bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Knowledge, barriers, and training needs of nurses working in delirium care
Authors: Lee Gyeongseon , Roh Young Sook
Published: October 2021

Background

Nurses' competency in delirium care is important because delirium can extend hospitalization and increase patient mortality.

Aim

This study aimed at identifying and comparing the perceived knowledge, barriers, importance, performance, and training priorities between the intensive care unit (ICU) and ward nurses working in delirium care.

Study design

This cross‐sectional descriptive study included 71 ICU nurses and 149 ward nurses at one university hospital. Nurses' self‐reported knowledge, barriers, importance, and performance of delirium care were surveyed. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, chi‐squared test or Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon signed‐rank tests, Mann‐Whitney U tests, and the importance‐performance analysis matrix.

Results

Compared to ward nurses, ICU nurses reported lower overall knowledge level (57.1% vs 60.7%, z = −2.005, P = .045) but higher overall gap between the importance and performance of delirium care (0.5 vs 0.2, z = −4.008, P < .001). The level of overall barriers to delirium care was similar between the two groups (3.8 vs 3.8, z = −1.190, P = .234). The highest training priority, showing high importance but low performance in the importance‐performance matrix, was “family involvement and education” for ICU nurses and “non‐pharmacological management” for ward nurses.

Conclusions

The highest training priority for delirium care was different between ICU and ward nurses. To enhance the delirium care competency of hospital nurses, the nurse educator should develop training programs that target knowledge deficits, perceived barriers, and training priorities.

Relevance to clinical practice

Acute cognitive disturbances are common in patients hospitalized in wards and ICUs and can lead to adverse patient outcomes if not properly assessed and managed. Nurse educators need to develop and implement a training program based on the needs assessment and priorities identified in this study so that ICU and ward nurses can obtain the optimal level of delirium care competency.
Optimising social conditions to improve autonomy in communication and care for ethnic minority residents in nursing homes: A meta‐synthesis of qualitative research
Authors: Xiao Lily D. , Chen Li , Han Weifeng , Meyer Claudia , Müller Amanda , Low Lee‐Fay , Brijnath Bianca , Mohammadi Leila
Published: October 2021

A large proportion of nursing home residents in developed countries come from ethnic minority groups. Unmet care needs and poor quality of care for this resident population have been widely reported. This systematic review aimed to explore social conditions affecting ethnic minority residents' ability to exercise their autonomy in communication and care while in nursing homes. In total, 19 studies were included in the review. Findings revealed that ethno‐specific nursing homes create the ideal social condition for residents to express their care needs and preferences in a language of choice. In nonethno‐specific nursing homes, staff cultural competence and nursing home commitment to culturally safe care are crucial social conditions that enable this group of residents to fulfil their autonomy in communicating and in participating in their care. In contrast, social conditions that undermine residents' ability to express their care needs and preferences include low levels of staff cultural awareness and cultural desire, negative attitudes towards residents and limited organisational support for staff to improve culturally responsive and culturally safe care. In conclusion, it is important to optimise the social conditions to support ethnic minority residents to communicate their care needs and preferences.
Legacies of historic charcoal production affect the forest flora in a Swedish mining district
Authors: Eriksson Ove , Glav Lundin Linnea
Published: October 2021

Iron production was historically associated with major impacts on forests worldwide, as vast amounts of wood were harvested to produce the charcoal needed for heating the furnaces and reducing iron oxides in the ore to iron. This impact has left abundant legacies which potentially may remain in the present‐day vegetation. We investigated how remains of historic charcoal production, mainly from the 18th to the early 20th century, at still remaining charcoal kiln platforms (CKPs), affect the current species richness, species occurrences and cover of vascular plants in the ground vegetation in a Swedish mining district located in the boreo‐nemoral forest zone. CKPs have a significantly higher species richness than the surrounding forest, and they also affect cover (negatively) for ericaceous species typically dominating the forest ground vegetation. Several forest species are more frequent at CKPs, and these also harbor significantly more uncommon species, of which many are typical for traditionally managed grasslands. These latter species are likely to represent remnants in present‐day forests reflecting former land‐use such as livestock grazing. The soil chemistry at CKPs is strongly deviating from the surrounding forest, and this, together with a lower cover of ericaceous shrubs, are the most likely mechanisms behind the higher species richness. CKPs represent conspicuous and abundant historic anthropogenic habitats in the forest vegetation. As far as we are aware, the flora at CKPs in boreal and boreo‐nemoral forests has not previously been investigated in detail, and they deserve more attention, both from a biological and a cultural–historical perspective.
Regulation of plant immunity and growth by tomato receptor‐like cytoplasmic kinase TRK1
Authors: Jaiswal Namrata , Liao Chao‐Jan , Mengesha Bemnet , Han Han , Lee Sanghun , Sharon Amir , Zhou Yun , Mengiste Tesfaye
Published: October 2021

The molecular mechanisms of quantitative resistance (QR) to fungal pathogens and their relationships with growth pathways are poorly understood.

We identified tomato TRK1 (TPK1b Related Kinase1) and determined its functions in tomato QR and plant growth. TRK1 is a receptor‐like cytoplasmic kinase that complexes with tomato LysM Receptor Kinase (SlLYK1). SlLYK1 and TRK1 are required for chitin‐induced fungal resistance, accumulation of reactive oxygen species, and expression of immune response genes. Notably, TRK1 and SlLYK1 regulate SlMYC2, a major transcriptional regulator of jasmonic acid (JA) responses and fungal resistance, at transcriptional and post‐transcriptional levels.

Further, TRK1 is also required for maintenance of proper meristem growth, as revealed by the ectopic meristematic activity, enhanced branching, and altered floral structures in TRK1 RNAi plants. Consistently, TRK1 interacts with SlCLV1 and SlWUS, and TRK1 RNAi plants show increased expression of SlCLV3 and SlWUS in shoot apices. Interestingly, TRK1 suppresses chitin‐induced gene expression in meristems but promotes expression of the same genes in leaves. SlCLV1 and TRK1 perform contrasting functions in defense but similar functions in plant growth.

Overall, through molecular and biochemical interactions with critical regulators, TRK1 links upstream defense and growth signals to downstream factor in fungal resistance and growth homeostasis response regulators.
Deciphering the synergistic and redundant roles of CG and non‐CG DNA methylation in plant development and transposable element silencing
Authors: Liang Wenjie , Li Jinchao , Sun Linhua , Liu Yi , Lan Zijun , Qian Weiqiang
Published: October 2021

DNA methylation plays key roles in transposable element (TE) silencing and gene expression regulation. DNA methylation occurs at CG, CHG and CHH sequence contexts in plants. However, the synergistic and redundant roles of CG and non‐CG methylation are poorly understood.

By introducing CRISPR/Cas9‐induced met1 mutation into the ddcc (drm1 drm2 cmt2 cmt3) mutant, we attempted to knock out all five DNA methyltransferases in Arabidopsis and then investigate the synergistic and redundant roles of CG and non‐CG DNA methylation.

We found that the homozygous ddcc met1 quintuple mutants are embryonically lethal, although met1 and ddcc mutants only display some developmental abnormalities. Unexpectedly, the ddcc met1 quintuple mutations only reduce transmission through the male gametophytes. The ddcc met1+/− mutants show apparent size divergence, which is not associated with difference in DNA methylation patterns, but associated with the difference in the levels of DNA damage. Finally, we show that a group of TEs are specifically activated in the ddcc met1+/− mutants.

This work reveals that CG and non‐CG DNA methylation synergistically and redundantly regulate plant reproductive development, vegetative development and TE silencing in Arabidopsis. Our findings provide insights into the roles of DNA methylation in plant development.
A phytobacterial TIR domain effector manipulates NAD+ to promote virulence
Authors: Eastman Samuel , Smith Thomas , Zaydman Mark A. , Kim Panya , Martinez Samuel , Damaraju Neha , DiAntonio Aaron , Milbrandt Jeffrey , Clemente Thomas E. , Alfano James R. , Guo Ming
Published: October 2021

The Pseudomonas syringae DC3000 type III effector HopAM1 suppresses plant immunity and contains a Toll/interleukin‐1 receptor (TIR) domain homologous to immunity‐related TIR domains of plant nucleotide‐binding leucine‐rich repeat receptors that hydrolyze nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) and activate immunity. In vitro and in vivo assays were conducted to determine if HopAM1 hydrolyzes NAD+ and if the activity is essential for HopAM1’s suppression of plant immunity and contribution to virulence.

HPLC and LC‐MS were utilized to analyze metabolites produced from NAD+ by HopAM1 in vitro and in both yeast and plants. Agrobacterium‐mediated transient expression and in planta inoculation assays were performed to determine HopAM1’s intrinsic enzymatic activity and virulence contribution.

HopAM1 is catalytically active and hydrolyzes NAD+ to produce nicotinamide and a novel cADPR variant (v2‐cADPR). Expression of HopAM1 triggers cell death in yeast and plants dependent on the putative catalytic residue glutamic acid 191 (E191) within the TIR domain. Furthermore, HopAM1’s E191 residue is required to suppress both pattern‐triggered immunity and effector‐triggered immunity and promote P. syringae virulence.

HopAM1 manipulates endogenous NAD+ to produce v2‐cADPR and promote pathogenesis. This work suggests that HopAM1’s TIR domain possesses different catalytic specificity than other TIR domain‐containing NAD+ hydrolases and that pathogens exploit this activity to sabotage NAD+ metabolism for immune suppression and virulence.
Connecting at the edge: Cycles of commodification and labour control within food delivery platform work in Belgium
Authors: Franke Milena , Pulignano Valeria
Published: October 2021

In this paper we examine how commodification and labour control unfold within a digital labour platform, focusing on the connections between the platform, its users and workers. Based on a qualitative study covering couriers, clients, restaurants and the management of a food delivery platform in Belgium, we shed light on the complexity of commodification, explaining how the platform simultaneously empowers and disempowers all participants. We illustrate how the platform fosters commodification by granting access to transactions and fuelling competition, while at the same time increasing dependency through withholding information from users and workers. In so doing, we contribute to understanding how platforms exert control and create, extract and capture value by connecting users and workers with each other through the use of digital technology.
DANCE SCENES IN LEVANTINE ROCK ART (SPAIN): A CRITICAL REVIEW
Authors: Santos Da Rosa Neemias , Fernández‐Macías Laura , Mattioli Tommaso , Díaz‐Andreu Margarita
Published: October 2021

We argue here that it is possible to study dance in prehistoric societies by analysing how it was depicted in rock art. For this research to be effective, subjectivity must be minimised by analysing the images systematically. We adapt a series of criteria first established in Garfinkel’s ‘archaeology of dance’ and apply them to our case study of dance representations in Spanish Levantine rock art. We conclude that only twelve scenes fit the typical parameters of dance representations. By studying this set of images, we are able to identify dances with a single individual, couples and groups. We suggest that dances took place in more than one context and followed specific cultural patterns, among which we highlight gender identity.
Characterization of a Novel Model of Lumbar Ligamentum Flavum Hypertrophy in Bipedal Standing Mice
Authors: Zheng Zhen‐yu , Li Peng , Ao Xiang , Qian Lei , Peng Yong‐xing , Chu Jun , Jiang Tao , Lian Zheng‐nan , Zhang Zhong‐min , Wang Liang
Published: October 2021

Objective

To explore the main causes of hypertrophied ligamentum flavum (HLF) and the possibility of using bipedal standing mouse model to simulate the pathological changes in human HLF.

Methods

Thirty‐two 8‐week‐old C57BL/6 male mice were randomly assigned to the experimental group (n = 16) and control group (n = 16). In the experimental group, mice were induced to adopt a bipedal standing posture by their hydrophobia. The experimental mice were maintained bipedal standing for 8 h a day with an interval of 2 h to consume food and water. The control mice were placed in a similar environment without bipedal standing. Eight 18‐month‐old C57BL/6 male mice were compared to evaluate the LF degeneration due to aging factor. Three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction and finite element models were carried out to analyze the stress and strain distribution of the mouse LF in sprawling and bipedal standing postures. Hematoxylin and Eosin (HE), Verhoeff‐Van Gieson (VVG), and immunohistochemistry (IHC) staining were used to evaluate the LF degeneration of mice and humans. RT‐qPCR and immunofluorescence analysis were used to evaluate the expressions of fibrosis‐related factors and inflammatory cytokines of COL1A1, COL3A1, α‐SMA, MMP2, IL‐1β, and COX‐2.

Results

The von Mises stress (8.85 × 10−2 MPa) and maximum principal strain (6.64 × 10−1) in LF were increased 4944 and 7703 times, respectively, in bipedal standing mice. HE staining showed that the mouse LF area was greater in the bipedal standing 10‐week‐old group ([10.01 ± 2.93] × 104 μm2) than that in the control group ([3.76 ± 1.87] × 104 μm2) and 18‐month‐old aged group ([6.09 ± 2.70] × 104 μm2). VVG staining showed that the HLF of mice (3.23 ± 0.58) and humans (2.23 ± 0.31) had a similar loss of elastic fibers and an increase in collagen fibers. The cell density was higher during the process of HLF in mice (39.63 ± 4.81) and humans (23.25 ± 2.05). IHC staining showed that the number of α‐SMA positive cells were significantly increased in HLF of mice (1.63 ± 0.74) and humans (3.50 ± 1.85). The expressions of inflammatory cytokines and fibrosis‐related factors of COL1A1, COL3A1, α‐SMA, MMP2, IL‐1β, and COX‐2 were consistently higher in bipedal standing group than the control group.

Conclusion

Our study suggests that 3D finite element models can help analyze the abnormal stress and strain distributions of LF in modeling mice. Mechanical stress is the main cause of hypertrophied ligamentum flavum compared to aging. The bipedal standing mice model can reflect the pathological characteristics of human HLF. The bipedal standing mice model can provide a standardized condition to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of mechanical stress‐induced HLF in vivo.
Maternal anxiety and previous anaphylaxis are associated with alexithymia in young patients with food allergy
Authors: Polloni Laura , Ferruzza Emilia , Ronconi Lucia , D’Ovidio Giorgia , Bonaguro Roberta , Lazzarotto Francesca , Toniolo Alice , Guarnaccia Alberto , Muraro Antonella
Published: October 2021

Background

Alexithymia is a multifaceted personality construct described as “a lack of words to express emotions” that includes difficulty identifying feelings, difficulty describing feelings and a concrete, externally oriented cognitive style. Among patients with food allergy (FA) alexithymia has been found higher than in general population and associated with dysfunctional coping strategies. Childhood traumatic experiences and/or dysfunctional parent‐child relationship can contribute to alexithymia. The study aimed to explore possible associations between child alexithymia and mother alexithymia and anxiety, as well as previous anaphylaxis.

Methods

Sixty‐five mother–child pairs have been recruited. Children had a medical diagnosis of FA. The Toronto Alexithymia Scale‐20 was used to assess alexithymia in participants. The State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory was used to assess trait anxiety in mothers. Statistical analysis was performed to investigate the influence of variables sex, previous anaphylaxis, and adrenaline auto‐injector prescription on child and mother's alexithymia and to explore possible association between maternal and child alexithymia.

Results

A substantial percentage of children were alexithymic (21.5%) or borderline (33.8%), while mothers' frequencies were lower and in line with prevalence in general population. Child alexithymia was positively associated with previous anaphylaxis and mothers' trait anxiety (p < .05). Mother trait anxiety was also associated with maternal alexithymia. Furthermore, a positive association between child and mother alexithymia has been found.

Conclusions

Clinicians must be aware of the role of alexithymia and its association with maternal anxiety and previous anaphylaxis in children with FA, encouraging seeking psychological support when needed. A multidisciplinary patient‐centered approach should be put in place for the effective care of FA.
Hybrid Molecules Based on Fullerene C60 and Dithienylethenes. Synthesis and Photochromic Properties. Optically Controlled Organic Field‐Effect Transistors
Authors: Khuzin Artur A. , Tuktarov Airat R. , Venidiktova Olga V. , Barachevsky Valery A. , Mullagaliev Ilnur N. , Salikhov Timur R. , Salikhov Renat B. , Khalilov Leonard M. , Khuzina Liliya L. , Dzhemilev Usein M.
Published: October 2021

Hybrid molecules based on fullerene C60 and dithienylethene and its perfluorinated analog not inferior in the efficiency of phototransformations to the initial photochromic compounds were synthesized for the first time. The resulting pyrrolidinofullerenes containing photochromic moieties were used to fabricate organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) with output and transfer characteristics ten times exceeding similar characteristics of devices based on staring dithienylethenes. It was found that OFETs based on hybrid molecules with dithienylethenes are four times less efficient than devices based on hybrid molecules with perfluorinated analogs.
Divine hiddenness: An evidential argument
Authors: Anderson Charity
Published: October 2021

This paper presents and examines the argument from divine hiddenness as an evidential argument. It argues that a key thought that motivates the argument, namely, that it's surprising that God's existence is not more obvious, does not alone secure the conclusion that divine hiddenness is evidence against God. The evidential problem of divine hiddenness is illustrated using Bayesian models.
Phototherapy for atopic dermatitis: Systematic review and network meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Xiao Hui , Gu Xiaoyu , Huang Yilin , Zhu Wu , Shen Minxue
Published: October 2021

Background

Phototherapies could represent an efficient option for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD), but the evidences available for clinical choices were contradictory.

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of different phototherapies on AD.

Methods

This systematic review and network meta‐analysis included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) through searching keywords from PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane library. We summarized different phototherapy types and scoring systems. Scoring Atopic Dermatitis (SCORAD) absolute score changes were estimated by mean differences (MDs) and standard deviations (SDs) and then included in the network meta‐analysis. The effect sizes of comparison of different phototherapies were presented as MDs and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Egger's test was used to evaluate publication bias.

Results

Eleven RCTs were included in the systematic review and 4 studies in the network meta‐analysis. Based on the pooled estimates, medium‐dose ultraviolet A1 (UVA1) cold light was superior to medium‐dose UVA1 (MD 8.92; 95% CI: 5.60‐12.24) but no significant difference between high‐dose (UVA1) and medium‐dose UVA1 cold light (MD 0.66; 95% CI: −5.57 to 6.90). Publication bias was not supported by Egger's test (P = .168).

Conclusions

Due to possible long‐term adverse effects of high‐dose UVA1, medium‐dose UVA1 cold light appears to be the superior form for AD.
Theorizing business model innovation: an organizing framework of research dimensions and future perspectives
Authors: Schneckenberg Dirk , Matzler Kurt , Spieth Patrick
Published: October 2021

In this perspective piece, we aim to broaden understanding of business model innovation (BMI) by expanding and deepening extant theoretical dimensions and positions in the literature. While a significant amount of research has been carried out on the phenomenon of BMI, the current theory does not fully capture the broad diversity and inherent implications of the various approaches taken. We address this lack of common ground by developing an organizing framework for BMI research. To do so, we first delineate the business model (BM) concept’s multifaceted properties that provide the foundation for theorizing BMI. Using topical identification, we then situate and substantiate a range of theoretical lenses within strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship, as three central research axes informing studies on BMI. By revealing the relevant research perspectives, theoretical lenses, and positioning choices in the framework, our work expands and further details the conceptualization of BMI and provides orientation for future studies in the field.
How can open innovation support SMEs in the adoption of I4.0 technologies? An empirical analysis
Authors: Messeni Petruzzelli Antonio , Murgia Gianluca , Parmentola Adele
Published: October 2021

The adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies may represent an interesting opportunity for many SMEs, but the implementation of these technologies may be hindered by the lack of several resources. In this paper, we investigate how Open Innovation (OI) can help SMEs in the adoption of I4.0 technologies. Specifically, we show that both OI breadth and depth may be positively related to the adoption of these technologies. Besides, we highlight how the effect of OI depth is positively moderated by the technological intensity of the industry where the SME operates. Our results offer theoretical contribution to the literature on SMEs’ I4.0 technologies’ adoption, as well as that on OI. Finally, our findings can support both managers and policy makers in the implementation of I4.0 technologies.
“Pilot” spectator events in British horseracing during COVID‐19: post‐event SMS COVID‐19 reporting
Authors: Davies Madeleine A.M. , Spincer Mark , Klein Andre , Walters Sarah , Wright Peter , Hurley Adam , Stokes Keith , Hill Jerry
Published: October 2021

This study aimed to assess (i) COVID‐19 transmission prior to and following spectator events and (ii) methodological approaches to capturing event‐related transmission during the spectator return. Local authority population transmission rates were used to identify higher transmission areas, which were excluded from participant attendance following registration. Using observational online and SMS questionnaires, self‐reported COVID‐19 diagnoses (positive tests) and racing‐related NHS Test and Trace contacts within 14 days of spectating were reported for two British Horseracing events and three Point to Point (PTP) grassroots races. There were 1,477 registrations for the British Horseracing events, and 1,678 registrations for PTP races. Responses were received from 464 attendees of British Horseracing events (31.4% response rate). Two attendees reported a COVID‐19 diagnosis, and no attendees reported NHS Test and Trace contact. From PTP races, 862 attendees (51.3%) consented to receive the SMS survey, and responses were received from 495 attendees (57.4% response rate). Five attendees reported positive COVID‐19 diagnoses, and two attendees reported being contacted by NHS Test and Trace, of which one was following a non‐racing potential COVID‐19 exposure. There was limited evidence of COVID‐19 transmission at outdoor elite and grassroots level horseracing events during autumn 2020. A higher response rate was received with SMS surveys; however, there was a reluctancy to “opt in” to SMS methodology. This study describes different methodological approaches to monitoring COVID‐19 transmission risk at events, which may have relevance for other sporting and event contexts during the current pandemic, and sustained attendances during periods with circulating transmissible diseases.
The politics of mobility and empowerment: The case of self‐help groups in India
Authors: Nichols Carly E.
Published: October 2021

Within the empowerment literature, “freedom of movement” or “mobility” are frequently used as indicators to assess empowerment programmes or whether women have become socially empowered. As women's self‐help groups (SHGs) engaged in saving/lending and livelihood schemes have emerged as the de facto vehicles for women's empowerment over the past two decades, their propensity for increasing women's opportunities for mobility has been an oft‐lauded benefit. This has been especially pronounced as the empowerment agenda's prerogative to collectively transform power structures became co‐opted by a neoliberal focus on fostering responsible financial subjects with entrepreneurial savvy. In this paper, I draw on multi‐year ethnographic research of women's SHG interventions in eastern and central India to critically explore the ways different mobile practices intersect with empowerment goals. I contend it is necessary to examine mobility as more than physical movement and also to analyse it as a meaning‐laden and embodied practice intimately bound up in the neoliberal development agenda. Using this analytic, I find that although newfound mobility is often experienced positively by women, it is far from “free,” and remains embedded in power relations where women continue to engage on unfavourable terms – exemplified in women's inability to leisurely tour/wander. I conclude by reflecting on how empowerment interventions might more productively engage mobility less as a practice of increased economic and political participation and more as a site where women can experiment with new forms of being.
Re‐engineering the medical assessment of blood donors in South Africa: The balance between supply and safety
Authors: Rapodile Thabiso , Mitchel Josephine , Swanevelder Ronel , Murphy Edward L. , van den Berg Karin
Published: October 2021

Background

The balance between ensuring blood donor and recipient safety while maintaining a sufficient blood supply can be affected by excessive deferral of blood donors. In 2018, a biannual regulatory review of donor eligibility criteria provided the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) the opportunity to review the existing criteria. Changes to these criteria were implemented in April 2019 after an extensive review.

Study Design and Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study of SANBS whole‐blood donor presentations to determine the impact of the changed donor eligibility criteria on deferrals and blood safety. We compared donor presentations, deferrals, and HIV‐positive cases for the 12‐month period (April 2019–March 2020) after the implementation of the updated donor eligibility criteria to those of the previous year.

Results

Of the 2,112,917 donor presentations, 51.1% (1079506) occurred in the post‐implementation study period. Overall, deferrals decreased from 18.6% to 14.5%, whereas HIV‐positive donations increased by 0.03%. A multivariable logistic regression analysis adjusted for sex, age, geographical location, donor, and clinic type showed significantly lower odds of deferral (OR 0.70; 95% CI: 0.69–0.70) and greater odds of HIV‐positive cases in the study period than those in the control period (OR 1.17; 95% CI: 1.10–1.25).

Conclusion

We confirmed that the change in donor eligibility criteria was associated with a decrease in deferrals and an increase in the country's blood supply. The impact of the increased number of HIV‐positive donations on blood safety in a country performing individual donation nucleic acid amplification testing requires further investigation.
Environmental impact evaluation of decentralized sewage treatment technologies: A life cycle assessment approach
Authors: Sharvini Siva Raman , Noor Zainura Zainon , Kamaruddin Siti Nurhayati , Mohammad Sabli Noor Salehan , Sabeen Ali Hussein , Aris Azmi , Yong Ee Ling , Graham David W.
Published: October 2021

A life cycle assessment study on decentralized sewage (DS) treatment technologies is conducted using Gabi software and ReCiPe midpoint method, focusing on three DS treatment technologies: extended aeration (EA), imhoff (IF) and activated sludge (AS). The three most significant environmental impacts identified by the analysis are climate change (CC), freshwater eutrophication potential (FEP) and marine eutrophication potential (MEP). In this study, none of the DS systems could reduce all three indicators assessed. In terms of CC, IF has the lowest impact, with a value of 2.78 kg CO2 eq/m3, while EA has the lowest FEP impact of 0.030 kg P eq/m3. As regards MEP, AS has the lowest value of 0.043 kg N eq/m3. The findings offer investors with relevant information on the effects of the three DS treatment technologies used to treat domestic wastewater in Malaysia.
Characterization of Photodiodes for Detection of Variations in Part-to-Part Gap and Weld Penetration Depth During Remote Laser Welding of Copper-to-Steel Battery Tab Connectors
Authors: Chianese Giovanni , Franciosa Pasquale , Nolte Jonas , Ceglarek Darek , Patalano Stanislao
Published: October 2021

This paper addresses sensor characterization to detect variations in part-to-part gap and weld penetration depth using photodiode-based signals during remote laser welding (RLW) of battery tab connectors. Photodiode-based monitoring has been implemented largely for structural welds due to its relatively low cost and ease of automation. However, research in sensor characterization, monitoring, and diagnosis of weld defects during joining of battery tab connectors is at an infancy and results are inconclusive. Motivated by the high variability during the welding process of dissimilar metallic thin foils, this paper aims to characterize the signals generated by a photodiode-based sensor to determine whether variations in weld quality can be isolated and diagnosed. Photodiode-based signals were collected during RLW of copper-to-steel thin-foil lap joint (Ni-plated copper 300 µm to Ni-plated steel 300 µm). The presented methodology is based on the evaluation of the energy intensity and scatter level of the signals. The energy intensity gives information about the amount of radiation emitted during the welding process, and the scatter level is associated with the accumulated and un-controlled variations. Findings indicated that part-to-part gap variations can be diagnosed by observing the step-change in the plasma signal, with no significant contribution given by the back-reflection. Results further suggested that over-penetration corresponds to significant increment of the scatter level in the sensor signals. Opportunities for automatic isolation and diagnosis of defective welds based on supervised machine learning are discussed.
Effect of Indirect Cryogenic Cooling on the Machining Accuracy and
Tool Vibration in the Turning of Polysulfone
Authors: Wang Yongqing , Wang Siqi , Liu Kuo , Gan Yongquan , Han Lingsheng , Jiang Shaowei
Published: October 2021

Cutting deformation and cracks are common problems during the machining of precise polymer parts. This paper aims to explore the effects of different conditions on the contour profile of machined surfaces and tool vibration. Turning experiments of polysulfone (PSU) were performed under three conditions: dry, conventional flood cooling, and indirect cryogenic cooling. Then, the formation mechanism of machined surfaces' contour profile under different cutting conditions was clarified by the Eyring equation from the perspective of molecular chains relaxation time. Furthermore, extension models of crazing and cracks were proposed through the microscopic morphology of machined surfaces and the discriminant formula of crazing generation to explain the differences in tool vibration. The results indicated that the indirect cryogenic cooling condition with the internally cooled cutting tool could significantly improve the machinability of polysulfone, which has an excellent performance on the contour profile of machined surfaces with and the inhibition of crazing. Compared with dry and conventional flood cooling, indirect cryogenic cooling could reduce the mean of the Contour profile (Ra) by 40.3% and 30.1% and the machining accuracy error by 41% and 83%. The indirect cryogenic cooling method proposed in this work provides a reference for the cryogenic machining for polymers.
How Do the Habitual Sleep Patterns of Elite Female Basketball and Soccer Athletes Compare With the General Population?
Authors: Miles Kathleen H. , Clark Brad , Mara Jocelyn K. , Fowler Peter M. , Miller Joanna , Pumpa Kate L.
Published: October 2021

Purpose: To compare the habitual sleep of female basketball and soccer athletes to age- and sex-matched controls and to characterize the sleep of basketball and soccer athletes at different competition locations and on the days surrounding competition. Methods: Using an observational case–control design, 41 female participants were recruited to participate, consisting of 11 basketball athletes (mean [SD]: age = 24.1 [4.9] y), 10 soccer athletes (24.8 [6.4] y), and 20 nonathletic controls (24.2 [2.8] y). Sleep was monitored using actigraphy for four 7-day periods throughout the preseason and subsequent competition season. Generalized linear models were used to analyze the effect of group and competition situation (eg, Home or Away) on sleep. Results: During habitual conditions, basketball athletes had longer sleep durations (7.4 [1.5] h) than soccer athletes (7.0 [1.2] h, P < .001) and controls (7.3 [1.2] h, P = .002). During competition, basketball and soccer athletes had longer sleep durations following home (7.7 [1.7] and 7.2 ± 1.3 h) compared with away games (6.8 [1.8] and 7.0 [1.3] h). In addition, basketballers went to bed earlier (23:49 [01:25]) and woke earlier (07:22 [01:59]) following away games compared with soccer athletes (00:10 [01:45] and 08:13 [01:45]). Conclusions: Basketballers had longer habitual sleep durations compared with soccer athletes and nonathletic controls. During competition, basketballers had earlier bed and wake times compared with soccer athletes following away games, highlighting the need for individualized sleep strategies.
Patterns and Predictors of Television Viewing and Computer Use Among Women Living in Socioeconomically Disadvantaged Neighborhoods: A Prospective Cohort Study
Authors: Nayak Minakshi , Wills Karen , Teychenne Megan , Cleland Verity
Published: October 2021

Background: Socioeconomically disadvantaged women are at an increased risk of sedentary behaviors including television (TV) viewing and computer use, so identifying determinants of these behaviors is important. Methods: Women (n = 4349) self-reported weekly TV and computer time (in minutes per week), sociodemographic, and health data at 3 time points (2007–2013). Mixed-effect negative binomial regression was used to determine the baseline determinants of TV viewing and computer use over time, adjusting for confounders. Results: Over 5 years, median TV viewing decreased while median computer time increased. Cross-sectionally TV viewing was highest among participants classified as obese, with poorer health, current smokers, with lower education, not working, with no income, without partners and with no children and computer time was greater among younger women, living in urban areas, working full time, with higher education, without partners and with no children. Average computer time per year increased among those not working (7%), with lower education (5%), and with children (5%) but decreased among those with higher education (1%). However, no factors were associated with a change in TV viewing over time. Conclusion: Among socioeconomically disadvantaged women, interventions aimed at preventing increases in computer time should consider women with lower education, not working, and with children in their design.
Mantle control on magmatic flare-ups in the southern Coast Mountains batholith, British Columbia
Authors: Cecil M. Robinson , Gehrels George E. , Rusmore Margaret E. , Woodsworth Glenn J. , Stowell Harold H. , Yokelson Intan N. , Homan Emily , Kitajima Kouki , Valley John W.
Published: October 2021

The southern Coast Mountain batholith was episodically active from Jurassic to Eocene time and experienced four distinct high magmatic flux events during that period. Similar episodicity has been recognized in arcs worldwide, yet the mechanism(s) driving such punctuated magmatic behavior are debated. This study uses zircon Hf and O isotopes, with whole-rock and mineral geochemistry, to track spatiotemporal changes in southern Coast Mountains batholith melt sources and to evaluate models of flare-up behavior and crust formation in Cordilleran arc systems. Zircon Hf isotope analysis yielded consistently primitive values, with all zircon grains recording initial εHf between +6 and +16. The majority (97%) of zircons analyzed yielded δ18O values between 4.2‰ and 6.5‰, and only five grains recorded values of up to 8.3‰. These isotopic results are interpreted to reflect magmatism dominated by mantle melting during all time periods and across all areas of the southern batholith, which argues against the periodic input of more melt-fertile crustal materials as the driver of episodic arc magmatism. They also indicate that limited crustal recycling is needed to produce the large volumes of continental crust generated in the batholith. Although the isotopic character of intrusions is relatively invariant through time, magmas emplaced during flare-ups record higher Sr/Y and La/Yb(N) and lower zircon Ti and Yb concentrations, which is consistent with melting in thickened crust with garnet present as a fractionating phase. Flare-ups are also temporally associated with periods when the southern Coast Mountains batholith both widens and advances inboard. We suggest that the landward shift of the arc into more fertile lithospheric mantle domains triggers voluminous magmatism and is accompanied by magmatic and/or tectonic thickening. Overall, these results demonstrate that the magmatic growth of Cordilleran arcs can be spatially and temporally complex without requiring variability in the contributions of crust and/or mantle to the batholith.
Charged anisotropic compact star core-envelope model with polytropic core and linear envelope
Authors: Mardan S. A. , Noureen I. , Khalid A.
Published: October 2021

This manuscript is related to the construction of relativistic core-envelope model for spherically symmetric charged anisotropic compact objects. The polytropic equation of state is considered for core, while it is linear in the case of envelope. We present that core, envelope and the Reissner Nordstr$$\ddot{o}$$

o
¨

m exterior regions of stars match smoothly. It has been verified that all physical parameters are well behaved in the core and envelope region for the compact stars SAX J1808.4-3658 and 4U1608-52. Various physical parameters inside star are discussed herein, non-singularity and continuity at the junction has been catered as well. Impact of charged compact object together with core-envelope model on the mass, radius and compactification factor is described by graphical representation in both core and envelop regions. The stability of the model is worked out with the help of Tolman–Oppenheimer–Volkoff equations and radial sound speed.
Informing Cyber Threat Intelligence through Dark Web Situational Awareness: The AZSecure Hacker Assets Portal
Authors: Samtani Sagar , Li Weifeng , Benjamin Victor , Chen Hsinchun
Published: October 2021

To increase situational awareness, major cybersecurity platforms offer Cyber Threat Intelligence (CTI) about emerging cyber threats, key threat actors, and their modus operandi. However, this intelligence is often reactive, as it analyzes event log files after attacks have already occurred, lacking more active scrutiny of potential threats brewing in cyberspace before an attack has occurred. One intelligence source receiving significant attention is the Dark Web, where significant quantities of malicious hacking tools and other cyber assets are hosted. We present the AZSecure Hacker Assets Portal (HAP). The Dark Web-based HAP collects, analyzes, and reports on the major Dark Web data sources to offer unique perspective of hackers, their cybercriminal assets, and their intentions and motivations, ultimately contributing CTI insights to improve situational awareness. HAP currently supports 200+ users internationally from academic institutions such as UT San Antonio and National Taiwan University, law enforcement entities such as Calgary and Ontario Provincial Police, and industry organizations including General Electric and PayPal.
Applying a Transformative Justice Approach to Encourage the Participation of Black and Latina Girls in Computing
Authors: Erete Sheena , Thomas Karla , Nacu Denise , Dickinson Jessa , Thompson Naomi , Pinkard Nichole
Published: October 2021

Global protests and civil unrest in 2020 has renewed the world’s interest in addressing injustice due to structural racism and oppression toward Black and Latinx people in all aspects of society, including computing. In this article, we argue that to address and repair the harm created by institutions, policies, and practices that have systematically excluded Black and Latina girls from computer science, an intersectional, transformative justice approach must be taken. Leveraging testimonial authority, we share our past 8 years of experience designing, implementing, and studying Digital Youth Divas, a programmatic and systemic approach to encouraging middle school Black and Latina girls to participate in STEM. Specifically, we propose three principles to counter structural racism and oppression embedded in society and computing education: computing education must (1) address local histories of injustice by engaging community members; (2) counter negative stereotypes perpetuated in computer science by creating inclusive safe spaces and counter-narratives; and (3) build sustainable, computational capacity in communities. To illustrate each principle, we provide specific examples of the harm created by racist policies and systems and their effect on a specific community. We then describe our attempt to create counter structures and the subsequent outcomes for the girls, their families, and the community. This work contributes a framework for STEM and computing educators to integrate transformative justice as a method of repairing the harm that both society and the field of computing has and continues to cause Black and Latinx communities. We charge policy makers, educators, researchers, and community leaders to examine histories of oppression in their communities and to adopt holistic, transformative approaches that counter structural oppression at the individual and system level.
Lightweight Dynamic Redundancy Control with Adaptive Encoding for Server-based Storage
Authors: Fukatani Takayuki , Le Hieu Hanh , Yokota Haruo
Published: October 2021

With the recent performance improvements in commodity hardware, low-cost commodity server-based storage has become a practical alternative to dedicated-storage appliances. Because of the high failure rate of commodity servers, data redundancy across multiple servers is required in a server-based storage system. However, the extra storage capacity for this redundancy significantly increases the system cost. Although
erasure coding (EC)
is a promising method to reduce the amount of redundant data, it requires distributing and encoding data among servers. There remains a need to reduce the performance impact of these processes involving much network traffic and processing overhead. Especially, the performance impact becomes significant for random-intensive applications. In this article, we propose a new lightweight redundancy control for server-based storage. Our proposed method uses a new local filesystem-based approach that avoids distributing data by adding data redundancy to locally stored user data. Our method switches the redundancy method of user data between replication and EC according to workloads to improve capacity efficiency while achieving higher performance. Our experiments show up to 230% better online-transaction-processing performance for our method compared with CephFS, a widely used alternative system. We also confirmed that our proposed method prevents unexpected performance degradation while achieving better capacity efficiency.
Promoting Privacy Considerations in Real-World Projects in Capstone Courses with Ideation Cards
Authors: Tang Ying , Brockman Morgan L. , Patil Sameer
Published: October 2021

Nearly all software built today impinges upon end-user privacy and needs to comply with relevant regulations. Therefore, there have been increasing calls for integrating considerations of compliance with privacy regulations throughout the software engineering lifecycle. However, software engineers are typically trained in the technical fields and lack sufficient knowledge and support for sociotechnical considerations of privacy. Privacy ideation cards attempt to address this issue by making privacy compliance understandable and actionable for software developers. However, the application of privacy ideation cards in real-world software projects has not yet been systemically investigated. The effectiveness of ideation cards as a pedagogical tool has not yet been examined either. We address these gaps by studying how teams of undergraduate students applied privacy ideation cards in capstone projects that involved building real-world software for industry sponsors. We found that privacy ideation cards fostered greater consideration and understanding of the extent to which the projects aligned with privacy regulations. We identified three main themes from student discussions of privacy compliance: (i) defining personal data; (ii) assigning responsibility for privacy compliance; and (iii) determining and exercising autonomy. The results suggest that application of the cards for real-world projects requires careful consideration of intersecting factors such as the stage at which the cards are used and the autonomy available to the developers. Pedagogically, ideation cards can facilitate low-level cognitive engagement (especially the cognitive processes of meaning construction and interpretation) for specific components within a project. Higher-level cognitive processes were comparatively rare in ideation sessions. These findings provide important insight to help enhance capstone instruction and to improve privacy ideation cards to increase their impact on the privacy properties of the developed software.