bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparison of periprosthetic femoral fracture torque and strain pattern of three types of femoral components in experimental model
Authors: Takegami Yasuhiko , Seki Taisuke , Osawa Yusuke , Imagama Shiro
Published: May 2022

Aims

Periprosthetic hip fractures (PPFs) after total hip arthroplasty are difficult to treat. Therefore, it is important to identify modifiable risk factors such as stem selection to reduce the occurrence of PPFs. This study aimed to clarify differences in fracture torque, surface strain, and fracture type analysis between three different types of cemented stems.

Methods

We conducted biomechanical testing of bone analogues using six cemented stems of three different types: collarless polished tapered (CPT) stem, Versys Advocate (Versys) stem, and Charnley-Marcel-Kerboull (CMK) stem. Experienced surgeons implanted each of these types of stems into six bone analogues, and the analogues were compressed and internally rotated until failure. Torque to fracture and fracture type were recorded. We also measured surface strain distribution using triaxial rosettes.

Results

There was a significant difference in fracture torque between the three stem types (p = 0.036). Particularly, the median fracture torque for the CPT stem was significantly lower than that for the CMK stem (CPT vs CMK: 164.5 Nm vs 200.5 Nm; p = 0.046). The strain values for the CPT stem were higher than those for the other two stems at the most proximal site. The fracture pattern of the CPT and Versys stems was Vancouver type B, whereas that of the CMK stem was type C.

Conclusion

Our study suggested that the cobalt-chromium alloy material, polished surface finish, acute-square proximal form, and the absence of a collar may be associated with lower fracture torque, which may be related to PPF. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(5):270–277.
Measurement of natural frequencies and mode shapes of transparent insect wings using common-path ESPI
Authors: Ma Yinhang , Quan Chenggen , Jiang Hanyang , He Xiaoyuan , Yang Fujun
Published: May 2022

In this study, a common-path electronic speckle pattern interferometry system which upholds the natural property of transparency of insect’s wings has been developed to measure the wings’ natural frequencies and mode shapes for the first time. A novel base-exciting method was designed to enable the simultaneous application of sinusoidal and static forces to excite wings and introduce an additional phase. The moiré effect induced by the amplitude modulation was employed to accurately recognize the resonance state. Subsequently, the mode shapes were visualized by phase-shifting and real-time frame subtraction. Eight pairs of forewings from cicadas were investigated. The first three order natural frequencies of the wings are approximately 145 Hz, 272 Hz and 394 Hz, respectively, which are dispersed to prevent modal coupling. The cambered mode shapes exhibit a strongly spanwise-chordwise anisotropy flexural stiffness distribution, generally dominated by bending and twisting deformation. The details of the high-order mode shapes show that the tip exhibits distinct deformation, indicating more flexibility to cope with external impact load, and the nodal lines usually comply with the direction of the wing veins in higher modes, substantiating the fact that the veins play an important role as stiffeners of the membrane. The results are in excellent agreement with the dynamic performance of previous studies, which will potentially affect a broader community of optical measurement specialists and entomologists to enhance our understanding of time-averaged interferograms and insect flights.
Terahertz Fresnel-zone-plate thin-film lens based on a high-transmittance double-layer metamaterial phase shifter
Authors: Han Zhengli , Takida Yuma , Ohno Seigo , Minamide Hiroaki
Published: May 2022

Planar diffractive lenses, with metamaterial artificial structures and subwavelength thickness, provide unique and flexible platforms for optical design in the terahertz (THz) regime. Here, we present a metamaterial-based Rayleigh-Wood Fresnel-zone-plate (FZP) thin-film lens designed to focus a monochromatic THz beam at 1.0 THz with a high transmittance of 80%, short focal length of 24 mm, and subwavelength thickness of 48 µm. Specifically, the FZP lens is composed of 8 alternating concentric zones through a polymer film substrate, where odd zones are patterned with double-layer un-split ring resonators (USRRs) that provide a polarization-independent phase shift of π/2 compared to un-patterned even zones. Both simulation and experiment confirm that our FZP lens creates a focused beam at the designed frequency of 1.0 THz by constructive interference through alternating concentric metamaterial-patterned and un-patterned zones, producing a diffraction-limited resolution of 0.6 mm for imaging applications. In contrast to conventional approaches in which the uniform periodic array of metamaterial unit cells has been treated as an effective material, we newly find that double-layer USRRs can work as an independent meta-atom without degradation of its performances, which benefits the behavior of small arrays of double-layer USRRs located in the outer zones of the FZP lens. Such a planar thin-film lens would enable us to realize compact and lightweight THz systems.
High-speed Ge-on-GaAs photodetector
Authors: Li Linze , Pan Rui , Xie Zhiyang , Lu Yao , Chen Jiaxiang , Zou Xinbo , Yuan Ziyuan , Chang Menglin , Lu Hong , Chen Baile
Published: May 2022

In this work, a germanium (Ge) on gallium arsenide (GaAs) photodetector is demonstrated with the optical response from 850 nm to 1600 nm, which has potential for monolithic integration with VCSELs on GaAs platform as transceiver working beyond 900 nm. The device exhibits a responsivity of 0.35A/W, 0.39 A/W and 0.11 A/W at 1000 nm, 1310 nm and 1550 nm, respectively and dark current of 8 nA at -1 V. The 10 µm diameter back-illuminated device achieves a 3-dB bandwidth of 9.3 GHz under −2 V bias. A donor-like trap at the interface between the Ge and GaAs collection layers is verified by capacitance-voltage curve and deep-level transient spectroscopy (DLTS) measurement, which impedes the depletion in GaAs collection layers.
Dual-polarization multi-angle retroreflective metasurface with bilateral transmission windows
Authors: Jia Yuxiang , Wang Jiafu , Hu Junhua , Meng Yueyu , Zhu Ruichao , Han Yajuan , Fan Ya , Li Fei , Li Yongfeng , Ding Chang , Zheng Lin , Qu Shaobo
Published: May 2022

Metasurfaces have provided unprecedented degrees of freedom in manipulating electromagnetic (EM) waves and also granted high possibility of integrating multiple functions into one single meta-device. In this paper, we propose to incorporate the retroreflection function with transmission function by means of metasurface design and then demonstrate a dual-polarization multi-angle retroreflective metasurface (DMRM) with bilateral transmission bands. To achieve high-efficiency retroreflections, the compact bend structures (CBSs), which exhibit high reflections around 10.0 GHz in X band, are added onto the substrate of the DMRM. Two selected metasurface elements are periodically arranged so as to form 0-π-0 phase profile. By delicately adjusting the periodicity, high-efficiency retroreflections can be produced for both TE and TM-polarized waves under both vertical incidence and oblique incident angles ±50.0°, with an average efficiency of 90.2% at the designed frequency. Meanwhile, the two metasurface elements exhibit high transmission properties and minor phase disparities in S, C and Ku bands, resulting in bilateral transmission windows. Prototypes were designed and fabricated. Both simulated and measured results verified our design. This work provides an effective means of integrating retroreflection functions with other functions and may find applications in target tracking, radomes and other sensor integrated devices in higher frequency or even optical frequency bands.
Toward practical weak measurement wavefront sensing: spatial resolution and achromatism
Authors: Zheng Yi , Yang Mu , Liu Zheng-Hao , Xu Jin-Shi , Li Chuan-Feng , Guo Guang-Can
Published: May 2022

The weak measurement wavefront sensor detects the phase gradient of light like the Shack–Hartmann sensor does. However, the use of one thin birefringent crystal to displace light beams results in a wavelength-dependent phase difference between the two polarization components, which limits the practical application. Use of a Savart plate, which consists of two such crystals, can compensate for the phase difference and realize achromatic wavefront sensing when combined with an achromatic retarder. We discuss the spatial resolution of the sensor and experimentally reconstruct a wavefront modulated by a pattern. Then we obtain the Zernike coefficients with three different wavelengths before and after modulation. Our work makes this new wavefront sensor more applicable to actual tasks like biomedical imaging.
Polygenic score accuracy in ancient samples: Quantifying the effects of allelic turnover
Authors: Carlson Maryn O. , Rice Daniel P. , Berg Jeremy J. , Steinrücken Matthias
Published: May 2022

Polygenic scores link the genotypes of ancient individuals to their phenotypes, which are often unobservable, offering a tantalizing opportunity to reconstruct complex trait evolution. In practice, however, interpretation of ancient polygenic scores is subject to numerous assumptions. For one, the genome-wide association (GWA) studies from which polygenic scores are derived, can only estimate effect sizes for loci segregating in contemporary populations. Therefore, a GWA study may not correctly identify all loci relevant to trait variation in the ancient population. In addition, the frequencies of trait-associated loci may have changed in the intervening years. Here, we devise a theoretical framework to quantify the effect of this allelic turnover on the statistical properties of polygenic scores as functions of population genetic dynamics, trait architecture, power to detect significant loci, and the age of the ancient sample. We model the allele frequencies of loci underlying trait variation using the Wright-Fisher diffusion, and employ the spectral representation of its transition density to find analytical expressions for several error metrics, including the expected sample correlation between the polygenic scores of ancient individuals and their true phenotypes, referred to as polygenic score accuracy. Our theory also applies to a two-population scenario and demonstrates that allelic turnover alonemayexplain a substantial percentage of the reduced accuracy observed in cross-population predictions, akin to those performed in human genetics. Finally, we use simulations to explore the effects of recent directional selection, a bias-inducing process, on the statistics of interest. We find that even in the presence of bias, weak selection induces minimal deviations from our neutral expectations for the decay of polygenic score accuracy. By quantifying the limitations of polygenic scores in an explicit evolutionary context, our work lays the foundation for the development of more sophisticated statistical procedures to analyze both temporally and geographically resolved polygenic scores.
Structural modeling to understand the relationship among food safety knowledge, attitude, and self-reported HACCP practices in restaurant employees in Bangladesh
Authors: Hasan Md. Jahid , Uddin Rayhan , Islam G. M. Rabiul
Published: May 2022

In this materialistic era, a substantial number of people are likely to have their meals outside of their homes and largely depend on the restaurants’ made food due to the prolonged working hours and tremendous pressure in workplace. Consequently, consumers expose themselves to risk and become vulnerable to illness caused by food. Unsafe food preparation and handling by restaurants’ workers have made food safety concern for public health. The study was aimed to examine the relationships among food safety knowledge, attitude, and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) practices in restaurant employees in Bangladesh. A total of 360 employees from 120 restaurants participated in a face-to-face interview through a structured questionnaire comprising four sections: demographic characteristics, food safety knowledge, attitudes and practices. The mean scores for each survey item were calculated and used in Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), designed to assess interrelationships among the three sections related to food safety. Participants obtained a correct average score of 53.32% in food safety knowledge, with the highest and lowest correct scores in Good Hygiene Practices (GHPs) and HACCP practices, respectively. The highest score in the attitude section belonged to “self-improvement”, followed by “food safety concern”. A negative correlation was observed between knowledge with practices, knowledge with attitudes, and a positive correlation was observed between practices with attitudes. A significant positive correlation was observed between HACCP practices with shelf improvement (r = 0.54, p < 0.05) and the knowledge toward food poisoning with GHP practices (r = 0.55, p < 0.05). Self-improvement and food safety concerns are negatively correlated with food poisoning, GHP, and HACCP practice. This study demonstrated that restaurant employees in Bangladesh often lack knowledge regarding food safety and HACCP. So, in order to improve knowledge and attitude on safe HACCP practice among the restaurants employees’, proper education and interactive training sessions can be conducted.
Effect of temperature & humdity on population dynamics of insects’ pest complex of cotton crop
Authors: Amjad Bashir Muhammad , Batool Munaza , Khan Huma , Shahid Nisar Muhammad , Farooq Hasnain , Hashem Mohamed , Alamri Saad , A. El-Zohri Manal , Alajmi Reem A. , Tahir Muhammad , Jawad Rashid
Published: May 2022

The current study was directed to investigate the effect of temperature and humidity on insect pest complex of cotton. This study was carried out on the farmer field of a farmer of MouzaMehraywala tehsil and district Rajanpur southern part of the Punjab, Pakistan (29.1044° N, 70.3301° E) in the month of May, 2019 to November 2019. The climatic conditions of the study site were; a Rajanpur lie on 96m above sea level Rajanpur has a desert climate. During the year, there is virtually no rainfall. The average temperature in Rajanpur is 26.0°C | 78.8°F. Precipitation here is about 205 mm / 8.1 inch per year. Our results indicate that’s the correlation of temperature (minimum and maximum), humidity (minimum and maximum), rainfall and weather condition (clear or cloud), it is clear that except temperature there is a positive correlation of jassid population. While among the relation of jassid with different factor there is very weak relation with jassid population regarding temperature (-0.001), the relation of humidity, rainfall and sky condition with jassid population is positive and moderate (0.520, 0.668 & 0.575 respectively), while the relation of jassid population among these factor is significant except temperature. The results indicate that’s the correlation of temperature, humidity, rainfall and weather condition, it is clear that there is positive correlation of thrips population. While among the relation of thrips with different factor there is very weak relation of thrips population with temperature (.103), the relation of humidity, rainfall and sky condition with thrips population is positive and moderate (.515.751& .577 respectively), while the relation thrips population among these factor is significant except temperature. The results indicate that’s correlation of temperature, humidity, rainfall and weather condition, it is clear that there is positive correlation of Whitefly population. While among the relation of Whitefly with different factors there is very moderate relation of Whitefly population with temperature (.076), the relation of humidity, rainfall and sky condition with Whitefly population is negative and moderate (-.051.-.368 & -.559 respectively), while the relation Whitefly population among these factor is significant except temperature.
Association of type 2 diabetes with periodontitis and tooth loss in patients undergoing hemodialysis
Authors: Mikami Risako , Mizutani Koji , Matsuyama Yusuke , Gohda Tomohito , Gotoh Hiromichi , Aoyama Norio , Matsuura Takanori , Kido Daisuke , Takeda Kohei , Saito Natsumi , Fujiwara Takeo , Izumi Yuichi , Iwata Takanori
Published: May 2022

Background

Limited evidence are available regarding the influence of diabetes on periodontitis in hemodialysis patients, although the association between diabetes and periodontal disease is well-known.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the influence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and its control level on periodontal disease and the number of missing teeth in patients undergoing hemodialysis.

Subjects and methods

A single-center cross-sectional study was conducted on 246 Japanese patients with end-stage renal disease undergoing hemodialysis. Comprehensive medical and dental examinations were performed. The association between severity of periodontitis and T2D was examined by multiple ordered logistic regression analysis. A multiple linear regression model was fitted to assess the association of periodontal probing depth (PPD) ≥4 mm and the number of missing teeth with T2D (n = 125). A subgroup analysis involving only the patients with T2D was performed to investigate the factors associated with missing teeth among them.

Results

After adjusting for confounders, the classification of periodontitis severity was significantly advanced in patients with T2D (odds ratio: 1.64, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–2.65, p = 0.04). The proportion of PPD≥4 mm sites and the number of missing teeth was significantly associated with T2D (coefficient: 4.1 and 5.7, 95% CI: 0.2–8.0 and 3.4–8.0, p = 0.04 and <0.001, respectively). Subgroup analysis of T2D patients revealed that glycoalbumin levels (coefficient: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.03–0.80, p = 0.03), but not hemoglobin A1c levels (coefficient: 0.8, 95% CI: -1.0–2.7, p = 0.37), were significantly associated with the number of missing teeth.

Conclusion

T2D was significantly associated with periodontitis and the number of missing teeth in hemodialysis patients. Moreover, it is first documented that poor glycemic control, as determined by glycoalbumin levels, was significantly associated with the number of missing teeth in hemodialysis patients with T2D.
Lipofection mediated transfection fails for sea urchin coelomocytes
Authors: Barela Hudgell Megan A. , Smith L. Courtney
Published: May 2022

Molecular cloning, gene manipulation, gene expression, protein function, and gene regulation all depend on the introduction of nucleic acids into target cells. Multiple methods have been developed to facilitate such delivery including instrument based microinjection and electroporation, biological methods such as transduction, and chemical methods such as calcium phosphate precipitation, cationic polymers, and lipid based transfection, also known as lipofection. Here we report attempts to lipofect sea urchin coelomocytes using DOTAP lipofection reagent packaged with a range of molecules including fluorochromes, in addition to expression constructs, amplicons, and RNA encoding GFP. DOTAP has low cytotoxicity for coelomocytes, however, lipofection of a variety of molecules fails to produce any signature of success based on results from fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. While these results are negative, it is important to report failed attempts so that others conducting similar research do not repeat these approaches. Failure may be the outcome of elevated ionic strength of the coelomocyte culture medium, uptake and degradation of lipoplexes in the endosomal-lysosomal system, failure of the nucleic acids to escape the endosomal vesicles and enter the cytoplasm, and difficulties in lipofecting primary cultures of phagocytic cells. We encourage others to build on this report by using our information to optimize lipofection with a range of other approaches to work towards establishing a successful method of transfecting adult cells from marine invertebrates.
Efficacy and safety of combined oral sucrose and nonnutritive sucking in pain management for infants: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Li Qiaohong , Tan Xuerong , Li Xueqing , Tang Wenxiu , Mei Lin , Cheng Gang , Zou Yongrong
Published: May 2022

Background

Pain management is currently important in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The superiority in pain relief of the combined oral sucrose (OS) and nonnutritive sucking (NNS) to other single intervention has not been well established. The administration of sucrose has been considered to potentially induce adverse events, which has been controversial. This study aims to investigate the combined effects and safety in comparison with other single intervention methods, including NNS, OS alone, breast milk and oral glucose.

Methods

We searched databases including Medline (via Pubmed), Embase (via Ovid), web of science, and Cochrane Library for randomized controlled trials from Jan 1, 2000 to Mar 31, 2021. The data were analyzed in the meta-analysis using Review manager Version 5.3. Pain score was the primary outcome in this meta-analysis. The adverse events were assessed qualitatively.

Results

A total of 16 studies were eligible in the meta-analysis. The results demonstrated a significant reduction in pain score in the NNS+OS group compared with NNS alone (SMD = -1.69, 95%CI, -1.69,-0.65) or sucrose alone (SMD = -1.39, 95% CI, -2.21,-0.57) during the painful procedures. When compared NNS+OS with breast milk, no significant difference was detected (SMD = -0.19, 95% CI: -0.5, 0.11).

Conclusion

The combined effects of NNS and OS might be superior to other single intervention method. However, the effects might be mild for moderate-to-severe pain.
Factors affecting yawning frequencies in preterm neonates
Authors: Menin Damiano , Ballardini Elisa , Panebianco Roberta , Garani Giampaolo , Borgna-Pignatti Caterina , Oster Harriet , Dondi Marco
Published: May 2022

Yawning is a long neglected behavioral pattern, but it has recently gained an increasing interdisciplinary attention for its theoretical implications as well as for its potential use as a clinical marker, with particular regard to perinatal neurobehavioral assessment. The present study investigated the factors affecting yawning frequencies in hospitalized preterm neonates (N = 58), in order to distinguish the effects of hunger and sleep-related modulations and to examine the possible impact of demographic and clinical variables on yawning frequencies. Results showed that preterm neonates yawned more often before than after feeding, and this modulation was not explained by the amount of time spent in quiet sleep in the two conditions. Moreover, second born twins, known to be more prone to neonatal mortality and morbidity, showed increased yawning rates compared to first born twins. Overall, our results are consistent with the hypothesis that yawning frequencies in preterm neonates are modulated by separate mechanisms, related e.g. to hunger, vigilance and stress. These findings, although preliminary and based only on behavioral data, might indicate that several distinct neuropharmacological pathways that have been found to be involved in yawn modulation in adults are already observable in preterm neonates.
Physical activity and social support are associated with quality of life in middle-aged women
Authors: Nguyen Thao Thi Phuong , Phan Hai Thanh , Vu Thuc Minh Thi , Tran Phuc Quang , Do Hieu Trung , Vu Linh Gia , Doan Linh Phuong , Do Huyen Phuc , Latkin Carl A. , Ho Cyrus S. H. , Ho Roger C. M.
Published: May 2022

Purposes

This cross-sectional study assessed the quality of life and related factors of Vietnamese women during perimenopause in terms of vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual aspects.

Materials and methods

A cross-sectional study on 400 middle-aged women was conducted in Hung Yen, a delta province in Vietnam. Data about socioeconomic characteristics, daily activity patterns, quality of life in terms of vasomotor, psychosocial, physical, and sexual aspects, and level of social support were collected. Tobit multivariate regression model was used to identify factors related to the quality of life among participants.

Results

The symptoms of perimenopause appeared to worsen with the increase of age and the existence of such health issues as migraine and diabetes. Meanwhile, exercises, recreational activities, and social support appeared to alleviate the negative impact of perimenopausal symptoms on women.

Conclusions

It is important to address the care needs of women during perimenopausal age, especially their sexual well-being, and development of specific healthcare services and programs focusing on sport, entertainment, and support for women in perimenopause should be facilitated.
Use of paclitaxel carried in solid lipid nanoparticles to prevent peritoneal fibrosis in rats
Authors: Silva Filipe M. O. , Carvalho Priscila O. , Costalonga Elerson C. , Pepineli Rafael , Maranhão Raul C. , Noronha Irene L.
Published: May 2022

Background

Progressive fibrous thickening of peritoneal membrane (PM) is a major complication of long-term peritoneal dialysis. TGF-β/SMAD pathway activation, inflammation and neoangiogenesis have an important role in PM changes induced by peritoneal dialysis. Here, we investigated the effects of paclitaxel (PTX) carried in lipid core nanoparticles (LDE) on the development of peritoneal fibrosis (PF) in rats.

Methods

To induce PF, 21 male Wistar rats (300-350g) were injected with chlorhexidine gluconate for 15 consecutive days and randomly assigned to three groups: 1)PF, n = 5: no treatment; 2)LDE, n = 8: treated with LDE only, 3/3 days during 15 days; 3)LDE-PTX, n = 8: treated with PTX (4mg/kg) associated with LDE, 3/3 days during 15 days. A Control group without PF induction (n = 5) was designed, received saline solution, 3/3 days. Peritoneum function tests were performed, and anterior abdominal wall samples of the PM were collected for analyses of peritoneal thickness, immunohistochemitry, and gene expression.

Results

LDE-PTX treatment preserved the membrane function, maintaining the ultrafiltration rate and mass transfer of glucose at normal levels. LDE-PTX also prevented PM thickening induced by chlorhexidine gluconate injections. LDE-PTX treatment reduced the number of myofibroblasts infiltrating PM and inhibited the cell proliferation. Gene expression of fibronectin, FSP-1, VEGF, TGF-β, and SMAD3 were reduced by LDE-PTX.

Conclusions

LDE-PTX was effective to prevent development of PF and preserve the PM filtration capacity in this rat model, with clear-cut actions on pro-fibrotic mechanisms. Thus, LDE-PTX can be candidate for future clinical trials as adjuvant to peritoneal dialysis to prevent PF development, since this preparation is devoid of toxicity as shown previously.
Road traffic accident-related thoracic trauma: Epidemiology, injury pattern, outcome, and impact on mortality—A multicenter observational study
Authors: Benhamed Axel , Ndiaye Amina , Emond Marcel , Lieutaud Thomas , Boucher Valérie , Gossiome Amaury , Laumon Bernard , Gadegbeku Blandine , Tazarourte Karim
Published: May 2022

Background

Thoracic trauma is a major cause of death in trauma patients and road traffic accident (RTA)-related thoracic injuries have different characteristics than those with non-RTA related thoracic traumas, but this have been poorly described. The main objective was to investigate the epidemiology, injury pattern and outcome of patients suffering a significant RTA-related thoracic injury. Secondary objective was to investigate the influence of serious thoracic injuries on mortality, compared to other serious injuries.

Methods

We performed a multicenter observational study including patients of the Rhône RTA registry between 1997 and 2016 sustaining a moderate to lethal (Abbreviated Injury Scale, AIS≥2) injury in any body region. A subgroup (AISThorax≥2 group) included those with one or more AIS≥2 thoracic injury. Descriptive statistics were performed for the main outcome and a multivariate logistic regression was computed for our secondary outcome.

Results

A total of 176,346 patients were included in the registry and 6,382 (3.6%) sustained a thoracic injury. Among those, median age [IQR] was 41 [25–58] years, and 68.9% were male. The highest incidence of thoracic injuries in female patients was in the 70–79 years age group, while this was observed in the 20–29 years age group among males. Most patients were car occupants (52.3%). Chest wall injuries were the most frequent thoracic injuries (62.1%), 52.4% of which were multiple rib fractures. Trauma brain injuries (TBI) were the most frequent concomitant injuries (29.1%). The frequency of MAISThorax = 2 injuries increased with age while that of MAISThorax = 3 injuries decreased. A total of 16.2% patients died. Serious (AIS≥3) thoracic injuries (OR = 12.4, 95%CI [8.6;18.0]) were strongly associated with mortality but less than were TBI (OR = 27.9, 95%CI [21.3;36.7]).

Conclusion

Moderate to lethal RTA-related thoracic injuries were rare. Multiple ribs fractures, pulmonary contusions, and sternal fractures were the most frequent anatomical injuries. The incidence, injury pattern and mechanisms greatly vary across age groups.
Tale of an ill-fated scapegoat: National security and the struggle for state regulation of social media in Nigeria
Authors: Moses John Maikomo , Targema Tordue Simon , Ishaku Jesse
Published: May 2022

The struggle for state regulation of the social media in Nigeria today finds expression in the desperate efforts by state actors to foster a negative relationship between the platforms and national security. The ban on Twitter in the country recently is a manifestation of the grand plan to regulate social media operation, which has been on-going since the inception of the current administration in 2015, with the narrative of national security prominently featured as a key justification. Using data derived from secondary sources, this study underscores the struggle for state regulation of the social media in Nigeria and the accompanying implications. Drawing insights from two recent case studies in the country – the 2020 #EndSARS protest and 2021 Twitter ban, the study argues that attempts at social media regulation hinged on national security are counterproductive and, if actualized, will close up available spaces that citizens have at their disposal to engage in critical discourse on pressing national security issues. The study contends that social media are key tools for robust discourse towards facilitating responsive governance in the twenty-first century as experience in Nigeria recently has shown. Against this backdrop, it argues that although Nigeria is confronted with a multiplicity of security challenges at the moment, attempts at hinging this rising tide of insecurity on the social media with the aim of regulating them amount to a misplaced priority and present the platforms as ill-fated scapegoats. Arguments in the study suggest that the basic motivations for social media regulation in Nigeria are repressive in nature and portend damaging implications to the process of good governance and democratic consolidation.
Agency, voice and prosopopoeia: SeeBotsChat and the projection of kinship
Authors: Bentivegna Francesco
Published: May 2022

This article examines a chatbots’ duet, a viral video stream that occurred in early 2017.SeeBotsChathappened online, across numerous different platforms but mainly on Twitch.tv. This article analyses the events concerning the streaming, exploring the relations between the bots’ synthetic voices and the human listeners, focusing on how the audience enacted forms of affective care with the bots and their voices. Drawing on analysis of projected persona, narrative, prosopopoeia and bot design, my investigation of this event will try to understand how the bots’ persona appears, what their voices entail, and if, and how, the audiences engage with them in forms of intra-action.
Existence, nonexistence and multiplicity of positive solutions for singular quasilinear problems
Authors: Alves Ricardo
Published: May 2022

In the present paper we deal with a quasilinear problem involving a singular term and a parametric superlinear perturbation. We are interested in the existence, nonexistence and multiplicity of positive solutions as the parameterλ>0varies. In our first result, the superlinear perturbation has an arbitrary growth and we obtain the existence of a solution for the problem by using the sub-supersolution method. For the second result, the superlinear perturbation has subcritical growth and we employ the Mountain Pass Theorem to show the existence of a second solution.
Global phase portraits of a predator–prey system
Authors: Diz-Pita Érika , Llibre Jaume , Otero-Espinar M. Victoria
Published: May 2022

We classify the global dynamics of a family of Kolmogorov systems depending on three parameters which has ecological meaning as it modelizes a predator–prey system. We obtain all their topologically distinct global phase portraits in the positive quadrant of the Poincaré disc, so we provide all the possible distinct dynamics of these systems.
Cauchy problem for nonlocal diffusion equations modelling Lévy flights
Authors: Sin Chung-Sik
Published: May 2022

In the present paper, we study the time-space fractional diffusion equation involving the Caputo differential operator and the fractional Laplacian. This equation describes the Lévy flight with the Brownian motion component and the drift component. First, the asymptotic behavior of the fundamental solution of the fractional diffusion equation is considered. Then, we use the fundamental solution to obtain the representation formula of solutions of the Cauchy problem. In the last, the

L
2

-decay estimates for solutions are proved by employing the Fourier analysis technique.
ZnO-Zeolite nanocomposite application for photocatalytic degradation of procion red and its adsorption isotherm
Authors: Agustina Tuty Emilia , Gayatri Rianyza , Bahrin David , Moeksin Rosdiana , Gustini
Published: May 2022

In this paper, the photocatalytic degradation of procion red dye, one of the most frequently used dyes in the textile industry, was studied. The objective of the research is to study the ZnO-Zeolite nanocomposite application to degrade procion red dye by using different irradiation sources. The adsorption isotherm was also investigated. The ZnO-Zeolite nanocomposite was prepared by a sol-gel process. Photodegradation test was applied under the sunlight irradiation, ultraviolet (UV) lamp, and in a darkroom. The dye degradation was also examined by the synthetic zeolite and ZnO for a comparison. Another objective of this study is to analyse the appropriate adsorption isotherm to describe the degradation process of procion red dye by using ZnO-Zeolite nanocomposite. The adsorption ability of the nanocomposite was described by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The adsorption of the nanocomposite was reported to depend on the degradation time. The highest photodegradation result of 98.24 % was achieved by irradiating 50 mg/l of procion red dye under the sunlight for 120 minutes. The result showed that the Langmuir adsorption isotherm was the appropriate adsorption equation for the degradation process of procion red dye by using ZnO-Zeolite nanocomposite with R2 value of 0.995.
Analysis of output voltage ripple for dual randomized PWM buck converter operating in continuous and discontinuous conduction modes
Authors: Boudouda Aimad , Boudjerda Nasserdine , Nafa Fares
Published: May 2022

Dual Randomized Pulse Width Modulation (DRPWM) is renowned for its better effectiveness than Simple Randomized Pulse Width Modulation (SRPWM) in reducing conducted Electro-Magnetic Interferences (EMI) in power converters. However, the introduction of low-frequency ripples into the output voltage by dual randomization has not yet been addressed; this effect is investigated in this paper for a buck converter operating in both the continuous conduction mode (CCM) and the discontinuous conduction mode (DCM). First, the modulating principle is presented. Then, a general analytical expression for power spectral density (PSD) of the input current is derived and validated for the proposed DRPWM scheme for both the CCM and DCM. A comparison of the PSDs of the input current for all RPWM schemes in both the CCM and DCM shows the PSD spreading effectiveness of the dual scheme as compared to simple schemes. Finally, the low-frequency output ripple is analysed using the PSD of output voltage. The results reveal that the output voltage ripple is affected by all the randomized schemes in both the CCM and the DCM. Also, the dual scheme (RCFM-RPPM) introduces the highest low-frequency voltage ripple, especially in the CCM and for low duty cycles. In DCM, the RPPM scheme gives the lowest voltage ripple, while the RCFM scheme gives the lowest voltage ripple in the CCM. The results are confirmed by both theory and simulations.
Cyclic response of RC beam-column joints strengthened with transverse steel bars and with C-FRP diagonal ties
Authors: Golias Emmanouil , Vougioukas Emmanouil A. , Wittemann Klaus , Kalogeropoulos George I. , Karayannis Chris
Published: May 2022

The use of additional bars, internally placed through drill holes, in external beam-column connections subjected to cyclic loading, as shear reinforcement is experimentally investigated.The presented experimental work includes tests of full-scale specimens with different reinforcement arrangements in the joint area, they are as follows: (a) the JB0V control specimen with two (extra) vertical side bars without shear reinforcement in the joint area and, (b) the JB0R joint, same as in the case of the control specimen, without the extra vertical bars, but with four additional steel bars that were placed in holes, which were drilled through the concrete of the joint body for this purpose, (c) the JB0VFX joint, the damaged control specimen repaired and strengthened with C-FRP diagonal ties (rope connections) through the joint area. The effectiveness of these additional bars and ropes as a shear reinforcement on the overall seismic performance of the tested joint is examined.A comparison between the test results of the examined specimens indicated that the applied retrofitting technique is appropriate for the enhancement of the overall hysteretic performance of the beam-column joints in terms of load carrying capacity, stiffness and hysteretic energy dissipation.
Analysis of factors affecting the efficiency of Jatropha curcas oil as an asphaltene stabiliser
Authors: Marín Velásquez Tomás Darío , Arriojas Tocuyo Dany Day Josefina
Published: May 2022

The effect of temperature and applied dose on the efficiency of Jatropha curcas seed oil as an asphaltene stabiliser was studied. Two crude oil samples (light and medium) were used. J. curcas oil was subjected to heating at 100, 150 and 170 °C for 24 h with an unheated sample (25 °C) and applied at doses of 2, 4, 6, and 8 μL in 10 ml of sample. The asphaltene instability index (AII) was determined as the ratio between the amount in ml of n-heptane to flocculate the asphaltenes and the amount in ml of xylene to disperse the flocs. The experimental design was Taguchi factorial with a response surface for one response variable (AII) and two experimental factors (the applied dose and heating temperature). For light crude oil, the optimum conditions were 8 μL and T = 127 °C with an 85.3 % efficiency and for medium crude oil, 2 μL and T = 25 °C with a 94.3 % efficiency. The efficiency of J. curcas oil and the influence of the type of crude oil on the results obtained were demonstrated.
Pueblo Viejo de Nuevitas: nuevos referentes de investigación
Authors: Hernández Mora Iosvany , Barroso Betancourt Antonio , García Palomino Manuel , Jiménez Vázquez Osvaldo
Published: May 2022

El artículo comunica los resultados actuales que han redimensionado el espacio y la historia del sitio a partir de una estrategia de caracterización general del registro arqueológico, admitido de manera integral. La aplicación de técnicas geofísicas -magnetometría y tomografía eléctrica- conjuntamente con la investigación histórica y arqueológica posibilitó la base informativa del estudio. Como nuevos referentes, en esencia, se logró el reconocimiento del área donde se encuentra integrado el sitio, bajo una lógica sui géneris de organización espacial, el orden probable del asentamiento y la valoración del mestizaje a manera de proceso sociocultural. Pueblo Viejo de Nuevitas, en la provincia de Camagüey, Cuba, es un lugar emblemático para conocer los primeros momentos de formación de la villa de Santa María del Puerto del Príncipe a inicios del siglo xvi, y otros temas de cambio cultural en las centurias xviii y xix, con supervivencia de elementos culturales aborígenes.
La nación a debate: el discurso nacionalista en la prensa liberal antiporfirista
Authors: Espinosa Blas Margarita
Published: May 2022

En México, como en la mayoría de los estados latinoamericanos, el proceso de consolidación nacional fue lento, penoso y accidentado; tanto que para muchos estudiosos los procesos nacionales resultan inacabados aún en el siglo XX. En el caso mexicano se considera al porfiriato como la etapa de consolidación del estado-nacional en la que fue posible la unificación de un relato nacional exitoso pero interrumpido con la Revolución Mexicana. Sin embargo, más allá de los logros y del aparente consenso entre la clase política porfiriana, la cuestión nacional generó polémicos debates en la prensa y en la tribuna. Frente a la imagen nacional construida por la elite oligárquica y política, cierto sector de la prensa vinculado con grupos de oposición liberal cuestionó los argumentos de la nación imaginada por la élite en el poder, pero también reforzó algunos aspectos de esa imagen nacional arraigados en el imaginario colectivo. En este trabajo se analiza y explica una parte de este debate a través del estudio del discurso hemerográfico mexicano del periodo 1890-1910, particularmente en aquellos diarios de oposición identificados con el ideario liberal como El Hijo del Ahuizote y otros considerados precursores de la Revolución Mexicana como Regeneración y El Demócrata.
Nationalism in a Colonized Nation: The Nationlist Party and Puerto Rico
Authors: Power Margaret
Published: May 2022

This article discusses the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico’s understanding of nationalism. It located the nation both in the geographical entity of Puerto Rico and in the larger transnational political-cultural area of Latin America. To establish that Puerto Rico was a nation, the party drew on the culture, history, language, and religion that Puerto Rico shared with Latin America. Nationalists also linked the island to Latin America to convince Puerto Ricans that their history and their future lay with Iberoamérica. This article also establishes that the Nationalist Party believed that both men and women made up the nation and had an essential role to play in achieving its liberation. Pedro Albizu Campos, the leader of the Nationalist Party, strongly encouraged women to join the party and many women did.
Le sucre : barrière entre la Guadeloupe et son environnement caraïbe
Authors: Touchelay Marie-Christine
Published: May 2022

A sept mille kilomètres de sa métropole, la France, la Guadeloupe entretient davantage de relations avec elle qu’avec son environnement caraïbe, et ceci de sa colonisation au XVIIe siècle jusqu’aux débuts des années 1970. Pendant ce long temps, la dépendance économique et commerciale envers la France se renforce alors que le sentiment d’être français est de plus en plus partagé par la population. L’unique revenu repose sur la monoculture de la canne à sucre. Des Sociétés anonymes métropolitaines possèdent les usines qui produisent un sucre brut destiné aux raffineries de France. Leurs directeurs et cadres sont des métropolitains, et c’est par leur intermédiaire que les habitants perçoivent ce qu’est la France. Il faut attendre la diversification des activités économiques sur place qui suit la fermeture des usines sucrières, pour qu’une ouverture sur l’environnement caraïbe proche voie le jour. C’est l’objet de cette communication de montrer pourquoi celle-ci a été tant retardée.
Branch Optimal Power Flow Model for DC Networks with Radial Structure: A Conic Relaxation
Authors: Montoya Giraldo Oscar Danilo , Arias-Londoño Andrés , Molina-Cabrera Alexander
Published: May 2022

Abstract

Objective: This work involves a convex-based mathematical reformulation for the optimal power flow problem in DC networks. The objective of the proposed optimization model corresponds to the minimization of the power losses through all the network branches considering a convex conic model that warranties finding the global optimal.

Methodology: This is split into three stages: The first stage presents the mathematical model of optimal power flow for DC networks and all its geometric features that make it non-convex; the second stage presents the convex reformulation from a second order conic relaxation; the third stage shows the main characteristics of the DC system under study; and the fourth stage presents the optimal solution of the power flow problem and its comparisons with some methods reported in the specialized literature.    

Results: The numerical validations demonstrate that the model of proposed convex optimal power flow obtains the same solution as the exact model of the problem with an efficiency of 100%, which is in contrast with the variability of the results that are presented by the metaheuristic techniques reported as comparison methodologies.    

Conclusions: The proposed second-order conic relaxation warrantied the convexity of the solution space and therefore, the finding of the optimal solution at each execution; besides of this, demonstrated that for optimal power flow problems in DC networks, the numerical performance is better than most of the comparative metaheuristic methods; and the provided solution by the proposed relaxation is equivalent to that provided by the exact model.

Keywords: Direct current networks, second-order conic relaxation, non-linear programming model, convex optimization.
Effect of Basic Ethical Principles on the Quality of Assessment (Study on Appraisers in North Sumatra and Aceh Provinces)
Authors: pto Supra , Siahaan Elisabet , Muda Iskandar
Published: May 2022

This study examines the influence of fundamental ethical principles on the quality of assessment by using five compounds of basic ethical principles, namely integrity, Objectivity, Competence, Confidentiality, and Professional Behavior, as independent variables, while quality is a dependent variable. The population in this study is 31 (thirty-one) Public Assessment Service Offices (KJPP) registered in the Provinces of North Sumatra and Aceh in 2021, with a total number of appraisers as many as 178 people who are willing to fill out questionnaires, so the sample selection method used is the saturated sample method/census. The population in this study was 178 appraisers, and all of them were used as samples. The analysis method uses multiple linear regression, F test, T-test, and determination coefficient test (R2) with a classical assumption test research model. The results of this study, both partially and simultaneously, integrity, Objectivity, Competence, Confidentiality, and Professional Behavior have a positive and significant effect on the quality of assessment. The principle of professional conduct is a component of the basic code of ethics that has the strongest positive and significant influence on the quality of judgment. The result of the analysis of the coefficient of determination is 51.4%, of which there are still 48.6% explained by other factors.