bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Resistance of glass fibre reinforced polyamide 6.6 materials to automotive cooling fluids: an analytical method for lifetime prediction
Authors: Harrass Konstantina , Mauer Sebastian , Tsekov Roumen
Published: November 2021

Two types (with and without a hydrolysis stabilizer) of polyamide 6.6 (PA6.6) reinforced with 30% w/w glass fibres were examined against the influence of automotive cooling fluids, e.g. ethylene glycol aqueous solutions. The overall goal was to find a methodology to compare the performance of PA6.6 materials against the impacts of the hydrolysis environment. The stabilizer effect on the hydrolytic resistance of the materials was assessed using tensile tests according to ISO 527, and their strain‐at‐break values were evaluated in more detail. The degradation mechanism of both PA types was monitored by infrared spectroscopy and SEM. The material lifetime was described by the Arrhenius equation. The results show that the hydrolysis stabilizer operates effectively at low temperature but exhibits weak performance above 130 °C, which is explained by faster consumption of the stabilizing agent. © 2021 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Prokaryotic expression, evaluation, and prediction of the structure and function of the ecarin metalloproteinase domain
Authors: Mohammadi Nasrin , Bandehpour Mojgan , Sotoodehnejadnematalahi Fattah , Kazemi Bahram
Published: November 2021

Ecarin is one of the most widely used drug compounds in blood clotting experiments and is used to monitor and treat many diseases such as cancer, liver, lupus, and cardiovascular disease. The metalloproteinase domain is known as the active site of ecarin. In this study, an ecarin metalloproteinase cassette was designed and synthesized in the pUC57 vector. The gene fragment was released and cloned into the pET‐28a vector and expressed in Escherichia coli. The recombinant protein was confirmed by western blotting. Enzyme activity was estimated by a laboratory coagulation test, and prothrombin time and tertiary structure were determined by using the Iterative Threading ASSEmbly Refinement (I‐TASSER) server. Data from blood clotting tests for the produced ecarin activity were analyzed using an independent t test. As per I‐TASSER server prediction, model 1 with the highest confidence score 0.95, template modeling score (0.84 ± 0.08), and root mean square deviation (3.5 ± 2.4 Å) was considered as the best model, and the 2e3xA enzyme was more similar to the target protein. The predictive results helped to better understand the relationship between the structure and function of the ecarin metalloproteinase domain. Also, the production of this active site in the prokaryotic expression system, which is simpler and more cost‐effective than the production of the eukaryotic system, showed that this recombinant ecarin could be used as a substitute for the raw snake venom of Echis carinatus because it converts prothrombin into thrombin, and its activity, as estimated using the prothrombin time test, was found to be faster than normal ecarin.
Structural and functional swapping of amyloidogenic and antimicrobial peptides: Redefining the role of amyloidogenic propensity in disease and host defense
Authors: Yadav Jay Kant
Published: November 2021

Peptides constitute an essential component of all organisms' protein homeostasis ranging from bacteria, plants, and animals. They have organically been evolved to perform a wide range of essential functions, including their role as neurotransmitters, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs), and hormones. AMPs are short peptides synthesized by almost all organisms, implicated in guarding the host from various microbial infections. Their inherent ability to differentiate the target microbes from the host confers them excellent prospects in fighting against microbial infections and affirming their robust therapeutic potential against numerous drug‐resistant microbes. Amyloidogenic peptides (AMYs) represent another class of short peptides armed with inherent aggregation propensity and form fibrillar aggregates rich in cross β‐sheet structure. They are often involved in various degenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and type‐2 diabetes. Although these two distinct classes of peptides (i.e., AMPs and AMYs) appear to be functionally divergent, recent studies suggest that they possess a significant degree of structural and functional reciprocity. Consistent with this, many AMPs display amphiphilic nature, and hence, they can facilitate membrane remodeling processes, such as pore formation and fusion, similar to AMYs. The mounting evidence suggests the inherent ability of AMPs to self‐assemble to form amyloid‐like structures. On the other hand, the demonstration of antimicrobial properties of AMYs in their monomeric conformation provides a hint about the existence of an evolutionary linkage between these two classes of peptides. The congregation of specific amino acids to form aggregation‐prone regions in a protein/peptide might have served as an evolutionary reservoir from which AMPs and AMYs were consecutively evolved. The current article reviews the fundamental features of the AMPs, AMYs, and their inter‐relatedness and emerging paradigm for their inter‐conversion.
Unique Signatures of Rashba Effect in Angle Resolved Magnetoresistance
Authors: Gupta Anshu , Kathyat Deepak S. , Mukherjee Arnob , Kumari Anamika , Tomar Ruchi , Singh Yogesh , Kumar Sanjeev , Chakraverty Suvankar
Published: November 2021

An unusual dependence of electrical resistance on the direction of the magnetic field, relative to that of current, in a 2D electron gas with strong spin‐orbit coupling formed at the LaVO3–KTaO3 interface is reported. The observations are incompatible with any previously reported magneto‐transport measurements. Surprisingly, on the one hand the system exhibits signatures of chiral anomaly such as negative magnetoresistance and planar Hall effect, on the other hand, a number of features are even qualitatively beyond the existing theories. It is found that all the unusual features in transport are controlled by the quantum effects originating from strong spin‐orbit coupling induced spin‐momentum locking, and the traditional Lorentz mechanism plays a minimal role. The results not only open up a new avenue related to magneto‐transport in spin‐orbit coupled metals but also pave a path to engineer non‐magnetic materials as sensors for vector magnetic fields.
Metabolomics workflow as a driven tool for rapid detection of metabolites in doping analysis. Development and validation
Authors: Leogrande Patrizia , Jardines Daniel , Martinez‐Brito Dayamin , Domenici Eleonora , de la Torre Xavier , Parr Maria Kristina , Botrè Francesco
Published: November 2021

Rationale

This work demonstrates the high potential of combining high‐resolution mass spectrometry with chemometric tools, using metabolomics as a guided tool for anti‐doping analysis. The administration of 7‐keto‐DHEA was studied as a proof‐of‐concept of the effectiveness of the combination of knowledge‐based and machine‐learning approaches to differentiate the changes due to the athletic activities from those due to the recourse to doping substances and methods.

Methods

Urine samples were collected from five healthy volunteers before and after an oral administration by identifying three time intervals. Raw data were acquired by injecting less than 1 μL of derivatized samples into a model 8890 gas chromatograph coupled to a model 7250 accurate‐mass quadrupole time‐of‐flight analyzer (both from Agilent Technologies), by using a low‐energy electron ionization source; the samples were then preprocessed to align peak retention times with the same accurate mass. The resulting data table was subjected to multivariate analysis.

Results

Multivariate analysis showed a high similarity between the samples belonging to the same collection interval and a clear separation between the different excretion intervals. The discrimination between blank and long excretion groups may suggest the presence of long excretion markers, which are particularly significant in anti‐doping analysis. Furthermore, matching the most significant features with some of the metabolites reported in the literature data demonstrated the rationality of the proposed metabolomics‐based approach.

Conclusions

The application of metabolomics tools as an investigation strategy could reduce the time and resources required to identify and characterize intake markers maximizing the information that can be extracted from the data and extending the research field by avoiding a priori bias. Therefore, metabolic fingerprinting of prohibited substance intakes could be an appropriate analytical approach to reduce the risk of false‐positive/negative results, aiding in the interpretation of “abnormal” profiles and discrimination of pseudo‐endogenous steroid intake in the anti‐doping field.
Identification of metabolites in plasma related to different biological activities of Panax ginseng and American ginseng
Authors: Liu Jihua , Dong Qinghai , Du Guangguang , Wang Jia , An Yang , Liu Jiayin , Su Jun , Xie Hongliu , Yin Jianyuan
Published: November 2021

Rationale

Panax ginseng (PG) and American ginseng (AMG) are both medicinal plants of the Panax genus in the Acanthopanax family. Although PG and AMG have similar components of ginsenosides, there are many differences of their bioactivities. In this study, the biochemical mechanisms of different bioactivities of PG and AMG were explored by researching the differential metabolites in plasma after administration of each of PG and AMG.

Methods

In order to explore the material basis of differential bioactivities, two groups of mice were administrated orally with PG and AMG, and the method of metabolomics was used to identify the differential metabolites in plasma. Then network pharmacology was used based on the differential metabolites. Afterward, the metabolite–target–pathway network of PG and AMG was constructed; thus the pathways related to different bioactivities were analyzed.

Results

Through principal component analysis and orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis, there were 10 differential metabolites identified in the PG group and 8 differential metabolites identified in the AMG group. Based on network pharmacology, the differential metabolites were classified and related to differential bioactivities of PG and AMG. In the PG group, there were 6 metabolites related to aphrodisiac effect and exciting the nervous system, and 5 metabolites associated with raised blood pressure. In the AMG group, 5 metabolites were classified as having the effect of inhibiting the nervous system, and 6 metabolites were related to antihypertensive effect.

Conclusions

This study explored the material basis of the differential biological activities between PG and AMG, which is significant for the research of PG and AMG use and to promote human health.
Surface Reconstruction and In Situ Formation of 2D Layer for Efficient and Stable 2D/3D Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Deng Chunyan , Wu Jihuai , Du Yitian , Chen Qi , Song Zeyu , Li Guodong , Wang Xiaobing , Lin Jianming , Sun Weihai , Huang Miaoliang , Huang Yunfang , Gao Peng , Lan Zhang
Published: November 2021

The 2D/3D composite structure possesses both the excellent stability of 2D perovskite and the excellent performance of 3D perovskite, which recently have attracted special attention. Different from the popular isopropanol, a novel additive solvent—polypropylene glycol bis (2‐aminopropyl ether) (A‐PPG) is introduced here to dissolve excess PbI2 and perovskite, and then reconstruct and in situ form the quasi‐2D perovskite layer on 3D perovskite bulk. The lone electron pairs of the ether‐oxygen and amino in A‐PPG can form coordination bonds with Pb2+. The introduction of A‐PPG tunes the energy array of functional layers, passivates defects, and mitigates carrier nonradiative recombination. Consequently, the 2D/3D perovskite device exhibits a championship efficiency of 22.24% with a distinguished open‐circuit voltage of 1.21 V (the thermodynamic limit of 1.30 V). Moreover, the 2D/3D device still maintains 90% of the original efficiency in the ambient atmosphere with a relative humidity of 30 ± 10% after 50 days.
International trade, differentiated goods, and strategic asymmetry
Authors: Gilbert John , Koska Onur A. , Oladi Reza
Published: November 2021

We scrutinize international trade arising from oligopolistic rivalry (reciprocal dumping) in a model where the goods are horizontally differentiated and where otherwise symmetric firms located in different regions adopt asymmetric strategies—one competing in prices and the other competing in quantities. Unidirectional and intra‐industry trade appear endogenously in our framework. We show that as trade costs decline the equilibrium outcome will transition from autarky through a region of unidirectional trade, before intra‐industry trade ultimately arises. In the unidirectional trade region, potential market entry by the rival has an impact on firm behavior even though the rival is not exporting. The implications of product differentiation and changing trade costs for trade volumes and for the gains from trade are asymmetric in general. Welfare may rise monotonically as trade costs fall for one of the economies, but will necessarily fall initially relative to autarky for the other.
Recent advances in the analysis of plant alkaloids by capillary electrophoresis and micellar electrokinetic chromatography
Authors: Kumar Ashwini , Malik Ashok Kumar , Singh Baljinder
Published: November 2021

Plants produce secondary metabolites as a result of a defense mechanism of plants against biotic and abiotic stresses. Alkaloids represent a diverse group of secondary metabolites that contain a basic nitrogen atom. Capillary electrophoresis has many advantages such as short analysis time, little sample consumption, high separation efficiency, and high sensitivity over conventional separation methods. Therefore, capillary electrophoresis has been extensively used for the analysis of alkaloids in plant extracts. In this review, we discuss advances in analytical capillary electrophoresis used for their identification and quantification in plants.
Besonderheiten beim Austausch von Kranbahnträgern für schweren Kranbetrieb
Authors: Dürr André , Bartenbach Jochen , Kretzschmar Peter , Rieche Marco , Sdorra Armin , Wunderlich Martin
Published: November 2021

Viele bestehende Industrieanlagen mit Krananlagen für schweren Betrieb sind in Deutschland mittlerweile mehr als 50 Jahre in Betrieb und die rechnerisch ermittelte Lebensdauer der Kranbahnträger ist in vielen Fällen überschritten. Zusätzlich zu der langen Nutzung der Krananlagen wurden diese in dieser Zeit vielfach erweitert und neu gestaltet. Die Kranbahnträger und deren lastabtragende Unterkonstruktion wie Konsolen und Kranbahnstützen müssen zusätzlich oft höhere Kranlasten (aus geänderten Produktionsabläufen) aufnehmen als die Lasten, für die sie einmal ursprünglich ausgelegt und bemessen wurden. Dementsprechend ergeben sich für die Erneuerung von alten Bestandsbauten und im Besonderen für die zugehörigen Kranbahnen völlig andere Randbedingungen, als noch bei deren Errichtung galten. Im Rahmen dieses Beitrags wird auf die Besonderheiten infolge der erschwerten Randbedingungen bei Bestandsgebäuden sowie die Besonderheiten bei Konstruktion und Bemessung eingegangen, die beim Austausch von Kranbahnträgern für schweren Kranbetrieb zu beachten sind.
Multi‐agent evolutionary game of process safety culture in Chinese chemical industry based on system dynamics
Authors: Liu Tong , Zhang Ming‐guang , Song Jian , Zhao Yao
Published: November 2021

In the process of safety culture construction in Chinese chemical industry, various interests and relationships of stakeholders involved are complicated, which hinders the process safety culture in chemical industry from being implemented practically. Thus, evolutionary game theory was used to draw the relationships between the stakeholders, including China chemical safety supervision department, chemical plants, and chemical plant workers. A system dynamics model was built to explore the dynamic relationships of process safety culture in Chinese chemical industry, and study the dynamic stability of stakeholders. The simulation results show that the strategy selections of China chemical safety supervision department, chemical plants, and chemical plant workers could reach a stable condition, which indicates that the evolutionary stable strategy exist in the current dynamic interaction among the three agents. Furthermore, a sensitivity analysis between state variables and several auxiliary variables were accomplished to reveal the internal relationships. The proposed new method of applying evolutionary game to process safety culture offers a solution to optimize safety culture construction.
COP26: Is change afoot in livestock farming?
Authors: Loeb Josh
Published: November 2021

It is well known that the farming industry contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which, in turn, contribute to global warming. But are these emissions as big a problem as we are led to believe – and what are the different livestock sectors doing to reduce them? Josh Loeb investigates
Investigations associated with the 2020/21 highly pathogenic avian influenza epizootic in wild birds in Great Britain
Authors: Duff Paul , Holmes Paul , Aegerter James , Man Cat , Fullick Ed , Reid Scott , Lean Fabian , Núñez Alex , Hansen Rowena , Tye Joanna , Stephan Lévon , Brown Ian , Robinson Caroline
Published: November 2021

This focus article has been prepared by Paul Duff, Paul Holmes, James Aegerter, Cat Man, Ed Fullick, Scott Reid, Fabian Lean, Alex Núñez, Rowena Hansen, Joanna Tye, Lévon Stephan and Ian Brown of the APHA and Caroline Robinson of SRUC.
Hugh Emlyn Davies
Authors: Stephenson Richard , Holland Stuart
Published: November 2021

An impeccably presented country gentleman, he was a skilled equine veterinary surgeon who combined excellent client service with a no‐nonsense approach and kept up to date with the latest developments.
Paul John Walden
Authors: Curtis Cathy
Published: November 2021

A caring, intelligent and dedicated veterinary surgeon whose career in mixed practice saw him treat thousands of animals and reassure their owners. He was a devoted, hands‐on and loving father.
Infection with SARS‐CoV‐2 variant B.1.1.7 detected in a group of dogs and cats with suspected myocarditis
Authors: Ferasin Luca , Fritz Matthieu , Ferasin Heidi , Becquart Pierre , Corbet Sandrine , Ar Gouilh Meriadeg , Legros Vincent , Leroy Eric M.
Published: November 2021

Background

Domestic pets can contract severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection; however, it is unknown whether the UK B.1.1.7 variant can more easily infect certain animal species or increase the possibility of human‐to‐animal transmission.

Methods

This is a descriptive case series reporting SARS‐CoV‐2 B.1.1.7 variant infections in a group of dogs and cats with suspected myocarditis.

Results

The study describes the infection of domestic cats and dogs by the B.1.1.7 variant. Two cats and one dog were positive to SARS‐CoV‐2 PCR on rectal swab, and two cats and one dog were found to have SARS‐CoV‐2 antibodies 2–6 weeks after they developed signs of cardiac disease. Many owners of these pets had developed respiratory symptoms 3–6 weeks before their pets became ill and had also tested positive for COVID‐19. Interestingly, all these pets were referred for acute onset of cardiac disease, including severe myocardial disorders of suspected inflammatory origin but without primary respiratory signs.

Conclusions

These findings demonstrate, for the first time, the ability for pets to be infected by the B.1.1.7 variant and question its possible pathogenicity in these animals.
Higher spin de Sitter quasinormal modes
Authors: Sun Zimo
Published: November 2021

Abstract

We construct higher spin quasinormal modes algebraically in D-dimensional de Sitter spacetime using the ambient space formalism. The quasinormal modes fall into two nonunitary lowest-weight representations of $$ \mathfrak{so} $$
so
(1, D). From a local QFT point of view, the lowest-weight quasinormal modes of massless higher spin fields are produced by gauge-invariant boundary conserved currents and boundary higher-spin Weyl tensors inserted at the southern pole of the past boundary. We also show that the quasinormal spectrum of a massless/massive spin-s field is precisely encoded in the Harish-Chandra character corresponding to the unitary massless/massive spin-s SO(1, D) representation.
Artificial intelligence is an oxymoron
Authors: Svensson Jakob
Published: November 2021

Departing from popular imaginations around artificial intelligence (AI), this article engages in the I in the AI acronym but from perspectives outside of mathematics, computer science and machine learning. When intelligence is attended to here, it most often refers to narrow calculating tasks. This connotation to calculation provides AI an image of scientificity and objectivity, particularly attractive in societies with a pervasive desire for numbers. However, as is increasingly apparent today, when employed in more general areas of our messy socio-cultural realities, AI- powered automated systems often fail or have unintended consequences. This article will contribute to this critique of AI by attending to Nicholas of Cusa and his treatment of intelligence. According to him, intelligence is equally dependent on an ability to handle the unknown as it unfolds in the present moment. This suggests that intelligence isorganicwhich ties Cusa to more contemporary discussions in tech philosophy, neurology, evolutionary biology, and cognitive sciences in which it is argued that intelligence is dependent on having—and acting through—an organic body. Understanding intelligence as organic thus suggests an oxymoronic relationship to artificial.
Fluorescence grid analysis for the evaluation of piecemeal surgery in sinonasal inverted papilloma: a proof-of-concept study
Authors: Vonk J , Voskuil FJ , de Wit JG , Heeman WT , Nagengast WB , van Dam GM , Feijen RA , Korsten-Meijer AGW , van der Vegt B , Witjes MJH
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Local recurrence occurs in ~ 19% of sinonasal inverted papilloma (SNIP) surgeries and is strongly associated with incomplete resection. During surgery, it is technically challenging to visualize and resect all SNIP tissue in this anatomically complex area. Proteins that are overexpressed in SNIP, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), may serve as a target for fluorescence molecular imaging to guide surgical removal of SNIP. A proof-of-concept study was performed to investigate if the VEGF-targeted near-infrared fluorescent tracer bevacizumab-800CW specifically localizes in SNIP and whether it could be used as a clinical tool to guide SNIP surgery.

Methods

In five patients diagnosed with SNIP, 10 mg of bevacizumab-800CW was intravenously administered 3 days prior to surgery. Fluorescence molecular imaging was performed in vivo during surgery and ex vivo during the processing of the surgical specimen. Fluorescence signals were correlated with final histopathology and VEGF-A immunohistochemistry. We introduced a fluorescence grid analysis to assess the fluorescence signal in individual tissue fragments, due to the nature of the surgical procedure (i.e., piecemeal resection) allowing the detection of small SNIP residues and location of the tracer ex vivo.

Results

In all patients, fluorescence signal was detected in vivo during endoscopic SNIP surgery. Using ex vivo fluorescence grid analysis, we were able to correlate bevacizumab-800CW fluorescence of individual tissue fragments with final histopathology. Fluorescence grid analysis showed substantial variability in mean fluorescence intensity (FImean), with SNIP tissue showing a median FImean of 77.54 (IQR 50.47–112.30) compared to 35.99 (IQR 21.48–57.81) in uninvolved tissue (p < 0.0001), although the diagnostic ability was limited with an area under the curve of 0.78.

Conclusions

A fluorescence grid analysis could serve as a valid method to evaluate fluorescence molecular imaging in piecemeal surgeries. As such, although substantial differences were observed in fluorescence intensities, VEGF-A may not be the ideal target for SNIP surgery.

Trial registration

NCT03925285.
„ReWaste4.0“ – Abfallwirtschaftliches Kompetenzzentrum am AVAW der Montanuniversität Leoben
Authors: Sarc Renato , Pomberger Roland
Published: November 2021

ReWaste4.0 ist ein innovatives und kooperatives K‑Projekt, welches im Zeitraum von 2017–2021 umgesetzt wurde. Mit ReWaste4.0 geschieht ein Wandel der Branche, welche nicht gefährliche gemischte Siedlungs- und Gewerbeabfälle behandelt, hin zu einer Kreislaufwirtschaft, realisiert durch die Erforschung und Anwendung der neuen Ansätze der Industrie 4.0. Die Vision von ReWaste4.0 ist unter anderem die (Weiter‑)Entwicklung von Abfallbehandlungsanlagen für nicht gefährliche Abfälle zu einer „Smart Waste Factory“, in der eine digitale Kommunikation und Vernetzung zwischen Materialqualität und Maschinen- sowie Anlagenleistung erreicht wird. Nach vier Jahren Forschung und Entwicklung wurden verschiedene Ergebnisse erzielt. Der vorliegende „Review“-Beitrag fasst die Ergebnisse (insbesondere aus peer-reviewten Papers) von insgesamt sieben Teilprojekten innerhalb des K‑Projekts zusammen. Erkenntnisse werden verknüpft und deren Relevanz und Bedeutung für die weitere Entwicklung des Abfallbehandlungssektors diskutiert. Die Ergebnisse werden in drei Bereiche eingeteilt: Schadstoffe in gemischten Abfällen und technische Möglichkeiten zu ihrer Reduktion und Entfernung; Sekundärrohstoffe und Energieträger in gemischten Abfällen und Digitalisierung der Abfallcharakterisierung und der Behandlungsprozesse für gemischte Abfälle. Die in ReWaste4.0 durchgeführte Forschung wird in ReWaste F fortgesetzt, um die Entwicklung hin zu einer partikel-, sensor- und datenbasierten Kreislaufwirtschaft im Zeitraum 2021 bis 2025 weiter voranzutreiben.
Queue hurdle Coxian phase-type model for two-stage process of population-based cancer screening
Authors: Jen Hsiao-Hsuan , Hsu Chen-Yang , Yen Amy Ming-Fang , Chiu Han-Mo , Chen Hsiu-Hsi
Published: November 2021

The quality assurance of two-stage population-based cancer screening program is determined by arrival rate (attending screening), positive rate (determined by the criteria of screening test), the compliance and the waiting time (WT) for confirmatory diagnosis in those screened as positive. These parameters were correlated between the process of screening procedures and the effectiveness of screening program. To capture such an inter-dependence of these parameters and quantify the effectiveness of program, we proposed a Queue hurdle Coxian phase-type (QH-CPH) model to estimate the arrival rate of screenees with the Poisson Queue process and the compliance rate of confirmatory diagnosis with the hurdle model, and also to identify the hidden states of WT that is affected by the capacity of health care and relevant covariates (such as demographic features and geographic areas) with the Coxian phase-type (CPH) process. We applied the proposed QH-CPH model to Taiwanese nationwide colorectal cancer screening program data for estimating the arrival rate and the probability of not complying with colonoscopy and classifying the compliers into two hidden states, short-waiting phase and long-waiting phase for colonoscopy. Significant covariates responsible for three processes were also identified by using the proportional hazards regression forms. A simulation study was further performed to assess the joint effect of these parameters on WT through a series of scenarios. The proposed QH-CPH model can provide an insight into the optimal and the practical design on population-based cancer screening for health policy-makers given the limited health care resources and capacity.
Stroke and death-findings from a 25-year follow-up of a cohort of employed Swedish middle-aged men of the Coeur study
Authors: Torenfält Isabelle , Dimberg Lennart
Published: November 2021

Aim

In 1993, a study of 1000 automotive workers in Sweden and France looked into national differences of cardiovascular disease. Here, we evaluate the proportion of the Swedish cohort that suffered a stroke or died over a 25-year period and associated risk factors.

Subject and methods

Data from 1993 included a life-style questionnaire, a health examination and laboratory data. Figures on stroke and survival status up until the end of 2018 were collected from national registers. Survival analysis was used for both univariable and multivariable analyses to study associations between potential risk factors and stroke and death, respectively.

Results

By the end of 2018, 65 individuals had suffered a stroke and 160 had died. In the univariable analysis, we found age, systolic blood pressure, Framingham risk index and diabetes at baseline to be significantly associated with stroke during follow-up.

For death, most of the traditional risk factors were significantly associated with the outcome, as was blue-collar work and living alone. In the multivariable analysis, age and diabetes at baseline remained significantly associated with stroke, whereas eight factors (age, blue-collar work, living alone, systolic blood pressure, waist–hip ratio, smoking habits, diabetes and hypertension at baseline) were significantly associated with death during follow-up.

Conclusion

Few of the traditional risk factors were significantly associated with stroke possibly explained by low power and/or different pathogenetic mechanism than for myocardial infarction.

Partly because death occurred more often, we did find a number of potential risk factors to be significantly associated with this outcome.
Dramaturgical Accounts of Transgender Individuals: Impression Management in the Presentation of Self to Specialist Gender Services
Authors: Lehmann Katrin , Rosato Michael , McKenna Hugh , Leavey Gerard
Published: November 2021

Demand for gender dysphoria (GD) treatment has increased markedly over the past decade. Access to gender-affirming treatments is challenging for most people. For dysphoric individuals, much is at stake. Little is known about the specific needs, challenges, and coping strategies of this hard-to-reach group. We examined the experiences of treatment-seeking adolescents and adults using in-depth unstructured interviews with 26 people attending specialist gender services and 14 transgender people not referred to services. Patients with gender dysphoria distrust clinical services and describe considerable anxiety in sustaining their impression management strategies to obtain treatment. An authentic presentation is regarded by some participants, especially non-binary individuals, as inauthentic and emotionally difficult to maintain. Impression management strategies have partial success in accessing services. The presentation of “idealized” selves may result in unmet mental health needs of patients, and the receipt of interventions incongruent with their authentic selves.
Autophagy induced by Schwann cell-derived exosomes promotes recovery after spinal cord injury in rats
Authors: Pan Dayu , Zhu Shibo , Zhang Weixin , Wei Zhijian , Yang Fuhan , Guo Zhenglong , Ning Guangzhi , Feng Shiqing
Published: November 2021

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is catastrophic to humans and society. However, there is currently no effective treatment for SCI. Autophagy is known to serve critical roles in both the physiological and pathological processes of the body, but its facilitatory and/or deleterious effects in SCI are yet to be completely elucidated. This study aimed to use primary Schwann cell-derived exosomes (SCDEs) to treat rats after SCI. In the present study, SCDEs were purified and their efficacy in ameliorating the components of SCI was examined. Using both in vivo and in vitro experiments, it was demonstrated that SCDEs increased autophagy and decreased apoptosis after SCI, which promoted axonal protection and the recovery of motor function. Furthermore, it was discovered that an increased number of SCDEs resulted in a decreased expression level of EGFR, which subsequently inhibited the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway, which upregulated the level of autophagy to ultimately induce microtubule acetylation and polymerization. Collectively, the present study identified that SCDEs could induce axonal protection after SCI by increasing autophagy and decreasing apoptosis, and it was suggested that this may involve the EGFR/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway.
Seasonal depth distribution and thermal experience of the non-indigenous round goby Neogobius melanostomus in the Baltic Sea: implications to key trophic relations
Authors: Behrens Jane W. , Ryberg Marie P. , Einberg Heli , Eschbaum Redik , Florin Ann-Britt , Grygiel Wlodzimierz , Herrmann Jens Peter , Huwer Bastian , Hüssy Karin , Knospina Elina , Nõomaa Kristiina , Oesterwind Daniel , Polte Patrick , Smoliński Szymon , Ustups Didzis , van Deurs Mikael , Ojaveer Henn
Published: November 2021

Native to the Ponto-Caspian region, the benthic round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) has invaded several European inland waterbodies as well as the North American Great Lakes and the Baltic Sea. The species is capable of reaching very high densities in the invaded ecosystems, with not only evidence for significant food-web effects on the native biota and habitats, but also negative implications to coastal fishers. Although generally considered a coastal species, it has been shown that round goby migrate to deeper areas of the Great Lakes and other inland lakes during the cold season. Such seasonal movements may create new spatio-temporal ecosystem consequences in invaded systems. To seek evidence for seasonal depth distribution in coastal marine habitats, we compiled all available catch data for round goby in the Baltic Sea since its invasion and until 2017. We furthermore related the depths at capture for each season with the ambient thermal environment. The round goby spend autumn and winter at significantly deeper and offshore areas compared to spring and summer months; few fish were captured at depths < 25 m in these colder months. Similarly, in spring and summer, round goby were not captured at depths > 25 m. The thermal conditions at which round goby were caught varied significantly between seasons, being on average 18.3 °C during summer, and dropping to a low 3.8 °C during winter months. Overall, the fish sought the depths within each season with the highest possible temperatures. The spatial distribution of the round goby substantially overlaps with that of its main and preferred prey (mussels) and with that of its competitor for food (flatfish), but only moderately with the coastal predatory fish (perch), indicating thereby very complex trophic interactions associated with this invasion. Further investigations should aim at quantifying the food web consequences and coupling effects between different habitats related to seasonal migrations of the round goby, both in terms of the species as a competitor, predator and prey.
Two Tungstates Containing Platinum Nanoparticles Prepared by Air-Calcining Keggin-Type Polyoxotungstate-Coordinated Diplatinum(II) Complexes: Effect on Sintering-Resistance and Photocatalysis
Authors: Kato Chika Nozaki , Kubota Toshiya , Aono Koki , Ozawa Naoto
Published: November 2021

Two tungstates containing platinum nanoparticles (Pt Npts) were obtained by air-calcining α-Keggin-type diplatinum(II)-coordinated polyoxotungstates, Cs3[α-PW11O39{cis-Pt(NH3)2}2]⋅8H2O (Cs-P-Pt) and Cs4[α-SiW11O39{cis-Pt(NH3)2}2]⋅11H2O (Cs-Si-Pt), at 700–900 °C for 5 h. The polyoxotungstateCs-P-Ptwas transformed to a mixture of Pt Npts and Cs3PW12O40upon calcination, while theCs-Si-Ptstructures were transformed to Pt Npts and Cs4W11O35. The Pt Npts generated by air-calciningCs-P-Ptat 700 °C for 5 h were uniform with an average particle size of 3.6 ± 1.1 nm, which was much smaller than that of the Pt Npts obtained by calciningCs-Si-Pt(19.9 ± 9.9 nm) under identical conditions. This demonstrated the significant inhibitory effect ofCs-P-Pton aggregation during high-temperature air-calcination at a high platinum content (10.6 wt.%) and in the absence of a support. During calcination at 700–900 °C,Cs-P-Ptexhibited higher activities thanCs-Si-Ptwith respect to hydrogen evolution from aqueous triethanolamine solutions under visible light irradiation in the presence of Eosin Y, α-Keggin-type mono-aluminum-substituted polyoxotungstate, and titanium dioxide. WhenCs-P-Ptwas calcined at 800 °C for 100 h, no decrease in activity was observed in comparison with that upon calcination for 5 h.

Graphical Abstract
Incidence rate and financial burden of medical errors and policy interventions to address them: a multi-method study protocol
Authors: Ahsani-Estahbanati Ehsan , Doshmangir Leila , Najafi Behzad , Akbari Sari Ali , Sergeevich Gordeev Vladimir
Published: November 2021

Medical error is one of the most critical challenges facing medical services. They pose a substantial threat to patient safety, and their costs draw attention from policymakers, health care planners and researchers. We aim to make a realistic estimation of medical error incidence and related costs and identify factors influencing this incidence in Iranian hospitals. In the first phase of this multi-method study, through two reviews of systematic reviews and a meta-analysis, we will estimate the incidence of medical errors and the strategies to reduce them. We will extract available data among 41 hospitals supervised by the East Azerbaijan University in the second phase. We will also develop a model and use a Delphi method to predict medical errors incidence and calibrate our model output using the Monte Carlo simulation. We will compare this estimation with the incidence rate based on meta-analysis results from the first phase. In the third phase, we will investigate the relationship between several factors potentially influencing medical error incidence. In the fourth phase, we will estimate costs associated with medical errors by conducting a patient records review and matching those with claims related to medical errors. In the fifth phase, we will present a policy brief related to strategies for medical errors and associated costs reduction in Iran. Our findings could benefit Iranian and policymakers in other countries to reduce medical errors and associated costs.
Development of High Temperature Multi-Layer Laser Flash Artefacts
Authors: Farooqui Ateeb , Morrell Roger , Wu Jiyu , Wright Louise , Hay Bruno , Pekris Michael , Whiting Mark J. , Saunders Theo
Published: November 2021

Delamination of the interlayers of multi-layer systems can cause a degradation in functionality, stability and life span of that system. This is even more pertinent for systems at high temperature. Laser flash analysis (LFA) has long been used for thermophysical properties measurements at high temperatures. Multi-layer reference artefacts, with and without, debonded regions are required for validating the thermal characterisation of such systems using LFA. Although some high-temperature bulk candidate reference materials were developed and studied, e.g. in the European Metrology Research Programme (EMRP) funded Joint Research Project (JRP) ENG08 Metrofission, they were not able to meet the requirements for validating thermal measurements of multi-layer systems using LFA. In the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR) funded JRP 17IND11 Hi-TRACE project, the National Physical Laboratory is developing multi-layer reference artefacts, including both fully bonded and partially de-bonded systems for validating thermal characterisation of multi-layer systems at temperatures from room temperature to above 1000 °C using LFA. This paper details the methodology of production, measurement and validation of isotropic graphite and hafnium based multi-layer systems with, and without, partial debonding. Reproducibility, thermal stability and sensitive parameters concerning the thermal response of the artefacts will be discussed, with recommendation on the usage criteria as LFA multi-layer reference artefacts.
Predictive landscapes hidden beneath biological cellular automata
Authors: Koopmans Lars , Youk Hyun
Published: November 2021

To celebrate Hans Frauenfelder’s achievements, we examine energy(-like) “landscapes” for complex living systems. Energy landscapes summarize all possible dynamics of some physical systems. Energy(-like) landscapes can explain some biomolecular processes, including gene expression and, as Frauenfelder showed, protein folding. But energy-like landscapes and existing frameworks like statistical mechanics seem impractical for describing many living systems. Difficulties stem from living systems being high dimensional, nonlinear, and governed by many, tightly coupled constituents that are noisy. The predominant modeling approach is devising differential equations that are tailored to each living system. This ad hoc approach faces the notorious “parameter problem”: models have numerous nonlinear, mathematical functions with unknown parameter values, even for describing just a few intracellular processes. One cannot measure many intracellular parameters or can only measure them as snapshots in time. Another modeling approach uses cellular automata to represent living systems as discrete dynamical systems with binary variables. Quantitative (Hamiltonian-based) rules can dictate cellular automata (e.g., Cellular Potts Model). But numerous biological features, in current practice, are qualitatively described rather than quantitatively (e.g., gene is (highly) expressed or not (highly) expressed). Cellular automata governed by verbal rules are useful representations for living systems and can mitigate the parameter problem. However, they can yield complex dynamics that are difficult to understand because the automata-governing rules are not quantitative and much of the existing mathematical tools and theorems apply to continuous but not discrete dynamical systems. Recent studies found ways to overcome this challenge. These studies either discovered or suggest an existence of predictive “landscapes” whose shapes are described by Lyapunov functions and yield “equations of motion” for a “pseudo-particle.” The pseudo-particle represents the entire cellular lattice and moves on the landscape, thereby giving a low-dimensional representation of the cellular automata dynamics. We outline this promising modeling strategy.
Can Weight Watchers (WW) Help Address Maternal Obesity? An Audit of Weight Change in Women of Childbearing Age and Mothers-To-Be, Referred into a Commercial Slimming Programme
Authors: Tocque Karen , Kennedy Lynne
Published: November 2021

Objectives

The scale of overweight and obesity amongst women of childbearing age or mothers to be, living in Wales, places a considerable burden on the NHS and public health. High BMI (over 30) during pregnancy increases the health risks for mother and baby. Policy advice recommends weight management services are available to help women lose weight before and whilst planning pregnancy. In parts of Wales, NHS partnerships with commercial companies provide weight management services for women considering or planning pregnancy. This study evaluates whether an established referral Weight Watchers (WW) programme, known to be effective in adults in England, can help mothers-to-be living in North Wales lose weight.

Methods

Analysis used routine data from 82 referrals to WW between June 2013 and January 2015. Participants received a referral letter inviting them to attend face-to-face group workshops combined with a digital experience. The programme encompassed healthy eating, physical activity and positive mind-set. Trained WW staff measured bodyweight before, during and at 12 weeks. On entry to the course, participants had a median age of 31.4 years (interquartile range (IQR) 28–34) with a median BMI of 36.8 kg/m2 (IQR 33.3–43.7).

Results

Women completing the course (n = 34) had a median weight loss of 5.65 kg (IQR 0.45–10.85), equating to 5.7% (SD 3.46) of initial body weight. Intention-to-treat analysis (last observation carried forward), which included lapsed courses n = 66, showed a median weight loss of 3.6 kg (IQR − 2.53 to 9.73), equating to 3.7% (SD 3.62) of initial body weight. Overall, there was significant weight loss during the WW programme (Wilcoxon signed rank test Z = − 6.16; p < 0.001). Weight loss was significantly correlated with the number of workshops attended (Spearman correlation coefficient 0.61 p < 0.001). The proportion of all 82 participants (intention to treat, baseline observation carried forward) that achieved a weight loss of ≥ 5% initial weight was 30.5%.

Conclusions for Practice

Referral of obese mothers-to-be into WW can successfully achieve short-term weight loss, at or above 5%, in approximately one third of participants. The dose–response effect supports a causal inference. Successful weight loss at this critical life stage may provide women with the necessary motivation to initiate weight loss for healthy pregnancy, however further research is required.
Corporate social responsibility and stakeholder dialogue under institutional voids: decoupling the role of corporate motives, ethics, and resources
Authors: Ferri Laura Maria , Pedrini Matteo , Minciullo Marco
Published: November 2021

The present study aims at further understanding the relationships between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and Stakeholder Dialogue (SD) by exploring whether and how corporate motives for CSR affect the engagement into SD under institutional voids. The study also builds on the vast existing literature discussing the role of institutional mechanisms, analyzing how local ethics influence the vision of stakeholders, and on the resource-based view, highlighting how the availability of resources shapes CSR and SD. The paper discusses the results of a study we ran in Mozambique and which involved 235 domestic and foreign firms operating in the country. Mozambique is an interesting setting to analyze CSR as it is characterized by institutional voids, it has a vibrant economic environment, and it is influenced by Ubuntu ethics. Our findings confirm that under institutional voids corporate motives for CSR influence firms’ commitment to SD, especially with regards to profitability, whereas firm driven by legitimacy reasons resulted in being less involved in activities towards stakeholders. Contrary to previous studies, the study highlights that ethics do not affect SD. Differently, the study support literature on the role of resources in influencing the behaviour of companies towards CSR and SD.