bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Operative and long‐term oncological outcomes in patients undergoing robotic versus laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer
Authors: Bilgin Ismail Ahmet , Bas Mustafa , Aytac Erman , Benlice Cigdem , Esen Eren , Kirbiyik Ebru , Kiziltas Cansu , Aghayeva Afag , Ozben Volkan , Hamzaoglu Ismail , Karahasanoglu Tayfun , Baca Bilgi 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to compare short‐ and long‐term outcomes after robotic versus laparoscopic approach in patients undergoing curative surgery for rectal cancer.MethodsPatients undergoing elective robotic and laparoscopic resection for rectal cancer were included. Perioperative clinical characteristics, postoperative short‐ and long‐term outcomes were compared between groups.ResultsThere were 72 and 44 patients in robotic (RG) and laparoscopic (LG) groups respectively. No differences were detected regarding patients' demographics, histopathologic outcomes, conversion rates and 30‐day overall postoperative complication rates. Operative time was longer in the RG (341 ± 111.7 vs. 263 ± 97.5 min, p = 0.001) and length of stay was longer in the LG (4.4 ± 1.9 vs. 6.4 ± 2.9 days, p = 0.001). The 5‐year overall and disease‐free survival rates were similar (97.1% and 94.9%, p = 0.78; 86.2% and 82.7%, p = 0.72) between the groups.ConclusionThis study showed both short and long‐term outcomes of a limited number of included patients between the robotic and laparoscopic surgery were similar. However, future studies and randomized trials are necessary to establish these findings.
Almost output consensus of nonlinear multiagent systems in the presence of external disturbances
Authors: Meng Tingyang , Lin Zongli 
Published: September 2020

SummaryIn this article, we investigate the almost output consensus problem for nonlinear multiagent systems under the influence of external disturbances. The problem of almost output consensus of nonlinear multiagent systems is formulated. Conditions on the nonlinear systems are established under which distributed consensus protocols are designed in a recursive manner. These protocols are shown to achieve almost output consensus, that is, output consensus of the system is achieved in the absence of the disturbances and the L2‐gain from the disturbances to the output consensus error of agents when the system is operating in output consensus can be made arbitrarily small. A simulation example is shown to verify the theoretical results.
Static output feedback passivation revisited and global asymptotic stabilizing properties of a controller
Authors: Stefanovski Jovan D. 
Published: September 2020

SummaryThe class of systems that can be globally asymptotically stabilized by the well‐known control law , is extended, in respect to literature. This control law is suitable for application to systems of unknown structure, and it is shown that it is more advantageous than the linear control law. The stability proof is based on solutions of a newly introduced problem, which is a specialization of the passivation by static output feedback control of a system with nonzero feedforward matrix. Necessary and sufficient conditions for existence of a solution of the problem are given, which include the minimum phase property of the given system. It is explained why the new concept cannot be applied to nonminimum phase systems. It is proved that a class of nonminimum phase systems can be stabilized by the same control law, where is a matrix function, rather than a constant matrix. Illustrative example are given.
Reachable set estimation and synthesis of discrete‐time switched systems
Authors: Zhao Rui , Wang Yijing , Zuo Zhiqiang 
Published: September 2020

SummaryThis article focuses on estimating the reachable set of discrete‐time switched linear systems with unknown disturbance. The discontinuous multiple Lyapunov function, which enables us to reduce the conservatism in the sense of mode‐dependent average dwell‐time, is proposed to estimate the underlying reachable set. The main difficulty of this problem is that the energy may jump at the switching instants. To this end, we seek for another set, which preserves the former reachable set as an inner one, guaranteeing that in the case of escaping the inner reachable set at the switching instants, the state trajectory will arrive at the inner reachable set within finite time. Finally, two numerical examples are given to show the efficiency of the proposed strategy.
Hybrid modelling of low velocity zones in box culverts to assist fish passage: Why simple is better!
Authors: Leng Xinqian , Chanson Hubert 
Published: September 2020

AbstractA culvert is a covered road structure constructed to pass flood and drainage. The engineering design principle of culverts focuses on optimising flood capacity at the lowest possible cost, resulting in high flow velocity through the barrel. With modern engineering design being more environmentally aware, culverts are considered common barriers for fish migrating upstream due to the excessive barrel velocity. The migration of fish upriver is important for their breeding and feeding activities, contributing to a stable population and species diversity. Improved or novel design for a fish‐friendly culvert is needed to ensure well‐being of local fish community. This article is a review of recent developments in seeking a solution for a better fish‐friendly culvert design. A major common feature of the reviewed studies is the application of hybrid modelling, combining laboratory experiments and numerical Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modelling together. Various design alternatives were compared for pros and cons: channel roughening, installation of speed‐reducing structures (e.g., baffles or beams), and simply widening the channel by adding more culvert units (boxes). Overall, channel widening stands to be a better design choice due to its suitability for both flood passage and fish passage, with little impact on operation safety and a reduced maintenance cost.
Natural disasters as a source of entrepreneurial opportunity: Family business resilience after an earthquake
Authors: Salvato Carlo , Sargiacomo Massimo , Amore Mario Daniele , Minichilli Alessandro 
Published: September 2020

AbstractResearch SummaryWhat type of firms are more likely to survive or even thrive in disaster events such as earthquakes, wildfires, and the COVID‐19 pandemic? We investigate whether family ownership and industry positioning affect firms' ability to capture opportunities for business recovery after a natural disaster. We analyze the performance of Italian family and nonfamily firms around a disastrous earthquake in 2009. Following the earthquake, family firms performed better than nonfamily firms, especially when multiple family members were involved as owners. Moreover, family ownership is beneficial in industries highly dependent on the public sector. Our findings provide evidence on the superior resilience of family firms by illustrating the characteristics that allow firms hit by disaster events to seize posttraumatic entrepreneurial opportunities for recovery and growth.Managerial SummaryThe purpose of this study was to understand whether a possible explanation of family firms' superior longevity is their resilience to mass emergencies and their ability to transform post‐crisis threats into entrepreneurial opportunities. We found that family firms performed better than their nonfamily peers after the earthquake that hit Central Italy, and especially the area around L'Aquila, in 2009. During disaster events, family ownership resources—focused on the long term and the desire to transfer the business to future generations—provide the firm with the social and emotional capital needed to address the hardship. Moreover, family firms that operated in industries closer to the public demand leveraged the family proximity to politics, further enhancing the processes of recovery and opportunity identification.
Basking in reflected glory: Reverse status transfer from foreign to home markets
Authors: Chae Heewon , Song Jaeyong , Lange Donald 
Published: September 2020

AbstractResearch summaryIn this study, we investigate reverse status transfer from foreign to home country markets. We argue that a positive product status accrued in a leading foreign country, or outside status, increases domestic market performance by providing home country audiences with a means of self‐enhancement. We predict that the impact of outside status will be stronger when the foreign and home countries have similar economic conditions, and when the products are high priced, luxury goods—as social approval and prestige‐seeking are important factors in purchase decisions for these products. We test our hypotheses using a sample of firms and vehicles in the automotive industry. Results from two‐stage multi‐level analysis support our arguments. Our results have several implications for research related to status transfer and international business.Managerial summaryWe look at how consumers in the home country of an automaker (Germany, Japan, and Korea) increase purchases of a car model that wins the J.D. Power APEAL award in the United States. Rather than telling those consumers anything new about the car's quality, the award bestows status on the vehicle from the leading outside market. (We call that reverse status transfer, as it flips the idea that domestic status helps firms competing in foreign markets.) Domestic consumers can share in some of that status by purchasing the vehicle, and they are especially likely to do so when it is a high priced or luxury model, as those aspects amplify the status effects, as does economic similarity between the United States and the home country.
Enhancing Charge Separation through Oxygen Vacancy‐Mediated Reverse Regulation Strategy Using Porphyrins as Model Molecules
Authors: Yin Dan , Ning Xingming , Zhang Ruizhong , Du Peiyao , Zhang Dongxu , Deng Yang , Liu Jia , Zhang Qi , Zhang Zhen , Lu Xiaoquan 
Published: September 2020

AbstractHighly efficient charge separation has been demonstrated as one of the most significant steps playing decisive roles in enhancing the overall efficiency of photoelectrochemical (PEC) processes. In this study, by employing 5,10,15,20‐tetrakis (4‐carboxyphenyl) porphyrin‐Ni (NiTCPP) as a prototype, an oxygen vacancy (Vo)‐mediated reverse regulation strategy is proposed for tuning hole transfer, which in turn can accelerate the transport of electrons and thus enhancing charge separation. The optimal NiO/NiTCPP system exhibits much higher (≈40 times) photocurrent and longer (≈13 times) lifetime of charge carriers compared with those of pure NiTCPP. Furthermore, the electron transfer kinetic rate constant (Keff) is quantitatively determined by an efficient scanning photoelectrochemical microscopy (SPECM). The Keff of the optimal system has a 5.7‐fold improvement. In addition, the similar enhancement in charge separation from other semiconductors (CoTCPP and FeTCPP) are also observed, indicating that the Vo‐mediated reverse regulation strategy is a promising pathway for tuning the properties of light harvesters in solar energy conversion.
A Tandem 0D/2D/2D NbS2 Quantum Dot/Nb2O5 Nanosheet/g‐C3N4 Flake System with Spatial Charge–Transfer Cascades for Boosting Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Lin Bo , Chen Zihao , Song Pin , Liu Haishi , Kang Lixing , Di Jun , Luo Xiao , Chen Longqing , Xue Chao , Ma Bowen , Yang Guidong , Tang Jun , Zhou Jiadong , Liu Zheng , Liu Fucai 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe relatively high recombination rate of charges remains the most critical limiting factor for solar‐driven water splitting for hydrogen generation. Herein, a tandem 0D/2D/2D NbS2 quantum dot/Nb2O5 nanosheet/g‐C3N4 flake (NSNOCN) system is designed. Owing to the unique spatial‐arrangement and elaborate morphology of 0D NbS2, 2D Nb2O5, and 2D g‐C3N4 in the newly designed NSNOCN, plenty of spatial charge–transfer cascades from g‐C3N4 to NbS2 via Nb2O5 are formed to accelerate separation and transfer of charges significantly, thus contributing to a high photocatalytic H2 generation rate of 13.99 mmol h−1 g−1 (an apparent quantum efficiency of 10.8% at 420 nm), up to 107.6 and 43.7 times by contrast with that of g‐C3N4 and Nb2O5, respectively. This work can provide a new platform in the design of artificial photocatalytic systems with high charge–transfer efficiency.
Inverse Fabrication of Li2S‐Nanocrystals@Doped‐Carbon Loaded on Woven Carbon Fibers to Spatial Structure Cathodes for High‐Stable Lithium–Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Zhang Jiamin , Xu Enze , Sun Zhenjie , Zhou Ya , Shi Pengxiang , Gao Yan , Bao Zhiyong , Jiang Yang 
Published: September 2020

AbstractLithium sulfide (Li2S) is an attractive cathode material for lithium–sulfur batteries due to its matching with the lithium‐metal‐free anode, but limited by its preparation and processing difficulty, low electronic conductivity, and high dissolution of polysulfide intermediates. Herein, a novel, low‐cost, and scalable method (termed as inverse fabrication route) is proposed to directly prepare Li2S‐based electrodes. This methodology uniformly anchors in situ generated Li2S nanocrystals with a controllable size of 5–10 nm on the woven carbon fibers (WCF) substrate to fabricate a spatial conductive network structure, which provides continuous high‐speed pathways for electron/ion transport. Furthermore, Li2S nanocrystals are encapsulated into a nitrogen/fluorine (N/F) codoped carbon framework to directly fabricate a spatial structure of Li2S‐nanocrystals @ doped‐carbon/WCF (Li2S @ DC/WCF) composite cathode. N/F codoped carbon yields certain catalytic effects on the electrochemical redox reaction for lithium–sulfur batteries, and N‐containing groups in carbon lead to a strong chemical interaction with Li2S/lithium polysulfides, thus improving the electrochemical reaction kinetics and suppressing the polysulfide shuttle. Hence, the as‐prepared Li2S @ DC/WCF composite cathode exhibits a high discharge capacity of 913 mA h g−1 at 0.2C, and the discharge capacity remains at 98% even after 200 cycles at 1C, corresponding to an average capacity decay of 0.01% cycle−1.
Triple Interface Passivation Strategy‐Enabled Efficient and Stable Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Gao Zhi‐Wen , Wang Yong , Ouyang Dan , Liu Hui , Huang Zhanfeng , Kim Jinwook , Choy Wallace C. H. 
Published: September 2020

AbstractInverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are still suffering low power conversion efficiency because of hole accumulation and trap‐assisted non‐radiative recombination at the interface originating from the large energy offset, interface defects, and rough contact. Here, a triple passivation of the two in‐between surfaces of the hole transport layer (HTL) and perovskite is proposed. The inorganic salt of potassium thiocyanate (KSCN) is introduced to simultaneously cross‐link NiOx, HTL, and methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3), which can significantly improve both device performances and stability. In addition to potassium passivation, the thiocyanate shows two good passivation effects on perovskite and NiOx to achieve the triple passivation. The strong NiN bonding exhibits strong polar covalent bond properties to make the electron deviate from the Ni side. Meanwhile, the strong electrostatic force between S and Pb in MAPbI3 makes the Pb atomic layer closer to perovskite to restrain the I atom. Meanwhile, the KSCN modification leads to better valence band alignment. Eventually, the KSCN meditated PSCs exhibit both high efficiency of 21.23% with open‐circuit voltage of 1.14 V and improved operational stability. The demonstration of triple interface passivation contributes to establishing promising multiple passivation strategies for improving the demanding PSC performances and stability.
Korrosionsschutz im Metallleichtbau – neue IFBS‐Fachregeln
Authors: Podleschny Ralf 
Published: September 2020

AbstractDer Korrosionsschutz tragender dünnwandiger Bauelemente im Metallleichtbau ist durch eine Vielzahl internationaler, europäischer und auch deutscher Normen geregelt. Dieser Beitrag soll hierzu einen Überblick geben und die Regelungsbereiche der einzelnen Normen zueinander abgrenzen und deren Inhalte erläutern. Durch das Normenwerk werden jedoch nicht alle Aspekte des Korrosionsschutzes abgedeckt. Dem Planer fehlen wichtige Angaben, die er für das konstruktionsgerechte Planen der erforderlichen Korrosionsschutzmaßnahmen bauteilbezogen benötigt. Zum Teil waren diese Hilfestellungen in alten, mittlerweile zurückgezogenen deutschen Normen enthalten, sie wurden aber nicht in adäquater Weise in das neue Normenwerk überführt. Diese Lücke füllen die neuen IFBS‐Fachregeln für den Korrosionsschutz im Metallleichtbau, die hier vorgestellt werden.
The effect of shrinkage reducing admixtures on drying shrinkage, autogenous deformation, and early age stress development of concrete
Authors: Klausen Anja Estensen , Kanstad Terje 
Published: September 2020

AbstractThe current study investigates the effect of shrinkage reducing admixtures (SRA) on volume changes that may lead to shrinkage cracking and early age cracking. Drying shrinkage (DS) and autogenous deformation (AD), the impetus for shrinkage cracking, were measured over 2.5 years for three concretes with and without 1% SRA addition: an ordinary Portland concrete, a fly ash concrete and a slag concrete. The latter two concretes were also tested in the Temperature‐stress testing machine (TSTM), which measures AD, thermal dilation (TD) and restrained stress development for a concrete subjected to realistic temperature curing conditions. SRA was found to have a substantial and permanent impact on DS and AD for all three concretes (up to 32% reduction of the total deformation after 2.5 years). The higher the shrinkage, the higher the effect of SRA. For the slag concrete, where AD was found to be the main impetus of early age volume changes, SRA had a clear beneficial effect on the cracking tendency. For the fly ash concrete, where TD provided the main contribution to the volume changes, SRA had a less pronounced effect. The test results were also compared with AD and DS modeled by Model Code 2010.
Shear and flexural strengthening of deficient flat slabs with post‐installed bolts andCFRPcomposites bonded throughEBRandEBROG
Authors: Torabian Ala , Isufi Brisid , Mostofinejad Davood , Pinho Ramos António 
Published: September 2020

AbstractFiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites can be efficient for flexural strengthening of flat slabs if debonding of the FRP is postponed. However, with the increase of the flexural capacity, the flat slab becomes more susceptible to punching shear failure. In this context, four flexural or simultaneous flexural and punching shear retrofitting systems are investigated in this study to strengthen a flexure‐deficient flat slab. Externally Bonded Reinforcement on Grooves (EBROG) and externally bonded reinforcement (EBR) methods are used for flexural strengthening in two cases: slabs without punching shear reinforcement and with post‐installed shear bolts as shear reinforcement. According to the results, flexural strengthening of the slab using the EBR and EBROG techniques increased its load capacity by 12% and 21%, respectively. Simultaneous flexural and shear strengthening of the slab using the EBROG technique was the most effective, leading to a 57% enhancement of the load capacity. For specimens whose failure was governed by punching, comparing the results with code predictions showed that Eurocode and ACI (and the respective guide documents fib bulletin 90 and ACI 440.2R) overestimated the capacity of these specimens. In cases where failure was governed by flexure, a simple application of the yield line theory predicted reasonably well the load capacity of the specimens.
Kinetic studies on the removal of cadmium using Acacia tortilis
Authors: Sivaprakash B. , Rajamohan N. , Qasmi Fatma Al 
Published: September 2020

AbstractIn this study, the feasibility of utilizing Acacia tortilis biomass for the removal of cadmium ions was investigated. The effect of operating parameters, namely, initial pH (1–10), cadmium concentration (50–200 mg/L), biosorbent dose (0.5–4.0 g/L), and agitation speed (0–400 rpm), on the cadmium removal was investigated. Maximum removal efficiency was attained at pH 5.0, at an equilibrium time of 180 min. The maximum cadmium uptake achieved with 200 mg/L initial concentration was 36.66 mg/g. The mechanism of biosorption was analyzed using the pseudo‐first‐order, pseudo‐second‐order, and intraparticle diffusion models. The pseudo‐first‐order model represented the data well (R2 > 0.993), and the maximum uptake capacity was 45.83 mg/g at 30°C with 200 mg/L manganese concentration. Desorption studies confirmed the suitability of sulfuric acid as an eluent producing recoveries in excess of 90% for cadmium up to four cycles.
Comparative evaluation of salivary glands proteomes from wild Phlebotomus papatasi–proven vector of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran
Authors: Maryam Ghafari Seyedeh , Ebrahimi Sahar , Nateghi Rostami Mahmoud , Bordbar Ali , Parvizi Parviz 
Published: September 2020

AbstractBackgroundZoonotic Cutaneous Leishmaniasis is increasing in the world and Phlebotomus papatasi as a proven vector was considered in different aspects for disease control. Sandfly saliva contains proteins which provoke host immune system. These proteins are candidates for developing vaccines.ObjectivesThe main purpose of this research was comparing evaluation of salivary glands proteomes from wild P. papatasi. Extracting these proteins and purifying of original SP15 as inducer agent in vector salivary glands from endemic leishmaniasis foci were other objectives.MethodsAdult sandflies were sampled using aspirators and funnel traps from three endemic foci in 2017–2018. Each pair of salivary glands of unfed females was dissected and proteins were extracted using thermal shocking and sonication methods. Purification was performed through RP‐HPLC. All equivalent fractions were added together in order to reach sufficient protein concentration. Protein content and profile determination were examined with SDS‐PAGE.ResultsThe protein concentration of whole‐salivary glands of specimens was determined approximately 1.6 µg/µl (Isfahan) and 1 µg/µl (Varamin and Kashan). SDS‐PAGE revealed 10 distinct bands between 10 and 63 kDa. Analysis of proteomes showed some similarities and differences in the chromatograms of different foci. SDS‐PAGE of all collected fractions revealed SP15‐like proteins were isolated in 24 min from Varamin, 26 to 30 min from Kashan and 29.4 min from Isfahan and were around 15 kDa.ConclusionsIsolation of salivary components of Iranian wild P. papatasi is very important for finding potential proteins in vaccine development and measuring control strategy of zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Iran and this could be concluded elsewhere in the world.