bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Synergetics as a Systems Theoretical and Methodological Lens in Structuring Energy Poverty
Authors: Inda Patman , Lalk Jörg 
Published: September 2020

AbstractEnergy poverty, as part of the energy trilemma, remains a global challenge in the 21st century. More than 1.7 billion people remain without access to modern energy sources while more than 3 billion people rely only on fossil fuel resulting in negative health and environmental impacts. While admittedly modern biomass fueled energy systems benefit from newer technologies their use is still blamed for detrimental effects on social, economic and environmental aspects of human existence. No wonder then that in many parts of the world distributed renewable energy systems show promise in addressing some of the more important issues of energy access challenges, particularly energy poverty and fuel poverty; this is specifically evident in the global south through improved efficiency, effectiveness, access and quality of energy services. Nevertheless, understanding the complexities and subsequent structuring of energy poverty becomes a complex systems issue since energy technology plays a dual role in enhancing and inhibiting energy access. This paper, borrowing from systems thinking theory, applies a synergetic elements framework where the authors attempt to enhance the comprehension and structure of the wicked problem of energy poverty; this is done by developing a conceptual model. The paper continues by showing the critical role played by interactions between socio‐technical system elements, notably those between soft and hard systems. This includes energy poverty depicted in multiple and complex synergetic subsystems, micro and macro elements, exogenous and internal barriers, control parameters and the environment.
Model‐Based Systems Engineering for complex rail transport systems – A case study
Authors: Roodt Donovan , Nadeem Malaeka , Vu Lam‐Thien 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe replacement of the signalling and control systems on Sydney's critical heavy‐rail network infrastructure is envisaged to take years and affect many systems across the operational railway. Systems Engineering has been adopted early in the system lifecycle to manage the complexity and risks in a rigorous and consistent manner. This paper aims to document the real‐life application of a Model‐Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) methodology in the conceptual design stage on Transport for New South Wales’ Digital Systems Program. It illustrates how this methodology was applied to capture the operational and maintenance concepts, derive the architecture and interfaces and guide resulting requirements. It provides valuable lessons‐learnt for the acquiring organisation on the deployment of MBSE, its benefits and lessons learnt.
Innovation Mechanisms in Electronics Industry
Authors: Ivansen Lars , Johnsson Kasper , Olsson Martin , Bergsjö Dag 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis study investigates innovation at Mycronic AB, a company which has seen a decrease in their innovation capacity over the last several years, compared to past development efforts. It studies past projects from a knowledge management perspective to understand if potential barriers towards reusing innovation mechanisms could explain the decrease in innovation capacity seen today. A literature study was performed to deepen the understanding of the field of knowledge management, and technology management, and especially what is important for organization to be innovative. This knowledge was the foundation for a case study, which investigated innovation mechanisms and barriers from past projects. The identified barriers could, in part, explain why the company has been unable to reuse the knowledge from these past projects. The identified barriers could serve as a starting point for continued work with KM. Overcoming these barriers could over time improve innovation.
Development and validation of a CpG island methylator phenotype‐related prognostic signature for cholangiocarcinoma
Authors: Liang Junnan , Liu Tongtong , Liao Jingyu , Zhang Lu , Zhou Mi , Xu Weiqi , He Yi , Cai Guangzhen , Jin Guannan , Song Jia , Li Ganxun , Liang Huifang , Ding Zeyang , Zhang Bixiang 
Published: September 2020

AbstractCholangiocarcinoma (CCA) still has a very unfavorable prognosis with a very high mortality, which is complicated by a lack of prognostic biomarkers. In this study, CCA patients in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) cohort were categorized into two subtypes. Differentially expressed and methylated genes were identified, and the impact of DNA methylation in the trans‐regulation of gene expression was investigated. Finally, a CIMP‐related methylation signature specific for CCA (CMSC) was trained in GEO and validated in the Tongji cohort. A subset of patients with CIMP‐H was identified, which was correlated with an unfavorable prognosis. Gene enrichment analysis implied the potential mechanism of CIMP as a promoter of carcinogenesis by regulating proliferation. The trans‐regulation among differentially methylated CpG sites and genes with the same change trends was positively correlated, while the converse situation showed a negative correlation. Notably, CMSC based on four genes could significantly classify CCA patients into low‐ and high‐risk groups in the GEO cohort, and the robustness of CMSC was validated in the Tongji cohort. The results of receiver operating characteristic analysis further indicated that CMSC was capable of highly sensitive and specific prediction of the patient outcomes in CCA. In conclusion, our work highlights the clinical significance of CMSC in the prognosis of CCA.
The effect of microglial ablation and mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on a cuprizone‐induced demyelination model
Authors: Tahmasebi Fatemeh , Pasbakhsh Parichehr , Barati Shirin , Madadi Soheila , Kashani Iraj R. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractMultiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating autoimmune disease of the central nervous system with symptoms such as neuroinflammation, astrocytosis, microgliosis, and axonal degeneration. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with their immunomodulation, differentiation, and neuroprotection abilities can influence the remyelination process. The goal of this study is to investigate the impact of microglial ablation and MSCs transplantation on remyelination processes in the corpus callosum (CC) of the cuprizone demyelination model. For the induction of a chronic demyelination model, C57BL6 mice were fed with chow containing 0.2% cuprizone (wt/wt) for 12 weeks. For the depletion of microglia, PLX3397 was used as a colony‐stimulating factor 1 receptor inhibitor for 21 days. MSCs were injected to the right lateral ventricle and after 2 weeks, the mice were killed. We assessed glial cells using specific markers such as APC, Iba‐1, and GFAP using the immunohistochemistry method. Remyelination was evaluated by Luxol fast blue (LFB) staining and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The specific genes of microglia and MSCs were evaluated by a quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction. According to the results of the study, 21 days of PLX3397 treatment significantly reduced microglial cells, and MSCs transplantation decreased the number of astrocytes, whereas the oligodendrocytes population increased significantly in PLX + MSC group in comparison with the cuprizone mice. Furthermore, PLX and MSC treatment elevated levels of remyelination compared with the cuprizone group, as confirmed by LFB staining and TEM analysis. The molecular results showed that MSC transplantation significantly decreased the number of microglia through the CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis. These results revealed that PLX3397 treatment and MSCs injection reduced microgliosis and astrocytosis. It also increased the oligodendrocytes population by enhancing remyelination in the CC of the cuprizone model of MS.
A characterization of the subcubic graphs achieving equality in the Haxell‐Scott lower bound for the matching number
Authors: Henning Michael A. , Shozi Zekhaya B. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn 2004, Biedl et al proved that if is a connected cubic graph of order , then , where is the matching number of . The graphs achieving equality in this bound were characterized in 2010 by O and West. In 2017, Haxell and Scott proved that if is a connected subcubic graph, then , where denotes the number of vertices of degree in . In this paper, we characterize the graphs achieving equality in the lower bound on the matching number given by Haxell and Scott.
Clinical, epidemiological, and molecular aspects of picornaviruses (entero, parecho) in acute gastroenteritis: A study from Pune (Maharashtra), Western India
Authors: Gopalkrishna Varanasi , Ganorkar Nital , Patil Pooja , Hedda Gokul , Ranshing Sujata , Kulkarni Ruta 
Published: September 2020

AbstractAmong enteric viruses, rotavirus A (RVA), norovirus (NoV), adenovirus, and astrovirus (AstV) are the major etiological agents associated in acute gastroenteritis. The present study highlights, clinical, epidemiological, and molecular aspects with respect to RVA, NoV, enterovirus (EV), and human parechovirus (HPeVs) in sporadic cases (n = 305) of acute gastroenteritis, Pune (Maharashtra), Western India. Detection of RVA was carried out by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, NoV, EV, and HPeVs by reverse transcription PCR. Prevalence of 36.06%, 20.32%, 14.09%, 3.93%, respectively was observed for RVA, EV, HPeVs, and NoV along with coinfections. Infections occurred in children less than 2 years old, with peak infections within 12 months age. The disease severity in RV infections was found high (70.90%) with severe disease, followed by EV (62.9%), NoV (58.33%), and HPeV (44.58%). Predominant strains of RV G1P[8], G2P[4] types with unusual G9P[4], NoV Genogroup II of genotype 4 strains and multiple EV types with EV‐B species, E14 and E17 and two novel EV‐75, EV‐107 types were detected. Circulation of heterogeneous HPeV genotypes (HPeV1–5, 7, 8, 13, 14, 16) with predominance of HPeV‐1 was noticed. Changing trends in circulation of a rare HPeV‐2 genotype, with emerging and reemerging strains was noted. The study highlights association of RVA, NoV, EV, and HPeV and their mono‐infections, genotype distribution, and changing trends in acute gastroenteritis, and added more knowledge on rota and nonrota enteric viruses in acute gastroenteritis. More such studies in rota vaccinated era are required across the country, as Indian rotavirus vaccine has been implemented under the National Immunization program.
Analysis of monthly and annual rainfall variability using linear models in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Midwest of Brazil
Authors: Abreu Marcel Carvalho , de Souza Amaury , Lyra Gustavo Bastos , Pobocikova Ivana , Cecílio Roberto Avelino 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThis study aims at fitting polynomial models based on latitude, longitude and altitude coordinates to estimate the monthly and annual mean rainfall in Mato Grosso do Sul state, Midwest region of Brazil. Furthermore, its target is to verify whether hydrologically similar regions provide statistical improvement in the regression fit for rainfall estimation. To create the monthly and annual rainfall for 32 rain gauge stations, there were used at least 15 years long data records for analysis with a percentage of gaps at most 10%. Generally, the monthly and annual rainfall models present suitable statistical validation coefficients. The number of predictor variables enhances the performance of the regression method when estimating monthly and annual rainfall. Fitting regressions in hydrologically similar groups through cluster analysis tends to increase regression performance; however, the limited number of rain gauge stations in Brazil makes this technique difficult to apply because the number of parameters of the regression models may be greater than the number of rain gauge stations in the cluster. The first degree polynomial regression proved to be the most adequate to represent the mean monthly and annual rainfall because of the equivalence between observed and predicted values of rainfall and because of the statistical analysis. Fitting polynomial models presents suitable method for practical applications, forming an important tool for environmental management in the Mato Grasso do Sul State.
CSR orientation incongruence and supply chain relationship performance—A network perspective
Authors: Liu Yi , Jia Xingping , Jia Xingzhi , Koufteros Xenophon 
Published: September 2020

AbstractFirms’ commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) can be a crucial factor in supply chain partnerships. This study examines the effect of CSR orientation incongruence on relationship performance. Drawing on the congruence theory literature, we posit that a firm's relationship performance may suffer when there is incongruence between the levels of CSR orientations of supply chain partners. Furthermore, we adopt a network perspective and argue that certain characteristics of a firm's egocentric social network (i.e., network centrality and network diversity) may moderate the linkage between CSR orientation incongruence and relationship performance. Our empirical study, which is based on dyadic data, indeed reveals that a firm's relationship performance is adversely affected when the firm and its major supply partner have incongruent levels of CSR orientations. Such a negative effect is moderated by the firm's egocentric social network. Specifically, the negative impact of incongruent CSR orientation is heightened if the firm occupies a central position in the egocentric network. Network diversity, however, plays a contrasting role as a firm's relationship performance may be less susceptible to incongruent CSR orientations when there is access to a diverse social network.
Comparison Between Lung Ultrasound and Computed Tomographic Findings in Patients With COVID‐19 Pneumonia
Authors: Lopes Agnaldo José , Mafort Thiago Thomaz , da Costa Cláudia Henrique , Rufino Rogério , de Cássia Firmida Mônica , Kirk Kennedy Martins , Cobo Carolina Gianella , da Costa Hanna da Silva Bessa , da Cruz Carlos Miguel Brum Queiroz , Mogami Roberto 
Published: September 2020

ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to describe findings from lung ultrasound (LUS) and computed tomography (CT) in health professionals with coronavirus disease 2019 pneumonia and to evaluate the associations of the findings of both tests.MethodsThis cross‐sectional observational study evaluated 45 health professionals who were initially seen in screening tents and had a diagnosis of coronavirus disease 2019 as confirmed by a reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and lung involvement diagnosed by LUS. Subsequently, these individuals were admitted to the hospital, where chest CT was performed. Aeration scores were obtained for the LUS examinations based on the following findings: more than 2 B‐lines, coalescent B‐lines, and subpleural consolidations. A subjective assessment of the extent of lung disease on CT was performed on the basis of the percentage of lung parenchyma involvement as follows: 25% or less, 25% to 50%, and greater than 50%.ResultsRegarding LUS signs, more than 2 B‐lines, coalescent B‐lines, and subpleural consolidations were present in 73.3%, 68.2%, and 24.4% of cases, respectively. The main findings on CT were ground glass opacities, a crazy‐paving pattern, and consolidations (66.7%, 20%, and 20% of cases); 17.8% of cases had examinations without abnormalities. Patients with more than 2 B‐lines on LUS had more ground glass opacity areas on CT (P = .0007), whereas patients with subpleural consolidations on LUS had more consolidations on CT (P < .0001). In addition, patients with higher LUS aeration scores had more extensive disease on CT (P < .0001).ConclusionsLung ultrasound can detect lung injury even in the presence of normal CT results. There are associations between the abnormalities detected by both methods, and a relationship also exists between LUS aeration scores and the disease extent on CT.
Long‐term treatment outcome of type 1 thyroplasty using novel titanium medialization laryngoplasty implant combined with arytenoid adduction for unilateral vocal cord paralysis: single‐arm interventional study at a single institution
Authors: Sano Daisuke , Matsushima Koji , Isono Yasuhiro , Ikui Yukiko , Kinutani Yuri , Chiba Yoshihiro , Hirose Hajime , Oridate Nobuhiko 
Published: September 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the long‐term treatment outcome of type 1 thyroplasty with novel rearrangeable titanium medialization laryngoplasty implant (TMLI) combined with arytenoid adduction (AA) for unilateral vocal cord paralysis (UVFP) in the authors' institution.MethodsA total of 16 Japanese patients with UVFP who received type 1 thyroplasty using TMLI with arytenoid adduction was enrolled in this single‐arm, non‐randomized interventional study. The results of the auditory perceptual assessment, aerodynamic examination, acoustic measurement, and patient‐based survey on these patients were evaluated preoperatively and at 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively.ResultsType 1 thyroplasty using TMLI with arytenoid adduction for our patient series presented significant improvements in maximum phonation time, mean flow rates, GRBAS scale, the Voice Handicap Index and the Voice‐Related Quality of Life score over the 12‐month postoperative period.ConclusionType 1 thyroplasty using TMLI with arytenoid adduction was quite effective for obtaining satisfactory postoperative voice improvement without any surgical complication over the long‐term period.
The Effect of Photobiomodulation on Nitrite and Inflammatory Activity in Radiotherapy‐Induced Oral Mucositis: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Martins Allisson F. L. , Morais Marília O. , Sousa‐Neto Sebastião S. , Oton‐Leite Angélica F. , Pereira Carlos H. , Valadares Marize C. , Freitas Nilceana M. A. , Batista Aline C. , Leles Cláudio R. , Mendonça Elismauro F. 
Published: September 2020

Background and ObjectivesTo investigate pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory cytokines and nitrite salivary levels in patients with head and neck cancer receiving photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) associated with a Preventive Oral Care Program (POCP), for prevention and control of oral mucositis (OM) during radiotherapy (RT) associated or not with chemotherapy protocol.Study Design/Materials and MethodsIn this randomized double‐blinded clinical trial, 48 patients were randomly assigned to two groups: PBMT (n = 25) and Control (n = 23). In the PBMT group, patients were submitted to PBMT associated with the POCP. In the Control group, patients were submitted only to the POCP. Saliva samples were collected in the 1st (baseline), 7th, 14th, 21st, and 30th sessions of RT, and the levels of interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐8, IL‐10, IL‐12p70, IL‐1β, and tumoral necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) were measured using the cytometric bead array. Nitrite levels were measured by colorimetric method. OM was assessed using the World Health Organization and the National Cancer Institute scales.ResultsPatients in the PBMT group presented less severe OM. PBMT tended to stabilize nitrite concentration levels during the RT regimen. The IL‐1β concentration was associated with higher OM scores. PBMT promoted an increase in IL‐12p70, TNF‐α, and IL‐10 concentration.ConclusionPBMT was effective in the prevention and control of severe OM, and its mechanism of action may be related to a better balance of inflammatory response that may favor injury control. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC
Design of a Bio‐Based Device for Micro Total Analysis Combining Fused Deposition Modeling and Layer‐by‐Layer Technologies
Authors: de León Alberto S. , de Frutos Raquel M. , Molina Sergio I. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this paper a methodology is presented to fabricate a micropatterned device made of bio‐based polymers (polylactic acid, sodium alginate (ALG), and chitosan (CHI)) suitable for micro total analysis. Fused deposition modeling and layer‐by‐layer technologies are combined to create tailorable devices with submillimetric controlled well size that can be rapidly prepared in house. As proof of concept, the influence of immobilization of ALG/CHI bilayers in the selective adsorption of alkaline phosphatase and its activity is studied. Due to the noncovalent nature of these interactions, it is proven that these devices can be reused for at least three times, contributing to generate less waste. It is foreseen that the combination of these fast and inexpensive technologies will lead to new setups for laboratory and clinical assays such as high‐throughput screening where controlled immobilization of enzymes, peptides, or other valuable biomolecules needs to be used.
What kind of donor are you? Uncovering complexity in donor identity
Authors: Bove Liliana , Chmielewski Danielle , Neville Benjamin A. , Lei Jing , Nagpal Anish 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIdentity is a useful lens to understand donation behavior. However, studies have typically conceptualized and examined donor identity as a generic, unidimensional concept. Through in‐depth interviews with 52 blood donors, this study sets out to discover if there is more complexity to donor identity, and what implications this might have for marketing communications, in the context of donation of the self (e.g., blood, organs, time, and effort). We use sentiment polarity and amplification analysis of inductive themes to uncover distinct patterns reflective of four different donor identities. We label these the Savior, Communitarian, Pragmatist, and Elitist, which are underpinned by theories of gift‐giving, sharing, pragmatism, and signaling, respectively. The typology offers a theory‐building mechanism to anticipate the effects of marketing stimuli on donation behavior. We conclude by presenting four theoretical propositions, for which we provide preliminary empirical evidence. The survey data is suggestive of action readiness for donation behavior when a marketing communication message is aligned with its intended donor identity.
Photopatternable and Rewritable Epoxy‐Anhydride Vitrimers
Authors: Giebler Michael , Alabiso Walter , Wieser Viktoria , Radl Simone , Schlögl Sandra 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe present work highlights a new approach to write, erase, and rewrite micropatterns into the same region of covalent adaptable polymer networks. Thermal curing of an epoxy‐terminated o‐nitrobenzyl ester (o‐NBE) derivative with hexahydrophthalic anhydride in the presence of 1,5,7‐triazabicyclo[4.4.0]dec‐5‐ene yields a dynamic covalent network, whose solubility is locally controlled by irradiation with ultraviolet (UV) light. The photolysis of the o‐NBE chromophores enables a well‐defined cleavage of the epoxy‐anhydride network, and the formation of soluble photolysis products is confirmed by sol‐gel analysis. The photo‐induced change in solubility is exploited to inscribe micropatterns by photolithographic techniques and after development in an organic solvent positive tone structures with a feature size of 20 µm are obtained. Due to the thermo‐activated exchange reactions of the hydroxyl ester links and the related macroscopic reflow, the polymer patterns are fully erased at temperatures well above the topological freezing transition of the vitrimer network. The regenerated film has a smooth surface topology and can be reused to inscribe new micropatterns via mask lithography.