bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Professional development from the perspective of new-graduate physiotherapists within Australian hospital settings: A qualitative study
Authors: Tan Shaun , Phan Andrew , Martin Romany , Mandrusiak Allison , Forbes Roma
Published: January 2023

Introduction: The transition from physiotherapy student to clinician within hospital settings has been identified as overwhelming, leaving new graduates experiencing significant anxiety and stress. Professional development plays a major role in facilitating the transition from student to clinician. However, the perceived professional development needs of new graduates in hospital settings and the factors that influence graduates’ decision-making regarding professional development remain relatively unknown. The aim of this study was to explore the professional development needs of new-graduate physiotherapists working in hospital settings and to explore graduates’ decision-making relating to engagement in professional development.
Methods: A qualitative study utilising a general inductive approach was undertaken to investigate new-graduate physiotherapists’ experiences. Telephone interviews were conducted with 15 new-graduate participants, and data were subject to thematic analysis.
Results: Five key themes regarding hospital-based new-graduate physiotherapists’ professional development needs and decision-making were generated following analysis: 1) practical and clinical relevance, 2) influence from external supports, 3) translation to practice, 4) accessing professional development and 5) professional development for the future. This provided insight regarding the challenges faced in accessing professional development during the transition from student to clinician.
Conclusions: This study has highlighted the complexity of new-graduate physiotherapists’ decision-making and perceived needs surrounding professional development within the hospital setting.  New-graduate physiotherapists perceived that the hospital workplace provided sufficient resources for professional development. However, guidance from supervisors and colleagues within the hospital workplace was highly valued by new graduates when choosing professional development, including informal professional development opportunities. Research is needed to further understand the role of professional development of physiotherapists in hospital settings.
Image reconstruction algorithm for laser-induced ultrasonic imaging: The single sensor scanning synthetic aperture focusing technique
Authors: Ruiz-Veloz Misael , Gutiérrez-Juárez Gerardo , Polo-Parada Luis , Cortalezzi Francisco , Kline David D. , Dantzler Heather A. , Cruz-Alvarez Lorena , Castro-Beltrán Rigoberto , Hidalgo-Valadez Carlos
Published: January 2023

This paper aims to implement a laser-induced ultrasound imaging reconstruction method based on the delay-and-sum beamforming through the synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT) for a circular scanning, performed with a tomograph that had one acoustic sensor and a system that rotates the sample around a fixed axis. The proposed method, called the Single-sensor Scanning Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique, considers the size of the sensor and the detection procedure inside the SAFT's algebra. This image reconstruction method was evaluated numerically, using the Green function for the laser-induced ultrasound wave equation to generate a forward problem, and experimentally, using a solid object of polylactic acid, and a Sprague–Dawley rat heart located in a tissue-mimicking phantom. The resulting images were compared to those obtained from the time reversal and the conventional delay-and-sum reconstruction algorithms. The presented method removes the sidelobe artifacts and the comet tail sign, which produces a more distinguishable target on the image. In addition, the proposed method has a faster performance and lower computational load. The implementation of this method in photoacoustic microscopy techniques for image reconstruction is discussed.
A “best-in-class” systemic biomarker predictor of clinically relevant knee osteoarthritis structural and pain progression
Authors: Zhou Kaile , Li Yi-Ju , Soderblom Erik J. , Reed Alexander , Jain Vaibhav , Sun Shuming , Moseley M. Arthur , Kraus Virginia Byers
Published: January 2023

We aimed to identify markers in blood (serum) to predict clinically relevant knee osteoarthritis (OA) progression defined as the combination of both joint structure and pain worsening over 48 months. A set of 15 serum proteomic markers corresponding to 13 total proteins reached an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 73% for distinguishing progressors from nonprogressors in a cohort of 596 individuals with knee OA. Prediction based on these blood markers was far better than traditional prediction based on baseline structural OA and pain severity (59%) or the current “best-in-class” biomarker for predicting OA progression, urinary carboxyl-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type II collagen (58%). The generalizability of the marker set was confirmed in a second cohort of 86 individuals that yielded an AUC of 70% for distinguishing joint structural progressors. Blood is a readily accessible biospecimen whose analysis for these biomarkers could facilitate identification of individuals for clinical trial enrollment and those most in need of treatment.
RIPK1 blocks T cell senescence mediated by RIPK3 and caspase-8
Authors: Imanishi Takayuki , Unno Midori , Yoneda Natsumi , Motomura Yasutaka , Mochizuki Miho , Sasaki Takaharu , Pasparakis Manolis , Saito Takashi
Published: January 2023

Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) regulates cell death and inflammation. Here, we show that T cell–specific RIPK1 deficiency in mice leads to the premature senescence of T cells and induces various age-related diseases, resulting in premature death. RIPK1 deficiency causes higher basal activation of mTORC1 (mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1) that drives enhanced cytokine production, induction of senescence-related genes, and increased activation of caspase-3/7, which are restored by inhibition of mTORC1. Critically, normal aged T cells exhibit similar phenotypes and responses. Mechanistically, a combined deficiency of RIPK3 and caspase-8 inhibition restores the impaired proliferative responses; the elevated activation of Akt, mTORC1, extracellular signal–regulated kinase, and caspase-3/7; and the increased expression of senescence-related genes in RIPK1-deficient CD4 T cells. Last, we revealed that the senescent phenotype of RIPK1-deficient and aged CD4 T cells is restored in the normal tissue environment. Thus, we have clarified the function of RIPK3 and caspase-8 in inducing CD4 T cell senescence, which is modulated by environmental signals.
Reflectionless programmable signal routers
Authors: Sol Jérôme , Alhulaymi Ali , Stone A. Douglas , del Hougne Philipp
Published: January 2023

We demonstrate experimentally that reflectionless scattering modes (RSMs), a generalized version of coherent perfect absorption, can be functionalized to perform reflectionless programmable signal routing. We achieve versatile programmability both in terms of operating frequencies and routing functionality with negligible reflection upon in-coupling, which avoids unwanted signal power echoes in radio frequency or photonic networks. We report in situ observations of routing functionalities like wavelength demultiplexing, including cases where multichannel excitation requires adapted coherent input wavefronts. All experiments are performed in the microwave domain based on the same irregularly shaped cavity with strong modal overlap that is massively parametrized by a 304–element-programmable metasurface. RSMs in our highly overdamped multiresonance transport problem are fundamentally intriguing because the simple critical coupling picture for reflectionless excitation of isolated resonances fails spectacularly. We show in simulation that the distribution of damping rates of scattering singularities broadens under strong absorption so that weakly damped zeros can be tuned toward functionalized RSMs.
Malaria-driven expansion of adaptive-like functional CD56-negative NK cells correlates with clinical immunity to malaria
Authors: Ty Maureen , Sun Shenghuan , Callaway Perri C. , Rek John , Press Kathleen D. , van der Ploeg Kattria , Nideffer Jason , Hu Zicheng , Klemm Sandy , Greenleaf William , Donato Michele , Tukwasibwe Stephen , Arinaitwe Emmanuel , Nankya Felistas , Musinguzi Kenneth , Andrew Dean , de la Parte Lauren , Mori Diego Martinez , Lewis Savannah N. , Takahashi Saki , Rodriguez-Barraquer Isabel , Greenhouse Bryan , Blish Catherine , Utz PJ , Khatri Purvesh , Dorsey Grant , Kamya Moses , Boyle Michelle , Feeney Margaret , Ssewanyana Isaac , Jagannathan Prasanna
Published: January 2023

Natural killer (NK) cells likely play an important role in immunity to malaria, but the effect of repeated malaria on NK cell responses remains unclear. Here, we comprehensively profiled the NK cell response in a cohort of 264 Ugandan children. Repeated malaria exposure was associated with expansion of an atypical, CD56
neg
population of NK cells that differed transcriptionally, epigenetically, and phenotypically from CD56
dim
NK cells, including decreased expression of PLZF and the Fc receptor γ-chain, increased histone methylation, and increased protein expression of LAG-3, KIR, and LILRB1. CD56
neg
NK cells were highly functional and displayed greater antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity than CD56
dim
NK cells. Higher frequencies of CD56
neg
NK cells were associated with protection against symptomatic malaria and high parasite densities. After marked reductions in malaria transmission, frequencies of these cells rapidly declined, suggesting that continuous exposure to
Plasmodium falciparum
is required to maintain this modified, adaptive-like NK cell subset.
Pharmacokinetic/Pharmacodynamic Index Linked to
In Vivo
Efficacy of the Ampicillin-Ceftriaxone Combination against Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Jimenez-Toro Ivone , Rodriguez Carlos A. , Zuluaga Andres F. , Otalvaro Julian D. , Perez-Madrid Hector , Vesga Omar
Published: January 2023

Combination therapy with ampicillin plus ceftriaxone (AMP+CRO) is the first-line therapy for treating severe infections due to
Enterococcus faecalis
. However, the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) index linked to the
in vivo
efficacy of the combination is not yet defined, hindering dose optimization in the clinic.
Migration Rates on Swim Plates Vary between Escherichia coli Soil Isolates: Differences Are Associated with Variants in Metabolic Genes
Authors: Prüß Birgit M. , Horne Shelley M. , Bauer Erika Shay , Pirner Collin , Schwartz Madelyn , Petersen Morgan L. , Bergholz Peter W.
Published: January 2023

E. coli
is a Gram-negative, facultative anaerobic bacterium whose life cycle includes extra host environments in addition to human, animal, and plant hosts. The bacterium has the genomic capability of being motile.
Treatment of Bacterial Infections with β-Lactams: Cooperation with Innate Immunity
Authors: Mondemé Mélanie , Carnoy Christophe , Sirard Jean-Claude , Faveeuw Christelle
Published: January 2023

β-Lactams are the most widely prescribed antibiotics used for the control and treatment of bacterial infections. The direct effect of β-lactams on bacteria is well studied worldwide.
Low Viral Diversity Limits the Effectiveness of Sequence-Based Transmission Inference for SARS-CoV-2
Authors: Farjo Mireille , Brooke Christopher B.
Published: January 2023

Tracking the spread of infection amongst individuals within and between communities has been a major challenge during viral outbreaks. With the unprecedented scale of viral sequence data collection during the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic, the possibility of using phylogenetics to reconstruct past transmission events has been explored as a more rigorous alternative to traditional contact tracing; however, the reliability of sequence-based inference of transmission networks has yet to be directly evaluated.
Place of death and associated factors among reviewed maternal deaths in Ethiopia: a generalised structural equation modelling
Authors: Tesfay Neamin , Tariku Rozina , Zenebe Alemu , Habtetsion Medhanye , Woldeyohannes Fitsum
Published: January 2023

Objective

The study aims to determine the magnitude and factors that affect maternal death in different settings.

Design, setting and analysis

A review of national maternal death surveillance data was conducted. The data were obtained through medical record review and verbal autopsies of each death. Generalised structural equation modelling was employed to simultaneously examine the relationships among exogenous, mediating (urban/rural residence) and endogenous variables.

Outcome

Magnitude and factors related to the location of maternal death.

Participants

A total of 4316 maternal deaths were reviewed from 2013 to 2020.

Results

Facility death constitutes 69.0% of maternal deaths in the reporting period followed by home death and death while in transit, each contributing to 17.0% and 13.6% of maternal deaths, respectively. Educational status has a positive direct effect on death occurring at home (β=0.42, 95% CI 0.22 to 0.66), obstetric haemorrhage has a direct positive effect on deaths occurring at home (β=0.41, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.80) and death in transit (β=0.68, 95% CI 0.48 to 0.87), while it has a direct negative effect on death occurring at a health facility (β=−0.60, 95% CI −0.77 to −0.44). Moreover, unanticipated management of complication has a positive direct (β=0.99, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.63), indirect (β=0.05, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.07) and total (β=1.04, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.70) effect on facility death. Residence is a mediator variable and is associated with all places of death. It has a connection with facility death (β=−0.70, 95% CI −0.95 to −0.46), death during transit (β=0.51, 95% CI 0.20 to 0.83) and death at home (β=0.85, 95% CI 0.54 to 1.17).

Conclusion

Almost 7 in 10 maternal deaths occurred at the health facility. Sociodemographic factors, medical causes of death and non-medical causes of death mediated by residence were factors associated with the place of death. Thus, factors related to the place of death should be considered as an area of intervention to mitigate preventable maternal death that occurred in different settings.
Fixed dose combination drugs for cardiovascular disease in a prolonged humanitarian crisis in Lebanon: an implementation study
Authors: Ansbro Éimhín , Masri Sahar , Prieto-Merino David , Willis Ruth , Aoun Bahous Sola , Molfino Lucas , Boulle Philippa , Perel Pablo
Published: January 2023

Objectives

This pre–post implementation study evaluated the introduction of fixed dose combination (FDC) medications for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) secondary prevention into routine care in a humanitarian setting.

Setting

Two Médecins sans Frontières (MSF) primary care clinics serving Syrian refugee and host populations in north Lebanon.

Participants

Consenting patients ≥18 years with existing ASCVD requiring secondary prevention medication were eligible for study enrolment. Those with FDC contraindication(s) or planning to move were excluded. Of 521 enrolled patients, 460 (88.3%) were retained at 6 months, and 418 (80.2%) switched to FDC. Of these, 84% remained on FDC (n=351), 8.1% (n=34) discontinued and 7.9% (n=33) were lost to follow-up by month 12.

Interventions

Eligible patients, enrolled February–May 2019, were switched to Trinomia FDC (atorvastatin 20 mg, aspirin 100 mg, ramipril 2.5/5/10 mg) after 6 months’ usual care. During the study, the COVID-19 pandemic, an economic crisis and clinic closures occurred.

Outcome measures

Descriptive and regression analyses compared key outcomes at 6 and 12 months: medication adherence, non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) control. We performed per-protocol, intention-to-treat and secondary analyses of non-switchers.

Results

Among 385 switchers remaining at 12 months, total adherence improved 23%, from 63% (95% CI 58 to 68) at month 6, to 86% (95% CI 82 to 90) at month 12; mean non-HDL-C levels dropped 0.28 mmol/L (95% CI −0.38 to −0.18; p<0.0001), from 2.39 (95% CI 2.26 to 2.51) to 2.11 mmol/L (95% CI 2.00 to 2.22); mean SBP dropped 2.89 mm Hg (95% CI −4.49 to −1.28; p=0.0005) from 132.7 (95% CI 130.8 to 134.6) to 129.7 mm Hg (95% CI 127.9 to 131.5). Non-switchers had smaller improvements in adherence and clinical outcomes.

Conclusion

Implementing an ASCVD secondary prevention FDC improved adherence and CVD risk factors in MSF clinics in Lebanon, with potential for wider implementation by humanitarian actors and host health systems.
Behavioural Economics to Improve Antihypertensive Therapy Adherence (BETA): protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial in Los Angeles
Authors: Ebinger Joseph E , Ghai Ishita , Barajas Denisse , Vallejo Rocío , Blyler Ciantel A , Morales Michelle , Garcia Nairy , Joung Sandy , Palimaru Alina , Linnemayr Sebastian
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Non-adherence to antihypertensive therapy is one of the major barriers to reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Several interventions have targeted higher medication adherence, yet most do not result in sustained adherence. Routinisation has emerged as a potential method for mitigating this problem, but requires high motivation during the relatively long habit formation phase. This pilot randomised controlled trial aims to test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of behavioural economics-based incentives and text messages to support the routinisation of the medication-taking behaviour for promoting long-term medication adherence.

Methods and analysis

This study will recruit and randomly assign 60 adult patients seeking care for hypertension at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles to one of the three groups,Control(n=20),Messages(n=20) andIncentives(n=20) in a 1:1:1 ratio. All participants will receive information about the importance of routinisation and will select an existing behavioural routine (‘anchor’) to which they will tie their pill-taking to, and the corresponding time. Additionally, participants in theMessagesgroup will receive daily text messages reminding them of the importance of routines, while those in theIncentivesgroup will receive daily text messages and conditional prize drawings. The interventions will be delivered over three months. Participants will be followed for six months post-intervention to measure behavioural persistence. Surveys will be administered at baseline, month-3 and month-9 visits. Primary outcomes include: (1) electronically measured mean medication adherence during the intervention period and (2) post-intervention period; and (3) mean timely medication adherence based around the time of the participants’ anchor during the intervention period, and (4) post-intervention period.

Ethics and dissemination

The study was approved by the Cedars-Sinai Institutional Review Board (Study ID: Pro00057764). Findings will be published in scientific peer-reviewed journals.

Trial registration number

NCT04029883.
Preferences, barriers and facilitators regarding virtual pelvic healthcare in individuals with gynaecological cancers: protocol for a patient-oriented, mixed-methods study
Authors: Bernard Stéphanie , Tandon Puneeta , Waters Alexandra , Selmani Sabrina , Wiebe Ericka , Turner Jill , Dufour Sinead , McNeely Margaret L
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Vaginal pain during intercourse and urinary incontinence are common complaints after gynaecological cancer treatments. Pelvic health physiotherapy treatments aim at optimising function through education on the use of vaginal moisturisers, dilation therapy programme and pelvic floor muscle training. Given that barriers such as time, travel, and costs are known to limit access to physiotherapy services, a virtual pelvic health physiotherapy programme may help to facilitate access. The primary objective of this study is to identify preferences, barriers and facilitators from individuals with gynaecological cancer regarding virtual pelvic healthcare survivorship care.

Methods and analysis

This patient-oriented, mixed-methods study will involve an online cross-sectional survey data (phase I) and qualitative data from a series of virtual focus groups (phase II). Phase I: an anonymous survey will be used to assess the demographics, health status, prevalence of urogenital symptoms, as well as knowledge, barriers and facilitators to pelvic health services of people with gynaecological cancer. A total of N=50 participants from Canada will be recruited through convenience and self-selection sampling. Phase II: a series of virtual semi-structured focus groups will be conducted with 10–15 participants on key topics related to virtual pelvic healthcare. Interviews will be audio-recorded and transcribed, from which key themes and quotes will be identified. An interpretive description qualitative method will guide analysis and implementation of results.

Ethics and dissemination

Approval from the Health Research Ethics Board of Alberta—Cancer Committee (HREBA.CC-21-0498) and of the CISSS Bas-Saint-Laurent (CISSSBSL-2021-10) have been obtained. Informed, electronically signed consent will be required from all participants. Results from this work will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and will be used to inform the development and implementation of a new Pelvic eHealth Module for individuals treated for gynaecological cancers. This module will be incorporated into a comprehensive educational and exercise programme offered by a web-based application.
Thyroid function screening and follow-up of children with abdominal distension in Nanjing, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Xie Hang , Chen Dongmei , Gu Wei , Li Wei , Wang Xu , Tang Weibing
Published: January 2023

Objective

To describe the thyroid function test among children with abdominal distention and to follow up the treatment received by children with abnormal thyroid function.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Setting and participants

A total of 1089 children (median age:30 days (IQR=21–60 days) with abdominal distension were included in this single centre study in Nanjing, China.

Result

Thyroid dysfunction was found in 43 of 148 Hirschsprung’s disease (HSCR) cases, with 3 (2.03%) having hypothyroidism, 3 (2.03%) having subclinical hypothyroidism and 3 (2.03%) having subclinical hyperthyroidism. Thyroid dysfunction was found in 206 of 941 functional abdominal distension cases, with 4 (0.43%) having hypothyroidism, 23 (2.4%) having subclinical hypothyroidism, 28 (2.9%) having subclinical hyperthyroidism and 1 (0.11%) having hyperthyroidism. Among total 65 cases (9 from HSCR, 56 from functional abdominal distension) diagnosed with thyroid diseases, 12 were treated with levothyroxine (LT-4), of which 9 were discontinued treatment at about 2 years old, and 3 were still receiving LT-4. Thirty-two cases received no treatment and thyroid function returned to normal in about 1 month. Twenty-one cases were lost during the follow-up.

Conclusion

The paediatrician should be vigilant for hypothyroidism when dealing with children with abdominal distension. Thyroid function should be followed up rather than simply administering a short-term levothyroxine treatment.
Improvement and implementation of a national individual care plan in paediatric palliative care: a study protocol
Authors: Joren Chantal Y , Kars Marijke C , Kremer Leontien C M , Rippen Hester , Verhagen A A Eduard , Aris-Meijer Judith L
Published: January 2023

Introduction

Paediatric palliative care (PPC) is care for children with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions, and can involve complex high-tech care, which can last for months or years. In 2015, the National Individual Care Plan (ICP) for PPC was developed and has shown to be successful. The ICP can be seen as an instrument to facilitate coordination, quality and continuity of PPC. However, in practice, an ICP is often completed too late and for too few children. We aim to improve the coordination, quality and continuity of care for every child with a life-threatening or life-limiting condition and his/her family by further developing and implementing the ICP in the Netherlands.

Methods and analysis

To evaluate the original ICP, ICP 1.0, interviews and questionnaires will be held among parents of children who have or have had an ICP 1.0 and healthcare professionals (HCPs) who used ICP 1.0. Based on the results, ICP 1.0 will be further developed. An implementation strategy will be written and the renewed ICP, ICP 2.0, will be nationally tested in an implementation period of approximately 7 months. During the implementation period, ICP 2.0 will be used for all children who are registered with Children’s Palliative Care teams. After the implementation period, ICP 2.0 will be evaluated using interviews and questionnaires among parents of children who received ICP 2.0 and HPCs who worked with ICP 2.0. Based on these results, ICP 2.0 will be further optimised into the final version: ICP 3.0.

Ethics and dissemination

This study received ethical approval. The ICP 3.0 will be disseminated through the Dutch Centre of Expertise in Children’s Palliative Care, to ensure wide availability for the general public and HCPs within PPC. Additionally, we aim to publish study results in open-access, peer-reviewed journals and to present results at national and international scientific meetings.
Attributes, skills and actions of clinical leadership in nursing as reported by hospital nurses: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mrayyan Majd T , Algunmeeyn Abdullah , Abunab Hamzeh Y , Kutah Ola A , Alfayoumi Imad , Khait Abdallah Abu
Published: January 2023

Background

Research shows a significant growth in clinical leadership from a nursing perspective; however, clinical leadership is still misunderstood in all clinical environments. Until now, clinical leaders were rarely seen in hospitals’ top management and leadership roles.

Purpose

This study surveyed the attributes and skills of clinical nursing leadership and the actions that effective clinical nursing leaders can do.

Methods

In 2020, a cross-sectional design was used in the current study using an online survey, with a non-random purposive sample of 296 registered nurses from teaching, public and private hospitals and areas of work in Jordan, yielding a 66% response rate. Data were analysed using descriptive analysis of frequency and central tendency measures, and comparisons were performed using independent t-tests.

Results

The sample consists mostly of junior nurses. The ‘most common’ attributes associated with clinical nursing leadership were effective communication, clinical competence, approachability, role model and support. The ‘least common’ attribute associated with clinical nursing leadership was ‘controlling’. The top-rated skills of clinical leaders were having a strong moral character, knowing right and wrong and acting appropriately. Leading change and service improvement were clinical leaders’ top-rated actions. An independent t-test on key variables revealed substantial differences between male and female nurses regarding the actions and skills of effective clinical nursing leadership.

Conclusions

The current study looked at clinical leadership in Jordan’s healthcare system, focusing on the role of gender in clinical nursing leadership. The findings advocate for clinical leadership by nurses as an essential element of value-based practice, and they influence innovation and change. As clinical leaders in various hospitals and healthcare settings, more empirical work is needed to build on clinical nursing in general and the attributes, skills and actions of clinical nursing leadership of nursing leaders and nurses.
Evaluation of the CHBDC-simplified method of analysis for transverse wood deck on wood girder bridges
Authors: Nader Riley N. , Tousignant Kyle , Smith Garrett , Newhook John P.
Published: January 2023

Between the 2006 and 2014 editions of CSA S6, significant changes were made to the simplified method of analysis (SMA) for all girder bridges, including transverse wood deck on wood girder bridges. The load-distribution predictions became more conservative, resulting in both load-limit posting of existing bridges and increased cost for bridge construction, repair, and replacement. In this paper, we examine the load distribution for the timber bridge inventory in NS. Finite-element models are developed and rigorously validated; a parametric study, consisting of 204 bridges, is performed; current SMA equations are evaluated; and new equations for the truck-load distribution width are derived. The new equations bring SMA predictions of the longitudinal bending moment for transverse wood deck on wood girder bridges into line with currently expected safety-index levels. Corrected bias factors and coefficients of variation for live-load analysis/evaluation in conjunction with CSA S6 are presented.
Breeding indicators for high-yielding field pea under normal and heat stress environments
Authors: Huang Shaoming , Gali Krishna K. , Arganosa Gene C. , Tar᾿an Bunyamin , Bueckert Rosalind A. , Warkentin Thomas D.
Published: January 2023

The warming Canadian summers have become a major abiotic stress to crops, including pea. In the past decade, attempts were made in the understanding of heat stress effect and genomic mapping for heat-responsive traits in field pea. In this study, a new recombinant inbred line population (PR-24) consisting of 39 lines was tested in 6 trials in the summers of 2020 (near normal weather conditions) and 2021 (hot/dry conditions). PR-24 was phenotyped for days to flowering (DTF), days to maturity, plant height, lodging, yield components, plot yield, and seed quality traits. Plant height could be an effective indicator for yield prediction, because its correlation with plot yield was significantly positive in all six trials despite varying degrees of heat and drought stress. Under normal summer weather conditions in 2020, relatively late maturity was correlated with greater seed yield; under heat/drought stress conditions in 2021, successful pod development on the main stem was important for final plot yield. Linkage mapping was used to dissect the genomic regions associated with the measured traits. Four QTLs were identified over multiple trials, one each for DTF (chromosome 7), reproductive node number (chromosome 5), pod number (chromosome 2), and seed protein concentration (chromosome 5). Furthermore, two indices, i.e., stress tolerance index and geometric mean yield, previously used in drought tolerance assessment were validated as useful criteria for heat tolerance assessment in this study.
Improved Approximation Algorithms for Bin Packing with Conflicts
Authors: Huang Zhihua , Zhang An , Dósa György , Chen Yong , Xiong Chenling
Published: January 2023

Given a set of items, and a conflict graph defined on the item set, the problem of bin packing with conflicts asks for a partition of items into a minimum number of independent sets so that the total size of items in each independent set does not exceed the bin capacity. As a generalization of both classic bin packing and classic vertex coloring, it is hard to approximate the problem on general graphs. We present new approximation algorithms for bipartite graphs and split graphs. The absolute approximation ratios are shown to be [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] respectively, both improving the existing results.
Standardized Extract ofCentella asiaticaPrevents Fear Memory Deficit in 3xTg-AD Mice
Authors: Pairojana Tanita , Phasuk Sarayut , Tantisira Mayuree H. , Liang Kai-Chi , Roytrakul Sittiruk , Pakaprot Narawut , Chompoopong Supin , Nudmamud-Thanoi Sutisa , Ming Yang , Liu Ingrid Y.
Published: January 2023

ECa 233 is a standardized extract of Centella asiatica (CA), an herb widely used in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine. Previous studies reported that ECa 233 enhanced memory retention and synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus of healthy rats. Because of this, we became curious whether ECa 233 has a therapeutic effect on the fear memory deficit in the triple transgenic Alzheimer’s disease (3xTg-AD) model mice. Fear memory is a crucial emotional memory for survival that is found to be impaired in patients with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In this study, we orally administered ECa 233 (doses: 10, 30, and 100[Formula: see text]mg/kg) to 3xTg-AD mice, who were five months old, for 30 consecutive days. We found that ECa 233 prevented a cued fear memory deficit and enhanced hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in 3xTg-AD mice. Subsequent proteomic and western blot analyses revealed increased expression levels of the molecules related to LTP induction and maintenance, including brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) and its network proteins, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1 and 2) in the hippocampi and amygdala of 3xTg-AD mice after ECa 233 pre-treatment. Our results indicate that ECa 233 is a promising potential herbal standardized extract that could be used in preventing the fear memory deficit and synaptic dysfunction before the early onset of AD.
Soliton solutions of the (2+1)-dimensional Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation via two different integration schemes
Authors: Ozisik Muslum , Secer Aydin , Bayram Mustafa , Yusuf Abdullahi , Sulaiman Tukur Abdulkadir
Published: January 2023

In this research paper, we take into account the ([Formula: see text])-dimensional Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation which is important in the soliton theory of nonlinear physics. To get the desired soliton solutions, the modified F-expansion method using the Riccati equation which has many solution functions, as well as the modified generalized Kudryashov’s method, had been effectively implemented. One of the reasons for the preference of the methods is that the proposed methods have been widely used before and they have not been applied to this problem. First, the wave transform is applied to the considered nonlinear partial differential equation (NLPDE), the nonlinear ordinary differential equation (NODE) form and the balancing constant are determined. The next step is to use the auxiliary equation depending on the proposed method to find the solution of the NODE form and to obtain the linear algebraic equation system. The solution of this system gives different solution sets for unknown parameter values. Then, soliton solution functions are constructed by using the suitable solution sets. After testing and confirming that the obtained solution functions satisfy the main equation, the three- and two-dimensional illustrations are depicted.
Wave solutions to the more general (2+1)-dimensional Boussinesq equation arising in ocean engineering
Authors: Sulaiman Tukur A. , Yusuf Abdullahi , Alshomrani Ali S. , Baleanu Dumitru
Published: January 2023

The novel wave profiles for the more general [Formula: see text]-dimensional Boussinesq equation are established in this paper. To get such outstanding results, we employ the potent Sardar sub-equation technique. The recognized explanations for several physical difficulties have been studied. These technological advancements have been proven to be helpful for the transmission of long-wave and high-power communications networks. The circumstances that gave rise to the emergence of these solutions are described in detail. The physical characteristics of the governing equation have been depicted in contour plots and three dimensions.
Thermal enhancement in buoyancy-driven stagnation point flow of ternary hybrid nanofluid over vertically oriented permeable cylinder integrated by nonlinear thermal radiations
Authors: Adnan  , Iqbal Zahoor , Elattar Samia , Abbas Waseem , Alhazmi Sharifah E. , Yassen Mansour F.
Published: January 2023

Enhanced heat transport in advanced nanofluids (ternary hybrid nanofluids) is one of the major demands of the time and is potentially contributing in food processing to maintain the temperature of building, cooling of electronic devices, paint industries and biomedical engineering. Therefore, an efficient heat transport model is developed in this study and innovative ternary mixture [(Al2O3-CuO-Ag)] along with feasible thermophysical attributes comprising the effects of ternary nanoparticles and similarity equations are exercised to obtain the desired sort of nanoliquid model. This model is related to vertically oriented cylinder with novel upgradation of permeability, upthrust forces and nonlinear solar thermal radiations. In the next stage, mathematical treatment of [(Al2O3-CuO-Ag)/H2O]thnf is done and successfully achieved the desired convergence and then organized the graphical results. The furnished results disclosed that tri-composites-based nanofluid has low velocity than hybrid and common nanofluids. Moreover, temperature in [(Al2O3-CuO-Ag)/H2O]thnf is dominant over both hybrid and mono nanofluids. The integrated effects of nonlinear thermal radiations are of much interest in the temperature enhancement and observed that Rd and [Formula: see text] are better for thermal improvement.
Numerical study of the effect friction coefficient particles on morphological properties of separation membrane surface
Authors: Latif A. , Ezaier Y. , Hader A. , Moushi S. , Amallah L. , Bakassi I. , Moultif R.
Published: January 2023

To understand and improve the performance of membrane separation surface used in the water desalination water process, we have studied the effect of friction coefficient on the morphological properties of retentate deposits particles on the surface membrane separation. The investigation is made in the framework of the Langevin equation model based on the competition between stochastic and particle dissipation mechanisms. The noise coefficient, the friction coefficient, and the constant flow rate are remarkable parameters that influence the average velocity and the average distance between the particles. The results show that the temporal evolution of the mean velocity of retentate deposits particles presents an exponential profile with two different regimes. However, the scaling dynamic studies show that the studied system is governed by scaling exponents more consistent with the Family–Vicsek model.
Effective manipulation of cold atom-molecule conversion system
Authors: Li Dezheng , Zheng Junning , Chen Yifei , Cui Bo
Published: January 2023

In this paper, a set of master equations of a cold atom-molecule system including the manipulation of an external rotating magnetic field and laser signal under a mean-field approximation was developed. We discovered that external manipulation can be characterized by a single regulating term. After considering the realizability and necessity of the regulating term for system manipulation, we separated the molecule preparation procedure into three stages: the phase transforming, descending and stable stages. In each stage, the regulating term’s qualities were analyzed. Further, we discovered that, under certain situations, this system cannot enter the pure molecular state in a stable manner, regardless of whether it is regulated or not. Finally, an approach was proposed for the rapid preparation of cold molecules.
A Low Spur 5.9-GHz CMOS Frequency Synthesizer with Loop Sampling Filter for C-V2X Applications
Authors: Ulusoy Emre , Zencir Ertan
Published: January 2023

In this paper, a very low spur 5.9-GHz integer-N frequency synthesizer designed for a Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (C-V2X) receiver is presented. The PLL is referenced to a 10-MHz crystal oscillator and the design is implemented in a 65-nm CMOS process. The output of the synthesizer has differential quadrature topology and provides the local oscillator signal to a downconverter mixer of C-V2X receiver. Post-layout simulations show that the reference spurs are better than −88[Formula: see text]dBc through loop sampling technique which was implemented in a 11.8-GHz VCO design for the first time to the best of our knowledge. The best spur level without the loop sampling technique applied is limited to −55[Formula: see text]dBc. Using the loop sampling technique provides a spur reduction of 33[Formula: see text]dB which is a significant improvement at this frequency. Based on post-layout simulations, the design has a phase noise of −97/−99/−114[Formula: see text]dBc for 10[Formula: see text]kHz/100[Formula: see text]kHz/1[Formula: see text]MHz frequency offsets, respectively, which presents competitive numbers with the designs in the literature. The design has 1.2-V nominal supply voltage for the analog and digital blocks. The total power dissipation of the synthesizer core is 6[Formula: see text]mW from a 1.2-V supply while the output buffers driving a 100-fF load consumes 18[Formula: see text]mW.
Immersed virtual element methods for electromagnetic interface problems in three dimensions
Authors: Cao Shuhao , Chen Long , Guo Ruchi
Published: January 2023

Finite element methods for electromagnetic problems modeled by Maxwell-type equations are highly sensitive to the conformity of approximation spaces, and non-conforming methods may cause loss of convergence. This fact leads to an essential obstacle for almost all the interface-unfitted mesh methods in the literature regarding the application to electromagnetic interface problems, as they are based on non-conforming spaces. In this work, a novel immersed virtual element method for solving a three-dimensional (3D) H(curl) interface problem is developed, and the motivation is to combine the conformity of virtual element spaces and robust approximation capabilities of immersed finite element spaces. The proposed method is able to achieve optimal convergence. To develop a systematic framework, the [Formula: see text], H(curl) and H(div) interface problems and their corresponding problem-orientated immersed virtual element spaces are considered all together. In addition, the de Rham complex will be established based on which the Hiptmair–Xu (HX) preconditioner can be used to develop a fast solver for the H(curl) interface problem.
Elastic stabilization of an intrinsically unstable hyperbolic flow–structure interaction on the 3D half-space
Authors: Balakrishna Abhishek , Lasiecka Irena , Webster Justin T.
Published: January 2023

The strong asymptotic stabilization of 3D hyperbolic dynamics is achieved by a damped 2D elastic structure. The model is a Neumann wave-type equation with low regularity coupling conditions given in terms of a nonlinear von Karman plate. This problem is motivated by the elimination of aeroelastic instability (sustained oscillations of bridges, airfoils, etc.) in engineering applications. Empirical observations indicate that the subsonic wave-plate system converges to equilibria. Classical approaches which decouple the plate and wave dynamics have fallen short. Here, we operate on the model as it appears in the engineering literature with no regularization and achieve stabilization by microlocalizing the Neumann boundary data for the wave equation (given through the plate dynamics). We observe a compensation by the plate dynamics precisely where the regularity of the 3D Neumann wave is compromised (in the characteristic sector).
Control of the Stefan problem in a periodic box
Authors: Geshkovski Borjan , Maity Debayan
Published: January 2023

In this paper, we consider the one-phase Stefan problem with surface tension, set in a two-dimensional strip-like geometry, with periodic boundary conditions respect to the horizontal direction [Formula: see text]. We prove that the system is locally null-controllable in any positive time, by means of a control supported within an arbitrary open and non-empty subset. We proceed by a linear test and duality, but quickly find that the linearized system is not symmetric and the adjoint has a dynamic coupling between the two states through the (fixed) boundary. Hence, motivated by a Fourier decomposition with respect to [Formula: see text], we consider a family of one-dimensional systems and prove observability results which are uniform with respect to the Fourier frequency parameter. The latter results are also novel, as we compute the full spectrum of the underlying operator for the nonzero Fourier modes. The zeroth mode system, on the other hand, is seen as a controllability problem for the linear heat equation with a finite-dimensional constraint. The complete observability of the adjoint is derived by using a Lebeau–Robbiano strategy, and the local controllability of the nonlinear system is then shown by combining an adaptation of the source term method introduced in [Y. Liu, T. Takahashi and M. Tucsnak, Single input controllability of a simplified fluid–structure interaction model, ESAIM Control Optim. Calc. Var. 19 (2013) 20–42] and a Banach fixed-point argument. Numerical experiments motivate several challenging open problems, foraying even beyond the specific setting we deal with herein.
Efficient solar hydrogen production of zinc trimesityl porphyrin-based photocatalysts
Authors: Agapaki Eleni , Ladomenou Kalliopi , Nikolaou Vasilis , Coutsolelos Athanassios G.
Published: January 2023

Dye-sensitized photocatalytic systems (DSPs) have emerged as a promising strategy to achieve efficient and stable solar-driven H2 evolution systems. In this work, we prepared and tested a series of zinc-trimesityl porphyrin carboxylic acid derivatives as photosensitizes in DSPs for H2 evolution. In order to unveil the influence of the anchoring group, different positions of the carboxylic acid were studied. All porphyrins were adsorbed onto platinum-doped titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Pt-TiO2 NPs) and were irradiated by a white LED source. The DSPs coated with Zn-TM(pCOOH)P(i.e. the carboxylic acid at the para-phenyl position) illustrated increased stability (2514 TONs for 1.0 × 10[Formula: see text] M) and the highest H2 evolution activity (1959 mmol g[Formula: see text] h[Formula: see text] for 1.5 × 10[Formula: see text] M). These results reveal that efficient and stable DSPs for H2 evolution can be developed by utilizing porphyrin derivatives as photosensitizers.
Effect of the buffer composition on the aggregation state of the zinc(II) tetra-spermine porphyrin derivative
Authors: Travagliante Gabriele , Gaeta Massimiliano , Gangemi Chiara M. A. , Purrello Roberto , D’Urso Alessandro
Published: January 2023

The aggregative state of the Zn(II) tetra-spermine porphyrin derivative, ZnTCPPSpm4, has been investigated in the presence of different buffers at the same pH value: 5K (cacodylate) buffer, phosphate sodium salt buffer, and PBS. The photophysical characterizations (UV-vis, Fluorescence, and RLS) have indicated a precise self-assembly phenomenon depending on the buffered solution used. The porphyrin does not undergo a significant aggregation in 5K buffer, differently from what occurs in phosphate and PBS buffers. Here, the likely specific interaction between the phosphate molecules and spermine pendants leads to spontaneous porphyrin aggregation, as detected by the high fluorescence quenching, enhancement of the RLS signal, and a significant splitting of the porphyrin Soret band. As a result, the current paper aims to highlight the importance of the employed buffer throughout the experimental procedures performed in the presence of porphyrinoids.