bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Crystal Ball Health Policies: A Case Against Preventive Testing For Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Inglese Silvia , Lavazza Andrea , Abbate Carlo
Published: February 2022

After the recent approval of a new drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, the first in almost twenty years, it is useful to consider what are the real possibilities to make a preclinical diagnosis of dementia and to treat its symptoms. The scientific community widely agrees that the drugs available today can only slow down the progression of the disease; it, therefore, seems helpful to warn against encouraging the spread of preventive testing. In fact, faced with the prospect of drugs that promise to act in the first stage of Alzheimer’s, there might be an incentive to invest in the research on biomarkers and even healthy adults could be encouraged to increasingly resort to such prediction tests. Our claim, however, is that such massive use of biomarkers would eventually make things worse for many individuals and for society as well. A few examples are given to illustrate this risk. Therefore, our proposal is to limit access to prediction testing until truly effective treatments for Alzheimer’s are available.
The Brain Observatory Storage Service and Database (BossDB): A Cloud-Native Approach for Petascale Neuroscience Discovery
Authors: Hider Robert , Kleissas Dean , Gion Timothy , Xenes Daniel , Matelsky Jordan , Pryor Derek , Rodriguez Luis , Johnson Erik C. , Gray-Roncal William , Wester Brock
Published: February 2022

Technological advances in imaging and data acquisition are leading to the development of petabyte-scale neuroscience image datasets. These large-scale volumetric datasets pose unique challenges since analyses often span the entire volume, requiring a unified platform to access it. In this paper, we describe the Brain Observatory Storage Service and Database (BossDB), a cloud-based solution for storing and accessing petascale image datasets. BossDB provides support for data ingest, storage, visualization, and sharing through a RESTful Application Programming Interface (API). A key feature is the scalable indexing of spatial data and automatic and manual annotations to facilitate data discovery. Our project is open source and can be easily and cost effectively used for a variety of modalities and applications, and has effectively worked with datasets over a petabyte in size.
Managing Symptom Profile of IBS-D Patients With Tritordeum-Based Foods: Results From a Pilot Study
Authors: Russo Francesco , Riezzo Giuseppe , Linsalata Michele , Orlando Antonella , Tutino Valeria , Prospero Laura , D'Attoma Benedetta , Giannelli Gianluigi
Published: February 2022

In the past few years, increasing attention has been given to the pathologic role of specific foods in IBS, like wheat and other cereals. Recent literature describes IBS patients who may experience gastrointestinal (GI) and extra-GI symptoms precipitated by the ingestion of cereals. Tritordeum is a cereal of Spanish origin derived from the hybridization of durum wheat and wild barley. It is different from classic wheat for its gluten protein composition, with fewer carbohydrates and fructans and a higher content of proteins, dietary fibers, and antioxidants. This pilot study aimed to investigate the effects of a 12-week diet with Tritordeum-based foods in substitution of other cereals on the profile of GI symptoms (evaluated by appropriate questionnaire) and the health of the GI barrier (assessed by sugar absorption test and different markers of integrity and functions) in 16 diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) patients. The diet with Tritordeum-based foods (bread, bakery products, and pasta) significantly reduced IBS-D patients' symptoms. This amelioration appears to occur through an overall improvement of the GI barrier, as demonstrated by the reduced intestinal permeability and the decreased levels of markers of intestinal mucosal integrity, mucosal inflammation, and fermentative dysbiosis.
Antimicrobial Therapy in Pediatric Sepsis: What Is the Best Strategy?
Authors: Mau Luciana Becker , Bain Vera
Published: February 2022

Pediatric sepsis is a relevant cause of morbidity and mortality in this age group. Children are affected differently in high and low-income countries. Antibiotics are crucial for the treatment of sepsis, but indiscriminate use can increase resistance worldwide. The choice of a correct empiric therapy takes into consideration the site of infection, local epidemiology, host comorbidities and recent antibiotic exposure. Antibiotics should be administered in the first hour for patients with septic shock, and always intravenously or via intraosseous access. Culture results and clinical improvement will guide de-escalation and length of treatment. New diagnostic methods can help improve the prescription of adequate treatment. Prevention of sepsis includes vaccination and prevention of healthcare-associated infections. More research and education for awareness of sepsis is needed to improve care.
Exploring the Diagnostic Performance of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Ultrasound-Guided High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound Ablation for Abdominal Wall Endometriosis
Authors: Hu Shangying , Liu Yuhang , Chen Rongsheng , Xiao Zhibo
Published: February 2022

Objective

This study aimed to explore the clinical value of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with ultrasound-guided high-intensity focused ultrasound (USg-HIFU) for the diagnosis and treatment of abdominal wall endometriosis (AWE).

Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging was performed before and after USg-HIFU. Information on clinical characteristics of patients, MRI characteristics of lesions, and treatment outcomes were collected. Thirty AWE lesions in 29 patients were examined before HIFU treatment, while 27 patients were examined after treatment. The results of MRI and color doppler ultrasound before surgery, as well as the volume and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the lesions before and after USg-HIFU treatment were compared. We also observed the clinical symptoms remission, recurrence, and ablation rates of the lesions in follow-up after HIFU treatment.

Results

The locations of the 30 AWE lesions were identified by MRI before USg-HIFU treatment. Their sizes appeared larger on MRI than ultrasound (P < 0.05). A total of 27 lesions were evaluated by MRI after USg-HIFU treatment, of which 92.6% (25/27) lesions were of high or slightly high signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and 77.8% (21/27) lesions were of mixed signal intensity on T2-weighted images. The mean ADC values of AWE lesions were 1.47 (1.20–1.59) × 10–3mm2/s and 1.86 (1.61–2.12) × 10–3mm2/s for pre-and post-HIFU treatment (P < 0.05). Patients with higher ablation rates (>50%) had a higher complete/partial remission rate than those with lower ablation rates (<50%), and had a lower recurrence rate (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

MRI is a useful tool for identifying the location, size, and concurrent changes of AWE before and after USg-HIFU treatment, which is beneficial for follow-up monitoring and defining treatment efficacy.
Hdac4 Regulates the Proliferation of Neural Crest-Derived Osteoblasts During Murine Craniofacial Development
Authors: Ha Nayoung , Sun Jian , Bian Qian , Wu Dandan , Wang Xudong
Published: February 2022

Craniofacial development involves the regulation of a compendium of transcription factors, signaling molecules, and epigenetic regulators. Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, and homeostasis across a wide range of tissues, including the brain and the cardiovascular, muscular, and skeletal systems. However, the functional role of Hdac4 during craniofacial development remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the effects of knocking out Hdac4 on craniofacial skeletal development by conditionally disrupting the Hdac4 gene in cranial neural crest cells (CNCCs) using Cre-mediated recombination. Mice deficient for Hdac4 in CNCC-derived osteoblasts demonstrated a dramatic decrease in frontal bone formation. In vitro, pre-osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1 cells) lacking Hdac4 exhibited reduced proliferative activity in association with the dysregulation of cell cycle-related genes. These findings suggested that Hdac4 acts, at least in part, as a regulator of craniofacial skeletal development by positively regulating the proliferation of CNCC-derived osteoblasts.
Applying Digital Twins to Research the Relationship Between Urban Expansion and Vegetation Coverage: A Case Study of Natural Preserve
Authors: Zhao Dongmiao , Li Xuefei , Wang Xingtian , Shen Xiang , Gao Weijun
Published: February 2022

With the growth of the world population, cities expand and encroach on forests and plants, causing many environmental problems. Digital Twin, as the rapidly developing technique in recent years, provides the opportunity to implement the specific situation of forests and plants at present or in the future, which has great performance on predictive analysis and optimization. From the consideration of plants and forests, this study provides a comprehensive case study to research the relationship between urban development boundary and natural environment in a natural preserve in a coastal city. Multispectral data of the study area is collected by Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), combining satellite remote sensing (RS) historical data and geographic data to establish the digital twin model for plant identification. In conjunction with local Master planning of land use, the results of modeling are used to analyze the influences of urban construction on the natural environment, and the inappropriate aspects of the planning are discovered and summarized. In addition, 6 suggestions for effective management and planning strategies are presented. As plants and forests are effective factors of natural conditions, this study offered an objective assessment for the sustainability and rationality of urban planning with some guidance and bases.
The Immediate and Sustained Effects of Moderate-Intensity Continuous Exercise and High-Intensity Interval Exercise on Working Memory
Authors: Mou Hong , Tian Shudong , Fang Qun , Qiu Fanghui
Published: February 2022

This study investigated the immediate and delayed effects of moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) and high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) on working memory. Fifty healthy young adults (mean age = 19.96 ± 1.03 years) engaged in (1) a MICE session, 20 min of continuous running on a treadmill at an intensity of 40–59% of heart rate reserve (HRR); (2) a HIIE session, 10 sets of 1 min running at an intensity of 90% HRR, interspersed by 1 min self-paced walking at 50% HRR; and (3) a control session, resting in a chair and reading books for 24 min. A spatial 2-back task was performed to assess working memory before, immediately after and 30 min after each intervention. Reaction time in the 2-back task was significantly reduced immediately after both MICE and HIIE interventions. The enhanced working memory associated with HIIE sustained for 30 min after the exercise, whereas the beneficial effects associated with MICE returned to the pre-exercise level at 30 min after the exercise. These results suggest that although both MICE and HIIE enhance working memory in young adults, the positive effect sustains longer in HIIE than that in MICE. The current study extends the existing knowledge base by suggesting that improvements in working memory with HIIE last longer than with MICE.
Applying the DSM-5 Alternative Model of Personality Disorders and the Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure to the Classic Case of “Madeline G.”: Novice and Expert Rater Convergences and Divergence
Authors: Garner Alisa R. , Blocher Natalie , Tierney David , Baumgardner Megan , Watson Alayna , Romero Gloria , Skadberg Rebecca , Younginer Taylor , Waugh Mark H.
Published: February 2022

Prior research supports the learnability of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition Alternative Model of Personality Disorders (AMPD). However, researchers have yet to compare novice ratings on the AMPD’s Level of Personality Functioning Scale and the 25 pathological personality traits with expert ratings. Furthermore, the AMPD has yet to be examined with the idiographic Shedler-Westen Assessment Procedure (SWAP). We compared the aggregated AMPD clinical profile of a group of psychology doctoral students who learned the AMPD to high levels of reliability to that of an expert rater using the crucible of the classical case of “Madeline G.” Examination of AMPD and SWAP ratings of “Madeline G.” revealed excellent overall concordance but suggests that novice raters tend to perceive lower levels of personality impairment.
Influence of Online Merging Offline Method on University Students’ Active Learning Through Learning Satisfaction
Authors: Yu Huiju , Wang Shaofeng , Li Jiaping , Shi Gaojun , Yang Junfeng
Published: February 2022

Students’ active learning behavior determines learning performance. In post-COVID-19 period, Online Merging Offline (OMO) method become a common way of university students’ learning. However, at present, there are few studies in active learning behavior in the OMO mode. Combined with learning satisfaction and Technology Acceptance Model (TAM), this paper proposes an Online Active Learning (OAL) Model to predict the influencing factors of college students’ active learning behavior and then analyzes the differences between OMO model and pure online model by multi-group analysis (MGA) based on the model. The designed questionnaire was distributed, and a total of 498 valid questionnaires were collected. Using SmartPLS to analyze partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and MGA, it is found that: (1) there are differences in the influencing factors of active learning between OMO and pure online model; the moderating effect of learning complaint in OMO mode is not established, and social isolation and age does not affect active learning in OMO mode; (2) learning quality, perceived ease of use, expectation, perceived usefulness, and social isolation indirectly affect active learning through learning satisfaction in both OMO model and pure online model; (3) learning satisfaction is an important mediating variable affecting active learning; and (4) learning complaints will negatively regulate the relationship between learning satisfaction and active learning only in pure online model. According to these findings, the paper provides theoretical and practical implementation suggestions implications for OMO teaching and OAL to ensure the expected learning outcome.
Understanding the Geography of COVID-19 Case Fatality Rates in China: A Spatial Autoregressive Probit-Log Linear Hurdle Analysis
Authors: Yu Hanchen , Lao Xin , Gu Hengyu , Zhao Zhihao , He Honghao
Published: February 2022

This study employs a spatial autoregressive probit-log linear (SAP-Log) hurdle model to investigate the influencing factors on the probability of death and case fatality rate (CFR) of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) at the city level in China. The results demonstrate that the probability of death from COVID-19 and the CFR level are 2 different processes with different determinants. The number of confirmed cases and the number of doctors are closely associated with the death probability and CFR, and there exist differences in the CFR and its determinants between cities within Hubei Province and outside Hubei Province. The spatial probit model also presents positive spatial autocorrelation in death probabilities. It is worth noting that the medical resource sharing among cities and enjoyment of free medical treatment services of citizens makes China different from other countries. This study contributes to the growing literature on determinants of CFR with COVID-19 and has significant practical implications.
The Impact of Sudden Public Health Events on the Insurance Companies' Investment Returns: Based on the Investors' Sentiment Perspective
Authors: Shang Yunfeng , Qian Fangbin , Gao Nan , Yang Qin , Guo Yiting , Sun Yunpeng
Published: February 2022

This study analyzes the conflicting effects of investors' sentiment caused by public health emergencies and uses event analysis methods and linear regressions to examine the impact of such emergencies on the stock prices of insurance companies. The study shows that public health emergencies have a positive and significant impact on insurance companies' portfolios through investors' sentiment, which is persistent. However, the investor fear index triggered by public health emergencies is negatively associated with insurance stock portfolio returns. Meanwhile, insurers with smaller market capitalization are more strongly influenced by investors' sentiment than those with larger market capitalization.
Age and Sex Differences in Heart Failure With Preserved Ejection Fraction
Authors: Kobak Kamil Aleksander , Zarzycka Weronika , Chiao Ying Ann
Published: February 2022

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a multi-organ disorder that represents about 50% of total heart failure (HF) cases and is the most common form of HF in the elderly. Because of its increasing prevalence caused by the aging population, high mortality and morbidity, and very limited therapeutic options, HFpEF is considered as one of the greatest unmet medical needs in cardiovascular medicine. Despite its complex pathophysiology, numerous preclinical models have been established in rodents and in large animals to study HFpEF pathophysiology. Although age and sex differences are well described in HFpEF population, there are knowledge gaps in sex- and age-specific differences in established preclinical models. In this review, we summarize various strategies that have been used to develop HFpEF models and discuss the knowledge gaps in sex and age differences in HFpEF.
Exploring Behavioral Patterns for Data-Driven Modeling of Learners' Individual Differences
Authors: Akhuseyinoglu Kamil , Brusilovsky Peter
Published: February 2022

Educational data mining research has demonstrated that the large volume of learning data collected by modern e-learning systems could be used to recognize student behavior patterns and group students into cohorts with similar behavior. However, few attempts have been done to connect and compare behavioral patterns with known dimensions of individual differences. To what extent learner behavior is defined by known individual differences? Which of them could be a better predictor of learner engagement and performance? Could we use behavior patterns to build a data-driven model of individual differences that could be more useful for predicting critical outcomes of the learning process than traditional models? Our paper attempts to answer these questions using a large volume of learner data collected in an online practice system. We apply a sequential pattern mining approach to build individual models of learner practice behavior and reveal latent student subgroups that exhibit considerably different practice behavior. Using these models we explored the connections between learner behavior and both, the incoming and outgoing parameters of the learning process. Among incoming parameters we examined traditionally collected individual differences such as self-esteem, gender, and knowledge monitoring skills. We also attempted to bridge the gap between cluster-based behavior pattern models and traditional scale-based models of individual differences by quantifying learner behavior on a latent data-driven scale. Our research shows that this data-driven model of individual differences performs significantly better than traditional models of individual differences in predicting important parameters of the learning process, such as performance and engagement.
Use of Crowdsourced Online Surveys to Study the Impact of Architectural and Design Choices on Wellbeing
Authors: Altaf Basma , Bianchi Eva , Douglas Isabella P. , Douglas Kyle , Byers Brandon , Paredes Pablo E. , Ardoin Nicole M. , Markus Hazel R. , Murnane Elizabeth L. , Bencharit Lucy Z. , Landay James A. , Billington Sarah L.
Published: February 2022

There has been growing interest among scholars regarding the role of the built environment on occupant wellbeing. Across five studies conducted online from January 2018 to July 2021, we investigate the impact of design interventions (materials, light, and decor representing diverse identities) on several constructs indicative of wellbeing (sense of belonging, self-efficacy, and environmental efficacy), using self-reported metrics. We hypothesize that natural materials, natural light and diverse representations lead to higher self-reported scores compared to artificial materials, no natural light and non-diverse representations. We find that, while our results vary across individual experiments, the synthesized effects of materials and light on all three dependent measures hold consistent across studies, supporting our hypothesized outcomes. We also examine the influence of seasonality, survey platform and design, and independent variables' dosage on survey results. We conclude with a discussion on the challenges associated with researching the psychological as well as behavioral impacts of design interventions in indoor spaces.
Cloud Height Daytime Variability From DSCOVR/EPIC and GOES-R/ABI Observations
Authors: Delgado-Bonal A. , Marshak A. , Yang Y. , Oreopoulos L.
Published: February 2022

One of the largest uncertainties in climate sensitivity predictions is the influence of clouds. While some aspects of cloud formation and evolution are well understood, others such as the diurnal variability of their heights remains largely unexplored at global scales. Aiming to fill that fundamental gap in cloud knowledge, this paper studies the daytime evolution of cloud top height using the EPIC instrument aboard the DSCOVR satellite, complemented by coincident cloud height retrievals by GOES-R’s ABI instrument. Both datasets indicate that cloud height exhibits a minimum around midday for low clouds with amplitudes between 250 and 600 m depending on the season. The two datasets also agree that high clouds exhibit a contrasting behavior with steady increase of cloud height from morning to evening. We investigate dependences on the type of underlying surface, finding that the amplitude of the diurnal cycles is weaker over ocean than over land for both EPIC and ABI retrievals. We also find a positive correlation between cloud fraction and height over ocean which turns negative over land for low clouds, while for high clouds the correlation is largely positive.
Women's Articulations of Aging: “Learning to Be Affected” Through Experiences in Recreational Ballet
Authors: Jeffrey Allison , Markula Pirkko , Story Corinne
Published: February 2022

In this article, we draw upon the experiences of mature recreational dancers who participated in classes facilitated by a professional ballet company and catered to older adults. Moving with 11 women through a 10-week ballet course, and immersing ourselves in the empirical material, we recognized opportunities for broadening our analysis of aging dancing bodies. Inspired by a Latourian understanding of bodies and a recent new materialist turn in humanities and social sciences, we became curious about the ways that the women were being affected by their experiences in ballet. The ballet studio, the barre, muscles, sweat, and music were all discussed as influential aspects contributing to their understandings of aging and dancing. Moving beyond biomedical prescriptions and extending socio-cultural constructions, we reveal opportunities for Latourian theory to dance with us toward re-imagining what is possible for aging recreational ballet dancers. Here, we allow the women's articulations of aging in ballet to exist as unique expressions unbound by limitations. Moving with women as they learn to become more affected through dance, we are given the opportunity to think about bodies, ballet and aging differently.
Effect of Additives on Surface Tension, Viscosity, Transparency and Morphology Structure of Aloe vera Gel-Based Coating
Authors: Suriati Luh , Utama I. Made Supartha , Harsojuwono Bambang Admadi , Gunam Ida Bagus Wayan
Published: February 2022

Coating is a new trend for extending shelf-life and reducing postharvest damage to fruits currently. Aloe vera gel-based (AVG) coating is made by adding citric acid, ascorbic acid and potassium sorbate. The additive increases the stability of AVG coating. This research aims to determine the effect of additives on the surface tension, viscosity, transparency and morphology structure of AVG coating. The observation used a completely random design one factor with three replicates. Formulation of AVG coating uses additives involving citric acid, ascorbic acid, potassium sorbate and the mixture of additives, concentrations of 0.15%. Observations are made periodically on days 0, 5, 10 and 15. The type and concentration of additives affect the surface tension, viscosity, transparency and morphology structure of AVG coating. The best formulation of AVG coating for 15 days of storage is a mixture of additives (citric acid, ascorbic acid and potassium sorbate) with a concentration of 0.15% applied on the surface of the fruits. The best numeric value of AVG coating surface tension is 0.122 N/m, acidity 4.22, viscosity 96.03 mPa.s, color L* 19.51 and point of transparency 84.40. The combination of the three additives produced a clear, transparent white coating appearance and the potential to extend the shelf-life of fruit.
A Multi-Organ-on-Chip Approach to Investigate How Oral Exposure to Metals Can Cause Systemic Toxicity Leading to Langerhans Cell Activation in Skin
Authors: Koning Jasper J. , Rodrigues Neves Charlotte T. , Schimek Katharina , Thon Maria , Spiekstra Sander W. , Waaijman Taco , de Gruijl Tanja D. , Gibbs Susan
Published: February 2022

Investigating systemic toxicity in vitro is still a huge challenge. Here, a multi-organ-on-chip approach is presented as a typical case of topical exposure of oral mucosa to metals, which are known to activate the immune system and in turn may result in skin inflammation. Reconstructed human gingiva (RHG) and reconstructed human skin containing MUTZ-3–derived Langerhans cells (MUTZ-LC) in the epidermis (RHS-LC) were incorporated into a HUMIMIC Chip3plus, connected by dynamic flow and cultured for a total period of 72 h. Three independent experiments were performed each with an intra-experiment replicate in order to assess the donor and technical variations. After an initial culture period of 24 h to achieve stable dynamic culture conditions, nickel sulfate was applied topically to RHG for 24 h, and LC activation (maturation and migration) was determined in RHS-LC after an additional 24 h incubation time. A stable dynamic culture of RHG and RHS-LC was achieved as indicated by the assessment of glucose uptake, lactate production, and lactate dehydrogenase release into the microfluidics compartment. Nickel exposure resulted in no major histological changes within RHG or RHS-LC, or cytokine release into the microfluidics compartment, but did result in an increased activation of LC as observed by the increased mRNA levels of CD1a, CD207, HLA-DR, and CD86 in the dermal compartment (hydrogel of RHS-LC (PCR)). This is the first study to describe systemic toxicity and immune cell activation in a multi-organ setting and can provide a framework for studying other organoids in the future.
Studies on Age-Related Changes in Equine Cheek Teeth Angulation and Dental Drift
Authors: Liuti Tiziana , Daniel Carola R. , Dixon Padraic Martin , Reardon Richard J. M.
Published: February 2022

Background

Cheek teeth (second through fourth premolars and first through third molars) diastema is a common and painful equine disorder caused by the absence of effective tight interdental contact between these teeth. Limited objective information is available on the angulation of equine cheek teeth that control dental drift or on mesial or distal equine cheek teeth drift that should normally prevent this disorder.

Objectives

To measure the angulation of the mesial and distal cheek teeth in horses of different ages, quantify age-related cheek teeth mesial and distal dental drift, and measure the cheek teeth row length in horses of different ages.

Study Design

Retrospective review of computed tomographic images of equine heads.

Methods

Case details and CT images from clinical equine cases that had undergone standing CT head examination were collated.

Three sets of measurements were acquired from each head. “Head size” calculated as the distance between the caudal aspect of the orbit and the caudal aspect of the naso-incisive notch was used to standardize measurements in different sized heads. The length of the cheek teeth rows measured from the mesial aspect of the Triadan 06 occlusal surface to the distal aspect of the Triadan 11 occlusal surface. The rostro-caudal (antero-posterior) position and angulation of the mandibular and maxillary Triadan 06 and 11 teeth were measured in relation to reference lines drawn on CT images.

Results

Significant mesial drift occurred in the maxillary and mandibular Triadan 11s. Despite their distal angulation, the upper and lower Triadan 06s also drifted mesially. The mean angulation of Triadan 06 and 11 mandibular teeth (17.8 and 26.2°, respectively) was almost double that of maxillary teeth (9.2 and 13.3°, respectively) with both Triadan 11s having greater angulation than the 06s. Cheek teeth angulation only significantly decreased in the mandibular 06s. Cheek teeth arcade lengths decreased with age, but these decreases were not significant.

Main Limitations

Limitations include the relatively small sample size.

Conclusions

In the population of horses used for this study, age related mesial drift occurred in both Triadan 06 and 11s, and the angulation of these teeth did not decrease with age in most arcades.
Assessment of a Deep Burial Destoning System of Agrarian Soils Alternative to the Stone Removal and On-Site Crushing
Authors: Toscano Pietro , Cutini Maurizio , Cabassi Giovanni , Pricca Nicolò , Romano Elio , Bisaglia Carlo
Published: February 2022

Among its many functions, soil represents the active natural medium for plant growth. Different soils have various structural characteristics, that correspond to their qualitative parameters in terms of physical, chemical, and biological fertility. Because of their extremely slow formation processes, soils are also a non-renewable resource, easily subject to degradative processes. Among their mineral constituents many agrarian soils present, in addition to the fine earth, variable percentages of coarse fractions in their arable layer, which interfere with the crop growth, requiring more energy to manage cultivation operations, and damaging the machinery up to making its use impractical. In these conditions, it becomes necessary to proceed with the soil destoning, particularly for the management of Precision Farming techniques. Depending on the percentages, sizes and types of coarse fractions, the soil destoning systems concern: (i) the collection and removal of stones from the field, (ii) the on-site stones crushing, and (iii) the stone burial. In this article, we report the first evaluation of a deep burial destoning system carried out in the CREA Experimental Center of Treviglio (Italy). With the described reclamation system, a significant long-term improvement of soil quality in a 600 mm thick arable layer was achieved; avoiding the shortcomings of the destoning systems as commonly applied in agricultural lands.
Effects of Wind Barriers on Wind Fields and Vehicle Stability on Bridges
Authors: Lin Xiaobo , Lin Bin , Xia Dandan , Lin Li , Yuan Zhiqun
Published: February 2022

To explore the influence of bridge wind barriers, with their specific opening shapes and arrangements, on bridge deck wind fields and vehicle driving stability under different crosswinds, five bridge wind barrier schemes were designed. For two incoming wind speeds, the wind speed at different heights over three traffic lanes and the aerodynamic six-component force of the vehicle model were measured, and the influence of the wind barrier parameters on the vehicle driving stability was analyzed. The equivalent wind speed reduction coefficient of the wind barrier was compared with the dimensionless coefficients of the aerodynamic side force, roll moment, and aerodynamic lift to verify the accuracy of the shielding effect evaluation indices. The final conclusions provide a useful reference for designing bridge wind barriers.
Minimally Invasive Surgery for Cervical Cancer in Light of the LACC Trial: What Have We Learned?
Authors: Touhami Omar , Plante Marie
Published: February 2022

Cervical cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy and the fourth most common cancer in women worldwide. Over the last two decades, minimally invasive surgery (MIS) emerged as the mainstay in the surgical management of cervical cancer, bringing advantages such as lower operative morbidity and shorter hospital stay compared to open surgery while maintaining comparable oncologic outcomes in numerous retrospective studies. However, in 2018, a prospective phase III randomized controlled trial, “Laparoscopic Approach to Carcinoma of the Cervix (LACC)”, unexpectedly reported that MIS was associated with a statistically significant poorer overall survival and disease-free survival compared to open surgery in patients with early-stage cervical cancer. Various hypotheses have been raised by the authors to try to explain these results, but the LACC trial was not powered to answer those questions. In this study, through an exhaustive literature review, we wish to explore some of the potential causes that may explain the poorer oncologic outcomes associated with MIS, including the type of MIS surgery, the size of the lesion, the impact of CO2 pneumoperitoneum, prior conization, the use of uterine manipulator, the use of protective measures, and the effect of surgical expertise/learning curve.
Identification of Citronella Oil Fractions as Efficient Bio-Additive for Diesel Engine Fuel
Authors: Fitri Noor , Riza Rahmat , Akbari Muhammad Kurnia , Khonitah Nada , Fahmi Rifaldi Lutfi , Fatimah Is
Published: February 2022

Escalation fuel consumption occurs in various regions of the world. However, world oil reserves decline from year to year so that it becomes scarce and causes oil prices to surge up. This problem can be solved by saving fuel consumption. One method of saving fuel is adding bio-additives from citronella oil as a sustainable resource to diesel fuels. Citronellal, citronellol and geraniol are the main components of citronella oil which can be used as fuel additives. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of citronella oil fractions as bio-additives to the performance of diesel engine. The research stages include: extraction of citronella oil, vacuum fractionation of citronella oil, physical chemical characterization of citronella oil and its fractions, formulation of bio-additive -fuel blending, characterization of blending, and evaluation of fuel efficiency. The effect of concentration of the bio-additives was examined towards three diesel fuels; dexlite, pertamina-dex, and biosolar. The results showed two main fractions of citronella oil; citronellal dominant component (FA) and citronellol-geraniol dominant components (FB). The concentration variation of bio-additives was 0.1–0.5%. Fuel consumption efficiency was tested using diesel engine at an engine speed of 2000 rpm and a load increment of 1000, 2000 and 3000 psi with 7 min running time. The fractions represented the different tendencies to enhance the fuel efficiency up to 46%, influenced by the mixture’s concentration. Generally, citronella oil and the fractions showed the potency as bio-additive to diesel fuels.
Assessing the Environmental Performances of Urban Roundabouts Using the VSP Methodology and AIMSUN
Authors: Acuto Francesco , Coelho Margarida C. , Fernandes Paulo , Giuffrè Tullio , Macioszek Elżbieta , Granà Anna
Published: February 2022

In line with globally shared environmental sustainability goals, the shift towards citizen-friendly mobility is changing the way people move through cities and road user behaviour. Building a sustainable road transport requires design knowledge to develop increasingly green road infrastructures and monitoring the environmental impacts from mobile crowdsourced data. In this view, the paper presents an empirically based methodology that integrates the vehicle-specific power (VSP) model and microscopic traffic simulation (AIMSUN) to estimate second-by-second vehicle emissions at urban roundabouts. The distributions of time spent in each VSP mode from instantaneous vehicle trajectory data gathered in the field via smartphone were the starting point of the analysis. The versatility of AIMSUN in calibrating the model parameters to better reflect the field-observed speed-time trajectories and to enhance the estimation accuracy was assessed. The conversion of an existing roundabout within the sample into a turbo counterpart was also made as an attempt to confirm the reproducibility of the proposed procedure. The results shed light on new opportunities in the environmental performance evaluation of road units when changes in design or operation should be considered within traffic management strategies and highlighted the potential of the smart approach in collecting big amounts of data through digital communities.
Estimation of Grid Reinforcement Costs Triggered by Future Grid Customers: Influence of the Quantification Method (Scaling vs. Large-Scale Simulation) and Coincidence Factors (Single vs. Multiple Application)
Authors: Thormann Bernd , Kienberger Thomas
Published: February 2022

The integration of future grid customers, e.g., electric vehicles, heat pumps, or photovoltaic modules, will challenge existing low-voltage power grids in the upcoming years. Hence, distribution system operators must quantify future grid reinforcement measures and resulting costs early. On this account, this work initially evaluates different methods to quantify future grid reinforcement needs, applied by the current state of research. Thereby, it indicates the significance of large-scale grid simulations, i.e., simulating several thousand low-voltage grids, to quantify grid reinforcements accurately. Otherwise, a selected area’s total grid reinforcement costs might be misjudged significantly. Due to its fast application, deterministic grid simulations based on coincidence factors are most commonly used in the current state of research to simulate several thousand grids. Hence, in the second step, recent studies’ approaches to applying grid customers’ coincidence factors are evaluated: While simplified approaches allow fast simulation of numerous grids, they underestimate potential grid congestion and grid reinforcement costs. Therefore, a fully automated large-scale grid simulation tool is developed in this work to allow the simulation of multiple grids applying grid customers’ coincidence factors appropriately. As a drawback, the applied deterministic framework only allows an estimation of future grid reinforcement costs. Detailed determination of each grid’s grid reinforcement costs requires time-resolved grid simulations.
Thermal Draft Load Coefficient for Heating Load Differences Caused by Stack-Driven Infiltration by Floor in Multifamily High-Rise Buildings
Authors: Bak Juhyun , Koo Jabeom , Yoon Sungmin , Lim Hyunwoo
Published: February 2022

The stack effect is dominant in multifamily high-rise buildings (MFHRBs) in winter because of the considerable height of MFHRBs, which causes a difference in the infiltration amount between floors. This difference causes a heating load difference between floors in a MFHRB. However, there are no indicators to quantify the heating load differences in previous studies. In this article, an indicator—the thermal draft load coefficient (TDLC)—is proposed that can be used to estimate and evaluate the differences between floors in a MFHRB. The TDLC is built on a theoretical model of the stack effect and leakage area of the airflow paths, considering the entire building airflow in a MFHRB. The theoretical model was validated by comparison with a simulation model. The winter average coefficient of variation of the root mean square error and the normalized mean bias error of the theoretical model were acceptable (17.1% and 9.3%, respectively). The TDLC resulted in a maximum of 2.5 and a minimum of approximately 0.1 in the target MFHRB. The TDLC can pre-evaluate the load difference in the building design stage and can be utilized to build design standards or guidelines.
Establishment and Solution of Four Variable Water Hammer Mathematical Model for Conveying Pipe
Authors: Duan Jiehao , Li Changjun , Jin Jin
Published: February 2022

Transient flow in pipe is a much debated topic in the field of hydrodynamics. The water hammer effect caused by instantaneous valve closing is an important branch of transient flow. At present, the fluid density is regarded as a constant in the study of the water hammer effect in pipe. When there is gas in the pipe, the variation range of density is large, and the pressure-wave velocity should also change continuously along the pipe. This study considers the interaction between pipeline fluid motion and water hammer wave propagation based on the essence of water hammer, with the pressure, velocity, density and overflow area set as variables. A new set of water hammer calculation equations was deduced and solved numerically. The effects of different valve closing time, flow rate and gas content on pressure distribution and the water hammer effect were studied. It was found that with the increase in valve closing time, the maximum fluctuating pressure at the pipe end decreased, and the time of peak value also lagged behind. When the valve closing time increased from 5 s to 25 s, the difference in water hammer pressure was 0.72 MPa, and the difference in velocity fluctuation amplitude was 0.076 m/s. The findings confirm: the greater the flow, the greater the pressure change at the pipe end; the faster the speed change, the more obvious the water hammer effect. High-volume flows were greatly disturbed by instantaneous obstacles such as valve closing. With the increase of time, the pressure fluctuation gradually attenuated along the pipe length. The place with the greatest water hammer effect was near the valve. Under the coupling effect of time and tube length, the shorter the time and the shorter the tube length, the more obvious the pressure fluctuation. Findings also confirm: the larger the gas content, the smaller the fluctuation peak of pipe end pressure; the longer the water hammer cycle, the smaller the pressure-wave velocity. The actual pressure fluctuation value was obviously lower than that without gas, and the size of the pressure wave mainly depended on the gas content. When the gas content increased from 1% to 9%, the difference of water hammer pressure was 0.41 MPa.
Does Trade Policy Uncertainty Exacerbate Environmental Pollution?—Evidence from Chinese Cities
Authors: Sun Yiping , Li Xiangyi , Zhang Tengyuan , Fu Jiawei
Published: February 2022

Although the relationship between trade and environment has been widely discussed in past studies, trade policy has been in a state of continuous change in recent years. Previous studies have focused on the impact of trade opening or liberalization on the environment, ignoring discussion of the dynamic changes of trade policy. Therefore, it is very important to explore the connection between trade policy changes and environmental pollution for future environmental protection. In order to realize the in-depth study of this mechanism, the paper will try to solve the following three problems: (1) What is the relationship between change in trade policy uncertainty and China’s environmental pollution? (2) What is the mechanism by which trade uncertainty changes environmental pollution? (3) Due to China’s vast territory and regional differences, will changes in trade policy uncertainty have heterogeneous effects due to regional differences? To solve these problems, based on China’s accession to the WTO at the end of 2001, this paper, for the first time, uses PM2.5 concentration data of 246 prefecture-level cities in China to explore the impact of trade policy uncertainty on China’s environmental pollution, then we make an in-depth analysis of the impact path and heterogeneity of urban spatial distribution and city size. We found that, after China’s accession to the WTO, the growth rate of PM2.5 concentration reduced in cities with lower trade policy uncertainty and the inhibition effect was different due to the spatial distribution of city size. A further mechanism test shows that reduction in trade policy uncertainty can improve environmental pollution through industrial, structural and technological effects.
Effect of Residual Deformation Energy and Critical Heating Rate on Cubic Texture and Grain Growth Behavior of Severely Deformed Aluminum Foil
Authors: Wang Yunlei , Ren Liping , Liu Qi , Cao Yu , Huang Guangjie
Published: February 2022

To clarify the microstructure, grain size, and recrystallization behavior during different annealing processes with controlled heating rates, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of residual deformation energy after cold rolling and critical heating rate on cubic texture components, and grain growth behavior of aluminum plate, which was subjected to severe deformation. The experimental results revealed that the stored energy can be inferred from a calculation that fast annealing (FA) for 30 s was 2.2 times as large as slow annealing (SA) at 320 °C, which provided the driving force for grain growth during subsequent heating and resulted in a significant coarsening of grains in the FA process. In contrast, the intensity of cubic texture in SA was significantly higher than that in the FA process. A critical heating rate of 50 °C/min had been obtained to produce a homogeneous microstructure and strong cubic texture during the annealing processes with controlled heating rates and was verified by experiment. The relationship of Δηsur > 0.02ηb was as a criterion used to determine whether abnormal grain growth happened in aluminum foil, while the grain size exceeded the thickness of aluminum foil by examined calculation.
Development of Ag–In Alloy Pastes by Mechanical Alloying for Die Attachment of High-Power Semiconductor Devices
Authors: Tsai Chin-Hao , Huang Wei-Chen , Kao Chengheng Robert
Published: February 2022

Sintered silver paste is widely used as the die-attachment material for power semiconductors. However, sintered silver joints encounter problems, such as severe coarsening of sintered pores and oxidation issues, in harsh high-temperature environments. These lead to the deterioration of the die-attachment joints. In this paper, a novel method of sintering silver joints is demonstrated, where silver–indium alloy paste is used to improve the reliability of sintered Ag joints. The silver–indium (Ag–In) alloy paste was fabricated through mechanical alloying using the ball-milling technique. The well-bonded sintered Ag–In alloy joints inhibited pore coarsening better than pure sintered Ag joints and significantly enhanced the mechanical properties at high operating temperatures. Lastly, an oxidation mechanism for the sintered joint was proposed, and strategies to prevent such high-temperature oxidation were discussed.