bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determination of Some Engineering Properties of Floatable Fish Feed Obtained from Different Companies
Authors: Koyenikan O. O. , Adeosun Y. M.
Published: September 2020

This research work presents useful information about different floatable fish feeds obtained from different companies, which serves as database for people work intensively in fish farming and help them in solving many problems associated with the feeding effectiveness and feed handling. The main objective of this project is to study some physical and mechanical properties of fish feed pellets of different sizes. These properties included; Density, Moisture content, Surface area, Floatability, Sizes, Sinking velocity, Expansion ratio, Repose angle. The actual sizes of the extruded fish feed used ranged from 3 mm to 9 mm, However, Company 1 did not have 9 mm for producing that size of the pellet. The floatability ranged from 79.51 to 98.00%, the density ranged from 0.03 to 0.08 g/cm3, the moisture content ranged from 8.94 to 29.26%, the expansion ratio ranged from 1.02 to 1.54%, the sinking velocity ranged from 0.008 to 0.1 m/s2, the repose angle ranged from 27 to 38° while the colour of the feed ranged from light to dark brown according to Tables 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The results obtained from the experiment were subjected to ANOVA test using SPSS (Special Packages for Social Science) package. The physical and Mechanical properties of the floatable fish feed obtained from these three companies were significantly different from one another.
Study of Different Operating Parameters on Seed Holding in the Single Seed Metering Unit
Authors: Babu B. Hari , Prasanna K. Lakshmi , Kumar P. Vamsi Prasanna , Preethi K. , Kumar Aditya
Published: September 2020

Aims: The present study was conducted to determine the “Effect of Different Operating Parameters on Seed Holding in the Single Seed Metering Unit”.

Study Design: An attempt was made to development  seed metering unit and evaluated for its performance with battery drive i.e. seed rate, seed holding ratio, single seed holding ratio, double seed holding ratio and missing index. The shapes of cells speed of seed plate and number of cells on seed plate were chosen as parameters. A factorial completely randomised design used for analysis of variance.

Results: At the end of the research, it was found that the cell’s shape, peripheral velocity and number of cells on seed plate had an effect on the seed holding ratio (SHR) at a significant level of 5% (P<0.05). The diameter and thickness of the seed metering plates were 100 and 8 mm respectively. The hopper was of the trapezoidal section with height of 12.5 cm , volume 3510 cm3 and  thickness of material of 2.5 mm. For maize seed variety: Tulasi Naga If the velocity of seed plate increases then seed holding ratio decreases, seed holding ratio also decreased with increase in number of cells on seed plate. Oblong shape with extension was suitable for these seeds. For maize seed variety: Goodrej Ultra when  the velocity of seed plate increased then seed holding ratio decreased, seed holding ratio also decreased with increase in number of cells on seed plate. Oblong shape was  suitable for these seeds. For maize seed variety: Laxmi 2277  seed holding ratio increased with increase in velocity of seed plate, seed holding ratio also increased with increase in number of cells on seed plate. Oblong shape was  suitable for these seeds.

Conclusion: The highest and least value of seed holding ratio is 94% at a speed of 30 rpm in shape 2(6 and 7 cells) and 31% at a speed of 30 rpm in shape 1(7 cells), 39% at a speed of 26 rpm in shape 2(6 cells) and 12% at a speed of 30 rpm in shape 1(7 cells), 45% at a speed of 26 rpm in shape 1(6 cells) and 6%at a speed of 30 rpm in shape 2(7 cells) for laxmi, goodrej and tulasi variety of seeds respectively.
Study of Cost and Profit Strategies for the Mustard Crop in Madhya Pradesh
Authors: Shukla Pooja , Gupta J. K.
Published: September 2020

“India occupies fourth position in the World which share the 5.06 million hectares area, and the production is 5.83 million tones and 1,152kg per hectare productivity. The mustard oil seed produce in the states of India are Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, M.P., Maharashtra, Karnataka, U.P., and Rajasthan. Around 85% of the oilseed crop is from the seven states of India. In India Madhya Pradesh contributes 40 percent production, in the national economy and its occupies 6th position, and also contributes 0.31million hectare area, 0.21 million tonnes production. Mustard is the most remunerative and dominant oilseed crop and more than 20% percent of this crop area lies in the Neemuch district of M.P. The most popular district of the state for the mustard is Neemuch. In this study, the profit is found from the cultivation of the mustard. This crop contains the area per hector, which is higher for the existing yield level with the level of the sample farms.
Detection of Treponema pallidum (Syphilis) Antibodies among HIV-Infected Individuals and Sexually-active Attendees of Two Health Facilities in Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Authors: Okonko Iheanyi O. , Cookey Tochi I. , Adewuyi-Oseni Sofiat , Awanye Amaka M.
Published: September 2020

Aim: This study reports on the detection of Treponema pallidum (syphilis) antibodies in HIV infected patients in Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Screening for syphilis was carried out to determine the prevalence levels of these infections, as biological markers of risk, modes, and time functions of their transmission.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) and O.B. Lulu Briggs Medical Centre, University of Port Harcourt, both in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, between August 2012 and July 2015.

Methods: A total of 100 HIV-infected individuals and 100 sexually-active attendees were recruited for this study. Samples of blood were collected and re-screened for the presence of HIV antibodies using the Determine HIV-1/2 (Alere), HIV ½ Stat-Pak (Chembio), and HIV-1/2/P24/O ELISA kit (Dia.Pro). The same set of samples were screened for Treponema pallidum specific antibodies using the syphilis Ultra Rapid Test Strip (ACON(R), USA) and syphilis rapid strips (Global, USA) following the respective manufacturer's instructions.

Results: Among the 200 samples, serological reactivity was detected for syphilis in 3(1.5%). The incidence of syphilis was higher in males (2.0%) than in females (1.0%). Age, sex, and locality did not significantly (P>0.05) influence the rate of syphilis.

Conclusion: This study further confirms the presence of syphilis among the population studied. Routine screening of Syphilis among patients is therefore advocated.
Understanding of the Antibiotic Misuse among the General Public of Rafha City of Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alsuwayt Bader , Shiromwar Shruti
Published: September 2020

Antimicrobial or antibiotic resistance has become a leading cause of the death of millions of patients around the globe, including in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Misuse of antibiotics has been identified as one of the main contributing factors to the emergence of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, it is essential to assess the awareness and knowledge of antibiotic misuse among global antibiotic users. The present study aimed to evaluate the awareness and understanding of antibiotic misuse among the people of Rafha city of Saudi Arabia. A questionnaire was used to perform this cross-sectional study, which was carried out from September 2019 to February 2020. The results of this study have revealed that most of the young people discontinue their antibiotic course after symptomatic relief; they are not aware of the antibiotic sensitivity; they do not adhere to the antibiotic schedule, and they prefer readily available cheaper antibiotics. All these significant findings are related to the development of antibiotic resistance. Therefore, there is a need to address these issues to the concerned health care authority of this region. However, further studies that can correlate the cause-effect relationships among the factors and the misuse of the antibiotic are also recommended.
Comparative In-vitro Evaluation of Different Captopril Tablet Brands Commercially Available in Sindh, Pakistan
Authors: Shaikh Bilawal , Ghoto Muhammad Ali , Arain Mudassar Iqbal , Dayo Abdullah , Qazi Maryam , Ahmer Arslan , Irfan Rao , Ahmed Tahseen , Sabzoi Waqar Ahmed , Joyo Saleem Ahmed
Published: September 2020

Pharmaceutical products of standard quality are very important in appropriate management of diseases. However, substandard drugs are failing to achieve the therapeutic outcomes. In this study, six brands of Captopril tables having two strengths (three brands of 50 mg, and three brands of 25 mg), were collected from local pharmacies of Sindh. Standards of United States of Pharmacopeia (USP) were used for comparison of Captopril brands. Wide ranges of physicochemical standard quality control tests of USP were performed and results were recorded. All six brands of captopril tablets met the standard of aesthetic test, and weight uniformity test, diameter test and thickness test and disintegration test in which dissolved within fifteen minutes. Four brands of captopril tablet meet the standard of hardness test, whereas two brands fails to meet the standard with average hardness in brand C25-2 (3.05 ± 0.32), and brand C25-3 (2.28 ± 0.40). Five brands of captopril tablet meet the standard of friability test whereas one brand C25-3 fail to meet the standard with average loss of 6.22%. All six brands of captopril tablet meet the standard of dissolution test and dissolved not < 80% in 20 minutes. In last all six brands of captopril tablet meet the standard of assay test and contain the captopril within 90-110%. It was concluded that all brands of Captopril tablets meet the standard of USP and are therapeutically equivalent, so Physicians can prescribe them cost-effectively and interchangeably.
Prevalence of Burnout Syndrome and Its Associated Factors among Saudi Board Residents in Saudi Arabia, 2019
Authors: Battar Safar Saad , Rahman Shady Kamel Abdu El , Nasim Aqeel
Published: September 2020

Aims: This aimed to determine the prevalence of burnout syndrome and its associated factors among Saudi board residents in Saudi Arabia in 2019

Methods: The Cross-Sectional Study in all accredited training centers all over Saudi Arabia in 700 training centers accredited by SCFHS. The Study Population constitutes residents trained in the Saudi board residency programs all over the country. Inclusion criteria were A Resident in an accredited training center under the umbrella of SCFHS. A Saudi resident and A resident still in the training program. The exclusion criteria were Fellows or Diplomas, or are not under the SCFHS residency programs Non-Saudi residents and any resident having psychiatric disorders or chronic diseases. The required sample size was 369 residents. All residents were about [9000] in all training centers all over Saudi Arabia. The total number to invite was 1845 residents who asked to participate in this study. The data checked for completeness and accuracy. Handling and storing data on my personal computer, it was edited, coded, and entered on SPSS for IBM version 22.

Results: The majority of this study participants as shown from (Table 1), were male and from those participants married residents were more, 60.7%, 53.1 % respectively. 62.6% of them are from the Central and western regions in KSA. Between those residents, we found that the majority of their specialties were internal medicine, surgeries, family medicine then pediatrics respectively. 21.4% of them were obese while 35.8% are overweight and the rest were normal. about 53.9% of the respondents had a high score of emotional exhaustion, 50.1% had a high score of depersonalization and 21.4% had a low score of personal accomplishment. 32.8% (n=121) are smokers, and 47.4% (n=175) had sleep disorder, while 35.5% (n=131) of those residents are doing exercise. Just 2 residents have chronic diseases and 18 residents requested mental health assessment. Chi-square test showed internal medicine, as well as other specialties, are more affected than surgical, pediatrics, and family medicine. Through the regression model, it was shown that Depersonalization was the best predictor of the Burnout index, after adjusting for the rest of the covariates (beta=1.87; p<0.001). EE was the second-best predictor of the Burnout index, after adjusting for the rest of the covariates (beta=0.12; p<0.001).

Conclusion: There is a high rate of burnout among doctors of internal medicine. Significant correlation factors were working hours and the number of working days per week. Trainees reported the highest frequency of burnout. Multidimensional interventions, which can target a wide range of burnout triggers, incorporating various therapeutic tools, can help reduce burnout rates in healthcare providers.
Characterization of persons served in the family health strategy: a contribution to obstetric nursing
Authors: Spindola Thelma , Araújo Agatha Soares de Barros de , Dias Pricilla Del Giudice
Published: September 2020

Objetivo: Caracterizar o perfil epidemiológico das gestantes assistidas na consulta de enfermagem do pré-natal em uma Unidade de Saúde da Família do Rio de Janeiro. Método: Estudo descritivo, exploratório, quantitativo do tipo documental, com emprego da técnica de observação indireta e análise estatística. Resultados: Foram investigados 160 prontuários eletrônicos de gestantes atendidas em 2014. A maioria das mulheres tinha idades entre 20-34 anos (73,8%), cor parda (44,3%), mora com companheiro (46,3%), e ensino médio completo (26,9%). São primigestas (41,3%), sem história de aborto (54,4%), não planejaram a gravidez (66,9%) e tiveram primeira consulta no primeiro trimestre gestacional (61,2%). Conclusão: Embora a maioria das gestantes investigadas tenha baixo risco obstétrico, o seguimento das mulheres na consulta de pré-natal torna-se primordial para uma gestação saudável.
An international survey on the clinical use of rigid and deformable image registration in radiotherapy
Authors: Yuen Johnson , Barber Jeffrey , Ralston Anna , Gray Alison , Walker Amy , Hardcastle Nicholas , Schmidt Laurel , Harrison Kristie , Poder Joel , Sykes Jonathan R. , Jameson Michael G.
Published: September 2020

Objectives

Rigid image registration (RIR) and deformable image registration (DIR) are widely used in radiotherapy. This project aims to capture current international approaches to image registration.

Methods

A survey was designed to identify variations in use, resources, implementation, and decision‐making criteria for clinical image registration. This was distributed to radiotherapy centers internationally in 2018.

Results

There were 57 responses internationally, from the Americas (46%), Australia/New Zealand (32%), Europe (12%), and Asia (10%). Rigid image registration and DIR were used clinically for computed tomography (CT)‐CT registration (96% and 51%, respectively), followed by CT‐PET (81% and 47%), CT‐CBCT (84% and 19%), CT‐MR (93% and 19%), MR‐MR (49% and 5%), and CT‐US (9% and 0%). Respondent centers performed DIR using dedicated software (75%) and treatment planning systems (29%), with 84% having some form of DIR software. Centers have clinically implemented DIR for atlas‐based segmentation (47%), multi‐modality treatment planning (65%), and dose deformation (63%). The clinical use of DIR for multi‐modality treatment planning and accounting for retreatments was considered to have the highest benefit‐to‐risk ratio (69% and 67%, respectively).

Conclusions

This survey data provides useful insights on where, when, and how image registration has been implemented in radiotherapy centers around the world. DIR is mainly in clinical use for CT‐CT (51%) and CT‐PET (47%) for the head and neck (43–57% over all use cases) region. The highest benefit‐risk ratio for clinical use of DIR was for multi‐modality treatment planning and accounting for retreatments, which also had higher clinical use than for adaptive radiotherapy and atlas‐based segmentation.
Coating Thickness Controls Crystallinity and Enables Homoepitaxial Growth of Ultra‐Thin‐Channel Blade‐Coated In2O3 Transistors
Authors: Kirmani Ahmad R. , Chen Huilang , Stafford Christopher M. , Bittle Emily G. , Richter Lee J.
Published: September 2020

Scalable, solution‐deposited metal oxide (MO) thin films could enable low‐cost, flexible, large‐area electronics; however, the poor morphology of the typically polycrystalline films limits performance. It is demonstrated that optimized coating thickness leads to high‐quality crystalline films in blade‐coated indium oxide (In2O3) ultra‐thin‐film (8 nm) transistors (TFTs). TFTs are fabricated with total channel thickness ranging from 2 to 16 nm via varied multistep processes. Transport in channels fabricated from sequential, thin (≤4 nm) coatings significantly exceeds that from thicker coatings. A marked change is found in the In2O3 crystal texture with coating thickness. Single, thin coatings ≤4 nm produce smooth films with strong (111) texture while thicker coatings are rougher and exhibit little texture. Sequential thin coatings exhibit homoepitaxy. In addition to the improved transport due to the smooth, aligned films, it is found that deposition of sequential thin layers leads to the highest mobility, with either In2O3 or ZnO as the overcoat. This suggests defects at the air interface of the initial thin films limit performance. Optimizing coating thickness and sequence, it is demonstrated 8 nm thick channel In2O3 TFTs exhibiting percolation conduction with an impressive average saturation electron mobility (μsat) of (36.1 ± 0.9) cm2 V−1 s−1 (best‐performing device of 58.0 cm2 V−1 s−1).
Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome: A case series from India
Authors: Chaudhry Chakshu , Kaur Anit , Panigrahi Inusha , Kaur Anupriya
Published: September 2020

Wolf–Hirschhorn syndrome (WHS) (OMIM#194190) is a contiguous gene syndrome with estimated prevalence being around 1 in 50,000 births. The syndrome is caused by deletion of a critical region (Wolf–Hirschhorn Syndrome Critical region—WHSCR) on chromosome 4p16.3. Its core features are typical facial gestalt, growth retardation, intellectual disability, or developmental delay and seizures. We describe four patients, each highlighting a different aspect of this syndrome. One patient was detected by karyotype where a large deletion was identified. Three other children were diagnosed after targeted multiplex ligation‐dependent probe amplification (MLPA) where heterozygous deletion of the probes on chromosome 4p16.3 were identified. One of these children additionally had heterozygous duplication of the probe for chromosome band 5p13.3. Less than half of the patients can be identified by conventional cytogenetics and molecular cytogenetic testing should be offered for diagnosis. Karyotyping of the parents should always be offered in a child with WHS.
Centralizing a national pancreatoduodenectomy service: striking the right balance
Authors: Nymo L S , Kleive D , Waardal K , Bringeland E A , Søreide J A , Labori K J , Mortensen K E , Søreide K , Lassen K
Published: September 2020

Background

Centralization of pancreatic surgery is currently called for owing to superior outcomes in higher-volume centres. Conversely, organizational and patient concerns speak for a moderation in centralization. Consensus on the optimal balance has not yet been reached. This observational study presents a volume–outcome analysis of a complete national cohort in a health system with long-standing centralization.

Methods

Data for all pancreatoduodenectomies in Norway in 2015 and 2016 were identified through a national quality registry and completed through electronic patient journals. Hospitals were dichotomized (high-volume (40 or more procedures/year) or medium–low-volume).

Results

Some 394 procedures were performed (201 in high-volume and 193 in medium–low-volume units). Major postoperative complications occurred in 125 patients (31·7 per cent). A clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula occurred in 66 patients (16·8 per cent). Some 17 patients (4·3 per cent) died within 90 days, and the failure-to-rescue rate was 13·6 per cent (17 of 125 patients). In multivariable comparison with the high-volume centre, medium–low-volume units had similar overall complication rates, lower 90-day mortality (odds ratio 0·24, 95 per cent c.i. 0·07 to 0·82) and no tendency for a higher failure-to-rescue rate.

Conclusion

Centralization beyond medium volume will probably not improve on 90-day mortality or failure-to-rescue rates after pancreatoduodenectomy.
Incidence and lesions causative of delusional misidentification syndrome after stroke
Authors: Kakegawa Yasuro , Isono Osamu , Hanada Keisuke , Nishikawa Takashi
Published: September 2020

Objective

To better elucidate the symptomatology and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying delusional misidentification syndrome (DMS), we investigated the incidence rate and symptomatic features of DMS following stroke and relationships among DMS, other neuropsychological symptoms, and lesion locations.

Methods

The present study included 874 consecutive patients (371 women; mean age ± standard deviation = 72.2 ± 11.7 years) who were admitted to the rehabilitation wards at two hospitals within 2 months of their first stroke. We examined the clinical features and lesion sites of patients with DMS and compared them with those of a control group of patients with hemi‐spatial neglect without DMS using voxel‐based lesion–symptom mapping (VLSM).

Results

Among the 874 patients who experienced a stroke, we observed 10 cases of Fregoli syndrome. No other DMS subtypes were observed; however, eight patients exhibited somatoparaphrenia (five of them also had Fregoli syndrome) and one also exhibited reduplicative paramnesia. Right hemispheric lesions were found in all 10 cases. VLSM revealed statistically significant overlapping lesion sites specifically related to Fregoli syndrome when compared with the control group. The sites included the insula, inferior frontal lobe, anterior temporal lobe, and subcortical limbic system in the right hemisphere (i.e., areas connected by the uncinate fasciculus).

Conclusion

The DMS incidence was 1.1% among patients after stroke. All patients had Fregoli syndrome and half had somatoparaphrenia, suggesting that the two syndromes share an underlying pathology. Lesions found with Fregoli syndrome were concentrated around the right uncinate fasciculus; this has not been reported in previous research.
Stereotactic body radiotherapy vs conventionally fractionated chemoradiation in locally advanced pancreatic cancer: A multicenter case‐control study (PAULA‐1)
Authors: Arcelli Alessandra , Buwenge Milly , Macchia Gabriella , Bertini Federica , Guido Alessandra , Deodato Francesco , Cilla Savino , Scotti Valerio , Rosetto Maria Elena , Djan Igor , Parisi Salvatore , Mattiucci Gian Carlo , Cellini Francesco , Fiore Michele , Bonomo Pierluigi , Belgioia Liliana , Niespolo Rita Marina , Gabriele Pietro , Di Marco Mariacristina , Simoni Nicola , Mazzarotto Renzo , Morganti Alessio Giuseppe ,   the AIRO (Italian Association of Radiation Oncology and Clinical Oncology) Gastrointestinal Study Group
Published: September 2020

Conventionally fractionated chemoradiation (CRT) or chemotherapy (CHT) are considered as standard options in locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) while stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) is an emerging treatment in this setting. The aim of this study was to compare two cohorts of LAPC patients treated with SBRT ± CHT vs CRT ± CHT in terms of local control (LC), distant metastases‐free survival (DMFS), progression‐free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), and toxicity. Eighty patients were included. Patients in the two cohorts were matched according to: age ≤/>65 years, tumor diameter (two cut‐offs: </≥3.0 and </≥3.9 cm), clinical tumor stage and clinical nodal stage, neoadjuvant CHT, and adjuvant CHT. Median prescribed total dose was 30.0 Gy (range: 18.0‐37.5) and 54.0 Gy (18.0‐63.0) in SBRT and CRT cohorts, respectively. Toxicity was evaluated by CTCAE v4.0 scale. Survival curves were calculated by Kaplan‐Meier method. For hypothesis testing an equivalence and a non‐inferiority test was calculated. No statistically significant differences in terms of acute and late toxicity, DMFS, PFS, and OS were recorded among the two cohorts. Median, 1‐, and 2‐year LC was: 16.0 months, 53.1%, and 40.5% in the CRT cohort and 22.0 months, 80.4%, and 49.8% in the SBRT cohort, respectively (P: .017). A statistically non‐inferiority significance was recorded in terms of OS between CRT and SBRT (P = .031). Patients treated with SBRT showed higher LC rate and similar OS compared to CRT. Therefore, the design of confirmatory randomized studies comparing SBRT and CRT seems justified.
The impact of static wind load on the mechanical integrity of different commercially available mono‐crystalline photovoltaic modules
Authors: Gul Rizwan M. , Kamran Muhammad Ali , Zafar Fahad Ullah , Noman Muhammad
Published: September 2020

Mechanical integrity of Photovoltaic (PV) modules, which is dependent upon the materials used and the manufacturing process, plays an important role in their performance and electrical output. Besides, the mechanical integrity of the modules is also affected by environmental conditions. Mechanical loads, which include loads produced by wind, snow, rain, and hail, tend to degrade the performance of the PV module by generating stresses and enhancing micro cracks and defects. This research aims to investigate the impact of wind loads on the performance degradation of PV modules. The overall objective was to investigate the reliability of modules available in Pakistan. Wind loads were simulated through an indigenously developed setup which allowed application of uniform load of 2400 Pa on the modules as per international standards (IEC 61215 and ASTM E1830‐15). A total of 12 PV modules, from three different vendors, each of 50 W rated power, were subjected to solar flash testing and electroluminescence imaging before and after the application of three cycles of mechanical load test. Greatest effect of wind loads was observed for modules which had defects present prior to the application of load. A maximum drop of 3.19% in the power output and 8.24% increase in the series resistance was observed. The results highlight that wind load has the ability to initiate cracks, propagate the pre‐existing ones as well as damage the grid fingers.
Redox‐Initiated Reversible Addition‐Fragmentation Chain Transfer (RAFT) Miniemulsion Polymerization of Styrene using PPEGMA‐Based Macro‐RAFT Agent
Authors: Park Mirim , Kim Kyungho , Mohanty Aruna Kumar , Cho Hong Y. , Lee Hana , Kang Yuyeong , Seo Bongkuk , Lee Wonjoo , Jeon Heung Bae , Paik Hyun‐jong
Published: September 2020

Redox‐initiated reversible addition‐fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) miniemulsion polymerizations are successfully conducted with an employment of trithiocarbonate‐based macro‐RAFT agents and surfactant. Two macro‐RAFT agents—hydrophilic poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PPEGMA27) and amphiphilic poly(poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)‐b‐polystyrene (PPEGMA27‐b‐PS33)— are examined for the miniemulsion polymerization of styrene. The use of PPEGMA27 (in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)) results in a slow polymerization rate with a broad particle size. In the absence of SDS, the use of PPEGMA27‐b‐PS33 results in a broad particle size distribution due to its inability to form uniform initial droplets whereas the same amphiphilic block copolymer in the presence of SDS yields resulting products with a uniform particle size distribution. The latter exhibits a fashion of controlled polymerization with a high consumption of monomer (98% in 100 min) and a narrow molecular weight distribution throughout the polymerization. This is attributed to the formation of uniform droplets facilitated by SDS in a miniemulsion. The amphiphilic macro‐RAFT agent is able to anchor efficiently on the monomer droplet or particle/water interface and form stabilized particles of well‐defined PPEGMA27‐b‐PS block copolymer, confirmed using dynamic light scattering and transmission electron micrographs.
Noradrenaline enhances the excitatory effects of dopamine on medial prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons in rats
Authors: Shinohara Fumiya , Arakaki Saya , Amano Taiju , Minami Masabumi , Kaneda Katsuyuki
Published: September 2020

Aim

Our previous studies showed that exposure to acute restraint stress enhanced cocaine‐induced conditioned place preference (cocaine‐CPP) and suggested the possibility that co‐activation of adrenergic transmission boosts the increase in medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) neuronal activity by the activation of dopaminergic transmission. To examine this possibility, the effects of the co‐treatment with dopamine (DA) and noradrenaline (NA) on mPFC neurons were compared with those of treatment with DA alone using whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings.

Methods

The effects of DA alone and a mixture of DA and NA on the membrane potentials and spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) were examined by electrophysiological recordings of mPFC pyramidal neurons in brain slices of male Sprague Dawley rats. Extracellular DA and NA levels in the mPFC during and after restraint stress exposure were also examined by in vivo microdialysis.

Results

Dopamine significantly produced depolarizing effects on mPFC neurons and tended to increase sEPSC frequency. Co‐administration of NA with DA produced stronger depolarizing effects and significantly increased sEPSC frequency. The findings suggest that the additional depolarizing effect of NA on DA‐responsive neurons, rather than the excitation of DA‐nonresponsive neurons by NA, contributes to the stronger effect of co‐treatment of NA with DA.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that NA released by restraint stress exposure cooperates with DA to stimulate DA‐responsive neurons in the mPFC, thereby causing the stress‐induced enhancement of cocaine‐CPP.
Psychological correlates of physical activity and exercise preferences in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan cancer survivors
Authors: Maxwell‐Smith Chloe , Hagger Martin S. , Kane Robert , Cohen Paul A. , Tan Jason , Platell Cameron , Makin Gregory Bryan , Saunders Christobel , Nightingale Sophie , Lynch Craig , Sardelic Frank , McCormick Jacob , Hardcastle Sarah J.
Published: September 2020

Objective

Interventions to increase physical activity (PA) in cancer survivors have often adopted a “one‐size‐fits‐all” approach and may benefit from being tailored to psychological constructs associated with behavior. The study objective was to investigate the exercise preferences and psychological constructs related to PA among cancer survivors.

Methods

Posttreatment colorectal, endometrial, and breast cancer survivors (n = 183) living in metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas completed survey measures of PA, exercise preferences, attitudes, self‐efficacy, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intention toward PA.

Results

A structural equation model with adequate fit and quality indices revealed that instrumental attitude and self‐efficacy were related to PA intention. Intention was related to behavior and mediated the relationship between self‐efficacy and behavior. Preferred exercise intensity was related to self‐efficacy, PBC, attitudes, and intention, while preferred exercise company was related to self‐efficacy and PBC. Participants preferred moderate‐intensity PA (71%), specifically self‐paced (52%) walking (65%) in an outdoor environment (58%).

Conclusions

Since instrumental attitude and self‐efficacy were associated with PA, incorporating persuasive communications targeting attitudes in PA interventions may promote PA participation. As cancer survivors who prefer low‐intensity exercise and exercising with others report lower self‐efficacy and PBC, interventions targeting confidence and successful experience in this group may also be warranted.
Catalytic activity of water molecules in gas‐phase glycine dimerization
Authors: Gale Ariel G. , Odbadrakh Tuguldur T. , Shields George C.
Published: September 2020

The dimerization of glycine is the simplest oligomerization of amino acids and plays an important role in biology. Although this reaction is thermodynamically unfavorable in the aqueous phase, it has been shown to be spontaneous in the gas phase and proceeds via two different concerted reaction mechanisms known as cis and trans. This may have profound implications in prebiotic chemistry as common atmospheric prenucleation clusters are thought to have participated in gas‐phase reactions in the early Earth's atmosphere. We hypothesize that particular arrangements of water molecules in these clusters could lead to lowering of the reaction barrier of amino acid dimerization and could lead to abiotic catalysis toward polypeptides. We test our hypothesis on a system of the cis transition state of glycine dimerization solvated by one to five water molecules using a combination of a genetic algorithm‐based configurational sampling, density functional theory geometries, and domain‐based local pair natural orbital coupled‐cluster electronic structure. First, we discuss the validity of the model chemistries used to obtain our results. Then, we show that the Gibbs free energy barrier for the concerted cis mechanism can indeed be lowered by the addition of up to five water molecules, depending on the temperature.
Framework for creating storytelling materials to promote African American/Black adult enrollment in research on Alzheimer's disease and related disorders
Authors: Robinson Renã A. S. , Williams Ishan C. , Cameron Judy L. , Ward Keisha , Knox Melissa , Terry Melita , Tamres Lisa , Mbawuike Uchenna , Garrett Marita , Lingler Jennifer H.
Published: September 2020

Introduction

African American/Black adults are severely underrepresented in basic, clinical, and behavioral research studies in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD). Innovative, evidence‐based, and culturally salient strategies can maximize the recruitment of African American/Black adults into ADRD research.

Methods

We conducted and analyzed semi‐structured interviews to capture the research participation stories of African American/Black participants and study partners from the University of Pittsburgh's Alzheimer's Disease Research Center. The themes and messaging principles generated through this process informed the development of video‐ and text‐based materials that were evaluated for community member acceptance using focus groups.

Results

Focus group individuals (N = 36) generally favorably rated the video and text materials, characterizing them as “interesting,” “realistic,” and “convincing.”

Discussion

Capturing the narratives of African American/Black research participants is a critical component to developing culturally relevant materials for broader dissemination and is essential to advancing beyond information‐only recruitment approaches, which tend to rely disproportionately on negative messages.
Epistaxis und antithrombotische Medikation: eine Analyse der Daten einer gesetzlichen Krankenversicherung in Niedersachsen
Authors: Althaus A. E. , Arendt U. , Hoffmann F. , Lüske J. , Freitag M. H. , Jobski K. , Dörks M.
Published: September 2020

Hintergrund

Die Epistaxis ist ein häufiges Symptom in der Arztpraxis und assoziiert mit verschiedenen Komorbiditäten und Medikamenten, insbesondere Antikoagulanzien. Trotz ihrer Alltäglichkeit gibt es nur wenige Daten zur Häufigkeit ihres Auftretens und möglichen Risikofaktoren.

Methoden

Die Studie untersuchte anhand einer großen Patientenpopulation (AOK Niedersachsen) über 10 Jahre (2007–2016) die Versorgung von Epistaxis in Niedersachsen. Alter bei Diagnose, Begleitmedikation und Komorbiditäten wurden analysiert und die Prävalenz dargestellt.

Ergebnisse

162.167 Versicherte der AOK Niedersachen wurden zwischen 2007 und 2016 aufgrund einer Epistaxis in 308.947 Fällen ärztlich vorstellig. Die meisten Patienten wurden ausschließlich ambulant behandelt (96,6 %). Über den Studienzeitraum stieg die Prävalenz um 21 % (Anstieg von 8,7 auf 9,3 pro 1000 Versicherte/Jahr) bei stabiler Prävalenz für stationäre Vorstellungen (0,2 pro 1000 Versicherte/Jahr). Die höchsten Prävalenzen fanden sich bei Personen bis 20 und über 80 Jahre. In 17,5 % aller Epistaxisfälle wurden Antithrombotika erfasst (9,5 % orale Antikoagulanzien). Über den Studienzeitraum konnte eine erhöhte Verschreibung von Antikoagulanzien (7,7 % in 2007 auf 11,8 % in 2016, insbesondere NOAK) dokumentiert werden.

Schlussfolgerung

Neben der arteriellen Hypertonie, dem männlichen Geschlecht sowie der typischen Altersverteilung bestand auch häufig eine Medikation mit Antikoagulanzien. Über den untersuchten Zeitraum zeigte sich eine Zunahme von Epistaxisfällen bei gleichzeitig ansteigender Verschreibungshäufigkeit von NOAK, nicht jedoch von schweren hospitalisationsbedürftigen Epistaxisfällen. Eine abschließende Beurteilung hinsichtlich eines möglichen kausalen Zusammenhangs muss in weiteren Studien untersucht werden.
Krankheitsbezogener Wissenserwerb durch strukturierte Patienteninformation bei Rheumatoider Arthritis (StruPI-RA)
Authors: Schwarze M. , Fieguth V. , Schuch F. , Sandner P. , Edelmann E. , Händel A. , Kettler M. , Hanke A. , Kück M. , Stein L. , Stille C. , Fellner M. , De Angelis V. , Touissant S. , Specker C.
Published: September 2020

Hintergrund/Ziel

Mit der strukturierten Patienteninformation für Rheumatoide Arthritis (StruPi-RA) liegt das erste standardisierte ambulante Patientenschulungsprogramm für Rheumatoide Arthritis (RA) in Deutschland vor. Das Hauptziel der vorliegenden Studie ist die Erfassung der Wirksamkeit von StruPI-RA in Bezug auf den krankheitsspezifischen Wissenserwerb bei Patienten mit früher RA oder nach Therapiewechsel.

Methoden

Insgesamt wurden 61 Patienten eingeschlossen: n = 32 in die Interventionsgruppe (IG) und n = 29 in die Kontrollgruppe (KG). Die Intervention umfasste ein strukturiertes Patienteninformationsprogramm (StruPi-RA) zu den Themen Diagnostik, Therapie und Leben mit RA, welches drei 90-minütige Module beinhaltet. Die KG erhielt nur einen Patientenratgeber der Deutschen Rheumaliga zur Information über die Erkrankung. Primäres Zielkriterium war der krankheitsbezogene Wissenserwerb, der anhand des Patient Knowledge Questionnaire (PKQ) sowie Erweiterungsfragen zu 2 Messzeitpunkten, einmal unmittelbar vor und dann nach Durchführung von StruPI-RA, erhoben wurde.

Ergebnisse

Die Teilnahme an StruPI-RA führte zu einer signifikanten Verbesserung des krankheitsspezifischen Wissens im Gruppen- und Zeitvergleich zur ungeschulten Gruppe im Original-PKQ sowie in der Fragebogenerweiterung. Ein Einfluss der Krankheitsdauer oder des Bildungsstands wurde nicht beobachtet. Allein in der Subskala Therapie zeigte sich ein signifikanter Unterscheid im Gruppen- und Zeitvergleich.

Diskussion

Die Teilnehmer am StruPI-RA-Programm hatten im Vergleich zu ungeschulten Patienten einen nachweisbaren krankheitsspezifischen Wissenszuwachs. Dadurch kann sich die Arzt-Patienten-Kommunikation verbessern und eine fundierte Entscheidungsfindung hinsichtlich der Therapie befördert werden. Mittelfristig können sich darüber hinaus eine erhöhte Selbstmanagementkompetenz der Patienten und langfristig auch eine Verbesserung der Lebensqualität sowie der Therapieadhärenz ergeben.
In the Shadow of the Monster: Gothic Narratives of Violence Prevention
Authors: Skott Sara , Nyhlén Sara , Giritli-Nygren Katarina
Published: September 2020

This article examines narratives by professionals working on preventing gender-based violence in Sweden through a Gothic lens. It draws on interviews with authorities responsible for preventing gender-based violence in one region of Sweden and explores the way national policies are translated into regional action. Our analysis shows how the “reel” is adopted by the professionals and becomes a part of the “real,” resulting in implications for policy. By looking at the participants’ narratives through a Gothic lens, this article argues that local-level professionals working to prevent violence frame gender-based violence as a problem of two “othered” groups: the “Immigrant Other” and the “Rural Other.” Through a narratological strategy of illumination and obscurity, these groups of offenders are rendered both uncanny and monstrous by the respondents—a monstrosity that obscures any violence occurring outside this framing. The problem of gender-based violence is relegated from the site of the mundane to the sphere of the monstrous.
Concentration of trace elements in forest soil affected by former timber depot
Authors: Warczyk Arkadiusz , Wanic Tomasz , Antonkiewicz Jacek , Pietrzykowski Marcin
Published: September 2020

Certain parts of global forests show elevated concentrations of trace elements as a result of industry processes, places such as wood depots and plant protection products, which together degrade the forest environment. This paper examines a timber depot that used wood preservatives in World War II located in the Warcino Forest Inspectorate (Poland). It presents monitory findings on the degree to which the upper soil layer in the depot area has been contaminated by wood preservatives. Within two forest divisions, a network of soil extraction points was established, distinguished into three separate categories that demarcate the degrees of vegetation coverage and growth of the common pine. These were Area A (area with a pine stand that is several dozen years-old), Area B (areas with a pine stand that is approximately a dozen years-old) and Area C (areas without a pine stand). The Cu concentration in the surface categories was respectively 141.03/187.54/834.43 mg·kg−1. Above 600% in Cu concentration was noted in category C in comparison to category A. It was found that the content of most elements (B, Cd, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Ni, Pb, Zn) did not exceed the permissible values according to the Regulation of the Minister of the Environment on soil quality standards; however, in the case of Cu, the limit values established for forest and agricultural soils were exceeded, with the highest Cu contents found in the ‘C’ category. The results obtained confirm that the wood protection chemicals, such as copper sulphate, affected the long-term pollution of forest soils.
On the feasibility of automated prediction of bug and non-bug issues
Authors: Herbold Steffen , Trautsch Alexander , Trautsch Fabian
Published: September 2020

Context

Issue tracking systems are used to track and describe tasks in the development process, e.g., requested feature improvements or reported bugs. However, past research has shown that the reported issue types often do not match the description of the issue.

Objective

We want to understand the overall maturity of the state of the art of issue type prediction with the goal to predict if issues are bugs and evaluate if we can improve existing models by incorporating manually specified knowledge about issues.

Method

We train different models for the title and description of the issue to account for the difference in structure between these fields, e.g., the length. Moreover, we manually detect issues whose description contains a null pointer exception, as these are strong indicators that issues are bugs.

Results

Our approach performs best overall, but not significantly different from an approach from the literature based on the fastText classifier from Facebook AI Research. The small improvements in prediction performance are due to structural information about the issues we used. We found that using information about the content of issues in form of null pointer exceptions is not useful. We demonstrate the usefulness of issue type prediction through the example of labelling bugfixing commits.

Conclusions

Issue type prediction can be a useful tool if the use case allows either for a certain amount of missed bug reports or the prediction of too many issues as bug is acceptable.
A review on the role of functional limitations on evacuation performance using the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health
Authors: Bukvic Olivera , Carlsson Gunilla , Gefenaite Giedre , Slaug Björn , Schmidt Steven M. , Ronchi Enrico
Published: September 2020

This scoping review addresses the role of functional limitations on evacuation performance of adults in public buildings. Although this topic has been addressed in evacuation research, no linkage is currently available between functional limitations, the predominant activities affected by them and evacuation performance. This review strives to open a debate on the need to classify the impact of disability in terms of functional limitations on evacuation performance according to methods adopted in health science. This paper reviews literature concerning evacuation from public buildings with adults aged ≥ 60 years and/or adults aged ≥ 18 years with functional limitations. The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health has been used to identify predominant activities during an evacuation and to perform a structured classification at different levels of resolution to address self-evacuation possibilities. Results of the review are presented in a tabular form linking predominant activities in terms of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and six categories of functional limitations with the engineering evacuation time-line. The suggested classification can facilitate the assessment of the evacuation-related issues in buildings in relation to the population under consideration. The main research gaps identified include the lack of studies concerning the impact of cognitive limitations on egress, and the need to add the temporal dimension to the methods adopted in accessibility research to allow for their use in the egress field.
Anxiety and Depressive Symptom Trajectories in Adolescence and the Co-Occurring Development of Cognitive Biases: Evidence from the CogBIAS Longitudinal Study
Authors: Songco Annabel , Booth Charlotte , Spiegler Olivia , Parsons Sam , Fox Elaine
Published: September 2020

The development of negative cognitive biases, together with symptoms of anxiety and depression, has yet to be investigated longitudinally. Using a three-wave design, the present study examined developmental trajectories of anxiety and depressive symptoms and the co-occurrence of cognitive biases, in a large normative sample of adolescents (N = 504). Data was drawn from the CogBIAS Longitudinal Study (CogBIAS-L-S), which assessed a wide range of psychological variables, including cognitive biases and self-reported anxiety and depressive symptoms, when adolescents were approximately 13, 14.5, and 16 years of age. The results showed that overall levels of anxiety were low and stable, while levels of depression were low but increased slightly at each wave. Growth mixture modeling identified four distinct developmental classes with regard to anxiety and depressive symptoms. Multiple group analysis further showed that class membership was related to the development of cognitive biases. The majority of the sample (75%) was characterised by ‘Low symptoms’ of anxiety and depression and showed low interpretation and memory biases for negative stimuli at each wave. A second class (11%) displayed ‘Decreasing anxiety symptoms’ and showed decreasing interpretation bias, but increasing memory bias. A third class (8%) displayed ‘Comorbid increasing symptoms’ and showed increasing interpretation and memory biases. While the fourth class (6%) displayed ‘Comorbid decreasing symptoms’ and showed decreasing interpretation and memory biases. This longitudinal study sheds light on healthy and psychopathological emotional development in adolescence and highlights cognitive mechanisms that may be useful targets for prevention and early interventions.