bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ontological modeling of the International Classification of Functioning, Disabilities and Health (ICF): Activities&Participation and Environmental Factors components
Authors: Cozzi Silvia , Martinuzzi Andrea , Della Mea Vincenzo
Published: December 2021

Background

The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) is a classification of health and health-related states developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide a standard and unified language to be used as a reference model for the description of health and health-related states. The concept of functioning on which ICF is based is that of a “dynamic interaction between a person’s health condition, environmental factors and personal factors”. This overall model has been translated into a classification covering all the main components of functioning. However, the practical use of ICF has highlighted some formal problems, mainly concerning conceptual clarity and ontological coherence.

Methods

In the present work, we propose an initial ontological formalization of ICF beyond its current status, focusing specifically on the interaction between activities and participation and environmental factors. The formalization has been based on ontology engineering methods to drive goal and scope definition, knowledge acquisition, selection of an upper ontology for mapping, conceptual model definition and evaluation, and finally representation using the Ontology Web Language (OWL).

Results

A conceptual model has been defined in a graphical language that included 202 entities, when possible mapped to the SUMO upper ontology. The conceptual model has been validated against 60 case studies from the literature, plus 6 ad-hoc case studies. The model has been then represented using OWL.

Conclusions

This formalization might provide the basis for a revision of the ICF classification in line with current efforts made by WHO on the International Classification of Diseases and on the International Classification of Health Interventions.
Economic consequences of caesarean section delivery: evidence from a household survey in Tanzania
Authors: Binyaruka Peter , Mori Amani Thomas
Published: December 2021

Background

Caesarean section (C-section) delivery is an important indicator of access to life-saving essential obstetric care. Yet, there is limited understanding of the costs of utilising C-section delivery care in sub-Saharan Africa. Thus, we estimated the direct and indirect patient cost of accessing C-section in Tanzania.

Methods

Cross-sectional survey data of 2012 was used, which covered 3000 households from 11 districts in three regions. We interviewed women who had given births in the last 12 months before the survey to capture their experience of care. We used a regression model to estimate the effect of C-section on costs, while the degree of inequality on C-section coverage was assessed with a concentration index.

Results

C-section increased the likelihood of paying for health care by 16% compared to normal delivery. The additional cost of C-section compared to normal delivery was 20 USD, but reduced to about 11 USD when restricted to public facilities. Women with C-section delivery spent an extra 2 days at the health facility compared to normal delivery, but this was reduced slightly to 1.9 days in public facilities. The distribution of C-section coverage was significantly in favour of wealthier than poorest women (CI = 0.2052, p < 0.01), and this pro-rich pattern was consistent in rural districts but with unclear pattern in urban districts.

Conclusions

C-section is a life-saving intervention but is associated with significant economic burden especially among the poor families. More health resources are needed for provision of free maternal care, reduce inequality in access and improve birth outcomes in Tanzania.
Investigation of atovaquone-induced spatial changes in tumour hypoxia assessed by hypoxia PET/CT in non-small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Bourigault Pauline , Skwarski Michael , Macpherson Ruth E. , Higgins Geoff S. , McGowan Daniel R.
Published: December 2021

Background

Tumour hypoxia promotes an aggressive tumour phenotype and enhances resistance to anticancer treatments. Following the recent observation that the mitochondrial inhibitor atovaquone increases tumour oxygenation in NSCLC, we sought to assess whether atovaquone affects tumour subregions differently depending on their level of hypoxia.

Methods

Patients with resectable NSCLC participated in the ATOM trial (NCT02628080). Cohort 1 (n = 15) received atovaquone treatment, whilst cohort 2 (n = 15) did not. Hypoxia-related metrics, including change in mean tumour-to-blood ratio, tumour hypoxic volume, and fraction of hypoxic voxels, were assessed using hypoxia PET imaging. Tumours were divided into four subregions or distance categories: edge, outer, inner, and centre, using MATLAB.

Results

Atovaquone-induced reduction in tumour hypoxia mostly occurred in the inner and outer tumour subregions, and to a lesser extent in the centre subregion. Atovaquone did not seem to act in the edge subregion, which was the only tumour subregion that was non-hypoxic at baseline. Notably, the most intensely hypoxic tumour voxels, and therefore the most radiobiologically resistant areas, were subject to the most pronounced decrease in hypoxia in the different subregions.

Conclusions

This study provides insights into the action of atovaquone in tumour subregions that help to better understand its role as a novel tumour radiosensitiser.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT0262808. Registered 11th December 2015, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02628080
Acaricidal properties of 5-methylfurfural identified from Valeriana fauriei and its structural analogues against synanthropic mites and Asian longhorned tick with color alterations
Authors: Choi Seon-A , Park Jun-Hwan , Lee Hoi-Seon , Lee Ji-Hoon
Published: December 2021

Acaricidal activities and color alterations of 5-methylfurfural derived from Valeriana fauriei essential oil and its structural analogues against Dermatophagoides farinae, D. pteronyssinus, Haemaphysalis longicornis and Tyrophagus putrescentiae were evaluated in the present study. Based on the LD50 values of 5-methylfurfural and its analogues, 4,5-dimethylfurfural showed the highest acaricidal activity (LD50; 9.95, 9.91, and 7.12 μg/cm2), followed by 5-methylfurfural (11.87, 11.00, and 8.59 μg/cm2), furfural (12.94, 13.25, and 10.36 μg/cm2), and V. fauriei essential oil (15.15, 13.64, and 10.14 μg/cm2) against D. farinae, D. pteronyssinus and T. putrescentiae, respectively. However, all tested compounds did not show the acaricidal activities against H. longicornis. Interestingly, the color alterations of the mites and ticks were observed by furfural, 5-methylfurfural, and 4,5-dimethylfurfural from colorless to red brown during the acaricidal experiments. Furthermore, 4,5-dimethylfurfural which exhibited the highest acaricidal activity was formulated as nanoemulsion. The nanoemulsion of 4,5-dimethylfurfural showed higher acaricidal activity than it was emulsified in ethanol. The nanoemulsion was also found to show color changes of the mites and ticks from colorless to red brown. The results suggest that 5-methylfurfural and its analogues could be developed as an effective and easy-to-recognize acaricides to mites and ticks.
Use of professional practice guidance resources in pharmacy: a cross-sectional nationwide survey of pharmacists, intern pharmacists, and pharmacy students
Authors: Mill Deanna , Johnson Jacinta L. , Lee Kenneth , Salter Sandra M. , D’Lima Danielle , Seubert Liza , Clifford Rhonda , Page Amy T.
Published: December 2021

Background

Variations in practice are commonplace in healthcare where health professionals, such as pharmacists act as autonomous practitioners. This is evident in simulated patient studies, where pharmacists practice does not meet widely accepted standards for medicines supply or treatment of an ailment. To promote best pharmacy practice a myriad of guidance resources including practice guidelines, codes and standards are produced by professional organisations. These resources provide a framework for pharmacy practice and endeavour to facilitate consistency in provision of pharmacy-based services to consumers. Despite their role in specifying essential pharmacist behaviours, there is limited research exploring if and how these resources are used in practice.

Objective

To characterise Australian pharmacists’ use of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Code of Ethics, Professional Practice Guidelines and Professional Practice Standards.

Methods

A cross-sectional, self-administered, electronic survey of registered pharmacists, intern pharmacists and pharmacy students living in Australia was conducted in July 2020. Questions considered use of professional practice resources (by resource group) in the preceding 12 months. Data were analysed descriptively.

Results

Of 601 responses included in the analysis 462 (76.9%) of respondents were registered pharmacists, 88 (14.6%) pharmacy students and 51 (8.5%) intern pharmacists. Interns and students accessed overarching practice resources, such as the Professional Practice Standards, Code of Ethics and Dispensing Practice Guidelines more frequently than practising pharmacists. Pharmacists accessed professional practice guidelines, such as Practice Guidelines for the Provision of Immunisation Services Within Pharmacy, more often than students. More pharmacists than interns and students indicated that they would access guidelines to resolve practice and patient care issues. All resources except the Professional Practice Standards for Pharmacists (67.4%) were accessed by less than 50% of respondents in the preceding 12-month period. Reasons for not accessing resources varied between participant and resource groups, and generally were due to a lack of awareness of the resource or not considering them necessary for the individual’s practice.

Conclusion(s)

Access and use patterns for professional practice guidance resources change with experience. Professional organisations responsible for developing resources should consider these patterns when designing and reviewing resources and related policies. To ensure resources are meeting the needs of the profession, students, interns, and pharmacists should be involved in the review of and design of further resources.
Robotic Kinematic measures of the arm in chronic Stroke: part 2 – strong correlation with clinical outcome measures
Authors: Moretti Caio B. , Hamilton Taya , Edwards Dylan J. , Peltz Avrielle Rykman , Chang Johanna L. , Cortes Mar , Delbe Alexandre C. B. , Volpe Bruce T. , Krebs Hermano I.
Published: December 2021

Background

A detailed sensorimotor evaluation is essential in planning effective, individualized therapy post-stroke. Robotic kinematic assay may offer better accuracy and resolution to understand stroke recovery. Here we investigate the added value of distal wrist measurement to a proximal robotic kinematic assay to improve its correlation with clinical upper extremity measures in chronic stroke. Secondly, we compare linear and nonlinear regression models.

Methods

Data was sourced from a multicenter randomized controlled trial conducted from 2012 to 2016, investigating the combined effect of robotic therapy and transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). 24 kinematic metrics were derived from 4 shoulder-elbow tasks and 35 metrics from 3 wrist and forearm evaluation tasks. A correlation-based feature selection was performed, keeping only features substantially correlated with the target attribute (R > 0.5.) Nonlinear models took the form of a multilayer perceptron neural network: one hidden layer and one linear output.

Results

Shoulder-elbow metrics showed a significant correlation with the Fugl Meyer Assessment (upper extremity, FMA-UE), with a R = 0.82 (P < 0.001) for the linear model and R = 0.88 (P < 0.001) for the nonlinear model. Similarly, a high correlation was found for wrist kinematics and the FMA-UE (R = 0.91 (P < 0.001) and R = 0.92 (P < 0.001) for the linear and nonlinear model respectively). The combined analysis produced a correlation of R = 0.91 (P < 0.001) for the linear model and R = 0.91 (P < 0.001) for the nonlinear model.

Conclusions

Distal wrist kinematics were highly correlated to clinical outcomes, warranting future investigation to explore our nonlinear wrist model with acute or subacute stroke populations.

Trial registration

http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Actual study start date September 2012. First registered on 15 November 2012. Retrospectively registered. Unique identifiers: NCT01726673 and NCT03562663.
Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2022
Authors: Thompson Walter R.
Published: December 2021

Apply It!

From this article, the reader should understand the following concepts:

• Explain the differences between a fad and a trend

• Use the worldwide fitness trends in the commercial, corporate, clinical (including medical fitness), and community health fitness industry to further promote physical activity

• Study expert opinions about identified fitness trends for 2021
Inversions in US Presidential Elections: 1836–2016
Authors: Geruso Michael , Spears Dean , Talesara Ishaana
Published: December 2021

Inversions—in which the popular vote winner loses the election— have occurred in four US presidential races. We show that rather than being statistical flukes, inversions have been ex ante likely since the early 1800s. In elections yielding a popular vote margin within 1 point (one-eighth of presidential elections), about 40 percent will be inversions in expectation. We show this conditional probability is remarkably stable across historical periods—despite differences in which groups voted, which states existed, and which parties participated. Our findings imply that the United States has experienced so few inversions merely because there have been so few elections (and fewer close elections). (JEL D72, N41, N42)
Measurement of Bangudae Rock Joint Using Non-adhesive, Non-contact Inclinometer Slope Laser Measuring System
Authors: Kim Jae Hyun , Lee Sang Ok , Chung Kwang Yong , Han Min Su
Published: December 2021

Daegokcheon Stream in Daegok-ri, Ulju-gun, is an area with a developed valley and bedrock from Gajisan Provincial Park to the confluence of the Taehwa River across the Yangsan Fault. To measure the rock of Bangudae petroglyphs, the mineralogical weathering, joints, and scours or cavities at the bottom were confirmed. The measurement was carried out for a short period of time on the joint of the bedrock on which the Bangudae petroglyphs were engraved. Compared to the measured value obtained using existing optical fiber (Ch4 150 µm), a displacement value of 300 µm was obtained using the non-attached, non-contact type of measuring instrument. In the future, it is inferred that this instrument could be used for various cultural properties if the HSV-value suitable for illuminance and various measurement experiences are stored.
Study on the Evaluation of Thermal Damage According to the Manufacturing Conditions of Korean Paper
Authors: Kim Ji Won , Park Se Rin , Han Ki Ok , Jeong Seon Hwa
Published: December 2021

In this study, we aimed to analyze the chemical changes that occur in Korean paper in an accelerated deterioration environment of 105℃. We selected the Korean paper produced with different types of cooking agents (plant lye, Na2CO3) and during different manufacturing seasons (winter, summer). The degree of deterioration of the Korean paper was confirmed by measuring the brightness, yellowness, and pH level, and the degree of change in each vibrational region of cellulose as deterioration progressed through infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The FT-IR analysis showed that, as deterioration progressed, the absorbance of the amorphous region in cellulose decreased, whereas the absorbance of the crystalline region slightly increased. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and Raman spectroscopy were performed to verify the changes in the crystalline and amorphous regions in cellulose indicated by the FT-IR results. Furthermore, the crystallinity index (CI) was calculated; it showed a slight increase after deterioration; therefore, CI was confirmed to follow the same trend as that observed for absorbance in the FT-IR results. In addition, as a result of Raman spectroscopic analysis, the degree of decomposition of the amorphous region in the cellulose under the manufacturing conditions was confirmed by the fluorescence measured after the deterioration.
Investigation of the Internal Structure and Gold-thin Layer of the Gilt-bronze Seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva at Anseong Cheonryong Temple through the Non-destructive Analysis
Authors: Choi Jung Eun , Choi Hak
Published: December 2021

Anseong Cheonryongsa, a temple located in Anseong Seoun Mountain, is a part of the second Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, under the Yongju Temple, and enshrines a gilt-bronze seated Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva. In this study, X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis revealed that this statue is composed of Cu-27.2 wt%, Sn-12.6 wt% and Pb-48 wt%. A gamma (γ) ray (Ir-192) image confirmed damage on the backside of the statue, which was later repaired with wood. The XRF analysis and visual observation determined the boundary between the metal and wood in the statue. In addition, results of standard X-ray peak intensity of gold foil and correlation with thickness helped to derive an equation for calculating the thickness of the Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva’s gold foil. It was determined that the gilded chest (21 µm) and face (20.7 µm) of the statue were the thickest sections, the wooden substratum (11.9 µm) was the next-most thick, and the bronze (7.4 µm) was the thinnest layer.
Evaluation of Applicability to Metofluthrin-based Termiticide for the Traditional Wooden Buildings
Authors: Yoon Sae-Min , Park Yonggun , Chung Jinyoung , Hwang Wonjoung
Published: December 2021

In this study, we investigated the applicability of a termiticide based on metofluthrin for termite control on traditional wooden buildings. To evaluate their mortality, termites were exposed to the agent, diluted to various concentrations, for seven days; it was found that it had a sufficient insecticidal effect although there was a difference depending on the degree of agent dilution. Next, the effect on Dancheong, used in traditional wooden structures, was measured based on the color change according to the number of agent treatments. The results showed that only the color difference value of two pigments (i.e., Bun and Juhong) was measured as 3.0 or higher. However, there this varied according to the dilution ratio. Thus, it was found that most pigments had little effect on the color of Dancheong. Finally, the termiticidal efficacy of the agent when applied to wood was evaluated. We found that the specimens coated with 10-fold and 20-fold dilutions exhibited 2.83 and 6.28% mass loss, respectively. The 10-fold dilution satisfied the performance of termiticide as a mass loss of less than 3%. In conclusion, the metofluthrin-based agent used in this study has little effect on various Dancheong pigments and has a termiticidal effect against termites; it is therefore suggested that it may be used in preserving traditional wooden cultural properties in Korea.
Scientific Analysis for Furnace Walls of the Joseon Dynasty Excavated in Southern Region of the Korean Peninsula
Authors: Jang Won Jin , Han Min Su
Published: December 2021

A study on the Joseon Dynasty’s furnace walls, excavated from south Korea, was conducted to identify the correlations and differences of the furnace walls found in Jeolla and Gyeongsang regions. Three ruins in the Jeolla region and two in the Gyeongsang region were selected for the analysis. The results showed a layer change depending on the degree of plasticity and difference in the number of layers and particle phase. Furthermore, although the temperature to be subjected to heat was divided into 1300°C and 1100°C, it was not a phenomenon that appeared according to the region. Additionally, analysis result of major components revealed that the TiO2 content of most samples does not exceed 1wt%, This means that the furnace did not smelt iron sand or smelted it into low-titanium sand. This study indicated a slight similarity between the furnace walls found in the two regions, and the correlation was determined based on the nature of the ruins, raw materials of the metals ores, and composition of the raw materials constituting the furnace walls.
A Study on Conservation and Desalination for Iron Weapons During the Korean War from DMZ
Authors: Jo Ha Nui , Nam Do Hyeon , Kim Mi Hyun , Lee Jae Sung
Published: December 2021

The weapons excavated from the de-militarized zones (DMZ) of Korea are vulnerable to corrosion due to the immediate and drastic environmental change. Especially, the chloride ions (Cl⁻) in iron weapons cause active corrosion and require removal. In this study, conservation treatment and de-salination was performed for the discovered weapons from excavation sites of soldiers killed in action during the Korean War. Furthermore, an attempt was made to prepare the most stable plan for conservation treatment through the comparative study of soaking weapons in distilled water without chemicals and in a solution of sodium (SSC) at different temperatures. In the preliminarily experiments, the comparison of the eluted Cl⁻ ions according to different conditions of de-salination showed that the highest number of ions were detected from the de-salination with SSC at a temperature of 100℃, and its duration was much smaller, i.e., 1∼2 weeks. Accordingly, for the parts from the guns and rifles amongst other objects, a six-time de-salination was conducted in the SSC solution for 8 hours at 100℃ and subsequently, for 16 hours at room temperature during which the distilled water and SSC were exchanged every week. However, in the case of a loaded rifle, the de-salination was not conducted, considering the risk that the high temperature and pressure by impregnation in vacuum could cause an explosion
ПСИХОЛОГО-ПЕДАГОГИЧЕСКАЯ ОЦЕНКА ИНДИВИДУАЛИЗАЦИИ ОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЬНОЙ СРЕДЫ В УСЛОВИЯХ ИНКЛЮЗИВНОГО ОБРАЗОВАНИЯ
Authors:   Murmansk Arctic State University, Kuzmicheva Tatiana , Afonkina Yulia , Morozova Daria ,   Murmansk Arctic State University
Published: December 2021

В коллективной монографии представлены результаты теоретико-эмпирического исследования индивидуализации образовательной среды в условиях инклюзивного образования. Предложен авторский подход к оценке состояния и динамики индивидуализации на основе идей междисциплинарности и командного взаимодействия специалистов школы. Разработана и представлена авторская технология проектирования адаптивной стратегии урока как инструмента индивидуализации образовательной среды на основе мониторинга индивидуального психосоциального развития обучающегося с ограниченными возможностями здоровья. Монография предназначена научно-педагогическим работникам, студентам, аспирантам, педагогам-практикам, будет полезна всем, кто интересуется данной проблематикой.
NUEVAS FORMAS PARA NUEVOS ESPACIOS: BENJUMEDA Y EL MERCADO DE PUERTO REAL.
Authors: Barros Caneda José Ramón
Published: December 2021

La localización del expediente y de la planimetría inicial del proyecto para la construcción del mercado de abastos de Puerto Real, obra del arquitecto Torcuato José Benjumeda, va a permitir analizar la elaboración de esa tipología en el contexto de la Ilustración en la Bahía de Cádiz. El proceso constructivo, que se extendió desde 1792 a 1798 y el que intervino como maestro de obras Antonio Ruiz Florindo, será una interesante muestra del procedimiento de gestión seguido en la construcción de inmuebles públicos, en este caso municipales, durante este período. Del mismo modo, de las contradicciones generadas entre el proyecto “pensado” y el edificio construido y de las decisiones tomadas ante las dificultades que surgieron. Puerto Real, en el contexto geográfico y cultural de la Bahía de Cádiz, se convirtió así en receptora del ensayo de una fórmula tipológica que se había intentado desarrollar en el entorno, pero que sólo se materializó en esta ciudad, siendo, además, un notable antecedente de la gran plaza del mercado de Cádiz, también obra de Benjumeda. El ensayo tipológico de este arquitecto, que dominó la arquitectura denominada neoclásica, se amplió con otro proyecto, esta vez para matadero que no fue finalmente construido, pero que marca también un interesante diseño espacial para edificios, vamos a denominarlos, preindustriales
WE are Dalit History
Authors: Browarczyk Monika
Published: December 2021

Life writings had time and again been used as source material for historical research both in the West and the various literary cultures of South Asia. Considering the absence and a deliberate, socially conditioned erasure of Dalit history from the mainstream narratives of Indian historiography, some scholars have introduced the notion of viewing Dalit life writings as exercises in history writing. This article explores several Dalit autobiographies as instances of engagement with the process of constructing history of Dalit communities in India. Starting from this premise, it undertakes a preliminary analysis of various narrative strategies employed in Hindi autobiographies by Dalit authors in the hope of revealing the nature of their engagements with India’s past and present. The study presented in this paper is based on four relevant examples of prose in Hindi—by Kausalya Baisantri, Sushila Takbhaure, Omprakash Valmiki, and Sheoraj Singh Bechain.
The Past as an Exponent of the Present in Modern Tamil Literature: Story-(re)-Telling and Telling History in Selected Works of Indira Parthasarathy
Authors: Woźniak Jacek
Published: December 2021

Indira Parthasarathy is the author of many works that touch upon historical issues but are in fact reflections on contemporary India. Although the narrative of some of them takes place in the past, they cannot be called historical literature. While the author is not really interested in describing the past per se, as is also often the case with other contemporary Tamil writers, clear references to the past and history help him showcase contemporary issues, current problems, and life as it is here and now. The article briefly discusses two plays, whose protagonists are historical figures; a novel based on a contemporary event that has become an integral part of the history of Tamil Nadu; and two other works which came to be written on the basis of writer’s own life experience in Poland and are in a way related to the history of that country.
Managing CO₂ Emission in the Energy Sector and Climate Policy
Authors: Rabajczyk Anna , Rabajczyk Grzegorz
Published: December 2021

Aim: The article presents information on the issue of CO2 emission (called greenhouse gas) from the energy sector, along with tools enabling the deter- mination of CO2 emissivity used to manage this process and the directions of actions taken to minimize the negative impact on the climate. Introduction: CO2 is one of the substances essential for the functioning of life on Earth. On one hand, it is an important element of the carbon cycle in nature, being the basis for the synthesis of carbohydrates. On the other hand, it belongs to the group of greenhouse gases responsible for the climate change – and for this reason, it must be subject to constant control. Due to this fact, appropriate measures are taken, including changes in law, in the scope of emission, as well as the introduction of modern technological solutions aimed at monitoring and reducing CO2 emission. Activities undertaken in the area of energy, the branch of the economy generating the largest amounts of anthropogenic CO2, accounting for 41% of global emissions of this gas, are of significant importance [1]. The developed tools, allowing to calculate the amount of carbon dioxide emissions, expressed by emission indicators, allow for the assessment of the activities undertaken both in terms of ecology and economy. Methodology: The article was prepared on the basis of a review of selected literature, and reports as well as applicable legal requirements in the field of the discussed subject. Conclusions: The implemented measures aimed at the application of emission indicators in the area of energy allowed for the definition of forecasts and the determination of the directions of activities, in order to reduce the emission of CO2. The gradual implementation of new technological solutions, enabling energy production based on biomass or other renewable energy sources, allows for the reduction of the emission of this gas. However, given the constantly increasing energy demand, it is a slow process which is not sufficient to stop the observed changes. Therefore, it is necessary to take further steps, to develop more reliable and homogeneous tools that would make it possible to compare the results regardless of the place of emission or the type of fuel used. However, it should be noted that it is necessary to cover all stages of the construction and operation of the energy sector with the measures mentioned above, which generate CO2 emission, and not only the combustion process itself. Keywords: emissivity, CO2, power engineering, climate change Type of article: review article
Analysis of Fire and Explosion Properties of LNG
Authors: Półka Marzena , Piec Robert , Olcen Dariusz
Published: December 2021

Aim: The aim of this article is to analyse fire and explosion properties of LNG along with the identification of hazards that may arise during emergency incidents involving it. The article is based on an analysis of the available literature and a full-scale experimental study involving a 200-liter LNG tank leading to a jet fire. Introduction: Safe use and proper transport of flammable and harmful substances, together with the analysis of the effects of threats, enable the reduction of the number of accidents and provide possible conditions for the evacuation of people and property in a hazard zone. The compilation and systematization of knowledge on the safe use of the environmentally friendly LNG fuel will allow for an increase in the scope of its use. It is consistent with the state’s sustainable development policy consisting in identifying threats or adjusting technical solutions that minimize losses in transport or industry. Methodology: There are many legal acts in the world regarding safe storage and transport of LNG. One of the most important is Directive 2012/18/EC known as “Seveso III”. This document contains requirements for the prevention of major accidents involving hazardous substances – including LNG – and ways to reduce their negative effects on human health and the environment. Relevant requirements have also been specified in standards, tests, articles and other international acts, including in the European agreement on the international carriage of dangerous goods by road (the so-called ADR Agreement). The article compares flammable and explosive parameters of LNG. Possible scenarios occurring during the release and ignition of the LNG vapour cloud have been shown. The change of pressure of LNG vapour in the 200 l tank as a function of its heating time in the burning spill of a mixture of gasoline and diesel fuel is presented. In such a thermal exposure, a jet fire with a flame length of up to 5 meters was obtained. Conclusions: The proper use of flammable gases should be a priority in ensuring fire and explosion safety in facilities, during transport, etc. Hence, recognizing the threats and comparing them, or matching technical solutions that minimize the effects of LNG failures will allow active inclusion of knowledge in this field in the process of protection against fire and explosion. In case of LNG storage, attention should be paid to the types of materials in the immediate vicinity of this liquefied gas in order to have sufficient mechanical properties at the lowest liquefied gas temperature. Keywords: LNG, fire safety, process safety Article type: review article
Configuring the Enterprise Systems Portfolio: The Role of Information Risk
Authors: Sambhara Chaitanya , Rai Arun , Xu Sean Xin
Published: December 2021

Information risk, the likelihood that corporate financial information is of poor quality, adversely impacts investor confidence regarding a firm’s financial health, making it an economically important problem. Viewing a firm’s enterprise systems (ES) portfolio as made up of operational modules (customer relationship management and supply chain management) and functional modules (accounting and finance, and human resource management), we examine how firms configure their ES portfolio by changing the balance in the implementation of two types of modules in response to information risk. We find internal controls to be an important contingency in determining how firms change their ES portfolio balance when information risk increases. When there is no weakness in internal controls, firms change their ES portfolio balance more toward operational modules. However, when internal controls are afflicted with material weakness, firms change their ES portfolio balance more toward functional modules instead. When evaluating the link between ES portfolio configuration and information processing requirements in the context of financial processes, managers should assess both information risk and internal controls to decide how to change the balance between operational and functional modules that are implemented.
Determinants of Channel Profitability: Retailers’ Control over Product Selections as Contracting Leverage
Authors: Hristakeva Sylvia
Published: December 2021

This study shows that retailers are likely to exploit their control over product selections as a negotiation tool.
Buyer’s Bankruptcy Risk, Sourcing Strategy, and Firm Value: Evidence from the Supplier Protection Act
Authors: Aral Karca D. , Giambona Erasmo , Wang Ye
Published: December 2021

What should a distressed buyer’s sourcing strategy be? We find that this depends on the dynamics in a potential in-court bankruptcy. To establish causality, we use a novel sourcing data set in combination with a unique quasi-natural experimental setting provided by a regulatory shock that significantly strengthened the protection granted to suppliers when a distressed buyer files for bankruptcy: the Supplier Protection Act. We find that, following this regulatory change, the number of suppliers for buyers near financial distress (those most affected by the act, the treated group) increased by nearly 35% relative to financially sound firms (the control group). We also find that this shift allowed distressed buyers to obtain more trade credit, expand inventory holdings, and increase performance, leading to an overall increase in firm value of 7.2%. In turn, these effects led to a sizable reduction in the probability of the affected buyers defaulting and filing for bankruptcy. Our results have important implications for corporate executives: right-sizing the supply base can be critical for buyers near financial distress, and implementing policies to engage and protect suppliers can be the way out of distress.

This paper was accepted by Vishal Gaur, operations management.

Funding: K. Aral and E. Giambona acknowledge financial support from the Whitman Innovation Analytics 2018 Roadmap Grant, Syracuse University. K. Aral also acknowledges financial support from The Robert H. Brethen Operations Management Institute, Syracuse University.

Supplemental Material: The online supplement and data are available at https://doi.org/10.1287/mnsc.2021.4270 .
Predictive and Prescriptive Analytics Toward Passenger-Centric Ground Delay Programs
Authors: Jacquillat Alexandre
Published: December 2021

Ground delay programs (GDPs) comprise the main interventions to optimize flight operations in congested air traffic networks. The core GDP objective is to minimize flight delays, but this may not result in optimal outcomes for passengers—especially with connecting itineraries. This paper proposes a novel passenger-centric optimization approach to GDPs by balancing flight and passenger delays in large-scale networks. For tractability, we decompose the problem using a rolling procedure, enabling the model’s implementation in manageable runtimes. Computational results based on real-world data suggest that our modeling and computational framework can reduce passenger delays significantly at small increases in flight delay costs through two main mechanisms: (i) delay allocation (delaying versus prioritizing flights) and (ii) delay introduction (holding flights to avoid passenger misconnections). In practice, however, passenger itineraries are unknown to air traffic managers; accordingly, we propose statistical learning models to predict passenger itineraries and optimize GDP operations accordingly. Results show that the proposed passenger-centric approach is highly robust to imperfect knowledge of passenger itineraries and can provide significant benefits even in the current decentralized environment based on collaborative decision making.
Infected Cavitations, Bullae and Interstitial Lung Disease in a COVID-19 Patient in Lima, Peru
Authors: Arias Francisco , Chiappe Alfredo , Rey de Castro Jorge , Zagacet Jorge
Published: December 2021

A 48-year-old Peruvian man was diagnosed with COVID-19 in December 2020. His infection resolved and he was discharged from hospital after 14 days. However, 1 week later he presented with haemoptysis, malaise, pleuritic pain, infected cavitations, bullae, extensive interstitial lung disease and pneumomediastinum. He recovered after antibiotic treatment and was discharged after 8 days. His symptoms may have been due alveolar rupture due to persistent cough during and after diffuse inflammation of the lung parenchyma caused by COVID-19 infection.
Optimization and Testing of Seed Box Parameters of Potato Planters Based on Seed Potato Group Motion Simulation
Authors: Cai Hui , Luo Xin , Hu Bin , He Haomeng , Pan Feng
Published: December 2021

Highlights

The structural parameters of the seed box of a cup-belt potato planter were optimized.

The arching phenomenon of seed potato in the reseeding box was reduced.

The qualified rate of cup-belt potato planters in field operation was improved.

Abstract. To solve the problem of missed sowing caused by the arching phenomenon of seed potato in the reseeding box of a cup-belt potato planter, this study used the discrete element method to analyze the seed potato movement in the seed box. The analysis revealed unreasonable structural parameters of the seed box. Therefore, the discrete element method was used to optimize the structural parameters of the seed box. First, the structural parameters of the seed box were analyzed by single-factor analysis, and then quadratic rotation orthogonal combination simulation tests of three factors and five levels were performed. Two evaluation indexes were established to evaluate the flow performance of the seed box: the amount of seed taken minus the amount of seed replenishment (CD), and the coefficient of variation of the average seed-population velocity in the reseeding box (CV). The best factor combination was found through optimization. With a 42° inclination angle of the bottom surface of the seed box (a), 145 mm reserved height of the seed isolation baffle (h), and 100° inclination angle of the seed isolation baffle (ß), the CD was 2.622 grains, and the CV was 22.887%. With these parameters, the mobility of seed potato in the reseeding box was good, and there was no arching in the reseeding box. To verify the accuracy of the optimized results, a cup-belt potato seeding test bench was built to conduct verification tests. The bench test verified the rationality of the model and the optimized parameters. Field tests showed that the arching phenomenon in the reseeding box was solved by optimizing the structural parameters of the seed box. The purpose of improving the sowing performance of the cup-belt potato planter was achieved. Keywords: Agricultural machinery, Discrete element method, Parameter optimization, Potato planter, Seed box.
Effect of Post-Drying Tempering of Rice on Minimizing Kernel Fissuring and Maximizing Moisture Removal
Authors: Odek Zephania , Siebenmorgen Terry J. , Mauromoustakos Andronikos , Atungulu Griffiths G.
Published: December 2021

Highlights

More moisture can be removed in a single drying pass without severely fissuring kernels when samples are tempered than when immediately cooled without tempering.

Tempering rice kernels immediately after drying can reduce the percentage of fissured kernels by up to half of that when kernels are immediately cooled without tempering.

Abstract. Improper rice drying results in kernel fissuring, leading to head rice yield reduction due to breakage during milling. The objective of this study was to determine the percentage points (pp) of moisture content (MC) reduction that can be achieved in a single drying pass without significantly fissuring kernels. Long-grain rough rice of cultivars CL XL745 and Diamond at initial MCs of 18%, 17%, 16%, 15%, and 14% were dried using air at 45°C/20% relative humidity (RH), 50°C/15% RH, 55°C/12% RH, 60°C/10% RH, and 65°C/8% RH to MCs of 17%, 16%, 15%, 14%, 13%, or 12% with and without post-drying tempering. All temperature/RH combinations resulted in a humidity ratio of 0.012 kg water kg-1 dry air. Tempering was conducted at the drying air temperature for 4 h. The resulting samples achieved between 1 and 7 pp of MC reduction in a single drying pass. The pp of MC reduction that can be attained in a single drying pass without causing significant fissuring varied across the cultivars tested. Generally, ~2 pp of MC reduction was achieved in a single drying pass for CL XL745 and ~4 pp for Diamond without causing adverse fissuring when samples were not tempered after drying. However, with tempering, ~3.5 pp of MC reduction was achieved in a single drying pass for CL XL745 and ~5.5 pp for Diamond without causing significant fissuring. However, these amounts varied depending on the drying air conditions and initial MC. For both cultivars, tempering immediately after drying reduced the fissured kernel percentage by up to half of that when the kernels were not tempered. These findings quantify the importance of rice tempering and provide information on how much moisture can be safely removed in a single drying pass. Such findings may be applied to different dryer types to reduce fissuring due to drying, thereby minimizing head rice yield reductions. Keywords: Drying, Glass transition, Rice quality, Single-pass drying, X-ray imaging.
Combined mRNAs and clinical factors model on predicting prognosis in patients with triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Hu Yanjun , Zou Dehong
Published: December 2021

Objective

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is aggressive cancer usually diagnosed in young women with no effective prognosis prediction model to use. The present study was performed to develop a useful prognostic model for predicting overall survival (OS) for TNBC patients.

Methods

The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) databases were used as training and validation data sets, respectively, in which the gene expression levels and clinical prognostic information of TNBC were collected. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between TNBC and non-TNBC (NTNBC) were identified with the thresholds of false discovery rate < 0.05 and |log2Fold Change| > 1. DEGs in AmiGO2 and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases were retained for further study. Univariate, multivariate Cox, and logistic regression analysis were conducted for detecting DEG signature with the threshold of log-rankP< 0.05. The prognosis models of mRNA signature, clinical factors were constructed and compared.

Results

One five-DEG signature, includingCHST4,COCH,CST9,SOX11, andTDGF1was identified in DEG prognosis model. Stratified analysis showed that the patients aged over 60, with higher pathologic stage (III-IV) and recurrence induced a significantly lower survival rate than those aged below 60, lower pathologic stage and without recurrence. Compared with patients with low-risk scores, those presented high-risk scores demonstrated significantly lower survival rate in the subgroup aged over 60 [HR = 3.780 (1.801–7.933),P< 0.0001]. For patients who obtained a higher pathologic stage and recurrence, high-risk scores were correlated with a significantly lower survival rate than patients with low-risk scores. The five-mRNA signature combined with clinical model (AUC = 0.950) predicted better than single clinical model (AUC = 0.795) or five-mRNA signature model (AUC = 0.823).

Conclusion

Our present study identified a prognostic prediction model (combined with five-mRNA signature and clinical factors) for TNBC patients receiving immunotherapy, which will benefit future research and clinical therapies.
Circulating sLR11 levels predict severity of pulmonary hypertension due to left heart disease
Authors: Joki Yusuke , Konishi Hakuoh , Ebinuma Hiroyuki , Takasu Kiyoshi , Minamino Tohru
Published: December 2021

Background

Heart failure is a severe condition often involving pulmonary hypertension (PH). Soluble low-density lipoprotein receptor with 11 ligand-binding repeats (sLR11) has been associated with pulmonary artery hypertension. We examined whether sLR11 correlates with PH in left heart disease and can be used as a predictive marker.

Method

We retrospectively analyzed patients with severe mitral regurgitation who underwent right heart catheterization before surgery for valve replacement or valvuloplasty from November 2005 to October 2012 at Juntendo University. We measured sLR11 levels before right heart catheterization and analyzed correlations with pulmonary hemodynamics. We compared prognoses between a group with normal sLR11 (≤9.4 ng/ml) and a group with high sLR11 (>9.4 ng/ml). Follow-up was continued for 5 years, with end points of hospitalization due to HF and death due to cardiovascular disease.

Results

Among 34 patients who met the inclusion criteria, sLR11 correlated with mean pulmonary artery pressure (r = 0.54, p<0.001), transpulmonary pressure gradient (r = 0.42, p = 0.012), pulmonary vascular resistance (r = 0.36, p<0.05), and log brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). However, logBNP did not correlate with pulmonary vascular resistance (p = 0.6). Levels of sLR11 were significantly higher in the 10 patients with PH (14.4±4.3 ng/ml) than in patients without PH (9.9±3.9 ng/ml; p = 0.002). At 5 years, the event rate was higher in the high-sLR11 group than in the normal-sLR11 group. The high-sLR11 group showed 5 hospitalizations due to HF (25.0%) and 2 deaths (10.0%), whereas the normal-sLR11 group showed no hospitalizations or deaths. Analyses using receiver operating characteristic curves showed a higher area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) for sLR11 level (AUC = 0.85; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.72–0.98) than for BNP (AUC = 0.80, 95%CI = 0.62–0.99) in the diagnosis of PH in left heart disease.

Conclusions

Concentration of sLR11 is associated with severity of PH and offers a strong predictor of severe mitral regurgitation in patients after surgery.