bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Illness uncertainty among patients with COVID‐19 in the Mobile Cabin Hospital
Authors: Dong Liang , Chen Lei , Ding Shu
Published: May 2021

Aims

To investigate the status and influencing factors of illness uncertainty among patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) in the mobile cabin hospital.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

114 patients with COVID‐19 admitted to a mobile cabin hospital in Wuhan, Hubei Province, in February 2020 were enrolled by a convenience sampling method. The Chinese version of the Mishel Illness Uncertainty Scale (MUIS) was used to assess patients’ degree of illness uncertainty, and multiple regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors.

Results

The average total score of MUIS (Chinese version) was 52.22 ± 12.51, indicating a moderate level of illness uncertainty. The dimension unpredictability turned out to have the highest mean score: 2.88 ± 0.90. The multiple stepwise regression analysis showed that female (t = 2.462, p = .015), monthly family income not less than RMB 10,000 (t = −2.095, p = .039), and disease duration of 28 days or more (t = 2.249, p = .027) were independent influencing factors of illness uncertainty.

Conclusion

Patients with COVID‐19 are at a moderate level of illness uncertainty. Medical staffs should pay more attention to female patients, patients with lower monthly family income, patients with the prolonged disease, and take targeted interventions to help them reduce illness uncertainty.

Impact

Facing the brand new and unknown infectious disease, patients confirmed of COVID‐19 suffer from immense physical and psychological stress, where illness uncertainty is a major stressor that troubles patients. The present study surveys illness uncertainty among patients with COVID‐19 in the mobile cabin hospital with results revealing a moderate level. Study results will benefit nurses in any setting where care for patients with COVID‐19 is provided, public policymakers and future researchers.
Intensive care nurses' experiences with the new electronic medication administration record
Authors: Gregory Linda R. , Lim Rimen , MacCullagh Lois , Riley Therese , Tuqiri Karen , Heiler Jan , Peters Kath
Published: May 2021

Aim

To explore the experiences of Registered Nurses who administered medications to patients using the electronic medication administration record (eMAR) in Electronic Record for Intensive Care (eRIC) at one adult intensive care unit (ICU) in NSW, Australia.

Design

The study research design used a qualitative descriptive exploratory approach that took place in two stages.

Methods

Five participants attended one focus group followed by the observation of each participant as medications were administered to their assigned patient using the eMAR in eRIC.

Results

From the data, three themes and one subtheme were identified. Themes included forcing nurses to work outside legal boundaries; patient safety; with a subtheme titled experiencing computer fatigue; and taking time away from the patient. To practise safely, nurses were required to implement workaround practices when using the new eMAR in ICU. Nurses also were concerned that the eMAR in eRIC took time away from the patient at the bedside and ‘added more screen time’ to their day.
Social inequalities in meal skipping patterns among children and adolescents: The CASPIAN–V study
Authors: Qorbani Mostafa , Kasaeian Amir , Rafiemanzelat Amir‐masood , Sheidayi Ali , Djalalinia Shirin , Nouri Kourosh , Rastad Hadith , Salimi Dorsa , Ghaderi Kimia , Motlagh Mohammad Esmaeil , Heshmat Ramin , Kelishadi Roya
Published: May 2021

Background & Aim

The appropriate meal consumption affects the children's and adolescents' health. Few studies have shown an association between the socioeconomic inequality and the eating behavior among children and adolescents. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the socioeconomic inequality in meal skipping patterns among children and adolescents.

Materials & Methods

The data were accessible through the fifth round of a school‐based program in Iran in 2015. In this cross‐sectional nationwide study, 14,286 students aged 7–18 years were selected via the multistage cluster sampling from 30 provinces of Iran. The Global School‐based Health Survey validated questionnaire was used to assess the socioeconomic variables and meal consumption patterns among children and adolescents. Socioeconomic status (SES) was computed using principle component analysis method. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the socioeconomic inequality in meal skipping patterns.

Results

The frequency of breakfast, lunch, and dinner skipping were 13.8% (95% CI: 13.3–14.5), 6.8% (95% CI: 6.4–7.2), and 7.5% (95% CI: 7.1–7.9), respectively. In multivariate model, living in a two‐parent family compared to living in a single‐parent family decreased the odds of breakfast skipping (OR: 0.53, 95% CI: 0.42–0.67)). Low SES level was associated with higher odds of skipping breakfast (OR: 1.79, 95% CI: 1.50–2.14) and dinner (OR: 1.80, 95% CI: 1.42–2.28). Moreover, maternal illiteracy and unemployment were associated with skipping breakfast, lunch, and dinner (all p values < 0.05).

Conclusion

Some demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, such as maternal illiteracy and unemployment, low SES level, and living in a single‐parent family were suggested as the main predictors of meal skipping patterns in children and adolescents.
Underestimation of overweight weight status in children and adolescents aged 0‐19 years: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Alshahrani Abrar , Shuweihdi Farag , Swift Judy , Avery Amanda
Published: May 2021

Background

Perceptions of children's weight status may be important in obesity prevention and treatment.

Aims

This review identifies the prevalence of the underestimation of overweight status in children by parents/main carers, children, and healthcare professionals (HCP). The review critically synthesized both quantitative and qualitative evidence to explore the factors associated with this underestimation. The diverse methods used to assess this phenomenon are reported.

Methods

Pooled effect sizes were calculated using random‐effects model. Published studies, up to 2020, were accessed using the following search engines: CINAHL, EMBASE, PUBMED, and Psych‐Info and including the “Cited by” and “Related Articles” functions. Hand‐searching was used to retrieve further articles. Publication language and location had no bearing on the nature of the included studies.

Results

A total of 91 articles were included. In the quantitative studies, 55% (95% CI 49%–61%) of caregivers underestimated their child's level of overweight and obesity using a verbal scale and 47% (95% CI 36%–55%) using visual scales. Of the children studied, 34% (95% CI 25%–43%) underestimated their own level of overweight and obesity using both scales. In (n = 3) articles, HCPs reflected this misperception, but limited studies prevented meta‐analysis. Underestimation was associated with the child's age, gender, BMI and parental weight status, ethnicity and education. In the qualitative studies, parents/main carers of children with overweight and obesity described their child's weight in terms other than overweight, for example, “big boned,” “thick,” and “solid.”

Conclusion

The results confirm the prevalence of underestimation of child overweight status across international studies. Understanding the factors which lead to this inaccuracy may help to improve communication within the therapeutic triad and facilitate the recognition and management of children's overweight status.
Effects of polyetherimide sizing involving carbon nanotubes on interfacial performance of carbon fiber/polyetheretherketone composites
Authors: Liu Hansong , Zhao Yan , Chen Fan , Li Na , Sun Mingchen , Zhang Tianyi , Sun Tianpei , Wang Kai , Du Shanyi
Published: May 2021

The interaction between carbon fiber (CF) and thermoplastic resin presents weakened characteristic, which can be problematic of composites in structural applications. Therefore, it is of great significance to research techniques of CF surface modification to strengthen the interface of composites. Herein, based on the optimization of emulsion composition, polyetherimide (PEI) sizing involving carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was applied on CF surface to enhance the interface of CF/polyetheretherketone (PEEK) composites. The surface morphology, chemical characteristic, and surface energy of modified CF illustrate the effectiveness of this method, and the micro as well as macro interfacial properties of as‐prepared modified CF/PEEK demonstrate the increased tendency. This work may shed some light on industrialized application of the sizing agent for CF reinforced high‐performance engineering plastic composites.
Rapid characterisation of xanthine oxidase inhibitors from the flowers of Chrysanthemum morifolium Ramat. Using metabolomics approach
Authors: Loh Khye Er , Chin Yong Sin , Safinar Ismail Intan , Tan Hui Yin
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Hyperuricemia is the key risk factor for gout, in which the elevated uric acid is attributed to the oxidation of hypoxanthine and xanthine to uric acid by xanthine oxidase (XO). Adverse effects of the current treatments lead to an urgent need for safer and more effective alternative from natural resources.

Objective

To compare the metabolite profile of Chrysanthemum morifolium flower fraction with that of its detannified fraction in relation to XO inhibitory activity using a rapid and effective metabolomics approach.

Methods

Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H‐NMR)‐based metabolomics approach coupled with multivariate data analysis was utilised to characterise the XO inhibitors related to the antioxidant properties, total phenolic, and total flavonoid contents of the C. morifolium dried flowers.

Results

The highest XO inhibitory activity, 1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity, total phenolic and flavonoid content with strong positive correlation between them were observed in the ethyl acetate (EtOAc) fraction. Detannified EtOAc showed higher XO inhibitory activity than non‐detannified EtOAc fraction. A total of 17 metabolites were tentatively identified, of which three namely kaempferol, 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid and apigenin, could be suggested to be responsible for the strong XO inhibitory activity. Additive interaction between 4‐hydroxybenzoic acid and apigenin (or kaempferol) in XO inhibition was demonstrated in the interaction assay conducted.

Conclusion

Chrysanthemum morifolium dried flower‐part could be further explored as a natural XO inhibitor for its anti‐hyperuricemic potential. Metabolomics approach served as an effective classification of plant metabolites responsible for XO inhibitory activity, and demonstrated that multiple active compounds can work additively in giving combined inhibitory effects.
The role of GSA participation, victimization based on sexual orientation, and race on psychosocial well‐being among LGBTQ secondary school students
Authors: Truong Nhan L. , Zongrone Adrian D.
Published: May 2021

Gay‐Straight Alliances or Gender and Sexuality Alliances (GSAs) are school clubs that address LGBTQ issues. Although little is known about potential benefits of participation in GSAs, there is some evidence that they may generally benefit LGBTQ student well‐being and academic achievement. However, some literature suggests GSAs may not meet the needs of LGBTQ students of color. The current study explores whether GSA participation is related to psychosocial well‐being, whether GSA participation moderates the relationship between victimization based on sexual orientation and well‐being, and whether these relationships differ by race/ethnicity. The sample included 11,164 LGBTQ secondary school students who have a GSA at their school, and who reported on GSA participation, verbal harassment based on sexual orientation, and psychosocial indicators (depression, self‐esteem, and school belonging). Participation in GSAs was related to greater school belonging, but was not related to self‐esteem and depression. The associations between GSA participation and verbal harassment based on sexual orientation on psychosocial well‐being did not differ by race/ethnicity. The findings provide an important first step in re‐thinking and re‐examining how GSA participation may be helpful for LGBTQ students. Implications for school policy and practices are discussed.
Gas‐phase chemistry and reactive‐ion etching kinetics for silicon‐based materials in C4F8 + O2 + Ar plasma
Authors: Lee Byung Jun , Efremov Alexander , Kwon Kwang‐Ho
Published: May 2021

In this study, we investigated the effects of C4F8/O2 and Ar/O2 component ratios in C4F8 + O2 + Ar gas system on plasma parameters, gas‐phase chemistry, and etching kinetics for Si, SiO2, and Si3N4 under the condition of inductively coupled radiofrequency (13.56 MHz) plasma. The use of plasma diagnostics by Langmuir probes, together with the zero‐dimensional plasma modeling, allowed one to compare two different gas mixing regimes in respect to (a) electrons‐ and ions‐related plasma parameters; (b) steady‐state densities of plasma active species; and (c) formation and decay kinetics for F atoms and polymerizing radicals. It was shown that variations in both C4F8/O2 and Ar/O2 mixing ratios result in nonmonotonic (with maximums at ∼10% to 15% O2) Si, SiO2, and Si3N4 etching rates as well as in opposite changes in corresponding effective reaction probabilities. The model‐based analysis of etching mechanisms allowed one to suggest that the net effect from all heterogeneous (i.e., appeared on the etched surface) interaction pathways may be controlled either by the fluorocarbon radical flux (in the case of Ar/O2 mixing ratios at constant fraction of C4F8) through the polymer film thickness or by the O atom flux (in the case of C4F8/O2 mixing ratios at constant fraction of Ar) through the balance of adsorption sites.
Auxiliary information‐based maximum generally weighted moving average chart for simultaneously monitoring process mean and variability
Authors: Lu Shin‐Li , Chen Jen‐Hsiang , Yang Su‐Fen
Published: May 2021

An auxiliary information‐based (AIB) maximum exponentially weighted moving average (MaxEWMA) chart has been proposed to simultaneously monitor both increases and decreases in the process mean and/or variability, called the AIB‐MaxEWMA chart, which is superior to the existing MaxEWMA chart. In this paper, we propose the AIB maximum generally weighted moving average chart, called the AIB‐MaxGWMA chart, to further enhance the sensitivity of the AIB‐MaxEWMA chart. Numerical simulation studies indicate that the AIB‐MaxGWMA chart is sensitive to small shifts in the process mean and/or variability. The performance of the AIB‐MaxGWMA chart based on average run lengths (ARLs) also outperforms than its counterparts including AIB‐MaxEWMA, MaxGWMA and MaxEWMA charts. An example is used to illustrate the efficiency of the proposed AIB‐MaxGWMA chart in detecting small process shifts.
CNN‐OHGS: CNN‐oppositional‐based Henry gas solubility optimization model for autonomous vehicle control system
Authors: Ravikumar S. , Kavitha D.
Published: May 2021

Numerous developments in technology toward autonomous vehicle systems (AVSs) have been performed for so many years all over the world. As our day‐to‐day life is becoming progressively dependent on automation vehicle system and control devices, the craze on automation advancements is expected to move closer through scientific technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics. From another point of view, the cyber threat to the AVS causes drastic accidents and traffic congestion by varying the speed differences among the vehicles. To overcome such shortcomings, this paper presented a convolutional neural network‐oppositional‐based Henry gas solubility optimization (CNN‐OHGS) algorithm for an autonomous vehicle control system to enhance the robustness of the vehicle. At the same time, the attackers attempt to embed the faulty or defective data into the sensor readings of the autonomous vehicle to interrupt the optimal distances among the automated vehicles. Therefore to minimize such issues, our proposed framework employs the CNN‐OHGS algorithm to reduce the distance variations among the vehicles thus ensuring the safety and optimal distance variation. Finally, the experimental analysis is conducted and the performance evaluation for various attacks, FID evaluation, and remorse function, and distance deviation for all sensor signal attacks are evaluated. The comparative analysis is made and we can clearly state that the proposed work has outperformed other existing approaches.
The suitability of Hester–Dendy macroinvertebrate samplers in fluctuating flows
Authors: Hansson Mattias , Lind Lovisa , Vernby Andreas , Greenberg Larry , Watz Johan
Published: May 2021

Reliable methods for assessing the ecological status of degraded rivers are essential for evaluating restoration efforts in lotic habitats. Several methods are based on biological indicators, such as benthic macroinvertebrates. The Hester–Dendy multi‐plate sampler is a commonly used tool for sampling macroinvertebrates, but its performance under different environmental conditions is not well understood. In a laboratory experiment, we assessed if fluctuating and increasing water velocity influences the performance of Hester–Dendy samplers, by studying colonization of the samplers in relation to a pre‐determined composition of benthic macroinvertebrates. Biodiversity (Shannon‐Wiener index) of colonizing macroinvertebrates was higher in a constant than in a fluctuating flow treatment, but there was no effect on the number of colonizing individuals. The results suggest a potential bias in the interpretation of biodiversity data from sites with sub‐daily flow changes, for example, downstream of hydropeaking power plants.
Doing Assessment: A Multicase Study of Preschool Teachers’ Language and Literacy Data Practices
Authors: Schachter Rachel E. , Piasta Shayne B.
Published: May 2021

Early childhood research and policy have promoted the use of language and literacy assessment data to inform instruction. Yet, there is a limited understanding of preschool teachers’ data practices and sensemaking, particularly when considered from the perspectives of practicing teachers. In this multicase study, we used a phenomenological approach to generate a theory about preschool teachers’ data practices in relation to supporting children’s language and literacy outcomes. Twenty preschool teachers participated in a series of three observations, planning interviews, and stimulated recall interviews designed to tap their pedagogical reasoning and data use practices. The framework that emerged through iterative within‐ and cross‐case analyses comprised three major elements (what teachers knew, how they knew it, and the way they used the data) and suggested that teachers could be characterized into three data use profiles (data gatherers, in‐the‐moment data users, and integrated data users). Findings indicate (a) teachers may understand data differently than researchers or policymakers do, (b) teachers’ understanding of data sources goes beyond traditional conceptualizations, (c) a continuum in teachers’ data use practices, and (d) a need to better support teachers in moving from simply doing assessment to using data in ways that are meaningful for practice and children’s language and literacy outcomes.
Contrasting carbon and nitrogen responses to tillage at different soil depths: An observation after 40‐year of tillage management
Authors: Parajuli Binaya , Ye Rongzhong , Luo Min , Ducey Thomas F. , Park Dara , Smith Matthew , Sigua Gilbert
Published: May 2021

Conservation tillage (CS) is a major component of sustainable soil management. The objective of the study was to investigate soil C and N pools and the associated microbial activities in sandy Ultisols after 40 yr of CS and conventional tillage (CT). Soil samples were collected from fields under continuous CS and CT for 40 yr (1979–2018) and subjected to a range of physio‐biogeochemical analyses. When compared with CT, CS increased total C, total N, and active C by 35, 45, and 44% at 0‐to‐5‐cm depth, respectively, but not at 5‐to‐15‐cm depth. In contrast, CT had 128 and 121% higher inorganic N and dissolved organic N at 5‐to‐15‐cm depth, which was not observed at 0‐to‐5‐cm depth. Respiratory CO2 production and organic N mineralization were found to be higher in CS soils than in CT soils at 0–5 cm, but both were higher in CT than CS at 5–15 cm. Concurrently with increased active C concentrations, potential activities of C‐cycling enzymes were higher in CS soils than CT soils at 0–5 cm, which was not observed at 5–15 cm. The increased labile C supply stimulated microbial activities in CS soils at 0–5 cm, but at 5–15 cm, the higher N availability increased microbial biomass N and organic N mineralization potentials in CT than CS soils. The contrasting CS and CT impacts on C and N at different soil depths likely reflected the decouple of C and N cycling in the tested soils.
Relating indicators to soil health functions in conventional and organic Mediterranean cropping systems
Authors: Lazicki Patricia , Geisseler Daniel
Published: May 2021

Accurate assessment of the benefits of soil health building practices to soil function and crop performance requires region‐specific data and locally relevant indicators. In this study, we used a long‐term experiment to measure the effect of 25 yr of differing management on soil health and crop performance indicators in organic and conventionally farmed annual crops in a Mediterranean climate. We measured the strength and consistency of the relationships between several indicators and three functions of a healthy agroecosystem—C storage, net N mineralization, and yields—over two growing seasons and two crop types. Lastly, we used path analysis to test the hypothesis that healthier soils lead to healthier plants and higher yields. Organic plots had greater C stocks and net N mineralization compared with the conventional plots, but lower yields. The path analysis suggested that yields were limited by factors other than N deficiency. The relationships between soil health indicators and soil function were unaffected by crop type but were moderated by yearly changes in weather and operations timing. The indicators most strongly and consistently related to C stocks were permanganate oxidizable C and microbial biomass C, and to N mineralization were CO2 mineralized from rewet soil and fluorescein diacetate hydrolysis. Our results highlight that (a) different indicators are appropriate for assessing different aspects of soil health, (b) using several years of data in developing robust ranges for indicator interpretation is important, and (c) links between soil and crop health must be assessed mechanistically within a given system.
Enhanced Dye Adsorption of Mixed‐Matrix Membrane by Covalent Incorporation of Metal‐Organic Framework with Poly(styrene‐alt‐maleic anhydride)
Authors: Cao Xuan Thang , Vo The Ky , An Tran Nguyen Minh , Nguyen Trinh Duy , Kabtamu Daniel Manaye , Kumar Subodh
Published: May 2021

In this study, a novel mixed‐matrix membrane (MMM) based on covalent incorporation of poly(styrene‐alt‐maleic anhydride) (PSMA) with a metal‐organic framework (MOF) UiO‐66‐NH2 was prepared and utilized for dye removal from aqueous solution. The fabrication of PSMA and UiO‐66‐NH2 was carried out by the amidation reaction between the maleic anhydride ring and amino functional group affording crosslinked MOF/PSMA membrane. The separate UiO‐66‐NH2 and PSMA solutions were mixed before cast films were produced. The MMM was prepared with final UiO‐66‐NH2 wt % content from 0 to 30 % in each membrane. The formation of MMM was confirmed with FT‐IR, PXRD, TGA, SEM, and XPS analysis. The MMM having high adsorption capacity was used for the separation of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) as organic dye pollutants commonly found in wastewater. The MMM could be recycled and still maintained 75 and 52 % retention of MB and MO on the third reuse cycle, respectively. The results suggest that the MOF incorporated PSMA was an outstanding membrane for the development of filtration techniques for decontamination of water resources.
A Theoretical Investigation: Effect of Structural Modifications on Molecular, Electronic, and Optical Properties of Phosphonate Substituted BODIPY Dyes
Authors: Tasgin Dilek Isik , Sirin Pınar Seyitdanlioglu
Published: May 2021

Phosphonates are important organophosphorus compounds which exhibit versatile properties in organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, materials and biological applications. Phosphonate groups have appeared in a very few examples of BODIPY (4,4‐difluoro‐4‐bora‐3a,4a‐diaza‐s‐indacene) compounds that are important florescent dyes in these areas. The deficiency in the area motivated us to investigate how the phosphonate substituent(s) affect the structural, electronic, and optical properties of meso, α, or α, α′‐substituted BODIPYs using density functional theory (DFT) and time‐dependent density functional theory (TD‐DFT) methods. We have identified the suitable method as HSEH1PBE functional in combination with the basis set 6‐31+G** by comparing the theoretical results with the experimental studies. Structural, electronic and optical parameters of a series of designed phosphonate substituted 12 BODIPYs (1‐4) have been investigated. The α, and α, α′‐vinyl phosphonate substituted BODIPYs (3,4) compared to meso‐substituted BODIPYs (1,2) have both lower HOMO/LUMO electronic energies [(−5.57)‐(−6.19)/(−3.16)‐(−3.91)] and lower electronic energy gaps (Egap) (2.11–2.42). Electrostatic potential analysis was performed for all BODIPYs to characterize their electron distribution and TD‐DFT analysis was used for the absorption spectral analysis. The presented theoretical approach can be a practical guide for experimental studies for the design of new BODIPY compounds with desired properties.
Preparation of Poly(arylamino‐quinone) Polymer and Its Electrochemical Properties as a Cathode Material for Lithium Ion Battery
Authors: Xu Lihuan , Zhang Shiqing , Guo Pengju , Su Chang
Published: May 2021

The exploration of organic materials for electrochemical energy storage has attracted much attention, and our studies focus on quinone‐based polymer that is employed as the electrode materials for lithium‐ion batteries. In this article, two poly(arylamino‐quinone) polymers are prepared by Michael addition polymerization reaction. The constructed poly(arylamino‐quinone) polymers contained the quinone units in arylamine‐linked conjugated skeleton, which possess the branched molecular structure for poly (tris(4‐aminophenyl)amine‐benzoquinone) (PAQ1) and the linear molecular structure for poly (p‐phenylenediamine‐benzoquinone) (PAQ2), respectively. As explored as the organic cathode materials for lithium‐ion batteries, PAQ1 with granular morphology exhibits the discharge capacity of 429.6 mAh. g−1 in the first cycle and the improved average discharge potential. Also, it shows that the stable cycling stability after the capacity attenuation in the initial cycles and the high current rate performances as comparing to PAQ2. It can be ascribed to the introduction of triphenylamine unit in polymer and the assembled granular morphology, which contributes to improved electrochemical performances for PAQ1.
Basalt‐polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete for durable and sustainable pipe production. Part 1: Experimental program
Authors: Deng Zhiyun , Liu Xinrong , Chen Peng , de la Fuente Albert , Zhou Xiaohan , Liang Ninghui , Han Yafeng , Du Libing
Published: May 2021

An experimental program consisting in producing and testing reinforced concrete pipes (RCPs) under the three‐edge bearing tests considering different types of reinforcement was carried out. Four types of RCPs were produced, these reinforced with: (1) polypropylene macrofibers; (2) basalt microfibers; (3) combination of both (hybrid reinforcement); and (4) plain concrete. The analysis of the crack patterns and both service and ultimate mechanical responses allowed concluding that the use of fibers do not lead to an effective increase of the first cracking load; however, both types of fibers allowed a better crack width control respect to the standard RCP. In this regard, basalt microfiber reinforced concrete led to a better response caused by concentrated loads (jacketing) whilst polypropylene macrofibers increased the concrete pipe performance in terms of bearing capacity and flexural crack control. The hybrid fiber reinforced concrete was found to be the most suitable alternative for increasing the load bearing capacity and the crack width control for service loads. These incipient experimental results permit to conclude that this type of hybrid basalt‐polypropylene fiber reinforced concretes are an interesting alternative to traditional steel‐cage RCPs.
Structure based virtual screening: Fast and slow
Authors: Varela‐Rial Alejandro , Majewski Maciej , De Fabritiis Gianni
Published: May 2021

For many decades virtual screening methods have provided a convenient and cost effective in silico solution in the early stages of drug discovery. In particular, molecular docking uses structural information to approximate protein–ligand recognition, providing valuable information for large chemical libraries at a fast pace with multiple success stories to validate the approach. Nevertheless, fast turnaround of results required assumptions and approximations which compromise the accuracy of these algorithms. On the other side of the spectrum, physical‐based molecular simulations offer more precise and realistic models of protein–ligand binding at the cost of being slower and requiring more expensive computing infrastructure. Both fast and slow approaches are useful and solve different aspects of the same problem. Here, we aim to review these approaches focusing on their capabilities, context of usage and limitations, presenting multiple examples along the way.

This article is categorized under:

Molecular and Statistical Mechanics > Molecular Mechanics

Software > Molecular Modeling

Structure and Mechanism > Computational Biochemistry and Biophysics
microRNA‐based diagnostic and therapeutic applications in cancer medicine
Authors: Sempere Lorenzo F. , Azmi Asfar S. , Moore Anna
Published: May 2021

It has been almost two decades since the first link between microRNAs and cancer was established. In the ensuing years, this abundant class of short noncoding regulatory RNAs has been studied in virtually all cancer types. This tremendously large body of research has generated innovative technological advances for detection of microRNAs in tissue and bodily fluids, identified the diagnostic, prognostic, and/or predictive value of individual microRNAs or microRNA signatures as potential biomarkers for patient management, shed light on regulatory mechanisms of RNA–RNA interactions that modulate gene expression, uncovered cell‐autonomous and cell‐to‐cell communication roles of specific microRNAs, and developed a battery of viral and nonviral delivery approaches for therapeutic intervention. Despite these intense and prolific research efforts in preclinical and clinical settings, there are a limited number of microRNA‐based applications that have been incorporated into clinical practice. We review recent literature and ongoing clinical trials that highlight most promising approaches and standing challenges to translate these findings into viable microRNA‐based clinical tools for cancer medicine.

This article is categorized under:

RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease
Correction to: What Are and to What Avail Do We Study European International Law Traditions?
Authors: Hilpold Peter
Published: May 2021

The chapter “What Are and to What Avail Do We Study European International Law Traditions?” written by Peter Hilpold was originally published as a non-open access chapter, but is hereby changed to an open access publication under a CC BY 4.0 license. The indication of the copyright holder has been adjusted accordingly to “©The Author(s)”. The book has also been updated with the changes.
Contextualizing the Bioeconomy in an Unequal World: Biomass Sourcing and Global Socio-Ecological Inequalities
Authors: Backhouse Maria , Lehmann Rosa , Lorenzen Kristina , Puder Janina , Rodríguez Fabricio , Tittor Anne
Published: May 2021

What is the bioeconomy and how does the bioeconomy relate to socio-ecological inequalities? With a focus on biomass sourcing, production and bioenergy, this chapter aims to answer these two questions with the whole book in mind. First, we introduce the conceptual, geographical and methodological focus of the volume. Drawing on political ecology and world systems theory, we develop an analytical lens for the study of global socio-ecological inequalities. Against this background, we sketch out the main findings of the contributions, which focus on conceptual questions, bioeconomy policies and agendas in different countries, as well as the reconfigurations and continuities of socio-ecological inequalities in and beyond the agrarian sector from the local to the global level. The contributions offer insights into different countries in South America, Southeast Asia and Europe as well as into the interrelations between different countries and regions. Finally, the outlook identifies and discusses four areas of further research.
Superexploitation in Bio-based Industries: The Case of Oil Palm and Labour Migration in Malaysia
Authors: Puder Janina
Published: May 2021

Malaysia is the second largest palm oil producer in the world. In recent years, the state has portrayed palm oil as a favourable source of biomass for the global bioeconomy. Palm oil production has been heavily criticized and is often associated with social inequalities concerning land ownership, land use, access to land and environmental degradation. Palm oil expansion in Malaysia has resulted in the exploitation of migrant workers—a further expression of social inequality induced by industrial oil palm cultivation. Hence, investigating the working conditions of this group is crucial when examining existing, solidifying or evolving social inequalities in emerging bio-based industries. In this chapter, I draw on an existing body of literature and my own empirical findings in order to show that migrant workers are systematically superexploited in the Malaysian palm oil sector—an economic branch that could gain importance if the bioeconomy becomes a global reality.
Territorial Changes Around Biodiesel: A Case Study of North-Western Argentina
Authors: Toledo López Virginia
Published: May 2021

As part of a recent global agrofuel boom, Argentina became one of the leading producers and exporters of biodiesel. To understand the socioecological implication of this growth, the first chapter considers the national context by exploring the legal framework and agrofuels initiatives. It then focuses on the territorial changes that occurred in north-western Argentina through a case study on the local impacts of the agroindustry. The research shows that biodiesel production in the north-western province of Santiago del Estero is associated with the expansion of monocropping and pesticides, forest destruction, the risk of water pollution and the appropriation of common goods. These processes contribute to the deterioration of the material basis of peasants and local communities and affect the ecological distribution of environmental costs. The research also shows that territorial changes involve symbolic dimensions that are connected to environmental appropriation as part of the process of accumulation.
Global Inequalities and Extractive Knowledge Production in the Bioeconomy
Authors: Backhouse Maria
Published: May 2021

Research funding is pivotal for the implementation of the bioeconomy. Drawing on approaches inspired by world-systems theory, this chapter argues that existing bioeconomy strategies reproduce the global unequal production of knowledge: North America and Western Europe not only define the direction of the bioeconomy, but also claim to be the centres of technological knowledge production. In contrast, (semi-)peripheral countries remain raw material suppliers with less complex technologies. This strengthens the dominant form of extractive knowledge production in agriculture. By using the term ‘extractive knowledge’, I refer to research and development that serves agro-industrial resource extraction in (semi-)peripheral countries for export. I use Brazilian agricultural research on soybean to show that extractive knowledge exacerbates the socio-ecological problems that the bioeconomy is purported to solve. A sustainable bioeconomy requires a shift in research funding to alternative approaches such as those being developed by social movements in agroecology and food sovereignty.
Neoliberal Bioeconomies? Co-constructing Markets and Natures
Authors: Birch Kean
Published: May 2021

The bioeconomy is a key low-carbon transition pathway to address climate change promoted by a range of policymakers. The bioeconomy has been defined as a market-based strategy for dealing with environmental problems, largely because it seeks to insert bio-based products, fuels, and materials into prevailing economic infrastructures and institutions, rather than challenging underlying capitalist logics. As such, it can be seen as a ‘neoliberal’ response to climate change that reflects theoretical debates about the neoliberalization of nature. Such criticism, however, tends to treat markets as aberrations of nature and disrupting notions of a pristine, untouched natural state. In contrast, I argue that analysing the bioeconomy reveals the co-construction of markets and natures, rather than the imposition of markets on natures. Opening up criticism helps to provide an understanding of how else the bioeconomy could be organized and of the sorts of socio-material arrangements that we view as supportable.
Bioenergy, Thermodynamics and Inequalities
Authors: Lohmann Larry
Published: May 2021

Any serious study of bioenergy and global inequalities must take account of the oppression inherent in thermodynamic energy itself. Because this topic is widely neglected by academics and activists alike, the chapter first describes how the abstract nature that we now call energy was organized during the nineteenth century in conjunction with new waves of capitalist mechanization centred on labour control and productivity. It then goes on to set out some of the ways in which the social or ecological contradictions of thermodynamic energy are intensified in the twentieth-century bioeconomy. Finally, the chapter draws out some of the implications for how social movements might place themselves more strategically in struggles over today’s bioeconomy.
A Player Bigger Than Its Size: Finnish Bioeconomy and Forest Policy in the Era of Global Climate Politics
Authors: Toivanen Tero
Published: May 2021

Over the last two decades, the bioeconomy has emerged as a key political idea in framing a low-carbon transition. Bioeconomy is particularly important in Finland due to the country’s large forestry sector. The bioeconomy has reframed the Finnish forestry industry as sustainable and placed forestry at the centre of the national economy. This has led to the constitution of a new forest policy regime: the bioeconomy regime. However, in the era of climate mitigation, forests are expected to serve as carbon sinks. Increasing the harvesting of forests, a Finnish bioeconomy policy, would decrease the size of forest sinks, while increasing net emissions from forests. This aspect of climate science has challenged the Finnish bioeconomic strategy. This chapter analyses the emergence of the bioeconomy regime and how the regime has been challenged by climate science. Finally, it examines the communication strategies used and the status of the Finnish bioeconomy on the world stage.
Sugar-Cane Bioelectricity in Brazil: Reinforcing the Meta-Discourses of Bioeconomy and Energy Transition
Authors: Herrera Selena , Wilkinson John
Published: May 2021

This article analyses the contribution of sugar-cane bioelectricity to the distribution and diversification of power generation in Brazil. A transition is currently underway towards an energy mix characterized by natural gas and new renewable energy sources, mainly wind and solar. Energy security and industrial development priorities have created political and economic challenges for bioelectricity governance. However, meta-discourses of energy transition and bioeconomy are giving rise to selection pressures that are promoting institutional changes towards an expansion of the ethanol market. By using the multi-level perspective of transitions, this paper concludes that, given the technology in use for bioelectricity production, the critical financial state of the sugar-cane industry and the current priorities of the electricity marketing model, sugar-cane bioelectricity, which has a key role to play in the energy matrix, remains uncompetitive and dependent on specific public policies to support its expansion.
pygrametl: A Powerful Programming Framework for Easy Creation and Testing of ETL Flows
Authors: Jensen Søren Kejser , Thomsen Christian , Pedersen Torben Bach , Andersen Ove
Published: May 2021

Extract-Transform-Load (ETL) flows are used to extract data, transform it, and load it into data warehouses (DWs). The dominating ETL tools use graphical user interfaces (GUIs) where users must manually place steps/components on a canvas and manually connect them using lines. This provides an easy to understand overview of the ETL flow but can also be rather tedious and require much trivial work for simple things. We, therefore, challenge this approach and propose to develop ETL flows by writing code. To make the programming easy, we proposed the Python-based ETL framework in 2009. We have extended significantly since the original release, and in this paper, we present an up-to-date overview of the framework. offers commonly used functionality for programmatic ETL development and enables the user to efficiently create effective ETL flows with the full power of programming. Each dimension is represented by a dimension object that manages the underlying table or tables in the case of a snowflaked dimension. Thus, filling a slowly changing or snowflaked dimension only requires a single method call per row as performs all of the required lookups, insertions, and assignment of surrogate keys. Similarly to dimensions, fact tables are each represented by a fact table object. Our latest addition to , Drawn Table Testing (DTT), simplifies testing ETL flows by making it easy to define both preconditions (i.e., the state of the database before the ETL flow is run) and postconditions (i.e., the expected state after the ETL flow has run) into a test. DTT can also be used to test ETL flows created in other ETL tools. also provides a set of commonly used functions for transforming rows, classes that help users parallelize their ETL flows using simple abstractions, and editor support for working with DTT. We present an evaluation that shows that provides high programmer productivity and that the created ETL flows have good run-time performance. Last, we present a case study from a company using in production and consider some of the lessons we learned during the development of as an open source framework.
Factorized lightcone expansion of conformal blocks
Authors: Li Wenliang
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We present a factorized decomposition of 4-point scalar conformal blocks near the lightcone, which applies to arbitrary intermediate spin and general spacetime dimensions. Then we discuss the systematic expansion in large intermediate spin and the resummations of the large-spin tails of Regge trajectories. The basic integrals for the Lorentzian inversion are given by Wilson functions.
Exploring invisible neutrino decay at ESSnuSB
Authors: Choubey Sandhya , Ghosh Monojit , Kempe Daniel , Ohlsson Tommy
Published: May 2021

Abstract

We explore invisible neutrino decay in which a heavy active neutrino state decays into a light sterile neutrino state and present a comparative analysis of two baseline options, 540 km and 360 km, for the ESSnuSB experimental setup. Our analysis shows that ESSnuSB can put a bound on the decay parameter τ3/m3 = 2.64 (1.68) × 10−11 s/eV for the baseline option of 360 (540) km at 3σ. The expected bound obtained for 360 km is slightly better than the corresponding one of DUNE for a charged current (CC) analysis. Furthermore, we show that the capability of ESSnuSB to discover decay, and to measure the decay parameter precisely, is better for the baseline option of 540 km than that of 360 km. Regarding effects of decay in δCP measurements, we find that in general the CP violation discovery potential is better in the presence of decay. The change in CP precision is significant if one assumes decay in data but no decay in theory.
Chronische Pankreatitis
Authors: Kristic Antonia , Bastati N. , Poetter-Lang S. , Messner A. , Herold A. , Tamandl D. , Ba-Ssalamah Ahmed
Published: May 2021

Klinisches/methodisches Problem

Bei der chronischen Pankreatitis (CP) handelt es sich um eine langanhaltende Entzündung der Bauchspeicheldrüse, welche die normale Struktur und Funktion des Organs schädigt. Das breite Spektrum an entzündlichen Pankreaserkrankungen umfasst einzelne Entitäten, wie die fokale Pankreatitis (FP) oder den Pseudotumor („mass-forming pancreatitis“), welche radiomorphologisch ein Adenokarzinom der Bauchspeicheldrüse (PDAC) nachahmen können. In weiterer Folge kann eine Fehldiagnose zu einem vermeidbaren und unnötigen operativen Eingriff oder zu einer Therapieverzögerung führen.

Radiologische Standardverfahren

Der Ultraschall (US) ist das primäre bildgebende Verfahren zur Abklärung von Pankreaserkrankungen, gefolgt von kontrastmittelverstärkter Computertomographie (KM-CT), die als meistverwendete Methode bei der diagnostischen Abklärung von Bauchspeicheldrüsenerkrankungen gilt. Die Magnetresonanztomographie (MRT) und/oder die MR-Cholangiopankreatographie (MRCP) können als Problemlöser eingesetzt werden, um zwischen soliden und zystischen Läsionen zu unterscheiden sowie auch Anomalien der Pankreasgänge auszuschließen, welche bei rezidivierender akuter Pankreatitis (AP) vorhanden sein können, oder um frühe Anzeichen einer CP zu visualisieren. Die MRCP hat dabei die diagnostische endoskopische retrograde Cholangiopankreatographie (ERCP) in der Abklärung von therapeutischen Interventionen im Wesentlichen ersetzt.

Empfehlung für die Praxis

Folgender Übersichtsartikel fasst die relevanten Merkmale in der Computertomographie (CT) und MRT zusammen, um eine akkurate, frühzeitige Diagnose einer CP zu stellen und eine Differenzierung zwischen FP und Pankreaskarzinom zu ermöglichen, um somit – auch in schwierigen Fällen – ein adäquates Therapiemanagement zu gewährleisten.
Verifying correctness of persistent concurrent data structures: a sound and complete method
Authors: Derrick John , Doherty Simon , Dongol Brijesh , Schellhorn Gerhard , Wehrheim Heike
Published: May 2021

Non-volatile memory (NVM), aka persistent memory, is a new memory paradigm that preserves its contents even after power loss. The expected ubiquity of NVM has stimulated interest in the design of
persistent
concurrent data structures, together with associated notions of correctness. In this paper, we present a formal proof technique for
durable linearizability
, which is a correctness criterion that extends linearizability to handle crashes and recovery in the context ofNVM.Our proofs are based on refinement of Input/Output automata (IOA) representations of concurrent data structures. To this end, we develop a generic procedure for transforming any standard sequential data structure into a durable specification and prove that this transformation is both sound and complete. Since the durable specification only exhibits durably linearizable behaviours, it serves as the abstract specification in our refinement proof. We exemplify our technique on a recently proposed persistentmemory queue that builds on Michael and Scott’s lock-free queue. To support the proofs, we describe an automated translation procedure from code to IOA and a thread-local proof technique for verifying correctness of invariants.