bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Renal functional, transcriptome, and methylome adaptations in pregnant Sprague Dawley and Brown Norway rats
Authors: Chen Zhong , Wang Charles , Blood Arlin , Bragg Shannon , Mata-Greenwood Eugenia
Published: June 2022

Pregnancy induces maternal renal adaptations that include increased glomerular filtration rate and renal blood flow which can be compromised in obstetrical complications such as preeclampsia. Brown Norway (BN) rat pregnancies are characterized by placental insufficiency, maternal hypertension, and proteinuria. We hypothesized that BN pregnancies would show renal functional, anatomical, or molecular features of preeclampsia. We used the Sprague-Dawley (CD) rat as a model of normal pregnancy. Pregnancy increased the glomerular filtration rate by 50% in CD rats and 12.2% in BN rats compared to non-pregnancy, and induced proteinuria only in BN rats. BN pregnancies showed a decrease in maternal plasma calcitriol levels, which correlated with renal downregulation of 1-alpha hydroxylase and upregulation of 24-hydroxylase. RNA sequencing revealed that pregnancy induced 297 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in CD rats and 174 DEGs in BN rats, indicating a 70% increased response to pregnancy in CD compared to BN rats. Pregnancy induced activation of innate immune pathways such as ‘Role of Pattern Recognition Receptors’, and ‘Interferon signaling’ with interferon regulatory factor 7 as a common upregulated upstream factor in both rat strains. Comparison of rat strain transcriptomic profiles revealed 475 DEGs at non-pregnancy and 569 DEGs at pregnancy with 205 DEGs shared at non-pregnancy (36%), indicating that pregnancy interacted with rat strain in regulating 64% of the DEGs. Pathway analysis revealed that pregnancy induced a switch in renal transcriptomics in BN rats from ‘inhibition of renal damage’ to ‘acute phase reaction’, ‘recruitment of immune cells’ and ‘inhibition of 1,25-(OH)2-vitamin D synthesis’. Key upstream regulators included peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARA), platelet-derived growth factor B dimer (PDGF-BB), and NF-kB p65 (RELA). DNA methylome profiling by reduced representation bisulfite sequencing studies revealed that the DEGs did not correlate with changes in promoter methylation. In sum, BN rat kidneys respond to pregnancy-specific signals with an increase in pro-inflammatory gene networks and alteration of metabolic pathways including vitamin D deficiency in association with mild proteinuria and blunted GFR increase. However, the lack of glomerular endotheliosis and mild hypertension/proteinuria in pregnant BN rats limits the relevance of this rat strain for preeclampsia research.
Prosecutorial decision-making regarding offenders’ social reintegration programs in intimate partner violence cases. A Portuguese study
Authors: Vieira-Pinto Paulo , Muñoz-Barús José Ignacio , Taveira-Gomes Tiago , Vidal-Alves Maria João , Magalhães Teresa
Published: June 2022

Intimate partner violence is one of the most challenging and demanding problems that the criminal justice system has to face. Given the severe consequences of intimate partner violence, it is imperative that intervention from the criminal justice system, regarding perpetrators, be effective to prevent further victimization and recurrences. In Portugal, it is up to the state prosecutor to decide which cases will be subject to a social reintegration program as a pretrial diversion program. This study aims to explore the variables that might influence the state prosecutor’s decision-making process. We have examined 283 intimate partner violence cases in which provisional suspension of criminal proceedings was applied. The decision as to whether defendants should be referred for social reintegration program attendance (G1) or not (G2) was made by the state prosecutor. Differences between G1 and G2 were identified: the victim’s age, couple living in a current relationship, drug-addicted defendant, intimate partner violence child exposure. However, defendants’ unemployment and drug abuse were the only two variables identified as a determinant for state prosecutor decisions. We believe that the effectiveness of state prosecution decision-making would benefit from: (a) systematically taking into account all intimate partner violence risk factors; (b) an index or checklist detailing what science reveals useful in intimate partner violence offenders’ social reintegration; (c) rehabilitation solutions based on the needs of each offender instead of a “one-size-fits-all” approach.
Augmented risk of dementia in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: A propensity score matching analysis using the nationwide cohort
Authors: Lee Heesun , Kim Hyung-Kwan , Kim Bongseong , Han Kyungdo , Park Jun-Bean , Hwang In-Chang , Yoon Yeonyee E. , Park Hyo Eun , Choi Su-Yeon , Kim Yong-Jin , Cho Goo-Yeong
Published: June 2022

Background

Dementia is a big medical and socioeconomic problem on aging society, and cardiac diseases have already shown a significant contribution to developing dementia. However, the risk of dementia related to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the most common inherited cardiomyopathy, has never been evaluated.

Methods

In a large-scale longitudinal cohort using National Health Insurance database, 4,645 subjects with HCM aged ≥50 years between 2010 and 2016 were collected and matched with 13,935 controls, based on propensity scores (1:3). We investigated the incidence and risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD) between groups.

Results

During follow-up (median 3.9 years after 1-year lag), incident dementia occurred in 739 subjects (4.0%): 78.2% for AD and 13.0% for VaD. The incidence of dementia, AD, and VaD were 23.0, 18.0, and 2.9/1,000 person-years, respectively, and was generally more prevalent in HCM. HCM group had a 50% increased risk of dementia, particularly AD, whereas there was no difference in the risk of VaD. The impact of HCM on AD (HR 1.52, 95% CI 1.26–1.84, p<0.001) was comparable with that of diabetes mellitus and smoking. Increased risk of AD in relation to HCM was consistent in various subgroups including younger healthier population.

Conclusions

This is the first to demonstrate the increased risk of dementia, mainly AD rather than VaD, in subjects with HCM. Early surveillance and active prevention for cognitive impairment could help for a better quality of life in an era that HCM is considered a chronic manageable disease with low mortality.
Increased cardiac Pi/PCr in the diabetic heart observed using phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy at 7T
Authors: Valkovič Ladislav , Apps Andrew , Ellis Jane , Neubauer Stefan , Tyler Damian J. , Schmid Albrecht Ingo , Rider Oliver J. , Rodgers Christopher T.
Published: June 2022

Phosphorus magnetic resonance spectroscopy (31P-MRS) has previously demonstrated decreased energy reserves in the form of phosphocreatine to adenosine-tri-phosphate ratio (PCr/ATP) in the hearts of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Recent 31P-MRS techniques using 7T systems, e.g. long mixing time stimulated echo acquisition mode (STEAM), allow deeper insight into cardiac metabolism through assessment of inorganic phosphate (Pi) content and myocardial pH, which play pivotal roles in energy production in the heart. Therefore, we aimed to further explore the cardiac metabolic phenotype in T2DM using STEAM at 7T. Seventeen patients with T2DM and twenty-three healthy controls were recruited and their cardiac PCr/ATP, Pi/PCr and pH were assessed at 7T. Diastolic function of all patients with T2DM was assessed using echocardiography to investigate the relationship between diastolic dysfunction and cardiac metabolism. Mirroring the decreased PCr/ATP (1.70±0.31 vs. 2.07±0.39; p<0.01), the cardiac Pi/PCr was increased (0.13±0.07 vs. 0.10±0.03; p = 0.02) in T2DM patients in comparison to healthy controls. Myocardial pH was not significantly different between the groups (7.14±0.12 vs. 7.10±0.12; p = 0.31). There was a negative correlation between PCr/ATP and diastolic function (R2 = 0.33; p = 0.02) in T2DM. No correlation was observed between diastolic function and Pi/PCr and (R2 = 0.16; p = 0.21). In addition, we did not observe any correlation between cardiac PCr/ATP and Pi/PCr (p = 0.19). Using STEAM 31P-MRS at 7T we have for the first time explored Pi/PCr in the diabetic human heart and found it increased when compared to healthy controls. The lack of correlation between measured PCr/ATP and Pi/PCr suggests that independent mechanisms might contribute to these perturbations.
Point-prevalence survey of antibiotic use at three public referral hospitals in Kenya
Authors: Omulo Sylvia , Oluka Margaret , Achieng Loice , Osoro Eric , Kinuthia Rosaline , Guantai Anastasia , Opanga Sylvia Adisa , Ongayo Marion , Ndegwa Linus , Verani Jennifer R. , Wesangula Eveline , Nyakiba Jarred , Makori Jones , Sugut Wilson , Kwobah Charles , Osuka Hanako , Njenga M. Kariuki , Call Douglas R. , Palmer Guy H. , VanderEnde Daniel , Luvsansharav Ulzii-Orshikh
Published: June 2022

Antimicrobial stewardship encourages appropriate antibiotic use, the specific activities of which will vary by institutional context. We investigated regional variation in antibiotic use by surveying three regional public hospitals in Kenya. Hospital-level data for antimicrobial stewardship activities, infection prevention and control, and laboratory diagnostic capacities were collected from hospital administrators, heads of infection prevention and control units, and laboratory directors, respectively. Patient-level antibiotic use data were abstracted from medical records using a modified World Health Organization point-prevalence survey form. Altogether, 1,071 consenting patients were surveyed at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH, n = 579), Coast Provincial General Hospital (CPGH, n = 229) and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH, n = 263). The majority (67%, 722/1071) were ≥18 years and 53% (563/1071) were female. Forty-six percent (46%, 489/1071) were receiving at least one antibiotic. Antibiotic use was higher among children <5 years (70%, 150/224) than among other age groups (40%, 339/847; P < 0.001). Critical care (82%, 14/17 patients) and pediatric wards (59%, 155/265) had the highest proportion of antibiotic users. Amoxicillin/clavulanate was the most frequently used antibiotic at KNH (17%, 64/383 antibiotic doses), and ceftriaxone was most used at CPGH (29%, 55/189) and MTRH (31%, 57/184). Forty-three percent (326/756) of all antibiotic prescriptions had at least one missed dose recorded. Forty-six percent (204/489) of patients on antibiotics had a specific infectious disease diagnosis, of which 18% (37/204) had soft-tissue infections, 17% (35/204) had clinical sepsis, 15% (31/204) had pneumonia, 13% (27/204) had central nervous system infections and 10% (20/204) had obstetric or gynecological infections. Of these, 27% (56/204) had bacterial culture tests ordered, with culture results available for 68% (38/56) of tests. Missed antibiotic doses, low use of specimen cultures to guide therapy, high rates of antibiotic use, particularly in the pediatric and surgical population, and preference for broad-spectrum antibiotics suggest antibiotic use in these tertiary care hospitals is not optimal. Antimicrobial stewardship programs, policies, and guidelines should be tailored to address these areas.
Genetic relationship and source species identification of 58 Qi-Nan germplasms of Aquilaria species in China that easily form agarwood
Authors: Kang Yong , Liu Peiwei , Lv Feifei , Zhang Yuxiu , Yang Yun , Wei Jianhe
Published: June 2022

Recently, Qi-Nan germplasm, the germplasm ofAquilariaspecies that easily forms agarwood, has been widely cultivated in Guangdong and Hainan Provinces in China. Since the morphological characteristics of Qi-Nan germplasm are similar to those ofAquilariaspecies and germplasm is bred by grafting, it is difficult to determine the source species of this germplasm by traditional taxonomic characteristics. In this study, we performed a DNA barcoding analysis of 58 major Qi-Nan germplasms as well asAquilaria sinensis,A.yunnanensis,A.crassna,A.malaccensisandA.hirtawith 5 primers (nuclear gene internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) and the chloroplast genesmatK,trnH-psbA,rbcLandtrnL-trnF). This field survey in the Qi-Nan germplasm plantations in Guangdong and Hainan Provinces aimed to accurately identify the source species of Qi-Nan germplasm. According to the results, ITS2 andmatKshowed the most variability and the highest divergence at all genetic distances. This ITS2+matKcombination, screened for with TaxonDNA analysis, showed the highest success rate in species identification of the Qi-Nan germplasm. Clustering in the phylogenetic trees constructed with Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood indicated that the Qi-Nan germplasm was most closely related toA.sinensisand more distantly related toA.yunnanensis,A.crassna,A.malaccensisandA.hirta. Therefore, this study determined that the source species of the Qi-Nan germplasm isA.sinensis.
Public anxiety through various stages of COVID-19 coping: Evidence from China
Authors: Wu Yangyang , Zhang Ting , Ye Ziwen , Chen Kai , Kuijp J. van der , Sun Xue , Han Guoyi , Zhao Yi , Liu Yang , Huang Lei
Published: June 2022

As countries underwent the initiation, peak, post-peak, and early vaccination stages of COVID-19, the changing risk perception, coping behaviors and corresponding psychological stress experienced by the public over time was rarely reported. We conducted a national scale panel study using social-psychological data collected from 5,983 questionnaires to investigate the interactions between anxiety level, risk perception and coping behavior during different stages of COVID-19 in China. We found that sustained perceiving worries of being infected, first due to domestic and then global pandemic, contributed to the persistent high proportion of respondents with anxiety disorders which even gradually increased over time (56.1% during initiation to 60.4% during early vaccination). Gender was the strongest predictor of anxiety at all stages, with females having less confidence in COVID-19 control and always suffering from much higher anxiety levels than males even during the post peak stage. Excessive protective behavior and frequency of access to COVID-related news also contributed to public anxiety. Additionally, public risk perception was significantly associated with their willingness to vaccinate. The findings verify the feasibility of taking stage-specific and gender-based risk communication strategies to alleviate the pandemic-related public anxiety and promote vaccination by influencing public risk perception and guiding coping behaviors.
Archives after state unmaking: Researching provincial urban histories in Iraq
Authors: Young Gabriel
Published: June 2022

This article reflects on a recent research trip to Iraqi archives to raise questions about methodology in historical writing on Iraq. The article begins by describing the documentary sources available in Basra and Baghdad for writing provincial urban histories, and discusses the implications of accessing state archives in Iraq today, when the state that established them arguably no longer exists. It then interprets the sense of disjuncture that I experienced when comparing my own interest in twentieth-century Basra to that of local scholars writing about the same topic to build an argument about historiography and conceptual approaches to the modern Iraqi state. While the state is conspicuously absent from local Basrawi scholarship in particular, it occupies an outsized but superficial position in most Anglophone accounts of modern Iraq. New archival research may offer an alternative account, however, through a social history of the Iraqi state and its peripheries.
Antioxidative Protective Effect of Ozone Therapy on Isolated Mitochondria from Human Sperm
Authors: Naserzadeh Parvaneh , Shahi Farshad , Izadi Morteza
Published: June 2022

Oxidative stress is implicated in male infertility and significantly higher reactive oxygen Species (ROS) are detected in 25% of infertile males. We showed that Ozone oxygen therapy (O2/O3) induces protective effects for oxidative stress factors and its consequences on isolated mitochondria obtained sperm which may provide insight into the role of Ozone oxygen in human infertility. The present study was carried out to further characterize and compare protective effect of Ozone oxygen on isolated mitochondria obtained from sperm. Semen was collected from human normal donors. We gained human sperm mitochondria by differential centrifugation and isolated mitochondria incubated with different concentrations (5µg/ml, 30 µg/ml, 80 µg/ml) of O2/O3. O2/O3 prevent significant decrease in reactive oxygen species formation and mitochondrial membrane potential collapse on isolated Human sperm mitochondria. Ozone oxygen therapy induced increase in ATP concentration on isolated mitochondria. Our findings showed that O2/O3 prevent toxicity in sperm, effect on mitochondrial respiratory chain and avoid to cytochrome c release and apoptosis signaling.
Association of Celiac Serology Normalization With the Risk of Hypothyroidism: A Cohort Study
Authors: Golan Maya Aharoni , Feldman Becca , Ollech Jacob E. , Hoshen Moshe , Shamir Raanan , Belfer Rachel-Gingold , Levi Zohar
Published: June 2022

INTRODUCTION:

We evaluated whether persistent-positive celiac serology is associated with the risk of hypothyroidism.

METHODS:

We extracted a cohort of subjects aged 1–80 years with a positive IgA anti–tissue transglutaminase between January 1, 2008, and December 31, 2012, and a repeat anti–tissue transglutaminase test within 6–36 months from a large population-based electronic medical record database. Based on serology tests, we categorized the pediatric (age <21 years) and adult cohorts into normalized or persistent-positive serology groups. All subjects were followed up for incident diagnosis of hypothyroidism from the last serology date up to December 31, 2017. Hazard ratio (HR) along 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were prepared to evaluate the association of celiac serology group with a diagnosis of hypothyroidism, crude, and adjusted for age, sex, and diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus.

RESULTS:

Among the pediatric cohort (n = 2,687), during a median follow-up of 64 months (interquartile range 48–80), 2.3% (16/681) of the persistent-positive serology group and 1.0% (20/2,006) of the normalized serology group developed hypothyroidism (HR 2.07 [95% CI 1.07–4.44], adjHR 1.77 [95% CI 0.91–3.46]). The rate among the pediatric cohort with an established diagnosis of celiac disease was 3.4% (10/486) vs 1.0% (5/481), HR 2.83 (0.96–8.32). In the adult cohort (n = 1,286), 4.5% (20/442) of the persistent-positive group and 3.9% (33/811) of the normalized serology group developed hypothyroidism (HR 1.13 [95% CI 0.65–1.97]).

DISCUSSION:

In this retrospective, age-stratified analysis, we report that persistent-positive serology may be associated with the risk of hypothyroidism among the pediatric population. Prospective cohorts are needed to validate our findings.
ANALYSIS OF FLOWRATE, SULFATE, AND TOTAL SULFUR PATTERN IN WASTEWATER INLET TANKS FOR HS MANAGEMENT
Authors: SHERIEF MOHSINA MUHAMMED , HASSAN ASHRAF ALY , HAMOUDA MOHAMED , MARAQA MUNJED
Published: June 2022

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a major source of concrete corrosion in a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) that causes significant financial losses. Variations in the flow rate and composition of incoming wastewater has significant impact on H2S generation. During anaerobic conditions, sulfur present in excreta and sulfate from rainfall become the source of electron acceptors for the conversion of sulfate to sulfide in wastewater. Sulfide, in turn, is converted to H2S and later to sulfuric acid which leads to concrete corrosion. Flowrate directly relates to the amount of wastewater entering the plant. Hence understanding flow rate pattern will help to analyze H2S generation. Flow rate and H2S concentrations were recorded every two-hours for four days in a wastewater treatment plant. Wastewater samples of 50ml were collected at each sampling event coinciding the recording intervals. Samples were analyzed for sulphate and sulfide concentrations using HACH© kits. Total sulfur was calculated from the collected data. The correlations were analyzed using Minitab©. It was found out that average flow rate was negatively related to average H2S concentration. H2S concentration is higher during night when the flow rate is lower, which is a result of greater resident time. Flowrate changes in a cyclic manner throughout the day. During night, sulfate and total sulfur concentrations are higher, H2S concentration is maximum during this time. It is contrariwise during the day. Sulfate and total sulfide follow a pattern that is similar to that of flowrate. Analyzing these parameters is a critical step in successfully modelling H2S generation.
THE AUTOMATED MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF BUILDING ENVELOPES USING THE EXAMPLE OF CARBON-REINFORCED CONCRETE
Authors: Grauer Otto , Kahnt Alexander , Tietze Matthias , Holschemacher Klaus
Published: June 2022

As a result of climate change, more ecological building materials are continuously developed and find their way into the construction industry. These new building constructions also require new manufacturing technologies. Using examples from research and industry show how partial and complete automation can be used for the practical and individual series production of facade elements made of new building materials such as carbon concrete. The focus is on the complete internal production of some subcomponents. Thus, on the analogy of the production of steel reinforcement onsite in the precast plant, reinforcements made of textile-based materials can also be produced individually in a circulation process down to batch sizes of one without trimming and therefore without waste. The dependence on intermediate product manufacturers can be eliminated and supply bottlenecks avoided. This rethinking of their plant production enables precast producers to manufacture economically and ecologically optimized reinforcements from carbon fibers and integrate them into their circulation process. This adapted production of semi-finished and finished parts made of carbon concrete is implemented similar to the production of precast reinforced concrete elements on existing plant components. Here, too, examples from research and industry are used to demonstrate the need for adaptation in the conventional manufacturing process.
LONG TERM PERFORMANCE OF REHABILITATED CONCRETE BEAMS STRENGTHENED FOR TORSION USING CFRP
Authors: Seniwongse Muangsangop
Published: June 2022

The paper presents long term performance of reinforced concrete floor beams that were rehabilitated in 2007 for torsion using carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP). The two rehabilitated beams were members of the concrete beam and slab floor system of a new parking garage near Boston in Massachusetts, USA. Without this rehabilitation, the new garage could not be accepted. The paper recapitulates the causes that led to the cracking and the rehabilitation of the beams for torsion, and the choice between strengthening by reinforced concrete jacket and by CFRP wrap. It was probably the first time and ahead of the Codes of Practice that CFRP was used to resist torsion in real as-built concrete structure and for total torsion. In previous practices, CFRP was ever used for flexure and shear strengthening in partial supplement to the original strength, not for total strength. The methodology for CFRP for torsion was given. Pictures depicting the rehabilitation in 2007 are illustrated. The recent pictures of the beams taken in December 2021 are given. The long term monitoring and observation, on the author’s own time and duty of care, for the past 14 years on this real structure confirms the reliability, durability and efficiency of CFRP wrap for torsion of concrete beams under sustained dynamic live loading and vibration from motor vehicles. The paper concludes with discussion of the advantages of CFRP wrap over the reinforced concrete jacket strengthening.
SHEARING STRAIN OF SQUARE CROSS-SECTION SHAFT BY IMAGE ANALYSIS IN LARGE TORSION AFTER AXIAL LOAD
Authors: kato yasuyuki
Published: June 2022

This paper describes the characteristics of the distribution of shearing strain along the cross section when a large torsion after axial load is applied to a test specimen having a square cross section made of natural rubber. As for the measurement of finite strain under large deformation, a method based on image analysis, which can continuously measure a wide range from infinitesimal deformation to large deformation, is effective. Therefore, in the present study, a method by image analysis is adopted as measurement of shearing strain that occurs under large torsion. On taking image data, marking-off lines are preliminarily drawn on the surface by describing equally-spaced parallel lines vertically as well as horizontally, and images of horizontal elements along cross sections at upper position or center position of the test specimen are taken with high-resolution cameras with macro lens. The shearing strain distributions in the transverse section are measured by using the image analysis reflecting the Natural Strain theory. Then, these distributions are compared to the distribution based on the torsion theory of shaft having square cross-section, commonly known as the Saint Venant's torsion theory, and the distribution of modified theory that considers the elongation between gauge points. Moreover, the experimental results in this study are compared with the results of our previous study, which is obtained by applying only large torsion, and the effects of initial axial load on the shearing strain distribution are revealed.
BEHAVIOR OF RC BEAMS WITH WEB OPENING SUBJECTED TO PURE TORSION
Authors: Askar Hamed
Published: June 2022

Many design engineers used to take many services ducts, such as air conditions, water supply, sewage piping, electrical and mechanical conduits, through the space below reinforced concrete (RC) beams forming the floor systems. Then to enhance aesthetics, a false ceiling needs to be provided below the ducts, reducing the clear height of stories, or increasing the total height of structures, particularly for multistoried buildings. For better use of space, such ducts can be taken through web openings in RC beams wherever possible, thereby reducing the overall height of the building. With a focus on a better understanding of the behavior of these beams under pure torsion, this paper presents an experimental study carried out on 23 RC beams with web openings that were tested under pure torsion. Several parameters are studied, such as the length, width (i.e., size), the eccentricity of the openings, and the longitudinal and transverse steel in the chord members. The experimental results indicated that the web opening greatly influences the torsional behavior of the reinforced concrete beams. This paper provides the initial basis for forthcoming experiments and future numerical simulations of RC beams with web openings under combined flexural-shear-torsional behavior that are primary goals in future studies.
BLAST LOADING EFFECT ON CHEVRON TYPE BUCKLING RESTRAINED BRACED FRAMES
Authors: CHARCO OSHMAN , Chavarin Frank , Ahmad Rais
Published: June 2022

Buckling Restrained Braced Frames (BRBF) are being used all over the world as a seismic force resisting system in building structures. BRBFs are used due to their high ductility after yielding and the ability to absorb energy. Currently, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) permits the use of BRBFs as a single seismic force-resisting system by quantifying the seismic parameters such as Response Modification Coefficient (R), Over-strength Factor (Ωo) and Deflection Amplification Factor (Cd) in their latest code ASCE 7-16. The purpose of this research is to investigate how a structure built with BRBF to resist seismic forces behaves when subjected to blast loading. In other words, this paper focuses on the effect of blast loading on Buckling Restrained Braced Frames. The investigation is carried out on a Chevron type braced frame. The frame is subjected to a short duration blast loading that lasts only 21.7 mili-second (ms). Blast loading effects on the braced frame are assessed by identifying the weakest plane of failure, deformation characteristics and out of plane bending. The research also investigates the effect of brace core thickness on resisting blast loading. It is observed that the brace core thickness plays a significant role in reducing the deformation characteristics.
FLEXURAL BEHAVIOR OF A BRACED HYBRID STEEL-TIMBER BEAM
Authors: Khennane Amar , Reza Wasim , Khelifa Mourad
Published: June 2022

A hybrid steel-timber beam commercially available in Australia is subject to a flexural test to study its mechanical performance. To mimic the practical use of the beam as a floor joist and reproduce the lateral restraints offered by the flooring, two beams were connected to each other using lateral bracing. The braced beam system was tested in four-point bending. The beams not only achieved their full loading capacity, but they also displayed excellent ductility, which could make them suitable for use in seismic prone areas. A finite element analysis of the tests is carried out to understand the performance of the beam and to validate the model so it can be used to carry virtual tests on different configurations of hybrid beams. The study revealed that if a hybrid steel beam is to display ductility, the steel web must be thin to fail first before the cracking of the timber.
Step by Step Innovation without Mutually Exclusive Patenting: Implications for the Inverted U
Authors: Sedgley Norman
Published: June 2022

The step by step model of innovation is a benchmark model in research investigating the relationship between competition and innovation. The model assumes an industry can be in one of two states; leveled or unleveled. In an unleveled state the lagging firm is the only innovator. In a leveled state firms compete in a patent race. In this patent race successful innovation probabilities are mutually exclusive. This formulation provides mathematical tractability, but it has no other justification. I relax this assumption and use numerical simulation to demonstrate that allowing for non mutually exclusive success in innovation has important consequences for the inverted U relationship. The inverted U relationship is no longer a prediction of the model. In addition, the model predicts that patent measures will under count innovation from the leveled state, allowing for an inverted U relationship between competition and patenting under a narrow set of parameter restrictions. This theoretical exercise has important implications for understanding the current state of the empirical record on this topic.
Cross-reactivity in assays for prolactin and optimum screening policy for macroprolactinaemia
Authors: Smith Thomas P. , Kelly Sinead , Fahie-Wilson Michael N.
Published: June 2022

Objectives

Macroprolactin cross-reacts in immunoassays for prolactin causing apparent hyperprolactinaemia (macroprolactinaemia) and consequent misdiagnosis and mismanagement of patients.

Methods

We determined the prevalence of macroprolactinaemia using prolactin immunoassays with reported “high” (Tosoh) or “low” cross-reactivity (Roche) with macroprolactin. We additionally modelled the effects of increasing the screening threshold on workload and sensitivity in the detection of macroprolactinaemia.

Results

A review of routine requests for prolactin received in a 12 month period identified 670 sera with hyperprolactinaemia (Tosoh assay). Treatment with polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation demonstrated normal levels of monomeric prolactin in 165 sera (24.6%) indicating macroprolactinaemia. In the macroprolactinaemic cohort, total prolactin levels were lower with the Roche assay (473 ± 132 mU/L; mean ± SD) compared to the Tosoh assay (683 ± 217 mU/L), p < 0.005. The prevalence of macroprolactinaemia was also lower with the Roche assay (6.2%). The number of samples that required screening for macroprolactinaemia fell by 14% when Roche gender specific total prolactin reference limits were applied. Use of a higher screening threshold (700 mU/L) reduced the screening workload considerably (Roche by 45%, Tosoh by 37%) however, the sensitivity of detection of macroprolactinaemia decreased markedly (Roche 90%, Tosoh 59%).

Conclusions

Macroprolactin interferes in both Tosoh and Roche prolactin immunoassays. Use of an assay with a relatively low cross reactivity with macroprolactin, e.g. Roche, will lead to a modest reduction in the screening workload. Increasing the screening threshold above the upper limit of the assay reference interval will also reduce the screening workload but leads to disproportionate increases in the number of cases of macroprolactinaemia which are missed.
Co-operative actions in Chinese freestyle rap battles: a case ofIron Mic
Authors: Jia Mian
Published: June 2022

Rap battles are a growing phenomenon in China, but few studies have examined their interactional structure, especially from a multimodal perspective. In this paper, I conducted a microethnographic analysis of the sequential and simultaneous co-operation in Chinese rap battles from the national finals ofIron Mic. Results showed that in sequential co-operation, rappers accumulated the pre-existing end rhymes and created situated rhyming patterns in different rounds of battle performances, which helped them to outflow their opponents. Rappers also transformatively adapted lyrics and bodily movements from their opponents, demonstrating their ability to improvise and their superior lyricism over others. Moreover, battle emcees simultaneously used hand gestures to rebut their opponents’ accusations or show respect to the rap community. The study demonstrates that co-operative action is a viable theory to account for the interactional structure in rap battles and potentially other similar genres, highlighting the importance of a multimodal approach to social interactions.
Crosslinking of surface-sizing starch with cyclodextrin units enhances the performance of paper as essential oil carrier
Authors: Aguado Roberto , Ferreira A. Cláudia S. , Gramacho Sílvia , Murtinho Dina , Valente Artur J. M.
Published: June 2022

We present a feasible method to produce coated papers with long-lasting presence of natural active compounds. First, the composition of essential oils from Eucalyptus globulus was analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), revealing high proportions of eucalyptol (73 %) and α-pinene (15 %) in the case of the leaves, and sesquiterpenoids like globulol and epiglobulol (55 %) for the wood essential oil. These compounds were incorporated onto paper sheets by conventional coating processes, using surface starch as binder. Nonetheless, the main source of novelty lies in the functionalization of starch with β-cyclodextrin by two-step esterification, resulting in enhanced binding capabilities. Release to air was evaluated by headspace-solid phase microextraction, using a divinylbenzene/Carboxen/polydimethylsiloxane fiber, whose adsorbates were analyzed by GC-MS. One week after coating a paper sheet with native starch and essential oil from E. globulus, terpineol, eucalyptol and pinene were below the limit of detection. The insertion of cyclodextrin moieties improved the protection of the most volatile active compounds from fast evaporation. Likewise, cyclodextrin units enhanced the preservation of antioxidant activity, but the weak scavenging potential of E. globulus essential oils was the limiting factor. In this sense, promising results were obtained by replacing said essential oil with hydroxytyrosol.
Mechanical properties and microstructure of nano-SiO2 and basalt-fiber-reinforced recycled aggregate concrete
Authors: Zheng Yuanxun , Zhuo Jingbo , Zhang Yamin , Zhang Peng
Published: June 2022

In this study, nano-SiO2 (NS) and basalt fiber (BF) were used to improve the quality of recycled aggregate concrete (RAC). The crushing value, water absorption, and apparent density of NS-modified recycled coarse aggregate (RA) were determined, and the effects of BF with different contents and lengths on the slump, compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength of RAC and BF-reinforced RAC containing NS-modified RA were analyzed. Finally, the filling effect of NS, the toughening and crack resistance mechanism of BF, and the micro-composite effect between NS and BF were analyzed based on scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy-dispersive detector (EDS) measurement. The results show that the optimum modified concentration of NS solution is 2%, the content of BF is the main factor affecting the mechanical properties of concrete, and the optimum length and content of BF are 12 mm and 0.2%, respectively. For BF-reinforced RAC containing NS-modified RA, the 28 day compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength of RAC increase by 34.28, 40.55 and 54.5%, respectively. Based on SEM and EDS measuring, NS can react with Ca(OH)2 crystal to form flocculent C–S–H gel, which makes RAC compact and enhances the bonding properties of the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) between BF and the matrix.
Social robot – Jack of all trades?
Authors: Kühne Katharina , Jeglinski-Mende Melinda A. , Fischer Martin H. , Zhou Yuefang
Published: June 2022

Background

Social robots have been used in different roles, for example, in caregiving, companionship, and as a therapy tool, in recent years – with growing tendency. Although we still know little about factors that influence robots’ acceptance, studies have shown that robots are possible social companions for humans that help overcome loneliness, among other use cases. Especially in the given situation of forced social isolation, social companions are needed. Thissocial gapmight be filled by robots. We hypothesized that loneliness and the need to belong increase acceptance of social robots.

Methods

One hundred forty participants were asked to fill out an online survey on social robots and their acceptance in society. Questions on robots, demographical factors, and external factors (lockdown length) were asked and personal traits were also assessed.

Results and interpretation

As expected, among other findings, loneliness of participants was positively linked to robots’ acceptance. Nevertheless, need to belong was not. We conclude from these results that social robots are a possiblesocial instrumentto overcome loneliness and that interaction with a robot cannot replace belonging to a social group because robots lack needs that humans or animals have. Also, personality traits and demographic factors were linked to robots’ acceptance. This means that, even though there are generalizable connections between robots’ acceptance and factors as loneliness, personal traits are at least of similar importance.

Discussion

Our results provide important new insights into relationships between humans and robots and their limitations. Robots can ease our loneliness but are not seen as human. Future research needs to investigate factors that influence perception and acceptance of robots. Future lab-based studies with realistic human–robot interactions will deepen our insights of human understanding, perception, and acceptance of robots.
Construction-specific effects of phonological similarity avoidance
Authors: Czaplicki Bartłomiej
Published: June 2022

Previous research on similarity avoidance has focused on such phonological factors as featural similarity and adjacency. This paper additionally investigates the phonology-morphology interface and draws attention to morphological and lexical effects of similarity avoidance. Avoidance of identical or similar sounds may give rise to a variety of strategies, including periphrastic category formation, an unexpected allomorph of the stem or affix and a lexical gap. It is argued that, although similarity avoidance has a universal basis in language processing, the various strategies to implement it are construction specific. In particular, it is shown that one construction may exhibit a different scope of OCP effects than another, which entails that the constraints regulating OCP effects should be morphosyntactically indexed, in turn requiring reference to multiple cophonologies with distinct properties. A novel finding is that cophonologies may be delimited by the syntactic category of the base of category formation. Drawing on the insight of Construction Morphology, the analysis represents dissimilation as an interaction of construction-specific OCP constraints with schemas that include reference to the base. In order to derive the gradience of OCP effects, the relevant constraints are ranked on the basis of a similarity metric and formal complexity. The proposed constraint-based analysis aims to represent the construction-specific strategies for dealing with dissimilation and capture the observed gradience of the pressure.
Are Polish “DLA” and “KU” really synonymic purposive prepositions?
Authors: Kisiel Anna
Published: June 2022

“Dla” and “ku” are widely considered to be multifunctional and polysemous prepositions sharing at least some semantic components. While agreeing with their wide functional spectrum, the author argues for them to be monosemous: “dla” brings a positive evaluation of something from a given perspective, whereas “ku” points to something happening when something else occurs. By analysing their connectivity and interchangeability, the author proves that, against lexicographic descriptions, the semantic structures of these prepositions are not identical and, in fact, do not share any semantic components.

The semantic differences between the two prepositions make them prone to different types of contexts. “Dla” appears in purposive-intentional and benefactive contexts and collocates with various types of nouns, from gerunds to personal nouns. “Ku” prefers resultative sentences, in which it introduces a special stylistic tone of sobriety. Due to this, possible collocations of this preposition are very limited, and many are reported to be undergoing lexicalization.
Polgem – The recorded corpus of Polish geminate consonants
Authors: Rojczyk Arkadiusz , Porzuczek Andrzej
Published: June 2022

The report describes the recorded corpus of Polish geminate consonants. It is available atIt contains 111 words with double consonant letters produced by 54 native speakers of Polish, yielding a total of 5994 recorded tokens. The corpus may be used for future research on the production of Polish geminates or for perception experiments with speakers of other geminating or non-geminating languages. The report provides information on the lexical structure of the corpus, recruited speakers and recording specification. It also contains basic statistics of the rate of observed degemination and rearticulation.
Platform Pricing Choice: Exclusive Deals or Uniform Prices
Authors: Shekhar Shiva
Published: June 2022

Platforms choose between offering exclusive deals or uniform prices to content providers in a setting where content providers can multi-home or single-home. We find that platforms offer exclusive deals for sufficiently large or sufficiently small values of standalone benefits. For sufficiently large or small standalone benefits, there are relatively large or small proportion of multi-homers to single-homers, exclusive deals allow to extract more efficiently from the content provider type that is relatively large in the market. Hence, it becomes more lucrative to employ exclusive deals regardless of the pricing strategy chosen by rival platform. We find that for standalone benefits being sufficiently small, exclusive deals equilibrium is also the industry profit enhancing outcome. On the other hand, when standalone benefits are large, exclusive pricing deals equilibrium leads to a prisoner’s dilemma type of outcome.
Pattern of mandibular third molar impaction in patients attended the Hawler College of Dentistry: a retrospective radiographic study
Authors: Kurchid Katayon , Shihab Omed
Published: June 2022

Background and objective: The aim of this study was to assess radiographically the angulations and depth of impacted mandibular third molars. Methods: In a retrospective study 163 impacted mandibular third molars of 100 patients were examined on orthopantomograms (OPT) in the College of Dentistry/ Hawler Medical University during 2008. From these orthopantomograms the angulations (mesioangular, distoangular, vertical, and horizontal) and the depth (types A, B, and C) of the impacted mandibular third molars were recorded. The frequencies of unilateral and bilateral impaction were also recorded. Results: The average age of the patients was 26.5 + 5 ranging from 20-40 years with a median of 25 years. Fifty eight (58%) of the cases were female and 42 (42%) were male. The frequency of mesioangular, distoangular, vertical and horizontal impactions were 73 (44.8%), 37 (22.6%), 28 (17.2%), and 25(15.4%) successively. The depths of the impactions were 45 (27.6%) depth A, 74 (45.4%) depth B, and 44 (27%) depth C.The frequency of unilateral impaction was 26 (26%) and that of bilateral impaction was 74 (74%). Conclusion: Impacted mandibular third molars are more common in female. Mesioangular impaction is more common followed by distoangular. Depth B most common and most of the patients have bilateral impaction.
In vitro antimicrobial activity of Miswak extracts against some oral pathogenic isolates
Authors: Omer Abdul–Ghany , Qarani Sozan , Khalil Amera
Published: June 2022

Background and objective: Siwak, Miswak, or Arak (Salvadora persica ) belongs to Salvadoraceae and is considered as the most widely used twigs since early times by Babylonians some 7000 years ago, it was later used throughout the Greek and Roman empires, and has also been used by ancient Egyptians and Muslims. The aim of this study was to determine the antibacterial activities of different extracts of Siwak on the growth of different oral isolates of Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aerus and Candida albicans. Methods: Experiments were conducted in the laboratories of the College of Science, University of Salahaddin and College of Dentistry, Hawler Medical University for a period from Jun. 2008 to Feb. 2009, to determine the effects of different Siwak (Salvadora persica) extracts at concentrations of 500, 1000, 5000 and 10000 µg/ ml on the growth of different oral isolates of Streptococcus mutans, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans. Results: The results showed that all Siwak extracts (especially Siwak aqueous extract) were effective against Streptococcus mutans. and Staphylococcus aureus. The strongest antibacterial activity was observed using the concentrations of 10000 µg/ ml. While Siwak extracts were ineffective against Candida albicans. Conclusion: Siwak extracts had significant antibacterial effect against Streptococcus mutans. and Staphylococcus aureus, and ineffective against Candida albicans.