bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
NON-VEGETARIAN DIET AS A RISK FACTOR FOR TYPE II DIABETES: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY OF CROSS-SECTIONAL POPULATION IN BENGALURU, KARNATAKA, INDIA
Authors: Chandrasekharan Chandini
Published: December 2024

Background: Diabetes is a chronic condition that can be avoided or postponed via proper eating and weight management. Some research shows that the prevalence of type-II Diabetes increases from vegans to non-vegetarians. Additionally, the results of many studies have consistently connected consuming meat with a higher risk of developing Diabetes; more research would be beneficial to ascertain if a non-vegetarian diet can be considered a therapeutically important risk factor. Objective: To understand the association between non-vegetarian diet and type-II Diabetes. Methods: Retrospective OPD data from March 2022 to March 2023 of 1011 type-II diabetes patients, aged 24-85, without a history of high-fat diet or genetics, were included. Descriptive statistics were used to summarise demographic data to conclude. Categorical data were summarised using proportions, and continuous data were summarised using mean and standard deviation. The chi-square test was applied to test for associations. Results: The study also revealed that 720 (71.2%) subjects consumed a non-vegetarian diet. Among the study population, only 29.6% of the respondents were doing regular exercises. In this study, the mean (n=1011) BMI was 26.47±4.32 kg/m2 with a minimum of 11.5 and a maximum of 49.9. The chi-square test showed an association
A SINGLE-ARM CLINICAL STUDY TO EVALUATE THE COMBINED EFFECTIVENESS OF UDVARTANA AND ERANDAMOOLADI KALA BASTI IN THE MANAGEMENT OF HYPOTHYROIDISM
Authors: Nandi Rosy , M Ashvini Kumar , MB Kavita , Teja Krishna , PK Pooja
Published: December 2024

The lifestyle of the modern era has led to alternation in the activities of the neuro-endocrine system causing newer health challenges such as hypothyroidism. TSH value>4.5 mIU/L, is diagnosed as hypothyroidism with features of slow metabolic rate, weight gain, and dry and cool skin. The prevalence of hypothyroidism in India is 11%. Women are affected approximately 6 times more frequently than men. In Ayurveda, the clinical presentation of hypothyroidism can be understood in terms of santarpanotha vikara with tridosha dushti. The pathogenesis revolves around Ama which is formed by agnimandya with predominance of rasa and medodushti. Rukshana upakrama is the first opinion of therapy for such a condition. The study aims to evaluate the combined effectiveness of Udvartana and Erandamooladi Kala Basti in managing hypothyroidism. A total of 20 subjects diagnosed with hypothyroidism, aged between 20-60 years were given Udvartana and Erandamooladi Kala Basti for nine days. The assessment was based on body fat percentage, visceral fat percentage, serum TSH values, and Zulewski's clinical score. Statistical analysis showed a significant reduction in Visceral fat percentage, TSH value, and Zulewski's clinical score with p-value
PHARMACOGNOSTICAL EVALUATION OF CINNAMOMUM ZEYLANICUM (BLUME.) BARK: A WIDELY USED TRADITIONAL INDIAN MEDICINE WITH PROMISING THERAPEUTIC POTENTIAL
Authors: Patel Raj , Kumar Deepak , Yadav Prateek Kumar , Kushwaha Ashwini Kumar
Published: December 2024

Cinnamomum zeylanicum, commonly known as Dalchini or cinnamon, is a revered botanical species in Indian traditional medicine owing to its diverse therapeutic properties. This study presents a comprehensive botanical and pharmacognostic evaluation of zeylanicum bark aimed at understanding its medicinal potential and ensuring quality control measures. Botanical evaluation involved morphological characterization, including macroscopic and microscopic features, to identify the distinctive traits of zeylanicum bark. Additionally, physicochemical characteristics include total ash and acid-insoluble ash, moisture content, and water-soluble and alcohol-soluble extractive values were determined according to standard procedures. Pharmacognostic evaluation encompassed the determination of phytochemical constituents using various chemical tests. Primary and secondary metabolites, including tannins, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, and terpenoids, are present and investigated, providing insights into the chemical composition of zeylanicum bark. The research's conclusions add to establishing quality control parameters for zeylanicum bark, ensuring its authenticity, purity, and efficacy in traditional medicine formulations. Moreover, the detailed pharmacognostic analysis provides valuable information for further exploration of its therapeutic potential and pharmacological applications in modern healthcare practices.
FRACTIONAL VARIATIONS IN THE AYURVEDIC MANAGEMENT OF DYSMENORRHEA: A REVIEW
Authors: U Jeena Aravind
Published: December 2024

Dysmenorrhea is a frequent clinical presentation among women in the reproductive period. It is a highly distressing cyclical issue for which an appropriate intervention is necessary to achieve a better quality of life. The journey of the progression of any disease from its causes to the various clinical manifestations in an individual is contemplated for the classical management in Ayurveda. In addition to the disease's etiological factors and pathogenesis, the host factor's distinctiveness is also assessed for accurate Ayurvedic management. Though Vata (one among the three physiological principles in the body) is the culprit in the manifestation of menstrual pain, the cause, the disease process, and the severity of the vitiation may vary. There can also be differences in host strength. Hence, it is crucial to understand the fraction of variance in the pathogenesis and associated factors in dysmenorrhea for a precise treatment plan.
A PRACTICAL APPROACH TOWARDS UNDERSTANDING VAMANA KARMA: A REVIEW ON UNIQUE DETOXIFICATION THERAPY
Authors: N Swathi , D Priyadarshini
Published: December 2024

Vamana is a distinctive detoxification therapy among the Panchakarma treatments described in Ayurvedic texts, designed to eliminate abnormal Kapha dosha from the body through the oral route. The classical texts provide comprehensive guidance on indications, contraindications, procedural details, and the stages of Vamana karma, namely poorva (preparation), pradhana (main procedure), and paschat karma (post-treatment measures). They also detail the assessment of pravara (excellent), madhyama (moderate), and avara (poor) shuddhi (cleansing), potential complications, their management, and underscore the significance of Vamana karma. This article emphasizes a practical approach towards understanding the entire procedure by adapting methods suitable for patients in the present era, while upholding the fundamental principles of Vamana karma as outlined in the ancient texts.
THANGA URAM: A DUAL PERSPECTIVE REVIEW OF ITS PHARMACOLOGICAL BENEFITS IN MODERN AND SIDDHA MEDICINE
Authors: Abarna B , Sathyarathish M , Natarajan M , Raghavi M , Shanmugapriya P
Published: December 2024

The Siddha system of medicine uses mineral and metallic compounds for their high bioavailability and efficacy at low doses. Thanga uram (TU) is one such Siddha Metallo-mineral formulation. A review of the scientific literature on the ingredients of Thanga uram (TU) was undertaken. This wide-ranging assessment involved searching through Siddha literature as well as relevant publications in multiple databases and electronic search engines, including Google scholar, Embase, Mendeley, Pub Med Central, Science Direct, and the National Library of Medicine (NLM). The aim was to gather all pertinent information available on the subject. Thanga uram, with its validated antimicrobial, spermatogenic, cognitive enhancement, and styptic properties, and favourable safety profile, stands as a promising Siddha formulation. Its blend of traditional knowledge and scientific validation underscores its potential in contemporary medicine. The pharmacological actions and organoleptic characteristics of the substance align closely with the indications cited in the literature. This congruence suggests that the substance can be effectively utilized in the treatment of various diseases. Its efficacy is supported by both traditional use and modern scientific validation, making it a promising option for therapeutic applications
Energy-efficient Carbon-doped TiO2 for Visible Light Degradation of Methyl Orange: Preparation, Performance, and Mechanism
Authors: Han Xinying , Guo Yubei , Goh Chien Yong , Ngan Cheng Loong , Tan Jian Ping , Tan Peng Chee , Lai Sin Yuan
Published: December 2024

Water pollution caused by textile dyes has become a serious issue, making the treatment of sewage urgent. Carbon-doped TiO2 (C-doped TiO2), using alkanes and polyols as carbon sources, has been found to be light-responsive in degrading dyes. However, there is a lack of studies on the interfacial interaction between carboxylic acids and TiO2. Therefore, citric acid, a triprotic, hexadentate carboxylic acid, was used to dope TiO2 through solvothermal-calcination. The effects of carbon content and calcination temperature on the photodegradation performance of C-doped TiO2 were investigated. The band gap energy of C-doped TiO2 was found to be narrower (2.67 eV) than that of undoped TiO2 (2.88 eV). After carbon doping, the absorption band extended from the UV to the visible regions, lowering the energy required for electron excitation. The functional groups present on C-doped TiO2 assisted in the adsorption of methyl orange (MO), assisting in photodegradation. Only the anatase phase of TiO2 was observed at calcination temperatures between 250 and 400 °C. Photoluminescence analysis revealed that a lower carbon content and slightly higher calcination temperature resulted in better interfacial charge separation and transfer efficiency. The 10 wt% C-doped TiO2 calcined at 300 °C demonstrated the best MO photodegradation efficiency of 62.1% under visible light illumination. Copyright © 2024 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0).
An improved adaptive unscented Kalman filter for estimating the states of in‐wheel‐motored electric vehicle
Authors: Huang Caixia , Lei Fei , Han Xu , Zhang Zhiyong
Published: October 2019

Vehicle state is essential for active safety stability control. However, the accurate measurement of some vehicle states is difficult to achieve without the use of expensive equipment. To improve estimation accuracy in real time, this paper proposes an estimator of vehicle velocity based on the adaptive unscented Kalman filter (AUKF) for an in‐wheel‐motored electric vehicle (IWMEV). Given the merits of an independent drive structure, the tire forces of the IWMEV can be directly calculated through a vehicle dynamic model. Additionally, by means of the normalized innovation square, the validity of vehicle velocity estimation can be detected, and the sliding window length can be adjusted adaptively; thus, the steady‐state error and the dynamic performance of the IWMEV are demonstrated to be simultaneously improved over an alternative approach in comparisons. Then, an adaptive adjustment strategy for the noise covariance matrices is introduced to overcome the impact of parameter uncertainties. The numerically simulated and experimental results prove that the proposed vehicle velocity estimator based on AUKF not only improves estimation accuracy but also possesses strong robustness against parameter uncertainties. The deployment of the estimation algorithm by using a single‐chip microcomputer verifies the strong real‐time performance and easy‐to‐implement characteristics of the proposed algorithm.
The C=C Bond Decomposition Initiated by Enamine‐Azide Cycloaddition for Catalyst‐ and Additive‐Free Synthesis of N‐Sulfonyl Amidines
Authors: Zheng Xixi , Wan Jie‐Ping
Published: October 2019

The chemo‐selective synthesis of N‐sulfonyl amidines is realized via the decomposition of the enamine C=C bond of enaminoesters through an in situ generated triazoline intermediate. Control experiments prove that the electron withdrawing ester group in the enamine component is crucial in inducing the chemo‐selective formation of amidines. The method is featured with high efficiency and sustainability by employing pure water as medium without requiring any catalyst or additive.

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Optimal Interfacial Engineering with Different Length of Alkylammonium Halide for Efficient and Stable Perovskite Solar Cells
Authors: Kim Hyeonwoo , Lee Seung‐Un , Lee Do Yoon , Paik Min Jae , Na Hyejin , Lee Jaemin , Seok Sang Il
Published: October 2019

Recently, two‐dimensional (2D) structure on three‐dimensional (3D) perovskites (graded 2D/3D) has been reported to be effective in significantly improving both efficiency and stability. However, the electrical properties of the 2D structure as a passivation layer on the 3D perovskite thin film and resistance to the penetration of moisture may vary depending on the length of the alkyl chain. In addition, the surface defects of the 2D itself on the 3D layer may also be affected by the correlation between the 2D structure and the hole conductive material. Therefore, systematic interfacial study with the alkyl chain length of long‐chained alkylammonium iodide forming a 2D structure is necessary. Herein, the 2D interfacial layers formed are compared with butylammonium iodide (BAI), octylammonium iodide (OAI), and dodecylammonium iodide (DAI) iodide on a 3D (FAPbI3)0.95(MAPbBr3)0.05 perovskite thin film in terms of the PCE and humidity stability. As the length of the alkyl chain increased from BA to OA to DA, the electron‐blocking ability and humidity resistance increase significantly, but the difference between OA and DA is not large. The PSC post‐treated with OAI has slightly higher PCE than those treated with BAI and DAI, achieving a certified stabilized efficiency of 22.9%.
Orbit classification in the Copenhagen problem with oblate primaries
Authors: Zotos Euaggelos E. , Suraj Md S. , Aggarwal Rajiv , Mittal Amit
Published: October 2019

This article aims to numerically investigate the orbital dynamics of the planar circular‐restricted three‐body problem, where the two primary bodies have equal masses and an oblate spheroid shape. By numerically integrating several large sets of initial conditions of both retrograde and prograde orbits, we classify them into three main categories: (a) bounded (regular or chaotic), (b) escaping, and (c) collision orbits. We reveal the motion of the test particle by presenting color‐coded diagrams, where the initial conditions are mapped to the orbit type and studied as a function of the total orbital energy (or equivalently of the Jacobi constant) as well as of the oblateness coefficient. Our numerical results are compared with related previous ones, corresponding to the classical version of the planar‐restricted three‐body problem. The presented outcomes have practical physical applications as they can be used for modeling the motion of a massless test particle in the gravitational field of a binary system of two oblate exoplanets.
A transdiagnostic model of psychiatric symptom co‐occurrence and autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Rodriguez‐Seijas Craig , Gadow Kenneth D. , Rosen Tamara E. , Kim Hyunsik , Lerner Matthew D. , Eaton Nicholas R.
Published: October 2019

Understanding whether the co‐occurrence of psychiatric symptoms within autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are specific to the ASD diagnosis or reflect similar higher‐order patterns observed in both ASD and non‐ASD samples, or a confluence of the two, is of critical importance. If similar, it would suggest that comorbid psychiatric conditions among individuals with ASD are not symptoms of specific, non‐ASD psychiatric disorders per se, but reflect a general liability to psychopathology associated with ASD. To this end, the current study examined whether the higher‐order structure of co‐occurring psychiatric symptoms was the same within ASD and non‐ASD youth. Parents of clinic‐referred youth with (n = 280) and without (n = 943) ASD completed a DSM‐IV‐referenced psychiatric symptom rating scale. A confirmatory factor analytic framework was used to examine four levels of measurement invariance across groups to determine the extent to which transdiagnostic factors were comparable. Transdiagnostic factors were characterized by symptoms of the same disorders (configural invariance) and the same factor loadings across groups (metric invariance). Furthermore, both groups evidenced equivalent numbers of symptoms of most psychiatric conditions with the notable exceptions of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and social anxiety (partial strong invariance), which were higher in the ASD sample. It was concluded that disparities in the co‐occurrence of psychiatric symptoms between youth with and without ASD may be largely reflective of transdiagnostic factor level differences associated with ASD and not indicative of the ASD diagnosis per se. However, for ADHD and social anxiety, there appears to be some specific associations with the ASD diagnosis. Autism Res 2020, 13: 579–590. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Lay Summary

Few transdiagnostic dimensions relate common mental disorder diagnoses with one another. These dimensions explain psychiatric comorbidity (i.e., the finding that many persons possess several disorder diagnoses simultaneously). However, it is unclear if these dimensions differ among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), compared with their non‐ASD counterparts. The results of this study demonstrate that underlying transdiagnostic dimensions are similar in both ASD and non‐ASD children. However, there appear to be ASD‐specific differences when it comes to social anxiety and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.
A thematic analysis of practitioners' understanding of domestic abuse in terms of post‐traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and complex‐PTSD (C‐PTSD)
Authors: Kozlowska Wiktoria
Published: October 2019

There is a growing body of evidence suggesting that domestic abuse (DA) should be conceptualised within the complex post‐traumatic stress disorder (C‐PTSD) model. Recently, in the draft of the International Classification of Diseases, Eleventh Revision, produced by the World Health Organization (WHO), C‐PTSD was included as a separate criterion in which DA is incorporated (ICD‐11, WHO, 2018). In this study, a thematic analysis was used to explore to what extent practitioners working with DA survivors are familiar with PTSD and C‐PTSD. Research into such a prevalent and detrimental problem as DA is important to understand whether the development of theoretical knowledge about DA and C‐PTSD is addressed in practice. In a Women's Centre in South London, six semi‐structured interviews with middle‐aged female practitioners were conducted to investigate each counsellor's experiences, knowledge and reflections. Six final themes were constructed to summarise the main results. The findings demonstrate limited practitioner understanding of DA in terms of C‐PTSD, which seems to impact not only the effectiveness of treatment plans with DA survivors, but also counsellors’ own psychological and physical states. It is also indicated that DA can be conceptualised within the C‐PTSD model that corresponds with previous literature indicating the complex nature of DA. The overall results of the current research acknowledge that DA sectors should not be neglected and better funding and effective psychoeducation in this field are needed.
Imagined contact and mental illness stigma in an Asian context: Bolstering the effect and examining the impact of factual information
Authors: Lim Charmaine W.Q. , Au Al K.C. , Turner Rhiannon N.
Published: October 2019

Imagined contact can be effective at reducing social stigma. However, the effect may depend on the strength of the stigma held. We tested the robustness of imagined contact in an Asian setting where stigmatization of mental illness is stronger than in Western countries. In Experiment 1 (n = 167) with five conditions, only an enhanced version of positive imagined contact was able to decrease stigma towards people with schizophrenia through decreasing intergroup anxiety. Given the potential discrepancy between imaginations and reality about experiences with stigmatized groups, in Experiment 2 (n = 121), we tested the hypothesis that after presenting participants with factual information about a mental illness group, imagined contact might backfire, resulting in more negative perceptions. However, enhanced imagined contact alongside factual message about schizophrenia did not increase stigma. The backfiring hypothesis was therefore not supported. Nevertheless, providing realistic information did negate the positive effects of enhanced imagined contact on stigma reduction. In both experiments, we also showed that intergroup anxiety mediated the effect of enhanced imagined contact on various measures of stigma.
Atrial fibrillation: A never ending story?
Authors: Lanters Eva A. H. , Knops Paul , Kik Charles , de Groot Natasja M.S.
Published: October 2019

Atrial fibrillation (AF) often recurs after ablative therapy. In our patient, intraoperative epicardial mapping during therapy‐ resistant AF revealed highly dissociated atrial conduction patterns and that long lines of conduction block throughout the entire atria. Given the extensiveness of the substrate, it is not surprising that ablations were not successful.

Conduction patterns during therapy‐resistant atrial fibrillation (AF) are highly dissociated and show long lines of conduction block. As long as the presence and extensiveness of the arrhythmogenic substrate underlying AF remains poorly understood and cannot be evaluated in the individual patient, none of the present available antiarrhythmic treatment modalities will be effective.
How can someone’s entire skin change color?
Authors: Shahriari Arman , Papan Amir Mohammad , Nazari Pedram
Published: October 2019

One of the most important differential diagnoses that not to be missed in patients with hyperpigmentation changes in the skin is Addison's. The diagnosis of the disease is relatively difficult, and its misdiagnosis leads to dangerous morbidity and even mortality. It confirms by cosyntropin test.
Adiposity may predict survival in patients with advanced stage cancer treated with immunotherapy in phase 1 clinical trials
Authors: Martini Dylan J. , Kline Meredith R. , Liu Yuan , Shabto Julie M. , Williams Milton A. , Khan Amir Ishaq , Lewis Colleen , Collins Hannah , Akce Mehmet , Kissick Haydn T. , Carthon Bradley C. , Shaib Walid L. , Alese Olatunji B. , Pillai Rathi N. , Steuer Conor E. , Wu Christina S. , Lawson David H. , Kudchadkar Ragini R. , El‐Rayes Bassel F. , Ramalingam Suresh S. , Owonikoko Taofeek K. , Harvey R. Donald , Master Viraj A. , Bilen Mehmet Asim
Published: October 2019

Background

Body mass index (BMI) is used to define obesity, but it is an imperfect measure of body composition. In the current study, the authors explored the association between types of fat and survival in patients treated with immunotherapy.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 90 patients who were treated with immunotherapy on phase 1 clinical trials at the Winship Cancer Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, from 2009 through 2017 was performed. Overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) were used to measure clinical outcomes. Baseline BMI and radiographic images at the middle of the third lumbar vertebrae were obtained. Fat densities were calculated and converted to indices (subcutaneous fat index [SFI], intermuscular fat index [IFI], and visceral fat index [VFI]) after dividing by height in meters squared. Risk groups were created using recursive partitioning and the regression trees method for SFI and IFI, which were selected by stepwise variable selection among all fat‐related variables. The Cox proportional hazards model and Kaplan‐Meier method were used for the association with OS and PFS.

Results

The majority of patients (59%) were male and diagnosed with melanoma (33%) or gastrointestinal cancers (22%). The median BMI was 27.4 kg/m2, the median SFI was 62.78, the median IFI was 4.06, and the median VFI was 40.53. Low‐risk patients (those with an SFI ≥73) had a significantly longer OS (hazard ratio, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.09‐0.46 [P < .001]) and PFS (hazard ratio, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.20‐0.72 [P = .003]) compared with patients at intermediate risk (those with an SFI <73 and IFI <3.4) and poor risk (those with an SFI <73 and IFI ≥3.4). The Uno concordance statistics were found to be higher for fat risk groups than BMI in predicting OS (0.603 vs 0.574; P = .581) and PFS (0.602 vs 0.586; P = .71).

Conclusions

Increased BMI, increased SFI, and decreased IFI may be associated with prolonged survival in patients with cancer who are treated with immunotherapy. Further studies are needed to elucidate the effect of adiposity on the host immune response to immunotherapy.
Quantifying how changing mangrove cover affects ecosystem carbon storage in coastal wetlands
Authors: Charles Sean P. , Kominoski John S. , Armitage Anna R. , Guo Hongyu , Weaver Carolyn A. , Pennings Steven C.
Published: October 2019

Despite overall global declines, mangroves are expanding into and within many subtropical wetlands, leading to heterogeneous cover of marsh–mangrove coastal vegetation communities near the poleward edge of mangroves’ ranges. Coastal wetlands are globally important carbon sinks, yet the effects of shifts in mangrove cover on organic‐carbon (OC) storage remains uncertain. We experimentally maintained black mangrove (Avicennia germinans) or marsh vegetation in patches (n = 1,120, 3 × 3 m) along a gradient in mangrove cover (0–100%) within coastal wetland plots (n = 10, 24 × 42 m) and measured changes in OC stocks and fluxes. Within patches, above and belowground biomass (OC) was 1,630% and 61% greater for mangroves than for recolonized marshes, and soil OC was 30% greater beneath mangrove than marsh vegetation. At the plot scale, above and belowground biomass increased linearly with mangrove cover but soil OC was highly variable and unrelated to mangrove cover. Root ingrowth was not different in mangrove or marsh patches, nor did it change with mangrove cover. After 11 months, surface OC accretion was negatively related to plot‐scale mangrove cover following a high‐wrack deposition period. However, after 22 months, accretion was 54% higher in mangrove patches, and there was no relationship to plot‐scale mangrove cover. Marsh (Batis maritima) leaf and root litter had 1,000% and 35% faster breakdown rates (k) than mangrove (A. germinans) leaf and root litter. Soil temperatures beneath mangroves were 1.4°C lower, decreasing aboveground k of fast‐ (cellulose) and slow‐decomposing (wood) standard substrates. Wood k in shallow soil (0–15 cm) was higher in mangrove than marsh patches, but vegetation identity did not impact k in deeper soil (15–30 cm). We found that mangrove cover enhanced OC storage by increasing biomass, creating more recalcitrant organic matter and reducing k on the soil surface by altering microclimate, despite increasing wood k belowground and decreasing allochthonous OC subsidies. Our results illustrate the importance of mangroves in maintaining coastal OC storage, but also indicate that the impacts of vegetation change on OC storage may vary based on ecosystem conditions, organic‐matter sources, and the relative spatiotemporal scales of mangrove vegetation change.
Is plasma renin activity associated with worse outcomes in acute heart failure? A secondary analysis from the BLAST‐AHF trial
Authors: Rachwan Rayan Jo , Butler Javed , Collins Sean P. , Cotter Gad , Davison Beth A. , Senger Stefanie , Ezekowitz Justin A. , Filippatos Gerasimos , Levy Phillip D. , Metra Marco , Ponikowski Piotr , Teerlink John R. , Voors Adriaan A. , de Boer Rudolf A. , Soergel David G. , Felker G. Michael , Pang Peter S.
Published: October 2019

Aims

Neurohormonal activation characterizes chronic heart failure (HF) and is a well‐established therapeutic target. Neurohormonal activation may also play a key role in acute HF (AHF). We aim to describe the association between plasma renin activity (PRA) and three AHF outcomes: (i) worsening HF or death through day 5 of hospitalization; (ii) HF rehospitalization or death through day 30; and (iii) all‐cause death through day 30.

Methods and results

A secondary analysis of the BLAST‐AHF trial was performed. Eligible patients had a history of HF, elevated natriuretic peptides, signs and symptoms of HF, systolic blood pressure >120 mmHg, and an estimated glomerular filtration rate between 20–75 mL/min/1.73 m2. The primary trial was neutral, with no differential effect of study drug by PRA levels. Baseline PRA levels were grouped into tertiles. Adjusted Cox proportional hazard model determined the association of PRA levels with outcomes (α set atP < 0.05). Of 618 randomized patients, 578 (93.5%) had a baseline PRA. PRA was modestly, but significantly, associated with each outcome without adjustment [worsening HF or death through day 5: hazard ratio (HR) 1.11, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.23,P = 0.04; HF rehospitalization or death through day 30: HR 1.13, 95% CI 1.02–1.26,P = 0.02; all‐cause death through day 30: HR 1.18, 95% CI 1.02–1.37,P = 0.03]. After multivariable adjustment, PRA was only significantly associated with HF rehospitalization or death through day 30 (HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.01–1.32,P = 0.04).

Conclusion

Baseline PRA levels are associated with increased risk for the composite of 30‐day HF rehospitalization or death in patients with AHF.
Intelligent wind turbine blade icing detection using supervisory control and data acquisition data and ensemble deep learning
Authors: Liu Yao , Cheng Han , Kong Xianguang , Wang Qibin , Cui Huan
Published: October 2019

Ice accretion on wind turbine blades is one of the major faults affecting the operational safety and power generation efficiency of wind turbines. Current icing detection methods are based on either meteorological observing system or extra condition monitoring system. Compared with current methods, icing detection using the intrinsic supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) data of wind turbines has plenty of potential advantages, such as low cost, high stability, and early icing detection ability. However, there have not been deep investigations in this field at present. In this paper, a novel intelligent wind turbine blade icing detection method based on the wind turbine SCADA data is proposed. This method consists of three processes: SCADA data preprocessing, automatic feature extraction, and ensemble icing detection model construction. Specifically, deep autoencoders network is employed to learn multilevel fault features from the complex SCADA data adaptively. And the ensemble technique is utilized to make full use of all the extracted features from different hidden layers of the deep autoencoders network to build the ensemble icing detection model. The effectiveness of the proposed method is validated using the data collected from actual wind farms. The experimental results reveal that the proposed method is able to not only adaptively extract valuable fault features from the complex SCADA data, but also obtains higher detection accuracy and generalization capability compared with conventional machine learning models and individual deep learning model.
Effects of injection parameters on heat extraction performance of supercritical CO2 in enhanced geothermal systems
Authors: Li Pan , Wu Yu , Liu Jiang‐feng , Pu Hai , Tao Jing , Hao Yang , Teng Yi , Hao Guan
Published: October 2019

Supercritical CO2 (SCCO2) is considered as a promising alternative heat extraction fluid in the enhanced geothermal system (EGS) which can reduce atmospheric CO2 emissions and water waste. However, the heat extraction performance of SCCO2 is greatly affected by its thermophysical properties, which are high sensitivity to temperature/pressure. In this study, by considering the impacts of temperature and pressure on thermophysical properties of SCCO2, a thermo‐hydro‐mechanical coupling numerical model was established to investigate the effects of the initial reservoir temperature as well as the SCCO2 injection pressure and temperature on heat extraction. The variations of reservoir permeability and mass productivity as well as the net heat extraction rate (HER) were simulated by implementing the model into COMSOL Multiphysics, which showed a good consistency compared with the high‐temperature/pressure triaxial seepage experiments. Simulation results indicate that there are three distinct stages in mass productivity including the slow decline stage, the rapid increase stage, and the stabilization stage. Increasing the initial reservoir temperature or the injection temperature will reduce the net HER to varying degrees. Appropriate increase of the injection pressure and injection temperature can extend Stage 2 duration which can subsequently enhance the mass productivity and the net HER. Meanwhile, the higher injection pressure or the lower injection temperature will inhibit heat compensation within rock masses and accelerate the reservoir heat depletion. This study provides guidance for optimizing the injection parameters of CO2‐EGS and aims to enhance the net HER while ensuring a reasonable reservoir production life.
Foresight, cognition, and long‐term performance: Insights from the automotive industry and opportunities for future research
Authors: Vecchiato Riccardo , Favato Giampiero , di Maddaloni Francesco , Do Hang
Published: October 2019

We explore the relationship between foresight and managerial cognition and the contribution of foresight to the long‐term performance of organizations facing major sources of uncertainty. Our research setting is the automotive industry, a compelling research setting for illustrating and reflecting upon the role of foresight in strategic decision making, as the industry is currently experiencing major drivers of change and technological discontinuities. We carefully examined the most recent empirical and theoretical works in the field of foresight, by conducting a thorough literature review. We found that scholars and practitioners increasingly emphasize the ability of foresight to change the mental models of senior managers and the role of such ability in the long‐term adaptation to external changes. Overall, our study contributes to the development of a programmatic stream of research in the domain of foresight and future studies.
Cannabidiol prevents LPS‐induced microglial inflammation by inhibiting ROS/NF‐κB‐dependent signaling and glucose consumption
Authors: dos‐Santos‐Pereira Mauricio , Guimarães Franscisco S. , Del‐Bel Elaine , Raisman‐Vozari Rita , Michel Patrick P.
Published: October 2019

We used mouse microglial cells in culture activated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 ng/ml) to study the anti‐inflammatory potential of cannabidiol (CBD), the major nonpsychoactive component of cannabis. Under LPS stimulation, CBD (1–10 μM) potently inhibited the release of prototypical proinflammatory cytokines (TNF‐α and IL‐1β) and that of glutamate, a noncytokine mediator of inflammation. The effects of CBD were predominantly receptor‐independent and only marginally blunted by blockade of CB2 receptors. We established that CBD inhibited a mechanism involving, sequentially, NADPH oxidase‐mediated ROS production and NF‐κB‐dependent signaling events. In line with these observations, active concentrations of CBD demonstrated an intrinsic free‐radical scavenging capacity in the cell‐free DPPH assay. Of interest, CBD also prevented the rise in glucose uptake observed in microglial cells challenged with LPS, as did the inhibitor of NADPH oxidase apocynin and the inhibitor of IκB kinase‐2, TPCA‐1. This indicated that the capacity of CBD to prevent glucose uptake also contributed to its anti‐inflammatory activity. Supporting this view, the glycolytic inhibitor 2‐deoxy‐d‐glucose (2‐DG) mimicked the antioxidant/immunosuppressive effects of CBD. Interestingly, CBD and 2‐DG, as well as apocynin and TPCA‐1 caused a reduction in glucose‐derived NADPH, a cofactor required for NADPH oxidase activation and ROS generation. These different observations suggest that CBD exerts its anti‐inflammatory effects towards microglia through an intrinsic antioxidant effect, which is amplified through inhibition of glucose‐dependent NADPH synthesis. These results also further confirm that CBD may have therapeutic utility in conditions where neuroinflammatory processes are prominent.
Quantifying terrain controls on runoff retention and routing in the Northern Prairies
Authors: Pavlovskii Igor , Noorduijn Saskia L. , Liggett Jessica E. , Klassen Jeanette , Hayashi Masaki
Published: October 2019

The role of hummocky terrain in governing runoff routing and focussing groundwater recharge in the Northern Prairies of North America is widely recognised. However, most hydrological studies in the region have not effectively utilised information on the surficial geology and associated landforms in large‐scale hydrological characterization. The present study uses an automated digital elevation model (DEM) analysis of a 6500‐km2area in the Northern Prairies to quantify hydrologically relevant terrain parameters for the common types of terrains in the prairies with different surficial deposits widespread in the prairies, namely, moraines and glaciolacustrine deposits. Runoff retention (and storage) capacity within depressions varies greatly between different surficial deposits and is comparable in magnitude with a typical amount of seasonal snowmelt runoff generation. The terrain constraint on potential runoff retention varies from a few millimetres in areas classified as moraine to tens of millimetres in areas classified as stagnant ice moraine deposits. Fluted moraine and glaciolacustrine deposits have intermediate storage capacity values. The study also identified the probability density function describing a number of immediate upstream neighbours for each depression in a fill‐and‐spill network. A relationship between depression parameters and surficial deposits, as well as identified depression network structure, allows parametrisation of hydrologic models outside of the high‐resolution DEM coverage, which can still account for terrain variation in the Prairies.
Repair of microdamage caused by cyclic loading in insect cuticle
Authors: O'Neill Maeve , Taylor David
Published: October 2019

It is well known that repeated loading cycles can reduce the strength of a material and cause eventual failure by the gradual build‐up of damage. Previous work has shown that mammalian bone is able to extend its life almost indefinitely by continuously repairing microdamage, preventing the development of macroscopic cracks. However, no study has been conducted until now to investigate repair of microdamage in any other biological material. We applied cyclic bending loads to the hind tibiae of desert locusts (Schistocerca gregaria). We observed a significant decrease in the elastic stiffness (Young's modulus) of the cuticle during the five applied loading cycles, indicating that microdamage had been induced. The tibiae were then left to rest for various time periods: 1 hr, 24 hr, 1 week, and 4 weeks. When tested again after up to 24 hr, there was still a significant decrease in stiffness, showing that some microdamage remained. However, in the samples left for 1 week or 4 weeks before retesting, this decrease in stiffness had disappeared, indicating that the microdamage had been repaired. This is the first ever indication that insects are capable of repairing microdamage. It is a highly significant finding—insects such as locusts rely on the stiffness and strength of their hind legs for jumping. This study suggests that, within a time period of order of a few days, the insect can fully restore the mechanical function of an overloaded leg and thus return to normal activities.
Palladium‐catalyzed regioselective C2‐arylation of 5‐aminoindole
Authors: Taskesenligil Yunus , Lafzi Ferruh , Kilic Haydar , Saracoglu Nurullah
Published: October 2019

Pd(II)‐catalyzed C‐H arylations of 5‐aminoindole using iodobenzenes as aryl source was studied. Despite pivalamide directing group at 5‐position of the indole, the direct C2‐arylation of the indole observed in high yields and with high regioselectivity.
Development of healthy gummy jellies containing honey and propolis
Authors: Rivero Roy , Archaina Diego , Sosa Natalia , Leiva Graciela , Baldi Coronel Bertha , Schebor Carolina
Published: October 2019

BACKGROUND

The objective of this work was to develop gummy jellies containing honey and propolis, keeping the natural antioxidant principles of the beehive ingredients and satisfying consumer requirements.

RESULTS

A gummy jelly containing honey and propolis (HPGJ) was developed. A sensory study with consumers (n = 74) performed an intensity level evaluation test analyzing color, hardness, adhesiveness, gumminess, sweet taste and honey taste. A penalty analysis indicated that HPGJ was too hard. However, in the global acceptance study, more than 90% of consumers gave liking categories. Regarding the potential functional properties, the antioxidant capacity (AC) of HPGJ was 8.17 ± 0.55 mmol Trolox equivalent kg−1, and up to 40% AC was retained after in vitro digestion. Additionally, AC of HPGJ was up to ten times higher than that of similar commercial products. A storage study at 25 °C showed that color and AC increased significantly over 90 days owing to the development of Maillard reaction. Storage under darkness allowed keeping low values of global color change for up to 45 days. Another positive facet was that the addition of propolis delayed fungal growth during storage.

CONCLUSION

An organoleptically palatable gummy jelly was obtained. Among the positive features, it showed higher AC than similar commercial candies. Additionally, HPGJ offered a high bioaccesible AC input detected upon in vitro digestion. Overall, HPGJ could be considered an interesting, appetizing and healthier alternative to regular gummy jellies available in the market. Adequate packaging should be considered in order to extend HPGJ shelf life, reducing browning reactions. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Molecular properties are a primary control on the microbial utilization of dissolved organic matter in the ocean
Authors: Shen Yuan , Benner Ronald
Published: October 2019

The global ocean sequesters a large amount of reduced carbon in dissolved organic molecules that can persist for centuries to millennia. The persistence of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the deep ocean has been attributed to inherently refractory molecules and to low concentrations of molecules, but the relative roles of molecular properties and molecular concentrations remain uncertain. We investigate both of these possibilities using bioassay experiments with unfiltered seawater collected from five depths (50–1500 m) at the Bermuda Atlantic Time‐Series Study site. The microbial utilization of compositionally distinct forms of seawater DOC at in situ and elevated concentrations was determined. Microbial utilization of in situ organic carbon ranged from 6% to 7% in surface waters to 0% in deep water after 180 d. Additions of surface plankton‐derived DOC (~18 μmol L−1), which was enriched in amino acids and carbohydrates, revealed substantial (50–75%) removal of the added DOC at all depths within 7 d. In sharp contrast, additions of C‐18 isolated deep‐sea DOC (~20 μmol L−1) showed insignificant or minimal utilization at all depths after 7 or 180 d, even when primed with labile substrates. These experiments demonstrate microbial communities from varying depths and environments in the ocean could rapidly utilize elevated concentrations of plankton‐derived DOC, whereas these same microbes failed to utilize elevated concentrations of C‐18 DOC. These results indicate molecular properties are the primary control on the microbial utilization of DOC in the ocean. Our findings imply a dynamic DOC reservoir with a flexible capacity for carbon sequestration in the global ocean.
Where is the entrepreneurship bang for the patenting buck? Utility versus design patents
Authors: Goel Rajeev K. , Saunoris James W.
Published: October 2019

This research contributes to the literature on entrepreneurship by studying whether design patents and utility patents have similar effects on entrepreneurial activity. Other contributions of this research include comparing the relative influences on startup versus established entrepreneurs and the effects of patents versus trademarks. Results, based on a panel of U.S. states, show that established entrepreneurs benefit from both types of patenting and from trademarks, whereas startup entrepreneurs significantly benefit from only design patents, and the effects of design patents and trademarks are opposite. These findings suggest that the entrepreneurship bang from the patenting buck might differ across patenting types.
A two‐level local search heuristic for pickup and delivery problems in express freight trucking
Authors: De Giovanni Luigi , Gastaldon Nicola , Sottovia Filippo
Published: October 2019

We consider a multiattribute vehicle routing problem inspired by a freight transportation company operating a fleet of heterogeneous trucks. The company offers an express service for requests including multiple pickup and multiple delivery positions spread in a regional area, with associated soft or hard time windows often falling in the same working day. Routes are planned on a daily basis and reoptimized on‐the‐fly to fit new requests, taking into account constraints and preferences on capacities, hours of service, route termination points. The objective is to maximize the difference between the revenue from satisfied orders and the operational costs. The problem mixes attributes from both intercity less‐than‐truckload and express couriers operations, and we propose a two‐level local search heuristic. The first level assigns orders to vehicles through a variable neighborhood stochastic tabu search; the second level optimizes the route service sequences. The algorithm, enhanced by neighborhood filtering and parallel exploration, is embedded in a decision support tool currently in use in a small trucking company. Results have been compared to bounds obtained from a mathematical programming model solved by column generation. Experience on the field and test on literature instances attest to the quality of results and the efficiency of the proposed approach.
Experiences and needs of patients on the endovascular therapy pathway after acute ischaemic stroke: Being helpless and next to yourself
Authors: Sørensen Kristina Eiskjær , Dreyer Pia , Rasmussen Mads , Simonsen Claus Z. , Andersen Grethe
Published: October 2019

Aims

To explore the experiences and needs of patients on the endovascular therapy pathway.

Design

A qualitative design using a phenomenological–hermeneutic approach.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews and participant observations were carried out. Data were collected from April 2016–January 2017. Data were analysed using Ricoeur's theory of interpretation, capturing meaning and ensuring comprehensive understanding. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist was used as a guideline.

Results

The findings of this study show that the impact of stroke goes far beyond physical disability. During the structural analysis, four themes were identified: (1) Acute admission to a stroke unit – an overwhelming and blurred experience. (2) Being helpless and next to yourself. (3) The important care when you worry about dying. (4) Poststroke feelings of loneliness and uncertainty.