bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm with dynamic aortic regurgitation
Authors: Pollak Angela L. , Vega Eleanor , Whitacre Meredith , Nicoara Alina
Published: December 2022

The ruptured sinus of Valsalva aneurysm (SVA) can present with dynamic aortic regurgitation (AR). Hemodynamic changes elicited by induction of general anesthesia can lead to dynamic AR in setting of ruptured SVA. Perioperative echocardiography is critical in understanding the etiology of AR and in guiding surgical decision‐making. If the aortic valve is structurally normal, AR may resolve following patch repair of the SVA rupture defect. Conventional measures of assessing AR severity are not accurate with continuous left‐to‐right flow across a ruptured SVA.
Correlates of Latina college students' dyadic coping with sisters
Authors: Killoren Sarah E. , Randall Ashley K. , Kline Gabrielle C. , Alfaro Edna C. , Campione‐Barr Nicole
Published: December 2022

Objective

This study examined Latina college students' perceptions of sisters' dyadic coping behaviors following stress disclosure, and how dyadic coping behaviors were associated with sibling relationship characteristics and familism values.

Background

Sibling relationships are protective when college students experience adversity.

Method

The sample included 195 Latina college students (Mage = 23.25 years, SD = 1.93) and path analysis was conducted to address the study goals.

Results

Latina college students perceived high levels of supportive, delegated, and common dyadic coping behaviors and moderate levels of negative dyadic coping behaviors from their sisters. Latina college students who lived with their sisters perceived more delegated dyadic coping behaviors than those who lived apart. Sibling intimacy was positively associated with perceptions of sisters' supportive, delegated, and common dyadic coping, but was not associated with negative dyadic coping behaviors. Sibling negativity was negatively associated with perceptions of sisters' supportive and common dyadic coping behaviors and positively associated with perceptions of sisters' negative dyadic coping behaviors. Further, Latina college students' stronger endorsement of familism values was associated with greater perceptions of sisters' supportive, delegated, and common dyadic coping behaviors.

Conclusion

Overall, our study showed that Latina college students perceived dyadic coping behaviors from their sisters, which were associated with aspects of their sibling relationship and their endorsement of familism values.

Implications

Continuing to examine dyadic coping in siblings is important as it may have implications for family‐focused prevention and intervention programs.
Climate‐driven vegetation greening further reduces water availability in drylands
Authors: Chen Zefeng , Wang Weiguang , Cescatti Alessandro , Forzieri Giovanni
Published: December 2022

Climate change alters surface water availability (WA; precipitation minus evapotranspiration, P − ET) and consequently impacts agricultural production and societal water needs, leading to increasing concerns on the sustainability of water use. Although the direct effects of climate change on WA have long been recognized and assessed, indirect climate effects occurring through adjustments in terrestrial vegetation are more subtle and not yet fully quantified. To address this knowledge gap, here we investigate the interplay between climate‐induced changes in leaf area index (LAI) and ET and quantify its ultimate effect on WA during the period 1982–2016 at the global scale, using an ensemble of data‐driven products and land surface models. We show that ~44% of the global vegetated land has experienced a significant increase in growing season‐averaged LAI and climate change explains 33.5% of this greening signal. Such climate‐induced greening has enhanced ET of 0.051 ± 0.067 mm year−2 (mean ± SD), further amplifying the ongoing increase in ET directly driven by variations in climatic factors over 36.8% of the globe, and thus exacerbating the decline in WA prominently in drylands. These findings highlight the indirect impact of positive feedbacks in the land–climate system on the decline of WA, and call for an in‐depth evaluation of these phenomena in the design of local mitigation and adaptation plans.
Textural and physicochemical properties of threadfin bream surimi gels prepared with salted duck egg white as substitute for hen egg white
Authors: Srisai Prim , Pansawat Nantipa , Rattanaporn Kittipong , Limpisophon Kanokrat
Published: December 2022

Egg white can improve the textural properties of low‐grade surimi gels. We investigated the comparative effects of salted duck egg white (SDEW) and hen egg white (HEP), at equal egg white protein and salt levels, on the textural and physicochemical properties of low‐grade threadfin bream surimi gels. At 0.50% protein and 2.75% salt, the textural properties of the surimi prepared with SDEW were comparable with those of the surimi prepared with HEP, and their breaking force values were as twice as that of the surimi prepared with salt only. According to the surimi gel's soluble peptide content and protein pattern, both SDEW and HEP demonstrated inhibitory activities against the degradation of the myosin heavy chain. Surimi gels prepared with SDEW or HEP formed gel structures mainly via disulphide bonds and hydrophobic interactions, thereby resulting in stronger gels that retain water. Therefore, 0.50% protein SDEW could substitute for HEP in low‐grade surimi gels.
In vitro assessment of the effect of lactose‐free milk on colon microbiota of lactose‐intolerant adults
Authors: Casciano Flavia , Nissen Lorenzo , Chiarello Elena , Di Nunzio Mattia , Bordoni Alessandra , Gianotti Andrea
Published: December 2022

Milk is an essential food, but a large part of adult's population is uncapable to digest lactose. Lactose intolerance can seriously affect the intestinal ecology and compromise the host's well‐being. In this scenario, the role of human gut microbiota is crucial, but little is known about that because few research studies were conducted, via either clinical trials or in vitro models. Also, due to the call to reduce animal testing in science, an in vitro model with the gut microbiota of lactose‐intolerant adults is necessary. This paper proposes an in vitro model coupling oro‐gastro‐duodenal digestion to colonic fermentation to evaluate lactose impact on colon microbiota of lactose‐intolerant adults. Microbiomics and metabolomics with respect to a baseline of fermentation were compared. Generally, when the insult was given, taxa specialised for dairy sugars were unaffected, but Bacteroidaceae and Lachnospiraceae were underrepresented. Lactose triggered raise of opportunistic Proteobacteria dominated by harmful Klebsiella. In addition, an important reduction of essential short‐chain fatty acids was observed, and in particular, that of butyrate. Although more observations need to be conducted, as well as a comparison with the healthy condition, the present work gives results for pre‐clinical application in the sight to reduce animal testing.
Study on antioxidant activity of wheat bran extract microcapsules in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Yu Xiaohong , Gong Bingye , Li Mengyue , Li Wei , Chen Xiaodong
Published: December 2022

Wheat bran extracts (WBE, mainly composed of feruloyl oligosaccharides (FOs)) have been approved by FDA in GRAS Notice. WBE was utilised in octenyl succinate anhydride‐modified starch (OSA‐starch)‐based microcapsules as wall materials to protect β‐carotene (BC) from oxygen. The storage retention and antioxidant indexes in vivo and in vitro of microcapsules were determined. The results showed that these characteristics were positively related to the proportion of WBE in the wall material. The in vivo antioxidant indexes in mouse serum and liver were positively regulated at gavage dose around content in wheat grain (normal dose), while at a higher dosage, the in vivo free oxidative stress fell into disorder. The results indicated that WBE was a good component of wall material, which can improve the antioxidant environment during both storage and consumption. This experiment provides a theoretical basis for the industrial application of WBE in the field of microcapsules.
Nanoemulsions loaded with compound photosensitisers: synergistic photodynamic inactivation effects of curcumin and riboflavin tetra butyrate
Authors: Zhang Chunling , Zhang Yushu , Fang Qiangsheng , Li Rui , Yuan Yuan , Zhuang Hong
Published: December 2022

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) is an effective method in the field of sterilisation. Singlet oxygen (1O2) is an important substance in photodynamic sterilisation that needs to be detected. It involves energy transfer from an excited photosensitiser to surrounding oxygen molecules to produce cytotoxic 1O2 species, a process termed as type II reaction. Traditional photodynamic sterilisation for fresh produce generally involves only a single photosensitiser and uses nanoemulsions coating to make the photosensitiser work better. This allows the emulsion to produce only a limited amount of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the presence of light, such that the bactericidal effect is limited. We have innovatively compounded two photosensitisers and stored them as nanoemulsions. The composite photosensitiser produces relatively higher ROS and the nanoemulsions have good stability as well as rheological properties, and the photosensitisers are well coated in the emulsions. In summary, nanoemulsions based on composite photosensitisers showed synergistic activity in controlling the growth of Staphylococcus aureus, which provides a novel approach for raw sterilisation to maintain food safety.
The effect of different edible fungal polysaccharides on the stability of whey protein isolate solution near isoelectric point
Authors: Shang Jiaqi , Ritian Jin , Yang Wei , Teng Xiangyu , Sun Hui , Zhang Fengrui , Zhang Lili , Xu Yan , Ren Haowei , Liu Ning
Published: December 2022

Whey protein isolate (WPI) is unstable near isoelectric point with simultaneous precipitation or phase separation, which negatively affects its application. In the current study, four kinds of edible fungal polysaccharides were selected to improve the WPI stability through non‐covalent interaction. The addition of edible fungal polysaccharides significantly improved the WPI stability. Zeta potential analysis showed that edible fungal polysaccharides reduced the zeta potential of WPI. The analysis of rheological properties showed that complex solutions exhibited higher viscosity and behaved as pseudoplastic fluids. Bio‐layer interferometry demonstrated the interactions between edible fungal polysaccharides and WPI, and the KD between Tremella fuciformis (TFP) and WPI was the lowest. LC–MS/MS results indicated that the peptide fragments “VGINYWLAHK” and “TPEVDDEALEKFDK” in α‐lactalbumin and β‐lactoglobulin were probably binding regions interacted with the four kinds of edible fungal polysaccharides. Furthermore, molecular docking results inferred GLN43 and GLU127 were the major residues in the α‐lactalbumin and β‐lactoglobulin.
The origin of regulatory from the effector cells in LAG‐3‐marked Th1 immunity against severe influenza virus infection
Authors: Dutta Avijit , Hung Chen‐Yiu , Chen Tse‐Ching , Chang Chia‐Shiang , Hsiao Sung‐Han , Lin Yung‐Chang , Lin Chun‐Yen , Huang Ching‐Tai
Published: December 2022

In severe respiratory virus infections, including influenza, an exaggerated host immune response has been linked to the severe disease and death. Control of the overwhelming immune response is thus essential. Efforts with broad‐spectrum immunosuppressive agents such as steroids are disappointing. A better understanding of host immune response using animal experimental system is required to avoid undesired outcome of experimental manipulation. Following severe influenza virus infection in influenza hemagglutinin antigen‐specific transgenic mouse experimental model, step‐wise evolving cells from a pool of naïve hemagglutinin‐specific CD4+ T cells were studied for phenotypic, genomic, and functional characterization in vivo. Naïve CD4+ T cells respond with Th1 commitment in the absolute majority. They first develop into LAG‐3MedIFN‐γ‐secreting Th1 effectors and then evolve into LAG‐3HighIFN‐γ‐not‐secreting regulators with increasing LAG‐3 expression upon continuous activation and cell division. The LAG‐3MedIFN‐γ‐secreting effectors contribute to inflammation, boost inflammatory response of cognate antigen‐specific CD8+ T cells, and aggravate the disease despite facilitated virus clearance. In contrast, LAG‐3High regulators do not contribute to inflammation, suppress CD8+ T cell inflammatory response, alleviate lung pathology, and ameliorate the disease with preserved virus clearance. Moderated CD8+ T cells retain proliferative capacity, and persist beyond virus clearance. Such moderation is distinct from Foxp‐3+ regulator‐mediated suppression, which suppresses proliferative and inflammatory responses of the CD8+ T cells and impairs virus clearance with inflammation alleviation. Origin of regulatory from the effector cells of LAG‐3‐marked Th1 immunity alleviates lung inflammation without impairment of virus eradication.
Testing a supervisor‐led extension of self‐reflection resilience training: A controlled trial randomized by platoon at the Royal Military College
Authors: Kho Madison C. , Karin Eyal , Gucciardi Daniel F. , Crane Monique F.
Published: December 2022

The study tested an extension of a promising adaptive self‐reflective approach to resilience training. The extension integrated resilience training content in routine workplace activities via supervisors. Participants were military cadets (N = 168), randomized by platoon into two conditions. The control condition received the original self‐reflective resilience training only (n = 85), and the intervention condition additionally received a supervisor‐led extension of this programme (n = 83). Participants completed assessments of depression and anxiety symptoms and perceived stress at four time points over five months. Cadet performance scores were also obtained. Findings indicated that participants receiving the supervisor‐led extension demonstrated better psychological outcomes earlier than cadets in the control condition. However, at Time 4 both interventions had equivalent levels of mental health outcomes and perceived stress. The supervisor‐led condition demonstrated better average performance than the control condition for the performance measure congruent to the workplace activity in which the extension was applied. Mechanisms for the effectiveness of the supervisor‐led extension were explored. Analysis suggested that perceived supervisor support for the individual mediated the intervention–psychological outcome relationship. This research demonstrates the effectiveness of a scalable resilience intervention and speaks to a role of supervisors in facilitating resilience via supportive interactions.
South to north investment linkages and decent work in Brazil
Authors: Wagner Patrick , Raess Damian
Published: December 2022

Over the last 25 years, the BRICs asserted themselves as drivers of globalization. But what does their new‐found prominence mean for working conditions at home? Using a novel sub‐national database covering outward investment linkages and working conditions in Brazilian municipalities, this study tests whether a direct investment in Europe leads to the introduction of decent working conditions in Brazil. The empirical results provide strong support for the investing‐up effect using a mixture of panel data analysis and text analysis. The results suggest that economic integration with high‐standard developed countries can act as a powerful mechanism for labor standard improvements in developing countries.
Premature atrial contraction immediately after catheter ablation was associated with late recurrence of atrial fibrillation
Authors: Fujisawa Tomoki , Kawakami Hiroshi , Nagai Takayuki , Miyazaki Shigehiro , Akazawa Yusuke , Miyoshi Toru , Higaki Akinori , Seike Fumiyasu , Higashi Haruhiko , Nishimura Kazuhisa , Inoue Katsuji , Ikeda Shuntaro , Yamaguchi Osamu
Published: December 2022

Background

Although premature atrial contractions (PACs) just after catheter ablation (CA) for atrial fibrillation (AF) are common, their clinical significance is uncertain. This study aimed to evaluate whether the PAC burden after an initial CA for AF was associated with late recurrence.

Methods

We enrolled 346 patients with AF (median age, 65 years; 30% female; 57% with paroxysmal AF) who underwent an initial radiofrequency CA and a 24‐h Holter monitoring the day after the procedure. PAC was defined as supraventricular complexes occurring ≥30% earlier than expected compared with a previous RR interval, and the number of PAC/24 h during post‐procedural Holter monitoring was analyzed.

Results

AF recurred in 106 patients (31%) during a median follow‐up of 19 months. These patients had significantly more PAC/24 h than those without (median [interquartile range], 891 [316–4351] beats vs. 409 [162–1,303] beats; p < 0.01). The number of PACs was independently associated with AF recurrence after adjustment for clinical parameters and left atrial (LA) enlargement. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that 1431 PAC/24 h was the optimal cut‐off value for predicting AF recurrence. Adding the PAC/24 h to the prediction model with LA diameter appeared to correctly reclassify patients who were thought to be at high risk for AF recurrence into the low‐risk group and vice versa.

Conclusions

The number of PACs was an independent risk factor for AF recurrence. A 24‐h Holter recording the day after an initial CA is a simple and beneficial tool for the risk stratification of AF recurrence.
Public assessments of ministerial leadership in times of national crisis: The case of the pandemic crisis
Authors: Lee Don S.
Published: December 2022

Public administration and political science researchers have debated what constitutes effective ministerial leadership in presidential governments. Some argue that, looking at it from the chief executive's perspective, ministers ought to be capable of supporting her policy programs, but others, taking the bureaucrats' point of view, contend that ministers need to be experienced in managing agencies and executing policy correctly. However, there has been a lack of research on the public assessments of ministerial leadership, particularly in times of crisis. We contribute experimental evidence by analyzing original survey data on more than 1200 South Korean citizens collected during the COVID‐19 pandemic. We find that, overall, citizens are more likely to endorse ministers' technical expertise and management abilities than their political skills during a crisis. Moreover, as the impact of a national crisis becomes more severe, the levels of support enjoyed by ministers with technical expertise increase more than the support given to ministers with other skills.
Association between management, human resources, and care provided to patients with special healthcare needs in dental specialty centers in Brazil: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Reis‐Oliveira Jennifer , Costa Brune de Sousa Faria , Borges‐Oliveira Ana Cristina , de Abreu Mauro Henrique Nogueira Guimarães
Published: December 2022

Aims

This study aimed to identify the association between management and human resource factors with the performance of dental care provided to patients with special health care needs (SHCN) in secondary care in Brazil in the second cycle of the Program for Quality Improvement and Access to Dental Specialty Centers (PMAQ‐CEO).

Methods and Results

This study is a secondary data analysis from the second cycle from PMAQ‐CEO, which evaluated 1097 Dental Specialty Centers (DSCs), conducted in 2018. Seventeen independent variables taken from dentists’ training, and dental team management characteristics were analyzed to assess their influence on the reported “Performance of care for SHCN patients”. An estimated score was generated from their performance on 23 questions related to the physical and human structure and work processes in the oral health care of SHCN patients in the DSCs. Negative binomial regression model with values p ≤ 0.05 were considered significant. Data analysis included residual deviation to the degree of freedom and the chi‐square test. The patient care performance score with SHCN increases significantly when the DSC has a manager (RR = 1.019; CI = 1.011–1.026) and goal monitoring and analysis (RR = 1.012; CI = 1.007–1.005). By contrast, the DSCs in which the dentist is a statutory public servant (RR = 0.998; CI = 0.997–1.000) and performs additional unhealthy or hazardous duties (RR = 0.998; CI = 0.996–0.999) are less likely to provide a higher quality care.

Conclusion

The heterogeneity and low‐performance scores for dental care provided to SHCN was identified in Brazilian health services. It was possible to verify that management and human resource factors of the DSCs were associated with the performance of dental care provided to SHCN patients.
Recasting the state: The Scottish National Party and the Nieuw‐Vlaamse Alliantie
Authors: Brown Swan Coree
Published: December 2022

In 2014, voters in Scotland and Flanders were faced with a choice which would shape the constitutional future of their respective nations as well as that of the British and Belgian states. The Scottish National Party and the Nieuw‐Vlaamse Alliantie sought different types of self‐government, but their proposals were made in response to the embedding state. This article analyses the messaging of each party, determining that both discursively use the state – as concept and as institution – in similar ways. Both acknowledge the interdependence inherent to governance in the twenty‐first century, but argue that self‐government remains necessary. They also use the perceived failings of the state to make their case for self‐government. However, there are important, albeit subtle, areas of variation, reflecting both the nature of each party’s self‐government goals and their strategies in pursuit of them.
Conflictual and consensual class relations in collective governance: Comparing the expansion of short apprenticeships in Germany and Switzerland
Authors: Graf Lukas
Published: December 2022

Collective skill formation builds on a long tradition of cooperation between state actors, unions, and employer associations. As such, it can be considered strongly path‐dependent, which also refers to deeply institutionalized arrangements reconciling economic and social objectives across public and private actors. Yet, given structural changes in the economy and crises on the training market, dual apprenticeship training has been increasingly challenged to maintain its balance between economic and social objectives. In this context, I analyse the expansion of short‐track dual apprenticeship training, which represents a lower‐cost, lower‐qualification variant of traditional dual apprenticeships in Germany and Switzerland. In these countries—both of which are core examples of collective skill formation systems—such short‐tracks were expanded starting in the early 2000s. However, German unions have heavily opposed this expansion, while Swiss unions have actively supported it. I carry out a comparative historical‐institutional analysis to address this puzzle and unpack the respective change processes. Focussing on the dominant governance modes, I find that in Switzerland, the expansion of short‐tracks is linked to path reinforcement in terms of a liberal corporatist system characterized by polite employer domination. In contrast, in Germany I observe that the developments around short‐tracks are associated with a path switch from a social to a more liberal collective skill formation arrangement but one that is linked to rather ‘hostile’ employer domination.
The multi‐dimensional politics of education policy in the knowledge economy: The case of Italy (1996–2008)
Authors: Durazzi Niccolo , Pavolini Emmanuele , Battaglia Fabio
Published: December 2022

Despite rhetorical agreement amongst all major political‐economic actors around the importance of education policy in the knowledge economy, the reform of education systems remains a complex political endeavour. The article explores the politics of education policy by focussing on its multi‐dimensionality. It argues that education systems simultaneously perform three functions: they distribute educational opportunities; they provide skills to the labour market; and they are a source of public sector employment. It is argued that policy change in one dimension is likely to trigger spill‐over effects onto the others, giving rise to complex political dynamics at the intersection of the parliamentary and corporatist arenas. It is in this context that centre‐left and centre‐right parties (try to) pursue distributional goals whilst being pressured by different interest groups. The theoretical argument is explored empirically through a detailed reconstruction of over a decade of intense reform activity in the Italian upper‐secondary education system.
Subverting geopolitics: The reinvention of geography in post‐revolutionary Mexico
Authors: Vegliò Simone
Published: December 2022

Within the enduring effort to rethink geography from multiple viewpoints and new conceptual categories, critical geographers have recently sought to ‘decentralise geopolitics’ (An, Sharp, and Shaw, 2021, Dialogues in Human Geography, 11(2), 270) by proposing alternative analyses that can tackle the Eurocentric stance that has largely defined the field. This paper contributes to this decentralising effort by bringing to light, historically, an anti‐imperial discourse that took the form of a proper geographical invention. Specifically, the paper analyses the thought of the Mexican intellectual José Vasconcelos – who acted as Secretary of Public Education in the aftermath of the Revolution (1921–1924) – and argues that Vasconcelos' discourse represents a ‘subaltern’ intervention against the imperial presuppositions of the new‐born discipline of geopolitics. The paper contends that Vasconcelos' thought constitutes a conscious attempt, although clearly imbued with ‘postcolonial’ tensions and contradictions, to challenge the ‘scientific’ basis of the emerging geopolitical discourse at that time. By analysing Vasconcelos' geographical and geo‐social imagination through his recuperation of the myth of Atlantis and the idea of Cosmic Race, the paper illuminates an early operation of ‘subaltern geopolitics’ (Sharp, 2011, Geoforum, 42, 271) that aimed to contrast the new wave of Western imperialism which, intensively nurtured by socio‐environmentalist narratives, defined the turn of the twentieth century.
A Footprint Analysis: Comparison between Conventional Scanning Method and Motion Capture System
Authors: Dzulkifli Azkiyyah Wahida , Mualif Siti Aisyah , Azaman Aizreena , Isa Siti Nor Ismalina , Ishar Seri Mirianti , Ishak Ahmad Razali , Aziz Mohd Yusmaidie , Abdul Aziz Muhammad Yusran , Suaidi Noor Asyikin
Published: December 2022

Footprint is a key element in human physiological characteristic study, for determining gender, height and weight. This study is to investigate the reliability of using conventional scanning method by comparing results with motion capture system method. The study takes footprint images from conventional scanning and processed using MATLAB. The captured gait movement data are generated from Vicon Nexus and Vicon Polygon respectively. Afterwards the data from the two methods were analysed for correlation test. The significant difference between measurement of gait parameters using Vicon and conventional scanned method were tested using paired sample t-test and the concurrent validity of conventional scanned method was tested using Pearson correlation. Although there was significance difference between measurement using both methods, the correlation analysis displayed moderate to high positive significant correlation of the parameters indicating the validity of the conventional scanned method.   This concludes this study to accept the alternative hypothesis that there is a linear relationship between these two procedures.
Aluminum Doped Titanium Dioxide Thin Film for Perovskite Electron Transport Layer
Authors: Hashim Faiz , Ismail Khamim , Supee Aizuddin , Omar Firdaus , Ab. Ghani Zainatul Izzah , Ramli Ain Ajeerah , Syed Yaacob Syariffah Nurathirah
Published: December 2022

Aluminum (Al) doped titanium dioxide thin film with different Al doping concentration (Al = 0 mol%, 1 mol%, 3 mol%, 5 mol% and 7 mol%) were deposited using solution spin coating technique and the effect of Al concentration on the structural, morphological and optical properties were examine. All samples were annealed at 450°C for 1 hour. XRD reveal that the films exhibits anatase crystal phase at (101) peak orientation. Based on the FESEM and AFM image it is found that, surface morphology of the film was significantly affected with different doping concentration. Al doped titanium dioxide with 3 mol% Al concentration shows the highest transmittance compared to others samples. Consequently, it is shown that different Al doping concentration plays vital roles in producing an optimum Al doped titanium dioxide thin films samples.
Numerical Simulation of Gas Flow through a Cylindrical Grain Storage
Authors: Mat Isa Zaiton , Nazri Mohd Danial , Idris Amidora
Published: December 2022

This study is concerned with a process known as fumigation in the grain industry. During this process, fumigant is injected at the inlet of storage and is expected to distribute throughout the stored grain to kill the insects in it. The present research focuses on the study of the fumigant (phosphine) flow distribution based on mathematical modelling and numerical simulation through available Computational Fluid Dynamic (CFD) software. In particular, the mathematical modelling is translated into the CFD and simulation is ran to determine areas where insects might find refuge. Hence provide information for conducting more effective fumigation. Numerical simulation using CFD software, for example, FLUENT, is widely known as cost and time effective. However, the numerical simulation needs to be verified before conducting such studies.  For a simple case, the analytical solution exists. Therefore, the analytic solution for a simple case, can be used for verification and serve as a basis for adopting a CFD software, FLUENT for an extended geometry and boundary conditions. The numerical results are found to agree well with the analytical results. Overall, the fumigant gas flows towards the outlet regardless of the position of the outlet.
Instrumentation in the Study of Diesel Combustion
Authors: Landen E. W. , Blanc L. A.
Published: December 2022

Physical apparatus and technique have been developed for studying the fundamental processes of combustion within the cylinders of Diesel engines. The study of engine performance actually should begin with the energy changes taking place in the combustible material. For a better understanding of the procedure followed in such tests the authors describe the “window technique” developed for the optical study of combustion. In this system a quartz port is introduced into the cylinder wall through which, for example, a spectrograph may be used to observe the flame. Another method for studying combustion and its effects on the cylinder is by means of the Edgerton camera, or high-speed continuously moving film. The technique of measuring pressures within the combustion chambers with the cathode-ray oscilloscope is described. The most important results of the study reported in this paper are the records of flame duration and pressure obtained.
Improved Hydraulic Presses for Wartime Requirements
Authors: Maude J. H.
Published: December 2022

This paper describes a new rapid-action self-contained hydraulic press developed for wartime industries in Canada. Since this mass-production press employs oil as the pressure medium, the power unit is of special interest. This the author deals with at some length. The operations for which the press is particularly adapted, namely, drawing, indenting, and loading cartridge cases, are described in some detail, as are also the methods of press control. A suitable hydraulagraph was developed for measuring pressure changes, and this instrument provides a permanent graphic record of tests on modern presses. The “one-shot” press and a 300-ton gun-straightening press are also discussed.
Effects of Continued Heating on Mechanical Properties of Molded Phenolic Plastics
Authors: Carswell T. S. , Telfair D. , Haslanger R. U.
Published: December 2022

The results of previous investigations have indicated the influence of temperature on the mechanical properties of molded phenolic compositions, which data are essential if these plastic materials are to be selected properly and designed for structural applications where elevated temperatures are involved either intermittently or continuously. To supplement these data the authors undertook research work to determine the change of impact and flexural strengths with prolonged heating up to 500 hr at temperatures of from 110 to 225 C for six molded phenol-formaldehyde plastics. The compositions studied, the method of testing, and the results in the form of tables and curves, constitute the subject matter of the present paper.
Drying of Textiles
Authors: Walker A. C.
Published: December 2022

In 1937 a textile-drying research project was initiated by the United States Institute for Textile Research and supported by the textile industry, for the purpose of evaluating the effects of temperature and humidity on the physical and chemical properties of important textile fibers. The present paper gives a comprehensive report of the results obtained and points out the basis upon which the industry must proceed in problems relating to textile drying. In all cases, consideration should be given to the theories relating to the form in which the moisture is distributed within the fiber structure and to data of the type discussed by the author.
Theoretical and Experimental Investigations of Thin-Webbed Plate-Girder Beams
Authors: Langhaar H. L.
Published: December 2022

A simple, semirational theory for the design of webs and flange rivets of thin-webbed rectangular plate-girder shear beams is presented. Calculations of shear loads to cause web rupture and flange rivet failure are compared with test data from twenty-seven beams.
Benchmarking Fast Neutrons Leakage Spectrum From Copper Block With 252Cf Source in Center
Authors: Czakoj Tomáš , Košťál Michal , Schulc Martin , Rypar Vojtěch , Novák Evžen , Losa Evžen
Published: December 2022

Copper is an important material for the nuclear industry; therefore, the correct copper cross section are essential. This paper deals with benchmarking the fast neutron leakage spectrum from a copper block with an intense 252Cf source. The spectrum was measured by the proton recoil method using a stilbene scintillator and spectrometer with pulse shape discrimination. The room effect was subtracted experimentally by shielding cone and confirmed computationally. Simulations were performed using the MCNP6.2 Monte Carlo code. A detailed study on uncertainties has been made. Consequently, as the main source of uncertainties, the measurement apparatus was determined (namely, calibration and number of iterations—up to 15%). From the parameter uncertainty, the most important effects are connected with the mass of cube material—the thickness of the assembly (up to 2%). The effect of copper density uncertainty is low because density was determined experimentally with low uncertainty. The uncertainty related to parameter uncertainties in source structural components is negligible because even neglection of all components leads to a shift in leakage spectra below 7%. Several copper nuclear data libraries were tested as well, and it was found that the calculation with JEFF-3.3 gives the most discrepant results with a discrepancy of up to 60%. The closest results were obtained with ENDF/B-VIII.0 (below 5 MeV, discrepancy within 10%) and JENDL-4.0 (above 5 MeV, discrepancy within 15%). ENDF/B-VII.1 library is relatively close in the region above 5 MeV (discrepancy within 15%), below 5 MeV the agreement is worse (up to 40% discrepancy).
In vivo characterization of glutamine metabolism identifies therapeutic targets in clear cell renal cell carcinoma
Authors: Kaushik Akash K. , Tarangelo Amy , Boroughs Lindsey K. , Ragavan Mukundan , Zhang Yuanyuan , Wu Cheng-Yang , Li Xiangyi , Ahumada Kristen , Chiang Jui-Chung , Tcheuyap Vanina T. , Saatchi Faeze , Do Quyen N. , Yong Cissy , Rosales Tracy , Stevens Christina , Rao Aparna D. , Faubert Brandon , Pachnis Panayotis , Zacharias Lauren G. , Vu Hieu , Cai Feng , Mathews Thomas P. , Genovese Giannicola , Slusher Barbara S. , Kapur Payal , Sun Xiankai , Merritt Matthew , Brugarolas James , DeBerardinis Ralph J.
Published: December 2022

Targeting metabolic vulnerabilities has been proposed as a therapeutic strategy in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Here, we analyzed the metabolism of patient-derived xenografts (tumorgrafts) from diverse subtypes of RCC. Tumorgrafts from
VHL
-mutant clear cell RCC (ccRCC) retained metabolic features of human ccRCC and engaged in oxidative and reductive glutamine metabolism. Genetic silencing of isocitrate dehydrogenase-1 or isocitrate dehydrogenase-2 impaired reductive labeling of tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle intermediates in vivo and suppressed growth of tumors generated from tumorgraft-derived cells. Glutaminase inhibition reduced the contribution of glutamine to the TCA cycle and resulted in modest suppression of tumorgraft growth. Infusions with [amide-
15
N]glutamine revealed persistent amidotransferase activity during glutaminase inhibition, and blocking these activities with the amidotransferase inhibitor JHU-083 also reduced tumor growth in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent mice. We conclude that ccRCC tumorgrafts catabolize glutamine via multiple pathways, perhaps explaining why it has been challenging to achieve therapeutic responses in patients by inhibiting glutaminase.
Memoryless drop breakup in turbulence
Authors: Vela-Martín Alberto , Avila Marc
Published: December 2022

The breakup of drops and bubbles in turbulent fluids is a key mechanism in many environmental and engineering processes. Even in the well-studied dilute case, quantitative descriptions of drop fragmentation remain elusive, and empirical models continue to proliferate. We here investigate drop breakup by leveraging a novel computer code, which enables the generation of ensembles of experiments with thousands of independent, fully resolved simulations. We show that in homogeneous isotropic turbulence breakup is a memoryless process whose rate depends only on the Weber number. A simple model based on the computed breakup rates can accurately predict experimental measurements and demonstrates that dilute emulsions evolve through a continuous fragmentation process with exponentially increasing time scales. Our results suggest a nonvanishing breakup rate below the critical Kolmogorov-Hinze diameter, challenging the current paradigm of inertial drop fragmentation.
Spectra stable deep-blue light-emitting diodes based on cryolite-like cerium(III) halides with nanosecond d-f emission
Authors: Guo Qingxun , Wang Liang , Yang Longbo , Duan Jiashun , Du Hainan , Ji Guoqi , Liu Nian , Zhao Xue , Chen Chao , Xu Ling , Gao Liang , Luo Jiajun , Tang Jiang
Published: December 2022

Next-generation wide color gamut displays require the development of efficient and toxic-free light-emitting materials meeting the crucial Rec. 2020 standard. With the rapid progress of green and red perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs), blue PeLEDs remain a central challenge because of the undesirable color coordinates and poor spectra stability. Here, we report Cs
3
CeBr

x

I

6−
x

(
x
 = 0 to 6) with the cryolite-like structure and stable and tunable color coordinates from (0.17, 0.02) to (0.15, 0.04). Further encouraged by the short exciton lifetime (26.1 ns) and high photoluminescence quantum yield (~76%), we construct Cs
3
CeBr

x

I

6−
x

-based rare-earth LEDs via thermal evaporation. A seed layer strategy is conducted to improve the device’s performance. The optimal Cs
3
CeI
6
device achieves a maximum external quantum efficiency of 3.5% and a luminance of 470 cd m
−2
with stable deep-blue color coordinates of (0.15, 0.04). Our work opens another avenue to achieving efficient and spectrally stable deep-blue LEDs.
Supplemental Material: Concordant changes in late Holocene hydroclimate across southern Patagonia modulated by westerly winds and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation
Authors: Loisel Julie , al. et
Published: December 2022

Methodology and Figures S1–S5 and Table S1. 
Distribution, frequency and clinical presentation of leptospirosis and coinfections: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Parra Barrera Eliana L , Bello Solmara , Gallego-Lopez Gina M , Atero Nicolhole , Reyes Santamaría Elízabeth , Bautista Adriana
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Leptospirosis is a zoonotic disease with high prevalence in low-income and middle-income countries and tropical and subtropical regions. The clinical symptoms of the disease are similar to symptoms presented by other endemic infectious diseases that could be present simultaneously. Thus, leptospirosis could be masked by similar infections like dengue, malaria, hantavirus, melioidosis and borreliosis, among others. Therefore, leptospirosis could present itself as an under-reported infection or as a coinfection with another pathogen, as has been reported in the literature. However, there is a lack of documented evidence about the specific risk factors of leptospirosis infection, the symptoms, the coinfection’s mortality and the frequency of coinfection. Additionally, leptospirosis coinfections have not been considered a neglected public health concern. Therefore, this systematic review aims to evaluate published articles that show the risk factors associated with leptospirosis infection and coinfection with other pathogens.

Methods and analysis

The search process to identify eligible studies will be conducted including the LILACS, ProQuest, PubMed and Scopus databases with no restriction in terms of publication date. Also, grey literature will be included in the research. Authors will independently screen the title and abstracts of the articles identified from the search using Rayyan free software. Eligibility criteria include peer-reviewed research articles written in English or Spanish, including observational studies, cohorts, case–control, cross-sectional, ecological studies and report cases. The systematic review will include studies that report descriptions of leptospirosis cases with coinfection or co-occurrence. The search will be accomplished by articles from 1950 to May 2022. The data will be extracted in a standard extraction form using an Excel format.

Ethics and dissemination

Results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Also, findings will be disseminated through scientific meetings. Ethical approval will not be required as this is a systematic review and primary data will be not collected or included.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42021234754.
Person-centredness in dementia care: study protocol for an integrative review of theoretical approaches
Authors: Purwins Daniel , Serbser-Koal Jonathan , Rommerskirch-Manietta Mike , Roes Martina
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The concept of personhood is particularly important in person-centred dementia care because its overall aim is to maintain the personhood of people living with dementia despite disease progression. In a previous review on autonomy for people with dementia, two different underlying concepts of personhood were identified: a rationalistic and a social constructionist concept of personhood. The present integrative review aims to (1) identify existing theoretical approaches in person-centred dementia care, (2) describe the constitutive components for these theoretical approaches, (3) report the goals and/or outcomes to be achieved by person-centred care for people living with dementia and (4) identify the underlying concepts of personhood.

Methods and analysis

For our integrative review the search terms were derived from the research questions and clustered according to the ‘PICo’ (Population, Interest, Context) framework. A systematic literature search for theoretical approaches of ‘person-centred dementia care’ will be performed on MEDLINE (via PubMed), CINAHL (via EBSCO) and PsycINFO (via EBSCO). The title/abstract and full-text screening will be performed independently by two researchers according to the inclusion criteria. The data analysis procedure will have two steps: (1) identification and extraction of general information (e.g., type of publication and name of theoretical approaches described) and (2) a qualitative content analysis to analyse the components, goals, outcomes and understanding of the respective underlying conceptions of personhood within the theoretical approaches. The extraction of general information (e.g., authors) will be performed by one researcher and qualitative content analysis will be performed independently by two researchers using MAXQDA software. Any disagreements will be resolved through discussion between the two researchers or, if no consensus can be reached, with all coauthors.

Ethics and dissemination

Due to the nature of a review, ethical approval is not required. We will disseminate our results in peer-reviewed journals and at (inter)national conferences.
Performance of scoring systems in selecting short stay medical admissions suitable for assessment in same day emergency care: an analysis of diagnostic accuracy in a UK hospital setting
Authors: Atkin Catherine , Gallier Suzy , Wallin Elizabeth , Reddy-Kolanu Vinay , Sapey Elizabeth
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To assess the performance of the Amb score and Glasgow Admission Prediction Score (GAPS) in identifying acute medical admissions suitable for same day emergency care (SDEC) in a large urban secondary centre.

Design

Retrospective assessment of routinely collected data from electronic healthcare records.

Setting

Single large urban tertiary care centre.

Participants

All unplanned admissions to general medicine on Monday–Friday, episodes starting 08:00–16:59 hours and lasting up to 48 hours, between 1 April 2019 and 9 March 2020.

Main outcome measures

Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value of the Amb score and GAPS in identifying patients discharged within 12 hours of arrival.

Results

7365 episodes were assessed. 94.6% of episodes had an Amb score suggesting suitability for SDEC. The positive predictive value of the Amb score in identifying those discharged within 12 hours was 54.5% (95% CI 53.3% to 55.8%). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) for the Amb score was 0.612 (95% CI 0.599 to 0.625).

42.4% of episodes had a GAPS suggesting suitability for SDEC. The positive predictive value of the GAPS in identifying those discharged within 12 hours was 50.5% (95% CI 48.4% to 52.7%). The AUROC for the GAPS was 0.606 (95% CI 0.590 to 0.622).

41.4% of the population had both an Amb and GAPS score suggestive of suitability for SDEC and 5.7% of the population had both and Amb and GAPS score suggestive of a lack of suitability for SDEC.

Conclusions

The Amb score and GAPS had poor discriminatory ability to identify acute medical admissions suitable for discharge within 12 hours, limiting their utility in selecting patients for assessment within SDEC services within this diverse patient population.