Supplementary Phase Research Articles

Metabolomics identifies and validates serum androstenedione as novel biomarker for diagnosing primary angle closure glaucoma and predicting the visual field progression

Background:Primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in Asia, and no reliable, effective diagnostic, and predictive biomarkers are used in clinical routines. A growing body of evidence shows metabolic alterations in patients with glaucoma. We aimed to develop and validate potential metabolite biomarkers to diagnose and predict the visual field progression of PACG.Methods:Here, we used a five-phase (discovery phase, validation phase 1, validation phase 2, supplementary phase, and cohort phase) multicenter (EENT hospital, Shanghai Xuhui Central Hospital), cross-sectional, prospective cohort study designed to perform widely targeted metabolomics and chemiluminescence immunoassay to determine candidate biomarkers. Five machine learning (random forest, support vector machine, lasso, K-nearest neighbor, and GaussianNaive Bayes [NB]) approaches were used to identify an optimal algorithm. The discrimination ability was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Calibration was assessed by Hosmer-Lemeshow tests and calibration plots.Results:Studied serum samples were collected from 616 participants, and 1464 metabolites were identified. Machine learning algorithm determines that androstenedione exhibited excellent discrimination and acceptable calibration in discriminating PACG across the discovery phase (discovery set 1, AUCs=1.0 [95% CI, 1.00–1.00]; discovery set 2, AUCs = 0.85 [95% CI, 0.80–0.90]) and validation phases (internal validation, AUCs = 0.86 [95% CI, 0.81–0.91]; external validation, AUCs = 0.87 [95% CI, 0.80–0.95]). Androstenedione also exhibited a higher AUC (0.92–0.98) to discriminate the severity of PACG. In the supplemental phase, serum androstenedione levels were consistent with those in aqueous humor (r=0.82, p=0.038) and significantly (p=0.021) decreased after treatment. Further, cohort phase demonstrates that higher baseline androstenedione levels (hazard ratio = 2.71 [95% CI: 1.199–6.104], p=0.017) were associated with faster visual field progression.Conclusions:Our study identifies serum androstenedione as a potential biomarker for diagnosing PACG and indicating visual field progression.Funding:This work was supported by Youth Medical Talents – Clinical Laboratory Practitioner Program (2022-65), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82302582), Shanghai Municipal Health Commission Project (20224Y0317), and Higher Education Industry-Academic-Research Innovation Fund of China (2023JQ006).

Virtual versus sustainable fashion: a systematic literature review

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine the extent of convergence between the concepts of virtual and sustainable fashion. Virtual reality is gaining popularity due to its immersive nature, which enables “involvement of the senses”. Owing to dynamic technological development, it is expanding into numerous fields of application and provides the potential to offer innovative products. Among those is virtual fashion, i.e., clothes and accessories that have no physical equivalent, being available to “wear” only in virtual reality. Virtual clothing is part of the premium and exclusive product segment, to which, in particular, the value added by the consumer is attributed. These products are therefore communicated as an environmentally friendly alternative to physical clothing, as they do not require the consumption of materials, thus generating no waste, using less energy and water, etc. Design/methodology/approach: The research consisted of two phases. The main phase was conducted with a method of systematic literature review according to PRISMA standards, by means of data extracted from the databases: Scopus and Ebsco (n = 13). In a supplementary phase, there was used a method of co-occurrence keywords analysis via VOSviewer to compare the description of strictly virtual fashion (n = 218) and sustainable fashion (n = 402). Documents were searched in the Scopus database. The conclusion was reached using the induction method. Findings: The findings from the researched documents indicate that virtual fashion is predominantly presented accordingly to the new technological possibilities it offers. Indeed, its ecological qualities and its potential for fulfilling pro-environmental goals in the fashion industry are briefly stated in broad terms, without reference to the specific measures or data, mentioned, by comparison, in papers devoted solely to sustainable fashion. Originality/value: The findings from the researched documents indicate that virtual fashion is predominantly presented accordingly to the new technological possibilities it offers. Indeed, its ecological qualities and its potential for fulfilling pro-environmental goals in the fashion industry are briefly stated in broad terms, without reference to the specific measures or data, mentioned, by comparison, in papers devoted solely to sustainable fashion. Keywords: virtual reality, sustainable fashion, sustainability, fashion industry. Category of the paper: literature review.

A Review of Geopolymer Composite Thermal Properties

This review paper aims to present fundamental aspects of geopolymer developments and science to emphasize their suitability for high-temperature exposure. Beginning with a comparison of the thermal properties of OPC and geopolymer, the analysis then investigates the character and occurrence of aggregates and supplementary phases. Characteristics essential for evaluating geopolymer thermal properties are thermal expansion, thermal conductivity, strength retention, explosive spalling along with microstructural characteristics such as phase stability, weight changes (dehydration/rehydration), morphology changes, and thermochemical properties were analyzed much in detail.

Trajectory planning in UAV emergency networks with potential underlaying D2D communication based on K-means

At present, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been widely used in communication systems, and the fifth-generation wireless system (5G) has further promoted the vigorous development of them. The trajectory planning of UAV is an important factor that affects the timeliness and completion of missions, especially in scenarios such as emergency communications and post-disaster rescue. In this paper, we consider an emergency communication network where a UAV aims to achieve complete coverage of potential underlaying device-to-device (D2D) users. Trajectory planning issues are grouped into clustering and supplementary phases for optimization. Aiming at trajectory length and sum throughput, two trajectory planning algorithms based on K-means are proposed, respectively. In addition, in order to balance sum throughput with trajectory length, we present a joint evaluation index. Then relying on this index, a third trajectory optimization algorithm is further proposed. Simulation results show the validity of the proposed algorithms which have advantages over the well-known benchmark scheme in terms of trajectory length and sum throughput.

Residual stress distribution in Ni-based superalloy turbine discs during fabrication evaluated by neutron/X-ray diffraction measurement and thermomechanical simulation

Residual stress distribution induced by multistep fabrication processes is of great significance in reliable design of critical engineering components, such as powder metallurgy Ni-based superalloy turbine discs. By using neutron diffraction and 2D-detector X-ray diffraction, the through-thickness residual stress distribution was determined in fabricated turbine discs via isothermal forging, solution treatment and aging treatment. The experimental results demonstrated that residual stress exhibited typical thermal stress distribution while plastic deformation-induced surface stress was relieved surprisingly after solution treatment. After aging treatment, the reduction of matrix supersaturation after long-time diffusion contributed to increase of compressive radial stress in the rim of disc. By introducing temperature-dependent supplementary phase transformation latent heat into the thermo-mechanical model, overall residual stress distribution after solution treatment was simulated by the finite element method. Numerical simulated stress distribution is in agreement with the experimental results, with the deviation < 40 MPa.

The futures of the University of Tehran using causal layered analysis

PurposeHigher education and universities have faced unprecedented and ubiquitous changes. The University of Tehran or “UT,” as the leading university in Iran, is not immune to these changes. The purposes of this study is to investigate the current situation and future of the UT and gain insights and possible responses to changes that suit its strengths and potential to progress in an increasingly competitive, complex environment with uncertainties. It identifies deep fundamental underpinnings of the issue and highlights them for policymakers to formulate strategies and future vision of the UT.Design/methodology/approachCausal layered analysis (CLA) was applied as a framework and the data collected from different sources such as literature reviews, content analysis of rules, regulations and master plans of the university and coded interviews of four different groups of university stakeholders were analyzed. The current system of UT, as well as hidden beliefs, that maintains traditional perceptions about university was mapped. Next, by applying a new recursive process and reverse CLA order, new CLA layers extracted through an expert panel, the layers of CLA based on new metaphors to envision future of UT were backcasted.FindingsThe results from CLA layers including litany, system, worldview and metaphor about the current statue of UT show disinterest and inertia against changes, conservative, behind the times and traditional perceptions, and indicate that the UT system is mismatched to the needs of society and stakeholders in the future. The authors articulated alternative perspectives deconstructed from other worldviews so there are new narratives that reframe the issues at hand. The results show that to survive in this fast-paced revolution and competition in higher education, UT should develop scenarios and formulate new strategies.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors had limited access to a wide range of stakeholders. As the UT is a very big university with so many faculties and departments, to access a pool of experts and top policymakers who were so busy and did not have time to interview inside and outside of university was very hard for the research team. The authors also had limitation to access the internal enactments and decisions of the trustee board of the UT and the financial balance sheets of the university.Originality/valueIn this paper, by mixing different methods of futures studies, the authors have shown how to move forward while understanding the perspectives of stakeholders about the future of UT by a new recursive process and reverse CLA order. A supplementary phase was added to improve CLA and to validate the method and results, which were ignored in previous studies.

Delignification kinetic modeling of NH4OH-KOH-AQ pulping for bagasse

The pulping runs for bagasse were carried out by using NH4OH-KOH-AQ as cooking liquor. IR was employed to study the characteristic change of bagasse and obtained pulp. The delignification mechanisms and kinetics of NH4OH-KOH-AQ pulping for bagasse were investigated. The dissolution of lignin proceeds could be divided into three distinct phases, named a bulk phase of delignification, a supplementary phase, and a residual phase. The rate of delignification reaction was found to be 1.0, 0.72 and 0.14 with respect to residual lignin, hydroxide ion and AQ, respectively. Values were obtained for the rate constants at a number of temperatures and the activation energy was found to be 45.29 kJ/mol. A kinetic model of delignification could be expressed as −dLdt=5.25×105exp(−5448T)L[OH]0.72[AQ]0.14.

Measurement of phase equilibria in Ti-Ni-Sn system

Abstract Phase relations of the Ti-Ni-Sn ternary system were investigated via alloy sampling assisted with X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA). A new binary phase with composition of TiSn4 (molar fraction, %) was detected at 508 K. In addition, a supplementary phase (Ti1–x–yNixSny)Ni3 (τ, AuCu3-type) was observed at 873 and 973 K. According to the characterised microscopic structure in various annealed alloys, four ternary phases were detected in Ti-Ni-Sn ternary system: TiNiSn, TiNi2Sn, Ti2Ni2Sn and (Ti1–x–yNixSny)Ni3. Additionally, isothermal sections of Ti-Ni-Sn ternary system at 508, 873 and 973 K were constructed. By comparing three isothermal sections, a peri-eutectic reaction, L+TiNi2Sn→Ni3Sn4+TiNiSn, was deduced, which occurs at a temperature between 873 and 973 K. Furthermore, the solubility of Sn in TiNi and Ni in Ti5Sn3 was detected.

Dynamics of martensite phase transitions in shape memory beams under buckling and postbuckling conditions

The numerical simulation of phase transitions in shape memory alloy beams under combined mechanical loads and temperature fields is performed on the background of the once coupled Movchan’s theory of thermoelastic phase transforms and the finite element approach. The completely incremental formulation of the model of thermoelastic behavior of shape memory alloys is constructed and implemented into the finite element code. The geometrically and physically nonlinear solid finite element model is used to investigate the dynamics of the phase transitions in prismatic beams being axially compressed and cooled through the temperature range of direct martensite transforms. The trivial equilibrium state of a beam is perturbed by applying small initial deflections to study the beam buckling and postbuckling behavior in terms of Lyapunov’s concept. It is shown that the clamped-clamped shape memory alloy beam buckles after the initiation of the direct martensite transition at compression forces about 11-14% of the critical forces obtained analytically and numerically and corresponding to the minimum elasticity modulus of the entirely martensite phase constitution. The presented numerical results are consistent with the physical test data and very close to the analytical estimations based on the assumption of the ”supplementary phase transform occurring everywhere” advanced by A. Movchan and L. Silchenko. The distribution of the martensite volume ratio over the beam cross-section remains almost linear due to the beam deflection as well at a bifurcation point as in the postbuckling state. This heterogeneity acts as a supplementary perturbation which results in the buckling at very low compression forces. Thus, the assumption of the decisive effect of phase transitions due to the combined compression and cooling on the beam instability is vindicated by the numerical simulation, and the concept of the ”supplementary phase transition occurring everywhere” being an extension of Shenley’s buckling concept is validated for the practice.

Geochemical and Isotopic Geochemical Characteristics of PGE Mineralization in the Lukkulaisvaara Layered Massif, Karelia, Russia

The study of the Lukkulaisvaara layered massif from the Olang group of intrusions in northern Karelia corroborates the important role of supplementary intrusive phases of PGE mineralization. Injection and crystallization of new magma portions result in (1) the formation of potholelike depressions within intrusion and (2) a return to high-temperature olivine-bearing mineral assemblages in the mafic part of section. PGM formation is accompanied by crystallization of secondary minerals in a wide range of temperatures and pressures. To provide insight into these problems, a geochemical study of Nadezhda area has been performed and new data obtained for the distribution of isotopes in the Rb–Sr, Pb–Pb, and Sm–Nd systems.

Analysis of aluminum concentrations in the pore solution during hydration of tricalcium silicate

The hydration of two batches of tricalcium silicate was followed by isothermal heat conduction calorimetry and analysis of pore solution composition. These two samples were different in Al2O3-content and free lime concentration. It was observed that the material containing aluminum reacts slower than the pure one. The reactivity was also analyzed in the presence of ettringite, gypsum and tricalcium aluminate, respectively.The aluminum concentration in the pore solution was always below the limit of detection during hydration of the samples independent of the presence of aluminum in tricalcium silicate or the addition of most supplementary phases. Elevated aluminum concentrations were only observed in the presence of tricalcium aluminate.The experimental investigations confirm earlier results that aluminum can reduce the reactivity of tricalcium silicate. It is shown in this study that this mechanism is not based on elevated aluminum concentrations in the pore solution.

Reversed-phase stepwise gradient thin-layer chromatography of 19 test dye mixtures with a single void volume of the mobile phase

Satisfactory separation of a test mixture of 19 dyes with a general elution problem was obtained by reversed-phase stepwise gradient thin-layer chromatography with single void volume of the mobile phase. An effect of the supplementary mobile phase flux to the surface of the adsorbent layer, observed previously, was eliminated. This improves the flow profile of the mobile phase and the shape of spots, and increases the repeatability of the results within the same plate and between studies. The experimental values of the relative zone/spot position, Rpg, showed good correlation with the results predicted by the computing calculation.

Strategic Complexities in the Combinatorial Clock Auction

In recent years, regulatory bodies in Europe and around the world implemented Combinatorial Clock Auctions (CCA) to allocate scarce and valuable spectrum frequencies usage rights. Although the auction design is complex, the promise is that bidding becomes simple. More precisely, bidders may bid on the profit-maximizing package (truthful bidding) during the clock phase and submit bids that are equal to their valuations on only a handful of relevant packages (truncated bidding) in the supplementary phase. While this might be correct with the ideal implementation of the CCA for perfectly rational, profit-maximizing bidders with private values, our experience with consulting bidders shows that practical implementations of the CCA and the concerns of the bidders lead to severe complexities in determining the right bidding behavior. We provide simple examples that illustrate how “truthful and truncated“ bidding may be harmful to bidders and thereby illustrate the complexities bidders face in preparing for a CCA.

(Un)expected Bidder Behavior in Spectrum Auctions: About Inconsistent Bidding and Its Impact on Efficiency in the Combinatorial Clock Auction

The combinatorial clock auction is a two-stage auction format, which has been used to sell spectrum licenses worldwide in the recent years. It draws on a number of elegant ideas inspired by economic theory. A revealed preference activity rule should provide incentives to bid straightforward, i.e., consistent with the bidders’ valuations on a payoff-maximizing package, in each round of the clock phase. A second-price rule should set incentives to bid truthfully in both phases. If bidders respond to these incentives and bid straightforward in the clock phase and truthful in the second sealed-bid stage, then the auction is fully efficient. Unfortunately, bidders might neither bid straightforward in the clock phase nor truthful on all packages in the second sealed-bid stage due to strategic reasons or practical limitations. We introduce metrics based on Afriat’s Efficiency Index to analyze straightforward bidding and report on empirical data from the lab and from the field in the British 4G auction in 2013 and the Canadian 700 MHz auction in 2014, where the bids were made public. The data provides evidence that bidders deviate significantly from straightforward bidding in the clock phase, which can restrict the bids they can submit in the supplementary phase. We show that such restrictions can have a significant negative impact on efficiency and revenue.

(Un)Expected Bidder Behavior in Spectrum Auctions: About Inconsistent Bidding and its Impact on E fficiency in the Combinatorial Clock Auction

The Combinatorial Clock Auction is a two-stage auction format, which has been used to sell spectrum licenses worldwide in the recent years. It draws on a number of elegant ideas inspired by economic theory. A revealed preference activity rule should provide incentives to bid straightforward, i.e., consistent with the bidders’ valuations on a payoff-maximizing package, in each round of the clock phase. A second-price rule should set incentives to bid truthfully in both phases. If bidders respond to these incentives and bid straightforward in the clock phase and truthful in the second sealed-bid stage, then the auction is fully efficient. Unfortunately, bidders might neither bid straightforward in the clock phase nor truthful on all packages in the second sealed-bid stage due to strategic reasons or practical limitations. We introduce metrics based on Afriat’s Efficiency Index to analyze straightforward bidding and report on empirical data from the lab and from the field in the British 4G auction in 2013 and the Canadian 700 MHz auction in 2014, where the bids were made public. The data provides evidence that bidders deviate significantly from straightforward bidding in the clock phase, which can restrict the bids they can submit in the supplementary phase. We show that such restrictions can have a significant negative impact on efficiency and revenue.

Role of compressive tectonics on gas charging into the Ordovician sandstone reservoirs in the Sbaa Basin, Algeria: constrained by fluid inclusions and mineralogical data

AbstractStructure‐ and tectonic‐related gas migration into Ordovician sandstone reservoirs and its impact on diagenesis history were reconstructed in two gas fields in the Sbaa Basin, in SW Algeria. This was accomplished by petrographical observations, fluid inclusion microthermometry and stable isotope geochemistry on quartz, dickite and carbonate cements and veins. Two successive phases of quartz cementation (CQ1 and CQ2) occurred in the reservoirs. Two phase aqueous inclusions show an increase in temperatures and salinities from the first CQ1 diagenetic phase toward CQ2 in both fields. Microthermometric data on gas inclusions in quartz veins reveal the presence of an average of 92 ± 5 mole% of CH4 considering a CH4‐CO2 system, which is similar to the present‐day gas composition in the reservoirs. The presence of primary methane inclusions in early quartz overgrowths and in quartz and calcite veins suggests that hydrocarbon migration into the reservoir occurred synchronically with early quartz cementation in the sandstones located near the contact with the Silurian gas source rock at 100–140°C during the Late Carboniferous period and the late Hercynian episode fracturing at temperatures between 117 and 185°C, which increased in the NW‐direction of the basin. During the fracture filling, three main types of fluids were identified with different salinities and formation temperatures. A supplementary phase of higher fluid temperature (up to 226°C) recorded in late quartz, and calcite veins is related to a Jurassic thermal event. The occurrence of dickite cements close to the Silurian base near the main fault areas in both fields is mainly correlated with the sandstones where the early gas was charged. It implies that dickite precipitation is related to acidic influx. Late carbonate cements and veins (calcite – siderite – ankerite and strontianite) occurred at the same depths resulting from the same groundwater precipitation. The absence of methane inclusions in calcite cements result from methane flushing by saline waters.

Imaging biomarker in phase I trials: DCE-US and early evaluation of antiangiogenic treatments.

e22153 Background: The French prospective STIC study (Support for Innovative and Expensive Techniques) of dynamic contrast enhanced-ultrasonography (DCE-US) with quantification for evaluation of anti-angiogenic treatments showed that a decrease of 40% of AUC is predictive of response in 539 patients treated with approval drugs. The objective was to evaluate the decrease of AUC DCE-US at one month as a predictive imaging biomarker for time to progression (TTP) in phase I trials using anti-angiogenic agents. Methods: Patients included in phase I in our institution from 2007 and evaluated with DCE-US were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were evaluated at baseline and 1 month with the same standardized methodology: a bolus injection of contrast medium, 3 minutes of recorded raw linear data with 4 frames per second and the quantification using ESFUMB guidelines. All data were prospectively stored in a centralized database. TTP was calculated according to RECIST criteria and clinic. A decrease of more than 40% of AUC at one month was challenged to be predictive of TTP. Results: In the preliminary results concerning 26 patients, 6 had a decrease of more than 40% of AUC at one month with a median TTP of 5.5 months. The 20 others without a strong decrease of AUC had a TTP less than 2 months. The decrease of AUC was correlated to TTP (p=0.004). Eighty one supplementary phase I patients are under radiological blind review and will be included for presentation at ASCO. Conclusions: The decrease of more than 40% of AUC at one month could be a predictive biomarker of response to anti-angiogenic treatments in phase I. The final results will be presented with 107 patients. Considering the toxicity risk for the patients and the cost of anti-angiogenic drugs, such a simple and cheap imaging biomarker should be considered to maintain or not the treatment after US evaluation of the first cycle.

Berry phase in the theory of radiation in plasmas

In this paper, we study the dipolar auto-correlation function in plasmas using the adiabatic approximation. We show that in addition to Stark splitting a new splitting, discovered earlier by Berry as a supplementary phase (Berry phase) in the wave function, has to be taken into account. We find that this phase affects the center of the line for hydrogenic emitters in plasmas.

`Broken symmetries' in macromolecular crystallography: phasing from unmerged data

The space-group symmetry of a crystal structure imposes a point-group symmetry on its diffraction pattern, giving rise to so-called symmetry-equivalent reflections. Instances in macromolecular crystallography are discussed in which the symmetry in reciprocal space is broken, i.e. where symmetry-related reflections are no longer equivalent. Such a situation occurs when the sample suffers from site-specific radiation damage during the X-ray measurements. Another example of broken symmetry arises from the polarization anisotropy of anomalous scattering. In these cases, the genuine intensity differences between symmetry-related reflections can be exploited to yield phase information in the structure-solution process. In this approach, the usual separation of the data merging and phasing steps is abandoned. The data are kept unmerged down to the Harker construction, where the symmetry-breaking effects are explicitly modelled and refined and become a source of supplementary phase information.

The Changing Relationship Between the Government and the Nonprofit Sector in Iceland

The paper illustrates a historical examination of nonprofit relations in welfare services in Iceland. Variables affecting the conditions under which different types of relations are developed are defined. The findings from the Icelandic case study coincide with other international studies describing some general changes in government-nonprofit relations in the 20th century, from supplementary to more complex complementary and adversarial relations using Young’s conceptualization. There are, however, some distinguishing features. The supplementary phase was prolonged when compared to other countries and nonprofits’ leading role in public policy making and provision of welfare services more prominent. A small and reactive public administration can be considered an important explanatory factor. Governmental effort to define a formal contractual relationship in the spirit of new public management at the end of the century have seemingly not lead to fundamental changes in the partners’ interaction.