bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transhiatal versus Transthoracic Esophagectomy: Complication and Survival Rates
Authors: Boyle Michael J. , Franceschi Dido , Livingstone Alan S.
Published: November 2022

The classic approach for esophagectomy is via a combined thoracic and abdominal approach. Concerns persist regarding the adequacy of this approach as a cancer operation. A study was carried out to compare these approaches, with particular reference to complication rates and long-term survival. The charts of all adult patients undergoing esophagectomy for carcinoma at the University of Miami/Jackson Memorial Hospital between July 1991 and June 1996 were reviewed. Patients who had transabdominal resections alone or colon interpositions were excluded. Of 65 esophageal resections, 38 (58%) were performed transhiatally (THE) and 27 (42%) were performed via the transthoracic (TTE) route. Treatment groups were matched for age and site, stage, and histology of tumor. Similarly, the treatment groups were homogeneous with respect to distribution of neoadjuvant chemotherapy/radiation. The number of patients experiencing any postoperative complication was similar in both treatment groups, occurring in 22 THE (58%) and 17 TTE (63%) patients (P > 0.05). Anastomotic leak occurred in five THE patients (13%) and one TTE patient (4%) (P > 0.05). The single TTE patient with a leak died within 3 months without leaving the hospital. All five THE patients who developed a leak left the hospital. Although there was a tendency toward a higher percentage of patients in the TTE group to suffer respiratory failure and sepsis and a higher percentage of THE patients to experience anastomotic leak, these did not reach statistical significance. Again, although perioperative mortality tended to be higher in the TTE group, this did not reach statistical significance. Four and 5-year survival rates were similar in both groups. Whereas a 4-year cumulative survival difference of 42% for THE patients and 31% in TTE patients extended at 58 months to 28% and 8%, respectively, these did not reach statistical significance. Similarly, analysis by stage and preoperative treatment type (± neoadjuvant chemotherapy/radiation) failed to demonstrate any survival difference between the two groups. These findings demonstrate that there is little difference in operative morbidity and mortality between THE and TTE routes. Anastomotic leaks that occur after cervical anastomosis tend to run a more benign course. Survival data do not support routine TTE as a superior oncological operation, despite the theoretical benefit of better lymphatic clearance. We continue to advocate THE because it allows a cervical anastomosis without thoracotomy and we feel it is better tolerated by patients.
Malar Metastasis from Rectal Carcinoma: A Case Report
Authors: Danikas Dimitrios , Theodorou Spero J.V. , Arvanitis Michael L. , Zinterhofer Louis M. , Rienzo Albert A.
Published: November 2022

Facial metastasis from colorectal carcinoma is extremely rare. Only two cases have been reported in the literature. This is the first reported case of malar metastasis from colon carcinoma. The patient was a 64-year-old, white woman who underwent a low anterior resection for a nearly obstructive carcinoma at 20 cm. Her chest X-ray revealed lung metastases. Postoperatively she was treated with fluorouracil and leucovorin. Twenty months later, she presented with left facial edema, which progressively increased in size. CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging with gadolinium showed a large soft tissue mass centered about the left anterior zygomatic arch. The platysma muscle was displaced laterally, and the masseter muscle was involved. There was extension into the masticator space and bony involvement of the zygomatic arch. True-cut biopsy of the left cheek revealed metastatic adenocarcinoma. Histology was similar to that of the primary rectal adenocarcinoma. Metastasis to the malar region is extremely rare. It is a grave prognostic sign, as it is associated with advanced terminal disease. Because of the widespread metastases, only palliative treatment can be provided.
Radiation-Related Arterial Disease
Authors: Katras Tony , Baltazar Ulises , Colvett Kyle , Rush Daniel , Dunn Julie , Stanton Paul
Published: November 2022

Arterial occlusive disease has been recognized in association with radiation arteriopathy and, rarely, with spontaneous arterial disruption. This association results from the greater role of radiation therapy in the current management of malignant diseases coupled with longer patient survival and the lengthy latency period between radiation and clinical manifestations of radiation arteriopathy. Experience with six patients having radiation-associated arterial disease was retrospectively reviewed. There were four men and two women, with a mean age of 51 years (range, 36–74). Arteries exposed to radiation include two carotids, three subclavians, one coronary, and one femoral. The time from radiation therapy until clinical arterial disease was a mean of 14.3 years (range, 4–30). Operative repairs with polytetrafluoroethylene and saphenous vein bypass grafts were performed in four patients, stent placement in one patient, and one patient had spontaneous carotid disruption that ultimately was treated with ligation. In conclusion, elective bypass can be performed safely and successfully for aterial occlusive disease in a previously irradiated artery. In contrast, life-threatening arterial disruption secondary to radiation arteriopathy usually requires concomitant exposure to a source of bacterial contamination, and ligation may be the best choice to prevent recurrent hemorrhage.
Parathyroidectomy: New Criteria for Evaluating Outcome
Authors: Irvin George L. , Molinari Alberto S. , Carneiro Denise M. , Rivabem Fernando , Ruel Matthew M. , Boggs Jodeen E.
Published: November 2022

Following successful parathyroidectomy, subjective improvement in recognized symptoms and in the overall “well being” of asymptomatic primary hyperparathyroid patients has been well documented. Because quantitative methods for measuring parathyroid hormone (PTH) and normal reference ranges of serum calcium have changed in recent years, a revised biochemical criteria for evaluating postoperative outcome has become necessary. Two hundred seventy-one selected patients were followed for an average of 6.3 years after parathyroidectomy. Although 257 patients had serum calcium levels <10.6 mg/dL during the entire follow-up period, 15 per cent of them had elevated intact PTH (iPTH) levels. Fourteen patients had calcium levels ≥10.6 mg/dL at some point during follow-up, with nine patients (64%) showing high iPTH levels and eight (57%) of them developing recurrent hyperparathyroidism (calcium ≥11 mg/dL and iPTH ≥68 pg/mL). Of the 14 remaining patients, 5 had hypercalcemia with normal iPTH levels. In patients with successfully treated primary hyperparathyroidism, the recommended annual follow-up is: 1) monitor total serum calcium only if serum calcium level is <10.6 mg/dL, or if serum calcium level is ≥10.6 mg/dL; and 2) monitor serum calcium and PTH levels, because these patients have an increased incidence of hyperfunctioning parathyroid glands, which may point to late recurrence.
Open-Path Atmospheric Transmission of Diode-Pumped Alkali Lasers in Maritime and Desert Environments
Authors: Rice Christopher A. , Pitz Greg A. , Guy Matthew R. , Perram Glen P.
Published: November 2022

A tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) device has been developed to study long-path atmospheric transmission near diode pumped alkali laser (DPAL) emission wavelengths. By employing a single aperture and retro reflector in a mono-static configuration, the noise associated with atmospheric and platform jitter were reduced by a factor of ∼30 and the open-air path length was extended to 4.4 km and over a very broad spectral range, up to 120 cm−1. Water vapor absorption lines near the rubidium (Rb) and cesium (Cs) variants of the DPAL near 795 and 894 nm, oxygen lines near the potassium (K) DPAL near 770 nm, and water vapor absorption in the vicinity of the neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser 1.064 μm and chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) 1.3 μm lines were studied. The detection limit for path absorbance increases from ΔA = 0.0017 at 100 m path length to 0.085 for the 4.4 km path. Comparison with meteorological instruments for maritime and desert environments yields agreement for the 2.032 km path to within 1.5% for temperature, 4.5% for pressure, and 5.1% for concentration, while agreements for the 4.4 km path are within 1.4% for temperature, 7.7% for pressure, and 23.5% for concentration. An intra cavity output spectroscopy (ICOS) device was also used as a spectral reference to verify location of atmospheric lines. Implications of TDLAS collection system design on signal-to-noise (S/N) are discussed as well as the effect of path turbulence on baseline noise and inform the selection of the DPAL variant least affected by molecular absorption.
Turkish Adaptation of the Executive Functions and Occupational Routines Scale: Validity and Reliability Among Children with Dyslexia
Authors: Akyurek Gokcen , Efe Ayşegül , Bumin Gonca
Published: November 2022

The purpose of the present study was to provide a Turkish cultural adaptation (EFORTS-T) of the Executive Functions and Occupational Routines Scale (EFORTS) and to investigate its psychometric quality in children with dyslexia. We culturally adapted the original English version of this instrument with internationally suggested methods. Participants included the mothers of either randomly selected children with dyslexia (study group, n = 158) or age and sex-matched typically developing children (control group, n = 167). These participants completed a demographic form, the EFORTS-T, and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Parent form (BRIEF-P). For internal consistency, the alpha coefficient of the new instrument was excellent (.93), and it showed satisfactory test-retest reliability over a 14-day interval (.91). The criterion-related validity between the EFORTS-T and the BRIEF-P was moderate (.73). Fit indices of the model supported its factor structure. In conclusion, our findings support the validity and reliability of the new Turkish version of EFORTS for evaluating EF and contributing to the daily occupational routines of children with dyslexia for Turkish respondents. Further studies are needed to apply this instrument to children of different age groups and psychiatric conditions.
Muscimol-induced inactivation of the ventral prefrontal cortex impairs counting performance in rhesus monkeys
Authors: Sun Weiming , Li Baoming , Ma Chaolin
Published: November 2022

Numbers are one of the three basic concepts of human abstract thinking. When human beings count, they often point to things, one by one, and read numbers in a positive integer column. The prefrontal cortex plays a wide range of roles in executive functions, including active maintenance and achievement of goals, adaptive coding and exertion of general intelligence, and completion of time complexity events. Nonhuman animals do not use number names, such as “one, two, three,” or numerals, such as “1, 2, 3” to “count” in the same way as humans do. Our previous study established an animal model of counting in monkeys. Here, we used this model to determine whether the prefrontal cortex participates in counting in monkeys. Two 5-year-old female rhesus monkeys (macaques), weighing 5.0 kg and 5.5 kg, were selected to train in a counting task, counting from 1 to 5. When their counting task performance stabilized, we performed surgery on the prefrontal cortex to implant drug delivery tubes. After allowing the monkeys’ physical condition and counting performance to recover, we injected either muscimol or normal saline into their dorsal and ventral prefrontal cortex. Thereafter, we observed their counting task performance and analyzed the error types and reaction time during the counting task. The monkeys’ performance in the counting task decreased significantly after muscimol injection into the ventral prefrontal cortex; however, it was not affected after saline injection into the ventral prefrontal cortex, or after muscimol or saline injection into the dorsal prefrontal cortex. The ventral prefrontal cortex of the monkey is necessary for counting performance.
Turning toward a Theology of Transformation: Notes from the Borderlands
Authors: Barros Pearl Maria
Published: November 2022

This article brings Chicana theorist Gloria Anzaldúa’s notion of “self” and “borderlands/ mestiza consciousness” into conversation with M. Shawn Copeland’s call to “turn theology toward persons.” After tracing Anzaldúa’s critical rethinking of José Vasconcelos’s understanding of mestizaje, as well as the political implications of borderlands/ mestiza consciousness as theorized in the work of María Lugones and others, the article examines Copeland’s engagement of decolonial theory in her attempt to “turn” theology. Both Copeland’s and Anzaldúa’s writings teach nos/otrx that theology can only be both transformed and transformative if the persons doing theology engage in critical self-reflection and build this critical reflexivity into the theologies they create.
Uncertainty and Risk from Decision-Tree Analysis
Authors: Lerche I. , MacKay J.A.
Published: November 2022

Decision tree analysis is one of the standard devices for assessing the worth of an exploration opportunity in the hydrocarbon industry. Often just the expected value of the decision-tree is used to decide on the project: a positive expected value usually being a rationale for proceeding, a negative expected value being a rationale for not going ahead. Here we show that uncertainty on the expected value, also easily determinable from decision-tree analysis, is a major factor in evaluating the risk of going ahead with an exploration project. Reliance solely on the expected value can lead to decisions not to participate in exploration projects which have a relatively high risk but also a relatively good chance of being profitable – and this is particularly the case when the expected value is negative but much smaller in magnitude than the standard error in the expected value.
3D Modelling of Fault Bounded Pressure Compartments in the North Viking Graben
Authors: Borge Hans , Sylta Øyvind
Published: November 2022

The work presented in this paper involves modelling of the overpressure distribution in Jurassic reservoir and carrier rocks in the North Viking Graben. The main concept used in this study is that faults may form low-permeability barriers to fluid flow in compacting basins, and may thus influence overpressure distribution. The mapped faults in the study area are linked together so that they divide the area into 225 compartments. A model based on Darcy's law and information about offset and burial depth describes the flow conditions across the faults and between the compartments. This model describes a regional fault permeability architecture. A commercial reservoir simulator is used to calculate the fluid flow and the pressure development in all the compartments. The model was calibrated to pressures measured in 16 released exploration wells. The best match to these wells was obtained with a mean deviation of 9.5 bars and a standard deviation of 18.5 bars between the observed and predicted overpressures for the Brent Group. The results from this pressure modelling can be used to simulate secondary migration of oil and gas.
Application of Hydrodynamic Modeling to Investigate the Origin of an Observed Tilted Oil-water Contact
Authors: Thomsen Rene O. , Lerche Ian
Published: November 2022

Two oil fields on structural closures, about 5 km apart and separated by a syncline, are investigated for possible hydrodynamic control of a significant tilt of the oil-water contact (OWC). In addition a possible deeper extent of an oil-leg into the syncline due to hydrodynamic forces is investigated. The first task was to test the applicability of a steady state simulation model for investigating the response of a hydrocarbon-water interface to changing hydrodynamic conditions; then to use the results of the modeling and associated sensitivity analysis to help conclude on the origin and the dynamic forces involved in sustaining the observed tilt of the OWC. Finally the results also suggest further developments of the simulation model. The modeling and sensitivity analysis led to the following conclusions: a) it was possible within the framework of a steady-state model to simulate successfully the observed behavior of the OWC using the resultant force perpendicular to the observed strike of the tilted OWC; b) the observed behavior of the OWC is likely the combined result of a regional tectonic tilt and a significant regional hydrodynamic drive; c) the present-day hydrodynamic drive is adequate to sustain the observed tilt of the OWC; d) it is unlikely that there is a significantly deeper extent of the oil-leg in the Beta field due to the hydrodynamic drive. The investigation also resulted in a discussion of further improvements of the simulation model, focusing on parameter resolution and sensitivity analysis using an inverse scheme to provide a procedure for systematic searches for the combination of parameter values that best fit observations.
Predicting Abnormal Reservoir Pressures using offset Dependent Reflectivity: Theoretical Considerations
Authors: Al-Ghamdi Mohammed A. , Jaradet Rasheed A. , Thomsen René O.
Published: November 2022

The concept of using amplitude variations with offset (AVO) for the direct detection of hydrocarbons was introduced to the oil and gas industry in the early eighties. In the late eighties Rutherford and Williams proposed a model representing different classes in normally pressured gas sand formations. In this paper, a model for the AVO response for overpressured clastic formations is proposed based on the rationale that abnormally high pore fluid pressure leaves its own pronounced effects on clastic formations: such as abrupt increase in porosities, decrease in interval velocities, high fluid content, and lower bulk densities. The implication is that overpressured formations should show a different trend for AVO response compared to normally pressured formations. The AVO response in overpressured formation was modeled using both synthetic well data representing an overpressured sandstone and also typical values of seismic velocities reported from overpressured formations. The results suggest that a characteristic polarity reversal from negative to positive reflection coefficients can be observed as the offset increases.
Uncertainties on Hydrocarbon Exploration Assessments in both the Absence and Presence of Optioning
Authors: Lerche I. , MacKay J.A.
Published: November 2022

For hydrocarbon exploration opportunities a decision tree evaluation including variance in expected value leads to an extra uncertainty on the quality and worth of expected value as a decision device, due to both intrinsic uncertainties in success probability, assessed gains and assessed costs, and to the fact that the expected value is not one of the realizable outcomes. This paper shows how these uncertainty factors can be properly taken into account to provide a revised assessment of worth. In addition, a similar sense of logic prevails when options are considered for an opportunity. The uncertainty and success probability for an optioned opportunity are also assessed in terms of the volatility of the maximum option worth.
Energy Policy and Energy Price Dispersion: Methods and Application to U.S. Data
Authors: Walls W. David
Published: November 2022

Energy policy is increasingly aimed at achieving an efficient allocation of energy resources across alternative uses through the design and implementation of market-based incentives. According to the economists’ ‘law of one price,’ an efficient allocation is one that reduces spatial price dispersion to that which is consistent with transportation and transaction costs. Using data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration's State Energy Price and Expenditure Report, this paper examines the dispersion of U.S. energy prices for the period 1970–1993 using a variety of metrics. It is found that prices for electric utility inputs have converged. Dispersion for other energy products has increased, not due to rising energy prices, but primarily because energy prices are falling faster in regions with below-average pries than in regions with above-average prices. The current increased level of price dispersion appears to be a transient effect in the transition from a regulated sector to one based on free market principles.
Prevalence and Risk Factors for Dangerous Abbreviations in Malaysian Electronic Clinical Notes
Authors: Mohd Sulaiman Ismat , Bulgiba Awang , Abdul Kareem Sameem
Published: November 2022

Medical abbreviations can be misinterpreted and endanger patients’ lives. This research is the first to investigate the prevalence of abbreviations in Malaysian electronic discharge summaries, where English is widely used, and elicit the risk factors associated with dangerous abbreviations. We randomly sampled and manually annotated 1102 electronic discharge summaries for abbreviations and their senses. Three medical doctors assigned a danger level to ambiguous abbreviations based on their potential to cause patient harm if misinterpreted. The predictors for dangerous abbreviations were determined using binary logistic regression. Abbreviations accounted for 19% (33,824) of total words; 22.6% (7640) of those abbreviations were ambiguous; and 52.3% (115) of the ambiguous abbreviations were labelled dangerous. Increased risk of danger occurs when abbreviations have more than two senses (OR = 2.991; 95% CI 1.586, 5.641), they are medication-related (OR = 6.240; 95% CI 2.674, 14.558), they are disorders (OR = 7.771; 95% CI 2.054, 29.409) and procedures (OR = 3.492; 95% CI 1.376, 8.860). Reduced risk of danger occurs when abbreviations are confined to a single discipline (OR = 0.519; 95% CI 0.278, 0.967). Managing abbreviations through awareness and implementing automated abbreviation detection and expansion would improve the quality of clinical documentation, patient safety, and the information extracted for secondary purposes.
Which Outreach Modes Improve Response Rates to Physician Surveys? Lessons from an Experiment at the American Board of Internal Medicine
Authors: Barnhart Brendan J. , Reddy Siddharta G. , Vandergrift Jonathan L.
Published: November 2022

Physicians are a notoriously difficult group to survey due to a low propensity to respond. We investigate the relative effectiveness of reminder phone calls, pre-notification postcards, mailed paper surveys, and $1 upfront incentives for boosting survey response rate by embedding a randomized experiment into a mixed-mode operational survey at the American Board of Internal Medicine in 2019. Expected response rates and average marginal effects for each follow-up method were computed from a logistic regression model. The control group which only received email reminders achieved a response rate of 18.2%, 95% CI: (15.0%, 21.9%). The intervention group which included reminder emails, pre-notification postcards, and mailed paper surveys with $1 incentives achieved a response rate of 43.1%, 95% CI: (38.8%, 47.5%). Mailed paper surveys yielded the largest percentage point increase in response rate of 11.2%, 95% CI: (7.3%, 15.2%), while $1 upfront monetary incentives and phone call reminders increased survey response rate by 5.9%, 95% CI: (1.6%, 10.2%) and 5.5%, 95% CI: (2.6%, 8.3%) respectively. Pre-notification postcards are associated with a 2.0%, 95% CI: (−1.7%, 5.6%) increase in survey response rate. Cost-effectiveness for each method is discussed. This research supports optimal decision making for researchers when planning a physician survey study.
Unwinding the potentials of vitamin C in COVID-19 and other diseases: An updated review
Authors: Mehta Nikhil , Pokharna Purvi , Shetty Saritha R
Published: November 2022

Background: The discovery of vitamin C (ascorbic acid) is related to the ancient history of persistent research on the origins of the haemorrhagic disease scurvy. Vitamin C is an important nutrient that aids in a variety of biological and physiological processes. Scientists have been researching the function of vitamin C in the prevention and ailment of sepsis and pneumonia for decades. This has created a potential platform for applying these results to individuals suffering from severe coronavirus infection (COVID-19). Vitamin C's ability to activate and enhance the immune system makes it a promising treatment in the present COVID-19 pandemic. Vitamin C also aids in the activation of vitamin B, the production of certain neurotransmitters, and the transformation of cholesterol into bile acids. Hence, vitamin C is used for the treatment of many diseases. Aim: This review highlights the Vitamin C investigations that are performed by various researchers on patients with COVID 19 infection, the clinical studies and their observations. The authors have additionally updated information on the significance of vitamin C insufficiency, as well as its relevance and involvement in diseases such as cancer, wound healing, iron deficiency anaemia, atherosclerosis and neurodegenerative disorders. Here, we discuss them with the references. Methods: The method used in order to perform literature search was done using SciFinder, PubMed and ScienceDirect. Results: There is a potential role of vitamin C in various diseases including neurodegenerative disorders, COVID-19 and other diseases and the results are highlighted in the review with the help of clinical and preclinical data. Conclusion: More research on vitamin C and the undergoing clinical trials might prove a potential role of vitamin C in protecting the population from current COVID-19 pandemic.
CSR perceptions and employee behaviour: Evidence from Bangladesh
Authors: Kumar Roy Taposh , Psychogios Alexandros
Published: November 2022

The influence of CSR on organisations’ consumers has been studied extensively. However, there is a lack of studies investigating the impact of employee CSR perceptions on their behaviour. Moreover, most of these studies have been conducted in the setting of developed economies, mainly in Western business contexts. Considering this two-fold lacuna, this study analyses to what extent CSR strategies applied by multinational organisations that operate in a non-Western context, influence their employees’ behaviour. Results of a study of 204 employees working in MNOs in Bangladesh reveal that perceived CSR association along with perceived prestige increase organisational identification. Here, employee CSR perceptions are used as an antecedent of perceived prestige and organisational identification. Organisational identification, in turn, affects employees’ organisational commitment, which subsequently influences job satisfaction. By integrating social identity theory and social exchange theory, this study shows a potential link between social identification and social exchange processes. In the case of CSR, exchange relationships improve when employees have identified themselves with the organisation. We also argue that CSR can enable MNOs to strengthen their relationships with employees.
Overconfident leaders? Testing the effect of misaligned leader-member-exchange perceptions on the relationship between justice, trust and organizational performance measures
Authors: Bonau Sarah
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of manager and employee perception of justice and trust on workplace outcomes, by testing the mediating effect of employee trust on the relationship between organisational justice and performance measures (absence rate, financial performance, labour productivity, product quality). Then, the effect of manager overconfidence as a moderator of this relationship is tested. Management and employee data from 1462 workplaces in the UK were analysed. Path analysis was used to test the moderated mediation model. The results show that employee trust mediates the relationship between organisational justice and financial performance, labour productivity, and quality of product or service. Manager overconfidence was found to moderate the indirect effect of both interpersonal justice and procedural justice on these three performance outcomes through employee trust. Understanding the relationships between justice, trust and organisational outcomes, as well as the effect of managerial overconfidence thereupon, helps managers and decision-makers to design better policies in the interest of the firm’s performance.
How high-tech SMEs renew resources in innovation projects: A dynamic capabilities perspective
Authors: Ng Sin-Pei
Published: November 2022

Although resource renewal allows high-tech SMEs to adapt to environmental changes through innovation to seize new business opportunities and sustain competitiveness in volatile business environments, little is known about how they renew resources in innovation projects. This study addresses the research gap using the dynamic capabilities perspective. An inductive analysis of multiple cases of Malaysian high-tech SMEs finds that high-tech SMEs renew resources in four ways: by acquiring new technological resources to match customer requirements, using a prototype approach, by solving problems in projects, and by learning from involvement in their customers’ R&D activities.
On having the right size laboratories
Authors: Beck Stephen
Published: November 2022

Laboratory experiments form a vital part of any engineering course and consequently, students can spend a lot of their time on them. Most laboratory experiences are run independently of their associated lectures and tend to be free-standing. This is due to the way that students typically circulate through a limited number of sets of equipment over the duration of the course. There has been little work done on the organisation of labs and how the spaces might better support the learning experience. This article describes a novel approach using large laboratories with multiples of equipment which are shared between several departments to get both good equipment usage and the positioning of labs in the timetable to coincide with the associated topics being introduced to the students. This is reinforced with a few equations to allow the design of laboratories to take place. Example numbers using the Sheffield University Lab size (quantum) of 80 are used to show the power of this approach. Finally, the author uses his experience of operating this approach at the University of Sheffield for the past 7 years to show that this system has worked well. He also discusses some of the difficulties of this system so others can follow this method or a variation of it.
Virtual screening of phytochemicals by targeting multiple proteins of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2: Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies
Authors: Azeem Muhammad , Mustafa Ghulam , Mahrosh Hafiza S
Published: November 2022

Objective

Medicinal herbs are being investigated for medicationhg development against SARS-CoV-2 as a rich source of bioactive chemicals. One of the finest approaches for finding therapeutically effective drug molecules in real time is virtual screening scheme such as molecular docking in conjunction with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. These virtual techniques provide an ample opportunity for the screening of plausible inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 different target proteins from a comprehensive and extensive phytochemical library. The study was designed to identify potential phytochemicals by virtual screening against different receptor proteins.

Methods

In the current study, a library of plant secondary metabolites was created by manually curating 120 phytochemicals known to have antimicrobial as well as antiviral properties. In the current study, different potential phytochemicals were identified by virtual screening against various selected receptor proteins (i.e., viral main proteases, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), ADP ribose phosphatase, nonstructural proteins NSP7, NSP8, and NSP9) which are key proteins responsible for transcription, replication and maturation of SARS-CoV-2 in the host. Top three phytochemicals were selected against each viral receptor protein based on their best S-scores, RMSD values, molecular interactions, binding patterns and drug-likeness properties.

Results

The results of molecular docking study revealed that phytochemicals (i.e., baicalin, betaxanthin, epigallocatechin, fomecin A, gallic acid, hortensin, ichangin, kaempferol, limonoic acid, myricetin hexaacetat, pedalitin, quercetin, quercitrin, and silvestrol) have strong antiviral potential against SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, the reported preeminent reliable phytochemicals also revealed toxicity by no means during the evaluation through ADMET profiling. Moreover, the MD simulation study also exhibited thermal stability and stable binding affinity of the pedalitin with SARS-CoV-2 RdRp and SARS-CoV-2 main protease which suggests appreciable efficacy of the lead optimization.

Conclusion

The biological activity and pharmacologically distinguishing characteristics of these lead compounds also satisfied as repurposing antiviral drug contenders and are worth substantial evaluation in the biological laboratory for the recommendation of being plausible antiviral drug candidates against SARS-CoV-2.
Equitable Urban Planning for Climate Change
Authors: Pratt Bridget
Published: November 2022

Growing evidence shows cities’ climate change efforts can worsen inequities and social injustices. This paper starts to formulate a normative conception of social justice for urban climate change planning. It identifies what dimensions of social justice are articulated and how they are defined in the literature on equity in urban planning for climate change. It shows at least five dimensions are pertinent: creating transformations, promoting the well-being of the socially marginalized, recognition, inclusion in decision-making, and distributive justice. The paper concludes by discussing where further developments are needed to generate a comprehensive account of equitable urban planning for climate change.
In-situ temperature monitoring during rotary ultrasonic-assisted drilling of fiber-reinforced composites
Authors: Shard Abhinav , Agarwal Raj , Garg Mohinder Pal , Gupta Vishal
Published: November 2022

Drilling polyetherimide composite is difficult due to the anisotropic and inhomogeneous structure of fiber and matrix. Drilling of fiber-reinforced composites is a thermo-mechanical friction procedure required in various aerospace and automotive applications. The major reason for component rejection during manufacturing processes is due to thermal damage and temperature elevation defects such as delamination and fiber pullout caused during drilling. This work aims to propose a rotary ultrasonic-assisted drilling technique for composite materials to reduce thermal damage using diamond-impregnated tools. The influence of drilling parameters such as rotational speed, feed rate, abrasive grit size, and ultrasonic power was monitored on temperature elevations. The temperature was monitored using thermocouples located at different distances of 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 mm from the main drilled hole. The response surface methodology was used for the design of experiments during the drilling of composite material and optimization of process parameters was carried out using analysis of variance. Rotational speed and abrasive grit size were observed to have the highest contribution of 42% and 37% for temperature elevations respectively. It was witnessed that temperature increases with an increase in rotational speed, feedrate, and abrasive grit size. Increasing the ultrasonic power during drilling temperature can be minimized. The temperature elevations at the tool-composite interface can be reduced by leveraging the application of rotary ultrasonic-assisted drilling.
Mechanical and thermal properties of fully green composites from vanillin-based benzoxazine and silane surface modified chopped basalt fibers
Authors: Derradji Mehdi , Khiari Karim , Mehelli Oussama , Abdous Slimane , Habes Abdelmalek , Ramdani Noureddine , Zegaoui Abdeljalil , Liu Wenbin , Daham Abbas
Published: November 2022

By following the rules of green chemistry, a novel composite is developed from a renewable and ecofriendly resource, namely the vanillin. The latter was used as a phenolic precursor for the microwave synthesis of a bio-based benzoxazine resin (Va-BZ). Afterwards, high performance green composites were developed by reinforcing the Va-BZ with various amounts of chopped silane surface modified basalt fibers (BFs). The chemical structure of the Va-BZ monomers was confirmed by 1H NMR and FTIR spectroscopy. The grafting of the silane moiety on the BFs surface was assessed by FTIR and TGA analyses. The autocatalytic ring opening polymerization of the Va-BZ monomers was confirmed by DSC analysis. The mechanical performances of the developed green composites were studied by flexural and tensile investigations. The findings suggested that the maximum amount of 20 wt. BFs afforded the best results, with flexural and tensile strengths of 447 and 460 MPa, respectively. The SEM was used to study the fractured tensile surfaces and elucidated the toughening mechanism. Meanwhile, the TGA showed that the introduction of the BFs markedly improved the thermal stability of the benzoxazine matrix. Finally, the gamma rays shielding effectiveness was studied and revealed the highly benefic role of the BFs. For instance, a 1 cm thick Va-BZ polymer only showed a 6% gamma rays screening ratio, the latter was improved to 18.4% for the composite made of 20 wt.% of treated BFs. Overall, this study confirmed that greener approaches can also result in high performance composite satisfying the needs of exigent applications.
Mnemonic Content and Hippocampal Patterns Shape Judgments of Time
Authors: Sherman Brynn E. , DuBrow Sarah , Winawer Jonathan , Davachi Lila
Published: November 2022

Our experience of time can feel dilated or compressed, rather than reflecting true “clock time.” Although many contextual factors influence the subjective perception of time, it is unclear how memory accessibility plays a role in constructing our experience of and memory for time. Here, we used a combination of behavioral and functional MRI measures in healthy young adults ( N = 147) to ask the question of how memory is incorporated into temporal duration judgments. Behaviorally, we found that event boundaries, which have been shown to disrupt ongoing memory integration processes, result in the temporal compression of duration judgments. Additionally, using a multivoxel pattern similarity analysis of functional MRI data, we found that greater temporal pattern change in the left hippocampus within individual trials was associated with longer duration judgments. Together, these data suggest that mnemonic processes play a role in constructing representations of time.
Experimental study on the aerodynamic performance of variable geometry low-pressure turbine adjustable guide vanes
Authors: Yao Yunjia , Li Fengchao , Xiang Jiacheng , Song Liming , Li Jun
Published: November 2022

An annular cascade testing rig of a variable-geometry low-pressure turbine with a large expansion angle was designed and built, combining a five-hole probe, a surface static pressure test system, and a PIV(Particle Image Velocimetry) measurement system. The effects of exit Mach numbers (0.2, 0.3, 0.4), turning angles (−1.5°, 0°, 3°), and adjustable device diameters (30 mm, 40 mm) on turbine cascade aerodynamic performance were experimentally investigated. Numerical simulations were also carried out to gain more insight into the flow fundamentals. Results show that the endwall clearance and the adjustable device significantly influence the flow field, with leakage flows before, after, and around the disc. The leakage vortex and passage vortex formation resulted in two high-loss regions in the shroud and hub endwall regions. The aerodynamic loss structures at the exit section were similar at different Mach numbers and varied considerably at different turning angles. Besides, a larger area of the adjustable device (d = 40 mm) was found to reduce the leakage loss caused by upper and lower clearance leakage flows and inhibit the development of secondary flows, resulting in a more straightforward secondary flow structure and a smaller influence range. Quantitatively, the adjustable device with a diameter of 40 mm could decrease the average total pressure loss coefficients by 11.5%, 16.6%, and 6.3% at three turning angles (−1.5°, 0°, 3°), respectively, compare to the adjustable device with a diameter of 30 mm.
Motivating people to adopt electricity management system based on push–pull–mooring model
Authors: Ho Chien-Wei
Published: November 2022

With growing concerns about power and environment issues, smart grid technology, such as meter data management systems, can be viewed as a great solution to handle issues of the environment and energy efficiency. Based on the push–pull–mooring (PPM) model, this research views dissatisfaction, personal innovativeness, information quality, locatability, economic benefits, and perceived value as predictors to examine their impact on switch intention to an electricity management system. The analysis results display that dissatisfaction has no significant effect on switch intention. As a mooring variable, personal innovativeness not only influences switch intention positively, but also moderates the relationship between perceived value and switch intention. Moreover, through perceived value, locatability and economic benefits influence switch intention positively. This research fills the gap in government policies as well as energy companies and provides ponderable suggestions if a government and energy companies would like to change citizens’ behavior from paper-based bill to electricity management system. The government and energy companies should not overlook the effect of personal innovativeness and perceived value and put more effort to publicize the advantages of locatability and economic benefits.
Clerodane diterpene induces apoptosis/anoikis and suppresses migration and invasion of human bladder cancer cells through the histone deacetylases, integrin–focal adhesion kinase, and matrix metalloproteinase 9 signalling pathways
Authors: Chen Yu-Chi , Chen Chih-I , Chang Chao-Yuan , Huang Bu-Miin , Chen Yung-Chia
Published: November 2022

Clerodane diterpene, a class of bicyclic diterpenoids, is found in hundreds of plant species. 16-hydroxycleroda-3,13-dien-15,16-olide (CD) can be isolated from the plant Polyalthia longifolia and has been applied against oral cancer and glioma by xenograft model. In this study, we aim to explore its antitumour action by examining its histone deacetylase (HDAC) activity and integrin-associated intracellular signalling pathway on T24 human bladder cancer (BC) cells. Our results revealed that CD-inhibited colony formation, HDAC activity, HDAC (1, 2 and 3) mRNA and cell spreading on fibronectin-coated surfaces in a concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, decreased cFLIP and increased caspase-8 cleavage accompanied CD-induced cell death. At non-toxic concentrations, CD blocked the migration and invasion of T24 cells. CD hindered migration and invasion by the downregulation of fibronectin, integrin α5 β1, β-catenin, FAK, vinculin and Rho A, as well as by reduction of phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3 β (pGSK3 β), pSrc, pstat3 and pNF κB. We observed that the MMP9 gene was closely linked with prognosis of patients with bladder cancer. MMP9 protein levels and activity were largely attenuated by CD in a concentration-dependent manner. In conclusion, CD-induced caspase-8-dependent apoptosis and suppressed migration and invasion by blocking several intracellular signalling pathways, including downregulation of HDAC activity and integrin–FAK and MMP9 pathways.
Ocular involvement in primary antiphospholipid syndrome: results of an extensive ophthalmological evaluation performed in the APS-Rio cohort
Authors: Franco Adriana M de M , Makita Lana S , Perrut Virginia C , Balbi Gustavo G M , Barros Alexandre M , Medina Flavio M C , Signorelli Flavio
Published: November 2022

Objective

To study ophthalmological manifestations in a well-characterized primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) cohort (APS-Rio) and compare them with a healthy control group.

Methods

We examined PAPS patients and controls with an extensive ophthalmological evaluation, which included anamnesis, visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy, and retinography of the anterior and posterior segments of the eye. PAPS group also underwent angiography exam and optical coherence tomography using spectral domain technology (SD-OCT).

Results

98 PAPS patients and 102 controls were included. The most common symptom in PAPS was amaurosis fugax (34.7% vs. 6.9%; p = .001). In the multivariate analyses, Raynaud’s phenomenon was associated with amaurosis fugax (OR 3.71, CI:1.33–10.32; p = .012), and livedo correlated with hemianopia (OR 6.96, CI:1.11–43.72, p = .038) and diplopia (OR 3.49, CI:1.02–11.53, p = .047). After ophthalmological evaluation, 84 PAPS patients had ocular involvement (1.0% glaucoma, 94.0% posterior findings, 62.7% anterior findings, and 56.6% both posterior and anterior findings). Vascular tortuosity was more frequent in the PAPS group (63.2% vs. 42.2%; p = .002), as well as peripheral tortuosity (29.6% vs. 7.8%; p < .001). After excluding patients with atherosclerotic risk factors, peripheral vascular tortuosity was still statistically associated with PAPS (35.0 vs. 7.8%, p < .001). Triple positivity was more frequent in PAPS patients with peripheral vascular tortuosity than in those without this ocular finding (34.5% vs. 15.9%, p = .041).

Conclusion

Vasomotor phenomena are importantly related to ocular symptoms in PAPS. Vascular tortuosity was a frequent finding in PAPS patients. Peripheral vascular tortuosity was associated with triple positivity and might be a biomarker of ischemic microvascular retinopathy due to PAPS.
Optimization of initiator contents in room temperature polymerization of methyl methacrylate
Authors: Gong Ming , Zhang Daijun , Zhang Jiayang , Li Jun , Chen Xiangbao
Published: November 2022

Vinyl polymerization is an important path for in-situ polymerization of thermoplastic resins. BPO (Benzoyl peroxide) and DMT (dimethyl-p-toluidine) were chosen to initiate the radical polymerization of MMA (methyl methacrylate) in this work. Optimization of initiator concentration was studied through reaction rate of polymerization progress and properties of PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate). At first, the catalytic of DMT in MMA polymerization was studied through polymerization experiments and rheological experiments. Results showed that DMT could catalyze more than one molecular BPO in the whole reaction period. It can catalyze the decomposition of BPO after being connected to PMMA chains. Second, the BPO: DMT ratio was set to 2:1 to study the ideal content by comparing the mechanical properties of PMMA. Results showed that with the increase of initiator contents, T g, molecular weight, and residual monomer were all declining. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of PMMA matrix first increased and then decreased. This phenomenon was analyzed by 1H-NMR and SEM. And the optimal BPO-DMT concentration was 1.0 mol%–0.5 mol%.