bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Theoretical Framework for the Carbon Emissions Effects of Technological Progress and Renewable Energy Consumption
Authors: Hasanov Fakhri J. , Khan Zeeshan , Hussain Muzzammil , Tufail Muhammad
Published: February 2021

This study develops a theoretical framework to quantify the impacts of technological progress, renewable energy consumption and international trade on carbon emissions (CO2), unlike many other studies that consider variables of interest in an ad hoc manner. The developed framework is then applied to the data from the BRICS countries for 1990–2017 period. The study also takes into consideration the integration, co‐integration, as well as cross‐country interdependence and heterogeneity properties of the panel data, and hence, the obtained results are robust and policy insights are well‐grounded. We estimate that technological progress, renewable energy consumption, and export size contribute to the reduction of the CO2 emissions, while gross domestic product (GDP) and import size increase the pollution both in the long‐ and short‐run. Our main policy recommendations would be the implementations of the measures, regulations, and establishment of the legislative frameworks that foster the technological enhancements and transition toward sustainable energy.
Propensity score trimming mitigates bias due to covariate measurement error in inverse probability of treatment weighted analyses: A plasmode simulation
Authors: Conover Mitchell M. , Rothman Kenneth J. , Stürmer Til , Ellis Alan R. , Poole Charles , Jonsson Funk Michele
Published: February 2021

Background

Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) may be biased by influential observations, which can occur from misclassification of strong exposure predictors.

Methods

We evaluated bias and precision of IPTW estimators in the presence of a misclassified confounder and assessed the effect of propensity score (PS) trimming. We generated 1000 plasmode cohorts of size N = 10 000, sampled with replacement from 6063 NHANES respondents (1999‐2014) age 40 to 79 with labs and no statin use. We simulated statin exposure as a function of demographics and CVD risk factors; and outcomes as a function of 10‐year CVD risk score and statin exposure (rate ratio [RR] = 0.5). For 5% of the people in selected populations (eg, all patients, exposed, those with outcomes), we randomly misclassified a confounder that strongly predicted exposure. We fit PS models and estimated RRs using IPTW and 1:1 PS matching, with and without asymmetric trimming.

Results

IPTW bias was substantial when misclassification was differential by outcome (RR range: 0.38‐0.63) and otherwise minimal (RR range: 0.51‐0.53). However, trimming reduced bias for IPTW, nearly eliminating it at 5% trimming (RR range: 0.49‐0.52). In one scenario, when the confounder was misclassified for 5% of those with outcomes (0.3% of cohort), untrimmed IPTW was more biased and less precise (RR = 0.37 [SE(logRR) = 0.21]) than matching (RR = 0.50 [SE(logRR) = 0.13]). After 1% trimming, IPTW estimates were unbiased and more precise (RR = 0.49 [SE(logRR) = 0.12]) than matching (RR = 0.51 [SE(logRR) = 0.14]).

Conclusions

Differential misclassification of a strong predictor of exposure resulted in biased and imprecise IPTW estimates. Asymmetric trimming reduced bias, with more precise estimates than matching.
Regioselectivity Patterns in Radical Cyclization of Diosphenol Derivatives with Different Ring Size: A Combined Experimental and DFT Study
Authors: Boz Esra , Özcan Hafize , Zaim Ömer , Tüzün Nurcan Ş.
Published: February 2021

Radical cyclization reactions are still a challenging field in synthetic organic chemistry. Herein, the radical reactions of 6‐ and 7‐membered diosphenol derivatives (tropolone) with a significant difference in reactivity, ring size, aromaticity and stability were investigated. While the former produces a mixture of products including oxabicycloalkanones, the experimental work performed herein resulted with a single 2‐(3‐hydroxypropyl)cyclohepta‐2,4,6‐trienone product, regioselectively. DFT calculations (UM05/6‐311++G(d,p)) were performed following the experimental studies in order to describe the outcomes correctly. Therefore, all possible reaction pathways were investigated for both diosphenol and tropolone. The reaction barriers and intrinsic barriers from the Marcus theory were calculated to investigate the thermodynamic and intrinsic electronic effects to the experimental product distribution. Both experiment and theory show that the aforementioned systems have different selectivity routes governed by several factors. As a result of this comparative study, the charge distribution at the reactive atoms, entropy factors for cyclization vs termination and aromatization of the ring effects were found to be the driving factors for the observed regioselectivity.
Conformational Investigation of the Encapsulation of Nicotinic Acid Into β‐Cyclodextrin
Authors: Guendouzi Oukacha , Nouar Leila , Guendouzi Abdelkrim , Madi Fatiha , Boumediene Mostefa , Yahia Cherif Fatima , Hendi Amina , Djellala Imane , Elkeurti Mohammed
Published: February 2021

In the current paper, we report the theoretical study of the ability of the β‐cyclodextrin as encapsulate Vitamin B3 forming the inclusion complex systems. Due to its critical physiological roles, the inclusion phenomenon is increasingly an important area to protect drugs against conjugation and metabolic inactivation. The system (NA@β‐CD) formed by 1 : 1 host‐guest stoichiometry of Nicotinic acid (NA) and β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) was investigated by using the density functional theory when including the dispersion correction with the B97‐D3 functional and 6‐31G* basis set in water using a continuum solvent model (SMD) and in a vacuum. In the docking process, two models of complications were assessed. Moreover, in order to examine the quality and the nature of the bond forming during the complexation process, the natural orbital analysis (NBO) and Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecule Analysis (QTAIM) were employed. The Non‐Covalent Interaction Analysis (NCI) illustrates H‐bonds, Van der Waals and steric repulsion. The Energy Decomposition Analysis (EDA) results reveal that dispersion ΔEdisp interaction followed by electrostatic attraction ΔEelstat contributes mainly to the attractive terms.
Hierarchical Triple‐Shelled MnCo2O4 Hollow Microspheres as High‐Performance Anode Materials for Potassium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Huang Ruling , Lin Jiao , Zhou Jiahui , Fan Ersha , Zhang Xixue , Chen Renjie , Wu Feng , Li Li
Published: February 2021

Metal oxide anode materials generally possess high theoretical capacities. However, their further development in potassium‐ion batteries (KIBs) is limited by self‐aggregation and large volume fluctuations during charge/discharge processes. Herein, hierarchical MnCo2O4 hollow microspheres (ts‐MCO HSs) with three porous shells that consist of aggregated primary nanoparticles are fabricated as anode materials of KIBs. The porous shells are in favor of reducing the diffusion path of K‐ions and electrons, and thus the rate performance can be enhanced. The unique triple‐shelled hollow structure is believed to provide sufficient contact between electrolyte and metal oxides, possess additional active storage sites for K‐ions, and buffer the volume change during K‐ions insertion/extraction. A high specific capacity of 243 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 in the 2nd cycle and a highly improved rate performance of 153 mA h g−1 at 1 A g−1 are delivered when cycled between 0.01 and 3.0 V. In addition, the transformation of substances during charging/discharging processes are intuitively demonstrated by the in situ X‐ray diffraction strategy for the first time, which further proves that the unique structure of ts‐MCO HSs with three porous shells can significantly enhance the potassium ions storage performance.
Engineering Nano‐Therapeutics to Boost Adoptive Cell Therapy for Cancer Treatment
Authors: Zheng Chunxiong , Zhang Jiabin , Chan Hon Fai , Hu Hanze , Lv Shixian , Na Ning , Tao Yu , Li Mingqiang
Published: February 2021

Although adoptive transfer of therapeutic cells to cancer patients is demonstrated with great success and fortunately approved for the treatment of leukemia and B‐cell lymphoma, potential issues, including the unclear mechanism, complicated procedures, unfavorable therapeutic efficacy for solid tumors, and side effects, still hinder its extensive applications. The explosion of nanotechnology recently has led to advanced development of novel strategies to address these challenges, facilitating the design of nano‐therapeutics to improve adoptive cell therapy (ACT) for cancer treatment. In this review, the emerging nano‐enabled approaches, that design multiscale artificial antigen‐presenting cells for cell proliferation and stimulation in vitro, promote the transducing efficiency of tumor‐targeting domains, engineer therapeutic cells for in vivo imaging, tumor infiltration, and in vivo functional sustainability, as well as generate tumoricidal T cells in vivo, are summarized. Meanwhile, the current challenges and future perspectives of the nanostrategy‐based ACT for cancer treatment are also discussed in the end.
Hot Ductility and Fracture Behavior of High‐Ti Weathering Steel
Authors: Song Li-Ying , Gao Xiu-Hua , Xue Qi-He , Sun Chao , Wang Ming-Ming , Devesh Kumar Misra R. , Zhang Xiao-Lei , Wu Hong-Yan , Du Lin-Xiu
Published: February 2021

The hot ductility behavior of high‐Ti weathering steel is studied by high‐temperature tensile testing in the temperature range of 650–1100 ºC. The results reveal a ductility trough in high‐Ti steel in the range of 650–962, 650–925, and 700–880 °C with minimum reduction in area (RA) of 22.21%, 36.53%, and 43.25% at 800 ºC and different strain rates of 1.0 × 10−3, 5.0 × 10−3, and 1.0 × 10−2 s−1, respectively. A number of secondary cracks containing S, N, and Ti propagate along the grain boundary, and the obvious preferred orientation is found in the microstructure near the fracture at 800 °C. With the increase in strain rate, the value of RA is increased in the temperature range of 650–1050 ºC, such that the probability of crack occurrence is decreased. RA does not increase with the increase in strain rate at 1100 °C and strain rate of 1.0 × 10−2 s−1. The underlying reason is that there is not adequate time for the material to recover or recrystallize with the increase in strain rate, resulting in material softening effect that is not completely reflected.
Seismic performance of precast shear wall–slab joint with and without outer longitudinal reinforcement
Authors: Wang Huajie , Qian Hongliang , Guo Haishan , Wang Dongyan , Liu Kang , Nian Fuxu
Published: February 2021

Composite slabs without outer longitudinal reinforcement are a new option for assembled shear walls, which are easier to be transported. However, their performance, especially their seismic behavior, which is crucial to assembled structures, is still unclear. Furthermore, the effect of whether an additional reinforcement is incorporated, and its length on seismic behavior is also unclear. Therefore, it is necessary to experimentally investigate the seismic behavior of precast shear wall–slab joints without outer longitudinal reinforcement (PNOJ). Five hysteresis test schemes were designed in detail, including a precast joint with outer longitudinal reinforcement (POJ), three precast joints without outer longitudinal reinforcement (PNOJ), and a cast‐in situ shear wall–slab joint (CJ). Several critical technologies of production, installation, and connection were systematically summarized. The critical indicators of hysteresis and energy dissipation capacity were revealed by analyzing test phenomena and results. The results demonstrated that the PNOJ had great seismic behavior by incorporating additional reinforcement. Meanwhile, the joint seismic behavior was improved by increasing the additional reinforcement length. As compared to the CJ and POJ, the PNOJ demonstrated good seismic behavior and can be used as a reliable wall–slab connection of assembled reinforced concrete structures.
Questioning the monolingual norm with conceptually scored bilingual vocabulary assessments: Findings from a research–practice partnership
Authors: McClain Janna Brown , Oh Min Hyun , Mancilla‐Martinez Jeannette
Published: February 2021

Spanish‐English bilingual learners are the fastest growing demographic in U.S. elementary schools. Yet many schools, particularly those in new immigration destination regions, continue to measure bilingual students’ vocabulary using monolingual norms. This inequitable practice makes it appear as if bilingual learners have lower language abilities compared to their monolingual peers. Use of conceptually scored bilingual vocabulary assessments allows bilingual students to more comprehensively draw from their entire linguistic repertoires to demonstrate their vocabulary knowledge—which is distributed across languages—thus allowing for a more complete understanding of their language development. As part of a research–practice partnership program, the authors collected receptive vocabulary data from Spanish‐English bilingual students from three urban elementary schools in the southern United States. A comparison of their performance on monolingual versus conceptually scored bilingual receptive vocabulary assessments demonstrates the importance of utilizing assessments that center bilingual practices as the norm. Implications are discussed, including the importance of advocating for more equitable language practices and policies.
Owner reported breathing scores, accelerometry and sleep disturbances in brachycephalic and control dogs: A pilot study
Authors: Barker David A. , Tovey Emily , Jeffery Andrea , Blackwell Emily , Tivers Michael S.
Published: February 2021

Objectives: To compare physical activity and length and quality of sleep between brachycephalic dogs and a control population.

Methods: Brachycephalic and control dogs were prospectively enrolled. Length of activity and sleep were determined via accelerometer use. Owners completed a questionnaire regarding typical daily activity, sleep patterns and an ‘owner reported breathing score (ORBS)’. One hour of normal home sleep was recorded for each dog, and a veterinary observer subjectively scored the dogs' sleep quality.

Results: Twenty brachycephalic and 15 control dogs were included. There were no differences between age and weight. Owners reported brachycephalic dogs to be less active (p = 0.022) and have higher ORBS (p < 0.001) compared to control dogs. Brachycephalic dogs had increased sleep disturbances compared to control dogs (p = 0.001), and video sleep score was positively correlated with increased sleep disturbances (r2 = 0.47, p = 0.007). There were no differences in active and sleep times based on accelerometry between groups.

Conclusion: Brachycephalic dogs have more disturbed sleep, which may have negative implications on welfare, but there were no differences in activity or length of sleep between groups. There is evidence that signs suggestive of brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome (BOAS) as assessed by ORBS is correlated with poorer sleep quality, indicating that reduced sleep quality is part of BOAS. Owners may underestimate disturbed sleep or may perceive disturbed sleep to be normal.
Equine simplified acute physiology score: Personalised medicine for the equine emergency patient
Authors: de Barros Aline de Matos Curvelo , Silva Ana Flávia Rocha , Zibordi Miriam , Spagnolo Julio David , Corrêa Rodrigo Romero , Belli Carla B. , de Camargo Maristela Martins
Published: February 2021

Background: Scoring models are useful tools that guide the attending clinician in gauging the severity of disease evolution and in evaluating the efficacy of treatment. There are few tools available with this purpose for the non‐human patient, including horses. We aimed (i) to adapt the simplified acute physiology score 3 (SAPS‐3) model for the equine species, reaching a margin of accuracy greater than 75% in the calculation of the probability of survival/death and (ii) to build a decision tree that helps the attending veterinarian in assessment of the clinical evolution of the equine patient.

Methods: From an initial pool of 5568 medical records from University‐based Veterinary Hospitals, a final cohort of 1000 was further mined manually for data extraction. A set of 19 variables were evaluated and tested by five machine learning data mining algorithms.

Results: The final scoring model, named EqSAPS for equine simplified acute physiology score, reached 91.83% of correct estimates (post hoc) for probability of death within 24 hours upon hospitalization. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve for outcome ‘death’ was 0.742, while for ‘survival’ was 0.652. The final decision tree was able to refine prognosis of patients whose EqSAPS score suggested ‘death’.

Conclusion: EqSAPS is a useful tool to gauge the severity of the clinical presentation of the equine patient.
Integrating applied parasitological and molecular epidemiological methodologies to investigate the capacity of Haemonchus contortus to over‐winter on pasture in Scotland
Authors: Bartley David J. , Andrews Leigh , Melville Lynsey A. , McBean David , Skuce Philip , Morrison Alison A.
Published: February 2021

Background: The Barber's Pole worm, Haemonchus contortus is of major concern to sheep producers, particularly in the southern hemisphere. This nematode is also commonly found in many sheep flocks in Northern hemisphere countries but is generally not associated with acute clinical pathology. As with other nematode species, the pattern of disease is changing in the United Kingdom. Changes in management practices, climate, anthelmintic resistance prevalence and parasite adaptation are possible factors thought to be responsible for this.

Methods: In the present study, a combination of traditional applied parasitological and molecular species identification techniques were used to assess the capability of H. contortus infective larvae to over‐winter on pasture and infect lambs in early spring.

Results: Adult and inhibited H. contortus worms were identified in previously worm‐free tracer lambs that had grazed contaminated pasture in late winter/early spring (February/March).

Conclusion: The study illustrated the benefit of using classical applied parasitology techniques in conjunction with molecular species identification methods to explore the epidemiology of gastro‐intestinal nematodes of livestock. This study also demonstrated that larvae were able to survive over‐winter, albeit in small numbers, and potentially contaminate pastures earlier than previously considered in northern regions of the UK.
Smart technologies could change vets' roles
Authors: Limb Matthew
Published: February 2021

Precision livestock technologies are increasingly being used to monitor animals on farms. Here, Matthew Limb examines their potential and the benefits they may bring.
Evaluation of Definitive Chemoradiotherapy Versus Radical Esophagectomy in Clinical T1bN0M0 Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Haneda Ryoma , Booka Eisuke , Ishii Kenjiro , Kikuchi Hirotoshi , Hiramatsu Yoshihiro , Kamiya Kinji , Ogawa Hirofumi , Yasui Hirofumi , Takeuchi Hiroya , Tsubosa Yasuhiro
Published: February 2021

Background

The standard treatment for patients with clinical T1bN0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is radical esophagectomy. Definitive chemoradiotherapy is regarded as a treatment option, and recently, good clinical outcomes of this treatment have been reported. This study compared prognosis after definitive chemoradiotherapy with radical esophagectomy.

Methods

From January 2011 to December 2019, 68 consecutive patients who were diagnosed clinical T1bN0M0 squamous cell carcinoma were enrolled and investigated retrospectively. Patients were classified into two groups whether treated by surgery or definitive chemoradiotherapy. Survival outcomes were compared, and subsequent therapies after recurrence were also investigated.

Results

Among 68 patients, 39 patients underwent surgery and 29 patients received definitive chemoradiotherapy. No significant difference was noted in overall survival between the two groups. However, the rate of 5‐year recurrence‐free survival was significantly lower in definitive chemoradiotherapy group than that of surgery group (91.1 vs. 62.7%, hazard ratio 3.976, 95% confidence interval 1.076–14.696, p = 0.039). Patients who had local recurrence after definitive chemoradiotherapy received endoscopic submucosal dissection or photodynamic therapy as salvage therapies, which resulted in no disease progression and a good prognosis.

Conclusions

Definitive chemoradiotherapy may become a promising alternative therapy comparable with radical esophagectomy in patients with clinical T1bN0M0 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. Early detection of recurrence by frequent follow‐up after definitive chemoradiotherapy is important to control disease within local recurrence, and salvage therapy for local lesions could contribute to long‐term survival.
Clustering circulation in eastern Asia as a tool for exploring possible mechanisms of extreme events and sources of model error
Authors: Clark Robin T. , Zhang Lixia , Li Chaofan
Published: February 2021

Every summer in eastern Asia, the combined effects of complex topography, multiple potential moisture sources and a mixture of sub-tropical and mid-latitude dynamics produces an environment, in which subtle differences in spatial patterns of atmospheric circulation can profoundly affect the geographic distribution of rainfall. Understanding and quantifying these patterns is a fundamental requirement if we are to understand, predict or project rainfall events likely to cause impacts to society in the region. To help the scientific community with this task, a method is presented here, in which spatial patterns of summer sea level pressure over eastern Asia are clustered into a set of eight circulation types, with examples given of their potential use. We find that the within-season prevalence of individual circulation types exhibit a strong relationship with the seasonal progression of the summer monsoon whilst providing a spatially coherent, physical interpretation of the monsoon for all parts of eastern Asia. Beyond this, the clustering approach permits the attribution of notable rainfall anomalies in almost any location within the domain used to build the clusters. Examples are given, showing how circulation specific moisture transport anomalies in one part of China can result in anomalously dry days in another part of the country. Two further applications of the clustering approach are demonstrated using climate simulations. The first is of circulation specific model errors which can allow targeted model development. The second provides information about anomalies which are plausible, but have yet to be observed, possibly due to limitations in the observed record.
Complex skin cancer treatment requiring reconstructive plastic surgery: an interview study on the experiences and needs of patients
Authors: van Egmond Sven , Wakkee Marlies , Hoogenraad Marit , Korfage Ida J. , Mureau Marc A. M. , Lugtenberg Marjolein
Published: February 2021

To provide patient-centered care, it is essential to explore what patients consider important and to adjust care accordingly. This may specifically be relevant for patients with complex skin cancer, for whom the care process is often more complicated and psychological and social problems may play a larger role. The objective was to explore the experiences and needs of patients who had undergone surgical treatment by a dermatologist for a complex skin cancer with a subsequent reconstruction by a plastic surgeon. An interview study was conducted among 16 patients who had undergone surgical treatment by a dermatologist and reconstruction by a plastic surgeon for basal cell carcinoma, cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, or lentigo maligna. The interviews focused on patients’ experiences and needs regarding care using a predefined topic list. All interviews were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and inductively analyzed using Atlas.ti. Patients reported a need for a skilled and friendly physician who tailors information and communication to their individual situation. A need for continuity of care and improved collaboration between healthcare providers was also emphasized. Furthermore, patients experienced complications and unmet expectations and expressed a need for shared decision-making at various steps throughout the treatment process (depending on age). Patients also considered completeness of tumor removal, follow-up visits with multiple specialists to be planned the same day and recognition of the psychological impact of the disease on the partner important. To improve patient-centered care for complex skin cancer patients, more efforts should be directed towards improving continuity of care and collaboration. Furthermore, it is advocated for physicians to be sensitive to the individual needs of patients and their partner and adjust information, communication and (supportive) care accordingly.
A survey on the design space of end-user-oriented languages for specifying robotic missions
Authors: Dragule Swaib , Berger Thorsten , Menghi Claudio , Pelliccione Patrizio
Published: February 2021

Mobile robots are becoming increasingly important in society. Fulfilling complex missions in different contexts and environments, robots are promising instruments to support our everyday live. As such, the task of defining the robot’s mission is moving from professional developers and roboticists to the end-users. However, with the current state-of-the-art, defining missions is non-trivial and typically requires dedicated programming skills. Since end-users usually lack such skills, many commercial robots are nowadays equipped with environments and domain-specific languages tailored for end-users. As such, the software support for defining missions is becoming an increasingly relevant criterion when buying or choosing robots. Improving these environments and languages for specifying missions toward simplicity and flexibility is crucial. To this end, we need to improve our empirical understanding of the current state-of-the-art of such languages and their environments. In this paper, we contribute in this direction. We present a survey of 30 mission specification environments for mobile robots that come with a visual and end-user-oriented language. We explore the design space of these languages and their environments, identify their concepts, and organize them as features in a feature model. We believe that our results are valuable to practitioners and researchers designing the next generation of mission specification languages in the vibrant domain of mobile robots.
Framing of sustainable agricultural practices by the farming press and its effect on adoption
Authors: Rust Niki A. , Jarvis Rebecca M. , Reed Mark S. , Cooper Julia
Published: February 2021

There is growing political pressure for farmers to use more sustainable agricultural practices to protect people and the planet. The farming press could encourage farmers to adopt sustainable practices through its ability to manipulate discourse and spread awareness by changing the salience of issues or framing topics in specific ways. We sought to understand how the UK farming press framed sustainable agricultural practices and how the salience of these practices changed over time. We combined a media content analysis of the farming press alongside 60 qualitative interviews with farmers and agricultural advisors to understand whether the farming press influenced farmers to try more sustainable practices. Salience of sustainable agricultural practices grew between 2009 and 2020. Many of the practices studied were framed by the press around economic and agronomic aspects, and farmer respondents said the most common reasons for trying sustainable agricultural practices were for economic and agronomic reasons. The farming press tended to use more positive rather than negative tones when covering sustainable agricultural practices. Respondents used the farming press as a source of information, though many did not fully trust these outlets as they believed the farming press were mouthpieces for agribusinesses. Whilst a minority of farmers stated they were motivated to try a new sustainable agricultural practice after learning about it in the farming press, this was rare. Instead, the farming press was used by respondents to raise their awareness about wider agricultural topics. We reflect on the role and power given to agribusinesses by the farming press and what this means for agricultural sustainability.
Performance of a novel protease-activated fluorescent imaging system for intraoperative detection of residual breast cancer during breast conserving surgery
Authors: Lanahan Conor R. , Kelly Bridget N. , Gadd Michele A. , Specht Michelle C. , Brown Carson L. , Hughes Kevin S. , Tang Rong , Rai Upahvan , Brachtel Elena F. , Rice-Stitt Travis , Smith Barbara L.
Published: February 2021

Purpose

Safe breast cancer lumpectomies require microscopically clear margins. Real-time margin assessment options are limited, and 20–40% of lumpectomies have positive margins requiring re-excision. The LUM Imaging System previously showed excellent sensitivity and specificity for tumor detection during lumpectomy surgery. We explored its impact on surgical workflow and performance across patient and tumor types.

Methods

We performed IRB-approved, prospective, non-randomized studies in breast cancer lumpectomy procedures. The LUM Imaging System uses LUM015, a protease-activated fluorescent imaging agent that identifies residual tumor in the surgical cavity walls. Fluorescent cavity images were collected in real-time and analyzed using system software.

Results

Cavity and specimen images were obtained in 55 patients injected with LUM015 at 0.5 or 1.0 mg/kg and in 5 patients who did not receive LUM015. All tumor types were distinguished from normal tissue, with mean tumor:normal (T:N) signal ratios of 3.81–5.69. T:N ratios were 4.45 in non-dense and 4.00 in dense breasts (p = 0.59) and 3.52 in premenopausal and 4.59 in postmenopausal women (p = 0.19). Histopathology and tumor receptor testing were not affected by LUM015. Falsely positive readings were more likely when tumor was present < 2 mm from the adjacent specimen margin. LUM015 signal was stable in vivo at least 6.5 h post injection, and ex vivo at least 4 h post excision.

Conclusions

Intraoperative use of the LUM Imaging System detected all breast cancer subtypes with robust performance independent of menopausal status and breast density. There was no significant impact on histopathology or receptor evaluation.
shARe-IT: Ad hoc Remote Troubleshooting through Augmented Reality
Authors: Ludwig Thomas , Stickel Oliver , Tolmie Peter , Sellmer Malte
Published: February 2021

10 years ago, Castellani et al. (Journal of Computer Supported Cooperative Work, vol. 18, no. 2–3, 2009, pp. 199–227, 2009) showed that using just an audio channel for remote troubleshooting can lead to a range of problems and already envisioned a future in which augmented reality (AR) could solve many of these issues. In the meantime, AR technologies have found their way into our everyday lives and using such technologies to support remote collaboration has been widely studied within the fields of Human-Computer Interaction and Computer-Supported Cooperative Work. In this paper, we contribute to this body of research by reporting on an extensive empirical study within a Fab Lab of troubleshooting and expertise sharing and the potential relevance of articulation work to their realization. Based on the findings of this study, we derived design challenges that led to an AR-based concept, implemented as a HoloLens application, called shARe-it. This application is designed to support remote troubleshooting and expertise sharing through different communication channels and AR-based interaction modalities. Early testing of the application revealed that novel interaction modalities such as AR-based markers and drawings play only a minor role in remote collaboration due to various limiting factors. Instead, the transmission of a shared view and especially arriving at a shared understanding of the situation as a prerequisite for articulation work continue to be the decisive factors in remote troubleshooting.
A novel methylated analogue of L-Mimosine exerts its therapeutic potency through ROS production and ceramide-induced apoptosis in malignant melanoma
Authors: Kyriakou Sotiris , Cheung William , Mantso Theodora , Mitsiogianni Melina , Anestopoulos Ioannis , Veuger Stephany , Trafalis Dimitris T. , Franco Rodrigo , Pappa Aglaia , Tetard David , Panayiotidis Mihalis I.
Published: February 2021

Melanoma is an aggressive and highly metastatic type of skin cancer where the design of new therapies is of utmost importance for the clinical management of the disease. Thus, we have aimed to investigate the mode of action by which a novel methylated analogue of L-Mimosine (e.g., L-SK-4) exerts its therapeutic potency in an in vitro model of malignant melanoma. Cytotoxicity was assessed by the Alamar Blue assay, oxidative stress by commercially available kits, ROS generation, caspase 3/7 activation and mitochondrial membrane depolarisation by flow cytometry, expression of apoptosis-related proteins by western immunoblotting and profiling of lipid biosynthesis by a metabolomic approach. Overall, higher levels of ROS, sphingolipids and apoptosis were induced by L-SK-4 suggesting that the compound’s therapeutic potency is mediated through elevated ROS levels which promote the upregulation of sphingolipid (ceramide) biosynthesis thus leading to the activation of both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptosis, in an experimental model of malignant melanoma.
Modelling Perjury: Between Trust and Blame
Authors: Skoczeń Izabela
Published: February 2021

I investigate: (1) to what extent do folk ascriptions of lying differ between casual and courtroom contexts? (2) to what extent does motive (reason) to lie influence ascriptions of trust, mental states, and lying judgments? (3) to what extent are lying judgments consistent with previous ascriptions of communicated content? Following the Supreme Court’s Bronston judgment, I expect: (1) averaged lying judgments to be similar in casual and courtroom contexts; (2) motive to lie to influence levels of trust, mental states ascriptions, and patterns of lying judgments; (3) retrospective judgments of lying, after being presented with the state of the world, to be inconsistent with previous judgments of communicated content: participants hold the protagonist responsible for content she did not communicate. I performed a survey experiment on the Qualtrics platform. Participants were recruited through Amazon Mechanical Turk (N = 630). I employed standard Likert scales and forced-choice questions. I found that: (1) average lying judgments are similar in casual and courtroom contexts; (2) motive to lie decreases trust ascription and increases lying judgment; (3) judgments of lying are inconsistent with previous judgments of communicated content: participants hold the protagonist responsible for content they did not communicate (effect size of the difference d = .69). Perjury ascriptions are inconsistent. The Supreme Court’s worries expressed in the Bronston judgment are well founded. This article helps reforming jury instructions in perjury cases.
Another way logic might be normative
Authors: Evershed J. W.
Published: February 2021

Is logic normative for reasoning? In the wake of work by Gilbert Harman and John MacFarlane, this question has been reduced to: are there any adequate bridge principles which link logical facts to normative constraints on reasoning? Hitherto, defenders of the normativity of logic have exclusively focussed on identifying adequatevaliditybridge principles: principles linking validity facts—facts of the form$$\varGamma \models \varphi $$Γ⊧φ—to normative constraints on reasoning. This paper argues for two claims. First, for the time being at least, Harman’s challenge cannot be surmounted by articulating validity bridge principles. Second, Harman’s challenge can be met by articulatinginvaliditybridge principles: principles linking invalidity facts of the form$$\varGamma \not \models \psi $$Γ⊭ψto normative constraints on reasoning. In doing so, I provide a novel defence of the normativity of logic.
No evidence for flooding stress memory in saplings of eight hardwood floodplain forest species
Authors: Schindler Melanie , Schäfer Franziska , Donath Tobias W. , Ludewig Kristin
Published: February 2021

Alluvial floodplain forests became rare in many parts of Europe, due to anthropogenic changes. Therefore, restoration of floodplain forests is important, but a difficult task because of the complex environmental conditions. The zonation of woody species in floodplains is mainly determined by hydrological conditions, not only within one year but also during the previous years. Tolerance to flooding can be regarded as a key factor for the successful establishment. We examined whether a previous flooding showed an increased flooding tolerance of saplings from eight woody floodplain forest species after a recurrent flooding under controlled common garden conditions at the research station Gießen-Leihgestern (Germany). This would indicate a stress memory towards flooding stress. The individuals of the experiment already experienced a partial flooding of three different durations (three, six or nine weeks) or no flooding in the previous year. After nine months of recovery, these fourteen-month-old saplings were again either exposed to a partial flooding of nine weeks or no flooding. We assessed foliar injury and growth in terms of plant height, number of leaves and stem diameter three weeks (short-term recovery) and nine months (medium-term recovery) after flooding. The saplings showed no increased tolerance to a recurrent flooding irrespective of the previous experienced flooding duration. Therefore, no immediate stress memory towards flooding stress could be observed. To recover after flooding seems to be the better option compared to forming a stress memory, which explained that most species showed a decreased foliar injury after medium-term compared to short-term recovery period.
Calcium aluminate cement as an alternative to ordinary Portland cement for the remediation of heavy metals contaminated soil: mechanisms and performance
Authors: Calgaro Loris , Contessi Silvia , Bonetto Alessandro , Badetti Elena , Ferrari Giorgio , Artioli Gilberto , Marcomini Antonio
Published: February 2021

Purpose

This work deals with the application of a solidification/stabilization process with the aim to obtain safe and reusable granular materials from a polluted soil and to elucidate the mechanisms involved in the retention of several heavy metals.

Materials and methods

The High Performance Solidification/Stabilization (HPSS®) process was applied to the selected contaminated soil by using both ordinary Portland cement and calcium aluminate cement, as well as several binders prepared by combining these two types of cement in different proportions. Leaching and mechanical tests were carried out to evaluate the performances of the proposed binders in the pellets produced by the HPSS® process, while XRD analysis and SEM/EDX imaging were used to investigate the phase composition and internal microstructure of the treated samples.

Result and discussion

The examination of the obtained granular materials revealed that the immobilization of Sb was mainly related to its inclusion within calcium silicate hydrates’ structure; the immobilization of Cr, Pb, Ni, Co, Zn and Tl was associated with the eluate pH and their incorporation within ettringite structure, while for Se, Cu, Ba and V, the main retention mechanism was physical encapsulation. In addition, the application of a wet conditioning process improved the materials’ performance, leading to granules always satisfying the Italian regulatory requirements for reuse.

Conclusions

The findings obtained in this study were useful to better elucidate the mechanisms involved in the retention of heavy metals by several binders, contributing to the development of sustainable management strategies for contaminated soils and sediments through their transformation into reusable materials.

Graphical abstract
Logboat Repairs in Britain and Ireland: A New Typology
Authors: Holtzman Bob
Published: February 2021

Repairs in British and Irish archeological logboats have been recorded and described by several authors, and the wide variety of repair methods present has been noted, but otherwise, repairs have received little analytical attention. This may be a result of three factors: (1) failure to recognize the significance of repair as social action; (2) the absence of a convenient source that consolidates repair data from all countries of the Atlantic Archipelago; and (3) the inadequacy of existing typologies of logboat repairs. Because they fail to recognize the distinctiveness of certain types of repairs and to organize repair methods into logical categories consistent with the data, existing typologies are of little help in comparing archeological examples or in analyzing repair methods for spatial or temporal distributions. This paper argues that logboat repairs can be socially significant; tabulates all known repairs in British and Irish logboats; describes the situations or events that make repairs necessary; and proposes a typology of repair based on general mechanical or engineering responses to logboat damage. It also presents findings of spatial and temporal distributions of some aspects of repairs.
Percutaneous cervical coblation as therapeutic technique in the treatment of algo-dysfunctional pain of discal herniation
Authors: Pandolfi Marco , Galli Federica , Borelli Anna , Gurgitano Martina , Liguori Alessandro , Carrafiello Gianpaolo
Published: February 2021

Objective

To confirm the validity of coblation nucleoplasty in reduction of cervical discogenic nature.

Study design

In a monocentric prospective clinical observational study recruiting 20 patients, treated with percutaneous coblation for cervical discogenic pain in 16 months in our hospital, we have clinically evaluated 18 patients. The pain was scored with the Visual Analogic Scale (VAS) in a pre-procedural questionary, 3/4 monthly follow-up from treatment and, finally, in a long-term follow-up 2 years after procedure.

Results

The mean pre-procedural VAS score was 7.9 ± 1.6 (95%—Confidence Interval 7.198–8.634), while the mean post-procedural score after 3–4 months has been 2.5 ± 3.1 (95%—Confidence Interval 1.089–3.965) and 2.5 ± 2.5 (95%—Confidence Interval 1.367–3.687) after 2 years. Among 18 patients, in the shortly post-treatment follow-up, nine had a complete pain relief, four had a > 50% VAS reduction, two hada < 50% VAS reduction, three did not have any variation of VAS; after 2 years, six patients had a total pain resolution, eight had a > 50% VAS reduction, two hada < 50% VAS reduction, two did not have any benefit. No peri- and post-procedural complication has been observed.

Conclusions

In a spite of a little sample, our results showed coblation as a valid therapeutic option to reduce cervical discogenic pain in medicine-refractory patients, as an alternative or a previous choice before a more invasive surgical treatment.
The need for reference machines when energy labelling electric household appliances that are tested to international standards
Authors: Schencking Lotta Theresa Florianne , Stamminger Rainer
Published: February 2021

There are over 80 countries in the world that currently use some kind of energy label for electric household appliances. In Europe, as an example, a lot of appliances are obliged to have an energy label when shown for sale, including online. Energy labels give relevant information to the consumers to help them make an environmentally beneficial choice when buying a new appliance. However, the desire for an energy efficient appliance does not outweigh the wish for good performance. Therefore, some energy labels provide information about the performance of the appliance based on international performance measurement standards (hereafter: “international standards”). Indeed, within the one appliance, increased performance can often mean increased energy consumption, so a balance between these parameters needs to be made by product designers and users. Unlike measurements that are traceable to Systeme Internationale units through metrological traceability chains, there is no natural reference data for performance measurements. Therefore, some international standards use a reference machine to relate their testing results to. The comparison of test and reference machine eliminates variances, for example, due to the auxiliary materials used and the influence of manual preparation or assessment methods. Three international standards that are currently using reference machines are examined closely in this paper. It is assessed how the reference machines and their testing results are treated, whether the reference machines are comparable with their corresponding test machines and if the use of a reference machine can be considered beneficial for the testing procedure. Additionally, three key questions are developed that will indicate whether 13 other international standards for electric household appliances could also benefit from using a reference machine. The paper concludes with six recommendations for standardisation groups and energy policymakers that will help with deciding whether a reference machine should be implemented.
A comprehensive review of ultralow-weight proppant technology
Authors: Feng Yong-Cun , Ma Cheng-Yun , Deng Jin-Gen , Li Xiao-Rong , Chu Ming-Ming , Hui Cheng , Luo Yu-Yang
Published: February 2021

Proppant plays a critical role in the exploitation of oil and gas, especially in the development of nonconventional oil and gas resources. Proppants are small spheres that have adequate strength to withstand high closure stresses to keep cracks open; therefore, hydrocarbon flows smoothly into the wellbore. However, traditional proppants are prone to settling in hydraulic fracturing operations, which seriously affects the operation effect. To this end, ultralow-weight proppants have been extensively employed in the petroleum industry. One of the widespread forms of ultralow-weight proppant application in the oil and gas industry is related to light density. Ultralow-weight proppants will provide substantial flow paths with a considerably high propped surface area and remarkably reduce fine generation and scaling. This paper presents a comprehensive review of over 50 papers published in the past several decades on ultralow-weight proppants. The purpose of this study is to provide an overview of the current ultralow-weight proppant development status in raw materials, manufacturing process, performance characteristics, hydrophobic and lipophilic capabilities, and field application to promote the research of new ultralow-weight proppants. Lastly, this study analyzes the current challenges and emphasizes the development direction of fractured proppants.