bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Vanka‐based parameter‐robust multigrid relaxation for the Stokes–Darcy Brinkman problems
Authors: He Yunhui
Published: June 2023

We consider a block‐structured multigrid method based on Braess–Sarazin relaxation for solving the Stokes–Darcy Brinkman equations discretized by the marker and cell scheme. In the relaxation scheme, an element‐based additive Vanka operator is used to approximate the inverse of the corresponding shifted Laplacian operator involved in the discrete Stokes–Darcy Brinkman system. Using local Fourier analysis, we present the stencil for the additive Vanka smoother and derive an optimal smoothing factor for Vanka‐based Braess–Sarazin relaxation for the Stokes–Darcy Brinkman equations. Although the optimal damping parameter is dependent on meshsize and physical parameter, it is very close to one. In practice, we find that using three sweeps of Jacobi relaxation on the Schur complement system is sufficient. Numerical results of two‐grid and V(1,1)‐cycle are presented, which show high efficiency of the proposed relaxation scheme and its robustness to physical parameters and the meshsize. Using a damping parameter equal to one gives almost the same convergence results as these for the optimal damping parameter.
Neural network representation of time integrators
Authors: Löhner Rainald , Antil Harbir
Published: June 2023

Deep neural network (DNN) architectures are constructed that are the exact equivalent of explicit Runge–Kutta schemes for numerical time integration. The network weights and biases are given, that is, no training is needed. In this way, the only task left for physics‐based integrators is the DNN approximation of the right‐hand side. This allows to clearly delineate the approximation estimates for right‐hand side errors and time integration errors. The architecture required for the integration of a simple mass‐damper‐stiffness case is included as an example.
Bell's Palsy After Vaccination Against Covid‐19: A Systematic Review and Meta‐analysis
Authors: Gordon Alex J. , Varelas Antonios , Eytan Danielle F.
Published: June 2023

Objective

This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to identify studies reporting the incidence of Bell's Palsy after vaccination against coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid‐19) and assess whether this incidence is greater than among the general population.

Data Sources

PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science.

Review Methods

A systematic review was performed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐analyses guidelines. Databases were searched from inception to May 9, 2022, for studies reporting the incidence of Bell's Palsy among individuals vaccinated against Covid‐19 and control populations. Meta‐analyses of odds ratios (ORs) were performed to compare the incidence of Bell's Palsy in these groups.

Results

We identified 7 studies reporting the incidence of Bell's Palsy after vaccination and among the general population, including 20,234,931 total vaccinated patients. The length of postvaccination follow‐up ranged from 7 to 43 days in these studies. The incidence of Bell's Palsy was not significantly greater among vaccinated individuals (OR: 1.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.65‐1.71; p = .82). Stratifying by dose, the incidence of Bell's Palsy was not significantly greater after receiving either the first dose (OR: 0.84; 95% CI: 0.47‐1.49; p = .54) or second dose (OR: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.58‐1.79; p = .96).

Conclusion

Among the available evidence, the incidence of Bell's Palsy after vaccination against Covid‐19 is comparable to that of the general unvaccinated population. Patient counseling should provide reassurance that there is no known association between Bell's Palsy and Covid‐19 vaccination.
Understanding Organic Complexation in Groundwater Treatment
Authors: Reinsch Craig T.
Published: June 2023

Knowing potential interferences with groundwater treatment can save time and money if they’re recognized early.
A case of tongue squamous cell carcinoma with multiple metastases to the gluteal region
Authors: Takaoka Shohei , Fukuzawa Satoshi , Uchida Fumihiko , Ishibashi‐Kanno Naomi , Yamagata Kenji , Bukawa Hiroki
Published: June 2023

Background

Distant metastases to the skin or skeletal muscle in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) are rare. Metastases to the gluteal region increase patient suffering and decrease quality of life.

Case presentation

A 66‐year‐old woman with tongue OSCC (cT4aN3bM0) underwent neck dissection, subtotal glossectomy, and adjuvant postoperative chemotherapy. Six months after surgery, the patient developed multiple metastases to the gluteal region. Radiation therapy was administered to the gluteal region for her pain.

Conclusion

Radiotherapy for metastases of the gluteal region contributed to improving the patient's quality of life.
Association between treatment of hepatitis C virus and risk of cardiovascular disease among insured patients with the virus in the United States
Authors: Wang Wei , Chen Chao , Re Vincent Lo , Chang Shao‐Hsuan , Wilson Debbie L. , Park Haesuk
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has been associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). It is unclear whether HCV treatment affects risk of CVD among patients infected with HCV. We assessed the incidence and risk of CVD among insured patients with HCV infection and evaluated if HCV treatment was associated with reduced CVD risk.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study used MarketScan Commercial and Medicare Supplement databases. Patients newly diagnosed with HCV (vs. patients without HCV) between January 2008 and August 2015 were categorized by treatment (none, insufficient, or minimum effective) based on receipt and duration of anti‐HCV treatments. After propensity score matching, time‐dependent Cox proportional hazards models were used to compare CVD risk between patients with HCV versus without and between patients with HCV by treatment type and duration.

Results

HCV was associated with 13% increased risk of developing CVD overall (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] 95% CI 1.26–1.35) and with 13% (aHR 1.07–1,18), 9% (aHR 1.03–1.15), and 32% (aHR 1.24–1.40) significantly increased risks of developing coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease, respectively. Among patients with HCV, compared with no treatment, receipt of minimum effective treatment was associated with 24% decreased risk of CVD, and receipt of insufficient treatment was associated with 14% decreased risk of CVD.

Conclusions

Individuals chronically infected with HCV had a higher incidence of CVD. Among patients with HCV, receipt of antiviral treatment for HCV was associated with decreased risk of CVD.
Study on mechanical properties of solid propellant NEPE
Authors: Jin Li , Qian Jiong , Zhi Fang Qin , Wei Hu Qin , Hui Yu Min
Published: June 2023

Nitrate ester plasticized polyether (NEPE) propellants, are high energy solid propellants that are used widely in solid rocket motor. It is necessary to study the mechanical properties of NEPE propellants in order to ensure an accurate prediction of the performance of solid rocket motors and ensure the safety of launch platforms.

We studied the viscoelastic hyperelastic constitutive model of NEPE propellants. The speckle defocusing method and digital image correlation(DIC) method are used to obtain the strain of solid propellant NEPE in three directions during unidirectional stretching, and the volume change rate, Poisson's ratio and true strain curves of NEPE under different stretching rates are obtained. With the increase of loading rate, the maximum stress that NEPE can encounter increases, and the modulus at the initial elastic stage also increases. At the initial stage of stretching, the volume change rate is close to 1, the Poisson's ratio fluctuates within a range close to 0.5. When the engineering principal strain in the tensile direction reaches a certain value, the volume change rate begins to increase and the Poisson's ratio begins to decrease. The strain of solid propellant NEPE in three directions during uniaxial tension was successfully measured by speckle defocus method and digital image correlation (DIC) method. NEPE is close to being a super elastic material at the initial stage of stretching. The change trend of the volume change rate curve of different loading rates is consistent, and the stretching rate has no effect on the volume change rate of NEPE.
Research on multiphase flow field characteristics of underwater gun double‐tube parallel firing
Authors: Zhang Xuan , Yu Yonggang , Zhang Xinwei
Published: June 2023

The underwater muzzle flow field formed by the double‐tube launch will interfere with each other, resulting in large changes in the characteristic parameters of the flow field and shock wave morphology. Therefore, the numerical model of three‐dimensional unsteady multiphase flow for underwater gun‐sealed launching was established. Meanwhile, an experimental platform for the underwater sealed launch was built and the rationality of the model was verified. The interior ballistic process compiled by UDF was coupled with the dynamic mesh technology, and the VOF multiphase flow model integrated with the Schnerr‐Sauer cavitation model was chosen to numerically calculate the muzzle flow field of the 30 mm underwater gun double‐tube parallel launch, and the numerical results were compared to those of the single‐tube launch. The results show that the gas is expelled from the muzzle and rapidly expands to form a gas cavity, and the “necking” phenomenon of the gas cavity occurs at 0.2 ms, while the Mach disk structure has formed. Due to the mutual interference between the flow fields formed by each tube, the diameters of the Mach disk are slightly different, and the flow field structure has a certain asymmetry in the evolution process. The core area of the shock wave is bowl‐shaped of the single‐tube launch, while it is not completely filled of the double‐tube launch. Within 0.5 ms, the diameter of the Mach disk increases monotonously when the single‐tube is launched, while it first increases and then decays by a double‐tube.
Production and quality of Hami melon (Cucumis melo var. reticulatus) and pest population of Thrips palmi in UV‐blocking film greenhouses
Authors: Wang Likui , Chen Jianwen , Zhao Chenyang , Jin Haifeng , Li Fen , Wu Shaoying
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Ultraviolet (UV) interferes with the vision, flight initiation, dispersal, host, and population dispersion of herbivorous insects. Hence, UV‐blocking film has recently been developed as one of the most potential tools to control pests under tropical greenhouse conditions. In this study, we investigated the effects of UV‐blocking film on the population dynamics of Thrips palmi Karny and the growth status of Hami melon (Cucumis melo var. reticulatus) in greenhouses.

RESULTS

By comparing thrips populations in greenhouses covered with UV‐blocking films with those covered with ordinary polyethylene films, we found that the UV‐blocking film effectively reduced the thrips population within 1 week and continued to control the population, meanwhile the quality and yield of melon in UV‐blocking greenhouses also had a substantial increase.

CONCLUSION

The UV‐blocking film remarkably inhibited the population growth of thrips and greatly improved the yield of Hami melon cultivated in UV‐blocking greenhouse compared with the control greenhouse. Overall, UV‐blocking film is a very powerful potential tool for green pest control in the field, enhancing the quality of tropical fruits, and providing a new wind vane for sustainable green agriculture in the future. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Integrated genome‐wide association study and QTL mapping reveals qSa‐3A associated with English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius) resistance in wheat
Authors: Zhao Yue , Yan Xuefang , Zeng Zhankui , Zhao Dehui , Chen Peng , Wang Yuying , Chen Feng , Wang Chunping
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

The English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae (Fabricius), is a devastating pest impacts yield and quality in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). Breeding resistant wheat varieties and detecting resistance genes are important strategies to control aphid.

RESULTS

In this study, we evaluated the number of aphids per spike, the rate of thousand kernel weight decrease and aphid index based on three classic resistance mechanisms (antibiosis, tolerance and antixenosis), and detected SNPs/QTLs for resistance to S. avenae in a natural population of 163 varieties with 20 689 high‐quality single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers and recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of 164 lines with 3627 diversity arrays technology (DArT) markers. Results showed that 83 loci significantly associated with S. avenae antibiosis and 182 loci significantly associated with S. avenae tolerance were detected by genome‐wide association study (GWAS), explaining 6.47–15.82% and 8.36–35.61% of the phenotypic variances, respectively. The wsnp_Ku_c4568_8243646 detected in two periods was localized at 34.52 Mb on chromosome 3AS. Then, we confirmed a stable QSa.haust‐3A.2 explained 11.19–20.10% of the phenotypic variances in two periods with S. avenae antixenosis in the physical interval of 37.49–37.50 Mb on chromosome 3A in the RIL population. Therefore, a narrow region in the physical interval of 34.52–37.50 Mb on chromosome 3AS was named as qSa‐3A, which was a new locus between wsnp_Ku_c4568_8243646 and QSa.haust‐3A.2 associated with S. avenae resistance.

CONCLUSION

We found qSa‐3A was a new locus associated with S. avenae resistance. The results could be applied in gene cloning and genetic improvement of S. avenae resistance in wheat. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Design, synthesis, insecticidal activities and translocation of amino acid–tralopyril conjugates as vectorizing agrochemicals
Authors: Yao Guangkai , Han Shuo , Wen Yingjie , Xiao Yuyan , Zhao Chen , Xu Hanhong
Published: June 2023

Background

Conjugating amino acid moieties to active ingredients has been recognized as an effective method for improving the precise targeting of the active form to the specific site. Based on the vectorization strategy, a series of amino acid–tralopyril conjugates were designed and synthesized as novel proinsecticide candidates, with the potential capability of root uptake and translocation to the foliage of crops.

Results

Bioassay results showed excellent insecticidal activities of some conjugates, in particular, the conjugates 6b, 6e, and 7e, against the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella), with equivalent insecticidal activity to chlorfenapyr (CFP). Importantly, conjugate 6e exhibited significantly higher in vivo insecticidal activity against P. xylostella than CFP. Furthermore, the systemic test experiments with Brassica chinensis demonstrated that conjugates 6e and 7e could be transported to the leaves, in contrast to CFP, which remained in the root.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated the feasibility of amino acid fragment conjugation as a vectorization strategy for transporting non‐systemic insecticides into the leaves of B. chinensis while maintaining in vivo insecticidal activity. The findings also provide insights for subsequent mechanism studies on the uptake and transport of amino acid–insecticide conjugates in plants. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Muscle strength is reduced in children with pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Pepplinkhuizen Shari , Eshuis Graziella , Zijlstra Willemijn M. H. , Timmer Carola Y. , Ploegstra Mark Jan , Lelieveld Otto T. H. M. , Hepping Ann Marjolein , Beenakker Ernesto A. C. , Berger Rolf M. F.
Published: June 2023

Muscle strength is decreased in adults with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). We aim to investigate muscle strength in children with PAH in relation to a cohort of healthy children, and investigate correlations with disease severity markers. This prospective study included children with PAH aged 4−18 years, who visited the Dutch National Referral Center for Pulmonary Hypertension in Childhood between October 2015 and March 2016. Muscle strength was assessed using handgrip strength and maximum voluntary isometric contractility (MVIC) of four peripheral muscles. Dynamic muscle function was evaluated with the Bruininks−Oseretsky test of motor proficiency (BOT‐2). These measurements were compared with those in two cohorts of healthy children and correlated with 6‐minute walk distance (6MWD), World Health Organization functional class (WHO‐FC), N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP), and time since diagnosis. Eighteen children with PAH aged 14.0 [interquartile range: 9.9−16.0] years showed reduced muscle strength. Handgrip strength z‐score −2.4 ± 1.2, p < 0.001, total MVIC z‐score −2.9 ± 1.2, p < 0.001, and BOT‐2 z‐score −1.0 ± 0.9, p < 0.001. 6MWD (67 ± 11% predicted) correlated with most muscle measurements (r = 0.49−0.71, p = 0.001). Dynamic muscle function (BOT‐2) differed between WHO‐FC, whereas handgrip strength and MVIC did not. NT‐proBNP and time since diagnosis did not show significant correlations with muscle strength measurements. Muscle strength was significantly reduced in children with PAH and correlated with 6MWD, but not with disease severity markers WHO‐FC and NT‐pro‐BNP. The nature of this reduced muscle strength is yet unclear, but its occurrence in children with seemingly mild or well‐controlled PAH supports the concept of PAH being a systemic syndrome involving peripheral skeletal muscles.
The dynamics of slow‐moving coherent cyclonic potential vorticity anomalies and their links to heavy rainfall over the eastern seaboard of Australia
Authors: Barnes Michael A. , King Malcolm , Reeder Michael , Jakob Christian
Published: June 2023

Heavy rainfall occurs frequently on the subtropical eastern seaboard of Australia (ESB). Many rainfall events are associated with slow‐moving, upper‐level low‐pressure systems. Combined with moisture‐rich easterly winds associated with a surface anticyclone, these systems can produce heavy rainfall, leading to flooding events. Although the general meteorology of these events has been documented, much of the focus has been on surface processes, with limited attention paid previously to the dynamics aloft. Here, we investigate the upper‐level dynamics associated with heavy rainfall events over the ESB with the use of a coherent potential vorticity (PV) minimum climatology on the 330‐K isentropic level. Slow‐moving coherent cyclonic PV anomalies produce more rainfall than fast‐moving anomalies over the ESB. Rossby‐wave breaking is responsible for the development of a slow‐moving coherent cyclonic PV anomaly as well as the commonly observed surface patterns that are necessary for heavy rainfall over the ESB. Slow cyclonic coherent PV anomalies are either transported equatorwards into the Tropics, where they may influence tropical weather systems, or removed from the region by the restoration of the subtropical jet over continental Australia.
An investigation into the impact of soil particle conductivity and percolation threshold on the Hilhorst model to estimate pore water conductivity in soils
Authors: Goodchild Martin S.
Published: June 2023

The aim of this work has been to assess the Hilhorst model, used for estimating in‐soil pore water conductivity, against soil properties of percolation threshold and soil particle conductivity. The Hilhorst model has the benefit of requiring a single soil‐specific parameter which makes this model easy to apply from soil permittivity and bulk conductivity measurements. However, the Hilhorst model requires that the bulk conductivity measurement is dominated by pore water conductivity, which is not always the case in many ‘‘real‐world’’ settings. This work examines a mathematical framework derived from combining the Hilhorst and Ewing and Hunt models which allows the Hilhorst soil parameter to be derived for a range of soil particle conductivities (0 to 10 mS m−1) and percolation thresholds (0 to 0.1 m3 m−3). The analysis in this work indicates that the Hilhorst parameter is highly sensitive to both soil properties with respect to the default value of 4.1 that is often employed. This assessment indicates that: (i) soil particle conductivity can result in the Hilhorst model overestimating pore water conductivity, which becomes more significant for lower bulk conductivities, and, (ii) percolation threshold can result in the Hilhorst model underestimating pore water conductivity, which becomes more significant for lower soil moisture contents. The results from this analysis suggest that the application of the Hilhorst model should be considered against the context of soil particle conductivity and percolation threshold for a given soil under test.
A creative place‐making framework – Story‐creation for a sustainable development
Authors: Tan Siow‐Kian , Tan Siow‐Hooi
Published: June 2023

Sustainable development is the ultimate goal for policy‐makers and place‐makers to develop a place. Nevertheless, although many approaches, such as exogenous, endogenous, neo‐endogenous, creative cities, and creative place‐making, have been studied, realizing a place‐based approach requires further research. This study addresses the gaps in these approaches by exploring how a place might be made from a local's perspective. A grounded theory approach was employed to understand the phenomena, and theoretical sampling was applied. Data were collected through interviews, online sharing sessions, and secondary sources. A total of 71 documents were collected and analyzed. Hundreds of open codes were refined to 52 concepts, which later were categorized under 20 sub‐dimensions. Next, these sub‐dimensions were grouped under eight dimensions and later integrated into three themes – “a creation of stories, a rise of wellbeing, and a sustainable goal”. Lastly, these themes construct a framework for creative place‐making. This framework addresses the lacunas of previous studies by illustrating a creative place‐making process with the creation of stories, the generations of sense of place and wellbeing, and lastly, addressing the local's problems; this process helps to create a place branding which will motivate more locals to create the stories of their place.
Rule ensemble method with adaptive group lasso for heterogeneous treatment effect estimation
Authors: Wan Ke , Tanioka Kensuke , Shimokawa Toshio
Published: June 2023

The increasing scientific attention given to precision medicine based on real‐world data has led to many recent studies clarifying the relationships between treatment effects and patient characteristics. However, this is challenging because of ubiquitous heterogeneity in the treatment effect for individuals and the real‐world data on their backgrounds being complex and noisy. Because of their flexibility, various machine learning (ML) methods have been proposed for estimating heterogeneous treatment effect (HTE). However, most ML methods incorporate black‐box models that hamper direct interpretation of the relationships between an individual's characteristics and treatment effects. This study proposes an ML method for estimating HTE based on the rule ensemble method RuleFit. The main advantages of RuleFit are interpretability and accuracy. However, HTEs are always defined in the potential outcome framework, and RuleFit cannot be applied directly. Thus, we modified RuleFit and proposed a method to estimate HTEs that directly interpret the relationships among the individuals' features from the model. Actual data from an HIV study, the ACTG 175 dataset, was used to illustrate the interpretation based on the ensemble of rules created by the proposed method. The numerical results confirm that the proposed method has high prediction accuracy compared to previous methods, indicating that the proposed method establishes an interpretable model with sufficient prediction accuracy.
Insights to Carrier‐Phonon Interactions in Lead Halide Perovskites via Multi‐Pulse Manipulation
Authors: Feng Minjun , Ye Senyun , Lim Jia Wei Melvin , Guo Yuanyuan , Cai Rui , Zhang Qiannan , He Huajun , Sum Tze Chien
Published: June 2023

A fundamental understanding of the hot‐carrier dynamics in halide perovskites is crucial for unlocking their prospects for next generation photovoltaics. Presently, a coherent picture of the hot carrier cooling process remains patchy due to temporally overlapping contributions from many‐body interactions, multi‐bands, band gap renormalization, Burstein–Moss shift etc. Pump‐push‐probe (PPP) spectroscopy recently emerges as a powerful tool complementing the ubiquitous pump‐probe (PP) spectroscopy in the study of hot‐carrier dynamics. However, limited information from PPP on the initial excitation density and carrier temperature curtails its full potential. Herein, this work bridges this gap in PPP with a unified model that retrieves these essential hot carrier metrics like initial carrier density and carrier temperature under the push conditions, thus permitting direct comparison with traditional PP spectroscopy. These results are well‐fitted by the phonon bottleneck model, from which the longitudinal optical phonon scattering time τLO, for MAPbBr3 and MAPbI3 halide perovskite thin film samples are determined to be 240 ± 10 and 370 ± 10 fs, respectively.
Spinal epidural empyema in a colobus monkey
Authors: Cehrs Emily , Beltran Elsa
Published: June 2023

A 10‐year‐old, male colobus monkey presented with a kyphotic appearance. Lumbar spinal pain was suspected, and the colobus was started on a course of meloxicam. With no improvement noted, it was sedated for examination. Haematology revealed a neutrophilia. An empirical course of clavulanate potentiated amoxicillin was started. With no improvements seen after a 10‐day course, clinical examination was repeated. Abdominal ultrasound and abdominal radiographs revealed an abdominal effusion near the lumbar vertebrae, and haematology revealed a neutrophilia with toxic neutrophils. An enrofloxacin course was started. Three days later, the colobus presented with acute paraplegia with neurolocalisation to the T3–L3 spinal cord segments. A magnetic resonance imaging of the vertebral column was performed. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed multifocal osteolytic vertebral body lesions, compression fractures of multiple vertebral bodies and ventral spinal cord compression. Differential diagnosis included infectious osteomyelitis with spinal epidural empyema or less likely, neoplasia. Due to the poor prognosis, euthanasia was elected.
Mitigation of transient torque reversals in indirect drive wind turbine drivetrains
Authors: Sarkar Saptarshi , Johansson Håkan , Berbyuk Viktor
Published: June 2023

Bearing failure in wind turbine gearboxes is one of the significant sources of downtime. While it is well‐known that bearing failures cause the largest downtime, the failure cause(s) is often elusive. The bearings are designed to satisfy their rolling contact fatigue (RCF) life. However, they often undergo sudden and rapid failure within a few years of operation. It is well‐known that these premature failures are attributed to surface damages such as white surface flaking (WSF), white etching cracks (WECs) and axial cracks. In that regard, transient torque reversals (TTRs) in the drivetrain have emerged as one of the primary triggers of surface damage, as explained in this paper. The risk associated with TTRs motivates the need to mitigate TTRs arising in the drivetrain due to various transient events. This paper investigates three TTR mitigation methods. First, two existing devices, namely, the torsional tuned mass damper and the asymmetric torque limiter, are studied to demonstrate their TTR mitigation capabilities. Then, a novel idea of open‐loop high‐speed shaft mechanical brake control is proposed. The results presented here show that while the torsional tuned mass damper and the asymmetric torque limiter can improve the torsional vibration characteristics of the drivetrain, they cannot mitigate TTRs in terms of eliminating the bearing slip risk associated with TTRs. However, the novel approach proposed here can mitigate TTRs both in terms of improving the torque characteristic in the high‐speed shaft and reducing the risk of bearing slip by actuating the high‐speed shaft brake at the onset of the transient event. Furthermore, the control method is capable of mitigating TTRs with the mechanical limitations of a pneumatic actuator in terms of bandwidth and initial dead time applied to it. This novel approach allows the wind turbines to protect the gearbox bearings from TTRs using the existing hardware on the turbine.
A beam contact benchmark with analytic solution
Authors: Bosten Armin , Denoël Vincent , Cosimo Alejandro , Linn Joachim , Brüls Olivier
Published: June 2023

This paper presents a test case to help validate simulation codes for contact problems involving beams. A closed form solution is derived and the comparison is made with a finite element (FE) implementation that uses the mortar method for enforcing the contact constraints. The test case consists of a semi‐infinite cantilever beam subjected to a constant distributed load and experiencing frictionless contact with a straight rigid substrate. Both an Euler‐Bernoulli and a Timoshenko beam model are considered and the influence of the differing kinematic hypotheses is analyzed. In the case of the Euler‐Bernoulli beam the distributed contact force is equal to the load along the contact region except at the boundary where a point load appears. On the contrary, the rigid substrate exerts a fully distributed load on the Timoshenko beam which decays exponentially from the first contact point and tends towards the applied load. The rate of decay depends on the relative shear deformability. Moreover, whereas in the first case the transverse shear force is discontinuous, it becomes continuous when allowing for shear deformation. An example of benchmarking is given for a particular FE code. The error with respect to the exact solution can be computed and it is shown that the numerical solution converges to the analytic solution when the FE mesh is refined.
DOML: A New Modelling Approach to Infrastructure-as-Code
Authors: Chiari Michele , Xiang Bin , Nedeltcheva Galia Novakova , Di Nitto Elisabetta , Blasi Lorenzo , Benedetto Debora , Niculut Laurentiu
Published: June 2023

One of the main DevOps practices is the automation of resource provisioning and deployment of complex software. This automation is enabled by the explicit definition of Infrastructure-as-Code (IaC), i.e., a set of scripts, often written in different modelling languages, which defines the infrastructure and applications to be deployed.

We introduce the DevOps Modelling Language (DOML), a new Cloud modelling language for infrastructure deployments. DOML is a modelling approach that can be mapped into multiple IaC languages, addressing infrastructure provisioning, application deployment and configuration at once. The idea behind DOML is to use a single modelling paradigm which can help to reduce the need of deep technical expertise in using different specialised IaC languages.

We present the DOML’s principles and discuss the related work on IaC languages. We demonstrate the DOML advantages for the end-user in comparison with state-of-the-art IaC languages such as Ansible, Terraform, and Cloudify, and show its effectiveness through an example.
Design and Evaluation of a User Interface Concept for Prescriptive Process Monitoring
Authors: Kubrak Kateryna , Milani Fredrik , Nolte Alexander , Dumas Marlon
Published: June 2023

Prescriptive process monitoring methods recommend interventions during the execution of a process to maximize its success rate. Current research in this field focuses on algorithms to learn intervention policies that maximize the expected payoff of the interventions under certain statistical assumptions. In contrast, there has been limited attention on how to aid process stakeholders in understanding the outputs of these algorithms. In this research, we set to develop an interface to provide end users with relevant information to guide the decision on where and when to trigger interventions in a process. We draw upon an analysis of existing solutions and a review of the literature to elicit information items for a user interface for prescriptive process monitoring. Thereon, we develop a user interface concept and evaluate it with experts. The evaluation confirms the informational needs covered by the user interface concept. In addition, the evaluation shows that different end-user groups (operational users, tactical managers, and process analysts) can benefit from the information items included in the interface.
Übungen im Formkalkül
Authors: Baecker Dirk
Published: June 2023

Der Formkalkül von George Spencer-Brown (1969, dt. 1997) erlaubt es, Bezeichnungen in Abhängigkeit von Kontexten anzuschreiben. Der Beitrag erläutert die Methode und erprobt den Formkalkül an der digitalen Laufkarte bei MultiProfil und dem Einsatz von MS Teams bei XENON.
Schnitt.stelle: Podcast zwischen Wissen und Nichtwissen
Authors: Landzettel Jakob
Published: June 2023

Der Beitrag dokumentiert Erfahrungen, die im KILPaD-Projekt mit einem das Projekt begleitenden Podcast gemacht wurden. Die zentrale Fragestellung lautet, ob sich Podcasts zu externen und internen Wissenschaftskommunikation eignen. Wie sich herausstellt, hat der Podcast vor allem während der Pandemie überraschenderweise die wichtige Aufgabe übernommen, ausführlicher als es in Videokonferenzen möglich beziehungsweise üblich ist, über die Fragestellungen, Perspektiven und Erfahrungen aller Beteiligten in Wissenschaft und betrieblicher Praxis zu berichten. Im Podcast kann es gelingen, Wissen und Nichtwissen gleichermaßen zum Ausdruck zu bringen.
Strukturelle Kopplung durch Daten
Authors: Baecker Dirk
Published: June 2023

Daten sind Formen der strukturellen Kopplung zwischen Systemen und ihren Umwelten. Unter einer strukturellen Kopplung versteht man den Aufbau einer Struktur, in die sich die Wirklichkeit einer Umwelt eintragen kann, ohne die Operationen festzulegen, die im System auf diese Struktur reagieren (Luhmann 1995). Strukturelle Kopplung ist daher ein Komplementärbegriff zur Idee operational geschlossener, selbstreferentiell operierender Systeme. Um diese Funktion einer Form struktureller Kopplung erfüllen zu können, müssen Daten bestimmten Anforderungen genügen. Sie müssen eine eigene Komplexität aufweisen, die es ausschließt, sie linear im Sinne einer eineindeutigen Übersetzung in Operationen zu verwenden. Erst dann können sie Eigenleistungen der mit ihnen arbeitenden Systeme anregen. Erst dann sind sie keine bloßen Signale, die kausal entweder wirken oder nicht wirken, sondern Kommunikation beziehungsweise, um in der Sprache der Semiotik zu bleiben: Zeichen, die interpretiert werden können und müssen, um gemäß der Eigendynamik der beteiligten Systeme wirken zu können.
Warum ist das WARUM so wichtig?
Authors: Lieckweg Tania
Published: June 2023

Die Antwort auf die Frage nach dem Warum setzt Menschen in Bewegung. Sie ermöglicht Menschen, sich zu beteiligen und sie motiviert zur gemeinsamen Entwicklung von Lösungen. Die Antwort auf die Frage nach dem Warum ist ein starkes, aber nicht einfach anzuwendendes Management-Tool. Mit der Antwort auf das Warum kann man in verschiedene Richtungen arbeiten, aber vor allem kann man darüber die Menschen, die in und mit den digitalisierten Prozessen, Abläufen, Produkten oder Angeboten arbeiten, zur Mitgestaltung einladen und bewegen. Und diese Mitgestaltung ist bei Digitalisierung unverzichtbar. Der Beitrag zeigt, wie dieses Management-Tool für Aufgaben der Führung genutzt werden kann, und erläutert dies an Beispielen aus dem Projektzusammenhang.
Wandel von Arbeit und Kompetenzanforderungen durch die Einführung eines Manufacturing Execution System (MES) in der Produktion
Authors: Thomas Martina , Elsholz Uwe , Tabbara Nader
Published: June 2023

In der hier vorgestellten Fallskizze wird am Beispiel einer mittelständischen Produktion nachgezeichnet, wie sich mit der Implementierung eines Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) die Arbeit und damit einhergehend Kompetenzanforderungen in den produktionsnahen Bereichen bzw. in der Produktion verändern. Dabei deuten sich insbesondere Verschiebungen in der Zusammenarbeit zwischen Bereichen und Hierarchieebenen an.
„Wenn man digitalisiert, wird der Prozess erstmal nur anders“: Über die Einführung eines neuen Wiki-Systems
Authors: Oelkers Patrick , Locher Maximilian
Published: June 2023

Der Beitrag dokumentiert ein Gespräch mit dem technischen Geschäftsführer Patrick Oelkers von der nass magnet GmbH. Bezugspunkt des Gesprächs ist das von Herrn Oelkers initiierte Projekt zur Einführung der Wiki-Software. Von diesem Ausgangspunkt aus streift das Gespräch Themen wie die Implementierung neuer Software, der Funktion von Führung in der Digitalisierung und dem Faktor Mensch als „Zünglein an der Waage“ in digitalen Arbeitsumgebungen.
New perspectives for testing electron-muon universality
Authors: Fleischer Robert , Malami Eleftheria , Rehult Anders , Vos K. Keri
Published: June 2023

Abstract

Intriguing results for tests of the universality of electrons and muons through measurements of rates of B → Kℓ+ℓ− and similar decays have been in the spotlight for years. The LHCb collaboration has recently reported new results which are in agreement with Lepton Flavour Universality, while the individual decay rates are found below their Standard Model predictions. In view of this new situation, we explore how much space is left for a violation of electron-muon universality. Considering new sources of CP violation and taking the new LHCb measurements into account, we show that significant differences between the short-distance coefficients for electronic and muonic final states are actually allowed by the current data. These patterns can be revealed through CP asymmetries in neutral and charged B → Kℓ+ℓ− decays. We obtain correlations between these observables and map them to the short-distance coefficients. This results in regions in New Physics parameter space with large differences between CP asymmetries of the decays with final-state electrons and muons, thereby leaving a lot of room for possible surprises in the future high-precision era.
Exploratory Data Analysis of Earthquake Moment Tensor Catalog in Japan Using Non-linear Graph-Based Dimensionality Reduction
Authors: Kubo Hisahiko , Kimura Takeshi , Shiomi Katsuhiko
Published: June 2023

The catalog of moment tensor solutions, which contains the information on spatial location, origin time and fault mechanism type of earthquakes, has been interpreted by researchers based on a wealth of past knowledge. However, the long-term routine analyses have led to the accumulation of a huge amount of data in the moment tensor catalog, and it is worth considering moving away from the artisanal approach. In this study, using dimensionality reduction of unsupervised machine learning, we performed exploratory data analysis of the moment tensor catalog in Japan to objectively obtain comprehensive images of seismic activity and to acquire knowledge on the spatial and temporal characteristics of the earthquake mechanism. Source parameters of the moment tensor catalog in Japan, spatial location (latitude, longitude, and focal depth) and source-mechanism diagram information were embedded in two-dimensional space via a non-linear graph-based dimensionality-reduction method, Uniform Manifold Approximation and Projection. On the embedding map, earthquakes in eastern and western Japan are distributed separately and are further embedded to reflect their characteristic fault mechanism and focal depth in each region. The similarity degree of the earthquakes can be obtained as the distance on the embedding map. This study demonstrates that the data visualization using dimensionality reduction is useful for intuitively and objectively understanding the regional characteristics of earthquake mechanisms. The embedding map can also be employed to visualize temporal changes in regional seismic activity and to perform a similarity search with a past event.
Particles’ distribution enhancing in aluminum-based composites produced by upward friction stir processing
Authors: Vidal Catarina , Ferreira Pedro M. , Inácio Patrick L. , Ferreira Francisco B. , Santiago Duarte , Meneses Pedro , Silva Rui J. C. , Santos Telmo G.
Published: June 2023

A new variant of friction stir processing named upward friction stir processing (UFSP) is a promising approach to control particles’ distribution and promote a more uniform distribution over a larger processed area. This variant involves using two sheets with functional particles between them to produce metallic composites. A spacer is used to ensure the desired quantity and uniform distribution of the particles and prevent sputtering. This technique promotes an upward flow to introduce more particles with a uniform distribution in the processed volume, avoiding discrete holes or grooves. This study involved enhancing the particles’ distribution by varying process parameters. The resulting trial with the best particles’ distribution was characterized by means of light microscopy, eddy current testing, microhardness mapping, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The study revealed that UFSP can improve the particles’ distribution in the stir zone of metallic composites, especially when multi-passes are performed towards the retreating side of the plates. The process parameters that produced an improvement in particles’ distribution were six passes with an offset of 1 mm towards the retreating side, the tool rotation and processing speed of 900 rev/min, and 180 mm/min, respectively, and a spacer’s thickness of 0.5 mm. The resulting hardness and electrical conductivity profiles show that the UFSP technique can significantly affect material’s properties, including mechanical strength, particularly when processing with tool offset towards the retreating side. Furthermore, the hardness increased by about 22% in composites produced with the addition of reinforcement particles. However, for some aluminum alloys, the properties decreased under such conditions. These findings highlight the potential of UFSP for producing functionalized materials with tailored properties, while also underscoring the importance of careful parameters selection to optimize the material´s performance.

Graphical Abstract
Isolation and characterization of a VHH targeting the Acinetobacter baumannii cell surface protein CsuA/B
Authors: Lei Eric K. , Ryan Shannon , van Faassen Henk , Foss Mary , Robotham Anna , Baltat Isabel , Fulton Kelly , Henry Kevin A. , Chen Wangxue , Hussack Greg
Published: June 2023

Acinetobacter baumanniiis a Gram-negative bacterial pathogen that exhibits high intrinsic resistance to antimicrobials, with treatment often requiring the use of last-resort antibiotics. Antibiotic-resistant strains have become increasingly prevalent, underscoring a need for new therapeutic interventions. The aim of this study was to useA. baumanniiouter membrane vesicles as immunogens to generate single-domain antibodies (VHHs) against bacterial cell surface targets. Llama immunization with the outer membrane vesicle preparations from fourA. baumanniistrains (ATCC 19606, ATCC 17961, ATCC 17975, and LAC-4) elicited a strong heavy-chain IgG response, and VHHs were selected against cell surface and/or extracellular targets. For one VHH, OMV81, the target antigen was identified using a combination of gel electrophoresis, mass spectrometry, and binding studies. Using these techniques, OMV81 was shown to specifically recognize CsuA/B, a protein subunit of the Csu pilus, with an equilibrium dissociation constant of 17 nM. OMV81 specifically bound to intactA. baumanniicells, highlighting its potential use as a targeting agent. We anticipate the ability to generate antigen-specific antibodies against cell surfaceA. baumanniitargets could provide tools for further study and treatment of this pathogen.

Key points

•Llama immunization with bacterial OMV preparations for VHH generation

•A. baumannii CsuA/B, a pilus subunit, identified by mass spectrometry as VHH target

•High-affinity and specific VHH binding to CsuA/B and A. baumannii cells
Male nuptial display colour and vocalisation appear to signal independent information in the whirring tree frog
Authors: Webster Grant N. , White Thomas E. , Whiting Martin J.
Published: June 2023

When different modes of communication are used in combination and for example convey visual and acoustic information, they form a multimodal signal. Frogs are best known for using acoustic communication, but many species also use visual or colour signals, some of which are dynamic, and may be combined with acoustic signals. In this context, the question of whether these two modes of communication reinforce the same message or offer different information is poorly understood. Male whirring tree frogs, Litoria revelata, use a multimodal signal during courtship, which combines a vocalisation and dynamic sexual dichromatism, with nuptial display colours shifting from brown or grey to bright yellow. Here, we examined the properties of the advertisement call and nuptial colour of vocalising male whirring tree frogs and tested whether the two signals were likely to reinforce each other or convey independent information. We found only weak associations between elements of male colouration and vocalisations, suggesting that advertisement calls and nuptial colour do not reinforce each other and that the signals may instead convey different information.

Significance statement

Dynamic nuptial colour and vocalisation in combination is a relatively common multimodal signal in frogs but is unstudied. We looked for relationships between properties of colour and vocalisation in an Australian tree frog to explore whether the two sensory modes formed backup signals or multiple messages. We did not find predictive relationships between nuptial colour and vocalisation, supporting the multiple messages hypothesis and suggesting that nuptial colour is not necessarily directed at females for the purposes of mate attraction, potentially differing from the assumed function of the vocalisation. Our study is also the first to formally characterise aspects of dynamic sexual dichromatism in the whirring tree frog (Litoria revelata) and the first to describe the advertisement call of this species in its southern distribution. Whilst we do not specifically address the function of dynamic sexual dichromatism in this species, our findings do not contradict the existing literature in respect to it being a male-male directed signal.