bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a collision-involved driver improvement scheme
Authors: Adams-Guppy Julie Rachel , Guppy Andrew
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to compare driver knowledge, attitudes and perceptions (in terms of hazard, risk, accident, offence detection and driving skill perceptions) and self-reported driving style in a sample of 461 drivers before and after attending a UK driver improvement scheme for culpable collision-involved drivers, to inform future directions in the design of driver retraining programmes.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants were a sample of 461 drivers attending a UK 1.5 day driver improvement scheme course for culpable collision-involved drivers. The course contained classroom-based training and a practical driving component. Participants completed a driver improvement scheme questionnaire before and immediately after attending the 1.5-day course and again 3 months later.

Findings

Results indicated significant pre- and post-course effects in terms of increased driving safety with respect to driving knowledge, perceptions of control, perceived likelihood of accident-involvement, hazard perception and reported risk-taking. Key positive effects of reduced risk-taking and near-misses persisted three months after course completion.

Research limitations/implications

One limitation of this study is that at the 3-month follow-up there was a reduction in the response rate (44.69%) which included significantly fewer young drivers.

Practical implications

Results indicate positive behavioural, perceptual and behavioural changes, along with specific age, gender and driving experience effects which have implications for the design of future driving courses.

Social implications

This study has implications for community safety through enhanced road safety training measures.

Originality/value

The analysis of age, gender and driving experience effects of the impact of this driver improvement scheme will allow targeted training methods for specific groups of drivers.
Breaking industrial relations’ stalemate at ABC Ltd.: a strategic rapprochement
Authors: Gaan Niharika
Published: February 2021

Purpose

On 12th June 2015, a strike by contract workers was declared at Rampur terminal, All India Business in oil corporation (ABC) Ltd. The strike had disrupted the normal services of the terminal. Under such circumstances, Mr Ravi Sharma (Head human resources of the eastern region, ABC Ltd.) was unable to decide how to save the company from such a disorderly situation without any increased loss of production and manpower cost liabilities. Could Mr Ravi Sharma resolve the issue of strike through an approach of strategic rapprochement when the disruptions made by workers and local miscreants went out of control?

Design/methodology/approach

In-depth interview in the year 2019 was conducted with the protagonist Mr Ravi Sharma and the trade union members at the regional office of ABC Ltd., Kolkata and Rampur Terminal, respectively, to convert the narratives in the form of a fictitious case study. Four rounds of interviews were conducted by the author to complete the data collection procedure. The company™s-related information was sourced through a secondary database furnished by company™s officials. However, the data about the company, the key characters and other recognizable information have been disguised to preserve the confidentiality of information.

Findings

The strike was called by the contract workers at Rampur terminal for two primary reasons, namely, wage increase and giving preference to local people for employment whether regular or contract. Mr Ravi Sharma could pacify the unforeseen situation by adopting two-pronged strategies, namely, first, he could successfully gain the confidence of the union leader and secondly, set the environment for the conciliation proceeding so that agreement settled will not be failed to be implemented.

Originality/value

The case uses a system perspective of Industrial relation proposed by Dunlop (1958) to highlight the interplay between employer, government and trade unions influenced by politics and mafia that determine eventually the industrial peace in the organization.
Below the radar: A U.K. benefit fraud media coverage tsunami—Impact, ideology, and society
Authors: Gavin Neil T.
Published: February 2021

Framed by a literature on media coverage of welfare, “poverty porn” and “poverty propaganda,” and its emphasis on political messaging and ideology, this article explores reporting of benefit fraud in the United Kingdom. In a comprehensive and systematic assessment, it illuminates the structure and extremely large volume of benefit fraud coverage, 2008–2017, across national, sub‐national, regional and local newspapers, mainstream television, TV documentaries, BBC web output, and BBC radio. With the aid of the 2016 British Social Attitude survey, and utilizing the most current conceptualizations of the processes underpinning media influence, it argues that this tsunami of coverage will have had a significant impact on the public. The results are explored in relation to their political and ideological implications, and their relevance to a much broader array of media discourses.
Effect of feeding Bacillus subtilis on rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, nutrient digestibility, and energy and nitrogen balances in non‐lactating crossbred cows
Authors: Kawauchi Daisuke , Angthong Wanna , Keaokliang Ornvimol , Ishida Tetsuya , Takahashi Toshihiro , Kawashima Tomoyuki
Published: February 2021

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of feeding Bacillus subtilis on rumen fermentation, blood metabolites, nutrient digestibility, and energy and nitrogen balances in non‐lactating crossbred (Holstein‐Friesian × Bos indicus) cows. Four cows were assigned to the control and B. subtilis diets in a crossover design, and respiratory and metabolic experiments were conducted. For the B. subtilis diet, B. subtilis DSM15544 spores were added at the rate of 1.0 × 1010 CFU/head/day to the control diet. At 4 hr after feeding, cows fed the B. subtilis diet had increased levels of i‐butyric acid in the rumen fluid and tended to have lower concentrations of plasma non‐esterified fatty acids when compared with cows fed the control diet. This suggests that feeding B. subtilis could improve energy efficiency. However, there was no effect on energy retention in this study. Although there were no effects on nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, or methane production, heat production was significantly higher in cows fed the B. subtilis diet than in those fed the control diet.
Introduction of a point mutation in the KRAS gene of in vitro fertilized porcine zygotes via electroporation of the CRISPR/Cas9 system with single‐stranded oligodeoxynucleotides
Authors: Wittayarat Manita , Hirata Maki , Namula Zhao , Sato Yoko , Nguyen Nhien T. , Le Quynh A. , Lin Qingyi , Takebayashi Koki , Tanihara Fuminori , Otoi Takeshige
Published: February 2021

This study aimed to investigate the efficiency of KRAS gene editing via CRISPR/Cas9 delivery by electroporation and analyzed the effects of the non‐homologous end‐joining pathway inhibitor Scr7 and single‐stranded oligodeoxynucleotide (ssODN) homology arm length on introducing a point mutation in KRAS. Various concentrations (0–2 µM) of Scr7 were evaluated; all concentrations of Scr7 including 0 µM resulted in the generation of blastocysts with a point mutation and the wild‐type sequence or indels. No significant differences in the blastocyst formation rates of electroporated zygotes were observed among ssODN homology arm lengths, irrespective of the gRNA (gRNA1 and gRNA2). The proportion of blastocysts carrying a point mutation with or without the wild‐type sequence and indels was significantly higher in the ssODN20 group (i.e., the group with a ssODN homology arm of 20 bp) than in the ssODN60 group (gRNA1: 25.7% vs. 5.4% and gRNA2: 45.5% vs. 5.9%, p < .05). In conclusion, the CRISPR/Cas9 delivery with ssODN via electroporation is feasible for the generation of point mutations in porcine embryos. Further studies are required to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the homology‐directed repair.
Is toothbrushing behaviour habitual? Cues, context, motivators and patient narratives
Authors: Raison Heather , Corcoran Rhiannon , Harris Rebecca V.
Published: February 2021

Objectives

Toothbrushing is generally considered as a key self‐care behaviour necessary for maintaining good oral health. Although twice‐daily brushing is widely recommended as beneficial since this provides both biofilm removal and a regular application of fluoride, some people such as those with low socio‐economic (SES) backgrounds often brush less regularly. Habit theory identifies that behaviours become habitual when they are undertaken repeatedly in response to a particular cue within a stable context. Once behaviour becomes automatic, long‐term maintenance is more likely even if motivation wanes. Establishing toothbrushing as a habitual behaviour is therefore an intervention strategy which may help reduce health inequalities. Therefore, the objective was to more fully understand the nature of toothbrushing behaviour in adults and what prompts its instigation and execution in the morning and evening, in order to inform the design of interventions in this area.

Methods

Twenty‐nine semi‐structured interviews were undertaken in an urgent dental care centre in a deprived area of North West England. Thematic analysis using a framework method was used to code the data into theoretically derived categories.

Results

Morning toothbrushing was found to be strongly integrated into cleansing routines and was identified as a behaviour predominantly initiated in response to visual cues. Some toothbrushing behaviour was prompted by internal cues, expressed as strong feelings or urges. These were more related to night‐time toothbrushing habits. Common morning motivators were aesthetics and social acceptability. Evening motivators were relatively idiosyncratic. Cleaning of the mouth following a hard, manual working day emerged as a strong driver for low SES males.

Conclusion

Understanding the nature of habitual morning and evening toothbrushing is important for the design of effective behavioural interventions, especially those aiming to achieve sustainable improvement in the frequency of night‐time toothbrushing.
Genetic and phenotypic analysis of 101 patients with developmental delay or intellectual disability using whole‐exome sequencing
Authors: Hiraide Takuya , Yamoto Kaori , Masunaga Yohei , Asahina Miki , Endoh Yusaku , Ohkubo Yumiko , Matsubayashi Tomoko , Tsurui Satoshi , Yamada Hidetaka , Yanagi Kumiko , Nakashima Mitsuko , Hirano Kouichi , Sugimura Haruhiko , Fukuda Tokiko , Ogata Tsutomu , Saitsu Hirotomo
Published: March 2021

Whole‐exome sequencing (WES) enables identification of pathogenic variants, including copy number variants (CNVs). In this study, we performed WES in 101 Japanese patients with unexplained developmental delay (DD) or intellectual disability (ID) (63 males and 38 females), 98 of them with trio‐WES. Pathogenic variants were identified in 54 cases (53.5%), including four cases with pathogenic CNVs. In one case, a pathogenic variant was identified by reanalysis of exome data; and in two cases, two molecular diagnoses were identified. Among 58 pathogenic variants, 49 variants occurred de novo in 48 patients, including two somatic variants. The accompanying autism spectrum disorder and external ear anomalies were associated with detection of pathogenic variants with odds ratios of 11.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.52–56.00) and 3.46 (95% CI 1.23–9.73), respectively. These findings revealed the importance of reanalysis of WES data and detection of CNVs and somatic variants in increasing the diagnostic yield for unexplained DD/ID. In addition, genetic testing is recommended when patients suffer from the autism spectrum disorder or external ear anomalies, which potentially suggests the involvement of genetic factors associated with gene expression regulation.
Society's readiness: How relational approaches to well‐being could support young children's educational achievement in high‐poverty contexts
Authors: Street Martina
Published: March 2021

This paper explores how relational approaches to well‐being could support young children's educational achievement in high‐poverty contexts. It draws on findings from a qualitative study involving mothers and early years educators living and/or working in a city characterised as one of the most disadvantaged in England. The findings suggest that children's well‐being, rather than being merely an individual characteristic or aspiration, is interdependent with their social and material environments, as are the institutions that support them. The paper concludes by calling for a recalibration of early childhood policies away from assessing individual children's ‘school readiness’ to encouraging society's readiness to support everyone's well‐being, and consequently that of young children too.
Lower gastrointestinal bleeding from Dieulafoy's lesion in the transverse colon
Authors: Sudo Gota , Takagi Hideyasu , Nakase Hiroshi
Published: February 2021

Watch a video of this article.
Investigations on the impact of the hole surface integrity on the fatigue life of a 2024‐T351 aluminum alloy drilled part
Authors: Lacombe Alexandra , Landon Yann , Paredes Manuel , Texier Damien , Chirol Clément , Benaben Audrey
Published: February 2021

The influence of the hole surface integrity on the fatigue life of 2024‐T351 aluminum drilled parts was investigated. Fatigue tests were conducted on open‐hole specimens, and a large campaign was carried out to characterize the hole surface integrity (roughness measurements, hardness measurements, metallographic observations, and residual stress analysis). An innovative technique, the Hole Opening Comparative Technique, was set up in order to analyze the residual stress state of the parts. In this study, strain hardening of the hole subsurface seems to be the main factor influencing the fatigue behavior, associated with a residual stress state of the part.
Impacts of ambient temperature and clutch size on incubation behaviour onset in a female‐only incubator songbird
Authors: Diez‐Méndez David , Sanz Juan José , Barba Emilio
Published: March 2021

Ambient temperature is assumed to be the major cue used by passerines to synchronize their laying and hatching dates to the expected peak of prey availability. While laying eggs, females are still able to fine‐tune their hatching date following increasing or decreasing patterns of ambient temperature, mostly via changes in incubation onset. The onset of incubation behaviour in relation to the laying sequence could have later consequences for the duration of the incubation period and the extent of hatching asynchrony. Clutch size is also known to affect incubation patterns and might therefore condition potential responses to changing temperatures. In this study we assessed the association of ambient temperature and clutch size with the onset of four different incubation behaviours: partial and full nocturnal incubation, and partial and full diurnal incubation. We also evaluated how the onset and duration of each incubation behaviour might predict the duration of diurnal full incubation and the extent of hatching asynchrony. To achieve our aims, we monitored incubation behaviour using temperature data loggers during the egg‐laying period in three Mediterranean Great Tit Parus major populations in three consecutive years. Our results showed that increasing temperatures were related to an advance of diurnal partial incubation, but not its duration or the onset of full incubation behaviour. We did not find any effect of ambient temperatures on nocturnal incubation. However, females lengthened nocturnal partial incubation and delayed the onset of nocturnal full and diurnal partial incubation when laying larger clutches. Longer diurnal incubation before clutch completion was associated with greater hatching asynchrony. Moreover, longer diurnal partial incubation shortened the duration of the full incubation period. In conclusion, increasing ambient temperatures during the egg‐laying period advanced diurnal partial incubation, indirectly shortening the full incubation period and increasing hatching asynchrony.
Genital premalignant and malignant diseases: a retrospective study of male genital skin biopsies
Authors: Mazzoni Daniel , Winkle David , Pool Louis , Hall Anthony , Muir Jim
Published: February 2021

Background

Genital skin malignancies are a rare entity encountered by clinicians that may result in significant morbidity and mortality. Lack of familiarity or expertise in this area among clinicians can delay appropriate management of these conditions and may result in disease progression.

Methods

We performed a retrospective descriptive cohort study of male patients who received a genital skin biopsy reported by one major dermatopathology laboratory between January 2017 and December 2018 with a histological diagnosis of a premalignant or malignant condition. Patient age, type of clinician, clinical notes, genital site, type of biopsy performed, and histopathological diagnosis were evaluated.

Results

Of the 1525 male genital skin biopsies available for analysis, 5% (74/1525) were premalignant or malignant diseases. These included penile intraepithelial neoplasia (PeIN) (42/74, 57%), followed by invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (11/74, 15%), Bowenoid papulosis (BP) (9/74, 12%), basal cell carcinoma (8/74, 11%), malignant melanoma (2/74, 2.7%), extramammary Paget’s (1/74, 1.4%), and metastatic cutaneous deposits (1/74, 1.4%). PeIN and BP most commonly affected the penile shaft ([18/42] 43% and [4/9] 44%, respectively), invasive SCCs most commonly affected the glans penis (4/11, 36%), and all BCCs (8/8, 100%) were located on the scrotum. Invasive SCCs were most biopsied by urologists, BP was most biopsied by dermatologists, and PeINs and BCCs were most biopsied by general practitioners.

Conclusions

A variety of genital malignancy types were found in males. A greater understanding of male genital premalignant and malignant conditions may help guide education and further research in this area.
Ahamkara: A study on the Indian model of self and identity
Authors: Gupta Kriti , Agrawal Jyotsna
Published: February 2021

Ideas around self and identity are at the core of various reflective traditions in both the east and the west. In psychological literature, they have multiple meanings. However, they usually reflect the idea of self‐sameness across changing times. The current study aimed to explore how contemporary Indians define their “self” and any parallel between modern and traditional construal of self. An open‐ended, Twenty Statements Test (TST) was used for this purpose. Another tool was a quantitative measure called the Ahamkara Questionnaire (AQ), which was based on the Indian model of self. A sample of 240 educated adults (females = 104, males = 136; mean age = 38.17 years, standard deviation [SD] = 11.45 years; range 20–60 years) were purposively selected from an urban area of North India and recruited in this mixed‐method, cross‐sectional research study. Thematic analysis of TST responses uncovered five broad thematic categories in self‐concepts: individuality, belongingness, separation, agency, and spiritual/transpersonal. Four of these overlapped with sub‐components of the AQ and differed with age. The fifth theme – spiritual/transpersonal – emerged, which was more frequent in the self‐concepts of older samples. Quantitative results from AQ also indicated that the level of ahamkara significantly differed with age and gender. These findings have implications for mental health and developing interventions utilising the Indian conception of self.
Interactions between healthcare robots and older people in Japan: A qualitative descriptive analysis study
Authors: Betriana Feni , Tanioka Tetsuya , Osaka Kyoko , Kawai Chihiro , Yasuhara Yuko , Locsin Rozzano C.
Published: March 2021

Aim

This study aimed to describe the interactions between healthcare robots and older persons in two selected institutions.

Methods

A qualitative descriptive analysis study using simultaneous observations of healthcare robot and older person interactions was conducted at two healthcare institutions in Japan. The Pepper robot equipped with Care Prevention Gymnastics Exercise programs was used in two situations: (a) exercise regimen led by Pepper; and (b) interactive dialogue between Pepper and older persons during the exercise process. These interactions were recorded using audiovisual equipment and analyzed using content analysis thereby revealing four thematic categories. Interpretation and discussion were structured based on assumptions of the Transactive Relationship Theory of Nursing.

Results

The analysis revealed four thematic categories: (a) intermediary participation of healthcare practitioners; (b) technologies of care for practice; (c) human‐robot interactions involving artificial intelligence; and (d) valuing safety in nursing through technology.

Conclusion

Interactions between healthcare robots and older persons may improve quality of care. However, issues regarding fidelity and functionality of dialogic conversations, and ensuring safety and security of using healthcare robots are recognized as critical nursing practice concerns in healthcare robot use in institutional settings.
Information Model on Pain Management: An Analysis of Big Data
Authors: Nomura Aline Tsuma Gaedke , de Abreu Almeida Miriam , Pruinelli Lisiane
Published: February 2021

Purpose

To develop an information model to support secondary use of data using electronic health records.

Design

Retrospective observational data‐driven study with secondary use of data. The sample was composed of structured data from all adults admitted to clinical and surgical inpatient units of a public university hospital. Data between June 2014 and July 2019 were included, totaling approximately 51,000 unique patients.

Methods

Six systematic steps of the Applied Healthcare Data Science Roadmap were applied.

Findings

An information model on pain management was developed.

Conclusions

The data science methodology used allowed the development of information model in pain management, mapping attributes about pain management and to categorize them into assessment and reassessment, goals, interventions, and outcomes.

Clinical Relevance

Based on the information model developed, it is possible to optimize the electronic health system and improve the quality of patient care delivery in pain management.
Seasonal and interannual production of sea lettuce (Ulva sp.) in outdoor cultures based on commercial size ponds
Authors: Zertuche‐González José A. , Sandoval‐Gil Jose M. , Rangel‐Mendoza Laura K. , Gálvez‐Palazuelos Alberto I. , Guzmán‐Calderón José M. , Yarish Charles
Published: March 2021

The many nutritional benefits reported in seaweeds have increased their demand in the western world for human consumption. In order to supply this demand, it is necessary to cultivate seaweeds both offshore and onshore. Offshore cultivation is highly vulnerable to climate variation. Cultures on land can be operated while essential variables can be controlled (nutrient supply) or partially regulated (light and temperature) providing a more uniform quality and continuous production. In this study, we present the results of pond‐culture in a commercial pilot‐facility on the Pacific, temperate coast of Mexico, which has been continuously running for 2½ years. Ponds of 100 m3 were seeded with 3 kg/m2 of a previously selected strain of Ulva. Pulse fertilization and a full water exchange were made twice a week. Ponds were fully harvested every 3 weeks and re‐seeded with the initial density. Seaweed production showed a bimodal distribution with a strong peak in spring (258–290 g m−2 day−1), a minor peak in autumn, and lower production in summer and much lower in winter (40–85 g m−2 day−1). Highest growth performance occurred when the average temperature remained between 17 and 23°C. This study provides a realistic baseline for annual seaweed production on a commercial pilot‐scale aquaculture farm.
Anesthesia for children with complete trisomy 18 (Edwards syndrome): A cohort review of 84 anesthesia encounters in nine patients
Authors: Birmingham Erin E. , Stucke Astrid G. , Diaz Christina D.
Published: March 2021

Background

Trisomy 18 or Edwards syndrome is the second most common aneuploidy with a prevalence between 1/3000 and 1/10 000 live births. The syndrome encompasses malformations of the central nervous, cardiac, respiratory, gastrointestinal, and genitourinary systems. Trisomy 18 carries a poor prognosis with 90% of patients not surviving beyond 1 year of age; however, the current trend toward more aggressive supportive care may prolong survival. The limited anesthesia literature highlights the abnormal airway anatomy but generally describes uneventful airway management and perioperative course.

Aim

Our goal was to review all anesthesia encounters recorded for eleven trisomy 18 patients treated at Children's Wisconsin during the study period to explore the frequency of anesthesia encounters and to improve our understanding of the perioperative risks.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of all patients with trisomy 18 who were treated at our institution between 2012 and 2017. Records were screened for anesthesia encounters, perioperative critical events and complications, enrollment in palliative care, code status, and time of death.

Results

Eleven children were identified. Children were born between 2001 and 2016. Two children never required anesthesia care. Nine patients had a total of 84 anesthesia encounters for 121 surgical or diagnostic procedures or emergent intubations. Critical events and perioperative complications included difficult mask ventilation (n = 7), difficult intubation (n = 15), and mechanical or pharmacological cardiopulmonary resuscitation (n = 6). Five patients presented with difficult peripheral intravenous access. One patient died in the immediate postoperative period. On five occasions, patients required emergent intubation outside of the operating room.

Conclusion

Difficult airway management and respiratory compromise were critical concerns during the perioperative period in our patient population, and the inability to ventilate could lead to cardiorespiratory arrest. This case series provides a comprehensive, longitudinal view of complete trisomy 18 patients in the perioperative period and adds information for counseling families and care providers.
The reward positivity reflects the integrated value of temporally threefold‐layered decision outcomes
Authors: Rommerskirchen Lena , Lange Leon , Osinsky Roman
Published: March 2021

In reinforcement learning, adaptive behavior depends on the ability to predict future outcomes based on previous decisions. The Reward Positivity (RewP) is thought to encode reward prediction errors in the anterior midcingulate cortex (aMCC) whenever these predictions are violated. Although the RewP has been extensively studied in the context of simple binary (win vs. loss) reward processing, recent studies suggest that the RewP scales complex feedback in a fine graded fashion. The aim of this study was to replicate and extend previous findings that the RewP reflects the integrated sum of instantaneous and delayed consequences of a singular outcome by increasing the feedback information content by a third temporal dimension. We used a complex reinforcement‐learning task where each option was associated with an immediate, intermediate and delayed monetary outcome and analyzed the RewP in the time domain as well as fronto‐medial theta power in the time‐frequency domain. To test if the RewP sensitivity to the three outcome dimensions reflect stable trait‐like individual differences in reward processing, a retesting session took place 3 months later. The results confirm that the RewP reflects the integrated value of complex temporally extended consequences in a stable manner, albeit there was no relation to behavioral choice. Our findings indicate that the medial frontal cortex receives fine graded information about complex action outcomes that, however, may not necessarily translate to cognitive or behavioral control processes.
Investigation on Variations of Void Fraction in a Subcooled Boiling Channel Under Vertical Forced Excitations
Authors: Chen Shao-Wen , Lee Wei-Cheng , Chang Yu-Hsien , Ho Ailing , Lee Jin-Der , Yang Jung-Hua , Wang Jong-Rong
Published: February 2021

Experimental tests were carried out to investigate the vertically forced excitation effects on the subcooled boiling flow. The heated circular channel with an inner diameter of 11.9 mm was operated with various heat fluxes (q″ ≈ 14.6–41.1 kW/m2) and inlet flow conditions (vin ≈ 0.21–0.42 m/s) under various vertical forced excitations (f ≈ 0–1.63 Hz), and the time variations of void fraction, near-wall fluid temperature and pressure were recorded during the tests. Fast Fourier transform (FFT) was applied to extract the dominant frequency from the transient signals, and the variations of averages and standard deviations of test data were obtained for analysis. Under lower heat flux, lower flow, and lower void conditions, the time-averaged void fraction may decrease under forced excitations, and the dominant frequencies of void variations were identical to those of forced excitations. However in higher heat flux and higher void conditions, the void fraction can slightly increase under forced excitations, but the excitation frequencies may not be clearly observed in the void FFT plots. In general, the transient and time-averaged void fraction can be affected by forced excitations, and the void variation trends are similar to those of near-wall fluid temperature, which implies the void variations may be related to the changes of thermal boundary layer thickness. Besides, the potential variations of void fraction were estimated by assuming changes of heat transfer coefficient and/or wall superheat, which appear similar trends to the observed void variations in the present tests.
Development of Spike Receptor-Binding Domain Nanoparticles as a Vaccine Candidate against SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Ferrets
Authors: Kim Young-Il , Kim Dokyun , Yu Kwang-Min , Seo Hogyu David , Lee Shin-Ae , Casel Mark Anthony B. , Jang Seung-Gyu , Kim Stephanie , Jung WooRam , Lai Chih-Jen , Choi Young Ki , Jung Jae U.
Published: March 2021

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a causative agent of the CoV disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, enters host cells via the interaction of its receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the spike protein with host angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2). Therefore, the RBD is a promising vaccine target to induce protective immunity against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Supplemental Material: Evidence for 40–41 km of dextral slip on the southern Death Valley fault: Implications for the Eastern California shear zone and extensional tectonics
Authors: Pavlis Terry , Trullenque Ghislain
Published: March 2021

Supplemental figure of the Noble Hills.
Supplemental Material: North China craton: The conjugate margin for northwestern Laurentia in Rodinia
Authors: Ding Jikai , Zhang Shihong , al. et
Published: March 2021

Laboratory methods, paleomagnetic data table, selected paleomagnetic poles, Euler rotation parameters, and supplemental references.
Transient osteoporosis of the hip in pregnancy: the orthopaedic management of bilateral neck of femur fractures in the third trimester
Authors: Wright Esther Victoria , Naqvi Ali Zain , Syed Shabana , Zaw Htwe
Published: March 2021

Transient osteoporosis of the hip (TOH) is a rare cause of pelvic pain in the third trimester of pregnancy and post partum. Although several cases have been reported in literature, its aetiology is poorly understood. The diagnosis is commonly missed in pregnancy, as the presenting symptoms can be vague, and the risks of radiographic imaging deter clinicians from pursuing investigation. In extreme cases, this pathology presents with neck of femur fractures, with no current guidelines on optimal management. We describe the case of a 24-year-old woman who presented with bilateral neck of femur fractures at 34 weeks gestation. Following an emergency caesarean section, operative management consisted of bilateral closed reduction and internal fixation using dynamic hip screws. Postoperative radiographs demonstrated failure of fixation on the left side, which was revised to a complex primary arthroplasty. This case demonstrates both the diagnostic and management challenges associated with TOH.
Duloxetine suppresses BMP-4-induced release of osteoprotegerin via inhibition of the SMAD signaling pathway in osteoblasts
Authors: Tachi Junko , Onuma Takashi , Yamaguchi Shinobu , Kim Woo , Hioki Tomoyuki , Matsushima-Nishiwaki Rie , Tanabe Kumiko , Tokuda Haruhiko , Kozawa Osamu , Iida Hiroki
Published: March 2021

Duloxetine, a selective serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, is currently recommended for the treatment of chronic painful disorders such as fibromyalgia, chronic musculoskeletal pain, and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. We previously demonstrated that bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) stimulates osteoprotegerin (OPG) production in osteoblast-like MC3T3-E1 cells, and that p70 S6 kinase positively regulates OPG synthesis. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of duloxetine on BMP-4-stimulated OPG synthesis in these cells. Duloxetine dose-dependently suppressed OPG release stimulated by BMP-4. Fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), reduced BMP-4-stimulated OPG release, whereas a selective and specific norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, reboxetine, failed to affect OPG release. In addition, another SSRI sertraline also inhibited BMP-4-stimulated OPG release. On the other hand, siRNA of SMAD1 reduced the OPG release stimulated by BMP-4, indicating the involvement of the SMAD1/5/8 pathway in OPG release. Rapamycin inhibited BMP-4-stimulated p70 S6 kinase phosphorylation, and compound C suppressed the SMAD1/5/8 phosphorylation stimulated by BMP-4. Duloxetine did not affect BMP-4-induced phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase but suppressed SMAD1/5/8 phosphorylation. Both fluvoxamine and sertraline also inhibited BMP-4-elicited phosphorylation of SMAD1/5/8. These results strongly suggest that duloxetine suppresses BMP-4-stimulated OPG release via inhibition of the Smad1/5/8 signaling pathway in osteoblasts.
Generalized version of chiral Schwinger model in terms of chiral bosonization
Authors: Yasmin Safia
Published: March 2021

The $$(1+1)$$

(
1
+
1
)

dimensional generalized model where vector and axial vector interaction get mixed up with different strength is considered. Imposing a chiral constraint, the model can be expressed in terms of chiral boson. Then the theoretical spectra of this model has been determined in both the Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalism. It is found that the massless degrees of freedom disappears from the spectra and the photon acquires mass as well. Imposition of chiral constraint brings a disaster so far as Lorentz invariance is concerned. An attempt has been made here to show the physical Lorentz invariance explicitly using Poincaré algebra.
Resonance instability of primordial gravitational waves during inflation in Chern–Simons gravity
Authors: Fu Chengjie , Liu Jing , Zhu Tao , Yu Hongwei , Wu Puxun
Published: March 2021

We investigate axion inflation where the gravitational Chern–Simons term is coupled to a periodic function of the inflaton. We find that tensor perturbations with different polarizations are amplified in different ways by the Chern–Simons coupling. Depending on the model parameters, the resonance amplification results in a parity-violating peak or a board plateau in the energy spectrum of gravitational waves, and the sharp cutoff in the infrared region constitutes a characteristic distinguishable from stochastic gravitational wave backgrounds produced by matter fields in Einstein gravity.
Class I polytropes for anisotropic matter
Authors: Ramos A. , Arias C. , Fuenmayor E. , Contreras E.
Published: March 2021

In this work we study class I interior solutions supported by anisotropic polytropes. The generalized Lane–Emden equation compatible with the embedding condition is obtained and solved for a different set of parameters in both the isothermal and non-isothermal regimes. For completeness, the Tolman mass is computed and analysed to some extend. As a complementary study we consider the impact of the Karmarkar condition on the mass and the Tolman mass functions respectively. Comparison with other results in literature are discussed.
Lagrange multiplier approach to unilateral indentation problems: Well-posedness and application to linearized viscoelasticity with non-invertible constitutive response
Authors: Itou Hiromichi , Kovtunenko Victor A. , Rajagopal Kumbakonam R.
Published: February 2021

The Boussinesq problem describing indentation of a rigid punch of arbitrary shape into a deformable solid body is studied within the context of a linear viscoelastic model. Due to the presence of a non-local integral constraint prescribing the total contact force, the unilateral indentation problem is formulated in the general form as a quasi-variational inequality with unknown indentation depth, and the Lagrange multiplier approach is applied to establish its well-posedness. The linear viscoelastic model that is considered assumes that the linearized strain is expressed by a material response function of the stress involving a Volterra convolution operator, thus the constitutive relation is not invertible. Since viscoelastic indentation problems may not be solvable in general, under the assumption of monotonically non-increasing contact area, the solution for linear viscoelasticity is constructed using the convolution for an increment of solutions from linearized elasticity. For the axisymmetric indentation of the viscoelastic half-space by a cone, based on the Papkovich–Neuber representation and Fourier–Bessel transform, a closed form analytical solution is constructed, which describes indentation testing within the holding-unloading phase.
Intrinsically symmetric cosmological model in the presence of dissipative fluids
Authors: Bittencourt Eduardo , Gomes Leandro , Santos Grasiele
Published: February 2021

Based upon the intrinsic symmetries approach to inhomogeneous cosmologies, we propose an exact solution to Einstein’s field equations where the spatial sections are flat and the source is a nonperfect fluid such that the dissipative terms can be written in terms of spatial gradients of the energy density under a suitable choice of the coordinate system. It is shown through the calculation of the luminosity distance as a function of the redshift that the presence of such inhomogeneities may lead to an effective deceleration parameter compatible with either the standard [Formula: see text]CDM model or LTB models depending on the choice of boundary conditions with no exotic matter. This fact is another evidence that different inhomogeneous models should be carefully investigated in order to verify which model may be compatible with observations and still be as close as possible to the standard model regarding the underlying assumptions, without resorting necessarily to exotic matter components.
A Nonlinear Master Equation for Open Quantum Systems
Authors: Tsekov Roumen
Published: March 2021

A nonlinear master equation is derived, reflecting properly the entropy of open quantum systems. In contrast to linear alternatives, its equilibrium solution is exactly the canonical Gibbs density matrix. The corresponding nonlinear equation for the Wigner function accounts rigorously for the thermo-quantum entropy. It reduces at large friction to the quantum Smoluchowski equation in the coordinate subspace. The previously derived Maxwell–Heisenberg relation for the nonequilibrium momentum dispersion of quantum Brownian particles is confirmed as well as the related quantum generalization of the classical Einstein law of Brownian motion.
EFFECT OF STEERING WHEEL HEIGHT AND INCLINATION ANGLE ON BLUNT CARDIAC INJURY DURING THE THORAX-TO-STEERING WHEEL IMPACT
Authors: TONG FANG , LAN FENGCHONG , CHEN JIQING , LI XIONG
Published: March 2021

Blunt cardiac injury (BCI) in the traffic accidents usually causes serious consequences like heart failure or even death, and the impact of steering wheel to the thorax is one of the main causes of blunt heart injury. Therefore, more realistic heart models are needed to predict the biomechanical response and related injury of the heart during a thorax-to-steering wheel impact. This study developed three-dimensional finite element (FE) models of lungs, aorta and heart, and validated the models through published cadaver tests by comparing the contact force and intracardiac pressures in four heart chambers. Then, various simulations of thorax-to-steering wheel impact were carried out at different impact heights (lower, middle and higher) and different inclination angles of steering wheel (15∘, 30∘, 45∘ and 60∘) to investigate the effects of impact height and inclination angle on heart injury. The result showed that (1) the biomechanical response of the heart model was agree with the test data; (2) the contact force, myocardial stress and intracardiac pressure were decreased when the inclination angle was increased; (3) when the impact height was middle and the inclination angle of steering wheel was 15∘, the myocardial stress and intracardiac pressure were both maximum which indicated that the blunt heart injury was more likely to occur in this condition.
Integer-valued definable functions in ℝan,exp
Authors: Jones Gareth , Qiu Shi
Published: February 2021

We give two variations on a result of Wilkie’s [A. J. Wilkie, Complex continuations of [Formula: see text]-definable unary functions with a diophantine application, J. Lond. Math. Soc. (2) 93(3) (2016) 547–566] on unary functions definable in [Formula: see text] that take integer values at positive integers. Provided that the function grows slower (in a suitable sense) than the function [Formula: see text], Wilkie showed that it must be eventually equal to a polynomial. Assuming a stronger growth condition, but only assuming that the function takes values sufficiently close to integers at positive integers, we show that the function must eventually be close to a polynomial. In a different variation we show that it suffices to assume that the function takes integer values on a sufficiently dense subset of the positive integers (for instance the primes), again under a stronger growth bound than that in Wilkie’s result.
Aα spectra of graphs obtained by two corona operations and Aα cospectral graphs
Authors: Sahir Md. Abdus , Abu Nayeem Sk. Md.
Published: March 2021

Let [Formula: see text] be a graph of which [Formula: see text] be the adjacency matrix and [Formula: see text] be a diagonal matrix whose diagonal entries are the degrees of vertices of [Formula: see text]. [Formula: see text] is known as the signless Laplacian matrix of the graph [Formula: see text]. For any real [Formula: see text] matrix is defined by the convex combination [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Clearly, [Formula: see text] coincides with [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text] and coincides with [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text]. Thus, the [Formula: see text] eigenvalues are generalizations of adjacency eigenvalues and signless Laplacian eigenvalues.

In this paper, we have obtained the [Formula: see text] spectra of corona and edge corona of two graphs. We have also shown that [Formula: see text] cospectral graphs and [Formula: see text] equienergetic graphs can be obtained from there.
Construction of LCD-MRD codes of length n > N
Authors: Kumar Ashwini , Raja Durai R. S.
Published: March 2021

An MRD code [Formula: see text] is a [Formula: see text]-dimensional [Formula: see text]-linear subspace of the [Formula: see text]-dimensional vector space [Formula: see text] over [Formula: see text] for [Formula: see text]. Linear codes [Formula: see text] (of length [Formula: see text], dimension [Formula: see text]) that are obtained from MRD codes [Formula: see text] satisfying the property [Formula: see text] are defined to be LCD MRD codes. An inherent relationship between the generator G and parity-check matrices H of LCD MRD codes is observed. This in fact identifies LCD MRD codes as trivial ([Formula: see text]) and nontrivial ([Formula: see text]) codes. Further, two classes of LCD MRD codes of length [Formula: see text] are constructed from [Formula: see text] (trivial and nontrivial) LCD MRD codes of length [Formula: see text]. Examples are provided for demonstration of results obtained.
Study of the chromium doping effect in boron phosphide semiconductors
Authors: Boutaleb M. , Hsini M. , Zemouli M. , Berber M. , Tadjer A.
Published: March 2021

According to the firs-principles theory-based spin-density functional calculations within the framework of Wu–Cohen generalized gradient approximation (WC-GGA), we examine the structural and electronic properties of ternary alloys of zinc-blende boron phosphide doped with chromium. We compare the materials with aluminum phosphide that exhibits half-metallic properties at various concentrations. The curves of total and partial densities of states and the band structures show that [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]P are purely metallic and can be possible candidates for use in light emitting diodes (LEDs). These compounds are not polarized on spins; the main cause is the nature of chemical bond located between the boron cations and the phosphorus anion, whereas the ternary materials of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]P all have various uses in spintronic science according to many studies because of their half-metallicity behavior.
Electrochemical Stability of n-Si Photoanodes Protected by TiO2 Thin Layers Grown by Atomic Layer Deposition
Authors: Dufond Maxime E. , Chazalviel Jean-Noël , Santinacci Lionel
Published: March 2021

This work investigates the n-Si photoanodes corrosion protection by Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) of a TiO2 film. A specific electrochemical experimental sequence (including successive rest potential measurements and voltammetries under illumination or not) has been established to study the stability of the electrodes in KOH. Depending on the deposition conditions (precursor composition and temperature), the electrochemical properties of the layers are different. The photoanodes coated using titanium tetraisopropoxide (TTIP) at low temperature exhibit a low photocurrent (j
ph) that is progressively enhanced during the electrochemical sequence and their stability decreases. When using tetrakis(dimethylamido)titanium (TDMAT), the j
ph is almost constant and the film prevents from corrosion. The characterizations show that the ALD parameters drive the microstructure of the layer that is found critical for the electrochemical response. A hydrogen doping occurring during the open circuit potential measurements under illumination is evidenced by IR spectroscopy. It is mainly localized at the grain boundaries and pores of the layers as well as in the n-Si and it modifies the charge transfer at the electrode/solution junction and the hydrogen diffusion weakens the film causing the Si corrosion. The different charge transfer mechanisms are finally proposed depending on the ALD conditions and the film thickness.