bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Method to Mitigate Corrosion in Ballast Tanks of a Double Hull Tanker
Authors: Husain Mo , Shiling Gary D.
Published: July 2021

Ocean-going ships are especially vulnerable to corrosion, particularly their ballast tanks, which are essentially empty and filled with air during ‘cargo leg’ portions of a voyage. Because of varying air and seawater contents ballast tanks have become especially vulnerable, requiring , expensive periodic cleaning, resurfacing and structural repairs. It has been found that an atmosphere of inert gas has a significant anti-corrosion effect on steel surfaces subject to salt water. This protective effect is increasingly being exploited to protect the interior of the ballast tanks. The proposed method, described herein, uses the gas mixture from currently-available inert gas generators, to provide a distribution system that guarantees access of the protective mixture to all points in a tank and to also provide means to “gas free” the space for human access.
Describing Ship-Design
Authors: van Bruinessen Ties , Hopman Hans , Smulders Frido
Published: July 2021

The majority of European ship-design industry concentrates on the development of complex, one-off ‘specials’ for the offshore industry, like dredgers, drill ships, pipe-laying ships, et cetera. This industry is complex, not just in terms of the industrial structure but also in the terms of the object. To control the complexity the industry uses large and expansive knowledge basis that support the design, engineering and manufacturing activities. Within academic research the focus is close to practice and dominantly aims at developing knowledge and tools that supports engineering practices. As these strategies are aimed at controlling the complexity, they leave very little room for more innovative developments. On the other side of the spectrum there is a ship-design practice that does allow radical ship design: design and engineering from a blank sheet of paper. Not surprising that these projects are laborious and expensive. The space in between these two design strategies seems unaddressed in literature. The literature on the design of complex structures appears to be scarce, even though this is an area where European ship-design industry is heavily involved. The research this paper reports on aims to develop a design strategy for complex ships in between incremental and radical innovation.

We interviewed stakeholders from ship industry, looked into the design literature to describe the present situation and finally performed case-studies in other fields of application for inspiration. Based on these studies we illustrate an alternative design strategy that leaves more space for innovation without the requirement to start from scratch. The approach focuses on the complex interactions between the different levels of decomposition in a complex structure such as a ship.
Industrial Electrical Safety Compliance Assessments
Authors: Neitzel Dennis K.
Published: July 2021

This paper provides insight into the recommendations and procedures for conducting industrial electrical safety inspections. It also provides valuable information for the safety professional, as well as electricians, technicians, and engineers who operate and maintain the electrical equipment.
Reduction of Overwelding and Distortion for Naval Surface Combatants, Part 2: Weld Sizing Effects on Shear and Fatigue Performance
Authors: Huang T. D. , Harbison M. , Kvidahl L. , Niolet D. , Walks J. , Christein J. , Smitherman M. , Phillippi M. , Dong P. , Decan L. , Caccese V. , Blomquist P. , Kihl D. , Wong R. , Sinfield M. , Nappi N. , Gardner J. , Wong C. , Bjornson M. , Manuel A.
Published: July 2021

As high-strength thinner-steel implementation in ship designs increase, dimensional management becomes critical to control construction costs and schedule in ship production. In the US shipbuilding industry, improvements to shipbuilding facilities and processing technology have not kept pace with the rate of change in ship design. Additionally, new designs using thinner steels are subject to legacy weld sizing criteria possibly leading to inappropriately sized welds on lightweight materials. These two factors result in widespread overwelding; causing severe plate deformation in naval vessels during construction and non-value added labor to correct as needed for fit up tolerances. Historically, shear and fatigue strength data has been focused on the larger welds and thicker steel plates typical of the state of the practice when these legacy weld sizing criteria were developed. In order to optimize weld design and production in modern, lightweight naval surface vessels, there is a need to develop more accurate data about the performance of precision fillet welds for thin steels.
Goal-Based Approach for Safety Assessment of Multi-Purpose Offshore Support Vessels
Authors: He Changhua , Reilly George , Huang Wei
Published: July 2021

Goal-based procedures described in this paper provide a practical methodology for being able to demonstrate that a mechanism is in place for addressing the effects of hazards associated with an offshore support vessel’s (OSV) multiple functions and the means of mitigation selected. The tools described help the reader, through visual means, to gain an insight into the interactive relationships of the multiple functions of OSVs. With a better visualization, the functional requirements of the ‘mitigations’ are more readily and effectively captured. The mitigations can include engineering solutions or appropriate procedures, or a combination of both. The results of this paper will assist in providing guidelines, which are sufficiently clear, transparent, verifiable, implementable and achievable to all parties in the value chain, including energy majors, designers, ship builders, owners, operators, regulatory bodies and underwriters.
Weld Process Modeling, Monitoring, Teaching, and Control using Artificial Neural Networks: Improving Navy and Commercial Shipbuilding for the Future
Authors: Jones Jerald E. , Rhoades Valerie L. , Mann Mark D.
Published: July 2021

Metal melting and solidification is a physical process which is described by a class of differential equations which have no closed form solution – it is known in Classical Mathematics as the “Stephan Problem”. The iterative methods used by numerical analyses techniques, such as Finite Element Analysis, are far too slow to be effective for process optimization and control. A DARPA Program a decade ago concentrated on flexible manufacturing – basically, robots that program themselves, depend heavily on sensors to be “smart” about their actions and decisions, and perform quality control with little, if any, human involvement. In the DARPA Flexible Automation program, a group of Ph.D. Scientists and Engineers, began applying a new Artificial Neural Network technology, called P/NA3. Today, Neural Networks produced using the P/NA3 technology are accurate and fast so that they can be run in real-time during welding or, embedded into specialized algorithms, to optimize the welding process. This technology enables the “off-line” planning of robotic welds, and real-time quality monitoring and control.
Bayesian Updating of Marine Structural Reliability Models Based on In-Service Measurements
Authors: Groden Mark D. , Collette Matthew D.
Published: July 2021

Estimating future reliability and maintenance of aging ship structures is a growing challenge. Our improved ability to sense structural loads and responses through structural health monitoring systems has resulted in an increased awareness of how structures are being used. An attractive use of this data is the forecasting of future structural conditions. This research explores a model updating approach concentrating on structural fatigue failures and observed permanent set, examining fatigue capacity updating. A probabilistic S-N fatigue crack initiation model is presented. By using a lognormal modeling approach, the probability of time to crack initiation can be calculated analytically. This model is extended via efficient formulas for forecasting the expected number of fatigue cracks over time in grillage-type structures with multiple similar fatigue-prone details. The updating power of this network is extended via a permanent set model relating load and permanent set assuming uniform pressure. Coupling this permanent set model with the fatigue model, through local stress, is demonstrated to provide a more accurate prognosis than the fatigue model alone. The parameters of this model are represented using a Bayesian Network (BN). The BN is used to develop revised capacity parameter estimates and estimates of future rates of cracking through an inference approach based on observed failures. The model is tested against synthetic data for grillages with 100 fatigue-prone connections. Using the lognormal model, Monte Carlo simulations are run to generate cracking and permanent set histories. A Bayesian network is used to develop revised capacity parameter estimates and estimates of future rates of fatigue cracking through an inference approach based upon observed failures and updated permanent set data. The utility of fusing multiple measurements to update the future prognosis is evaluated.
Hydrodynamics of Tandem Planning Surfaces
Authors: Matveev Konstantic I.
Published: July 2021

This study addresses Hydrodynamic interaction of two planning surfaces in the two dimensional, inviscid, steady flow approximation. The velocity potential is found by disturbing hydrodynamic sources on the horizontal plane and satisfying linearized boundary conditions for the water flow at finite Froude numbers. Hydrodynamic characteristics of tandem planning plates, including lift coefficients, centers of pressure, lift-drag ratios and wetted lengths, are determined as functions of the spacing between the plates and compared to properties of a single planning surface. The water surface elevations and the pressure coefficient distributions are presented for several cases. Obtained results can be used as initial guidance for selecting optimal configurations of stepped hulls and fast multi-hulls and fast multi-hulls and predicting hydrodynamic interaction between planning boats moving in tandem arrangement.
Early Considerations of Survivability in the Design of Naval Combatants – Blast Hardened Bulkhead and Integrated Box Girder Structural Vulnerability Reduction Measures – Part I (Blast Hardened Bulkheads)
Authors: Cowardin Bill , Waltham-Sajdak John , Miller Russ , Kwon Jeong Il
Published: July 2021

Ship survivability has been defined as providing the capability of a warship to “Fight Through” damage. In the design of naval combatants, providing “Fight Through” capability is often achieved with structural vulnerability reduction measures such as blast hardened bulkheads and integrated box girders. Unfortunately, the ad-hoc process of naval design has precluded the development of consistent criteria. Within this paper, the authors discuss the application criteria and survivability effectiveness of blast hardened bulkheads and integrated box girders on a midsize naval combatant and provide early stage rules for each structure’s respective application and influence within the design of future naval combatants.
Statistical Estimation of Extreme Roll Responses in Short Crested Irregular Head Seas
Authors: Kim Dae-Hyun , Troesch Armin W.
Published: July 2021

This paper addresses how to effectively estimate, using Design Loads Generator (DLG), the extreme value distribution of parametric roll responses for a given operating condition with a specified exposure time. The DLG approach, which efficiently determines an ensemble of the random phase vectors of seaways associated with the extreme value distribution of a Gaussian stochastic process, is employed to find the phase vectors associated with the extreme value distribution of a derived process. This novel mathematical process, combined with the DLG approach, efficiently constructs extrema of time-varying metacentric height (or GM) groups. The ensemble of GM groups represents rare instances of parametric excitation in short crested irregular seaways. The associated short duration irregular seaways are then utilized as inputs to a high fidelity nonlinear hydrodynamic computation system to get the statistics of extreme parametric roll responses of a C11 container hull form. Since these statistics represent the lower bound of the “true” extreme value distribution of the roll responses for the given exposure period, a useful engineering procedure to refine the statistics is proposed. While the main theme of the paper is the estimation of the distribution of extreme responses without long-term Monte Carlo simulations, extensive Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to generate comparable results in short crested irregular head seas. Results are also discussed in relation to previously published research. The DLG approach shows significant promise in predicting the statistics of extreme parametric roll.
Improved Estimation of Ship Construction Completion by RFID Tags
Authors: Latorre Robert , Comer Joe , Basaran Altug , Trippi Josh
Published: July 2021

This paper presents the extension of the 3-D model to the production problem of estimating construction completion. This has several benefits:

1 Timely billing for work completed.

2 Daily updates on construction completion/progress.

3 Improved material and manpower utilization from an accurate tracking of production schedule.

Connecting the digital 3-D model to the as build structure requires introducing bar code labels and Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) tags and readers. The paper discusses many aspects of RFID tag selection and applications. The paper closes with a discussion of how the bar codes and RFID tags can be used to improve the shipbuilding progress payment. By this improvement, the modest cost of the tags and readers can be easily recovered.
Las competencias imprescindibles en la actualidad de la creatividad publicitaria
Authors: Llorente Barroso Carmen , Viñarás Abad Mónica , Marugán Solís Fernando
Published: July 2021

El amplio abanico de posibilidades y contenidos que ofrece el nuevo panorama mediático al usuario supone un reto para los creativos publicitarios, obligados a generar conceptos que capten la diversificada atención de los públicos objetivos. Esta realidad fomenta la necesidad de perfiles profesionales capaces de responder con éxito a retos de un alto nivel de exigencia e innovación. Para estar preparados, los creativos deben desarrollar nuevas competencias, más complejas, que les permitan conocer las características de su mercado actual y aprovechar los recursos que tienen a su alcance para generar contenidos que seduzcan a las audiencias. El objetivo de esta propuesta, por tanto, es conocer las nuevas tendencias y las necesidades profesionales en el sector creativo del mercado publicitario con el fin de que puedan considerarse en los procesos de enseñanza-aprendizaje universitarios. Para alcanzar este propósito, se plantea una metodología cualitativa apoyada en 16 entrevista semiestructuradas a ocho duplas creativas que trabajan en las diez mejores agencias creativas para trabajar según los profesionales (Scopen, 2020). Los resultados manifiestan que el perfil creativo que se demanda responde al de una persona con ganas, actualizada, con habilidades que se reflejan en una carpeta y que se adquieren mediante una formación práctica que la universidad no ofrece de forma eficaz.
La Valoración de las ideas creativas por parte del anunciante
Authors: Fajula Payet Anna
Published: July 2021

La creatividad ocupa un rol nuclear dentro de la comunicación publicitaria, pero ¿el anunciante lo tiene en cuenta como un factor esencial a la hora de juzgar y dar el visto bueno a las ideas comunicativas que una agencia le presenta?  El objetivo principal de este artículo es el de identificar los elementos que, desde el punto de vista de los anunciantes, son claves en su proceso de valoración y aprobación de las ideas comunicativas; detectar los elementos que pueden facilitar o dificultar que un anunciante valore favorablemente una propuesta y comprobar si la creatividad es uno de ellos. Para ello, se planteó una investigación con un enfoque cualitativo y carácter exploratorio en la que se llevaron a cabo entrevistas en profundidad a seis anunciantes que operan en el mercado español.  Los resultados obtenidos, utilizando el análisis de contenido y la Teoría Fundamentada, ponen de manifiesto que la propuesta de la agencia no se valora de manera aislada sino que, más allá de la idea, hay un abanico de elementos intangibles que ejercen una enorme influencia sobre la decisión final del anunciante. La creatividad es una característica que se da por supuesta, se asimila a originalidad y se equipara a un medio para conseguir unos determinados objetivos empresariales.  A su vez, el enfoque del artículo proporciona una visión del anunciante tradicionalmente ignorada en la literatura publicitaria: su condición no solo como emisor, sino también como público objetivo de la comunicación comercial.
‘Virtually’ the same learning outcomes. A case study of a virtual client briefed communication project across borders
Authors: Duarte Alexandre , Riedl Kirstie
Published: July 2021

As the world becomes increasingly more turbulent, complex and competitive, there has been an increased interest in creativity as the major force to prepare students for these demands. At the same time, digital native students today are used to working in an environment rich with instantly accessible information and knowledge, yet paradoxically students are less satisfied with their courses in the online environment.  Educators are thus challenged to use innovative methods to nurture creativity online as they would do in the face-to-face classroom.

In 2010, six European universities created an international project, named Cross Border Brand Communication (CBBC) that has taken place every year since but in 2020 took place online due to the Covid-19 pandemic.  This article describes and analyzes the best practices resulting from this case and addresses the research questions as to whether the creative learning outcomes and teaching practices online are the same as face-to-face and to what extent are students satisfied with this learning environment.  Reflection on the project and case indicates that although learning outcomes online are “virtually” the same, the student experience is inferior to such face-to-face projects.
Uso del clickbait en los medios nativos digitales españoles. Un análisis de El Confidencial, El Español, Eldiario.es y Ok Diario
Authors: Bravo Araujo Andrea , Serrano-Puche Javier , Novoa Jaso María Fernanda
Published: July 2021

El clickbait es una estrategia utilizada en los medios digitales, que busca llamar la atención a través de los titulares, apelando a las emociones y a la curiosidad de los lectores para que cliquen en la noticia. Para indagar en este fenómeno, se procede a estudiar a través de una metodología cualitativa y cuantitativa los titulares de las portadas de los cuatro principales diarios nativos digitales en España durante una semana (n=2505): El Confidencial, El Español, eldiario.es y Ok Diario. Entre los resultados de la investigación destaca una presencia alta de titulares que contienen clickbait (48% en el cómputo global, ascendiendo al 69,5% en las soft news), siendo las modificaciones de morfosintaxis de las oraciones el recurso más utilizado. Se discuten estos hallazgos en el marco de las dinámicas de la comunicación digital, cuestionando si el clickbait, como fenómeno extendido en los diarios nativos digitales, puede llevar a un mayor número de visualizaciones en sus páginas, pero en detrimento de la calidad de las informaciones publicadas.
La comunicación política de la derecha radical en redes sociales. De Instagram a TikTok y Gab, la estrategia digital de Vox
Authors: Castro Martínez Andrea , Díaz Morilla Pablo
Published: July 2021

El espacio digital y las redes sociales han adquirido gran importancia en la comunicación política. Se han convertido en canales en los que los partidos difunden sus argumentarios y fidelizan a sus simpatizantes y donde los líderes demuestran su carisma. Este trabajo analiza la estrategia digital que emplea Vox en España a través de página web y sus cuentas en plataformas sociales. Mediante un análisis cualitativo y cuantitativo se estudian la página web y los perfiles de la formación en Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, Flickr, Youtube, Instagram, TikTok y Gab. El uso de estos canales difiere en su formato y estilo, ya que se dirigen a distintos perfiles de públicos, pero todo el contenido generado por la formación para ser empleado en la esfera digital responde a los mismos patrones discursivos. Se caracteriza por la simplificación y el empleo de un lenguaje directo y claro, con expresiones beligerantes y de llamada a la acción, que explota para descalificar y ridiculizar a sus adversarios políticos y ensalzar a sus líderes. Destaca su uso de redes enfocadas al usuario joven, como Youtube, Instagram o TikTok, en las que adapta sus recursos estilísticos. También resulta relevante su presencia en Gab, una red social caracterizada por no limitar ningún contenido y cuyos usuarios se asocian a posicionamientos políticos de extrema derecha. A través de las redes sociales Vox ofrece a sus simpatizantes contenido que no obtiene cobertura en medios convencionales generalistas y con el que refuerza su estrategia política en el espacio físico.
DEFORMITETI KOLENA KOD FUDBALERA - META ANALIZA
Authors: Joksimović Marko , Lilić Ana , Gardašević Novica , Goranović Kosta
Published: July 2021

U fudbalu zglob kolena je jedan od najopterećenijih zglobova u toku same igre, posebno kod profesionalnih fudbalera gde su veći fizički zahtevi. Faktore kao što su rasa, težina, vitaminski doprinos, poremećaji metabolizma / hormona, okruženje i fudbalska praksa može da utiče na ugao kolena. Cilј rada bio je utvrditi uticaj bavlјenja fudbalom na promjene u kolenom zglobu. Za pretraživanje literature korišćene su sledeće elektronske baze: PubMed, MEDLINE, Google Scholar, EBSCO u periodu od 2006 do 2019 godine. Uzorak ispitanika obuhvatio je populaciju muškog pola koji su se bavili fudbalom, koji su bili različitog trenažnog statusa i uzrasnih kategorija. Studije su bile uklјučene isklјučivo ukoliko su prikazane razlike u uglu kolena – genu varuma ili genu valguma kod fudbalera. Većina istraživača je došlo do zaklјučka da postoji značajni razlike u zglobu kolena kod ispitanika koji su se bavili fudbalom i ispitanika koji se nisu bavili sportom. Autori smatraju da je najkritičniji period u kojem mogu nastati deformiteti jeste period adolescencije, dok se kasnije taj proces usporava. Osobe koje su se bavile nekim drugim sportom, kao i fudbaleri, imaju povećan rizik za nastanak deformiteta kolena. Iz pregledanih radova možemo zaklјučiti da intezivna fizička vežba i učestalo takmičenje može potstaći nastanak deformiteta.
INTERNA I EKSTERNA VALIDNOST MERENJA OBIMA KRETANJA VRHUNSKIH FUDBALERA TOKOM UTAKMICE MERENA PRIMENOM SOFTVERSKOG SISTEMA TRACKING MOTION BIOIR
Authors: Radaković Radivoje , Dopsaj Milivoj , Filipović Nenad
Published: July 2021

Cilj ove studije je određivanje interne i eksterne validnosti merenja obima kretanja vrhunskih igrača tokom utakmice merenog korišćenjem Software System Tracking Motion BIOIRC. Istraživanje je realizovano na uzorku od 63 igrača, koji su snimani tokom 11 zvaničnih utakmica iz sledećih klubova ili reprezentacija: FK Crvena Zvezda, Beograd; FK Radnički 1923, Kragujevac; FK Partizan, Beograd; FC Bordoaux, Bordoaux; seniorske reprezentacije Srbije i Nacionalnog tima Belgije. U varijablama su date procene varijabilnosti kretanja vrhunskih igrača tokom utakmice praćene softverskim sistemom Tracking motion (BioIRC, Kragujevac,
Serbia). Parametri strukture kretanja su analizirani deskriptivnom statističkom metodom, a reliabilnost praćenih varijabli je ispitivana primenom linearne regresione analize. Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata kretanja igrača tokom analiziranih utakmica, može se zaključiti da je interna i eksterna validnost obima kretanja igrača tokom prvog i drugog poluvremena utakmice, kako na nivou celog tima, tako i po linijama tima veoma visoka.
Does School Participatory Budgeting Increase Students’ Political Efficacy? Bandura’s ‘Sources’, Civic Pedagogy, and Education for Democracy
Authors: Gibbs Norman P. , Bartlett Tara , Schugurensky Daniel
Published: July 2021

Does school participatory budgeting (SPB) increase students’ political efficacy? SPB, which is implemented in thousands of schools around the world, is a democratic process of deliberation and decision-making in which students determine how to spend a portion of the school’s
budget. We examined the impact of SPB on political efficacy in one middle school in Arizona. Our participants’ (n = 28) responses on survey items designed to measure self-perceived growth in political efficacy indicated a large effect (Cohen’s d = 1.46), suggesting
that SPB is an effective approach to civic pedagogy, with promising prospects for developing students’ political efficacy.
Properties of lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON) solid electrolyte - Li anode interfaces
Authors: You Yi-Wei , Cui Jian-Wen , Zhang Xiao-Feng , Zheng Feng , Wu Shun-Qing , Zhu Zi-Zhong ,   Department of Physics, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361005, China
Published: July 2021

In recent years, all-solid-state thin-film batteries have been used to power low-energy devices such as microchips, smart cards, microelectromechanical systems, wireless sensors, and implantable medical devices. All-solid-state thin-film batteries have become an important research direction of rechargeable solid-state batteries (SSBs). However, the solid-solid interface between electrodes and electrolytes seriously affects the further improvement of battery performance, which has attracted extensive attention. Lithium phosphorus oxynitride (LiPON) was found to be a useful inorganic electrolyte in lithium batteries because of its favorable electrochemical properties. For instance, LiPON has good electrical and chemical stability, negligible electronic conductivity and excellent cyclability as well as ease of integration with thin film battery with an electrochemical stability window. The LiPON can present two states, i.e. amorphous state and crystalline state. Here, we adopt ab initio molecular dynamics to study amorphous-LiPON/Li(100) interface and crystalline-Li2PO2N(100)/Li(100) interface. Our results demonstrate that the atomic inter-diffusion occurs in the interfacial region, forming a thin interfacial layer, and the ionic conductivity is increased after the interface layer has formed. Meanwhile, comparing with the Lipon bulk phase structure, the proportion of Li[O2N2], Li[O3N], and Li[O4] tetrahedral local structure in the interface layer with Li atom as the center decrease obviously, and the average coordination number of Li-O, Li-N, P-O, and P-N in the interfacial layers also decrease in the LiPON/Li interface. Due to the change of structure and coordination number at the interface, the ionic bonds between Li and O, N are weaker, which explains the increase of ionic conductivity at the LiPON/Li interface. Previous experiments showed that element interdiffusion occurs at the LiPON/Li interface and the interface layer is formed, and found that the decrease in impedance of the interface layer can confirm that the ionic conductivity of the interface layer indeed increases. In addition, the tetrahedral structure of the interface layer will be decomposed into other smaller structures. Our computational results are consistent with the previous experimental results, which indicates the rationality and reliability of our conclusion. This feature plays a positive role in promoting the performance of LiPON electrolytes in practical battery applications.
Hepatoenteric recycling is a new disposition mechanism for orally administered phenolic drugs and phytochemicals in rats
Authors: Tu Yifan , Wang Lu , Rong Yi , Tam Vincent , Yin Taijun , Gao Song , Singh Rashim , Hu Ming
Published: July 2021

Many orally administered phenolic drugs undergo enterohepatic recycling (EHR), presumably mediated by the hepatic phase II enzymes. However, the disposition of extrahepatically generated phase II metabolites is unclear. This paper aims to determine the new roles of liver and intestine in the disposition of oral phenolics. Sixteen representative phenolics were tested using direct portal vein infusion and/or intestinal perfusion. The results showed that certain glucuronides were efficiently recycled by liver. OATP1B1/1B3/2B1 were the responsible uptake transporters. Hepatic uptake is the rate-limiting step in hepatic recycling. Our findings showed that the disposition of many oral phenolics is mediated by intestinal glucuronidation and hepatic recycling. A new disposition mechanism ‘Hepatoenteric Recycling (HER)”, where intestine is the metabolic organ and liver is the recycling organ, was revealed. Further investigations focusing on HER should help interpret how intestinal aliments or co-administered drugs that alter gut enzymes (e.g. UGTs) expression/activities will impact the disposition of phenolics.
Mice in a labyrinth show rapid learning, sudden insight, and efficient exploration
Authors: Rosenberg Matthew , Zhang Tony , Perona Pietro , Meister Markus
Published: July 2021

Animals learn certain complex tasks remarkably fast, sometimes after a single experience. What behavioral algorithms support this efficiency? Many contemporary studies based on two-alternative-forced-choice (2AFC) tasks observe only slow or incomplete learning. As an alternative, we study the unconstrained behavior of mice in a complex labyrinth and measure the dynamics of learning and the behaviors that enable it. A mouse in the labyrinth makes ~2000 navigation decisions per hour. The animal explores the maze, quickly discovers the location of a reward, and executes correct 10-bit choices after only 10 reward experiences — a learning rate 1000-fold higher than in 2AFC experiments. Many mice improve discontinuously from one minute to the next, suggesting moments of sudden insight about the structure of the labyrinth. The underlying search algorithm does not require a global memory of places visited and is largely explained by purely local turning rules.
Analysis of ceRNA network of differentially expressed genes in FaDu cell line and a cisplatin-resistant line derived from it
Authors: Zhang Gehou , Tan Guolin , Li Tieqi , Ai Jingang , Song Yexun , Zhou Zheng , Xiao Jian , Li Wei
Published: July 2021

Background

Hypopharyngeal cancer accounts for 2% in head and neck cancers and has a poor prognosis. Cisplatin is a widely used chemotherapeutic drug in kinds of carcinomas, concluding hypopharyngeal cancer. However, the resistance of cisplatin appeared in recent years. Cisplatin-resistance has been partly explored before, but rarely in hypopharyngeal cancer.

Methods

We cultured the hypopharyngeal cancer cell (FaDu) and induced its cisplatin-resistant cell (FaDu/DDP4). Then we tested the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between FaDu and FaDu/DDP4. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were conducted on the DEGs, and we drew the ceRNA networks of DEGs. Finally, we chose eight miRNAs and six mRNAs for qRT-PCR to verify our microarray.

Results

We induced cisplatin-resistant FaDu/DDP4 and proved its chemoresistance. The resistance index (RI) of FaDu/DDP4 was 2.828. DEGs contain 2,388 lncRNAs, 1,932 circRNAs, 745 mRNAs and 202 miRNAs. These 745 mRNAs were classified into three domains and 47 secondary GO terms. In KEGG pathway enrichment, the “TNF signaling pathway”, “IL-17 signaling pathway” and “JAK-STAT signaling pathway” were potentially significant signaling pathways. Then, 52 lncRNAs, 148 circRNAs, 155 mRNAs and 18 miRNAs were selected to draw the network. We noticed several potential targets (as miR-197-5p, miR-6808-5p, APOE, MMP1, S100A9 and CYP24A1). At last, the eight miRNAs and six mRNAs that are critical RNAs in ceRNA network were verified by qRT-PCR.

Conclusion

The microarray helped to find DEGs in cisplatin-resistant hypopharyngeal cancer. TNF, IL-17 and JAK-STAT signaling pathways might be more significant for cisplatin-resistance. MiR-197-5p, miR-6808-5p, APOE, MMP1, S100A9 and CYP24A1 might be potential genes inducing resistance.
Soil-Transmitted Helminths Infection and Associated Risk Factors among Primary School Pupils in Omogho and Awa Communities, Anambra State, Nigeria
Authors: Nwankwo Amarachukwu , Onyebueke Anthony Chibuike , Irikannu Kindness Chidi , Nzeukwu Chibumma Immaculata , Onwuzulike Ifediba Vivian , Okafor Nnazimuzo Maria
Published: July 2021

Background: Soil-Transmitted Helminths (STHs) remain a public health problem. Infections are widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of the world.

Aim: This study was to investigate the prevalence and intensity of STH infections, the prevalence of STH mixed infections in relation to age and sex, and to identify the risk factors associated with STH infections among pupils in Omogho and Awa rural communities in Orumba North Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria.

Study design: The study was a cross-sectional survey of faecal samples collected from 453 randomly selected pupils from four primary schools.

Duration of study: The study was conducted between June and September 2017.

Materials and methods: The faecal samples were examined by direct smear and formol ether concentration techniques. Questionnaires based survey was done to determine the risk factors of STH among the pupils.

Results: The overall prevalence of STH infections was 44.2%. Among the schools, Primary School, Awa had the highest prevalence (17.0%) while Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy Primary School, Omogho, had the least prevalence (5.3%). Others were Community Primary School, Omogho (12.8%) and Community Primary School, Awa (9.1%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of STH infections among the primary school pupils (p = 0.36, p > .05). Ascaris lumbricoides (17.2%) was highest while Strongyloides stercoralis (2.0%) was the least prevalent. Other STHs observed were hookworms (15.9%) and Trichuris trichiura (9.1%). Pupils who do not practice proper hygiene had highest infections. A total of 149(32.9%) who do not wash hands after the use of toilet had more infections than 51(11.3%) who wash their hands. There was significant difference on prevalence of STH with responses on hygiene practices (p = 0.00, p < .05).

Conclusion: Absence of good toilet facility and adequate water supply in the schools made it difficult for the pupils to practice good hygiene. An integrated control of STH which should include provision of adequate toilet facilities for pupils, piped drinking water, chemotherapy and health education is recommended.
Mesotoga
Authors: Nesbø Camilla , L'Haridon Stéphane , Farrell Anne , Zhaxybayeva Olga
Published: July 2021

Me.so.to'ga. Gr. masc. adj.
mesos
middle; L. fem. n.
toga
Roman outer garment; N.L. fem. n.
Mesotoga
, a “garment in the middle,” referring to its moderate optimal growth temperature and the presence of a toga‐like outer sheath.

Thermotogota / Thermotogae / Kosmotogales / Kosmotogaceae / Mesotoga

Mesotoga
spp. are
mesophilic obligate heterotrophs
, with optimum growth temperature between 37 and 45°C, optimal pH of 6.9–7.5, and optimal salinity of 0.2–4.0 (NaCl w/v%). These bacteria utilize
sugar in the presence of sulfur
,
thiosulfate
, or in association with a
syntrophic hydrogenotrophic partner
. The cells are Gram‐stain negative short rods to ovoid cocci with a sheath‐like structure.
Mesotoga
spp. are members of the phylum
Thermotogota
, class
Thermotogae
, order
Kosmotogales
, and family
Kosmotogaceae
. The genus is currently composed of two described species,
M. prima
and
M. infera
. The known habitats are deep aquifers, marine anoxic sediments, hydrocarbon‐impacted environments, and anaerobic man‐made environments.

DNA G + C content (mol%)
: 45.2–48.3 (genome analysis).

Type species
:
Mesotoga prima
Nesbø et al. 2012, VL149.
Using In Situ Synchrotron‐Radiation‐Based Microtomography to Investigate 3D Structure‐Dependent Material Properties of Tension Wood
Authors: Schmelzle Sebastian , Bruns Stefan , Beckmann Felix , Moosmann Julian , Lautner Silke
Published: July 2021

Synchrotron‐radiation‐based microtomography enables the 3D analysis of biological samples in situ beyond simple visualization, providing accurate measurements and recording of temporal data. The microtomography end station at P05 (PETRA III, Hamburg, Germany), operated by the Helmholtz Zentrum Hereon, can accommodate complex sample environments such as a load frame for mechanical testing. Herein, the strain analysis of a volumetric time series dataset of small hardwood samples is presented. For this in situ mechanical testing, the load frame is operated in tensile mode, and the biogenic material samples are subdivided into those specialized for tensile forces and those of regular anatomical structure. Digital volume correlation analysis allows for the prediction of strain development at any position in the sample. The tissue specialized for tensile strength can align dislocations formed under tension such that the deformation is stronger and more ordered. The results show how high‐resolution imaging of sequential loading and the subsequent localization of strain can reveal functional morphological relationships. These methods can be extended to other biological materials and may prove to be extremely relevant for the analyses of fibrous and/or layered composite materials.
Tailoring Nonmetallic Inclusions in 42CrMo4 as a Preparative Tool for Active and Reactive Steel Melt Filtration
Authors: Wagner Ruben , Schmiedel Alexander , Dudczig Steffen , Aneziris Christos G. , Volkova Olena , Biermann Horst , Weidner Anja
Published: July 2021

This study investigates the effect of different temperatures during deoxidation of 42CrMo4 on nonmetallic inclusions (NMI). Tailoring NMIs by a modified temperature during deoxidation is the last step before a combination of reactive and active steel melt filtration. Extensive investigations of metallographic sections together with electrolytic extraction allow analysis of inclusions’ size distributions, chemical compositions, and morphologies. Reducing the temperature during deoxidation from approximately 1630 °C to a slightly lower temperature (LT) of approximately 1600 °C leads to a shift of inclusion size distribution toward smaller NMIs. Ultrasonic fatigue testing (USFT) reveals the largest particles within the cyclically loaded volume, showing a dendrite (1600 °C) instead of plate‐like morphology (1630 °C) of NMIs due to the LT level. The fatigue limit seems to be almost unaffected by the change in NMIs’ morphologies and is evaluated by Murakami's √area parameter model. The LT during oxidation and deoxidation is found to offer promising conditions for the application of a combination of reactive and active steel melt filtration.
Nanoparticle and Biomolecule Surface Modification Synergistically Increases Neural Electrode Recording Yield and Minimizes Inflammatory Host Response
Authors: Woeppel Kevin M. , Cui Xinyan Tracy
Published: July 2021

Due to their ability to interface with neural tissues, neural electrodes are the key tool used for neurophysiological studies, electrochemical detection, brain computer interfacing, and countless neuromodulation therapies and diagnostic procedures. However, the long‐term applications of neural electrodes are limited by the inflammatory host tissue response, decreasing detectable electrical signals, and insulating the device from the native environment. Surface modification methods are proposed to limit these detrimental responses but each has their own limitations. Here, a combinatorial approach is presented toward creating a stable interface between the electrode and host tissues. First, a thiolated nanoparticle (TNP) coating is utilized to increase the surface area and roughness. Next, the neural adhesion molecule L1 is immobilized to the nanoparticle modified substrate. In vitro, the combined nanotopographical and bioactive modifications (TNP+L1) elevate the bioactivity of L1, which is maintained for 28 d. In vivo, TNP+L1 modification improves the recording performance of the neural electrode arrays compared to TNP or L1 modification alone. Postmortem histology reveals greater neural cell density around the TNP+L1 coating while eliminating any inflammatory microglial encapsulation after 4 weeks. These results demonstrate that nanotopographical and bioactive modifications synergistically produce a seamless neural tissue interface for chronic neural implants.
Aggregation‐Induced Emission‐Based Platforms for the Treatment of Bacteria, Fungi, and Viruses
Authors: Chen Xiaohui , Han Haijie , Tang Zhe , Jin Qiao , Ji Jian
Published: July 2021

The prevention and control of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses is a herculean task for all the countries since they greatly threaten global public health. Rapid detection and effective elimination of these pathogens is crucial for the treatment of related diseases. It is urgently demanded to develop new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to combat bacteria, fungi, and viruses‐induced infections. The emergence of aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) luminogens (AIEgens) is a revolutionary breakthrough for the treatment of many diseases, including pathogenic infections. In this review, the main focus is on the applications of AIEgens for theranostic treatment of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Due to the AIE characteristic, AIEgens are promising fluorescent probes for the detection of bacteria, fungi, and viruses with excellent sensitivity and photostability. Moreover, AIEgen‐based theranostic platforms can be fabricated by introducing bactericidal moieties or designing AIE photosensitizers and AIE photothermal agents. The current strategies and ongoing developments of AIEgens for the treatment of pathogenic bacteria, fungi, and viruses will be discussed in detail.
Size‐Confined Effects of Nanostructures on Fibronectin‐Induced Macrophage Inflammation on Titanium Implants
Authors: Qi Haoning , Shi Miusi , Ni Yueqi , Mo Wenting , Zhang Peng , Jiang Shuting , Zhang Yufeng , Deng Xuliang
Published: July 2021

Macrophage activation determines the fate of biomaterials implantation. Though researches have shown that fibronectin (FN) is highly involved in integrin‐induced macrophage activation on biomaterials, the mechanism of how nanosized structure affects macrophage behavior is still unknown. Here, titanium dioxide nanotube structures with different sizes are fabricated to investigate the effects of nanostructure on macrophage activation. Compared with larger sized nanotubes and smooth surface, 30 nm nanotubes exhibit considerable lesser pro‐inflammatory properties on macrophage differentiation. Confocal protein observation and molecular dynamics simulation show that FN displays conformation changes on different nanotubes in a feature of “size‐confined,” which causes the hiding of Arg‐Gly‐Asp (RGD) domain on other surfaces. The matching size of nanotube with FN allows the maximum exposure of RGD on 30 nm nanotubes, activating integrin‐mediated focal adhesion kinase (FAK)‐phosphatidylinositol‐3 kinase γ (PI3Kγ) pathway to inhibit nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) signaling. In conclusion, this study explains the mechanism of nanostructural‐biological signaling transduction in protein and molecular levels, as well as proposes a promising strategy for surface modification to regulate immune responses on bioimplants.
Raman Red‐Shift Compressor: A Simple Approach for Scaling the High Harmonic Generation Cut‐Off
Authors: Légaré Katherine , Safaei Reza , Barrette Guillaume , Arias Loïc , Lassonde Philippe , Ibrahim Heide , Vodungbo Boris , Jal Emmanuelle , Lüning Jan , Jaouen Nicolas , Tao Zhensheng , Baltuška Andrius , Légaré François , Fan Guangyu
Published: July 2021

The use of ultrashort laser pulses with long wavelengths as drivers is a relevant strategy for scaling high harmonic generation (HHG) to higher photon energies. Here, stimulated Raman scattering enhanced by the formation of multidimensional solitary states in a molecular gas‐filled hollow‐core fiber as the mechanism to produce a versatile HHG driver is reported on. This recently discovered method allows to red shift and to compress conventional subpicosecond laser pulses with a simple experimental apparatus, ultimately increasing the generated photon energy, while assuring a high photon flux. The adaptability, simplicity, and stability of this method make it attractive for tailoring HHG sources to individual applications at specific photon energies. Measurements of resonant magnetic scattering in a cobalt/platinum multilayer sample are presented as a demonstration of the relevance of this approach for photon‐hungry applications in the extreme ultraviolet.
Controlled Access to C1‐Symmetrical Cyclotriveratrylenes (CTVs) by Using a Sequential Barluenga Boronic Coupling (BBC) Approach
Authors: Vigier Clément , Fossé Pierre , Fabis Frédéric , Cailly Thomas , Dubost Emmanuelle
Published: July 2021

We describe here a controlled approach to C1‐symmetrical cyclotriveratrylenes (CTVs). In this approach dimers are synthesized through Barluenga boronic coupling (BBC) and after borylation, the last aromatic ring is introduced by a second BBC. After functional transformations of the trimers, the CTVs are formed using intramolecular SEAr.

magnified image
3D Carbon−Metal Oxide Composite Electrodes on Graphite‐Coated Stainless Steel Substrate as a High‐Performance Anode for Lithium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Mamidi Suresh , Potphode Darshna , Pathak Anil D. , Sharma Chandra S.
Published: July 2021

3D microelectrodes are known to offer significant advantages compared with conventional thin‐film electrodes due to their large surface area and shorter diffusion lengths. However, the direct use of 3D microelectrodes on bare stainless steel (SS) causes low rate capabilities, poor cycling performance, and safety concerns. Herein, these issues are addressed by designing 3D microelectrodes on the graphite‐coated substrate with deposition of metal‐organic framework (MOF)‐derived nanostructured cobalt oxide petals at the base of the microelectrodes array. In this electrode configuration, graphite coating serves as an electrical interface between the microelectrodes and substrate, which lowers the resistance by providing efficient electron‐conducting pathways. The cobalt oxide facilitates Li‐ion diffusion and enhances the storage capability by conversion redox reactions. As an anode material, this 3D composite electrode delivers outstanding performance with a discharge capacity of 913 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 current density even after 200 cycles.

Furthermore, a diffusion‐limited model using the finite element method is developed to investigate the time‐dependent Li‐ion transport across 3D microelectrodes. The computational study demonstrates the advantages of 3D carbon microelectrode morphology over the conventional planar electrodes. The excellent cyclic stability with outstanding specific capacities confirms the potential applicability of this novel electrode for high‐performance lithium‐ion batteries.
Pharmacological treatment to reduce pulmonary morbidity after esophagectomy
Authors: Shinozaki Hiroharu , Matsuoka Tadashi , Ozawa Soji
Published: July 2021

Esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is one of the most invasive procedures in gastrointestinal surgery. An invasive surgical procedure causes postoperative lung injury through the surgical procedure and one‐lung ventilation during anesthesia. Lung injury developed by inflammatory response to surgical insults and oxidative stress is associated with pulmonary morbidity after esophagectomy. Postoperative pulmonary complications negatively affect the long‐term outcomes; therefore, an effort to reduce lung injury improves overall survival after esophagectomy. Although significant evidence has not been established, various pharmacological treatments for reducing lung injury, such as administration of a corticosteroid, neutrophil elastase inhibitor, and vitamins are considered to have efficacy for pulmonary morbidity. In this review we survey the following topics: mediators during the perioperative periods of esophagectomy and the efficacy of pharmacological therapies for patients with esophagectomy on pulmonary complications.