bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding different perspectives on economic growth and climate policy
Authors: Jakob Michael , Lamb William F. , Steckel Jan Christoph , Flachsland Christian , Edenhofer Ottmar
Published: August 2020

Should economic growth continue in a world threatened by the prospect of catastrophic climate change? The scientific and public debate has brought forth a broad spectrum of views and narratives on this question, ranging from neoclassical economics to degrowth. We argue that different positions can be attributed to underlying differences in views on (a) factors that determine human well‐being, (b) the feasibility and desirability of economic growth, (c) appropriate intervention points, and (d) preferences about governance and policy options. For each of these dimensions, we propose points of agreement on which a consensus between conflicting positions might be achieved. From this basis, we distill a sustainability transition perspective that could act as a basis for a renewed debate on how to align human well‐being with environmental sustainability.

This article is categorized under:

Climate Economics>Economics and Climate Change
How Partisanship Affected Public Reaction to Potential Treatments for COVID‐19
Authors: Brunell Thomas L. , Maxwell Sarah P.
Published: August 2020

President Trump mentioned the potential antiviral benefits of hydroxychloroquine as the COVID‐19 crisis became evident in the United States. Politics and mass media in the United States have been undergoing a process of partisan polarization over the last 20–30 years. While partisanship has long affected reactions toward news or information, particularly when it comes from an elected official, the situation appears to be worsening in American politics. Even a search for potential cures or useful medication in the face of a public health crisis is hampered by partisanship and polarization.
Intrinsic stimuli‐responsive nanocarriers for smart drug delivery of antibacterial agents—An in‐depth review of the last two decades
Authors: Devnarain Nikita , Osman Nawras , Fasiku Victoria Oluwaseun , Makhathini Sifiso , Salih Mohammed , Ibrahim Usri H. , Govender Thirumala
Published: August 2020

Antibiotic resistance due to suboptimal targeting and inconsistent antibiotic release at bacterial infection sites has driven the formulation of stimuli‐responsive nanocarriers for antibacterial therapy. Unlike conventional nanocarriers, stimuli‐responsive nanocarriers have the ability to specifically enhance targeting and drug release profiles. There has been a significant escalation in the design and development of novel nanomaterials worldwide; in particular, intrinsic stimuli‐responsive antibiotic nanocarriers, due to their enhanced activity, improved targeted delivery, and superior potential for bacterial penetration and eradication. Herein, we provide an extensive and critical review of pH‐, enzyme‐, redox‐, and ionic microenvironment‐responsive nanocarriers that have been reported in literature to date, with an emphasis on the mechanisms of drug release, the nanomaterials used, the nanosystems constructed and the antibacterial efficacy of the nanocarriers. The review also highlights further avenues of research for optimizing their potential and commercialization. This review confirms the potential of intrinsic stimuli‐responsive nanocarriers for enhanced drug delivery and antibacterial killing.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Infectious Disease

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Hip-Spine-Syndrom – Aktuelle Entwicklungen und Evidenzlage
Authors: Zimmerer Alexander , Hoffmann Manuela , Hofer Andre , Janz Viktor , Wassilew Georgi I.
Published: August 2020

Das physiologische Zusammenspiel von Wirbelsäule, Becken und Hüfte gewährleistet ein Gleichgewicht zwischen dem Rumpf und der Hüfte bei Alltagaktivitäten, wie z. B. dem Stehen und Sitzen. Die degenerativen Veränderungen oder Spondylodese der Wirbelsäule reduzieren die Beckenbeweglichkeit und können nach einem endoprothetischen Hüftgelenksersatz zu einer erhöhten Luxationsrate führen. Um die Risikopatienten zu identifizieren und die Luxationsraten zu reduzieren, wurden kürzlich von verschiedenen Autoren funktionelle Wirbelsäulen- und Beckenaufnahmen sowie individuelle Zielzonen für die Komponentenorientierung empfohlen. Das Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die derzeitige Datenlage bezüglich des spinopelvinen Alignements und dessen Rolle in der Hüftendoprothetik und mögliche Ableitungen für den Klinikalltag kritisch darzustellen.
Effective strain gradient continuum model of metamaterials and size effects analysis
Authors: Yang Hua , Timofeev Dmitry , Giorgio Ivan , Müller Wolfgang H.
Published: August 2020

In this paper, a strain gradient continuum model for a metamaterial with a periodic lattice substructure is considered. A second gradient constitutive law is postulated at the macroscopic level. The effective classical and strain gradient stiffness tensors are obtained based on asymptotic homogenization techniques using the equivalence of energy at the macro- and microscales within a so-called representative volume element. Numerical studies by means of finite element analysis were performed to investigate the effects of changing volume ratio and characteristic length for a single unit cell of the metamaterial as well as changing properties of the underlying material. It is also shown that the size effects occurring in a cantilever beam made of a periodic metamaterial can be captured with appropriate accuracy by using the identified effective stiffness tensors.
The effect of milk fat substitution on the rheological properties of Edam-type cheese
Authors: Myhan Ryszard , Jeliński Tomasz , Białobrzewski Ireneusz , Sadowska Jadwiga , Jachimczyk Ewelina
Published: August 2020

In cheese-like products, milk components (in particular fat) are partially or completely replaced with non-dairy substitutes. An attempt was made in this study to determine whether Edam-type cheese can be distinguished from its substitute, where milk fat was replaced with palm oil, based on rheological properties. The rheological properties of Edam cheese and its substitute were analyzed during a 16-week ripening period, based on the results of a stress-relaxation test. The values of the rheological parameters were estimated with the use of the generalized Maxwell model and a non-linear model proposed by the authors, which accounted for the plastic deformation of the analyzed samples. The study revealed that both methods were equally effective in describing the stress relaxation process; therefore, they can be regarded as equivalent. Excluding the initial stage of ripening (which is not important from the consumers’ point of view), the replacement of milk fat with palm oil did not influence the rheological properties of Edam-type cheese and the cheese-like product. In subsequent stages of ripening, no significant differences were found in the rheological properties of both products, which could only be used to evaluate their ripeness.
Prediction of long-term recurrent ischemic stroke: the added value of non-contrast CT, CT perfusion, and CT angiography
Authors: Kauw Frans , Greving Jacoba P. , Takx Richard A. P. , de Jong Hugo W. A. M. , Schonewille Wouter J. , Vos Jan A. , Wermer Marieke J. H. , van Walderveen Marianne A. A. , Kappelle L. Jaap , Velthuis Birgitta K. , Dankbaar Jan W. ,   On behalf of the Dutch acute stroke study (DUST) investigators, Majoie C. B. , Roos Y. B. , Duijm L. E. , Keizer K. , van der Lugt A. , Dippel D. W. , Greve K. E. Droogh-de , Bienfait H. P. , Lycklama à Nijeholt G. J. , Boiten J. , Duyndam D. , Kwa V. I. , Meijer F. J. , van Dijk E. J. , Kesselring F. O. , Hofmeijer J. , van Rooij W. J. , de Kort P. L. , Pleiter C. C. , Bakker S. L. , Bot J. , Visser M. C , van der Schaaf I. C. , Mali W. P. , van Seeters T. , Horsch A. D. , Niesten J. M. , Biessels G. J. , Luitse M. J. , van der Graaf Y.
Published: August 2020

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the addition of brain CT imaging data to a model incorporating clinical risk factors improves prediction of ischemic stroke recurrence over 5 years of follow-up.

Methods

A total of 638 patients with ischemic stroke from three centers were selected from the Dutch acute stroke study (DUST). CT-derived candidate predictors included findings on non-contrast CT, CT perfusion, and CT angiography. Five-year follow-up data were extracted from medical records. We developed a multivariable Cox regression model containing clinical predictors and an extended model including CT-derived predictors by applying backward elimination. We calculated net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement indices. Discrimination was evaluated with the optimism-corrected c-statistic and calibration with a calibration plot.

Results

During 5 years of follow-up, 56 patients (9%) had a recurrence. The c-statistic of the clinical model, which contained male sex, history of hyperlipidemia, and history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, was 0.61. Compared with the clinical model, the extended model, which contained previous cerebral infarcts on non-contrast CT and Alberta Stroke Program Early CT score greater than 7 on mean transit time maps derived from CT perfusion, had higher discriminative performance (c-statistic 0.65, P = 0.01). Inclusion of these CT variables led to a significant improvement in reclassification measures, by using the net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement indices.

Conclusion

Data from CT imaging significantly improved the discriminatory performance and reclassification in predicting ischemic stroke recurrence beyond a model incorporating clinical risk factors only.
Management of Locally Advanced and Unresectable Small Bowel Neuroendocrine Tumours
Authors: Koea Jonathan ,   the Commonwealth Neuroendocrine Tumour Research Collaborative (CommNETs) Surgical Section, Hallett Julie , Law Calvin , Pasieka Janice , Koea Jonathan , Meyer‐Rochow Win
Published: August 2020

Three subtypes of small bowel neuroendocrine tumours (SBNETs) have been described: Type A: SBNET with resectable mesenteric disease that does not involve the mesenteric root; Type B: “Borderline resectable” SBNET presenting with mesenteric nodal metastases and fibrosis adjacent but not encasing the main trunk of the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) and superior mesenteric vein (SMV); and Type C: “Locally advanced or irresectable” SBNET where tumour deposits and fibrosis encase the SMA and SMV. Type C SBNETs are rare and constitute around 5% of patients in reported series, although this may underestimate the prevalence. In these patients, almost all will present with symptoms of intestinal ischemia or obstruction and symptom management should be a primary main focus of treatment. All patients should be carefully staged with cross‐sectional imaging and 68 Ga‐dotate positron emission tomography, and discussed at a dedicated neuroendocrine tumour multidisciplinary meeting. Expert surgical review should always be sought as experienced centers have a high rate of successful resection of primary tumours and mesenteric disease. If resection is not feasible, surgical bypass should be considered in patients with a discrete and symptomatic point of obstruction. Non‐operative management should emphasize symptomatic treatment with somatostatin analogs, nutritional advice and support and palliative care. Successful neoadjuvant approaches utilizing peptide radionucleide receptor therapy and systemic chemotherapy with everolimus or temazolamide/capecitabine have not been reported.
Anti-tumor necrosis factor therapy in patients with inflammatory bowel disease; comorbidity, not patient age, is a predictor of severe adverse events
Authors: Asscher Vera E. R. , van der Vliet Quirine , van der Aalst Karen , van der Aalst Anniek , Brand Eelco C. , van der Meulen-de Jong Andrea E. , Oldenburg Bas , Pierik Marieke J. , van Tuyl Bas , Mahmmod Nofel , Maljaars P. W. Jeroen , Fidder Herma H. ,   On behalf of the Dutch ICC
Published: August 2020

Purpose

To assess safety and effectiveness of anti-tumor necrosis factor (anti-TNF) therapy in IBD patients ≥ 60 years.

Methods

Ninety IBD patients ≥ 60 years at initiation of anti-TNF therapy, 145 IBD patients ≥ 60 years without anti-TNF therapy and 257 IBD patients < 60 years at initiation of anti-TNF therapy were retrospectively included in this multicentre study. Primary outcome was the occurrence of severe adverse events (SAEs), serious infections and malignancies. Secondary outcome was effectiveness of therapy. Cox regression analyses were used to assess differences in safety and effectiveness. In safety analyses, first older patients with and without anti-TNF therapy and then older and younger patients with anti-TNF therapy were assessed.

Results

In older IBD patients, the use of anti-TNF therapy was associated with serious infections (aHR 3.920, 95% CI 1.185–12.973, p = .025). In anti-TNF-exposed patients, cardiovascular disease associated with serious infections (aHR 3.279, 95% CI 1.098–9.790, p = .033) and the presence of multiple comorbidities (aHR 9.138 (1.248–66.935), p = .029) with malignancies, while patient age did not associate with safety outcomes. Effectiveness of therapy was not affected by age or comorbidity.

Conclusion

Older patients receiving anti-TNF therapy have a higher risk of serious infections compared with older IBD patients without anti-TNF therapy, but not compared with younger patients receiving anti-TNF therapy. However, in anti-TNF-exposed patients, comorbidity was found to be an indicator with regards to SAEs. Effectiveness was comparable between older and younger patients.
Hedonicity in functional motor disorders: a chemosensory study assessing taste
Authors: Cecchini Maria Paola , Tamburin Stefano , Zanini Alice , Boschi Federico , Demartini Benedetta , Goeta Diana , Dallocchio Carlo , Marotta Angela , Fiorio Mirta , Tinazzi Michele
Published: August 2020

The aim of this study was to explore hedonicity to basic tastes in patients with functional motor disorders (FMDs) that are often associated with impairment in emotional processing. We recruited 20 FMD patients and 24 healthy subjects, matched for age and sex. Subjects were asked to rate the hedonic sensation (i.e., pleasant, neutral, and unpleasant) on a − 10 to +10 scale to the four basic tastes (sweet, sour, salty, and bitter) at different concentrations, and neutral stimuli (i.e., no taste stimulation) by means of the Taste Strips Test. Anxiety, depression, and alexithymia were assessed. FMD patients rated the highest concentration of sweet taste (6.7 ± 2.6) as significantly more pleasant than controls (4.7 ± 2.5, p = 0.03), and the neutral stimuli significantly more unpleasant (patients: − 0.7 ± 0.4, controls: 0.1 ± 0.4, p = 0.013). Hedonic ratings were not correlated to anxiety, depression, or alexithymia scores. Hedonic response to taste is altered in FMD patients. This preliminary finding might result from abnormal interaction between sensory processing and emotional valence.
Advanced materials and technologies for supercapacitors used in energy conversion and storage: a review
Authors: Abdel Maksoud M. I. A. , Fahim Ramy Amer , Shalan Ahmed Esmail , Abd Elkodous M. , Olojede S. O. , Osman Ahmed I. , Farrell Charlie , Al-Muhtaseb Ala’a H. , Awed A. S. , Ashour A. H. , Rooney David W.
Published: August 2020

Supercapacitors are increasingly used for energy conversion and storage systems in sustainable nanotechnologies. Graphite is a conventional electrode utilized in Li-ion-based batteries, yet its specific capacitance of 372 mA h g−1 is not adequate for supercapacitor applications. Interest in supercapacitors is due to their high-energy capacity, storage for a shorter period and longer lifetime. This review compares the following materials used to fabricate supercapacitors: spinel ferrites, e.g., MFe2O4, MMoO4 and MCo2O4 where M denotes a transition metal ion; perovskite oxides; transition metals sulfides; carbon materials; and conducting polymers. The application window of perovskite can be controlled by cations in sublattice sites. Cations increase the specific capacitance because cations possess large orbital valence electrons which grow the oxygen vacancies. Electrodes made of transition metal sulfides, e.g., ZnCo2S4, display a high specific capacitance of 1269 F g−1, which is four times higher than those of transition metals oxides, e.g., Zn–Co ferrite, of 296 F g−1. This is explained by the low charge-transfer resistance and the high ion diffusion rate of transition metals sulfides. Composites made of magnetic oxides or transition metal sulfides with conducting polymers or carbon materials have the highest capacitance activity and cyclic stability. This is attributed to oxygen and sulfur active sites which foster electrolyte penetration during cycling, and, in turn, create new active sites.
How Robust is Robust Control in Discrete Time?
Authors: Tucci Marco P.
Published: August 2020

By applying robust control, the decision maker wants to make good decisions when his model is only a good approximation of the true one. Such decisions are said to be robust to model misspecification. In this paper it is shown that, in many situations relevant in economics, a decision maker applying robust control implicitly assumes that today’s worst-case adverse shock is serially uncorrelated with tomorrow’s worst-case adverse shock. Then, further investigation is needed to see how strong is the ‘immunization against uncertainty’ provided by these popular frameworks.
Smart water consumption measurement system for houses using IoT and cloud computing
Authors: Fuentes Henry , Mauricio David
Published: August 2020

Presently, in several parts of the world, water consumption is not measured or visualized in real time, in addition, water leaks are not detected in time and with high precision, generating unnecessary waste of water. That is why this article presents the implementation of a smart water measurement consumption system under an architecture design, with high decoupling and integration of various technologies, which allows real-time visualizing the consumptions, in addition, a leak detection algorithm is proposed based on rules, historical context, and user location that manages to cover 10 possible water consumption scenarios between normal and anomalous consumption. The system allows data to be collected by a smart meter, which is preprocessed by a local server (Gateway) and sent to the Cloud from time to time to be analyzed by the leak detection algorithm and, simultaneously, be viewed on a web interface. The results show that the algorithm has 100% Accuracy, Recall, Precision, and F1 score to detect leaks, far better than other procedures, and a margin of error of 4.63% recorded by the amount of water consumed.
Absolute points of correlations of $$PG(3,q^n)$$
Authors: Donati Giorgio , Durante Nicola
Published: August 2020

The sets of the absolute points of (possibly degenerate) polarities of a projective space are well known. The sets of the absolute points of (possibly degenerate) correlations, different from polarities, of $${{\mathrm{PG}}}(2,q^n)$$

PG
(
2
,

q
n

)

, have been completely determined by B.C. Kestenband in 11 papers from 1990 to 2014, for non-degenerate correlations and by D’haeseleer and Durante (Electron J Combin 27(2):2–32, 2020) for degenerate correlations. In this paper, we completely determine the sets of the absolute points of degenerate correlations, different from degenerate polarities, of a projective space $${{\mathrm{PG}}}(3,q^n)$$

PG
(
3
,

q
n

)

. As an application we show that, for q even, some of these sets are related to the Segre’s $$(2^h+1)$$

(

2
h

+
1
)

-arc of $${{\mathrm{PG}}}(3,2^n)$$

PG
(
3
,

2
n

)

and to the Lüneburg spread of $${{\mathrm{PG}}}(3,2^{2h+1})$$

PG
(
3
,

2

2
h
+
1

)

.
Adsorption properties of iodine on fused silica surfaces when evaporated from tellurium in various atmospheres
Authors: Karlsson Erik , Neuhausen Jörg , Eichler Robert , Vögele Alexander , Türler Andreas
Published: August 2020

The evaporation of iodine containing species from tellurium has been investigated together with their adsorption behavior on a fused silica surface. In inert gas, the formation of two species was observed with adsorption enthalpies of around − 90 to − 100 and − 110 to − 120 kJ/mol, respectively. For reducing environments, a single species identified as monatomic iodine was observed with an adsorption enthalpy around − 95 kJ/mol. In oxidizing conditions, species with low adsorption enthalpies ranging from − 65 to − 80 kJ/mol were observed. Presumably, these are iodine oxides as well as oxo-acids of iodine (HIOx). The results of the thermochromatography experiments performed here prove the usefulness of the employed production method for carrier-free iodine isotopes and enhance the understanding of the evaporation and deposition behavior of iodine under various chemical conditions.
A highly flexible laboratory setup to demonstrate granular flow characteristics
Authors: Heinze Thomas
Published: August 2020

Dynamics of snow avalanches or landslides can be described by rapid granular flow. Experimental investigations of granular flow at laboratory scale are often required to analyze flow behaviour and to develop adequate mathematical and numerical models. Most investigations use image-based analysis, and additional sensors such as pressure gauges are not always possible. Testing various scenarios and parameter variations such as different obstacle shapes and positions as well as basal topography and friction usually requires either the construction of a new laboratory setups for each test or a cumbersome reconstruction. In this work, a highly flexible and modular laboratory setup is presented based on LEGO bricks. The flexibility of the model is demonstrated, and possible extensions for future laboratory tests are outlined. The setup is able to reproduce published laboratory experiments addressing current scientific research topics, such as overflow of a rigid reflector, flow on a bumpy surface and against a rigid wall using standard image-based analysis. This makes the setup applicable for quick scenario testing, e.g. for hypothesis testing or for low-cost testing prior to large-scale experiments, and it can contribute to the validation of external results and to benchmarks of numerical models. Small-scale laboratory setups are also very useful for demonstration purposes such as education and public outreach, both crucial in the context of natural hazards. The presented setup enables variation of parameters such as of slope length, channel width, height and shape, inclination, bed friction, obstacle position and shape, as well as density, composition, amount and grain size of flowing mass. Observable quantities are flow type, flow height, flow path and flow velocity, as well as runout distance, size and shape of the deposited material. Additional sensors allow further quantitative assessments, such as local pressure values.
Explaining the political use of evaluation in international organizations
Authors: Eckhard Steffen , Jankauskas Vytautas
Published: August 2020

Despite a growing literature on the politics of evaluation in international organizations (IOs) and beyond, little is known about whether political or administrative stakeholders indeed realize ex-ante political interests through evaluations. This is, however, especially important considering the booming business of evaluation and the proliferation of institutional assessments both in domestic and international politics. We argue that formally independent IO evaluation units informally orientate towards either member states or the IO administration, depending on who controls the unit’s budget, staff, and agenda resources. This should enable either actor to also use evaluation results along pre-defined strategic interests. Interview data gathered among evaluators, secretariat officials, and member state representatives of six IOs support the expected pattern, highlighting striking differences in the orientation of evaluation staff and evaluation use. Findings challenge the technocratic, apolitical image of evaluation, offering practical and theoretical implications for future research.
Investigating temporal and spatial correlates of the sharp decline of an urban exploiter bird in a large European city
Authors: Mohring Bertille , Henry Pierre-Yves , Jiguet Frédéric , Malher Frédéric , Angelier Frédéric
Published: August 2020

Increasing urbanisation and human pressure on lands have huge impacts on biodiversity. Some species, known as “urban exploiters”, manage to expand in urban landscapes, relying on human resources. The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is the perfect example of a human-commensal species. Surprisingly, this urban exploiter has been declining all over Europe over the past decades. The proximate causes of this decline remain poorly understood. We particularly lack understanding about urban habitat characteristics that are particularly unfavourable for House Sparrows. In the present study, we analysed fine-scale habitat characteristics of House Sparrow population sizes and trends using a fifteen-year House Sparrow census (2003–2017) covering the urban diversity of Paris (nearly 200 census sites), one of the densest European cities. We documented for the first time the dramatic decline (−89%) of the species in Paris over the study period. The temporal decline over the whole city correlates with the concomitant increase in the number of breeding Sparrowhawks. We could not detect statistical influences of annual variations in weather conditions and pollution. The decline of House Sparrows is spatially heterogeneous. Indeed, site-scale analyses revealed sharpest declines at sites that initially hosted the largest numbers of sparrows, which are areas with a relatively high proportion of green spaces and new buildings. Further experimental studies are now needed to disentangle the exact impact of specific characteristics of the urban environment on House Sparrow populations.
Spin excitations and spin wave gap in the ferromagnetic Weyl semimetal Co3Sn2S2
Authors: Liu Chang , Shen JianLei , Gao JiaCheng , Yi ChangJiang , Liu Di , Xie Tao , Yang Lin , Danilkin Sergey , Deng GuoChu , Wang WenHong , Li ShiLiang , Shi YouGuo , Weng HongMing , Liu EnKe , Luo HuiQian
Published: August 2020

We report a comprehensive neutron scattering study on the spin excitations in the magnetic Weyl semimetal Co3Sn2S2 with a quasi-two-dimensional structure. Both in-plane and out-of-plane dispersions of the spin waves were revealed in the ferromagnetic state. Similarly, dispersive but damped spin excitations were found in the paramagnetic state. The effective exchange interactions were estimated using a semi-classical Heisenberg model to consistently reproduce the experimental TC and spin stiffness. However, a full spin wave gap below Eg = 2.3 meV was observed at T = 4 K. This value was considerably larger than the estimated magnetic anisotropy energy (~0.6 meV), and its temperature dependence indicated a significant contribution from the Weyl fermions. These results suggest that Co3Sn2S2 is a three-dimensional correlated system with a large spin stiffness, and the low-energy spin dynamics can interplay with the topological electron states.
Correction to: Picking and Choosing Among Phase I Trials
Authors: Fisher Jill A. , Monahan Torin , Walker Rebecca L.
Published: August 2020

The article "Picking and Choosing Among Phase I Trials", written by Jill A. Fisher, Torin Monahan and Rebecca L. Walker, was originally published Online First without Open Access. After publication in volume 16, issue 4, page 535-549 the author decided to opt for Open Choice and to make the article an Open Access publication.
Probabilistic information fusion to model the pose-dependent dynamics of milling robots
Authors: Busch Maximilian , Schnoes Florian , Semm Thomas , Zaeh Michael F. , Obst Birgit , Hartmann Dirk
Published: August 2020

Conventional industrial robots are increasingly used for milling applications of large workpieces due to their workspace and their low investment costs in comparison to conventional machine tools. However, static deflections and dynamic instabilities during the milling process limit the efficiency and productivity of such robot-based milling systems. Since the pose-dependent dynamic properties of the industrial robot structures are notoriously difficult to model analytically, machine learning methods are recently gaining more and more popularity to derive system models from experimental data. In this publication, a modeling concept based on a modern information fusion scheme, fusing simulation and experimental data, is proposed. This approach provides a precise model of the robot’s pose-dependent structural dynamics and is validated for a one-dimensional variation of the robot pose. The results of two information fusion algorithms are compared with a conventional, data-driven approach and indicate a superior model accuracy regarding interpolation and extrapolation of the pose-dependent dynamics. The proposed approach enables decreasing the necessary amount of experimental data needed to assess the vibrational properties of the robot for a desired pose. Additionally, the concept is able to predict the robot dynamics at poses where experimental data is very costly to gather.
A Literature Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis of Symptoms Prevalence in Covid-19: the Relevance of Olfactory Symptoms in Infection Not Requiring Hospitalization
Authors: Giorli A. , Ferretti F. , Biagini C. , Salerni L. , Bindi I. , Dasgupta S. , Pozza A. , Gualtieri G. , Gusinu R. , Coluccia A. , Mandalà Marco
Published: August 2020

Purpose of review

To investigate the association between the olfactory dysfunction and the more typical symptoms (fever, cough, dyspnoea) within the Sars-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) in hospitalized and non-hospitalized patients.

Recent findings

PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science databases were reviewed from May 5, 2020, to June 1, 2020. Inclusion criteria included English, French, German, Spanish or Italian language studies containing original data related to COVID19, anosmia, fever, cough, and dyspnoea, in both hospital and non-hospital settings. Two investigators independently reviewed all manuscripts and performed quality assessment and quantitative meta-analysis using validated tools. A third author arbitrated full-text disagreements. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA), 11 of 135 studies fulfilled eligibility. Anosmia was estimated less prevalent than fever and cough (respectively rate difference = − 0.316, 95% CI: − 0.574 to − 0.058, Z = − 2.404, p < 0.016, k = 11 and rate difference = − 0.249, 95% CI: − 0.402 to − 0.096, Z = − 3.185, p < 0.001, k = 11); the analysis between anosmia and dyspnoea was not significant (rate difference = − 0.008, 95% CI: − 0.166 to 0.150, Z = − 0.099, p < 0.921, k = 8). The typical symptoms were significantly more frequent than anosmia in hospitalized more critical patients than in non-hospitalized ones (respectively [Q(1) = 50.638 p < 0.000, Q(1) = 52.520 p < 0.000, Q(1) = 100.734 p < 0.000).

Patient with new onset olfactory dysfunction should be investigated for COVID-19. Anosmia is more frequent in non-hospitalized COVID-19 patients than in hospitalized ones.
Experimental study on the working performance of different milling tools for multistage fracturing ball seats
Authors: Che Jia-Qi , Wang Han-Xiang , Zhang Yan-Wen , Du Ming-Chao , Ma Shao-Hua
Published: August 2020

To achieve the secondary production in multistage fracturing wells of tight oil, milling tools are usually used to remove the multistage fracturing ball seats to achieve production with a large diameter in later. In this paper, first of all, the working mechanism of milling tools for multistage fracturing ball seats was studied and a mechanical analysis model of single abrasive grain was established. Then, an experimental system for milling tools was developed, and the experimental tests of the flat, the blade, and the slope milling tool were conducted in order. Besides, the morphology of chips and the surface morphology of the workpiece after the experiment were analyzed. Also, the working performance of milling tools was evaluated from the perspectives of working safety, working efficiency, and wear resistance of the milling tool. The results show that the torque of the milling tool increases nonlinearly with the increase in the cutting depth of the abrasive grain and increases linearly with the increase in the cutting width. Also, the chips are irregular particles and the size is mainly from 10 to 50 μm. So, the chips should be pumped up with a small pump pressure and a large displacement. Besides this, the cutting depths of the abrasive grains are from 216.20 to 635.47 μm and the bottom surface of the milling tool should be eccentric to avoid the zero point of cutting speed. Furthermore, the torque of the slope milling tool is 23.8% larger than that of the flat milling tool, which is also 30.4% smaller than that of the blade milling tool. Compared with the flat milling tool, the working efficiency of the blade milling tool improves by 79.9% and the slope milling tool improves by 111.1%. Also, the wear resistance of the blade milling tool decreases by 102.7%, while the slope milling tool declines by 32.6% when compared with the flat milling tool. Therefore, the slope milling tool has the characteristics of moderate torque, stable working conditions, the highest working efficiency, and fine wear resistance, which is preferably used to mill multistage fracturing ball seats. This study provides a theoretical basis and guidance for milling multistage fracturing ball seats on-site and realizing production with a large diameter in later stages of multistage fracturing wells.
Rapid aerobic granulation using biochar for the treatment of petroleum refinery wastewater
Authors: Wang Xin , Ming Jie , Chen Chun-Mao , Yoza Brandon A. , Li Qian-Wei , Liang Jia-Hao , Gadd Geoffrey Michael , Wang Qing-Hong
Published: August 2020

Aerobic granular sludge technology has great potential for the treatment of petroleum refinery wastewater. However, strategies to shorten the granulation time and improvement the stability still need to be developed. In this work, biochar was prepared from waste petroleum activated sludge (biochar-WPS) and used in a sequencing batch reactor for the treatment of petroleum refinery wastewater. Biochar-WPS presented the surface area of 229.77 m2/g, pore volume of 0.28 cm3/g, H/C and O/C atomic ratios of 0.42 and 0.21, respectively. The porous structure and a high degree of hydrophilicity were found to facilitate microbial colonization and adhesion as well as particle aggregation. Application of biochar-WPS resulted in the formation of more substantial and stable aerobic granules (~ 66% of granules > 0.46 mm diameter) 15 days earlier compared with the control. The addition of biochar-WPS enhanced the average removal efficiency of chemical organic demand (~ 3%), oil (~ 4%) and total nitrogen (~ 10%) over the control. Increased microbial richness and diversity were observed within the formed granules and had an increased (~ 4%) proportion of denitrifying bacteria. These results indicate that an aerobic granulation mechanism using biochar-WPS is a feasible option for the treatment of petroleum refinery wastewater.
Valorization of Biomass-Derived Platform Molecules via Photoredox Sustainable Catalysis
Authors: Lin Qiong , Li Yue-Hua , Tang Zi-Rong , Xu Yi-Jun
Published: August 2020

The conversion of biomass into valuable chemicals has promise for application in biorefineries. Light-driven photoredox catalysis, with the typical features of green route and operation under mild conditions, is considered a promising strategy for renewable biomass or biomass-derived intermediates conversion into high-value-added chemical feedstocks. In this review, we strongly emphasize the recent advances in photocatalytic valorization of lignin model compounds and biomass-derived alcohols. We briefly summarize the advances in photocatalytic cleavage of the β-O-4 bond or C–C bond into usable chemicals in the lignin model. On the other hand, we clarify not only the hybrid system for cooperative biomass-relevant alcohols oxidation and hydrogen (H2) evolution but also the tunable accessibility to variation of the target products from the same alcohol reactant by catalyst design and optimization of reaction conditions. It is hoped that this review will inspire the rational design of photoredox catalysis-based systems toward efficient biomass-derived platform molecules valorization to obtain target-oriented valuable products.
RamA, a transcriptional regulator conferring florfenicol resistance in Leclercia adecarboxylata R25
Authors: Cheng Cong , Ying Yuanyuan , Zhou Danying , Zhu Licheng , Lu Junwan , Li Aifang , Bao Qiyu , Zhu Mei
Published: August 2020

Due to the inappropriate use of florfenicol in agricultural practice, florfenicol resistance has become increasingly serious. In this work, we studied the novel florfenicol resistance mechanism of an animal-derived Leclercia adecarboxylata strain R25 with high-level florfenicol resistance. A random genomic DNA library was constructed to screen the novel florfenicol resistance gene. Gene cloning, gene knockout, and complementation combined with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) detection were conducted to determine the function of the resistance-related gene. Sequencing and bioinformatics methods were applied to analyze the structure of the resistance gene-related sequences. Finally, we obtained a regulatory gene of an RND (resistance-nodulation-cell division) system, ramA, that confers resistance to florfenicol and other antibiotics. The ramA-deleted variant (LA-R25ΔramA) decreased the level of resistance against florfenicol and several other antibiotics, while a ramA-complemented strain (pUCP24-prom-ramA/LA-R25ΔramA) restored the drug resistance. The whole-genome sequencing revealed that there were five RND efflux pump genes (mdtABC, acrAB, acrD, acrEF, and acrAB-like) encoded over the chromosome, and ramA located upstream of the acrAB-like genes. The results of this work suggest that ramA confers resistance to florfenicol and other structurally unrelated antibiotics, presumably by regulating the RND efflux pump genes in L. adecarboxylata R25.
Thermodynamic investigation of SNG production based on dual fluidized bed gasification of biogenic residues
Authors: Bartik Alexander , Benedikt Florian , Lunzer Andreas , Walcher Constantin , Müller Stefan , Hofbauer Hermann
Published: August 2020

Natural gas is an important commodity in the European energy market. The gasification of biogenic residues and the further reaction to a methane-rich gas represent a promising concept for the production of synthetic natural gas on a fossil-free basis. This paper investigates the thermodynamics of methanation in a fluidized bed reactor for different product gas compositions of the dual fluidized bed gasification technology. The investigated product gases range from conventional steam gasification, over CO2 gasification, to product gases from the sorption enhanced reforming process. All investigated product gases from conventional steam gasification show an understoichiometric composition and therefore require a proper handling of carbon depositions and a CO2 separation unit downstream of the methanation reactor. The product gas from CO2 gasification is considered disadvantageous for the investigated process, because it only exhibits a carbon utilization efficiency of 23%. Due to the high flexibility of the sorption enhanced reforming process, a nearly complete methanation of the carbonaceous species is possible without the need for a CO2 separation step or the addition of steam upstream of the methanation reactor. Furthermore, the carbon utilization efficiency is found to be between 36 and 38%, similar to the results for conventional steam gasification. Temperature and pressure variations allow a thermodynamically optimized operation, which can increase the performance of the methanation and lower the extent of gas upgrading for grid feed-in. Additionally, if a higher hydrogen content in the natural gas grid would be allowed, the overall process chain could be further optimized and simplified.
Δ 9-Tetrahydrocannabinol Toxicity and Validation of Cannabidiol on Brain Dopamine Levels: An Assessment on Cannabis Duplicity
Authors: Chetia Swapnali , Borah Gaurab
Published: August 2020

Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) of cannabis is the main psychoactive component which is a global significant concern to human health. Evaluation on THC reported its drastic effect on the brain dopaminergic (DAergic) system stimulating mesolimbic DA containing neurons thereby increasing the level of striatal DA. Cannabidiol (CBD), with its anxiolytic and anti-psychotic property, is potent to ameliorate the THC-induced DAergic variations. Legal authorization of cannabis use and its analogs in most countries led to a drastic dispute in the elicitation of cannabis products. With a recent increase in cannabis-induced disorder rates, the present review highlighted the detrimental effects of THC and the effects of CBD on THC induced alterations in DA synthesis and release. Alongside the reported data, uses of cannabis as a therapeutic medium in a number of health complications are also being briefly reviewed. These evaluated reports led to an anticipation of additional research contradictory to the findings of THC and CBD activity in the brain DAergic system and their medical implementations as therapeutics.

Graphic Abstract
Risk factors for Covid-19 severity and fatality: a structured literature review
Authors: Wolff Dominik , Nee Sarah , Hickey Natalie Sandy , Marschollek Michael
Published: August 2020

Purpose

Covid-19 is a global threat that pushes health care to its limits. Since there is neither a vaccine nor a drug for Covid-19, people with an increased risk for severe and fatal courses of disease particularly need protection. Furthermore, factors increasing these risks are of interest in the search of potential treatments. A systematic literature review on the risk factors of severe and fatal Covid-19 courses is presented.

Methods

The review is carried out on PubMed and a publicly available preprint dataset. For analysis, risk factors are categorized and information regarding the study such as study size and location are extracted. The results are compared to risk factors listed by four public authorities from different countries.

Results

The 28 records included, eleven of which are preprints, indicate that conditions and comorbidities connected to a poor state of health such as high age, obesity, diabetes and hypertension are risk factors for severe and fatal disease courses. Furthermore, severe and fatal courses are associated with organ damages mainly affecting the heart, liver and kidneys. Coagulation dysfunctions could play a critical role in the organ damaging. Time to hospital admission, tuberculosis, inflammation disorders and coagulation dysfunctions are identified as risk factors found in the review but not mentioned by the public authorities.

Conclusion

Factors associated with increased risk of severe or fatal disease courses were identified, which include conditions connected with a poor state of health as well as organ damages and coagulation dysfunctions. The results may facilitate upcoming Covid-19 research.
Development of muffins as dialysis snacks for patients undergoing hemodialysis: results of chemical composition and sensory analysis
Authors: Machado Jessica , Miyahira Roberta Fontanive , Marques Monica , Moura-Nunes Nathalia , Guimarães Renata Rangel , Zago Lilia , Santana Isabelle , Leite Junior Maurilo , Avesani Carla Maria
Published: August 2020

Objective

This study aimed to develop two non-industrial food products as financially accessible options to prevent and treat malnutrition in hemodialysis (HD) patients. These food products were developed and intended for use as dialysis snacks.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional and multi-step study. First, 183 adult HD patients (55 ± 14 years; 50.8% males), replied to a questionnaire with their food preferences regarding taste (salty, sweet, bitter, sour) and consistency (liquid, solid, pasty) for a dialysis snack. Most patients preferred a food product with a solid consistency (90%) and a salty flavor (81.4%). Second, three muffin formulations of fine herbs were developed; one enriched with whey protein concentrate (WPC), a second with textured soy protein (TSP) and a third standard formulation without protein for comparison with the protein-enriched muffins, for which the chemical and nutritional compositions were analyzed. In the third step, 60 patients on HD (61 ± 15 years; 53% males) were enrolled in a sensory analysis by applying a 9-point structured hedonic scale, ranging from “extremely liked” (score 9) to “extremely disliked” (score 1).

Results

When compared with the standard formulation, the formulations enriched with WPC and TSP protein had a significantly higher amount of protein/serving (Standard: 5.9 ± 0.3 g vs WPC: 14.5 ± 0.9 g and TSP 10.8 ± 0.7 g; P < 0.05) but a lower amount of carbohydrate (Standard: 13.1 ± 2.2 g vs WPC: 5.6 ± 0.8 g and TSP 6.0 ± 1.2 g vs; P < 0.05). The mineral content/serving of the protein-enriched muffins was low in phosphorus (50 mg) and sodium (180 mg). The potassium content/serving was moderate for the WPC muffin (225.2 mg) and low for the TSP muffin (107.9 mg). The acceptability index (AI) for the enriched protein muffins was higher than 70% and similar to the standard formulation.

Conclusion

The muffins with fine herbs and enriched with protein were well-accepted by all patients and appropriate to serve as dialysis snacks for HD patients.