bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Turbine inlet temperature effects on the start process of an expansion cycle liquid propellant rocket engine
Authors: Eskandari Mohammad Amin , Karimi Hassan , Sarvari Ali , Naderi Mahyar
Published: June 2022

The main objective of this study is to investigate the effect of turbine inlet temperature on the transient phase of expansion cycle liquid propellant rocket engines during start. For this purpose, the non-linear differential mathematical model for 15 main components of the engine is derived, and the corresponding interaction between them is established. Afterward, the model is simulated using MATLAB Simulink, and 150 equations are solved with the Newton–Raphson method. The RL10 expansion cycle liquid propellant rocket engine is selected as a case study, and its dynamic behavior is simulated, and the results are compared with the experimental data. The simulation results showed that the present model for engine dynamic parameters, including thrust-chamber pressure, fuel, oxidizer mass flow rate, and turbo-pump speed, has less than 5% error compared to previous literatures. Using the prepared modeling software, the effect of turbine inlet temperature is studied on the engine start process. The obtained results demonstrated that inappropriate temperature profile during start transient might cause an engine malfunction while entering the nominal working regime.
Numerical study on detonation initiation process in the chamber with characteristic structures of the dual-mode scramjet combustor
Authors: Wei Lisi , Wang Zhiwu , Qin Weifeng , Zhang Longfei
Published: June 2022

In order to improve the performance of traditional ramjet, a ramjet based on pulse detonation (PD-Ramjet) instead of isobaric combustion was proposed. Several special-shaped detonation chambers which retained the characteristic structures of the dual-mode scramjet combustor were designed. Characteristic structures included the expansion channel and the cavity. The filling process and detonation initiation process of the stoichiometric hydrogen/air mixture under the incoming flow condition of the sub-combustion mode were studied in the detonation chambers with characteristic structures by two-dimensional numerical simulation method, and the influences of the characteristic structures on the filling process and detonation initiation process were analyzed. The simulation and analysis results indicated that the hydrogen concentration at both sides of the chamber near the outlet was low due to the structure of the expansion channel, and the pressure and velocity of the detonation wave decreased gradually after the expansion channel. The cavity had a significant influence on the filling process, which resulted in the uneven hydrogen concentration downstream the cavity, especially near the outlet of the chamber. The intensity of the detonation wave attenuated to a certain extent by reason of the cavity, where the peak pressure first decayed due to the sudden expansion of the flow path and then rose owing to the reflection at the cavity aft wall.
The Slow Development of Real-Time Processing: Spoken-Word Recognition as a Crucible for New Thinking About Language Acquisition and Language Disorders
Authors: McMurray Bob , Apfelbaum Keith S. , Tomblin J. Bruce
Published: June 2022

Words are fundamental to language, linking sound, articulation, and spelling to meaning and syntax; and lexical deficits are core to communicative disorders. Work in language acquisition commonly focuses on how lexical knowledge—knowledge of words’ sound patterns and meanings—is acquired. But lexical knowledge is insufficient to account for skilled language use. Sophisticated real-time processes must decode the sound pattern of words and interpret them appropriately. We review work that bridges this gap by using sensitive real-time measures (eye tracking in the visual world paradigm) of school-age children’s processing of highly familiar words. This work reveals that the development of word recognition skills can be characterized by changes in the rate at which decisions unfold in the lexical system (the activation rate). Moreover, contrary to the standard view that these real-time skills largely develop during infancy and toddlerhood, they develop slowly, at least through adolescence. In contrast, language disorders can be linked to differences in the ultimate degree to which competing interpretations are suppressed (competition resolution), and these differences can be mechanistically linked to deficits in inhibition. These findings have implications for real-world problems such as reading difficulties and second-language acquisition. They suggest that developing accurate, flexible, and efficient processing is just as important a developmental goal as is acquiring language knowledge.
The Utility of Administrative Data in Understanding the COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on Child Maltreatment: Learning From the Scotland Experience
Authors: McTier Alexander , Soraghan Joanna
Published: June 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated public health ‘stay at home’ restrictions have intensified familial risk factors. Children would appear to be at increased risk of harm and abuse, yet administrative data from the early months of the pandemic showed falling cases of child maltreatment. Using weekly administrative data from Scotland, UK that span the first 17 months of the pandemic, this article found that child maltreatment activity levels fluctuated as ‘stay at home’ restrictions changed. During lockdown periods, the number of children subject to Inter-agency Referral Discussion fell but a higher number of children were placed on the Child Protection Register. When restrictions were eased, the number of Inter-agency Referral Discussions increased but the number of children placed on the Child Protection Register fell. To explain the fluctuations, the article asserts that the pandemic’s impact on services’ ability to engage directly with children and families has been critical, but the limitations of administrative data in providing an accurate measure of child maltreatment levels also need to be recognised. The article advocates that analysis of administrative data is best done in tandem with wider quantitative and qualitative sources in order to understand the impact of crisis events on children and families.
A New Wave of Mass Shootings? Exploring the Potential Impact of COVID-19
Authors: Schildkraut Jaclyn , Turanovic Jillian J.
Published: June 2022

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has brought much of U.S. society to a grinding halt, its impact on the occurrence of mass shootings is largely unknown. Using data from the Gun Violence Archive and an interrupted time-series design, we analyzed weekly counts of mass shootings in the U.S. from 2019 through 2021. Results show that total, private, and public mass shootings increased following the declaration of COVID-19 as a national emergency in March of 2020. We consider these findings in the context of their broader implications for prevention efforts as well as how they pave the way for future research.
Estrogen Receptor- And Progesterone Receptor-Positive Thresholds in Predicting the Recurrence of Early Low-Risk Endometrial Cancer
Authors: Li Ning , Jiang Peng , Huang Yuzhen , TU Yuan , Kong Wei , Jiang Shan , Zhang Jingni , Wu Yijun , Zhang Xiaorong , Xie Qingning , Yuan Rui
Published: June 2022

Background:

Estrogen receptors (ER) and progesterone receptors (PR) have important prognostic value in endometrial cancer, but there is no recognized positive immunohistochemical threshold for predicting the recurrence of early low-risk endometrial cancer. The purpose of this study was to clarify the optimal positive thresholds of the immunohistochemical parameters the ER and PR in early low-risk endometrial cancer.

Methods:

A total of 332 patients with stage IA endometrial cancer were enrolled from the First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University and People’s Hospital of Sha ping ba District in Chongqing between January 2013 and December 2018. First, univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to analyze the correlation between various clinical factors and the prognosis of early low-risk endometrial cancer. Then, the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) and Youden index were used to determine the positive thresholds of ER and PR.

Results:

The positive thresholds of ER and PR for predicting the recurrence of early low-risk endometrial cancer were 12% and 8%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that ER ( P = 0.004), PR ( P = 0.026), and p53 ( P = 0.021) were risk factors for the prognosis of patients with early low-risk endometrial cancer. The recurrence-free survival and the overall survival in the low ER group and PR group were much lower than those in the high ER group and PR group ( P < 0.001 of all).

Conclusions:

ER and PR positive thresholds of 12% and 8%, respectively, are the most suitable for predicting the recurrence of early low-risk endometrial cancer.
Far-right conspiracy groups on fringe platforms: a longitudinal analysis of radicalization dynamics on Telegram
Authors: Schulze Heidi , Hohner Julian , Greipl Simon , Girgnhuber Maximilian , Desta Isabell , Rieger Diana
Published: June 2022

Societal crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, produce societal instability and create a fertile ground for radicalization. Extremists exploit such crises by distributing disinformation to amplify uncertainty and distrust among the public. Based on these developments, this study presents a longitudinal analysis of far-right communication on fringe platforms, demonstrating radicalization dynamics. Public Telegram communication of three movements active in Germany (QAnon, Identitarian Movement, Querdenken) was analyzed through a quantitative content analysis of 4500 messages posted to nine channels between March 2020 and February 2021. We study the movements' discourse using several indicators of radicalization dynamics. The increasing prevalence of conspiracy narratives, anti-elitism, political activism, and support for violence indicate radicalization dynamics in these movements’ online communication. However, these dynamics varied within the movements. It can be concluded that, when studying radicalization dynamics online, it is crucial to not just focus on one single indicator, but consider longitudinal changes across several indicators, ideally comparing different movements.
The health and educational impact of removing financial constraints for school sport
Authors: Sulz Lauren Denise , Gleddie Doug Lee , Kinsella Cassidy , Humbert M. Louise
Published: June 2022

Financial barriers often restrict sport participation among children from low-income families. Schools are thought to offer equitable access to programming, including school sport participation. However, pay-to-play school sport models can inhibit participation among students from low-income households. Recognizing the potential benefits of school sport and realizing the financial barriers to participation, the purpose of this study was to understand the extent to which school sport promotes educational experiences and holistic well-being of Canadian youth from low-income families. A case study was conducted with stakeholders who were supported by funding from a non-profit organization to help cover the costs of school sport registration fees. Data were collected from in-depth interviews with low-income students and their parents, teacher-coaches and school administrators. Three overarching themes were representative of the experiences of school sport participation among low-income students: (1) healthy student-athletes, (2) developing student-athletes in school, for life, and (3) supporting student-athletes as a community. The participants perceived that school sport participation offered holistic health benefits, and developed skills and behaviours that support positive educational experiences and foster life skills. Further, our results highlighted the importance of the school community in supporting low-income students to participate in school sport teams and the need to reframe school sport to better support low-income families.
Acute paediatric inpatient care of children and young people admitted with self-harm or eating disorders: A single centre evaluation
Authors: Manning Joseph C , Carter Tim , Blake Iszara , Bingham Verity , Cooper Joanne , Turner Andrew , C Marufu Takawira , Wood Damian , Coad Jane
Published: June 2022

In the United Kingdom, the prevalence of children and young people (CYP) accessing acute paediatric inpatient care with mental health problems is increasing, with self-harm and eating disorders particularly prevalent. This study evaluated CYP experiences of being in receipt of acute paediatric inpatient care following either self-harm or crisis stemming from an eating disorder to inform domains for a person-centred outcome measure (PCOM). A series of stakeholder engagement events were conducted between April and July 2015 where creative approaches were used to explore stakeholder experiences of care and to identify outcome domains that were subsequently prioritised using a Nominal Group Technique. Data were analysed using inductive thematic approach, with significance scores calculated for domain statements. Ninety-six stakeholders (15 CYP, eight parents and carers, and 73 professionals) participated. Findings showed five priority PCOM domains: privacy and surveillance; holistic care; making choices, appropriate communication; working together to achieve care goals; and respect and empowerment. This single centre evaluation highlights the need for a PCOM to be developed for this patient group that comprehensively reflects stakeholders’ expectations in order to inform improvements to quality of acute paediatric care.
In their own words: Parents’ voices about a book-provision program
Authors: Gillanders Cristina , Barak Meytal
Published: June 2022

Book distribution or book provision programs that provide free books to families with young children have become increasingly popular approaches to promote home literacy practices. This qualitative study aimed to understand parents’ perceptions of the implementation of a book provision program and its impact on their families’ literacy practices and behaviors. Forty-three parents participated in twelve focus groups in which they were asked about the perceived benefits of participating in the program. Participant parents were born in the U.S., Mexico, Central and South America, and Africa, had spent more than five years living in the U.S., and had attained different levels of education. At home, parents spoke only English, mostly Spanish, or two different languages in addition to English. Thirty-nine percent of the parents were Black (not all of whom were African American), and 53% were Latinx. Findings suggested that parents had positive views towards the program’s impact on their family’s literacy practices. Specifically, Spanish-speaking families reported appreciation for learning new ways of engaging their children in shared reading. Parents considered the opportunities offered by the program, congruent with their cultural models. They believed that participating in the program allow them to be part of a community and that shared reading was a means to strengthen their relationship with their children. Results highlight the importance of considering families’ cultural models in the design and implementation of book provision programs.
Quantifying the health needs of migrants in vulnerable circumstances registered with a nurse-led primary care service
Authors: Clark Emily , Fox Hannah , Gillam Tara B , Clarry Clodagh
Published: June 2022

Background

As of the end of 2019, at least 79.5 million people worldwide have been forced to flee their homes. Those seeking asylum face adversity before, during and after arrival in the UK, resulting in complex health and social needs. The study setting was a nurse-led asylum seeker service in a dispersal city, commissioned to provide an initial health assessment, immunisations and support to register with a general practitioner.

Aims

The aim was to quantify the health needs of migrants in vulnerable circumstances registered with a nurse-led primary care service by clinical audit.

Methods

In June 2018, 80 electronic records were reviewed by seven auditors to analyse documentation of demographics, asylum status, service use, barriers to care, physical and mental health.

Results

Where data were available, 86% migrated due to persecution or trafficking, 59% had a chronic physical illness, 51% had a mental health condition and 49% experienced barriers to accessing a mainstream general practitioner.

Conclusions

Although a small sample, this survey demonstrated high physical and mental health needs that are often unmet in mainstream services. There was a high level of unknown need, for example of torture rates. These findings informed quality improvement in documentation and health assessments, and further research.
The history of disaster nursing: from Nightingale to nursing in the 21st century
Authors: Fletcher Kelsie A , Reddin Karen , Tait Desiree
Published: June 2022

Background

Nurses have a rich history in performing their duty both domestically and internationally in response to a disaster. Comprising the largest proportion of the healthcare workforce, nurses possess a unique opportunity to inform disaster planning and management. With the ongoing threat from COVID-19 and continuing conflict, humanitarian aid needs, epidemics and natural disasters; the capacity of nurses to continue to respond in times of global need is unparalleled.

Aims

The aim of this paper is to explore the developments in the field of disaster nursing. Mapping key changes in policy, practice and outcomes.

Methods

A qualitative interpretive historical review was conducted to examine core developments in the history of disaster nursing, examining key organisations (e.g. World Health Organization, International Council of Nurses), national and international policies and historical accounts.

Results

29 articles were analysed, and politics, strategic perspectives and nursing identity (‘sense of duty’ and roles) emerged from the literature. The influence of professionalisation and public health/health promotion emerged next. A total of 10 articles refer to disaster nursing specifically, of which 4 of these are reports/policy.

Conclusions

Nurses have spent centuries building the trust and legitimacy of the profession. Disaster nursing goes beyond the expectations of a registered nurse. The responsibilities of a disaster nurse encompass wider community health promotion, critical decision-making beyond the individual patient, resilience and ethical challenges. Whilst significant advancements have emerged in the last 30 years, further research, and representation of the profession at a strategic and political level could enhance the effectiveness of nurses’ roles in the 4 phases of disaster response: mitigation, preparation, response and recovery.
Fluctuating power: an exploration of refugee health nursing within the resettlement context in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Hughes Emma , Kean Susanne , Cuthill Fiona
Published: June 2022

Background

The Refugee Health Program (RHP) is a nurse-led community initiative, introduced in 2005 with the aim of responding to complex health issues of refugees arriving in Victoria, Australia. Little is known about refugee health nursing in the resettlement context and the impact of dedicated refugee healthcare.

Aim

To explore the experiences and perspectives of Refugee Health Nurses (RHNs), Refugee Health Managers (managers) and refugees, gaining insight into professional relationships and the complexities of offering a specialised refugee health service.

Method

A focused ethnographic approach incorporated semi-structured interviews with five RHNs, two managers and eight refugees, two focus groups with refugees and participant observation within the RHP during April 2017 to December 2017. Data collection was undertaken across two sites and interviews, focus groups and observations were transcribed and thematically analysed. Social constructionism asserts that the focus of enquiry should be on interaction, group processes and social practices. Emphasis is placed upon relationships between RHNs, managers and refugees, with knowledge viewed as relational and interactional.

Results

Professional relationships between RHNs and refugees are complex, with power oscillating between them. Contrary to discourses of ‘vulnerability’ of refugees, both RHNs and refugees demonstrated power in their relationships with each other. Nurses also suggested that these relationships were stressful and could lead to burnout. Key themes were developed: (1) nursing autonomy and gatekeeping; (2) vicarious trauma and burnout; and (3) refugee negotiation of care.

Conclusions

The balance of power is central to therapeutic relationships. In relationships between RHNs and refugees, power fluctuates as RHNs are exposed to vicarious trauma and symptoms of burnout, while refugees exercise agency by recognising benefits to specialised care. In developing effective therapeutic relationships between RHNs and refugees, attention should be paid to how care is delivered to protect RHNs from burnout while ensuring that refugees receive appropriate care.
An interval failure assessment diagram method for analyzing the reliability of structure containing crack defect
Authors: Xin Tengda , Cui Cunyan , Liu Yang , Tong Jiang
Published: June 2022

The failure assessment diagram (FAD) is the most widely used method for analyzing the reliability of structure containing crack defect. In practical engineering, the failure assessment point (FAP) and failure assessment curve (FAC) are impossible to be determined accurately. Therefore, an interval failure assessment diagram (IFAD) method is proposed in this paper to analyze the reliability of structure containing crack defect when the FAP and FAC cannot be obtained accurately. Firstly, based on the interval method and FAD method, an interval failure assessment diagram (IFAD) model is established by considering the FAP and the failure critical point (FCP) as interval variables. And then the FAP and FCP intervals are converted into the normalized region to design the IFAD reliability index [Formula: see text] according to the relationship between the limit state function and the normalized region. The structural arbitrary state can be described by the IFAD reliability index [Formula: see text]. In addition, 10 cases are given as examples to clearly expound the IFAD method, and the analysis results are compared with the FAD method, which confirms that the IFAD method is feasible and valid to analyze the structural reliability with the bounds of FAP and FCP. Finally, the IFAD reliability analysis of a certain propellant storage tank ellipsoidal bottom containing surface crack is taken as an application example to verify the practicability of the proposed method. And the results show that the IFAD reliability index can be obtained without the exact value of parameters.
Computer-assisted correction of incongruent distal radioulnar joints in patients with symptomatic ulnar-minus variance
Authors: Estermann Lea , Urbanschitz Lukas , Reissner Lisa , Schweizer Andreas
Published: June 2022

Our study described a computer-assisted, three-dimensional (3-D), planned surgical technique of a radial shortening osteotomy. The osteotomy of the distal radius was planned with computer assistance on 3-D bone models based on computed tomography data. The objective was to maximize the contact zone of the sigmoid notch with the ulnar head. Between 2012 and 2020 we treated 14 wrists in 11 patients with symptomatic ulnar-minus variance with a mean follow-up of 44 months (range 8 to 98) and a mean age of 28 years (range 19 to 38). Postoperatively, patients showed a decrease in pain at rest and during effort (numeric rating scale from 4.4 to 0 and 7.5 to 4.5, respectively). The range of motion postoperatively was similar to the contralateral side. Grip strength increased from 24 kg to 30 kg. The Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand and the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation scores were 28 and 35 postoperatively, respectively. Our technique of 3-D computer-assisted distal radioulnar joint reconstruction led to a pain reduction and improvement of the hand function in patients with symptomatic ulnar-minus variance.

Level of evidence: IV
Comment: Empathy as a Flexible and Fundamentally Interpersonal Phenomenon: Comment on “Why We Should Reject the Restrictive Isomorphic Matching Definition of Empathy”
Authors: Main Alexandra
Published: June 2022

I strongly agree with the criticisms of the restrictive isomorphic matching (RIM) definition of empathy made by Murphy, Lilienfeld, and Algoe (2022), and largely agree with their conceptualization of empathy as a dynamic process best defined by its function. In this commentary, I extend this argument by emphasizing the relational, interpersonal aspects of empathy. It is my view that in order to understand the functions of empathy, we must take into account not only the internal experience of the individual empathizing, but also the individual (or group) whose perspective the empathizer is attempting to take. I highlight how the emotional needs of others are dynamic and require flexible adaptation and underscore the role of context in appreciating the function of empathy.
Detection of Meals and Physical Activity Events From Free-Living Data of People With Diabetes
Authors: Askari Mohammad Reza , Rashid Mudassir , Sun Xiaoyu , Sevil Mert , Shahidehpour Andrew , Kawaji Keigo , Cinar Ali
Published: June 2022

Background:

Predicting carbohydrate intake and physical activity in people with diabetes is crucial for improving blood glucose concentration regulation. Patterns of individual behavior can be detected from historical free-living data to predict meal and exercise times. Data collected in free-living may have missing values and forgotten manual entries. While machine learning (ML) can capture meal and exercise times, missing values, noise, and errors in data can reduce the accuracy of ML algorithms.

Methods:

Two recurrent neural networks (RNNs) are developed with original and imputed data sets to assess detection accuracy of meal and exercise events. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) data, insulin infused from pump data, and manual meal and exercise entries from free-living data are used to predict meals, exercise, and their concurrent occurrence. They contain missing values of various lengths in time, noise, and outliers.

Results:

The accuracy of RNN models range from 89.9% to 95.7% for identifying the state of event (meal, exercise, both, or neither) for various users. “No meal or exercise” state is determined with 94.58% accuracy by using the best RNN (long short-term memory [LSTM] with 1D Convolution). Detection accuracy with this RNN is 98.05% for meals, 93.42% for exercise, and 55.56% for concurrent meal-exercise events.

Conclusions:

The meal and exercise times detected by the RNN models can be used to warn people for entering meal and exercise information to hybrid closed-loop automated insulin delivery systems. Reliable accuracy for event detection necessitates powerful ML and large data sets. The use of additional sensors and algorithms for detecting these events and their characteristics provides a more accurate alternative.
Examination of online group discussions in terms of intrinsic motivation, social presence, and perceived learning
Authors: Kilinc Hakan , Buyuk Koksal
Published: June 2022

This experimental study within the scope of Anadolu University Open Education Faculty in Turkey aims to examine the effect of online group discussion techniques. In this context, the online group discussion technique, which is applied by dividing the learners into manageable groups in online learning environments, has been examined within the scope of intrinsic motivation, social presence, and perceived learning variables. Sequential explanatory mixed method design was used to conduct this study. The online group discussion process was applied in the study’s experimental group by dividing the learners into manageable groups. In this process, a field expert accompanied each group. In the control group, the discussion process was left to its natural state, and all learners who took the relevant course were included in a single group. Before and after the experimental process, data were collected from 250 learners through the study scales, and then five learners were interviewed. The findings obtained within the study’s scope show that the design to be applied in the online group discussion technique used in online learning environments is important in increasing the efficiency to be obtained from the process. In this context, it has been observed that to manage online learning processes effectively, attention should be paid to the fact that the groups must be less than 150 learners to not show mass features. Online group discussions in groups that do not show mass features positively affected the learners’ intrinsic motivation, social presence, and perceived learning levels. However, acting in line with the principles of social constructivism theory and the community of inquiry theory in learning processes has increased the discussions’ efficiency. Besides, it has been observed that the increase in the social presence and intrinsic motivation of the learners positively affects their perceived learning levels.
Parental Investments of Money for White, Black, and Hispanic Children in the United States
Authors: Hastings Orestes P.
Published: June 2022

Recent research has shown wide class gaps in parental investments of money. Although scholars have suggested similar important gaps by race and ethnicity, these have not been as clearly documented, and some suggest that they may be the result of economic differences or family characteristics. Using 16 years of the Consumer Expenditure Survey, the author shows the predicted levels of parental investments for white, Black, and Hispanic families under four conditions: the unadjusted levels, controlling for family characteristics, controlling for family income, and controlling for both family characteristics and income. The visualization shows large gaps between children in white families compared with Black and Hispanic families. Both sociodemographic and economic factors play a substantial role in these differences, and the racial and ethnic gaps in parental investments of money are nearly eliminated when both are accounted for.
Left Atrial Myxoma in a Nine-Year-Old Boy
Authors: Singhi Anil Kumar , Ghosh Soumyajit , Sengupta Ashvini , Mohapatra Soumya Kanti , Kumar Dilip
Published: June 2022

A 9-year-old boy presented with breathing difficulty and episodic palpitation. Cardiac evaluation revealed features suggestive of left atrial myxoma intermittently obstructing the left ventricular inflow in the echocardiogram. The tumor was removed surgically. Histopathology confirmed the diagnosis. Cardiac myxoma is very rare in pediatric age group. High degree of suspicion is required for the diagnosis and management.
Analytical study of isothermal blade coating process using Rabinowitsch fluid model
Authors: Abbas Z , Khaliq S , Murtaza F , Rafiq MY
Published: June 2022

Blade coating process is widely applied in the industry for its practical applications in photographic films, paint industries, and magnetic storage devices. Also for manufacturing newspaper, metal coating, electronic circuit boards, and textile fibers. The blade coating process passes a fluid into the gap between the moving substrate and blade. This study uses the Rabinowitsch model which represents the Newtonian, shear thickening, and shear thinning effects by changing a non-linear parameter. Lubrication theory is used to simplify the dimensionless governing expressions. Then perturbation technique is used up to second order to solve the resultant system and validated by the numerical shooting technique. The graphs and tables present how the non-linear parameter affects the dimensionless velocity, pressure profile, coating thickness, and blade load. The non-linear model parameter proves to be the controlling parameter for the coating thickness, blade load, and pressure distribution, helping in determining the coating efficiency and improving the substrate life. This paper provides the theoretical framework for engineers to be applied in many industrial applications. In future, further validation of results can be done through experiments.
Noncanonical Sonic Hedgehog signaling amplifies platelet reactivity and thrombogenicity
Authors: Tiwari Arundhati , Gautam Deepa , Kulkarni Paresh P. , Ekhlak Mohammad , Sonkar Vijay K. , Agrawal Vikas , Dash Debabrata
Published: June 2022

Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) is a morphogen in vertebrate embryos that is also associated with organ homeostasis in adults. We report here that human platelets, though enucleate, synthesize Shh from preexisting mRNAs upon agonist stimulation, and mobilize it for surface expression and release on extracellular vesicles, thus alluding to its putative role in platelet activation. Shh, in turn, induced a wave of noncanonical signaling in platelets leading to activation of small GTPase Ras homolog family member A and phosphorylation of myosin light chain in activated protein kinase-dependent manner. Remarkably, agonist-induced thrombogenic responses in platelets, which include platelet aggregation, granule secretion, and spreading on immobilized fibrinogen, were significantly attenuated by inhibition of Hedgehog signaling, thus, implicating inputs from Shh in potentiation of agonist-mediated platelet activation. In consistence, inhibition of the Shh pathway significantly impaired arterial thrombosis in mice. Taken together, the above observations strongly support a feed-forward loop of platelet stimulation triggered locally by Shh, similar to ADP and thromboxane A2, that contributes significantly to the stability of occlusive arterial thrombus and that can be investigated as a potential therapeutic target in thrombotic disorders.
A pilot study examining the suitability of the mental arithmetic task and single-item measures of affective states to assess affective, physiological, and attention restoration at a wooden desk
Authors: Lipovac Dean , Žitnik Jure , Burnard Michael D.
Published: June 2022

People seem to function and feel better in indoor natural environments, including spaces furnished with wood. When restorative effects of indoor spaces are not detected, suboptimal methodological approaches may be responsible, including stress-inducing activities and measures of affective states and cognitive performance. Our primary objectives were to test (1) whether the Mental Arithmetic Task (MAT) can reliably induce stress and measure cognitive performance, and (2) whether two single-item measures of pleasure and arousal can detect changes in affective states in restoration research. Our secondary objective was to examine whether stress recovery and cognitive performance differ between indoor settings furnished with or without wood. Twenty-two participants, allocated to a space furnished with either a wooden or a white desktop, completed MAT twice, while their electrodermal and cardiovascular activity and affective states were monitored. Participants on average responded to MAT with increased subjective arousal but unchanged subjective pleasure, and with increased physiological arousal on some but not all parameters, suggesting that MAT was effortful but not necessarily stressful. Scores on MAT improved at the 2nd administration, suggesting that MAT did not induce cognitive fatigue at the 1st administration and that its role as a cognitive task in restoration research may be limited. The items assessing affective states performed well. The measured outcomes did not differ between the wooden and non-wooden setting, suggesting that substantial restorative effects of a wooden desktop are unlikely, and that higher wood coverage is needed to increase the chances of observing restorative effects.
Selenium Uptake, Transport, Metabolism, Reutilization, and Biofortification in Rice
Authors: Zhang Lianhe , Chu Chengcai
Published: June 2022

Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element for humans and other animals. The human body mainly acquires Se from plant foods, especially cereal grains. Rice is the staple food for more than half of the world’s population. Increasing the Se concentration of rice grains can increase the average human dietary Se intake. This review summarizes recent advances in the molecular mechanisms of Se uptake, transport, subcellular distribution, retranslocation, volatilization, and Se-containing protein degradation in plants, especially rice. The strategies for improving Se concentration in rice grains by increasing Se accumulation, reducing Se volatilization, and optimizing Se form were proposed, which provide new insight into Se biofortification in rice by improving the utilization efficiency of Se.
Digging deep—implementation, standardisation and interpretation of a total oxidisable precursor (TOP) assay within the regulatory context of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in soil
Authors: Göckener Bernd , Lange Frank Thomas , Lesmeister Lukas , Gökçe Emine , Dahme Hans Ulrich , Bandow Nicole , Biegel-Engler Annegret
Published: June 2022

Over the past decades, thousands of different per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have been produced and applied in various industrial processes and consumer products. Their structural diversity has reached a level that cannot be covered by classical target screening methods for individual compounds. Large-scale contaminations of soil, however, require the need to adapt new analytical methods that can describe a contamination more comprehensively. While sum parameters such as the total oxidisable precursor (TOP) assay have been developed in the past years, they are not yet applied in the regulatory context of PFASs.

In this commentary, we provide an overview on different approaches of the TOP assay as well as its benefits and disadvantages to other sum parameters for PFASs in soil samples. Furthermore, we elaborate its opportunities and its challenges that need to be tackled to implement the TOP assay as a regulatory tool. With several different approaches of the TOP assay being available, a sound and standardised method needs to be agreed upon and more research is necessary to better describe the method. Although the complexity of PFAS contaminations in soil cannot be fully covered by any analytical method alone, the TOP assay can provide valuable data to detect and characterise soil contamination as an inventory for subsequent remediation measures. Therefore, the TOP assay should be implemented as a useful tool both in research and in the regulatory context of PFASs.
Elucidating gene expression patterns across multiple biological contexts through a large-scale investigation of transcriptomic datasets
Authors: Figueiredo Rebeca Queiroz , del Ser Sara Díaz , Raschka Tamara , Hofmann-Apitius Martin , Kodamullil Alpha Tom , Mubeen Sarah , Domingo-Fernández Daniel
Published: June 2022

Distinct gene expression patterns within cells are foundational for the diversity of functions and unique characteristics observed in specific contexts, such as human tissues and cell types. Though some biological processes commonly occur across contexts, by harnessing the vast amounts of available gene expression data, we can decipher the processes that are unique to a specific context. Therefore, with the goal of developing a portrait of context-specific patterns to better elucidate how they govern distinct biological processes, this work presents a large-scale exploration of transcriptomic signatures across three different contexts (i.e., tissues, cell types, and cell lines) by leveraging over 600 gene expression datasets categorized into 98 subcontexts. The strongest pairwise correlations between genes from these subcontexts are used for the construction of co-expression networks. Using a network-based approach, we then pinpoint patterns that are unique and common across these subcontexts. First, we focused on patterns at the level of individual nodes and evaluated their functional roles using a human protein–protein interactome as a referential network. Next, within each context, we systematically overlaid the co-expression networks to identify specific and shared correlations as well as relations already described in scientific literature. Additionally, in a pathway-level analysis, we overlaid node and edge sets from co-expression networks against pathway knowledge to identify biological processes that are related to specific subcontexts or groups of them. Finally, we have released our data and scripts athttps://zenodo.org/record/5831786andhttps://github.com/ContNeXt/, respectively and developed ContNeXt (https://contnext.scai.fraunhofer.de/), a web application to explore the networks generated in this work.
Long-term time trends in reactivated herpes simplex infections and treatment in Sweden
Authors: Lopatko Lindman Karin , Lockman-Lundgren Judith , Weidung Bodil , Olsson Jan , Elgh Fredrik , Lövheim Hugo
Published: June 2022

Background

Our aim was to describe the annual prevalence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) reactivation in relation to solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation and antiviral drug use in the Swedish adult population.

Methods

The study comprised 2879 anti-HSV-1 immunoglobulin (Ig) G positive subjects from five different cohorts who had donated serum from 1988 to 2010. The sera were analyzed for anti-HSV IgM using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Associations between the presence of anti-HSV IgM antibodies, the apolipoprotein E ε4 allele and the serum sampling year were assessed by logistic regression. Seasonality of anti-HSV IgM was evaluated in a UV radiation model.

Data of antiviral drugs for the entire Swedish population were compiled from two different nationwide databases: the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register and the Swedish Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry.

Results

Cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses indicated that the prevalence of anti-HSV IgM antibodies declined between 1988 and 2010 (odds ratio [OR] = 0.912, p < .001), while the total annual use of antiviral drugs in Sweden gradually increased from 1984 to 2017. Higher UV radiation was associated with higher prevalence of anti-HSV IgM antibodies (OR = 1.071, p = .043).

Conclusion

The declining time trend of HSV reactivation in a Swedish cohort coincides with a steady increase of antiviral drug use in the Swedish general population.
Association between pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational weight gain on pregnancy outcomes: a cohort study in Indonesian pregnant women
Authors: Aji Arif Sabta , Lipoeto Nur Indrawaty , Yusrawati Yusrawati , Malik Safarina G. , Kusmayanti Nur Aini , Susanto Isman , Majidah Nur Mukhlishoh , Nurunniyah Siti , Alfiana Ratih Devi , Wahyuningsih Wahyuningsih , Vimaleswaran Karani S.
Published: June 2022

Background

Pre-pregnancy BMI (PP BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) are prominent anthropometric indicators for maternal nutritional status and are related to an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. This study aimed to determine the factors affecting total GWG, PP BMI and pregnancy outcomes among pregnant women in West Sumatra, Indonesia.

Methods

This observational analysis was conducted among healthy women in the Vitamin D Pregnant Mother (VDPM) cohort study. A total of 195 pregnant women and their newborn babies were enrolled, and information regarding their socio-demographic characteristics, obstetric history, dietary intake and anthropometric data were assessed through direct interviews. Furthermore, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) 2009 guidelines were used to obtain the total GWG.

Results

PP BMI was used to categorise the 195 pregnant women as overweight/obese (43.1%), normal (46.7%) and underweight (10.2%). There were 53.3%, 34.4% and 12.3% of women who had inadequate, adequate and excessive GWG, respectively. The multinomial logistic regression model indicated that overweight or obese women at the pre-pregnancy stage were 4.09 times more likely to have an excessive rate of GWG (AOR = 4.09, 95% CI: 1.38–12.12, p = 0.011) than those whose weight was normal. Furthermore, women with excessive GWG were 27.11 times more likely to have a baby with macrosomia (AOR = 27.11, 95% CI: 2.99–245.14) (p = 0.001) and those with inadequate GWG were 9.6 times more likely to give birth to a baby with low birth weight (LBW) (AOR = 9.60, 95% CI; 0.88–105.2) (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that the malnutrition status prior to pregnancy and inadequate or excessive GWG status during pregnancy as significant risk factors for developing adverse pregnancy outcomes. These findings highlight the importance of providing information, preconception counselling and health education on weight management for healthy pregnancies.
Questionnaire-based computational screening of adult ADHD
Authors: Trognon Arthur , Richard Manon
Published: June 2022

Background

ADHD is classically seen as a childhood disease, although it persists in one out of two cases in adults. The diagnosis is based on a long and multidisciplinary process, involving different health professionals, leading to an under-diagnosis of adult ADHD individuals. We therefore present a psychometric screening scale for the identification of adult ADHD which could be used both in clinical and experimental settings.

Method

We designed the scale from the DSM-5 and administered it to n = 110 control individuals and n = 110 ADHD individuals. The number of items was reduced using multiple regression procedures. We then performed factorial analyses and a machine learning assessment of the predictive power of the scale in comparison with other clinical scales measuring common ADHD comorbidities.

Results

Internal consistency coefficients were calculated satisfactorily for TRAQ10, with Cronbach’s alpha measured at .9. The 2-factor model tested was confirmed, a high correlation between the items and their belonging factor. Finally, a machine-learning analysis showed that classification algorithms could identify subjects’ group membership with high accuracy, statistically superior to the performances obtained using comorbidity scales.

Conclusions

The scale showed sufficient performance for its use in clinical and experimental settings for hypothesis testing or screening purpose, although its generalizability is limited by the age and gender biases present in the data analyzed.
Relationship of cash transfers with risk of overweight and obesity in children and adults: a systematic review
Authors: Semba Richard D. , Manley James , Rosman Lori , Rahman Nihaal , Bloem Martin W.
Published: June 2022

Background

Cash transfer (CT) programs are an important type of social protection meant to reduce poverty. Whether CT programs increase the risk of overweight and obesity is unclear. The objective was to characterize the relationship between CT programs and the risk of overweight and obesity in children and adults.

Methods

We searched articles in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, EconLit, Global Health, CINAHL Plus, IBSS, Health & Medical Collection, Scopus, Web of Science, and WHO Global Index Medicus in August 2021. Studies involving CT as the intervention, a control group, body mass index, overweight, or obesity as an outcome, and sample size > 300 were included. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment.

Results

Of 2355 articles identified, 20 met the inclusion criteria. Because of marked heterogeneity in methodology, a narrative synthesis was used to present results. Thirteen of the studies reported that CT programs were associated with a significantly lower risk of overweight and obesity, eight studies showed no significant association, and one study reported a significantly increased risk of obesity in women. Quality assessment showed that most studies lacked sample size and power calculations, validation of exposure, descriptions of non-respondents or those lost to follow-up, and blinded outcome assessment.

Conclusions

Overall, the studies were suggestive that CT programs either have no impact or decrease the risk of overweight and/or obesity in children, adolescents, and adults, but no firm conclusions can be drawn from the available evidence. This review demonstrated limitations in the available studies of CT programs and overweight/obesity.