bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biological activity of meadow-chernozem and sod-taiga permafrost soils of the Yeravninsky basin
Authors: Korsunova Ts D-Ts , Valova E E
Published: November 2021

The biological and biochemical parameters of two types of permafrost soils of the Yeravninsky basin (the carbon content of the microbial mass, different groups of microorganisms, protease, catalase and the intensity of cellulose decomposition) were studied, depending on the water-thermal properties and the type of soil formation. It is established that permafrost soils do not have an optimal combination of potential and real (actual) enzymatic activity. It is also noted that the acidic reaction of the soil solution and the low availability of nutrients in sod-taiga soils increases the development of fungal microflora. The most significant soil-ecological factor that determines the microbiological activity of meadow-chernozem and sod-taiga permafrost soils is humidity, as evidenced by a direct correlation. In turn, these microbiological indicators can be used for diagnostic assessment of the biological state of soils, and also, along with other soil properties, should be taken into account when developing methods to increase the productivity of existing hayfields and pastures on them.
Ultra-Short-term Power Prediction of the Wind Farm Based on Multivariate Data Combination
Authors: Jian Yong , Li Zhong , Li Biao , Cao Xuyuan , Zhu Jiayuan
Published: November 2021

Accurate
wind power prediction is an important way to promote large-scale wind power grid connection. First, to address the abnormal wind farm actual measurement data caused by wind abandonment and power limitation, the DBSCAN method is used to pre-process the wind farm actual measurement data and eliminate the abnormal data. Then, a short-term wind power prediction model with a combination of GA-LSSVM and ARIMA weights is established, and the Lagrange multiplier algorithm is used to obtain the weighted values of each single model in the combined model to further obtain the wind power prediction results. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified by arithmetic examples, and the results show that the proposed model and method can effectively improve the prediction accuracy of short-term wind power.
Application of Data Stream Pattern Evolution Analysis in Energy Control System
Authors: Wang Wenjuan , Ye Zhihui , Zhang Chengting , Li Yong
Published: November 2021

Aiming at the data stream obtained in the energy control system of a cigarette factory, a data stream pattern analysis method is proposed which provides support for anomaly detection and other applications by detecting and tracking the pattern and extracting the evolution between the patterns. In this paper, the concept and definition of pattern tracking method for data streams are proposed, as well as the measurement criteria of pattern similarity. On this basis, the paper introduces in detail how to generate and cluster the hypercube grids, store the grid, generate the pattern and track the pattern on the real-time data stream. The paper also defines and describes the dynamic process of the generating, retreating, mutating, dividing and merging of the data stream pattern. The algorithm in this paper is applied to the real data stream collected in the energy control system of Ningbo cigarette factory, identifying and analyzing various feature of the data stream pattern, which can effectively describe the physical changes of the energy system.
Modeling the Correlation Relationship of Aqueous Battery Parameters Based on Regression Analysis
Authors: Xiang Liwen , Jin Jie , Zhang Jinghui , Ma Changjiang , Xiang Bingnan , Sun Wenhua
Published: November 2021

This study is a research on the new Aqueous battery. Based on the experimental data, the author selects the charge and discharge capacity, voltage and current of the battery during the charging and discharging process, establishing the correlation model between the parameters of the battery through regression analysis and other methods, and concluding the methods to optimise the performance and power supply capacity of the battery, which can explore a new high-efficiency battery that can replace the ordinary battery and provide new ideas and methods for the development of battery business.
Research on Air Quality Analysis Based on Cluster Methods
Authors: Li Zhaoni , Zheng Jian
Published: November 2021

Research on air quality analysis is a hot field. Here we describe an analysis process based on cluster methods for the data of ambient air quality. In this paper, we use the process to cluster on the air quality data which from the National Urban Air Quality Report in December 2020 on the official website of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China. We find that cities in different clusters with different main pollutants and pollution levels. Ambient air quality analysis aims to provide guidance for reducing the impact of air pollution on health.
Treatment and decolourisation of treated palm oil mill effluent (POME) using oil palm trunk-derived activated carbon as adsorbent
Authors: Lau K J , Lim A , Chew J J , Ngu L H , Sunarso J
Published: November 2021

Palm oil mill effluent (POME) has become a serious problem for the oil palm industries because of its high organic contents and other contaminant formation that results in dark colour, turbid and unpleasant odour. In the conventional treatment of POME used in Malaysia, treated POME can still pollute receiving water bodies as colour is one of the major contaminants that is not completely removed. Adsorption is a promising technique for addressing this problem, with a large range of adsorbents to choose from. It works by adhering the pollutants on to the high porous surface area of adsorbent. However, the high cost of coal-based AC that is commonly used can be the limiting factor for its wider application in palm oil industry. Therefore, this work looks into resource recovery (i.e., use of waste stream) from plantation as precursor of AC synthesis to treat its own waste from the palm oil mill. Hence, the suitability of oil palm trunk (OPT) as feedstock for AC application in POME colour removal in the mill is investigated. Experimental run at the as-synthesis OPT-derived AC was performed for validation via POME adsorption test. The result shows that the OPT-derived AC produced can remove the organic pollutants and colour of POME at the dosage of 15% w v−1 within 48 hours.
Techno-economic evaluation of microalgae-based supply chain: Review on recent approaches
Authors: Lo S L Y , Kong K G H , How B S , Lim J Y , Show P L , Sunarso J
Published: November 2021

Third generation biomass-derived products such as biofuel has been garnering attention as a viable alternative energy source recently as it does not necessarily require fresh water and vast land for cultivation as compared to first-generation and second-generation biomass. However, extensive studies have to go into the feasibility evaluation for third generation biomass utilization prior to upscaling the process to commercial level. Other than comprehensive technical evaluation such as experimental studies to understand the microalgae productivity, economic evaluation of the utilization of third-generation biomass is also critical specifically in the perspective of supply chain. Therefore, the objective of this review is to lay out an overall picture to the readers the various option of approaches or methods utilized in feasibility evaluation of the microalgae-based supply chain. The outcome of the review paper indicated that approximately 58% of the papers reviewed opted for mathematical modeling with optimization whereas the remaining 42% opted for mathematical modeling without optimization.
Used lubricating oil recovery process and treatment methods: A review
Authors: Anisuzzaman S M , Jumaidi M H , Nasir N N M
Published: November 2021

Used lubricating oil (ULO) is considered hazardous as it is able to cause pollution and affect the environment. The presence of degraded additives, contaminants, and by-products of degradation render ULO more toxic and harmful to health and environment than virgin base oils. Recovery of ULO generally comprises cleaning, drying, and adsorption in order to eliminate water, sludge, and impurities. As the ULO is one of the hazardous wastes generated in various industries, such as industrial and automotive, it should not be used or disposed of in ways that are harmful for the environment. Recovery of ULO carries out many advantages which includes lower environmental impact, higher energy saving and lower risks. The main objective of this paper was to thoroughly review various recovery process principles and treatment methods for ULO. Importance of ULO recycling and various techniques along with their limitations were also discussed. The significance of this study lies in reviewing the roles of adsorbent and adsorption reclamation processes of ULO and few promising adsorbents were earmarked for further study.
Effect of neutralizing agents in the preparation of succinic acid from oil palm trunk
Authors: Bukhari N A , Loh S K , Luthfi A A I , Abdul P M , Harun S , Jahim J M
Published: November 2021

Neutralization is an important process to control the pH required for enzymatic saccharification of pretreated biomass followed by fermentation for biochemical conversion. In this study, the production of succinic acid as a potential C4 building block was investigated by utilizing lignocellulosic biomass in the form of oil palm trunk (OPT). The effect of different neutralizing agents (NaOH, KOH and NH4OH) on the enzymatic saccharification of oxalic acid-pretreated OPT and subsequent succinic acid fermentation byActinobacillus succinogenesATCC 55618 was investigated. The results showed that all neutralizing agents tested were able to assist in the recovery of fermentable sugars with concentrations ranging from 38.1 to 39.6 g/L. However, during succinic acid fermentation, it was found that the soluble NH4-oxalate salt formed severely inhibited succinic acid fermentation compared to Na and K, thereby decreasing the succinic acid production from 14.0 g/L (using NaOH) to 1.0 g/L (using NH4OH). In particular, Na-and K-oxalate did not exhibit apparent inhibition for both the saccharification and fermentation processes. Hence, the choice of neutralizing reagent is essential to prevent inhibition in the preparation of succinic acid from lignocellulosic biomass.
Modelling the kinetics of microwave drying of shallot (Allium cepa) slices
Authors: Hii C L , Govind C , Chiang C L , Mohammad D
Published: November 2021

Convective drying is typically used to dry shallot (Allium cepa) commercially. However, a long drying time with a relatively low efficiency has led to the pursuit of new and improved drying methods. Microwave drying was chosen to be used due to its numerous advantages such as improved drying time, high drying efficiency and better product quality. In this research, three microwave power (180 W, 300 W, 450 W) and convective drying at 100°C were used. Results showed that drying kinetics (moisture content and drying rates) decreased the fastest at higher microwave power and the slowest using convective drying. In order to determine the best model to describe the thin-layer drying kinetics, four semi-empirical models were used namely Newton, Page, Logarithmic and Two-term models. Page model was found to be the best in describing the thin-layer microwave drying kinetics. Effective diffusivity values increased with higher microwave power and were found to be in the range of 6.62 × 10−6 m2/s to 3.69 × 10−5 m2/s with convective drying being the lowest (6.62 × 10−6 m2/s) and 450W being the highest (3.69 × 10−5 m2/s). Microwave drying is therefore able to improve drying kinetics compared to convective drying.
The effect of process parameters on catalytic direct CO2 hydrogenation to methanol
Authors: Koh M K , Wong Y J , Mohamed A R
Published: November 2021

The direct CO2 hydrogenation to methanol is an attractive route to actively remove CO2 and to promote sustainable development. Herein, the performance of Cu-Zn-Mn catalyst supported on mesoporous silica KIT-6 (hereafter, CZM/KIT-6) for methanol synthesis by direct CO2 hydrogenation reaction was investigated by varying the process parameters, which included the weight-hourly space velocity, reaction temperature and reaction pressure. The CO2 conversion was found to decrease with the increase of WHSV. On the other hand, CO2 conversion increased with reaction temperature and pressure. Meanwhile, the methanol selectivity increased with WHSV and reaction pressure but decreased with the increase of reaction temperature. The apparent activation energy of methanol production at low reaction temperature (160 - 220 °C) was 10 kcal/mol. Non-Arrhenius behaviour of methanol formation was observed at high reaction temperature (220 - 260 °C). The performance of CZM/KIT-6 was maintained at high level, with the average methanol yield of 24.4 %, throughout the stability experiment (120-hour time-on-stream). In post-reaction XRD analysis, the copper crystallite growth was found to be 53.5 %, thus, resulting in 35.3 % loss of copper surface area.
Influence of pH on corrosion resistance of electrodeposited Mg-Fe LDH composite films on Mg alloys WE43
Authors: Tan J K E , Balan P , Raj N A N , Nayak S
Published: November 2021

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) are widely studied as corrosion inhibition coatings for magnesium (Mg) alloys due to their nano-lamellar structure and anion-exchange ability. The two common approaches in synthesising LDH films on Mg alloys are co-precipitation and hydrothermal treatment. Recently, electrodeposition has drawn more interest as a potential synthesis approach due to the low cost, ease of control, one-step method, and ability to create a compact film. In this work, Mg-Fe LDH film was synthesised on magnesium hydroxide, Mg(OH)2 layer formed on Mg alloy WE43 by electrodeposition approach with the as-prepared iron solution at different pH values. The effect of pH of the solution (3.0, 5.0 and 7.0) on the formation of LDH films was investigated using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). Additionally, the surface chemical components of the film were obtained by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR). All the LDH composite films synthesised at different pH values undergo electrochemical tests in Hank’s Balanced salt solution (HBSS). All samples promote corrosion resistance of WE43 with the LDH film synthesised at pH 3.0 provided the highest inhibition efficiency (I.E) of 94.48 % and resistance polarisation value of 3559. 07 Ωcm2.
Performance enhancement of a baffle-type solar heat collector through CFD simulation study
Authors: Tan A S T , Janaun J , Tham H J , Siambun N J , Abdullah A
Published: November 2021

The application of solar energy conversion has been extensively utilized as an alternative energy source to generate heat. This approach would be a step towards sustainable energy development particularly in the manufacturing industry with energy-intensive process. In this paper, thermal enhancement on the key component of a solar energy device – solar heat collector (SHC), has been evaluated by proposing a baffle-type SHC with various geometric configuration in the air passage namely longitudinal baffle and transversal baffle. The performance of SHC is evaluated in term of efficiency, temperature distribution, airflow pattern and pressure drop across the collector outlet through Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) investigation. It was observed that maximum collector efficiency was achieved in the Longitudinal-SHC (L-SHC), with a value of 46.2 % followed by Transversal-SHC (T-SHC) and without baffles. Maximum drying temperature at the collector outlet was 332.43 K for L-SHC, showing temperature rise of 0.35 % and 4.21 % from T-SHC and without baffles, respectively. The velocity vector indicated that turbulence flow was created in the T-SHC which consequently improved the heat transfer. Whereas in L-SHC, enhancement was achieved through the prolonged heating time in the passage. Considering the thermo-hydraulic performance factor evaluated, these enhancement features had diminished the effect of pressure drop.
Transport through the network of topological channels in HgTe based quantum well
Authors: Gusev G M , Kvon Z D , Kozlov D A , Olshanetsky E B , Entin M V , Mikhailov N N
Published: November 2021

Topological insulators (TIs) represent a new quantum state of matter which is characterized by edge or surface states and an insulating band gap in the bulk. In a two-dimensional (2D) system based on the HgTe quantum well (QW) of critical width random deviations of the well width from its average value result in local crossovers from zero gap 2D Dirac fermion system to either the 2D TI or the ordinary insulator, forming a complicated in-plane network of helical channels along the zero-gap lines. We have studied experimentally the transport properties of the critical width HgTe QWs near the Dirac point, where the conductance is determined by a percolation along the zero-gap lines. The experimental results confirm the presence of percolating conducting channels of a finite width. Our work establishes the critical width HgTe QW as a promising platform for the study of the interplay between topology and localization.
Numerically modelled study of the plunge stage in friction stir spot welding using multi-tiered mesh partitions
Authors: Baruah Arindam , Murugesan Jayaprakash , Borkar Hemant
Published: November 2021

Friction stir spot welding is a solid-state joining process that has attracted significant attention particularly in the field of joining of lightweight, low melting alloys. These materials include alloys of Aluminium and Magnesium amongst many others which are of great importance to the aerospace and the automobile industries. The friction stir spot welding is a complex thermo-mechanical multiphysics phenomenon and is currently a field of intense research. The motivation of the current study is to understand this complex behaviour of the joining process by simulating it in the ABAQUS CAE environment. In the friction stir spot joining technique, the plunge stage is identified as the critical stage of operation as it involves a highly transient and dynamic zone for material and temperature flows. The plunge stage was studied in detail using the finite element based model. The plasticity of the material was simulated by the Johnson-Cook material model while the frictional heat generation was captured by applying a penalty-based frictional contact between the rotating tool and the workpiece contact surfaces. Considering the reasonable assumptions made, the results obtained by the numerical simulation model were found to agree with the past experimental and numerically modelled studies.
Interrater reliability and ease of use of the High-Alert Medication Stratification Tool‒Revised Prospective (HAMST-R PRO): A prospective, multisite study
Authors: Grinalds McKenzie S , Washburn Natalie C , Daniel Joel W , Walroth Todd A
Published: November 2021

Objective

The High-Alert Medication Stratification Tool‒Revised (HAMST-R) was originally designed to standardize the identification of high-alert medications (HAMs) according to safety risk. The primary objective of this multisite study was to assess interrater reliability of the HAMST-R PRO, a version of the tool designed to prospectively evaluate safety risk of medications during evaluation for formulary addition.

Methods

HAMST-R was designed as an objective tool to evaluate HAMs at a single site during the HAMST-R phase I study. Phase II of the study demonstrated the validity of the tool in a multisite, national study. In this third study, 11 medication safety experts from 8 health systems across the United States and 1 in Canada facilitated evaluation of medications prospectively with the HAMST-R PRO during the formulary review process for 27 medications. At each site, at least 5 individuals were asked to review each medication. Interrater reliability was evaluated using Kendall’s coefficient of concordance. Ease of use was determined by participant interviews.

Results

Overall interrater reliability for HAMST-R PRO was found to be 0.76 (P < 0.001) across all sites, indicating substantial agreement between users. Interrater reliability among individual sites ranged from 0.52 to 0.82 (P < 0.05 for all sites).

Conclusion

Interrater reliability of HAMST-R PRO is substantial, indicating consistency and agreement among pharmacists utilizing this tool to evaluate safety risk of medications before their addition to a health-system formulary. This information can be used to identify potential interventions for each step of the medication-use process that institutions may implement to decrease a medication’s potential safety risk.
Multivariate Bayesian spatio-temporal P-spline models to analyze crimes against women
Authors: Vicente Gonzalo , Goicoa Tomás , Ugarte María Dolores
Published: November 2021

Univariate spatio-temporal models for areal count data have received great attention in recent years for estimating risks. However, models for studying multivariate responses are less commonly used mainly due to the computational burden. In this article, multivariate spatio-temporal P-spline models are proposed to study different forms of violence against women. Modeling distinct crimes jointly improves the precision of estimates over univariate models and allows to compute correlations among them. The correlation between the spatial and the temporal patterns may suggest connections among the different crimes that will certainly benefit a thorough comprehension of this problem that affects millions of women around the world. The models are fitted using integrated nested Laplace approximations and are used to analyze four distinct crimes against women at district level in the Indian state of Maharashtra during the period 2001–2013.
Effects of Processing Method Changes in Main Volatile Compounds of Qixue Shuangbu Prescription by Needle Trap Device Coupled with Gas Chromatography-Triple Quadrupole Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Chen Linwei , Jiang Yong , Liu Lunyuan , Bei Chenqi , Chen Yan , Wang Hua , Tian Hu , Chen Ziduan , Wang Qin
Published: November 2021

Qixue Shuangbu Prescription (QSP) has been widely applied in the treatment of chronic heart failure (CHF). Previous clinical studies have found that the efficacy of processed QSP was significantly enhanced in the treatment of CHF. We have identified and analyzed the nonvolatile components before and after processing of QSP, and predicted the mechanism of synergistic effect after processing in the treatment of CHF. However, the synergistic mechanism of processed QSP caused by the difference of volatile components was still unclear. In this study, we developed a method of needle trap device coupled with gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry to elucidate the difference of volatile components between crude and processed QSP. The established method has been used to identify 104 volatile compounds in crude and processed QSP. The results of multivariate data showed 38 differential compounds were screened as potential markers, which would further explain the mechanism of processing synergistic effect of processed QSP. This study successfully developed the method to elucidate its processing mechanism based on the difference of volatile compositions between crude and processed QSP for the first time, and it would provide a novel analytical strategy for the impacts of different processing methods on main volatile compounds in traditional Chinese medicine.
Screening Design and Response Surface Methodology for the Simultaneous Estimation of Carvedilol and Ivabradine HCl by HPTLC Method
Authors: Prajapati Pintu , Naik Khushali , Tailor Pratik , Shah Shailesh
Published: November 2021

The combination of carvedilol (CAR) and ivabradine (IVA) is used for a greater reduction in heart rate and for achieving better exercise capacity in a patient with chronic heart failure. Numerous reverse-phase high-pressure liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and hyphenated techniques have been reported for the simultaneous estimation of CAR and IVA, but the high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method has not been reported yet. Hence, the robust HPTLC method has been developed by the implementation of an enhanced analytical quality by design approach based on the principles of analytical failure modes critical effect analysis (AFMCEA) and design of experiments (DoE) as per the upcoming ICH Q14 guideline. The AFMCEA was started by the identification of potential analytical failure modes followed by their critical effect analysis by a DoE-based screening design. The high-risk failure modes were optimized by DoE-based response surface methodology. The method operable design ranges and control strategy was framed for optimized chromatography conditions. The HPTLC method was validated as per ICH Q2 (R1) guideline. The HPTLC method was applied for the assay of FDC of CAR and IVA, and results were found in compliance with the labeled claim. The developed method can be used as an alternative to the published RP-HPLC method for quality control of FDC of CAR and IVA in the pharmaceutical industry.
The Impact of Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services SEP-1 Core Measure Implementation on Antibacterial Utilization: A Retrospective Multicenter Longitudinal Cohort Study With Interrupted Time-Series Analysis
Authors: Anderson Deverick J , Moehring Rebekah W , Parish Alice , David Michael Z , Hsueh Kevin , Cressman Leigh , Tolomeo Pam , Habrock-Bach Tracey , Hill Cherie L , Ryan Matthew , O’Brien Cara , Lokhnygina Yuliya , Dodds Ashley Elizabeth
Published: November 2021

Background

The impact of the US Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Severe Sepsis and Septic Shock: Management Bundle (SEP-1) core measure on overall antibacterial utilization is unknown.

Methods

We performed a retrospective multicenter longitudinal cohort study with interrupted time–series analysis to determine the impact of SEP-1 implementation on antibacterial utilization and patient outcomes. All adult patients admitted to 26 hospitals between 1 October 2014 and 30 September 2015 (SEP-1 preparation period) and between 1 November 2015 and 31 October 2016 (SEP-1 implementation period) were evaluated for inclusion. The primary outcome was total antibacterial utilization, measured as days of therapy (DOT) per 1000 patient-days.

Results

The study cohort included 701 055 eligible patient admissions and 4.2 million patient-days. Overall antibacterial utilization increased 2% each month during SEP-1 preparation (relative rate [RR], 1.02 per month [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.00–1.04]; P = .02). Cumulatively, the mean monthly DOT per 1000 patient-days increased 24.4% (95% CI, 18.0%–38.8%) over the entire study period (October 2014–October 2016). The rate of sepsis diagnosis/1000 patients increased 2% each month during SEP-1 preparation (RR, 1.02 per month [95% CI, 1.00–1.04]; P = .04). The rate of all-cause mortality rate per 1000 patients decreased during the study period (RR for SEP-1 preparation, 0.95 [95% CI, .92–.98; P = .001]; RR for SEP-1 implementation, .98 [.97–1.00; P = .01]). Cumulatively, the monthly mean all-cause mortality rate/1000 patients declined 38.5% (95% CI, 25.9%–48.0%) over the study period.

Conclusions

Announcement and implementation of the CMS SEP-1 process measure was associated with increased diagnosis of sepsis and antibacterial utilization and decreased mortality rate among hospitalized patients.
A Higher Antibody Response Is Generated With a 6- to 7-Week (vs Standard) Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Vaccine Dosing Interval
Authors: Grunau Brian , Asamoah-Boaheng Michael , Lavoie Pascal M , Karim Mohammad Ehsanul , Kirkham Tracy L , Demers Paul A , Barakauskas Vilte , Marquez Ana Citlali , Jassem Agatha N , O’Brien Sheila F , Drews Steven J , Haig Scott , Cheskes Sheldon , Goldfarb David M
Published: November 2021

The optimal dosing interval for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccines remains controversial. In this prospective study, we compared serology results of paramedics vaccinated with mRNA vaccines at the recommended short (17–28 days) vs long (42–49 days) interval. We found that a long dosing interval resulted in higher spike, receptor binding domain, and spike N terminal domain antibody concentrations.
Protein biomarkers in serum as a conservation tool to assess reproduction: a case study on brown bears (Ursus arctos)
Authors: Wilson Abbey E , Michaud Sarah A , Jackson Angela M , Stenhouse Gordon , McClelland Cameron J R , Coops Nicholas C , Janz David M
Published: November 2021

Monitoring the reproductive characteristics of a species can complement existing conservation strategies by understanding the mechanisms underlying demography. However, methodology to determine important aspects of female reproductive biology is often absent in monitoring programs for large mammals. Protein biomarkers may be a useful tool to detect physiological changes that are indicative of reproductive state. This study aimed to identify protein biomarkers of reproductive status in serum collected from free-ranging female brown bears (Ursus arctos) in Alberta, Canada, from 2001 to 2018. We hypothesized that the expression of proteins related to reproduction in addition to energetics and stress can be used to answer specific management-focused questions: (i) identify when a female is pregnant, (ii) detect if a female is lactating, (iii) determine age of sexual maturity (i.e. primiparity) and (iv) assess female fertility (i.e. reproduction rate). Furthermore, we investigated if silver spoon effects (favourable early life conditions provide fitness benefits through adulthood) could be determined using protein expression. A target panel of 19 proteins with established relationships to physiological function was measured by peptide-based analysis using liquid chromatography and multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry and their differential expression was evaluated using a Wilcoxon signed-rank test. We found biomarkers of pregnancy (apolipoprotein B-100 and afamin), lactation (apolipoprotein B-100 and alpha-2-macroglobulin) and sexual maturity (corticosteroid-binding globulin), but there were no statistically significant relationships with protein expression and fertility. The expression of proteins related to reproduction (afamin) and energetics (vitamin-D binding protein) was associated with the nutritional quality of the individual’s present habitat rather than their early life habitat. This study highlights potential biomarkers of reproductive status and provides additional methods for monitoring physiological function in wildlife to inform conservation.
What really matters: a patient-centered instrument to evaluate health-related quality of life in cardiovascular disease
Authors: Ties Daan , Singh Tajinder K , Zhang Xin , van Veghel Dennis , Schalkers Inge , Groot Hilde E , Krabbe Paul F M , van der Harst Pim
Published: November 2021

Aims

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are increasingly used to guide decision-making in cardiovascular care. However, many of the existing PROMs are developed with limited patient involvement and overlook personal health preferences. We aim to develop a cardiovascular disease (CVD)-specific patient-centred preference-based PROM to assess and monitor HRQoL in CVD patients.

Methods and results

A mixed-methods study consisting of several phases was conducted to identify important health items: (i) a scoping literature review, (ii) first- and second-round expert group meetings, (iii) interviews with CVD patients, and (iv) an online survey asking CVD patients to indicate from a large set those health items that are considered the most important. The literature review, expert group meetings, and patient interviews resulted in a list of 55 items potentially important to CVD patients. In total, 666 CVD patients responded to the survey. The following nine items were considered the most important by CVD patients: mobility, activities, self-reliance, fatigue, shortness of breath, chest pain, palpitations, anxiety/worrying, and sexual limitations. An electronic preference-based PROM consisting of these nine items was developed within a cloud-based environment for clinical implementation.

Conclusion

Nine items considered the most important for health by CVD patients were identified and included in a new preference-based patient-centred PROM. This new CVD-specific PROM can be easily implemented using the electronic application and has the potential to improve quality of care for CVD patients.
Effects of ischaemic postconditioning in aortic valve replacement: a multicenter randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kaljusto Mari-Liis , Bautin Andrey , Jakobsen Øyvind , Wilimski Radoslaw , Brunborg Cathrine , Wennemo Marte , Karpova Lyudmila , Nergaard Aas Kathrine , Arendarczyk Adam , Landsverk Svein A , Galagudza Mikhail , Næsheim Torvind , Czub Pawel , Gordeev Mikhail , Vaage Jarle
Published: November 2021

OBJECTIVES

The effect of ischaemic postconditioning (IPost) on postcardioplegic cardiac function is not known. We hypothesized that IPost was cardioprotective in adult patients undergoing elective aortic valve replacement.

METHODS

In a multicentre, prospective, randomized trial, patients (n = 209) were randomized to either a standard operation (controls) or postconditioning. Immediately before the cross-clamp was released, patients in the postconditioning group underwent 3 cycles of flow/non-flow (2 min each) of normothermic blood via the antegrade cardioplegia line. The primary end point was cardiac index. Secondary end points included additional haemodynamic measurements, biomarkers of cardiomyocyte injury, renal function parameters, intra- and postoperative arrhythmias and use of inotropic agents.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between the groups regarding cardiac index [mean between-group difference, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.11 (−0.1 to 0.3), P = 0.27]. Postconditioning had no effect on other haemodynamic parametres. There was no between-group difference regarding troponin T or creatine kinase MB. Postconditioning reduced the relative risk for arrhythmias by 45% (P = 0.03) when postoperative atrial fibrillation and intraoperative ventricular fibrillation were combined. There were no differences in patients with/without diabetes, patients above/below 70 years of age or between the centres. However, after postconditioning, the cardiac index [95% CI, 0.46 (0.2–0.7), P = 0.001], cardiac output (P < 0.001), mean arterial pressure (P < 0.001) and left ventricular stroke work index (P < 0.001) were higher in males compared to females.

CONCLUSIONS

IPost had no overall cardioprotective effects in patients undergoing aortic valve replacement but improved postoperative cardiac performance in men compared to women.
The Inventory of Physical Activity Barriers for Adults 50 Years and Older: Refinement and Validation
Authors: Wingood Mariana , Jones Salene M W , Gell Nancy M , Brach Jennifer S , Peters Denise M
Published: November 2021

Background and Objectives

Due to health consequences associated with insufficient physical activity (PA), particularly among aging adults, health care providers should assess and address lack of PA participation. Addressing lack of PA means developing individualized PA prescriptions that incorporate solutions to PA participation barriers. Assessing PA participation barriers can be done through the Social Ecological Model-based Inventory of Physical Activity Barriers Scale (IPAB). This study aimed to refine the initial 40-item IPAB and determine its reliability and validity.

Research Design and Methods

Five hundred and three community-dwelling adults 50 years and older completed a demographic and health questionnaire, the Physical Activity Vital Sign, the IPAB, and a feedback questionnaire. For scale refinement, half of the data were used for exploratory factor analysis and the other half for confirmatory factor analysis. The refined scale underwent reliability and validity assessment, including internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and construct validity.

Results

The refined scale contains 27 items consisting of 7 factors and 1 stand-alone item: (a) environmental, (b) physical health, (c) PA-related motivation, (d) emotional health, (e) time, (f) skills, (g) social, and (h) energy (a stand-alone item). The 27-item IPAB has good internal consistency (alpha = 0.91) and high test–retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.99). The IPAB’s mean scores were statistically different between those who met the recommended levels of PA and those who did not (p < .001).

Discussion and Implications

The information gathered through the IPAB can guide discussions related to PA participation barriers and develop individualized PA prescriptions that incorporate solutions to the identified barriers.
Somaliland's authoritarian turn: oligarchic–corporate power and the political economy of de facto states
Authors: Elder Claire
Published: November 2021

Somaliland's endurance as Africa's longest de facto state has for decades preoccupied scholarship on state formation and democratization. The prevailing democratic success narrative has, however, downplayed the complex internal political dynamics and crises that have characterized Somaliland's independence since 1991. Relying on a number of robust resources, including 110 interviews and archival work conducted in Somaliland from 2015 until 2021, this article examines at close range Somaliland's political economy and provides a more cautious assessment of Somaliland's democratization trajectory. It argues that the political authority of cross-border oligarchic–corporate structures and the securitization of aid created an ‘oligopolistic state’ and ‘peaceocracy’ rather than a national, democratic government. This analysis highlights how de facto states struggle to balance political control and financial hardship generating creative and uneven governance structures. This study also raises important questions about how donors in the Gulf and in Asia provide new opportunities for recognition through Islamic finance and business that may affect de facto states' commitments to democratization. Finally, it contributes to theorizing about the ideologies of privatized governance that emerge in peripheral and developing economies and the political consequences of perennial non-recognition.
Spiritual security: an explanatory framework for conflict-related sexual violence against men
Authors: Njoku Emeka Thaddues , Dery Isaac
Published: November 2021

While there is a growing interest in conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) against men, conceptual understanding and empirical knowledge are still inadequate. The notion of spiritual security is introduced in this article as an explanatory variable in CRSV, using survivors' discursive views of sexual violence victimizations in Nigeria's north-eastern region. The CRSV of males, it is argued, may also be understood as a ritual or spiritual activity carried out for bodily protection, financial prosperity, or socio-political ascendency. The survivors' impressions of CRSV's spiritual undertones are not unrelated to the heteronormative and collectively homophobic culture in their society, in which violent same-sex relations are considered so perverse and meaningful only if they are conceived as ‘evil or devilish practices’. Spiritual beliefs and practices, on the other hand, determine much of the social reality of many people in various parts of the world, and they are regarded as potent on security issues ranging from physical protection to wealth creation and socio-political advancement. This study adds to the continuing discussion on the reasons behind CRSV against men.
Counter-insurgency governance in the Sahel
Authors: Charbonneau Bruno
Published: November 2021

Since 2013, the multiplication of regional and international strategies and actions directed at stabilizing Mali and the Sahel, and at countering and preventing violent extremism, has not improved the situation there and, arguably, some of it has made it worse. This article analyses the type of political order and regional governance that has been and is being built after almost a decade of international interventions in the West African Sahel. It is an effort at theorizing and making sense of what is considered here to be a permanent state of intervention in the Sahel that has evolved into a form of counterinsurgency governance—a concept being proposed to point to the influence and the infusion of counterinsurgency principles into philosophies of governance. This article argues that counterinsurgency governance insists on a set of power relations and configurations that seeks to impose limits, parameters and boundaries to the purpose of and the form that Sahelian states, governments and governance ought to take. As such, counterinsurgency governance is simultaneously a mode of governance and a web of political practices and contestation whose mechanisms have failed at fully implementing its principles in the Sahel. Its fallback is the emergence of a regional strategy to manage and establish limits to Sahelian political possibilities.
Effects of maternal nutrition and rumen-protected arginine supplementation on maternal carotid artery hemodynamics and circulating amino acids of ewes and offspring
Authors: Peine Jena L , Neville Tammi L , Jia Guangquiang , Van Emon Megan L , Kirsch James D , Hammer Carolyn J , Meyer Allison M , O’Rourke Stephen T , Reynolds Lawrence P , Caton Joel S
Published: November 2021

Multiparous Rambouillet ewes (n = 32) were allocated in a completely randomized design to determine if rumen-protected L-arginine (RP-Arg) supplementation during mid- and late gestation would 1) alter maternal carotid artery hemodynamics and 2) affect circulating amino acids associated with arginine metabolism in dams from day 54 of gestation to parturition and in their offspring from birth to 54 d of age. Ewes were assigned to one of three treatments from day 54 ± 3.9 to parturition: control (CON; 100% nutrient requirements), restricted (RES; 60% of CON), and RES plus 180 mg RP-Arg•kg BW-1•d1 (RES-ARG). Ewes were penned individually in a temperature-controlled facility. Carotid artery hemodynamics was measured via Doppler ultrasound at day 50 and 130 of gestation. Maternal serum was collected at day 54 and 138 of gestation and at parturition. At parturition, lambs were immediately removed from their dams and reared independently. Lamb serum samples were collected at birth and 1, 3, 7, 33, and 54 d of age. Pulsatility index was the only hemodynamic measurement altered by dietary treatment, where day 130 measurements were greater (P ≤ 0.04) for RES and RES-ARG compared with CON. The change in pulsatility index was greater (P < 0.01) for RES compared with CON but tended to be intermediate (P ≥ 0.12) for RES-ARG. Maternal serum Arg, Cit, and Asp at day 138 were greater (P < 0.01) for CON compared with RES and RES-ARG; serum Orn at day 138 was greater (P = 0.04) for CON compared with RES. Maternal serum Cit at parturition was greater (P ≤ 0.03) for CON and RES-ARG compared with RES. Offspring serum Arg was affected by a maternal treatment by day of age interaction (P = 0.03), where at day 3, CON and RES-ARG had greater (P ≤ 0.03) serum Arg concentrations than RES, and at day 54, RES-ARG was greater than (P = 0.002) CON and RES was intermediate and did not differ from (P ≥ 0.09) CON and RES-ARG. Offspring serum Orn and Cit were less (P ≤ 0.03) for RES and RES-ARG compared with CON. Results indicate that distal tissue blood perfusion decreased due to maternal RES, and RES-ARG was able to improve perfusion but not to the level of CON ewes. Further, maternal RP-Arg altered offspring Arg and related amino acid concentrations during the postnatal period.
Doris Duke and Mary Crane: Collecting Islamic art for Shangri La, a Hawaiian hideaway home
Authors: Proctor-Tiffany Mariah
Published: November 2021

Doris Duke, one of the most avid twentieth-century collectors of Islamic art, spoke little about her motivation for building a remarkable collection of Islamic art for her Hawaiian home, Shangri La, and the processes whereby she did so. However, the correspondence between her and Mary Crane, a young art-history graduate student, who had travelled in the Middle East with Duke and then was her buyer in New York in 1940–41, illuminates these questions. The letters present exciting evidence, especially about the acquisition of a stunning thirteenth-century mihrab from Kashan, Iran. Moreover, mapping of the sites that Mary Crane visited in pursuit of objects reveals the network of the numerous people involved in the Islamic art market in New York. And, finally, the letters make possible an analysis of Duke’s individual manifestation of Orientalism, enabling an examination of how and why she collected works from Middle Eastern, North African and Indian cultures.
April 5, 2005—Living in Mortal Time
Authors: McQuellon Richard P.
Published: November 2021

The central theme of this dialogue is exploration of extended mortal time. Early in her breast cancer treatment, one of Nell’s physicians had estimated a much shorter lifespan; she expected the prediction to come true. She is prepared to die and is frustrated when she learns it is not time. Nell is finding comfort in the rituals of Catholic Church in which she was raised, even though she describes herself as “a fitfully practicing Catholic” with Buddhist leanings. She appreciates the opportunity for the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick while at the same time questioning the many problems of the institutional church, including patriarchy. She contends with the practical problems of managing her deteriorating body as well as contemplating “pure love as the reward on the other side” when she dies. Nell is making peace with her time on earth. She is not lying passively but actively engaging her life as it comes to an end. A profound insight is finding herself feeling at home in the world for the first time in her entire life.
April 19, 2005—Leaving Gifts
Authors: McQuellon Richard P.
Published: November 2021

In this dialogue, Nell lets go of possessions and gifts them to friends and relatives. She was especially pleased with transferring 120,000 frequent-flyer miles to her niece’s family so they could make their annual pilgrimage to Michigan from Seattle. This is the second time she has downsized in two years. When she and Al moved from their home to this apartment, they had to place furniture in storage or sell it. A major loss with the move was her highly valued garden with its associated activities, especially digging in the good earth. Nell once again spoke of her intense fear of suffocation and likened it to “skating in the dark.” She feels the same type of fear and panic when she cannot swallow due to dry mouth. Her shortness of breath has been a continual challenge; the addition of an oxygen apparatus has helped. Unfortunately, she had difficulty getting the machine to work properly because it was delivered without an essential component, the humidifier. Consequently, her nasal passages were drying out and bleeding. She subsequently needed to increase her self-advocacy efforts with the hospice healthcare providers. We practiced a breathing exercise to help her settle herself when she feels short of breath.
Unconsciousness
Authors: Johnson L. Syd M
Published: November 2021

Neuroscientific knowledge about disorders of consciousness has rapidly developed in recent decades, expanding the diagnostic categories. This chapter describes the disorders and what is known about them and traces their medical and ethical history, examining how old and dogmatic certainties have given way to new and urgent uncertainties. Bioethical and philosophical discourses have not adequately kept pace with what is known and unknown about these disorders. It is argued that there is a need to reconsider outdated ethical conclusions and to revise the taxonomy of these orders, both to excise stigmatizing terms like vegetative, to more accurately reflect the changing and mercurial clinical picture, and to knock down the monoliths of conscious and unconscious.