bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The application of Raman spectroscopy to the diagnosis of mitochondrial muscle disease: A preliminary comparison between fibre optic probe and microscope formats
Authors: Alix James J. P. , Plesia Maria , Lloyd Gavin R. , Dudgeon Alexander P. , Kendall Catherine A. , McDermott Christopher J. , Gorman Gráinne S. , Taylor Robert W. , Shaw Pamela J. , Day John C.
Published: November 2021

Muscle biopsy remains an important component of the diagnostic repertoire for patients with suspected mitochondrial disease, underpinning specialist histopathological and biochemical analyses. Raman spectroscopy has not yet been applied to mitochondrial disease, and new fibre optic systems, with advantages in terms of cost and portability, could provide a rapid means to identify muscle pathology. In this study, we aimed to explore the potential of two different formats of Raman spectroscopy to identify mitochondrial disease: a miniaturised fibre optic Raman system and a standard commercial Raman microscope. Raman spectra were recorded from muscle samples from healthy volunteers (n = 10) and patients with genetically confirmed mitochondrial disease (n = 15). Multivariate classification algorithms demonstrated a high level of disease classification performance with both the fibre optic probe system and microscope (area under receiver operating characteristic curves 0.80–0.82). Key spectral changes associated with mitochondrial disease concerned the α‐helical configuration of proteins. The results suggest that Raman spectroscopy of muscle is worthy of further investigation as a technique for the rapid identification of mitochondrial disease.
Investigating interactions between chloroquine/hydroxychloroquine and their single enantiomers and angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 by a cell membrane chromatography method
Authors: Jia Qianqian , Fu Jia , Liang Peida , Wang Saisai , Wang Yamin , Zhang Xin , Zhou Huaxin , Zhang Liyang , Lv Yanni , Han Shengli
Published: November 2021

Chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine have been studied since the early clinical treatment of SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreak. Considering these two chiral drugs are currently in use as the racemate, high‐expression angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 cell membrane chromatography was established for investigating the differences of two paired enantiomers binding to angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 receptor. Molecular docking assay and detection of SARS‐CoV‐2 spike pseudotyped virus entry into angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2‐HEK293T cells were also conducted for further investigation. Results showed that each single enantiomer could bind well to angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2, but there were differences between the paired enantiomers and corresponding racemate in frontal analysis. R‐Chloroquine showed better angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 receptor binding ability compared to S‐chloroquine/chloroquine (racemate). S‐Hydroxychloroquine showed better angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 receptor binding ability than R‐hydroxychloroquine/hydroxychloroquine. Moreover, each single enantiomer was proved effective compared with the control group; compared with S‐chloroquine or the racemate, R‐chloroquine showed better inhibitory effects at the same concentration. As for hydroxychloroquine, R‐hydroxychloroquine showed better inhibitory effects than S‐hydroxychloroquine, but it slightly worse than the racemate. In conclusion, R‐chloroquine showed better angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 receptor binding ability and inhibitory effects compared to S‐chloroquine/chloroquine (racemate). S‐Hydroxychloroquine showed better angiotensin‐converting enzyme 2 receptor binding ability than R‐hydroxychloroquine/hydroxychloroquine (racemate), while the effect of preventing SARS‐CoV‐2 pseudovirus from entering cells was weaker than R‐hydroxychloroquine/hydroxychloroquine (racemate).
Corrosion inhibiting performance of novel imidazolium‐based ionic liquids as an efficient and green corrosion constraint for carbon steel in neutral chloride solution
Authors: Shoja Seyed Mohammad Reza , Abdouss Majid , Miran Beigi Ali Akbar
Published: November 2021

Considering the ionic liquids (ILs) were classified as green inhibitors herein three ecofriendly imidazolium‐based ILs were employed in corrosion inhibition, where weight loss evaluations along with electrochemical methods, including potentiodynamic polarization test, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry measurements were exploited to elucidate corrosion prevention performance of the considered agents. The results derived from the polarization studies attested to the fact that these ILs could effectively act as mixed‐type corrosion inhibitors. Moreover, the progress of surface reactions due to the corrosion process was studied through field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Also, UV/Vis spectroscopy corroborated chemical interaction among metal surfaces and ILs. Findings clarified that the chemisorption of the ILs onto carbon steel surface conforms to Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Finally, it was found that all proposed ILs could play an effective role in corrosion preventing, for which, the efficiencies in the range of 82%–92% were achieved by electrochemical impedance analyses for investigated ILs at 75 ppm.
Differential decision analysis of transboundary pollution considering the participation of the central government
Authors: Jia Fangju , Wang Dong‐dong , Zhou Kun , Li Lianshui
Published: November 2021

In response to the failure of traditional administrative methods to manage transboundary polluted areas, this study uses Stackelberg game theory to construct a three‐party dynamic game model from the perspective of government participation. The results show that the central government will only subsidize local governments when the environmental benefits obtained reach a certain threshold, prompting the local governments to increase pollution control efforts to improve environmental benefits. From the perspective of pollutant emission reduction and environmental benefits, the collaborative governance model is superior to both spontaneous governance and the central government‐led model. Finally, the validity of the conclusion is verified.
Stable limit cycles in an intraguild predation model with general functional responses
Authors: Blé Gamaliel , Castellanos Víctor , Loreto Hernández Iván
Published: November 2021

The conditions to have a stable limit set in the positive octant for an intraguild predation model are given, considering a general family of functional responses for the predators and a wide range of growth rate functions for the prey. The limit sets are obtained by Hopf or Bautin bifurcation. The results obtained in previous works about intraguild predation models, which consider logistic growth rate for the prey and Holling functional responses, are generalized.
Improving hyperpolarized 129Xe ADC mapping in pediatric and adult lungs with uncertainty propagation
Authors: Bdaiwi Abdullah S. , Niedbalski Peter J. , Hossain Md M. , Willmering Matthew M. , Walkup Laura L. , Wang Hui , Thomen Robert P. , Ruppert Kai , Woods Jason C. , Cleveland Zackary I.
Published: November 2021

Rationale

Hyperpolarized (HP) 129Xe‐MRI provides non‐invasive methods to quantify lung function and structure, with the 129Xe apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) being a well validated measure of alveolar airspace size. However, the experimental factors that impact the precision and accuracy of HP 129Xe ADC measurements have not been rigorously investigated. Here, we introduce an analytical model to predict the experimental uncertainty of 129Xe ADC estimates. Additionally, we report ADC dependence on age in healthy pediatric volunteers.

Methods

An analytical expression for ADC uncertainty was derived from the Stejskal‐Tanner equation and simplified Bloch equations appropriate for HP media. Parameters in the model were maximum b‐value (bmax), number of b‐values (Nb), number of phase encoding lines (Nph), flip angle and the ADC itself. This model was validated by simulations and phantom experiments, and five fitting methods for calculating ADC were investigated. To examine the lower range for 129Xe ADC, 32 healthy subjects (age 6‐40 years) underwent diffusion‐weighted 129Xe MRI.

Results

The analytical model provides a lower bound on ADC uncertainty and predicts that decreased signal‐to‐noise ratio yields increases in relative uncertainty
. As such, experimental parameters that impact non‐equilibrium 129Xe magnetization necessarily impact the resulting
. The values of diffusion encoding parameters (Nb and bmax) that minimize
strongly depend on the underlying ADC value, resulting in a global minimum for
. Bayesian fitting outperformed other methods (error < 5%) for estimating ADC. The whole‐lung mean 129Xe ADC of healthy subjects increased with age at a rate of 1.75 × 10−4 cm2/s/yr (p = 0.001).

Conclusions

HP 129Xe diffusion MRI can be improved by minimizing the uncertainty of ADC measurements via uncertainty propagation. Doing so will improve experimental accuracy when measuring lung microstructure in vivo and should allow improved monitoring of regional disease progression and assessment of therapy response in a range of lung diseases.
Nurses' perceptions of their supportive role for cancer patients: A qualitative study
Authors: Bafandeh Zendeh Mostafa , Hemmati Maslakpak Masumeh , Jasemi Madineh
Published: November 2021

Aim

Supporting cancer patients is one of the integral, ethical and professional components and concepts of nursing care. Given the prominence of nurses' understanding of their supportive role in providing quality and humane nursing care for cancer patients, it is crucial for them to acquire sufficient knowledge to achieve a positive attitude towards patient support.

Design

Qualitative conventional content analysis approach was used.

Methods

This study was conducted with a qualitative approach and conventional content analysis in 2020. Participants consisted of 18 nurses of different oncology wards of teaching hospitals in Northwestern Iran recruited using the purposive sampling method. Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews and analysed simultaneously with data collection (22 july ‐ 20 june 2020).

Findings

The analysis of interviews showed that the main theme of “a canopy as a supportive role for cancer patients” was formed. In this theme, related subcategories included patient's psychological support (compassionate care with emotional support, having an intimate/friendly relationship with the patient and communicative behaviour facing patient needs), patient training (need‐based training, having good theoretical knowledge about the patient and having a role model for playing a supportive role for the patient) and supporting the patient with clinical self‐efficacy (being responsible with clinical competency, understanding the patient's behaviour and attempt to provide extra‐duty care).
The relationship between paediatric nurses' quality of life and intent to leave: The moderating role of hospital type
Authors: Khatatbeh Haitham , Zrínyi Miklós , Oláh András , Pakai Annamária
Published: November 2021

Background

Different types of hospitals exist in Jordan, and each type has its own leadership style. This might affect the nursing workforce in terms of quality of life and intent to leave.

Aim

This study aimed at (1) assessing the relationship between paediatric nurses' quality of life and intent to leave, (2) examining the moderating effect of the hospital type on this relationship, (3) comparing the quality of life of paediatric nurses working at ministry of health and the University‐Affiliated hospitals and (4) exploring the determinants of nurses' intent to leave.

Design

A cross‐sectional, comparative and correlational design was used in this study.

Methods

A multi‐site sample was selected from two types of hospitals in Jordan; the ministry of health and the University‐Affiliated hospitals. A sample of 225 paediatric nurses responded to the brief quality of life questionnaire by the World Health Organization in addition to a group of sociodemographic and work‐related questions.

Results and conclusion

Nurses' quality of life and intent to leave were negatively correlated. This correlation was moderated by the type of hospital. Nurses' quality of life was significantly different in the two types of hospitals. Both salary and nursing care model predicted paediatric nurses' intent to leave. The managerial style and work environment of the ministry of health hospitals should be benchmarked against the University‐Affiliated hospitals.
The influence of hybrid flame retardant and impact modifier on recycled blends formulated from keyboard waste plastics: A study on its flame retardant, mechanical, thermal, and chemical properties
Authors: K. Jaidev , Biswal Manoranjan , Mohanty Smita , Nayak Sanjay K.
Published: November 2021

Recycled polymeric materials recovered from E‐waste, have gained importance in the recent years, due to the value addition of properties in the recycled materials. In the current work, a polymeric blends formulated from keyboard waste plastics was value added using a flame retardant (FR), and these plastics are not incorporated with FR during its processing. This work was carried out to enhance the FR property of polymers recovered from keyboard waste, and to study the effects of these additives on the mechanical properties of the polymeric blends. The FR tri phenyl phosphate (TPP), and a hybrid FR combining TPP with sepiolite, was added in different proportions to the blend. The FR blends were analyzed with UL‐94 and LOI and it was observed that the blends with hybrid FR showed higher FR properties, as the results of UL‐94 and LOI showed V‐1 and 29%, respectively. The cone calorimetry results showed that the peak heat release rate of the blends was improved from 704 to 533 KJ/m2. The gas and condensed phase reaction has been explained with an illustration. FTIR and TGA with and without the FR were performed. The mechanical properties of the blends drastically reduced after the addition of FRs, hence an impact modifier was added in order to regain the lost mechanical properties, and a morphological analysis was carried out to compare the influence of impact modifier in the polymeric blend.
A Comparative study of alkali treated date palm fiber based brake friction composites and standard Kevlar‐based brake friction composites
Authors: Kumar Naresh , Grewal J. S. , Singh Avtar , Mehta Vikas
Published: November 2021

Recently many research studies have revealed the increasing importance of natural fiber in modern applications. Natural fibers are used these days in many important sectors like medical, aerospace, agriculture, and so forth. The cause of increasing the application of natural fiber in different fields is its eco‐friendly behavior and excellent mechanical properties. In the research work, date palm, a natural fiber, is used to replace asbestos and Kevlar, which are very harmful to the human body. There are very few papers on comparative study of natural fiber‐based composites to actual brake friction material. In this study, new brake pad composites of date palm fiber are developed and compared with Kevlar‐based brake pad composites. The different percentages (5%–20%) of date palm fiber and Kevlar (5–10) were used to compare the study. The date palm fiber composites have given maximum better results on 5% composition for the mechanical, tribological, physical, and chemical proprieties.
Do contemporary antiretrovirals increase the risk of end‐stage liver disease? Signals from patients starting therapy in the North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration on Research and Design
Authors: Young Jim , Lo Re Vincent , Kim H. Nina , Sterling Timothy R. , Althoff Keri N. , Gebo Kelly A. , Gill M. John , Horberg Michael A. , Mayor Angel M. , Moore Richard D. , Silverberg Michael J. , Klein Marina B. ,   the North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration on Research and Design (NA‐ACCORD) of IeDEA
Published: November 2021

Purpose

Despite effective antiretroviral therapy, rates of end‐stage liver disease (ESLD) remain high. It is not clear whether contemporary antiretrovirals contribute to the risk of ESLD.

Methods

We included patients from cohorts with validated ESLD data in the North American AIDS Cohort Collaboration on Research and Design. Patients had to initiate antiretroviral therapy after 1 January 2004 with a nucleos(t)ide backbone of either abacavir/lamivudine or tenofovir/emtricitabine and a contemporary third (anchor) drug. Patients were followed until a first ESLD event, death, end of a cohort's ESLD validation period, loss to follow‐up or 31 December 2015. We estimated associations between cumulative exposure to each drug and ESLD using a hierarchical Bayesian survival model with weakly informative prior distributions.

Results

Among 10 564 patients included from 12 cohorts, 62 had an ESLD event. Of the nine anchor drugs, boosted protease inhibitors atazanavir and darunavir had the strongest signals for ESLD, with increasing hazard ratios (HR) and narrowing credible intervals (CrI), from a prior HR of 1.5 (95% CrI 0.32–7.1) per 5 year's exposure to posterior HRs respectively of 1.8 (95% CrI 0.82–3.9) and 2.0 (95% CrI 0.86–4.7). Both backbones and efavirenz showed no signal. Hepatitis C coinfection was the most important covariate risk factor (HR 4.4, 95% CrI 2.6–7.0).

Conclusions

While contemporary antiretrovirals pose less risk for ESLD than hepatitis coinfection, atazanavir and darunavir had a toxicity signal. We show how hierarchical Bayesian modelling can be used to detect toxicity signals in cohort event monitoring data even with complex treatments and few events.
Lasers for compact & fast LIBS systems
Authors: Vasileva Elena , Gatty Mélina Gilbert
Published: November 2021

Laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is an atomic‐emission spectroscopy technique that enables rapid chemical analysis of a wide range of materials, including metals, semiconductors, glasses, biological tissues, plastics, soils, thin and paint coatings. The technique relies on focusing short high‐energy laser pulses onto the surface of a target sample, which in turn generates a plasma containing a small amount of the sample (typically, a few nanograms).
Tomography and lasers meet on a knife's edge
Authors: Aharon Oren
Published: November 2021

Many new generation lasers, having a spectrum which is out of the sensitivity response of typical camera detectors require different technologies to be examined. Tomographic knife‐edge technology offers a feasible solution. Multiple knife‐edges scanning from different directions provide beam profiles dependent on scanning angle. By reconstruction techniques used in tomography, an image‐like profile can be reconstructed and analyzed. Various detectors are used to provide a wide spectral range measurement capability.
Laser processing: solutions for industry
Authors: Leyens Christoph , Standfuß Jens , Wetzig Andreas , Brückner Frank , Barbosa Maria , Hauptmann Jan , Lopez Elena , Seifert Marko , Dittrich Dirk , Herwig Patrick , Hillig Holger , Stepien Lukas , Gruber Samira
Published: November 2021

Over at least the last four decades, laser‐based processes have matured from niche applications to widely accepted tools in industrial processing chains. Starting with CO2 lasers, the development of new laser sources such as fiber and disk lasers, either continuous‐wave or pulsed, have boosted the use of lasers for cutting, joining, surface modification and heat treatment, coating and – more recently – additive manufacturing, to name just a few applications.
Thin films deposition versus nanoparticles formation: How can the desired polymer coating be obtained?
Authors: Jebali Syrine , Carneiro de Oliveira Jamerson , Airoudj Aissam , Josien Ludovic , Fioux Philippe , Ferreira Isabelle , Roucoules Vincent , Bally‐Le Gall Florence
Published: November 2021

The properties of the final product resulting from plasma polymerization strongly depend on the operating conditions and they impact the final application of the plasma polymer coating. Low‐pressure pulsed plasma polymerization of maleic anhydride was investigated at two different positions in relation to the glow discharge in a 1‐m‐long tubular reactor. Interestingly, competition was observed in the deposition of maleic anhydride plasma polymer in the form of a smooth thin film versus that in the form of nanoparticles. The possibility of a spatiotemporal control of plasma polymerization enabled the deposition of a plasma coating with tunable morphological properties depending on the sample position from the glow discharge and on the plasma pulse parameters (on‐timeandoff‐time).
Identification and functional verification of the target protein of pedunsaponin A in the gills of Pomacea canaliculata
Authors: Yang Chunping , Ma Yuqing , Wang Bin , Wang Yanmei , Liu Jingxiang , Jiang Chunxian , Zhang Min , Qiu Xiaoyan , Luo Liya , Chen Huabao
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

Based on previous research indicating that pedunsaponin A (PA) can destroy the gills of Pomacea canaliculata, we chose the gill as the main research object, and identified the target protein of PA in the gills of P. canaliculata through proteomics and RNA interference (RNAi).

RESULTS

Proteomics showed that 180 proteins were downregulated after PA treatment in P. canaliculata. Among them, we chose advillin (PcAdv), receptor type tyrosine protein phosphatase (PcRT) and unconventional myosin heavy chain 6 (PcUM) as candidate target proteins through bioinformatics analysis. The small interfering RNA (siRNA) with the best interference effect was identified through further screening. Gene interference rates were 97%, 98% and 82% for PcAdv, PcRT and PcUM, respectively. The results showed that after RNAi treatment, the mortality of P. canaliculata treated with PcAdv (60.0%) was significantly lower than that for the control (93.3%); histological analysis showed that the structure of the gill was intact, cilia shedding was reduced, and the survival rate of hemocytes had increased.

CONCLUSION

These findings indicate that, when the protein was absent or suppressed, the channel for entry of PA into the hemocytes of P. canaliculata was blocked, which reduced PA binding to hemocytes, and that there is a close relationship between shedding of gill cilia and PA entry into hemocytes. PcAdv is thus the key protein in PA destruction of gill cilia. Locating the proteins in gills that interact with drugs and investigating their mode of action is of great importance in the development of new molluscicides to control P. canaliculata populations.
Immigrants' spatial concentration: Region or locality attractiveness?
Authors: Viñuela Ana
Published: November 2021

The spatial concentration of immigrants across and within European countries is highly heterogeneous, tending to reinforce the internal spatial disparities within EU Member States and regions. Although European regional data show that the highest levels of foreign‐born population concentration correspond to those NUTS2 regions that contain a large city or metropolitan area, there are other place‐based determinants that might explain their attractiveness to immigrants. Using a comprehensive database at NUTS2 (regional) and LAU2 (local) levels for three large European countries in terms of immigrant population (Italy, Spain, and France), comparable results show how the relevance of these determinants depends on the country under analysis and the spatial unit chosen. This provides challenges for the design of a common future European policy addressing the unresolved demographic issues. Understanding the main regional and local factors of attraction to foreign‐born population within countries is crucial to explain the present spatial concentration patterns and anticipate future migration flows, especially in a context where immigrants are the fastest‐growing population group in those European countries. Nevertheless, there might be a trade‐off between the foreign‐born population alleviating the territorial ageing and depopulation issues and the search for spatial justice.
Unraveling pleiotropic effects of rifampicin by using physiologically based pharmacokinetic modeling: Assessing the induction magnitude of P‐glycoprotein–cytochrome P450 3A4 dual substrates
Authors: Pan Xian , Yamazaki Shinji , Neuhoff Sibylle , Zhang Mian , Pilla Reddy Venkatesh
Published: November 2021

Rifampicin induces both P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) and cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4) through regulating common nuclear receptors (e.g., pregnane X receptor). The interplay of P‐gp and CYP3A4 has emerged to be an important factor in clinical drug–drug interactions (DDIs) with P‐gp–CYP3A4 dual substrates and requires qualitative and quantitative understanding. Although physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) modeling has become a widely accepted approach to assess DDIs and is able to reasonably predict DDIs caused by CYP3A4 induction and P‐gp induction individually, the predictability of PBPK models for the effect of simultaneous P‐gp and CYP3A4 induction on P‐gp‐CYP3A4 dual substrates remains to be systematically evaluated. In this study, we used a PBPK modeling approach for the assessment of DDIs between rifampicin and 12 drugs: three sensitive P‐gp substrates, seven P‐gp–CYP3A4 dual substrates, and two P‐gp–CYP3A4 dual substrates and inhibitors. A 3.5‐fold increase of intestinal P‐gp abundance was incorporated in the PBPK models to account for rifampicin‐mediated P‐gp induction at steady state. The simulation results showed that accounting for P‐gp induction in addition to CYP3A4 induction improved the prediction accuracy of the area under the concentration‐time curve and maximum (peak) plasma drug concentration ratios compared with considering CYP3A4 induction alone. Furthermore, the interplay of relevant drug‐specific parameters and its impact on the magnitude of DDIs were evaluated using sensitivity analysis. The PBPK approach described herein, in conjunction with robust in vitro and clinical data, can help in the prospective assessment of DDIs involving other P‐gp and CYP3A4 dual substrates. The database reported in the present study provides a valuable aid in understanding the combined effect of P‐gp and CYP3A4 induction during drug development.
A collocation study of atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs) compared to Aeolus wind profiles with a feature track correction (FTC) observation operator
Authors: Hoffman Ross N. , Lukens Katherine E. , Ide Kayo , Garrett Kevin
Published: November 2021

A method to apply an empirical feature track correction (FTC) in a new observation operator for atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs) is proposed. The FTC AMV observation operator determines the background estimate of the observed AMV vector wind, adjusting the background profile by determining an optimal height adjustment, averaging the profile over a layer of optimal thickness, and applying a linear correction to the averaged profile wind. The FTC observation operator is tested in the context of a collocation study between AMVs projected onto the collocated Aeolus horizontal line‐of‐sight (HLOS) and the Aeolus HLOS wind profiles. This study is a prototype for a variational FTC for numerical weather prediction data assimilation systems in which the Aeolus wind profiles take the place of the background in the FTC observation operator. Compared to a collocation where the Aeolus profile is interpolated linearly in height to the AMV height, a simple ad hoc averaging approach and the FTC approach reduce the mean square difference between the AMV observation and the Aeolus estimated AMV observation by 38% and 43%, respectively.
Fault‐tolerant control of an aerial manipulator with guaranteed tracking performance
Authors: Ding Yadong , Wang Yaoyao , Chen Bai
Published: November 2021

In this article, a fault‐tolerant control (FTC) scheme of an aerial manipulator is proposed, which can guarantee the transient and steady‐state tracking performance under actuator faults. A novel performance function (NPF) with simple form and explicit terminal time is designed to constrain the tracking errors. First, backstepping technique combined with the NPF is adopted as control framework to guarantee the asymptotic stability. Then, adaptive nonsingular terminal sliding mode with estimated actuator faults is used as the robust controller to deal with actuator fault. Finally, extended state observer is used to estimate and compensate complex coupling effects between the main‐body UAV and loading manipulator, and external disturbance. The stability of the aerial manipulator system with actuator faults and external disturbance is proved by Lyapunov analysis. Besides, the effect of the turbulent wind field on the body of the vehicle is analyzed. Several comparative simulations are carried out to show the effectiveness of the proposed FTC scheme.
Adaptive distributed observer for an uncertain leader over acyclic switching digraphs
Authors: He Changran , Huang Jie
Published: November 2021

The existing results on the adaptive distributed observer for an uncertain leader system are restricted to connected static networks. In this article, we extend the existing results to acyclic every‐time connected switching networks. As an application of the adaptive distributed observer, we solve the leader‐following attitude consensus problem of multiple rigid body systems with an uncertain leader system over an acyclic every‐time connected switching network. A numerical example is provided to illustrate our design.
Critical and Dominant Language Learner Ideologies: A Case Study of Two Chinese Writers’ Experiences with a Critical Language Writing Pedagogy
Authors: Britton Emma R. , Austin Theresa Y.
Published: November 2021

Anglophone universities have increasingly become contact zones for the growing numbers of ethnolinguistically diverse students who use English as a lingua franca (Jenkins, 2014). Despite the sociolinguistic reality of English as contact language, monolingual and monoglossic ideologies often prevail not only at the macro institutional scale, but also at the individual learner scale. By idealizing native English speakers, regarding English as uniform, and viewing writing instruction as a means to reduce linguistic difference, ESL learners can perpetuate the sort of dominant ideologies that critical language pedagogies seek to disrupt. Building upon previous learner belief research, this practitioner‐led comparative case study explores the expressed language ideologies and language socialization experiences of two first‐year Chinese undergraduates who were participants in a developmental writing course in a Northeastern University in the US. Despite learning about critical language awareness (CLA) pedagogy (Fairclough, 1992), results show that the students expressed a range of dominant and critical language ideologies which were connected to a configuration of micro and macro contextual factors beyond the course. We conclude with implications of these results for critical language pedagogy within writing courses.
First detection and molecular characterisation of a pigeon aviadenovirus A and pigeon circovirus co‐infection associated with Young Pigeon Disease Syndrome (YPDS) in Turkish pigeons (Columba liviadomestica)
Authors: Sahindokuyucu Ismail , Turkmen Merve Biskin , Sumer Tugce , Elhag Ahmed Eisa , Alcigir Mehmet Eray , Yazici Zafer , Barry Gerald , Gulbahar Mustafa Yavuz , Kul Oguz
Published: November 2021

Pigeon aviadenovirus A and Pigeon circovirus are both DNA viruses, infect and cause severe clinical diseases in pigeons. These viruses are associated with an immunosuppression syndrome similar to ‘Young Pigeon Disease Syndrome’ (YPDS). This study reports the identification of a natural co‐infection, with severe clinical signs (crop vomiting, watery diarrhoea, anorexia and sudden death) of Pigeon aviadenovirus A and Pigeon circovirus in a breeding pigeon flock in Central Anatolia, Turkey. Both viruses were isolated from pigeons pooled internal organs using primary chicken embryo kidney cell cultures (CEKC) and specific pathogen‐free (SPF) embryonated chicken eggs. Also, both viruses were identified by PCR amplification followed by Sanger sequencing whereas histopathological examination showed degenerated hepatocytes with basophilic intranuclear viral inclusions. As known, both viruses typically have similar transmission characteristics and common clinical manifestations; however, co‐infection may exacerbate the disease with devastating outcomes. This is the first report of its kind in Turkey for those viruses and is essential for the protection against these kinds of infections in pigeons.
Epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance of Escherichia coli in broiler chickens, farmworkers, and farm sewage in Bangladesh
Authors: Mandal Amit Kumar , Talukder Sudipta , Hasan Md. Mehedi , Tasmim Syeda Tanjina , Parvin Mst. Sonia , Ali Md. Yamin , Islam Md. Taohidul
Published: November 2021

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become an emerging threat worldwide, and developing countries such as Bangladesh are considered to be at greater risk of disseminating the resistant bacteria between human–animal interfaces.

Objectives

The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence and AMR profile of Escherichia coli isolated from broiler chickens, the environment, and farmworkers. This study also aimed to identify the risk factors associated with multidrug‐resistant (MDR) E. coli infection in broiler chickens. In addition, the presence of carbapenem resistance gene (NDM‐1) was assessed.

Methods

A total of 114 E. coli isolates, recovered from 150 samples (cloacal swabs = 50, farm sewage = 50, and hand washed water of farmworkers = 50) collected from 50 broiler farms, were identified by biochemical examination and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed for 10 antibiotics by disk diffusion test. Carbapenem resistance gene (NDM‐1) was detected by PCR. Risk factors were identified through multivariable logistic regression.

Results

The highest prevalence of E. coli was recorded in broiler chickens (86%) and the lowest in farmworkers (66%). For MDR E. coli infection, ‘winter season’, ‘absence of specific shoes for staff’, and ‘use of antibiotics without veterinarian's prescription’ were the significant risk factors. High resistance of the E. coli isolates was observed against levofloxacin (81.6%), doxycycline (78.1%), cefotaxime (78.1%), and ciprofloxacin (70.2%). About 76% of the isolates demonstrated MDR. None of the isolates were positive for the NDM‐1 gene.

Conclusions

The high level and similar pattern of antibiotic resistance in E. coli isolates from broiler chickens, farmworkers, and sewage in poultry farms indicates a good possibility of spreading the antibiotic‐resistant E. coli in such settings.
Liposomal nanoparticles based on steroids and isoprenoids for nonviral gene delivery
Authors: Maiti Bappa , Bhattacharya Santanu
Published: November 2021

Natural lipid molecules are an essential part of life as they constitute the membrane of cells and organelle. In most of these cases, the hydrophobicity of natural lipids is contributed by alkyl chains. Although natural lipids with a nonfatty acid hydrophobic backbone are quite rare, steroids and isoprenoids have been strong candidates as part of a lipid. Over the years, these natural molecules (steroid and isoprenoids) have been used to make either lipid‐based nanoparticle or functionalize in such a way that it could form nano assembly alone for therapeutic delivery. Here we mainly focus on the synthetic functionalized version of these natural molecules which forms cationic liposomal nanoparticles (LipoNPs). These cationic LipoNPs were further used to deliver various negatively charged genetic materials in the form of pDNA, siRNA, mRNA (nucleic acids), and so on.

This article is categorized under:

Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Lipid‐Based Structures
Innovation, Public Policy and Growth: What the Data Say
Authors: Akcigit Ufuk
Published: November 2021

Innovation and technological progress are the key determinants of long-run economic growth and welfare. Therefore, an important question is, how can public policy encourage more innovation? In this chapter, I review some of the empirical findings from various recent studies on innovation and firm dynamics that can shed light on the design of innovation policy. The discussion in the chapter is divided into three categories: (i) firm studies, (ii) inventor studies, and (iii) idea (patent) studies.
The RHOMOLO Spatial CGE Model
Authors: Christensen Martin Aarøe
Published: November 2021

This chapter provides a description of the RHOMOLO model, a Spatial CGE model, developed and used by the European Commission for the impact assessment of policies at the regional level. Special emphasis is put on the innovation mechanisms underlying the model. Moreover, it discusses the scenarios simulated and the findings from the economic impact assessment of the Horizon Europe Framework Program.
Other Innovation Policies and Alternative Modelling Approaches
Authors: Benedetti Fasil Cristiana , Impullitti Giammario , Sanchez-Martinez Miguel
Published: November 2021

This chapter discusses the macroeconomic impact evaluation of other policies related to innovation. In particular, two examples are shown on the impact simulation of a reduction to firms’ entry barriers and an increase in R&D tax credits. Alternative ways of modelling these two types of policy shocks are also provided to illustrate how different modelling platforms featuring different economic mechanisms can complement each other and enrich the landscape of macroeconomic policy impact assessments.
Evaluation of Formative Measurement Models
Authors: Hair Joseph F. , Hult G. Tomas M. , Ringle Christian M. , Sarstedt Marko , Danks Nicholas P. , Ray Soumya
Published: November 2021

PLS-SEM is the preferred approach when formatively specified constructs are included in the PLS path model. In this chapter, we discuss the key steps for evaluating formative measurement models. These include the assessment of (1) convergent validity, (2) indicator collinearity, and (3) statistical significance and relevance of the indicator weights. We introduce key criteria and their thresholds and illustrate their use with an extended version of the corporate reputation model estimated with SEMinR.
Selected Key Issues in World Protests
Authors: Ortiz Isabel , Burke Sara , Berrada Mohamed , Saenz Cortés Hernán
Published: November 2021

This section of the book “World Protests: A Study of Key Protest Issues in the 21st-Century” analyzes: (i) trends such as the rise of populism and radical right protests; (ii) anti-corruption and women’s protests; (iii) the link between inequality and protests, as well as the link between protests and perceptions that governments serve only the few; (iv) the Arab and the Latin American Springs; and (v) the link between protestors’ policy demands, Human Rights and internationally agreed UN development goals, calling on governments to act on them.
Dirac masses and mixings in the (geo)SM(EFT) and beyond
Authors: Talbert Jim , Trott Michael
Published: November 2021

Abstract

We report a set of exact formulae for computing Dirac masses, mixings, and CP-violation parameter(s) from 3×3 Yukawa matrices Y valid when YY† → U†YY†U under global $$ \mathrm{U}{(3)}_{Q_L} $$
U

3

Q
L

flavour symmetry transformations U. The results apply to the Standard Model Effective Field Theory (SMEFT) and its ‘geometric’ realization (geoSMEFT). We thereby complete, in the Dirac flavour sector, the catalogue of geoSMEFT parameters derived at all orders in the $$ \sqrt{2\left\langle {H}^{\dagger }H\right\rangle } $$

2

H
†

H

/Λ expansion. The formalism is basis-independent, and can be applied to models with decoupled ultraviolet flavour dynamics, as well as to models whose infrared dynamics are not minimally flavour violating. We highlight these points with explicit examples and, as a further demonstration of the formalism’s utility, we derive expressions for the renormalization group flow of quark masses, mixings, and CP-violation at all mass dimension and perturbative loop orders in the (geo)SM(EFT) and beyond.
Nucleotide excision repair leaves a mark on chromatin: DNA damage detection in nucleosomes
Authors: Apelt Katja , Lans Hannes , Schärer Orlando D. , Luijsterburg Martijn S.
Published: November 2021

Global genome nucleotide excision repair (GG-NER) eliminates a broad spectrum of DNA lesions from genomic DNA. Genomic DNA is tightly wrapped around histones creating a barrier for DNA repair proteins to access DNA lesions buried in nucleosomal DNA. The DNA-damage sensors XPC and DDB2 recognize DNA lesions in nucleosomal DNA and initiate repair. The emerging view is that a tight interplay between XPC and DDB2 is regulated by post-translational modifications on the damage sensors themselves as well as on chromatin containing DNA lesions. The choreography between XPC and DDB2, their interconnection with post-translational modifications such as ubiquitylation, SUMOylation, methylation, poly(ADP-ribos)ylation, acetylation, and the functional links with chromatin remodelling activities regulate not only the initial recognition of DNA lesions in nucleosomes, but also the downstream recruitment and necessary displacement of GG-NER factors as repair progresses. In this review, we highlight how nucleotide excision repair leaves a mark on chromatin to enable DNA damage detection in nucleosomes.
Anstieg depressiver Symptome bei Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen während des ersten Lockdowns in Deutschland
Authors: Naumann Elias , von den Driesch Ellen , Schumann Almut , Thönnissen Carolin
Published: November 2021

Hintergrund

Die COVID-19-Pandemie (Corona Virus Disease 2019) hat innerhalb kürzester Zeit das gesellschaftliche Leben grundlegend verändert. Bei politischen Entscheidungen steht oft die Abwägung zwischen der Pandemiebekämpfung und den möglichen negativen wirtschaftlichen Konsequenzen im Vordergrund. Zunehmend finden jedoch auch die psychologischen und sozialen Auswirkungen des Lockdowns Beachtung.

Fragestellung

Wie hat sich die psychische Gesundheit von Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen in Deutschland während der ersten Welle der COVID-19-Pandemie und der dadurch bedingten Kontaktbeschränkungen in Deutschland verändert?

Material und Methoden

Die Analysen basieren auf Längsschnittdaten von bundesweit per Zufallsverfahren ausgewählten Ankerpersonen des Beziehungs- und Familienpanels pairfam. Die hier betrachtete Altersgruppe der Geburtsjahrgänge 2001–2003 wurde im Jahr 2018/2019 erstmalig im Zuge einer Aufstockungsstichprobe befragt und 854 dieser Jugendlichen und jungen Erwachsenen im Alter von 16–19 Jahren nahmen auch an der COVID-19-Zusatzbefragung von Mai bis Juli 2020 (erster Lockdown) teil. Die Depressivität wird mit der State-Trait Depression Scale erhoben.

Ergebnisse

Während des ersten Lockdowns zeigte sich bei den jungen Menschen ein deutlicher Anstieg depressiver Symptome: Vor dem Lockdown hatten 10,4 % klinisch relevante depressive Symptome [95 %-KI: 8,4; 12,5], im Frühjahr 2020 stieg dieser Anteil auf 25,3 % [95 %-KI: 22,4; 28,2]. Das Risiko, depressive Symptome zu entwickeln, war bei weiblichen Jugendlichen und jungen Frauen erhöht. Der Migrationshintergrund zeigte sich als ein ähnlich starker Risikofaktor: Die Prävalenz depressiver Symptome stieg bei Migrationshintergrund von 11 % auf 33 %.

Diskussion

Um diese Risikogruppen zu erreichen, sind flächendeckende, zielgruppenspezifische und niedrigschwellige Angebote der Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung nötig.
Walrasian equilibrium theory with and without free-disposal: theorems and counterexamples in an infinite-agent context
Authors: Anderson Robert M. , Duanmu Haosui , Khan M. Ali , Uyanik Metin
Published: November 2021

This paper provides four theorems on the existence of a free-disposal equilibrium in a Walrasian economy: the first with an arbitrary set of agents with compact consumption sets, the next highlighting the trade-offs involved in the relaxation of the compactness assumption, and the last two with a countable set of agents endowed with a weighting structure. The results generalize theorems in the antecedent literature pioneered by Shafer–Sonnenschein in 1975, and currently in the form taken in He–Yannelis 2016. The paper also provides counterexamples to the existence of non-free-disposal equilibrium in cases of both a countable set of agents and an atomless measure space of agents. One of the examples is related to one Chiaki Hara presented in 2005. The examples are of interest because they satisfy all the hypotheses of Shafer’s 1976 result on the existence of a non-free-disposal equilibrium, except for the assumption of a finite set of agents. The work builds on recent work of the authors on abstract economies, and contributes to the ongoing discussion on the modelling of “large” societies.
Stent Graft Placement by Pseudoaneurysm of the Hepatic Arteries: Efficacy and Patency Rate in Follow-up
Authors: Pedersoli F. , Van den Bosch V. , Sieben P. , Barzakova E. , Schulze-Hagen M. , Isfort P. , Keil S. , Wiltberger G. , Kuhl C. K. , Bruners P.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

To investigate efficacy and patency status of stent graft implantation in the treatment of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysm.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective analysis of patients who had undergone endovascular treatment of hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms between 2011 and 2020 was performed. Medical records were examined to obtain patients’ surgical histories and to screen for active bleeding. Angiographic data on vascular access, target vessel, material used and technical success, defined as the exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm by means of a stent graft with sufficient control of bleeding, were collected. Vessel patency at follow-up CT was analyzed and classified as short-term (< 6 weeks), mid-term (between 6 weeks and 1 year), and long-term patency (> 1 year). In case of stent occlusion, collateralization and signs of hepatic hypoperfusion were examined.

Results

In total, 30 patients were included and of these, 25 and 5 had undergone stent graft implantation and coiling, respectively. In patients with implanted stent grafts, technical success was achieved in 23/25 patients (92%). Follow-up CT scans were available in 16 patients, showing stent graft patency in 9/16 patients (56%). Short-term, mid-term, and long-term short-term stent patency was found in 81% (13/16), 40% (4/10), and 50% (2/4). In patients with stent graft occlusion, 86% (6/7) exhibited maintenance of arterial liver perfusion via collaterals and 14% (1/7) exhibited liver abscess during follow-up.

Conclusion

Stent graft provides an effective treatment for hepatic artery pseudoaneurysms. Even though patency rates decreased as a function of time, stent occlusion was mainly asymptomatic due to sufficient collateralization.