bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Screen time above recommendations in children and adolescents: analysis of the associated nutritional, behavioral and parental factors
Authors: Souza Sonimar de , Marques Kelin Cristina , Reuter Cézane Priscila
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Sedentary routines characterised by multimedia games favour an increase in the prevalence of obesity in schoolchildren and their parents. Thus, identifying the factors associated with screen time during childhood and adolescence is essential for the development of public health strategies.
Objective: To analyse whether excessive time in front of screens in children and adolescents is associated with nutritional, behavioural and parental factors.
Methods: Cross-sectional study on 795 schoolchildren, of which 354 were male, aged between 7 and 17 years, and their parents (father or mother) from a municipality in southern Brazil. The screen time spent by the students was self-reported, obtained in hours, considering excessive to be ≥ 2 hours a day. The parents’ nutritional profile was assessed in terms of body mass index (BMI). For the data analysis, the prevalence ratio (PR) was used and analysed using the Poisson regression, with 95% confidence intervals (CI).
Results: We found a high frequency of overweight/obese students (30.9%), with low levels of cardiorespiratory fitness (53.7%), who spend ≥ 2 hours daily on the TV, computer or video games (57.1%). Screen time was associated with the prevalence of being overweight (PR = 1.06; CI = 1.00-1.13) and obesity (PR = 1.10; CI =: 1.03-1.18) among fathers, only among adolescents.
Conclusion: Excessive screen time among adolescents was associated with the father’s nutritional status. It is suggested that strategies to reduce screen time should be implemented from childhood, involving the entire family.
Written narrative of students with and without difficulty in syntactic awareness
Authors: Soares Ana Claudia Constant , Zuanetti Patrícia Aparecida , Silva Kelly da , Guedes-Granzotti Raphaela Barroso , Fukuda Marisa Tomoe Hebihara
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Syntactic awareness is a metalinguistic ability defined as the child’s ability to reflect on formal processes relating to the organization of words in sentences and to manipulate them. This skill is still little explored in the context of school learning, and its importance in the school learning process of Portuguese-speaking children is poorly described.
Objective: To compare written narrative between children with and without difficulty in syntactic awareness.
Methods: The study was conducted on 60 children (mean age 9.4 years; SD: 0.9) enrolled in the 4th and 5th years of elementary school in a municipal school. The subjects were divided into two groups according to their performance in the task of syntactic awareness - G1 (children with medium/high performance in syntactic awareness) and G2 (lower performance). After the assessment of syntactic awareness each child elaborated a written narrative text based on a stimulus figure. This text was analyzed by judges in terms of spelling, grammatical errors, use of grammatical classes, and content. The Student t-test (α = 0.05) was used to compare the groups.
Results: G2 children showed altered handwriting; greater occurrence of spelling mistakes, mainly of irregular phonographic relation type; oral support and difficulty with nasal markers; short texts with preference for the use of nouns and verbs, as well as difficulties with text structuring, use of punctuation and vocabulary, while G1 used more verbs and pronouns instead of nouns.
Conclusions: Children with adequate syntactic awareness were able to elaborate written narratives with greater competence, demonstrating acquisition of orthographic aspects and development of textual coherence.
O uso das metodologias ativas como estratégias de ensino da medida da pressão arterial
Authors: Bachur Cynthia Kallás , Bachur José Alexandre , Candido Sarah da Silva , Machado Juliana Pereira , Daniel Ana Carolina Queiroz Godoy , Silva Cássio Magalhaes da Silva e , Veiga Eugenia Velludo
Published: October 2020

Backgroung: Blood pressure (BP) measurement is part of the physical examination performed by students in the health field. Active methodologies may be linked to the education system, with positive contributions to knowledge about BP measurement steps.
Objective: Compare knowledge about blood pressure measurement steps, before and after an educational intervention among physiotherapy and medical students.
Methods: Quasi-experimental study, with a single group that will be in control of itself, before and after the intervention, carried out in the year 2020. The evaluations were based on the active methodologies: KAHOOT, theoretical evaluation, and the OSCE method for practical evaluation. An educational intervention was carried out, using the Inverted Classroom, followed by debates, using practice and simulation for better learning. In the pre and post-intervention comparison, the Wilcoxon test was used on the theoretical and practical knowledge of students regarding blood pressure measurement.
Results: A total of 81 students, mean age 22.31 + 3.24 years. In the theoretical knowledge, from the KAHOOT, in the comparison before and after the educational intervention, a significant difference was observed in the total number of correct answers (p <0.001), except in the “patient position” step (p = 0.227). In the analysis of practical knowledge, from the checklist used in the OSCE, there was a significant improvement after the pedagogical intervention in all analyzed stages (p = 0.001).
Conclusion: educational intervention with active methodologies inverted classroom, KAHOOT, and OSCE were useful in apprehending knowledge about Blood Pressure measurement and suggests studies of broader scope.
Fatores associados a casos de Dengue na área industrial brasileira: um estudo ecológico
Authors: Cordeiro Danilo Correa , Fonseca Fernando Luiz Affonso , Arab Claudia , Leitão Francisco Naildo Cardoso , Zangirolami-Raimundo Juliana , Raimundo Rodrigo Daminello
Published: October 2020

Introduction: Dengue is an acute systemic viral infectious disease, established worldwide in epidemic and endemic transmission cycles. High levels of precipitation, adequate temperatures, proximity between urban and peri-urban centers, human movement between population centers and urban solid waste (USW) production may facilitate dengue transmission and spread.
Objective: To identify the relationship between diagnosed dengue cases and socioeconomic factors, USW mass generation and rainfall index.
Methods: Ecological study, with secondary data collection from 2010 to 2016 for each municipality of the Greater ABC Region in São Paulo, Brazil. Total population, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, USW, number of dengue cases and rainfall index were investigated. Data were collected on the websites of the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the municipalities of the Greater ABC Region, the Greater ABC Intermunicipal Consortium, the Greater ABC Economic Development Agency, the National Sanitation Information System, Surveillance Epidemiological Survey of the State of São Paulo and the Department of Water and Electric Energy of the State of São Paulo. Relationships between variables were tested by Spearman correlation.
Results: Data analysis of all municipalities showed a positive correlation between dengue cases with total population (r=0.675, p<0.01), gross domestic product per capita (r=0.539, p<0.01) and MSW by inhabitant per year (r=0.492, p<0.01). Positive correlations were also observed between total population and gross domestic product per capita (r=0.583, p<0.01), MSW / Day (r=0.302, p<0.05) and MSW/year (r=0.961, p<0.01); gross domestic product per capita and MSW/day (r=0.849, p<0.01), MSW/year (r=0.410, p<0.05) and rainfall index (RI) (r=0.416, p<0.05); MSW / day and MSW / year (r=0.389, p<0.01) and RI (r=0.388, p<0.05).
Conclusion: The larger the total population, purchasing power or socioeconomic status (GDP per capita) and the generation of MSW, the greater the number of dengue cases. Proper packaging of MSW seems to be a way to help in dengue cases control.
Implementação das práticas integrativas complementares - Acupuntura, nas unidades básicas de saúde da 12a regional de saúde de Umuarama (Paraná)
Authors: Silva Bruna Lira , Lopes Sandra Mara Silvério
Published: October 2020

Contextualização: As Práticas Integrativas Complementares em Saúde (PICS), em especial a acupuntura, tem despertado interesse por parte da população e gestores de saúde pública, porém a comunidade científica e gestora desconhece dados de sua implantação como recurso de saúde pública. Objetivo: Verificar a implantação da acupuntura pelas secretarias de saúde municipais dos municípios pertencentes a 12a Regional de Saúde de Umuarama-PR. Métodos: Foi elaborado um questionário e aplicado ao responsável pela secretaria municipal de saúde de cada município. Resultados: 21 (vinte e um) municípios correspondentes a região, onde 56,1% (151.946) da população tem acesso a acupuntura pelo SUS, 22,6% (61.408) não tem acesso a acupuntura e 21,7% (57.356) correspondem a soma do número de municípios que não responderam a pesquisa. Conclusão: Apesar da acupuntura uma das PICS estar presente em sua oferta pelo SUS em um maior percentual nas cidades da região pesquisada ainda considera-se incipiente a incorporação das mesmas.
Structural basis of ClpXP recognition and unfolding of ssrA-tagged substrates
Authors: Fei Xue , Bell Tristan A , Barkow Sarah R , Baker Tania A , Sauer Robert T
Published: October 2020

When ribosomes fail to complete normal translation, all cells have mechanisms to ensure degradation of the resulting partial proteins to safeguard proteome integrity. In Escherichia coli and other eubacteria, the tmRNA system rescues stalled ribosomes and adds an ssrA tag or degron to the C-terminus of the incomplete protein, which directs degradation by the AAA+ ClpXP protease. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of ClpXP bound to the ssrA degron. C-terminal residues of the ssrA degron initially bind in the top of an otherwise closed ClpX axial channel and subsequently move deeper into an open channel. For short-degron protein substrates, we show that unfolding can occur directly from the initial closed-channel complex. For longer degron substrates, our studies illuminate how ClpXP transitions from specific recognition into a nonspecific unfolding and translocation machine. Many AAA+ proteases and protein-remodeling motors are likely to employ similar multistep recognition and engagement strategies.
Gene flow relates to evolutionary divergence among populations at the range margin
Authors: Kaňuch Peter , Kiehl Berrit , Cassel-Lundhagen Anna , Laugen Ane T. , Low Matthew , Berggren Åsa
Published: October 2020

Background

Morphological differentiation between populations resulting from local adaptations to environmental conditions is likely to be more pronounced in populations with increasing genetic isolation. In a previous study a positive clinal variation in body size was observed in isolated Roesel’s bush-cricket, Metrioptera roeselii, populations, but were absent from populations within a continuous distribution at the same latitudinal range. This observational study inferred that there was a phenotypic effect of gene flow on climate-induced selection in this species.

Methods

To disentangle genetic versus environmental drivers of population differences in morphology, we measured the size of four different body traits in wild-caught individuals from the two most distinct latitudinally-matched pairs of populations occurring at about 60°N latitude in northern Europe, characterised by either restricted or continuous gene flow, and corresponding individuals raised under laboratory conditions.

Results

Individuals that originated from the genetically isolated populations were always bigger (femur, pronotum and genital appendages) when compared to individuals from latitudinally-matched areas characterised by continuous gene flow between populations. The magnitude of this effect was similar for wild-caught and laboratory-reared individuals. We found that previously observed size cline variation in both male and female crickets was likely to be the result of local genetic adaptation rather than phenotypic plasticity.

Conclusions

This strongly suggests that restricted gene flow is of major importance for frequencies of alleles that participate in climate-induced selection acting to favour larger phenotypes in isolated populations towards colder latitudes.
The role of geomorphic zonation in long-term changes in coral-community structure on a Caribbean fringing reef
Authors: Medina-Valmaseda Alexis Enrique , Rodríguez-Martínez Rosa E. , Alvarez-Filip Lorenzo , Jordan-Dahlgren Eric , Blanchon Paul
Published: October 2020

Ecological processes on coral reefs commonly have limited spatial and temporal scales and may not be recorded in their long-term geological history. The widespread degradation of Caribbean coral reefs over the last 40 years therefore provides an opportunity to assess the impact of more significant ecological changes on the geological and geomorphic structure of reefs. Here, we document the changing ecology of communities in a coral reef seascape within the context of its geomorphic zonation. By comparing basic ecological indices between historical and modern data we show that in 35 years the reef-front zone was transformed from a complex coral assemblage with a three-dimensional structure, to a size-homogenized and flattened one that is quasi indistinguishable from the adjacent non-accretional coral-ground zone. Today coral assemblages at Punta Maroma are characterized by the dominance of opportunistic species which are either tolerant to adverse environmental conditions, including sedimentation, or are known to be the first scleractinian species to recruit on disturbed reefs, implying they reflect a post-hurricane stage of adjustment. Despite an increase in similarity in ecological indices, the reef-front and coral-ground geomorphic zones still retain significant differences in coral assemblages and benthic habitat and are not homogeneous. The partial convergence of coral assemblages certainly has important consequences for the ecology and geological viability of the reef and its role in coastal protection, but environmental physical drivers continue to exert a fundamental role in the character and zonation of benthic communities of this reef seascape.
Constitution of a comprehensive phytochemical profile and network pharmacology based investigation to decipher molecular mechanisms of Teucrium polium L. in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Kutluay Vahap Murat , Diker Neziha Yagmur
Published: October 2020

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a metabolic disease affecting a huge population worldwide. Teucrium polium L. has been used as a folk medicine for the treatment of T2DM in Anatolia, Turkey. The antihyperglycemic effect of the plant was reported previously. However, there was no detailed study on the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, we generated a research plan to clarify the active constituents of the extract and uncover the molecular mechanisms using network pharmacology analysis.

Methods

For this purpose, we composed a dataset of 126 compounds for the phytochemical profile of the aerial parts of T. polium. Drug-likeness of the compounds was evaluated, and 52 compounds were selected for further investigation. A total of 252 T2DM related targets hit by selected compounds were subjected to DAVID database.

Results

The KEGG pathway analysis showed enrichment for the TNF signaling pathway, insulin resistance, the HIF-1 signaling pathway, apoptosis, the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway, the FOXO signaling pathway, the insulin signaling pathway, and type 2 diabetes mellitus which are related to T2DM . AKT1, IL6, STAT3, TP53, INS, and VEGFA were found to be key targets in protein-protein interaction. Besides these key targets, with this study the role of GSK3β, GLUT4, and PDX1 were also discussed through literature and considered as important targets in the antidiabetic effect of T. polium. Various compounds of T. polium were shown to interact with the key targets activating PI3K-AKT and insulin signaling pathways.

Conclusions

According to these findings, mainly phenolic compounds were identified as the active components and IRS1/PI3K/AKT signaling and insulin resistance were identified as the main pathways regulated by T. polium. This study reveals the relationship of the compounds in T. polium with the targets of T2DM in human. Our findings suggested the use of T. polium as an effective herbal drug in the treatment of T2DM and provides new insights for further research on the antidiabetic effect of T. polium.
Pseudodiaptomus marinus Sato, 1913 in the Black Sea: morphology, genetic analysis, and variability in seasonal and interannual abundance
Authors: Gubanova Alexandra , Drapun Inna , Garbazey Oksana , Krivenko Olga , Vodiasova Ekaterina
Published: October 2020

Calanoid copepod Peudodiaptomus marinus Sato, 1913 was first recorded in Sevastopol Bay in the northern Black Sea in September 2016. We performed regular observations of this new invasive species between October 2016 and December 2018. We conducted bi-weekly plankton sampling at three stations located within or adjacent to Sevastopol Bay. This is the first paper to combine (i) a detailed morphological study, (ii) molecular genetic analysis, and (iii) an investigation of P. marinus seasonal dynamics and interannual abundance variability in the coastal Black Sea. Our morphological research showed similarities between Pseudodiaptomus specimens and existing P. marinus illustrations and descriptions. Our morphological analysis results were confirmed using molecular genetic studies. Based on the genetic variability of ITS2 and cytb, we found that all investigated specimens from Sevastopol Bay belonged to P. marinus. Investigations of P. marinus seasonal and interannual abundance variability showed the same seasonal patterns throughout the studied period, with a higher seasonal abundance from October to November and one pronounced density peak in autumn. The highest abundances (2,000 ind m–3 at the mouth of the bay and more than 5,000 ind m–3at its centre) were recorded in November 2018. In the samples, we found adults of both sexes, including ovigerous females, copepodites I–V, and nauplii, suggesting that the species reproduce in Sevastopol Bay. Our research indicated that P. marinus is a new non-indigenous species (NIS) in the Black Sea, and we will discuss a possible vector of its introduction into this basin.
Using ForeStereo and LIDAR data to assess fire and canopy structure-related risks in relict Abies pinsapo Boiss. forests
Authors: Cortés-Molino Álvaro , Aulló-Maestro Isabel , Fernandez-Luque Ismael , Flores-Moya Antonio , Carreira José A. , Salvo A. Enrique
Published: October 2020

In this study we combine information from aerial LIDAR and hemispherical images taken in the field with ForeStereo—a forest inventory device—to assess the vulnerability and to design conservation strategies for endangered Mediterranean fir forests based on the mapping of fire risk and canopy structure spatial variability. We focused on the largest continuous remnant population of the endangered tree species Abies pinsapo Boiss. spanning 252 ha in Sierra de las Nieves National Park (South Andalusia, Spain). We established 49 sampling plots over the study area. Stand structure variables were derived from ForeStereo device, a proximal sensing technology for tree diameter, height and crown dimensions and stand crown cover and basal area retrieval from stereoscopic hemispherical images photogrammetry. With this information, we developed regression models with airborne LIDAR data (spatial resolution of 0.5 points∙m−2). Thereafter, six fuel models were fitted to the plots according to the UCO40 classification criteria, and then the entire area was classified using the Nearest Neighbor algorithm on Sentinel imagery (overall accuracy of 0.56 and a KIA-Kappa Coefficient of 0.46). FlamMap software was used for fire simulation scenarios based on fuel models, stand structure, and terrain data. Besides the fire simulation, we analyzed canopy structure to assess the status and vulnerability of this fir population. The assessment shows a secondary growth forest that has an increasing presence of fuel models with the potential for high fire spread rate fire and burn probability. Our methodological approach has the potential to be integrated as a support tool for the adaptive management and conservation of A. pinsapo across its whole distribution area (<4,000 ha), as well as for other endangered circum-Mediterranean fir forests, as A. numidica de Lannoy and A. pinsapo marocana Trab. in North Africa.
Las aposiciones compuesto(s)
Authors:   Universidad de Zaragoza (España), Marqueta Gracia Bárbara
Published: October 2020

El presente trabajo versa sobre un tema clásico en los estudios sobre la composición en español: las construcciones de los tipos pez globo y niño prodigio, su condición de compuestos o aposiciones. Proponemos que ambas construcciones representan un tipo de aposición (estructura sintáctica) con características distintivas. Desarrollaremos un modelo adecuado para capturar las diferencias significativas entre ambas aposiciones. En él, globo establece con pez una relación sintáctica distinta (la de modificación directa) de la que prodigio establece con niño (la de predicación).
Presencia de anglicismos en el campo de las ciencias farmacéuticas
Authors:   Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (España), Luján-García Carmen
Published: October 2020

El presente artículo examina el uso de anglicismos dentro del campo de la farmacia, que no parece estar exento del uso de extranjerismos. Con tal fin, se ha elaborado un corpus extraído de tres revistas de este campo, entre otras fuentes, para posteriormente analizar los distintos tipos de anglicismos (no adaptados, adaptados, híbridos y calcos). Los resultados revelan que las unidades léxicas anglicadas sin adaptación o puras son las empleadas con mayor frecuencia, seguidas de los calcos, híbridos y, por último, de los anglicismos adaptados. En un estadio posterior, se ha realizado un doble análisis del corpus: en primer lugar, atendiendo al grado de tecnicidad de los términos, distinguiendo entre anglicismos técnicos, semitécnicos y de uso general, y, en segundo lugar, teniendo en cuenta el campo semántico al que pertenecen los términos (biosanitario, procesos de fabricación/distribución y controles de calidad, TIC y términos generales). Para determinar las motivaciones que conducen al empleo de estos términos, se hace referencia a las funciones pragmáticas de los anglicismos (referencial, textual y expresiva).
Stepping into the translator trainees’ shoes: a descriptive study
Authors:   Universidad de Granada (España), Gregorio-Cano Ana
Published: October 2020

In the growing field of translation pedagogy little has been discussed about the importance of key central concepts such as translation problems, translation strategies or translator competence through empirical studies. This article examines the theoretical background as the starting point of the empirical study performed at five different universities in Spain: Universitat Jaume I (UJI), Universidad de Salamanca (USAL), Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO), Universidad Pontificia de Comillas (UPCO) and University of Granada (UGR). The research presented here focuses specifically on the development of translator competence and, particularly, the students’ capacity to identify translation problems. The study results demonstrate no regular patterns for the development of translator competence within the undergraduate translators and interpreters training programs in Spain.
Presente y futuro de la base de conocimiento terminológica EcoLexicon
Authors:   Universidad de Quebec en Trois-Rivières (Canadá), San Martín Antonio , Cabezas-García Melania ,   U. de Granada (España), Buendía-Castro Miriam ,   Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha (España), Sánchez-Cárdenas Beatriz ,   U. de Granada (España), León-Araúz Pilar ,   U. de Granada (España), Reimerink Arianne ,   U. de Granada (España), Faber Pamela ,   Universidad de Granada (España)
Published: October 2020

EcoLexicon es una base de conocimiento terminológica multilingüe sobre ciencias medioambientales desarrollada desde 2003 por el grupo de investigación LexiCon de la Universidad de Granada (España) y constituye la aplicación práctica de la teoría de la terminología basada en marcos. El presente artículo describe el funcionamiento de EcoLexicon y presenta sus últimos avances, que incluyen un nuevo corpus y una gramática semántica de word sketches en inglés, una reforma del módulo fraseológico, un enfoque flexible a las definiciones terminológicas y la representación conceptual mediante imágenes.
A study of contextual vowel nasalization in standard peninsular Spanish
Authors:   Universitat de Barcelona (España), Fernández Planas Ana Ma.
Published: October 2020

Since Navarro Tomás (1918) it is well known in Spanish phonetics that vowels between nasals become nasalized and that vowels followed by a nasal in syllable coda position might undergo a certain degree of nasalization, even if Spanish does not have nasal vowels from the phonological point of view. This study aims to explore this phenomenon through the use of a Nasometer by examining several nasal-vowel contexts (NV, VN, and NVN sequences, and with post-vocalic nasals in tautosyllabic or heterosyllabic sequences with reference to the preceding vowel), the distinction between stressed and unstressed syllables containing the target vowel, and three speaking rate conditions (slow, normal, and fast). The utterances produced by three speakers of standard peninsular Spanish are analyzed. Results of the percentage of nasality and nasalance indicate that the variables under examination are statistically significant in the process of vowel nasalization, though to a varying extent. A closer look at the different syllable positions in the nasal-vowel relationship addresses the issue of anticipatory vs. carryover coarticulation effects on vowel nasalization.
Geospatial Dynamics of Cropping pattern and Agricultural Efficiency in Kashmir Valley-A Northwestern Himalayan Region, India
Authors: Lone Sheraz Ahmad , Mayer Ishtiaq Ah. , Tali Javaid Ah.
Published: October 2020

Food (in)security and agricultural efficiency is a major challenge in many of the world’s mountain ranges. The particular physical characteristics of mountains and associated socioeconomic factors, mountain regions all over the world face challenges in terms of food security and cropping pattern, although at different levels. Mountains in developing countries are sites of poverty. About 40 percent of the mountain population or nearly 300 million people are estimated to be vulnerable to food insecurity, of these, nearly 90 percent live in rural areas and almost half of those are likely to be chronically hungry. The present study also focuses on the regional disparities in agricultural efficiency and cropping pattern across different tehsils of Kashmir Valley-A north-western part of Himalayas. The study was carried out across thirty-nine spatial units (Tehsils) among different districts of Kashmir valley in GIS and remote sensing environment. Both primary and secondary data was employed. The study shows that the productivity of paddy, maize, and wheat is showing an increasing trend among all tehsils of Kashmir valley from 2011 to 2017 but the area under these crops is decreasing at an alarming rate leading a food deficit of  21.70 percent. So, agriculture planning is badly needed to curb this grave problem and impose restrictions to land conversion a burning issue nowadays
Quantitative analysis of MRI‐guided radiotherapy treatment process time for tumor real‐time gating efficiency
Authors: Placidi Lorenzo , Cusumano Davide , Boldrini Luca , Votta Claudio , Pollutri Veronica , Antonelli Marco Valerio , Chiloiro Giuditta , Romano Angela , De Luca Viola , Catucci Francesco , Indovina Luca , Valentini Vincenzo
Published: October 2020

Purpose

Magnetic Resonance‐guided radiotherapy (MRgRT) systems allow continuous monitoring of therapy volumes during treatment delivery and personalized respiratory gating approaches. Treatment length may therefore be significantly affected by patient’s compliance and breathing control. We quantitatively analyzed treatment process time efficiency (TE) using data obtained from real‐world patient treatment logs to optimize MRgRT delivery settings.

Methods

Data corresponding to the first 100 patients treated with a low T hybrid MRI‐Linac system, both in free breathing (FB) and in breath hold inspiration (BHI) were collected. TE has been computed as the percentage difference of the actual single fraction’s total treatment time and the predicted treatment process time, as computed by the TPS during plan optimization.

Differences between the scheduled and actual treatment room occupancy time were also evaluated. Finally, possible correlations with planning, delivery and clinical parameters with TE were also investigated.

Results

Nine hundred and nineteen treatment fractions were evaluated. TE difference between BHI and FB patients’ groups was statistically significant and the mean TE were 42.4%, and −0.5% respectively.

No correlation was found with TE for BHI and FB groups. Planning, delivering and clinical parameters classified BHI and FB groups, but no correlation with TE was found.

Conclusion

The use of BHI gating technique can increase the treatment process time significantly. BHI technique could be not always an adequate delivery technique to optimize the treatment process time. Further gating techniques should be considered to improve the use of MRgRT.
Co‐Construction of Sulfur Vacancies and Heterojunctions in Tungsten Disulfide to Induce Fast Electronic/Ionic Diffusion Kinetics for Sodium‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Li Yu , Qian Ji , Zhang Minghao , Wang Shuo , Wang Zhaohua , Li Maosheng , Bai Ying , An Qinyou , Xu Huajie , Wu Feng , Mai Liqiang , Wu Chuan
Published: October 2020

Engineering novel electrode materials with unique architectures has a significant impact on tuning the structural/electrochemical properties for boosting the performance of secondary battery systems. Herein, starting from well‐organized WS2 nanorods, an ingenious design of a one‐step method is proposed to prepare a bimetallic sulfide composite with a coaxial carbon coating layer, simply enabled by ZIF‐8 introduction. Rich sulfur vacancies and WS2/ZnS heterojunctions can be simultaneously developed, that significantly improve ionic and electronic diffusion kinetics. In addition, a homogeneous carbon protective layer around the surface of the composite guarantees an outstanding structural stability, a reversible capacity of 170.8 mAh g−1 after 5000 cycles at a high rate of 5 A g−1. A great potential in practical application is also exhibited, where a full cell based on the WS2−x/ZnS@C anode and the P2‐Na2/3Ni1/3Mn1/3O2 cathode can maintain a reversible capacity of 89.4 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 1 A g−1. Moreover, the underlying electrochemical Na storage mechanisms are illustrated in detail by theoretical calculations, electrochemical kinetic analysis, and operando X‐ray diffraction characterization.
Highly Sensitive Flexible Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor Based on Side‐Polishing Helical‐Core Fiber: Theoretical Analysis and Experimental Demonstration
Authors: Wang Xianbin , Deng Hongchang , Yuan Libo
Published: October 2020

The prism‐based surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensing system provides a flexible way to modulate the resonance wavelength by changing the incident angle. Unfortunately, it is difficult to implement such a type of modulation for optical fiber SPR sensor. Herein, a novel and flexible SPR sensor based on a side‐polishing helical‐core fiber (HCF), which is fabricated by twisting an eccentric core fiber, is presented. For the first time to the best of knowledge, the sensing effect of such a sensor theoretically and experimentally is demonstrated. Two SPR excitation methods based on the cladding whispering gallery modes and the core mode are introduced into studying the sensor. The results show that the resonant wavelength of the HCF SPR sensor can be effectively adjusted by changing the twist pitch of HCF. An average sensitivity of 7400 nm/RIU is achieved for the refractive index sensing from 1.375 to 1.385 with a twist pitch of 1.9 mm. This sensitivity can be further improved by using a shorter pitch of HCF. Those characteristics enable the fabrication of sensor arrays in one helical single‐core or multicore fiber with several different twist pitches for multiparameter measurement and may also find wide application in chemo/biosensing.
Thermochromic and/or photochromic properties of electrospun cellulose acetate microfibers for application as sensors in smart packing
Authors: Mancipe Javier Mauricio Anaya , Nista Silvia Vaz Guerra , Caballero Gustavo Emilio Ramirez , Mei Lucia Helena Inocentinni
Published: October 2020

There is growing demand for smart materials whose chemical structure, shape, and/or color, among other properties could be modified for use in applied packaging in the food industry, pharmacy, textiles, and so forth. These variations results from external stimuli, whether chemical, physical, and/or environmental (humidity, heat, light, and so forth), which has created promising materials for use in various areas of engineering, such as the production of ultrasensitive sensors with the capacity that the said variations are perceptible to the naked eye. The production of nanostructured sensor membranes obtained by electrospinning is one interesting alternative that has been attracting the attention of researchers in recent years. However, many studies related to the application of photosensors supported in electrospun cellulose acetate (CA) have not been found in the literature. Among the most used materials in electrospinning, CA stands out due to its wide availability and low cost that reflects in several applications. Two commercial sensitive pigments were used, a thermosensitive and a photosensitive one, in concentrations between 0 and 10% (m/v), to evaluate the best amount in the nanosensors they could be seen through naked eye. Variation on the fibers morphology was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. The stability and thermal transitions were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The composition of chemical fibers was studied using FTIR‐ATR. Finally, the thermal and/or UV light response was performed by qualitative test.
The nonlinear stress relaxation behavior after a step shear of star‐shaped styrene‐butadiene rubber filled with precipitated silica: Experiment and simulation
Authors: Pole Sandeep S. , Isayev Avraam I.
Published: October 2020

The nonlinear stress relaxation behavior after a step shear strain of star‐shaped SSBR/silica compounds containing 21 vol% filler of various surface areas was measured and simulated using constitutive equations. A styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) gum and SBR filled with silica having BET surface areas of 55, 135, 160, and 195 m2/g were used. Relaxation modulus behavior of the filled compounds was found to be dependent on surface area. Specifically, stress relaxation tests indicated that an increase in surface area led to increase in values of relaxation moduli in both the linear and nonlinear regimes. The time‐dependent relaxation modulus exhibited a plateau at long times of relaxation in compounds containing silica of high surface area. Additionally, good time‐strain superpositions were achieved for all samples at intermediate times of relaxation, and the strain‐dependent damping function decreased with filler surface area. The constitutive equations proposed by Leonov and Simhambhatla and Leonov, modified to include multimodal relaxation of the particle network, were used to predict the time evolution of the relaxation modulus in the nonlinear regime for all samples. The simulations provided good results for the SBR gum for all tested strain levels. Also, in the compounds filled with silica, both models satisfactorily described the experimental observation in the nonlinear regime at low strain levels. However, at higher strain levels, due to a possible slip effect, the simulations overpredicted measured values of the relaxation moduli, thus leading to only qualitative predictions of the observed behavior. It is also possible that neither model accurately captured the floc rupture kinetics of these complex rubber compounds.
Wettability alteration of oil‐wet carbonate rocks by chitosan derivatives for application in enhanced oil recovery
Authors: dos Santos Francisco Agatha Densy , Grasseschi Daniel , Nascimento Regina Sandra Veiga
Published: October 2020

The increasing demand for oil and the fast decline of crude oil production from mature fields encourages the development of new enhanced oil recovery (EOR) technologies. In this work, trimethyl chitosan (TMC) and trimethyl chitosan hydrophobized with myristoyl chloride (TMC‐C14) are synthesized, and their wettability modification capacity of oil‐wet carbonate rocks is evaluated through contact angle measurements, atomic force microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy. Their interaction with asphaltene molecules was evaluated through UV–Vis spectroscopy. Transport behavior and oil displacement capacity were investigated in an unconsolidated porous medium. Results show that they can modify the wettability of oil‐wet carbonate rocks, turning them water‐wet, promoting oil displacement increases by 25% for TMC, and 16% for TMC‐C14.TMC shows a better performance for wettability alteration than TMC‐C14, confirming the hypothesis that the higher the positive charge density on the polymeric surfactant structure, the more efficient will be the system as a wettability modifier and as an EOR agent.
Payne cell gravimetric measurements in polymer‐solvent systems for diffusion coefficients and isotherm data
Authors: Zielinski John M. , Altinkaya Sacide Alsoy , Garcia Armando R.
Published: October 2020

The discussion focuses on the application of a Payne cell to the measurement of diffusion and solubility coefficients in polymer/solvent systems. Payne cells have, thus far, been used exclusively to measure steady‐state permeation rates of solvents. An analytical model has been developed to describe transient gravimetric sorption and desorption measurements performed with a Payne cell. The model has been validated by a complementary numerical simulation and has been applied to evaluate diffusion and solubility coefficients in two different toluene‐silicone rubber systems. The data measured using the Payne cell are found to compare very well with diffusion coefficient and isotherm data measured by traditional gravimetric sorption experiments.
Influences of high‐impact polystyrene loading on the foaming behavior andflame‐retardantproperties of polyphenylene oxide composites blown withCO2
Authors: Zhai Wentao , Li Die , Huang Pengke
Published: October 2020

Polymeric foam with high expansion ratio, well‐defined cell structure, and excellent flame retardant properties is essential for broadening its applications. Polyphenylene oxide (PPO) is a kind of cost‐effective engineering plastic with excellent flame retardancy, anti‐dripping behavior, and good mechanical strength, but suffers from its poor processability. In this study, microcellular PPO composite foams were fabricated by applying a solid‐state foaming technology using compressed CO2as the blowing agent. High‐impact polystyrene (HIPS) phase was introduced with the aim to improve the fluidity and foaming ability of PPO composites. It was interesting to find that the 18–48% HIPS loading significantly increased the expansion ratio, that is, 1.8–3.3 versus, 10.8–14.3, and broadened the optimum foaming temperature of PPO composite foams, attributing to the miscible character between PPO and HIPS and excellent foaming ability of HIPS. Furthermore, the as‐prepared PPO/HIPS composite foams exhibited high limited oxygen index (LOI) of 22.0–29.9%, low horizontal flammability rate (HFR) of 60.5–141.2 mm/min, and anti‐dripping behavior, and the void fraction was verified to be a critical parameter to determine the flame retardant performance of the composite foam. Besides its lightweight and excellent flame retardant properties, PPO composite foams also presented uncompromised tensile properties and well‐defined thermal insulation properties.
Formation of spiral structure from the violent relaxation of self‐gravitating disks
Authors: Worrakitpoonpon Tirawut
Published: October 2020

We present the numerical study of the formation of a spiral structure in the context of violent relaxation. Initial conditions are the out‐of‐equilibrium disks of self‐gravitating particles in rigid rotation. Using that mechanism, robust and nonstationary spiral arms can be formed within a few free‐fall times through the shearing of mass ejection following the collapse. With a closer look, we find different properties of the arms in connection with the initial configuration. The winding degree tends to increase with initial angular speed provided that a disk is thin. If the disk surface is circular, both the number and position of arms are governed by the Poissonian density fluctuations that produce more arms as more particles are introduced. On the contrary, if the surface ellipticity is imposed, the number of arms and their placement are effectively controlled. Otherwise, the increase in thickness leads to a complicated outcome as the number of arms and winding degree are less effectively controlled. We speculate that this complexity is caused by a strong nonaxisymmetric field during the violent relaxation that disorganizes the precollapse motion and the concentration of particles.
Risk factors and time trends for isolated craniosynostosis
Authors: Schraw Jeremy M , Woodhouse J.P. , Langlois Peter H , Canfield Mark A , Scheuerle Angela E , Agopian A.J. , Benjamin Renata H , Lupo Philip J
Published: October 2020

Background

We sought to investigate associations between maternal/infant characteristics and isolated craniosynostosis as well as its subtypes sagittal, metopic, and coronal synostosis, and assess trends in the prevalence of these conditions.

Methods

We identified cases in the Texas Birth Defects Registry from 1999 to 2014. We used Poisson regression to identify associations between maternal/infant characteristics and craniosynostosis. We used joinpoint regression and unadjusted Poisson regression to evaluate temporal trends. Finally, we computed adjusted Poisson models to evaluate whether temporal trends were evident after accounting for changes in the population distributions of maternal/infant characteristics over time.

Results

Relative to all live births in the general population, cases were more frequently male or preterm. Mothers of cases were more frequently non‐Hispanic white and more frequently obese. Non‐Hispanic black or Hispanic maternal race/ethnicity was associated with a lower prevalence of all craniosynostosis subtypes. Previous live births were associated with sagittal synostosis; residence on the U.S.‐Mexico border was associated with sagittal and coronal synostosis. The prevalence of any isolated craniosynostosis increased (average annual percent change estimated from joinpoint regression [AAPC]: 2.9%), as did the prevalences of sagittal (AAPC: 3.3%) and metopic synostosis (AAPC: 5.4%). In crude Poisson models, the same temporal trends were observed, however these were attenuated after adjusting for maternal/infant characteristics.

Conclusions

Prevalence of isolated craniosynostosis increased from 1999 to 2014. The largest AAPC was observed for metopic synostosis. Changes in the population distribution of associated maternal/infant characteristics may explain these trends.
Morphine‐6‐Glucuronide Isomers‐Synthesis and Biological Evaluation
Authors: Yang Jixia , Lu Guanyi , Zhang Gongzheng , Wang Xiaodi , Wen Hongliang , Huang Cipan , Yin Jiazhen , Li Jin
Published: October 2020

Morphine‐6β‐D‐glucuronide (M6βG), an active metabolite of morphine, and its isomer morphine‐6α‐D‐glucuronide (M6αG) were synthesized from 3‐O‐protected morphinethrough glycosylation and alkaline hydrolysis. All structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis, and especially it is the first time to report the single crystal of compound M6αG. In vitro binding assay showed that M6βG bound to mu opioid receptor (MOR), kappa opioid receptor (KOR), and delta opioid receptor (DOR) with nanomolar affinity (Ki = 28.03, 116.88, and 375.13 nM) and M6αG bound to them with similar affinity (Ki = 1070.13, 20 637.93, and 677.36 nM). The selectivity of M6αG toward KOR is much higher. Hot‐plate test showed that the analgesic effect of M6βG is better than that of M6αG, that is maybe because the mechanism of M6αG is different.
Effective Sample Preparation of Polyphenols in Wine Using Deep Eutectic Solvent‐based Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction HPLC‐UV Determination
Authors: Noh Jongsung , Song Seunghoon , Myung Seung‐Woon
Published: October 2020

Polyphenols are phytochemicals that exist in grapes and are beneficial to human health. In this study, resveratrol, oxyresveratrol, and piceatannol in wine were extracted by deep eutectic solvent dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (DES‐DLLME), and a method was established for quantifying these polyphenols by high‐performance liquid chromatography‐UV/Vis (HPLC‐UV/Vis). Several parameters pertaining to sample extraction, clean‐up, and concentration were optimized and verified with central composite design (CCD) using Design Expert 11. The optimized sample preparation parameters are as follows: the DES extraction solvent, tributylmethylammonium chloride/decanoic acid (1:3 M ratio); basic solvent, 1.3 mL of 5% potassium bicarbonate; volume of acetic anhydride, 250 μL; derivatization time, 5 min; dispersive solvent, methanol; ratio of extraction and dispersive solvents, 1:5.5; and salt, 1.0 g. Chromatographic separation by HPLC/UV–Vis was performed on an ACME C18 (4.6 mm id × 150 mm length, 5 μm particle size) column in gradient elution mode using water and 70% methanol. Under the established extraction and HPLC‐UV conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of the three analytes in spiked samples ranged from 1.69 to 2.53 μg/L and 5.64 to 8.42 μg/L, respectively. Recovery studies were performed in low, medium, and high concentration ranges to establish a calibration curve, and the accuracy and precision in the working range were 95.1–108.0% and 1.3–6.7 RSD%, respectively. The calibration curves for quantitative analysis were obtained in the concentration ranges 5.6–56.4, 8.3–82.6, and 8.4–84.2 μg/L, with correlation coefficients (r2) ranging from 0.9947 to 0.9967. The proposed method was applied to the determination of polyphenols in wine samples.
Impact of TV dramas on consumers' travel, shopping and purchase intentions
Authors: Ertz Myriam , Sarigöllü Emine , Karakas Fahri , Chehab Omar
Published: October 2020

Countries are increasingly competing with each other to attract tourists. However, little is known about how consumers' tourism‐related behaviors respond to country image endeavors, such as TV dramas. We propose that as an important image source TV dramas from a country contribute to crafting the country's brand image and thereby influence viewers' tourism related intentions. Considering the case of Turkish TV dramas and drawing on the Hierarchical Decision Model (HDM), a survey of 400 Arab viewers revealed that exposure to Turkish TV dramas results in increased intentions to visit and shop in Turkey as well as to purchase products made in Turkey. Furthermore, while increase in purchase intentions results primarily from enhanced experiential associations related to the country, increase in visit or shopping intentions results from improved status associations related to the country.