bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Association of Health Status and Employment Status for each Occupation: Results from a Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan1
Authors: Ariyoshi Mie , Nishikitani Mariko , Tsurugano Shinobu , Inoue Mariko , Yano Eiji
Published: September 2021

This study examined the association between occupation and health status among Japanese employees. The data from the Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions in Japan encompassed 102,575 employees (55,399 males and 47,176 females), who were employed workers aged 15–44 years. Self‐rated health was used as an indicator of health status in the health questionnaire. A multiple logistic regression analysis of the association between health status and occupation was conducted to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) with an adjustment for confounding factors. When the non‐regular employees were assessed, many of their occupations were linked to poorer health tendencies in general, with the exception of male Service workers (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.60–0.94). Finally, particular employment and occupations were observed as having better or worse health tendencies than other types of work.
A mesocosm study on bacteria‐kelp interactions: Importance of nitrogen availability and kelp genetics
Authors: Florez July Z. , Camus Carolina , Hengst Martha B. , Buschmann Alejandro H.
Published: September 2021

Macroalgal holobiont studies involve understanding interactions between the host, its microbiota, and the environment. We analyzed the effect of bacteria–kelp interactions on phenotypic responses of two genetically distinct populations of giant kelp, Macrocystis pyrifera (north and south), exposed to different nitrogen (N) concentrations. In co‐culture experiments with different N concentration treatments, we evaluated kelp growth responses and changes in three specific molecular markers associated with the N cycle, both in epiphytic bacteria (relative abundance of nrfA‐gene: cytochrome c nitrite reductase) and macroalgae (expression of NR‐gene: nitrate reductase; GluSyn‐gene: glutamate synthase). Both kelp populations responded differently to N limitation, with M. pyrifera‐south sporophytes having a lower specific growth rate (SGR) under N‐limiting conditions than the northern population; M. pyrifera‐north sporophytes showed no significant differences in SGR when exposed to low‐N and high‐N concentrations. This corresponded to a higher GluSyn‐gene expression in the M. pyrifera‐north sporophytes and the co‐occurrence of specific nrfA bacterial taxa. These bacteria may increase ammonium availability under low‐N concentrations, allowing M. pyrifera‐north to optimize nutrient assimilation by increasing the expression of GluSyn. We conclude that bacteria–kelp interactions are important in enhancing kelp growth rates under low N availability, although this effect may be regulated by the genetic background of kelp populations.
A methodological problem in a supermultiplier model with too much acceleration
Authors: Franke Reiner
Published: September 2021

This contribution is a critical reconsideration of the supermultiplier model put forward by Serrano, Freitas and Bhering (2019; ‘SFB’) in this journal (Metroeconomica, 70, 263–287). Reformulating their discrete‐time model in a way that makes the length of the adjustment period explicit, it aks whether two elementary postulates of a sound modelling are satisfied: (a) A model should also remain well‐defined when the adjustment period shrinks to zero; (b) The main qualitative dynamic properties should not essentially be affected by the choice of the adjustment period. It is found that postulate (a) is fulfilled but, regarding the presence of cyclical dynamics, postulate (b) is violated. In addition, the stability condition in the continuous‐time version has an unsatisfactory economic implication. On the other hand, a rival supermultiplier model (specified along the lines proposed by, in particular, Allain and Lavoie) is spared from these problems. The analysis suggests that the problem in SFB is caused by too strong an accelerator mechanism.
Precision‐cut lung slices: A powerful ex vivo model to investigate respiratory infectious diseases
Authors: Viana Flávia , O’Kane Cecilia M. , Schroeder Gunnar N.
Published: September 2021

Respiratory infections are a leading cause of mortality worldwide. Most of the research on the underlying disease mechanisms is based on cell culture, organoid, or surrogate animal models. Although these provide important insights, they have limitations. Cell culture models fail to recapitulate cellular interactions in the lung and animal models often do not permit high‐throughput analysis of drugs or pathogen isolates; hence, there is a need for improved, scalable models. Precision‐cut lung slices (PCLS), small, uniform tissue slices generated from animal or human lungs are increasingly recognized and employed as an ex vivo organotypic model. PCLS retain remarkable cellular complexity and the architecture of the lung, providing a platform to investigate respiratory pathogens in a near‐native environment. Here, we review the generation and features of PCLS, their use to investigate the pathogenesis of viral and bacterial pathogens, and highlight their potential to advance respiratory infection research in the future.
Characterization of mitogenomes from four Mucorales species and insights into pathogenicity
Authors: Liang Guanzhao , Zhang Meijie , Xu Wenqi , Wang Xiaowen , Zheng Hailin , Mei Huan , Liu Weida
Published: September 2021

Background

Mucorales, as one major order of Zygomycetes fungi, can infect human beings and cause serious consequence. We have noticed the pathogenicity of Mucorales is closely related to energy metabolism, while mitochondria play the role of energy factories in almost all biological activities.

Methods

Virulence of M irregularis, M hiemalis, L corymbifera and R arrhizus were verified in Galleria mellonella larvae, as well as mitochondrial gene copies analysed with RT‐qPCR. Mitogenomes of the four Mucorales species were sequenced based on illumina NovaSeq technology to study their characteristic features and functional regions.

Results

Variant virulence of M irregularis, M hiemalis, L corymbifera and R arrhizu were verified by clinical retrospective data and our G mellonella infection models, also copies of mitochondrial genes indicated the significant associations with pathogenicity. A total of 274.18 clean reads were generated to be assembled; the complete mitogenomes of the four Mucorales species were obtained with totally different length. After the genomes annotated and compared, M irregularis was found more similar with M hiemalis than those of L corymbifera and R arrhizus, especially the small (rrns) and large (rrnl) subunits of mitochondrial ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes. The GC content, ncRNAs and the distribution of the SNPs and InDels were also compared, and the GC content rate of fungi seems to be related to the fungal thermal adaptability. In addition, linear mitogenomes of these four Mucorales showed diverse arrangements of orf genes and directionality of some conserved gene elements.

Conclusion

This study uncovered the pathogenicity variances among the four Mucorales species and the relationship between their mitogenomic features and clinical pathogenicity. Further studies like spatial structure of mitochondrial genomes and the comprehensive analysis of transcription regulation are needed.
Influence of musical preferences and intraoperative questions on suturing speed
Authors: Peterson Jennifer L. , Moore George E. , Risselada Marije
Published: September 2021

Objective

To determine the effect of music and surgeon‐directed questions on suturing speed.

Study design

Randomized observational study.

Sample population

Fifty‐five faculty veterinarians, residents, interns, and fourth‐year veterinary students.

Methods

Experience, gender, and favorable and unfavorable music choices were self‐declared by participants. Each person performed four timed suture trials, which required them to complete a simple 10 cm continuous suture pattern on a model. The initial trial served as practice and did not include music or questions. The order of the three remaining trials was randomized, and consisted of one trial each with favorable music, unfavorable music, and required the participant to answer 2 questions. Trial duration was compared using a mixed effects linear model. Influence of gender and experience on participants’ categorical responses to 2 different questions was evaluated using a Pearson χ2 test and Fisher's exact test, respectively. Stratified analysis was used to evaluate further the effect of experience and gender.

Results

Question trials were on average 8.1 s longer than favorable music trials (P = .008), with no notable difference found between unfavorable and favorable music or unfavorable music and question trials. Experience (P = .021) and gender (P = .033) influenced participants’ response to question 1 but not question 2 (P = .267 and P = .839, respectively).

Conclusion

Listening to favorable music, rather than answering questions, may result in decreased closure times. This influence was greater for less experienced individuals and less experienced male veterinarians and veterinary students.

Clinical significance

The absence of questions may increase suturing speed, particularly for minimally experienced surgeons or when instruction is taking place in a surgical laboratory setting.
Middle Managers’ Views on Participation in a Home Visiting Program for First-Time Parents in Scania, Sweden
Authors: Franzén Cecilia , Nilsson Eva-Lotta
Published: September 2021

Family home visiting programs delivering early childhood services are supported by politicians and policy makers in many countries. This study focuses on a home visiting program for first-time parents in a county in Sweden. The program comprises six home visits conducted by interprofessional teams, including child healthcare nurses, midwives, social workers and dental hygienists, with the aim to increase accessibility to child healthcare and to promote more equal health in young children. Child healthcare, maternal care, social services and dental care organisations participated voluntarily in the program. This study explores how middle managers of the participating organisations view the program. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews with ten middle managers. The interviews were analysed using qualitative content analysis as a method. The results show that the middle managers saw the home visiting program as beneficial for society, parents and children, and the participating organisations and professionals. In other words, they expressed both altruistic goals and a self-interest in participating. The study is of importance as middle managers’ decision to participate in a home visiting program might be grounded on their perceptions of the program.
Conservation Units and Sustainable Development Goals: An Examination of the Private Natural Heritage Dona Benta e Seu Caboclo in Brazil
Authors: Roque Andreia Maria , Coelho Andressa Sales , Melo Claudia Moura de
Published: September 2021

The 2030 Agenda is a global action plan presented by the United Nations (UN) that establishes Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs. Conservation Units (UC) are an important element of the strategy towards nature conservation. Starting from a local approach to critically analyze these issues of global relevance, the focus of the investigation is the Dona Benta e Seu Caboclo  Natural Heritage, a private conservation unit located in the municipality of Pirambu in the state of Sergipe and the community surrounding the Lagoa Redonda settlement. The study aimed to analyze the perception of the owner and the community regarding the environment, RPPN, and SDGs in order to build a critical approach to the issues that interconnect nature conservation and sustainable development. The methodology is based on the interview with the owner and a focus group with the community, carried out between January and March 2020. Following these interviews, it was ascertained that there is a divergence in how public and private lands are understood by locals: Private lands are exclusively associated with production, whilst public land is associated with conservation. Community representatives do not recognize RPPN as a conservation area, with those associated objectives. Yet, debates on the environment and sustainable development intertwined with nature conservation are recognized by everyone as a priority. In the end, it is possible to recognize the importance of strengthening a space for coexistence between the local population and the RPPN in order to implement common and transformative actions in favor of conservation, and sustainable development.
Operational Context Change Propagation Prediction on Autonomous Vehicles Architectures
Authors: Damak Youssef , Leroy Yann , Trehard Guillaume , Jankovic Marija
Published: September 2021

Autonomous vehicles (AV) are designed to operate in a specific operational context (OC), and the adaptability of the vehicle's architecture to its OC is considered a significant success criterion of the design. AV design projects are rarely started from scratch and are often based on reference architectures. As such, the reference architecture must be modified and adapted to the OC. The current literature on engineering change (EC) propagation does not provide a method to identify and anticipate the impact of OC changes on the AV reference architecture. This paper proposes a two-step method for OC change propagation: (1) analyzing the direct impact of OC change and (2) evaluate the probabilities of indirect change propagation. The direct impact is assessed following a propagation path based upon a model mapping between an OC ontology, operational situations, and functional chains (FCs). The effects of functional chain changes on the AV components are analyzed and evaluated by domain experts with types of changes and associated probabilities. A Bayesian network (BN) is proposed to calculate the probabilities of indirect change propagation between component types of changes (ToCs). The method’s applicability and efficiency are validated on a real case design of AV architecture where the probabilities of the system components undergoing types of changes are evaluated.
Scalable One-Step Electrochemical Synthesis of a Graphene-Based Material with Controlled Morphology
Authors: Kirianova A. V. , Xieyu X. , Gallyamov M. O. , Kapitanova O. O.
Published: September 2021

For the first time, electrochemical synthesis of graphene-based particles with a specified morphology has been demonstrated. It has been revealed that parameters of the electrochemical synthesis make it possible to control the degree of oxidation and lateral size of graphene-based particles.
Before/after intervention study to determine impact on life-cycle carbon footprint of converting from single-use to reusable sharps containers in 40 UK NHS trusts
Authors: Grimmond Terry Richard , Bright Anna , Cadman June , Dixon James , Ludditt Sally , Robinson Clive , Topping Clare
Published: September 2021

Objectives

To compare global warming potential (GWP) of hospitals converting from single-use sharps containers to reusable sharps containers (SSC, RSC). Does conversion to RSC result in GWP reduction?

Design

Using BS PAS 2050:2011principles, a retrospective, before/after intervention quantitative model together with a purpose-designed, attributional ‘cradle-to-grave’ life-cycle tool, were used to determine the annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of the two sharps containment systems. Functional unit was total fill line litres (FLL) of sharps containers needed to dispose of sharps for 1-year period in 40 trusts. Scopes 1, 2 and 3 emissions were included. Results were workload-normalised using National Health Service (NHS) national hospital patient-workload indicators. A sensitivity analysis examined areas of data variability.

Setting

Acute care hospital trusts in UK.

Participants

40 NHS hospital Trusts using RSC.

Intervention

Conversion from SSC to RSC. SSC and RSC usage details in 17 base line trusts immediately prior to 2018 were applied to the RSC usage details of the 40 trusts using RSC in 2019.

Primary outcome measure

The comparison of GWP calculated in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2e) generated in the manufacture, transport, service and disposal of 12 months, hospital-wide usage of both containment systems in the 40 trusts.

Results

The 40 trusts converting to RSC reduced their combined annual GWP by 3267.4 tonnes CO2e (−83.9%); eliminated incineration of 900.8 tonnes of plastic; eliminated disposal/recycling of 132.5 tonnes of cardboard and reduced container exchanges by 61.1%. GHG as kg CO2e/1000 FLL were 313.0 and 50.7 for SSC and RSC systems, respectively. A sensitivity analysis showed substantial GHG reductions within unit processes could be achieved, however, their impact on relevant final GWP comparison varied <5% from base comparison.

Conclusions

Adopting RSC is an example of a sustainable purchasing decision that can assist trusts meet NHS GHG reduction targets and can reduce GWP permanently with minimal staff behavioural change.
Intersectional tension: a qualitative study of the effects of the COVID-19 response on survivors of violence against women in urban India
Authors: Huq Mita , Das Tanushree , Devakumar Delan , Daruwalla Nayreen , Osrin David
Published: September 2021

Objectives

There is a concern worldwide that efforts to address the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic have affected the frequency and intensity of domestic violence against women. Residents of urban informal settlements faced particularly stringent conditions during the response in India. Counsellors spoke with registered survivors of domestic violence in Mumbai, with two objectives: to understand how the pandemic and subsequent lockdown had changed their needs and experiences, and to recommend programmatic responses.

Design

Qualitative interviews and framework analysis.

Setting

A non-government support programme for survivors of violence against women, providing services mainly for residents of informal settlements.

Participants

During follow-up telephone counselling with survivors of violence against women who had previously registered for support and consented to the use of information in research, counsellors took verbal consent for additional questions about the effects of COVID-19 on their daily life, their ability to speak with someone, and their counselling preferences. Responses were recorded as written notes.

Results

The major concerns of 586 clients interviewed between April and July 2020 were meeting basic needs (financial stress, interrupted livelihoods and food insecurity), confinement in small homes (family tensions and isolation with abusers) and limited mobility (power imbalances in the home and lack of opportunity for disclosure and stress relief). A major source of stress was the increased burden of unpaid domestic care, which fell largely on women.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased the burden of poverty and gendered unpaid care. Finance and food security are critical considerations for future response, which should consider inequality, financial support, prioritising continued availability of services for survivors of violence and expanding access to social networks. Decision-makers must be aware of the gendered, intersectional effects of interventions and must include residents of informal settlements who are survivors of domestic violence in the planning and implementation of public health strategies.
Facilitators of and barriers to buprenorphine initiation for people with opioid use disorder in the emergency department: protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Bozinoff Nikki , Soobiah Charlene , Rodak Terri , Bucago Christine , Kingston Katie , Klaiman Michelle , Poynter Brittany , Samuels Glenna , Schoenfeld Elizabeth , Shelton Dominick , Kalocsai Csilla
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Buprenorphine–naloxone is recommended as a first-line agent for the treatment of opioid use disorder. Although initiation of buprenorphine in the emergency department (ED) is evidence based, barriers to implementation persist. A comprehensive review and critical analysis of both facilitators of and barriers to buprenorphine initiation in ED has yet to be published. Our objectives are (1) to map the implementation of buprenorphine induction pathway literature and synthesise what we know about buprenorphine pathways in EDs and (2) to identify gaps in this literature with respect to barriers and facilitators of implementation.

Methods and analysis

We will conduct a scoping review to comprehensively search the literature, map the evidence and identify gaps in knowledge. The review will adhere to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses Protocols Extension for Scoping Reviews and guidance from the Joanna Briggs Institution for conduct of scoping reviews. We will search Medline, APA, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase and IBSS from 1995 to present and the search will be restricted to English and French language publications. Citations will be screened in Covidence by two trained reviewers. Discrepancies will be mediated by consensus. Data will be synthesised using a hybrid, inductive–deductive approach, informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research as well as critical theory to guide further interpretation.

Ethics and dissemination

This review does not require ethics approval. A group of primary knowledge users, including clinicians and people with lived experience, will be involved in the dissemination of findings including publication in peer-reviewed journals. Results will inform future research, current quality improvement efforts in affiliated hospitals, and aide the creation of a more robust ED response to the escalating overdose crisis.
Cost–DALY comparison of hip replacement care in 12 Belgian hospitals
Authors: Dehanne Fabian , Gourdin Maximilien , Devleesschauwer Brecht , Bihin Benoit , Van Wilder Philippe , Mareschal Bertrand , Leclercq Pol , Pirson Magali
Published: September 2021

Background

In view of the expected increase in expenditure on hip replacement treatment in Belgium, the complication rate and potential waste reduction, as estimated by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, we are not yet in a position to assess the efficiency of hip replacement treatment in Belgian hospitals. This objective study uses a cost–disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) ratio to propose a comparison of hip replacement surgery among 12 Belgian hospitals.

Methods

Our study seeks to innovate by proposing an interhospital comparison that simultaneously integrates the weighting of quality indicators and the costs of managing a patient. To this end, we associated a DALY impact with each patient safety indicator, readmission and mortality outcome. We then compared hospitals using both costs and DALYs adjusted to their case mix index. The adjusted values (costs and DALYs) were obtained by relating the observed value to the predicted value obtained from the linear regression model.

Results

We registered a total of 246.5 DALYs for the 12 hospital institutions, the average cost (SD) of a stay being €8013 (€4304). Our model allowed us to identify hospitals with observed values higher than those predicted. Out of the 12 hospitals evaluated, 4 need to reduce costs and DALYs impacts, 6 have to improve one of the two factors and 2 appear to have good results. The costs for the worst performing hospitals can rise to over €150 000.

Conclusion

Evaluating the rates of patient safety indicators, associated with cost, is a prerequisite for quality and cost improvement efforts on the part of managers and practitioners. However, it appears essential to evaluate the entire care chain using a comparable unit of measurement. The hospital’s case mix index must also be considered in benchmarking to avoid drawing the wrong conclusions. In addition, other indicators, such as the patient’s perception of the actual results, should be added to our study.
Acute and chronic metabolic effects of carvedilol in high-fructose, high-fat diet–fed mice: implication of β-arrestin2 pathway
Authors: Ahmed Hoda M.S. , Mohamed Samar G. , Ibrahim Wael S. , Rezk Asmaa M. , Mahmoud Amr A.A. , Mahmoud Mona F. , Ibrahim Islam A.A.E.-H.
Published: September 2021

We aimed to investigate the acute and chronic effects of carvedilol on insulin resistance in high-fructose, high-fat diet (HFrHFD) – fed mice and the implication of the β-arrestin2 pathway. The acute effect of carvedilol (10 mg/kg, i.p.) on glucose tolerance and hepatic lipid signaling in normal and insulin resistant mice was investigated. Then, the chronic effect of carvedilol on insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in HFrHFD-fed mice was examined. Changes in β-arrestin2 and its downstream signals in liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue were measured. This involved measuring phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) and diacylglycerol (DAG) levels and protein kinase B (AKT) activity. Carvedilol acutely reduced fasting blood glucose levels in both normal and insulin resistant mice without significantly affecting the glucose tolerance. These acute effects were associated with increased hepatic PIP2 but decreased hepatic DAG levels. Chronic administration of carvedilol significantly ameliorated insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in HFrHFD-fed mice. These chronic effects were associated with increased β-arrestin2, PIP2, and AKT activity levels but decreased DAG levels in the classical insulin target tissues. In conclusion, carvedilol acutely maintains glucose homeostasis and chronically ameliorates insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in HFrHFD-fed mice. The insulin sensitizing effects of carvedilol are highly correlated with the upregulation of β-arrestin2 pathway.
Generalized Lemaítre–Tolman–Bondi spacetime under the influence of electric charge and Palatini f(R) gravity
Authors: Bhatti M. Z. , Yousaf Z. , Hussain F.
Published: September 2021

The objective of this article is to investigate the effects of electromagnetic field on the generalization of Lemaître–Tolman–Bondi (LTB) spacetime by keeping in view the Palatini f(R) gravity and dissipative dust fluid. For performing this analysis, we followed the strategy deployed by Herrera et al. (Phys Rev D 82(2):024021, 2010). We have explored the modified field equations along with kinematical quantities and mass function and constructed the evolution equations to study the dynamics of inhomogeneous universe along with Raychauduary and Ellis equations. We have developed the relation for Palatini f(R) scalar functions by splitting the Riemann curvature tensor orthogonally and associated them with metric coefficients using modified field equations. We have formulated these scalar functions for LTB and its generalized version, i.e., GLTB under the influence of charge. The properties of GLTB spacetime are consistent with those of the LTB geometry and the scalar functions found in both cases are comparable in the presence of charge and Palatini f(R) curvature terms. The symmetric properties of generalized LTB spacetime are also studied using streaming out and diffusion approximations.
Bifurcation Analysis on a Generation of Early Afterdepolarization in a Mathematical Cardiac Model
Authors: Kitajima Hiroyuki , Yazawa Toru
Published: September 2021

Electrical activity occurs in the cell membrane of cardiomyocytes. This electrical activity forms the action potential that generates pumping of the heart. An abnormality in the action potential turns into arrhythmia, which may cause sudden death. Studies of arrhythmias using mathematical models are important to reduce the risk of sudden death. In this study, we investigate bifurcations related to the generation of early afterdepolarizations (EADs) in a mathematical model. We clarify the transition process from a normal state to a persistent EAD through a transient EAD while changing only one parameter (multiple of conductance of L-type calcium channel current) value. The dependence of the transient EAD generation on parameters is shown through bifurcation analysis in a [Na]i-parameterized system.
Hopf Bifurcation of an Age-Structured Epidemic Model with Quarantine and Temporary Immunity Effects
Authors: Liu Lili , Zhang Jian , Zhang Ran , Sun Hongquan
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we investigate an epidemic model with quarantine and recovery-age effects. Reformulating the model as an abstract nondensely defined Cauchy problem, we discuss the existence and uniqueness of solutions to the model and study the stability of the steady state based on the basic reproduction number. After analyzing the distribution of roots to a fourth degree exponential polynomial characteristic equation, we also derive the conditions of Hopf bifurcation. Numerical simulations are performed to illustrate the results.
Transition to Fully or Partially Arrested State in Coupled Logistic Maps on a Ladder
Authors: Shambharkar Nitesh D. , Deshmukh Ankosh D. , Gade Prashant M.
Published: September 2021

Layered structures are an object of interest for theoretical and experimental reasons. In this work, we study coupled map lattice on a ladder. The ladder consists of two one-dimensional chains coupled at every point. We study linearly and nonlinearly coupled logistic maps in this system and study transition to nonzero persistence, in particular. We coarse-grain the variable value by assigning spin [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) to sites that have value greater (less) than the fixed point and compute the number of sites that have not changed their spin values at all even times till the given time [Formula: see text]. The fraction of such sites at a given time [Formula: see text] is known as persistence. In our system, we observe a power-law of persistence at the critical value of coupling. This transition is also accompanied by long-range antiferromagnetic ordering for nonlinear coupling and long-range ferromagnetic ordering for linear coupling. The number of domain walls decay as [Formula: see text] at the critical point in both cases. The persistence exponent is 0.375 for a nonlinear case with two layers which is an exponent for the voter model on the ladder as well as for the Ising model at zero temperature or voter model in 1D. For linear coupling, we obtain a smaller persistence exponent.
Knudsen type group for time in ℝ and related Boltzmann type equations
Authors: Löbus Jörg-Uwe
Published: September 2021

We consider certain Boltzmann type equations on a bounded physical and a bounded velocity space under the presence of both reflective as well as diffusive boundary conditions. We introduce conditions on the shape of the physical space and on the relation between the reflective and the diffusive part in the boundary conditions such that the associated Knudsen type semigroup can be extended to time [Formula: see text]. Furthermore, we provide conditions under which there exists a unique global solution to a Boltzmann type equation for time [Formula: see text] or for time [Formula: see text] for some [Formula: see text] which is independent of the initial value at time 0. Depending on the collision kernel, [Formula: see text] can be arbitrarily small.
Influence of Initial Stress and Variable Thermal Conductivity on a Fiber-Reinforced Magneto-Thermoelastic Solid with Micro-Temperatures by Multi-Phase-Lags Model
Authors: Alharbi Amnah M. , Said Samia M. , Abd-Elaziz Elsayed M. , Othman Mohamed I. A.
Published: September 2021

This paper presents the theory of multi-phase-lags thermoelasticity that was used to study the wave propagation on a fiber-reinforced thermoelastic medium with micro-temperatures. The medium was considered to be homogeneous, isotropic and thermal conductivity as a linear function of thermodynamic temperature. The Fourier transform and Laplace transform are employed to solve the governing equations and obtained the solution of the physical quantities. The graphical illustrations of the impact that initial stress, variable thermal conductivity, magnetic field, and the phase-lags have on the field functions are presented. The variable thermal conductivity, initial stress, and magnetic field have a good impact in all the physical quantities.
Impact of solitons on the progression of initial lesion in aortic dissection
Authors: Jadaun Vishakha , Singh Nitin Raja , Singh Shveta , Shankar Ravi
Published: September 2021

Aortic dissection (AD) is the most common catastrophic disease reported at cardiovascular emergency in hospitals. Herein, a tear in the tunica intima results into separation of layers of aortic wall leading to rupture and torrential bleed. Hypoxia and oxidative stress are associated with AD. The release of hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-[Formula: see text] from the initial flap lesion in the tunica intima is the basis for aneurysmal prone factors. We framed a boundary value problem (BVP) to evaluate homeostatic saturation for oxygen dynamics using steady-state analysis. We prove uniqueness and existence of the solution of the BVP for gas exchange at capillary–tissue interface as a normal physiological function. Failure of homeostatic mechanism establishes hypoxia, a new quasi-steady-state in AD. We model permeation of two-layer fluid comprised of blood and HIF-[Formula: see text] through tunica media as a generalized [Formula: see text]-dimensional nonlinear evolution equation and solve it using Lie group of transformations method. We note that the two-layer fluid permeates the tunica media as solitary wave including solitons such as bright soliton, dark soliton, peregrine soliton, topological soliton, kink soliton, breather soliton and multi-soliton complex. Also, we introduce the main result and discuss the implications of soliton solution, using graphic interpretation, to describe the early stage of progression of AD.
Stability effect of an axial magnetic field on fluid flow bifurcation between coaxial cylinders
Authors: Benhacine Hamza , Mahfoud Brahim , Salmi Mohamed
Published: September 2021

Numerical simulations aim to investigate the bifurcation caused by swirling flow between two coaxial vertical cylinders, and the fluid layers produced by the thermal gradient. The stability of both bifurcation and fluid layers by an axial magnetic field is analyzed. The finite-volume method is used to solve the governing Navier–Stokes, temperature and potential equations. A conducting viscous fluid characterized by a small Prandtl number [Formula: see text] is placed in the gap between two coaxial cylinders. The combination of aspect ratio, [Formula: see text] and Reynolds number, [Formula: see text] for three annular gaps ([Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]) is compared in terms of flow stability, and heat transfer rates. Without a magnetic field, the vortex breakdown takes place near the inner cylinder due to the increased pumping action of the Ekman boundary layer. Fluid layered structures are developed by the competition between buoyancy and viscous forces. The increase in the magnitude of the magnetic field retarders the onset of the oscillatory instability caused by the disappearance of the vortex breakdown and reduces the number of fluid layers. The limits in which a vortex breakdown bubble manifests and the limits of transition from the multiple fluid layers to the single fluid layer are established.
Oscillation of a Piston in a Cylinder and Its Approximate Solutions
Authors: Kajiyama Yuji
Published: September 2021

We discuss the oscillation of a piston in a cylinder with various amplitudes in adiabatic processes. When a piston in a cylinder moves due to the pressure of a contained ideal gas, it will oscillate like a harmonic oscillator in the case of small amplitude. However, it is difficult to obtain an analytic solution of the equation of motion because of its nonlinearity in general. In this paper, we find that analytic solutions are expressed by elementary functions under approximations of various amplitudes, which can well describe the motion of the piston. It will help students to understand a nonlinear equation of motion appearing in thermodynamics.
Development of antifibrotic therapy for stricturing Crohn’s disease: lessons from randomized trials in other fibrotic diseases
Authors: Lin Si-Nan , Mao Ren , Qian Chenchen , Bettenworth Dominik , Wang Jie , Li Jiannan , Bruining David H. , Jairath Vipul , Feagan Brian G. , Chen Min-Hu ,   Stenosis Therapy and Antifibrotic Research (STAR) Consortium, Rieder Florian
Published: September 2021

Intestinal fibrosis is considered an inevitable complication of Crohn’s disease (CD) that results in symptoms of obstruction and stricture formation. Endoscopic or surgical treatment is required to treat the majority of patients. Progress in the management of stricturing CD is hampered by the lack of effective antifibrotic therapy; however, this situation is likely to change because of recent advances in other fibrotic diseases of the lung, liver, and skin. In this review, we summarize data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of antifibrotic therapies in these conditions. Multiple compounds have been tested for antifibrotic effects in other organs. According to their mechanisms, they were categorized into growth factor modulators, inflammation modulators, 5-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitors, intracellular enzymes and kinases, renin-angiotensin system (RAS) modulators, and others. From our review of the results from the clinical trials and discussion of their implications in the gastrointestinal tract, we have identified several molecular candidates that could serve as potential therapies for intestinal fibrosis in CD.
Center Impedance Method for Estimating Complex Modulus with Wide Frequency Range and Large Loss Factors
Authors: Horiguchi Ryuzo , Oda Yoshiro , Sato Keito , Kozuka Hiroto , Yamaguchi Takao
Published: September 2021

A simple method for determining viscoelasticity over a wide frequency range using the frequency response function (FRF) mobility obtained by the center impedance method is presented. As user data comprise the FRF between the velocity of the excitation rod and excitation force, it is challenging to separate the signal and noise. Our proposed method is based on the FRF obtained from the analytical solution of the equation of motion of the viscoelastic beam and relationship between the complex wavenumber (real wavenumber and attenuation constant) of flexural wave and viscoelasticity. Furthermore, a large loss factor can be handled over a wide frequency range without using the half‐power bandwidth. In this study, actual FRF mobility data containing noise were processed using preprocessing, inverse calculation, and postprocessing. Preprocessing removed low‐coherence data, compensates for the effects of instrument gain, and transformed the FRF into its dimensionless equivalent. Then, inverse calculations were used to solve the mobility equation and determine the complex wavenumber. In postprocessing, the complex wavenumber obtained by the inverse calculation was curve fitted using functions with mechanical significance. Consequently, the storage modulus based on the curve‐fitted complex wavenumber was a monotonically increasing frequency function. The loss factor had a smooth frequency dependence such that it has the maximum value at a single frequency. The proposed method can be applied to composite materials, where the application of time‐temperature superposition is challenging. We utilized the measured FRF mobility data obtained over a duration of several seconds, and this method can also be applied to materials with large loss factors of 1 or more.
Infinitely Many Solutions for Discrete Boundary Value Problems with the

p
,
q

-Laplacian Operator
Authors: Zhang Zhuomin , Zhou Zhan
Published: September 2021

In this paper, we consider the existence and multiplicity of solutions for a discrete Dirichlet boundary value problem involving the

p
,
q

-Laplacian. By using the critical point theory, we obtain the existence of infinitely many solutions under some suitable assumptions on the nonlinear term. Also, by our strong maximum principle, we can obtain the existence of infinitely many positive solutions.
Research on the Decompression Effects of Shaft Explosion‐Proof Door at Different Lifting Heights
Authors: Zhang Xue-Bo , Shen Shuai-Shuai , Gao Zhi-Yang , Yang Ming , Ren Jing-Zhang
Published: September 2021

To study the decompression effects of shaft explosion‐proof door at different lifting heights, this paper designed the gas explosion testing system. Based on the test results, this paper made a numeric analysis of the change regularities of the shock wave overpressure when the shaft explosion‐proof door was lifted at different heights. Finally, this paper determined the proper lifting height of the shaft explosion‐proof door and put forward the active decompression concept. The research showed that (1) the shock wave overpressure at the explosion‐proof door decreased in a power exponential relationship as the lifting height increased. When the lifting height increased from 0 cm to 5 cm, the peak overpressure at the explosion‐proof door decreased from 36.06 kPa to 22.47 kPa, dropping by 37.7%. When it was lifted at a height of 40 cm, the overpressure dropped to 11.20 kPa and the decompression reached 68.9%. (2) The overpressure at the ventilator decreased in a power exponential relationship as the lifting height increased. When the lifting height of the explosion‐proof door increased from 0 cm to 5 cm, the decompression ratio reached the maximum 18.4%. After that, the decompression effect became worse and worse. (3) The explosion‐proof door could depressurize and protect the ventilator at gas explosion but with limited effects. To protect the ventilator and the explosion‐proof door to the maximum, it was suggested that the pressure sensor was set up somewhere in the mine where the gas explosion is likely to occur. In this way, the explosion was sensed in time and the explosion‐proof door could be actively lifted for decompression. This paper was of great guiding significance in optimizing the design of the explosion‐proof door equipment, reducing the loss of gas explosion accidents as well as carrying out the emergency rescue.
Deep Learning-Based Analysis of the Effect of Cardiac Color Ultrasound on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease under Mask Region
Authors: He Yusheng , Chen Fei , Chen Qingyun
Published: September 2021

This study was developed to analyze the application effect of cardiac ultrasound (CUS) in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. A mask region-based convolutional neural network (Mask R-CNN) algorithm was constructed for lung disease detection based on deep learning algorithms, and it was compared with the RetinaNet algorithm for lung disease detection. The results showed that the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and running time of the Mask R-CNN algorithm were statistically greater than those of the RetinaNet algorithm (

P
<
0.05

). A total of 92 cases confirmed with lung diseases by pathology were set as experimental group, including 23 cases of COPD classification for level I, II, III, and IV. In addition, 20 cases of healthy adults were selected as control group. The experimental group was compared with the control group, as the lung function decreased, the right atrium diameter (RAD), right ventricle diameter (RVD), and the right ventricular anterior wall thickness (RVAW) increased, the right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) gradually decreased, and the AWT-RV, the interventricular septal thickness (IVST), and right ventricular end-diastole volume (RVEDV) changed greatly in the lung function classification (

P
<
0.01

). It was concluded that the CUS based on the Mask R-CNN algorithm could show the changes in bronchial lumen volume at all levels and could detect and evaluate the lung function diseases.
Environmental Regulation, Outward Foreign Direct Investment, and Low-Carbon Innovation: An Empirical Study Based on Provincial Spatial Panel Data in China
Authors: Yang Chaojun , Liu Liju , Yang Wenke , Ahmed Tanveer
Published: September 2021

The low-carbon transformation has turned out to be a challenging task faced by government agencies, enterprises, and society because of the global warming. Endorsing the expansion of the low-carbon revolution is considered as an essential measure for low-carbon alteration and advancement. Therefore, articulating realistic environmental control strategies intended to enhance the motivation level of low-carbon innovation, though outward foreign direct investment (OFDI) can produce direct and indirect influences on the growth of low-carbon innovation. According to the data of 30 provinces of China from 2004 to 2017, the relationship among environmental regulation, OFDI, and low-carbon innovation was analyzed using the spatial econometric model. Based on the analyzed data, the following conclusions were drawn. (i) From the national and regional perspectives, China’s low-carbon innovation takes understandable agglomeration features in the longitudinal dimension. In addition, environmental regulation plays a key role in promoting low-carbon innovation and regional heterogeneity. (ii) Environmental regulation might force enterprises outward foreign direct investment efficiently and increase the level of OFDI that will be capable of promoting low-carbon innovation. (iii) OFDI acts as an intermediary in the relationship between environmental regulation and low-carbon innovation, and this role has regional heterogeneity. (iv) There are significant spatial spillover effects of environmental regulation and OFDI on low-carbon innovation, environmental regulation on OFDI, and the intermediary effect of OFDI on environmental regulation and low-carbon innovation. This study supplements our understanding of the relationship between environmental regulation and OFDI, in addition to low-carbon innovation, which provides illumination for enterprise practice, as well as decision-makers.
Tailored Centrifugal Turbomachinery for Electric Fuel Cell Turbocharger
Authors: Filsinger Dietmar , Kuwata Gen , Ikeya Nobuyuki
Published: September 2021

Hydrogen fuel cell technology is identified as one option for allowing efficient vehicular propulsion with the least environmental impact on the path to a carbon-free society. Since more than 20 years, IHI is providing charging systems for stationary fuel cell applications and since 2004 for mobile fuel cell applications. The power density of fuel cells substantially increases if the system is pressurized. However, contaminants from fuel cell system components like structural materials, lubricants, adhesives, sealants, and hoses have been shown to affect the performance and durability of fuel cells. Therefore, the charging system that increases the pressure and the power density of the stacks inevitably needs to be oil-free. For this reason, gas bearings are applied to support the rotor of a fuel cell turbocharger. It furthermore comprises a turbine, a compressor, and, on the same shaft, an electric motor. The turbine utilizes the exhaust energy of the stack to support the compressor and hence lower the required electric power of the air supply system. The presented paper provides an overview of the fuel cell turbocharger technology. Detailed performance investigations show that a single-stage compressor with turbine is more efficient compared to a two-stage compressor system with intercooler. The turbine can provide more than 30% of the required compressor power. Hence, it substantially increases the system efficiency. It is also shown that a fixed geometry turbine design is appropriate for most applications. The compressor is of a low specific speed type with a vaneless diffuser. It is optimized for operating conditions of fuel cell systems, which typically require pressure ratios in the range of 3.0.