bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Civil Aircraft Multi-Objective Design Optimization for Cost and Emission Reduction
Authors: Mu Tengfei , Tao Li
Published: July 2023

With the rapid development of civil air transportation network in recent decades, aviation emission is continually increasing which may lead to irreversible damage to the environment. Besides, the operating cost of civil aircraft also should be reduced for creating greater value for human activities. Consequently, eco-efficiency aircraft should be developed for aviation sustainable development, and there are some higher constraints on the aircraft design, especially on the cost and emission. In this research, the developed multi-objective design optimization technique, along with the aircraft general and aerodynamic design approach, as well as the operating cost model and integrated emission model, is used to conduct the aircraft concept design, leading to the minimum operating cost and emission. Further, the Pareto solution set, related to the temperature change which is caused by emission and cost, is obtained to conduct eco-efficiency aircraft design optimization.
Influencing Factors on Plasticity and Life of Hydraulic Pipelines for Logging
Authors: Fan Qilong , Li Liang , Wang Shuni , Cui Huanyong , Wang Hui , Liu Haining
Published: July 2023

The bending behavior of the hydraulic pipeline on the roller of the logging winch will cause a certain plastic deformation of the hydraulic pipeline, which has a certain influence on its performance. In view of the above problems, this paper uses finite element analysis software to analyze the plastic deformation law of hydraulic pipelines under different bending radii. It can be found from the analysis results that during the bending process, the plastic deformation of the metal continuous capillary gradually increases with the neutral layer outward. In the range of the bending radius from 75 mm to 150 mm, with the increase of the bending radius, the equivalent plastic deformation decreases from 3.5×10-2 to 1.46×10-2. The changing trend of life also tends to be gentle with the increase of the bending radius, and the number of cycles increases from 25000 to 398107. The analysis of the plastic deformation law and the life of hydraulic pipelines provides a reference for designing winch drums.
Experimental exploration of metallic chloride salt corrosion of stainless steel sheets
Authors: Wang Xiaodong , Zhu Yanjun , Lyu Haiyang , You Yangyang , Zhou Jiaao , Zhang Erbo , Wei Kunyu
Published: July 2023

In recent years, biomass generation in China has been steadily increasing. The high-temperature corrosion of the heating surface of biomass boilers is mainly caused by HCl and alkali metal chlorides in the sediment, which seriously affects the efficiency and safety and the degree of economic utilization of biomass energy. In this paper, the corrosion products were characterized by total-immersion experiments under constant temperature on different thicknesses of 304 stainless steel in various concentrations and types of alkali metal chloride salts. Through thermal microscopy scanning and XRD experiments, the composition, characteristics, and microscopic morphology of corrosion products on stainless steel flakes are determined to find out the corrosion mechanism of stainless steel flakes in solution alkali metal chloride salts. The results show that in a water bath at 80 °C, alkali metal chlorides weaken the corrosion resistance of the stainless-steel sheet by destroying the integrity of its reticular structure, thus promoting the chemical reaction between the iron contained in the stainless steel and other elements to generate various types of corrosion products rich in iron. Meanwhile, among various alkali metal chloride salts, the catalytic effect of saturated CaCl2 on the corrosion of 0.1 mm and 0.01 mm stainless steel sheets at 80 °C is the most significant.
The Effect of Melting-Casting and Heat Treatment Process on the Hardness of 2618 Aluminum Alloy
Authors: Chen Shanshan , Huang Haoran , Chai Zhizhang , Zhu Xianqi
Published: July 2023

The influence of melting-casting and heat treatment processes on the hardness of 2618 aluminum alloy was investigated by hardness testing. The results show that the hardness of 2618 alloy increases at first and then decreases with the prolongation of melt holding time, and the hardness reaches the peak value when the holding time is 30 min. With the increase of melting-casting temperature, the hardness of the alloy increases rapidly at first and then decreases slightly. The hardness of the alloy first increases and then tends to be stable as the homogenization temperature rises and decreases rapidly, and then tends to be stable with the extension of melt holding time. Moreover, the effect of homogenization temperature on the hardness is more obvious. With the increase of aging temperature, the hardness of 2618 alloy increases first and then decreases, and the hardness of the alloy increases sharply first and then decreases with the increase of aging time. The hardness of the alloy reaches the peak value of 68.88 HRB after aging at 190 °C for 12 h.
The effect of chipbreaker parameters on the cutting temperature of Inconel 718 alloy based on the secondary development of Abaqus
Authors: Li Chengbo , Chen Shunqing
Published: July 2023

Inconel 718 alloy has high strength and generates high temperature during cutting. The impact of chipbreaker dimensions on the cutting temperature when cutting Inconel 718 alloy was investigated. Based on the finite element software Abaqus, a kernel script program is written to develop a cutting simulation plug-in that can quickly change parameters so that users can select tools with different chipbreaker structures, and quickly set tool and cutting parameters to complete a series of pre-processing operations such as modeling, assembly, and meshing. The impact of chipbreaker channel characteristics on the cutting temperature of Inconel 718 alloy is also analyzed by example to verify the effectiveness of the developed plug-in. It provides a convenient tool for subsequent control and optimization of cutting temperature.
Simple Synthesis of AuPd Aerogel as a Self-Supporting Electrocatalysts with Excellent Performance
Authors: Zhang Peina , Liu Tao , Li Mingfei , Wang Shengnan , Cao Renyu
Published: July 2023

Direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) has the advantages of low pollution emissions, easy to carry, and high energy density. However, the development of fuel cells is limited due to the low catalytic activity and poor stability of electrode catalyst materials. Precious metal aerogels not only have three-dimensional self-supporting network structures but also have excellent properties of precious metals, which have very good catalytic efficiency for ethanol. In this study, bimetallic aerogels with varying Au/Pd ratios were prepared, and their impact on the electrocatalytic performance of ethanol was investigated.
Influence of Natural Aging on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Gravity Casting Al-Cu-Mg Alloy
Authors: Ding Jingen , Ji Kaiwen , Jin Kang , Liu Zhenghui , Li Longfei , Chen Lin , Zhang Yang
Published: July 2023

For the Al-5.0Cu-0.8Mg alloy fabricated by gravity casting, the 12h natural aging was added between the solution and artificial aging to study its influence on the microstructure and mechanical properties. The transitional phases form during the natural aging following the solution, leading to a significant increase in microhardness. Meanwhile, this microstructure variation accelerates the formation and growth of stable strengthening phases in the same artificial aging. Unfortunately, the 12 h natural aging added in this work excessively coarsens the precipitation, which results in the mechanical properties reduction including ultimate stress from 332 MPa to 302 MPa, especially the elongation from 8.1% to 3.7%. The results indicate that exploring the favorable match of natural and artificial aging is significant to further finely control the precipitation characteristic, which contributes to better mechanical properties of the Al-Cu-Mg alloy.
Comparison of mechanical properties of interbody fusion cage with three general structures
Authors: Chen Yi , Ge Xiaohong , Wang Jian , Zeng Da , Wang Jinhuo , Chu Bin
Published: July 2023

Lumbar interbody fusion cage has been widely used in the treatment of various clinical lumbar diseases, and the mechanical properties of the lumbar interbody fusion apparatus are very important to the initial stability after implantation. According to the development trend of interbody fusion cages, this work designed three bullet-type interbody fusion cages, which are window-type, windowless and fenestrated type. Three groups of experimental samples were formed by using TC4 titanium alloy material and an SLM forming process (laser power 170 W, scanning speed 1150 mm/s). After post-processing, the mechanical properties of the three different structures were compared and analyzed through static and dynamic fatigue experiments. The tissue defects before and after the fatigue test were observed by CT. It was concluded that the fenestrated interbody fusion cage has better comprehensive mechanical properties and is relatively safer.
High Temperature Oxidation Behavior of 439 Ferritic Stainless Steel at Different Temperatures
Authors: Zhu EN , Xia Dianxiu , Han Qing , Chen Peidun , Wang Xuelin , Liu Zhiheng , Jiang Kun
Published: July 2023

In recent years, due to the installation of selective catalytic reduction (Selective Catalytic Reduction, hereinafter referred to as SCR) devices, high temperature oxidation failure has occurred frequently in automobile exhaust systems. To explore its high temperature failure mechanism, this paper takes 439 ferritic stainless steel which is often used in automobile exhaust pipes as an example and uses XRD, SEM, and EDS experimental methods to study its oxidation behavior at 700 °C, 800 °C and 900 °C. The results show that the oxide layer becomes thicker and the failure degree increases with the increase of the working temperature of 439 stainless steel. The oxidation products at different temperatures are different. When the oxidation temperature is 700 °C, the phase structure of the oxide layer on the surface of the sample is Cr2O3 and Fe2O3, and the oxide layer is dense and uniform. As the temperature rises to 800 °C, the surface oxidation products are sintered together, and the needle-like Fe2O3 structure appears on the oxide film. When the oxidation temperature rises to 900 °C, the oxide layer appears inner and outer layers, the outer layer is Fe2O3 shell structure, the inner layer is generated FeO, Fe2O3, and other iron oxides, and oxidation is very serious. At the junction of the oxide layer and the substrate, there are particles such as SiO2, TiO2, Fe2Nb in the substrate, which has a positive effect on the high temperature oxidation.
Experimental and Numerical Studies on Hot Deformation of Graphene-reinforced Aluminum Matrix Composite
Authors: Zang Zhu , Du Xiaoming , Li Fu , Cao Lei
Published: July 2023

Graphene/Al composite materials have excellent comprehensive properties and can be used under extreme environmental conditions such as high temperature, high pressure, high vacuum, strong corrosion, and irradiation. The thermal deformation behavior of 0.5 wt.% graphene/Al6061 composites at T=300 °C, T=350 °C, T=400 °C, T=450 °C, and

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was studied by isothermal compression tests and numerical simulation methods. The experimental data show that the flow stress of graphene/Al6061 composites gradually rises as the temperature reduces. When the strain rate reduces, the flow stress of graphene/Al6061 composites gradually decreases. A constitutive equation based on the Arrhenius equation is established, and the maximum error between the calculated stress value got from the constitutive equation and the measured stress value is less than 15%. The equivalent stress and strain distributions of graphene/Al6061 composites at distinct deformation temperatures and strain rates were simulated by using the finite element method. It is found that the spread of equivalent strain is related to the transmutation zone. The equivalent stress is uneven. The simulated equivalent stress is close to the experimental value.
Effect of Intensification Pressure on Eutectic Si Segregation of Al-12Si-1Cu Alloy in Squeeze Casting
Authors: Zhang Rumeng , Li Longfei , Chen Yunbo , Feng Jian , Li Chunming , Zhao Xuesheng , Chen Lin , Zuo Lingli , Zhang Yang
Published: July 2023

Squeeze casting is an advanced technology to produce aluminum alloy components with excellent mechanical property. Due to good fluidity and castability, the Al-Si alloy is the most common aluminum material in squeeze casting. However, the segregation in solid α-Al phase and liquid eutectic Si phase happens during solidification, which leads to microstructural inhomogeneous in the final microstructure. In this study, the eutectic Si segregation of Al-12Si-1Cu alloy under different intensification pressure in squeeze casting was investigated by Optical Microscopy (OM). The results show that increasing intensification pressure promotes the eutectic Si segregation at center zone, while the eutectic Si phase at skin zone is not much influenced. Increasing the intensification pressure from 65 MPa to 140 MPa, the segregation degree of eutectic Si at center zone increases from 0.05 to 0.29, while the segregation degree at skin zone levels at 0.2. Under high intensification pressure, the feeding effect of liquid phase at center zone is prominent, which results to high tendency of eutectic Si segregation in the final microstructure.
Erratum: Readout Electronics for Spatial Distribution Measurement of Neutron Beam Flux in BNCT
Authors: Jiang W. , Cao P. , Liu X. , Fang Z. , Zhang Z. , An Q. , Shi B. , Chen J
Published: July 2023

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is a promising cancer
treatment that selectively destroys tumor cells using a neutron
beam. However, accurately and fast measuring the spatial
distribution of neutron flux is critical to ensuring effective
treatment. To address this challenge, Micromegas detectors are
applied for the first time to measure the spatial distribution of
neutron beam flux in BNCT. Due to the high flux, large area, and
multiple components of the BNCT beam, the design of readout
electronics that can handle high counting rate, large channel
numbers, high integration, and discrimination of multiple beam
components is challenging. This paper proposes a targeted readout
electronics system to overcome this challenge. A modular readout
structure based on the PCI Express (PXIe) platform is designed for
384-channel readout. A fully parallel readout structure is developed
and fast shaper parameters are optimized to achieve high counting
rate for each readout channel. A multi-channel high-speed,
large-capacity caching technique is developed to address the
high-speed data storage problem. Digital shapers are implemented in
field-programmable gate array (FPGA) to achieve high
integration. Tests demonstrate that each readout channel can support
a counting rate of 800 kHz and achieve an excellent position
resolution of 1.4 mm. Furthermore, final tests on the BNCT beam
confirm that our system can successfully measure the flux spatial
distribution of different neutron components.
The Small-Scale Tuna Fisheries at Yaholu Village, Central Maluku Regency, Indonesia
Authors: Tetelepta J M S. , Natan Y , Pattikawa J A , Uneputty Pr A , Telussa R F , Tawaulu B
Published: July 2023

The small-scale tuna fisheries in Yaholu Village operated on a Fair Trade USA basis and non-Fair Trade basis. The study of sustainable management of small-scale tuna fisheries was conducted from May to July 2021. This study aimed to assess the sustainability status of tuna fisheries operated based on fair trade and non-fair and recommend a strategy for sustainable management strategy. Rapid appraisal for sustainable status and Drives, Pressure, State, Impact, Response (DPSIR) method was used to assess the tuna fishery’s sustainable status and management strategy. Overall, the sustainability for Fair trade was 73.51%, while for non-Fair Trade was 54.02%, the lowest dimension was institutional from non-Fair with a value of 32.82% from a 1 00% sustainable scale. The most sensitive attribute towards sustainability was the migratory range with a Root Mean Square of 6.46. According to DPSIR analysis, there were 5 strategies proposed for small-scale tuna fisheries sustainability at Yaholu Village.
Macrobenthos in the seagrass meadow of Taka Bonerate National Park South Sulawesi
Authors: Cappenberg H A W , Supriyadi H I , Hafitz H , Salatalohi A , Nurjamin  , Sidabutar T , Wouthuyzen S
Published: July 2023

Taka Bonerate waters are the third largest atolls in the world, rich in marine biodiversity, natural structures and aesthetics. Seagrass beds in these waters grow well on small islands, one of the coastal ecosystems that support biodiversity and have many benefits for humans in economic, social and cultural aspects. This study aimed to examine the diversity, distribution, and abundance of macrobenthos in several small islands in the Taka Bonerate National Park, South Sulawesi. The study was conducted using the quadratic transect method. A total of 24 species of macrobenthos, representing 11 species and six genera of the gastropod; 8 species and seven genera of bivalves; and 2 species and four genera of the echinoderm group were recorded. Families Conidae and Strombidae of the gastropod groups have relatively more diverse species than other families. Two species with relatively high density were represented byProtoreaster nodosusandTripneustessp. from the echinoderm group (class Asteroidea) with 1.15 individuals/m2and 0.91 individuals/m2and with a frequency of attendance of 62.50% and 75.00%, respectively. Other species of macrobenthos density, diversity, uniformity, and richness index vary between stations which relatively diverse distribution of macrobenthic fauna with a stable community. There were two clusters formed, one with more than 50% similarity and the other with low similarity. It was concluded that the relationship between macrobenthos species composition and seagrass habitat at each observation station was quite strong, where the diversity of macrobenthic species tend to increase in seagrass habitats.
Controlled assembly of perovskite nanoparticles by photoswitchable functional ligands
Authors: Binyamin Tal , Cohen Orit , Cohen Idan , Etgar Lioz
Published: July 2023

Organic ligands play a crucial role in the properties and functionality of nanostructures. Functional ligands are an interesting research direction that can be utilized to influence the properties and functionality of nanoparticles (NPs). In this work, we demonstrate controlled assembly of CsPbBr3 perovskite NPs as a result of light. Azobenzene derivative molecules were used as the photoswitchable ligands for the NPs. The assembly and disassembly of the NPs were achieved by cis–trans isomerization. By utilizing polarization-modulated, infrared reflection–absorption spectroscopy and diffusion-ordered nuclear magnetic resonance, we were able to track the attachment of the ligands to the surface of the NPs. Absorbance, photoluminescence and high-resolution, transmission electron microscopy followed the assembly and disassembly of the NPs. This work demonstrates functional ligands paired to perovskite nanostructures through controlling their assembly and disassembly, which opens the way for sensing and photodetection applications.
Manifold learning in atomistic simulations: a conceptual review
Authors: Rydzewski Jakub , Chen Ming , Valsson Omar
Published: July 2023

Analyzing large volumes of high-dimensional data requires dimensionality reduction: finding meaningful low-dimensional structures hidden in their high-dimensional observations. Such practice is needed in atomistic simulations of complex systems where even thousands of degrees of freedom are sampled. An abundance of such data makes gaining insight into a specific physical problem strenuous. Our primary aim in this review is to focus on unsupervised machine learning methods that can be used on simulation data to find a low-dimensional manifold providing a collective and informative characterization of the studied process. Such manifolds can be used for sampling long-timescale processes and free-energy estimation. We describe methods that can work on datasets from standard and enhanced sampling atomistic simulations. Unlike recent reviews on manifold learning for atomistic simulations, we consider only methods that construct low-dimensional manifolds based on Markov transition probabilities between high-dimensional samples. We discuss these techniques from a conceptual point of view, including their underlying theoretical frameworks and possible limitations.
V—Who is Responsible for the Climate Change Problem?
Authors: Blomfield Megan
Published: July 2023

According to the Polluter Pays Principle, excessive emitters of greenhouse gases have special obligations to remedy the problem of climate change, because they are the ones who have caused it. But what kind of problem is climate change? In this paper I argue that as a moral problem, climate change has a more complex causal structure than many proponents of the Polluter Pays Principle seem to recognize: it is a problem resulting from the interaction of anthropogenic climate effects with the underlying vulnerability and exposure of human communities and other things of value. This means that we should acknowledge more pathways by which human agency contributes to the climate problem and, accordingly, a different landscape of contribution-based remedial responsibilities.
Seasonal differences in the timing of flight between the invasive winter moth and native Bruce spanworm promotes reproductive isolation
Authors: Andersen Jeremy C , Havill Nathan P , Chandler Jennifer L , Boettner George H , Griffin Brian P , Elkinton Joseph S
Published: July 2023

The European winter moth, Operophtera brumata L. (Lepidoptera: Geometridae), was accidentally introduced to North America on at least 4 separate occasions, where it has been hybridizing with the native Bruce spanworm, O. bruceata Hulst, at rates up to 10% per year. Both species are known to respond to the same sex pheromones and to produce viable offspring, but whether they differ in the seasonal timing of their mating flights is unknown. Therefore, we collected adult male moths weekly along 2 transects in the northeastern United States and genotyped individuals using polymorphic microsatellite markers as males of these 2 species cannot be differentiated morphologically. Along each transect, we then estimated the cumulative proportions (i.e., the number of individuals out of the total collected) of each species on each calendar day. Our results indicate that there are significant differences between the species regarding their seasonal timing of flight, and these allochronic differences likely are acting to promote reproductive isolation between these 2 species. Lastly, our results suggest that the later flight observed by winter moth compared to Bruce spanworm may be limiting its inland spread in the northeastern United States because of increased exposure to extreme winter events.
Association between Covid-19 sources of information, beliefs, and vaccination rates: an EU-wide survey
Authors: De la Cruz-Sánchez Ernesto , Moreno-Llamas Antonio , Mendiola Olivares Jaime , García-Mayor Jesús , Torres-Cantero Alberto , Devine Emily Beth
Published: July 2023

Background

Misinformation hampers vaccine uptake. The European Union (EU) employed a coordinated effort to curb misinformation during the Covid-19 pandemic. In this context, we investigated relationships between sources of information, vaccine safety/effectiveness, satisfaction with government vaccination strategy, and vaccination intent.

Methods

We used cross-sectional survey data (May 2021) from Flash Eurobarometer 494, a population-adjusted dataset comprised of a representative sample of those ≥15 years from 27 EU nations. We employed a latent class analysis to create clusters of information sources as the independent variable and beliefs in vaccine safety/efficacy, satisfaction with government vaccination strategy, and vaccine intent as four outcome variables. We first estimated the association between source clusters and each of the first three outcomes separately. Then, using these three as intermediate variables, we employed structural equation modeling to estimate the relationship between sources and vaccine intent. We adjusted for individual and country-level variables.

Results

Among 23 012 respondents, four clusters of information sources emerged: (1) national authorities/health professionals (n = 9602; 42%), (2) mostly health professionals (6184; 27%), (3) mixed (n = 1705; 17%) and (4) social media/family/friends (n = 5524; 24%). Using cluster (3) as the referent, we found decreasing odds of beliefs in vaccine safety/effectiveness, satisfaction and vaccine intent across clusters (1), (2) and (4), respectively. Demographics played a role.

Conclusion

In the context of the Covid pandemic, these results provide the first EU-wide estimates of the association between sources of information about vaccine safety/effectiveness, satisfaction and vaccine intent. The coordinated approach promulgated by the EU to minimize misinformation provides a model for managing future pandemics.
The Hausdorff Dimension of Escaping Sets of Meromorphic Functions in the Speiser Class
Authors: Bergweiler Walter , Cui Weiwei
Published: July 2023

Bergweiler and Kotus gave sharp upper bounds for the Hausdorff dimension of the escaping set of a meromorphic function in the Eremenko–Lyubich class, in terms of the order of the function and the maximal multiplicity of the poles. We show that these bounds are also sharp in the Speiser class. We apply this method also to construct meromorphic functions in the Speiser class with preassigned dimensions of the Julia set and the escaping set.
Kukaa Salama (Staying Safe): a pre-post trial of an interactive informational mobile health intervention for increasing COVID-19 prevention practices with urban refugee youth in Uganda
Authors: Logie Carmen H , Okumu Moses , Berry Isha , Kortenaar Jean-Luc , Hakiza Robert , Musoke Daniel Kibuuka , Katisi Brenda , Nakitende Aidah , Kyambadde Peter , Lester Richard , Perez-Brumer Amaya G , Admassu Zerihun , Mbuagbaw Lawrence
Published: July 2023

Background

Tailored coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) prevention strategies are needed for urban refugee youth in resource-constrained contexts. We developed an 8-wk interactive informational mobile health intervention focused on COVID-19 prevention practices informed by the Risk, Attitude, Norms, Ability, Self-regulation—or RANAS—approach.

Methods

We conducted a pre-post trial with a community-recruited sample of refugee youth aged 16–24 y in Kampala, Uganda. Data were collected before (T1) and immediately following (T2) the intervention, and at the 16-wk follow up (T3), to examine changes in primary (COVID-19 prevention self-efficacy) and secondary outcomes (COVID-19 risk awareness, attitudes, norms and self-regulation practices; depression; sexual and reproductive health [SRH] access; food/water security; COVID-19 vaccine acceptability).

Results

Participants (n=346; mean age: 21.2 [SD 2.6] y; cisgender women: 50.3%; cisgender men: 48.0%; transgender persons: 1.7%) were largely retained (T2: n=316, 91.3%; T3: n=302, 87.3%). In adjusted analyses, COVID-19 prevention self-efficacy, risk awareness, attitudes and vaccine acceptance increased significantly from T1 to T2, but were not sustained at T3. Between T1 and T3, COVID-19 norms and self-regulation significantly increased, while community violence, water insecurity and community SRH access decreased.

Conclusions

Digital approaches for behaviour change hold promise with urban refugee youth but may need booster messaging and complementary programming for sustained effects.
The impact of COVID-19 national restrictions on dental antibiotic dispensing trends and treatment activity in England: January 2016 to July 2021
Authors: Falola Angela , Demirjian Alicia , Thompson Wendy , Brown Colin S , Gerver Sarah , Bou-Antoun Sabine
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Reducing inappropriate antibiotic prescribing tempers the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. We aimed to quantify the associated impact of COVID-19-related national restrictions in England on dental antibiotic dispensing and describe changes in appointments and modes of delivery of care.

Methods

Interrupted time series analyses were completed using NHS Business Service Authority (NHSBSA) ePACT2 data to measure the associated change in antibiotic dispensing in England following COVID-19-related restrictions (which began March 2020). For face-to-face dental consultations, NHS dental treatment plan (FP17) data were used. For remote consultations during the COVID-19 period, NHSBSA Compass system remote management data were used.

Results

Between January 2016 and February 2020, there was a decreasing trend in antibiotic dispensing (−0.02 per 1000 population per month, P < 0.05). In contrast, there was an increase of 0.98 per 1000 population (P < 0.05) in March. The peak in antibiotic use occurred between June 2020 and July 2020, once the restrictions were eased. At the end of the study period (July 2021), the elevated prescribing trend had not returned to pre-pandemic counterfactual levels, although exhibiting a declining trend. A stable trend in dental treatment plans was seen pre-COVID-19, with a sharp decline coinciding with the restrictions. Dental treatment plans had not yet returned to the higher pre-pandemic levels.

Conclusions

Dental antibiotic prescribing significantly increased with the national COVID-19 restrictions when service delivery was altered with the closure of dental practices and introduction of remote consultations. Teledentistry was likely associated with inappropriate antibiotic prescribing. Continued antimicrobial stewardship and prudent use of antibiotics in dentistry is important.
Sampling affects population genetic inference: A case study of the Allen’s (Selasphorus sasin) and rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus)
Authors: Myers Brian M , Burns Kevin J , Clark Christopher J , Brelsford Alan
Published: July 2023

Gene flow can affect evolutionary inference when species are undersampled. Here, we evaluate the effects of gene flow and geographic sampling on demographic inference of 2 hummingbirds that hybridize, Allen’s hummingbird (Selasphorus sasin) and rufous hummingbird (Selasphorus rufus). Using whole-genome data and extensive geographic sampling, we find widespread connectivity, with introgression far beyond the Allen’s × rufous hybrid zone, although the Z chromosome resists introgression beyond the hybrid zone. We test alternative hypotheses of speciation history of Allen’s, rufous, and Calliope (S. calliope) hummingbird and find that rufous hummingbird is the sister taxon to Allen’s hummingbird, and Calliope hummingbird is the outgroup. A model treating the 2 subspecies of Allen’s hummingbird as a single panmictic population fit observed genetic data better than models treating the subspecies as distinct populations, in contrast to morphological and behavioral differences and analyses of spatial population structure. With additional sampling, our study builds upon recent studies that came to conflicting conclusions regarding the evolutionary histories of these 2 species. Our results stress the importance of thorough geographic sampling when assessing demographic history in the presence of gene flow.
Factors associated with formal help-seeking for domestic violence in urban China
Authors: Lin Wenyi , Yuan Dinghuan
Published: July 2023

The promulgation and implementation of the China Anti-Domestic Violence Law have effectively solved many problems related to domestic violence at the legislative level, but the law received no clear feedback when implemented in specific communities. This study aims to examine factors associated with formal help-seeking for domestic violence in urban China. This study mainly collected survey data in a neighbourhood community in Y City, Guangdong Province of China. A total of 1,062 valid samples were used for analysis. Our findings demonstrate the awareness of the definition, nature, types and harm of domestic violence, the perception regarding the propaganda and the implementation of domestic violence, and the influence of individual experience of domestic violence have impacts on the intention to seek formal help. However, the traditional cultural perspective is not associated with the intention to seek formal help. Policymakers and practitioners should vigorously promote anti-domestic violence laws and related projects to inform people about domestic violence and improve the implementation of anti-domestic violence policies and programmes.
Nutritional awareness of pregnant women and the underlying influencing factors
Authors: Fang Weijie , Reddy Obireddy Sreekanth , Lai Wing-Fu
Published: July 2023

Nutritional awareness is described as having knowledge or understanding of nutrition. It is often related to the ability of an individual to make an accurate estimate of their food intake, which involves comparing their actual nutritional behavior with the recommended food consumption. Nutritional awareness of women during the various phases of pregnancy may vary significantly across countries due to cultural and lifestyle differences. There has been extensive research on nutritional awareness of pregnant women in selected countries or regions; however, relatively few studies have explored it during different stages of pregnancy. To fill this gap, this article reviews the existing literature and draws together insights into the following areas: changes in nutritional awareness during various phases of pregnancy, nutritional awareness of pregnant women and its underlying factors in various nations, and the research methods used to study nutritional awareness of pregnant women.
Who Is at Risk for New Hepatitis B Infections Among People With HIV?
Authors: Sladic John M , Taylor Barbara S , Thamer Mae , Vigil Karen J , Kshirsagar Onkar , Taranova Anna , McCracken Andrew , Sanchez Carmen G , Jain Mamta K
Published: July 2023

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) increases morbidity and mortality among people with HIV (PWH). We retrospectively analyzed HBV incidence among 5785 PWH. Fourteen had newly positive hepatitis B s antigen (mean 5.2 person-years of follow-up, 46.4/100 000 infections/year). These data show gaps in HBV vaccination and in the preventative efficacy of HBV-specific antiretroviral therapy.
Relationship Between LTA4H Promotor Polymorphism and Tuberculosis-Associated Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome and Its Prevention With Prednisone
Authors: Stek Cari , Shey Muki , Mnika Khuthala , Schutz Charlotte , Thienemann Friedrich , Wilkinson Robert J , Lynen Lutgarde , Meintjes Graeme
Published: July 2023

The development of paradoxical tuberculosis-associated immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (TB-IRIS) and its prevention using prednisone may potentially be mediated by the LTA4H genotype. We assessed this hypothesis in a clinical trial evaluating prednisone to prevent TB-IRIS. We did not find an association between LTA4H genotype and TB-IRIS incidence or prednisone efficacy.
Quasi-Insider Shareholder Activism: Corporate Governance at the Periphery of Control
Authors: Cohn Jonathan , Towner Mitch , Virani Aazam
Published: July 2023

We analyze shareholder activism by “quasi-insiders”: founders, former executives, and other individuals tangentially connected to a firm. These individuals seek control in their campaigns, use aggressive tactics, and target smaller, poorly performing firms. Their campaigns are associated with positive announcement returns. Former CEOs who engage in campaigns often depart from the target under negative circumstances before launching their campaigns soon afterward. Our results suggest that insiders at the periphery of control may intervene in firms too small for traditional activists to target. (JEL: G34, G32)
Early initiation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor in patients with scleroderma renal crisis: a nationwide inpatient database study
Authors: Ida Tomoaki , Ikeda Kei , Ohbe Hiroyuki , Nakamura Kaito , Furuya Hiroki , Iwamoto Taro , Furuta Shunsuke , Miyamoto Yoshihisa , Nakajima Mikio , Sasabuchi Yusuke , Matsui Hiroki , Yasunaga Hideo , Nakajima Hiroshi
Published: July 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of early initiation of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEi) in patients with scleroderma renal crisis (SRC).

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study using a nationwide inpatient database in Japan from July 2010 to March 2020. All hospitalized patients with SRC were divided into those who received ACEi within 2 days of admission (early ACEi group) and those who did not (control group). Propensity-score overlap weighting analysis was performed to adjust for confounding factors. The primary outcome was the composite of in-hospital mortality or haemodialysis dependence at discharge.

Results

Of the 475 eligible patients, 248 (52.2%) were in the early ACEi group and 227 (47.8%) were in the control group. After overlap weighting, the primary outcome was significantly lower in the early ACEi group than in the control group (40.1% vs 49.0%; odds ratio, 0.69; 95% CI: 0.48, 1.00; P = 0.049).

Conclusions

The present study showed that early initiation of ACEi was associated with lower composite outcome of in-hospital mortality or haemodialysis dependence at discharge in patients with SRC. Further prospective studies are warranted to verify the present findings.
The SLE-DAS provides an accurate and feasible flare tool in the clinical setting: a validation study
Authors: Saraiva Liliana , Cunha Rita N , Jesus Diogo , Gatto Mariele , Zen Margherita , Iaccarino Luca , da Silva José A P , Doria Andrea , Inês Luís Sousa
Published: July 2023

Objective

To assess the criterion validity of the SLE disease activity score (SLE-DAS) flare tool and compare its performance in identifying flares against other instruments.

Methods

Patients with SLE fulfilling SLE-DAS low disease activity at baseline were included from two academic lupus clinics. During follow-up, flares were identified by the senior attending clinician, applying the expert-consensus-based definition as gold-standard. The first clinical flare from flaring patients, and the first visit after baseline in patients without flares were analysed. In each no flare/flare visits, we assessed flares by SLE-DAS (score increase ≥1.72), classic-SELENA Flare Index (c-SELENA FI), revised-SELENA FI (r-SELENA FI), and SLEDAI-2K (score increase ≥4). We estimated the sensitivity, specificity, and Cohen’s Kappa agreement of each flare tool against the gold-standard.

Results

A total of 442 patients were included and followed-up for 22.9 (14.2) months. Incidence of flares was 8.19/100 patient-years, with 69 patients experiencing flares. The SLE-DAS identified 96.6% of the expert-defined flares implying a treatment change and classified 28.0% of those as moderate/severe. Sensitivity and specificity for the gold-standard flare definition were: SLE-DAS 97.1% and 97.3%, c-SELENA FI 88.4% and 98.1%, r-SELENA FI 88.4% and 96.8%, SLEDAI-2K 56.5% and 99.2%, respectively. Kappa coefficients of these instruments were 0.902 (95% CI: 0.847, 0.957), 0.870 (95% CI: 0.805, 0.935), 0.832 (95% CI: 0.761, 0.903), and 0.663 (95% CI: 0.557, 0.769), respectively. The number of flare misclassifications was lowest with the SLE-DAS, and highest with the SLEDAI-2K.

Conclusion

The SLE-DAS accurately identifies and categorizes flares as mild or moderate/severe. It is feasible and, thus, may help the physicians’ treatment decisions in the clinical practice setting.
ILLUMINA CAMBRIDGE LTD v LATVIA MGI TECH SIA
Authors:   Court of Appeal
Published: July 2023

H1 Patents — European Patents — Validity — DNA sequencing systems––Sequencing by synthesis — Obviousness — Hindsight — Reasonable expectation of success — Priority — Plausibility — Common general knowledge — Mere collocations — Appeal to Court of Appeal — Procedure — Affirming decision on alternative or additional grounds
Retinal Neurodegeneration as a Potential Biomarker of Accelerated Aging in Schizophrenia Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Blose Brittany A , Lai Adriann , Crosta Christen , Thompson Judy L , Silverstein Steven M
Published: July 2023

Background and Hypotheses

Several biological markers are believed to reflect accelerated aging in schizophrenia spectrum disorders; however, retinal neural changes have not yet been explored as potential CNS biomarkers of accelerated aging in this population. The aim of this study was to determine whether retinal neural layer thinning is more strongly related to age in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder patients (SZ) than in a psychiatrically healthy control group (CON).

Study Design

Schizophrenia (n = 60) and CON participants (n = 69) underwent spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans to examine the following variables in both eyes: retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, macula central subfield (CSF) thickness, macula volume, ganglion cell layer-inner plexiform layer (GCL-IPL) thickness, optic cup volume, and cup-to-disc ratio. Eleven participants in each group had diabetes or hypertension.

Study Results

Significant negative relationships between age and RNFL thickness, macula volume, and GCL-IPL thickness were observed in the SZ group, while no significant relationships were observed in the CON group. However, many of the findings in the SZ group lost significance when participants with diabetes/hypertension were removed from analyses. A notable exception to this was that the age × SZ interaction accounted for a unique proportion of variance in GCL-IPL thinning over and above the effect of diabetes/hypertension.

Conclusions

The results suggest that retinal atrophy occurs at an increased rate in schizophrenia spectrum disorders, potentially reflecting accelerated aging inherent to these conditions, with considerable contributions from systemic medical diseases closely linked to this population.
Mechanisms of Primed Defense: Plant Immunity Induced by Endophytic Colonization of a Mycovirus-Induced Hypovirulent Fungal Pathogen
Authors: Pedersen Connor , Marzano Shin-Yi Lee
Published: July 2023

How mycovirus-induced hypovirulence in fungi activates plant defense is still poorly understood. The changes in plant fitness and gene expression caused by the inoculation of the fungus Sclerotinia sclerotiorum harboring and made hypovirulent by the mycovirus soybean leaf-associated gemygorvirus-1 (SlaGemV-1) of the species Gemycircularvirus soybe1 were examined in this study. As the hypovirulent fungus (DK3V) colonized soybean Glycine max, plant transcriptomic analysis indicated changes in defense responses and photosynthetic activity, supported by an upregulation of individual genes and overrepresentation of photosystem gene ontology groups. The upregulated genes include genes relating to both pathogen-associated molecular pattern–triggered immunity and effector-triggered immunity as well as various genes relating to the induction of systemic acquired resistance and the biosynthesis of jasmonic acid. Plants colonized with DK3V showed a resistant phenotype to virulent S. sclerotiorum infection. Plant height and leaf area were also determined to be larger in plants grown with the virus-infected fungus. Here, we hypothesize that inoculation of soybean with DK3V can result in the triggering of a wide range of defense mechanisms to prime against later infection. The knowledge gained from this study about plant transcriptomics and phenotype will help prime plant immunity with mycovirus-infected hypovirulent fungal strains more effectively.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license .
Prevalence, Spatial Distribution, and Population Density of Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Vegetable Fields of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee Counties
Authors: Gorny Adrienne , Reeves Ella , Scruggs Andrew , Meadows Inga
Published: July 2023

Plant-parasitic nematodes are a diverse group of soilborne plant pathogens that limit the yield of numerous vegetable crops globally. Few studies have investigated nematode populations affecting vegetable crops in Tennessee and North and South Carolina. Between December 2020 and October 2022, vegetable fields in selected counties of these states were sampled for plant-parasitic nematodes. Data on the prevalence, spatial distribution, and population density of seven genera of plant-parasitic nematodes, identified via morphology, were collected. Root-knot nematodes were identified in 60% of the fields sampled, with population densities ranging from 10 to 10,400 nematodes per 500 cm3 of soil. Detection rates of other genera as percentages of total fields sampled were: spiral (42%), stubby root (32%), stunt (21%), ring (13%), and lesion (8%) nematodes. Out of eight crops sampled, fields either currently or formerly planted to tomato or pepper were the most frequently sampled in the survey (77% of total fields). This is the first survey to collect data on populations of plant-parasitic nematodes in this region, and the results highlight the need for continued surveillance and study of their impact in vegetable production.
Perinatal Mortality and Neonatal and Maternal Outcome per Gestational Week in Term Pregnancies: A Registry-Based Study
Authors: Cornette Jérôme , van der Stok Catharina J. , Reiss Irwin K. M. , Kornelisse René F. , van der Wilk Eline , Franx Arie , Jacquemyn Yves , Steegers Eric A. P. , Bertens Loes C. M.
Published: July 2023

(Abstracted from Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 2023;102:82–91)

A human pregnancy at term is defined as being from 37+0/7 to 41+6/7 weeks of gestation. In uncomplicated pregnancies within this range, maternal, fetal, and neonatal risks are considered low, and expectant management is associated with positive outcomes, including increased odds of vaginal birth, low risk of intervention, and greater satisfaction for the pregnant individual.
Prevalence and clinical characteristics of vernal keratoconjunctivitis in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Nche Eleanor Ngwe , Okwen Marvice Muyen , Solomon Abraham
Published: July 2023

Purpose of review

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a chronic bilateral allergic inflammatory disease of the conjunctiva and cornea that affects children and young adults, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. A limbal form (tropical endemic limbo conjunctivitis) is thought to be more common in the tropics where research on this vision-impairing condition is scanty. We sought to review current literature from sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on the prevalence of VKC and its clinical presentation.

Recent findings

There is a variable prevalence of VKC in SSA, up to 32.9% of children, especially in male individuals less than 5 years old, and has been diagnosed in a 4-month-old baby. Associated factors include exposure to dust, personal and family history of atopy, Vitamin D3 deficiency and HIV. The mixed form of VKC is the most frequent form seen and conjunctival pigmentation might be an early diagnostic sign.

Childhood screening programs for VKC should be established to reduce the morbidity, decreased quality of life and school absenteeism that is seen in these patients. VKC-related research should be encouraged in this milieu to bring to light the particularities of VKC in SSA.