bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of different positive end-expiratory pressure selection strategies with all-cause mortality in adult patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome
Authors: Tisminetzky Manuel , Dianti Jose , Ferreyro Bruno L. , Angriman Federico , Del Sorbo Lorenzo , Sud Sachin , Talmor Daniel , Fan Eddy , Ferguson Niall D. , Serpa Neto Ary , Adhikari Neill K. J. , Goligher Ewan C.
Published: August 2021

Background

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) has high morbidity and mortality. Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) is commonly used in patients with ARDS but the best method to select the optimal PEEP level and reduce all-cause mortality is unclear. The primary objective of this network meta-analysis is to summarize the available evidence and to compare the effect of different PEEP selection strategies on all-cause mortality in adult patients with ARDS.

Methods

We will search MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, EMBASE, and LILACS from inception onwards for randomized controlled trials assessing the effect of PEEP selection strategies in adult patients with moderate to severe ARDS. We will exclude studies that did not use a lung-protective ventilation approach as part of the comparator or intervention strategy. The primary outcome will be all-cause mortality (at the longest available follow-up and up to 90 days). Secondary outcomes will include barotrauma, ventilator-free days, intensive care unit and hospital length of stay, and changes in oxygenation. Two reviewers will independently screen all citations, full-text articles, and extract study-data. We will assess the risk of bias for each of the outcomes using version 2 of the Cochrane risk of bias tool for randomized controlled trials. If feasible, Bayesian network meta-analyses will be conducted to obtain pooled estimates of all potential head-to-head comparisons. We will report pairwise and network meta-analysis treatment effect estimates as risk ratios and risk differences, together with the associated 95% credible intervals. We will assess certainty in effect estimates using GRADE methodology.

Discussion

The present study will inform clinical decision-making for adult patients with ARDS and will improve our understanding of the limitations of the available literature assessing PEEP selection strategies. Finally, this information may also inform the design of future randomized trials, including the selection of interventions, comparators, and predictive enrichment strategies.

Trial registration

PROSPERO 2020CRD42020193302.
Identifying and addressing the anthropogenic drivers of global change in the North Sea: a systematic map protocol
Authors: Moullec Fabien , Asselot Rémy , Auch Dominik , Blöcker Alexandra M. , Börner Gregor , Färber Leonie , Ofelio Claudia , Petzold Jan , Santelia Maria Elisabetta , Schwermer Heike , Sguotti Camilla , Steidle Laurin , Tams Verena , Pellerin Félix
Published: August 2021

Background

Anthropogenic pressures on marine ecosystems have increased over the last 75 years and are expected to intensify in the future with potentially dramatic cascading consequences for human societies. It is therefore crucial to rebuild marine life-support systems and aim for future healthy ecosystems. Nowadays, there is a reasonable understanding of the impacts of human pressure on marine ecosystems; but no studies have drawn an integrative retrospective analysis of the marine research on the topic. A systematic consolidation of the literature is therefore needed to clearly describe the scientific knowledge clusters and gaps as well as to promote a new era of integrative marine science and management. We focus on the five direct anthropogenic drivers of biodiversity loss defined by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES): (1) climate change; (2) direct exploitation; (3) pollution; (4) biological invasions; and (5) sea-use change. Our systematic map’s regional focus lies on the North Sea, which is among the most impacted marine ecosystems around the globe. The goal of the present study is to produce the first comprehensive overview of how marine research on anthropogenic drivers in the North Sea has grown and changed over the past 75 years. Ultimately, this systematic map will highlight the most urgent challenges facing the North Sea research domain.

Methods

The search will be restricted to peer-reviewed articles, reviews, meta-analyses, book chapters, book reviews, proceeding papers and grey literature using the most relevant search engines for literature published between 1945 and 2020. All authors will participate in the adjustment of the search in order to consider all relevant studies analyzing the effect of the direct anthropogenic drivers on the North Sea marine ecosystem. The references will be screened for relevance according to a predefined set of eligibility/ineligibility criteria by a pool of six trained reviewers. At stage one, each abstract and title will be independently screened by two reviewers. At stage two, potentially relevant references will be screened in full text by two independent reviewers. Subsequently, we will extract a suite of descriptive meta-data and basic information of the relevant references using the SysRev platform. The systematic map database composed will provide the foundation for an interactive geographical evidence map. Moreover, we will summarize our findings with cross-validation plots, heat maps, descriptive statistics, and a publicly available narrative synthesis. The aim of our visualization tools is to ensure that our findings are easily understandable by a broad audience.
Administration of a selective retinoic acid receptor-γ agonist improves neuromuscular strength in a rodent model of volumetric muscle loss
Authors: Whitely Michael E. , Collins Patrick B. , Iwamoto Masahiro , Wenke Joseph C.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

Volumetric muscle loss is a uniquely challenging pathology that results in irrecoverable functional deficits. Furthermore, a breakthrough drug or bioactive factor has yet to be established that adequately improves repair of these severe skeletal muscle injuries. This study sought to assess the ability of an orally administered selective retinoic acid receptor-γ agonist, palovarotene, to improve recovery of neuromuscular strength in a rat model of volumetric muscle loss.

Methods

An irrecoverable, full thickness defect was created in the tibialis anterior muscle of Lewis rats and animals were survived for 4 weeks. Functional recovery of the tibialis anterior muscle was assessed in vivo via neural stimulation and determination of peak isometric torque. Histological staining was performed to qualitatively assess fibrous scarring of the defect site.

Results

Treatment with the selective retinoic acid receptor-γ agonist, palovarotene, resulted in a 38% improvement of peak isometric torque in volumetric muscle loss affected limbs after 4 weeks of healing compared to untreated controls. Additionally, preliminary histological assessment suggests that oral administration of palovarotene reduced fibrous scarring at the defect site.

Conclusions

These results highlight the potential role of selective retinoic acid receptor-γ agonists in the design of regenerative medicine platforms to maximize skeletal muscle healing. Additional studies are needed to further elucidate cellular responses, optimize therapeutic delivery, and characterize synergistic potential with adjunct therapies.
Institutionalization of transnationalizing political parties: the case of the Conservative People’s Party of Estonia
Authors: Jakobson Mari-Liis , Saarts Tõnis , Kalev Leif
Published: August 2021

While party institutionalization research has advanced notably in the recent years, the institutionalization of political parties that extend their organizations abroad (i.e. transnationalizing parties) has remained an academically uncharted territory. This article draws on party institutionalization literature and analyses the particularities of institutionalization in transnationalizing parties. The findings suggest that transnational institutionalization takes place simultaneously on multiple levels (local, national and transnational) and is distinctly interactive, placing crucial importance on the activities and responsiveness of both the central party organization as well as the extraterritorial branches. The internal dimensions of institutionalization can be notably affected by the territorially and temporally scattered nature of emigrant communities and by the sense of inclusion provided to the activists. The external dimensions of transnational institutionalization involve a wider variety of actors than institutionalization on the national level and can also be more challenging due to the more contingent socialization patterns and interest in politics of transnational migrants. Transnational institutionalization of political parties is relevant to the parties and their continuous electoral success, but also for transnational migrant communities and impact of their political participation.
Saving lives during the COVID-19 pandemic: the benefits of the first Swiss lockdown
Authors: Gatti Nicolò , Retali Beatrice
Published: August 2021

The implementation of a lockdown to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a strong economic and political debate in several countries. This makes it crucial to shed light on the actual benefits of such kind of policy. To this purpose, we focus on the Swiss lockdown during the first wave of COVID-19 infections and estimate the number of potentially saved lives. To predict the number of deaths in the absence of any restrictive measure, we develop a novel age-structured SIRDC model which accounts for age-specific endogenous behavioral responses and for seasonal patterns in the spread of the virus. Including the additional fatalities which would have materialized because of the shortage of healthcare resources, our estimates suggest that the lockdown prevented more than 11,200 deaths between March and the beginning of September 2020.
The effect of radiation exposure and storage time on the degree of conversion and flexural strength of different resin composites
Authors: Taher Ragia M. , Moharam Lamiaa M. , Amin Amin E. , Zaazou Mohamed H. , El-Askary Farid S. , Ibrahim Mokhtar N.
Published: August 2021

Background

This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of radiation exposure and storage time on the degree of conversion (DC%) and flexural strength (FS) of three different resin composites. In total, 90 disk-shaped, and 360 rod-shaped composite specimens were prepared to evaluate the DC% and FS, respectively. Specimens were divided into 18 groups (DC%: n = 5 and FS: n = 20) according to the three experimental factors of the study: 1—Radiation (no-exposure and exposure), 2—Resin composite material (Herculite XRV Ultra, Z250 XT and Grandio), and 3—Storage time (24 h in distilled water, 3-m and 6-m in 70% ethanol). Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) was used to determine the DC%. For FS, the specimens were subjected to a three-point bending test at 1 mm/min crosshead speed. Data were analyzed using three-way ANOVA/Tukey HSD test. Significant level was set at P = 0.05.

Results

For DC%, there was no significant difference between no-radiation exposure and radiation exposure (P > 0.05). Herculite XRV Ultra revealed the highest statistically significant DC% (P < 0.05). The 24-h storage time revealed the least significant DC% (P < 0.05). For FS, radiation exposure showed a statistically significant higher value compared to no-radiation exposure (P < 0.05). Herculite XRV Ultra showed the least FS value (P < 0.05). The 24-h storage time showed the highest significant value (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Radiation exposure has no significant impact on the DC% of the different resin composites, but it has a significant positive effect on the FS. Storage time had a significant effect on both DC% and FS.
Development, optimization and pharmacokinetic evaluation of biphasic extended-release osmotic drug delivery system of trospium chloride for promising application in treatment of overactive bladder
Authors: Gundu Ramakanth , Pekamwar Sanjay , Shelke Santosh , Kulkarni Deepak , Shep Santosh
Published: August 2021

Background

The research was aimed with an approach to formulate biphasic extended-release system of trospium chloride resulting in controlled release of drug up to 24 h with prospects of better control on urinary frequency, efficacy, tolerability, and improved patient compliance. The push–pull osmotic pump (PPOP) bi-layered tablet of trospium chloride (60 mg) was developed with the use of immediate-release polymers in the pull layer (30 mg drug) and polyethylene oxide in the push layer (remaining 30 mg drug). The tablet was formulated by compression after non-aqueous granulation, seal coating, and semipermeable coating. The tablet prepared was laser drilled to create an orifice for drug release.

Results

Comparative in vitro dissolution and in vivo pharmacokinetic analysis of available marketed formulations demonstrated the complete drug release within 16–18 h; hence the developed biphasic extended-release system has its great importance as it provides zero-order release up to 24 h.

Conclusions

The developed biphasic extended-release drug delivery system of trospium chloride provides the drug release for 24 h with effective plasma concentration in comparison with the available marketed formulation. Extended release of drug from the developed formulation provides scope for its promising application in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB).
What is OSFED? The predicament of classifying ‘other’ eating disorders
Authors: Jenkins Zoe M. , Mancuso Serafino G. , Phillipou Andrea , Castle David J.
Published: August 2021

The transition from DSM-IV to DSM-5 relaxed diagnostic criteria for anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, and recognised a third eating disorder, binge eating disorder. However, a large proportion of cases remain in the ill-defined category of ‘other specified feeding and eating disorders’. We sought to investigate the utility of a proposed solution to classify this group further, subdividing based on the dominant clinical feature: binge eating/purging or restraint. Cluster analysis failed to identify clusters in a treatment-seeking sample based on symptoms of restraint, binge eating, purging and over-evaluation of shape and weight. Further investigation of this highly heterogeneous group is required.
BDV Syndrome: an Emerging Syndrome With Profound Obesity and Neurodevelopmental Delay Resembling Prader-Willi Syndrome
Authors: Bosch Elisabeth , Hebebrand Moritz , Popp Bernt , Penger Theresa , Behring Bettina , Cox Helen , Towner Shelley , Kraus Cornelia , Wilson William G , Khan Shagufta , Krumbiegel Mandy , Ekici Arif B , Uebe Steffen , Trollmann Regina , Woelfle Joachim , Reis André , Vasileiou Georgia
Published: August 2021

Context

CPE encodes carboxypeptidase E, an enzyme that converts proneuropeptides and propeptide hormones to bioactive forms. It is widely expressed in the endocrine and central nervous system. To date, 4 individuals from 2 families with core clinical features including morbid obesity, neurodevelopmental delay, and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, harboring biallelic loss-of-function (LoF) CPE variants, have been reported.

Objective

We describe 4 affected individuals from 3 unrelated consanguineous families, 2 siblings of Syrian, 1 of Egyptian, and 1 of Pakistani descent, all harboring novel homozygous CPE LoF variants.

Methods

After excluding Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), exome sequencing was performed in both Syrian siblings. The variants identified in the other 2 individuals were reported as research variants in a large-scale exome study and in the ClinVar database. Computational modeling of all possible missense alterations allowed assessing CPE tolerance to missense variants.

Results

All affected individuals were severely obese with neurodevelopmental delay and other endocrine anomalies. Three individuals from 2 families shared the same CPE homozygous truncating variant c.361C > T, p.(Arg121*), while the fourth carried the c.994del, p.(Ser333Alafs*22) variant. Comparison of clinical features with previously described cases and standardization according to the Human Phenotype Ontology terms indicated a recognizable clinical phenotype, which we termed Blakemore-Durmaz-Vasileiou (BDV) syndrome. Computational analysis indicated high conservation of CPE domains and intolerance to missense changes.

Conclusion

Biallelic truncating CPE variants are associated with BDV syndrome, a clinically recognizable monogenic recessive syndrome with childhood-onset obesity, neurodevelopmental delay, hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, and hypothyroidism. BDV syndrome resembles PWS. Our findings suggest missense variants may also be clinically relevant.
Vitamin D Levels Are Associated With Blood Glucose and BMI in COVID-19 Patients, Predicting Disease Severity
Authors: di Filippo Luigi , Allora Agnese , Doga Mauro , Formenti Anna Maria , Locatelli Massimo , Rovere Querini Patrizia , Frara Stefano , Giustina Andrea
Published: August 2021

Context

A high prevalence of vitamin D (VD) deficiency in COVID-19 patients has been reported and hypothesized to increase COVID-19 severity likely because of its negative impact on immune and inflammatory responses. Furthermore, clear associations between hypovitaminosis D and fat body mass excess and diabetes, factors associated with COVID-19 severity, have been widely recognized.

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate in COVID-19 patients the relationship between VD levels and inflammatory response, body mass index (BMI), blood glucose (GLU), and disease severity.

Methods

Patients admitted to San Raffaele-Hospital for COVID-19 were enrolled in this study, excluding those with comorbidities and therapies influencing VD metabolism. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D levels, plasma GLU levels, BMI, and inflammatory parameters were evaluated at admission.

Results

A total of 88 patients were included. Median VD level was 16.3 ng/mL and VD deficiency was found in 68.2% of patients. VD deficiency was found more frequently in male patients and in those affected by severe COVID-19. Regression analyses showed a positive correlation between VD and PaO2/FiO2 ratio, and negative correlations between VD and plasma GLU, BMI, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio, C-reactive protein, and interleukin 6. Patients with both hypovitaminosis D and diabetes mellitus, as well those with hypovitaminosis D and overweight, were more frequently affected by a severe disease with worse inflammatory response and respiratory parameters, compared to those without or just one of these conditions.

Conclusion

We showed, for the first-time, a strict association of VD levels with blood GLU and BMI in COVID-19 patients. VD deficiency might be a novel common pathophysiological mechanism involved in the detrimental effect of hyperglycemia and adiposity on disease severity.
Bioluminescent imaging in induced mouse models of endometriosis reveals differences in four model variations
Authors: Dorning Ashley , Dhami Priya , Panir Kavita , Hogg Chloe , Park Emma , Ferguson Gregory D. , Hargrove Diane , Karras James , Horne Andrew W. , Greaves Erin
Published: August 2021

Our understanding of the aetiology and pathophysiology of endometriosis remains limited. Disease modelling in the field is problematic as many versions of induced mouse models of endometriosis exist. We integrated bioluminescent imaging of ‘lesions’ generated using luciferase-expressing donor mice. We compared longitudinal bioluminescence and histology of lesions, sensory behaviour of mice with induced endometriosis and the impact of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist Cetrorelix on lesion regression and sensory behaviour. Four models of endometriosis were tested. We found that the nature of the donor uterine material was a key determinant of how chronic the lesions were, as well as their cellular composition. The severity of pain-like behaviour also varied across models. Although Cetrorelix significantly reduced lesion bioluminescence in all models, it had varying impacts on pain-like behaviour. Collectively, our results demonstrate key differences in the progression of the ‘disease’ across different mouse models of endometriosis. We propose that validation and testing in multiple models, each of which may be representative of the different subtypes/heterogeneity observed in women, should become a standard approach to discovery science in the field of endometriosis.
Lamin regulates the dietary restriction response via the mTOR pathway in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Charar Chayki , Metsuyanim-Cohen Sally , Bar Daniel Z.
Published: August 2021

Animals subjected to dietary restriction (DR) have reduced body size, low fecundity, slower development, lower fat content and longer life span. We identified lamin as a regulator of multiple dietary restriction phenotypes. Downregulation of lmn-1, the single Caenorhabditis elegans lamin gene, increased animal size and fat content specifically in DR animals. The LMN-1 protein acts in the mTOR pathway, upstream of RAPTOR and S6 kinase β1 (S6K), a key component of and target of the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 (mTORC1), respectively. DR excludes the mTORC1 activator RAGC-1 from the nucleus. Downregulation of lmn-1 restores RAGC-1 to the nucleus, a necessary step for the activation of the mTOR pathway. These findings further link lamin to metabolic regulation.
Whole genome sequencing of colonies derived from cannabis flowers and the impact of media selection on benchmarking total yeast and mold detection tools
Authors: McKernan Kevin , Helbert Yvonne , Kane Liam , Houde Nathan , Zhang Lei , McLaughlin Stephen
Published: August 2021

Background:

Cannabis products are subjected to microbial testing for human pathogenic fungi and bacteria. These testing requirements often rely on non-specific colony forming unit (CFU/g) specifications without clarity on which medium, selection or growth times are required. We performed whole genome sequencing to assess the specificity of colony forming units (CFU) derived from three different plating media: Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA), PDA with chloramphenicol and Dichloran Rose Bengal with chloramphenicol (DRBC).

Methods:

Colonies were isolated from each medium type and their whole genomes sequenced to identify the diversity of microbes present on each medium selection. Fungal Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS3) and Bacterial 16S RNA(16S) quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) were performed, to correlate these CFUs with fungi- and bacterial- specific qPCR.

Results:

Each plating medium displayed a ten-fold difference in CFU counts. PDA with chloramphenicol showed the highest diversity and the highest concordance with whole genome sequencing. According to ITS3 and 16S qPCR confirmed with whole genome sequencing, DRBC under counted yeast and mold while PDA without chloramphenicol over counted CFUs due to bacterial growth without selection.

Conclusions:

Colony Forming Unit regulations lack specificity. Each medium produces significant differences in CFU counts. These are further dependent on subjective interpretation, failure to culture most microbes, and poor selection between bacteria and fungi. Given the most human pathogenic microbes found on cannabis are endophytes which culture fails to detect, molecular methods offer a solution to this long-standing quantification problem in the cannabis testing field.
Neurocognitive outcomes of HIV-associated tuberculous meningitis
Authors: Quinn Carson M , Kasibante John , Namudde Alice , Bangdiwala Ananta S , Kabahubya Mable , Nakasujja Noeline , Lofgren Sarah , Elliott Alison , Boulware David R , Meya David B , Cresswell Fiona V
Published: August 2021

Background: The toll of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) in both mortality and disability is considerable, but advancements in rehabilitation have the potential to improve the functional abilities and the quality of survivors’ lives. However, the typical phenotype of neurocognitive impairment in TBM survivors remains unstudied in HIV-predominant populations in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods: We tested 36 survivors of TBM in Uganda with a comprehensive battery of neurocognitive assessments at 8 and 24 weeks after diagnosis, and compared results to a representative cohort of HIV-uninfected Ugandans.

Results: While participants had a broad range of impairments at eight weeks, there was marked improvement by 24 weeks, when a phenotype of impairment including deficits in motor functioning, verbal learning and memory, processing speed, and executive function emerged. These deficits were present despite good clinician-rated functional status. The majority (23/27, 85%) had evidence of moderate to severe depression at week 8, and at week 24 (18/24, 75%).

Conclusion: These findings highlight the need for more comprehensive neurocognitive assessment in the survivors of TBM, and further investment in and study of rehabilitation, including management of depression, to improve long-term outcomes in this population.
Principal Trading Arrangements: When Are Common Contracts Optimal?
Authors: Baldauf Markus , Frei Christoph , Mollner Joshua
Published: August 2021

Many financial arrangements reference market prices that are yet to be realized at the time of contracting and consequently susceptible to manipulation. Two of the most common such arrangements are as follows: (i) guaranteed volume-weighted average price (VWAP) contracts, which reference the VWAP prevailing over an execution window, and (ii) market-on-close contracts, which reference the price prevailing at the window’s end. To study such situations, we introduce a stylized model of financial contracting between a client, who wishes to trade a large position, and the client’s dealer. We provide conditions under which guaranteed VWAP contracts are optimal in this principal-agent problem. In contrast, market-on-close contracts generally cannot be optimal. These results explain the use of guaranteed VWAP contracts in practice, question the use of market-on-close contracts, and suggest considerations for the design of financial benchmarks.

This paper was accepted by Haoxiang Zhu, finance.
Pengaruh Penambahan Koro Benguk terhadap Sifat Organoleptik Soyghurt (Yoghurt Susu Kedelai)
Authors: Purwanti Heni
Published: August 2021

Susu kedelai mengandung unsur-unsur yang hampir sama dengan susu sapi, oleh karena itu susu kedelai juga dapat difermentasi menjadi yoghurt kedelai atau disebut dengan nama soyghurt. Penelitian eksperimen ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh penambahan koro benguk terhadap sifat organoleptic soyghurt. Koro benguk merupakan salah satu kacang-kacangan yang kurang popular dibanding jenis yang lain karena beberapa sifat koro benguk yang tidak disukai konsumen. Perlakuan yang dilakukan pada penelitian ini adalah perbandingan kedelai dan koro benguk pada pembuatan soyghurt. Variasi yang dilakukan adalah perbandingan kedelai dan koro benguk dengan perbandingan 80:20, 60:40, 40:60. Hasil penelitian dengan analisa varian menunjukkan bahwa penambahan koro benguk pada pembuatan soyghurt memberikan pengaruh nyata terhadap sifat organoleptic soyghurt berupa warna, tekstur, aroma dan rasa. Uji DMRT menunjukkan perbandingan kedelai koro benguk 80:20 secara umum tidak berbeda nyata dengan soyghurt kedelai murni sebagai kontrol dan mempunyai tingkat kesukaan disukai.
Pengaruh Penambahan Jamur Tiram Putih (Pleurotus oestreatus) dan Tepung Tapioka Terhadap Sifat Organoleptik Kerupuk
Authors: Baitirahman Anisa Nur , Rahmadewi Yunda Maymanah , Pangastuti Palupi Melati
Published: August 2021

Kerupuk merupakan produk pangan yang bersifat kering, ringan, dan porous. Saat ini kerupuk yang berkembang adalah kerupuk tidak berprotein. Penambahan jamur tiram diharapkan dapat meningkatkan kualitas serta nilai gizi dari kerupuk. Percobaan ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh penambahan jamur tiram dan tepung tapioka terhadap sifat organoleptik kerupuk. Rancangan percobaan yang digunakan adalah metode Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) dengan faktor tunggal yaitu proporsi jamur tiram dan tapioka dengan enam level taraf perlakuaan (berturut-turut 2:1; 1:1; 1:2) dengan 2 kali ulangan. Proporsi jamur tiram dan tapioka dalam pembuatan kerupuk memberi pengaruh nyata terhadap tingkat kerenyahan, warna, pori-pori, serta aroma dan rasa. Dari percobaan yang dilakukan menyatakan bahwa proporsi terbaik untuk kerupuk jamur tiram adalah 1:2.
Identifikasi Kebutuhan Konsumen Katering Makan Siang Di Lingkup Dosen dan Karyawan Universitas Ahmad Dahlan Yogyakarta
Authors: Pangastuti Palupi Melati , Setyawan Rai Rake
Published: August 2021

“Bisma Catering” merupakan teaching factory di program studi vokasi D-IV Bisnis Jasa Makanan. Konsumen Bisma Catering adalah dosen dan karyawan Universitas Ahmad Dahlan. Konsumen memiliki kebutuhan dan selera yang berbeda-beda. Permasalahannya adalah Bisma Catering belum memiliki data akan keinginan dan selera konsumen. Tujuan studi ini adalah untuk mengidentifikasi dan mendokumentasikan kebutuhan konsumen katering di Universitas Ahmad Dahlan. Studi ini merupakan studi deskriptif dengan metode survei. Subyek adalah dosen dan karyawan UAD dengan jumlah (n) 100 orang. Instrumen studi berupa google form yang disebar melalui aplikasi whatsapp. Data yang diperoleh selanjutnya dianalisis secara deskriptif. Hasil studi menunjukkan 58,7% responden adalah perempuan. 59,7% berprofesi sebagai dosen dan 40,3% karyawan. 42,9%% responden menginginkan makan siang dengan rentang harga Rp 13.000-15.000. 44,7% menyukai rasa sedikit pedas. 93,5% tidak ada alergi makanan, 93,5% menyukai sayur dan 67,5% menginginkan masakan yang ditumis. 48,1% menginginkan kemasan rantang plastik.
Just one kind word: Anti-Bullying Week 2021
Authors: Evans Martha
Published: August 2021

Kindness fuels kindness, and in a polarised, online world it is becoming more and more crucial. Could 2021 be the year when we see the importance of kindness? Anti-Bullying Week is leading the way and Martha Evans is urging schools to get involved
Exposure to childhood adversity and the manifestation of mental illness in adulthood
Authors: Sims Timothy John
Published: August 2021

Children are a vulnerable group in society; most parents and caregivers will do anything in their power to love and protect their children from harm. Sadly, not all individuals are able to deliver such provisions. Some individuals choose to exploit this vulnerability. This literature review looks at the prognosis for those who have experienced adversity and its longer-term effects on mental health. It illustrates research around the role that individual resilience plays in the process of moving beyond adversity and living a fulfilled life, in contrast to how the negative effects of experiencing childhood adversity can potentially manifest into mental illness in later life. Research papers on each topic were reviewed, considering the quality of the research, as well as identifying flaws in its quality in certain areas. A recommendation for further study and service provision concludes the review.
Bacterial bioburden of wounds: influence of debridement and negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT)
Authors: Moog Philipp , Jensch Maryna , Betzl Julia , Bauer Anna-Theresa , Cerny Michael K , Schmauss Daniel , Kükrek Haydar , Erne Holger , Machens Hans-Günther , Megerle Kai
Published: August 2021

Objective:

To clarify the role of microbiological swabs in surgical decision-making, we investigated the effect of negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) and serial surgical debridement on bacterial bioburden in hard-to-heal wounds and ultimately correlated them with the success of surgical closure.

Method:

All patients were treated with surgical debridement, jet lavage and NPWT before their wounds were finally closed. The treatment effect was assessed by correlating microbiological swabs obtained immediately after intervention with those obtained after removal of the dressings during the following surgical procedures. The result of the last microbiological swab taken before definitive surgical closure was correlated with the requirement for revision surgery.

Results:

We included the results of 704 microbiological swabs from 97 patients in 110 wound localisations in this monocentric, retrospective study. NPWT did not improve bacterial bioburden in 77% of cases and the duration of NPWT did not affect the result. Furthermore, no significant effect of NPWT could be found for either anaerobic (p=0.96) or aerobic bacteria (p=0.43). In contrast, surgical debridement increased bacterial load in approximately 60% of cases. If sterile wound swabs could be obtained at all, it was during the first four surgical debridements in 60% of patients; after that only 10% became sterile.

Conclusions:

Sterile microbiological wound swabs before surgical closure were associated with lower rates of revision surgery, while low or medium bacterial loads did not increase revision rates.
Hard-to-heal wound treated with Integra Flowable Wound Matrix: analysis and clinical observations
Authors: Cammarota Marcella , D'Agostino Antonella , Campitiello Ferdinando , Mancone Manfredi , Ricci Giulia , Corte Angela Della , Guerniero Raffaella , Stellavato Antonietta , Schiraldi Chiara , Canonico Silvestro
Published: August 2021

Skin healing defects severely impair the quality of life of millions of people and burden healthcare systems globally. The therapeutic approach to these pathologies still represents a challenge. Novel scaffolds, used as dermal substitutes, possibly represent a promising strategy in complex wound management. Integra Flowable Wound Matrix (IFWM) is composed of a lyophilised, micronised form of collagen/chondroitin sulphate matrix, already used in regenerative medicine and endorsed in the therapy of diabetic foot lesions. In this paper, IFWM was applied to a tunnelling hard-to-heal skin lesion in order to restore tissue integrity. Although the different phases of skin wound healing are well established, the molecular mechanism underpinning IFWM-induced tissue repair are almost unknown. Here, we report, for the first time, the comparative analysis of molecular, histological and clinical observations of the healing process of a hard-to-heal tunnelling skin wound. The therapeutic success of this clinical case allowed us to recommend the use of IFWM as a tissue substitute in this rare type of hard-to-heal wound in which the high inflammatory status hampered the natural healing process.
Peripheral arterial disease in patients with renal-diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Meloni Marco , Izzo Valentina , Giurato Laura , Da Ros Valerio , Morosetti Daniele , Ferrannini Michele , Brocco Enrico , Gandini Roberto , Uccioli Luigi
Published: August 2021

Objective:

To describe the angiographic characteristics of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in persons with diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) on dialysis treatment.

Method:

The study is a retrospective analysis of patients with DFUs and PAD who had been referred to our diabetic foot clinic. All patients had been managed by a pre-set limb salvage protocol including revascularisation of the affected limb. Arterial lesions (stenosis between 50–99% and occlusions) were retrospectively evaluated through angiogram analysis. According to the presence or not of dialysis, patients were divided into two patient groups: renal-diabetic foot (RDF) and diabetic foot (DF). Distribution of PAD and immediate revascularisation outcome (technical revascularisation outcome) for RDF and DF were separately reported and compared.

Results:

The sample included 239 patients: mean age was 71.8 years; 72.4% were male; 87.4% had type 2 diabetes; mean diabetes duration was 21.4 years; and the mean HbA1c was 63±22mmol/mol. The RDF group compared with the DF group reported higher numbers of vessels affected (n=5±1.6 versus 3.9±1.5, respectively, p<0.0001), greater involvement of the superficial femoral artery (90.2% versus 75.8%, respectively, p=0.003), the tibial-peroneal trunk (53.7% versus 25.5%, respectively, p=0.01), the anterior tibial artery (93.9% versus 80.9%, respectively, p=0.03) and below-the-ankle (BTA) arteries (70.7% versus 35.7%, respectively, p=0.0001). The RDF group showed a higher rate of revascularisation failure in comparison to DF patients (43.9% versus 15.3%, respectively, p<0.0001). BTA arterial disease (odds ratio 9.5; 95% Confidence Interval: 3.5–25.4; p=0.0001) resulted as the only independent predictor of revascularisation failure.

Conclusion:

In this study, RDF patients showed a widespread distribution of arterial lesions with a higher involvement of foot arteries in comparison with DF patients. BTA arterial disease was found to be an independent predictor of revascularisation failure.
EXPERIMENTAL AND ANALYTICAL STUDY ON THE IMPACT BEHAVIOR OF STEEL–CONCRETE COMPOSITE SLAB
Authors:   SSN College of Engineering, Sangeetha P , Ramanagopal S ,   SSN College of Engineering, Manjula R ,   SSN College of Engineering, Hema Naga Sri Pushpa Swetha T ,   SSN College of Engineering
Published: August 2021

Concrete structures have been widely used for many years to resist impact loads. Steel–concrete composite structures may be considered efficient structures in the emerging modern construction field. Hence, the main objective of this research was to study the impact behavior of steel concrete composite slabs with different shear connectors and compare them with conventional slabs. Seven specimens of dimensions 500 × 500 × 50 mm were cast, which included plain cement concrete slabs, two reinforced cement concrete slabs with steel mesh and steel rebars as reinforcement, and four steel-concrete composite slabs with four different shear connectors: stud, tee, angle, and channel connectors. The composite action was achieved using a steel decking sheet welded with connectors on which the concrete layer was poured at the top. The test setup was fabricated with slots provided for specimens with simply supported end conditions and a mild steel drop weight. The specimens were impacted at the center of the span by dropping a steel mass from a free fall height of 1 m. The number of blows corresponding to the initial cracking and ultimate failure stages was recorded. The parameters that were used to compare the specimens were the impact energy absorbed, crack pattern, crack width, and increase in impact energy from the first blow to the last blow. The experimental results were very close to the analytical results obtained using ANSYS. The experimental and analytical results showed that the composite slabs with channel connectors performed better than the others, and it was proven that the composite slabs performed better under impact loading than conventional slabs.
ANALYTICAL CALCULATIONS OF THE VIBRATIONS OF VERTICAL STRUCTURES CONSIDERING THEIR DEAD WEIGHT
Authors:   Odessa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Department of Information Technology and Applied Mathematics, Krutii Yurii , Vandynskyi Victor , Konstantinov Petr ,   Odessa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Building mechanical Department,   Odessa State Academy of Civil Engineering and Architecture, Department metal, wooden and plastic structures
Published: August 2021

This paper presents the results of studies on the analytical dependence between the value of a longitudinal distributed load and the frequency of free vibrations in a uniform rod. Based on the exact solution of the corresponding differential equation, a method for calculating vibrations in rod structures, while considering their dead weight, is implemented. The method algorithm is shown using the example of a rod with both ends clamped. This article contains graphs and analytical formulas for displaying dependencies. A table is provided that contains all the necessary coefficients to perform similar calculations for other boundary conditions. These results allow the physical and mechanical characteristics of a system to be used to determine the natural frequency of rod structures without using approximate methods.
DURABILITY STUDY OF CONCRETE WITH ELECTRONIC WASTE PLASTIC AGGREGATE
Authors:   Technical University of Košice, Slovakia, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Sičáková Alena , Figmigová Erika ,   Technical University of Košice, Slovakia, Faculty of Civil Engineering
Published: August 2021

This study aims to determine the durability of concrete, in which plastic chips originating from the casing and enclosures of small electronic items are used as a part of coarse natural aggregate. The following three amounts were used: 50%, 70%, and 90% of the aggregate by volume. The concretes were tested after 28 days of standard curing as well as after exposure to physical (25 freeze-thaw cycles and 25 wet-dry cycles) and chemical (HCl, MgSO4, and NaOH) aggressive influences. Durability was evaluated based on changes in both flexural and compressive strength after exposure. The results of the corrosion resistance tests confirm the different types of behavior of the samples, depending on the relative proportion of the plastic aggregate. In terms of a comprehensive evaluation of the experiment, the greatest potential was found in concrete with 50% plastic chips, which can be defined as lightweight-low strength concrete. However, the specific compressive strength (strength to density ratio) increased with increasing amounts of plastic aggregate, which is a good standpoint for recycling this waste if specific applications are identified that can accept the technical limits of this material while using the positive parameters that could be useful for the application.
Optimized Golay-9 array configurations for mid-frequency compensation in optical sparse aperture systems
Authors: Hui Mei , Zhang Huiyan , Wu Yong , Li Xinji , Liu Ming , Dong Liquan , Kong Lingqin , Zhao Yuejin
Published: August 2021

Optical sparse aperture (OSA) imaging systems show great potential to generate higher resolution images than those of equivalent single filled aperture systems. However, due to the sparsity and dispersion of sparse aperture arrays, pupil function is no longer a connected domain, which further attenuates or loses the mid-frequency modulation transfer function (MTF), resulting in lower mid-frequency contrast and blurred images. Therefore, an improved traversal algorithm is proposed to optimize Golay-9 array configurations for compensating the mid-frequency MTF. Its structural parameters include diameters of sub-apertures, relative rotation angles between individual sub-apertures, and radius of concentric circles. Then, these parameters are traversed successively in order. Finally, the influences of the obtained optimized array configurations on the mid-frequency MTF are analyzed in detail, and the image performances are evaluated. The experimental results prove the contrast enhancement. Compared with a Golay-9 array at

F

=

36.5

%

, the maximum MTF increases from 0.1503 to 0.307, and the mid-frequency MTF is boosted from 0.0565 to 0.0767. In addition, the peak signal to noise ratio of the degraded image is promoted from 19.75 dB to 20.63 dB. Both quantitative and qualitative evaluations demonstrate the validity of the proposed method.
Method of reaching a resolution-controllable micro-angle measurement by using a Michelson interferometer
Authors: She Cong , Xu Li , Shan Xiang-Dong , Zhu Hao , Zhou Yuan , Wang Qing-Lan
Published: August 2021

A novel, to the best of our knowledge, method is proposed in this study to permit the controllable resolution of a micro-angle measurement by using a Michelson interferometer. The resolution of the proposed system can be adjusted by changing the distances between a pair of parallel mirrors. Through experiments, it was observed that as the distance was changed from 0 to 6 mm, the corresponding resolution was significantly altered from 22.88 to 14.02 µrad. Compared with other small angle measurement methods, the proposed method can realize the conversion of multiple measurement resolutions more easily and conveniently.
Structures of the mycobacterial membrane protein MmpL3 reveal its mechanism of lipid transport
Authors: Su Chih-Chia , Klenotic Philip A. , Cui Meng , Lyu Meinan , Morgan Christopher E. , Yu Edward W.
Published: August 2021

The mycobacterial membrane protein large 3 (MmpL3) transporter is essential and required for shuttling the lipid trehalose monomycolate (TMM), a precursor of mycolic acid (MA)-containing trehalose dimycolate (TDM) and mycolyl arabinogalactan peptidoglycan (mAGP), in Mycobacterium species, including Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium smegmatis. However, the mechanism that MmpL3 uses to facilitate the transport of fatty acids and lipidic elements to the mycobacterial cell wall remains elusive. Here, we report 7 structures of the M. smegmatis MmpL3 transporter in its unbound state and in complex with trehalose 6-decanoate (T6D) or TMM using single-particle cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) and X-ray crystallography. Combined with calculated results from molecular dynamics (MD) and target MD simulations, we reveal a lipid transport mechanism that involves a coupled movement of the periplasmic domain and transmembrane helices of the MmpL3 transporter that facilitates the shuttling of lipids to the mycobacterial cell wall.
Environmental non-governmental organizations and air-pollution governance: Empirical evidence from OECD countries
Authors: Li Guangqin , He Qiao , Wang Dongmei , Liu Bofan
Published: August 2021

Based on the panel data of environmental Non-Governmental Organizations (ENGOs) and air pollution in OECD countries, this paper uses econometric model to investigate the governance effect of ENGOs on air pollution. The results show that: ENGOs have a positive impact on the improvement of environmental quality, and the results are still valid after a series of robustness tests; Further mechanism analysis found that the environmental improvement by ENGOs is mainly achieved by increasing investment in environmental protection. This study provides empirical evidence for the effect of ENGOs on air pollution, and further provides ideas for environmental governance.
Trade informativeness and liquidity in Bitcoin markets
Authors: Westland J. Christopher
Published: August 2021

Liquid markets are driven by information asymmetries and the injection of new information in trades into market prices. Where market matching uses an electronic limit order book (LOB), limit orders traders may make suboptimal price and trade decisions based on new but incomplete information arriving with market orders. This paper measures the information asymmetries in Bitcoin trading limit order books on the Kraken platform, and compares these to prior studies on equities LOB markets. In limit order book markets, traders have the option of waiting to supply liquidity through limit orders, or immediately demanding liquidity through market orders or aggressively priced limit orders. In my multivariate analysis, I control for volatility, trading volume, trading intensity and order imbalance to isolate the effect of trade informativeness on book liquidity. The current research offers the first empirical study of Glosten (1994) to yield a positive, and credibly large transaction cost parameter. Trade and LOB datasets in this study were several orders of magnitude larger than any of the prior studies. Given the poor small sample properties of GMM, it is likely that this substantial increase in size of datasets is essential for validating the model. The research strongly supports Glosten’s seminal theoretical model of limit order book markets, showing that these are valid models of Bitcoin markets. This research empirically tested and confirmed trade informativeness as a prime driver of market liquidity in the Bitcoin market.