bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Geochemical Distribution of REE and Grain Size Analysis of Heavy Mineral Associated with Tin Placer-Type Deposit, Bangka
Authors: Syafrizal  , Hakim AYA , Sulastri A
Published: May 2022

Indonesia is included in the East Malaya Block of the Southeast Asian Tin Belt. Two types of tin deposits in Indonesia are primary and secondary tin deposits (placer). Factors that can cause the formation of placer tin deposits include S-type granite, weathering, transportation, and sedimentation. Factors that control the formation of placer tin deposits include the presence of source rock (granite type S), weathering processes, erosion, transportation and sedimentation, and the presence of basins or valleys where weathering materials are deposited. The transportation process has a major role in the grain shape of a material. This study aims to determine the geochemical distribution and characteristics of heavy mineral grains at the accumulation of placer tin deposits, e.g., colluvial, alluvial, and tailings, in which there are 62 sample points located Bangka Island, Indonesia. The research method used in this study was grain size analysis, radiation level measurement using a scintillometer, and geochemical analysis using ICP-MS.
Study of Water Balance for Tropical Peatland Restoration Case Study: Sinarwajo Village, Jambi Province, Indonesia
Authors: Fauziah S.N. , Widodo L.E. , Ramdan H.
Published: May 2022

Efforts to restore degraded peatlands that have declining groundwater levels are carried out to prevent disasters such as forest fires and carbon emissions into the atmosphere. At present, peatland restoration is an essential topic for researchers, especially regarding hydrological restoration (the re-wetting). Water balance calculation is needed in providing hydrological information and supporting re-wetting of degraded peatlands. In this paper, a study of water balance was conducted for peatland re-wetting in Sinarwajo Village, the Province of Jambi. The result showed that the evapotranspiration budget is 56% from the rainfall. Besides, run-off and groundwater storage is about 32% and 12% respectively. This information can be a primary goal of re-wetting, so the efforts of re-wetting should increase more groundwater storage and limit the water discharge from peatland.
Focal Mechanism Analysis of the Earthquakes Beneath the Sunda-Banda Arc Transition, Indonesia, Using the BMKG Data
Authors: Supendi Pepen , Rawlinson Nicholas , Nugraha Andri Dian , Widiyantoro Sri , Abdullah Chalid Idham , Daryono  , Prayitno Bambang S. , Sadly Muhammad , Karnawati Dwikorita
Published: May 2022

Structural complexity in the Sunda-Banda arc transition is a topic of much debate amongst Earth scientists. We have processed focal mechanism study using moment tensor inversion for 20 events in the region using the Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics (BMKG) data from 2014-2016 for earthquakes of magnitude Mw ≥ 5.0. Our result shows different solutions that depend on the source region of the earthquakes that include subduction zones and collision zones, which host active faults and the back-arc thrusts. Earthquakes that occurred in the subduction zone appear to rupture on thrust faults for shallow and intermediate events, while the deep events have normal fault mechanisms. The shallow events in the collision zone occur on thrust faults with differing strike directions, but generally, there are largely parallel to the Timor trough. We also found normal fault mechanisms at play for deep events below the collision zone. The occurrence of deep earthquakes in this area is consistent with remnant slab activity that persists to the present day. Focal mechanism solutions for shallow events in the north of Sumbawa island indicate a thrust fault with a strike direction that is almost parallel to the back-arc thrust in this area. We also found evidence of strike-slip motion along local-scale active faults in the area.
Iterative 2D Gravity Modelling for Basement Depth Estimation
Authors: Ariesti Faradilla Thelma , Grandis Hendra
Published: May 2022

In gravity modelling, iterative refinement of 2D basement geometry is a classical problem where the density contrast has to be determined in advance. We present a relatively simple method to estimate 2D basement depth along with its density contrast. Known basement depths at several points and their associated gravity anomalies determine the gravity - depth relationship that is used to obtain the first estimate of the overall basement depth. The initial model response is calculated with a unitary density. The linear regression between calculated model response and actual gravity data results in the density contrast estimation. The misfit or residuals and the gravity - depth relationship are used to update the model iteratively. The proposed technique is relatively stable and results in a recovered model quite similar to the synthetic model. We also explore the possibility to include estimation of the constant the regional anomaly.
Geothermal Potential in a Small Volcanic Island
Authors: Achmad Rahim , Salam Ramdani
Published: May 2022

In this paper we report the continuation of previous observation of hot spring phenomenon in northern Ternate island. The hot spring distribution spread unevenly with temperature ranging from 29 °C to 35.5 °C along shore line. Geomagnetic measurements, chemical water and physical water properties have been carried out to find the caused of unevenly hot spring distribution . This research intends to reveal geothermal potential in a small volcanic island. The result of geomagnetic measurements, showed low magnetic anomalies as demagnetization rock by heat. Magnetic anomaly map shown any fault structure alignment with the northeast – southwest. The fault structures create path of heat. The result of chemical and physical water properties also agree with geomagnetic measurement that show indication of geothermal system. The heat source comes from magma chamber and passes through rock fractures (fault) as known as up flow geothermal system.
Identification Protocol of Yoshida-Uemori Hardening Model
Authors: Lemoine X , Chichery Q , Devin J M , Duroux P
Published: May 2022

The Yoshida-Uemori model is a combined hardening model coupled with the elastic modulus evolution which depends on the equivalent plastic strain. A lot of publications show that it allows to improve the springback prediction compared to a classical isotropic hardening model. It is implemented in the most used FEA stamping codes (Autoform®, Ls-Dyna® and Pamstamp®) with some variations and it is more and more used in automotive industry. ArcelorMittal decided to provide material cards to its customers. To achieve this goal, ArcelorMittal has at one’s disposal the equipment to perform reverse shear tests and hysteresis loops for all steel grades. An in-house methodology has been developed to identify the Yoshida-Uemori adjusting parameters in a very precise and robust manner. The material cards are produced for each FEA stamping code, considering the specificities of the implementations.
Phenomenological-based constitutive modelling of warm deformation behavior of high-Strength lightweight AL-Li alloy sheets
Authors: Abd El-Aty A , Xu Y , Zhang S H , Guo X , Tao J , Lee M G
Published: May 2022

The flow behavior and formability of Al-Li alloys under warm forming conditions are complicated because they depend on several factors, such as the deformation mode, strain, and strain rates. Therefore, characterizing the mechanical response, and deformation behavior of AA2060-T8 sheets under a wide range of temperatures and strain rates is crucial to develop a new thermo-mechanical processing (TMP) route for their wide industrial applications. Furthermore, determining the activation energy (Q) and predicting the flow behaviour of AA2060-T8 sheets under warm forming temperatures is meaningful for characterizing the mechanical response of AA2060-T8 sheets at warm deformation conditions. Thus, in this study, the Arrhenius constitutive model is developed to investigate the influence of strain rate and temperature on the warm deformation behaviour of AA2060-T8 and determine the activation energy (Q) of AA2060-T8, which is a crucial physical parameter to estimate the difficulties of deforming AA2060-T8 sheets under warm forming conditions.
Less damage accumulation of aluminum alloy sheet during electromagnetic forming based on Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman model
Authors: Liu W , Zhou H , Meng Z , Li J , Huang S
Published: May 2022

The formability of aluminum alloy sheet is usually improved during electromagnetic forming (EMF). Here, the ductility enhancement mechanism was investigated on the basis of Gurson-Tvergaard-Needleman (GTN) model. The parameters of GTN models under quasi-static tension and EMF conditions were respectively determined by inverse identification. For AA2024-O aluminum alloy sheet under quasi-static tension, the initial void volume fraction is identified as 0.006, the critical void volume fraction where voids begin to aggregate is 0.075, the void volume fraction of nucleating particles is 0.131 and the mean nucleation strain is 0.44. With the similar initial void volume fraction, the other parameters under EMF condition are determined as 0.045, 0.055 and 0.58. The evolution curve of void volume fraction with strain were compared under EMF condition and quasi-static tension. The results show that the total growth of void volume fraction is less under EMF condition than that under quasi-static tension. A box part with inclined flange was preliminary achieved by electromagnetic forming process. The GTN model was finally verified by comparing the numerical and experimental results.
Numerical analysis of a backward flow forming operation of AA6061-T6 and comparison with experiments
Authors: Mocellin K , Vidal M A , Frascati F , Bouchard P O
Published: May 2022

Incremental forming processes can be used to produce thin products (tubes or sheets)[1]. Very high deformation of the material can be reached taking advantage of the local and cyclic loading of the material. In this study we will focus on backward flow forming of aluminum tubes. In this process, tube thickness is reduced by the combined action of a rotating mandrel that imposes the inner radius and 3 rollers that decrease progressively the tube thickness. An experimental campaign is conducted on a laboratory device to study the influence reduction rate. The corresponding configurations are simulated to understand the mechanical loading path. The material characterization is presented to focus on the influence of the chosen behavior law on flow forming simulation results. Different damage criteria coming from the literature are studied to evaluate their capability to predict fracture and to compare the amount of damage reached for each process configurations. Even if none of them is able to predict accurately damaging configurations, the classical Cockroft and Latham seems to be the only capable to reflect the hierarchisation of configurations.
Investigation on the formability of friction stir welded Al-TWB through incremental forming
Authors: Shubham  , Nayak Kiran K , Teja Pilli J , Jain Rahul , Bandyopadhyay Kaushik
Published: May 2022

In the quest for weight reduction, automobile industries introduced the technology of tailor welded blanks (TWB) which offered utilization of material as per functional requirement. In general, friction stir welding (FSW) is mostly used for fabricating aluminum based TWBs as fusion welding of Al—alloys are problematic. Recently, single point incremental forming (SPIF) gained popularity among researchers as well as in industry as a dieless flexible forming technique. Hence, in this study two aluminum sheets namely AA6061 and AA7075 of similar thickness were welded together using FSW with square pin. The formability of the TWBs were evaluated in terms of cup height, wall angle and fracture location through SPIF incorporating different tool geometries. To assess the effect of weld, similar welded Al blanks were also deformed in the similar condition. The formability of the similar welded blanks and corresponding parent metals did not differ much and fracture did not initiate at the weld. However, cup depth for the TWB was in between the cup heights of the parent metals and failure was not observed at the weld region. TWB cups did not show any weldline shift.
Deep drawing of DC06 at high strain rates
Authors: Tulke M , Galiev E , Psyk V , Kräusel V , Brosius A
Published: May 2022

Velocity effects in production technology provide technological and economic advantages, but they require consideration of strain rate dependent material behaviour in numerical process modelling. This paper proposes a deep drawing process with DC06 at high strain rates of up to 100 s-1. Basis of the investigation are the results of the inverse parameter investigation at high strain rates in [1]. In addition to the velocity dependent flow curve in numerical modelling, the damage parameters are also taken into account. The drawing ratio and the punch velocity that affects the strain rate and the stress state in the deep drawing process are varied while the blank holder force is constant. Due to the high punch speed and the pronounced inhomogeneity of the strain rate over the work piece volume, the punch speed and punch force is very well suited to verify the numerical results. Additionally, the mesh dependency of the temperature evolution in the sheet metal is examined for further investigations of the adiabatic heating of the work piece during deformation in experiment and simulation. In this context, the deep drawing tools as well as the results of the numerical and experimental investigations are presented and discussed.
Post necking evaluation of the tensile test using artificial neural networks
Authors: Hakenbeck F , Lafarge R , Brosius A
Published: May 2022

This paper introduces a new method for evaluating the tensile test using finite element simulations and data-driven artificial neural networks. For this purpose, a synthetic data set was generated by finite element simulations using LS-DYNA. Artificial neural networks of two different topologies were trained and tested on parts of this synthetic data set. The networks use geometry information of the necking area as input data to predict a correction factor to convert the stress obtained from the tensile test to the equivalent flow stress. The best models are evaluated on the test set and good results are achieved.
On the use of elliptical bulge tests in material characterization through inverse methodologies
Authors: Rossi M , Lattanzi A
Published: May 2022

The hydraulic bulge test is an experimental technique that can be used to identify the properties of sheet metals up to large strain. The hydraulic bulge test, usually, is a free expansion of a sheet blank through a circular hole, driven by the pressure of a fluid, where the ends of the blank are blocked using a suitable die. The state of stress during the bulge test is mainly equi-biaxial, however, using elliptical holes with different aspect ratios, it is possible to produce heterogeneous stress-strain fields that can be used to identify the properties of the material through an inverse method; in this case, the non-linear Virtual Fields Method (VFM) was adopted. With respect to the traditional tests employed with the VFM in plasticity, i.e. double notched specimens or specimens with holes subjected to tensile tension, elliptical bulge tests allow to investigate a different zone in the stress-strain space, with a higher triaxiality. The capability of this type of test to calibrate the parameters of advanced anisotropic models is here assessed using simulated experiments.
Investigation of frictional behavior of steel and aluminum at different temperatures
Authors: Huang G , Fenton F
Published: May 2022

In order to evaluate the performance of the press line, it is essential to investigate the frictional behavior and properties of materials under production temperatures. In servo press line production conditions, the tooling temperature can reach 45-55 °C after around 150 stampings. In this investigation, a clamping fixture with drawbead and flat plate inserts was employed to conduct the friction tests at room temperature and an elevated temperature (54 °C). Three mild steels and two aluminum grades (5000 and 6000 series) were used in the tests. The results from drawbead tests showed that friction force on the two aluminum materials increased by 10% at 54 °C compared to that at room temperature. However, for the 3 steels the change of friction force was negligible from 22 °C to 54 °C. This implies that for exposed panel applications, the selected steel grades might have a more controlled sliding behavior potentially resulting in better control of formability than aluminum grades for the range of temperatures observed during production stamping.
A data-driven methodology for separately quantifying the effects of tool wear of upper and lower tool on the quality of cut surfaces in shear cutting processes
Authors: Niessner S , Liewald M
Published: May 2022

Shear cutting processes are characterised by physical parameters that change in time and space because of influencing process effects. Those parameters partwise can be measured and recorded by sensors and assigned to causal process effects through detailed evaluation based on analytical models. If the analytical model can classify the causal process effects in detail, the quality of the processed sheet metal component can be monitored on the basis of knowledge about tool wear influences and so a permanent part quality only can be ensured by a preventive tool change. In detail, the quality of the cut surface of a shear cut component to be assessed in this process is influenced by both the tool wear effect of the upper and lower tool, whereby both in fact show a significant influence on the different dimensional and surface characteristics of the cut surface. Analytical models for such analysis often are not available, or, if available, it may deliver only proximate results that needs improvement for the respective process effects. Previous procedures for such prediction purpose are frequently based on large and complex neural networks that require as well as process a huge amount of data.

In this regard, a novel evaluation method has shown great potential for data-driven quantification of tool wear effects and looks capable of far outperforming previous process evaluation methods in its performance under different process conditions. In previous studies, specific upper and/or lower tool wear was not considered in a separate manner and a detailed inspection of the finished cut surface there for could not be carried out. This paper investigates how a data-driven approach can be used to evaluate specific wear effects of upper and lower tools in a differentiated manner, and in which degree of detail the main quality characteristics of the cutting surface in a shearing process thus can be assessed.
Field meta modelling for process design in complex sheet metal forming
Authors: Schwarz C , Kriechenbauer S , Mauermann R , Drossel W G
Published: May 2022

Actually, new applications of machine learning methods like variance-based sensitivity analysis take place for developing complex sheet metal forming and joining processes. The application of this methods will help to quickly start of production when the simple numerical designing of the processes becomes too complicated. Two investigated examples show the application of the method for complex planning situations. The first one uses variable functions of force and motion during deep drawing to extend the process limits. The second one describes the complex clamping of an assembly of different sheet metal parts. Field meta modelling approaches are shown to automate tasks, visualize results and support engineers to plan and run different complex processes regarding sheet metal parts.
Control of draw-in in the deep-drawing process by regulating the force on the blank holder
Authors: Palmieri M E , Tricarico L
Published: May 2022

Sheet metal forming processes are strongly influenced by process parameters, moreover fluctuations during the process and in material properties often lead to robustness problems. Therefore, numerical simulations as a function of design and noise parameters are usually adopted to detect ahead critical regions. To ensure efficiency and quality, the new era of industry 4.0 aims to develop systems that can control critical issues online. The aim of this work is developing a methodology that allows to adjust the force on the blank holder to obtain an optimal draw-in profile. This latter assures a minimization of defects (e.g., compression areas, thickened areas, insufficient stretch areas, splits) on the final component, even when variability of friction coefficient and yield strength occur. This methodology is applied to the deep-drawing process of a component obtained from a DC05 steel sheet with a thickness of 0.75 mm. For this purpose, Finite Element (FE) simulations in AutoForm software have been performed as a function of the design parameter i.e., Blank Holder Force and of noise parameters i.e., friction coefficient and yield strength. The results explored to evaluate the quality of the stamped part are: (i) percentage of compression areas, (ii) thickened areas, (iii) insufficient stretch areas, (iv) excessive thinning areas and (v) areas with splits. The data collected from FE simulations were adopted to perform a multi-objective optimization by means of the desirability function approach. Consequently, the value of process parameters that minimize defects (high value of total desirability) were identified. In correspondence with this optimal solution, the optimal draw-in profile was obtained. Such optimal profile was compared with the draw-in profile which involves defects on the final component (non-optimal draw-in profile). This latter was obtained for a value of the force on the blank holder equal to the optimal one and for non-optimized values noise parameters. In fact, noise parameters are not controlled process parameter. Based on the point-by-point difference between the two draw-in profiles, a numerical control strategy was implemented using AutoForm and MATLAB software. This iterative strategy allows to modify step by step the force on the blank holder so that the non-optimal draw-in profile match with the optimal one. Finally, experimental tests on a 3000 kN hydraulic press were performed to verify FE results.
Quantitative Surface Quality Assessment of Car Outer Panels with a Virtual Light Room
Authors: Guillon Frédéric , Camanho Arthur , Padovani Renan , Gripp Jorge , Sakuramoto Carlos
Published: May 2022

Perception is reality. A customers’ perception about the quality of a car is closely linked to the aspect of its outer panels and that reality translates into what motivates customers to choose one car over another. The smoothness of the panels, how much gap is visible and how that looks; these visual cues are considerations within a customer’s decision-making process. The process of choosing a new car is certainly subjective and varies from customer to customer, but Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) agree that the visual appeal of the body of a car is a key factor. Building a car only to find surface imperfections results in huge costs in postproduction rectifying those perceived defects. The further into production these defects are found the more expensive it is to fix them. Some OEMs release cars into the buying cycle knowing that their engineering teams are still struggling to fix surface defects. There is a solution to this though. Numerical simulation. This action can and should be used to find surface defects very early in the design process. Surface quality assessment via numerical simulation is achieved by analysing different contours that relate stress or strain values. Other subjective criteria exist, but it is often very difficult to ascertain if a surface defect is severe enough to be detected by human eye. This paper describes a simulation methodology that, when used along with a software that reads surface light distortions and rates them, will give reliable results allowing engineers to fix problems before a car is built. This technology was developed using actual data supplied by a partnering OEM. Current examples will be presented, comparing parts “as designed” with parts “as manufactured”. After manufacturing parts will show variations caused by the stamping process such as skid marks, bumps, hollows, etc. All that can be accurately predicted by simulation.
Design of a simple shear test for large strains with sequential re-machining of the specimen edges
Authors: Colon Xavier , Adlafi Morwan , Galpin Bertrand , Maheo Laurent , Grolleau Vincent
Published: May 2022

The simple shear test is a standard experiment used for the calibration of plasticity models. For thin sheets, the specimen can be as simple as a rectangular strip, or feature optimized geometries of the free edges. These enhancements are mainly motivated by the undesirable initiation of fracture from the free edges, which limit the usable strain range of the test. Previous studies have shown that fracture from the edges occurs due to a local stress state close to uniaxial tension in these areas. In an attempt to increase the maximum strain, a sequential simple shear test is proposed. The specimen is a sheet metal strip with two opposing cut-outs with rounded concave edges. The specimen is mounted in a shear testing device, composed of two jaws with a prismatic joint connection. The shear test protocol includes multiple two-steps sequences. First, an interrupted shear test is performed up to a given value of displacement. Second, the shear testing device, along with the clamped specimen, is positioned in a milling machine and the rounded free edges of the specimen are re-machined. The application of the proposed testing protocol is presented for three engineering materials. It is found that the valid range of this experiment (i.e. the maximum strains attained before specimen failure) can be substantially extended through repeated re-machining of the specimen boundaries.
Simulations of plastic deformation by anisotropic hardening yield functions for QP1180
Authors: Chen Zhe , Lou Yanshan
Published: May 2022

This research compares the accuracy, computation efficiency and user-friendliness of the Hill48 and three anisotropic hardening models (S-Y 2009, CQN and newly proposed one) for QP1180 steel sheet. Experiments are conducted with dogbone and notched specimens along RD, DD and TD and bulging specimens for strain hardening behavior under equibiaxial tension. These models are calibrated by the experimental data above. The calibrated models are applied to simulate the uniaxial tension and plane strain tension tests for the metal. The simulation time and accuracy of the models are compared for both uniaxial tension and plane strain tension tests to evaluate their accuracy and computation efficiency. The results suggest that the CQN and proposed models are the most accurate among the four models compared, but the computation efficiency of the proposed model can dramatically reduce the numerical simulation time by 20%~40% compared to the CQN model. The comparison shows that the proposed model is the most accurate and is higher in numerical computation efficiency for engineers. Therefore, the proposed model is recommended to be utilized to describe anisotropic hardening behaviors during sheet metal forming processes.
Environment-friendly and biodegradable a-Fe2O3/C20H38O11nanocomposite growth to lengthen the Solanum lycopersicum storage process
Authors: Guleria Geetika , Thakur Sapna , Sharma Dhananjay K , Thakur Shweta , Kumari Poonam , Shandilya Mamta
Published: May 2022

In this work, the growth of enviro-friendly and biodegradable α-Fe2O3/C20H38O11 nanocomposite is reported by means of a real time application to prolong the storage life of Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum). A low temperature technique is used to prepare the α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles to obtain a crystalline nanopowder. XRD confirms the phase formation and crystalline nature of α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles. The surface morphology and elemental analysis of α-Fe2O3/C20H38O11 nanocomposite is conducted by SEM and EDX. Nanocomposite exhibits excellent antimicrobial activity against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Staphylococcus aureus bacteria. Tomato fruit samples are coated with two different concentrations of α-Fe2O3/C20H38O11 nanocomposite with 5% UC1A, UC2A and 3% UC1B, UC2B; and uncoated samples UC1, UC2 are stored at room temperature (25 ± 2 °C) and refrigerator temperature (4  °C) respectively for ascorbic acid (vitamin C) analysis on days 0, 4, 8, 12 and 16. Our study revealed that a 3% concentration of α-Fe2O3/C20H38O11 nanocomposite material is quite potent in maintaining quality aspects of the tomato fruit with no decline in vitamin C under refrigerated conditions up to the 16th day. FTIR analysis of all samples was done to determine the functional groups present in tomato samples after storage. Atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS) was used to analyse the content of Fe in tomato samples.
Facts and Propositions, Trueman-Style
Authors: Sullivan Peter
Published: May 2022

In a recent book, Robert Trueman develops a version of the identity theory of truth, the theory that true propositions are not in some kind of correspondence with, but are rather identical with, facts. He claims that this theory ‘collapses the gap between mind and world’. Whether it does so will obviously depend on how the theory is to be understood, which in turn depends on the argumentative route to it. Trueman’s route is clear, rigorous, and free of extravagant assumptions. Perhaps because of those merits it seems obvious that it falls short of the claim he makes for it. But there are difficult questions about the nature of the shortfall and about what in the character of Trueman’s philosophical approach prevents him from appreciating it. The paper explores those questions through a comparison with Moore’s ‘original’ identity theory and the Idealist philosophy he directed it against.
Globally Accessible Distributed Data Sharing (GADDS): a decentralized FAIR platform to facilitate data sharing in the life sciences
Authors: Vazquez Pavel , Hirayama-Shoji Kayoko , Novik Steffen , Krauss Stefan , Rayner Simon
Published: May 2022

Motivation

Technical advances have revolutionized the life sciences and researchers commonly face challenges associated with handling large amounts of heterogeneous digital data. The Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) principles provide a framework to support effective data management. However, implementing this framework is beyond the means of most researchers in terms of resources and expertise, requiring awareness of metadata, policies, community agreements and other factors such as vocabularies and ontologies.

Results

We have developed the Globally Accessible Distributed Data Sharing (GADDS) platform to facilitate FAIR-like data-sharing in cross-disciplinary research collaborations. The platform consists of (i) a blockchain-based metadata quality control system, (ii) a private cloud-like storage system and (iii) a version control system. GADDS is built with containerized technologies, providing minimal hardware standards and easing scalability, and offers decentralized trust via transparency of metadata, facilitating data exchange and collaboration. As a use case, we provide an example implementation in engineered living material technology within the Hybrid Technology Hub at the University of Oslo.

Availability and implementation

Demo version available at https://github.com/pavelvazquez/GADDS.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Metapone: a Bioconductor package for joint pathway testing for untargeted metabolomics data
Authors: Tian Leqi , Li Zhenjiang , Ma Guoxuan , Zhang Xiaoyue , Tang Ziyin , Wang Siheng , Kang Jian , Liang Donghai , Yu Tianwei
Published: May 2022

Motivation

Testing for pathway enrichment is an important aspect in the analysis of untargeted metabolomics data. Due to the unique characteristics of untargeted metabolomics data, some key issues have not been fully addressed in existing pathway testing algorithms: (i) matching uncertainty between data features and metabolites; (ii) lacking of method to analyze positive mode and negative mode liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC/MS) data simultaneously on the same set of subjects; (iii) the incompleteness of pathways in individual software packages.

Results

We developed an innovative R/Bioconductor package: metabolic pathway testing with positive and negative mode data (metapone), which can perform two novel statistical tests that take matching uncertainty into consideration—(i) a weighted gene set enrichment analysis-type test and (ii) a permutation-based weighted hypergeometric test. The package is capable of combining positive- and negative-ion mode results in a single testing scheme. For comprehensiveness, the built-in pathways were manually curated from three sources: Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, Mummichog and The Small Molecule Pathway Database.

Availability and implementation

The package is available at https://bioconductor.org/packages/devel/bioc/html/metapone.html.

Supplementary information

Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Characteristics of emergency general surgery services in Switzerland: A nationwide survey
Authors: Quaile O , Perrodin S , Trippel A , Schnüriger B ,   Swiss ACS
Published: May 2022

Objective

Running emergency general surgery (EGS) services is challenging and requires significant personnel and institutional resources. In addition, increasing specialization of surgeons has made the provision of EGS services more problematic. The aim of this study was to elaborate a nationwide overview of the individual hospital organization systems of EGS services in Switzerland and to find related challenges and difficulties.

Methods

Telephone based standardized survey of all Swiss hospitals with a state medical treatment contract of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) including a surgical and emergency unit (ER). The telephone interviews were conducted between December 2021 and January 2022. A corresponding junior, senior consultant or attending surgeon was interviewed per hospital by one of four interviewers. Descriptive and univariate analysis was performed using SPSS Version 28.

Results

A total of 72 of 79 (91.1%) surgical clinics participated in the telephone survey. There were 19 (26.4%) hospitals with <100 beds, 37 (54.2%) hospitals with 100–300 beds, 7 (9.7%) with 300–600 beds, and 7 (9–7%) with >600 beds. 57 (79.2%) hospitals have both, an ER and an intensive care unit (ICU). Eight (11.1%) hospitals have solely an intermediate care unit (IMC), 7 (9.7%) solely an ER. The average number of surgeons per hospital was proportional to the size of the hospital: 11.1±4.1 surgeons in hospitals <100 beds, 23.1±8.8 surgeons in hospitals with 100–300 beds, 29.1±10 surgeons in hospitals with 300–600 beds, and 37.7±9.4 surgeons in hospitals >600 beds. The percentage of surgical staff on EGS service per hospital was significantly higher in smaller hospitals (<100 beds), however, with a smaller number of surgeons on service per day. Regarding personal resources to run the EGS services, for hospitals with >300 beds similar person-days per month were found (159.7±24.7).

Conclusion

This study elaborates and characterises for the first time EGS services in Switzerland. Different EGS systems are in place and are related to the size of the hospitals. The individual EGS systems have been discussed regarding (1) surgical expertise, (2) continuity of treating surgical teams, (3) teaching and (4) optimization of personnel hospital resources. Moreover, based on these results, recommendations have been made to optimize EGS services.
Construction and Validation of Social Work Intervention Complexity Scale in Hospital Care Settings
Authors: Carvalho Helena , Espírito Santo Maria Inês , Ferreira Jorge
Published: May 2022

The aim of this article was to develop and validate a scale to measure the complexity of social intervention with adults in hospital care settings. Two separate studies were conducted (N1 = 224 and N2 = 224). Study 1 was focused on the development of the Social Work Intervention Complexity (SWIC) scale and on its dimensionality. The exploratory factorial analysis was conducted to identify its factor structure, and reliability was assessed. Study 2 examined the construct validity of the scale and tested its robustness in the two samples with an invariance test. Single-group and multi-group confirmatory factor analyses were used. The results confirmed a three-factor structure and convergent validity, and discriminant validity was guaranteed. The invariance of the measuring instrument across the two groups was also proved. The practical implications arising from the validation of the SWIC scale are also a distinctive feature of this work. The application can be implemented to monitor the complexity of social intervention with adults in hospital care settings. In the future, different hospitals could integrate the application of the SWIC scale into their protocol since the social worker's professional practice must be combined with scientific rigor and the quality of social intervention.
Circulating biomarkers for management of cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction
Authors: Tonry Claire , Russell-Hallinan Adam , McCune Claire , Collier Patrick , Harbinson Mark , Dixon Lana , Watson Chris J
Published: May 2022

Cancer therapeutics-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) has emerged as a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer survivors. Effective clinical management of CTRCD is impeded by a lack of sensitive diagnostic and prognostic strategies. Circulating molecular markers could potentially address this need as they are often indicative of cardiac stress before cardiac damage can be detected clinically. A growing understanding of the underlying physiological mechanisms for CTRCD has inspired research efforts to identify novel pathophysiologically relevant biomarkers that may also guide development of cardio-protective therapeutic approaches. The purpose of this review is to evaluate current circulating biomarkers of cardiac stress and their potential role in diagnosis and management of CTRCD. We also discuss some emerging avenues for CTRCD-focused biomarker investigations.
Incidence, predictors and prognostic value of permanent pacemaker implantation following sutureless valve implantation in low-risk aortic stenosis patients
Authors: Vilalta Victoria , Cediel Germán , Mohammadi Siamak , López Helena , Kalavrouziotis Dimitri , Resta Helena , Dumont Eric , Voisine Pierre , Philippon François , Escabia Claudia , Borrellas Andrea , Alperi Alberto , Bayes-Genis Antoni , Rodes-Cabau Josep
Published: May 2022

OBJECTIVES

Sutureless aortic valve replacement (SU-SAVR) has been associated with higher rates of permanent pacemaker (PPM) compared with conventionally implanted aortic bioprostheses. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence, predictors and mid-term prognostic impact of PPM after Perceval (Livanova, London, UK) SU-SAVR in low-risk patients.

METHODS

A total of 400 consecutive low-risk (EuroSCORE II < 4%) patients without prior pacemaker who underwent surgical aortic valve replacement with the Perceval prosthesis from 2013 to 2019 in 2 centres were included. Baseline, clinical and electrocardiographic parameters, procedural characteristics and follow-up data were collected.

RESULTS

PPM was required in 36 (9%) patients after SU-SAVR, with a median time between the procedure and PPM implantation of 7.5 (4.5–10.5) days. Older age and prior right bundle branch block (RBBB) were associated with an increased risk of PPM (P < 0.05 for all), but only baseline RBBB was found to be an independent predictor of new PPM requirement (odds ratio: 2.60, 95% confidence interval: 1.15–5.81; P = 0.022). At a median follow-up of 3.4 (2.3–4.5) years, there were no differences between groups in mortality (PPM: 36%, no PPM: 22%, P = 0.105) or heart failure rehospitalization (PPM: 25%, no PPM: 21%, P = 0.839).

CONCLUSIONS

About 1 out of 10 low-risk patients with aortic stenosis undergoing SU-SAVR with the Perceval prosthesis required PPM implantation. Prior RBBB determined an increased risk (close to 3-fold) of PPM following the procedure. PPM was not associated with a higher risk of clinical events at 3-year follow-up.
Closed-chest unilateral thoracoscopic ablation: box lesion with radiofrequency clamps only
Authors: Vos Lara M , Fleerakkers Jelle , Hofman Frederik N , van Putte Bart P
Published: May 2022

In this article, we describe the modified technique of a unilateral closed-chest thoracoscopic ablation and left atrial appendage closure including a box lesion that is made by radiofrequency clamps only for the treatment of atrial fibrillation. By abandoning the unidirectional pen devices and replacing these by radiofrequency clamps, we aim to further improve the procedural efficacy and shorten operation time while minimizing surgical exposure for the patient.
Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and efficacy of percutaneous coronary intervention: a substudy of the ORBITA trial
Authors: Ganesananthan Sashiananthan , Rajkumar Christopher A , Foley Michael , Thompson David , Nowbar Alexandra N , Seligman Henry , Petraco Ricardo , Sen Sayan , Nijjer Sukhjinder , Thom Simon A , Wensel Roland , Davies John , Francis Darrel , Shun-Shin Matthew , Howard James , Al-Lamee Rasha
Published: May 2022

Aims

Oxygen-pulse morphology and gas exchange analysis measured during cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) has been associated with myocardial ischaemia. The aim of this analysis was to examine the relationship between CPET parameters, myocardial ischaemia and anginal symptoms in patients with chronic coronary syndrome and to determine the ability of these parameters to predict the placebo-controlled response to percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods and results

Patients with severe single-vessel coronary artery disease (CAD) were randomized 1:1 to PCI or placebo in the ORBITA trial. Subjects underwent pre-randomization treadmill CPET, dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) and symptom assessment. These assessments were repeated at the end of a 6-week blinded follow-up period.

A total of 195 patients with CPET data were randomized (102 PCI, 93 placebo). Patients in whom an oxygen-pulse plateau was observed during CPET had higher (more ischaemic) DSE score [+0.82 segments; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.40 to 1.25, P = 0.0068] and lower fractional flow reserve (−0.07; 95% CI: −0.12 to −0.02, P = 0.011) compared with those without. At lower (more abnormal) oxygen-pulse slopes, there was a larger improvement of the placebo-controlled effect of PCI on DSE score [oxygen-pulse plateau presence (Pinteraction = 0.026) and oxygen-pulse gradient (Pinteraction = 0.023)] and Seattle angina physical-limitation score [oxygen-pulse plateau presence (Pinteraction = 0.037)]. Impaired peak VO2, VE/VCO2 slope, peak oxygen-pulse, and oxygen uptake efficacy slope was significantly associated with higher symptom burden but did not relate to severity of ischaemia or predict response to PCI.

Conclusion

Although selected CPET parameters relate to severity of angina symptoms and quality of life, only an oxygen-pulse plateau detects the severity of myocardial ischaemia and predicts the placebo-controlled efficacy of PCI in patients with single-vessel CAD.
Interventions aimed at improving healthcare and health education equity for adult d/Deaf patients: a systematic review
Authors: Morisod Kevin , Malebranche Mary , Marti Joachim , Spycher Jacques , Grazioli Véronique S , Bodenmann Patrick
Published: May 2022

Background

d/Deaf people suffer from inequitable access to healthcare and health information. This results in worse health literacy and poorer mental and physical health compared to hearing populations. Various interventions aimed at improving health equity for d/Deaf people have been documented but not systematically analyzed. The purpose of this systematic review is to obtain a global overview of what we know about interventions aimed at improving health equity for d/Deaf people.

Methods

Medline Ovid SP, Embase, CINAHL EBSCO, PsycINFO Ovid SP, Central—Cochrane Library Wiley and Web of Science were searched for relevant studies on access to healthcare and health-related interventions for d/Deaf people following the PRISMA-equity guidelines. We focused on interventions aimed at achieving equitable care and equitable access to health information for d/Deaf people.

Results

Forty-six studies were identified and analyzed. Seven categories of interventions facing healthcare or health education inequities emerged: use of Sign Language (1), translation, validation and identification of clinical tools and scales (2), healthcare provider training program (3), development of adapted healthcare facilities (4), online interventions (5), education programs (6) and videos (7). Despite some methodological limitations or lack of data, these interventions seem relevant to improve equity of care and health education for d/Deaf people.

Conclusion

Interventions that promote healthcare equity, health education amongst d/Deaf patients and healthcare provider awareness of communication barriers and cultural sensitivity show promise in achieving more equitable care for d/Deaf patients. Meaningful engagement of d/Deaf individuals in the conceptualization, implementation and evaluation of health-related interventions is imperative.
Shortleaf Pine (Pinus echinata) Site Index Equation for the Cumberland Plateau, USA
Authors: Zobel John M , Schubert Martin R , Granger Joshua J
Published: May 2022

Shortleaf pine site index on the Cumberland Plateau is one of the least studied silvics of the species. To obtain site index information, practitioners must use site index curves from outside the region. This research proposes a novel approach to using USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis data to develop a shortleaf pine site index equation specific to the Plateau. Shortleaf pine site trees (n = 410) were grown forward or backward until base age of 50 years, using site specific, mixed-model parameters. Over thirty height models were then fit using traditional methods and the algebraic difference approach (ADA). Fit and cross-validation statistics, along with examinations of model behavior, showed that a derivation of the Lundqvist-Korf model provided the best estimates. The model was rearranged to directly estimate site index, and a traditional site index graph is provided. Site index estimates had average validation results nearly four times better than the currently recommended site index curve developed off the Plateau. Forest practitioners now have access to improved site index estimation for restoring and managing shortleaf pine on the Cumberland Plateau.