bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Flow-Through Portable Antivirus UV-C Optical Enclosures to be Used with Protective Masks
Authors: Selimoglu Ozgur
Published: November 2021

UV-C light is an important disinfection tool against airborne viruses, while also being harmful if the light reaches the human skin. Body-attached reflective flow-through optical enclosures can be used for isolating the UV-C light from the user as well as elevating the irradiance level. In this study, we explain why air-sterilizing light enclosures are more effective than the expectations by introducing a dose multiplication factor of 4. As a result of omnidirectional illumination, air sterilization becomes more effective than surface disinfection if similar irradiance levels are measured from the enclosure wall. The methodology is explained by the design of a portable enclosure device primarily targeting the COVID-19 virus, and disinfection effectiveness better than 99.5% is demonstrated by biological tests.
Predictors of Loss to Follow‐Up among HIV‐Infected Adults after Initiation of the First‐Line Antiretroviral Therapy at Arba Minch General Hospital, Southern Ethiopia: A 5‐Year Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Gebremichael Mathewos Alemu , Gurara Mekdes Kondale , Weldehawaryat Haymanot Nigussie , Mengesha Melkamu Merid , Berbada Dessalegn Ajema
Published: November 2021

Background. Loss to follow‐up (LTFU) from antiretroviral therapy (ART) reduces treatment benefits and leads to treatment failure. Hence, this study was aimed at determining the incidence of loss to follow‐up and predictors among HIV‐infected adults who began first‐line antiretroviral therapy at Arba Minch General Hospital. Methods. We carried out an institutional‐based retrospective cohort study, and data were collected from the charts of 508 patients who were selected using a simple random sampling technique. All the data management and statistical analyses were conducted using STATA version 14. Cumulative survival probability was estimated and presented in the life table, and the Kaplan‐Meir survival curves were compared using the log‐rank test. The Cox proportional hazard model was used to identify the independent predictors. Results. We followed 508 patients for 871.9 person‐years. A total of 46 (9.1%) experienced loss to follow‐up, yielding an overall incidence rate of 5.3 (95% CI: 3.9‐7.1) per 100 person‐years. The cumulative survival probability was 90%, 88%, 86%, and 86% at the end of one, two, three, and four years, respectively. The predictors identified were age less than 35 years (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR = 1.96; 95% CI: 1.92‐4.00)), rural residence (aHR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.02‐3.83), baseline body weight greater than 60 kilograms (aHR = 2.19; 95% CI: 1.11‐4.37), a fair level of adherence (aHR = 11.5; 95% CI: 2.10‐61.10), and a poor level of adherence (aHR = 12.03; 95% CI: 5.4‐26.7). Conclusions. In this study, the incidence rate of loss to follow‐up was low. Younger adults below the age of 35 years, living in rural areas, with a baseline weight greater than 60 kilograms, which had a fair and poor adherence level were more likely to be lost from treatment. Therefore, health professionals working in ART clinics and potential stakeholders in HIV/AIDS care and treatment should consider adult patients with these characteristics to prevent LTFU.
Synergistic Herb-Herb Interaction of the Antinociceptive and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Syzygium aromaticum and Rosmarinus officinalis Combination
Authors: Déciga-Campos Myrna , Beltrán-Villalobos Karla Lizet , Aguilar-Mariscal Hidemi , González-Trujano María Eva , Ángeles-López Guadalupe Esther , Ventura-Martínez Rosa
Published: November 2021

The use of alternative medicine to treat pain has been increased, and the combination of several medicinal plants for its relief is a common practice in traditional medicine. The present study is aimed at determining whether a combination of Syzygium aromaticum (S. aromaticum) and Rosmarinus officinalis L. (R. officinalis) potentiates their antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects. These effects were explored using the formalin and carrageenan assays in rats, respectively. Animals received local pretreatment with S. aromaticum oil or R. officinalis ethanolic extract (0.1–100 μg/paw) alone or combined in a 1 : 1 rate. Concentration-response curves were built to compare pharmacological responses after an individual administration of S. aromaticum, R. officinalis, or their combination. The pharmacological interaction was investigated by an isobolographic study using the EC50 of each component in a fixed 1 : 1 ratio. S. aromaticum and R. officinalis administered alone showed significant and concentration-dependent antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects, but R. officinalis was more potent than S. aromaticum in both the antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects (EC50 = 7.96 ± 0.6 μg/paw vs. EC50 = 41.6 ± 1.7 μg/paw; EC50 = 1.97 ± 0.3 μg/paw vs. EC50 = 26.9 ± 2.5 μg/paw, respectively). The isobolographic analysis of the combination of these species in a 1 : 1 ratio showed a synergistic interaction between S. aromaticum and R. officinalis since Zmix (experimental value) was lower than Zadd (theoretical value) for both the antinociceptive effect (Zmix = 0.45 ± 0.1 < Zadd = 24.8 ± 1.3) and the anti-inflammatory effect (Zmix = 5.2 ± 0.6 < Zadd = 14.4 ± 2.2), suggesting a potentiation for both pharmacological effects. These results prove evidence of the efficacy of mixture herb-herb used in folk medicine for pain therapy. It also emphasizes the requirement of pharmacological studies to explore the efficacy and safety of herb interactions.
Influence of Hole Arrangement on the Section of Cavity Formed by Cutting Blast
Authors: Li Xianglong , Li Qiang , Wang Jianguo , Wang Zichen , Wang Hao , Tao Zihao
Published: November 2021

In order to optimize the arrangement of cutting holes in tunnel blast in Dahongshan Copper Mine, theoretical analysis and numerical simulation were combined to preliminarily determine the diameter of the hollow hole and the distance between the charge hole and the hollow hole during cut blast, which was verified through the field blast test. The research results show that with the increase of the hole diameter, the peak compressive stress of rock surrounding the empty hole gradually decreases, and the peak tensile stress gradually increases, which is consistent with the calculation results; when the hole diameter is 10 cm, the two first blast holes are arranged horizontally and 30 cm from the empty hole, two second blast holes are arranged vertically and 40 cm away from the empty hole, and the four third blast holes are arranged at a horizontal distance of 45 cm and a vertical distance of 45 cm from the empty hole; the contour area in numerical simulation is the maximum. The difference in contour area, contour width, and contour and contour height between the measured value and the simulation result is 5.3%, 3.3%, and 3.4%, respectively, indicating that the combination of theoretical calculation and numerical simulation is suitable for prediction of cavity section after blast in tunnel excavation.
Effects of Soil and Water Conservation at Different Landscape Positions on Soil Properties and Farmers’ Perception in Hobicheka Sub-Watershed, Southern Ethiopia
Authors: Sinore Tamrat , Doboch Dinsa
Published: November 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of soil and water conservation (soil bund with desho grass and soil bund only) at different landscape positions on selected soil properties and farmers’ perception in the Hobicheka sub-watershed (with an area of 400 ha) of Kechabira District. Composite soil samples were taken from soil bunds with desho grass and soil bunds only at three landscape positions with three replications, whereas 117 respondents were identified using simple random sampling. The result revealed that the clay, soil moisture content, soil pH, OC, TN, Av.P, and CEC were higher in soil bund with desho grass as compared to adjacent soil bund only, whereas, bulk density, silt, and sand contents were higher in adjacent soil bund only compared to soil bund with desho grass. About 83.5% of the respondents were users of soil and water conservation measures and among them, 40.19% perceived that soil bund with desho grass has an effect on soil properties, while 25.35% perceived that soil bund only had better soil and water conservation practices. Respondents’ years of experience, education level, and access to soil and water conservation extension services significantly (

p
≤
0.1

) affected their perception of the use of soil bunds with desho grass. Therefore, soil bund with desho grass at appropriate landscape positions by considering farmer perception improves the soil’s physicochemical properties.
An Adaptive Deep Learning Optimization Method Based on Radius of Curvature
Authors: Zhang Jiahui , Yang Xinhao , Zhang Ke , Wen Chenrui
Published: November 2021

An adaptive clamping method (SGD‐MS) based on the radius of curvature is designed to alleviate the local optimal oscillation problem in deep neural network, which combines the radius of curvature of the objective function and the gradient descent of the optimizer. The radius of curvature is considered as the threshold to separate the momentum term or the future gradient moving average term adaptively. In addition, on this basis, we propose an accelerated version (SGD‐MA), which further improves the convergence speed by using the method of aggregated momentum. Experimental results on several datasets show that the proposed methods effectively alleviate the local optimal oscillation problem and greatly improve the convergence speed and accuracy. A novel parameter updating algorithm is also provided in this paper for deep neural network.
On the Reliability of Transformerless Photovoltaic DC/AC Converters Based on Mission Profile
Authors: Villanueva Ignacio , Vazquez Nimrod , Vaquero Joaquín , Hernández Claudia , López Héctor , Osorio Rene , Sergio Pinto
Published: November 2021

Photovoltaic systems are a technology for the generation of electrical energy that is constantly increasing thanks to current technological advances and that contributes to sustainable development. The main stages of photovoltaic systems are the conversion stage, using an inverter, and filtering. These systems may be considered as a mature and growing technology; however, regarding its reliability, there exists some uncertainties, and they are related to the operation, incidents, and its potential failures, due to the number of elements, the environment, and the operating nominal values. For this reason, this article presents a comparative analysis of the reliability of single-phase transformerless photovoltaic inverters used to inject active power into the grid. This evaluation is carried out under the same design specifications for all the inverters analyzed; the study is made using a mission profile considering the IEC TR 62380 standard, where the events and environmental operating conditions are defined, and numerical simulations. This work is aimed at providing suggestions to improve the quality of the photovoltaic system also considering reliability.
Experimental Study on the Mechanical Properties of the Fiber Cement Mortar Containing Polyurethane
Authors: Zhang Xijun , Fang Hongyuan , Du Mingrui , Shi Mingsheng , Zhang Chao
Published: November 2021

Polymer is a kind of high molecular elastic material. The polymer cement mortar composite material formed by mixing it with cement mortar has the advantages of light weight, high strength, and good durability compared with traditional mortar materials. The effect of polyurethane polymer content on mechanical properties and microstructure of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fiber cement mortar was studied by compressive test, flexural test, and SEM analysis. The test results show that as the content of polyurethane increases, the compressive strength gradually decreases, and the flexural strength gradually increases. The addition of polyurethane helps to optimize the microstructure of PVA mortar, improve the compactness of the material, and enhance the bending resistance of the mortar. The mechanical properties of materials obtained from the experiment can provide references for engineering applications.
Myeloid Cell–Derived Oxidized Lipids and Regulation of the Tumor Microenvironment
Authors: Hicks Kristin C. , Tyurina Yulia Y. , Kagan Valerian E. , Gabrilovich Dmitry I.
Published: November 2021

Immunosuppressive myeloid cells play a major role in cancer by negatively regulating immune responses, promoting tumor progression, and limiting the efficacy of cancer immunotherapy. Immunosuppression is mediated by various mechanisms dependent upon the type of myeloid cell involved. In recent years, a more universal mechanism of immunosuppressive activity of myeloid cells has emerged: Generation of oxidized lipids. Oxidized lipids accumulate in all types of myeloid cells and are often transferred between cells. In this review, we discuss mechanisms involved in the generation and biological role of myeloid cell–derived oxidized lipids in cancer.
Dysregulated Immunometabolism Is Associated with the Generation of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Staphylococcus aureus Chronic Infection
Authors: Dietrich Oliver , Heinz Alexander , Goldmann Oliver , Geffers Robert , Beineke Andreas , Hiller Karsten , Saliba Antoine-Emmanuel , Medina Eva
Published: November 2021

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a compendium of immature myeloid cells that exhibit potent T-cell suppressive capacity and expand during pathological conditions such as cancer and chronic infections. Although well-characterized in cancer, the physiology of MDSCs in the infection setting remains enigmatic. Here, we integrated single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and functional metabolic profiling to gain deeper insights into the factors governing the generation and maintenance of MDSCs in chronic Staphylococcus aureus infection. We found that MDSCs originate not only in the bone marrow but also at extramedullary sites in S. aureus-infected mice. scRNA-seq showed that infection-driven MDSCs encompass a spectrum of myeloid precursors in different stages of differentiation, ranging from promyelocytes to mature neutrophils. Furthermore, the scRNA-seq analysis has also uncovered valuable phenotypic markers to distinguish mature myeloid cells from immature MDSCs. Metabolic profiling indicates that MDSCs exhibit high glycolytic activity and high glucose consumption rates, which are required for undergoing terminal maturation. However, rapid glucose consumption by MDSCs added to infection-induced perturbations in the glucose supplies in infected mice hinders the terminal maturation of MDSCs and promotes their accumulation in an immature stage. In a proof-of-concept in vivo experiment, we demonstrate the beneficial effect of increasing glucose availability in promoting MDSC terminal differentiation in infected mice. Our results provide valuable information of how metabolic alterations induced by infection influence reprogramming and differentiation of MDSCs.
Mannitol Is Comparable to Hypertonic Saline for Raised Intracranial Pressure in Acute Liver Failure (MAHAL Study): A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Kalal Chetan Ramesh , Maiwall Rakhi , Choudhary Ashok , Premkumar Madhumita , Kumar Guresh , Vyas Ashish Kumar , Sarin Shiv Kumar
Published: November 2021

Background: Raised intracranial pressure (ICP) due to cerebral edema (CE) is central to development of hepatic encephalopathy in acute liver failure (ALF). Mannitol (MT) and hypertonic saline (HS) have been shown to improve CE. We compared the efficacy and safety of the 2 modalities. Methods: ALF with CE was prospectively randomized in an open study to receive either 5 mL/kg of either 3% HS, as continuous infusion; titrated every 6 hourly to achieve serum sodium of <160 (Group A; n = 26) or 1 g/kg of 20% MN as a IV bolus, repeated every 6 hourly (Group B; n = 25) in addition to standard ALF care. Primary end-point was reduction of ICP defined as optic nerve sheath diameter <5 mm and middle cerebral arterial pulsatility index <1.2 at 12 h. Results: Fifty-one patients with ALF, hepatitis E being commonest (33.3%), median jaundice to HE interval of 8 (1–16) days, were randomized to HS (n = 26) or MN (n = 25). Baseline characteristics were comparable including King’s college criteria (>2: 38.4% vs.40%). Overall, 61.5% patients in the HS and 56% in the MN group showed reduction in ICP at 12 h (p = 0.25). Rebound increase in ICP indices was noted in 5 (20%) patients in MT and none in HS (p < 0.05) group. New onset acute kidney injury was common in the MT group than in the HS group. The ICU stay and 28-day transplant-free survival were not different between the groups. Conclusions: While both agents had comparable efficacy in reducing ICP and mortality in ALF patients was comparable, HS was significantly better in preventing reducing rebound CE with lower renal dysfunction.
Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease in South West Sydney 2014–2020: An Unusually High Incidence of a Rare Disease
Authors: Goire Namraj , Edwards Leon , Thomas Peter , Bhaskar Sonu M.M. , Cordato Dennis , Buckland Michael E. , Beran Roy G.
Published: November 2021

Introduction: Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a spongiform encephalopathy, caused by a transmissible misfolded cellular prion protein, is a rapidly progressive, debilitating neurodegenerative disorder with no effective treatment. The estimated global incidence is at 1/million inhabitants. This retrospective study examined the incidence of CJD in South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD) from 2014 to 2020. Background: SWSLHD had an estimated population of 1,038,534 in 2020, with CJD data being limited. Methods: The New South Wales (NSW) Health Information Exchange (HIE) database, for all admissions with CJD diagnoses in SWSLHD, between 2014 and 2020, was reviewed according to the WHO diagnostic criteria, consistent with the Australian national CJD registry. Only probable CJD cases were included. Incidence was calculated based on the projected SWSLHD population. Results: Thirty-five patients, diagnosed with CJD, were identified. Each was evaluated by 2 independent investigators, including clinical presentation, MRI, EEGs, 14-3-3, and RT-QuIC results, before assigning CJD-probable status. Four failed the CJD criteria and were excluded. Of the 31 CJD-probable cases, most (59%) were male and older (37%, range 61–70 years). The incidence rate peaked at 9/million in 2017 and was above 2/million, throughout the 7 years, with an average of 4.859/million/year. Conclusions: The incidence of CJD, in SWSLHD, exceeds the national average of 1/million. Cost-effective, adequate diagnostic and screening tools, implementable over a large population, will become increasingly essential.
Effect of Diminutive Adenoma with High-Grade Dysplasia on Surveillance Colonoscopy Interval
Authors: Park Jae Ho , Kang Sun Hyung , Joo Jong Seok , Rou Woo Sun , Kim Ju Seok , Eun Hyuk Soo , Moon Hee Seok , Lee Eaum Seok , Kim Seok Hyun , Sung Jae Kyu , Lee Byung Seok , Jeong Hyun Yong
Published: November 2021

Background: Colonoscopy surveillance guidelines set the surveillance schedule based on polyp characteristics. Polyps with high-grade dysplasia (HGD) require 3 years of follow-up regardless of size. However, it is unclear whether patients with diminutive polyps (≤5 mm) with HGD have a higher risk. We evaluated the effect of diminutive adenoma with HGD on adenoma occurrence. Methods: From January 2015 to December 2017, patients who underwent index and surveillance colonoscopy were retrospectively screened. The patients were grouped into no adenoma group, low-risk (patients with ≤2 low-grade dysplasia [LGD]), diminutive HGD, and high-risk (HGD >5 mm, ≥3 adenomas) groups according to the index colonoscopy results. Each group was analyzed using logistic analysis. Results: The mean follow-up period was 22.47 months. Altogether, 610 (50.45%) patients had LGD and 152 (12.5%) had HGD. Among them, 61 (5.0%) patients had a diminutive polyp with HGD. Analysis of the risks of developing advanced adenoma in the surveillance colonoscopy showed that compared to the no adenoma group, the diminutive HGD group did not show a significant risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.503 [0.449–5.027], p = 0.509), while the high-risk group showed a significant risk (OR = 2.044 [1.015–4.114], p = 0.045). Conclusions: Diminutive adenoma with HGD increased the risk of adenoma on surveillance colonoscopy, and in the case of advanced adenoma, the risk was increased, but it was not statistically significant.
Dramaturgia de adaptación, teatro épico y antropomorfización de animales en Juan Darién (2015), de Mauricio Kartun
Authors: Dubatti Jorge
Published: November 2021

Dentro de la producción dramática de Mauricio Kartun, se analiza Juan Darién (2015), dramaturgia de adaptación del cuento homónimo de Horacio Quiroga incluido en su libro El desierto (1924). Se ubica este texto dramático en la obra de Kartun y se caracterizan las principales operaciones de reescritura, con el objetivo de precisar una política de la diferencia. Finalmente, se focaliza en el desarrollo de la antropomorfización del personaje de la serpiente y en su transformación en narrador-presentador (a la manera del teatro épico brechtiano) y personaje-delegado.
Ana Harcha Cortés. Proyecto poético-dramatúrgico: prácticas, procedimientos y efectos
Authors: González Soledad Sonia
Published: November 2021

En este artículo analizamos uno de los primeros textos dramáticos de la autora chilena Ana Harcha Cortés a partir de las claves de lectura construidas en nuestra tesis doctoral “Prácticas contemporánea: escribir para la escena (entre la fábula, la acción y la voz poética)” (2020). Este encuadre se organiza en función de la categoría de proyecto poético dramatúrgico que autoras y autores dan a conocer a través de sus prácticas y de sus pensamientos dramatúrgicos: procedimentales, metateatrales y metapoéticos; y en relación, también, a la construcción de un archivo bio político, que da cuenta de la memoria viva, siempre reactualizada, y del proyecto utópico de cada artista. Destacamos la actualidad del pensamiento político de la práctica seleccionada que data de 1999 y de sus efectos poéticos.
Categorical Perception: A Groundwork for Deep Learning
Authors: Bonnasse-Gahot Laurent , Nadal Jean-Pierre
Published: November 2021

Classification is one of the major tasks that deep learning is successfully tackling. Categorization is also a fundamental cognitive ability. A well-known perceptual consequence of categorization in humans and other animals, categorical perception, is notably characterized by a within-category compression and a between-category separation: two items, close in input space, are perceived closer if they belong to the same category than if they belong to different categories. Elaborating on experimental and theoretical results in cognitive science, here we study categorical effects in artificial neural networks. We combine a theoretical analysis that makes use of mutual and Fisher information quantities and a series of numerical simulations on networks of increasing complexity. These formal and numerical analyses provide insights into the geometry of the neural representation in deep layers, with expansion of space near category boundaries and contraction far from category boundaries. We investigate categorical representation by using two complementary approaches: one mimics experiments in psychophysics and cognitive neuroscience by means of morphed continua between stimuli of different categories, while the other introduces a categoricality index that, for each layer in the network, quantifies the separability of the categories at the neural population level. We show on both shallow and deep neural networks that category learning automatically induces categorical perception. We further show that the deeper a layer, the stronger the categorical effects. As an outcome of our study, we propose a coherent view of the efficacy of different heuristic practices of the dropout regularization technique. More generally, our view, which finds echoes in the neuroscience literature, insists on the differential impact of noise in any given layer depending on the geometry of the neural representation that is being learned, that is, on how this geometry reflects the structure of the categories.
A remarkable new species of Hypogastrura (Collembola, Hypogastruridae) from the Romanian Carpathians 
Authors: PAŚNIK GRZEGORZ , STERNALSKI JAKUB
Published: November 2021

A new species of Hypogastrura from the Romanian Carpathians is described and illustrated. The new species is characterised by unique combination of morphological characters: presence of seven ocelli, the antennal segment IV with 4 thin, cylindrical sensilla, the presence of 5 setae on ventral tube, the short anal spines situated on high papillae and distinct chaetotaxy. The species is not easy to classify in the present system of the generic subdivision. Considering the presence of only 7+7 ocelli, the new species can be compared only with H. pyrenaica (Cassagnau, 1959), while in other morphological features it is similar to H. aterrima Yosii, 1972 and H. tethyca Ellis, 1976. The similarity between these species and systematic position of the new species are discussed.
Effect of Exogenous Sulfur on Photosynthesis System of Fagopyrum tataricum Seedlings Under Cadmium Stress
Authors: Tang Jianbo , Liu Hui , Lu Yang , Xia Zhongmin , Zhang Jieqiong
Published: November 2021

This study explored the physiological mechanism of adscititious sulfur induced cadmium tolerance in tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum) on the photosynthetic reaction system. The results showed that the supplementation of S could boost chlorophyll a and b content during Cd
treatment, as well as the chlorophyll a/b ratio. Cd stress significantly increased the contents of ALA, PBG, Urogen III, Coprogen III, and Proto IX, while the Mg-Proto IX and pchlide contents were significantly reduced. These results indicate that Cd stress block the synthesis of chlorophyll
through interruption of the synthesis of Mg-Proto IX. The adoption of additional S under Cd stress reversed the above contents to the control level. In addition, Cd stress had no significant effect on iron and calcium content, yet was able to significantly decrease Mg, Mn, and Cu content.
The lack of Cu and Mn in the tartary buckwheat leaves consequently resulted in the interruption of the electron transport chain at the oxidation region of the PSII reaction centers. The photosynthesis and quantum yield of the PSII photochemistry were both significantly enhanced with additional
sulfur under Cd treatment. In conclusion, the results advance the theoretical mechanism of excess S in alleviating the Cd stress in plants through the photosynthetic pathway.
Chemical Profiling of Volatile Compounds in Brazilian Green Propolis and Its Application to Geographical Discrimination
Authors: Geng Lulu , Wang Min , Liu Mingshi , Sun Haoyang
Published: November 2021

In this paper, a novel approach was set up to analyze and discriminate propolis from different regions based on GC-MS and multivariate statistical analysis. A number of Chinese and Brazilian green propolis samples were dealt with based on this method, and a set of data were processed
with partial least squares-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). A clear differences between the two groups were shown in score plot. The chemical markers for the differentiation were selected through loading plot. Based on the comparison between the reference and/or NIST database and mass fragments
in the publication, chemical markers were tentatively identified. Lauric acid, 2(3H)-naphthalenone, spathulenol and benzenebutanoic acid were taken as chemical markers based on the above strategy. This research could provide some valuable information to the quality control of propolis from
different origins.
Study of Entropy Generation and Magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Natural Convection in a Curved Enclosure Having Various Amplitude and Filled with Cu–TiO2/Water Hybrid Nanofluid
Authors: Parveen Rujda , Mahapatra Tapas Ray , Saha B. C.
Published: November 2021

We have studied the buoyancy-driven convection enhancement and entropy production in a Cu–TiO2/water (water with copper and titanium dioxide nanoparticles) hybrid nanofluid filled curved enclosure subjected to a uniform magnetic field. The enclosure has a sinusoidally
heated right wall, cold left wall, uniformly heated bottom wall, and thermally insulated upper curved wall. The effect of different amplitudes (concave, square, and convex) of the upper curved wall is considered. The non-linear governing equations are non-dimensionalized and written in stream
function-velocity formulation. Bi Conjugate Gradient Stabilized (BiCGStab) method is employed followed by a Tri-diagonal matrix algorithm (TDMA) for the numerical simulation. The considered parameters are as follows: Rayleigh number (Ra), Hartmann number (Ha), phase angle (ε),
the amplitude of the curved wall (a), and nanoparticle volume fraction (Φ). The influence of the model parameters on entropy production, fluid flow, and heat transfer phenomenon has been investigated, and the simulated results are displayed in terms of flow fields and temperature
fields. According to the studies, increasing the Rayleigh number and volume percentage of nanoparticles has a significant impact on heat transmission and hence dominates the convection effect, whereas increasing the Hartmann number has the opposite effect.
Student Perspectives on Implementing Stop the Bleed Training into Medical School Curriculum
Authors: Marsh Amanda M. , Winslow Whitney , Cohen Jordyn , Yi Slee , Jacomino Mario , Luck George R. , Moreland Robert , Lottenberg Lawrence
Published: November 2021

Background

Following the Hartford Consensus guidelines and recommendations, third-year medical students from a single institution were offered an optional Stop the Bleed (STB) training course in August 2018. The aim of this study was to assess medical students’ confidence in performing bleeding control techniques and teaching others after completing the STB course. The secondary goal was to assess student perception on integrating mandatory STB training into the medical school curriculum.

Materials and Methods

A 24-question survey using a 4-point Likert scale was administered to all medical students who completed STB training. Students were anonymously asked to self-report their confidence in performing bleeding control techniques, training others after STB training, and their perception on integrating STB training into medical school curriculum.

Results

After completing the STB course, 95% of students were comfortable applying a tourniquet, 92% of students were confident in packing wounds, and 99% of students could apply direct pressure to wounds to stop bleeding. Overall, 94% of students reported that STB training would be helpful for their clinical rotations.

Conclusion

These results demonstrate that medical students are positively impacted by Stop the Bleed courses and validate that the implementation of mandatory STB courses into medical school curriculum will improve medical students’ knowledge and skills for hemorrhage control.
The Eucharist as a Source of Political Action: Dorothy Day as a living example of Johann Baptist Metz’s “Dangerous Memory”
Authors: Hikota Riyako Cecilia
Published: November 2021

Attending Mass and helping the suffering are not two separate things. In Christian life, the former should directly lead to the latter. In order to clarify this deep connection, first I will turn to Johann Baptist Metz, especially the centrality of the concept of anamnesis in his theology and hence how his political theology is deeply linked with or actually grounded in the Eucharist and liturgy, for which anamnesis is an essential concept. Metz points out the centrality of the “dangerous” memory of the crucified Lord for the Christian faith and suggests that when we remember the suffering of Christ we also remember all of the victims of history. Further, this memory of accumulated suffering should prepare us for socially emancipatory action. Thus, through the concept of anamnesis, we can see how participating in Mass should directly lead to political action on behalf of the suffering. As a concrete example of this connection realized, I will look at Dorothy Day in the second half of the paper. The Eucharist was central to her conversion, her spirituality, and her Catholic Worker Movement. In her, we can see a concrete example of the living memory of the suffering constantly nourished by the Eucharist and realized as a socially emancipatory action. Thus, by looking at Day through the lens provided by Metz with a focus on the living memory of suffering, I will stress that the Eucharist, “the source and summit of the Christian life,” is the key to bring theology into action.
Age estimation from developing third molars
Authors: Wilson Yvonne Padmini , Nambiar Phrabhakaran , Yaacob Hashim , Asif Muhammad Khan
Published: November 2021

We investigated the development of third molars among Malaysians (including variations between jaws and genders) using Demirjian’s method. Dental panoramic radiographs of 1224 subjects aged 8 to 24 years were examined, and the molars were assigned Demirjian et al.’s development grades (A–H). Results indicated that 18.8% had congenitally missing or extracted third molars. Development of molars begins earlier in females (also in the mandible), but by age 9, male children's molar development speeds up with more advanced grades in their middle teens than females. Grade C indicates the subject is a juvenile, while initiation of root development (Grade E), was observed from 13 years on. Grade H can occur in a child aged 18 years who technically is still a juvenile. We compared the development and growth patterns of the third molar from both the maxilla and the mandible.
Re-thinking Stepfathers’ Contributions: Fathers, Stepfathers, and Child Wellbeing
Authors: Gold Sarah , Edin Kathryn J.
Published: November 2021

Using data from a contemporary cohort of children, we revisit the question of whether children benefit from being close to and engaging in activities with a stepfather. We deploy the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a birth cohort study of nearly 5000 children born in US cities in 1998–2000, with a large oversample of nonmarital births. We explore the relationships between stepfathers’ closeness and active engagement and youth’s internalizing and externalizing behaviors and school connectedness at ages 9 and 15 for between 550 and 740 children (depending on the wave) with stepfathers. We find that the emotional tenor of the relationship and level of active engagement between youth and their stepfathers are associated with reduced internalizing behaviors and higher school connectedness. Our findings suggest that stepfathers’ roles seem to have evolved in ways that are more beneficial to their adolescent stepchildren than was previously the case.
Giftedness as a framework of inclusive education
Authors: Lo C. Owen , Lin-Yang Rachel C. , Chrostowski Megan
Published: November 2021

As societies move toward a deeper engagement with humanitarianism and egalitarianism, education systems have increasingly embodied a commitment to principles of inclusion. The field of gifted and talented education (GATE) has reflected these changes in recent discussions around equity, diversity, and inclusive practices. This article aims to re-examine the practices of gifted education and rethink the possibility of generating an egalitarianism-based, GATE-derived inclusive education discourse that can serve as a parallel to the predominant humanitarianism-drive inclusive education movement. Within a discourse of self-actualization, we propose framing “gifted” as a process-based, rather than person-based, construct that applies to all students as they are enabled to transact their gifts and talents through engaging in a “gift-ed” process through honing self-knowledge and learning gifted behaviors. We advocate the use of person-first language, (i.e., students with advanced learning needs/advanced and special learning needs (ALN/ASLN)) that will encourage specific interventions.
COVID-19: How community businesses in England struggled to respond to their communities’ needs
Authors: Gardner Mandy , Webber Don J , Parry Glenn , Bradley Peter
Published: November 2021

Economic policies tend to downplay social and community considerations in favour of market-led and business-focussed support. The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the need for greater and deeper social cohesion and local social support networks while highlighting that an overreliance on market forces can create social problems at times of need. Community businesses (CBs) are not for profit organisations that provide services and produce goods where the profit (or surplus) is reinvested back into that community. This article explores why CBs in England responded in a variety of ways to the COVID-19 pandemic, assesses what government policy did to help and hinder their place-based operations, and explores the observed socioeconomics of their age-related volunteer staff churn. Some CBs were ravaged by the consequences of the pandemic and associated government policies with many becoming unsustainable, while others evolved and augmented their support for and services to their communities, thereby enhancing their community’s resilience. We highlight how adjustments to government policies could enhance the sustainability of CBs, making them and the communities they serve more resilient.
Prognostic factors of patients with advanced lung cancer treated with anlotinib: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fan Bijun , Tan Xiaoming , Lou Yueyan , Zheng Yu , Zhang Liyan , Wu Xueling
Published: November 2021

Objective

Our study aimed to evaluate the main factors affecting the efficacy of anlotinib to determine the therapeutically dominant populations.

Methods

The medical records of patients with lung cancer who were treated with anlotinib from July 2018 to February 2020 at Renji Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University were retrospectively reviewed. The optimal cutoff prognostic nutritional index (PNI) value for predicting efficacy was determined according to receiver operating characteristic curves. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were calculated and compared using the Kaplan–Meier method and log‐rank test. The prognostic values of each variable were evaluated with univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analyses.

Results

The overall disease control rate of 44 patients with lung cancer was 93.2% (41/44). The median PFS was 5.0 months (95% [confidence interval] CI: 2.2–7.8), and the median OS was 6.5 months (95% CI: 3.6–9.3). The multivariate analysis results indicated that hand–foot syndrome and high PNI values were independent protective factors of PFS and OS.

Conclusions

Anlotinib was effective in treating locally advanced or advanced lung cancer. High pretreatment PNI scores and the presence of hand–foot syndrome after treatment were independent prognostic markers for favorable OS and PFS.
Are tyrosine kinase inhibitors an effective treatment in testicular metastases from kidney cancer? Case report
Authors: Turco Fabio , Tucci Marcello , Di Stefano Rosario Francesco , Samuelly Alessandro , Bungaro Maristella , Bollito Enrico , Scagliotti Giorgio Vittorio , Buttigliero Consuelo
Published: November 2021

Testicular metastases from renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are extremely rare. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) are the cornerstone of systemic therapy for metastatic RCC. We report a case of testicular metastasis in a 72-year-old patient with RCC that developed 17 years after nephrectomy and response to TKI treatment, a retrospective literature search on testicular metastases from RCC, and the indirect evidence described in the literature on the efficacy of chemotherapy and target therapy on testicular lesions.
Triptolide regulates oxidative stress and inflammation leading to hepatotoxicity via inducing CYP2E1
Authors: Jiang Hai-Yan , Bao Yan-Ni , Lin Feng-Mei , Jin Yong
Published: November 2021

Triptolide (TP), the main active compound extracted from medicine— tripterygium wilfordii Hook f. (TWHF). It has anti-tumor and immunomodulatory properties. Our study aimed to investigate the mechanisms of hepatotoxicity treated with TP in vivo and in vitro, as well as their relationship with the NF-κB (p65) signal pathway; and to assess TP-induced hepatotoxicity after CYP2E1 modulation by the known inhibitor, clomethiazole, and the known inducer, pyrazole. Mice were given TP to cause liver injury and IHHA-1 cells were given TP to cause hepatocyte injury. The enzyme activity and hepatotoxicity changed dramatically when the CYP2E1 inhibitor and inducer were added. In comparison to the control group, the enzyme inducer increased the activity of CYP2E1, whereas the enzyme inhibitor had the opposite effect. Our findings suggest that TP is an inducer of CYP2E1 via a time-dependent activation mechanism. In addition, TP can promote oxidative stress, inflammatory and involving the NF-κB (p65) signal pathway. Therefore, we used triptolide to stimulate C57 mice and IHHA-1 cells to determine whether TP can promote oxidative stress and inflammation by activating CYP2E1 in response to exacerbated liver damage and participate in NF-κB (p65) signaling pathway.
Reconciliating the Relationship Between Christian Churches and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Intersex+ People: The Letter of São Paulo as a Counter Hegemonic Discourse in Times of Religious Conservatisms
Authors: Dias Tainah Biela , Coelho Fernanda Marina Feitosa
Published: November 2021

The ‘1st Congress Churches and LGBTI+ Community: ecumenical dialogues for respect for diversity’ was held between 19th and 22nd of June 2019, in the city of São Paulo. The Congress was organised by the Parish of the Holy Trinity of the Episcopal Anglican Church in Brazil and Koinonia–Ecumenical Presence in Service. As we consider this congress a historic landmark in the debates concerning religions and sexualities that escape from cisheteronormativity in Brazil, in the course of this article, we propose to analyse the social and political conjuncture that motivated the event. In a second step, we will briefly describe the structure of the event, as well as its objectives, in order to understand the assumptions that guided the construction of the Letter of São Paulo, the official and public document of the Congress, approved in plenary by the participants. We believe that the Congress and the Letter of São Paulo have political potential, as they claim the rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex+ people as people of faith and denounce forms of oppression, exclusion and marginalisation reinforced by conservative and hegemonic religious discourses.
A Nomadic Spirituality in the Dream of the Red Chamber: Seeking the Goddess in an Immanent Process
Authors: Kun Wang
Published: November 2021

The multicultural work, The Dream of the Red Chamber, posits a field for exploring the interconnection between Confucian interpretations and its intrinsic Goddess narrative. In this article, I examine the reconciliation of the former with the latter. The immanent transcendence in Neo-Confucianism is not enough for interpreting this novel, for covering the question of a natural connection between Vermilion Pearl and Shen Ying, for a dichotomy of tian and the earth, the transcendent and the immanent. The Goddess narrative of repairing tian can rectify this difficult position and a nomadic spirituality forged in a mutually cultivating process is proposed, both to rescue the Confucian interpretation of the novel and to find a way of reconciling the Confucian ‘ tian’ and the Goddess.
Microencapsulated healing agents for an elevated-temperature cured epoxy: Influence of viscosity on healing efficiency
Authors: Ghazali Habibah , Ye Lin , Amir Amie N
Published: November 2021

Among many applications, elevated-temperature cured epoxy resins are widely used for high-performance applications especially for structural adhesive and as a matrix for structural composites. This is due to their superior chemical and mechanical properties. The thermosetting nature of epoxy produces a highly cross-linked polymer network during the curing process where the resulting material exhibited excellent properties. However, due to this cross-linked molecular structure, epoxies are also known to be brittle, and once a crack initiated in the material, it is difficult to arrest the crack propagation. Earlier research found that the inclusion of encapsulated healing agents is able to introduce self-healing ability to the room-temperature cured epoxies. The current study investigated the self-healing behaviour of an elevated-temperature cured epoxy, which incorporated the dual-capsule system loaded with diglycidyl-ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) resin and mercaptan. The microcapsules were prepared by the in-situ polymerisation method while the fracture toughness and the self-healing capability of the tapered-double-cantilever-beam (TDCB) epoxy specimens were measured under Mode-I fracture toughness testing. We investigated the effect of temperature on viscosity of the healing agents and how these values influence the formation of uniform healing on the fracture surfaces. It was found that incorporation of the dual-capsule self-healing system onto an elevated-temperature cured epoxy slightly changed the fracture toughness of the epoxy as indicated by the Mode-I testing. In the case of thermal healing at 70°C, the self-healing epoxy exhibited a recovery of up to 111% of its original fracture toughness, where a uniform spreading of the healant was observed. The excellent healing behaviour is attributed to the lower viscosity of the healant at higher temperature and the higher glass transition temperature ( Tg) of the produced healant film. The DSC analysis confirmed that the healing process was not contributed by the post-curing of the host epoxy.
The combined plasticization of jute and tung oil anhydride for jute fiber reinforced poly(lactic acid) composites
Authors: Zhou Ying , Chen Can , Xie Lan , Chen Xiaolang , Xiao Guangqiang , Qin Shuhao , Guo Jianbing , He Yong
Published: November 2021

In this work, novel plasticizing biodegradable poly (lactic acid) (PLA) composites were prepared by melt blending of jute and tung oil anhydride (TOA), and the physical and mechanical properties of PLA/jute/TOA composites were tested and characterized. The impact strength of PLA/jute/TOA composites significantly increases with increasing the content of TOA. The SEM images of fracture surface of PLA/jute/TOA composites become rough after the incorporation of TOA. In addition, TOA changes the crystallization temperature and decomposition process of PLA/jute/TOA composites. With increasing the amount of TOA, the value of storage modulus (E′) of PLA/jute/TOA composites gradually increases. The complex viscosity (η*) values for all samples reduce obviously with increasing the frequency, which means that the pure PLA and PLA/jute/TOA composites is typical pseudoplastic fluid. This is attributed to the formation of crosslinking, which restricts the deformation of the composites.
Philippe Ariés, Childhood and the Everyday
Authors: Gulati Nidhi
Published: November 2021

This commentary navigates the oeuvre of Ariés’ writings on childhood, family, private life and death, with a focus on interrogating ‘who is a child?’ Departing from the intellectual history prevalent at the time, Ariés deployed the psychogenic approach to study the cultural history of childhood and family. He examines the quotidian experience of aesthetics and other documents of culture to reveal ‘what was thought about' viz. the mentalities’ of childhood and family spanning a vast canvas from the eleventh to the nineteenth centuries. Ariés provocatively proposes that childhood is a modern construct, highlighting that children were not always seen as precious, dependent and in need of adult protection. The magnitude of his intellectual adventure continues to be debated, particularly in childhood studies. The commentary includes an analysis of Ariés’ methods and insights about childhood that unsettle the narrow prisms that refract how we see, understand and educate children.