examined. Hepatic toxicity was observed at doses ≥ 500 mg/kg/day of TDCIPP, and renal toxicity was observed at 650 mg/kg/day. The anti‐androgenic activity of TDCIPP was previously confirmed in vitro and in vivo, but weights of epididymis, an androgen‐dependent organ, were not affected by TDCIPP treatment in adults. Serum alkaline phosphatase activity was significantly decreased in all TDCIPP‐treated rats independent of dose. Hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, red blood cell count, and reticulocyte count were decreased in all TDCIPP‐treated rats, but mean corpuscular volume, total iron‐binding capacity, and serum iron were normal, suggesting that renal anemia was caused by TDCIPP. Together with previous reports on effects of anti‐androgenic substances on red blood cell indices, anemia caused by TDCIPP could be due to its anti‐androgenic activity. These considerations will contribute to further assessment of the toxicity of the compound.
Association of genetic variants in the 3′‐untranslated region of the mesothelin (MSLN) gene with ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Abou‐El‐Naga Amoura M. , Abo El‐Khair Salwa M. , Mahmoud Ashraf Z. , Hamza Mohamed , Elshazli Rami M.
Published: September 2020

Limited information has been offered regarding the association of mesothelin (MSLN) gene variants at the 3′‐untranslated region with the risk of ovarian carcinoma. The primary objective of this work is to assess the impact of the MSLN (rs1057147 and rs57272256) variants on the progression of ovarian carcinoma among Egyptian women. The study was conceived based on 127 women diagnosed with ovarian carcinoma and 106 unrelated cancer‐free controls. Genomic DNA of these MSLN variants was genotyped utilizing the PCR technique. The frequencies of the MSLN (rs1057147) variant revealed a significant association with increased risk of ovarian carcinoma under allelic and dominant models (P < .05). Nonetheless, ovarian cancer patients with the MSLN (rs57272256) variant did not attain considerable significance under all genetic models (P > .05). Together, our findings suggested that the MSLN (rs1057147) variant was associated with an increased risk of ovarian carcinoma, but not the MSLN (rs57272256) variant.
Do prolonged fasting periods influence the postprandial metabolic responses in turtles? What can Trachemys scripta elegans teach us about this?
Authors: de Figueiredo Aymam C. , de Carvalho José E.
Published: September 2020

The postprandial period is characterized by a modification of the gastrointestinal activity after food intake, accompanied by an increase in metabolic rate, secretion of acids, and absorption of nutrients. For ectothermic vertebrates, those changes are particularly prominent given the relatively low metabolic cost and the low frequency of food uptake. However, prolonged fasting periods decrease energy reserves and may compromise the upregulation of costly processes, such as the increase in metabolic rate after resuming the meal intake. Assuming that the main source of energy needed to support such events is provided from the animal's own body reserves, our aim with this study is to test the hypothesis that the longer the period of fasting, the smaller the metabolic rate increase during the postprandial period, since lesser energy reserves trigger these increases. For this, we measured the oxygen consumption rates (V̇O2) of red‐eared slider turtles, Trachemys scripta elegans, submitted to different periods of fasting (47 and 102 days), before and after the ingestion of meals equivalent to 5% of their body masses. Despite the longer fasting period, which led to a reduction of 10.77% in the body mass of the turtles, there were no differences between the two experimental groups regarding maximum V̇O2 values after food intake (V̇O2 peak), postprandial metabolic scope, mean time to V̇O2 peak, and postprandial duration. Results indicate that 102 fasting days does not compromise aerobic metabolic increase during postprandial period and does not impair digestive process of the turtles, even with a loss of body mass.
Expression of lncRNA FGD5‐AS1 correlates with poor prognosis in melanoma patients
Authors: Gao Yihong , Zhu Hongliu , Mao Qiuxia
Published: September 2020

Background

Growing evidence demonstrates that long non‐coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play an important role in cancer origination and progression. A novel identified lncRNA, FGD5 antisense RNA 1 (FGD5‐AS1), was reported to be overexpressed in several tumors. The present study aimed to investigate the expression of FGD5‐AS1 in melanoma and its associations with clinical prognosis in melanoma patients.

Methods

The expression levels of FGD5‐AS1 in 188 pairs of melanoma specimens and matched non‐tumor specimens were determined using a real‐time polymerase chain reaction. A chi‐squared test was performed to determine the relationship between FGD5‐AS1 levels and clinicopathological features. The overall survival rates of melanoma patients based on the expression of FGD5‐AS1 were calculated by the Kaplan–Meier method with a log‐rank test. Finally, univariate and multivariate assays were carried out to determine whether FGD5‐AS1 was a prognostic factor in melanoma patients.

Results

We observed that FGD5‐AS1 in melanoma specimens was distinctly up‐regulated compared to adjacent non‐tumor specimens (p < 0.01). In malignant cases, higher expression of FGD5‐AS1 was prominently associated with tumor thickness (p = 0.024) and advanced tumor stage (p = 0.039). The data from our clinical study revealed that patients with high FGD5‐AS1 expression had a distinctly shorter overall survival (p = 0.0034) and disease‐free survival (p < 0.0001) than those with low FGD5‐AS1 expression. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that high FGD5‐AS1 expression may serve as a potential independent prognostic factor in melanoma.

Conclusions

FGD5‐AS1 may act as a prognostic predictor and a possible drug‐target for melanoma patients.
Perceived supplier opportunism in outsourcing relationships in emerging economies
Authors: Skowronski Keith , Benton W. C. , Hill James A.
Published: September 2020

While opportunism has been a focus of transaction cost economics, perceived opportunism, where one party is perceived to be acting opportunistically when there is no opportunistic intent, can also lead to increased transaction costs in an exchange. In this study, consistent with forms of opportunism observed in our context of manufacturing outsourcing, we examine two different forms of perceived opportunism—perceived poaching and shirking. As narratives of the hidden costs of outsourcing discuss concerns of suppliers in emerging economies engaging in poaching and shirking, we examine if the level of economic development where a supplier operates affects perceptions of supplier poaching and shirking and also examine if the supplier's competitive priorities moderate those perceptions. To empirically test these relationships, we combine archival data of location characteristics with a dyadic primary dataset that captures perceived supplier opportunism, self‐reported supplier opportunism, and other relationship characteristics. Our findings illustrate that perceived opportunism and opportunism are distinct constructs and that more observable forms of opportunism (i.e., shirking) affect perceived opportunism more than less observable forms of opportunism (i.e., poaching). We also find that, in existing relationships, manufacturers in advanced economies perceive poaching to be more strongly related to the level of economic development where a supplier operates than shirking. Finally, we find that while a cost focus can mitigate perceptions of poaching, an innovation focus exacerbates them. Overall, our study illustrates the challenges that innovation‐focused suppliers in emerging economies face in regards to competing with suppliers in advanced economies.
Clinical and patient‐centered outcomes using two types of subepithelial connective tissue grafts: A split‐mouth randomized clinical trial
Authors: Zangrando Mariana Schutzer Ragghianti , Eustachio Ricardo Rabelo , de Rezende Maria Lúcia Rubo , Sant'ana Adriana Campos Passanezi , Damante Carla Andreotti , Greghi Sebastião Luiz Aguiar
Published: September 2020

Background

This split‐mouth randomized clinical trial compared two different types of subepithelial connective tissue grafts (SCTG) considering clinical parameters and patient‐centered outcomes in patients with bilateral recession type 1 multiple gingival recessions after 6 months postoperatively.

Methods

A total of 21 patients were surgically treated with coronally advanced flap (CAF) associated with SCTG harvested by: double blade scalpel (DBS) and de‐epithelialized (DE) SCTG. Periodontal clinical parameters and esthetics were evaluated by a calibrated periodontist at baseline and after 6 months. Patient‐centered outcomes related to pain/discomfort and esthetics were assessed with visual analogue scale after 7 days and 6 months, respectively.

Results

All clinical parameters, with the exception of probing depth, demonstrated differences in intragroup evaluation, comparing baseline to 6‐month evaluation (P <0.05). Both groups presented reduction of recession depth and recession width and gain of keratinized tissue thickness, keratinized tissue width, and clinical attachment level (P <0.05). Intergroup comparison (DBS × DE) demonstrated no significant differences considering clinical parameters and periods. Both techniques improved esthetics evaluated by patients, without a difference between groups in patients and professional analysis. However, DBS group presented inferior pain/discomfort compared with DE (P <0.05).

Conclusion

DBS and DE associated with CAF presented satisfactory clinical outcomes. However, DBS presented inferior morbidity, an important fact for decision‐making process.
Clinical sequelae and patients’ perception of dental implant removal: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Gargallo‐Albiol Jordi , Tavelli Lorenzo , Barootchi Shayan , Monje Alberto , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: September 2020

Background

A cross‐sectional study was designed to shed light on the clinical sequelae and patient satisfaction after dental implant removal (IR).

Methods

Patients undergoing ≥1 IRs were eligible. The reasons for implant failure, clinical and radiological parameters before and after IR, and the surgical and prosthetic treatments offered after IR was assessed. Patient satisfaction was recorded and the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP)‐14 was used to document patient self‐reported dysfunction and discomfort attributed to IR. Lastly, patient expectations after IR were also evaluated.

Results

Thirty‐one patients with 45 implants were analyzed. Peri‐implantitis was the main reason for IR (64.5%). The average implant survival time before IR was 120.3 ± 88.2 months. Signs of infection (51.7%) and bleeding on probing (37.5%) were common signs detected at the time of IR. Guided bone regeneration was the intervention most commonly applied simultaneously to IR (74.1%). The reported degree of satisfaction was high, and the overall OHIP‐14 score was low. However, a certain patient reluctance to undergo future implant placement in the same clinic or with the same professional was recorded, and a statistically significant increase in adherence to the implant maintenance routine was observed after IR.

Conclusions

Peri‐implantitis is the leading cause for IR. Guided bone regeneration is commonly applied to attenuate the clinical sequelae of IR. Nonetheless, IR does not seem to affect patients’ satisfaction nor their quality of life, though a certain patient reluctance to undergo future implant placement in the same clinic or with the same professional was reported.
Late Pleistocene–Holocene environmental and climatic history of a freshwater paramo ecosystem in the northern Andes
Authors: Patiño Luisa , Velez Maria Isabel , Weber Marion , Velásquez‐r César A. , David Santiago , Rueda Manuela , Castañeda Ivonne , Arboleda Diana
Published: September 2020

This study presents the first multi‐proxy palaeoenvironmental and palaeoclimatic history for northern South America based on the palaeolimnological reconstruction of a pond located in a dry paramo at 3570 masl. During the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the study area was under glacial conditions, then during global events Heinrich Stadial 1 (HS1), Bølling–Allerød (BA), and the Younger Dryas (YD), the pond expanded, accumulation rates and proxies for erosion reached the highest values, indicative of humid conditions, with maxima in humidity during the BA and YD. Dry conditions and pond desiccation occurred in the Greenlandian–Northgrippian and by 6010 cal a bp the area was transformed into the mire of today. Comparisons with records from other sites in South America indicate that changes in humidity are most likely controlled by the Intertropical Convergence Zone, mainly during the glacial and postglacial, and by changes in the Pacific Ocean, more pronounced after the YD.
Predictive significance of tumor budding in postoperative liver metastasis of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Lu Yuanxiang , Li Wensen , Mu Senmao , Tao Lianyuan , Yan Guoyi , Xiao Erwei , Wang Liancai , Li Deyu
Published: September 2020

Background

Although pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (PNETs) are considered indolent tumors, nearly half of cases metastasize to the liver, which can be lethal. However, effective indicators to predict aggressive behavior have not been well‐established.

Methods

In the current study, we explored the prognostic significance of tumor budding in Grade 1–2 PNETs. Hematoxylin‐eosin and immunohistochemically stained slides of surgically removed Grade 1–2 PNETs were evaluated.

Results

Tumor budding, a histomorphological parameter that corresponds to single cells or small cell clusters (<5 cells), was classified as low (0–10 buds) and high (>10 buds) grade. We observed that tumor budding was correlated with aggressive histopathological parameters, such as T stage, lymph node status, metastasis, and vascular invasion (p < .05). Univariate and multivariate analyses showed that high‐grade budding was an independent predictive factor for postoperative liver metastasis (p = .012). Moreover, Grade 1–2 PNETs with high‐grade budding was associated with worse overall survival and disease‐free survival (p = .0015 and p = .0041, respectively).

Conclusions

We conclude that tumor budding may serve as a valuable parameter in the risk stratification of postoperative liver metastasis and that incorporating tumor budding into histopathological reports may aid in appropriate clinical management.