bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Separating layer recycling strategy for continuous fiber reinforced thermo‐sets based on thermally expanding particles
Authors: von Freeden Justus , Erb Johannes , Schleifenbaum Maren
Published: January 2022

Fiber‐plastic composites with a thermosetting matrix are considered to have only limited recyclability. Either the high density‐specific mechanical properties of the material are lost in the recycling process or the recycling processes are associated with very high costs, so that implementation is not economically worthwhile. A new approach is the reuse of continuous fiber reinforced laminate layers separated from a composite. In the present work, the extent to which laminate layers can be made separable from a thermosetting fiber‐plastic composite was investigated. The separation is based on the volume increase mechanism of thermally expanding particles (TEP) introduced into the polymeric matrix of a laminate layer. Heating leads to expansion of the particles. As a result, the laminates can be separated. Glass fiber reinforced epoxy resin laminates with TEP in the separating matrix layer were fabricated and tested using hand lay‐up techniques. Using the double cantilever beam test, it was determined that the force required for separation is drastically reduced with increasing TEP mass fraction. In addition, the extent to which the thermally expanding particles affect the mechanical properties of the laminates was tested. Through the 45° tensile test, it was determined that loads not parallel to one of the fiber directions have a negative effect on tensile strength and tensile stiffness.
Ultrasound visualization of the thumb annular pulleys: A cadaveric validation study
Authors: Hoffman Douglas F. , Honsvall Hoefler Amanda , Bianchi Stefano , Hoxie Samuel , Smith Jay
Published: January 2022

Background

The thumb annular pulley system is unique from the other digits and is integral to normal thumb function. Injuries to this pulley system can present a diagnostic challenge. No prior study has evaluated the ability of ultrasound (US) to evaluate all four thumb pulleys.

Objective

To validate the sonographic visualization of all four thumb pulleys.

Design

Prospective cadaveric laboratory investigation.

Setting

Academic center procedural skills laboratory.

Participants

Twelve unembalmed cadaveric hands from seven adult male donors ages 78‐89 years with body mass index 21.9‐26.6 kg/m2.

Interventions

Based on anatomic descriptions, a single examiner used a standardized protocol and high‐frequency linear transducers to identify the A1, variable (Av), oblique (Ao), and A2 pulleys of the thumb in 10 cadaveric hands. As part of the validation process, the presumed Ao pulley was injected with diluted colored latex using US guidance. Two additional cadaveric specimens were dissected for detailed study of the thumb pulley system.

Main Outcome Measures

Correlation between the four anatomic pulleys as revealed by dissection and the US findings, including identification of latex location with respect to the Ao pulley.

Results

US correctly identified all four thumb pulleys as distinct anatomic structures and the sonographic appearance of the pulleys correlated with the dissection in all 10 specimens. Latex was observed in the Ao pulley in 100% of the cadavers.

Conclusions

Ultrasound can be used to accurately identify all four thumb pulleys, including distinct Ao and Av pulleys, and should be considered in the evaluation of thumb pulley injuries. This is the first study to validate the US visualization of the annular pulley system of the thumb.
Poly(ether ester) and related block copolymers via organocatalytic ring‐opening polymerization
Authors: Li Bo , Zhang Yong‐Lu , Zhu Xiao‐Feng , Li Zhuo‐Qun , Li Zi‐Hui , Qiu Hua‐Yu , Wu Guang‐Peng
Published: January 2022

Poly(p‐dioxanone) (PPDO) produced by ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) ofp‐dioxanone (PDO) has been attracted intensive attention in bioengineering and environmental materials due to the coexistence of ester and ether bonds in the repeating units. Herein, we systematically study the ROP behavior of PDO using classical organic amidine and guanidine compounds. The cyclic and linear PPDO homopolymers are efficiently produced and confirmed by the combination of1H,13C NMR and MALDI‐TOF MS spectra. Furthermore, triblock copolymers (PPDO‐b‐PCL‐b‐PPDO) containing poly(ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) as the soft segment and PPDO as the hard segment are prepared in the presence of ethylene glycol. The resultant block copolymers are well characterized using NMR, gel permeation chromatography, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. It is found that the prepared triblock copolymers exhibit tunable flexibility, stabilization, hydrophilicity, and mechanical strength, which could be used as thermoplastic materials in biological and tissue engineering areas.
Identification of lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein as a novel citrullinated autoantigen in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Zhao Xiaozhen , Chen Yuling , Wen Wen , Cheng Yongjing , Li Ru , Liu Xu , Li Yuhui , Jia Rulin , Deng Haiteng , Li Zhanguo , Sun Xiaolin
Published: January 2022

Background

A specific feature of the autoimmune response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the presence of anti‐citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPAs) in patient sera. These antibodies can appear several years before disease onset and are involved in the development of RA.

Objective

We performed proteomic analysis by mass spectroscopy to identify novel citrullinated antigens and autoantibodies in RA patients.

Methods

Polypeptides isolated from the sera of RA patients were identified by Orbitrap high‐precision mass spectrometry and then citrulline‐containing proteins were selected. The levels of ACPAs against these newly identified citrullinated autoantigens in sera of 100 RA patients and 50 healthy controls were determined by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays.

Results

A total of 135 proteins were identified in RA patients and the protein profile included 11 citrulline‐containing antigens. Three of the 11 citrullinated proteins had been reported in previous studies. ACPAs against the novel citrullinated epitopes from these proteins were increased in sera from the RA patients compared with those from healthy controls. Autoantibodies against one of the citrullinated antigens, lipopolysaccharide‐binding protein (LBP), was significantly increased in RA patients and associated with disease activities. The titer of anti‐citrullinated LBP antibodies (anti‐cLBP) was closely related to the infection incidence in RA patients.

Conclusion

Serum protein analysis by high‐precision proteomic technology is a feasible method to identify novel citrullinated epitopes in RA patients. Anti‐cLBP antibodies are associated with disease severity and infection in RA patients.
Hydrophobic perfluoroalkane modified metal‐organic frameworks for the enhanced electrocatalytic reduction of CO2
Authors: Yang Xu , Li Qiu‐Xia , Chi Shao‐Yi , Li Hong‐Fang , Huang Yuan‐Biao , Cao Rong
Published: January 2022

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 to value‐added chemicals would be an efficient way to utilize CO2 and mitigate greenhouse gas emission. However, the associated competitive hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in aqueous electrolytes usually leads to poor selectivity for the CO2 electroreduction reactions (CO2RR). Due to their high specific surface areas and tunable single active sites, metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered as promising candidates for CO2RR. Herein, the Fe‐porphyrin based Zr‐MOF, PCN‐222(Fe), was treated with perfluorocarboxylic acid to afford the hydrophobic Fn‐PCN‐222(Fe) (n = 5 and 7, n is the number of fluorine atoms in the perfluoroalkyl chain) for improving the selectivity CO2RR via inhibiting the HER. Owing to the single active Fe sites were positioned in a hydrophobic microenvironment, the optimal F5‐PCN‐222(Fe) shows a high Faradic efficiency of 97% toward production of CO at −0.7 V versus reversible hydrogen electrode. Meanwhile, F5‐PCN‐222(Fe) achieved a high turnover frequency value of 3850 h−1 at −0.8 V, which was almost 3.6 times higher than that of PCN‐222(Fe) and surpassed most of other reported MOFs. This study paves a new way to improve the selectivity of the CO2RR via inhibiting the associated HER by increasing the hydrophobicity of the electrocatalysts.
Modified Metal−Organic Frameworks for Electrochemical Applications
Authors: Chen Kefan , Wang Xiao-Li , Hu Wenhui , Kong Qingquan , Pang Huan , Xu Qiang
Published: January 2022

Metal−organic frameworks (MOFs) are neo‐type porous materials synthesized via organic ligands and metal ions, which have drawn much attention due to their unparalleled advantages such as high specific surface area, large and clear pore structures, and uniformly distributed active sites. In these years, modified MOFs are regarded as kinds of materials with excellent electrochemical properties, that overcome poor conductivity and stability of original MOFs and narrow the gap between the basic science of MOFs and their future applications. At the same time, it also provides an opportunity to elaborate the synergistic effect of the synthesis strategy of modified MOFs on the performance. This review focuses on the synthesis, structure characterization, and electrochemical adhibition of modified MOFs and discusses the challenges and application prospects of modified MOFs in energy storage and conversion.
Influence of reducing starch in the diets with similar protein and energy contents on lactation performance, ruminal fermentation, digestibility, behaviour and blood metabolites in primiparous and multiparous dairy cows
Authors: Akhlaghi B. , Ghasemi E. , Alikhani M. , Ghaedi A. , Nasrollahi S. M. , Ghaffari M. H.
Published: January 2022

Background

It is not clearly known whether parity can affect the outcomes of starch reduction in the diet of lactating dairy cows.

Introduction

A 2 × 2 factorial study was conducted to evaluate the effects of reducing starch in the diets with similar protein and energy contents on lactation performance, ruminal fermentation, nutrient digestibility, behaviour and blood metabolites in primiparous (PP) and multiparous (MP) dairy cows.

Methods

Twenty PP cows (DIM = 37 ± 10; 40 ± 5 kg/day of milk; mean ± SD) and 20 MP cows (DIM = 37 ± 9; 48 ± 5 kg/day of milk) were used in present study. Treatments were a factorial arrangement of two levels of starch (high vs. low) and two parity categories (PP vs. MP): (1) high‐starch diet (29.2% ± 0.70) and PP cows (HS‐PP); (2) low‐starch diet (22.3% ± 0.52) and PP cows (LS‐PP); (3) high‐starch diet and MP cows (HS‐MP) and (4) low‐starch diet and MP cows (LS‐MP). All diets were formulated to be similar in crude protein (16.1 % of dry matter) and NEL (1.60 Mcal/kg of dry matter) contents. The amount of metabolise protein was 2688 g/day in high‐starch diet and 2728 g/day in low‐starch diet. The experiment was conducted over two consecutive periods and included 4 weeks for adaptation and 3 weeks for data collection.

Results

Dry matter intake and the yield of milk true protein and lactose increased but milk fat: protein ratio and nutrient digestibility decreased for cows fed the HS diets compared with the LS diets. The ruminal proportion of propionate was greater but acetate, the acetate to propionate ratio and sorting against long particles (19 and 8 mm) were lower for cows fed the HS diets than the LS diets. Multiparous cows had a greater nutrient intake and milk yield, longer rumination meal length, greater BW, but lower plasma total antioxidant capacity, non‐esterified fatty acids, faeces pH compared with PP cows. An interaction between parity and the dietary level of starch was detected on feed efficiency measured as FCM yield/DMI in the way that only within PP cows low‐starch diet was more efficient than HS diets. We found another interaction effect of parity × starch on back fat thickens (BFT) change in the way that only within PP cows BFT change was greater for HS compared with LS diet.

Conclusion

Overall, regardless of the benefit derived from feeding a reduced‐starch diet by partially replacing grains with sugar beet pulp in the diets on nutrient digestibility, a reduced‐starch diet may be used more efficiently in PP than in MP cows but at expense of body reserves (i.e. BFT) loses.
Flood-Control Basins as Green Infrastructures: Flood-Risk Reduction, Biodiversity Conservation, and Sustainable Management in Japan
Authors: Ishiyama Nobuo , Yamanaka Satoshi , Ooue Keita , Senzaki Masayuki , Kitazawa Munehiro , Morimoto Junko , Nakamura Futoshi
Published: January 2022

Green infrastructure (GI) is a strategic planning infrastructure that uses the functions of ecosystems. Under an increased river flood risk, flood-risk management utilizing GI is gaining attention from managers and ecologists in Japan. Flood-control basins are facilities that temporarily store river water in adjacent reservoirs to mitigate flood peaks and gradually drain the water back to the main channels after a flood. GI is expected to provide multiple functions, such as flood-risk reduction and habitat provisions. However, there are limited studies on the ecological functions of flood-control basins. In this article, we first introduce the characteristics of flood-control basins constructed in Japan. Next, we show the ecological importance of flood-control basins in terms of wetland organism biodiversity conservation. Finally, to aid the integration of GI into conventional flood-control measures, we highlight ecological and social issues about introducing and managing flood-control basins.
Biodiversity Conservation through Various Citizen Activities in a Flood Control Basin
Authors: Nishihiro Jun , Koike Shohei , Ono Atsushi
Published: January 2022

Flood control basins (FCBs) are artificially constructed facilities with the potential to conserve the biodiversity of floodplain ecosystems. However, the intensity of disturbance in FCBs is generally lower than that in natural floodplains; thus, habitats for plants with disturbance-dependent life histories and for animals that use temporary waters or mudflats can be lost in the years following FCB construction. Here, the Asahata FCB in Shizuoka city, Japan, was studied as an example, where the species diversity of wetland plants has been conserved as a result of diverse activities. Although most activities had objectives other than biodiversity conservation, they contributed to conserving plant diversity and providing habitats for endangered plants. The FCB is a green infrastructure that not only enables flood control but also supports activities for various purposes. Additionally, its proper use contributes to biodiversity conservation.
Effectiveness and Sustainability of Coastal Hybrid Infrastructures for Low-Frequency Large-Scale Disasters: A Case Study of Coastal Disaster Assessment for a Complex Disaster
Authors: Yamanaka Ryoichi , Nakagawa Kosuke
Published: January 2022

This study aims to evaluate the functioning of hybrid infrastructures in coastal areas and identify the factors influencing their sustainability. The hybrid infrastructure targeted in this study is in the Osato area in southern Tokushima Prefecture, Japan, and consists of a seashore, coastal embankment, coastal forest, rice paddles, and dune. Numerical analysis and field observations of tsunamis and storm surges were conducted in this study. In the tsunami analysis, the response of the inundation area to the reference water level was evaluated assuming a complex disaster involving a tsunami, storm surge, and sea-level rise. In the storm surge analysis, the mechanism of beach deformation and damage in the coastal forest caused by Typhoon Hagibis (No. 19 in Japan) in 2019 was evaluated, and the historical dune formation process was discussed in this case study. Finally, the design strategy required for hybrid infrastructure is discussed.
Green Infrastructures in Megacity Jakarta: Current Status and Possibilities of Mangroves for Flood Damage Mitigation
Authors: Kawata Yukichika
Published: January 2022

Jakarta is Southeast Asia’s most disaster-vulnerable city and recently has suffered from severe floods almost every year. Flood events have worsened mainly because of ground subsidence, reduction of green spaces, and littering into streams. The mangrove forests remaining in coastal urban areas of northern Jakarta can be utilized for mitigating flood damage. In the first two sections of this chapter, an overview of flood events is presented and the status of mangroves in Jakarta Bay is introduced. Mangroves may serve as hard and soft measures for disaster reduction. Because enlargement of the area of mangroves in urban Jakarta is difficult, in the last section, soft measures, especially the utilization of mangroves as an icon for disaster reduction, are proposed. Activities such as the incorporation of a mangrove design as a logo in documents of disaster prevention education may enhance citizens’ recognition of disaster risks because they will see both logos and mangroves repeatedly in real life.
Coastal Community Preferences of Gray, Green, and Hybrid Infrastructure Against Tsunamis: A Case Study of Japan
Authors: Omori Yui , Kuriyama Koichi , Tsuge Takahiro , Onuma Ayumi , Shoji Yasushi
Published: January 2022

A decade has passed since the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami struck. Despite increasing awareness that concrete-based coastal infrastructure, such as seawalls, is not sufficient to protect against unfathomable events, engineering structures still play a significant role in fortifying coastal communities. Meanwhile, purely nature-based approaches (i.e., coastal forests) also have limitations against cataclysmic waves, and there remain uncertainties regarding their ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction functions (Eco-DRR). In tackling these issues, hybrid infrastructure, which combines both gray and green components, has received growing interest. However, little research has been conducted to evaluate the economic values of coastal gray, green, and hybrid infrastructures under uncertainties in terms of people’s preferences.

Therefore, in this study, we aimed to (1) quantify the economic value of coastal ecosystem services, including species richness, landscape, recreational services, and disaster risk reduction, under uncertainties through choice experiments; (2) clarify the differences in preferences for preparations against long-cycle tsunamis between those who reside in tsunami-prone areas and those who do not, using a conditional logit (CL) model; and (3) discuss the heterogeneities in coastal citizen perceptions by comparing the CL and mixed logit (ML) model. As a result, this study highlights the importance of considering the heterogeneity of preferences. Furthermore, our respondents in the tsunami-prone group (TPG) valued the coastal defense function offered by gray more highly than the non-TPG, demonstrating an especially large gap regarding seawalls against short-cycle tsunamis (willingness-to-pay (WTP) values of 11,233 JPY and 5958 JPY, respectively). However, there was no significance for coastal forests in the TPG, reflecting the importance of disaster prevention function offered by gray infrastructure. In addition, the hybrid landscape (seawalls + coastal forests) received higher positive responses, 71.1% with WTP of 8245 JPY, than the gray landscape (seawalls only) with WTP of −3358 JPY, as estimated by the ML model. These contradictions and heterogeneities in people’s preferences may foreshadow the difficulties of applying hybrid approaches; hence developing synthesized both stated preference and other revealed preference methods is indispensable for providing strategic design of gray-green combined coastal defense and bolstering coastal realignment.
An Economic Analysis of Optimal Hybrid Infrastructure: A Theoretical Approach in a Hydro-Economic Model
Authors: Onuma Ayumi
Published: January 2022

This chapter features the functions of green infrastructure and gray infrastructure in a hydro-economic model and integrates them into a hybrid infrastructure. We show that adding green infrastructure to an existing gray infrastructure generates a new benefit, which is referred to as absorption effects. Using the model, we investigate the optimal hybrid infrastructure by maximizing the social net benefits, in which disaster risk reduction is defined. We then discuss how green infrastructure can be used to augment existing gray infrastructure from the perspective of economic optimality. We derive some conditions to determine whether both or either of gray and green infrastructures should be introduced to implement disaster risk reduction.
Flood Management Policy in Shiga Prefecture, Japan: Implementation Approach of a Risk-Based Flood Management System at Catchment Scale
Authors: Taki Kentaro
Published: January 2022

Shiga Prefectural Government uses “site safety level” to assess the flood risk of major floodplains in the prefecture in order to implement an integrated floodplain management system in society. Site safety level is determined based on a risk matrix expressing the relationship between the frequency of inundation and the degree of damage at sites surrounding a river channel complex. A department has been set up for floodplain management separate from river management. The Department of Floodplain Management promotes disaster mitigation measures, such as land use and construction regulations, and conservation of traditional flood control facilities, including flood prevention forests, open levees, and ring levees. Such traditional facilities are highly functional as green infrastructure because they are focused not only on disasters but also on a daily basis in order to wisely utilize local ecosystem service.
Wetland Paddy Fields as Green Infrastructure Against Flood
Authors: Muto Yasunori , Yokokawa Ryo
Published: January 2022

Inundation simulation was carried out for an inland depression mainly covered by paddy fields to estimate its flood retention volume. In addition to surface water flooding, river flooding combined with it was also explored in a wide range of precipitation including a 1000-year return period. The results showed that the paddy fields in the studied area can retain approximately 60% of the total inundation volume. Judging from the relationship between the flood retention volume in the paddy fields and the number of inundated buildings above floor level, we could estimate two reference values regarding the potential volume of floodwater retention in paddy fields: one at which damage to the buildings starts to appear and the other where damage seriously expands in the main residential area. By using these reference values, we demonstrated the importance of land-use strategies in flood alleviation. In other words, by transferring buildings inundated between these levels to safer places, the potential volume of floodwater retention in paddy fields can be increased to a higher level, which well agrees with the concept of green infrastructure. The idea of flood alleviation deduced from this study can be applied to similar near-shore depressions cut off by sand dunes, which are common in Japan.
Microstructural Crack Tip Plasticity Controlling Small Fatigue Crack Growth
Authors: Koyama Motomichi , Noguchi Hiroshi , Tsuzaki Kaneaki
Published: January 2022

In this chapter, we present a metallurgical–mechanical mechanism-based strategy for the design of fatigue-resistant metals. Specifically, we elucidate the importance of the metallurgical microstructure in a mechanical singular field (crack tip). The fatigue crack growth resistance is controlled through the crack tip “plasticity”, and the effect of the associated microstructure becomes significant when the crack is “small (or short)”. More importantly, the resistance to small crack growth determines a major portion of fatigue life and strength. Therefore, the microstructural crack tip plasticity is a key breakthrough to the development of fatigue-resistant metals. As successful examples of this concept, we introduce the effects of grain refinement, martensitic transformation, strain aging, dislocation planarity enhancement, and microstructure heterogeneity on small fatigue crack growths.
Free-energy-based Atomistic Study of Nucleation Kinetics and Thermodynamics of Defects in Metals; Plastic Strain Carrier “Plaston”
Authors: Ogata Shigenobu
Published: January 2022

Plastic deformation proceeds through the nucleation and migration of localized atomistic defects, i.e., plastons (e.g., dislocations, disconnections, disclinations, and shear transformation zones), as plastic strain carriers. Revealing the atomistic details, as well as the kinetics and thermodynamics, of nucleation and migration of localized atomistic defects is crucial for achieving a fundamental understanding and control of plasticity. Free-energy-based atomistic modeling is a promising approach for achieving this task. In this paper, recent free-energy-based atomistic studies on the nucleation kinetics of defects—particularly, (1) shuffling-dominant deformation twinning in magnesium, (2) dislocation nucleation from grain boundaries, and (3) homogeneous dislocation nucleation in nanoindentation—are introduced to demonstrate the advantages of free-energy-based atomistic modeling.
Nanomechanical Characterization of Metallic Materials
Authors: Ohmura Takahito
Published: January 2022

Mechanical behavior of metallic materials on nanoscale is characterized by using Nanoindentation and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) to understand the fundamental plasticity mechanisms associated with microstructural factors including dislocations. The advanced characterization techniques enable us to grasp the behavior on the nanoscale in detail. New knowledges are obtained for the plasticity initiation under the extremely high stress close to the theoretical strength in regions with defect-free matrix and pre-existing defects such as grain boundaries, in-solution elements, and dislocations. The grain boundaries act as an effective dislocation source, the in-solution elements retard a nucleation of dislocation, and the pre-existing dislocations assist a plasticity initiation. The deformation behavior associated with microstructures is also described. The dislocation structure with a certain density was observed right after indentation-induced strain burst, which is so-called “pop-in,” suggesting a dislocation avalanche upon the pop-in. It has been directly observed that the lower mobility screw dislocation causes the higher flow stress in a bcc metal. A remarkable strain softening can be understood by an increase in dislocation density based on conventional physical models. Phase stability for indentation-induced transformation depends on a constraint effect by inter-phase boundary and grain boundary.
The spectrum of boundary states in symmetric orbifolds
Authors: Belin Alexandre , Biswas Shovon , Sully James
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We give an explicit construction of the complete set of Cardy boundary states that respect the extended chiral algebra for symmetric product orbifolds. The states are labelled by a choice of seed theory boundary states as well as a choice of representations of the symmetric group. At large N, we analyze the BCFT data which is relevant for holography, namely the boundary entropy and the one-point functions of single-trace operators. In some cases, typical boundary states are compatible with a bulk description in terms of an End-of-the-World brane along with backreacted matter fields. We discuss the significance of these results for the AdS/BCFT correspondence.
Sizable time-reversal violating effects in bottom baryon decays
Authors: Liu Chia-Wei , Geng Chao-Qiang
Published: January 2022

Abstract

We study time-reversal (T) asymmetries in the charmless two-body decays of antitriplet bottom baryons. We find that in Bb → BnP with Bb = ($$ {\Xi}_b^{-} $$

Ξ
b
−

,$$ {\Xi}_b^0 $$

Ξ
b
0

, Λb) and Bn(P) a octet baryon (pseudoscalar meson), the positive and negative helicity amplitudes are both sizable, resulting in the large T-violating effects. Particularly, the T-odd parameters, βw, for the color-enhanced channels are expected to be around −40% and 25% in b → s and b → d transitions for the standard model, which can be measured by the experiments at LHCb, respectively. On the other hand, in Bb → BnV(γ) with V(γ) a vector meson (photon), the decays are predominated by a single helicity amplitude, and the T violating effects by the correlations among spins are suppressed. We also explore the T violating observables for the Ξb decays based on the angular distributions.
Trefftz co-chain calculus
Authors: Casati Daniele , Codecasa Lorenzo , Hiptmair Ralf , Moro Federico
Published: January 2022

We are concerned with a special class of discretizations of general linear transmission problems stated in the calculus of differential forms and posed on $${\mathbb {R}}^n$$

R

n

. In the spirit of domain decomposition, we partition $${\mathbb {R}}^n=\Omega \cup \Gamma \cup \Omega _{+}$$

R

n

=
Ω
∪
Γ
∪

Ω
+

, $$\Omega $$
Ω
a bounded Lipschitz polyhedron, $$\Gamma :=\partial \Omega $$

Γ
:
=
∂
Ω

, and $$\Omega _{+}$$

Ω
+

unbounded. In $$\Omega $$
Ω
, we employ a mesh-based discrete co-chain model for differential forms, which includes schemes like finite element exterior calculus and discrete exterior calculus. In $$\Omega _{+}$$

Ω
+

, we rely on a meshless Trefftz–Galerkin approach, i.e., we use special solutions of the homogeneous PDE as trial and test functions. Our key contribution is a unified way to couple the different discretizations across $$\Gamma $$
Γ
. Based on the theory of discrete Hodge operators, we derive the resulting linear system of equations. As a concrete application, we discuss an eddy-current problem in frequency domain, for which we also give numerical results.
Model updating using causal information: a case study in coupled slab
Authors: Tiwary Kunal , Patro Sanjaya Kumar , Gandomi Amir H. , Sahoo Kshira Sagar
Published: January 2022

Problems like improper sampling (sampling on unnecessary variables) and undefined prior distribution (or taking random priors) often occur in model updating. Any such limitations on model parameters can lead to lower accuracy and higher experimental costs (due to more iterations) of structural optimisation. In this work, we explored the effective dimensionality of the model updating problem by leveraging the causal information. In order to utilise the causal structure between the parameters, we used Causal Bayesian Optimisation (CBO), a recent variant of Bayesian Optimisation, to integrate observational and intervention data. We also employed generative models to generate synthetic observational data, which helps in creating a better prior for surrogate models. This case study of a coupled slab structure in a recreational building resulted in the modal updated frequencies which were extracted from the finite element of the structure and compared to measured frequencies from ambient vibration tests found in the literature. The results of mode shapes between experimental and predicted values were also compared using modal assurance criterion (MAC) percentages. The updated frequency and MAC number that was obtained using the proposed model was found in least number of iterations (impacts experimental budget) as compared to previous approaches which optimise the same parameters using same data. This also shows how the causal information has impact on experimental budget.
Derivations with Values in the Ideal of $$\tau $$-Compact Operators Affiliated with a Semifinite von Neumann Algebra
Authors: Ber A. , Huang J. , Levitina G. , Sukochev F.
Published: January 2022

Let $${{\mathcal {M}}}$$
M
be a semifinite von Neumann algebra with a faithful normal semifinite trace $$\tau $$
τ
and let $${{\mathcal {A}}}$$
A
be an arbitrary von Neumann subalgebra of $${{\mathcal {M}}}$$
M
. We characterize the class of symmetric ideals $${{\mathcal {E}}}$$
E
in $${{\mathcal {M}}}$$
M
such that derivations $$\delta :{{\mathcal {A}}}\rightarrow {{\mathcal {E}}}$$

δ
:
A
→
E

are necessarily inner, which is a unification and far-reaching extension of the results due to Johnson and Parrott (J Funct Anal 11:39–61, 1972), due to Kaftal and Weiss (J Funct Anal 62:202–220, 1985), and due to Popa (J Funct Anal 71:393–408, 1987). In particular, we show that every derivation from $${{\mathcal {A}}}$$
A
into the ideal $${{\mathcal {C}}}_0({{\mathcal {M}}},\tau )$$

C
0

(
M
,
τ
)

of all $$\tau $$
τ
-compact operators is inner, establishing a semifinite version of the Johnson–Parrott–Popa Theorem which is different from Popa and Rădulescu (Duke Math J 57(2):485–518, 1988, Theorem 1.1) and contrasts to the example of a non-inner derivation established in Popa and Rădulescu (1988, Theorem 1.2).
Ningmitai capsule promotes calculi expulsion after RIRS for 10–20-mm upper urinary stones: a multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Ruofan , Qiao Qingdong , Yang Dengke , Zhang Jianguo , Zhu Chaoyang , Sun Jiantao , Dou Zhongling , Wang Xiaofu , Zhang Huiming , Wang Wenhao , Xiao Fei , Cheng Hepeng , Lv Wenwei , Zhou Bo , Zhang Xiaofan , Li Wuxue , Zhao Xinghua , Hao Bin , Xu Changbao
Published: January 2022

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the use of Ningmitai capsule as an adjunctive stone expulsion therapy after RIRS. All patients were diagnosed with upper urinary tract calculi measuring 10–20 mm. The patients who successfully underwent RIRS were randomly assigned to the NMT capsule group (Ningmitai capsule, 1.52 g, three times daily) or the control group for 4 weeks based on the random number table method. The primary endpoints were the stone expulsion rate (SER) and stone-free rate (SFR). The average stone expulsion time (SET), average stone-free time (SFT) and complications were recorded. Between July 2, 2019, and December 17, 2020, 220 participants successfully underwent RIRS across 6 centers; 123 of them were randomized according to the exclusion criteria, and 102 (83%) were included in the primary analysis. The SERs on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 28th days were significantly increased in the NMT capsule group compared with the control group (78.95% vs. 31.11%, 92.98% vs. 55.56%, 94.74% vs. 64.44%, 100% vs. 82.22%, respectively, p < 0.05). The SFRs on the 3rd and 7th days were not different (p > 0.05), while those on the 14th and 28th days were higher in the NMT capsule group (63.16% vs. 24.44% and 92.98% vs. 68.89%, p < 0.05). The average SET and average SFT of the NMT capsule group were remarkably shorter than those of the control group (p < 0.001). During the follow-up period, there were no significant differences in urine RBC counts between the two groups (p > 0.05). The urine WBC counts of the NMT capsule group were significantly lower than those of the control group on the 14th day (p = 0.011), but there was no difference on the 3rd, 7th or 28th day (p > 0.05). The analgesic aggregate of the NMT capsule group was also much lower (p = 0.037). There were no significant differences in adverse events (p > 0.05), and they improved significantly without sequelae. This study indicated that NMT capsules can significantly promote stone clearance and are more effective and safer for upper urinary calculi after RIRS.

Trial registration Chinese Clinical Trial Registration No. ChiCTR1900024151.

Date of registration June 28, 2019.
Periumbilical Transverse Incision for Reducing Incisional Hernia in Laparoscopic Colon Cancer Surgery
Authors: Kim Chang Hyun , Lee Jaram , Lee Soo Young , Heo Suk Hee , Jeong Yong Yeon , Kim Hyeong Rok
Published: January 2022

Background

Although off‐midline incisions (unilateral low transverse or Pfannenstiel incision) have been reported to have a lower incidence of incisional hernia (IH) than periumbilical vertical incision for the purpose of specimen extraction, it is most commonly used in laparoscopic colon cancer surgery because off‐midline incisions are associated with the limitation of colon exteriorization. This study aims to investigate the risk of IH after laparoscopic colectomy and compare midline vertical incision versus transverse incision focusing on the incidence of IH.

Methods

Patients who underwent elective laparoscopic colectomy due to colon malignancy from June 2015 to May 2017 were included. All patients had either vertical (n = 429) or muscle splitting periumbilical transverse incisions (n = 125).

Results

Median duration of the follow‐up period was 23.6 months, during which IHs occurred in 12.1% patients. The incidence of hernia was significantly lower in the transverse group (3 vs. 64, 2.4% vs. 14.9%, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, BMI ≥ 23 [odds ratio (OR) 2.282, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.245–4.182, p = 0.008], postoperative surgical site infection (OR 3.780, 95% CI 1.969–7.254, p < 0.001) and vertical incision (OR 7.113, 95% CI 2.173–23.287, p < 0.001) were independently related with increased incidence of IH.

Conclusions

A muscle splitting periumbilical transverse incision could significantly reduce the rate of IH in minimally invasive colon cancer surgery.
Nonlocal dynamic Kirchhoff plate formulation based on nonlocal operator method
Authors: Zhang Yongzheng
Published: January 2022

In this study, we propose a nonlocal operator method (NOM) for the dynamic analysis of (thin) Kirchhoff plates. The nonlocal Hessian operator is derived based on a second-order Taylor series expansion. The NOM does not require any shape functions and associated derivatives as ’classical’ approaches such as FEM, drastically facilitating the implementation. Furthermore, NOM is higher order continuous, which is exploited for thin plate analysis that requires$$C^1$$C1continuity. The nonlocal dynamic governing formulation and operator energy functional for Kirchhoff plates are derived from a variational principle. The Verlet-velocity algorithm is used for the time discretization. After confirming the accuracy of the nonlocal Hessian operator, several numerical examples are simulated by the nonlocal dynamic Kirchhoff plate formulation.
Sensitivitätsanalyse zu Infiltrationsprozessen in Böden
Authors: Brunetti Giuseppe , Schübl Marleen , Santner Katharina , Stumpp Christine
Published: January 2022

Infiltrationsprozesse spielen eine wichtige Rolle bei der Entstehung von pluvialem Hochwasser. Ob Oberflächenabfluss generiert wird, hängt unter anderem von bodenhydraulischen Eigenschaften ab. Ein zukünftiger verbesserter Schutz vor pluvialem Hochwasser basiert somit auf einem verbesserten Prozessverständnis zu Infiltrationsprozessen in Böden, um Bedingungen und Parameter zu identifizieren, die zu pluvialem Hochwasser führen und die entscheidend für die Vorhersage von Ereignissen sind. Deshalb wurde das Modell KINEROS für eine globale und lokale Sensitivitätsanalyse verwendet, um Parameter zu identifizieren, die den Oberflächenabfluss am stärksten beeinflussen und um den Oberflächenabfluss in Abhängigkeit vom anfänglichen Bodensättigungsgrad für verschiedene Niederschlagsmengen an 14 Standorten in Österreich zu berechnen. Die globale Sensitivitätsanalyse hat gezeigt, dass vor allem die Faktoren gesättigte hydraulische Leitfähigkeit und Oberflächenrauheit sowohl das Gesamtabflussvolumen als auch dessen Spitze maßgeblich beeinflussen. Die Verteilung und Intensität des Niederschlags hat ebenfalls einen großen Einfluss auf den Abflussprozess. Demgegenüber haben die Hangneigung und die anfängliche Bodensättigung einen moderaten Einfluss. Auch wenn der Sättigungsgrad weniger entscheidend war, zeigt die lokale Sensitivitätsanalyse eine nichtlineare Beziehung zwischen dem anfänglichen Sättigungsgrad des Bodens und der Gesamtabflussmenge, besonders bei den mittel- und hochdurchlässigen Böden. Es konnte klar gezeigt werden, dass hydrologische Modelle in Verbindung mit detaillierter, statistischer Analyse ein wichtiges Instrument zur Analyse und Bewertung der hydrologischen Prozesse und deren Unsicherheiten auf der Plotskala sind.
Contributions to the stereochemistry of zirconium oxysalts—part IV: syntheses and crystal structures of Zr2(OH)2(XO4)3·4H2O (X = S, Se), Zr(SO4)2·4H2O, and Zr(SeO3)2
Authors: Wildner Manfred , Lengauer Christian L. , Effenberger Herta , Giester Gerald
Published: January 2022

Zr2(OH)2(XO4)3·4H2O (X = S, Se), Zr(SO4)2·4H2O, and Zr(SeO3)2 were synthesized at low-hydrothermal conditions from mixtures of Zr2O2(CO3)(OH)2, the respective acids, and minor amounts of water. While Zr2(OH)2(XO4)3·4H2O (X = S, Se) and Zr(SO4)2·4H2O form crystals up to several tenths of a mm, Zr(SeO3)2 was mainly obtained as microcrystalline powder, single crystals rarely exceeded 10 μm in size. Samples were investigated by single-crystal X-ray techniques and in the case of Zr(SeO3)2 also by X-ray powder diffraction. The compounds Zr2(OH)2(XO4)3·4H2O (X = S, Se) crystallize in the Ce2(OH)2(SO4)3·4H2O structure type (C2/c, Z = 4, a = 13.034(2) / 13.308(3), b = 6.500(1) / 6.683(2), c = 15.056(3) / 15.383(4) Å, β = 96.27(1) / 96.81(1)°, V = 1267.9(4) / 1358.5(6) Å3 for X = S / Se, respectively). Tetragonal aniprisms Zr[8]O8 are edge-connected to dimers that share corners with XO4 tetrahedra forming a three-dimensional network. Zr(SO4)2·4H2O (Fddd, Z = 8, a = 5.498(1), b = 11.618(3), c = 25.893(6) Å, V = 1653.9(6) Å3) is isotypic with the respective selenate compound. Occasionally, pseudomerohedral twinning is observed, simulating a larger monoclinic C-centered unit cell. Again, tetragonal antiprisms Zr[8]O8 are formed; however, they are corner-linked with SO4 tetrahedra to Zr(SO4)2 layers interconnected solely by hydrogen bonds. Zr(SeO3)2 crystallizes in P21/c, Z = 2; a = 4.9724(3), b = 8.5992(5), c = 6.9447(3) Å, β = 110.128(3)°, V = 278.81(3) Å3 (unit cell from powder data) and belongs to the β-Sn(SeO3)2 structure type established further for Ti(SeO3)2 and Pb(SeO3)2. Isolated ZrO6 octahedra share corners with the selenite groups forming a three-dimensional network.

Graphical abstract
Altered pituitary morphology as a sign of benign hereditary chorea caused by TITF1/NKX2.1 mutations
Authors: Thust Steffi , Veneziano Liana , Parkinson Michael H. , Bhatia Kailash P. , Mantuano Elide , Gonzalez-Robles Cristina , Davagnanam Indran , Giunti Paola
Published: January 2022

Benign hereditary chorea (BHC) is a rare genetically heterogeneous movement disorder, in which conventional neuroimaging has been reported as normal in most cases. Cystic pituitary abnormalities and features of empty sella have been described in only 7 patients with BHC to date. We present 4 patients from 2 families with a BHC phenotype, 3 of whom underwent targeted pituitary MR imaging and genetic testing. All four patients in the two families displayed a classic BHC phenotype. The targeted pituitary MR imaging demonstrated abnormal pituitary sella morphology. Genetic testing was performed in three patients, and showed mutations causing BHC in three of the patients, as well as identifying a novel nonsense mutation of the TITF1/NKX2-1 gene in one of the patients. The presence of the abnormal pituitary sella in two affected members of the same family supports the hypothesis that this sign is a distinct feature of the BHC phenotype spectrum due to mutations in the TITF1 gene. Interestingly, these abnormalities seem to develop in adult life and are progressive. They occur in at least 26% of patients affected with Brain-lung-thyroid syndrome. As a part of the management of these patients we recommend to perform follow-up MRI brain with dedicated pituitary imaging also in adult life as the abnormality can occur years after the onset of chorea.
Reduced autonomy workspace (RAW)—an interaction design approach for human-automation cooperation
Authors: Nylin Magnus , Johansson Westberg Jimmy , Lundberg Jonas
Published: January 2022

Lack of support for handling a reduction of autonomy in a highly autonomous automation may lead to a stressful situation for a human when forced to take over. We present a design approach, the Reduced Autonomy Workspace, to address this. The starting point is that the human and the automation work together in parallel control processes, but at different levels of autonomy cognitive control, such as setting goals or implementing plans, which is different from levels of automation. When autonomy is reduced, the automation should consult the human by providing information that has been aligned to the level at which the human is working, and the timing of the provision should be adapted to suit the human’s work situation. This is made possible by allowing the automation to monitor the human in a separate process. The combination of these processes, information level alignment and timing of the presentation, are the key characteristics of the Reduced Autonomy Workspace. The Reduced Autonomy Workspace consists of four phases: Identification of the need; evaluation of whether, and, if so, when, and how to present information; perception and response by the human; implementation of a solution by the automation. The timing of the information presentation should be adapted in real-time to provide flexibility, while the level of the information provided should be tuned offline and kept constant to provide predictability. Use of the Reduced Autonomy Workspace can reduce the risk for surprising, stressful hand-over situations, and the need to monitor the automation to avoid them.
“Manufacturing Life” in Real Work Processes? New Manufacturing Environments with Micro- and Nanorobotics
Authors: Moniz António Brandão , Krings Bettina-Johanna
Published: January 2022

The convergence of nano-, bio-, information, and cognitive sciences and technologies (NBIC) is advancing continuously in many societal spheres. This also applies to the manufacturing sector, where technological transformations in robotics push the boundaries of human–machine interaction (HMI). Here, current technological advances in micro- and nanomanufacturing are accompanied by new socio-economic concepts for different sectors of the process industry. Although these developments are still ongoing, the blurring of the boundaries of HMI in processes at the micro- and nano- level can already be observed. According to the authors, these new socio-technical HMIs may lead to the development of new work environments, which can also have an impact on work organization. While there is still little empirical evidence, the following contribution focuses on the question whether the “manufacturing (or working) life” using enhancement practices pushes the boundaries of HMI and how these effects enable new modes of working in manufacturing. Issues of standardization, acceleration of processes, and order-oriented production become essential for technological innovation in this field. However, these trends tend to lead to a “manufacturing life” in work environments rather than to new modes of work in industry.
In Situ and Ex Situ TEM Analysis of the Copper Precipitation in Martensitic Steel
Authors: Bambach Margarita D. , Szczepański Łukasz , Żak Andrzej M.
Published: January 2022

The conventional and in situ transmission electron microscopy imaging of quenched 1.5 pct Cu steel has shown that Cu phases are present even before aging and do not disappear after typical aging times. The 9R precipitates appear after 15 minutes of heating, but they are more noticeable after longer processing times. This suggests that the precipitation mechanisms in carbon steels deserve further analysis, especially because of the inevitable increase in the Cu content in the steel ingots.