bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physico-Chemical and Bacteriological Quality of Water from Boreholes in Otuoke Community, Bayelsa State, Nigeria
Authors: Zige Douye V. , Ogbolosingha Atieme J. , Agboun Temeweidoubra D.T.
Published: July 2021

The concern over exposure to drinking water contaminated and the resultant adverse effect on human health has prompted several studies evaluating the quality of drinking water sources. This study was carried out to determine the bacteriological and Physico-chemical qualities of commercial borehole water within Otuoke community in Bayelsa state Nigeria. Ten (10) water samples were collected from the various locations designated as (A-J). The Physico-chemical parameters were determined by using the photometric technique through the Colour Q photometer and the bacteriological analysis was determined by using aerobic plate method. The Physico-chemical parameters of the water samples analysed were within the acceptable limit of WHO standard of drinking water quality except for Bromine and cyanuric acid which ranged from 1.6±0.1 to 2.7±0.1 and 2±1 to 9±1 respectively. The Result of total bacteria count obtained from the borehole water samples ranged from 1.1 x 105cfu/ml to 6.9 x 105cfu/ml and there was no detected growth for the faecal coliform count of most of the samples except for BHW-I and BHW-J which had 1.3 x 104 to 7.9 x 104 respectively. Bacteria isolated and identified using conventional biochemical test include E. coli (17.9%), Klebsiella spp. (35.7%), Salmonella spp(25.0%), Enterobacter aerogenes (21.4%) The study therefore suggests that all the borehole water tested in Otuoke and environs are considered unsafe for consumption and therefore regular treatment before usage is recommended.
Treatment of Dairy Industry Wastewater - Special Reference to Design of Aerated Lagoon
Authors: Kamble Sheetal , Bhargava Akshey , Patil Purvi
Published: July 2021

Industrial revolution brought diversified industries to produce goods to meet the demand of increasing population. Such a rapid growth of industrial sector caused water pollution to a great extent. Dairy industry is not an exception, causing significant water pollution. The dairy sector in India grew at a rate of 6.4 per cent annually in the last four years against the global growth rate 1.7 per cent demonstrating significant increase in milk productivity. Around 80 million rural Indian households are engaged in milk production with very high proportion being landless, small and marginal farmers. But on the other hand, water pollution being caused from these dairy industries is quite significant. Various biological treatment technologies were tried for treating dairy wastewater. An attempt has been made by the authors of the present paper to design aerated lagoon including screen chamber, primary clarifier, quiescent settling zone and sludge disposal with success to treat dairy wastewater.
Die Bahnhofsmission als Ander-Ort
Authors: Roser Traugott
Published: July 2021

In the field of Practical Theology, the article locates the issue of ›Bahnhofsmission‹ both in terms of diaconia theory as well as poimenics and ecclesiology. The central question is if and to what extent ›Bahnhofsmission‹ can also be regarded as a local church in a theological sense, even if the staff and the clientele do not see themselves as church members. For this purpose, Michel Foucault's concept of heterotopias is referred to and railway stations are described as socially functionalised places that are transformed by church presence.
Pedunculopontine Nucleus--Rapid Eye Movement Sleep--Electroencephalogram--Desynchronization (PRED) Axis in the Evolution of Epilepsy: A Novel Concept
Authors: Jaseja Harinder
Published: July 2021

Epilepsy is one of the commonest and oldest neurological diseases in the history of mankind, the exact pathophysiology of the evolution of which still remains elusive. The intimate and intriguing relation between epilepsy and sleep has been known for a long time. Rapid eye movement sleep (REMS) is well documented to exert potent antiepileptic action in human epilepsies and the underlying mechanism of which is largely based on its property to induce widespread electroencephalogram (EEG)-desynchronization. The pedunculopontine nucleus (PPN) owing to its property to enhance REMS has recently been under study for its potential role in intractable epilepsy (IE) and has been proposed as a novel deep brain stimulation target in IE. This brief paper unfolds the existing role of PPN, REMS, and EEG-desynchronization (PRED) in the evolution of epilepsy in an axial manner, the realization and comprehension of which is likely to open new avenues for further understanding of epileptogenesis, improved treatment of epilepsy and reducing the risk of IE.
Effect of Lenalidomide on Pentylenetetrazole-Induced Clonic Seizure Threshold in Mice: A Role for N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid Receptor/Nitric Oxide Pathway
Authors: Dafe Elaheh Asgari , Rahimi Nastaran , Javadian Nina , Dejban Pegah , Komeili Monika , Modabberi Sepideh , Ghasemi Mehdi , Dehpour Ahmad Reza
Published: July 2021

Background and Purpose: Accumulating evidence suggest that lenalidomide, a structural analog of thalidomide, has neuro-modulatory and neuroprotective properties. In the present study, we investigated effects of acute administration of lenalidomide on clonic seizure threshold in mice induced by pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) and possible role of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) and nitric oxide (NO) pathway.Methods: We have utilized a clonic model of seizure in NMRI mice induced by PTZ to evaluate the potential effect of lenalidomide on seizure threshold. Different doses of lenalidomide (5, 10, 20, and 50 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [i.p.]) were administered 1 hour before PTZ. To evaluate probable role of NMDAR/NO signaling, the non-selective NO synthase inhibitor L-NG-nitroarginine methyl ester (L-NAME; 10 mg/kg, i.p.), neuronal NOS (nNOS) inhibitor 7-nitroindazole (7-NI; 30 mg/kg, i.p.), selective inducible NOS inhibitor aminoguanidine (AG; 100 mg/kg, i.p.), selective NMDAR antagonist MK-801 (0.01 mg/kg, i.p.), and selective NMDAR agonist D-serine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) were injected 15 minutes before lenalidomide.Results: Lenalidomide at 10 and 20 mg/kg significantly elevated the PTZ-induced seizure thresholds. Interestingly, L-NAME (10 mg/kg, i.p), 7-NI (30 mg/kg, i.p), and AG (100 mg/kg, i.p) reversed the anticonvulsive effect of lenalidomide (10 mg/kg). Moreover, treatment with the NMDAR agonist D-serine (30 mg/kg, i.p.) did not alter the anticonvulsive properties of lenalidomide (10 mg/kg, i.p). However, the NMDAR antagonist MK-801 (0.01 mg/kg, i.p) significantly reversed the anticonvulsive effects of lenalidomide (10 mg/kg).Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a role for the NMDAR/NO pathway in the anticonvulsive effects of lenalidomide on the PTZ-induced clonic seizures in mice.
Non-Adherence to Anti-Epileptic Drugs and Associated Factors among Epileptic Patients in Dessie Town Public Hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia
Authors: Abebaw Nigusie , Girma Natnaiel , Yasin Miftah
Published: July 2021

Background and Purpose: Patients who are non-adherent to their medication are frequently hospitalized with prolonged lengths of stay and make repeated emergency department visits. They are also more likely to miss work or school due to the seizure effects. In Ethiopia, although there is little evidence concerning anti-epileptic drug adherence, some studies were conducted with some controversy with studies done in another country. This study was therefore conducted to assess non-adherence to antiepileptic drugs and associated factors among adult epileptic patients attending in Dessie town public hospitals, northeast Ethiopia.Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional study design was employed on 368 patients from January 16, 2018 to March 16, 2018. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to recruit study participants. The collected data were entered into EpiData 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 22.0 for analysis. All covariates that were significant at p-value <0.25 in the bivariate logistic regression analysis were considered for further multivariable logistic regression analysis level of statistical significance at p-value <0.05.Results: Among the respondents, 37.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 32.1-42.9) of them were non-adhered to antiepileptic drugs. Patients who were unable to write and read (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 22.30; 95% CI, 5.84-85.21), primary education level (aOR, 5.63; 95% CI, 1.90-16.69), being male (aOR, 2.37; 95% CI, 1.33-4.23), experience adverse effect (aOR, 13.68; 95% CI, 3.27-56.97), patients got medication by payment (aOR, 2.06; 95% CI, 1.04-4.11) were statistically associated with non-adherence.Conclusions: This study revealed that over one-third of participants were non-adherent to antiepileptic drugs. Sex, educational level, adverse effect, and medication source were independent factors for non-adherence to antiepileptic drugs. Therefore, educations and instructions about the importance of recommended drug use can improve antiepileptic drug adherence in patients with epilepsy.
Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome Is the Common Cause of New-Onset Seizures in the Peripartum Period: A Tertiary Hospital-Based Study in South India
Authors: Murthy Jagarlapudi MK , Jaiswal Shyam K , Gaade Keshava Anand
Published: July 2021

Background and Purpose: To study the aetiolgic spectrum of new-onset seizures in the peripartum period in south India.Methods: This is a retrospective analysis of case records of women with new-onset seizures in the peripartum period admitted between 2005 and 2018 (13 years).Results: Of the 41 women (mean age, 26.20 years; range, 19-35 years) admitted, 20 patients (48.7%) had hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Generalized tonic-clonic seizure (88%) was the common seizure type. The aetiologies of new-onset seizures were: 1) pregnancy-related aetiologies in 33 (80.5%) and 2) non-pregnancy-related aetiologies in eight (19.5%). Of the pregnancy-related aetiologies, posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) was the commonest cause in 24 patients (58.5%). Seizure cluster presentation was common in patients with PRES (p=0.0087). Of the eight women with non-pregnancy-related aetiologies, endemic central nervous system (CNS) infections accounted for three (7.3%; brain tuberculoma in one and neurocystocercosis in two) of the aetiology. All the women had Glasgow outcome scale-5 outcome.Conclusions: PRES was the common cause of new-onset seizures in peripartum period in this cohort. Endemic infections of CNS accounted for 7.3% of the total aetiological spectrum. This study suggests that the possibility of PRES should be considerd in woman with HDP and seizure cluster in peripartum period.
RANCANGAN ARSITEKTUR SISTEM INFORMASI LOGISTIK BERBASIS CYBER-PHYSICAL SYSTEMS DENGAN TEKNOLOGI BIG DATA DAN INTERNET OF THINGS
Authors: Ma'arif Muhammad Rifqi , Saputra Andika Bayu
Published: July 2021

Era Industri 4.0 sangat dipengaruhi oleh perkembangan teknologi informasi khususnya teknologi big data dan internet of things. Dua teknologi tersebut membangun sebuah paradigma baru yang disebut dengan Cyber-Physical System (CPS). CPS didefinsikan sebagai interkoneksi antara lingkungan fisik dengan program komputer melalui teknologi sensor/ IoT. Penerapan CPS di berbagai bidang bisnis/ industri akan semakin memperkuat nilai bisnis yang ditawarkan kepada customer. Salah satu bidang industri yang akan mengalami peningkatan signifikan dengan penerapan CPS adalah bidang logistik. Pengembangan Sistem Informasi Logistik dengan pengimplementasian konsep CPS akan memberikan nilai tambah bagi sektor logistik secara keseluruhan. Untuk mewujudkan hal tersebut, diperlukan sebuah studi konspetual bagaimana teknologi big data dan internet of things dapat diimplementasikan dalam sistem logistik. Sehingga, dalam penelitian ini, akan dikembangkan suatu rancangan arsitektur Sistem Informasi Logistik berbasis teknologi big data dan IoT untuk mendukung penerapan CPS dalam bidang logistik. AbstractThe era of Industry 4.0 is strongly influenced by information technology developments, especially big data technology and the internet of things. The two technologies build a new paradigm called Cyber-Physical System (CPS). CPS is defined as the interconnection between the physical environment and computer programs through sensor / IoT technology. The application of CPS in various business / industry fields will further strengthen the business value offered to customers. One of the industrial fields that will experience a significant increase with CPS's application is the field of logistics. The development of the Logistics Information System by implementing the CPS concept will provide added value to the Logistics sector as a whole. To make this happen, we need a conceptual study of how big data technology and the internet of things can be implemented in the logistics system. Therefore, in this study, a Logistics Information System architecture design will be developed based on big data and IoT technology to support CPS's application in logistics.Keywords: Logistic Information Systems; Cyber-Physical System; big data; internet of things
Estimation of the compression strength and surface roughness of the as-built SLS components using weibull distribution
Authors: KHAN Hamaid Mahmood
Published: July 2021

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a process of fabrication of three-dimensional structures by fus- ing powder particles using a guided laser source. The uncertainty in the mechanical properties of the SLS parts fabricated at the same time and with the same process parameters can affect the repeatability of the SLS process. A vast difference in the mechanical properties of the concurrently processed parts can lower the production quality of the batch. Therefore, the param- eters are required to be design based on the most probable outcome of the desired properties. Weibull distribution is one such statistical-based probability distribution method to measure the likelihood of the occurrence of a value of any random variable falling within a particular range of values. Here, the Weibull distribution was used to measure the relative likelihood (90% probability) of the surface roughness and the compressive strength values of the SLS-built polyamide PA2200 components in the given sample space that was obtained from 20 random samples. The results show that the variance in the surface roughness (scan and built plane) and the compressive strength values were in the range of 6–7 μm and around 10 MPa, respectively. Moreover, the surface roughness of the two orthogonal planes with 90% reliability was measured at 14.81 μm (scan plane) and 12.15 μm (built plane). Similarly, the yield strength and the compressive strength with 90% reliability were found 25.87 MPa and 62.64 MPa, respectively.
Vanitas vanitatum et omnia vanitas. Językowy obraz marności w tekstach slamerów (na materiale antologii tekstów poznańskiej sceny slamerskiej w 2016 roku)
Authors: Świerkowska Dagmara
Published: July 2021

Niniejszy artykuł prezentuje pojęcie marności w językowym obrazie świata slamerów skupionych wokół poznańskiej sceny slamerskiej. Bazę materiałową stanowią 34 teksty, wydane w antologii slamerskiej pt. Poetycki freestyle. Poznańska scena slamerska w 2016 roku. Przeanalizowane teksty zostały uszeregowane w kilka pól tematycznych związanych z obrazem relacji międzyludzkich, religii, miasta i codzienności w tekstach slamerów. We wnioskach klarują się elementy językowego obrazu marności w twórczości slam poetry. Ponadto artykuł podejmuje kwestie związane z określeniem miejsca slamu wśród innych dziedzin sztuki oraz sytuuje go wobec zwrotu performatywnego w kulturze.
TÜRKİYE’DE PARA ARZI VE ENFLASYON ORANI İLİŞKİSİNE YENİ BİR BAKIŞ: KANTİL-KANTİL REGRESYON ANALİZİ
Authors: BAĞCI Buğra
Published: July 2021

Gelişmiş ve gelişmekte olan tüm ülkelerin yakından ilgilendiği ve üzerinde detaylı olarak çalışmalar yaptığı makroekonomik göstergelerden biri de enflasyondur. Enflasyon, hem diğer ekonomik değişkenleri etkilemesi hem de direkt olarak vatandaşların yaşam kalitesi ve refah düzeyini etkilemesi bakımından önemli bir ekonomik değişken olarak görülmektedir. Bu açıdan gerek küresel ekonomiden, gerekse ülke içi ekonomik durumdan kaynaklı yüksek enflasyon oranı, Merkez Bankaları tarafından takip edilerek gerekli müdahalelerle belirli düzeylerde tutulmaya çalışılmaktadır. Bu müdahaleler çeşitli ekonomik araçlarla da yapılabilmektedir. Para arzı da bu araçlardandır. Bu çalışmada, Türkiye’de 2008-2020 dönemlerinde para arzı ile enflasyon oranı arasındaki ilişki Kantil-Kantil Regresyon (KKR) yaklaşımı ile analiz edilmiştir. Sonuçlar, Türkiye’de para arzı ile enflasyon oranı arasında heterojenik bir ilişkinin olduğunu, yani enflasyon oranının tüm değerlerinin para arzının tüm değerleri ile aynı yönde hareket etmediğini göstermektedir. Dolayısıyla, para arzının artan değerlerinin her zaman enflasyon oranını artırmayacağı anlaşılmıştır. Burada, para arzının enflasyon oranı ile ters yönlü ilişkisinin olduğu dönemlerin, aynı yönlü ilişki bulunan dönemlere göre daha sığ kaldığı da söylenebilmektedir.
AR-GE VE FİNANSAL GELİŞME İLİŞKİSİNE YENİ BİR BAKIŞ: TEKNİK YAKINSAMA BAŞARISIZLIĞI VE FİNANSAL GELİŞME İLİŞKİSİNİN GELİŞMEKTE OLAN ÜLKELER İÇİN SINANMASI
Authors: DORUK Ömer Tuğsal
Published: July 2021

Teknik yakınsama, AR-GE düzeyi en yüksek olan ülkenin ya da kurumun/sektörün ARGE düzeyine olan yakınlığı ifade etmektedir. Teknik yakınsamanın istenilen düzeyde olmaması, ülkelerin büyüme düzeyini olumsuz yönde etkileyen faktörlerden birisidir. Bu kapsamda teknik yakınsama, gelişmekte olan ülkelerin sürdürülebilir büyüme performansı için oldukça önemli bir faktördür. Bu çalışmada finansal gelişme ile teknik yakınsama açığı 19 gelişmekte olan ülke için 2001 ile 2014 yılları arasında Dumitrescu-Hurlin (2012) heterojen Panel Granger Nedensellik Analizi vasıtasıyla araştırılmaktadır. Elde edilen sonuçlar finansal gelişmeden teknik yakınsama açığına doğru bir nedensellik ilişkisi olduğunu göstermektedir. Çalışmada elde edilen bulgular açısından finansal gelişme ve teknik yakınsama ilişkisinin AR-GE’nin finansmanı açısından yönünün belirlenmesi açısından oldukça önemlidir. Nitekim gelişmekte olan ülkelerdeki finansal gelişme ve teknik yakınsama açığı arasındaki tek yönlü nedensellik ilişkisinin olması yapısal sorunları işaret etmektedir.
Accent or not? Language attitudes towards regional variation in British Sign Language
Authors: Rowley Katherine , Cormier Kearsy
Published: July 2021

British Sign Language (BSL) has been shown to have a high degree of regional variation especially at the lexical level. This study explores awareness and attitudes of the British deaf community towards this regional variation. We studied interview data from the BSL Corpus (http://bslcorpusproject.org/data) from 121 deaf, BSL signers from six regions across the UK including Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Glasgow, London and Manchester, focusing on responses to five questions in relation to regional variation in BSL. Responses were analysed using thematic analysis, following (Braun, V. & V. Clark. 2006. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology 3(2). 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa). Findings reveal that BSL signers exhibited overall high levels of meta-linguistic awareness, as many of their attitudes and beliefs were in line with what has been reported in relation to linguistic behaviour with BSL such as mouthing, fingerspelling and accommodation. In addition, BSL signers seem to place enormous value on regional variation in BSL, believing that such variation contributes to the richness of BSL as a language and puts it on equal footing with the surrounding majority language, i.e. English. We explore the implications of these attitudes towards a broader understanding of language ideologies, including the concept of accent.
A corpus-based study of LGBT-related news discourse in Thailand’s and international English-language newspapers
Authors: Chuaikun Duangkamon , Wijitsopon Raksangob
Published: July 2021

The present study examines how LGBT is represented discursively in the Bangkok Post, a major English-language newspaper in Thailand, using corpus linguistic methods. A corpus of news reports on LGBT-related matters in the Bangkok Post was compiled. Statistically significant collocates of each word that makes up the acronym were extracted and analyzed in comparison with those found from two international newspaper corpora: COCA and SiBol. It was found that collocations that point to “political movement”, “crime” and “HIV” are shared by the three corpora, suggesting the press’s common stance on the newsworthiness of these issues and at the same time its contribution to the construction and circulation of these discourses related to LGBT. However, the Bangkok Post is marked off from the reference corpora by beauty contest discourse and the absence of issues about the disclosure of homosexual identities and LGBT representation in entertainment. This suggests socio-cultural influence in the way LGBT is represented in Thailand’s English-language newspaper.
A fine tuning of embryo loading technique by eliminating the air bubble in the outer sheath of embryo catheter among women undergoing IVF treatment
Authors: Harbhajan Singh Jasdev Singh , Ahmad Mohd Faizal , Abu Muhammad Azrai , Omar Mohd Hashim , Abdul Karim Abdul Kadir
Published: July 2021

Objectives

The role of air bubbles in bracketing the embryo-containing medium in inner catheter during embryo transfer (ET) has already been established. However, the role of air bubbles in outer catheter (OC) during implantation is yet to be determined. This study aimed to compare the implantation rates between women who have undergone ET with or without ASP (Vitrolife®; Sweden), a medium use for oocyte retrieval and rinsing in OC embryo catheter. The purpose of introducing the ASP medium to the OC was to eliminate air bubbles in that space during implantation.

Methods

A total of 312 women were randomly divided into two groups with 156 participants each group. In Group A, ASP medium was used during ET, whereas in Group B, no ASP medium was utilized. Positive implantation was defined as serum beta-hCG level >5 mIU/mL taken on the 7th day following ET.

Results

The average age of the majority of the participants was 30–39 years and had at least 4–5 years of subfertility. The unexplained subfertility was the prominent cause of ET failure in both groups. In most of the participants in both groups, ET was done using fresh embryo cycles with good to excellent embryo grades. After the ASP medium was manipulated in the OC in both groups, the positive implantation rate was not different in both groups (p>0.05).

Conclusions

The elimination of air bubbles in OC by using the ASP medium during ET did not confer an additional benefit nor exert a negative impact on implantation rate.
New insights into the role of glycosaminoglycans in the endosteal bone microenvironment
Authors: Salbach-Hirsch Juliane , Rauner Martina , Hofbauer Christine , Hofbauer Lorenz C.
Published: July 2021

The bone microenvironment is a complex tissue in which heterogeneous cell populations of hematopoietic and mesenchymal origin interact with environmental cues to maintain tissue integrity. Both cellular and matrix components are subject to physiologic challenges and can dynamically respond by modifying cell/matrix interactions. When either component is impaired, the physiologic balance is lost. Here, we review the current state of knowledge of how glycosaminoglycans – organic components of the bone extracellular matrix – influence the bone micromilieu. We point out how they interact with mediators of distinct signaling pathways such as the RANKL/OPG axis, BMP and WNT signaling, and affect the activity of bone remodeling cells within the endosteal niche summarizing their potential for therapeutic intervention.
Energy absorption characteristics of circular-celled honeycombs under in-plane quasi-static compressive loadings
Authors: Sun Deqiang , Sun Yujin , Ben Jincui , Ge Feng , Li Guozhi , Jiao Sihan
Published: July 2021

The energy absorption characteristics of hexagonally packaged circular-celled honeycombs and quadrilater-ally packaged circular-celled honeycombs are obtained under in-plane quasi-static compressive loadings through finite element analysis. The stress–strain curves, deformation modes, energy absorption efficiency, specific plateau stress, normalized energy absorption and energy absorption diagrams are discussed. The cell arrangement patterns influence the shapes of stress–strain curves and deformation modes. The densification strain is in linear relationship with the relative density and the specific plateau stress is proportional to relative density. The hexagonally packaged circular-celled honeycombs have the largest specific plateau stress in the x2 direction for a given relative density. The normalized energy absorption is nearly proportional to the strain before densification and increases with increasing relative density for a given strain in one compression direction. The envelope line in the energy absorption diagram is approximately a straight line tangent to the shoulder points through the origin. The hexagonally packaged circular-celled honeycombs outperform the quadrilaterally packaged circular-celled honeycombs in in-plane energy absorption.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of AlCrFeCoNi high-entropy alloy particle reinforced Mg-9Al-1Zn matrix composites
Authors: Chen Yongsheng , Ji Zesheng , Hu Maoliang , Xu Hongyu , Feng Guangjie
Published: July 2021

AlCrFeCoNi particles were added to Mg-9Al-1Zn alloy in a rotary blowing process. The microstructures and mechanical properties of Mg-9Al-1Zn based composites were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and tensile and compression tests at room temperature. Results revealed that AlCrFeCoNi particles could effectively refine the grains, and the rotary blowing process enabled the uniform distribution of these particles. The mechanical properties of composites improved with the increase of particle volume fraction. The superior wettability of AlCrFeCoNi particles supported their reliable bonding with the Mg-9Al-1Zn matrix. The Hall–Petch strengthening and stress transfer effect played a dominant role in the improvement of compressive and tensile properties.
Hot working behaviour and processing maps of duplex cast steel
Authors: Alcelay Ignacio , Peña Esteban , Omar Anas Al
Published: July 2021

In this paper the hot working behaviour of medium carbon duplex cast steel is studied using uniaxial hot compression tests over a temperature range varying from 700 ˚C to 1 000 °C and at different strain rates ranging from 10–4 to 10–1 s–1. A model based on a variant of a dynamic materials model was employed to construct processing maps. These maps delineate the safe and unsafe domains. The safe domains, associated with dynamic recrystallization and dynamic recovery, can be chosen to optimize the hot workability of the studied material. Whereas, the unsafe domain is to be avoided because it is associated with plastic deformation instabilities. The domain associated with dynamic recrystallization is centred at 1000 °C and 10–4 s–1 with a peak energy dissipation efficiency of about 40%, while the domain associated with dynamic recovery is centred at 700 °C and 10–4 s–1 with a peak energy dissipation efficiency of about 27%. The unsafe hot working domain, spread over the entire temperature range and moderate to high strain rates, predicts the appearance of flow instabilities, in the form of shear bands and intergranular cracks. To validate the obtained results, microstructural observations corresponding to different processing conditions are presented.
On residuals of finite groups
Authors: Aivazidis Stefanos , Müller Thomas
Published: July 2021

Theorem C in [S. Dolfi, M. Herzog, G. Kaplan and A. Lev, The size of the solvable residual in finite groups,Groups Geom. Dyn.1(2007), 4, 401–407] asserts that, in a finite group with trivial Fitting subgroup, the size of the soluble residual of the group is bounded from below by a certain power of the group order and that the inequality is sharp. Inspired by this result and some of the arguments in the above article, we establish the following generalisation: if 𝔛 is a subgroup-closed Fitting formation of full characteristic which does not contain all finite groups andX¯\overline{\mathfrak{X}}is the extension-closure of 𝔛, then there exists an (explicitly known and optimal) constant 𝛾 depending only on 𝔛 such that, for all non-trivial finite groups 𝐺 with trivial 𝔛-radical,|GX¯|>|G|γ\lvert G^{\overline{\mathfrak{X}}}\rvert>\lvert G\rvert^{\gamma}, whereGX¯G^{\overline{\mathfrak{X}}}is theX¯\overline{\mathfrak{X}}-residual of 𝐺. WhenX=N\mathfrak{X}=\mathfrak{N}, the class of finite nilpotent groups, it follows thatX¯=S\overline{\mathfrak{X}}=\mathfrak{S}, the class of finite soluble groups; thus we recover the original theorem of Dolfi, Herzog, Kaplan, and Lev. In the last section of our paper, building on J. G. Thompson’s classification of minimal simple groups, we exhibit a family of subgroup-closed Fitting formations 𝔛 of full characteristic such thatS⊂X¯⊂E\mathfrak{S}\subset\overline{\mathfrak{X}}\subset\mathfrak{E}, where 𝔈 denotes the class of all finite groups, thus providing applications of our main result beyond the reach of the above theorem.
Stretched penile length at birth: a systematic review
Authors: López-Soto Álvaro , Bueno-González Mar , Urbano-Reyes Maribel , Garví-Morcillo Javier , Meseguer-González José Luis , Martínez-Uriarte Juan , García-Izquierdo Olivia , Donate-Legaz José María , Leante-Castellanos José Luis , Martínez-Cendán Juan Pedro
Published: July 2021

Background

Micropenis is an endocrinological condition that is habitually observed at birth. Diagnosis is made by measuring the stretched penile length, a method established 80 years ago. Discrepancies in the normative data from recent studies raise the need for a current revision of the methodology.

Objectives

The aims of this systematic review were to compare the different normative data of SPL at birth, to examine the methodological aspects of the technique and to evaluate the independent variables that may be involved.

Methods

Searches were performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Scielo, the Cochrane Library and Web of Science. A combination of the relevant medical terms, keywords and word variants for “stretched penile length”, “penile length”, “penile size”, “newborn” and “birth” were used. Eligibility criteria included normative studies that used the stretched penile length (SPL) measurement on a population of healthy, full-term newborns during the first month of life. The outcomes studied included characteristics of the studies, methodological aspects and independent variables.

Results

We identified 49 studies comprising 21,399 children. Significant discrepancies are observed between the different studies. Methodological aspects seem to be consistent and similar. The main independent variables appear to be ethnic group and gestational age. Main limitations were the absence of studies of entire world regions such as Europe or South America, and the heterogeneity of the ethnic background that complicates the analysis.

Conclusions

It seems advisable to suggest the creation of customized reference charts for each specific population instead of resorting to the classic cut-off points.
DCPD and strain gauge based calibration procedure for evaluation of low temperature creep behavior
Authors: Cui Yinghao , Jianlong Zhang , He Xue
Published: July 2021

Creep cracking is one of the key forms of structural material SCC damage with respect to nuclear power. Accurately obtaining the amount of creep deformation is also an important basis for estimating the service life of structural parts. However, because the primary circuit of nuclear power occurs in a high-temperature and high-pressure service water environment, it is not possible to use a conventional extensometer to obtain accurate creep of gauge length under these conditions. Considering that DCPD is an important method for monitoring crack propagation in a high-temperature water environment, by taking the austenite 304 stainless steel commonly used for nuclear power as a research object, a calibration method based on a combination of DC potential drop (DCPD) and strain testing to obtain the creep deformation of the specimen was established. By comparing theoretical research with experimental results, it can be concluded that the calculation results of the model are close to the experimental results and consistent with the theory, thus proving the feasibility of using DCPD technology to obtain the creep deformation amount.
Corrosion behavior of the heat affected zone in a 316 L pipeline weld
Authors: Li Wucheng , Zhang Jianli , Xin Ping , Wen Zhigang , Jing Hongyang , Zhao Lei , Xu Lianyong , Han Yongdian
Published: July 2021

On-site investigation, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and cyclic potentiodynamic polarization test were carried out for failure analysis of the 316 L pipeline in this paper. The visual inspection revealed that the inner wall was covered with severe rust, and obvious misalignment and poor appearance were found in the weld. The energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy result identified the presence of Cl in the inner wall of the pipeline. Some carbides of Cr and Mo precipitated in the heat affected zone, which partially deteriorated the corrosion resistance. The cyclic potentiodynamic polarization curve proved that the heat affected zone is not only sensitive to pitting corrosion, but also has inferior repassivation ability. Finally, the pitting preferentially occurred in the heat affected zone and gradually developed to leakage.
Dynamic analysis of multilayer-reinforced concrete frame structures based on NewMark-β method
Authors: Liu Yizhe , Zhang Bofang , Wang Ting , Su Tian , Chen Hanyang
Published: July 2021

The analysis method of the simplified structure formation model provides the basis for the analysis of the reinforced concrete (RC) structure under earthquake and dynamic load, which has important significance for seismic analysis of RC structure. In this paper, the three-layer RC frame structure is simulated and analyzed by MATLAB based on the NewMark-β method, considering the influence of time-varying simple harmonic loads and seismic waves on acceleration, displacement, and velocity of RC structure. The vibration response of the RC structure is analyzed by introducing the stiffness reduction coefficient. The results show that NewMark-β method provides a new idea for the seismic response of RC frame structures, making the seismic analysis of frame structures more practical; the variation range of its elastic modulus is obtained through the analysis of the constitutive model of RC, which provides the basis for the value of the stiffness coefficient; the application of the top load and the bottom load has different structural responses to the RC frame structure, and the impact of the load on the structure is more adverse when the load acts on the bottom; with the change of time, the binding stiffness coefficient will also change, and the stability of the structure will decrease greatly; the function relationship between the acceleration of the third floor and the reduction coefficient of rigidity is obtained by taking different values of the reduction coefficient of rigidity.
Contribution of NMDA Receptors to Synaptic Function in Rat Hippocampal Interneurons
Authors: Booker Sam A. , Sumera Anna , Kind Peter C. , Wyllie David J. A.
Published: July 2021

The ability of neurons to produce behaviorally relevant activity in the absence of pathology relies on the fine balance of synaptic inhibition to excitation. In the hippocampal CA1 microcircuit, this balance is maintained by a diverse population of inhibitory interneurons that receive largely similar glutamatergic afferents as their target pyramidal cells, with EPSCs generated by both AMPA receptors (AMPARs) and NMDA receptors (NMDARs). In this study, we take advantage of a recently generated GluN2A-null rat model to assess the contribution of GluN2A subunits to glutamatergic synaptic currents in three subclasses of interneuron found in the CA1 region of the hippocampus. For both parvalbumin-positive and somatostatin-positive interneurons, the GluN2A subunit is expressed at glutamatergic synapses and contributes to the EPSC. In contrast, in cholecystokinin (CCK)-positive interneurons, the contribution of GluN2A to the EPSC is negligible. Furthermore, synaptic potentiation at glutamatergic synapses on CCK-positive interneurons does not require the activation of GluN2A-containing NMDARs but does rely on the activation of NMDARs containing GluN2B and GluN2D subunits.
Time Stand Still: Effects of Temporal Window Selection on Eye Tracking Analysis
Authors: Peelle Jonathan E. , Van Engen Kristin J.
Published: July 2021

The number of possible approaches to conducting and analyzing a research study—often referred to as researcher degrees of freedom—has been increasingly under scrutiny as a challenge to the reproducibility of experimental results. Here we focus on the specific instance of time window selection for time series data. As an example, we use data from a visual world eye tracking paradigm in which participants heard a word and were instructed to click on one of four pictures corresponding to the target (e.g., “Click on the hat”). We examined statistical models for a range of start times following the beginning of the carrier phrase, and for each start time a range of window lengths, resulting in 8281 unique time windows. For each time window we ran the same logistic linear mixed effects model, including effects of time, age, noise, and word frequency on an orthogonalized polynomial basis set. Comparing results across these time ranges shows substantial changes in both parameter estimates and p values, even within intuitively “reasonable” boundaries. In some cases varying the window selection in the range of 100–200 ms caused parameter estimates to change from positive to negative. Rather than rush to provide specific recommendations for time window selection (which differs across studies), we advocate for transparency regarding time window selection and awareness of the effects this choice may have on results. Preregistration and multiverse model exploration are two complementary strategies to help mitigate bias introduced by any particular time window choice.
Circulating adrenomedullin and B-type natriuretic peptide do not predict blood pressure fluctuations during pheochromocytoma resection: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Berends Annika M A , Buitenwerf Edward , Riphagen Ineke J , Lenders Jacques W M , Timmers Henri J L M , Kruijff Schelto , Links Thera P , van der Horst-Schrivers Anouk N A , Stegeman Coen A , Eekhoff Elisabeth M W , Feelders Richard A , Corssmit Eleonora P M , Groote Veldman Ronald , Haak Harm R , Muller Kobold Anneke C , Kerstens Michiel N
Published: July 2021

Background

Despite adequate presurgical management, blood pressure fluctuations are common during resection of pheochromocytoma or sympathetic paraganglioma (PPGL). To a large extent, the variability in blood pressure control during PPGL resection remains unexplained. Adrenomedullin and B-type natriuretic peptide, measured as MR-proADM and NT-proBNP, respectively, are circulating biomarkers of cardiovascular dysfunction. We investigated whether plasma levels of MR-proADM and NT-proBNP are associated with blood pressure fluctuations during PPGL resection.

Methods

Study subjects participated in PRESCRIPT, a randomized controlled trial in patients undergoing PPGL resection. MR-proADM and NT-proBNP were determined in a single plasma sample drawn before surgery. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses were used to explore associations between these biomarkers and blood pressure fluctuations, use of vasoconstrictive agents during surgery as well as the occurrence of perioperative cardiovascular events.

Results

A total of 126 PPGL patients were included. Median plasma concentrations of MR-proADM and NT-proBNP were 0.51 (0.41–0.63) nmol/L and 68.7 (27.9–150.4) ng/L, respectively. Neither MR-proADM nor NT-proBNP were associated with blood pressure fluctuations. There was a positive correlation between MR-proADM concentration and the cumulative dose of vasoconstrictive agents (03B2 0.44, P =0.001). Both MR-proADM and NT-proBNP were significantly associated with perioperative cardiovascular events (OR: 5.46, P =0.013 and OR: 1.54, P =0.017, respectively).

Conclusions

plasma MR-proADM or NT-proBNP should not be considered as biomarkers for the presurgical risk assessment of blood pressure fluctuations during PPGL resection. Future studies are needed to explore the potential influence of these biomarkers on the intraoperative requirement of vasoconstrictive agents and the perioperative cardiovascular risk.
Prevalence and risk factors of hypothalamic–pituitary dysfunction in infant and toddler childhood brain tumor survivors
Authors: Lebbink C A , Ringers T P , Schouten-van Meeteren A Y N , van Iersel L , Clement S C , Boot A M , Claahsen-van der Grinten H L , Janssens G O , van Vuurden D G , Michiels E M , Han K S , van Trotsenburg A S P , Vandertop W P , Kremer L C M , van Santen H M
Published: July 2021

Objective

Childhood brain tumor survivors (CBTS) are at risk to develop hypothalamic–pituitary (HP) dysfunction (HPD). The risk for HPD may vary between different age groups due to maturation of the brain and differences in oncologic treatment protocols. Specific studies on HPD in infant brain tumor survivors (infant-BTS, 0–1 years at diagnosis) or toddler brain tumor survivors (toddler-BTS, ≥1–3 years) have not been performed.

Patients and methods

A retrospective nationwide cohort study in CBTS was performed. Prevalence and risk factors for HPD were compared between infant-, toddler-, and older-BTS. Subgroup analysis was performed for all non-irradiated CBTS (n = 460).

Results

In total, 718 CBTS were included, with a median follow-up time of 7.9 years. Overall, despite the less frequent use of radiotherapy (RT) in infants, no differences in the prevalence of HPD were found between the three groups. RT (OR: 16.44; 95% CI: 8.93–30.27), suprasellar tumor location (OR: 44.76; 95% CI: 19.00–105.49), and younger age (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.05–1.18) were associated with HP dysfunction. Infant-BTS and toddler-BTS showed more weight gain (P  < 0.0001) and smaller height SDS (P  = 0.001) during follow-up. In non-irradiated CBTS, infant-BTS and toddler-BTS were significantly more frequently diagnosed with TSH-, ACTH-, and ADH deficiency, compared to older-BTS.

Conclusion

Infant and toddler brain tumor survivors seem to be more vulnerable to develop HP dysfunction than older children. These results emphasize the importance of special infant and toddler brain tumor treatment protocols and the need for endocrine surveillance in children treated for a brain tumor at a young age.
Postoperative zoledronic acid for osteoporosis in primary hyperparathyroidism: a randomized placebo-controlled study
Authors: Ryhänen E M , Koski A M , Löyttyniemi E , Välimäki M J , Kiviniemi U , Schalin-Jäntti C
Published: July 2021

Objective

In primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) with osteoporosis, bone mineral density (BMD) improves after parathyroidectomy. It is unclear whether combining surgery with postoperative bisphosphonate treatment can further improve bone health.

Design

This randomized, placebo-controlled study compared the effects of surgery alone and surgery combined with zoledronic acid on bone metabolism in PHPT with osteoporosis.

Methods

Fifty-six patients (f/m 47/9, mean age 68.4 years) with PHPT and osteoporosis were randomized 1–3 months after parathyroidectomy to receive a 2-year treatment of zoledronic acid or placebo. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and bone turnover markers (N-terminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen, C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen, and alkaline phosphatase) were measured annually during the 2-year follow-up.

Results

Two years after parathyroidectomy, BMD was significantly higher in the zoledronic acid (ZOL) group compared with the placebo (PBO) group at the femoral neck (P = 0.045 for Z-score) and lumbar spine (P = 0.039 and 0.017 for T- and Z-scores, respectively). Bone turnover markers were significantly lower in the ZOL group (P < 0.001 for all markers). Of the 18 patients who had received bisphosphonates for >1 year before surgery, BMD improved significantly in the ZOL group both in the femoral neck and lumbar spine (n = 10; all P < 0.001–0.01), but in the PBO group, only in the lumbar spine (n = 8, P = 0.03), (P = 0.08–0.95 for between-group changes).

Conclusion

BMD increases after parathyroidectomy both with and without zoledronic acid but the increase is significantly higher with postoperative zoledronic acid.
Hypoxia stimulates angiogenesis and a metabolic switch in human parathyroid adenoma cells
Authors: Lines K E , Stevenson M , Mihai R , Grigorieva I V , Shariq O A , Gaynor K U , Jeyabalan J , Javid M , Thakker R V
Published: July 2021

Hypoxia, a primary stimulus for angiogenesis, is important for tumour proliferation and survival. The effects of hypoxia on parathyroid tumour cells, which may also be important for parathyroid autotransplantation in patients, are, however, unknown. We, therefore, assessed the effects of hypoxia on gene expression in parathyroid adenoma (PA) cells from patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. Cell suspensions from human PAs were cultured under normoxic or hypoxic conditions and then subjected to cDNA expression analysis. In total, 549 genes were significantly upregulated and 873 significantly downregulated. The most highly upregulated genes (carbonic anhydrase 9 (CA9), Solute carrier family 2A1 (SLC2A1) and hypoxia-inducible lipid droplet-associated protein (HIG2)) had known involvement in hypoxia responses. Dysregulation of oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis pathway genes were also observed, consistent with data indicating that cells shift metabolic strategy of ATP production in hypoxic conditions and that tumour cells predominantly utilise anaerobic glycolysis for energy production. Proliferation- and angiogenesis-associated genes linked with growth factor signalling, such as mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MAP2K1), Jun proto-oncogene (JUN) and ETS proto-oncogene 1 (ETS1), were increased, however, Ras association domain family member 1 (RASSF1), an inhibitor of proliferation was also upregulated, indicating these pathways are unlikely to be biased towards proliferation. Overall, there appeared to be a shift in growth factor signalling pathways from Jak-Stat and Ras signaling to extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α signalling. Thus, our data demonstrate that PAs, under hypoxic conditions, promote the expression of genes known to stimulate angiogenesis, as well as undergoing a metabolic switch.
Repeated humidity cycling’s effect on physical properties of three kinds of wood-based panels
Authors: Liu Xin You , Lv Meng Qi , Liu Mihaela , Lv Jiu Fang
Published: July 2021

Physical proprieties of particleboard, medium-density fiberboard, and wood-plastic composite board were studied by measuring the thickness and weight changes during repeated humidity cycling (RHC). The thickness stability, moisture absorbing capacity, and internal band strength of the control and treated specimens were measured for the three tested materials. The wood-plastic composite board showed the greatest stability, with only small changes in thickness and weight. Temperature is a key component of RHC treatment, with greater thickness changes after six cycles at 50 °C than after nine cycles at 20 °C. Compared with the control materials, the thickness stability of RHC-treated materials was decreased by 23.7 to 31.8%; RHC decreased the internal bond strength of specimens 22 to 23% for particleboard and medium-density fiberboard and 2.15% for wood-plastic composite board. Overall, thickness stability and internal bonding strength of the tested materials were highly correlated.