bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Choosing metallurgical samplers or static cutters for process control in slurry: when or why to avoid the increment delimitation error
Authors: Novaes Reinaldo , Hidding Michael
Published: May 2022

Despite “sample collecting”, with the objective of evaluating the quality of a material lot, being a very ancient activity, and many books and papers being published with the purpose of “educating” the sampling community, we can say that the Theory of Sampling - TOS (developed by Pierre Gy) is the one that gave the best approach of the potential, and most common, errors of this activity.

The focus of TOS in the early days was primarily dry particulate material, maybe because it presents bigger challenges in terms of heterogeneity, but there are other areas that have discovered the use of this precious tool to solve the same issues on many other kinds of materials, but it is still not universally adopted. For instance, there is a belief that liquids are completely homogenous, as if every liquid have the same behaviour as water, but it is not true, especially when we talk about mixed materials, not soluble between them, and with different densities. For instance, ore slurries (pulp), is a suspension formed by pulverized ore, flotation reagents and process water.

This slurry may seem a homogenous substance, looking from the top of a flotation cell or discharging in a thickener, but, any fluid, flowing in a pipe develops a specific profile of speed which is dependent of the rheology and of the pipe wall friction, etc. Other important variables to consider in the make-up of mineral suspension include the concentration gradients through the flow profile and specific gravity of the particles.

This work evaluates the types of slurry samplers or static cutters to answer the question:“Which equipment do I really need?” The answer to this question will help the project owner make the correct decision for plant sampling – including longer term viability.
Mobile dust sampling device for dust filter generation at a Ni refinery
Authors: Bøckman Oluf , Indresand Hege
Published: May 2022

To study the distribution of Ni emission to air from the myriad of point and diffuse sources within a plant site is a complex sampling and analysis problem. However, it provides important underlying information for source abatement. At a Ni refinery in Southern Norway such sampling of Ni in air in close proximity to sources with subsequent analysis of content or particle structures by various methods has always been a complicated endeavour with no or inconclusive results. The main difficulty lies in obtaining both a representative and a large enough sample size to achieve quality results within a reasonable cost budget.

Normally a filter sample of dust used for the chemical analysis of Ni in air is collected with fairly expensive reference instrumentation. If more than one filter sample is needed, e.g. several copies of a specific sampling period and location, several co-located instruments should be used, or one filter is cut into several pieces for post-analysis. Cutting a filter in pieces will compromise the sample and chemical analysis and most reference PM samplers are not easily or cheaply operated and transportable. Thus, a novel in-house sampling device that delivers 3 independent and parallel filters simultaneously was constructed. The goal was to obtain triplet sample sets from many locations inside the plant area. The sample sets could be screened for Ni levels and provide filter copies for advanced chemical analysis when needed. Comparisons of individual samples in sets of varying Ni content showed satisfactory equivalence.

The sampling device is continuously used in a pilot Ni ambient distribution study within the plant site. The triplet sampler has been rotated at more than 10 sites since 2015. The sites varied between being on the ground and on roof tops of buildings. Some locations were near potential sources that give diffuse emissions of nickel dust. Results have been used to understand the Ni variation spatially and to identify important contributing sources to the total Ni emissions that potentially is emitted to the surrounding airshed. Parallel samples have been sent for more advanced post-analysis for periods with known elevated nickel concentration. The results have yielded more defensible abatement plans and more effective abatement measures.
The ongoing challenge of representative sampling of bulk mineral commodities
Authors: Holmes Ralph
Published: May 2022

Sampling of bulk mineral commodities for international trade, such as iron ore, coal and a wide variety of mineral concentrates, is generally carried out in accordance with National or more commonly International (ISO) Standards developed to provide representative samples for subsequent analysis and payment. Because commercial transactions are involved, clearly getting the sampling right is critically important, and poor sampling practices can potentially lead to substantial financial losses for one of the parties involved. The “golden rule” for correct sampling is that “all parts of the material being sampled must have an equal probability of being collected and becoming part of the final sample for analysis”. If this rule is not respected, then bias is easily introduced and samples are not representative.

While on-site observations indicate that the adoption of good sampling practices is improving, ensuring that samples are representative continues to be an ongoing challenge. This is often due to cost-cutting measures where sampling facilities, equipment and operations are the first to suffer, or it may just simply be due to ignorance of the requirements for collecting representative samples despite the existence of National and International Standards as well as high level sampling courses presented by international experts. More often than not, the company focus is on maximizing production tonnage rather than product quality and its measurement. Areas where significant issues continue to occur include:

Primary cutter design for ever increasing high-capacity streams
Correct operation of cross-stream secondary cutters
Crusher performance and ongoing maintenance, particularly in relation to product particle size
Retained sample mass versus particle size
Extraction and handling of moisture samples
Equipment maintenance.

Timely ongoing maintenance of sample stations is critical and needs to be a high priority to ensure correct performance. A“set and forget” strategy simply does not work. Sampling needs to be given the commitment it deserves by company management, particularly through correct sample plant design, timely equipment maintenance, and appropriate staff training and awareness.
Understanding sampling variation – a vital aspect of industrial research experiments
Authors: Engström K. , Jolsterå R. , Alanärä Lassi P.
Published: May 2022

Industrial research experiments are conducted in various scales in the mining industry. Regardless of the experimental purpose, sampling and analysis is normally always a part of the experimental process to collect necessary data. However, in order to ensure that the experiment will enable valid conclusions, the understanding and minimisation of sampling variation is crucial. Two effective methods for evaluation of sampling variability in any process sampling situation are the duplicate and replication experiments. The application of sampling experiments in the early phases of a demo- or pilot-scale experiment is an effective way to both understand the total measurement system variability, as well as the possibility to improve sampling methods if the sampling variability is deemed too high to enable representative results to use for experimental evaluation. LKAB is an iron ore mining company in the north of Sweden where experiments are conducted in all parts of the process value chain with regularity. In the current state of the world, encountering more and more threats to our global climate and environment, a focus for LKAB has been to reduce the use of fossil fuel as well as to minimize waste and tailings. One of LKABs current environmental initiatives is to investigate the feasibility of recovering and processing apatite from tailings of the LKAB beneficiation process. Further processing of recovered apatite will generate critical raw materials, phosphorous, rare-earth elements, and fluorine. To increase the understanding of the process variability of various analytical parameters in a pilot-scale experiment within this project, both duplicate and replication sampling experiments were conducted during one of the pilot-scale campaigns. The sampling experiments were applied to three separate sampling locations where two different sampling methods were used. Results show that both sampling method and sampling experimental method can affect the results obtained. The case study showed that the sampling variability was higher for sampling locations where grab sampling was applied, in comparison to composite sampling that generated lower sampling variability at one of the sampling locations in the pilot plant. This indicate that the composite sampling method can produce more representative results and should be favourable in future process experiments. The results also indicate that the duplicate sampling experiment is more robust to outliers in comparison to the replication experiment. The duplicate experiment is also able to quantify the process variability and evaluate the relative sampling to process variability which can be an advantage in some cases.
Case studies using Visman and Ingamells sampling approaches
Authors: Pitard F.
Published: May 2022

It is an undeniable fact that Visman and Ingamells’s works provide valuable additions to the Theory of Sampling. This paper shows real cases where their approaches gave valuable information to better understand the complex heterogeneity of low content constituents that led to better sampling and subsampling protocols. These case studies are:

Cobalt assays in a lateritic ore led to the conclusion that some areas were very low in cobalt content. A closer look at the data using Ingamells’s approach proved that conclusion completely wrong.
The estimation of low content iron in high purity ammonium paratungstate using 1-gram subsamples for the analytical method proved to be affected by a severe Poisson Process giving the illusion of a product being within specification when in fact it was a very bad product.

It should be emphasized that there are probably thousands of similar cases in many industries, as the result of economists not communicating enough with knowledgeable technical staff.
The sampling and phase characterisation of black mass
Authors: Donnelly Laurance , Pirrie Duncan , Power Matthew , Corfe Ian , Kuva Jukka , Lukkari Sari , Lahaye Yann , Liu Xuan , Butcher Alan
Published: May 2022

“Black mass” is the industry term used to describe a type of e-waste comprising crushed and shredded battery cells. It is an intermediate product in the recycling of spent, end-of-life, batteries. It comprises a mixture of metals including; lithium, manganese, cobalt and nickel, which are valuable recycling commodities, of increasing strategic and economic importance to meet future global demands in the “battery revolution”. The objective of this “phase characterisation” investigation was to provide an indicative profile of the morphological characteristics, grain size, composition and textural variability for a natural state (unprepared) and prepared (powdered) sample of black mass from Europe. It is envisaged that this is relevant to: (a) develop a pragmatic sampling strategy to ensure a non-biased, representative sample is provided for assaying; (b) determine the optimal processing route (e.g., hydrometallurgical, pyrometallurgical); (c) identify the presence of payable phases; (d) identify phases that may hinder metal recovery or penalty components; (e) develop assay procedures; and (f) assist in the identification of hazards and the mitigation of risks. The techniques used were: (1) visual examination and binocular microscopy; (2) manual scanning electron microscopy (SEM); (3) automated scanning electron microscopy with linked energy dispersive spectrometers (SEM-EDS), to characterise the phases present and particle types (using AMICS); (4) X-ray computed tomography (X-CT) to provide the 3D morphology of the particles; and (5) laser ablation inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) to detect and quantify the phases that cannot be detected using automated SEM-EDS and X-CT. The results demonstrated that automated SEM-EDS can be used to characterise and quantify the phases present, and the phase chemistry allows the particle types to be assigned back to the primary battery components. Some phases identified are at present not linked back to the original components and further work is needed to refine the compositional groups, with the analysis of additional samples from different feeds/streams in Europe, China and USA. Interactive SEM-EDS analysis also demonstrated that there is a high-resolution chemical variability within the individual particle categories. X-CT imaging demonstrated the complex 3D textures and morphology of the particles, which is potentially significant during sample preparation and chemical analysis. Neither automated nor manual interactive analysis can determine the presence / abundance of the light elements, such as lithium. However, LA-ICP-MS was successful in detecting and quantifying lithium. Furthermore, LA-ICP-MS was able to determine contents of 67 other non-metals and metals at a 20-micron scale with ppm to ppb level detection limits.
Multivariate methods for improved geometallurgy sampling
Authors: Dehaine Q. , Esbensen K.
Published: May 2022

Geometallurgy is at the core of life-of-mine value chain optimisation, with the aim of integrating geoscientific disciplines along with mining engineering and minerals processing. The objective is to link comprehensive geological, geochemical, mineralogical and geotechnical information with metallurgical and mining variability - based on spatially distributed samples. The spatial coverage is a crucial element in this process. Geometallurgy samples are used for metallurgical testing in the service of plant and process design and optimisation. To avoid discrepancies between the expected and actual process performance, geometallurgical test work must be based on representative samples collected and processed in compliance with the Theory of Sampling (TOS). However, even if samples are initially collected to populate a multivariate block model, most of TOS’ recommendations for estimating sampling protocols and sample representativeness is univariate. While the univariate approach is sufficient when a sample must be representative for one property only e.g., for grade estimation, it fails to properly qualify representativeness of a sample which must be representative for multiple properties such as for geometallurgical purposes. Indeed, a geometallurgy sample is considered representative sensu stricto only if its metallurgical behaviour is representative of that of the full zone of the orebody it represents. This can only be achieved if-and-when geo-metallurgical samples are representative for the full set of ore properties that influence process performance. The critical success factor of multivariate representativeness can be assessed using multivariate approaches, such as the multi-variogram, which allow us to summarise the global variability of multiple properties into a single characteristic function. This approach could be optimised by using downstream results from geo-metallurgical process modelling, to select or weight, the individual property contributions to the multi-variogram according to their importance, thereby allowing to optimise a specific geometallurgical sampling procedure in terms of sampling mode, sampling frequency and the number of increments involved according to the overall process performance.
The extended Gy’s formula
Authors: Svensmark Bo
Published: May 2022

Gy’s formula is a formula to predict the Fundamental Sampling Error (FSE), a part of The Theory of Sampling (TOS) as developed by Pierre Gy. Gy’s formula is only valid for binary materials with the same size distribution of analyte containing fragments and matrix fragments. Unfortunately, the formula has been used without regard to these limitations, and the results have often been erroneous, giving the Theory of Sampling a bad reputation. However, an extended Gy’s formula for estimation of FSE without these restrictions can be derived from Gy’s definition of constitutional heterogeneity. This formula is exact with no assumptions, except that the lot can be divided into classes with fragments with similar properties within each class. The extended formula allows prediction of FSE for any particulate material with any number of particle classes in contrast to Gy’s formula. The extended Gy’s formula is validated by model experiments sampling mixtures of 3 to 7 components with a riffle splitter. In most cases the observed sampling error was well predicted by the newly derived, extended Gy’s formula. However, in some experiments the observed sampling errors were lower than FSE. This can be explained by the segregation paradox, and the effect is calculated by a new function, the Fundamental Sampling Uncertainty (FSU) proposed here. The observed results are now typically in excellent agreement with the predictions (the predicted uncertainties were on average 0.5% points lower than the observed values). The extended Gy’s formula is easy to use. For a material where the analyte is only present in one class of fragments, the only parameters needed for each class are the average mass of a fragment and the mass proportion of the class in the lot. No need to estimate the liberation factor, the size and shape of the fragments and the concentration. If the analyte is present in more than one class, the concentration in each class is needed too. If fragments of a class have similar properties, but not similar size, the granulometric factor is needed though, and an exact formula for a uniform size distribution has been derived. This formula predicts that the granulometric factor g for a wide size distribution is 0.25 in excellent agreement with Gy’s recommendation for this case. The extended Gy’s formula described here is ideal for use in teaching of sampling methods because the experiments can be set up using materials with accurately known properties. The proposed new formula allows accurate prediction of FSE and FSU for complex materials that contain more than two types of particles. It is the hope that the extended Gy’s formula could increase the popularity of TOS.
Antibiotic Drug screening and Image Characterization Toolbox (A.D.I.C.T.): a robust imaging workflow to monitor antibiotic stress response in bacterial cells in vivo
Authors: Mayer Benjamin , Schwan Meike , Thormann Kai M. , Graumann Peter L.
Published: May 2022

The search for novel drugs that efficiently eliminate prokaryotic pathogens is one of the most urgent health topics of our time. Robust evaluation methods for monitoring the antibiotic stress response in prokaryotes are therefore necessary for developing respective screening strategies. Besides advantages of common in vitro techniques, there is a growing demand for in vivo information based on imaging techniques that allow to screen antibiotic candidates in a dynamic manner. Gathering information from imaging data in a reproducible manner, robust data processing and analysis workflows demand advanced (semi-)automation and data management to increase reproducibility. Here we demonstrate a versatile and robust semi-automated image acquisition, processing and analysis workflow to investigate bacterial cell morphology in a quantitative manner. The presented workflow, A.D.I.C.T, covers aspects of experimental setup deployment, data acquisition and handling, image processing (e.g. ROI management, data transformation into binary images, background subtraction, filtering, projections) as well as statistical evaluation of the cellular stress response (e.g. shape measurement distributions, cell shape modeling, probability density evaluation of fluorescence imaging micrographs) towards antibiotic-induced stress, obtained from time-course experiments. The imaging workflow is based on regular brightfield images combined with live-cell imaging data gathered from bacteria, in our case from recombinant Shewanella cells, which are processed as binary images. The model organism expresses target proteins relevant for membrane-biogenesis that are functionally fused to respective fluorescent proteins. Data processing and analysis are based on customized scripts using ImageJ2/FIJI, Celltool and R packages that can be easily reproduced and adapted by users. Summing up, our approach aims at supporting life-scientists to establish their own imaging-pipeline in order to exploit their data as versatile as possible and in a reproducible manner.
Prevalence of medical students’ satisfaction with online education during COVID- 19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Ahmed Hussein , Mohammed Omer , Mohammed Lamis , Mohamed Salih Dalia , Ahmed Mohammed , Masaod Ruba , Elhaj Amjad , Yassin Rawan , Elkhidir Ibrahim
Published: May 2022

Background:

Electronic (E)-learning is defined as the use of electronic tools for education, training, and communication.(ERT) is defined as use of alternative methods of teaching such as remote learning during a crisis circumstances Education, among many other sectors, has been profoundly affected by the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). More than 90% of the world’s students are unable to attend teaching sessions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods:

This study was conducted in accordance with the published guidelines for meta-analysis and reviews (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. A database and electronic search was performed on September 21st, 2021 using PubMed, Medline and Embase through the OVID platform, and ScienceDirect. We removed duplicates, and screened the title, abstract, and full texts of included papers. We included studies published only in English and excluded studies without sufficient data, case reports, editorials, and protocols. The quality of included articles was examined using the AXIS tool for cross-sectional studies, and the Newcastle–Ottawa scale for observational case-control studies. From the included studies, demographic and satisfaction with online education (OE) prevalence data were extracted and analyzed. We calculated the pooled prevalence of medical students’ satisfaction.

Results:

Eighteen studies with a total sample of 7,907 students were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of medical students’ satisfaction with online education was 57% (95% CI: 47 - 67%). Publication bias was assessed and reported.

Conclusions: The pooled prevalence of medical students’ satisfaction with online education was 57 %. Online learning satisfaction was associated with students’ prior experience with OE. The greatest benefit of OE is overcoming obstacles faced with learning Major challenges for implementing OE were technical and infrastructural resources.
Determinants of very low birth weight in India: The National Family Health Survey – 4
Authors: Scaria Liss , Soman Biju , George Babu , Ahamed Zulfikar , Hariharan Sankar , Jeemon Panniyammakal
Published: May 2022

Background

Low birth weight (LBW) is susceptible to neonatal complications, chronic medical conditions, and neurodevelopmental disabilities. We aim to describe the determinants of very low birth weight (VLBW) in India and compare it with the determinants of LBW based on the National Family Health Survey – 4 (NHFS-4)

Methods

Data from the NFHS-4 on birthweight and other socio-demographic characteristics for the youngest child born in the family during the five years preceding the survey were used. Data of 147,762 infant–mother pairs were included. Multiple logistic regression models were employed to delineate the independent predictors of VLBW (birth weight<1500 g) or LBW  (birth weight: 1500-2499 g).

Results

Of the 147,762 children included in the study, VLBW and LBW were observed in 1.2% and 15.8% of children, respectively. The odds of VLBW were higher in female children (aOR: 1.36, 95% CI: 1.15–1.60), among mothers aged 13–19 years (aOR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.22–2.07), mothers with severe or moderate anaemia (aOR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.34–1.94), mothers without recommended antenatal care (aOR: 1.47, 95% CI: 1.31–1.90), maternal height less than 150 cm (aOR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.29–1.85) and among mothers with multiple pregnancy (aOR: 21.34, 95% CI: 14.70–30.96) in comparison to their corresponding counterparts. In addition to the variables associated with VLBW, educational status of mothers (no education; aOR: 1.08, 95% CI: 1.02–1.15 and primary education; aOR: 1.16, 95% CI: 1.08–1.25), caste of the children (scheduled tribe; aOR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.03–1.24), and wealthiness of the family (poorest wealth quintiles; aOR: 1.11, 95% CI: 1.03–1.19) were associated with LBW.

Conclusions

Interventions targeting improvements in antenatal care access, maternal health, and nutritional status may reduce the number of VLBW infants. Social determinants of LBW require further detailed study to understand the high propensity of low birth-weight phenotypes in the disadvantaged communities in India.
FEATURES AND PRINCIPLES OF USING BILINGUALISM IN THE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT
Authors: Uranova Valeria V. , Bliznyak Olga V. , Mazhitova Marina V. , Isyakaeva Ralina R.
Published: May 2022

Introduction. This work is devoted to the discussion of the main features and principles of the bilingual educational process, which is a promising area of science in the modern information space. The paper reflects the conditions that ensure the effectiveness of the educational process, implemented in Russian, English and French.

The purpose of the study was determined by the need to identify the features and principles of the development of bilingual education.

Methods. The study and analysis were carried out by the method of questioning among Russian-speaking and foreign students, as well as in the course of collecting statistical data presented in the LiftUp software and methodological complex. The analysis of scientific and methodological literature in this area was carried out.

Results. The study revealed that positive dynamics in the study of a foreign language by students is achieved through the introduction of bilingualism in the educational process. The expansion of mass transnational communications makes it possible to exchange information on a bilingual basis, which is an important factor in the functioning of a single social space.

Practical implications. The results of the study can be used as the main parameters in the creation of new methods and forms of the educational process in educational institutions.

Conclusion. It was found that the introduction of bilingual education into the educational environment is relevant and promising for all students, since bilingualism opens up new professional opportunities and contributes to greater erudition and competence of future specialists. In addition, it promotes intercultural interaction of students and allows you to expand the world community through the international integration of countries.
THE ROLE OF A COMMUNICATIVE TASK IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF 21ST CENTURY SKILLS AT THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE CLASSES
Authors: Shpak Natalya O.
Published: May 2022

Introduction. Modern higher education is aimed at the formation of students’ soft skills, giving them the opportunity to work successfully in a competitive environment and market instability of 21st century. The purpose of this study is to determine the role of a communicative task and reveal psychological and pedagogical conditions for the formation of the concept “4C” including such key competences as communication, creativity, critical thinking and cooperation.

Research methods. The research was carried out by the analysis of scientific, educational and methodological literature and pedagogical experience in the formation of professional competences for undergraduates.

Results. The article shows that during the process of dialogic foreign language speech the students get favorable conditions for the development of soft skills. Under this educational process foreign language speech-thinking activity is successfully realized through generation of ideas and arguments aimed at the joint communicative task solution. The obtained results contribute to the methodology and technology of modern professional education, expanding the understanding of the role of a communicative task in the formation of key competences. On the basis of theoretical analysis, the author has developed psychological and pedagogical conditions for the formation of soft skills at the process of foreign language teaching. These conditions are the formulation of a communicative task as a problem and a speech communication situation, teaching students the rules of cooperation and the establishment of trust relations between them. The communicative task plays the main role in the creation of conditions for the soft skills formation.

Practical implications. The results of the study can be obtained in the practice of foreign language teaching in the university.

Conclusion. It was revealed that the solution of a problem during the professional communication is the main condition of conscious study of the foreign language and leads to the development of soft skills.
Anaesthesia for reconstructive free flap surgery for head and neck cancer
Authors: McCauley Peter , Moore Michael , Duggan Edel
Published: May 2022

Head and neck cancer surgery presents significant challenges for the anaesthetist. A thorough multidisciplinary preoperative assessment and optimisation of the patient is essential, including nutritional and psychological evaluation. The incidence of a difficult airway is high, and the anaesthetist must be skilled in advanced airway techniques. Surgery is extensive, often requiring reconstructive surgery with either a pedicled or free flap. Detailed knowledge of flap physiology and anatomy is needed, and anaesthesia comprises careful management of mean arterial pressure, fluid administration, temperature control and oxygenation. The Enhanced Recovery after Surgery Society and the Society for Head and Neck Anaesthesia consensus recommendations provide guidance on current best practice. Despite continued debate, it now appears that this constitutes goal-directed fluid therapy, coupled with judicious vasopressor therapy sufficient to achieve an adequate mean arterial pressure. Emerging techniques such as prehabilitation and postoperative near-infrared spectroscopy flap monitoring provide hope of improved outcomes going forward.
Acute and chronic wound infections: microbiological, immunological, clinical and therapeutic distinctions
Authors: Hurlow Jenny , Bowler Philip G
Published: May 2022

Wound infection is a complex pathology that may manifest either as a rapid onset acute condition, or as a prolonged chronic condition. Although systemic antibiotic therapy is often appropriate and necessary for acute wound infections, it is often used inappropriately, excessively and unsuccessfully in chronic wound infections. Overuse of antibiotics in chronic (hard-to-heal) wound management contributes to antibiotic resistance. This literature review confirms that acute and chronic wound infections are significantly differentiated by their cause (microbial phenotype), the subsequent host immune response and by the resulting clinical manifestations. Consequently, recognition of the type of wound infection followed by appropriate and timely therapy is required to improve wound healing outcomes while encouraging more judicious and responsible use of antibiotics.
Auraptene ameliorates osteoporosis by inhibiting RANKL/NFATc1 pathway-mediated bone resorption based on network pharmacology and experimental evaluation
Authors: Kim Mi H. , Choi La Y. , Chung Jae Y. , Kim Eun-Jung , Yang Woong M.
Published: May 2022

Aims

The association of auraptene (AUR), a 7-geranyloxycoumarin, on osteoporosis and its potential pathway was predicted by network pharmacology and confirmed in experimental osteoporotic mice.

Methods

The network of AUR was constructed and a potential pathway predicted by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and Gene Ontology (GO) terms enrichment. Female ovariectomized (OVX) Institute of Cancer Research mice were intraperitoneally injected with 0.01, 0.1, and 1 mM AUR for four weeks. The bone mineral density (BMD) level was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The bone microstructure was determined by histomorphological changes in the femora. In addition, biochemical analysis of the serum and assessment of the messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of osteoclastic markers were performed.

Results

In total, 65.93% of the genes of the AUR network matched with osteoporosis-related genes. Osteoclast differentiation was predicted to be a potential pathway of AUR in osteoporosis. Based on the network pharmacology, the BMD and bone mineral content levels were significantly (p < 0.05) increased in the whole body, femur, tibia, and lumbar spine by AUR. AUR normalized the bone microstructure and the serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (bALP), osteocalcin, and calcium in comparison with the OVX group. In addition, AUR treatment reduced TRAP-positive osteoclasts and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANKL)+nuclear factor of activated T cells 1 (NFATc1)+ expression in the femoral body. Moreover, the expressions of initiators for osteoclastic resorption and bone matrix degradation were significantly (p < 0.05) regulated by AUR in the lumbar spine of the osteoporotic mice.

Conclusion

AUR ameliorated bone loss by downregulating the RANKL/NFATc1 pathway, resulting in improvement of osteoporosis. In conclusion, AUR might be an ameliorative cure that alleviates bone loss in osteoporosis via inhibition of osteoclastic activity. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(5):304–316.
The evolution of the role of nursing in primary health care using Bourdieu’s concept of habitus. A grounded theory study
Authors: Blanco-Fraile Cristina , Madrazo-Pérez María , Fradejas-Sastre Victor , Rayón-Valpuesta Esperanza
Published: May 2022

Aims

To analyse the global process by which Spanish nurses have acquired a differentiated role in primary health care and to develop a theory that explains the evolution of this role.

Design

Grounded Theory was selected, as proposed by Glaser and Strauss, following the theoretical framework of Bourdieu’s habitus.

Methods

Thirteen in-depth interviews were conducted between 2012 and 2015, using theoretical sampling and seeking maximum variability. The analysis of the data included progressive coding and categorization, constant comparative analysis and memo writing.

Results

A core category emerged, “Autonomy”, composed of three categories: "Between illusion and ignorance. Genesis of a habitus", "The recognisable and recognised habitus" and "Habitus called into question", showing the genesis of the nursing role in primary health care and the elements that influence the autonomy of the role: the ability to decide their training, assume their own leadership, configure teams and acquire independent skills. “Seeking autonomy” was the substantive theory that emerged from the data.

Conclusion

The results reveal the elements that strengthen the autonomous professional role and that this role is legitimated when two elements are identified: the acquisition of a habitus, based on practices carried out regularly and the recognition of this habitus by the population and others professionals.

Impact

The results of this study identify the elements that guide and strengthen the professional role and redefine the concept of autonomy. These are operational findings and could potentially be used to define new strategies for advancing the role of nursing in primary health care.
Estimation of the basic reproduction number of Alpha and Delta variants of COVID-19 pandemic in Iran
Authors: Sheikhi Farnaz , Yousefian Negar , Tehranipoor Pardis , Kowsari Zahra
Published: May 2022

Estimating the basic reproduction number of a pandemic and the changes that appear on this value over time provide a good understanding of the contagious nature of the virus and efficiency of the controlling strategies. In this paper, we focus on studying the basic reproduction number (R0) for two important variants of COVID-19 pandemic in Iran: Alpha and Delta variants. We use four different methods, three statistical models and one mathematical model, to compute R0: Exponential Growth Rate (EGR), Maximum Likelihood (ML), Sequential Bayesian (SB), and time-dependent SIR model. Alpha variant of COVID-19 was active in Iran from March 10, 2021 until June 10, 2021. Our computations indicate that total R0 of this variant according to EGR, ML, SB, and SIR model is respectively 0.9999 (95% CI: 0.9994-1), 1.046 (95% CI: 1.044-1.049), 1.06 (95% CI: 1.03-1.08), and 2.79 (95% CI: 2.77-2.81) in the whole active time interval. Moreover, during the time interval from April 3, 2021 to April 9, 2021 in which this variant was in its exponential growth in Iran, R0 of Alpha variant in Iran according to SB, EGR, ML, and SIR model is respectively 2.26 (95% CI: 2.04-2.49), 2.64 (95% CI: 2.58-2.7), 11.38 (95% CI: 11.28-11.48), and 12.13 (95% CI: 12.12-12.14). Delta variant was active in Iran during the time interval from June 22, 2021 until September 22, 2021. Our computations show that during the time interval from July 3, 2021 to July 8, 2021 in which this variant was in its exponential growth in Iran, R0 of Delta variant in Iran according to SB, EGR, ML, and SIR model is respectively 3 (95% CI: 2.34-3.66), 3.1 (95% CI: 3.02-3.17), 12 (95% CI: 11.89-12.12), and 23.3 (95% CI: 23.19-23.41). Further, total R0 of Delta variant in Iran in the whole active time interval according to EGR, ML, SB, and SIR model is respectively 1.042 (95% CI: 1.04-1.043), 1.053 (95% CI: 1.051-1.055), 0.79 (95% CI: 0.63-0.95), and 5.65 (95% CI: 5.6-5.7). As the results show Delta variant was more severe than Alpha variant in Iran. Chasing the changes in R0 during each variant shows that the controlling strategies applied were effective in controlling the virus spread.
Mind the gap: Mapping variation between national and local clinical practice guidelines for acute paediatric asthma from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands
Authors: Koldeweij Charlotte , Appelbaum Nicholas , Rodriguez Gonzalvez Carmen , Nijman Joppe , Nijman Ruud , Sinha Ruchi , Maconochie Ian , Clarke Jonathan
Published: May 2022

Background

Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) aim to standardize clinical care. Increasingly, hospitals rely on locally produced guidelines alongside national guidance. This study examines variation between national and local CPGs, using the example of acute paediatric asthma guidance from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Methods

Fifteen British and Dutch local CPGs were collected with the matching national guidance for the management of acute asthma in children under 18 years old. The drug sequences, routes and methods of administration recommended for patients with severe asthma and the tone of recommendation across both types of CPGs were schematically represented. Deviations from national guidance were measured. Variation in recommended doses of intravenous salbutamol was examined. CPG quality was assessed using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II.

Results

British and Dutch national CPGs differed in the recommended drug choices, sequences, routes and methods of administration for severe asthma. Dutch national guidance was more rigidly defined. Local British CPGs diverged from national guidance for 23% of their recommended interventions compared to 8% for Dutch local CPGs. Five British local guidelines and two Dutch local guidelines differed from national guidance for multiple treatment steps. Variation in second-line recommendations was greater than for first-line recommendations across local CPGs from both countries. Recommended starting doses for salbutamol infusions varied by more than tenfold. The quality of the sampled local CPGs was low across all AGREE II domains.

Conclusions

Local CPGs for the management of severe acute paediatric asthma featured substantial variation and frequently diverged from national guidance. Although limited to one condition, this study suggests that unmeasured variation across local CPGs may contribute to variation of care more broadly, with possible effects on healthcare quality.
DOCKGROUND membrane protein-protein set
Authors: Kotthoff Ian , Kundrotas Petras J. , Vakser Ilya A.
Published: May 2022

Membrane proteins are significantly underrepresented in Protein Data Bank despite their essential role in cellular mechanisms and the major progress in experimental protein structure determination. Thus, computational approaches are especially valuable in the case of membrane proteins and their assemblies. The main focus in developing structure prediction techniques has been on soluble proteins, in part due to much greater availability of the structural data. Currently, structure prediction of protein complexes (protein docking) is a well-developed field of study. However, the generic protein docking approaches are not optimal for the membrane proteins because of the differences in physicochemical environment and the spatial constraints imposed by the membranes. Thus, docking of the membrane proteins requires specialized computational methods. Development and benchmarking of the membrane protein docking approaches has to be based on high-quality sets of membrane protein complexes. In this study we present a new dataset of 456 non-redundant alpha helical binary interfaces. The set is significantly larger and more representative than the previously developed sets. In the future, it will become the basis for the development of docking and scoring benchmarks, similar to the ones for soluble proteins in the Dockground resource http://dockground.compbio.ku.edu.
In vitro comparison of various antioxidants and flavonoids from Rooibos as beta cell protectants against lipotoxicity and oxidative stress-induced cell death
Authors: Moens Céline , Muller Christo J. F. , Bouwens Luc
Published: May 2022

Oxidative stress and lipotoxicity effects on pancreatic β cells play a major role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes (T2D). Flavonoids and antioxidants are under study for their cytoprotective effects and antidiabetic potential. In this study, we aimed to compare the protective effect of the Rooibos components aspalathin, isoorientin, 3-hydroxyphloretin (3-OH) and green Rooibos extract (GRT) itself, and exendin-4 and N-acetylcysteine (NAC) as reference molecules, against lipotoxicity and oxidative stress. The insulin-producing β cell line INS1E was exposed to hydrogen peroxide or streptozotocin (STZ) to induce oxidative stress, and palmitate to induce lipotoxicity. Cell viability was assessed by a MTS cell viability assay. Antioxidant response and antiapoptotic gene expression was performed by qRT-PCR. Glucose transporter 2 (GLUT 2) transporter inhibition was assessed through 2-NBDG uptake. GRT and the flavonoids aspalathin and 3-hydroxyphloretin offered significant protection against oxidative stress and lipotoxicity. GRT downregulated expression of pro-apoptotic genesTxnipandDdit3. The flavonoids aspalathin and 3-hydroxyphloretin also downregulated these genes and in addition upregulated expression of antioxidant response genesHmox1,Nqo1andSod1. Isoorientin gave no cytoprotection. Cytoprotection by Rooibos components was significantly higher than by NAC or exendin-4. Rooibos components strongly protect INS1E β cells against diabetogenic stress. Cytoprotection was associated with the upregulation of antioxidant response genes of the NRF2/KEAP1 pathway or suppression of the TXN system. The Rooibos molecules offered better protection against these insults than exendin-4 and NAC, making them interesting candidates as β cell cytoprotectants for therapeutic or nutraceutical applications.
Sentiment analysis of tweet content on Hurricane Dorian: Sensemaking in digital journalistic inquiry ecology
Authors: Wu Yanfang
Published: May 2022

Twitter is a powerful digital journalistic instrument and evidence shows journalists were transferring authority to Twitter. With journalistic information ecology becoming imbalanced, it is valuable to research how journalists may use Twitter to discover accurate and reliable information and maintain a vast overview of news events without shifting the power as the fourth estate. The purpose of this study is to provide a possible digital journalistic inquiry model to identify trending topics, distinguish reliable journalistic information while maintaining the balance of journalistic information ecology. Utilizing a large-scale dataset – 1.2 million tweets collected from Twitter API – this study executed cutting-edge network analysis and sentiment analysis to fill in the knowledge gap through a case study on Hurricane Dorian. The study found that the impact of traditional opinion leaders on information diffusion is declining. On the contrary, top in-degree centrality users play more important roles in information diffusion on Twitter. Moreover, tweets with negative polarity opinions were retweeted more. In addition, non-opinion leaders’ negatively polarized tweets were retweeted more than positively polarized ones, although it is not the same case with opinion leaders. With the change of journalistic ecology, identifying top in-degree centrality users and examining their tweets will provide useful resources for journalists to identify keywords, trending themes and predict how likely a topic may interest audience based on degree of polarity and number of retweets on Twitter. The results provide useful patterns for journalists to follow in sensemaking tasks in digital journalistic inquiry.
Evaluating the use of Facebook among Mexican and global companies: A comparative study
Authors: Zeler Ileana , Oliveira Andrea , Costa Lluís
Published: May 2022

Social networks have improved communications between organizations and their stakeholders. They enabled companies to adopt more active approaches as they could engage with users through digital media. This study aims to analyse whether companies operating in Mexico (hereafter called ‘Mexican companies’) and companies operating worldwide (hereafter called ‘global companies’) have an active presence on Facebook, and thus assess their level of participation on the social network. The main results indicate that companies generally have a large presence and frequent activity on Facebook, but rarely promote interaction and conversation. However, Mexican companies have a more active presence and participation than global companies comparatively. The study presents an x-ray of organizational communication management in Mexico and worldwide in the social network. Likewise, it provides some interesting professional contributions.
Maternidades: Políticas de la representación (‘Maternities: Politics Of Representation’), Pilar Carrera and Carmen Ciller (eds) (2021)
Authors: Bonfill Anna Zaera
Published: May 2022

Review of: Maternidades: Políticas de la representación (‘Maternities: Politics Of Representation’), Pilar Carrera and Carmen Ciller (eds) (2021)

Madrid: Cátedra, 237 pp.,

ISBN 978-8-43764-280-2, p/bk, €10.95

ISBN 978-8-43764-281-9, e-book, €6.99
Datificación. Aportes para una discusión filosófica sobre la informática y sus repercusiones sociales
Authors: Camino Jeremías
Published: May 2022

El siguiente artículo se propone establecer discusiones filosóficas sobre la datificación, basando sus reflexiones en conceptos elucubrados a partir de la ciencia de la informática. Se pretende enriquecer las consideraciones habidas en la bibliografía, respecto de los fenómenos informáticos a que da lugar la datificación, como el Big Data, el concepto de algoritmo, de base de datos y de usuario, mientras que se evalúa críticamente las apreciaciones comunes respecto de lo que es el dato, de la relación dato-mundo, de la vinculación entre la lógica y la informática, y de la datificación como nuevo dispositivo de control.