bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell Behavior within Nanogrooved Sandwich Culture Systems
Authors: Bjørge Isabel M. , Salmeron‐Sanchez Manuel , Correia Clara R. , Mano João F.
Published: June 2020

Grooved topography and inherent cell contact guidance has shown promising results regarding cell proliferation, morphology, and lineage‐specific differentiation. Yet these approaches are limited to 2D applications. Sandwich‐culture conditions are developed to bridge the gap between 2D and 3D culture, enabling both ventral and dorsal cell surface stimulation. The effect of grooved surface topography is accessed on cell orientation and elongation in a highly controlled manner, with simultaneous and independent stimuli on two cell sides. Nanogrooved and non‐nanogrooved substrates are assembled into quasi‐3D systems with variable relative orientations. A plethora of sandwich‐culture conditions are created by seeding cells on lower, upper, or both substrates. Software image analysis demonstrates that F‐actin of cells acquires the orientation of the substrate on which cells are initially seeded, independently from the orientation of the second top substrate. Contrasting cell morphologies are observed, with a higher elongation for nanogrooved 2D substrates than nanogrooved sandwich‐culture conditions. Correlated with an increased pFAK activity and vinculin staining for sandwich‐culture conditions, these results point to an enhanced cell surface stimulation versus control conditions. The pivotal role of initial cell‐biomaterial contact on cellular alignment is highlighted, providing important insights for tissue engineering strategies aiming to guide cellular response through mechanotransduction approaches.
Burrows‐Wheeler post‐transformation with effective clustering and interpolative coding
Authors: Niemi Arto , Teuhola Jukka
Published: June 2020

Lossless compression methods based on the Burrows‐Wheeler transform (BWT) are regarded as an excellent compromise between speed and compression efficiency: they provide compression rates close to the PPM algorithms, with the speed of dictionary‐based methods. Instead of the laborious statistics‐gathering process used in PPM, the BWT reversibly sorts the input symbols, using as the sort key as many following characters as necessary to make the sort unique. Characters occurring in similar contexts are sorted close together, resulting in a clustered symbol sequence. Run‐length encoding and Move‐to‐Front (MTF) recoding, combined with a statistical Huffman or arithmetic coder, is then typically used to exploit the clustering. A drawback of the MTF recoding is that knowledge of the character that produced the MTF number is lost. In this paper, we present a new, competitive Burrows‐Wheeler posttransform stage that takes advantage of interpolative coding—a fast binary encoding method for integer sequences, being able to exploit clusters without requiring explicit statistics. We introduce a fast and simple way to retain knowledge of the run characters during the MTF recoding and use this to improve the clustering of MTF numbers and run‐lengths by applying reversible, stable sorting, with the run characters as sort keys, achieving significant improvement in the compression rate, as shown here by experiments on common text corpora.
Steel box‐girder bridge decks with curved bottom flange
Authors: Ljubinković Filip , Martins João Pedro Simões Cândido , dos Santos Gervásio Helena Maria , da Silva Luís Alberto Proença Simões
Published: June 2020

Nominated for the Professor Eduardo de Arantes e Oliveira Award at XII Conference on Steel and Composite Construction in Coimbra 2019

This paper presents the results of a numerical parametric study that investigated the M‐V interaction behaviour of box‐girder bridge deck specimens. The study made use of an advanced numerical model that was previously verified against the experimental results. Based on the numerical results and the current rules for trapezoidal box girders, new design models are proposed for predicting the bending and shear resistance of cross‐sections with a curved bottom flange. Additionally, the force‐based M‐V interaction equation proposed by Jáger et al. [1], adopted in the new version of EN 1993‐1‐5 [2], was verified and slightly modified to fit this type of cross‐section.
Production of high‐purity galacto‐oligosaccharides by depleting glucose and lactose from galacto‐oligosaccharide syrup with yeasts
Authors: Pázmándi Melinda , Kovács Zoltán , Balga Edina , Kovács Mónika , Maráz Anna
Published: June 2020

Galacto‐oligosaccharides (GOS) are prebiotic compounds, widely used as ingredients in various food, nutraceutical and pharmaceutical products. Enzymatic synthesis of GOS results in low‐purity products that contain high amounts of glucose and lactose beside the valuable GOS. In this study, a systematic approach was used to develop yeast‐based fermentation strategies to purify crude GOS. Potentially applicable yeast strains were identified based on an extensive search in literature databases followed by a series of laboratory‐scale fermentation tests. Single‐ and two‐step fermentation processes were designed for the removal of glucose alone or together with lactose from crude GOS syrup. Single‐step fermentation trials with two strains of previously unreported species, Cyberlindnera jadinii NCAIM Y.00499 and Kluyveromyces nonfermentans NCAIM Y.01443, resulted in purified products free of both glucose and ethanol from a crude GOS syrup diluted to 15 and 10 w/v%, respectively. Simultaneous removal of glucose and lactose was achieved by Kluyveromyces marxianus DMB Km‐RK in a single‐step fermentation process with a yield of 97.5% and final purity of 100%. A two‐step fermentation approach was designed to allow conversion of a glucose‐free product into a high‐purity GOS by removing glucose with C. jadinii Y.00499 in the first step, and lactose by Kluyveromyces lactis DMB Kl‐RK in the second step, resulting in a final product with a yield of 100% and a final purity of 92.1%. These results indicate that the selected nonconventional yeasts are promising candidates for the removal of non‐GOS components from commercial crude GOS products by selective fermentation.
Reactivity of Cyanide and Thiocyanate Towards the Nitrosyl Carbonyl [Co(CO)3(NO)]
Authors: Böttcher Hans‐Christian , Graf Marion , Mayer Peter
Published: June 2020

The reaction of equimolar amounts of [Co(CO)3(NO)] and [PPN]CN, PPN+ = (PPh3)2N+, in THF at room temperature resulted in ligand substitution of a carbonyl towards the cyanido ligand presumably affording the complex salt PPN[Co(CO)2(NO)(CN)] as a reactive intermediate species which could not be isolated. Applying the synthetic protocol using the nitrosyl carbonyl in excess, the title reaction afforded unexpectedly the novel complex salt PPN[Co2(μ‐CN)(CO)4(NO)2] (1) in high yield. Because of many disorder phenomena in crystals of 1 the corresponding NBu4+ salt of 1 has been prepared and the molecular structure of the dinuclear metal core in NnBu4[Co2(μ‐CN)(CO)4(NO)2] (2) was determined by X‐ray crystal diffraction in a more satisfactory manner. In contrast to the former result, the reaction of [PPN]SCN with [Co(CO)3(NO)] yielded the mononuclear complex salt PPN[Co(CO)2(NO)(SCN‐κN)] (3) in good yield whose molecular structure in the solid was even determined and its composition additionally confirmed by spectroscopic means.
The Kinematic Alignment Technique for Total Knee Arthroplasty
Authors: Rivière Charles , Harman Ciara , Boughton Oliver , Cobb Justin
Published: June 2020

The kinematic alignment technique (KA) for total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is a surgical technique recently developed that aims to anatomically position and kinematically align total knee components [1]. The kinematic implantation aims to resurface the knee joint by removing a cartilage and bone thickness equivalent to the implant thickness and where the knee implants are aligned on the knee kinematic axes that dictate motion of the patella and tibia around the distal femoral epiphysis [2–4]. Similar to unicompartmental knee replacement, kinematically aligning total knee components restores the constitutional knee joint line orientation and the physiological knee laxity without the need for soft-tissue release [5] (Fig. 16.1).
Joint Functional Calculus for Definitizable Self-adjoint Operators on Krein Spaces
Authors: Kaltenbäck Michael , Skrepek Nathanael
Published: June 2020

In the present note a spectral theorem for a finite tuple of pairwise commuting, self-adjoint and definitizable bounded linear operators $$A_1,\ldots ,A_n$$

A
1

,
…
,

A
n

on a Krein space is derived by developing a functional calculus $$\phi \mapsto \phi (A_1,\ldots ,A_n)$$

ϕ
↦
ϕ
(

A
1

,
…
,

A
n

)

which is the proper analogue of $$\phi \mapsto \int \phi \, dE$$

ϕ
↦
∫
ϕ

d
E

in the Hilbert space situation with the common spectral measure E for a finite tuple of pairwise commuting, self-adjoint bounded linear operators.
Design and evaluation of bi-functional iron chelators for protection of dopaminergic neurons from toxicants
Authors: Gutbier Simon , Kyriakou Sotiris , Schildknecht Stefan , Ückert Anna-Katharina , Brüll Markus , Lewis Frank , Dickens David , Pearson Liam , Elson Joanna L. , Michel Sylvia , Hubscher-Bruder Véronique , Brandel Jeremy , Tetard David , Leist Marcel , Pienaar Ilse S.
Published: June 2020

While the etiology of non-familial Parkinson’s disease (PD) remains unclear, there is evidence that increased levels of tissue iron may be a contributing factor. Moreover, exposure to some environmental toxicants is considered an additional risk factor. Therefore, brain-targeted iron chelators are of interest as antidotes for poisoning with dopaminergic toxicants, and as potential treatment of PD. We, therefore, designed a series of small molecules with high affinity for ferric iron and containing structural elements to allow their transport to the brain via the neutral amino acid transporter, LAT1 (SLC7A5). Five candidate molecules were synthesized and initially characterized for protection from ferroptosis in human neurons. The promising hydroxypyridinone SK4 was characterized further. Selective iron chelation within the physiological range of pH values and uptake by LAT1 were confirmed. Concentrations of 10–20 µM blocked neurite loss and cell demise triggered by the parkinsonian neurotoxicants, methyl-phenyl-pyridinium (MPP+) and 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) in human dopaminergic neuronal cultures (LUHMES cells). Rescue was also observed when chelators were given after the toxicant. SK4 derivatives that either lacked LAT1 affinity or had reduced iron chelation potency showed altered activity in our assay panel, as expected. Thus, an iron chelator was developed that revealed neuroprotective properties, as assessed in several models. The data strongly support the role of iron in dopaminergic neurotoxicity and suggests further exploration of the proposed design strategy for improving brain iron chelation.
Photochemistry of nitric oxide and S-nitrosothiols in human skin
Authors: Pelegrino Milena T. , Paganotti André , Seabra Amedea B. , Weller Richard B.
Published: June 2020

Nitric oxide (NO) is related to a wide range of physiological processes such as vasodilation, macrophages cytotoxicity and wound healing. The human skin contains NO precursors (NOx). Those are mainly composed of nitrite (NO2−), nitrate (NO3−), and S-nitrosothiols (RSNOs) which forms a large NO store. These NOx stores in human skin can mobilize NO to blood stream upon ultraviolet (UV) light exposure. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the most effective UV light wavelength to generate NO and compare it to each NO precursor in aqueous solution. In addition, the UV light might change the RSNO content on human skin. First, we irradiated pure aqueous solutions of NO2− and NO3− and mixtures of NO2− and glutathione and NO3− and S-nitrosoglutathione (GSNO) to identify the NO release profile from those species alone. In sequence, we evaluated the NO generation profile on human skin slices. Human skin was acquired from redundant plastic surgical samples and the NO and RSNO measurements were performed using a selective NO electrochemical sensor. The data showed that UV light could trigger the NO generation in skin with a peak at 280–285 nm (UVB range). We also observed a significant RSNO formation in irradiated human skin, with a peak at 320 nm (UV region) and at 700 nm (visible region). Pre-treatment of the human skin slice using NO2− and thiol (RSHs) scavengers confirmed the important role of these molecules in RSNO formation. These findings have important implications for clinical trials with potential for new therapies.
Transcriptomic analysis of expression of genes regulating cell cycle progression in porcine ovarian granulosa cells during short-term in vitro primary culture
Authors: Kulus Magdalena , Kranc Wiesława , Sujka-Kordowska Patrycja , Celichowski Piotr , Konwerska Aneta , Jankowski Maurycy , Jeseta Michal , Skowroński Mariusz T. , Piotrowska-Kempisty Hanna , Bukowska Dorota , Zabel Maciej , Bruska Małgorzata , Mozdziak Paul , Kempisty Bartosz , Antosik Paweł
Published: June 2020

The primary function of ovarian granulosa cells (GCs) is the support of oocytes during maturation and development. Molecular analyses of granulosa cell-associated processes, leading to improvement of understanding of the cell cycle events during the formation of ovarian follicles (folliculogenesis), may be key to improve the in vitro fertilization procedures. Primary in vitro culture of porcine GCs was employed to examine the changes in the transcriptomic profile of genes belonging to “cell cycle”, “cell division”, “cell cycle process”, “cell cycle phase transition”, “cell cycle G1/S phase transition”, “cell cycle G2/M phase transition” and “cell cycle checkpoint” ontology groups. During the analysis, microarrays were employed to study the transcriptome of GCs, analyzing the total RNA of cells from specific periods of in vitro cultures. This research was based on material obtained from 40 landrace gilts of similar weight, age and the same living conditions. RNA was isolated at specific timeframes: before the culture was established (0 h) and after 48 h, 96 h and 144 h in vitro. Out of 133 differentially expressed genes, we chose the 10 most up-regulated (SFRP2, PDPN, PDE3A, FGFR2, PLK2, THBS1, ETS1, LIF, ANXA1, TGFB1) and the 10 most downregulated (IGF1, NCAPD2, CABLES1, H1FOO, NEK2, PPAT, TXNIP, NUP210, RGS2 and CCNE2). Some of these genes known to play key roles in the regulation of correct cell cycle passage (up-regulated SFRP2, PDE3A, PLK2, LIF and down-regulated CCNE2, TXNIP, NEK2). The data obtained provide a potential reference for studies on the process of mammalian folliculogenesis, as well as suggests possible new genetic markers for cell cycle progress in in vitro cultured porcine granulosa cells.
State-of-the-art imaging for glioma surgery
Authors: Verburg Niels , de Witt Hamer Philip C.
Published: June 2020

Diffuse gliomas are infiltrative primary brain tumors with a poor prognosis despite multimodal treatment. Maximum safe resection is recommended whenever feasible. The extent of resection (EOR) is positively correlated with survival. Identification of glioma tissue during surgery is difficult due to its diffuse nature. Therefore, glioma resection is imaging-guided, making the choice for imaging technique an important aspect of glioma surgery. The current standard for resection guidance in non-enhancing gliomas is T2 weighted or T2w-fluid attenuation inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and in enhancing gliomas T1-weighted MRI with a gadolinium-based contrast agent. Other MRI sequences, like magnetic resonance spectroscopy, imaging modalities, such as positron emission tomography, as well as intraoperative imaging techniques, including the use of fluorescence, are also available for the guidance of glioma resection. The neurosurgeon’s goal is to find the balance between maximizing the EOR and preserving brain functions since surgery-induced neurological deficits result in lower quality of life and shortened survival. This requires localization of important brain functions and white matter tracts to aid the pre-operative planning and surgical decision-making. Visualization of brain functions and white matter tracts is possible with functional MRI, diffusion tensor imaging, magnetoencephalography, and navigated transcranial magnetic stimulation. In this review, we discuss the current available imaging techniques for the guidance of glioma resection and the localization of brain functions and white matter tracts.
Effect of landscape type, elevation, vegetation period, and taxonomic plant identification level on diet preferences of Alpine mountain hares (Lepus timidus varronis)
Authors: Schai-Braun Stéphanie C. , Lapin Katharina , Bernhardt Karl-Georg , Alves Paulo C. , Hackländer Klaus
Published: June 2020

Diet is important for understanding the ecology and evolution of populations. When examining animals’ diets, the lowest taxonomic rank (i.e., species level) is generally used. However, it is questionable whether dietary description varies with respect to the plant taxonomy or with the extent of plant species diversity in landscapes. We studied the diet of the Alpine mountain hare (Lepus timidus varronis) by analyzing the botanical composition of fecal pellets and comparing the results with the availability of food plants. Overall, Alpine mountain hares selected ligneous plants, whereas grasses were neutrally consumed or avoided. Plant identification at the genus and family level revealed the most information, whereas little additional information was gleaned by identifying food plants at the species level. In low-diversity spruce forests and at higher elevations, hares exhibited greater diet breadth compared to high-diversity vegetative mosaics or at lower elevations, even if they had access to the same types of plants. This is likely due to the hares’ need to diversify their diet when plant quantity is low. Greater diet breadth and selection of a larger number of different plant types at the beginning of the plant vegetation growth period suggested that more food plants suitable for Alpine mountain hares were available during this time compared to the end of the vegetation period.
Pulsed Eddy Current: Feature Extraction Enabling In-Situ Calibration and Improved Estimation for Ferromagnetic Application
Authors: Nafiah Faris , Tokhi Mohammad O. , Majidnia Shiva , Rudlin John , Zhao Zhanfang , Duan Fang
Published: June 2020

Steel pipes in process plant applications are often covered with insulation or weather protection that make inspection difficult because the additional layers need to be penetrated to inspect the pipes’ structure. The pulsed eddy current (PEC) method was devised as a means of inspection through the surface layers. However, the performance of a PEC system is dependent on the electrical and magnetic properties of the pipe material, which are generally unknown. Therefore, the use of a calibration block from a different steel will give inaccurate results. The concept of calibrating using $$\tau _0$$

τ
0

values obtained during inspection has undoubtedly been discussed in the literature. However, no comprehensive work was dedicated to using $$|\nabla |^{-1}$$

|
∇
|

-
1

to carry out calibration on inspected structure. The linear relationship of the $$|\nabla |^{-1}$$

|
∇
|

-
1

feature with the thickness squared, $$d^2$$

d
2

, is first established using analytical solutions, and the calibration is carried out using the feature values obtained in air and the reference signal. The performance of this technique is assessed and compared with the conventional $$\tau _0$$

τ
0

technique. Although both features exhibit similar immunity towards lift-off, $$\tau _0$$

τ
0

technique requires normalisation procedure, which contributes to determining more configuration parameters. Experimental results also suggest the relative advantage of using $$|\nabla |^{-1}$$

|
∇
|

-
1

feature in both wall thickness estimation and influences of noises.
Scenario ensemble modelling of possible future earthquake impacts in Bhutan
Authors: Robinson Tom R.
Published: June 2020

Recent large earthquakes in the Himalaya have resulted in tens of thousands of fatalities, yet these events are thought to have had relatively moderate magnitudes for the region. Evidence suggests multiple events throughout the Himalaya in the last 1000 years have had M > 8.0 and at least two have had M > 8.5. Despite this, understanding of earthquake risk in the region is poorly constrained, particularly in Bhutan, where research on both past and future earthquakes is notably scarce. While recent work has clearly shown the potential for large earthquakes here, the impacts from potential future earthquakes in Bhutan are entirely unknown. This study attempts to address this by modelling the potential fatalities associated with a range of plausible earthquakes through a scenario ensemble analysis in order to inform contingency planning and preparedness. The results show that both the timing and location of future earthquakes are critical factors in determining the number of fatalities, with night-time earthquakes, and those located in the west of the country proving most fatal. The worst case involves ~ 9000 fatalities and results from an M8.5 earthquake directly beneath Bhutan. Nevertheless, at the local scale the number of fatalities appears to saturate at ~ M7.5, since larger earthquakes do not result in significantly larger modelled fatalities. This suggests that local-scale impacts approaching the worst case may be relatively common and emergency planning could focus on comparatively moderate-sized earthquakes since larger, less frequent events may not necessarily result in significantly more fatalities.
Determination of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions from a commercial dairy farm with an exercise yard and the health-related impact for residents
Authors: Wu Chuandong , Yang Fan , Brancher Marlon , Liu Jiemin , Qu Chen , Piringer Martin , Schauberger Günther
Published: June 2020

Airborne emissions from concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) have the potential to pose a risk to human health and the environment. Here, we present an assessment of the emission, dispersion, and health-related impact of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emitted from a 300-head, full-scale dairy farm with an exercise yard in Beijing, China. By monitoring the referred gas emissions with a dynamic flux chamber for seven consecutive days, we examined their emission rates. An annual hourly emission time series was constructed on the basis of the measured emission rates and a release modification model. The health risk of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions around the dairy farm was then determined using atmospheric dispersion modeling and exposure risk assessment. The body mass-related mean emission factors of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were 2.13 kg a−1 AU−1 and 24.9 g a−1 AU−1, respectively (one animal unit (AU) is equivalent to 500 kg body mass). A log-normal distribution fitted well to ammonia emission rates. Contour lines of predicted hourly mean concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were mainly driven by the meteorological conditions. The concentrations of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide at the fence line were below 10 μg m−3 and 0.04 μg m−3, respectively, and were 2–3 orders of magnitude lower than the current Chinese air quality standards for such pollutants. Moreover, the cumulative non-carcinogenic risks (HI) of ammonia and hydrogen sulfide were 4 orders of magnitudes lower than the acceptable risk levels (HI = 1). Considering a health risk criterion of 1E-4, the maximum distance from the farm fence line to meet this criterion was nearly 1000 m towards north-northeast. The encompassed area of the contour lines of the ambient concentration of ammonia is much larger than that of hydrogen sulfide. However, the contour lines of the ammonia health risk are analogous to those of hydrogen sulfide. In general, the ammonia and hydrogen sulfide emissions from the dairy farm are unlikely to cause any health risks for the population living in the neighborhood.
Sourcing Technological Knowledge Through Foreign Inward Licensing to Boost the Performance of Indian Firms: The Contingent Effects of Internal R&D and Business Group Affiliation
Authors: Elia Stefano , Munjal Surender , Scalera Vittoria G.
Published: June 2020

Sourcing technological knowledge from abroad is becoming a popular strategy among emerging market firms (EMFs). Combining the Knowledge-Based View and the Resource Dependence Theory, we argue that augmenting technological knowledge through foreign licensing enables EMFs to access state-of-the-art technological knowledge, reduce operational costs and risks associated to the innovation process, and develop a knowledge-based competitive advantage, ultimately boosting their financial performance. Using data about Indian firms observed from 2001 to 2013, we find that firms with a higher share of foreign inward technology licenses report better financial performance. However, the positive impact of technological knowledge accessed through inward licensing on firm performance is contingent upon: (1) the internal knowledge developed through R&D activity, and (2) the affiliation with business groups. While Indian firms with higher level of internal R&D are able to better leverage the value of foreign technological knowledge, thus reaching higher performance, firms affiliated to business groups gain fewer benefits from licensed foreign technological knowledge than non-business-group affiliated firms.
Vacancy Clustering in Dislocation-Free High-Purity Germanium
Authors: Gradwohl Kevin-Peter , Gybin Alexander , Janicskó-Csáthy József , Roder Melissa , Danilewsky Andreas N. , Sumathi R. Radhakrishnan
Published: June 2020

A germanium crystal of high purity was grown in H2 with a maximum dislocation density of 3000 cm−2, which was estimated by white beam x-ray topography. Due to a dynamical diffraction effect, the topographs revealed the existence of vacancy clusters in the form of voids in dislocation-free parts of the crystal. Etch pit density analysis, the standard technique employed for crystalline wafers to determine dislocation density, failed to reliably represent dislocations in dislocation-free parts of the crystal. On the other hand, we were able to identify a different type of etching pattern for a dislocation-free crystal. Microwave photoconductance decay was utilized to determine the charge carrier lifetime, which was found to be up to 500 μs for regions with dislocations, while being only 100 μs for dislocation-free parts of the crystal.
A prospective study of real-time identification of line of transection in robotic colorectal cancer surgery by ICG
Authors: Somashekhar S. P. , Reddy Gangasani Revanth Kumar , Deshpande Abhinav Yeshwant , Ashwin K. R. , Kumar Rohit
Published: June 2020

Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in women and the third most common cancer in men in the world. Surgical resection is the gold standard treatment and minimally invasive surgery remains the standard of care. Anastomotic leakage is one of the most feared postoperative complications in colorectal surgery. Although several factors have been identified as possible causes of anastomotic leakage (i.e., surgical techniques, patient risk factors, suture material or devices), the complete pathogenesis is still unclear. The reported leak rate ranges from 1 to 30% and increases as the anastomosis is more distal. To date the most widely used methods to assess tissue perfusion includes the surgeon intraoperative visual judgement based on the colour; bleeding edges of resected margins; pulsation and temperature, thereby resulting in either excess or insufficient colonic resection. Earlier studies in colorectal surgery have suggested that assessment of tissue perfusion by the clinical judgment of the operating surgeon underestimated the risk of anastomotic leakage. Indocyanine green (ICG) is a intravenous dye which has shown promise in identifying the bowel vascularity real time. Earlier studies on colorectal cancer have shown that ICG based detection of bowel vascularity is technically possible and has reduced the anastomotic leak rates in 16.7% of patients. We conducted a prospective study on patients with ICG guided bowel perfusion during robotic colorectal cancer surgery. The method is technically easy, reproducible and safe. This technique has changed the intraoperative decision in 88% of patients. Larger studies are needed before this can become the standard of care.
On the temperature evolution during continuous laser-assisted tape winding of multiple C/PEEK layers: The effect of roller deformation
Authors: Hosseini S. M. Amin , Baran Ismet , van Drongelen Martin , Akkerman Remko
Published: June 2020

Laser-assisted tape winding (LATW) is a highly automated process for manufacturing tubular-like fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites such as flywheels and pipes. One of the crucial parameters in the LATW process is the temperature of the nip point at which the incoming prepreg tape is bonded with the substrate by a compaction roller. Therefore, the temperature evolution of the nip point plays a significant role to have a proper consolidation at the tape-substrate interface. The nip point temperature is highly affected by the time-dependent geometry of the substrate and roller during continuous LATW of thick composite rings. In this paper, a critical assessment of the substrate and tape surface temperature evolution is investigated experimentally by means of a thermal camera during the LATW process of a 26-layers thick carbon/PEEK composites. A three-dimensional (3D) optical model is coupled with a thermal model in which the substrate computational domain is updated with respect to the deposited tapes. A good agreement is found between the measured and predicted tape and substrate temperatures. The total absorbed heat and heated length of the substrate and tape are described based on the roller deformation. An increase in tape and substrate nip point temperatures is found with an increase in roller deformation during consecutive winding. It is also found that the consolidation pressure and contact length at the roller-substrate interface increases during the winding process. Accordingly, the heat transfer coefficient at the roller-substrate interface is studied using the developed process model.
Acidizing of conventional and tight sandstone formation using chelating agents: mineralogical prospect
Authors: Shafiq Mian Umer , Mahmud Hisham Ben , Gishkori Sophia Nawaz , Lee Kiat Moon , Rezaee Reza
Published: June 2020

Stimulation of the sandstone reservoir requires a mixture of acids such as mud acid, which assist in enlarging the microscopic paths by dissolving the siliceous fines or clays near the well-bore region. As a result, the formation permeability and porosity can be enhanced. In deeper wells, the temperature exceeds 200 °F, at these temperature ranges, problems can arise. For example, the use of mud acid mixtures can lead to issues like precipitations, corrosion, early consumption of acids, leading to lesser acid efficiency. In this study, the core flooding apparatus was used for acidizing experiments, designed to dissolve minerals and to analyze the changes in petrophysical parameters such as porosity, permeability, and mineralogy. Conventional and tight sandstone core samples were acidized using different chelating acids such as Hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and Glutamic acid (GLDA) at high-temperature conditions. Analytical studies (mineral mass, pore size distribution, topology, grain size distribution, and density distribution were conducted using Tescan Integrated Mineral Analysis (TIMA). The obtained results showed that chelating agent HEDTA created more pore spaces in the core samples and is effective in dissolving positive ions. Also, the permeability was observed to be doubled by its application which could be effective in alteration of pore topology of the sandstone cores.
Sustainably reducing device utilization and device-related infections with DeCATHlons, device alternatives, and decision support
Authors: Lesho Emil P. , Clifford Robert , Vore Kelly , Zsenits Balazs , Alcantara Jose , Gargano Bryan , Phillips Matthew , Boyd Susan , Eckert-Davis Laura , Sosa Carlos , Vargas Roberto , Riedy Dawn , Stamps Deborah , Bhavsar Hiloni , Fede Jennifer , Laguio-Vila Maryrose , Bronstein Melissa
Published: June 2020

Engagement of frontline staff, along with senior leadership, in competition-style healthcare-associated infection reduction efforts, combined with electronic clinical decision support tools, appeared to reduce antibiotic regimen initiations for urinary tract infections (P = .01). Mean monthly standardized infection and device utilization ratios also decreased (P < .003 and P < .0001, respectively).
Does Aid Reduce Anti-refugee Violence? Evidence from Syrian Refugees in Lebanon
Authors: LEHMANN M. CHRISTIAN , MASTERSON DANIEL T. R.
Published: June 2020

Anti-refugee violence often accompanies refugee migration, but the factors that fuel or mitigate that violence remain poorly understood, including the common policy response in such settings of humanitarian aid. Existing theory and policy debates predict that aid to refugees exacerbates anti-refugee violence by increasing hosts’ resentment toward refugees. In contrast, however, aid may reduce violence in ways such as increasing host communities’ well-being through more demand for local goods and services and refugees sharing aid. We test for the sign and mechanisms of this relationship. Evidence from original survey data and a regression discontinuity design suggests that cash transfers to Syrian refugees in Lebanon did not increase anti-refugee violence, and if anything they reduced violence. Exploring why aid does not increase hostility, we find evidence that aid allows recipients to indirectly compensate locals through higher demand for local goods and services, directly benefit locals by offering help and sharing aid, and reduce contact with potential aggressors.
Delivering Oracles from God: The Nature of Christian Communication in 1 Peter 4:11a
Authors: Williams Travis B.
Published: June 2020

In 1 Pet 4:11a, those who exercise χαρίσματα involving speech acts are instructed to carry out their tasks ὡσ λόγια θεοῦ. Two interpretations of this phrase have gained prominence within Petrine scholarship. Some claim that Scripture is being referenced to establish a standard for regulating the use of communicative gifts in the church. Others contend that the verse sets up a hypothetical comparison designed to emphasize the appropriate manner in which the spoken word should be performed. The problem is that both of these positions have left crucial questions unattended. The purpose of this study is to provide a close examination of the three issues that most significantly impact the interpretation of 1 Pet 4:11a: (1) the meaning of λόγια; (2) the reconstruction of verbal elision; and (3) the Petrine author’s view of divine revelation through human mediation. In the end, I suggest that the verse is intended to convey a direct correspondence between the comparative image (i.e., one who delivers oracles from God) and the ministry of those who exercised speaking gifts within the Anatolian congregations. That is, when Christians rendered service to the community through various forms of verbal communication, they were understood to be dispensing divine revelation.
Empirically determined severity levels for binge-eating disorder outperform existing severity classification schemes
Authors: Forrest Lauren N. , Jacobucci Ross C. , Grilo Carlos M.
Published: June 2020

Background

Eating-disorder severity indicators should theoretically index symptom intensity, impairment, and level of needed treatment. Two severity indicators for binge-eating disorder (BED) have been proposed (categories of binge-eating frequency and shape/weight overvaluation) but have mixed empirical support including modest clinical utility. This project uses structural equation model (SEM) trees – a form of exploratory data mining – to empirically determine the precise levels of binge-eating frequency and/or shape/weight overvaluation that most significantly differentiate BED severities.

Methods

Participants were 788 adults with BED enrolled in BED treatment studies. Participants completed interviews and self-report measures assessing eating-disorder and comorbid symptoms. SEM Tree analyses were performed by specifying an outcome model of BED severity and then recursively partitioning the outcome model into subgroups. Subgroups were split based on empirically determined values of binge-eating frequency and/or shape/weight overvaluation. SEM Forests also quantified which variable contributed more improvement in model fit.

Results

SEM Tree analyses yielded five subgroups, presented in ascending order of severity: overvaluation <1.25, overvaluation = 1.25–2.74, overvaluation = 2.75–4.24, overvaluation ⩾4.25 with weekly binge-eating frequency <4.875, and overvaluation ⩾4.25 with weekly binge-eating frequency ⩾4.875. SEM Forest analyses revealed that splits that occurred on shape/weight overvaluation resulted in much more improvement in model fit than splits that occurred on binge-eating frequency.

Conclusions

Shape/weight overvaluation differentiated BED severity more strongly than binge-eating frequency. Findings indicate a nuanced potential BED severity indicator scheme, based on a combination of cognitive and behavioral eating-disorder symptoms. These results inform BED classification and may allow for the provision of more specific and need-matched treatment formulations.
Global and exponential attractor of the repulsive Keller–Segel model with logarithmic sensitivity
Authors: CHEN LIN , KONG FANZE , WANG QI
Published: June 2020

We consider a Keller–Segel model that describes the cellular chemotactic movement away from repulsive chemical subject to logarithmic sensitivity function over a confined region in
${{\mathbb{R}}^n},\,n \le 2$
. This sensitivity function describes the empirically tested Weber–Fecher’s law of living organism’s perception of a physical stimulus. We prove that, regardless of chemotaxis strength and initial data, this repulsive system is globally well-posed and the constant solution is the global and exponential in time attractor. Our results confirm the ‘folklore’ that chemorepulsion inhibits the formation of non-trivial steady states within the logarithmic chemotaxis model, hence preventing cellular aggregation therein.
Fano resonance in metallic grating via strongly coupled subwavelength resonators
Authors: LIN JUNSHAN , ZHANG HAI
Published: June 2020

We investigate the Fano resonance in grating structures using coupled resonators. The grating consists of a perfectly conducting slab with periodically arranged subwavelength slit holes, where inside each period, a pair of slits sit very close to each other. The slit holes act as resonators and are strongly coupled. It is shown rigorously that there exist two groups of resonances corresponding to poles of the scattering problem. One sequence of resonances has imaginary part in the order of ε, where ε is the size of the slit aperture, while the other sequence has imaginary part in the order of ε2. When coupled with the incident wave at resonant frequencies, the narrow-band resonant scattering induced by the latter will interfere with the broader background resonant radiation induced by the former. The interference of these two resonances generates the Fano-type transmission anomaly, which persists in the whole radiation continuum of the grating structure as long as the slit aperture size is small compared to the incident wavelength.
Cervical Spine Injury is Rare in Self-Inflicted Craniofacial Gunshot Wounds: An Institutional Review and Comparison to the US National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB)
Authors: McNickle Allison G. , Chestovich Paul J. , Fraser Douglas R.
Published: June 2020

Background:

Cadaveric and older radiographic studies suggest that concurrent cervical spine fractures are rare in gunshot wounds (GSWs) to the head. Despite this knowledge, patients with craniofacial GSWs often arrive with spinal motion restriction (SMR) in place. This study quantifies the incidence of cervical spine injuries in GSWs to the head, identified using computerized tomography (CT). Fracture frequency is hypothesized to be lower in self-inflicted (SI) injuries.

Methods:

Isolated craniofacial GSWs were queried from this Level I trauma center registry from 2013-2017 and the US National Trauma Data Bank (NTDB) from 2012–2016 (head or face abbreviated injury scale [AIS] >2). Datasets included age, gender, SI versus not, cervical spine injury, spinal surgery, and mortality. For this hospital’s data, prehospital factors, SMR, and CTs performed were assessed. Statistical evaluation was done with Stata software, with P <.05 significant.

Results:

Two-hundred forty-one patients from this hospital (mean age 39; 85% male; 66% SI) and 5,849 from the NTDB (mean age 38; 84% male; 53% SI) were included. For both cohorts, SI patients were older (P < .01) and had increased mortality (P < .01). Overall, cervical spine fractures occurred in 3.7%, with 5.4% requiring spinal surgery (0.2% of all patients). The frequency of fracture was five-fold greater in non-SI (P < .05). Locally, SMR was present in 121 (50.2%) prior to arrival with six collars (2.5%) placed in the trauma bay. Frequency of SMR was similar regardless of SI status (49.0% versus 51.0%; P = not significant) but less frequent in hypotensive patients and those receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The presence of SMR was associated with an increased use of CT of the cervical spine (80.0% versus 33.0%; P < .01).

Conclusion:

Cervical spine fractures were identified in less than four percent of isolated GSWs to the head and face, more frequently in non-SI cases. Prehospital SMR should be avoided in cases consistent with SI injury, and for all others, SMR should be discontinued once CT imaging is completed with negative results.
Analysis of Chemical Simulants in Urine: A Useful Tool for Assessing Emergency Decontamination Efficacy in Human Volunteer Studies
Authors: James Thomas , Collins Samuel , Amlôt Richard , Marczylo Tim
Published: June 2020

Introduction:

To date, all human studies of mass-casualty decontamination for chemical incidents have relied on the collection and analysis of external samples, including skin and hair, to determine decontamination efficacy. The removal of a simulant contaminant from the surface of the body with the assumption that this translates to reduced systemic exposure and reduced risk of secondary contamination has been the main outcome measure of these studies. Some studies have investigated systemic exposure through urinary levels of simulant metabolites. The data obtained in these studies were confounded by high background concentrations from dietary sources. The unmetabolized simulants have never been analyzed in urine for the purposes of decontamination efficacy assessment.

Study Objective:

Urinary simulant analysis could obviate the need to collect skin or hair samples during decontamination trials and provide a better estimate of both decontamination efficacy and systemic exposure. The study objective therefore was to determine whether gross skin contamination as part of a decontamination study would yield urine levels of simulants sufficient to evaluate systemic availability free from dietary confounders.

Methods:

In this study, a gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the analysis of two chemical simulants, methyl salicylate (MeS) and benzyl salicylate (BeS), in urine. An extraction and sample clean-up method was validated, enabling quantitation of these simulants in urine. The method was then applied to urine collected over a 24-hour period following simulant application to the skin of volunteers.

Results:

Both MeS and BeS were present in all urine samples and were significantly increased in all post-application samples. The MeS levels peaked one hour after skin application. The remaining urinary levels were variable, possibly due to additional MeS exposures such as inhalation. In contrast, the urinary excretion pattern for BeS was more typical for urinary excretion curves, increasing clearly above baseline from four hours post-dose and peaking between 12.5 and 21 hours, a pattern consistent with dermal absorption and rapid excretion.

Conclusion:

The authors propose BeS is a useful simulant for use in decontamination studies and that its measurement in urine can be used to model systemic exposures following skin application and therefore likely health consequences.
Broadening the PhD Pipeline: A Summer Research Program for HBCU Students
Authors: Adida Claire L. , Lake David A. , Shafiei Fatemeh , Platt Matthew
Published: June 2020

This article introduces, describes, and evaluates a program designed to broaden the PhD pipeline in political science to achieve greater equity and inclusion. In its fifth year, the program brings undergraduate students from two Historically Black Colleges and Universities to an R-1 political science PhD department for a seven-week summer program, in which they are paired with a faculty mentor to conduct research for, prepare, and present an original research project. Additionally, participants attend methods classes, GRE preparatory workshops, subfield presentations from graduate students and faculty in the host department, and social events. We describe key lessons drawn from our experience in piloting this program. We evaluate its success using data about the composition of the host institution’s PhD program and exit surveys conducted with all participants from 2016 to 2018.
MICHAEL POLANYI’S NEUTRAL KEYNESIANISM AND THE FIRST ECONOMICS FILM, 1933 TO 1945
Authors: Bíró Gábor István
Published: June 2020

This paper explores the history of the first economics film, made by Michael Polanyi. It traces the evolution of the film from the first idea to the latest version. It portrays Polanyi’s motives for making the film, the contexts in which the film was embedded, and its perception by various individuals and communities. The paper demonstrates the novelty of both the content and the presentation of Polanyi’s economic ideas through the eyes of his contemporaries. It discusses why it was important for Polanyi to make a film about the circulation of money and the principle of neutrality, and comments on what historiographers of economic thought might learn if they put a stronger emphasis on visual representations in their pursuits.