bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In vitro solubilization of antibiotic drug sulfamethazine: An investigation on drug–micelle aggregate formation by spectroscopic and scattering techniques
Authors: A Mavani , Ovung Aben , Luikham Soching , Ray Debes , Aswal Vinod K. , Chatterjee Sabyasachi , Bhattacharyya Jhimli
Published: December 2021

Micellar solubilization has been used extensively for the dissolution of sparingly soluble drugs for effective drug delivery. Apart from improving the solubility and bioavailability, micelles can help reduce toxicity and improve permeability in the system. In this article, solubilization of a well‐known antibiotic, sulfamethazine (SMZ) upon micellization, is studied by employing various spectroscopic and scattering techniques like, ultraviolet–visible, fluorescence, small angle neutron scattering (SANS), and zeta potential (ZP) studies. The size(s) and charge(s) of the micelles were monitored by SANS and ZP. A positively charged/cationic surfactant, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) and a negatively charged/anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) are used for micelle formation. Regardless of the surfactant type, the solubility of SMZ increases linearly with the increase in the surfactant concentration, as a result of association between the drug and micelles. However, the solubility of SMZ is found to be better with CTAB than SDS. Upon interaction with SMZ, we observed that the critical micelle concentration of CTAB occurred at a lower concentration than that of SDS surfactant. As fitted in the ellipsoidal core–shell model, SANS results also show the formation of charged micelles. This comparative study can help us to select an appropriate medium for SMZ solubilization to improve selective drug delivery in biomedical applications.
ELEVATING THE HUMAN EXPERIENCE AT WORK
Authors: Dunlop Amelia
Published: December 2021

The author is Chief Experience Officer for Deloitte Digital and leads their Customer Strategy & Applied Design practice. She details Deloitte’s initiative regarding “Elevating the Human Experience” at work. In many workplaces, the human experience has become devalued. This initiative seeks to counter that trend. As she writes, “Working more than ever in our remote or hybrid always‐on environments can make us feel increasingly lonely and isolated—more digitally connected but somehow less human.” She explains “six principles guiding the journey Deloitte Digital is on to elevate the human experience (EHX) for the humans we call teammates and clients.” In her words, they are (1) Show Don’t Tell; (2) Catalyze the Movement; (3) Celebrate Progress Over Perfection; (4) Change the Narrative; (5) Anchor through Artifacts; (6) Demonstrate the Value. Within point 1, she writes: “Simply put, telling someone you intend to make their experience better and not following through on it is worse than if you had never said anything at all.” In point 2: “You will know you have elevated someone’s experience because your heart feels full when you are done.” She concludes that she has “come to believe that elevating the human experience simply means making the experience of another better through love.”
The detective quantum efficiency of cadmium telluride photon‐counting x‐ray detectors in breast imaging applications
Authors: Day James A. , Tanguay Jesse
Published: December 2021

Purpose

In breast imaging applications, cadmium telluride (CdTe) photon counting x‐ray detectors (PCDs) may reduce radiation dose and enable single‐shot multi‐energy x‐ray imaging. The purpose of this work is to determine the upper limits of the detective quantum efficiency (DQE) of CdTe PCDs for x‐ray mammography and to compare them with the published DQEs of energy‐integrating detectors (EIDs) and other PCDs.

Methods

We calibrated and validated a Monte Carlo (MC) model of the DQE of CdTe PCDs using an XCounter CdTe PCD. Our model accounted for charge sharing, electronic noise, and charge summation logic. We used a 28 kVp Mo/Mo spectrum hardened by 3.9 cm of Lucite to optimize the detector thickness and energy threshold for pixel sizes of 50, 85, and 100 m with and without inter‐pixel charge summation logic. The figure of merit used for optimization was the integral of the DQE, which is equivalent to the detectability index for a delta function task function, which represents a high‐frequency task.

Results

For an electronic noise level equal to that of the XCounter, the optimal DQE(0) without charge summing was 0.74. Charge summing for charge‐sharing correction reduced DQE(0) by 14% due to an increase in electronic noise. Reducing the electronic noise to ∼0.5 keV per pixel in combination with charge summing resulted in DQE(0) 0.78 for 85 m pixels, which is approximately equal to that of a‐Se and slot‐scanning silicon‐strip PCDs. At higher spatial frequencies, and for matched pixel sizes, the DQE was inferior to that of a‐Se EIDs and superior to that of slot‐scanning silicon‐strip PCDs in the scan direction but inferior in the slit direction.

Conclusions

(1) CdTe PCDs have the potential to provide a zero‐frequency DQE equal to that of a‐Se EIDs and slot‐scanning silicon‐strip PCDs, but this will require electronic noise levels ∼0.5 keV per pixel. (2) At mid‐to‐high spatial frequencies the DQE of CdTe PCDs may be (a) inferior to that of a‐Se EIDs and slot‐scanning silicon‐strip PCDs in the slit direction, and (b) superior to slot‐scanning silicon‐strip PCDs in the scan direction.
Studies on Alternating Copolymerization of Ethylene and Carbon Monoxide Using Nickel‐Based Catalyst: Cocatalyst and the Polarity of Solvent
Authors: Bie Zhengwei , Li Bo‐Geng , Hu Jijiang , Yao Zhen
Published: December 2021

Polyketone (PK) has attracted wide attention owing to its direct utilization of carbon monoxide, excellent properties, and photodegradation performance. However, the commercialized PK is produced using Pd‐based catalysts, which accounts for the largest part of the production cost. Herein, [Ni(2‐tol)(PPh3)(N,O)] is used as the main catalyst for its high productivity and good tolerance to CO. Effects of the cocatalyst (Ni(COD)2), the aging method in CO atmosphere, and the polarity of solvent are investigated. When Ni(COD)2 is employed as the cocatalyst, the catalytic activity and molecular weight of PK are increased by 29% and 42.6%, respectively. Aging of catalyst system with Ni(COD)2 in CO atmosphere leads to significant decrease in activity and molecular weight, while aging has almost no effect on the copolymerization without Ni(COD)2. Different catalytic mechanisms are proposed for the catalyst system with and without cocatalyst. Furthermore, it is found that the polar solvent (CH2Cl2) significantly increases the activity by 119.2% compared to that in the nonpolar solvent (toluene). However, the thermal stability of the catalyst is much better in toluene. The study on the understanding of catalytic mechanism and improvement of activity will promote the practical application of nonprecious metal catalysts for preparation of PK.
Effectiveness of biologics and targeted synthetic disease‐modifying anti‐rheumatic drugs in conjunction with methotrexate for the treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Laeeq Sadia , Reghefaoui Tiba , Zahoor Hafsa , Yook Ji Hyun , Rizwan Muneeba , Shahid Noor ul ain , Naguit Noreen , Jakkoju Rakesh , Mohammed Lubna
Published: December 2021

Objectives

The treatment goal for rheumatoid arthritis has undergone a dramatic change over recent years with the advent of biologic and targeted synthetic disease‐modifying antirheumatic drugs (b/tsDMARDs). This systematic review aims to discuss the comparative efficiency of new drugs versus the standard of care methotrexate.

Methods

Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct were searched, and 7072 records were retrieved. Randomized controlled trials published in the last five years with full‐text papers, blinded studies, and studies with an open‐label extension were included. Studies with a high risk of bias as calculated by the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB2) tool were excluded. The last database search was conducted on 21 August 2021.

Results

Fifteen studies were identified and analyzed by categorizing drugs into Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors, and monoclonal antibodies with other targets (anti‐GM‐CSF receptor, anti‐IL6 receptor, anti‐IL‐17 monoclonal antibodies), with a total of 7963 participants. Data were synthesized with tables and the PRISMA flow diagram. Our analysis included baricitinib, filgotinib, peficitinib, infliximab, certolizumab, sarilumab, tocilizumab namilumab, mavrilimumab, golimumab, and CNT06785.

Conclusions

These studies showed that except for CNT 06785 (anti‐Interleukin 17A monoclonal antibody), biologic and targeted synthetic disease‐modifying drugs combined with methotrexate or as monotherapy yield better clinical and radiographical outcomes. This systematic review does not discuss biosimilars and the adverse effects of biologic drugs in detail. Infections remain a significant adverse drug reaction of monoclonal antibodies. However, these drugs play a crucial role in adequately managing this disease for patients with severe arthritis.
Characteristics that predict volunteer retention and fundraising in community‐based challenge events
Authors: Dunn Jeff , Ng Shu‐Kay , Hyde Melissa K. , Legg Melissa , Zajdlewicz Leah , Stein Kevin , Savage Anne , Scuffham Paul , Chambers Suzanne K.
Published: December 2021

The financial viability of many not‐for‐profit organisations is linked to community fundraising by volunteers. This study explored predictors of volunteer retention and fundraising performance in relay for life (RFL), an international volunteer community‐based cancer fundraising event. A self‐report survey completed by 1298 RFL volunteers (24% response) assessed: satisfaction with volunteering; organisational commitment; psychological sense of connection; motives; social norms; capacity to volunteer as in perceived behavioural control and barriers to volunteering; satisfaction with community; behavioural intention. Primary outcomes were return participation in RFL and funds raised. Returning volunteers reported higher perceived behavioural control and satisfaction with community. Indirect effects through age‐moderated intention‐to‐return were higher satisfaction with volunteering; organisational commitment; psychological sense of connection; capacity to volunteer. Funds raised were higher in teams with volunteers who were older, strongly committed to the organisation and motivate to fight cancer; with low interest in social/entertainment. Strategies to nurture the volunteer‐organisation relationship and enhance volunteer capabilities may be most crucial for event success and long‐term viability.
Relationship between anthropometric indices and arterial stiffness: Insights from an epidemiologic study
Authors: Sobhani Sahar , Vakili Saba , Javid Jam Dina , Aryan Reihaneh , Khadem‐Rezaiyan Majid , Eslami Saeid , Alinezhad‐Namaghi Maryam
Published: December 2021

Background

Obesity and arteriosclerosis are both independently associated with cardiovascular disease risk. Obesity also may increase arterial stiffness.

Aims

This study aimed to investigate the association between anthropometric indices and non‐invasive arterial stiffness parameters, using data from a large population‐based cohort of seemingly healthy women and men.

Methods

A total of 5023 eligible participants were included in the study. The pulse wave velocity (PWV), central blood pressures, and bio‐impedance measures were obtained at the time of enrollment. Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between anthropometric indices with arterial stiffness parameters.

Results

The mean age of participants was 45.3 ± 8.8 years, 2368 (47.1%) were males and 2655 (52.8%) were females. The prevalence of participant with underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity were 0.73%, 33.2%, 48.7%, and 17.2% respectively. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, fatty liver, and hypertension were significantly higher in overweight/obesity participants. The overweight/obesity participants had significantly higher PWV than the normal‐weight group (471.5 ± 42.6/496.7 ± 47.5 cm/s vs. 448.1 ± 41.4 cm/s, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, fatty liver disease, chronic lung disease, and also kidney stones were significantly higher in overweight and individuals with obesity. Body mass index, body fat mass, waist–hip ratio abdominal circumference, neck circumference, visceral fat area, total body water, 50‐kHz whole body phase angle are positively correlated with PWV. Augmentation index had no significant correlation with body mass index, arm, hip, and abdominal circumferences.
Effects of particle size of hydroxyapatite on mechanical property and cytocompatibility of hydroxyapatite/poly(amino acid) composites
Authors: Lyu Defu , Zhang Qiyi , Wu Yanan , Chen Lichao , Li Xiaodan , Ren Haohao , Yan Yonggang
Published: December 2021

In this work, three different particle sizes of hydroxyapatites (HA) were synthesized, and these three types of HA were combined with poly(amino acid) (PAA) to form composites (PAA/HA) by phase separation technique. XRD, FT‐IR, SEM, EDS, and XPS analyses were utilized to characterize the structure and morphology of the synthesized three HA particles and composites. Results revealed that HAs with three different particle sizes (short rod (HA1), long rod in nanoscale (HA2), and long rod in micron level (HA3)) were successfully prepared and there was an interface interaction between PAA and HA in composites. Mechanical tests showed that the difference of HA in size played an important role in mechanical performance of the composites. Furthermore, the long rod nano‐HA showed the highest enhancement in flexural yield strength at 81.3% for PAA/HA2 compared with pure PAA. After 28 days of immersion in PBS, PAA, and its composites showed good stability, and the mechanical performance of all composites were remained unchanged. The cell culture results showed all composites were cytocompatible, cells attached on the materials well with excellent morphology. Thus, it could be concluded that particle size influenced mechanical properties of PAA/HA composites, without impacting their cytocompatibility and degradation behavior.
Rheological behavior of polyvinyl chloride‐g‐diallyl phthalate resin
Authors: Xu Yixuan , Wang Ya , Chen Jihua , Wang Wei , Pi Hong
Published: December 2021

In this article, the rheological behavior of polyvinyl chloride (PVC)‐grafting‐diallyl phthalate (DAP) was evaluated with melt flow index measurement and the small amplitude frequency sweep experiments. Frequency sweep tests using a parallel plate rheometer were conducted at 190°C to evaluate the rheological properties of PVC‐g‐DAP copolymers with different grafting ratios of DAP (0, 3, 5, 8, and 10%). Frequency sweep data were analyzed in terms of Cole–Cole plot, Han plot, and VGP plot. The results suggested that grafting DAP onto PVC reduced the viscosity and melt elasticity and greatly improved processability of the polymer. The mechanism of the grafting was interpreted as its benefits to promote fusion and gelation level of PVC, which was further confirmed through the SEM study.
Maleimide‐styrene‐butadiene terpolymers: acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene inspired photopolymers for additive manufacturing
Authors: Steindl Johannes , Ehrmann Katharina , Gorsche Christian , Huang Ching‐Chung , Koch Thomas , Steinbauer Patrick , Rohatschek Andreas , Andriotis Orestis G. , Thurner Philipp J. , Prado‐Roller Alexander , Stampfl Jürgen , Liska Robert
Published: December 2021

The terpolymer acrylonitrile‐butadiene‐styrene (ABS) is a widely used thermoplastic material due to its excellent mechanical properties, especially high toughness. However, the monomer system of ABS cannot be feasibly photopolymerized due to its reactivity, opacity and monomer volatility. We show the transfer of an ABS microstructure to photopolymers via monomer systems designed to mimic ABS while remaining photopolymerizable. Acrylonitrile was substituted by more reactive and less volatile maleimides, of which the N substituent influences crosslinking considerably. Instead of styrene, less volatile derivatives were utilized as comonomers. Poly(butadiene) was introduced as cheap, readily available and non‐volatile rubber. The resulting maleimide‐styrene‐poly(butadiene) networks exhibit varying microphase separations and simultaneous transparency. While optimized materials cannot quite exhibit the yield strain of hot‐pressed ABS filament, their toughness partly exceeds that of ABS. Superior thermal stabilities and glass transition temperatures up to 190 °C were observed. Finally, stereolithographic printing of one tuned monomer system was conducted. © 2021 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.
GAFA's information infrastructure distribution: Interconnection dynamics in the global North versus global South
Authors: Rosa Fernanda R. , Hauge Janice A.
Published: December 2021

We analyze public points of interconnection of Google, Amazon, Facebook, and Apple (GAFA) in the global North versus the global South to determine the degree to which their location preferences differ, if at all. We find that there is a statistically significant difference in GAFA locating in the global North versus the global South—a difference based on a country's wealth, specifically as given by per capita GNI. Approximately 38% of countries classified as global North have a GAFA public point of interconnection, while 16% of those classified as global South do. Apple has approximately 92% of its presence in the global North, followed by Amazon (82.5%), Facebook (73%), and Google (72%). Our findings suggest that competition and antitrust policy discussions of digital platforms should include information on the dynamics of interconnection infrastructure distribution, and for that, such information must be available. We also assert that a global consideration of the digital platforms market is necessary.
Promoting volatile organic compounds removal by a magnetically assisted nanosecond pulsed gear‐cylinder dielectric barrier discharge
Authors: Jiang Nan , Sun Yun , Peng Bangfa , Li Jie , Shang Kefeng , Lu Na , Wu Yan
Published: December 2021

In this study, a magnetic field perpendicular to the electric field is introduced to the gear‐cylinder dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) to enhance the plasma density and improve the volatile organic compounds removal performance at atmospheric pressure. Higher discharge intensity, enlarged plasma streamers region, and better toluene removal performance are obtained after introducing a 0.2 T magnetic field due to the intensified ionization reactions caused by the Larmor movement of electrons. Time‐resolved Intensified Charge‐coupled Detector images indicate that both the propagation velocities of the primary and secondary streamers are enhanced and their durations are prolonged by the magnetic field. The optical emission spectra results imply that the vibrational temperature (Tvib) of N2(C‐B) and the reduced electric field (E/N) are promoted by applying the magnetic field, while the rotational temperature (Trot) of N2(C‐B) is rarely affected by the magnetic field. There is an optimal combination between the electric field and magnetic field in the gear‐cylinder DBD reactor, according to the mechanism of the magnetically assisted DBD plasma. The pulsed discharge current, toluene removal efficiency, and energy yield with the magnetic field are increased by 26%–40%, 50%–70%, and 7%–20% within the range of 16–20 kV, respectively, compared to those without the magnetic field, implying that magnetically assisted DBD plasma presents superior toluene degradation performance compared to common DBD plasma.
A new phase II EWMA dispersion control chart
Authors: Yang Su‐Fen , Arnold Barry C. , Liu Yen‐ling , Lu Ming‐Che , Lu Shin‐Li
Published: December 2021

Statistical process control (SPC) methods are useful for improving or maintaining a manufacturing or service process in a stable and satisfactory state. Nowadays, in many industrial applications, it is necessary to simultaneously monitor more than two related quality variables of a process. Multivariate control charts are thus becoming an important research area. Using separate control charts to monitor related quality variables independently is very unreasonable and misleading. The problem of monitoring multivariate statistical process (MSPC) for several related quality variables is of current interest. So far in the literature, a few papers have discussed monitoring process dispersion for cases in which the process has a multivariate normal or non‐normal distribution. A new EWMA dispersion control chart is proposed to monitor the process covariance matrix. Moreover, the proposed new EWMA dispersion control chart is independent of the out‐of‐control process mean vector. It overcomes the problem in many existing covariance matrix control charts of assuming that there are no shifts in the process mean vector which, depending on the existence of shifts in mean, can lead to an increased false alarm rate. The derivation of the new EWMA dispersion control chart is illustrated and its out‐of‐control detection performance investigated. The proposed new EWMA dispersion control chart performs better than the existing control charts for detecting out‐of‐control process variances whether the covariances change or not. An example involving semi‐conductor data is adopted to demonstrate the application of the proposed new EWMA dispersion control chart.
The SPRT control charts for the Maxwell distribution
Authors: Godase Dadasaheb G. , Mahadik Shashibhushan B. , Rakitzis Athanasios C.
Published: December 2021

Maxwell distribution has several applications in modeling physical and chemical processes, as well as in reliability and lifetime data analysis. In this paper, we propose the one‐ and two‐sided SPRT control charts for monitoring the scale parameter of a Maxwell distributed process. Using a Markov chain approach, we obtain the measures of statistical performance for the one‐sided charts. Reasonably accurate relationships between the performance measures of a two‐sided SPRT chart and that of its corresponding one‐sided charts are derived through Monte‐Carlo simulations. Approaches for designing the one‐ and two‐sided SPRT charts having the specified in‐control and the optimal out‐of‐control performances are provided. The results of the numerical study reveal that the proposed charts significantly outperform the Shewhart and cumulative sum (CUSUM) charts for detecting a shift of any size in the scale parameter. The mechanisms of the one‐ and two‐sided SPRT charts are illustrated via two real‐data examples: the first in the monitoring of the urinary glycosaminoglycan concentration and the second in the monitoring of the bearing life.
Trajectory tracking control for four‐mecanum‐wheel mobile vehicle: A variable gain active disturbance rejection control approach
Authors: Li Sihang , Zhang Jinhui , Zhao Kai , Zhang Yakai , Sun Zhongqi , Xia Yuanqing
Published: December 2021

In this article, a novel variable gain active disturbance rejection control (ADRC) approach is developed for the trajectory tracking control of four‐mecanum‐wheel mobile vehicle. The proposed variable gain ADRC approach includes three parts, variable gain tracking‐differentiator (VGTD), variable gain extended state observer (VGESO), and composite disturbance rejection controller. The error‐based variable gains are, respectively, incorporated in VGTD, VGESO, and controller to improve the transient performances. Moreover, stability analysis of the VGTD tracking error system, VGESO estimation error system, and the closed‐loop system are also provided. Finally, simulation and experiment results show the effectiveness of the proposed control approach.
Phase transition in random intersection graphs with communities
Authors: van der Hofstad Remco , Komjáthy Júlia , Vadon Viktória
Published: December 2021

The “random intersection graph with communities” (RIGC) models networks with communities, assuming an underlying bipartite structure of groups and individuals. Each group has its own internal structure described by a (small) graph, while groups may overlap. The group memberships are generated by a bipartite configuration model. The model generalizes the classical random intersection graph model, a special case where each community is a complete graph. The RIGC model is analytically tractable. We prove a phase transition in the size of the largest connected component in terms of the model parameters. We prove that percolation on RIGC produces a graph within the RIGC family, also undergoing a phase transition with respect to size of the largest component. Our proofs rely on the connection to the bipartite configuration model. Our related results on the bipartite configuration model are of independent interest, since they shed light on interesting differences from the unipartite case.
Investigation by top‐down high‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry of glutathionylation and cysteinylation of salivary S100A9 and cystatin B in preterm newborns
Authors: Boroumand Mozghan , Manconi Barbara , Serrao Simone , Iavarone Federica , Olianas Alessandra , Cabras Tiziana , Contini Cristina , Pieroni Luisa , Sanna Maria Teresa , Vento Giovanni , Tirone Chiara , Desiderio Claudia , Fiorita Antonella , Faa Gavino , Messana Irene , Castagnola Massimo
Published: December 2021

Glutathionylation and cysteinylation can be involved in the protection of critical cysteines from irreversible oxidative damages. S100A9 long and cystatin B, proteins highly represented in the saliva of preterm and at‐term newborns, can undergo these modifications. Levels of S100A9 long and cystatin B and their glutathionylated and cysteinylated derivatives have been determined by a top‐down platform based on high‐performance liquid chromatography–electrospray ionization–mass spectrometry in 100 salivary samples serially collected from 17 preterm newborns with different postconceptional age at birth (178‐226 days) and in 90 salivary samples collected from at‐term newborns and babies. Results showed that: (1) S100A9 long and cystatin B were mainly present as unmodified forms in extremely preterm newborn; (2) the percentage of the S‐thiolated derivatives of both proteins increased with increasing the postconceptional age; (3) the greatest variation occurred up to about 280 days of postconceptional age. Interestingly, differences in the levels of the S‐thiolated derivatives only depended on the postconceptional age and not on whether the infant was born preterm or at‐term. Inadequate levels of cysteine and glutathione might be responsible for the low level of S‐thiolated derivatives measured in preterm newborns. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD025517.
HOTFUZ: Cost‐effective higher‐order mutation‐based fault localization
Authors: Jang Jong‐In , Ryu Duksan , Baik Jongmoon
Published: December 2021

Fault localization techniques are used to deduce the exact source of a failure from a set of failure indications while debugging software and play a crucial role in improving software quality. Mutation‐based fault localization (MBFL) techniques are proposed to localize faults at a finer granularity and with higher accuracy than traditional fault localization techniques. Despite the technique's effectiveness, the immense cost of mutation analysis hinders MBFL's practical application in the industry. Various mutation alternative strategies are utilized to lower the cost of MBFL, but they sacrifice the accuracy of localization results. Higher‐order mutation testing was proposed to search for valuable mutants that drive testing harder and reduce the overall test effort. However, higher‐order mutants (HOMs) never have been used to address the cost problem of MBFL to the extent of our knowledge. This paper proposes a novel, cost‐effective MBFL technique called HOTFUZ, Higher‐Order muTation‐based FaUlt localiZation, that employs HOMs to reduce the cost while minimizing the accuracy degradation. HOTFUZ combines mutants of a program under test into HOMs to decrease the number of mutants by more than half, depending on the order of HOMs. An experimental study is conducted using 65 real‐world faults of CoREBench to assess the proposed approach's cost‐effectiveness. The experimental results show that HOTFUZ outperforms the extant mutation alternative strategies by localizing faults more accurately using the same number of mutants executed. HOTFUZ has three main benefits over existing mutant reduction techniques for MBFL: (a) It keeps the advantage of using the whole set of mutation operators; (b) it does not discard generated mutants randomly for the sake of efficiency; and, finally, (c) it significantly decreases the proportion of equivalent mutants.
Applying systems engineering to roadmapping for digital transformation in the offshore exploration and production supply chain operations
Authors: Czachorowski Karen V. , Haskins Cecilia
Published: December 2021

This article presents the results of the third cycle of an Action Research (AR) study conducted in an offshore exploration and production (E&P) operator on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS) that investigated a digital transformation (DT) in offshore E&P supply chain operations, with a focus on drilling operations. This study provides the results of a brief investigation of the main factors that contribute the success of DT and demonstrates the value of using technology roadmapping alongside systems engineering (SE) practices to create a path between identified “AS‐IS” and “TO‐BE” operational states. Applying SE methods to the adoption of the “T‐Plan” roadmapping process resulted in a strategic communication tool that can be used among stakeholders to support them with the integration of business planning and technology adoption, and to help assess the impact that new technologies may have on their organizations in their journey toward a successful DT. In addition to the roadmap itself, which benefits the case company, this study contributes to building and enriching academic literature by providing insight from the oil and gas industry and demonstrating the use of technology roadmapping to create a strategic plan for DT in a well‐established industrial domain.
A high‐density linkage map of finger millet provides QTL for blast resistance and other agronomic traits
Authors: Pendergast, Thomas H. , Qi Peng , Odeny Damaris Achieng , Dida Mathews M. , Devos Katrien M.
Published: December 2021

Finger millet [Eleusine coracana (L.) Gaertn.] is a critical subsistence crop in eastern Africa and southern Asia but has few genomic resources and modern breeding programs. To aid in the understanding of finger millet genomic organization and genes underlying disease resistance and agronomically important traits, we generated a F2:3 population from a cross between E. coracana (L.) Gaertn. subsp. coracana accession ACC 100007 and E. coracana (L.) Gaertn. subsp. africana , accession GBK 030647. Phenotypic data on morphology, yield, and blast (Magnaporthe oryzae) resistance traits were taken on a subset of the F2:3 population in a Kenyan field trial. The F2:3 population was genotyped via genotyping‐by‐sequencing (GBS) and the UGbS‐Flex pipeline was used for sequence alignment, nucleotide polymorphism calling, and genetic map construction. An 18‐linkage‐group genetic map consisting of 5,422 markers was generated that enabled comparative genomic analyses with rice (Oryza sativa L.), foxtail millet [Setaria italica (L.) P. Beauv.], and sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. Notably, we identified conserved acrocentric homoeologous chromosomes (4A and 4B in finger millet) across all species. Significant quantitative trait loci (QTL) were discovered for flowering date, plant height, panicle number, and blast incidence and severity. Sixteen putative candidate genes that may underlie trait variation were identified. Seven LEUCINE‐RICH REPEAT‐CONTAINING PROTEIN genes, with homology to nucleotide‐binding site leucine‐rich repeat (NBS‐LRR) disease resistance proteins, were found on three chromosomes under blast resistance QTL. This high‐marker‐density genetic map provides an important tool for plant breeding programs and identifies genomic regions and genes of critical interest for agronomic traits and blast resistance.
Pangenomics in crop improvement—from coding structural variations to finding regulatory variants with pangenome graphs
Authors: Zanini Silvia F. , Bayer Philipp E. , Wells Rachel , Snowdon Rod J. , Batley Jacqueline , Varshney Rajeev K. , Nguyen Henry T. , Edwards David , Golicz Agnieszka A.
Published: December 2021

Since the first reported crop pangenome in 2014, advances in high‐throughput and cost‐effective DNA sequencing technologies facilitated multiple such studies including the pangenomes of oilseed rape (Brassica napus L.), soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.], rice (Oryza sativa L.), wheat (Triticum aestivum L.), and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.). Compared with single‐reference genomes, pangenomes provide a more accurate representation of the genetic variation present in a species. By combining the genomic data of multiple accessions, pangenomes allow for the detection and annotation of complex DNA polymorphisms such as structural variations (SVs), one of the major determinants of genetic diversity within a species. In this review we summarize the current literature on crop pangenomics, focusing on their application to find candidate SVs involved in traits of agronomic interest. We then highlight the potential of pangenomes in the discovery and functional characterization of noncoding regulatory sequences and their variations. We conclude with a summary and outlook on innovative data structures representing the complete content of plant pangenomes including annotations of coding and noncoding elements and outcomes of transcriptomic and epigenomic experiments.
Constrained power reference control for wind turbines
Authors: Zalkind Daniel S. , Nicotra Marco M. , Pao Lucy Y.
Published: December 2021

The cost of wind energy can be reduced by controlling the power reference of a turbine to increase energy capture, while maintaining load and generator speed constraints. We apply standard torque and pitch controllers to the direct inputs of the turbine and use their set points to change the power output and reduce generator speed and blade load transients. A power reference controller increases the power output when conditions are safe and decreases it when problematic transient events are expected. Transient generator speeds and blade loads are estimated using a gust measure derived from a wind speed estimate. A hybrid controller decreases the power rating from a maximum allowable power. Compared to a baseline controller, with a constant power reference, the proposed controller results in generator speeds and blade loads that do not exceed the original limits, increases tower fore‐aft damage equivalent loads by 1%, and increases the annual energy production by 5%.
Over‐optimism in benchmark studies and the multiplicity of design and analysis options when interpreting their results
Authors: Nießl Christina , Herrmann Moritz , Wiedemann Chiara , Casalicchio Giuseppe , Boulesteix Anne‐Laure
Published: December 2021

In recent years, the need for neutral benchmark studies that focus on the comparison of methods coming from computational sciences has been increasingly recognized by the scientific community. While general advice on the design and analysis of neutral benchmark studies can be found in recent literature, a certain flexibility always exists. This includes the choice of data sets and performance measures, the handling of missing performance values, and the way the performance values are aggregated over the data sets. As a consequence of this flexibility, researchers may be concerned about how their choices affect the results or, in the worst case, may be tempted to engage in questionable research practices (e.g., the selective reporting of results or the post hoc modification of design or analysis components) to fit their expectations. To raise awareness for this issue, we use an example benchmark study to illustrate how variable benchmark results can be when all possible combinations of a range of design and analysis options are considered. We then demonstrate how the impact of each choice on the results can be assessed using multidimensional unfolding. In conclusion, based on previous literature and on our illustrative example, we claim that the multiplicity of design and analysis options combined with questionable research practices lead to biased interpretations of benchmark results and to over‐optimistic conclusions. This issue should be considered by computational researchers when designing and analyzing their benchmark studies and by the scientific community in general in an effort towards more reliable benchmark results.

This article is categorized under:

Technologies > Visualization

Technologies > Data Preprocessing

Technologies > Structure Discovery and Clustering
The Children
Authors: Ward Harriet , Moggach Lynne , Tregeagle Susan , Trivedi Helen
Published: December 2021

The children’s early experiences provide a context for assessing subsequent outcomes. Data collected from case files and records presented to the courts show that before separation from birth parents, almost all 210 adoptees had experienced serious and often multiple forms of maltreatment; this was the primary reason for removal. Before entering their adoptive homes, 69% of the adoptees had had four or more adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), 32% had experienced failed reunifications and 48% had had three or more foster placements. Adverse childhood experiences before entry to care, harmful experiences in care and repeated exposure to grief and loss are likely to have contributed to the high prevalence of emotional and behavioural difficulties, displayed by 49% of the adoptees. According to our classification, 57% were at high risk of experiencing adverse outcomes in adulthood.
Adult Outcomes
Authors: Ward Harriet , Moggach Lynne , Tregeagle Susan , Trivedi Helen
Published: December 2021

The chapter focuses exclusively on the 60 adoptees aged over 18 who completed the follow-up survey. It draws on data collected through survey responses and interviews focusing on 24 adult adoptees. It explores their outcomes across a range of dimensions that together contribute to a composite measure of adult functionality. It presents the outcomes the adoptees achieved on each of these key domains and explores how they compared both with those of the normative Australian population and a contemporaneous cohort of care leavers. The adoptees showed more evidence of poor mental health than care leavers, but often did better in terms of education and employment. The presence of a committed adoptive parent appears to have acted as a powerful protective factor, and only extreme indicators of vulnerability at entry to the adoptive home correlated with poor adult outcomes.
Conclusion: Implications for Policy and Practice
Authors: Ward Harriet , Moggach Lynne , Tregeagle Susan , Trivedi Helen
Published: December 2021

The book focuses on a study of 210 children in out-of-home care in Australia who were adopted over a 30-year period; 93 were traced for an average of 18 years after placement. The requirement for regular face-to-face contact with birth parents was considered beneficial by 69% of participants. Other findings show the adoptees’ extreme vulnerability, improved stability post adoption and the importance of adoptive parents’ commitment in facilitating positive outcomes. They also imply that child protection policy should focus on strengthening family support and more timely decision-making when parents cannot overcome their difficulties. Policy for children in long-term foster care should focus on reducing instability, increasing the quality of care and providing better care leaving support. Internationally, adoption policy needs to reflect the increased similarities between adoption and fostering engendered by open adoption from care, and acknowledge their implications for recruitment, training, contact arrangements and post-adoption support.
Introduction
Authors: Ditlev-Simonsen Caroline D.
Published: December 2021

Since the Industrial Revolution, we have experienced tremendous growth in population, production, and consumption. We are on an unsustainable track considering today’s environmental degradation, poverty, climate challenges, overconsumption, and more. In this first chapter, I present key issues related to societal development over the course of the last decade and pinpoint what needs attention. The background, relevance, and purpose of this book’s 12 chapters are introduced.
The Way Forward: Is Sustainable Development Realistic?
Authors: Ditlev-Simonsen Caroline D.
Published: December 2021

This final chapter addresses the future of sustainable development. Given the fact that current consumption in developed countries is unsustainable, and a similar level of consumption in developing countries would be devastating from an environmental perspective, a shift in development is necessary. This chapter touches upon peoples’ human needs and discusses to which extent unsustainable consumption is a necessity for happiness. Alternative approaches to GDP in measuring a country’s success, like Gross National Happiness (BNH) and the Happy Planet Index, are discussed. Shifting focus from an increased consumption of natural resources to more attention on development associated with social issues like well-being, health, and happiness will be addressed. This chapter concludes with how sustainable development and happy people are realistic, but it will require a shift associated with revised business models, metrics, and goals.
Stakeholder Management
Authors: Ditlev-Simonsen Caroline D.
Published: December 2021

Stakeholders have a key role in the corporate world, and especially related to sustainability. Even peripheral stakeholders can have a great impact on companies. This is an important consideration that companies need to be aware of and consider. In this chapter, I explore the roles of different kinds of stakeholders such as owners, investors, employees, governments, suppliers, customers, NGOs, and the media, and how to communicate and involve these stakeholders in a constructive manner. I address the function of each respective stakeholder as well potential areas for positive collaboration. The power and impact of NGOs on corporations will receive special attention as they often act as representatives for environmental and social interests—and bring such issues to the attention of others. Cases are provided to illustrate the issues presented.
Technology as Terrorism: Police Control Technologies and Drone Warfare
Authors: Wolfendale Jessica
Published: December 2021

Debates about terrorism and technology often focus on the potential uses of technology by non-state terrorist actors and by states as forms of counterterrorism. Yet, little has been written about how technology shapes how we think about terrorism. In this Chapter I argue that technology, and the language we use to talk about technology, constrains and shapes our moral understanding of the nature, scope, and impact of terrorism, particularly in relation to state terrorism. After exploring the ways in which technology shapes moral thinking, I use two case studies to demonstrate how technology simultaneously hides and enables terrorist forms of state violence: police control technologies and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), or drones. In both these cases, I argue that features of these technologies, combined with a narrative of precision and efficiency, masks the terrorist nature of the violence that these practices inflict and reinforces the moral exclusion of those against whom these technologies are deployed. In conclusion, I propose that identifying acts of terrorism requires a focus on the impact of technologies of violence (whether they are “high tech” or not) on those most affected, regardless of whether users of these technologies conceive of their actions as terrorist.
Who Should Regulate Extremist Content Online?
Authors: Reed Alastair , Henschke Adam
Published: December 2021

As liberal democracies grapple with the evolution of online political extremism, in addition to governments, social media and internet infrastructure companies have found themselves making more and more decisions about who gets to use their platforms, and what people say online. This raises the question that this paper explores, who should regulate extremist content online? In doing so the first part of the paper examines the evolution of the increasing role that social media and internet infrastructure companies have come to play in the regulating extremist content online, and the ethical challenges this presents. The second part of the paper explores three ethical challenges: i) the moral legitimacy of private actors, ii) the concentration of power in the hands of a few actors and iii) the lack of separation of powers in the content regulation process by private actors.
Facial Recognition for Counter-Terrorism: Neither a Ban Nor a Free-for-All
Authors: Robbins Scott
Published: December 2021

This chapter starts from the fact that new technology has given new power to the state to automate the identification of previously known terrorists who are organizing attacks on the citizens that the state is supposed to protect. The power to do this (and associated powers), if it works effectively, would help in countering terrorism. Facial recognition technologies promise to give the state precisely that power.
Privacy, Encryption and Counter-Terrorism
Authors: Miller Seumas , Bossomaier Terry
Published: December 2021

Privacy is an important moral right but so is security, including security from terrorist attacks. Encryption protects privacy rights but also affords protection to terrorists and impedes legitimate counter-terrorist operations. This chapter analyses this ethical dilemma.
Diskussionsteil
Authors: Schrader Sonja Maria
Published: December 2021

Neugeborene kommen aufgrund des Geburtsdilemmas regelrecht als Frühgeburten auf die Welt. Bedingt durch die im Lauf der menschlichen Evolution zugenommene Hirngröße, werden sie bereits neun Monate nach der Zeugung geboren, da der Geburtskanal später nicht mehr passierbar wäre. Die Kinder sind deshalb zu Beginn ihres Lebens vollkommen hilflos und auf den Schutz der Mutter angewiesen.
Fuzzy worldlines with κ-Poincaré symmetries
Authors: Ballesteros Angel , Gubitosi Giulia , Gutierrez-Sagredo Ivan , Mercati Flavio
Published: December 2021

Abstract

A novel approach to study the properties of models with quantum-deformed relativistic symmetries relies on a noncommutative space of worldlines rather than the usual noncommutative spacetime. In this setting, spacetime can be reconstructed as the set of events, that are identified as the crossing of different worldlines. We lay down the basis for this construction for the κ-Poincaré model, analyzing the fuzzy properties of κ-deformed time-like worldlines and the resulting fuzziness of the reconstructed events.
Coulomb gluons will generally destroy coherence
Authors: Forshaw Jeffrey R. , Holguin Jack
Published: December 2021

Abstract

Coherence violation is an interesting and counter-intuitive phenomenon in QCD. We discuss the circumstances under which violation occurs in observables sensitive to soft radiation and arrive at the conclusion that almost all such observables at hadron colliders will violate coherence to some degree. We illustrate our discussion by considering the gaps-between-jets observable, where coherence violation is super-leading, then we generalise to other observables, including precise statements on the logarithmic order of coherence violation.