bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
16.5% Polymer Solar Cells with 6‐Aminocaproic Acid‐Modified ZnO as a Cathodic Interface Layer
Authors: Zhang Yang , Zhang Zheling , Xie Guanshui , Su Zhenying , Deng Zhengqi , Liu Jian , Wang Dongjie , Huang Yu , Zhang Jian
Published: November 2021

Cathodic interface layers are important in determining the charge carrier collection and performance of polymer solar cells (PSCs). In this work, 6‐aminocaproic acid (6‐ACA) is successfully incorporated into sol–gel‐derived zinc oxide (ZnO) to form 6‐ACA‐ZnO that can be used as a cathodic interface layer (CIL) in PM6:Y6 inverted polymer solar cells (i‐PSCs). The work function of ZnO films can be reduced from 4.53 to 4.10 eV, thus effectively increasing the built‐in electric field and enhancing the electron extraction efficiency. Furthermore, the partial substitution of undercoordinated oxygen vacancy by nitrogen atoms can effectively passivate the interface defects, thereby substantially increasing the electron mobility and conductivity to facilitate electron transport and reduce the carrier recombination loss. The i‐PSCs based on 6‐ACA‐ZnO exhibit a power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 16.50%, which is remarkably higher than the 15.30% of devices based on pristine ZnO. 6‐ACA‐ZnO can also be successfully applied to other nonfullerene and fullerene‐based i‐PSCs. The results indicate that 6‐ACA‐ZnO can be used as CILs to effectively improve the PCE of i‐PSCs.
Resistivity Minimum in Beryllium Films
Authors: Li Zhaoguo , He Yudan , Jin Lei , Li Xiaojia , Luo Bingchi , Zeng Yong , Zhou Minjie , Zhang Jicheng
Published: November 2021

In the analysis of the resistivity of metals, the classical Boltzmann transport equation fails in the condition that the thermal phonon wavelength is larger than the electron mean free path (called the non‐Boltzmann transport regime), and a quantum kinetic equation must be solved. In such a case, the interference between electron−phonon and electron−impurity scattering (electron−phonon−impurity interference effect) should be considered. Herein, the electrical transport properties of Be films grown via direct current magnetron sputtering are studied. Due to the high Debye temperatures and high impurity/defect concentrations of the Be films, the thermal phonon wavelength is larger than the electron mean free path, indicating the non‐Boltzmann transport. The significant resistivity correction from the electron−phonon−impurity interference effect should be observed in the Be films. In the temperature dependence of the resistivity of the Be films, a resistivity minimum near 90 K is observed. After subtracting the contributions of electron−electron and electron−phonon interactions, the electron−phonon−impurity interference‐contributed resistivity is obtained, which increases with temperature like . The signature of the resistivity contribution from electron−phonon−impurity interference effect is observed in the non‐Boltzmann transport regime.
Multiple Avalanche Processes in Acoustic Emission Spectroscopy: Multibranching of the Energy−Amplitude Scaling
Authors: Chen Yan , Gou Boyuan , Yuan Bincheng , Ding Xiangdong , Sun Jun , Salje Ekhard K. H.
Published: November 2021

Several physical processes can conspire to generate avalanches in materials. Such processes include avalanche mechanisms like dislocation movements, friction processes by pinning magnetic domain walls, moving dislocation tangles, hole collapse in porous materials, collisions of ferroelectric and ferroelastic domain boundaries, kinks in interfaces, and many more. Known methods to distinguish between these species which allow the physical identification of multiavalanche processes are reviewed. A new approach where the scaling relationship between the avalanche energies E and amplitudes A is considered is then described. Avalanches with single mechanisms scale experimentally as E = SiAi2. The energy E reflects the duration D of the avalanche and A(t), the temporal amplitude. The scaling prefactor S depends explicitly on the duration of the avalanche and on details of the avalanche profiles. It is reported that S is not a universal constant but assumes different values depending on the avalanche mechanism. If avalanches coincide, they can still show multivalued scaling between E and A with different S‐values for each branch. Examples for this multibranching effect in low‐Ni 316L stainless steel, 316L stainless steel, polycrystalline Ni, TC21 titanium alloy, and a Fe40Mn40Co10Cr10 high‐entropy alloy are shown.
Computationally Secure Quantum Oblivious Transfer
Authors: Wang Ping , Zhang Rui , Jiang Guohao , Sun Zhiwei
Published: November 2021

Oblivious transfer (OT) is one of the cornerstones of secure multiparty computation. It is clear that unconditionally secure OT is impossible. Any protocol for OT requires computational assumptions, such as number‐theoretic cryptographic assumptions or the assumptions of existence of one‐way functions. On the other hand, it is broadly believed that one‐way functions alone do not promise secure OT. However, in this paper, a novel computationally secure quantum oblivious transfer (QOT) protocol is proposed with the help of quantum channels under the minimum assumption requirements: the existence of one‐way functions.
A distributed algorithm for state estimation of dynamic coupled and networked systems with cross‐correlated noises
Authors: Sun Yibing , Zhao Yige
Published: November 2021

We study the distributed problem for state estimation of dynamic systems, in which the system and measurement noises of each subsystem are cross‐correlated, and the local state of each subsystem is also coupled with that of the neighboring subsystems. By newly constructing measurements, the noises are uncorrelated, and we derive an algorithm only using the measurements and low‐dimensional information from neighboring subsystems. Furthermore, the obtained error covariance matrices have lower and upper bounds and the proposed algorithm enjoys local stability properties. In addition, two examples are shown the effectiveness of our algorithm when compared to the centralized Kalman filter, which is the optimal algorithm for entire information.
Influence of submerged woody debris at labyrinth weirs in river applications
Authors: Vaughn Taylor , Crookston Brian Mark
Published: November 2021

Labyrinth weirs are a type of flow‐control structure often placed in rivers, canals, and at dams due to their ability to pass high discharges at relatively small heads. However, woody debris from the catchment may be transported by the river and collect against the structure and accumulate, become waterlogged and submerged, and negatively impact structure hydraulics and the adjacent river reach. In this study, field data from the labyrinth weir on the Brazos River (Texas, USA) and a laboratory study were used to evaluate the interaction between labyrinth weirs and submerged woody debris jams in river applications. Structure hydraulics, including discharge rating curves, were studied for five submerged woody debris jam scenarios. Debris volume, debris jam geometry, and debris influence on the flow field highly influenced discharge capacity of labyrinth weirs with an average reduction to the discharge coefficient of at least 11%, and a maximum reduction of 33%. This corresponded to an increase in upstream head ranging from 17 to 41% for the range of flows tested in the laboratory.
Synthesis of Biobased Block Copolymers Using A Novel Methacrylated Methyl Salicylate and Poly(3‐Hydroxybutyrate)
Authors: Hazer Baki , Subramaniyan Sathiyaraj , Zhang Baozhong
Published: November 2021

A novel biobased vinyl monomer was synthesized by the reaction of methyl salicylate with methacrylic anhydride. The resulting salicylate based monomer was polymerized by reversible addition fragmentation transfer (RAFT) polymerizations using two or three trithiocarbonate functionalized poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate) macro agents. The molecular structures of the obtained polymers were confirmed by NMR spectroscopy and GPC analysis. The resulting block copolymers showed glass transition temperature (Tg) at 5 °C and melting temperature (Tm) at 160 °C according to DSC results. Compared to PHB, the obtained block copolymers displayed enhanced thermal stability according to TGA results. The overall rate constants of the RAFT polymerization using tri‐functionalized PHB macro agent were determined as 2.58 ×10−4, 1.17×10−4, and 0.50×10−4 L mol−1s−1 for 70, 80 and 90 °C, respectively. The activation energy was found to be 18.6 kcal K−1mol−1. The overall rate constant of the homopolymerization of the obtained monomer was determined as 1.14×10−4 Lmol−1s−1.
Photocatalytic Hydrogen Energy Evolution from Sugar Beet Wastewater
Authors: Orak Ceren , Yüksel Asli
Published: November 2021

Hydrogen is a clean, environmentally friendly, storable, and sustainable green energy source as well as a potential fuel. It could be produced from various biomass, wastewater, or other sources by different processes. In this study, hydrogen was evolved from sucrose model solution and real sugar beet wastewater by photocatalytic oxidation using a perovskite catalyst under solar light irradiation. In this context, firstly, the graphene supported LaFeO3 (GLFO) was synthesized and then, a characterization study shows that GLFO is successfully synthesized. To optimize the reaction parameters (pH, catalyst loading, and initial hydrogen peroxide concentration), an experimental matrix was created using the Box Behnken model. Whereas the highest hydrogen evolution from sucrose model solution was observed as 3520 μmol/gcat, the highest hydrogen evolution from sugar beet wastewater was obtained as 7035 μmol/gcat. The highest TOC removal (99.73 %) from sugar beet wastewater was also achieved at the same reaction conditions.
Palladium‐Catalyzed Carbonylative Synthesis of 1‐Acyl‐1,5‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrrol‐2‐ones from Propargyl Amines and Acid Chlorides
Authors: Shang Yan , Wang Jian‐Shu , Ying Jun , Wu Xiao‐Feng
Published: November 2021

A palladium‐catalyzed carbonylative cyclization of propargyl amines and acid chlorides has been developed for the construction of 1,5‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrrol‐2‐one scaffolds. By employing TFBen as the CO source, the reaction provides a facile approach to access various 1‐acyl‐1,5‐dihydro‐2H‐pyrrol‐2‐ones in high yields.
Vapor‐Transport‐Deposited Orthorhombic‐SnSe Thin Films: A Potential Cost‐Effective Absorber Material for Solar‐Cell Applications
Authors: Nandi Raju , Pawar Pravin S. , Neerugatti KrishnaRao Eswar , Cho Jae Yu , Kim Seongheon , Cho Seong Ho , Lee Yun Seog , Heo Jaeyeong
Published: November 2021

The power‐conversion efficiencies of orthorhombic tin selenide (α‐SnSe)‐based thin‐film solar cells (TFSCs) are very low—less than 1% in most cases—due to the poor crystallinity, small grains, and large number of defects. Herein, the highest cell efficiency of 2.51% together with a high short‐circuit current density of 28.07 mA cm−2 for α‐SnSe TFSCs grown via vapor‐transport‐deposition (VTD) is reported. The grain size and surface roughness of the SnSe thin films greatly influence the shunt properties of the device. Significantly large shunt losses are detected in the case of both small and extremely large grains. The shunt losses for SnSe thin film with small grains are associated with high grain‐boundary scattering. The presence of extremely large grains results in high surface roughness of the SnSe thin film, which causes nonuniform deposition of the CdS buffer layer and, consequently, higher shunt losses. The SnSe thin film with moderate‐sized grains and inferior surface roughness exhibits improved shunt properties owing to uniform deposition of the CdS buffer layer and subsequent layers and thereby significant improvement in the device performance. The potential of orthorhombic VTD‐SnSe thin films as an emerging cost‐effective absorber layer for TFSCs is experimentally demonstrated.
Stabilization Techniques of Lead Halide Perovskite for Photovoltaic Applications
Authors: Zheng Yichu , Yang Shuang
Published: November 2021

The emergence of lead halide perovskites as light absorbers has enabled low cost and efficient photovoltaics via a simple solution, high‐throughout process. However, the perovskite materials suffer from instability under various environmental stressors, including moisture, oxygen, heat, and irradiation, which heavily hinders the practical application of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In this review, the structural and performance instability of perovskites and their degradation causes and mechanisms under different conditions are discussed. The state‐of‐the‐art strategies that stabilize the perovskite layer in solar cells are then summarized; moreover, the microscopic reasons for the improved environmental tolerance are elucidated. Due to the structural tunability of perovskites, the environmental tolerance, which is influenced by defects and extended imperfections in the polycrystalline films, can be enhanced by varying intrinsic factors of component, dimensionality, and crystallinity. Furthermore, the extrinsic factors to improve the environmental tolerance of perovskites are portrayed in terms of surface functionalized molecules, barrier layers, and encapsulants. The mechanism of each method in reducing the environmental sensitivity is highlighted to provide potential guidance in extending the lifetime of perovskite devices.
Beyond technology transfer: Innovation cooperation to advance sustainable development in developing countries
Authors: Pandey Nimisha , de Coninck Heleen , Sagar Ambuj D
Published: November 2021

While technology continues to be seen as a key element in the move to sustainable development, international efforts around technology to support sustainable development transitions in developing countries have failed to yield results congruent with the needs. This review paper aims to contribute to, and help change, the conversation on international technology transfer (ITT) such that it leads to more productive international cooperative efforts for sustainable development in developing nations. We examine ITT in the health, agriculture, and climate and energy areas, juxtaposing it with relevant literature. Supporting domestic and international actors and processes, we highlight what are key elements for success in these areas of action to more effectively implement the SDGs in energy and environment in developing countries. Finally, we suggest that “innovation cooperation” is a better framing than “technology transfer” for advancing international efforts on technology for sustainable development. Such a framing allows for a broader and more comprehensive perspective on technology‐related cooperation between countries. It also emphasizes the need for equitable partnerships rather than donor–recipient relationships and for development of local innovation capabilities, leading to more effective marshaling of technologies to help developing countries achieve sustainable development.

This article is categorized under:

Energy Policy and Planning > Economics and Policy

Energy and Climate > Systems and Infrastructure

Energy Research & Innovation > Climate and Environment
Direct evaporative cooling from wetted surfaces: Challenges for a clean air conditioning solution
Authors: Tejero‐González Ana , Franco‐Salas Antonio
Published: November 2021

Evaporative cooling has a major role to play in fighting climate change and in achieving a low‐carbon economy. As it helps to reduce energy demand for air conditioning, it is gaining attention in terms of improving energy efficiency in buildings. Evaporative cooling from wetted media can enhance water–air contact, thereby improving heat and mass transfer further and avoiding aerosols. Wetted media are commonly called evaporative cooling pads and are widely used in greenhouses, intensive livestock farming, and industrial facilities. However, a deep understanding of evaporative cooling pad performance can enhance their application to indoor occupied spaces such as residential or commercial cooling, or in hybrid air conditioning systems. Most studies analyze pad performance mainly in terms of pressure drop and saturation effectiveness. However, some studies propose alternative cooling efficiency parameters and others provide insights into key aspects such as power requirements and the coefficient of performance, water consumption, risk of water entrainment, material decay, and air quality, as well as the effect of water temperature and salinity, solar radiation, or wind speed. Existing results on these less studied performance issues are reviewed, and we identify the gaps in the literature in addition to highlighting the main challenges encountered, in an effort to guide future researchers in the field and enhance the application of direct evaporative cooling.

This article is categorized under:

Energy Efficiency > Systems and Infrastructure

Energy Systems Analysis > Systems and Infrastructure
Exact expressions for n-point maximal U(1)Y-violating integrated correlators in SU(N) $$ \mathcal{N} $$ = 4 SYM
Authors: Dorigoni Daniele , Green Michael B. , Wen Congkao
Published: November 2021

Abstract

The exact expressions for integrated maximal U(1)Y violating (MUV) n-point correlators in SU(N) $$ \mathcal{N} $$
N
= 4 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory are determined. The analysis generalises previous results on the integrated correlator of four superconformal primaries and is based on supersymmetric localisation. The integrated correlators are functions of N and τ = θ/(2π) + 4πi/$$ {g}_{YM}^2 $$

g
YM
2

, and are expressed as two-dimensional lattice sums that are modular forms with holomorphic and anti-holomorphic weights (w, −w) where w = n − 4. The correlators satisfy Laplace-difference equations that relate the SU(N+1), SU(N) and SU(N−1) expressions and generalise the equations previously found in the w = 0 case. The correlators can be expressed as infinite sums of Eisenstein modular forms of weight (w, −w). For any fixed value of N the perturbation expansion of this correlator is found to start at order ($$ {g}_{YM}^2 $$

g
YM
2

N)w. The contributions of Yang-Mills instantons of charge k > 0 are of the form qkf(gYM), where q = e2πiτ and f(gYM) = O($$ {g}_{YM}^{-2w} $$

g
YM

−
2
w

) when $$ {g}_{YM}^2 $$

g
YM
2

≪ 1. Anti-instanton contributions have charge k < 0 and are of the form $$ {\overline{q}}^{\left|k\right|}\hat{f}\left({g}_{YM}\right) $$

q
¯

k

f
̂

g
YM

, where $$ \hat{f}\left({g}_{YM}\right)=O\left({g}_{YM}^{2w}\right) $$

f
̂

g
YM

=
O

g
YM

2
w

when $$ {g}_{YM}^2 $$

g
YM
2

≪ 1. Properties of the large-N expansion are in agreement with expectations based on the low energy expansion of flat-space type IIB superstring amplitudes. We also comment on the identification of n-point free-field MUV correlators with the integrands of (n − 4)-loop perturbative contributions to the four-point correlator. In particular, we emphasise the important rôle of SL(2, ℤ)-covariance in the construction.
Analyticity of the One-Particle Density Matrix
Authors: Hearnshaw Peter , Sobolev Alexander V.
Published: November 2021

It is proved that the one-particle density matrix$$\gamma (x, y)$$γ(x,y)for multi-particle Coulombic systems is real analytic away from the nuclei and from the diagonal$$x = y$$x=y.
Post‐operative Day 1 Serum Transaminase Levels in Relation to Morbidity After Liver Resection
Authors: de Klein G. W. , Brohet R. M. , Liem M. S. L. , Klaase J. M.
Published: November 2021

Background

Post‐operative serum transaminases have been proposed as possible early predictors of morbidity after liver resection. This study aimed to verify the clinical value of post‐operative serum transaminases.

Methods

Clinical data from 2001 to 2016 in a single non‐academic referral HPB center were collected from a prospectively held database. Post‐operative day 1 serum aspartate transaminase (AST) and alanine transaminase (ALT) were tested for their relationship with post‐operative major morbidity, defined by a Clavien‐Dindo score 3 or higher, and mortality.

Results

For this analysis, 371 patients were included, including 149 (40%) undergoing major liver resections. In total, 17% of the patients developed major morbidity. Stepwise logistic regression demonstrated that AST, and not ALT, is an independent predictor for major morbidity (p = 0.017). The probability of major morbidity significantly increased with increasing AST values. A threshold value of 242 U/L was found to be predictive for one or more major complications.

Conclusions

In this study, post‐operative serum AST on day 1 was a predictive factor for major morbidity after liver resection. For patients with low AST value, early discharge could be considered. However, because of the substantial inter‐individual variability of AST values, more studies are needed to translate these results into clinical practice.
Optimization of capacity expansion in potential-driven networks including multiple looping: a comparison of modelling approaches
Authors: Lenz Ralf , Becker Kai Helge
Published: November 2021

In commodity transport networks such as natural gas, hydrogen and water networks, flows arise from nonlinear potential differences between the nodes, which can be represented by so-called potential-driven network models. When operators of these networks face increasing demand or the need to handle more diverse transport situations, they regularly seek to expand the capacity of their network by building new pipelines parallel to existing ones (“looping”). The paper introduces a new mixed-integer nonlinear programming model and a new nonlinear programming model and compares these with existing models for the looping problem and related problems in the literature, both theoretically and experimentally. On this basis, we give recommendations to practitioners about the circumstances under which a certain model should be used. In particular, it turns out that one of our novel models outperforms the existing models with respect to computational time, the number of solutions found, the number of instances solved and cost savings. Moreover, the paper extends the models for optimizing over multiple demand scenarios and is the first to include the practically relevant option that a particular pipeline may be looped several times.
DNA methylation-based classification of malformations of cortical development in the human brain
Authors: Jabari Samir , Kobow Katja , Pieper Tom , Hartlieb Till , Kudernatsch Manfred , Polster Tilman , Bien Christian G. , Kalbhenn Thilo , Simon Matthias , Hamer Hajo , Rössler Karl , Feucht Martha , Mühlebner Angelika , Najm Imad , Peixoto-Santos José Eduardo , Gil-Nagel Antonio , Delgado Rafael Toledano , Aledo-Serrano Angel , Hou Yanghao , Coras Roland , von Deimling Andreas , Blümcke Ingmar
Published: November 2021

Malformations of cortical development (MCD) comprise a broad spectrum of structural brain lesions frequently associated with epilepsy. Disease definition and diagnosis remain challenging and are often prone to arbitrary judgment. Molecular classification of histopathological entities may help rationalize the diagnostic process. We present a retrospective, multi-center analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation from human brain specimens obtained from epilepsy surgery using EPIC 850 K BeadChip arrays. A total of 308 samples were included in the study. In the reference cohort, 239 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue samples were histopathologically classified as MCD, including 12 major subtype pathologies. They were compared to 15 FFPE samples from surgical non-MCD cortices and 11 FFPE samples from post-mortem non-epilepsy controls. We applied three different statistical approaches to decipher the DNA methylation pattern of histopathological MCD entities, i.e., pairwise comparison, machine learning, and deep learning algorithms. Our deep learning model, which represented a shallow neuronal network, achieved the highest level of accuracy. A test cohort of 43 independent surgical samples from different epilepsy centers was used to test the precision of our DNA methylation-based MCD classifier. All samples from the test cohort were accurately assigned to their disease classes by the algorithm. These data demonstrate DNA methylation-based MCD classification suitability across major histopathological entities amenable to epilepsy surgery and age groups and will help establish an integrated diagnostic classification scheme for epilepsy-associated MCD.
Heartburn as a Marker of the Success of Acid Suppression Therapy in Chronic Cough
Authors: Badri H. , Satia I. , Bansal V. , Mangi M. A. , Tangaroonsanti A. , DeVault K. R. , Lee A. S. , Houghton L. A. , Smith J. A.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD) is commonly thought to play an important role in chronic cough and patients are often empirically treated with acid suppression therapy. We sought to investigate the response rate to acid suppression treatment in patients with and without heartburn attending two specialist cough clinics.

Methods

A retrospective review of 558 consecutive patients referred to two specialist cough clinics was performed (UK and USA). Patients who were treated with acid suppression were included and their documented response to treatment was collected. Binary logistic regression was used to ascertain the value of reported heartburn in predicting the response of chronic cough to acid suppression therapy.

Results

Of 558 consecutive referrals, 238 patients were excluded due to missing data or cough duration of < 8 weeks. The remaining 320 patients were predominantly female (76%), with mean age 61 yrs (± 13) and 96.8% non-smokers, with chronic cough for 36 (18–117) months. Of 72 patients with heartburn, 20 (28%) noted improvement in their cough with acid suppression, whereas of 248 without heartburn, only 35 (14%) responded. Patients reporting heartburn were 2.7 (95% C.I. 1.3–5.6) times more likely to respond to acid suppression therapy (p = 0.007).

Conclusion

In specialist cough clinics, few patients report a response of their chronic cough to acid suppression therapy. Nonetheless, heartburn is a useful predictor substantially increasing the likelihood of benefit.
Performance with robotic surgery versus 3D- and 2D­laparoscopy during pancreatic and biliary anastomoses in a biotissue model: pooled analysis of two randomized trials
Authors: Zwart Maurice J. W. , Jones Leia R. , Fuente Ignacio , Balduzzi Alberto , Takagi Kosei , Novak Stephanie , Stibbe Luna A. , de Rooij Thijs , van Hilst Jony , van Rijssen L. Bengt , van Dieren Susan , Vanlander Aude , van den Boezem Peter B. , Daams Freek , Mieog J. Sven D. , Bonsing Bert A. , Rosman Camiel , Festen Sebastiaan , Luyer Misha D. , Lips Daan J. , Moser Arthur J. , Busch Olivier R. , Abu Hilal Mohammad , Hogg Melissa E. , Stommel Martijn W. J. , Besselink Marc G. ,   for the Dutch Pancreatic Cancer Group, Stibbe Luna A.
Published: November 2021

Background

Robotic surgery may improve surgical performance during minimally invasive pancreatoduodenectomy as compared to 3D- and 2D-laparoscopy but comparative studies are lacking. This study assessed the impact of robotic surgery versus 3D- and 2D-laparoscopy on surgical performance and operative time using a standardized biotissue model for pancreatico- and hepatico-jejunostomy using pooled data from two randomized controlled crossover trials (RCTs).

Methods

Pooled analysis of data from two RCTs with 60 participants (36 surgeons, 24 residents) from 11 countries (December 2017–July 2019) was conducted. Each included participant completed two pancreatico- and two hepatico-jejunostomies in biotissue using 3D-robotic surgery, 3D-laparoscopy, or 2D-laparoscopy. Primary outcomes were the objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS: 12–60) rating, scored by observers blinded for 3D/2D and the operative time required to complete both anastomoses. Sensitivity analysis excluded participants with excess experience compared to others.

Results

A total of 220 anastomoses were completed (robotic 80, 3D-laparoscopy 70, 2D­laparoscopy 70). Participants in the robotic group had less surgical experience [median 1 (0–2) versus 6 years (4–12), p < 0.001], as compared to the laparoscopic group. Robotic surgery resulted in higher OSATS ratings (50, 43, 39 points, p = .021 and p < .001) and shorter operative time (56.5, 65.0, 81.5 min, p = .055 and p < .001), as compared to 3D- and 2D­laparoscopy, respectively, which remained in the sensitivity analysis.

Conclusion

In a pooled analysis of two RCTs in a biotissue model, robotic surgery resulted in better surgical performance scores and shorter operative time for biotissue pancreatic and biliary anastomoses, as compared to 3D- and 2D-laparoscopy.
Residual stresses in gas tungsten arc welding: a novel phase-field thermo-elastoplasticity modeling and parameter treatment framework
Authors: Ali Baharin , Heider Yousef , Markert Bernd
Published: November 2021

The fusion welding process of metallic components, such as using gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), is often accompanied by detrimental deformations and residual stresses, which affect the strength and functionality of these components. In this work, a phase-field model, usually used to track the states of phase-change materials, is embedded in a thermo-elastoplastic finite element model to simulate the GTAW process and estimate the residual stresses. This embedment allows to track the moving melting front of the metallic material induced by the welding heat source and, thus, splits the domain into soft and hard solid regions with a diffusive interface between them. Additionally, temperature- and phase-field-dependent material properties are considered. The J2 plasticity model with isotropic hardening is considered. The coupled system of equations is solved in the FE package FEniCS, whereas two- and three-dimensional initial-boundary-value problems are introduced and the results are compared with reference data from the literature.
Clinical and MRI findings in lumbar spinal stenosis: baseline data from the NORDSTEN study
Authors: Aaen Jørn , Austevoll Ivar Magne , Hellum Christian , Storheim Kjersti , Myklebust Tor Åge , Banitalebi Hasan , Anvar Masoud , Brox Jens Ivar , Weber Clemens , Solberg Tore , Grundnes Oliver , Brisby Helena , Indrekvam Kari , Hermansen Erland
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The aim was to describe magnetic resonance imaging findings in patients planned for lumbar spinal stenosis surgery. Further, to describe possible associations between MRI findings and patient characteristics with patient reported disability or pain.

Methods

The NORDSTEN spinal stenosis trial included 437 patients planned for surgical decompression of LSS. The following MRI findings were evaluated before surgery: morphological (Schizas) and quantitative (cross-sectional area) grade of stenosis, disk degeneration (Pfirrmann), facet joint tropism and fatty infiltration of the multifidus muscle. Patients were dichotomized into a moderate or severe category for each radiological parameter classification. A multivariable linear regression analysis was performed to investigate the association between MRI findings and preoperative scores for Oswestry Disability Index, Zurich Claudication Questionnaire and Numeric rating scale for back and leg pain. The following patient characteristics were included in the analysis: gender, age, smoking and weight.

Results

The percentage of patients with severe scores was as follows: Schizas (C + D) 71.3%, cross-sectional area (< 75 mm2) 86.8%, Pfirrmann (4 + 5) 58.1%, tropism (≥ 15°) 11.9%, degeneration of multifidus muscle (2–4) 83.7%. Regression coefficients indicated minimal changes in severity of symptoms when comparing the groups with moderate and severe MRI findings. Only gender had a significant and clinically relevant association with ODI score.

Conclusion

In this cross-sectional study, the majority of the patients had MRI findings classified as severe LSS changes, but the findings had no clinically relevant association with patient reported disability and pain at baseline. Patient characteristics have a larger impact on disability and pain than radiological findings.

Trial registration

www.ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02007083, registered December 2013.
Educational level, attention problems, and externalizing behaviour in adolescence and early adulthood: the role of social causation and health-related selection—the TRAILS study
Authors: Schmengler Heiko , Peeters Margot , Stevens Gonneke W. J. M. , Kunst Anton E. , Hartman Catharina A. , Oldehinkel Albertine J. , Vollebergh Wilma A. M.
Published: November 2021

Social causation and health-related selection may contribute to educational differences in adolescents’ attention problems and externalizing behaviour. The social causation hypothesis posits that the social environment influences adolescents’ mental health. Conversely, the health-related selection hypothesis proposes that poor mental health predicts lower educational attainment. From past studies it is unclear which of these mechanisms predominates, as attention problems and externalizing behaviour have the potential to interfere with educational attainment, but may also be affected by differences in the educational context. Furthermore, educational gradients in mental health may reflect the impact of ‘third variables’ already present in childhood, such as parental socioeconomic status (SES), and IQ. We investigated both hypotheses in relation to educational differences in externalizing behaviour and attention problems throughout adolescence and young adulthood. We used data from a Dutch cohort (TRAILS Study; n = 2229), including five measurements of educational level, externalizing behaviour, and attention problems from around age 14–26 years. First, we evaluated the directionality in longitudinal associations between education, externalizing behaviour, and attention problems with and without adjusting for individual differences using fixed effects. Second, we assessed the role of IQ and parental SES in relation to attention problems, externalizing behaviour, and educational level. Attention problems predicted decreases in education throughout all of adolescence and young adulthood. Differences in parental SES contributed to increases in externalizing behaviour amongst the lower educational tracks in mid-adolescence. Childhood IQ and parental SES strongly predicted education around age 14. Parental SES, but not IQ, also predicted early adolescent attention problems and externalizing behaviour. Our results provide support for the health-related selection hypothesis in relation to attention problems and educational attainment. Further, our results highlight the role of social causation from parental SES in determining adolescent educational level, attention problems, and externalizing behaviour.
Flow Separation Dynamics in Three-Dimensional Asymmetric Diffusers
Authors: Hajaali Arthur , Stoesser Thorsten
Published: November 2021

The mean and instantaneous flow separation of two different three-dimensional asymmetric diffusers is analysed using the data of large-eddy simulations. The geometry of both diffusers under investigation is based on the experimental configuration of Cherry et al. (Int J Heat Fluid Flow 29(3):803–811, 2008). The two diffusers feature similar area ratios of $$\mathrm{AR}=4.8$$

AR
=
4.8

and $$\mathrm{AR}=4.5$$

AR
=
4.5

while exhibiting differing asymmetric expansion ratios of $$\mathrm{AER}=4.5$$

AER
=
4.5

or $$\mathrm{AER}=2.0$$

AER
=
2.0

, respectively. The Reynolds number based on the averaged inlet velocity and height of the inlet duct is approximately $${\textit{Re}}=10{,}000$$

Re
=
10
,
000

. The time-averaged flow in both diffusers in terms of streamwise velocity profiles or the size and location of the mean backflow region are validated using experimental data. In general good agreement of simulated results with the experimental data is found. Further quantification of the flow separation behaviour and unsteadiness using the backflow coefficient reveals the volume portion in which the instantaneous reversal flow evolves. This new approach investigates the cumulative fractional volume occupied by the instantaneous backflow throughout the simulation, a power density spectra analysis of their time series reveals the periodicity of the growth and reduction phases of the flow separation within the diffusers. The dominating turbulent events responsible for the formation of the energy-containing motions including ejection and sweep are examined using the quadrant analysis at various locations. Finally, isourfaces of the Q-criterion visualise the instantaneous flow and the origin and fate of coherent structures in both diffusers.
Perceptions of the impacts of urban sprawl among urban and peri-urban dwellers of Hyderabad, India: a Latent class clustering analysis
Authors: Hatab Assem Abu , Ravula Padmaja , Nedumaran Swamikannu , Lagerkvist Carl-Johan
Published: November 2021

Like many other developing countries, urban sprawl is a growing phenomenon in India, which poses socio-economic and environmental challenges that worryingly affect urban sustainability. In this study, a latent class clustering approach was used to investigate perceptions of urban sprawl among 622 urban and peri-urban dwellers in Hyderabad. The empirical results clustered the respondents into three distinct classes based on their perceptions of urban sprawl impacts: ‘undecided respondents’, ‘negative perceivers’, and ‘opportunity perceivers’. The majority of respondents were undecided with no strong views towards the impacts of urban sprawl, which may increase their vulnerability and hinder effective adaptation to the adverse economic, social and environmental effects of urban sprawl. This also provokes concerns about the effectiveness of government interventions to build public awareness of urban development and its impacts on the city. With regard to the role of demographic and socio-economic characteristics in shaping the perception of the respondents, the results revealed that social caste plays a determining role in forming dwellers’ perception. In particular, members of marginalised social castes were more likely to form positive perceptions of the impacts of urban sprawl as urban expansion generates better and stable income that improve their social status. In addition, individuals with higher levels of education were more likely to form negative or positive perceptions, implying that efforts to raise social capital could be a useful means for mitigating the impacts of urban sprawl. Finally, membership in community development organisations was a key factor in dictating membership of the negative perceivers’ class. Overall, our findings suggest that an appropriate policy framework and specific programmes are needed for enhancing dwellers’ perception towards the impacts of urban sprawl, which can enhance the design, acceptance, and implementation of a more sustainable governance of urbanisation and contribute to achieving urban sustainability in developing countries.
Reading Skills, Social Competence, and Physiological Stress in the First Grade
Authors: Jõgi Anna-Liisa , Pakarinen Eija , Tolvanen Asko , Lerkkanen Marja-Kristiina
Published: November 2021

An awareness of school-related antecedents of children’s physiological stress at the beginning of school helps educators to prevent and mitigate children’s stress, the one of the major obstacles to their well-being and academic progress. We aimed to study the effect of reading skills and social competence on first-grade students’ salivary cortisol levels in natural settings. Based on previous results of the effects of everyday situations on children’s stress according to gender, we expected that both academic and social skills would affect girls’ physiological stress more, compared to boys. Our sample consisted of 277 students (7–8 years old, 50.2% girls). We used the highest salivary cortisol level of three morning samples and a cortisol level from the middle of the school day as physiological stress indicators. Reading skills were assessed by group-administered tests and social competence by teacher ratings. We found that lower reading comprehension skills and lower disruptiveness were related to higher cortisol levels for girls but not for boys. Higher empathy and lower disruptiveness moderated the effect of better reading comprehension on higher psychological stress in the middle of the school day only for girls. By recognizing the antecedents of children’s stress and supporting their academic and social skills, children’s, especially girls’, physiological self-regulation and coping skills in the primary grades will benefit.
Location, location, location: subcellular protein partitioning in proteostasis and aging
Authors: Kumar Anita V. , Lapierre Louis R.
Published: November 2021

Somatic maintenance and cell survival rely on proper protein homeostasis to ensure reliable functions across the cell and to prevent proteome collapse. Maintaining protein folding and solubility is central to proteostasis and is coordinated by protein synthesis, chaperoning, and degradation capacities. An emerging aspect that influences proteostasis is the dynamic protein partitioning across different subcellular structures and compartments. Here, we review recent literature related to nucleocytoplasmic partitioning of proteins, nuclear and cytoplasmic quality control mechanisms, and their impact on the development of age-related diseases. We also highlight new points of entry to modulate spatially-regulated proteostatic mechanisms to delay aging.
A review: the utilization potency of biopolymer as an eco-friendly scale inhibitors
Authors: Husna Ully Zakyatul , Elraies Khaled Abdalla , Shuhili Juhairi Aris B. M. , Elryes Ahmed Abdulla
Published: November 2021

Scale formation is one of the major issues in the petroleum industry. The development of these scale layers could result in production losses and equipment instability because of pipeline blockage, energy leakage, corrosion acceleration and severe accidents which will impact the safety of the production process. The utilization of chemical scale inhibitors (SIs) is considered an economical and successful route for the scale prevention. Two main components of the chemical SIs are phosphonate and polymer. Many of the phosphorous compounds are toxic and very expensive. Besides, portions of the phosphonate compounds are thermally less stable than polymeric scale inhibitors in a harsh environment of high temperature and high pressure (HTHP). This is considered as an issue as a good scale inhibitor should be able to be applied under wide range of temperature and pressure. Therefore, the continuous development in petroleum production imposes the need to develop a novel phosphorus-free scale inhibitor. Meanwhile, polymers have been broadly applied as a scale inhibitor in oil and gas fields because of their enhanced thermal stability and improved environmental compatibility. Polymeric scale inhibitors also show better dispersing efficiency. Today, the biopolymers have pulled in a tremendous consideration from the industry to replace the utilization of synthetic polymer due to their interesting qualities such as their lightness, strong mechanical properties, and appealing functionality. Biopolymers are insensitive toward brine salinity yet are vulnerable to biological degradation. Specifically, these polymers present enormous potential for environmental application because of their biodegradability, chemical adaptability and reactivity, biocompatibility, and nontoxicity. Recently, several new eco-friendly scale inhibitors have been reported in the literature. Hence, this paper provides a review of the utilization of biopolymer as scale inhibitor in the application of oil and gas industry under laboratory approach or field trial application. The types of scales, chemical scale inhibitors (SIs) and biopolymers are likewise reviewed here. The presented work in this paper is expected to enhance the fundamental understanding of scale formation, as well as contribute to the development process of biopolymer scale inhibitors.
Blurring the Boundaries between Leisure and Work: Professionals as Devotees in the Mind-Sport Bridge
Authors: Russell Zoe , Punch Samantha , McIntosh Ian
Published: November 2021

Bridge is a partnership card game that has increasingly professionalized in recent years, particularly at ‘elite’ level. ‘Elite’ bridge players participate in a unique leisure world which hitherto has been understood as a form of serious leisure. However, due to professionalization there is the possibility to work as a professional bridge player thus blurring the boundaries between leisure and work. The paper is based on the lived experiences of professional bridge players and how they understand the, often ongoing, transition from playing bridge as a hobby to playing bridge for a job. Being a professional bridge player raises issues about moral evaluations of work, a work ethic and concerns over what a ‘proper job’ is. This paper explores these dynamics in relation to Stebbins concept of ‘devotee work’ and ideas of liminality, unpacking the tensions and ambiguities involved through the perspective of 52 elite bridge players. Findings from the qualitative interviews illustrate how playing bridge professionally is often experienced as being hugely positive, because of being paid to do something one is devoted to, but ambivalences and anxieties also emerge. In addition, the paper draws on the reflections of one author who is a bridge player and blurs the boundaries between work and leisure through the academic study of bridge. The findings show the contested nature of bridge as a profession set within broader notions of work, with positive and negative perceptions of the blurring of work-leisure boundaries.
Results of an Opioid Hazard Awareness Training Intervention for Stone, Sand, and Gravel Miners
Authors: Roelofs Cora
Published: November 2021

In the USA, miners are at higher risk for work-related disorders that could precipitate an opioid prescription, injury-related opioid prescriptions, and opioid overdose. We aimed to support prevention of these outcomes with an “opioid hazard awareness” miner safety training module. In January and February 2020, the training module was embedded within required mining safety and health training for stone, sand, and gravel miners in Massachusetts (USA). Training impact and reception were assessed with a pre- and post-training survey of trainee characteristics, training content knowledge, and attitudes. Over 800 miners were trained and over 600 responded to surveys. We found statistically significant improvements in opioid risk factor knowledge and knowledge of resources to help a coworker. Nonstigmatizing attitudes were high both at baseline and following the training. The training was perceived as relevant and useful by trainees. Improving opioid hazard awareness in high-risk worker populations has potential to reduce opioid dependence and downstream impacts including overdose death. Employer injury-prevention efforts should be reinforced while worker health and safety training enhances awareness of opioid-related harms and prevention strategies for miners and other high-risk worker populations.
Automatically Producing Semantically Tagged Bilingual Terminologies
Authors: Vivaldi Jorge , Rodríguez Horacio
Published: November 2021

Even though manyNLPresources and tools claim to be domain independent, their application to specific tasks is restricted to some specific domain, otherwise their performance degrade notably. As the accuracy ofNLPresources drops heavily when applied in environments different from which they were built a tuning to the new environment is needed. This paper proposes a method for automatically compile terminologies from potentially any domain. The proposed method takes as reference the set of domains defined by Magnini, the Multilingual Central Repository (a resource based onWordNet3.0) together withDBpedia, an open knowledge source that had proven to be reliable for restricted domains. Using the method described in this article, we have produced a big set of reliable terminologies for 164 domains and 2 languages totalling 635,527 terms. The proposed method has been applied to English and Spanish languages but it is potentially applicable to any language that has its own aDBpediaevolved enough. The obtained results have been intensively evaluated in several ways.