bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
When Would Immunologists Consider a Nanomaterial to be Safe? Recommendations for Planning Studies on Nanosafety
Authors: Himly Martin , Geppert Mark , Hofer Sabine , Hofstätter Norbert , Horejs‐Höck Jutta , Duschl Albert
Published: April 2020

The immune system is professional in recognizing and responding to non‐self, including nanomaterials. Immune responses by professional and nonprofessional immune cells are thus nearly inevitable upon exposure of cells and organisms to such materials. The state of research into taking the immune system into account in nanosafety studies is reviewed and three aspects in which further improvements are desirable are identified: 1) Due to technical limitations, more stringent testing for endotoxin contamination should be made. 2) Since under overdose conditions immunity shows unphysiological responses, all doses used should be justified by being equivalent to tissue‐delivered doses. 3) When markers of acute inflammation or cell stress are observed, functional assays are necessary to distinguish between homeostatic fluctuation and genuine defensive or tolerogenic responses. Since immune activation can also indicate that the immune system considers a stimulus to be harmless and induces tolerance, activation markers by themselves do not necessarily imply a danger to the body. Guidelines such as these are necessary to approach the point where specific nanomaterials are classified as safe based on reliable testing strategies.
Security analytics for real‐time forecasting of cyberattacks
Authors: Javed Amir , Lakoju Mike , Burnap Pete , Rana Omer
Published: April 2020

Protection of networked computing infrastructures (such as Internet of Things, Industrial Control Systems, and Edge computing) is dependent on the continuous monitoring of interaction between such devices and network/Cloud‐based hosts (especially in Industry 4.0 environments). This real‐time monitoring enables an analyst to quantify evolving and emerging threats to such network infrastructures. A framework for identifying patterns in observed cyberthreats and the use of these patterns for forecasting the growth of an emerging threat to network infrastructure is proposed. This framework enables predicting the maximum threat intensity and the time period over which this maximum intensity is likely to occur. The proposed framework integrates: (a) continuous monitoring of device/network activity, (b) forecasting behavior using exponentially weighted moving averages, (c) utilizing Fibonacci retracement for estimating the potential intensity of a cyberattack, and (d) linear regression for predicting response time for high risk thresholds and a machine learning strategy to predict potential risk over a pre‐defined time window. Using this approach, we can produce time intervals between the forecast and the actual attacks using real‐world network activity data. Our results show an average lead time of around 1.75 hours, providing a window of opportunity to limit the impact of an attack and counter it.
Development of a method based on high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array, fluorescence, and mass spectrometric detectors for the analysis of eosin at trace levels
Authors: Sabatini Francesca , Degano Ilaria , Colombini Maria Perla
Published: April 2020

Eosin (Acid Red 87, C.I. 45380) is one of the most brilliant and challenging early synthetic dyes. In this study, an analytical approach based on high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode array and fluorescence detector and high resolution mass spectrometry was developed for testing different analytical columns and acids in the mobile phase. The ultra‐sensitive approach, based on a chromatographic separation on a solid core and a porous shell Poroshell 120 EC‐C18, allowed us to detect and characterize eosin and its synthesis by‐products, such as the debrominated and methyl ester forms of eosin, in trace levels (the limit of detection for eosin is 0.13 ppb). The resulting miscellaneous composition of the eosin standard highlights the importance to determine the exact composition of the starting material to deal with, in order to avoid misinterpretations in aged or degraded samples. Finally, the successful identification of eosin in few grains (approximatively 20 × 40 μm wide) of a faded Van Gogh's painting proved the strengths of our approach.
Mapping crown rust resistance at multiple time points in elite oat germplasm
Authors: McNish Ian G. , Zimmer Cristiano M. , Susko Alexander Q. , Heuschele D. Jo , Tiede Tyler , Case Austin J. , Smith Kevin P.
Published: April 2020

Crown rust, caused by Puccinia coronata f. sp. avenae Erikss., is the most important disease impacting cultivated oat (Avena sativa L.). Genetic resistance is the most desirable management strategy. The genetic architecture of crown rust resistance is not fully understood, and previous mapping investigations have mostly ignored temporal variation. A collection of elite oat lines sourced from oat breeding programs in the American Upper Midwest and Canada was genotyped using a high‐density genotyping‐by‐sequencing system and evaluated for crown rust disease severity at multiple time points throughout the growing season in three disease nursery environments. Genome‐wide association mapping was conducted for disease severity on each observation date of each trial, area under the disease progress curve for each trial, heading date for each trial, and area under the disease progress curve in a multi‐environment model. Crown rust resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) were detected on linkage groups Mrg05, Mrg12, Mrg15, Mrg18, Mrg20, and Mrg33. None of these QTL were coincident with a days‐to‐heading QTL detected on Mrg02. Only the QTL detected on Mrg15 was detected in multiple mapping models. The QTL on Mrg05, Mrg12, Mrg18, Mrg20, and Mrg33 were detected on only a single observation date and were not detected on observations just days before and after. This result uncovers the importance of temporal variation in mapping experiments which is usually ignored. It is possible that high density temporal data could be used to more precisely characterize the nature of plant resistance in other systems.
Clustering of $$ \overline{B}\to {D}^{\left(\ast \right)}{\tau}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$ kinematic distributions with ClusterKinG
Authors: Aebischer Jason , Kuhr Thomas , Lieret Kilian
Published: April 2020

Abstract

New Physics can manifest itself in kinematic distributions of particle decays. The parameter space defining the shape of such distributions can be large which is chalenging for both theoretical and experimental studies. Using clustering algorithms, the parameter space can however be dissected into subsets (clusters) which correspond to similar kinematic distributions. Clusters can then be represented by benchmark points, which allow for less involved studies and a concise presentation of the results. We demonstrate this concept using the Python package ClusterKinG, an easy to use framework for the clustering of distributions that particularly aims to make these techniques more accessible in a High Energy Physics context. As an example we consider

$$ \overline{B}\to {D}^{\left(\ast \right)}{\tau}^{-}{\overline{\nu}}_{\tau } $$

B
¯

→

D

∗

τ
−

ν
¯

τ

distributions and discuss various clustering methods and possible implications for future experimental analyses.
Global fit of pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone Dark Matter
Authors: Arina Chiara , Beniwal Ankit , Degrande Céline , Heisig Jan , Scaffidi Andre
Published: April 2020

Abstract

We perform a global fit within the pseudo-Nambu-Goldstone Dark Matter (DM) model emerging from an additional complex scalar singlet with a softly broken global U (1) symmetry. Leading to a momentum-suppressed DM-nucleon cross section at tree level, the model provides a natural explanation for the null results from direct detection experiments. Our global fit combines constraints from perturbative unitarity, DM relic abundance, Higgs invisible decay, electroweak precision observables and latest Higgs searches at colliders. The results are presented in both frequentist and Bayesian statisical frameworks. Furthermore, post-processing our samples, we include the likelihood from gamma-ray observations of Fermi -LAT dwarf spheroidal galaxies and compute the one-loop DM-nucleon cross section. We find two favoured regions characterised by their dominant annihilation channel: the Higgs funnel and annihilation into Higgs pairs. Both are compatible with current Fermi -LAT observations, and furthermore, can fit the slight excess observed in four dwarfs in a mass range between about 30–300 GeV. While the former region is hard to probe experimentally, the latter can partly be tested by current observations of cosmic-ray antiprotons as well as future gamma-ray observations.
Is endoanal, introital or transperineal ultrasound diagnosis of sphincter defects more strongly associated with anal incontinence?
Authors: Volløyhaug Ingrid , Taithongchai Annika , Arendsen Linda , van Gruting Isabelle , Sultan Abdul H. , Thakar Ranee
Published: April 2020

Introduction and hypothesis

Our aim was to explore the association between anal incontinence (AI) and persistent anal sphincter defects diagnosed with 3D endoanal (EAUS), introital (IUS) and transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) in women after obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) and study the association between sphincter defects and anal pressure.

Methods

We carried out a cross-sectional study of 250 women with OASI recruited during the period 2013–2015. They were examined 6–12 weeks postpartum or in a subsequent pregnancy with 3D EAUS, IUS and TPUS and measurement of anal pressure. Prevalence of urgency/solid/liquid AI or flatal AI and anal pressure were compared in women with a defect and those with an intact sphincter (diagnosed off-line) using Chi-squared and Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

At a mean of 23.6 (SD 30.1) months after OASI, more women with defect than those with intact sphincters on EAUS had AI; urgency/solid/liquid AI vs external defect: 36% vs 13% and flatal AI vs internal defect: 27% vs 13%, p < 0.05. On TPUS, more women with defect sphincters had flatal AI: 32% vs 13%, p = 0.03. No difference was found on IUS. Difference between defect and intact sphincters on EAUS, IUS and TPUS respectively was found for mean [SD] maximum anal resting pressure (48 [13] vs 55 [14] mmHg; 48 [12] vs 56 [13] mmHg; 50 [13] vs 54 [14] mmHg) and squeeze incremental pressure (33 [17] vs 49 [28] mmHg; 37 [23] vs 50 [28] mmHg; 36 [18] vs 50 [30] mmHg; p < 0.01).

Conclusions

Endoanal ultrasound had the strongest association with AI symptoms 2 years after OASI. Sphincter defects detected using all ultrasound methods were associated with lower anal pressure.
Kazhdan groups have cost 1
Authors: Hutchcroft Tom , Pete Gábor
Published: April 2020

We prove that every countably infinite group with Kazhdan’s property (T) has cost 1, answering a well-known question of Gaboriau. It remains open if they have fixed price 1.
Continuous Viscosity Solutions to Linear-Quadratic Stochastic Control Problems with Singular Terminal State Constraint
Authors: Horst Ulrich , Xia Xiaonyu
Published: April 2020

This paper establishes the existence of a unique nonnegative continuous viscosity solution to the HJB equation associated with a linear-quadratic stochastic control problem with singular terminal state constraint and possibly unbounded cost coefficients. The existence result is based on a novel comparison principle for semi-continuous viscosity sub- and supersolutions for PDEs with singular terminal value. Continuity of the viscosity solution is enough to carry out the verification argument.
Imaging angiogenesis in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas by [68Ga]Ga-DOTA-E-[c(RGDfK)]2 PET/CT
Authors: Lobeek D. , Rijpkema M. , Terry S. Y. A. , Molkenboer-Kuenen J. D. M. , Joosten L. , van Genugten E. A. J. , van Engen-van Grunsven A. C. H. , Kaanders J. H. A. M. , Pegge S. A. H. , Boerman O. C. , Weijs W. L. J. , Merkx M. A. W. , van Herpen C. M. L. , Takes R. P. , Aarntzen E. H. J. G. , Oyen W. J. G.
Published: April 2020

Purpose

Angiogenesis plays an important role in the growth and metastatic spread of solid tumours and is characterised by the expression of integrins on the cell surface of endothelial cells. Radiolabelled RGD peptides specifically target angiogenesis-related αvβ3 integrins, expressed on the activated endothelial cells of sprouting blood vessels. Here, we validated the feasibility of 68Ga[Ga]-DOTA-E-[c(RGDfK)]2 (68Ga-RGD) PET/CT to visualise angiogenesis in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Methods

Ten patients with OSCC and scheduled for surgical resection including elective neck dissection received an intravenously administration of 68Ga-RGD (42 ± 8 μg; 214 ± 9 MBq). All patients subsequently underwent dynamic (n = 5) or static PET/CT imaging (n = 5) for 60 min or for 4 min/bed position at 30, 60 and 90 min after injection, respectively. Quantitative tracer uptake in tumour lesions was expressed as standardised uptake values (SUV). Additionally, tumour tissue was immunohistochemically stained for αvβ3 integrin to assess the expression pattern.

Results

68Ga-RGD tumour accumulation was observed in all patients. At 60 min post injection, tumour SUVmax ranged between 4.0 and 12.7. Tracer accumulation in tumour tissue plateaued at 10 min after injection. Uptake in background tissue did not change over time, resulting in tumour-to-muscle tissue of 6.4 ± 0.7 at 60 min post injection.

Conclusions

68Ga-RGD PET/CT of αvβ3 integrin expression in OSCC patients is feasible with adequate tumour-to-background ratios. It will provide more insight in angiogenesis as a hallmark of the head and neck squamous cell carcinomas’ tumour microenvironment.

Trial registration

https://eudract.ema.europa.eu no. 2015-000917-31
Survival of Group A Streptococcus (GAS) is Enhanced Under Desiccated Culture Conditions
Authors: Menschner Leonhard , Falke Uta , Konrad Peter , Toepfner Nicole , Berner Reinhard
Published: April 2020

Streptococcus pyogenes or Group A Streptococcus (GAS) infections are the leading cause of bacterial tonsillopharyngitis. The bacterium can survive and persist within the human host for a long time as it is observed in up to 40% of the population who are considered as carriers. Recurrent tonsillopharyngitis is a particular problem in children which is caused either by relapses due to failed bacterial clearance or by reinfection. A prolonged survival in tonsillar crypts or on inanimate surfaces might be sources for reinfection. We therefore examined 64 clinical GAS isolates from children with tonsillopharyngitis for their long-term survival under either liquid or desiccated culture conditions. After 6 weeks, the overall GAS survival rate was 400-fold increased under desiccated culture conditions compared to liquid culture conditions, but varied depending on the emm-type between 20-fold (emm4) and 14000-fold (emm3). The survival rates of isolates from emm75 were significantly lower which is probably due to their production of hydrogen peroxide up to fatal doses. No hydrogen peroxide production could be detected for other emm-types. Furthermore, 11 isolates from patients with recurrent tonsillopharyngitis were compared to isolates of the same emm-type from patients with single episodes of tonsillopharyngitis. A significant elevated pH value and an increased survival rate for isolates from patients with recurrent infections were observed. In conclusion, significant differences in long-term survival of different GAS isolates as well as survival under desiccated culture conditions might contribute to both failed bacterial clearance and reinfection in patients with recurrent tonsillopharyngitis.
Polar bear denning distribution in the Canadian Arctic
Authors: Florko Katie R. N. , Derocher Andrew E. , Breiter C-Jae C. , Ghazal Maha , Hedman Daryll , Higdon Jeff W. , Richardson Evan S. , Sahanatien Vicki , Trim Vicki , Petersen Stephen D.
Published: April 2020

Declines in Arctic sea ice associated with climate change have resulted in habitat loss for ice-adapted species, while facilitating increased human development at higher latitudes. Development increases land-use and shipping traffic, which can threaten ecologically and culturally important species. Female polar bears (Ursus maritimus) and cubs are susceptible to disturbance during denning; a better understanding of denning habitat distribution may aid management. We compiled existing location data on polar bear denning (n = 64 sources) in Canada between 1967 and 2018, including traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) studies, government and consultant reports, peer-reviewed scientific articles, and unpublished data acquired through data-sharing agreements. We synthesized these data to create a map of known denning locations. Most coastal regions in northern Canada supported denning, but large areas exist where denning is unreported. Gaps remain in the knowledge of polar bear denning in Canada and filling these will aid the conservation and management of polar bears in a changing Arctic.
Does sleep contribute to the consolidation of motor memory?
Authors: Maltry Laura , Ohlendorf Daniela , Bendels Michael , Groneberg David A. , Mickel Christoph
Published: April 2020

Background

It has been assumed that sleep promotes consolidation in motor learning; however, some publications have questioned its supposed effect. Differentiated statements on the subject are difficult because the conglomerate of influencing factors is large. The fact that memory, sleep, consolidation and motor task can be considered generic terms for different processes also contributes to the complexity.

Objective

The aim of this literature overview is to clarify the terminology and to describe what is known about how sleep contributes to the consolidation of motor memory regarding the different characteristics of consolidation and motor tasks.

Methods

A first literature screening in PubMed included the terms consolidation, sleep, memory, motor learning and memory in various combinations. Furthermore, keywords describing distinct parts of the generic terms were used for searching.

Results

The current evidence for the dependency of the different neurophysiological characteristics of the generic terms on sleep is presented including resulting contradictions and methodological criticism. Based on the literature, the question whether sleep promotes consolidation can only be answered in reductionist approaches and for individual influencing factors. The results even suggest that improvements in exercise quality may have been achieved through errors in study design, which, however, may lead to recommendations for future studies.

Conclusion

No final statement can be made on the subject at this time; however, at least it can be considered as evidence-based that sleep does not harm motor memory consolidation.
Grow fast at no cost: no evidence for a mortality cost for fast early-life growth in a hunted wild boar population
Authors: Veylit Lara , Sæther Bernt-Erik , Gaillard Jean-Michel , Baubet Eric , Gamelon Marlène
Published: April 2020

From current theories on life-history evolution, fast early-life growth to reach early reproduction in heavily hunted populations should be favored despite the possible occurrence of mortality costs later on. However, fast growth may also be associated with better individual quality and thereby lower mortality, obscuring a clear trade-off between early-life growth and survival. Moreover, fast early-life growth can be associated with sex-specific mortality costs related to resource acquisition and allocation throughout an individual’s lifetime. In this study, we explore how individual growth early in life affects age-specific mortality of both sexes in a heavily hunted population. Using longitudinal data from an intensively hunted population of wild boar (Sus scrofa), and capture–mark–recapture–recovery models, we first estimated age-specific overall mortality and expressed it as a function of early-life growth rate. Overall mortality models showed that faster-growing males experienced lower mortality at all ages. Female overall mortality was not strongly related to early-life growth rate. We then split overall mortality into its two components (i.e., non-hunting mortality vs. hunting mortality) to explore the relationship between growth early in life and mortality from each cause. Faster-growing males experienced lower non-hunting mortality as subadults and lower hunting mortality marginal on age. Females of all age classes did not display a strong association between their early-life growth rate and either mortality type. Our study does not provide evidence for a clear trade-off between early-life growth and mortality.
Size segregation in compressible granular shear flows of binary particle systems
Authors: Gilberg Dominik , Steiner Konrad
Published: April 2020

This paper deals with the modelling and simulation of segregation in granular materials. The basis is a hydrodynamic model for granular material flows, which is extended to capture the dynamic process of segregation in shear flows of systems with small and large particles. The granular flow equations consist of a set of compressible Navier–Stokes-like equations as well as an equation for the granular temperature. With the help of the granular temperature equation, the granular flow equations are able to cover a wide range of regimes, starting from dilute to arresting flows. However, this paper focuses on dry granular shear flows. It extends this hydrodynamic system in a dense shear flow regime by a segregation equation using the framework of mixture theory. Special focus is lain on the segregation direction. A procedure from mechanics is adapted to obtain the segregation direction from the granular flow system independent of the choice of the coordinate system. In particular, this is done in three-dimensional space. Due to the compressibility of the granular flow system and the structure of the derived segregation equation, solving the segregation equation requires special numerical treatment. Therefore, a suitable numerical scheme is presented which prevents the system from reaching unphysical states.
Resectional surgery for malignant disease of abdominal digestive organs is not surgery of the organ itself, but also that of the mesenteric organ
Authors: Bunni J. , Coffey J. C. , Kalady M. F.
Published: April 2020

Despite large strides in molecular oncology, surgery remains the bedrock in the management of visceral cancer. The primacy of surgery cannot be understated and a mesenteric (i.e. ontogenetic) approach is particularly beneficial to patients. Heald greatly advanced the management of rectal cancer with his description of the anatomical foundation of total mesorectal excision (TME), dramatically improving outcomes worldwide with this mesenteric-based approach. Moreover, complete mesocolic excision (CME) based on similar principles is becoming popular. Introduced by Hohenberger, CME resembles TME insofar as it emphasises strictly anatomical dissection along embryological planes to detach an intact (i.e. “complete”) mesentery with peritoneal envelope. CME also incorporates “central” vascular ligation (CVL) which broadly correlates with the “D3 lymphadenectomy” of Eastern literature. As many surgeons already practise anatomical and mesenteric-based surgery, it is unclear how the putative benefits of CME (including CVL) arise. Herein, we argue that these may relate to a more extensive resection of the mesentery, and thus mesenteric tumour deposits within the connective tissue lattice of the mesentery, and not necessarily the lymphadenectomy alone. We believe the connective tissue interface between the bowel wall and mesentery provides an alternative mode of spread of pathogenic elements. Whilst this remains a suggestion only, it would explain the histological independence of tumour deposits and why a greater mesenterectomy could be associated with benefits in survival. If this argument holds, it follows that resectional surgery for digestive organ malignancy is not surgery of the organ itself (or lymphatics only), but also that of the contiguous mesentery.
Application of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) on the raceway design for the cultivation of microalgae: a review
Authors: Kusmayadi Adi , Suyono Eko Agus , Nagarajan Dillirani , Chang Jo-Shu , Yen Hong-Wei
Published: April 2020

Microalgae are a potential solution to supersede fossil fuels and produce renewable energy. The major obstacle to the commercialization of microalgae-based biofuels is the high production cost, including nutritional requirements, photobioreactor design, and downstream processes. As for the photobioreactor design, open ponds have been adopted by major commercial plants for their economic advantages. Raceway is a popular type among open ponds. Nevertheless, the fluid dynamics of the raceway operation is quite complex. Software simulation based on Computational Fluid Dynamics is an upcoming strategy for optimizing raceway design. The optimization intends to affect light penetration, particle distribution, mass transfer, and biological kinetics. This review discusses how this strategy can be helpful to design a highly productive raceway pond-based microalgal culture system.
New insights into the air gap conditioning effects during the dry-jet wet spinning of an ionic liquid-cellulose solution
Authors: Guizani Chamseddine , Nieminen Kaarlo , Rissanen Marja , Larkiala Sauli , Hummel Michael , Sixta Herbert
Published: April 2020

In this paper, we report new results related to the development of a novel regenerated cellulose fiber process of the Lyocell type, denoted Ioncell™, and characterized by the use of a powerful direct cellulose solvent, 1,5-diaza- bicyclo[4.3.0]non-5-enium acetate ([DBNH][OAc]) a superbase-based ionic liquid (IL). The focus of this work is on the effects of air gap conditioning (AGC) during the dry-jet wet spinning operation. The installation of an AGC system on the spinning line led to significant improvements of the fiber properties. The fiber titer variation decreased significantly, and the fiber toughness increased by approximately 50% when controlling the temperature and the relative humidity in the airgap using a convective air flow. The presence of water vapor in the air stream was a determinant factor for the improvement of the fiber elongation. The interaction of water vapor with the spinning dope was investigated using dynamic vapor sorption. The diffusion coefficient of water vapor inside the dope could be identified from those experiments and used in a numerical simulation model of the heat and water vapor transfer in the air gap between the spinning dope and the surrounding air. The experimental and simulation results suggest that dope convective cooling and surface hydration lead to a higher fiber toughness.
Buchanan at the American Founding: the constitutional political economy of a republic of equals and unequals
Authors: Meadowcroft John
Published: April 2020

James M. Buchanan cited the American Founding as an important inspiration for his constitutional vision. Buchanan and the Founders shared a belief in the moral equality of persons and a conviction that social order could be built upon a nexus of contract and exchange. The early revolutionaries were inspired by the classical republican ideal of impartial government serving the public interest, but Buchanan and the later Founders did not believe that relying on political actors to pursue the common good would avert tyranny. Buchanan’s insistence on unanimous constitutional agreement highlights the fact that the Constitutional Convention did not obtain the consent of the black Americans who constituted close to one-fifth of the population, but to whom the Founders did not extend the principle of moral equality. Accordingly, Buchanan’s work leads to an appreciation of the Founders as an archetype of the constitutional mentality that he advocated throughout his work, but also to an understanding that the Founding fell short of his ideal of genuinely consensual politics. The practical import of Buchanan’s work therefore is to facilitate the evaluation of real-world politics—in this case, America’s Founding and subsequent political development—and to point the way towards future reforms informed by a constitutional mentality.
Autotuning based on frequency scaling toward energy efficiency of blockchain algorithms on graphics processing units
Authors: Stachowski Matthias , Fiebig Alexander , Rauber Thomas
Published: April 2020

Energy-efficient computing is especially important in the field of high-performance computing (HPC) on supercomputers. Therefore, automated optimization of energy efficiency during the execution of a compute-intensive program is desirable. In this article, a framework for the automatic improvement of the energy efficiency on NVIDIA GPUs (graphics processing units) using dynamic voltage and frequency scaling is presented. As application, the mining of crypto-currencies is used, since in this area energy efficiency is of particular importance. The framework first determines the energy-optimal frequencies for each available currency on each GPU of a computer automatically. Then, the mining is started, and during a monitoring phase it is ensured that always the most profitable currency is mined on each GPU, using optimal frequencies. Tests with different GPUs show that the energy efficiency, depending on the GPU and the currency, can be increased by up to 84% compared to the usage of the default frequencies. This in turn almost doubles the mining profit.
Slippery Wood: Low Friction and Low Wear of Modified Beech Wood
Authors: Waßmann O. , Ahmed S. I.-U.
Published: April 2020

This paper investigates the tribological and related properties of naturally modified beech wood (Fagus sylvatica). The modifications were performed on steamed beech wood using a variety of treatments consisting of drying, heating in an aqueous solution, impregnation with liquefied animal glue as well as beeswax followed by compression and various combinations thereof. Results indicate that an impregnation in liquefied animal glue followed by mechanical compression to 62% of the original volume leads to an increase in hardness of more than 160% as compared to steamed beech wood alone. The frictional properties of this natural polymer were further examined by sliding the wood samples against 100Cr6 (DIN 1.3505) steel spheres. Beeswax-impregnated and compressed samples showed a reduction in friction of 90% compared to steamed beech wood, with values in the regime of PTFE, over a sliding distance of 10 km with a normal load of 10 N and sliding speed of 0.1 m/s. Unlike PTFE, the low friction was also accompanied by a low specific wear rate of around 3.9 × 10−7 mm3/N m. This study demonstrates the enormous potential of modified woods as an all-natural, non-toxic, renewable, and biodegradable material to replace synthetic polymers in technical applications with practically no environmental loading.
Correlation of Residual Stresses and Coating Properties in Arc-Sprayed Coatings on Different Substrates for Maritime Applications
Authors: Hauer Michél , Krebs Sebastian , Kroemmer Werner , Henkel Knuth-Michael
Published: April 2020

Arc spraying is a cost-effective technology, which is determined by a few key factors. It is already established for corrosion protection of large structures and thus considered for restoration of eroded ship rudders and propellers by depositing typical propeller materials. The main parameters like arc current, gas type/flow or process kinematics strongly influence the residual stresses in these coatings, which in turn affect coating properties. In past investigations, it was shown that this impact could be modified by using alternative gas mixtures or changing the heat input in the process. However, the mentioned studies neglect the influence of the substrate, since solely steel substrates were used. In consequence, propeller alloys CuAl9Ni5Fe4Mn (Ni-Al bronze) and CuMn13Al8Fe3Ni2 (Mn-Al bronze) were now arc-sprayed onto bronze substrates while using the same parameters and kinematics as in the past. For reproducible results, the residual stresses within the coatings were measured by novel incremental hole drilling method based on electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) and correlated with the other coating properties. In comparison with spraying onto steel, the same conditions led to reduced Young’s moduli, lower tensile stresses and improved cavitation erosion resistance, while other properties like hardness and electrical conductivity showed varying trends.
The Japanese Breast Cancer Society Clinical Practice Guidelines for systemic treatment of breast cancer, 2018 edition
Authors: Shimoi Tatsunori , Nagai Shigenori E. , Yoshinami Tetsuhiro , Takahashi Masato , Arioka Hitoshi , Ishihara Mikiya , Kikawa Yuichiro , Koizumi Kei , Kondo Naoto , Sagara Yasuaki , Takada Masahiro , Takano Toshimi , Tsurutani Junji , Naito Yoichi , Nakamura Rikiya , Hattori Masaya , Hara Fimikata , Hayashi Naoki , Mizuno Toshiro , Miyashita Minoru , Yamashita Nami , Yamanaka Takashi , Saji Shigehira , Iwata Hiroji , Toyama Tatsuya
Published: April 2020

Purpose

We present the English version of The Japanese Breast Cancer Society (JBCS) Clinical Practice Guidelines for systemic treatment of breast cancer, 2018 edition.

Methods

The JBCS formed a task force to update the JBCS Clinical Practice Guidelines, 2015 edition, according to Minds Handbook for Clinical Practice Guideline Development 2014. First, we set multiple outcomes for each clinical question (CQ). Next, quantitative or qualitative systematic review was conducted for each of the multiple outcomes, and the strength of recommendation for the CQ was taken into consideration during meetings, with the aim of finding a balance between benefit and harm. Finalized recommendations from each session were confirmed through discussion and voting at the recommendation decision meeting.

Results

The recommendations, the strength of recommendation and the strength of evidence were determined based on systemic literature reviews and the meta-analyses for each CQ.

Conclusion

The JBCS updated the Clinical Practice Guidelines for systemic treatment of breast cancer.
Nanoscale All-Oxide-Heterostructured Bio-inspired Optoresponsive Nociceptor
Authors: Karbalaei Akbari Mohammad , Hu Jie , Verpoort Francis , Lu Hongliang , Zhuiykov Serge
Published: April 2020

Retina nociceptor, as a key sensory receptor, not only enables the transport of warning signals to the human central nervous system upon its exposure to noxious stimuli, but also triggers the motor response that minimizes potential sensitization. In this study, the capability of two-dimensional all-oxide-heterostructured artificial nociceptor as a single device with tunable properties was confirmed. Newly designed nociceptors utilize ultra-thin sub-stoichiometric TiO2–Ga2O3 heterostructures, where the thermally annealed Ga2O3 films play the role of charge transfer controlling component. It is discovered that the phase transformation in Ga2O3 is accompanied by substantial jump in conductivity, induced by thermally assisted internal redox reaction of Ga2O3 nanostructure during annealing. It is also experimentally confirmed that the charge transfer in all-oxide heterostructures can be tuned and controlled by the heterointerfaces manipulation. Results demonstrate that the engineering of heterointerfaces of two-dimensional (2D) films enables the fabrication of either high-sensitive TiO2–Ga2O3 (Ar) or high-threshold TiO2–Ga2O3 (N2) nociceptors. The hypersensitive nociceptor mimics the functionalities of corneal nociceptors of human eye, whereas the delayed reaction of nociceptor is similar to high-threshold nociceptive characteristics of human sensory system. The long-term stability of 2D nociceptors demonstrates the capability of heterointerfaces engineering for effective control of charge transfer at 2D heterostructured devices.
A Case Study on Co-designing Digital Games with Older Adults and Children: Game Elements, Assets, and Challenges
Authors: Havukainen Martti , Laine Teemu H. , Martikainen Timo , Sutinen Erkki
Published: April 2020

Digital games have traditionally been targeted at younger generations, although the proportion of older adult players is increasing. However, the design processes of digital games often do not consider the special needs of older adults. Co-design is a potential method to address this, but there is little research on co-designing games with older adults. In our study, we proposed a co-design process model that considers the intergenerational perspective. Using this model, eight older adults (two males and six females aged 47–80) and 22 sixth graders (11 males and 11 females aged 12–13) co-designed a digital game. The content of the game was based on old concepts used by the designers during their childhood. Similarly, game content involving new words and concepts were produced by the sixth graders. We collected data using semi-structured interviews and observations during the co-design process over a period of 24 months and then processed the data using grounded theory. The results indicated that the older adults identified seven game elements as essential to make games fun—appearance and aesthetics, competition, manageability of gameplay, social impact, familiarity, unpredictability, and intergenerational gameplay. Furthermore, we identified six assets that older adults have as game co-designers and five challenges that co-designing games with older adults may entail.
Suggestions on the prevention of COVID‐19 for health care workers in department of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery
Authors: Xu Kai , Lai Xiaoquan , Liu Zheng
Published: April 2020

The epidemic of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has presented as a grim and complex situation recently. More than 77,000 cases of COVID‐19 has been confirmed in China until February 25th, 2020, which are causing great impact on economy and society, as well as seriously interfering with ordinary medical practice in the department of otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery. This article discussed medical precautions required in the clinic, inpatient ward and operation room of otorhinolaryngology head and neck department, which aims to protect health care workers from COVID‐19.
Exploring discharge destination following severe stroke
Authors: Teoh Wei Lin , Finch Emma
Published: April 2020

Background:

Patients with severe stroke frequently present with substantial impairments but are often not prioritised for post-discharge rehabilitation. There is a need to determine where these patients are discharged to in order to facilitate appropriate allocation of post-discharge pathway resources.

Aim:

The present study aimed to describe the discharge pathways of patients with severe stroke and to identify predictors of discharge destination for these patients.

Method:

A descriptive, retrospective design was utilised to determine the discharge destination for 770 patients with severe stroke in Queensland, Australia. Binomial logistic regression was used to determine the variables that predicted discharge destination.

Results:

The results indicated that 58.44% of patients were discharged home (n= 450). Age, length of stay, discharge ward and geographical region emerged as significant predictors of discharge destination. The full model containing all predictors was statistically significant and, as a whole, explained 36.50% of the variance in discharge destination.

Conclusion:

These results highlight the importance of these variables in influencing the outcomes of patients with severe stroke, which may assist post-hospital discharge services in allocating resources for patients with severe stroke.
Bibliometrics approach to evaluating the research impact of CTSAs: A pilot study
Authors: Yu Fei , Van Allison Alicia , Patel Tanha , Mani Nandita , Carnegie Andrea , Corbie-Smith Giselle M. , Carey Timothy , Buse John , Dave Gaurav
Published: April 2020

Introduction:

To enhance the performance evaluation of Clinical and Translational Science Award (CTSA) hubs, we examined the utility of advanced bibliometric measures that go beyond simple publication counts to demonstrate the impact of translational research output.

Methods:

The sampled data included North Carolina Translational and Clinical Science Institute (NC TraCS)-supported publications produced between September 2008 and March 2017. We adopted advanced bibliometric measures and a state-of-the-art bibliometric network analysis tool to assess research productivity, citation impact, the scope of research collaboration, and the clusters of research topics.

Results:

Totally, 754 NC TraCS-supported publications generated over 24,000 citation counts by April 2017 with an average of 33 cites per article. NC TraCS-supported research papers received more than twice as many cites per year as the average National Institute of Health-funded research publications from the same field and time. We identified the top productive researchers and their networks within the CTSA hub. Findings demonstrated the impact of NC TraCS in facilitating interdisciplinary collaborations within the CTSA hub and across the CTSA consortium and connecting researchers with right peers and organizations.

Conclusion:

Both improved bibliometrics measures and bibliometric network analysis can bring new perspectives to CTSA evaluation via citation influence and the scope of research collaborations.
Recovering Our Past: A Methodological Reflection
Authors: García David G. , Yosso Tara J.
Published: April 2020

What process of change can come from a people who do not know who they are, or where they come from? If they do not know who they are, how can they know what they deserve to be?

In 1976, after being imprisoned and forced into exile from his home country, Uruguay, Eduardo Galeano defiantly wrote “Defensa De La Palabra” (In Defense of the Word). In it, he argued that denying people access to their histories obstructs their vision of themselves as a people connected across time, and therefore restricts their ability to envision change for their future. He believed contributions to the revelation of the past depended on “the intensity level of the writer's responsiveness to his or her people—their roots, their vicissitudes, their destiny.” Forty-four years later, Galeano's reflections remain timely and methodologically instructive for those working at the nexus of history and education:

Our authentic collective identity is born out of the past and nourished by it—our feet tread where others trod before us; the steps we take were prefigured—but this identity is not frozen in nostalgia. …We are what we do, especially what we do to change what we are: our identity resides in action and in struggle [emphasis in original].
Exposure to essential oils and ethanol vapors affect fecundity and survival of two frugivorous fruit fly (Diptera: Tephritidae) pest species
Authors: Oviedo A. , Van Nieuwenhove G. , Van Nieuwenhove C. , Rull J.
Published: April 2020

Plant-derived compounds can be an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic pesticide use for pest management. Essential oils (EOs) in several plant families have been found to be toxic to various pest species of insects through topical application, ingestion, and as fumigants. Previous studies revealed that, among various environmentally friendly insecticides, the EOs ofBaccharis dracunculifoliaandPinus elliottiiand an ethanol extract ofSolanum granulosoleprosumplusRicinus communis, were toxic toCeratitis capitataandAnastrepha fraterculus(Diptera: Tephritidae) when applied topically to pupae or when ingested by adults. Here, we aimed to examine the potentially toxic effects of these plant-derived compounds when these two pestiferous fruit fly species were exposed to their vapors. We also examined their fumigant effect on female fecundity and fertility and compared it with water and ethanol controls. Exposure ofC. capitataandA. fraterculussexually mature adults to volatiles and vapors of bothB. dracunculifoliaandP. elliottiiEOs resulted in lower longevity (half-life), survivorship, and female fecundity than the water vapor control. Toxicity ofC. capitatawas greater forP. elliottiithan forB. dracunculifoliawhile the reverse was true forA. fraterculus.Exposure to vapors ofS. granulosoleprosum + R. communis(S + R) had no effect on longevity but reduced survivorship of adults of both species. Interestingly, exposure to vapors of S + R, 50% (v/v) and pure ethanol resulted in greater fecundity of females of both frugivorous fly species than the water control. By contrast, fertility (% egg hatch) was in all cases high (>85%) and not different than the water control. Exposure to ethanol vapors appears to have similar effects on frugivorous tephritids as those reported on saprophagous and frugivorous species ofDrosophila, a novel finding that may have important practical implications.
Appraisal of the Nigerian Credit Reporting Act 2017
Authors: Monye Felicia Nwanne , Nwafor Ndubuisi , Mukoro Benjamin
Published: April 2020

Credit reporting is the act of gathering information about the behaviour of borrowers and making such information available whenever a decision is to be made regarding a borrower's application for new credit. Following the introduction of credit bureaux in Nigeria in 2007, in 2017 the federal legislature enacted the Credit Reporting Act, creating a legal framework for the implementation of credit reporting and codifying global best practices adhered to in the practice and administration of credit reporting. This article examines the act in the light of its objectives and attempts to determine whether the legal framework it provides is conducive to the achievement of these objectives. It also considers the factors that might militate against the effective running of a credit reporting system in Nigeria and suggests measures to deal with these challenges.
Effect of nutrition plane on meat quail kept in thermoneutral environment: performance and carcass characteristics
Authors: Saraiva Edilson Paes , da Silva José Humberto Vilar , Costa Fernando Guilherme Perazzo , dos Santos Nátali Rodrigues , Fonsêca Vinícius de França Carvalho , dos Santos Severino Guilherme Caetano Gonçalves , Cavalcante Danilo Teixeira , Magalhães Tamires da Silva , dos Santos José Danrley Cavalcante
Published: April 2020

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of protein reduction, with or without the supplementation of limiting amino acids, on the performance and carcass characteristics of meat quails from 22 to 42 days of age in a thermoneutral environment. A total of 324 European quails were randomly allocated into nine diets. The diets were formulated based on the recommended requirement (control) and were differentiated according to crude protein (CP) reduction levels into moderate reduction (10%) and severe reduction (20%). The diets were supplemented or not with limiting amino acids. The diets with severe and moderate protein reduction meeting the methionine + cystine, lysine and threonine requirements led to weight gain equivalent to that of the control quails. The diet with a moderate reduction in CP, with or without meeting the methionine + cystine requirement or meeting the methionine + cystine and lysine requirement, led to the greatest carcass yield and a greater leg weight and were similar to the control treatment. It is observed that supplementation with the crystalline sources of the amino acids is able to improve the performance of the quails, in addition, the attendance of methionine + cystine requirement important factor when the CP levels are reduced. In our studies, diets with 17.5% CP and supplemented with methionine + cystine, lysine and threonine meet the requirements of quails, thus generating a limiting amino acid requirement, so they are recommended for meat quails from 22 to 42 days old housed in thermoneutral environment.