bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“A Comparative Study of Efficacy of Atorvastatin Alone and Atorvastatin with Omega-3 Fatty Acids Combination in Patients with Hyperlipidaemia Attending Tertiary Care Hospital”
Authors: Srinivasa C. , Kshminarayan K. La , Srinivas V. , Chandrasekhar B. V. S.
Published: October 2021

Background: Current treatment with statins has become an integral part of vascular diseases but monotherapy has a significant residual event rate. Due to particularly one of the factor associated with atherogenic lipid phenotype that is characterized by a low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and increase in non-HDL cholesterol like Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL). Omega-3 Fatty acids have demonstrated a preventiverole in primary and, particularly secondary cardiovascular diseases.  Hence this study was planned to compare the efficacy of Atorvastatin alone with Atorvastatin and Omega-3 fatty acids in treatment in hyperlipidaemia patients.

Methods: The study was comparative, randomized, and prospective and open labeled conducted in MI patients. A total of 100 patients were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. They were divided randomly into two Groups (Group–A and Group-B). Group-A was given Atorvastatin 10mg/day and Group-B was given Atorvastatin 10mg/day and Omega-3 fatty acids 600mg/day for 6 months. Follow up was done every month and efficacy was measured by assessing the lipoprotein levels in serum.

Results: The results were compared before treatment and after 6 months treatment.The levels were significantly decreased Total Cholesterol (TC), LDL, Low-Density Lipoprotein (VLDL), Triglycerides (TG) and HDL levels were increased in Group–A and Group-B. When these results compared between two Groups the HDL levels were increased also it shown high significance (<0.001) but there were no significance changes in other cholesterol levels.

Conclusion: The present study results showed that Atorvastatin and Omega-3 fatty acids treatment was more effective than Atorvastatin alone treatment in improving HDL-C levels from base line and it may have a additive effect in major coronary artery diseases.
A Macro‐to‐Micro Interface for Performing Comprehensive Microfluidic Cell Culture Assays
Authors: Kleine‐Brüggeney Hans , Weingarten Robert , Schulze Bockeloh Franziska , Engwer Christoph , Fartmann Vincent , Schäfer Jan , Rezaei Maryam , Bühren Sebastian
Published: October 2021

A new design of a macro‐to‐micro interface that can be used for simple and reliable control of comprehensive microfluidic cell culture processes is introduced making microfluidic procedures easily accessible to biological laboratories. The novel macro‐to‐micro interface is evaluated by adapting a workflow for single‐cell, cell pair, and cell cluster encapsulation into hydrogel beads acting as 3D microenvironment with subsequent long‐term cultivation. For the first time, the coupling of single‐cell time‐lapse microscopy data with phenotypic (immunofluorescence) and genotypic (single‐molecule RNA fluorescence in situ hybridization) endpoint measurements as well as downstream compatibility in a single chip is shown. The presented platform will be a valuable tool for performing studies of dynamic biological processes coupled to a multiparametric endpoint characterization at the single‐cell level as well as for gaining more detailed mechanistic insights into gene function relationships and the behavior of biological systems.
Metal‐free Radical Cyclization of Olefinic 1,3‐Dicarbonyls and Olefinic Amides with Nitrile C(sp3)−H Bonds in Aqueous Media
Authors: Qin Fu‐Hua , Wang Hui‐Zhi , Cao Ting‐Ting , Liu Qi‐Li , Xu Qing , Zheng Hongxing , Zhu Meiling , Li Ting , Liu Yi‐Lin , Wei Wen‐Ting
Published: October 2021

A radical cyclization of olefinic 1,3‐dicarbonyls and olefinic amides with nitrile C(sp3)−H bonds for the preparation of valuable 2,3‐dihydrofurans and benzoxazines have been developed. This protocol can be conducted at metal‐ and base‐free conditions in aqueous media with moderate to good yields. Moreover, the practicality of this strategy is further highlighted by gram‐scale reactions. The mechanistic investigation reveals that the transformation is initiated by in‐situ formed cyanomethyl radical.
Ruthenium‐p‐cymene Complex Side‐Wall Covalently Bonded to Carbon Nanotubes as Efficient Hybrid Transfer Hydrogenation Catalyst
Authors: Blanco Matías , Cembellín Sara , Agnoli Stefano , Alemán José
Published: October 2021

A half‐sandwich ruthenium‐p‐cymene organometallic complex has been immobilized at Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes (SWNT) sidewalls through a stepwise covalent chemistry protocol. The introduction of amino groups by means of diazonium‐chemistry protocols leads the grafting at the outer walls of the nanotubes. This hybrid material is active in the transfer hydrogenation of ketones to yield alcohols, using as hydrogen source 2‐propanol. SWNT−NH2−Ru presents a broad scope, performing the reaction under aerobic conditions and can be recycled over 9 consecutive reaction runs without losing activity or leaching ruthenium out. Comparison of the activity with related homogeneous catalysts reveals an improved performance due to the covalent bond between the metal and the material, achieving turnover frequencies as high as 192774 h−1.
Facile and Rapid Synthesis of Neopentyl Glycol in a Continuous‐Flow Microreactor
Authors: Yang Anming , Yang Xia , Yue Jincai , Zheng Shiqing , Qin Litao
Published: October 2021

Neopentyl glycol (NPG) synthesis by condensation disproportionation of formaldehyde and isobutyraldehyde (IBD) with sodium hydroxide as catalyst was studied in a continuous‐flow microreactor under various experimental conditions, such as reaction temperature, residence time, and the molar ratio of reactants. All the conditions were determined by Box‐Behnken experimental design and the response surface method based on the preferred range selected by single‐factor experiments. For comparison, NPG was synthesized by condensation disproportionation of the same reactants in a batch reactor. The results showed that higher NPG yield and shorter residence time were achieved in a continuous‐flow microreactor than in a batch reactor when the other experimental conditions were similar.
Demontage von Komposit‐Bauteilen – Potenzial energetischer Materialien zur Demontage von Rotorblättern
Authors: Seiler Elisa , Keßler Armin , Teipel Ulrich
Published: October 2021

Rotorblätter von Windkraftanlagen stellen nicht nur durch die eingesetzten Verbundwerkstoffe eine Herausforderung für das Recycling dar, sondern bei der Demontage auch durch ihre großvolumige Bauweise. In dem Beitrag wird ein neuer Ansatz zur Zerlegung von Verbundbauteilen mit energetischen Materialien aufgezeigt. Die Ergebnisse verdeutlichen die unterschiedliche Demontagewirkung von Sprengschnüren und Schneidladungen sowie die Abhängigkeit von den Materialfraktionen, der Materialdicke, dem Lagenaufbau oder auch der Faserarchitektur.
Ultrastructure of ipsilateral and contralateral tectopulvinar projections in the mouse
Authors: Naeem Nazratan , Whitley James Bowman , Slusarczyk Arkadiusz S , Bickford Martha Elise
Published: October 2021

Visual pathways of the brain are organized into parallel channels that code different features of the external environment. In the current study, we investigated the anatomical organization of parallel pathways from the superior colliculus (SC) to the pulvinar nucleus in the mouse. Virus injections placed in the ipsilateral and contralateral SC to induce the expression of different fluorescent proteins define two pulvinar zones. The lateral pulvinar (Pl) receives ipsilateral SC input and the caudal medial pulvinar (Pcm) receives bilateral SC input. To examine the ultrastructure of these projections using transmission electron microscopy, we injected the SC with viruses to induce peroxidase expression within synaptic vesicles or mitochondria. We quantitatively compared the sizes of ipsilateral and contralateral tectopulvinar terminals and their postsynaptic dendrites, as well as the sizes of the overall population of synaptic terminals and their postsynaptic dendrites in the Pl and Pcm. Our ultrastructural analysis revealed that ipsilateral tectopulvinar terminals are significantly larger than contralateral tectopulvinar terminals. In particular, the ipsilateral tectopulvinar projection includes a subset of large terminals (≥ 1 μm2) that envelop dendritic protrusions of postsynaptic dendrites. We also found that both ipsilateral and contralateral tectopulvinar terminals are significantly larger than the overall population of synaptic terminals in both the Pl and Pcm. Thus, the ipsilateral tectopulvinar projection is structurally distinct from the bilateral tectopulvinar pathway, but both tectopulvinar channels may be considered the primary or “driving” input to the Pl and Pcm.
An efficient metrics based self‐adaptive design model by multiobjective gray wolf optimization with extreme learning machine for autonomic computing system application
Authors: Tripathi Vijay Kumar , Singh Mayank
Published: October 2021

Autonomic computing refers to the capability of the software system to monitor environmental changes by itself. The primary objective of the proposed approach is to identify the quality of software components concerning complexity metrics. In this article, extreme learning machine (ELM) supported multiobjective gray wolf optimization (MOGWO) is proposed to predict the quality products. The proposed methodology considers four component‐based system metrics such as failure response time, throughput rate, interface surface consistency (ISC) and bounded interface complexity metrics (BICM) to resolve the complexity issues. The ELM is utilized in this article to conduct a prediction in the complexity metrics on the context‐awareness self‐adaptive autonomous system application. MOGWO is then utilized to optimize the cost metric. The evaluation results are compared with the existing approaches such as ELM, ANN, and ANN‐GWO. From the simulations, the overall accuracy rate of the prediction model is obtained to be 95%.
Comment on “Effects of an oblique magnetic field on sheath formation in the presence of electron emission”
Authors: Costin C.
Published: October 2021

Sato et al. have studied the secondary electron emission and the sheath formation in the presence of a magnetic field. The rate of secondary electron inflow has been reported for two angular distributions of the secondary electrons: cosine and isotropic. While the cosine distribution has been correctly implemented, the isotropic one has been misdefined, leading to defective results. The present comment discusses the difference between the isotropic and false isotropic distributions and compares the subsequent results.
Physical Activity at Growth Induces Bone Mass Benefits Into Adulthood – A Fifteen‐Year Prospective Controlled Study
Authors: Rosengren Björn E , Rempe Jakob , Jehpsson Lars , Dencker Magnus , Karlsson Magnus K
Published: October 2021

Daily school physical activity (PA) improves musculoskeletal traits. Whether or not benefits remain in adulthood is debated. We included in this study 131 children that took part in an intervention with 40 minutes of PA per school day (200 minutes per week) from age 6 to 9 years (grade one) to age 14 to 16 years (grade nine), whereas 78 children continued with national recommended school physical education of 60 minutes per week. Measurements were done with dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (bone mineral content [BMC], bone mineral density [BMD], and bone area), and a computerized knee dynamometer (peak torque muscle strength) at study start, at the end of the intervention, and 7 years after the intervention. Group differences from study start and end of the intervention to 7 years thereafter were estimated by analyses of covariance (adjusted for sex and follow‐up time). Musculoskeletal gains from study start to 7 years after termination of the intervention were higher in the intervention group (total body less head BMC +182.5 g [95% confidence interval {CI}, 55.1–309.9] and BMD +0.03 g/cm2 [95% CI, 0.003–0.05], femoral neck area + 0.2 cm2 [95% CI, 0.1–0.4], and knee flexion peak torque muscle strength at 60 degrees per second +9.2 Nm [95% CI, 2.9–15.5]). There was no attenuation during the 7 years that followed termination of the intervention (all group comparisons p > 0.05). Benefits in musculoskeletal gains remain 7 years after termination of a daily school‐based PA program, without attenuation after termination of the program. Daily school PA may counteract low bone mass and inferior muscle strength in adulthood. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Drug resistance pattern among ART‐naive clients attending an HIV testing and counseling center in Dhaka, Bangladesh
Authors: Rahman Sezanur , Sarker Md S. , Aralaguppe Shambhu G. , Sarwar Golam , Khan Sharful I. , Rahman Mustafizur
Published: October 2021

In Bangladesh, antiretroviral therapy (ART) is provided without screening drug resistance‐associated mutations (DRM) among people living with HIV, while DRM might emerge and transmit to the newly infected individual. The present study was aimed to identify DRM among ART‐naive clients from an HIV testing and counseling (HTC) center in the initial stages of ART programs. Randomly selected (n = 64) archived plasma samples were used for the pol gene amplification and sequencing by sanger technology. Recovered sequences (n = 10) were genotyped using HIV genotyping tools of NCBI and analyzed using the Stanford University HIV drug resistance database (hivdb.stanford.edu). Various genotypes with a number of DRM were identified in HTC clients, who belonged to different risk groups based on behavioral data. The drug resistance algorithm showed that all samples were fully resistant to tipranavir/ritonavir drugs except for one intermediate resistance. Despite the small sample size, our understanding from this study warrants an ART policy with a DRM monitoring system for the country.
Future projection of extremely hot and precipitation events over Southeast Asian river basins under RCP8.5 scenario
Authors: Nath Reshmita , Luo Yong
Published: October 2021

Southeast Asian (SEA) river basins, particularly Huang He, Yangtze and Mekong river basins, are home for large share of global population. The region is experiencing rapid socio‐economic development, urbanization and industrialization. Using Community Earth System Model large ensemble data, seasonal mean surface air temperature (SAT) in summer is projected to increase by ~6°C under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 8.5 scenario. As a consequence, in the long term (2071–2100), record‐breaking extreme hot and precipitation events are projected to increase by ~90–100% and ~ 60–70%, respectively. The climate mean SAT will increase by 4 ~ 5.5°C by the end of 21st century. Extreme events occur due to the combined influence of external forcing factors and internal variability. The relative strength of both the factors are estimated by signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), that is, the ratio of external forcings and internal variability. Until 2000/1998/2000, SNR < 1 over Huang He/Yangtze/Mekong river basins, that is, internal variability dominates over external forcings, while from 2001/1999/2001 onwards, SNR > 1, that is, external forcings strongly override the internal climate variability. Interestingly, the SAT variability at 50th (mean state) and 95th (record‐breaking hot/wet extreme) percentile will decrease significantly as climate warms in the future. It contradicts the existing hypothesis that as the climate warms in the future, variability will increase and weather will get more volatile everywhere. Interestingly, in our analysis, SAT variability appears to decrease over SEA river basins, which is opposite to the current understanding. It makes the result a novel one. We analyse the temperature–precipitation relationship under RCP8.5 scenario, which displays a peak‐shaped structure, that is, precipitation is increasing at low–mid‐range of temperature rise, while it decreases at higher temperatures.
Photosynthesis of winter wheat effectively reflected multiple physiological responses under short‐term drought–rewatering conditions
Authors: Mu Qing , Dong Mengqi , Xu Jiatun , Cao Yuxin , Ding Yibo , Sun Shikun , Cai Huanjie
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND

Based on the interrelationship among photosynthesis (Pn), water consumption and drought resistance physiology under water changes, this study aimed to explore whether easily measured Pn could be used to reflect the physiological state of winter wheat and soil moisture. The study was a greenhouse pot experiment, with three growth periods and four gradients of moisture.

RESULTS

The instantaneous water use efficiency of wheat improved significantly under short‐term regulated deficit irrigation conditions. The photosynthetic parameters could effectively reflect the level of soil moisture (receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, area under the curve = 0.683–0.988). There was a significant correlation between Pn and yield under drought and rewatering (P < 0.05). The water consumption of winter wheat was significantly reduced by 15.5% to 47.6% (P < 0.05) during drought owing to the reduction of stomatal conductance and transpiration rate (Tr). There was a significant linear relationship between Tr and daily water consumption (R2 > 0.745, P< 0.05). There was a significant quadratic linear relationship (R2 > 0.600, P < 0.05) between Pn and the drought resistance indicators. The protective effect of drought resistance physiology on Pn was more significant during drought than during rewatering. Among the four physiological indicators of drought resistance, the relationship between peroxidase activity and Pn was relatively close (grey relational analysis, GRO = 1).

CONCLUSIONS

The photosynthetic parameters during conditions of short‐term water changes could effectively reflect the status of soil moisture, water consumption, yield and drought resistance. A focus on Pn and the rational use of related relationships are conducive to the selection of drought‐resistant varieties and developing refined agricultural management. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
A hybrid numeric‐analytic solution for pulsed CEST
Authors: Lankford Christopher L. , Louie Elizabeth A. , Zu Zhongliang , Does Mark D. , Gochberg Daniel F.
Published: October 2021

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) methods measure the effect of magnetization exchange between solutes and water. While CEST methods are often implemented using a train of off‐resonant shaped RF pulses, they are typically analyzed as if the irradiation were continuous. This approximation does not account for exchange of rotated magnetization, unique to pulsed irradiation and exploited by chemical exchange rotation transfer methods. In this work, we derive and test an analytic solution for the steady‐state water signal under pulsed irradiation by extending a previous work to include the effects of pulse shape. The solution is largely accurate at all offsets, but this accuracy diminishes at higher exchange rates and when applying pulse shapes with large root‐mean‐squared to mean ratios (such as multi‐lobe sinc pulses).
Influence of Annealing and Substrate Surface Textures on the Wettability of Graphene‐Coated Copper Foil
Authors: Misyura Sergey Y. , Smovzh Dmitriy V. , Morozov Vladimir S. , Andryushchenko Vladimir A. , Matochkin Pavel E.
Published: October 2021

Studies on the effect of wall textures and crystallographic grain orientations on graphene coatings and water droplets wettability are conducted. To date, there is almost no data on the effect of surface textures and high‐temperature annealing on the wettability of the graphene‐coated copper. It is generally accepted that the water contact angle on the graphene‐coated copper with one graphene layer is ≈85°–86°. However, changing the annealing duration, and using different surface textures, it is possible to change the graphene wettability over a wide range of static droplet contact angles from 81° to 96°, which allows providing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. With the growth of annealing duration, the average grain size increases from 0.1–1 to 10 mm and more. By changing the annealing duration and the surface roughness, it is possible to realize the grains orientation (001) and (111), as well as the simultaneous presence of different grains orientations. Molecular dynamic modeling of the influence of orientation and grain size on the wettability of the graphene coating is performed. The calculation results correspond to the experimental data on contact angles. The key factors affecting the wettability of graphene are presented and analyzed.
MCdCl3(M=CH3NH3, (CH3)2NH2): New Hybrid Perovskites with Large Dielectric Constants for Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Kalthoum Raghda , Ben Bechir Mohamed , Ben Rhaiem Abdallah , Gargouri Mohamed
Published: October 2021

Organic–inorganic metal halide hybrid perovskites (OIHPs) have recently noticed a tremendous number of applications in the field of optoelectronics by virtue of such outstanding dielectric properties as the large dielectric constant, the good electrical conductivity, the high capacitance, the low dielectric loss, as well as the low exciton binding energy and the trap density. These are important parameters that enhance the performance of many optoelectronic devices, notably, the components of field‐effect transistors (FETs). Herein, the dielectric investigation of the following single crystals Cd(1) and Cd in large frequency ranges and at different temperatures is mainly focused on. This article draws a comparison between the dielectric performances of the prepared perovskites 1 and 2 and the previously reported results, which shows that these materials exhibit large dielectric constants (103) at low frequencies, leading to structural fluctuations and slow‐moving ions. In addition, the high electrical conductivity (≈2. S), the low dielectric loss (< 0.1) at high frequencies, and the high capacitance (≈5 F ) demonstrate the superior dielectric potential of these promising perovskites in FET technologies. These compounds which have multifunctional roles in new transistor devices can be used as dielectric gates due to their high permittivity.
Energy Transfer and Quenching in Sol–Gel‐Derived Silica Glass Green Phosphors Doped with Tb3+ and Ce3+ Ions: Distinct Difference between P‐ and Al‐Codoped Glasses
Authors: Kajihara Koichi , Nakagawa Shingo , Iwasaki Rena
Published: October 2021

The (Tb,Ce)−P‐codoped silica glasses containing (Tb,Ce)PO4 nanocrystals (silica−(Tb,Ce)PO4 glass‐ceramics) and (Tb,Ce)−Al‐codoped silica glasses are prepared by a cosolvent‐free sol−gel method. They emit bright green photoluminescence (PL) attributed to the 5D4 → 7F
j
(j = 1 − 6) transition of Tb3+ ions under excitation at 290 nm into the 4f−5d transition of Ce3+ ions. The (Tb,Ce)−P‐codoped silica glass prepared at the P to rare‐earth (RE) molar ratio of 2 exhibits the internal and external PL quantum efficiencies of ≈0.99 and ≈0.95, respectively, and realizes negligible concentration quenching in (Tb,Ce)PO4 nanocrystals with photoactive RE concentration as high as ≈1.5 × 1022 cm−3. Rapid energy migration over Tb3+ ions in these nanocrystals is confirmed by almost complete PL quenching by the intentional dilute doping of quenching centers (Nd3+ ions). The PL quantum efficiencies are much lower in the (Tb,Ce)−Al‐codoped silica glasses, in which RE ions are dispersed. However, the similar Nd3+ doping only mildly decreases the PL quantum efficiency of this type of glass. These phenomena are consistently explained by the different degree of dispersion of RE ions in the (Tb,Ce)−P‐ and (Tb,Ce)−Al‐codoped silica glasses.
Optimization of Zn1–xSnxO Buffer Layer for Application in CZTSe Solar Cells with H2‐Assisted Reactive Sputtering
Authors: Zhang Shengli , Wu Jianyu , Guo Hongling , Sun Yali , Zhou Zhiqiang , Zhang Yi
Published: October 2021

CdS thin films are commonly used as buffer layer in Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) solar cells inherited from CuInGaSe2 (CIGS) solar cells. However, in addition to the toxicity problems with Cd in conventional CdS buffer layers, the unfavorable band alignment at the CZTSe/CdS heterojunction confines the further improvement of CZTSe solar cells. ZnSnO (ZTO) is studied in this work as promising buffer layers for CZTSe solar cells. The stoichiometric composition and thickness of the ZTO layer are first optimized by sputtering. Subsequently, the improvement of the performance is demonstrated by sputtering ZTO in Ar gas mixed with H2. The effect of H2 on sputtering ZTO is investigated. The presence of O vacancies in ZTO buffer layer and its effect on carrier transport and device performance are presented. Through optimization, comparable VOC and higher fill factor (FF) are obtained for the CZTSe/ZTO solar cells compared with CZTSe/CdS reference.
Idiopathic recurrent serositis—Off the beaten track
Authors: Roy Melanie Trishna Hui Min , Loh Chee Hong , Sriranganathan Melonie , Takano Pena Angela Maria , Raghuram Jagadesan
Published: October 2021

A 63‐year‐old female presented with chest pain and fever, and was found to have recurrent pleuropericardial effusions. Extensive investigations including infection screen and serologies, autoimmune screen and pleural and pericardial biopsy revealed no secondary aetiologies. She was diagnosed with idiopathic recurrent serositis (IRS). Our patient developed rash to naproxen, so she was started on colchicine monotherapy and responded well clinically. A review of the literature demonstrated that pleuropericardial effusions are rare occurrences, with patients occasionally being perceived as a medical enigma. This case study recommends an approach to guide physicians in their diagnosis and management of patients with pleuropericardial syndrome. Our case had an inflammatory phenotype, either autoimmune or seronegative serositis of unclear aetiology, which was recurrent and required pharmacological treatment. While the treatment for IRS lies in combined therapy with Nonsteroidal Anti‐Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and colchicine, monotherapy with colchicine was effective in the treatment and preventing recurrence in our unique case.
Estimating the optimal timing of surgery by imputing potential outcomes
Authors: Chen Xiaofei , Heitjan Daniel F. , Greil Gerald , Jeon‐Slaughter Haekyung
Published: October 2021

Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a congenital anomaly that is uniformly fatal in infancy without immediate treatment. The standard treatment consists of an initial Norwood procedure (stage 1) followed some months later by stage 2 palliation (S2P). The ideal timing of the S2P is uncertain. The Single Ventricle Reconstruction Trial (SVRT) randomized the procedure used in the initial Norwood operation, leaving the timing of the S2P to the discretion of the surgical team. To estimate the causal effect of the timing of S2P, we propose to impute the potential post‐S2P survival outcomes using statistical models under the Rubin Causal Model framework. With this approach, it is straightforward to estimate the causal effect of S2P timing on post‐S2P survival by directly comparing the imputed potential outcomes. Specifically, we consider a lognormal model and a restricted cubic spline model, evaluating their performance in Monte Carlo studies. When applied to the SVRT data, the models give somewhat different imputed values, but both support the conclusion that the optimal time for the S2P is at 6 months after the Norwood procedure.
Who deviates? Technological opportunities, career concern, and inventor's distant search
Authors: Tandon Vivek , Toh Puay Khoon
Published: October 2021

Research Summary

Why do inventors facing similar feedback from the technological environment differ in their propensity to search locally or distantly? Problem‐driven decision calculus tends not to sufficiently explain such heterogeneity. We instead examine the individual inventor's calculus surrounding career concern. We propose that with reduced technological opportunities in her local domains, the ensuing career concern induces her to search distantly. This response is attenuated when career concern is less salient—she is relatively productive within the firm or is a star—or when opportunity cost of response is higher—she has more firm‐specific experience or interdependent knowledge. Data from the US electronic industry support our propositions. Findings help explain differential search in response to common problems and illustrate how personal interest intermingles with problem‐driven feedback driving search.

Managerial Summary

A firm relies heavily on its inventors' search for new, distant technologies to stay on technological frontiers. Faced with technological decline, which of its inventors will engage in this distant search? We bring inventors' career concern into consideration and use data from the US electronic industry to show that, counterintuitively, it is the relatively less‐productive, nonstar inventors with less firm‐specific inventive experience or less interdependence with the rest of the firm's technologies that will more likely engage in distant search. This stresses that managers, in trying to comprehend their inventors' behavior and mindsets, must go beyond understanding how inventors interpret technological problems they are trying to solve, to also consider these inventors' personal concerns which will affect the way they search.
Broadband and Omnidirectional Antireflection Surfaces Based on Deep Subwavelength Features for Harvesting of the Solar Energy
Authors: Prajapati Ashish , Llobet Jordi , Sousa Patrícia C , Fonseca Helder , Calaza Carlos , Shalev Gil
Published: October 2021

Broadband and omnidirectional antireflective surfaces are important to various solar energy technologies. The utilization of deep subwavelength features is reported for decrement in the broadband and omnidirectional reflection of the solar spectrum. The study commences with nanopillar (NP) arrays that are well known for their antireflection properties. Deep subwavelength features to the nanopillar arrays are introduced, which yield further decrease in reflection: quasinanolens (qNL), deep subwavelength sidewall scalloping (DSSS), and decreasing the nanopillar bottom diameter to reshape it into a light funnel (LF). Accordingly, surface silicon arrays are realized in a top−down fabrication process: nanopillar arrays, nanopillar arrays incorporated with DSSS, nanopillar arrays incorporated with qNL, nanopillar arrays incorporated with qNL and DSSS, and nanopillar arrays that are transformed into LF arrays and are complemented with qNL and DSSS. It is experimentally shown that utilization of deep subwavelength features produces a broadband reflection decrement with an almost 80% decrement for normal incidence and 60% decrement for an angle of incidence of 80°, for unpolarized illumination. The introduction of deep subwavelength features concludes a 20% decrement in the broadband diffused reflection compared with undecorated NP arrays. The effect of deep subwavelength features is also explored numerically, and the possible underlying light‐trapping mechanisms are discussed.
All‐in‐One Solar Interfacial Evaporation System with Highly Effective Heat Management and Water Collection
Authors: Deng Renzhong , Xue Chaorui , Chang Qing , Yang Jinlong , Hu Shengliang
Published: October 2021

Although solar‐driven interfacial water evaporation (SDIWE) exhibits a rapid evaporation rate upon exposure to the open air and solar‐to‐steam conversion efficiency close to 100%, the efficient freshwater collection from a compactly closed SDIWE system remains a big challenge due to the suppressed steam generation on high local humidity near the water evaporation front. Herein, a low‐cost and auto‐floating SDIWE system is capable of transferring the latent heat of condensation (LHC) to the water localized in the photothermal layer without any auxiliary facilities. It allows the limited liquid water to absorb the energy of LHC yet rejects the downward heat conduction from the photothermal layer. As such, the water in the photothermal layer can be preheated significantly, not only reducing humidity but also promoting vapor generation. Compared with the commonly single‐slope evaporator, the clean water productivity of the presented system enhanced by 130% under one sun irradiance. Benefitting from its long‐term stability and superior salt‐rejection function, the presented system shows great potential for sustainable and practical application in freshwater production using natural seawater.
Stahlhohlprofile höherfest oder wetterfest nach EN 10210‐3/EN 10219‐3
Authors: Straetmans Boris , Bach Kirstin , Briefs Günter , Höhler Susanne , Löbbe Hendrik , Müller Thomas
Published: October 2021

Hochfeste Stähle bis zu 960 MPa Mindeststreckgrenze sowie wetterfeste Stähle werden insbesondere als Bleche und kreisförmige Hohlprofile seit Jahrzehnten gefertigt und finden im Maschinenbau bereits verbreitet Anwendung. Nun ist erstmals eine umfassende Definition solcher Stähle für kreisförmige und eckige Hohlprofile in einem separaten Normteil verfügbar. Dieser Bericht fasst wesentliche Erweiterungen und Definitionen zusammen und gibt einen Gesamtüberblick über solche Werkstoffe und deren typische Verfügbarkeit.
Partial rupture of the biceps tendon with concurrent septic arthritis of the shoulder joint in a dog
Authors: Gander Soares Diana , Hughes Jonathan , Radke Heidi
Published: October 2021

A 7‐year‐old, male‐neutered, Cockapoo presented for rapidly deteriorating non‐weight bearing (5/5) left thoracic lameness with poorly localised severe pain. Based on physical examination, advanced diagnostic imaging and cytology of joint fluid, a diagnosis was made of left partial biceps tendon rupture with presumptive secondary bacterial infectious arthritis of the left shoulder. No obvious source of bacteraemia was found. Initial treatment with intravenous antibiotics and multimodal analgesia for 48 hours led to rapid improvement of the clinical signs. Following seven weeks of oral antibiotic therapy, at clinical reassessment, the clinical signs had steadily improved with persistent mild left forelimb lameness (1/5). Ultrasound examination revealed signs of left biceps tendon healing. Fifteen weeks after initial presentation, the patient had no lameness or pain and had returned to normal exercise levels as reported by the owner.
The Shifting Legitimacies of Price Measurements: Official Statistics and the Quantification of Pwofitasyon in the 2009 Social Struggle in Guadeloupe
Authors: Samuel Boris
Published: October 2021

In 2009, Guadeloupe experienced a historic 44 day-long strike against the high cost of living. The union-led collective (LKP) leading the strike used calculations and figures as a weapon to prove that players holding dominant market positions captured undue profits (“pwofitasyon”). Also, official price indexes were subjected to radical political criticism by the LKP actors. Yet, by using averages, these calculations could not account for the existence of individual abusive prices. The “statactivistic” momentum resulted in a shift of the legitimate price measurement methods. Calculation was, however, also the collective’s Achilles heel. LKP members’ use of numbers established only a temporary favourable balance of power in the negotiations. It was not enough for them to compete with the state’s calculative skills on an equal basis.
Free from Numbers? The Politics of Qualitative Sociology in the U.S. Since 1945
Authors: Didier Emmanuel
Published: October 2021

In a world that is said to be more and more filled with quantities, this paper focuses on the practices and reasons of people refusing quantities; people who want to purify their world from numbers. It uses the history of qualitative sociology as an example and shows how actors refused the quantitative for political or ethical reasons. But they opposed only a certain set of qualitative methods—especially the statistical survey—, which they associated with certain political “demons” (the State, the Army, Bureaucracy), but not the quantitative in general. On the contrary, even qualitative sociologists who opposed surveys did make room for other ways of using numbers, which are very different, often very original and surprising (including social studies of data, data gleanings, conceptual canvasing).
Creating a Socialist Society and Quantification in the USSR
Authors: Mespoulet Martine
Published: October 2021

When it came to power, the Bolshevik government based the legitimacy of its action on the scientific nature of its decisions, figures being a core element. Political decisions were to be based on science, for the well-being of everyone and the fulfilment of the communist plan to create a new society and human being. Statistics, an information and decision-support tool, became now also an instrument of power to prove the soundness of state action. This raised severe tensions and repression, between statisticians following recommendations of international statistics congresses, and the new government. For the duty of statisticians was to formulate a new theory of statistics and new methods and tools. Characterizing some of these, the chapter carves out the specific nature of the Soviet Union.
Do Performance Indicators Improve the Effectiveness of Development Aid?
Authors: Sidibé Ousmane Oumarou
Published: October 2021

Inspired by benchmarking techniques, performance indicators have now become essential criteria for measuring the effectiveness of public policies, based on quantitative objectives, in the context of Results Based Management (RBM). They are increasingly used by international donors to guide the delivery of aid to Third World countries. This article attempts to highlight the role of these performance indicators in disrupting public policies in Africa. It highlights their perverse effects, re-examines the meaning of indicator-based management, and rests on the question of the autonomy of countries receiving aid in the conduct of their public policies.
A CFT distance conjecture
Authors: Perlmutter Eric , Rastelli Leonardo , Vafa Cumrun , Valenzuela Irene
Published: October 2021

Abstract

We formulate a series of conjectures relating the geometry of conformal manifolds to the spectrum of local operators in conformal field theories ind >2 spacetime dimensions. We focus on conformal manifolds with limiting points at infinite distance with respect to the Zamolodchikov metric. Our central conjecture is that all theories at infinite distance possess an emergent higher-spin symmetry, generated by an infinite tower of currents whose anomalous dimensions vanish exponentially in the distance. Stated geometrically, the diameter of a non-compact conformal manifold must diverge logarithmically in the higher-spin gap. In the holographic context our conjectures are related to the Distance Conjecture in the swampland program. Interpreted gravitationally, they imply that approaching infinite distance in moduli space at fixed AdS radius, a tower of higher-spin fields becomes massless at an exponential rate that is bounded from below in Planck units. We discuss further implications for conformal manifolds of superconformal field theories in three and four dimensions.
Robotic Surgery: At the Crossroads of a Data Explosion
Authors: Singh Tejinder P. , Zaman Jessica , Cutler Jessica
Published: October 2021

Background

For the last 20 years, controversies in robotic surgery focused on cost reduction, development of new platforms and technologies, creation and validation of curriculum and virtual simulators, and conduction of randomized clinical trials to determine the best applications of robotics [Leal Ghezzi and Campos in World J Surg 40:2550–2557, 2016].

Methods

This review explores the robotic systems which are currently indicated for use or development in gastrointestinal/abdominal surgery. These systems are reviewed and analyzed for clinical impact in these areas. In a MEDLINE search of articles with the search terms abdominal, gastrointestinal, review and robotic surgery, a total of 4306 total articles as of 2021 were assessed. Publicly available information, highest cited articles and reviews were assessed by the authors to determine the most significant regarding clinical outcomes.

Results

Despite this increased number of articles related to robotic surgery, ongoing controversies have led to limitation in the use of current and future robotic surgery platforms [Connelly et al. in J Robotic Surg 14:155–165, 2020]. Newer robotic platforms have limited studies or analysis that would allow meaningful definite conclusions. A multitude of new scenarios are possible due to this limited information.

Conclusion

Robotic surgery is in evolution to a larger conceptual field of computationally enhanced surgery (CES). Various terms have been used in the literature including computer‐assisted surgery or digital Surgery [Ranev and Teixeira in Surg Clin North Am 100:209–218, 2020]. With the growth of technological changes inherent in CES, the ability to validate these improvements in outcomes will require new metrics and analytic tools. This learning feedback and metric analysis will generate the new opportunities in simulation, training and application [Julian and Smith in Int J Med Robot 15:e2037, 2019].
Impact of Extent of Surgery on Long‐Term Prognosis of Follicular Thyroid Carcinoma Without Extrathyroidal Extension and Distant Metastasis
Authors: Wang Xiaofei , Zheng Xun , Zhu Jingqiang , Li Zhihui , Wei Tao
Published: October 2021

Aim

To analyze the effect of total thyroidectomy (TT) and thyroid lobectomy (LT) on the long‐term prognosis of follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) without extrathyroidal extension and distant metastasis and to clarify whether the tumor size (≤ 40 mm vs. > 40 mm) has an important impact on the extent of surgery.

Methods

Data on FTC patients without extrathyroidal extension and distant metastasis treated with either TT or LT between 1998 and 2016 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Database. Propensity score matching was performed to minimize impact of selection bias and potential confounding. Kaplan–Meier curves and Cox regression analysis were conducted to assess the impact of the extent of surgery on disease‐specific survival (DSS).

Results

A total of 8435 patients were identified. The DSS after LT were 100%, 98.3%, and 97.6% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively, compared with those seen after TT of 99.3%, 97.9%, and 96.6%. The difference between the two groups is not statistically significant (p = 0.083). Similar results were observed in cohorts after adjusting for baseline covariates. There was also similar prognosis between LT and TT in patients with tumors size ≤ 40 mm or > 40 mm.

Conclusions

For patients with FTC of any size without extrathyroidal extension and distant metastases at diagnosis, TT and LT confer equivalent DSS. Completion thyroidectomy after LT may be not necessary unless patients relapse; however, recurrence rates and development of metastases are not evaluated in this study.
Empirical determination of sustainable withdrawal rates considering historical yields and inflation rates in Germany
Authors: Dziwisch Alexander , Krahnhof Philippe , Zureck Alexander
Published: October 2021

On account of the current low interest rate phase, which is most likely to continue in the coming years, the average yields to be achieved in the bond, time deposit and savings product sectors are declining, so that risk-averse investors in particular have few opportunities to generate return-oriented retirement provisions.

This scientific article analyzes the level of a possible safe withdrawal rate for diversified pension portfolios, considering historical returns and inflation rates. Consequently, this article provides immediate practical added value for a possible retirement provision.

The evaluation is based on the consideration of historical returns of the stock and bond market in Germany. To determine a safe withdrawal rate, the development of portfolios with different compositions and inflation-adjusted withdrawal rates are simulated over periods of 15 to 35 years. In this simulation, the risky part of the portfolio is represented by German equities, the low risk part by German government bonds.

To sum up, the empirical results show a maximum safe withdrawal rate of 4%. The underlying portfolio is composed of 50% equities and 50% government bonds. Particularly due to the outlined demographic change in Germany as well as the ongoing low-interest phase, the empirical study can provide significant theoretical and practical insights.
The optimization of a potential geothermal reservoir using abandoned wells: a case study for the forest reserve field in Trinidad
Authors: Patihk Johanna , Warner-Lall Dharon , Alexander David , Maharaj Rean , Boodlal Donnie
Published: October 2021

The worldwide dependence on non-renewable energy sources continues as existing energy systems have been built on these supplies. There is an established link between these conventional energy resources, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate change and its associated negative effects. As a signatory to the Paris Agreement, Trinidad and Tobago (TT) has been exploring strategies to reduce GHG emissions and the use of geothermal energy is one potential option. Through enhanced geothermal systems, TT, even without extensive volcanic heat reservoirs, can still develop this renewable source by utilizing oil reservoirs. This study evaluates the possibility of designing and evaluating geothermal systems using wells from the Forest Reserve fields in South-western Trinidad as a case study. The Forest Reserve fields have a high number of abandoned oil and gas wells which can be re-used for tapping the required heat and reducing the requirement for drilling of new injection and production geothermal wells. Key information and data from these wells and reservoirs were used as input for CMG software to model, design and evaluate the feasibility of the geothermal reservoir and wells as being possible and viable for geothermal production. A base model was constructed in the CMG software which was subjected to three essential manual sensitivity analyses (well distance, stream temperature, and injection pressure) to obtain an optimized model which was then subjected to hydraulic fracturing. The optimal model of the retrofitted geothermal systems demonstrated to be the best case scenario due to the shallow nature of the reservoir in the area of interest. Six retrofitted geothermal systems (3 injector wells and 3 producer wells) showed that capable capacity of 3.3721 MWe for a 25-year period with an Internal Rate of Return of 190% and an Net Present Value of US$1,431,263,840.00 utilizing a Minimum Acceptable Rate of Return of 10%, Capital Expenditure of US$12MM, Operating Expenditure of US$2MM and a cost of geothermal electricity at US$0.05 per kWh. These results were then used in Crystal Ball to apply Monte Carlo simulations where it confirmed that the project is 100% economically feasible. The cumulative carbon dioxide reduction after the 25-year period was 50,062,500 tons of CO2.