bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Compact millimeter‐wave 3‐D filtering antenna based on low temperature cofired ceramic substrate integrated waveguide
Authors: Liu Yuchen , Yang Lin‐An , Li Yang , Liu Siyu , Hao Yue
Published: July 2022

In this study, a low temperature cofired ceramic (LTCC) based compact millimeter‐wave (MMW) 3‐D substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) filtering antenna was proposed. First, a band‐pass filter with two transmission zeros in the upper and lower sidebands was designed, with a fractional bandwidth of 2.03% at a center frequency of 98.1 GHz. The filtering antenna was developed and manufactured on this premise, by adopting an E‐shape patch antenna, achieving a superior frequency selection characteristic with a 1.63% impedance bandwidth and out‐of‐band gain dropped over 15 dB at 92.7 and 101.2 GHz, respectively. With a compact structure size of 2.4 × 1.6 × 0.5 mm3 (0.78 λ0 × 0.05 λ0 × 0.016 λ0), high gain and high selectivity were realized in the MMW band.
Disturbance rejection based fractional order PID controller for system performance improvement of hybrid power system
Authors: Fayaz Farhana , Lal Pahuja Gobind
Published: July 2022

The present paper introduces a disturbance‐rejection based fractional‐order proportional‐integral‐derivative (DR‐foPID) controller as optimal control strategy for performance enhancement of hybrid power system (HPS). The two‐area HPS is equipped with various generation sources in the form of solar–thermal‐system (STS), conventional thermal, wind‐turbine‐system (WTS) and geo‐thermal power plants establishing a coordinated system frequency and tie‐line power control. In addition, electric vehicles (EVs) are integrated with the HPS to check its effect on dynamic characteristics. The controller gains are optimized using an effective bio‐geography based krill herd (BBKH) optimization technique to achieve the required performance of the HPS. This study validates the efficacy of the BBKH adjusted DR‐foPID controller for efficient operation of system dynamic characteristics. The resilience of DR‐foPID controller gains is confirmed by a sensitivity test involving large fluctuations in system load variations from their nominal values. It is also demonstrated that EVs help to increase the performance of HPS. A study involving the power management capability of EVs for improving the system performance is also demonstrated. Moreover, the effect of redox flow battery as energy storage device for system dynamic control are also illustrated. At last, a DR‐foPID controller is tested in case study on three‐area HPS.
Modern slavery: A literature review using bibliometric analysis and the nexus of governance
Authors: Mehmood Waqas , Ahmad Adura , Aman‐Ullah Attia , Mohd‐Rashid Rasidah
Published: July 2022

This article reviews and analyses the empirical and theoretical literature on modern slavery, a topic that has received substantial attention in recent years. A qualitative and quantitative meta‐literature review was carried out on modern slavery literature published between 1999 and 2021. A total of 280 works on the topic were analysed using citation analysis (Harzing's Publish or Perish and VOSviewer software) and content analysis. Several noteworthy aspects in the literature were identified, specifically the topics, articles, authors, journals, institutions, countries, co‐authorship networks, and research streams. The research streams fall into three categories: 1) an overview and growth of modern slavery, 2) modern slavery and theories, and 3) modern slavery and country behaviour. The review and analyses led to the development of 15 research questions for future research. In addition, two views about current research on modern slavery were established: 1) the assertion that modern slavery is not exclusive to specific nations, jurisdictions, or periods, and 2) despite the numerous areas of accounting research on modern slavery, there is still a lack of studies on the topic. This study is the first to use inclusive mapping to empirically evaluate modern slavery.
Monitoring public engagement with nature using Google Trends
Authors: Phillips Benjamin B. , Burgess Katherine , Willis Cheryl , Gaston Kevin J.
Published: July 2022

How humans interact with nature affects the health of both people and ecosystems. Yet, long‐term data on nature engagement are scarce because traditional survey methods are expensive, time consuming and require commitment over multiple years. Digital data sources (e.g. aggregated data from online searches) have major potential as a supplementary source of information and, in the absence of available data, as a proxy for more direct measurement of nature engagement.

Using Google Trends, we created a list of refined and relevant search terms relating to diverse outdoor spaces and activities. We then compared trends in Google search volumes in England across both a 1‐year and 10‐year period to those from Google Community Mobility Reports, and from nationally representative survey data (Natural England's People and Nature Survey and the Monitor of Engagement with the Natural Environment).

Search, survey and mobility data all support a general increase in public engagement with nature since 2009, and a more substantial increase during, or following, the initial national ‘lockdown’ period of the COVID‐19 pandemic in England. Search volumes increased for many urban and rural outdoor green spaces (e.g. woodlands), blue spaces (e.g. reservoirs), exercise activities (e.g. walking, running and hiking) and explicitly nature‐based activities (e.g. fishing, wild swimming and encouraging wildlife).

Overall, volumes of Google searches were more closely related with longer‐term (10‐year) trends from survey data, than shorter‐term changes during the COVID‐19 pandemic. There were statistically significant relationships between search volumes, survey data (self‐reported past behaviour) and mobility data (movement trends) for around half of comparisons. Of these, an average of 13–44% of variation in the data was explained.

The findings show that Google Trends provides valuable information about public engagement with nature, which can help to supplement existing survey data by providing new insights about behavioural trends. The paper also provides a proof of concept for using Google Trends to understand changes in public engagement with nature, which could be applied to the many countries that lack long‐term survey monitoring.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Development of artificial intelligence‐based neural network prediction model for responses of additive manufactured polylactic acid parts
Authors: Singh Jatinder , Goyal Kapil Kumar , Kumar Rakesh , Gupta Vishal
Published: July 2022

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) is one of the most economical and popular technology amongst numerous additive manufacturing techniques. The quality of FDM fabricated parts is highly sensitive to the production parameters. Thus, in the present work, an investigation on the FDM printed polylactic acid parts has been performed considering six printing process parameters, that is, nozzle diameter, build orientation, raster pattern, layer height and print speed to develop the feedforward backpropagation (FFBP) artificial neural network prediction model for the prediction of responses, namely, tensile strength, material consumption, build time and surface quality. Tensile specimens as per L27 orthogonal array are printed considering the various combination of parameters. The printed samples have been subjected to tensile strength testing, surface roughness measurement, build time recording, and material consumption evaluation. The highest tensile strength of 57.633 MPa, lowest surface roughness of 1.71 μm, lowest build time of 0.35 h and lowest material consumption of 7.8 g are observed. The experimental results have been used to develop the artificial intelligence‐based prediction model through FFBP algorithm and sigmoid transfer function to predict the responses. The best performance of the developed neural network with R2 for testing (0.99343), training (0.99366), and validation (0.99372) of data is recorded for prediction of responses with minimum percentage error. The study concluded that developed model is capable of predicting the responses of FDM process according to the input process parameters.
Mechanical and thermal properties of basalt fiber reinforced epoxy composites modified with CaCO3 nanoparticles
Authors: Tripathy Priyanka , Biswas Sandhyarani
Published: July 2022

In this study, calcium carbonate (CaCO3) nanoparticles were added to basalt fiber reinforced epoxy (BFRP) composites in varied weight fractions to examine their effects on the materials' mechanical, thermal, and physical properties. Through magnetic stirring and sonication, the epoxy matrix was altered with various weight fractions of CaCO3 nanoparticles (0%, 0.5%, 0.7%, 1%, and 1.5%). It has been found that adding 1 wt% of nanoparticles to the matrix produced the greatest results in terms of tensile, flexural, impact, and inter‐laminar shear strength (ILSS). With 1.5 wt% of nano CaCO3 in the composites, the best results for the micro‐hardness and glass transition temperature were obtained. The diffraction peaks of the nanocomposites have been identified using XRD investigation. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses has been done on the fracture surfaces of the nanocomposites to analyze the influence of the nanoparticles on the interfacial adhesion of fiber and the matrix.
Combination of LC‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS, network pharmacology, and nanoemulsion approaches identifies active compounds of two Artemisia species responsible for tackling early diabetes‐related metabolic complications in the liver
Authors: Moulahoum Hichem , Ghorbanizamani Faezeh , Khiari Zineb , Toumi Mohamed , Benazzoug Yasmina , Timur Suna , Zihnioglu Figen
Published: July 2022

Introduction

The chronicity of advanced glycation end‐products (AGEs) imparts various damages resulting in metabolic dysfunction and diseases involving inflammation and oxidative stress. The use of plant extracts is of high interest in complementary medicine. Yet, extracts are multicomponent mixtures, and difficult to pinpoint their exact mechanism.

Objectives

We hypothesise that network pharmacology and bioinformatics can help experimental findings depict the exact active components and mechanism of action by which they induce their effects. Additionally, the toxicity and variability can be lowered and standardised with proper encapsulation methods.

Methodology

Here, we propose the formulation of phytoniosomes encapsulating two Artemisia species (Artemisia dracunculus and Artemisia absinthium) to mitigate AGEs and their induced cell redox dysregulation in the liver. Extracts from different solvents were identified via liquid chromatography quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (LC‐Q‐TOF‐MS/MS). Phytoniosomes were explored for their anti‐glycating effect and modulation of AGE‐induced damages in THLE‐2 liver cells. Network pharmacology tools were used to identify possible targets and signalling pathways implicated.

Results

Data demonstrated that A. absinthium phytoniosomes had a significant anti‐AGE effect comparable to reference molecules and higher than A. dracunculus. They were able to restore cell dysfunction through the restoration of tumour necrosis alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin 6 (IL‐6), nitric oxide, and total antioxidant capacity. Phytoniosomes were able to protect cells from apoptosis by decreasing caspase 3 activity. Network pharmacology and bioinformatic analysis confirmed the induction of the effect via Akt‐PI3K‐MAPK and AGE‐RAGE signalling pathways through quercetin and luteolin actions.

Conclusion

The current report highlights the potential of Artemisia phytoniosomes as strong contenders in AGE‐related disease therapy.
Identification and quantification of eight alkaloids in Aconitum heterophyllum using UHPLC‐DAD‐QTOF‐IMS: A valuable tool for quality control
Authors: Punia Ashwani , Joshi Robin , Kumar Rajiv
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Aconitum spp. are prime medicinal plants rich in alkaloids and have been used as the main constituents of traditional medicine in India and China. The whole plant can be toxic and creates pathophysiological conditions inside the human body. Therefore, simultaneous quantification of alkaloids within plant parts and herbal medicines associated with this genus is essential for quality control.

Objective

We aimed to develop and validate methods using ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–diode array detector–quadrupole time‐of‐flight ion mobility mass spectrometry (UHPLC‐DAD‐QTOF‐IMS) and to develop an analytical strategy for the identification and quantification of alkaloid compounds (aconitine, hypaconitine, mesaconitine, aconine, benzoylmesaconitine, benzoylaconine, bulleyaconitine A, and deoxyaconitine) from Aconitum heterophyllum.

Methodology

We developed a simultaneous identification and quantification method for eight alkaloids using UHPLC‐DAD‐QTOF‐IMS. The method was validated as per International Council for Harmonization of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) guidelines and also in IMS mode.

Results

The developed method has good linearity (r2 = 0.997–0.999), LOD (0.63–8.31 μg/mL), LOQ (0.63–2.80 μg/mL), recovery (86.01–104.33%), reproducibility, intra‐ and inter‐day variability (<3.25%), and stability. Significant qualitative and quantitative variations were found among different plant parts (flower, leaf, stem, root, and tuber) and five market products of A. heterophyllum. Furthermore, a total of 21 metabolites were also profiled based on the fragmentation pattern of MS2 using the validated method.

Conclusion

An appropriate mobile phase using acetonitrile and water in a gradient elution gave a satisfactory chromatographic separation of eight Aconitum alkaloids with their adjacent peaks. Therefore, this method could provide a scientific and technical platform for quality control assurance.
Associations between the number of antipsychotics prescribed and metabolic parameters in Japanese patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Watanabe Yuichiro , Ono Shin , Sugai Takuro , Suzuki Yutaro , Yamazaki Manabu , Sugawara Norio , Yasui‐Furukori Norio , Shimoda Kazutaka , Mori Takao , Ozeki Yuji , Matsuda Hiroshi , Okamoto Kurefu , Sagae Toyoaki , Someya Toshiyuki
Published: July 2022

Aim

There is little evidence on the effects of antipsychotic polypharmacy on metabolic parameters in patients with schizophrenia. Thus, this cross‐sectional study explored the associations between the number of antipsychotics prescribed and metabolic parameters in Japanese patients with schizophrenia.

Methods

We obtained metabolic parameter data from 19,675 patients with schizophrenia. Of these, 1380 (7.0%), 8422 (42.8%), 6326 (32.2%), and 3547 (18.0%) were treated with none, one, two, and three or more antipsychotics, respectively. We compared eight metabolic parameters among the four groups using univariate analyses. We then performed multiple regression analysis to assess the effect of the number of antipsychotics prescribed on metabolic parameters after controlling for the effects of age, sex, type of care (outpatient/inpatient), chlorpromazine‐equivalent dose, and antipsychotic type (aripiprazole, olanzapine, and risperidone).

Results

There were significant differences in body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure (dBP), total cholesterol, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides among the four groups. The multiple regression analysis showed that the number of antipsychotics prescribed was significantly correlated with BMI and dBP (standardized regression coefficient = 0.031 and 0.026, respectively).

Conclusion

Our results suggested that the number of antipsychotics prescribed adversely affects BMI and dBP. Clinicians should avoid inappropriate antipsychotic polypharmacy, especially polypharmacy involving three or more antipsychotics.
Improvement in school‐aged children with asthma during the Covid‐19 pandemic
Authors: Akelma Zülfikar , Başkaya Nevzat , Çetin Sema , Bostancı İlknur , Özmen Serap
Published: July 2022

Introduction

The coronavirus 2019 disease (Covid‐19) pandemic led to a number of measures being introduced in many countries worldwide. Lockdowns were imposed on individuals aged <18 years, education was delivered online, and mask‐wearing was made compulsory in public places, resulting in an unprecedented period for children. Real‐life data showing how children with asthma are affected by major changes are limited. This study investigated how asthmatic children are affected by pandemic conditions based on real‐life data.

Methods

Patients with asthma aged 6–18 years followed up from March to May 2019—before the Covid‐19 pandemic—were included in the study. Data from March to May 2020 and 2019 were then compared to reveal the effects of pandemic‐related lifestyle changes on symptoms, frequency of exacerbations, and drug use in asthmatic children.

Results

Eighty‐six children with asthma aged 6–18 years were included in this study. Time spent inside the home was significantly higher in 2020 than in 2019. Rescue medication requirements and emergency department visits were significantly lower in 2020 compared to 2019 (p < 0.001). The number of well‐controlled patients with asthma was higher in 2020 than in 2019 (p < 0.0001). The number of patients using prophylactic drugs within the previous 3 months was lower in 2020 compared to 2019 (p = 0.007).

Conclusion

The present study yielded valuable insights, based on real‐life data, into the condition of children over the age of 6 years during the Covid‐19 pandemic. Numbers of asthmatic exacerbations, rescue drug use, and asthma control were positively affected in school‐aged children with asthma during the pandemic.
The mechanism of exogenous gibberellin A3 protecting sorghum shoots from S‐metolachlor Phytotoxicity
Authors: Zhang Yuxin , Liu Qinghao , Su Wangcang , Sun Lanlan , Xu Hongle , Xue Fei , Lu Chuantao , Wu Renhai
Published: July 2022

BACKGROUND

S‐metolachlor (MET) was used to prevent weed infestation in sorghum fields, but inappropriate application could result in phytotoxicity on sorghum. Exogenous gibberellin A3 (GA3) has been applied for alleviating the phytotoxicity of MET. However, its detoxification mechanism is still not well known.

RESULTS

Leaf deformity of sorghum caused by 200 mg/L MET was alleviated by treating sorghum shoots with 800 mg/L GA3, and the injury recovery rate of growth index was over 73%. More importantly, GA3 could not accelerate the metabolic rate of MET in sorghum. The result of phytohormone metabolomics showed that endogenous GA3 content in sorghum decreased by 78.10% with MET treatment, while abscisic acid (ABA) content increased by 120.2%, resulting in 10.3‐fold increase of ABA/GA3 ratio. Content of ABA and GA3 increased by 11.9‐ and 21.1‐fold with MET and GA3 treatment, respectively, leading to ABA/GA3 ratio restoration. Moreover, MET inhibited the expression of genes encoding key enzymes related to GA synthesis including CPS1, KO2, KAO, GA20ox1D and ABA8ox gene related to ABA metabolism. The transcription levels of GA metabolism‐related genes CYP714D1 and GA2ox were up‐regulated by 11.2‐ and 7.2‐fold, while ABA synthesis‐related genes NCED and ZEP were up‐regulated by 8.0‐ and 3.0‐fold, respectively, with MET and GA3 treatment.

Conclusion

In this study, exogenous GA3 protecting sorghum shoots from MET phytotoxicity was due to supplement the MET‐induced GA3 deficiency by absorbing exogenous GA3, and restore homeostasis of ABA and GA3 by promoting ABA synthesis, which provides novel insights for mechanism of GA3 alleviating MET phytotoxicity. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Magnetic Properties, Magnetocaloric and Magnetoresistance Effects in Gd5In3 and Tb5In3 Compounds
Authors: Mondal Suman , Dutta Prabir , Chatterjee Snehashish , Banerjee Anupam , Giri Saurav , Majumdar Subham
Published: July 2022

The present work reports a comprehensive investigation of the structural, magnetic, and transport behaviors of the rare‐earth indium‐based intermetallics Gd5In3 and Tb5In3. The high‐temperature paramagnetic‐to‐ferromagnetic transitions in both the compounds are found to be second order, obeying a mean‐field type critical behavior. The sample shows multiple low‐temperature anomalies and clear signatures of thermal hysteresis are observed in the magnetization versus temperature data in the vicinity of such transitions. Tb5In3 shows a moderate amount of magnetocaloric effect around its high‐temperature Curie point. Interestingly, Gd5In3 shows large negative magnetoresistance at low temperatures, which is comparable to many other bulk intermetallic compounds.
Targeting autophagy and neuroinflammation pathways with plant‐derived natural compounds as potential antidepressant agents
Authors: Mokhtari Tahmineh
Published: July 2022

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a life‐threatening disease that presents several characteristics. The pathogenesis of depression still remains poorly understood. Moreover, the mechanistic interactions of natural components in treating depression to target autophagy and neuroinflammation are yet to be evaluated. This study overviewed the effects of plant‐derived natural components in regulating critical pathways, particularly neuroinflammation and autophagy, associated with depression. A list of natural components, including luteolin, apigenin, hyperforin, resveratrol, salvianolic acid b, isoliquiritin, nobiletin, andrographolide, and oridonin, have been investigated. All peer‐reviewed journal articles were searched by Scopus, MEDLINE, PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the appropriated keywords, including depression, neuroinflammation, autophagy, plant, natural components, etc. The neuroinflammation and autophagy dysfunction are critically associated with the pathophysiology of depression. Natural components with higher efficiency and lower complications can be used for targeting neuroinflammation and autophagy. These components with different doses showed the beneficial antidepressant properties in rodents. These can modulate autophagy markers, mainly AMPK, LC3II/LC3I ratio, Beclin‐1. Moreover, they can regulate the NLRP3 inflammasome, resulting in the suppression of proinflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL‐1β and IL‐18). Future in vitro and in vivo studies are required to develop novel therapeutic approaches based on plant‐derived active components to treat MDD.
A transformed gamma process for bounded degradation phenomena
Authors: Fouladirad Mitra , Giorgio Massimiliano , Pulcini Gianpaolo
Published: July 2022

Most of the stochastic models adopted to describe the evolution over time of degradation phenomena of technological units assume that their degradation level can increase indeterminately. However, these degradation phenomena are typically subjected to obvious bounds, if only because technological units have finite size. In fact, very often, this inconsistency does not significantly affect the effectiveness of unbounded degradation models, since degrading units are usually assumed to fail when their degradation level exceeds a failure threshold that is much smaller than the obvious bounds. Nevertheless, in some cases, due to the very nature of the underlying degradation mechanism, less obvious bounds could exist, which are not necessarily far from the failure thresholds. The question that arises is whether the use of a bounded degradation model, in this latter type of experimental situations, could be beneficial. For this purpose, since a bounded degradation process should necessarily have dependent increments, in this paper we investigate the potential of a new bounded transformed gamma (TG) process to adequately describe bounded degradation phenomena and predict their future evolution. Differently from other existing gamma process based bounded degradation models, here the upper bound is treated as an unknown parameter that has to be estimated from the available degradation data. A numerical example is presented where the parameters of the proposed model are estimated from simulated data. Then the model is applied to a set of wear measures of cylinder liners that equip a diesel engine for marine propulsion, which have also stimulated this study. Model parameters are estimated by using the maximum likelihood (ML) method. The fitting ability of the proposed new bounded process is compared to that of an unbounded gamma process, which was previously adopted to analyze the same liner wear data. Obtained results are critically discussed in the paper.
The adaptive weight learning function for reliability analysis and its application to multiple active learning methods
Authors: Li Jingkui , Liu Wenqi , Zhou Yan , Li Zhandong
Published: July 2022

In engineering, evaluating the failure probability of structures with complex performance functions is a challenging task. Some active learning methods based on the Kriging model gain considerable attention for structural reliability analysis. The existing learning functions offer new learning criterions to select sample points, but the probability density function (PDF) of sample points is ignored in some learning functions. To decrease selecting sample points in low PDF regions, this study presents a new adaptive weight learning function (WLF). The learning function WLF constituted by the adaptive orient function and the joint PDF can be applicable to multiple learning functions. Depending on the importance degree of candidate sample points, the sample points can be assigned different weight by learning function WLF. When the leaning function WLF is applicated to the existing active learning methods, the sample point with a higher PDF in neighborhood of the limit state function (LSF) can be given a larger weight to preferentially select into design of experiments (DoE). Therefore, the learning function WLF can help the multiple learning functions to select informative sample points with high PDF, which can further improve the efficiency of these learning functions. Four examples are used to illustrate the accuracy and efficiency as well as the suitability of the learning function WLF.
Increased risk of obstetric complications in patients with adenomyosis: A narrative literature review
Authors: Harada Takashi , Taniguchi Fuminori , Harada Tasuku
Published: July 2022

Background

Reproductive‐age women occasionally face the pathological condition of adenomyosis, which is often concurrent with endometriosis. It is believed that endometriosis and adenomyosis increases the risk of obstetric complications. Although new insights into the mechanism of obstetric complications due to endometriosis are emerging, there is little information on the etiology of adverse pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with adenomyosis.

Methods

We performed a literature review focusing on the pathophysiological pathways of obstetric complications in women with adenomyosis using currently available basic and clinical studies. We used the internet search engines PubMed and Google Scholar to search for studies published between January 2000 and June 2021. We carefully read pertinent sections within each document to ensure relevancy.

Main findings

The prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in women with adenomyosis is increased after adjusting for conceiving by assisted reproductive technology. Thus, adenomyosis emerges as a relevant factor associated with several obstetric complications such as preterm birth, preterm premature rupture of membranes, placental abruption, small for gestational age/fetal growth restriction, and preeclampsia.

Conclusion

It is plausible that the impact of adenomyosis on pregnancy outcomes is not always the same; rather it is dependent on the degree of uterine involvement and subtypes.
Dynamics of soil aggregate‐associated carbon as influenced by simulated tillage and runoff
Authors: Li Lu , Wang Enheng , Cao Wei , Zhao Pengzhi , Lin Lin , Zhai Guoqing , Cruse Richard M.
Published: July 2022

Tillage practices and water erosion are the most important anthropogenic and natural processes, respectively, driving soil organic C turnover in agricultural land. The aim of this study was to explore the responses of soil organic C (SOC) turnover to tillage and runoff by comparing the variation of soil aggregate‐associated organic C (AOC) and intra‐aggregate particulate organic C (iPOC) under simulated tillage and runoff conditions. Soil samples were collected from a native vegetation land with no cultivation history in the Mollisol region of Northeast China. After a series of simulated tillage (ST) and simulated runoff (SR) treatments, the samples were incubated for 30 d and then separated through 2‐, 1‐, 0.25‐, and 0.053‐mm sieves by wet‐sieving to obtain different aggregate size fractions. Each aggregate fraction was subsequently shaken for 18 h in 0.5% hexametaphosphate to get different intra‐aggregate particle size fractions. The proportion of the fractions and their AOC and iPOC were determined. The ST treatment promoted the reaggregation of macroaggregates (>2 mm) by accelerating the turnover of their coarse iPOC (0.25–2 mm), leading to a lower concentration of AOC. Runoff transformed larger aggregates (>0.25 mm) to smaller particles (<0.25 mm) without catalyzing C turnover. Fine iPOC (0.053–0.25 mm) could serve as an indicator for AOC (>1 mm) dynamics, especially associated with tillage operations. Our findings highlight the different influences of tillage and runoff, and the negative effect of tillage on SOC dynamics.
Machine learning approach in investigating carbonation depth of concrete containing Fly ash
Authors: Tran Van Quan , Mai Hai‐Van Thi , To Quynh Trang , Nguyen May Huu
Published: July 2022

Understanding and predicting concrete carbonation are significant in designing durability and maintaining the service life of reinforced concrete structures. However, this purpose can hardly be reached because of complex carbonation mechanisms depending on various variables such as cement content (C), fly ash content (FA), water content (W), concentration of CO2, relative humidity (RH), temperature (T°C), and exposition time (Time). This investigation proposes a machine learning (ML) approach including eight ML algorithms such as four single ML models: XGB, GB, RF, and SVM, and four hybrid ML models: XGB_RRHC, GB_RRHC, RF_RRHC, and SVM_RRHC for investigating and predicting concrete carbonation depth containing fly ash. To achieve this purpose, a dedicated database consisting of 688 samples and seven input variables is built, and the performance of eight machine learning models is compared. Single ML model Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGB) using the default hyperparameters exhibited the highest performance with R2 = 0.9770, RMSE = 2.2725 and MAE = 1.5218. Shapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) identifies the most influential feature and order of feature effect on concrete carbonation depth. The first four important features can be sorted in order: time of exposition > cement content > water content > CO2 concentration. Moreover, at a higher value of exposition time, water content, CO2 concentration, fly ash content, temperature and relative humidity, the carbonation depth of concrete increases. Using high content of cement can reduce the carbonation depth of concrete.
Modeling blended cement concrete tensile creep for standard ring test application
Authors: Zhang Yingda , Afroz Sumaiya , Nguyen Quang Dieu , Kim Taehwan , Castel Arnaud , Xu Tengfei
Published: July 2022

The tensile creep of concrete with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) such as fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) is investigated in this paper. A total of 21 series of tensile creep tests using dog‐bone specimens under uniaxial tensile loading have been carried out. The cement replacement rates considered were 30% fly ash, 40% and 60% GGBFS. The characteristic compressive strength of concrete was ranging from 25 to 100 MPa. The tests were conducted from the age of 2 days until 28 days. It is observed that the tensile creep of fly ash concretes was slightly lower than that of the reference mixtures without SCM. For GGBFS concrete, the higher the GGBFS content, the higher the tensile creep. Existing creep models, originally developed for creep in compression, could not predict the experimental tensile creep results. Thus, a new tensile creep model was proposed including creep prediction for concrete with fly ash and GGBFS. The new model was calibrated only for controlled environmental conditions (23°C and 50% RH) and has been validated by analyzing the development of concrete tensile stress in the restrained ring test.
Paper Selfies: Centering Students' Identities in Baseline Writing
Authors: Sciurba Katie , Uphus Kate , Escobar Sonia
Published: July 2022

In this teaching tip, we—a literacy professor and two K–12 teachers—encourage a rethinking of the baseline writing assessment by sharing our experiences with “The Paper Selfie,” an activity that juxtaposes the arts and young people's personal writing. By centering students' identities, their hopes, beliefs, dreams, and realities, alongside images they create to depict themselves, The Paper Selfie can serve a role in enabling young people to see themselves in their learning as we gather important data to guide our writing instruction. As such, this teaching tip provides an example of how a baseline writing assessment can be informative and meaningful.
A new fluid dynamical model coupling horizontal heat with an application to interior separations
Authors: Liu Ruikuan , Yang Jiayan
Published: July 2022

Based on the Newton's second law and Boussinesq equations, a new fluid dynamical model coupling horizontal heat is established. Moreover, the sufficient conditions of interior separation for this new model are obtained. It is shown that the sufficient conditions, determined by the initial value, may provide an approach to predict when and where the interior separations occur. In addition, an example is constructed to illustrate our main results.
Preparation of RNA Polymerase Complexes for Their Analysis by Single-Particle Cryo-Electron Microscopy
Authors: Pilsl Michael , Heiss Florian B. , Pöll Gisela , Höcherl Mona , Milkereit Philipp , Engel Christoph
Published: July 2022

Recent technological progress revealed new prospects of high-resolution structure determination of macromolecular complexes using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). In the field of RNA polymerase (Pol) I research, a number of cryo-EM studies contributed to understanding the highly specialized mechanisms underlying the transcription of ribosomal RNA genes. Despite a broad applicability of the cryo-EM method itself, preparation of samples for high-resolution data collection can be challenging. Here, we describe strategies for the purification and stabilization of Pol I complexes, exemplarily considering advantages and disadvantages of the methodology. We further provide an easy-to-implement protocol for the coating of EM-grids with self-made carbon support films. In sum, we present an efficient workflow for cryo-grid preparation and optimization, including early stage cryo-EM screening that can be adapted to a wide range of soluble samples for high-resolution structure determination.
Tethered MNase Structure Probing as Versatile Technique for Analyzing RNPs Using Tagging Cassettes for Homologous Recombination in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Teubl Fabian , Schwank Katrin , Ohmayer Uli , Griesenbeck Joachim , Tschochner Herbert , Milkereit Philipp
Published: July 2022

Micrococcal nuclease (MNase) originating from Staphylococcus aureus is a calcium dependent ribo- and desoxyribonuclease which has endo- and exonucleolytic activity of low sequence preference. MNase is widely used to analyze nucleosome positions in chromatin by probing the enzyme’s DNA accessibility in limited digestion reactions. Probing reactions can be performed in a global way by addition of exogenous MNase, or locally by “chromatin endogenous cleavage” (ChEC) reactions using MNasefusion proteins. The latter approach has recently been adopted for the analysis of local RNA environments of MNasefusion proteins which are incorporated in vivo at specific sites of ribonucleoprotein (RNP) complexes. In this case, ex vivo activation of MNase by addition of calcium leads to RNA cleavages in proximity to the tethered anchor protein thus providing information about the folding state of its RNA environment.

Here, we describe a set of plasmids that can be used as template for PCR-based MNase tagging of genes by homologous recombination in S. cerevisiae. The templates enable both N- and C-terminal tagging with MNase in combination with linker regions of different lengths and properties. In addition, an affinity tag is included in the recombination cassettes which can be used for purification of the particle of interest before or after induction of MNase cleavages in the surrounding RNA or DNA. A step-by-step protocol is provided for tagging of a gene of interest, followed by affinity purification of the resulting fusion protein together with associated RNA and subsequent induction of local MNase cleavages.
Godwin’s Law and the Limits of Bioethics and Holocaust Studies
Authors: Bedzow Ira
Published: July 2022

This chapter examines the ways in which Godwin’s Law disallows good bioethical discussion on controversial topics in healthcare because of the ways in which it invokes improper Holocaust analogies. However, rather than concluding that contemporary bioethics never use the Holocaust as a point of reference, the chapter suggests productive ways that lessons of the Holocaust can inform moral deliberation in bioethics.
The Holocaust as an Inflection Point in the Development of Research Ethics
Authors: Gallin Stacy , Bedzow Ira
Published: July 2022

Modern research ethics arose as a response to the scientific and medical communities’ participation in the Holocaust. The Holocaust remains the only example of medically sanctioned genocide and thus can provide critical lessons regarding the importance of valuing basic ethical principles ahead of the potential for scientific progress in the contemporary context of research ethics. This chapter will explore the trajectory of research ethics using the Holocaust as an inflection point. It will briefly describe the difference between medical and research ethics before and after the Holocaust, and then show how the lessons of the Holocaust not only influenced the creation of the Nuremberg Code but also the subsequent development of the Declaration of Helsinki, the Belmont Report, the Federal Policy for the Protection of Human Subjects (The Common Rule) and the International Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research Involving Human Subjects.
Bioethics and the Holocaust in a Multicultural Context
Authors: Maroudas Filotheos-Fotios , Grigoriadis Barnabas
Published: July 2022

This chapter explores the importance of diversity and interfaith initiatives in human rights and bioethicseducation, by showing its relevance in the study of the Holocaust. In the first section, a concise reference is made to those political and religious events that created the basic state and theological groundwork, respectively, which in turn led to the early formation of human rights and the confessional dialogue. The second section emphasizes contemporary actions and writings that contributed to the denial of freedom and of self-determination, including anti-Judaic sermons and their perversion into anti-Semitic ones. The third section discusses the creation after the Holocaust of global organizations and institutions, their international impact and modern developments in interfaithinteraction focusing on human rights and bioethics. The fourth section presents educational, multicultural, and inter-religious initiatives that contribute decisively to the increase of awareness and awakening of learners, so that the field of education is transformed into a multidimensional place that generates world citizens.
The Goals of Medicine in a Post-Holocaust Society
Authors: Gallin Stacy
Published: July 2022

Determining the goals and purpose of the medical profession has long been a topic of debate among physicians and scholars alike. If medicine is a practice, then it is necessary to define the aim of the practitioner’s actions. Regardless of the differing perspectives, there is consensus that the promotion and preservation of individual health and well-being is a primary component of medicine. However, an exploration of the medical community’s active participation in the systematic labeling, persecution, forced sterilization, experimentation and eventual mass murder of millions of people deemed inferior or unfit during the Holocaust reveals decidedly different goals. Examining the process by which healers became killers provides an opportunity to hold the profession accountable, take stock of the moral vulnerabilities of physicians and use these lessons to create a post-Holocaust moral ethos that values rehumanization and human dignity.
Teaching Medical Ethics in Nazi Germany: Debunking the Myth that the Nazi Physicians Abandoned Their Ethics
Authors: Chelouche Tessa
Published: July 2022

In discussions on Nazi medicine, it is often presumed that the Nazi physicians abandoned or ignored all forms of medical ethics. This notion is far from the truth even though it is very difficult to come to terms with. It would be more comfortable to believe that Nazi physicians were a marginal group of madmen and what transpired in medicine during that period was unique and irrelevant to modern medicine. However, today we know that the Nazi physicians not only had a very detailed ethical code in place, but also that they were the first in the world to teach medical ethics at medical schools. These ethics courses were compulsory at every medical school in Nazi Germany and were based on the use of a specially published textbook, calledMedical Jurisprudence and Rules of the Medical Profession. The textbook provides a unique insight into the values and beliefs systems of the Nazi physicians, many of which were greatly influenced by the political and social culture of the time, and some that resonate with the current practice of medicine. Discourse on medical ethics during the Nazi period, as demonstrated by this manual, serves to remind physicians that we are all vulnerable to ethical transgressions and could do well by learning the lessons from this past.
The Transformation of Physicians from Healers to Killers: The Role of Psychiatry
Authors: Miller Susan M. , Gallin Stacy
Published: July 2022

This chapter will examine the direct and systematic involvement of psychiatry in the labeling, persecution and eventual mass murder of millions of those deemed “unfit.” While the entire medical profession can and should be held accountable for the abrogation of ethics that took place during the Holocaust, the role of psychiatrists, specifically, must be explored because of their ability to conflate clinical diagnoses with the worth of an individual. The theory of eugenics allowed psychiatry to provide the scientific justification and the practical mechanisms for the “mercy killing” of “life unworthy of life.” The leadership and expertise of psychiatrists paved the way for a powerful merger of medicine and politics that ultimately led to the mass murder of millions under the guise of scientific and societal progress.
Medicalization of Social Policies: Defining Health, Defining Illness
Authors: Caleb Amanda M.
Published: July 2022

This chapter examines the process of medicalization as it relates to both social policies implemented during the Nazi regime and contemporary social policies. Medicalization is the process of framing a social problem as a medical condition, thereby identifying the source of the problem as one of individual accountability and emphasizes the need to treat or cure the individual. When applied to social policies, this framework perpetuates dividing practices that create categories of social health and social sickness and allow for the control of individuals and groups of individuals. Nazi social policies were grounded in their racial hygiene agenda, which meant medicalizing individuals who participated in so-called deviant behavior, who contributed, or failed to contribute, to the nation’s welfare, and who were considered a threat to the citizenry and the health of the nation. This same medicalization of social policies is evident today in countries’ approaches to regulating sexual and criminal behavior, limiting government assistance, and restricting borders.
What trauma patients need: the European dilemma
Authors: Hietbrink Falco , Mohseni Shahin , Mariani Diego , Naess Päl Aksel , Rey-Valcárcel Cristina , Biloslavo Alan , Bass Gary A. , Brundage Susan I. , Alexandrino Henrique , Peralta Ruben , Leenen Luke P. H. , Gaarder Tina ,   the Visceral Trauma Section of the European Society of Trauma, Emergency Surgery
Published: July 2022

There is a need for implementation and maturation of an inclusive trauma system in every country in Europe, with patient centered care by dedicated surgeons. This process should be initiated by physicians and medical societies, based on the best available evidence, and supported and subsequently funded by the government and healthcare authorities. A systematic approach to organizing all aspects of trauma will result in health gain in terms of quality of care provided, higher survival rates, better functional outcomes and quality of life. In addition, it will provide reliable data for both research, quality improvement and prevention programs. Severely injured patients need surgeons with broad technical and non-technical competencies to provide holistic, inclusive and compassionate care. Here we describe the philosophy of the surgical approach and define the necessary skills for trauma, both surgical and other, to improve outcome of severely injured patients. As surgery is an essential part of trauma care, surgeons play an important role for the optimal treatment of trauma patients throughout and after their hospital stay, including the intensive care unit (ICU). However, in most European countries, it might not be obvious to either the general public, patients or even the physicians that the surgeon must assume this responsibility in the ICU to optimize outcomes. The aim of this paper is to define key elements in terms of trauma systems, trauma-specific surgical skills and active critical care involvement, to organize and optimize trauma care in Europe.
A systematic review of diagnostic tests to detect pelvic floor myofascial pain
Authors: Kapurubandara Supuni C. , Lowes Basia , Sansom-Daly Ursula M. , Deans Rebecca , Abbott Jason A.
Published: July 2022

Introduction and hypothesis

Myofascial pain arising from pelvic floor muscles occurs in women with vaginismus, interstitial cystitis and endometriosis but is often overlooked. The aim is to examine alternative diagnostic tests to detect pelvic floor myofascial pain compared with standardized vaginal palpation of pelvic floor muscles as the reference test.

Methods

A systematic review was prospectively conducted (PROSPERO-CRD42020183092) according to PRISMA guidelines. Databases searched included Ovid Medline 1946–, Embase 1957–, Scopus 1960–, Cochrane Combined, Clinical trials, Google Scholar (top 200 articles), Web of Science, TRIP, BIOSIS, DARE, CINHAL, EmCare, PEDro, ProQuest and EBSCOhost up to July 2020. Articles were independently screened by two authors and assessed for bias using QUASDAS-2 tool.

Results

A total of 26,778 articles were screened and 177 were selected for full text review, of which 5 were selected for final analysis. Five studies included 9694 participants of which 1628 had pelvic floor myofascial pain. Only one study reported data to calculate sensitivities and specificities of the index test, which utilized a score of > 40 on the Central Sensitization Inventory to detect women with pelvic floor myofascial pain and revealed a sensitivity of 34.8% and a specificity of 84.9% compared to the reference test.

Conclusions

This systematic review did not reveal any diagnostic test superior to the pre-defined reference test. There is a lack of consensus on the definition of pelvic floor myofascial pain and a lack of a validated diagnostic criteria which must be addressed to progress with meaningful research in this field.