bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Adherence to Statins Use and Risk of Dementia among Patients with Diabetes and Comorbid Hyperlipidemia
Authors: Chang Ching-Yuan , Lin Fang-Ju , Hong Jin-Liern , Wu Chung-Hsuen
Published: May 2021

The results from previous observational studies and clinical trials about the neuroprotective benefits of statins use for the prevention of dementia are contradictory. It is unclear whether the neuroprotective benefits are experienced in a specific group with a higher risk of dementia, such as patients with concurrent diabetes and hyperlipidemia. We aimed to examine the association between adherence to statins and the risk of dementia among patients with diabetes and comorbid hyperlipidemia. This was a retrospective study with a new user design. We used data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database to identify patients with diabetes and comorbid hyperlipidemia. The occurrence of dementia was the study outcome. The adherence to statins was the exposure, which was measured by the proportion of days covered (PDC) of statins. The good adherence included patients with ≥80% PDC of statins. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to evaluate the association between adherence to statins and dementia. Among 18,125 included individuals with diabetes and comorbid hyperlipidemia, 33.5% had good adherence to statins. Compared to poor adherence to statins, good adherence to statins was not significantly associated with a reduced risk of dementia (hazard ratio = 0.94; 95%confidence interval = 0.70–1.24) among patients with diabetes and comorbid hyperlipidemia. Good adherence to statins was not found to be associated with the risk of dementia among patients with diabetes and comorbid hyperlipidemia in Taiwan. Future studies with a more diverse study population are needed to evaluate the neuroprotective effects of statins use on dementia prevention.
Oxygenator impact on meropenem/vaborbactam in extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuits
Authors: Cies Jeffrey J , Nikolos Peter , Moore Wayne S , Giliam Nadji , Low Tracy , Marino Daniel , Deacon Jillian , Enache Adela , Chopra Arun
Published: May 2021

Introduction:

To determine the oxygenator impact on alterations of meropenem (MEM)/vaborbactam (VBR) in a contemporary neonatal/pediatric (1/4-inch) and adolescent/adult (3/8-inch) extra corporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) circuit including the Quadrox-i® oxygenator.

Methods:

1/4-inch and 3/8-inch, simulated closed-loop ECMO circuits were prepared with a Quadrox-i pediatric and Quadrox-i adult oxygenator and blood primed. Additionally, 1/4-inch and 3/8-inch circuits were also prepared without an oxygenator in series. A one-time dose of MEM/VBR was administered into the circuits and serial pre- and post-oxygenator concentrations were obtained at 5 minutes, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 12, and 24-hour time points. MEM/VBR was also maintained in a glass vial and samples were taken from the vial at the same time periods for control purposes to assess for spontaneous drug degradation.

Results:

For the 1/4-inch circuit, there was an approximate mean 55% MEM loss with the oxygenator in series and a mean 33%–40% MEM loss without an oxygenator in series at 24 hours. For the 3/8-inch circuit, there was an approximate mean 70% MEM loss with the oxygenator in series and a mean 30%–38% MEM loss without an oxygenator in series at 24 hours. For both the 1/4-inch circuit and 3/8-inch circuits with and without an oxygenator, there was <10% VBR loss for the duration of the experiment.

Conclusions:

This ex-vivo investigation demonstrated substantial MEM loss within an ECMO circuit with an oxygenator in series with both sizes of the Quadrox-i oxygenator at 24 hours and no significant VBR loss. Further evaluations with multiple dose in-vitro and in-vivo investigations are needed before specific MEM/VBR dosing recommendations can be made for clinical application with ECMO.
Identification of Potential Freight Parking Locations in Urban Areas
Authors: Vorhes Glenn , Perry Ernest , Ahn Soyoung
Published: May 2021

Truck parking is a crucial element of the United States’ transportation system as it provides truckers with safe places to rest and stage for deliveries. Demand for truck parking spaces exceeds supply and shortages are especially common in and around urban areas. Freight operations are negatively affected as truck drivers are unable to park in logistically ideal locations. Drivers may resort to unsafe practices such as parking on ramps or in abandoned lots. This report seeks to examine the potential parking availability of vacant urban parcels by establishing a methodology to identify parcels and examining whether the identified parcels are suitable for truck parking. Previous research has demonstrated that affordable, accessible parcels are available to accommodate truck parking. When used in conjunction with other policies, adaptation of urban sites could help reduce the severity of truck parking shortages. Geographic information system parcel and roadway data were obtained for one urban area in each of the 10 Mid America Association of Transportation Officials region states. Area and proximity filters were applied followed by spectral analysis of satellite imagery to identify candidate parcels for truck parking facilities within urban areas. The automated processes created a ranked short list of potential parcels from which those best suited for truck parking could be efficiently identified for inspection by satellite imagery. This process resulted in a manageable number of parcels to be evaluated further by local knowledge metrics such as availability and cost, existing infrastructure and municipal connections, and safety.
Epidemiology and Long-Term Outcomes of Wrist Sprains in Military Academy Cadets
Authors: Sandler Alexis B. , Hoyt Benjamin W. , Klahs Kyle J. , Scanaliato John P. , Nesti Leon J. , Dunn John C.
Published: May 2021

Background:

The American Society for Surgery of the Hand advises patients that symptoms after wrist sprains resolve in 6 weeks and that recovery is usually excellent; however, there is scant supporting evidence for this reassurance.

Purpose:

To describe the epidemiology and report long-term outcomes of wrist sprains.

Study Design:

Descriptive epidemiology study.

Methods:

The US Department of Defense Military Health System Management Analysis and Reporting Tool was queried for wrist sprain International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes between 2005 and 2008 among US Military Academy cadets. The electronic medical records were reviewed to obtain demographic information, mechanism of injury, and patient characteristics. A telephone survey was conducted to collect Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) score, the shortened version of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (QuickDASH) score, and ability to return to full military duty.

Results:

Of the 90 patients identified, 49 patients (50 wrists) met the final inclusion criteria. The mean patient age was 21 years, the majority were male (86%), and most sprains occurred during athletics (65%) and military activities (20%). Most patients (61%) had radiographs taken after index wrist sprain, and few (14%) underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). After a mean follow-up of 10.4 years, most patients (78%) had no further wrist injury. The average SANE and QuickDASH scores were 88 and 7.5, respectively. Two patients (4%) ultimately were treated with surgical repair. Most patients (96%) were on an upper extremity profile, limiting military duty for a median of 14 days. All patients ultimately returned to full military duty.

Conclusion:

Patients with a wrist sprain diagnosis were followed for an average of 10 years. Although the majority (96%) of patients required a median of 14 days with limited upper extremity function, MRI is rarely indicated in the acute setting and most patients will never have another wrist injury and can expect excellent wrist recovery outcomes.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia: Who will benefit from surgical intervention? A single center experience
Authors: Sharifiaghdas Farzaneh , Khoiniha Mohammad Reza , Basiri Abbas , Bonakdar Hashemi Milad , Borumandnia Nasrin , Dadpour Mehdi
Published: May 2021

Background:

To evaluate the pre-operative factors affecting clinical response to prostate surgery in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Materials and methods:

In this prospective cohort study, 172 patients who underwent surgical intervention for BPH (either as open prostatectomy ( n = 78) or monopolar-trans-urethral resection of prostate ( n = 94) from February 2017 to October 2019 were consecutively enrolled. Pre-operative conventional three-lumen urodynamic study and transabdominal sonography were performed for all patients to determine peak flow rate (Qmax), detrusor pressure at the peak flow rate (PdetQmax), post-void residual volume (PVR), presence of detrusor overactivity (DO), prostate volume and median lobe size, and bladder wall thickness with empty and full bladder. Uroflowmetry and cystoscopy were performed during follow-up, whenever indicated. Successful surgical outcome was defined as subjective satisfaction of the patient and a Qmax of more than 15 ml/s on post-operative uroflowmetry.

Results:

At 1-year follow-up, complete resolution of lower urinary tract syndrome (LUTS) was detected in 138 (80.2%) patients; however, 21 (12.2%) still had pure obstructive LUTS, 9 (5.2%) had pure storage LUTS, and 4 (2.3%) were still suffering from both storage and obstructive LUTS. After performing multivariable analysis, shorter duration of pre-operative medical treatment and higher pre-operative bladder contractility index (BCI) were found to be independent predictors of successful surgery ( p = 0.012 and p < 0.001, respectively). Results of the ROC curve analysis showed that a preoperative BCI level more than 90.95 and pre-surgical medical treatment duration less than 14.45 months have the most specificity and sensitivity to predict the success of surgical outcome. We also observed that the probability of recovery decreased considerably over time following surgery.

Conclusion:

Shorter duration of pre-operative medical treatment and increased pre-operative BCI can independently predict favorable outcome of BPH surgery. These factors could be used for better patient management and appropriate planning and consultation before BPH surgery.
Diverting demolition waste toward secondary markets through integrated reverse logistics supply chains: A systematic literature review
Authors: Tennakoon GA , Rameezdeen Raufdeen , Chileshe Nicholas
Published: May 2021

Construction industry has adopted reverse logistics (RL) concept to manage high volumes of demolition waste (DW). However, DW RL supply chains (RLSCs) were found to be suffering from uncertainties, information deficiencies, and uncoordinated material flows. Improving supply chain integration (SCI), specifically external integration, across DW RLSCs was identified as a possible solution to overcome such problems. Despite this, studies that focus on external integration in DW RLSCs are limited. Using a systematic literature review (SLR), this study explores external integration in DW RLSCs. Sixty-six articles from three databases published between 2006 and 2020 were subjected to descriptive and content analysis. Arrangement of material, information, and financial flows across DW RLSCs, inhibitors of external integration, and potential measures for improving external integration were analyzed. Accordingly, material, information, and financial flows across DW RLSCs were mapped, and inhibitors of external integration, along with potential measures for improving external integration were identified. As the key outcome of this SLR, these findings were developed into a conceptual framework, which shows the main factors that inhibit and improve external integration in DW RLSCs. The framework will be useful in guiding further empirical research and informing industry practice. Several future research directions are also proposed to expand knowledge around the research domain.
“Like Stitches to a Wound”: Fashioning Taste in and Through Garment Mending Practices
Authors: Durrani Marium
Published: May 2021

This article immerses the reader into the world of garment mending in communal repair events in four cities— Helsinki, Auckland, Wellington, and Edinburgh—to explore mending as a locus of taste. It engages in the discussion on taste as a reflexive activity and a sensed effect that gradually reveals itself to the practitioners engaged in the practice of mending. Here the focus is on the role of the body and the interplay between the sensing body and materials, to show how everyday menders construct a taste for and toward their practice over time. As menders actively engage with and appropriate the given design of their garments, they defy mainstream wasteful fast-fashion practices and mobilize variations in dress practices while connecting with the matter that makes up their clothing . By engaging with the notion of taste in this way, the overall aim of this article is to clarify how everyday menders become able to form an alliance with their practice, ultimately converting mending into an object of passion.
Integration of axiomatic design and design structure matrix for the modular design of automobile parts
Authors: Park Sang-ok , Yoon Jongmin , An Hochan , Park Jeonggyu , Park Gyung-Jin
Published: May 2021

As the demands of customers in the modern industry increased, the number of products, and the variety of components has increased. These issues have led to difficulties in product development and production. Modularization of products has advantages such as cost reduction, product development time reduction, and production time reduction. Modular design of products has been studied in the design activities of the modern industry. In this study, a modular design method is proposed to design a modular product based on axiomatic design (AD) and design structure matrix (DSM). AD and DSM are efficiently integrated into the proposed method. Functional requirements and design parameters are defined based on the Independence Axiom of AD, and the zigzagging process of AD is employed for the decomposition of the functional requirements (FRs) and design parameters (DPs). The design sequence is established based on the design matrix. Coupled or functionally close DPs are grouped into a module (Module 1). These modules are efficiently used in the design sequence. DSM is used to modularize the design parameters of the lowest level of axiomatic design. DSM is constructed based on physical interfaces and numerical clustering algorithms are used to identify strongly related components. They are grouped into a module (Module 2). Module 2 is exploited for production and management. Therefore, these two modules for different purposes can be used to increase efficiency in the design and production process. The proposed method is applied to two automobile parts such as the suspension system and cooling system. The results are discussed from the viewpoint of usefulness.
Investigation on the response time of a self-regulation variable compression ratio engine
Authors: Clenci Adrian , Hara Vasile , Stănescu Nicolae-Doru , Niculescu Rodica
Published: May 2021

Today, the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (specifically, CO2) represent the greatest challenge of the internal combustion (IC) engine and consequently, now, more than ever, the passenger car industry is looking for technologies meant to address this issue. Since CO2 emission is related to the combustion process occurring inside the engine, its reduction is inherently connected to lowering the fuel consumption, meaning that the only way to reduce it in the IC engine is to increase its overall efficiency. One solution to do this over the whole operating area is to fit the engine with a variable compression ratio (VCR) system, which may be advantageously combined with other enhancing-efficiency technologies. However, to avoid knocking and pre-ignition, such an engine should feature an adequate response time during the transition from the maximum compression ratio to the minimum one. Consequently, this paper describes a theoretical investigation on the kinematics and dynamics of a hinged VCR engine’s upper block tilting motion, aiming to show that this engine, as an automatic system with self-regulation of compression ratio, can respond adequately when the operating conditions change fast. This is paramount for the passenger car road mobility, which means anything but steady operation.
Quasi-velocities definition in Lagrangian multibody dynamics
Authors: Mirtaheri S Mohammad , Zohoor Hassan
Published: May 2021

Based on Lagrangian mechanics, use of velocity constraints as a special set of quasi-velocities helps derive explicit equations of motion. The equations are applicable to holonomic and nonholonomic constrained multibody systems. It is proved that in proposed quasi-spaces, the Lagrange multipliers are eliminated from equations of motion; however, it is possible to compute these multipliers once the equations of motion have been solved. The novelty of this research is employing block matrix inversion to find the analytical relations between the parameters of quasi-velocities and equations of motion. In other words, this research identifies arbitrary submatrices and their effects on equations of motion. Also, the present study aimed to provide appropriate criteria to select arbitrary parameters to avoid singularity, reduce constraints violations, and improve computational efficiency. In order to illustrate the advantage of this approach, the simulation results of a 3-link snake-like robot with nonholonomic constraints and a four-bar mechanism with holonomic constraints are presented. The effectiveness of the proposed approach is demonstrated by comparing the constraints violation at the position and velocity levels, conservation of the total energy, and computational efficiency with those obtained via the traditional methods.
Adjustment of bus departure time of an electric bus transportation system for reducing costs and carbon emissions: A case study in Penghu
Authors: Ke Bwo-Ren , Fang Shyang-Chyuan , Lai Jun-Hong
Published: May 2021

As a response to the worldwide problems of global warming and environmental pollution, electric vehicles have become the main direction of development in the automobile industry. Taking the bus system of Penghu Islands as the subject, this study explores the switching of all the original diesel buses to electric buses, and it adjusts the departure time of all the buses, with the purpose of reducing the costs of the construction and electricity used in an electric bus system. Plug-in and battery-swapping buses are used as examples in the study, and the Genetic Algorithm (GA), the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Simulate Anneal Arithmetic (SA) algorithms, as well as an algorithm that combines the above, is used to optimize the departure times, in order not to affect the volumes and passenger demands in units of five minutes, the shift starts within the range of 15 minutes before or after the scheduled time. After each new schedule is prepared, batteries are used to optimize the daytime charging schedule of electric buses, to ensure the lowest cost of each new schedule. The results show that, regardless of which algorithm is used to optimize the departure time, all the minimum costs are lower than the best results before the adjustment, especially for the PSO-GA algorithm. Hence, the proper adjustment of the departure time can really reduce the construction and electricity costs and carbon emissions of the electric bus system.
Ocular toxicity assessment of nanoemulsion in-situ gel formulation of fluconazole
Authors: Samimi MS , Mahboobian MM , Mohammadi M
Published: May 2021

Purpose:

Fluconazole is an effective anti-fungal drug. Due to the limitations of fluconazole, such as poor water solubility and consequently low ocular bioavailability, an optimized fluconazole nanoemulsion in-situ gel formulation (temperature-sensitive) was developed.

Methods and Materials:

To verify formulation’s safety for ophthalmic use, preparation was tested for potential ocular toxicity using a cell viability assay on retinal cells. The hen’s egg test-chorioallantoic membrane (HET-CAM), as a borderline test between in vivo and in vitro techniques, was chosen for investigating the irritation potential of the formulation. HET-CAM test was done by adding the formulation directly to the CAM surface and monitoring the vessels visually in terms of irritation reactions. Eye tolerance was determined using the modified Draize test.

Results:

Viability assay on retinal cells displayed that fluconazole nanoemulsion in-situ gel formulation was non-toxic and can be safely used in the eye at concentrations of 0.1% and 0.5%. HET-CAM and Draize tests revealed that optimized formulation of fluconazole did not result in any irritation and was considered non-irritant and well-tolerated for ocular use.

Conclusion:

Regarding to the findings of the three mentioned methods, fluconazole nanoemulsion in-situ gel formulation is harmless and as a proper and safe alternative, can be considered for ocular delivery of fluconazole in the future.
Formalism versus pragmatism – A comparative legal and empirical analysis of the German and Dutch criminal justice systems with regard to effectiveness and efficiency
Authors: Hofmann Robin
Published: May 2021

The German and the Dutch criminal justice systems not only share a common legal history but also follow the inquisitorial tradition with the prosecution playing a strong role. Despite these commonalities, there are a number of remarkable differences between the two jurisdictions, particularly with a view to procedural law and legal practices. While the German criminal law is known for being formal and rather doctrinal, the Dutch system is strongly driven by pragmatism and efficiency. This efficiency has become an important factor for the progressing Europeanization of criminal law and increasingly influences German criminal procedural law.

This article compares selected aspects of the Dutch and German criminal justice systems. While previous legal comparative studies of the two neighbouring countries have focused on substantive criminal law, this paper will mainly deal with procedural criminal law and prosecutorial practices. The emphasis will be on criminal justice effectiveness and efficiency. Some of the questions addressed are: what constitutes an efficient criminal justice system? How is efficiency defined and implemented in legal practice? A variety of indicators for criminal justice efficiency are proposed and applied to criminal proceedings, prosecutorial practices and the sentencing systems in both countries.
Baseline-free sensor fault detection for piezoelectric array
Authors: Mao Qibo , Wang Yuande , Huang Shizuo
Published: May 2021

In this study, a new methodology is presented to detect the sensor fault for piezoelectric array based on the filtered frequency response function (FRF) shapes. The proposed method does not require prior knowledge about healthy piezoelectric array. First, the imaginary parts of FRFs from the piezoelectric array during vibration are measured and normalized to obtain the FRF shapes in different frequencies. Then the irregularities in these FRF shapes are extracted by using high-pass filter with properly chosen cut-off frequency. These abnormal irregularities on the filtered FRF shape curves indicate the location of the faulty sensor, due to the irregularity of FRF shapes introduced by the faulty piezoelectric element. The proposed sensor fault method is experimentally demonstrated on a clamped-clamped steel beam mounted with piezoelectric buzzer array. Two common piezoelectric sensor fault types including sensor breakage and debonding are evaluated. The experimental results indicate that the proposed method has great potential in the detection of the sensor fault for piezoelectric array as it is simple and does not require the FRF data of the healthy sensor array as a baseline.
Lonsurf (trifluridine/tipiracil): Assessing the impact of dose related toxicities and progression free survival in (refractory) metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Court Olivia R , Shemilt Katherine
Published: May 2021

In the RECOURSE trial which lead to its accreditation, Lonsurf (trifluridine/tipiracil) was shown to extend progression free survival (PFS) by 1.8 months in metastatic colorectal cancer. This Trust audit aims to assess the average quantity of cycles of Lonsurf received by participants and the length of time it extends PFS. Similarly, to identify how many participants required a dose-reduction or experienced toxicities which necessitated supportive therapies. Quantitative data was collected retrospectively from all participants who had received ≥1 cycle of Lonsurf from The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (CCC) from 2016 until June 2020. Participant electronic patient records were accessed to identify toxicity grading, length of treatment received, the date progression was identified, if dose reductions were applied and if supportive therapies were administered. Lonsurf extends PFS in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer at CCC by 3.0 months (95% CI: 2.73–3.27) and average treatment length was 2.4 months. However, 78 participants (41.5%) received a dose reduction due to toxicities. A total of 955 toxicities were recorded by participants; the most commonly reported toxicities irrespective of grade were fatigue (33.8%), diarrhoea (13.8%) and nausea (12.3%). The most common grade ≥3 toxicities were constipation and infection. The most frequently utilised supportive therapies were loperamide (49.6%) and domperidone (49.1%). Granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) was required by patients on 5 occasions (0.3%) in total. Lonsurf extends median PFS in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer by 3.0 months. The most common grade ≥3 toxicities which necessitated supportive therapies or a dose reduction were gastrointestinal and infection.
Synergic effect of metallic fillers as heat dissipaters in the tribological performance of a nonasbestos disk brake pad
Authors: Ahmed Kottur Asrar , Mohideen Shahul Hameed Rasool , Balaji Moothapuram Arunachalam Sai , Sethupathy Paramathma Baskara
Published: May 2021

Brake friction linings are made of materials with a highly complex formulation that helps in improving the braking performance. The selection of friction materials with good physical, mechanical, and thermal properties is vital, which will decide the braking performance. Apart from giving good physio-mechanical properties, metallic fillers act as heat dissipaters. The objective of this work is to study the synergetic effect of prominent heat dissipaters, namely copper fibers, brass fibers, and zinc powders. Three simplified formulations were developed with 10, 14, and 18 wt.% of these heat dissipaters and named DB1, DB2, and DB3, respectively. It was observed that the addition of heat dissipaters increased the thermal properties. Tribological properties are tested based on SAE J661 standards. It was observed that DB2 had a consistent and higher coefficient of friction of 0.503 with a higher wear rate (7.6%) while DB3 had adequate μ and lower wear rate. The same batches of brake pads were tested in an inertia brake dynamometer following JASO C406 and a wear test was carried out. It was observed that % fade and % recovery were better for DB2 in both cycles. The wear rate in terms of thickness was lesser for DB2 followed by DB1 and DB3. The wear mechanism was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope. The preference selection index method of optimization was used to evaluate the overall performance parameters of the brake friction composites. Heat dissipaters with 14 wt.% have proved to be the better performers, followed by 10 and 18 wt.%.
“Medical treatments are also part of God’s gift”: Holy water attendants’ perspectives on a collaboration between spiritual and psychiatric treatment for mental illness in Ethiopia
Authors: Asher Laura , Birhanu Ribka , Baheretibeb Yonas , Fekadu Abebaw
Published: May 2021

In Ethiopia, traditional and spiritual treatments, such as holy water, are used by people with mental disorders instead of, or alongside, psychiatric services. Collaborations between traditional and psychiatric providers may increase access to evidence-based treatments and address human rights abuses. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of holy water attendants on a novel collaboration between holy water and psychiatric care, at St Mary’s Clinic, Entoto, Ethiopia, and to characterize the users of this service. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 holy water attendants, who run group houses for holy water residents and are paid by family members. A thematic analysis was conducted. Socio-demographic and clinical data were extracted from the records of all service users who had attended the clinic. A total of 174 individuals have attended the clinic in the three years since it opened. The majority were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Holy water attendants provide a partial gatekeeping role to psychiatric care, selecting which of their clients they think will benefit and, for these individuals, facilitating attendance to the clinic and antipsychotic medication adherence. Psychiatric care was felt to be compatible with holy water by some, but not all, attendants. However, family members often had the “final say” in individuals attending the clinic, in some cases putting up strong resistance to using psychiatric care. A novel collaboration is acceptable to some holy water attendants and may increase access to psychiatric care amongst people with mental illness living at a holy water site in Ethiopia.
Flexural performance of reinforced concrete beams made by innovative post-filling coarse aggregate process
Authors: Jia Jinqing , Cao Qi , Zhang Lihua , Zhou Jiayu
Published: May 2021

Concrete made by post-filling coarse aggregate process could reduce the cement content greatly compared with traditional concrete placement method. Thus, it not only lowers the production cost of concrete through lower usage of cement but also reduces the CO2 emissions to the environment. In this paper, the compressive and tensile strength of post-filling coarse aggregate concrete with different post-filling ratios (PFRs) (0%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, 30%) and concrete strength grades (C30, C40, C50) were first studied. Then the flexural performance of nineteen concrete beams with different concrete strength, post-filling ratios, reinforcement ratios was investigated. The experimental results showed that the compressive strength and elastic modulus of the post-filling coarse aggregate concrete increased with the increase of the post-filling ratio of coarse aggregate, reaching the peak value at the filling ratio of 20%. It indicated that there was no obvious difference in the failure mode as well as middle-span deflections between post-filling coarse aggregate concrete (PFCC) beams and ordinary concrete (OC) beams. Ductile failure was observed for all nineteen specimens. Results demonstrated that the cracking load, yield load, and ultimate load of the post-filling coarse aggregate concrete beams all reached the peak value at the post-filling ratio of 20%. In addition, the theoretical predictions of cracking loads and ultimate load carrying capacities matched the experimental results in satisfactory agreement.
Depression, anxiety and stress among Swedish university students before and during six months of the COVID-19 pandemic: A cohort study
Authors: Johansson Fred , Côté Pierre , Hogg-Johnson Sheilah , Rudman Ann , Holm Lena w. , Grotle Margreth , Jensen Irene , Sundberg Tobias , Edlund klara , Skillgate Eva
Published: May 2021

Aims:

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a profound effect on societies and citizens worldwide, raising concerns about potential mental health impacts. We aimed to describe trajectories of depression, anxiety and stress symptoms during the COVID-19 outbreak compared to before the outbreak, and to determine if trajectories were modified by pre-pandemic loneliness, poor sleep quality and mental health problems.

Methods:

We conducted a cohort study with 1836 Swedish university students entering the study before 13 March 2020, the onset of the pandemic, with follow-ups within three (FU1) and six months (FU2) of the outbreak. Generalized Estimating Equations were used to estimate mean differences in symptom levels over time-periods, and to estimate potential effect modifications.

Results:

We found small differences in mean levels of the depression, anxiety and stress scale (DASS-21) over time. Compared to before the pandemic, depression increased by 0.25 points of 21 (95% CI: 0.04 to 0.45) at FU1 and decreased by 0.75/21 (95% CI:−0.97 to −0.53) at FU2. Anxiety decreased from baseline to FU1 by 0.09/21 (95% CI: −0.24 to 0.07) and by 0.77/21 (95% CI: −0.93 to −0.61) to FU2. Stress decreased from baseline to FU1 by 0.30/21 (95% CI: −0.52 to −0.09) and by 1.32/21 (95% CI: −1.55 to −1.09) to FU2. Students with pre-pandemic loneliness, poor sleep quality or pre-pandemic mental health problems did not have worse trajectories of mean mental health symptoms.

Conclusions:

Symptom levels were relatively stable during the first three months of the pandemic, while there was a slight decrease during the summer months, probably due to seasonality effects.
An indoor air quality and thermal comfort appraisal in a retrofitted university building via low-cost smart sensor
Authors: Qabbal Loubna , Younsi Zohir , Naji Hassane
Published: May 2021

Occupant health can be strongly influenced by indoor air quality due to time spent indoors (90%). Such quality can be impacted by indoor atmospheric pollutants present. Therefore, demand-controlled ventilation can be a key to improving indoor air quality. The main aim herein is to scrutinize measurement results of several air pollutants possibly existing inside university building including CO2, volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, benzene, CO, PM2.5 during three measurement campaigns (March 2017, May 2017 and October–November 2017) via a smart sensor specially developed. Likewise, some factors to assess comfort such as relative humidity and ambient air temperature were examined. CO2 were found to be higher during periods of occupancy with concentrations exceeding 2000 ppm during the first campaign. As a result, the occupants felt uncomfortable. Analysis of the survey results regarding the indoor air temperature showed that 80% of occupants found the temperature during school periods to be uncomfortable. In addition, the ICONE air containment index was extremely high, indicating that the deemed class was confined during occupancy. The outcomes will be useful for the development of future indoor air quality guidelines, ventilation design and occupant satisfaction in buildings.
Sick building syndrome and office space design in Cairo, Egypt
Authors: Farrag Nada , Abou El-Ela Manal A. S. , Ezzeldin Sherif
Published: May 2021

Sick building syndrome is a group of symptoms relatively common among office workers; such symptoms could have an impact on the worker's productivity. The aim of this research is to provide a better understanding of the relation between design elements, indoor environmental quality and sick building syndrome within office spaces in Cairo, Egypt. Results show that a healthy environment leads to higher level of office productivity. Several design elements were chosen to be analysed according to previous studies, and their relation to the indoor environmental quality was noted. The prevalence of these elements on sick building syndrome was studied. An empirical comparative study has been conducted within two administrative office buildings at Cairo campus of the ‘Arab Academy for Science Technology & Maritime Transport' in Egypt. Data collection was done by a self-administrated questionnaire. The questionnaire includes personal background, work design elements, socio-demographic elements and symptoms of sick building syndrome. Headache and fatigue were the most prevalent symptoms in both buildings. This study revealed that office comfort is the most important factor affecting office occupants and should be taken seriously when designing office spaces for better working environment free of sick building syndrome.
The torsional vibration simulation of the diesel engine crankshaft system based on multi-body dynamic model
Authors: Wang Mengsheng , Xiao Nengqi , Fan Minghui
Published: May 2021

In order to analyze the torsional vibration of the crankshaft system, a three-dimensional model of the crankshaft system is established, consisted of the piston, connected rod, crank shaft, flywheel and silicone oil damper. Use by multi-body dynamics simulation software ADAMS, created the multi-body dynamics model of the multiple degrees of freedom consisting of rigid hybrid engine system, to do the torsional vibration response simulation, analysis of the torsional vibration on the crankshaft. Through the torsional vibration test of the diesel engine crankshaft system, the accuracy of the simulation calculation results have been verified. This simulation result has higher accuracy, and this calculation method has certain engineering application value.
Investigations on spark pre-chamber ignition and subsequent turbulent jet main chamber ignition in a novel optically accessible test rig
Authors: Vera-Tudela Walter , Barro Christophe , Boulouchos Konstantinos
Published: May 2021

Turbulent jet ignition (TJI) is a promising strategy to ignite diluted air-fuel mixtures; this is usually generated by igniting a fraction of the mixture inside a small pre-chamber. Nevertheless, the processes that take place inside the pre-chamber, as well as the injection of the turbulent jet into the main chamber and its subsequent re-ignition are not fully understood. The current work presents an experimental investigation that studies the effects of the nozzle size, turbulence level, and air-fuel mixture on the pre-chamber ignition and main chamber re-ignition and combustion. To accomplish this, a series of experiments have been carried out under different boundary conditions. To understand the phenomena taking place in the pre- and main chamber, two different approaches were taken: On one hand, (1) pressure-based diagnostics were applied by fitting a pressure sensor in each of the chambers. This was done to trace the pressure evolution during the whole combustion event and to calculate the heat-release. On the other hand, (2) optical diagnostics were setup on both combustion chambers, using dual schlieren setups synchronized at the same frame rate.

The optically accessible test rig and the combination of schlieren in the pre-chamber (PC) & main-chamber (MC) allows to visualize the ignition, flame propagation, quenching mechanisms and re-ignition under a wide range of boundary conditions. This combined with the pressure traces and heat-release give a full understanding of the ignition and combustion processes. Higher turbulence levels and equivalence ratios increase the propagation of the flame front and the peak pressure in the pre-chamber. The resulting higher nozzle-exit velocities lead, on one hand, to faster mixing and therefore to a larger portion of main chamber fuel within the jet, which decrease the main chamber combustion duration. On the other hand, to high quenching and longer re-ignition times, which show the adverse effect.
Multi-parameter imaging of in-cylinder processes during transient engine operation for the investigation of soot formation
Authors: Fach Christian , Rödel Nico , Schorr Jürgen , Krüger Christian , Dreizler Andreas , Böhm Benjamin
Published: May 2021

Transient engine operation of direct-injection spark ignition engines can result in high particulate number emissions. To investigate the causes of soot formation, an engine test rig was developed to perform detailed measurements of real transient operation. For this purpose, a single-cylinder full-metal engine with a real combustion chamber geometry was equipped with minimally invasive optical accesses. Simultaneous high-speed endoscopic PIV, spray visualization, and combustion imaging were applied to investigate the in-cylinder processes in detail. Endoscopic PIV was first compared in the central symmetry plane with classical PIV performed at the equivalent optical engine at steady-state operation for verification. Then the engine parameters of a tip-in performed by the corresponding four-cylinder engine, which led to high particle number emissions, were applied to the single-cylinder engine. The engine parameters were in a good agreement and particle number emissions due to the maneuver were within the same range of several 106 #/cm3. In total, 19 repetitions of the tip-in maneuver were analyzed with respect to the in-cylinder processes and repeatability of engine parameters. Furthermore, the in-cylinder flow field during the late compression stroke, flame propagation, and soot luminosity of single cycles during the tip-in indicated cause-and-effect chains for the formation of pool fire and soot at the injector tip. The direction of the flow below the spark plug influenced the direction of flame propagation. An early arrival of the flame enhanced the formation of soot from fuel films formed on the piston surface or at the injector. In engine applications, counter measures can be applied to reduce the particle number emissions when accounting for these indicated cause-and-effect chains.
Fenestrated and Branched Endovascular Aortic Repair of Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm With More Than 4 Target Visceral Vessels due to Renovisceral Arterial Anatomical Variations: Feasibility and Early Results
Authors: Eleshra Ahmed , Panuccio Giuseppe , Spanos Konstantinos , Rohlffs Fiona , Tsilimparis Nikolaos , Kölbel Tilo
Published: May 2021

Purpose:

This study describes technical success, feasibility, and early results of fenestrated and branched endovascular aortic repair (F/B-EVAR) for treatment of thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAAs) or pararenal aneurysms with more than 4 target visceral vessels (TVs) due to renovisceral arterial anatomical variations.

Materials and Methods:

Patients with TAAAs or pararenal aortic aneurysms who had more than 4 TVs due to renovisceral arterial anatomical variations of renal, celiac, and/or superior mesenteric arteries and received F/B-EVAR between January 2017 and September 2019 at a single aortic center were included in this study. We analyzed technical success, feasibility, and early outcomes.

Results:

Twelve patients (mean age 70±10 years, 9 males) were included. The anatomical variations included 6 right accessory renal arteries, 8 left accessory renal arteries, and 1 celiac artery variant. Stent-grafts were fenestrated, branched or combined in 6, 5, or 1 patients, respectively. The mean operating time was 346±120 minutes, the mean fluoroscopy time was 80±29 minutes, and the mean radiation dose area product was 430±219 Gy·cm2. The mean contrast volume was 129±45 mL. The total number of TVs was 64; 5 TVs in 9 patients, 6 in 2 patients, and 7 in 1 patient. Technical success was achieved in all cases. The mean intensive care unit stay was 6±5 days, and the mean total hospital stay was 14±10 days. One patient died early (30-day). Early morbidities included respiratory complication in 1 patient, renal insufficiency in 1 patient, and wound infection in 2 patients. No spinal cord ischemia, stroke, or bowel ischemia occurred. Early computed tomography angiography showed 100% patency of the bridging covered stents and TVs. The mean follow-up was 13±4.3 months. No mortality or adverse major event occurred during the follow-up. Two patients with developed type Ic endoleak related to 1 right renal artery and 1 celiac artery covered stent. Patency of the TVs during follow-up was 100%.

Conclusion:

The use of F/B-EVAR for the treatment of TAAA with more than 4 TVs due to renovisceral arterial anatomical variations in our own experience is feasible and not related to increased morbidity and mortality.
MicroRNA-1253 Suppresses Cell Proliferation Migration and Invasion of Osteosarcoma by Targeting MMP9
Authors: Mo Jianwen , Zheng Tiansheng , Lei Li , Dai Peng , Liu Jun , He Huabin , Shi Jin , Chen Xi , Guo Tianting , Yuan Bin , Ji Guanglin
Published: May 2021

Purpose:

MicroRNAs play an important role in osteosarcoma (OS) development and progress. Although miR-1253 was considered as a tumor-inhibitor in some cancers, it’s function in the OS is not clear.

Methods:

In our study, we examined the expression of miR-1253 in OS cells and osteoblast cells using quantitative real-time PCR. The proliferation of OS cells was measured by BrdU assay, and we performed transwell to detect migration and invasion of OS cells. Meanwhile, EMT proteins were tested by western blot. We used Bioinformatics to predict the target genes of miR-1253 and found out Matrix metalloproteinases9 (MMP9) was one of that. The direct combination between miR-1253 and MMP9 was verified by double luciferase reporting experiment. Quantitative real-time PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of MMP9.

Results:

We found that the expression level of miR-1253 in OS cells was significantly lower than that in osteoblast cells. Overexpression of miR-1253 could significantly inhibit OS cell proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT. And then, MMP9 was predicted as a downstream target of miR-1253 by Bioinformatics analysis. Further experiments showed that miR-1253 could reduce the protein level of MMP9 by directly binding to the 3’-UTR of MMP9. Afterward, we performed a rescue experiment, in which both MMP9 and miR-1253 were overexpressed. Compared with the groups overexpressed miR-1253 alone, cell proliferation, migration and invasion in co-overexpression groups were improved.

Conclusions:

In summary, these results suggested that miR-1253 down-regulated in OS cells, and could suppress the proliferation, migration and invasion of OS cells. Its molecular regulatory mechanism was that inhibits the expression of the downstream target gene MMP9 by directly binding, thus affect OS cell functions. Therefore, miR-1253 has the potential to become a biomarker and therapeutic target for OS therapy.
Nicorandil inhibits TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway to reduce pyroptosis in rats with myocardial infarction
Authors: Chen Feng , Chen Zhi-Qing , Zhong Gui-Ling , Zhu Ji-Jin
Published: May 2021

Pyroptosis is an inflammatory cell death that regulates cardiomyocyte loss after myocardial infarction. Reports indicate that nicorandil has a strong anti-inflammatory effect and protects the myocardium from myocardial infarction. However, its relationship with pyroptosis is largely unreported. Here, we investigated to influence and mechanism of action of nicorandil on cardiomyocyte pyroptosis. Forty Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to sham, MI, MI + nicorandil, and MI + nicorandil + TAK242 groups (10 per group). Myocardial infarction modeling was performed through ligation of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery. The function of cardiac was evaluated through echocardiography, detection of myocardial adenine nucleotides, cTnI, LDH, TTC, and HE staining. Moreover, we used qRT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and Western blotting to examine the expression of pyroptosis-related molecules and the inflammasome pathway of TLR4/MyD88/NF- κB/NLRP3. Myocardial infarction caused the activation of GSDMD, aggravated myocardial injury, and triggered cardiac dysfunction. Myocardial infarction induced pyroptotic cell death, manifested as upregulation in mRNA and protein levels associated with pyroptosis, including caspase-1 cleavage and increased expression of IL-1β and IL-18. These changes were mitigated by nicorandil. The achieved data implicate that myocardial infarction induces pyroptosis via the TLR4/MyD88/NF- κB/NLRP3 pathway, which can be inhibited by nicorandil pretreatment. Therefore, nicorandil exerts cardioprotective effects by activating KATP channels, and at least in part through inhibition of the TLR4/MyD88/NF- κB/NLRP3 pathway to reduce myocardial infarction-induced pyroptosis. As such, it is a potential therapy for ischemic heart disease.