bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Validation of a high-performance thin-layer chromatography method for the quantitative determination of trehalulose
Authors: Mello dos Santos Mariana , Jacobs Christina , Islam Md Khairul , Lim Lee Yong , Locher Cornelia
Published: July 2023

A novel, simple and reliable high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) method was developed and validated for the quantification of trehalulose in stingless bee honey. The chromatographic separation was performed using silica gel 60 F254 HPTLC plates and 1-butanol‒2-propanol‒aqueous boric acid solution (5 mg/mL) (30:50:10, V/V) as the mobile phase. The retardation factor (RF) for trehalulose was found to be 0.045. The method showed linearity over the concentration range of 100–800 ng per band with a coefficient of correlation (R) of 0.9996. The limit of detection and limit of quantification for trehalulose were found to be 20.04 ng per band and 60.72 ng per band, respectively and the mean per cent recovery of trehalulose was 101.8%. The method has been validated for its specificity, linearity, sensitivity, precision, accuracy, repeatability and robustness following the International Council for Harmonisation Q2 (R1), and it has been successfully applied in the determination of trehalulose in stingless bee honey.
What is the impact of miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion on the midfacial soft tissues? A prospective three-dimensional stereophotogrammetry study
Authors: Krijt Laura L. , Kapetanović Aldin , Sijmons Wouter J.L. , Bruggink Robin , Baan Frank , Bergé Stefaan J. , Noverraz René R.M. , Xi Tong , Schols Jan G.J.H.
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the midfacial soft tissue changes of the face in patients treated with miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE).

Materials and methods

3D facial images and intra-oral scans (IOS) were obtained before expansion (T0), immediately after completion of expansion (T1), and 1 year after expansion (T2). The 3D images were superimposed and two 3D distance maps were generated to measure the midfacial soft tissue changes: immediate effects between timepoints T0 and T1 and overall effects between T0 and T2. Changes of the alar width were also measured and dental expansion was measured as the interpremolar width (IPW) on IOS.

Results

Twenty-nine patients (22 women, 7 men, mean age 25.9 years) were enrolled. The soft tissue in the regions of the nose, left of philtrum, right of philtrum, and upper lip tubercle demonstrated a statistically significant anterior movement of 0.30 mm, 0.93 mm, 0.74 mm, and 0.81 mm, respectively (p < 0.01) immediately after expansion (T0–T1). These changes persisted as an overall effect (T0–T2). The alar width initially increased by 1.59 mm, and then decreased by 0.08 mm after 1 year, but this effect was not significant. The IPW increased by 4.58 mm and remained stable 1 year later. There was no significant correlation between the increase in IPW and alar width (r = 0.35, p = 0.06).

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that MARPE results in significant but small changes of the soft tissue in the peri-oral and nasal regions. However, the clinical importance of these findings is limited.

Clinical relevance

MARPE is an effective treatment modality to expand the maxilla, incurring only minimal and clinically insignificant changes to the midfacial soft tissues.
Revenue implications of choosing discrete bid levels in a Japanese–English auction
Authors: Gonçalves Ricardo , Ray Indrajit
Published: July 2023

We consider the set-up of a Japanese–English auction with exogenously fixed discrete bid levels for a specific game (the wallet game with two bidders, following Gonçalves and Ray in Econ Lett 159:177–179, 2017). We show that in this auction, partition equilibria exist that may be separating or pooling. We illustrate separating and pooling equilibria in games with two and three discrete bid levels and compare the revenues of the seller from these equilibria to find the optimal bid levels for these cases.
Urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (uNGAL) and kidney injury molecule-1 (uKIM-1) as markers of active lupus nephritis
Authors: Ibrahim Walaa Hosny Mohammed , Sabry Alaa AbdelAziz , Abdelmoneim Ahmed Raafat , Marzouk Hamdy Fouad Ali , AbdelFattah Rasha Mahmoud
Published: July 2023

Background and objectives

Despite much research about lupus nephritis, none of the urinary biomarkers has been proven to be truly reflecting lupus nephritis activity, response to treatment, or prognosis. We aimed to study urinary biomarkers in lupus nephritis and test their relation to kidney damage.

Patients and methods

Forty patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were divided into two graoups: (1) lupus nephritis group with biopsy-proven proliferative lupus nephritis (classes III and IV) and who did not receive immunosuppressive drugs within the preceding 3 months except for glucocorticoids and (2) lupus non-nephritis group with SLE patients without any renal manifestation. We assessed disease activity by the SLE disease activity index. uNGAL, uKim-1, uNGAL to urinary creatinine excretion (mg/dl), and uKim-1 to urinary creatinine excretion were measured in random spot urine samples at the time of renal biopsy and 6 months after the induction therapy.

Results

The LN group before treatment showed higher levels of uNGAL and uKIM-1 (P-value < 0.001). ROC analysis showed that uNGAL at level of > 59 has a 95 % sensitivity, a 100 % specificity, and an AUC = 0.996 in the ability to diagnose LN. While the uKIM-1 ROC showed that at level of > 1.6, it has an 85 % sensitivity, an 80 % specificity, and an AUC = 0.919. uNGAL and uKIM levels were significantly lower after treatment (P-value < 0.001). No significant correlations were found between urinary markers before and after treatment with other clinical, inflammatory, and serological markers of lupus nephritis.

Conclusion

uNGAL, uKIM, uNGAL/Creat ratio, and uKIM/Creat ratio can be used as a predictor and a marker of disease activity for lupus nephritis.

Key Points• Renal biopsy is the current standard for diagnosis of lupus nephritis and none of the urinary biomarkers has been fully concluded to have a diagnostic power to reflect the activity or the response to treatment.• However, based on the finding of the current study, uNGAL, uKIM, uNGAL/Creat ratio, and uKIM/Creat ratio showed significant diagnostic performance and were powerful indices of renal involvement in systemic lupus patients and as markers of disease activity.
The utilization of bio-ethanol for production of 1-butanol catalysed by Mg–Al mixed metal oxides enhanced by Cu or Co
Authors: Frolich Karel , Malina Jan , Hájek Martin , Mück Jáchym , Kocík Jaroslav
Published: July 2023

The Guerbet reaction is a possible way for transformation of ethanol to 1-butanol (important for many kinds of industries), which consists of four steps: dehydrogenation, aldol condensation, dehydration, and hydrogenation. Due to the elimination of possible side-reactions, the selective catalysis is required to favour production of 1-butanol at temperature below 350 °C. The main aim of this work was the ethanol transformation via heterogeneous catalysis using active Mg–Al mixed oxides with copper or cobalt carried out in the microflow reactor in the reaction temperature interval 280–350 °C. The novelty lies in the statistical analysis of results from characterization of catalyst structure and surface with catalysis results providing more sophisticated perspective on the ethanol valorization. The series of Mg–Al catalysts containing copper showed an overall higher conversion of ethanol and selectivity to butanol compared to the series containing cobalt. Major difference of catalytic activity was at low reaction temperatures and at a lower copper content in the Mg–Al matrix, which is significant from the point of view of environmentally clean processes. A multi-step mechanism of the Guerbet reaction involving an aldol condensation was verified for both tested catalysts series and reaction conditions.

Graphic abstract
Strong, lightweight, thermally stable, and hydrophobic sustainable structural composites produced from coal-based waste and polymer-derived SiOC ceramics
Authors: Eterigho-Ikelegbe Orevaoghene , Ricohermoso Emmanuel , Harrar Hamza , Riedel Ralf , Bada Samson
Published: July 2023

Recycling coal-based waste (CBW) into composites suitable as a building material might be a necessary response to combat its risk to the environment. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the microstructure and performance of coal composites produced from CBW and polysiloxane polymer (SPR-212). Four types of CBW that differ in physicochemical properties were examined. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results indicated that the higher the intensity of the C=C bonds in the CBW, the higher the pyrolysis mass loss and shrinkage experienced by the composites during pyrolysis. The continuous operating temperature of the composites is up to 600 °C. However, at temperatures above 600 °C, composites containing carbon content greater than 36% manifested dramatic degradation. Pyrolysis mass loss in the range of 5.28 to 29.62% was obtained for all the composites. The density range of the composites is between 1.5 and 1.9 g per cubic centimetre. The water absorption of all the composites is within the range of 0 to 25% and is comparable to many building materials. Notably, the composites containing total carbon less than 10% registered a water contact angle greater than 90°, indicating the low wettability of their surface. Furthermore, composites that embodied the highest total carbon (63%) displayed the worst structural property. The findings of this study lay the foundation for further development of high-quality structural coal composites from CBW and the SPR-212 preceramic polymer through optimisation of the processing conditions.

Graphical abstract
Molecular detection of novel herpesviruses and adenoviruses in two species of Australian freshwater turtles
Authors: Okoh God’spower Richard , Ariel Ellen , Wirth Wytamma , Whitmore David , Horwood Paul F.
Published: July 2023

Cutaneous lesions were observed in a wild population of freshwater turtles during routine disease surveillance at Alligator Creek, Townsville, Australia. Previous attempts to identify the causative agent of these lesions were unsuccessful; however, existing evidence suggests viral etiology. To further investigate these events, blood samples and lesion, oral and cloacal swabs collected from 128 freshwater turtles at two locations (Alligator Creek and Ross River) were screened for herpesvirus, adenovirus, poxvirus and papillomavirus by polymerase chain reaction. We detected three novel herpesviruses (chelid herpesvirus 1–3) as well as three adenoviruses (saw-shelled turtle adenovirus 1–3). Phylogenetic analyses showed that the herpesviruses formed a distinct clade with the tumour-associated chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (Scutavirus chelonidalpha5) within the subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae. The adenoviruses clustered with members of the genus Testadenovirus. Although the novel herpesviruses and adenoviruses could not be linked to the occurrence of cutaneous lesions, further characterisation will help provide better insights into their clinical, epidemiological and conservation significance.
The Influence of Processing Temperature on the Tensile Properties of Melt-Spun PLA Fibres and their Self-Reinforced Composites
Authors: Goutianos Stergios , Beauson Justine
Published: July 2023

The temperature during the consolidation of self-reinforced PLA composites has a significant effect on their mechanical properties. In the present work, the effect of the consolidation or processing temperature on the properties of melt-spun, highly oriented PLA fibres is experimentally studied through single fibre tests. It is shown that the Young’s modulus and strain to failure of PLA fibres increases with exposure to consolidation / processing temperature, and the strength decreases more drastically. Using these data and findings from earlier studies, it is demonstrated that the dependence of the tensile properties of self-reinforced PLA composites on the processing temperature can be directly predicted from the single PLA fiber properties as a function of the processing temperature. This prediction holds true provided that the tensile properties of both the PLA fibers and self-reinforced PLA composites are measured using the same cross-head speed or strain rate.
The Between-Day Reliability of Correlation Properties of Heart Rate Variability During Running
Authors: Van Hooren Bas , Bongers Bart C. , Rogers Bruce , Gronwald Thomas
Published: July 2023

The short-term scaling exponent of detrended fluctuation analysis (DFA-a1) of heart rate variability may be a helpful tool to assess autonomic balance as a prelude to daily, individualized training. For this concept to be useful, between-session reliability should be acceptable. The aim of this study was to explore the reliability of DFA-a1 during a low-intensity exercise session in both a non-fatigued and a fatigued condition in healthy males and females. Ten participants completed two sessions with each containing an exhaustive treadmill ramp protocol. Before and after the fatiguing ramp, a standardized submaximal low-intensity exercise bout was performed during which DFA-a1, heart rate, and oxygen consumption (VO2) were measured. We compared between-session reliability of all metrics prior to the ramps (i.e., non-fatigued status) and after the first ramp (i.e., fatigued status). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), the standard error of measurement, and the smallest worthwhile change (SWC) were determined. The ICC and SWC pre fatiguing ramp were 0.85 (95% CI 0.39–0.96) and 5.5% for DFA-a1, 0.85 (0.38–0.96) and 2.2% for heart rate, and 0.84 (0.31–0.96) and 3.1% for VO2. Post fatiguing ramp, the ICC and SWC were 0.55 (0.00–0.89) and 7.9% for DFA-a1, 0.91 (0.62–0.98) and 1.6% for heart rate, and 0.80 (0.17–0.95) and 3.0% for VO2. DFA-a1 shows generally acceptable to good between-session reliability with a SWC of 0.06 and 0.07 (5.5–7.9%) during non-fatigued and fatigued conditions. This suggests that this metric may be useful to inform on training readiness.
Efficacy of combined inactivated vaccines against Vibrio alginolyticus and Streptococcus agalactiae infections in Nile tilapia in Egypt
Authors: Abotaleb Mahmoud M. , Soliman Heba M. , Tawfik Rasha G. , Mourad Ahlam , Khalil Riad H. , Abdel-Latif Hany M.R.
Published: July 2023

Vibrio alginolyticus and Streptococcus agalactiae are important bacterial pathogens that yielded high losses in Nile tilapia in Egypt. The present study aimed to check the protective efficacy of inactivated whole-cell bivalent vaccines against these pathogens using incomplete Freund’s adjuvant and Montanide™ IMS 1312 VG as adjuvants. The antibody titers have been determined at different weeks post-vaccination (WPV). Moreover, the protection levels against the challenged bacterial pathogens have also been examined in relation to the time-dependent protection at different WPV. The results revealed that serum antibodies were generated in all immunized fish at 1st WPV, peaked at 4th WPV, continued, and gradually decreased from 6th WPV to 14th WPV in all vaccinated groups. In addition, vaccines induced significantly higher protection of the immunized tilapia, manifested by higher survival rates. We noticed that the antibody levels and survival rates of the vaccinated fish by a vaccine adjuvanted by Montanide™ IMS 1312 VG were higher than those produced by a vaccine adjuvanted by incomplete Freund’s adjuvant at different time points. Moreover, no external clinical signs, visceral adhesions, or internal lesions were recorded in the vaccinated tilapia, demonstrating the safety of the formulated vaccines. According to the aforementioned findings, we could suggest that the prepared bivalent vaccines, using the two adjuvant types, are safe and highly protective and could be utilized as promising candidate vaccines to increase the resistance of Nile tilapia against V. alginolyticus and S. agalactiae infections. Moreover, Montanide™ IMS 1312 VG enhanced the immuno-protectivity and exhibited optimum immune response and earlier protection compared to the vaccine adjuvanted by incomplete Freund’s adjuvant, demonstrating its added value during the preparation of tilapia vaccines.
QUARE: towards a question-answering model for requirements elicitation
Authors: Calle Gallego Johnathan Mauricio , Zapata Jaramillo Carlos Mario
Published: July 2023

Requirements elicitation is a stakeholder-centered approach; therefore, natural language remains an effective way of documenting and validating requirements. As the scope of the software domain grows, software analysts process a higher number of requirements documents, generating delays and errors while characterizing the software domain. Natural language processing is key in such a process, allowing software analysts for speeding up the requirements elicitation process and mitigating the impact of the ambiguity and misinterpretations coming from natural-language-based requirements documents. However, natural-language-processing-based proposals for requirements elicitation are mainly focused on specific domains and still fail for understanding several requirements writing styles. In this paper, we present QUARE, a question-answering model for requirements elicitation. The QUARE model comprises a meta-ontology for requirements elicitation, easing the generation of requirements-elicitation-related questions and the initial structuration of any software domain. In addition, the QUARE model includes a named entity recognition and relation extraction system focused on requirements elicitation, allowing software analysts for processing several requirements writing styles. Although software analysts address a software domain at a time, they use the same kind of questions for identifying and characterizing requirements abstractions such as actors, concepts, and actions from a software domain. Such a process may be framed into the QUARE model workflow. We validate our proposal by using an experimental process including real-world requirements documents coming from several software domains and requirements writing styles. The QUARE model is a novel proposal aimed at supporting software analysts in the requirements elicitation process.
Traditional prescribed burning of coastal heathland provides niches for xerophilous and sun-loving beetles
Authors: Kerdoncuff Morgane , Måren Inger Elisabeth , Eycott Amy Elizabeth
Published: July 2023

In Western Norway, farmers have traditionally used fire as a management tool in coastal heathlands to enhance the fodder quality for livestock. Rotational prescribed burning increases landscape heterogeneity by creating a mosaic of different regeneration stages of heather. Ground beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae) responses to fire in traditionally managed coastal heathland have already been studied, but less is known about other beetle groups in this system. We compared the beetle activity between patches of mature and recently burnt heath, by looking at diversity indices, species composition and ecological preferences and traits. Contrary to previous studies, we did not find an increase in beta diversity after disturbance, but we found that prescribed burning offers micro-environmental conditions which enhanced the activity of sun-loving and xerophilous species. We also identified new indicator species for both mature and pioneer heath in five beetle families: Carabidae, Staphylinidae, Curculionidae, Leiodidae, and Scirtidae. Rotational prescribed burning was confirmed to be an efficient conservation tool for specialists without affecting the overall diversity of the site. We recommend the use of several taxa, ecological preferences and traits to assess the impact of prescribed burning and to monitor the condition of traditionally managed coastal heathlands.
COVID-associated complications after reconstructive breast surgery: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Bubberman J. M. , Claessen J. , Feijen M. M. W. , Meesters-Caberg M. A. J. , Van Kuijk S. M. J. , Van der Hulst R. R. W. J. , Tuinder S. M. H.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The COVID pandemic significantly influenced reconstructive breast surgery regimens. Many surgeries were cancelled or postponed. COVID entails not only respiratory, but also coagulative symptoms. It, therefore, potentially increases the risk of postoperative complications. The incidence of perioperative COVID infection and its influence on postoperative recovery after reconstructive breast surgery is still unknown.

Methods

This dual center retrospective cohort study included patients that underwent reconstructive breast surgery between March 2020 and July 2021. Post-mastectomy autologous or implant-based breast reconstruction (ABR; IBR), as well as post-lumpectomy oncoplastic partial breast reconstruction (PBR) were eligible. Patient data were extracted from electronic medical records. Data regarding COVID-19 infection was collected through a questionnaire. The primary outcome was complication rate.

Results

The ABR, IBR and PBR groups consisted of 113 (12 COVID-positive), 41 (2 COVID-positive) and 113 (10 COVID-positive) patients. In the ABR and PBR groups, postoperative complications occurred significantly more often in patients with perioperative COVID-infection. Especially impaired wound healing occurred significantly more often in the ABR and PBR breasts, but also at the donor site of ABR patients with perioperative COVID.

Conclusion

Perioperative COVID-infection increases susceptibility to complicated wound healing after reconstructive breast surgery. A possible explanation lies in the dysregulation of haemostasis by the virus, and its direct effects on microvasculature. A hypercoagulable state results. We recommend to postpone elective breast surgery for 4–6 weeks after COVID-19 infection. Also, precautionary measures remain important to minimize the risk of perioperative COVID-19 infection.
Resveratrol as sensitizer in colorectal cancer plasticity
Authors: Brockmueller Aranka , Sajeev Anjana , Koklesova Lenka , Samuel Samson Mathews , Kubatka Peter , Büsselberg Dietrich , Kunnumakkara Ajaikumar B. , Shakibaei Mehdi
Published: July 2023

Despite tremendous medical treatment successes, colorectal cancer (CRC) remains a leading cause of cancer deaths worldwide. Chemotherapy as monotherapy can lead to significant side effects and chemoresistance that can be linked to several resistance-activating biological processes, including an increase in inflammation, cellular plasticity, multidrug resistance (MDR), inhibition of the sentinel gene p53, and apoptosis. As a consequence, tumor cells can escape the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic agents. This underscores the need for cross-target therapeutic approaches that are not only pharmacologically safe but also modulate multiple potent signaling pathways and sensitize cancer cells to overcome resistance to standard drugs. In recent years, scientists have been searching for natural compounds that can be used as chemosensitizers in addition to conventional medications for the synergistic treatment of CRC. Resveratrol, a natural polyphenolic phytoalexin found in various fruits and vegetables such as peanuts, berries, and red grapes, is one of the most effective natural chemopreventive agents. Abundant in vitro and in vivo studies have shown that resveratrol, in interaction with standard drugs, is an effective chemosensitizer for CRC cells to chemotherapeutic agents and thus prevents drug resistance by modulating multiple pathways, including transcription factors, epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition-plasticity, proliferation, metastasis, angiogenesis, cell cycle, and apoptosis. The ability of resveratrol to modify multiple subcellular pathways that may suppress cancer cell plasticity and reversal of chemoresistance are critical parameters for understanding its anti-cancer effects. In this review, we focus on the chemosensitizing properties of resveratrol in CRC and, thus, its potential importance as an additive to ongoing treatments.

Graphical abstract
Wetting of native and acetylated cellulose by water and organic liquids from atomistic simulations
Authors: Sridhar Arun Srikanth , Berglund Lars A. , Wohlert Jakob
Published: July 2023

Wetting of cellulose by different liquids is interesting from the point of view of the processing of cellulose-based nanomaterials. Here, the contact angles formed by water and several organic liquids on both native and acetylated cellulose were calculated from molecular dynamics simulations. It was found that liquid surface tension was crucial for their wetting behavior. Acetylation decreases the work of adhesion to most liquids investigated, even non-polar ones, while others are not affected. Water has the highest affinity to cellulose, both native and acetylated. The results have implications for liquid infiltration of nanocellulose networks and the interaction of cellulose with different liquids in general.
Highly hydrophobic cellulose acetate mats modified with poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide) triblock copolymer and TiO2 nanoparticles by electrospinning
Authors: Gomez-Hermoso-de-Mendoza Joseba , Gutierrez Junkal , Tercjak Agnieszka
Published: July 2023

Cellulose acetate (CA) mats modified with poly(ethylene oxide-b-propylene oxide-b-ethylene oxide) (PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO or EPE) and sol–gel synthesised titanium oxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were successfully fabricated by using electrospinning technique. Under the same preparation conditions, higher spinnability was achieved for EPE triblock copolymers modified mats. All fabricated mats showed a micrometric multilayer structure, which enabled layer-by-layer peeling. The addition of TiO2 nanoparticles facilitated the peeling process. The diameter of the fibres was ~ 3 times lower after the incorporation of sol–gel synthesised TiO2 nanoparticles. TEM images confirmed that under electrospinning conditions the PPO block domains were able to microphase separated from the PEO block/CA phase. Additionally, the introduction of sol–gel synthesised TiO2 nanoparticles led to an inorganic network formation with nanoparticle size equal to ~ 8 nm in diameter. Moreover, the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles increased the hydrophobicity of the mats and their self-cleaning ability, being more effective for TiO2/CA than for TiO2-EPE/CA due to the partial absorption of water by EPE triblock copolymer. Young’s modulus of fabricated mats improved drastically with the addition of TiO2 nanoparticles, as well as their physical integrity in polar and nonpolar solvents. Fabricated mats with enhanced spinnability, which maintain CA mat features as well as the properties associated with sol–gel synthesised TiO2 nanoparticles, can find a wide range of applications.
Fostering pre-service teachers’ technology acceptance – does the type of engagement with tool-related information matter?
Authors: Özbek Tugce , Wekerle Christina , Kollar Ingo
Published: July 2023

Pre-service teachers’ often suboptimal use of technology in teaching can be explained by low levels of technology acceptance. The present study aims to investigate how technology acceptance can be promoted. Based on the Technology Acceptance Model by Davis (1986), we hypothesized that encouraging pre-service teachers to constructively engage with rather than passively reading tool-related information should increase their assessments of the tool’s perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, intention to use and actual use in lesson plans. In an experimental study, N = 53 pre-service teachers were either asked to read a blog post about the potential of a mind mapping tool (passive condition) or to work on small tasks covering the same information as the blog post (constructive condition). Finally, all participants were instructed to develop lesson plans. Contrary to our hypothesis, analyses of variance showed that passive engagement had stronger positive effects on technology acceptance than constructive engagement, i.e., reading a blog post significantly increased pre-service teachers’ perceived ease of use (partial η2 = .15) compared to working constructively on open-ended tasks (p < .01). Exploratory analyses indicated that deeper engagement with the tasks in the constructive condition was associated with lower technology acceptance (r = [–.37; –.27], p < .05). Nevertheless, both conditions yielded a significant increase in intention to use over time, indicating that engagement with information about a tool in general can foster pre-service teachers’ technology acceptance.
Stated Product Choices of Heterogeneous Agents are Largely Consistent with Standard Models
Authors: Dees Bart , Nijman Theo , van Soest Arthur
Published: July 2023

In this paper we analyze how stated choices for the amount of risk in pension assets of Dutch participants in DC pension products vary with their characteristics. We find strong evidence that this variation is in line with standard portfolio choice models. Heterogeneity in age, risk aversion, loss aversion, non-pension financial wealth, the relative importance of DC pension wealth and educational attainment leads to differences in product choice that are largely in line with standard theory. This applies to investment choices in the accumulation phase as well as in the retirement phase.
Full-Scale Fire Resistance Testing and Two-Scale Simulations of Sandwich Panels with Connections
Authors: Xu Qingfeng , Hofmeyer Hèrm , Maljaars Johan , van Herpen Ruud A. P.
Published: July 2023

To understand sandwich panel behaviour under fire, expensive full-scale tests, or potentially more efficient fire-structure simulations can be carried out. However, these simulations have only been demonstrated to work for specific applications, either on the global scale (a fire on a simple panel) or on the small scale (a temperature load on a single screw connection), often loaded by a standard fire curve. In this paper, the quality of simulations for combined situations is investigated, i.e. a furnace fire on a set of panels including details and connections. First two existing tests are introduced, a sandwich panel façade test and a studs bolt test, followed by the presentation of their basic fire-structure simulations. In general, the heat transfer analyses agree well with the tests, whereas the structural response analyses need investigation: For the first test, out-of-plane deflections are overestimated at the beginning of the test. A parameter study indicates that this is most likely due to adhesive decomposition, resulting in face delamination and related instabilities. For the second test, the basic simulation does not show any failure, whereas the test failed by vertical bearing. However, with a two-scale model the ultimate load is estimated, and increasing vertical displacements and the onset of vertical bearing are predicted. It is concluded that future tests should include more simulation-relevant measurements. Also, global-scale models need to include features specific to the structure to be simulated, only known after tests and basic simulations, and connections may be decisive for global-scale behaviour, which can be incorporated by a two-scale model. Finally, the tests exhibited complex behaviour across different scales, and modifications and improvements of the simulations increased their fidelity. Therefore fire-structure simulations should always be verified with tests and compared with basic simulations, and modifications in the simulation models should be anticipated.
Knowledge power or diplomacy? University alliances and the Belt and Road Initiative
Authors: Chou Meng-Hsuan , Demiryol Tolga
Published: July 2023

The growing importance of China as a major actor in international order has generated tremendous interest among social scientists, but scholarly debates remain in their disciplinary confines. Our study connects existing international relations research on China and the Belt and Road Initiative with two concepts in higher education studies—knowledge powerandknowledge diplomacy—to reveal the multi-faceted approach that China applies towards its “outward-oriented” internationalization activities in the knowledge domain. By studying two instances of university alliance-building through the Belt and Road Initiative, an empirically less examined area in both international relations and higher education studies, we demonstrate how China embraces aknowledge diplomacyapproach in the case of the University Alliance of the Silk Road andknowledge powerin the case of the Asian Universities Alliance. We argue that the co-existence of the two approaches points to the aim of China’s multi-faceted approach to its external relations in the knowledge domain. By combining alternative organizational structures and logics embodied in different university alliances, this approach presents a non-hegemonic attempt to normalize China’s network centrality in an interdependent world. We conclude that China’s Belt and Road Initiative university alliance-building efforts should open up a rich analytical space that encourages further exploration through a world-centeredtianxiaheuristic.
Assessing the ecological potential of reservoirs: a principal response curve (PRC) analysis approach
Authors: Cabecinha Edna , Pardal Miguel Â. , Cabral João A. , Monteiro Sandra M. , Cortes Rui , Saavedra Maria J. , Varandas Simone , Van den Brink Paul
Published: July 2023

Heavily modified water bodies (HMWB) have been seriously affected by human activities and natural processes promoting their imbalance, and impacting their functioning and biodiversity. This study explores a new approach of monitoring and assessing water quality in Mediterranean reservoirs using phytoplankton communities across a disturbance gradient, according to water framework directive. Phytoplankton and environmental data were sampled in 34 reservoirs over 8 years. Two types of reservoirs were analyzed: Type1 “run-of-river reservoirs” (located in the main rivers, with a low residence time); and Type2 “true reservoirs” (located in tributaries, with high residence time). The transition from deeper and colder reservoirs (reference sites) to shallow and warmer (impaired sites) was clear in Type2, correlated to organic pollution and mineral gradients. Impaired sites from both types showed a higher richness of tolerant taxa. Principal response curve (PRC) provided a concise summary of phytoplankton temporal dynamics and assessed ecosystem health for Mediterranean HMWBs. PRC will provide a powerful tool for environmental quality assessment and be incorporated into monitoring and assessment programs. This approach can help policymakers to manage natural capital to achieve multiple objectives, mainly increasing ecosystem services, and improve readability and interpretation of spatial patterns in temporal changes.
Determination of the Binary Diffusion Coefficients and Interaction Viscosities of the Systems Carbon Dioxide–Nitrogen and Ethane–Methane in the Dilute Gas Phase from Accurate Experimental Viscosity Data Using the Kinetic Theory of Gases
Authors: Vogel Eckhard , Bich Eckard , Hellmann Robert
Published: July 2023

The results of viscosity measurements at moderate densities on the two gaseous mixtures carbon dioxide–nitrogen and ethane–methane including the pure gases between 253.15 K and 473.15 K, originally performed by Humberget al.at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, using a rotating-cylinder viscometer between 0.1 MPa and 2.0 MPa, were employed to determine the interaction viscosity,$$\eta _{12}^{(0)}$$η12(0), and the product of molar density and diffusion coefficient,$$(\rho D_{12})^{(0)}$$(ρD12)(0), each in the limit of zero density. The isothermal viscosity data were evaluated by those authors with density series restricted to the second order at most to derive the zero-density viscosities and initial density viscosity coefficients,$$\eta _\textrm{mix}^{(0)}$$ηmix(0)and$$\eta _\textrm{mix}^{(1)}$$ηmix(1), for the mixtures, as well as,$$\eta _i^{(0)}$$ηi(0)and$$\eta _i^{(1)}$$ηi(1)($$i=1,2$$i=1,2), respectively, for the pure gases. Humberget al.have already compared their$$\eta _\textrm{mix}^{(0)}$$ηmix(0)and$$\eta _i^{(0)}$$ηi(0)data for carbon dioxide–nitrogen and ethane–methane with corresponding viscosity values theoretically computed for the nonspherical potentials of the intermolecular interaction. Now we employed$$\eta _\textrm{mix}^{(0)}$$ηmix(0)and$$\eta _\textrm{mix}^{(1)}$$ηmix(1)as well as$$\eta _i^{(0)}$$ηi(0)and$$\eta _i^{(1)}$$ηi(1)in two procedures to derive$$\eta _{12}^{(0)}$$η12(0)values. For this, we needed$$A_{12}^*$$A12∗values (ratio between effective cross-sections of viscosity and diffusion). But the second procedure applying the initial density viscosity coefficients$$\eta _\textrm{mix}^{(1)}$$ηmix(1)and$$\eta _i^{(1)}$$ηi(1)failed to yield reasonable$$\eta _{12}^{(0)}$$η12(0)values. The first procedure should provide the best results when it is possible to use$$A_{12}^*$$A12∗values computed for the nonspherical potential. The effect is comparatively small if$$\eta _{12}^{(0)}$$η12(0)is determined. But if$$(\rho D_{12})^{(0)}$$(ρD12)(0)is calculated from$$\eta _{12}^{(0)}$$η12(0)using$$A_{12}^*$$A12∗values for the nonspherical potential, the impact is several percent. Moreover, the experimentally based$$\eta _{12}^{(0)}$$η12(0)and$$(\rho D_{12})^{(0)}$$(ρD12)(0)data agree with theoretically calculated values for the nonspherical potentials.
Assessment interocular symmetry of peripapillary vessel density in young myopes with optical coherence tomographic angiography
Authors: Liu Lin , Deng Man-li , Li Min , Xu Ding , Feng Le , Zou Jun , Wang Fang
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of our study was to evaluate the interocular symmetry and distribution of peripapillary vessel density in young myopic eyes.

Methods

A cross-sectional observational study was designed. A total of 174 eyes of 87 young myopic patients were recruited in this study. According to spherical equivalent (SE), 48 eyes were classified as mild myopia with a mean SE of − 2.12D (SD 0.66D), 66 as moderate myopia with a mean SE of − 4.50D (SD 0.87D), and 60 as high myopia with a mean SE of − 7.39D (SD 1.30D). Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) was used to measure the vessel density. The distribution and interocular symmetry of peripapillary vessel densities were analyzed.

Results

The vessel densities in the whole image, peripapillary, superior and inferior sectors were significantly lower in the high myopia group than in the mild or moderate myopia group (All P < 0.001), and the density in the nasal sector was significantly lower in the high myopia group than in the mild group. And most interesting, the vessel densities in the inside disc and temporal sector showed no difference among the three myopic groups (All P > 0.05). By Pearson correlation analysis, the vessel densities in the whole image, peripapillary, superior, inferior and nasal sectors were negatively correlated with axial length (AL) and SE (All P < 0.001), but vessel densities in the inside disc and temporal sector did not show this correlation (All P > 0.05). Interocular symmetry was observed in all the vascular parameters through paired-samples t-tests (All P > 0.05), intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Pearson correlation analysis (All P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The density of radial peripapillary capillaries decreased in the myopic eye with axial elongation, and optical vascular parameters showed significant interocular symmetry among young myopic eyes.
Family-Centeredness in Secure Residential Treatment and Its Relationship With Parental Involvement and Adolescent Behavioural Outcomes
Authors: Broekhoven Jorinde L. , Blankestein Annemarieke M. M. M. , van Santvoort Floor , Asscher Jessica J. , van Domburgh Lieke , Simons Inge , Albrecht Gonnie , van der Rijken Rachel E. A. , Rijnhart Judith J. M. , Popma Arne
Published: July 2023

Various Dutch secure residential youth care (SRYC) institutions are implementing a family-centered approach aiming to increase parental involvement and improve treatment outcomes. However, it remains unclear if and how family-centeredness (FC) is related to increased parental involvement and to improved treatment outcomes of adolescents. In this study, we unravelled the relation between FC, parental involvement, and behaviour problems of adolescents in SRYC. Families of 404 adolescents admitted to one of seven participating Dutch SRYC institutions completed a survey (at the start, at the end, and at 6-months follow-up) on problem behaviour of adolescents. In addition, 411 group care workers filled out a questionnaire about their residential group’s level of FC every 6 months. Moreover, the mentor of each adolescent filled out a questionnaire about the level of parental involvement. We analysed the data using multiple mediator models. Associations were found between FC and parental involvement. However, no relation was found between FC and adolescent problem behaviour, and no mediation and no moderation effects of parental involvement were found. Overall, results showed that most parents were involved during the residential stay, and, independent of FC, adolescent problem behaviour decreased over time. Implementing FC in SRYC institutions seems to be helpful in involving parents during the residential stay, but was not found to be associated with adolescent behavioural outcomes. Our results indicate that institutions could improve their level of FC by offering more informal contact moments for parents and by addressing barriers to FC among residential staff.
Biocompatibility analysis and chemical characterization of Mn-doped hydroxyapatite
Authors: Villaseñor-Cerón L. S. , Mendoza-Anaya D. , López-Ortiz S. , Rosales-Ibañez R. , Rodríguez-Martínez J. J. , Reyes-Valderrama M. I. , Rodríguez-Lugo V.
Published: July 2023

The present work studies the effect of Mn doping on the crystalline structure of the Hap synthesized by the hydrothermal method at 200 °C for 24 h, from Ca(OH)2 and (NH4)2HPO4, incorporating MnCl2 to 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 %wt of Mn concentrations. Samples were characterized by the X-Ray Diffraction technique, which revealed the diffraction peaks that corresponded to the hexagonal and monoclinic phase of the Hap; it was observed that the average size of crystallite decreased from 23.67 to 22.69 nm as the concentration of Mn increased. TEM shows that in all samples, there are two distributions of particle sizes; one corresponds to nanorods with several tens of nanometers in length, and the other in which the diameter and length are very close. FTIR analysis revealed absorption bands corresponding to the PO4−3 and OH− groups characteristic of the Hap. It was possible to establish a substitution mechanism between the Mn and the ions of Ca+2 of the Hap. From the Alamar blue test, a cell viability of 86.88% ± 5 corresponding to the sample of Hap at 1.5 %wt Mn was obtained, considered non-cytotoxic according to ISO 10993-5. It also evaluated and demonstrated the good osteoinductive properties of the materials, which were verified by histology and immunofluorescence expression of osteogenic markers. Adhesion, viability, biocompatibility and osteoinductive properties, make these materials candidates for future applications in bone tissue engineering with likely uses in regenerative medicine.

Graphical Abstract
Evidence of a two-factor structure for Internet Gaming Disorder and Social Media Disorder: Psychometric properties of a new screening instrument for adolescents and adults
Authors: Burén Jonas , Nutley Sissela B , Crisci Giulia , Thorell Lisa B
Published: July 2023

Currently, there is no screening instrument available for assessing both internet gaming disorder (IGD) and social media disorder (SMD). This study aimed to examine the reliability and factor structure of a new screening instrument for adolescents and adults, the Gaming and Social Media Questionnaire (GSMQ-9), and to investigate its association with psychosocial outcomes (i.e., psychosomatic problems, self-concept, and social problems for adults and quality of life for adolescents). Survey data were collected from 995 university students and 626 adolescents. Results showed that a two-factor solution, representing Heavy Involvement and Negative Consequences, had a better model fit compared to a one-factor solution for both IGD and SMD and for both adolescents and adults. The internal consistency was acceptable, and the test-retest reliability was excellent. Negative Consequences were significantly more strongly related to all psychosocial outcomes compared to Heavy Involvement. The proportion of participants meeting the DSM-5 symptom criteria according to self-ratings on the GSMQ-9 was 1.4% (adolescents) and 1.8% (adults) for IGD and 2.6% (adolescents) and 4.0% (adults) for SMD. Conclusively, the GSMQ-9 appears to be a reliable two-factor screening instrument for IGD and SMD among adults and adolescents.
Evaluating COVID-19 Risk to Essential Workers by Occupational Group: A Case Study in Massachusetts
Authors: Haley Beth M. , Patil Prasad , Levy Jonathan I. , Spangler Keith R. , Tieskens Koen F. , Carnes Fei , Peng Xiaojing , Klevens R. Monina , Troppy T. Scott , Fabian M. Patricia , Lane Kevin J. , Leibler Jessica H.
Published: July 2023

Occupational exposure to SARS-CoV-2 varies by profession, but “essential workers” are often considered in aggregate in COVID-19 models. This aggregation complicates efforts to understand risks to specific types of workers or industries and target interventions, specifically towards non-healthcare workers. We used census tract-resolution American Community Survey data to develop novel essential worker categories among the occupations designated as COVID-19 Essential Services in Massachusetts. Census tract-resolution COVID-19 cases and deaths were provided by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. We evaluated the association between essential worker categories and cases and deaths over two phases of the pandemic from March 2020 to February 2021 using adjusted mixed-effects negative binomial regression, controlling for other sociodemographic risk factors. We observed elevated COVID-19 case incidence in census tracts in the highest tertile of workers in construction/transportation/buildings maintenance (Phase 1: IRR 1.32 [95% CI 1.22, 1.42]; Phase 2: IRR: 1.19 [1.13, 1.25]), production (Phase 1: IRR: 1.23 [1.15, 1.33]; Phase 2: 1.18 [1.12, 1.24]), and public-facing sales and services occupations (Phase 1: IRR: 1.14 [1.07, 1.21]; Phase 2: IRR: 1.10 [1.06, 1.15]). We found reduced case incidence associated with greater percentage of essential workers able to work from home (Phase 1: IRR: 0.85 [0.78, 0.94]; Phase 2: IRR: 0.83 [0.77, 0.88]). Similar trends exist in the associations between essential worker categories and deaths, though attenuated. Estimating industry-specific risk for essential workers is important in targeting interventions for COVID-19 and other diseases and our categories provide a reproducible and straightforward way to support such efforts.