bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Selection of new diagnostic markers for Dirofilaria repens infections with the use of phage display technology
Authors: Pękacz Mateusz , Basałaj Katarzyna , Kalinowska Alicja , Klockiewicz Maciej , Stopka Diana , Bąska Piotr , Długosz Ewa , Karabowicz Justyna , Młocicki Daniel , Wiśniewski Marcin , Zawistowska-Deniziak Anna
Published: February 2022

Dirofilaria repens is a parasitic nematode causing vector-borne disease (dirofilariasis), considered an emerging problem in veterinary and human medicine. Although main hosts are carnivores, particularly dogs, D. repens shows high zoonotic potential. The disease spreads uncontrollably, affecting new areas. Since there is no vaccine against dirofilariasis, the only way to limit disease transmission is an early diagnosis. Currently, diagnosis depends on the detection of microfilariae in the host bloodstream using modified Knott's test or multiplex PCR. However, the efficacy of tests relying on microfilariae detection is limited by microfilariae periodic occurrence. Therefore, a new reliable diagnostic test is required. Our study aimed to select new diagnostic markers for dirofilariasis with potential application in diagnostics. We focused on single epitopes to ensure high specificity of diagnosis and avoid cross-reactivity with the other parasite infections common in dogs. Using phage display technology and 12-mer peptides library, we selected epitopes highly reactive with IgG from sera of infected dogs. Additionally, our study presents the possibility of detecting D. repens specific cell-free DNA in dogs with no microfilaria but high IgG and IgM antibody levels against parasite somatic antigen.
Electronic transport properties of the Al0.5TiZrPdCuNi alloy in the high-entropy alloy and metallic glass forms
Authors: Wencka Magdalena , Krnel Mitja , Jelen Andreja , Vrtnik Stanislav , Luzar Jože , Koželj Primož , Gačnik Darja , Meden Anton , Hu Qiang , Wang Chaomin , Guo Sheng , Dolinšek Janez
Published: February 2022

High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are characterized by a simultaneous presence of a crystal lattice and an amorphous-type chemical (substitutional) disorder. In order to unravel the effect of crystal-glass duality on the electronic transport properties of HEAs, we performed a comparative study of the electronic transport coefficients of a 6-component alloy Al0.5TiZrPdCuNi that can be prepared either as a HEA or as a metallic glass (MG) at the same chemical composition. The HEA and the MG states of the Al0.5TiZrPdCuNi alloy both show large, negative-temperature-coefficient resistivity, positive thermopower, positive Hall coefficient and small thermal conductivity. The transport coefficients were reproduced analytically by the spectral conductivity model, using the Kubo-Greenwood formalism. For both modifications of the material (HEA and MG), contribution of phonons to the transport coefficients was found small, so that their temperature dependence originates predominantly from the temperature dependence of the Fermi–Dirac function and the variation of the spectral conductivity and the related electronic density of states with energy within the Fermi-level region. The very similar electronic transport coefficients of the HEA and the MG states point towards essential role of the immense chemical disorder.
Theoretical, chemical, and electrochemical studies of Equisetum arvense extract as an impactful inhibitor of steel corrosion in 2 M HCl electrolyte
Authors: Deyab M. A. , Mohsen Q. , Guo Lei
Published: February 2022

A new type ofEquisetum arvenseaerial part (EAAP) extract was ready to be tested as a corrosion inhibitor for steel-based parts in Multi-stage flash (MSF) segments while the segments were being acid cleaned. The EAAP extract was identified using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). When compared to the specimen exposed to blank solution, EAAP extract molecules covered about 97% of the carbon steel surface in 2 M HCl solution, and the corrosion rate was reduced to 0.58 ± 0.02 μg cm−2 h−1at 300 mg l−1. EAAP extract tends to have a blended impact on both anodic and cathodic sites on the surface of carbon steel. The thermodynamic activation factors are substantially higher in the presence of extract solution than in the absent of extract, demonstrating that the carbon steel surface would corrode slowly in the presence of EAAP extract. Theoretical models were used to validate the adsorption of EAAP extract on steel surfaces.
Multiple Walker breakdowns in magnetic multilayers
Authors: Moon Joon , Yoon Jaesung , Kim Kitae , Lee Seong-Hyub , Kim Dae-Yun , Choe Sug-Bong
Published: February 2022

Herein, we report an exotic domain-wall dynamics showing double Walker breakdowns in magnetic multilayer films composed of two magnetic layers. Such multiple Walker breakdowns are attributed to the internal magnetic dipole field, which is antisymmetric on the domain walls of the lower and upper magnetic layers. A micromagnetic simulation shows four phases of the domain-wall dynamics, which result in a phase diagram with the phase boundaries of the double Walker breakdown fields. Such double Walker breakdowns lead to two minima in the variation of the domain-wall velocity, as often observed experimentally.
Mortality and readmission rates among hospitalized COVID-19 patients with varying stages of chronic kidney disease: a multicenter retrospective cohort
Authors: Appelman Brent , Oppelaar Jetta J. , Broeders Lani , Wiersinga Willem Joost , Peters-Sengers Hessel , Vogt Liffert ,   the CovidPredict Study Group, Appelman Brent , Schinkel Michiel , Buis David , Sigaloff Kim C. E. , Elbers Paul W. G. , Rusch Daisy , Reidinga Auke , Moeniralam Hazra , Wyers Caroline , van den Bergh Joop , Simsek Suat , van Dam Bastiaan , van den Gritters Niels C. , Bokhizzou Nejma , Brinkman Kees , de Kruif Martijn , Dormans Tom , Douma Renée , de Haan Lianne R. , Fung Tsz Yeung , Beudel Martijn
Published: February 2022

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) has been recognized as a highly prevalent risk factor for both the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and COVID-19 associated adverse outcomes. In this multicenter observational cohort study, we aim to determine mortality and readmission rates of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 across varying CKD stages. We performed a multicenter cohort study among COVID-19 patients included in the Dutch COVIDPredict cohort. The cohort consists of hospitalized patients from March 2020 until July 2021 with PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection or a highly suspected CT scan-based infection with a CORADS score ≥ 4. A total of 4151 hospitalized COVID-19 patients were included of who 389 had a history of CKD before admission. After adjusting for all confounding covariables, in patients with CKD stage 3a, stage 3b, stage 4 and patients with KTX (kidney transplantation), odds ratios of death and readmission compared to patients without CKD ranged from 1.96 to 8.94. We demonstrate an evident increased 12-week mortality and readmission rate in patients with chronic kidney disease. Besides justified concerns for kidney transplant patients, clinicians should also be aware of more severe COVID-19 outcomes and increased vulnerability in CKD patients.
Potential of micro-exercise to prevent long-term sickness absence in the general working population: prospective cohort study with register follow-up
Authors: Andersen Lars L. , Skovlund Sebastian V. , Vinstrup Jonas , Geisle Niels , Sørensen Stig I. , Thorsen Sannie V. , Sundstrup Emil
Published: February 2022

This study assesses the potential of workplace-based micro-exercise (brief and simple exercise bouts) to prevent long-term sickness absence (LTSA) at the population level. In the Work Environment and Health in Denmark Study (2012–2018), we followed 70,130 workers from the general working population, without prior LTSA, for two years in the Danish Register for Evaluation of Marginalisation. We used Cox regression with model-assisted weights and controlled for various confounders. From 2012 to 2018, the percentage of workers in Denmark using workplace-based micro-exercise during and outside of working hours increased from 7.1 to 10.9% and from 0.8 to 1.4%, respectively. The incidence of long-term sickness absence (at least 30 days) was 8.4% during follow-up. The fully adjusted model showed reduced risk of long-term sickness absence from using micro-exercise during working hours, (HR 0.86, 95% CI 0.77–0.96), but not when used outside of working hours. If used by all workers, micro-exercise during working hours could potentially prevent 12.8% of incident long-term sickness absence cases (population attributable fraction). In conclusion, micro-exercise performed during working hours holds certain potential to prevent incident long-term sickness absence in the general working population. Large-scale implementation of workplace-based micro-exercise may represent an unexploited opportunity for public health promotion.
Combining satellite geophysical data with continuous on-site measurements for monitoring the dynamic parameters of civil structures
Authors: Coccimiglio Stefania , Coletta Giorgia , Lenticchia Erica , Miraglia Gaetano , Ceravolo Rosario
Published: February 2022

One key issue in the Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) of buildings is the influence of the soil on the dynamics of the system. The lack of accurate information on soil-structure interaction represents a source of significant uncertainty and generates difficulties in assessing the state of structural health. In this respect, satellite data could represent a valuable tool for soil knowledge. This paper presents the first study of satellite data coming from the environmental Copernicus program of the European Space Agency (ESA) for the alternative application in the field of SHM. In particular, Land Surface Temperature (LST) and Soil Water Index (SWI) data are elected to study surface temperature and moisture condition of the soil. Once examined and processed, these records have been statistically analyzed, crossed with on-site experimental quantities (natural frequencies and environmental variations), and given as input to a Finite Element (FE) model. The final goal is to understand the actual structural behavior, but also to monitor the evolution of the dynamic parameters for the purposes of structural and seismic monitoring. The largest oval masonry dome in the world was chosen as a prominent case study to demonstrate this novel approach to SHM.
Molecular characterization of echovirus 9 strains isolated from hand-foot-and-mouth disease in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China
Authors: Zhang Ming , Guo Wei , Xu Danhan , Feng Changzeng , Bao Guohong , Sun Hao , Yang Zhaoqing , Ma Shaohui
Published: February 2022

Echovirus 9 (E9) belongs to the species Enterovirus B. So far, 12 whole genome sequences of E9 are available in GenBank. In this study, we determined the whole genomic sequences of five E9 strains isolated from the stools of patients with hand-foot-and-mouth disease in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China, in 2019. Their nucleotide and amino acid sequences shared 80.8–80.9% and 96.4–96.8% identity with the prototype Hill strain, respectively, and shared 99.3–99.9% and 99.1–99.8% mutual identity, respectively. Recombination analyses revealed that intertype recombination had occurred in the 2C and 3D regions of the five Yunnan E9 strains with coxsackieviruses B5 and B4, respectively. This study augmented the whole genome sequences of E9 in the GenBank database and extended the molecular characterization of this virus in China.
Modelling biophoton emission kinetics based on the initial intensity value in Helianthus annuus plants exposed to different types of stress
Authors: Pónya Zsolt , Somfalvi-Tóth Katalin
Published: February 2022

Biophoton radiation also referred to as ultra-weak photon emission (UPE) is used to denote a spontaneous and permanent photon emission associated with oxidative processes in cells and seems to universally occur in all living systems as a result of the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that are produced under stress conditions. The measurement of this biophoton emission allows for a non-invasive approach in monitoring phenological stages throughout plant development which has direct relevance in agriculture research. In this study, the emission of photons emanating from sunflower (Helianthus annuus, L.) plants exposed to biotic and abiotic stress has been investigated. In healthy plants raised under controlled growth conditions UPE was low whereas in stressed individuals it considerably increased; particularly upon water stress. The kinetics of the signal is shown to reveal an exponential decay with characteristic dynamics, which appears to reflect different physiological states concomitantly setting in upon stress. The dynamics of the signal decay is shown to vary according to the type of stress applied (biotic vs. abiotic) hence suggesting a putative relationship between the kinetic traits of change in the signal intensity-decay and stress. Intriguingly, the determination of the change in the intensity of biophoton emission that ensued in a short time course was possible by using the initial biophoton emission intensity. The predictability level of the equations demonstrated the applicability of the model in a corroborative manner when employing it in independent UPE-measurements, thus permitting to forecast the intensity change in a very accurate way over a short time course. Our findings allow the notion that albeit stress confers complex and complicated changes on oxidative metabolism in biological systems, the employment of biophoton imaging offers a feasible method making it possible to monitor oxidative processes triggered by stress in a non-invasive and label-free way which has versatile applications especially in precision agriculture.
Deep learning segmentation and quantification method for assessing epicardial adipose tissue in CT calcium score scans
Authors: Hoori Ammar , Hu Tao , Lee Juhwan , Al-Kindi Sadeer , Rajagopalan Sanjay , Wilson David L.
Published: February 2022

Epicardial adipose tissue volume (EAT) has been linked to coronary artery disease and the risk of major adverse cardiac events. As manual quantification of EAT is time-consuming, requires specialized training, and is prone to human error, we developed a deep learning method (DeepFat) for the automatic assessment of EAT on non-contrast low-dose CT calcium score images. Our DeepFat intuitively segmented the tissue enclosed by the pericardial sac on axial slices, using two preprocessing steps. First, we applied a HU-attention-window with a window/level 350/40-HU to draw attention to the sac and reduce numerical errors. Second, we applied a novel look ahead slab-of-slices with bisection (“bisect”) in which we split the heart into halves and sequenced the lower half from bottom-to-middle and the upper half from top-to-middle, thereby presenting an always increasing curvature of the sac to the network. EAT volume was obtained by thresholding voxels within the sac in the fat window (− 190/− 30-HU). Compared to manual segmentation, our algorithm gave excellent results with volume Dice = 88.52% ± 3.3, slice Dice = 87.70% ± 7.5, EAT error = 0.5% ± 8.1, and R = 98.52% (p < 0.001). HU-attention-window and bisect improved Dice volume scores by 0.49% and 3.2% absolute, respectively. Variability between analysts was comparable to variability with DeepFat. Results compared favorably to those of previous publications.
Stabilization of gamma sulfur at room temperature to enable the use of carbonate electrolyte in Li-S batteries
Authors: Pai Rahul , Singh Arvinder , Tang Maureen H. , Kalra Vibha
Published: February 2022

This past decade has seen extensive research in lithium-sulfur batteries with exemplary works mitigating the notorious polysulfide shuttling. However, these works utilize ether electrolytes that are highly volatile severely hindering their practicality. Here, we stabilize a rare monoclinic γ-sulfur phase within carbon nanofibers that enables successful operation of Lithium-Sulfur (Li-S) batteries in carbonate electrolyte for 4000 cycles. Carbonates are known to adversely react with the intermediate polysulfides and shut down Li-S batteries in first discharge. Through electrochemical characterization and post-mortem spectroscopy/ microscopy studies on cycled cells, we demonstrate an altered redox mechanism in our cells that reversibly converts monoclinic sulfur to Li2S without the formation of intermediate polysulfides for the entire range of 4000 cycles. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the synthesis of stable γ-sulfur and its application in Li-S batteries. We hope that this striking discovery of solid-to-solid reaction will trigger new fundamental and applied research in carbonate electrolyte Li-S batteries.
Ru doped molybdenum-based nanowire arrays for efficient hydrogen evolution over a broad pH range
Authors: Yang Shaohua , Li Jinhui , Cao Duanlin , Gong Yaqiong
Published: February 2022

The synthesized Ru–MoP NWAS/CFP electrode exhibited distinguished electrocatalytic performance toward the HER over a broad pH range.
Influence of climate change on persistent organic pollutants and chemicals of emerging concern in the Arctic: state of knowledge and recommendations for future research
Authors: de Wit Cynthia A. , Vorkamp Katrin , Muir Derek
Published: February 2022

Future climate change in the Arctic will lead to loss of ice, snow and permafrost, increasing human activity and development, and changes in wind and ocean circulation patterns, that could alter the pathways, distribution and fate of contaminants.
Methylphenidate adsorption onto graphene derivatives: theory and experiment
Authors: Bruckmann Franciele da Silva , Zuchetto Taís , Ledur Cristian Mafra , dos Santos Cláudia Lange , da Silva Willian Leonardo , Binotto Fagan Solange , Zanella da Silva Ivana , Bohn Rhoden Cristiano Rodrigo
Published: February 2022

In this manuscript, we report a study on the removal of contaminant methylphenidate from aqueous solution, including ab initio simulations and experimental adsorption, applying graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide as adsorbents.
Preparation of fluorescent organic nanoparticlesviaself-polymerization for tartrazine detection in food samples
Authors: Lin Liping , Zheng Qiaoling , Chen Qiushuang , Fang Meng , Lai Qingjiao , He Xinghao , Qin Jinying , Lin Zu-jin , Lin Rongguang
Published: February 2022

Fluorescent polydopamine nanoparticles (PDA NPs) have been effectively synthesized by means of self-polymerization of dopamine under the strong alkaline condition of ethylenediamine at room temperature for 2.5 h.
Copper-catalysed synthesis of trifluoromethyl allenes via fluoro-carboalkynylation of alkenes
Authors: Wang Mengning , Wang Qiuzhu , Ma Mengtao , Zhao Binlin
Published: February 2022

A copper-catalysed three-component reaction utilizing readily available feedstocks was investigated, providing an operationally simple and practical route to trifluoromethyl allenes under mild and environmentally friendly conditions.
Photocatalytic turnover of CO2 under visible light by [Re(CO)3(1-(1,10) phenanthroline-5-(4-nitro-naphthalimide))Cl] in tandem with the sacrificial donor BIH
Authors: Spear Alyssa , Schuarca Robson L. , Bond Jesse Q. , Korter Timothy M. , Zubieta Jon , Doyle Robert P.
Published: February 2022

Rhenium based photocatalytic conversion CO2 to formate in the visible region with excellent turnover.
What are the prospects for using complexes of copper(ii) and zinc(ii) to suppress the vital activity ofMycolicibacterium smegmatis?
Authors: Lutsenko Irina A. , Baravikov Dmitry E. , Koshenskova Kseniya A. , Kiskin Mikhail A. , Nelyubina Yulia V. , Primakov Petr V. , Voronina Yulia K. , Garaeva Veronika V. , Aleshin Dmytry A. , Aliev Teimur M. , Danilenko Valery N. , Bekker Olga B. , Eremenko Igor L.
Published: February 2022

New complexes of zinc(ii) and copper(ii) with 2-furoic acid (Hfur), acetic acids and N-donor ligands with the compositions [Zn2(fur)4]n, [Zn2(fur)4(NH2py)2], [Zn(fur)2(neoc)], [Zn(OAc)2(neoc)], and [Cu(fur)2(neoc)(H2O)] were synthesized.
Enzyme-free glucose sensors with efficient synergistic electro-catalysis based on a ferrocene derivative and two metal nanoparticles
Authors: Zhan Tao , Feng Xiao-Zhen , An Qi-Qi , Li Shiyong , Xue Mingyue , Chen Zhencheng , Han Guo-Cheng , Kraatz Heinz-Bernhard
Published: February 2022

We exploit the ferrocene–glutathione conjugate Fc-ECG as electron transfer mediator and make use of gold electrodes that were modified with either copper or cobalt nanoparticles to give sensor surfaces that exhibit excellent catalytic activity of glucose oxidation.
Facile strategy to synthesize cesium gold-based bromide perovskites: an integrated experimental and theoretical approach to study temperature-dependent structural and optical properties
Authors: Bhawna  , Vikram  , Roy Mrinmoy , Ghorui Supriti , Alam Aftab , Aslam M.
Published: February 2022

Fine control over different phases of gold perovskites by anion exchange chemistry to study their temperature-dependent structural and optical properties.
Highly active postspinel-structured catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Okazaki Yuichi , Oda Seiji , Takamatsu Akihiko , Kawaguchi Shogo , Tsukasaki Hirofumi , Mori Shigeo , Yagi Shunsuke , Ikeno Hidekazu , Yamada Ikuya
Published: February 2022

Postspinel-structured oxides, CaB2O4 (B = Cr3+, Mn3+, and Fe3+), have exhibited systematically higher catalytic activities in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) than nominally conventional counterparts of perovskite LaBO3 and spinel ZnB2O4.
The Gaia-ESO survey: Age-chemical-clock relations spatially resolved in the Galactic disc
Authors: Viscasillas Vázquez C. , Magrini L. , Casali G. , Tautvaišienė G. , Spina L. , Van der Swaelmen M. , Randich S. , Bensby T. , Bragaglia A. , Friel E. , Feltzing S. , Sacco G.G. , Turchi A. , Jiménez-Esteban F. , D’Orazi V. , Delgado-Mena E. , Mikolaitis Š. , Drazdauskas A. , Minkevičiūtė R. , Stonkutė E. , Bagdonas V. , Montes D. , Guiglion G. , Baratella M. , Tabernero H. M. , Gilmore G. , Alfaro E. , Francois P. , Korn A. , Smiljanic R. , Bergemann M. , Franciosini E. , Gonneau A. , Hourihane A. , Worley C. C. , Zaggia S.
Published: February 2022

Context. The last decade has seen a revolution in our knowledge of the Galaxy thanks to the Gaia and asteroseismic space missions and the ground-based spectroscopic surveys.

Aims. To complete this picture, it is necessary to map the ages of its stellar populations. During recent years, the dependence on time of abundance ratios involving slow (s) neutron-capture and α elements (called chemical-clocks) has been used to provide estimates of stellar ages, usually in a limited volume close to the Sun. We aim to analyse the relations of chemical clocks in the Galactic disc extending the range to RGC ∼ 6–20 kpc.

Methods. Using the sixth internal data release of the Gaia-ESO survey, we calibrated several relations between stellar ages and abundance ratios [s/α] using a sample of open clusters, the largest one so far used with this aim (62 clusters). Thanks to their wide galactocentric coverage, we investigated the radial variations of the shape of these relations, confirming their non-universality.

Results. The multi-variate relations allowed us to infer stellar ages for field stars. We estimated our accuracy (ranging from 0.0 to −0.9 Gyr) and precision (from 0.4 to 2.3 Gyr) in recovering the global ages of open clusters, and the ages of their individual members. We applied the relations with the highest correlation coefficients to the field star population, finding an older population at lower metallicity and higher [α/Fe] in the thin disc, and a younger one at higher [Fe/H] and low [α/Fe], as expected.

Conclusion. We confirm that there is no single age-chemical clock relationship valid for the whole disc, but that there is a dependence on the galactocentric position, which is related to the radial variation of the star formation history combined with the non-monotonic dependence on metallicity of the yields of the s-process elements from low- and intermediate-mass stars. Finally, the abundance ratios [Ba/α] are more sensitive to age than those with [Y/α] for young disc stars, and their slopes vary less with galactocentric distance. We remind the reader that the application of such relationships to field stars is only of statistical value.
Artificial intelligence and radiation protection. A game changer or an update?
Authors: Andresz S. , Zéphir A , Bez J. , Karst M. , Danieli J.
Published: February 2022

Artificial intelligence (AI) is regarded as one of the most disruptive technology of the century and with countless applications. What does it mean for radiation protection? This article describes the fundamentals of machine learning (ML) based methods and presents the inaugural applications in different fields of radiation protection. It is foreseen that the usage of AI will increase in radiation protection. Consequently, this article explores some of the benefits and also the potential barriers and questions, including ethical ones, that can come out. The article proposes that collaboration between radiation protection professionals and data scientist experts can accelerate and guide the development of the algorithms for effective scientific and technological outcomes.
Inverse multiple criteria sorting problem with fuzzy parameters: an application of building energy labelling improvement
Authors: Ecer Billur , Kabak Mehmet , Dagdeviren Metin
Published: February 2022

Classification is defined as the problem of assignment of objects to the predefined classes. In general view, classification problems divided into two groups: classification and sorting problems. Sorting problems define the case of existence of ordered classes for objects, while classes are not ordered in classification problems. Besides these two groups of classification problems, Inverse Multiple Criteria Sorting Problem (IMSCP) is also introduced into the literature in recent years. IMSCP deals with finding the possible actions that can change the assignment of objects to classes in order to obtain the desired classification of objects. The main aim in this study is to propose an extension of IMSCP with fuzzy parameters with a proper solution approach. A case study of building energy labelling improvement in an existing building site in Ankara is solved by using parametric fuzzy solution approach of Carlsson and Korhonen. Obtained results of the application presents the possible actions to improve the energy labels of the buildings within the site. Also, solution results show that the proposed model in this study can be used to improve current Building Energy Performance model in Turkey to a new one with efficiency improvement suggestions.
Digital Transformation in HR
Authors: Chán Jakub , Balková Miluše
Published: February 2022

The onset of the fourth industrial revolution and lack of human capital puts pressure on the development of own staff in terms of improving their qualifications. In the last four years, there has thus been introduced new methods in the management of staff development. The paper builds on the available texts in the area of theory and digital transformation of talent management and recruiting and puts them into the context of requirements arising from the principles of the fourth industrial revolution. Using matrix analysis, it examines the degree of compliance with the available implementation possibilities. The analysis performed leads to the conclusion that the requirements are best met by the method of exact description of partial tasks in the working process including its critical features and their subsequent assignment to workers according to the degree of compliance with their skills by means of combinatorics. This method thus also enables the management of worker development by assigning appropriate tasks.
The Impact of the Coronavirus Pandemic on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Russian Federation
Authors: Chernova Christina , Neklyudova Natalia
Published: February 2022

The purpose of the article is to analyse the impact of COVID-19 on small and medium-sized businesses in the Russian Federation. Data from the research company “Evotor”, the unified register of small and medium-sized businesses, as well as data from the Central Bank of Russia were used as material for the study. Based on the results, it can be stated that the pandemic has affected the economy in different ways. A number of small and medium-sized businesses and their revenue decreased in 2021 compared to 2019. But at the same time, the sector of domestic tourism has grown over the period under review. The largest increase in the average revenue of hotels in 2021 compared to 2020 was observed in the Kaliningrad region, Krasnodar Krai and Moscow.
Difficulties and Challenges of Strategic Management of Start-up Enterprises in the New Era
Authors: Zhao Yixue
Published: February 2022

Strategic management is a shortto long-term development plan concerning the goals of an enterprise. Formulating appropriate strategic management is of great and far-reaching significance for the current development and sustainable development of the enterprise There is no doubt that the formulation of strategic management is very important. In the new era, under the condition of rapid economic development, the way enterprises formulate strategies and the development of strategic formulation have very important research value. This paper thus examines the characteristics of strategic management and the process of strategic management, the current situation of the development of entrepreneurial enterprises in the new era, and then uses quantitative analysis to analyse the impact of the Midea group on the strategic management of enterprises, puts forward several issues and decisive factors that should be considered for strategic management, and puts forward important implications for the strategic management of entrepreneurial enterprises.
„Es tut mir leid“
Authors: von Campenhausen Jutta
Published: February 2022

Entschuldigungen haben in der Medizin einen schlechten Ruf. Dabei zeigen aufrichtige
Worte des Bedauerns, dass der Arzt aufmerksam, empathisch und anspruchsvoll ist. Das
verbessert nachweislich die Gesprächsatmosphäre. Haftungsrechtliche
Folgen gibt es nicht.
Minimally Invasive Discectomy and Decompression for Lumbar Spine using Tubular Retractor System: Technique, Learning Curve and Outcomes
Authors: Kumar V A , Reddy Ramanadha , Yerramneni Vamsi Krishna , Kolpakawar Swapnil , Kumar K.S. Vishwa , Pratyusha Patlolla
Published: February 2022

Objective To study the indications, technical nuances, learning curve, and outcomes associated with minimally invasive tubular discectomy of spine (MITDS) and minimally invasive tubular decompression (MITD) using the tubular retractor system and compare the outcomes with open microdiscectomy and open decompression.

Materials and Methods All patients who underwent MITDS and MITD received a trial of conservative management for 6 weeks prior to surgery. Patients who had undergone open microdiscectomy and open decompression during the same period were used as controls. Operating time, intraoperative blood loss, preop and postop visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, preop and postop Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores, duration of hospital stay, complications, and need for redo surgery were analyzed.

Results Thirty-two patients who underwent MITDS and 8 patients who underwent MITD were compared with an equal number of patients who underwent open microdiscectomy and open decompression, respectively. MITDS and MITD were associated with shorter hospital stay. Short-term pain outcome was better in MITDS and MITD group, although it was not statistically significant in MITD group. Functional outcome measured in terms of ODI at 6 months was not statistically significant between minimally invasive and open procedures.

Conclusion Both MITDS and MITD have a significant learning curve and have a distinct advantage of shorter hospital stay. MITDS has the distinct advantage of better short-term pain relief compared with open procedures. For MITD, comparison of short-term pain relief requires a larger sample size. To establish long-term advantages of MITDS and MITD, larger sample size and long-term follow-up are needed.
Results of Four-Stented Biological Aortic Valves and How They Compare to PARTNER-3
Authors: Rashvand Jacqueline , Ostovar Roya , Schroeter Filip , Hartrumpf Martin , Kuehnel Ralf-Uwe , Albes Johannes M.
Published: February 2022

Objective According to our nationwide registry, total numbers of surgical aortic valve implantation (sAVR) are constantly declining, while transcathether aortic valve implantation (TAVI) indications are widened toward intermediate- and low-risk patients. So, is there still room for conventionally implanted valves? Can results compete with TAVI or will sAVR be marginalized in the near future?

Methods Between 2011 and 2019, 1,034 patients (67.1% male, mean = 72.2 years) were enrolled receiving stented biological valves with or without concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), atrial ablation, or wrapping of the ascending aorta. Odds ratios for the early and late mortality were calculated regarding comorbidities as potential risk factors. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.

Results Overall, early mortality (EM) was 6.1%, 1-year mortality was 11.2%, and 5-year mortality was 19.9%. In low-risk patients (EuroSCORE II <4%), it was 1.0, 2.7, and 9.3%. Incidence of EM was significantly increased following decompensation, prosthetic valve, pacemaker carrier, dialysis, and pulmonary hypertension. Postoperative complications, such as systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS), sepsis, multiorgan failure, hepatic failure, dialysis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and ileus, also increased EM. Late mortality was significantly increased by dialysis, hepatic cirrhosis, infected port system, aortic valve endocarditis, prosthetic valve carrier, and chronic hemodialysis.

Conclusion Conventionally implanted aortic valves do well early and late. The fate of the patient is dependent on individual risk-factors. Particularly, in low-risk patients, sAVR can compete with TAVI showing overall good early, as well as late results being even superior in some important aspects such as pacemaker implantation rate. Thus, the time is yet not ripe for TAVI to take over primary indications for AVR in low-risk patient.
Intraoperative Surgical Wound Contamination May Not Lead to Surgical-Site Infection in Patients Undergoing Clean Orthopaedic Procedures
Authors: Santoshi John Ashutosh , Behera Prateek , Gupta Ayush , Sharma Archa , Verma Virendra Kumar , Agrawal Udit , Purwar Shashank
Published: February 2022

Objectives Surgical-site infections (SSIs) can complicate virtually any surgical procedure. While SSI can result from numerous causes, contamination of the surgical field can also contribute to it. Intraoperative bacterial contamination during clean orthopaedic procedures can be detected using perioperative cultures. We hypothesized that perioperative cultures could be used to predict possibility of development of SSI in patients undergoing clean orthopaedic surgeries.

Materials and Methods We conducted a prospective cohort study at a tertiary care hospital over a 2-year period. Intraoperative surgical wound lavage fluid and closed suction drain tip obtained in the postoperative period were sent for aerobic culture. All patients were followed up to look for the development of SSI for a period of at least 30 days for those undergoing nonimplant surgery, and 90 days for those with implant surgery.

Statistical Analysis Means with standard deviation of the continuous data were calculated. Fisher's exact test and chi-square test were used for the analysis of the categorical variables. Relative risk and odds ratio were calculated to evaluate the association of the parameters under study with SSI.

Results A total of 384 patients satisfying the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included. Perioperative cultures detected surgical wound contamination in 39 patients (10.1%). Forty-five patients (11.7%) developed SSI during the follow-up period. Skin commensals constituted 59% of perioperative contaminants and accounted for 20% of the SSIs. The relative risk of developing SSI with perioperative contamination was 0.41 (95% confidence interval: 0.09–1.63).

Conclusion Intraoperative surgical-site contaminants could be detected using perioperative cultures. However, these contaminants did not lead to SSI. Timely treatment of perioperative contamination with appropriate antibiotics and local wound care probably helped in the reduction of SSI.
Plasmid-Mediated Fluoroquinolone Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Venkataramana Geetha P. , Lalitha Aishwarya K.V. , Mariappan Shanthi , Sekar Uma
Published: February 2022

Introduction Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are important pathogens in health care–associated infections. Fluoroquinolone resistance has emerged in these pathogens. In this study, we aimed to determine the occurrence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants (qnrA, qnrB, qnrS, aac(6′)-Ib-cr, oqxAB, and qepA) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and the transmissibility of plasmid-borne resistance determinants in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii.

Materials and Methods The study included P. aeruginosa (85) and A. baumannii (45) which were nonduplicate, clinically significant, and ciprofloxacin resistant. Antibiotic susceptibility testing was done by disk diffusion method for other antimicrobial agents, namely amikacin, ceftazidime, piperacillin/tazobactam, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, and imipenem. Minimum inhibitory concentration of ciprofloxacin was determined. Efflux pump activity was evaluated using carbonyl-cyanide m-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). The presence of PMQR genes was screened by PCR amplification. Transferability of PMQR genes was determined by conjugation experiment, and plasmid-based replicon typing was performed.

Results Resistance to other classes of antimicrobial agents was as follows: ceftazidime (86.9%), piperacillin/tazobactam (73.8%), imipenem (69.2%), and amikacin (63.8%). The minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC)50 and MIC90 for ciprofloxacin were 64 and greater than or equal to 256 µg/mL, respectively. There was a reduction in MIC for 37 (28.4%) isolates with CCCP. In P. aeruginosa, 12 (14.1%) isolates harbored qnrB, 12 (14.1%) qnrS, 9 (10.5%) both qnrB and qnrS, 66 (77.6%) aac(6′)-Ib-cr, and 3 (3.5%) oqxAB gene. In A. baumannii, qnrB was detected in 2 (4.4%), 1 (2.2%) harbored both the qnrA and qnrS, 1 isolate harbored qnrB and qnrS, 21 (46.6%) aac(6′)-Ib-cr, and 1 (2.2%) isolate harbored oqxAB gene. Notably, qepA gene was not detected in any of the study isolates. Conjugation experiments revealed that 12 (9.2%) were transferable. Of the transconjugants, seven (58.3%) belonged to IncFII type plasmid replicon, followed by four (33.3%) IncA/C and one (8.3%) IncFIC type.

Conclusion The plasmid-mediated resistance aac(6′)-Ib-cr gene is primarily responsible for mediating fluoroquinolone resistance in clinical isolates of P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii. The predominant plasmid type is IncFII.
Investigation on vibration properties of 3D printed lattice structures filled with tin–bismuth alloy
Authors: Hong Ying , Guo Kai , Sun Jie , Yang Bin , Zhang Chengqian
Published: February 2022

Optimal design of structures with respect to vibration attenuation property is essential and basically required in many structural engineering concepts. A new type of metastructure composed of periodic lattices and embedded resonators is proposed for vibration suppression. The lightweight periodic lattice structure, which combines body-centered cubic and face-centered cubic structural configurations, is fabricated by selective laser melting with AlSi10Mg. Furthermore, the lattice structures periodically filled with the tin–bismuth alloy, which has a high density and a low melting point, can be used as local resonators to open bandgap in a metastructure. Experiments and numerical simulations are conducted to investigate the bandgap characteristics and vibration damping behavior of the proposed metastructure. The results of the simulation and the experiment data agree satisfactorily. It is demonstrated that the proposed structure can generate a complete bandgap in the low-frequency range, which is useful for machining vibration suppression. To optimize the structure, the influence of structural parameters on the vibration dispersion effect is further studied. The bandgap position and bandwidth can be flexibly adjusted by varying structure parameters, i.e., the radii of the external frames, the spatial scale factor of the metastructure, and the filling fraction of the resonator. This study provides a new possibility for metastructure with a low-frequency bandgap by filling the lattice structures with tin–bismuth alloy.
Study of recrystallization and activation processes in thin and highly doped silicon-on-insulator layers by nanosecond laser thermal annealing
Authors: Chery N. , Zhang M. , Monflier R. , Mallet N. , Seine G. , Paillard V. , Poumirol J. M. , Larrieu G. , Royet A. S. , Kerdilès S. , Acosta-Alba P. , Perego M. , Bonafos C. , Cristiano F.
Published: February 2022

A thorough study of the phosphorus (P) heavy doping of thin Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) layers by UV nanosecond Laser Thermal Annealing (LTA) is presented in this work. As a function of the implant dose and laser annealing conditions, the melting regimes and regrowth processes, as well as the redistribution and activation of P in the top-Si amorphized layer, were investigated. The findings emphasize the critical role of the thin crystalline silicon layer that remains after the top-Si layer amorphizes, as it provides nucleation seeds for liquid phase recrystallization. The effect of the implant dose on the recrystallization process is thoroughly investigated in terms of melt energy thresholds, crystallographic nature of the resolidified layer, defect formation, surface roughness, and the formation of hillocks on the silicon surface. Optimized laser annealing conditions, corresponding to the laser energies just preceding the onset of the full melt, were identified for all implanted doses. Such optimized layers have perfect crystallinity, negligible P out-diffusion, a nearly perfectly flat P depth profile located below the segregation-induced surface pileup peak, and dopant active concentrations well above 1021 cm−3, which is close to the highest reported values for phosphorus in bulk Si substrates.
Role of primary and secondary processes in the ultrafast spin dynamics of nickel
Authors: Stiehl Martin , Weber Marius , Seibel Christopher , Hoefer Jonas , Weber Sebastian T. , Nenno Dennis M. , Schneider Hans Christian , Rethfeld Baerbel , Stadtmüller Benjamin , Aeschlimann Martin
Published: February 2022

The magnetic response of a ferromagnet after an ultrafast optical excitation can be connected to the underlying electronic dynamics either via primary excitation processes during the laser pulse or via secondary collision processes. In the latter case, the information on the details of the excitation is lost and, therefore, the electron dynamics can be described using quasi-equilibrium concepts. In this work, we study the effect of the pump photon energy on the ultrafast demagnetization dynamics in ferromagnetic nickel. We find that the magnetization dynamics for similar absorbed energies for a range of pump photon energies are almost identical and depend only on the absorbed energy. This is in stark contrast to characteristic differences in the optically excited electronic distributions, as calculated from the band structure. In addition, the measured fluence-dependent dynamics can be reproduced with a model based on local temperatures. These findings indicate that it is mainly secondary processes that are responsible for the observed demagnetization dynamics.
Interfacial thermal resistance in phonon hydrodynamic heat conduction
Authors: Nie Ben-Dian , Cao Bing-Yang
Published: February 2022

Two-dimensional materials are usually predicted to have ultrahigh thermal conductivity because of the numerous phonon normal scatterings, which might cause hydrodynamic heat conduction. In addition, boundary and interface are significant in the polycrystalline structure and material contacts. Therefore, this article investigates the thermal behaviors at the boundary and interface in phonon hydrodynamics. Monte Carlo simulation is adopted to study the heat conduction phenomena in Poiseuille hydrodynamics and Ziman hydrodynamics. The concept of a boundary temperature step is defined to depict the temperature decline behaviors at the boundary in steady hydrodynamic heat conduction. Interfacial thermal behaviors can be treated as a combination of the boundary effects and phonon transmission effects, where the interface properties can be described by the interface transmissivity and the specular reflectivity. Moreover, the inverse temperature difference at the interface is observed, which means that the heat is transported from low temperature to high temperature, implying that the definition of temperature in phonon hydrodynamic heat conduction ought to be further investigated. Then, two theoretical models are proposed to describe these phenomena, namely, the particle propagation model and the dual boundary flux model. The particle propagation model tries to trace the propagation and evolution of phonons with simpler rules, and it finds that the heat flux reduction originates from the backward phonons that are scattered by the normal scattering process. The dual boundary flux model divides the whole boundary heat flux into the hydrodynamic heat flux and the diffusive heat flux, and the boundary temperature step appears in the transition between these two fluxes. These two models are compared with the results obtained by Monte Carlo simulations.
Bias-tunable persistent photoconductivity for photoelectric memory in van der Waals heterojunctions of black phosphorus/2D electron gas on SrTiO3
Authors: Ma Xinglong , Wang Lin , Huang Gensheng , Gong Shuainan , Qi Yaping , Zhang Jinlei , Zhao Run , Li Yang , Liu Guozhen , Ma Chunlan , Gao Ju , Jiang Yucheng
Published: February 2022

Persistent photoconductivity (PPC) describes the light-induced persistent enhancement of conductivity after turning off the light, which is tunable by a gating voltage. Here, we report a bias-tunable PPC in van der Waals heterojunctions of black phosphorus/2D electron gas (BP/2DEG) on SrTiO3. With a light pulse applied, the resistance of a BP/2DEG heterojunction decreases dramatically over five orders of magnitude. Such a low resistive state is maintained over 5 days without any sign of recovery. The application of the negative bias voltage can tune the device into a high resistive state. By combining the light and bias voltages, the device enables it to change into any resistance value, indicating a potential application for multi-bit photoelectric memory. Further study demonstrates that the BP/2DEG heterojunction can achieve both optical writing/electric erasing and electric writing/optical erasing. Our work paves the way to control the PPC through the bias voltage.