bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Addressing Cybersecurity Challenges in Open Source Software
Authors: Hendrick Stephen , Mckeay Martin
Published: December 2024

While open source software is ubiquitous and generally regarded as being secure, software development practices vary widely across projects regarding application development practices, protocols to respond to defects, or lack of standardized selection criteria to determine which software components are more likely to be secure. Consequently, software supply chains are vulnerable to attack, with implications and challenges for open source project communities.

To help improve the state of software supply chain security, new research was conducted in partnership with the Open Source Security Foundation (OpenSSF), Snyk, the Eclipse Foundation, CNCF, and CI/CD Foundation as a means to help focus efforts in programming, incentives, and other resourcing to support the creation of more secure software.

In April of 2022, LF Research and its partners fielded a survey comprising 539 open source software maintainers and core contributors and qualitative interviews from a subset of those individuals. This report identifies the most acute software security development gaps and challenges, including at the organizational level, where policies requiring security protocols are in short supply, and dependencies are not effectively managed.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Open Source: Exploring the Challenges and Opportunities to Create Equity and Agency Across Open Source Ecosystems
Authors: Carter Hilary , Groopman Jessica
Published: December 2024

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the technology industry — and within open source specifically—is an opportunity we need to continuously leverage for the benefits it brings. Given that people of vastly different backgrounds, nationalities, orientations, and identities create open source software, hardware, and standards, their participation and well-being is important. Study after study reveals that diversity in participation produces better outcomes and more robust technologies—that diverse communities are simply stronger communities. For communities to continue evolving for the better, we need to improve our collective understanding in DEI, studying the current state, and what types of collective efforts lead to better outcomes.

The report you are about to read is the culmination of many months of primary research by research professionals and leaders across our communities and points to societal changes and trends that are impacting DEI in the workplace. Enterprise Digital Transformation, Techlash, Political Polarization, Social Media Ecosystem, and Content Moderation are all cited as trends that have exposed and amplified exclusionary narratives and designs, mandating increased awareness, and recalibrating individual and organizational attention. Beyond the survey findings that identify the state of DEI, this research explores a number of DEI initiatives and their efficacy and recommends action items for the entire stakeholder ecosystem to further their efforts and build inclusion by design.

This work was made possible by the responses of thousands of open source participants who completed the survey and those who engaged in qualitative interviews to provide a richer perspective on the issues at hand. In particular, we thank those who, through the research process, came forward to express that they felt marginalized or excluded from the communities in which they participate. In addition, we are grateful to our project partners Amazon Web Services (AWS), CHAOSS Community, Comcast, Fujitsu, GitHub, GitLab, Hitachi, Huawei, Intel, NEC, Panasonic, Red Hat, Renesas, and VMware. Their financial support enabled survey translation and deep analysis of this important subject matter.
The 2022 State of Open Source in Financial Services
Authors: Carter Hilary , Delia Cara , Eberhardt Colin , Ellison Tosha , Hendrick Stephen , Holleran Philip
Published: December 2024

In its second year, the State of Open Source in Financial Services report uses empirical methods to identify various topics related to open source aspirations, consumption, contribution, and leadership, in addition to obstacles and challenges faced by the financial services industry. The report draws on survey data, industry data, and insights culminating from a series of qualitative interviews and makes year-over-year comparisons to the industry from 2021.

This report identifies the extent to which the financial services industry is increasingly active in open source. Further, the report highlights the obstacles and challenges to overcome in order to improve industry-wide collaboration and concludes with a set of actionable insights for improving the state of open source in financial services.

These insights and more were the results of the Fintech Open Source Foundation’s (FINOS) 2022 State of Open Source in Financial Services survey, conducted in partnership with GitHub, Linux Foundation Research, Red Hat, and Scott Logic.
LIBERDADE DE EXPRESSÃO E O DESAFIO DA REGULAÇÃO DO DISCURSO DO ÓDIO NAS MÍDIAS SOCIAIS:
Authors: Sarlet Ingo Wolfgang
Published: December 2024

O assim chamado discurso do ódio, mesmo não sendo, como tal, um fenômeno novo, ganhou a dimensão de um problema mundial, com um impacto crescente e mais devastador, gerando a necessidade urgente de adequada regulação, em termos de prevenção e proibição, o que deve se dar em nível nacional e internacional. Um dos maiores desafios é o de achar um equilíbrio adequado entre a liberdade fundamental de expressão e a proteção da dignidade da pessoa humana e os direitos de personalidade, contra toda e qualquer manifestação que possa ser enquadrada no conceito de discurso do ódio. Nesse sentido, o objetivo do presente texto é o de discutir o problema, à luz da jurisprudência da Corte Europeia de Direitos Humanos (o caso Belkacem vs. Bélgica) (the Belkacem vs. Belgium decision), o recente German Act to Improve Enforcement of the Law in Social Networks (Netzwerkdurchsetzungsgesetz – German Network Enforcement Act) e a ordem constitucional brasileira.
JUSTIÇA BRASILEIRA CONTEMPORÂNEA:
Authors: Penna Saulo Versiani , Penna Fernanda Tironi Versiani , Penna Paula Tironi Versiani
Published: December 2024

O objeto do presente trabalho é promover a reflexão sobre os impactos das transformações tecnológicas no Judiciário brasileiro, notadamente no processo judicial, tendo como meta demonstrar que já foram promovidas profundas modificações, tanto na seara legislativa, como normativa administrativa, que se adaptam às exigências contemporâneas, para a promoção de um procedimento mais célere, seguro, menos oneroso e que esteja em compatibilidade com as garantias constitucionais do devido processo legal e da expressão volitiva de liberdade necessária no Estado de Direito Democrático, mas que muito ainda precisa ser realizado, a fim de que a justiça seja algo de acesso verdadeiramente de implemento da cidadania e avanço civilizado da sociedade brasileira. A pesquisa desenvolve-se por intermédio do cotejo normativo, doutrinário e de dados obtidos do Conselho Nacional de Justiça, sendo constatada a imprescindível atuação das escolas judiciais para o incremento de novas técnicas.
UN PASO ADELANTE Y DOS ATRÁS:
Authors: Bolívar Mario Spangenberg
Published: December 2024

En este artículo se compara el Derecho Penal antiguo con el contemporáneo y se analiza la aplicación del principio de legalidad en ambientes de la democracia constitucional moderna, como forma de garantizar la protección a los ciudadanos, tanto como seguridad jurídica como limitación del poder soberano del Estado en el ejercicio del jus puniendi. Abordamos las características de dicho principio y su aplicación a dos nuevos tipos de sanciones, por ejemplo, el blanqueo de capitales. La vasta legislación uruguaya sobre el delito de lavado de activos apunta a la tendencia a abordar la persecución penal y la eficiencia policial, en detrimento de razones dogmáticas penales, retratando un derecho penal con normas periféricas, de cuestionable contenido sustantivo, que relativiza la aplicación de las normas clásicas, en particular, el principio de legalidad.
Evaluation of bursary and college projects: Producers of Enhancement, Evaluation and Research (PEER)
Authors: Claire Wolstenholme , Pickering Nathaniel
Published: December 2024

This evaluation examined the Producers of Enhancement, Evaluation and Research (PEER) programme at Sheffield Hallam University. The study aimed to assess the implementation and outcomes of PEER, focusing on the benefits and challenges of staff-student collaboration. The PEER programme, which has employed nearly 200 students and delivered over 100 projects in three years, aims to enhance student experiences and outcomes through staff-student collaborations. This evaluation involved semi-structured interviews with 10 student researchers and 9 staff project leads, to understand their motivations, experiences, and perceptions of the programme's impacts. Findings indicate that involvement in PEER has, for some students, led to skills development, with students gaining valuable research experience, as well as the ability to work with staff in open and collaborative ways that may not have been previously experienced. Staff reported benefiting from the insights of students and the opportunity to get to know them in a more personal way. Challenges identified included communication issues, time constraints, and delays from ethical approval process difficulties. Effective communication and relationship-building between staff and students were important enablers of success. The study highlights the importance of clear guidance and support from the Student Engagement Evaluation and Research (STEER) team, which facilitated training and regular contact. Recommendations include improving the matching process for staff and student researchers, providing additional ethical support, and ensuring staff and students are clear about roles and expectations for working together. Overall, the PEER programme has positively impacted student and staff experiences, contributing to the university's strategic objectives and offering insights into the dynamics of student-staff partnerships in higher education.
Ocena efektywności remontów weekendowych ulic Warszawy na podstawie parametrów czaszy ugięć i sztywności konstrukcji nawierzchni
Authors: Maliszewska Dominika , Maliszewski Maciej
Published: December 2024

Praca stanowi kontynuację badań nad efektywnością weekendowych remontów ulic Warszawy, nawiązującą do wyników zaprezentowanych w poprzednim artykule pt.: „Weryfikacja efektywności remontów weekendowych ulic Warszawy na podstawie parametrów czaszy ugięć”. Celem pracy jest analiza trwałości zastosowanych rozwiązań projektowych na podstawie pomiarów wykonanych w trzech kluczowych etapach: w 2016 roku (przed remontem) oraz w 2019 i 2022 roku – odpowiednio trzy i sześć lat po zakończeniu remontu. W ramach tych działań przeprowadzono badania diagnostyczne i przeanalizowano parametry czaszy ugięć oraz zmiany parametrów sztywności (E1, E2, E3) konstrukcji nawierzchni wybranych odcinków ulic. Wyniki wykazały istotne zmiany parametrów w czasie, co pozwoliło na ocenę długoterminowej efektywności zastosowanej technologii remontu. Planowane są dalsze obserwacje w celu opracowania modeli prognostycznych i wyciągnięcia wniosków dotyczących trwałości nawierzchni w kolejnych latach eksploatacji.
Curtailing Students’ Challenging Classroom Behaviour in Primary Schools, South Africa: Teacher Insights
Authors: Rubbi Nunan Julie Shantone
Published: December 2024

Students’ challenging classroom behaviour remains problematic in some primary schools, causing daily disruptions. In South Africa, alternatives for managing student behaviour have proven ineffective, leaving teachers to grapple in classrooms. To gain insights into what teachers
are doing to curtail the problem, fifteen teachers were interviewed for qualitative data. Thematic analysis revealed some conventional, yet affectionate ways teachers are trying. Social cognitive theory explicated how reinforcement and self-regulation influence behaviour. Education departments
should include value-based character education in the curriculum to shape students’ characters and provide responsive alternatives to support teachers to respond decisively to students’ misbehaviour in diverse contexts.
BSEFNet: bidirectional self-attention edge fusion network salient object detection based on deep fusion of edge features
Authors: Gao Gan , Wang Yuanyuan , Zhou Feng , Chen Shuaiting , Ge Xiaole , Wang Rugang
Published: December 2024

Salient object detection aims to identify the most prominent objects within an image. With the advent of fully convolutional networks (FCNs), deep learning-based saliency detection models have increasingly leveraged FCNs for pixel-level saliency prediction. However, many existing algorithms face challenges in accurately delineating target boundaries, primarily due to insufficient utilization of edge information. To address this issue, we propose a novel approach to improve the boundary accuracy of salient target detection by integrating salient target and edge information. Our approach comprises two key components: a Self-attentive Group Pixel Fusion module (SGPFM) and a Bidirectional Feature Fusion module (BFF). The SGPFM extracts salient edge features from the lower layers of ResNet50 and salient target features from the higher layers. These features are then optimized using a self-attentive mechanism. The BFF module progressively fuses the salient target and edge features, optimizing them based on their logical relationships and enhancing the complementarities among the features. By combining detailed edge information and positional target information, our method significantly enhances the detection accuracy of target boundaries. Experimental results demonstrate that the proposed model outperforms the latest existing methods across four benchmark datasets, providing accurate and detail-rich salient target predictions. This advancement marks a significant contribution to the development of the field.
Improvement of contact lens-associated dry eye disease with the use of hydrogen peroxide
Authors: Castro Susana , Garcia-Aguilar Laura , Garcia-Brion Eduardo , Pérez-García Sofia , Rosique Consuelo , Baños Carmelo , Sanchez Irene
Published: December 2024

Background

The dropout rate of contact lens users has not decreased significantly over the years. Despite continuous improvements in contact lens (CL) designs, materials and surface treatments, the number of CL users who drop out remains similar to the number of new CL users. The aim of this study is to analyse the improvement in contact lens-associated dry eye disease (CLADE), quantified with the OSDI questionnaire when changing maintenance system solution from multipurpose solution to hydrogen peroxide.

Methods

This study included contact lens users for over a year as the multipurpose solution for the maintenance system, suffering from CLADE, and those who scored over 13 in the ocular surface disease index questionnaire, and did not manifest any clinical signs over 3 in the EFRON scale. The non-parametric data distribution was verified with the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test, which was used to compare the visual acuity (VA), OSDI score and bulbar redness (EFRON scale) of the follow-up visit against the baseline value.

Results

Thirty-eight patients were included. Analysing the clinical parameters between the initial and final visit after one month of hydrogen peroxide use, a statistically significant improvement was found in the VA, bulbar hyperemia, OSDI scale and their subscales of the total sample (P < 0.04).

Conclusion

This study is intended as a first step towards a standardised protocol of actions to improve CLADE in an attempt to reduce contact lens dropout using OSDI as a tool for detection.
Interspecies differences in the transcriptome response of corals to acute heat stress
Authors: Da-Anoy Jeric , Posadas Niño , Conaco Cecilia
Published: December 2024

Rising sea surface temperatures threaten the survival of corals worldwide, with coral bleaching events becoming more commonplace. However, different coral species are known to exhibit variable levels of susceptibility to thermal stress. To elucidate genetic mechanisms that may underlie these differences, we compared the gene repertoire of four coral species, Favites colemani, Montipora digitata, Acropora digitifera, and Seriatopora caliendrum, that were previously demonstrated to have differing responses to acute thermal stress. We found that more tolerant species, like F. colemani and M. digitata, possess a greater abundance of antioxidant protein families and chaperones. Under acute thermal stress conditions, only S. caliendrum showed a significant bleaching response, which was accompanied by activation of the DNA damage response network and drastic upregulation of stress response genes (SRGs). This suggests that differences in SRG orthologs, as well as the mechanisms that control SRG expression response, contribute to the ability of corals to maintain stability of physiological functions required to survive shifts in seawater temperature.
Back Matter
Authors: Editors
Published: December 2024

Back Matter
Review of Die Ostraka der frühen 18. Dynastie aus Deir el-Bahri und dem Asasif. By Malte Römer
Authors: Bojowald Stefan
Published: December 2024

Die Ostraka der frühen 18. Dynastie aus Deir el-Bahri und dem Asasif. By Malte Römer. 3 vols. Bibliothèque générale, vol. 73. Cairo: Institut français d’archéologie orientale, 2023). Pp. xxx + 541, 621, 493. $175, €100.
Review of Routledge Handbook on the Sciences in Islamicate Societies: Practices from the 2nd/8th to the 13th/19th Centuries. Edited by Sonja Brentjes
Authors: Varisco Daniel Martin
Published: December 2024

Routledge Handbook on the Sciences in Islamicate Societies: Practices from the 2nd/8th to the 13th/19th Centuries. Edited by Sonja Brentjes. New York: Routledge, 2022. Pp. xxxvii + 837. $200, £152 (cloth); $45.56, £34.39 (e-book).
Anaokullarında Yürütülen Rehberlik Hizmetlerine İlişkin Yönetici, Öğretmen ve Veli Görüşlerinin İncelenmesi
Authors: Keskin Cansu , Camadan Fatih
Published: December 2024

Bu araştırmada, anaokullarında yürütülen rehberlik hizmetlerine ilişkin yönetici, öğretmen ve velilerin görüşlerinin incelenmesi amaçlanmıştır. Araştırma, 2019-2020 Eğitim-Öğretim Yılı’nda Rize il merkezi ve ilçelerindeki anaokullarında görev yapan yöneticiler (n=20), okul öncesi öğretmenleri (n=24) ve çocuğu anaokulunda eğitim gören veliler (n=23) olmak üzere toplam 67 katılımcı ile yürütülmüştür. Araştırma kapsamında; 14 farklı okuldan katılımcı ile görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Katılımcıların belirlenmesinde maksimum çeşitlilik örneklemesi kullanılmıştır. Araştırma, nitel araştırma yaklaşımı çerçevesinde gerçekleştirilen bir durum çalışmasıdır. Veri toplama aracı olarak araştırmacılar tarafından geliştirilen yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu kullanılmıştır. Verilerin toplanması sürecinde yönetici, okul öncesi öğretmeni ve veliler ile yüz yüze görüşmeler gerçekleştirilmiştir. Araştırmada elde edilen veriler betimsel analizine tabi tutulmuştur. Araştırma sonucunda anaokulu yöneticileri, öğretmenleri ve velilerinin rehberlik hizmetleri kapsamında yapılan çalışmaları daha çok çevre ve veli ile ilişkiler ile yöneltme ve yerleştirme hizmetleri bağlamında algıladıkları belirlenmiştir. Eğitsel rehberlik çalışmaları kapsamında öğrencilerin; ilgilerinin, yeteneklerinin ve akademik ihtiyaçlarının tespiti ve geliştirilmesine yönelik olarak daha çok bilişsel gelişim çalışmalarının yapıldığı tespit edilmiştir. Kişisel-sosyal rehberlik çalışmaları kapsamında öğrencilerin, kişisel ve sosyal ihtiyaçlarının tespiti ve geliştirilmesine yönelik olarak daha çok sosyal gelişim çalışmalarının yapıldığı ortaya koyulmuştur. Mesleki rehberlik çalışmaları kapsamında ise öğrencilerin meslekleri tanımalarına ve meslekler ile ilgili fikir sahibi olmalarına yönelik olarak daha çok meslek sahibi kişilerle/kurumlarla çalışmaların yapıldığı belirlenmiştir. Rehberlik çalışmalarının yeterliliği/verimliliği ile ilgili olarak katılımcıların çoğunlukla olumlu yönde görüş bildirdikleri tespit edilmiştir. Bu sonuçlar ışığında anaokullarında görev yapan yöneticilere ve öğretmenlere yönelik gerçekleştirilen hizmet içi eğitimlerde rehberlik hizmetleri ile ilgili konulara daha çok yer verilebilir.
Development Prospects of Smoked Fish Business in Sinjai District, South Sulawesi Province, Indonesia
Authors: Mappirewa Asliah , Karim Mutemainna , Harianti
Published: December 2024

This research analyses the characteristics of smoked fish business and determines the appropriate development strategy for the business in the coastal areas of Sinjai District.
Using qualitative and descriptive designs. Sampling was conducted in North Sinjai and East Sinjai Districts of Sinjai Regency from July to August 2024. The data analysis technique uses qualitative descriptive analysis and SWOT analysis to systematically identify various internal and external factors and formulate MSME development strategies. The results of the research show that (1) Characteristics of smoked fish processing MSMEs in Sinjai Regency, including: Business actors aged 33-70 with a dominant education level of elementary school, and having business experience of more than 10 years; the product produced has a distinctive taste, smoked fish in whole and fillet form, uses wood as fuel, simple equipment, marketing is still on a local scale, with varying product prices; MSMEs do not yet have business legality. (2) Appropriate strategies to use in developing smoked fish processing businesses in Sinjai Regency include: developing smoked fish MSMEs with training and counseling programs from related agencies, establishing collaborative partnerships between MSME actors in promoting products and implementing processing technology innovations by updating infrastructure and attend training.
Impact of Biopesticides Applied Alone and in Combination with Insecticides Using Drone and Taiwan Sprayer on Beneficial Fauna in Rice Ecosystem
Authors: Supriya K , Varma N R G , Sudharshanam Upendhar , Babu T Kiran , Lingaiah N
Published: December 2024

Aims: To evaluate the impact of biopesticides and insecticides applied via drones and taiwan sprayers, on beneficials in rice cultivation.
Study Design: Randomized Block Design (RBD).
Place and Duration of Study: The present study was conducted at the Agricultural Research Station, Kampasagar, Nalgonda, during the kharif, 2023.
Methodology: The beneficial populations, specifically coccinellids and spiders, were monitored after two consecutive sprays. The population counts were recorded by following standardized sampling methods.
Results: The analysis of results revealed that mean coccinellid populations ranged from 3.33 to 6.67 per ten hills across treatments, with the highest population observed in the untreated control (T19), followed by Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki 0.5% WP and insecticide combination treatments applied via drone. Spider populations demonstrated similar trends, with means ranging from 4.33 to 6.50, indicating non-significant differences across treatments. Drone spraying demonstrated better consistency in preserving natural enemy populations, likely due to precise droplet deposition and reduced pesticide drift.
Conclusion: The study underscores the potential of drone technology as an eco-friendly, efficient application method, enabling better conservation of beneficial fauna in rice ecosystems.
Order From Chaos: An Initiative to Improve Opioid Prescribing in Rheumatology Using Lean A3
Authors: van Eeghen Constance , Edwards Melinda , Libman Bonita S. , MacLean Charles D. , Kennedy Amanda G.
Published: September 2019

Objective

Use an established quality improvement method, Lean A3, to improve the process of opioid prescribing in an academic rheumatology ambulatory clinic.

Methods

This retrospective pre‐postintervention analysis of rheumatology records included patients prescribed opioids at least once during the study period. Lean A3 was used to develop a Controlled Substance Visit Protocol to standardize eight recommended elements of the opioid prescribing workflow. Analyses included changes in the recommended workflow elements and changes in opioid prescribing volume.

Results

Improvements were observed in seven of the eight recommended elements. Patient education, including treatment agreements and consent forms (39% completion for both preimplementation) increased to 78% and 80%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Risk assessment, as measured by the Current Opioid Misuse Measure, increased from 0.5% to 76% (P < 0.001). Best practices in prescribing, including prescribing in multiples of seven to avoid weekend refill requests, increased from 1% to 79% (P < 0.001). Monitoring parameters, including standardized functional assessment (0% vs. 86%), prescription drug monitoring program queries (49% vs. 84%), and urine testing (1% vs. 32%) all increased (P < 0.001). Visits scheduled at least quarterly for patients on chronic opioids did not change (P = 0.18). Overall, the number of patients prescribed opioids (185 vs. 160; P < 0.001) and annual prescription opioid morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) (1 933 585 MME vs. 1 386 368 MME; P < 0.001) decreased.

Conclusion

The Lean A3 method is a successful quality improvement tool for improving and sustaining opioid prescribing within a single academic rheumatology clinic. This method has potential applicability to similar clinics interested in improving opioid prescribing.
Benzodithiophene Hole‐Transporting Materials for Efficient Tin‐Based Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Vegiraju Sureshraju , Ke Weijun , Priyanka Pragya , Ni Jen‐Shyang , Wu Yi‐Ching , Spanopoulos Ioannis , Yau Shueh Lin , Marks Tobin J. , Chen Ming‐Chou , Kanatzidis Mercouri G.
Published: September 2019

Developing efficient interfacial hole transporting materials (HTMs) is crucial for achieving high‐performance Pb‐free Sn‐based halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Here, a new series of benzodithiophene (BDT)‐based organic small molecules containing tetra‐ and di‐triphenyl amine donors prepared via a straightforward and scalable synthetic route is reported. The thermal, optical, and electrochemical properties of two BDT‐based molecules are shown to be structurally and energetically suitable to serve as HTMs for Sn‐based PSCs. It is reported here that ethylenediammonium/formamidinium tin iodide solar cells using BDT‐based HTMs deliver a champion power conversion efficiency up to 7.59%, outperforming analogous reference solar cells using traditional and expensive HTMs. Thus, these BDT‐based molecules are promising candidates as HTMs for the fabrication of high‐performance Sn‐based PSCs.
The Effects of Side Chains on the Charge Mobilities and Functionalities of Semiconducting Conjugated Polymers beyond Solubilities
Authors: Yang Yizhou , Liu Zitong , Zhang Guanxin , Zhang Xisha , Zhang Deqing
Published: September 2019

Recent decades have witnessed the rapid development of semiconducting polymers in terms of high charge mobilities and applications in transistors. Significant efforts have been made to develop various conjugated frameworks and linkers. However, studies are increasingly demonstrating that the side chains of semiconducting polymers can significantly affect interchain packing, thin film crystallinity, and thus semiconducting performance. Ways to modify the side alkyl chains to improve the interchain packing order and charge mobilities for conjugated polymers are first discussed. It is shown that modifying the branching chains by moving the branching points away from the backbones can boost the charge mobilities, which can also be improved through partially replacing branching chains with linear ones. Second, the effects of side chains with heteroatoms and functional groups are discussed. The siloxane‐terminated side chains are utilized to enhance the semiconducting properties. The fluorinated alkyl chains are beneficial for improving both charge mobility and air stability. Incorporating H bonding group side chains can improve thin film crystallinities and boost charge mobilities. Notably, incorporating functional groups (e.g., glycol, tetrathiafulvalene, and thymine) into side chains can improve the selectivity of field‐effect transistor (FET)‐based sensors, while photochromic group containing side chains in conjugated polymers result in photoresponsive semiconductors and optically tunable FETs.
Recent Progress of Fiber Shaped Lighting Devices for Smart Display Applications—A Fibertronic Perspective
Authors: Kwon Seonil , Hwang Yong Ha , Nam Minwoo , Chae Hyeonwook , Lee Ho Seung , Jeon Yongmin , Lee Somin , Kim Chan Young , Choi Seungyeop , Jeong Eun Gyo , Choi Kyung Cheol
Published: September 2019

Advances in material science and nanotechnology have fostered the miniaturization of devices. Over the past two decades, the form‐factor of these devices has evolved from 3D rigid, volumetric devices through 2D film‐based flexible electronics, finally to 1D fiber electronics (fibertronics). In this regard, fibertronic strategies toward wearable applications (e.g., electronic textiles (e‐textiles)) have attracted considerable attention thanks to their capability to impart various functions into textiles with retaining textiles' intrinsic properties as well as imperceptible irritation by foreign matters. In recent years, extensive research has been carried out to develop various functional devices in the fiber form. Among various features, lighting and display features are the highly desirable functions in wearable electronics. This article discusses the recent progress of materials, architectural designs, and new fabrication technologies of fiber‐shaped lighting devices and the current challenges corresponding to each device's operating mechanism. Moreover, opportunities and applications that the revolutionary convergence between the state‐of‐the‐art fibertronic technology and age‐long textile industry will bring in the future are also discussed.
Ink‐Jet Printable, Self‐Assembled, and Chemically Crosslinked Ion‐Gel as Electrolyte for Thin Film, Printable Transistors
Authors: Jeong Jaehoon , Marques Gabriel Cadilha , Feng Xiaowei , Boll Dominic , Singaraju Surya Abhishek , Aghassi‐Hagmann Jasmin , Hahn Horst , Breitung Ben
Published: September 2019

Electrolyte‐gated transistors (EGTs) represent an interesting alternative to conventional dielectric‐gating to reduce the required high supply voltage for printed electronic applications. Here, a type of ink‐jet printable ion‐gel is introduced and optimized to fabricate a chemically crosslinked ion‐gel by self‐assembled gelation, without additional crosslinking processes, e.g., UV‐curing. For the self‐assembled gelation, poly(vinyl alcohol) and poly(ethylene‐alt‐maleic anhydride) are used as the polymer backbone and chemical crosslinker, respectively, and 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate ([EMIM][OTf]) is utilized as an ionic species to ensure ionic conductivity. The as‐synthesized ion‐gel exhibits an ionic conductivity of ≈5 mS cm−1 and an effective capacitance of 5.4 µF cm−2 at 1 Hz. The ion‐gel is successfully employed in EGTs with an indium oxide (In2O3) channel, which shows on/off‐ratios of up to 1.3 × 106 and a subthreshold swing of 80.62 mV dec−1.
Visible‐Light‐Driven Enantioselective Aerobic Oxidation of β‐Dicarbonyl Compounds Catalyzed by Cinchona‐Derived Phase Transfer Catalysts in Batch and Semi‐Flow
Authors: Tang Xiao‐Fei , Zhao Jing‐Nan , Wu Yu‐Feng , Feng Shi‐Hao , Yang Fan , Yu Zong‐Yi , Meng Qing‐Wei
Published: September 2019

The direct asymmetric α‐hydroxylation of β‐dicarbonyl compounds has been developed using cinchona‐derived phase‐transfer catalysts in batch and semi‐flow processes. Using visible light as the driving force and air as oxidant, the corresponding products were obtained in excellent yields (up to 96%) and good enantioselectivities (up to 90% ee). The catalyst acts as a chiral center and a catalytic center and forms a chiral enolate complex with the substrate to act as a photosensitive center in the reaction. The use of semi‐flow photochemical processes allowed a reduction in reaction time (24 h to 0.89 h) and good yields (up to 93%) and enantioselectivities (up to 88% ee) were obtained.

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Modeling of sequence length distribution for olefin copolymerization with vanadium‐based catalyst
Authors: Cheng Xi‐Pei , Feng Lian‐Fang , Gu Xue‐Ping , Chen Xi , Liu Zhen‐Guo , McAuley Kimberley B.
Published: September 2019

Some thermodynamic and mechanical properties of a polyolefin, such as the melting temperature and the rigidity, are dependent on the nature of its sequence distribution. Accurate modeling of sequence length distribution (SLD) is important in precisely tuning and optimizing the properties of polymers produced. In this article, we proposed a model to predict the molecular weight distribution (MWD) and SLD for olefin copolymerization with vanadium‐based catalyst. Due to the 2,1‐insertion of α‐olefin with vanadium‐based catalyst, the SLD is expressed by uninterrupted methylene sequence distribution instead of conventional triad sequence distribution. To obtain a reliable model, parameter estimation with experimental data is first conducted. The SLD model along with the estimated kinetic parameters can be used to predict unmeasurable sequence length fraction. For the experimental conditions studied, the average methylene sequence length is predicted to change from 10 to 4 units as the propylene/ethylene mole feed ratio increases from 1.1 to 3.4.
UV‐protection, tribology, and mechanical properties of ZnO‐containing polyamide composites
Authors: Botlhoko Orebotse Joseph , Letwaba Lesetja , Bandyopadhyay Jayita , Ray Suprakas Sinha
Published: September 2019

Most polymer‐based materials do not exhibit ultraviolet (UV) protection or wear resistance properties, thereby leading to poor packaging functions. This study provides an approach that simultaneously improves the UV protection and tribological functions of melt‐processed polyamide (PA)‐based composites by the addition of in‐house produced hexagonal‐shaped nano‐zinc oxide (ZnO) particles. The 5 wt % ZnO‐filled PA composite exhibited significant photodegradation protection (84%) with a well‐balanced friction coefficient and wear resistance properties. The 1 wt % ZnO‐filled PA composite also exhibited significant photodegradation protection (84%) but with a lower friction coefficient and strong wear resistance, while the 7 wt % ZnO‐filled PA composite displayed strong photodegradation protection (94%) with poor wear resistance. The results suggest that owing to their UV stability and wear resistance, the low ZnO‐filled PA composites show great potential as plastic materials in different applications such as active packaging. In addition, all the ZnO‐filled PA composites exhibited improved mechanical properties relative to those of the neat PA. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020, 137, 48418.
Dynamic anti‐windup compensator for fractional‐order system with time‐delay
Authors: Sadalla Talar , Horla Dariusz , Giernacki Wojciech , Kozierski Piotr
Published: September 2019

This paper describes the results of introducing an additional dynamic element to an anti‐windup compensator from control quality and stability area anslysis viewpoint. The analyzed system consists of a first‐order plant with time delay and a fractional‐order PI controller, to present the discussed approach. The controller is tuned based on Hermite‐Biehler and Pontryagin theorems. In the paper, the stability analysis and tracking performance are presented based on both simulation and experimental results. The experiments have been performed using Inteco Modular Servo System with performance evaluated on the basis of the selected performance criterion, namely the Integral of Absolute Error, to verify the applicability of the proposed method. The results have proven that use of the additional dynamic element provides a wider range of controller parameters to ensure stability of the closed‐loop system and better tracking performance in comparison to the system without anti‐windup compensation or system with a standard anti‐windup compensator. It is actually the first time that this type of analysis for dynamic element compensation in anti‐windup framework has been presented for fractional‐order systems. In addition, all the obtained results are referred to the experimental data.
Meeting the Need: Developing Certification for Advanced Water Treatment Operators
Authors: Garner Steven
Published: September 2019

Key Takeaways

The California–Nevada Section of AWWA and California Water Environment Association sought a new industry certification for operators working with advanced water treatment (AWT) processes.

A diverse set of stakeholders and experts added their perspectives on the development of the new certification.

The AWTO Grade 3 exam was released in July 2019.
Phosphorylated Hsp27 prevents LPS‐induced excessive inflammation in THP‐1 cells via suppressing ROS‐mediated upregulation of CBP
Authors: Bi Xiaowen , Jiang Baolin , Zhou Jinyi , Luo Lan , Yin Zhimin
Published: September 2019

Heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) is a member of the small heat shock protein family expressed at high levels to protect cells against heat shock and other conditions of stress. Hsp27 has been indicated in the regulation of inflammation signaling pathway, and Hsp27 phosphorylation is vital for efficient control of host‐defense response in early stages of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐stimulated inflammation. The notion that CREB‐binding protein (CBP) is involved in the regulation of two major transcription factors, nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) and AP‐1, suggests that CBP, as a coactivator protein, may also play an important role in the cellular response to inflammation. Here, we explored the mechanism underlying the regulatory relationships between Hsp27 and CBP in THP‐1 cells, and found that phosphorylated Hsp27 was critical to the protein level of CBP. Furthermore, in exploring the signaling mechanisms underlying its action, we found that p38MAPK‐MK2‐Hsp27 regulated NF‐κB via CBP, which acted as a multi‐protein complex assembly scaffold. Finally, we demonstrated that phosphorylated Hsp27 reduced reactive oxygen species accumulation thereby significantly repressed LPS‐induced excessive increase of CBP. Taken together, our data demonstrated that Hsp27, in its phosphorylation state, plays a critical role in controlling LPS‐induced inflammatory response by modulating CBP.
Extended suicide, or homicide followed by suicide
Authors: Gunn John C.
Published: September 2019

Background

Suicide with accompanying homicide is frightening and ill understood.

Aims

To raise professional awareness of its complexities and difficulties and identify areas for developing research.

Method

A Crime in Mind seminar was held in London in December 2018, with four expert presentations and discussion. This paper draws on that seminar and supplementary literature.

Findings

Homicide/suicide is very difficult to predict and thus prevent. Victims and perpetrators may have a dependency relationship. Better training, especially of general practitioners, may increase the likelihood of detecting signs of despair and delusional ideas. Psychiatrists should be more alert to fixed delusions and homicidal thoughts. Individual assessment and management alone is unlikely to be sufficient. Public health strategies are likely to be important too. Weapons control is vital. Employers of people with great personal responsibility and special access to potentially lethal tools, such as airline pilots, and perhaps clinicians, should have regular, compulsory, mental health checks.

Conclusions

Six points of clinical importance emerged, including lowering the threshold for diagnosing delusional disorder and the establishment of anti‐violence clinics.
Mid‐term outcome in patients with bicuspid aortic valve stenosis following transcatheter aortic valve replacement with a current generation device: A multicenter study
Authors: Attinger‐Toller Adrian , Bhindi Rahul , Perlman Gidon Y. , Murdoch Dale , Weir‐McCall Jonathan , Blanke Philipp , Barbanti Marco , Sathananthan Janarthanan , Ruile Philipp , Gandolfo Caterina , Saia Francesco , Nietlispach Fabian , Wood David , Leipsic Jonathon , Webb John G.
Published: September 2019

Objectives

To perform clinical and echocardiographic follow‐up beyond 1 year in consecutive patients with severe bicuspid aortic stenosis (AS) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with a current generation balloon‐expandable valve.

Background

Treatment of bicuspid aortic valve disease with TAVR remains controversial and late follow‐up data is still scarce.

Methods

We collected baseline characteristics, procedural data, 30‐day and mid‐term clinical follow‐up findings from six centers in Europe and Canada from patients with bicuspid AS treated with TAVR using the SAPIEN 3 valve.

Results

Seventy‐nine patients underwent TAVR. Mean age was 76 ± 9 years; median STS risk score for mortality was 3.8% (interquartile range 2.3–5.5%). Median follow‐up was 390 days (interquartile range 138–739 days). Device success was achieved in 95% of patients. Postimplantation mean aortic gradient decreased from 50.2 ± 16.2 to 8.8 ± 4.4 mmHg and no patient had more than mild aortic regurgitation. At last follow‐up, there was persistent good valve performance. At 30 days and 1 year, the rates of all‐cause mortality were 3.8 and 7.7%, stroke 1.2 and 1.2%, and the rate of new pacemakers 18 and 18%.

Conclusions

Our data confirm that treating patients with stenotic bicuspid aortic valves is safe, effective, and has favorable valve performance over time.
Temporal patterns and predictors of receiving no active treatment among older patients with acute myeloid leukemia in the United States: A population‐level analysis
Authors: Zeidan Amer M. , Podoltsev Nikolai A. , Wang Xiaoyi , Bewersdorf Jan Philipp , Shallis Rory M. , Huntington Scott F. , Gore Steven D. , Davidoff Amy J. , Ma Xiaomei , Wang Rong
Published: September 2019

Background

The majority of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) are aged >65 years at the time of diagnosis and are not actively treated. The objective of the current study was to determine the prevalence, temporal trends, and factors associated with no active treatment (NAT) among older patients with AML in the United States.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)–Medicare data from 14,089 patients with AML residing in the United States who were diagnosed with AML at age ≥66 years during 2001 through 2013. NAT was defined as not receiving any chemotherapy, including hypomethylating agents. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to analyze sociodemographic, clinical, and provider characteristics associated with NAT.

Results

The percentage of patients with NAT decreased over time from 59.7% among patients diagnosed in 2001 to 42.8% among those diagnosed in 2013. The median overall survival for the entire cohort was 82 days from the time of diagnosis. Patients treated with NAT had worse survival compared with those receiving active treatment. Variables found to be associated with higher odds of NAT included older age, certain sociodemographic characteristics (household income within the lowest quartile, residence outside the Northeast region of the United States, and being unmarried), and clinical factors (≥3 comorbidities, the presence of mental disorders, recent hospitalization, and disability).

Conclusions

Greater than one‐half of older patients with AML residing in the United States do not receive any active leukemia‐directed therapy despite the availability of lower intensity therapies such as hypomethylating agents. Lack of active therapy receipt is associated with inferior survival. Identifying predictors of NAT might improve the quality of care and survival in this patient population, especially as novel therapeutic options with lower toxicity are becoming available.
Current clinical management of patients with glioblastoma
Authors: Lowe Stephen , Bhat Krishna P. , Olar Adriana
Published: September 2019

Background

Glioblastoma (GB) is the most aggressive primary brain tumor, historically resistant to treatment, and with overall fatal outcome.

Recent findings

Recently, several molecular subgroups and rare genetic alterations have been described in GB. In this review article, we will describe the current clinical management of patients with GB in the United States, discuss selected next‐generation molecular‐targeted therapies in GB, and present ongoing clinical trials for patients with GB. This review is intended for clinical and preclinical researchers who conduct work on GB and would like to understand more about the current standard of treatment of GB patients, historical perspectives, current challenges, and ongoing and upcoming clinical trials.

Conclusions

GB is an extremely complex disease, and despite recent progress and advanced therapeutic strategies, the overall patient's prognosis remains dismal. Innovative strategies and integrative ways of approach to disease are urgently needed.
Min‐Oo Conjecture for Fully Nonlinear Conformally Invariant Equations
Authors: Barbosa Ezequiel , Cavalcante Marcos Petrúcio , Espinar José María
Published: September 2019

In this paper we show rigidity results for supersolutions to fully nonlinear, elliptic, conformally invariant equations on subdomains of the standard n‐sphere under suitable conditions along the boundary. We emphasize that our results do not assume concavity on the fully nonlinear equations we will work with.

This proves rigidity for compact, connected, locally conformally flat manifolds (M, g) with boundary such that the eigenvalues of the Schouten tensor satisfy a fully nonlinear elliptic inequality and whose boundary is isometric to a geodesic sphere ∂D(r), where D(r) denotes a geodesic ball of radius r ∈ (0, π/2] in , and totally umbilical with mean curvature bounded below by the mean curvature of this geodesic sphere. Under the above conditions, (M, g) must be isometric to the closed geodesic ball .

As a side product, in dimension 2 our methods provide a new proof to Toponogov's theorem about rigidity of compact surfaces carrying a shortest simple geodesic. Roughly speaking, Toponogov's theorem is equivalent to a rigidity theorem for spherical caps in the hyperbolic three‐space ℍ3. In fact, we extend it to obtain rigidity for supersolutions to certain Monge‐Ampère equations. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Load balancing in cloud computing using water wave algorithm
Authors: V Arulkumar , Bhalaji N.
Published: September 2019

Cloud computing as of late is a rising innovation for giving various administrations through internet to fulfil the requisites of clients dependent on needs with minimal expense. The client can benefit all kind of administration without building, observing, and keeping up the assets. Researchers developed distinctive asset planning calculation to satisfy the client requisites as per their condition. This article proposes a Water Wave Algorithm (WWA) for resource scheduling in cloud environment. The results for throughput, Response time, Turnaround time, Migration time, Resource utilization, Fault tolerance, and scalability over FCFS, MCT, MET, and OLB algorithms and the results prove that WWA provides better results for throughput, response time, resource utilization, and scalability.