bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ferramentas web 2.0 em unidades de informação: aspectos de divulgação e melhora contínua identificados em artigos científicos
Authors: Peres Rodrigo Silva , Sá Nysia Oliveira de
Published: December 2019

Introdução: A evolução da internet e consequentemente do ambiente informático propiciou o surgimento das ferramentas Web 2.0, que por sua vez permitem a participação ativa dos usuários nos processos digitais.Objetivo: Identificar os tipos de interações que ocorrem nos blogs e no site de rede social Facebook, entre bibliotecários e usuários, para a divulgação e para a melhoria dos serviços e produtos oferecidos pelas bibliotecas universitárias.  Metodologia: Com abordagem mista, artigos científicos foram analisados de duas maneiras. Quantitativamente com o auxílio da estatística descritiva para a identificação numérica dos que discorrem sobre o Facebook e sobre os blogs e, também, em relação à procedência geográfica dos campos empíricos. Para a análise qualitativa foi utilizada a técnica de análise de conteúdo nas categorias interação, uso e avaliação para posterior tratamento dos resultados.  Resultados: Os resultados mostraram que a atenção por parte das bibliotecas em relação às ferramentas Web 2.0 é focada na utilização, seguida da avaliação, ficando a interação com os usuários minimizada.  Conclusões: As unidades de informação estão conseguindo divulgar os seus produtos e serviços via internet, mas não estão fazendo o uso de todo o potencial que os usuários possuem para melhorar suas atividades e processos.
Definindo o conhecimento arquivístico: estruturas conceituais
Authors: Tognoli Natália Bolfarini , Rodrigues Ana Célia , Guimarães José Augusto Chaves
Published: December 2019

Apesar de ter o princípio da proveniência como seu elemento norteador, a organização do conhecimento arquivístico ainda prescinde de uma maior clareza conceitual de seu objeto – o conhecimento arquivístico – aspecto fundamental para a sedimentação dos estudos arquivísticos e de sua comunidade discursiva no âmbito da organização do conhecimento (OC). O presente artigo tem como objetivo a definição de uma estrutura conceitual para o conhecimento arquivístico a partir da teoria do conceito de Dalhberg. Neste sentido, estabelece-se um conceito nominal ou definiendum – conhecimento arquivístico – buscando analisar sua definição real, composta por três definiens: o conceito de fundo, o conhecimento da forma documental e o conhecimento do contexto de produção do documento. Ao final, reconhece-se que o conhecimento arquivístico pode ser definido como uma reunião três facetas indissociáveis na qual o vínculo arquivístico estará contemplado.
Organização, representação e recuperação da informação: criação da base de dados monográficos do Curso de Biblioteconomia da Universidade Federal do Cariri
Authors: Nascimento Maria Vanessa Do , Mota Denysson Axel Ribeiro , Martins Gracy Kelli
Published: December 2019

Introdução: Por ser uma atividade presente na sociedade desde a antiguidade, a organização, representação e consequentemente a recuperação da informação e do conhecimento se tornaram práticas essenciais ao dia-a-dia. A área da Biblioteconomia por ter no seu escopo teórico e prático disciplinas que visam o ensino de técnicas de organização e representação muito pode ajudar na organização de parte dessas informações inclusive durante o processo de construção de repositórios institucionais. Objetivo: Apresentar a criação da base de dados monográficos do curso de Biblioteconomia da Universidade Federal do Cariri, mediante a abordagem dos processos de representação e recuperação da informação e do conhecimento na construção de repositórios institucionais. Metodologia: Teve como métodos a pesquisa bibliográfica e descritiva, e abordagem qualitativa. Foram utilizados os procedimentos de elaboração de Diagrama Entidade-Relacionamento e posterior modelagem do Banco de Dados em MS Access, devido à facilidade de uso e criação de telas. Resultados: A base de dados criada traz benefícios e elementos de representação que em repositórios institucionais tradicionais não contém, permitindo análises diferenciadas dentro do curso. Conclusões: O uso de técnicas de representação e recuperação da informação, aliadas às tecnologias, possibilitou a construção da representação da base de dados monográficos do Curso de Biblioteconomia da Universidade Federal do Cariri. Isto abre caminho para posterior construção de Repositório Institucional que agrupe os dados científicos e de memória das monografias do Curso.
Basin edge effects and damping
Authors: Ballagh Rowan , Cattanach Alistair
Published: December 2019

The Kaikōura earthquake brought the concept of basin effects to the forefront of conversation about building in the Wellington CBD. Local exceedances of ULS design spectra were observed in many waterfront sites in the 1.5-2.5s period range. This, coupled with low yield levels and certain structural forms present in previous generations of building design, meant that significant damage occurred in many buildings around the Wellington waterfront. A primary cause for the high spectral accelerations was the geological structure of the Wellington CBD. This paper will focus on the behaviour of generic buildings in response to these particular ground motions and suggest how lessons from this can inform the design of future buildings. It uses the Kaikōura Earthquake as the centre point for discussions about the relationship between building behaviour on soft soils and the effects on this of different forms of damping. More broadly, the aim is to help spark debate in the earthquake engineering community on the question: What sorts of structures should we be building on soft soil sites? This paper has been written in the wake of a number of damaging earthquakes throughout New Zealand, and with the concurrent increase in sophistication and spread of tools for analysing the effects of the ground motions induced by these earthquakes. The genesis of the ideas presented herein was in analysis of many waterfront buildings following the Kaikoura earthquake, and the attempts, often in vain, to match modelled building behaviour- where small tweaks in assumptions could have a radical effect on results- with actual observed damage – where cracks may have been seen in concrete or in partitions, but assessment of actual plastic strains reached in steel bars or beams was basically conjecture.  This paper is broad in scope, therefore cannot possibly give each aspect the coverage of a series of papers which consider them in isolation and in detail. We nonetheless strongly believe that a holistic view of all topics is critical for design, and that the authors as ‘front line’ structural engineers are well positioned to present this. Sincere attempts have been made to justify our point of view with a strong basis in first principles, and backed by nonlinear time history analysis, or by reference to the work of others. We acknowledge that our beliefs are not shared by everyone and that some conclusions are provocative. It is neither the intent nor even the hope that we have the last word on this topic.
Experimental studies on in-plane performance of plasterboard sheathed ceiling diaphragms
Authors: Liu Angela , Li Minghao , Shelton Roger
Published: December 2019

The ultimate goal of this study is to develop a model representing the in-plane behaviour of plasterboard ceiling diaphragms, as part of the efforts towards performance-based seismic engineering of low-rise light timber-framed (LTF) residential buildings in New Zealand (NZ).

LTF residential buildings in NZ are constructed according to a prescriptive standard – NZS 3604 Timber-framed buildings [1]. With regards to seismic resisting systems, LTF buildings constructed to NZS3604 often have irregular bracing arrangements within a floor plan. A damage survey of LTF buildings after the Canterbury earthquake revealed that structural irregularity (irregular bracing arrangement within a plan) significantly exacerbated the earthquake damage to LTF buildings. When a building has irregular bracing arrangements, the building will have not only translational deflections but also a torsional response in earthquakes. How effectively the induced torsion can be resolved depends on the stiffness of the floors/roof diaphragms. Ceiling and floor diaphragms in LTF buildings in NZ have different construction details from the rest of the world and there appears to be no information available on timber diaphragms typical of NZ practice.

This paper presents experimental studies undertaken on plasterboard ceiling diaphragms as typical of NZ residential practice. Based on the test results, a mathematical model simulating the in-plane stiffness of plasterboard ceiling diaphragms was developed, and the developed model has a similar format to that of plasterboard bracing wall elements presented in an accompany paper by Liu [2]. With these two models, three-dimensional non-linear push-over studies of LTF buildings can be undertaken to calculate seismic performance of irregular LTF buildings.
Sri Lanka’s Tea Economy: Issues and Strategies
Authors: Mujahid Hilal Mohamed Ismail
Published: December 2019

While the competitiveness of the Sri Lanka’s tea is declining in the global market, it is very important for Sri Lankan tea to evidently identify the reasons for declining competitiveness and how Sri Lanka can face this challenge fulfilling the demand of global market. The Sri Lankan tea industry has lost its market leadership position in the global market. With declining production, increasing cost of production, low farm productivity and price competition in the international market, Sri Lankan tea industry has lost its competitive advantage. Secondary data and primary data have been used for this study. 53 interviews have been conducted for this study in Sri Lanka and in India. Despite the fact that Sri Lanka is one of the major producers of tea, the local tea industry does not earn enough to be viable. Global consumers are paying more than ten times the price received by the Sri Lankan producers. The value addition is taking place in the consuming countries and the economic benefits of higher price for value added tea products go to the consuming countries. In this context the viability of the Sri Lankan tea industry makes it imperative to adopt production of value-added tea products, promoting local brands in the global market and marketing the products in the international market. The government should also provide further supports to this tea industry to be uplifted in the country.
FROM THE DEATH PENALTY TO THE “BAN” ON PAROLE
Authors: Leszczyńska Aleksandra
Published: December 2019

The perception and execution of imprisonment, but also the objectives of punishment itself, have undergone a huge evolution over the years. By comparing news and history, you can even speak of a revolution. Bearing in mind the content of the proposed changes, it can be presumed that the institution of imprisonment and, above all, its objectives, will be subject to revolution, a litter shorter over time, but equally signifi cant. The changes assume the possibility of a court ordering absolute imprisonment for life. The issue in question will be presented by the author in this study.
Advance Care Planning and Decision-Making in a Home-Based Primary Care Service in a Canadian Urban Centre
Authors: Huggins Madison , McGregor Margaret J. , Cox Michelle B. , Bauder Katie , Slater Jay , Yap Clarissa , Mallery Laurie , Moorhouse Paige , Rusnak Conrad
Published: December 2019

BackgroundAdvance care planning (ACP) is a process that enables individuals to describe, in advance, the kind of health care they would want in the future, and has been shown to reduce hospital-based interventions at the end of life. Our goal was to describe the current state of ACP in a home-based primary care program for frail homebound older people in Vancouver, Canada. We did this by identifying four key elements that should be essential to ACP in this program: frailty stage, documentation of substitute decision-makers, and decision-making with regard to both resuscitation (i.e., do not resuscitate (DNR)) and hospitalization (i.e., do not hospitalize (DNH)). While these elements are an important part of the ACP process, they are often excluded from common practice. MethodsThis was a cross-sectional, observational study of data abstracted from 200 randomly selected patient electronic medical records between July 1 and September 30, 2017. We describe the association between demographic characteristics, comorbidities, and four key elements of ACP documentation and decision-making as documented in the clinical record using bivariate comparison, a logistic regression model and multiple logistic regression analysis. ResultsIn 73% (n=146) of the patient records, there was no explicit documentation of frailty stage. Sixty-four percent had documentation of a substitute decision-maker. Of those who had their preferences documented, 90.6% (n=144/159) indicated a preference for DNR, and 23.6% (n=29/123) indicated a preference for DNH. In multiple regression modeling, a diagnosis of dementia and older age were associated with documentation of a DNR preference, adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 4.79 (95% CI 1.37, 16.71) and AOR = 1.14 (95% CI 1.05, 1.24), respectively. Older age, male sex, and English identified as the main language spoken were associated with a DNH preference. AOR = 1.17 (95% CI 1.06, 1.28), AOR = 4.19 (95% CI 1.41, 12.42), and AOR = 3.42 (95% CI 1.14, 10.20), respectively. ConclusionsClinician documentation of some elements of ACP, such as identification of a substitute decision-maker and resuscitation status, have been widely adopted, while other elements that should be considered essential components of ACP, such as frailty staging and preferences around hospitalization, are infrequent and provide an opportunity for practice improvement initiatives. The significant association between language and ACP decisions suggests an important role for supporting cross-cultural fluency in the ACP process.
Self-Rated Health Predicts Mortality in Very Old Men—the Manitoba Follow-Up Study
Authors: Hanson Christian R. , St John Philip D. , Tate Robert B.
Published: December 2019

BackgroundSelf-rated health (SRH) predicts death, but there are few studies over long-time horizons that are able to explore the effect age may have on the relationship between SRH and mortality.Objectives1. To determine how SRH evolves over 20 years; and 2. To determine if SRH predicts death in very old men.MethodsWe analyzed a prospective cohort study of men who were fit for air crew training in the Second World War. In 1996, a regular questionnaire was administered to the 1,779 surviving participants. SRH was elicited with a 5-point Likert Scale with the categories: excellent, very good, good, fair and poor/bad. We examined the age-specific distribution of SRH in these categories from the age of 75 to 95 years, to the end of the follow-up period in 2018. We constructed age-specific Cox proportional hazard models with an outcome of time to death. ResultsSRH declined with age. The gradient in risk of death persisted across all ages; those with poor/fair/bad SRH had consistently higher mortality rates. However, the discrimination between good and excellent was less in those aged 85+. ConclusionsSRH declines with advancing age, but continues to predict death in older men.
EMAAN: An Evolutionary Multiverse Argument against Naturalism
Authors: Blondé Ward ,   Romanian Academy - Iasi Branch
Published: December 2019

In this paper, an evolutionary multiverse argument against naturalism (EMAAN) is presented: E1. In an evolutionary multiverse, phenomena have variable evolutionary ages. E2. After some time T, the development of the empirical sciences will be evolutionarily conserved. E3. The phenomena with an evolutionary age above T are methodologically supernatural. Entities are classified according to whether they are (1) physical and spatiotemporal, (2) causally efficacious, and (3) either observed by or explanatorily necessary for the empirical sciences. While the conjunction of (1) and (2) is taken to be sufficient for existence in reality, the negation of (3) defines methodological supernaturalness. EMAAN uses a generalization of evolutionary theory, namely cosmological natural selection, to argue that phenomena evolve that fulfill conditions (1) and (2), but not (3). This shows that methodologically supernatural phenomena have a clear epistemology according to a theory that is grounded in the commitments of naturalism. Supernatural phenomena are not observed by the empirical sciences because the empirical sciences themselves are supernaturally guided and predestined to develop according to an evolutionarily conserved plan. In spite of this scientific plan, there is room for afterlives and supernaturality in the everyday experience.
Evaluación de las competencias digitales sobre seguridad de los estudiantes de Educación Básica
Authors: García-Valcárcel Muñoz-Repiso Ana , Salvador Blanco Laurentino , Casillas Martín Sonia , Basilotta Gómez-Pablos Verónica
Published: December 2019

El objetivo del trabajo es elaborar y analizar una prueba de evaluación dirigida a estudiantes que finalizan la Educación Primaria. La prueba se ha diseñado para medir los conocimientos, capacidades y actitudes de los estudiantes en las 4 competencias del área de seguridad señaladas en el modelo DigComp (protección de los dispositivos, de los datos personales, de la salud y del medio ambiente). Para su análisis ha sido aplicada a 600 estudiantes entre 12 y 14 años. Los ítems muestran unos índices adecuados de discriminación y dificultad, así como se encuentran correlaciones significativas entre las dimensiones de conocimiento, habilidad y actitud. La fiabilidad de la prueba se ha estimado en Alfa de Cronbach=0,68. La validez se ha asegurado mediante juicio de expertos y el análisis de la estructura factorial de la prueba.

The objective of this study is to develop and analyse an evaluation test aimed at students who are at the end of their Primary Education. The test is designed to measure the knowledge, abilities and attitudes of students in the 4 safety competences identified in the DigComp model (protecting devices, personal data, health and the environment). The test was administered to 600 students aged between 12 and 14 in order to analyse it. The items show some suitable discrimination and difficulty indices, and significant correlations between the dimensions of knowledge, skill and attitude were also found. Test reliability was estimated with a Cronbach's Alpha of 0.68. Validity was ensured through experts’ judgment and analysis of the test’s factorial structure.
La responsabilidad social en las dimensiones de la ciudadanía corporativa. Un estudio de caso en la manufactura agrícola
Authors: López Nevárez Virginia , Zavala Féliz Bianca Denisse
Published: December 2019

La manufactura agrícola tiene un papel importante en esta economía ya que dentro de la cadena agro-industrial provee la maquinaria para el cultivo de la tierra. Esta función implica que debe tomar acción para que la región se desarrolle y tenga un crecimiento sostenible, para ello se plantea la Responsabilidad Social Corporativa (RSC) como una alternativa a nivel organizacional para avanzar en la transformación social. La RSC ha tenido una evolución significativa, se ha convertido en un fenómeno global, surgiendo iniciativas para su estudio, que permiten ponerla en práctica en las organizaciones, independientemente del sector donde se ubiquen. Por ello, en esta investigación se estableció como objetivo conocer cómo está constituida la Ciudadanía Corporativa en la Empresa de Manufactura Agrícola, con la finalidad de presentar el panorama actual de su responsabilidad social y plantear recomendaciones de cómo avanzar hacia una trasformación social. Se realizó un estudio de caso con enfoque cualitativo, llegando a resultados descriptivos y explicativos, a partir de las dimensiones establecidas por el Modelo de Ciudadanía Corporativa del Boston College. Se concluye que la empresa estudiada se encuentra en la etapa elemental, en virtud de que cuenta con la capacidad para realizar mejores prácticas de responsabilidad social, pero es necesario incluirlas formalmente en su filosofía y estructura organizacional.
Innovación social: Factores claves para su desarrollo en los territorios
Authors: García-Flores Víctor , Palma Martos Luis
Published: December 2019

Existe un amplio consenso sobre que la innovación social es un fenómeno necesario para contribuir a resolver los nuevos retos sociales de carácter complejo y multidimensional que han proliferado en las últimas décadas. Sin embargo, y aunque la innovación social ha ido ganando peso, no hay acuerdo general sobre qué es, ni se conocen en profundidad todos los factores que determinan su aparición en un territorio.En el contexto descrito, este trabajo tiene como objetivos principales hacer una revisión del estado del arte, proponer una definición de innovación social e identificar y analizar la importancia de aquellos factores que favorecen su nacimiento y desarrollo en el territorio. Con este fin, se ha utilizado una metodología cualitativa a través de la revisión sistemática de la literatura y la realización de 24 entrevistas semiestructuradas a agentes inmersos en procesos de innovación social. Las entrevistas, una vez transcritas, fueron analizadas con el programa Atlas.ti, lo que ha permitido proponer una definición de innovación social y plantear cinco grandes pilares (elementos sociales y culturales; apoyo político e institucional; conocimiento y mecanismos facilitadores; componentes espaciales y entidades; y mecanismos que determinan la estructura productiva empresarial y social), que agrupan 29 factores identificados y ponderados en función del número de veces que fueron señalados por los entrevistados. Finalmente, se ha realizado un análisis interpretativo de los resultados en el que se explica la relevancia de cada uno de los factores y la relación existente entre ellos.
Engineering Smart Nanofluidic Systems for Artificial Ion Channels and Ion Pumps: From Single‐Pore to Multichannel Membranes
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Huang Xiaodong , Qian Yongchao , Chen Weipeng , Wen Liping , Jiang Lei
Published: December 2019

Biological ion channels and ion pumps with intricate ion transport functions widely exist in living organisms and play irreplaceable roles in almost all physiological functions. Nanofluidics provides exciting opportunities to mimic these working processes, which not only helps understand ion transport in biological systems but also paves the way for the applications of artificial devices in many valuable areas. Recent progress in the engineering of smart nanofluidic systems for artificial ion channels and ion pumps is summarized. The artificial systems range from chemically and structurally diverse lipid‐membrane‐based nanopores to robust and scalable solid‐state nanopores. A generic strategy of gate location design is proposed. The single‐pore‐based platform concept can be rationally extended into multichannel membrane systems and shows unprecedented potential in many application areas, such as single‐molecule analysis, smart mass delivery, and energy conversion. Finally, some present underpinning issues that need to be addressed are discussed.
High Active Material Loading in All‐Solid‐State Battery Electrode via Particle Size Optimization
Authors: Shi Tan , Tu Qingsong , Tian Yaosen , Xiao Yihan , Miara Lincoln J. , Kononova Olga , Ceder Gerbrand
Published: December 2019

Low active material loading in the composite electrode of all‐solid‐state batteries (SSBs) is one of the main reasons for the low energy density in current SSBs. In this work, it is demonstrated with both modeling and experiments that in the regime of high cathode loading, the utilization of cathode material in the solid‐state composite is highly dependent on the particle size ratio of the cathode to the solid‐state conductor. The modeling, confirmed by experimental data, shows that higher cathode loading and therefore an increased energy density can be achieved by increasing the ratio of the cathode to conductor particle size. These results are consistent with ionic percolation being the limiting factor in cold‐pressed solid‐state cathode materials and provide specific guidelines on how to improve the energy density of composite cathodes for solid‐state batteries. By reducing solid electrolyte particle size and increasing the cathode active material particle size, over 50 vol% cathode active material loading with high cathode utilization is able to be experimentally achieved, demonstrating that a commercially‐relevant, energy‐dense cathode composite is achievable through simple mixing and pressing method.
Chronic rhinosinusitis in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis: clinical presentation and antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies
Authors: Low Christopher M. , Keogh Karina A. , Saba Elias S. , Gruszczynski Nelson R. , Berti Alvise , Specks Ulrich , Baqir Misbah , Smith Byron M , Choby Garret , Stokken Janalee K. , O'Brien Erin K.
Published: December 2019

Background

In this study we aim to describe presenting characteristics and identify prognostic factors for disease resolution in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) in the setting of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).

Methods

Patients evaluated at a tertiary care center with diagnoses of EGPA and CRS were identified. Descriptive statistics were obtained. Univariate analysis was used to search for prognostic factors associated with higher Lund‐Mackay score at presentation and disease resolution.

Results

Forty‐four patients were included with a mean age of 52.7 (standard deviation, 14) years. Twenty‐one patients (47.7%) were female, all had a diagnosis of asthma, and 36 (83.7%) had eosinophils >10%. Common presenting symptoms for CRS included nasal discharge (87.9%) followed by nasal congestion (83.9%) and facial pain and pressure (83.8%). Medical management of CRS included systemic corticosteroids (93.2%) and systemic antibiotics (75%). Surgical intervention occurred in 29 patients (67%). Nine patients (20.5%) had resolution of sinus symptoms, including 4 with imaging confirmation. Fourteen patients (31.8%) had continued CRS, but with improved symptoms, whereas 9 patients (20.5%) had continued CRS with no improvement in symptoms. Eleven patients (25%) were lost to follow‐up and 4 (9.1%) died. Univariate analysis did not show antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody positivity, presence of peripheral eosinophilia, gender, age, or absence of systemic therapy to be predictive of higher Lund‐Mackay score at presentation or predictive of disease resolution.

Conclusion

CRS in patients with EGPA is often refractory to medical and surgical management. Treatment of these patients should occur in a multidisciplinary setting.
An analysis of organic carbon removal in a two‐reactor cascade with recycle and a two‐reactor step‐feed cascade with recycle
Authors: Nelson Mark Ian , Bradshaw‐Hajek Bronwyn H.
Published: December 2019

We analyse the steady‐state operation of two process configurations that employ a reactor cascade with recycle. The first process configuration is a two‐reactor cascade in which the feed stream enters into the first reactor. The second process configuration is a two‐reactor step‐feed cascade in which the feed stream enters the second reactor. In each process configuration, part of the effluent stream is recycled back into the first reactor. The reactors in the cascade need not be of equal volume. The reaction is assumed to be a biological process governed by Monod growth kinetics with a decay coefficient for the microorganisms. The stability of the washout solution is determined analytically for both process configurations. It follows from the stability analysis that that there is a range of residence times over which the effluent concentration leaving a step‐reactor cascade is lower than that leaving a standard reactor cascade. Steady‐state diagrams are presented showing the effluent concentration as a function of the residence time. We find that if the desired effluent concentration is not too low, then the process configuration that minimises the residence time is the step‐feed reactor cascade. However, for much cleaner waste streams, the process configuration that minimises the residence time is the standard reactor cascade.
A Dewetted‐Dealloyed Nanoporous Pt Co‐Catalyst Formed on TiO2 Nanotube Arrays Leads to Strongly Enhanced Photocatalytic H2 Production
Authors: Ji Lei , Spanu Davide , Denisov Nikita , Recchia Sandro , Schmuki Patrik , Altomare Marco
Published: December 2019

Pt nanoparticles are typically decorated as co‐catalyst on semiconductors to enhance the photocatalytic performance. Due to the low abundance and high cost of Pt, reaching a high activity with minimized co‐catalyst loadings is a key challenge in the field. We explore a dewetting‐dealloying strategy to fabricate on TiO2 nanotubes nanoporous Pt nanoparticles, aiming at improving the co‐catalyst mass activity for H2 generation. For this, we sputter first Pt‐Ni bi‐layers of controllable thickness (nm range) on highly ordered TiO2 nanotube arrays, and then induce dewetting‐alloying of the Pt‐Ni bi‐layers by a suitable annealing step in a reducing atmosphere: the thermal treatment causes the Pt and Ni films to agglomerate and at the same time mix with each other, forming on the TiO2 nanotube surface metal islands of a mixed PtNi composition. In a subsequent step we perform chemical dealloying of Ni that is selectively etched out from the bimetallic dewetted islands, leaving behind nanoporous Pt decorations. Under optimized conditions, the nanoporous Pt‐decorated TiO2 structures show a>6 times higher photocatalytic H2 generation activity compared to structures modified with a comparable loading of dewetted, non‐porous Pt. We ascribe this beneficial effect to the nanoporous nature of the dealloyed Pt co‐catalyst, which provides an increased surface‐to‐volume ratio and thus a more efficient electron transfer and a higher density of active sites at the co‐catalyst surface for H2 evolution.
Berechnung der Rissbreite von mit Stahlfasern und Betonstahl bewehrten Betonbauteilen
Authors: Empelmann Martin , Oettel Vincent , Cramer Jonas
Published: December 2019

Nach derzeitigem Stand der DAfStb‐Richtlinie „Stahlfaserbeton“ erfolgt der Rissbreitennachweis von Bauteilen aus Stahlfaserbeton mit Betonstahlbewehrung unter Ansatz der Nachrisszugfestigkeit in der Leistungsklasse L2 (L2‐Wert). Der L2‐Wert wird in der DAfStb‐Richtlinie für Nachweise im Grenzzustand der Tragfähigkeit verwendet, obwohl der Ansatz der Nachrisszugfestigkeit in der Leistungsklasse L1 (L1‐Wert) zutreffender wäre, da dieser bezeichnend für Nachweise im Grenzzustand der Gebrauchstauglichkeit ist. In der DAfStb‐Richtlinie wurde aber aufgrund der geringen Anzahl an Versuchsergebnissen und fehlender Auswertungen der Ansatz des L2‐Werts beim Rissbreitennachweis auf der sogenannten „sicheren Seite liegend“ verankert. Um diesen Umstand näher zu untersuchen, wurde am iBMB, Fachgebiet Massivbau der TU Braunschweig der Ansatz zur Berechnung der Rissbreite nach DAfStb‐Richtlinie mit nationalen und internationalen Versuchsdaten zu Rissbreiten von Stahlfaserbeton mit Betonstahlbewehrung verglichen. Des Weiteren erfolgte ein Vergleich zu experimentellen und rechnerischen Rissbreiten von reinen Stahlbetonbauteilen unter Ansatz der DIN EN 1992‐1‐1 in Verbindung mit DIN EN 1992‐1‐1/NA. Die Untersuchungen zeigen, dass bei Verwendung des L1‐Werts beim Rissbreitennachweis von Stahlfaserbeton mit Betonstahlbewehrung nahezu das gleiche Vorhersageniveau wie beim Rissbreitennachweis von Stahlbeton nach DIN EN 1992‐1‐1 in Verbindung mit DIN EN 1992‐1‐1/NA erzielt wird.
Beyond Ideology: Epistemological Foundations of Vladimir Fock's approach to Quantum Theory
Authors: Martinez Jean‐Philippe
Published: December 2019

Vladimir Fock was a Soviet theoretical physicist who, from the 1930s, worked to prove that modern physics was compatible with the Marxist philosophy of dialectical materialism. In 1957, he went to Copenhagen, and a dispute over the interpretation of quantum mechanics began with Niels Bohr. Fock later claimed that he had found points of convergence with his Danish colleague, most of them concerning issues of wording and recognition of the reality of the world independently of our mind. It led to a specific narrative among historians of physics on Fock and his interpretation of quantum mechanics: The Soviet physicist is often described as a member of the Copenhagen school that contributed to the rapprochement of the Soviet philosophy of physics with the ideas of complementarity in stripping away the positivism in its formulation. Our contribution aims to show that this ideological dimension was only one aspect of reality. Returning to the foundations of Fock's epistemology of physics, we argue that he relied on the principles of antireductionism and scientific realism to develop an interpretation of the theory that sought to overcome Bohr's approach and that the differences between the two men cannot be reduced to mere questions of formulation.
Human urinary kallindinogenase therapy for acute ischemic stroke according to Chinese ischemic stroke subclassification: Clinical efficacy and risk factors
Authors: Chen Si‐Qia , Mao Dong‐Yang , Wei Dun‐Can , He Wen‐Zhen
Published: December 2019

Introduction

To evaluate effectiveness of human urinary kallindinogenase (HUK) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) according to Chinese ischemic stroke subclassification (CISS) and analyzed risk factors of clinical efficacy.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 134 patients received conventional therapy were enrolled to control group, and 132 patients received HUK treatment were enrolled to HUK group. National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score was used to evaluate the clinical efficacy. Multivariate analysis of risk factors was performed by using logistic regression.

Results

After treatment, NIHSS score of HUK group was significant lower than that of control group (p = .009). Effectiveness rate was 71.2% in HUK group, and 53.7% in control group, respectively (p = .003). The NIHSS of patients with large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) subtype in HUK group was significantly lower than that in control group (p = .005). The absence of HUK (OR = 2.75), homocysteine (OR = 0.15), and CS subtype (OR = 0.18) were risk factors for HUK clinical efficacy.

Conclusions

Human urinary kallindinogenase is an effective therapeutic approach for treatment of patients with AIS, especially in patients with LAA subtype. The absence of HUK, elevated homocysteine, and cardiogenic stroke subtype were risk factor for clinical efficacy of HUK.
Genome‐wide screening of abberant methylated drivers combined with relative risk loci in bladder cancer
Authors: Zhang Chuanjie , Shen Kangjie , Zheng Yuxiao , Qi Feng , Luo Jun
Published: December 2019

Background

To explore important methylation‐driven genes (MDGs) and risk loci to construct risk model for prognosis of bladder cancer (BCa).

Methods

We utilized TCGA‐Assembler package to download 450K methylation data and corresponding transcriptome profiles. MethylMix package was used for identifying methylation‐driven genes and functional analysis was mainly performed based on ConsensusPathDB database. Then, Cox regression method was utilized to find prognostic MDGs, and we selected 17 hub genes via stepwise regression and multivariate Cox models. Kruskal‐Wallis test was implemented for comparisons between risk with other clinical variables. Moreover, we constructed the risk model and validated it in GSE13507. Gene set enrichment analysis was performed using the levels of risk score as the phenotype. Additionally, we further screened out the relative methylation sites associated with the 17 hub genes. Cox regression and Survival analysis were conducted to find the specifically prognostic sites.

Results

Two hundred and twenty‐eight MDGs were chosen by ConsensusPathDB database. Results revealed that most conspicuous pathways were transcriptional mis‐regulation pathways in cancer and EMT. After Cox regression analysis, 17 hub epigenetic MDGs were identified. We calculated the risk score and found satisfactory predictive efficiency by ROC curve (AUC = 0.762). In the validation group from GSE13507, 17 hub genes remained higher predictive value with AUC = 0.723 and patients in high‐risk group. Meanwhile, Kruskal‐Wallis test revealed that higher risk score correlated with a higher level of TNM stage, tumor grade, and advanced pathological stages. Then, identified 38 risk methylated loci that highly associated with prognosis. Last, gene set enrichment analysis revealed that high‐risk level of MDGs may correlate with several important pathways, including MAPK signaling pathway and so on.

Conclusion

Our study indicated several hub‐MDGs, calculated novel risk score and explored the prognostic value in BCa, which provided a promising approach to BCA prognosis assessment.
Clinical outcomes of locally advanced esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma treated with chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Honma Yoshitaka , Nagashima Kengo , Hirano Hidekazu , Shoji Hirokazu , Iwasa Satoru , Takashima Atsuo , Okita Natsuko , Kato Ken , Boku Narikazu , Murakami Naoya , Inaba Kouji , Ito Yoshinori , Itami Jun , Kanamori Jun , Oguma Junya , Daiko Hiroyuki
Published: December 2019

Background

Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) arising from the esophagus (EsoNEC) is extreme rare, accounting for approximately 1% of esophageal cancer. Even for localized NEC, multidisciplinary approach including chemotherapy is recommended in treatment guidelines because of its high rates of systemic recurrence. However, it is controversial whether adding surgery or radiotherapy is appropriate local treatment for EsoNEC. There have been few reports regarding the clinical outcomes of definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) for EsoNEC. The purpose of this study was to clarify the survival outcome of patients with locally advanced EsoNEC treated with dCRT.

Methods

Clinical outcomes, feasibility, and prognostic factors of patients with locally advanced EsoNEC treated with radiotherapy (60 Gy/30 fraction) in combination with platinum plus etoposide (CE‐RT) or cisplatin plus 5‐fluorouracil (CF‐RT) at the National Cancer Center Hospital from 2001 to 2017 were retrospectively analyzed.

Results

A total of 22 patients were identified as the subjects of this study. The overall response rate and clinical complete remission rate in all patients were 86.4% and 77.3%, respectively. The median progression‐free survival and median survival time in all patients were 12.7 and 37.5 months, associated with a 5‐year survival rate of 45.4%. Patients treated with CE‐RT experienced more hematological adverse events, especially in neutropenia (≥grade 3) and febrile neutropenia(≥grade 3), but achieved more long‐term progression‐free survival than with CF‐RT.

Conclusions

Definitive chemoradiotherapy can be considered as an important treatment option for locally advanced esophageal neuroendocrine carcinoma.
Personalizing age‐specific survival prediction and risk stratification in intracranial grade II/III ependymoma
Authors: Deng Xiangyang , Zhang Xiaojia , Yang Liang , Lu Xiangqi , Fang Junhao , Yu Lisheng , Li Dandong , Sheng Hansong , Yin Bo , Zhang Nu , Lin Jian
Published: December 2019

Background

Models for estimation of survival rates of patients with intracranial grade II/III ependymoma (EPN) are scarce. Considering the heterogeneity in prognostic factors between pediatric and adult patients, we aimed to develop age‐specific nomograms for predicting 3‐, 5‐, and 8‐year survival for these patients.

Methods

A total of 1390 cases (667 children; 723 adults) of intracranial grade II/III EPNs diagnosed between 1988 and 2015 were extracted from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database for our study. Univariable and multivariable Cox analyses were employed to identify independent prognostic predictors. Age‐specific nomograms were developed based on the results of multivariate Cox analyses. We also evaluated the performance of these predictive models by concordance index, calibration curves, time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic curves, and decision curve analyses.

Results

Considerable heterogeneity in prognostic factors was highlighted between pediatric and adult patients. Age, sex, tumor grade, surgery treatment and radiotherapy were identified as significant predictors of overall survival for children, and age, tumor grade, tumor size, surgery treatment, and marital status for adult. Based on these factors, age‐specific nomogram models were established and internally validated. These models exhibited favorable discrimination and calibration characteristics. Nomogram‐based risk classification systems were also constructed to facilitate risk stratification in EPNs for optimization of clinical management.

Conclusions

We developed the first nomograms and corresponding risk classification systems for predicting survival in patients with intracranial grade II/III EPN. These easily used tools can assist oncologists in making accurate survival evaluation.
Can we predict who lives long with ovarian cancer?
Authors: Bookman Michael A.
Published: December 2019

Women with ovarian cancer benefit from individualized management that incorporates advanced imaging technologies, sophisticated cytoreductive surgery integrated with combination chemotherapy, genetic risk assessment, and tumor molecular profiling. However, advanced ovarian cancer remains a highly lethal disease because of early peritoneal dissemination, rapid development of resistance to key therapeutic agents, and evasion of the host immune response. Over the last 15 years, several models and nomograms have been developed to predict surgical outcomes, progression‐free survival, or overall survival on the basis of clinical and pathologic data available at the primary diagnosis and recurrence. Each of these models has its strengths and limitations, and they provide a basis for future models that will incorporate functional imaging and molecular characteristics.
Phase 1 Pharmacokinetic Study of AZD5718 in Healthy Volunteers: Effects of Coadministration With Rosuvastatin, Formulation and Food on Oral Bioavailability
Authors: Ericsson Hans , Nelander Karin , Heijer Maria , Kjaer Magnus , Lindstedt Eva‐Lotte , Albayaty Muna , Forte Pablo , Lagerström‐Fermér Maria , Skrtic Stanko
Published: December 2019

AZD5718 is a first‐in‐class small‐molecule anti‐inflammatory drug with the potential to reduce the residual risk of cardiovascular events after myocardial infarction in patients receiving lipid‐lowering statin therapy. Leukotrienes are potent proinflammatory and vasoactive mediators synthesized in leukocytes via 5‐lipoxygenase and 5‐lipoxygenase‐activating protein (FLAP). AZD5718 is a FLAP inhibitor that dose‐dependently reduced leukotriene biosynthesis in a first‐in‐human study. We enrolled 12 healthy men in a randomized, open‐label, crossover, single‐dose phase 1 pharmacokinetic study of AZD5718 to investigate a potential drug‐drug interaction with rosuvastatin, and the effects of formulation and food intake (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02963116). Rosuvastatin (10 mg) were absorbed more rapidly when coadministered with AZD5718 (200 mg), probably owing to weak inhibition of hepatic statin uptake, but relative bioavailability was unaffected (geometric least‐squares mean ratio [GMR], 100%; 90% confidence interval [CI], 86%‐116%). AZD5718 pharmacokinetics were unaffected by coadministration of rosuvastatin. AZD5718 (200 mg) was absorbed less rapidly when formulated as tablets than oral suspension, with reduced relative bioavailability (GMR, 72%; 90%CI, 64%‐80%). AZD5718 absorption was slower when 200‐mg tablets were taken after a high‐fat breakfast than after fasting, but relative bioavailability was unaffected (GMR, 96%; 90%CI, 87%‐106%). In post hoc pharmacodynamic simulations, plasma leukotriene B4 levels were inhibited by >90% throughout the day following once‐daily AZD5718, regardless of formulation or administration with food. AZD5718 was well tolerated, with no severe or serious adverse events. These data supported the design of a phase 2a efficacy study of AZD5718 in patients with coronary artery disease.
Utilizing field collected insects for next generation sequencing: Effects of sampling, storage, and DNA extraction methods
Authors: Ballare Kimberly M. , Pope Nathaniel S. , Castilla Antonio R. , Cusser Sarah , Metz Richard P. , Jha Shalene
Published: December 2019

DNA sequencing technologies continue to advance the biological sciences, expanding opportunities for genomic studies of non‐model organisms for basic and applied questions. Despite these opportunities, many next generation sequencing protocols have been developed assuming a substantial quantity of high molecular weight DNA (>100 ng), which can be difficult to obtain for many study systems. In particular, the ability to sequence field‐collected specimens that exhibit varying levels of DNA degradation remains largely unexplored. In this study we investigate the influence of five traditional insect capture and curation methods on Double‐Digest Restriction Enzyme Associated DNA (ddRAD) sequencing success for three wild bee species. We sequenced a total of 105 specimens (between 7–13 specimens per species and treatment). We additionally investigated how different DNA quality metrics (including pre‐sequence concentration and contamination) predicted downstream sequencing success, and also compared two DNA extraction methods. We report successful library preparation for all specimens, with all treatments and extraction methods producing enough highly reliable loci for population genetic analyses. Although results varied between species, we found that specimens collected by net sampling directly into 100% EtOH, or by passive trapping followed by 100% EtOH storage before pinning tended to produce higher quality ddRAD assemblies, likely as a result of rapid specimen desiccation. Surprisingly, we found that specimens preserved in propylene glycol during field sampling exhibited lower‐quality assemblies. We provide recommendations for each treatment, extraction method, and DNA quality assessment, and further encourage researchers to consider utilizing a wider variety of specimens for genomic analyses.
Teaching laboratory for large cohorts of undergraduates: Private and social information in fish
Authors: Borcherding Jost , Webster Mike M. , Heubel Katja
Published: December 2019

A challenge in the Bachelor's studies in Biology is to strike a balance between reducing the teaching of practical scientific experiments to what is feasible in a short time, and teaching “real” science in undergraduate laboratories for high numbers of participants. We describe a laboratory in behavioral biology, with the primary focus on the student learning. However, also the underlying scientific question and the results of the experiment, namely the behavior of the three‐spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) in a trade‐off situation during foraging, is without a doubt timely and sufficient for scientific studies on this subject, and this through the experiments conducted and data collected by the students. The students rated this laboratory well and learned at the end that social information is certainly important, but that self‐learning can be more important, and this not only in small fish, but also for the students themselves.