bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Survey of surgical resections for neuroendocrine liver metastases: A project study of the Japan Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (JNETS)
Authors: Aoki Taku , Kubota Keiichi , Kiritani Sho , Arita Junichi , Morizane Chigusa , Masui Toshihiko , Kudo Atsushi , Komoto Izumi , Hatano Etsuro , Ito Tetsuhide , Osamura Robert Y. , Unno Michiaki , Uemoto Shinji , Kokudo Norihiro ,   The Japanese Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (JNETS)
Published: April 2021

Background/Purpose

Hepatic resection is considered the treatment of choice for neuroendocrine liver metastases (NELM). However, the safety and efficacy of resection have not been fully evaluated using a large cohort. The aim of the present study was to collect real‐world data regarding hepatic resections for NELM.

Methods

A retrospective, multicenter survey was conducted. The background characteristics of patients undergoing an initial hepatic resection for NELM, the operative details, pathological findings, and patient outcomes were investigated.

Results

A total of 222 patients were enrolled from 30 institutions. The primary tumor site was the pancreas in 58.6%, and the presentation of NELM was synchronous in 63.1% of the cases. Concomitant resection of the primary tumor and liver metastases was performed for 66.4% of the synchronous metastases, and the 90‐day morbidity and mortality rates were 12.6% and 0.9%, respectively. The operations resulted in R2 resections in 26.1% of the cases, and 83.4% of the patients experienced recurrence after R0/1 resections. However, the patients were treated using multiple modalities after R2 resection or recurrence, and the overall survival rate was relatively favorable, with 5‐year and 10‐year survival rates of 70.2%, and 43.4%, respectively. Univariable and multivariable analyses identified the tumor grading (G3) of the primary tumor as a significant prognostic factor for both the recurrence‐free and overall survivals.

Conclusions

The present data confirmed the safety of the surgical resection of NELM. Although recurrences were frequent, the survival outcomes after resection were favorable when a multi‐disciplinary treatment approach was used.
Directionality: Unifying Psychological and Social Understandings of Well‐Being and Distress Through an Existential Ontology
Authors: Cooper Mick
Published: April 2021

A conceptual framework rooted in existentialism is presented to unify psychological and sociopolitical perspectives. Human beings aredirectional, with well‐being the actualization of highest order directions. Distress emerges through external blocking of directions, or throughdysergeticor ineffective internal configurations. Hence, social justice work and counseling have essential, and integrated, roles.
Exploring the factors affecting the preparedness of Australian pharmacists to respond to disasters: a qualitative study
Authors: McCourt Elizabeth M. , Singleton Judith A. , Tippett Vivienne , Nissen Lisa M.
Published: April 2021

Background

Disasters affect health services, health professionals and the health of individuals. During disasters, pharmacists are essential in maintaining the health of their communities. Despite the important roles pharmacists undertake in disasters, little is known about their preparedness to respond to disasters that may affect their communities.

Aim

To qualitatively explore the factors that affect Australian pharmacists’ preparedness for disasters.

Methods

Semistructured interviews aimed at exploring disaster preparedness were conducted with 13 pharmacists in Australia. Participants were recruited using purposive, snowball, and convenience sampling methods. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. Open and axial coding methods were used to determine the factors associated with preparedness. Ethical approval was obtained from Queensland University of Technology (no. 1700000626).

Results

Almost half of the participants (46%) did not feel that they were prepared for a disaster likely to affect their primary place of practice. Two overarching themes contributing to participants’ preparedness were identified: ‘individual factors’ and ‘external factors’. Pharmacists believed that their preparedness was affected by the individual factors of experience, soft skills, knowledge and training. They also noted that external factors such as available resources, administrative support, multisector support and actions by supports were required for them to be prepared.

Conclusion

This research is the first of its kind to explore the factors affecting pharmacists’ disaster preparedness. The results indicate that Australian pharmacists feel underprepared for disasters; however, improving this preparedness is complex and will require more than a single intervention. Interventions for improving preparedness need to target individual and environmental factors and involve the whole healthcare team.
All roads lead to the places of your interest: An on‐demand, ride‐sharing visitor transport service
Authors: Zheng Weimin , Zhuang Xinyi , Liao Zhixue , Li Mengling , Lin Zhibin
Published: April 2021

Successful visitor transport within large tourist sites should balance visitor experience and operating costs. Inspired by the model of sharing economy, we design a “user‐centered” intelligent visitor transport system to improve the efficiency and quality of experience of transport service in large tourist sites. The system's core approach is a three‐stage heuristic model based on Pareto optimality. Results of the proposed service indicate a drastic reduction of visitor delay time and an improvement in energy efficiency. The proposed scheduling schemes for organizers are more diversified and adaptable than the existing service.
Attend anywhere clinic: A virtual outpatient clinic experience in otolaryngology during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Puttasiddaiah Paramesh Mankunda , Morris Simon , Dwamena Sam , Sanu Ameeth
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Numerous technological advances have been made during the COVID‐19 pandemic. There has been a growing body of evidence highlighting the value of virtual consultations as an adjunct to physical appointments. This study presents the virtual clinic experiences of one ENT department in the UK.

Methods

Retrospective review of all virtual consultations undertaken at a single ENT department during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Results

A total of 556 virtual consultations took place during the study period across all ENT sub‐specialties. Of which 27% of patients were converted to face‐to‐face follow‐up and over 30% were discharged following a virtual consultation. Out of 333 video consultation, 31% were converted to telephone due to patient preference or technological difficulties.

Conclusion

This study highlights the benefits and lessons learnt from implementing a virtual clinic system in ENT. The authors recommend the introduction of video consultation as a useful adjunct to face‐to‐face appointments during the COVID‐19 pandemic and beyond.

Level of Evidence

4.
Varieties of pseudocomplemented Kleene algebras
Authors: Castaño Diego , Castaño Valeria , Varela José Patricio Díaz , Santis Marcela Muñoz
Published: April 2021

In this paper we study the subdirectly irreducible algebras in the variety of pseudocomplemented De Morgan algebras by means of their De Morgan p‐spaces. We introduce the notion of thebodyof an algebra and determine when is subdirectly irreducible. As a consequence of this, in the case of pseudocomplemented Kleene algebras, two special subvarieties arise naturally, for which we give explicit identities that characterise them. We also introduce a subvariety of , namely the variety ofbundle pseudocomplemented Kleene algebras, fully describe its subvariety lattice and find explicit equational bases for each subvariety. In addition, we study the subvariety of generated by the simple members of , determine the structure of the free algebra over a finite set in this variety and their finite weakly projective algebras.
Parallel Hybrid Simulations of Block Copolymer Nanocomposites using Coarray Fortran
Authors: Diaz Javier , Pinna Marco , Zvelindovsky Andrei V. , Pagonabarraga Ignacio
Published: April 2021

Computer simulations of experimentally comparable system sizes in soft matter often require considerable elapsed times. The use of many cores can reduce the needed time, ideally proportionally to the number of processors. In this paper a parallel computational method using coarray Fortran is implemented and tested for large systems of purely block copolymer melts, as well as block copolymer nanocomposites. A satisfactory strong scaling is shown up to 512 cores while a weak scaling with a drop in performance is achieved up to 4096 cores. The scaling of the parallel cell dynamic simulations scheme displays no drawbacks over MPI and provides an example of the simplicity of the coarray approach. The code has been tested on several architectures and compilers. The hybrid block copolymer/nanoparticle algorithm can achieve previously unavailable system sizes.
Apraxia of Lid Opening in Subthalamic Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation for Parkinson's Disease—Frequency, Risk Factors and Response to Treatment
Authors: Krishnan Syam , Shetty Kuldeep , Puthanveedu Divya Kalikavil , Kesavapisharady Krishnakumar , Thulaseedharan Jissa Vinoda , Sarma Gangadhara , Kishore Asha
Published: April 2021

Background

New‐onset apraxia of lid opening (ALO) is reported to occur in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients following Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS). There are only few systematic studies on this uncommon disorder of eyelid movements.

Objectives

We aimed to examine the frequency, temporal evolution, predisposing factors and response to treatment, of new‐onset ALO in PD patients who underwent bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) DBS.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the data of patients who underwent STN DBS at our centre between 1999 and 2017, with a minimum of 2 years of follow up after surgery.

Results

New‐onset ALO was seen in 17 (9.1%) of the 187 patients after an average of 16.9 months (Range ‐ 6–36 months). Comparison of the groups with and without ALO revealed that ALO occurred more often in older patients, both at the onset of PD symptoms and at surgery and in those with non‐tremor dominant subtypes of PD and freezing of gait at baseline. The extent of levodopa dose reduction after surgery and the pre‐operative severity of motor symptoms were not risk factors. Response to adjustments of dopaminergic medications and stimulation parameters was ill‐sustained or nil. Botulinum toxin therapy resulted in satisfactory improvement in the majority.

Conclusions

New‐onset ALO is an uncommon phenomenon that manifests months after STN DBS. Development of ALO is likely to be due to the effects of chronic stimulation of basal ganglia‐thalamo‐cortical or brain stem circuits controlling lid movements in susceptible patients. Botulinum toxin therapy offers relatively better relief of symptoms than other strategies.
6‐Paradol Acts as a Potential Anti‐obesity Vanilloid from Grains of Paradise
Authors: Hattori Hiroyuki , Mori Takashi , Shibata Takahiro , Kita Masaki , Mitsunaga Tohru
Published: April 2021

Scope

Grains of Paradise (GOP), the seeds of Aframomum melegueta, has anti‐obesity effects. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects remain unclear.

Methods and Results

This study sets up to study the anti‐obesity impact and homeostatic effects of 6‐paradol, a major vanilloid found in GOP, and investigates the physiological outputs and the lipometabolism‐related gene in fat and liver in high‐fat‐induced obese mice with a comparison with structurally similar vanilloids (6‐gingerol and 6‐shogaol). The vanilloids are synthesized in adequate quantities for performing animal experiments and orally administered to 6‐week‐old male mice over 2 weeks. This study found that 6‐paradol decreased body weight gain and visceral and subcutaneous fats in 2 weeks, whereas 6‐gingerol and 6‐shogaol have no effect. Additionally, 6‐paradol suppresses the hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride and significantly decreases the gene expression related to fatty acid synthesis, lipid transportation, and adipocyte differentiation in both liver and adipose tissue. Moreover, phosphorylation of AMP‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) that greatly contributes to lipometabolism is promoted by 6‐gingerol but not 6‐paradol.

Conclusion

These results suggest that 6‐paradol regulates several obesity‐related genes in an AMPK‐independent manner. Therefore, it could be the principal active vanilloid in GOP giving it anti‐obesity properties with a different mechanism.
Telephone consultation for myasthenia gravis care during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Assessment of a novel virtual myasthenia gravis index
Authors: Menon Deepak , Alnajjar Sara , Barnett Carolina , Vijayan Joy , Katzberg Hans , Fathi Davood , Alcantara Monica , Bril Vera
Published: April 2021

Introduction/Aims

The aim of the study was to determine the association between the virtual Myasthenia Gravis Impairment Index (vMGII) with other patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) of myasthenia gravis (MG) and its usefulness in telephone consultations with MG patients.

Methods

This was a retrospective case series in which vMGII score along with virtual Single Simple Question (vSSQ), virtual Patient‐Acceptable Symptom State PASS (vPASS) response, and patient disease status based on Myathenia Gravis Foundation of America postintervention status were collected during telephone consultation along with the MGII, SSQ, and PASS responses during the preceding in‐person clinic visits.

Results

In 214 patients, the mean difference of vMGII between the vPASS “Yes” and “No” groups was −14.2 ± 1.4 (95% confidence interval, −16.9 to −11.3; P < .001) with mean vMGII for vPASS “Yes” group being 6.4 ± 7.7 and vPASS “No” being 20.5 ± 11.5. A vMGII of 11.5 or higher predicted vPASS “yes” response with a sensitivity of 78.7% and specificity of 81.4%. A strong negative correlation was found between the vMGII and vSSQ (r = −.667; P < .001). The mean vMGII was 0.48 ± 1.42 for patients in remission, and 9.31 ± 10.93 for improved, 9.32 ± 8.79 for stable, and 22.58 ± 14.04 for worsened groups (P < .001). These associations were the same as those obtained during the preceding in‐person clinic visit and the direction of change in MGII scores also indicated change in disease status.

Discussion

vMGII is an effective measure to assess an MG patient's disease status in telephone consultations and relates well with other PRO measures. The vMGII remains reliable for assessing MG disease status even with removal of the physical examination component.
Synthetische Biologie: Mikroben für Cannabis‐Wirkstoffe
Authors: Schiffels Johannes , Kubik Grzegorz , Dick Markus
Published: April 2021

Cannabinoide sind immer häufiger in Kosmetika, Lebensmitteln und Pharmaprodukten enthalten. Daraus ergeben sich bestimmte Qualitätsanforderungen, und daher sind neue Produktionswege notwendig. Diese können etwa mit gentechnisch veränderten Bakterien gelingen.
An autoencoder‐based reduced‐order model for eigenvalue problems with application to neutron diffusion
Authors: Phillips Toby R. F. , Heaney Claire E. , Smith Paul N. , Pain Christopher C.
Published: April 2021

Using an autoencoder for dimensionality reduction, this article presents a novel projection‐based reduced‐order model for eigenvalue problems. Reduced‐order modeling relies on finding suitable basis functions which define a low‐dimensional space in which a high‐dimensional system is approximated. Proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) and singular value decomposition (SVD) are often used for this purpose and yield an optimal linear subspace. Autoencoders provide a nonlinear alternative to POD/SVD, that may capture, more efficiently, features or patterns in the high‐fidelity model results. Reduced‐order models based on an autoencoder and a novel hybrid SVD‐autoencoder are developed. These methods are compared with the standard POD‐Galerkin approach and are applied to two test cases taken from the field of nuclear reactor physics.
Identification of high‐dimensional omics‐derived predictors for tumor growth dynamics using machine learning and pharmacometric modeling
Authors: Zwep Laura B. , Duisters Kevin L. W. , Jansen Martijn , Guo Tingjie , Meulman Jacqueline J. , Upadhyay Parth J. , van Hasselt J. G. Coen
Published: April 2021

Pharmacometric modeling can capture tumor growth inhibition (TGI) dynamics and variability. These approaches do not usually consider covariates in high‐dimensional settings, whereas high‐dimensional molecular profiling technologies (“omics”) are being increasingly considered for prediction of anticancer drug treatment response. Machine learning (ML) approaches have been applied to identify high‐dimensional omics predictors for treatment outcome. Here, we aimed to combine TGI modeling and ML approaches for two distinct aims: omics‐based prediction of tumor growth profiles and identification of pathways associated with treatment response and resistance. We propose a two‐step approach combining ML using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression with pharmacometric modeling. We demonstrate our workflow using a previously published dataset consisting of 4706 tumor growth profiles of patient‐derived xenograft (PDX) models treated with a variety of mono‐ and combination regimens. Pharmacometric TGI models were fit to the tumor growth profiles. The obtained empirical Bayes estimates‐derived TGI parameter values were regressed using the LASSO on high‐dimensional genomic copy number variation data, which contained over 20,000 variables. The predictive model was able to decrease median prediction error by 4% as compared with a model without any genomic information. A total of 74 pathways were identified as related to treatment response or resistance development by LASSO, of which part was verified by literature. In conclusion, we demonstrate how the combined use of ML and pharmacometric modeling can be used to gain pharmacological understanding in genomic factors driving variation in treatment response.
Brassinin enhances the anticancer actions of paclitaxel by targeting multiple signaling pathways in colorectal cancer cells
Authors: Yang Min Hee , Baek Seung Ho , Ha In Jin , Um Jae‐Young , Ahn Kwang Seok
Published: April 2021

Brassinin (BSN), a precursor of phytoalexins, extracted from Chinese cabbage has been reported to act as a promising anti‐neoplastic agent. However, the effects of BSN on colon cancer cells and its underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. This study aimed at investigating the anti‐neoplastic impact of BSN and its possible synergistic effect with paclitaxel on colon cancer cells. The effect of BSN on Janus‐activated kinases (JAKs)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathways and its downstream functions was deciphered using diverse assays in colon carcinoma cells. We found that BSN displayed significant cytotoxic effect and suppressed cell proliferation on colon carcinoma cells. Additionally, it was noted that BSN modulated oncogenic gene expression and induced apoptosis through down regulating multiple oncogenic signaling cascades such as JAKs/STAT3 and PI3K/Akt/mTOR simultaneously. Besides, BSN‐paclitaxel combination significantly increased cytotoxicity and induced apoptosis synergistically as compared with individual treatment of both the agents. Overall, our findings indicate that BSN may be a novel candidate for anti‐colon cancer targeted therapy.
Bedload entrainment dynamics in a partially channelized river with mixed bedload: A case study of the Drava River, Hungary
Authors: Pirkhoffer Ervin , Halmai Ákos , Ficsor Johanna , Gradwohl‐Valkay Alexandra , Lóczy Dénes , Nagy Ádám , Liptay Zoltán Árpád , Czigány Szabolcs
Published: April 2021

The morphodynamics of alluvial rivers is controlled by the mobilization of bed material. However, the details of mobilization of mixed‐texture bed materials at low flows, increasingly common due to climate change, are still unclear. The 161‐km‐long Hungarian alluvial reach of the Drava River, downstream of sections where flow characteristics have been heavily modified by human interference, was investigated in 2019. A monitoring campaign at cross‐sections, on average 5.55 km apart, was launched to study channel morphology, bedload entrainment dynamics with regard to texture. For the survey, a sonar, an ADCP and a Helley–Smith bedload sampler mounted on a double‐hull vessel was used. Our research pointed out an abrupt fining between river kms (hereafter: rkm) 175 and 170 (distance from the mouth), probably due to reduced armouring. The d60 fraction was found to be finer than in 2003 and 2012 for the upstream stations of Botovo and Bélavár, and showed a good correspondence with the records of the Barcs and Drávaszabolcs stations. Temporal fining and higher entrainment rate are due to (a) changing climate of the catchment, that is, diminishing flow between the monitoring dates (2003, 2012 and 2019); (b) reduced armouring, (c) variability of cross‐sectional position of sampling points and (d) the different mesh size of the bedload samplers employed. Calculations of shear velocity, Reynolds and Shields numbers indicate more dynamic sediment motion than observed by previous studies. Our reach‐scale results may be relevant for the alluvial sections of other alpine and subalpine, partially channelized rivers of similar size, flow dynamics and mixed bedload.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Three-Dimensional-Osteoconductive Scaffold Regenerate Calvarial Bone in Critical Size Defects in Swine
Authors: Johnson Zoe M. , Yuan Yuan , Li Xiangjia , Jashashvili Tea , Jamieson Michael , Urata Mark , Chen Yong , Chai Yang
Published: April 2021

Craniofacial bones protect vital organs, perform important physiological functions, and shape facial identity. Critical-size defects (CSDs) in calvarial bones, which will not heal spontaneously, are caused by trauma, congenital defects, or tumor resections. They pose a great challenge for patients and physicians, and significantly compromise quality of life. Currently, calvarial CSDs are treated either by allogenic or autologous grafts, metal or other synthetic plates that are associated with considerable complications. While previous studies have explored tissue regeneration for calvarial defects, most have been done in small animal models with limited translational value. Here we define a swine calvarial CSD model and show a novel approach to regenerate high-quality bone in these defects by combining mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with a three-dimensional (3D)-printed osteoconductive HA/TCP scaffold. Specifically, we have compared the performance of dental pulp neural crest MSCs (DPNCCs) to bone marrow aspirate (BMA) combined with a 3D-printed HA/TCP scaffold to regenerate bone in a calvarial CSD (>7.0 cm2). Both DPNCCs and BMA loaded onto the 3D-printed osteoconductive scaffold support the regeneration of calvarial bone with density, compression strength, and trabecular structures similar to native bone. Our study demonstrates a novel application of an original scaffold design combined with DPNCCs or BMA to support regeneration of high-quality bone in a newly defined and clinically relevant swine calvarial CSD model. This discovery may have important impact on bone regeneration beyond the craniofacial region and will ultimately benefit patients who suffer from debilitating CSDs.
Efficient Adsorption of Doxycycline Hydrochloride Using Deep Eutectic Solvent Functionalized Activated Carbon Derived from Pumpkin Seed Shell
Authors: Kaur Gurleenjot , Singh Neetu , Rajor Anita
Published: April 2021

The emerging deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are being utilized in different areas of science and engineering due to their exceptional physicochemical properties. In this study, choline chloride‐based DES was prepared in conjugation with glycolic acid (GA) as a hydrogen bond donor (HBD). Activated carbon was derived from pumpkin seed shell (PSS) using microwave‐assisted pyrolysis technique in an N2 environment. The potential of synthesized DES was evaluated as a functionalization agent for PSSAC. DES functionalized PSSAC (DES‐PSSAC) was characterized using FTIR, XRD, FESEM and BET surface area to confirm the functionalization and identify the physico‐chemical changes. This prepared DES‐PSSAC was used as an adsorbent for the uptake of Doxycycline hydrochloride (DOX) from its aqueous solution. The influence of different process parameters was inspected in order to determine the optimal experimental conditions. At optimized parameters, the kinetics and thermodynamics studies were explored. Used DES was confirmed to be effectively grafted onto the PSSAC surface. The experimental data, best suited to the Pseudo second‐order kinetic model, whereas adsorption isotherm data were best represented by Freundlich and R‐P isotherm models. The recorded maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) was found to be 30.35 mg/g. High adsorption performance of DES‐PSSAC towards DOX uptake and its reusability exhibited that this novel adsorbent can be applied to remove pharmaceutical pollutants.
Pyridine Derivatives as Biologically Active Precursors; Organics and Selected Coordination Complexes
Authors: Khan Ezzat
Published: April 2021

Pyridine (py) is an important heterocyclic compound and is an integral part of various natural products. There are various medicines containing py ring system being available in the market to combat different human ailments. Observing the medicine market, Omeprazole, a widely used py‐based drug in medicinal market since 1998. Netupitant (an antiemitic drug, since 2014) is used in combination with another drug to prevent acute and delayed vomiting and nausea associated with cancer chemotherapy led the run towards development of anticancer drugs. Several drugs have been approved by FDA for the treatment of cancer in recent years such as, Abemaciclib (2015), Lorlatinib (2018), Apalutamide (2018) and Ivosidenib (2019). Research on py on the bases of these advancements is an evergreen field and associated with greater hopes to address several disease related issues. Several compounds are in the process of clinical trials and are expected to serve various purposes in days to come. This review article deals with recent findings in py chemistry and its coordination complexes. The medicinal efficiency has been argued for organic and inorganic derivatives. Selected biological applications are hereby discussed as follow up study of our report in 2015. Suitable literature prior to 2015 has also been incorporated in appropriate places in order to cover the scope in broader sense.
Improved Practical Synthesis of DY‐038, an Oral Available Antiplatelet Agent
Authors: Cao Yangzhi , Kong Deyu , Sun Lulu , Meng Xin , Zhang Yinyong , Guo Bin , Yang Yushe
Published: April 2021

Recently, we reported the promising activity of a series of novel bicyclic pyridine derivatives as antiplatelet agents. Herein, we describe a modified and improved chemical synthesis of the lead compound, 1‐(3‐cyano‐5‐oxo‐5,7‐dihydrofuro[3,4‐b]pyridin‐2‐yl)‐4‐methyl‐N‐((4‐methylbenzyl)sulfonyl)piperidine‐4‐carboxamide (1), with the aim to produce from milligrams to 10 g of the pure compound that is necessary for the preclinical studies. This novel process is one step shorter and starts from cheap materials, achieving a sevenfold of the total yield from 0.7 % to 5 %. Additionally, it also avoids the use of palladium on carbon as well as all of the steps involve simple purifications without chromatography.
Manipulation of Defects for High‐Performance Thermoelectric PbTe‐Based Alloys
Authors: Zhou Jiayu , Wu Yixuan , Chen Zhiwei , Nan Pengfei , Ge Binghui , Li Wen , Pei Yanzhong
Published: April 2021

0D Point defects, 1D dislocations and 2D interfaces act as effective sources for scattering phonons due to the fluctuations in atomic mass and lattice strain. Dislocations have been demonstrated recently to enable a significant reduction in lattice thermal conductivity of PbTe, and a co‐substitution of Eu and Na at Pb site was found to effectively introduce dense in‐grain dislocations in p‐PbTe. This motivates this work to focus on a further PbSe alloying in Na0.03Eu0.03Pb0.94Te for introducing point defects in addition to these dislocations, with participation of a further reduction in lattice thermal conductivity. The resultant extremely low lattice thermal conductivity (a minimum of ≈0.4 W m−1 K−1) in the entire temperature range leads to an eventual ≈30% enhancement in the average thermoelectric figure of merit zT in the working temperature range and a peak zT as high as ≈2.3 at 850 K in Na0.03Eu0.03Pb0.94Te0.9Se0.1.
Experimental research and mechanical analysis on the bond‐slip behavior between concrete and corroded I‐shaped steel
Authors: Zhang Yiteng , Wang Mingnian , Yu Li , Guo Xiaohan , Liu Kerui , Yang Henghong
Published: April 2021

Corrosion of I‐shaped steel in the primary support of the subsea tunnel is inevitable due to high chloride ion content, which will weaken the bond performance between concrete and I‐shaped steel, resulting in a reduction in the service time of the subsea tunnel. Based on Xiang'an subsea tunnel, the bond–slip behavior between concrete and corroded I‐shaped steel was studied by the accelerated corrosion tests and push‐out tests, the experimental results indicated that: (1) The cracks of experimental specimens could be divided into two main forms: splitting failure (corrosion rate less than 5.79%); spalling failure (corrosion rate more than 5.79%). (2) A three‐stage bond‐slip law for concrete and corroded I‐shaped steel was proposed, and the formulae for calculating the bond strength were established. Furthermore, the degradation process of bond‐slip caused by corrosion was analyzed by energy principle and damage mechanics. Based on energy principle, it found that the elastic energy stored in the interface increased before the peak point of bond‐slip curve and decreased after the peak point, while the dissipated energy in the interface always increased with slip value. Finally, the interface relative damage variable was defined based on secant line anti‐sliding modulus and slip equivalent principle. The interface damage development process can be divided into three stages: initial damage, rapid damage development, and slow damage accumulation.
ROCK inhibitor attenuates carbon blacks‐induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice via Rho/ROCK/NF‐kappa B pathway
Authors: Yan Junyan , Tang Yaxin , Zhong Xin , Huang Huarong , Wei Haonan , Jin Yulei , He Yanjiang , Cao Jinqiao , Jin Lifang , Hu Baowei
Published: April 2021

Exposure to carbon blacks (CBs) has been associated with the progression of pulmonary fibrosis, whereas the mechanism is still not clear. We therefore aimed to investigate the effect of RhoA/ROCK pathway on pulmonary fibrosis caused by CBs exposure. Western blot analysis indicated that CBs could promote the activation of RhoA/ROCK pathway and phosphorylation of p65 and IκBα in mice lung. However, ROCK inhibitor Y‐27632 could attenuate phosphorylation levels of p65 and IκBα and restore histopathological changes of the lung tissue. Then, we evaluated the effect of RhoA/ROCK pathway on pulmonary fibrosis by detecting the expression levels of α‐SMA, vimentin, and Collagen type‐I (Col‐I), which could be partly inhibited by Y‐27632. It was assumed that inhibition of ROCK could be a promising therapeutic candidate for CBs‐induced pulmonary fibrosis, which possibly through the blockage of RhoA/ROCK/NF‐κB pathway.
Prevention of cognitive decline in subjective cognitive decline APOE ε4 carriers after EGCG and a multimodal intervention (PENSA): Study design
Authors: Forcano Laura , Fauria Karine , Soldevila‐Domenech Natalia , Minguillón Carol , Lorenzo Thais , Cuenca‐Royo Aida , Menezes‐Cabral Sofia , Pizarro Nieves , Boronat Anna , Molinuevo José Luis , Torre Rafael de la ,   PENSA Study Groupǂ
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Subjects exhibiting subjective cognitive decline (SCD) are at an increased risk for mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Given the delay between risk exposure and disease onset, SCD individuals are increasingly considered a good target population for cost‐effective lifestyle‐based Alzheimer's disease prevention trials.

Methods

The PENSA study is a randomized, double‐blind, controlled clinical trial that aims to evaluate the efficacy of a personalized multimodal intervention in lifestyle (diet counseling, physical activity, cognitive training, and social engagement) combined with the use of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) over 12 months, in slowing down cognitive decline and improving brain connectivity. The study population includes 200 individuals meeting SCD criteria and carrying the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele, who will be randomized into four treatment arms (multimodal intervention + EGCG/placebo, or lifestyle recommendations + EGCG/placebo). The primary efficacy outcome is change in the composite score for cognitive performance measured with the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study Preclinical Alzheimer Cognitive Composite (ADCS‐PACC‐like) adding to the original version the Interference score from the Stroop Color and Word Test and the Five Digit Test. Secondary efficacy outcomes are (1) change in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and structural neuronal connectivity (structural MRI) and (2) the safety assessment of the EGCG compound. This study is framed within the WW‐FINGERS consortium.

Discussion

The use of new technologies (i.e., mobile ecological momentary assessments [EMAs], activity tracker) in the PENSA study allows the collection of continuous data on lifestyle behaviors (diet and physical activity) and mood, enabling a personalized design as well as an intensive follow‐up of participants. These data will be used to give feedback to participants about their own performance along the intervention, promoting their involvement and adherence. The results of the study may aid researchers on the design of future clinical trials involving preventive lifestyle multicomponent interventions.
Numerical Platform
Authors: Yoshioka Keita , Nest Mathias , Pötschke Daniel , Sattari Amir Shoarian , Schmidt Patrick , Krach David
Published: April 2021

An essential scientific goal of the GeomInt project is the analysis of potentials and limitations of different numerical approaches for the modelling of discontinuities in the rocks under consideration in order to improve the understanding of methods and their synergies with regard to theoretical and numerical fundamentals. As numerical methods, the “Lattice Element Method” (LEM), the non-continuous discontinuum methods “Discrete Element Method” (DEM), the “Smoothed Particle Hydrodynamics” (SPH), the “Forces on Fracture Surfaces” (FFS) as well as the continuum approaches “Phase-Field Method” (PFM), “Lower-Interface-Method” (LIE), “Non-Local Deformation” (NLD) and the “Hybrid-Dimensional Finite-Element-Method” (HDF) will be systematically investigated and appropriately extended based on experimental results (Fig. 3.1).
The Promise of Non-arm’s Length Practices: Is the Destination-Based Cash Flow Tax or Unitary Taxation the Panacea of Which Developing Countries Are in Search?
Authors: Titus Afton
Published: April 2021

The issues developing countries face when implementing the arm’s length standard are well known. As a result, the time seems opportune for an alternative paradigm. The unitary taxation system has received considerable attention and comment over the last few years as such an alternative. Some have heralded it as the answer to the many problems brought about by the arm’s length standard. Moreover, some suggest that the destination-based cash flow taxation system is the panacea to the present problems in international tax arising from the prevailing approach to the taxation of global affiliated companies. This article tests whether the destination-based cash flow tax and unitary taxation system continue to hold promise when applied in an African context.
Development of a Low-Cost, High Accuracy, Flexible Panel Indexing Cell with Modular, Elastic Architecture
Authors: Brownbill Robert , Roberts Adam
Published: April 2021

The global aerospace industry is driving a demand for flexible manufacturing systems to accommodate multiple programs with variable capacities within a modular, economical production cell [1]. Traditional manufacturing cells often involve bespoke, monolithic hardware limited to single program use. This inherent restraint results in significant incurred costs and program disruption when reacting to design and capacity changes. This paper describes the development of a reconfigurable panel-indexing cell with a dynamic cost architecture as an alternative approach to established, monolithic tooling structures.
Context-Aware Plug and Produce for Robotic Aerospace Assembly
Authors: Sanderson David , Shires Emma , Chaplin Jack C. , Brookes Harvey , Liaqat Amer , Ratchev Svetan
Published: April 2021

Aerospace production systems face increasing requirements for flexibility and reconfiguration, along with considerations of cost, utilisation, and efficiency. This drives a need for systems with a small number of automation platforms (e.g. industrial robots) that can make use of a larger number of end effectors that are potentially flexible or multifunctional. This leads to the challenge of ensuring that the configuration and location of each end effector is tracked by the system at all times, even in the face of manual adjustments, to ensure that the correct processes are applied to the product at the right time. We present a solution based on a Data Distribution Service that provides the system with full awareness of the context of its automation platforms and end effectors. The solution is grounded with an example use case from WingLIFT, a research programme led by a large aerospace manufacturer. The WingLIFT project in which this solution was developed builds on the adaptive systems approach from the Evolvable Assembly Systems project, with focus on extending and increasing the aerospace industrial applicability of plug and produce techniques. The design of this software solution is described from multiple perspectives, and accompanied by details of a physical demonstration cell that is in the process of being commissioned.
Towards Human and Robot Collaborative Ergonomic Handling of Long Parts with a Loose Grip
Authors: Hofmann Michael , Ganglbauer Markus , Propst Matthias , Wögerer Christian , Pichler Andreas
Published: April 2021

The concept of robots collaborating with humans has gained a lot of interest in the recent years. The pure use of the robot to follow the human’s actions involves several important components, which have to fullfil economic, ergonomic, safety and usability aspects. This paper presents a setup build with recent hardware and taking economic, safety and usability aspects into account. A concept is introduced how the ergonomics of a human worker is actively influenced by the system.
Assistance Needs in Production Environments: A Contextual Exploration of Workers’ Experiences and Work Practices
Authors: Meneweger Thomas , Fuchsberger Verena , Gerdenitsch Cornelia , Egger-Lampl Sebastian , Tscheligi Manfred
Published: April 2021

This paper presents assistance needs in production environments for assembly processes from a workers’ perspective, i.e. what kind of assistance assembly workers would need to enhance their everyday work experience and to better cope with challenges coming along with an increasing digitization in these work environments. Within a large-scale empirical field study in central Europe, we interviewed assembly workers and observed everyday work situations in different production environments (e.g., automotive domain) to understand workers’ experiences and work practices in increasingly connected and automated production environments. Based on the insights gained in this study, we describe several assistance needs for assembly workers that serve as a guidance for future worker-centric designs of assistance systems in production environments.
The Consideration of Job Satisfaction in the Design of Assistance Systems in Production
Authors: Damalas Stelios , Neuhuber Norah , Mörtl Peter
Published: April 2021

Assistance systems designed to help workers in their jobs are increasingly used in industry. Technological progress makes these systems more powerful and extensive, but often nobody questions the extent to which they actually support the users and do not patronize them. For the development of such systems, we found the requirement analysis to be rather complex because human factors and social constraints are more difficult to determine than technical requirements. To counteract these difficulties, we pursue in our approach the involvement of people as knowledge carriers in the development of new technologies. In this paper we outline our framework how human factors aspects of acceptance and job satisfaction can be taken into account in the conception and design of assistance systems.
Strategies for Dealing with Problems in Robotised Unscrewing Operations
Authors: Huang Jun , Pham Duc Truong , Li Ruiya , Jiang Kaiwen , Lyu Dalong , Ji Chunqian
Published: April 2021

Disassembly is the first step in a remanufacturing process chain with unscrewing being usually the most frequent task. In previously reported research in the authors’ laboratory, a new method has been developed for using robots to unfasten screws. Uncertainties and variability in the physical condition of screws induced by dirt, rust, or mechanical damage pose difficulties for such robotised unscrewing systems. There are three common failure modes: screwdriver missing screw head, screwdriver slipping on screw head and screw too tight to remove. This paper presents strategies to handle these failure modes, making the developed robotised method more robust and reliable. The strategies include conducting a second search and second unfastening trial as well as involving collaboration with a human operator. Tests were carried out to validate the proposed strategies. The results show that the strategies could deal with the failure modes, enabling 100% successful operation.
Eine Ethik des unzuverlässigen Erzählens. Fred Wanders Erzählung Der siebente Brunnen (1971)
Authors: Pabst Stephan
Published: April 2021

Fred Wanders ErzählungDer siebente Brunnenist eine Gegenerzählung zur antifaschistischen LegitimationserzählungNackt unter Wölfenvon Bruno Apitz. Das äußert sich auch in der erzählerischen Form. Wander arbeitet mit einem unzuverlässigen Erzähler. Er motiviert diese Unzuverlässigkeit ethisch und epistemisch mit der Erzählsituation, die der Holocaust historisch hervorgebracht hat. Daran lässt sich auch zeigen, warum – wenigstens bei der Beschreibung literarischer Texte – der Begriff der Unzuverlässigkeit dem des Traumas vorzuziehen ist.
„Du bist der Letzte gewesen“. Brand’s Haide (1951): Arno Schmidt erzählt Arno Schmidt?
Authors: Hanuschek Sven
Published: April 2021

Arno Schmidts Erzählung Brand's Haide (1951) wird vorgestellt; die autobiographischen Anteile des Textes sind einem „merging“-Verfahren unterworfen, das es für die zeitgenössischen Leser – angewiesen auf intratextuelle Informationen – unmöglich gemacht hat, sie in ihrem Realitätsstatus einzuschätzen. Indem der Ich-Erzähler, die Figur ‚Schmidt‘, in ihrer Beschränktheit zumal gegenüber den Frauenfiguren des Textes gezeigt wird, kann sie als unzuverlässiger Erzähler (mit einigen Kooperationsbrüchen und axiologischen Unzuverlässigkeiten) gelten. An einmontierten Fremdtexten und dezidiert falsch präsentierten ‚Quellen‘ kann gezeigt werden, dass Schmidt die Unterscheidungsmöglichkeiten der Wirklichkeitsebenen seines Textes konsequent verwischt. Abschließend wird nach der Funktion dieser Strategien gefragt, die bestimmte philosophisch-weltanschauliche Positionen nahelegen.
Tactics and the Three Elements of Strategy
Authors: Yu Xiu-bao
Published: April 2021

What is the relationship between tactics and strategy? This chapter answers the question through a military example. In the framework of the three elements of strategy, it presents the relationship between strategy and tactics in Strategic Business Unit (SBU), and at corporate level. The question of whether tactics should be included in strategies is raised and answered.
Soft theorems from boundary terms in the classical point particle currents
Authors: DeLisle Colby , Wilson-Gerow Jordan , Stamp Philip
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Soft factorization has been shown to hold to sub-leading order in QED and to sub-sub-leading order in perturbative quantum gravity, with various loop and non-universal corrections that can be found. Here we show that all terms factorizing at tree level can be uniquely identified as boundary terms that exist already in the classical expressions for the electric current and stress tensor of a point particle. Further, we show that one cannot uniquely identify such boundary terms beyond the sub-leading or sub-sub-leading orders respectively, providing evidence that the factorizability of the tree level soft factor only holds to these orders. Finally, we show that these boundary terms factor out of all tree level amplitudes as expected, in a theory where gravitons couple to a scalar field.
Random Field Ising Model and Parisi-Sourlas supersymmetry. Part I. Supersymmetric CFT
Authors: Kaviraj Apratim , Rychkov Slava , Trevisani Emilio
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Quenched disorder is very important but notoriously hard. In 1979, Parisi and Sourlas proposed an interesting and powerful conjecture about the infrared fixed points with random field type of disorder: such fixed points should possess an unusual supersymmetry, by which they reduce in two less spatial dimensions to usual non-supersymmetric non- disordered fixed points. This conjecture however is known to fail in some simple cases, but there is no consensus on why this happens. In this paper we give new non-perturbative arguments for dimensional reduction. We recast the problem in the language of Conformal Field Theory (CFT). We then exhibit a map of operators and correlation functions from Parisi-Sourlas supersymmetric CFT in d dimensions to a (d − 2)-dimensional ordinary CFT. The reduced theory is local, i.e. it has a local conserved stress tensor operator. As required by reduction, we show a perfect match between superconformal blocks and the usual conformal blocks in two dimensions lower. This also leads to a new relation between conformal blocks across dimensions. This paper concerns the second half of the Parisi-Sourlas conjecture, while the first half (existence of a supersymmetric fixed point) will be examined in a companion work.