bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interviews with Community Healthcare Registered Nurses in Norway: Examination Practices and Clinical Evaluation Processes
Authors: Berg Geir V. , Slettebø Åshild , Johnsen Kjersti , Findal Dahl Aud , Fossum Mariann
Published: September 2021

Aim

This study describes the examination practices and clinical evaluation processes that Registered Nurses in Norway perform in the community healthcare sector.

Design

A qualitative exploratory design.

Methods

Twenty interviews were conducted with Registered Nurses employed in the community healthcare sector in Norway. The data were analysed using a thematic analysis.

Results

We found four major themes: (1) evaluations are embedded in nurses’ daily work, (2) significance of a Registered Nurse's clinical competency, (3) different tasks require various roles and (4) access to resources and equipment. Registered Nurses possess several skills in a range of different examination techniques and clinical evaluation processes in the community healthcare sector. They perform complex assessments in their daily work and must rely on other healthcare professionals, facilities and equipment to provide high‐quality care. Ongoing education and training will enable Registered Nurses to complete accurate assessments in their community healthcare practice.
Analysis of the variable step method of Dahlquist, Liniger and Nevanlinna for fluid flow
Authors: Layton William , Pei Wenlong , Qin Yi , Trenchea Catalin
Published: September 2021

The one‐leg, two‐step time discretization proposed by Dahlquist, Liniger and Nevanlinna is second order and variable step G‐stable. G‐stability for systems of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) corrresponds to unconditional, long time energy stability when applied to the Navier–Stokes equations (NSEs). In this report, we analyze the method of Dahlquist, Liniger and Nevanlinna as a variable step, time discretization of the Navier–Stokes equations. We prove that the kinetic energy is bounded for variable time‐steps, show that the method is second‐order accurate, characterize its numerical dissipation and prove error estimates. The theoretical results are illustrated by several numerical tests.
Analysis of periosteal lesions from commingled human remains at the Xagħra Circle hypogeum reveals the first case of probable scurvy from Neolithic Malta
Authors: Thompson Jess E. , Power Ronika K. , Mercieca‐Spiteri Bernardette , Magnussen John S. , Pardey Margery , Buck Laura T. , Stock Jay T. , McLaughlin T. Rowan , Stoddart Simon , Malone Caroline
Published: September 2021

Objectives

Palaeopathological analysis is key for characterising population health at the individual level and across large assemblages but is rarely exploited to unite the remains of disarticulated individuals. This study explores the potential for individual identification through differential diagnosis of periosteal lesions in a commingled deposit, both to ascertain the number of individuals represented and provide a differential diagnosis.

Materials and Methods

The late Neolithic Xagħra Circle hypogeum on Gozo contains the remains of more than 800 individuals, most of which were transformed to a collective disarticulated assemblage. Across the excavated population, pathological observations are strikingly low. In one specific 1 × 1‐m area in a single stratigraphic context, fragmented and disarticulated cranial and post‐cranial non‐adult bones were identified that displayed periosteal new bone formation. To aid differential diagnosis, macroscopic analysis, taphonomic analysis and micro‐computed tomography (μCT) imaging were integrated.

Results

This approach, when combined with osteobiographical analyses, reveals that the elements most likely derive from one individual, a young child, who presents a probable case of scurvy. The potential for micronutrient co‐morbidities are explored, but without further microscopic study it cannot be determined if this individual also experienced iron‐deficiency anaemia and/or rickets.

Discussion

In the context of the Mediterranean and Europe in later prehistory, reported cases of scurvy are currently low and often reveal periods of environmental instability and resource insufficiency. Our finding of non‐adult scurvy in late 3rd millennium BC Malta contributes to a developing picture of an increasingly unstable palaeoenvironment and declining population health at this time, although it may also indicate an individual case of poor childhood health within this broader context.
Path planning of mobile robot in unknown dynamic continuous environment using reward‐modified deep Q‐network
Authors: Huang Runnan , Qin Chengxuan , Li Jian Ling , Lan Xuejing
Published: September 2021

The path planning problem of mobile robot in unknown dynamic environment (UDE) is discussed in this article by building a continuous dynamic simulation environment. To achieve a collision‐free path in UDE, the reinforcement learning theory with deep Q‐network (DQN) is applied for the mobile robot to learn optimal decisions. A reward function is designed with weight to balance the obstacle avoidance and the approach to the goal. Moreover, it is found that the relative motion between moving obstacles and robots may cause abnormal rewards and further lead to a collision between robot and obstacle. To address this problem, two reward thresholds are set to modify the abnormal rewards, and the experiments shows that the robot can avoid all obstacles and reach the goal successfully. Finally, double DQN (DDQN) and dueling DQN are applied in this article. This article compares the results of reward‐modified DQN (RMDQN), reward‐modified DDQN (RMDDQN), dueling RMDQN, and dueling RMDDQN and concludes that the result of RMDDQN is the best.
Association of Polypharmacy with Colorectal Cancer Survival Among Older Patients
Authors: Chen Li-Ju , Nguyen Thi Ngoc Mai , Chang-Claude Jenny , Hoffmeister Michael , Brenner Hermann , Schöttker Ben
Published: September 2021

Background

In geriatric oncology, polypharmacy is often assessed during a comprehensive geriatric assessment. Previous studies about its association with survival among patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) were inconclusive and had high risk for indication bias.

Patients and Methods

A cohort study was conducted with 3,239 patients with CRC, aged ≥65 years, who were recruited in Germany between 2003 and 2016, while being hospitalized for CRC surgery. We defined polypharmacy as the concurrent use of five or more drugs, and excessive polypharmacy (EPP) as concurrent use of eight or more drugs. Cox proportional hazards regression models were performed to assess the associations of polypharmacy with 5-year overall (OS), CRC-specific (CSS), and non-cancer-specific survival (NCS) with rigorous adjustment for morbidity to minimize indication bias (e.g., for cancer stage, functional status, and 13 common diseases/conditions).

Results

The prevalence of polypharmacy was 54.7% and that of EPP was 24.2%. During up to 5 years of follow-up, 1,070 participants died, among whom 615 died of CRC and 296 died of other causes than cancer. EPP was statistically significantly associated with poorer up-to-5-year OS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–1.47) and CSS (HR, 1.31; 95% CI, 1.03–1.68). HR point estimate for NCS was higher than 1 (1.22) but not statistically significant.

Conclusion

Polypharmacy was very common and EPP was a weak risk factor for mortality in this large cohort of older patients with CRC. Clinical trials are needed to address the causality of this relationship because older patients with CRC might benefit from deprescribing drugs without an indication.

Implications for Practice

The results of this study support the hypothesis that excessive polypharmacy, defined as use of eight or more concurrently used active substances, has a negative impact on the prognosis of older patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). This study suggests to oncologists that performing a medication review for older patients with CRC with eight drugs or more is indicated (especially when a broader comprehensive geriatric assessment is being performed). Such a medication review should not only focus on reducing the number of medications (by deprescribing drugs without an indication) but also check the appropriateness of indicated drugs for older patients with cancer.
Dynamical analysis of novel COVID‐19 epidemic model with non‐monotonic incidence function
Authors: Prem Kumar R. , Basu Sanjoy , Ghosh Dipankar , Santra Prasun Kumar , Mahapatra G. S.
Published: September 2021

In this study, we developed and analyzed a mathematical model for explaining the transmission dynamics of COVID‐19 in India. The proposed model is a modified version of the existing model. Our model divides the infected class of model into two classes: (unknown infected class) and (known infected class). In addition, we consider a recovered and reserved class, where susceptible people can hide them due to fear of the COVID‐19 infection. Furthermore, a non‐monotonic incidence function is deemed to incorporate the psychological effect of the novel coronavirus diseases on India's community. The epidemiological threshold parameter, namely the basic reproduction number, has been formulated and presented graphically. With this threshold parameter, the local and global stability analysis of the disease‐free equilibrium and the endemic proportion equilibrium based on disease persistence have been analyzed. Lastly, numerical results of long‐run prediction using MATLAB show that the fate of this situation is very harmful if people are not following the guidelines issued by the authority.
Safety and efficacy of a platelet glycoprotein Ib inhibitor for patients with non‐ST segment elevation myocardial infarction: A phase Ib/IIa study
Authors: Zheng Bo , Li Jianping , Jiang Jie , Xiang Dingcheng , Chen Yundai , Yu Zaixin , Zeng Hesong , Ge Junbo , Dai Xiangrong , Liu Jiahui , Li Benjamin , Huo Yong
Published: September 2021

Study Objective

This study aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of a novel GP Ib receptor inhibitor in patients with non‐ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Design and Setting

Multicenter, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, dose‐escalating, phase Ib‐IIa clinical trial. Eligible patients were randomly assigned to the low‐dose (n=20, 2 IU/60 kg), moderate‐dose (n=20, 3 IU/60 kg), or high‐dose anfibatide group (n=20, 5 IU/60 kg), or the placebo group (n=30). Anfibatide was administered for up to 48 hours along with standard aspirin and clopidogrel therapy.

Patients

Ninety patients with NSTEMI who underwent PCI at six academic hospitals in China.

Measurements and Main Results

All three doses of anfibatide showed dose‐dependent antiplatelet activity as measured by ex vivo platelet aggregation at 5 minutes, 24 hours, and 48 hours during infusion, and 4 hours post‐infusion compared with placebo. Higher inhibition of platelet aggregation occurred in all anfibatide groups compared with the placebo group. The post‐procedural TIMI grade flow, myocardial blush grade, and corrected TIMI frame count were not significantly different among the four groups. Thirty‐day mortality, non‐fatal myocardial infarction, and major bleeding were rare and comparable between patients who received anfibatide and placebo. There was no significant difference in the platelet count among the groups during follow‐up.

Conclusions

This study shows that intravenous administration of the platelet receptor GP Ib antagonist anfibatide is feasible and safe to inhibit platelet aggregation without increasing the risk of bleeding and thrombocytopenia in patients with NSTEMI undergoing PCI.
A pragmatic assessment of proton pump inhibitors vs. histamine type 2 receptor antagonists on clinically important gastrointestinal bleeding and mortality when used for stress ulcer prophylaxis in the ICU
Authors: Boyd Carly , Hassig Tanna , MacLaren Robert
Published: September 2021

Objective

Approximately 1%–5% of critically ill patients experience clinically important gastrointestinal bleeding (CIGB). This study assessed the effectiveness and safety of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) compared to histamine type 2 receptor antagonists (H2RAs) for prevention of CIGB in mechanically ventilated patients.

Design

This is a retrospective, single‐center, pharmacoepidemiologic study.

Setting

This study was carried out in six intensive care units (ICUs).

Patients

Critically ill adults admitted between 9/1/14 and 9/1/19 who received PPIs or H2RAs within 24 h of intubation and for ≥48 h were included in this study.

Intervention

PPIs or H2RAs for stress ulcer prophylaxis.

Measurements and Main Results

Primary outcomes were CIGB occurring 48 h after ICU admission and hospital mortality. Secondary outcomes were pneumonia, Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), acute kidney injury, myocardial infarction/ischemia, thrombocytopenia, and delirium. Outcomes were defined using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD‐9) and Tenth Revision (ICD‐10)‐codes with manual cross‐reference for a hemoglobin drop, transfusion, or hemodynamic compromise to further define CIGB. Of 3873 patients, 2061 (53.2%) received PPIs. CIGB was rare but higher in the PPI group (0.34% vs. 0%, RR = 1, 95% CI, 1–1; p = 0.013); however, substantial group differences existed possibly predisposing the PPI group to CIGB. Hospital mortality was higher in the PPI group (42.1% vs. 29.1%, RR = 1.23, 95% CI, 1.17–1.29; p < 0.0001). PPIs remained an independent risk factor for mortality after multivariate adjustment (RR = 1.61, 95% CI, 1.39–1.88; p < 0.0001). Rates of secondary outcomes were similar between groups except thrombocytopenia (4.3% vs. 2.2%, RR = 1.02, 95% CI, 1.01–1.03; p = 0.0003) and delirium (83.7% vs. 78.1%, RR = 1.34, 95% CI, 1.18–1.53; p < 0.0001) that were higher in the PPI group.

Conclusion

Proton pump inhibitors were associated with CIGB; however, the overall rate of CIGB was low. Compared to H2RAs, PPIs were associated with hospital mortality. Further identification of appropriate selection criteria for ulcer prophylaxis and comparisons of pharmacologic prevention strategies are warranted.
DABCO as a potential catalyst for the CO2 fixation: A density functional theory and ab initio molecular dynamics study
Authors: Faizan Mohmmad , Pawar Ravinder
Published: September 2021

Increasing concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is a great concern today. One of the best ways to overcome this challenge is to convert CO2 into useful chemicals. Referring to the difficulties posed by the conversion of CO2 into value‐added chemicals, an attempt has been made to investigate 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) as a potential cost‐effective organic catalyst in the present work. A fixation reaction of CO2 with oxirane was chosen to be as a prototypal model in the presence of DABCO catalyst. The density functional theory (DFT) and ab initio molecular dynamics (AIMD) studies were conducted, which clearly show that the DABCO molecule efficiently catalyzes the fixation reaction via simultaneous activation of both oxirane and CO2 concertedly. The effect of polar and nonpolar solvents on the reaction was also investigated. The low polarity solvents were found to be the appropriate medium for the reaction. Further, the DFT results clearly reveal that the catalytic activity of the DABCO molecule increases upon the substitution of oxirane.
High‐Throughput Robotic Synthesis and Photoluminescence Characterization of Aqueous Multinary Copper–Silver Indium Chalcogenide Quantum Dots
Authors: Stroyuk Oleksandr , Raievska Oleksandra , Langner Stefan , Kupfer Christian , Barabash Anastasia , Solonenko Dmytro , Azhniuk Yuriy , Hauch Jens , Osvet Andres , Batentschuk Miroslaw , Zahn Dietrich R. T. , Brabec Christoph J.
Published: September 2021

The feasibility of a high‐throughput robot‐assisted synthesis of complex Cu1‐xAgxInSySe1‐x (CAISSe) quantum dots (QDs) by spontaneous alloying of aqueous glutathione‐capped Ag–In–S, Cu–In–S, Ag–In–Se, and Cu–In–Se QDs is demonstrated. Both colloidal and thin‐film core CAISSe and core/shell CAISSe/ZnS QDs are produced and studied by high‐throughput semiautomated photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The silver‐copper‐mixed QDs reveal clear evidence of a band bowing effect in the PL spectra and higher average PL lifetimes compared to the counterparts containing silver or copper only. The photophysical analysis of CAISSe and CAISSe/ZnS QDs indicates a composition‐dependent character of the nonradiative recombination in QDs. The rate of this process is found to be lower for mixed copper‐silver‐based QDs compared to Cu‐ or Ag‐only QDs. The combination of the band bowing effect and the suppressed nonradiative recombination of CAISSe QDs is beneficial for their applications in photovoltaics and photochemistry. The synergy of high‐throughput robotic synthesis and a high‐throughput characterization in this study is expected to grow into a self‐learning synthetic platform for the production of metal chalcogenide QDs for light‐harvesting, light‐sensing, and light‐emitting applications.
Effect of a common missense variant in LIPA gene on fatty liver disease and lipid phenotype: New perspectives from a single‐center observational study
Authors: Pasta Andrea , Borro Paolo , Cremonini Anna Laura , Formisano Elena , Tozzi Giulia , Cecchi Stefano , Fresa Raffaele , Labanca Sara , Djahandideh Afscin , Sukkar Samir Giuseppe , Picciotto Antonino , Pisciotta Livia
Published: September 2021

Lysosomal acid lipase deficiency (LAL‐D) is an autosomal recessive disease characterized by hypoalphalipoproteinemia, mixed hyperlipemia, and fatty liver (FL) due to mutations in LIPAse A, lysosomal acid type (LIPA) gene. The rs1051338 single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) in LIPA gene, in vitro, could adversely affect the LAL activity (LAL‐A). Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is often associated with metabolic syndrome, and the diagnosis requires the exclusion of excess of alcohol intake and other causes of hepatic disease. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of rs1051338 rare allele on lipid phenotype, severity of FL, and LAL‐A in patients suffering from dyslipidemia associated with NAFLD. We selected 74 subjects with hypoalphalipoproteinemia or mixed hyperlipemia and evaluated transaminases, liver assessment with controlled attenuation parameter (CAP), LAL‐A, rs1051338 SNP genotype. The presence of rare allele caused higher levels of triglycerides and hepatic transaminase and lower levels of high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C). Multivariate analysis highlighted independent association between rare allele and FL severity in subjects with NAFLD. The rs1051338 SNP may modulate FL severity and atherogenic dyslipidemia in patients suffering from NAFLD.
EVT‐701 is a novel selective and safe mitochondrial complex 1 inhibitor with potent anti‐tumor activity in models of solid cancers
Authors: Luna Yolba Raquel , Visentin Virgile , Hervé Caroline , Chiche Johanna , Ricci Jean‐Ehrland , Méneyrol Jérôme , Paillasse Michaël R. , Alet Nathalie
Published: September 2021

Targeting the first protein complex of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (MC1) in cancer has become an attractive therapeutic approach in the recent years, given the metabolic vulnerabilities of cancer cells. The anticancer effect exerted by the pleiotropic drug metformin and the associated reduction in hypoxia‐inducible factor 1α (HIF‐1α) levels putatively mediated by MC1 inhibition led to the development of HIF‐1α inhibitors, such as BAY87‐2243, with a more specific MC1 targeting. However, the development of BAY87‐2243 was stopped early in phase 1 due to dose‐independent emesis and thus there is still no clinical proof of concept for the approach. Given the importance of mitochondrial metabolism during cancer progression, there is still a strong therapeutic need to develop specific and safe MC1 inhibitors. We recently reported the synthesis of compounds with a novel chemotype and potent action on HIF‐1α degradation and MC1 inhibition. We describe here the selectivity, safety profile and anti‐cancer activity in solid tumors of lead compound EVT‐701. In addition, using murine models of lung cancer and of Non‐Hodgkin's B cell lymphoma we demonstrated that EVT‐701 reduced tumor growth and lymph node invasion when used as a single agent therapy. LKB1 deficiency in lung cancer was identified as a potential indicator of accrued sensitivity to EVT‐701, allowing stratification and selection of patients in clinical trials. Altogether these results support further evaluation of EVT‐701 alone or in combination in preclinical models and eventually in patients.
Overexpression of EiKCS confers paraquat‐resistance in rice (Oryza sativaL.) by promoting the polyamine pathway
Authors: Luo Qiyu , Chen Shu , Zhu Jiazheng , Ye Laihua , Hall Nathan Daniel , Basak Suma , McElroy Joseph Scott , Chen Yong
Published: September 2021

BACKGROUND

Paraquat is used widely as one of the bipyridine herbicides, which generates reactive oxygen species to cause cell death. With a growing number of paraquat‐resistant weeds, the mechanism of paraquat‐resistance in plants remains unclear. This research verified the functions of a previously confirmed putative paraquat‐resistant gene, EiKCS, from paraquat‐resistant goosegrass by genetic engineering in a single overexpressing line in rice.

RESULTS

Overexpression of EiKCS improved paraquat resistance in transgenic rice (KCSox). Pre‐applied (12 h) exogenous spermidine (1.5 mmol L−1), alleviated the injury of paraquat in rice. Paraquat induced injury in KCSox was 19.57%, which was lower than 32.22% injury it induced in wild‐type (WT) rice. The paraquat‐resistant mechanism was through the increased activity of antioxidant enzymes and the overproduction of endogenous polyamines. The spermine content in KCSox was more than 30 μg mL−1, while that in WT rice was less than 5 μg mL−1. Quantitative proteomics showed that β‐ketoacyl‐coenzyme A (CoA) synthase (51.81 folds) encoded by the transgenic EiKCS gene promoted the synthesis of the proteins involved with the polyamine pathway. The synthesized putrescine was promoted by the arginine decarboxylase (ADC) pathway. The spermidine synthase I (1.10‐fold) and three eceriferum cofactors (CERs) were responsive to the paraquat stress. We validated putrescine (C18H20N2O2) spermidine (C28H31N3O3), and spermine (C38H42N4O4) in this study.

CONCLUSION

EiKCS encoding β‐ketoacyl‐CoA synthase from goosegrass has been shown as an ideal candidate gene for engineering genetically modified organism (GMO) crops, as its overexpression does not only bring paraquat‐resistance, but also have potential benefits without decreasing yield and rice grain quality. © 2021 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Land management effects on wet aggregate stability and carbon content
Authors: Mikha Maysoon M. , Jin Virginia L. , Johnson Jane M. F. , Lehman R. Michael , Karlen Douglas L. , Jabro Jalal D.
Published: September 2021

Land management affects soil structure and many other soil properties and processes. Our objectives were to evaluate soil organic C (SOC), aggregate size distribution, aggregate‐associated C, and soil structure as affected by long‐term land management and slope. A chronosequence of 38 on‐farm sites with low to high (5–18%) slopes was selected to evaluate 5–40 yr of management. The sites were classified as business as usual (BAU) cropland (BAU‐Crop), BAU pasture (BAU‐Past), newly established conservation reserve program (CRP) areas (CRP‐New), and established CRP (CRP‐Old). Soil samples were collected from the 0‐to‐5‐ and 5‐to‐15‐cm depth increments and processed for soil property measurements including fractionation by wet sieving into five aggregate size classes (>2,000, 1,000–2,000, 500–1,000, 250–500, and 53–250 μm). Within the surface 5 cm, mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GMD) were used to characterize soil structural stability. The BAU‐Past and CRP‐Old sites had 79% more macroaggregates (>2,000, 1,000–2,000, and 500–1,000 μm), 123% higher MWD, 38% higher GMD, and 47% higher SOC than BAU‐Crop or CRP‐New sites. The 5‐to‐15‐cm depth increment showed a similar but lower magnitude response. Aggregate‐associated C was quantified using a constant soil mass that reflected aggregate size distribution to prevent overestimating C content. Lower‐slope locations had more SOC, more macroaggregates, more C associated with macroaggregates, and higher GMD and MWD compared with high‐slope locations across all management classifications and soil depths. The results support our hypothesis that the high‐slop soils may benefits from specific management decisions than the lower‐sloping soils as a function of landscape property. We recommend reestablishing grassland on sloping land that is susceptible to excessive soil erosion, although those practices will likely take a long time to restore soil structural stability and SOC content to precultivation levels.
A bias correction method in meta‐analysis of randomized clinical trials with no adjustments for zero‐inflated outcomes
Authors: Zhou Zhengyang , Xie Minge , Huh David , Mun Eun‐Young
Published: September 2021

Many clinical endpoint measures, such as the number of standard drinks consumed per week or the number of days that patients stayed in the hospital, are count data with excessive zeros. However, the zero‐inflated nature of such outcomes is sometimes ignored in analyses of clinical trials. This leads to biased estimates of study‐level intervention effect and, consequently, a biased estimate of the overall intervention effect in a meta‐analysis. The current study proposes a novel statistical approach, the Zero‐inflation Bias Correction (ZIBC) method, that can account for the bias introduced when using the Poisson regression model, despite a high rate of inflated zeros in the outcome distribution of a randomized clinical trial. This correction method only requires summary information from individual studies to correct intervention effect estimates as if they were appropriately estimated using the zero‐inflated Poisson regression model, thus it is attractive for meta‐analysis when individual participant‐level data are not available in some studies. Simulation studies and real data analyses showed that the ZIBC method performed well in correcting zero‐inflation bias in most situations.
A comprehensive study on security bug characteristics
Authors: Wei Ying , Sun Xiaobing , Bo Lili , Cao Sicong , Xia Xin , Li Bin
Published: September 2021

Security bugs can catastrophically impact our increasingly digital lives. Designing effective tools for detecting and fixing software security bugs requires a deep understanding of security bug characteristics. In this paper, we conducted a comprehensive study on security bugs and proposed the classification criteria for security bug category, that is, root cause, consequence, and location. In addition, we selected 1076 bug reports from five projects (i.e., Apache Tomcat, Apache HTTP Server, Mozilla Firefox, Linux Kernel, and Eclipse) in the NVD for investigation. Finally, we investigated the correlation between the classification results and obtained some findings: (1) memory operation is the most common security bug; (2) the primary root causes of security bugs are CON (Configuration Error), INP (Input Validation Error), and MEM (Memory Error); (3) the severity of more than 40% of security bugs is high; (4) security bugs caused by INP mainly occur on web; and (5) security bugs caused by LOG (Logic Resource Error) usually lead to DoS (Denial of Service). We discussed these findings through data analysis, which can also help developers better understand the characteristics of security bugs.
Fabrication and Characterization of Dodecenyl Succinic Anhydride Modified Kudzu Starch
Authors: Zhao Yiguo , Khalid Nauman , Nakajima Mitsutoshi
Published: September 2021

The dodecenyl succinic anhydride (DDSA) modified kudzu starch is fabricated and characterized in this study. After modification, granule size of kudzu starch exhibits bigger than that of native kudzu starch. The viscosity of DDSA‐modified kudzu starch is increased in comparison with the native one. However, there is no detectable surface change of kudzu starch granules before and after modification. To elucidate the esterification between starch molecules and DDSA groups or octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) groups, the characteristic peaks of DDSA‐modified or OSA‐modified kudzu starch are determined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR). Moreover, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms reveal that the gelatinization temperatures and enthalpy of modified kudzu starch are lower than that of the native counterpart. Stable O/W emulsions are obtained after storage at room temperature for 30 days, as the concentration of modified kudzu starch is above 2% (w/w) according to the results of oil droplet size and confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis. This study demonstrates that DDSA modification can improve properties of kudzu starch and then potentially broaden its applications.
Translanguaging Together: Building Bilingual Identities con Nuevos Amigos
Authors: Moses Lindsey , Hajdun Matt , Aguirre Ana Alvarado
Published: September 2021

In this article, the authors share their experiences creating and implementing a unit focused on supporting bilingual identities through integrating language domains and translanguaging with authentic writing experiences. Two dual‐language first‐grade teachers from Colombia and the US worked together to model, celebrate, and support the use of translanguaging as a meaningful communicative practice that encourages bilingual students to draw on all of their linguistic resources. The article includes the instructional progression used to support emergent bilingual first graders with writing letters and creating interactive videos with the purpose of making new international friends and learning about each other's communities. Practical suggestions with examples provide ideas for building supportive bilingual communities, selecting and reading aloud texts with translanguaging practices, building contextualized vocabulary, developing oral language, supporting letter and video creations, and engaging with and responding to bilingual peers.
Research on the efficient water‐absorbing ceramsite generated by dredged sediments in Dian Lake–China and coal fly ash
Authors: Cai Yingying , Gao Haijun , Qu Guangfei , Ning Ping , Hu Yinghui , Zou Hongmei , Ren Nanqi
Published: September 2021

In order to transform the dredged sediment (DS) into an efficient water‐absorbing ceramsite (EWAC), the coal fly ash (CFA) and expansion agent were used to blend, expand, and sinter with the DS in the Dian Lake–China. A new type of high EWAC was prepared with the absorption ratio of 66.71%, which was much higher than similar products. The heavy metals leaching (HML) of EWAC showed that the concentration of As was 0.90 mg/L and the Hg, Pb, Cd, and Cr were too low to be detected. The characterization analysis showed that the EWAC cross section contained a lot of hydroxyl, ether, and P‐Cl hydrophilic group by Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) specific surface area (SSA) test method. The above groups and structures could greatly improve the water absorption (WA) performance of the EWAC. What's more, the SSA of the EWAC could reach 4.468 m2/g. The results of Comsol Multiphysics indicated that the SSA and average pore size (APS) of the EWACs were 10 and 6 times higher than the commercial ceramsites, respectively. The research provided the utilization of the DS with technical and theoretical basis for the construction of sponge city.

Practitioner points

The article was focus on the utilization of dredged sediment (DS) and coal fly ash (CFA) for the basic material preparation technology and its toxicity test as the sponge city.

First, the raw materials were the DS in Dian Lake (Kunming, Yunnan, China) and CFA (thermal power plants), which were all belonged to the hazardous solid waste and was made to the efficient water‐absorbing ceramsite (EWAC).

Second, the water absorption (WA) performance of the EWAC was improved greatly whose absorption ratio was much higher than similar products reached 66.71%.

The specific surface area (SSA) and average pore size (APS) of the EWACs were 10 and 6 times higher than the commercial ceramsites (CCs), respectively.

Finally, the heavy metals leaching (HML) of As was 0.90 mg/L, and the HML of Hg, Pb, Cd, and Cr was all lower than 0.05 mg/L, which could not only not cause secondary pollution but provide the new ideas for the resource utilization of large amount of DS. So, we thought this article was suitable for the journal.
Effect of soil moisture and its correction method for quantitative analysis of hazardous metals in polluted soil for the on‐site XRF analysis
Authors: Nakano Kazuhiko , Tobari Satoshi , Shimizu Sota , Ito Takuma , Itoh Akihide
Published: September 2021

We investigated the effects of soil moisture and its correction method for on‐site XRF analysis of hazardous metals in polluted soil. A wet soil sample was prepared by exposing the water mist generated from the ultrasonic humidifier to dry soil for 0–95 min to reach the soil water content to 0–30 mass%. Calibration curves of six hazardous metals (Cr, As, Se, Cd, Hg, and Pb) measured from the soil certified reference materials JSAC 0461 to 0466 were compared with the water content changed from 0 to 30 mass%. The inclinations of calibration curves of six metals decreased with the increase of the water content. In addition, the XRF intensities of six metals decreased about 15%–20% by adding the water in 30 mass%. It was revealed that the soil moisture effect is caused by two factors as a decrease of the amount of analyte in the XRF generating area, and a change in the sample matrix due to increase of water contents. Thus, a new correction method using the combination between Compton scattered X‐rays and the water contents was applied to overcome the soil moisture effect. Applying the proposed correction method, calibration curves of six metals with different water content gave identical inclinations of calibration curves. The analytical results of chromium in the geochemical reference sample were in good agreement with the standard value even with increased water content.
Thermal shock analysis of functionally graded sandwich curved beams using a new layerwise theory
Authors: Pandey Shashank , Pradyumna S.
Published: September 2021

This work for the first time presents a simple, accurate and straightforward finite element formulation that requires a C0 continuity of transverse displacement for the transient stress analysis of curved beams under thermal shock using a new layerwise theory. The FGM sandwich curved beam is considered to be made of three layers in which the top, middle and the bottom layer is considered to be made of pure ceramic, functionally graded material (FGM) core and pure metal constituents, respectively. The proposed new layerwise theory assumes a higher‐order displacement field for FGM core and first‐order displacement field for both top and bottom layers. The material properties are assumed to be temperature‐dependent. The governing differential equation for the present investigation is formulated using Hamilton's principle. A wide range of comparison studies are presented to establish the accuracy of the present layerwise finite element formulation. A parametric study is conducted to show the simplicity and wider applicability of the proposed formulation. It is shown here that by selecting an appropriate value of volume fraction index, core to facesheet thickness ratio, magnitude of thermal shock, curvature and thickness ratio, the transient thermal stresses induced in FGM sandwich curved beams can be reduced substantially.
Understanding the Barriers That Slow Firms Shifting from Products to Services
Authors: West Shaun , Gaiardelli Paolo , Saccani Nicola
Published: September 2021

This chapter provides an introduction to “servitization” and, in particular, why manufacturing firms are moving into services and how the transition has been slowed. The first section provides an overview of how this book works. It then moves on to introduce product-service systems and the rationale for servitization from the perspective of a manufacturing firm. This is then examined from different perspectives and uses the product lifecycle as an anchor. It moves on to describe the journey into services and then a complex system that often exists within industrial product-service systems. Finally, the seven barriers are explored before providing additional reading.
Incidence, risk factors and clinical course of pyogenic spondylodiscitis patients with pulmonary embolism
Authors: Dubinski Daniel , Won Sae-Yeon , Keil Fee , Behmanesh Bedjan , Dosch Max , Baumgarten Peter , Bernstock Joshua D. , Seifert Volker , Freiman Thomas M. , Gessler Florian
Published: September 2021

Purpose

In patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis, surgery is considered the treatment of choice to conduct proper debridement, stabilise the spine and avoid extended bed rest, which in turn is a risk factor for complications such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective clinical study with analysis of a group of 99 patients who had undergone treatment for pyogenic discitis at our institution between June 2012 and August 2017. Included parameters were age, sex, disease pattern, the presence of deep vein thrombosis, resuscitation, in-hospital mortality, present anticoagulation, preexisting comorbidities, tobacco abuse, body mass index, microbiological germ detection and laboratory results.

Results

Among the analysed cohort, 12% of the treated patients for pyogenic spondylodiscitis suffered from a radiologically confirmed pulmonary embolism. Coronary heart disease (p < 0.01), female sex (p < 0.01), anticoagulation at admission (p < 0.01) and non-O blood type (p < 0.001) were associated with development of pulmonary embolism. Pulmonary embolism was significantly associated with resuscitation (p < 0.005) and deep vein thrombosis (p < 0.001). Neurosurgery was not associated with increased risk for pulmonary embolism compared to conservative-treated patients (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

Surgery for pyogenic spondylodiscitis was not associated with an elevated risk of pulmonary embolism in our analysis. However, we describe several risk factors for pulmonary embolism in this vulnerable cohort. Prospective studies are necessary to improve prevention and postoperative management in patients with pyogenic spondylodiscitis.
A generalized Kalman filter with its precision in recursive form when the stochastic model is misspecified
Authors: Teunissen P. J. G. , Khodabandeh A. , Psychas D.
Published: September 2021

In this contribution, we introduce a generalized Kalman filter with precision in recursive form when the stochastic model is misspecified. The filter allows for a relaxed dynamic model in which not all state vector elements are connected in time. The filter is equipped with a recursion of the actual error-variance matrices so as to provide an easy-to-use tool for the efficient and rigorous precision analysis of the filter in case the underlying stochastic model is misspecified. Different mechanizations of the filter are presented, including a generalization of the concept of predicted residuals as needed for the recursive quality control of the filter.
Resting state functional connectivity patterns as biomarkers of treatment response to escitalopram in patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Martens Marieke A. G. , Filippini Nicola , Harmer Catherine J. , Godlewska Beata R.
Published: September 2021

Rational

With no available response biomarkers, matching an appropriate antidepressant to an individual can be a lengthy process. Improving understanding of processes underlying treatment responsivity in depression is crucial for facilitating work on response biomarkers.

Objectives

To identify differences in patterns of pre-treatment resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) that may underlie response to antidepressant treatment.

Methods

After a baseline MRI scan, thirty-four drug-free patients with depression were treated with an SSRI escitalopram 10 mg daily for 6 weeks; response was defined as ≥ 50% decrease in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD) score. Thirty-one healthy controls had a baseline clinical assessment and scan. Healthy participants did not receive treatment.

Results

Twenty-one (62%) of patients responded to escitalopram. Treatment responsivity was associated with enhanced rsFC of the right fronto-parietal network (FPN)—with the posterior DMN, somatomotor network (SMN) and somatosensory association cortex. The lack of treatment response was characterized by reduced rsFC: of the bilateral FPN with the contralateral SMN, of the right FPN with the posterior DMN, and of the extended sensorimotor auditory area with the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) and posterior DMN. Reduced rsFC of the posterior DMN with IPL was seen in treatment responders, although only when compared with HC.

Conclusions

The study supports the role of resting-state networks in response to antidepressant treatment, and in particular the central role of the frontoparietal and default mode networks.
Value of infarct location in the prediction of functional outcome in patients with an anterior large vessel occlusion: results from the HERMES study
Authors: Tolhuisen Manon L. , Ernst Marielle , Boers Anne M. M. , Brown Scott , Beenen Ludo F. M. , Guillemin Francis , Roos Yvo B. W. E. M. , Saver Jeffrey L. , van Oostenbrugge Robert , Demchuck Andrew M. , van Zwam Wim , Jovin Tudor G. , Berkhemer Olvert A. , Muir Keith W. , Bracard Serge , Campbell Bruce C. V. , van der Lugt Aad , White Phill , Hill Michael D. , Dippel Diederik W. J. , Mitchell Peter J. , Goyal Mayank , Caan Matthan W. A. , Marquering Henk A. , Majoie Charles B. L. M. ,   on behalf of the HERMES collaborators
Published: September 2021

Purpose

Follow-up infarct volume (FIV) is moderately associated with functional outcome. We hypothesized that accounting for infarct location would strengthen the association of FIV with functional outcome.

Methods

We included 252 patients from the HERMES collaboration with follow-up diffusion weighted imaging. Patients received endovascular treatment combined with best medical management (n = 52%) versus best medical management alone (n = 48%). FIV was quantified in low, moderate and high modified Rankin Scale (mRS)-relevant regions. We used binary logistic regression to study the relation between the total, high, moderate or low mRS-relevant FIVs and favorable outcome (mRS < 2) after 90 days. The strength of association was evaluated using the c-statistic.

Results

Small lesions only occupied high mRS-relevant brain regions. Lesions additionally occupied lower mRS-relevant brain regions if FIV expanded. Higher FIV was associated with a higher risk of unfavorable outcome, as were volumes of tissue with low, moderate and high mRS relevance. In multivariable modeling, only the volume of high mRS-relevant infarct was significantly associated with favorable outcome. The c-statistic was highest (0.76) for the models that included high mRS-relevant FIV or the combination of high, moderate and low mRS-relevant FIV but was not significantly different from the model that included only total FIV (0.75).

Conclusion

This study confirms the association of FIV and unfavorable functional outcome but showed no strengthened association if lesion location was taken into account.
Maturation and shuttling of the yeast telomerase RNP: assembling something new using recycled parts
Authors: Bartle Louise , Vasianovich Yulia , Wellinger Raymund J.
Published: September 2021

As the limiting component of the budding yeast telomerase, the Tlc1 RNA must undergo multiple consecutive modifications and rigorous quality checks throughout its lifecycle. These steps will ensure that only correctly processed and matured molecules are assembled into telomerase complexes that subsequently act at telomeres. The complex pathway of Tlc1 RNA maturation, involving 5'- and 3'-end processing, stabilisation and assembly with the protein subunits, requires at least one nucleo-cytoplasmic passage. Furthermore, it appears that the pathway is tightly coordinated with the association of various and changing proteins, including the export factor Xpo1, the Mex67/Mtr2 complex, the Kap122 importin, the Sm7 ring and possibly the CBC and TREX-1 complexes. Although many of these maturation processes also affect other RNA species, the Tlc1 RNA exploits them in a new combination and, therefore, ultimately follows its own and unique pathway. In this review, we highlight recent new insights in maturation and subcellular shuttling of the budding yeast telomerase RNA and discuss how these events may be fine-tuned by the biochemical characteristics of the varying processing and transport factors as well as the final telomerase components. Finally, we indicate outstanding questions that we feel are important to be addressed for a complete understanding of the telomerase RNA lifecycle and that could have implications for the human telomerase as well.
Vitamin C supplementation promotes mental vitality in healthy young adults: results from a cross-sectional analysis and a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
Authors: Sim Minju , Hong Sehwa , Jung Sungwoong , Kim Jin-Soo , Goo Young-Tae , Chun Woo Young , Shin Dong-Mi
Published: September 2021

Purpose

We aimed to investigate the link of vitamin C status with vitality and psychological functions in a cross-sectional study, and examine their causal relationship through a randomized controlled trial (RCT).

Methods

We first conducted a population-based cross-sectional investigation of healthy young adults (n = 214, 20–39 years), and analyzed the associations of serum vitamin C concentrations with vitality (fatigue and attention) and mood status (stress, depression, and positive and negative affect) using Pearson’s correlation and multiple linear regression analyses. Next, we performed a double-blind RCT in healthy subjects whose serum vitamin C concentrations were inadequate (< 50 μmol/L). Subjects were randomly allocated to receive 500 mg of vitamin C twice a day for 4 weeks (n = 24) or a placebo (n = 22). We assessed vitality, which included fatigue, attention, work engagement, and self-control resources, and measured mood status, including stress, depression, positive and negative affect, and anxiety. ELISA determined serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and a Stroop color–word test evaluated attention capacity and processing speed.

Results

In the cross-sectional data, the serum vitamin C concentration was positively associated with the level of attention (r = 0.16, p = 0.02; standardized β = 0.21, p = 0.003), while no significant associations with the levels of fatigue and mood variables being found. In the RCT, compared to the placebo, the vitamin C supplementation significantly increased attention (p = 0.03) and work absorption (p = 0.03) with distinct tendency of improvement on fatigue (p = 0.06) and comprehensive work engagement (p = 0.07). The vitamin C supplementation did not affect mood and serum concentrations of BDNF. However, in the Stroop color–word test, the subjects supplemented with vitamin C showed better performance than those in the placebo group (p = 0.04).

Conclusion

Inadequate vitamin C status is related to a low level of mental vitality. Vitamin C supplementation effectively increased work motivation and attentional focus and contributed to better performance on cognitive tasks requiring sustained attention.

Trial registration number and date of registration

Cross-sectional study: KCT0005074 (cris.nih.go.kr)/1 June, 2020 (retrospectively registered). Intervention study: KCT0004276 (cris.nih.go.kr)/4 September, 2019.