bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Specific Features of Biocorrosion of the Circulation Cooling System in the Petrochemical Industry
Authors: Laptev Anatoly , Poltarukha Oleg , Tourova Tatiyana , Sokolova Diyana , Golubev Andrey , Golubev Ivan
Published: January 2021

The circulating water of the cooling systems of petrochemical enterprises has a number of special features: the temperature of cooling water is in the range of 14-28 °С all year round, the evaporation of water in cooling towers increases the concentration of dissolved salts. Inevitable ingress of hydrocarbons, dosing of corrosion inhibitors, scaling, reagents for dispersing and softening of the water creates favorable conditions for micro- and macroorganisms development. Existing standards stipulate that the number of viable bacterial cells in planktonic form should not exceed 10 cells/ml, the number of bacteria in the adhered form is not regulated, nevertheless these organisms in particular lead to biocorrosion. During the assessing of the biological degradation of water cycle equipment materials, it was studied the micro- and macroorganisms that populate the surface of steel samples 20. Studies of the effect of this bacteria on the corrosion of steel 20 showed that this whole complex of micro- and macroorganisms, releasing metabolites into the water, also indirectly affects the processes of corrosion, and when choosing protection methods, it is necessary to take into account not only the presence and types of bacteria, but also the entire local biocenosis.
Evaluating the Load-Bearing Capacity of a Section of the Orenburg-Zainsk Main Gas Pipeline Using Static and Cyclic Loading Methods
Authors: Aliyev Mekhrali M. , Zaytsev Sergey P. , Ismagilova Zulfiya F. , Bayburova Minsariya M.
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the operability of the Orenburg-Zainsk main gas pipeline, which has been in operation since 1971 and has various general defects, as well as specific defects such as internal corrosion-induced delaminations and blisters of various geometric shapes. The design parameters of the gas pipeline section and the characteristics of the pipe metal have been studied. Hydraulic tests were performed on the pipe fragments in the form of sample barrels to determine the load-bearing capacity in order to evaluate the operability of the gas pipeline. There were three types of sample barrels: those made from pipes with internal blistering and delamination, from pipes with invisible defects, and from emergency stock pipes. A cyclic test was performed on one sample according to the developed method. The theoretical analysis of the load-bearing capacity of the gas pipeline was performed according to the accepted design model.
Mathematical Modelling of Electric and Magnetic Fields of Main Pipelines Cathodic Protection in Electrically Anisotropic Media
Authors: Krizsky Vladimir , Aleksandrov Pavel , Kovalskii Alexey , Viktorov Sergey
Published: January 2021

A mathematical model is constructed and computational experiments are performed to study the effect of anisotropy of the specific electrical conductivity of the soil on the distribution of electric and magnetic fields generated by cathodic electrochemical corrosion protection stations of the underground main pipeline (MP). The variation of electric and magnetic fields depending on the azimuth angle of rotation of the specific electrical conductivity tensor of the soil containing the pipeline is analysed.
Carbon nanocomposites in the corrosion inhibition
Authors: Pletnev Mikhail
Published: January 2021

Metal-carbon nanocomposites have been investigated as additives to enhance the protective effect of corrosion inhibitors. Two inhibitors were used as corrosion inhibitors. Inhibitor VNH-L-113 (1-morpholinomethylcyclohexylamine) belongs to Schiff bases, which are known as corrosion inhibitors in neutral and acidic media. Inhibitor SNPKh-1004 is often used in the practice of corrosion protection in the oil and gas industry. For research, an electrochemical method was applied using corrosion rate meters of the Monicor type. Neutral aqueous solution and water simulating the corrosive environment of oil fields were chosen as corrosive media. The result shows, that the copper-carbon nanocomposite enhances the protective effect of corrosion inhibitors of various chemical nature in various corrosive environments. The studies carried out make it possible to consider the use of metal-carbon nanocomposites as a promising direction for increasing the effectiveness of inhibitors in the oil and gas industry.
Binary Inhibitory Anti-Rust Paint
Authors: Trusov Valery , Khodzhaev Rustam , Shilova Olga , Lezova Olga , Zagrebelnyy Oleg , Ivanova Aleksandra , Krasilnikova Larisa , Belokon Tatiana
Published: January 2021

A combined approach to paint was used to increase the effectiveness of anti-corrosion protection was used. In particular, passive insulating coating materials was modified with active additives. A water-soluble anodic inhibitor of atmospheric corrosion was encapsulated in a phosphate conversion coating NOTECH. As a result, the corrosion under a layer of paint primer was suppressed. It is important that phosphating does not create a layer like paint. So, such an approach is universal and compatible with most known types of paint coatings and can be combined with temporary protection (preservation). The second paint layer of the coating contained a water-oil-soluble corrosion inhibitor of the group “M”, namely: N-M-1. It is adduct of natural fat vegetable acids and cyclohexylamine. The data of corrosion tests and polarization curves are presented, which confirm the high protective properties of the proposed binary inhibitory anti-rust paint.
Effect and Effectivity of Granular Organic Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Lowland Rice
Authors: Budiono Rohmad , Nur Aziz Fuad , Dwi Purbajanti Endang , Turkadze Tsitsino , Gamawati Adinurani Praptiningsih
Published: January 2021

The tendency to use inorganic fertilizers in very high doses has causesvarious negative impacts, namely damage to ecosystems, loss of soil fertility to health problems. Therefore, the use of organic fertilizers is encouraged to overcome these problems. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of Granules Organic Fertilizer (GOF) on the growth and yield of rice plants. The design used was a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications and eight treatments. The GOF treatment was arranged in six levels: 1 000 kg ha–1 to 6 000 kg ha–1, combined with Urea 300 kg ha–1 and Phonska 300 kg ha–1, one standard fertilization treatment (Petroganic 2 000 kg ha–1 + Urea 300 kg ha–1 and Phonska 300 kg ha–1) and one treatment without fertilization as a control. The results showed that GOF had a significant effect on the growth and yield of rice plants. The use of GOF 3 000 kg + 300 kg Urea + 300 kg Phonska gave the highest grain yield of 7.21 t ha–1 with RAE value of 116 % or an increase of 7.45 %, and with an R/C ratio of 1.4.
Mitglieder von Sportvereinen: Empirische Befunde zum Wettverhalten und Ausmaß glücksspielbezogener Probleme
Authors: Meyer Johanna , Hayer Tobias
Published: January 2021

Internationale Forschungsergebnisse deuten an, dass sportinteressierte Personen bzw. Mitglieder von Sportvereinen besonders gefährdet sind, glücksspielbezogene Probleme zu entwickeln. Vor diesem Hintergrund verfolgt der vorliegende Beitrag das Ziel, die Ergebnisse einer hierzulande durchgeführten Pilotstudie zu diesem Themenfeld aus dem Jahr 2012 zu replizieren und zu ergänzen. Im Rahmen einer standardisierten Erhebung im Querschnitt wurden in 2019 insgesamt N=317 Mitglieder (87,4% männlich; M=28,1 Jahre) aus Bremer Fußballvereinen in differenzierter Weise zu ihrem Glücksspielverhalten mit dem Schwerpunkt „Sportwetten“ befragt. Während knapp 70% der Stichprobe im letzten Jahr Geld für Glücksspiele (außer Sportwetten) ausgegeben hatten, belief sich die 12-Monats-Prävalenz für eine Teilnahme an Sportwetten auf 54,6%. Am häufigsten wurden dabei Sportwetten im Internet nachgefragt. Soziale Bezüge, wie der Freundeskreis (außerhalb des Vereins) und z. T. auch die eigenen Teammitglieder, spielen sowohl beim Erstkontakt zu Sportwetten als auch bei den Wettaktivitäten an sich eine wichtige Rolle. Schließlich zeigen etwa 10% der Stichprobe Anzeichen einer Glücksspielproblematik, hierunter befinden sich insbesondere Personen mit einem Migrationshintergrund. Damit bestätigt diese Studie nicht nur, dass aktive FußballerInnen im Breitensport eine ausgeprägte Glücksspiel- bzw. Sportwetten-Affinität aufweisen, sondern darüber hinaus auch vermehrt zur Gruppe der ProblemspielerInnen zählen. Zukünftige Präventionsansätze zur Bekämpfung der mit Glücksspielen einhergehenden Suchtgefahren sollten sich daher verstärkt auf das Setting „Sportvereine“ und die dort vorherrschenden Besonderheiten fokussieren.
Fluids
Authors: Carpenter D. Rae , Minnix Richard B.
Published: January 2021

Commercially available apparatus has base containing linkage to detect deflection of diaphragm due to force on a fixed area. Vessels of various shapes are connected to same base to show dependence on area of base alone. TAP base gently to relieve static friction in linkage.

Antique apparatus shown, available in modern version, allows comparison of static heights when vessels of differing shape and cross section are interconnected.
MOLECULAR FATE OF HETEROLOGOUS BACTERIAL DNA IN COMPETENT BACILLUS SUBTILIS. I. PROCESSING OF B. PUMILUS AND B. LICHENIFORMIS DNA IN B. SUBTILIS
Authors: te Riele Hein P J , Venema Gerard
Published: January 2021

Competent Bacillus subtilis cells were exposed to radioactive and density labeled donor DNA extracted from B. pumilus and B. licheniformis. The DNA from these strains hybridized with B. subtilis DNA in vitro at a rate of 24% and 11%, respectively. After entry the vast majority of heterologous DNA was found at the single-strand DNA position in CsCl gradients, and was gradually degraded during incubation. Much less donor DNA than expected from the hybridization values participated in the formation of the donorrecipient complex (DRC). By subjecting the heterologous DRC to sonication and alkaline CsCl gradient centrifugation, it was established that the DRC consisted of three components: (1) recipient DNA in which breakdown products of donor DNA were incorporated through DNA synthesis, (2) recipient DNA in which donor DNA was covalently integrated and (3) recipient DNA in which the donor moiety was not covalently integrated.
DOMINANT SUPPRESSORS OF A MUSCLE MUTANT DEFINE AN ESSENTIAL GENE OF CAENORHABDITIS ELEGANS
Authors: Greenwald Iva S , Horvitz H Robert
Published: January 2021

The sup-11 I locus of C. elegans was defined by rare dominant suppressors of unc-93(e1500) III, a mutation that affects muscle structure. All ten of these dominant suppressors have a recessive "scrawny" phenotype. Two additional classes of sup-11 alleles were identified. One class, null alleles, was obtained by reversion of the dominant suppressor activity. These null alleles are recessive embryonic lethals, indicating that sup-11 is an essential gene. Members of the second class, rare semidominant revertants of the "scrawny" phenotype, are partial suppressors of unc-93(e1500). The genetic properties of the dominant suppressor mutations suggest that they are rare missense mutations that confer a novel activity to the sup-11 protein. We consider some of the ways that sup-11 alleles might suppress unc-93(e1500), including the possibilities that the altered sup-11 proteins restore function to a protein complex or are modified products of a gene that is a member of an unc-93 gene family.
ASYMMETRIC EFFECTS OF DELETIONS AND SUBSTITUTIONS ON HIGH NEGATIVE INTERFERENCE IN COLIPHAGE LAMBDA
Authors: Makin G J Vance , Szybalski W , Blattner F R
Published: January 2021

Experiments have been performed to help clarify the role of nonhomologies in phage λ recombination. Three-factor crosses were carried out, and the frequencies of single and double recombinants in the two adjoining intervals were compared when the central marker was either a double point mutation (v1v3) or deletion (rex-cI deletion) or nonhomologous substitution (imm434). In all cases the lefthand marker was a bio substitution (Fec- phenotype, which does not permit plating on recA  -), and the righthand marker was an amber mutation in gene O. Experiments were performed in all four possible arrangements of the central and rightward markers, while selecting for the Fec+ phenotype on the recA  - host. As anticipated, high negative interference (HNI) was observed with point mutations, but when the central marker was a substitution nonhomology, HNI was reduced about tenfold. Surprisingly, when the central marker was a simple deletion, a dramatic asymmetry in results was observed, with HNI being exhibited only when the central deletion marker was acquired by the double recombinant. These results indicate that under normal conditions (red  +, gam  +, rec  +) and with noninhibited DNA replication, recombination in coliphage λ entails a highly asymmetric step that could be at the level of strand transfer or mismatch repair.
FRAMESHIFT SUPPRESSION IN SACCHAROMYCES CEREVISIAE. V. ISOLATION AND GENETIC PROPERTIES OF NONGROUP-SPECIFIC SUPPRESSORS
Authors: Culbertson Michael R , Gaber Richard F , Cummins Claudia M
Published: January 2021

Two classes of frameshift suppressors distributed at 22 different loci were identified in previous studies in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. These suppressors exhibited allele-specific suppression of +1 G:C insertion mutations in either glycine or proline codons, designated as group II and group III frameshift mutations, respectively. Genes corresponding to representative suppressors of each group have been shown to encode altered glycine or proline tRNAs containing four base anticodons.—This communication reports the existence of a third class of frameshift suppressor that exhibits a wider range in specificity of suppression. The suppressors map at three loci, suf12, suf13, and suf14, which are located on chromosomes IV, XV, and XIV, respectively. The phenotypes of these suppressors suggest that suppression may be mediated by genes other than those encoding the primary structure of glycine or proline tRNAs.
THE GENETICS OF A SMALL AUTOSOMAL REGION OF DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER, INCLUDING THE STRUCTURAL GENE FOR ALCOHOL DEHYDROGENASE. V. CHARACTERIZATION OF X-RAY-INDUCED Adh NULL MUTATIONS
Authors: Ashburner M , Aaron C S , Tsubota S
Published: January 2021

Of 31 X-ray-induced and 2 spontaneous Adh null mutations selected for resistance to pentenol (Aaron 1979), 21 are deletions, including Adh and one or more neighboring loci. By contrast, none of 13 EMS-induced Adhn mutations are deletions. On average, the size of these X-ray-induced deletions is shorter than that of 12 formaldehyde-induced Adhn deletions (O'Donnell, Mandell, Krauss and Sofer 1977). Both the X-ray- and formaldehyde-induced deletions show a nonrandom distribution of break points in region 34D to 35D of chromosome arm 2L. Some of the deletions display particular genetic properties associated with one of their end points.
MARKER-DEPENDENT RECOMBINATION IN T4 BACTERIOPHAGE. II. THE EVALUATION OF MISMATCH REPAIRABILITIES IN CROSSES WITHIN INDICATOR DISTANCES
Authors: Shcherbakov V P , Plugina L A , Kudryashova E A , Efremova O I , Sizova S T , Toompuu Oleg G
Published: January 2021

The contribution of mismatch repair to genetic recombination in T4 phage has been evaluated by three independent approaches: (1) testing for non-additivity of recombinant frequencies; (2) measurements of double exchange frequencies in three-factor crosses: (3) comparisons of recombination abilities of mutations occupying the same site. Quantitative agreement among the results of these approaches suggests that within distances much less than the mean length of hybrid regions, mismatch repair accounts perfectly for high negative interference as measured in three-factor crosses and as manifested by non-additivity in two-factor crosses. The mismatch repair mechanism readily recognizes only particular mismatches, the repair frequency being dependent on the base sequence in both strands of the mismatched region.
SPINELESS-ARISTAPEDIA: A HOMEOTIC GENE THAT DOES NOT CONTROL THE DEVELOPMENT OF SPECIFIC COMPARTMENTS IN DROSOPHILA
Authors: Struhl Gary
Published: January 2021

A two-step screen for isolating null mutations of the spineless-aristapedia locus has been performed, and several amorphic mutations, as well as a small deficiency, have been obtained. With the exception of the deficiency, which deletes genes required for viability on either side of the spineless-aristapedia locus, these mutations result in a transformation of only the distal antenna into distal leg, thereby indicating that the spineless-aristapedia gene is required for specifying antennal as opposed to leg development in only the distal portion of the antenna. Because this distal region does not appear to be a developmental compartment, it is probable that the spineless-aristapedia gene, unlike several other homeotic genes, is required for maintaining the correct determined state in a population of cells defined by their relative position, not by their ancestry.
THE NOTCH LOCUS OF DROSOPHILA HYDEI: ALLELES, PHENOTYPES AND FUNCTIONAL ORGANIZATION
Authors: Van Breugel F M A , Langhout B Van Zijll
Published: January 2021

The Notch (N) locus of Drosophila hydei and a series of its alleles and phenotypes are described. Some models are discussed to explain the opposite effects of some alleles on the structure of the wing, the neomorphic action of NAx over typical N alleles and the interaction with the mutation Costal-nick (Cnk).
DENSITY-DEPENDENT SELECTION INCORPORATING INTRASPECIFIC COMPETITION. II. A DIPLOID MODEL
Authors: Asmussen Marjorie A
Published: January 2021

A diploid model is introduced and analyzed in which intraspecific competition is incorporated within the context of density-regulated selection. It is assumed that each genotype has a unique carrying capacity corresponding to the equilibrium population size when only that type is present. Each genotypic fitness at a single diallelic autosomal locus is a decreasing function of a distinctive effective population size perceived as a result of intraspecific competition. The resulting fitnesses are both density and frequency dependent with selective advantage determined by a balance between genotypic carrying capacity and sensitivity to intraspecific competition. A major finding is that intergenotypic interactions may allow genetic variation to be more easily maintained than in the corresponding model of purely density-dependent selection. In addition, numerical study confirms the possible existence of multiple interior equilibria and that neither overdominance in fitness nor carrying capacity is necessary for stability. The magnitude of the equilibrium population size and optimization principles are also discussed.
DOSAGE COMPENSATION IN DROSOPHILA: NADP-ENZYME ACTIVITIES AND CROSS-REACTING MATERIAL
Authors: Williamson John H , Bentley Michael M
Published: January 2021

The relationships between gene dosage, enzyme activities and CRM levels have been determined for G6PD and 6PGD. Enzyme activities and CRM levels were directly proportional and increased in genotypes carrying duplications of the respective structural genes. When a duplication consisting of the distal 45% of the X chromosome was used to duplicate Pgd  +, 6PGD activity and CRM increased and G6PD activity decreased. When the proximal 55% of the X chromosome was duplicated, G6PD activity and CRM increased whereas 6PGD activity and CRM levels decreased. These observations support the model of dosage compensation of X-linked genes that invokes an autosomal activator in limited concentrations for which X-linked loci compete. The distal 45% of the X chromosome, when duplicated, caused a significant increase in NADP-malic enzyme activity and CRM levels, as if a structural gene for NADP-ME is sex-linked.
FERTILITY COMPENSATION OF CORNERSTONE MALE STERILITY OF WHEAT BY RYE
Authors: Hossain M A , Driscoll C J
Published: January 2021

The genome of rye is known to compensate for the lost male-fertility gene(s) of wheat chromosome arm 4Aα in the Cornerstone male-sterility mutant. A search for the rye chromosome(s) involved in this compensation showed that chromosomes 2R and 4R are responsible. Only the short arms of these two chromosomes are the operative ones. Chromosome arm 4RS compensates in an erratic way, whereas 2RS compensates in a full and consistent way. The entire chromosome 2R compensates less well than the 2RS telocentric which reflects an antifertility factor(s) on 2RL. This may be a specific expression of the 2R genes for poor vigor which are located on only the long arm. 2RS will be a valuable piece of chromatin for the XYZ system of producing hybrid wheat.
A GENETIC ANALYSIS OF CANDIDA ALBICANS: ISOLATION OF A WIDE VARIETY OF AUXOTROPHS AND DEMONSTRATION OF LINKAGE AND COMPLEMENTATION
Authors: Kakar S N , Partridge R M , Magee P T
Published: January 2021

Naturally occurring strains of Candida albicans appear to be diploid and heterozygous for a limited number of nutritional markers. Additional heterozygosity can be induced by treatment with mutagens; nitrous acid alone or in combination with UV is a potent mutagen in terms of both efficacy and efficiency in the production of a wide variety of mutations. Spheroplast fusion followed by regeneration on selective media revealed complementation among four histidine-requiring mutants analyzed. Some of the fusion products appeared to be stable prototrophs, whereas in others several kinds of segregants resulted, apparently due to chromosomal or nuclear elimination. The results are suggestive of both heterokaryosis as well as nuclear fusion. The procedures described can be successfully used for generating new mutants and studying allelism. Three sets of linkage relationships have been derived from evidence provided by concomitant appearance or cosegragation of several auxotrophic markers.
THE INTERACTION OF cos WITH CHI IS SEPARABLE FROM DNA PACKAGING IN recA-recBC-MEDIATED RECOMBINATION OF BACTERIOPHAGE LAMBDA
Authors: Kobayashi Ichizo , Stahl Mary M , Leach David , Stahl Franklin W
Published: January 2021

Chi (5′-GCTGGTGG) is a recombinator in RecA- RecBC-mediated recombination in Escherichia coli. In bacteriophage λ vegetative recombination, Chi is fully active only when it is correctly oriented with respect to cos, the site that defines the ends of the packaged chromosome. Here we demonstrate that packaging from cos is not necessary for this cos-Chi interaction. Our evidence suggests that correctly oriented cos is an activator of Chi. cos, as an activator, is (1) dominant over cos  -, (2) active opposite an extensive heterology, (3) able to interact with Chi only when on the same (cis) chromosome, and (4) able to interact with Chi at distances as far as ≥ 20 kb. Thus, cos and Chi form a two-component recombinator system for general recombination. cos may serve as an asymmetric entry site for a recombination enzyme that recognizes Chi in an asymmetric way.
RECOMBINATION IN THE VICINITY OF INSERTIONS OF TRANSPOSON Tn5 IN MYXOCOCCUS XANTHUS
Authors: Sodergren Erica , Cheng Yvonne , Avery Leon , Kaiser Dale
Published: January 2021

To test genetic recombination in the vicinity of insertions of the transposon Tn5, crosses were performed by transduction between M. xanthus strains carrying different insertions of Tn5. One member of each pair carried resistance to kanamycin (Tn5-Km); the other carried resistance to tetracycline (Tn5-Tc). The distance between each pair of Tn5 insertions was also measured by restriction mapping. The physical distance corresponding to each recombination frequency was calculated from the transductional linkage and compared with distance on the restriction map. A good correspondence between the two measures of distance was obtained for a pair of Tn5 insertions near the cglB locus and for another pair near the mgl locus. Correspondence between the two measurements of distance, the observed allelic behavior of Tn5-Km and Tn5-Tc at the same locus and the finding of the same frequencies of recombinants in reciprocal crosses implied that recombination in the vicinity of Tn5 was normal.
Analytical Methodologies for the Characterization and Analysis of the Parent Compound and Phase I Metabolites of 4F-MDMB-BICA in Human Microsome, Urine and Blood Samples
Authors: Körmöczi Tímea , Sija Éva , Institóris László , Kereszty Éva M , Ilisz István , Berkecz Róbert
Published: January 2021

4F-MDMB-BICA is one of the most dangerous new illicit synthetic cannabinoids (SCs) in 2020. Consumption of 4F-MDMB-BICA has been associated with a number of death cases and related serious adverse health effects in Hungary. Therefore, the use of reliable analytical methods to confirm the intake of 4F-MDMB-BICA is an important issue in forensic practice. Besides the detection of the parent compounds of SCs, the screening of their metabolites provides a reliable confirmation of their consumption, in particular, when the parent compound is under the limit of detection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the identification of metabolites of 4F-MDMD-BICA after treatment with pooled human liver microsome (pHLM) and in human urine and blood samples using the combination of data obtained by comprehensive ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole-Orbitrap high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPLC–HRMS) and semi-targeted UHPLC–HRMS-MS methods. Finally, our routine UHPLC coupled with triple-quadrupole tandem low-resolution mass spectrometry method for screening urine and blood SCs was improved by adding the parent compound and selected main biomarkers of 4F-MDMD-BICA. From the pHLM assay of 4F-MDMD-BICA, 30 phase I metabolites were characterized and structural information thus obtained provided the basis of further identification of in vivo urine and blood metabolites. Overall, 20 urinary and 13 blood in vivo metabolites of 4F-MDMD-BICA have been identified by the investigation of five authentic urine and two blood samples. The ester hydrolysis metabolite was selected as a reliable primary biomarker in urine and blood. As secondary targets, urinary mono-hydroxylation metabolite and ester hydrolysis + dehydrogenation metabolite in blood were recommended due to their abundance and selectivity. Overall, the main phase I metabolites of 4F-MDMD-BICA were successfully characterized, and our routine analytical method with related sample preparation procedure provided a reliable analytical tool for screening both 4F-MDMD-BICA and its selected metabolites in urine and blood samples.
What Are the Implications of Applying Equipoise in Planning Citizens Basic Income Pilots in Scotland?
Authors: McCartney Gerry , Craig Neil , Myers Fiona , Hearty Wendy , Barclay Coryn
Published: January 2021

We have been asked to consider the feasibility of piloting a Citizens’ Basic Income (CBI): a basic, unconditional, universal, individual, regular payment that would replace aspects of social security and be introduced alongside changes to taxes. Piloting and evaluating a CBI as a Cluster Randomized Control Trial (RCT) raises the question of whether intervention and comparison groups would be in equipoise, and thus whether randomization would be ethical. We believe that most researchers would accept that additional income, or reduced conditions on receiving income would be likely to improve health, especially at lower income levels. However, there are genuine uncertainties about the impacts on other outcomes, and CBI as a mechanism of providing income. There is also less consensus amongst civil servants and politicians about the impacts on health, and substantial disagreement about whether these would outweigh other impacts. We believe that an RCT is ethical because of these uncertainties. We also argue that the principle of equipoise should apply to randomized and non-randomized trials; that randomization is a fairer means of allocating to intervention and comparison groups; and that there is an ethical case for experimentation to generate higher-quality evidence for policymaking that may otherwise do harm.
Analgesic efficacy of two approaches of ultrasound-guided quadratus lumborum block for laparoscopic renal surgery
Authors: Li Xue , Xu Zhen-Zhen , Li Yu-Ting , Lin Zeng-Mao , Liu Zheng-Ye , Wang Dong-Xin
Published: January 2021

BACKGROUND

Moderate-to-severe pain exists in the early postoperative period after laparoscopic renal surgery.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the analgesic effect of quadratus lumborum block (QLB) via two approaches in patients undergoing laparoscopic renal nephrectomy.

DESIGN

A randomised controlled trial.

SETTING

An academic tertiary care hospital in Beijing, China.

PARTICIPANTS

Ninety-six patients aged 18 to 70 years who were scheduled for elective laparoscopic radical or partial nephrectomy.

INTERVENTIONS

Eligible patients were allocated randomly to a control group (no block), lateral QLB group or posterior QLB group. Ultrasound-guided QLB was performed via either the lateral or posterior approach with 30 ml of 0.4% ropivacaine before surgery.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was sufentanil equivalent consumption within 24 h. Among secondary outcomes, somatic and visceral pain intensity at rest and on coughing were assessed with a numerical rating scale (where 0 = no pain and 10 = the worst pain) until 24 h postoperatively.

RESULTS

Sufentanil equivalent consumption did not differ among the three groups (118 ± 36 μg in the control group, 115 ± 47 μg in the lateral QLB group and 119 ± 40 μg in the posterior QLB group; P = 0.955). However, both somatic (lateral QLB vs. control, median difference −1, P < 0.001 at rest and −2 to −1, P < 0.001 on coughing; posterior QLB vs. control, −1, P < 0.001 at rest and −2 to −1, P < 0.001 on coughing) and visceral pain scores (lateral QLB vs. control, −1 to 0, P < 0.001 at rest and −1, P < 0.001 on coughing; posterior QLB vs. control, −1 to 0, P < 0.001 at rest and −2 to −1, P < 0.001 on coughing) were significantly lower in the two QLB groups than in the control group.

CONCLUSION

For patients undergoing laparoscopic renal surgery, a pre-operative single-shot QLB via the lateral or posterior approach did not decrease opioid consumption, but improved analgesia for up to 24 h after surgery.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

www.chictr.org.cn identifier: ChiCTR1800019883.
Early and surgical menopause associated with higher Framingham Risk Scores for cardiovascular disease in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Authors: Price Madison A. , Alvarado Beatriz E. , Rosendaal Nicole T.A. , Câmara Saionara M.A. , Pirkle Catherine M. , Velez Maria P.
Published: January 2021

Objective:

In women, the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is higher in the postmenopausal period. The effect that menopausal type, natural versus surgical, or the age at natural menopause has on CVD needs further investigation. To this end, we assessed the association between menopausal type and timing and the 10-year office-based Framingham Risk Score (FRS) in women from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging.

Methods:

We included women aged 45 to 85 years from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging Comprehensive cohort of seven Canadian provinces who were menopausal at the time of recruitment and had no prior CVD. Poisson regressions were used to evaluate the association between menopausal characteristics and the FRS. Natural menopause was defined as the cessation of menstrual periods for at least 1 year in women with no history of hysterectomy. Surgical menopause was defined as hysterectomy with or without oophorectomy prior to natural menopause. As main covariates, we examined age, education, province of residency, and hormone therapy.

Results:

A total of 10,090 women (8,200 natural menopausal and 1,890 surgical menopausal) were eligible for the study. In the multivariable model, surgical menopause was associated with a higher mean FRS compared with natural menopause (CVD risk 12.4% vs 10.8%, P < 0.001). Compared with women with age at natural menopause from 50 to 54 years (CVD risk 10.2%), natural menopause before age 40, 40 to 44, or 45 to 49 had a higher CVD risk (12.2%, 11.4%, and 10.6%, respectively, P < 0.001).

Conclusions:

Our study supports an association between menopausal type and timing on CVD risk prediction and highlights the need to be judicious about surgical menopause. Preventative interventions for CVD should be considered in surgical menopausal women and women with an age at natural menopause less than 45 years.

Video Summary:

http://links.lww.com/MENO/A701.
Surgical repair of ischemic mitral regurgitation: one ring does not fit all
Authors: Servito Therese , Elbatarny Malak , Yanagawa Bobby , Dokollari Aleksander , Bisleri Gianluigi
Published: January 2021

Purpose of review

The review summarizes the key parameters that can aid in determining the optimal treatment of ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR).

Recent findings

Left ventricular (LV) and mitral valve (MV) parameters are important for surgical planning and risk stratification in IMR. Although LV dimensions is one of the main parameters used in the guidelines, volumes more accurately depict LV remodelling. Furthermore, wall motion abnormalities and wall motion score index can also be useful for surgical planning in treatment of IMR. Viability is best measured with cardiac magnetic resonance, but it is not feasible in certain centres. In contrast, measurement of strain with echocardiography is an emerging and feasible tool for estimating viability. MV leaflet tethering and pattern measured with echocardiography are also useful for MV surgery. Anterior leaflet excursion angle can identify patients in whom undersized ring annuloplasty is potentially unsuitable.

Treatment of IMR relies on accurate parameters that can determine the optimal surgical approach. In some patients, lack of viable myocardium suggests inadequacy of revascularization and thus, an adjunctive left ventricular reconstruction may be necessary. Degree and pattern of MV leaflet tethering can indicate whether ring annuloplasty, which is the most common repair technique, is sufficient or an adjunctive sub-valvular intervention is beneficial.
Managing hyperuricemia and gout in chronic kidney disease: a clinical conundrum
Authors: Premachandra Kulanka H. , Day Richard O. , Roberts Darren M.
Published: January 2021

Purpose of review

There is controversy regarding the impact of hyperuricemia on the progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), and gout remains sub optimally managed in this population. We discuss the prescribing of drugs for the treatment of gout in patients with CKD.

Recent findings

There is a lack of consensus from expert guidelines, and prescribers have concerns regarding the risk of adverse reactions from medicines used to treat gout. These situations appear to contribute to suboptimal management of gout in this cohort. Recent data have challenged the role of urate lowering therapy (ULT) in the management of asymptomatic hyperuricemia in CKD.

ULT should be commenced in all patients with severe, recurrent disease, tophaceous gout and evidence of joint damage. Most international guidelines recommend a treat-to-target approach for the management of gout. In CKD, ULT should be started at low dose with up titration adjusted to serum urate levels, rather than being based on the creatinine clearance. If patients fail first-line therapy, alternative agents are utilized, the specific agent depending on ease of access, burden of disease and other comorbidities. This approach should be incorporated into routine practice to ensure optimal treatment of gout in CKD. More research is required to investigate whether treatment of asymptomatic hyperuricemia has clinical benefits.
Effective heat conductivity of Honeycomb (porous) composite panel
Authors: Magoda Cletus Matthew , Gryzagoridis Jasson , Kanyarusoke Kant
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to validate an assumption of what to use as an effective (steady state) heat transfer coefficient of thermal conductivity for the honeycomb core sandwiched by Fiberglass face sheets composite. A one-dimensional model based on Fourier law is developed. The results are validated experimentally.

Design/methodology/approach

The results were obtained from the one-dimensional mathematical model of an overall or effective heat conductivity of the Honeycomb composite panel. These results were validated experimentally by applying heat flux on the specimen under controlled environment. The surface temperatures at different voltages were recorded and analysed. The skin of the sandwich composite material used in the investigation was Fiberglass sheet with a thickness of 0.5 mm at the bottom and 1.0 mm at the top surface. Both skins have a stacking sequence of zero degrees. Due to the presence of air cells in the core (Honeycomb), the model considers the conduction, convection and radiation heat transfer, across the thickness of the panel, combined as an effective conduction mode, whose value may be predicted by using the coefficient of thermal conductivity of the air based on the average temperature difference between the two skins. The experimental results for the heat transfer through the thickness of the panel provide validation of this assumption/prediction. Both infrared thermography and conventional temperature measurement techniques (thermocouples) were used to collect the data.

Findings

The heat transfer experiment and mathematical modeling were conducted. The data obtained were analyzed, and it was found that the effective thermal conductivity was temperature-dependent as expected. The effective thermal conductivity of the honeycomb panel was close to that of air, and its value could be predicted if the panel surface temperatures were known. It was also found that as temperature raised the variation between experimental and predicted effective air conduction raised up. This is because there was an increase in molecular diffusion and vibration. Therefore, the convection heat transfer increased at high temperatures and the air became an insulator.

Originality/value

Honeycomb composite panels have excellent physical and thermal properties that influence their performance. This study provides an appropriate method in determining thermal conductivity, which is one of the critical thermal properties of porous composite material. This paper also gives useful and practical data to industries that use or manufacture honeycomb composite panels.
Effect of tourniquet time on whole blood point‐of‐care lactate concentration: A healthy human volunteer study
Authors: Chiew Angela L , Tran Christine T‐T , Mackenzie John
Published: January 2021

Objective

Lactate is frequently utilised in clinical practice. Some have concerns that tourniquet application for venous blood collection may falsely elevate venous lactate. The objective of the present study was to determine the effect of tourniquet time on varying venous lactate concentrations.

Methods

This is a healthy volunteer study, in which subjects were their own controls. A cannula was inserted into each arm, with a tourniquet remaining on one. Subjects were allocated to one of three groups; rest (no activity), exercise (maximal exertion to elevate lactate concentrations) with immediate tourniquet application or exercise with delayed (5‐min post‐exercise) tourniquet application. In all blood was drawn simultaneously from both cannulas at 0, 2.5, 5, 10 and 15‐min post‐tourniquet application and analysed for lactate on a point‐of‐care device. The primary outcome was a clinically significant difference (>1 mmol/L) in tourniquet versus non‐tourniquet arm lactate concentration.

Results

There were 10 subjects per group; the exercise groups achieved a mean maximum lactate concentration of 10.4 mmol/L (standard deviation [SD] 3.6) (exercise with immediate tourniquet application group) and 8.9 mmol/L (SD 2.5) (exercise with delayed tourniquet application group). There was no clinically significant increase in lactate concentration in the tourniquet compared to non‐tourniquet arm in all groups, across all tourniquet application times, and over a range of lactate concentrations. In the rest group after 15‐min of tourniquet application the mean lactate concentration of the tourniquet versus non‐tourniquet arm was 0.91 mmol/L (SD 0.55) versus 0.89 mmol/L (SD 0.46) (P = 0.99), respectively.

Conclusion

In the present study tourniquet application for blood collection did not significantly increase lactate concentration. Hence, clinically a raised venous lactate concentration should not be attributed to prolonged tourniquet application.
What Is the Model in Model‐Based Planning?
Authors: Pouncy Thomas , Tsividis Pedro , Gershman Samuel J.
Published: January 2021

Flexibility is one of the hallmarks of human problem‐solving. In everyday life, people adapt to changes in common tasks with little to no additional training. Much of the existing work on flexibility in human problem‐solving has focused on how people adapt to tasks in new domains by drawing on solutions from previously learned domains. In real‐world tasks, however, humans must generalize across a wide range of within‐domain variation. In this work we argue that representational abstraction plays an important role in such within‐domain generalization. We then explore the nature of this representational abstraction in realistically complex tasks like video games by demonstrating how the same model‐based planning framework produces distinct generalization behaviors under different classes of task representation. Finally, we compare the behavior of agents with these task representations to humans in a series of novel grid‐based video game tasks. Our results provide evidence for the claim that within‐domain flexibility in humans derives from task representations composed of propositional rules written in terms of objects and relational categories.
Performance enhancement of one‐bath pigment coloration and finishing process using eco‐friendly crosslinkers
Authors: Mohsin Muhammad , Sardar Shaheen , Iftikhar Komal
Published: January 2021

The one‐bath pigment coloration and finishing process decreases the consumptions related to the energy, water, chemicals, labour, and production time as compared to the conventional two‐bath application. Conventionally, pigment coloration uses binders, such as acrylic, for the attachment of the pigment onto the fabric. Then, the finishes are applied in a separate step. One‐bath pigment coloration and finishing can solve this problem but the compatibility among the pigments, crosslinkers, and fabrics is critical and difficult to achieve. In addition, the performance of the fabric treated with one‐bath application should match the performance of the fabric treated with the conventional two‐bath coloration and finishing. To address such challenges, this article studies the performance of the one‐bath pigment coloration and finishing using three primary colours, five crosslinkers, and an oil and water repellent finish in the pad‐dry‐cure process. The results show that all the formulas with the crosslinkers are comparable with each other as well as associated reference samples coloured with conventional acrylic binder. Nevertheless, the bio‐based crosslinkers, citric acid and succinic acid, are more compatible and sustainable for the one‐bath pigment coloration and finishing. The fastness properties, shrinkage, crease recovery angle, and oil and water repellency were also improved due to the one bath pigment coloration and finishing.
Infection risk in sarcoidosis patients treated with methotrexate compared to azathioprine: A retrospective ‘target trial’ emulated with Swedish real‐world data
Authors: Rossides Marios , Kullberg Susanna , Di Giuseppe Daniela , Eklund Anders , Grunewald Johan , Askling Johan , Arkema Elizabeth V.
Published: January 2021

The 6‐month infection risk was 43% lower in patients with sarcoidosis who initiated methotrexate compared to those who started azathioprine. Our findings suggest that unless contraindications exist, methotrexate should be preferred over azathioprine as the primary steroid‐sparing choice in individuals with sarcoidosis.
Key Indicators and Dimensional Causes of Accident on Construction Sites
Authors: Ijaola Irewolede Aina , Zakariyyah Kudirat Ibilola , Akerele Adebimpe Omorinsola , Omolayo Olabosun Hezekiel
Published: January 2021

Diverse causes of accidents abound on construction sites, which lead to complexity and difficulty in understanding the key causes of accidents on construction sites. The effect is the increasing rate of accidents. Thus, grouping and identifying the key dimensional and sub causes of accidents is important. However, there is a dearth of research on the dimensionality and indicators of causal factors of accidents on construction sites. This paper aims to create an avenue for easy identification and understanding of the causes of accidents through the development of key indicators and dimensional causes of accidents on construction sites. Adopting a cross-sectional survey research design, three hundred questionnaires were purposely distributed to construction workers who have had experience or witness accidents on a construction sites. Two hundred questionnaires were retrieved and used for analysis representing a 67% response rate. An exploratory factor analysis was used to group and find the significant causal factors from the 64 factors identified in the literature. From the analysis, five key dimensional causes with 22 indicators were identified namely; personal and work factors, design factors, behavioural factors, proximate factors and attitudinal factors. The key indicators identified among others are non-use of PPE, lack of experience, working in confined spaces, disobedience to work discipline and innovative technology. To reduce the occurrence level of accidents, site managers should place the key indicators and dimensional causal factors of accidents on the signboard for easy identification and understanding and as a training guide on construction sites
Gaussian Mixture Model for MRI	Image Segmentation to Build a Three-Dimensional Image on Brain Tumor Area
Authors: Pravitasari Anindya Apriliyanti , Iriawan Nur , Nurul Solichah Siti Azizah , Irhamah Irhamah , Fithriasari Kartika , Purnami Santi Wulan , Ferriastuti Widiana
Published: January 2021

A brain tumor is one of the deadly diseases that attack the central and nervoussystem. The treatment of brain tumor, need high accuracy and precision. Brain tumordetection through Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has two-dimensional output withthree perspectives, namely sagittal, coronal, and axial. These different perspectives needto be seen one by one to determine the location and size of the tumor. Tosolve the problem, this study constructs the three-dimensional visualization perspective ofMRI images. The tumor area in MRI image is segmented as a region of interest (ROI) byemploying the Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM) with Expectation-Maximization as theoptimization technique. These couple segmentation methods have revealed significant gainas a clear boundary of the tumor area to separate from the healthy part of the brain andan estimated tumor volume from sagittal, coronal, and axial perspectives. Furthermore,these findings have been successfully visualized in 3D construction of the tumor positionon the left side of the patient’s head with an estimated volume of 749mm3.
Hidden Diversity within Common Protozoan Parasites as Revealed by a Novel Genomotyping Scheme
Authors: Seabolt Matthew H. , Konstantinidis Konstantinos T. , Roellig Dawn M.
Published: January 2021

Giardia duodenalis
assemblage B is a major waterborne pathogen and the most commonly identified genotype causing human giardiasis worldwide. The lack of morphological characters for classification requires the use of molecular techniques for strain differentiation; however, the absence of scalable and affordable next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based typing methods has prevented meaningful advancements in high-resolution molecular typing for further understanding of the evolution and epidemiology of assemblage B.