bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Quality of life among ostomy patients: A narrative literature review
Authors: Alenezi Aishah , McGrath Ian , Kimpton Amanda , Livesay karen
Published: May 2021

Aim and objective

This study aims to identify and summarise factors related to ostomy patients’ experiences and how these impact the perceived quality of life for those patients.

Background

Ostomy formation is a common therapeutic technique used to treat different colorectal diseases such as colorectal cancer. Although surgical intervention and ostomy formation may prolong a patient's life, it may cause many problems in their daily lifestyle and affect their quality of life. The surgical creation of an ostomy has a significant impacts on a patient's quality of life from multiple perspectives, including physical, psychological, social and spiritual aspects.

Design

A narrative literature review, using the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses guideline).

Methods

This review analysis of search filters was conducted in the following databases: PubMed (MEDLINE), CINAHL, Embase, ProQuest, Science Direct, Scopus, and PsycINFO. A validation data set of 283 research articles between January 2000 and December 2019 were used to identify the impact of stoma surgery on patients’ quality of life.

Result

Thirty‐seven studies were identified as suitable for inclusion in this literature review. The results of the review indicate that quality of life (QoL) in patients who have an ostomy is influenced by many modifiable factors. Exercise, preoperative stoma site identification, family support, maintenance of social networks, education, spirituality and financial stability are all potentially modifiable factors that can improve the QOL for ostomy patients.

Conclusion

This review has identified multiple challenges that ostomy patients experience, which were clustered according to physical, psychological, social and spiritual challenges.

Relevance to clinical practice

This study identifies issues associated with stoma creation and can help in planning and providing the required nursing care which may assist in the reduction of predictable challenges. Recommendations for future research related to nursing practice are stated.
Effect of contingent vibratory stimulus via an oral appliance on sleep bruxism after the splint adaptation period
Authors: Nakazato Yukari , Takaba Masayuki , Abe Yuka , Nakamura Hirotaka , Ohara Hironobu , Suganuma Takeshi , Clark Glenn T. , Baba Kazuyoshi
Published: May 2021

Background

Contingent vibratory feedback stimuli applied by a specially designed oral appliance (OA) have been reported to be effective in reducing sleep bruxism (SB). However, the inhibitory effects of the OA, which occur immediately after OA delivery, may have confounded this finding.

Objective

This study sought to shed light on the effects of vibratory stimuli on SB after the OA adaptation period, when its inhibitory effects are diminished.

Methods

Fourteen ‘definite’ SB patients were enrolled. A force‐based bruxism detection system was utilised to trigger a vibrator attached to the OA. Masseter electromyographic activity during sleep was recorded at home using portable polysomnography. After using the OA without vibratory stimulus for 16 nights (adaptation period), intermittent vibratory stimuli were applied every other half‐hour for four nights (intervention period). Electromyographic activity over 10% of the maximum voluntary contraction was regarded as a SB episode. The number and the total duration of SB episodes per hour of sleep were calculated for the sessions with and without stimuli separately and averaged for four intervention nights. The effects of stimuli on these two variables were evaluated.

Results

The number and the total duration of the sessions without stimuli were 5.2 episodes/h and 35.3 s/h, respectively. These values significantly decreased to 3.9 episodes/h and 15.1 s/h (p < .05) for the sessions with vibratory stimuli.

Conclusion

Contingent vibratory stimulus via an OA may be effective for the management of SB even after adaptation to OA.
A method for minimizing the zone of low water flow velocity in a bottom center drain circular aquaculture tank
Authors: Sin Myong‐Guk , An Chol‐Ho , Cha Sang‐Jin , Kim Myong‐Jin , Kim Hyon‐Nam
Published: May 2021

Bottom center drain circular tanks in which water is injected tangentially to the tank wall are widely used in aquaculture. However, a torus‐shaped region about the center drain can develop into an irrotational zone that generates low velocities and poor mixing. Many works have been devoted to improving tank hydraulics by making good use of the water flow pattern. However, mathematics‐friendly methods, such as the statistical optimization method, which is widely used in science and engineering, are rarely used in aquaculture tank designing. This work focuses on the minimization of the low velocity zone in a bottom center drain tank based on experimental planning and computational fluid dynamics. Model validation was carried out by comparison with measurements. The results show that the low velocity zone can be reduced measurebly by the proposed method.
Language classification, language contact and Andean prehistory: The North
Authors: Urban Matthias
Published: May 2021

The northern half of the Andes—from Venezuela to Northern Peru—has seen dramatic losses of language diversity since the 16th century. Even so, the region's linguistic fabric is complex and multifaceted, and the impression of relatively low levels of diversity vis‐à‐vis Amazonia is to a perhaps considerable extent the result of different post‐conquest trajectories rather than a reflection of pre‐existing differences. As in Amazonia, branches of widespread families—Chibchan, Quechuan, but also far western outliers of Cariban—coexist with more local language families—principally Barbacoan and Chocoan—as well as a multitude of isolates, in particular on the eastern lowland‐facing slopes of the Andes. Recent and ongoing projects of language documentation and description, as well as reconstitution of colonial sources, are contributing to profiling the linguistic diversity more sharply and more securely. Even at the present state of research, it is patent that the patchwork of languages of the Northern Andes, where evidence is available, evinces strong hallmarks of micro‐ and meso‐level language contact, leading to the emergence of distinctive profiles on regional levels that call into question the idea of a reified ‘Andean’ language type. Furthermore, there is a striking signal of spatially structured typological variation throughout the Andes that is in need of explanation and interdisciplinary contextualization. This article surveys the state of the art on language classification and language contact studies for the Northern Andes, and also discusses how they may inform an interdisciplinary prehistory.
Metal‐rich nodules in anomalous EL3 chondrite Northwest Africa (NWA) 8785
Authors: Rindlisbacher Margrit A. , Weisberg Michael K. , Ebel Denton S. , Alpert Samuel P.
Published: May 2021

NWA 8785 is a remarkable, recently identified, unequilibrated enstatite chondrite. It was classified as an EL3 but contains highly unusual characteristics not observed in any other EL3, including a high abundance of FeO‐rich matrix and metal‐rich nodules that are texturally and mineralogically different from those in other EL3s. We characterized the mineral assemblages and compositions of metal‐rich nodules in a thin section of NWA 8785 and compared them to nodules in other EL3s to evaluate models for formation of metal‐rich nodules in EL3s. Of a total of 40 metal‐rich nodules, 10 were selected for detailed study. These metal‐rich nodules vary in their physical structure, texture, and mineral assemblages. Some contain the rare Al‐poor, alkali‐rich silicate mineral roedderite, a first discovery in an EL3, as well as the Cl‐bearing sulfide djerfisherite. The diversity of metal‐rich nodules in NWA 8785 suggests each nodule formed independently and supports their origin by primary processes prior to accretion. The high abundance of FeO‐rich matrix and the unique qualities of its metal‐rich nodules call into question classification of NWA 8785 as an EL3, but the Si content in its kamacite and Cr and Ti content in its troilite, and the presence of alabandite, support its classification as an EL3; thus, it is an EL3‐anomalous. Although alternative hypotheses exist, the presence of roedderite, as well as a magnetite‐rich matrix and sodalite, may provide the first evidence of extensive metasomatic alteration on the EL3 parent body.
The Demanding Theology of Mister Rogers
Authors: King Jason
Published: May 2021

There has been a resurgence of interest in Mister Rogers, the person behind Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. The interest goes beyond stories of a famous television personality. There is a sense that Mister Rogers is needed today. U. S. culture is experiencing high levels of fear and anxiety, divisions and hostilities. Mister Rogers offers more than 'niceness' but a demanding theology. This theology offers tools for both diagnosing and treating our contemporary situation. Rogers believes that people have a need for acceptance and love, a vulnerability that is fundamental to our humanity. When this need is not met, people can turn in on themselves or lash out at others. Their fear can flow out into society and make it increasingly hostile. Rogers' treatment begins with the principle of specialness. People need to know that they are loved and accepted, and the affirmation of specialness meets this need. The principle also calls people to recognize the specialness in others, to love as they need to be loved. Rogers’ principle sets in motion a system of circulating love. Instead of unleashing hostility, Rogers' call to specialness unleashes empathy so more and more people are brought into the dynamics of love.
A fine‐scale spatial analysis of fungal communities on tropical tree bark unveils the epiphytic rhizosphere in orchids
Authors: Petrolli Rémi , Augusto Vieira Conrado , Jakalski Marcin , Bocayuva Melissa F. , Vallé Clément , Cruz Everaldo Da Silva , Selosse Marc‐André , Martos Florent , Kasuya Maria Catarina M.
Published: May 2021

Approximately 10% of vascular plants are epiphytes and, even though this has long been ignored in past research, are able to interact with a variety of fungi, including mycorrhizal taxa. However, the structure of fungal communities on bark, as well as their relationship with epiphytic plants, is largely unknown.

To fill this gap, we conducted environmental metabarcoding of the ITS‐2 region to understand the spatial structure of fungal communities of the bark of tropical trees, with a focus on epiphytic orchid mycorrhizal fungi, and tested the influence of root proximity.

For all guilds, including orchid mycorrhizal fungi, fungal communities were more similar when spatially close on bark (i.e. they displayed positive spatial autocorrelation). They also showed distance decay of similarity with respect to epiphytic roots, meaning that their composition on bark increasingly differed, compared to roots, with distance from roots.

We first showed that all of the investigated fungal guilds exhibited spatial structure at very small scales. This spatial structure was influenced by the roots of epiphytic plants, suggesting the existence of an epiphytic rhizosphere. Finally, we showed that orchid mycorrhizal fungi were aggregated around them, possibly as a result of reciprocal influence between the mycorrhizal partners.
Value‐maximizing football clubs
Authors: Prinz Aloys , Thiem Stefan
Published: May 2021

In this paper, football clubs are modeled as value‐maximizing enterprises. With a long‐term perspective in this framework, players are not only factors of production, but also assets of the club. It is shown that talent investment is higher with value‐maximization than with profit maximization for homogeneous football clubs. Club heterogeneity is then modeled by different time‐horizons regarding future profits, which leads to asymmetric levels of talent investment. Teams with longer time‐horizons demand more talent and tilt the competition to their favor. Increases in transfer prices for players worsen the competitive balance, while higher player wages improve it.
Buryats from Republic of Buryatia and Irkutsk Region, Russia
Authors: Loginova Maria , Kutyavina Svetlana , Smirnova Daria , Makhova Olga , Paramonov Igor , Zarubin Maksim
Published: May 2021

NGS typing reveals six novel alleles among 192 class I and class II alleles.
Rates of delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions observed in a trauma center
Authors: Hasan Rida Abid , Asif Maryam , Tuott Erin E. , Stansbury Lynn G. , Hess John R.
Published: May 2021

Background

Delayed hemolytic transfusion reactions (DHTRs) are reported to be rare occurrences but may be more frequently observed in the trauma setting where patients are heavily transfused, followed over long inpatient admissions, and have frequent subsequent blood counts as they undergo multiple surgical interventions.

Study design and methods

We examined the rates of DHTRs on a per transfusion and per patient basis in an academic county hospital with a level 1 trauma center serving a four‐state region and over a 3‐year period. DHTRs were entered sequentially into a registry as they were observed, and a retrospective review of all new alloantibodies detected was performed to identify any additional DHTRs. The number of units of red blood cells (RBCs), the number of unique patients, types of alloantibodies, and number of transfusions were extracted from blood bank records.

Results

Twenty‐nine DHTRs were observed from January 1, 2017, through December 31, 2019, from newly observed alloantibodies after a median of 12 red blood cells (RBCs) transfusions per patient. These reactions occurred in response to 24,633 unique transfusions in 6905 unique patients, so the observed rates were about 1:849 RBC transfusions and 1:238 transfused patients. Evidence of delayed hemolysis was seen in five additional patients who were transfused during emergency resuscitation and later found to have had known RBC antibodies.

Discussion

We report a higher rate of DHTRs than previously described to demonstrate that DHTRs are not rare in trauma centers.
Effect of topical cyclopentolate alone or combined with phenylephrine in healthy horses
Authors: Bessonnat Amandine , Vanore Maria
Published: May 2021

Objective

Evaluate the effect of repeated doses of topical 1% cyclopentolate hydrochloride alone and in combination with topical 2.5% phenylephrine on pupil diameter (PD), tear production (STT‐1), intraocular pressure (IOP), digestive function (gut motility and feces production), and heart rate (HR). Animal studied: Six healthy mares.

Procedures

In a prospective, randomized, controlled, and crossover design study, the left eye of six healthy mares was administered 0.2 mL of cyclopentolate alone and in combination with 0.2 mL of phenylephrine. The drugs were administered 3 times a day for 1 day, twice a day for 1 day, and then once a day for 2 days, as commonly used in practice. Daily and two days after the last topical drug administration, HR, digestive auscultation, feces production, STT‐1, IOP, and PD were recorded.

Results

The cyclopentolate alone significantly increased the horizontal and vertical PD of the treated eye from day 2 to day 6 (p < .0001) compared with the baseline value. The combination with topical phenylephrine did not have any additional effect on mydriasis compare with the cyclopentolate alone. The other ocular and digestive parameters were not affected by repeated doses of cyclopentolate alone or combined.

Conclusions

Repeated administration of cyclopentolate alone or combined with phenylephrine induce a significant mydriasis for at least 48 h after the last administration in normal horses’ eyes, and do not affect STT‐1, IOP, digestive function, and HR. The phenylephrine combined with the cyclopentolate did not potentiate the pupil dilation when compared with cyclopentolate alone in healthy horses.
Breaking Wave Hazard Estimation Model for the U.S. Atlantic Coast
Authors: Hallowell Spencer T. , Arwade Sanjay R. , Qiao Chi , Myers Andrew T. , Pang Weichiang
Published: May 2021

As offshore wind development is in its infancy along the U.S. Atlantic Coast challenges arise due to the effects of strong storms such as hurricanes. Breaking waves on offshore structures induced by hurricanes are of particular concern to offshore structures due to high magnitude impulse loads caused by wave slamming. Prediction of breaking wave hazards is important in offshore design for load cases using long mean return periods of environmental conditions. A breaking wave hazard estimation model (BWHEM) is introduced that provides a means for assessing breaking hazard at long mean return periods over a large domain along the U.S. Atlantic Coast. The BWHEM combines commonly used breaking criteria with the Inverse First Order Method of producing environmental contours and is applied in a numerical study using a catalog of stochastic hurricanes. The result of the study shows that breaking wave hazard estimation is highly sensitive to the breaking criteria chosen. Criteria including wave steepness and seafloor slope were found to predict breaking conditions at shorter return periods than criteria with only wave height and water depth taken into consideration. Breaking hazard was found to be most important for locations closer to the coast, where breaking was predicted to occur at lower mean return periods than locations further offshore.
Uncertainty in Wave Basin Testing of a Fixed Oscillating Water Column Wave Energy Converter
Authors: Judge Frances M. , Lyden Eoin , O'Shea Michael , Flannery Brian , Murphy Jimmy
Published: May 2021

This research presents a methodology for carrying out uncertainty analysis on measurements made during wave basin testing of an oscillating water column wave energy converter. Values are determined for type A and type B uncertainty for each parameter of interest, and uncertainty is propagated using the Monte Carlo method to obtain an overall expanded uncertainty with a 95% confidence level associated with the capture width ratio of the device. An investigation into the impact of reflections on the experimental results reveals the importance of identifying the incident and combined wave field at each measurement location used to determine device performance, in order to avoid misleading results.
When the levees break
Authors: Pearce Fred
Published: May 2021

Researchers are learning where, when, and why rivers leap from their channels in deadly avulsions.
Molecular insights into the complex mechanics of plant epidermal cell walls
Authors: Zhang Yao , Yu Jingyi , Wang Xuan , Durachko Daniel M. , Zhang Sulin , Cosgrove Daniel J.
Published: May 2021

Computational analysis of cell walls

Layers of intertwined fibers make up plant cell walls. The various types of fibers respond differently to deformation. Cellulose microfibrils, for example, can stretch or curve, changing their end-to-end length, and can also slide past each other, reorient relative directions, and bundle with neighboring microfibrils. Zhang
et al.
developed a computational model based on observations of onion skin epidermis that describes how these complex changes in space govern cell wall mechanics. The results inform ways to engineer multifunctional fibrous materials.

Science
, this issue p.
706
Is chiral crystal shape inherited or acquired?
Authors: Popov Inna
Published: May 2021

Reaction kinetics drives chiral nanocrystal formation from helically bonded tellurium atoms
Fresh Extension of Vibrio cholerae Competence Type IV Pili Predisposes Them for Motor-Independent Retraction
Authors: Chlebek Jennifer L. , Dalia Triana N. , Biais Nicolas , Dalia Ankur B.
Published: May 2021

Extracellular pilus fibers are critical to the virulence and persistence of many pathogenic bacteria. A crucial function for most pili is the dynamic ability to extend and retract from the cell surface.
Let It Go: HIV-1
cis
-Acting Repressive Sequences
Authors: Ostermann Philipp Niklas , Ritchie Anastasia , Ptok Johannes , Schaal Heiner
Published: May 2021

After human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) was identified in the early 1980s, intensive work began to understand the molecular basis of HIV-1 gene expression. Subgenomic HIV-1 RNA regions, spread throughout the viral genome, were described to have a negative impact on the nuclear export of some viral transcripts.
Listeria infection in young infants: results from a national surveillance study in the UK and Ireland
Authors: Vergnano Stefania , Godbole Gauri , Simbo Ameze , Smith-Palmer Alison , Cormican Martin , Anthony Mark , Heath Paul T
Published: May 2021

Objectives

To describe the epidemiology, age at infection, clinical characteristics and outcome of listeria infection in young infants to inform management and empiric antibiotic choice in young infants.

Design

Prospective 2-year surveillance of Listeria monocytogenes infection in young infants detected through the British Paediatric Surveillance Unit ‘orange card’ system and triangulated with the public health laboratories.

Setting

National population study (England, Wales, Scotland and the Ireland)

Patients

All infants under 90 days with proven or probable invasive listeriosis

Main outcome measures

Incidence, mortality, age of infection, clinical characteristics and outcome

Results

During a 2-year period (2017–2019), 27 cases of listeriosis in infants <90 days of age were reported. The incidence of listeriosis in this study was 1.8 per 100 000 live births with 7% mortality (2/27). Nearly all cases presented within the first 24 hours of life (26/27). The majority (20/27, 74%) were born preterm and 16/24 (67%) were born to women from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Conclusions

Invasive listeriosis in young infants in the UK and Ireland is rare and presents early in the neonatal period. National guidelines that recommend the use of amoxicillin as part of empiric regimes for sepsis and meningitis in infants over 1 month of age should be modified.
Longitudinal visual field variability and the ability to detect glaucoma progression in black and white individuals
Authors: Stagg Brian , Mariottoni Eduardo B , Berchuck Samuel , Jammal Alessandro , Elam Angela R , Hess Rachel , Kawamoto Kensaku , Haaland Benjamin , Medeiros Felipe A
Published: May 2021

Background/Aims

To investigate racial differences in the variability of longitudinal visual field testing in a ‘real-world’ clinical population, evaluate how these differences are influenced by socioeconomic status, and estimate the impact of differences in variability on the time to detect visual field progression.

Methods

This retrospective observational cohort study used data from 1103 eyes from 751 White individuals and 428 eyes from 317 black individuals. Linear regression was performed on the standard automated perimetry mean deviation values for each eye over time. The SD of the residuals from the trend lines was calculated and used as a measure of variability for each eye. The association of race with the SD of the residuals was evaluated using a multivariable generalised estimating equation model with an interaction between race and zip code income. Computer simulations were used to estimate the time to detect visual field progression in the two racial groups.

Results

Black patients had larger visual field variability over time compared with white patients, even when adjusting for zip code level socioeconomic variables (SD of residuals for Black patients=1.53 dB (95% CI 1.43 to 1.64); for white patients=1.26 dB (95% CI 1.14 to 1.22); mean difference: 0.28 (95% CI 0.15 to 0.41); p<0.001). The difference in visual field variability between black and white patients was greater at lower levels of income and led to a delay in detection of glaucoma progression.

Conclusion

Black patients had larger visual field variability compared with white patients. This relationship was strongly influenced by socioeconomic status and may partially explain racial disparities in glaucoma outcomes.
Cigarette smoke exposure and alveolar macrophages: mechanisms for lung disease
Authors: Lugg Sebastian T , Scott Aaron , Parekh Dhruv , Naidu Babu , Thickett David R
Published: May 2021

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. It causes chronic lung disease and predisposes individuals to acute lung injury and pulmonary infection. Alveolar macrophages are sentinel cells strategically positioned in the interface between the airway lumen and the alveolar spaces. These are the most abundant immune cells and are the first line of defence against inhaled particulates and pathogens. Recently, there has been a better understanding about the ontogeny, phenotype and function of alveolar macrophages and their role, not only in phagocytosis, but also in initiating and resolving immune response. Many of the functions of the alveolar macrophage have been shown to be dysregulated following exposure to cigarette smoke. While the mechanisms for these changes remain poorly understood, they are important in the understanding of cigarette smoking-induced lung disease. We review the mechanisms by which smoking influences alveolar macrophage: (1) recruitment, (2) phenotype, (3) immune function (bacterial killing, phagocytosis, proteinase/anti-proteinase release and reactive oxygen species production) and (4) homeostasis (surfactant/lipid processing, iron homeostasis and efferocytosis). Further understanding of the mechanisms of cigarette smoking on alveolar macrophages and other lung monocyte/macrophage populations may allow novel ways of restoring cellular function in those patients who have stopped smoking in order to reduce the risk of subsequent infection or further lung injury.
Review Summary Generation in Online Systems: Frameworks for Supervised and Unsupervised Scenarios
Authors: Jiang Wenjun , Chen Jing , Ding Xiaofei , Wu Jie , He Jiawei , Wang Guojun
Published: May 2021

In online systems, including e-commerce platforms, many users resort to the reviews or comments generated by previous consumers for decision making, while their time is limited to deal with many reviews. Therefore, a review summary, which contains all important features in user-generated reviews, is expected. In this article, we study “how to generate a comprehensive review summary from a large number of user-generated reviews.” This can be implemented by text summarization, which mainly has two types of extractive and abstractive approaches. Both of these approaches can deal with both supervised and unsupervised scenarios, but the former may generate redundant and incoherent summaries, while the latter can avoid redundancy but usually can only deal with short sequences. Moreover, both approaches may neglect the sentiment information. To address the above issues, we propose comprehensive
Review Summary Generation
frameworks to deal with the supervised and unsupervised scenarios. We design two different preprocess models of re-ranking and selecting to identify the important sentences while keeping users’ sentiment in the original reviews. These sentences can be further used to generate review summaries with text summarization methods. Experimental results in seven real-world datasets (Idebate, Rotten Tomatoes Amazon, Yelp, and three unlabelled product review datasets in Amazon) demonstrate that our work performs well in review summary generation. Moreover, the re-ranking and selecting models show different characteristics.
Conflict-Related Sexual Violence
Authors: Nordås Ragnhild , Cohen Dara Kay
Published: May 2021

This article reviews the remarkable growth in empirical literature in political science on wartime sexual violence against civilians, including rape, sexual slavery, forced marriage, and other forms. Early work, motivated by ongoing conflicts in the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, tended to portray these forms of violence as inevitable, ubiquitous, and either opportunistic or strategic. However, recent literature and new data sources have documented substantial variation in sexual violence across countries, conflicts, perpetrators, and victims and survivors. Building on this observed variation, scholars have developed and tested a wealth of theories about when, where, why, and under what conditions sexual violence occurs as well as its consequences. We highlight the core findings from the literature, explain the key debates among experts, and explore several avenues for future research. We conclude by detailing what the study of wartime sexual violence—both the findings and the research process—offers to a broader set of political science scholars.
Communication—Design of LiNi0.2Mn0.2Co0.2Fe0.2Ti0.2O2 as a High-Entropy Cathode for Lithium-Ion Batteries Guided by Machine Learning
Authors: Sturman James , Yim Chae-Ho , Baranova Elena A. , Abu-Lebdeh Yaser
Published: May 2021

The use of “high-entropy” materials in electrodes is an emerging strategy to improve the stability and electrochemical properties of lithium-ion batteries. This study reports the machine learning-driven discovery of a high-entropy LiNi0.2Mn0.2Co0.2Fe0.2Ti0.2O2 layered oxide cathode. Battery testing reveals a good initial capacity (160 mAh g−1) with exceptional stability up to 4.4 V. These materials are a promising way to expand the design space of cathode candidates while using inexpensive transition metals. However, further optimization of these materials is needed to improve battery performance relative to traditional cathodes.
A New In Situ and Operando Measurement Method to Determine the Electrical Conductivity of the Negative Active Material in Lead-Acid Batteries during Operation
Authors: Wulfert-Holzmann Paul , Huck Moritz , Gold Lukas , Settelein Jochen , Sauer Dirk Uwe , Giffin Guinevere A.
Published: May 2021

The electrical conductivity of the negative active material in lead-acid batteries has been found to significantly influence the properties of the electrode. Though several publications have addressed this subject, essential information on the conductivity evolution during cycling as well as the influence of additives could yet not be elucidated, even though specific knowledge could support the enhancement of existing lead-acid battery technology. In this study, a novel measurement setup is presented which enables the in-situ and operando measurement of the electrical resistance of bulk electrodes during operation based on the implementation of a four-point probe setup into a laboratory electrode. A comprehensive evaluation of the measurement setup is conducted using the negative electrode of a lead-acid battery as a test material. The experimental results are supported by numerical simulations in order to reflect and include all relevant geometrical and electrical influences from the measurement setup. A direct correlation between active material resistance and conductivity can be established, including the influence of the vertical position of the four-point probes. Finally, the evolution of the discharge capacity, electrical resistance and electrical conductivity of the negative electrode is studied over ten C
5 cycles and correlated to well-known structural developments within the active material.
A Self-Assembled and Flexible Supercapacitor based on Redox-Active Lignin-Based Nitrogen-Doped Activated Carbon Functionalized Graphene Hydrogels
Authors: Cui Linlin , Li Yue , Jia Mengying , Cheng Chen , Jin Xiaojuan
Published: May 2021

Graphene material has a large theoretical specific surface area, excellent theoretical conductivity and mechanical flexibility, and is a promising electrode material for supercapacitors. However, two-dimensional graphene sheets are easy to stack, which affects its electrical properties. Specifically, a sponge-like composite hydrogel for high-performance supercapacitors was prepared by one-step hydrothermal method from activated carbon and graphene oxide. Benefiting from the introduced nitrogen-containing groups and the greatly increased specific surface area, the GAC-2 nitrogen-doped activated carbon/graphene hydrogel electrode showed high specific capacitance of 505.6 F g−1. In addition, the composite hydrogel presented an excellent 3D network structure with abundant internal structural pores, in which graphene and activated carbon were cross-linked by strong covalent bonds. This unique structure greatly improves the mechanical flexibility of the composite electrode (the capacitance retention rate is approximately 87.7% after 500 bending tests). And the self-assembled flexible supercapacitor shows an energy density of 26.9 Wh kg−1 at 242 W kg−1 and outstanding capacitance retention rate of about 92.1% after 5000 charge-discharge cycles, confirming its potential application in supercapacitors.
A Highly Sensitive Electrochemical Sensor System to Detect and Distinguish Between Glyphosate and Glufosinate
Authors: Dhamu Vikram Narayanan , Poudyal Durgasha C. , Muthukumar Sriram , Prasad Shalini
Published: May 2021

Glyphosate and Glufosinate are widely used herbicides worldwide for controlling weeds in the agriculture field. The large increase in the herbicides tolerant plants has dramatically affected the level of usage of these herbicides recently. With the growing alarm about the associated toxicity to the environmental and human health, there is a need for direct low concentration detection of these herbicides present at the various food crops products and water. In this work, we present a simple electrochemical sensor to selectively detect glyphosate in presence of Glufosinate a structurally similar phosphorus containing amino acid group. The sensor substrate is made up of an interdigitated Au microelectrode, which was immobilized with glyphosate antibody, bounded with the help of the Dithiobis (succinimidyl propionate) (DSP) crosslinker. The data obtained using non-faradaic EIS method, showed a linear range across the whole dosing interval-10 ng ml−1 to 50 ug ml−1 for glyphosate in presence of the interfering component Glufosinate with the detection limit of 10 ng ml−1 and the sensitivity of 1.323% (change in impedance)/ppb. Further the sensor has been proven to measure the spiked pesticides doses in real oatmeal samples. Such micro-volume, high-sensitive, and selective platform which requires no prior sample preparation can be a potentially game-changing electrochemical on-field sensing device to measure the threshold limit, a precautionary step to alert the common man using the food products and farmers working in the agriculture field.
Importance of Anode/Cathode Mass Loadings on Capacitive Deionization Performance
Authors: Deng Dingfei , Chen Bo , Zhao Cong , Anderson Marc A. , Wang Yang
Published: May 2021

Capacitive deionization is a promising electrochemical water treatment technology. Activated carbon is commonly used and its corresponding parameters have an important influence on the electrosorption performance. In this work, on account of the mass loadings of the electrodes (the thickness varies from 200 μm to 600 μm), symmetric and asymmetric cells are constructed to investigate the importance of mass loadings on electrochemical performance and desalination. The results show that the electrode with the thickness of 200 μm achieves the largest specific capacitance of 72.65 F g−1, and thicker electrodes in the symmetric cell can reach a lower specific capacitance. However, the electrochemical performance of a working electrode in an asymmetric cell can be improved with a thicker counter electrode. As for desalination performance in the symmetric cell, S200 achieves the highest salt adsorption capacity of 7.05 mg g−1 under 1 V cell voltage, and ion removal rate increases while electrode utilization reduces with increased mass loading. In an asymmetric cell, when the anode is fixed at 400 μm and the cathode thickness increases from 200 to 600 μm, the salt adsorption capacity, average salt adsorption rate and charge efficiency decreases from 6.33 mg g−1, 0.49 mg g−1 min−1, 44.77% to 3.27 mg g−1, 0.17 mg g−1 min−1, 16.14%, respectively (dropped by 48.34%, 65.31% and 63.95%, respectively). The oxidation status of the electrode surface as characterized by multiple techniques, indicates that the oxidation degree of the anode can be reduced with a thinner cathode. Ultimately, lowering the mass loading of the cathode is conducive to enhancing total desalination performance and cycling stability.
Technological advances in elite marathon performance
Authors: Senefeld Jonathon W. , Haischer Michael H. , Jones Andrew M. , Wiggins Chad C. , Beilfuss Rachel , Joyner Michael J. , Hunter Sandra K.
Published: May 2021

World-class athletes are substantively faster, wearing marathon racing shoes with technological advancements than other shoes when competing in the marathon. Our findings suggest that technological advances in footwear contributed to the recent improvements in marathon finishing times among elite runners and in record-setting marathon performances. This investigation highlights the importance of sports analytics and may have broad implications for the regulation of running footwear during competition.
Cognitive performance is lower among individuals with overlap syndrome than in individuals with COPD or obstructive sleep apnea alone: association with carotid artery stiffness
Authors: Luehrs Rachel E. , Moreau Kerrie L. , Pierce Gary L. , Wamboldt Frederick , Aloia Mark , Weinberger Howard D. , Make Barry , Bowler Russell , Crapo James D. , Meschede Kimberly , Kozora Elizabeth , Moser David J. , Hoth Karin F.
Published: May 2021

Previous studies have demonstrated greater carotid artery stiffness and lower cognitive function among individuals with COPD alone and OSA alone. However, the present study is the first to demonstrate that individuals that have both COPD and OSA (i.e., overlap syndrome) have greater carotid artery stiffness and lower executive function-processing speed than individuals with either disorder alone. Furthermore, among individuals with overlap syndrome greater carotid artery stiffness is associated with lower executive function-processing speed.
Grouting Technique for Gob‐Side Entry Retaining in Deep Mines
Authors: Yu Xianyang , Sun Zhihong , Deng Min , Xin Jinlin
Published: May 2021

The retained rib displacement accounts for roughly 80% of rib‐to‐rib convergence in gob‐side entry retaining in deep coal mines, which shows significant nonsymmetrical feature and long‐term rheological phenomenon. Affected by mining‐induced stress, cracks spread widely, and broken zones expand beyond the anchoring range. Without grouting and supplementary support in retained rib, the surrounding rock‐support load‐bearing structure will be in a postpeak failure state, and the anchoring force of the bolting system will be greatly attenuated. After grouting, the compressive strength of grouting geocomposite specimen is significantly higher than the postpeak residual strength of the intact coal specimen, and it is partially restored compared to that of the intact coal specimen. The ductility of the fractured coal specimen increases after grouting, and it has stronger elasticity and plasticity. Broken rock block can become a whole with coordinated bearing capacity, and its stability is improved after grouting. The grouting technique could restore the integrity and strength of the fractured retained coal rib, repair the damaged bolting structure, and make the surrounding rock and supporting structure become an effective bearing structure again. The research result shows that it is feasible to restore the bearing capacity of the retained coal rib by grouting technique.
Mechanism and Application of Static Fracturing Technology on Deep Working Face
Authors: Cui Feng , Lei Zhaoyuan , Cheng Xiaoqiang , Wu Xueming , Shan Pengfei , Lv Zhaohai
Published: May 2021

Static fracturing technology uses chemical expansion agents to fracture roofs. With the aim of fracturing corner roofs on deep working faces, in this study, the static fracturing technology was investigated through theoretical analysis, laboratory experiments, numerical calculations, and field practice. The theoretical analysis and experiments demonstrated that the swelling force increased with a decrease in the fracturing hole spacing, and the optimal water‐cement ratio was 0.33. Twelve groups of FLAC3D models were designed using SPSSAU. The results revealed that the optimal fracturing effect was achieved when the hole diameter was 60 mm, hole spacing was 40 cm, and hole depth was 6 m. The fracturing effect of hard corner roofs was monitored by peering into the borehole and evaluating the support resistance. Thus, it can be concluded that within the fracturing range, internal fissures in the rock stratum are developed and linked to each other. The support pressure was the highest, 7 h after grouting, with a value of approximately 26.1 MPa, and then decreased gradually to 17.58 MPa, indicating that the static fracturing technology attained the expected results.
Study of Carbon Nanocones

CNC

k

n

via Connection Zagreb Indices
Authors: Asif Muhammad , Hussain Muhammad , Almohamedh Hamad , Alhamed Khalid M , Alabdan Rana , Almutairi Abdulrazaq A. , Almotairi Sultan
Published: May 2021

Topology of fullerenes, carbon nanotubes, and nanocones has considerable worth due to their effective applications in nanotechnology. These are emerging materials of practical application in gas storage devises, nanoelectronics devices, energy storage, biosensor, and chemical probes. The topological indices are graph invariant used to investigate the physical and chemical properties of the compounds such as boiling point, stability, and strain energy through associated chemical graph of the underlying compound. We computed recently modified Zagreb connection indices of nanocones

CNC

4

n

,

CNC

5

n

, and

CNC

6

n

and generalized our findings up to a large class of

CNC

k

n

. Topological characterization of nanocones via these indices is mathematically novel and assists to enable its emerging use in nanotechnology. For computation and verification of results, we use Mathematica software.
The Severity of CVB3-Induced Myocarditis Can Be Improved by Blocking the Orchestration of NLRP3 and Th17 in Balb/c Mice
Authors: Chen Jifei , Yang Fan , Shi Song , Liu Xuexiang , Qin Fengxian , Wei Xiaomou , Huang Yujie , Liang Wenwu , Miao Lin
Published: May 2021

Background. The functional characteristics of NLRP3 in the pathogenesis of coxsackievirus B3- (CVB3-) induced viral myocarditis (VMC) have not been fully elucidated, and the targeted therapeutic effect of NLRP3 or its related pathway in VMC has not been reported. Method. In this work, the change patterns of NLRP3- and Th17-related factors were detected during the pathological process of CVB3-induced VMC in Balb/c mice. The correlation between NLRP3 and Th17 cells during the VMC process was analyzed by Spearman test. The coculture system of spleen CD4+ T and bone marrow CD11c+ DC cells was set to explore the orchestration of NLRP3 and Th17 in the pathological development of VMC in vitro. Anti-IL-1β antibody or NLRP3-/- Balb/c were used to block the NLRP3 pathway indirectly and directly to analyze the NLRP3-targeting therapeutic value. Results. The change patterns of NLRP3- and Th17-related molecules in the whole pathological process of mouse CVB3-induced VMC were described. Through Spearman correlation analysis, it was confirmed that there was a close correlation between NLRP3 and Th17 cells in the whole pathological process of VMC. And the interaction mode between NLRP3 and Th17 was preliminarily explored in the cell experiment in vitro. Under the intervention of an anti-IL-1β antibody or NLRP3 knockout, the survival rate of the intervention group was significantly improved, the degree of myocardial inflammation and fibrosis was significantly alleviated, and the content of myocardial IL-17 and spleen Th17 was also significantly decreased. Conclusion. Our findings demonstrated a key role of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its close relationship with Th17 in the pathological progression of CVB3-induced VMC and suggested a possible positive feedback-like mutual regulation mechanism between the NLRP3 inflammasome and Th17 in vitro and in the early stage of CVB3 infection. Taking NLRP3 as a new starting point, it provides a new target and idea for the prevention and treatment of CVB3-induced VMC.
Momordica Charantia Polysaccharides Attenuates MPP+-Induced Injury in Parkinson’s Disease Mice and Cell Models by Regulating TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB Pathway
Authors: Guo Dengjun , Zhou Jie , Zhang Meng , Taximaimaiti Reyisha , Wang Xiaoping , Wang Hai
Published: May 2021

Objective. To investigate the potential role of Momordica charantia polysaccharides (MCPs) in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and reveal the molecular mechanism of its function. Method. 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) and 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium, MPP+) were used to establish PD mice and cell models. The mice and cells were divided into 4 groups: Control group, Control+MCPs group, PD group, and PD+MCPs group. Pole climbing experiment and Rotarod experiment were used to observe the coordination ability of mice. High-performance liquid chromatography and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to determine neurotransmitters and metabolites, inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β, oxidative stress-related markers SOD, MDA, and GSH in striatum tissues. Western blot was used to determine the protein levels of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), oxidative stress-related protein Cytochrome C (Cytochrome C), and apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved Caspase-3 in tissues and cells. Moreover, flow cytometry, PI staining, and fluorescence were used to observe cell apoptosis. Finally, the activation effect of MCPs on TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB signaling pathway was observed and verified. Results. Compared with the Control group, MPTP treatment can induce brain damage in mice (all

P
<
0.05

), change the metabolic state of neurotransmitters (all

P
<
0.05

), induce inflammation (all

P
<
0.05

), and induce apoptosis and the occurrence of oxidation reaction (all

P
<
0.05

); however, MCPs treatment can significantly reverse the above changes (all

P
<
0.05

). In cell models, studies have found that MCPs can play a protective role by regulating the activation state of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. Conclusion. This study found that the application of MCPs therapy can play anti-inflammatory, antioxidative stress, and antiapoptotic effects in PD by regulating the activation of the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.
Gold Nanoparticle‐Bioconjugated Aminoguanidine Inhibits Glycation Reaction: An In Vivo Study in a Diabetic Animal Model
Authors: Ahmad Saheem , Khan Mohd. Sajid , Alouffi Sultan , Khan Saif , Khan Mahvish , Akashah Rihab , Faisal Mohammad , Shahab Uzma
Published: May 2021

Proteins undergo glycation resulting in the generation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that play a central role in the onset and advancement of diabetes‐associated secondary complications. Aminoguanidine (AG) acts as an antiglycating agent by inhibiting AGE generation by blocking reactive carbonyl species (RCS) like, methylglyoxal (MGO). Previous studies on antiglycating behavior of AG gave promising results in the treatment of diabetes‐associated microvascular complications, but it was discontinued as it was found to be toxic at high concentrations (>10 mmol/L). The current article aims at glycation inhibition by conjugating gold nanoparticles (Gnp) with less concentration of AG (0.5‐1.0 mmol/L). The HPLC results showed that AG‐Gnp fairly hampers the formation of glycation adducts. Moreover, the in vivo studies revealed AG‐Gnp mediated inhibition in the production of total‐AGEs and ‐Nε‐(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) in the diabetic rat model. This inhibition was found to be directly correlated with the antioxidant parameters, blood glucose, insulin, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Furthermore, the histopathology of AG‐Gnp‐treated rats showed good recovery in the damaged pancreatic tissue as compared to diabetic rats. We propose that this approach might increase the efficacy of AG at relatively low concentrations to avoid toxicity and might facilitate to overcome the hazardous actions of antiglycating drugs.