bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus‐2 inhibitors through in silico structure‐based virtual screening and molecular interaction studies
Authors: Azad Iqbal , Khan Tahmeena , Maurya Akhilesh Kumar , Irfan Azad Mohd. , Mishra Nidhi , Alanazi Amer M.
Published: June 2021

The novel coronavirus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) or COVID‐19 has caused a worldwide pandemic. The fatal virus has affected the health of human beings as well as the socio‐economic situation all over the world. To date, no concrete medicinal solution has been proposed to combat the viral infection, calling for an urgent, strategic, and cost‐effective drug development approach that may be achievable by applying targeted computational and virtual screening protocols. Immunity is the body's natural defense against disease‐causing pathogens, which can be boosted by consuming plant‐based or natural food products. Active constituents derived from natural sources also scavenge the free radicals and have anti‐inflammatory activities. Herbs and spices have been used for various medicinal purposes. In this study, 2,96 365 natural and synthetic derivatives (ligands) belonging to 102 classes of compounds were obtained from PubChem and assessed on Lipinski's parameters for their potential bioavailability. Out of all the derivatives, 3254 obeyed Lipinski's rule and were virtually screened. The 115 top derivatives were docked against SARS‐CoV‐2, SARS‐CoV, MERS‐CoV, and HCoV‐HKV1 main proteases (Mpros) as receptors using AutoDock Vina, AutoDock, and iGEMDOCK 2.1. The lowest binding energy was exhibited by ligands 2 and 6 against all the four Mpros. The molecular dynamic simulation was also performed with ligand 6 using the GROMACS package. Good bioactivity scores, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity profile and drug‐like pharmacokinetic parameters were also obtained. Hydroxychloroquine was used as the control drug.
Cross‐item learning for volatile demand forecasting: An intervention with predictive analytics
Authors: Chuang Howard Hao‐Chun , Chou Yen‐Chun , Oliva Rogelio
Published: June 2021

Despite its importance to OM, demand forecasting has been perceived as a “problem‐solving” exercise; most empirical work in the field has focused on explanatory models but neglected prediction problems that are part of empirical science. The present study, involving one of the leading electronics distributors in the world, aims to improve prediction accuracy under high demand volatility for procurement managers to make better inventory decisions. In response to requests for an integrated forecasting methodology, we undertook an iterative process based on three guiding principles—data pooling, theory‐informed feature engineering, and ensemble‐based machine learning. The resulting framework managed to improve forecast accuracy significantly and is applicable to a broad range of situations. We present reflections and insights derived abductively through engagement with managers in this problem situation. This “problem‐driven” process corresponds to intervention as a research strategy that can foster theoretical and methodological innovations in OM. Our contribution goes beyond the development of the prediction framework as it elucidates ways OM researchers could leverage theoretical foundations to inform feature derivation and model construction. We posit that this work points to a way forward to the combination of OM principles with the emerging innovations in data science and artificial intelligence.
Materials selection using patent information: A function‐ and application‐based analysis of aircraft interior structures
Authors: Santos C.V. , Soares M.S. , Oliveira B.S. , Faria L.I.L. , Leiva D.R.
Published: June 2021

Materials selection in product design is a complex decision‐making activity due to the necessity of embodying technical requirements into those related to customer, safety, environmental, economic and social aspects. Technological developments have been increasing materials options, thus demanding the manipulation of large amounts of information and data to identify them. This study proposes a monitoring procedure to identify and select materials in innovative product design using patent information. It applies bibliometric techniques to select relevant patents using two different retrieval strategies: (i) driven by the function and (ii) by the application of the product. A case study to search for a more sustainable composite material for aircraft interior structures reveals distinct sets of data and types of technical solutions depending on the patent retrieval strategy used. The function‐based patent retrieval strategy found more disruptive solutions, whereas the application‐based strategy identified mainly improvements in current technology developed by partners of the aeronautical industry.
Investigations on the thermal stability of microstructures generated by different thermal electron beam surface treatments
Authors: Buchwalder A. , Thronicke J. , Holst A. , Hollmann P. , Hengst P. , Zenker R.
Published: June 2021

Surface treatments are frequently used to improve the wear and/or corrosion resistance of metal components. In the case of cast iron, the material‐specific graphite limits both its treat‐ability and load‐bearing behaviour. A promising option for overcoming these limitations is provided by combination processes, in which near‐surface graphite is first removed in an initial liquid‐phase surface treatment – such as, e. g., remelting, alloying or cladding using electron beam (EB) – before application of thermochemical processes or hard coatings. A prerequisite for this is sufficient thermal resistance of these microstructures. This was investigated by means of annealing tests. The ranges of temperature used for annealing are based on those typically used for hard coating (250 °C–500 °C), nitriding (400 °C–600 °C) and boriding (600 °C–860 °C). The metastable microstructures produced as a result of rapid solidification during the electron beam liquid‐phase treatments differ in their alloy content and, therefore, in their microstructural components. Hardness measurements after annealing provided an initial indication of thermal stability. Based on these measurements, interesting treatment conditions were analysed in more detail using scanning electron microscopy and x‐ray diffraction. The focus of interest was on the formation of secondary graphite and the dissolution of ledeburitic carbides and other intermetallic phases.
Terminal value problem for a generalized fractional ordinary differential equation
Authors: Li Can , Li Min‐Min , Zhou Han
Published: June 2021

The present work is concerned with the well‐posedness and efficient numerical algorithm for a terminal value problem with a generalized Caputo fractional derivative. We investigate the existence and uniqueness of the solution of the terminal value problem and consider the continuous dependence of the solutions on the given data. To illustrate our theoretical results, we present a one‐step algorithm for solving the considered problems. Some numerical examples are shown to illustrate the theoretical results and the efficiency of the numerical method.
Gender diversity and online intellectual capital disclosure: Evidence from Italian‐listed firms
Authors: Nicolò Giuseppe , Sannino Giuseppe , Iorio Serena De
Published: June 2021

The present research investigates the impact that certain gender diversity attributes exert on online intellectual capital (IC) disclosure in the context of Italian‐listed firms where regulations promoted gender balance in the governing bodies. The websites of a sample of 123 Italian listed companies are content‐analyzed to retrieve the level of voluntary IC disclosure (ICD). Drawing on Agency and Resource Dependence theory perspectives, an Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression model, is estimated to test the association between online ICD and different gender diversity measures, specifically: the proportion of women on boards and the presence of female Chairpersons and female CEOs. The content analysis results show that listed companies in Italy make extensive disclosure of IC on their websites. The results based on the regression analysis confirm that women's presence on boards is conducive to higher voluntary ICD. The analysis also demonstrates that Italian‐listed firms tend to convey more voluntary information on IC resources when a woman is appointed as a CEO. To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study that provides a snapshot of the potential association between gender diversity—in terms of both the proportion of women on the boards and the presence of women in top executive positions—and the level of web‐based ICD.
Angular resolution in VCSEL radiant intensity distribution measurements
Authors: Leschhorn Günther , Attenberger Thomas , Schneider Tobias
Published: June 2021

Vertical cavity surface‐emitting lasers (VCSEL) are getting more and more popular for 3D sensing and time‐of‐flight technology in consumer and automotive applications. VCSEL arrays with hundreds of single emitters are often used. Measurement of the radiant intensity distribution is the key to performing a proper eye safety assessment and designing suitable secondary optics for these emitters.
SFG vibrational spectroscopy for the investigation of interfaces
Authors: Januškevičius Regimantas , Kananavičius Robertas , Umhofer Udo , Niaura Gediminas
Published: June 2021

Vibrational sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy offers detailed molecular level information on the structure, ordering, and orientation of molecular groups, and the function of monolayers at various interfaces, including buried ones, without noticeable contribution from the bulk phases.
Towards the industrialization of metal additive manufacturing
Authors: Moglia Francesca , Raspa Antonio
Published: June 2021

The automotive and energy sectors are driving the full value chain of additive manufacturing of metal towards a smart, virtual factory, where 3D printing and traditional technologies of metal processing can play side‐by‐side, exploiting their respective potential towards an efficient and productive process chain. The end users and system integrators recognize the fundamental role that photonics plays towards fully automated additive manufacturing: let's see why and how.
Analysis of the prochloraz‐Mn resistance risk and its molecular basis in Mycogone rosea from Agaricus bisporus
Authors: Du Yixin , Shi Niuniu , Ruan Hongchun , Miao Jianqiang , Yan He , Shi Chunxi , Chen Furu , Liu Xili
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Wet bubble disease (WBD), caused by Mycogone rosea, is one of the most serious diseases of white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) in China. Prochloraz‐Mn is the main fungicide used in the management of WBD. To provide essential references for early warning of prochloraz‐Mn resistance and management of WBD, this study was performed to assess the resistance risk to prochloraz‐Mn in M. rosea, as well as its underlying resistance mechanism.

RESULTS

Eight stable prochloraz‐Mn‐resistant mutants with a mutation frequency of 1.3 × 10−4 were generated and resistance factors ranged from 2.57 to 7.80 after 10 successive culture transfers. All eight resistant mutants exhibited fitness penalties in decreased sporulation and pathogenicity. Positive cross‐resistance was observed between prochloraz‐Mn and prochloraz or imazalil, but not between prochloraz‐Mn and diniconazole, fenbuconazole, thiabendazole or picoxystrobin. The point mutation F511I in MrCYP51 protein was found in six mutants and the point mutation G464S occurred only in the SDW2‐2‐1M mutant. The up‐regulated expression of MrCYP51 in all mutants was less than that in their parental isolates when exposed to prochloraz‐Mn. Without prochloraz‐Mn treatment, MrCYP51 expression was up‐regulated in GX203‐3‐1M and FJ58‐2‐1M mutants, whereas it was down‐regulated in other mutants compared to their respective parental isolates.

CONCLUSION

Genotypes with two separate point mutations, F511I and G464S in MrCYP51, may be associated with resistance to prochloraz‐Mn in M. rosea. The resistance risk of M. rosea to prochloraz‐Mn is likely to be low to moderate, indicating that prochloraz‐Mn can still be used reasonably to control WBD. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Pityriacitrin marine alkaloids as novel antiviral and anti‐phytopathogenic‐fungus agents
Authors: Wang Tie‐Nan , Yang Shan , Shi Shao‐Yang , Yuan Wen‐Ying , Chen Jian‐Xin , Duan Zhong‐Yu , Lu Ai‐Dang , Wang Zi‐Wen , Wang Qing‐Min
Published: June 2021

BACKGROUND

Plant diseases have been gripping agricultural production, seriously affecting the growth and yields of crops. Marine natural products are an important source for novel drugs discovery. In this work, pityriacitrin marine alkaloids were selected as the parent structures. A series of pityriacitrin alkaloid analogues were rationally designed, synthesized and evaluated for their antiviral activities and fungicidal activities.

RESULT

Most of these compounds were demonstrated to have higher antiviral activities than ribavirin. Particularly, compounds 3a, 3e, 8f, 8g, and 9g displayed higher anti‐TMV activities than ningnanmycin at 500 μg·mL−1. Mechanism research revealed that 3a could bind to TMV CP with an excellent affinity (Ka = 8.67 × 106 L·mol−1), thus interfere with the assembly of virus particles. These alkaloids also showed broad‐spectrum fungicidal activities against eight kinds of phytopathogenic fungi. Compound 5f with 1.43–3.84 μg·mL−1 EC50 value against three fungi emerged as a new fungicidal candidate.

CONCLUSION

Pityriacitrin alkaloids and their derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for anti‐TMV and fungicidal activities for the first time. Compounds 3a and 5f with excellent activities emerged as new candidates for antiviral research and fungicidal research, respectively. Current work provided a new idea for the molecular design and development of novel plant virus and fungi inhibitors in the future. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Natural products and phytochemicals as potential anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 drugs
Authors: Merarchi Myriam , Dudha Namrata , Das Bhudev C , Garg Manoj
Published: June 2021

The current pandemic responsible for the crippling of the health care system is caused by the novel SARS‐CoV‐2 in 2019 and leading to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The virus enters into humans by attachment of its Spike protein (S) to the ACE receptor present on the lung epithelial cell surface followed by cleavage of S protein by the cellular transmembrane serine protease (TMPRSS2). After entry, the SARS‐CoV‐2 RNA genome is released into the cytosol, where it highjacks host replication machinery for viral replication, assemblage, as well as the release of new viral particles. The major drug targets that have been identified for SARS‐CoV‐2 through host‐virus interaction studies include 3CLpro, PLpro, RNA‐dependent RNA polymerase, and S proteins. Several reports of natural compounds along with synthetic products have displayed promising results and some of them are Tripterygium wilfordii, Pudilan Xiaoyan Oral Liquid, Saponin derivates, Artemisia annua, Glycyrrhiza glabra L., Jinhua Qinggan granules, Xuebijing, and Propolis. This review attempts to disclose the natural products identified as anti‐SARS‐CoV‐2 based on in silico prediction and the effect of a variety of phytochemicals either alone and/or in combination with conventional treatments along with their possible molecular mechanisms involved for both prevention and treatment of the SARS‐CoV‐2 disease.
Beetroot and leaf extracts present protective effects against prostate cancer cells, inhibiting cell proliferation, migration, and growth signaling pathways
Authors: Mancini Mariana Camargo Silva , Ponte Luis Gustavo Saboia , Silva Cayo Henrique Rocha , Fagundes Isabella , Pavan Isadora Carolina Betim , Romeiro Stefhani Andrioli , da Silva Luiz Guilherme Salvino , Morelli Ana Paula , Rostagno Maurício Ariel , Simabuco Fernando Moreira , Bezerra Rosangela Maria Neves
Published: June 2021

Beet (Beta vulgaris L.) has high nutritional value, containing bioactive compounds such as betalains and flavonoids. Scientific evidence points to the use of these natural compounds in the treatment of several types of cancer, such as prostate cancer, one of the main causes of morbidity and mortality in men. Here, we compared beet roots and leaves extracts, and their main compounds, apigenin, and betanin, respectively, in DU‐145 and PC‐3 prostate cancer cell lines. Both cells presented the proliferation decreased for beetroot and beet leaves extracts. The apigenin treatment also reduced the proliferation of both cell lines. Regarding cell migration, beet leaves extract was able to decrease the scratch area in both cell lines, whereas apigenin affected only PC‐3 cells' migration. In colony formation assay, both extracts were effective in reducing the number of colonies formed. Besides, the beet leaves extracts and apigenin presented strong inhibition of growth‐related signaling pathways in both cell lines, and the beetroot extract and betanin presented effects only in DU‐145 cells. Furthermore, the extracts and isolated compounds were able to reduce the levels of apoptotic and cell cycle proteins. This study reveals that beet extracts have important anti‐cancer effects against prostate cancer cells.
Evaluation of synthetic satellite images computed from radiative transfer models over a region of South America using WRF and GOES‐13/16 observations
Authors: Cutraro Federico , Galligani Victoria Sol , García Skabar Yanina
Published: June 2021

Synthetic infrared GOES‐13 observations are generated from a high‐resolution (4 km) Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model run over Argentina for a meteorological event of deep moist convection using two different radiative transfer models. The fast operational Community Radiative Transfer Model (CRTM) and the physics‐based research model Atmospheric Radiative Transfer Simulator (ARTS) are compared with the available observations. CRTM shows good results at a low computational cost, and is a good candidate for operational use in the region. CRTM and ARTS synthetic satellite images show differences due to the treatment of the bulk scattering properties of the frozen hydrometeor species, especially around the cloud shield. With this WRF+CRTM configuration, a long‐term evaluation is conducted over 12 hr forecasts from one month of data in a region of the South American autumn with four different initializations at 0000, 0600, 1200 and 1800 UTC, as operational at the National Meteorological Service of Argentina. The simulated and observed GOES‐16 Advanced Baseline Imager (ABI) brightness temperatures (BTs) in the 6.9 m channel show good agreement with an averaged bias of  K (RMSE 21.7 K), whereas the performances in the IR window channels show slightly larger averaged BT differences of 3.5 K (RMSE 15.2 K). BT differences between the 6.9 and 10.3 m channels indicate that the WRF+CRTM simulations underestimate low to mid‐level clouds and to a lesser extent high‐level clouds. In the BT (10.3 m) range between approximately 215 and 230 K, there is an overestimation of clouds with BT differences above 0 K between 6.9 and 10.3 m. This could be due to the misrepresentation of upper‐level clouds.
New theoretical methods for the exploration of functional landscapes
Authors: Röhr Merle I. S.
Published: June 2021

Molecular functionality can be often directly attributed to given properties of the electronic wavefunction. Analogous to the potential energy surface, these properties can be represented as a function of the nuclear coordinates, giving rise to molecular “functional landscapes.” However, so far there has been no possibility for their systematic investigation. This perspective aims to discuss the development of new theoretical methods based on the multistate extension of the metadynamics approach, employing electronic collective variables. This emerging methodology allows to explore functional landscapes and to gain a deeper understanding of the structure–function relation in molecules and complex molecular systems in the ground and excited electronic state.
Unified equations to predict residual flexural tensile strength of lightweight steel fiber‐reinforced concrete
Authors: Gondokusumo Gilbert Sebastiano , Venkateshwaran Akshay , Tan Kiang Hwee , Liew J. Y. Richard
Published: June 2021

In this paper, novel unified equations for predicting the residual flexural tensile strength of normal‐weight, lightweight, and ultra‐lightweight steel fiber‐reinforced concrete (SFRC) are proposed. The unified equations were obtained by conducting multiple nonlinear regression analysis on the test results from 60 notched prism tests conducted according to EN 14651. The proposed unified equations account for fiber geometry, fiber content, concrete compressive strength, and concrete density. Unlike existing prediction equations, which can only predict the flexural tensile strength of normal‐weight SFRC, the proposed equations are applicable for SFRC with varying densities. Test results from the literature verified the accuracy of the proposed equations to within 10% of observed values, on average. Compared to the existing equations, the proposed unified equations were better at predicting residual flexural tensile strength of both normal‐weight and lightweight steel fiber reinforced concrete.
Integrated online team‐based learning: Using synchronous engagement and asynchronous flexibility to implement TBL online
Authors: Parrish Christopher W. , Williams David S. , Estis Julie M.
Published: June 2021

This chapter describes the Integrated Online Team‐Based Learning (IO‐TBL) model, an online TBL course design which utilizes both asynchronous and synchronous modes of engagement to maximize the benefits of TBL in an online environment. Students' perceptions of the effective and ineffective aspects of the IO‐TBL model are also reported.
Reconstruction of a large nasal–facial defect using an augmented temporal myocutaneous tube flap in a dog
Authors: Ciou Mei‐Jyun , Yeh Lih‐Seng
Published: June 2021

The muzzle region of dogs contains various composite tissues, which are challenging to recreate during reconstruction. Small or moderate facial/nasal defects can be closed primarily or left for second‐intention healing. However, larger defects require the application of composite tissue or labial advancement flaps. Axial pattern flaps based on the caudal auricular artery, superficial temporal artery (STA), angularis oris artery, and other cutaneous arteries have been reported. In our case, we aim to report the reconstruction of a large composite defect of the rostral and dorsal nasal regions in a dog using an augmented, axial myocutaneous flap based on bilateral STAs. This is a clinical report on a spayed female mixed‐breed dog (age, 7 years; weight, 15 kg), in which a large‐scale nasal–facial composite tissue defect was surgically reconstructed using an axial myocutaneous flap based on bilateral STA branches. A delay technique was applied to prefabricate the flap to enrich the blood supply. New nostrils were created on a folded, rostral hard palate. As a result, the axial tube rotational flap was successfully transferred. The use of delay technique for prefabricating the tube flap optimized its size and survival. In addition to the folded rostral hard palate, the flap fully closed the defects on the face and nose. Functional and cosmetic outcomes were satisfactory, with minimal donor‐site morbidity. In, conclusion, a large‐scale nasal–facial defect in a dog was successfully reconstructed using an augmented tube pedicle flap based on the bilateral STAs, which may, thus, be used to repair very large facial‐nasal defects in dogs.
Pomegranate peel as a phytogenic in broiler chickens: Influence upon antioxidant, lipogenesis and hypotensive response
Authors: Ahmadipour Behnam , Pat Sajad , Abaszadeh Samira , Hassanpour Hossein , Khajali Fariborz
Published: June 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate antioxidant, antihyperlipidemic and hypotensive properties of pomegranate peel (PP) on antioxidant status, fat deposition, lipid peroxidation and pulmonary hypertensive response in broiler chickens. A total of 375 one‐day‐old male broilers (Cobb 500) were randomly assigned to five treatments included dietary PP levels of 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10 g/kg. Supplementation of PP at 7.5 and 10 g/kg resulted in significant upregulation of hepatic catalase (p < 0.004) and superoxide dismutase1 (SOD1; p < 0.05), which reflected in decreased concentration of circulatory malondialdehyde (MDA). Dietary inclusion of PP at 7.5 and 1.0 g/kg significantly decreased serum concentrations of triglycerides (p < 0.004) and cholesterol (p < 0.006) with concomitant decrease in abdominal fat deposition (p < 0.05). The antihyperlipidemic effect of PP was mediated through down‐regulation of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα). Hypotensive effect of PP was also observed at 7.5 and 10 g/kg as reduced heart weight and the right‐to‐total ventricular weight ratio (RV/TV) and decreased mortality from pulmonary hypertension. The hypotensive property of PP was associated with increased concentration of serum nitric oxide. In conclusion, this study revealed antioxidative, antihyperlipidemic and hypotensive effects of PP at 7.5 and 10 g/kg in broiler chickens exposed to hypobaric hypoxia. Health‐beneficial effects of PP suggest this product as a promising multi‐functional phytogenic feed additive for broiler chickens.
Dual subtractions
Authors: Prisco Renato Maria , Tramontano Francesco
Published: June 2021

Abstract

We propose a novel local subtraction scheme for the computation of Next-to-Leading Order contributions to theoretical predictions for scattering processes in perturbative Quantum Field Theory. With respect to well known schemes proposed since many years that build upon the analysis of the real radiation matrix elements, our construction starts from the loop diagrams and exploits their dual representation. Our scheme implements exact phase space factorization, handles final state as well as initial state singularities and is suitable for both massless and massive particles.
Dimension spectrum of infinite self-affine iterated function systems
Authors: Jurga Natalia
Published: June 2021

Given an infinite iterated function system (IFS) $${\mathcal {F}}$$
F
, we define its dimension spectrum $$D({\mathcal {F}})$$

D
(
F
)

to be the set of real numbers which can be realised as the dimension of some subsystem of $${\mathcal {F}}$$
F
. In the case where $${\mathcal {F}}$$
F
is a conformal IFS, the properties of the dimension spectrum have been studied by several authors. In this paper we investigate for the first time the properties of the dimension spectrum when $${\mathcal {F}}$$
F
is a non-conformal IFS. In particular, unlike dimension spectra of conformal IFS which are always compact and perfect (by a result of Chousionis, Leykekhman and Urbański, Selecta 2019), we construct examples to show that $$D({\mathcal {F}})$$

D
(
F
)

need not be compact and may contain isolated points.
Tele-health interventions to support self-management in adults with rheumatoid arthritis: a systematic review
Authors: MacIver Alison , Hollinger Hannah , Carolan Clare
Published: June 2021

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a long-term auto-immune condition is a challenging condition for patients to manage. Goals of treatment include reducing pain, decreasing inflammation, and improving an individual’s overall function. Increasingly technology is being utilised to support patients to self-manage their condition. The aim of this systematic narrative review was to synthesise and critically appraise published evidence concerning the effectiveness of tele-health interventions to support self-management in RA. Bibliographic databases searched from 2014 to March 2020 included MedLINE, Embase, Cochrane Library. Search strategy combined the following concepts: (1) rheumatoid arthritis, (2) tele-health interventions, and (3) self-management. Only randomised controlled trials (RCTs) involving adults with RA were included. Titles, abstracts, full-text articles were screened, any discrepancies were checked by a second reviewer. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tool and data were extracted utilising the Cochrane data collection form for RCT interventions along with the TiDier checklist. Due to high heterogeneity, results were not meta-analysed and instead data were synthesised narratively. The search identified 98 articles, seven were included. The completed RCTs varied in the nature of the interventions, duration/severity of RA, outcomes measured and effectiveness of the interventions. The completed RCTs included a total of 791 participants Disease duration was largely between 4 and 10 years and disease severity on average was moderate. There was extensive variation in intervention components, theories underpinning theories and outcomes measured. Five RCTs reported a positive effect on factors such as disease activity, medication adherence, physical activity and self-efficacy levels. This study suggests that tele-health interventions that are well-designed, tailored and multi-faceted can help to achieve positive self-management outcomes in RA. None of the studies showed evidence of harm.
A compact and mobile hybrid C-arm scanner for simultaneous nuclear and fluoroscopic image guidance
Authors: Dietze Martijn M. A. , Kunnen Britt , Brontsema Frank , Ramaekers Pascal , Beijst Casper , Afifah Maryam , Braat Arthur J. A. T. , Lam Marnix G. E. H. , de Jong Hugo W. A. M.
Published: June 2021

Purpose

This study evaluates the performance of a mobile and compact hybrid C-arm scanner (referred to as IXSI) that is capable of simultaneous acquisition of 2D fluoroscopic and nuclear projections and 3D image reconstruction in the intervention room.

Results

The impact of slightly misaligning the IXSI modalities (in an off-focus geometry) was investigated for the reduction of the fluoroscopic and nuclear interference. The 2D and 3D nuclear image quality of IXSI was compared with a clinical SPECT/CT scanner by determining the spatial resolution and sensitivity of point sources and by performing a quantitative analysis of the reconstructed NEMA image quality phantom. The 2D and 3D fluoroscopic image of IXSI was compared with a clinical CBCT scanner by visualizing the Fluorad A+D image quality phantom and by visualizing a reconstructed liver nodule phantom. Finally, the feasibility of dynamic simultaneous nuclear and fluoroscopic imaging was demonstrated by injecting an anthropomorphic phantom with a mixture of iodinated contrast and 99mTc.

Conclusion

Due to the divergent innovative hybrid design of IXSI, concessions were made to the nuclear and fluoroscopic image qualities. Nevertheless, IXSI realizes unique image guidance that may be beneficial for several types of procedures.

Key Points

• IXSI can perform time-resolved planar (2D) simultaneous fluoroscopic and nuclear imaging.

• IXSI can perform SPECT/CBCT imaging (3D) inside the intervention room.
Measuring Gender Role Conflict, Internalized Stigma, and Racial and Sexual Identity in Behaviorally Bisexual Black Men
Authors: del Pino Homero E. , Steers W. Neil , Lee Martin , McCuller Jason , Hays Ron D. , Harawa Nina T.
Published: June 2021

Black men who have sex with men and women (BMSMW) experience pressure to fill hypermasculine ideals and may not identify with “gay” cultural norms. Existing measures of gender role expectations and internalized homophobia are not culturally appropriate for BMSMW. Researchers generally measure categorical identification with race, gender, and sexual orientation groups separately, whereas BMSMW may identify with multiple categories. We modified the Gender Role Conflict Scale to create the M-GRCS and the Internalized Homophobia Scale to include biphobia (Internalized Bi/Homophobia Scale, IBHS). To examine identification at the intersection of race, gender, and sexual orientation, we created 11 Integrated Race and Sexuality Scale (IRSS) items. With data from 429 BMSMW, we conducted exploratory factor analysis of the 59 items using categorical principal axis factoring with unweighted least squares extraction and Promax factor rotation. We created simple-summated multi-item scales and evaluated their construct validity. The rotated solution yielded four factors with 47 items and a simple factor structure: M-GRCS defined two factors (α = .93 for restricted emotionality/affection; .87 for success/power/competition); the IBHS (α = .89) and IRSS (α = .74) each defined a single factor. The IRSS factor was positively correlated with the Lukwago Racial Pride Scale, r(417) = .40. The IBHS factor was negatively correlated with the IRSS factor, r(414) = − .22. The two M-GRCS factors suggest that the construct of hypermasculinity impacts BMSMW. The high IBHS reliability indicates that homophobia and biphobia were positively correlated in this sample. These three scales have potential for future studies with BMSMW.
Sensitivity of the Second Order Homogenized Elasticity Tensor to Topological Microstructural Changes
Authors: Calisti V. , Lebée A. , Novotny A. A. , Sokolowski J.
Published: June 2021

The multiscale elasticity model of solids with singular geometrical perturbations of microstructure is considered for the purposes, e.g., of optimum design. The homogenized linear elasticity tensors of first and second orders are considered in the framework of periodic Sobolev spaces. In particular, the sensitivity analysis of second order homogenized elasticity tensor to topological microstructural changes is performed. The derivation of the proposed sensitivities relies on the concept of topological derivative applied within a multiscale constitutive model. The microstructure is topologically perturbed by the nucleation of a small circular inclusion that allows for deriving the sensitivity in its closed form with the help of appropriate adjoint states. The resulting topological derivative is given by a sixth order tensor field over the microstructural domain, which measures how the second order homogenized elasticity tensor changes when a small circular inclusion is introduced at the microscopic level. As a result, the topological derivatives of functionals for multiscale models can be obtained and used in numerical methods of shape and topology optimization of microstructures, including synthesis and optimal design of metamaterials by taking into account the second order mechanical effects. The analysis is performed in two spatial dimensions however the results are valid in three spatial dimensions as well.
The Precarious Space for Mourning: Sick Leave as an Ambiguous Topic in Bereaved Parents’ Accounts of the Return to Everyday Life After Reproductive Loss
Authors: Kristvik Ellen
Published: June 2021

This article addresses conflicting concerns related to space for mourning in Norway. It draws on material from qualitative interviews with bereaved parents who have lost a child in stillbirth. Space for mourning, and the need for sick leave, arose as a crucial concern and complex issue in these interviews. Although initiatives have been developed to introduce grief as a valid category in diagnostic repertoires, it is not a legitimate basis for sick leave in the acute phase. Common alternatives have been referrals to psychic instability or depression. Both variations represent a medicalization of the normal with implications that need to be addressed, and which this article discusses from the bereaved parents’ point of view. Extended parental leave, and the introduction of grief allowance, are possible alternatives for the provision of space in normal but demanding times of grief. Despite not yet part of the repertoire for gatekeepers in the Norwegian welfare state, they are part of the public discourse. Besides a crucial acknowledgment of the grief of the parents, these options also represent possibilities for preventing a pathologization of what is a normal rite of passage.
The importance of policy design fit for effectiveness: a qualitative comparative analysis of policy integration in regional transport planning
Authors: van Geet Marijn T. , Verweij Stefan , Busscher Tim , Arts Jos
Published: June 2021

Policy design has returned as a central topic in public policy research. An important area of policy design study deals with effectively attaining desired policy outcomes by aligning goals and means to achieve policy design fit. So far, only a few empirical studies have explored the relationship between policy design fit and effectiveness. In this paper, we adopt the multilevel framework for policy design to determine which conditions of policy design fit—i.e., goal coherence, means consistency, and congruence of goals and means across policy levels—are necessary and/or sufficient for policy design effectiveness in the context of policy integration. To this end, we performed a qualitative comparative analysis of Dutch regional transport planning including all twelve provinces. Outcomes show no condition is necessary and two combinations of conditions are sufficient for effectiveness. The first sufficient combination confirms what the literature suggests, namely that policy design fit results in policy design effectiveness. The second indicates that the combination goal incoherence and incongruence of goals and means is sufficient for policy design effectiveness. An in-depth interpretation of this counterintuitive result leads to the conclusion that for achieving policy integration the supportive relationship between policy design fit and policy design effectiveness is less straightforward as theory suggests. Instead, results indicate there are varying degrees of coherence, consistency, and congruence that affect effectiveness in different ways. Furthermore, outcomes reveal that under specific circumstances a policy design may be effective in promoting desired policy integration even if it is incoherent, inconsistent, and/or incongruent.
The Different Faces of Social Tolerance: Conceptualizing and Measuring Respect and Coexistence Tolerance
Authors: Velthuis Evi , Verkuyten Maykel , Smeekes Anouk
Published: June 2021

In the theoretical literature on tolerance a distinction is proposed between coexistence and respect tolerance. In three studies with four national samples of Dutch majority members, we demonstrate that these two forms of tolerance can be distinguished empirically in relation to different immigrant target groups. The findings of all studies further show that the more principled respect tolerance was negatively associated with prejudice towards immigrants, and positively associated with the acceptance of concrete minority practices, above and beyond prejudice. However, the positive association between respect tolerance and acceptance of practices was weaker for people who were more strongly concerned about the continuity of their national cultural identity. Overall, the more pragmatic coexistence tolerance was found to have no independent association with prejudicial feelings and with the acceptance of minority practices. The findings indicate that stimulating respect tolerance might be particularly helpful for improving intergroup relations in culturally diverse societies.
Evaluation of the impact of gold mining activities on the waters and sediments of Lom River, Wakaso, Cameroon and the restorative effect of Moringa Oleifera seeds
Authors: Ngounouno Mouhamed Ayiwouo , Ngueyep Luc Leroy Mambou , Kingni Sifeu Takougang , Nforsoh Sirri Neba , Ngounouno Ismaila
Published: June 2021

The impact of gold mining activities on the Lom River in Wakaso (Adamawa Cameroon) and the potential of Moringa Oleifera seeds for the removal of pollutants from wastewater is evaluated on this paper. Water samples were collected for physicochemical (hydrogen potential, electrical conductivity, turbidity and suspended solids) and chemical (major ions and heavy metals) analyses. To evaluate the effect of mining activities on waters and sediments, a combination of multivariate statistical analysis (MSA) and methods to assess the sediment quality was used. The restorative effect of Moringa oleifera seeds was studied with the determination of the maximum removal efficiencies and the maximum adsorption capacities. The results of the physicochemical characterization of waters showed that these waters were slightly acidic to slightly basic (6.12–8.12), weakly conductive (185.8–584.1 μS cm−1), turbid (345–801NTU) and had high content of suspended solids (167–700 mg L−1). The average concentrations of studied heavy metals (Ni, Cd, Fe, Mn, As and Hg) in waters exceeded the limits recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) standards. Physicochemical characterization of sediments revealed that they were acidic to neutral (5.95–6.80) and organic matter (OM) content ranged from 11.11 to 15.78%. The concentrations of studied trace metals (Ni, Cd, Fe, Hg, Mn and As) in sediments were below the limits recommended by the WHO except for Cd and Hg. The study of the capacity of Moringa oleifera seeds to remove pollutants in waters showed that 54% of the electrical conductivity, 80% of turbidity and 94% of suspended solids were reduced. The maximum removal efficiency of 91.66, 92.30 and 24.48 and the maximum adsorption capacity of 2.4, 2.6 and 16.6 mg g−1were observed for Cd (II), Hg (II) and Fe (II), respectively. Thus, the Moringa oleifera seeds which are locally available natural bio-adsorbent exhibit attractive property to treat wastewater.
Dry Etching of Germanium with Laser Induced Reactive Micro Plasma
Authors: Ehrhardt Martin , Lorenz Pierre , Bauer Jens , Heinke Robert , Hossain Mohammad Afaque , Han Bing , Zimmer Klaus
Published: June 2021

High-quality, ultra-precise processing of surfaces is of high importance for high-tech industry and requires a good depth control of processing, a low roughness of the machined surface and as little as possible surface and subsurface damage but cannot be realized by laser ablation processes. Contrary, electron/ion beam, plasma processes and dry etching are utilized in microelectronics, optics and photonics. Here, we have demonstrated a laser-induced plasma (LIP) etching of single crystalline germanium by an optically pumped reactive plasma, resulting in high quality etching. A Ti:Sapphire laser (λ = 775 nm, EPulse/max. = 1 mJ, t = 150 fs, frep. = 1 kHz) has been used, after focusing with a 60 mm lens, for igniting a temporary plasma in a CF4/O2 gas at near atmospheric pressure. Typical etching rate of approximately ~ 100 nm / min and a surface roughness of less than 11 nm rms were found. The etching results were studied in dependence on laser pulse energy, etching time, and plasma – surface distance. The mechanism of the etching process is expected to be of chemical nature by the formation of volatile products from the chemical reaction of laser plasma activated species with the germanium surface. This proposed laser etching process can provide new processing capabilities of materials for ultra—high precision laser machining of semiconducting materials as can applied for infrared optics machining.
Reinforcement learning for the traveling salesman problem with refueling
Authors: Ottoni André L. C. , Nepomuceno Erivelton G. , Oliveira Marcos S. de , Oliveira Daniela C. R. de
Published: June 2021

The traveling salesman problem (TSP) is one of the best-known combinatorial optimization problems. Many methods derived from TSP have been applied to study autonomous vehicle route planning with fuel constraints. Nevertheless, less attention has been paid to reinforcement learning (RL) as a potential method to solve refueling problems. This paper employs RL to solve the traveling salesman problem With refueling (TSPWR). The technique proposes a model (actions, states, reinforcements) and RL-TSPWR algorithm. Focus is given on the analysis of RL parameters and on the refueling influence in route learning optimization of fuel cost. Two RL algorithms: Q-learning and SARSA are compared. In addition, RL parameter estimation is performed by Response Surface Methodology, Analysis of Variance and Tukey Test. The proposed method achieves the best solution in 15 out of 16 case studies.
Coal-derived humic acid for application in acid mine drainage (AMD) water treatment and electrochemical devices
Authors: Das Tonkeswar , Bora Mousumi , Tamuly Joyshil , Benoy Santhi Maria , Baruah Bimala P. , Saikia Prasenjit , Saikia Binoy K.
Published: June 2021

In this research work, isolation of humic acid from coal of Northeastern region of India is reported. The study is also targeted for application of the coal-derived humic acid in acid mine drainage (AMD) water treatment and electrochemical devices. All the obtained results are compared with the standard humic acid and examined the formation of humic acid from the coal. The isolated coal-derived humic acid is found to be high degree of humifications and relatively stable up to about 200 °C. The FTIR study indicates the formation of metal-humic acid complexes. On treatment with acidic water (AMD), the coal-derived humic acid was found to have the ability to remove toxic metal such as (in order) Pb > Cu > Zn > Cd. In addition, the preliminary electrochemical properties of the isolated humic acid are also discussed in the paper. The specific capacitance of the isolated coal-derived humic acid via cyclic voltammetry and charge-discharge analysis is found to be 7 mF/g at scan rate 10 mV/s and 22 mF/g within the potential window 0.4 V, respectively. The charge-discharge cycles are stable for more than 1000 cycles within the potential window 0.4 V. This study will create a new pathway for the further research in this field.
Sample paths of white noise in spaces with dominating mixed smoothness
Authors: Hummel Felix
Published: June 2021

The sample paths of white noise are proved to be elements of certain Besov spaces with dominating mixed smoothness. Unlike in isotropic spaces, here the regularity does not get worse with increasing space dimension. Consequently, white noise is actually much smoother than the known sharp regularity results in isotropic spaces suggest. An application of our techniques yields new results for the regularity of solutions of Poisson and heat equation on the half space with boundary noise. The main novelty is the flexible treatment of the interplay between the singularity at the boundary and the smoothness in tangential, normal and time direction.
The DRCOG Revision Guide
Authors: Ward Susan
Published: June 2021

Following the format change to single best answer questions (SBAs) for the Diploma of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, this excellent resource is fully aligned with the new syllabus and exam style. Topics covered include basic clinical and surgical skills, all stages of pregnancy from antenatal care to postpartum problems, and general gynaecological and fertility concerns. Containing 310 single best answer (SBA) style questions, detailed explanations ensure candidates understand the reasoning and evidence-based decision-making behind each answer. With a recommended reading source also provided readers can explore and revise topics in further detail to reinforce their learning. A further 130 questions are included in two mock exam papers, helping candidates to strengthen their time management skills. Written by an author with many years' experience working on the DRCOG, candidates can be sure of the exact question format and how best to prepare for the actual exam.