bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Capillary blood sampling increases the risk of preanalytical errors in pediatric hospital care: Observational clinical study
Authors: Hjelmgren Henrik , Nilsson Anna , Myrberg Ida H. , Andersson Nina , Ygge Britt‐Marie , Nordlund Björn
Published: May 2021

Purpose

The blood sampling procedure is complex and prone to failure, as reflected by preanalytical errors in pediatric hospital care. The primary aim was to evaluate if the risk of preanalytical errors was higher with capillary blood sampling than with venous blood sampling, and secondary, explore specific factors associated with preanalytical errors, both overall and stratified by capillary and venous blood sampling.

Design and Methods

This observational pediatric hospital study collected outcomes from medical records and blood sampling surveys from year 2014 to 2016. The risk of preanalytical errors was analyzed with adjusted‐odds ratio (adj‐OR) by multivariable logistic regression with 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

Results

Overall, 128 (13%) preanalytical errors were identified among 951 blood samples. The proportion and adj‐OR of errors was significantly higher in capillary compared with venous blood samples, 72 (20%) of 354 versus 56 (9.4%) of 597, p = .001, adj‐OR 2.88 (CI 1.79–4.64). Blood collection with multiple sample tubes was significantly associated with increased risk of preanalytical errors (n = 97 of 601, 16%), while log weight (kg) significantly decreased the risk of preanalytical errors adj‐OR 0.66 (CI 0.50–0.86), indicating a protective effect of increasing weight. However, stratified analyses indicated a protective effect of increasing log weight for venous blood sampling adj‐OR 0.52 (CI 0.38–0.72), but not capillary blood sampling, adj‐OR 1.08 (CI 0.76–1.55).

Conclusion

This study indicates that capillary blood sampling collection increases the risk of preanalytical errors. Further, a child's increasing body weight reduced the risk of preanalytical errors, while multiple sample tube collections significantly increased the risk of preanalytical errors.

Practice Implications

This new information may help nurses improve their knowledge concerning blood sampling collection in pediatrics. Altogether, this study also indicates that implementing more venous blood sampling and improve the cases of capillary sampling could reduce the number of preanalytical errors in pediatric hospitals.
Spillover Effects of Scandals on Exits from the Catholic and Protestant Churches in Germany
Authors: Frick Bernd , Moser Katharina , Simmons Rob
Published: May 2021

For decades, the annual numbers of exits of members from the Catholic Church and Protestant Church have been increasing. Closer inspection of diocese‐level data shows that the time‐series pattern of exits is nonlinear with a series of intermediate peaks. This paper uses an event study approach to model the impacts of various scandals on church exit rates. We find that sexual abuse and financial scandals located in the Catholic Church contribute to increased exit rates not just in that Church but also, by way of spillover effects, to higher exit rates of Protestant Church members.
Rule‐free regulation: Exploring regulation ‘without rules’ and apart from ‘deontic categories’
Authors: Lorini Giuseppe , Moroni Stefano
Published: May 2021

Regulation can occur “with (specific) rules/norms” or “without (specific) rules/norms”. Numerous studies have been devoted to the first option. To the point where “regulation” and “rules” have often been seen to coincide in some academic research, and also in everyday ways of thinking. We deal with the second option in this article: regulation without rules/norms. Namely, a type of regulation by which it is intended to influence others' behaviour without recourse to rules/norms, and without directly altering the “normative environment”.
Urolithiasis in dogs: Evaluation of trends in urolith composition and risk factors (2006‐2018)
Authors: Kopecny Lucy , Palm Carrie A. , Segev Gilad , Westropp Jodi L.
Published: May 2021

Background

Urolithiasis is a common and often recurrent problem in dogs.

Objective

To evaluate trends in urolith composition in dogs and to assess risk factors for urolithiasis, including age, breed, sex, neuter status, urolith location, and bacterial urolith cultures.

Sample Population

A total of 10 444 uroliths and the dogs from which they were obtained.

Methods

The laboratory database at the UC Davis Gerald V. Ling Urinary Stone Analysis Laboratory was searched for all urolith submissions from dogs between January 2006 and December 2018. Mineral type, age, breed, sex, neuter status, urolith location, and urolith culture were recorded. Trends were evaluated and variables compared to evaluate risk factors.

Results

Calcium oxalate (CaOx) and struvite‐containing uroliths comprised the majority of all submissions from dogs, representing 47.0% and 43.6%, respectively. The proportion of CaOx‐containing uroliths significantly decreased from 49.5% in 2006 to 41.8% in 2018 (P= .006), with no change in the proportion of struvite‐containing urolith submissions. Cystine‐containing uroliths comprised 2.7% of all submissions between 2006 and 2018 and a significant nonlinear increase in this mineral type occurred over time (1.4% of all submissions in 2006 to 8.7% in 2018;P < .001). Of all cystine‐containing uroliths, 70.3% were from intact male dogs. Age, breed, and sex predispositions for uroliths were similar to those previously identified.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Although calcium oxalate‐ and struvite‐containing uroliths continue to be the most common uroliths submitted from dogs, a decrease in the proportion of CaOx‐containing uroliths and an increase in the proportion of cystine‐containing uroliths occurred during the time period evaluated.
Effect of feeding strategy on survival, growth, intestine development, and liver status of maraena whitefish Coregonus maraena larvae
Authors: Stejskal Vlastimil , Gebauer Tatyana , Sebesta Roman , Nowosad Joanna , Sikora Mateusz , Biegaj Mateusz , Kucharczyk Dariusz
Published: May 2021

Optimizing larval rearing protocols is critical to successful intensive fish culture. We compared the efficacy of feeding strategies for larvae of maraena whitefish Coregonus maraena, a promising candidate for intensive aquaculture. Survival, growth indicators, intestine development, and liver status were compared in larvae fed live feed, commercial dried feed, and weaned from live to dried feed at 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 days post hatching (dph). Seven experimental groups in three repetitions used 5,250 larvae (2 dph, initial body weight = 7.4 ± 0.1 mg; initial total length = 13.0 ± 0.1 mm). This 30‐day trial showed initial weaning from live feed (Artemia sp.) to artificial diet after 15 days to be the optimal, with beneficial effects on growth, body weight, and larva yield. No differences in survival rate, size heterogeneity, and or condition factor were observed among groups. Live feed and weaning to artificial diet at the appropriate time was beneficial to intestine development, while feeding on artificial feed only was associated with severe intestine impairment. Liver pathology was not seen in any group.
Multilevel analysis of geographic variation among correlates of child undernutrition in India
Authors: Jain Anoop , Rodgers Justin , Li Zhihui , Kim Rockli , Subramanian SV
Published: May 2021

Prior research has identified a number of risk factors ranging from inadequate household sanitation to maternal characteristics as important determinants of child malnutrition and health in India. What is less known is the extent to which these individual‐level risk factors are geographically distributed. Assessing the geographic distribution, especially at multiple levels, matters as it can inform where, and at what level, interventions should be targeted. The three levels of significance in the Indian context are villages, districts, and states. Thus, the purpose of this paper was to (a) examine what proportion of the variation in 21 risk factors is attributable to villages, districts, and states in India and (b) elucidate the specific states where these risk factors are clustered within India. Using the fourth National Family Health Survey dataset, from 2015 to 2016, we found that the proportion of variation attributable to villages ranged from 14% to 63%, 10% to 29% for districts and 17% to 62% for states. Furthermore, we found that Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh were in the highest risk quintile for more than 10 of the risk factors included in our study. This is an indication of geographic clustering of risk factors. The risk factors that are clustered in states such as Bihar, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh underscore the need for policies and interventions that address a broader set of child malnutrition determinants beyond those that are nutrition specific.
Bayesian‐optimized unsupervised learning approach for structural damage detection
Authors: Eltouny Kareem A. , Liang Xiao
Published: May 2021

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is developing rapidly to fulfill the world's need for resilient and sustainable communities. Due to the current advancements in machine learning and data science, data‐driven SHM is an attractive solution for real‐time damage detection compared to the traditional nondestructive evaluation techniques. However, most widely available data‐driven SHM methods rely on fully or partially simulated data to train the statistical model, and thus require a number of predefined assumptions and parameters, or are not adapted for post‐extreme events damage diagnosis. In this study, we propose a density‐based unsupervised learning approach for structural damage detection and localization. This approach leverages cumulative intensity measures for damage‐sensitive feature extraction for the first time in an unsupervised learning approach. Furthermore, a statistical model construction process is proposed based on kernel density maximum entropy (KDME) and Bayesian optimization. The framework is evaluated in three case studies. The first two involve a numerical three‐story building and a numerical nine‐story asymmetrical building that are both subjected to 100 ground motion excitations while considering environmental variations. The proposed framework is able to detect and localize damage in those case studies with an average accuracy of 92%. The third case study, which contains 44 shake‐table tests of a three‐story frame structure with masonry infill, is used to experimentally validate the proposed framework in damage detection. The three case studies demonstrate the potential and robustness of the proposed Bayesian‐optimized, multivariate KDME novelty detection framework for detecting and localizing structural damage, especially after extreme events.
Deep semantic segmentation for visual understanding on construction sites
Authors: Wang Zifeng , Zhang Yuyang , Mosalam Khalid M. , Gao Yuqing , Huang Shao‐Lun
Published: May 2021

Visual understanding on construction sites by deep learning, such as semantic segmentation, is hardly mentioned in the literature due to the severe lack of labeled data sets. To resolve this issue, we collect and label 859 images, including 12 classes of objects in construction activities, from different construction sites. We then adopt DeepLabV3+ on this data set with modifications. We leverage the Cityscape data set to pretrain the model, and then fine‐tune it on our collected data set. Moreover, multiple data augmentation techniques are utilized to expand the training data set. Our model reaches 0.6467 mean intersection over union (mIoU) and 92.62% mean pixel accuracy (mPA) in the out‐of‐sample test with the capability of processing over 45 frames per second with a resolution of pixels. In addition, we develop a synthetic robotic system integrated with red–green–blue (RGB)‐depth camera for visual understanding on sites. It can detect the depth information of objects and has high potential in automated construction and visual surveillance.
Associations between body mass index and height during childhood and adolescence and the risk of coronary heart disease in adulthood: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Meyer Julie F. , Larsen Sara B. , Blond Kim , Damsgaard Camilla T. , Bjerregaard Lise G. , Baker Jennifer L.
Published: May 2021

Body mass index (BMI) at child and adolescent ages is positively associated with adult coronary heart disease (CHD) whereas height at these ages may be inversely associated with CHD. However, potential effects of age, sex, and socioeconomic status on associations between BMI and CHD are less investigated. We conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis of BMI and height at ages 2–19 years in relation to adult CHD and examined effects of age, sex, socioeconomic status, and other factors. Twenty‐two studies on BMI and five on height were included, comprising 5,538,319 individuals and 69,830 CHD events. Random effects meta‐analyses were conducted. Child and adolescent BMI were positively associated with CHD (hazard ratio = 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.01, 1.25] per standard deviation [SD]), and categorical analyses supported these findings. The associations did not significantly differ by age, sex, or by adjustment for socioeconomic status. Child and adolescent height were inversely associated with CHD (hazard ratio = 0.87; 95% CI [0.81, 0.93] per SD), and categorical analyses agreed. Insufficient studies on height precluded subgroup analyses. Heterogeneity was generally high in all analyses. We found that BMI in youth is positively associated with adult CHD regardless of sex or adjustment for socioeconomic status whereas height is inversely associated with later risk of CHD.
Vibrational noise from wind energy‐turbines negatively impacts earthworm abundance
Authors: Velilla Estefania , Collinson Eleanor , Bellato Laura , Berg Matty P. , Halfwerk Wouter
Published: May 2021

Human activities often impact the sensory environment of organisms. Wind energy turbines are a fast‐growing potential source of anthropogenic vibrational noise that can affect soil animals sensitive to vibrations and thereby alter soil community functioning. Larger soil animals, such as earthworms (macrofauna, > 1 cm in size), are particularly likely to be impacted by the low‐frequency turbine waves that can travel through soils over large distances. Here we examine the effect of wind turbine‐induced vibrational noise on the abundance of soil animals. We measured vibrational noise generated by seven different turbines located in organically‐farmed crop fields in the Netherlands. Vibratory noise levels dropped by an average of 23 ± 7 dB over a distance of 200 m away from the wind turbines. Earthworm abundance showed a strong decrease with increasing vibratory noise. When comparing the nearest sampling points in proximity of the wind energy turbines with the points furthest away, abundance dropped on average by 40% across all seven fields. The abundance of small‐sized soil animals (mesofauna, < 10 mm in size) differed between crop fields, but was not related to local noise levels. Our results suggest that anthropogenic vibratory noise levels can impact larger soil fauna, which has important consequences for soil functioning. Earthworms, for instance, are considered to be crucial ecosystem engineers and an impact on their abundance, survival and reproduction may have knock‐on effects on important processes such as water filtration, nutrient cycling and carbon sequestration.
Temporal environmental variation may impose differential selection on both genomic and ecological traits
Authors: Leidinger Ludwig , Vedder Daniel , Cabral Juliano Sarmento
Published: May 2021

The response of populations and species to changing conditions determines how community composition will change functionally, including via trait shifts. Selection from standing variation has been suggested to be more efficient than acquiring new mutations. Yet, studies on community trait composition and trait selection largely focus on phenotypic variation in ecological traits, whereas the underlying genomic traits remain understudied. Using a genome‐explicit, niche‐ and individual‐based model, we address the potential interactions between genomic and ecological traits shaping communities under an environmental selective forcing, namely temporal positively autocorrelated environmental fluctuation. In this model, all ecological traits are explicitly coded by the genome. For our experiments, we initialized 90 replicate communities, each with ca 350 initial species, characterized by random genomic and ecological trait combinations, on a 2D spatially explicit landscape with two orthogonal gradients (temperature and resource use). We exposed each community to two contrasting scenarios: without (i.e. static environments) and with temporal variation. We then analyzed emerging compositions of both genomic and ecological traits at the community, population and genomic levels. Communities in variable environments were species poorer than in static environments, and populations more abundant, whereas genomes had lower genetic linkage, mean genetic variation and a non‐significant tendency towards higher numbers of genes. The surviving genomes (i.e. those selected by variable environments) coded for enhanced environmental tolerance and smaller biomass, which resulted in faster life cycles and thus also in increased potential for evolutionary rescue. Under temporal environmental variation, larger, less linked genomes retained more variation in mean dispersal ability at the population level than at genomic level, whereas the opposite trend emerged for biomass. Our results provide clues to how sexually‐reproducing diploid plant communities might react to variable environments and highlights the importance of genomic traits and their interaction with ecological traits for eco‐evolutionary responses to changing climates.
Primary intraosseous carcinoma, NOS arising from a dentigerous cyst: A case report
Authors: Dungarwalla Mohammed M. , Soares Vanessa , Alibhai Mustansir , Jones Judith
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Primary intraosseous carcinoma, NOS (PIOC), is a rare malignancy which has been described in the maxilla and mandible often arising from odontogenic cysts. The authors describe a case of PIOC arising from a dentigerous cyst associated with a lower right third molar in 78‐year‐old male.

Aims

To demonstrate that seemingly innocuous pathology may represent a malignant process. In the presence of ‘red‐flag’ symptoms, one must consider alternative diagnoses and action them accordingly.

Findings and Discussion

The initial clinical and radiographic features suggested a common innocuous presentation, although other features which presented later were suggestive of malignancy. PIOC is treated conventionally by radical surgery to achieve a disease‐free margin with adjuvant neck dissection. In the case described, the patient underwent hemi‐mandibulectomy with neck dissection and fibula free flap reconstruction.

Conclusion

Pathology associated with third molars is extremely common, very occasionally malignancy can mimic these more common conditions. As such, careful clinical examination of the affected site and neighbouring structures (including the lymph nodes of the head and neck) should be routinely performed in all patients. Even in the presence of typical features clinical and radiographic features, tissue samples should be sent for histopathological analysis of what may appear to be harmless follicular or early cystic tissue.
Tracing seed to seedling transmission of the wheat blast pathogenMagnaporthe oryzaepathotypeTriticum
Authors: Martinez Sergio I. , Wegner Alex , Bohnert Stefan , Schaffrath Ulrich , Perelló Analía
Published: May 2021

Wheat blast caused byMagnaporthe oryzaepathotypeTriticum(MoT), initially restricted to South America, is a global threat for wheat after spreading to Asia in 2016 by the introduction of contaminated seeds, raising the question about transmission of the pathogen from seeds to seedlings, a process so far not well understood. We therefore studied the relationship between seed infection and disease symptoms on seedlings and adult plants. To accomplish this objective, we inoculated spikes of wheat cv. Apogee with a transgenic isolate (MoT‐DsRed, with the addition of being resistant to hygromycin). We identified MoT‐DsRed in experiments using hygromycin resistance for selection or by observation of DsRed fluorescence. The seeds from infected plants looked either apparently healthy or shrivelled. To evaluate the transmission, two experimental designs were chosen (blotter test and greenhouse) and MoT‐DsRed was recovered from both. This revealed that MoT is able to colonize wheat seedlings from infected seeds under the ground. The favourable conditions of temperature and humidity allowed a high recovery rate of MoT from wheat shoots when grown in artificial media. Around 42 days after germination of infected seeds, MoT‐DsRed could not be reisolated, indicating that fungal progression, at this time point, did not proceed systemically/endophytically. We hypothesize that spike infection might occur via spore dispersal from infected leaves rather than within the plant. Because MoT‐DsRed was not only successfully reisolated from seed coats and germinating seeds with symptoms, but also from apparently healthy seeds, urgent attention is needed to minimize the risks of inadvertent dispersal of inoculum.
Effect of progressive muscle relaxation on adaptation to old age and quality of life among older people in a nursing home: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Kütmeç Yilmaz Cemile
Published: May 2021

Background

Changes occurring in the aging process, the presence of decline in physical and cognitive functions, and the limitations of participation in activities affect adaptation to old age and the quality of life. This study aimed to examine the effect of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) exercises on adaptation to old age and the quality of life of older people.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial design was used. The sample consisted of 45 older residents (21 intervention subjects, 24 controls) from a nursing home in a city of Turkey. The intervention group received progressive muscle‐relaxation sessions twice weekly for 8 weeks, while the control group received routine care. All PMR exercises were led by the researcher. All participants were evaluated at baseline and after 8 weeks using the Assessment Scale of Adaptation Difficulty for the Elderly and the Nottingham Health Profile.

Results

As a result of PMR exercises performed for 8 weeks, the Assessment Scale of Adaptation Difficulty for the Elderly and Nottingham Health Profile total mean scores of the intervention group improved significantly (P < 0.001). No statistically significant difference was observed, however, when comparing the intervention and control groups in terms of the level of adjustment to old age and health‐related quality of life, either at baseline or following the intervention (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

The results of this study indicate that progressive muscle relaxation can increase adaptation to old age and the quality of life and of older people in a nursing home.
Getting Interdisciplinary Teams into the Field: Institutional Review Board Preapproval and Multi‐Institution Authorization Agreements for Rapid Response Disaster Research
Authors: Peek Lori , Tobin Jennifer , van de Lindt John W. , Andrews Anne
Published: May 2021

This article describes an interdisciplinary community resilience research project and presents a case study that supports bringing researchers together before a disaster to develop plans, procedures, and preapproved Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocols. In addition, this article explains how researchers from various academic institutions and their federal agency partners can effectively collaborate by creating an IRB Authorization Agreement (IAA). Such preparations can support interdisciplinary rapid response disaster fieldwork that is timely, ethically informed, and scientifically rigorous. This fieldwork preplanning process can also advance interdisciplinary team formation and data collection efforts over the long term.
A Two-Field Geostatistical Model Combining Point and Areal Observations—A Case Study of Annual Runoff Predictions in the Voss Area
Authors: Roksvåg Thea , Steinsland Ingelin , Engeland Kolbjørn
Published: May 2021

We estimate annual runoff by using a Bayesian geostatistical model for interpolation of hydrological data of different spatial support: streamflow observations from catchments (areal data), and precipitation and evaporation data (point data). The model contains one climatic spatial effect that is common for all years under study, and 1 year specific spatial effect. Hence, the framework enables a quantification of the spatial variability caused by long-term weather patterns and processes. This can contribute to a better understanding of biases and uncertainties in environmental modelling. The suggested model is evaluated by predicting annual runoff for catchments around Voss in Norway and through a simulation study. We find that on average we benefit from combining point and areal data compared to using only one of the data types, and that the interaction between nested areal data and point data gives a spatial model that takes us beyond smoothing. Another finding is that when climatic effects dominate over annual effects, systematic under- and overestimation of runoff can be expected over time. However, a dominating climatic spatial effect also implies that short records of runoff from an otherwise ungauged catchment can lead to large improvements in the predictive performance.
Buying for good: Altruism, ethical consumerism and social policy
Authors: Le Grand Julian , Roberts Jonathan , Chandra Gauri
Published: May 2021

The extent of altruistic behaviour and its relationship to the market has been a major interest of social policy analysts since the pioneering work of Richard Titmuss. Here we report on empirical research into such behaviour in consumer markets where self‐interest might be expected to dominate but whose participants are increasingly demonstrating more ethical concerns. We discuss three factors that have been hypothesized to affect the extent and depth of altruistic behaviour by individuals in such markets: the degree of personal sacrifice involved in the purchase, the reputation of individuals with their family and friends and individuals' sense of self‐identity. Using an online survey method, we measure consumers' motivations for real purchases in two different ethical consumerism settings: (RED) and Fairtrade. We find evidence to support all three hypotheses and conclude with some of the implications for social policy.
Framing Effects on the COVID‐19 See‐Saw
Authors: Olmastroni Francesco , Guidi Mattia , Martini Sergio , Isernia Pierangelo
Published: May 2021

This article explores people’s preferences for different containment strategies and policy programmes for managing COVID‐19 risks. Using a survey experiment administered to an online sample of 1’562 Italian respondents in April 2020, we test whether and to what extent individual preferences are influenced by different framings of equivalent scenarios on gains and losses attached to alternative policy measures aimed at containing the health and economic costs of the pandemic. We find that subjects tend to be more risk‐averse or risk‐seeking depending on whether they are confronted with a positive (gain) or a negative (loss) description of the consequences of the proposed policy initiatives. The results yield relevant implications for our understanding of citizens’ support for national and EU‐wide responses to the coronavirus pandemic and the role of framing in contexts of crisis.
Null Expletives and Embedded Clauses in Logoori
Authors: Gluckman John
Published: May 2021

This article is an examination of null expletive subjects occurring in the context of an embedded clause in Logoori, a Kenyan Bantu language. Logoori morphologically distinguishes between two nullCP‐linkedexpletive subjects in its subject‐agreement paradigm. Based on morphological, syntactic, and semantic evidence, I argue against the postulation of a null (pro)nominal element (e.g.,). Instead, through a careful study of the properties of embedded CPs, such CP‐linked null expletives are shown to be a direct result of T agreeing with the embedded clause. The account situates the formal semantics of Logoori subject agreement in a plausible syntactic framework. I further illustrate how the account proposed for Logoori extends to other kinds of CP‐linked expletives in other languages, including other null‐subject languages, partial null‐subject languages, and non‐null‐subject languages.
Discovery of the novel HLA‐A*31:195 allele in a Taiwanese individual
Authors: Yang Kuo‐Liang , Li Chi‐Cheng , Lin Py‐Yu
Published: May 2021

One nucleotide substitution in codon 57 of HLA‐A*31:01:02:01 results in a novel allele, HLA‐A*31:195.
Beliefs, Actions, and Rationality in Strategical Decisions
Authors: Wang Zheng , Busemeyer Jerome R. , deBuys Brahm
Published: May 2021

A puzzling finding from research on strategical decision making concerns the effect that predictions have on future actions. Simply stating a prediction about an opponent changes the total probability (pooled over predictions) of a player taking a future action compared to not stating any prediction. This is called an interference effect. We first review five different findings of interference effects from past empirical work using the prisoner's dilemma game. Then we report interference effects obtained from a new experiment in which 493 participants played a six‐stage centipede game against a computer agent. During the first stage of the game, the total probability following prediction for cooperation was higher than making a decision alone; during later stages, the total probability following prediction for cooperation was lower than making a decision alone. These interference effects are difficult to explain using traditional economic models, and instead these results suggest turning to a quantum cognition approach to strategic decision making. Toward this end, we develop a belief‐action entanglement model that provides a good account of the empirical results.
Retrospective evaluation of the seasonality of canine tetanus in England (2006–2017): 49 dogs
Authors: Starybrat Daria , Burkitt‐Creedon Jamie M. , Ellis Jennifer , Humm Karen
Published: May 2021

Objective

 To evaluate the seasonality of canine tetanus in England.

Methods

 Medical records of a single referral hospital in England were reviewed. Dogs diagnosed with localized or generalized tetanus between January 2006 and June 2017 were studied.

Results

 Forty‐nine cases were included. The prevalence of tetanus in England was significantly higher in the winter when compared with the summer (P = 0.002) and autumn (P = 0.024), with the highest number of cases recorded in February.

Conclusions

 The prevalence of canine tetanus in England was significantly higher in winter months, especially in February.
Biomechanical evaluation of a novel barbed suture pattern with epitendinous suture augmentation in a canine flexor tendon model
Authors: Duffy Daniel J. , Chang Yi‐Jen , Fisher Matthew B. , Moore George E.
Published: May 2021

Objective

To determine the effect of a novel barbed suture pattern (NBSP) compared to a three‐loop‐pulley (3LP) with and without epitendinous suture (ES) augmentation on the biomechanical strength and gap formation of repaired canine tendons.

Study Design

Ex vivo, cadaveric, randomized, experimental study.

Sample Population

Forty, adult superficial digital flexor tendons (SDFT).

Methods

SDFT were randomly assigned to one of four groups (n = 10/group). Sharp tenotomy was performed and repaired with 3LP, NBSP, 3LP + ES, and NBSP + ES. Constructs were tested to failure while evaluating yield, peak, and failure loads, loads at 1 and 3 mm gap formation, and failure mode.

Results

Constructs augmented with ES sustained 80% greater yield (p < .001), peak (p < .001), and failure (p < .001) loads, with no difference between 3LP + ES and NBSP + ES constructs regarding peak (p = .614), and failure forces (p = .865). Loads resulting in 1 and 3 mm gap formation were greater when constructs were augmented with an ES (p ≤ .003). Failure mode differed between groups (p < .001), occurring predominantly due to suture pull‐through in 3LP and NBSP groups compared to tissue failure distant to the repair site in ES augmented constructs.

Conclusion

Tendons repaired with the NBSP used in this study resisted similar forces as those repaired with 3LP. Augmentation with an ES improved the biomechanical properties of repaired constructs, including resistance to gap formation.

Clinical Relevance

The NBSP repair tested here may be advantageous over monofilament suture repair as it uses a similar‐sized barbed core suture but eliminates the requirement for knot tying.
Varieties of ‘standard accents’ among teachers in contemporary Britain
Authors: Baratta Alex
Published: May 2021

This article investigates accent variation within the UK, applied to the professional context of teaching. The purpose is two‐fold: first, to discuss a variety of accents in contemporary Britain, demonstrating how accents can be categorised based on the degree to which they mark the speaker's local origins. Second, by focusing on teachers’ accents within the context of teacher training in the UK, information can be obtained regarding which particular accent varieties are preferred in a profession in which accent is relevant to professional behaviour. In addition, two aims can serve to provide a better understanding of what are, in effect, suggested ‘standard’ accents within the teaching profession.
Xenotransplantation of neonatal porcine bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells improves murine hind limb ischemia through lymphangiogenesis and angiogenesis
Authors: Yamada Hideaki , Sakata Naoaki , Nishimura Masuhiro , Tanaka Tomoko , Shimizu Masayuki , Yoshimatsu Gumpei , Kawakami Ryo , Wada Hideichi , Sawamoto Osamu , Matsumoto Shinichi , Kodama Shohta
Published: May 2021

Background

The clinical utility of stem cell therapy for peripheral artery disease has not been fully discussed, and one obstacle is limited donor supplies. In this study, we attempted to rescue mouse ischemic hind limb by xenotransplantation of neonatal porcine bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (npBM‐MSCs).

Methods

Neonatal porcine bone marrow‐derived mesenchymal stem cells were transplanted to ischemic hind limbs of male C57BL/6J mice (npBM‐MSCs group). Mice with syngeneic transplantation of mouse BM‐MSCs (mBM‐MSCs group) were also prepared for comparison. The angiogenic effects were evaluated by recovery of blood flow on laser Doppler imaging, histologic findings, and genetic and protein levels of angiogenic factors.

Results

Regarding laser Doppler assessments, blood flow in the hind limb was rapidly recovered in the npBM‐MSCs group, compared with that in the mBM‐MSCs group (P = .016). Compared with the mBM‐MSCs group, the npBM‐MSCs group had early and prominent lymphangiogenesis [P < .05 on both post‐operative days (PODs) 3 and 7] but had similar angiogenesis. Regarding genomic assessments, xenotransplantation of npBM‐MSCs enhanced the expressions of both porcine and murine Vegfc in the hind limbs by POD 3. Interestingly, the level of murine Vegfc expression was significantly higher in the npBM‐MSCs group than in the mBM‐MSCs group on PODs 3 and 7 (P < .001 for both). Furthermore, the secreted VEGFC protein level was higher from npBM‐MSCs than from mBM‐MSCs (P < .001).

Conclusion

Xenotransplantation of npBM‐MSCs contributed to the improvement of hind limb ischemia by both angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis, especially promotion of the latter. npBM‐MSCs may provide an alternative to autologous and allogeneic MSCs for stem cell therapy of critical limb ischemia.
Using Macrotexture Map to Visualize Texture Heterogeneity in Polycrystalline Aggregate
Authors: Li Dongsheng
Published: May 2021

A new tool, macrotexture map, was developed to represent and visualize texture heterogeneity in polycrystalline aggregate. This is a critical tool for microstructure representation, useful in risk analysis, performance simulation, and hotspot identification. In contrast to the orientation imaging microscope (OIM) map where each color represents a crystal orientation, each color in this macrotexture map represents a texture. Different colors represent different textures, and similar textures shall have similar colors. The macrotexture map provides a unique function to quantitatively evaluate texture heterogeneity of large components, leading to a first-hand understanding of property heterogeneity and anisotropy. For an experienced user, these maps serve the same purpose in identifying high-risk locations in the investigated component as medical imaging maps do for diagnosis purpose. This method will also serve as a starting point in mesoscale simulation with meshing sensitivity based on the texture heterogeneity. It will provide a bridge between texture characterization and behavior simulation of components with texture heterogeneity. The macrotexture map will offer a linkage between crystal plasticity simulation in small length scale and finite element/difference simulation in large length scale.
An Experimental and Numerical Study of Quenching-Induced Residual Stresses Under the Effect of Dynamic Strain Aging in an IN718 Superalloy Disc
Authors: Song Run-Hua , Qin Hai-Long , Li Dong-Feng , Bi Zhong-Nan , Busso Esteban P. , Yu Hong-Yao , Liu Xiao-Long , Du Jin-hui , Zhang Ji
Published: May 2021

The effects of dynamic strain aging (DSA) on residual stresses generated in Ni-base superalloys during heat treatments are not well understood. In this study, the residual stress field induced by water quenching an IN718 disc while undergoing DSA is studied using coupled thermo-mechanical finite element (FE) analyses in conjunction with neutron diffraction (ND) measurements. A visco-plastic constitutive model that incorporates the effect of DSA is proposed to describe the experimentally observed negative strain rate sensitivity and abnormal temperature dependence phenomena in the stress–strain response of solid solution treated IN718. The predicted quenching residual stresses in the disc agree well with the ND measurements. Due to the DSA, a propagating high plastic strain rate region can be identified in the disc during the early stages of the quenching process. Due to the negative strain rate sensitivity and abnormal temperature dependence effects caused by DSA, the predicted residual stresses are approximately 10% greater than when those two effects are not accounted for. The effects of different convection heat transfer conditions in the FE model are examined and discussed. It is found that the convection heat transfer coefficients have a great influence both on the disc residual stresses and DSA-related plastic strain rate field predictions.
Quasi-Static and Dynamic Behavior of Inconel 625 Obtained by Laser Metal Deposition: Experimental Characterization and Constitutive Modeling
Authors: Utzeri Mattia , Bhagavatam Ajay , Mancini Edoardo , Dinda Guru , Sasso Marco , Newaz Golam
Published: May 2021

Laser metal deposition (LMD) is an additive manufacturing process with an extreme potential in large-scale metal production. Among the printable metals, the Inconel 625 has found a wide variety of cutting-edge applications in the aerospace, defense, and space sectors. Thus, knowledge of mechanical properties under quasi-static and dynamic conditions is fundamental. In this work, the quasi-static and dynamic compression behavior of Inconel 625 obtained by LMD is presented. The curves of printed Inconel 625 showed a change in slope in the work hardening phase, which is due to the mechanics of the dislocation motion. Therefore, a modified two-stage (TS) Hollomon power-law is proposed to model this specific mechanical behavior, which identifies a threshold strain that delimit two different hardening behaviors. Furthermore, Johnson–Cook and Cowper–Symonds models were used to represent the effect of strain rate and temperature on the material properties. A variable strain rate sensitivity along the compression strain was found. Hence, double sensitivity terms were introduced into the TS Hollomon power-law, allowing to reproduce the dynamic behavior of Inconel 625.
Electro–Thermal–Mechanical Coupled Analysis on Two High-Current Composite Umbilical Cable Cross Sections
Authors: Yan Jun , Su Qi , Bu Yufeng , Yang Zhixun , Lu Qingzhen , Yue Qianjin
Published: May 2021

A new type of umbilical cable named “high-current composite umbilical cable” is composed of electronic cables, optical cables, steel tubes, and structural strengthening components. It can be regarded as a key piece of industrial equipment in subsea production systems that provide control functions, high electric current, and hydraulic remote transmission. When it is oriented at a power supply with a relatively high rated current, power transmission will produce a lot of heat. Then, the cross-sectional temperature increases, which affects the performances of its material and mechanical responses. Therefore, electro–thermal–mechanical coupled analysis is critical for the cross-sectional design of the high-current composite umbilical cable. Accordingly, a multi-physics coupled analysis was performed based on two typical umbilical cable cross sections. Finite element models were established and subjected to electro–thermal analysis to obtain a temperature distribution of the two sections at different current capacities. Based on results of temperature field analysis, the section models were subjected to thermo–mechanical analysis. The results of the two types of analyses are compared and differences are discussed, which illustrate the multi-physics coupled effect cannot be neglected. The armored layers will relatively reduce the heat dissipation performance, but compared with the umbilical cable model without the armored layers, the model with double-armored layers is less affected by temperature, so its capacity of resistance external pressure is relatively better. The proposed coupled analysis methodology provides a new guidance for the design of the high-current composite umbilical cables.
Advanced SuDoKu-Based Reconfiguration Strategies for Maximum Power Extraction From Partially Shaded Solar Photovoltaic Array
Authors: Anjum Shahroz , Mukherjee V. , Mehta Gitanjali
Published: May 2021

Individual performance of photovoltaic (PV) modules is contravened by mismatch losses which result in blockage in most of the solar power generated by the PV array (PVA). Partial shading conditions (PSCs) are the main causes of these losses. Several techniques have been discussed to reduce the issues caused by PSCs. Reconfiguration techniques have been proven to be one of the most successful methods that help toward this cause. In this method, the location of PV module (PVM) in the PVA is reconfigured so that the shading effects get distributed throughout the entire array and, hence, maximizing the power output. Two novel reconfiguration patterns such as canonical SuDoKu (CS) and multi diagonal SuDoKu (MDS) for total cross tied (TCT) configuration have been put forth in this paper. This approach aims to rearrange the PVMs in the TCT array as per the fed-in patterns without causing a change in the internal electrical connections. Further parts of the paper focus on the comparison of the proposed pattern's performance with other pre-existing PVA arrangements such as, TCT, SuDoKu, optimal SuDoKu (OS), and modified SuDoku (MS) by taking into account the effects of global maximum power (GMP) point, mismatch power loss, fill factor, and performance ratio. The results obtained from the detailed analysis presented in this paper give proper evidence that, in many cases, the GMP is amplified in the CS and, in all cases, GMP is amplified in the proposed MDS PVA under different shading conditions.
Prediction of Probabilistic Shock Initiation Thresholds of Energetic Materials Through Evolution of Thermal-Mechanical Dissipation and Reactive Heating
Authors: Wei Yaochi , Miller Christopher , Olsen Daniel , Zhou Min
Published: May 2021

The ignition threshold of an energetic material (EM) quantifies the macroscopic conditions for the onset of self-sustaining chemical reactions. The threshold is an important theoretical and practical measure of material attributes that relate to safety and reliability. Historically, the thresholds are measured experimentally. Here, we present a new Lagrangian computational framework for establishing the probabilistic ignition thresholds of heterogeneous EM out of the evolutions of coupled mechanical-thermal-chemical processes using mesoscale simulations. The simulations explicitly account for microstructural heterogeneities, constituent properties, and interfacial processes and capture processes responsible for the development of material damage and the formation of hotspots in which chemical reactions initiate. The specific mechanisms tracked include viscoelasticity, viscoplasticity, fracture, post-fracture contact, frictional heating, heat conduction, reactive chemical heating, gaseous product generation, and convective heat transfer. To determine the ignition threshold, the minimum macroscopic loading required to achieve self-sustaining chemical reactions with a rate of reactive heat generation exceeding the rate of heat loss due to conduction and other dissipative mechanisms is determined. Probabilistic quantification of the processes and the thresholds are obtained via the use of statistically equivalent microstructure sample sets (SEMSS). The predictions are in agreement with available experimental data.
Semi-Analytical Model to Predict the Elastic Post-Buckling Response of Axially Compressed Cylindrical Shells With Tailored Distributed Stiffness
Authors: Azad Ali Imani , Burgueño Rigoberto
Published: May 2021

This study introduces an approximate analytical model to predict the post-buckling response of cylinders with tailored non-uniform distributed stiffness. The shell's wall thickness, and thus its stiffness, is tailored so as to obtain multiple controlled elastic local buckling events when the cylinder is subjected to uniform axial compression. The proposed model treats cylinder segments of different stiffness as individual panels and combines their response by considering them as connected linear or nonlinear springs. The governing equations for the panels are formulated using von Karman's theory and solved by Galerkin's approximate method for a predefined radial deformation. Radial deformation functions are used to improve the model's accuracy, and results show that the model's accuracy increases significantly with the number of considered radial functions. The model's predicted axial response for different cylinders is compared with results from experiments on three-dimensional printed samples. Results indicate that this model accurately predicts the order of the buckling events, while the buckling forces from the model are higher than those measured experimentally.
Damping Oscillation of Suspended Payload by Varying String Length
Authors: Kant Nilay
Published: May 2021

Many modern-day applications involve transport of objects suspended through cables such as in overhead cranes or landing of rovers on the Martian surface. Any undesired oscillation of the payload has the potential risk of instability, and the problem of damping such oscillation and stabilizing the payload at the desired length is the control objective of this article. The system is modeled as a variable length pendulum (VLP), which comprises a payload suspended via a string wrapped around a pulley. The length of the pendulum is varied using clockwise/counterclockwise rotation of the pulley through torque applied by a motor. For a known payload mass, a nonlinear control design is first presented that guarantees asymptotic stability of the desired equilibrium with limited state measurements. The design is then modified for it to handle significant uncertainty in payload mass. The effectiveness of both designs is validated in simulations.