bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the characteristics of infection prevention and control programs and infection control committees in Brazilian hospitals: A countrywide cross-sectional study
Authors: Arns Beatriz , Agani Crepin Aziz Jose Oluwafoumi , Sesin Guilhermo Prates , Horvath Jaqueline Driemeyer C. , Fogazzi Débora Vacaro , Romeiro Silva Fernanda Kelly , Costa Lauren Sezera , Pereira Adriano Jose , Nassar Junior Antônio Paulo , Tomazini Bruno , Dietrich Camila , Veiga Viviane Cordeiro , Catarino Daniela G.M. , Cheno Maysa Yukari , Cavalcanti Alexandre Biasi , Ferronatto Bianca Ramos , Bassetti Bil Randerson , Fernandes Caio Cesar Ferreira , Deutschendorf Caroline , Grion Cintia Magalhães Carvalho , Vidal Claudia Fernanda de Lacerda , de Oliveira Cláudio Dornas , Caser Eliana Bernadete , Boschi Emerson , Silva Everton Macêdo , Pizzol Felipe Dal , Urbano Hugo Correa de Andrade , Silva Iany , Maia Israel Silva , Rego Leila Rezegue de Moraes , Oliveira Luana Pontes , Tavares Maria Brandão , Dracoulakis Marianna Deway Andrade , Bainy Marina Peres , Golin Nicole Alberti , Tomba Pablo Oscar , Kurtz Pedro Martins Pereira , Foernges Rafael Botelho , Prestes Rejane Martins , de Melo Rodrigo Morel Vieira , Da Silva Rodrigo Reghini , Toledo Tatiana Gozzi Pancev , Lima Valéria Paes , Fernandes Vanildes de Fátima , Lovato Wilson José , Zavascki Alexandre Prehn
Published: April 2023

Objective:

Data are scarce regarding hospital infection control committees and compliance with infection prevention and control (IPC) recommendations in Brazil, a country of continental dimensions. We assessed the main characteristics of infection control committees (ICCs) on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in Brazilian hospitals.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted in ICCs of public and private hospitals distributed across all Brazilian regions. Data were collected directly from the ICC staff by completing an online questionnaire and during on-site visits through face-to-face interviews.

Results:

In total, 53 Brazilian hospitals were evaluated from October 2019 to December 2020. All hospitals had implemented the IPC core components in their programs. All centers had protocols for the prevention and control of ventilator-associated pneumonia as well as bloodstream, surgical site, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Most hospitals (80%) had no budget specifically allocated to the IPC program; 34% of the laundry staff had received specific IPC training; and only 7.5% of hospitals reported occupational infections in healthcare workers.

Conclusions:

In this sample, most ICCs complied with the minimum requirements for IPC programs. The main limitation regarding ICCs was the lack of financial support. The findings of this survey support the development of strategic plans to improve IPCs in Brazilian hospitals.
World Health Organization AWaRe framework for antibiotic stewardship: Where are we now and where do we need to go? An expert viewpoint
Authors: Mudenda Steward , Daka Victor , Matafwali Scott K.
Published: April 2023

The AWaRe classification categorizes antibiotics and is a tool for antimicrobial stewardship. To combat antimicrobial resistance, prescribers must adhere to the AWaRe framework, which promotes the rational use of antibiotics. Therefore, increasing political will, dedicating resources, building capacity, and improving awareness and sensitization campaigns may promote adherence to the framework.
Mixing time bounds for edge flipping on regular graphs
Authors: Demirci Yunus Emre , Işlak Ümit , Özdemir Alperen
Published: April 2023

An edge flipping is a non-reversible Markov chain on a given connected graph, as defined in Chung and Graham (2012). In the same paper, edge flipping eigenvalues and stationary distributions for some classes of graphs were identified. We further study edge flipping spectral properties to show a lower bound for the rate of convergence in the case of regular graphs. Moreover, we show by a coupling argument that a cutoff occurs at
$\frac{1}{4} n \log n$
for the edge flipping on the complete graph.
African Literatures in the Portuguese Language: Singularities
Authors: Can Nazir Ahmed
Published: April 2023

This article reflects on some textual and institutional elements that distinguish literary life in Portuguese-speaking African countries. These elements concern, firstly, the peculiarities of the Portuguese empire. Combining precarity, epistemological backwardness, and violence in equal proportion, it inspired an artistic response that was consolidated even before the independences. Secondly, they relate to the type of decolonization produced in these territories. Contrary to the majority of other African contexts, their independence was not negotiated, but conquered through armed struggle. Thirdly, there are the thematic and formal aspects: the “animal,” the “dead,” and an internationalist geographical imaginary play a structuring role in the literary fields. Thus, this article demonstrates how these contexts, unique to African literatures, can also offer new data for the analysis of cultural goods in the twenty-first century.
Extraction, Assimilation, and Accommodation: The Historical Foundations of Indigenous–State Relations in Latin America
Authors: CARTER CHRISTOPHER L.
Published: April 2023

Why do some Indigenous communities experience assimilation while others obtain government protection for their long-standing institutions and cultures? I argue that historical experiences with state-led labor conscription play a key role. In the early twentieth century, Latin American governments conscripted unpaid Indigenous labor to build infrastructure. Community leaders threatened by this conscription were more likely to mobilize their communities to resist it. The mobilization of this collective action later empowered community leaders to achieve state protections for Indigenous institutions and cultures, or “accommodation.” I test this argument using a natural experiment where communities’ eligibility for labor conscription to build a 1920s Peruvian highway was as-if randomly assigned. I develop a measure of accommodation that considers both the existence and enforcement of laws protecting Indigenous institutions and cultures. I evaluate the mechanisms using data on Indigenous mobilization. The findings demonstrate how historical extraction shaped contemporary Indigenous–state relations.
La géométrisation de l’être dansMatière et mémoirede Bergson
Authors: Miravete Sébastien
Published: April 2023

Quel statut donner aux calculs et surtout aux figures proposées par Henri Bergson pour expliquer le fonctionnement de la reconnaissance dansMatière et mémoire? Ce travail suggère que ces calculs et ces figures ne sont pas que des métaphores commodes ; la réalité n'est pas dépourvue d'un certainnombred’éléments et degrandeursplus ou moins importantes. Il semble donc possible de supposer qu'après avoir arithmétisé les faits de conscience à l'aide de nombres spéciaux (dans l’Essai), Bergson géométrise l’être spirituel et matériel (dansMatière et mémoire).
Can we better advise our patients with nodular thyroid disease?
Authors: Busby Orla , McArthur Claire , Wright Sylvia , Hilmi Omar
Published: April 2023

Background

The 2014 British Thyroid Association guidelines acknowledged the value of risk-stratifying thyroid nodules by utilising an ultrasound reporting system (‘U’ classification). This study assessed whether using pre-existing parameters in combination can better stratify patients’ malignancy and completion thyroidectomy risks.

Method

A multicentre, retrospective, observational review identified 936 NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde patients from pathology records who underwent hemithyroidectomy between 1 January 2014 and 31 December 2019.

Results

A total of 308 patients had thyroid malignancy, 180 (58.4 per cent) progressed to completion thyroidectomy. A nodule classified as ‘U3’ (indeterminate) was associated with a 35.4 per cent chance of malignancy and a 21.6 per cent risk of requiring completion surgery. Amalgamation of ‘U’ score with Thy score enhanced risk prediction. The malignancy rate in U3, Thy-3f nodules was 38 per cent, and 21 per cent required completion surgery. The malignancy and completion thyroidectomy rates were comparatively lower for U3, Thy-3a nodules (22 per cent and 14.3 per cent, respectively).

Conclusion

Combining ultrasound ‘U’ score and Thy score improves pre-operative thyroid nodule risk stratification, leading to better informed patients regarding the risks of malignancy and completion surgery. A move towards an integrated assessment approach should be considered.
Pre-habilitation with intratympanic gentamicin in vestibular schwannomas: a systematic review
Authors: Potdar T , Kontorinis G
Published: April 2023

Objective

To assess whether pre-habilitation with intratympanic gentamicin can accelerate vestibular compensation following vestibular schwannoma resection.

Methods

Seventeen studies were retrieved from the databases Medline, PubMed, Frontiers, Cochrane Library, Cambridge Core and ScienceDirect. Eight of the 17 studies met our criteria; the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used. Heterogeneity, risk of bias and effect on post-operative recovery were assessed.

Results

Four of the eight studies showed a statistically positive effect of pre-habilitation with gentamicin on the post-operative recovery process; the remainder also reported benefits, although not statistically significant. No study reported negative effects. Limitations were linked mostly to the limited number of enrolled patients and the outcome assessment methods.

Conclusion

Fifty per cent of the studies found a statistically positive effect of pre-habilitation with gentamicin prior to vestibular schwannoma resection. While the results are promising, due to the limited numbers further prospective studies are required to strengthen the evidence.
Is clinical decision making in stepped-care psychological services influenced by heuristics and biases?
Authors: Michael Benjamin , Kellett Stephen , Delgadillo Jaime
Published: April 2023

Background:

The manner in which heuristics and biases influence clinical decision-making has not been fully investigated and the methods previously used have been rudimentary.

Aims:

Two studies were conducted to design and test a trial-based methodology to assess the influence of heuristics and biases; specifically, with a focus on how practitioners make decisions about suitability for therapy, treatment fidelity and treatment continuation in psychological services.

Method:

Study 1 (N=12) used a qualitative design to develop two clinical vignette-based tasks that had the aim of triggering heuristics and biases during clinical decision making. Study 2 (N=133) then used a randomized crossover experimental design and involved psychological wellbeing practitioners (PWPs) working in the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) programme in England. Vignettes evoked heuristics (anchoring and halo effects) and biased responses away from normative decisions. Participants completed validated measures of decision-making style. The two decision-making tasks from the vignettes yielded a clinical decision score (CDS; higher scores being more consistent with normative/unbiased decisions).

Results:

Experimental manipulations used to evoke heuristics did not significantly bias CDS. Decision-making style was not consistently associated with CDS. Clinical decisions were generally normative, although with some variability.

Conclusions:

Clinical decision-making can be ‘noisy’ (i.e. variable across practitioners and occasions), but there was little evidence that this variability was systematically influenced by anchoring and halo effects in a stepped-care context.
Controlling the Narrative: Hungary’s Post-2010 Strategies of Non-Compliance before the European Court of Human Rights
Authors: Kos Ula Aleksandra
Published: April 2023

Focus of the literature on the European West, overlooking the marginalised European Central-East – Assumption of all illiberal states equally resisting international courts – Hungary’s unique subtle push-back against the European Court of Human Rights compared to overt resistance against the European Court of Justice – Empirical analysis of original data – Three strategies to control the narrative of compliance – Status signalling to avoid international and domestic political repercussions – Friendly settlements and unilateral declarations as means of avoidance – Disguised non-compliance to convey bona fides – Negative narrative to subvert public opinion – Explaining state behaviour through rationalism and constructivism – Complementing constructivism with the identitarian counterwave in recently-emerged illiberal states – EU membership as a constraint – Illiberalism as fuel for Hungary’s resistance against the Strasbourg Court
Tall ghosts, Chopsticks and Monitor Lizards: Name-calling and its Perpetrators in the Cultural Context of Thailand
Authors: Grothaus Christin
Published: April 2023

While name-calling has been associated with several adverse effects on students’ well-being, it is often overlooked, particularly if understood as harmless teasing. Scholars have stressed that not only the intention of the name-caller but also the perception of the receiver should be considered. Such perceptions can be influenced by cultural value orientations, which remain understudied but gain importance with the increasing internationalisation of education. This study explores name-calling in the context of Thailand, a prototypical collectivist, high power distance society, which has shown a high prevalence of verbal bullying. This study conducted 95 autobiographical written narratives and 20 in-depth interviews of past and current name-calling experiences with Thai university students. Findings revealed that friends, teachers, and parents frequently called students names, which were primarily related to students’ skin colour and weight. Despite its adverse effects, name-calling was often normalised and accepted as part of Thai culture. Values including collectivism, conflict avoidance, social harmony, being considerate and shared enjoyment appeared to discourage students from defending themselves against friends, who were frequently identified as name-callers. Teachers regularly called students hurtful names, particularly when taking attendance, entertaining the class, asking questions, and addressing performance, which seemed to be reinforced by the societal norm of showing respect to people of high status.
Constraints on the Timing and Extent of Deglacial Grounding Line Retreat in West Antarctica
Authors: Venturelli Ryan A. , Boehman Brenna , Davis Christina , Hawkings Jon R. , Johnston Sarah E. , Gustafson Chloe D. , Michaud Alexander B. , Mosbeux Cyrille , Siegfried Matthew R. , Vick‐Majors Trista J. , Galy Valier , Spencer Robert G. M. , Warny Sophie , Christner Brent C. , Fricker Helen A. , Harwood David M. , Leventer Amy , Priscu John C. , Rosenheim Brad E. ,   SALSA Science Team
Published: April 2023

Projections of Antarctica's contribution to future sea level rise are associated with significant uncertainty, in part because the observational record is too short to capture long‐term processes necessary to estimate ice mass changes over societally relevant timescales. Records of grounding line retreat from the geologic past offer an opportunity to extend our observations of these processes beyond the modern record and to gain a more comprehensive understanding of ice‐sheet change. Here, we present constraints on the timing and inland extent of deglacial grounding line retreat in the southern Ross Sea, Antarctica, obtained via direct sampling of a subglacial lake located 150 km inland from the modern grounding line and beneath >1 km of ice. Isotopic measurements of water and sediment from the lake enabled us to evaluate how the subglacial microbial community accessed radiocarbon‐bearing organic carbon for energy, as well as where it transferred carbon metabolically. Using radiocarbon as a natural tracer, we found that sedimentary organic carbon was microbially translocated to dissolved carbon pools in the subglacial hydrologic system during the 4.5‐year period of water accumulation prior to our sampling. This finding indicates that the grounding line along the Siple Coast of West Antarctica retreated more than 250 km inland during the mid‐Holocene (6.3 ± 1.0 ka), prior to re‐advancing to its modern position.
Observing the Near‐Surface Properties of the Greenland Ice Sheet
Authors: Scanlan K. M. , Rutishauser A. , Simonsen S. B.
Published: April 2023

Spaceborne radar altimetry over ice sheets has exclusively focused on assessing volume changes through changes in surface elevation. For use in mass balance calculations, these measurements are supplemented with surface property information derived from regional climate models with limited large‐scale observational validation. Simultaneously, the strength at which a radar signal is reflected from the surface contains information on these same near‐surface properties. Here we show that a quantitative interpretation of European (ESA) CryoSat‐2 and French/Indian (CNES/ISRO) SARAL surface echo powers yields timeseries of pan‐Greenland wavelength‐scale roughness and surface density. Individually, the CryoSat‐2 and SARAL results strive toward providing an observational lens to enhance our current understanding of the surface processes affecting ice sheet mass balance and validate their representation by computational models. Taken together, they highlight how diversity in currently operational and future radar satellite altimetry missions can shed light on near‐surface vertical heterogeneity.
A Hybrid Atmospheric Model Incorporating Machine Learning Can Capture Dynamical Processes Not Captured by Its Physics‐Based Component
Authors: Arcomano Troy , Szunyogh Istvan , Wikner Alexander , Hunt Brian R. , Ott Edward
Published: April 2023

It is shown that a recently developed hybrid modeling approach that combines machine learning (ML) with an atmospheric global circulation model (AGCM) can serve as a basis for capturing atmospheric processes not captured by the AGCM. This power of the approach is illustrated by three examples from a decades‐long climate simulation experiment. The first example demonstrates that the hybrid model can produce sudden stratospheric warming, a dynamical process of nature not resolved by the low resolution AGCM component of the hybrid model. The second and third example show that introducing 6‐hr cumulative precipitation and sea surface temperature (SST) as ML‐based prognostic variables improves the precipitation climatology and leads to a realistic ENSO signal in the SST and atmospheric surface pressure.
Late Oligocene Orogen‐Scale Tilting in Northern Tibet: A Response to Northward Injection of the Tibetan Lower Crust?
Authors: Li Chaopeng , Zheng Dewen , Yu Jingxing , Wang Yizhou , Pang Jianzhang , Wang Ying , Ma Yan , Hao Yuqi , Xu Yi‐Gang
Published: April 2023

The East Kunlun Shan (EKLS) in northern Tibet occupies boundaries of the low‐relief topography and lower crustal low‐velocity zone in the interior plateau, making it ideal for exploring the relationship of surface deformation with underlying geodynamic processes. We used previous and new apatite (U‐Th)/He data to analyze the exhumation history and pattern throughout the EKLS and link surface deformation to deep structures. Integrated (U‐Th)/He ages reveal the rapid exhumation at 27–25 Ma, due to the coeval orogen‐scale tilting of the EKLS. Along with the crustal structures beneath the EKLS, it is inferred that orogen‐scale tilting is the isostatic response of the nonuniform crustal thickening related to northward injection of the Tibetan lower crust. This study highlights the role of ductile deformation within the lower crust in mountain building in northern Tibet, which shares a similarity with mountain building pattern in the eastern plateau margin.
Partitioning of Precipitation Into Terrestrial Water Balance Components Under a Drying Climate
Authors: Gardiya Weligamage Hansini , Fowler Keirnan , Peterson Tim J. , Saft Margarita , Peel Murray C. , Ryu Dongryeol
Published: April 2023

To accurately project future water availability under a drying climate, it is important to understand how precipitation is partitioned into other terrestrial water balance components, such as fluxes (evaporation, transpiration, runoff) and changes in storage (soil moisture, groundwater). Many studies have reported unexpected large runoff reductions during drought, particularly for multi‐year events, and some studies report a persistent change in partitioning even after the meteorological drought has ended. This study focused on understanding how actual evapotranspiration (AET) and change in subsurface storage (ΔS) respond to climate variability and change, examining Australia's Millennium Drought (MD, 1997–2009). The study initially conducted a catchment‐scale water balance analysis to investigate interactions between ΔS and AET. Then the water balance analysis was extended to regional scale to investigate ΔS using interpolated rainfall and discharge with remotely sensed AET. Lastly, we evaluated conceptual rainfall‐runoff model performance of two commonly used models against these water balance estimates. The evaluation of water‐balance‐derived ΔS against Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) estimates shows a significant multiyear storage decline; however, with different rates. In contrast, AET rates (annualized) remained approximately constant before and during the MD, contrasting with some reports of evapotranspiration enhancement elsewhere. Overall, given AET remained approximately constant, drought‐induced precipitation reductions were partitioned into ΔS and streamflow. The employed conceptual rainfall‐runoff models failed to realistically represent AET during the MD, suggesting the need for improved conceptualization of processes. This study provides useful implications for explaining future hydrological changes if similar AET behavior is observed under a drying climate.
Episodic Magma Hammers for the 15 January 2022 Cataclysmic Eruption of Hunga Tonga‐Hunga Ha'apai
Authors: Zheng Yingcai , Hu Hao , Spera Frank J. , Scruggs Melissa , Thompson Glenn , Jin Yuesu , Lapen Tom , McNutt Stephen R. , Mandli Kyle , Peng Zhigang , Yuen Dave A.
Published: April 2023

Understanding the forces and magma system dynamics on timescales of seconds to minutes remains challenging. In the January 2022 phreatoplinian Hunga Tonga‐Hunga Ha'apai eruption, four remarkably similar seismic subevents within a 5‐min interval occurred during the intensifying early eruptive phase. The subevents are similar in waveforms and durations (∼25 s each). Each subevent begins with an unusual negative P‐wave polarity which is inferred, using full‐wave seismic modeling, to be caused by an upward single‐force mechanism at the volcano created by a magma hammer likely in response to magma flow blockage/constriction during the early part of the eruption as discharge rapidly increased over orders of magnitude with concomitant conduit geometry evolution and instability. Our proposed episodic magma hammer model is consistent with thermodynamic and phase properties of the magmatic mixture, and yields an estimate of conduit mass flow in agreement with vent discharge rates derived from satellite imagery of plume heights.
Acoustic Sensing of Glacial Discharge in Greenland
Authors: Podolskiy E. A. , Imazu T. , Sugiyama S.
Published: April 2023

The accessibility and simplicity of monitoring instruments and processing methods are crucial for environmental monitoring worldwide. There is growing evidence that proglacial discharge may be observed by listening to the glacier terminus using sophisticated tools, such as the micro‐barometer arrays that are used for nuclear‐test monitoring and the fiber‐optic technologies that are becoming increasingly used in geophysics. However, the prohibitive cost, instrumental complexity, overwhelming data volumes, and computational demands of these approaches mean that only the wealthiest countries can afford such technologies. We employ an intentionally inexpensive approach to monitor proglacial discharge by recording the audible sound that is generated near the glacier terminus, and we show that a simple microphone can tell us how much water is discharged by a glacier. This study demonstrates that sound can provide essential information on runoff and therefore contribute to environmental assessments of glaciers and disaster risk reduction of glacial flood events.
Statistical Analysis of Equatorial Plasma Bubbles Climatology and Multi‐Day Periodicity Using GOLD Observations
Authors: Aa Ercha , Zhang Shun‐Rong , Liu Guiping , Eastes Richard W. , Wang Wenbin , Karan Deepak K. , Qian Liying , Coster Anthea J. , Erickson Philip J. , Derghazarian Sevag
Published: April 2023

This study develops a new Bubble Index to quantify the intensity of 2‐D postsunset equatorial plasma bubbles (EPBs) in the American/Atlantic sector, using Global‐scale Observations of the Limb and Disk (GOLD) nighttime data. A climatology and day‐to‐day variability analysis of EPBs is conducted based on the newly‐derived Bubble Index with the following results: (a) EPBs show considerable seasonal and solar activity dependence, with stronger (weaker) intensity around December (June) solstice and high (low) solar activity years. (b) EPBs exhibit opposite geomagnetic activity dependencies during different storm phases: EPBs are intensified concurrently with an increasing Kp, but are suppressed with high Kp occurring 3–6 hr earlier. (c) For the first time, we found that EPBs' day‐to‐day variation exhibited quasi‐3‐day and quasi‐6‐day periods. A coordinated analysis of Ionospheric Connection Explorer (ICON) winds and ionosonde data suggests that this multi‐day periodicity was related to the planetary wave modulation through the wind‐driven dynamo.
Treating intrusive memories after trauma in healthcare workers: a Bayesian adaptive randomised trial developing an imagery-competing task intervention
Authors: Ramineni Varsha , Millroth Philip , Iyadurai Lalitha , Jaki Thomas , Kingslake Jonathan , Highfield Julie , Summers Charlotte , Bonsall Michael B. , Holmes Emily A.
Published: April 2023

Intensive care unit (ICU) staff continue to face recurrent work-related traumatic events throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Intrusive memories (IMs) of such traumatic events comprise sensory image-based memories. Harnessing research on preventing IMs with a novel behavioural intervention on the day of trauma, here we take critical next steps in developing this approach as a treatment for ICU staff who are already experiencing IMs days, weeks, or months post-trauma. To address the urgent need to develop novel mental health interventions, we used Bayesian statistical approaches to optimise a brief imagery-competing task intervention to reduce the number of IMs. We evaluated a digitised version of the intervention for remote, scalable delivery. We conducted a two-arm, parallel-group, randomised, adaptive Bayesian optimisation trial. Eligible participants worked clinically in a UK NHS ICU during the pandemic, experienced at least one work-related traumatic event, and at least three IMs in the week prior to recruitment. Participants were randomised to receive immediate or delayed (after 4 weeks) access to the intervention. Primary outcome was the number of IMs of trauma during week 4, controlling for baseline week. Analyses were conducted on an intention-to-treat basis as a between-group comparison. Prior to final analysis, sequential Bayesian analyses were conducted (n = 20, 23, 29, 37, 41, 45) to inform early stopping of the trial prior to the planned maximum recruitment (n = 150). Final analysis (n = 75) showed strong evidence for a positive treatment effect (Bayes factor, BF = 1.25 × 106): the immediate arm reported fewer IMs (median = 1, IQR = 0–3) than the delayed arm (median = 10, IQR = 6–16.5). With further digital enhancements, the intervention (n = 28) also showed a positive treatment effect (BF = 7.31). Sequential Bayesian analyses provided evidence for reducing IMs of work-related trauma for healthcare workers. This methodology also allowed us to rule out negative effects early, reduced the planned maximum sample size, and allowed evaluation of enhancements. Trial Registration NCT04992390 (www.clinicaltrials.gov).
Structure improvement and parameter optimization of micro flow control valve
Authors: Qu Guodong , Li Jianying , Peng Chen , Guo Qi
Published: April 2023

Aiming at the sticking phenomenon between the valve core and the valve sleeve when the valve core moves, and to solve the problem that the torque required to drive the valve core to rotate is large, the fluid–solid coupling simulation analysis of the valve core is carried out in this study, and then the valve core structure of the valve core is improved and its parameters are optimized based on the bird colony algorithm. The combination structure of the valve sleeve and valve core is studied, and the fluid–solid coupling model is established by Ansys WorkBench, and the static structure simulation analysis of valve sleeve and valve core before and after structural improvement and parameter optimization is performed. The mathematical models of triangular buffer tank, U-shaped buffer tank and combined buffer tank are established, and the structural parameters of the combined buffer tank are optimized by bird swarm optimization. The results demonstrate the triangular buffer tank has good depressurization effect but great impact, the pressure of the U-shaped buffer tank is stable and gentle but the depressurization effect is not ideal, while the combined buffer tank has obvious depressurization effect and good stability. At the same time, the optimal structural parameters of the combined buffer tank are cut-in angle of 72, plane angle of 60 and depth of 1.65 mm. The excellent structure and parameters of the combined buffer groove are obtained, so that the pressure buffer of the regulating valve at the key position of the valve port achieves the best effect, and an effective solution is provided for solving the sticking problem of the valve core of the regulating valve when working.
Multidimensional spatial monitoring of open pit mine dust dispersion by unmanned aerial vehicle
Authors: Li Lin , Zhang Ruixin , Li Quansheng , Zhang Kai , Liu Zhigao , Ren Zhicheng
Published: April 2023

Dust pollution is one of the most severe environmental issues in open pit mines, hindering green mining development. Open pit mine dust has characteristics of multiple dust-generating points, is irregular, influenced by climatic conditions, and has a high degree of distribution with a wide dispersion range in three dimensions. Consequently, evaluating the quantity of dust dispersion and controlling environmental pollution are crucial for supporting green mining. In this paper, dust monitoring above the open pit mine was carried out with an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) on board. The dust distribution patterns above the open pit mine were studied in different vertical and horizontal directions at different heights. The results show that the temperature changes less in the morning and more at noon in winter. At the same time, the isothermal layer becomes thinner and thinner as the temperature rises, which makes it easy for dust to spread. The horizontal dust is mainly concentrated at 1300 and 1550 elevations. The dust concentration is polarized at 1350–1450 elevation. The most serious exceedance is at 1400 elevation, with TSP (the concentration of total suspended particulate), PM10 (particulates with aerodynamic diameter < 10 μm), and PM2.5 (particulates with aerodynamic diameter < 2.5 μm) accounting for 188.8%, 139.5%, and 113.8%, respectively. The height is 1350–1450 elevation. Dust monitoring technology carried out by UAV can be applied to the study of dust distribution in the mining field, and the research results can provide reference for other open pit mines. It can also provide a basis for law enforcement part to carry out law enforcement, which has expanded and wide practical application value.
Sulfur supplementation enhances nitric oxide efficacy in reversal of chromium-inhibited Calvin cycle enzymes, photosynthetic activity, and carbohydrate metabolism in wheat
Authors: Fatma Mehar , Sehar Zebus , Iqbal Noushina , Alvi Ameena Fatima , Abdi Gholamreza , Proestos Charalampos , Khan Nafees A.
Published: April 2023

The present study demonstrated that exogenously-sourced nitric oxide (as SNP, sodium nitroprusside; NO donor) and sulfur (S) protected photosynthesis against chromium (Cr) stress in wheat (TriticumaestivumL. cv. HD 2851). Plants grown with 100 µM Cr exhibited higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, resulting in photosynthetic damage. The individual application of 50 µM NO increased carbohydrate metabolism as well as photosynthetic parameters, antioxidant system with higher transcriptional gene levels that encode the key enzymes for the Calvin cycle under Cr stress. These effects were more prominent when NO was applied with 1.0 mM SO42−. An increase in the reduced glutathione (GSH) content obtained with NO was further enhanced by S and resulted in higher protection against Cr stress. The protective effect of NO with S against Cr toxicity on photosynthesis was reversed when buthionine sulfoximine (BSO; GSH biosynthetic inhibitor) was used. Application of BSO reversed the impact of NO plus S on photosynthesis under Cr stress, verifying that the ameliorating effect of NO was through S-assimilation and via GSH production. Thus, the availability of S to NO application can help reduce Cr toxicity and protect photosynthetic activity and expression of the Calvin cycle enzymes in leaves through the GSH involvement.
A new protective gel to facilitate ulcer healing in artificial ulcers following oesophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection: a multicentre, randomized trial
Authors: Zhou Tianyu , Mao Xinli , Xu Lei , Jin Haifeng , Cen Li , Dong Caijuan , Xin Linying , Wu Jiali , Lin Weimiao , Lv Bin , Ji Feng , Yu Chaohui , Shen Zhe
Published: April 2023

There are significant risks of adverse events following oesophageal endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), such as stricture, delayed bleeding and perforation. Therefore, it is necessary to protect artificial ulcers and promote the healing process. The current study was performed to investigate the protective role of a novel gel against oesophageal ESD-associated wounds. This was a multicentre, randomized, single-blind, controlled trial that recruited participants who underwent oesophageal ESD in four hospitals in China. Participants were randomly assigned to the control or experimental group in a 1:1 ratio and the gel was used after ESD in the latter. Masking of the study group allocations was only attempted for participants. The participants were instructed to report any adverse events on post-ESD days 1, 14, and 30. Moreover, repeat endoscopy was performed at the 2-week follow-up to confirm wound healing. Among the 92 recruited patients, 81 completed the study. In the experimental group, the healing rates were significantly higher than those in the control group (83.89 ± 9.51% vs. 73.28 ± 17.81%, P = 0.0013). Participants reported no severe adverse events during the follow-up period. In conclusion, this novel gel could safely, effectively, and conveniently accelerate wound healing following oesophageal ESD. Therefore, we recommend applying this gel in daily clinical practice.
Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on business operations of Taiwan High Speed Rail and 7-Eleven stores
Authors: Liu Shih-Feng , Chang Hui-Chuan , Chang Yu-Ping , Kuo Ho-Chang , Tsai Yuh-Chyn , Lin Meng-Chih
Published: April 2023

Governmental non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) and concerns regarding COVID-19 infection greatly affected population mobility during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study analyzed the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business operations of Taiwan High Speed Rail (THSR) and 7-Eleven stores in Taiwan. We collected data from COVID-19 Mobility Reports published by Google, the Our World in Data website, and the monthly financial reports of THSR and 7-Eleven stores. The findings revealed that the mean population mobility at transit stations decreased by over 50% during the pandemic. Changes in population mobility were significantly associated with the reproduction rate (7-day rolling average) and with the daily number of new confirmed cases per million people (7-day rolling average). The operating income of THSR was significantly associated with the decrease in population mobility at transit stations. The monthly and annual operating income of THSR in 2020, 2021, and 2022 (during the pandemic) were significantly lower than those in 2019 (before the pandemic). THSR’s monthly operating income was lowest compared with the 2019 value during the Alpha variant period (89.89% lower). No significant correlation was noted between the operating income of 7-Eleven stores and population mobility. Moreover, no significant differences were discovered between the monthly and annual operating incomes of 7-Eleven stores in 2019 and those in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Implementation of the policy of coexistence with the virus by the Taiwanese government began in May 2022, and from May 2022 to October 2022, the monthly income of 7-Eleven stores was higher than that in 2019 whereas the monthly income of THSR began lower than and then slowly increased to the level in 2019. In conclusion, the operating performance of THSR was closely related to population mobility and government NPIs, whereas the operating performance of 7-Eleven stores was less strongly affected by NPIs. These stores increased their operating income by providing e-commerce and delivery services; they thus remained popular in the community.
An efficient electron donor containing a silicon heteroatom for organic photocatalysts with high hydrogen production activity
Authors: Han Changzhi , Xiang Sihui , Feng Xiaolong , Zhang Pengchao , Ren Yi , Zhang Chong , Wang Xiaochen , Jiang Jia-Xing
Published: April 2023

4,4-Bis(2-ethylhexyl)-4H-silolo[3,2-b:4,5-b′]dithiophene was employed as a donor to construct a D–A polymer photocatalyst, which delivers a photocatalytic hydrogen evolution rate of 72.20 mmol h−1 g−1 under full spectrum light with a Pt co-catalyst.
A new approach to recognizing the correct pattern of cross-peaks from a noisy 2D asynchronous spectrum by detecting intrinsic symmetry via the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test
Authors: Xie Linchen , Guo Ran , Yang Limin , Ozaki Yukihiro , Noda Isao , Xu Yizhuang , Huang Kun
Published: April 2023

Application of the Kolmogorov–Smirnov two-sample test to detect the intrinsic symmetry of the cross peaks contributes to the identification of the correct pattern of the cross peaks from the noisy 2D asynchronous spectrum.
Polyoxometalate ionic liquid between graphene oxide surfaces as a new membrane in the desalination process: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Abbaspour Mohsen
Published: April 2023

Presence of polyoxometalate ILs between uncharged GO plates decreases water flux but the ILs efficiently increase salt rejection. Using of only Keggin anions between charged GO plates presents more water flux than the uncharged nIL-GO systems.
Elucidating a dissolution–deposition reaction mechanism by multimodal synchrotron X-ray characterization in aqueous Zn/MnO2 batteries
Authors: Kankanallu Varun R. , Zheng Xiaoyin , Leschev Denis , Zmich Nicole , Clark Charles , Lin Cheng-Hung , Zhong Hui , Ghose Sanjit , Kiss Andrew M. , Nykypanchuk Dmytro , Stavitski Eli , Takeuchi Esther S. , Marschilok Amy C. , Takeuchi Kenneth J. , Bai Jianming , Ge Mingyuan , Chen-Wiegart Yu-chen Karen
Published: April 2023

Aqueous Zn/MnO2 batteries with their environmental sustainability and competitive cost, are becoming a promising, safe alternative for grid-scale electrochemical energy storage.
Online monitoring of atmospheric krypton-85 with hourly time resolution
Authors: Chu Yan-Qing , Wang Wen-Hao , Dong Xi-Ze , Gao Chao , Gu Ji-Qiang , Hu Shui-Ming , Jiang Wei , Liu Si-Yu , Lu Zheng-Tian , Ritterbusch Florian , Yang Guo-Min , Zhao Lei
Published: April 2023

Automatic Kr separation apparatus and atom counting enable online monitoring of atmospheric krypton-85 with hourly time resolution.
Electrochemical semi-sacrificial growth of a self-supporting MOF-based electrode for urea electrooxidation-coupled water electrolysis
Authors: Ji Jiang , Wang Yinsheng , Cao Changsheng , Wu Xin-Tao , Zhu Qi-Long
Published: April 2023

A self-supporting MOF-based electrode was prepared via a facile semi-sacrificial anodic electrodeposition strategy, which exhibited improved mass/charge transport and active site accessibility, enhancing urea oxidation-coupled water electrolysis.
Perspective on high-temperature surface oxygen exchange in a porous mixed ionic-electronic conductor for solid oxide cells
Authors: Han Hairui , Jiang Yunan , Zhang Shaowei , Xia Changrong
Published: April 2023

Possible rate-limiting steps of oxygen reduction reaction for porous materials at various temperatures by comparing oxygen consumption fluxes (Js) and oxygen supply fluxes (Jg).
An anomalous anion transfer order in graphene oxide membranes induced by anion–π interactions
Authors: Chen Junjie , Li Jie , Liu Xing , He Zhenglin , Shi Guosheng
Published: April 2023

An anomalous anion transfer order induced by anion–π interactions within the graphene oxide membraneviamembrane-based separation process.
In situ-polymerized lithium salt as a polymer electrolyte for high-safety lithium metal batteries
Authors: Zhang Shenghang , Sun Fu , Du Xiaofan , Zhang Xiaohu , Huang Lang , Ma Jun , Dong Shanmu , Hilger André , Manke Ingo , Li Longshan , Xie Bin , Li Jiedong , Hu Zhiwei , Komarek Alexander C. , Lin Hong-Ji , Kuo Chang-Yang , Chen Chien-Te , Han Pengxian , Xu Gaojie , Cui Zili , Cui Guanglei
Published: April 2023

Our strategy of polymerizing lithium salt as a polymer electrolyte (3D-SIPE-LiFPA) simultaneously enhances the cycle life and safety characteristics of ultrahigh-energy-density lithium metal batteries (437 W h kg−1).
4-Iodo-1H-imidazole dramatically improves the open-circuit voltages of perovskite solar cells to 1.2 V
Authors: Jia Jinbiao , Shi Beibei , Dong Jia , Jiang Zhe , Guo Shuaibing , Wu Jihuai , Cao Bingqiang
Published: April 2023

Although the efficiency of perovskite solar cells is over 25%, there is still a big difference between the open-circuit voltage and its theoretical value, which is ascribed to defects in the perovskite films.
A novel β-cyclodextrin-based molecular-responsive photonic hydrogel chemosensor for highly sensitive and visual detection of 2-naphthol
Authors: Wen Jing-Ya , Yu Hai-Rong , Liang Ting , Lv Xing-Bin , Cheng Chang-Jing
Published: April 2023

Herein a novel β-cyclodextrin-based photonic hydrogel chemosensor with high sensitivity and selectivity toward 2-naphthol as well as excellent recyclability has been developed for sensitive and visual detection of 2-NAP in water.
Amorphous carbon coating enhances activity of high rate CO2electroreduction to CO
Authors: Ma Yiwen , Niu Wenzhe , Shi Wenjuan , Huang Xiaoxiong , Liu Yi , Chen Junfeng , Xue Liangyao , Zhang Bo
Published: April 2023

The amorphous carbon coated silver nanoparticle (Ag/C) catalyst can achieve the maximum current density up to 800 mA cm−2with FECOup to 95% through carbon shell promoting the adsorption of CO2.
Ultrahigh thermal conductive polymer composites by the 3D printing induced vertical alignment of carbon fiber
Authors: Zhang Zhenbang , Li Maohua , Wang Yandong , Dai Wen , Li Linhong , Chen Yapeng , Kong Xiangdong , Xu Kang , Yang Rongjie , Gong Ping , Zhang Jianxiang , Cai Tao , Lin Cheng-Te , Nishimura Kazuhito , Li Hao Nan , Jiang Nan , Yu Jinhong
Published: April 2023

Thermal conductive polymer composite prepared by 3D printing technology, which has a highly vertically oriented carbon fiber structure.
Achieving high energy density at a low electric field of high-temperature sandwich-structured polymer dielectric composite by PVDF crystallinity regulation
Authors: Zhang Tianran , Sun Qinzhao , Wang Zepeng , Kang Ruirui , Kang Fang , Xue Rong , Wang Jiping , Zhang Lixue
Published: April 2023

Polarization enhanced by PVDF crystallinity regulation, resulting in high energy density at 150 °C.
Improving the hole picture: towards a consensus on the mechanism of nuclear transport
Authors: Cowburn David , Rout Michael
Published: April 2023

Nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) mediate the exchange of materials between the nucleoplasm and cytoplasm, playing a key role in the separation of nucleic acids and proteins into their required compartments. The static structure of the NPC is relatively well defined by recent cryo-EM and other studies. The functional roles of dynamic components in the pore of the NPC, phenylalanyl-glycyl (FG) repeat rich nucleoporins, is less clear because of our limited understanding of highly dynamic protein systems. These proteins form a ‘restrained concentrate’ which interacts with and concentrates nuclear transport factors (NTRs) to provide facilitated nucleocytoplasmic transport of cargoes. Very rapid on- and off-rates among FG repeats and NTRs supports extremely fast facilitated transport, close to the rate of macromolecular diffusion in cytoplasm, while complexes without specific interactions are entropically excluded, though details on several aspects of the transport mechanism and FG repeat behaviors remain to be resolved. However, as discussed here, new technical approaches combined with more advanced modeling methods will likely provide an improved dynamic description of NPC transport, potentially at the atomic level in the near future. Such advances are likely to be of major benefit in comprehending the roles the malfunctioning NPC plays in cancer, ageing, viral diseases, and neurodegeneration.
A Survey of U.S. Audiologists' Usage of and Attitudes Toward Otoacoustic Emissions
Authors: Mertes Ian B. , Marquess Ali
Published: April 2023

Purpose:

Otoacoustic emissions (OAEs) provide information on outer hair cell function and have multiple clinical applications. Two types of OAEs, transient-evoked OAEs (TEOAEs) and distortion product OAEs (DPOAEs), are currently utilized in clinical practice. However, it remains unknown how confident U.S. clinicians are in performing and interpreting TEOAEs and DPOAEs. Additionally, the extent to which U.S. audiologists incorporate OAEs for different clinical applications and populations has not been thoroughly investigated. To fill these gaps in knowledge, this study characterized the attitudes toward and usage of TEOAEs and DPOAEs in a sample of U.S. audiologists.

Method:

This study utilized an online survey distributed to U.S. audiologists through multiple channels from January to March 2021. A total of 214 completed surveys were included in the analysis. Results were analyzed descriptively. Associations between variables and comparisons between users of DPOAEs only and users of TEOAEs and DPOAEs were also examined.

Results:

DPOAEs were reportedly utilized more frequently and with greater confidence than TEOAEs. The most common clinical application of both OAE types was a cross-check. Significant associations were found between responses to DPOAE questions and the clinician's setting and patient age. There were some significant differences between users of DPOAEs only and users of TEOAEs and DPOAEs.

Conclusions:

Results suggest that U.S. audiologists utilize OAEs for multiple clinical purposes and that there are appreciable differences in terms of attitudes toward and usage of DPOAEs versus TEOAEs. Future work could investigate the reasons that underlie these differences to further improve clinical implementation of OAEs.