bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dysregulated pseudogene BNIP3P1 inhibited cell proliferation and promoted cell apoptosis in preeclampsia by acting as a competing endogenous RNA for BNIP3
Authors: Zheng Haoyu , Shi Mengna , Chi Zhenjing , Wang Haidong , Wang Hairong , Xu Dong
Published: February 2022

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been reported as critical modulators in many diseases including preeclampsia. Since the association between lncRNA BNIP3P1 and its cognate gene BNIP3 in preeclampsia has been revealed previously, this study aimed to further explore the function and mechanism of BNIP3P1 in preeclampsia. EdU and TUNEL assays revealed that BNIP3P1 or BNIP3 overexpression inhibited trophoblast cell proliferation and enhanced cell apoptosis in preeclampsia. As suggested by western blot analysis, the protein levels of apoptotic markers in the cells were affected by BNIP3P1 or BNIP3 overexpression. The binding between miR‐128‐3p and BNIP3P1 (or BNIP3) was explored by luciferase reporter assays. Mechanistically, BNIP3P1 bound to miR‐128‐3p to upregulate BNIP3 expression by acting as a competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA). Importantly, BNIP3P1 was found to inactivate the mTOR signaling pathway. In conclusion, BNIP3P1 inhibited trophoblast cell proliferation and enhanced cell apoptosis in preeclampsia by targeting the miR‐128‐3p/BNIP3/mTOR signaling pathway.
Use of meshed skin grafts to treat bilateral, circumferential skin defects of the antebrachium in a pygmy goat wether
Authors: Williams Natasha J. , Holter Donald L. , Boileau Melanie J. , Dugat Danielle R.
Published: February 2022

A 7‐month‐old pygmy goat wether was presented for severe, chronic, bilateral forelimb wounds of unknown inciting cause and duration. Full‐thickness circumferential skin wounds extended from distal to the elbow joints to the carpi, with varying depths of underlying tissue exposed, including tendons and muscles. Prolonged wound care was performed over a 4‐week period, including frequent tissue debridement and dressing changes. Following this, full‐thickness skin grafts were harvested from the thoracic trunk, stripped of subcutaneous tissue, meshed and transplanted to the prepared recipient beds. After 6 weeks of subsequent bandage management, the wether was discharged from the hospital. The major complication during postoperative care was laxity of the flexor tendons secondary to the prolonged confinement and limb bandaging, which resolved with the use of custom‐made supportive prosthetic wedged hoof blocks with heel extensions. This is the first report of the use of full‐thickness meshed skin grafts in a caprine species.
Removal of naproxen from wastewater using chitosan–aerogel–activated carbon biocomposites: Theory, equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamics, and process optimization
Authors: Ozcan Nazli , Saygi Yalcin Berrin , Bilgin Simsek Esra , Saloglu Didem
Published: February 2022

This study investigated the performance of chitosan–aerogel–activated carbon (CHT:AEO:AC) biocomposite as an adsorbent for the removal of naproxen from wastewater. Naproxen removal in % was 99, 33, 62, and 90 using 300 mg of raw AC, raw CHT, CHT:AEO, and CHT:AEO:AC, respectively. Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R), and Temkin isotherm models were used to obtain adsorption isotherms. Chi‐squared (χ2) and correlation coefficients (R2) values showed that the parameters of the Freundlich, Temkin, and D–R models were more suitable for naproxen adsorption than the Langmuir model for raw CHT, CHT:AEO, and CHT:AEO:AC, whereas the Langmuir model fitted well for raw AC. The adsorption of naproxen onto biocomposites was defined by pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model, and adsorption rate constants were 0.245, 0.036, 0.075, and 0.147 mg g−1 min−1 for raw AC, raw CHT, CHT:AEO, and CHT:AEO:AC, respectively. The impact of optimum process conditions on naproxen adsorption was explored using response surface methodology. The optimum independent variables were 288.94 mg, 29.64°C, and 372.5 min, leading to a rate of naproxen removal onto CHT:AEO:AC of 90.29%.

Practitioner Points

Naproxen adsorption from wastewater using chitosan–aerogel–activated carbon biocomposite (CHT:AEO:AC) was investigated.

The effects of the amount of biocomposite, temperature, and time on the adsorption were investigated.

Optimization of the process conditions was carried out using the response surface methodology.
On the light-ray algebra in conformal field theories
Authors: Korchemsky Gregory P. , Zhiboedov Alexander
Published: February 2022

Abstract

We analyze the commutation relations of light-ray operators in conformal field theories. We first establish the algebra of light-ray operators built out of higher spin currents in free CFTs and find explicit expressions for the corresponding structure constants. The resulting algebras are remarkably similar to the generalized Zamolodchikov’s W∞ algebra in a two-dimensional conformal field theory. We then compute the commutator of generalized energy flow operators in a generic, interacting CFTs in d > 2. We show that it receives contribution from the energy flow operator itself, as well as from the light-ray operators built out of scalar primary operators of dimension ∆ ≤ d − 2, that are present in the OPE of two stress-energy tensors. Commutators of light-ray operators considered in the present paper lead to CFT sum rules which generalize the superconvergence relations and naturally connect to the dispersive sum rules, both of which have been studied recently.
External leg corrections as an origin of large logarithms
Authors: Bahl Henning , Braathen Johannes , Weiglein Georg
Published: February 2022

Abstract

The appearance of large logarithmic corrections is a well-known phenomenon in the presence of widely separated mass scales. In this work, we point out the existence of large Sudakov-like logarithmic contributions related to external-leg corrections of heavy scalar particles which cannot be resummed straightforwardly using renormalisation group equations. Based on a toy model, we discuss in detail how these corrections appear in theories containing at least one light and one heavy particle that couple to each other with a potentially large trilinear coupling. We show how the occurrence of the large logarithms is related to infrared singularities. In addition to a discussion at the one-loop level, we also explicitly derive the two-loop corrections containing the large logarithms. We point out in this context the importance of choosing an on-shell-like renormalisation scheme. As exemplary applications, we present results for the two-loop external-leg corrections for the decay of a gluino into a scalar top quark and a top quark in the Minimal Supersymmetric extension of the Standard Model as well as for a heavy Higgs boson decay into two tau leptons in the singlet-extended Two-Higgs-Doublet Model.
Nano ist groß!
Authors: Surber Christian , Plautz James , Osterwalder Uli
Published: February 2022

Seit den 1950er-Jahren sind anorganische Sonnenschutzmittel mit mikronisiertem Titandioxid (TiO2) und Zinkoxid (ZnO) erhältlich. Deren kosmetische Akzeptanz blieb beschränkt, da sie als weiße Paste auf der Haut zurückbleiben. Durch Verkleinerung der Partikel in den Nanobereich unter 100 nm wurde deren optische Eigenschaft, sichtbares Licht zu reflektieren, verringert. Nach 2000 wurden auch organische Filter in dieser Größenordnung entwickelt. Die damals herrschende Begeisterung für Nanotechnologie übertrug sich nicht auf Sonnenschutzmittel mit nanopartikulären Filtern. Verbraucher vermuten, dass die Partikel durch die Haut dringen, vom Blut aufgenommen werden, sich im Körper verteilen und Krankheiten verursachen. Nicht zuletzt aufgrund von Druck der Öffentlichkeit wurden Kosmetika – zu denen auch Sonnenschutzmittel gehören – das erste Produktsegment, in dem nanopartikuläre Stoffe strengen Regeln unterworfen wurden. Trotz fortschrittlicher Regulierung und strenger Zulassungsverfahren für nanopartikuläre Filter blieben Vorbehalte bestehen. Mögliche Gründe dafür sind mangelnde Kenntnisse über die geltenden Rechtsvorschriften oder Misstrauen gegenüber diesen, unklare Vorstellungen über das Verhalten von Nanopartikeln in Sonnenschutzmitteln und infolgedessen eine unklare Wahrnehmung von Gefahr, Risiko und Exposition. Vor diesem Hintergrund werden das Wesen und Verhalten von nanopartikulären Filtern in Sonnenschutzmitteln auf der Haut und potenziell in der Haut sowie der Regulierungsrahmen, der sicherstellt, dass nanopartikuläre Filter und die sie enthaltenden Sonnenschutzmittel sicher in der Anwendung sind, diskutiert.
Improved Sobolev regularity for linear nonlocal equations with VMO coefficients
Authors: Nowak Simon
Published: February 2022

This work is concerned with both higher integrability and differentiability for linear nonlocal equations with possibly very irregular coefficients of VMO-type or even coefficients that are merely small in BMO. In particular, such coefficients might be discontinuous. While for corresponding local elliptic equations with VMO coefficients such a gain of Sobolev regularity along the differentiability scale is unattainable, it was already observed in previous works that gaining differentiability in our nonlocal setting is possible under less restrictive assumptions than in the local setting. In this paper, we follow this direction and show that under assumptions on the right-hand side that allow for an arbitrarily small gain of integrability, weak solutions$$u \in W^{s,2}$$u∈Ws,2in fact belong to$$W^{t,p}_{loc}$$Wloct,pforany$$s \le t < \min \{2s,1\}$$s≤t2$$p>2reflects the amount of integrability gained. In other words, our gain of differentiability does not depend on the amount of integrability we are able to gain. This extends numerous results in previous works, where either continuity of the coefficient was required or only an in general smaller gain of differentiability was proved.
A Rigorous Construction of the Supersymmetric Path Integral Associated to a Compact Spin Manifold
Authors: Hanisch Florian , Ludewig Matthias
Published: February 2022

We give a rigorous construction of the path integral in $${\mathcal {N}}=1/2$$

N
=
1
/
2

supersymmetry as an integral map for differential forms on the loop space of a compact spin manifold. It is defined on the space of differential forms which can be represented by extended iterated integrals in the sense of Chen and Getzler–Jones–Petrack. Via the iterated integral map, we compare our path integral to the non-commutative loop space Chern character of Güneysu and the second author. Our theory provides a rigorous background to various formal proofs of the Atiyah–Singer index theorem for twisted Dirac operators using supersymmetric path integrals, as investigated by Alvarez-Gaumé, Atiyah, Bismut and Witten.
Synthetic CT for the planning of MR-HIFU treatment of bone metastases in pelvic and femoral bones: a feasibility study
Authors: Lena Beatrice , Florkow Mateusz C. , Ferrer Cyril J. , van Stralen Marijn , Seevinck Peter R. , Vonken Evert-Jan P. A. , Boomsma Martijn F. , Slotman Derk J. , Viergever Max A. , Moonen Chrit T. W. , Bos Clemens , Bartels Lambertus W.
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Visualization of the bone distribution is an important prerequisite for MRI-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (MRI-HIFU) treatment planning of bone metastases. In this context, we evaluated MRI-based synthetic CT (sCT) imaging for the visualization of cortical bone.

Methods

MR and CT images of nine patients with pelvic and femoral metastases were retrospectively analyzed in this study. The metastatic lesions were osteolytic, osteoblastic or mixed. sCT were generated from pre-treatment or treatment MR images using a UNet-like neural network. sCT was qualitatively and quantitatively compared to CT in the bone (pelvis or femur) containing the metastasis and in a region of interest placed on the metastasis itself, through mean absolute difference (MAD), mean difference (MD), Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), and root mean square surface distance (RMSD).

Results

The dataset consisted of 3 osteolytic, 4 osteoblastic and 2 mixed metastases. For most patients, the general morphology of the bone was well represented in the sCT images and osteolytic, osteoblastic and mixed lesions could be discriminated. Despite an average timespan between MR and CT acquisitions of 61 days, in bone, the average (± standard deviation) MAD was 116 ± 26 HU, MD − 14 ± 66 HU, DSC 0.85 ± 0.05, and RMSD 2.05 ± 0.48 mm and, in the lesion, MAD was 132 ± 62 HU, MD − 31 ± 106 HU, DSC 0.75 ± 0.2, and RMSD 2.73 ± 2.28 mm.

Conclusions

Synthetic CT images adequately depicted the cancellous and cortical bone distribution in the different lesion types, which shows its potential for MRI-HIFU treatment planning.

Key Points

• Synthetic computed tomography was able to depict bone distribution in metastatic lesions.

• Synthetic computed tomography images intrinsically aligned with treatment MR images may have the potential to facilitate MR-HIFU treatment planning of bone metastases, by combining visualization of soft tissues and cancellous and cortical bone.
Contrasting contributions of surface hydrological pathways in convection permitting and parameterised climate simulations over Africa and their feedbacks on the atmosphere
Authors: Folwell Sonja S. , Taylor Christopher M. , Stratton Rachel A.
Published: February 2022

The partitioning of rainfall at the land surface into interception, infiltration and surface runoff plays an important role in the water cycle as it controls the time scale at which water returns to the atmosphere. Rainfall intensity is of crucial importance to this partition. High resolution convection permitting models significantly improve simulated sub-daily rainfall intensity distributions, in particular those associated with convective rainfall in the tropics. Here we compare the land surface hydrological response in a pair of 10-year simulations over an African domain performed using the Met Office Unified Model: a typical configuration using parameterised convection operating at 25 km and the second a high resolution convection permitting simulation at 4.5 km with the parametrized convection switched off. Overall pan-African interception in the convection permitting scheme is 70% lower, whilst surface runoff is 43% higher than the parameterized convection model. These changes are driven by less frequent, but more intense rainfall with a 25% increase in rainfall above 20 mm h−1in the 4.5 km model. The parameterised scheme has a ~ 50% canopy water contribution to evaporative fraction which is negligible in the convection permitting scheme. Conversely, the convection permitting scheme has higher throughfall and infiltration leading to higher soil moisture in the weeks following rain resulting in a 30–50% decrease in the daytime sensible heat flux. We examine how important the sub-grid rainfall parameterisation in the model is for the differences between the two configurations. We show how, switching a convective parameterisation off can substantially impact land surface behaviour.
Semi-analytic semi-numerical analysis of dynamic characteristics of a two-stage coupled series PGT based on IHB and MsP methods
Authors: Wang Xigui , Tang Jie , Wang Yongmei , Ruan Jiafu , An Siyuan
Published: February 2022

This paper conducts an analytical investigation of the dynamic response characteristics of a two-stage coupled series system (TsCSS) with a planetary gear transmission (PGT), consisting of dual-power branches. An improved incremental harmonic balance (IHB) method, based on the arc length extension technique, is proposed. The results are compared with those of the numerical integration method, in order to verify the feasibility and efficiency of the improved method. Afterwards, the multi-scale perturbation (MsP) method is applied to the proposed TsCSS. The frequency response equations of the primary resonance, subharmonic resonance and superharmonic resonance, are solved in order to generate the frequency response characteristic curves of the planetary transmission system. A comparison between the results obtained by the MsP method and the numerical integration method demonstrates that the former is ideal and credible in most of the regions. Considering the parameters of TsCSS excitation frequency and damping, the nonlinear response characteristics of steady-state motion are mutually converted. The impact of the time-varying parameters and nonlinear deenthing caused by the gear teeth clearance on the amplitude–frequency characteristics of the TsCSS components, is finally studied.
The last year of life for patients dying from cancer vs. non-cancer causes: a retrospective cross-sectional survey of bereaved relatives
Authors: Kasdorf Alina , Dust Gloria , Hamacher Stefanie , Schippel Nicolas , Rietz Christian , Voltz Raymond , Strupp Julia ,   on behalf of CoRe-Net, Pfaff Holger , Albus Christian , Ansmann Lena , Jessen Frank , Karbach Ute , Kuntz Ludwig , Schubert Ingrid , Schulz- Nieswandt Frank , Stock Stephanie
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To compare
health care experiences of patients with cancer or non-cancer diseases in their last year of life.

Methods

A cross-sectional post-bereavement survey was conducted using an adapted German version of the VOICES questionnaire (VOICES-LYOL-Cologne). Differences in the reported experiences were assessed using a two-sided Pearson’s chi-square test and Mann–Whitney U test.

Results

We collected data from 351 bereaved relatives. More than half of non-cancer patients were not informed that their disease could lead to death (p < 0.001). When this was communicated, in 46.7% of non-cancer and 64.5% of cancer patients, it was reported by the hospital doctor (p = 0.050). In all, 66.9% of non-cancer and 41.6% of cancer patients were not informed about death being imminent (p < 0.001). On average, non-cancer patients had significantly fewer transitions and hospital stays in their last year of life (p = 0.014; p = 0.008, respectively). Non-cancer patients were treated more often by general practitioners, and cancer patients were treated more often by specialists (p = 0.002; p = 0.002, respectively). A substantially lower proportion of non-cancer patients were treated by at least one member of or in the setting of general or specialized palliative care (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

Non-cancer patients experience disadvantages in communication regarding their care and in access to specialized palliative care in their last year of life compared to cancer patients. Regarding the assessment of palliative care needs and the lack of communication of an incurable disease, non-cancer patients are underserved. An early identification of patients requiring palliative care is a major public health concern and should be addressed irrespective of diagnosis.

Trial registration

Prospectively registered by the German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS00011925, data of registration: 13.06.2017).
The classification of scoliosis braces developed by SOSORT with SRS, ISPO, and POSNA and approved by ESPRM
Authors: Negrini Stefano , Aulisa Angelo Gabriele , Cerny Pavel , de Mauroy Jean Claude , McAviney Jeb , Mills Andrew , Donzelli Sabrina , Grivas Theodoros B. , Hresko M. Timothy , Kotwicki Tomasz , Labelle Hubert , Marcotte Louise , Matthews Martin , O’Brien Joe , Parent Eric C. , Price Nigel , Manuel Rigo , Stikeleather Luke , Vitale Michael G. , Wong Man Sang , Wood Grant , Wynne James , Zaina Fabio , Bruno Marco Brayda , Würsching Suncica Bulat , Yilgor Caglar , Cahill Patrick , Dema Eugenio , Knott Patrick , Lebel Andrea , Lein Grigorii , Newton Peter O. , Smith Brian G.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

Studies have shown that bracing is an effective treatment for patients with idiopathic scoliosis. According to the current classification, almost all braces fall in the thoracolumbosacral orthosis (TLSO) category. Consequently, the generalization of scientific results is either impossible or misleading. This study aims to produce a classification of the brace types.

Methods

Four scientific societies (SOSORT, SRS, ISPO, and POSNA) invited all their members to be part of the study. Six level 1 experts developed the initial classifications. At a consensus meeting with 26 other experts and societies’ officials, thematic analysis and general discussion allowed to define the classification (minimum 80% agreement). The classification was applied to the braces published in the literature and officially approved by the 4 scientific societies and by ESPRM.

Results

The classification is based on the following classificatory items: anatomy (CTLSO, TLSO, LSO), rigidity (very rigid, rigid, elastic), primary corrective plane (frontal, sagittal, transverse, frontal & sagittal, frontal & transverse, sagittal & transverse, three-dimensional), construction—valves (monocot, bivalve, multisegmented), construction—closure (dorsal, lateral, ventral), and primary action (bending, detorsion, elongation, movement, push-up, three points). The experts developed a definition for each item and were able to classify the 15 published braces into nine groups.

Conclusion

The classification is based on the best current expertise (the lowest level of evidence). Experts recognize that this is the first edition and will change with future understanding and research. The broad application of this classification could have value for brace research, education, clinical practice, and growth in this field.
FUSE-ML: development and external validation of a clinical prediction model for mid-term outcomes after lumbar spinal fusion for degenerative disease
Authors: Staartjes Victor E. , Stumpo Vittorio , Ricciardi Luca , Maldaner Nicolai , Eversdijk Hubert A. J. , Vieli Moira , Ciobanu-Caraus Olga , Raco Antonino , Miscusi Massimo , Perna Andrea , Proietti Luca , Lofrese Giorgio , Dughiero Michele , Cultrera Francesco , Nicassio Nicola , An Seong Bae , Ha Yoon , Amelot Aymeric , Alcobendas Irene , Viñuela-Prieto Jose M. , Gandía-González Maria L. , Girod Pierre-Pascal , Lener Sara , Kögl Nikolaus , Abramovic Anto , Safa Nico Akhavan , Laux Christoph J. , Farshad Mazda , O’Riordan Dave , Loibl Markus , Mannion Anne F. , Scerrati Alba , Molliqaj Granit , Tessitore Enrico , Schröder Marc L. , Vandertop W. Peter , Stienen Martin N. , Regli Luca , Serra Carlo
Published: February 2022

Background

Indications and outcomes in lumbar spinal fusion for degenerative disease are notoriously heterogenous. Selected subsets of patients show remarkable benefit. However, their objective identification is often difficult. Decision-making may be improved with reliable prediction of long-term outcomes for each individual patient, improving patient selection and avoiding ineffective procedures.

Methods

Clinical prediction models for long-term functional impairment [Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) or Core Outcome Measures Index (COMI)], back pain, and leg pain after lumbar fusion for degenerative disease were developed. Achievement of the minimum clinically important difference at 12 months postoperatively was defined as a reduction from baseline of at least 15 points for ODI, 2.2 points for COMI, or 2 points for pain severity.

Results

Models were developed and integrated into a web-app (https://neurosurgery.shinyapps.io/fuseml/) based on a multinational cohort [N = 817; 42.7% male; mean (SD) age: 61.19 (12.36) years]. At external validation [N = 298; 35.6% male; mean (SD) age: 59.73 (12.64) years], areas under the curves for functional impairment [0.67, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59–0.74], back pain (0.72, 95%CI: 0.64–0.79), and leg pain (0.64, 95%CI: 0.54–0.73) demonstrated moderate ability to identify patients who are likely to benefit from surgery. Models demonstrated fair calibration of the predicted probabilities.

Conclusions

Outcomes after lumbar spinal fusion for degenerative disease remain difficult to predict. Although assistive clinical prediction models can help in quantifying potential benefits of surgery and the externally validated FUSE-ML tool may aid in individualized risk–benefit estimation, truly impacting clinical practice in the era of “personalized medicine” necessitates more robust tools in this patient population.
Analysis of electromechanical systems based on the absolute nodal coordinate formulation
Authors: Nemov Alexander S. , Matikainen Marko K. , Wang Tengfei , Mikkola Aki
Published: February 2022

The absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) approach has been successfully used to analyze bodies undergoing large deformations in multibody dynamics applications. In this study, the ANCF is extended to the analysis of coupled electromechanical systems. To this end, the electrostatic equations are solved by means of conventional plane finite elements, and the ANCF is used to describe the geometrically nonlinear elastic deformation of a thin beam. Bidirectional coupling between electrostatic and elastic domains was introduced using an iterative staggering algorithm. The results illustrate that the ANCF approach can be applied to electromechanical problems when objects are discretized using beam and plate elements. Two numerical examples of microbeams subject to an electrostatic field are used to validate the proposed solution strategy and to reveal characteristic features of fully coupled electromechanical solutions accounting for finite strain theory.
Continual long-term monitoring of methane in wells above the Utica Shale using total dissolved gas pressure probes
Authors: Roy James W. , Bordeleau Geneviève , Rivard Christine , Ryan M. Cathryn , Malet Xavier , Brown Susan J. , Tremblay Vincent
Published: February 2022

Monitoring of dissolved methane concentrations in groundwater is required to identify impacts from oil and gas development and to understand temporal variability under background conditions. Currently, long-term (i.e., multiyear) monitoring is performed via periodic groundwater sampling; hence, the data are temporally limited and can suffer from degassing losses in-well and at surface for groundwater with high dissolved gas concentrations. The application of total dissolved gas pressure (PTDG) probes for long-term monitoring of methane-rich groundwater was investigated for >2 years in three monitoring wells in a low-permeability bedrock aquifer above the Utica Shale, Canada. The advantage of these probes is that they allow for continual in situ monitoring. A hydraulic packer was installed in each well, below which PTDG and water pressure were measured every 15 or 30 min. The major dissolved gas species composition, required to calculate methane concentrations from PTDG, was determined from groundwater samples collected approximately bimonthly. Methane was the dominant gas in each well (~80–97%), with relatively consistent composition over time, indicating PTDG provided a reasonable proxy for methane concentrations. All three wells had high PTDG (reaching 53.0 m H2O), with PTDG-derived methane concentrations (34–156 mg/L) much higher (3–12 times) and relatively more stable than determined by conventional groundwater analysis. PTDG monitoring also revealed substantial short-term changes during pumping and between sampling events (up to 4 m H2O), possibly associated with background variability. Limitations and technical remedies are discussed. This study demonstrates that PTDG probes can be a valuable tool for monitoring methane-rich groundwater.
Using two case studies to explore the applicability of VIATRA for the model-driven engineering of mechatronic production systems
Authors: Koltun Gennadiy , Pundel Mathis
Published: February 2022

The engineering of mechatronic production systems is complex and requires various disciplines (e.g., systems, mechanical, electrical and software engineers). Model-driven engineering (MDE) supports systems development and the exchange of information based on models and transformations. However, the integration and adoption of different modeling approaches are becoming challenges when it comes to cross-disciplinary work. VIATRA is a long-living enduring and mature modeling framework that offers rich model transformation features to develop MDE applications. This study investigates the extent to which VIATRA can be applied in the engineering of mechatronic production systems. For this purpose, two model transformation case studies are presented: “SysML – AutomationML” and “SysML4Mechatronics – AutomationML.” Both case studies are representative of structural modeling and interdisciplinary data exchange during the development of mechatronic production systems. These case studies are derived from other researchers in the community. A VIATRA software prototype implements these case studies as a batch-oriented transformation and serves as one basis for evaluating VIATRA. To report on our observations and findings, we built on an evaluation framework from the MDE community. This framework considers 14 different characteristics (e.g., maturity, size, execution time, modularity, learnability), according to the Goal-Question-Metric paradigm. To be able to evaluate our findings, we compared VIATRA to ATL. We applied all cases to a lab-size mechatronic production system. We found that, with VIATRA, the same functions for model transformation applications can be achieved as with ATL, which is popular for model transformations in both the MDE and the mechatronic production systems community. VIATRA combines the relational, imperative, and graph-based paradigms and enables the development and execution of model-to-model (M2M) and model-to-text (M2T) transformations. Furthermore, the VIATRA internal DSL is based on Xtend and Java, making VIATRA attractive and intuitive for users with less experience in modeling than in object-oriented programming. Thus, VIATRA leads to an interesting alternative for the model-driven engineering of mechatronic production systems. It has the potential to reduce the complexity during the development of model transformations. To conclude, this paper evaluates the applicability of VIATRA, its strengths and limitations. It provides lessons learned and insights that can stimulate further research in the MDE for mechatronic production systems.
Managers’ expectations, business cycles and cartels’ life cycle
Authors: García Carmen , Borrell Joan Ramon , Ordóñez-de-Haro José Manuel , Jiménez Juan Luis
Published: February 2022

The literature presents mixed findings regarding the economic conditions under which cartels form and collapse, and regarding how stable they are across firm-specific and industry-wide business cycles. The relationship between cartel life cycles and business cycles has been insufficiently analyzed to date. In this paper, we study in depth whether collusion is pro-cyclical or counter-cyclical. We analyze the relationship between cartel start-ups/break ups and economic cycles using a dataset of sanctioned cartels by the European Commission (EC) that were active between 1997 and 2018, after the leniency program had already been introduced. We also double check whether this relationship has changed with respect to the pre-leniency period from 1991 to 1996. Our results show that cartels are more likely to be formed when the business has evolved positively in the previous months, and cartels are less likely to collapse when the business has evolved positively, and managers expect prices to decline. The EC’s sanctioning activity has been an effective deterrent and has had a destabilizing effect on cartels. However we found no evidence that managers’ expectations on prices affect cartel formation. All these results are an important issue for anti-cartel policy enforcement since knowing when cartels are more prone or less likely to occur would help authorities prevent their formation or their early detection.
A Variational Framework for the Thermomechanics of Gradient-Extended Dissipative Solids – with Applications to Diffusion, Damage and Plasticity
Authors: Teichtmeister S. , Keip M.-A.
Published: February 2022

The paper presents a versatile framework for solids which undergo nonisothermal processes with irreversibly changing microstructure at large strains. It outlines rate-type and incremental variational principles for the full thermomechanical coupling in gradient-extended dissipative materials. It is shown that these principles yield as Euler equations essentially the macro- and micro-balances as well as the energy equation. Starting point is the incorporation of the entropy and entropy rate as canonical arguments into constitutive energy and dissipation functions, which additionally depend on the gradient-extended mechanical state and its rate, respectively. By means of (generalized) Legendre transformations, extended variational principles with thermal as well as mechanical driving forces can be constructed. On the thermal side, a rigorous distinction between the quantity conjugate to the entropy and the quantity conjugate to the entropy rate is essential here. Formulations with mechanical driving forces are especially suitable when considering possibly temperature-dependent threshold mechanisms. With regard to variationally consistent incrementations, we suggest an update scheme which renders the exact form of the intrinsic dissipation and is highly suitable when considering adiabatic processes. It is shown that this proposed numerical algorithm has the structure of an operator split. To underline the broad applicability of the proposed framework, we set up three model problems as applications: Cahn-Hilliard diffusion coupled with temperature evolution, where we propose a new variational principle in terms of the species flux vector, as well as thermomechanics of gradient damage and gradient plasticity. In a numerical example we study the formation of a cross shear band.
Dose-dependent effect of cyclophosphamide treatment on actin
Authors: Lőrinczy Dénes , Szatmári Dávid
Published: February 2022

The actin is the essential unit protein of cytoskeleton and muscle sarcomeres. The continuous management of filaments is the key machinery of eukaryotic cytoskeletal plasticity which based on the different complexes with divalent cations (Ca2+ or Mg2+) and nucleotides (ATP, ADP). Any structural modification of nucleotide-binding sites in G actin can bind ATP or ADP under different cation conditions and can initialize the remodelling of the cleft and change the stiffness of two main domains. The evolutionary important nucleotide-binding cleft as a bridge between the two domains needs more investigation to can express its importance in the development of actin functions. The cyclophosphamide (CP) is a cytostatic drug applied in chemotherapy it can alkylate the long residues in the ATP binding sites thus change the structure of the binding cleft. Our previous study explained that the actin filaments show less sensitivity to the CP treatment than monomers. Here we investigate the CP dose-response effect on the thermodynamic stability of actin monomers and polymers in the presence of Ca2+ or Mg2+ to know the minimum effective concentration for the interpretation of any relevant dosage at level of tissues. The previously expressed “titled state” EM model of filamentous actin based on the same structural change of monomers as we found here where the domains react to any modification with taking apart sd4 from sd2 results in a more exposed nucleotide-binding cleft.
Tools for Supporting the MCH Workforce in Addressing Complex Challenges: A Scoping Review of System Dynamics Modeling in Maternal and Child Health
Authors: Guynn Isabella , Simon Jessica , Anderson Seri , Klaman Stacey L. , Mullenix Amy , Cilenti Dorothy , Hassmiller Lich Kristen
Published: February 2022

Objectives

System Dynamics (SD) is a promising decision support modeling approach for growing shared understanding of complex maternal and child health (MCH) trends. We sought to inventory published applications of SD to MCH topics and introduce the MCH workforce to these approaches through examples to support further iteration and use.

Methods

We conducted a systematic search (1958–2018) for applications of SD to MCH topics and characterized identified articles, following PRISMA guidelines. Pairs of experts abstracted information on SD approach and MCH relevance.

Results

We identified 101 articles describing applications of SD to MCH topics. Approach: 27 articles present qualitative diagrams, 10 introduce concept models that begin to quantify dynamics, and 67 present more fully tested/analyzed models. Purpose: The most common purposes described were to increase understanding (n = 55) and support strategic planning (n = 26). While the majority of studies (n = 53) did not involve stakeholders, 40 included what we considered to be a high level of stakeholder engagement – a strength of SD for MCH. Topics: The two Healthy People 2020 topics addressed most frequently were early and middle childhood (n = 30) and access to health services (n = 26). The most commonly addressed SDG goals were “End disease epidemics” (n = 26) and “End preventable deaths” (n = 26).

Conclusions for Practice

While several excellent examples of the application of SD in MCH were found, SD is still underutilized in MCH. Because SD is particularly well-suited to studying and addressing complex challenges with stakeholders, its expanded use by the MCH workforce could inform an understanding of contemporary MCH challenges.
On different aspects of the optical rogue waves nature
Authors: Belić Milivoj R. , Nikolić Stanko N. , Ashour Omar A. , Aleksić Najdan B.
Published: February 2022

Rogue waves are giant nonlinear waves that suddenly appear and disappear in oceans and optics. We discuss the facts and fictions related to their strange nature, dynamic generation, ingrained instability, and potential applications. We present rogue wave solutions to the standard cubic nonlinear Schrödinger equation that models many propagation phenomena in nonlinear optics. We propose the method of mode pruning for suppressing the modulation instability of rogue waves. We demonstrate how to produce stable Talbot carpets—recurrent images of light and plasma waves—by rogue waves, for possible use in nanolithography. We point to instances when rogue waves appear as numerical artefacts, due to an inadequate numerical treatment of modulation instability and homoclinic chaos of rogue waves. Finally, we display how statistical analysis based on different numerical procedures can lead to misleading conclusions on the nature of rogue waves.
Selecting the appropriate leading journal in Hospitality and Tourism research: a guide based on the topic-journal fit and the JCR impact factor
Authors: Barrera-Barrera Ramón
Published: February 2022

Selecting the appropriate academic journal is a priority issue for researchers in the process of publishing a manuscript. If researchers could quantify the research topic in terms of its fit with the journal requirements before the submission of a paper, then the assessment of journal suitability could be much easier. Basing any decision on journal impact factors alone might obviously result in a mismatch, eventual rejection and a consequent loss of time. Taking the twelve leading Tourism and Hospitality journals as a reference, the main research topics mentioned in the abstracts of 20,381 articles are identified, using the Latent Dirichlet Allocation algorithm and other text-mining techniques running the R programming language. Subsequently, a quantitative measure of the fit of the research topics in each journal is offered according to their frequency of occurrence. The results suggested that the importance of the topic-journal fit with respect to the impact factor depended on the variance of the fits among the journals. Finally, a guide of the most suitable journals for the topics is presented, based on the JCR impact factor and the fit of the topic. Some recommendations are likewise offered on the use of this methodology and its limitations.
Comparing standard, collaboration and fractional CNCI at the institutional level: Consequences for performance evaluation
Authors: Potter Ross W. K. , Szomszor Martin , Adams Jonathan
Published: February 2022

The average Category Normalised Citation Impact (CNCI) of an institution’s publication output is a widely used indicator for research performance benchmarking. However, it combines all entity contributions, obscuring individual inputs and preventing clear insight and sound policy recommendations if it is not correctly understood. Here, variations (Fractional and Collaboration [Collab] CNCI)—which aim to address the obscurity problem—are compared to the Standard CNCI indicator for over 250 institutions, spread globally, covering a ten-year period using Web of Science data. Results demonstrate that both Fractional and Collab CNCI methods produce lower index values than Standard CNCI. Fractional and Collab results are often near-identical despite fundamentally different calculation approaches. Collab-CNCI, however, avoids assigning fractional credit (which is potentially incorrect) and is relatively easy to implement. As single metrics obscure individual inputs, institutional output is also deconstructed into five collaboration groups. These groups track the increasing international collaboration trend, particularly highly multi-lateral studies and the decrease in publications authored by single institutions. The deconstruction also shows that both Standard and Fractional CNCI increase with the level of collaboration. However, Collab-CNCI does not necessarily follow this pattern thus enabling the identification of institutions where, for example, their domestic single articles are their best performing group. Comparing CNCI variants and deconstructing portfolios by collaboration type is, when understood and used correctly, an essential tool for interpreting institutional performance and informing policy making.
Photodegradation and adsorption of hexazinone in aqueous solutions: removal efficiencies, kinetics, and mechanisms
Authors: Jasemizad Tahereh , Padhye Lokesh P.
Published: February 2022

Hexazinone, a globally applied broad-spectrum triazine herbicide, has not been mechanistically investigated previously under advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and adsorption on activated carbon. In this study, its fate during UV-based oxidation with/without hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and adsorption on coconut shell–based granular activated carbon (CSGAC) in water matrices was investigated. A comparison between various irradiation sources (visible, UVA, UVB, and UVC) revealed the highest degradation rate under UVC. More than 98% degradation of hexazinone was observed under 3 J cm−2 UVC fluence in the presence of 0.5 mM H2O2 at pH 7. Moreover, the degradation rate enhanced significantly with an increase in the initial dosage of H2O2, UV fluence, and contact time in the UV/H2O2 process. The rate of degradation was lower using secondary effluent than that of Milli-Q water due to the presence of dissolved organics in wastewater. However, the reactions in both matrices obeyed pseudo-first-order kinetics. The effect of different scavengers, including methanol, potassium iodide (KI), and tert-butyl alcohol (TBA), showed that hydroxyl radicals (•OH) played a dominant role in hexazinone degradation in the UV/H2O2 process. Hexazinone was effectively adsorbed by CSGAC through π-π electron donor–acceptor interactions between hexazinone’s triazine ring and CSGAC’s surface functional groups. The isotherm and kinetic studies showed that the adsorption followed the Freundlich model and pseudo-second-order reaction, respectively, suggesting chemisorption. This study provided mechanistic insights on the removal of hexazinone at the tertiary stage of wastewater treatment or the advanced treatment of wastewater reuse.
Phosphonate applied as a pre-plant dip controls Ceratocystis paradoxa base rot of pineapple planting material
Authors: Anderson J. M. , Dean J. R. , Pegg K. G.
Published: February 2022

Base rot, caused by Ceratocystis paradoxa, can be a severe disease of pineapple planting material and can result in poor establishment of plants. Pre-plant dipping of pineapple crowns in potassium phosphonate is used to control Phytophthora cinnamomi root and heart rot and was tested for efficacy against base rot in this study. Dipping crowns in 0.5% potassium phosphonate for 2 min significantly reduced the severity of base rot on inoculated crowns in two trials with ‘MD2’ and ‘73–50’. Fresh crowns had a more marked response to potassium phosphonate than well-cured, dried crowns. In studies with amended media, the growth of C. paradoxa was not inhibited by phosphonate concentrations of up to 100 ppm. Growth was reduced at higher concentrations but phosphonate did not completely inhibit growth of C. paradoxa even at the highest rate of 6000 ppm. Potassium phosphonate failed to control incidental Penicillium funiculosum infection of basal crown tissue.
Influence of pyrolysis temperature and feedstock biomass on Cu2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ sorption capacity of biochar
Authors: Geleto M. A. , Forján R. , Arco-Lázaro E. , Covelo E. F. , Marcet P. , Cerqueira B.
Published: February 2022

Biochar has attracted significantly growing attention due to its effectiveness in terms of both cost and environmental safety in removing trace metals from soil and water. Its metal sorption capacity depends on its properties, which are in turn governed by pyrolysis temperature and type of biomass. Therefore, this study examines the role of pyrolysis temperature and biomass in biochars sorption capacity of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+. Biochars produced by pyrolysis of maize (Zea mays L.) cobs at different temperatures were used to assess the effect of temperature, whereas evergreen oak (Quercus ilex L.) pyrolyzed at 500 °C was used to assess the effect of biomass. Sorption isotherms were constructed by batch method and compared with Langmuir and Freundlich models. Most of the sorption isotherms displayed irregular curves and not all of the isotherms fitted the models. Therefore, sorption distribution coefficients and metal removal percentages were used to determine sorption capacities biochars for studied metals. Accordingly, Quercus ilex L. was most effective in sorbing all studied metals, which indicates the role of biomass. The maize biochar pyrolyzed at 500 °C was most effective among maize cob biochars, which revealed the influence pyrolysis temperature. The concentrations of added sorption solutions also played significant role in sorption, and consequently biochar pyrolyzed 350 °C was least effective. The targeted metals also affected the sorption as they compete for sorption sites. Thus, their selective sequence was in the order of Pb2+ ˃ Cu2+ ˃ Zn2+.
Why Botter: How Pro-Government Bots Fight Opposition in Russia
Authors: STUKAL DENIS , SANOVICH SERGEY , BONNEAU RICHARD , TUCKER JOSHUA A.
Published: February 2022

There is abundant anecdotal evidence that nondemocratic regimes are harnessing new digital technologies known as social media bots to facilitate policy goals. However, few previous attempts have been made to systematically analyze the use of bots that are aimed at a domestic audience in autocratic regimes. We develop two alternative theoretical frameworks for predicting the use of pro-regime bots: one which focuses on bot deployment in response to offline protest and the other in response to online protest. We then test the empirical implications of these frameworks with an original collection of Twitter data generated by Russian pro-government bots. We find that the online opposition activities produce stronger reactions from bots than offline protests. Our results provide a lower bound on the effects of bots on the Russian Twittersphere and highlight the importance of bot detection for the study of political communication on social media in nondemocratic regimes.