bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fuzzy Stochastic Timed Petri Nets for Causal Properties Representation
Authors: Sobrino Alejandro , Garrido-Merchán Eduardo C. , Puente Cristina
Published: March 2021

Imagery is frequently used to model, represent and communicate knowledge. In particular, graphs are one of the most powerful tools, being able to represent relations between objects. Causal relations are frequently represented by directed graphs, with nodes denoting causes and links denoting causal influence. A causal graph is a skeletal picture, showing causal associations and impact between entities. Common methods used for graphically representing causal scenarios are neurons, truth tables, causal Bayesian networks, cognitive maps and Petri Nets (PNs). Causality is often defined in terms of precedence (the cause precedes the effect), concurrency (often, an effect is provoked simultaneously by two or more causes), circularity (a cause provokes the effect and the effect reinforces the cause) and imprecision (the presence of the cause favors the effect, but not necessarily causes it). We will show that even though the traditional graphical models are able to represent separately some of the properties aforementioned, they fail trying to illustrate indistinctly all of them. To approach that gap, we will introduce Fuzzy Stochastic Timed PNs as a graphical tool able to represent time, co-occurrence, looping and imprecision in causal flow.
Pool Boiling of Ammonia, Assessment of Correlations
Authors: Baki Touhami
Published: March 2021

Ammonia is a natural compound, used more and more in refrigeration installations of absorption and vapor compression, component sizing and more particularly evaporators pass by the mastery and prediction of heat transfer. Our study aims to retrieve experimental data from the literature and verify them with known author correlations, and the differences were observed with margins of error; a new correlation has been developed giving convincing results.
Influence factors of customer-based brand equity: A study on China mobile phone industry
Authors: Guo Wenqiu , Zhou Liying
Published: March 2021

Competitions among enterprises are actually competitions among brands, and competitions among brands depend on the level of brand equity. Brand equity is vital for companies to strengthen their competitive position. Most previous studies revealed that two sets of the brand equity measure which was brand satisfaction and brand loyalty grouped into the same loyalty dimension. However, this study separates these two sets of measures into customer satisfaction and customer loyalty and examines the mediating effects of customer loyalty between brand knowledge, customer satisfaction, and customer-based brand equity. This study aims to investigate the effect of brand awareness, brand association, perceived quality, and customer satisfaction on customer-based brand equity in China mobile phone industry, through customer loyalty, which provides the basis for brand strategic decision-making. Based on the data collected through top five and other mobile phone brands in China, the empirical tests used a structural equation modeling via partial least squares approach to prove the hypotheses. The results show that customer loyalty has a significant mediating effect on relationships between brand associations with brand awareness, perceived quality, and customer satisfaction on brand equity.
Spatial heterogeneity of redox-sensitive trace metal enrichments in upper Ediacaran anoxic black shales
Authors: Jin Chengsheng , Li Chao , Algeo Thomas J. , Wang Guochang , Shi Wei , Cheng Meng , Zhang Zihu , Wang Haiyang , Li Na , Wang Wei
Published: March 2021

The Ediacaran radiation of metazoans is widely thought to have been triggered by an increase in atmospheric and oceanic oxygen levels. Although supported by other proxies, rising oxygen levels were deduced to a significant degree from sedimentary enrichments of redox-sensitive trace elements (RSTEs). However, some organic-rich shales of this period show only minor enrichments in RSTEs, leaving the significance of RSTE data for palaeo-oxygenation interpretations in doubt. We measured and compiled proxies for marine redox conditions (Fe species, RSTEs), total organic carbon (TOC) and water mass restriction (Mo/TOC and Co × Mn v. Cd/Mo) in the intra-shelf Jiulongwan and basinal Sandu sections of the Nanhua Basin in South China. Compared with the same proxies from coeval sections in the Nanhua Basin and globally, our results document a strong spatial heterogeneity of RSTE enrichments in anoxic black shales during the late Ediacaran. We infer that RSTE enrichments were strongly influenced by local factors, such as basinal restriction, seawater RSTE concentrations, and differential elemental responses to redox conditions and other influences. The broader significance of our findings is that they highlight the difficulty of investigating global redox conditions based on an analysis of local RSTE proxies within a single depositional basin or a limited number of study sections.

Thematic collection:
This article is part of the Advances in the Cambrian Explosion collection available at:
https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/advances-cambrian-explosion

Supplementary material
: Tables S1–S3 are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5325047
A low-cost computational approach to analyze spiking activity in cockroach sensory neurons
Authors: Torres David J. , Romero Andres , Colgan Wes , Ricoy Ulises M.
Published: March 2021

Undergraduates use a spike sorting routine developed in Octave to analyze the spiking activity generated from mechanical stimulation of spines of cockroach legs with the inexpensive SpikerBox amplifier and the free software Audacity. Students learn the procedures involved in handling the cockroaches and recording extracellular action potentials (spikes) with the SpikerBox apparatus as well as the importance of spike sorting for analysis in neuroscience. The spike sorting process requires students to choose the spike threshold and spike selection criteria and interact with the clustering process that forms the groups of similar spikes. Once the spike groups are identified, interspike intervals and neuron firing frequencies can be calculated and analyzed. A classic neurophysiology lab exercise is thus adapted to be interdisciplinary for underrepresented students in a small rural college.
Presence of exercise physiology or similar coursework in the curricula of Brazilian health science undergraduate programs
Authors: de Lira Claudio Andre Barbosa , Silva Zeuxis Assis , Gentil Paulo , Vieira Carlos Alexandre , Campos Mário Hebling , Vancini Rodrigo Luiz , Andrade Marília Santos , Santana Marcos Gonçalves de
Published: March 2021

Bolstered by evidence of the health benefits of exercise, health professionals advise their patients about it. Thus these professionals should have a basic knowledge of exercise physiology. In Brazil, a graduate degree is not mandatory, so for many health providers, the only opportunity to receive information on exercise physiology content is during their undergraduate study. Therefore, it is imperative that health science undergraduate programs include content on exercise physiology. The aim of the study was to verify the presence of exercise physiology (or similar coursework) in the curricula of seven health science undergraduate programs (biomedicine, physical education, nursing, physiotherapy, medicine, nutrition, and psychology). The study was divided into three phases: 1) a survey of the total number of undergraduate programs ( n = 4,940) through an electronic system of the Brazilian Ministry of Education (e-MEC); 2) a random selection of 10% of the total undergraduate programs ( n = 494) for further analysis of the curriculum; and 3) analysis of the curricula of the selected undergraduate programs. Of 494 undergraduate programs, we did not find curricula for 77 of them. Therefore, the final sample consisted of 417 undergraduate programs. In total, 65.9% of the undergraduate programs did not offer coursework in exercise physiology. The chi-square test revealed a significant association between undergraduate curricula in health science and the presence or absence of exercise physiology coursework [ X2(6, n = 417) = 293.0, P < 0.0001]. We did not find exercise physiology coursework in most of the analyzed undergraduate programs. Alternatives to solve the lack of exercise physiology coursework would be the inclusion of content related to exercise physiology in professional/graduate education or in continuing education programs.
An Improved Active Damping Method Based on Single-Loop Inverter Current Control for LCL Resonance in Grid-Connected Inverters
Authors: Wan Xiaofeng , Ding Xiaohua , Hu Hailin
Published: March 2021

This paper investigates active damping of LCL filter resonance in grid-connected inverters with only inverter current feedback control, since it only needs to sample one current to realize both current control and inverter protection. The traditional single-loop inverter current control (SLICC) can damp the LCL filter resonance actively. However, if the control delay is considered in digital control, the system stability will depend on the ratio of the LCL resonance frequency

f

res

to the sampling frequency

f

s

, and the valid damping region is only up to

f

s

/
6

. Considering that the design region of the LCL resonance frequency

f

res

is up to

f

s

/
2

, the system can easily become unstable due to the LCL resonance frequency shifting. Thus, this paper proposes an improved active damping method based on SLICC, including the asymmetric regular sampling method and delay compensation method. The improved sampling method minimizes the control delay without introducing a switching ripple, and the delay compensation method further compensates for the delay effect. With a proper parameter design, the upper limit of the valid damping region is extended up to

f

s

/
2

, which can cover all the possible resonance frequencies, and it has inherent robustness against grid-impedance variation. Finally, a few simulations in MATLAB/SIMULINK and experiments based on a 6 kW prototype are performed to verify the theoretical analysis.
High-Energy Blast Injury Requiring Transradial Amputation with Associated Essex Lopresti and Terrible Triad Injuries of the Elbow: A Rare Presentation
Authors: Knapp Paul , Powell Dexter , Bandovic Ivan , Coon Matthew , Best Benjamin
Published: March 2021

Case. Blast injuries to the upper extremity can be devastating and emotionally stressful injuries. We describe a case of a high-energy blast injury to an upper extremity from an explosive. The transfer of energy caused severe soft tissue/bony damage to the hand, but also led to associated Essex Lopresti and terrible triad injuries. The patient required emergent transradial amputation by hand surgery as well as definitive fixation by our orthopaedic team. Conclusion. We describe a unique salvage operation that established forearm pronosupination, elbow flexion, and proper prosthetic fitting. We feel that describing our technique could help others in treating this injury if encountered.
Incisor Molar Hypomineralization and Quality of Life: A Population-Based Study with Brazilian Schoolchildren
Authors: Freitas Fernandes Liege Helena , Laureano Isla Camila C. , Farias Lunna , Andrade Natália M. , Soares Forte Franklin Delano , Barros Alencar Catarina Ribeiro , Cavalcanti Alessandro Leite
Published: March 2021

Aim. To assess the impact of incisor molar hypomineralization (MIH) on oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) according to the perception of students and their parents/caregivers. Materials and Methods. This is a cross-sectional population-based study with 463 Brazilian students aged 11–14 years. OHRQoL was measured using the Child Perceptions Questionnaire (B-CPQ11-14ISF: 16) applied to students and the short version of the Parental-Caregiver Perceptions Questionnaire (B-P-CPQ) applied to parents/caregivers. The diagnosis of MIH followed the European Academy of Paediatric Dentistry criteria modified in 2019. Caries experience (ICDAS II), malocclusion (DAI), and socioeconomic and demographic factors were assessed as confounding factors for impact on OHRQoL. Cluster analysis was carried out to dichotomize the negative impact into greater and lesser impact. The chi-square test and Poisson regression were performed (

p
<
0.05

) to verify associations between quality of life and MIH, adjusted for confounding variables. Results. The prevalence of MIH was 10.8%. Multivariate regression demonstrated that caries experience was the only oral disease that impacted OHRQoL according to students’ self-perception in the functional limitation domain (PR = 1.82; 95% CI = 1.20–2.77) and in the total questionnaire score (PR = 1.59; 95% CI = 1.00–2.51). However, according to the perception of parents/caregivers, in addition to caries experience, which affected OHRQoL in the oral symptoms (PR = 3.57; 95% CI = 1.71–7.414) and emotional well-being domains (PR = 1.71; 95% CI = 1.08–2.69), as well as in the total B-P-CPQ score (PR = 1.67; 95% CI = 1.01–2.76), malocclusion also affected OHRQoL in the social well-being domain (PR = 1.50; 95% CI = 1.07–2.10) and in the total questionnaire score (PR = 1.54; 95% CI = 1.11–2.15). Conclusion. According to students and their parents/caregivers’ perception, incisor molar hypomineralization did not influence OHRQoL of the studied sample.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for Carbon Monoxide-Induced Delayed Neuropsychiatric Sequelae: Case Report of Two Cases and Relevant Literature Review
Authors: Monji Akira , Tateishi Hiroshi , Murakawa Toru , Matsushima Jun , Kunitake Yutaka , Shiraishi Takumi , Kojima Ryohei , Inaba Takayoshi , Kato Takahiro , Mizoguchi Yoshito
Published: March 2021

We herein report two cases with carbon monoxide- (CO-) induced delayed neuropsychiatric sequelae (DNS) successfully treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) in attempt suicide by charcoal burning. The two patients with CO-induced DNS were successfully treated with a total of more than 100 sessions of HBOT. Frontal assessment battery (FAB) was useful to examine the effectiveness of HBOT objectively. In the future study, a large-randomized trial is required to establish the efficacy of HBOT for the treatment of DNS.
Research of the Surrounding Rock Deformation Control Technology in Roadway under Multiple Excavations and Mining
Authors: Su Ming , Gao Xiaohui
Published: March 2021

To effectively control the large surrounding rock deformation of the mining roadway under multiple excavations and mining in Wangcun coal mine, the field investigation, numerical simulation, field test, and monitoring were conducted, and the characteristics of stress and deformation evolution of the surrounding rock under the influence of multiple excavations and mining were analyzed; then the collaborative supporting technology of high prestressed bolt and short anchor cables was proposed in this study. The results show the following: (1) under the influence of multiple excavations and mining, the peak vertical stress of the typical air‐return roadway reaches 23 MPa, and the deformation increases by about 2.8 times after the mining of adjacent panel. (2) The principle of the roadway support under the influence of multiple excavations and mining in Wangcun coal mine is determined; from the perspective of prestress, we can conclude that the active support of short anchor cables is better than that of long anchor cables. (3) Based on the results of the field monitoring, the bolt stress can be divided into four stages: the loss stage of prestress, the sudden‐decrease stage of the roof periodic weighting, the decrease stage of advanced support, and the rapid‐increase stage of strong disturbance. Due to the large anchorage range of anchor cables, there is no decrease stage of advanced support. After the application of prestress, the bolt stress of side bolts and top bolts decreases, and the reduction amplitude is up to 30 kN. (4) As the panel advances, the deformation of the surrounding roadway increases, and the growth rate is also increasing gradually. However, the final displacement of the roof, floor, and two sides is within 18 mm. The bolt and anchor cables are not broken, and the control effect is good. The research results have a certain reference value for similar roadway control.
Degradation of Reactive Blue 19 (RB19) by a Green Process Based on Peroxymonocarbonate Oxidation System
Authors: Nguyen Thi Bich Viet , Nguyen-Bich Ngan , Vu Ngoc Duy , Ho Phuong Hien , Nguyen Thi Hanh
Published: March 2021

The effectiveness of peroxymonocarbonate (

HCO

4
−

) on the degradation of Reactive Blue 19 (RB19) textile dye was investigated in this study. The formation kinetics of

HCO

4
−

produced in situ in a

H

2

O

2

−

HCO

3
−

system was studied to control the experimental conditions for the investigation of RB19 degradation at mild conditions. The effects of metallic ion catalysts, the pH, the input

HCO

3
−

and Co2+ concentrations, and UV irradiation were studied. The obtained result showed that Co2+ ion gave the highest efficiency on accelerating the rate of RB19 degradation by the H2O2–

HCO

3
−

system. In the pH range of 7–10, the higher pH values resulted in faster dye degradation. The reaction orders of the RB19 degradation with respect to Co2+ and HCO3– were determined to be 1.2 and 1.7, respectively. The UV irradiation remarkably enhanced the radical formation in the oxidation system, which led to high degradation efficiencies. The COD, TOC removal, and HPLC results clearly revealed complete mineralization of RB19 by the

H

2

O

2

−

HCO

3

−

−

Co

2

+

system.
Preparation of Nickel Nanocatalysts and Application to the Hydrodechlorination of 3-Chlorophenol under Liquid Phase
Authors: Co Thanh Thien , Tran Thi Kim Anh , Doan Thi Huong Ly , Diep Thi Duyen
Published: March 2021

Nickel nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via the reduction of nickel salt using ethylene glycol (EG) and sodium borohydride (NaBH4) as reducing agents. These nickel nanoparticles were then loaded on the supports as Ni-X (X = vanadium phosphorus oxides (VPO), TiO2, and ZnO) in high loading yield. The optical properties of these catalysts were characterized by UV-vis spectroscopy, the structure of Ni-X was studied by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), the distribution of Ni particles in X was studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the specific surface area of Ni-X was evaluated by N2 adsorption isotherm analysis at 77 K. All results corroborated the loading process. Indeed, TEM image indicated that the nickel nanoparticles size is in the range of 14 ÷ 16 nm and fully loaded into X. The activities of these catalysts were performed on the hydrodechlorination of 3-chlorophenol in the presence of sodium hydroxide as base at atmospheric pressure and at RT. The results showed that Ni-X exhibited high activities up to 98% within 90 min in the case of Ni-ZnO catalyst.
Analytical design of the fractional order controller and robustness verification
Authors: Vavilala Sateesh K. , Thirumavalavan Vinopraba
Published: March 2021

This paper proposes a fractional order controller (FOC) for the level control problem of the coupled tank system, using the desired time domain specifications. The coupled tank system is used in the chemical industries for the storage and mixing of liquids. The FOC is designed analytically using the direct synthesis method. In the direct synthesis method, the Bode's ideal loop transfer function is chosen as the desired transfer function. Bode's loop transfer function has the advantages like robustness to system gain variations, constant phase and very high gain margin. Performance of the proposed controller is compared with the state of the art literature. Simulation results showed that the proposed controller has the least peak overshoot. The robust performance of the proposed controller is also the best. Robust stability of the system with the proposed controller is verified, and the system is found to be robustly stable.
Voting for Populism in Europe: Globalization, Technological Change, and the Extreme Right
Authors: Milner Helen V.
Published: March 2021

What are the political consequences of economic globalization? Since the 1990s, scholars of European party politics have noted the rise of extremist parties, especially right-wing populist ones, and the decline of mainstream left and right parties. This paper focuses on the association between globalization in terms of trade, capital and labor flows, technological change, and popular support for extreme right parties. I examine these relations at the regional and individual level in 15 advanced industrial democracies in Western Europe from 1990 to 2018. Globalization, especially in the form of trade, is associated with growing vote shares for extreme right parties. Technological change in the form of automation increases support for extreme right parties. The financial crisis enhanced support for populist right parties and strengthened the negative relationship between trade shocks and declining support for mainstream left parties. And the use of social welfare compensation seems unable to dampen these political trends.1
Productivity-based retrospective voting: Legislative productivity and voting in the 2019 European Parliament elections
Authors: Sorace Miriam
Published: March 2021

Are European Parliament (EP) elections used to pass judgement on the legislative behaviour of parties serving in the EP? Do Europeans give a bonus in EP elections to political parties whose members were highly active during the legislative term? The article will focus on the role of legislative activities in the eighth EP term (2014–2019) in informing the 2019 vote choice. The analysis combines the European Election Studies (EESs) 2019 Voter Study data with original legislative behaviour data, as well as with data on European electoral systems. The evidence points to productivity-based retrospective voting being a feature of the 2019 elections. Furthermore, the analysis finds that this type of retrospective voting is stronger in countries where electoral rules encourage candidates to promote past legislative records in electoral campaigns, and particularly so for voters that paid attention to the EP campaign in such systems. This has significant implications for the retrospective voting and EU elections literatures, since it is evidence that the very demanding democratic desiderata of retrospection can be met in multi-level and supranational contexts as well.
Current Best Practice for Presenting Probabilities in Patient Decision Aids: Fundamental Principles
Authors: Bonner Carissa , Trevena Lyndal J. , Gaissmaier Wolfgang , Han Paul K. J. , Okan Yasmina , Ozanne Elissa , Peters Ellen , Timmermans Daniëlle , Zikmund-Fisher Brian J.
Published: March 2021

Background

Shared decision making requires evidence to be conveyed to the patient in a way they can easily understand and compare. Patient decision aids facilitate this process. This article reviews the current evidence for how to present numerical probabilities within patient decision aids.

Methods

Following the 2013 review method, we assembled a group of 9 international experts on risk communication across Australia, Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. We expanded the topics covered in the first review to reflect emerging areas of research. Groups of 2 to 3 authors reviewed the relevant literature based on their expertise and wrote each section before review by the full authorship team.

Results

Of 10 topics identified, we present 5 fundamental issues in this article. Although some topics resulted in clear guidance (presenting the chance an event will occur, addressing numerical skills), other topics (context/evaluative labels, conveying uncertainty, risk over time) continue to have evolving knowledge bases. We recommend presenting numbers over a set time period with a clear denominator, using consistent formats between outcomes and interventions to enable unbiased comparisons, and interpreting the numbers for the reader to meet the needs of varying numeracy.

Discussion

Understanding how different numerical formats can bias risk perception will help decision aid developers communicate risks in a balanced, comprehensible manner and avoid accidental “nudging” toward a particular option. Decisions between probability formats need to consider the available evidence and user skills. The review may be useful for other areas of science communication in which unbiased presentation of probabilities is important.
Bone Marrow Stimulation for Osteochondral Lesions of the Talus: Are Clinical Outcomes Maintained 10 Years Later?
Authors: Park Jae Han , Park Kwang Hwan , Cho Jae Yong , Han Seung Hwan , Lee Jin Woo
Published: March 2021

Background:

Arthroscopic bone marrow stimulation (BMS) is considered the first-line treatment for osteochondral lesions of the talus (OLTs). However, the long-term stability of the clinical success of BMS remains unclear.

Purpose:

To investigate the long-term clinical outcomes among patients who underwent BMS for OLT and to identify prognostic factors for the need for revision surgery.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

A retrospective analysis was performed on 202 ankles (189 patients) that were treated with BMS for OLT and had a minimum follow-up of 10 years. The visual analog scale for pain, American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society ankle-hindfoot score, and the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) were assessed by repeated measures analysis of variance. Prognostic factors associated with revision surgery were evaluated with Cox proportional hazard regression models and log-rank tests.

Results:

The mean lesion size was 105.32 mm2 (range, 19.75-322.79); 42 ankles (20.8%) had large lesions (≥150 mm2). The mean visual analog scale for pain improved from 7.11 ± 1.73 (mean ± SD) preoperatively to 1.44 ± 1.52, 1.46 ± 1.57, and 1.99 ± 1.67 at 1, 3 to 6, and ≥10 years, respectively, after BMS ( P < .001). The mean ankle-hindfoot score also improved, from 58.22 ± 13.57 preoperatively to 86.88 ± 10.61, 86.17 ± 10.23, and 82.76 ± 11.65 at 1, 3 to 6, and ≥10 years after BMS ( P < .001). The FAOS at the final follow-up was 82.97 ± 13.95 for pain, 81.81 ± 14.64 for symptoms, 83.49 ± 11.04 for activities of daily living, 79.34 ± 11.61 for sports, and 78.71 ± 12.42 for quality of life. Twelve ankles underwent revision surgery after a mean 53.5 months. Significant prognostic factors associated with revision surgery were the size of the lesion (preoperative magnetic resonance imaging measurement ≥150 mm2; P = .014) and obesity (body mass index ≥25; P = .009).

Conclusion:

BMS for OLT yields satisfactory clinical outcomes at a mean follow-up of 13.9 years. The success of the surgery may depend on the lesion size and body mass index of the patient.
Quasi-static and dynamic nanomechanical characterization of PMMA/ZnO nanocomposite thick films synthesized by ultrasonication and spin-coating
Authors: Krishna B , Chaturvedi A , Mishra Neelam , Das K
Published: March 2021

Polymer nanocomposite films, comprising of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) as the matrix and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles as reinforcement, have been prepared using ultrasonication and spin-coating techniques, with ZnO content up to 20 wt.%. The effect of the processing on the microstructure and nanomechanical properties have been investigated. The nanocomposite film thickness is found to vary from 2.4 ± 0.2 µm for pristine PMMA to 33.1 ± 0.5 µm for PMMA/20 wt.% ZnO nanocomposite. Quasi-static nanoindentation showed that the indentation modulus varied from 4.68 ± 0.07 GPa for pristine PMMA to 5.04 ± 0.14 GPa for PMMA/20 wt.% ZnO nanocomposite, while the indentation hardness varied from 275.94 ± 5.67 MPa to 292.39 ± 10.88 MPa in the same range. However, the highest indentation modulus and the highest hardness are exhibited by PMMA/10 wt.% ZnO nanocomposite. Scanning electron microscopy of the synthesized films provided the evidence behind such variation in material properties. In addition, the experimentally obtained elastic moduli were compared with values predicted by using Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka micromechanics. Nanoindenter-based dynamic mechanical analysis of the PMMA nanocomposite thin films revealed the variation of storage modulus, loss modulus and loss factor of the films in the frequency range of 10 Hz to 201.5 Hz. For all PMMA/ZnO nanocomposites, the storage modulus is found to increase monotonically from 10 Hz to ∼100 Hz, beyond which the values reached a plateau. The loss modulus and loss factor for all PMMA/ZnO nanocomposites are found to decrease with increasing frequency. These results form an essential step toward establishing process-structure-nanomechanical property relationships for PMMA/ZnO nanocomposite films.
Tribological response of polycarbonate and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene blends containing fixed amounts of Kevlar fibre and molybdenum disulphide with varying quantities of betel nut powder
Authors: Pramod T , Sampathkumaran P , Puneeth N , Sailaja RRN , Seetharamu S , Swamy A Sathyanarayana , Kishore
Published: March 2021

In this study, the composites with incorporation betel nut powder at three levels (10, 18 and 25%) in Polycarbonate (PC) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) matrices having Kevlar Fibres (KF) and Molybdenum Disulphide (MoS2) nano particles in fixed amounts are looked into for their tribological characteristics. The effect of hardness, surface roughness and density was evaluated. FTIR and X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies have been carried out to identify the phases. The effects of load on the slide wear loss and coefficient of friction of the composites were determined using Pin on Disc set up. The wear test pertaining to the betel nut bearing (BNP) composites were compared with those of betel nut free ones i.e. PC/ABS/KF/MoS2. The results revealed that with increase in load, the wear loss increases. Further with increase in betel nut powder concentration from 10% to 25% there is a decrease in wear loss as well as coefficient of friction. The surface morphology of the worn surface were examined using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) which revealed higher plastic deformation, debris formation and furrowing in BNP free systems compared to betel nut bearing ones.
The Molecular Turn, Predictive Technologies and Diagnostic Fragmentation: An Interview with David Armstrong
Authors: Petersen Alan , Pienaar Kiran
Published: March 2021

Alan Petersen (AP) and Kiran Pienaar (KP): Thank you, David, for agreeing to share your perspectives in this interview. It is a pleasure and honour to have this opportunity to engage with your insights and scholarly contributions on surveillance medicine and the sociology of diagnosis. Looking back to your early contributions on surveillance medicine, these seem to anticipate recent diagnostic trends. What, if anything, has changed in the interim period?
Analysis of association of risk factors for age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Bucan Kajo , Lukic Marko , Bosnar Damir , Kopic Andrijana , Jukic Tomislav , Konjevoda Suzana , Glavadanovic Sergio , Gverovic Antunica Antonela
Published: March 2021

Purpose:

To evaluate the significance of risk factors and analyze their interrelationship in developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD).

Materials and design:

This is a multicenter, cross-sectional study conducted in eight ophthalmology centers in Europe. The STARS (Simplified Thea AMD Risk-Assessment Scale) questionnaire was used to assess 12 risk factors grouped in four major categories. We used Welch’s t-test/ F ratios to determine statistically significant changes. The principal component analysis was done to investigate the association between risk factors.

Results:

There were 3297 participants included in our data analysis. Nineteen percent of patients had a high risk of developing AMD, whilst 45.92% and 34.85% had moderate and small risk, respectively. Atherosclerosis appeared as the most relevant risk indicator for AMD development (Cohen’s d = 0.861). Tukey’s post hoc analysis of the smoking variable showed that ex-smokers ( p < 0.001) have a significantly high risk of developing AMD. The Welch’s t-test showed pseudophakic patients have a higher risk of developing AMD than phakic ones. Then, we conducted the principal component analysis, which revealed a significant connection between smoking and male gender and between smoking and atherosclerosis. Pseudophakic patients were generally older and had more often myocardial infarction as compared to phakic patients. We showed that higher BMI, history of arterial hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and atherosclerosis tend to occur together as risk factors for AMD.

Conclusion:

Risk factors evaluated in our study should be considered for the development of AMD.
Human recombinant nerve growth factor (Cenegermin) in a patient affected by primary congenital glaucoma with neurotrophic keratopathy
Authors: Riva Ivano , Micheletti Eleonora , Fausto Riccardo , Bruttini Carlo , De Angelis Giovanni , Ceccuzzi Roberto , Quaranta Luciano
Published: March 2021

Purpose:

To report a case of neurotrophic keratopathy (NK) in a patient affected by primary congenital glaucoma (PCG) who undergone glaucoma drainage implant surgery. NK was successfully treated with human recombinant Nerve Growth Factor (Cenegermin) eye drops.

Case report description:

A 46-years-old patient affected by primary congenital glaucoma underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation in the right eye, after several unsuccessful surgeries to control intraocular pressure (IOP) since the age of three. Surgical intervention was performed without complications, and IOP was well-controlled post-operatively. However, 1 month after surgery, he developed NK with stromal ulceration, initially treated with a topical combination of preservative-free artificial tears and antibiotic ointment. As NK did not resolve, a new treatment with Cenegermin 20 µg/ml eye drops, 6 times daily, was started.

Outcome:

NK completely resolved after 8 weeks of Cenegermin treatment, with complete restoration of corneal integrity and improvement of corneal sensitivity and transparency. Visual acuity in the operated eye reverted to the pre-operative value.

Conclusion:

Cenegermin was extremely effective in restoring corneal integrity in this PCG patient with NK.
The COVID-19 pandemic, emergency aid and social work in Brazil
Authors: Garcia Maria Lúcia T , Pandolfi Aline F , Leal Fabiola X , Stocco Aline F , Borrego Arelys Esquenazi , Borges Rodrigo ES , Oliveira Edineia F dos A , Lang Aline EM , Andrade Cenira Oliveira , Salazar Silvia N , Menandro Leila MT , Spolander Gary
Published: March 2021

This essay reflects on the implementation of federal government emergency aid in Brazil in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting elements from the work of Social Workers in the context of growing demand for the supply of material provisions. Economic and social conditions in Brazil have particularities that impact the operationalisation of this benefit, which is aimed at the poor, that add complexity and impose limits. When considering the structural limits set, this context imposes challenges on the work of Social Workers. The need to reconnect and enhance the struggle for social rights is emphasised through the different strategies of the working class.
Explaining the Growth Potential of a Market Leader and Challenger: Evidence from Japan’s Telecommunications Services Industry
Authors: Khan Mostafa Saidur Rahim , Rabbani Naheed
Published: March 2021

This study examines the growth potential of the market leader and market challenger in Japan’s telecommunications services industry. We focus on Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) and KDDI, the market leader and challenger (respectively) in terms of sales revenue, total assets, and market share. Following finance literatures, we use higher values of price–earnings ratio (P/E) and market-to-book-value-of-equity ratio (MV/BV) as the indicators of growth potential. High growth firms have the potential to outperform the overall market over a significant period of time providing a good investment opportunity for retail and institutional investors. This study uses financial data of the NTT and KDDI from the period between 2001 and 2016 and applies several regression models to examine the growth potential of the market leader and market challenger in Japan’s telecommunications services industry. Using the P/E and MV/BV as indicators of growth potential, we show that the market challenger’s growth potential is significantly higher than that of the market leader, even after controlling for firm size, liquidity, profitability, leverage, cash flow, and age.
The characteristics of an effective clinical instructor from the perspective of nursing students: a qualitative descriptive study in Iran
Authors: Soroush Ali , Andaieshgar Bahare , Vahdat Afsoon , Khatony Alireza
Published: March 2021

Background

Clinical instructors have an important role in advancing nursing students to achieve the program objectives. Nursing student perceptions about the characteristics of an effective clinical instructors may help programs improve clinical instruction. As such, the purpose of this study was to understand the characteristics perceived by students to define an effective clinical instructor.

Methods

In this qualitative descriptive study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with undergraduate and postgraduate nursing students. The sample was purposefully selected. MAXQDA software was used for the content analysis. The codes were organized into subcategories and consolidated into categories.

Results

Data saturation was reached with twelve participants, including seven women and five men, between 21 and 36 years of age. General and special characteristics were the two main categories that emerged from the data. These categories were defined by nine subcategories including internal motivation, professional acceptability, clinical competency, teaching skill, clinical experience, values, being a faculty member, appropriate appearance, and communication skills.

Conclusions

Effective clinical instructors have a specific characteristics identified by student. The most important characteristics of effective clinical instructors were related to communication and teaching skills, internal motivation, and professional appearance. More research is necessary to determine the relationship between the characteristics, instructor competency, and student learning outcomes.
Health assessment of wild speckled dwarf tortoises, CHERSOBIUS SIGNATUS
Authors: Galosi Livio , Attili Anna Rita , Perrucci Stefania , Origgi Francesco C. , Tambella Adolfo Maria , Rossi Giacomo , Cuteri Vincenzo , Napoleoni Maira , Mandolini Nicholas Aconiti , Perugini Gianni , Loehr Victor J. T.
Published: March 2021

Background

In free-ranging reptile populations, bacterial, fungal, viral and parasitic pathogens may affect hosts through impairment in movements, thermoregulation, reproduction, survival, and population dynamics. The speckled dwarf tortoise (Chersobius [Homopus] signatus) is a threatened species that is mostly restricted to the Succulent Karoo biome in South Africa, and little information on pathogens of this species is available yet. We derived baseline parameters for five males and five females that were captured to genetically enhance a conservation breeding program in Europe. Upon collection of the tortoises, ticks were removed and identified. Immediately upon arrival in Europe, ocular, nasal, oral and cloacal swabs were taken for viral, bacteriological and mycological examinations. Fecal samples were collected before and 1 month after fenbendazole treatment, and analyzed for parasites. A panel of PCR, aiming to detect herpesviruses, adenoviruses and iridoviruses, was carried out.

Results

Samples were negative for viruses, while bacteriological examination yielded detectable growth in 82.5% of the swabs with a mean load of 16 × 107 ± 61 × 108 colony forming units (CFU) per swab, representing 34 bacterial species. Cloacal and oral swabs yielded higher detectable growth loads than nasal and ocular swabs, but no differences between sexes were observed. Fungi and yeasts (mean load 5 × 103 ± 13 × 103 CFU/swab) were detected in 25% of the swabs. All pre-treatment fecal samples were positive for oxyurid eggs, ranging from 200 to 2400 eggs per gram of feces, whereas after the treatment a significantly reduced egg count (90–100% reduction) was found in seven out of 10 individuals. One remaining individual showed 29% reduction, and two others had increased egg counts. In five tortoises, Nycthocterus spp. and coccidian oocysts were also identified. Soft ticks were identified as Ornithodoros savignyi.

Conclusions

Our baseline data from clinically healthy individuals will help future studies to interpret prevalences of microorganisms in speckled dwarf tortoise populations. The study population did not appear immediately threatened by current parasite presence.
RNA sequencing reveals the expression profiles of circRNA and identifies a four-circRNA signature acts as a prognostic marker in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Wang Weiwei , Zhu Di , Zhao Zhihua , Sun Miaomiao , Wang Feng , Li Wencai , Zhang Jianying , Jiang Guozhong
Published: March 2021

Background

CircRNAs with tissue-specific expression and stable structure may be good tumor prognostic markers. However, the expression of circRNAs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain unknown. We aim to identify prognostic circRNAs and construct a circRNA-related signature in ESCC.

Methods

RNA sequencing was used to test the circRNA expression profiles of 73 paired ESCC tumor and normal tissues after RNase R enrichment. Bioinformatics methods, such as principal component analysis (PCA), t-distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding (t-SNE) algorithm, unsupervised clustering and hierarchical clustering were performed to analyze the circRNA expression characteristics. Univariate cox regression analysis, random survival forests-variable hunting (RSFVH), Kaplan–Meier analysis, multivariable Cox regression and ROC (receiver operating characteristic) curve analysis were used to screen the prognostic circRNA signature. Real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) and fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) in 125 ESCC tissues were performed.

Results

Compared with normal tissues, there were 11651 differentially expressed circRNAs in cancer tissues. A total of 1202 circRNAs associated with ESCC prognosis (P < 0.05) were identified. Through bioinformatics analysis, we screened a circRNA signature including four circRNAs (hsa_circ_0000005, hsa_circ_0007541, hsa_circ_0008199, hsa_circ_0077536) which can classify the ESCC patients into two groups with significantly different survival (log rank P < 0.001), and found its predictive performance was better than that of the TNM stage(0.84 vs. 0.66; 0.65 vs. 0.62). Through qPCR and FISH experiment, we validated the existence of the screened circRNAs and the predictive power of the circRNA signature.

Conclusion

The prognostic four-circRNA signature could be a new prognostic biomarker for ESCC, which has high clinical application value.
Airborne particulate matter (PM2.5) triggers ocular hypertension and glaucoma through pyroptosis
Authors: Li Liping , Xing Chao , Zhou Ji , Niu Liangliang , Luo Bin , Song Maomao , Niu Jingping , Ruan Ye , Sun Xinghuai , Lei Yuan
Published: March 2021

Background

Particulate matter (PM) is strongly linked to human health and has detrimental effects on the eye. Studies have, however, focused on the ocular surface, with limited research on the impact of PM2.5 on intraocular pressure (IOP).

Methods

To investigate the impact of PM2.5 on IOP and the associated mechanism, C57BL/6 mouse eyes were topically exposed to a PM2.5 suspension for 3 months, and human trabecular meshwork (HTM) cells were subjected to various PM2.5 concentrations in vitro. Cell viability, NLRP3/caspase-1, IL-1β, and GSDMD expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and cell contractility were measured by western blot, ELISA, cell counting kit-8, ROS assay kit or a cell contractility assay. ROS scavenger N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) and caspase-1 inhibitor VX-765 were used to intervene in PM2.5-induced damages.

Results

The results revealed that the IOP increased gradually after PM2.5 exposure, and upregulations of the NLRP3 inflammasome, caspase-1, IL-1β, and GSDMD protein levels were observed in outflow tissues. PM2.5 exposure decreased HTM cell viability and affected contraction. Furthermore, elevated ROS levels were observed as well as an activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and downstream inflammatory factors caspase-1 and IL-1β. NAC improved HTM cell viability, inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome axis, and HTM cell contraction by scavenging ROS. VX-765 showed similar protection against the PM2.5 induced adverse effects.

Conclusion

This study ﻿provides novel evidence that PM2.5 has a direct toxic effect on intraocular tissues and may contribute to the initiation and development of ocular hypertension and glaucoma. This occurs as a result of increased oxidative stress and the subsequent induction of NLRP3 inflammasome mediated pyroptosis in trabecular meshwork cells.
Monitoring tissue oxygenation index using near‐infrared spectroscopy during pre‐hospital resuscitation among out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest patients: a pilot study
Authors: Tsukuda Jumpei , Fujitani Shigeki , Rahman Mahbubur , Morisawa Kenichiro , Kawaguchi Takeshi , Taira Yasuhiko
Published: March 2021

Background

Tissue oxygenation index (TOI) using the near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has been demonstrated as a useful indicator to predict return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) among out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) patients in hospital setting. However, it has not been widely examined based on pre-hospital setting.

Methods

In this prospective observational study, we measured TOI in pre-hospital setting among OHCA patients receiving cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) during ambulance transportation between 2017 and 2018. Throughout the pre-hospital CPR procedure, TOI was continuously measured. The study population was divided into two subgroups: ROSC group and non-ROSC group.

Results

Of the 81 patients included in the final analysis, 26 achieved ROSC and 55 did not achieve ROSC. Patients in the ROSC group were significantly younger, had higher ∆TOI (changes in TOI) (5.8 % vs. 1.3 %; p < 0.01), and were more likely to have shockable rhythms and event witnessed than patients in the non-ROSC group. ∆TOI cut-off value of 5 % had highest sensitivity (65.4 %) and specificity (89.3 %) for ROSC. Patients with a cut-off value ≤-2.0 % did not achieve ROSC and while all OHCA patient with a cut-off value ≥ 8.0 % achieved ROSC. In addition, ROSC group had stronger positive correlation between mean chest compression rate and ∆TOI (r = 0.82) than non-ROSC group (r = 0.50).

Conclusions

This study suggests that ∆ TOI could be a useful indicator to predict ROSC in a pre-hospital setting.