Blockchain: Trouble in the Enterprise?

There has been substantial hype about the use of blockchain for supply chain and trade finance, proclaiming that it would “change the world.” Although during 2016-2018 blockchain was riding high on the hype curve, in 2019 it fell into the trough of disillusionment. Along the way, some consultants have recently stopped promoting blockchain and attention appears have shifted away from enterprise blockchain systems. As a result, it probably is not surprising that recently there have been several instances where those enterprise blockchain efforts went insolvent or were shutdown. This paper investigates those blockchain systems and identifies some of the potential factors affecting the success of those systems. We also provide some potential approaches to mitigate the limitations of those applications

Using AI to Read Contracts

Artificial Intelligence (AI) recently has received substantial attention. This paper provides a case that allows investigation of an AI application that is designed to read contracts and provide a structured summary of the contract. The system uses an ontology to drive the user through reading the contract. The system also uses a human-in-the-loop to help the system choose which snippets of information correspond to parts of the ontology. This paper asks the reader to analyze some possible extensions to the approach, as the head of an innovation lab analyzes how the system works and looks for extensions. Finally, the paper investigates the impact of AI on key organizational issues such as responsible and trusted AI, the impact of AI on organizations and work and system acceptance issues

A systematic review of randomized controlled trials on exercise parameters in the treatment of patellofemoral pain: what works?

Daniel Harvie, Timothy O'Leary, Saravana Kumar International Centre for Allied Health Evidence (iCAHE), City East Campus, University of South Australia, Adelaide, Australia Purpose: There is research evidence which supports the effectiveness of exercise in reducing pain and increasing function in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. However, what is unclear are the parameters underpinning this intervention. This has led to uncertainty when operationalizing exercises for patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome in clinical practice. The aim of this review was to evaluate the parameters of exercise programs reported in primary research, to provide clinicians with evidence-based recommendations for exercise prescription for patellofemoral pain. Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials was undertaken. Only trials that identified exercise to be effective in treating patellofemoral pain were included. Appropriate databases and reference lists were searched using established keywords. Data relating to common exercise parameters such as the type of exercise, length, and frequency of intervention, intensity, repetitions, sets, and specific technique were extracted, along with details of co-interventions that may have been used. Results: A total of ten randomized controlled trials were included in this review and from these trials 14 interventions arms were evaluated. All 14 interventions focused on active exercises, all but two of which also included a passive stretching component. The current body of evidence demonstrates positive results with exercise interventions such as knee extension, squats, stationary cycling, static quadriceps, active straight leg raise, leg press, and step-up and down exercises for patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome. A progressive regime of daily exercises of two to four sets of ten or more repetitions over an intervention period of 6 weeks or more, combined with exercises to address flexibility of the lower limb musculature was commonly used. Conclusion: Currently, the primary research on this topic supports the use of closed kinetic chain, strengthening exercises for musculature of the lower limb, combined with flexibility options. The current evidence base supports a prescription of daily exercises of two–four sets of ten or more repetitions over a period of 6 weeks or more. Keywords: patellofemoral pain syndrome, PFPS, repetitions, lower limb, musculatur

Model Compounds of Ruthenium−Alkene Intermediates in Olefin Metathesis Reactions

The development of a model system to study ruthenium−olefin complexes relevant to the mechanism of olefin metathesis is reported. Upon addition of 1,2-divinylbenzene to (H_2IMes)(py_2)(Cl)_2Ru CHPh (H_2IMes = 1,3-dimesityl-4,5-dihydroimidazol-2-ylidene), two ruthenium−olefin adducts are formed. On the basis of ^1H NMR spectroscopy experiments and X-ray crystallographic analysis, these complexes are assigned as side-bound isomers in which the olefin and H_2IMes ligands are coordinated cis to each other. The dynamic interconversion of these two ruthenium complexes was determined to have a barrier of 19.1 ± 0.1 kcal/mol

An Examination of Factors Influencing Small Proton Chemical Shift Differences in Nitrogen-Substituted Monodeuterated Methyl Groups

Monodeuterated methyl groups have previously been demonstrated to provide access to long-lived nuclear spin states. This is possible when the CH2D rotamers have sufficiently different populations and the local environment is chiral, which foments a non-negligible isotropic chemical shift difference between the two CH2D protons. In this article, the focus is on the N-CH2D group of N-CH2D-2-methylpiperidine and other suitable CH2D-piperidine derivatives. We used a combined experimental and computational approach to investigate how rotameric symmetry breaking leads to a 1H CH2D chemical shift difference that can subsequently be tuned by a variety of factors such as temperature, acidity and 2-substituted molecular groups.</jats:p

Progression of Carotid Artery Intima-Media Thickness During 12 Years in the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) Study

OBJECTIVE This study investigated the long-term effects of intensive diabetic treatment on the progression of atherosclerosis, measured as common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS A total of 1,116 participants (52% men) in the Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (EDIC) trial, a long-term follow-up of the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), had carotid IMT measurements at EDIC years 1, 6, and 12. Mean age was 46 years, with diabetes duration of 24.5 years at EDIC year 12. Differences in IMT progression between DCCT intensive and conventional treatment groups were examined, controlling for clinical characteristics, IMT reader, and imaging device. RESULTS Common carotid IMT progression from EDIC years 1 to 6 was 0.019 mm less in intensive than in conventional (P < 0.0001), and from years 1 to 12 was 0.014 mm less (P = 0.048); but change from years 6 to 12 was similar (intensive − conventional = 0.005 mm, P = 0.379). Mean A1C levels during DCCT and DCCT/EDIC were strongly associated with progression of IMT, explaining most of the differences in IMT progression between DCCT treatment groups. Albuminuria, older age, male sex, smoking, and higher systolic blood pressure were significant predictors of IMT progression. CONCLUSIONS Intensive treatment slowed IMT progression for 6 years after the end of DCCT but did not affect IMT progression thereafter (6–12 years). A beneficial effect of prior intensive treatment was still evident 13 years after DCCT ended. These differences were attenuated but not negated after adjusting for blood pressure. These results support the early initiation and continued maintenance of intensive diabetes management in type 1 diabetes to retard atherosclerosis

Seawater softening of suture zones inhibits fracture propagation in Antarctic ice shelves

Suture zones are abundant on Antarctic ice shelves and widely observed to impede fracture propagation, greatly enhancing ice-shelf stability. Using seismic and radar observations on the Larsen C Ice Shelf of the Antarctic Peninsula, we confirm that such zones are highly heterogeneous, consisting of multiple meteoric and marine ice bodies of diverse provenance fused together. Here we demonstrate that fracture detainment is predominantly controlled by enhanced seawater content in suture zones, rather than by enhanced temperature as previously thought. We show that interstitial seawater can reduce fracture-driving stress by orders of magnitude, promoting both viscous relaxation and the development of micro cracks, the incidence of which scales inversely with stress intensity. We show how simple analysis of viscous buckles in ice-penetrating radar data can quantify the seawater content of suture zones and their modification of the ice-shelf’s stress regime. By limiting fracture, enhancing stability and restraining continental ice discharge into the ocean, suture zones act as vital regulators of Antarctic mass balance

Physical and psychological aggression in dating relationships in Spanish university students

The presence of violent behaviors of a psychological and physical nature in dating relations was analyzed in a sample of Spanish university students between 18 and 27 years of age. The results indicate a high prevalence of both kinds of aggression in interpersonal relationships, revealing important typology differences between the sexes. Violent psychological behaviors (characterized by the presence of verbal aggression and coercive and jealous behaviors) and physical aggression were significantly higher in women, though the consequences of physical aggression were worse for the women’s health. The implications of the results and their possible relation with more severe violent acts in more stable, emotional relationships are discussed. Agresión física y psicológica en las relaciones de noviazgo en universitarios españoles. En el presente trabajo se analiza la presencia de comportamientos violentos de carácter psicológico y físico en las relaciones de noviazgo en una muestra de jóvenes universitarios españoles con edades comprendidas entre los 18 y los 27 años. Los resultados indican la alta prevalencia de ambos tipos de agresión en las relaciones interpersonales, encontrando diferencias importantes en cuanto a su tipología entre sexos. Así, la violencia de carácter psicológico (analizadas por la presencia de agresiones verbales y comportamientos coercitivos y celosos) y la agresión física resultaron ser significativamente superiores en el caso de las mujeres, aunque las consecuencias para la salud derivadas de la misma son más negativas para ellas. Se comentan, asimismo, las implicaciones de los resultados obtenidos y su posible relación con actos de violencia más graves en posteriores relaciones emocionales más estables

Validación de la versión modificada de la Conflicts Tactics Scale (M-CTS) en población juvenil española

La version modificada de la Conflicts Tactics Scale (M-CTS), realizada originalmente por Straus en 1979, es uno de los instrumentos más ampliamente utilizados para la detección de comportamientos violentos de carácter verbal y físico en las relaciones de noviazgo en jóvenes y adolescentes. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue analizar las propiedades psicométricas del instrumento y validar su adecuación en población española. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 5.355 jóvenes españoles pertenecientes a la Comunidad de Madrid, con edades comprendidas entre los 16 y los 26 años. A través de un Analisis Factorial Confirmatorio se identificaron cuatro factores consistentes con la teoría y las investigaciones previas: argumentación, agresión psicológica/verbal, agresión física leve y agresión física grave. Se concluye que la escala permite evaluar, con suficientes garantías psicométricas, la presencia de diferentes tipos de agresión en las relaciones de pareja en jóvenes y adolescentes