bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quick simultaneous analysis of bambuterol and montelukast based on synchronous spectrofluorimetric technique
Authors: El Gamal Rania , El Abass Samah Abo , Elmansi Heba M.
Published: December 2020

Sensitive, simple and green analytical methodology for simultaneous estimation of bambuterol and montelukast as a combined medication based on their native fluorescence character was developed. The method relies on synchronous spectrofluorimetry to solve the problem of the overlapping emission spectra of the studied drugs. Using second derivative synchronous spectra enabled the simultaneous quantitation of bambuterol and montelukast without interference. The peak amplitudes of the aqueous solutions at Δ
λ
= 20 nm were estimated at 284 and 304 nm for bambuterol and at 374 and 384 nm for montelukast. A linear relationship was achieved over the concentration range of 0.2–1.00 µg ml
–1
for bambuterol and 0.4–2.00 µg ml
−1
for montelukast. All factors and parameters were carefully studied to obtain the highest sensitivity and good precision of the proposed method. Additionally, the validation criteria were assessed in accordance with International Council of Harmonization (ICH) guidelines. The method was used for the estimation of both drugs in their raw materials, synthetic mixtures as well their combined tablets with good agreement between its results and those from the comparison method.
Limb work and joint work minimization reveal an energetic benefit to the elbows-back, knees-forward limb design in parasagittal quadrupeds
Authors: Usherwood James R. , Granatosky Michael C.
Published: December 2020

Quadrupedal animal locomotion is energetically costly. We explore two forms of mechanical work that may be relevant in imposing these physiological demands. Limb work, due to the forces and velocities between the stance foot and the centre of mass, could theoretically be zero given vertical limb forces and horizontal centre of mass path. To prevent pitching, skewed vertical force profiles would then be required, with forelimb forces high in late stance and hindlimb forces high in early stance. By contrast, joint work—the positive mechanical work performed by the limb joints—would be reduced with forces directed through the hip or shoulder joints. Measured quadruped kinetics show features consistent with compromised reduction of both forms of work, suggesting some degree of, but not perfect, inter-joint energy transfer. The elbows-back, knees-forward design reduces the joint work demand of a low limb-work, skewed, vertical force profile. This geometry allows periods of high force to be supported when the distal segment is near vertical, imposing low moments about the elbow or knee, while the shoulder or hip avoids high joint power despite high moments because the proximal segment barely rotates—translation over this period is due to rotation of the distal segment.
Wind plays a major but not exclusive role in the prevalence of insect flight loss on remote islands
Authors: Leihy Rachel I. , Chown Steven L.
Published: December 2020

Terrestrial species on islands often show reduced dispersal abilities. For insects, the generality of explanations for island flight loss remains contentious. Although habitat stability is considered the most plausible explanation, others are frequently highlighted. Adopting a strong inference approach, we examined the hypotheses proposed to account for the prevalence of flightlessness in island insect assemblages, for a region long suspected to be globally unusual in this regard—the Southern Ocean Islands (SOIs). Combining comprehensive faunal inventories, species' morphological information, and environmental variables from 28 SOIs, we provide the first quantitative evidence that flightlessness is exceptionally prevalent among indigenous SOI insect species (47%). Prevalence among species which have evolved elsewhere is much lower: Arctic island species (8%), species introduced to the SOIs (17%), and globally (estimated as approx. 5%). Variation in numbers of flightless species and genera across islands is best explained by variation in wind speed, although habitat stability (thermal seasonality proxy) may play a role. Variables associated with insularity, such as island size, are generally poor predictors of flightlessness. The outcomes redirect attention to Darwin's wind hypothesis. They suggest, however, that wind selects for flightlessness through an energy trade-off between flight and reproduction, instead of by displacement from suitable habitats.
Atlantic walrus signal latitudinal differences in the long-term decline of sea ice-derived carbon to benthic fauna in the Canadian Arctic
Authors: Yurkowski David J. , Brown Thomas A. , Blanchfield Paul J. , Ferguson Steven H.
Published: December 2020

Climate change is altering the biogeochemical and physical characteristics of the Arctic marine environment, which impacts sea ice algal and phytoplankton bloom dynamics and the vertical transport of these carbon sources to benthic communities. Little is known about whether the contribution of sea ice-derived carbon to benthic fauna and nitrogen cycling has changed over multiple decades in concert with receding sea ice. We combined compound-specific stable isotope analysis of amino acids with highly branched isoprenoid diatom lipid biomarkers using archived (1982–2016) tissue of benthivorous Atlantic walrus to examine temporal trends of sea ice-derived carbon, nitrogen isotope baseline and trophic position of Atlantic walrus at high- and mid-latitudes in the Canadian Arctic. Associated with an 18% sea ice decline in the mid-Arctic, sea ice-derived carbon contribution to Atlantic walrus decreased by 75% suggesting a strong decoupling of sea ice-benthic habitats. By contrast, a nearly exclusive amount of sea ice-derived carbon was maintained in high-Arctic Atlantic walrus (98% in 1996 and 89% in 2006) despite a similar percentage in sea ice reduction. Nitrogen isotope baseline or the trophic position of Atlantic walrus did not change over time at either location. These findings indicate latitudinal differences in the restructuring of carbon energy sources used by Atlantic walrus and their benthic prey, and in turn a change in Arctic marine ecosystem functioning between sea ice–pelagic–benthic habitats.
What processes must we understand to forecast regional-scale population dynamics?
Authors: Lasky Jesse R. , Hooten Mevin B. , Adler Peter B.
Published: December 2020

An urgent challenge facing biologists is predicting the regional-scale population dynamics of species facing environmental change. Biologists suggest that we must move beyond predictions based on phenomenological models and instead base predictions on underlying processes. For example, population biologists, evolutionary biologists, community ecologists and ecophysiologists all argue that the respective processes they study are essential. Must our models include processes from all of these fields? We argue that answering this critical question is ultimately an empirical exercise requiring a substantial amount of data that have not been integrated for any system to date. To motivate and facilitate the necessary data collection and integration, we first review the potential importance of each mechanism for skilful prediction. We then develop a conceptual framework based on reaction norms, and propose a hierarchical Bayesian statistical framework to integrate processes affecting reaction norms at different scales. The ambitious research programme we advocate is rapidly becoming feasible due to novel collaborations, datasets and analytical tools.
Indirect parental effects on offspring viability by egg-derived fluids in an external fertilizer
Authors: Lymbery Rowan A. , Berson Jacob D. , Evans Jonathan P.
Published: December 2020

The capacity for parents to influence offspring phenotypes via nongenetic inheritance is currently a major area of focus in evolutionary biology. Intriguing recent evidence suggests that sexual interactions among males and females, both before and during mating, are important mediators of such effects. Sexual interactions typically extend beyond gamete release, involving both sperm and eggs, and their associated fluids. However, the potential for gamete-level interactions to induce nongenetic parental effects remains under-investigated. Here, we test for such effects using an emerging model system for studying gamete interactions, the external fertilizerMytilus galloprovincialis. We employed a split-ejaculate design to test whether exposing sperm to egg-derived chemicals (ECs) from a female would affect fertilization rate and offspring viability when those sperm were used to fertilize a different female's eggs. We found separate, significant effects of ECs from non-fertilizing females on both fertilization rate and offspring viability. The offspring viability effect indicates that EC-driven interactions can have nongenetic implications for offspring fitness independent of the genotypes inherited by those offspring. These findings provide a rare test of indirect parental effects driven exclusively by gamete-level interactions, and to our knowledge the first evidence that such effects occur via the gametic fluids of females.
Tsukamurella pulmonis conjunctivitis in patients with an underlying nasolacrimal duct obstruction – report of two cases
Authors: Kechker Peter , Senderovich Yigal , Ken-Dror Shifra , Laviad-Shitrit Sivan , Halpern Malka
Published: December 2020

Tsukamurella pulmonis

(

Actinobacteria

), a Gram-positive, obligate aerobic and weakly or variably acid-fast bacterium, is an opportunistic pathogen. Here we report two cases of conjunctivitis caused by

T. pulmonis

. Both patients had a previous history of nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). Isolation of

T. pulmonis

was performed on chocolate, tryptic soy blood and Columbia nalidixic agars. After 24 h of incubation, odourless, white-greyish, membrane-like colonies were observed. The VITEK-2 bacterial identifier system failed to identify the species, while Vitek-MS matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight technology, successfully identified the isolate from case 2 but not from case 1. Final identification was verified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. An antibiogram was performed and according to the results cefazoline in addition to vancomycin eye drops for 5 days, were suggested as a treatment in case 1. In case 2 the infection was ended without treatment. This is the first report of

Tsukamurella

as a pathogen that causes conjunctivitis in patients with NLDO.
Hybrid genome assembly of Shigella sonnei reveals the novel finding of chromosomal integration of an IncFII plasmid carrying a mphA gene
Authors: Muthuirulandi Sethuvel Dhiviya Prabaa , Anandan Shalini , Murugan Dhivya , Asokan Kalaiarasi , Vasudevan Karthick , Jacob Jobin John , Walia Kamini , Michael Joy Sarojini , Veeraraghavan Balaji
Published: December 2020

Azithromycin is increasingly being used for the treatment of shigellosis despite a lack of interpretative guidelines and with limited clinical evidence. The present study determined azithromycin susceptibility and correlated this with macrolide-resistance genes in

Shigella

spp. isolated from stool specimens in Vellore, India. The susceptibility of 332

Shigella

isolates to azithromycin was determined using the disc diffusion method. Of these, 31 isolates were found to be azithromycin resistant. The azithromycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using the broth microdilution method. In addition, isolates were screened for mphA and ermB genes using conventional PCR. Furthermore, an isolate that was positive for resistance genes was subjected to complete genome analysis, and was analysed for mobile genetic elements. The azithromycin MIC for the 31 resistant

Shigella

isolates ranged between 2 and 16 mg l−1. PCR results showed that a single isolate of

Shigella sonnei

carried a mphA gene. Complete genome analysis revealed integration of an IncFII plasmid into the chromosome of

S. sonnei

, which was also found to carry the following resistance genes: sul1, bla
DHA1, qnrB4, mphA, tetR. Mutations in the quinolone-resistance-determining region (QRDR) were also observed. Additionally, prophages, insertion sequences and integrons were identified. The novel finding of IncFII plasmid integration into the chromosome of

S. sonnei

highlights the potential risk of

Shigella

spp. becoming resistance to azithromycin in the future. These suggests that it is imperative to monitor

Shigella

susceptibility and to study the resistance mechanism of

Shigella

to azithromycin considering the limited treatment choices for shigellosis.
Accounting standards and value relevance of accounting information: a comparative analysis between Islamic, conventional and hybrid banks
Authors: Agbodjo Serge , Toumi Kaouther , Hussainey Khaled
Published: December 2020

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the value relevance of accounting information for Islamic, conventional and hybrid banks. It also investigates the moderation impact of IFRS adoption and AAOIFI mandatory adoption on value relevance of accounting information.

Design/methodology/approach

Using value relevance models, The authors run panel data regressions on 47 Islamic banks, 112 conventional banks and 42 hybrid banks (conventional banks with Islamic windows). The study covers listed banks from 14 countries over the period 2010–2018.

Findings

paper offers three empirical evidences. First, the authors find that value relevance of accounting information is higher for Islamic banks, compared to conventional banks. Second, the authors find that IFRS framework strengthens the relevance of accounting information in Islamic banks, but the authors did not find the same for hybrid banks. Third, the authors find that the mandatory adoption of AAOIFI accounting standards has a moderation effect on value relevance of accounting information for both Islamic banks and hybrid banks. The robustness analysis shows that there is a significant contribution of compliance with Islamic Finance rules in IBs and HBs, which substantially reduces managers' opportunistic behavior to manage accounting information.

Research limitations/implications

One limit of this research is the reduced number of sampled listed IBs since the authors deleted countries that do not have both listed Islamic and conventional banks.

Practical implications

The study is useful for investors that consider the Islamic ethical practices to make their investment decisions as well as for the standards-setting bodies that focus on establishing accounting standards for the Islamic banking industry.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the value relevance literature by providing novel evidence on the value relevance in fully-fledged Islamic, fully-fledged conventional and hybrid Banks. The authors also provide new evidence on the moderating role of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions standard (AAOIFI) for the value relevance of accounting information.
A 3D Geological Model Constrained by Gravity and Magnetic Inversion and its Exploration Implications for the World‐class Zhuxi Tungsten Deposit, South China
Authors: YAN Jiayong , LÜ Qingtian , QI Guang , FU Guangming , ZHANG Kun , LAN Xueyi , GUO Xin , WEI Jin , LUO Fan , WANG Hao , WANG Xu
Published: December 2020

The Zhuxi tungsten deposit in Jiangxi Province, South China, contains a total W reserve of about 2.86 Mt at an average grade of 0.54 wt% WO3, representing the largest W deposit in the world. Numerous studies on the metallogeny of the deposit have included its timing, the ore‐controlling structures and sedimentary host rocks and their implications for mineral exploration. However, the deep nappe structural style of Taqian–Fuchun metallogenic belt that hosts the W deposit, and the spatial shape and scale of deeply concealed intrusions and their sedimentary host rocks are still poorly defined, which seriously restricts the discovery of new deposits at depth and in surrounding areas of the W deposit. Modern 3D geological modeling is an important tool for the exploration of concealed orebodies, especially in brownfield environments. There are obvious density contrast and weak magnetic contrast in the ore‐controlling strata and granite at the periphery of the deposit, which lays a physical foundation for solving the 3D spatial problems of the ore‐controlling geological body in the deep part of the study area through gravity and magnetic modeling. Gravity data (1:50000) and aeromagnetic data (1:50000) from the latest geophysical surveys of 2016–2018 have been used, firstly, to carry out a potential field separation to obtain residual anomalies for gravity and magnetic interactive inversion. Then, on the basis of the analysis of the relationship between physical properties and lithology, under the constraints of surface geology and borehole data, human–computer interactive gravity and magnetic inversion for 18 cross‐sections were completed. Finally, the 3D geological model of the Zhuxi tungsten deposit and its periphery have been established through these 18 sections, and the spatial shape of the intrusions and strata with a depth of 5 km underground were obtained, initially realizing “transparency” for ore‐controlling bodies. According the analysis of the geophysical, geochemical, and geological characteristics of the Zhuxi tungsten deposit, we discern three principles for prospecting and prediction in the research area, and propose five new exploration targets in its periphery.
Geochemistry and Geochronology of Intermediate Rocks in the Jiangshan Au Deposit in the Bengbu Uplift, North Anhui Province: Clues to Regional Au Mineralization
Authors: SHI Ke , YANG Xiaoyong , DU Jianguo , CAI Yang , WAN Qiu , ZHONG Huaming , HUANG Xianjue , WU Mingan
Published: December 2020

The Jiangshan gold deposit is the largest, most recently‐discovered gold deposit in the Bengbu Uplift. The ore bodies are located in the structural fracture zone of the Zhuangzili Formation (Ar3), with major Pb‐Zn and Au reserves. In this study, LA‐ICP‐MS zircon U‐Pb analyses yielded a crystallization age of 111.5 ± 1.8 Ma for the quartz diorite porphyry in Jiangshan. The quartz diorite porphyry has high Ba and Sr content, with low Y and Yb content, which is similar to the characteristics of adakitic rocks. They are enriched in large ion lithophile elements (LILEs, e.g., Ba, U) and light rare earth elements (LREEs), while depleted in high field strength elements (HFSEs, e.g., Nb, Ti) and heavy rare earth element (HREEs). They have zircon ∊Hf(t) values of –23.52 to –21.14 (mean = –22.32). and Hf model ages of 2419.76 to 2569.39 Ma. The magma source area is the lower crust. Magma primarily came from the partial melting of the lower crust, with the addition of some mantle material. The quartz diorite porphyries are characterized by high zircon TTi‐in‐zircon values (608–757°C), Ce4+/Ce3+ ratios (71.97–1387.10) and Eu/Eu∗ ratios (0.46–1.08), indicating high temperature and magmatic oxygen fugacities. High temperatures can provide heat to fluids and highly oxidized magmas can control the behavior and speciation of sulfides, thus controlling the behavior of Au. Finally, the ore‐forming fluid is enriched and precipitated in a favorable structural space to form the Jiangshan Au deposit.
Geochronology and Petrogenesis of Granitoid Intrusions in the Feidong District, Southern Tan–Lu Fault Zone, China
Authors: FU Xiang , ZHANG Dayu , YAO Ziwei , REN Kangda , DENG Yufeng , LI Jiahao , JIANG Ren , YUAN Feng
Published: December 2020

The Feidong district is located in the southern segment of the Tan–Lu fault zone that separates the South China Block (NCB) from the North China Craton (NCC). We report zircon U‐Pb geochronology and Hf isotope data, as well as whole‐rock geochemistry for Xishanyi granodiorite and Jianshan granite in the Feidong district. Zircon U‐Pb dating results show that the emplacement ages of the Xishanyi and Jianshan intrusions are 124 ± 3 Ma and 130 ± 1 Ma respectively, coeval with magmatic events linked to large‐scale lithospheric thinning in eastern China. The whole‐rock geochemistry of the Xishanyi and Jianshan intrusions demonstrate that they are peraluminous, high potassium calc‐alkaline I‐type granites with adakitic characteristics. Both intrusions underwent weak crustal assimilation during emplacement. The in situ zircon ∊Hf(t) values of the Xishanyi granodiorites range from –26.4 to –21.8, with TDM2 model ages of 2552 to 2841 Ma. The in situ zircon ∊Hf(t) values of the Jianshan granite are from –27.5 to –23.0 with TDM2 model ages of 2632 to 2904 Ma. The peak age of inherited zircon grains from the Xishanyi granodiorite and the Jianshan granite were ∼2.07 Ga and ∼1.94 Ga, respectively. After compared with the regional magmatism, we suggest that both the Xishanyi and Jianshan granitoid intrusions were derived from partial melting of the NCC lower crust.
Finnish diabetes‐related quality of life questionnaire for children and adolescents: Reliability and validity
Authors: Hannonen Riitta , Vuorimaa Hanna , Rantanen Kati , Alho Iina , Luukkaala Tiina , Heikkilä Anu , Lappalainen Raimo
Published: December 2020

Aim

To study the psychometric properties, reliability and validity of the FinDiab quality‐of‐life questionnaire (FDQL), a strength‐oriented quality‐of‐life (QOL) questionnaire for children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Methods

Participants were 215 youths with T1D (aged 10‐17 years). They completed FDQL and comparison questionnaires (KINDL‐R and SDQ). Demographic and disease measures were collected from the participants’ medical records. The questionnaire's psychometric properties were investigated. Construct validity was studied through principal component analysis using Promax rotation, reliability with alphas, and criterion and convergent validity with correlations between sum scale, subscales, demographic and disease factors, and comparison measures.

Results

FDQL demonstrated an adequate range of measurement and feasibility. The four‐factor solution was found to be optimal, resulting in the subscales of flexibility with diabetes, well‐being, social relations and health behaviour. The sum scale correlated significantly with glycaemic control and the psychosocial and QOL comparison measures. Construct, criterion and convergent validity of the subscales was also good. Children under 14 years of age reported better QOL than older adolescents.

Conclusion

FDQL is a practical QOL assessment method focusing on strengths. The questionnaire has good validity and reliability and is easy to use as a clinical tool.
Disparities in intensity of treatment at end‐of‐life among children according to the underlying cause of death
Authors: Wolff Sanne , Christiansen Christian Fynbo , Johnsen Soeren Paaske , Schroeder Henrik , Darlington Anne‐Sophie , Neergaard Mette Asbjoern
Published: December 2020

Aim

To compare indicators of high‐intensity treatment at end‐of‐life (HI‐EOL) among children according to causes of death.

Methods

We conducted a nationwide registry study in Denmark among 938 children of 1‐17 years of age who died from natural causes from 2006 to 2016. We identified and compared indicators of HI‐EOL within the last month of life across diagnoses. Indicators were hospital admissions, days in hospital, intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation, and hospital death.

Results

Proportions of each indicator of HI‐EOL ranged from 27% to 75%. The most common indicators were hospital death (75%) and ICU admission (39%). Compared to children with solid tumours, children with non‐cancerous conditions had an adjusted odds ratio of 3.5 (95% CI 2.1‐5.9) of having ≥3 indicators of HI‐EOL within the last month of life and children with haematological cancer had an odds ratio of 11.8 (95% CI 6.1‐23.0).

Conclusion

The underlying diagnosis was strongly associated with HI‐EOL. Children who died from solid tumours experienced substantially less intensive treatment than both children with haematological cancer and non‐cancerous conditions did. Across non‐cancerous diagnoses, the intensity of treatment appeared consistent, which may indicate, that the awareness of palliative care is higher among oncologists than within other paediatric fields.
Effects of endogenous and exogenous oestrogen exposure on hearing level in postmenopausal women: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Suh Michelle J. , Oh Sun Kyung , Lee Soo Bin , Kim Sung Huhn
Published: December 2020

Objective

To investigate the effect of endogenous and exogenous oestrogen exposure on hearing levels in postmenopausal women.

Study Design

Retrospective cross‐sectional study.

Setting

Population‐based survey data collected by the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey between 1 January 2010 and 31 December 2012.

Subjects and Methods

Participants comprised 3653 postmenopausal women. Detailed histories for reproductive factors and data on the use of hormone replacement therapy were obtained through health questionnaires and otologic examinations, including pure‐tone audiogram and otoscopic findings. Complex‐sample linear regression models controlling for confounding factors were generated to determine whether hormone‐related factors were associated with hearing loss.

Results

Women who experienced a longer duration of oestrogen exposure had better hearing compared to those who do not in multivariate model adjusting for confounding factors with a lower adjusted beta coefficient of hearing threshold (β = −0.18, 95% confidence interval = −0.3 to −0.07, P = .002). The results also suggested that hormone replacement therapy may be beneficial for attenuating hearing loss (β = −1.22, 95% confidence interval = −2.19 to −0.25, P = .014), particularly in the high‐frequency range from 3 to 6 KHz.

Conclusion

A longer duration of lifetime oestrogen exposure (LEE) and the use of hormone replacement therapy are likely to attenuate hearing loss. These epidemiologic data provide evidence that oestrogen may be beneficial for attenuating age‐related hearing decline.
Thyroid function control among pregnant women following a therapeutic thyroidectomy
Authors: Horowitz Gilad , Ish‐Shalom Maya , Warshavsky Anton , Stern Naftali , Fliss Dan M. , Comaneshter Doron , Vinker Shlomo
Published: December 2020

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the extent of thyroid function control among pregnant women who had previously undergone a therapeutic thyroidectomy.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

The largest health maintenance organization in Israel.

Participants

All female patients who were pregnant between May, 2001 and September, 2012 and had a medical history of thyroid surgery.

Main outcome measure

The thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) levels throughout the pregnancy were compared to recommended trimestral values. A multivariate analysis was performed to determine risk factors for not attaining TSH recommended range.

Results

A total of 477 females with a history of thyroid surgery had given 701 births during the study period. Forty‐three percent (n = 203), had thyroidal malignancy. Nearly half of the women underwent total thyroidectomy (43.4%, n = 207). The women’s TSH values were within the recommended range in only 60% (n = 350) of the pregnancies during the first trimester (0.1‐2.5 mIU/L), in 61% (n = 335) during the second trimester (0.2‐3 mIU/L), and in 70% (n = 338) during the third trimester (0.3‐3 mIU/L). In multivariate analysis, women that underwent a total thyroidectomy due to a benign thyroid disease, were at the highest risk for not attaining target TSH levels.

Conclusions

This very large cohort of pregnant women with a past history of thyroid surgery demonstrated a significant percentage of pregnancies with TSH values above the recommended range. Women that underwent a total thyroidectomy due to benign thyroid disease were at the highest risk for gestational hypothyroidism.
Chronic limb‐threatening ischaemia and reframing the meaning of ‘end’
Authors: Monaro Susan , West Sandra , Gullick Janice
Published: December 2020

Introduction

The possibility of amputation and/or death from chronic limb‐threatening ischaemia (CLTI) is real, and deeper understandings of the person and family's capacity and preparedness for limb loss and clinical interventions (active or palliative) are required.

Background

The lead‐in period to the surgeon's recommendation for amputation for CLTI may be sudden or protracted; the number/invasiveness of previous revascularisation interventions varies, and limb loss and end‐of‐life considerations frame the experience.

Method

This prospective, longitudinal, interpretative phenomenological study in three vascular surgical units involved 19 CLTI journeys. Participants were interviewed when making decisions about amputation (15 patients, 12 family members) and, where applicable, 6‐months postamputation (8 patients, 7 family members). Hermeneutic interpretation using Heidegger's philosophical construct of Being‐towards‐death guided the analysis. The COREQ checklist ensured rigour in research reporting.

Findings

Some participants were unable to face the possibility of death and metaphorically ‘fled’, either through productive optimism or through hoping for more time (Heidegger's inauthentic positioning towards death). For others, authentic positionings of Being‐towards‐death were understood as: the confrontation of the certainty of their death by making choices about how to die; the indefiniteness of death where treatment choices influenced timing, yet the time for death remained unknown; the nonrelational nature of death, as the journey could only be lived by the person; and death as not to be outstripped, where for some, there was a freeing of oneself for amputation and/or death.

Discussion

The term ‘end of limb’ to denote the futility of the limb is a useful marker that emphasises the noncurative nature of CLTI. This may help to instigate and support discussions about end of life to support palliation care planning and the person and family's existential preparation for death.

Conclusion

Death frames the experience of CLTI. Using ‘end‐of‐limb’ and ‘end‐of‐life’ terminology may facilitate a family/patient‐centred approach to possible amputation and other conservative or palliative strategies.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Understanding of CLTI illness experience.

Decisions about revascularisation, amputation or conservative care.

End‐of‐life care for CLTI.
Tissue biomarkers for predicting the risk of oral cancer in patients diagnosed with oral leukoplakia: A systematic review
Authors: Monteiro Luis , Mello Fernanda Weber , Warnakulasuriya Saman
Published: December 2020

Objectives

We performed a systematic review to evaluate the published biomarkers related to oral leukoplakia (OL), aiming to identify the biomarkers that indicate any future risk of cancer in patients with oral leukoplakia.

Methods

A search strategy was developed for three main electronic databases: PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EBSCO, and also for Google Scholar, until February 28, 2020. The study selection was performed in a two‐phase process aiming at studies assessing tissue biomarkers for “malignant transformation of OL.” Risk of bias analysis of included studies was performed using the Quality in Prognosis Studies Tool.

Results

From 3,130 articles initially identified by searching databases, a total of 46 studies were included in this systematic review, with a combined sample of 3,783 patients, of whom 1,047 presented with malignant transformation of a previously diagnosed OL as reported by the authors. The cancer incidence in the whole group was 27.6% (range: 5.4% to 54.1%). The studies were derived from different geographic areas, including Asia (n = 21), Europe (n = 15), North America (n = 9), and Oceania (n = 1). There were 49 different molecular biomarkers evaluated in the 46 included studies: p53 and podoplanin proteins were the most frequently reported, followed by abnormalities at particular chromosomal loci (e.g., LOH). Risk of bias analysis revealed concerns associated with “measurement of prognostic factor,” “study confounding” and “statistical analysis and reporting.”

Conclusions

Substantial heterogeneity and lack of standardized reporting of data among the studies were identified. The most promising biomarkers reported to have a significant association with the malignant transformation in OL included podoplanin and chromosomal loci abnormalities. A critical examination of the follow‐up studies on OL published so far indicated that tissue biomarkers that could predict the risk of oral cancer in patients with OL are still in a discovery phase.
Detailed Numerical Comparison of Laminar Burning Speed of Stratified Hydrogen–Air and Methane–Air Mixture With Corresponding Homogeneous Mixture Using Open-Source Code
Authors: Rizvi Mohammad Sadik
Published: December 2020

A detailed numerical study of laminar burning speed for fuel–air mixture is conducted using laminarReactingLMFoam solver which is a modified version of reactingFoam solver based on openfoam code. It accounts for detailed mixture-averaged transport property calculation for reacting flow using low-Mach number governing equations. The effect of various equivalence ratio gradients is studied on stratified hydrogen–air and methane–air mixture with mixture-averaged transport model and unity Lewis number for all species, and corresponding laminar burning speed is compared with homogeneous mixture. For both the fuel–air mixture, rich to lean stratified mixture resulted in a higher laminar burning speed and no significant difference was noticed for lean to rich stratified mixture when compared with homogeneous mixture at same local equivalence ratio. Increased burning speed is explained based on higher burnt gas temperature and molecular diffusion of lighter species from burnt gas referred to “Chemical Effect” in this study. The effect of thermal and molecular diffusion from the burnt gas on laminar burning speed is studied for stratified and homogeneous mixture using mixture-averaged transport model and unity Lewis number for all species. It is shown that the molecular diffusion effect from burnt gas (“Chemical Effect”) is more prominent as compared with the thermal diffusion effect. Extension in lean flammability limit for stratified mixture of both the fuel is shown based on higher heat release rate as compared with homogeneous mixture and extension in flammability limit for stratified mixture is explained based on higher Chemical Effect from burnt gas.
Role of a Sinusoidal Wavy Surface in Enhancement of Heat Transfer Using Turbulent Dual Jet
Authors: Singh Tej Pratap , Kumar Amitesh , Satapathy Ashok Kumar
Published: December 2020

In this paper, the role of sinusoidal wavy surface in enhancing the heat transfer is numerically studied. The heat transfer characteristics are studied for two thermal boundary conditions of the wavy wall. To assess the effect of wavy wall, the amplitude is varied between 0.1 and 0.7 and number of cycle from 4 to 12 at an interval of 0.1 and 1, respectively. In order to see the effect of offset ratio, it is varied between 3 and 15 at an interval of 2. The Reynolds number (Re) and Prandtl number (Pr) are set to 15, 000 and 0.71, respectively, for all the numerical simulations. It is found that the maximum average Nusselt number (Nuavg) depends not only on the amplitude and number of cycle but also on the offset ratio. Overall, 23.27% in maximum heat transfer enhancement is achieved with reference to the plane wall surface. An approximately linear decrement in maximum Nuavg is observed when offset ratio increases. The results indicate that Nuavg increases with an increase in the amplitude of sinusoidal wavy surface up to N = 8 and almost follows the linear trend up to N = 7. It is also found that Nux is always on the higher side as compared to the corresponding case of a plane wall surface when N = 4, irrespective of the offset ratio. With an increase in N, Nux fluctuates about the result of plane wall surface after the initial increase because of the obstruction. The amplitude of the fluctuation increases with an increase in the number of cycle N, which indicates that fluid accelerates and decelerates gradually owing to the presence of trough and crest. Also, it is worth noticing that for some cases, there is a decrease in the heat transfer rate as compared to the plane wall case. Therefore, it is concluded that the increase in the surface area does not necessarily result in an increase in the heat transfer rate.
Effects of Oxygenated Biomass Fuels on the Performance of Diesel Engine and After-Treatment System
Authors: Zhang Jingxian , Chen Guisheng , Shen Yinggang , Li Bing , Li Qing
Published: December 2020

Oxygenated biomass fuels have attracted significant attention due to their contributions in reducing environmental pollution and fossil fuel consumption. In view of stricter emission regulations, the use of these alternative fuels cannot fully meet the requirements, and it needs to be combined with an after-treatment system. In this article, polymethoxy dimethyl ether (PODE) and n-pentanol were blended with diesel (D100 (pure diesel)) at 15% and 20% by volume, respectively, referred to as D85P15, D80P20, D85A15, and D80A20, while the effects of the addition of two new oxygenated biomass fuels on the performance of diesel engine and diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC) and catalytic diesel particulate filter (CDPF) after-treatment system were experimentally investigated. Results show that the addition of oxygenated biomass fuels can improve combustion and reduce carbon monoxide (CO) and soot emissions. At heavy load conditions, when D80P20 was used, compared with D100 and D80A20, the conversion efficiency of CO emissions in DOC + CDPF system is always the highest, close to 100%. It shows that the addition of oxygenated biomass fuels can effectively improve the exhaust oxygen concentration. Besides, there is nearly no increase in CDPF pressure drop at each tested engine speed when D80P20 is used. This has greatly improved in CDPF performance.
Numerical Simulation Investigation on Foamy Oil Behavior for a System of Heavy Oil-Mixture Solvent in Porous Media
Authors: Lu Xinqian , Lin Zeyu , Zhou Xiang , Zeng Fanhua
Published: December 2020

Heavy oil resources, as a non-renewable energy resource, often require extra enhanced oil recovery techniques such as solvent-based processes. Many kinds of solvents including pure and mixed solvents have been tested in solvent-based applications. Compared with pure solvent, the solvent mixture has the advantage of relatively higher dew point pressure while maintaining desirable solubility in heavy oil. The characterization of foamy oil behavior in a pure solvent system is different from that of the solvent mixture system despite their similarities. Thus, an additional numerical simulation study is necessary for the solvent mixture system. This work conducted simulation studies to investigate foamy oil behavior in a heavy oil-mixture solvent (C1 + C3) system from pressure depletion tests. A better understanding of foamy oil characterization and mechanism in a heavy oil-mixture solvent system is obtained. A reliable non-equilibrium model is developed to perform simulation studies. Since previous experiments suggest the behavior of foamy oil in the solvent mixture system share similarities with the heavy oil-methane system, this investigation first conducted a simulation study with consideration of two reactions in the model and achieved good agreements between the simulated calculation results and experimentally measurement. Then, four reactions are considered in the model for simulation study and obtained better history match results. The simulation results suggest methane has more impact on the foamy oil behaviors than propane in the heavy oil-mixture solvent system. This work also discussed the effect of model parameters involved in the history matching process and conducted sensitivity analysis.
Enhancements of the Thermal Uniformity Inside a Gas Turbine Dilution Section Using Dimensional Optmization
Authors: Elgammal Tarek , Selim Osama M. , Amano Ryoichi S.
Published: December 2020

In the dilution section of the gas turbine, the flow and thermal mixing between the cold radial jets and hot mainstream is always a matter of interest to generate a consistent thermal profile, extending the longevity of the turbine blades. Multiple researches explored the topic experimentally and numerically, and new designs have been evaluated, including a central streamlined body with swirlers inside the dilution zone. Moreover, the dimensional aspects (diameter, length, and position) of the streamlined body can help in generating more uniform thermal profiles, but with the cost of increased pressure drop. Various design iterations are needed to be tested and assessed based on minimizing the contradicting uniformity number and pressure drop. Such a process is time and resources consuming if not wisely managed. The paper proposes a solution for the current problem by the integration of the “Design of Experiment/Optimization Algorithms” generator with the computational fluid dynamics solver. The outcomes from three different algorithms (ULH, MOGA-II, and HYBRID) are statistically analyzed to understand inputs-outputs correlations, develop response surface methodology, and help in finding the optimal designs. The suggested HYBRID optimization provided a better optimal curve with improvements of 69% and 15% in the thermal uniformity and pressure drop, respectively. The correlation coefficients stressed on the importance of the diameter as the highest influencer with inverse and direct correlations with uniformity and pressure drop, respectively. Finally, the Kriging response surface model enabled more optimal designs and a better understanding of the effective ranges of the three inputs.
Efficient Removal of Magnetic Contamination From Drilling Fluids: The Effect on Directional Drilling
Authors: Saasen Arild , Poedjono Benny , Ånesbug Geir Olav , Zachman Nicholas
Published: December 2020

Magnetic debris in a drilling fluid have a significant influence on the ability of the drilling fluid to maintain its function. Down hole logging can suffer from poor signal to noise ratios. Directional drilling in areas close to the magnetic North Pole, such as in the Barents Sea, Northern Canada, or Russia, can suffer because of magnetic contamination in the drilling fluid. Magnetic particles in the drilling fluid introduce additional errors to the magnetic surveying compared to those normally included in the ellipsoid of uncertainty calculation. On many offshore drilling rigs, there are mounted ditch magnets to remove metallic swarf from the drilling fluid. These magnets normally only remove the coarser swarf. In this project, we use a combination of strong magnets and flow directors to significantly improve the performance of the ditch magnets. This combination, together with proper routines for cleaning the ditch magnets, significantly helps to clean the drilling fluid. Through the combined use of flow directors and ditch magnets, it was possible to extract more than five times as much magnetic contamination from the drilling fluid as normal compared with other proper ditch magnet systems. This is verified by comparing the ditch magnet efficiencies from two drilling rigs drilling extended reach drilling (ERD) wells in the North Sea area. In this paper, it is discussed how the accuracy of directional drilling and well position effected by various interferences can be improved by the use of a drilling fluid with minimal effect to the measurement while drilling (MWD) measurement.
Detection of Unusual Thermal Activities in a Semiconductor Chip Using Backside Infrared Thermal Imaging
Authors: Salvi Swapnil S. , Jain Ankur
Published: December 2020

Rapid detection of hardware Trojans on a semiconductor chip that may run malicious processes on the chip is a critical and ongoing security need. Several approaches have been investigated in the past for hardware Trojan detection, mostly based on changes in circuit parameters due to Trojan activity. Chip temperature is one such parameter that is closely related to the degree of Trojan activity. This paper carries out backside infrared (IR) imaging of a two-die three-dimensional integrated circuit (3D IC) thermal test chip in order to detect unusual thermal activities on the chip. Four distinct image processing algorithms are evaluated and compared in terms of speed, accuracy, and occurrence of false positives and negatives. The impact of background thermal activity and finite duration of Trojan activity on the accuracy of detection is investigated. Within the parameter space tested in this work, the histogram method is found to be the most effective at Trojan detection in the 3D IC. Modifications in data analysis techniques are proposed that improve Trojan detection performance. This work may help develop thermal imaging as a means for real-time Trojan detection and enhancement of security of modern semiconductor chips, including 3D ICs.
Evaluation of a Turbulent Jet Flame Flashback Correlation Applied to Annular Flow Configurations With and Without Swirl
Authors: Sullivan Lewis E. , McDonell Vincent G. , Kalantari Alireza , Saxena Priyank
Published: December 2020

The adaptation of high hydrogen content fuels for low emissions gas turbines represents a potential opportunity to reduce the carbon footprint of these devices. The high flame speed of hydrogen air mixtures combined with the small quenching distances poses a challenge for using these fuels in situations where a significant premixing is desired. In particular, flashback in either the core flow or along the walls (i.e., boundary layer flashback) can be exacerbated with high hydrogen content fuels. In this work, the ability of a flashback correlation previously developed for round jet flames is evaluated for its ability to predict flashback in an annular flow. As a first step, an annular flow is generated with a centerbody located at the centerline of the original round jet flame. Next, various levels of axial swirl is added to that annular flow. Additional flashback data are obtained for various mixtures of hydrogen and methane and hydrogen and carbon monoxide for all the annular flow configurations. Pressures from 3 to 8 bar are tested with mixture temperatures up to 750 K. Flashback is induced by slowly increasing the equivalence ratio. The results obtained show that the same form of the correlation developed for round jet flames can be used to correlate flashback behavior for the annular flow case with and without swirl despite the presence of the centerbody. Adjustments to some of the constants in the original model were made to obtain the best fit, but in general, the correlation is quite similar to that developed for the round jet flame. A significant difference with the annular flow configurations is the determination of the appropriate gradient at the wall, which in the present case is determined using a cold flow computational fluid dynamics simulation.