bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound at labour triage in eastern Uganda: A mixed methods study of patient perceptions of care and providers’ implementation experience
Authors: Isabirye Nathan , Kisa Rose , Santos Nicole , Shah Sachita , Mulowooza Jude , Walker Dilys , Waiswa Peter
Published: November 2021

In settings where antenatal ultrasound is not offered routinely, ultrasound use when a woman first presents to the maternity ward for labour (i.e., triage) may be beneficial. This study investigated patients’ perceptions of care and providers’ experience with ultrasound implementation during labour triage at a district referral hospital (DH) and three primary health centers (HC) in eastern Uganda. This was a mixed methods study comprising questionnaires administered to women and key informant interviews among midwives pre- and post-ultrasound introduction. Bivariate analyses were conducted using chi-square tests. Qualitative themes were categorized as (1) workflow integration; (2) impact on clinical processes; (3) patient response to ultrasound; and (4) implementation barriers. A total of 731 and 815 women completed questionnaires from the HCs and DH, respectively. At the HC-level, triage quality of care, satisfaction and recommendation ratings increased with implementation of ultrasound. In contrast, satisfaction and recommendation ratings did not differ upon ultrasound introduction at the DH, whereas perceived triage quality of care increased. Most participants noted a perceived improvement in midwives’ experience and knowledge upon introduction of ultrasound. Women who underwent a scan also reported diverse feelings, such as fear or worry about their delivery, fear of harm due to the ultrasound, or relief after knowing the baby’s condition. For the midwives’ perspective (n = 14), respondents noted that ultrasound led to more accurate diagnoses (e.g., fetal position, heart rate, multiple gestation) and improved decision-making. However, they noted health system barriers to ultrasound implementation, such as increased workload, not enough ultrasound-trained providers, and irregular electricity. While triage ultrasound in this context was seen as beneficial to mothers and useful in providers’ clinical assessments, further investigation around provider-patient communication, system-level challenges, and fears or misconceptions among women are needed.
Urinary C3 levels associated with sepsis and acute kidney injury—A pilot study
Authors: Pajenda Sahra , Zawedde Florence , Kapps Sebastian , Wagner Ludwig , Schmidt Alice , Winnicki Wolfgang , O’Connell David , Gerges Daniela
Published: November 2021

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is an abrupt deterioration of renal function often caused by severe clinical disease such as sepsis, and patients require intensive care. Acute-phase parameters for systemic inflammation are well established and used in routine clinical diagnosis, but no such parameters are known for AKI and inflammation at the local site of tissue damage, namely the nephron. Therefore, we sought to investigate complement factors C3a/C3 in urine and urinary sediment cells. After the development of a C3a/C3-specific mouse monoclonal antibody (3F7E2), urine excretion from ICU sepsis patients was examined by dot blot and immunoblotting. This C3a/C3 ELISA and a C3a ELISA were used to obtain quantitative data over 24 hours for 6 consecutive days. Urine sediment cells were analyzed for topology of expression. Patients with severe infections (n = 85) showed peak levels of C3a/C3 on the second day of ICU treatment. The majority (n = 59) showed C3a/C3 levels above 20 μg/ml at least once in the first 6 days after admission. C3a was detectable on all 6 days. Peak C3a/C3 levels correlated negatively with peak C-reactive protein (CRP) levels. No relationship was found between peak C3a/C3 with peak leukocyte count, age, or AKI stage. Analysis of urine sediment cells identified C3a/C3-producing epithelial cells with reticular staining patterns and cells with large-granular staining. Opsonized bacteria were detected in patients with urinary tract infections. In critically ill sepsis patients with AKI, urinary C3a/C3 inversely correlated with serum CRP. Whether urinary C3a/C3 has a protective function through autophagy, as previously shown for cisplatin exposure, or is a by-product of sepsis caused by pathogenic stimuli to the kidney must remain open in this study. However, our data suggest that C3a/C3 may function as an inverse acute-phase parameter that originates in the kidney and is detectable in urine.
Employed mothers’ breastfeeding: Exploring breastfeeding experience of employed mothers in different work environments in Ethiopia
Authors: Wolde Firmaye Bogale , Ali Jemal Haidar , Mengistu Yalemwork Getnet
Published: November 2021

Background

One of the most cost-effective interventions to enhance child health with the potential to reach families of all economic backgrounds is breastfeeding. Despite the many benefits optimal breastfeeding has, its practice is low due to various barriers among which maternal employment is mentioned repeatedly. Accordingly, this study has explored the experience of employed mothers with regards to breastfeeding, employment, and work environment in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

Methods and findings

A descriptive Phenomenology strategy was employed among 17 mothers drawn from different organizations, conveniently, that offer accommodation of six months maternity leave or onsite child care center or had only three months maternity leave. Data were collected through in-depth interviews until information saturation was reached. Recorded interviews were transcribed and translated and the information obtained was then organized and coded to generate overarching themes. Two themes on facilitators and barriers, and addressing barriers were generated after analysis. Mothers recognize the importance of breastfeeding for children but returning to work at three months is expressed as a major barrier to continuous breastfeeding. Mothers who have access to supporting conditions at their workplace expressed better breastfeeding practice and better satisfaction with their job.

Conclusions

Providing employed mothers with a supporting environment helps them work with better stability, motivation, and satisfaction. This however requires a suitable accommodation with a focus on the different kinds of work environments of the mothers and the different risks related to each respective environment via scaling up and monitoring breastfeeding interventions and calling upon institutions to remove structural and societal barriers to breastfeeding.
The gatekeeper of Yersinia type III secretion is under RNA thermometer control
Authors: Pienkoß Stephan , Javadi Soheila , Chaoprasid Paweena , Nolte Thomas , Twittenhoff Christian , Dersch Petra , Narberhaus Franz
Published: November 2021

Many bacterial pathogens use a type III secretion system (T3SS) as molecular syringe to inject effector proteins into the host cell. In the foodborne pathogen Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, delivery of the secreted effector protein cocktail through the T3SS depends on YopN, a molecular gatekeeper that controls access to the secretion channel from the bacterial cytoplasm. Here, we show that several checkpoints adjust yopN expression to virulence conditions. A dominant cue is the host body temperature. A temperature of 37°C is known to induce the RNA thermometer (RNAT)-dependent synthesis of LcrF, a transcription factor that activates expression of the entire T3SS regulon. Here, we uncovered a second layer of temperature control. We show that another RNAT silences translation of the yopN mRNA at low environmental temperatures. The long and short 5’-untranslated region of both cellular yopN isoforms fold into a similar secondary structure that blocks ribosome binding. The hairpin structure with an internal loop melts at 37°C and thereby permits formation of the translation initiation complex as shown by mutational analysis, in vitro structure probing and toeprinting methods. Importantly, we demonstrate the physiological relevance of the RNAT in the faithful control of type III secretion by using a point-mutated thermostable RNAT variant with a trapped SD sequence. Abrogated YopN production in this strain led to unrestricted effector protein secretion into the medium, bacterial growth arrest and delayed translocation into eukaryotic host cells. Cumulatively, our results show that substrate delivery by the Yersinia T3SS is under hierarchical surveillance of two RNATs.
Nuevos planteamientos sobre el aragonés medieval
Authors: Fernández-Ordóñez Hernández Inés
Published: November 2021

En este trabajo se ofrece una síntesis de nuevos planteamientos sobre el estatus sociológico del aragonés medieval que destacan la importancia que adquirió esa lengua en la construcción política del reino de Aragón, en contraste con el catalán y el latín. Se discute asimismo la definición lingüística del concepto de “aragonés común”, sobre el que se habría edificado el proceso medieval de estandarización de la lengua, así como los problemas que plantea esa definición.
Mechanisms of Solid-Solution Hardening of Single-Phase Cu-Al and Cu-Mn Alloys with a Mesh Dislocation Substructure
Authors: Trishkina L.I. , Cherkasova T.V. , Klopotov A.A. , Potekaev A.I.
Published: November 2021

The dislocation structure and dislocation accumulation during deformation of polycrystalline FCC solid solutions of Cu-Al and Cu-Mn systems are studied by transmission diffraction electron microscopy. The Al content in Cu-Al alloys varies from 0.5 to 14 at.%. The Mn content in Cu-Mn alloys varies in the range of 0.4 ÷ 25 at.%. Alloys with a grain size in the range of 20 ÷ 240 µm are studied. The alloy samples are deformed by stretching at a rate of 2×10-2c-1 to failure at 293 K. The structure of samples deformed to various degrees of deformation is studied on foils using electron microscopes at an accelerating voltage of 125 kV. For each degree of deformation, the scalar dislocation density and its components are measured: statistically stored dislocations ρS and geometrically necessary dislocations ρG and some other parameters of the defective structure.

The mechanisms and their contributions due to mesh and mesh-mesh dislocation substructures (DSS) are determined using the example of substructural and solid-solution hardening in polycrystalline Cu-Al and Cu-Mn alloys.

The relative role of various mechanisms in the formation of the resistance to deformation of alloys at different grain sizes is determined. The role of the packaging defect energy on the value of solid-solution hardening for different grain sizes is revealed. The average scalar dislocation density is considered and determined along with its components: statistically stored dislocations ρS and geometrically necessary dislocations ρG. The dependences of the flow stress on the square root of the densities of geometrically necessary dislocations and the densities of statistically stored dislocations are found.
The Laboratory Measuring and Computing System for Stabilometric Studies
Authors: Utemesov R.M. , Shimko E.A.
Published: November 2021

The article is devoted to the development of the digital measuring and computing system for conducting stabilometric studies. The proposed system is based on an electromechanical stability platform. The block diagram of the developed system is presented. The selection of electronic components for the system is analyzed. The developed system is based on the ATmega328 microcontroller on the Arduino Uno R3 board. The HX711 board is used as an analog-to-digital converter. Strain gauges of 50 kg are used to measure the patients’ pressure forces. The overall design, technological, technical, and operational characteristics of the developed stabilometric platform are presented in the paper. The physical model of the developed system is shown. The operating algorithm is described, and the block diagram for calculation of the main stabilometric indicators (the length of the stabilogram, the modules and directions of the velocities, angular velocities, and dynamic stabilization factors) is presented. There are several examples demonstrating test operations of the developed system. Trial measurements and calculations have shown that the designed system fully meets the technical requirements for stabilometry equipment. The developed measuring and computing system allows registration and calculation of the spatial and temporal characteristics of patients’ motions.
Numerical Solution of One Problem of Carbon Dioxide Injection into the Rock
Authors: Virts R.A .
Published: November 2021

The paper considers a two-dimensional mathematical model of filtration of a viscous incompressible liquid or gas in a porous medium. A unique feature of the model under consideration is the incorporation of poroelastic properties of the solid skeleton. From a mathematical point of view, the equations of mass conservation for liquid / gaseous and solid phases, Darcy's law, the rheological ratio for a porous medium, and the conservation law of the balance of forces are considered. The work is aimed at numerical study of the model initial-boundary value problem of carbon dioxide injection into the rock with minimum initial porosity. Also, it is necessary to find out the parameters at which the porosity will increase in the upper layers of the rock and, as a result, the gas will come to the surface. Section 1 contains a statement of the problem and a brief review of scientific papers related to this topic. In Section 2, the original system of constitutive equations is transformed. In the case of slow flows, when the convective term can be neglected, a system arises that consists of a second-order parabolic equation for the effective pressure of the medium and a first-order equation for porosity. Section 3 presents the results and conclusions of a numerical study of the initial-boundary value problem.
Ellipsoidal Approximation of the Set of Solutions of Interval Systems of Linear Algebraic Equations
Authors: Ergaliev E.R. , Madiyarov M.N. , Oskorbin N.M. , Smolyakova L.L.
Published: November 2021

The article presents the results of the approximation of the set of solutions of interval systems of linear algebraic equations. These systems are used in the problems of modeling linear deterministic processes. It is assumed that the modeled process is described by an output variable and a set of input variables, the measurement errors of which are assumed to be set by known intervals symmetric with respect to the zero value. Traditionally, the sets of solutions of interval systems of linear algebraic equations in applied problems are approximated by a hyper-rectangular whose sides are parallel to the axes of the selected coordinate system. In this paper, we propose to use an ellipsoidal approximation of these sets, which is more efficient. The main results of the work include the substantiation of assumptions about the properties of the modeled process, the choice of a mathematical method for constructing an approximating ellipsoid, the proposed method for forming boundary points, and a numerical method for solving the problem. A computer simulation of the problem of estimating the parameters of a linear process is performed in Excel, which is used for a comparative study of approximations of solutions of interval systems of linear algebraic equations by a hyper-rectangular and an ellipse.
Milyen tényezők akadályozzák Magyarországon a közép- és nagyvállalati innovációt?
Authors: Kiss János
Published: November 2021

A cikkben a BCE Versenyképességi Kutató Központ legújabb felmérése alapján a vállalatok innovációs tevékenységének akadályait elemezte a szerző. A tizenkét vizsgált akadályból négyet ítéltek a vállalatok különösen hátráltatónak: a túl magas közvetlen innovációs költségeket, a rendelkezésre álló szakképzett munkaerő hiányát, az innovációs menedzsment gyengeségét, valamint a vevők új termékek iránti fogékonyságának hiányát. A mintáknak kb. negyedét adó innovatív vállalatok szignifikánsan kisebbnek érzékeltek minden akadályt. A nagyvállalatok elsősorban a finanszírozási forrásokhoz való hozzáférést tartják nehéznek. A fiatalabb vállalatokat a nagyvállalatok erőfölénye akadályozza az új termékekkel való piacra lépésben. A magyar tulajdonú cégeket a pénzügyi akadályok sokkal inkább gátolják, mint a külföldieket. Az exportáló vállalatok sokkal kevésbé érzékelik a vevők innovációk iránti igénytelenségét, mint az elsősorban hazai piacra termelők.
Repurposing Oil and Gas Reservoirs for Blue Hydrogen Production
Authors: Ikpeka Princewill
Published: November 2021

Hydrogen is critical to achieving the NetZero Target set by the UK government in 2050. There have been concerted efforts to produce more hydrogen from renewable sources (green hydrogen) to reduce the impact on the environment. The arguments have been that hydrogen produced from hydrocarbon sources contribute largely to CO
2 emission in the atmosphere causing global warming. While this is true, the reality however is that the increasing demand projections for hydrogen have not been met by green hydrogen. At present, nearly all industrial hydrogen are produced from hydrocarbon sources (Muradov 2017). CO
2emission is a major by-product of blue hydrogen production. However, there is a need to reverse engineer the hydrogen process from hydrocarbons, explore hydrogen production directly from the reservoir and retain the accompanying CO
2from being released into the surface. Using a depleted reservoir as feedstock, one method of doing this is by in-situ hydrogen production through thermal combustion of the hydrocarbon reservoirs.
Fashion Content Triggers STEM Discovery via Coding Camps for Middle School Girls
Authors: Stewart Barbara L. , Schroeder Susan , Goodson Carole , Miertschin Susan , Chakraborty Misha
Published: November 2021

Funded through a grant from Texas Workforce Commission, DesignHER Code Camps were created to use the fashion interests of underserved middle school girls as springboards to interest them in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM). Results were generally consistent with the
achievement of camp goals—(a) increase the interest of middle school girls in coding and other STEM fields, and (b) provide hands-on experiences related to the fashion industry that simultaneously foster interest in STEM-related careers—although changes in interest in STEM careers
were not statistically significant. This type of experience contributes to the growing recognition that FCS content can play a vital role in the development of STEM concepts for youth.
Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 11β-hydroxylase deficiency: late diagnosis and gender reassignment in a two-year-old child
Authors: Raygorodskaya N. Yu. , Novikova E. P. , Tyulpakov A. N. , Kareva M. A. , Nikolaeva N. A. , Bolotova N. V.
Published: November 2021

11β-hydroxylase deficiency is a rare autosomal recessive disorder due to impaired steroidogenesis in the adrenal cortex caused by pathogenic mutations in the CYP11B1 gene. The main clinical manifestations are determined by a deficiency of cortisol, ACTH hyperproduction, excessive androgens secretion and the accumulation of 11-deoxycorticosterone, which leads to the development of arterial hypertension. In the diagnostic search, it is important to take into account the ethnicity of the patient, since the frequency of the disease and the prevalence of mutations differ between ethnic groups. The article presents a clinical case of 11β-hydroxylase deficiency as the result of compound heterozygous mutations in the CYP11B1 gene in a patient of Turkic origin. This case shows the clinical manifestations and the development of complications of 11β-hydroxylase deficiency, the stages of differential diagnosis of patients with 21-hydroxylase deficiency.
Kalmann syndrome in monozygous twins as an isolated manifestation of the SOX10 gene defect
Authors: Frolova E. B. , Petrov V. M. , Vasilyev E. V. , Makretskaya N. A. , Pilipenko O. V. , Tyulpakov A. N.
Published: November 2021

More than 30 genes are known to take part in hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis development at the date and role of more than 10 other genes is studied. Despite it about 50% of isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism cases still have no molecular genetic explanation.

A number of specific associations between iHH and different not-reproductive manifestations called syndromic forms are distinguished in general group of iHH. For example, the combination of Kalmann syndrome with sensorineural hearing loss is known as manifestation for defects of some genes encoding factors of neuronal migration; in patients with this phenotype CHD7, SOX10 genes defects are most frequent. However, defects in the genes of neuronal migration factors are characterized by a wide variability of phenotype, which is explained by the epigenetic mechanisms influence. Carriers of the mutation within the same family may lack some non-reproductive manifestations as well as hypogonadism.

Here we present a case of Kalmann syndrome in monozygous twins, caused by a previously not described heterozygous mutation c.462C> G: p.I154M in the SOX10 gene in the absence of sensorineural hearing loss. The mutation was inherited from a father who has only isolated anosmia in the phenotype. This mutation was identified during full exome sequencing. This unique observation for Russia shows on the one hand expediency to check SOX10 sequence in addition to the other factors of neuronal migration and differentiation and, on the other hand, the prospect of full exome sequencing in a group of patients with undifferentiated iHH.
A deep intronic mutation in AR gene causing androgen insensitivity syndrome: difficulties of diagnostics
Authors: Kalinchenko N. Y. , Petrov V. M. , Panova A. V. , Tiulpakov A. N.
Published: November 2021

Partial androgen resistance syndrome (PAIS) is the most difficult form of disorders/differences of sex development 46,XY (DSD 46,XY) for choosing of patient management. To date, there are no clear biochemical criteria, especially before puberty, that allow differentiating PAIS from other PAIS-like forms of DSD 46, XY, and genetic verification of the partial form of AIS plays an important role. Meanwhile, according to the literature, mutations in the coding region of AR gene have not been identified in more than 50% of patients with suspected AIS. We performed an extensive analysis of the AR gene in a patient with clinical and laboratory signs of AIS and found a deep intron mutation in the AR gene (p. 2450–42G>A). This variant creates an alternative splice acceptor site resulted a disturbance of the AR function. These findings indicate the need for extensive genetic analysis in a cohort of patients with suspected CPA in the absence of mutations in the AR gene using standard methods of genetic diagnosis.
SARS-CoV-2 morbidity depending on vitamin D status
Authors: Karonova T. L. , Andreeva A. T. , Golovatyuk K. A. , Bykova E. S. , Skibo I. I. , Grineva E. N. , Shlyakhto E. V.
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND: The association between vitamin D deficiency and the severity of COVID-19 is currently being actively discussed around the world.AIM: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency and compare it with the incidence rates of SARS-CoV-2 in eight Federal Districts of the Russian Federation.MATERIALS AND METHODS: We included 304,564 patients (234,716 women; 77,1%) with serum 25(OH)D levels results performed September 2019 through October 2020.RESULTS: Only 112,877 people (37.1%) had a normal serum 25(OH)D level, others had a deficiency. Vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was presented with the same frequency in women and men, and no differences were found depending on the geographical location and age in subjects from 18 to 74 years old. However, subjects over 75 years more often had vitamin D deficiency, while subjects under 18 years had normal levels in over 50% cases. In addition, 21,506 patients were tested for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR with further comparison of results with serum 25(OH)D level. The SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate was detected in 3,193 subjects, negative in 18,313. There were no differences in the morbidity in a vitamin D deficiency and a normal level. Thus, 14.8% subjects had positive PCR rates among vitamin D deficiency patients (4,978 tests), 14.9% when 25(OD)D level was from 20 to 30 ng/ml (7,542 tests), 15.0% among those who had 25(OH)D 30- 50 ng/ml (6,622 tests), and 13.9% when vitamin D was more than 50 ng/ml (4,612 tests).CONCLUSION: There was no association between the COVID-19 incidence and vitamin D status in different regions of Russia. Although the nutrient deficiency persists in all regions and is most often diagnosed in people over 75 years old.
Energy exchange: how we can personalize obesity therapy
Authors: Vasyukova O. V. , Okorokov P. L. , Kasyanova Yu. V. , Bezlepkina O. B.
Published: November 2021

Obesity is a consequence of chronic energy imbalance when energy intake constantly exceeds expenditure, which leads to excess white adipose tissue accumulation. Effective treatment of obesity requires accurate measure of calories intake and expenditure, as well as related behavior to understand how energy homeostasis is regulated and evaluate the effectiveness of the measures taken. The greatest interest is to study features of energy metabolism in various forms of obesity. It is necessary to create an evidence-based, personalized approach to diet therapy and to increase the effectiveness of weight loss measures. Modern studies have shown that the use of indirect calorimetry in obesity treatment programs leads to greater weight loss compared to traditional diet therapy planning based on calculated formulas.
El cariotipo de Paspalum cromyorrhizon diploide y tetraploide (Poaceae, Panicoideae, Paspaleae)
Authors: Reutemann A. Verena , Martínez Eric J. , Daviña Julio R. , Hojsgaard Diego H. , Honfi Ana I.
Published: November 2021

Paspalum cromyorrhizon Trin. ex Döll is a species adapted to low and humid fields, river and stream banks, throughout S Brazil, Uruguay and NE Argentine. Diploids (2n = 2x = 20) and tetraploids (2n = 4x = 40) from natural populations of P. cromyorrhizon from Corrientes (Argentina) were used to analyse the karyotype morphometry of both cytotypes. The chromosome count was performed using classical Feulgen staining. The karyotype of diploid P. cromyorrhizon has 20 metacentric chromosomes, while the tetraploid has a karyotype of 40 metacentric chromosomes. The total length of the chromosomal complement in diploids is 32.5 μm and in tetraploids 63.5 μm, the total monoploid chromosome length is 15.48 μm in diploids and 15.21 μm in tetraploids and both karyotypes are symmetrical. Karyotype analysis confirms the autopolyploid origin proposed for tetraploids.
Monetary and Non-Monetary Poverty within Urban Locals and Rural Migrants in China using Inequality-Sensitive Poverty Measures
Authors: Yang Jing , Mukhopadhaya Pundarik
Published: November 2021

This paper measures monetary and non-monetary poverty among urban local and rural migrant groups in the urban labour market in China, capturing incidence, intensity and inequality of poverty. To measure non-monetary poverty in multiple dimensions the chosen indicators are education, health status, health insurance and pension insurance. Using data from the China Household Income Project for the years 2002, 2007, and 2013, it appears that although monetary poverty in both groups is low, migrants have higher levels of non-monetary deprivation for various levels of poverty thresholds. Compared to the urban locals, the rural migrants experienced relatively less severe poverty than mild or moderate poverty during 2002 and 2007. Our Shapley decomposition exercise on non-monetary poverty measure reveals that the incidence contributes most to the urban-migrant gap, and the contribution of intensity is higher than that of inequality. The most important factors in multidimensional poverty for both groups are health insurance and pension insurance in all years. Our logit analysis shows that the effects of demographic characteristics, level of contract, occupation, and the industry have different impacts on these two groups.
Revisiting the Link between House Prices and Monetary Policy
Authors: Chen Shiu-Sheng , Lin Tzu-Yu
Published: November 2021

This paper revisits the link between house prices and monetary policy using a data set on house prices provided by the Bank for International Settlements. It is found that a loose monetary policy unambiguously results in a rise in real house prices, and such an increase is statistically significant for 19 of the 20 countries studied here. Empirical results also show that for some countries (Belgium, Canada, Switzerland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Sweden, and South Africa), the interest rate shock can explain a large percentage of real house price movements. The response of house prices to monetary policy shocks varies between countries, and the strength of the relationship between house prices and monetary policy can be associated with financial liberalization. On the other hand, evidence shows that interest rate shock plays an important role in explaining recent house price hikes for Australia, Spain, Ireland, the Netherlands, the US, and South Africa. In particular, during 2002–2006, on average 24% of the house price hikes in the US can be attributed to monetary policy shocks. Finally, we also find evidence that central banks react to the housing market, particularly in those countries adopting a policy of inflation targeting.
Trust in information sources during the COVID-19 pandemic. A Romanian case study
Authors: Buturoiu Raluca , Corbu Nicoleta , Oprea Denisa-Adriana , Boțan Mădălina
Published: November 2021

Higher levels of trust in credible sources of information in times of crisis such as the current COVID-19 pandemic increase public compliance with official recommendations, minimizing health risks and helping authorities manage the crisis. Based on a national survey (N=1160), this article explores (a) actual levels of trust in various sources of information (government websites, legacy media, social media, and interpersonal communication) during the pandemic and (b) a number of predictors of such trust. Results show that during the period studied government websites were the most trusted source of information. Trust in an information source is correlated with consumption of COVID-19–related news from that specific source, media fact-checking, and self-perception about the incidence of COVID-19–related fake news. Only income and age are significant trust predictors, and only with respect to specific source types.
Design and implementation of an adaptive relay based on curve-fitting technique for micro-grid protection
Authors: Vijayachandran Vinod , Shenoy U. Jayachandra
Published: November 2021

The micro-grid should operate in a well controlled manner both during grid connected and islanded mode. Also, micro-grid equipped with conventional overcurrent relays has protection issues during faults due to the difference in fault currents when micro-grid operation changes from one mode to the other. This paper proposes suitable relaying scheme based on curve-fitting technique for micro-grids and performs well without using any extensive communication facility. A new algorithm is developed to create large number of fault data for fitting the curve. The fitness of curve is accessed by measuring the value of coefficient R-squared value (R
2). More number of polynomials is added to improve the value of R
2. Results show that the actual tripping time of the relay is very close to desired tripping time by introducing more number of polynomials. Efficiency of the proposed method is evaluated by comparing with conventional over current relay. The protection logic of the curve-fit relay has been implemented on a TMS32F28377S micro-controller based hardware. A laboratory based experimental setup has been established to test the operational performance of curve-fit relay for a five bus system.
Effect of current density on the porous silicon preparation as gas sensors**
Authors: Kareem Muna H. , Abdul Hussein Adi M. , Hussein Haitham Talib
Published: November 2021

In this study, porous silicon (PSi) was used to manufacture gas sensors for acetone and ethanol. Samples of PSi were successfully prepared by photoelectrochemical etching and applied as an acetone and ethanol gas sensor at room temperature at various current densities J= 12, 24 and 30 mA/cm2with an etching time of 10 min and hydrofluoric acid concentration of 40%. Well-ordered n-type PSi (100) was carefully studied for its chemical composition, surface structure and bond configuration of the surface via X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and photoluminescence tests. Results showed that the best sensitivity of PSi was to acetone gas than to ethanol under the same conditions at an etching current density of 30 mA/cm2, reaching about 2.413 at a concentration of 500 parts per million. The PSi layers served as low-cost and high-quality acetone gas sensors. Thus, PSi can be used to replace expensive materials used in gas sensors that function at low temperatures, including room temperature. The material has an exceptionally high surface-to-volume ratio (increasing surface area) and demonstrates ease of fabrication and compatibility with manufacturing processes of silicon microelectronics.
Retrieval of intrarenal coiled and ruptured guidewire by retrograde intrarenal surgery: A case report and literature review
Authors: Chen Bo-Han , Chang Tsung-Hsin , Chen Marcelo , Chen Yu-Hsin
Published: November 2021

Background

Foreign bodies in the kidney have rarely been reported. However, they can be a clinical problem for urologists. We report on a patient with a residual segment of guidewire coating embedded in the renal parenchyma following computed tomography (CT)-guided percutaneous nephrostomy drainage (PCND), and our successful minimally invasive management with retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS).

Case presentation

A 40-year-old female with urosepsis due to a right upper ureteral stone with hydronephrosis received emergent CT-guided PCND and subsequent ureteroscopic lithotripsy, double J stent insertion, and percutaneous catheter removal. Follow-up radiography showed a coiled object within the upper pole parenchyma of the right kidney, which might be the remnant of a guidewire used during the PCND procedure. Flexible ureteroscopy (fURS) was performed. Under fluoroscopy, the foreign body was localized, the renal parenchyma was incised with laser, and the foreign body was retrieved using a stone basket.

Conclusion

Although guidewire breakage is uncommon, clinicians should keep it in mind during interventional procedures. Several methods can be used to eradicate foreign objects from the urinary tract, and the first choice should always be the least invasive one. RIRS with fURS is considered as a safe, efficient, and minimally invasive option for the extraction of foreign bodies from the kidney. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive case report detailing the removal of a foreign object by RIRS in the English literature.
Highly ordered arrays of hat-shaped hierarchical nanostructures with different curvatures for sensitive SERS and plasmon-driven catalysis
Authors: Zhang Chao , Li Zhaoxiang , Qiu Si , Lu Weixi , Shao Mingrui , Ji Chang , Wang Guangcan , Zhao Xiaofei , Yu Jing , Li Zhen
Published: November 2021

Regulation of hot spots exhibits excellent potential in many applications including nanolasers, energy harvesting, sensing, and subwavelength imaging. Here, hat-shaped hierarchical nanostructures with different space curvatures have been proposed to enhance hot spots for facilitating surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) and plasmon-driven catalysis applications. These novel nanostructures comprise two layers of metal nanoparticles separated by hat-shaped MoS2 films. The fabrication of this hybrid structure is based on the thermal annealing and thermal evaporation of self-assembled polystyrene spheres, which are convenient to control the metal particle size and the curvature of hat-shaped nanostructures. Based on the narrow gaps produced by the MoS2 films and the curvature of space, the constructed platform exhibits superior SERS capability and achieves ultrasensitive detection for toxic molecules. Furthermore, the surface catalytic conversion of p-nitrothiophenol (PNTP) to p, p′-dimercaptobenzene (DMAB) was in situ monitored by the SERS substrate. The mechanism governing this regulation of hot spots is also investigated via theoretical simulations.
Study on adaptability of rheological index of nano-PUA-modified asphalt based on geometric parameters of parallel plate
Authors: Sun Xiaolong , Zhang Yikang , Peng Qinyuan , Yuan Junshen , Cang Zhi , Lv Jianbing
Published: November 2021

To clarify the influence of geometric parameters of parallel plate on rheological properties of polyurea elastomer (PUA)-modified asphalt, nano-PUA powder was prepared, and nano-PUA powder modifier was modified by using high-speed shearing apparatus. The apparent viscosity of modified asphalt was evaluated by Brookfield viscosity. The rheological parameters of PUA-modified asphalt were determined by comparing the rheological test results of temperature scanning, frequency scanning, and multiple stress creep recover test using 8 and 25 mm parallel plates. Results indicated that the higher the content of nano-PUA modifier was, the better the high-temperature performance of asphalt would be. When using the 8 mm parallel plate, the high-temperature performance of modified asphalt was worse than that of matrix asphalt, and the PUA modifier would lead to a negative effect on the rheological property of asphalt. Regarding the 25 mm parallel plate, the high-temperature performance of modified asphalt was better than that of matrix asphalt, which was contrary to the results of 8 mm parallel plate. The rheological test results using 25 mm parallel plate were consistent with the results of Brookfield viscosity, indicating that 25 mm parallel plate was more suitable for evaluating the rheological performance of PUA-modified asphalt.
A study on interfacial behaviors of epoxy/graphene oxide derived from pitch-based graphite fibers
Authors: Kim Seong-Hwang , Zhang Yinhang , Lee Jong-Hoon , Lee Seul-Yi , Kim Yeong-Hun , Rhee Kyong Yop , Park Soo-Jin
Published: November 2021

Graphene oxide (GO) is a versatile material with inherent unique properties that can be used in a wide range of applications. GO is produced from graphitic materials including graphite, and its properties can depend on the nature of stacking in the graphene structures. In this study, GO was prepared from pitch-based graphite fibers via the modified Hummer’s method and subsequently incorporated into an epoxy matrix to obtain graphene-loaded nanocomposites (EP/GO). Presented experimental results revealed that the addition of 0.6 wt% GO yielded an ∼110% increase in the fracture toughness. The corresponding fracture energies as well as the flexural strengths and flexural modulus exhibited similar trends to the fracture toughness. The thermophysical properties of the EP/GO, to further demonstrate the reinforcing effectiveness of GO, were also observed. Collectively, these results indicate that GO investigated in the study can be a viable reinforcement candidate to develop next-generation nanocomposites with multifunctional properties.
Preparation and adsorption properties of nano-graphene oxide/tourmaline composites
Authors: Wang Chaohui , Chen Qian , Guo Tengteng , Zhang Lian
Published: November 2021

This research addresses the asphalt smoke emission in the process of asphalt pavement construction. The nano-graphene oxide (GO)/tourmaline composites were prepared to alleviate the asphalt smoke emission and improve the construction environment. The macrocharacteristics and micromorphology of the composites were analyzed, and their optimal preparation process was determined. Using material microanalysis methods, such as X-ray diffractometer, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, the structural characteristics and material composition of the composites were studied. The adsorption properties of the composites on asphalt smoke were clarified. It will provide technical support for the improvement of infrastructure construction environment. The results show that 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane is superior than hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide in surface modification of tourmaline. During the composite process, surface modifiers and GO had no significant effect on the structure of tourmaline. GO could enhance the adsorption properties of tourmaline on asphalt smoke. When the GO content was 1.5 wt%, the improvement was the largest, which is 17.42%. At that time, the emission-reduction rate of asphalt smoke reached 41.11%.
Research on the mechanical model of cord-reinforced air spring with winding formation
Authors: Cheng Yu-qiang , Shuai Chang-geng , Gao Hua
Published: November 2021

In this article, the parametric model for the stiffness characteristic and burst pressure of cord-reinforced air spring with winding formation is developed. Based on the non-geostrophic winding model and the assumption of cord cross-stability, the cord winding trajectory model of the capsule is established. Then, the anisotropic and nonlinear mechanics model of the capsule with complex cord winding trajectory variation characteristics is constructed by the classical thin-shell theory. The capsule state vector is solved by the extended homogeneous capacity precision integration method. Due to the complex coupling relationship between the capsule state vector and the internal air pressure, the stiffness characteristic is solved by the iterative integration method. The burst pressure of the air spring is solved by the Tsai–Hill strength theory. Eventually, the accuracy and reliability of the proposed method are verified by the experimental results. The effects of the material properties, winding parameters, and geometric structure parameters on stiffness characteristics and burst pressure are discussed. The results of this article provide an important theoretical basis for the performance design of cord-reinforced air springs with winding formation.
Intertextuality in Early Greek Poetry: The Special Case of Epinician
Authors: Currie Bruno
Published: November 2021

This paper offers a reappraisal of the role of intertextuality in fifth-century BCE epinician poetry by means of a comparison with the role of intertextuality in all of early Greek hexameter poetry, ‘lyric epic’, and fifth-century BCE tragedy and comedy. By considering the ways in which performance culture as well as the production of written texts affects the prospects for intertextuality, it challenges a scholarly view that would straightforwardly correlate intertextuality in early Greek poetry with an increasing use and dissemination of written texts. Rather, ‘performance rivalry’ (a term understood to encompass both intra- and intergeneric competition between poetic works that were performed either on the same occasion or on closely related occasions) is identified as a plausible catalyst of intertextuality in all of the poetic genres considered, from the eighth or seventh century to the fifth century BCE. It is argued that fifth-century epinician poetry displays frequent, fine-grained, and allusive intertextuality with a range of early hexameter poetry: theIliad, the poems of the Epic Cycle, and various ‘Hesiodic’ poems – poetry that in all probability featured in the sixth-fifth century BCE rhapsodic repertoire. It is also argued that, contrary to what is maintained in some recent Pindaric scholarship, there is no comparable case to be made for a frequent, significant, and allusive intrageneric intertextuality between epinician poems: in this respect, the case of epinician makes a very striking contrast with epic, tragedy, and comedy – poetic genres to which intrageneric intertextuality was absolutely fundamental. It is suggested that the presence or absence of intrageneric intertextuality in the genres in question is likely to be associated with the presence or absence of performance rivalry. A further factor identified as having the potential to inhibit intrageneric intertextuality in epinician is the undesirability of having one poem appear to be ‘bettered’ by another in a genre were all poems were commissioned to exalt individual patrons. This, again, is a situation that did not arise for epic, tragedy, or comedy, where a kind of competitive or ‘zero-sum’ intertextuality could be (and was) unproblematically embraced. Intertextuality in epinician thus appears to present a special case vis-à-vis the other major poetic genres of early Greece, whose workings can both be illuminated by consideration of the workings of intertextuality in epic, tragedy, and comedy, and can in turn illuminate something of the workings of intertextuality in those genres.
Changes of Mind after Movement Onset Depend on the State of the Motor System
Authors: Cos Ignasi , Pezzulo Giovanni , Cisek Paul
Published: November 2021

Decision-making is traditionally described as a cognitive process of deliberation followed by commitment to an action choice, preceding the planning and execution of the chosen action. However, this is challenged by recent data suggesting that during situated decisions, multiple options are specified simultaneously and compete in premotor cortical areas for selection and execution. Previous studies focused on the competition during planning and left unaddressed the dynamics of decisions during movement. Does deliberation extend into the execution phase? Are nonselected options still considered? Here we studied a decision-making task in which human participants were instructed to select a reaching path trajectory from an origin to a rectangular target, where reward was distributed nonuniformly at the target. Critically, we applied mechanical perturbations to the arm during movement to study under which conditions such perturbations produce changes of mind. Our results show that participants initially selected the direction of movement toward the highest reward region and changed their mind most frequently when the two choices offered the same reward, showing that deliberation continues and follows cost–benefit considerations during movement. Furthermore, changes of mind were dependent on the intensity of the perturbation and the current state of the motor system, including velocity and distance to targets. Although reward remains most relevant, our results indicate that the state of the motor system when the perturbation occurs is a crucial determinant of changes of mind.