bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Multiscale mechanical models of DNA nanotubes: A theoretical basis for the design and tuning of DNA nanocarriers
Authors: Liu Han-Lin , Zhang Neng-Hui , Lu Wei
Published: December 2021

DNA nanostructures are one of potential candidates for drug carriers due to their good biocompatibility and non-specificity in vivo. A reliable prediction about mechanical properties of artificial DNA structures is desirable to improve the efficiency of DNA drug carriers, however there is only a handful of information on mechanical functionalities of DNA nanotubes (DNTs). This paper focuses on quantifying the multiscale correlations among DNT deformation, packaging conditions and surrounding factors to tune mechanical properties of DNTs. By combining WLC statistical mechanics model, Parsegian’s mesoscopic liquid crystal model and Euler’s continuum beam theory, we developed a multiscale DNA-frame model; then theoretically characterize the initial packed states of DNTs for the first time, and reveal the diversity mechanism in mechanical properties of DNTs induced by interchain interactions and initial packed states. Moreover, the study of parameters, such as packaging conditions and environmental factors, provides a potential control strategy for tuning mechanical properties of DNTs. These conclusions provide a theoretical basis for accurately controlling the property and deformation of DNT in various DNT dynamic devices, such as DNA nanocarriers.
Spatial Meta-transcriptomes of human and murine intestines
Authors: Lv Lin , Feng Ru , Li Xue , Yu Xiaofei , Chen GuoQiang , Chen Lei
Published: December 2021

We developed an analysis pipeline that can extract microbial sequences from Spatial Transcriptomic data and assign taxonomic labels to them, generating a spatial microbial abundance matrix in addition to the default host expression one, enabling simultaneous analysis of host expression and microbial distribution. We applied it on both human and murine intestinal datasets and validated the spatial microbial abundance information with alternative assays. Finally, we present a few biological insights that can be gained from this novel data. In summary, this proof of concept work demonstrated the feasibility of Spatial Meta-transcriptomic analysis, and pave the way for future experimental optimization.
How specific investments influence NPD performance: exploring the roles of supplier involvement and IT implementation
Authors: Wu Aihua
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The impact of specific investments to performance has mixed arguments. This paper aims to clarify how and under what conditions specific investments made by manufacturer tailored to supplier affect the new product development (NPD) performance of the manufacturer itself.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a moderated mediation model, testing the roles of supplier involvement and information technology (IT) implementation by regression and bootstrap analyses from 378 NPD projects.

Findings

The results show both physical and human specific investments positively affect NPD performance. IT implementation strengthens the mediated role of supplier involvement, i.e. the mediator role of supplier involvement between specific investments and NPD performance link is significantly weaker while IT implementation is lower.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to identify IT implementation and supplier involvement as two important constructs, together demonstrating how and when specific investments affect NPD performance.
Exploring the role of age in workplace intimidation in the US restaurant industry
Authors: Yanson Regina , Doucet Jessica M. , Lambert Alysa D.
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the relationship between employee age and intimidation in the workplace. Dysfunctional employee behaviors such as harassment and aggression are harmful to the organizational work environment. Such destructive behaviors have long been viewed as negatively impacting organizational success. Additionally, the age dynamics in organizations are rapidly changing as the “graying of America” progresses, older workers remain in the workforce and younger workers delay employment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study utilizes data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS), which is a national database containing information on crime in the US.NIBRS was used to measure the occurrence of workplace violence overall, and workplace intimidation specifically, in the restaurant industry, as well as the ages of both victims and perpetrators of work-related violence.

Findings

Results revealed that younger workers are more likely to perpetrate workplace intimidation than their senior counterparts. As victim age increases, employees are more likely to report intimidation than more serious crimes.

Practical implications

Workplace intimidation prevention programs do not typically include age as a factor. This study may be helpful to managers and HR managers charged with developing workplace training programs.

Originality/value

The results of this study contribute to the shared understanding of dysfunctional workplace dynamics. As the workforce collectively ages, organizations should acknowledge the potential impact age may have on violence in the workplace.
Do village leaders’ engagement, social interaction and financial incentive affect residents’ solar PV adoption? An empirical study in rural China?
Authors: Shi Yin , Ding Liping , He Chenchen , Zhang Fan , Zhang Zumeng , Dai Qiyao
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze those factors affecting the rural resident’s willingness to adopt solar photovoltaic (PV) which is important for accelerating the popularization of clean energy in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This study contained a sample of 653 households in 8 provinces/regions by stratified, and random sampling in rural China. Descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis techniques have been used for analytical purposes.

Findings

The empirical results indicate that financial incentive and social interaction have positive effects on rural residents’ adoption willingness, while village leaders’ engagement can indirectly influence their adoption willingness through social interaction and residents’ cognition.

Research limitations/implications

This study mainly considers external and internal factors but ignores the effect of technical factors. In addition, the samples are just selected from the residents who have adopted solar PV.

Practical implications

This study is expected to be useful for the government, regulators, village leaders, village leaders and other institutions.

Originality/value

This study conducts a systematic analysis and clarifies the relationship between factors (external and internal) and rural residents’ adoption willingness. The village leaders’ engagement is first added to the conceptual model as an external factor, which is very essential in rural residents’ adoption in China.
Drop-out, stop-out or prolong? The effect of COVID-19 on students' choices
Authors: Farcnik Dasa , Domadenik Muren Polona , Franca Valentina
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The aim of the paper is to identify the causal effect of the COVID-19 induced crisis on students' decisions about their educational plans. The authors hypothesise that students adjusted their decisions by delaying graduation, dropping out or change the field of education because of increased uncertainty about future employment and monetary returns.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical approach is based on a survey done during the first wave of COVID-19 in Slovenia. The probability of dropping out, prolonging or stop-out is designed by applying probit and probit with insturmental variables empirical model.

Findings

Primary orientation towards work increases the probability of dropping out and financial constraints increase the probability of prolonging studies. The same holds after accounting for endogeneity. However, the authors do not find that poor job expectations due to COVID-19 affect students' decisions to prolong, drop-out or stop-out. The authors also find that the primary orientation toward work or study explains the differences in the probability of each outcome that is not influenced by enrolment in a particular field of study.

Research limitations/implications

The results cannot be read as an objective prediction of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis on college failures. However, the study provides insight into how students' expectations change their intentions to prolong, drop-out, or stop-out during periods of high uncertainty. The extent, to which measured intentions are realised, however, is uncertain.

Practical implications

Understanding the response diversity and motives behind students' study decisions represents extremely valuable insights for economic policy. Mapped apprehensions, augmented by heterogeneity in personal and financial characteristics, are relevant for policymakers. In terms of future research, it would be interesting to analyse what changes occurred over a five-year period, specifically which field of study was most affected by students' adjusted plans due to the pandemic.

Social implications

Students have always been a special group in the labour market. After the initial shock of closing activities, studying online and the drastic decrease in student work due to COVID-19, the decision was made in spring 2020 to continue on the chosen path or not. This paper provides insight into the changing decision students made about their educational plans.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to highlight the implications of COVID-19 for the adaptation of student plans in the transition from school-to work in Europe. It departs from the classical literature of college failures, as specific macroeconomic conditions influence students to reconsider their educational decisions. Moreover, the paper also contributes to the rapidly growing literature on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on household-level labour market outcomes, particularly with respect to job search and labour supply decisions in general.
Examining the influence of forgiveness and its antecedents on consumer behavior: the moderating role of service failure severity
Authors: Salagrama Ramakrishna , Prashar Sanjeev , Tata Sai Vijay
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate antecedents of forgiveness from the non-complainers point of view after a service failure in India.

Design/methodology/approach

This study bases itself on the theoretical foundations of the Cognitive Emotive Coping model. In the first study, a survey-based design was used for soliciting responses from 291 respondents. An experimental research design was undertaken in the second study, and data were recorded from 120 respondents. Data were analysed using both SPSS and AMOS.

Findings

All the antecedent variables, except, affective commitment was found to influence forgiveness significantly. Further, forgiveness also positively influenced repurchase intentions and had a negative influence on negative word-of-mouth. The findings also suggest that the service failure severity effectively moderates the relationship between empathy and forgiveness.

Originality/value

This paper extends the cognitive emotive coping model from the non-complainers point of view by adding relational constructs to it. This study observes that affective commitment is not necessarily related to forgiveness in contrast to existing literature. The relationship between empathy and forgiveness is stronger when failure severity is low.
Impact of cutting fluid on hybrid manufacturing of AISI H13 tool steel
Authors: Cortina Magdalena , Arrizubieta Jon Iñaki , Lamikiz Aitzol , Ukar Eneko
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to analyse the effects derived from the presence of residual coolant from machining operations on the Directed Energy Deposition of AISI H13 tool steel and the quality of the resulting part.

Design/methodology/approach

In the present paper, the effectiveness of various cleaning techniques, including laser vaporising and air blasting, applied to different water/oil concentrations are studied. For this purpose, single-layer and multi-layer depositions are performed. Besides, the influence of the powder adhered to the coolant residues remaining on the surface of the workpiece is analysed. In all cases, cross-sections are studied in-depth, including metallographic, microhardness, scanning electron microscopy and crack mechanism analyses.

Findings

The results show that, although no significant differences were found for low oil concentrations when remarkably high oil concentrations were used the deposited material cracked, regardless of the cleaning technique applied. The crack initiation and propagation mechanisms have been analysed, concluding that the presence of oil leads to hydrogen induced cracking.

Originality/value

High oil concentration residues from previous machining operations in hybrid manufacturing led to hydrogen induced cracking when working with AISI H13 tool steel. The results obtained will help in defining future hybrid manufacturing processes that combine additive and subtractive operations.
Pre‐operative predictive factors for gangrenous cholecystitis at an Australian quaternary cardiothoracic centre
Authors: Fang Robert , Yerkovich Stephanie , Chandrasegaram Manju
Published: December 2021

Introduction

The aim of this study was to determine associations between pre‐operative factors and gangrenous cholecystitis. Gangrenous cholecystitis represents a severe spectrum of cholecystitis and is associated with an increased risk of complications. Early recognition and diagnosis of gangrenous cholecystitis can optimize prioritization for surgery and improve outcomes.

Methods

A retrospective case–control study was undertaken. Patient demographics, medical comorbidities, pre‐operative biochemical and ultrasound findings as well as post‐operative outcomes were assessed. Four hundred and fourteen patients who underwent an emergency cholecystectomy between 2018 and 2020 were reviewed.

Results

One hundred and nine (26%) patients who underwent emergency cholecystectomy during this 3‐year period had gangrenous cholecystitis. These patients were older (median age 65 versus 45, P < 0.001) and more likely to be male (58.7% versus 32.5%, P < 0.001). Patients with coronary disease (OR 2.55, P < 0.001), hypertension (OR 2.25, P = 0.001), or arrhythmias (OR 3.64, P = 0.001) were two‐to‐three times more likely to have gangrenous cholecystitis. Patients with renal disease (OR 1.92, P = 0.004) or using antiplatelet medication (OR 2.27, P = 0.003) were twice as likely to have gangrenous cholecystitis. Patients who had gangrenous cholecystitis presented with a higher white cell count (median 13 x 109/L versus 8 x 109/L, P < 0.001) and a higher C‐reactive protein (median 196 versus 18 mg/L, P < 0.001). Patients with gangrenous cholecystitis had poorer post‐operative outcomes.

Conclusion

We verified predictive factors from existing literature and identified a number of novel pre‐operative predictive factors for gangrenous cholecystitis which could help with development of a scoring system for clinical use.
HEROES V‐V—HEmorRhagic cOmplications in Veno‐Venous Extracorporeal life Support—Development and internal validation of multivariable prediction model in adult patients
Authors: Willers Anne , Swol Justyna , van Kuijk Sander M. J. , Buscher Hergen , McQuilten Zoe , ten Cate Hugo , Rycus Peter T. , McKellar Stephen , Lorusso Roberto , Tonna Joseph E.
Published: December 2021

Background

During extracorporeal life support (ECLS), bleeding is one of the most frequent complications, associated with high morbidity and increased mortality, despite continuous improvements in devices and patient care. Risk factors for bleeding complications in veno‐venous (V‐V) ECLS applied for respiratory support have been poorly investigated.

We aim to develop and internally validate a prediction model to calculate the risk for bleeding complications in adult patients receiving V‐V ECLS support.

Methods

Data from adult patients reported to the extracorporeal life support organization (ELSO) registry between the years 2010 and 2020 were analyzed. The primary outcome was bleeding complications recorded during V‐V ECLS. Multivariable logistic regression with backward stepwise elimination was used to develop the predictive model. The performance of the model was tested by discriminative ability and calibration with receiver operating characteristic curves and visual inspection of the calibration plot.

Results

In total, 18 658 adult patients were included, of which 3 933 (21.1%) developed bleeding complications. The prediction model showed a prediction of bleeding complications with an AUC of 0.63. Pre‐ECLS arrest, surgical cannulation, lactate, pO2, HCO3, ventilation rate, mean airway pressure, pre‐ECLS cardiopulmonary bypass or renal replacement therapy, pre‐ECLS surgical interventions, and different types of diagnosis were included in the prediction model.

Conclusions

The model is based on the largest cohort of V‐V ECLS patients and reveals the most favorable predictive value addressing bleeding events given the predictors that are feasible and when compared to the current literature. This model will help identify patients at risk of bleeding complications, and decision making in terms of anticoagulation and hemostatic management.
A model‐based analysis to guide gonadotropin‐releasing hormone receptor antagonist use for management of endometriosis
Authors: Pohl Oliver , Baron Kyle , Riggs Matthew , French Jonathan , Garcia Ramon , Gotteland Jean‐Pierre
Published: December 2021

Aims

To identify linzagolix doses, an oral GnRH receptor antagonist, that effectively lower oestradiol (E2) to relieve endometriosis‐related pelvic pain without compromising bone health.

Methods

Integrated statistical, pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic and systems pharmacology models were developed from Phase 1 and 2 clinical trial data in healthy volunteers and patients, receiving linzagolix 25–200 mg daily or placebo, and analysed simultaneously. The main outcome measures were pelvic pain scores for dysmenorrhoea, nonmenstrual pelvic pain (NMPP), uterine bleeding and lumbar spine bone mineral density (BMD).

Results

Linzagolix pharmacokinetics were described by a 2‐compartment model with sequential zero/first‐order absorption process (CL/F: 0.422 L/h). E2 changes over time were well described as a function of linzagolix 24‐hour AUC (AUC50: 1.68 × 105 ng h/mL). For a Caucasian reference patient, a change in E2 from 50–20 pg/mL at 24 weeks increased the odds of relief of dysmenorrhoea 1.33‐fold and NMPP 1.07‐fold (95% CI: 1.22–1.47 and 1.02–1.12, respectively) and decreased bleeding days by 1.55 (95% CI: 1.39–1.72). A previously validated quantitative systems pharmacology BMD model was adjusted to the clinical data. The mean week 24 lumbar spine BMD change from baseline ranged from −0.092% in the 50 mg dose, −1.30% in the 100 mg dose group and −2.67% in the 200 mg dose group.

Discussion

The previously‐reported E2 target range (20–50 pg/mL) to balance efficacy and safety endpoints was confirmed. Linzagolix once daily doses between 75–125 mg daily were expected to meet endometriosis‐associated pain, efficacy, and BMD loss targets in Caucasian patients.
A superpixel powered autoencoder technique for detecting dementia
Authors: Bansal Deepika , Khanna Kavita , Chhikara Rita , Dua Rakesh Kumar , Malhotra Rajeev
Published: December 2021

Dementia is a neurocognitive disorder responsible for decreasing the overall quality of life for patients. The disease has emerged as a worldwide health challenge in adults in the age group of 65 years or above. Deep learning has been successfully applied for the prediction of dementia using magnetic resonance imaging. In this paper, a superpixel‐powered autoencoder technique has been proposed using a histogram of oriented gradients for extracting the relevant features. The proposed technique is capable of predicting and classifying three categories of dementia—normal, mild cognitive impairment and dementia subjects. The viability of the proposed method is established by comparing it with the other state of art models and the popular pre‐trained networks including Squeezenet, Resnet50, Resnet18, Inceptionv3, Googlenet, VGG19 and Alexnet. The experimental results establish that the proposed model has performed significantly better than the state of art models and has outperformed the popular pre‐trained networks.
Differences in susceptibility to Mycobacterium chelonae in zebrafish (Danio rerio) lines commonly used in scientific research
Authors: Janik Andrew J , Whipps Christopher M.
Published: December 2021

Mycobacteriosis is one of the most common diseases encountered in laboratory zebrafish. These infections can present a problem to researchers using zebrafish because they may introduce unknown experimental variables. Whilst differences in severity of infections between species of Mycobacterium infecting zebrafish have been well documented, little is known about differences in susceptibility between zebrafish lines. Previous surveys have found higher prevalence in the TU zebrafish line relative to other lines, suggesting that there may be underlying genetic differences in susceptibility. This study investigates Mycobacterium chelonae H1E2‐GFP infections in four different zebrafish lines commonly used in research (AB, 5D, casper and TU). Fish were exposed to a labelled (green‐fluorescent protein (GFP)) strain of M. chelonae by intraperitoneal injection, and infection status was evaluated after 10 weeks. Visualization of GFP in euthanized fish and histology were used as endpoints. In GFP images, severity was assessed by image analysis, and in histological sections, counts of granulomas containing acid‐fast bacteria were used. Results indicated differences in severity of infections between lines, but no significant differences in prevalence.
Dietary pattern associated with C‐reactive protein and trajectories of blood pressure in Chinese adults: Evidence from the China Health and Nutrition Survey
Authors: Du Renjia , Cao Hong
Published: December 2021

Background

We aimed to investigate the relationship between a dietary pattern associated with C‐reactive protein (CRP) levels and trajectories of blood pressure in Chinese adults.

Methods

This prospective cohort study consisted of 7020 adults using three waves of the China Health and Nutrition Survey (2009, 2011 and 2015). Group‐based trajectory modelling was used to identify trajectories of blood pressure. The dietary pattern associated with C‐reactive protein (CRP) was measured using the reduced rank regression method. Logistic regression models were fit to explore the associations of the scores on inflammation‐related dietary patterns and trajectories of blood pressure.

Results

We identified a dietary pattern associated with CRP at baseline, which was high in red meat, snacks and nuts, but low in grains, poultry and fish. The odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) pertaining to the highest dietary pattern score group for the high‐normal systolic blood pressure (SBP) group and the high SBP group were 1.316 (1.155–1.498) and 1.295 (1.030–1.627), respectively. However, no significant association was observed between dietary patterns and trajectories of diastolic blood pressure (p > 0.05).

Conclusions

Dietary pattern associated with CRP resulted in higher risk of high‐normal and high levels of SBP.
Exploring academic literacy practices of graduate students in English language teacher education programmes at English‐medium universities in Turkey
Authors: Yigitoglu Aptoula Nur
Published: December 2021

While previous research has documented the challenges international students face during their graduate level study in U.S. universities (Casanave and Li, 2008), less is known about the graduate students at English‐medium universities, which are common in non‐English dominant (EFL) contexts. To address this gap in the literature, this exploratory research study investigates second language (L2) graduate students' academic literacy practices at English‐medium universities in Turkey. During one academic year, Turkish graduate students in English language education programmes at seven English‐medium universities were invited to participate in a survey regarding their academic literacy practices in English and Turkish. One hundred ten participants responded on the survey. In addition, a subset of participants was asked to participate in semi‐structured interviews. Graduate students stated that studying through the medium of English made it almost impossible to write in their L1 (i.e. Turkish). They, however, were asked to make parallel use of English and Turkish in some genres such as academic papers and conference abstracts. Based on the results, the study highlights the importance promoting academic biliteracy along with full‐bilingualism at graduate programmes in English‐medium universities.
Martial Arts‐Based Curriculum Reduces Stress, Emotional, and Behavioral Problems in Elementary Schoolchildren During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Pilot Study
Authors: Marusak Hilary A. , Borg Breanna , Morales Austin , Carrington Smith Jamila , Blankenship Kelly , Allen Junior Lloyd , Goldberg Elimelech , Bluth Martin H.
Published: December 2021

This exploratory study examined the impact of Heroes Circle, a martial arts‐based curriculum on stress, emotional, and behavioral problems in elementary school children. While students completed classroom surveys at baseline, post‐curriculum surveys were collected from teachers, students, and parents/guardians 2 and 5 months after COVID‐19‐related school shutdowns. Satisfaction with the curriculum was high among those who received the intervention. Children reported increased mindfulness and decreased stress over the school year. Most children (77%) were still using the program's techniques and reporting benefits 5 months later, including lower internalizing symptoms and COVID‐19‐related fears. These patterns were not observed at the control school.
Ranking Tailoring Variables for Constructing Individualized Treatment Rules: An Application to Schizophrenia
Authors: Wu Jiacheng , Galanter Nina , Shortreed Susan M. , Moodie Erica E.M.
Published: December 2021

As with many chronic conditions, matching patients with schizophrenia to the best treatment option is difficult. Selecting antipsychotic medication is especially challenging because many of the medications can have burdensome side effects. Adjusting or tailoring medications based on patients’ characteristics could improve symptoms. However, it is often not known which patient characteristics are most helpful for informing treatment selection. In this paper, we address the challenge of identifying and ranking important variables for tailoring treatment decisions. We consider a value-search approach implemented through dynamic marginal structural models to estimate an optimal individualized treatment rule. We apply our methodology to the Clinical Antipsychotics Trial of Intervention and Effectiveness (CATIE) study for schizophrenia, to evaluate if some tailoring variables have greater potential than others for selecting treatments for patients with schizophrenia (Stroup et al., 2003, Schizophrenia Bulletin, 29, 15–31).
Take a chance on statistical edutainment
Authors: Lesser Lawrence M. , Pearl Dennis K.
Published: December 2021

Chances are that edutainment fun items can engage students in discussing and learning key concepts about probability.
Use of extracorporeal therapy in a dog with heatstroke
Authors: Tracy Alyx , Lynch Alex , Messenger Kristen , Vaden Shelly , Vigani Alessio
Published: December 2021

Objective

To describe the use of extracorporeal therapy (ECT) in the management of a dog with complications stemming from heatstroke.

Case Review

A 3‐year‐old intact male Rhodesian Ridgeback was presented for heat‐related illness following strenuous exercise. Despite intensive supportive care, the dog developed progressive and refractory hyperkalemia, hypoglycemia, neurologic dysfunction, acute kidney injury (AKI), and pulmonary dysfunction. Four ECT sessions were performed in this dog, consisting of 4 intermittent hemodialysis (HD) sessions, the first 2 of which concurrently utilized hemoperfusion with a cytokine adsorption filter. Interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), IL‐8, IL‐10, and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 were detected in samples collected during the first ECT session. Despite an initial decrease in their concentration, the concentrations of these cytokines ultimately rose over the course of the ECT session. Rapid and sustained glycemic and electrolyte control were achieved after the first ECT session, although AKI and muscle injury persisted. The dog survived to discharge and was nonazotemic 3 months following initial management.

New or Unique Information Provided

Heatstroke is a common, potentially catastrophic, occurrence in dogs. To the authors’ knowledge, this represents the first clinical use of ECT consisting of HD and cytokine adsorption in the management of severe heat‐related illness in a dog. The use of ECT for the management of complications from severe heatstroke in dogs warrants further investigation.
The continued decline of plasma transfusions in Taiwan: An 11‐year population‐based study
Authors: Hsu Ling‐I , Chen Jen‐Wen , Lin Dong‐Tsamn , Wei Sheng‐Tang , Hou Sheng‐Mou
Published: December 2021

Background and Objectives

In Taiwan, plasma use per capita ranks among the highest in the world. We aimed to describe the trends in usage after the introduction of new hospital accreditation standards that evaluate compliance with institutional plasma transfusion guidelines.

Materials and Methods

We identified hospitalizations receiving plasma between 2007 and 2017 from the national health insurance database. We estimated plasma transfusions per thousand capita. The risk ratio of transfusion rates among hospitalizations in 2017 compared to 2007 was estimated using logistic regression.

Results

The total number of plasma transfusions declined from 964,408 in 2007 to 659,828 in 2017, yielding a rate of 28.00 per thousand capita. The proportion of hospitalizations receiving plasma declined by 38%, from 3.89% (95% confidence interval: 3.86%–3.91%) to 2.62% (2.61%–2.64%). Gastroenterology (16.4%) and general surgery (15.3%) accounted for the largest proportions of plasma usage. Within these two services, liver diseases were the top diagnoses needing plasma use. For hospitalized patients with liver diseases, approximately 40% of plasma units were administered to patients with neither noticeable bleeding nor red blood cells transfusions. Among these patients, almost 50% received plasma with an international normalized ratio trigger of less than 1.50. The use of potential alternative therapies or anticoagulants remained quite low during this period.

Conclusion

Plasma utilization rates during hospitalizations continuously declined over 11 years. However, inappropriate plasma use remained high, while the use of alternative therapies remained low in services such as gastroenterology. To improve the appropriateness of plasma transfusions, patient blood management should be implemented in the near future.
Effect of Rotation on Heat Transfer in AR = 2:1 and AR = 4:1 Channels Connected by a Series of Crossover Jets
Authors: Madhavan Srivatsan , Singh Prashant , Ekkad Srinath
Published: December 2021

Detailed heat transfer measurements using transient liquid crystal thermography were performed on a novel cooling design covering the mid-chord and trailing edge region of a typical gas turbine blade under stationary and rotating conditions. The test section comprised two channels with aspect ratio (AR) of 2:1 (mid-chord) and 4:1 (trailing edge), where the coolant was fed into the AR = 2:1 channel from the root. Rib turbulators with a pitch-to-rib height ratio (p/e) of 10 and rib height-to-channel hydraulic diameter ratio (e/Dh) of 0.075 were placed in the AR = 2:1 channel at an angle of 60 deg relative to the direction of flow. The coolant after entering this section was routed to the AR = 4:1 section through a set of crossover jets. The purpose of the crossover jets was to induce sideways impingement onto the pin fins that were placed in the 4:1 section to enhance heat transfer. The 4:1 section had a realistic trapezoidal shape that mimics the trailing edge of an actual gas turbine blade. The pin fins were arranged in a staggered array with a center-to-center spacing of 2.5 times the pin diameter in both spanwise and streamwise directions. The trailing edge section consisted of both radial and cutback exit holes for flow exit. Experiments were performed for the Reynolds number (Redh(AR=2:1)) of 20,000 at Rotation numbers (Rodh(AR=2:1)) of 0, 0.1, and 0.14. The channel-averaged heat transfer coefficient on trailing side was ∼28% (AR = 2:1) and ∼7.6% (AR = 4:1) higher than the leading side for Rotation number (Ro) of 0.1. It is shown that the combination of crossover jets and pin fins can be an effective method for cooling wedge-shaped trailing edge channels over axial cooling flow designs.
Blade Envelopes Part II: Multiple Objectives and Inverse Design
Authors: Wong Chun Yui , Seshadri Pranay , Scillitoe Ashley , Noel Ubald Bryn , Duncan Andrew B. , Parks Geoffrey
Published: December 2021

Blade envelopes offer a set of data-driven tolerance guidelines for manufactured components based on aerodynamic analysis. In Part I of this two-part paper, a workflow for the formulation of blade envelopes is described and demonstrated. In Part II, this workflow is extended to accommodate multiple objectives. This allows engineers to prescribe manufacturing guidelines that take into account multiple performance criteria. The quality of a manufactured blade can be correlated with features derived from the distribution of primal flow quantities over the surface. We show that these distributions can be accounted for in the blade envelope using vector-valued models derived from discrete surface flow measurements. Our methods result in a set of variables that allows flexible and independent control over multiple flow characteristics and performance metrics, similar in spirit to inverse design methods. The augmentations to the blade envelope workflow presented in this paper are demonstrated on the LS89 turbine blade, focusing on the control of loss, mass flow, and the isentropic Mach number distribution. Finally, we demonstrate how blade envelopes can be used to visualize invariant designs by producing a 3D render of the envelope using 3D modeling software.
An Approach to the Assessment of Dimethyl Carbonate and Ethanol Effect as Gasoline Oxygenating Agents Under Engine Conditions Via a Computational Fluid Dynamics Model
Authors: Domínguez Sara , Valencia Ana M. , Bustamante Felipe
Published: December 2021

An ASTM-CFR engine was modeled through computational fluid dynamics (CFD) coupled with chemical kinetics to evaluate the effect of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and ethanol as gasoline components, the latter as reference oxygenating agent, on combustion characteristics and engine emissions. Validation against experimental in-cylinder pressure data indicated adequate reproduction of these fuels combustion, all blends showing higher and earlier pressure peaks than neat gasoline (ca. 0.2 MPa and 2 CAD). Simulated temperatures were close for all fuels, though slightly advanced for the oxygenated blends (ca. 2 CAD). Similar behavior of the oxygenates was predicted regarding HC, CO and soot emissions: ca. 90% reduction in HC, CO, and soot emissions were observed, but ethanol displayed up to 3.5% CO2 reduction and 17% NOx increase, while DMC showed up to 7% decrease in CO2 and 6% increase in NOx. Considering the advantage of using chemical kinetics for combustion calculations in the CFD model, i.e., quantification of any species present in the reaction mechanism, including those difficult to observe/measure experimentally, concentrations of non-regulated emissions (e.g., formaldehyde) were studied. In particular, a minor increase in formaldehyde emissions was found with both oxygenated fuels. Albeit a first approach to assessing oxygenating compounds effects on gasoline combustion and emissions under engine conditions through a CFD + detailed chemistry model, the results underline the potential of DMC as gasoline oxygenating agent, and are a starting point for studying non-measured/non-regulated species and parametric engine analysis in future models.
Resonant Ultrasound Spectroscopy: Sensitivity Analysis for Anisotropic Materials With Hexagonal Symmetry
Authors: Sevigney Christopher L. , Scott-Emuakpor Onome E. , Farzbod Farhad
Published: December 2021

Resonance ultrasound spectroscopy (RUS) is a nondestructive technique for evaluating elastic and an-elastic material properties. The frequencies of free vibrations for a carefully crafted sample are measured, and material properties can be extracted from this. In one popular application, the determination of monocrystal elasticity, the results are not always reliable. In some cases, the resonant frequencies are insensitive to changes in certain elastic constants or their linear combinations. Previous work has been done to characterize these sensitivity issues in materials with isotropic and cubic symmetry. This work examines the sensitivity of elastic constant measurements by the RUS method for materials with hexagonal symmetry, such as titanium-diboride. We investigate the reliability of RUS data and explore supplemental measurements, namely, surface acoustic wave (SAW) to obtain an accurate and complete set of elastic constants.
Cross Talk between ARF1 and RhoA Coordinates the Formation of Cytoskeletal Scaffolds during Chlamydia Infection
Authors: Haines Adam , Wesolowski Jordan , Ryan Nathan M. , Monteiro-Brás Tiago , Paumet Fabienne
Published: December 2021

Chlamydia trachomatis
is a major cause of human disease worldwide. The ability of
Chlamydia
to establish infection and cause disease depends on the maintenance of its parasitic niche, called the inclusion.
Supplemental Material: Detrital zircon provenance of the Cretaceous–Neogene East Coast Basin reveals changing tectonic conditions and drainage reorganization along the Pacific margin of Zealandia
Authors: Gooley J.T. , Nieminski N.M.
Published: December 2021

Table S1: Data sources for composite basement terranes. Table S2: Relative proportions of age fractions for composite basement terranes. Table S3: U-Th-Pb isotopic composition of detrital zircon analyzed at the University of Arizona LaserChron Center. Table S4: U-Th-Pb isotopic composition of detrital zircon analyzed at the University California, Santa Cruz. Table S5: Relative proportions of age fractions for Cenozoic East Coast Basin cover stratigraphy. Table S6: Relative proportions of age fractions for Cretaceous East Coast Basin cover stratigraphy. Table S7: Mixture modeling results for detrital zircon samples. Figure S1: Map of all samples from the basement terrane and cover stratigraphy with detrital zircon U-Pb ages. File S1: Systematic analysis of mixture modeling results.
Coupling impacts of spray and rainfall on road visibility and vehicle speeds: a simulation-based analysis
Authors: Wang Shuyi , Chen Tianheng , Yu Bin , Sun Yue , Qin Xiaochun
Published: December 2021

Impaired visibility resulting from rainfall contributes greatly to the occurrence of traffic accidents. This study presents a numerical simulation approach to analyze the extent to which the coupling of spray and raindrops reduces visibility and, thus, proposes safe speeds against inadequate visibility. The spray–raindrop coupling particles were modeled by considering real highway design parameters and rainfall conditions. The road visibility was estimated through simulating the multiple scattering process of taillights in the spray–rain medium, and the maximum safe speed against inadequate visibility was then derived by comparing the visibility with the required stopping sight distance. Results show that: (i) either a high speed of the front truck or a thick water film results in a significant reduction in road visibility and the maximum safe speed of the ego vehicle, (ii) front vehicle speed plays a more important role in visibility reduction than the water film thickness does.
Massive 4D Abelian 2-form theory: Nilpotent symmetries from the (anti-)chiral superfield approach
Authors: Kumar S. , Chauhan B. , Tripathi A. , Malik R. P.
Published: December 2021

The off-shell nilpotent and absolutely anticommuting (anti-)BRST symmetries are obtained by using the (anti-)chiral superfield approach (ACSA) to Becchi–Rouet–Stora–Tyutin (BRST) formalism for the four [Formula: see text]-dimensional (4D) Stückelberg-modified massive Abelian 2-form gauge theory. We perform exactly similar kind of exercise for the derivation of the off-shell nilpotent (anti-)co-BRST symmetry transformations, too. In the above derivations, the symmetry invariant restrictions on the superfields play very important and decisive roles. To prove the sanctity of the above nilpotent symmetries, we generalize our 4D ordinary theory (defined on the 4D flat Minkowskian space–time manifold) to its counterparts [Formula: see text]-dimensional (anti-)chiral super-submanifolds of the [Formula: see text]-dimensional supermanifold which is parametrized by the superspace coordinates [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] are the bosonic coordinates and a pair of Grassmannian variables [Formula: see text] are fermionic: [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] in nature. One of the novel observations of our present endeavor is the derivation of the Curci–Ferrari (CF)-type restrictions from the requirement of the symmetry invariance of the coupled (but equivalent) Lagrangian densities of our theory within the framework of ACSA to BRST formalism. We also exploit the standard techniques of ACSA to capture the off-shell nilpotency and absolute anticommutativity of the conserved (anti-)BRST as well as the conserved (anti-)co-BRST charges. In a subtle manner, the proof of the absolute anticommutativity of the above conserved charges also implies the existence of the appropriate CF-type restrictions on our theory. This proof is also a novel result.
DYNAMICS OF COOPERATIVE REACTIONS BASED ON CHEMICAL KINETICS WITH REACTION SPEED: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS WITH SINGULAR AND NONSINGULAR KERNELS
Authors: AHMAD ZUBAIR , ALI FARHAD , ALQAHTANI AISHA M. , KHAN NAVEED , KHAN ILYAS
Published: December 2021

Chemical processes are constantly occurring in all existing creatures, and most of them contain proteins that are enzymes and perform as catalysts. To understand the dynamics of such phenomena, mathematical modeling is a powerful tool of study. This study is carried out for the dynamics of cooperative phenomenon based on chemical kinetics. Observations indicate that fractional models are more practical to describe complex systems’ dynamics, such as recording the memory in partial and full domains of particular operations. Therefore, this model is modeled in terms of classical-order-coupled nonlinear ODEs. Then the classical model is generalized with two different fractional operators of Caputo and Atangana–Baleanu in a Caputo sense. Some fundamental theoretical analysis for both the fractional models is also made. Reaction speeds for the extreme cases of positive/negative and no cooperation are also calculated. The graphical solutions are achieved via numerical schemes, and the simulations for both the models are carried out through the computational software MATLAB. It is observed that both the fractional models of Caputo and Atangana–Baleanu give identical results for integer order, i.e. [Formula: see text]. By decreasing the fractional parameters, the concentration profile of the substrate [Formula: see text] takes more time to vanish. Moreover, binding of first substrate increases the reaction rate at another binding site in the case of extreme positive cooperation, while the opposite effect is noticed for the case of negative cooperativity. Furthermore, the effects of other parameters on concentration profiles of different species are shown graphically and discussed physically.
STABLE STRUCTURES, MAGNETIC AND ELECTRONIC PROPERTIES OF SMALL BIMETALLIC PtCo NANOALLOYS UP 5 ATOMS: A DFT STUDY
Authors: SOSA-HERNÁNDEZ E. M. , MONTEJANO-CARRIZALES J. M. , ALVARADO-LEYVA P. G.
Published: December 2021

In bulk regime size, Co presents an HCP phase and Pt has an FCC phase, both present interesting properties of technological relevance. Co is ferromagnetic and Pt is a good catalyst. Nanoalloying allows us to play with the size and the chemical composition to achieve new properties and functionalities that do not exist at the bulk regime. In this work, we studied the interaction between PtCo atoms and how to affect the chemical order, the magnetic properties and electronic properties of these binary nanoalloys up 5 atoms. Our results show that Co atoms prefer to be localized at sites with the highest coordination in nanoalloys with 5 atoms, in PtCo clusters with 4 atoms, we found planar geometries as the stable ones. All the nanoalloys have a favorable atom mixing; the bimetallic clusters considered in this study show magnetic behavior and present a ferromagnetic-like order where the value of the total magnetization depends on the number of Co atoms of the cluster. We have considered the vertical ionization potential to determine the donation of electrons and the capture of electrons is studied through the electronic affinity and these are related to the chemical hardness which is an index of catalytic activity. This study was done into the DFT scheme as implemented in the SIESTA code using a generalized gradient approximation.
On Rough Convergence of Complex Uncertain Sequences
Authors: Debnath Shyamal , Das Bijoy
Published: December 2021

Complex uncertain variables are measurable functions from an uncertainty space to the set of complex numbers and are used to model complex uncertain quantities. The main purpose of this paper is to introduce rough convergence of complex uncertain sequences and study some convergence concepts namely rough convergence in measure, rough convergence in mean, rough convergence in distribution of complex uncertain sequences. Lastly some relationship between them have been investigated.
Modeling Sound Absorption of Graded Foam Absorbers via Polynomial Surrogate Technique
Authors: Trinh Van Hai , Li Dengke , He Mu , Li Xin
Published: December 2021

Transports and sound absorption performance of foam-based absorbers are influenced by the morphologies of their pore connections. Understanding the microstructure–property relationships of sound absorbers can provide valuable insights and guidance for designing and manufacturing steps. We develop in this paper surrogate models based on the polynomial chaos expansion to predict the acoustic behavior of graded foam absorbers. Regarding the local morphology of foams, three representative factors including the porosity, the cell size, and the membrane closure ratio are considered through a periodic unit cell. Then, the reference maps of transport properties are computed via the hybrid numerical method based on the homogenization technique, surrogates are consequently generated in the designing space involving the morphology features. Finally, after evaluating their convergence characteristics and verification study, the surrogate models are adopted to study foam layers within different graded characteristics. Within a tolerance error, the surrogate models of transport properties offer advantages in terms of the computational efficiency and predictability. Both surrogate model-based investigation and optimization frameworks allow estimating the local morphology factors where the desired sound absorption properties of the graded foam absorbers can be achieved.