bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A highly selective colorimetric assay for the determination of creatinine in biological samples using gluconic acid capped silver nanoparticles after ionic liquid based dispersive liquid phase microextraction
Authors: Sadeghi Susan , Hosseinpour-Zaryabi Mohadeseh
Published: March 2021

A dispersive liquid-phase microextraction method combined with UV–vis spectrophotometry was utilized to highly selective determination of creatinine in human serum and urine samples. To overcome the interferences in complex matrices, creatinine reacted with 1,4-naphthoquinone-2- potassium sulfonate reagent to produce a red coloured product that could be extracted into a small volume of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([HMIM]PF6) ionic liquid solvent. To increase the sensitivity of the assay, gluconic acid capped silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were used. On addition of Ag NPs to the red coloured extracted product, the solution turned to blue accompanied with a red shift in wavelength around 620 nm that could be detected by the naked eye. The effective variables on the determination of creatinine such as concentration of the reagent, amount of formic and hydrochloric acids, type and volume of the extractant, and concentration of Ag NPs were investigated. Under the optimal conditions, the calibration plot was bimodal with linear ranges from 0.1 to 1.5 µg mL−1 and 1.5 to 105 µg mL−1 creatinine with a limit of detection 0.1 µg mL−1. The relative standard deviation for five measurements at 35 µg mL−1 concentration level was 3.8%. The newly developed assay was used for the determination of creatinine in human serum and urine specimens with satisfactory results.
Perspectives from landscape ecology can improve environmental impact assessment
Authors: Harker Karly J. , Arnold Lauren , Sutherland Ira J. , Gergel Sarah E.
Published: March 2021

The outcomes of environmental impact assessment (EIA) influence millions of hectares of land and can be a contentious process. A vital aspect of an EIA process is consideration of the accumulation of impacts from multiple activities and stressors through a cumulative effects assessment (CEA). An opportunity exists to improve the rigor and utility of CEA and EIA by incorporating core scientific principles of landscape ecology into EIA. With examples from a Canadian context, we explore realistic hypothetical situations demonstrating how integration of core scientific principles could impact EIA outcomes. First, we demonstrate how changing the spatial extent of EIA boundaries can misrepresent cumulative impacts via the exclusion or inclusion of surrounding natural resource development projects. Second, we use network analysis to show how even a seemingly small, localized development project can disrupt regional habitat connectivity. Lastly, we explore the benefits of using long-term historical remote sensing products. Because these approaches are straightforward to implement using publicly available data, they provide sensible opportunities to improve EIA and enhance the monitoring of natural resource development activities in Canada and elsewhere.
Mechanical Parameters Response on Micro-Friction Stir Welding of AA6061 and SS304 Sheets
Authors: Srujan Manohar M. V. N. , Mahadevan K.
Published: March 2021

Friction stir welding is a contact welding process that uses the heat generated by friction to fuse two different materials. This work is focused on the development of micro-friction stir welding which is carried out for very thin sectioned materials of thickness 1000[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m or less. Friction welded butt-joints were successfully produced for 0.8[Formula: see text]mm thin AA6061 and SS304 sheets on a semi-automated vertical milling machine using a zero-pin length tool. A mild steel backing plate is used as fixture mechanism to hold the welding sheets on machine. Tool-rotational speed and Tool-travel speed are the weld-parameters examined on mechanical responses such as tensile behavior, micro-hardness and surface-roughness across the nugget-weld zone interface. The maximum tensile strength is obtained at lower weld-parameters. Tensile strength properties of AA6061-T6/SS304 joints were approximately found to be 25% lower than that of the AA6061-T6 alloy base metal. Maximum hardness value of 93HV and minimum roughness value of 2.808[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]m are observed for higher tool speeds at nugget-weld zone interface due to the formation of intermetallic phases. Microstructural behavior is studied on weld-parameters using scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray analyzer. Very thin intermetallic layers (consisting of Fe2Al5, FeAl3 and FeAl2 phases) were observed in stainless steel/aluminum interface.
SIS Parameters Optimization and Reliable Analysis to Achieve Reduced roughness of PA12 Parts
Authors: Baligidad Sagar M. , Vijayananda K. , Kumar G. Chethan , Maharudresh A. C. , Elangovan K.
Published: March 2021

Selective inhibition sintering (SIS) results in easy, flexible, fast and cost-efficient fabrication of functional parts by using powder material for various applications. The functional part is important for operational examination by fabricating the part unswervingly from CAD data. However, poor surface quality is the major disadvantage in SIS procedure. Selection procedure of optimal operating parameters plays a major role in the fabrication of end products. The present study discusses the effect of key contributing operating parameters on the surface quality of the Polyamide parts fabricated by the SIS process. The parameters like heater power (HP), layer thickness (LT), heater feed rate (HFR), machine feed rate (MFR) and bed temperature (BT) were considered in this study. Face-Centered Central (FCC) design was employed as a statistical technique to set the optimal inhibition sintering parameters. Different mathematical models had also been generated in order to develop a relationship between influencing parameters. Further, adequacies of generated models were validated by analysis of variance (ANOVA) approach. Moreover, to decide the survival rate of the SIS parts for industrial applications, the surface roughness reliability with higher error ([Formula: see text]%) was tested by using Weibull statistics. It was observed that HP, LT and HFR are contributing more to increase surface roughness.
Characteristics of Cubitus Varus Deformity after Lateral Condylar Fracture of the Humerus
Authors: Takagi Takehiko , Bessho Yuki , Seki Atsuhito , Takayama Shinichiro
Published: March 2021

Background: Lateral humeral condylar fractures often heal with some residual elbow deformity. However, details of angulation or tilting angle of the lateral condyle after the fracture have not been evaluated so far.

Methods: Between 2008 and 2016, we followed up 80 mild fractures of the lateral humeral condyle for more than a year. Thirty fractures were treated by open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with Kirschner wires. Fifty cases were treated with a long arm splint for 3 weeks (Fig. 1). The average age of the patients at the time of the injury was 5.5 years. The humerus-elbow-wrist angle (HEWA), Baumann’s angle (BA), and tilting angle (TA) were measured on the radiographs. The active range of motion (ROM) was clinically assessed at unaffected and affected sides at the final follow-up.

Results: No significant differences were detected between the sides about TA or ROM at the final follow-up. However, HEWA/ BA showed more significant loss of correction. There were significant differences in BA at the affected side between the ORIF and splint groups.

Conclusions: Cubitus varus deformity after lateral humeral condylar fracture is not accompanied by a change in TA or ROM, unlike the deformity after supracondylar or distal epiphyseal fracture of the humerus (Fig. 2). Operative treatment to precisely correct and fix the lateral condylar fracture still retained some cubitus varus deformity, although it might lessen or prevent the deformity when compared to conservative treatment with a splint.
Impact on Structural and Optical Properties of CZTS Thin Films with Solvents and Ge Incorporation
Authors: Singh Abhay Kumar , Rana Tanka R. , Kim JunHo , Shkir M. , Jen Tien-Chien
Published: March 2021

This report demonstrates nontoxic colloidal nitrate route CZTS (Cu2ZnSnS4) synthesis at room temperature, along with their band grading due to incorporation of Ge as cost of Sn (3%). The parent CZTS, CZGTS (Cu2ZnGeSnS4), and their polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solvent containing solutions doctor blade-coated thin film structural and optical properties are discussed. Their sulfurized thin films thickness have been achieved ±2 μ. It has noticed that addition of Ge in CZTS alloy affects the grain sizes, crystallographic structure, Raman spectral peak shift toward the higher wave number side. The addition of PVA and DMSO is also substantially contributed in their physical property modification by demonstrating the gradual improvement in grain sizes and compactness. Moreover, the gradual changes have also appeared in their X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Raman spectroscopic results. The optical energy band gaps of the CZTS, CZGTS, and their PVA, DMSO mixed alloyed thin films are obtained in between 1.27 eV to 1.57 eV and 1.58 eV to 1.83 eV.
Approximation of Functions by Dunkl-Type Generalization of Szász-Durrmeyer Operators Based on

p
,
q

-Integers
Authors: Alotaibi Abdullah
Published: March 2021

In this article, our main purpose is to define the

p
,
q

-variant of Szász-Durrmeyer type operators with the help of Dunkl generalization generated by an exponential function. We estimate moments and establish some direct results of the aforementioned operators. Moreover, we establish some approximation results in weighted spaces.
Acupuncture at the P6 Acupoint to Prevent Postoperative Pain after Craniotomy: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study
Authors: Lv Jian-Qin , Li Peng-Cheng , Zhou Li , Tang Wen-Fu , Li Ning
Published: March 2021

Objective. Acute pain management after craniotomy can be challenging. Previous studies have shown inadequate pain control following the procedure. Oral medication can sometimes be delayed by postoperative nausea, and use of anesthetics may impair the assessment of brain function. We conducted this prospective study to evaluate the effect of acupuncture at the P6 acupoint on postoperative pain, nausea, and vomiting in patients undergoing craniotomy. Methods. The authors conducted a randomized, placebo-controlled trial among 120 patients scheduled for craniotomy under general anesthesia. 120 patients were randomly assigned into an acupuncture group or a sham acupuncture group. All patients received standardized anesthesia and analgesia treatment. Acupuncture was executed in the recovery room after surgery. For the acupuncture group, the P6 points on each wrist were punctured perpendicularly to a depth of 20 mm. Needles were retained for 30 min and stimulated every 10 min to maintain the De-Qi sensation. For the sham acupuncture group, sham points on each wrist were punctured perpendicularly to a depth of 5 mm. Needles were retained for 30 min with no stimulation during the duration. The postoperative pain scores, PONV, and dose of tramadol were assessed 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after surgery. Results. A total of 117 patients completed the study. There was no statistically significant difference in baseline data between the two groups (

P
>
0.05

). The VAS pain score of the acupuncture group was lower than that of the sham acupuncture group, and this difference was statistically significant (

P
=
0.002

). There was no difference in pain scores between the two groups during 0–24 h and 48–72 h (

P
>
0.05

). The incidence of vomiting in the acupuncture group was lower than that in the sham acupuncture group during the 0–24 h period (13.8% vs. 28.8%,

P
=
0.048

). There was no difference in vomiting, however, during the 24–72 h period (

P
>
0.05

). No significant differences were found in the degree of nausea and the dose of tramadol between the two groups at either time point in the acupuncture group and sham acupuncture group. Conclusion. The use of acupuncture at the P6 acupoint in neurosurgery patients did result in significantly lower pain scores and reduction in the incidence of vomiting after craniotomy. There were no significant side effects. Acupuncture at the P6 acupoint was well tolerated and safe in this patient population.
Analysis of Factors Causing Skin Damage in the Application of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter in Cancer Patients
Authors: Tian Luan , Yin Xinxin , Zhu Yuxin , Zhang Xin , Zhang Congcong
Published: March 2021

Objective. To investigate the related factors of skin damage caused by peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in cancer patients. Methods. It was a retrospective analysis of 202 cancer patients admitted to our hospital from February 2014 to July 2019. 50 cases of PICC-related skin damage and 152 cases of non-skin damage were studied. In addition, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine independent risk factors for PICC-related skin damage, including cancer patients with catheter-related skin damage and patients without skin damage. Results. 50 patients with PICC skin damage (19 males and 31 females) and 152 patients without skin damage (62 males and 90 females) were retrospectively analyzed. The skin damage rate was 24.8%. The analysis of variance results showed that many factors are related to PICC catheter-related skin damage, including hormones (χ2/Z = 4.468,

P
<
0.05

), body mass index (BMI) (χ2/Z = −2.443,

P
<
0.05

), days with tube (χ2 = 26.230,

P
<
0.05

), chemotherapy cycle (χ2/Z = 25.638,

P
<
0.05

), and self-care ability (χ2/Z = −1.968,

P
<
0.05

). Logistic regression analysis showed that hormones (odds ratio (OR) = 3.896,

P
=
0.045

), BMI (OR = 1.129,

P
=
0.017

), days with tube (OR = 0.419,

P
=
0.013

), and chemotherapy cycle (OR = 3.302,

P
=
0.028

) are independent factors affecting PICC-related skin damage. Conclusion. The independent influencing factors of skin damage during PICC catheterization are hormones, BMI, number of days with tube, and chemotherapy cycle.
An Ensemble Deep Neural Network for Footprint Image Retrieval Based on Transfer Learning
Authors: Chen Dechao , Chen Yang , Ma Jieming , Cheng Cheng , Xi Xuefeng , Zhu Run , Cui Zhiming
Published: March 2021

As one of the essential pieces of evidence of crime scenes, footprint images cannot be ignored in the cracking of serial cases. Traditional footprint comparison and retrieval require much time and human resources, significantly affecting the progress of the case. With the rapid development of deep learning, the convolutional neural network has shown excellent performance in image recognition and retrieval. To meet the actual needs of public security footprint image retrieval, we explore the effect of convolution neural networks on footprint image retrieval and propose an ensemble deep neural network for image retrieval based on transfer learning. At the same time, based on edge computing technology, we developed a footprint acquisition system to collect footprint data. Experimental results on the footprint dataset we built show that our approach is useful and practical.
Machine Learning for Building Immune Genetic Model in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Liu Jun , Chen Zheng , Li Wenli
Published: March 2021

Background. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the leading liver cancer with special immune microenvironment, which played vital roles in tumor relapse and poor drug responses. In this study, we aimed to explore the prognostic immune signatures in HCC and tried to construct an immune-risk model for patient evaluation. Methods. RNA sequencing profiles of HCC patients were collected from the cancer genome Atlas (TCGA), international cancer genome consortium (ICGC), and gene expression omnibus (GEO) databases (GSE14520). Differentially expressed immune genes, derived from ImmPort database and MSigDB signaling pathway lists, between tumor and normal tissues were analyzed with Limma package in R environment. Univariate Cox regression was performed to find survival-related immune genes in TCGA dataset, and in further random forest algorithm analysis, significantly changed immune genes were used to generate a multivariate Cox model to calculate the corresponding immune-risk score. The model was examined in the other two datasets with recipient operation curve (ROC) and survival analysis. Risk effects of immune-risk score and clinical characteristics of patients were individually evaluated, and significant factors were then used to generate a nomogram. Results. There were 52 downregulated and 259 upregulated immune genes between tumor and relatively normal tissues, and the final immune-risk model (based on SPP1, BRD8, NDRG1, KITLG, HSPA4, TRAF3, ITGAV and MAP4K2) can better differentiate patients into high and low immune-risk subpopulations, in which high score patients showed worse outcomes after resection (

p
<
0.05

). The differentially enriched pathways between the two groups were mainly about cell proliferation and cytokine production, and calculated immune-risk score was also highly correlated with immune infiltration levels. The nomogram, constructed with immune-risk score and tumor stages, showed high accuracy and clinical benefits in prediction of 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival, which is useful in clinical practice. Conclusion. The immune-risk model, based on expression of SPP1, BRD8, NDRG1, KITLG, HSPA4, TRAF3, ITGAV, and MAP4K2, can better differentiate patients into high and low immune-risk groups. Combined nomogram, using immune-risk score and tumor stages, could make accurate prediction of 1-, 3- and 5-year survival in HCC patients.
Life-Saving Emergency Adrenalectomy in a Pheochromocytoma Crisis with Cardiogenic Shock
Authors: Bekelaar Thalia , Nougon Gervais , Peters Marc , De Roeck Frederic , Haine Steven , Ysebaert Dirk , Spinhoven Maarten , Jorens Philippe G. , De Paep Rudi , Lahaye Frederik
Published: March 2021

Cardiogenic shock during a pheochromocytoma crisis is a life-threatening disorder. This case report illustrates a 49-year-old male with profound cardiogenic shock, extreme hemodynamic instability (systolic blood pressure ranging from 45 up to 290 mmHg in a cyclic pattern), and progressive multiple organ failure in the presence of a unilateral adrenal mass. Emergency adrenalectomy led to rapid hemodynamic stabilization. Histological investigation confirmed the diagnosis of pheochromocytoma. This case indicates that emergency adrenalectomy, although usually not considered first choice, is a valid option in cardiogenic shock and extremely fluctuating hemodynamics due to a pheochromcytoma-induced catecholamine storm.
Evaluation of the Psychometric Properties of the Scale A-ONE: An Italian Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Cerone Margherita , Tofani Marco , Fabbrini Giovanni , Marcellini Giulia , Berardi Anna , Conti Claudia , De Santis Rita , Valente Donatella , Galeoto Giovanni
Published: March 2021

Purpose. This study is aimed at validating the A-ONE scale in an Italian population with Central Nervous System (CNS) dysfunction. Material and Methods. Between May and November 2018, people aged between 60 and 90 with CNS dysfunction were recruited in a hospital in Rome, Italy. Patients were observed and evaluated during the activities of daily living. Internal consistency and reliability were evaluated with Cronbach’s coefficient alpha and intraclass correlation coefficient, respectively. As measured with Pearson’s correlation coefficient, the validity was examined comparing results of the A-ONE with the Barthel index. Responsiveness was evaluated 30 days after the first administration. Results. A total of 70 people having a diagnosis of neurological disorders were evaluated. The internal consistency showed Cronbach’s coefficient alpha ranging from 0.634 to 0.959. The measurement of reliability varied from 0.984 to 0.997 for intrarater and from 0.979 to 0.998 for interrater. Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the A-ONE and the Barthel index and the responsiveness showed statistically significant values (

p
<
0.01

). Conclusions. The present study provides preliminary evidence of reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the A-ONE when using elderly people with CNS dysfunction.
The Role of ICS/LABA Fixed-Dose Combinations in the Treatment of Asthma and COPD: Bioequivalence of a Generic Fluticasone Propionate-Salmeterol Device
Authors: Tashkin Donald P. , Ohar Jill A. , Koltun Arkady , Allan Richard , Ward Jonathan K.
Published: March 2021

Both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are inflammatory chronic respiratory conditions with high rates of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The objectives of this review are to briefly describe the pathophysiology and epidemiology of asthma and COPD, discuss guideline recommendations for uncontrolled disease, and review a new generic option for the treatment of asthma and COPD. Although mild forms of these diseases may be controlled with as-needed pharmacotherapy, uncontrolled or persistent asthma and moderate or severe COPD uncontrolled by bronchodilators with elevated eosinophilia or frequent exacerbations may require intervention with combination therapy with inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and long-acting beta agonists (LABAs), according to international guidelines. Fixed-dose combinations of ICS/LABA are commonly prescribed for both conditions, with fluticasone propionate (FP) and salmeterol forming a cornerstone of many treatment plans. An oral inhalation powder containing the combination of FP and salmeterol has been available as Advair Diskus® in the United States for almost 20 years, and the first and only substitutable generic version of this product has recently been approved for use: Wixela™ Inhub™. Bioequivalence of Wixela Inhub and Advair Diskus has been established. Furthermore, the Inhub inhaler was shown to be robust and easy to use, suggesting that Wixela Inhub may provide an alternative option to Advair Diskus for patients with asthma or COPD requiring intervention with an ICS/LABA.
Empirical Investigation of Multimodal Sensors in Novel Deep Facial Expression Recognition In‐the‐Wild
Authors: Ullah Asad , Wang Jing , Anwar M. Shahid , Whangbo Taeg Keun , Zhu Yaping
Published: March 2021

The interest in the facial expression recognition (FER) is increasing day by day due to its practical and potential applications, such as human physiological interaction diagnosis and mental diseases detection. This area has received much attention from the research community in recent years and achieved remarkable results; however, a significant improvement is required in spatial problems. This research work presents a novel framework and proposes an effective and robust solution for FER under an unconstrained environment. Face detection is performed using the supervision of facial attributes. Faceness‐Net is used for deep facial part responses for the detection of faces under severe unconstrained variations. In order to improve the generalization problems and avoid insufficient data regime, Deep Convolutional Graphical Adversarial Network (DC‐GAN) is utilized. Due to the challenging environmental factors faced in the wild, a large number of noises disrupt feature extraction, thus making it hard to capture ground truth. We leverage different multimodal sensors with a camera that aids in data acquisition, by extracting the features more accurately and improve the overall performance of FER. These intelligent sensors are used to tackle the significant challenges like illumination variance, subject dependence, and head pose. Dual‐enhanced capsule network is used which is able to handle the spatial problem. The traditional capsule networks are unable to sufficiently extract the features, as the distance varies greatly between facial features. Therefore, the proposed network is capable of spatial transformation due to action unit aware mechanism and thus forward most desiring features for dynamic routing between capsules. Squashing function is used for the classification function. We have elaborated the effectiveness of our method by validating the results on four popular and versatile databases that outperform all state‐of‐the‐art methods.
Who Is the Demiurge, According to Plutarch? The Cosmic Soul in the iv Platonic Question
Authors: Delle Donne Carlo
Published: March 2021

According to Plutarch, who is responsible for the ordering of the indeterminate precosmic matter? Is this activity imputable to the divine demiurgic intellect? Or are we to consider the Cosmic Soul as the force which firstly gave shape to the precosmic chora/hyle? By means of examining the iv Platonica Quaestio, I set out to maintain that, at a certain moment of his philosophical career, Plutarch thought it better to relieve the divine intellect from the task of firstly ordering the material substratum; this duty had to fall upon the Cosmic Soul. Thus, he would keep the divine intellect from any engagement in activities concerning the hyle.
Ethnic Diversity and the Nation-State in the 21st Century
Authors: Kok Wah Loh Francis
Published: March 2021

The cause of conflict in multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies is not diversity in and of itself. Instead, it is one’s attitude towards diversity. Do we share political power and economic development with the regions and minority communities? Do we respect and recognise the cultural identities of minorities? This requires that the nation-state building process be imagined in more inclusive civic territorial lines rather than exclusive ethnic-genealogical lines. With the above as a backdrop, the article explores the status of the Christian minority in Malay-Islamic majority Malaysia and the plight of the Rohingyas in Bamar-Buddhist majority Myanmar.
When Ghost (Gwisin) Becomes Demon
Authors: Jun Sunhee
Published: March 2021

Most Korean Protestant Christians consider the traditional concept gwisin (ghost in English) as absolutely evil. This abhorrent attitude toward gwisin, I argue, has been influenced by the misuse of gwisin in Korean Protestant Bibles to identify demon/unclean spirit. Focusing on the Gospel of Mark, this paper will show gwisin cannot be conceptually equated with demon/unclean spirit, which are always evil in Mark. To substantiate the point, first, I will examine translation history of the Korean Protestant Bibles in terms of demon/unclean spirit in Mark to show that gwisin has been demonized in Korean Protestants’ minds for a long time. Secondly, I will explore the concept gwisin in Korean culture and demon/unclean spirit in Mark. By comparing the two, I argue that the use of gwisin by translators, who were mostly missionaries, to identify demon/unclean spirit was a misrepresentation.
Checklist and distribution of the Steninae of America north of Mexico (Coleoptera, Staphylinidae) 374. Contribution to the knowledge of Steninae
Authors: PUTHZ VOLKER
Published: March 2021

An up to date checklist of the distribution of North American Steninae is given and new records are documented.
First report of the leaf-mining genus Parornix Spuler from China, with descriptions of two new species (Lepidoptera, Gracillariidae, Parornichinae)
Authors: LIU TENGTENG , WANG ENCUI , JIANG YURONG , JIANG ZHONGFENG , JIANG BIN , TENG KAIJIANG
Published: March 2021

The subfamily Parornichinae and thus the genus Parornix Spuler, 1910 are reported for the first time in China. Two new species, P. sinensis Liu, sp. n. feeding on Amygdalus davidiana and P. yuliella Liu & Teng, sp. n. on Cerasus japonica, are described herein. Both host plant species belong to Rosaceae. Adult, genitalia of both sexes, and leaf mines are described and illustrated for both species. A Maximum Likelihood tree based on DNA barcodes available for Parornix is also provided for species separation. Reference barcodes for both new species are generated.
Corrections to the spellings of two tribe names in the leafhopper subfamily Ledrinae (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)
Authors: JONES JOSHUA R. , DMITRIEV DMITRY
Published: March 2021

In 2009, Jones and Deitz published a tribe-level taxonomic revision and reclassification of the cryptic, arboreal leafhopper subfamily Ledrinae Kirschbaum, 1868 (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae), based on cladistic analyses of 235 morphological features for 75 cicadellid species. Their evolutionary reconstructions found strong node support for a monophyletic ingroup comprising five lineages—each morphologically and geographically cohesive—and also identified numerous traditionally placed taxa (sensu Oman et al 1990) that did not belong. In light of the robustness of their results, the authors recognized the five independent ingroup clades as tribes of Ledrinae, and described three of these as new.
Dipyridine Amine Octamolybdates Hybrid Material Effectively Catalyzed Oxidation of Sulfide Derivatives with Hydrogen Peroxide
Authors: Gu Xiao-Yu , Lin Jie , Zhao Wen-Li , Xue Ze-Chun , Cui Chuan-Sheng , Huang Xian-Qiang
Published: March 2021

With the increasing interest in polyoxometalates (POMs) materials over the past few decades, scientific researchers have focused their attention on the fruitful utilization of POMs hybrids as efficient catalysts in many organic reactions. In this paper, dipyridine amine (dpa) organic ligand hybrid polyoxomolybdate material was solvothermally synthesized and structurally identified by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectrum. Structural refinement of the hybrid polyoxomolybdate compound 1 with general formula [Hdpa]4Mo8O26 · 2DMF (DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide) shows that compound 1 presents in the space group P-1 with triclinic system, and is built up from a well-known β-[Mo8O26]4– anionic cluster, four free protonated dpa cations and two free DMF molecules. Remarkably, the β-Mo8O26-based hybrid material was further applied as the catalyst in the conversion of sulfides utilizing hydrogen peroxide (30%) as green terminal oxidant and exhibited efficient catalytic activities for selective oxidation of sulfides.
Hierarchical Flower-Like Microspheres: An Application of Hydrogen Sulfide Gas Sensor for Tunnel Construction
Authors: Wu Chuansheng , Li Yuyue , Qi Lingling , Zhang Lingjiang , Xu Hao
Published: March 2021

Hierarchical flower-like WO3 · H2O microspheres assembled by nanosheets were successfully prepared through a simple hydrothermal route. Field emission scanning electron microscopy results indicate that the flower-like WO3 · H2O microspheres are composed of numerous nanosheets, which are interconnected with each other in the sphere shape. In addition, the gas sensing properties of the hierarchical WO3 · H2O microspheres were investigated. It is found that the gas sensor based on the hierarchical WO3 · H2O architectures exhibits excellent gas sensing properties towards H2S gas, including high gas response and fast response/recovery speed.
Sunflower-Like Zinc Oxide Architectures: The Application of Acetone Gas Sensor for Asphalt Pavement Construction
Authors: Zuo Bo , Fu Yan , Deng Gaofeng , Qi Lingling
Published: March 2021

In this work, hierarchical nanorod-assembled ZnO sunflower-like structures were successfully synthesized through a water bath route. Crystalline phase and surface morphology of as-prepared ZnO were investigated via XRD and SEM techniques, respectively. Gas sensor fabricated from nanorod-assembled ZnO sunflowers was made, which exhibits excellent gas sensing properties at various concentrations of acetone and different operating temperatures. The gas response values at the optimum operating temperature (300 °C) are 49 towards 200 ppm acetone. The sensing measurement results indicates that the as-synthesized ZnO material may depict potential application as an acetone detector in asphalt pavement construction.
Small Island Effects in DYNAMO and Their Impact on Large-Scale Budget Analyses
Authors: Ciesielski Paul E. , Johnson Richard H.
Published: March 2021

During the Dynamics of the MJO (DYNAMO) field campaign, radiosonde launches were regularly conducted from three small islands/atolls (Malé and Gan, Maldives, and Diego Garcia, British Indian Ocean Territory) as part of a large-scale sounding network. Comparison of island upsondes with nearby and near-contemporaneous dropsondes over the ocean provides evidence for the magnitude and scope of the islands’ influence on the surrounding atmosphere and on the island upsonde profiles. The island’s impact on the upsonde data is most prominent in the lowest 200 m. Noting that the vertical gradients of temperature, moisture, and winds over the ocean are generally constant in the lowest 0.5 km of dropsondes, a simple procedure was constructed to adjust the upsonde profiles in the lowest few hundred meters to resemble the atmospheric structures over the open ocean. This procedure was applied to the soundings from the three islands mentioned above for the October–December 2011 period of DYNAMO. As a result of this procedure, the adjusted diurnal cycle amplitude of surface temperature is reduced fivefold, resembling that over the ocean, and low-level wind speeds are increased in ~90% of the island soundings. Examination of the impact of these sounding adjustments shows that dynamical and budget fields are primarily affected by adjustments to the wind field, whereas convective parameters are sensitive to the adjustments in thermodynamic fields. Although the impact of the adjustments is generally small (on the order of a few percent), intraseasonal wind regime changes result in some systematic variations in divergence and vertical motion over the sounding arrays.
Inhomogeneity of the surface air temperature record from Halley, Antarctica
Authors: King John C. , Turner John , Colwell Steve , Lu Hua , Orr Andrew , Phillips Tony , Hosking J. Scott , Marshall Gareth J.
Published: March 2021

Commencing in 1956, observations made at Halley Research Station, Antarctica provide one of the longest continuous series of near-surface temperature observations from the Antarctic continent. Since few other records of comparable length are available, the Halley record has been used extensively in studies of long-term Antarctic climate variability and change. The record does not, however, come from a single location but is a composite of observations from a sequence of seven stations, all situated on the Brunt Ice Shelf, that range from around 10 km to 50 km distance from the coast. Until now, it has generally been assumed that temperature data from all of these stations could be combined into a single composite record with no adjustment. Here, we examine this assumption of homogeneity. Application of a statistical change point algorithm to the composite record detects a sudden cooling associated with the move from Halley IV to Halley V station in 1992. We show that this temperature step is consistent with local temperature gradients measured by a network of automatic weather stations and with those simulated by a high-resolution atmospheric model. These temperature gradients are strongest in the coastal region and result from the onshore advection of maritime air. The detected inhomogeneity could account for the weak cooling trend seen in the uncorrected composite record. In future, studies that make use of the Halley record will need to account for its inhomogeneity.
Impact of Sea Spray and Sea Surface Roughness on the Upper Ocean Response to Super Typhoon Haitang (2005)
Authors: Zhang Lianxin , Zhang Xuefeng , Perrie William , Guan Changlong , Dan Bo , Sun Chunjian , Wu Xinrong , Liu Kexiu , Li Dong
Published: March 2021

A coupled ocean-wave-sea spray model system is used to investigate the impacts of sea spray and sea surface roughness on the response of the upper ocean to the passage of the super typhoon Haitang. Sea spray mediated heat and momentum fluxes are derived from an improved version of Fairall’s heat fluxes formulation (Zhang et al., 2017) and Andreas’s sea spray-mediated momentum flux models. For winds ranging from low to extremely high speeds, a new parameterization scheme for the sea surface roughness is developed, in which the effects of wave state and sea spray are introduced. In this formulation, the drag coefficient has minimal values over the right quadrant of the typhoon track, along which the typhoon-generated waves are longer, smoother, and older, compared to other quadrants. Using traditional interfacial air-sea turbulent (sensible, latent, and momentum) fluxes, the sea surface cooling response to typhoon Haitang is overestimated by 1 °C, which can be compensated by the effects of sea spray and ocean waves on the right side of the storm. Inclusion of sea spray-mediated turbulent fluxes and sea surface roughness, modulated by ocean waves, gives enhanced cooling along the left edges of the cooling area by 0.2 °C, consistent with the upper ocean temperature observations.
When Religion Hurts: Structural Sexism and Health in Religious Congregations
Authors: Homan Patricia , Burdette Amy
Published: March 2021

An emerging line of research has begun to document the relationship between structural sexism and health. This work shows that structural sexism—defined as systematic gender inequality in power and resources—within U.S. state-level institutions and within marriages can shape individuals’ physical health. In the present study, we use a novel dataset created by linking two nationally representative surveys (the General Social Survey and the National Congregations Study) to explore the health consequences of structural sexism within another setting: religious institutions. Although religious participation is generally associated with positive health outcomes, many religious institutions create and reinforce a high degree of structural sexism, which is harmful for health. Prior research has not reconciled these seemingly conflicting patterns. We find that among religious participants, women who attend sexist religious institutions report significantly worse self-rated health than do those who attend more inclusive congregations. Furthermore, only women who attend inclusive religious institutions exhibit a health advantage relative to non-participants. We observe marginal to no statistically significant effects among men. Our results suggest the health benefits of religious participation do not extend to groups that are systematically excluded from power and status within their religious institutions.
The plight of women in Iraq: Gender disparity, violence, and mental health
Authors: Younis Maha Sulaiman , Khudhiar Lafta Riyadh
Published: March 2021

Background:

Generations of women living in Iraq endured three major regional wars and internal conflicts, which weakened their psychological vulnerability and social role by poverty, displacements, and loss of their beloved ones. The available literature about women’s mental health is scarce and does not signify the gender inequality and gender disparity of mental disorders.

Method:

During 1st August to October 2020, we explored the search engines: Google Scholar, Pub-Med, Medline, and Clarivate using keywords of Iraq, gender inequality, women’s mental health, violence, and conflict, mental disorders, gender-based violence, etc. From 1792 research items, 64 articles were scrutinized for this study. We selected the most relevant studies with some available documents excluding data bout Immigrant women outside Iraq and reports from foreign military sources.

Finding:

Women living in Iraq have struggled for equality and empowerment since the 20th century. For the last four decades, successive wars, economic sanction, gender-based violence, and internal conflicts have affected their development endeavors. The 2003 US-led invasion caused a loss of lives, destruction of infrastructure, and forced displacement for tens of thousands of civilians, including women and children. These atrocities increased women’s vulnerability to develop or worsen the existing mental disorders. This review tries to attract world attention to women’s situations in Iraq.
Electromagnetic piezoelectric hybrid driven multi-DOF motor contact model considering drive and load state
Authors: Li Zheng , Zhao Liang , Guo Peng , Wang Zhe
Published: March 2021

This paper proposes a new research method in view of the rare research on the contact state of hybrid drive multi-degree-of-freedom motor. Firstly, the basic principle and structure of hybrid drive motor are introduced. The air gap magnetic field model and electromagnetic torque model of permanent magnet rotor are obtained by analytical method. Static analysis of piezoelectric stators are carried out by stress-strain relationship. According to the analytical method and the spatial geometric relationship, the piezoelectric driving torque under different driving conditions is obtained. Introducing Hertz contact theory and Mindlin theory, combined with piezoelectric driving torque, electromagnetic driving torque and load torque to analyze the friction situation. A friction interface model considering the dynamic nonlinearity of friction coefficient and the nonlinear change of friction force distribution is established. Finally, using Matlab software, the friction distribution diagram of the contact surface of the hybrid drive three-degree-of-freedom motor under different driving and motion states is obtained. The analysis results verify the rationality of the electromagnetic piezoelectric hybrid driven three-degree-of-freedom motor. It shows that the contact state of the three sets of piezoelectric stators are determined according to the driving condition and load, the relative speed of the piezoelectric stators and the spherical rotor is proportional to the frictional force. It provides an idea for the research of contact state of hybrid drive multi-degree-of-freedom motor, and also lays a basis for further optimizing the friction interface of this kind of motors or actuators.
Don’t Touch My MIDI Cables: Gender, Technology and Sound in Live Coding
Authors: Armitage Joanne , Thornham Helen
Published: March 2021

Live coding is an embodied, sensorial and live technological–human relationship that is recursively iterated through sonic and visual outputs based on what we argue are kinship relations between and through bodies and technology. At the same time, and in a familiar moment of déjà vu for feminist scholars, live coding is most often discussed not in relation to the lived and sensory human–technology kinship, but in terms of fetishised code or software, output and agency. As feminist scholars have long argued, emphasising and fetishising code or software, and celebrating output and agency are normatively masculine, white and Western conceptions of technology that feed into the growing valorisation of accelerationist logic whilst also negating embodied, not to mention other (non-white, Western, masculine) bodies, expertise or histories per se. In this article, we want to redress this by drawing on our empirical material on live coding to focus on human–technology kinship and, in so doing, think about failure, slowness and embodiment and about human–technology relations that are more akin to what Alison Kafer (drawing on the work of Donna Haraway) has termed ‘becoming with’ or ‘making kin’. This, we argue, has the potential to shift the focus from the potentialities of technologies on or through the body, towards the generative capacities of mediation (including failure), which are caught up in lived experiences. The question is not only about how the relations of bodies and technologies are played out in certain circumstances but about what might be played out if we reconceptualise these relations in these terms.
Lipoblastomas and liposarcomas in paediatric patients: A case series
Authors: McRae Joyce J.L.H , Hashmi Asra , Radulescu Andrei , Carter Cody S. , Khan Faraz A.
Published: March 2021

Lipoblastomas and liposarcomas are rare causes of soft tissue masses in paediatric patients. In this retrospective clinical case series we identified 11 patients from our paediatric database (10 with a lipoblastoma and one with a liposarcoma) who had attended our hospital between 1998 and 2019. The median age of patients with lipoblastoma was 29 months. All lipoblastoma cases were managed with surgical excision and histological examination. The 18-year old patient with liposarcoma presented with a metastatic and unresectable tumour that was unresponsive to chemotherapy and radiation. Our experience demonstrates the importance of differentiating the type of soft tissue mass in children.
COVID-19 and radiotherapy: impact on work and personal life of Lombardy residents during first lockdown, survey endorsed by AIRO Young
Authors: Corrao Giulia , Bergamaschi Luca , Zaffaroni Mattia , Cavallo Iacopo , Marvaso Giulia , Alterio Daniela , Mastrilli Fabrizio , Capizzi Silvio , Desideri Isacco , Pravettoni Gabriella , Orecchia Roberto , Jereczek-Fossa Barbara Alicja
Published: March 2021

Aim:

Since 20 February 2020, Lombardy has been one of the most affected areas worldwide by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The aim of this study is to evaluate work and psychological impact of COVID-19 on Lombardy radiation therapy (RT) residents in the first 3 months of the outbreak (first lockdown).

Methods:

An online questionnaire (22 multiple choice questions) via Microsoft Forms was administered on 30 May 2020 to RT residents.

Results:

Nineteen Lombardy RT residents responded to the survey. Nineteen percent of residents underwent a nasal swab and 11% were quarantined. Seventeen residents (89%) reported an increase in workload. Twelve residents (63%) did not find any difference in terms of work distress; worsening was highlighted in 5 cases (26%). The majority has never considered the possibility of stopping work due to excessive stress (89%). Almost all the residents experienced self- or relative-referred apprehension (95%). Ninety-five percent reported having missed extra-work social relationships. Most of the sample noted worsening sleep quality and difficulty concentrating (69%). No residents requested psychological support, even if provided by the hospital.

Conclusion:

Overall, the residents adapted to the new workplace scenario, although some health risks and well-being challenges have been reported. An extension of the survey to all Italian RT residents endorsed by Italian Association of Radiotherapy and Clinical Oncology “Young AIRO” will allow an evaluation of COVID-19 impact on a national level. A second survey is planned to underline differences between the first lockdown and the current situation of the pandemic.
Mere Didaskalia: The Vocational Calling and Mission of Christian Teaching Ministry
Authors: Trentham John David
Published: March 2021

This article presents the ministry of Christian teaching according to its distinctive vocational calling and mission. The first section contributes a theological meditation on the vocational essence of Christian education (CE), featuring an original proposed definition of “Christian teaching ministry.” The second section of the article contributes an ethical meditation on the vocational endeavor of CE, featuring an original proposed framework of Christian teaching ministry’s mission. For the field of CE and the academic discipline devoted to it, this article represents an appeal to vocational-missional centrality around the redemptive ideal and function of doctrine ( didaskalia) in congregational contexts.