Tool Box Research Articles

Two-dimensional electronic-vibrational spectroscopy: Exploring the interplay of electrons and nuclei in excited state molecular dynamics.

Two-dimensional electronic-vibrational spectroscopy (2DEVS) is an emerging spectroscopic technique which exploits two different frequency ranges for the excitation (visible) and detection (infrared) axes of a 2D spectrum. In contrast to degenerate 2D techniques, such as 2D electronic or 2D infrared spectroscopy, the spectral features of a 2DEV spectrum report cross correlations between fluctuating electronic and vibrational energy gaps rather than autocorrelations as in the degenerate spectroscopies. The center line slope of the spectral features reports on this cross correlation function directly and can reveal specific electronic-vibrational couplings and rapid changes in the electronic structure, for example. The involvement of the two types of transition moments, visible and infrared, makes 2DEVS very sensitive to electronic and vibronic mixing. 2DEV spectra also feature improved spectral resolution, making the method valuable for unraveling the highly congested spectra of molecular complexes. The unique features of 2DEVS are illustrated in this paper with specific examples and their origin described at an intuitive level with references to formal derivations provided. Although early in its development and far from fully explored, 2DEVS has already proven to be a valuable addition to the tool box of ultrafast nonlinear optical spectroscopy and is of promising potential in future efforts to explore the intricate connection between electronic and vibrational nuclear degrees of freedom in energy and charge transport applications.

Experiences in Groups as a key to “late” Bion

ABSTRACT In order to understand the ‘late' Bion, i.e. his production from Learning from Experience onwards, the most difficult and controversial, it is worth re-reading not only the essays in Second Thoughts, but also Experiences in Groups. The hypothesis of this work is that Bion spent his life as a scholar - probably without even being fully aware of it, since he never talks about it - to transpose his theory of groups into his theory of individual psycho-analysis. To illustrate this thesis, the author systematically compares some of the principles of both. Going back to Experiences in Groups, then, is also useful for another reason. Bion revolutionises theory but still works as a Kleinian. Despite brilliant suggestions, he does not fully develop a new technique. To have a tool box that anyone can use, we have to wait the analytic field theory, which is an original development of his thought. In this model the analyst sees in the analytical pair not two isolated subjects that interact, but a group. There is no ‘fact' of analysis that cannot be heard as unconsciously co-created. Here then, highlighting the group inspiration of late Bion's helps us to grasp the meaning of this technical principle, so easily misunderstood, and vice versa.

Interpretation of TEG Studies in Management of a Severe Glanzmann Thrombasthenia Patient

Glanzmann thrombasthenia (GT) is an autosomal recessive bleeding disorder which can result in mild to severe mucocutaneous bleeding. Patients with GT usually have normal platelet count, no clumping noted on peripheral blood smear and distinctly abnormal platelet dysfunction studies. NovoSeven®RT has been approved for treatment of this disease, however some patients have ongoing bleeding in spite of treatment with NovoSeven®RT and platelet transfusions. To add to the complexity of the treatment plan, sometimes the bleeding is retropharyngeal and children swallow blood making a timely assessment even more difficult. This case report summarizes additional tools used to control nasal bleeding and the use of TEG (Haemonetics Corporation) to assess therapeutic interventions.Our patient is a 6 year old female with GT who has behavioral issues and has lived in numerous foster homes. Severe nasal and retropharyngeal bleeds have resulted in repeated emergent transfusions. Part of the difficulty in her management has been her ability to swallow large amounts of blood without notifying her caregiver. She has had multiple blood transfusions and has had an allergic response to platelet plasma requiring washed platelet products with premedication (Benadryl/Solumedrol/Tylenol). Consideration for unrelated HLA donor stem cell transplant had been explored, however our patient's behavioral issues made her less likely to tolerate the transplant process. Her current treatment plan was developed to address local control, systemic control and to attempt to develop a means of assessing therapeutic interventions.Both nares and her retropharyngeal region were her primary bleeding sites. ENT evaluation identified numerous telangiectasias (AFP= 0.09). Repeated surveillance and cauterization followed by estrogen cream applied to the nasal mucousa twice daily greatly diminished the number of telangiectasias. Amicar® nasal spray (compounded as 10% nasal spray, used as 0.1 mL spray in each nostril), Zyrtec® nasal spray, nightly use of humidifier, normal saline nose gel, and cellulose gauze are medications used for local prevention and have been effective in preventing minor mouth and nose bleeds from becoming major bleeds.Systemic prevention regimen consisted of NovoSeven®RT prophylaxis BID 2 mg (90 mcg/kg/dose), Amicar® BID and behavioral support to avoid causing self induced trauma/bleeding. Since starting this regimen, all of her bleeds have been related to trauma or digital manipulation. NovoSeven®RT administered every 2 hours in addition to Amicar® TID and 1 to 2 units of washed pheresis platelets were utilized for treatment of active bleeding.Because of 2 prolonged bleeding episodes following transfusion with a single washed pheresis platelet unit, we attempted to find testing to assist us with evaluation.TEG Studies and InterpretationI. Table 1With a single dose of NovoSeven®RT our patient's RTEG value (time to produce thrombin) improved. However, the rate of clot development/propagation only improved to varying degrees (ANGLE TEG). The overall clot strength (MATEG) remained virtually unchanged.II. Table 2With a single washed pheresis unit of platelets, RTEG normalized and MATEG as well as the rate of propagation of the clot improved, however these values were not normal.With more than one washed pheresis platelet unit and NovoSeven®RT, TEG values almost normalized or returned to normal range, including clot strength represented by MATEG. These findings suggested the greater number of normal platelets transfused increased the likelihood of normal thrombin generation and clot formation. The loss of platelet product from washing likely resulted in decreased platelet numbers, perhaps decreasing the effectiveness of a single washed pheresis unit.We have utilized these findings to assist with the treatment of severe bleeds and to determine if more washed platelets would be beneficial when clinically the extent of bleeding cannot be determined in a short amount of time (i.e retropharyngeal bleeding). TEG is especially suited for rapid assessment and frequently used in Adult Trauma Centers. Treatment of a pediatric patient with significant bleeding and behavioral concerns requires a tool box of supportive measures. With local, systemic measures and use of TEG, we have been able to improve the safety of our GT patient, with decreases in major bleeds over the last year. [Display omitted] DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Applications and Major Achievements of Genome Editing in Vegetable Crops: A Review.

The emergence of genome-editing technology has allowed manipulation of DNA sequences in genomes to precisely remove or replace specific sequences in organisms resulting in targeted mutations. In plants, genome editing is an attractive method to alter gene functions to generate improved crop varieties. Genome editing is thought to be simple to use and has a lower risk of off-target effects compared to classical mutation breeding. Furthermore, genome-editing technology tools can also be applied directly to crops that contain complex genomes and/or are not easily bred using traditional methods. Currently, highly versatile genome-editing tools for precise and predictable editing of almost any locus in the plant genome make it possible to extend the range of application, including functional genomics research and molecular crop breeding. Vegetables are essential nutrient sources for humans and provide vitamins, minerals, and fiber to diets, thereby contributing to human health. In this review, we provide an overview of the brief history of genome-editing technologies and the components of genome-editing tool boxes, and illustrate basic modes of operation in representative systems. We describe the current and potential practical application of genome editing for the development of improved nutritious vegetables and present several case studies demonstrating the potential of the technology. Finally, we highlight future directions and challenges in applying genome-editing systems to vegetable crops for research and product development.

A comprehensive tool box for large animal studies of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Preclinical studies involving large animal models aim to recapitulate the clinical situation as much as possible and bridge the gap from benchtop to bedside. To date, studies investigating intervertebral disc (IVD) degeneration and regeneration in large animal models have utilized a wide spectrum of methodologies for outcome evaluation. This paper aims to consolidate available knowledge, expertise, and experience in large animal preclinical models of IVD degeneration to create a comprehensive tool box of anatomical and functional outcomes. Herein, we present a Large Animal IVD Scoring Algorithm based on three scales: macroscopic (gross morphology, imaging, and biomechanics), microscopic (histological, biochemical, and biomolecular analyses), and clinical (neurologic state, mobility, and pain). The proposed algorithm encompasses a stepwise evaluation on all three scales, including spinal pain assessment, and relevant structural and functional components of IVD health and disease. This comprehensive tool box was designed for four commonly used preclinical large animal models (dog, pig, goat, and sheep) in order to facilitate standardization and applicability. Furthermore, it is intended to facilitate comparison across studies while discerning relevant differences between species within the context of outcomes with the goal to enhance veterinary clinical relevance as well. Current major challenges in pre‐clinical large animal models for IVD regeneration are highlighted and insights into future directions that may improve the understanding of the underlying pathologies are discussed. As such, the IVD research community can deepen its exploration of the molecular, cellular, structural, and biomechanical changes that occur with IVD degeneration and regeneration, paving the path for clinically relevant therapeutic strategies.

Process analytics 4.0: A paradigm shift in rapid analytics for biologics development.

Analytical testing of product quality attributes and process parameters during the biologics development (Process analytics) has been challenging due to the rapid growth of biomolecules with complex modalities to support unmet therapeutic needs. Thus, the expansion of the process analytics tool box for rapid analytics with the deployment of cutting-edge technologies and cyber-physical systems is a necessity. We introduce the term, Process Analytics 4.0; which entails not only technology aspects such as process analytical technology (PAT), assay automation, and high-throughput analytics, but also cyber-physical systems that enable data management, visualization, augmented reality, and internet of things (IoT) infrastructure for real time analytics in process development environment. This review is exclusively focused on dissecting high-level features of PAT, automation, and data management with some insights into the business aspects of implementing during process analytical testing in biologics process development. Significant technological and business advantages can be gained with the implementation of digitalization, automation, and real time testing. A systematic development and employment of PAT in process development workflows enable real time analytics for better process understanding, agility, and sustainability. Robotics and liquid handling workstations allow rapid assay and sample preparation automation to facilitate high-throughput testing of attributes and molecular properties which are otherwise challenging to monitor with PAT tools due to technological and business constraints. Cyber-physical systems for data management, visualization, and repository must be established as part of Process Analytics 4.0 framework. Furthermore, we review some of the challenges in implementing these technologies based on our expertise in process analytics for biopharmaceutical drug substance development.

Identification of Vulnerable Zones for Groundwater Using a GIS-based DRASTIC Technique in Shwan Sub-basin/North-Iraq

Groundwater is considered as one of the most important sources of fresh-water, on which many regions around the world depend, especially in semi-arid and arid regions. Protecting and maintaining groundwater is a difficult process, but it is very important to maintain an important source of water. The current study aims to assess the susceptibility of groundwater to pollution using the DRASTIC model along with the GIS environments and its tool boxes. A vulnerability map was created by relying on data collected from 55 wells surveyed by the researchers as well as archived records from governmental institutions and some international organizations. The results indicate that the region falls into three vulnerability functional zones , namely very low, low and medium. Fortunately, most of the region is in a very low - low range (89-125) which covers approximately 94.6% of total area of the region, while the medium zone (125-133) forms 5.4%, as the smallest part of the total area ofregion. To reduce the risk of pollution in the medium zones of vulnerability, precautionary measures must be taken before commencing industrial or agricultural activities.

Stable W and Mo isotopic evidence for increasing redox-potentials from the Paleoarchean towards the Paleoproterozoic deep ocean

The scavenging of dissolved trace metals such as chromium (Cr), molybdenum (Mo) and tungsten (W) and their authigenic enrichment in sedimentary archives mainly occur by particle shuttling that cause resolvable isotope fractionation. Because their scavenging is also dependent on the local marine redox potential and the overall marine chemical environment, the stable isotope composition of these elements in Archean sediments is widely used as paleoredox proxy. Tungsten, a new element in this tool box, is dissolved as the oxyanion tungstate (WO42−) at extremely low marine redox potentials and can thus help to reconstruct the earliest changes in the marine redox state.We tested the applicability of stable W isotopes as a new paleoredox proxy of the atmosphere–ocean system. We analyzed the δ186/184W of Precambrian igneous rocks to investigate the detrital background δ186/184W signature. This Precambrian igneous inventory (PII) shows δ186/184W values between −0.007 and +0.097‰, identical to the range of modern igneous crustal rocks, which indicates that the average Earth’s crust δ186/184W remained constant over billions of years. Furthermore, we present δ186/184W values of euxinic sediments from the Black Sea as a modern sedimentary analog, which we then compare with δ186/184W data of Archean and Proterozoic black shales (3.47–2.3 Ga). Modern Black Sea sapropels reveal crustal-like δ186/184W values between +0.050 and +0.071‰ suggesting limited authigenic enrichment of W in euxinic environments. Similarly, post-Great Oxidation Event shales (2.3 Ga) show crustal- or PII-like δ186/184W values indicating the deposition in euxinic or oxic environment. However, the Archean shale sample suites show elevated W concentrations and fractionated δ186/184W values up to +0.246‰, which we attribute to authigenic enrichment of heavy seawater W in a ferruginous setting. Thus, black shales δ186/184W values can help to distinguish between anoxic-ferruginous and euxinic depositional environments.Furthermore, we combine previously published Cr and Mo isotope data with new Cr and W isotope data to quantify the evolution of the marine redox state during the Archean. By combining the Eh-pH stability fields of W and Mo with the δ186/184W and δ98/95Mo values of Precambrian sediments, we suggest a 3-step evolution of the Precambrian ocean. (1) From 3.47 to 3.0 Ga, the Eh of a dominantly ferruginous ocean was between −0.4 V and −0.25 V, enabling the persistence of soluble WO42− but not MoO42− and thus only the authigenic enrichment of isotopically fractionated W. (2) Starting from 3.0 Ga, the Eh of some shallow-marine environments increased above −0.25 V, as indicated by δ98/95Mo values above the detrital background in shallow-marine sediments, while the Eh of the deep ocean still remained below −0.25 V indicated by the lack of authigenic Mo enrichment and fractionated δ98/95Mo values in deep-sea shales. (3) After 2.7 Ga elevated δ98/95Mo and δ186/184W values in deep-marine sediments suggest that the Eh of the ferruginous open-ocean now also increased above −0.25 V. We therefore suggest that the combination of δ98/95Mo and δ186/184W values of shales is a very promising tool to investigate earliest changes in marine redox conditions during the Archean.

Construction of hierarchical ZSM-5 zeolites by chelating-alkaline medium

Chelating agent, including NaF, Na4EDTA, etc., has been introduced into the alkaline treatment of ZSM-5 zeolite. Compared with the general aqueous alkaline solution, all of the resulting chelating-alkaline media give similar alterations to the porosities. Regardless of the relative accessibility of chelating agent to the zeolite micropores, the maximum distribution of mesopore obviously shifts to the smaller dimension. Such shift in mesopore distribution is associated with the equilibrium between surface/interface etching and shielding, which is inherently directed by the transition of framework Al species. The spontaneous interplays between framework Al species and alkaline solution are altered due to the concurrent presence of chelating agent. It has been proved that the chelating agent join the transition by a joint complexation with OH− anions and the released aluminum cations. The resulting ternary intermediates ([Al(OH)nLm]y−) are proposed to be responsible for the alterations to the porosities due to their expanded shielding scope on the etched surface/interface. The corresponding steric or charge effect from chelating agent has been ascertained by the designed comparative treatment experiments. The used methodology and the related fundamental understandings may enrich the tailoring tool boxes for the hierarchical zeolites.

Designing of spider silk proteins for human induced pluripotent stem cell-based cardiac tissue engineering.

Materials made of recombinant spider silk proteins are promising candidates for cardiac tissue engineering, and their suitability has so far been investigated utilizing primary rat cardiomyocytes. Herein, we expanded the tool box of available spider silk variants and demonstrated for the first time that human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes attach, contract, and respond to pharmacological treatment using phenylephrine and verapamil on explicit spider silk films. The hiPSC-cardiomyocytes contracted for at least 14 days on films made of positively charged engineered Araneus diadematus fibroin 4 (eADF4(κ16)) and three different arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid (RGD)-tagged spider silk variants (positively or negatively charged and uncharged). Notably, hiPSC-cardiomyocytes exhibited different morphologies depending on the spider silk variant used, with less spreading and being smaller on films made of eADF4(κ16) than on RGD-tagged spider silk films. These results indicate that spider silk engineering is a powerful tool to provide new materials suitable for hiPSC-based cardiac tissue engineering.

Functional display of bioactive peptides on the vGFP scaffold

Grafting bioactive peptides into recipient protein scaffolds can often increase their activities by conferring enhanced stability and cellular longevity. Here, we describe use of vGFP as a novel scaffold to display peptides. vGFP comprises GFP fused to a bound high affinity Enhancer nanobody that potentiates its fluorescence. We show that peptides inserted into the linker region between GFP and the Enhancer are correctly displayed for on-target interaction, both in vitro and in live cells by pull-down, measurement of target inhibition and imaging analyses. This is further confirmed by structural studies highlighting the optimal display of a vGFP-displayed peptide bound to Mdm2, the key negative regulator of p53 that is often overexpressed in cancer. We also demonstrate a potential biosensing application of the vGFP scaffold by showing target-dependent modulation of intrinsic fluorescence. vGFP is relatively thermostable, well-expressed and inherently fluorescent. These properties make it a useful scaffold to add to the existing tool box for displaying peptides that can disrupt clinically relevant protein–protein interactions.

Quantification of oil lost from tanker vessel using space borne radar datasets - Case study of Haldia port oil spill, July 2018.

Abstract 686884 Determining the spilled volume of the marine oil pollutant is an essential requisite for the oil spill modellers and the responders. Generally, the mass of the spilled pollutant is computed from the total quantity and the remaining quantity of the storage tank of the distressed vessel. A method to estimate the quantity of the spilled oil pollutant using the space -borne synthetic aperture radar dataset is elaborated here. The synthetic aperture radar data, its ability to penetrate cloud cover, irrespective of weather conditions, has been widely used to detect the signature of spilt oil. SAR data available from European Space Agency and Canadian Space Agency were used to detect the oil spills as they are proved to be appropriate for oil spill detection. Minor oil spill occured off Haldia Port, off Kolkata from SSL tanker vessel on 14 July 2018. The geographical location of the distressed vessel is 88.775 ′E, 21.441 ′N. The zone of the vessel distress was monitored for oil slicks. The acquisition plan of the Radar satellite Sentinel -1A was obtained from European Space Agency. As per that, the pass of the Sentinel -1A was available on 15 July 2018 and 17 July 2018 for the region of study. The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) datasets were obtained from Sentinel -1A as per their availability. Those datasets were processed using Sentinel Application Platform (SNAP) tool box. The SAR data is subjected to terrain correction, which automatically reprojects the radar scene. The next stage is performing radiometric calibration, which converts the amplitude into intensity values. The radar reflectance values are converted to Sigma0 intensity values in Sentinel tool box. This Sigma0 values were wrote in netcdf format for identifying the oil slicks. The pixels of lesser intensity values are identified and are interpreted for oil slicks. The zone of the oil slicks in the radar scene are considered as irregular polygons. The area of those polygons were computed. Later the volume of the spilled oil is computed using the thickness of the spilled oil pollutant. Finally the mass of the pollutant is computed. It was collectively estimated from the SAR datasets, that, 33 Tons of Fuel oil was lost from SSL vessel that sank off Haldia Port. This paper elaborates in detail about the method of processing SAR dataset and estimating the quantity of oil lost from the vessel using SAR datasets.

Analysis of progeny–parents family travel process from perspective filial piety: driving factors, intergenerational interaction and tourism evaluation

PurposeThis paper attempts to explore why adult progeny initiate progeny–parents family travel, how two generations interact and deal with intergenerational conflicts during travel and how they evaluate their travel experiences from the perspective of filial piety.Design/methodology/approachBased on in-depth interviews with both parents and their adult progeny, it is found that “repayment” or “compensation” of filial piety is the most important driving force to family travel with parents, and in many cases an adult child exhibits “overspending” by showing filial obedience. On the other hand, parents occasionally utilize filial piety as cultural resources to fulfill their personal goals and to evaluate their interactions with adult children. Finally, the authors offer an exploratory explanation to why filial generation has a relatively low evaluation while parent generation has a higher evaluation of family trip.FindingsThe authors suggest that future study in this particular area should attach much more importance to the “filial piety tool boxes” paradigm, which is in parallel with the paradigm of “concept (values) affecting behavior”.Originality/valueThe contribution of this study is to investigate the family travel process of “taking the elderly people to travel” from the perspective of interaction and filial piety.

Three ways of knowing: the integration of clinical expertise, evidence-based medicine, and artificial intelligence in assisted reproductive technologies.

Decision-making in fertility care is on the cusp of a significant frameshift. Online tools to integrate artificial intelligence into the decision-making process across all aspects of ART are rapidly emerging. These tools have the potential to improve outcomes and transition decision-making from one based on traditional provider centric assessments toward a hybrid triad of expertise, evidence, and algorithmic data analytics using AI. We can look forward to a time when AI will be the third part of a provider's tool box to complement expertise and medical literature to enable ever more accurate predictions and outcomes in ART. In their fully integrated format, these tools will be part of a digital fertility ecosystem of analytics embedded within an EMR. To date, the impact of AI on ART outcomes is inconclusive. No prospective studies have shown clear cut benefit or cost reductions over current practices, but we are very early in the process of developing and evaluating these tools. We owe it to ourselves to begin to examine these AI-driven analytics and develop a very clear idea about where we can and should go before we roll these tools into clinical care. Thoughtful scrutiny is essential lest we find ourselves in a position of trying to modulate and modify after entry of these tools into our clinics and patient care. The purpose of this commentary is to highlight the evolution and impact AI has had in other fields relevant to the fertility sector and describe a vision for applications within ART that could improve outcomes, reduce costs, and positively impact clinical care.

Processual Creativity and Partial Incorporations

Brian Massumi and Félix Guattari conceptualize the creative processual force of life that shapes the passages from the potential to the actual dimensions of experience. Throughout these passages, bodies, environments and their relational modes of felt perception crystallize into form. What the conceptual vocabulary of Massumi and Guattari offers is a tool box to register the processual creative forces that are predetermined towards a coming into shape of a body-environment (subjectivity), as well as to take into account the forces deflecting from capture. The relevancy of their concepts is in that they index the more-than-human operations of the forces that shape the production of subjectivity: their concepts express the forces that by being potential and more-than concrete are beyond registering of individual human consciousness. Considering that subjectivity is produced through the potential ingression of partial incorporations – brewing of body-time-spaces – this paper is a proposition to think-feel the entanglements of process philosophy and somatic practices. Moreover, having in mind that processual creativity is a force distributed beyond the human, it needs to be as well thought as an autonomous doing ‘of’ the world. Therefore, the concepts offered by Massumi and Guattari overspill the disciplinary containment of the art disciplines and become an ethico-aesthetic paradigm ‘of’ the world, one in which the resistance to the capture of the production of subjectivity goes hand in hand with the invention of ways to think-feel how bodies and environments become. Article received: April 25, 2020; Article accepted: July 1, 2020; Published online: April 15, 2021; Original scholarly paper

Did Tenascin-C Co-Evolve With the General Immune System of Vertebrates?

Tenascin-C plays important roles in immunity. Toll-like receptor 4, integrin α9β1 and chemokines have already been identified as key players in executing the immune regulatory functions of tenascin-C. Tenascin-C is also found in reticular fibers in lymphoid tissues, which are major sites involved in the regulation of adaptive immunity. Did the “tool box” for reading and interpreting the immune-regulating instructions imposed by tenascins and tenascin-C co-evolve? Though the extracellular matrix is ancient, tenascins evolved relatively recently. Tenascin-like genes are first encountered in cephalochordates and urochordates, which are widely accepted as the early branching chordate lineages. Vertebrates lacking jaws like the lamprey have tenascins, but a tenascin gene that clusters in the tenascin-C clade first appears in cartilaginous fish. Adaptive immunity apparently evolved independently in jawless and jawed vertebrates, with the former using variable lymphocyte receptors for antigen recognition, and the latter using immunoglobulins. Thus, while tenascins predate the appearance of adaptive immunity, the first tenascin-C appears to have evolved in the first organisms with immunoglobulin-based adaptive immunity. While a C-X-C chemokine is present in the lamprey, C-C chemokines also appear in the first organisms with immunoglobulin-based adaptive immunity, as does the major histocompatibility complex, T-cell receptors, Toll-like receptor 4 and integrin α9β1. Given the importance of tenascin-C in inflammatory events, the co-evolution of tenascin-C and key elements of adaptive and innate immunity is suggestive of a fundamental role for this extracellular matrix glycoprotein in the immune response of jawed vertebrates.

Art Therapy in the Digital World: An Integrative Review of Current Practice and Future Directions.

BackgroundPsychotherapy interventions increasingly utilize digital technologies to improve access to therapy and its acceptability. Opportunities that digital technology potentially creates for art therapy reach beyond increased access to include new possibilities of adaptation and extension of therapy tool box. Given growing interest in practice and research in this area, it is important to investigate how art therapists engage with digital technology or how (and whether) practice might be safely adapted to include new potential modes of delivery and new arts media.MethodsAn integrative review of peer-reviewed literature on the use of digital technology in art therapy was conducted. The methodology used is particularly well suited for early stage exploratory inquiries, allowing for close examination of papers from a variety of methodological paradigms. Only studies that presented empirical outcomes were included in the formal analysis.FindingsOver 400 records were screened and 12 studies were included in the synthesis, pertaining to both the use of digital technology for remote delivery and as a medium for art making. Included studies, adopting predominantly qualitative and mixed methods, are grouped according to their focus on: art therapists’ views and experiences, online/distance art therapy, and the use of digital arts media. Recurring themes are discussed, including potential benefits and risks of incorporating digital technology in sessions with clients, concerns relating to ethics, resistance toward digital arts media, technological limitations and implications for therapeutic relationship and therapy process. Propositions for best practice and technological innovations that could make some of the challenges redundant are also reviewed. Future directions in research are indicated and cautious openness is recommended in both research and practice.ConclusionThe review documents growing research illustrating increased use of digital technology by art therapists for both online delivery and digital art making. Potentially immense opportunities that technology brings for art therapy should be considered alongside limitations and challenges of clinical, pragmatic and ethical nature. The review aims to invite conversations and further research to explore ways in which technology could increase relevance and reach of art therapy without compromising clients’ safety and key principles of the profession.

Preventing Opioid-Related Harms in the Construction Industry.

The construction sector has been hit hard by the opioid crisis. We describe CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training's recent efforts to address the challenges of opioid use in the construction industry. With support and guidance from the North America's Building Trades Unions Opioid Task Force, CPWR undertook three projects to promote prevention and best practices for struggling construction workers. The first project focused on recommendations for communications that reframe stigmatizing narratives into effective messages about prevention solutions. The second project refined and distributed a one-hour construction worker opioid hazard awareness training module. The third project assessed opportunities and barriers for the expansion and improvement of existing union peer support programs to support workers through treatment and recovery. Additional resources, such as opioid hazard tool box talks, to help reverse the impact on the sector are also described.

Process Modeling of Drying and Torrefaction of Oil Palm Trunk (OPT)

This paper concerns on process modeling of drying and torrefaction of oil palm trunk (OPT), abundant biomass resources coming from replantation of oil palm. The processes are very crucial in treating of OPT before utilization for energy source due to high level of water content and volatile matters in the biomass. Modeling with Aspen Plus is performed to predict the composition of product in mass in fastest way without doing experiment. The study uses Flash Dryer Model and Reactor Model available in Aspen as tool box for modeling the drying process and torrefaction process. Objective of the paper is to validate the process model with experimental results from that of Prasetyo et al.(2016) in identifying final mass and calorific value of torrefied OPT. The process modeling of OPT drying and torrefaction gives the charcoal yield of 0.2972 compared to experiment yield of 0.24. The calorific value (HCV) of torrefied OPT with RGibbs is 6,901.0 kcal/kg that is similar with experiment result of 6,939.2 kcal/kg.

Maximum Power Point Tracking Algorithms for Photovoltaic System

This paper helps us analyse three different MPPT techniques like Perturb and Observe, Incremental Conductance and Artificial Neural Network. As the output characteristic depends on temperature and irradiance, therefore the maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is not always constant. Hence it is necessary to ensure that the PV panel is operating at its maximum power point. There are many different MPPT techniques but, the confusion lies in selecting which MPPT technique is best as every algorithm has its own merit and demerit. In order to extract maximum power from PV arrangement, Artificial Neural Network algorithm is proposed. Algorithms are implemented using the Boost converter. Results of simulations are presented in order to demonstrate the effectiveness of Artificial Neural Network algorithm, when compared to Perturb and Observe (P&O) and Incremental Conductance (INC). To simulate the proposed system MATLAB/ SIMULINK power system tool box is used.