bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Should Sleeve Gastrectomy Be Considered Only as a First Step in Super Obese Patients? 5-Year Results From a Single Center
Authors: Vitiello Antonio , Berardi Giovanna , Velotti Nunzio , De Palma Giovanni D. , Musella Mario
Published: September 2020

Purpose:

Sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has been originally conceived as a first step procedure for super obese (SO) patients, but it is currently considered a stand-alone intervention. Medium-term to long-term studies have shown weight regain and risk of de novo gastroesophageal reflux (GERD). The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes of SG in SO subjects.

Materials and Methods:

A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was carried out to find all SO patients who had undergone SG with a minimum follow-up of 5 years. Inclusion criteria were preoperative endoscopy negative for esophagitis and/or hiatal hernia, and no GERD or acid reduction medication before SG. Reflux symptoms were evaluated using a validated questionnaire and endoscopy. Remission rates from comorbidities and percentage of excess body mass index (BMI) loss were recorded.

Results:

A total of 66 (45 male/21 female) patients were included in our study. Mean preoperative BMI and age were 57.4±5.8 kg/m2 and 32.7±11.2 years, respectively. After 5 years, mean percentage of excess BMI loss was 56.42±27.8, and remission rates from hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were 33.3%, 5.3%, and 20%, respectively. After 5 years, new-onset GERD occurred in 66.7% of patients and 33.3% were taking acid reduction medication. Endoscopy revealed 12 (18.2%) cases of esophagitis ≥grade A.

Conclusions:

After 5 years, weight loss in SO patients is satisfactory, but the vast majority of patients is still in class II obesity, and resolution of comorbidities is disappointing. High rates of de novo GERD and esophagitis may occur.
Demography, life-history trade-offs, and the gastrointestinal virome of wild chimpanzees
Authors: Negrey Jacob D. , Thompson Melissa Emery , Langergraber Kevin E. , Machanda Zarin P. , Mitani John C. , Muller Martin N. , Otali Emily , Owens Leah A. , Wrangham Richard W. , Goldberg Tony L.
Published: September 2020

In humans, senescence increases susceptibility to viral infection. However, comparative data on viral infection in free-living non-human primates—even in our closest living relatives, chimpanzees and bonobos (Pan troglodytesandP. paniscus)—are relatively scarce, thereby constraining an evolutionary understanding of age-related patterns of viral infection. We investigated a population of wild eastern chimpanzees (P. t. schweinfurthii), using metagenomics to characterize viromes (full viral communities) in the faeces of 42 sexually mature chimpanzees (22 males, 20 females) from the Kanyawara and Ngogo communities of Kibale National Park, Uganda. We identified 12 viruses from at least four viral families possessing genomes of both single-stranded RNA and single-stranded DNA. Faecal viromes of both sexes varied with chimpanzee age, but viral richness increased with age only in males. This effect was largely due to three viruses, salivirus, porprismacovirus and chimpanzee stool-associated RNA virus (chisavirus), which occurred most frequently in samples from older males. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that selection on males for early-life reproduction compromises investment in somatic maintenance, which has delayed consequences for health later in life, in this case reflected in viral infection and/or shedding. Faecal viromes are therefore useful for studying processes related to the divergent reproductive strategies of males and females, ageing, and sex differences in longevity.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Evolution of the primate ageing process'.
Age-related decline in executive function as a hallmark of cognitive ageing in primates: an overview of cognitive and neurobiological studies
Authors: Lacreuse Agnès , Raz Naftali , Schmidtke Daniel , Hopkins William D. , Herndon James G.
Published: September 2020

Executive function (EF) is a complex construct that reflects multiple higher-order cognitive processes such as planning, updating, inhibiting and set-shifting. Decline in these functions is a hallmark of cognitive ageing in humans, and age differences and changes in EF correlate with age-related differences and changes in association cortices, particularly the prefrontal areas. Here, we review evidence for age-related decline in EF and associated neurobiological changes in prosimians, New World and Old World monkeys, apes and humans. While EF declines with age in all primate species studied, the relationship of this decline with age-related alterations in the prefrontal cortex remains unclear, owing to the scarcity of neurobiological studies focusing on the ageing brain in most primate species. In addition, the influence of sex, vascular and metabolic risk, and hormonal status has rarely been considered. We outline several methodological limitations and challenges with the goal of producing a comprehensive integration of cognitive and neurobiological data across species and elucidating how ageing shapes neurocognitive trajectories in primates with different life histories, lifespans and brain architectures. Such comparative investigations are critical for fostering translational research and understanding healthy and pathological ageing in our own species.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Evolution of the primate ageing process’.
Shifting sociality during primate ageing
Authors: Machanda Zarin P. , Rosati Alexandra G.
Published: September 2020

Humans exhibit major age-related shifts in social relationships along with changes in social and emotional psychological processes that underpin these behavioural shifts. Does social ageing in non-human primates follow similar patterns, and if so, what are the ultimate evolutionary consequences of these social shifts? Here we synthesize empirical evidence for shifts in social behaviour and underlying psychological processes across species. Focusing on three elements of social behaviour and cognition that are important for humans—propensities to
engage
with others, the positive versus negative
valence
of these interactions, and capabilities to
influence
others, we find evidence for wide variation in the trajectories of these characteristics across primates. Based on this, we identify potential modulators of the primate social ageing process, including social organization, sex and dominance status. Finally, we discuss how comparative research can contextualize human social ageing.

This article is part of the theme issue ‘Evolution of the primate ageing process’.
A neural and behavioral tradeoff underlies exploratory decisions in normative anxiety
Authors: Aberg Kristoffer C. , Toren Ido , Paz Rony
Published: September 2020

Exploration reduces uncertainty about the environment and improves the quality of future decisions, but at the cost of provisional uncertain and suboptimal outcomes. Although anxiety promotes intolerance to uncertainty, it remains unclear whether and by which mechanisms anxiety modulates exploratory decision-making. We use a dynamic three-armed-bandit task and find that higher trait-anxiety increases exploration, which in turn harms overall performance. We identify two distinct behavioral sources: first, decisions made by anxious individuals were guided towards reduction of uncertainty; and second, decisions were less guided by immediate value gains. Imaging (fMRI) revealed that anxiety correlated negatively with the representation of expected-value in the dorsal-anterior-cingulate-cortex, and in contrast, positively with the representation of uncertainty in the anterior-insula. Moreover, the findings were similar in both loss and gain domains, and demonstrated that affective trait modulates exploration and results in an inverse-U-shaped relationship between anxiety and overall performance. We conclude that a shift in balance towards representation of uncertainty in the insula prevails over reduced value representation in the dACC, and entails maladaptive decision-making in individuals with higher normal-range anxiety.
Systematic Identification of Protein Phosphorylation-Mediated Interactions
Authors: Floyd Brendan M. , Drew Kevin , Marcotte Edward M.
Published: September 2020

Protein phosphorylation is a key regulatory mechanism involved in nearly every eukaryotic cellular process. Increasingly sensitive mass spectrometry approaches have identified hundreds of thousands of phosphorylation sites but the functions of a vast majority of these sites remain unknown, with fewer than 5% of sites currently assigned a function. To increase our understanding of functional protein phosphorylation we developed an approach for identifying the phosphorylation-dependence of protein assemblies in a systematic manner. A combination of non-specific protein phosphatase treatment, size-exclusion chromatography, and mass spectrometry allowed us to identify changes in protein interactions after the removal of phosphate modifications. With this approach we were able to identify 316 proteins involved in phosphorylation-sensitive interactions. We recovered known phosphorylation-dependent interactors such as the FACT complex and spliceosome, as well as identified novel interactions such as the tripeptidyl peptidase TPP2 and the supraspliceosome component ZRANB2. More generally, we find phosphorylation-dependent interactors to be strongly enriched for RNA-binding proteins, providing new insight into the role of phosphorylation in RNA binding. By searching directly for phosphorylated amino acid residues in mass spectrometry data, we identified the likely regulatory phosphosites on ZRANB2 and FACT complex subunit SSRP1. This study provides both a method and resource for obtaining a better understanding of the role of phosphorylation in native macromolecular assemblies.
Multimodal mechanosensing enables treefrog embryos to escape egg-predators
Authors: Jung Julie , Serrano-Rojas Shirley J. , Warkentin Karen M.
Published: September 2020

Mechanosensory-cued hatching (MCH) is widespread, diverse, and improves survival in many animals. From flatworms and insects to frogs and turtles, embryos use mechanosensory cues and signals to inform hatching timing, yet mechanisms mediating mechanosensingin ovoare largely unknown. The arboreal embryos of red-eyed treefrogs,Agalychnis callidryas,hatch prematurely to escape predation, cued by physical disturbance in snake attacks. When otoconial organs in the developing vestibular system become functional, this response strengthens, but its earlier occurrence indicates another sensor must contribute. Post-hatching, tadpoles use lateral line neuromasts to detect water motion. We ablated neuromast function with gentamicin to assess their role inA. callidryas’ hatching response to disturbance. Prior to vestibular function, this nearly eliminated the hatching response to a complex simulated attack cue, egg-jiggling, revealing that neuromasts mediate early MCH. Vestibular function onset increased hatching, independent of neuromast function, indicating young embryos use multiple mechanosensory systems. MCH increased developmentally. All older embryos hatched in response to egg-jiggling, but neuromast function reduced response latency. In contrast, neuromast ablation had no effect on timing or level of hatching in motion-only vibration playbacks. It appears only a subset of egg-disturbance cues stimulate neuromasts; thus embryos in attacked clutches may receive uni- or multimodal stimuli.A. callidryasembryos have more neuromasts than described for any other species at hatching, suggesting precocious sensory development may facilitate MCH. Our findings provide insight into the behavioral roles of two mechanosensory systemsin ovoand open possibilities for exploring sensory perception across taxa in early life stages.

Red-eyed treefrog embryos use both their lateral line and vestibular systems to sense the disturbance cues in egg-predator attacks that inform escape-hatching decisions.
A functional variant of the SIDT2 gene involved in cholesterol transport is associated with HDL-C levels and premature coronary artery disease
Authors: León-Mimila Paola , Villamil-Ramírez Hugo , Macias-Kauffer Luis R. , Jacobo-Albavera Leonor , López-Contreras Blanca E. , Posadas-Sánchez Rosalinda , Posadas-Romero Carlos , Romero-Hidalgo Sandra , Morán-Ramos Sofía , Domínguez-Pérez Mayra , Olivares-Arevalo Marisol , Lopez-Montoya Priscilla , Nieto-Guerra Roberto , Acuña-Alonzo Víctor , Macín-Pérez Gastón , Barquera-Lozano Rodrigo , del Río-Navarro Blanca E. , González-González Israel , Campos-Pérez Francisco , Gómez-Pérez Francisco , Valdés Victor J. , Sampieri Alicia , Reyes-García Juan G. , Carrasco-Portugal Miriam del C. , Flores-Murrieta Francisco J. , Aguilar-Salinas Carlos A. , Vargas-Alarcón Gilberto , Shih Diana , Meikle Peter J. , Calkin Anna C. , Drew Brian G. , Vaca Luis , Lusis Aldons J. , Huertas-Vazquez Adriana , Villarreal-Molina Teresa , Canizales-Quinteros Samuel
Published: September 2020

Low HDL-C is the most frequent dyslipidemia in Mexicans, but few studies have examined the underlying genetic basis. Moreover, few lipid-associated variants have been tested for coronary artery disease (CAD) in Hispanic populations. Here, we performed a GWAS for HDL-C levels in 2,183 Mexican individuals, identifying 7 loci, including three with genome-wide significance and containing the candidate genes CETP, ABCA1 and SIDT2. The SIDT2 missense Val636Ile variant was associated with HDL-C levels for the first time, and this association was replicated in 3 independent cohorts (P=5.5×10−21 in the conjoint analysis). The SIDT2/Val636Ile variant is more frequent in Native American and derived populations than in other ethnic groups. This variant was also associated with increased ApoA1 and glycerophospholipid serum levels, decreased LDL-C and ApoB levels and a lower risk of premature CAD. Because SIDT2 was previously identified as a protein involved in sterol transport, we tested whether the SIDT2/Ile636 protein affected this function using an in vitro site-directed mutagenesis approach. The SIDT2/Ile636 protein showed increased uptake of the cholesterol analog dehydroergosterol, suggesting this variant is functional. Finally, liver transcriptome data from humans and the Hybrid Mouse Diversity Panel (HMDP) are consistent with the involvement of SIDT2 in lipid and lipoprotein metabolism. In conclusion, this is the first study assessing genetic variants contributing to HDL-C levels and coronary artery disease in the Mexican population. Our findings provide new insight into the genetic architecture of HDL-C and highlight SIDT2 as a new player in cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism in humans.
A germ cell‐specific ageing pattern in otherwise healthy men
Authors: Laurentino Sandra , Cremers Jann‐Frederik , Horsthemke Bernhard , Tüttelmann Frank , Czeloth Karen , Zitzmann Michael , Pohl Eva , Rahmann Sven , Schröder Christopher , Berres Sven , Redmann Klaus , Krallmann Claudia , Schlatt Stefan , Kliesch Sabine , Gromoll Jörg
Published: September 2020

Life‐long sperm production leads to the assumption that male fecundity remains unchanged throughout life. However, recently it was shown that paternal age has profound consequences for male fertility and offspring health. Paternal age effects are caused by an accumulation of germ cell mutations over time, causing severe congenital diseases. Apart from these well‐described cases, molecular patterns of ageing in germ cells and their impact on DNA integrity have not been studied in detail. In this study, we aimed to assess the effects of ‘pure’ ageing on male reproductive health and germ cell quality. We assembled a cohort of 198 healthy men (18–84 years) for which end points such as semen and hormone profiles, sexual health and well‐being, and sperm DNA parameters were evaluated. Sperm production and hormonal profiles were maintained at physiological levels over a period of six decades. In contrast, we identified a germ cell‐specific ageing pattern characterized by a steady increase of telomere length in sperm and a sharp increase in sperm DNA instability, particularly after the sixth decade. Importantly, we found sperm DNA methylation changes in 236 regions, mostly nearby genes associated with neuronal development. By in silico analysis, we found that 10 of these regions are located in loci which can potentially escape the first wave of genome‐wide demethylation after fertilization. In conclusion, human male germ cells present a unique germline‐specific ageing process, which likely results in diminished fecundity in elderly men and poorer health prognosis for their offspring.
Are all forms of ownership prone to tunneling? A meta‐analysis
Authors: Solarino Angelo M. , Boyd Brian K.
Published: September 2020

Research Question/Issue

This study seeks to extend agency theory in the context of tunneling by exploring how different owner types seek private benefits of control. Specifically, we examine how information asymmetries and board representation create different pressures for tunneling for state‐owned, business group‐owned, and family‐owned firms. We tested our hypotheses with a meta‐analytic structural equation model.

Research Findings/Insights

Our findings show that the relationship between ownership and tunneling differs across owner types in terms of both directionality and magnitude. Our study offers a substantial theoretical contribution to the principal–principal problem literature by theorizing and testing variations of the problem among owners. Our study also advances our understanding of the role of ownership in firms.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Our findings have important theory‐building implications for the principal–principal literature. Controlling shareholders have been linked to performance outcomes or to tunneling in general, yet little is known about their comparative propensity to engage in tunneling. Our results, however, highlight that the propensity to engage in tunneling varies substantially among controlling shareholders. Furthermore, in the robustness checks, we disconfirm some of the assumptions of the principal–principal literature. This study demonstrates the need to theorize about specific types of ownership and reassess the core arguments of principal–principal theory.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

This study offers insights for policymakers interested in mitigating the risk of minority shareholders being expropriated by the controlling shareholder. As the key driver of tunneling appears to be access to private information and knowledge of the firm, we offer recommendations on what policymakers can do to minimize the asymmetry of information.
A novel way to quantify schizophrenia symptoms in clinical trials
Authors: Medvedev Oleg N. , Berk Michael , Dean Olivia M. , Brown Ellie , Sandham Margaret H. , Dipnall Joanna F. , McNamara Robert K. , Sumich Alexander , Krägeloh Christian U. , Narayanan Ajit , Siegert Richard J.
Published: September 2020

Background

A major problem in quantifying symptoms of schizophrenia is establishing a reliable distinction between enduring and dynamic aspects of psychopathology. This is critical for accurate diagnosis, monitoring and evaluating treatment effects in both clinical practice and trials.

Materials and methods

We applied Generalizability Theory, a robust novel method to distinguish between dynamic and stable aspects of schizophrenia symptoms in the widely used Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) using a longitudinal measurement design. The sample included 107 patients with chronic schizophrenia assessed using the PANSS at five time points over a 24‐week period during a multi‐site clinical trial of N‐Acetylcysteine as an add‐on to maintenance medication for the treatment of chronic schizophrenia.

Results

The original PANSS and its three subscales demonstrated good reliability and generalizability of scores (G = 0.77‐0.93) across sample population and occasions making them suitable for assessment of psychosis risks and long‐lasting change following a treatment, while subscales of the five‐factor models appeared less reliable. The most enduring symptoms represented by the PANSS were poor attention, delusions, blunted affect and poor rapport. More dynamic symptoms with 40%‐50% of variance explained by patient transient state including grandiosity, preoccupation, somatic concerns, guilt feeling and hallucinatory behaviour.

Conclusions

Identified dynamic symptoms are more amendable to change and should be the primary target of interventions aiming at effectively treating schizophrenia. Separating out the dynamic symptoms would increase assay sensitivity in trials, reduce the signal to noise ratio and increase the potential to detect the effects of novel therapies in clinical trials.
Minimum tick size and analyst coverage: Evidence from the Tick Size Pilot Program
Authors: Chen Zhenhua , Huffman Adrienna , Narayanamoorthy Gans , Zhang Ruizhong
Published: September 2020

We examine whether an exogenous increase in the minimum tick size created by the natural experiment, the Tick Size Pilot Program, impacts analyst coverage. Proponents of the Tick Size Pilot Program argue that increasing the minimum tick size would increase analysts’ incentives to cover these firms (the promotion effect). In contrast, indirect evidence from prior research suggests that increasing the tick size might lead to decreased analyst coverage due to lower trading volume (the liquidity effect). Surprisingly, evidence on whether changes in tick size impact analyst coverage is absent from the literature. Using a difference‐in‐differences research design, we find that analyst coverage declined for tick‐constrained NYSE/AMEX stocks that experienced the strictest increase in minimum tick size trading rules. We find no change in analyst coverage for NASDAQ stocks, relative to the control sample. This finding is robust to several cross‐sectional tests and even within samples where we expect the promotion effect is strong. Overall, our results indicate that the regulatory activism surrounding the increase in the minimum tick size is likely misplaced, as we find no evidence to support the claims that increasing the minimum tick size increases analyst coverage for small cap stocks.
YAP is essential for TGF‐β‐induced retinal fibrosis in diabetic rats via promoting the fibrogenic activity of Müller cells
Authors: Zhang Wei , Kong Yichun
Published: September 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Yes‐associated protein (YAP) activation and proliferation of retinal Müller cells play a role in the development of TGF‐β‐induced retinal fibrosis. We studied the effects of YAP activation on retinal fibrosis in diabetic rats and human retinal Müller cells (hMCs) in vitro. The retinal expression of YAP and fibrogenic molecules in rats was detected using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. After treatment with transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1), the levels of fibrogenic molecules, and the activation of YAP and PI3K/Akt signalling pathway in hMCs were detected with Western blotting. The effect of YAP on retinal fibrotic changes was evaluated using YAP knockdown experiments and YAP inhibitors. Results showed that YAP expression was increased in the retina of diabetic rats along with increased retinal fibrosis. In cultured hMCs, YAP inhibition suppressed TGF‐β1‐stimulated hMC differentiation to myofibroblasts and extracellular matrix (ECM) production, while YAP activation promoted hMC differentiation and ECM production independent of TGF‐β1. Furthermore, hMCs cultured on a gel with greater stiffness differentiated into myofibroblasts in a YAP‐dependent manner. In diabetic rats, treatment with the YAP inhibitor verteporfin suppressed retinal fibrogenesis. In addition, the TGF‐β1‐induced PI3K/Akt signalling pathway mediated YAP activation as well as expression of fibrogenic molecules. The interaction between ECM stiffness and YAP forms a feed‐forward process leading to retinal fibrosis. Our work highlights YAP as an essential regulator of pro‐fibrotic responses in TGF‐β‐induced retinal fibrosis.
Large inflamed facial cysts in teenagers
Authors: Meister Harry , Shihab Nahla , Lebwohl Mark , Silverberg Nanette B.
Published: September 2020

Background

Facial cysts can become large (1‐5 cm) or giant (>5 cm) on the face.

Objective

To describe the medical course of large and giant facial cysts in adolescents.

Methods

A case series of 11 patients with large or giant facial cysts seen in an outpatient pediatric dermatology practice.

Results

Seven patients underwent incision and drainage with culture of cyst contents growing Cutibacterium acnes in six, while the seventh grew Cutibacterium acnes from a frequently worn hat. All patients were treated with traditional therapeutics for cystic acne including intralesional triamcinolone (n = 9), oral antibiotics (n = 10), and isotretinoin (n = 1). Three patients who did not undergo cyst drainage had persistent symptomatology requiring cyst excision, whereas the seven patients whose cysts were drained (3 on initial management and 4 after recurrence) eventually had complete healing without need for surgery.

Conclusion

Incision and drainage (I & D) and culture of cyst contents can identify cases of cysts related to Cutibacterium acnes. For some cases of large facial cysts related to Cutibacterium acne, I&D combined with conservative acne management (using standard acne guidelines) can prevent the need for surgical excision in some patients. Prospective studies are needed to determine whether this combination of therapy leads to best outcomes clinically and cosmetically.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐B*40:450 allele by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Genebrier Steve , Elsermans Vincent , Texeraud Emeric , Bertrand Gerald , Renac Virginie
Published: September 2020

B*40:450 differs from B*40:01:02:01 by one nucleotide substitution at position 5 in exon 1.
In silico evaluation of some 4-(quinolin-2-yl)pyrimidin-2-amine derivatives as potent V600E-BRAF inhibitors with pharmacokinetics ADMET and drug-likeness predictions
Authors: Umar Abdullahi Bello , Uzairu Adamu , Shallangwa Gideon Adamu , Uba Sani
Published: September 2020

Background

The resistance of V600E-BRAF to the vemurafenib and the side effects of the identified inhibitors trigger the research for a novel and more potent anti-melanoma agents. In this study, virtual docking screening along with pharmacokinetics ADMET and drug-likeness predictions were combined to evaluate some 4-(quinolin-2-yl)pyrimidin-2-amine derivatives as potent V600E-BRAF inhibitors.

Results

Some of the selected compounds exhibited better binding scores and favorable interaction with the V600E-BRAF enzyme. Out of the screened compounds, two most potent (5 and 9) having good Rerank scores (− 128.011 and − 126.258) emerged as effective and potent V600E-BRAF inhibitors that outperformed the FDA-approved V600E-BRAF inhibitor (vemurafenib, − 118.607). Thus, the molecular docking studies revealed that the studied compounds showed competing for inhibition of V600E-BRAF with vemurafenib at the binding site and possessed better pharmacological parameters based on the drug-likeness rules filters for the oral bioavailability, and ADMET risk parameters.

Conclusion

The docking analysis, drug-likeness rules filters, and ADMET study identified compounds (5 and 9) as the best hits against V600E-BRAF kinase with enhanced pharmacological properties. This recommends that these compounds may be developed as potent anti-melanoma agents.
Stabilizing the phase of onshore 3D seismic data
Authors: Holt Rob , Lubrano Andy
Published: September 2020

When present, surface-consistent (shot and/or receiver) phase instability will generate surface-consistent time shifts that are at least partially removed from seismic data when surface-consistent residual statics corrections are applied. The phase instability will not be fully corrected and lingers undetected in the data throughout the remainder of the processing workflow. After processing finishes, seismic interpreters often need to apply laterally varying phase rotations to tie their onshore 3D seismic data to synthetic seismograms, before starting detailed stratigraphic interpretation projects. We have developed and tested a new surface-consistent seismic processing workflow that can be applied to increase the phase stability of our seismic data. It is run after the final pass of conventional surface-consistent residual shot and receiver statics corrections have been applied to optimally align the seismic traces. The phase stability corrections are estimated from an additional pass of surface-consistent residual shot and receiver statics corrections that are calculated on the phase-independent seismic trace envelopes. We demonstrate the application of the workflow using synthetic and real seismic data. We gained confidence that the workflow was performing as expected after we intentionally phase rotated a small subset of the shots and receivers in our seismic test data sets and observed that the workflow corrected these intentionally phase-rotated traces with a high level of accuracy.
Temperature evaluation of colloidal nanoparticles by the thermal lens technique
Authors: Pedrosa T. L. , Estupiñán-López C. , de Araujo R. E.
Published: September 2020

The use of highly sensitive thermometric methods is essential for the evaluation of nanoplatforms for photothermal therapy. In this study, the thermal lens technique was introduced to assess the optically induced temperature changes in colloidal samples of gold nanoparticles. Thermal lens measurements also allowed the acquisition of the nanoparticle absorption cross-section value, regardless of knowing the nanostructure scattering properties. The developed thermometric system exhibited 0.2 °C−1 sensitivity and was capable of measuring temperature variations of metallic colloidal samples with a resolution of 0.01 °C. Measuring colloidal temperature changes allows for the estimation of the localized temperature variation reached by each nanoheater, before thermalization of the excitation volume. Our results establish a practical and effective method to evaluate optically induced temperature changes on metallic colloids.
Equivalent availability index for the performance measurement of haul truck fleets
Authors: Kristjanpoller Fredy , Viveros Pablo , Zio Enrico , Pascual Rodrigo , Aranda Oscar
Published: September 2020

This article presents a model of performance analysis for a truck fleet system in an openpit mine, considering special characteristics of haul fleets. In these systems, the expected
availability of each piece of equipment and its operating capacity are the fundamental variables to construct a global fleet performance function. Our analytical algorithm considers
heterogeneous fleets with known individual characteristics of transport capacity and failure
and repair behavior. The results converge to a new indicator denominated “Equivalent Availability” (EA), which arises from the need to evaluate the capacity of the truck fleet to operate
at a lower payload than required using different combinations of equipment to achieve an
availability goal. EA is a key indicator to determine the productive capacity of a process,
and for selecting equipment and their combinations to achieve production objectives. To
exemplify the potentialities of the EA, a case study is implemented in a Chilean copper truck
fleet mining process.
Reactive energy compensator effect on the reliability of a complex electrical system using Bayesian networks
Authors: Reffas Omar , Sahraoui Yacine , Nahal Mourad , Ghoul Rachida , Saad Salah
Published: September 2020

The static synchronous compensator is presented in order to improve an electrical network
system performance. The present work aims to develop a Bayesian methodology for assessing the time-variant reliability of a complex electrical system taking into account reactive
energy compensator (STATCOM). However, the complex aspect is not only related to the
complexity of electrical system components architecture, nevertheless is allied to electrical
network and STATCOM interactions. The Bayesian network is used for coping with this
complexity constraint. The reliability-based assessment of reactive energy compensator effect is applied to a real case of a complex electrical system. The proposed Bayesian methodology application reveals that the STATCOM has a significant influence on electrical system
reliability and the developed model can provide valuable information for decision makers to
improve the system reliability performance.
Models of vehicle service system supply under information uncertainty
Authors: Jacyna Marianna , Semenov Iouri
Published: September 2020

The paper presents problems of decision-making for planning and implementation of vehicle
service system supplies with spare parts under incomplete information. The lack of effective
supply planning models using artificial intelligence principles contributes to widening the
gap in the problem. The analyses confirm that information uncertainty is one of the main factors in supply failures leading to financial losses for both vehicle service stations and supply
companies. Authors structured national vehicle service system by classifying its three different segments. This allowed the identification of risks of making incorrect logistics decisions
in each of defined segments. It has been shown that the supply planning process in each of
segments is carried out according to different rules. Authorial decision models for each of
segments are then presented. The models can be used as a tool to support and improve supplying vehicle service stations in conditions of information uncertainty. In the application
part, a proprietary algorithm has been developed to solve proposed models.
Residual strength assessment of wind turbine rotor blade composites under combined effects of natural aging and fatigue loads
Authors: Gao Jian-Xiong , An Zong-Wen , Ma Qiang , Bai Xue-Zong
Published: September 2020

In this paper, the combined effects of natural aging and fatigue loads are considered to assess the residual strength of wind turbine rotor blade composites under actual service environments. Firstly, a comprehensive environmental factor (CEF) methodology is adopted to
quantify the combined effects of environmental factors on residual strength. Meanwhile, the
artificial accelerated aging test data are used to determine the weight coefficients of the CEF.
Subsequently, a two-variable function is presented to characterize the relationship among
residual strength, aging time and the CEF. The natural aging test data are utilized to estimate the unknown parameters of the two-variable function. Finally, the combined effects of
natural aging and fatigue loads are considered, and a residual strength model is proposed to
analyze the strength degradation behaviors of the wind turbine rotor blade composites. The
results indicate that fatigue loads have negative effect on the residual strength, while natural
aging has both positive and negative effects on the residual strength.
Reliability optimization design method based on multi-level surrogate model
Authors: Li Yong-Hua , Liang Xiao-Jia , Dong Si-Hui
Published: September 2020

In this work, a genetic-algorithm-based Kriging model with multi-point addition sequence
optimization strategy is addressed to make up for the shortcomings of Kriging model with
single point criterion. This approach combines the multi-point addition strategy with genetic
algorithm to enable the Kriging model to efficiently capture the globally optimal solution.
Based on this, a multi-level surrogate method is presented by employing a local surrogate
model to modify the Kriging global surrogate model, and then applied to design optimization to improve the accuracy and efficiency of global optimization. Meanwhile, a reliability
design optimization method based on multi-level surrogate model is studied by dealing with
the reliability constraints with an adaptive reliability penalty function. Numerical examples
show that the proposed method can find the optimal solution of the object problem with the
least calculation cost under the condition of satisfying the reliability constraint.
Does amortization of goodwill effect on companies' profits and future cash flows?
Authors: Kobori Kazuhiko
Published: September 2020

The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) will discuss whether or not accounting rules for M&A change, and it plans to draw a conclusion in 2021. In view of this fact, it is considered that a series of large M&A have significant effects on corporate earnings worldwide. This paper examines whether the amortization and/or non-amortization of goodwill affect companies’ earnings and future cash flow, an analysis for which there are two reasons. First, IFRS initiates the debate on the premise of goodwill amortization. If goodwill is amortized, it will have a profound impact on corporate profits and cash flow. Second, M&A has recently increased in Japan due to the increase in retained earnings and because IFRS has not requested goodwill amortization. The conclusion is as follows: First, it has become clear that legally retained earnings accelerate M&A because they affect the future goodwill along with both accounting standards. Next, the results revealed that the amortization of goodwill corresponds with the future ROA in conformity with Japanese accounting standards. On the other hand, this study did not determine that goodwill affects ROA in IFRS companies. Particularly, IFRS firms invested greater amounts of money than did Japanese accounting firms. Therefore, IFRS firms' goodwill might not be effective applied to M&A within four years.
Ranking the prevalence of construction cost overrun risk factors in completion of public-private partnership projects
Authors: Oyieyo Pamela Akinyi , Rambo Charles M , Ndiritu Anne
Published: September 2020

The purpose of the study was to identify and rank the prevalence and severity of risk factors construction cost overrun in Public-Private Partnership projects using a case study of Sondu-Miriu Hydroelectric Power Project in Kisumu County, Kenya. This study adopted a descriptive design and collected quantitative data analysed quantitatively using descriptive statistics. In total, 85 persons were identified to have taken part in the management and implementation of the study from whom a sample size of 71 participants was obtained. Questionnaires were emailed to the participants providing details of the study and requesting their participation. The study ranked the risk factors based on prevalence and severity from most prevalently severe to least prevalently severe as design changes, emerging tasks affecting delivery, construction task breakdown structure, design variations and failure of contractors to complete different tasks. Thus, stakeholders should participate fully in the project from design to avoid design changes leading to cost overrun. During implementation, the contractor and construction manager should device mechanisms to anticipate changes in the political environment as such changes determines government policies and decisions affecting the project funding, design and scope.
Service tangibility on repeat visits in two-five star rated hotels in Nairobi County
Authors: Musembi Nancy Kaseki , Ngugi Louise , Bichage Methuselah
Published: September 2020

This study evaluated the influence of service tangibility on repeat visits in two-five star rated Hotels in Nairobi County. The significance of service quality cannot be overemphasized it is generally accepted that the interplay of service quality, customer satisfaction, and repeat visitation represents an attractive, cost-effective approach to gain a competitive advantage for most companies though the hotel industry is a very important sector in Kenya as it has many contributions to the economy. The tourism industry in Kenya is currently facing slow progress and the hotels are losing a lot of revenue due to poor services. The main objective of the study was to determine the influence of service tangibility on repeat visits in two-five star-rated hotels in Nairobi County. The specific objectives were to examine Quality and Cleanliness, the influence of Good Menu, and the impact of Comfortable Beds on repeat visits in two-five star-rated hotels in Nairobi. Mixed methods research design was applied based on a cross-sectional survey. The target population comprised of customers in 2-5 star rated hotels in Nairobi County. A questionnaire was used to collect primary data and the researcher conducted a pre-test of the research instruments to establish their validity. The study showed that there is a positive effect of quality attributes on customer satisfaction and customers’ repeat visits to hotels. The study concluded that majorly, the individual service quality attributes and the level of customer satisfaction influence repeat visits in star-rated hotels in Nairobi County
Video 7: Strengthening Structures
Authors: Schudel Ingrid , Timmermans Anna
Published: September 2020

This demonstration video, for use in a primary school technology classroom, shows how strong structures can be made using triangular shapes. It then proceeds to challenge learners to make a tower from 20cm straws or other material of similar lengths. The tower needs to be able to hold a tennis ball (or object of a similar size and mass) 30cm above a surface.
Concept of process capability indices as a tool for process performance measures and its pharmaceutical application
Authors: Mahapatra Abikesh Prasada Kumar , Song Jianwu , Shao Zhibo , Dong Tang , Gong Zihong , Paul Basudev , Padhy Indira
Published: September 2020

The main objective of the present study is to present the concept of process capability and to focus its significance in pharmaceutical industries. From a practical view point, the control charts (such as X and R hart) sometimes are not convenient summary statistics when hundreds of characteristics in a plant or supply base are considered. In many situations, capability indices can be used to relate the process parameters. The resulting indices are unit less and provide a common, easily understood language for quantifying the performance of a process. Process capability indices (PCIs) are powerful means of studying the process ability for manufacturing a product that meets specifications. Several capability indices including Cp, Cpu, Cpl and Cpk have been widely used in manufacturing industry to provide common quantitative measures on process potential and performance. The formulas for these indices are easily understood and can be directly implemented. A process capability analysis compares the distribution of output from an in-control process to its speciﬁcations limits to determine the consistency with which the specifications can be met. The process capability is also having a significant role in pharmaceutical industry. Process capability indices can be a powerful tool by which to ensure drug product quality and process robustness. Determining process capability provides far more insight into any pharmaceutical process performance than simply computing the percentage of batches that pass or fail each year.

Keywords: Process capability; Cp/Cpk; Pp/Ppk; Pharmaceutical quality, process robustness, specification
PENGARUH INTERAKSI ANTARA TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT DENGAN SISTEM PENGHARGAAN, KOMITMEN ORGANISASI DAN SISTEM PENGUKURAN KINERJA TERHADAP KINERJA MANAJERIAL (STUDI EMPIRIS PADA PERUSAHAAN OTOMOTIF DAN KOMPONEN DI KOTA JAMBI)
Authors: Ridwan Muhammad , Sandi Hengki Erik
Published: September 2020

Penelitian empiris ini dilakukan untuk menguji hipotesis tentang pengaruh variabel TQM, interaksi antara TQM dengan sistem penghargaan, dan interaksi antara TQM dengan komitmen organisasi terhadap kinerja manajerial dengan sistem pengukuran kinerja sebagai variabel moderasi pada perusahaan otomotif dan komponen yang ada di kota jambi(2016). Data disebar dan dikumpulkan dengan teknik convenience sampling kepada para responden. Sampel yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah para staf divisi akuntansi pada perusahaan otomotif dan komponen yang ada di kota jambi. Metode analisis yang digunakan adalah analisis regresi berganda. Hasil penelitian ini menunjukan bahwa (1) total quality management secara parsial berpengaruh signifikan terhadap kinerja manajerial, (2) interaksi total quality management dengan sistem penghargaan berpengaruh signifikan terhadap kinerja manajerial, (3) interaksi total quality management dengan komitmen organisasi berpengaruh signifikan terhadap kinerja manajerial, dan (4) interaksi total quality management dengan sistem pengukuran kinerja tidak berpengaruh terhadap kinerja manajerial.
ANALISIS DIMENSI BALANCE SCORECARD DARI PERSPEKTIF KEUANGAN PERUSAHAAN (STUDI KASUS PADA PT GUDANG GARAM, TBK DAN PT BENTOEL INTERNATIONAL INVESTAMA, TBK )
Authors: Sitanggang Friska Artaria , Putri Dini Elida , Melina Erny
Published: September 2020

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk untuk mengetahui gambaran PT Gudang Garam, Tbk dan PT Bentoel International Investama, Tbk. Jika ditinjau dari konsep Balanced Scorecard dalam perspektif keuangan, yakni dimensi pelanggan, dimensi proses bisnis internal, dimensi sumber daya manusia, dan dimensi keuangan.Setelah melakukan penelitian maka dapat disimpulkan bahwa historikal penjualan yang mewakili dimensi pelanggan menggambar tren meningkat selama periode tahun penelitian 2013-2018, artinya perusahaan mampu memenuhi kebutuhan dan  selera pelanggan sehingga penjualan dapat terus meningkat selama periode tahun penelitian. Rata-rata angka ratio perputaran aktiva serta current ratio yang mewakili dimensi proses bisnis internal pada objek penelitian masing-masing yakni pada PT Gudang Garam, Tbk masing-masing 1,2 kali dan 184,1% sedangkan PT Bentoel International Investama, Tbk masing-masing 1,4 kali dan 172%. Dari dimensi sumber daya manusia, diproksikan dengan angka rasio rata-rata Return on Equity (ROE) PT Gudang Garam, Tbk dan PT Bentoel International Investama, Tbk masing-masing 16.8% dan -60,7%. Sementara dari dimensi keuangan, diwakili oleh rasio solvablitas yakni Debt to Asset Ratio (DAR) rata-rata dari PT Gudang Garam, Tbk dan PT Bentoel International Investama, Tbk masing-masing 39,0% dan 72,8%. Dari kedua objek penelitian, PT Gudang Garam, Tbk memiliki struktur modal optimal, dikarenakan dengan komposisi struktur modal yang dimiliki, perusahaan ini memiliki kemampulabaan positif yang ditunjukkan oleh perolehan angka rasio ROE yakni selama periode tahun penelitian 2013-2018.
PERANAN CAMAT DALAM MEWUJUDKAN PEMERINTAHAN YANG BAIK (GOOD GOVERNANCE) DI KANTOR KECAMATAN LIMUN KABUPATEN SAROLANGUN
Authors: Desmayani Desmayani
Published: September 2020

Penelitian ini berjudul “ Peranan Camat Dalam Mewujudkan Pemerintahan Yang Baik (Good Governance) Di Kantor Kecamatan Limun Kabupaten Sarolangun” Tipe penelitian yang digunakan menggunakan tipe penelitian kualitatif. Yang menggunakan kuesioner dan sampel sengaja sebanyak 42 orang responden, terdiri dari Camat, Sekretaris Camat, 3orang kepala sub bagian, 29 orang pegawai, masyarakat 6 orang dan tokoh masyarakat atau yang menjadi tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah: 1. Untuk mengetahui dan Menganalisis Peranan Camat dalam mewujudkan Pemerintahan yang Baik (Good Governance) di Kantor Kecamatan Limun Kabupaten Sarolangun. 2. Untuk menganalisis Kendala- kendala dalam mewujudkan Pemerintahan yang Baik (Good Governance) di Kantor Kecamatan Limun Kabupaten Sarolangun. Yang mana di dalam konsep Good Governance, terdapat Transparansi, Partisipasi, Tanggung Jawab, Cepat Tanggap dan ketaatan Hukum yangberlaku.Hasil penelitian menunujukkan bahwa peranan camat dalam transparansi sudah terbuka dalam mengambil keputuan,ikut berpartisipasi dalam kegiatan,cepat tanngap dalam menyelesaikan masalah yang ada dikantor maupun dimasyarakat, tanggung jawab terhadap kegiatan yang terselenggara dan taat terhadap hukum yang berlaku, dengan memberikan sangsi kepada siapa saja yang melanggar. Adapun kendala-kendala yang menyangkut tranparansi, partisipasi, tanggung jawab, cepat tanggap dan keataan hukum yang berlaku. Untuk menjawab kendala- kendala, sudah dijawab melalui wawancara dengan camat.