bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic efficiency and safety of rapidon‐siteevaluation combined withCT‐guidedtransthoracic core needle biopsy in suspected lung cancer patients
Authors: Yiminniyaze Ruzetuoheti , Zhang Xiujuan , Zhang Yuanyuan , Chen Kun , Li Chengwei , Zhu Ning , Zhou Daibing , Li Jing , Zhang Yuhai , Li Shengqing
Published: April 2022

Objective

The efficacy of rapid on‐site evaluation (ROSE) combined with computed tomography‐guided transthoracic core needle biopsy (CT‐guided TCNB) is rarely investigated. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and safety of ROSE combined with CT‐guided TCNB for suspected lung cancer patients.

Materials and Methods

Clinical data from 285 patients who received CT‐guided TCNB for suspected lung cancer in Huashan Hospital from 2015 to 2018 were retrospectively analysed. Of these 163 patients underwent CT‐guided TCNB combined with ROSE (ROSE group), while the remaining 122 patients underwent without ROSE (non‐ROSE group). The smears from TCNB were quickly processed with Diff‐Quick staining and analysed by a skilled cytologist on‐site. The consistency of ROSE with the final clinicopathological diagnosis and the diagnostic efficiency and safety of ROSE combined with CT‐guided TCNB in suspected lung cancer patients were evaluated.

Results

ROSE was highly concordant with pathological diagnosis (κ = 0.791;P < 0.001), with an accuracy of 95.7%. Diagnostic accuracy was significantly higher in the ROSE compared with the non‐ROSE group (96.3% vs 86.1%;P = 0.002), with overall incidences of complications of 36.8% and 23.8%, respectively. Minor pneumothorax without drainage was slightly greater in the ROSE compared with the non‐ROSE group (14.1% vs 6.6%;P = 0.046). However, there was no significant difference in serious complications between the two groups.

Conclusion

ROSE was highly consistent with the final clinicopathological diagnosis for suspected lung cancer. ROSE further improved the diagnostic efficiency of CT‐guided TCNB with no increased incidence of serious complications.
Recreational marijuana legalization and admission to the foster‐care system
Authors: Gardner John , Osei Bright
Published: April 2022

We estimate the effects of legalized recreational marijuana on entry into the foster‐care system. Exploiting state‐level variation in legalization and its timing, we estimate that legalization decreases foster‐care placements by at least 10%, with larger effects in years after legalization, and for admissions for reasons of parental drug and alcohol abuse, physical abuse, neglect, and parental incarceration. Our findings imply that legalization may have important consequences for child welfare, and that substitution toward marijuana from other substances can be an important part of how legalization affects admissions.
Strong decrease in egg mass on subsequent days of oviposition generates little variation in offspring performance in the pine‐tree lappet moth, Dendrolimus pini
Authors: Łukowski Adrian , Karolewski Piotr
Published: April 2022

The pine‐tree lappet moth, Dendrolimus pini (L.) (Lepidoptera: Lasiocampidae), is a pest whose natural range mostly follows that of its host, Scots pine, Pinus sylvestris L. (Pinaceae). Under natural conditions, we observed differences in larval body size, pointing to different rates of their growth and development. This study aimed to check whether differences in egg mass can differentiate the growth and development rate of D. pini larvae. We assumed that decrease in egg mass on subsequent days of oviposition can have a large impact. Our results indicate that there is an unusually strong fecundity advantage of large female mass in D. pini, but with each day of laying, the mean mass of the eggs decreases. However, offspring phenotype and development in D. pini is not clearly correlated with egg mass. We also confirmed a strong decrease in the number and mass of eggs on subsequent days of oviposition. However, egg mass decline did not correspond with the performance of the offspring in a laboratory rearing because the specimens formed from ‘medium‐mass’ eggs were characterized by the highest fitness. Although we noted a significant impact of the day of oviposition on some offspring's fitness parameters (e.g., development stage duration, pupal mass, adult mass), the variation was not large. The offspring hatched from eggs on the 3rd day of oviposition were characterized by increased values of some parameters (e.g., higher mass, heavier cocoons, faster development). Variation in the development of the larvae could be a strategy to help offspring survive under short‐term unfavorable conditions, and also reduces intra‐species competition which is generally beneficial.
Association of short‐term exposure to ambient air pollution with mortality from ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke
Authors: Xu Ruijun , Wang Qingqing , Wei Jing , Lu Wenfeng , Wang Rui , Liu Tingting , Wang Yaqi , Fan Zhaoyu , Li Yingxin , Xu Luxi , Shi Chunxiang , Li Guo , Chen Gongbo , Zhang Lan , Zhou Yun , Liu Yuewei , Sun Hong
Published: April 2022

Background

Short‐term exposure to ambient air pollution has been linked to increased risk of stroke mortality, but its adverse effects on mortality from specific types of stroke including ischemic stroke and hemorrhagic stroke remain poorly understood.

Methods

Using the China National Mortality Surveillance System, we conducted a time‐stratified case‐crossover study among 412,567 stroke deaths in Jiangsu province, China during 2015–2019. Residential daily PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3 exposure concentrations were extracted from the ChinaHighAirPollutants dataset for each subject. Conditional logistic regression models were performed to conduct exposure–response analyses.

Results

Each 10 μg/m3 increase of PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3 was respectively associated with a 1.44%, 0.93%, 5.55%, 2.90%, 0.148%, and 0.54% increase in odds of mortality from ischemic stroke, which was significantly stronger than that from hemorrhagic stroke (percent change in odds: 0.74%, 0.51%, 3.11%, 1.15%, 0.090%, and 0.10%). The excess fraction of ischemic stroke mortality associated with PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, CO, and O3 exposure was 6.90%, 6.48%, 8.21%, 8.61%, 9.67%, and 4.76%, respectively, which was also significantly higher than that of hemorrhagic stroke mortality (excess fraction: 3.49%, 3.48%, 4.69%, 3.48%, 5.86%, and 0.88%). These differences in adverse effects generally remained across sex, age, and season.

Conclusions

Short‐term exposure to ambient air pollution was significantly associated with increased risk of both ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke mortality and posed considerable excess mortality. Our results suggest that air pollution exposure may lead to substantially greater adverse effects on mortality from ischemic stroke than that from hemorrhagic stroke.
Diagnosis and treatment of Helicobacter pylori infection by physicians in China: A nationwide cross‐sectional study
Authors: Song Zhiqiang , Chen Ye , Lu Hong , Zeng Zhirong , Wang Weihong , Liu Xiaofeng , Zhang Guoxin , Du Qin , Xia Xingzhou , Li Changping , Jiang Shulin , Wu Ting , Li Peiyuan , He Shuixiang , Zhu Yin , Zhang Guiying , Xu Jianming , Li Yan , Huo Lijuan , Lan Chunhui , Miao Yinglei , Jiang Haixing , Chen Ping , Shi Lijun , Tuo Biguang , Zhang Dekui , Jiang Kui , Wang Jiangbin , Yao Ping , Huang Xiaoxi , Yang Shaoqi , Wang Xuehong , Zhou Liya
Published: April 2022

Background

To investigate the current state of knowledge and practice of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection management in China.

Materials and Methods

This nationwide, multicenter, cross‐sectional questionnaire survey was conducted between March and April 2021 with respect to the diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori infection in 31 provinces, encompassing over 1000 hospitals in mainland China. General physician information, diagnostic and detection status, eradication treatment, reexamination and follow‐up after treatment, and basic knowledge of physicians were collected and compared with the Fifth Chinese National Consensus Report on Management of H. pylori infection and the 2016 Maastricht V/Florence guidelines. The subgroup analysis was also performed.

Results

Of the 6873 questionnaire respondents, 48.8% were males, and 51.2% were females. Approximately, 26.5% of respondents indicated that their hospitals had dedicated clinics for managing H. pylori infection. Moreover, 88.0% of respondents prescribed a bismuth‐containing quadruple regimen as the initial eradication treatment, and 92.7% deemed the gastric acid suppression critical. Furthermore, 91.0% of respondents routinely recommended a reexamination 1–2 months after eradication therapy, and 95.1% advised patients to stop PPI treatment at least 2 weeks before reexamination. The detail of following (the choice of target population/methods; the choice/availability of drugs/regimens, indications for eradication, factors influencing eradication efficacy/improvement methods and factors influencing adherence, management options/factors influencing relapse; the timing and methods, awareness of reinfection rates/prevention measures, and the approach to continuing education, awareness of guidelines, and acceptance of current core concepts of management) was also described. Subgroup analysis further revealed that significant differences were existed in being gastroenterologist or not, different education level, professional title, years of working, and provincial administrative regions.

Conclusions

Chinese physicians' skills and knowledge about the diagnosis and treatment of H. pylori infection could be improved. More works on education are needed in future.
Trends in cutaneous melanoma mortality in Italy from 1982 to 2016
Authors: Briatico Giulia , Mancuso Pamela , Argenziano Giuseppe , Longo Caterina , Mangone Lucia , Moscarella Elvira , Brancaccio Gabriella , Pampena Riccardo
Published: April 2022

Background

In Italy, comprehensive national studies, about mortality rates for cutaneous melanoma, are missing. The aim of this study was to analyze the trend of cutaneous melanoma mortality in Italy from 1982 to 2016.

Methods

Data on death certificates were obtained from Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT: Istituto nazionale di STATistica, Indagine sulle cause di morte). Mortality rates were age‐standardized on the European population 2013 and presented per 100,000 individuals. Age‐adjusted mortality rates (AMRs) were calculated by sex, age group, and geographic areas. To identify changes in mortality rate trends, a joinpoint regression model was used, and the annual percent change (APC) was estimated.

Results

In Italy, a total number of 49,312 patients (44.0% women) died for cutaneous melanoma from 1982 to 2016. Melanoma mortality rates significantly increased in the study period in both sexes, with higher AMR values and a steeper increase in men (from 2.71 to 4.02; APC: 1.43; 95% CI 1.26–1.61) than women (from 1.94–2.10; APC: 0.23; 95% CI 0.00–0.46). The largest difference between men and women was observed in patients aged ≥65 years with APC of 2.17 in men (95% CI 1.97–2.37) and 0.37 in women (95% CI 0.08–0.66).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the melanoma mortality rate in Italy progressively increased especially in elderly men. Several hypotheses might explain the observed age and geographic differences such as sun exposure habits or different strategies of prevention campaigns.
Dielectric temperature stability and energy storage performance of NBT‐based ceramics by introducing high‐entropy oxide
Authors: Zhou Shiyu , Pu Yongping , Zhao Xinyi , Ouyang Tao , Ji Jiamin , Zhang Qianwen , Zhang Canpeng , Sun Shikuan , Sun Rong , Li Junjie , Wang Dawei
Published: April 2022

In this study, a high‐entropy perovskite oxide Sr(Zr0.2Sn0.2Hf0.2Ti0.2Nb0.2)O3 (SZSHTN) was first introduced to Na0.5Bi0.5TiO3 (NBT) lead‐free ferroelectric ceramics to boost both the high‐temperature dielectric stability and energy storage performance. Excellent comprehensive performance was simultaneously obtained in the 0.8NBT–0.2SZSHTN ceramic with high ε′ value (> 2000), wide ε′‐temperature stable range (TCC < 5%, 52.4–362°C), low tanδ value in a wide range (<0.01, 90–341°C) and high energy storage performance (Wrec = 3.52 J/cm3, Wrec and η varies ±6.08% and ±7.4% from 20 to 150°C), which endows it the promising potential to be used in high‐temperature environments.
Mathematical modeling and kinetic behavior of Indian Umblachery cow butter and its nutritional degradation analysis under modified atmospheric packaging technique
Authors: Basheer Vajiha Aafrin , Muthusamy Sukumar
Published: April 2022

Main objective of the study is to evaluate the effect of polyphenols enrichment, modified atmosphere packaging (CO2: 20%, N2: 75%, O2: 5%) and storage time on the shelf‐life solidity and nutritional degradation of butter from Indian native breed of Umblachery cow. The butter samples were incorporated and enriched with polyphenols and flavonoids from the seed coat extracts of Cajanus cajan (136.5 mg of gallic acid equivalents/g and 68.7 mg of quercetin equivalents/g) and butylated hydroxyl anisole (200 ppm) and the oxidative solidity and nutritional and flavor retention was evaluated without changing its organoleptic properties during 6 months of storage with and without MAP at 4, 15, and 25°C. SCECC significantly reduced the formation of oxidation products and the kinetics of shelf‐life of butter with predictive Arrhenius model was assessed in real time and accelerated according to temperature with the maximum activation energy of 5,309.2 J/mol for SCECC enriched and 3,191.4 J/mol for butylated hydroxyl anisole incorporated samples with modified atmosphere packaging at 4°C for peroxide value. The loss of polyphenols during storage was analyzed and it was 21–36% at 4°C and 31–55% at 25°C with and without modified atmosphere packaging at the end of sixth month. Organoleptic evaluations indicated that the samples treated with polyphenols combined with modified atmosphere packaging had lowermost lipid deterioration and exhibited high level of protective effects on nutritional degradation and recorded highest overall acceptability at 4°C and minimum level of sensorial behavior was observed at 25°C at the end of sixth month.

Practical Applications

Enrichment of polyphenols with food emulsion can profitably influence their oxidative stability and the emulsions should sustain optimal quality and stability throughout the storage period. Lipid oxidation is the major deteriorative process with substantial commercial implications in terms of product cost. Due to the heavy demand for natural antioxidants, the polyphenols of seed coat extracts of Cajanus cajan have been used and correlated these results with enhancement of butter and increase its shelf life by modified atmospheric packaging. The activation energy and the rate constant of chemical reaction enabled the construction of kinetic models, which helped to estimate rate of changes in the butter sample. In order to estimate quality changes, we evaluated the polyphenolic loss, sensory features, and microbiological changes. The results of this study may deliver technical basis in the utilization of SCECC as a natural antioxidant with MAP to prevent lipid rancidification or nutritional loss in butter.
Prediction model using clinical factors for radiation exposure during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography
Authors: Kim Bomi , Park Jaewoo , Ahn Jinwoo , Jung Kwangrok , Jung Jae Hyup , Lee Jong‐Chan , Hwang Jin‐Hyeok , Kim Jaihwan
Published: April 2022

Background and Aim

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) requires radiation. This study aimed to assess the clinical factors influencing radiation exposure and devise a scoring model for predicting high‐dose radiation exposure.

Methods

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography cases recorded between 2016 and 2019 in a single tertiary teaching hospital were retrospectively reviewed. A scoring model was created by bootstrap method in a derivation cohort (2016–2018) and was assessed in a validation cohort (2019).

Results

Out of 4223 ERCPs, 2983 and 1240 cases were included in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. In the derivation cohort, 746 cases (top 25%) comprised the high‐dose exposure group, and 2237 cases (bottom 75%) comprised the low‐dose exposure group. Nine clinical parameters associated with high‐dose exposure were male, pancreatic sphincterotomy, balloon dilatation, biliary or pancreatic drainage, procedures with contrast dye, endoscopist, in‐hospital ERCP, and spot image. Stone removal was included by bootstrap analysis. As presented in a nomogram, the weight score of each variable was as follows: male, 1; pancreatic sphincterotomy, 3; balloon dilatation, 7; stone removal, 3; biliary or pancreatic drainage, 5; procedures with contrast dye, 1; endoscopist B, 4; endoscopist C, 5; in‐hospital procedure, 3; and spot image, 3. A total score ≥ 15 suggested a high‐dose radiation exposure. The sensitivity and specificity of the model for high‐dose exposure were 0.562 and 0.813, respectively. In the validation cohort, the model showed reasonable predictability.

Conclusions

Various factors were associated with radiation exposure. The simple scoring system in this study could guide endoscopists in predicting the risk of high‐dose radiation exposure.
The Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute Dementia Diagnostic Clinic Network: A community of practice to improve dementia care
Authors: Mora Pinzon Maria , Krainer Jody , LeCaire Tamara , Houston Stephanie , Green‐Harris Gina , Norris Nia , Barnes Stacy , Clark Lindsay R. , Gleason Carey E. , Hermann Bruce P. , Ramon Helen , Buckingham Will , Chin Nathaniel A. , Asthana Sanjay , Johnson Sterling C. , Walaszek Art , Carlsson Cynthia M.
Published: April 2022

Background

The Wisconsin Alzheimer's Institute (WAI) Dementia Diagnostic Clinic Network is a community of practice formed in 1998 as a collaboration of community‐based clinics from various healthcare systems throughout the state. Its purpose is to promote the use of evidence‐based strategies to provide high quality care throughout Wisconsin for people with dementia. The purpose of this study is to describe the use of a community of practice to facilitate education of healthcare providers on best practices in dementia care, and the implementation of an interprofessional approach to diagnose and manage dementia and related disorders.

Methods

Cross‐sectional study of the members of the WAI's Dementia Diagnosis Clinic Network. Characteristics of clinics and healthcare teams, learners' participation in educational events and educational outcomes were collected from evaluation forms. Number and characteristics of patients seen in the memory clinics were collected from de‐identified data forms submitted by members to a centralized location for data analysis.

Results

The clinic network currently has 38 clinics affiliated with 26 different healthcare systems or independent medical groups in 21 of 72 Wisconsin counties. Most (56%) are based in primary care, 15% in psychiatry, and 29% in neurology. Between 2018 and 2021, we received data on 4710 patients; 92% were ≥65 years old, 60% were female, and 92% were white. Network members meet in‐person twice a year to learn about innovations in the field of dementia care and to share best practices. Educational events associated with the network are shown to be relevant, useful, and improve knowledge and skills of participants.

Conclusion

Communities of practice provide added value via shared best practices and educational resources, continuing education of the health workforce, continuous quality improvement of clinical practices, and adoption of new diagnostic and management approaches in dementia care.
Narco‐Infrastructures and the Persistence of Illicit Coca in Loreto
Authors: Silverstein Sydney M.
Published: April 2022

In this article, I examine the persistence of illicit coca in Loreto, in the northeastern Amazonian region of Peru. I engage ethnographically with the formation and perseverance of a mutable yet resilient network that has enabled the movement of illicit drugs: what I call a narco‐infrastructure. Beginning with the “absent state” argument so frequently put forth to understand the proliferation of narco‐economies, I turn attention to the ways in which drug trafficking developed hand in hand with a nascent petroleum industry, setting off a series of social and economic transformations in the region, but also creating new horizons of experience and possibility. Loreto's historical ties to drug trafficking, and particularly its recent emergence as a hot spot of illicit coca production, are helpful for understanding the mutability and resilience of narco‐infrastructures, and the affective work they can and will do.
Free sorting task of chocolate proteins bars: Pilot study and comparison between trained and untrained panelists
Authors: Marque Céline , Motta Caroline , Richard Thibaud J. C.
Published: April 2022

A free sorting task was applied to sort chocolate proteins bars by trained and untrained panelists. Trained and untrained panelists sorted the nine chocolate proteins bars samples into groups. They were then asked to describe in their own words after the sorting was done. Multidimensional Scaling and Correspondence Analysis were performed on these data. Results showed that trained and untrained panels sorted the chocolate proteins bars in a similar way (RV coefficient value). The results also show that the trained panel was significantly more objective than the untrained panel. However, comparable terms were used similarly by both panels and statistical results indicated that untrained and trained panels could be used for free sorting tasks as both panels were able to perform the test being discriminative.

Practical Applications

The free sorting task method was used for the first time to differentiate a complex food product with trained and untrained panelists. This task associated with word association was a success and enable the use of this sensory method to potentially understand a strategic local market with consumer feedback.
Peer support in small towns: A decentralized mobile Hepatitis C virus clinic for people who inject drugs
Authors: Midgard Håvard , Bjørnestad Ronny , Egeland Maren , Dahl Eivin , Finbråten Ane‐Kristine , Kielland Knut B. , Blindheim Martin , Dalgard Olav
Published: April 2022

Background & Aims

New models of HCV care are needed to reach people who inject drugs (PWID). The primary aim was to evaluate HCV treatment uptake among HCV RNA positive individuals identified by point‐of‐care (POC) testing and liver disease assessment in a peer‐driven decentralized mobile clinic.

Methods

This prospective study included consecutive patients assessed in a mobile clinic visiting 32 small towns in Southern Norway from November 2019 to November 2020. The clinic was staffed by a bus driver and a social educator offering POC HCV RNA testing (GeneXpert®), liver disease staging (FibroScan® 402) and peer support. Viremic individuals were offered prompt pan‐genotypic treatment prescribed by local hospital‐employed specialists following a brief telephone assessment.

Results

Among 296 tested individuals, 102 (34%) were HCV RNA positive (median age 51 years, 77% male, 24% advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis). All participants had a history of injecting drug use, 71% reported past 3 months injecting, and 37% received opioid agonist treatment. Treatment uptake within 6 months following enrolment was achieved in 88%. Treatment uptake was negatively associated with recent injecting (aHR 0.60; 95% CI 0.36–0.98), harmful alcohol consumption (aHR 0.44; 95% CI 0.20–0.99), and advanced liver fibrosis/cirrhosis (aHR 0.44; 95% CI 0.25–0.80). HCV RNA prevalence increased with age (OR 1.81 per 10‐year increase; 95% 1.41–2.32), ranging from 3% among those <30 years to 55% among those ≥60 years.

Conclusions

A peer‐driven mobile HCV clinic is an effective and feasible model of care that should be considered for broader implementation to reach PWID outside the urban centres.
Evidence for tissue‐specific defence‐offence interactions between milkweed and its community of specialized herbivores
Authors: López‐Goldar Xosé , Hastings Amy , Züst Tobias , Agrawal Anurag
Published: April 2022

Coevolution between plants and herbivores often involves escalation of defence‐offence strategies, but attack by multiple herbivores may obscure the match of plant defence to any one attacker. As herbivores often specialize on distinct plant parts, we hypothesized that defence‐offence interactions in coevolved systems may become physiologically and evolutionarily compartmentalized between plant tissues. We report that roots, leaves, flower buds and seeds of the tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) show increasing concentrations of cardenolide toxins acropetally, with latex showing the highest concentration. In vitro assays of the physiological target of cardenolides, the Na+/K+–ATPase (hereafter “sodium pump”), of three specialized milkweed herbivores (root‐feeding Tetraopes tetrophthalmus, leaf‐feeding Danaus plexippus, and seed‐feeding Oncopeltus fasciatus) show that they are proportionally tolerant to the cardenolide concentrations of the tissues they eat. Indeed, molecular substitutions in the insects’ sodium pumps predicted their tolerance to toxins from their target tissues. Nonetheless, the relative inhibition of the sodium pumps of these specialists by the concentration versus composition (inhibition controlled for concentration, what we term “potency”) of cardenolides from their target versus nontarget plant tissues revealed different degrees of insect adaptation to tissue‐specific toxins. In addition, a trade‐off between toxin concentration and potency emerged across plant tissues, potentially reflecting coevolutionary history or plant physiological constraints. Our findings suggest that tissue‐specific coevolutionary dynamics may be proceeding between the plant and its specialized community of herbivores. This novel finding may be common in nature, contributing to ways in which coevolution proceeds in multispecies communities.
Environment‐driven shifts in interindividual variation and phenotypic integration within subnetworks of the mussel transcriptome and proteome
Authors: Tanner Richelle L. , Gleason Lani U. , Dowd W. Wesley
Published: April 2022

The environment can alter the magnitude of phenotypic variation among individuals, potentially influencing evolutionary trajectories. However, environmental influences on variation are complex and remain understudied. Populations in heterogeneous environments might exhibit more variation, the amount of variation could differ between benign and stressful conditions, and/or variation might manifest in different ways among stages of the gene‐to‐protein expression cascade or among physiological functions. Here, we explore these three issues by quantifying patterns of inter‐individual variation in both transcript and protein expression levels among California mussels, Mytilus californianus Conrad. Mussels were exposed to five ecologically relevant treatments that varied in the mean and interindividual heterogeneity of body temperature. To target a diverse set of physiological functions, we assessed variation within 19 expression subnetworks, including canonical stress‐response pathways and empirically derived coexpression clusters that represent a diffuse set of cellular processes. Variation in expression was particularly pronounced in the treatments with high mean and heterogeneous body temperatures. However, with few exceptions, environment‐dependent shifts of variation in the transcriptome were not reflected in the proteome. A metric of phenotypic integration provided evidence for a greater degree of constraint on relative expression levels (i.e., stronger correlation) within expression subnetworks in benign, homogeneous environments. Our results suggest that environments that are more stressful on average – and which also tend to be more heterogeneous – can relax these expression constraints and reduce phenotypic integration within biochemical subnetworks. Context‐dependent “unmasking” of functional variation may contribute to interindividual differences in physiological phenotype and performance in stressful environments.
Revealing historical perspectives on the professionalization of nursing education in Norway—Dilemmas in the past and the present
Authors: Nyborg Vibeke Narverud , Hvalvik Sigrun
Published: April 2022

The professionalization of modern nursing education from 1850 and forward is closely linked to values and virtues underpinned by Christian ideals, sex‐based stereotypes and class. Development in the late 19th century of modern hospital medicine, combined with a scientific understanding of antisepsis and asepsis, hygiene, contagion prevention and germ theory, were highly influential insights to the dominant position of modern medicine in health care. This development constituted a key premise for what nurses, by virtue of being women, and combined with their education, could offer in terms of medical assistance. It enabled them to challenge the prevailing sex‐based stereotypes‐ and class‐based hierarchies, allowing modern nursing to retain aspects of both traditional Christian and womanly values, while at the same time adhering to the medical science paradigm. In this paper, we argue that modern nursing education developed in a context characterized by traditional female and religious values, while at the same time being increasingly dominated by the influence of scientific and medical progress. This conflict between traditional and modern values caused dilemmas and tensions as the nursing profession developed. We argue further that similar dilemmas and tensions continue to pervade contemporary nursing and nursing education.
Nasolabial appearance in unilateral cleft lip and palate patients: A comparison of aesthetics using two scoring systems: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Talwar Aditya , Duggal Isha , Duggal Ritu , Chaudhari Prabhat Kumar , Samrit Vilas
Published: April 2022

Objective

The objective of the study was to assess nasolabial aesthetics in patients with complete unilateral cleft lip, with or without cleft palate (UCL ± P) using two scoring systems.

Design

A cross‐sectional study conducted in a tertiary care government hospital.

Patients

Photographic records of 91 patients with complete UCL ± P from the age group of 5–18 years (mean age = 13.2 ± 3.14 years) were included.

Method

A panel of three orthodontists with varying experience in cleft management rated nasolabial aesthetics using two scoring systems, that is Asher Mc‐Dade index (AMAI) and Cleft Aesthetic Rating Scale (CARS). Intraclass correlation coefficient, Fleiss' kappa and Cronbach's alpha were used to measure the internal consistency amongst three raters and Spearman–Brown formula was used for measuring overall reliability. Time required for assessment of each photograph was compared with ANOVA.

Results

Overall, both AMAI and CARS showed high reliability and outcome assessment with good inter‐rater reliability and internal consistency, when used independently by orthodontists having varied experience. Statistically significant difference was present in time taken for assessment of nasolabial aesthetics with CARS index (8.75 ± 1.65 seconds) as compared to AMAI (18.62 ± 3.49 seconds).

Conclusion

Asher Mc‐Dade index and CARS are equally reliable and consistent for the assessment of nasolabial aesthetics in patients with UCL ± P. However, considerably less time was taken for the assessment using CARS index as compared to AMAI. The use of CARS index is recommended for the initial assessment and screening of patients by orthodontists using two dimensional photographs.
Distance of doing business and outward foreign direct investment: An empirical study of China
Authors: Qian Xinbei , Liu Dexue , Huang Liangxiong , Li Hanchao
Published: April 2022

Differences between the business environment in the home country and the host country are an important factor when enterprises consider their location choice with regard to outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). However, this is ignored by much existing literature. Based on the trade‐off framework of international firms between exporting and participation in OFDI under the condition of heterogeneous enterprises, this paper constructs a theoretical model of the impact of distance of doing business (DDB) on OFDI. We take China's OFDI as an example and use the World Bank Group's Ease of Doing Business Index to construct the DDB indicator, as well as test the impact of the DDB on China's OFDI by combining the macro‐location panel data of China's OFDI between 2004 and 2017. The results showed that increasing DDB significantly reduces the scale of China's OFDI. The effect is robust. The mechanism is that DDB significantly decreases the success rate of OFDI and increases the cost of OFDI, thereby decreasing the scale of OFDI. Further analysis then finds that official acts, such as building partnerships, and folk acts, such as increasing cultural identity, can significantly reduce the negative effect of DDB on OFDI.
Sucrose synthase activity is not required for cellulose biosynthesis in Arabidopsis
Authors: Wang Wei , Viljamaa Sonja , Hodek Ondrej , Moritz Thomas , Niittylä Totte
Published: April 2022

Biosynthesis of plant cell walls requires UDP‐glucose as the substrate for cellulose biosynthesis, and as an intermediate for the synthesis of other matrix polysaccharides. The sucrose cleaving enzyme sucrose synthase (SUS) is thought to have a central role in UDP‐glucose biosynthesis, and a long‐held and much debated hypothesis postulates that SUS is required to supply UDP‐glucose to cellulose biosynthesis. To investigate the role of SUS in cellulose biosynthesis of Arabidopsis thaliana we characterized mutants in which four or all six Arabidopsis SUS genes were disrupted. These sus mutants showed no growth phenotypes, vascular tissue cell wall defects, or changes in cellulose content. Moreover, the UDP‐glucose content of rosette leaves of the sextuple sus mutants was increased by approximately 20% compared with wild type. It can thus be concluded that cellulose biosynthesis is able to employ alternative UDP‐glucose biosynthesis pathway(s), and thereby the model of SUS requirements for cellulose biosynthesis in Arabidopsis can be refuted.
Modelling global value chains: From trade costs to policy impacts
Authors: Shepherd Ben
Published: April 2022

I use an approach from the family of ‘new quantitative trade models’ to explore the links between trade costs and integration in Global Value Chains (GVCs). The model conceptualises GVC trade through a multi‐country, multi‐sector Ricardian model that nests the standard structural gravity model. It provides a general framework in which to assess the impacts of changes in iceberg trade costs on GVC trade, understood as the sum of backward linkages and pure double counting, in line with recent work on trade in value added. As an example, I use the model to show that observed changes in trade facilitation performance between 2015 and 2019 have strong explanatory power for observed changes in GVC trade during the same period: the model accounts for over one‐third of the observed change, albeit with substantial variation across countries and sectors.
Adaptive Design of Experiments for Automotive Engine Applications Using Concurrent Bayesian Optimization
Authors: Zhu Ling , Wang Yan , Pal Anuj , Zhu Guoming G.
Published: April 2022

Most practical automotive problems require the design of experiments (DoEs) over a number of different operating conditions to deliver optimal calibration parameters. DoE is especially crucial for automotive engine calibration problems due to its increasing complexity and nonlinearity. As the complexity of the system increases, the DoE applications require a significant amount of expensive testing. However, only a limited number of testings are available and desired. The current work addresses this issue by presenting an adaptive DoE method based on Bayesian optimization to find optimal parameter settings with a significantly reduced number of physical testings (or function evaluations). To further improve optimization efficiency, this work presents a new approach: concurrent Bayesian optimization, which searches for optimal DoE under multiple operating conditions simultaneously. The method utilizes a surrogate model and a novel concurrent evolutionary multi-objective optimization method: concurrent non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-II, to solve adaptive DoE in multiple operating conditions with a limited number of function evaluations. The experimental study is carried out on a gasoline engine calibration problem using a high-fidelity GT-SUITE™ engine model. The experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness of the algorithm by optimizing engine performance with a significantly reduced number of expensive testings to achieve accurate optimal solutions. The method simultaneously performs engine calibration at eight different operating conditions using only 500–600 testings, compared to the traditional approach, where each operating condition requires 300–500 testings independently to achieve optimal results.
Experimental Investigation on the Concentration Polarization and Power Output of a Reverse Electrodialysis Stack With Permselective Spacers for Different Factors
Authors: Li Mei , Guo Jiabin , Wang Yiwei , Guo Pengcheng , Li Xiaoliang , Liu Xiaoqian
Published: April 2022

The use of permselective spacers in reverse electrodialysis (RED) stack introduces a more severe concentration polarization phenomenon at membrane–solution interfaces in spite of effectively suppressing the spacer shadow effect. In this paper, the concentration polarization phenomenon in RED with permselective spacers is analyzed for different membrane types, numbers of cell pairs, solution concentrations, and temperatures by measuring non-ohmic resistance based on direct and alternating current methods combined with theoretical formula. Experiments on direct current method are further made to determine the influence of concentration polarization on power output and power generation performance of stack for different factors. The results show that the non-ohmic resistance accounts for less than 40% of the total stack resistance. Increasing the flowrate and solution temperature effectively suppresses the concentration polarization in stack and thus is beneficial to improving the power output. However, the membrane type, number of cell pairs, and solution concentration hardly affect concentration polarization. In spite of this, these factors all have a considerable impact on the power generation performance of the stack. Among them, increasing the concentration of concentrated and diluted solutions is most beneficial to improving the power density.
Employing Deep Learning Neural Networks for Characterizing Dual-Porosity Reservoirs Based on Pressure Transient Tests
Authors: Kumar Pandey Rakesh , Kumar Anil , Mandal Ajay , Vaferi Behzad
Published: April 2022

The deep learning model constituting two neural network models (i.e., densely connected and long short-term memory) has been applied for automatic characterization of dual-porosity reservoirs with infinite, constant pressure, and no-flow external boundaries. A total of 16 different prediction paradigms have been constructed (one classifier to identify the reservoir models and 15 regressors for predicting the dual-porosity reservoir characteristics). Indeed, wellbore storage coefficient, CDe2S, skin factor, interporosity flow coefficient, and storativity ratio have been estimated. The training pressure signals have been simulated using the analytical solution of the governing equations with varying noise percentages. The pressure drop and derivation of the noisy synthetic signals serve as the input signals to the intelligent scenario. The hyperparameters of the intelligent model have been carefully adjusted to improve its prediction performance. The trained classification model attained 99.48% and 99.32% accuracy over the training and testing datasets. The separately trained 15 regressors converged well to estimate the reservoir parameters. The model performance has been demonstrated with three uniquely simulated and real-field cases. The results indicate that the compiled prediction model can accurately identify the reservoir model and estimate the corresponding characteristics.
Nondestructive Microstructure Characterization of Tempered Martensitic Steels Through Data Fusion
Authors: Mawhin M. A. , Seuaciuc-Osorio T.
Published: April 2022

Determination of the present condition of grade 91 steels commonly used in fossil plants presents an ongoing challenge for the industry. Current individual methods of nondestructive evaluations (NDEs) are challenged to reliably determine steel microstructures and are impractical for deployment over large areas such as piping systems. This work investigates the discriminatory potential of an integral assessment combining multiple NDE techniques: magnetic methods (including coercive field, incremental permeability, and Barkhausen noise), thermoelectric power, and ultrasonic methods (including attenuation, backscatter, and absorption). Using a sample inventory of manufactured representative microstructure conditions in thin-walled tubes, five of the eight microstructure conditions could be identified by data fusion. Combined magnetic methods appeared as a primary technique, as this can identify four out of the eight conditions, while the ultrasonic methods can be seen as complimentary tests to increase confidence in classification and identify a fifth condition.
Development and Extrinsic Calibration of a 3D Optical Multisensor Platform Using Laser Line Scanner and a Three-Axis Linear Motion Unit
Authors: Gollee Christian , Seidel André , Schenke Christer-Clifford , Hellmich Arvid , Ihlenfeldt Steffen
Published: April 2022

The area-based three-dimensional optical inspection of workpiece geometries is the basis for quality control, maintenance tasks, and many other typical applications in mechanical engineering and automation such as adaptive manufacturing. In the context of a cyber–physical approach for semi-autonomous post-processing of additively manufactured parts, this method provides the basis for an iterative manufacturing approach. Commercially available systems for optical inspections often rely on camera-based methods, which are, however, susceptible to reflections. This article describes an approach for developing an optical scanstation that uses blue laser line scanners in combination with a Cartesian three-axis motion system and a turntable. The focus of the work is on the development of a method for the fast extrinsic calibration of the entire scanstation.
Uncovering Human Errors Associated With System-User Interactions Using Functional Modeling
Authors: Soria Zurita Nicolás F. , Tensa Melissa Anne , Ferrero Vincenzo , Stone Robert B. , DuPont Bryony , Onan Demirel H. , Tumer Irem Y.
Published: April 2022

Designers should adequately develop user considerations such as usability, safety, and comfort during the design process of new systems. Nevertheless, incorporating human factors engineering principles during early design phases is not simple. The objective of this work is to assist designers in implementing human factors engineering principles during early design phases using a functional model framework. This effort expands our previous work on automating the function-human error design method (FHEDM) implementation. In this work, we use data mining techniques in a design repository to explore the construction of association rules between components, functions, flows, and user interactions. Such association rules can support designers assessing user-system interactions during the early design stages. To validate this approach, we compare the associations generated by expert designers using the FHEDM while designing a new product to those generated by an algorithm using the repository data. The results show notable similarities between the associations extracted by the algorithm and the associations identified by designers. Thus, the overall results show that association rules extracted from a rich dataset can be used to distinguish user-product interactions, demonstrating the potential of automating the identification of user-product interactions from a functional model.
On the Ensemble of Surrogate Models by Minimum Screening Index
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Pang Yong , Liang Pengwei , Song Xueguan
Published: April 2022

The ensemble of surrogate models has attracted more and more attention due to their more stable performance than individual models. This work proposes a novel adaptive ensemble of surrogate models based on the minimum screening index. Constructing the screening index to realize the definition and elimination of a global poor model to further update the model library. Compared with the cross-validation error, this index presents better reliability in the model library update. The baseline model is determined by the minimum screening index to further propose a new weight calculation strategy based on this baseline model; 35 test functions are used to evaluate the performance of the proposed model. The results show that this model presents better accuracy and robustness than the individual surrogates and the other ensemble of surrogate models. More importantly, in engineering applications, the same results are also obtained, indicating that the proposed model has a higher priority than the other ensemble of surrogate models. This effective model gives a new way for the design of engineering problems.
A Novel Morphing Propeller System Inspired by Origami-Based Structure
Authors: Ye Kan , Ji J.C.
Published: April 2022

For a standard propeller system, the thrust output and the energy dissipation are proportionally dependent on its rotating speed, as its physical characteristics and working conditions are normally fixed during its operation. In order to improve the system performance and meet special application requirements, this paper presents the design of a novel two-stage propeller system with a morphing blade structure for higher thrust output and energy efficiency in operations. Based on the stacked Miura-ori (SMO) pattern, an origami-based structure is designed to enable a change in blade length for a propeller system and thus improve the system performance. The unique snap-through feature of the proposed origami structure is utilized to provide a two-stage working condition according to its rotating speed. The geometric parameter analysis of the SMO structure is first investigated, specifically focusing on the operating mechanism due to the snap-through behavior. Then, the implementation of the SMO structure into a rotating system is studied. The effects of design parameters on the critical transition points, which correspond to two operating states of the proposed propeller system, are numerically discussed. The simulation results confirm the performance improvement in the thrust output and energy-saving. The feasibility of using origami-based structures provides valuable insights into more applications in similar domains, such as fan system and wind turbine blades.