bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Introduction of CTA-index as Simplified Measuring Method for Thrombus Perviousness
Authors: Berndt Maria , Mück Fabian , Maegerlein Christian , Wunderlich Silke , Zimmer Claus , Wirth Stefan , Mönch Sebastian , Kaesmacher Johannes , Friedrich Benjamin , Boeckh-Behrens Tobias
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Thrombus features on admission CT are useful imaging markers for clot characterization, stroke pathogenesis and outcome prediction. In this context, thrombus perviousness is a promising parameter, but reliable assessment in daily clinical practice is demanding. The aim of the present study was to evaluate an easy to assess measuring method for thrombus permeability at the time of admission.

Methods

The CTA-index, which measures relative thrombus attenuation on admission CTA, was compared to the known perviousness parameter in a cohort of 101 patients with large-vessel occlusions of the middle cerebral artery and correlated to clinical outcome parameters (mRS after 90 days, ≤2 rated as favorable). For validation, this correlation was tested in a second independent cohort (n = 87), and possible associations between the CTA-index and outcome measurements (NIHSS/mRS/mTICI) were assessed.

Results

In the first cohort a coherence between conventional perviousness measurements and the CTA-index was shown. The CTA-index differed significantly between favorable (−0.55 ± 0.16) and non-favorable outcomes (−0.64 ± 0.14, p = 0.01). In the validation cohort this result could be independently reproduced (−0.52 ± 0.13/−0.70 ± 0.09, p < 0.01). The CTA-index showed an association with low NIHSS at discharge (p < 0.01), favorable outcome after 90 days (p < 0.001) and with better reperfusion (measured by mTICI score, p = 0.04).

Conclusion

The CTA-index is an easy to assess imaging parameter on admission CTA in the acute stroke phase and is associated with angiographic and clinical outcome. It can be considered as a simplified measuring method for thrombus perviousness, which is known to provide useful information for further stroke progress and clinical course as well as therapeutic and rehabilitative decisions.
Emplacement of magmatic Cu-Au-Te(-Ni-PGE) sulfide blebs in alkaline mafic rocks of the Mordor Complex, Northern Territory, Australia
Authors: Holwell David A. , Blanks Daryl E.
Published: September 2020

Magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE sulfide mineralisation is mostly confined to tholeiitic to komatiitic mafic-ultramafic intrusions, yet there have been an increasing number of occurrences recorded in alkaline-ultramafic, post-collisional magmatic systems, particularly in the lower and middle crust that generally display a characteristic Cu-Au-Te enrichment over more conventional Ni-Cu(-PGE) mineralisation. The Mordor Alkaline Igneous Complex, Australia, is a mid-crustal, zoned alkaline complex comprised of a syenite body with an alkaline mafic-ultramafic subcomplex containing dunites, wehrlites and shonkinites. Sulfide mineralisation is present either in thin, PGE-enriched stratiform ‘reefs’ within layered ultramafics in the centre of the subcomplex, or in thicker zones of Cu(-Au-PGE-Te) sulfide hosted by phlogopite-rich shonkinites towards the intrusion margins. This latter style comprises blebs of pyrite, chalcopyrite and minor millerite and PGE tellurides formed from the cooling of a Cu-dominant sulfide liquid. Primary igneous calcite is present in intimate association with the sulfide. We note that the circular nature of the complex, with a dunite core and shonkinite rim with chalcophile element mineralisation, is comparable to the pipe-like, intracratonic, alkaline-ultramafic Aldan Shield intrusions in Russia. As such, Mordor may have an intracratonic rather than post-collisional affinity. Nevertheless, sulfide mineralisation is typical of other alkaline-hosted occurrences, with a Cu-Au-Te-rich signature, low Ni contents and textural association with calcite, supporting models of chalcophile metal and S fluxing alongside carbonate in alkaline systems derived from low degrees of partial melting of hydrous and carbonated mantle sources. Mordor illustrates that alkaline igneous rocks are prospective for magmatic Cu-Au-PGE-Ni sulfide mineralisation, and the classic ‘marginal base metal– and sulfide-rich’ and ‘stratiform PGE-rich and sulfide-poor’ mineralisation styles may both be found in such intrusions.
Bounded Solutions of Ideal MHD with Compact Support in Space-Time
Authors: Faraco Daniel , Lindberg Sauli , Székelyhidi László
Published: September 2020

We show that in 3-dimensional ideal magnetohydrodynamics there exist infinitely many bounded solutions that are compactly supported in space-time and have non-trivial velocity and magnetic fields. The solutions violate conservation of total energy and cross helicity, but preserve magnetic helicity. For the 2-dimensional case we show that, in contrast, no nontrivial compactly supported solutions exist in the energy space.
A priori error estimates of regularized elliptic problems
Authors: Heltai Luca , Lei Wenyu
Published: September 2020

Approximations of the Dirac delta distribution are commonly used to create sequences of smooth functions approximating nonsmooth (generalized) functions, via convolution. In this work we show a-priori rates of convergence of this approximation process in standard Sobolev norms, with minimal regularity assumptions on the approximation of the Dirac delta distribution. The application of these estimates to the numerical solution of elliptic problems with singularly supported forcing terms allows us to provide sharp $$H^1$$

H
1

and $$L^2$$

L
2

error estimates for the corresponding regularized problem. As an application, we show how finite element approximations of a regularized immersed interface method results in the same rates of convergence of its non-regularized counterpart, provided that the support of the Dirac delta approximation is set to a multiple of the mesh size, at a fraction of the implementation complexity. Numerical experiments are provided to support our theories.
Physicochemical characterization of wines produced using indigenous yeasts from cold climate grapes
Authors: Cioch-Skoneczny Monika , Satora Paweł , Skoneczny Szymon , Klimczak Krystian
Published: September 2020

The aim of the study was the physicochemical characterization of wines produced using indigenous yeasts isolated from spontaneously fermented grape musts, obtained from cold climate grapes.Saccharomyces cerevisiaeMH020215 andNakawazaea ishiwadaeMG971259 yeast strains were used in this study. The musts obtained from white and red grapes of Johanniter and regent varieties were used as a fermentation raw material. In the produced wines, content of ethyl alcohol, total extract, sugars, free amino nitrogen was analyzed, along with determination of total and volatile acidity and volatile compounds profile. Additionally, organoleptic evaluation was performed. Wines obtained with nativeS. cerevisiaeMH020215 strains were characterized with more favorable enological properties. Synthesis of desirable volatile compounds, especially esters, contributed to the creation of desirable aromatic profile of those wines. Moreover, those beverages contained higher levels of carbonyl compounds (especially acetaldehyde) and lower methanol content. Wines obtained usingN. ishiwadaeMG971259 cultures were represented by high total acidity level and substantial fusel alcohol content (mainly butanol, propanol), which resulted in an unfavorable sensory profile of the product.
Quantification of methanogenic Archaea within Baltic Sea copepod faecal pellets
Authors: Wäge Janine , Schmale Oliver , Labrenz Matthias
Published: September 2020

Methane enrichments are frequently observed in the oxic upper water column of the central Baltic Sea during summer months. However, methane sources as well as the fate of methane produced in surface near waters still remain unclear. In the present study, we conducted ship-based grazing experiments to examine the presence of methanogenic archaea in copepod faecal pellets. We quantified bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA and the mcrA gene and transcripts within copepod faecal pellets by using droplet digital polymerase chain reaction. We showed that the pellets (< 150-µm) harbour a small number of methanogenic archaea; however, mcrA transcripts indicating methanogenic activity were not detected. This suggests that copepod faecal pellets from the central Baltic Sea, similar to analogous data on copepod guts, harbour the potential but are an unlikely hotspot for methane production by methanogenic archaea.
Stable Isotope Values in South American Fur Seal Pup Whiskers as Proxies of Year-round Maternal Foraging Ecology
Authors: Jones Kayleigh A. , Baylis Alastair. M. M. , Orben Rachael A. , Ratcliffe Norman , Votier Stephen C. , Newton Jason , Staniland Iain J.
Published: September 2020

Natural selection should favour strategies that maximise reproductive success. Females may use different resources during progressive stages of reproduction according to energetic demands, behavioural constraints and prey availability. We used South American fur seal,Arctocephalus australis australis, pup whisker isotope values as proxies for maternal diet and habitat use to determine how resource use (1) changes throughout pup development from in utero growth to mid-end of lactation and (2) how it differs among individuals. The longest whisker was cut from 5 male and 5 female fur seal pups (of approximately 8 months of age) at Bird Island, Falkland Islands, in 2018, andδ15N values andδ13C values were analysed every 5 mm along the length of each whisker. Patterns inδ13C values indicated that mothers used different habitats during the annual cycle, likely coinciding with seasonal shifts in prey availability or distribution. The individual specialisation index based onδ13C values was 0.34, indicating that adult females used different habitats, which could reduce intra-specific competition and ultimately enhance pup growth and survival. An increase inδ15N values occurred along every pup whisker from pup birth to mid-end of lactation, which likely reflected trophic enrichment related to suckling and fasting by pups, overriding the maternal isotopic signature. Pup whisker stable isotopes are useful proxies of maternal foraging ecology. However, physiological processes complicate interpretations by alteringδ15N values. Interpreting these values therefore requires additional knowledge of the species’ ecology and physiology.
What should patients do if they miss a dose? A systematic review of patient information leaflets and summaries of product characteristics
Authors: Albassam Abdullah , Hughes Dyfrig A.
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Medicines regulatory authorities advise that patient information leaflets (PILs) should provide specific advice on what actions to take if one or more doses are missed. We aimed to assess the content in this regard, of PILs and Summaries of Product Characteristics (SmPCs) of prescription only medicines (POMs) marketed in the UK.

Methods

PILs and SmPCs were accessed via the electronic Medicines Compendium. The following terms were used in the advanced search facility: miss(ed), omit(ted), adhere(d), delay(ed), forgot, forget, lapse. Identified documents were screened for instructions on missed doses which were categorised according to level of specificity, and cross-referenced to the National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) grading of risk of harm from omitted and delayed medicines. Any supporting clinical or pharmacological evidence was identified from SmPCs.

Results

Two thousand two hundred eighty-four documents were identified from 7248 PILs and SmPCs relating to 1501 POMs. Seven hundred eighty-three (52%) POMs had SmPCs or PILs with no instructions on missed doses; 487 POMs (32%) included non-specific advice (e.g. “take as soon as possible”); 138 (9%) provided specific instructions; and 93 (6%) referred patients to seek medical advice. SmPCs for only 13/138 (9%) of those which included specific instructions provided any supporting clinical or pharmacological evidence. Instructions were absent for several medicines where the NPSA assessed that dose omissions may result in significant risk of harm.

Conclusions

Advice on missed doses is generally inadequate. Pharmaceutical companies and regulatory authorities should produce clear and concise instructions on what patients should do if they miss doses, with supporting evidence where necessary.
(p, q)-Equations with Singular and Concave Convex Nonlinearities
Authors: Papageorgiou Nikolaos S. , Winkert Patrick
Published: September 2020

We consider a nonlinear Dirichlet problem driven by the (p, q)-Laplacian with $$1<q<p$$

1
<
q
<
p

. The reaction is parametric and exhibits the competing effects of a singular term and of concave and convex nonlinearities. We are looking for positive solutions and prove a bifurcation-type theorem describing in a precise way the set of positive solutions as the parameter varies. Moreover, we show the existence of a minimal positive solution and we study it as a function of the parameter.
OSA in patients with head and neck cancer is associated with cancer size and oncologic outcome
Authors: Huppertz Tilman , Horstmann Vera , Scharnow Charlotte , Ruckes Christian , Bahr Katharina , Matthias Christoph , Gouveris Haralampos
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with severe daytime sleepiness and reduced quality of life. These symptoms are also present in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) before, during and after treatment, so that comorbidity cannot be excluded. The aim was to evaluate the prevalence of OSA and its impact on the quality of life in patients with oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and lateral tongue SCCHN in a prospective study.

Methods

We performed cardiorespiratory home sleep apnea testing and recorded sleep-related patient-reported outcomes in 33 patients with confirmed oropharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and lateral tongue SCCHN. We correlated the sleep-related variables to oncologic variables and endpoints.

Results

Five female and 28 male patients with SCCHN (aged 46–77 years) were recruited. Thirty patients (90%) had OSA as defined by an Apnea/Hypopnea Index (AHI) > 5 /h before treatment. Evaluation after treatment, which was possible in 17 patients, showed OSA in 16 patients (94%). Radiologic primary tumor size showed significant positive correlation with AHI and apnea-index. Tumor recurrence and tumor-related mortality showed significant positive association with AHI. PSQI of these patients showed at least a moderate sleep disturbance. EORTC QLQ c30 questionnaire showed reduced values for all tested qualities, in particular for fatigue, insomnia, pain and financial distress.

Conclusion

Obstructive sleep apnea is a significant comorbidity in patients with SCCHN. Pre-interventional AHI may be correlated with the oncologic outcome. Further research is needed to further describe the course of OSA and its treatment before, during and after therapy.
Body mapping of regional sweat distribution in young and older males
Authors: Coull Nicole A. , West Anna M. , Hodder Simon G. , Wheeler Patrick , Havenith George
Published: September 2020

Purpose

Given the pressing impact of global warming and its detrimental effect on the health of older populations, understanding age-related changes in thermoregulatory function is essential. Age differences in regional sweat distribution have been observed previously, but given the typically small measurement areas assessed, the development of whole body sweat maps for older individuals is required. Therefore, this study investigated age-related differences in regional sweat distribution in a hot environment (32 °C/50%RH) in young and older adults, using a body mapping approach.

Methods

Technical absorbent pads were applied to the skin of 14 young (age 24 ± 2 years) and 14 older (68 ± 5 years) males to measure regional sweat rate (RSR) at rest (30 min) and during exercise (30 min), at a fixed heat production (200 W m−2). Gastrointestinal (Tgi) and skin temperature (Tsk), heart rate, thermal sensation, and thermal comfort were also measured.

Results

Whole body sweat maps showed that despite equal heat production, healthy older males had significantly lower gross sweat loss (GSL) than the young and significantly lower RSR at almost all body regions at rest and at the hands, legs, ankles, and feet during exercise. The lower sweat loss in the older group coincided with a greater increase in Tgi and a consistently higher Tsk at the legs, despite subjectively feeling slightly cooler than younger individuals.

Conclusion

These findings support the evidence of age-related deterioration in both autonomic and subjective responses in the heat and highlight the lower extremities as the most affected body region.
Post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave (PSPW): physiology, triggering factors and role in reflux clearance in healthy subjects
Authors: Zhang Mengyu , Yaman Busra , Roman Sabine , Savarino Edoardo , Gyawali C. Prakash , Gardner Jerry D. , Sifrim Daniel
Published: September 2020

Background and aims

The underlying physiology of post-reflux swallow-induced peristaltic wave (PSPW) is unclear. We aimed to: 1) calculate the probability of a random association between reflux and PSPW; 2) characterize factors that could underlie triggering of PSPW and 3) assess the chemical clearance effect of PSPW in healthy asymptomatic subjects.

Methods

A total of 251 impedance–pH tracings from healthy asymptomatic subjects were analysed. Twenty consecutive tracings from this pool with 20–40 reflux episodes/24 h and a PSPW index higher than 50% were separately analyzed to evaluate the probability of a random association between reflux and PSPW. The characteristics of reflux episodes followed by a PSPW were compared with those not associated with PSPW.

Results

A mean time interval of 29.3 s between a reflux episode and the first swallow captured 71% of total reflux episodes, and 67% of accompanying swallows were non-random. Compared to reflux without PSPW, reflux episodes with PSPW were more frequently acidic (P = 0.048), mixed with gas (P < 0.0001), of high proximal extent (P < 0.0001), while awake (P < 0.0001), and with shorter chemical clearance time (P = 0.040). High proximal extent, gas presence and occurring while awake were independent factors associated with PSPW (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion

Using a time window between reflux and PSPW of around 30 s, the probability of a chance association is around 30%. Reflux episodes with high proximal extent, containing gas and occurring while awake are important factors associated with PSPW in healthy subjects. Reflux episodes with PSPW have a shorter chemical clearance time.
Dental service utilization in the very old: an insurance database analysis from northeast Germany
Authors: Schwendicke Falk , Krasowski Aleksander , Gomez Rossi Jesus , Paris Sebastian , Kuhlmey Adelheid , Meyer-Lückel Hendrik , Krois Joachim
Published: September 2020

Objectives

We assessed dental service utilization in very old Germans.

Methods

A comprehensive sample of 404,610 very old (≥ 75 years), insured at a large statutory insurer (Allgemeine Ortskrankenkasse Nordost, active in the federal states Berlin, Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania), was followed over 6 years (2012–2017). Our outcome was the utilization of dental services, in total (any utilization) and in five subgroups: (1) examinations and associated assessment or advice, (2) restorations, (3) surgery, (4) prevention, (5) outreach care. Association of utilization with (1) sex, (2) age, (3) region, (4) social hardship status, (5) ICD-10 diagnoses, and (6) German modified diagnosis-related groups (GM-DRGs) was explored.

Results

The mean (SD) age of the sample was 81.9 (5.4) years. The utilization of any dental service was 73%; utilization was highest for examinations (68%), followed by prevention (44%), surgery (33%), restorations (32%), and outreach care (13%). Utilization decreased with age for nearly all services except outreach care. Service utilization was significantly higher in Berlin and most cities compared with rural municipalities, and in individuals with common, less severe, and short-term conditions compared with life-threatening and long-term conditions. In multi-variable analysis, social hardship status (OR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.12-1.16), federal state (Brandenburg 0.85; 0.84–0.87; Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania: 0.80; 0.78–0.82), and age significantly affected utilization (0.95; 0.95–0.95/year), together with a range of co-morbidities according to ICD-10 and DRG.

Conclusions

Social, demographic, regional, and general health aspects were associated with the utilization of dental services in very old Germans. Policies to maintain access to services up to high age are needed.

Clinical significance

The utilization of dental services in the very old in northeast Germany showed significant disparities within populations. Policies to allow service utilization for sick, economically disadvantaged, rural and very old populations are required. These may include incentives for outreach servicing, treatment-fee increases for specific populations, or referral schemes between general medical practitioners and dentists.
Singing in the suburbs: point count surveys efficiently reveal habitat associations for nocturnal Orthoptera across an urban-to-rural gradient
Authors: McNeil Darin J. , Grozinger Christina M.
Published: September 2020

As evidence for global insect population declines continues to amass, several studies have indicated that Orthoptera (grasshoppers, crickets, and katydids) are among the most threatened insect groups. Understanding Orthoptera populations across large spatial extents requires efficient survey protocols, however, many previously established methods are expensive and/or labor-intensive. One survey method widely employed in wildlife biology, the aural point count, may work well for crickets and katydids (suborder: Ensifera) because males produce conspicuous, species-specific mating calls. We conducted repeated point count surveys across an urban-to-rural gradient in central Pennsylvania. Occupancy analyses of ten focal species indicated that, although detection probability rates varied by species from 0.43 to 0.98, detection rates compounded over five visits such that all focal species achieved cumulative > 0.90. Factors associated with site occupancy varied among species with some positively associated with urbanization (e.g., Greater Anglewing,Microcentrum rhombifolium), some negatively associated with urbanization (e.g., Sword-bearing Conehead,Neoconocephalus ensiger), and others exhibiting constant occupancy across a habitat gradient (e.g., Common True Katydid,Pterophylla camellifolia). Our community-level analysis revealed that different species’ habitat associations interacted such that intermediate levels of urbanization (i.e., suburbs) hosted the highest number of species.

Implications for insect conservation

Ultimately, our analyses clearly support the concept that aural point counts paired with static occupancy modeling can serve as an important tool for monitoring night-singing Orthoptera populations. Applications of point count surveys by both researchers and citizen scientists may improve our understanding Ensifera populations and help in the global conservation of these threatened insects.
Laser-based additively manufactured polymers: a review on processes and mechanical models
Authors: Brighenti Roberto , Cosma Mattia Pancrazio , Marsavina Liviu , Spagnoli Andrea , Terzano Michele
Published: September 2020

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a broad definition of various techniques to produce layer-by-layer objects made of different materials. In this paper, a comprehensive review of laser-based technologies for polymers, including powder bed fusion processes [e.g. selective laser sintering (SLS)] and vat photopolymerisation [e.g. stereolithography (SLA)], is presented, where both the techniques employ a laser source to either melt or cure a raw polymeric material. The aim of the review is twofold: (1) to present the principal theoretical models adopted in the literature to simulate the complex physical phenomena involved in the transformation of the raw material into AM objects and (2) to discuss the influence of process parameters on the physical final properties of the printed objects and in turn on their mechanical performance. The models being presented simulate: the thermal problem along with the thermally activated bonding through sintering of the polymeric powder in SLS; the binding induced by the curing mechanisms of light-induced polymerisation of the liquid material in SLA. Key physical variables in AM objects, such as porosity and degree of cure in SLS and SLA respectively, are discussed in relation to the manufacturing process parameters, as well as to the mechanical resistance and deformability of the objects themselves.

Graphic abstract
Baltic Sea sediments record anthropogenic loads of Cd, Pb, and Zn
Authors: Shahabi-Ghahfarokhi Sina , Josefsson Sarah , Apler Anna , Kalbitz Karsten , Åström Mats , Ketzer Marcelo
Published: September 2020

The unsustainable settlement and high industrialization around the catchment of the Baltic Sea has left records of anthropogenic heavy metal contamination in Baltic Sea sediments. Here, we show that sediments record post-industrial and anthropogenic loads of Cd, Zn, and Pb over a large spatial scale in the Baltic Sea. We also demonstrate that there is a control on the accumulation of these metals in relation to oxic/anoxic conditions of bottom waters. The total concentrations of Cd, Zn, and Pb were obtained with the near-total digestion method in thirteen cores collected from the Bothnian Bay, the Bothnian Sea, and the west and central Baltic Proper. The lowest average concentrations of Cd, Zn, and Pb were observed in Bothnian Bay (0.4, 125, 40.2 mg kg−1 DW, respectively). In contrast, the highest concentrations were observed in the west Baltic Proper (5.5, 435, and 56.6 mg kg−1 DW, respectively). The results indicate an increasing trend for Cd, Zn, and Pb from the early nineteenth century until the 1970s, followed by a decrease until 2000–2008. However, surface sediments still have concentrations above the pre-industrial values suggested by the Swedish EPA (Cd is 0.2, Zn is 85, and Pb is 31 mg kg−1 DW). The results also show that the pre-industrial Cd, Zn, and Pb concentrations obtained from 3 cores with ages < 1500 B.C. were 1.8, 1.7, and 1.2 times higher, respectively, than the pre-industrial values suggested by the Swedish EPA. To conclude, accumulations of metals in the Baltic Sea are governed by anthropogenic load and the redox conditions of the environment. The significance of correct environmental governance (measures) can be illustrated with the reduction in the pollution of Pb, Zn, and Cd within the Baltic Sea since the 1980s.
Process Control of Drug Product Continuous Manufacturing Operations—a Study in Operational Simplification and Continuous Improvement
Authors: Medendorp Joseph , Shapally Sreedhar , Vrieze Derek , Tolton Kelly
Published: September 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this manuscript is to demonstrate that implementation of gravimetric measurements provides the same assurance of product quality and process control as spectroscopic measurements (1) for control of drug content in a fixed-dose combination (FDC) tablet and (2) for identification of non-conforming material.

Methods

A wet granulation continuous tableting line was used to make the FDC drug product batches. Comparative data was generated for ten batches using near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for core tablets, and gravimetric in-process control measurements (IPCs) applied to the ratio control of intra- and extra-granular blend (IG and EG). HPLC reference data were collected to further demonstrate uniformity at each stage of the production process, including IG, final blend, and core tablets. All possible sources of variation not directly detectable by the gravimetric measurements were considered and quantified.

Results

The two IPC measurement techniques showed excellent agreement where both were within 2% of the target drug concentrations and within 2% of each other for the ten comparative batches. The NIR was more sensitive to material and process variations than the gravimetric IPCs; thus, it was more variable within and across batches. Gravimetric IPCs were demonstrated as an effective replacement for spectroscopic measurements for continuous tableting operations, capable of ensuring on target manufacturing and detection of non-conforming material.

Conclusions

As pharmaceutical companies continue to push toward operational simplicity and sustainable manufacturing processes, soft-sensor and gravimetric controls as alternatives to their spectroscopic counterparts will be applied more broadly for process monitoring and control.
Low friction in self-mated silicon carbide tribosystem using nanodiamond as lubricating additive in water
Authors: Wang Xudong , Sato Hirotsuna , Adachi Koshi
Published: September 2020

Nanodiamond particles (NDPs) have been considered as a potential lubricant additive to various tribological applications, such as water lubrication systems. In this study, the tribological properties of silicon carbide (SiC) lubricated by NDPs dispersed in water are investigated utilizing the ball-on-disk tribometer. It is found that the slight addition of NDP to water (i.e., 0.001 wt%) can distinctly accelerate the running-in process, which is necessary to achieve a friction coefficient (μ) as low as 0.01. This study also discusses two NDP functional terminations —hydroxyl and carboxyl. It is demonstrated that the use of carboxyl-terminated NDP over a wide range of concentration (0.001 wt%–1 wt%) yields a low friction force. In contrast, the ideal effective concentration of hydroxyl-terminated NDP is considerably limited because agglomeration in this material is more probable to occur than in the former. Meanwhile, when utilizing NDPs, the input friction energy (Pin, defined as the product of sliding speed and applied load) is found to have an essential function. Several sliding tests were implemented at various Pin values (50–1,500 mW) using carboxyl-terminated water-dispersed NDPs. It was observed that the μ and wear decreased with increasing Pin when 200 mW < Pin < 1,500 mW. However, when Pin < 200 mW, low friction with high wear occurs compared with the resulting friction and wear when pure water is used.
Discrete imperialist competitive algorithm for the resource-constrained hybrid flowshop problem with energy consumption
Authors: Tao Xin-rui , Li Jun-qing , Huang Ti-hao , Duan Peng
Published: September 2020

The resource-constrained hybrid flowshop problem (RCHFS) has been investigated thoroughly in recent years. However, the practical case that considers both resource-constrained and energy consumption still has rare research. To address this issue, a discrete imperialist competitive algorithm (DICA) was proposed to minimize the makespan and energy consumption. In the proposed algorithm, first, each solution was represented by a two-dimensional vector, where one vector represented the scheduling sequence and another one showed the machine assignment. Then, a decoding method considering the resource allocation was designed. Finally, we combined DICA and the simulated annealing algorithm (SA) to improve the performance of the proposed approach. Furthermore, we tested the proposed algorithm based on a randomly generated set of real shop scheduling system instances and compared with the existing heuristic algorithms. The results confirmed that the proposed algorithm can solve the RCHFS with high efficiency.
Development and Application of a Patient Group Engagement Prioritization Tool for Use in Medical Product Development
Authors: Perry Brian , Dombeck Carrie , Smalley Jaye Bea , Levitan Bennett , Leventhal David , Patrick-Lake Bray , Brennan Linda , McKenna Kevin , Hallinan Zachary , Corneli Amy
Published: September 2020

Introduction

Patient group engagement is increasingly used to inform the design, conduct, and dissemination of clinical trials and other medical research activities. However, the priorities of industry sponsors and patient groups differ, and there is currently no framework to help these groups identify mutually beneficial engagement activities.

Methods

We conducted 28 qualitative, semi-structured interviews with representatives from research sponsor organizations (n = 14) and patient groups (n = 14) to determine: (1) how representatives define benefits and investments of patient group engagement in medical product development, and (2) to refine a list of 31 predefined patient group engagement activities.

Results

Patient group and sponsor representatives described similar benefits: engagement activities can enhance the quality and efficiency of clinical trials by improving patient recruitment and retention, reduce costs, and help trials meet expectations of regulators and payers. All representatives indicated that investments include both dedicated staff time and expertise, and financial resources. Factors to consider when evaluating benefits and investments were also identified as were suggestions for clarifying the list of engagement activities.

Discussion

Using these findings, we refined the 31 engagement activities to 24 unique activities across the medical product development lifecycle. We also developed a web-based prioritization tool (https://prioritizationtool.ctti-clinicaltrials.org/) to help clinical research sponsors and patient groups identify high-priority engagement activities. Use of this tool can help sponsors and patient groups identify the engagement activities that they believe will provide the most benefit for the least investment and may lead to more meaningful and mutually beneficial partnerships in medical product development.
Global Intergovernmental Initiatives to Minimise Alcohol Problems: Some Good Intentions, but Little Action
Authors: ROOM Robin
Published: September 2020

While, historically, alcohol production and sale were local matters, commercialised and industrialised alcohol has supervened, globalised initially through European empires, transforming alcohol’s place in everyday life. But alcohol was not included in the current international drug control system, initiated in 1912. In the current “UN system” of 35 intergovernmental agencies, alcohol has been a recurrent concern in the work only of the World Health Organization (WHO). Examples are given of the sporadic involvement in alcohol issues of other agencies, and the history of WHO’s involvement between 1950 and early 2020 is briefly described. At WHO, the place of alcohol programming in its structure and which other topics it is linked with have been recurrent issues. Civil society support for alcohol initiatives has been comparatively weak, and alcohol industry counter-pressure has been strong. Alcohol issues have thus received less attention at the intergovernmental level than the harm would justify. Constraining factors have included not only lobbying by industry interests, but also the multi-sectoral nature of alcohol problems and the international cultural position of alcohol as a luxury good served at gatherings of political and media elites.
Dark Ages woodland recovery and the expansion of beech: a study of land use changes and related woodland dynamics during the Roman to Medieval transition period in northern Belgium
Authors: Deforce Koen , Bastiaens Jan , Crombé Philippe , Deschepper Ewoud , Haneca Kristof , Laloo Pieter , Van Calster Hans , Verbrugghe Gerben , De Clercq Wim
Published: September 2020

The results from analyses of botanical remains (pollen, wood, charcoal, seeds) from several archaeological features excavated in Kluizen (northern Belgium) are presented. The region was largely uninhabited until the Iron Age and Roman period when a rural settlement was established, resulting in small-scale woodland clearance. The site was subsequently abandoned fromc.AD 270 till the High Middle Ages. The results of the archaeological and archaeobotanical analyses provide information on changes in land use and resulting dynamics of woodland cover and composition betweenc.600 BC and AD 1200, with a spatial and temporal resolution unrivalled in northern Belgium. Especially the long period of woodland regeneration following abandonment of the site around AD 270, covering the Late Roman and Early Medieval period, could be reconstructed in detail. Abandoned fields were first covered with pioneer woodland (Salix,CorylusandBetula), thenQuercus-dominated secondary forest and finally a late-successional forest withFagus sylvatica,Carpinus betulusandIlex aquifolium, an evolution that took over 300 years. The results also indicate that the observed increase ofFagusduring the Early Middle Ages, which was never an important element in the woodland vegetation in northern Belgium before, was related to climatic changes rather than anthropogenic factors.
Yikes! Are we disgusted by politicians?
Authors: Bakker Bert N. , Schumacher Gijs , Homan Maaike D.
Published: September 2020

Abstract

In the political domain, disgust is primarily portrayed as an emotion that explains individual differences in pathogen avoidance. We hypothesized that political rhetoric accusing opponents of moral transgressions also elicits disgust responses. In this registered report, we present the results from a laboratory experiment. We find that participants self-report higher disgust and have stronger physiological (Levator labii) responses to pictures of out-party leaders compared with in-party leaders. Participants also report higher disgust in response to moral violations of in-party leaders. There is more suggestive evidence that in-party leaders evoke more labii activity when they commit moral violations than when out-party leaders do. The impact of individual differences in moral disgust and partisanship strength is very limited to absent. Intriguingly, on average, the physiological and self-reported disgust responses to the treatment are similar, but individuals differ in whether their response is physiological or cognitive. This motivates further theorizing regarding the concordance of emotional responses.
The Adjudication of Slave Ship Captures, Coercive Intervention, and Value Exchange in Comparative Atlantic Perspective, ca. 1839–1870
Authors: Richards Jake Subryan
Published: September 2020

What were the consequences of creating jurisdictions against the transatlantic slave trade in the nineteenth-century Atlantic world? Answering this question requires a comparative focus on the courts of mixed commission that adjudicated naval captures of slave ships, located at Sierra Leone (the foremost site of British abolition) and Brazil (the primary mid-century target). Court jurisdiction conflicted with sovereign jurisdiction regarding the presence of recaptives (“liberated Africans”), the risk of re-enslavement, and unlawful naval captures. To rescue the re-enslaved and compensate the loss of property, regulating anti-slave-trade jurisdiction involved coercive strategies alternating with negotiated value exchanges. Abolition as a legal field emerged from interactions between liberated Africans, British diplomatic and naval agents, and local political elites in Brazil and on the Upper Guinea Coast.
Geochemical and metamorphic record of the amphibolites from the Tuting–Tidding Suture Zone ophiolites, Eastern Himalaya, India: implications for the presence of a dismembered metamorphic sole
Authors: Dutt Amrita , Singh A Krishnakanta , Srivastava Rajesh K , Oinam Govind , Bikramaditya RK
Published: September 2020

The Tuting–Tidding Suture Zone (TTSZ), exposed along Dibang and Lohit river valleys in Arunachal Himalaya, NE India, is the easternmost continuation of the Indus–Tsangpo Suture Zone (ITSZ) and consists of ophiolites associated with metabasics and carbonates. Amphibolites, existing at the base of the ophiolite complex, were studied using whole-rock, mineral chemical analyses and pressure–temperature (P-T) pseudosection modelling to understand their metamorphic and petrogenetic history, and interpret the tectonic environment of their formation. They exhibit two-stage deformation, where D1 is depicted by polymineralic inclusion trails in former melt pools and the main foliation represents D2. Sub-alkaline tholeiitic character, high-field-strength element (HFSE) ratios and mid-oceanic ridge basalt (MORB) -like rare earth element (REE) patterns with negative Eu anomaly indicate that the protolith of these amphibolites originated in a spreading regime by extensive partial melting of a depleted mantle source at shallow depth. Petrography, mineral chemistry and P-T modelling indicate a three-stage metamorphic history for them. M1 is the prograde (c. 2.1 GPa, c. 450°C) defined by garnet centre compositions corresponding to the D1 event. The existence of former melts in the samples demarcates the M2 stage (1.4–1.8 GPa, c. 600°C). The rocks later underwent retrogression (M3: 0.8–1.0 GPa, 480–520°C), which corresponds to the D2 event. These observations suggest that the protolith of the TTSZ amphibolites originated in a mid-oceanic ridge setting, which accreted below a subduction zone where it underwent M1 metamorphism followed by M2 metamorphism, corresponding to partial melting of the rocks. Finally, the M3 event occurred during the obduction phase of the ophiolite complex, where the amphibolites were obducted as the metamorphic sole of the TTSZ ophiolites.
Lili Wu Chinese
Authors: Shi Menghui , Chen Yiya
Published: September 2020

Lili Wu Chinese () is a Wu dialect (; ISO 639-3; code: wuu) spoken by approximately 38,000 people who reside in the town of Lili (), one of the ten major towns in the Wujiang district (). The Wujiang district belongs to the prefectural-level municipality of Suzhou city () in Jiangsu province (), the People’s Republic of China. It is located at the juncture area of the city of Shanghai (), the city of Suzhou, and the city of Jiaxing (), as shown in Figure 1.
Early outcomes of usage of cryoFORM® probe for cryomaze procedure in congenital heart surgery
Authors: Altin Firat H. , Balli Sevket , Cicek Murat , Yurdakok Okan , Korun Oktay , Sasmazel Ahmet , Aydemir Numan A.
Published: September 2020

Objectives:

This study aimed to evaluate the early outcomes of patients who underwent a concomitant therapeutic maze procedure for congenital heart surgery.

Materials and Methods:

Between 2019 and 2020, eight patients underwent surgical cryoablation by using the same type of cryoablation probe.

Results:

Three patients had atrial flutter, two had Wolf–Parkinson–White syndrome, two intra-atrial reentrant tachycardia, and one had atrial fibrillation. Four patients underwent electrophysiological study. Preoperatively, one patient was on 3, two were on 2, five were on 1 antiarrhythmic drug. Six patients underwent right atrial maze and two underwent bilateral atrial maze. Five out of six right atrial maze patients underwent right atrial reduction. Nine different lesion sets were used. Some of the lesions were combined and applied as one lesion. In Ebstein’s anomaly patients, the lesion from coronary sinus to displaced tricuspid annulus was delicately performed. The single ventricle patient with heterotaxy had junctional rhythm at the time of discharge and was the only patient who experienced atrial extrasystoles 2 months after discharge. Seven of the eight patients were on sinus rhythm. No patient needed permanent pacemaker placement.

Conclusion:

Cryomaze procedure can be applied in congenital heart diseases with acceptable arrhythmia-free rates by selecting the appropriate materials and suitable lesion sets. The application of cryomaze in heterotaxy patients can be challenging due to differences in the conduction system and complex anatomy. Consensus with the electrophysiology team about the choice of the right–left or biatrial maze procedure is mandatory for operational success.
A multi-slotted antenna for LTE/5G Sub-6 GHz wireless communication applications
Authors: Azim Rezaul , Meaze AKM Moinul H. , Affandi Adnan , Alam Md Mottahir , Aktar Rumi , Mia Md S. , Alam Touhidul , Samsuzzaman Md , Islam Mohammad T.
Published: September 2020

This paper presents a low-profile multi-slotted patch antenna for long term evolution (LTE) and fifth-generation (5G) communication applications. The studied antenna comprised of a stepped patch and a ground plane. To attain the required operating band, three slots have been inserted within the patch. The insertion of the slots enhances the capacitive effect and helps the prototype antenna to achieve an operating band ranging from 3.15 to 5.55 GHz (S11 ≤−10 dB), covering the N77/N78/N79 for sub-6 GHz 5G wireless communications and LTE bands of 22/42/43/46. The wideband antenna presented in this paper offers omnidirectional stable radiation patterns, good gains, and efficiency with a compact size which make this design an ideal contender for wireless fidelity (WiFi), wireless local area network (WLAN), LTE, and sub-6 GHz 5G communication applications.
Dust Aerosol Retrieval Over the Oceans With the MODIS/VIIRS Dark‐Target Algorithm: 1. Dust Detection
Authors: Zhou Yaping , Levy Robert C. , Remer Lorraine A. , Mattoo Shana , Shi Yingxi , Wang Chenxi
Published: September 2020

To prepare for implementation of a new aerosol retrieval specifically designed for dust aerosol over ocean in the operational Dark‐Target (DT) algorithms for the Moderate‐resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MODIS) and Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) satellite sensors, we focus on the challenge of detecting dust. We first survey the literature on existing dust detection algorithms and then develop an innovative algorithm that combines near‐UV (deep blue), visible, and thermal infrared (TIR) wavelength spectral tests. The new detection algorithm is applied to Terra and Aqua MODIS granules and compared with other dust detection possibilities from existing MODIS products. Quantitative evaluation of the new dust detection algorithm is conducted using both a collocated AERONET‐MODIS data set and collocated Cloud‐Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO)‐MODIS data set. From comparison with both AERONET and CALIOP measurements, we estimate the new dust detection algorithm detects about 30% of weakly dusty pixels and more than 80% of heavily dusty pixels, with false detections in the range of 1–2%. The very low false detection rate is particularly noteworthy in comparison with existing literature. Compared with the dust flag currently available as part of the MODIS cloud mask product (MOD35/MYD35), and dust classification based on commonly used thresholds with aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Angstrom exponent (AE), the new dust detection algorithm finds more dusty pixels and fewer false detections.
Trouet Receives 2019 Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology Willi Dansgaard Award
Authors:   AGU
Published: September 2020

Valerie Trouet received the 2019 Willi Dansgaard Award at AGU's Fall Meeting 2019, held 9–13 December in San Francisco, Calif. The award is given in recognition of “high research impact, innovative interdisciplinary work, educational accomplishments, such as mentoring, or positive societal impact” and “exceptional promise for continued leadership in paleoceanography and paleoclimatology.”
Vertical Land Motion From Present‐Day Deglaciation in the Wider Arctic
Authors: Ludwigsen Carsten Ankjær , Khan Shfaqat Abbas , Andersen Ole Baltazar , Marzeion Ben
Published: September 2020

Vertical land motion (VLM) from past and ongoing glacial changes can amplify or mitigate ongoing relative sea level change. We present a high‐resolution VLM model for the wider Arctic, that includes both present‐day ice loading (PDIL) and glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA). The study shows that the nonlinear elastic uplift from PDIL is significant (0.5–1 mm yr−1) in most of the wider Arctic and exceeds GIA at 15 of 54 Arctic GNSS sites, including sites in nonglaciated areas of the North Sea region and the east coast of North America. Thereby the sea level change from PDIL (1.85 mm yr−1) is significantly mitigated from VLM caused by PDIL. The combined VLM model was consistent with measured VLM at 85% of the GNSS sites (
) and outperformed a GIA‐only model (
). Deviations from GNSS‐measured VLM can be attributed to local circumstances causing VLM.