bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the opportunity for cooling the London underground through waste heat recovery
Authors: Lagoeiro Henrique , Revesz Akos , Davies Gareth , Gysin Ken , Curry Daniel , Faulks Gareth , Murphy Declan , Vivian Josh , Maidment Graeme
Published: March 2022

Recovering waste heat from urban infrastructures is becoming increasingly important as the UK strives to decarbonise heat, which remains one of the main challenges in the transition towards net zero. The Bunhill Waste Heat Recovery (WHR) System represents a first of its kind scheme that will recover waste energy from a ventilation shaft of the London Underground (LU) transport network. The system is based upon the installation of a heat recovery heat exchanger that consists of cooling coils and a reversible fan. The coils are connected to a heat pump that supplies low-carbon thermal energy to the Bunhill Heat Network in Central London. One particularly important aspect of the Bunhill WHR system is its ability to operate in a way that not only provides heating to the local heat network, but can also simultaneously supply cooled air to the LU tunnels depending on the operation of the reversible fan. The current paper estimates the potential cooling benefit that could be achieved with the WHR system based upon the development of a mathematical model. The model is able to predict the condition of the coil surface according to air inlet parameters, and this is used to calculate the latent and sensible cooling loads, which are applied to simulate how the system affects the local tunnel environment, with peak temperature reductions of up to 7.2 K being estimated for adjacent stations in 2030. The results from the investigation are presented together with recommendations for further development and future deployment of heat recovery from metro systems, as this technology could be applied across London and elsewhere to deliver significant carbon and cost savings while improving the thermal environment of railway tunnels.

Practical Application

This work investigates the cooling potential behind a practical project that involves recovering waste heat from the LU network. As electrification leads to an increased deployment of heat pump and district heating systems, waste heat could become a valuable resource for maximising energy efficiency, even more so when additional cooling benefits can be achieved. This paper aims to explore the impacts of cooling on railway tunnels, emphasising how secondary benefits, which are many times overlooked, could be critical to making waste heat recovery economically feasible, maximising its potential as a key technology for decarbonising heat.
Feeling Close and Seeing a Partner in a New Light: How Self-Expansion Is Associated With Sexual Desire
Authors: Goss Sophie C. , Raposo Stephanie , Balzarini Rhonda , Rosen Natalie O. , Benyamin Veronica , Muise Amy
Published: March 2022

Sexual desire is associated with romantic relationship satisfaction and maintenance, yet desire for a partner often declines over time. Self-expansion (new experiences that facilitate growth) with a partner boosts desire, but how this occurs is not well-understood. Across three studies—a 21-day daily experience study, a one-month weekly experience study, and an experimental study—we tested whether closeness, and a new construct otherness (seeing a partner in a new light), accounted for the association between self-expansion and desire. Across studies, self-expansion was associated with higher closeness and otherness, and, in turn, higher sexual desire (indirect effect through otherness significant in Studies 1 and 3). The findings provide evidence for the importance of fostering closeness, as well as otherness, in the maintenance of desire.
Mocking the Dictatorship: Symbolic Resistance in Everyday Life During Francoism in the 1960s
Authors: Ruiz Gloria Román
Published: March 2022

This article analyses the forms of symbolic resistance in everyday life in Francoist Spain during the 1960s, when the post-war crisis had been relegated to the past and the concerns and interests of Spanish society had begun to diversify. Firstly, it examines the way in which day-to-day resistance functioned under dictatorial regimes. Secondly, it studies the anti-Franco expressions of popular culture, including insults and blasphemies. Finally, it focuses on other manifestations of symbolic resistance hostile to the regime, such as toasts to political dissidents who were victims of reprisals; insults aimed at the Spanish and Falange flags; and subversive cries and slogans. To this end, this article examines a large number of archival sources, mainly documentation from the Ministry of Information and Tourism available in the General Archive of the Administration (AGA).
Elizabeth Holmes and Theranos: A play on more than just ethical failures
Authors: Williams Medina
Published: March 2022

Elizabeth Holmes promised a revolution in blood testing protocols by building innovative technology and process efficiencies in an industry ripe for disruption. Along with Ramesh Balwani, she recruited investors under the guise of these promises and raked in millions of dollars in addition to lucrative private partnerships to bring her vision for the company, Theranos, to fruition. Behind the scenes, the enforcement of strict codes of secrecy left many in the scientific community skeptical of such claims as the company chose to abandon standard procedures including peer review. Additionally, the company initially employed a “board of advisors” versus a board of directors, with many of the members sourced from previously held positions of power in business and the military. Members of the news press soon joined in on the skepticism, and the company began to implode in 2014. Two key whistleblowers emerged, one of which had a familial relationship with a key Theranos backer and member of the advisory board. Lawsuits from investors followed and applicable regulatory authorities began investigations. Inquiries by three separate government bodies resulted in charges of conspiracy and several counts of wire fraud levied on both Ms. Holmes and Mr. Balwani in addition to suspension of the company’s licensure. The Theranos saga reads as an ethical tragedy that had an opportunity to be anything but.
Cross-Cultural adaptation and validation of the Exercise-Induced Leg Pain questionnaire for Spanish speaking patients
Authors: Castillo-Domínguez Alejandro , Alvero-Cruz José Ramón , Páez-Moguer Joaquín , Nauck Tanja , Lohrer Heinz , Scheer Volker , García-Romero Jerónimo
Published: March 2022

Objectives

To cross-culturally adapt and validate a Spanish version of the Exercise-Induced Leg Pain questionnaire.

Design

Clinical measurement study.

Participants

The validity and reliability of the adapted version were assessed in four groups of 40 patients with exercise-induced leg pain, 40 physically active healthy individuals (control group), 40 athletes with other leg conditions and 40 athletes, military personnel and candidates with no history of injury (risk group).

Main measure

Exercise-Induced Leg Pain questionnaire.

Reference measures

Spanish version of the Short-Form 36 and Schepsis postsurgical classification scale.

Results

In patients with exercise-induced leg pain, the mean age was 24.9 (± 6.7) years and the mean score of the questionnaire was 62.8 (± 10.9). The standard error of measurement and minimum detectable change threshold were 1.67 and 4.63 points, respectively. Excellent internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.942) and test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.995) were found. The exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses indicated that a one-factor solution explained 66.84% of the variance. For construct validity, 87.5% of the previously stated hypotheses were fulfilled between the total score of the questionnaire and Short-Form 36 dimensions. Concurrent validity, assessed by the Schepsis scale, was almost perfect (r = 0.92, p < 0.001). The predictive validity of the questionnaire was demonstrated using the receiving operating curve (area of 0.992; 95% CI: 0.983–1, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The Spanish version of the Exercise-Induced Leg Pain questionnaire resulted in a reliable and valid instrument to assess patients with exercise-induced leg pain.
It’s like standing in front of a prison fence – Dying during the SARS-CoV2 pandemic: A qualitative study of bereaved relatives’ experiences
Authors: Pauli Berenike , Strupp Julia , Schloesser Karlotta , Voltz Raymond , Jung Norma , Leisse Charlotte , Bausewein Claudia , Pralong Anne , Simon Steffen T ,   for the PallPan consortium
Published: March 2022

Background:

Since the onset of the SARS CoV2 pandemic, protective and isolation measures had a strong impact on the care and support provided to seriously ill and dying people at the end-of-life.

Aim:

Exploring bereaved relatives’ experiences of end-of-life care during the SARS-CoV2 pandemic.

Design:

Qualitative interview study with bereaved relatives.

Participants:

Thirty-two relatives of patients who died during the pandemic, regardless of infection with SARS-CoV2.

Results:

Three core categories were identified: needs, burden and best practice. Relatives wished for a contact person responsible for providing information on the medical and mental condition of their family members. The lack of information, of support by others and physical closeness due to the visiting restrictions, as well as not being able to say goodbye, were felt as burdens and led to emotional distress. However, case-by-case decisions were made and creative ways of staying in touch were experienced positively.

Conclusions:

Our results indicate that the strong need for closeness when a family member was dying could not be met due to the pandemic. This led to suffering that can be prevented. Visits need to be facilitated by making considered decisions on a case-by-case basis. For easy communication with relatives, approaches should be made by healthcare professionals and support for virtual communication should be offered. Furthermore, the results of the study can help to implement or develop ideas to enable dignified farewells even during pandemics.
Altered resting-state cerebral blood flow and functional connectivity mediate suicidal ideation in major depressive disorder
Authors: Fan Dandan , He Cancan , Liu Xinyi , Zang Feifei , Zhu Yao , Zhang Haisan , Zhang Hongxing , Zhang Zhijun , Xie Chunming
Published: March 2022

The relationships among cerebral blood flow (CBF), functional connectivity (FC) and suicidal ideation (SI) in major depressive disorder (MDD) patients have remained elusive. In this study, we characterized the changes in CBF and FC among 175 individuals including 47 MDD without SI (MDDNSI), 59 MDD with SI (MDDSI), and 69 healthy control (HC) who underwent arterial spin labeling and resting-state functional MRI scans. Then the voxel-wise CBF, seed-based FC and partial correlation analyses were measured. Mediation analysis was carried out to reveal the effects of FC on the association between CBF and behavioral performances in both subgroups. Results showed that CBF was higher in MDDSI patients in the bilateral precuneus compared to HC and MDDNSI participants. MDDSI patients exhibited enhanced FC in the prefrontal-limbic system and decreased FC in the sensorimotor cortex (SMC) relative to MDDNSI patients. CBF and FC were significantly correlated with clinical variables. More importantly, exploratory mediation analyses identified that abnormal FC can mediate the association between regional CBF and behavioral performances. These results highlight the potential role of precuneus gyrus, prefrontal-limbic system as well as SMC in the process of suicide and provide new insights into the neural mechanism underlying suicide in MDD patients.
Exploring Sexual, Romantic, and Platonic Features and Functions of the Imagined Interactions Framework
Authors: Coduto Kathryn D. , Vendemia Megan A. , Viverette Steele , Williams Emma
Published: March 2022

Imagined interactions (IIs) involve interpersonal contact with another individual within one's mind. Although primary attributes and features of IIs are well-established in the literature, the present study sought to identify which features and functions related to sexual and romantic encounters, particularly with ostensible strangers. As part of a larger study investigating online dating during the COVID-19 pandemic, we asked 315 online daters to describe their IIs with someone they recently matched with on an online dating platform. Through a qualitative coding process, six key themes emerged from their responses: (1) imagined interactions as sexual pleasure and sexual release; (2) imagining plans that lead to sexual interaction; (3) planning for future cybersex; (4) imagining first-date scenarios; (5) compensating for in-person platonic interaction; and (6) the inability to have IIs. Implications for online partners who have not met offline and contributions to the literature on IIs are discussed.
Analysis of synthetic magnetic resonance images by multi-channel segmentation increases accuracy of volumetry in the putamen and decreases mis-segmentation in the dural sinuses
Authors: Goto Masami , Fukunaga Issei , Hagiwara Akifumi , Fujita Shohei , Hori Masaaki , Kamagata Koji , Aoki Shigeki , Abe Osamu , Sakamoto Hajime , Sakano Yasuaki , Kyogoku Shinsuke , Daida Hiroyuki
Published: March 2022

Background

Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) using magnetic resonance imaging (MR) has been used to estimate cortical atrophy associated with various diseases. However, there are mis-segmentations of segmented gray matter image in VBM.

Purpose

To study a twofold evaluation of single- and multi-channel segmentation using synthetic MR images: (1) mis-segmentation of segmented gray matter images in transverse and cavernous sinuses; and (2) accuracy and repeatability of segmented gray matter images.

Material and Methods

A total of 13 healthy individuals were scanned with 3D quantification using an interleaved Look–Locker acquisition sequence with a T2 preparation pulse (3D-QALAS) sequence on a 1.5-T scanner. Three of the 13 healthy participants were scanned five consecutive times for evaluation of repeatability. We used SyMRI software to create images with three contrasts: T1-weighted (T1W), T2-weighted (T2W), and proton density-weighted (PDW) images. Manual regions of interest (ROI) on T1W imaging were individually set as the gold standard in the transverse sinus, cavernous sinus, and putamen. Single-channel (T1W) and multi-channel (T1W + T2W, T1W + PDW, and T1W + T2W + PDW imaging) segmentations were performed with statistical parametric mapping 12 software.

Results

We found that mis-segmentations in both the transverse and cavernous sinuses were large in single-channel segmentation compared with multi-channel segmentations. Furthermore, the accuracy of segmented gray matter images in the putamen was high in both multi-channel T1W + PDW and T1W + T2W + PDW segmentations compared with other segmentations. Finally, the highest repeatability of left putamen volumetry was found with multi-channel segmentation T1WI + PDWI.

Conclusion

Multi-channel segmentation with T1WI + PDWI provides good results for VBM compared with single-channel and other multi-channel segmentations.
Tocilizumab therapy for persistent high-grade fever in systemic lupus erythematosus: two cases and a literature review
Authors: Chaoyi Ma , Shrestha Bikash , Hui Li , Qiujin Ding , Ping Fu
Published: March 2022

Tocilizumab (TCZ) is a humanized immunoglobulin (Ig) G1 monoclonal antibody directed against the interleukin (IL)-6 receptor. We report on two patients with persistent high-grade fever and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) who were treated with TCZ. Two female Chinese patients presented with SLE and high-grade fever, with raised inflammatory markers including C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, and IL-6, but no signs of opportunistic infections. Their fever and other symptoms responded poorly to broad-spectrum antibiotics, antifungals, antivirals, and glucocorticoids. They were both treated with TCZ. Their body temperatures returned to normal after treatment with TCZ, and other symptoms, including arthralgia, gradually improved. Both patients were followed-up and their conditions remained steady to date. TCZ may thus be an alternative treatment for patients with SLE and persistent high-grade fever who fail to respond to initial antibiotics and high-dose glucocorticoids.
Prognosis of Chronically Ventilated Patients in a Long-Term Ventilation Facility: Association with Age, Consciousness and Cognitive State
Authors: Stein David , Sviri Sigal , Beil Michael , Stav Ilana , Marcus Esther-Lee
Published: March 2022

Background: The number of adults requiring prolonged mechanical ventilation (PMV) including those with cognitive impairment or disorders of consciousness is escalating. We aimed to compare in a long-term acute care hospital (LTACH) mortality and length of stay (LOS) among three age groups (40-59y, 60-79y, ≥80y) of hospitalized PMV patients, and according to consciousness and cognitive state at admission. Methods: We obtained data from the health records of 308 adults aged ≥40 years requiring PMV hospitalized at a Chronic Ventilator Dependent Unit in a LTACH between 01/01/2015 to 06/30/2019 and followed-up until discharge or death or until 12/31/2019. Results: At admission to LTACH, 42.2% of PMV patients were in a vegetative state/ minimally conscious state (VS/MCS); 32.5% were severely cognitively impaired, 11.0% were mildly to moderately cognitively impaired, 12.3% had no cognitive impairment, and 1.9% had intellectual disability/psychiatric disorder. In-LTACH LOS (months) decreased from 34.6 ± 42.6 at age 40–59y, 19.1 ± 22.3 at 60–79y to 14.4 ± 19.3 at age ≥80y (p = .006). In-LTACH mortality was 30.6% for 40–59y, 41.1% for 60–79y and 54.8% for age ≥80y. In-LTACH LOS (months) was 23.8 ± 30.7 for VS/MCS, 15.1 ± 19.5 for the severely cognitively impaired, 10.0 ± 12.8 for mild to moderate cognitive impairment and 18.9 ± 21.9 for those without cognitive impairment (p = .02). In-LTACH mortality was 50.8% for VS/MCS, 58.0% for the severely cognitively impaired, 26.5% for mild to moderate cognitive impairment and 13.2% for those without cognitive impairment (p < .001). Conclusion: In this population requiring PMV, mortality and in-LTACH LOS worsened with age. In-LTACH LOS was longest for VS/MCS patients, who had a mean survival of about two years, followed by those without cognitive impairment and then those with severe cognitive impairment. Mortality was associated with worse consciousness and cognitive state. These findings highlight the importance of discussing end-of-life decisions with patients and family members regarding resuscitation/intubation and the long-term management of these patients.
Just Say “No” to Compulsory Hijab: Exploring the Motivations and Meanings of Bad-Hijabi in Iran
Authors: Bayat Farimah , Hodges Nancy
Published: March 2022

Hijab is mandatory for every woman in Iran. However, while some women adhere to the strict guidelines and cover their hair and body when in public, others wear hijab only to the extent that they avoid breaking the law, a practice known as bad-hijabi. Recent studies have explored Iranian women's willingness to protest hijab through their social media activities. However, few studies have examined bad-hijabi as another form of resistance. The purpose of this study was to explore the topic of bad-hijabi from the perspective of women who have worn badhijabi. In-depth interviews were conducted with twenty Iranian women and a thematic interpretation of the data revealed that they use badhijabi to compensate for the inability to freely express the self through appearance, as well as to dissociate from messages communicated by hijab. Further research is needed on how bad-hijabi impacts the complex meanings communicated by women's appearance in Iran.
Study of piston trajectory parameters on the performance of a kinetic Stirling engine
Authors: Tian Hao , Zhao Shengfu , Gong Yongjun
Published: March 2022

The Stirling engine is a type of external heat engine that is capable of extracting thermal energy from differential temperature sources and converting the energy into boundary work. Since the Stirling cycle is realized through four polytropic processes, the shape of the pressure-volume trajectory of the working medium fundamentally governs the output performance of the engine. Traditional α-, β-, γ-type engines have fixed piston trajectories, bounded by mechanical linkages, usually following approximately sinusoidal curves. Free-piston variants are capable of tailored piston trajectories if active displacer regulation is added, but still constrained by the spring-mass-damper dynamics. Currently, either kinetic or free-piston engine results in polytropic processes of the gas. During these processes, the boundary work may hinder heat transfer, potentially reducing the engine thermodynamic performance. To guide syntheses of more efficient engines, the key trajectory parameters need to be studied. This paper starts from the thermal-pressure-structural modeling of the engine, evaluates the 4 key processes during an ideal Stirling cycle, and proposes the trajectory parameters group, which finely tunes the gas curve as well as pistons’ trajectories, allowing for a detailed look into the relationship among the work medium the interactions between the pistons and the engine performance. Through establishment of a prototype engine, the models are validated through an inhouse designed and assembled test bed. Results show that manipulation of the gas volume curve is key to achieve isochoric heat addition or rejection, and the pistons trajectories determine the throttling loss performance. By applying isochoric heat transfer and reduced throttling condition, the net output work of the engine can be improved by nearly 100% against the sinusoidal baseline.
Improvement of sound absorption coefficient of glass fiber fabric epoxy composite inherently without deterioration of main mechanical properties
Authors: Yuksek Ilkay Ozsev , Ucar Nuray
Published: March 2022

In this study, the sound absorption behaviour of glass fiber fabric epoxy composite (GFFEC) is aimed to be increased without reduction in main mechanical properties and density. The effect of polystyrene (PS) and silica aerogel (SA) on sound absorption, density, tensile, and flexural properties along with drop impact performance of GFFEC were investigated. Both PS and SA was added into epoxy resin. Vacuum infusion method was applied to manufacture GFFEC’s. Both PS and SA addition resulted with enhanced sound absorption coefficient (SAC) of GFFEC. Breaking stress and elongation enhanced with either PS or SA addition. Increased absorbed energies during drop impact tests were observed in both PS and SA incorporated GFFEC’s compared to reference GFFEC. Density of reference composite (lightness) has improved by addition of SA and PS. Additionally, use of SA improved the SAC of GFFEC. On the other hand, maximum SAC was achieved with use of PS rather than SA.
China, the American Jobs Plan, and the Impact of ‘Strategic Competition’
Authors: Ashbee Edward
Published: March 2022

Commentators were struck by the ambition of the American Jobs Plan, the US$2.6 trillion infrastructure proposals put forward by President Biden during 2021. The article considers the reasons why, despite hyper-partisanship and entrenched institutional obstacles that were to doom many of the proposals, the Biden administration put forward plans on a scale that dwarfed those of earlier reforming presidents. It argues that a large part of the answer lies in the character of framing processes and shifting perceptions of China. A policy that cannot be framed in ways deemed to be credible cannot secure traction. The US turn against Beijing and the concept of ‘strategic competition’ provided the Biden administration and Democrats with the basis for constructing a frame that legitimized their hopes of modernizing and transforming the structural character of the American economy so as to fend off the economic and strategic challenge posed by China. Although much of the Plan did not come to legislative fruition, this was a frame that the Biden White House saw as a way of building a broad coalitional bloc that could advance a progressive economic agenda.
Monetize the Urban Multiplier: A Study of India’s National Infrastructure Pipeline and National Monetization Plan
Authors: Shah Jagan , Tirumala Raghu Dharmapuri
Published: March 2022

India’s infrastructure requirements are fuelled by increasing urbanization, a more significant contribution of urban areas to employment generation, a shift to the services-based economy, and the rising importance of climate change and disaster resilience. The National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) is seen as a foundation for achieving India’s economic goal of becoming a 5 trillion economy by 2024–2025. The National Monetization Plan (NMP) is a vital component to financing the NIP. This research uses content analysis to understand how responsive these two documents are to key factors that drive the growth of India’s infrastructure: urbanization, land availability, incorporating sustainability principles, and involvement of the private sector. It is found that the importance given to these factors in the NIP is not sustained in the NMP, with the consequence that the insights obtained while developing the NIP will not inform a significant effort in its financing. It is useful to set out integrated, risk-informed thinking about the life-cycle of monetization. Strengthening the PPP models of NMP with the appropriate valuation of location in cities, land values, and the risks and constraints represented by sustainability would leverage the urban multiplier.
Religio-Crimmigration: The Intertwinement of Religion, Crime, and Migration in Lebanon
Authors: Al Sabri Halawi Reeda
Published: March 2022

The forced movement of people grew progressively fast due to wars happening worldwide engendering with it an important number of refugees. The adaptation of the immigrant civilizations to that of the host countries has been a growing challenge and created a sort of “othering”, a concept through which the fear of the newcomers and the “risks” they brought with them had been significantly debated on the political scenes of destination countries. Thus, migration control in the era of “mass mobility” has been central in exercising global governance and social control over different groups in society. To preserve one's identity, scholarship from the Global North has proved that, the exclusion of other cultural groups by boosting surveillance and criminalizing migration seemed the answer. Looking at this phenomenon in the context of Lebanon in the Global South, it seems that, because one's belonging is rooted in the notion of religious identity instead of national identity, “religion” seems to be a key mechanism triggering the criminalization of the “Other”.
Taking the Pulse: State of the (He)art of Entrepreneurial Emotion Research
Authors: Javadian Golshan , Gupta Alka , Foo Maw-Der , Batra Safal , Gupta Vishal K.
Published: March 2022

Research on the role of affect in the entrepreneurial process has surged over time, resulting in a vibrant field of inquiry. To advance scholarship in this area, we conduct an inductive analysis of 162 published articles, critically analyzing the state of research on affect in entrepreneurship. We develop an organizing framework to capture three major conversations in existing research—affect valence (feelings), discrete emotions, and emotional competencies—and encompass several outcomes studied within each conversation. We find that limited work has been done to explore the antecedents of affect (both feelings and discrete emotions), anticipated affect deserves greater consideration, and affective influence of stakeholders on entrepreneurs remains overlooked. Research on negative affect and emotional competencies also remains scarce in the entrepreneurship literature. Future inquiry would do well to take a multilevel approach to affect, explore affective phenomena over time, and cast light on the role of emotional competencies in the entrepreneurial process. We also spotlight crucial empirical advancements, including big data and artificial intelligence, for affect research going forward.
No Pain and No Gain: Kommerell’s Diverticulum with a Right-Sided Aortic Arch, and an Aberrant Left Subclavian Artery Presenting in a Body Builder with Muscle Bulk Imbalance
Authors: Meester Scott , Riveros Diego , Monseau Aaron J , Balcik Brenden J
Published: March 2022

A 22-year-old right-handed male presented to the Sports Medicine clinic with concerns of upper extremity muscle asymmetry. Physical examination showed gross muscular asymmetry when comparing the left upper extremity to the right. Radial pulses were 2 + on the right and 1 + on the left. Due to concern for vascular anomaly, computed tomography angiography was performed which revealed a right-sided aortic arch with Kommerell’s diverticulum and aberrant left subclavian artery. The patient underwent a left carotid subclavian bypass successfully, but his recovery was complicated by an upper extremity deep venous thrombosis. He is currently on novel anticoagulant but has been released to normal activities and doing well. Kommerell’s Diverticulum (KD) is a rare congenital anomaly caused by a persistent remnant of the fourth primitive dorsal arch during embryological development. Although the prevalence of KD is rare, it is important to identify and diagnose this condition to provide definitive care.
Reinforcing effect of polyurea resin coating on RC members subject to low-speed and medium-speed impact
Authors: Sonoda Yoshimi , Tamai Hiroki , Ifuku Tatsuya , Koshiishi Masami
Published: March 2022

Polyurea resin is widely used as a coating material for various structures owing to its relatively high strength and elongation ability along with applicability in improving the impact and explosion resistance of structures has been studied. Civil engineering structures are generally subjected to relatively low-speed impact loads, such as collisions with vehicles, falling rocks, and flying objects caused by typhoons. However, the reinforcing effect of polyurea resin against low-speed impact loads has not been well studied. The objective of this study is to understand the reinforcing effect of polyurea resin coating on RC members against low-speed and medium-speed impact loads and to evaluate its effectiveness. We conducted low-speed and medium-speed repeated impact tests using a falling weight and flying object on RC cantilevers and slabs coated with polyurea resin, respectively. In addition, numerical simulations were performed using the FEM to qualitatively reproduce the experiments. The results of the low-speed impact test showed that there was no significant reinforcing effect under the first impact. However, when the number of impacts increased, the maximum displacement was significantly suppressed; thus, the improvement of the impact absorption performance was confirmed. In addition, by coating the back side of the RC slab, the prevention of the scattering of concrete pieces was verified in the medium-speed repeated impact test.
Omniphobic polyurethane – superabsorbent polymer – fluoropolymer surface coating on cotton fabric for chemical protection and thermal comfort
Authors: Bhuiyan M A Rahman , Wang Lijing , Anjuman Ara Zinia , Saha Tanushree , Wang Xin
Published: March 2022

This research aims to develop chemical protective clothing via a functionalised surface coating on cotton fabric for simultaneous barrier performance and thermal comfort. An omniphobic protective layer on the cotton fabric was developed through a polyurethane – superabsorbent polymer – fluoropolymer coating to protect the penetration of water, oils and liquid chemicals. It was found that the padding of coated specimens with fluoropolymer provided a substantial improvement of hydrophobicity, and therefore, exhibited a high-water contact angle (114.06°) and a maximum water repellency rating of 100. The highest aqueous liquid repellency (8.0) and satisfactory oil repellency (7.5) with resistance against liquid chemical penetration were also achieved after the treatment with fluoropolymer. Moreover, the coated fabrics integrated with superabsorbent polymer showed an improved dry heat resistance and moisture vapour transmittance, consequently a high evaporative cooling index to create a favourable thermal comfort between the skin and the apparel in hot and humid conditions. Other comfort parameters, including air permeability and moisture management performance were compromised to a certain level due to a continuous and hydrophobic barrier layer on the fabric surface that hindered the transferring of air and liquid sweat through the coating.
Nanofibers from hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin/pantothenic acid supramolecular complexes: Physicochemical characterization and potential biomedical applications
Authors: Mohandoss Sonaimuthu , Palanisamy Subramanian , You SangGuan , Vinosha Manoharan , Rajasekar Periyannan , Velu Kuppu Sakthi , Lee Yong Rok , Prabhu Narayanasamy Marimuthu
Published: March 2022

The electrospinning of nanofibers (NFs) from 2-hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin supramolecular inclusion complexes (150% HPβ-CD, w/v) with vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid [PA]) was achieved without using any carrier polymeric matrix. The presence of PA and the formation of the HPβ-CD/PA inclusion complex within the NFs structure were confirmed by SEM, FTIR, XRD, and TGA analysis. SEM images depicted the bead-free uniform NFs and confirmed the incorporation of HPβ-CD/PA NFs did not alter the fiber morphology having an average fiber diameter of 512 ± 24 nm, 328 ± 18 nm, and 150 ± 19 nm, respectively. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum indicated inclusion complex from the shifting of the peaks of each component in HPβ-CD/PA NFs, whereas XRD pattern revealed that HPβ-CD/PA NFs was achieved due to the formation of a new amorphous structure. TGA studies showed that the stability of PA after HPβ-CD encapsulation was improved. Molecular docking was used to simulate the positions and interactions of the binding sites of the HPβ-CD/PA inclusion complex. The phase solubility test showed enhanced solubility of PA due to the inclusion complexation; in addition, the stoichiometry of HPβ-CD/PA was determined to be 1:1. The release of PA from HPβ-CD/PA NFs prevented the colonization of Escherichia coli (5.0 ± 0.3%) and Staphylococcus aureus (2.0 ± 0.5%) bacteria to a great extent, as observed in the antibacterial activity results. The cell viability of HCT-116 cells treated with 100 μg/mL of HPβ-CD/PA NFs was registered at 97.5 ± 2.1%. It was observed that HPβ-CD/PA NFs had higher anticancer activity compared to pure PA and HPβ-CD due to the solubility increase. In brief, our results suggested that polymer-free HPβ-CD/PA inclusion complex NFs could have potential applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare thanks to its efficient antibacterial and anticancer activities.
Be Careful what You Count: Updating Legislative Turnover in the 50 States
Authors: Butcher Jordan
Published: March 2022

Legislative turnover is indicative of political careerism, district competitiveness, and the strength of the incumbency advantage. Although there are many examinations of legislative turnover in U.S. state legislatures, there has not been an update in nearly 2 decades. One limitation of the existing turnover measures is the inability to distinguish between naturally occurring turnover and the artificial turnover caused by term limits. In this research note, I present an update to legislative turnover from 2002 to 2018 and discuss the importance of using updated data, as well as avenues for future research.
Matching risk assessment and capabilities: Challenges to Central and Eastern European member states
Authors: Bozhilov Yordan
Published: March 2022

Located on the eastern flank of the EU, the Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries have a specific perception of risks and threats and hence unique views on how to guarantee their security. This is particularly relevant with regard to their attitudes towards Russia. As members of both the EU and NATO, the CEE countries are in favour of stronger EU–NATO cooperation in security and the non-duplication of these organisations’ efforts. Some of the countries see NATO as the key guarantor of their security. For several reasons, CEE countries have serious deficits in their defence capabilities and rely heavily on collective ones.
Where does the Compass point? The European Commission’s role in the development of EU security and defence policy
Authors: Håkansson Calle
Published: March 2022

This article outlines some of the major EU security and defence policy initiatives and the role of the European Commission within these. The article focuses especially on those initiatives outlined in the draft document for the EU Strategic Compass that have a bearing both on the Commission’s role and on other defence-related initiatives in 2022. The article also discusses the role of technological development and geo-economics in this new era of great-power competition. It concludes by discussing some of the implications of these developments for the political role of the European Commission and for the democratic and political accountability of the Union.
A multicenter phase II study on the efficacy and safety of hetrombopag in patients with severe aplastic anemia refractory to immunosuppressive therapy
Authors: Peng Guangxin , He Guangsheng , Chang Hong , Gao Sujun , Liu Xinjian , Chen Tong , Li Pei , Han Bing , Miao Miao , Ge Zheng , Ge Xiaoyan , Li Fei , Li Yingmei , Wang Shunqing , Wang Yi , Shen Yaqi , Zhang Tao , Zou Jianjun , Zhang Fengkui
Published: March 2022

Background:

In this single-arm phase II study (NCT03557099), we evaluated the efficacy and safety of hetrombopag, a small molecule thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor agonist, in patients with severe aplastic anemia (SAA) who were refractory to standard first-line immunosuppressive therapy (IST).

Methods:

SAA patients who were refractory to standard first-line IST were given hetrombopag orally at an initial dose of 7.5 mg once daily to a maximum of 15 mg once daily, for a total of 52 weeks. The primary endpoint was proportion of patients achieving hematologic responses in ⩾1 lineage at week 18.

Results:

A total of 55 eligible patients were enrolled and received hetrombopag treatment. This study met its primary endpoint, with 23 [41.8%, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 28.7–55.9] patients achieving hematologic response in ⩾1 lineage at week 18 after initiation of hetrombopag treatment. Twenty-four (43.6%, 95% CI = 30.3–57.7) and 27 (49.1%, 95% CI = 35.4–62.9) of the 55 patients responded in ⩾1 lineage at weeks 24 and 52, respectively. Median time to initial hematologic response was 7.9 weeks (range = 2.0–32.1). The responses were durable, with a 12-month relapse-free survival rate of 82.2% (95% CI = 62.2–92.2). Adverse events occurred in 54 (98.2%) patients, and 28 (50.9%) patients had treatment-related adverse events. Seventeen (30.9%) patients had adverse events of grade ⩾3. Serious adverse events occurred in 15 (27.3%) patients and three deaths (5.5%) were reported.

Conclusion:

Hetrombopag showed encouraging efficacy with durable hematologic responses in patients with SAA who were refractory to IST. Hetrombopag was well tolerant and safe for long-term use.

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier:

NCT03557099
Prevention of puerperal sepsis in northwest Ethiopia: Knowledge and practice of postnatal women; A multicenter cross-sectional study
Authors: Bishaw Keralem Anteneh , Worku Shewangzaw , Tilahun Melkamu
Published: March 2022

Objectives:

Puerperal sepsis is a life-threatening condition that can lead to death and long-term morbidities of postnatal women, such as chronic pelvic pain, pelvic inflammatory disease, and secondary infertility. Therefore, the study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of postnatal women at Debre Markos town health facilities toward the prevention of puerperal sepsis and its associated factors.

Methods:

A multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted from 1 to 30 July 2020. In all, 404 sampled postnatal women took part in the study. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select each study participant. Data were entered into Epi data 4.6 and analyzed by statistical package for social sciences 25. Multivariate logistic regression was carried out for variables with a p value less than 0.25 in bivariate logistic regression to determine significant associations between the outcome and independent variables. The statistical significance was determined using a 95% confidence interval with a p value of less than 0.05.

Results:

The study reported that 44.6% and 40.8% of postnatal women had adequate knowledge, and good practice toward the prevention of puerperal sepsis, respectively. Factors associated with knowledge were urban residence [adjusted odds ratio = 5.84, 95% confidence interval = (3.54–9.46)], primiparity [adjusted odds ratio = 1.85, 95% confidence interval = (1.19–2.89)], and attending formal education [adjusted odds ratio = 2.41, 95% confidence interval = (1.11–5.22)] of study participants. Attending formal education [adjusted odds ratio = 2.46, 95% confidence interval = (1.13–5.37)] and having adequate knowledge [adjusted odds ratio = 2.34, 95% confidence interval = (1.49–3.67)] were factors associated with the prevention practice of postnatal women toward puerperal sepsis.

Conclusion:

Less than half of postnatal women had adequate knowledge and good practice to prevent puerperal sepsis. As a result, obstetric caregivers and other concerned bodies should consider strategies to increase the awareness level of women about puerperal sepsis. Interventions to improve the community’s educational level should also be considered.
Rare case of primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma of the abdomen: A case report
Authors: Chivinski Jeffrey , Watters Kevin , Mereniuk Alexandra
Published: March 2022

Adenoid cystic carcinoma is predominantly a tumor of the parotid glands and can sometimes be found in other glands. In most cases, skin location is usually a metastatic presentation and rarely a primary tumor. We describe the case of a 59-year-old female patient presenting with a 5-mm skin-colored nodule on the abdomen histologically compatible with a primary cutaneous adenoid cystic carcinoma. Extensive workup revealed no other primary source, nor evidence of metastatic disease; therefore, wide local excision was the preferred treatment given the low potential of recurrence. As this adnexal carcinoma is rare and its morphology non-specific clinically, we wanted to raise awareness of this entity and its management.
MIS-C frenzy: The importance of considering a broad differential diagnosis
Authors: Lasheen Reham A , ElTohamy Abdelrahman , Salaheldin Esraa O
Published: March 2022

We report a case of a 3 year-old boy with possible typhoid fever with recent travel to a typhoid endemic area who was primarily managed as a case of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C). The patient was initially treated for tonsillitis after a 3 day history of persistent fever, sore throat, and constipation. The patient presented later when he deteriorated. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) viral RNA was not detected but the antibodies were positive. The patient went on to develop mucosal, cardiac, and gastrointestinal manifestations and was subsequently treated with immunoglobulins and corticosteroids for MIS-C. Despite the rarity of MIS-C as a complication of COVID-19 infection, the endemic typhoid fever which is relatively more common was not ruled out. The patient additionally received antibiotics for a total of 5 weeks given his unremitting fever. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professionals should carry out timely testing to exclude more probable differential diagnoses, with area-specific common diseases given due diligence.
“A Shameless Ideology of Shameless Women”: Positioning the Other in Social Media Discourse Surrounding a Women’s Rights Movement in Pakistan
Authors: Sadaf Shomaila , Siitonen Marko
Published: March 2022

This study analyzes social media (YouTube) discourse related to Aurat March 2019, a women’s rights movement in Pakistan. Using a discourse analytical approach that draws on the premises of Positioning theory, the analysis reveals the following two major storylines from the data: “The women who stray from the path, and the men who will return them to it,” and “Islam under threat from the outside.” Social media platforms allow their users to express opinions in online spaces, often resulting in polarization and clustering of like-minded people in so-called echo-chambers. This study demonstrates how social media users actively participate in the discursive construction of the “other,” and how the women’s rights movement in Pakistan continues to struggle against hegemonic scripts of gender and sexuality.
Virtual Reality for Health Care Professionals During a Pandemic: A Pilot Program
Authors: Croghan Ivana T. , Hurt Ryan T. , Aakre Christopher A. , Fokken Shawn C. , Fischer Karen M. , Lindeen Stephanie A. , Schroeder Darrell R. , Ganesh Ravindra , Ghosh Karthik , Bauer Brent A.
Published: March 2022

Objective:

The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the safety and use of a nature-based virtual reality (VR) experience among health care providers (HCP) during a pandemic.

Methods:

Twenty-four frontline HCP participated in this crossover pilot where the viewing order of the experiences were randomized. All participants attended in-person consent, baseline, and end-of-study visits. The intervention consisted of viewing 2 nature-based scenes (“walk in the woods” and “forest of focus”) through 3-D VR and with computer 4K graphic imagery. Randomization took place with regards to the viewing order (VR vs 4K computer video, scene 1 and 2). Outcomes measured were safety, acceptability and changes in intensity of anxiety feelings, resilience, emotional distress, cognitive function, and self-efficacy.

Results:

Among the 26 HCP expressing interest in the study, 24 enrolled in this study. The majority were male (58.3%), white (66.7%) and of an average age of 46.3 ± 10.5 years (standard deviation (SD)). End of the study survey showed that almost all participants (96%) would participate in the study again and recommend it to others. Twenty-three of the 24 participants also felt relaxed after seeing the imagery. With respect to anxiety (as measured by the STAI Y1), the VR “walk in the woods” had the greatest reduction from pre to post (6.4 points, SD = 5.98) followed by VR “forest of focus” (5.8 points, SD = 9.29), computer screen “forest of focus” (5.0 points, SD = 8.89), and computer screen “walk in the woods” (4.1 points, SD = 6.22). All 4 sessions had a significant decrease in score from pre to post (P-values ≤.005), but there was no significant difference in the change from pre- to post-session between the 4 groups (P-value = .5835).

Conclusion:

The use of the VR among HCP has promise for reducing stress among health care providers during a high stress period, such as a pandemic but much larger studies are needed.