bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Synthesis of Metal-Carbon Composite Composed of Expanded Graphite and Nanometal
Authors: Lee Won Gyu
Published: December 2020

Composites between metal nanoparticles and inorganic substrates have attracted wide attention because of their potential to yield desirable properties coming from diﬀerent nano scale building blocks that possess specific mechanical, optical, electronic, or physical properties. The synthesis of valuable composites is a desirable approach to exploring their properties and applications. It is of critical interest if metal nanoparticles can be integrated with carbon-based materials to form a composite. Among the metal nanoparticle composites, it is desirable to explore the creation of synergy effects between expanded graphite (EG) and metal nanoparticles. We proposed a simple approach for the synthesis of EG/Ag nanoparticle composites by the chemical reduction of Ag ions followed by the addition of EG to the solution. We demonstrated that the EG/Ag nanoparticle composites had uniform dispersion of Ag nanoparticles on the surface of EG. In this study, we performed and evaluated the synthesis of EG/Ag nanoparticle composites by chemical reduction of Ag ions in a reductive solution. The Ag nanoparticle size, the dispersion profile on the EG and other properties are reported according to the process conditions. We measured and discussed the thermal properties of the composites.
Highly Efficient Flow-Electrode Capacitive Deionization Utilizing High-Aspect Ratio Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Cho Younghyun
Published: December 2020

Flow-electrode-based capacitive deionization (FCDI) has attracted much attention owing to its continuous and scalable desalination process without the need for a discharging step, which is required in conventional fixed-electrode capacitive deionization. However, flow electrode slurry is poorly conductive, which restricts desalination performance, but higher carbon mass loading in the slurry could improve salt removal capacity due to enhanced connectivity. However, increased viscosity restricts higher loading of active materials. Herein, we report a significant increase in salt removal performance by introducing functionalized carbon nanotubes (FCNTs) into activated carbon (AC)-based flow electrodes, which led to the generation of conducting bridges between AC particles. The salt removal rate in the presence of 0.25 wt% FCNT with 5 wt% AC improved four-fold from that obtained with only 5 wt% AC, which is the highest value reported in the literature so far (from 1.45 to 5.72 mmol/m2s, at a saline water concentration of 35.0 g/L and applied potential of 1.2 V). Further, FCNTs with a high aspect ratio (~50,000) can more effectively enhance salt removal than low-aspect ratio FCNTs (~1300). Electrochemical analysis further confirms that the addition of FCNTs can efficiently form a connecting percolation network, thus enhancing the conductivity of the flow electrode slurry for the practical application of highly efficient desalination systems.
Lightweight 3D Structured Carbon Nanofiber Current Collector for Li/S Batteries
Authors: Kalybekkyzy Sandugash , Yerkinbekova Yerkezhan , Baikalov Nurzhan , Kahraman Vezir , Bakenov Zhumabay , Mentbayeva Almagul
Published: December 2020

Light weight carbon nanofibers (CNF) fabricated from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers by simple electrospinning method. Electrospinning is one of the simplest and cost-effective techniques to produce carbon nanofibers (CNFs). Furthermore, it is easy to control/manage the diameter, morphology and density/structure of fibers by adjusting spinning parameters like polymer concentration, applied voltage, speed of rotation of drum and distance between nozzle and collector. Prepared CNFs were used as 3D structured current collector for sulfur cathode. The 3D current collector allowed to accommodate a higher amount of sulfur composite which led to a remarkable increase of the electrode capacity from 200 to 500 mAh per 1 gram of the electrode including the mass of the current collector. Varying the electrospinning solution concentration enabled obtaining carbonized nanofibers of uniform structure and controllable diameter from several hundred nanometers to several micrometers. Structural characterization of nanofibers by XRD and Raman spectroscopies revealed that the improvement in ordering graphitic layers of CNFs can be achieved by increasing the heating temperature. PAN nanofibers carbonized at 800 oC were applied as 3D structured current collector for sulfur-based cathode (Figure 1), and electrochemical performance of this cathode was investigated. An initial specific capacity of 1620 mAh g−
1 was achieved with carbonized PAN nanofiber (cPAN) current collector.

It exhibited stable cycling over 100 cycles maintaining a reversible capacity of 1104 mAh g−1 at 100th cycle, while the same composite on Al foil delivered only 872 mAh g−
1 . At the same time, 3D structured CNFs with a highly developed surface have a very low areal density of 0.85 mg cm−2 (thickness of ~25 µm), which is lower for almost ten times than commercial Al current collector with the same thickness (7.33 mg cm−2).

Acknowlegments:

This work was supported by the State Targeted Program #BR05236524 from the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan and by the Faculty-development competitive research grant #110119DF4514 from Nazarbayev University.

Figure 1
Development of Electropolished Surfaces in 304 Stainless STEEL Using Ethylene Glycol Electrolytes and Halide SALTS
Authors: Martinez-Baltodano F , Vargas-Gutiérrez G.
Published: December 2020

Stainless steels are susceptible to deterioration by tribocorrosion when it is exposed to extreme conditions such as found in marine environments. One solution that has been studied is surface modification using electrochemical methods to obtain an electropolished surface with passive films properties. For this, a complete factorial design was carried out manipulating the current density and the exposure time, in ethylene glycol or glycerol electrolytes (as H donors) and halide salts (sodium and potassium chloride). The surface reflectance (as response variable) results of AISI 304 stainless steels favor electropolishing performed on EG electrolytes and halide salts, where the surface was electropolished at current densities between 1.77 mA / cm2 current density and 315 s with respect to at time for EG and KCl and 2.12 mA / cm2 current density and 315 s time for EG and NaCl. The most representative surfaces of each of the electrolytes that were studied were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, using the techniques of X-ray dispersive energy spectroscopy (EDS), the surface composition and verified by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
Anodization of Titanium at Elevated Temperatures in Fluoride-Free Electrolytes
Authors: Sato Ryoma , Tsuchiya Hiroaki , Fujimoto Shinji
Published: December 2020

Anodic TiO2 nanotubes have attracted intense attention in the research field of anodization due to their potential applications. Similar structures have been reported also for various transition metals. One of the important keys to grow such oxide nanostructure on the metals is the addition of adequate amount of fluorides into electrolyte used for anodization. However, recently, the formation of nanopores and nanotubes have reported on a few transition metals such as Ti, Nb and W by anodization in some fluoride-free electrolytes at elevated temperatures. In the present work, we report anodization of pure titanium in concentrated sulfuric acid electrolytes at elevated temperatures.
Oxide Scale Evolution on Binary Alloys: Transient State Kinetics from First Principles
Authors: Xiao Penghao , Wood Brandon C.
Published: December 2020

Metal oxidation is a major cause of structural materials degradation. Alloying has been a successfully strategy to mediate metal degradation by forming protective oxides of minor elements. Understanding factors that affect the formation of such a protective film is essential for the rational design of corrosion resistant alloys. The Wagner theory focused on oxygen permeability and metal diffusion in the alloy beneath the oxide scale. Cation kinetics in the oxides is also important for the oxide composition evolution and thus the protective layer formation, which was missing in previous models. In this work, we study the competing cation diffusion and segregation dynamics in the oxide from first principles. By doing so, we are able to predict the oxide composition as a function of time with atomic resolutions at different conditions. Effective cation diffusivities through the oxide film can be obtained as a function of composition as well, which quantifies the protectivity of the oxide. Comparison will be made between alumina former and chromia former in Ni based alloys and steel.

In our approach, energetics of various local configurations is calculated from DFT+U and parameterized into a surrogate model by cluster expansion. Hopping barriers are calculated from the nudged elastic band method. The above two are combined by the Bell–Evans–Polanyi (BEP) relation to provide essential inputs for kinetic Monte Carlo simulations. This approach enables large length scale and long-time scale atomistic kinetic simulations with the quantum level of accuracy.

This work was performed under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Energy by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory under Contract Number DEAC52-07NA27344. IM release number: LLNL-ABS-810184
The Effects of Dual Atmosphere Exposure Duration and Temperature on the Growth of Iron Oxide on Ferritic Stainless Steels
Authors: Reisert Michael , Aphale Ashish N , Singh Prabhakar
Published: December 2020

Literature within the past two decades has highlighted the ongoing issue of dual atmosphere corrosion in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) systems. This corrosion phenomenon occurs as a result of simultaneous exposure of ferritic stainless steel interconnects to the anodic fuel gas on one side and cathodic air stream on the opposing side. In this, the air-exposed side of the metal interconnect undergoes fast, anomalous corrosion and metal loss in the form of iron oxide overgrowth with whisker and platelet-type morphology. Studies have indicated that the corrosion is favored at lower temperatures in comparison to temperatures above 800 °C. This poses an issue for the current trend of lowering SOFC operating temperatures and utilizing cost-effective ferritic stainless steels as interconnect materials. In this study, the oxidation behavior of two ferritic stainless steels is examined under dual atmosphere exposure conditions. A series of experiments with varying time, temperature, and steel compositions were carried out to better understand the effects of these variables on severity and morphology of corrosion products. A mechanism which describes the localized overgrowth of iron oxide in platelet and whisker form and the porous oxide sub-layer is proposed. The transition from a thin, protective, and dense chromia scale under nominal ambient conditions to porous, non-protective scaling under dual atmosphere conditions will be discussed.
An Alternative Method for Traffic Accident Severity Prediction: Using Deep Forests Algorithm
Authors: Gan Jing , Li Linheng , Zhang Dapeng , Yi Ziwei , Xiang Qiaojun
Published: December 2020

Traffic safety has always been an important issue in sustainable transportation development, and the prediction of traffic accident severity remains a crucial challenging issue in the domain of traffic safety. A huge variety of forecasting models have been proposed to meet this challenge. These models gradually evolved from linear to nonlinear forms and from traditional statistical regression models to current popular machine learning models. Recently, a machine learning algorithm called Deep Forests based on the decision tree ensemble has aroused widespread concern, which was proposed for the first time by a research team of Nanjing University. This algorithm was proved to be more accurate and robust in comparison with other machine learning algorithms. Motivated by this benefit, this study employs the UK road safety dataset to propose a novel method for predicting the severity of traffic accidents based on the Deep Forests algorithm. To verify the superiority of our proposed method, several other machine learning algorithm-based perdition models were implemented to predict traffic accident severity with the same dataset, and the prediction results show that the Deep Forests algorithm present good stability, fewer hyper-parameters, and the highest accuracy under different level of training data volume. It is expected that the findings from this study would be helpful for the establishment or improvement of effective traffic safety system within a sustainable transportation system, which is of great significance for helping government managers to establish timely proactive strategies in traffic accident prevention and effectively improve road traffic safety.
Coevolutionary Dynamics of Organic-Inorganic Interactions, Hydrocarbon Generation, and Shale Gas Reservoir Preservation: A Case Study from the Upper Ordovician Wufeng and Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formations, Fuling Shale Gas Field, Eastern Sichuan Basin
Authors: Jin Zhijun , Nie Haikuan , Liu Quanyou , Zhao Jianhua , Wang Ruyue , Sun Chuanxiang , Wang Guanping
Published: December 2020

Shale gas deposits are self-sourced, self-accumulating, and self-preserving in the Upper Ordovician Wufeng Formation and Lower Silurian Longmaxi Formation of the Fuling Shale Gas Field in the eastern Sichuan Basin. They were both seemingly mixed by secondary oil cracking and kerogen cracking gases during the high maturation window. The reservoir space primarily consists of mineral pores and organic matter (OM) pores, and the shale gas was mainly trapped by a high-pressure system. In this study, the Fuling O3w-S1l Shale Gas Field in the eastern Sichuan Basin was used as a case study to discuss the coevolutionary process and organic-inorganic interactions of hydrocarbon generation, accumulation, and preservation. The results indicate that the processes and mechanisms of organic-inorganic interactions and coevolution of hydrocarbon generation and reservoir preservation are quite different among the shale graptolite zones (GZ) with respect to hydrocarbon generation, types and characteristics of shale gas reservoirs, seal characteristics, and their spatiotemporal relations. In the WF2-LM4 GZ, the favorable OM, biogenic authigenic quartz and organic-inorganic interactions are highly coupled, leading to the high level of coevolution demonstrated within the field, as well as to the favorable conditions for shale gas accumulation. Conversely, the overlying LM5-LM8 GZ seemingly exhibits early densification and late charge and has a reverse mode of reservoir development (i.e., low degree of coevolution). These two coevolutionary processes were conducive to the development of a high degree of spatiotemporal matching between the reservoir (i.e., WF2-LM4 GZ) and the seal (i.e., LM5-LM8 GZ). This is due to underlying differences in their coevolutionary histories. The synthetic work presented here on the coevolutionary processes and mechanisms of formation for organic-inorganic interactions and hydrocarbon generation and reservoir preservation reveals insights into the driving mechanisms of shale gas enrichment, providing a basis for effectively predicting favorable enrichment intervals for shale gas worldwide.
Vibration Performance Redistribution in Heterogeneous Networks
Authors: Huang Genling , Wang Jiqiang
Published: December 2020

Collective behaviors such as synchronization, consensus, and flocking have been extensively investigated over the past decades. Many important results have been disseminated concerning the properties of complex networks. Recent technological development requires performance distribution, and this motivates the resolution to the issue of performance distributability. Albeit in a simple setup, this paper presents an attempt to attacking this problem. Important results are obtained for performance redistribution under both unitary and specified specifications. Constraints are also considered revealing the tight bounds on both nodes dynamics and graph elements for fulfilling the performance distribution and redistribution requirements. Examples are presented for verification of the claims.
A2 Chain: A Blockchain-Based Decentralized Authentication Scheme for 5G-Enabled IoT
Authors: Jia Xudong , Hu Ning , Yin Shi , Zhao Yan , Zhang Chi , Cheng Xinda
Published: December 2020

The fifth-generation mobile communication technology (5G) provides high-bandwidth and low-latency data channels for massive IoT terminals to access the core business network. At the same time, it also brings higher security threats and challenges. Terminal identity authentication is an important security mechanism to ensure the core business network; however, most of the existing solutions adopt a centralized authentication model. Once the number of authentication requests exceeds the processing capacity of the authentication center service, it will cause authentication request congestion or deadlock. The decentralized authentication model can effectively solve the above problems. This article proposes a decentralized IoT authentication scheme called A2 Chain. First, A2 Chain uses edge computing to decentralize the processing of authentication requests and eliminate the burden on authentication services and the network. Second, to implement cross-domain identity verification of IoT devices, A2 Chain uses blockchain, and sidechain technologies are used to securely share the identity verification information of IoT devices. Additionally, A2 Chain replaces public key infrastructure (PKI) algorithm with identity-based cryptography (IBC) algorithm to eliminate the management overhead caused by centralized authentication model.
The Practical Fit of Concepts: Ecosystem Services and the Value of Nature
Authors: Stevenson Hayley , Auld Graeme , Allan Jen Iris , Elliott Lorraine , Meadowcroft James
Published: December 2020

Conceptual innovations are a central feature of global environmental governance. Confronting degradation and unsustainability, scholars and practitioners turn to new concepts to identify, make sense of, and chart new directions towards meaningful governance solutions. But why do some concepts create lasting changes to governance institutions and governance practices, while others do not? Ideational theories of international relations highlight the importance of normative fit. In this paper we analyze the concept of ecosystem services to show that normative fit is just one dimension of governance fitness, which also includes practical fitness. Ecologists and economists coined the concept of ecosystem services to make biodiversity conservation intelligible to decision-makers versed in economic thinking. It has gained rhetorical traction, but ultimately failed to change how we treat nature because it lacks practical fitness. We interviewed fifty-six individuals working in twelve international organizations that have sought to translate the concept of ecosystem services into practice. Our analysis reveals forces limiting practical fit and constraining institutional uptake at three levels of analysis: structural, organizational, and agent. We present a cautionary tale that pushes scholars to carefully consider practical fit alongside normative fit when suggesting new concepts as organizing frames for how we govern global environmental challenges.
Geography and Caribbean Integration
Authors: Griffin Clifford E.
Published: December 2020

Using the Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) countries as the units of analysis, this article seeks to achieve three goals: 1) explain theoretically the basis for the existence of self-determination or fragmentation agendas; 2) show how geography, exploitation, neglect and historical memory contribute to fragmentation by fostering the emergence of self-determination movements; and 3) argue from a policy perspective that these self-determination agendas must become integral parts of the policy discourse if a region is to achieve meaningful integration and solidarity.
Osteobiographies at the Edge of Empire
Authors: Tica Cristina I.
Published: December 2020

The aim of this research is to employ osteobiography as a means of learning about individuals in the past. Osteobiography entails a life-history approach in the analysis of skeletal human remains. Two groups that have been characterized in the literature as ‘Romans’ and ‘barbarians’ were analyzed by the author. The research questions used skeletal remains to address how the daily life of people under Roman control compared to that of their neighbors to the north, the ‘barbarians’. Looking at two contemporaneous populations from the territory of modern Romania and dating from the 3rd to the 6th centuries AD, the study examines pathological conditions and traumatic injuries, in order to gain a better understanding of the general quality of life for these individuals. One collection comes from the site of Ibida (Slava Rusă) from the Roman province of Scythia Minor, and the other originates from the Târgşor site, located to the north of the Danube frontier, in what was considered the ‘barbaricum’ (the land beyond Roman administrative control).1 For the purposes of this article, two individuals from each group were selected and are presented in depth herein.
“Or Else Were this a Savage Spectacle”: the Narrative Possibilities of Spectacle in I Tamburlaine
Authors: Tran Jeanette Nguyen
Published: December 2020

This essay examines representations of violence in I Tamburlaine. In the play, Marlowe weds Tamburlaine’s desire for recognition to brutal spectacular violence and attunes audiences to the normative violence that recognition entails for the vulgar or common classes to which Tamburlaine, a poor Scythian shepherd, belongs. In a world that marks certain bodies, social classes and even names as unworthy of certain kinds of recognition, the creation of bloody spectacles, such as the slaughtering of the virgins of Damascus, becomes Tamburlaine’s only means to gain political visibility. By yoking Tamburlaine’s ascendance and eventual triumph to his increasingly effective use of spectacle, Marlowe’s I Tamburlaine makes a case for the narrative possibilities of spectacle to make a life like Tamburlaine’s both visible and compelling.
The taxonomic revision of Pleione formosana (Arethuseae, Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) based on molecular, morphological and cytological analyses

Authors: DAI XIAOYU , JIANG MINGTAO , LI WEI , ZHAO YAMEI , CHEN LEI , ZHAI JUNWEN , PENG DONGHUI , WU SHASHA
Published: December 2020

Due to the small degree of morphological and karyotype variations, the Pleione formosana, a well-known and valuable ornamental orchid, was treated as one member of the P. bulbocodioides complex including P. bulbocodioides, P. pleionoides and P. limprichtii, as well. The taxonomy of this complex remains problematic. P. hui was described in Anfu, Jiangxi, China, but was treated as synonym of P. formosana latter, making its taxonomic status remains controversy. In this study, we used molecular, morphological and cytological analyses to identify the relationship of P. formosana and other related species. Results base on phylogenetic analyses of chloroplast DNA and nuclear ribosomal Internal Transcribed Spacer sequence datasets indicated that Anfu samples were obviously separated from the P. formosana accessions. Network analysis showed three different groups: the P. formosana group, the P. bulbocodioides complex and the hybrid group. Morphological analysis also showed that Anfu population was significantly different from other P. formosana populations. Results of chromosome ploidy analyses showed that P. formosana was diploid and Anfu population was tetraploid, indicating that they are not the same species. In conclusion, we suggest to exclude P. formosana from P. bulbocodiodes complex, and restore the speceies rank of P. hui.
Extraperitoneal Bladder Injuries Associated With Pelvic Fracture Requiring Internal Fixation: What Is the Evidence?
Authors: Khabiri Seyyed Saeed , Keihani Sorena , Myers Jeremy B.
Published: December 2020

Traumatic bladder injuries are commonly associated with pelvic fractures. While the majority of intraperitoneal bladder injuries are surgically repaired, extraperitoneal bladder injuries (EBIs) can be managed nonoperatively in the absence of complex injury patterns such as bladder neck injury or presence of bone spicules in the bladder. Concern for pelvic hardware contamination is one of the most common reasons for repairing EBIs at the time of orthopedic interventions for pelvic fracture (usually open reduction and internal fixation). However, given the inconsistent and limited evidence, practice patterns are different and largely depend on surgeon preferences and institutional management. In this review, we explore the roots for this concern and summarize the current evidence on risk of pelvic hardware infection with nonoperative management of EBIs.
Three-Dimensional Assessment of Cervical Vertebrae Anomalies in Patients With Cleft Lip and Palate
Authors: de Rezende Barbosa Gabriella L. , Pimenta Luiz A. , Tyndall Donald A. , Allareddy Trishul V. , Sousa Melo Saulo L.
Published: December 2020

Objective:

To evaluate the occurrence of cervical vertebrae anomalies (CVA) in patients with unilateral (UCLP) and bilateral cleft lip and palate (BCLP) using cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) examinations.

Design:

Retrospective assessment of CBCT images. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Fisher exact test or χ2 test was performed to evaluate the differences among each CVA between sex and type of cleft.

Setting:

School of Dentistry.

Participants:

One hundred fifty-one patients with cleft lip and palate (103 UCLP/48 BCLP).

Interventions:

No relevant intervention.

Main Outcome Measures:

Cone beam computed tomography images were assessed for the presence or absence of 12 most commonly observed CVA: spina bifida, dehiscence, cleft of the posterior arch, cleft of the anterior arch, fusion between cervical vertebrae, block fusion, occipitalization, narrowing of the intervertebral space, posterior ponticle, os odontoideum, ossiculum terminale, and subdental cartilaginous remnants.

Results:

The presence of subdental cartilaginous remnants was the most frequently observed alteration—found in 81.45% of the sample—and it was the only CVA with statistically significant frequencies in the individuals with BCLP. Considering only the other CVA, 22.51% presented 1 and 5.29% presented 2 or more CVA.

Conclusions:

Patients with cleft lip and palate may present an overall high incidence of CVAs. However, when comparing the distribution of the CVAs among sex and types of cleft, the only significant difference noted was a higher incidence of subdental cartilaginous remnants among patients with BCLP.
Insights From an Usability Review of an Electronic Medical Record–Integrated Physical Activity Counseling Tool for Primary Care
Authors: Neudorf Bobby , Giangregorio Lora , Morita Plinio
Published: December 2020

This study assessed primary care providers’ (PCPs) perceptions of the usability of an electronic medical record tool to support physical activity counseling in primary care. Our analyses revealed that usability improved when the electronic medical record tool followed a PCP’s natural workflow and when the tool could assist in engaging in a discussion about physical activity. Poor usability was associated with the presence of large amounts of text on the screen and technological aspects that required additional learning. Overall, efficiency, workflow integration, and the inclusion of a care plan were vital in a physical activity counseling tool for a primary care setting.
Measurement of Perceived Interpersonal and Societal Anti-Muslim Discrimination in the United States
Authors: Ahmed Naheed
Published: December 2020

Background:

Hate crimes against Muslim Americans have increased exponentially in the past 20 years, but there are few scales for measuring the spectrum of perceived anti-Muslim discrimination in the United States. To fill this gap, this study used a mixed-method approach to develop scales for measuring perceived anti-Muslim discrimination.

Method:

Qualitative data informed the development and validation of the 19-item Societal Anti-Muslim Discrimination Index and the 9-item Interpersonal Anti-Muslim Discrimination Index. Quantitative data ( N = 347) were collected from Muslim Americans using an online survey and used to assess the anti-Muslim indexes.

Results:

Qualitative data contributed to the refinement scale items. Quantitative results indicated one-component models and modest to high reliability of the Interpersonal Anti-Muslim Discrimination Index (.77) and Societal Anti-Muslim Discrimination Index (.88) scales.

Discussion:

Study results established the validity of these novel scales for measuring the distinct facets of anti-Muslim discrimination not captured by the Everyday Discrimination Index. These scales will facilitate research on anti-Muslim discrimination and the health implications of this form of religious-based discrimination.
Catheter-related venous thrombosis in NICU: A case-control retrospective study
Authors: Chojnacka Karolina , Krasiński Zbigniew , Wróblewska-Seniuk Katarzyna , Mazela Jan
Published: December 2020

Introduction:

Newborns treated in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) are susceptible to several complications one of them being vein thrombosis.

Aim:

The study aims to evaluate risk factors of catheter-related venous thrombosis, clinical manifestations, treatment, and the outcomes of thrombotic events (TE) during the neonatal period.

Methods:

This work is a case-control retrospective study performed on patients in the tertiary NICU between January 2013 and June 2016. The analysis includes data from infants with CVC diagnosed with thrombosis and infants with CVC, not being diagnosed with thrombosis (control group). Statistica 10 software was used for statistical analysis.

Results:

Vein thrombosis was diagnosed in 19 NICU infants including 16 cases of catheter-related vein thrombosis (84% of complicated cases). Other statistically significant risk factors were asphyxia, infection, and the duration of CVC use. The incidence of thrombosis in our population increased during the study which may result from a statistically significant increase in the number of inserted CVC (294 vs 435), and more frequent diagnosis of incidental thrombosis (1 vs 9).

Conclusion:

Vein catheterization, asphyxia, infection, and prolonged CVC use are critical risk factors for thrombosis in the neonatal period. Given the hereinbefore mentioned increased number of central line catheterizations in the NICU, it would be useful to conduct a prospective study with a scheduled routine ultrasound protocol applied not only as a tool to diagnose thrombosis but also to prevent it by determining a proper catheter for a particular vein.
Efficacy of attachment-based family therapy compared to treatment as usual for suicidal ideation in adolescents with MDD
Authors: Waraan Luxsiya , Rognli Erling W , Czajkowski Nikolai Olavi , Mehlum Lars , Aalberg Marianne
Published: December 2020

Attachment-Based Family Therapy (ABFT) is the only empirically supported family therapy model designed to treat adolescent depression, including those at risk for suicide, and their families. ABFT aims to repair interpersonal ruptures and rebuild an emotionally protective parent-child relationship. To study the effectiveness of ABFT compared with Treatment as Usual (TAU) in reducing suicidal ideation in clinically depressed adolescents. Sixty adolescents (86.7% girls), aged 13 to 18 years ( M = 14.9), with major depressive disorder referred to two CAMHS were randomized to receive 16 weeks of ABFT or TAU. ABFT consisted of weekly therapy sessions according to the treatment manual. Suicidal ideation was measured with the Suicidal Ideation Questionnaire-Junior at 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 weeks. Linear mixed models were fitted to test our hypothesis, time was the only factor to have a significant effect on suicidal ideation t(31.05) = −3.32, p < .01. Participants in both treatment groups reported significantly reduced suicidal ideation, but the majority were still in the clinical range after 16 weeks of treatment. ABFT was not associated with more favorable outcomes than TAU. Findings must be interpreted with caution given the study limitations.
Aerodynamic noise from an asymmetric airfoil with perforated extension plates at the trailing edge
Authors: Sumesh CK , Jothi TJS
Published: December 2020

This paper investigates the noise emissions from NACA 6412 asymmetric airfoil with different perforated extension plates at the trailing edge. The length of the extension plate is 10 mm, and the pore diameters ( D) considered for the study are in the range of 0.689 to 1.665 mm. The experiments are carried out in the flow velocity ( U∞) range of 20 to 45 m/s, and geometric angles of attack ( αg) values of −10° to +10°. Perforated extensions have an overwhelming response in reducing the low frequency noise (<1.5 kHz), and a reduction of up to 6 dB is observed with an increase in the pore diameter. Contrastingly, the higher frequency noise (>4 kHz) is observed to increase with an increase in the pore diameter. The dominant reduction in the low frequency noise for perforated model airfoils is within the Strouhal number (based on the displacement thickness) of 0.11. The overall sound pressure levels of perforated model airfoils are observed to reduce by a maximum of 2 dB compared to the base airfoil. Finally, by varying the geometric angle of attack from −10° to +10°, the lower frequency noise is seen to increase, while the high frequency noise is observed to decrease.
Relationships Between Learned Self-Regulatory Skills and Changes in Weight-Loss Behaviors: Mediation by Barriers Self-Efficacy
Authors: Annesi James J.
Published: December 2020

This study aimed to assess changes in learned self-regulatory skills and barriers self-efficacy associated with theory-based behavioral weight-loss treatments with different curricular emphases, and to evaluate mechanisms of short- and long-term changes in exercise and eating behaviors via self-regulatory skills usage to inform theory and improve lagging intervention effects. Women with obesity volunteered and were randomly allocated into 1-year community-based behavioral weight-loss treatments with either a high ( n = 37) or moderate ( n = 41) focus on building self-regulatory skills to overcome lifestyle barriers. They were periodically assessed on measures of exercise- and eating-related self-regulatory skill usage, exercise- and eating-related barriers self-efficacy, exercise outputs, fruit/vegetable intake, and body composition. Reductions in weight and waist circumference, increases in exercise- and eating-related self-regulation and barriers self-efficacy, and increases in exercise and fruit/vegetable intake were each significant overall, and significantly greater in the group with a high self-regulatory skills-building focus. Change in barriers self-efficacy significantly mediated relationships between self-regulation change and changes in exercise outputs and fruit/vegetable intake from both baseline–Month 6 and baseline–Month 12. Change in barriers self-efficacy also significantly mediated relationships between change in self-regulation for eating from baseline–Month 3 and long-term changes in self-regulation for eating. Findings supported tenets of social cognitive, self-efficacy, and self-regulation theories: and indicated the importance of emphasizing, and facilitating a high amount of instruction and rehearsal time for self-regulatory skills development within behavioral weight-loss treatments. The ability to nurture self-efficacy through overcoming lifestyle barriers was also indicated.
Targeted proteomics of right heart adaptation to pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Amsallem Myriam , Sweatt Andrew J. , Arthur Ataam Jennifer , Guihaire Julien , Lecerf Florence , Lambert Mélanie , Ghigna Maria Rosa , Ali Md Khadem , Mao Yuqiang , Fadel Elie , Rabinovitch Marlene , de Jesus Perez Vinicio , Spiekerkoetter Edda , Mercier Olaf , Haddad Francois , Zamanian Roham T.
Published: December 2020

No prior proteomic screening study has centred on the right ventricle (RV) in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). This study investigates the circulating proteomic profile associated with right heart maladaptive phenotype (RHMP) in PAH.

Plasma proteomic profiling was performed using multiplex immunoassay in 121 (discovery cohort) and 76 (validation cohort) PAH patients. The association between proteomic markers and RHMP, defined by the Mayo right heart score (combining RV strain, New York Heart Association (NYHA) class and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP)) and Stanford score (RV end-systolic remodelling index, NYHA class and NT-proBNP), was assessed by partial least squares regression. Biomarker expression was measured in RV samples from PAH patients and controls, and pulmonary artery banding (PAB) mice.

High levels of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), stem cell growth factor-β, nerve growth factor and stromal derived factor-1 were associated with worse Mayo and Stanford scores independently from pulmonary resistance or pressure in both cohorts (the validation cohort had more severe disease features: lower cardiac index and higher NT-proBNP). In both cohorts, HGF added value to the REVEAL score in the prediction of death, transplant or hospitalisation at 3 years. RV expression levels of HGF and its receptor c-Met were higher in end-stage PAH patients than controls, and in PAB mice than shams.

High plasma HGF levels are associated with RHMP and predictive of 3-year clinical worsening. Both HGF and c-Met RV expression levels are increased in PAH. Assessing plasma HGF levels might identify patients at risk of heart failure who warrant closer follow-up and intensified therapy.
Outcome of acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure: insights from the LUNG SAFE Study
Authors: Pham Tài , Pesenti Antonio , Bellani Giacomo , Rubenfeld Gordon , Fan Eddy , Bugedo Guillermo , Lorente José Angel , Fernandes Antero do Vale , Van Haren Frank , Bruhn Alejandro , Rios Fernando , Esteban Andres , Gattinoni Luciano , Larsson Anders , McAuley Daniel F. , Ranieri Marco , Thompson B. Taylor , Wrigge Hermann , Brochard Laurent J. , Laffey John G.
Published: December 2020

Background

Current incidence and outcome of patients with acute hypoxaemic respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit (ICU) are unknown, especially for patients not meeting criteria for acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods

An international, multicentre, prospective cohort study of patients presenting with hypoxaemia early in the course of mechanical ventilation, conducted during four consecutive weeks in the winter of 2014 in 459 ICUs from 50 countries (LUNG SAFE). Patients were enrolled with arterial oxygen tension/inspiratory oxygen fraction ratio ≤300 mmHg, new pulmonary infiltrates and need for mechanical ventilation with a positive end-expiratory pressure of ≥5 cmH2O. ICU prevalence, causes of hypoxaemia, hospital survival and factors associated with hospital mortality were measured. Patients with unilateralversusbilateral opacities were compared.

Findings

12 906 critically ill patients received mechanical ventilation and 34.9% with hypoxaemia and new infiltrates were enrolled, separated into ARDS (69.0%), unilateral infiltrate (22.7%) and congestive heart failure (CHF; 8.2%). The global hospital mortality was 38.6%. CHF patients had a mortality comparable to ARDS (44.1%versus40.4%). Patients with unilateral-infiltrate had lower unadjusted mortality, but similar adjusted mortality compared to those with ARDS. The number of quadrants on chest imaging was associated with an increased risk of death. There was no difference in mortality comparing patients with unilateral-infiltrate and ARDS with only two quadrants involved.

Interpretation

More than one-third of patients receiving mechanical ventilation have hypoxaemia and new infiltrates with a hospital mortality of 38.6%. Survival is dependent on the degree of pulmonary involvement whether or not ARDS criteria are reached.
Indications and patterns of use of benzodiazepines and opioids in severe interstitial lung disease: a population-based longitudinal study
Authors: Genberg Jenny , Davies Joanna M. , Ahmadi Zainab , Currow David , Johnson Miriam J. , Tanash Hanan , Bajwah Sabrina , Ekström Magnus
Published: December 2020

Background

Despite evidence that opioids might relieve chronic breathlessness, physicians may still be reluctant to prescribe them due to safety concerns. By contrast, benzodiazepine (BDZ) prescribing often seeks to reduce chronic breathlessness despite no evidence of net benefit. Prescribing patterns and indications for these medications in severe interstitial lung disease (ILD) are unknown. Here, our objective was to evaluate the indications, medications and temporal patterns of BDZ and opioid prescriptions in people with oxygen-dependent ILD.

Methods

This was an observational, population-based, longitudinal study of adults starting long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) for ILD between 2005 and 2014 in the Swedish National Registry for Respiratory Failure (Swedevox). People dispensed BDZs (n=2000) and opioids (n=2000) from 6 months before start of LTOT throughout follow-up (first of death or study end) were analysed.

Results

Of 1635 included patients, 651 (39.8%) received BDZs and 710 (43.4%) received opioids during the study period; 373 (22.8%) patients received both. The most frequently prescribed BDZs and opioids were oxazepam (85.6%) and oxycodone (28.7%), respectively. Indications for breathlessness were uncommon for BDZs (1.4%) and opioids (6.4%). During the last year of life, opioid indications for breathlessness increased from 2.5% (12–10 months before death) to 10.2% in the last 3 months of life (p=0.048).

Conclusions

In oxygen-dependent ILD, opioids are rarely prescribed for breathlessness even in the last months of life, when chronic breathlessness often increases in prevalence and intensity.
Comparison of the central human and mouse platelet signaling cascade by systems biological analysis
Authors: Balkenhol Johannes , Kaltdorf Kristin V. , Mammadova-Bach Elmina , Braun Attila , Nieswandt Bernhard , Dittrich Marcus , Dandekar Thomas
Published: December 2020

Background

Understanding the molecular mechanisms of platelet activation and aggregation is of high interest for basic and clinical hemostasis and thrombosis research. The central platelet protein interaction network is involved in major responses to exogenous factors. This is defined by systemsbiological pathway analysis as the central regulating signaling cascade of platelets (CC).

Results

The CC is systematically compared here between mouse and human and major differences were found. Genetic differences were analysed comparing orthologous human and mouse genes. We next analyzed different expression levels of mRNAs. Considering 4 mouse and 7 human high-quality proteome data sets, we identified then those major mRNA expression differences (81%) which were supported by proteome data. CC is conserved regarding genetic completeness, but we observed major differences in mRNA and protein levels between both species. Looking at central interactors, human PLCB2, MMP9, BDNF, ITPR3 and SLC25A6 (always Entrez notation) show absence in all murine datasets. CC interactors GNG12, PRKCE and ADCY9 occur only in mice. Looking at the common proteins, TLN1, CALM3, PRKCB, APP, SOD2 and TIMP1 are higher abundant in human, whereas RASGRP2, ITGB2, MYL9, EIF4EBP1, ADAM17, ARRB2, CD9 and ZYX are higher abundant in mouse. Pivotal kinase SRC shows different regulation on mRNA and protein level as well as ADP receptor P2RY12.

Conclusions

Our results highlight species-specific differences in platelet signaling and points of specific fine-tuning in human platelets as well as murine-specific signaling differences.
Perceptions of care after end-of-treatment among younger women with different gynecologic cancer diagnoses – a qualitative analysis of written responses submitted via a survey
Authors: Mattsson Elisabet , Ljungman Lisa , Einhorn Kim , Sundström Poromaa Inger , Stålberg Karin , Wikman Anna
Published: December 2020

Background

Less attention has been given to younger adults’ psycho-oncology care needs than to children and older adults with cancer. The aim was to explore how care following end-of-treatment was perceived by women treated for different gynecologic cancer diagnoses during younger adulthood.

Methods

A sample of 207 women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer 2008 to 2016, aged 19–39 at time of diagnosis answered one open-ended question regarding important aspects of care after end-of-treatment. The written responses were analyzed with manifest content analysis and presented in relation to the women’s diagnoses, i.e., cervical (n = 130), ovarian (n = 57), and other gynecologic cancer diagnoses (n = 20).

Results

The analysis resulted in three categories: Unmet long-term supportive care needs, Satisfying long-term supportive care, and Health care organizational difficulties. Over half of the women (66.7%) described unmet care needs. The corresponding figures were 80.7, 63.1 and 50% for women diagnosed with ovarian, cervical and other gynecologic cancer diagnoses, respectively. Satisfying supportive care were described by approximately one quarter of the women (26.1%). Among women diagnosed with ovarian cancer 14% described satisfying supportive care. The corresponding figures were 26.9 and 30% for women diagnosed with cervical cancer and other gynecological diagnoses, respectively. Approximately one quarter of the women, irrespectively of diagnosis, described aspects related to health care organizational difficulties (28%).

Conclusions

The results highlight the importance of good quality care linked to the diagnosis and based on an understanding of the woman’s need, desire and expectation of support after end-of-treatment.