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In the last decade, direct absorption solar collector has shown tremendous potential in improving the efficiency of solar water heaters by incorporating nanoparticles. Moreover, plasmonic nanoparticles laden nanofluids have shown high absorption in the visible region due to localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). However, these plasmonic nanoparticles are associated with high cost, complex preparation processes, and environmental degradation over prolonged use. To overcome such issues, a hybrid nanofluid based on gold nanoparticles in Azadirachta Indica leaves extract was prepared and tested in real outdoor conditions for the very first time. The absorbance curve of the prepared hybrid nanofluid showed broadband absorption from visible to near infrared spectrum. The maximum temperature gain of about 20 °C was observed with just 2 h of sun exposure and maximum photo–thermal efficiency reached nearly 62%, which is about 12% higher than base fluid i.e. water. Further, the prepared samples were found to be highly stable without any sign of sedimentation or agglomeration under repeated sun exposure for several hours. The study results show a new class of nanofluids that can be used for attaining high thermal conversion efficiency, which are more stable and eco-friendly for such novel solar thermal technologies. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human pose estimation from images is an exceedingly challenging task due to occlusion, blur, illumination, and size variations. Several research works have addressed this problem by designing novel encoders that extract discriminative features from input images. However, the design of decoders is an understudied problem as most approaches use the conventional transposed convolution for feature upsampling. In this paper, we propose a novel transformer-based pose estimation architecture, HumanPoseNet with a novel decoder design. The encoder is a transformer with dual-attention for highlighting important spatial and channel regions. The decoder contains a novel Patch Expansion module for feature upsampling which is computationally more efficient than the traditional transpose convolution. The decoder also contains an Attentional Feature Refinement Block that is integrated with the attention mechanism to extract refined features. Extensive experiments conducted on the MS COCO benchmark dataset proves that HumanPoseNet beats other state-of-the-art models, achieving an average precision (AP) score of 77.3. A qualitative analysis is conducted and the results prove that HumanPoseNet is able to predict accurate pose keypoints, even in occluded/blurred images. An ablation study is done to verify the complementary contributions of Patch Expansion and Attentional Feature Refinement Module. HumanPoseNet is easy to train as the model converges swiftly in merely 50 epochs while existing state-of-the-art methods are usually trained for 200 epochs or more. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

University libraries can be powerful cornerstones of an open innovation ecosystem for entrepreneurs. They are a source of worldwide market research for entrepreneurs looking to expand outside national borders with their existing enterprises. Social networking sites (SNS), which have been widely adopted by libraries as a means of engaging with students, are increasingly being utilized to provide market information to business communities. SNS can assist startups in forming and maintaining strong strategic ties with libraries to obtain ongoing support for globalization efforts. This column discusses the numerous benefits and some problems of using social media to develop such collaborations, particularly in terms of giving useful market insights to entrepreneurs (implementing partnerships). The issues of SNS adaptation for developing such relationships can be addressed with prototyping technologies. To address the needs of global startups, libraries must take advantage of social network access, overcoming the need for meetings on library grounds. To do so, thorough integration of SNS with library business activities is required, which is, regrettably, only observable in a few circumstances. University libraries are boosting their use of SNS to provide more online support for the business community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a framework for explaining the collaboration between co-creation and LAB design methodologies with KIBS (Knowledge Intensive Business Services), which include ICT services, when public services were immerse in an innovative process at government units within six EU-20 countries in the Co-VAL H2020 survey (Spain, France, Hungary, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom). The proposed channels of interaction of user´s at the centre methodologies and KIBS is based upon the new public government paradigms and the public service dominant logic. The model examines the propositions of these paradigms, as to how co-creation processes are embedded in the interaction of KIBS and final customers, by deriving the channels through which those consultancies contribute to fostering innovation in various government units across the EU-20 (1875 public units of work surveyed), particularly in relation to improving public business-related services. The study first utilizes unilateral equations to estimate the overall effects of all the covariates and, in a second step, utilizes systems of equation models to derivate the interaction of users at the centre methodologies on KIBS and, consequently, the indirect effects that these processes have on the innovation processes of the public units of work that contracted those business services. Results conclude that value co-creation is embedded on KIBS with the decisive influence of inputs provided by final customers of the innovative processes as the public dominant service logic states. The analysis is based on the Co-VAL EU 2020 Survey, testing the causal effects that KIBS consultancies have on public innovation processes, especially those related to business services or business organizations, with a focus on the reinforcement of co-creation, LAB design, and co-production methodologies. To our knowledge this study is the first to estimate those indirect influences of user´s at the centre methodologies on public innovation processes that contract KIBS to generate positive dynamics improvements of public services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Predicting the structural performance of a joint requires mechanical characterization of the joint interface. Use of the cohesive-zone model (CZM) is an effective approach for implementing fractures, seams, and joints in the structures. The CZM requires a cohesive constitutive law, which, in the context of a welded joint, relates the traction at the interface to the separation displacement of the two surfaces. Typical configurations for fracture testing to obtain the parameters for a cohesive law involve assumptions including large weld areas and undisturbed substrate, making those techniques unsuitable for friction stir welded joints. This paper presents an approach of experimentation combined with finite element modeling to determine the cohesive law parameters to mechanically characterize the interface obtained in friction stir welded joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Diffuse angiosarcoma of the heart cause non-specific symptoms fever and chest pain. • It is difficult to diagnose because no solid tumor can be detected. • A high level of suspicion is a premise to initiate biopsies of the pericardium and myocardium. We present a very rare case with diffuse cardiac angiosarcoma. Because all symptoms are often non-specific, this diagnosis is difficult to establish. To our knowledge this is the first clinical description of this rare disease. A 47-year-old female presented with bilateral pulmonary infiltrates and non-specific symptoms as fever, chest pain and dyspnoea on exertion. She was treated with antibiotics for suspected lung infection but deteriorated developing rapid recurrent pleural effusion. Her transthoracic- and transoesophageal-echocardiography as well as the thoracentesis and endobronchial ultrasound findings were normal. A minimally invasive pulmonary wedge resection, partial pleurectomy and pericardial fenestration was performed. The pathologic interpretation of these specimen was very difficult and a correct diagnosis could be made only by the second reference pathologist. While awaiting reference histology report she was administered high-flow oxygen therapy for hypoxia, antibiotics, catecholamines and corticosteroids. The patient deteriorated very rapidly and died in the ICU. As in earlier studies, misdiagnosis delayed the actual diagnosis, especially because there was no clinical suspicion for angiosarcoma. Pathologic evaluation may be difficult because different growth patterns may be present in the same tumour and pleural or lung specimen may show only very tiny tumour formations within a fibrosing tissue changes. This case report highlights the difficulties to establish a diagnosis of diffuse angiosarcoma in time. An early diagnosis, to initiate oncologic treatment, require a high level of clinical suspicion and a histological proof from pericardial or myocardial biopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Universities and their libraries are well-positioned to provide a rich source of market information that can help resource-constrained start-ups to globalise their business operations. As one of the more important elements of the innovation ecosystem, knowledge-sharing can help start-ups to make data-driven, strategic decisions, rather than basing forward momentum on unreliable intuition. This column highlights the author's experience with a consultancy project that featured a university's library's support of entrepreneurial globalisation, the various implications for both start-ups as well as entrepreneurs, and lessons learned that could become the norm for more open innovation and collaboration between libraries, entrepreneurs, and their start-ups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artworks are treasures of valuable cultural and historical heritage. Artworks get damaged due to environmental and other factors. The artificial intelligence-based restoration of digitized artwork images can guide the artists in physically restoring the damaged artworks. Previous methods have not been able to restore artwork images well. This paper proposes a dual (spatial and channel) attention and channel transformer-based generative adversarial network to restore damaged artwork images digitally. The proposed generative adversarial network has spatial and channel attention layers in the encoder part of the generator and a channel transformer between skip connections from the encoder to the decoder part of the generator. Spatial and channel attention helps learn inter-spatial and inter-channel global relationships among image features. Channel transformer ensures multiscale feature fusion and reduces the semantic gap between encoder and decoder layer features. Moreover, the proposed network has been trained using a linear combination of perceptual, adversarial, and structured similarity index measure loss, which helps better train the network. Further, the proposed network has been validated on two different datasets, and the results indicate that the proposed method outperforms state-of-the-art artwork restoration methods. [Display omitted] • Spatial and channel attention guided generator architecture for artwork restoration. • Channel transformer between skip connections for multiscale feature fusion. • A combination of perceptual, adversarial, and SSIM loss as objective function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In a developing country like India with intermediate level of prevalence of hepatitis B, most of the patients remain undiagnosed as they are asymptomatic. The purpose of the study was to diagnose asymptomatic HBsAg positive patients from the general population and evaluate further the potential clinical implications of IDAHS. Methods Asymptomatic subjects with unknown HBV status were screened free of cost for hepatitis-B surface antigen. Those who tested positive for HBsAg were further tested to identify those who were potential candidates for anti-viral therapy. To explore the relevance of our screening we assessed potential implications of HBsAg detection. Results A total of 30,836 patients were screened in medical camps over the period of 7 years. Out of these 704 (2.3%) subjects were found to be positive for HBsAg. Distress of being diagnosed with HBV was expressed by 649 (92%) of the positive subjects. High cost of further testing and antiviral therapy, leading to inability to pursue further management was elicited in 510 (72%) of the positive subjects. HBV DNA was detected in 349 (59%) out of 592 subjects, out of which 236 (67%) had high viral load. Conclusion Incidental detection of asymptomatic HBsAg positive subjects was seen in 2.3% of subjects. One third of these patients had an actively replicating virus and required antiviral therapy. Financial support was required in 72% of the subjects for further HBV management. Detecting HBsAg in asymptomatic person in an endemic community has considerable health and psycho-economic impact on the individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) sustain lifelong hematopoiesis. Mutations of pre-mRNA splicing machinery, especially splicing factor 3b, subunit 1 (SF3B1), are early lesions found in malignancies arising from HSPC dysfunction. However, why splicing factor deficits contribute to HSPC defects remains incompletely understood. Using zebrafish, we show that HSPC formation in sf3b1 homozygous mutants is dependent on STAT3 activation. Clinically, mutations in SF3B1 are heterozygous; thus, we explored if targeting STAT3 could be a vulnerability in these cells. We show that SF3B1 heterozygosity confers heightened sensitivity to STAT3 inhibition in zebrafish, mouse, and human HSPCs. Cells carrying mutations in other splicing factors or treated with splicing modulators are also more sensitive to STAT3 inhibition. Mechanistically, we illustrate that STAT3 inhibition exacerbates aberrant splicing in SF3B1 mutant cells. Our findings reveal a conserved vulnerability of splicing factor mutant HSPCs that could allow for their selective targeting in hematologic malignancies. • Sf3b1 loss-of-function HSPCs are highly dependent on STAT3 signaling • SF3B1 heterozygosity confers heightened sensitivity to STAT3 inhibition • STAT3 inhibition aggravates splicing defects in SF3B1 mutant cells Potts et al. show that STAT3 inhibition is a conserved vulnerability for splicing factor heterozygous mutant hematopoietic cells due to its impact on splicing. These findings suggest that STAT3 inhibitors could be used alone or in combination with splicing modulators to selectively ablate splicing-defective cells in blood cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Singular enrichment functions are broadly used in Generalized or Extended Finite Element Methods (GFEM/XFEM) for linear elastic fracture mechanics problems. These functions are used at finite element nodes within an enrichment zone around the crack tip/front in 2- and 3-D problems, respectively. Small zones lead to suboptimal convergence rate of the method while large ones lead to ill-conditioning of the system of equations and to a large number of degrees of freedom. This paper presents an a priori estimate for the minimum size of the enrichment zone required for optimal convergence rate of the GFEM/XFEM. The estimate shows that the minimum size of the enrichment zone for optimal convergence rate depends on the element size and polynomial order of the GFEM/XFEM shape functions. Detailed numerical verification of these findings is also presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Interferon-based antiviral therapy is offered only to those HCV patients who have either chronic hepatitis or early cirrhosis. Advanced cirrhotics do not tolerate interferon-based therapy. Since HCV is asymptomatic in early stages and usually presents late, the eligibility for interferon-based therapy is thus limited. There are scarce studies from India, which looked specifically the eligibility of interferon-based therapy in HCV patients. Aim To study the spectrum of presentation of HCV infection, determine their eligibility for interferon-based therapy, and follow for SVR. Methods The records of all consecutive patients of HCV, >14 years age, who presented to our department between 2008 and 2014, were analyzed for categorization into chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Patients with detectable HCV RNA who have chronic hepatitis or Child A cirrhosis were considered eligible for Peg-interferon and ribavirin. Patients who received treatment were followed for SVR. Results 777 patients (median age 49 [range 15–95] years, males 69%) were included. Cirrhosis was the most common presentation (56%, 439/777) followed by chronic hepatitis (37%, 287/777) and HCC (7%, 51/777). Of patients who had cirrhosis (including those with HCC), 36% (174/490) were Child A; 51% (250/490) were Child B and 14% (66/490) were Child C. Only 347/777 (45%) were eligible for Peg-interferon-alpha and Ribavirin. Among the remaining 430 patients, in 326 (76%) the disease was far too advanced. Of eligible patients only 54% actually received Peg-interferon-alpha and Ribavirin and 81% patients could complete the course. Of them only 70% could achieve SVR. Conclusions Most HCV patients in India present late and only about 45% are eligible for Interferon-based antiviral treatment. At presentation 56% patients already have cirrhosis and 7% have HCC. Since HCV is usually asymptomatic in early stages, awareness about screening should be increased so that more patients are diagnosed early before they develop cirrhosis or HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In India, both genotype 3 and 1 are predominant genotypes in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC). However, there is scanty data on sustained viral response (SVR) rate with conventionally recommended dual therapy with PEG-IFN and ribavirin. Methods In this retrospective study, consecutive patients of CHC of genotypes 1 and 3, attending the single unit of Gastroenterology of our hospital, who received PEG-IFN and ribavirin therapy, were included. Patients who had co-infection with HIV or HBV were excluded. Results A total of 114 patients were included in the study median age 44 (15–72) years, 79% males. Most common presentation was with chronic hepatitis, while 10 (9%) patients had compensated cirrhosis. Nine (8%) patients had associated diabetes, 16 (14%) patients gave history of significant alcohol abuse. The median baseline HCV RNA level was 3.0 × 10 5 (1.7 × 10 3 –1.8 × 10 7 ) IU/mL. The most common genotype was 3 (75%) followed by genotype 1 (25%). 70% patients received PegIFN-α2a (median dose 180 MIU/wk) and 30% patients received PegIFN-α2b (median dose 80 MIU/wk). The median ribavirin dose was 800 (range 800–1200) mg. SVR in genotype 1 was 64% (18/28) while SVR in genotype 3 was 73% (63/86). The factors predicting SVR on univariate analysis were a lower baseline HCV RNA level (less than 3.0 × 10 5 ), higher hemoglobin level > 11.8 g/dl, and achievement of rapid virological response (RVR), early virological response (EVR) and end of treatment response (ETR). In multivariate analysis the only baseline factor found independently correlating with SVR was low HCV RNA level (<3.0 × 10 5 IU/mL) ( P = 0.003). Conclusion In north India, HCV genotype 3 has a SVR rate of 73%, which is comparable to genotype 1 with SVR rate of 64% when treated with PEG-IFN and ribavirin therapy. A baseline HCV RNA level lower than 3.0 × 10 5 best predicts SVR in addition to achievement of RVR, EVR or ETR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Piezo-, pyro-, ferro-electricity in carbon-fluoro polymers such as poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), its co-polymers and their nanostructures are gaining remarkable technological interest in self-powered flexible electronics. However, to achieve nanostructures of PVDF with preferred electroactive phase and enhanced piezoelectric coefficient is still remains a challenge. In this regard, we have introduced a nanoprecipitation technique to machinate PVDF nanoparticles with predominant piezoelectric delta (δ) phase (which is least studied till date) using the bi-solvent phase separation technique. It is noteworthy that δ-phase of PVDF possess excellent piezoelectric properties which is comparable to β-phase, nevertheless it has been rarely explored because of its ultra-high electric field (~MV/m) based processing conditions adopted so far. In this context, solvent based phase separation approach is most convenient and thus expected to be an industrially viable approach to scale up piezoelectric δ−PVDF nanoparticles which has enormous technological and commercial merits. The piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) study is performed to confirm the nanoscale piezo- and ferro-electricity in δ−PVDF nanoparticles that manifests the giant piezoelectric coefficient (d 33) of ~ − 43 pm / V and optimum phase reversal (∆ φ ≈ 180°) behavior under very low applied bias (i.e., at ~ ± 5 V). As a proof of concept, a flexible piezoelectric nanogenerator (f-PNG) was fabricated comprising of δ−PVDF nanoparticles. It generates promising electrical output with power density of 2 µW/cm2. Moreover, its ability to track the physiological signal such as arterial pulse detection indicates the potential utility of δ−PVDF nanoparticles based self-power sensors and actuators. [Display omitted] • 1st time electroactive δ-PVDF nanoparticles are prepared by using the bi-solvent phase separation strategy where the need of ultra-high electric field (~ MV/m) is possible to avoided. • Fabricated δ-PVDF nanoparticles have shown giant piezoelectric coefficient i.e., (d 33) of ~ − 43 pm / V. • The ferro/piezo-electric phase/amplitude reversal occurred within very low applied bias, i.e., ± 5 V that indices the superiority of δ-phase of PVDF. • The fabricated f-PNG comprising of δ-PVDF nanoparticles have shown outstanding electrical output performance such as open circuit voltage (V OC = V), short circuit (I SC = 1.5 µA) and power density (~ 2 µW/cm2) and 24% of instantaneous piezoelectric energy conversion efficiency. • f-PNG is demonstrated to use as a self-powered bio-sensor for the detection real time arterial pulse signal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spontaneous pneumothorax (SP) in women of reproductive age with causes such as thoracic endometriosis syndrome (TES) presents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. A 33-year-old women was treated conservatively with chest tube insertion for a first occurrence of a right-sided pneumothorax in September 2015. In January 2016, a right-sided video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) wedge resection and partial parietal pleurectomy was performed due to a recurrence. A right-sided VATS was again performed in December 2016 with multiple wedge resections and a total pleurectomy revealing a pulmonary Langerhans' cell histiocytosis (PLCH) in the histological and immunohistochemical examinations. The patient was recommended an abstinence of smoking and further course was unremarkable until May 2019, when due to a recurrent pneumothorax, she received a talc pleurodesis via right-sided VATS. Due to yet another recurrence, she underwent a talc slurry pleurodesis over a right sided chest drain. In March 2020 due to recurrence, a right-sided VATS was performed and a blueish nodular lesion was resected from the diaphragm. The histological examination revealed an endometriosis with a diagnosis of TES. Since the patient did not exhibit a temporal relationship between her periods and the onset of pneumothorax symptoms, a final diagnosis of non-catamenial endometriosis-related pneumothorax was made. The patient is currently continuing smoking abstinence and is under hormone therapy. She has not presented with a recurrence. In clinical practice, it is important not to just relay on the information available to us, but to reevaluate the patient history to uncover new clues leading to a new diagnosis. • A rare combination of two rare diagnoses, PLHC and TES, only recognized through multiple hospital stays and operations. • Symptoms of endometriosis-related pneumothorax are not always directly related to the menstrual cycle. • As clinicians, we should remember that it is not impossible to suffer from two rare disorders. • A thorough history taking and a precise intraoperative evaluation might reveal clues towards diagnosis and correct treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In incremental software development, requirement prioritization is undertaken to make a decision about set of requirements to be implemented. Effectiveness of requirement prioritization depends on effectiveness of decision aspects selected for prioritizing requirements. This paper proposed new technique for prioritizing decision aspects in geographically distributed environments. This hybrid technique prioritizes the negotiated and hence mutually agreed decision aspects by creating win-win situation among diverse globally distributed stakeholders. Hybrid technique is applied on embedded payroll management software system that was failed project, delivered in two increments earlier. The results of the experiment conducted on the software system, were found to be very promising. Results proved the technique to be effective in terms of selection of highest priority aspects thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and ultimately resulting in successful software development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The temporal evolution and spatial distribution of C2 molecules produced by laser ablation of a graphite target is studied using optical emission spectroscopy, dynamic imaging and laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) investigations. We observe peculiar bifurcation of carbon plume into two parts; stationary component close to the target surface and a component moving away from the target surface which splits further in two parts as the plume expands. The two distinct plumes are attributed to recombination of carbon species and formation of nanoparticles. The molecular carbon C2 moves with a faster velocity and dies out at ~800 ns whereas the clusters of nanoparticle move with a slower velocity due to their higher mass and can be observed even after 1600 ns. C2 molecules in the d3Πg state were probed for laser-induced fluorescence during ablation of graphite using the Swan (0,0) band at 516.5 nm. The fluorescence spectrum and images of fluorescence d 3Πg − a 3Πu(0,1)(λ =563.5 nm) are recorded using a spectrograph attached to the ICCD camera. To get absolute ground state C2 density from fluorescence images, the images are calibrated using complimentary absorption experiment. This study qualitatively helps to get optimum conditions for nanoparticle formation using the laser ablation of graphite target and hence deducing optimum conditions for thin film deposition. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Conventional analysis of nanoindentation data considers only the unloading curve, but this may be misleading for materials that are very elastic. An alternative method that considers the loading and unloading curve may be more appropriate. Results for a carbonaceous material with a high hardness (or yield stress) relative to its elastic modulus are presented. An analysis considering the whole nanoindentation cycle gives a ratio of H/E that is significantly higher than that obtained from just the loading or unloading curve. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Managing congestion of an online system (e.g., SCM app system) is studied. • Demand surges due to unprecedented events such as CVOID-19 are investigated. • The optimality of a modified control-band policy is shown under stochastic demand. • Demand throttling is shown to be an effective strategy for managing surge demand. Managing supply chains requires quick access to the enterprise– and customer–facing online network applications and transparency of data across supply chains. While it is challenging to meet the rapidly growing demand for bandwidth to support supply chain applications in the Blockchain era, the COVID-19 pandemic has triggered bandwidth demand surges across all online services such as the internet, content delivery, e-platforms, and social media. A sudden demand surge may impel users to lose their access or have a poor online experience due to bandwidth throttling by their Online Service Providers (OSPs). Earlier work on optimal throttling mechanism under stochastic demand has overlooked such demand surges. In this paper, we recast the user demand to adequately capture the demand surges, such as home bandwidth demand surges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, we model the user demand as a geometric Lévy (jump–diffusion) process. Within our general setting, we show that it is optimal for the OSP to follow a modified control-band policy that encompasses the existing results as a special case. Our numerical study not only enhances the current insights about the optimal throttling mechanism by including demand surges but also provides new insights concerning the nature of demand surges. For example, our study suggests that OSPs should initiate demand throttling at relatively lower usage levels if the likelihood of having demand surges is high; furthermore, we find that when OSPs are exposed to demand surges with higher intensities, it is optimal for them to wait until the usage level reaches a relatively high level before throttling it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]