bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid estimation of piperine in black pepper: Exploration of Raman spectroscopy
Authors: Sing Dilip , Jana Shibu Narayan , Banerjee Subhadip , Mallik Ranajoy , Majumdar Kalyan , Halder Pallab Kanti , Bandyopadhyay Amitabha , Sharma Nanaocha , Bandyoypadhyay Rajib , Mukherjee Pulok K.
Published: August 2021

Introduction

The major chemical marker of black pepper (Piper nigrum L) is piperine and its estimation is extremely important for quality assessment of black pepper. The methods for piperine quantification, to date, are laboratory based and use high end instruments like chromatographs, which require tedious sample processing and cause sample destruction.

Objectives

In this article, we present a simple, rapid and green analytical method based on Raman spectroscopy for the quantitative assessment of piperine.

Material and methods

To assess the potential of the technique, we report the complete vibrational characterisation of the piperine with density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Results

The theoretical peaks were obtained at 1097 cm−1, 1388 cm−1, 1528 cm−1, 1578 cm−1, and at 1627 cm−1, and this result was verified in a Raman spectrometer followed by a preliminary experiment. Twenty black pepper samples were analysed using high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and used as reference data for Raman analysis. The Raman shift spectra were analysed using partial least squares (PLS) and good prediction accuracy with correlation coefficient of prediction (Rp2) = 0.93, root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) = 0.13 and residual prediction deviation (RPD) = 3.9 obtained.

Conclusions

The results demonstrate the efficacy of the Raman technique for the estimation of piperine in the dry fruit of Piper nigrum.
Importance of human capital, field knowledge and experience to improve pest locust management
Authors: Gay Pierre‐Emmanuel , Trumper Eduardo , Lecoq Michel , Piou Cyril
Published: August 2021

BACKGROUND

A poorly organised risk management system may dysfunction when used. The consequences can be dramatic for those supposed to be protected. Since the 1960s, preventive control strategies, with field officers as living memory, have been developed to monitor locusts. Preserving their experience of past plagues is consequently essential. Wrong use of their knowledge can disrupt the whole management chain. We explored these conditions using a multi‐agent model representing a preventive system. We simulated how the field teams' tendency to repeatedly visit past outbreak areas (hotspots) by allocating them an attraction weight can help in preventing plagues.

RESULTS

When field teams' attention remained constant over time, there was dramatic decrease in the number of plagues, with increasing interest in hotspots, as long as interest was less than 2.5 times more than elsewhere. When the field teams were only attentive during recession times, plagues were better controlled using a low weight for hotspots. The spatial structure of hotspot distribution had an effect: the more frequent and the bigger the hotspots, the lower the optimal hotspot weighting needed to reduce plagues.

CONCLUSION

Orienting surveys towards hotspots particularly during recession times reduces plagues. The spatial structure of locust habitats may influence the way they are managed. Habitats located outside the multiple hotspots of species such as the desert locust should be visited more frequently than those with only one hotspot, such as the South American locust. The decline/loss of the field officers' experience highlights the need to save, capitalise and disseminate this knowledge. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
COVID‐19 pneumonia suspected to be co‐infection with Mycoplasma pneumoniae and improved by early administration of favipiravir and ciclesonide
Authors: Ito Keima , Yokoyama Takako , Horiuchi Minoru , Kato Munehiro , Usami Ikuji
Published: August 2021

A female nurse in her 40s caring for a patient with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pneumonia treated with a high‐flow nasal cannula (HFNC) presented with fever, cough and dyspnoea. Based on imaging findings and a positive reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), COVID‐19 pneumonia was diagnosed, although her cohabiting family had similar symptoms and their RT‐PCR tests were negative. Laboratory results showed Mycoplasma antigen (+). She was started on ciclesonide 1200 μg/day and favipiravir (3600 mg/day on the first day and 1600 mg/day from Day 2). As Mycoplasma antigen was positive on admission and her family had similar symptoms, levofloxacin 500 mg/day was started. The patient recovered and was discharged on Day 10. The patient did not have Mycoplasma infection because the Mycoplasma antibody measured by particle agglutination (PA) method was increased only up to 80 times after 4 weeks. This case highlights that healthcare workers wearing full personal protective equipment can nevertheless acquire COVID‐19 from patients treated with HFNCs.
Corrosion assessment of ferrocement element with nanogeopolymer for marine application
Authors: Rajendran Mohana
Published: August 2021

Corrosion is the major reason which limits the practical application of ferrocement structures in the marine environment. To protect the thin and strong wire mesh reinforcement, preventive methods are required to be employed. One of such methods implemented in this paper is novel application of geopolymer mortar on the surface of the wire mesh. The microstructural pores present in the highly durable fly ash based geopolymer mortar are further enhanced by using nanomodified fly ash particles to achieve the impermeable surfaces. Effect of alkaline solution concentration on the chloride ion penetration and corrosion has been investigated by using the different concentration of sodium hydroxide solution from 8 to 14 M. From the results, it is noted that for the geopolymer specimens, the chloride ions penetration values of 542.70 Coulombs is observed at 28 days which comes under the category of very low as per ASTM C1202‐10. The chloride ion penetration observed in geopolymer specimen is 17% lesser than ferrocement panel with conventional cement mortar. The time taken for cracking is delayed in the case of ferrocement panel with geopolymer mortar of 10 M concentrated sodium hydroxide solution by thrice the times of specimen with conventional cement mortar. This indicates that the incorporation of nanogeopolymer in ferrocement element not only increased the strength but also its serviceability against cracking and corrosion resulted in the extensive application of ferrocement construction in marine environment.
Various Characteristics of Severely Aged Flame‐Retardant Cross‐Linked Polyolefin
Authors: Zhou Haolong , Hirai Naoshi , Ohki Yoshimichi
Published: August 2021

Flame‐retardant cross‐linked polyolefin (FR‐XLPO), is widely used as insulators for electric cables. Several cables installed in nuclear power plants must be functional even when they suffer a severe accident. Therefore, sheets of FR‐XLPO were exposed to heat, gamma rays, and high‐temperature steam. Before and after such aging treatments, samples' mechanical and thermal properties and infrared and THz absorption spectra were measured. As a result, it has become clear that FR‐XLPO is fairly resistant to superheated steam with no oxygen, although it is easily degraded thermally if oxygen is present. It is also resistant to gamma rays to a certain extent. © 2021 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.
Fast fabrication of bismuth oxyiodide/carbon‐nanofibers composites for efficient anti‐proliferation of liver and breast cancer cells
Authors: Algethami Faisal K. , Elamin Mohamed R. , Abdulkhair Babiker Y. , Al‐Zharani Mohammed , Qarah Nagib A. S. , Alghamdi Mashael A.
Published: August 2021

Semiconductor synthesis and applications are of increasing interest worldwide. A simple non‐autoclave method was developed to synthesize bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) nanoparticles and nanocomposites of BiOI/carbon nanofibers (CNFs) in propylene glycol as a solvent. The as‐prepared BiOI and its CNFs‐composites were characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy‐energy X‐ray‐dispersive spectroscopy (SEM‐EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), Nitrogen adsorption‐desorption‐isotherm, and UV‐vis diffuse reflectance spectra. The XRD pattern confirmed that BiOI nanomaterial was prepared successfully by the developed method. SEM and TEM analysis revealed the BiOI in its pure and composites forms possessing rose‐like nanosheets built with BiOI nanoparticles. The addition of CNFs to the BiOI in increasing mass percentage enhanced the optical properties of the BiOI‐semiconductor. The obtained results confirmed that the short‐time refluxing method prepared BiOI and BiOI/CNFs composites successfully, with the advantage of eliminating the time and energy‐consuming step of autoclave digestion. Nevertheless, the nanomaterial‘s anticancer activity was revealed when tested against breast and liver cancer cell lines and measured at 540 nm.
Chiral transport in curved spacetime via holography
Authors: Avdoshkin Alexander , Sharipov Rustem
Published: August 2021

Abstract

We consider a holographic model of strongly interacting plasma with a gravitational anomaly. In this model, we compute parity-odd responses of the system at finite temperature and chemical potential to external electromagnetic and gravitational fields. Working within the linearized fluid/gravity duality, we performed the calculation up to the third order in gradient expansion. Besides reproducing the chiral magnetic (CME) and vortical (CVE) effects we also obtain gradient corrections to the CME and CVE due to the gravitational anomaly. Additionally, we find energy-momentum and current responses to the gravitational field similarly determined by the gravitational anomaly. The energy-momentum response is the first purely gravitational transport effect that has been related to quantum anomalies in a holographic theory.
Dissimilar friction stir lap welding of AA2198 and AA7075 sheets: forces, microstructure and mechanical properties
Authors: Astarita Antonello , Tucci Fausto , Silvestri Alessia Teresa , Perrella Michele , Boccarusso Luca , Carlone Pierpaolo
Published: August 2021

This paper investigates the dissimilar friction stir lap welding of AA2198 and AA7075 sheets. The influence of processing parameters, namely welding speed and tool rotational speed on joint features, microstructure, and mechanical properties were studied by implementing a full factorial design of experiments. Axial and transversal forces were continuously measured during the welding process using a sensed fixture aiming at the correlation of processing parameters, forces, and quality of the achieved joints. Obtained outcomes showed hook formation for all the combination of parameters and the existence of a very narrow processing window in which it is possible to avoid the formation of internal defects, such as grooves and tunnels. The influence of the weld bead morphology on the lap shear strength was elucidated proving that the strength is ruled by the hook morphology. The microstructure of the joints was studied and discussed considering also the microhardness distribution.

Graphical abstract
Enhanced Recovery After Surgery Protocol Minimizes Intensive Care Unit Utilization and Improves Outcomes Following Pulmonary Resection
Authors: Peng Terrance , Shemanski Kimberly A. , Ding Li , David Elizabeth A. , Kim Anthony W. , Kim Michael , Lieu Dustin K. , Wightman Sean C. , Zhao Jasmine , Atay Scott M.
Published: August 2021

Background

Enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) protocols have been associated with improved postoperative outcomes but require further validation in thoracic surgery. This study evaluated outcomes of patients undergoing pulmonary resection before and after implementation of an ERAS protocol.

Methods

Electronic medical records were queried for all patients undergoing pulmonary resection between April 2017 and April 2019. Patients were grouped into pre‐ and post‐ERAS cohorts based on dates of operation. The ERAS protocol prioritized early mobilization, limited invasive monitoring, euvolemia, and non‐narcotic analgesia. Primary outcome measures included intensive care unit (ICU) utilization, postoperative pain metrics, and perioperative morbidity. Regression analyses were performed to identify predictors of morbidity. Subgroup analyses were performed by pulmonary risk profile and surgical approach.

Results

A total of 64 pre‐ and 67 post‐ERAS patients were included in the study. ERAS implementation was associated with reduced postoperative ICU admission (pre: 65.6% vs. post: 19.4%, p < 0.0001), shorter ICU median length of stay (LOS) (pre: 1 vs. post: 0, p < 0.0001), and decreased opioid usage measured by median morphine milligram equivalents (pre: 40.5 vs. post: 20.0, p < 0.0001). Post‐ERAS patients also reported lower visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores on postoperative days (POD) 1 and 2 (pre: 6.3/5.6 vs. post: 5.3/4.2, p = 0.04/0.01) as well as average VAS pain score over POD0‐2 (pre: 6.2 vs. post: 5.2, p = 0.005).

Conclusions

Implementation of an ERAS protocol for pulmonary resection, which dictated reduced ICU admissions, did not increase major postoperative morbidity. Additionally, ERAS‐enrolled patients reported improved postoperative pain control despite decreased opioid utilization.
MRI software for diffusion-perfusion mismatch analysis may impact on patients’ selection and clinical outcome
Authors: Pistocchi Silvia , Strambo Davide , Bartolini Bruno , Maeder Philippe , Meuli Reto , Michel Patrik , Dunet Vincent
Published: August 2021

Objective

Impact of different MR perfusion software on selection and outcome of patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and large vessel occlusion (LVO) treated by endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) is unclear. We aimed at comparing two commercial MRI software, semi-automated with unadjusted (method A) and adjusted mask (method B), and fully automated (method C) in this setting.

Methods

MRI from 144 consecutive AIS patients with anterior circulation LVO was retrospectively analysed. All diffusion- and perfusion-weighted images (DWI-PWI) were post-processed with the three methods using standard thresholds. Concordance for core and hypoperfusion volumes was assessed with Lin’s test. Clinical outcome was compared between groups in patients who underwent successful EVT in the early and late time window.

Results

Mean core volume was higher and mean hypoperfusion volume was lower in method C than in methods A and B. In the early time window, methods A and B found fewer patients with a mismatch ratio ≤ 1.2 than method C (1/67 [1.5%] vs. 12/67 [17.9%], p = 0.0013). In the late time window, methods A and B found fewer patients with a mismatch ratio < 1.8 than method C (3/46 [6.5%] and 2/46 [4.3%] vs. 18/46 [39.1%], p ≤ 0.0002). More patients with functional independence at 3 months would not have been treated using method C versus methods A and B in the early (p = 0.0063) and late (p ≤ 0.011) time window.

Conclusions

MRI software for DWI-PWI analysis may influence patients’ selection before EVT and clinical outcome.

Key Points

• Method C detects fewer patients with favourable mismatch profile.

• Method C might underselect more patients with functional independence at 3 months.

• Software used before thrombectomy may influence patients’ outcome.
The specificities of the circular economy (CE) in the municipal wastewater and sewage sludge sector—local circumstances in Poland
Authors: Kacprzak Malgorzata J. , Kupich Iwona
Published: August 2021

Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have become crucial elements of the regional bioeconomy—mainly through energy (waste to energy) and matter (nutrients–energy–water) recovery as an element of sustainable development of a smart city. In Poland, a decentralized system functioned with 3278 municipal wastewater treatment plants, and less than 80% of the population were connected to public urban wastewater treatment systems. The paper presents the technology selection and implementation of circular economy at WWTPs and the practical approach to challenge of energy-positive and environmentally friendly wastewater and sewage sludge sector. The modernization of technological lines of wastewater treatment has led to a significant improvement in the quality of treated sewage, at the largest WWTPs in Warsaw, Cracow, or Gdansk. Eleven WWTPs produce 34% of the total volume of approximately 337 GWh of electricity from biogas in Poland. The potential of producing electricity from biogas in WWTPs in Poland can be estimated at approximately 700–850 GWh per year. According to the data of the Statistics Poland in Poland, approximately 25% of sewage sludge was used directly in agriculture and for land reclamation. Simultaneously, more than 100 WWTPs produce compost at a high quality. However, only few produce organic/organic-mineral fertilizers, mainly with addition of calcium. Decentralization leads to different technologies used in wastewater treatment plants, and environmental, economic, and social conditions determine the direction of changes and introduction of a circular economy paradigm in the Polish wastewater sector.

Graphic abstract
Curvature-dimension conditions under time change
Authors: Han Bang-Xian , Sturm Karl-Theodor
Published: August 2021

We derive precise transformation formulas for synthetic lower Ricci bounds under time change. More precisely, for local Dirichlet forms we study how the curvature-dimension condition in the sense of Bakry–Émery will transform under time change. Similarly, for metric measure spaces we study how the curvature-dimension condition in the sense of Lott–Sturm–Villani will transform under time change.
AFQN: approximate Qn estimation in data streams
Authors: Epicoco Italo , Melle Catiuscia , Cafaro Massimo , Pulimeno Marco
Published: August 2021

We present afqn (Approximate Fast Qn), a novel algorithm for approximate computation of the Qn scale estimator in a streaming setting, in the sliding window model. It is well-known that computing the Qn estimator exactly may be too costly for some applications, and the problem is a fortiori exacerbated in the streaming setting, in which the time available to process incoming data stream items is short. In this paper we show how to efficiently and accurately approximate the Qn estimator. As an application, we show the use of afqn for fast detection of outliers in data streams. In particular, the outliers are detected in the sliding window model, with a simple check based on the Qn scale estimator. Extensive experimental results on synthetic and real datasets confirm the validity of our approach by showing up to three times faster updates per second. Our contributions are the following ones: (i) to the best of our knowledge, we present the first approximation algorithm for online computation of the Qn scale estimator in a streaming setting and in the sliding window model; (ii) we show how to take advantage of our UDDSketch algorithm for quantile estimation in order to quickly compute the Qn scale estimator; (iii) as an example of a possible application of the Qn scale estimator, we discuss how to detect outliers in an input data stream.
Bridging the gap: blending spatial skills instruction into a technology teacher preparation programme
Authors: Lane Diarmaid , Sorby Sheryl
Published: August 2021

In recent years, there has been a surge in research in spatial thinking across the international community. We now know that spatial skills are malleable and that they are linked to success across multiple disciplines, most notably Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). While spatial skills have been examined by cognitive scientists in laboratory environments for decades, current research is examining how these skills can be developed in field-based environments. In this paper, we present findings from a study within a Technology Teacher preparation programme where we examined first-year students’ spatial skills on entry to university. We explain why it was necessary to embed a spatial skills intervention into Year 1 of the programme and we describe the impact that this had on students’ spatial scores and on academic performance. The findings from our study highlight a consistent gender gap in spatial scores at the start of the first-year with female students entering the Technology Teacher preparation programme at a lower base level than male students. We describe how we integrated spatial development activities into an existing course and how an improvement in spatial scores and overall course performance was observed. The paper concludes by discussing the long-term sustainability of integrating spatial interventions within teacher preparation programmes while also highlighting the importance of future research to examine spatial skills as a fundamental component of technological capability.
Red blood cell distribution width to platelet ratio substantiates preoperative survival prediction in patients with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma
Authors: Schneider Matthias , Schäfer Niklas , Apallas Stefanos , Potthoff Anna-Laura , Bode Christian , Güresir Erdem , Heimann Muriel , Lehmann Felix , Scharnböck Elisa , Schaub Christina , Vatter Hartmut , Herrlinger Ulrich , Schuss Patrick
Published: August 2021

Object

The conception of individual patient-adjusted treatment strategies is constantly emerging in the field of neuro-oncology. Systemic laboratory markers may allow insights into individual needs and estimated treatment benefit at an earliest possible stage. Therefore, the present study was aimed at analyzing the prognostic significance of preoperative routine laboratory values in patients with newly-diagnosed glioblastoma.

Methods

Between 2014 and 2019, 257 patients were surgically treated for newly-diagnosed glioblastoma at the Neuro-Oncology Center of the University Hospital Bonn. Preoperative routine laboratory values including red blood cell distribution width (RDW) and platelet count were reviewed. RDW to platelet count ratio (RPR) was calculated and correlated to overall survival (OS) rates.

Results

Median preoperative RPR was 0.053 (IQR 0.044–0.062). The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated an optimal cut-off value for RPR to be 0.05 (AUC 0.62; p = 0.002, 95% CI 0.544–0.685). 101 patients (39%) presented with a preoperative RPR < 0.05, whereas 156 patients (61%) had a RPR ≥ 0.05. Patients with preoperative RPR < 0.05 exhibited a median OS of 20 months (95% CI 17.9–22.1), which was significantly higher compared to a median OS of 13 months (95% CI 10.9–15.1) in patients with preoperative RPR ≥ 0.05 (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The present study suggests the RPR to constitute a novel prognostic inflammatory marker for glioblastoma patients in the course of preoperative routine laboratory examinations and might contribute to a personalized medicine approach.
Stereotypes about overweight students and their impact on grading among physical education teachers
Authors: Glock Sabine , Schuchart Claudia
Published: August 2021

A student’s weight is a particularly important characteristic in physical education. Research has shown that physical education teachers and people working in this area are particularly likely to hold strong negative implicit biases toward overweight students and that these students tend to earn lower grades in physical education. Stereotypes of overweight people might color teachers’ judgments of these students. In this study, we experimentally investigated whether overweight students received lower grades from physical education teachers on an exercise than normal weight students. We presented a verbal description of an exercise and asked teachers to grade a student’s performance and to judge the student’s social and working behaviors. Teachers gave lower grades to the overweight student, and regression analyses showed that their stereotypical beliefs predicted their judgments. Teachers’ motivation to control prejudice had no relation to their judgments. Nonetheless, our results showed that the same performance was graded worse only because the student was overweight.
A modified GADIA-based upper-bound to the capacity of Gaussian general N-relay networks
Authors: Uykan Zekeriya , Jäntti Riku
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we present a general Gaussian N-relay network by allowing relays to communicate to each other and allowing a direct channel between source and destination as compared to the standard diamond network in Nazaroğlu et al. (IEEE Trans Inf Theory 60:6329–6341, 2014) at the cost of extra channel uses. Our main focus is to examine the min-cut bound capacities of the relay network. Very recently, the results in Uykan (IEEE Trans Neural Netw Learn Syst 31:3294–3304, 2020) imply that the GADIA in Babadi and Tarokh (IEEE Trans Inf Theory 56:6228–6252, 2010), a pioneering algorithm in the interference avoidance literature, actually performs max-cut of a given power-domain (nonnegative) link gain matrix in the 2-channel case. Using the results of the diamond network in Nazaroğlu et al. (2014) and the results in Uykan (2020), in this paper, we (i) turn the mutual information maximization problem in the Gaussian N-relay network into an upper bound minimization problem, (ii) propose a modified GADIA-based algorithm to find the min-cut capacity bound and (iii) present an upper and a lower bound to its min-cut capacity bound using the modified GADIA as applied to the defined “squared channel gain matrix/graph”. Some advantages of the proposed modified GADIA-based simple algorithm are as follows: (1) The Gaussian N-relay network can determine the relay clusters in a distributed fashion and (2) the presented upper bound gives an insight into whether allowing the relays to communicate to each other pays off the extra channel uses or not as far as the min-cut capacity bound is concerned. The simulation results confirm the findings. Furthermore, the min-cut upper bound found by the proposed modified-GADIA is verified by the cut-set bounds found by the spectral clustering based solutions as well.
Assessment of 5G as an ambient signal for outdoor backscattering communications
Authors: Biswas Ritayan , Lempiäinen Jukka
Published: August 2021

The aim of this article is to evaluate the applicability of 5G technology as a possible ambient signal for backscattering communications (AmBC). This evaluation considers both urban macro-cellular, small cell as well as rural highway environments. The simulations are performed in outdoor areas including analysis about 5G implementation strategies in different scenarios. Essential aspects of 5G radio network topology such as frequency domain (3.5 GHz and 26 GHz) and antenna locations (offering line-of-sight, LOS) are highlighted and turned to applicability scenarios with AmBC. The LOS scenarios are evaluated to determine the widest applicability area of 5G for AmBC. Typical AmBC applications are studied including collection of data from several sensors to receivers. Evaluation of the applicability of 5G was based on propagation related simulations and calculations utilising the ray tracing technique and the radar equation. The results demonstrate that 5G can be used as an ambient signal for backscattering communications for short ranges for typical sensor sizes. It is also observed that the range of communication is heavily dependent on the the size of the sensor.
On the Way to Improve Diagnostic Marker Panel for Acute Appendicitis in Adults: the Role of Calprotectin
Authors: Makaro Adam , Dziki Łukasz , Fichna Jakub , Włodarczyk Marcin
Published: August 2021

Calprotectin is a positive acute-phase protein participating in innate immune responses and inflammatory processes. This protein is produced mainly in neutrophils, which infiltrate inflamed tissues and then increase the level of calprotectin in plasma, urine, or body secretions. Its measurement is used in the diagnosis of many inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Here, we reviewed the studies evaluating the utility of calprotectin when the patient is suspected of acute appendicitis, one of the most common causes of abdominal pain. Fecal and serum calprotectin provide clinicians additional information as compared to routinely performed laboratory analyses. Moreover, among all forms of the protein, the fecal calprotectin seems to be a particularly promising biomarker due to its high resistance to degradation in the stool. In the future, innovative methods in the form of neural networks may play a valuable role in developing such panels. These findings are important because current literature showed that sensitive and specific markers of acute appendicitis are still urgently needed.
Investigation of remanufacturing technologies for medical equipment in the UK and context in which technology can be exported in the developing world
Authors: Oturu Kingsley , Ijomah WL , Broeksmit Alexander , Reig Daniel Hernandez , Millar Matthew , Peacock Craig , Rodger Jacob
Published: August 2021

With the lack of access to medical equipment clear to see throughout the developing world in comparison to the developed world, solutions to bridge the gap are key to reducing the inequality of healthcare between the two. It has been identified that healthcare systems in developed countries have a rapid turnover of medical imaging equipment (X-ray, MRI, CT scanners, etc.) due to the high rate of technological advancement. There is therefore a stockpile of used medical equipment that could still be of use in developing countries thanks to remanufacturing. The aim of this paper is to investigate the applicability of remanufacturing medical equipment with the intent of supplying said equipment to the countries that need it. This investigation provides a clearer picture of the feasibility of using remanufacture to supply developing countries with the medical imaging devices they require. This is done through studying current remanufacturing processes carried out in developed countries, whether that be directly through OEMs or third parties, and assessing how the methods used could be applied to developing countries. It is identified that remanufacturing practices could benefit developing countries not only by increasing access to diagnostic equipment, but also society as a whole by creating jobs for instance. A key remanufacturing stage that should initially be focused on is inspection as it helps to filter and select the medical devices that are most suited for the remanufacturing process.
Bootstrap based goodness-of-fit tests for binary multivariate regression models
Authors: van Heel Mareike , Dikta Gerhard , Braekers Roel
Published: August 2021

We consider a binary multivariate regression model where the conditional expectation of a binary variable given a higher-dimensional input variable belongs to a parametric family. Based on this, we introduce a model-based bootstrap (MBB) for higher-dimensional input variables. This test can be used to check whether a sequence of independent and identically distributed observations belongs to such a parametric family. The approach is based on the empirical residual process introduced by Stute (Ann Statist 25:613–641, 1997). In contrast to Stute and Zhu’s approach (2002) Stute & Zhu (Scandinavian J Statist 29:535–545, 2002), a transformation is not required. Thus, any problems associated with non-parametric regression estimation are avoided. As a result, the MBB method is much easier for users to implement. To illustrate the power of the MBB based tests, a small simulation study is performed. Compared to the approach of Stute & Zhu (Scandinavian J Statist 29:535–545, 2002), the simulations indicate a slightly improved power of the MBB based method. Finally, both methods are applied to a real data set.
La difficile fabrique d’une revue « globale »
Authors: Messling Markus
Published: August 2021

La difficile fabrique d’une revue « globale »

Avec le lancement du partenariat avec Cambridge University Press en 2017, les Annales sont devenues une revue « globale » dans le domaine des sciences humaines et sociales. Afin d’éviter l’écueil d’un « globalisme flasque », cet article entend réfléchir à la place de l’édition française par rapport à l’édition anglaise. Ici, c’est non seulement la relation du local au global qui importe, mais aussi la question de l’articulation entre particularité et universalité du savoir. Acclimatée dans la revue, c’est avant tout la micro-histoire qui a exploré la pertinence d’une situation et des indices qu’elle fournit pour les processus épistémologiques. C’est la raison pour laquelle les Annales ont, plus fortement que l’école des Annales, insisté sur le rôle des subjectivités par rapport aux structures. La revue s’est intéressée avant tout aux jeux d’échelles et aux moyens narratifs qui permettent aux acteurs comme aux historiens d’élargir leur horizon – en allant des situations concrètes vers une conception générale – et d’élaborer, de la sorte, une compréhension spécifique du monde. Ce tournant dans la production de connaissances se rapproche du reflexive turn et rejoint l’« histoire-problème » associée aux Annales. Il reviendra à la revue de faire valoir son propre trajet vers l’histoire globale pour réfléchir aux processus spécifiques d’universalisation du savoir qui y sont inclus.
DESIGNING A MODEL-BASED, MULTI-PERSPECTIVE PROCESS DESIGN ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Shaked Avi , Reich Yoram
Published: August 2021

The development of engineered systems is a complex process, involving many activities and development artifacts. The challenges introduced by this complexity calls for a model-based design environment. The PROVE methodology is an artifact-centric, model-based development process design methodology. In this paper, we present the first, fully model-based design environment of the PROVE. Furthermore, our environment incorporates additional process design perspectives that are applied in real-time and in a completely consistent manner, based on a formally defined information model. We discuss the details of our environment's design as well as highlight its potential benefits.
DESIGNING THE DESIGN PROCESS FOR EARLY PROBLEM DISCOVERY FOR A COMPLEX AERONAUTICS SYSTEMS CHALLENGE
Authors: Moore Rachel Meredith , McGowan Anna-Maria Rivas , Jeyachandran Nathaneal , Bond Kathleen H. , Williams Daniel , Cannon David , Rowan Cortney T.
Published: August 2021

The earliest stage in the innovation lifecycle, problem formulation, is crucial for setting direction in an innovation effort. When faced with an interesting problem, engineers commonly assume the approximate solution area and focus on ideating innovative solutions. However, in this project, NASA and their contracted partner, Accenture, collaboratively conducted problem discovery to ensure that solutioning efforts were focused on the right problems, for the right users, and addressing the most critical needs—in this case, exploring weather tolerant operations (WTO) to further urban air mobility (UAM) – known as UAM WTO. The project team leveraged generative, qualitative methods to understand the ecosystem, players, and where challenges in the industry are inhibiting development. The complexity of the problem area required that the team constantly observe and iterate on problem discovery, effectively “designing the design process.” This paper discusses the approach, methodologies, and selected results, including significant insights on the application of early-stage design methodologies to a complex, system-level problem.
DETERMINATION OF ENGINEERING DIGITALIZATION MATURITY
Authors: Tafvizi Zavareh Mona , Eigner Martin
Published: August 2021

Engineering Digitalization enables development of new high intelligent products containing mechanical, electrical, software and communication components. As these complex products are result of multidisciplinary engineering processes, digitalization also enforces companies to raise, adapt and revise their engineering competencies and process capabilities to increase agility and maintain competitiveness. Also, the growing amount of data related to product and processes requires a well-structured management concept. In order to encounter all these changes and new requirements companies should identify their specific strengths and weaknesses and derive needs for action. This paper presents a novel maturity model for evaluation of capabilities of Engineering Digitalization in areas of processes, products, services, data, human and organization. The maturity model enables the detection of enhancement potentials and conception of individual digitalization plans for production companies. It has been composed based on a proven multidisciplinary engineering methodology along the product lifecycle process, which includes Model Based Systems Engineering Methods, and a multilevel IT architecture integration concept.
DIAGNOSIS OF DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR REFRIGERATION SOCIO-TECHNICAL SYSTEM USING THE RADICAL INNOVATION DESIGN METHODOLOGY
Authors: Salehy Yasmine , Yannou Bernard , Leroy Yann , Cluzel François , Fournaison Laurence , Hoang Hong-Minh , Lecomte Robin , Delahaye Anthony
Published: August 2021

A refrigerant system (like that of a supermarket) is a complex system if we consider all the stakeholders throughout its lifecycle phases (use, maintenance, technological update, end of life). The lack of stakeholders' interaction during the design and other lifecycle stages of such a system generates issues and leads to sub-optimal system performances. We used the RID methodology to identify the main areas for improvement for these activities related to the refrigerant system. It is precisely designed to analyze, within the scope of activity, the major stakeholders' problems (user profiles) during lifecycle phases (use situations) to deduce areas for improvement (value buckets). Therefore, we built a process of interviews and data collection on existing practices to feed into a RID model. The first results are an archetypal description of the actors and problems encountered according to the lifecycle phases. The second part is a prioritized mapping of the areas to improve despite a certain number of known available solutions but proven insufficient.
ENGAGING END USERS IN AN AI-ENABLED SMART SERVICE DESIGN - THE APPLICATION OF THE SMART SERVICE BLUEPRINT SCAPE (SSBS) FRAMEWORK
Authors: Li Fan , Lu Yuan
Published: August 2021

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has expanded in a diverse context, it infiltrates our social lives and is a critical part of algorithmic decision-making. Adopting AI technology, especially AI-enabled design, by end users who are non-AI experts is still limited. The incomprehensible, untransparent decision-making and difficulty of using AI become obstacles which prevent these end users to adopt AI technology. How to design the user experience (UX) based on AI technologies is an interesting topic to explore.

This paper investigates how non-AI-expert end users can be engaged in the design process of an AI-enabled application by using a framework called Smart Service Blueprint Scape (SSBS), which aims to establish a bridge between UX and AI systems by mapping and translating AI decisions based on UX. A Dutch mobility service called ‘stUmobiel
’ was taken as a design case study. The goal is to design a reservation platform with stUmobiel end users. Co-creating with case users and assuring them to understand the decision-making and service provisional process of the AI-enabled design is crucial to promote users’ adoption. Furthermore, the concern of AI ethics also arises in the design process and should be discussed in a broader sense.
A PROPOSAL FOR METHOD TRANSFER BASED ON SUCCESSFUL EXAMPLES OF INTRA-INDUSTRY METHOD TRANSFER
Authors: Köhler Christian , Luedeke Tobias F. , Conrad Jan , Grashiller Michael
Published: August 2021

To transfer methods from science to industrial application is an important task of engineering design researchers. However, the way in which this is done leaves still room for improvement. A look beyond the horizon into the intra-industrial transfer of methods can therefore be helpful. Based on general requirements and success factors as well as successful intra-industry transfer examples, this paper proposes the P4I process for the transfer of methods from academy to industry.
AN ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK FOR COLLABORATIVE CLOUD-BASED CAD PLATFORM AFFORDANCES
Authors: Marion Tucker , Olechowksi Alison , Guo Junfeng
Published: August 2021

Cloud computing has had an increasing influence on engineering and design. A hallmark of sites such as Github is the promise of rapid iteration and real-time collaboration. Recently, cloud collaborative software has migrated into the realm of physical product design, with computer-aided design (CAD) software platforms such as PTC's Onshape. In this research, we suppose that the effect of cloud collaborative software is multi-faceted; that this type of tool affords a number of new capabilities and behaviours for design individuals and teams. We develop a framework on how to contextualize the changes to design tasks afforded by the unique attributes of these cloud-based, collaborative design tools. We find evidence in our research of design engineers leveraging many aspects of the framework, particularly in learning and engagement with their team, and with resources available from communities of users. However, we find that real-world design engineers are not yet utilizing the full capability of synchronous cloud-platforms with respect to real-time synchronous design iteration within teams or communities.
EXPERIENCES FROM STARTING AND RUNNING A SOFTWARE COMPANY WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF DESIGN RESEARCH
Authors: Bergsjö Dag , Catic Amer
Published: August 2021

This paper deals with the story and experiences of setting up a new start-up company with the ambition to scale using a software-based product. The paper is written by researchers for researchers interested in doing the same thing. The paper concludes that it can be very beneficial for research as the startup-can be seen as a data collection machine, but to set up a start-up company, comes with unforeseen problems along the way. A few of them involves: Do not rely on rational arguments (only), when marketing your product. Expect long lead-times. Work with multiple threads and secure funding early to ensure that you can finance your startup. Finally, you need to be committed, and you have to have a strategy to manage both your research and your commercial activities.
FACILITATING MICROMOBILITY FOR FIRST AND LAST MILE CONNECTION WITH PUBLIC TRANSIT THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN: A CASE STUDY OF CALIFORNIA BAY AREA RAPID TRANSIT STATIONS
Authors: Ferguson Beth , Sanguinetti Angela
Published: August 2021

Micromobility has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, traffic congestion, and air pollution, particularly when replacing private vehicle use in conjunction with public transit for first- and last-mile travel. The design of the built environment in and around public transit stations plays a key role in the integration of public transit and micromobility. This research presents a case study of rail stations in the California Bay Area, which are in the operation zone of seven shared micromobility operators. Nineteen stations and their surroundings were surveyed to inventory design features that could enable or constrain use of micromobility for first- and last-mile access. Shared mobility service characteristics, crime records, and connections to underserved communities were also documented. Key design solutions were identified based on the findings, including protected bike lanes, increased shared bike and scooter fleet size and service area, and clear signage indicating parking corral and docking points.
FROM PLANNED OBSOLESCENCE TO THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY IN THE SMARTPHONE INDUSTRY: AN EVOLUTION OF STRATEGIES EMBODIED IN PRODUCT FEATURES
Authors: Barros Mário , Dimla Eric
Published: August 2021

Planned obsolescence can artificially increase sales by stimulating desire or perceived need. This can be done in many ways and some companies are releasing newer models sooner than necessary or engineering the product to fail after a certain amount of use. In recent years, we have observed a change in the pattern of planned obsolescence strategies employed by technological companies, shifting from aesthetic to technological obsolescence. The reaction to this model comes from social enterprises and grassroots movements addressing the circular economy and repairability. This paper illustrates these relationships in context, taking the mobile phone industry as a case study. We focus on product architecture and product features, as a reference point to discuss the embodiment of strategies, and the degree of control the consumer is given for repairing the product. Using netnography as a method to collect data in a digital-mediated environment, this paper highlights how planned obsolescence strategies are embedded in product characteristics and summarises their evolution. It concludes by opposing planned obsolescence strategies to circular economy principles to discuss more sustainable pathways for the smartphone industry.
HOW DESIGN PROPOSALS ARE EVALUATED - A PILOT STUDY
Authors: Deininger Michael , Hansen Claus Thorp
Published: August 2021

In addition to being functional and well-engineered, successful products in today's market are also desirable and appealing to customers. A decision to purchase a product or not is often influenced not only by facts, but also by emotions. Qualities like desirability and appeal that trigger an emotional response can be challenging to satisfy. These qualities can be difficult to quantify and measure and do not easily translate into requirements and specifications. Therefore, understanding the emotional responses of potential customers to product proposals would allow designers to adapt their design strategies. In this study, participants were invited to review a range of design proposals and asked to rank order them relative to one another. The participants were asked to record their comments while discussing their ranking. The findings show that study participants often made decisions about how good or bad they thought a design proposal was without providing rationale to support their rankings. In some cases the rankings were aligned with the comments, but sometimes they were in conflict. More work is needed to further explore the decision-making process and the criteria used when reviewing design proposals.
IMPROVING DECISION MAKING IN PRODUCT MODULARIZATION BY GAME-BASED MANAGEMENT TRAINING
Authors: Persson Magnus , Hsuan Juliana , Kvysgaard Hansen Poul
Published: August 2021

To deal with the complexity caused by a constantly increasing need for product customization many companies have adopted a product modularization strategy. Product modularization has the potential to give benefits both in the design of products, in manufacturing as well as in the supply chain. But, it poses great challenges in its implementation, which includes complex decision-making that will affect the whole value-chain. The purpose of this paper is to describe how a game-based approach can be used for academic education, and management training, with the aim of improving decision-making in product modularization. This by visualizing, and practice, the complex interplay between product, manufacturing and supply chain architecture. The paper describes the development of the LEGO Exploratorium game set up, based on the LEGO minifigures, and how it has been used for both teaching engineering students and in company workshop. Using this game set up will increase companies' possibilities to develop modularized products that are designed for both efficient manufacturing and supply chain management.