bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Climate Dialog, Climate Action: Can Democracy Do the Job?
Authors: Phillips Fred Young , Reimer LaVonne , Turner Rebecca
Published: September 2021

The latest IPCC report forcefully states that immediate, decisive, and large-scale actions are needed to avert climate catastrophe. This essay presumes that democratic governments are best and most desirably positioned to take these actions. Yet in the countries most pivotal to global climate, significant voting blocs are uninterested in environmental issues. The essay urges adding bottom-up dialog between environmental and anti-environmental voters, to current and future top-down technocratic “solutions.” To make this combination result in a unified pro-environment electorate, we must understand: religious objections to environmentalism; the capital-vs.-knowledge strife that slows polluting corporations’ green transitions; and the psychological mechanisms that can make inter-group dialog fruitful.
The Tale of Academician D. E. Okhotsimsky (on the 100th anniversary)
Authors: Borovin Gennady Konstantinovich , Golubev Yury Filippovich , Grushevskii Alexey Vasilyevich , Tuchin Andrey Georgievich
Published: September 2021

The article presents materials about the outstanding scientist and the Russian citizen academician D.E. Okhotsimsky. Dmitry Yevgenyevich Okhotsimsky is an outstanding scientist, inspirer in modern national mechanics and control processes, academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Hero of Socialist Labor, who did an invaluable contribution for the national space science development, one of the founders of modern space flight mechanics.
The 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and Tsunami: A Message from Japan to Thailand
Authors: Leelawat Natt , Laosunthara Ampan , Tang Jing , Suppasri Anawat , Ruangrassamee Anat , Akkharaprathompong Prasert , Imamura Fumihiko ,   Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University 254 Phayathai Road, Pathumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand,   Disaster and Risk Management Information Systems Research Group, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand,   International School of Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand,   International Research Institute of Disaster Science (IRIDeS), Tohoku University, Miyagi, Japan,   Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand,   Center of Excellence in Earthquake Engineering and Vibration, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
Published: September 2021

Thailand was among the countries that suffered losses and damage as a result of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami disaster. Ten years have passed since the 2011 Great East Japan earthquake and tsunami. The various lessons learned and research on the 2011 disaster in Japan have reached Thailand. This can be seen in the numerous interactive activities associated to the World Tsunami Awareness Day, as well as several tsunami-related research and development programs applied to the country. This article summarizes those activities and highlights key examples. It also acts as a conduit for related communication between the two countries, Japan and Thailand.
Disaster Relief Funding by Private Grants and POs: Actors Supporting “Paradise” After Disaster
Authors: Nakajima Takako ,   Faculty of Public Affairs, Osaka University of Commerce 4-1-10 Mikuriyasakae-machi, Higashiosaka, Osaka 577-8505, Japan
Published: September 2021

Following various tragic accidents, a civil society utopia has emerged to overcome the terrible situations through altruistic behaviors and mutual aid. Rebecca Solnit describes it as “a paradise built in hell.” As a means for civil society to support large-scale disasters, assistance is provided directly or indirectly through financial donations, relief supplies, or sending volunteers to disaster-affected areas. Such disaster relief assistance emerged post the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE). Indirect disaster relief takes the form of making contributions to nonprofit organizations (NPOs) to support disaster-stricken areas and people. Despite grants provided to NPOs, obtaining comprehensive data on their activities is difficult because of the enormous assistance they receive. Thus, research on civil society’s private disaster relief funding systems for the GEJE works remains limited. Additionally, it is difficult to deduce the number of program officers (POs) in charge of disaster relief activities for the GEJE. These POs belong to various foundations, companies, and NPOs. Apart from NPOs or charitable foundations, private companies have also established disaster relief grant systems for NPOs to aid disaster relief assistance. This study addresses the above concerns by reporting recent survey results to understand the role of private grants and POs in managing fund distribution to the NPOs working for the GEJE disaster relief. The study concludes from the survey that at least 25 private grant systems were launched, and they supplied more than JPY 40.57 billion (USD 391.26 million) from 2011 to 2020 for disaster relief activities by NPOs.
Clustering of Healthy Behaviors and Related Factors among 19-64 Aged Korean Adults
Authors: Gu Hyae Min , Ryu So Yeon , Park Jong , Choi Seong-Woo , Han Mi Ah , Shin Jun Ho
Published: September 2021

Objectives: This study was performed to identify and find the clustering of healthy behaviors and the factors related to the clustering among Korean adults aged 19-64.Methods: The data of 9,519 Korean adults aged between 19 and 64 years who participated in the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used as the analysis target. Following the recommendation of the Health Plan 2020 for health-promoting lifestyle, four variables, including nonsmoking, moderate drinking, sufficient physical activity, and healthy diet, were used in the study. The multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationships among demographic characteristics, health-related characteristics, and clustering of healthy behaviors.Results: The significant elements of healthy behaviors clustering included sufficient physical activities for males, and non-smoking, moderate drinking, and healthy diet for females. Clustering healthy behaviors were higher for “females, the elderly, people with higher level of education, people with higher household income, people with diabetes, and people who perceive their subjective health status is good.Conclusions: In this study, the factors related to the clustering of healthy behaviors were identified. In order to spread the practice of healthy behaviors, multiple interventions are more effective than individual health behaviors.
Effect of Expressive Writing on Professional Quality of Life and Resilience among Intensive Care Unit Nurses
Authors: You Danbi , Park Hye-Ja
Published: September 2021

Objectives: This study examined the effect of expressive writing on professional quality of life and resilience among intensive care unit nurses.Methods: Forty nurses stratified by the nursing proficiency career randomly assigned to an writing group (n=17) or a control group (n=23) from a university hospital-affiliated intensive care units. The 5-week expressive writing included a weekly 20 min of expressive writing and 10 min of reflection on the workrelated traumatic events. Outcomes were assessed using questionnaires of a professional quality of life (compassion satisfaction, burnout and secondary traumatic stress) and a resilience. Data were analyzed by independent t-test and analysis of covariance.Results: The expressive writing program provided improvements in resilience measure, including measures of situational, philosophical, and professional resilience.Conclusions: Expressive writing might be a useful strategy for enhancing resilience from the stressful work-related traumatic events for nurses working at the intensive care units.
The Effect of Multicultural Adolescents’ Career Barriers on Depression: Focused on Mediating Effect of Parent’s Rearing Attitudes and Relationship between Multicultural Adolescents and Teachers
Authors: Oh Hye-Kyung , Ko Mi-Suk
Published: September 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of multicultural adolescents’ career barriers on depression focused on mediating effect of parent’s rearing attitudes and relationship between multicultural adolescents and teachers.Methods: The empirical analysis data of this study was extracted from the 8th Multicultural Adolescents Panel Survey. The subjects of this study were 1194 multicultural adolescents. The data were analyzed with Pearson’s correlation coefficient and regression analysis.Results: The significant factor related to supervision (B=-0.26, p<0.001) and negligence (B=0.31, p<0.001) of parent’s attitudes and relationship with teachers (B=-0.43, p<0.001) included perceived career barriers. Negligence of parent’s rearing attitude (B=0.21, p<0.001) increased depression while supervision of parent’s rearing attitude (B=-0.14, p<0.001) and relationship with teachers (B=-0.06, p<0.01) decreased depression. Parent’s rearing attitudes and relationship with teachers were mediators between career barriers and depression.Conclusions: Based on the results of this study, it is desirable to reduce the level of depression by lowering the career barriers, parent’s rearing attitude (negligence), and by increasing the parent’s rearing attitude (supervision) and relationship with teachers (adaptation). It is suggested to develop effective educational programs to decrease the depression level of multicultural adolescents.
Effects of Customer Orientation, Belief of Patient Activation and Professional Self-concept on Caring Behaviors of Nurses in Comprehensive Nursing Care Units
Authors: Jeon Ji Eun , Kim Eun Hee
Published: September 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of customer orientation, professional self-concept and belief of patient activation on caring behaviors of nurses in comprehensive nursing care units.Methods: The data were collected from 141 nurses in the comprehensive nursing care units of the general hospital in D-City using structured questionnaire from August 1 to August 30, 2019. Statistical analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0 program.Results: In regression analysis, the higher customer orientation (β=0.49) and belief of patient activation (β=0.33), the more the work period in clinical careers in current unit (β=0.17) and the higher professional self-concept (β=0.15), the more the caring behaviors are affected. This analysis showed 81.3% explanatory power.Conclusions: This study reveals that caring behaviors of nurses in the comprehensive nursing care units can be enhanced through the improvement of the customer orientation, belief of patient activation and professional self-concept. Therefore, this study suggests that the development and application of education programs to enhance customer orientation, professional self-concept and belief of patient activation is required for increasing the quality of nursing care and patient satisfaction with caring behaviors.
Secular Trend of Twin Birth Rate in Metropolitan Cities of Korea, 2000-2019
Authors: Park Sang Hwa , Kwon Kyoung Hun , Lee Shi Nae , Kim Su Beom , Seo Min Jeong , Yang Won-Chang , Lim Dar Oh
Published: September 2021

Objectives: To analyze the seven metropolitan cities of twin birth rate per 100 births (TBR) from 2000 to 2019 in Korea.Methods: We used the 2000-2019 birth certificated data (3,949,097 births) of seven metropolitan cities from Statistics Korea. The data of extra-marital birth and information missing cases (maternal and paternal age and triplet birth) were excluded. The odds ratio and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic regression to describe the regional variance of TBR adjusted for maternal age, age difference between couple and maternal educational backgrounds.Results: During this period (2000-2019 years), the highest TBR by region was observed in Ulsan and Seoul metropolitan city (3.0), and the lowest TBR in Deagu metropolitan city (2.6). The TBR increased by 275 percent from 1.74 in 2000 to 4.79 in 2019. During the period from 2000-2004 to 2015-2019, there was the highest increment of TBR in Ulsan metropolitan city (odds ratio: 1.78; 95% confidence interval: 1.64-1.92) and Busan metropolitan city (1.74; 1.65-1.83), and the lowest increment in Daegu metropolitan city (1.24; 1.17-1.31), after adjustment by logistic regression for demographic variables. During the period 2015-2019 years, there was a significant increase the odds ratio of TBR in Ulsan metropolitan city (1.39), Busan metropolitan city (1.33), Seoul metropolitan city (1.25) and Incheon metropolitan city (1.23), as compared with the TBR of Deagu metropolitan city.Conclusions: Over the past two decades, TBR have risen dramatically in metropolitan cities of Korea. Regional variance of TBR was observed among metropolitan cities in Korea. There is a need for more research to understand the socio-demographic and medical factors associated with regional differences. The national birth registration system needs to be reformed to monitor whether twin births are spontaneous or assisted pregnancy.
Investigating learning outcome based on a model of English teaching of Indonesian elementary students
Authors: Syatriana Eny , Erwin Akib
Published: September 2021

This research  aim of this study is to develop a model of teaching English for Indonesian elementary students. This developmental research consisted of five key procedures:  analysis of need, model design, development, implementation, and evaluation. In the model development, two treatments were conducted to test the model. In the evaluation, a pre-test and post-test were administered to see the effectiveness of the model and the instructional materials in enhancing the English achievement of the students. The subject consisted of three school headmasters, three English teachers, and the fourth graders of three elementary schools in Makassar city.  The teaching model consisting of four main stages: pre-activity, presentation, practice, and evaluation considers three main aspect: the language skill, language performance, and pedagogic aspects. The result indicates that the English teaching model is successful in enhancing the students’ achievement in English and learning interest. In its form, the teaching model is flexible; it helps teacher write instructional materials, write lesson plans, teach, and analyze the teaching and learning process. The standards  in thefieldsupportthe model and the teaching of students.
KM Tools : Making Connections
Authors:   Engineer Research and Development Center (U.S.)
Published: September 2021

Knowledge management is vital to successfully executing research and development programs within the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC). Experimental knowledge management initiatives over the years led to discoveries about the best ways to store and access ERDC’s vast knowledge base. This document highlights several of the effective knowledge management tools that evolved from these discoveries, helping you to find and share knowledge!
Development of a Fracturing Nanofluid with Dual Purpose: Increasing Heavy Oil Mobility and Reducing the Reservoir Damage Associated at the Remaining Fracture Fluid
Authors: Giraldo Maria Alejandra , Zabala Richard , Bahamon Jorge Ítalo , Mazo Camilo , Guzmán Juan David , Franco Camilo Andrés , Cortés Farid Bernardo
Published: September 2021

This work aims to develop a fracturing nanofluid with a dual purpose: i) to increase heavy crude oil mobility and ii) to reduce formation damage caused by the remaining fluid. Three commercial nanoparticles were evaluated: two fumed silica of different sizes and one type of alumina. They were acidified and basified, obtaining nine nanoparticles (NPs) by the surface modification, characterized by TEM, DLS, Z Potential and Total Acidity. The effect of adding nanoparticles at different concentrations onto the linear gel and heavy crude oil was determined by their rheological behavior. Also, there was assessed the alteration of the rock wettability by contact angle for all NPs and concentrations. Based on these results, the nanoparticle with better performance was the neutral fumed silica of 7 nm at 1000 mg/L. These were used to make a fracturing nanofluid from a commercial fracturing fluid (FF). Both of them were evaluated through their rheological behavior overtime at high pressure following the API RP39 test and quantitative measurements of the rock sample wettability changes. Displacement tests also were performed on proppant and rock samples at reservoir conditions: pressure and temperature. Finally, there was evaluated the rheological behavior of the crude oil recovered in the displacement test. It was possible to conclude that the inclusion of nanoparticles allowed obtaining a reduction of 10 and 20% in the two breakers used in the commercial fracture fluid formulation. An alteration of the rock wettability was achieved, where the rock sample became up to 50% more wettable to water. Moreover, there was a diminution of 53% in the damage caused by the remaining fracturing fluid to the oil effective permeability in the proppant medium. In the rock sample, a decrease of 31% of this kind of damage was observed. Increases of 28 and 18 % in the crude oil recovery were noticed in the proppant and the rock sample, respectively. Finally, there was a reduction of 40% in the crude oil viscosity, showing the effectiveness of adding nanoparticles to fracturing fluids for increasing oil mobility and reducing the formation damage.
A New Condition Monitoring System Improves the Reliability of the RCD Element During the MPD Jobs
Authors: Machocki Krzysztof Karol , Marhoon Zahrah , Shaarawi Amjad , Sehsah Ossama , Dixon Tom , Muhammad Jamal uddin
Published: September 2021

Managed pressure drilling (MPD) is a technology that allows for precise wellbore pressure control, especially in formations of uncertain geomechanical properties (in specific: Fracture pressure and pore pressure gradients). The rotating control device (RCD) is the backbone to the MPD equipment. A new condition monitoring system was developed to improve the reliability of the RCD elements and to eliminate its catastrophic failures during MPD jobs.

The new method to increase the reliability of an RCD is based on understanding and quantifying the factors affecting the lifetime of the RCD components. The condition monitoring system was designed to be attached onto the RCD and collect data from an array of sensors during the MPD jobs.

Sensors are measuring: vibrations, acoustic emissions, rotation, pipe movement, temperatures and contamination level in the coolant fluid.

System is capable to display the measurements in the real time to the operator, giving early warnings to take actions in order to prevent catastrophic failures of the RCD during the job. Data is also recorded to allow further processing and analysis using ML and AI techniques.

The authors will discuss in detail the background and rationale to the new technology, including a review of the condition monitoring system, its elements, and functionality. The system design and intended operation will be explained including, sensors and data collection points in the condition monitoring process.

No catastrophic failures of the RCD were encountered when the RCD condition monitoring system was installed and running in the field up to date. The measurements collected from the array of sensors and presented in the real time to the MPD operators, allows to monitor changes in condition of the critical RCD elements. From the system design, sensor type, and frequency of data inputs, it was concluded that the quantification of some parameters affecting the lifetime of RCD could be successfully performed in post analysis, using advanced AI techniques.

This condition monitoring system can optimize the MPD operations, making MPD jobs safer and reducing the Non Productive Time.

The novelty of this condition monitoring system is in the approach of measuring and displaying critical values to the operator during the job and possibility to quantification of the factors affecting the RCD elements lifetime.
A Novel Multiphysics Multiscale Multiporosity Shale Gas Transport Model for Geomechanics/Flow Coupling in Steady and Transient States
Authors: Li Zihao , Teng Yuntian , Fan Ming , Ripepi Nino , Chen Cheng
Published: September 2021

A novel multiphysics multiscale multiporosity shale gas transport (M3ST) model was developed to investigate shale gas transport in both transient and steady states. The microscale model component contains a kerogen domain and an inorganic matrix domain, and each domain has its own geomechanical and gas transport properties. Permeabilities of various shale cores were measured in the laboratory using a pulse decay permeameter (PDP) with different pore pressure and confining stress combinations. The PDP-measured apparent permeability as a function of pore pressure under two effective stresses was fitted using the microscale M3ST model component based on nonlinear least squares fitting (NLSF), and the fitted model parameters were able to provide accurate model predictions for another effective stress. The parameters and petrophysical properties determined in the steady state were then used in the transient-state, continuum-scale M3ST model component, which performed history matching of the evolutions of the upstream and downstream gas pressures. In addition, a double-exponential empirical model was developed as a powerful alternative to the M3ST model to fit laboratory-measured apparent permeability under various effective stresses and pore pressures. The developed M3ST model and the research findings in this study provided critical insights into the role of the multiphysics mechanisms, including geomechanics, fluid dynamics and transport, and the Klinkenberg effect on shale gas transport across different spatial scales in both steady and transient states.
Drilling the Point Pleasant-Utica Shale Fractured Formation During the COVID-19 Pandemic Utilizing CBHP MPD with a PMCD Contingency
Authors: Nauduri Sagar , Shimi Ahmed , Guefack Gildas , Parker Martyn
Published: September 2021

Drilling the Point Pleasant-Utica formation in the Appalachian Basin has posed challenges to most operators, especially in Western Pennsylvania. A recent well drilled in this region demonstrated that with proper buy-in from the Operator, Constant Bottomhole Pressure (CBHP) Managed Pressure Drilling (MPD) could be the answer when planned and executed correctly. This paper drives the point that MPD is more than simply dropping chokes on location.

Prior to drilling the well, the Operator initiated the communication very early with the MPD service provider and created an avenue to reduce the projected mud weight and develop a detailed CBHP MPD plan with a Pressurized Mudcap Drilling (PMCD) contingency. The anticipated challenges on this well were: High-pressure gas fractures, formation instability/shale breakout, severe/total loss of returns, inability to reach Target Depth, and casing/cementing issues.

The Operator took time and worked with the new MPD service provider to carefully design and plan a new well (referred to as ‘Y1’ in this document), which helped execute the MPD part of the project within 30 days. In contrast, the MPD execution on a previous well (referred to as ‘X2’ in this document) with the older MPD service provider took more than 90 days. MPD execution on the new MPD well included dynamic influx management and loss mitigation, and understanding of the petro-physical conditions to reach the target. The significant factors that helped drill this well safely with a low Non-Productive Time (NPT) are excellent safety culture, communication, high quality and well-maintained MPD equipment, and a very knowledgeable and highly experienced MPD team. This project was finished within half of the budgeted Authorization for Expenditure (AFE), setting milestones in this region for this Operator.
Determining Diagnosis Date of Diabetes Using Structured Electronic Health Record (EHR) Data: The SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study
Authors: Lenoir Kristin M , Wagenknecht Lynne E , Divers Jasmin , Casanova Ramon , Dabelea Dana , Saydah Sharon , Pihoker Catherine , Liese Angela D , Standiford Debra , Hamman Richard , Wells Brian J
Published: September 2021

Background. Disease surveillance of diabetes among youth has relied mainly upon manual chart review. However, increasingly available structured electronic health record (EHR) data have been shown to yield accurate determinations of diabetes status and type. Validated algorithms to determine date of diabetes diagnosis are lacking. The objective of this work is to validate two EHR-based algorithms to determine date of diagnosis of diabetes.Methods. A rule-based ICD-10 algorithm identified youth with diabetes from structured EHR data over the period of 2009 through 2017 within three children’s hospitals that participate in the SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth Study: Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, Seattle Children’s Hospital, Seattle, WA, and Children’s Hospital Colorado, Denver, CO. Previous research and a multidisciplinary team informed the creation of two algorithms based upon structured EHR data to determine date of diagnosis among diabetes cases. An ICD-code algorithm was defined by the year of occurrence of second ICD-9 or ICD-10 diabetes code. A multiple-criteria algorithm consisted of the year of first occurrence of any of the following: diabetes-related ICD code, elevated glucose, elevated HbA1c, or diabetes medication. We assessed algorithm performance by percent agreement with a gold standard date of diagnosis determined by chart review. Results. Among 3777 cases, both algorithms demonstrated high agreement with true diagnosis year and differed in classification (p=0.006): 86.5% agreement for the ICD code algorithm and 85.9% agreement for the multiple-criteria algorithm. Agreement was high for both type 1 and type 2 cases for the ICD code algorithm. Performance improved over time. Conclusions. Year of occurrence of the second ICD diabetes-related code in the EHR yields an accurate diagnosis date within these pediatric hospital systems. This may lead to increased efficiency and sustainability of surveillance methods for incidence of diabetes among youth.
Understanding the Influence of Climate Elements on Traffic Behavior: The Wind Impact Approach
Authors: Sentić Ivana , Đorđević Jasmina , Đorđević Tijana , Ljubojević Mirjana , Čukanović Jelena
Published: September 2021

Due to intense highway congestion in Europe, increased percentage of highway accidents, as well as mortality rate, safety is an imperative in highway planning and design. Highway design safety standards have been researched extensively, but not enough attention has been paid to the surrounding environmental impacts, foremost climate elements. Therefore, this research attempts to understand the least researched climate element — the wind, and its impact on highway safety. The highway landscape falls under the category of the wind impacts that can cause significant problems for the drivers throughout the year. The values for wind direction, frequency and intensity were taken from the CARPATCLIM database. The evaluation of homogenized and harmonized set of data on a daily basis for a twenty-year period documented a variety of wind impacts on highway safety. It was found that the wind is constantly present throughout the year, with specific monthly oscillations. By using the ArcGis and the interpolation method, it has been clearly observed at which points the effect of intense winds was present the most. In order to understand the overall image of highway safety, fieldwork was conducted in various meteorological conditions. The checklists photo-documented and qualitatively described the observed extreme wind events (alone or combined with one more climate element). Based on everything described above, the image of the current situation was provided, and the proposal for control of the impact of wind using an adequate vegetation assembly (windbreaks) has been offered.
Fabrication and optimization of bio-silver nanoparticles: Activity evaluation against beta-lactamases-resistant Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Fattah Bikhal , Arif Huner , Mousa Haider
Published: September 2021

Objectives: Due to the presence of antibiotic-resistant genes, treatment options of clinical isolates are exceedingly limited. This study was aimed to fabricate, optimize, characterize, and evaluate the action of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) against a clinical isolate of Enterococcus faecalis.Materials and Methods: A combination of cell-free supernatant (C-FS) of the filamentous fungus Fusarium solani and Gram-negative Comamonas aquatica for AgNPs formation was proposed; the antigrowth and antibiofilm of AgNPs against E. faecalis harboring blaTEM and blaCTX-M genes were assessed. Results: The ratio of 1:2 v/v (C-FS:AgNO3) at pH 9.0 for 72 h in 1 mM AgNO3 were the optimal conditions for AgNPs formation. UV-vis absorption peak appeared at 425 nm and the crystalline nature of synthesized particles was verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed the interaction of protein molecules with the AgNPs. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis demonstrated that fabricated AgNPs were relatively monodispersed, approximately spherical, and of size 2-7.5 nm. blaTEM and blaCTX-M were detected in E. faecalis; the growth and biofilm of E. faecalis were significantly decreased by the action of 12.5 µg/ml AgNPs. Conclusions: This is the first study proposing alternative sources to form AgNPs via synergistic metabolites of F. solani and C. aquatica. The results here offer a foundation for developing an effective therapy using AgNPs against clinical pathogens.
Factors Impinge on Development of a Smart City: A Field Study
Authors: Jothimani Priya , Chenniappan Palanisamy , Chidambaranathan Vinothini
Published: September 2021

Smart City aims at amassed connectivity at various levels in the midst of citizens, as well as amid the administration and the daily growing population. India is one of the developing country where population growth is one of the significant area is to be noted seriously. A city is a large and permanent human environment that provides its citizens with many services and opportunities. The rapid economic growth and population growth have put a huge amount of strain on urban infrastructure and service provision. India is an under developing nation to modernize urban life, the current urbanization needs good tactics and creative planning. India’s government has launched 100 Smart Cities where it is expected that citizens will use new innovations and resolve the issues. Smart Cities are intended for finest usage of space and resources along with an effectual and optimum dissemination of benefits. This study is to investigate and analysis of Chennai Smart city Mission (SCM) development. This work has been undertaken to learn about the aspects of Smart Development and the factors that governing Smart City. The analysis has been split up into 4 portions as Questionaries’ survey in the Chennai city, Frequency and Percentage analysis, Descriptive analysis and using Structural equation modelling (SCM). Using the SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 21.0, conversational interviewing, and questionnaire survey and also journal study are conducted to find factors influencing the implementation of smart city and reviewed. Using the SEM (structural equation model) AMOS 21.0 software, confirmatory factor assessment had done. This study gives in-depth knowledge in implementation of the smart city scheme aspects and also suggests solution for most affecting factor in a city.
Chromatin Enrichment for Proteomics in Plants (ChEP-P) Implicates the Histone Reader ALFIN-LIKE 6 in Jasmonate Signalling
Authors: Vélez-Bermúdez Isabel Cristina , Schmidt Wolfgang
Published: September 2021

BackgroundCovalent modifications of core histonesgoverndownstream DNA-templated processes such as transcription by altering chromatin structure and function. Previously, we reported that the plant homeodomain protein ALFIN-LIKE6 (AL6), a bona fide histone reader that preferentially binds trimethylated lysin 4 on histone 3 (H3K4me3), is critical for recalibration of cellular phosphate (Pi) homeostasis and root hair elongation under Pi-deficient conditions. ResultsHere, we demonstrate that AL6 is also involved in the response of Arabidopsis seedlings to jasmonic acid (JA) during skotomorphogenesis, possibly by modulating chromatin dynamics that affect the transcriptional regulation of JA-responsivegenes. Dark-grown al6 seedlings showed a compromised reduction in hypocotyl elongation upon exogenously supplied JA, a response that was calibrated by the availability of Pi in the growth medium. A comparison of protein profiles between wild-type and al6 mutant seedlings using a quantitative Chromatin Enrichment for Proteomics (ChEP) approach,that we modified for plant tissue and designated ChEP-P (ChEP in Plants), yielded a comprehensive suite of chromatin-associated proteins and candidates that may be causative for the mutant phenotype. ConclusionsAltered abundance of proteins involved in chromatin organization in al6 seedlings suggests a role of AL6 in coordinating the deposition of histone variants upon perception of internal or environmental stimuli. Our study shows that ChEP-P is well suited to gain holistic insights into chromatin-related processes in plants. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD026541.
A theory of viscoelastic crack growth-Revisited (Revised)
Authors: Schapery Richard A
Published: September 2021

A theory of viscoelastic crack growth developed nearly five decades ago is generalized to express traction in the so-called fracture process zone or failure zone as a function of the crack opening displacement (COD). In earlier work, except for minor exceptions, traction was specified as a function of location. The new model leads to a nonlinear double integral that has to be solved for the COD before crack growth can be predicted. First, a closed-form, accurate approximation is found for a linear elastic body. We then show that this COD may be easily and accurately extended to linear viscoelasticity using a realistic, broad spectrum creep compliance. An analytical relationship connecting the stress intensity factor to crack speed then follows. Consistent with earlier work, it is defined almost entirely by the creep compliance. Five different failure zone tractions are employed; their differences are shown to have little effect on crack growth other than through a speed shift factor. The Appendix discusses initiation of growth.
An Ion-Imprinted Imidazole-Functionalized Ordered Mesoporous Silica For Selective Removal of Chromium(VI) From Electroplating Effluents
Authors: Cen Shuibin , Yang Lan , Li Ruimin , Gong Shengzhao , Tan Jiean , Zeng Lixi
Published: September 2021

In this work, ion imprinted technology incorporated with mesoporous silica materials (MCM-41) to obtain the novel specific adsorbent, ion imprinted mesoporous silica. Cr(VI) imprinted mesoporous silica (Cr(VI)IMS) was synthesized and used for adsorption studies and waste water application. A synthesized imidazolyl silane agent act as the functional monomer in the imprinted process to build up highly ordered functionalized imprinted materials. The chemical composition, thermal stability, porosity and highly ordered morphology were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), solid state nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) respectively. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area was 1054.51 m2 g-1 in this study. The Cr(VI)IMS showed great adsorption capacity to hexavalent chromium ions in acidic solution up to 45.6 mg g-1. Cr(VI)IMS displayed much higher adsorption capacity to Cr(VI) ions than other negative ions. The relative selectivity coefficient was 2.56, higher than those of other anions (below 1.5). After eight adsorption-regeneration cycles, the adsorption efficiency of Cr(VI)IMS still reached 92.5%. The Cr(VI)IMS was found to exhibit equivalent property after multiple cycles of experiments, indicating good repeatability and reproducibility.
Comparing Two Equations for Estimation of Kidney Function (Cockcroft-gault and Glomerular Filtration Rate Assessment in Liver Disease) for Vancomycin Dosing in Adult Liver Transplant Recipients: a Pilot, Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Saee Yasaman , Dashti-Khavidaki Simin , Ahmadinejad Zahra , Ghiasvand Fereshteh
Published: September 2021

Background: In the setting of impaired liver function, estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using common creatinine based equations is inaccurate. Recently, Glomerular Filtration Rate Assessment in Liver Disease (GRAIL) model has been introduced for estimating GFR in liver transplantation. This study was conducted to compare vancomycin dose adjustment in liver transplant patients using Cockcroft-Gault (C-G) versus GRAIL method.Methods: In this pilot, randomized clinical trial, adult liver transplant recipients who were candidate to receive intravenous vancomycin were enrolled. GFR and creatinine clearance were estimated using GRAIL model and C-G equation in the intervention and control arms, respectively and vancomycin maintenance doses were adjusted accordingly. At the steady state , peak and trough serum concentrations of vancomycin were collected for pharmacokinetic comparisons.Results: Fifteen patients were enrolled in each arm of the study. Mean daily dose of vancomycin was estimated insignificantly lower for individuals in GRAIL arm than C-G group (1500.00±544.45 versus 1750.00± 389.60mg). The rate of patients who achieved the target vancomycin trough concentration was similar between the two study arms (20%). Compared with C-G group, higher rate of patients in GRAIL arm experienced below-target vancomycin trough concentrations (40% versus 13.3%) and lower rate showed above target trough concentration (40% versus 66.7%), although these differences did not reach statistical significance. Higher rates of patients with at target and above target vancomycin AUC/MIC were seen in the C-G group compared with GRAIL group (40% versus 26.7% and 53.3% versus 26.7%, respectively), while individuals in the GRAIL arm represented significantly higher rate of below target vancomycin AUC/MIC than C-G arm (46.7% versus 6.7%) (P=0.049). No differences in clinical outcomes were observed between the two groups.Conclusion: Using GRAIL model for vancomycin dose selection may result in less percent of patients with at target AUC/MIC exposure compared to C-G method and expose more percent of patients at risk of vancomycin under dosing.
Cadaveric Study of the Mode of Termination of the Sciatic Nerve in a Malian Population: Cases of Trifurcation and Hexafurcation
Authors: Touré Tata , Ba Babou , Moussa Adoul Kader , Kanté Abdoulaye , Traoré Falé , Yatera Demba , Dicko Moustapha , Essomba Laurent Désiré Ndzie , Coulibaly Tieman , Ongoïba Nouhoum
Published: September 2021

Background: The sciatic nerve is the largest nerve in body. It is the only terminal branch of the sacral plexus. It emerges under the piriformis muscle, descends into the gluteal region, then into the posterior compartment of the thigh. It ends in the popliteal fossa by dividing into the tibial and common peroneal nerve. It is the most frequently injured nerve. The aim of this work was to study the mode of termination of the sciatic nerve by cadaveric dissection in a Malian population.Materials and methods: This was a cross-sectional study, carried out at the anatomy laboratory of the Faculty of Medicine and Odontostomatology of Bamako, ranging from December 2019 to April 2021. The sciatic nerve was dissected 74 times in 37 cadaveric subjects (29 men and 8 women).Results: The classic termination mode (the sciatic nerve terminates giving the tibial nerve and common peroneal nerve) was most frequently encountered with a prevalence of 82.43%. Anatomical variations were noted in 17.57%. Among these variations, trifurcation (termination in three branches) of the sciatic nerve was observed in 16.22%. Hexafurcation (six-branch termination) of the sciatic nerve was observed in 1.35%. The termination mode showed a significant difference being more frequently bilateral than unilateral (P˂0.05)Conclusion: Anatomical variations in the mode of termination of the sciatic nerve are not uncommon. The most common of these variations is the trifurcation in which the sciatic nerve ends up giving the tibial nerve, the common peroneal nerve and a third branch which is variable. Knowledge of these variations is important for surgeons when treating popliteal artery aneurysm, popliteal vessel fistula and popliteal fossa cysts.
Biomethane Potential Test To Access The Feasibility of Vegetable And Fruit Waste For Methane Yield Using Different Inoculums To Substrate Ratios
Authors: Agrawal Akanksha , Chaudhari Parmesh Kumar , Ghosh Prabir
Published: September 2021

To address the world's energy issue and global climate change, a green, efficient and carbon-neutral renewable energy sourcesare in great demand to replace fossil fuels. The study was undertaken to determine optimal inoculum to substrate ratio for increase in biogas generation via co-digestion of fruit and vegetable waste under mesophilic environmental conditions (25–34oC). Biomethane potential of the fruit and vegetable waste was accessed in terms of biogas yield. Digestate from gobar gas plant was taken as inoculum. Biomethane potential (BMP) assay was performed in a 500ml glass bottle with suitable inlet and outlet arrangement for taking feed and collection of biogas. Inoculum to substrateratio chosen for the study was 0.2, 0.3,0.5,0.7 and 0.8. Highest daily biogas yield was obtained for inoculum to substrate ratio of 30: 70 i.e. reactor R2 which is equivalent to 440 ml on day 14 with methane yield of 58%. Cumulative biogas yields for different inoculum to substrate ratio were in the range of 6–11.378 L/day.
Does the Prevalence of Anatomical Variants of the Brain Ventricles vary according to Socioeconomic Status? A Cross-sectional Imaging Survey in 2 Brazilian Private Hospitals
Authors: Martins Lia Pontes Lisboa , Sales Paulo Marcelo Gondim , Gomes Adriana de Menezes , Silva Marlon Sousa , Bezerra Gabriela de Andrade Meireles , Gondim Francisco de Assis Aquino
Published: September 2021

Background: Anatomical variants of brain ventricles are a known marker for abnormal central nervous system development. They seem to be more prevalent in several neuropsychiatric disorders, e.g. schizophrenia, personality disorders, and psychosis. However, knowledge about the risk factors and their overall prevalence in the general population, especially in developing countries is still limited. Methods: We evaluated the prevalence of prevalence of anatomical ventricular variants [Cavum septum pellucidum (CSP), Cavum vergae (CV), and Cavum velum interpositi (CVI)] in 1467 multislice head CTs from two large private hospitals in the city of Fortaleza, Ceará – Brazil. Results: Hospital one had a higher percentage of patients with low-cost health insurance, strokes, and neurocysticercosis (P<0.05). 15.1% of participants in hospital one versus 7.1% in hospital two had at least one type of cerebral cavum, including vestigial CSP. The rarest types of cava (CV and CVI) were twice more common in hospital one (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis confirmed that patients from hospital one, older patients, and men were more likely to have any type of cerebral cavum and CSP. Conclusions: Anatomical brain ventricular variants (including vestigial CSP) were present in about 12% of participants of this middle-class Brazilian sample while also being more prevalent in male elderly and participants from lower socioeconomic strata. Further studies are necessary to prospectively investigate the association between socioeconomic variables and how they relate to the prevalence of anatomical brain ventricular variants and other known risk factors for developmental disorders.Trial registration: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board from both participants institutions- Research Ethics Committee (CEP) - Unichristus (Protocols 099/11 and CAAE: 58763716.3.0000.5049).
Factors Associated With The Mental Health of Back-To-Wuhan College Students Based On Quantile Regression Model During The COVID-19 Period
Authors: Wu Qian , Zhuo Lijun , Li Hao , Zheng Ling , Ma Guoqing , Tao Hongbing
Published: September 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has been spreading rapidly in China and other countries since December 2019, which has increased the risk of infection, and brought the unbearable huge psychological pressure on people.
Methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted from 31 August 2020, to 14 September 2020 by convenience sampling on the back-to-Wuhan college students, which included the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), the Insomnia Severity Index-7 (ISI-7), and the revised Impact of Event Scale (IES-R) scales and the basic demographic characteristics.
Results

The results from 1017 participants suggested that 44%, 47.5%, 37.7%, 57.7% were the prevalence rates of the anxiety, depression, insomnia, and distress respectively. Moreover, quantile regression analysis was used to identify the factors related to the mental health variables of the back-to-Wuhan college students during the COVID-19 period.
Conclusion

The finding showed that the respondents who were near graduation, discriminated owing to the experience in Wuhan, and worried about the future trend of COVID-19 had a higher risk of becoming negative psychologic status, especially the bottom and median quantile, and might require more psycho-social interventions or support.
Intra-Cavitary Fluid Resulted From Caesarean Section But Not Isthmocele Compromised Clinical Pregnancy After IVF/ICSI Treatment
Authors: Meihong Cai , Pan Xinyi , Xia Wei , Liang Xiaoyan , Yang Xing
Published: September 2021

The aim of this study was to explore whether the presence of intra-cavitary fluid (ICF) influences the pregnancy outcomes of patients with caesarean section (CS) in embryo transfer cycles. A total of 8494 transferred cycles of 4924 women were enrolled in this retrospective study and separated into three subgroups by previous delivery method and the presence of intra-cavity fluid, a caesarean group with ICF (CS-ICF, n=649), a caesarean group without ICF (CS-noICF, n=3207) and the remaining 4638 cycles without ICF were included in the vaginal delivered group (VD, n=4638). Baseline characteristics and clinical outcome were compared. Propensity score matching (PSM) was conducted to adjust confounding factors between groups. Patients in the CS-ICF group were of younger age (36.49±4.19 vs 37.34±4.25, 37.32±4.86, P<0.001), had better ovary reserve and had more blastocyst transferred compared with the CS-noICF and VD groups. However, cycles in the CS-ICF group achieved unsatisfactory clinical pregnancy outcomes. PSM analysis for comparability, differences in clinical outcomes still existed. The clinical pregnancy rate was significantly lower in the CS-ICF group than in the CS-noICF group (35.1% vs 41.7% for CS-noICF group, 48.1% for VD group, P<0.001). Subgroup analysis of fresh embryo transferred cycles, the differences in clinical outcomes disappeared after PSM analysis, while the clinical pregnancy rate was still lowest among the three matched group of FET cycles (36.4% vs 50.3% for VD group, P<0.001). The presence of intra-cavitary fluid (ICF), but not necessarily the isthmocele, significantly compromises the clinical pregnancy rate in patients with previous CS undergoing IVF/ICSI treatment.