bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Variation of surface integrity of cylindrical rollers under grinding and superfinishing processes
Authors: Wang Zhijian , Wang Yin , Liu Lin , Zhu Wengsheng , Li Jing , Zhao Yujie , Pang Haijun , Wu Qilong
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study is to first investigate the surface integrity of cylindrical rollers under grinding process and then design a reasonable superfinishing process that improve the anti-fatigue performance of cylindrical rollers by optimization of the surface integrity.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the white and dark layers produced by the grinding process is analyzed by microscope. Then, the influence of oilstone pressure on the stock removal, surface precision and crowned profile are explored. Finally, an optimal superfinishing process and a novel turnaround device are designed to improve surface integrity.

Findings

The experimental results show that as the oilstone pressure increases, the stock removal first increases and then remains stable. This hints that the stock removal of a single-time superfinishing process has an upper limit. In the current conditions, the maximum stock removal is 6 µm. Double-time superfinishing process and the turnover device can effectively eliminate the white and dark layers and improve the symmetric of roller profile. In addition, the surface precision is also improved.

Originality/value

The surface integrity of bearing rollers is very important to the application of industry field. The findings and the methods in the study can be helpful to improve the surface integrity of the bearing rollers.
How peer feedback affects knowledge contribution in online innovation communities: a social identity perspective
Authors: Wang Liya , Cong Rong , Wang Shuxiang , Li Sitan , Wang Ya
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The research aims to explore the influence mechanism of peer feedback and users' knowledge contribution behavior. This study draws on the social identity theory and considers social identity as a mediating factor into the research framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper collected users' activity data of 142,191 ideas submitted by 76,647 users from the MIUI community between October 2010 and May 2018 via Python software, and data were processed using Stata 16.0.

Findings

The results indicate that knowledge feedback and social feedback positively influence users' knowledge contribution (quantity and quality), respectively. User's cognitive identity positively mediates the relationship between peer feedback and knowledge contribution behavior, affective identity positively mediates the relationship between peer feedback and knowledge contribution behavior, while evaluative identity positively mediates the relationship between peer feedback and knowledge contribution quality, but there is no mediating effect between peer feedback and knowledge contribution quantity.

Originality/value

This study advances knowledge management by highlighting peer feedback on online innovation communities. By demonstrating the significant mediating effect of social identity, this study empirically clarifies the relationships of peer feedback (knowledge feedback and social feedback) to specific dimensions of knowledge contribution, thereby providing managerial guidance to the online innovation community on incentivizing and managing user interaction to foster the innovation development of firms.
Involvement of ribonuclease Y in pilus production by M49 Streptococcus pyogenes strain via modulation of messenger RNA level of transcriptional regulator
Authors: Kubota Seiko , Nakata Masanobu , Hirose Yujiro , Yamaguchi Masaya , Kreikemeyer Bernd , Uzawa Narikazu , Sumitomo Tomoko , Kawabata Shigetada
Published: May 2023

Streptococcus pyogenes displays a wide variety of pili, which is largely dependent on serotype. A distinct subset of S. pyogenes strains that possess the Nra transcriptional regulator demonstrates thermoregulated pilus production. Findings obtained in the present study of an Nra‐positive serotype M49 strain revealed involvement of conserved virulence factor A (CvfA), also referred to as ribonuclease Y (RNase Y), in virulence factor expression and pilus production, while a cvfA deletion strain showed reduced pilus production and adherence to human keratinocytes as compared with wild‐type and revertant strains. Furthermore, transcript levels of pilus subunits and srtC2 genes were decreased by cvfA deletion, which was remarkable at 25°C. Likewise, both messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein levels of Nra were remarkably decreased by cvfA deletion. Whether the expression of other pilus‐related regulators, including fasX and CovR, was subject to thermoregulation was also examined. While the mRNA level of fasX, which inhibits cpa and fctA translation, was decreased by cvfA deletion at both 37°C and 25°C, CovR mRNA and protein levels, as well as its phosphorylation level were not significantly changed, suggesting that neither fasX nor CovR is necessarily involved in thermosensitive pilus production. Phenotypic analysis of the mutant strains revealed that culture temperature and cvfA deletion had varied effects on streptolysin S and SpeB activities. Furthermore, bactericidal assay data showed that cvfA deletion decreased the rate of survival in human blood. Together, the present findings indicate that CvfA is involved in regulation of pilus production and virulence‐related phenotypes of the serotype M49 strain of S. pyogenes.
AGAINST THE COLONIZATION OF URBAN DEVELOPMENT: The Top‐dong Right to the City Movement in Jeju, South Korea
Authors: Oh Youjeong
Published: May 2023

The Top‐dong Movement was an extensive residents’ resistance mobilization against the Top‐dong Public Water Reclamation project in the late 1980s in Jeju, South Korea. Starting as a local female divers’ struggle for subsistence, the Top‐dong Movement grew into a collective action to reveal the illegalities of the project, demand that profits should be fairly shared and assert self‐determination. State‐led development of Jeju in the post‐Korean war period functioned to render the island an extractive periphery during South Korea's capitalist modernization. Within that context, the Top‐dong reclamation project exemplifies how urban development projects create colonial conditions in local communities by dispossessing them of land and the means of subsistence, commodifying public resources and extracting profits. Jeju islanders reacted by claiming specific rights: female divers’ collective rights to public water and the means of livelihood against dispossession; local residents’ rights to control developmental profits against extraction; and islanders’ rights to participate in decision‐making processes against exclusion. Bridging Lefebvre's two concepts—colonization and the right to the city, this article argues that the historically situated, place‐based right to the city movement revealed the colonization involved in urban development and performed practices of decolonization.
Systemic review and meta‐analysis of the association between interleukin‐10 and Takayasu arteritis
Authors: Zhou Hang , Zhou Boyang , Liang Surong , Zhao Jian
Published: May 2023

Objective

The aim of this meta‐analysis is to investigate the relationship between interleukin (IL)‐10 levels and its polymorphism and Takayasu arteritis (TAK).

Methods

Five databases including PubMed, Web of Science, Ovid, Sinomed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) were gone through from inception to March 31, 2022. Studies were screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Newcastle‐Ottawa Scale (NOS) was applied to assess study quality. Strengths of association were evaluated by odds ratio (OR) and 95% CI. The T v. t (allele contrast), TT v. tt (homozygous contrast), Tt vs tt (heterozygous contrast), TT + Tt vs tt (dominant contrast) and TT vs Tt + tt (recessive contrast) models were adopted.

Results

Seven studies were included. No significant relationship between IL‐10 and TAK was detected in the included patients (P > 0.05). The levels of IL‐10 were lower in the active group than those in the stable group, which was −0.47 (95% CI: −0.93, 0.00) (P = 0.05). No significant relationships between IL‐10 and TAK were found under all contrasts for polymorphisms rs1800871, rs1800872 and rs1800896 (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

There was no significant difference in IL‐10 levels between TAK patients and control subjects. The levels of IL‐10 were lower in TAK patients in the active stage. There was no significant association between IL‐10 gene polymorphisms and TAK. Further well‐designed studies with larger sample sizes in patients with different stages are needed.
Commitment and cheap talk in search deterrence
Authors: Pan Siqi , Zhao Xin
Published: May 2023

We investigate the role of sellers' commitment power in discouraging consumer search. Theoretically, lack of commitment power transforms sellers' search‐deterring claims into cheap talk, eliminating sellers' ability to deter search in some market environments. However, our experiments show buyers' search decisions are significantly affected by sellers' cheap talk. When future prices are not adjustable, sellers falsely claim exploding offers to deter search. When future prices are adjustable, sellers falsely claim low future prices to lure consumers to return after search and exploit these “captive” consumers with subsequent price hikes. A behavioral model with naïve buyers explains our experimental findings.
A DNA methylation based measure outperforms circulating CRP as a marker of chronic inflammation and partly reflects the monocytic response to long‐term inflammatory exposure: A Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging analysis
Authors: Verschoor Chris P. , Vlasschaert Caitlyn , Rauh Michael J. , Paré Guillaume
Published: May 2023

A key hallmark in the age‐related dysfunction of physiological systems is disruption related to the regulation of inflammation, often resulting in a chronic, low‐grade inflammatory state (i.e., inflammaging). In order to understand the causes of overall system decline, methods to quantify the life‐long exposure or damage related to chronic inflammation are critical. Here, we characterize a comprehensive epigenetic inflammation score (EIS) based on DNA methylation loci (CpGs) that are associated with circulating levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP). In a cohort of 1446 older adults, we show that associations to age and health‐related traits such as smoking history, chronic conditions, and established measures of accelerated aging were stronger for EIS than CRP, while the risk of longitudinal outcomes such as outpatient or inpatient visits and increased frailty were relatively similar. To determine whether variation in EIS actually reflects the cellular response to chronic inflammation we exposed THP1 myelo‐monocytic cells to low levels of inflammatory mediators for 14 days, finding that EIS increased in response to both CRP (p = 0.011) and TNF (p = 0.068). Interestingly, a refined version of EIS based only on those CpGs that changed in vitro was more strongly associated with many of the aforementioned traits as compared to EIS. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that EIS outperforms circulating CRP with regard to its association to health‐traits that are synonymous with chronic inflammation and accelerated aging, and substantiates its potential role as a clinically relevant tool for stratifying patient risk of adverse outcomes prior to treatment or following illness.
Histomorphometric comparison of left and right oviduct structure from alpaca (Vicugna pacos)
Authors: Sánchez‐Caycho Katherine , Chávez‐Quispe Renzo , Mellisho Edwin
Published: May 2023

Alpacas are species of induced ovulation and with foetal development only in the left uterine horn (98%). The histoarchitecture of the oviductal regions determine a spatio‐temporal interaction between the gametes/embryos and the oviduct. This study compares the morphometric changes of the left and right oviducts in alpaca during the follicular phase. Five oviducts (n = 05), from adult alpacas with dominant follicle in the right ovary were recovered, dissected, and processed by histological technique with H&E and PAS stain for measurement of morphometric parameters and cell characteristics, respectively. Also, a 3D image reconstruction was performed (by reconstruct software). Resin moulds (polyurethane PU4ii) were applied for visualization of oviductal lumen. The multivariable data of parameters were analysed with ANOVA and principal component analysis (PCA). The histomorphometric parameters of left and right oviducts did not show statistically significant differences (p ≥ 0.05), although PCA showed morphometric differences between regions of the oviduct. No differences were observed between the 3D reconstruction of the left and right oviducts, as well as in the luminal spaces examined in the resin moulds. In conclusion, the histomorphometry of the oviduct is not affected by its location on either the left or right side; therefore, it cannot explain why 98% of foetuses implant in the left uterus.
Clear and present danger: Mechanical heart valves in pregnancy
Authors: Pavord Sue , Orchard Liz
Published: May 2023

Specialists in Obstetric Haematology continue to be challenged by pregnant women with mechanical heart valves, who are at high risk of death or severe morbidity. Effective anticoagulation to reduce valve thrombosis inevitably increases risk of obstetric haemorrhage and fetal loss or harm, and difficult decisions need to be made. Lester and mulitdisciplinary colleagues on behalf of the British Society for Haematology review available evidence and provide comprehensive recommendations to guide management in this difficult area.

Commentary on: Lester et al. British Society for Haematology guideline for anticoagulant management of pregnant individuals with mechanical heart valves. Br J Haematol 2023;202:465–478.
Serum, interstitial and sweat ATP in humans exposed to heat stress: Insights into roles of ATP in the heat loss responses
Authors: Fujii Naoto , Tanabe Yoko , Amano Tatsuro , Watanabe Koichi , Kondo Narihiko , Nishiyasu Takeshi , Kenny Glen P.
Published: May 2023

Hyperthermia increases intravascular adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and is associated with greater hyperthermia‐induced cutaneous vasodilation. Hyperthermia may also increase skin interstitial fluid ATP thereby activating cutaneous vascular smooth muscle cells and sweat glands. We evaluated the hypothesis that whole‐body heating would increase skin interstitial fluid ATP, and this response would be associated with an increase in cutaneous vasodilation and sweating. Nineteen (8 females) young adults underwent whole‐body heating using a water‐perfusion suit to increase core temperature by ~1°C during which time cutaneous vascular conductance (CVC, ratio of laser‐Doppler blood flow to mean arterial pressure) and sweat rate (ventilated capsule technique) were measured at four forearm skin sites to minimize between‐site variations. Dialysate from the skin sites were collected via intradermal microdialysis. Heating increased serum ATP, CVC, and sweat rate (all p ≤ 0.031). However, heating did not modulate dialysate ATP (median, baseline vs. end‐heating: 2.38 vs. 2.70 nmol/ml) (p = 0.068), though the effect size was moderate (Cohen's d = 0.566). While the heating‐induced increase in CVC was not correlated with changes in serum ATP (r = 0.439, p = 0.060), we observed a negative correlation (rs = −0.555, p = 0.017) between dialysate ATP and CVC. We did not observe a significant correlation between the heating‐induced sweating and serum, dialysate, or sweat ATP (rs = 0.091 to −0.322, all p ≥ 0.222). Altogether, we showed that passive heating increases ATP in blood and possibly skin interstitial fluid, with the latter potentially blunting cutaneous vasodilation. However, ATP does not appear to modulate sweating.
Did the cannabis recreational use law affect traffic crash outcomes in Toronto? Building evidence for the adequate number of authorised cannabis stores' thresholds
Authors: Nazif‐Munoz José Ignacio , Domínguez‐Cancino Karen A. , Ouimet Marie Claude , Brown Thomas G.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

In the past decade, a group of studies has begun to explore the association between cannabis recreational use policies and traffic crashes. After these policies are set in place, several factors may affect cannabis consumption, including the number of cannabis stores (NCS) per capita. This study examines the association between the enactment of Canada's Cannabis Act (CCA) (18 October 2018) and the NCS (allowed to function from 1 April 2019) with traffic injuries in Toronto.

Methods

We explored the association of the CCA and the NCS with traffic crashes. We applied two methods: hybrid difference‐in‐difference (DID) and hybrid‐fuzzy DID. We used generalised linear models using CCA and the NCS per capita as the main variables of interest. We adjusted for precipitation, temperature and snow. Information is gathered from Toronto Police Service, Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, and Environment Canada. The period of analysis was from 1 January 2016 to 31 December 2019.

Results

Regardless of the outcome, neither the CCA nor the NCS is associated with concomitant changes in the outcomes. In hybrid DID models, the CCA is associated with non‐significant decreases of 9% (incidence rate ratio 0.91, 95% confidence interval 0.74,1.11) in traffic crashes and in the hybrid‐fuzzy DID models, the NCS are associated with nonsignificant decreases of 3% (95% confidence interval − 9%, 4%) in the same outcome.

Discussion and Conclusions

This study observes that more research is needed to better understand the short‐term effects (April to December 2019) of NCS in Toronto on road safety outcomes.
Impact of severe hypoglycaemia requiring hospitalization on mortality in people with type 1 diabetes: A national retrospective observational cohort study
Authors: Moser Othmar , Rafferty James , Eckstein Max L. , Aziz Faisal , Bain Stephen C. , Bergenstal Richard , Sourij Harald , Thomas Rebecca L.
Published: May 2023

Aims

To assess if the risk of all‐cause mortality increases in people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) with increasing number of severe hypoglycaemia episodes requiring hospitalization.

Materials and methods

We conducted a national retrospective observational cohort study in people with T1D (diagnosed between 2000 and 2018). Clinical, comorbidity and demographic variables were assessed for impact on mortality for people with no, one, two and three or more episodes of severe hypoglycaemia requiring hospitalization. The time to death (all‐cause mortality) from the timepoint of the last episode of severe hypoglycaemia was modelled using a parametric survival model.

Results

A total of 8224 people had a T1D diagnosis in Wales during the study period. The mortality rate (95% confidence interval [CI]) was 6.9 (6.1‐7.8) deaths/ 1000 person‐years (crude) and 15.31 (13.3‐17.63) deaths/ 1000 person‐years (age‐adjusted) for those with no occurrence of severe hypoglycaemia requiring hospitalization. For those with one episode of severe hypoglycaemia requiring hospitalization the mortality rate (95% CI) was 24.9 (21.0‐29.6; crude) and 53.8 (44.6‐64.7) deaths/ 1000 person‐years (age‐adjusted), for those with two episodes of severe hypoglycaemia requiring hospitalization it was 28.0 (23.1‐34.0; crude) and 72.8 (59.2‐89.5) deaths/ 1000 person‐years (age‐adjusted), and for those with three or more episodes of severe hypoglycaemia requiring hospitalization it was 33.5 (30.0‐37.3; crude) and 86.3 (71.7‐103.9) deaths/ 1000 person years (age‐adjusted; P < 0.001). A parametric survival model showed that having two episodes of severe hypoglycaemia requiring hospitalization was the strongest predictor for time to death (accelerated failure time coefficient 0.073 [95% CI 0.009‐0.565]), followed by having one episode of severe hypoglycaemia requiring hospitalization (0.126 [0.036‐0.438]) and age at most recent episode of severe hypoglycaemia requiring hospitalization (0.917 [0.885‐0.951]).

Conclusions

The strongest predictor for time to death was having two or more episodes of severe hypoglycaemia requiring hospitalization.
Addressing deadlock in large‐scale, complex rail networks via multi‐agent deep reinforcement learning
Authors: Bretas A. M. C. , Mendes A. , Chalup S. , Jackson M. , Clement R. , Sanhueza C.
Published: May 2023

Rail freight planning problems pose specific challenges that have attracted the attention of academics and industry professionals for many decades. They involve multiple types of assets (trains, stations, terminals, etc.) and are subjected to structural, operational and safety constraints. Even though various approaches have been proposed, few can address the complexity and size of real‐world scenarios, and decentralized techniques, like multi‐agent systems (MAS), have become more prevalent. The current state of the art in disciplines such as agent technology, reinforcement learning and discrete‐event simulation allows the implementation of complex architectures, with multiple actors interacting and learning simultaneously. Therefore, this study takes advantage of these current advances and proposes an innovative approach to real‐time traffic management problems in freight railway networks through multi‐agent deep reinforcement learning (MADRL). This study was motivated by the decision‐making scheduling problems arising in the Hunter Valley Coal Chain (HVCC), located in New South Wales, Australia. The MADRL algorithm uses as the training environment the simulation model currently utilized for capacity planning of the HVCC, allowing experiments with actual data. Thus, we enhanced the simulation model to accommodate a MAS with intelligent agents representing system elements, such as trains, dump stations, and load points. Furthermore, these agents act in a decentralized fashion based on local observations, constituting a partially‐observed Markov decision process (dec‐POMDP). Three variations of the MADRL approach are presented: a baseline model, an extended model, and one that directly addresses deadlocks. Finally, we present a transfer learning method that improves deadlock resolution and leverages performance. In the experiments, we explore specific, complex scenarios arising in the HVCC, where trains frequently face deadlock conditions. The baseline model outperforms a first‐come‐first‐serve (FCFS) based heuristic used by HVCC's simulation model and a genetic algorithm in instances with up to 60 trains – but fails in more complex scenarios. On the other hand, the most advanced model, which addresses deadlocks via transfer learning, always finds feasible solutions and produces policies that outperform the FCFS‐based heuristic in 94% of the instances.
Biopsy prostate cancer perineural invasion and tumour load are associated with positive posterolateral margins at radical prostatectomy: implications for planning of nerve‐sparing surgery
Authors: van der Slot Margaretha A , Remmers Sebastiaan , Kweldam Charlotte F , den Bakker Michael A , Nieboer Daan , Busstra Martijn B , Gan Melanie , Klaver Sjoerd , Rietbergen John B W , van Leenders Geert J L H ,   the Anser Prostate Cancer Network
Published: May 2023

Aims

Radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer is frequently complicated by erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence. However, sparing of the nerve bundles adjacent to the posterolateral sides of the prostate reduces the number of complications at the risk of positive surgical margins. Preoperative selection of men eligible for safe, nerve‐sparing surgery is therefore needed. Our aim was to identify pathological factors associated with positive posterolateral surgical margins in men undergoing bilateral nerve‐sparing RP.

Methods and results

Prostate cancer patients undergoing RP with standardised intra‐operative surgical margin assessment according to the NeuroSAFE technique were included. Preoperative biopsies were reviewed for grade group (GG), cribriform and/or intraductal carcinoma (CR/IDC), perineural invasion (PNI), cumulative tumour length and extraprostatic extension (EPE). Of 624 included patients, 573 (91.8%) received NeuroSAFE bilaterally and 51 (8.2%) unilaterally, resulting in a total of 1197 intraoperative posterolateral surgical margin assessments. Side‐specific biopsy findings were correlated to ipsilateral NeuroSAFE outcome. Higher biopsy GG, CR/IDC, PNI, EPE, number of positive biopsies and cumulative tumour length were all associated with positive posterolateral margins. In multivariable bivariate logistic regression, ipsilateral PNI [odds ratio (OR) = 2.98, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.62–5.48; P < 0.001] and percentage of positive cores (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.08–1.29; P < 0.001) were significant predictors for a positive posterolateral margin, while GG and CR/IDC were not.

Conclusions

Ipsilateral PNI and percentage of positive cores were significant predictors for a positive posterolateral surgical margin at RP. Biopsy PNI and tumour volume can therefore support clinical decision‐making on the level of nerve‐sparing surgery in prostate cancer patients.
Species‐specific functional traits rather than phylogenetic relatedness better predict future range‐shift responses of odonates
Authors: Viza Aida , Garcia‐Raventós Aina , Ll. Riera Joan , Maynou Xavier , Martín Ricard , Prunier Florent , El Haissoufi Mohamed , Múrria Cesc
Published: May 2023

Climate change has the potential to modify habitat characteristics and, consequently, induce species responses to ongoing environmental changes. Functional traits determine both if a species can persist and maintain stable population sizes in particular ecological conditions, and its capacity to disperse to more favourable habitats.

Given that functional traits evolve over time, one could expect closely related species to show similar responses to climate change, which should identify vulnerable lineages. Alternatively, species‐specific functional traits may anticipate species responses to climate change, and therefore, trait composition should be a strong predictor.

We compiled a comprehensive dataset of functional traits of 84 Iberian and Moroccan odonates species and built a phylogenetic tree to determine if dissimilarity of traits and phylogenetic relatedness are relevant to better discriminate species range‐shift responses to climate change.

Modelling results for 66 species showed clear impacts of the increase in temperature and drought events on their potential distribution. The traits that best‐discriminated species that expanded their ranges were multivoltinism, short‐life cycles and preference for temporary habitats, whereas species with a reduced and displaced potential distribution were mostly semivoltine, with a short flying season, oviposition on gravel and restricted to permanent streams, small rivers or oligotrophic lakes. Trait conservatism was rejected and phylogenetic relatedness was a poor predictor of range shifts.

Considering odonates as model organisms, traits such as voltinism, beginning and prolongation of flight period and preference of temporal habitats should be examined to anticipate range‐shift responses of freshwater insects to climate change.
Intragranular nanocomposite powders as building blocks for ceramic nanocomposites
Authors: Dempsey Ryan D. , He Xiaoqing , Scott Jonathan A. , Lipke David W.
Published: May 2023

A powder‐based bottom‐up processing scheme is introduced for the production of ceramic nanocomposites. Internal displacement reactions between solid solution powders and metallic reactants proceeding via gaseous intermediates are utilized to generate nanostructured building blocks for the synthesis of ceramic nanocomposites. Subsequent rapid sintering results in ceramic nanocomposites, whose microstructures are inherited from the building blocks. This processing scheme is demonstrated for the production of titanium carbide nanocomposites featuring up to 28 wt.% intragranular tungsten inclusions derived from titanium‐tungsten mixed carbide powders. Heat treatment of mixed carbide powders in evacuated ampoules containing titanium sponge and iodine at 1000°C for 24 h resulted in nanocomposite powders featuring tungsten precipitates within titanium carbide grains that were subsequently consolidated via spark plasma sintering at 1300°C for 10 min to produce titanium carbide/metallic tungsten nanocomposites. Transformation of mixed titanium–tungsten carbide powders to titanium carbide/metallic tungsten nanocomposite powders was analyzed via X‐ray diffraction. Electron microscopy observations of microstructures pre‐ and post‐ sintering showed that the intragranular character of nanocomposite powders can be retained in sintered ceramic nanocomposites. The building block approach demonstrated in this work represents an improved method to make ceramic nanocomposites with majority intragranular character.
Molten salt synthesis and formation mechanism of Ti3AlC2: A new path from Ti2AlC to Ti3AlC2
Authors: Zhong Yi , Liu Ying , Jin Na , Lin Zifeng , Ye Jinwen
Published: May 2023

Fine, pure Ti3AlC2 powder is prepared in a very mild condition via Ti3Al alloy and carbon black with the assistance of molten salts. X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, TG‐DSC, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterizations show that the high purity, nanosized Ti3AlC2 can be obtained at 900°C with the 1:1 salt‐to‐material ratio. The formation mechanism of Ti3AlC2 through this strategy of alloy raw material is fully studied under further TEM investigations, showing that the reaction process can basically be described as Ti3Al and C → TiAl and TiC → Ti2AlC and TiC → ψ and TiC → Ti5Al2C3 and TiC → Ti3AlC2, where the key ψ, a modulated Ti2AlC structure, is determined for the first time containing alternate‐displacement Al layers along (0 0 0 2) of Ti2AlC phase with a distinct selected area electron diffraction pattern. Such alternant displacement is considered a precondition of forming Ti5Al2C3 through topotactic transition, followed by Ti5Al2C3 converting into Ti3AlC2 by the diffusion of Ti, C atoms in the outside TiC. Several parallel orientations can be observed through the phase transition process: Ti2AlC (0 0 0 2)//ψ (0 0 0 1), ψ (0 0 0 1)//Ti5Al2C3 (0 0 0 3), Ti5Al2C3 (0 0 0 3)//Ti3AlC2 (0 0 0 2). Such parallel orientations among these phases apply an ideal condition for the topotactic reaction. The distinct path of the phase transition brings a significant change of heat effect compared with the traditional method, leading to a fast reaction rate and a mild reaction condition.
Sudden lockdown repeals, social mobility, and COVID‐19: Evidence from a judicial natural experiment
Authors: Dave Dhaval , Friedson Andrew I. , Matsuzawa Kyutaro , McNichols Drew , Sabia Joseph J.
Published: May 2023

The imposition and lifting of COVID‐19 lockdown orders were among the most heatedly debated policies during the pandemic. Credible empirical evaluations of the effects of reopening policies are difficult because policymakers often explicitly linked sustained reductions in COVID‐19 cases to the lifting of lockdown orders. This hardwired policy endogeneity creates challenges in isolating the causal effects of lifting of lockdown orders on social mobility and public health. To overcome simultaneity bias, we exploit a natural experiment generated by the Wisconsin Supreme Court when it abolished Wisconsin's “Safer at Home” order on separation‐of‐powers grounds. We capitalize on this sudden, dramatic, and largely unanticipated termination of a statewide lockdown order to estimate its effect—relative to a more gradual scaling back of restrictions—on social mobility and COVID‐19 case growth. First, using anonymized smartphone data from SafeGraph and a synthetic control design, we find that termination of COVID‐related restrictions had small and short‐lived negative impacts on social distancing. Then, using data on case and mortality rates, we find no evidence that the Wisconsin Supreme Court decision impacted COVID‐19 growth up to a month following the repeal. These findings suggest that in the absence of carrying new information, sudden lockdown repeals may generate smaller behavioral responses than policymakers anticipate.
Interaction among health workers and trans men: Findings from a qualitative study in Chile
Authors: Bernales M. , Cordón P. , Gonzalez S. , Pedrero V. , Ferrer L.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To explore trans men's access and use of healthcare services in Chile, based on the experiences of the trans men themselves, as well as of healthcare professionals.

Methods

A qualitative study with an ethnographic approach was carried out with 30 participants: 14 trans men and 16 healthcare professionals. Semi‐structured one‐on‐one interviews with open‐ended questions were used to collect the data. A thematic analysis was carried out with the NVivo Software.

Results

Three main themes were identified: (1) failures in the recognition of trans identity, (2) challenges with patient‐centered care, and (3) use of other (“non‐trans”) health services.

Conclusions

The results suggest that not all transition processes are the same, individuals seek different ways; therefore, it is necessary to consider different body types and identities when planning programs and care for men in transition. Moreover, the accompaniment provided during the gender transition process should contemplate emotional and mental support.

Clinical Relevance

The study outlines the need for all healthcare professionals to have training and knowledge about the transgender population, regardless of whether they are part of the teams supporting gender transition processes. The role of nurses and the contributions that can be made from nursing discipline in this research field are fundamental.
The role of transperineal ultrasonography for perinatal management: A review
Authors: Kido Koichiro , Barbera Antonio , Nagasaka Kazunori
Published: May 2023

Background

Transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) has become an increasingly popular tool in obstetrics due to its objective, non‐invasive, and real‐time imaging capabilities.

Aim

This review aims to describe the basic approaches, current utilization, and potential future applications of TPUS.

Materials & Method

A comprehensive literature review on TPUS was conducted. In addition, discussions at academic meetings and congress focused on TPUS were also considered.

Results

TPUS was initially used in prostate biopsies and is currently applied to evaluating fetal head descent in labor, with the angle of progression being the most widely used parameter. It is more tolerated than conventional invasive or expensive methods, such as digital vaginal examinations or MRIs. Additionally, TPUS can assess the internal rotation of the fetal head in the birth canal.

Discussion

Compared to other imaging modalities like MRI and CT scans, TPUS is easier to perform and more cost‐effective. It also provides real‐time imaging, allowing for quick and accurate assessments. It also help clinicians make critical decisions regarding the mode of delivery and identify patients at high risk for fecal incontinence postpartum. With its many benefits, TPUS has the potential to become a standard tool in urogynecology and obstetrics.

Conclusions

Transperineal ultrasound is a non‐invasive imaging modality that is well‐tolerated and easy to understand for patients and their family and help medical staff support the patients. Transperineal ultrasound can be applied in real‐time monitoring of labor progress, helping predict the possibility of vaginal delivery during labor, and further research in this area is warranted.
The length of the sanitary napkins can be used as a handier index than pictorial blood loss assessment chart to predict the heavy menstrual bleeding
Authors: Nagao Azusa , Tokugawa Tazuko , Matsuo Yoko , Shirayama Rie , Morishita Eriko , Nozima Masahiro , Kinai Ei , Nishida Yasuharu , Fukutake Katsuyuki
Published: May 2023

Aim

Many women with inherited bleeding disorders are not diagnosed because of a lack of appropriate indicators. This study aimed to assess the predictability of the pictorial blood loss assessment chart (PBAC) as an indicator of menorrhagia and identify an easy indicator of menorrhagia resulting from bleeding disorders.

Methods

A multicenter study enrolled 9 patients with von Willebrand disease (VWD), 23 hemophilia carriers, and 71 controls aged 20–45 years who completed PBACs for two menstrual cycles as well as questionnaires.

Results

The PBAC scores of the VWD were significantly higher than those of other groups, even in multivariate analysis with age and sanitary item factors (p = 0.014). A PBAC score of 100 was not an appropriate cutoff because of its low specificity (VWD: sensitivity, 100; specificity, 29.5; hemophilia carriers: 74 and 29.5, respectively). In the ROC analysis, the cutoff of optimal PBAC for VWD was 171 (sensitivity, 66.7; specificity, 72.3; AUC, 0.7296). As the pad length increased, the total length of the pads used during one menstrual period could be a new and easy indicator. However, the cutoff for VWD was 735 cm (sensitivity, 42.9; specificity, 94.3; AUC 0.6837). A threshold could not be established for the hemophilia carrier. Therefore, we multiplied the coefficient by the length of thick pads, which caused a lower PBAC. For the VWD, the sensitivity increased to 85.7 (specificity, 77.1). For the hemophilia carrier, sensitivity (66.7) and specificity (88.6) could be separated from the control.

Conclusions

The total length of the pads with a thick‐pad adjustment can be a simple method to identify bleeding disorders.
Temporal check‐all‐that‐apply on the sensory profiling of sucrose‐replaced sweetener blends of natural and synthetic origin
Authors: Andersen Glenn H. , Alexi Niki , Sfyra Konstantina , Byrne Derek V. , Kidmose Ulla
Published: May 2023

The present study aimed to formulate sucrose‐replaced samples with natural or synthetic sweeteners, and to benchmark the temporal sensory profile of sucrose‐replaced samples to a control sample (100% sucrose). Acesulfame‐K, aspartame, erythritol, rebaudioside M, and sucralose replaced sucrose at four different levels (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) in aqueous solutions. A trained sensory panel evaluated the samples with temporal check‐all‐that‐apply. The sweeteners showed great individual differences in their ability to replace sucrose. Except for aspartame, the 25% sucrose replacement across all sweeteners was not significantly different from the control. Aspartame, erythritol, and sucralose showed no difference from sucrose for the 50% and 75% sucrose‐replaced samples. In contrast, a replacement of above 25% sucrose with acesulfame‐K and rebaudioside M resulted in significant variations in the aftertaste period resulting in bitter off‐taste and licorice off‐flavor, respectively, compared to the control. Conclusively, synthetic and natural sweeteners were able to partially replace sucrose without altering the temporal sensory profile.

Practical Applications

This study showed high variability of achievable sucrose replacement suggesting that the choice of sweetener is crucial for a successful replacement. Blends of sucralose or erythritol with sucrose was most suitable to mimic the sensory profile of sucrose. This can be applied by the food industry in the innovation of low energy food and beverage products with comparable sensory profiles to the sucrose counterparts.
Effect of enhanced nutrition services with community‐based nutrition services on the diet quality of young children in Ethiopia
Authors: Tessema Masresha , Hussien Shimelis , Ayana Girmaye , Teshome Beza , Hussen Alemayehu , Kebebe Tadesse , Mogese Tseday , Petros Alem , Fikresilassie Getinet , Wodajo Berhanu , Mokenen Tadesse , Tollera Getachew , Whiting Susan J.
Published: May 2023

Poor diet quality related to inadequate complementary feeding is a major public health problem in low and middle‐income countries including Ethiopia. Low dietary diversity has been linked to negative health outcomes in children. To provide a package of interventions to close nutritional gaps through agriculture, the Sustainable Undernutrition Reduction in Ethiopia (SURE) programme was set up as a multi‐sectoral initiative and the results of combined effects of community‐based and enhanced nutrition services, compared to community‐based alone, on diet diversity and diet quality of complementary feeding of young children are presented. The study used pre‐ and post‐intervention design. Baseline (n = 4980) data were collected from May to July 2016, and follow‐up (n = 2419) data from December 2020 to January 2021. From 51 intervention districts having the SURE programme, 36 intervention districts were randomly selected for baseline and 31 for the follow‐up survey. The primary outcome was diet quality: minimum dietary diversity (MDD), minimum meal frequency (MMF) and minimum acceptable diet (MAD). Comparing endline to baseline over the 4.5‐year intervention, the use of standard community‐based nutrition services of growth monitoring and promotion increased (16%–46%), as did enhanced nutrition services of infant and young child feeding counselling, and agricultural advising (62%–77%). Women involved in home gardening significantly increased (73%–93%); however, household production of food decreased yet consumption of most own‐grown foods increased. Importantly, MAD and MDD increased four‐fold. The SURE intervention programme was associated with improvements in complementary feeding and diet quality through enhanced nutrition services. This suggests programmes targeted at nutrition‐sensitive practices can improve child feeding in young children.
Joint column generation and Lagrangian relaxation technique for incident respondent location and allocation
Authors: Atik Asya , Hajibabai Leila
Published: May 2023

Incident response operations require effective planning of resources to ensure timely clearance of roadways and avoidance of secondary incidents. This study formulates a mixed‐integer linear program to minimize the total expected travel time and maximize the demand covered. The model accounts for the location, severity, frequency of incidents, dispatching locations, and availability of incident respondents. An integrated methodology that includes column generation and Lagrangian relaxation with a density‐based clustering technique that defines incident hot spots is proposed. The hybrid approach is applied to an empirical case study in Raleigh, NC. A network instance with 10,672 incident sites, clustered with a search distance (ε) of 5 min, is solved efficiently with an optimality gap of 1.37% in 2 min. A Benders decomposition technique is implemented to conduct benchmark analyses. The numerical results suggest that the proposed algorithm can solve the problem efficiently and outperform the benchmark solutions.
Improving hybrid rice parental lines for blast resistance by introgression of broad‐spectrum resistance genes Pi54 and Pi9 by marker‐assisted selection
Authors: Soujanya Thota , Madamsetty Srinivas Prasad , G Sandeep , Hemalatha Vipparthi , K N Yamini , Bandela Edukondalu , A S Hari Prasad , Raman Meenakshi Sundaram , Ponnuswamy Revathi
Published: May 2023

Hybrid rice technology offers a great promise to produce 15% to 20% more yield than pure line varieties. The success of hybrid rice hinges on developing superior parental lines. To improve the blast resistance of hybrid rice parental line RP5933‐1‐19‐2R, crosses were made with donors of two major blast resistance genes namely, Pi54 (Tetep) and Pi9 (IR71033–121‐15) and the resulting F1s were confirmed for their hybridity by using Pi54MAS and NMSMPi9‐1 genic markers. The confirmed F1s were intercrossed to obtain ICF1s and selected positive plants by markers were backcrossed to the recurrent parent, as well as selfed for advancing further to BC1F3 and ICF4 generations. The segregating plants were phenotyped for blast resistance at Uniform Blast Nursery. The identified complete restorers namely, RP 6619‐1, RP 6616‐26, RP 6619‐3 and RP 6619‐11 with Pi9 and Pi54 genes would serve as donors for broad spectrum blast resistance. This could ultimately lead to the development of new rice hybrids with improved resistance to blast disease, which is crucial for sustainable rice production and food security.
How street‐level dilemmas and politics shape divergence: The accountability regimes framework
Authors: Thomann Eva , Maxia James , Ege Jörn
Published: May 2023

Hierarchical accountability often proves insufficient to control street‐level implementation, where complex, informal accountability relations prevail and tasks must be prioritized. However, scholars lack a theoretical model of how accountability relations affect implementation behaviors that are inconsistent with policy. By extending the Accountability Regimes Framework (ARF), this paper explains how multiple competing subjective street‐level accountabilities translate into policy divergence. The anti‐terrorism “Prevent Duty” policy in the United Kingdom requires university lecturers to report any student they suspect may be undergoing a process of radicalization. We ask: what perceived street‐level accountabilities and dilemmas does this politically contested policy imply for lecturers, and how do they affect divergence? An online survey of British lecturers (N = 809), combined with 35 qualitative follow‐up interviews, reveals that accountability dilemmas trigger policy divergence. The ARF models how street‐level bureaucrats become informal policymakers in the political system when rules clash with their roles as professionals, citizen‐agents, or “political animals.”
Evidence‐based trends and association between symptom disturbance and physical activity among pregnant women: A longitudinal study
Authors: Yeh Chen‐Yu , Chien Li‐Yin , Hwang Fang‐Ming , Huang Jian‐Pei , Lee Ching‐Fang , Chang Chun‐Wei
Published: May 2023

Background

Women usually decrease their physical activity (PA) after becoming pregnant. The change in PA may influence their symptom distress (SD). The changes and correlations between SD and PA throughout pregnancy remain unclear.

Aims

The aims of this study were to describe PA and SD trajectories across all three trimesters and examine their correlations during pregnancy.

Methods

A repeated‐measure longitudinal study with convenience sampling at a hospital in Northern Taiwan was performed. Participants were recruited at 8–16 weeks of gestation, and two follow‐up visits were performed at 24–28 weeks of gestation (second trimester) and after 36 weeks of gestation (third trimester). A total of 225 participants completed the study. The participants completed the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ) and Pregnancy‐related Symptom Disturbance Scale (PSD), and sociodemographic and prenatal variables were recorded.

Results

Throughout pregnancy, SD decreased then increased, showing an overall upward trend, whereas PA showed the opposite pattern, increasing then decreasing, with an overall downward trend. Sedentary activity was positively correlated with both physical and psychological SD during the second and third trimesters. Exceeding the Institute of Medicine's recommendations for gestational weight gain, having childcare support, sport/exercise‐type, and light‐intensity PA were negatively associated with the physical and psychological SD, while a history of miscarriage and sedentary‐intensity PA were positively associated with the physical and psychological SD.

Linking Evidence to Action

While several factors, including light‐intensity PA, were found negatively associated with the physical and psychological SD, sedentary‐intensity PA were positively associated with the physical and psychological SD, our findings shed light on future intervention strategies to relieve SD and decrease sedentary behavior among pregnant women.