bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expert recommendations on the assessment and management of complications due to hyaluronic acid soft tissue filler injections in Asians
Authors: Wu Yan , An Hi‐Tae , Hsu Nai‐Jen , Loh David , Malaithong Lattaphon , Park Je‐Young , Park Kyungho , Peng Peter Hsien‐Li , Sumaetheiwit Rassapoom , Thammasunthorn Akaluck , Wibowo Almond , Liao Yi‐Hua
Published: June 2022

Background

The use of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers for medical aesthetic purposes is increasing worldwide. Nonetheless, adverse events do occur because of patient‐specific issues, injection technique, or product factors. It would be mandatory to consider cultural and anatomical features of Asians in preventing and managing the complications of HA injections.

Methods

Literature search of studies looking at current evidence and guidelines on the management of complications following HA filler injections in Asian patients was conducted. This was followed by an expert group discussion that was convened to reach consensus recommendations on the best clinical practices.

Results

The expert panel provided specific recommendations focusing on the safe use of soft tissue fillers in Asian patients, including early identification of adverse events and how to prevent and comprehensively manage these outcomes.

Conclusions

Here, we provide consensus statements of Asian experts in dermatology, plastic surgery, ophthalmology, and aesthetic medicine mainly focusing on AEs with higher risk for Asians and can be used to guide physicians in treating Asian population.
Drug delivery of natural products through nano‐carriers for effective vitiligo therapy: A compendia review
Authors: Qadir Abdul , Ullah Shehla Nasar Mir Najib , Jahan Samreen , Ali Asad , Khan Nausheen
Published: June 2022

Background

Vitiligo is a depigmenting illness that causes white areas on the skin. Vitiligo's pathogenetic genesis is based on the melanocyte's autoimmune destruction, in which oxidative stress causes melanocyte molecular, organelle, and exposure of antigen, as well as melanocyte cell death, and so plays a role in vitiligo progression. Natural compounds have recently shown a wide range of therapeutic bioactivities against a number of skin disorders.

Aim

The aim of this work is drug delivery of natural products through nano‐carriers for effective vitiligo therapy: A compendia review.

Methods & Materials

An online literature analysis was guided for vitiligo therapy, nanotechnology, phytochemical composition, and, types of vitiligo, types of nanomedicine. Appropriate information were taken from different electronic scientific databases such as Web of Science, Science Direct, Elsevier, Google Scholar, Springer, PubMed, and scripts.

Results

Nano‐carriers‐based natural compounds provide a great relationship for the enhancement in the efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapeutic agents for the treatment of vitiligo.

Discussion

In this study focuses on natural compounds' effects and processes on vitiligo models. Although topical therapy plays an important role in vitiligo treatment, its utility and patient compliance are hampered by adverse effects or inadequate efficacy. Novel drug delivery techniques can help improve topical medication delivery by improving epidermal localization, reducing side effects, and increasing effectiveness.

Conclusion

This paper covers the significant potential of herbal‐derived active compounds as anti‐vitiligo drugs, as well as new drug delivery as a viable carrier and future possibilities to investigate.
Effectiveness of Internet‐based psychological interventions for treating perinatal depression: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Li Lu , Yue Shu‐Wen , Xu Jing , Qiao Jia , Redding Sharon R. , Ouyang Yan‐Qiong
Published: June 2022

Background

Perinatal depression can result in short‐ and long‐term adverse effects for women and their children if untreated. Psychological interventions, the preferred treatment for most women with perinatal depression, can also be provided online.

Aims

This study aimed to provide a comprehensive and systematic review of Internet‐based psychological interventions and to evaluate their effectiveness in the treatment of perinatal depression.

Design

Systematic review and meta‐analysis.

Methods

A systematic literature search was conducted of six databases, including CINAHL, PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library and PsycINFO. Depression and anxiety, which were the primary and secondary results of this search, were presented as standardised mean differences (SMD) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). This review was conducted according to the PRISMA checklist.

Results

Thirteen studies involving 2158 perinatal women were included. Content, method, duration and frequency of Internet‐based psychological interventions were varied. Participants indicated a high rate of satisfaction with these interventions; participants’ dropout rates ranged from 2.6% to 60.8%. Meta‐analysis demonstrated that Internet‐based psychological interventions improved perinatal depression (SMD = −0.72, CI = [−1.02, −0.42], p < .01) and anxiety symptoms (SMD = −0.52, CI = [−0.73, −0.30], p < .01), with heterogeneity of 86% and 59%, respectively.

Conclusions

Internet‐based psychological interventions are considered as convenient and effective alternative treatment for perinatal depression and anxiety. In the future, additional studies are needed to investigate the long‐term effects of these interventions on the mental health of perinatal women and the effects on the growth and development of infants while controlling for the dropout rate.

Relevance to clinical practice

Internet‐based psychological interventions are innovative approaches to improving perinatal depressive symptoms that can leverage mental health resources and improve accessibility while promoting multidisciplinary integration. The approach, content, frequency and duration of intervention should be considered comprehensively to achieve the objectives of the intervention while maintaining compliance of women with perinatal depression.
See‐and‐treat in‐office hysteroscopy versus operative hysteroscopy for the treatment of retained products of conception: A retrospective study
Authors: Raz Nili , Sigal Emiliya , Gonzalez Arjona Fernando , Calidona Carmelo , Garzon Simone , Uccella Stefano , Laganà Antonio Simone , Haimovich Sergio
Published: June 2022

Aim

To compare the efficacy and safety of in‐office hysteroscopy with a see‐and‐treat approach with that of operative hysteroscopy for the treatment of retained products of conception (RPOC).

Methods

We retrospectively identified all consecutive patients who underwent hysteroscopic treatment of RPOC between 2015 and 2019. We excluded patients with RPOC larger than 2 cm at preoperative transvaginal ultrasounds. Between 2015 and 2017, all hysteroscopic removals of RPOC were performed by operative hysteroscopy. Between 2018 and 2019, all cases of RPOC less than 2 cm in size were hysteroscopically removed by the see‐and‐treat approach in the office setting. Sociodemographic, clinical, and procedure characteristics along with complications were retrieved from medical records.

Results

Between 2015 and 2019, 119 women underwent hysteroscopic removal of RPOC equal to or smaller than 2 cm: 53 patients by in‐office hysteroscopy, and 66 by operative hysteroscopy. The two groups were similar in preoperative characteristics. Although the time required to complete the RPOC removal was similar, the total procedure and assistant time were significantly higher in the operative hysteroscopy group (p < 0.001). Moreover, operative hysteroscopy was associated with a higher proportion of cases complicated by excessive bleeding, cervical tear, or uterine perforation (p = 0.016). Failure to complete the procedure was similarly reported in the two groups (p = 0.58).

Conclusions

In‐office hysteroscopy with the see‐and‐treat approach for RPOC equal to or smaller than 2 cm appears as effective as operative hysteroscopy, but safer. In‐office hysteroscopy may be considered the first choice for treating RPOC equal to or smaller than 2 cm.
Alterations in kinematics of temporomandibular joint associated with chronic neck pain
Authors: Siu Weng‐Sam , Shih Yi‐Fen , Lee Shyh‐Yuan , Hsu Chih‐Yu , Wei Min‐Ju , Wang Tzyy‐Jiuan , Lin Hsiu‐Chen , Lin Yin‐Liang
Published: June 2022

Background

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is an umbrella term for pain and dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and its associated structures. Patients with TMD show changes in TMJ kinematics and masticatory muscle activation. TMD is commonly comorbid with non‐specific chronic neck pain (NCNP), which may be one of the risk factors for TMD.

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate whether patients with NCNP have altered TMJ kinematics and masticatory muscle activity.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional exploratory study including 19 healthy participants and 20 patients with NCNP but without TMD symptoms. TMJ kinematics was measured during mouth opening and closing, jaw protrusion and jaw lateral deviation. Surface electromyography was used to record the muscle activity of the anterior temporalis, masseter, sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius while clenching. Furthermore, cervical posture, cervical range of motion (ROM) and pressure‐pain threshold of the neck and masticatory muscles were measured.

Results

Compared with the healthy group, the NCNP group showed significantly reduced upper cervical rotation ROM (p = .041) and increased condylar path length (p = .02), condylar translation (opening p = .034, closing p = .011) and mechanical pain sensitivity of the upper trapezius (p = .018). Increased condylar translation was significantly correlated with reduced upper cervical mobility and poor cervical posture (r = −0.322 to −0.397; p = .012–.046).

Conclusion

Increased condylar translation and path length in patients with NCNP may indicate poor control of TMJ articular movement, which may result from neck pain or may be a compensation for limited neck mobility. Evaluation of excessive TMJ translation may be considered in patients with NCNP.
Strange themes in pandemic dreams: Insomnia was associated with more negative, anxious and death‐related dreams during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Meaklim Hailey , Burge Malisa , Le Flora , Bains Sukjhit K. , Saunders William , Ghosh Stephen , Junge Moira F. , Varma Prerna , Rehm Imogen C. , Jackson Melinda L.
Published: June 2022

Dreaming and insomnia are important markers of distress in times of crisis. Here, we present a longitudinal, mixed‐methods study examining changes in dreaming between individuals with and without insomnia symptoms and their relationship to mental health during the COVID‐19 pandemic. A global survey examining insomnia symptoms, dreams and mental health was launched in April 2020 and followed participants over 12 months. Of 2240 participants, 1009 (45%) reported dream changes at baseline. A higher proportion of participants with new‐onset insomnia reported dream changes (55%) than those with pre‐existing insomnia (45%) or good sleepers (36%). Overall, thematic analysis identified key dream change themes of increased dream activity, with participants dreaming vividly, in high‐definition, and with a strong negative charge. Themes around survival, adjusting to pandemic life, meaning‐making and poor sleep quality were also noted. Linguistic Inquiry Word Count showed that individuals with insomnia used more negative words to describe their dream changes than good sleepers. Specifically, the new‐onset insomnia group used more anxious and death‐related words than those who slept well. Notably, all groups experienced a significant reduction in dream activity by 3‐month follow‐up. Lastly, dream changes were associated with worse mental health symptoms over time, and this effect was more pronounced in individuals with insomnia. Our results highlight that insomnia symptoms, especially new‐onset insomnia, are associated with more negative dream changes during collective stressful events, potentially compounding daytime distress and mental health symptoms over time. During times of crisis, dreaming and insomnia may reveal an important target for mental health interventions.
Worldview Analysis as a Tool for Conflict Resolution
Authors: Taves Ann
Published: June 2022

When we survey the current theoretical landscape, we find two distinct approaches to the analysis of worldviews. The systemic approach centers on responses to fundamental worldview questions (aka “big questions”); the cognitive‐behavioral approach focuses on the processes that give rise to behaviors that express worldviews. If we think of worldviews as subjective representations of the environment, that is, subjective “worlds,” we can think of the first approach as a means of eliciting, documenting, and comparing “worlds‐made” and the second as a framework for understanding the nonconscious processes of “world‐making.” It is not clear, however, how the two approaches are related. If human answers to the fundamental worldview questions are simply reflective additions to underlying cognitive processes, we would anticipate that worldview conflicts could be resolved relatively easily. If the implicit answers are embedded in nonconscious processes that are presupposed by various ways of life, we would expect that the process of resolving conflicts would be much more complex. An evolutionary approach, which views world‐making as an evolved capacity, not only suggests that the latter is the case, but also offers a way to integrate the two approaches. If, as an evolutionary approach would suggest, all mobile organisms must implicitly answer basic, species‐appropriate versions of the big questions in order to survive, then we can integrate the two approaches by defining worldviews in terms of simplified big questions that allow for both proximate and ultimate answers. This allows us to embed the systemic framework in an agent‐based cognitive‐behavioral process grounded in the everyday life and behavior of humans and other animals. The article is divided into three parts. The first demonstrates how we can use simplified versions of the big questions to integrate the systemic and cognitive‐behavioral approaches, ground the big questions in ways of life, and shift between systemic and agent‐based perspectives. The second offers more refined analytic concepts—modes, scale, and scope—for characterizing this dynamic, multilevel approach to worldviews. The third offers several comparisons to illustrate the benefits of this more‐nuanced approach in the context of conflict resolution.
Effect of the personal protective equipment donning and doffing program for nurses in military hospitals
Authors: Lee Hyewon , Jeong Ihn Sook
Published: June 2022

This study aimed to develop and verify the effect of a new personal protective equipment donning and doffing program for nurses in military hospitals. A total of 40 nurses (20 experimental group, 20 control group) participated in this nonequivalent control group experimental study. The new program consisted of the description of the design modification of the inner and outer boundary marks of coveralls and a video with verbal instructions and footswitch that the participants could watch at their own pace. Data collection was carried out before, immediately after, and 2 weeks after the intervention. The effects of the program on accuracy, self‐efficacy, and time were analyzed using a generalized estimating equation. PPE donning and doffing accuracy, self‐efficacy, and time were significantly increased in the experimental group compared to those in the control group, both immediately after and 2 weeks after intervention. As this program has been confirmed to be effective in improving PPE donning and doffing accuracy and self‐efficacy, we recommend using this program for training nurses on donning and doffing of PPE.
A novel scalable electrode array and system for non‐invasively assessing gastric function using flexible electronics
Authors: Gharibans Armen A. , Hayes Tommy C. L. , Carson Daniel A. , Calder Stefan , Varghese Chris , Du Peng , Yarmut Yaara , Waite Stephen , Keane Celia , Woodhead Jonathan S. T. , Andrews Christopher N. , O'Grady Greg
Published: June 2022

Background

Disorders of gastric function are highly prevalent, but diagnosis often remains symptom‐based and inconclusive. Body surface gastric mapping is an emerging diagnostic solution, but current approaches lack scalability and are cumbersome and clinically impractical. We present a novel scalable system for non‐invasively mapping gastric electrophysiology in high‐resolution (HR) at the body surface.

Methods

The system comprises a custom‐designed stretchable high‐resolution “peel‐and‐stick” sensor array (8 × 8 pre‐gelled Ag/AgCl electrodes at 2 cm spacing; area 225 cm2), wearable data logger with custom electronics incorporating bioamplifier chips, accelerometer and Bluetooth synchronized in real‐time to an App with cloud connectivity. Automated algorithms filter and extract HR biomarkers including propagation (phase) mapping. The system was tested in a cohort of 24 healthy subjects to define reliability and characterize features of normal gastric activity (30 m fasting, standardized meal, and 4 h postprandial).

Key Results

Gastric mapping was successfully achieved non‐invasively in all cases (16 male; 8 female; aged 20–73 years; BMI 24.2 ± 3.5). In all subjects, gastric electrophysiology and meal responses were successfully captured and quantified non‐invasively (mean frequency 2.9 ± 0.3 cycles per minute; peak amplitude at mean 60 m postprandially with return to baseline in <4 h). Spatiotemporal mapping showed regular and consistent wave activity of mean direction 182.7° ± 73 (74.7% antegrade, 7.8% retrograde, 17.5% indeterminate).

Conclusions and Inferences

BSGM is a new diagnostic tool for assessing gastric function that is scalable and ready for clinical applications, offering several biomarkers that are improved or new to gastroenterology practice.
Genome‐enabled discovery of candidate virulence loci in Striga hermonthica, a devastating parasite of African cereal crops
Authors: Qiu Suo , Bradley James M. , Zhang Peijun , Chaudhuri Roy , Blaxter Mark , Butlin Roger K. , Scholes Julie D.
Published: June 2022

Parasites have evolved proteins, virulence factors (VFs), that facilitate plant colonisation, however VFs mediating parasitic plant–host interactions are poorly understood. Striga hermonthica is an obligate, root‐parasitic plant of cereal hosts in sub‐Saharan Africa, causing devastating yield losses. Understanding the molecular nature and allelic variation of VFs in S. hermonthica is essential for breeding resistance and delaying the evolution of parasite virulence.

We assembled the S. hermonthica genome and identified secreted proteins using in silico prediction. Pooled sequencing of parasites growing on a susceptible and a strongly resistant rice host allowed us to scan for loci where selection imposed by the resistant host had elevated the frequency of alleles contributing to successful colonisation.

Thirty‐eight putatively secreted VFs had very different allele frequencies with functions including host cell wall modification, protease or protease inhibitor and kinase activities. These candidate loci had significantly higher Tajima's D than the genomic background, consistent with balancing selection.

Our results reveal diverse strategies used by S. hermonthica to overcome different layers of host resistance. Understanding the maintenance of variation at virulence loci by balancing selection will be critical to managing the evolution of virulence as part of a sustainable control strategy.
Influence of periodontitis and diabetes on structure and cytokine content of platelet‐rich fibrin
Authors: Gupta Shipra , Jain Akanksha , Gupta Mili , Gupta Jyoti , Kansal Shubhangi , Bhansali Anil , Garg Sukant , Singla Mohita , Gupta Arpit , Gauba Krishan
Published: June 2022

Background

Platelet‐rich fibrin (PRF) is a second‐generation platelet concentrate with multiple applications in wound healing and regeneration in both periodontitis and diabetes. However, the three dimensional (3‐D) structure and cytokine content of PRF might be altered in patients suffering from either/both of the chronic inflammatory conditions, ultimately influencing the efficacy of PRF as a biomaterial for regenerative medicine.

Aim

The aim of the present study was hence to evaluate the effect of both these chronic inflammatory diseases on the 3‐D structure of PRF membrane. An attempt was also made to compare the growth factor content between the plasma and RBC ends of the prepared PRF gel.

Materials & Methods

L‐PRF was prepared for twenty participants, healthy (5), periodontitis (5), T2DM (5) and T2DM with periodontitis (5). Porosity and fiber diameter of PRF membranes was visualized under FE‐SEM and measured using ImageJ Software. PDGF‐BB and TGF‐β1 levels in PRF gel were assessed by ELISA.

Results

The average diameter of fibrin fibers under FE‐SEM was 0.15 to 0.30 micrometers. Porosity was higher at the plasma end (p = 0.042). Red blood cell (RBC) end of the membrane had thinner fibers arranged in a comparatively more dense and compact structure with smaller porosities. Healthy subjects had the least porous PRF compared to subjects with either/both of the chronic conditions. PDGF‐BB levels were similar along all the four groups. TGF‐β1 levels were highest in healthy subjects.

Discussion

3‐D structure and growth factor content of PRF are influenced by a person's periodontal and/or diabetic status. The RBC end of the PRF membrane, as compared to the plasma end, has thinner fibers arranged in a comparatively more dense and compact structure with smaller porosities, and hence should be favored during periodontal regenerative procedures.

Conclusion

Both periodontitis and diabetes have a significant influence on the 3‐D structure and growth factor content of PRF produced.
Should Diastatic Syndesmosis be Stabilized in Advanced Pronation‐External Rotation Ankle Injuries? A Retrospective Cohort Comparison
Authors: Wu Chi‐chuan , Yeh Wen‐ling , Lee Po‐cheng , Chou Ying‐chao , Hsu Yung‐heng , Yu Yi‐hsun
Published: June 2022

Objective

With or without screw stabilization for diastatic syndesmosis in advanced pronation‐external rotation (PE) ankle injuries has not yet been well‐determined. Both techniques were retrospectively compared to investigate the superiority of either of the two.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study was carried out. From January 1, 2008, to December 31, 2017, 81 consecutive adult patients (average, 42 years; range, 18–78 years; 44 men and 37 women) with advanced PE ankle injuries (stage 3 or 4 PE type) were treated. After malleolar fractures were internally stabilized with screws and plates, the syndesmotic stability was rechecked by external rotation and hook tests. The necessity of cortical screw insertion to stabilize diastatic syndesmosis was decided by the individual orthopaedic surgeon. Postoperatively, a short leg splint was used for 6 weeks. The syndesmotic screw was removed based on the surgeon's policy. The removal of internal fixation for malleolar fractures was required after 1 year. The outcomes of both approaches were compared clinically, and ankle function was compared using the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score. For statistical comparison, the chi‐square test was used for categorical data and the Mann–Whitney U test was used for numerical data.

Results

Seventy‐one patients (average, 40 years; range, 18–78 years; 40 men and 31 women) were followed for at least 1 year (87.7%; average, 2 years; range, 1–11 years). Group 1 (with syndesmotic stabilization) had 22 patients and Group 2 (without syndesmotic stabilization), 49 patients. The union rate in Group 1 patients was 100% (22/22), and in Group 2 patients, 91.8% (45/49; p = 0.17). One deep wound infection occurred in Group 1 patients and two in Group 2 patients. Syndesmosis re‐diastasis occurred in 13.6% (3/22) of Group 1 patients and 30.6% (15/49) of Group 2 patients (p = 0.13). One syndesmotic screw broke at 6 months. Satisfactory ankle function according to the AOFAS score was noted in 86.4% (19/22) of Group 1 patients and 65.3% (32/49) of Group 2 patients (p = 0.07).

Conclusion

Insertion of syndesmotic screws to promote ligament healing after internal fixation of malleolar fractures in advanced PE ankle injuries may be reasonable.
Pulmonary hypertension with bronchopulmonary dysplasia: Aichi cohort study
Authors: Kawai Yuri , Hayakawa Masahiro , Tanaka Taihei , Yamada Yasumasa , Nakayama Atsushi , Kato Yuichi , Kouwaki Masanori , Kato Takenori , Tanaka Ryo , Muramatsu Kanji , Hayashi Seiji , Yamamoto Hikaru , Takemoto Koji , Ieda Kuniko , Nagaya Yoshiaki , Honda Shigeru , Shinohara Osamu , Funato Yusuke , Kokubo Minoru , Imamine Hiroki , Miyata Masafumi
Published: June 2022

Background

The incidence of pulmonary hypertension (PH) associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) has not been investigated in regional cohorts. The aim of this study was to clarify the incidence of PH associated with BPD in all very low birthweight infants (VLBWIs) born during the study period in Aichi Prefecture, Japan.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective observational cohort study of all VLBWIs born in Aichi Prefecture. The inclusion criteria were VLB, birth between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2015, and admission to any neonatal intensive care unit in Aichi Prefecture. BPD28d and BPD36w were defined as the need for supplemental oxygen or any respiratory support at 28 days of age or 36 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA). The primary outcome was the incidence of PH after 36 weeks’ PMA (PH36w) in VLBWIs with BPD28d and BPD36w. The secondary outcomes were the clinical factors related to PH36w in BPD36w patients. Mann–Whitney U‐test and Fisher’s exact test were used for univariate analysis. Differences were considered statistically significant at P < 0.05. Risk ratio (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were also evaluated.

Results

A total of 441 patients were analyzed. A total of 217 and 131 patients met the definition of BPD28d and BPD36w, respectively. Nine patients were diagnosed with PH36w (4.2% and 6.9% of the BPD28d and BPD36w patients, respectively). The presence of oligohydramnios (RR, 2.71; 95% CI: 1.55–4.73, P = 0.014) and sepsis (RR, 3.62; 95% CI: 1.51–8.63, P = 0.025) was significant in the PH36w patients.

Conclusions

The incidence of PH36w was 4.2% and 6.9% in the BPD28d and BPD36w patients, respectively. Oligohydramnios and sepsis were significantly associated with PH36w in VLBWIs.
Unknown effects of daily‐scale solar activity on the plant growth: Data from 6‐year growth monitoring of Sphagnum riparium
Authors: Mironov Victor L.
Published: June 2022

The influence of solar activity on plant growth has been studied for over 100 years, however, this phenomenon is still poorly understood on a daily scale. The data from extensive monitoring of the growth of peat moss Sphagnum riparium, which we are conducting in the mires of Karelia (Russia), may shed light on this issue. During the 6 years of observation, 161,190 shoots were measured, and 1075 growth rates were obtained. Considering together the growth rates with the sunspot number and involving data on seasonal temperature, we found previously unknown effects of daily‐scale solar activity on plant growth. It was found that the sunspot number weakly but significantly inhibits the growth of Sphagnum. The extreme sunspot number in the 4 days before the growth rate values have a stronger influence. The involvement of temperature data showed that inhibition in growth is observed only in the temperature range from 6.7°C to 15.3°C and disappears beyond these limits. In addition, the data obtained showed that the influence of sunspot number on the growth of Sphagnum is progressively increasing along the gradient from the minimum to the maximum of the 11‐year solar cycle. The study provides one of the first results on the effect of solar activity on plant growth on a daily scale. The results expand our knowledge of the biological effects of solar activity. Indirectly, they can also be useful to better our understanding of the ozone layer's involvement in this process.
Motivated for movement: Beta activation over the motor cortex resulting from intrinsic and extrinsic motivators
Authors: Wilhelm Ricardo A. , Threadgill A. Hunter , Gable Philip A.
Published: June 2022

Past work on motivation has primarily studied dichotomous distinctions of motivation (e.g., extrinsic or intrinsic). However, focusing on the overall motivational intensity may be better at accentuating the unique differences within and between varying motivators as it pertains to the impetus to act. Specifically, motivational intensity influences neural patterns of beta band frequency (13–30 Hz) as measured by electroencephalography (EEG) that enable motor‐action preparation, a neural correlate of motivated movement. The primary aim of across three experiments was to investigate neural motor‐action preparation to modified flanker tasks within achievement (Experiment 1), autonomous (Experiment 2), and extrinsic vs. intrinsic (Experiment 3) motivational contexts. Experiment 1 revealed greater motor‐action preparation for challenging trial cues and did not differ in behavioral attentional and performance measures across both trial types. Experiment 2 revealed no significant difference in motor‐action preparation, did not differ in behavioral attentional narrowing and had worse behavioral performance in high autonomy relative to low autonomy trials. Experiment 3 revealed greater motor‐action preparation for challenging trial cues, did not differ in behavioral attentional narrowing and had a faster performance for reward trials relative to high autonomy trials. These findings suggest motivators of the same category (i.e., intrinsic) may differ in motivational strength, as suggested by a neurophysiological measure of immediate motivated movement planning.
How status‐group power differentials shape age discrimination within U.S. federal agencies: Evidence from EEOC formal complaint filings, 2010–2019
Authors: Krause George A. , Park Jungyeon
Published: June 2022

Age discrimination is a systemic problem of the American administrative state that undermines both the caliber and performance of the U.S. federal government workforce. A theory is proposed, anchored on discrimination against age‐eligible employees (age 40 and over) representing a social identity group, to explain how status‐group power differentials between supervisors and non‐supervisors within U.S. federal agencies explain the organizational incidence of formal discrimination complaints. The theory predicts that the incidence of age discrimination formal complaints is declining in the share of supervisory personnel who are discrimination age‐eligible while increasing in the share of non‐supervisory personnel members who belong to this group. Evidence is obtained for these hypotheses using objective data on Equal Employment Opportunity Commission's age discrimination formal complaints about an unbalanced panel of 130 U.S. federal agencies between 2010 and 2019. The empirical evidence underscores the structural challenges to combatting ageism within the U.S. federal government workforce during an era of an intergenerational personnel change.
Indigenous environmental justice through coproduction of mining restoration supply chains in Australia
Authors: Urzedo Danilo , Pedrini Simone , Hearps Clancy , Dixon Kingsley , van Leeuwen Stephen
Published: June 2022

Mining activities often cause displacement and disruption of Indigenous socio‐cultural relations to land, water, biodiversity, and sacred entities. Due to the high disturbance and degradation that occurs as a result of mining on Indigenous lands, mine restoration and closure (MR&C) must mobilize the political agency of Indigenous Australians and provide enduring benefits beyond the life‐of‐mine. Here, we demonstrate that Indigenous engagements with mining restoration supply chains in Australia can only succeed if institutionalized socio‐environmental inequalities are recognized and dismantled. Through environmental justice lenses, we examine critical mine restoration injustices and how Indigenous Australian participation can energize environmental self‐determination. We analyze emerging restoration supply chains through the native seed collection and production activities as opportunities for nurturing transformative local collaborations, Indigenous entrepreneurship, and political participation. Our analysis shows the potential for community practices to coproduce MR&C through enduring partnerships, Indigenous‐led organizations, and plural knowledge systems. Indigenous Australian leadership in coordinating investments, collaborations, techniques, and business operations is critical to transforming MR&C into democratic and equitable plans and actions on Indigenous lands where mining operates. When aligned with progressive institutional changes, restoration interventions can potentially strengthen environmental self‐determination for Indigenous Australian political control over the customary use and stewardship of their lands.
Chinese Buddhist narratives of wonders: Recent studies and approaches
Authors: Ho Chiew Hui
Published: June 2022

Apart from their immediate religious import, the value of Chinese Buddhist narratives as alternative historical and documentary sources for understanding Buddhism and Chinese religion has not been appreciated until recently. Besides introducing early research on Chinese Buddhist narratives, this article focuses mainly on two recent studies of medieval Chinese Buddhist tales to illustrate how this body of indigenous literature could be an important source of religious history, providing information not found in normative canonical Buddhist writings. Both studies feature significant moves toward a more nuanced and interdisciplinary approach to this genre of Buddhist literature. They recognize the complex socio‐religious contexts in which the tales emerged and circulated, especially in relation to the role played by historical agents, which can be explored fruitfully in relation to the narratives through a combination of different methods.
Impact of integrated water, sanitation, hygiene, health and nutritional interventions on diarrhoea disease epidemiology and microbial quality of water in a resource‐constrained setting in Kenya: A controlled intervention study
Authors: Wandera Ernest Apondi , Muriithi Betty , Kathiiko Cyrus , Mutunga Felix , Wachira Mary , Mumo Maurine , Mwangi Anne , Tinkoi Joseph , Meiguran Mirasine , Akumu Pius , Ndege Valeria , Kasiku Fredrick , Ang'awa James , Mochizuki Ryoichiro , Kaneko Satoshi , Morita Kouichi , Ouma Collins , Ichinose Yoshio
Published: June 2022

Objectives

We assessed the impact of water, hygiene and sanitation (WASH), maternal, new‐born and child health (MNCH), nutrition and early childhood development (ECD) on diarrhoea and microbial quality of water in a resource‐constrained rural setting in Kenya.

Methods

Through a controlled intervention study, we tested faecal and water samples collected from both the intervention and control sites before and after the interventions using microbiological, immunological and molecular assays to determine the prevalence of diarrhoeagenic agents and microbial quality of water. Data from the hospital registers were used to estimate all‐cause diarrhoea prevalence.

Results

After the interventions, we observed a 58.2% (95% CI: 39.4–75.3) decline in all‐cause diarrhoea in the intervention site versus a 22.2% (95% CI: 5.9–49.4) reduction of the same in the control site. Besides rotavirus and pathogenic Escherichia coli, the rate of isolation of other diarrhoea‐causing bacteria declined substantially in the intervention site. The microbial quality of community and household water improved considerably in both the intervention (81.9%; 95% CI: 74.5%–87.8%) and control (72.5%; 95% CI: 64.2%–80.5%) sites with the relative improvements in the intervention site being slightly larger.

Conclusions

The integrated WASH, MNCH, nutrition and ECD interventions resulted in notable decline in all‐cause diarrhoea and improvements in water quality in the rural resource‐limited population in Kenya. This indicates a direct public health impact of the interventions and provides early evidence for public health policy makers to support the sustained implementation of these interventions.
Local tumour nanoparticle thermal therapy: A promising immunomodulatory treatment for canine cancer
Authors: Castelló Carla Martí , de Carvalho Mara Taís , Bakuzis Andris Figueiroa , Fonseca Simone Gonçalves , Miguel Marina Pacheco
Published: June 2022

Distinct thermal therapies have been used for cancer therapy. For hyperthermia (HT) treatment the tumour tissue is heated to temperatures between 39 and 45°C, while during ablation (AB) temperatures above 50°C are achieved. HT is commonly used in combination with different treatment modalities, such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, for better clinical outcomes. In contrast, AB is usually used as a single modality for direct tumour cell killing. Both thermal therapies have been shown to result in cytotoxicity as well as immune response stimulation. Immunogenic responses encompass the innate and adaptive immune systems and involve the activation of macrophages, dendritic cells, natural killer cells and T cells. Several heat technologies are used, but great interest arises from nanotechnology‐based thermal therapies. Spontaneous tumours in dogs can be a model for cancer immunotherapies with several advantages. In addition, veterinary oncology represents a growing market with an important demand for new therapies. In this review, we will focus on nanoparticle‐mediated thermal‐induced immunogenic effects, the beneficial potential of integrating thermal nanomedicine with immunotherapies and the results of published works with thermotherapies for cancer using dogs with spontaneous tumours, highlighting the works that evaluated the effect on the immune system in order to show dogs with spontaneous cancer as a good model for evaluated the immunomodulatory effect of nanoparticle‐mediated thermal therapies.
Numerical Analysis of Guided Wave Transmission Through a Long Defect in a Rail Track
Authors: Loveday Philip W. , Long Craig S.
Published: June 2022

Guided wave ultrasound has been used to continuously monitor welded rail track by transmitting guided wave ultrasound between alternate transmit and receive stations along the rail. A section of rail was encountered where transmission was not reliably achieved. It was found that there was considerable flank wear on the head of the rail, which varied in a sinusoidal pattern over approximately 10 m. The scattering due to the wear is investigated in this paper using numerical modeling. A 3D finite element (FE) model of the section of rail containing the wear defect was coupled to two semi-analytical finite element models of the incoming and outgoing waveguides. In the case of a 10 m long defect, which is over 100 wavelengths long, the 3D FE matrices were excessively large, and the global matrices could not be assembled nor solved. An approach of successively assembling layers of the mesh and reducing out internal degrees-of-freedom in the dynamic stiffness matrix was successfully adopted. The influence of the length of wear on the transmission loss was computed. It was found that short wear lengths generally cause more transmission loss although the relationship is not monotonic. It was found that the long-wear seen in the field does not cause transmission loss. In this case, where the change in cross section is gradual the incoming mode converted to a single mode in the smallest cross section and this mode converted back to the incoming mode in the second half of the wear section.
Evaluation of the Stiffness Mechanism on the Performance of a Hinged Wave Energy Converter
Authors: Kamarlouei Mojtaba , Hallak Thiago S. , Gaspar José F. , Soares C. Guedes
Published: June 2022

This paper presents the numerical and experimental study of a new spring mechanism adapted to a cone-shaped point absorber wave energy converter (WEC). The WEC is intended to be hinged to a floating wind platform with a long arm to create a combined wind and wave harvesting concept. The main objective of the spring mechanism is to improve the platform by restoring moments against the wind thrust forces, generated by the wind turbine. However, the study is presented for the case where the WEC dynamics is investigated outside the platform and attached to a fixed frame, to validate the mathematical model of the WEC concept and study the effects of the spring mechanism on wave energy absorption. In addition, the impact on the power harvesting performance is investigated with and without spring mechanism scenarios and different sea states.
Static Force Characteristic of Annular Gaps – Experimental and Simulation Results
Authors: Kuhr Maximilian M. G. , Lang Sebastian R. , Pelz Peter F.
Published: June 2022

We discuss the static characteristics, i.e., the induced force on the rotor, the attitude angle and the pressure difference, of off-centered annular gaps with an axial flow component without cavitation. The paper focuses on turbulent flow inside the annulus. Instead of modeling the inertia effects using the bulk-flow approach, the presented model uses an integro-differential approach in combination with power-law ansatz functions for the velocity profiles and a Hirs’ model to calculate the resulting pressure field. For an experimental validation of the model and comparison to the bulk-flow approach, an annular gap test rig is presented using magnetic bearings to inherently measure the position as well as the force on the rotor induced by the flow field inside the gap. The experimental investigations are performed using three different annuli with three different lengths. The impact of a variation of a modified Reynolds number, the flow number and the preswirl ratio on the resulting force on the rotor, the attitude angle and the pressure difference across the annulus is investigated and compared to the presented model and the bulk-flow approach.
Design of Unmanned Cable Shovel Based on Multiobjective Co-Design Optimization of Structural and Control Parameters
Authors: Zhang Tianci , Fu Tao , Song Xueguan
Published: June 2022

In autonomous excavation, design and optimization of the unmanned cable shovels (UCS) are important issues in the full life cycle of the equipment. However, the design of physical structure and control system of the UCS are performed at different stages, which makes it difficult for traditional sequential optimization strategy to generate global optimal solution. To enhance the working performance of the UCS, in this article, a multistage multiobjective (MSMO) co-design optimization strategy is proposed to perform global optimization considering excavation and loading processes by simultaneous optimization for the structure and control parameters of UCS. Under this framework, first, a point-to-point motion model based on 4-5-4 piecewise polynomial is proposed to describe the motion trajectory, and the dynamical model of the working device is established to predict the energy consumption in the working process. Then, the physical and geometric constraints in practical working are analyzed, and a multiobjective optimization model considering excavation and loading processes is established to improve mining efficiency and reduce energy consumption in unmanned excavation scenarios. Finally, the structural and control parameters are optimized synchronously to generate optimal physical structure, excavation, and loading trajectory. Numerical results show that the proposed MSMO co-design method can further improve the operational performance of UCS compared with the traditional optimization strategy.
A Study On Effects of Flaw Shape Idealization On the Interaction of Co-Planar Surface Flaws Subjected to Tension Load
Authors: Samadian Kaveh , Hertelé Stijn , De Waele Wim
Published: June 2022

Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA) guidelines contain rules to assess flaw interaction. Major flaw dimensions (depth or height and length) are typically characterized assuming the flaws to be contained entirely within a bounding rectangle through a procedure known as flaw idealization. In fracture mechanics based calculations, flaws are often assumed to be (semi-)elliptical when evaluating possible interaction. This paper investigates the implication of this simplification for the specific case of two identical co-planar surface breaking flaws. Two flaw shapes are considered and compared: semi-elliptical and canoe-shaped (quarter-circular ends with constant depth elsewhere). Especially for long and shallow flaws, the canoe-shaped configuration best approximates the bounding rectangle, whereas the semi-elliptical shape only touches the bounding rectangle at three points (deepest point and two points at the surface). Several flaw dimensions and spacing distances are studied through an extensive parametric study comprising both linear elastic and elastic-plastic finite element simulations. The results, evaluated in terms of stress intensity factor (SIF) and J-integral, show that the flaw shape idealization, particularly for long and shallow flaws, can significantly affect the degree of interaction between identical co-planar flaws. The inconsistency between semi-elliptical and canoe-shaped flaw shapes is observed in a linear elastic analysis and becomes more pronounced at higher loading levels evaluated in elastic-plastic analyses
Analysis of the Unsteady Flow Field at Stall Conditions for a Low-Speed Low-Pressure Ratio Axial Fan With Full-Annulus Simulation
Authors: Bousquet Yannick , Binder Nicolas , Rojda Ludovic , Thacker Adrien
Published: June 2022

The present work analyzes the three-dimensional unsteady flow structure of a low-speed low-pressure ratio axial fan stage operating at stall conditions. Unsteady numerical simulations were conducted with the elsA software, which solves the unsteady Reynolds-averaged Navier–Stokes (URANS) equations on a full-annulus calculation domain for the rotor and the stator. The analyses will focus on a near stall operating point, the stall inception mechanisms, and the final rotating stall pattern. Numerical simulations are confronted with experimental measurements from high-frequency Kulite transducers mounted on the casing near the rotor blades and the stator blades. The results show that boundary layer separation occurs on the stator blade close to the hub region at near stall conditions. The reverse flow interacts with the main flow to form a vortex shedding phenomenon. The frequency is not clocked with the blade passage frequency, requiring unsteady full-annulus methodology even for a stable operating point. It is also shown that the final state of the rotating stall region is composed of a single part-span cell that occupies three-quarters of the circumference and rotates at 60% of the shaft speed. This pattern agrees with the experimental measurements in terms of both the number of cells and the rotational speed. Finally, the paper demonstrates that without inlet distortion, the mechanism of the onset of the rotating stall is incorrectly predicted by the simulation. However, when a total pressure inlet distortion is applied, the computational fluid dynamics produces the same inception mechanism that is observed experimentally.