bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Process Simulation of the Influence of Phosphate Rock Impurities on the Production Index of Superphosphate
Authors: Tan Yanxia
Published: May 2021

Through process simulation, the feasibility of the process and the influence of parameter changes on process indicators can be discussed, and guiding and optimizing the production process can be used. The impurities in phosphate rock mainly include components such as calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, iron trioxide, aluminum oxide and calcium fluoride, which presence can lead to changes in the production indicators of superphosphate. In this paper, the process simulation method is used to discuss the influence of the main impurity components in the phosphate rock on the production index of superphosphate. The results show that there is a linear relationship between the production index of superphosphate and the impurity coefficient. As the content of each impurity component increases, the effective P2O5 content and free acid P2O5 content of superphosphate products decrease, the free water content increases, the phosphate rock consumption quota decreases, and the sulfuric acid consumption quota increases. Among them, Al2O3 has the greatest impact on the product’s effective P2O5 content and free water content, CaF2 has the greatest impact on the product’s free acid P2O5 content and phosphate rock consumption quota, and MgCO3 has the greatest impact on the sulfuric acid consumption quota. The cumulative effect of various impurities on production indicators has a superimposing effect.
Application of Environment-perception Intelligent Control Technology in the Inspection Robot of Coal Conveyance Corridor in Thermal Power Plant
Authors: Jia Xiaoping , Yuan Wenjie , Li Haichao , Jiang Shanqiu , Zhang Yude
Published: May 2021

In thermal power generation, coal transport is an important link in the production process, and corridor is the key space of a relatively closed environment. It is fatal to ensure the accurate transmission of coal, no coal leakage and scattering, timely maintenance of the belt with crack, keep the temperature, humidity, and dust concentration within the threshold. Traditionally, manual inspection is mostly used, which is difficult to meet the requirements of modern thermal coal transportation inspection due to large amount of labor and high intensity of labor. According to the performance requirements, operating mode, and function in space orbit, an inspection robot is proposed, replacing the manual labor, by use of machine vision, sensor technology, logic judgment algorithm, and combined with kinematics and dynamics analysis. The modular design of hanging rail type mobile robot system is carried out in layout with closed “O” type suspension orbit in the inspection area, realizing the robot’s inspection and monitoring, warning and prompting, for the safety and smoothness of the coal supply.
The role of artificial intelligence recognition in metallogenic prediction
Authors: Pei Yao
Published: May 2021

Artificial intelligence algorithm has developed rapidly in recent years, and deep learning has become the research hotspot of many scholars. Artificial intelligence algorithm is just developing in geology, especially in metallogenic prediction. In this work, the 1:250000 aeromagnetic data image of a certain area is used to predict the gold deposit, and good research results are obtained.
Phytoplankton dynamics at a reservoir in northeast China
Authors: Ashour Mohammed F. Y. , Guan Di , Zheng Guochen
Published: May 2021

This study assessed the impact of water quality parameters on phytoplankton in the various spatial and seasonal scales of the Nierji reservoir. The research data covered three sites along the mainstream of the Nierji reservoir which is located in the northeast China. The seasonal and spatial variations were the essential factors regulating phytoplankton dynamics. Dominant influencing factors of the chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) content of phytoplankton were different according to the spatial and seasonal scales. Although total phosphorus was the limiting factor influencing the phytoplankton in the various spatial and seasonal scales, Chl-a was weakly correlated to total phosphorus in the upstream, midstream, and downstream during the flood season. A weak correlation between Chl-a and total nitrogen was found when ammonia nitrogen or nitrate displayed a stronger correlation with Chl-a. Ammonia nitrogen or nitrate was significantly correlated to total nitrogen when the correlation between Chl-a and total nitrogen was not significant. The Chl-a increased with decreasing the Secchi depth in the reservoir.
Biological pollution online monitoring system
Authors: Zhang Youfeng , Yuan Yulin , Zheng Yunhong
Published: May 2021

With the improvement of people’s living standards, the industrial system has begun to develop rapidly, and the problem of water pollution has also increased. Based on the above background, This paper designs an online monitoring system for biological pollution, this system can automatically or manually perform sufficient pretreatment of the water quality to be measured, it can graphically display the dissolved oxygen value and temperature data of the water quality in real time. The software part of this system uses the MK60N512VMD100 microcontroller of the Free scale Kinetis K60 series as the main control chip, and the IDE used is CodeWarrior for MCU 10.5. it based on the underlying components of the MCU, the software design of the MCU is completed. The upper computer uses Lab Window/CVI 9.0 of NI Company, which connects the equipment terminal to the Internet through SIM900A module, thus completing the communication between the upper computer and the equipment terminal. The hardware part of the biological pollution on-line monitoring system is designed to be portable. Its main purpose is to be convenient for users to carry and suitable for on-site and field operation. The system uses MCU-K60 as the control chip and realizes on-line monitoring on the hardware circuit platform. It is suitable for the determination of water dissolved oxygen and other parameters by departments such as tap water source monitoring, aquaculture farms, environmental protection, sewage treatment plants, beverage industry and scientific research units.
Dynamic Optimization Method for Unmanned Ship Weather Route Based on Multi-stage Inverse Reasoning
Authors: Wang Xiaoyuan , Zhao Xinyue , Wang Gang , Wang Quanzheng , He Guowen
Published: May 2021

Route is an important factor for safe and efficient navigation of ships. In this paper, unmanned ship navigation environment under complex marine meteorological conditions was analyzed. Wind, wave conditions were integrated considered. Dynamic optimization model of unmanned ship weather route was established, in which meteorological and hydrological information was considered, unfavorable influences of which on ship navigation were reduced, energy and sailing time were saved, and route was found. Simulation results showed that initial fixed weather route could be optimized, and the model could be applied to dynamic optimization of weather routes of unmanned ships in large areas under complex meteorological conditions.
Preparation of cleaning and repairing agent and its double cleaning effect on surface contamination of silicone rubber external insulation
Authors: Zhao Yueju , Xie Xiwei , Shi Jinbiao , Shan Huaping , Liu Min , Liu Jie , Wang Jianhui , Jia Boyan , Zheng Yongli , Chen Qiang , Zhao Chunfeng , Teng Jilin , Miao Wenhua
Published: May 2021

Due to the long-term operation of power grid and the interference of external uneven electric field environment, silicone rubber insulators are prone to aging and scaling, and their hydrophobicity and external insulation performance are easily affected. In order to solve this problem, a kind of silicone rubber insulator outer surface cleaning and repairing agent was prepared with self-made composite solvent and silicone as the main raw materials, supplemented by catalyst, surfactant and other additives. So as to achieve the dual effect of efficient cleaning and aging repair, improve its hydrophobicity and prolong its service life. Through hardness test, hydrophobicity test, SEM test, FT-IR test, EDS test, mechanical property test and aging test characterization, and comparing the cleaning effect of different cleaning methods, it is found that the cleaning effect of cleaning repair agent is the best. In addition, it is found that the hydrophobicity of insulator has been greatly improved, from HC4 to HC1, and the mechanical properties have also been improved. This is because after using the cleaning and repairing agent, the powdered layer on the insulator surface is removed, and more hydrophobic methylene (Si–(CH3)2) and methylene (Si–(CH3)3) are attached to the insulator surface, which reduces the -OH binding force between the insulator surface and water molecules. In addition, through the observation of the surface and cross-section micro morphology, it is found that the surface roughness of the insulator is greatly reduced and the micro cracks disappear after using the cleaning and repairing agent, which highlights a certain repairing effect. Finally, the aging test also shows that the cleaning repair layer has a certain durability.The results show that the cleaning and repairing agent can effectively clean and repair the aged insulator, improve its anti- pollution flashover ability and prolong the service life of silicone rubber insulator.
Physical characteristics and utilization of ZSM-5 prepared from rice husk silica and aluminum hydroxide as catalyst for transesterification of Ricinus communis oil
Authors: Pandiangan Kamisah Delilawati , Simanjuntak Wasinton , Hadi Sutopo , Ilim Ilim , Amrulloh Hanif
Published: May 2021

Natural and synthetic zeolites are well-known materials sharing a wide range of applications, such as adsorbents, ion exchange, and catalysts. However, synthetic zeolites are more widely used, due to several limitations of natural zeolites, such as the presence of impurities and diverse compositions. In this study, rice husk silica (97.86% purity) and aluminum hydroxide were utilized for the preparation of ZSM-5, to study the effect of crystallization time on the physical characteristics and catalytic activity in the transesterification of Ricinus communis oil. The raw materials, with molar ratio of SiO2:0.025Al2O3:0.165Na2O:25H2O, were subjected to crystallization at 180 °C for 48, 72, 96, and 120 h, completed by 6 h calcination at 600 °C. The formation of ZSM-5 was demonstrated by FTIR, XRD, and SEM techniques, confirmed that the formation of ZSM-5 had taken place at 48 h crystallization, with no significant change with prolonged time. The PSA indicates the existence of two clusters of particles, and the BET confirmed the existence of the zeolites as porous materials, with the sample prepared with crystallization time of 96 h had the largest surface area and smallest pore diameter. This particular sample exhibited the highest activity, resulting in 96% conversion of Ricinus communis oil.
Study on preparation and mechanical properties of bionic carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composite with eagle feather structure
Authors: Liang Yunhong , Tuo Zhiwei , Zhao Qian , Lin Sen , Lin Zhaohua , Han Zhiwu , Ren Luquan
Published: May 2021

Inspired by the effect of angle between feather shaft and the feather vane on strength enhancement of feather structure, carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composites with eagle feather structure were prepared successfully. Based on liquid-phase oxidation, wettability of carbon fiber was improved, which enhanced bonding strength between reinforcement and matrix and built material base for mechanical strength of bionic composite. With the increase of carbon fiber content (0.1 wt.%, 0.2 wt.%, 0.3 wt.% and 0.4 wt.%), tensile strength and impact toughness of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composites increased first and then decreased. Composites with 0.2 wt.% carbon fiber exhibited optimal mechanical properties, which was used for preparation of bionic composite. Compared with carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composite with the traditional vertically arranged structure, the composite material with the bionic structure owned higher tensile strength and impact toughness. The fracture and drawing out of carbon fiber and crack deflection were mechanical mechanism of bionic composite, which provided a new design and preparation method for carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composite.
The Illegality of ‘Genuine’ Unilateral Humanitarian Intervention
Authors: Heller Kevin Jon
Published: May 2021

The activation of the crime of aggression at the International Criminal Court has renewed interest in one of the oldest and most fraught questions of the jus ad bellum: whether a state is entitled to unilaterally use force on the territory of another state for humanitarian purposes. Scholars who support unilateral humanitarian intervention (UHI) generally make two interrelated claims. The first is positivist: that unilateral intervention is lawful if it is genuinely intended to end mass atrocity. The second is normative: that genuinely humanitarian unilateral intervention should be lawful because, in the right circumstances, it can serve as an effective mechanism for protecting civilians from harm. In this article, I criticize both claims. I begin by arguing that, from a positivist perspective, even genuinely humanitarian unilateral intervention violates the prohibition of the use of force and qualifies as a criminal act of aggression. I then argue that the historical record undermines the normative attractiveness of UHI because it is extremely difficult to find an actual example of a unilateral intervention motivated primarily by humanitarian concerns, especially one that improved the humanitarian situation in the territorial state. Finally, I conclude by arguing that the basic effect of insisting on the legality of UHI is to weaken one of the few clear prohibitions in international law for no discernible benefit, making the desire to decriminalize such intervention a well-meaning equivalent to the notorious ticking time-bomb scenario.
Brain Death as the End of a Human Organism as a Self-moving Whole
Authors: Omelianchuk Adam
Published: May 2021

The biophilosophic justification for the idea that “brain death” (or total brain failure) is death needs to support two claims: (1) that what dies in human death is a human organism, not merely a psychological entity distinct from it; (2) that total brain failure signifies the end of the human organism as a whole. Defenders of brain death typically assume without argument that the first claim is true and argue for the second by defending the “integrative unity” rationale. Yet the integrative unity rationale has fallen on hard times. In this article, I give reasons for why we should think of ourselves as organisms, and why the “fundamental work” rationale put forward by the 2008 President’s Council is better than the integrative unity rationale, despite persistent objections to it.
Clinical Manifestations, Risk Factors, and Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Pregnancy: Living Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Allotey J. , Stallings E. , Bonet M. , Yap M. , Chatterjee S. , Kew T. , Debenham L. , Llavall A.C. , Dixit A. , Zhou D. , Balaji R. , Lee S.I. , Qiu X. , Yuan M. , Coomar D. , van Wely M. , van Leeuwen E. , Kostova E. , Kunst H. , Khalil A. , Tiberi S. , Brizuela V. , Broutet N. , Kara E. , Kim C.R. , Thorson A. , Oladapo O.T. , Mofenson L. , Zamora J. , Thangaratinam S.
Published: May 2021

(BMJ. 2020;370:m3320)

Since its onset, the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) caused by the SARS-CoV-2 has caused increased morbidity and mortality worldwide. The pregnant population has been of particular concern, as the effects of COVID-19 on this group and their neonates during and after pregnancy are unknown. Several large case series and systematic reviews of COVID-19 during pregnancy exist, however variance in method, testing and duplicated data have yielded results that at times lack external validity and become quickly outdated. The primary goal of this study was to begin a living (and consistently updated) systematic review to determine clinical manifestations of COVID-19 in pregnant and postpartum women, to identify risk factors for possible complications, and to quantify perinatal and maternal outcomes.
Lipoma Arborescens: Imaging Features of Typical and Atypical Disease and Differentiation From Other Intra-articular Pathology
Authors: Bui-Mansfield Liem T.
Published: May 2021

Lipoma arborescens is a benign intra-articular lesion characterized by villous lipomatous proliferation of the synovium. It is most commonly found in the knee joint. However, lipoma arborescens also may be found in other joints and bursae and tendon sheaths. The purpose of this educational activity is to review typical and atypical cases of lipoma arborescens. In this article, we review the clinical features of lipoma arborescens. Its imaging characteristics on different radiologic modalities are reviewed. Histologic findings are examined to explain its imaging appearance. Differential diagnosis is discussed, including means to distinguish them by imaging. Correct diagnosis prevents misdiagnosis that may lead to unnecessary additional clinical evaluation and prompts referral to an orthopedic surgeon for evaluation for definitive treatment.
Direct oral anticoagulant reversal: An update
Authors: Hafer Andrea , McCann Lindsay
Published: May 2021

The rise in direct oral anticoagulant (DOAC) use means nurses must understand the reversal of these agents in case of bleeding. Depending on bleed severity, as well as other criteria, pharmacologic reversal can be considered in place of supportive care alone. Knowledge of literature surrounding DOAC reversal is crucial.
Commentary: Moving Toward Clear, Evidence-based, and Effective State Policies for Addiction Medicine
Authors: Thomas Cindy Parks
Published: May 2021

State policies play a critical role in determining health care delivery, health equity, and health outcomes, but vary widely in scope, target, restrictiveness, and goals. Understanding how such policies impact health care is critical to development of evidence-based policies, but difficult in the absence of organized and standardized approaches to analysis. Development of themes and frameworks for analysis, and identification of policies supported by evidence, are important steps in moving toward more rational and aligned policies. Buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder provides a good example and methodological foundation. At the same time, state policies are promulgated within a larger policy, treatment, and socio-economic environment, and these influences must be considered as well.
Toward a Typology of Office-based Buprenorphine Treatment Laws: Themes From a Review of State Laws
Authors: Andraka-Christou Barbara , Gordon Adam J. , Bouskill Kathryn , Smart Rosanna , Randall-Kosich Olivia , Golan Matthew , Totaram Rachel , Stein Bradley D.
Published: May 2021

Objectives:

Buprenorphine is a gold standard treatment for opioid use disorder (OUD). Some US states have passed laws regulating office-based buprenorphine treatment (OBBT) for OUD, with requirements beyond those required in federal law. We sought to identify themes in state OBBT laws.

Methods:

Using search terms related to medications for OUD, we searched Westlaw software for state regulations and statutes in 51 US jurisdictions from 2005 to 2019. We identified and inductively analyzed OBBT laws for themes.

Results:

Since 2005, 10 states have passed a total of 181 OBBT laws. We identified the following themes: (1) provider credentials: state licensure for OBBT providers and continuing medical education requirements; (2) new patients: objective symptoms patients must have before receiving OBBT and exceptions for special populations; (3) educating patients: general informed consent requirements, and specific information to provide; (4) counseling: minimum counselor credentials, minimum counseling frequency, counseling alternatives; (5) patient monitoring: required prescription drug monitoring checks, frequency of drug screening, and responses to lost/stolen medications; (6) enhanced clinician monitoring: evidence-based treatment protocols, minimum clinician-patient contact frequency, health assessment requirements, and individualized treatment planning; and (7) patient safety: reconciling prescriptions, dosage limitations, naloxone coprescribing, tapering, and office closures.

Conclusions:

Some laws codify practices for which scientific consensus is lacking. Additionally, some OBBT laws resemble opioid treatment programs and pain management regulations. Results could serve as the basis for a typology of office-based treatment laws, which could facilitate empirical examination of policy impacts on treatment access and quality.
Evaluation of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA PET/CT for therapy response assessment of [177Lu]Lu-PSMA radioligand therapy in metastasized castration refractory prostate cancer and correlation with survival
Authors: Kurth Jens , Kretzschmar Justus , Aladwan Hamzeh , Heuschkel Martin , Gummesson Anja , Bergner Carina , Kundt Günther , Hakenberg Oliver W. , Krause Bernd J. , Schwarzenböck Sarah M.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the use of [68Ga]Ga-PSMA PET/CT in therapy response assessment (TRA) of mCRPC patients treated with [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617 and its correlation with overall survival (OS).

Methods

Thirty-nine patients were included in the study. Patient-/lesion-based early and late response assessment (ERA/LRA) was defined as PET2 (after two therapy cycles) vs. PET1 (before the first cycle) (n = 29) and end of treatment PET vs. PET1 (n = 17), respectively. PET-based response (PET parameters; modified (m) PERCIST/EORTC), biochemical response (ΔPSA; category-based) and category-based clinical response (CRA) was tested for correlation/agreement. PET-based TRA was correlated with OS.

Results

A significant correlation/agreement was shown between PET parameters and CRA as well as biochemical response in LRA of all lesions and between mPERCIST-based and category-based PSA response assessment in LRA (bone lesion-based, P = 0.045, κ = 0.184). At ERA, OS was significantly higher in CR/PR/SD compared to progressive disease applying mPERCIST/EORTC criteria (P = 0.0024).

Conclusion

In [177Lu]Lu-PSMA-617-treated mCRPC patients OS of the group of CR/PR/SD was significantly higher compared to the progressive disease group (mPERCIST/EORTC) in ERA. Therefore, [68Ga]Ga-PSMA PET might serve as a complementary diagnostic tool for TRA offering prognostic value regarding OS.
Outcomes and Complications of Tendon Transfers to Address Pinch and Grasp Weakness: A Systematic Review of the Operative Management of Ulnar Nerve Paralysis
Authors: Schaeffer Christine V. , McMahon Heather A. , Wagner Eric R. , DeGeorge Brent R.
Published: May 2021

Background:

Patients with ulnar nerve paralysis note difficulties performing activities of daily living because of weakness of pinch and altered grasp mechanism. This review investigates outcomes of tendon transfers for ulnar nerve paralysis to assist in shared decision-making with patients during preoperative counseling and to inform operative choices.

Methods:

A systematic review was conducted to identify studies reporting outcomes following tendon transfer for ulnar nerve palsy. Studies were screened according to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, and inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied. Primary outcome measures included postoperative pinch strength and mechanism of grasp.

Results:

A total of 26 studies (687 patients) met criteria for inclusion. After pooled analysis, the flexor digitorum superficialis lasso procedure yielded the highest rate of complete correction of claw deformity (60.6 percent), followed by flexor digitorum superficialis four-tail operation (31.4 percent). The extensor carpi radialis longus four-tail operation yielded the greatest improvement in grip strength (3.8 kg). The extensor carpi radialis brevis four-tail operation resulted in the best open hand assessment and mechanism of closing scores; however, these studies did not objectively evaluate grip strength. The greatest increase in pinch strength was following tendon transfer to adductor pollicis alone.

Conclusions:

Despite the heterogeneous data, if the primary goal is improvement in the appearance of claw deformity, the evidence supports flexor digitorum superficialis lasso transfer. However, if the primary concern is grip strength, the data favor extensor carpi radialis longus four-tail transfer. When pinch strength is functionally limiting, adductorplasty alone is most effective. These data will assist providers in appropriately informing patients of common risks and complications and setting realistic expectations following tendon transfer procedures.
Fatal exudative dermatitis in island populations of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris): spillover of a virulent Staphylococcus aureus clone (ST49) from reservoir hosts
Authors: Fountain Kay , Blackett Tiffany , Butler Helen , Carchedi Catherine , Schilling Anna-Katarina , Meredith Anna , Gibbon Marjorie J. , Lloyd David H. , Loeffler Anette , Feil Edward J.
Published: May 2021

Fatal exudative dermatitis (FED) is a significant cause of death of red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) on the island of Jersey in the Channel Islands where it is associated with a virulent clone of Staphylococcus aureus, ST49.

S. aureus

ST49 has been found in other hosts such as small mammals, pigs and humans, but the dynamics of carriage and disease of this clone, or any other lineage in red squirrels, is currently unknown. We used whole-genome sequencing to characterize 228 isolates from healthy red squirrels on Jersey, the Isle of Arran (Scotland) and Brownsea Island (England), from red squirrels showing signs of FED on Jersey and the Isle of Wight (England) and a small number of isolates from other hosts.

S. aureus

was frequently carried by red squirrels on the Isle of Arran with strains typically associated with small ruminants predominating. For the Brownsea carriage,

S. aureus

was less frequent and involved strains associated with birds, small ruminants and humans, while for the Jersey carriage

S. aureus

was rare but ST49 predominated in diseased squirrels. By combining our data with publicly available sequences, we show that the

S. aureus

carriage in red squirrels largely reflects frequent but facile acquisitions of strains carried by other hosts sharing their habitat (‘spillover’), possibly including, in the case of ST188, humans. Genome-wide association analysis of the ruminant lineage ST133 revealed variants in a small number of mostly bacterial-cell-membrane-associated genes that were statistically associated with squirrel isolates from the Isle of Arran, raising the possibility of specific adaptation to red squirrels in this lineage. In contrast there is little evidence that ST49 is a common carriage isolate of red squirrels and infection from reservoir hosts such as bank voles or rats, is likely to be driving the emergence of FED in red squirrels.
Systematic Analysis of Lysine Succinylation in Vero cells infected with Small Ruminant Morbillivirus
Authors: Meng Xuelian , Zhu Xueliang , Zhang Rui , Zhang Zhidong
Published: May 2021

Small ruminant morbillivirus (SRMV), formerly named Peste-des-petits ruminants virus (PPRV), belongs to the genus Morbillivirus in the family Paramyxoviridae and causes a highly contagious disease in small ruminants, especially goats and sheep. Lysine succinylation is a newly identified and conserved modification and plays an important role in host cell response to pathogen infection. Here, we present a global analysis of the succinylome of SRMV-infected Vero cell using succinylation specific antibody-based enrichment and dimethylation labeling-based quantitative proteomics. As a result, 2633 succinylation sites derived from 823 cellular proteins were quantified. Comparative analysis revealed that 228 down-regulated succinylation sites on 139 proteins and 44 up-regulated succinylation sites on 38 proteins were significantly modified in response to SRMV infection, seven lysine succinylation motifs were identified. Bioinformatics analysis showed that the succinylated proteins mainly participated in cellular respiration and biosynthetic process. Protein-protein interaction networks of the identified proteins provided further evidence that a variety of ATP synthase subunits and carbon metabolism were modulated by succinylation while the overlapped proteins between succinylation and acetylation are involved in glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism. Taken together, these findings provide the first report of succinylome in SRMV infection, lysine acetylation may have a more important effect than succinylation in SRMV infection. These findings provide a novel view on investigating the pathogenic mechanism of SRMV.
Integrating the pattern of negative emotion processing and acute stress response with childhood stress among healthy young adults
Authors: Wu Jianhui , Liu Yutong , Zhang Liang , Wang Naiyi , Kohn Nils , Duan Hongxia
Published: May 2021

Background

Childhood abuse might impair corticolimbic brain regions, which play a crucial role in emotion processing and the acute stress response. Yet few has explored the relationship between childhood stress, emotion processing and acute stress reactivity despite the overlapping brain regions of the last two. Here, we examine the relationships between distinct dimensions of childhood adversity (i.e., deprivation and threat) and emotion processing as well as acute stress response. Furthermore, we explore whether emotion processing (particularly threatening information), which might be particularly relevant for adaptive stress responding among individuals with experience of childhood abuse, mediates the relationship between childhood stress and acute stress response.

Method

Fifty-one young adults completed a free-viewing task to evaluate neural response to negative stimuli measured by late positive potential (LPP) of ERPs (Event-related potentials). In a separate day, heart rate and salivary cortisol were collected during a social-evaluative stress challenge (i.e., TSST, Trier Social Stress Test). After the TSST, childhood trauma questionnaire was measured to indicate the level of abuse (as a proxy of threat) and neglect (as a proxy of deprivation) dimensions.

Results

Higher level of childhood abuse (but not neglect) was distinctly related to smaller LPP amplitudes to negative stimuli, as well as smaller heart rate reactivity to acute stress. For these participants, smaller LPP amplitudes linked with smaller heart rate reactivity to acute stress. Furthermore, decreased LPP amplitudes to negative stimuli mediated the relationship between higher level of childhood abuse and blunted heart rate reactivity to stress.

Conclusions

Consistent with the dimensional model of childhood stress, our study showed that childhood abuse is distinctly associated with neural as well as physiological response to threat. Furthermore, the blunted neural response to negative stimuli might be the underlying mechanism in which childhood abuse leads to blunted acute stress response. Considering that all the participants are healthy in the present study, the blunted processing of negative stimuli might rather reflect adaptation instead of vulnerability, in order to prevent stress overshooting in the face of frequent early-life threatening experiences.
Modeling The Effect of Forest Fire and Deforestation on Mid-Sized Wild Cat (Felids) Occupancy in SE Asian Tropical Rainforest
Authors: Wibowo Andri
Published: May 2021

Felids are mammal groups that also experiencing the effects of forest fire and deforestation rate. By using camera detection method, two felid species, Prionailurus bengalensis and Pardofelis marmorata, of tropical rainforests in SE Asia have been studied. The studied area was a rainforest in Sumatra that has experienced several forest fires with annual deforestation rates of 1.69%-2.89%. Occupancy model using Akaike Information Criterion (AIC) is in agreement that deforestation rate is the best explanatory covariate explaining the declining occupancy of those felid species. P. marmorata was known more sensitive to the both deforestation rate and forest fire frequency covariate effects since it has similar AIC values. While P. bengalensis was slightly affected by forest fires. Values of Area Under The Curve (AUC) of Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) were > 0.5 and these indicate adequate probability of forest fire effects on felid occupancy. Cut off value of occupancy of P. bengalensis was higher than P. marmorata. For P. bengalensis, the cut off value was 1.75 leading to a sensitivity and specificity of 62%. This is the threshold value for the prediction of numbers of P. bengalensis individual occurred where both sensitivity and specificity are maximized and as an effect of forest fire, and this can be used to classify areas as occupied by P. bengalensis.
Achieving employee support during the COVID-19 pandemic – the role of relational and informational crisis communication in Austrian organizations
Authors: Einwiller Sabine , Ruppel Christopher , Stranzl Julia
Published: May 2021

Purpose

Based on social exchange theory, the study examines the influence of informational and relational internal communication on cognitive and affective responses and job engagement during organizational crises caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by means of an online survey among people working in organizations with a minimum of 10 employees (N = 1,033) and analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

Results show that informational and relational communication as organizational resources have a significant but distinct influence on how employees support their employer during the crisis. While informational communication influences employees' acceptance of managerial decisions, relational communication exerts most influence on affective commitment, which is the strongest driver of job engagement.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional design, specific crisis situation and geographic location are limitations of the study.

Practical implications

Delivering relevant information to employees quickly and reliably is important. Yet, relationship-oriented communication that demonstrates appreciation and allows for participation has even stronger effects on job engagement, which is essential to mastering challenges arising from a crisis.

Social implications

During the COVID-19 pandemic, organizations demanded much from their employees. In exchange, organizations should provide the resources information, status and love (Foa and Foa, 1980) by means of internal crisis communication.

Originality/value

The study demonstrates the role of different types of internal communication during organizational crises used to convey organizational resources, and it highlights the mediating role of acceptance and commitment to enhance employees' engagement at work.
Urgent care in the community: an observational study
Authors: Adie John , Graham Wayne , Bromfield Kerron , Maiden Bianca , Klaer Sam , Wallis Marianne
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This case study describes a community-based urgent care clinic in a general practitioner (GP) super clinic in South East Queensland.

Design/methodology/approach

This retrospective chart audit describes patient demographic characteristics, types of presentations and management for Sundays in 2015.

Findings

The majority of patients (97%) did not require admission to hospital or office investigations (95%) and presented with one condition (94%). Of the presentations, 66.5% were represented by 30 conditions. Most patients received a prescription (57%), some were referred to the pathology laboratory (15%) and some were referred to radiology (12%). A majority (54%) of patients presented in the first three hours. Approximately half (51%) of patients presenting were aged under 25. More females (53%) presented than males. A majority (53%) lived in the same postcode as the clinic. The three most common office tests ordered were urinalysis, electrocardiogram (ECG) and urine pregnancy test. Some patients (19%) needed procedures, and only 3% were referred to hospital.

Research limitations/implications

The study offers analysis of the client group that can be served by an urgent care clinic in a GP super clinic on a Sunday. The study provides an option for emergency department avoidance.

Originality/value

Despite calls for more research into community-based urgent care clinics, little is known in Australia about what constitutes an urgent care clinic. The study proposes a classification system for walk-in presentations to an urgent care clinic, which is comparable to emergency department presentations.
Direct and indirect effects of customer financial condition in the acceptance of Islamic microfinance in a frontier market
Authors: Umar Umar Bello , Mas’ud Abdulsalam , Matazu Sadisu Abdulazeez
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The study aims to identify a gap within the extant literature on the inadequacy of earlier extension of the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and theory of planned behavior (TPB) to accommodate the peculiarity of Muslims majority countries that experiencing poverty growth in modeling the factors influencing the acceptability of Islamic financial products and services. To address this gap, this study expands the aforementioned theories through the integration of customer financial condition through the analyzes of both direct and indirect effects.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative research design was deployed through data, which was collected from samples of microentrepreneurs within the agricultural sector of northwestern Nigeria. The data from this sample was analyzed through hierarchical regression analysis.

Findings

The findings confirmed significant direct effects of all the original TPB variables; attitude, subjective norms and perceived behavioral control on acceptance intention of Islamic microfinance. More pioneering, the study established a significant direct negative effect of customer financial condition on the acceptance of Islamic microfinance among agribusiness customers. It further established the indirect (moderating) effects of customer financial condition on the influence of subject norms and perceived behavioral control on acceptance intention of Islamic microfinance, however, such indirect effect was not established in relation to the influence of attitude.

Research limitations/implications

The findings implied that the providers of Islamic financial products and services should target Nigeria’s frontier market as a potential avenue for expanding their existing market share. More specifically, the agricultural sector of northwestern Nigeria could be given focus in such a marketing strategy. In terms of social impact, providing necessary finances to the agricultural sector will further enhance employment creation and reduce poverty in the northwestern region.

Originality/value

Despite several extensions of TRA and TPB in various settings, this could the first study which examined both direct and indirect effects of customer financial condition not only in relation to the acceptance of Islamic microfinance but also all other Islamic financial products and services.
Entropy analysis of Poiseuille nanofluid flow in a porous channel with slip and convective boundary conditions under magnetic field
Authors: Das S. , Chakraborty S. , Jana R. N.
Published: May 2021

Purpose

This study aims to expose the flow phenomena and entropy generation during a; magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Poiseuille flow of water-based nanofluids (NFs) in a porous channel subject to hydrodynamic slip and convective heating boundary conditions. The flow caused by the uniform pressure; gradient between infinite parallel plates is considered steady and fully developed. The nanoparticles; namely, copper, alumina and titanium oxide are taken with pure water as the base fluid. Viscous dissipation and Joule heating impacts are also incorporated in this investigation.

Design/methodology/approach

The reduced governing equations are solved analytically in closed form. The physical insights of noteworthy parameters on the important flow quantities are demonstrated through graphs and analyzed elaborately. The thermodynamic analysis is performed by calculating entropy generation; rate and Bejan number. A graphical comparison between solutions corresponding to NFs and regular fluid in the channel is also provided.

Findings

The analysis of the results divulges that entropy generation minimization can be achieved by an appropriate combination of the geometrical and physical parameters of thermomechanical systems. It is reported that ascent in magnetic parameter number declines the velocity profiles, while the inverse pattern is witnessed with augmentation in hydrodynamic slip parameters. The temperature dissemination declines with the growth of Biot numbers. It is perceived that the entropy generation rate lessens with an upgrade in magnetic parameter, whereas the reverse trend of Bejan number is perceived with expansion in magnetic parameter and Biot number. The important contribution of the result is that the entropy generation rate is controlled with an appropriate composition of thermo-physical parameter values. Moreover, in the presence of a magnetic field and suction/injection at the channel walls, the shear stresses at the channel walls are reduced about two times.

Practical implications

In various industrial applications, minimizing entropy generation plays a significant role. Miniaturization of entropy is the utilization of the energy of thermal devices such as micro heat exchangers, micromixers, micropumps and cooling microelectromechanical devices.

Originality/value

An attentive review of the literature discloses that quite a few studies have been conducted on entropy generation analysis of a fully developed MHD Poiseuille flow of NFs through a permeable channel subject to the velocity slip and convective heating conditions at the walls.
An Integrated Traits Resilience Assessment of Mediterranean fisheries landings
Authors: Tsimara Eleni , Vasilakopoulos Paraskevas , Koutsidi Martha , Raitsos Dionysios E. , Lazaris Alexis , Tzanatos Evangelos
Published: May 2021

An increasing number of studies have been examining the functional configuration of biological communities or ecosystems using biological traits.

Here, we investigated the temporal dynamics and resilience of the traits composition in Mediterranean fisheries landings over 31 years (1985–2015).

We transcribed the FAO Mediterranean landings dataset for 101 marine species into a dataset of 23 traits related to the life cycle, distribution, ecology and behaviour. Mediterranean mean Sea Surface Temperature (SST) was evaluated as a potential driver of the traits composition. Trait dynamics were evaluated both individually and holistically by developing an Integrated Traits Resilience Assessment (ITRA). ITRA is a variation of the Integrated Resilience Assessment (IRA), a method to infer resilience dynamics and build stability landscapes of complex natural systems.

Changes in landings trait dynamics were documented both for individual traits and for the entire traits ‘system’, and a relevant regime shift was detected in the second half of the 1990s. The traits system switched to higher optimal temperature, more summer spawning, shorter life span, smaller maximum size, shallower optimal depth and planktivorous diet. This shift was found to be a lagged discontinuous response to sea warming, which gradually eroded the resilience of the original state of the traits system, leading it into a new basin of attraction.

The inclusion of ecological/response traits (related to environmental preferences) in our analyses indicates potential mechanisms that explain the observed shift, while changes in functional/effect traits indicate potential impacts on ecosystem functioning. Our findings suggest that changes in the Mediterranean ecosystems are evidently larger than previously thought, with profound implications for the management of this highly impacted sea.

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A methodological roadmap to quantify animal‐vectored spatial ecosystem subsidies
Authors: Ellis‐Soto Diego , Ferraro Kristy M. , Rizzuto Matteo , Briggs Emily , Monk Julia D. , Schmitz Oswald J.
Published: May 2021

Energy, nutrients and organisms move over landscapes, connecting ecosystems across space and time. Meta‐ecosystem theory investigates the emerging properties of local ecosystems coupled spatially by these movements of organisms and matter, by explicitly tracking exchanges of multiple substances across ecosystem borders. To date, meta‐ecosystem research has focused mostly on abiotic flows—neglecting biotic nutrient flows. However, recent work has indicated animals act as spatial nutrient vectors when they transport nutrients across landscapes in the form of excreta, egesta and their own bodies.

Partly due to its high level of abstraction, there are few empirical tests of meta‐ecosystem theory. Furthermore, while animals may be viewed as important mediators of ecosystem functions, better integration of tools is needed to develop predictive insights of their relative roles and impacts on diverse ecosystems. We present a methodological roadmap that explains how to do such integration by discussing how to combine insights from movement, foraging and ecosystem ecology to develop a coherent understanding of animal‐vectored nutrient transport on meta‐ecosystems processes.

We discuss how the slate of newly developed technologies and methods—tracking devices, mechanistic movement models, diet reconstruction techniques and remote sensing—that when integrated have the potential to advance the quantification of animal‐vectored nutrient flows and increase the predictive power of meta‐ecosystem theory.

We demonstrate that by integrating novel and established tools of animal ecology, ecosystem ecology and remote sensing, we can begin to identify and quantify animal‐mediated nutrient translocation by large animals. We also provide conceptual examples that show how our proposed integration of methodologies can help investigate ecosystem impacts of large animal movement. We conclude by describing practical advancements to understanding cross‐ecosystem contributions of animals on the move.

Understanding the mechanisms by which animals shape ecosystem dynamics is important for ongoing conservation, rewilding and restoration initiatives around the world, and for developing more accurate models of ecosystem nutrient budgets. Our roadmap will enable ecologists to better qualify and quantify animal‐mediated nutrient translocation for animals on the move.
Off the record: The invisibility work of doctors in a patient‐accessible electronic health record information service
Authors: Petersson Jesper , Backman Christel
Published: May 2021

In this article, we draw on Michael Lipsky's work on street‐level bureaucrats and discretion to analyse a real case setting comprising an interview study of 30 Swedish doctors regarding their experiences of changes in clinical work following patients being given access to medical records information online. We introduce the notion ofinvisibilityworkto capture how doctors exercise discretion topreservethe invisibility of their work, in contrast to the well‐established notion of invisible work, which denotes work made invisible by parties other than those performing it. We discuss three main forms of invisibility work in relation to records: omitting information, cryptic writing and parallel note writing. We argue that invisibility work is a way for doctors to resolve professional tensions arising from the political decision to provide patients with online access to record information. Although invisibility work is understood by doctors as a solution to government‐initiated visibility, we highlight how it can create difficulties for doctors concerning accountability towards patients, peers and authorities.