bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical investigation on air-cooling enhancement of a motor cycle engine by varying fins geometry
Authors: Sahoo Bibhuti B , Nayak Chandrakanta , Shrivastava Mukul
Published: May 2021

Two-wheeler vehicles are equipped with an air-cooled cooling system. Internal combustion engines generate heat to obtain mechanical energy but non-convertible heat energy is dissipated from engine heat and walls. Air-cooled fins provide extra material with an extended surface area to enhance heat transfer rate. The performance of fins can be increased by changing different parameters like material, geometry, number of fins etc. Present work combines the changes in the fin geometry, shape, and pitch to maximize the heat transfer rate as compared to earlier available works. Modelling of 100 cc engine with cooling fins is recreated using CAD software SOLIDWORKS. A heat thermal analysis of original and modified models was done with Mechanical ANSYS and Fluent. In the thermal analysis, temperature variation along the length of the fins was analyzed. The modified model was able to achieve an 8.5 % increase in heat transfer rate with air-motion as compared to the existing original 100 cc engine cylinder.
Effect of fiber orientation on the tensile and flexural properties of vetiverfiber reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: Natarajan Senthilnathan , Thamba Narendiranath Babu , Nandi Sukalpan , Kavitha K.V.N , Ayyagari Srinath
Published: May 2021

Natural fibre composites find application in some areas of aerospace, automotive, marine, electrical and sports equipments. They replace traditional materials due to the advantage of bio-degradability and environmental durability. However, better understanding of the composite behavior is required to ascertain its durability in the field of applications. In this work, vetiver fibre composites are prepared and tested for tensile and flexural strength. Vetiver fibers of length 15-16cm were used as reinforcements and epoxy resin with hardener is used as the matrix. Three types of composites were prepared using three different arrangements of the Vetiver fibers. The orientation of the fibres include longitudinal, transverse and a third arrangement combining both the directions. The flexural and tensile tests of these three types of composites are carried out and the results are compared with each other and useful conclusions were drawn from them.
A review on Graphene Reinforced Composites for Ballistic applications
Authors: Kuclourya Tanay , Mudliar Shubham , Jain Mohit Kumar , Thamba Narendiranath Babu
Published: May 2021

The review paper emphasizes mainly on the hybridization of coir fiber and spider silk with carbon fiber and different percentage compositions of graphene, with an ultimate aim as to how the strength of these hybridized composites can contribute in the fields of material and manufacturing engineering. Firstly, there is an analysis of different properties of coir, carbon fibers, graphene and spider silk. Secondly, there is an analysis of the ballistic test performed on the specimens. In this review, some very basic yet important information is collected and discussed which will help the future researchers in the preparation of hybrid composites involving graphene. Being a natural fiber, the bristle coir fibers are pre-treated with alkali (NaOH) and then acidic treatment is done to remove the excess alkali. After the fibers become neutral, permanganate treatment is done. In case of spider silk, no pre-treatment is done. These fibers are reinforced with epoxy and different weight percentage of graphene (1wt%, 2wt%, 4wt%, 6wt %). Carbon fibre is incorporated in between using conventional hand layup technique. The epoxy and graphene mixture is sonicated to make sure that a uniform and good mixture is obtained. The review facilitates to perform ballistic test on the samples as the results from this test can substantiate to deliver a vital improvement in the field of material selection for body armors.
Performance Enhancement of Rotary Desiccant Wheel using Novel Homogenous Composite Desiccant Designs
Authors: Muthu Selvaraji , Sekarapandian N , Ashok K
Published: May 2021

Rotary solid desiccant wheels are used as sensible and latent heat recovery wheels in the Desiccant-HVAC systems. The two major types of these wheels include enthalpy (total energy recovery) wheels which remove sensible heat and latent heat from process air and transfer them to regeneration air, and dehumidification wheels which transfer a significant amount of moisture (latent heat) at the same time minimizes heat transfer. In this work a set of novel design of hybrid rotary desiccant wheel constructed using a composite homogeneous mixture of solid desiccants (multiple types of silica gel and molecular sieves) are proposed. The transport phenomena taking place in the proposed set of novel design of hybrid rotary desiccant wheel are simulated numerically using an in house finite volume method based CFD code. The performances of these wheels are compared with conventional type of wheels made of molecular sieves and silica gel, respectively. The results show that the performance of these hybrid wheels are enhanced by up to 40 % by using these novel composite wheel designs.
Industry 4.0 transformation initiatives in a small scale mill board unit through sustainable manufacturing: A case study
Authors: Vezhavendhan R , Kumar S Senthil , Jayakrishna K , Aravindraj S
Published: May 2021

Small scale mill board manufacturing industries are shutting down shop at an enormous pace. Observation shows that three out of five such units close down operations within three years of its inception due to their inability to sustain in the market. These units have not been able to utilize resources effectively and have not been able to run profitably too. Further, they have been struggling to meet the norms stipulated by the state pollution control board. This article is a review of various problems identified in a mill board unit and the measures taken that made the unit self-reliant and transform into an Industry 4.0 enterprise through sustainable smart manufacturing concepts. This case study describes measures adopted to revive a struggling mill board unit and its success in terms of economic profitability and issues in incorporating Industry 4.0 concepts..
Design and topology optimization of a rack and pinion steering system using structural and vibrational analysis
Authors: Babu T. Narendiranath , Rajkumar E , Joshi Tanmay , Patil Vedant , Mukaddam Wasif
Published: May 2021

The rack and pinion steering system, in automobiles, is the most commonly used steering system. Being directly connected to the suspension system in most vehicles, it is a critical component. The main intent of this research is to design a rack and pinion steering system for an All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and to reduce its weight by topology optimization. The design calculations are performed using AGMA bending, and contact stress equation and modelling is done using SolidWorks. ANSYS is used for structural analysis and the stress and deformation distribution is visualized. Vibrational analysis from ANSYS is utilized to obtain the natural frequencies, which are compared with the operating frequencies of the system. Topology optimization is conducted from this analysis to obtain an optimal and lightweight design.
Influence of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes in the Structural Performance of the Curved Composite Beam
Authors: Mageshwaran S , Rajeshkumar S , Manoharan R
Published: May 2021

In this paper, Experimental investigation on the free vibration response bheavior of multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) reinforced curved composite beams have been accomplished to evaluate the structural integrity. To obtain the uniform distribution of MWCNTs in the matrix (epoxy), the ultra-sonication technique is carried out and the curved composite beams are fabricated with the incorporation of MWCNT with the curvature radius of 0.8 m then the free vibration analysis is performed at different boundary conditions. The structural performances of the curved composite beams are explored in the relation of modal natural frequencies and damping ratio. The effective structural integrity and vibration responses are achieved with respect to the enhancement of MWCNT in the curved composite structure.
Effects of pulsing current and filler materials on the mechanical and metallurgical properties of DSS 2205 weldments
Authors: Sathishkumar M , Nagpal Sawan , Gupta Harshit , Bhargava Sanjalp , Reddy S A Nithin Joseph , Kumar K Gokul , Manikandan M , Arivazhagan N
Published: May 2021

The control of balance in austenite to ferrite ratio of duplex stainless steel (2205) during welding is critical due to not choosing the optimum heat input and cooling rate and welding processes, which leads to the development of embrittlement of intermetallic precipitates in the weldment. Further, the imbalance of austenite to ferrite ratio primes the stress corrosion cracking (ferrite < 25 %), low impact toughness and corrosion resistance (ferrite > 75 %). The pulse current gas tungsten arc (PCGTA) welding has utilized to weld the DSS 2205 using ERNiCrMo-3 and ERNiCrMo-4 fillers for better control of austenite to ferrite ratio. The tensile strength of Mo-3 weldment is 4.06 % higher than Mo-4. Besides, the Mo-3 weldment also provided the enhanced impact toughness and microhardness compared to Mo-4. The macrographs show similar weld bead width. The microstructure of both fillers Mo-3 & Mo-4 confirmed columnar structure at the weld interface and the finer equiaxed structure at weld center. The scanning electron microscope along with energy dispersive spectroscopy assured the absence of Cr2N, Chi and sigma phases. The PCGTA of DSS 2205 with Mo-3 is giving the improved properties with respect to Mo-4.
Linking physical objects to their digital twins via fiducial markers designed for invisibility to humans
Authors: Schwartz Mathew , Geng Yong , Agha Hakam , Kizhakidathazhath Rijeesh , Liu Danqing , Lenzini Gabriele , Lagerwall Jan P F
Published: May 2021

The ability to label and track physical objects that are assets in digital representations of the world is foundational to many complex systems. Simple, yet powerful methods such as bar- and QR-codes have been highly successful, e.g. in the retail space, but the lack of security, limited information content and impossibility of seamless integration with the environment have prevented a large-scale linking of physical objects to their digital twins. This paper proposes to link digital assets created through building information modeling (BIM) with their physical counterparts using fiducial markers with patterns defined by cholesteric spherical reflectors (CSRs), selective retroreflectors produced using liquid crystal self-assembly. The markers leverage the ability of CSRs to encode information that is easily detected and read with computer vision while remaining practically invisible to the human eye. We analyze the potential of a CSR-based infrastructure from the perspective of BIM, critically reviewing the outstanding challenges in applying this new class of functional materials, and we discuss extended opportunities arising in assisting autonomous mobile robots to reliably navigate human-populated environments, as well as in augmented reality.
Is the SMART risk prediction model ready for real-world implementation? A validation study in a routine care setting of approximately 380 000 individuals
Authors: McKay Ailsa J , Gunn Laura H , Ference Brian A , Dorresteijn Jannick A N , Berkelmans Gijs F N , Visseren Frank L J , Ray Kausik K
Published: May 2021

Aims

Reliably quantifying event rates in secondary prevention could aid clinical decision-making, including quantifying potential risk reductions of novel, and sometimes expensive, add-on therapies. We aimed to assess whether the SMART risk prediction model performs well in a real-world setting.

Methods and results

We conducted a historical open cohort study using UK primary care data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (2000–2017) diagnosed with coronary, cerebrovascular, peripheral, and/or aortic atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Analyses were undertaken separately for cohorts with established (≥6 months) vs. newly diagnosed ASCVD. The outcome was first post-cohort entry occurrence of myocardial infarction, stroke, or cardiovascular death. Among the cohort with established ASCVD [n = 244 578, 62.1% male, median age 67.3 years, interquartile range (IQR) 59.2–74.0], the calibration and discrimination achieved by the SMART model was not dissimilar to performance at internal validation [Harrell’s c-statistic = 0.639, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.636–0.642, compared with 0.675, 0.642–0.708]. Decision curve analysis indicated that the model outperformed treat all and treat none strategies in the clinically relevant 20–60% predicted risk range. Consistent findings were observed in sensitivity analyses, including complete case analysis (n = 182 482; c = 0.624, 95% CI 0.620–0.627). Among the cohort with newly diagnosed ASCVD (n = 136 445; 61.0% male; median age 66.0 years, IQR 57.7–73.2), model performance was weaker with more exaggerated risk under-prediction and a c-statistic of 0.559, 95% CI 0.556–0.562.

Conclusions

The performance of the SMART model in this validation cohort demonstrates its potential utility in routine healthcare settings in guiding both population and individual-level decision-making for secondary prevention patients.
Endoscopic treatment of iliopsoas impingement after total hip arthroplasty: a minimum 2-year follow-up and comparison of tenotomy performed at the acetabular rim versus lesser trochanter
Authors: Valenzuela Joaquin , O’Donnell John M
Published: May 2021

Iliopsoas impingement is an underdiagnosed cause of groin pain after total hip arthroplasty (THA), being responsible for 4.4% of cases. Non-surgical treatment may be effective in ∼50% of cases. Endoscopic surgery has gained popularity as an option for non-responsive patients because of its non-invasive characteristics, faster recovery and encouraging results. This study compares two different sites of endoscopic psoas tenotomy performed following THA: at the edge of the acetabulum (AR) versus at the lesser trochanter (LT). This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from a single-surgeon case series. Thirty-five iliopsoas tenotomy cases which had >24-month follow-up were identified. There were 21 tenotomies at the lesser trochanter. Demographic data, preop and postop pain, mHHS and NAHS scores, strength and patient satisfaction data were collected and analysed. Average age at the time of surgery was 62. Mean follow-up for the LT group was 49.11 months and 42.42 months for the AR group. Pain decreased significantly for both groups (P < 0.001). Both mHHS and NAHS showed superiority in the LT group, but this difference did not reach significance (P = 0.06). LT patients showed better strength with 71.42% of them having normal strength at latest follow-up, compared with 41.6% in the AR group. There were no complications in either group. Endoscopic tenotomy is a safe and reliable surgical option, giving significant pain relief and good functional outcomes. Tenotomy at the level of the lesser trochanter might be preferable since it shows better outcomes. Larger studies are necessary to achieve statistically significant results.
Evolutionary trade-offs between male secondary sexual traits revealed by a phylogeny of the hyperdiverse tribe Eumaeini (Lepidoptera: Lycaenidae)
Authors: Valencia-Montoya Wendy A. , Quental Tiago B. , Tonini João Filipe R. , Talavera Gerard , Crall James D. , Lamas Gerardo , Busby Robert C. , Carvalho Ana Paula S. , Morais Ana B. , Oliveira Mega Nicolás , Romanowski Helena Piccoli , Liénard Marjorie A. , Salzman Shayla , Whitaker Melissa R. L. , Kawahara Akito Y. , Lohman David J. , Robbins Robert K. , Pierce Naomi E.
Published: May 2021

Male butterflies in the hyperdiverse tribe Eumaeini possess an unusually complex and diverse repertoire of secondary sexual characteristics involved in pheromone production and dissemination. Maintaining multiple sexually selected traits is likely to be metabolically costly, potentially resulting in trade-offs in the evolution of male signals. However, a phylogenetic framework to test hypotheses regarding the evolution and maintenance of male sexual traits in Eumaeini has been lacking. Here, we infer a comprehensive, time-calibrated phylogeny from 379 loci for 187 species representing 91% of the 87 described genera. Eumaeini is a monophyletic group that originated in the late Oligocene and underwent rapid radiation in the Neotropics. We examined specimens of 818 of the 1096 described species (75%) and found that secondary sexual traits are present in males of 91% of the surveyed species. Scent pads and scent patches on the wings and brush organs associated with the genitalia were probably present in the common ancestor of Eumaeini and are widespread throughout the tribe. Brush organs and scent pads are negatively correlated across the phylogeny, exhibiting a trade-off in which lineages with brush organs are unlikely to regain scent pads andvice versa. In contrast, scent patches seem to facilitate the evolution of scent pads, although they are readily lost once scent pads have evolved. Our results illustrate the complex interplay between natural and sexual selection in the origin and maintenance of multiple male secondary sexual characteristics and highlight the potential role of sexual selection spurring diversification in this lineage.
A proximal–distal difference in bat wing muscle thermal sensitivity parallels a difference in operating temperatures along the wing
Authors: Rummel Andrea D. , Swartz Sharon M. , Marsh Richard L.
Published: May 2021

Flight is a demanding form of locomotion, requiring fast activation and relaxation in wing muscles to produce the necessary wingbeat frequencies. Bats maintain high body temperatures during flight, but their wing muscles cool under typical environmental conditions. Because distal wing muscles are colder during flight than proximal muscles, we hypothesized that they would be less temperature sensitive to compensate for temperature effects, resulting in proximal–distal differences in temperature sensitivity that match differences in muscle operating temperature. We measured contractile rates across temperatures in the proximal pectoralis muscle and an interosseous in the handwing ofCarollia perspicillata, a small neotropical fruit bat, and compared their thermal dependence with that of a forearm muscle measured in a previous study. We found that the contractile properties of the pectoralis were significantly more temperature sensitive than those of the distal muscles. This suggests that cooling of the distal wing muscles imposes a selective pressure on muscle contractile function which has led to shifts in temperature sensitivity. This study is the first to demonstrate differences in temperature sensitivity along the length of a single limb in an endotherm and suggests that temperature variation may be underappreciated as a determinant of locomotor performance in endotherms generally.
Predator-specific responses and emergent multi-predator effects on oviposition site choice in grey treefrogs,Hyla chrysoscelis
Authors: Resetarits William J. , Bohenek Jason R. , Pintar Matthew R.
Published: May 2021

Predators affect prey through both consumptive and non-consumptive effects (NCEs), and prey typically face threats from multiple simultaneous predators. While different predators have a variety of NCEs on prey, little is known regarding effects of simultaneous multiple predators on demographic habitat selection. Demographic habitat selection is unique among NCEs, especially in discrete habitat patches; decisions directly affect both distribution and abundance of species across habitat patches, rather than simply abundance and performance within patches. Our goal was to determine strength of avoidance responses to multiple species/species combinations of predatory fish, and responses to predator richness. We assessed responses of ovipositing grey treefrogs (Hyla chrysoscelis) to three predatory fish species and substitutive combination of species. In single-species treatments, treefrogs avoided only one species,Notemigonus crysoleucas. All two-species combinations, and the three-species combination, were avoided, including theFundulus chrysotus×Noturus phaeuscombination, of which neither were avoided alone. This suggests emergent properties of multiple predators, with potential interactive effects among cues themselves or in the perception of cues by treefrogs. Our results indicate effects of multiple predators are not predictable based on individual effects, and illustrate the importance and complexity of effects of demographic habitat selection on distribution and abundance.
Stationäre Dermatologie: Wohin geht die Reise? Eine landesweite bevölkerungsbasierte Studie in Spanien von 2006 bis 2016
Authors: Cuenca‐Barrales Carlos , de Vega‐Martínez Marina , Descalzo‐Gallego Miguel Ángel , García‐Doval Ignacio
Published: May 2021

Hintergrund und Ziele

Informationen über Krankenhausaufnahmen wegen Hautkrankheiten beschränken sich auf Studien, die Aufnahmen in einzelnen Zentren, auf bestimmten Stationen oder nur für einige wenige Diagnosen erfassen. Aussagen zu Behandlungsergebnissen in unterschiedlichen Abteilungen fehlen. Ziel dieser Untersuchung ist es, Krankenhausaufnahmen wegen dermatologischer Krankheiten zu beschreiben.

Patienten und Methodik

Querschnittsstudie über Krankenhausentlassungen in spanischen Krankenhäusern. Es wurde angenommen, dass die Entlassungsdiagnosen mit den Aufnahmediagnosen identisch sind.

Ergebnisse

519 440 Entlassungen (1,1 % der gesamten Entlassungen) wurden identifiziert. Die meisten Aufnahmen (60,1 %) erfolgten aus Notaufnahmen. Lediglich 7 % der Fälle wurden auf dermatologischen Stationen aufgenommen. Die häufigste Fallgruppe war Phlegmone und akute Lymphangitis. Das mediane Alter lag bei 57 Jahren und Männer waren häufiger betroffen. Die mediane Dauer des Krankenhausaufenthalts betrug vier Tage; 40 823 (7,9 %) Fälle erforderten eine Wiederaufnahme und 13 558 Patienten (2,6 %) verstarben im Krankenhaus. Nach Adjustierung (nach Alter, Geschlecht und Diagnosegruppe) war die Odds Ratio (OR) auf nichtdermatologischen Stationen für die Wiederaufnahme 1,49‐mal höher (95 %‐Konfidenzintervall [KI]: 1,42–1,57) und die Krankenhausverweildauer 0,22 Tage länger (95 %‐KI: 0,15–0,29), (p < 0,0001). Zwischen 2006 und 2016 gingen die Aufnahmen in den dermatologischen Abteilungen um 38 % zurück, während sie in den nichtdermatologischen Abteilungen um 8 % anstiegen.

Schlussfolgerungen

Eine nicht zu vernachlässigende Anzahl von Patienten benötigt eine stationäre dermatologische Versorgung. Diese wird hauptsächlich von Nicht‐Dermatologen erbracht. Einige unserer Resultate deuten auf eine insgesamt bessere Versorgung durch Dermatologen hin.
Strukturierte diagnostische Abklärung eines Handekzems bei Reinigungsfachkräften
Authors: Jamiolkowski Dagmar , Steveling‐Klein Esther , Thomas Zita‐Rose Manjaly , Bircher Andreas , Hofmeier Kathrin Scherer , Hartmann Karin
Published: May 2021

Handekzeme sind ein häufiges Problem in der Berufsgruppe der Reinigungsfachkräfte. Ursächlich dafür ist meistens eine Kombination aus Feuchtarbeit und Kontakt mit Irritanzien, die in einer irritativ‐toxischen Kontaktdermatitis resultieren kann. Sekundär oder auch primär treten allergische Kontaktekzeme auf. Dieser Mini‐Review stellt einen zweistufigen Abklärungsalgorithmus unter Anwendung des Epikutantests vor, der bei Verdacht auf ein allergisches Kontaktekzem bei Reinigungsfachkräften empfohlen wird. Dieser sieht im ersten Schritt eine Testung der DKG‐Standardreihe (Deutsche Kontaktallergie‐Gruppe, DKG), der DKG‐Gummireihe, der beiden erweiterten DKG‐Duftstoffreihen und der DKG‐Konservierungs‐ sowie Desinfektionsmittelreihe vor. Bei deutlichen Hinweisen auf einen berufsspezifischen Auslöser kann zudem schon hier eine Eigensubstanz‐Testung erwogen werden. Findet sich mittels standardisierter Testreihen kein auslösendes Allergen, raten wir (spätestens) im zweiten Schritt bei begründetem Verdacht zur Testung von eigenen Substanzen. Im zweiten Schritt können zudem positive Indikator‐Mixe aus dem ersten Schritt aufgeschlüsselt werden.
Anxiety in language teachers: Exploring the variety of perceptions with Q methodology
Authors: Fraschini Nicola , Park Hyunjin
Published: May 2021

The negative effects of anxiety on teachers' lives, classroom practice, and student learning have highlighted the importance of this emotion for the language teaching field. An understanding of anxiety in language teaching offers a means to explore how language teachers interact with their professional environment, also yielding important implications for teacher well‐being. This paper uses Q methodology to investigate Korean as a second language teachers' shared experiences related to anxiety in the language teaching profession, foregrounding different ways that language teachers interact with their professional environment, and exploring holistically participants' subjectivities. Results identified the presence of three major perspectives, representing types of teachers' individual responses to the interaction between their personal and professional goals and their working context—(1) work/life balance, (2) job performance and evaluation, (3) job security. Implications of the results are discussed in relation to research on classroom emotions and language institution practices.
Pectin recovery from apple pomace: physico‐chemical and functional variation based on methyl‐esterification
Authors: Naqash Farah , Masoodi F. A. , Gani Adil , Nazir Sadaf , Jhan Faiza
Published: May 2021

This study explored the valorisation of apple pomace by extracting pectin with both high and low degrees of esterification (DM). Two types of pectin were extracted with a DM of 43.29% being low methoxyl (LM) pectic polysaccharide and high methoxyl (HM) pectin with a DM of 65.88%. HM pectin was characterised by a WHC and OHC of 1.3 g g−1 and 0.4 g g−1, respectively, compared to 0.32 g g−1 and 0.14 g g−1, respectively, for LM pectic polysaccharide. HM pectin possessed greater purity indicated by 69.18% GalA, whereas LM pectic polysaccharide possessed 41.26% GalA. HM pectin revealed better functionality in terms of high emulsifying activity which was concentration‐dependent, and emulsion stability than LM pectic polysaccharide. The solubility of HM pectin was 90.8%, which is preferable for various industrial applications. LM pectic polysaccharide was characterised by a higher % radical‐scavenging activity in a concentration‐dependent manner. XRD analysis revealed LM pectic polysaccharide to possess higher crystallinity (53%) and SEM analysis revealed its surface to be rough and coarse.
Preparation and evaluation of protein‐based fat substitute on the stuffing properties of Chinese Dumpling
Authors: Cheng Tingting , Dong Fangxiang , Xiao Liqing , Hou Tao
Published: May 2021

In the present study, a fat substitute with the protein complex of soy protein isolate (SPI) and egg white protein (EWP) was prepared. The suitable gel formation temperature was 95 °C; the gel formation temperature was found to increase with pH. The gel system with the lowest hardness and easiest microparticulation was identified at the optimal concentration of the protein blend (9.09%). Taking the water holding capacity (WHC), texture and rheological properties into account, the optimal proportion of SPI and EWP was 1:1 (w/w). The average size of the protein particles was 4.53 μm under the microparticulation condition of 10 000 rad min−1 for 3 min. The application of the microparticulate protein blend as a fat analogue in dumpling stuffing was studied and evaluated by sensory analysis, texture analysis, and chroma analysis. The best substitution ratio of the fat analogue was 5%. The fat substitute prepared in this study could be a candidate for healthy food.
Impacts of temperature on immune performance in a desert anuran (Anaxyrus punctatus)
Authors: Bakewell L. , Kelehear C. , Graham S.P.
Published: May 2021

Desert species, especially ectotherms, experience temperature‐related challenges throughout their lives. Temperature affects many aspects of ectotherm physiology, including immune function. The goal of this study was to investigate how temperature affects the immune system of a common desert toad,Anaxyrus punctatus. We used three well‐known eco‐immunological techniques (bacterial lysis, hemagglutination and phytohaemagglutinin assays) to measure aspects of immune performance across temperature. Field and preferred temperatures were used to determine the temperatures utilized in the immunological assays. We found that temperature affects bactericidal and hemagglutination capacity in this species, but not inflammatory response. We also found that bactericidal and hemagglutination capacity are optimal at extremely high temperatures compared to the preferred temperature of this species or extremely low temperatures. These results have implications for disease management in desert amphibians as well as the vulnerability of this species to emerging infectious diseases.
Higher cerebral small vessel disease burden is associated with smaller hematoma volume in mixed‐location intracerebral hemorrhage
Authors: Xu Mangmang , Cheng Yajun , Zhang Shihong , Zhang Shuting , Song Quhong , Zheng Lukai , Liu Meng , Liu Ming
Published: May 2021

Objective

To study the relationship between cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) and hematoma volume in mixed‐location intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), and non‐mixed ICH (hypertensive arteriopathy/cerebral amyloid angiopathy‐related ICH).

Methods

We consecutively collected patients with primary ICH with MRI. Mixed‐location ICH was defined as having ICH or cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) in both lobar and deep regions. CSVD markers including lacunes, white matter hyperintensities (WMH), CMBs, and enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS) were assessed on brain MRI during hospitalization. Multivariable binary logistic regression (≥30 ml vs. <30 ml) and linear regression analyses (log‐transformed hematoma volume as dependent variable) were implemented to explore the association between CSVD and hematoma volume.

Results

Of the 167 included patients, 69 (41.3%) had mixed‐location ICH, with higher prevalence of lacune, more CMB count, higher WMH score and total CSVD score than those with non‐mixed ICH (all p < .001). Higher WMH score was associated with lower risk of hematoma volume ≥30 ml (adjusted OR 0.521, 95% CI 0.299–0.908, p = .021) in patients with mixed‐location ICH. Also, multivariable linear regression showed the association of smaller hematoma volume with higher CSVD burden, especially in mixed‐location ICH (β = −0.349, p = .019 for CMB ≥ 5; β = −0.183, p < .001 for WMH score; β = −0.456, p = .002 for EPVS>20 in basal ganglia and/or centrum semiovale; β = −0.256, p = .002 for CSVD score), while these relationships were not observed in non‐mixed ICH.

Conclusions

Higher CSVD burden is associated with smaller hematoma volume in mixed‐location ICH, but not in non‐mixed ICH, which is novel and needs further studies with larger sample size to confirm our results and explore the underlying mechanisms.
High-entropy materials for catalysis: A new frontier
Authors: Sun Yifan , Dai Sheng
Published: May 2021

High-entropy materials with compositional and structural complexities introduce a transformative opportunity for catalysis.
Co-designing hardware and control for robot hands
Authors: Chen Tianjian , He Zhanpeng , Ciocarlie Matei
Published: May 2021

Policy gradient methods can be used for mechanical and computational co-design of robot manipulators.
Microbiome Analysis Reveals Diversity and Function of
Mollicutes
Associated with the Eastern Oyster,
Crassostrea virginica
Authors: Pimentel Zachary T. , Dufault-Thompson Keith , Russo Kayla T. , Scro Abigail K. , Smolowitz Roxanna M. , Gomez-Chiarri Marta , Zhang Ying
Published: May 2021

Despite their biological and ecological significance, a mechanistic characterization of microbiome function is frequently missing from many nonmodel marine invertebrates. As an initial step toward filling this gap for the eastern oyster,
Crassostrea virginica
, this study provides an integrated taxonomic and functional analysis of the oyster microbiome using samples from a coastal salt pond in August 2017.
Diagnosis and outpatient management of Gitelman syndrome from the first trimester of pregnancy
Authors: Lim Marie , Gannon David
Published: May 2021

A 32-year-old woman presented with an incidental finding of hypokalaemia on routine bloods at 9 weeks of a second pregnancy, on a background of lifelong salt craving. Her previous pregnancy was uncomplicated. She had no previous significant medical or family history. Venous blood gases showed a hypokalaemic, normochloraemic metabolic alkalosis. Urinary potassium was elevated. Escalating doses of oral supplementation of potassium, magnesium, sodium and potassium-sparing diuretics were required through the course of pregnancy, in response to regular electrolyte monitoring. These were later weaned and completely stopped post partum. Delivery was uneventful with no maternal or neonatal complications. Genetic testing performed post partum showed heterogenous mutation of SCL12A3 gene.
Orbital metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma revealed by sudden exophthalmos
Authors: Baldovin Maria , Saratziotis Athanasios , Zanotti Claudia , Emanuelli Enzo
Published: May 2021

Orbital metastases represent a rare condition and only 33 cases of metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), usually revealed by slowly progressive exophthalmos, have been described in the literature. A 62-year-old man affected by HCC reported a sudden left exophthalmos and amaurosis. A cranial CT scan revealed pathological tissue occupying the superior portion of the orbit. During endoscopic decompression of the optic nerve, an active venous intraorbital haemorrhage was noted. Following angiography, permanent occlusion was performed on a neoforming circulus fed by ramification of the anterior deep temporal artery, anterior ramification of the superficial temporal artery and sphenoidal ramification of the medial meningeal artery. A percutaneous incisional orbital biopsy showed features of metastatic foci of HCC. This is the first description of orbital metastasis from HCC revealed by a sudden exophthalmos.
How is the COVID-19 lockdown impacting the mental health of parents of school-age children in the UK? A cross-sectional online survey
Authors: El-Osta Austen , Alaa Aos , Webber Iman , Riboli Sasco Eva , Bagkeris Emmanouil , Millar Helen , Vidal-Hall Charlotte , Majeed Azeem
Published: May 2021

Objective

Investigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on feelings of loneliness and social isolation in parents of school-age children.

Design

Cross-sectional online survey of parents of primary and secondary school-age children.

Setting

Community setting.

Participants

1214 parents of school-age children in the UK.

Methods

An online survey explored the impact of lockdown on the mental health of parents with school-age children, and in particular about feelings of social isolation and loneliness. Associations between the UCLA Three-Item Loneliness Scale (UCLATILS), the Direct Measure of Loneliness (DMOL) and the characteristics of the study participants were assessed using ordinal logistic regression models.

Main outcome measures

Self-reported measures of social isolation and loneliness using UCLATILS and DMOL.

Results

Half of respondents felt they lacked companionship, 45% had feelings of being left out, 58% felt isolated and 46% felt lonely during the first 100 days of lockdown. The factors that were associated with higher levels of loneliness on UCLATILS were female gender, parenting a child with special needs, lack of a dedicated space for distance learning, disruption of sleep patterns and low levels of physical activity during the lockdown. Factors associated with a higher DMOL were female gender, single parenting, parenting a child with special needs, unemployment, low physical activity, lack of a dedicated study space and disruption of sleep patterns during the lockdown.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 lockdown has increased feelings of social isolation and loneliness among parents of school-age children. The sustained adoption of two modifiable health-seeking lifestyle behaviours (increased levels of physical activity and the maintenance of good sleep hygiene practices) wmay help reduce feelings of social isolation and loneliness during lockdown.
Participants’ and caregivers’ experiences of a multidisciplinary programme for healthy lifestyle change in Aotearoa/New Zealand: a qualitative, focus group study
Authors: Anderson Yvonne C , Wild Cervantée E K , Hofman Paul L , Cave Tami L , Taiapa Ken J , Domett Tania , Derraik José G B , Cutfield Wayne S , Grant Cameron C , Willing Esther J
Published: May 2021

Objective

Child and adolescent obesity continues to be a major health issue internationally. This study aims to understand the views and experiences of caregivers and participants in a child and adolescent multidisciplinary programme for healthy lifestyle change.

Design

Qualitative focus group study.

Setting

Community-based healthy lifestyle intervention programme in a mixed urban–rural region of Aotearoa/New Zealand.

Participants

Parents/caregivers (n=6) and children/adolescents (n=8) who participated in at least 6 months of an assessment and weekly session, family-based community intervention programme for children and adolescents affected by obesity.

Results

Findings covered participant experiences, healthy lifestyle changes due to participating in the programme, the delivery team, barriers to engagement and improvements. Across these domains, four key themes emerged from the focus groups for participants and their caregivers relating to their experience: knowledge-sharing, enabling a family to become self-determining in their process to achieve healthy lifestyle change; the importance of connectedness and a family-based programme; the sense of a collective journey and the importance of a nonjudgemental, respectful welcoming environment. Logistical challenges and recommendations for improvement were also identified.

Conclusions

Policymakers need to consider the experiences of participants alongside quantitative outcomes when informing multidisciplinary intervention programmes for children and adolescents affected by obesity.

Trial registration numberAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR):12611000862943; Post-results.
Cross-sectional analysis of US scope of practice laws and employed physician assistants
Authors: Valentin Virginia L , Najmabadi Shahpar , Everett C
Published: May 2021

Objective

This study examined if the variation in physician assistant (PA) state scope of practice (SOP) laws across states are associated with number of employed PAs, PA demographics and PA/population ratio per state. The hypothesis was that less restrictive SOP laws will increase the demand for PAs and the number of PAs in a state.

Design

Retrospective cross-sectional analysis at three time points: 1998, 2008, 2017.

Setting

Fifty states and the District of Columbia.

Participants

Employed PAs in 1998, 2008, 2017.

Methods

SOP laws were categorised as permissive, average and restrictive. Three national datasets were combined to allow for descriptive analysis of employed PAs by year and SOP categories. We used linear predictive models to generate and compare PA/population ratio least square means by SOP categories for each year. Models were adjusted for percent female PA and PAs mean age.

Results

There was a median PA/population ratio of 23 per 100 000 population in 1998 and 33 in 2017. A heterogeneous expansion of SOP laws was seen with 17 states defined as super expanders while 15 were never adopters. In 2017, comparing restrictive to permissive states showed that in adjusted models permissive SOP laws were associated with 11.7 (p .03) increase in ratio of employed PAs per 100 000 population, demonstrating that states with permissive SOP laws have an increased PA density.

Conclusions

There has been steady growth in the mean PA/population ratio since the turn of the century. At the same time, PA SOP laws in the USA have expanded, with just 10 states remaining in the restrictive category. Permissive SOP laws are associated with an increase in the ratio of employed PAs per state population. As states work to meet the projected physician need, SOP expansion may be an important policy consideration to increase the PA workforce.
Forecasting the SARS COVID-19 pandemic and critical care resources threshold in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries: population analysis of aggregate data
Authors: Al-Aamri Amira K , Al-Harrasi Ayaman A , AAl-Abdulsalam Abdurahman K , Al-Maniri Abdullah A , Padmadas Sabu S
Published: May 2021

Objective

To generate cross-national forecasts of COVID-19 trajectories and quantify the associated impact on essential critical care resources for disease management in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

Design

Population-level aggregate analysis.

Setting

Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia.

Methods

We applied an extended time-dependent SEICRD compartmental model to predict the flow of people between six states, susceptible–exposed–infected–critical–recovery–death, accounting for community mitigation strategies and the latent period between exposure and infected and contagious states. Then, we used the WHO Adaptt Surge Planning Tool to predict intensive care unit (ICU) and human resources capacity based on predicted daily active and cumulative infections from the SEICRD model.

Main outcome measures

Predicted COVID-19 infections, deaths, and ICU and human resources capacity for disease management.

Results

COVID-19 infections vary daily from 498 per million in Bahrain to over 300 per million in UAE and Qatar, to 9 per million in Saudi Arabia. The cumulative number of deaths varies from 302 per million in Oman to 89 in Qatar. UAE attained its first peak as early as 21 April 2020, whereas Oman had its peak on 29 August 2020. In absolute terms, Saudi Arabia is predicted to have the highest COVID-19 mortality burden, followed by UAE and Oman. The predicted maximum number of COVID-19-infected patients in need of oxygen therapy during the peak of emergency admissions varies between 690 in Bahrain, 1440 in Oman and over 10 000 in Saudi Arabia.

Conclusion

Although most GCC countries have managed to flatten the epidemiological curve by August 2020, trends since November 2020 show potential increase in new infections. The pandemic is predicted to recede by August 2021, provided the existing infection control measures continue effectively and consistently across all countries. Current health infrastructure including the provision of ICUs and nursing staff seem adequate, but health systems should keep ICUs ready to manage critically ill patients.
The Kuh Toto volcanic-hosted copper deposit, Semnan Province, Iran: geochemical, fluid inclusion, and C and O isotopic studies
Authors: Javariani Omid , Ehya Farhad , Ali Aliabadi Mohammad , Asgari Abbas , Mehri Mohammad
Published: May 2021

Supergene copper mineralization occurs at the Kuh Toto deposit, located 25 km to the west of Torud village in the Semnan Province, Iran. Mineralogical, fluid inclusion and stable isotopic (C and O) studies, as well as rare earth element (REE) geochemistry of whole rock and minerals are used to unravel the conditions under which the Cu ores formed. Malachite is the only copper ore mineral, and it is present as veinlets, coatings and small patches in Eocene volcanic rocks. Malachite is accompanied by minor calcite, manganese and iron oxides and oxyhydroxides, clay minerals, epidote, quartz and chrysocolla. Argillic and, to a lesser extent, propylitic hydrothermal alteration partially affected the basic volcanic host rocks. The chondrite-normalized REE patterns of malachite and calcite are similar to those of the volcanic host rocks. They are enriched in LREEs. The volcanic host rocks are enriched in Cu (187 ppm on average). Fluid inclusions hosted in calcite reveal that calcite precipitated from hydrothermal fluids at low temperatures (69–150°C) and low to moderate salinities (7.17–11.10 wt% NaCl equivalent). The oxygen isotopic geothermometry yielded an average temperature of 41°C for malachite formation. Geochemical and fluid inclusion evidence strongly support that mineral-forming elements, including Cu, originated from the associated volcanic rocks. Available data support the view that Cu was likely leached as mobile aqueous Cu
2+
from the volcanic rocks by oxidizing surface waters. When Cu-enriched fluids entered the underlying groundwater environment, Cu was precipitated as malachite in fractures, via recombination with carbonate ions dissolved as CO
2
in meteoric fluids.
A Flexible Global GCRO-DR Method for Shifted Linear Systems and General Coupled Matrix Equations
Authors: Meng Jing , Gu Xian-Ming , Luo Wei-Hua , Fang Liang
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we mainly focus on the development and study of a new global GCRO-DR method that allows both the flexible preconditioning and the subspace recycling for sequences of shifted linear systems. The novel method presented here has two main advantages: firstly, it does not require the right-hand sides to be related, and, secondly, it can also be compatible with the general preconditioning. Meanwhile, we apply the new algorithm to solve the general coupled matrix equations. Moreover, by performing an error analysis, we deduce that a much looser tolerance can be applied to save computation by limiting the flexible preconditioned work without sacrificing the closeness of the computed and the true residuals. Finally, numerical experiments demonstrate that the proposed method illustrated can be more competitive than some other global GMRES-type methods.
Usefulness of International Normalized Ratio to Albumin Ratio for Evaluation of Mortality in Hepatitis B Virus‐Associated Decompensated Cirrhosis
Authors: Cai Ming , Han Zhong , He Xia , Zhang JinFei
Published: May 2021

Background. We sought to determine the prognostic value of prothrombin time‐international normalized ratio to albumin ratio (PTAR) in patients with hepatitis B virus‐associated decompensated cirrhosis (HBV‐DeCi). Methods. The study enrolled 166 HBV‐DeCi patients. Multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify predictors associated with mortality. Results. Among the 166 HBV‐DeCi patients, 27 (16.3%) had died by 30 days after admission. PTAR was markedly increased in nonsurvivors compared with survivors, and had a significant positive correlation with disease severity. Multivariate analysis identified PTAR as an effective independent predictor for mortality in HBV‐DeCi patients. Conclusions. High PTAR was associated with poor outcomes and can act as a novel prognostic predictor for mortality in HBV‐DeCi patients.