bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface modification of grafted porous polyvinylidine fluoride membrane with graphene oxide for vanadium redox flow battery
Authors: Emelin Noor Fatina , Jusoh Nurfatehah Wahyuny Che , Ting Teo Ming , Sha’rani Saidatul Sophia Md
Published: April 2022

Vanadium Redox Flow Battery (VRFB) is an energy storage flow battery in whichthe key material for VRFB is the membrane that determines the cost and performance of the battery. Porous membranes have shown a great potential as a membrane due to their high stability, cheap and high selectivity. Poly(vinylidine fluoride) (PVDF) is a type of porous membrane that was extensively studied as a potential material for surface modification due to its thermal and chemical stability, inexpensive and mechanical properties. This study aims to develop a highly selective, high-performance modified PVDF membrane using surface grafting and functionalization for VRFB application using the sonication method. Graphene oxide (GO) is a trending material in the field due to its excellent properties such as being highly resistant to alkaline/acidic and strong mechanical strength, low cost and easily accessible. In this work, GO was functionalized on both sides of grafted PVDF using the sonication technique. Hydrogen bond from modification with GO caused the membrane to be a hydrophilic and FTIR results proved that new peaks appeared which relates to carbon bond from GO. Proton conductivity of modified membrane is recorded higher than commercial VRFB membrane, Nafion.
Cat Swarm Optimization for Sizing Photovoltaic-Battery based Stand-Alone System
Authors: Hanta E , Sulaiman S I , Othman Z
Published: April 2022

Stand-Alone Photovoltaic (SAPV) systems have been a popular mode of electricity generation especially in remote areas which deprived of grid electricity. However, one of the main challenges in the development of such systems is optimal system sizing. An undersized system causes failure of meeting the load demand. Thus, this paper presents Cat Swarm Optimization (CSO) for optimal sizing of an SAPV system. A single objective function was formulated for the sizing optimization problem in which models of system components, i.e. PV module, battery, charge controller and inverter, each represented in integer codes, were transcribed as decision variables whereas the Loss of Power Supply Probability (LPSP) was set as the objective function that needs to be minimized. Prior to the optimization, an Iterative Sizing Algorithm (ISA) was initially developed to produce the optimal sizing solution using non-computational intelligence approach. The solution from ISA served as benchmark for CSO. Later, CSO was used to select the optimal model of PV module, battery, charge controller and inverter such that the LPSP was minimized. The results showed that CSO was able to yield similar LPSP as recommended by ISA. Besides having computation time of approximately 3.65 times lower than ISA, CSO was also found to be superior by producing lower LPSP when compared with Evolutionary Programming (EP).
Impact of recycling on the feedstock sustainability of waste to energy plant in Kuala Lumpur
Authors: Tahir Iqbal Hakim , Taib Mohd Rozainee , Shin Ho Wai , Azizi M.A.A.
Published: April 2022

Malaysian government proposed to construct Waste to Energy (WtE) plant to solve the waste management problem in Kuala Lumpur. Recent implementation of compulsory separation at source (SAS) program might disrupt the sustainability of the waste supply. Sufficient feed rate of waste is required to achieve the designated temperature and autothermic combustion. Results of the study showed that, the annual average daily generation rate was reduced by 105 tonnes/day or 5.5% after the implementation of separation at source program. The estimated maximum recycling rate from the program was 13.8%. The annual average daily collection of recyclable materials was only about 1.3 tonnes/day, which might be due to illegal collection by recycling vendors, poor enforcement by the authority and selling of the recyclable materials by residents directly to vendors. 3 regression models were proposed to describe the overall correlation behaviour between waste generation and population density. The waste generation rate was forecasted to be in increasing trend after 2018 and reach 3072 tonnes/day or 1.4 kg/capita/day in 2043. Thus, the waste supply was expected to be sustainable even after the program implementation.
Projected flame length and flame extension length of horizontal buoyant jet flames
Authors: Aziz Nur Shahidah Ab , Kasmani Rafiziana Md.
Published: April 2022

Jet fires are a type of dangerous fire caused by the sudden release of flammable materials. In this work, propane was used as fuel and released through a 7.15mm and 9.8 mm circular nozzle with the exit velocities were set ranging between 27 and 65 m/s. The data of this study are compared against theoretical measurement and prediction using previously suggested correlation for projected flame length and flame extension length. It was determined, the projected flame length gives a good prediction by using theoretical measurement while for the prediction of flame extension length, an elliptical shape assumption was suitable to be used after impinging point for a horizontal buoyant jet fire.
Current practice of early leak detection methods for underground storage tanks
Authors: murad H. , Abu Husain M.K. , Zaki N.I. Mohd , Mukhlas N.A. , Ahmad S.Z.A. Syed , Soom E. Mat
Published: April 2022

This article aims to provide general review on current practice of leak detection methods of underground storage tanks (UST). Fuel (i.e. gasoline and diesel oil) leakage from UST can contaminate groundwater and drinking water with various hydrocarbon contaminants. These leaks create ponds of fuel that spill into the land and aquifers, polluting and seriously destroying habitats. Numerous efforts have been focused on the development of leak detection to the tanks. However, without the opportunity to conduct fault intensity calibration and estimate a product’s lifetime, there is a lack of information provided to consider the condition of previous underlying leakage. As a result, it is too late whether the harm has already been done. There are methods of detection that have been studied for the past ten years. Many approaches have been practised to detect leakage. Specific sensing devices will combine with additional applications that analyse and interpret the data to detect storage tank leaks. Various methods will provide different results depending on the feature chosen. Some approaches will use machine learning to analyse the provided data and provide the best leak detection result. This paper will explore the best leak detection techniques to improve underground tanks’ structural integrity. At the end, this paper will give some overview on current practice early detection methods on underground storage tanks for future research.
Evaluation of hybrid ocean thermal energy conversion system plantwide performance
Authors: Azam Kamil Hafizudin Kamal , Abidin Mohd Zaki Zainal , Husain Mohd Khairi Abu , Jaafar A Bakar , Zaki Noor Irza Mohd , Aziz Farah Nora Aznieta Abd
Published: April 2022

Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is a renewable energy source in which energy is produced by converting the heat stored in the sea or the ocean thermal energy into valuable work, based on the temperature difference between the warm surface seawater and the cold deep seawater. One of the OTEC system requirements is to have a seawater temperature difference at a minimum of 20 °C within a depth of 1000 m below sea level. Recognizing the importance of optimum sea water temperature, several studies have been conducted to optimize the OTEC system. However, none of these studies was attempted under a hybrid ocean thermal energy conversion (H-OTEC) setup. A H-OTEC system is a combination of closed-cycle and open-cycle OTEC system. The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of the H-OTEC process system based on the impact of seawater temperature variation by simulating H-OTEC process system. Aspen HYSYS was used as a chemical process simulation platform for conducting this study. After the model was completed, verification test was conducted before the simulated data was recorded. The data for the pump work input and the turbine work output were acquired to determine the net power output and system efficiency. The net power output, Carnot efficiency, and thermal efficiency were recorded approximately 1.39 kW, 5.7%, and 1.45%. The data for net power output and the efficiencies of the system was recorded for every 1 °C of increment in surface seawater temperature. The results showed that the net power output increased slightly by 0.5kW, with efficiency difference for both Carnot cycle and actual cycle, recorded to be less than 3% and 0.1% respectively.
Preparation and pharmacokinetics of glycyrrhetinic acid and cell transmembrane peptides modified with liposomes for liver targeted-delivery
Authors: Li Li , Chen Anqi , Liu Bingmi , Pan Hao , Yu Yanjie , Liu Yu
Published: April 2022

The article presents a hepatocellular carcinoma cell surface-specific ligand glycyrrhetinic acid (GA) and cell-penetrating peptide (TAT) with good cell membrane penetration to modify the anti-tumor drug pingyangmycin (PYM) liver delivery system, which achieve targeted delivery of drugs and improve anti-tumor efficiency. In this study, we synthesized the pingyangmycin liposome modified by glycyrrhetinic acid and cell penetrating peptide(GA-TAT-PYM-L) and evaluated the anti-tumor effect of GA-TAT-PYM-L in vitro. Using the 3-(4, 5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenylte-trazolium bromidecell proliferation method, GA-TAT-PYM-L had a stronger inhibitory effect on HepG2 cells than the free drug PYM at the same concentration. Acridine orange-ethidium bromide staining assays showed that GA-TAT-PYM-L had stronger apoptosis promotion effects on HepG2 cells in comparison to PYM. Pharmacokinetic studies indicated that, compared with PYM, GA-TAT-PYM-L enhanced mean residence time (MRT0–∞) and area under curve (AUC0–∞) by about 2.79-fold and 2.45-fold. The T
1/2 was prolonged to 140.23 ± 14.13 min. Tissue distribution results showed that the PYM concentrations in livers from the GA-TAT-PYM-L group were always higher than other tissues at each monitoring period after 5 min, indicating that GA-TAT-PYM-L can achieve liver targeting.
Making the US national forest inventory spatially contiguous and temporally consistent
Authors: Yu Yifan , Saatchi Sassan , Domke Grant M , Walters Brian , Woodall Christopher , Ganguly Sangram , Li Shuang , Kalia Subodh , Park Taejin , Nemani Ramakrishna , Hagen Stephen C , Melendy Lindsay
Published: April 2022

Signatories to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are required to annually report economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions and removals, including the forest sector. National forest inventory (NFI) is considered the main source of data for reporting forest carbon stocks and changes to UNFCCC. However, NFI samples are often collected asynchronously across regions in intervals of 5–10 years or sub-sampled annually, both introducing uncertainties in estimating annual carbon stock changes by missing a wide range of forest disturbance and recovery processes. Here, we integrate satellite observations with forest inventory data across the conterminous United States to improve the spatial and temporal resolution of NFI for estimating annual carbon stocks and changes. We used more than 120 000 permanent plots from the US forest inventory and analysis (FIA) data, surveyed periodically at sampling rate of 15%–20% per year across the US to develop non-parametric remote sensing-based models of aboveground biomass carbon density (AGC) at 1 ha spatial resolution for the years 2005, 2010, 2015, 2016, and 2017. The model provided a relatively unbiased estimation of AGC compared to ground inventory estimates at plot, county, and state scales. The uncertainty of the biomass maps and their contributions to estimates of forest carbon stock changes at county and state levels were quantified. Our results suggest that adding spatial and temporal dimensions to the forest inventory data, will significantly improve the accuracy and precision of carbon stocks and changes at jurisdictional scales.
Saturation characteristics of low voltage ionization chamber filled with argon or xenon
Authors: LI Chaozhi , HU Liqun , ZHANG Jizong , CHEN Kaiyun
Published: April 2022

Argon and xenon are both attractive working gas for low voltage ionization chamber (LVIC), which is a promising candidate for ITER X-ray detectors. In this work, the performances of Ar-filling LVIC (Ar-LVIC) and Xe-filling LVIC (Xe-LVIC) as well as the impacts of operation parameters were investigated. Saturation curves of Ar-LVIC and Xe-LVIC with pressure from 0.4 to 1.2 bar were measured with a tungsten X-ray source. The minimum voltage of saturation region (

V

min

) of Ar-LVIC and Xe-LVIC, the relationship between

V

min

and saturation current, the ideal operating voltage in ITER and impacts of pressure on saturation current were studied. It was found that Ar-LVIC had smaller

V

min

and saturation currents which decreased with the drop of pressure from 1.2 to 0.4 bar; Xe-LVIC had larger

V

min

and saturation currents which did not obviously decrease with the same pressure drop. It is envisaged that ITER can take advantage of the larger saturation current and lower pressure of Xe-LVIC in the non-nuclear operation phase, and flexibility of pressure and low sensitivity to neutron/gamma radiation of Ar-LVIC in the nuclear operation phase.
Ferris-wheel-assisted parylene-C dielectric deposition for improving organic thin-film transistor uniformity
Authors: Guo Taoming , Geng Jian , Zhong Yilun , Li Chenyang , Liu Bowen , Qin Yaoshan , Tang Wei , Yang Huazhong , Liu Yuanyuan , Jiang Chen
Published: April 2022

Organic thin film transistor is one of the most promising electronic device technologies for flexible and printed electronics, but device uniformity remains a challenge for large-scale integration circuit design. Despite the advances in semiconductor layers, the quality of dielectric layers is equally important. Parylene-C dielectric has good intrasample thickness uniformity, but demonstrates significant variation among samples fabricated at the same time, thus causing device non-uniformity. In this study, we present a two-dimensional (2D) sample rotation method using a Ferris wheel to improve the thickness uniformity of parylene-C dielectrics. The Ferris wheel averages the deposition rate of parylene-C dielectric on different samples over an identical spherical space, rather than over different horizontal planes by the conventional one-dimensional sample rotation with a rack. The dielectrics fabricated on different cabins of the Ferris wheel demonstrate better thickness uniformity than those fabricated on different floors of the rack, and thus better uniformity of transistors. Specifically, using the 2D rotation Ferris wheel, the coefficient of variation of dielectric thickness is lowered to 0.01 from 0.12 (which uses the conventional rack); the coefficients of variation for the on-state drain current, process transconductance parameter, and threshold voltage of the fabricated transistors are improved to 0.15, 0.16 and 0.08, from 0.33, 0.20 and 0.14, respectively. The improved device uniformity has the potential in complicated flexible circuit design for advanced applications such as edge intelligence.
Examining Depression as a Risk Factor for Cardiovascular Disease in People with HIV: A Systematic Review
Authors: Polanka Brittanny M , Gupta Samir K , So-Armah Kaku A , Freiberg Matthew S , Zapolski Tamika C B , Hirsh Adam T , Stewart Jesse C
Published: April 2022

Background

People with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) have an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) not fully accounted for by traditional or HIV-specific risk factors. Successful management of HIV does not eliminate this excess risk. Thus, there is a need to identify novel risk factors for CVD among people with HIV (PWH).

Purpose

Our objective was to systematically review the literature on one such candidate CVD risk factor in PWH—depression.

Methods

A systematic literature search of PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, Web of Science, and CINAHL was performed to identify published English-language studies examining associations of depression with clinical CVD, subclinical CVD, and biological mechanisms (immune activation, systemic inflammation, altered coagulation) among PWH between the earliest date and June 22, 2021.

Results

Thirty-five articles were included. For clinical CVD (k = 8), findings suggests that depression is consistently associated with an increased risk of incident CVD. For subclinical CVD (k = 5), one longitudinal analysis reported a positive association, and four cross-sectional analyses reported null associations. For immune activation (k = 13), systemic inflammation (k = 17), and altered coagulation (k = 5), findings were mixed, and there was considerable heterogeneity in sample characteristics and methodological quality across studies.

Conclusions

Depression may be an independent risk factor for CVD among PWH. Additional research is needed to confirm depression’s association with clinical CVD and to determine whether depression is consistently and meaningfully associated with subclinical CVD and biological mechanisms of CVD in HIV. We propose a research agenda for this emerging area.
Experiences, Perceptions of Risk, and Lasting Impacts of COVID-19 for Employees in the Public Transport Sector
Authors: Gartland Nicola , Coleman Anna , Fishwick David , Johnson Sheena , Armitage Christopher J , van Tongeren Martie
Published: April 2022

Background

Age-standardized mortality rates for taxi drivers, chauffeurs, bus and coach drivers show that public transport workers were at high risk at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, the public transport sector was required to continue services throughout the pandemic.

Objectives

This paper aims to develop a better understanding of the experiences of organizational leaders and workers within the UK public transport sector (bus, rail, and tram). Specifically, it aims to explore the perceived balance of risk and mitigation of SARS-CoV-2 transmission, report on their perceptions of safety in public transport during the pandemic and in the future, and consider how these perceptions and changes impact on long-term worker health and wellbeing.

Methods

This study formed part of a larger stakeholder engagement with the public transport sector. Organizational leaders and workers were recruited (n = 18) and semi-structured interviews carried out between January and May 2021. Data were analysed thematically.

Results

Overarching and subthemes were identified. Themes relating to perceptions and impacts of risk of COVID-19 for employees included: acceptability of risk for workers, perceptions of risk mitigation effectiveness, changes to working practices and their impact on morale and wellbeing, issues with compliance to mitigations such as social distancing and face coverings in passenger and co-worker groups alongside a lack of power to challenge behaviour effectively, and the roles of leadership and messaging. Themes related to long-lasting impacts of COVID-19 on working practices and effects on health and wellbeing included: continuing mitigations, impact of increasing passenger numbers, impact of vaccination programme, and impact of changes to business structure.

Conclusions

Most public transport employees reported feeling safe, related to the extent to which their role was public-facing. However, data were collected during a time of very low passenger numbers. Current mitigation measures were thought effective in reducing the risk of viral transmission, although measures may have a detrimental effect on worker morale and wellbeing. Issues relating to non-compliance with guidance and ‘in-group’ behaviour were identified. Impacts on wider business sustainability and individual wellbeing of staff should be considered when developing responses to any future pandemics. Recommendations are made for prioritizing employee engagement with colleagues, and the importance of strong leadership and clear messaging in promoting adherence to behavioural mitigations.
Effect of storage after heating on odor of muscles of yellowtail (Seriola quinqueradiata)
Authors: Mukojima Kaori , Yoshii Minami , Tone Aki , Mabuchi Ryota , Furuta Ayumi , Tanimoto Shota
Published: April 2022

Effects of storage after heating on the odor of yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata muscle was investigated. Sensory evaluation demonstrated odor degradation during storage of ordinary muscle (OM) as well as dark muscle (DM). First, different volatile profiles between OM (dorsal and ventral) and DM; their profiles were also different between non-stored samples (raw samples and just-heated samples) and stored samples except for a part of stored OM. Although the dorsal and ventral OM s differed in lipid content, their volatile profiles were similar to each other. The aforementioned differences were due to increased levels of lipid oxidation compounds (e.g., aldehydes and alcohols) during storage after heating. However, none of the muscle parts showed significant changes in the intensity of each odor perceived by gas chromatography–olfactometry and trimethyl amine during storage. These findings suggested multiple volatile components may contribute to the odor deterioration of heated yellowtail muscle during cold storage.
Potential clinical value of in vitro spermatogenesis
Authors: Li Laihua , Yuan Yan , Sha Jiahao
Published: April 2022

Infertility has become the third most common disease threatening human health, immediately after tumors and cardiovascular diseases. Male infertility is primarily caused by spermatogenesis disorders that may be classified as either genetic or non-genetic. For part of non-genetic disorders, in vitro spermatogenesis can be induced by adjusting the microenvironment of the testis culture. Establishing the in vitro spermatogenic induction system helps to clarify the critical molecular mechanisms in spermatogonia self-renewal, spermatocyte meiosis, and sperm formation during spermatogenesis. In this review, we summarize recent advances in the field of in vitro sperm cells induction. Therefore, we hope to provide ideas and solutions for the clinical treatment of male infertility.
Citizen Science as an Ecosystem of Engagement: Implications for Learning and Broadening Participation
Authors: Allf Bradley C , Cooper Caren B , Larson Lincoln R , Dunn Robert R , Futch Sara E , Sharova Maria , CAVALIER Darlene
Published: April 2022

The bulk of research on citizen science participants is project centric, based on an assumption that volunteers experience a single project. Contrary to this assumption, survey responses (n = 3894) and digital trace data (n = 3649) from volunteers, who collectively engaged in 1126 unique projects, revealed that multiproject participation was the norm. Only 23% of volunteers were singletons (who participated in only one project). The remaining multiproject participants were split evenly between discipline specialists (39%) and discipline spanners (38% joined projects with different disciplinary topics) and unevenly between mode specialists (52%) and mode spanners (25% participated in online and offline projects). Public engagement was narrow: The multiproject participants were eight times more likely to be White and five times more likely to hold advanced degrees than the general population. We propose a volunteer-centric framework that explores how the dynamic accumulation of experiences in a project ecosystem can support broad learning objectives and inclusive citizen science.
Bowlby, Attachment and the Potency of a ‘Received Idea’
Authors: Garrett Paul Michael
Published: April 2022

This year marks the sixtieth anniversary of a report from the World Health Organisation (WHO) that furnished a mostly coruscating account of John Bowlby’s work on child attachment and maternal deprivation. Despite the WHO critique and a range of other critical interrogations, Bowlby contributions still constitute a ‘received idea’ within the discourse of social work. If criticisms are made of Bowlby, and what has been dubbed the ‘Bowlby School’, the reference point tends to be cogent feminist critiques emerging in the final quarter of the twentieth century. This article aims to excavate critical appraisals from the 1950s and 1960s. It will also be argued that endeavours to ‘retrofit’ Bowlby for our contemporary times present problems.
A prediction model with lifestyle factors improves the predictive ability for renal replacement therapy: a cohort of 442 714 Asian adults
Authors: Tsai Min-Kuang , Gao Wayne , Chien Kuo-Liong , Hsu Chih-Cheng , Wen Chi-Pang
Published: April 2022

Background

There are limited renal replacement therapy (RRT) prediction models with good performance in the general population. We developed a model that includes lifestyle factors to improve predictive ability for RRT in the population at large.

Methods

We used data collected between 1996 and 2017 from a medical screening in a cohort comprising 442 714 participants aged 20 years or over. After a median follow-up of 13 years, we identified 2212 individuals with end-stage renal disease (RRT, n: 2091; kidney transplantation, n: 121). We built three models for comparison: model 1: basic model, Kidney Failure Risk Equation with four variables (age, sex, estimated glomerular filtration rate and proteinuria); model 2: basic model + medical history + lifestyle risk factors; and model 3: model 2 + all significant clinical variables. We used the Cox proportional hazards model to construct a points-based model and applied the C statistic.

Results

Adding lifestyle factors to the basic model, the C statistic improved in model 2 from 0.91 to 0.94 (95% confidence interval: 0.94, 0.95). Model 3 showed even better C statistic value i.e., 0.95 (0.95, 0.96). With a cut-off score of 33, model 3 identified 3% of individuals with RRT risk in 10 years. This model detected over half of individuals progressing to RRT, which was higher than the sensitivity of cohort participants with stage 3 or higher chronic kidney disease (0.53 versus 0.48).

Conclusions

Our prediction model including medical history and lifestyle factors improved the predictive ability for end-stage renal disease in the general population in addition to chronic kidney disease population.
Kidney replacement therapy patients with COVID-19 in the vaccine era: what do we need to know?
Authors: Vehbi Sezan , Yildiz Abdullah B , Kanbay Mehmet
Published: April 2022

Kidney disease is one of the most important factors affecting the prognosis of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Patients on kidney replacement therapy (KRT; dialysis and kidney transplant recipients) are vulnerable to severe complications of COVID-19. As the pandemic evolves and preventive strategies, availability of healthcare facilities, treatment approaches and vaccination strategies change, studies are needed on COVID-19 epidemiology and outcomes in KRT patients that contribute to vaccination regimens, treatment protocols and immunosuppressive therapies of KRT patients with COVID-19. In their registry-based study, Quiroga et al. analyzed COVID-19 KRT patients in Spain across six pandemic waves in order to evaluate dynamic treatment approaches and outcomes as well as the efficacy of vaccination.
Long-read and chromosome-scale assembly of the hexaploid wheat genome achieves high resolution for research and breeding
Authors: Aury Jean-Marc , Engelen Stefan , Istace Benjamin , Monat Cécile , Lasserre-Zuber Pauline , Belser Caroline , Cruaud Corinne , Rimbert Hélène , Leroy Philippe , Arribat Sandrine , Dufau Isabelle , Bellec Arnaud , Grimbichler David , Papon Nathan , Paux Etienne , Ranoux Marion , Alberti Adriana , Wincker Patrick , Choulet Frédéric
Published: April 2022

Background

The sequencing of the wheat (Triticum aestivum) genome has been a methodological challenge for many years owing to its large size (15.5 Gb), repeat content, and hexaploidy. Many initiatives aiming at obtaining a reference genome of cultivar Chinese Spring have been launched in the past years and it was achieved in 2018 as the result of a huge effort to combine short-read sequencing with many other resources. Reference-quality genome assemblies were then produced for other accessions, but the rapid evolution of sequencing technologies offers opportunities to reach high-quality standards at lower cost.

Results

Here, we report on an optimized procedure based on long reads produced on the Oxford Nanopore Technology PromethION device to assemble the genome of the French bread wheat cultivar Renan.

Conclusions

We provide the most contiguous chromosome-scale assembly of a bread wheat genome to date. Coupled with an annotation based on RNA-sequencing data, this resource will be valuable for the crop community and will facilitate the rapid selection of agronomically important traits. We also provide a framework to generate high-quality assemblies of complex genomes using ONT.
A road map to change: application of a comprehensive change management model to guide and inspire fishers to reduce bycatch
Authors: Eayrs Stephen
Published: April 2022

Two bycatch reduction initiatives in Australia's Northern Prawn Fishery were evaluated through the lens of a comprehensive change management model. This model combines the constructs of change Type, Readiness, Process, Inertia, and Time, and was developed because gear researchers have a poor record facilitating the voluntary uptake of proven fishing gear, including bycatch reduction devices. This evaluation identified where efforts by gear researchers to facilitate change in this fishery did and did not achieve desired outcomes. It identified differences in change type, precursors to change, and readiness of fishers to change, although extension activities were similar for both initiatives. No attempts were made to influence their affective readiness to change. During the second initiative, the process of overcoming inertia was influenced by a well-respected industry body. With a clear vision and improved fisher readiness to change, achievement of desired outcomes was relatively straightforward and less controversial. The proactive application of this model in the fishing industry awaits. However, this evaluation implies it is a useful road map to guide and inspire change in this industry. In the future, efforts to realize change must include consideration of affective change readiness, establishment of a guiding coalition, and promulgation of a clear vision.
The Implicit McMillan degree and network descriptions
Authors: Livada Maria , Leventides John
Published: April 2022

The paper addresses the problem of evaluating the Implicit McMillan degree$\delta{m}$ of $W^{-1}(s)$, where $W^{-1}(s)$ denotes the transfer function of a passive $RLC$ electrical network.1 The Implicit McMillan degree$\delta{m}$ specifies the minimum number of dynamic elements needed to completely characterize the passive $RLC$ network, i.e. an electrical network that contains only passive elements (capacitors, inductors and resistors) and associates it with the rank properties of the passive element matrices. A fact that in the circuit literature is intuitively accepted but not rigorously proved is that this degree must be equal to the minimum number of independent dynamical elements in the network Livada (2017, Implicit network descriptions of RLC networks and the problem of re engineering. Ph.D. Thesis, City, University of London) and Leventides et al. (2014, McMillan degree of impedance, admittance functions of RLC networks. In 21st International Symposium on Mathematical Theory of Networks and Systems. The Netherlands: Groningen). In this paper, we investigate this finding, showing that the maximum possible Implicit McMillan degree$\delta{m}$ of such networks is given by $rankL+rankC$ and that this value is reached when certain necessary and sufficient conditions are satisfied.1
Fear of the Unknown: The Benefits of a Patient Educational Handout on Breast Biopsy Markers
Authors: Kutay Erin , Milch Hannah , Sayre James , Joines Melissa , Hoyt Anne , Li Bo , Chan Tiffany L
Published: April 2022

Objective

To determine whether providing a biopsy marker informational handout to patients improves patient knowledge and comfort with receiving a marker.

Methods

In this IRB-exempt prospective study, a patient educational handout on breast biopsy markers was developed. A questionnaire was created with four questions asking patients to self-evaluate their knowledge of biopsy markers and their comfort level with marker placement before and after reading the handout. Technologists distributed the educational handouts to patients presenting for a percutaneous breast biopsy under any modality from December 11, 2020, to April 23, 2021. Data from the completed questionnaires were entered into a database. Statistical analyses included paired t-test and Wilcoxon analyses.

Results

In total, 141 completed surveys were included in the analysis. The mean scores prior to reading the handout for knowledge and comfort were 2.59 and 3.40, respectively. After reading the handout, there was a significant increase in mean scores for knowledge and comfort (4.26 and 4.20, respectively) (P < 0.001). There was a 64% increase vs 23% increase for knowledge and comfort, respectively.

Conclusion

Patient-assessed knowledge of biopsy markers increased significantly after reading our educational handout. Patient-assessed comfort with biopsy marker placement also increased significantly after reading the educational handout, though to a lesser degree than knowledge. Although not included in our study, use of an educational handout may impact patient acceptance of marker placement. Future directions may include quantitatively assessing the effect of the handout on time to consent for a biopsy or influence on acceptance of marker placement.
Taxonomy and conservation of the critically endangered shrew Cryptotis nelsoni (Eulipotyphla: Soricidae), endemic to Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, México
Authors: Guevara Lázaro , Cervantes Fernando A
Published: April 2022

The Nelson’s small-eared shrew (Cryptotis nelsoni) is a mammal at high risk of extinction and endemic to the cloud forest in the mountains of Los Tuxtlas, an isolated volcanic field in eastern México. It is a little-known species that remained unrecorded for over a century. However, recent works have increased the number of museum specimens and tissue samples of C. nelsoni, which we studied here to improve our knowledge of their taxonomy and conservation status. We compared the morphology and DNA barcode sequences of C. nelsoni against its three most closely related species. We also evaluated the possible effect of anthropogenic climate change on this mountain species according to three general circulation models and two scenarios proposed for the year 2050. The results showed that the skull and postcranial variables could easily discriminate C. nelsoni from the other species in terms of body size, to which some distinctive qualitative characteristics related to the width of the snout and the curvature of the humerus also contribute. DNA barcoding also helped identify the shrew species accurately, with a genetic distance of more than 6% from its closest species. The morphological and genetic characteristics highlight the evolutionary distinctiveness of C. nelsoni. Unfortunately, warmer extremes and higher rainfall than today could pose a severe threat to the survival of this shrew for decades to come, even in the most optimistic scenarios.
Body growth, mass at sexual maturity, and sexual dimorphism in Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi)
Authors: Bartareau Tad M
Published: April 2022

Recognizing individual variation in body growth characteristics and size at sexual maturity is of particular interest because they indicate a potential source of variance in survival and reproductive fitness. I used the Richards group of unified models method to examine body growth characteristics, mass at sexual maturity, and development of sexual size dimorphism in Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi). A larger asymptotic body size and mass at sexual maturity in males resulted from a greater instantaneous growth rate across the life span and longer duration of growth than in females. Juvenile males attained larger body mass than female counterparts before achieving independence and sexual maturity, suggesting that a greater instantaneous growth rate developed from precopulatory intrasexual selection. Body mass growth rapidly decreased proximate to the minimum age at first conception in both sexes, suggesting that energetic costs of reproduction inhibited additional growth. Intrasexual selection among males to enhance fighting ability and promote access to a territory and mates is implicated as the cause for sexual size dimorphism, together with more direct underlying energetic costs of reproduction in females. The results provide uniform sex-specific body mass-at-age growth and mass at sexual maturity statistics for comparison with other puma populations and reference values to implement measurable criteria to evaluate trends in Florida panther population health.
First Record of the Tortoise Tick, Amblyomma geoemydae (Cantor, 1847) (Acari: Ixodidae) Parasitizing a Tree Shrew, Tupaia glis (Scandentia: Tupaiidae) in West Malaysia
Authors: Che Lah Ernieenor Faraliana , George Ernna , Apanaskevich Dmitry , Ahmad Mariana , Yaakop Salmah
Published: April 2022

The tick genus Amblyomma Koch, 1844 (Acari: Ixodidae) has received little attention in Malaysia; therefore, its associated hosts and distribution records are poorly known. In this study, we collected six Amblyomma sp. individuals (two larvae and four adults) that infested a common treeshrew, Tupaia glis (Diard, 1820) (Scandentia: Tupaiidae) caught in a recreational area in Sungai Lembing, Pahang (West Malaysia). The adult female ticks were morphologically identified according to taxonomic keys prior to molecular identification using cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S rDNA genes. The ticks were genetically verified as Amblyomma geoemydae (Cantor, 1847) with 98%–99% similarity to the available GenBank sequences. Neighbor-joining (NJ) trees indicated that A. geoemydae was clearly distinguished from other Amblyomma ticks and this was supported with high bootstrap values. This paper is the first to report A. geoemydae ticks infesting T. glis and provides a new tick-host record from West Malaysia. This information is significant for further investigation, specifically on this tick species as potential vector of tick-borne disease (TBD) agents.
Therapeutic Assessment
Authors: Kamphuis Jan H. , Schaber Pamela
Published: April 2022

Therapeutic Assessment (TA) is a semistructured form of clinical personality assessment derived from humanistic principles and builds on an intense collaboration with clients. This chapter describes the specific nature of the client–assessor relationship in TA and proposes epistemic trust as a transdiagnostic mediator for the efficacy TA has shown in a variety of patient populations. The central importance of having clients develop their personal assessment questions is highlighted, as well as the need for highly individualized case conceptualizations to address these. Furthermore, the chapter details the steps of a full adult TA, along with case material examples and reflections on how each step might enhance epistemic trust. The chapter also provides a brief description of variations on the basic adult model (e.g., TA in children or adolescents, with couples, or ultra-brief).
Ethical Decisions in Psychological Assessment
Authors: Knauss Linda K. , Slattery Jeanne M.
Published: April 2022

Ethical dilemmas frequently occur in the course of psychological assessment. Having an ethical decision-making framework to guide psychologists’ actions when they experience these situations as well as being aware of their acculturation to their personal values and morals and the profession’s ethics code can help psychologists make more thoughtful and nuanced ethical decisions. This chapter takes a positive ethics perspective, with the goal of doing the best for clients and others with whom psychologists have a professional relationship. Therapeutic Assessment is consistent with the positive ethics perspective by maximizing clients’ participation in the assessment process. Ethical decisions regarding feedback, multicultural assessment, informed consent, confidentiality, test selection, and assessment supervision are discussed, as well as the emerging areas of teleassessment and presurgical psychological screening. Vignettes throughout the chapter bring these issues to life.
A coordinated bus bridging and metro short turning model in response to urban metro disruptions
Authors: Wu Zijian , Zhao Xiaolong , Xiao Longwen , Wang Pu
Published: April 2022

When an urban metro disruption occurs, the urban metro usually operates in a short turning mode and bus bridging is the typical way to relink the disconnected stations. For emergency response models dealing with urban metro disruptions, minimizing passenger delay in the bus bridging process and the metro short turning process is usually the optimization objective. In this study, we simultaneously consider the passenger delay in the bus bridging process and the metro short turning process to develop a coordinated emergency response model dealing with urban metro disruptions. The proposed coordinated model is validated in an actual urban metro line using actual passenger boarding demand data. Useful insights in response to urban metro disruptions are obtained.
Mastopexy: with or without Acellular Dermal Matrix?
Authors: Abdelkader Rasha , Malahias Marco , Naguib Ibrahim , Abdelghani Salah , Raafat Sarah
Published: April 2022

Background:

In the years after unilateral breast reconstruction, the reconstructed breast resists ptosis more than natural breast tissue in the native contralateral breast. As acellular dermal matrix (ADM) becomes fully incorporated into the recipient’s anatomy, thus reinforcing the inferior pole of the uplifted breast, we combined our mastopexy cases with ADM in an attempt to reduce the rate of recurrent ptosis.

Method:

This was a prospective randomized analysis of a cohort of 24 patients, divided into two groups (A and B); all underwent primary unilateral mastopexy to correct grade III breast ptosis. Our patients had previously undergone contralateral skin sparing mastectomy with immediate breast reconstruction, for invasive breast cancer or ductal carcinoma in situ that originally was symmetrical to their native breast. The symmetrization mastopexy in half of our patients was carried out with the addition of an ADM sling to the inferior pole of the breast, to act as an internal, subcutaneous supportive “bra” (A). The other half of patients received a standard symmetrization mastopexy, without the addition of an ADM support (B). Patients were followed up for 36 months.

Results:

The difference between control arm and study groups revealed a statistical difference (P < 0.05), when comparing the follow-up period. From the sixth postoperative month onward, the measurements for group A revealed a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05) when compared with group B.

Conclusion:

The additional ADM sling acts as an added layer of support, thus delaying reoccurrence of ptosis following mastopexy.
Sociodemographic Patterns of Pediatric Patients in Specialized Burn Care in Sweden
Authors: Holm Sebastian , Tell Katinka , Karlsson Matilda , Huss Fredrik , Pompermaier Laura , Elmasry Moustafa , Löfgren Jenny
Published: April 2022

Background:

Trauma is a leading cause of mortality in children. Burns affect children disproportionally. Although burn incidence and mortality are decreasing, differences in the risk depend on socioeconomic status. The present study aimed to investigate the sociodemographic patterns of pediatric patients (0–17 years) managed at the two burn centers in Sweden, Uppsala, and Linköping, between 2010 and 2020.

Method:

This retrospective register-based study used hospital records from the two burn centers combined with information from Statistics Sweden plus data regarding number of asylum seekers from the Swedish Migrations Agency. Choropleth maps representing the patients’ geographical distribution were created. Information about income levels per geographic area was added. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed to investigate differences in median income levels between the areas where the patients lived, related to Sweden’s median income.

Results:

The study included 2455 patients. Most of the children aged below 5 years (76%) and were boys (60%). The mean percentage of total skin area was 4.2%. There was no significant increment or decrease in the incidence of pediatric burns during the study. Most patients with recorded zip codes lived in areas with an income level below the national median (n = 1974, 83%). Children with asylum status were over-represented compared with residents and/or Swedish citizens.

Conclusions:

In Sweden, most pediatric burns occur in families that live in areas with low-income levels. Pediatric burns affect children with asylum status disproportionally compared with those who are residents in and/or citizens of Sweden. Prevention strategies should be designed and implemented to alleviate this health inequity.
PREDICTIVE FACTORS OF SPONTANEOUS RELEASE OF VITREOMACULAR TRACTION
Authors: Garg Anubhav , Popovic Marko M. , Cioana Milena , Ballios Brian G. , Brent Michael H. , Hurley Bernard , Kertes Peter J. , Yan Peng
Published: April 2022

Purpose:

To review predictive factors of spontaneous vitreomacular traction (VMT) release.

Methods:

A systematic literature search was performed on Ovid MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library. Studies comparing spontaneously released VMT to persistent VMT were included. A meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model, and weighted mean difference, risk ratio (RR), and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were reported as appropriate.

Results:

Of a search of 258 studies, 12 studies were included, from which 272 of 934 eyes (29%) underwent spontaneous release. Mean age was 70.0 years, 37.2% of patients were men, and mean follow-up was 22.0 months. Significant predictive factors for spontaneous release were smaller VMT diameter (n = 177; weighted mean difference = −212.48 µm, 95% CI = [−417.36, −7.60], P = 0.04), epiretinal membrane absence (n = 162; RR = 2.17, 95% CI = [1.18, 3.97], P = 0.01), and right eye involvement (n = 76; RR = 2.10, 95% CI = [1.14, 3.88], P = 0.02). Nonsignificant factors were age, initial best-corrected visual acuity, sex, ocular comorbidity, fellow-eye posterior vitreous detachment, previous intravitreal injection, and VMT classification with focal defined as ≤400 µm. Mean release time was 15.3 months (n = 212). Mean best-corrected visual acuity improved from 0.34 ± 0.21 (Snellen 20/44) to 0.20 ± 0.58 logMAR (Snellen 20/32) postrelease (n = 121).

Conclusion:

Smaller VMT diameter, epiretinal membrane absence, and right eye involvement may support spontaneous VMT release. If patients have tolerable symptoms, clinicians may consider observation in patients with these predictive factors.