bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the efficacy of pro‐yellow laser in the management of vascular skin disorders
Authors: Aksoy Sarac Gulhan , Onder Meltem
Published: April 2021

Background

Lasers have great importance in the management of vascular skin lesions.

Aim

To determine the efficacy of 577‐nm pro‐yellow laser in cure of certain vascular skin diseases.

Material and methods

Seventy‐four patients who are diagnosed as vascular skin diseases were involved in this study. All participants were treated with 577‐nm pro‐yellow laser with 4‐week intervals. The photographs that were taken before and at every following visit were used to evaluate improvement.

Results

A significant improvement occurred in port‐wine stain, rosacea, facial telangiectasia, venous lake, scrotal angiokeratoma, and cherry angioma cases.

Conclusion

Vascular skin lesions can be treated with 577‐nm pro‐yellow laser with a minimal adverse effect and great success rate.
A new treatment for static forehead rhytides: Autologous fibroblast and keratin injection
Authors: Wang Bingqing , Yang Jing , Guan Ying , Zhang Jiao , Zhang Qingguo
Published: April 2021

Objective

To assess the effectiveness of injection of autologous keratin gel and fibroblast for static forehead rhytides rectification as new soft tissue filler.

Materials and Methods

Totally, 48 volunteers suffering static forehead rhytides received the injection of autologous keratin and fibroblast, and 6 volunteers received botulinum toxin type A (BTX‐A) and hyaluronic acid (HA) treatment as parallel control. The follow‐up study was carried out at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after treatment, and photographs and satisfactions questionnaire were collected and assessed. All volunteers were independently assessed by blinded evaluators using global aesthetic improvement scores (GAIS). One‐way Anova was used for statistical analysis, and the significant level was α=0.05).

Results

The static forehead rhytides were improved observably after the treatment. It still showed good result even at month 24 after the injection. There are no severe adverse effects observed in the whole procedure.

Conclusion

Autologous fibroblast and keratin combined injection might be an ideal therapy in mini‐invasive plastic injection area, which is safe and effective for static forehead rhytides correction, and has a long‐term efficacy.
Effectiveness of a family nurse‐led programme on accuracy of blood pressure self‐measurement: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Simonetti Valentina , Comparcini Dania , Tomietto Marco , Pavone Daniele , Flacco Maria Elena , Cicolini Giancarlo
Published: April 2021

Aims and objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)‐led programme on the degree of adherence of current recommendations on home blood pressure self‐measurement (HBPM) as compared to routine care and management.

Background

HBPM plays an important role for monitoring hypertensive patients; however, patients’ adherence to current guidelines is unsatisfactory. A nurse‐led training programme in the community setting could be an effective strategy to achieve high level of patients’ adherence to recommendations.

Design

A multicentre randomised controlled trial was carried out from September 2016 to September 2017.

Methods

In total, 170 patients were randomly allocated into the intervention group (n = 83) and the usual care (n = 87). All participants received usual care (written and verbal information on HBPM recommendations); subjects in the intervention group also received 1‐hour training session on how to correctly self‐measure BP. Clinical trial registration was done (ClinicalTrials.gov.: NCT04681703). The CONSORT checklist for randomised controlled trials was used in this study.

Results

At baseline, the level of adherence to the recommendation was similar in the two groups (p < .05). After 1 month, the adherence significantly increased in the intervention group, where patients were more likely to measure BP at the same hour and from the same arm, in a quiet environment, with the back and uncovered arm supported and the legs uncrossed; recording BP more than once in each measurement session; keeping a diary of blood pressure measurements; use of the appropriate cuff and proper placement of the cuff; and resting for >5 min before performing the measurement (all p < .05).

Conclusions

The FNP‐led programme is effective in improving patients’ adherence to guidelines on the correct technique to self‐measure BP at home.

Relevance to clinical practice

This programme may be added to the existing interventions in the community setting or considered into specifically nurse‐led hypertension management models.
Improving hypertension knowledge, medication adherence, and blood pressure control: A feasibility study
Authors: Marseille Beatrice Remy , Commodore‐Mensah Yvonne , Davidson Patricia M. , Baker Deborah , D'Aoust Rita , Baptiste Diana‐Lyn
Published: April 2021

Aims and Objectives

To examine the feasibility of a culturally tailored education programme for Haitian immigrants diagnosed with hypertension.

Background

Hypertension is a major public health problem, impacting more than 26% of the global population. The overall prevalence of hypertension is 45.4% in the United States with nearly 80,000 deaths due to hypertension in 2015. African Americans and other Black populations living in the U.S. are disproportionally affected by hypertension.

Design

Pre‐test and post‐test feasibility study.

Methods

A convenience sample of forty‐four participants who identified as Haitian immigrants was enrolled in this evidence‐based education programme. The intervention included culturally tailored education focused on improving knowledge, medication adherence and blood pressure. Outcomes were measured using the Hill‐Bone Medication Adherence Scale and Hypertension Knowledge Test. The SQUIRE 2.0 guidelines were used for reporting outcomes.

Results

Of the participants that completed the study (N=42), the mean age was 61.95 (± 9.75) years and 59% were female. Baseline systolic and diastolic blood pressures were 143 (±18.15) and 85 (±7.23), respectively. Six weeks after the intervention, there was a significant decrease in mean systolic, 126 (±12.07) and diastolic 78.50 (± 7.23) blood pressures. An increase in medication adherence and hypertension knowledge was also noted at the six‐week follow‐up period.

Conclusion

The feasibility of healthcare provider implementation of a culturally tailored intervention to manage hypertension has been demonstrated. However, future research is warranted to gain a more in‐depth understanding of how to approach hypertension management among Haitians and other Black immigrant communities.

Relevance to clinical practice

Advanced practice nurses are uniquely qualified to implement evidence‐based programmes that improve patient knowledge and adherence to hypertension management. Through tailoring and adopting an evidence‐based methods for educating patients about medication adherence and adequate blood pressure management, there is a potential to see improvements in patient outcomes.
The sensorial experience of wine for nonexperts: How the terms frequently used in Italian guidebooks are understood by standard consumers in Vietnam
Authors: Truong Hang , Burro Roberto , Bianchi Ivana
Published: April 2021

Opposites are central to many areas in the fields of Psychology and Linguistics, but they are also fundamental to the technical scales used to describe wine (e.g., the Wine and Spirit Education Trust evaluation scales). The present study explores whether it is useful to refer to opposites in order to model Vietnamese standard (vs. expert) consumers' understanding of the wine descriptors frequently used in Italian texts. Sixty‐four terms used in Product Specifications and popular Italian wine guidebooks to talk about the sensory properties of red and white wines (e.g., Hazy—Viet. Đục; Bright—Viet Sáng; Complex—Viet Nhiều hương vị; Immature—Viet Chưa ngấu, etc.) were presented to 300 Vietnamese native speakers. They were asked to select what they considered to be the opposite property. Opposites were easily found by the participants, and, interestingly, they agreed with each other on those which were the most frequently chosen. Thought‐provoking similarities and differences were revealed when these finding were compared with those of a twin study involving Italian participants.

Practical Applications

In order to ensure effective marketing in the wine industry and to prevent misunderstandings, it is not only important that the dimensions underlying certain terms used by experts (i.e., sommeliers, oenologists, and wine experts) are similar to those understood by nonexperts (i.e., standard consumers), but it is also vital to ascertain whether nonexperts belonging to different cultures understand the same terms in a similar way. The results emerging from the present study suggest that it may be useful to use opposites to describe the sensory properties of wine to Vietnamese standard consumers, just as it is for Italian consumers. The research resulted in a list of terms which are understood in a similar way and another list with those which are understood differently. From an applicative point of view, this may be interesting for the marketing of wine in international contexts.
Depressive Symptoms, Anxiety, and Quality of Life in Hemodialysis Patients and Their Caregivers: A Dyadic Analysis1
Authors: A. Khalil Amani , Khalifeh Anas H. , Al‐Rawashdeh Sami , Darawad Muhammad , Abed Mona
Published: April 2021

The current study aimed to examine the effect of depressive and anxiety symptoms on physical and psychological quality of life (QOL) in end‐stage renal disease patient‐family caregiver dyads using the Actor‐Partner Interdependence Model. This was a descriptive cross‐sectional study. Dyads' (N = 120) symptoms of anxiety and depression and QOL were assessed via the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the World Health Organization (WHO)QOL‐BREF, respectively. The depression scores were higher (worse) in patients than in caregivers (8.74 ± 5.23 vs. 6.9 ± 3.9, t[df 119] = 3.339, p = .001). Patients had lower (worse) scores on the physical domain of QOL than the caregivers (47.37 ± 22.9 vs. 64.1 ± 17.49, t[df 119] = −7.165, p < .001). Anxiety and depressive symptoms exhibited actor effects on the physical and psychological QOL of the dyad. Only depressive symptoms in caregivers exhibited a partner effect on the psychological domain of QOL in patients (β = −.745, p < .05). In conclusion, anxiety and depressive symptoms in both patients and caretakers are equally crucial in end‐stage renal disease management.
Plant functional and taxonomic diversity in European grasslands along climatic gradients
Authors: Boonman Coline C. F. , Santini Luca , Robroek Bjorn J. M. , Hoeks Selwyn , Kelderman Steven , Dengler Jürgen , Bergamini Ariel , Biurrun Idoia , Carranza Maria Laura , Cerabolini Bruno E. L. , Chytrý Milan , Jandt Ute , Lysenko Tatiana , Stanisci Angela , Tatarenko Irina , Rūsiņa Solvita , Huijbregts Mark A. J.
Published: April 2021

Aim

European grassland communities are highly diverse, but patterns and drivers of their continental‐scale diversity remain elusive. This study analyses taxonomic and functional richness in European grasslands along continental‐scale temperature and precipitation gradients.

Location

Europe.

Methods

We quantified functional and taxonomic richness of 55,748 vegetation plots. Six plant traits, related to resource acquisition and conservation, were analysed to describe plant community functional composition. Using a null‐model approach we derived functional richness effect sizes that indicate higher or lower diversity than expected given the taxonomic richness. We assessed the variation in absolute functional and taxonomic richness and in functional richness effect sizes along gradients of minimum temperature, temperature range, annual precipitation, and precipitation seasonality using a multiple general additive modelling approach.

Results

Functional and taxonomic richness was high at intermediate minimum temperatures and wide temperature ranges. Functional and taxonomic richness was low in correspondence with low minimum temperatures or narrow temperature ranges. Functional richness increased and taxonomic richness decreased at higher minimum temperatures and wide annual temperature ranges. Both functional and taxonomic richness decreased with increasing precipitation seasonality and showed a small increase at intermediate annual precipitation. Overall, effect sizes of functional richness were small. However, effect sizes indicated trait divergence at extremely low minimum temperatures and at low annual precipitation with extreme precipitation seasonality.

Conclusions

Functional and taxonomic richness of European grassland communities vary considerably over temperature and precipitation gradients. Overall, they follow similar patterns over the climate gradients, except at high minimum temperatures and wide temperature ranges, where functional richness increases and taxonomic richness decreases. This contrasting pattern may trigger new ideas for studies that target specific hypotheses focused on community assembly processes. And though effect sizes were small, they indicate that it may be important to consider climate seasonality in plant diversity studies.
NCP2/RHD4/SAC7, SAC6 and SAC8 phosphoinositide phosphatases are required for PtdIns4P and PtdIns(4,5)P2 homeostasis and Arabidopsis development
Authors: Song Lizhen , Wang Yanning , Guo Zhiai , Lam Sin M. , Shui Guanghou , Cheng Youfa
Published: April 2021

Phosphoinositides play important roles in plant growth and development. Several SAC domain phosphoinositide phosphatases have been reported to be important for plant development.

Here, we show functional analysis of SUPPRESSOR OF ACTIN 6 (SAC6) to SAC8 in Arabidopsis, a subfamily of phosphoinositide phosphatases containing SAC‐domain and two transmembrane motifs.

We isolated an Arabidopsis mutant ncp2 that lacked cotyledons in seedling and embryo in pid, a background defective in auxin signaling and transport. NCP2 encodes RHD4/SAC7 phosphoinositide phosphatase. SAC6, SAC7 and SAC8 exhibit overlapping and specific expression patterns in seedling and embryo. The sac6 sac7 embryos either fail to develop into seeds, or have three or four cotyledons. The embryo development of sac7 sac8 and sac6 sac7 sac8 mutants is significantly delayed or lethal, and the seedlings are arrested at early stages. Auxin maxima are decreased in double and triple sac mutants. The contents of PtdIns4P and PtdIns(4,5)P2 in sac6 sac7 and sac7 sac8 mutants are dramatically increased. Protein trafficking of the plasma membrane (PM)‐localized protein PIN1 and PIN2 from trans‐Golgi network/early endosome back to PM is delayed in sac7 sac8 mutants.

These results indicate that SAC6–SAC8 are essential for maintaining homeostasis of PtdIns4P and PtdIns(4,5)P2, and auxin‐mediated development in Arabidopsis.
Oral medicine practice in Europe and Australia: Identifying practitioner characteristics and their clinical activity
Authors: Pentenero Monica , Sutera Samuele , Lodi Giovanni , Bagan Jose V. , Farah Camile S.
Published: April 2021

Oral Medicine is a young dental specialty born almost a century ago and deals with orofacial conditions not directly attributable to the most prevalent tooth pathologies such as dental caries or periodontal diseases. Presentations may reflect local disease or orofacial manifestations of more widespread pathology affecting other parts of the body. Due to its recency as a distinct discipline and to heterogeneous global settings, Oral Medicine has not yet achieved a shared scope and definition, as well as a recognized status across the globe. The current report presents survey data gathered from Oral Medicine practitioners in Europe and Australia and aimed to identify practitioner characteristics including demographics, training, clinical and research activity. As expected, Oral Medicine clinical practice commonly deals with conditions such as immune‐mediated disorders, potentially malignant disorders, oral mucosal infections and chronic pain disorders, but geographical heterogeneities are observed. The present data, representative of current clinical practice, are valuable in order to understand the evolution of Oral Medicine as a distinct discipline and should be taken into consideration in order to create or update postgraduate training curricula able to meet the needs of future practitioners and the communities they serve.
Microbiomes in supragingival biofilms and saliva of adolescents with gingivitis and gingival health
Authors: Wirth Roland , Maróti Gergely , Lipták Lídia , Mester Mónika , Al Ayoubi Alaa , Pap Bernadett , Madléna Melinda , Minárovits János , Kovács Kornél L.
Published: April 2021

Background

Important alterations exist in the microbiomes of supragingival biofilm and saliva samples from adolescent patients developing induced or spontaneous gingivitis relative to healthy controls. These and the relationships to dental health are not fully understood yet.

Subjects and Methods

Supragingival biofilm samples (n = 36) were collected from the teeth of 9 adolescents with gingivitis induced by orthodontic appliances, as well as dental plaques (n = 40) from 10 adolescents with spontaneous gingivitis, in addition to similar samples (n = 36) from 9 healthy controls. The bacterial metagenomes were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Salivary microbiomes of the same persons were characterized by shotgun metagenome sequencing. The data sets were examined using advanced bioinformatics workflows and two reference databases.

Results

The composition and diversity of bacterial communities did not differ extensively among the three study groups. Nevertheless, the relative abundances of the genera Fusobacterium, Akkermansia, Treponema, and Campylobacter were prominently higher in gingivitis patients versus controls. In contrast, the genera Lautropia, Kingella, Neisseria, Actinomyces, and Rothia were significantly more abundant in controls than in either of the two gingivitis groups.

Conclusions

The abundance pattern of certain taxa rather than individual strains shows characteristic features of potential diagnostic value. Stringent bioinformatics treatment of the sequencing data is mandatory to avoid unintentional misinterpretations.
Evolution of a biochemical model of steady‐state photosynthesis
Authors: Yin Xinyou , Busch Florian A. , Struik Paul C. , Sharkey Thomas D.
Published: April 2021

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the publication of the landmark model by Farquhar, von Caemmerer & Berry on steady‐state C3 photosynthesis (known as the “FvCB model”), we review three major further developments of the model. These include: (1) limitation by triose phosphate utilization, (2) alternative electron transport pathways, and (3) photorespiration‐associated nitrogen and C1 metabolisms. We discussed the relation of the third extension with the two other extensions, and some equivalent extensions to model C4 photosynthesis. In addition, the FvCB model has been coupled with CO2‐diffusion models. We review how these extensions and integration have broadened the use of the FvCB model in understanding photosynthesis, especially with regard to bioenergetic stoichiometries associated with photosynthetic quantum yields. Based on the new insights, we present caveats in applying the FvCB model. Further research needs are highlighted.
Effectiveness of disaster preparedness education in helping older people prevent isolation
Authors: Matsuo Yuki , Hirano Michiyo
Published: April 2021

Objective

This study intends to clarify the effect of regional disaster preparedness education on efforts to prevent the isolation of older people in the event of a disaster.

Design and Sample

This quasi‐experimental study involved participants aged 65 and above. The intervention group (n = 35) and the comparison group (n = 61) were compared in the first survey and another one month later.

Measurements

The survey items assessed aspects such as awareness of and actions related to isolation preparedness, and awareness of support needed by others in the event of a disaster. The results were compared between the two groups.

Intervention

The educational program was based on the transtheoretical model of health behavior change and focused on preventing isolation in the event of a disaster, by connecting vulnerable people with their neighbors. Puppet shows and group work were used as part of the program.

Results

A month after the program implementation, the intervention group had significantly higher awareness of and actions related to isolation preparedness than the comparison group.

Conclusions

Disaster preparedness education invokes a responsibility toward the prevention of isolation in the disaster and perceives it as a community issue and encourages individuals to support others.
Knowledge‐norms in a common‐law crucible
Authors: Sayid Cosim
Published: April 2021

Not only is the common‐law standard of proof of mere likelihood in ordinary civil cases justifiable, but its justifiability supports the conclusion that there is no general norm that one must assert thatponly ifpis known. An argument by Voltaire is formalized to show that the mere likelihood standard is rational. It is also shown that no applicable norm preempts the common‐law rule. An objection that takes the pertinent knowledge‐norm to be honoured in the breach is rejected by appeal to the absence of blameworthiness in alleged breaches of interest. An objection that takes civil verdicts to be manifestations of acceptance, rather than assertoric, is considered and rejected.
Surgical handwashing practices of operating room staff: An observational study
Authors: Gülşen Muaz , Aydıngülü Nursevim , Arslan Sevban , Doğan Sevgi Deniz , Alptekin Dudu , Nazik Evşen
Published: April 2021

Objective

This descriptive and cross‐sectional study aims to assess the surgical handwashing practices of operating room staff.

Design

Single‐blind study.

Methods

The study was conducted with 66 staff (surgeons and operating room nurses) employed in the surgery department of a university hospital in Turkey. Data were collected using a Staff Information Form prepared in light of the literature to collect the participants’ sociodemographic data and the Surgical Hand Washing Procedure Checklist developed according to the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), World Health Organization (WHO) and Association of Surgical Technologists (AST). The staff assigned to operating rooms were identified, and then, their surgical handwashing practices were observed by one of the researchers.

Findings

Of the participants, 77.3% were dressed suitable to the operating room field, 56.1% appropriately wet both of their hands and forearms, and 72.7% used a sufficient amount of antiseptic solution (3–5 ml) in their palms. More than half of them (51.5%) inappropriately performed the procedure of surgical handwashing (applying an antiseptic solution to hands and arms with circular motions, starting from the fingertips up to 3–5 cm above their elbows for a minute), and 47% incorrectly performed the procedure of rinsing hands and arms while keeping the hands above the elbows under running water and passing arms through the water in one direction during this process.

Conclusion

In the study, it was determined that none of the team members completed the preparation, application and drying steps of the surgical handwashing procedure. Therefore, it is necessary to make arrangements that will facilitate the handwashing procedures of the personnel. Personnel‐related problems, such as the duration of washing and drying methods, are possible to be avoided with periodic in‐service training and with posters demonstrating the washing stages, which might lead to behavioural changes.
Treatment of biomethanated wastewater with a quaternised chitosan
Authors: Boonprasit Pimchanok , Sakairi Nobuo , Uan‐On Tanat , Nitayapat Nuttakan
Published: April 2021

The use of 2‐hydroxypropyl‐3‐trimethylammonium chitosan chloride (HTCC) to decrease the intense brown colour and COD of biomethanated wastewater was investigated. The effects of pH on the rheology of HTCC solutions and their ability to decolourise were examined. HTCC had a positive zeta potential that decreased as pH increased. Decolourisation and COD reduction were decreased slightly when the pH of the HTCC solution was increased from 4 to 9. Variation of pH of the wastewater from 6 to10 did not affect decolourisation. FT‐IR spectra of HTCC and its flocs isolated after flocculation indicated that interaction of the major anionic colourant occurred at sites near the cationic quaternary nitrogen of HTCC. Acidic solutions of HTCC were very effective flocculants, producing >80% decolourisation and >50% COD reduction. Prevention of pollution caused by the discharge of the enormous volumes of biomethanated wastewater that are generated worldwide could be facilitated by its treatment with non‐toxic HTCC.
Roles and models of English teachers in Kazakhstan
Authors: Zhunussova Gulnissa , Cortazzi Martin , Jin Lixian
Published: April 2021

Roles and attitudes towards English in Kazakhstan can be seen through four strands of local and international heritages of education and cultures of language learning. Seen together with national policies, educational reforms, and linguistic contexts this comprises the English language learning environment. This is the contextual background against which we report findings regarding the professional and personal characteristics of ‘good’ English teachers in Kazakhstan. ‘Model’ teachers were portrayed with an expected traditional cognitive dimension of knowledge of English but this was complemented by social, affective, moral, and aesthetic dimensions. We refer to these dimensions in this article as ‘metafunctions’. Through interviews with 100 undergraduate students and 43 university English teachers, we analyzed participants’ attitudes towards English and their perceptions of the roles of English in Kazakhstan, where participants had mixed utilitarian, human development and patriotic attitudes toward English.
Taguchi’s method of optimization of fracture toughness parameters of Al-SiCp composite using compact tension specimens
Authors: Guddhur Hareesha , Naganna Chikkanna , Doddamani Saleemsab
Published: April 2021

The objective of this work is to investigate the process parameters which influence the fracture toughness of aluminum-silicon carbide particulate composite prepared using the stir casting technique. The Taguchi’s design of experiments is conducted to analyze the process parameters. Three parameters considered are composition of material, grain size and a/W ratio. From the Taguchi’s analysis, on compact tension specimens, aluminum 6061 reinforced with 9 wt% of the silicon carbide particles composite and a/W ratio of 0.45 are considered to be optimized parameters. Taguchi's technique result shows that the increment in the a/W ratio causes decrement in the load carrying capacity of the composite. Whereas the fine grain size of silicon carbide have better toughness values. From the ANOVA outcomes it is clear that the composition and a/W ratio of the geometry has more influence on the fracture toughness than the grain size of reinforcement.
Development of an Efficient Conjugate Heat Transfer Modeling Framework to Optimize Mixing-Limited Combustion of Ethanol in a Diesel Engine
Authors: Magnotti Gina M. , Mohapatra Chinmoy K. , Mashayekh Alireza , Wijeyakulasuriya Sameera , Schanz Robert , Blumreiter Julie , Johnson Bernard H. , El-Hannouny Essam M. , Longman Douglas E. , Som Sibendu
Published: April 2021

Mixing controlled combustion of alcohol fuels has been identified as a promising technology based on their low propensity for particulate and NOx production, but the higher heats of vaporization and auto-ignition temperatures of these fuels make their direct use in diesel engine architectures a challenge. To realize the potential of alcohol-fueled combustion, a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) modeling framework is developed, validated, and exercised to identify designs that maximize engine thermal efficiency. To evaluate the use of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), a simplified one-dimensional (1D) conjugate heat transfer (CHT) modeling framework is employed. The addition of the 1D CHT model only increases the computational expense by 15% relative to traditional approaches, yet offers more accurate heat transfer predictions over constant temperature boundary conditions. The validated model is then used to explore a range of injector orientations and piston bowl geometries. Using a design of experiments (DoE) approach, several designs were identified that improved fuel–air mixing, shortened the combustion duration, and increased thermal efficiency. The most promising design was fabricated and tested in a Caterpillar 1Y3700 single-cylinder oil test engine (SCOTE). Engine testing confirmed the findings from the CFD simulations and found that the co-optimized injector and piston bowl design yielded over 2-percentage point increase in thermal efficiency at the same equivalence ratio (0.96) and over 6-percentage point increase at the same engine load (10.1 bar indicated mean effective pressure (IMEP)), while satisfying design constraints for peak pressure and maximum pressure rise rate.
Hydrodynamics and Interfacial Surfactant Transport in Vascular Gas Embolism
Authors: Eckmann David M. , Zhang Jie , Ayyaswamy Portonovo S.
Published: April 2021

Vascular gas embolism—bubble entry into the blood circulation - is pervasive in medicine, including over 340,000 cardiac surgery patients in the U.S. annually. The gas–liquid interface interacts directly with constituents in blood, including cells and proteins, and with the endothelial cells lining blood vessels to provoke a variety of undesired biological reactions. Surfactant therapy, a potential preventative approach, is based on fluid dynamics and transport mechanics. Herein we review literature relevant to the understanding the key gas–liquid interface interactions inciting injury at the molecular, organelle, cellular, and tissue levels. These include clot formation, cellular activation, and adhesion events. We review the fluid physics and transport dynamics of surfactant-based interventions to reduce tissue injury from gas embolism. In particular, we focus on experimental research and computational and numerical approaches involving how surface-active chemical-based intervention. This is based on surfactant competition with blood-borne or cell surface-borne macromolecules for surface occupancy of gas–liquid interfaces to alter cellular mechanics, mechanosensing, and signaling coupled to fluid stress exposures occurring in gas embolism. We include a new analytical approach for which an asymptotic solution to the Navier–Stokes equations coupled to the convection-diffusion interaction for a soluble surfactant provides additional insight regarding surfactant transport with a bubble in non-Newtonian fluid.
Optimization of Nonlinear Pressure-Flow Characteristics of a Spring-Loaded Pressure Relief Valve Based on Computational Fluid Dynamics Simulation
Authors: Wu Chengshuo , Li Shiyang , Li Qianqian , Wu Peng , Huang Bin , Wu Dazhuan
Published: April 2021

In this study, the nonlinear pressure-flow characteristics of a spring-loaded pressure relief valve (PRV), which is used in the automotive fuel supply system for pressure control is analyzed, and its characteristics are improved by means of geometrical modifications of the valve structure. Given the complexity of the coupling mechanism between the valve internal flow characteristics and spring system, a quasi-steady computational fluid dynamics (CFD) method is introduced to predict the nonlinear pressure-flow characteristic curve of the valve and the accuracy is validated by experimental data. The total hydraulic force on the valve spool and diaphragm are divided into three parts according to the loading position and the correlation between the internal flow characteristics, hydraulic force, and pressure-flow characteristics of the valve are explained by CFD analysis and visualization. The results show that the quasi-steady CFD method can accurately predict the trends of the valve nonlinear pressure-flow characteristic curve, which is mainly determined by the hydraulic force produced in the middle chamber of the valve. When the valve opening reaches a certain value, a main vortex would be formed in the middle chamber and lead to the sudden increase of hydraulic force which causes the fluctuation of the pressure-flow characteristic curve of the valve. It is also found that the toggle point for the flow regimes seen in the valve is affected by the geometric structure of the middle chamber and the pressure-flow characteristics can be improved by the round corner size modification.
Defect species in Ga-doped ZnO films characterized by photoluminescence
Authors: Akazawa Housei
Published: April 2021

Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of Ga-doped ZnO (GZO) films were investigated with reference to those of undoped ZnO films to elucidate the effect of high-level Ga3+ doping. A transition from ZnO-like to GZO-like spectra occurred at a Ga content around 2 at. %. The room temperature PL spectra of sufficiently oxidized GZO films exhibited band edge and violet components, while emissions at wavelengths longer than 480 nm were sharply cut off. The close resemblance of the spectral shapes of the GZO and Zn-rich ZnO films indicated disordering of the ZnO lattice by excess Ga dopants. Deposition under a reducing atmosphere at 100 and 200 °C produced oxygen-deficient GZO films with additional emission signals corresponding to oxygen vacancy (VO) defects between 480 and 600 nm. For GZO films with Ga content larger than 4 at. %, increasing the deposition temperature above 400 °C or postannealing at 500 °C smeared out deep-level emission signals, suppressed the near-band edge emission, and deactivated the donor role of Ga3+. These changes can be ascribed to outdiffusion of Ga3+ from the cation sites and rearrangement of the ZnO crystal network. Argon plasma treatment of GZO films generated a VO-related emission band through preferential sputtering of oxygen atoms. Hydrogen donors trapped at the resulting VOs would be the origin of a slight increase in carrier concentration, by 1 × 1020 cm−3.
Unprompted Alteration of Freely Chosen Movement Rate During Stereotyped Rhythmic Movement: Examples and Review
Authors: Hansen Ernst Albin
Published: April 2021

Investigations of behavior and control of voluntary stereotyped rhythmic movement contribute to the enhancement of motor function and performance of disabled, sick, injured, healthy, and exercising humans. The present article presents examples of unprompted alteration of freely chosen movement rate during voluntary stereotyped rhythmic movements. The examples, in the form of both increases and decreases of movement rate, are taken from activities of cycling, finger tapping, and locomotion. It is described that, for example, strength training, changed power output, repeated bouts, and changed locomotion speed can elicit an unprompted alteration of freely chosen movement rate. The discussion of the examples is based on a tripartite interplay between descending drive, rhythm-generating spinal neural networks, and sensory feedback, as well as terminology from dynamic systems theory.
A leukotriene-dependent spleen-liver axis drives TNF production in systemic inflammation
Authors: Fonseca Monique T. , Moretti Eduardo H. , Marques Lucas M. M. , Machado Bianca F. , Brito Camila F. , Guedes Jady T. , Komegae Evilin N. , Vieira Thayna S. , Festuccia William T. , Lopes Norberto P. , Steiner Alexandre A.
Published: April 2021

Spleen-derived LTB
4
primes liver cells to generate the proinflammatory cytokine TNF during systemic inflammation.
Three PilZ Domain Proteins, PlpA, PixA, and PixB, Have Distinct Functions in Regulation of Motility and Development in Myxococcus xanthus
Authors: Kuzmich Sofya , Skotnicka Dorota , Szadkowski Dobromir , Klos Philipp , Pérez‐Burgos María , Schander Eugenia , Schumacher Dominik , Søgaard-Andersen Lotte
Published: April 2021

c-di-GMP signaling controls bacterial motility in many bacterial species by binding to downstream effector proteins. Here, we identify two PilZ domain-containing proteins in
Myxococcus xanthus
that bind c-di-GMP.
A Tail Fiber Protein and a Receptor-Binding Protein Mediate ICP2 Bacteriophage Interactions with Vibrio cholerae OmpU
Authors: Lim Andrea N. W. , Yen Minmin , Seed Kimberley D. , Lazinski David W. , Camilli Andrew
Published: April 2021

Concern over multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens, includingVibrio cholerae, has led to renewed interest in phage biology and the potential for phage therapy. ICP2 is a genetically unique virulent phage isolated from cholera patient stool samples.
k
-mer-Based Metagenomics Tools Provide a Fast and Sensitive Approach for the Detection of Viral Contaminants in Biopharmaceutical and Vaccine Manufacturing Applications Using Next-Generation Sequencing
Authors: MacDonald Madolyn L. , Polson Shawn W. , Lee Kelvin H.
Published: April 2021

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been proposed as a complementary method to detect adventitious viruses in the production of biotherapeutics and vaccines to current
in vivo
and
in vitro
methods. Before NGS can be established in industry as a main viral detection technology, further investigation into the various aspects of bioinformatics analyses required to identify and classify viral NGS reads is needed.
Application of the OMERACT Grey-scale Ultrasound Scoring System for salivary glands in a single-centre cohort of patients with suspected Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Fana Viktoria , Dohn Uffe M , Krabbe Simon , Terslev Lene
Published: April 2021

Aim

To describe salivary gland involvement in patients suspected of Sjögren’s syndrome (SS) using the OMERACT Ultrasound Scoring System for SS. Next, using different ultrasound cut-offs, to assess the performance of the scoring system for diagnosis and fulfilment of 2016 ACR/EULAR SS classification criteria.

Methods

All patients referred to our department with a suspicion of SS in a 12-month period were included. All underwent grey-scale ultrasound of the parotid and submandibular glands prior to clinical examination, Schirmer’s test, unstimulated salivary flow, blood samples including autoantibody analysis. Labial biopsy was performed according to clinicians’ judgement. Images of the four glands were scored 0–3 according to the scoring system and a consensus score was obtained using a developed ultrasound atlas.

Results

Of the 134 patients included in the analysis, 43 were diagnosed with primary SS (pSS) and all fulfilled the 2016 American College of Rheumatology (ACR)/EULAR classification criteria. More patients with pSS compared with non-pSS had score ≥2 in at least one gland (72% vs 13%; p<0.001). In patients with score ≥2 in any gland, significantly more had positive autoantibodies, sialometry, Schirmer’s test and positive labial biopsy compared with those with scores ≤1. The best ultrasound cut-off value for diagnosing pSS was ≥1 gland with a score ≥2 (sensitivity=0.72, specificity=0.91).

Conclusion

The OMERACT Ultrasound Scoring System showed good sensitivity (0.72) and excellent specificity (0.91) for fulfilling 2016 ACR/EULAR criteria using cut-off score >2 in at least one gland. Our data supports the use of ultrasound for diagnosing pSS and supports incorporation of ultrasound in the classification criteria.
Association of heated tobacco product use with tobacco use cessation in a Japanese workplace: a prospective study
Authors: Kanai Makiko , Kanai Osamu , Tabuchi Takahiro , Mio Tadashi
Published: April 2021

We investigated how use of heated tobacco products (HTPs) affects tobacco cessation in a Japanese workplace. We offered cessation programmes for 158 tobacco users from November 2018 to April 2019 and surveyed the quitting rate in August 2019. Successful quitting was defined as stopping use of all kinds of nicotine-containing tobacco products. A Poisson regression analysis adjusted with inverse probability weighting showed that HTP users (either exclusive HTP users or dual users) were less likely than exclusive cigarette users to quit tobacco (risk ratio, 0.77; 95% CIs 0.61 to 0.97, p=0.024). The use of HTPs should not be recommended to assist in smoking cessation. Trial registration UMIN000034719.
Relationship between matric suction and leaf indices of Schefflera arboricola in biochar amended soil
Authors: Ng C.W.W. , Liao J.X. , Bordoloi S.
Published: April 2021

Stomatal conductance (SC) and chlorophyll concentration (CC) are sensitive to soil matric suction (ψ). The relationship between these two plant parameters and ψ in the root zone can help understand the water uptake efficiency and photosynthetic capacity of a plant. This paper aims to quantify the relationships between SC and CC with ψ, for Schefflera arboricola grown in compacted bare silty sand and biochar amended soil (BAS). Plant parameters (SC, CC, leaf area (LA), root length (RL)) and ψ were regularly monitored in an atmospheric controlled room. The maximum recorded SC was greater in BAS than that in bare soil due to the higher water demand of LA. Based on measured data upon evapotranspiration, two equations are proposed to interpret the effects of ψ on plant water uptake and photosynthesis. A fitting equation is established to relate normalized SC with ψ to identify a threshold suction ([Formula: see text]; indicator of drought stress resistance). The magnitude of [Formula: see text] is found to be mainly dependent on LA/RL ratio and root ends. Furthermore, a new relationship between CC and ψ is observed and developed. A decrease in CC at higher ψ is attributed to leaf senescence and stomatal closure, restricting plant to produce more chlorophyll.
Concrete-filled hollow structural sections. I: Materials, cross-section classification, and concentrically loaded columns
Authors: Tousignant Kyle , Packer Jeffrey A.
Published: April 2021

This paper reviews contemporary rules in CSA S16:19, AISC 360-16, and EN 1994-1-1 for concrete-filled hollow structural sections (HSS), covering materials, cross-section classification, and concentrically loaded columns. Results from 453 tests on axially compressed concrete-filled HSS members were compared to the predicted strengths using current (CSA S16:19, AISC 360-16, and EN 1994-1-1) and recommended CSA S16 design equations (with limits of validity), and a first-order reliability analysis was performed in accordance with CSA S408-11. The recommendations herein are shown to maintain the current CSA S16:19 Clause 18.2 level of reliability for concrete-filled HSS compression members. Design examples are provided, and the results are compared with the counterpart American code (AISC 360-16). This paper is Part I of a two-part series. Part II covers flexural members, beam-columns, tension, and shear.
Production and electromagnetic decay of hyperons: a feasibility study with HADES as a phase-0 experiment at FAIR
Authors: Adamczewski-Musch J. , Belyaev A. , Blanco A. , Blume C. , Charlotte C. , Borisenko D. S. , Charlotte C. , Chlad L. , Chudoba P. , Ciepał I. , Derichs A. , Dittert D. , Dreyer J. , Esmail W. , Fateev O. , Fonte P. , Friese J. , Fröhlich I. , Förtsch J. , Galatyuk T. , Georgadze I. , Golosov O. , Golubeva M. , Greifenhagen R. , Grunwald M. , Grzonka D. , Guber F. , Gumberidze M. , Harabasz S. , Heinz T. , Heybeck B. , Höhne C. , Holona M. ,   (HADES collaboration and PANDA@HADES collaboration), Holzmann R. , Huck H. , Ierusalimov A. , Imre M. , Ivashkin A. , Kämpfer B. , Kampert K-H. , Kardan B. , Kedych V. , Khomyakov V. , Koenig I. , Koenig W. , Kohls M. , Kornakov G. , Kornas F. , Kotte R. , Kozela A. , Kozlov V. , Kres I. , Kuboś J. , Kugler A. , Kulessa P. , Ladygin V. , Lalik R. , Le Galliard C. , Lebedev A. , Lebedev S. , Linev S. , Lopes L. , Lorenz M. , Lykasov G. , Malige A. , Markert J. , Matulewicz T. , Michel J. , Morozov S. , Müntz C. , Naumann L. , Nowakowski K. , Orfanitsky S. , Otto J. -H. , Patel V. , Pauly C. , Pechenov V. , Pechenova O. , Perez Andrade G. , Petukhov O. , Pfeifer D. , Piasecki K. , Pietraszko J. , Prozorov A. , Przygoda W. , Pysz K. , Ramstein B. , Rathod N. , Regina J. , Reshetin A. , Reznikov S. , Rieger J. T. , Ritman J. , Rodriguez-Ramos P. , Rost A. , Rustamov A. , Salabura P. , Saraiva J. , Schild N. , Schwab E. , Schönning K. , Scozzi F. , Seck F. , Selyuzhenkov I. , Serdyuk V. , Shabanov A. , Singh U. , Smyrski J. , Sobiella M. , Spies S. , Strikhanov M. , Ströbele H. , Stroth J. , Sumara K. , Svoboda O. , Szala M. , Szewczyk J. , Taranenko A. , Tlusty P. , Traxler M. , Wagner V. , Wasiluk M. , Weber A. A. , Wendisch C. , Wintz P. , Włoch B. , Zbroszczyk H. P. , Zherebzova E. , Zhilin A. , Zinchenko A. , Zumbruch P.
Published: April 2021

A feasibility study has been performed in order to investigate the performance of the HADES  detector to measure the electromagnetic decays of the hyperon resonances$$\Sigma (1385)^{0}$$Σ(1385)0,  $$\Lambda (1405)$$Λ(1405)  and$$\Lambda (1520)$$Λ(1520)  as well as the production of double strange baryon systems$$\Xi ^{-}$$Ξ- and $$\Lambda $$Λ$$\Lambda $$Λ in p + p reactions at a beam kinetic energy of$$4.5\,{\mathrm{GeV}}$$4.5GeV. The existing HADES  detector will be upgraded by a new Forward Detector, which extends the detector acceptance into a range of polar angles that plays a crucial role for these investigations. The analysis of each channel is preceded by a consideration of the production cross-sections. Afterwards the expected signal count rates using a target consisting of either liquid hydrogen or polyethylene are summarized.
Quantum cosmology with dynamical vacuum in a minimal-length scenario
Authors: Gusson M. F. , Gonçalves A. Oakes O. , Furtado R. G. , Fabris J. C. , Nogueira J. A.
Published: April 2021

In this work, we consider effects of the dynamical vacuum in quantum cosmology in presence of a minimum length introduced by the GUP (generalized uncertainty principle) related to the modified commutation relation$$[{\hat{X}},{\hat{P}}] := \frac{i\hbar }{ 1 - \beta {\hat{P}}^2 }$$[X^,P^]:=iħ1-βP^2. We determine the wave function of the Universe$$ \psi _{qp}(\xi ,t)$$ψqp(ξ,t), which is solution of the modified Wheeler–DeWitt equation in the representation of the quasi-position space, in the limit where the scale factor of the Universe is small. Although$$\psi _{qp}(\xi ,t)$$ψqp(ξ,t)is a physically acceptable state it is not a realizable state of the Universe because$$ \psi _{qp}(\xi ,t)$$ψqp(ξ,t)has infinite norm, as in the ordinary case with no minimal length.