bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Role of hepatitis C virus core antigen assay in hepatitis C care in developing country
Authors: Kallala Ouafa , Kacem Saoussen , Fodha Imene , Pozzetto Bruno , Abdelhalim Trabelsi
Published: September 2021

Background

The World Health Organization (WHO) aims to achieve global hepatitis C elimination by 2030, defined as diagnosis of 90% of infected individuals and treating 80% of them. Current guidelines for the screening and diagnosis of hepatitis C infection denote using a relatively cheap screen with anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV) antibody immunoassay, followed by the much costlier molecular test for HCV RNA levels using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay to confirm active HCV infection. Simplification of the HCV evaluation algorithm to reduce the number of required tests could considerably expand the provision of HCV treatment especially in a developing country. This study investigates the performance of hepatitis C Core Antigen (HCV Ag) test by comparing HCV Ag results versus the results obtained with HCV ribonucleic acid (RNA) PCR which is considered the gold standard for the diagnosis of HCV infection.

Results

Among the 109 anti-HCV positive sera, 96 were positive for both HCV Ag (> 3 fmol/L) and HCV RNA (> 15 IU/mL); 8 were negative for both tests, while the remaining 5 were positive for HCV RNA only. Considering the HCV RNA as gold standard; the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of HCV Ag test were found to be 95.05%, 100%, 100%, and 61.54%, respectively. HCV genotype was performed for 59 patients. The most common HCV genotype was genotype 1 (72.9%). Genotype 2 (15.3%) and genotype 3 (11.9%) were detected in the others samples. A high level of correlation was seen between HCV RNA and HCV Ag (r = 0.958, p < 0.001). The correlation for the samples that were genotyped 1 was significant (r = 0.966, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

In our study, it was found that there was strong correlation between HCV RNA levels and HCV Ag levels. So, it can be used for a one-step HCV antigen test to diagnose active HCV infection.
Inhibition of WEE1 Is Effective inTP53- andRAS-Mutant Metastatic Colorectal Cancer: A Randomized Trial (FOCUS4-C) Comparing Adavosertib (AZD1775) With Active Monitoring
Authors: Seligmann Jenny F. , Fisher David J. , Brown Louise C. , Adams Richard A. , Graham Janet , Quirke Philip , Richman Susan D. , Butler Rachel , Domingo Enric , Blake Andrew , Yates Emma , Braun Michael , Collinson Fiona , Jones Rob , Brown Ewan , de Winton Emma , Humphrey Timothy C. , Parmar Mahesh , Kaplan Richard , Wilson Richard H. , Seymour Matthew , Maughan Timothy S. ,   on behalf of the FOCUS4 Trial Investigators
Published: September 2021

PURPOSE

Outcomes in RAS-mutant metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) remain poor and patients have limited therapeutic options. Adavosertib is the first small-molecule inhibitor of WEE1 kinase. We hypothesized that aberrations in DNA replication seen in mCRC with both RAS and TP53 mutations would sensitize tumors to WEE1 inhibition.

METHODS

Patients with newly diagnosed mCRC were registered into FOCUS4 and tested for TP53 and RAS mutations. Those with both mutations who were stable or responding after 16 weeks of chemotherapy were randomly assigned 2:1 between adavosertib and active monitoring (AM). Adavosertib (250 mg or 300 mg) was taken orally once on days 1-5 and days 8-12 of a 3-week cycle. The primary outcome was progression-free survival (PFS), with a target hazard ratio (HR) of 0.5 and 80% power with a one-sided 0.025 significance level.

RESULTS

FOCUS4-C was conducted between April 2017 and Mar 2020 during which time 718 patients were registered; 247 (34%) were RAS/TP53-mutant. Sixty-nine patients were randomly assigned from 25 UK hospitals (adavosertib = 44; AM = 25). Adavosertib was associated with a PFS improvement over AM (median 3.61 v 1.87 months; HR = 0.35; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.68; P = .0022). Overall survival (OS) was not improved with adavosertib versus AM (median 14.0 v 12.8 months; HR = 0.92; 95% CI, 0.44 to 1.94; P = .93). In prespecified subgroup analysis, adavosertib activity was greater in left-sided tumors (HR = 0.24; 95% CI, 0.11 to 0.51), versus right-sided (HR = 1.02; 95% CI, 0.41 to 2.56; interaction P = .043). Adavosertib was well-tolerated; grade 3 toxicities were diarrhea (9%), nausea (5%), and neutropenia (7%).

CONCLUSION

In this phase II randomized trial, adavosertib improved PFS compared with AM and demonstrates potential as a well-tolerated therapy for RAS/TP53-mutant mCRC. Further testing is required in this sizable population of unmet need.
Association Between Diabetes Mellitus and the Risk of Herpes Zoster: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Chun-Ta , Lee Chi-Yu , Sung Heng-You , Liu Shu-Jung , Liang Po-Chih , Tsai Ming-Chieh
Published: September 2021

Context

Individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) are susceptible to various infections.

Objective

We estimated the risk of herpes zoster (HZ) among individuals with DM compared with individuals in the general population.

Methods

We searched the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PerioPath databases from their inception to January 30, 2021, for studies on the risk of HZ in individuals with DM. Two authors independently screened all articles identified. The same 2 authors independently extracted the data. Four case-control studies and 12 cohort studies were included.

Results

Meta-analyses were performed using fixed and mixed-effects models. In the pooled analysis, individuals with DM had a higher risk of developing HZ (pooled relative risk [RR]: 1.38; 95% CI, 1.21-1.57) than individuals in the general population. The results were consistent in subgroup analyses stratified by type of diabetes, age, and study design. In individuals with DM, cardiovascular disease had an additive effect on increasing the risk of HZ (pooled RR: 1.19; 95% CI, 1.11-1.28). There was a linear dose-response association between age and the risk of HZ in individuals with DM.

Conclusion

Individuals with DM have an increased risk of HZ compared with the general population. Varicella vaccination should be provided to individuals with DM regardless of their age, prioritizing older adults and those with cardiovascular disease. Varicella vaccination policies for individuals with DM should be updated based on the evidence.
Albino wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Tamil Nadu, Southern India
Authors: Samson Arockianathan , Krishnakumar Nagarajan , Ramakrishnan Balasundaram , Princy Jabamalainathan Leona
Published: September 2021

El albinismo es un trastorno hipopigmentario con una falta total de melanina en el pelo, los ojos y la piel debido a la ausencia hereditaria de la enzima funcional tirosinasa en las células pigmentarias que afectan a toda la piel y el pelo, lo que da como resultado un pelaje blanco total con ojos rojos. El 10 de agosto de 2019 a las 11:30 am durante un trabajo de campo, registramos un jabalí macho albino en la Reserva de Tigres de Sathyamangalam, Eastern Ghats, Tamil Nadu, sur de la India. Desafortunadamente, numerosos registros de este tipo de aberraciones de color no se informaron adecuadamente. En esta nota destacamos la importancia de las fotografías como una herramienta importante para la documentación sobre la historia natural. Esta observación centra la atención de la comunidad científica por reconocer mejor este fenómeno y comprender las implicaciones ecológicas y fisiológicas de esta situación, que tiene una gran influencia en la supervivencia animal.
Valuing the early years workforce
Authors: Cowley Sue
Published: September 2021

While the cost of childcare continues to increase, staff wages remain at historically low levels and excessive workload is an ongoing issue. Sue Cowley takes a look at pay and conditions in the sector and examines the impact on recruitment and retention.
Urban playground
Authors: Gill Tim
Published: September 2021

The pandemic has led to an enforced diet of hyperlocal living. And many of us found some of its ingredients, including more time to ourselves, stronger connections with neighbours and the pleasures of nearby nature, all very much to our tastes.
Vasily Sukhomlinsky (1918-1970)
Authors: Cockerill Alan
Published: September 2021

Here we explore the work of a Ukrainian educator who adopted an innovative approach to early childhood education, and who has been very influential in former Soviet bloc countries and in China.
More than just a framework
Authors: Demetriadi Nicola
Published: September 2021

Understanding the depth and meaning behind the word ‘curriculum’, will guide those in early years on how to implement it in practice and record its impact on a child's learning and development.
Time to get back to nature
Authors: Marsh Sian
Published: September 2021

The sights, smells and sounds of early years outdoor learning are more important than ever in our post-lockdown world, says Sian Marsh of Best Practice Network.
Parent engagement through digital technology
Authors: Meechan David
Published: September 2021

The following article discusses two case studies in relation to their use of digital technology and parent partnerships, before asking what this means for practice beyond the pandemic.
Happier parents, happier educators, better early education
Authors: Arnerich Matt
Published: September 2021

Matt from Famly talks us through why parents now expect a community experience from you online and offers tips on how to meet parent expectations without overburdening yourself.
Maths through movement and active play
Authors: Swift Tania
Published: September 2021

In this final article in the Movement and active play series, Tania Swift explores ways in which mathematical learning can be supported every day through active ways, whilst also instilling a life-long interest in maths.
Parental collaboration and EYFS reforms
Authors: Reid Chris
Published: September 2021

Why is parental collaboration still key following the EYFS reforms? Chris Reid asks this question due to the multitude of changes having taken place recently, which may have caused the usual practices surrounding parent partnerships to be placed to one side.
Stop underfunding and start building futures
Authors: Tanuku Purnima
Published: September 2021

The nursery sector is fully aware of the huge challenges it faces following years of underfunding and 18 months of Covid-19 restrictions and temporary closures, resulting in loss of income. This is why it's time to stop underfunding and start building futures, especially in areas of deprivation.
Operating on numbers
Authors: Harries Judith
Published: September 2021

This article looks at books that explore big numbers and different number operations – addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. There are ideas for activities inspired by the books to help introduce and develop these mathematical skills.
Make the change
Authors: Hewson Claire
Published: September 2021

Against the background of the pandemic and global warming, the theme of The Big Draw 2021, an art festival which takes place this month, is ‘Make the change’. The focus is to explore the ways we look after each other and the natural world to make a positive impact on the future.
Toilet training
Authors: Rawstrone Annette
Published: September 2021

Becoming toilet trained is an important new skill that takes time and patience for both you and your child. But when is it the right time to start doing this and how should you go about it?
Bringing the outside in: Indoor farm
Authors: Clarke Jenni
Published: September 2021

I made an indoor farm using natural resources with a group of children when I was teaching reception age. It was such a success, I wanted to share the idea with you.
Pants-tastic performances
Authors: Harries Judith
Published: September 2021

Claire Freedman is a highly successful author of many entertaining picture books for young children, featuring pants-obsessed aliens and dinosaurs, best friends Oliver and Patch, and lots of different monsters.
Measurements of slit-width effects in Young’s double-slit experiment for a partially-coherent source: erratum
Authors: Pearson Brett J. , Ferris Natalie , Strauss Ruthie , Li Hongyi , Jackson David P.
Published: September 2021

We report here two inadvertent errors that appear in our original paper [OSA Continuum 1, 755 (2018)10.1364/OSAC.1.000755].
Endocrine, energy, and lipid status during parturition and early lactation in indigenous goats native to the Algerian Sahara
Authors: Henna Kamilia , Boudjellaba Sofiane , Khammar Farida , Amirat Zaina , Chesneau Didier , Charallah Salima
Published: September 2021

Background and Aim: Goats are widely distributed in southwest Algeria. The Saharan goat is perfectly adapted to the harsh conditions of arid areas, and it is characterized by resistance to long photoperiod and reduced metabolic needs, allowing the survival of its offspring by maintaining lactation. Several studies have demonstrated that parturition and lactation are critical periods that induce hormone, energy, and lipid status changes in mammals. However, the relationship between the blood biochemical parameters of parturition control and lactation functions in the Algerian Saharan goat has not been thoroughly documented. Therefore, this study assesses hormone and metabolite levels during parturition and early lactation in Saharan goats reared in arid areas.

Materials and Methods: Experiments were performed on 14 multiparous female goats, and blood samples were collected during parturition, 4 days postpartum (D1PP-D4PP), and during the first 12 weeks of lactation (W1-W12) to analyze prolactin, cortisol, glucose (GLU), total proteins (TP), cholesterol (CHO), triglycerides (TGs), total lipids (TL), low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), and very LDLs (VLDLs).

Results: Statistical data analysis revealed a significant (p<0.05) increase in plasma prolactin concentrations at W1 after parturition, reaching maximum values at W3 and W9, and remained high until W12 of lactation. Plasma cortisol levels were high at parturition, reaching two peaks at W3 and W9, and then decreased at W5, W7, and W12 of lactation. No significant changes were found in serum GLU levels during the first 7 weeks of lactation compared with parturition day; then, the levels became significantly (p<0.05) lower at W8, W11, and W12 of lactation. Plasma TP increased significantly (p<0.05) at D3PP, W1, and W4, then decreased significantly (p<0.05) at W8. In addition, this decrease coincided with that of GLU production. Serum CHO, TGs, TL, LDLs, and VLDLs, were low at parturition and high at D4PP and during the first 3 months of lactation. Furthermore, HDL levels were low at D3PP, 1st, and 3rd months and high at the 2nd month of lactation.

Conclusion: This study emphasized the impact of parturition and the 1st weeks of lactation on endocrine and metabolic changes in indigenous goats living in the Algerian Sahara Desert. These results can be used to monitor and improve farming management and understand physiological adaptive strategies, mainly lactation function sustainability, of this goat living in marginal zones.
Changes of immune cells in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma treated by radiofrequency ablation and hepatectomy, a pilot study
Authors: Yu Zusheng , Li Guowei , Yu Hang , Asakawa Tetsuya
Published: September 2021

In this pilot study, we compared the dynamic changes of circulating immune cells between patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who underwent radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and hepatectomy. Seventy-three patients were enrolled in this study. Flow cytometry assay was performed to determine the immune cells in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) before treatment and on days 7, 14, and 28 after treatment. We found that in the RFA group, the circulating cluster of differentiation (CD)4+ cells, the CD4+/CD8+ ratio, and natural killer (NK) cells continued to increase, and the circulating CD8+ cells continued to decrease after the treatment. In contrast, in the surgery group, the circulating CD4+ cells and CD4+/CD8+ ratio decreased over the first seven postoperative days and then began to increase, and CD8+ cells decreased on the first 7 postoperative days and began to increase thereafter. The changes of immune cells in tumor tissues consisted of an increase in the number of CD4+ cells, CD8+ cells, CD3+ cells, and NK cells immediately after RFA. Our results show that postoperative immune function continued to improve after RFA, but after surgery, it decreased in the first week and started to improve thereafter. These findings are important for clinicians when selecting the appropriate therapy for HCC.
Narrowing the mindware gap in medicine
Authors: Croskerry Pat
Published: September 2021

Medical error is now recognized as one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Of the medical errors, diagnostic failure appears to be the dominant contributor, failing in a significant number of cases, and associated with a high degree of morbidity and mortality. One of the significant contributors to diagnostic failure is the cognitive performance of the provider, how they think and decide about the process of diagnosis. This thinking deficit in clinical reasoning, referred to as a mindware gap, deserves the attention of medical educators. A variety of specific approaches are outlined here that have the potential to close the gap.
Habermas’ neue Phänomenologie des Geistes: Zwei Jahrhunderte nach Hegel
Authors: Benhabib Seyla
Published: September 2021

Jürgen Habermas’sopus magnum,Auch eine Geschichte der Philosophie, synthesises his impressive work of the last half century. His thesis is that the modern project of the normativity of “rational freedom” can be reconstructed as a learning process of the conflictual dialogue between reason and faith, philosophy and religion in the West. Furthermore, under conditions of a world society, cross-cultural communication across lifeworlds, based on such normative principles, is possible.

I argue that Habermas’s argument recapitulates a claim first made inThe Phenomenology of Spiritby Hegel, who presented the normativity of modernity through a narrative unfolding between two epistemological standpoints, namely, that of consciousness and “we.” Just like Hegel, in order to defend the idea of aLernprozess, Habermas too must presuppose a unified subject called “we;” furthermore the development of such subjectivity unfolds in a homogeneous temporal process that is then assumed to be the same for all mankind.

I call this a form of “historicism,” and juxtapose recent historical writing that presents the narrative of modernity and the emergence of world-society as a much more diverse and fractured process than Hegel’s and Habermas’s methodology. “Die Einbeziehung der Anderen,” I argue, must involve including the voices of those others who do not experience the normative of modernity as a process like the one unfolding between faith and reason in the West.

Nevertheless, I conclude that this plea for a more complex narrative that “provincialises Europe,” (Dipesh Chakrabarty) is not a rejection of the normative legacy of modern rationality and freedom that are based on the ideals of fallibilism, refutability and revisability through a rational community of inquirers.
Die Stimmung des Willens
Authors: Noller Jörg
Published: September 2021

This paper reconstructs Friedrich Schiller’s aesthetics from a compatibilist point of view. I shall argue that it is Schiller’s conception of individual self-determination that motivates his aesthetic critique of Kant’s moral philosophy. Schiller conceives of aesthetic self-determination in terms of a compatibilism between reason and nature. As such, Schiller’s aesthetics can be interpreted as an ontological category. His concepts of love, play and the aesthetic state must therefore be understood in terms of volitional structures that describe human freedom in nature, history and society.
Zum Begriff des Wertes in der Ethik Immanuel Kants
Authors: Salloch Sabine
Published: September 2021

The reference to “values” as normatively guiding structures is widespread in contemporary political and societal discussions. Values are expected to improve stability and provide ethical orientation in modern civilizations which are shaped by manifold cultural influences. At the same time values are often underdetermined, not well legitimized and difficult to interpret in concrete cases. The article takes up such appeals to “values” and contrasts them with Kant’s concept of moral value (in the singular). Moral value, according to Kant, remains dependent on the moral law as a formal procedure. Key issues for the understanding of moral value in Kant refer to overdetermined action and to the acquisition of maxims in life practice. An analysis of these aspects comes to the conclusion that the Kantian concept of moral value bypasses problems associated with the appeal to “values” and is promising for dealing with moral conflicts in modern societies.
Der Urteilsbegriff und Wissen aus zweiter Hand in der Ästhetik
Authors: Briesen Jochen
Published: September 2021

Although the concept of judgment has been replaced by the concept of belief in many philosophical subdisciplines, it has retained its central role in aesthetics. This paper discusses the following explanation for this: In contrast to the concept of belief, the concept of judgment presupposes conscious and first-personal engagement with the object about which the judgment is being made, and this conscious and first-personal engagement with the object in question plays a more important role in aesthetics than in other domains.
Jargon, Bullshit, sinnlos
Authors: Beck Max
Published: September 2021

Theodor W. Adorno’s Jargon of Authenticity (1964) is one of the bestknown, but also most controversial works of Critical Theory. Many philosophers, writers and editorialists have attacked the text in recent decades and accused Adorno of cultivating his own “jargon”. In his book, Adorno develops a critique of metaphysical and theological language, which he observed in Germany from the 1920s up to the 1960s. In my paper, I argue that the mode of critique Adorno deploys is still relevant today, even if its object has largely disappeared. This becomes clear in comparison to the language criticism of the analytical tradition, namely logical empiricism or Harry G. Frankfurt’s critique of “bullshit,” which are comparably more widespread today in academic debates. While Adorno examines linguistic expressions in terms of their social content and places them in a historical constellation, the critique of “bullshit” following Frankfurt remains constrained to a personal approach. In the language criticism of logical empiricism, on the other hand, the possibility of understanding linguistic phenomena as expressions of social conditions is still present. From this comparison, much can be learned for an up-to-date language criticism.
“Thanks in advance” – The negative effect of a polite phrase on compliance with a request
Authors: Bruttel Lisa , Nithammer Juri , Stolley Florian
Published: September 2021

This paper studies the effect of the commonly used phrase “thanks in advance” on compliance with a small request. In a controlled laboratory experiment we ask participants to give a detailed answer to an open question. The treatment variable is whether or not they see the phrase “thanks in advance.” Our participants react to the treatment by exerting less effort in answering the request even though they perceive the phrase as polite.
Design and development of novel thiazole-sulfonamide derivatives as a protective agent against diabetic cataract in Wistar rats via inhibition of aldose reductase
Authors: Yin Liang , Zhang Mingxue , He Tiangeng
Published: September 2021

In recent years, ALR2 (aldose reductase) inhibitors have attracted attention for their effective ability to reduce the progression of diabetes-associated cataracts. Therefore, in the present article, we intended to develop novel thiazole-sulfonamide hybrids as a potent inhibitor of ALR2. These molecules significantly inhibited the ALR2 level in the rat lenses homogenate, where the most potent compound 7b showed activity comparable to sorbinil as standard. In Wistar rats, compound 7b improved the insulin level and body weight of the experimental animal together with a reduction in the glucose output. Compound 7b showed a significant reduction in the expression of ALR2 in rat lenses in western blot analysis.
Structure-based nomenclature for irregular linear, star, comb, and brush polymers (IUPAC Recommendations 2020)
Authors: Chen Jiazhong , Wilks Edward S. , Fradet Alain , Hellwich Karl-Heinz , Hiorns Roger C. , Nakano Tamaki , dos Santos Claudio G. , Theato Patrick
Published: September 2021

The existing recommendations for the structure-based nomenclature of regular single-strand organic polymers are extrapolated to complex polymers. The key proposal is that polymeric moieties may be named substituents. The types of polymers covered include linear and branched polymers containing more than one block of a single type of constitutional repeating unit (CRU) and branched polymers containing a main chain from which one or more polymeric side chains emanate.
Central neuroinflammation in Covid-19: a systematic review of 182 cases with encephalitis, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis, and necrotizing encephalopathies
Authors: Zamani Raha , Pouremamali Rozhina , Rezaei Nima
Published: September 2021

Growing evidence demonstrates the association of encephalitis, meningoencephalitis or encephalomyelitis, with SARS-CoV-2 infection. This study aims to determine the profile and possible mechanisms behind CNS inflammatory diseases in the context of Covid-19. We conducted a systematic review of case reports on Covid-19-related encephalitis, meningoencephalitis, acute necrotizing encephalitis, and acute disseminated encephalomyelitis in adults, published before January 2021. A total of 182 cases (encephalitis = 109, meningoencephalitis = 26, acute disseminated encephalomyelitis = 35, acute necrotizing (hemorrhagic) encephalitis = 12) were included. While cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pleocytosis and increased protein level was present in less than 50%, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and electroencephalogram (EEG) were abnormal in 78 and 93.2% of all cases, respectively. Viral particles were detected in cerebrospinal fluid of only 13 patients and autoantibodies were present in seven patients. All patients presented with altered mental status, either in the form of impaired consciousness or psychological/cognitive decline. Seizure, cranial nerve signs, motor, and reflex abnormalities were among associated symptoms. Covid-19-associated encephalitis presents with a distinctive profile requiring thorough diagnosis and thereby a comprehensive knowledge of the disease. The clinical profile of brain inflammation in Covid-19 exhibits majority of abnormal imaging and electroencephalography findings with mild/moderate pleocytosis or proteinorrhachia as prevalent as normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Oligoclonal bands and autoantibody assessments are useful in further evaluating neuro-covid patients, as supported by our pooled evidence. Despite the possibility that direct viral invasion cannot be easily estimated, it is still more likely that immune-mediated or autoimmune reactions play a more important role in SARS-CoV-2 neuroinflammation.
Thermal conversion of the hydrous aluminosilicate LiAlSiO3(OH)2 into γ-eucryptite
Authors: Gordeeva Alisa , Jenei Istvan Z. , Spektor Kristina , Vekilova Olga Yu. , Häussermann Ulrich
Published: September 2021

LiAlSiO3(OH)2 is a dense hydrous aluminosilicate which is formed from LiAlSiO4 glass in hydrothermal environments at pressures around 5 GPa. The OH groups are part of the octahedral Al and Li coordination. We studied the dehydration behavior of LiAlSiO3(OH)2 by a combination of TEM and multi-temperature PXRD experiments. Dehydration takes place in the temperature interval 350–400 °C. Above 700 °C LiAlSiO3(OH)2 is converted via a transient and possibly still slightly hydrous phase into γ-eucryptite which is a metastable and rarely observed polymorph of LiAlSiO4. Its monoclinic structure is built from corner-sharing LiO4, AlO4 and SiO4 tetrahedra. The ordered framework of AlO4 and SiO4 tetrahedra is topologically equivalent to that of cristobalite.
Der Digitale Zwilling kann auch steuern
Authors: Stach Mathias , Heinzler Stefan , Pfeifer Jürgen
Published: September 2021

Der Digitale Zwilling ist im Kontext der digitalen Transformation über sämtliche Branchen hinweg nicht mehr wegzudenken. Die Verknüpfung von digitalen, semantischen Modellen mit realen Zustandsdaten verspricht zahlreiche Anwendungsfälle und Potenziale für die industrielle Nutzung und ist die Grundlage für eine effiziente Planung, Optimierung, Steuerung und Analyse einer wandelbaren und flexiblen Produktion in Echtzeit.
Konzept einer Reklamationspriorisierungsmatrix für die KMU
Authors: Ranganath Suhas , Zürn Siegfried
Published: September 2021

Die Zukunftsfähigkeit eines produzierenden Unternehmens hängt in hohem Maße von der Kundenzufriedenheit ab. Die Unzufriedenheit von Kunden mit der Reklamationsbearbeitung beruht dabei oft weniger auf der Qualität selbst, als auf Verzögerungen bei der Bearbeitung. Das vorgestellte Konzept liefert gerade für die KMU eine einfache Priorisierungstechnik für das Management von Qualitätsansprüchen von Kunden. Es konzentriert sich insbesondere auf die Implementierung der abgeleiteten Lösung, indem es eine explizite Bewertungsmethode für jeden der Priorisierungsfaktoren bereitstellt.
Nutzung von Standortrollen für die Fabrikkonzeptplanung
Authors: Berchtold Marc-André , Böhm Markus , Erlach Klaus , Bauernhansl Thomas
Published: September 2021

Bisher verwenden Fabrikplanungsansätze im frühen strategischen Planungsabschnitt oft sogenannte Fabriktypen. Diese Fabriktypen verfolgen jedoch nicht ein ganzheitliches Zielsystem, sondern fokussieren jeweils auf einzelne Ziele. Darüber hinaus ermöglichen die Fabriktypen nur eine isolierte Betrachtung der Einzelfabriken, weshalb deren Planung in Produktionsnetzwerken nicht mit Blick auf das Gesamtsystem erfolgt. Für Fabrikplanungen in Netzwerken sind gerade die Relationen zwischen den Fabriken relevant, was in den Fabriktypen nicht abgebildet ist. Die Perspektive „Standortrolle“ kann helfen, diese Lücke zu schließen.
Systematische Analyse der Stabilität eines Produktionssystems
Authors: Mühlbauer Konstantin , Meißner Sebastian
Published: September 2021

Volatile Umfeldbedingungen zwingen Unternehmen zu kontinuierlichen Produkt- und Prozessoptimierungen. Ziel der Veränderungen in der Produktion ist dabei für viele Unternehmen die Sicherstellung der Effizienz bei gleichzeitiger Erhöhung der Flexibilität und Termintreue von Prozessen, um Kundenanforderungen zielgerichtet erfüllen zu können. Hierbei geben die Prinzipien des Lean Managements Leitlinie vor. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird die Bedeutung des Prinzips der „Stabilität“ für Produktionssysteme im Hinblick auf die Ziele Effizienz, Flexibilität und Termintreue veranschaulicht und eine methodenbasierte Vorgehensweise zur Analyse von Einflussfaktoren auf die Stabilität für produzierende Unternehmen vorgestellt.
Nachhaltige Prozessdigitalisierung für KMU
Authors: Chhor Jimmy , Westermann Pia , Schmitt Robert H.
Published: September 2021

Ansätze der agilen Softwareentwicklung und des Change Management unterstützen kleine und mittlere Unternehmen in der nachhaltigen Prozessdigitalisierung. Der Anforderungskatalog greift diese auf und ergänzt sie um Anforderungen aus bestehenden Modellen und Experteninterviews. Über die vier Dimensionen Kultur, Organisationsstruktur, Ressourcen und Informationssysteme können im nächsten Schritt Defizite im Unternehmen identifiziert und strategische Handlungsbedarfe abgeleitet werden.
Case-Based Reasoning zur Kosten- und Kapazitätsbedarfsplanung von neuen Produkten
Authors: Girkes Florian , Berghof Steffen , Bergmann Jean Pierre
Published: September 2021

Zur Verkürzung der Zeitspanne zwischen der Entwicklung bis zur Auslieferung von neuen Produkten wird am Fachgebiet Fertigungstechnik der TU Ilmenau eine Methode entwickelt, mit der bereits in der Entwicklungsphase Kapazitäten für die Produktion reserviert und die Kostenkalkulation angegangen werden können, damit Unternehmen ihre Liefertermine einhalten und Kosten senken können. Grundlage dieser Methode bilden Typenvertreter, die durch Ähnlichkeiten zu bereits umgesetzten Produkten durch Verfahren des maschinellen Lernens abgeleitet und verbessert werden.
Industrie-4.0-Technologiekreis für produzierende Unternehmen
Authors: Dillinger Fabian , Messmer Clemens , Reinhart Gunther
Published: September 2021

Im Zuge der vierten industriellen Revolution sehen sich Unternehmen mit Veränderungen konfrontiert, welche die Gesellschaft, die Geschäftsmodelle sowie die Produktionsarbeit maßgeblich wandeln. Gleichzeitig stellen innovative Technologien im Zusammenhang mit Industrie 4.0 vielversprechende Ansätze zur Bewältigung der vorherrschenden Komplexität, geprägt durch Globalisierung oder Massen Personalisierung, dar. Im Rahmen der vorgestellten Analyse soll ein Überblick über bedeutende Technologietrends für die Produktion im Kontext von Industrie 4.0 geschaffen und in einem Industrie-4.0-Technologiekreis strukturiert werden.
Energieflexibilitätspotenzial von Beschichtungsanlagen
Authors: Mages Alexander , Sauer Alexander
Published: September 2021

In diesem Beitrag wird das Energieflexibilitätspotenzial verschiedener Beschichtungsanlagen systematisch quantifiziert. Zuerst wird der Beschichtungsprozess charakterisiert und typische Anlagentopologien aus der Literatur definiert. Basierend auf Energieverbrauchsdaten der verschiedenen Anlagentopologien wird anschließend das Energieflexibilitätspotenzial in Abhängigkeit des Oberflächendurchsatzes für verschiedene Szenarien und Energieflexibilitätsmaßnahmen bewertet. Selbst für kleine Beschichtungsanlagen lässt sich für den Energieträgerwechsel ein signifikantes Energieflexibilitätspotenzial ableiten.
Methode zur Auslegung von energieträgerübergreifenden hybriden Energiespeichern
Authors: Emde Alexander , Ritter Michael , Sauer Alexander
Published: September 2021

In diesem Beitrag wird ein methodisches Vorgehen zur Auslegung von energieträgerübergreifenden und hybriden Energiespeichern beschrieben. Das Anwendungsziel ist die Optimierung des Energieeinkaufs für Industrieunternehmen. Unter energieträgerübergreifenden und hybriden Energiespeichern wird eine Kombination mehrerer Energiespeicher mit verschiedenen Energieträgern verstanden. Dabei können thermische, chemische, elektrochemische und mechanische Energiespeicher miteinander kombiniert werden. Eine Bedingung bei der Kombination von Energiespeichern ist die Erfüllung eines gemeinsamen Anwendungsziels, sodass keine Wechselwirkungen entstehen. Die Bewertung des methodischen Vorgehens und des Anwendungsziels wird anhand eines realen Fallbeispiels in einem Industrieunternehmen durchgeführt.
Seed germination of Leersia perrieri (Poaceae), a rare crop wild relative from Madagascar
Authors: Ramiandrisoa Botovao Auguste , Maharombaka Cyrille , Vorontsova Maria S. , Tiana Ranarijaona Hery Lisy
Published: September 2021

Madagascar is home to a diversity of aquatic grasses. One of these is a rare rice relative, Leersia perrieri (known as Ahitsiriry or Tsingirifiry in the Malagasy language), which is found in a restricted area around the Mahajanga wetlands. A germination test was carried out on
two types of local substrate and a control with randomised selected seeds. Seed germination on the control and clay substrates reached 50% while on the organic substrate germination failed to reach 40% during 22 days of observation. The GLM analysis of the final germination showed significant
differences between the three treatments. The germination percentage (GP%) was higher in the control and significantly decreased on the clay and organic substrates. Our results help explains our field observations where L. perrieri tends to form monodominant stands on clay substrate,
and dispersed multispecies assemblages with fewer individuals on organic soils. This work will be of direct benefit to our panned conservation activities and eventually germplasm availability for crop improvement research.
Effects of brassinosteroids and gibberellin on water uptake and performance of soya bean seeds under different temperatures
Authors: Thongsri Kantima , Teingtham Kanokwan , Duangpatra Juangjun , Romkaew Jutamas
Published: September 2021

Low temperature has negative effects on seed performance and seedling growth in soya bean, reducing stand establishment. It was hypothesised, that seed treatment with plant hormones could improve seed imbibition and performance at low temperature. Therefore, the effects of 24-epibrassinolide
(EBL) and gibberellic acid (GA3) on soya bean seed germination were studied. Seeds of 'CM60' and 'CM0701-24' were imbibed with 0.25 or 0.50 ppm EBL, 50 or 100 ppm GA3, or distilled water at 10, 15, 20 and 25°C. The seed imbibition patterns of the two soya bean varieties
followed a similar trend. Low temperature delayed seed imbibition resulting in longer time to reach the end of phases 1 and 2 of seed germination as compared with high temperature. Soya bean seeds treated with 50 or 100 ppm GA3 showed increased germination index, shoot and root
length and reduced mean germination time. Thus, 50-100 ppm GA3 could be used as a pre-soaking seed treatment to improve soya bean seed and seedling performance under low temperature.
Attention emotion recognition via ECG signals
Authors: Mao Aihua , Du Zihui , Lu Dayu , Luo Jie
Published: September 2021

Background

Physiological signal‐based research has been a hot topic in affective computing. Previous works mainly focus on some strong, short‐lived emotions ( e.g., joy, anger), while the attention, which is a weak and long‐lasting emotion, receives less attraction. In this paper, we present a study of attention recognition based on electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, which contain a wealth of information related to emotions.

Methods

The ECG dataset is derived from 10 subjects and specialized for attention detection. To relieve the impact of noise of baseline wondering and power‐line interference, we apply wavelet threshold denoising as preprocessing and extract rich features by pan‐tompkins and wavelet decomposition algorithms. To improve the generalized ability, we tested the performance of a variety of combinations of different feature selection algorithms and classifiers.

Results

Experiments show that the combination of generic algorithm and random forest achieve the highest correct classification rate (CCR) of 86.3%.

Conclusion

This study indicates the feasibility and bright future of ECG‐based attention research.
Alopecia types, current and future treatment
Authors: Rambwawasvika H
Published: September 2021

There are diverse types of alopecia and each call for a specific treatment. Regrettably there is no curative solution to the problem of alopecia as most drugs target its management. The purpose of the review is to explore the different types of alopecia and how each affect hair appearance and growth. The review begins by describing hair structure and hair physiological changes during life progression. A detailed description of conventional medication prescribed for alopecia and associated adverse effects are also pronounced in this review. Both approved (minoxidil and finasteride) and unapproved medications indicated for the condition are discussed to expose voids, which need to be filled by future drug development. The review also discusses the prospective future therapies of alopecia as directed by current research and technological advancement.
Sudden confusion and cognitive decline due to acute infarction of the anterior thalamic nucleus (ANT) - a case report
Authors: Yang Chunhui
Published: September 2021

A 76-year-old man presented with sudden behavioral changes and cognitive decline. His clinical presentation was characterized by impaired short-term memory, strange behavior, disorientation, impaired executive function, and withdrawal. MRI of the head showed an infarcted lesion in the right thalamus, confined to the anterior thalamic nucleus. According to the characteristics of the cognitive network and evidence from different clinical and experimental studies, infarction in this critical part of the anterior thalamic nucleus can cause disruption of basal ganglia-thalamo-prefrontal circuit, resulting in confusion and cognitive decline. The combination of clinical symptoms, neuroimaging and temporal findings led to the final diagnosis of strategic infarct vascular dementia (VaD) subtype (SIVaD).
A difficult airway made worse by apprehension: an obese young male with COVID 19
Authors: Perera Ishan N
Published: September 2021

Intubation of a critically ill patient in the emergency department is always considered a difficult airway. Timing, patient factors which are not optimized, and intubation done by infrequent intubators. Add to this the complications and demands of Covid 19 pandemic which make crash intubations a thing feared for personal safety as well as successful completion of intubation without complications. If the patient has intrinsic comorbid conditions contributing to a difficult airway, worse the procedure would be. Furthermore, Covid pneumonia presents its own challenges in preoxygenation, timing of the intubation, ventilation of the patient and transport as well. This is a patient I came across during the third wave of covid19 pandemic in Sri Lanka, working in the Emergency department night shift. He came in acute respiratory distress and required intubation and ventilation.
Characterization of feeding and downstream migration of juvenile chum salmon in the Kichiga river (north-eastern kamchatka)
Authors: Voronova E. S. , Travina T. N. , Biryukov A. M.
Published: September 2021

Analysis of the data of fish biology spring-summer researches in the Kichiga river basin in the period 2017–2019 for the first time brought results as next: characterized dynamics of chum salmon juvenile downstrean migration, including daily dynamics, revealed qualitative characteristics of the underyearlings, described diet of the juvenile migrants, demonstrated effects of the spring-summer hydrological regime on the intensity of the underyearling feeding. Also noted, that the conditions for the downstream migration of chum salmon in 2018 were maximum favouravle, and most likely that could enhance later juvenile survival.
Caveat Jurisconsultus: Warrantless Access to the Client Records of Legal Practitioners
Authors: Abraham Hamman  , Raymond Koen
Published: September 2021

A client legitimately regards almost all communications with his or her lawyer as confidential. However, there are circumstances in which client information is not protected under the attorney-client relationship and is accessible to certain third parties. In South Africa, the client records of legal practitioners are available to the anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism (AML/CFT) agencies, which conduct inspections of law offices under the Financial Intelligence Centre Act 38 of 2001. In terms of a 2008 amendment, these inspections did not require a warrant.In 2014, the South African Constitutional Court declared warrantless non-routine inspections unconstitutional. A legislative amendment of 2017 sought to restore the constitutionality of these inspections. However, neither the Constitutional Court nor the legislature addressed the issue of warrantless routine inspections. For the most part, then, AML/CFT inspections of the premises of legal practitioners need not be warrant-based. The danger here is that client records become ready evidentiary resources for the prosecution service.The Canadian AML/CFT legislation also envisaged a mostly warrantless inspection regime. However, unlike South African legal practitioners, their Canadian counterparts launched a vigorous and sustained assault against the legislative efforts to erode the attorney-client relationship and the legal professional privilege. The Federation of Law Societies of Canada eventually secured exemption for its members from the compliance measures of the AML/CFT legislation. The Canadian experience should serve as an object lesson for the legal profession in South Africa.
Witchcraft Accusation and the Challenges Related Thereto: Can South Africa Provide a Response to this Phenomenon Experienced in Tanzania?
Authors: Annie Singh  , Norah Hashim Msuya
Published: September 2021

Witchcraft accusation is among the cultural beliefs that infringe women’s rights in Tanzania. Women in Tanzania are disproportionately accused of witchcraft compared to their male counterparts. These beliefs have led to intimidation, psychological isolation, abuse, violence and in extreme cases the killing of women who are accused of witchcraft whenever a natural disaster befalls the community. This article examines the gender-based nature of witchcraft accusation and the conditions that have led to the vulnerability of women due to this practice in Tanzania. It also examines how the Tanzanian legal system has dealt with the challenges of witchcraft accusation to date. A reflection on the stance maintained by the South African Law Commission in addressing this problem is considered. This has been necessary to determine whether there are any practical solutions that may be emulated or adapted by the Tanzanian Reform Commission. The article concludes that it is the duty of the State, regardless of people’s political, economic and cultural beliefs, to protect all human rights and fundamental freedoms. The law in Tanzania should therefore be reformed to ensure that the gender-violence phenomenon is adequately addressed. It is also submitted that it is necessary for the law to address witchcraft accusation practices across the African continent.
A Critical Analysis on the Use of the Oppression Remedy by Directors Removed from Office by the Board of Directors under The Companies Act 71 of 2008
Authors: Rehana Cassim
Published: September 2021

Both sections 71(3) and 163 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008 are innovative in South African company law in that the former section permits the board of directors to remove a fellow director from office, while the latter section extends the oppression remedy to directors. Previously, under the Companies Act 61 of 1973, the power to remove directors from office was confined to shareholders. Moreover, only shareholders could apply for relief from oppressive or prejudicial conduct. Now that section 163 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008 has been extended to directors, this article argues that a director who has been removed from office by the board of directors under section 71(3) of the Companies Act may rely on the oppression remedy for relief if his or her removal from office was oppressive or unfairly prejudicial or if it unfairly disregarded his or her interests. The article further examines the nature of any orders a court may grant in this context. It argues further that, in the interests of fairness, clarity and certainty, section 163 of the Companies Act 71 of 2008 ought to be amended to make it clear that the section may be relied upon by a former director.
Consumer Protection Measures in Non-Life Insurance Contracts: A South African and Australasian Trend?
Authors: Samantha Huneberg
Published: September 2021

Consumer protection has gained prominence in many different industries worldwide. In South Africa, the consumer protection trend was first identified in the promulgation of the National Credit Act and the Consumer Protection Act. Extending protection to the insurance industry has not been far behind. In recent years, South Africa has promulgated new legislative measures specifically aimed at the protection of consumers in relation to insurance contracts (policyholders). This trend is fast becoming a worldwide phenomenon with both Australia and New Zealand also recognising the importance of consumer protection measures in their insurance legislation. This article considers the position in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand with regard to consumer protection measures in insurance legislation within the non-life insurance sphere.