bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
First comprehensive identification of cardiac proteins with putative increased O-GlcNAc levels during pressure overload hypertrophy
Authors: Zhu Wei Zhong , Palazzo Teresa , Zhou Mowei , Ledee Dolena , Olson Heather M. , Paša-Tolić Ljiljana , Olson Aaron K.
Published: October 2022

Protein posttranslational modifications (PTMs) by O-GlcNAc globally rise during pressure-overload hypertrophy (POH). However, a major knowledge gap exists on the specific proteins undergoing changes in O-GlcNAc levels during POH primarily because this PTM is low abundance and easily lost during standard mass spectrometry (MS) conditions used for protein identification. Methodologies have emerged to enrich samples for O-GlcNAcylated proteins prior to MS analysis. Accordingly, our goal was to identify the specific proteins undergoing changes in O-GlcNAc levels during POH. We used C57/Bl6 mice subjected to Sham or transverse aortic constriction (TAC) to create POH. From the hearts, we labelled the O-GlcNAc moiety with tetramethylrhodamine azide (TAMRA) before sample enrichment by TAMRA immunoprecipitation (IP). We used LC-MS/MS to identify and quantify the captured putative O-GlcNAcylated proteins. We identified a total of 700 putative O-GlcNAcylated proteins in Sham and POH. Two hundred thirty-three of these proteins had significantly increased enrichment in POH over Sham suggesting higher O-GlcNAc levels whereas no proteins were significantly decreased by POH. We examined two MS identified metabolic enzymes, CPT1B and the PDH complex, to validate by immunoprecipitation. We corroborated increased O-GlcNAc levels during POH for CPT1B and the PDH complex. Enzyme activity assays suggests higher O-GlcNAcylation increases CPT1 activity and decreases PDH activity during POH. In summary, we generated the first comprehensive list of proteins with putative changes in O-GlcNAc levels during POH. Our results demonstrate the large number of potential proteins and cellular processes affected by O-GlcNAc and serve as a guide for testing specific O-GlcNAc-regulated mechanisms during POH.
Integrative QTL mapping and selection signatures in Groningen White Headed cattle inferred from whole-genome sequences
Authors: Gonzalez-Prendes Rayner , Ginja Catarina , Kantanen Juha , Ghanem Nasser , Kugonza Donald R. , Makgahlela Mahlako L. , Groenen Martien A. M. , Crooijmans Richard P. M. A.
Published: October 2022

Here, we aimed to identify and characterize genomic regions that differ between Groningen White Headed (GWH) breed and other cattle, and in particular to identify candidate genes associated with coat color and/or eye-protective phenotypes. Firstly, whole genome sequences of 170 animals from eight breeds were used to evaluate the genetic structure of the GWH in relation to other cattle breeds by carrying out principal components and model-based clustering analyses. Secondly, the candidate genomic regions were identified by integrating the findings from: a) a genome-wide association study using GWH, other white headed breeds (Hereford and Simmental), and breeds with a non-white headed phenotype (Dutch Friesian, Deep Red, Meuse-Rhine-Yssel, Dutch Belted, and Holstein Friesian); b) scans for specific signatures of selection in GWH cattle by comparison with four other Dutch traditional breeds (Dutch Friesian, Deep Red, Meuse-Rhine-Yssel and Dutch Belted) and the commercial Holstein Friesian; and c) detection of candidate genes identified via these approaches. The alignment of the filtered reads to the reference genome (ARS-UCD1.2) resulted in a mean depth of coverage of 8.7X. After variant calling, the lowest number of breed-specific variants was detected in Holstein Friesian (148,213), and the largest in Deep Red (558,909). By integrating the results, we identified five genomic regions under selection on BTA4 (70.2–71.3 Mb), BTA5 (10.0–19.7 Mb), BTA20 (10.0–19.9 and 20.0–22.7 Mb), and BTA25 (0.5–9.2 Mb). These regions contain positional and functional candidate genes associated with retinal degeneration (e.g.,CWC27andCLUAP1), ultravioletprotection (e.g.,ERCC8), and pigmentation (e.g.PDE4D) which are probably associated with the GWH specific pigmentation and/or eye-protective phenotypes, e.g. Ambilateral Circumocular Pigmentation (ACOP). Our results will assist in characterizing the molecular basis of GWH phenotypes and the biological implications of its adaptation.
Personal experiences following acquiring HIV infection while volunteering in Phase I/II HIV vaccine trials: A qualitative study from Tanzania
Authors: Tarimo Edith A. M. , Ambikile Joel , Munseri Patricia , Bakari Muhammad
Published: October 2022

Background

Participation in HIV vaccine trials is an essential step towards development of an effective preventive vaccine. A Phase I/II HIV vaccine trial enrolls volunteers at low risk of acquiring HIV infection, however a few may still become infected. Understanding the experiences of volunteers who acquired HIV infection while participating in such trials is essential for future research. Here, we describe experiences of HIV infected volunteers in Phase I/II HIV vaccine trials conducted in urban Tanzania.

Materials and methods

We used a case study design. In-depth interviews were conducted with four participants who became HIV infected during long follow-up visits after completion of vaccination schedules in a Phase I/II trial. Between 3 and 8 years after HIV positive diagnosis, each participant was interviewed at three time points within a two-year interval so as to allow for accumulation of experiences and cross-checking the emerging constructs. Data was analyzed using a qualitative data analysis framework.

Results

Analysis revealed that participation in HIV vaccine trials involves balancing controversies and the spirit of informed decision. The participants declared that they did not acquire HIV from the experimental vaccine. Disclosure of HIV status within the family was gender specific. Men were hesitant to disclose their HIV status to their sexual partners fearing for the consequences. Women’s attempt to disclose their HIV status yielded negative reactions from the sexual partners. The acquired knowledge from the HIV vaccine research enabled the participants to cope with the uncertainties and their health status.

Conclusions

The knowledge acquired during the Phase I/II HIV vaccine trial appears to be an essential resource to cope with uncertainties post research. The HIV vaccine trial implementers need to understand the challenges the volunteers may confront after the trial while coping with their health status. Longitudinal studies are essential to trace the effects of uncertainties to the individual participants.
Shedding light on dark figures: Steps towards a methodology for estimating actual numbers of COVID-19 infections in Germany based on Google Trends
Authors: Maaß Christina H.
Published: October 2022

In order to shed light on unmeasurable real-world phenomena, we investigate exemplarily the actual number of COVID-19 infections in Germany based on big data. The true occurrence of infections is not visible, since not every infected person is tested. This paper demonstrates that coronavirus-related search queries issued on Google can depict true infection levels appropriately. We find significant correlation between search volume and national as well as federal COVID-19 cases as reported by RKI. Additionally, we discover indications that the queries are indeed causal for infection levels. Finally, this approach can replicate varying dark figures throughout different periods of the pandemic and enables early insights into the true spread of future virus outbreaks. This is of high relevance for society in order to assess and understand the current situation during virus outbreaks and for decision-makers to take adequate and justifiable health measures.
Compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures among chronic disease patients in Wolaita and Dawuro zones, Southern Ethiopia: A proportional odds model
Authors: Gelgelu Temesgen Bati , Nuriye Shemsu , Chichiabellu Tesfaye Yitna , Kerbo Amene Abebe
Published: October 2022

Introduction

So far, shreds of evidence have shown that COVID-19 related hospitalization, serious outcomes, and mortality were high among individuals with chronic medical conditions. However, strict compliance with basic public health measures such as hand washing with soap, social distancing, and wearing masks has been recommended and proven effective in preventing transmission of the infection. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the level of compliance with COVID-19 preventive measures and identify its predictors among patients with common chronic diseases in public hospitals of Southern Ethiopia by applying the proportional odds model.

Methods

A facility-based cross-sectional study was employed in public hospitals of Southern Ethiopia between February and March 2021. Using a systematic random sampling technique, 419 patients with common chronic diseases were recruited. Data were collected using an Open Data Kit and then submitted to the online server. The proportional odds model was employed, and the level of significance was declared at a p-value of less than 0.05.

Results

This study revealed that 55.2% (95%CI: 50.4%-59.9%) of the study participants had low compliance levels with COVID-19 preventive measures. The final proportional odds model identified that perceived susceptibility (AOR: 0.91, 95%CI: 0.84, 0.97), cues to action (AOR: 0.89, 95%CI: 0.85, 0.94), having access to drinking water piped into the dwelling (AOR: 0.52, 95%CI: 0.32, 0.84), having no access to any internet (AOR: 0.62, 95%CI: 0.42, 0.92), having no functional refrigerator (AOR: 2.17, 95%CI: 1.26, 3.74), and having poor knowledge (AOR: 1.42, 95%CI: 1.02, 1.98) were the independent predictors of low compliance level with COVID-19 preventive measures.

Conclusion

In the study area, more than half of the participants had low compliance levels with COVID-19 preventive measures. Thus, the identified factors should be considered when designing, planning, and implementing new interventional strategies, so as to improve the participants’ compliance level.
Perceptions of people with Parkinson’s and their caregivers of falling and falls-related healthcare services- a qualitative study
Authors: Owen Charlotte L. , Gaulton Christine , Roberts Helen C. , Dennison Laura
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Falls are common in Parkinson’s disease, and a recognised research priority. Falls lead to physical and psychological morbidity in people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers, however, those with cognitive impairment/ dementia and caregivers have often been excluded from previous studies. This qualitative study explored how people with Parkinson’s disease and their family caregivers understood and experienced falling and healthcare services relating to falls prevention and management.

Methods

A varied and purposive sample of 20 people with Parkinson’s disease (40% confirmed or suspected cognitive impairment/ dementia) and 18 caregivers took part in semi-structured interviews. Eight people with Parkinson’s disease and their caregivers were interviewed as a dyad, 22 participants were interviewed alone. Interviews were analysed through inductive thematic analysis.

Results

Four themes were developed: (i) struggling with thoughts and feelings about falling, (ii) recognising and managing risks surrounding falling, (iii) navigating health and care provision for falling, and (iv) changing as a couple due to falling. Different aspects of falls provoked a range of negative emotions and a variety of coping strategies were adopted. Falls and trying to avoid falls burdened a couple in a number of ways; beyond physical health they also affected functioning, physiological wellbeing, and relationships. Dyads analysed falls to understand their aetiology and described working together to manage them. This often happened in the absence of adequate support and advice with little involvement of healthcare professionals. When cognitive impairment/ dementia was present this brought additional challenges to falls management, with caregivers taking on a greater and more frustrating role.

Conclusion

Dyads required relevant falls-related information and the difficulties associated with cognitive decline should be recognised by researchers and healthcare professionals. Dyads required support in attributing reasons for falls, and increased awareness of healthcare professionals’ different roles to improve patient- professional communication and facilitate patient-centred care.
PiSpy: An affordable, accessible, and flexible imaging platform for the automated observation of organismal biology and behavior
Authors: Morris Benjamin I. , Kittredge Marcy J. , Casey Bea , Meng Owen , Chagas André Maia , Lamparter Matt , Thul Thomas , Pask Gregory M.
Published: October 2022

A great deal of understanding can be gleaned from direct observation of organismal growth, development, and behavior. However, direct observation can be time consuming and influence the organism through unintentional stimuli. Additionally, video capturing equipment can often be prohibitively expensive, difficult to modify to one’s specific needs, and may come with unnecessary features. Here, we describe PiSpy, a low-cost, automated video acquisition platform that uses a Raspberry Pi computer and camera to record video or images at specified time intervals or when externally triggered. All settings and controls, such as programmable light cycling, are accessible to users with no programming experience through an easy-to-use graphical user interface. Importantly, the entire PiSpy system can be assembled for less than $100 using laser-cut and 3D-printed components. We demonstrate the broad applications and flexibility of PiSpy across a range of model and non-model organisms. Designs, instructions, and code can be accessed through an online repository, where a global community of PiSpy users can also contribute their own unique customizations and help grow the community of open-source research solutions.
Visualization of dental plaque with a 3D-intraoral-scanner—A tool for whole mouth planimetry
Authors: Jung Katja , Giese-Kraft Katja , Fischer Melanie , Schulze Kai , Schlueter Nadine , Ganss Carolina
Published: October 2022

Planimetry is a reliable method for detecting and monitoring plaque. Until now, this method has mainly been applied to conventional-camera images, which is difficult and time-consuming in relation to the entire dentition. Today, 3D-intraoral-scans are well suited for imaging the entire dentition and are therefore an efficient and feasible alternative. 3D-intraoral-scans have already proven successful for the quantification of plaque based on a plaque index. Therefore, aim of this study was to investigate whether images from 3D-intraoral-scans are also suitable for valid planimetric plaque measurements and monitoring; intraoral-camera images served as a reference. Twenty subjects (27.5±1.2 years) were included. Plaque was disclosed at three different time points: habitual plaque (T1), after 72 h without oral hygiene (T2) and after subsequent tooth brushing (T3) and quantified using 3D-intraoral-scans and intraoral-camera images (intraoral-camera CS 1500, intraoral-scanner CS 3600; Carestream Dental, Germany). The percentage of the plaque-covered surface of the total surface area (P%) was determined with a software specially programmed for this purpose using images from 3D-intraoral-scans of the oral and vestibular surfaces of the Ramfjord teeth (16, 21, 24, 36, 41, and 44); the intraoral-camera images of the vestibular surfaces of 16 and 36 served as reference. P% from images of the 3D-intraoral-scan and the intraoral-camera revealed a very good correlation (r = 0.876; p ≤ 0.001); the Bland-Altmann analysis showed a good agreement with no proportional and a very minor systematic bias with slightly higher values from images of the 3D-intraoral-scan. Further, P% measurements of the images of the 3D-intraoral-scan were able to detect changes in plaque levels, showing a 47% (p ≤ 0.001) increase in P% from T1 to T2 and a 43% (p ≤ 0.001) decrease after toothbrushing (T3). Planimetry using images of the 3D-intraoral-scan seems to be a suitable tool for whole mouth planimetry to record and monitor dental plaque.
Pregnant women’s knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 infection prevention in Ethiopia: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mose Ayenew , Zewdie Amare , Sahle Tadesse
Published: October 2022

Background

Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection during pregnancy causes adverse maternal and perinatal outcomes such as preterm birth, low birth weight, severe illness, intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilation, and death. Pregnant women’s knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) towards COVID-19 infection prevention are crucial to ensure the health of the mother and foetus. Therefore, this systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to estimate the pooled prevalence of pregnant women’s KAP towards COVID-19 infection prevention in Ethiopia.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, African Online Journal, and Web of Sciences database to retrieve related articles. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guideline was used. Funnel plot and Eggers test were done to assess publication bias. Cochrane Q-test and I2 statistic were done to chick evidence of heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis was computed based on the study region and year of publication. Data were extracted using a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and analyzed using STATA version 14 statistical software. Weighted inverse variance random effect model was run to estimate the pooled prevalence of pregnant women’s KAP towards COVID-19 infection prevention.

Results

A total of 9 studies with 4,103 pregnant women were included. The pooled prevalence of knowledge, attitude, and practice towards COVID-19 infection prevention among pregnant women’s in Ethiopia were 60.24% (95% CI; 53.69 to 66.79, I2 = 95%), 62.46% (95% CI; 45.68, 79.23, I2 = 98.8%), and 52.29% (95% CI; 43.91%-60.66% I2 = 96.5%) respectively. Maternal age (AOR = 1.87, 1.40–2.49), residence (AOR = 2.23, 1.50–3.31), secondary and above educational status (AOR = 3.36, 2.46–4.58), good knowledge (AOR = 2.73, 2.18–3.41), and fear of COVID-19 infection (AOR = 2.60, 1.78, 3.80) were factors associated with COVID-19 infection prevention practice among pregnant women’s in Ethiopia.

Conclusion

The knowledge, attitude, and practice of COVID-19 infection prevention among pregnant women were low. Therefore, policymakers, maternal and child health program planners, and stakeholders should target to improve pregnant women’s awareness regarding COVID-19 infection preventive measures.
Rate of virological failure and HIV-1 drug resistance among HIV-infected adolescents in routine follow-up on health facilities in Cameroon
Authors: Penda Calixte Ida , Moukoko Mbonjo Magaly , Fokam Joseph , Djeuda Armando Blondel Djiyou , Grace Ngondi , Ateba Ndongo Francis , Bilong Serge , Eyoum Bille Bertrand , Koki Ndombo Paul , Aghokeng Avelin , Ndjolo Alexis , Eboumbou Moukoko Carole Else
Published: October 2022

The objective of this study was to determine the rates of virological failure (VF) and HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) amongst adolescents on antiretroviral Therapy (ART). A retrospectively designed study was conducted in 10 healthcare centers for adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in the two main cities of Cameroon (Yaoundé and Douala), from November 2018 to May 2019. Sociodemographic, clinical, therapeutic and laboratory parameters were collected from medical records. All enrolled ALHIV had viral load (VL) measurements following the national guidelines. All patients with a VL ≥ 1000 copies/ml were called to perform genotyping tests. The chi-square test was used to determine the factors associated with VF. Out of the 1316 medical records of ALHIV, we included 1083 ALHIV having a VL result. Among them, 276 (25.5%) were experiencing VF, and VF was significantly higher in ALHIV with suboptimal adherence (p<0.001), older adolescents (p<0.05), those who lived outside the city where they were receiving ART (p<0.006), severely immunocompromised (p<0.01) and started ART at infancy (p<0.02). Among the 45/276 (16.3%) participants with an available genotyping resistance testing (GRT) result, the overall rate of HIVDR was 93.3% (42/45). The most common mutations were K103N (n = 21/42, 52.3%) resulting in high-level resistance to Efavirenz and Nevirapine, followed by M184V (n = 20/42, 47.6%) and thymidine analog mutations (n = 15/42, 35.7%) associated with high-level resistance to Lamivudine and Zidovudine respectively. The high rate of VF and HIVDR among ALHIV regularly followed in health facilities in Cameroon highlights the need to develop interventions adapted to an adolescent-centered approach to preserve future ART options.
Quality of life and caregiver burden in pediatric glaucoma: A systematic review
Authors: Basilious Amy , Villani Steven , Jang Hyunsoo , Kaberi Karina M. , Malvankar-Mehta Monali S.
Published: October 2022

Pediatric conditions can lead to significant caregiver burden and poor quality of life (QoL). This systematic review describes research relating to caregiver burden and QoL of caregivers of pediatric glaucoma patients. A systematic database search of Embase, Medline, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Web of Science, and the three journals within the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) was conducted in October 2021. Publications underwent abstract and full-text screening and were included if they reported pediatric caregivers’ QoL using quantitative or qualitative methods. Review articles, publications not in English, and articles focusing on adult glaucoma patients were excluded. Studies then underwent risk of bias assessment and data extraction. Of the 105 publications identified, 8 publications with 667 participants were included in the review. Studies indicated significantly higher burden and poor QoL in caregivers. Female sex, lower education level, lower income, and working status of caregivers were associated with poorer QoL and greater burden. Additionally, more severe and longer duration of the child’s disease negatively impacted these measures of caregiver wellbeing. Additionally, studies found significant improvement in caregiver QoL after patients underwent surgery with combined trabeculotomy-trabeculectomy. In conclusion, few studies have investigated the impact of pediatric glaucoma on caregivers. This review of the existing studies found poor QoL and high levels of caregiver burden within this population. Given the lifelong nature of pediatric glaucoma, there is a need for further longitudinal research focusing on the caregivers of these pediatric patients. Long-term follow-up would allow for a greater understanding of how caregiver QoL changes over the course of the disease.
Generation Anxiety: Preface
Authors: Bain Sophia
Published: October 2022

Using Søren Kierkegaard’s formative writing from The Concept of Anxiety as a catalyst for thinking about the multiplicity and complexity of anxiety, the preface of this Special Issue of Film Matters outlines how the editorial board at Chapman University thought about the topic “Generation Anxiety” throughout the editorial process. Considering anxiety as an embodied, sensuous, and ambiguous experience, this issue discusses films from varied genres, time periods, and countries, diverse perspectives and frameworks, and distinct explorations and experiences of anxiety. Finally, the preface acknowledges that there is no one definition of “Generation Anxiety,” but that through undergraduate scholars’ work, a contemporary perspectives on this ambiguous emotion emerges.
Afraid to Live, Afraid to Die: Sources of Anxiety in She Dies Tomorrow
Authors: Clark Cole
Published: October 2022

She Dies Tomorrow () examines anxieties concerning gender roles for women and the depersonalizing effect of modern capitalism. Imagining a world where each character becomes certain they will die tomorrow, the film confronts purposefully and inadvertently hidden anxieties through science fiction and horror aesthetics, utilizing transcendental cinema styles. Through the lens of Susan Sontag, the film can be seen as a plea for personal connection amid anxiety, with an emphasis on science fiction and horror tropes that lead the viewer to question the sources of anxiety for the characters.
Brechtian Orality in The Journals of Knud Rasmussen
Authors: Amicucci Saveria
Published: October 2022

This article uses Brechtian film theory to argue that The Journals of Knud Rasmussen achieves a degree of cinematic orality borne from Inuit oral culture. Directors Cohn and Kunuk use Brechtian techniques to create a distance between the viewer and the film that allows us to understand The Journals as a story being told to us, a cultural expression borne from a specific context. The continued reflexive telling of stories within the film means that viewers are invited into the story circle; the film is no longer a singularly immersive experience, but rather a dynamic expression of culture, with the filmmaker acting as storyteller.
How Ordinary People Breaks the Stigma of Manila’s Street Children
Authors: Zarm Vanessa
Published: October 2022

The article explores the Filipino film Ordinary People in terms of its stylistic devices, namely, surveillance footage and the long take, as well as a thematic examination of various social issues that are underlined by the overarching narrative arc of baby-snatching. These subthemes include the discrimination experienced by street children, media scrutiny, the sexual and verbal abuse toward female adolescents, and the moral dilemma of the baby’s kidnapping.
Constructing Characters: An Interview with Willem Dafoe
Authors: Binotto Ethan
Published: October 2022

Willem Dafoe has become a staple of the American film industry, contributing his talents to arthouse and blockbuster cinema alike. In this interview, Dafoe explores his many collaborations with Abel Ferrara such as Pasolini and Tommaso, films that are driven by anxiety about the changing world. He also shares his thoughts on the importance of auteurs and the theatrical experience.
Ghosts of Past/Graves of Future
Authors: Dowd Ben
Published: October 2022

This video essay explores Tarkovsky’s 1979 sci-fi classic, Stalker, through the lens of the philosophical concept of hauntology. Hauntology refers to the potential for dead or dying ideals to return and haunt the cultural ethos of subsequent generations. This essay intersperses scenes from the film with Soviet-era propaganda footage to highlight the visual discord between Stalker’s post-apocalyptic, alternate reality, and the illusory, utopian future the USSR failed to manifest. By melding the two forms of media together, the essay draws a causal line from past to future, and from aspiration to intergenerational trauma.
On the Wings of Hypothesis: Collected Writings on Soviet Cinema, Annette Michelson (2020)
Authors: Scipione Matthew
Published: October 2022

Review of: On the Wings of Hypothesis: Collected Writings on Soviet Cinema, Annette Michelson (2020)

Cambridge: MIT Press, 256 pp., ISBN: 9780262044493 (hbk), $29.95
Second Time Around: From Art House to DVD, D. A. Miller (2021)
Authors: Trieste Nathan
Published: October 2022

Review of: Second Time Around: From Art House to DVD, D. A. Miller (2021)

New York: Columbia University Press, 264 pp., ISBN: 9780231195591 (pbk), $25.00, ISBN: 9780231195584 (hbk), $95.00, ISBN: 9780231551397 (ebk), $24.99
A Service of Uncertainty
Authors: Bain Sophia
Published: October 2022

Winter Light (1963)

Sweden

Director Ingmar Bergman Runtime 81 minutes
Booksmart (2019)
Authors: Worthen May Miller
Published: October 2022

USA

Director Olivia Wilde Runtime 105 minutes
The Princess Bride in Four Frames
Authors: Baker Kylie , Beane Michael , Boggs Georgia
Published: October 2022

The Princess Bride (1987)

USA

Directed by Rob Reiner Runtime 98 minutes Blu-ray USA, 2018

Produced and Distributed by The Criterion Collection (region A/1)
Do the Right Thing in Seventeen Frames
Authors: Holland Connor David , Holland Peyton , Penny Kayleigh , Verley Dan , Wells Logan
Published: October 2022

Do the Right Thing (1989)

USA

Directed by Spike Lee Runtime 120 minutes Blu-ray USA, 2019

Produced and Distributed by The Criterion Collection (region A/1)
Mobile LPG cylinders at WUI fires: an alternative to avoid accidents
Authors: Barbosa Thiago , Reis Luís , Raposo Jorge , Viegas Domingos Xavier
Published: October 2022

Accidents related to mobile cylinders filled with Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) stored in houses at the Wildland Urban-Interface (WUI) occurred several times in Portugal in 2016 and 2017, closely linked to three large wildfires. Due to the amount of energy stored, the cylinders jeopardise the vicinity and become a potential risk for people and structures when a WUI fire occurs. This paper presents an experimental evaluation under fire conditions of two different protective devices to be used to protect cylinders filled with LPG at WUI areas; and to avoid extreme events like BLEVE. The first protective device is made with a thin fabric and the second one with a ceramic plate. These protective devices were tested at different distances from the flames and under similar conditions. The heat fluxes that reach the protectionÂ´s and cylinderÂ´s surfaces were measured, the same was done with temperature. The percentage of thermal flux blockage for both devices was compared. The temperature of the cylinder was compared with the room temperature.
Numerical characterization of structures heat exposure at WUI
Authors: Pérez-Ramirez Yolanda , Graziani Anthony , Santoni Paul-Antoine , Tihay-Felicelli Virginie , Mell William
Published: October 2022

In the forthcoming years, self-protection of communities will be a first priority over fire suppression in order to tend to more fire-resistant and resilient WUI communities. All around the world, countries facing WUI fires apply different recommendations or regulations often issued from post-fire surveys. Still, more efforts are necessary to understand how and why dwellings are damaged or completely destroyed under WUI fires attack. In particular, there is a need to quantitatively assess the effectiveness of the current legal prescriptions for homeowners concerning the defensible space around dwellings. Three-dimensional, time dependent, computational fluid dynamics fire behavior models can take into account the factors interacting and contributing to WUI fires (i.e., weather conditions, terrain configuration, fire, vegetation and structures). Moreover, they allow the spatially-explicit modelling of vegetation elements (i.e., trees, shrubs, etc.). Thus, they can be supporting tools to quantitatively assess the heat (radiative and convective) exposure of structures during the approach of a WUI fire, in order to investigate how the characteristics of the defensible space can protect a dwelling or not against such a fire. This study addresses the characterization of heat exposure conditions of a dwelling in common Mediterranean WUI scenarios by using the three-dimensional, time dependent, computational fluid dynamics forest fire behavior model WFDS. To this purpose, WUI fire simulations have been carried out at the landscape scale, taking into account the different zones that a fire burns before it might approach and reach a home structure. This is, a forested area and the defensible space or cleared area around a dwelling. Two different scenarios have been studied, where different spatial patterns for the raised vegetation at the defensible space have been considered. One vegetation pattern has a low level of aggregation corresponding to a sparse spatial distribution of plants, whereas the other vegetation pattern has a higher level of aggregation representative of a clumpy distribution of plants. Both scenarios, in agreement with the current regulations in Corsica, have the same amount of available fuel load, as well as, the same number and characteristics of raised vegetation elements. Fire simulations for these two scenarios have been carried out at different wind and ambient conditions representatives on one side of normal dry summer conditions and on the other side of particularly dry summer conditions. Heat exposure conditions have been characterized in terms of radiative and convective heat fluxes received by the structure. Special attention has been given on the role of fire â€“ vegetation â€“ wind interactions for the results and discussion.
Physics-Based Modelling for Mapping Firebrand Flux and Heat Load on Structures in the Wildland-Urban Interface’
Authors: Wickramasinghe Amila , Khan Nazmul , Filkov Alexander , Moinuddin Khalid
Published: October 2022

The mechanisms of structure ignition by wildfires are classified into direct flame contact, radiant heat, firebrand attack and a combination of two or all of them. Arguably, airborne firebrands play a vital role as the main cause for structure ignition and fire propagation by forming spot fires far from the fire front. Firebrand flux and the heat load are important parameters to calculate the wildfire risk on structures. Australian Building Standard AS3959 is developed based on radiation heat flux and it does not quantify the effects of firebrand landing flux on structures to assess the wildfire risk completely. To improve the assessment of the Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) in AS3959, there is a need for firebrand flux quantification at different scales of wildfires. Lacking information about firebrand generation from various vegetation species at different environmental conditions creates a gap to estimate the firebrand flux accurately. In this study, we aim to use a physics-based model to quantify the firebrand generation rate of Eucalyptus dominant forest vegetation at different severities of wildfires expressed by the Fire danger indices (FDI) of 100, 80, 50. The wind speed is adjusted while keeping the temperature, relative humidity, and drought factor as constants to obtain the focused FDIs. A 40 m height Eucalyptus forest is modelled with 25 t/ha understorey and 10 t/ha canopy fuel loads as per AS3959 forest vegetation classification. The forest fires are prescribed with the intensities of 53.4, 43.1, and 27 MW/m with 100 m length to replicate the fire events explained by FDIs. The depth of the fireline is approximated according to the fire residence time and the spread rate. The firebrand size, shape, and quantity are taken from our previous firebrand generation study (Wickramasinghe et al. 2022) and the particles are injected randomly through the forest volume which is engulfed by the fire. The distances between the modelled structure that follows an Australian standard house design and the vegetation are maintained according to the BALs. We obtained the radiative heat flux on the houses close to the algorithm provided in AS3959 for each BAL. In this study, both firebrand and heat flux are quantified at strategic locations of the house. We find a logarithmic relationship exists between firebrand flux and radiative heat flux in the range of R2 0.96 to 0.99. Hence, for a certain BAL, the firebrand flux increases with the FDI similar to radiative heat flux. Results from this study can be used to quantify the firebrand flux on houses from different vegetation fires, which may improve the design standards and construction requirements of buildings to mitigate the vulnerability of wildfires at the wildland-urban interface (WUI).
AI-driven Real-time Forecast of Wildfire Development in Hong Kong
Authors: Li Yizhou , Huang Xinyan
Published: October 2022

Climate changes have already altered the wildfire regime and increased the wildfire frequency and severity in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is a typical wildland-urban interface, where small high-population urban areas are surrounded by 70% wildland. Statistics show that the burning areas in over 80 % of accidents are less than 1,000 m2, and the burning time cannot last for 24 hours in Hong Kong. To improve the wildfire response and reduce the life and property loss in fires, a real-time fire forecast is required to achieve the most accurate and real-time fire forecast. This study firstly introduced the development of the wildfire spread models and then reviewed the AI-based model emphatically in the wildfire simulation and prediction. The blank parts in the short time series wildfire prediction aroused the attention of authors. Thus, an AI-based method was proposed to predict the wildfire front in real time. This study currently aims to establish the virtual wildfire scenario database in Hong Kong and realizes the AI-driven wildfire prediction model for suppressing fire spreading.
Will Concentrated Sunlight Ignite a Wildfire?
Authors: Lin Shaorun , Wang Siyan , Liu Yanhui , Huang Xinyan , Gollner Michael J.
Published: October 2022

Concentrated sunlight is a potential ignition source of wildfires, but its ignition mechanism is still poorly understood. Herein, we study the smoldering ignition of tissue paper (a common fuel that was abandoned by human in wildland) by a concentrated sunlight spot with heat fluxes up to 780 kW/m2, which is focused by a transparent glass sphere. The diameter of the sunlight spot on the paper sample ranges from 1.5 to 20.0 mm by varying the paper position within the focal length, where a smaller spot has a larger intensity of sunlight irradiation. We found that the concentrated sunlight can easily ignite the tissue paper. The measured minimum spot irradiation for smoldering ignition is not a constant but is much higher than 11 kW/m2 measured in a traditional cone-calorimeter test. As the diameter of the irradiation spot decreases from 20 to 1.5 mm, the minimum irradiation for smoldering ignition increases from 17.5 to 205 kW/m2. A 2-D computational model was successfully applied to reproduce the experimental observations and validate the results. This work ultimately quantifies the potential fire risk from concentrated sunlight spots and helps elucidate the underlying mechanisms leading to smoldering ignition.
GAMBUT field experiment of peatland wildfires in Sumatra: infrared measurements of smouldering spread rate
Authors: Santoso Muhammad A. , Christensen Eirik , Amin Hafiz M. F. , Palamba Pither , Hu Yuqi , Purnomo Dwi M. J. , Cui Wuquan , Pamitran Agus , Richter Franz , Smith Thomas E. L. , Nugroho Yulianto S. , Rein Guillermo
Published: October 2022

Peatland wildfires present challenge to the mitigation of climate change due to the large amount of ancient carbon emission. Once ignited, the organic soils in peatland can burn for a long periods (weeks to months) and are difficult to extinguish. Peat fire is governed by smouldering combustion which is the slow, low temperature, flameless burning of charring porous fuel, and the most persistent type of combustion phenomena. The detection and monitoring of peatland wildfires are often conducted by remote sensing like satellite. However, there is currently a missing gap between spread of peat fires in the small laboratory scale and the large field scale. This work covers this gap by conducting field-scale controlled experiment of peatland wildfires. The experimental campaign, GAMBUT, was conducted in the peatland of Sumatra, Indonesia, covering an area of 374 m2. Smouldering spread rate was measured by infrared cameras and subsurface thermocouples. The smouldering sustained up to 10 days and nights, and survived against three rainfalls. Observation from infrared images show that horizontal smouldering spread rate fluctuates during propagation. However, no significant difference was found between average horizontal spread rates from the measurements of infrared camera and thermocouples, i.e. 0.3Â±0.13 cm/h to 0.8Â±0.2 cm/h. The spread rates here agree with the trend in the literature of laboratory experiments, fit within in the ranges of high moisture (MC) and inorganic (IC) contents of the soil (MC between 23 to 141% and IC between 49 to 72%). Even though slower, the fires thrived up to 10 days and against three rainfalls, demonstrating the persistency of smouldering peat fires and calling for a consideration of degraded peatland with high inorganic content to be consistently included in the mapping and monitoring of peatland area. GAMBUT presents a unique understanding of peatland wildfires at field conditions and aims to contribute to the better monitoring and mitigation acts.
Towards rural development and bioeconomy integration into wildfire risk reduction and civil protection strategies
Authors: Ascoli Davide , Oggioni Silvio , Barbati Anna , Tomao Antonio , Colonico Mario , Corona Piermaria , Giannino Francesco , Moreno Mauro , Xanthopoulos Gavriil , Kaoukis Konstantinos , Athanasiou Miltiadis , Colaço Conceição , Rego Francisco , Sequeira Ana Catarina , Acácio Vanda , Serra Marta , Plana Eduard
Published: October 2022

Pyrosilviculture and understory fuel management to reduce forest stand and landscape flammability represent loss-making interventions from an economic point of view. Consequently, prevention is carried out above all on public property and with public funds (e.g. Rural Development Programs), while the interest of the private individual for prevention interventions on aggregated areas is limited. These shortcomings do not allow to reach the distribution and the quantity of treated surface necessary to modify the fire regime and its impacts. To solve this problem, we need initiatives that catalyse the interests of multiple stakeholders (economic actors, bodies responsible for territorial management and research, fire-fighter agencies) towards common goals. Moreover, we need to improve the cost-efficiency ratio of prevention through value-chains of products and services generated by preventive measures (e.g. payments for positive externalities and ecosystem services). Within the European project PREVAIL (PREVention Action Increases Large fire response preparedness) we analysed collaborative processes in the Mediterranean Basin between private and public actors that developed 'smart solutions'. Different sources of funding, including non-specific funds for prevention, offer additional economic resources to support preventive value-chains (e.g. RDP funds for agro-pastoral and forestry development, LIFE funds for habitat conservation, private investments, PES mechanisms). This paper analyses the key elements that characterise smart solutions for wildfire risk prevention in Southern EU: sustainability, cost-benefit ratio, synergies between sources of financing, inter-sectoral cooperation and integration between strategic prevention planning and multiple land governance objectives, innovation and knowledge transfer, and adaptive approach. A selection of solutions documented by the PREVAIL project and replicable in other contests will be presented and discussed.
Methodology for the Quantitative Risk Analysis of Wildfires in the Wildland-Urban Interface: Application to Electrical Infrastructure
Authors: Severino Gonzalo , Fuentes Andrés , Valdivia Alejandro , Auat-Cheein Fernando , Reszka Pedro
Published: October 2022

Wildfires have caused significant damage in Chile in the last decade, with electrical infrastructure being particularly vulnerable to extreme wildfire events. Therefore, the objective of this work is to estimate the risk of a wildfire damaging an electrical substation operated by the Chilean company Chilquinta DistribuciÃ³n SA, located in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) of the city of Valparaiso, Chile. A Wildfire Quantitative Risk Analysis (WFQRA) framework is proposed for this purpose, where the quantification of risk results from the product between the probability of a wildfire reaching the WUI and its consequences. The former was determined with an event tree analysis, a tool in which the advance in time of the initiating event (ignition of a wildland fuel) was analyzed through a series of questions related to the area burned, wind direction and ranges of ambient temperature and wind speed, with answers of the type yes or no. This anaylsis gave 0.004 events/year as the probability of a wildfire reaching the WUI. On the other hand, the analysis of consequences requires determining the vulnerability of the object of study to a thermal insult, which is the quantitative relationship between the thermal exposure of the object to the fire and the damage experienced by it. This vulnerability was assessed by expressing it in terms of a probability of failure (ignition) for different doses of thermal radiation, i.e., a dose-response curve. Since these curves are typically of sigmoid shape, a novel probit equation was determined by analyzing experimental data of PMMA, a material that served as a proxy for the actual materials within the electrical substation. Thermal exposure of a target within the substation was calculated with an average fireline intensity (1832 kW/m) and flame length (3.98 m) obtained with FlamMap simulations of fire behavior in a simplified landscape representing the study area. With these results, the vulnerability model for PMMA developed in this work gave PMMA ignition probabilities of 0.029 and 0.269 for two wildfire scenarios considered in the substation. Finally, wildfire risk was estimated as 10-4 to 10-3 events/year, or equivalently, one event every 1,000 to 10,000 years. These results can be used as input to the decision-making process in Chilquinta and public institutions for taking mitigation measures to reduce wildfire risk in the WUI. Future work will be focused on refining this result.
A statistical model of Fire Radiative Power released by wildfires at the global scale
Authors: DaCamara Carlos C. , Pereira José M. C. , Libonati Renata , Nunes Sílvia A.
Published: October 2022

Characterization of large-scale fire regimes associated to patterns of fire activity is especially relevant because they reflect the complex interplay of meteorological, landscape, and human factors. We present a statistical model with 8 parameters that adequately describes satellite derived fire radiative power (FRP) at the global scale and over large areas with given fire regimes. The statistical model combines three components, namely a truncated lognormal distribution central body with a lower and an upper tail, both consisting of Generalized Pareto (GP) distributions. The model is fitted to four samples of 1 000 000 values of log_10â¡FRP randomly selected from a dataset consisting of observations by the MODIS instrument on-board Terra and Aqua satellites covering the 19-year period spanning from 4 July 2002 to 3 July 2021. The four samples are extracted from observations worldwide and from regions characterized by three fire macroregimes, respectively Wild, Tamed and Domesticated fires. For all four cases, the very high quality of the fit translates into the agreement between the cumulative distribution function and the respective empirical cumulative distribution function obtained from the sample. When going from the Domesticated fire macroregime to the Tamed and then to the Wild fire macroregimes, there is a progressive displacement towards the right of the respective probability distribution functions that indicates a progressive tendency for the occurrence of extreme events with a high release of radiative power that is associated with a decrease in human actions that translates into lower landscape fragmentation and lower fire suppression. Statistical model of FRP of the type here presented are a useful tool that allows characterizing in an economic way fire behaviour in a given region and monitor changes in time associated to climate change or to changes in landscape or in land occupation.
Catastrophic Fire Behaviour in the June 2017 Pedrógão Grande Fire
Authors: Viegas Domingos Xavier , Almeida Miguel , Pinto Paulo , Ribeiro Luís Mário , Ribeiro Carlos , Pimpão Álvaro
Published: October 2022

Two fires that started near Pedrogão Grande in June 2017 were affected by the presence of a thunderstorm in the region and spread out of control as two initially separate fires. Some time later these fires merged creating a very intense and fast spreading fire that threatened the lives of hundreds of persons. In a period of around two hours 66 persons were killed by the fire most of them trying to run away in their cars. The physical processes of fires start, interaction with the thunderstorm and merging were studied in detail as well as the circumstances in which the accidents occurred.