bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of ultrasonic treatment on the physicochemical properties and oxidative stability of phospholipids in emulsion system
Authors: Jiang Xiaofei , Zhou Shengmin , Jiang Yuanrong , Brenna J. Thomas , Abbaspourrad Alireza
Published: December 2020

This study evaluated the behavior changes of two types of phospholipid emulsions under ultrasonic treatment. The phosphatidylcholine (PC) contents for PC 50 and PC 90 were 58 and 90%, respectively. The results showed that acid value and fatty acid compositions of the two phospholipids showed no significant differences (p > .05) before and after ultrasonic treatment. The peroxide value and volatile compounds revealed that PC 50 had stronger oxidative stability than PC 90, which indicated that the synergistic effect of PC and other phospholipids components could enhance the oxidative stability of individual phospholipids. This work suggests that appropriate ultrasonic treatment could make phospholipids finely dispersed in aqueous system and promote their contact efficiency with 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl, resulting in the increase in antioxidant ability of the phospholipid emulsions. However, prolonged ultrasonic treatment could induce the self‐oxidation of phospholipids, and more attention should be paid to the self‐oxidation of these phospholipids when ultrasound was applied in food processing.

Practical Applications

This study evaluated the behavior changes of two types of phospholipids under ultrasonic treatment. The findings of this study could be useful for guiding the future usage of phospholipids and ultrasound in the food industry.
Statistical process control of the vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine in food industry
Authors: Rique Junior José Flávio , Peruchi Rogério Santana , Rotella Junior Paulo , Dutra Pereira Robson Bruno
Published: December 2020

In food industry, high variability is quite common due to seasonality of raw materials and perishable products. Statistical Process Control (SPC) is an effective methodology to reduce variability and to make predictable processes. Literature still lacks of practical approaches of SPC implementation in food operations. Thus, this paper aims to propose a SPC method for quality control of a packaging process of fruit pulp sachets. This method is based on phase I and II study of P control chart for process stability and capability assessment. In phase I, special causes of variation were found and corrected in order to prevent against recurrence. After eliminating special causes of variation, the process capability has been reported as 2 sigma quality level. In phase II, an online monitoring procedure has been implemented and there was no special causes of variation in the packaging operation, assuring process stability.

Practical applications

The proposed method provides to the production supervisor a very powerful and straightforward tool for quality control. Basically, if at any daily production the fraction of defectives goes below lower control limit or above upper control limit, immediately, the supervisor has to conduct the procedure for detecting special cause of variation. The proposed method was very successful for assuring process stability during online monitoring. The fraction of defectives items was remained in statistical control while the ongoing monitoring was being performed.
Consent in Pelvic Care
Authors: Tillman Stephanie
Published: December 2020

Consent is a clear dialogue between individuals to engage in a specific activity. Expectations for consent to intimate examinations in health care should be equal to, if not exceed, expectations for intimate interactions in society. In reality, current definitions of consent in health care vary. These blurry definitions lead to individualized interpretation, incomplete fulfillment, and opportunities for misunderstanding by both patient and health care provider. If a patient does not believe they have consented to an examination or procedure, they are likely to rightfully identify with one of consent's antonyms, assault. Within the field of gynecology, a history of misogyny, racism, and classism illuminates abhorrent contexts of assault disguised as care. Similar practices persist in the modern application of pelvic care, ranging from overt sexual assault to coercion disguised as guidance. Health care providers and students who seek to improve consent practices can look to evidence‐based frameworks such as trauma‐informed care and shared decision making, both of which are embraced widely by professional organizations. These approaches often take precedence during the first pelvic examination; care for people who are lesbian, bisexual, queer, transgender, or nonbinary; and care for anyone with a known history of sexual assault; they can be easily extrapolated to all intimate examinations. Beyond obtaining consent for the examination itself, health care providers must also intentionally obtain consent to include students in care and openly discuss new universal recommendations for chaperone presence. Scripting for common procedures, such as bimanual examinations for pelvic care or cervical examinations in labor, allows health care providers to practice trauma‐informed language, include evidence‐based guidance, and avoid unintentional bias. Contemporary providers of intimate pelvic care must work to understand and strengthen the definition of consent and ensure its realization in practice.
Application of infrared thermography in the early warning of pressure injury: A prospective observational study
Authors: Cai Fuman , Jiang Xiaoqiong , Hou Xiangqing , Wang Duolao , Wang Yu , Deng Haisong , Guo Hailei , Wang Haishuang , Li Xiaomei
Published: December 2020

Aims and objectives

To verify the ability of infrared thermography in objectively identifying pressure injury and its application value in the early warning of pressure injury.

Background

There is subjectivity in assessing the risk of pressure injury as well as diagnosis in clinical settings, which makes early detection and prevention difficult.

Design

Prospective, cohort study.

Method

Four hundred and fifteen patients admitted to the adult intensive care units were enrolled by a convenience sampling method, and they received a follow‐up monitoring for 10 days. The risk of pressure injury was assessed via Braden scale, and thermal images of sacral area were obtained by infrared thermal imager once a day. The predictive effects of infrared thermography and Braden scale on pressure injury were compared by the receiver operating characteristic curve from which the optimal cut‐off value of skin temperature for predicting pressure injury was determined. The effect of skin temperature on pressure injury was described and compared, using Kaplan–Meier curve and Cox proportional hazard regression model, respectively. We followed STROBE checklist for reporting the study.

Results

The relative temperature of sacral area was negatively correlated with the risk of pressure injury. The efficiency of infrared thermography for diagnosing pressure injury was better than that of Braden scale. Based on the relative temperature optimal cut‐off value (−0.1°C), Kaplan–Meier curve and Cox proportional hazard regression model analysis showed the incidence of pressure injury with relative temperature below −0.1°C was higher than the group with relative temperature above −0.1°C.

Conclusions

Infrared thermography can objectively and accurately identify local hypothermia warnings of pressure injury before visual recognition. The application of infrared thermography into routine pressure injury risk assessment provides a timely and reliable method for nursing practitioners.

Relevance to clinical practice

Infrared thermography has great value of clinical application in daily pressure injury assessment. It is of great significance to make a faster and more objective clinical judgement for patients at risk of pressure injury.
Construct validity of clinical nurse specialist core competency scale: An exploratory factor analysis
Authors: Jokiniemi Krista , Pietilä Anna‐Maija , Mikkonen Santtu
Published: December 2020

Aim

To conduct a construct validity test on a clinical nurse specialist core competency scale.

Background

Clinical nurse specialists’ competency development dates back to the late 20th century; however, there is scarcity of competency descriptions from outside of North America. Furthermore, little knowledge is available on the previous research‐driven efforts to develop and validate clinical nurse specialist core competencies.

Design

A descriptive study, using an online self‐report questionnaire, was conducted from May to September 2019 in three Nordic countries.

Methods

An exploratory factor analysis using principal axis factoring and rotation method oblimin with Kaiser normalisation was undertaken to examine factors in the 50‐item scale. Parallel analysis with eigenvalue Monte Carlo simulation and scree plot was used to determine the number of factors to extract. Psychometric properties of the scale were evaluated, and subjective interpretation was used to modify the tool in line with the statistical analysis. The STROBE checklist was used as the reporting guideline for this study.

Results

One hundred and eighty‐four responses were obtained (Finlandn = 52, Denmarkn = 95, Icelandn = 37) with an overall response rate of 45%. The results provided construct validity evidence of the underlying theoretical structures of the four competency spheres of patient, nursing, organisation and scholarship. Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the original overall scale was 0.94, thus indicating adequate reliability of the scale.

Conclusions

Based on the analysis and subjective interpretation, we suggest a 47‐item clinical nurse specialist core competency scale. Further study should be conducted to validate the core competency content and construct in other contexts beyond the present study.

Relevance to clinical practice

The scale may be used to guide clinical nurse specialist practice and identify areas for professional development, develop graduate‐level programme curricula and inform future competency research.
Immunohistochemical expression of Tazarotene‐induced Gene 3 in oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Venkataswamy Pavithra , Samudrala Venkatesiah Sowmya , Rao Roopa S. , Banavar Spoorthi Ravi , Patil Shankargouda , Augustine Dominic , Haragannavar Vanishri C.
Published: December 2020

Background

The prognosis of hyperproliferative skin lesions, such as psoriasis, basal cell carcinoma, and non‐melanoma skin cancers, is significantly benefited from the levels of tazarotene‐induced gene‐1 (TIG3) expression and subsequent treatment with tazarotene. Such observations suggest that TIG3 could be used as a biomarker for apoptosis, differentiation, and proliferation. The current study aimed to evaluate the expression of TIG3 in normal oral mucosa (NOM) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) compared with normal skin (NS) and skin squamous cell carcinoma (SSCC) using immunohistochemistry.

Methods

Seventeen cases each of SSCC, OSCC, NOM, and NS were evaluated. Each section was immunohistochemically stained with a rabbit polyclonal TIG3 antibody. The entire procedure was blinded and evaluated by 5 observers. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi‐square test.

Results

There was a significant decrease in TIG3 protein expression in OSCC and SSCC compared with that in NOM and NS (P = 0.008). The progressive loss of expression was observed as the grade of both malignancies increased. However, there was no significant difference in the expression among the normal tissue groups and within SCC groups of similar grades.

Conclusion

The present study suggests that the loss of TIG3 is an important event in carcinogenesis. TIG3 acts as a regulator of keratinocyte proliferation and terminal differentiation. Therefore, TIG3 could be a potential biomarker to differentiate aggressive and non‐aggressive neoplasms.
Pharmacokinetic profile of a single dose of an oral pradofloxacin suspension administered to eastern long‐necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis)
Authors: Taylor Emily , Trott Darren J. , Kimble Benjamin , Xie Shangzhe , Govendir Merran , McLelland David J.
Published: December 2020

The pharmacokinetics of fluoroquinolones in chelonians are well described but this does not extend to pradofloxacin, a broad‐spectrum veterinary fluoroquinolone available as an oral suspension for cats and dogs. The aim of this study was to investigate the single‐dose pharmacokinetic profile of pradofloxacin oral suspension at 7.5 mg/kg in eastern long‐necked turtles (Chelodina longicollis). Eight treated turtles were sampled at multiple time points up to 168 hr. Plasma concentrations were measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography. Pradofloxacin was quantifiable for up to 48 hr after drug administration. The Tmax (9.0 hr) and T½ to 48 hr (13.16 hr) were longer, and the Cmax (0.2 μg/ml) and AUC0‐24 (2.2 hr*μg/ml) lower, than previously reported in cats and dogs. Pradofloxacin was measurable in tank water samples for up to 48 hr. No adverse effects were observed in six turtles administered 7.5 mg/kg sid for 7 days. Using mammalian MIC data, the AUC0‐24/MIC ratios for a range of bacterial isolates suggest that this dose of pradofloxacin in turtles is unlikely to be effective against many bacterial pathogens.
Automated crack assessment and quantitative growth monitoring
Authors: Kong Si‐Yu , Fan Jian‐Sheng , Liu Yu‐Fei , Wei Xiao‐Chen , Ma Xiao‐Wei
Published: December 2020

Crack assessment has remained one of the high‐priority research topics for structural health monitoring. However, the current research mainly focuses on the crack assessment at some point, but pays relatively less attention to the long‐term development of cracks, which is important for structure health monitoring. In this paper, a new method based on dual‐convolutional neural network (CNN) (well over 94% accuracy), digital image processing technology and shape context is proposed, which achieves a fully automated process composed of crack detection, crack measurement, and quantitative crack growth monitoring. In crack growth monitoring, an algorithm to label each crack is put forward for the first time, which is able to reflect the sequential order of the occurrence of cracks. Therefore, each skeleton point of cracks will be assigned an ID which contains information about its identity and width in order to monitor cracks at both a global and local level. Experimental studies of a concrete member with complex cracks are utilized for the illustration and validation of the proposed methodology.
Coordination of differentiation rate and local patterning in compound‐leaf development
Authors: Israeli Alon , Ben‐Herzel Ori , Burko Yogev , Shwartz Ido , Ben‐Gera Hadas , Harpaz‐Saad Smadar , Bar Maya , Efroni Idan , Ori Naomi
Published: December 2020

The variability in leaf form in nature is immense. Leaf patterning occurs by differential growth, taking place during a limited window of morphogenetic activity at the leaf marginal meristem. While many regulators have been implicated in the designation of the morphogenetic window and in leaf patterning, how these effectors interact to generate a particular form is still not well understood.

We investigated the interaction among different effectors of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) compound‐leaf development, using genetic and molecular analyses.

Mutations in the tomato auxin response factor SlARF5/SlMP, which normally promotes leaflet formation, suppressed the increased leaf complexity of mutants with extended morphogenetic window. Impaired activity of the NAC/CUC transcription factor GOBLET (GOB), which specifies leaflet boundaries, also reduced leaf complexity in these backgrounds. Analysis of genetic interactions showed that the patterning factors SlMP, GOB and the MYB transcription factor LYRATE (LYR) coordinately regulate leaf patterning by modulating in parallel different aspects of leaflet formation and shaping.

This work places an array of developmental regulators in a morphogenetic context. It reveals how organ‐level differentiation rate and local growth are coordinated to sculpture an organ. These concepts are applicable to the coordination of pattering and differentiation in other species and developmental processes.
Assessment of mucin and alpha‐amylase levels in gingival crevicular fluid of chronic periodontitis patients
Authors: Vadiati Saberi Bardia , Yousefi Farouq , Yousefi Tooba , Qujeq Durdi
Published: December 2020

Background

Chronic periodontitis is the most common form of periodontitis. Several immune and inflammatory factors responsible for periodontal destruction have been found in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). The current study was conducted to determine the correlation between mucin and alpha‐amylase protein values in GCF with chronic periodontitis.

Method

Forty‐five patients with moderate‐to‐severe chronic periodontitis were selected. Samples of GCF were taken from a specific part of a single root tooth and placed in a closed test tube containing phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) (pH = 7). Sampling was done again after one month. Pre‐ and post‐treatment samples were analyzed for measuring the levels of mucin and alpha‐amylase proteins.

Results

Paired t test results for these two variables showed that the difference between mucin and alpha‐amylase levels before and after treatment is significant.

Conclusion

The level of both mucin and alpha‐amylase in GCF in patients with chronic periodontitis was higher than that of patients who have recovered successfully; and evaluating the values of these two markers could be used to determine the activity of the periodontal disease.
Individualized Study of Posterior Hemivertebra Excision and Short‐Segment Pedicle Screw Fixation for the Treatment of Congenital Scoliosis
Authors: Wang Chen , Meng Zhao , You Dian‐ping , Zhu Hua , Wang Fei , Liu Jun‐hang , Zhao Shuo
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To compare the surgical effect of children with symmetrical screw fixation and asymmetric screw fixation during posterior hemivertebra excision and short‐segment pedicle screw fixation for the treatment of congenital scoliosis (CS).

Methods

A total of 30 children with CS who underwent posterior hemivertebra excision and short‐segment bilateral pedicle screw fixation in our hospital from 2012 to 2018 were retrospectively included and were divided into two groups: symmetric fixation group (n = 18) and asymmetric fixation group (n = 12). The total main curve, segmental main curve, cranial compensatory curve, caudal compensatory curve, coronal balance, and apical vertebra translation were measured in the coronal plane. The segmental kyphosis, thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and sagittal balance were measured in the sagittal plane.

Results

Of the 30 children, 28 hemivertebrae were resected. Twenty‐two children had one hemivertebra, three had two hemivertebrae, and five were rib deformities. The average operation time was 268 min (180–420 min). The average blood loss was 291 mL (150–550 mL). The average follow‐up was 21.1 months (12–47 months). For symmetric fixation group and there were significant differences among postoperative and follow‐up parameters including the total main curve, segmental main curve, cranial compensatory curve, caudal compensatory curve, apical vertebra translation and segmental kyphosis compared with those of preoperative parameters (P < 0.05). The postoperative coronal balance was significantly lower than preoperative coronal balance (P < 0.05). The follow‐up thoracic kyphosis was significantly higher than preoperative and postoperative thoracic kyphosis (P < 0.05). For asymmetric fixation group, the postoperative and follow‐up parameters including the total main curve, segmental main curve, cranial compensatory curve, caudal compensatory curve, apical vertebra translation, and segmental kyphosis had statistical differences compared with those of preoperative parameters (P < 0.05). The postoperative sagittal balance was significantly higher than preoperative postoperative (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the postoperative and follow‐up correction rate and correction loss between the two groups (P > 0.05). There were three complications in 30 children in our study, including two cases who had poor wound healing, and the wound healed smoothly after half a month of sterile dressing change. Postoperative curve progression occurred in one case after T12 and L3 hemivertebra resection and thoracic hemivertebra resection was planned again.

Conclusion

For pedicles which were difficult for screw fixation, adjacent segments can be chosen for screw fixation and it is safe and effective for vertebral pedicles ≤3 without internal fixation.
Finite Mixtures of Semiparametric Bayesian Survival Kernel Machine Regressions: Application to Breast Cancer Gene Pathway Subgroup Analysis
Authors: Zhang Lin , Kim Inyoung
Published: December 2020

A gene pathway is defined as a set of genes that functionally work together to regulate a certain biological process. Gene pathway expression data, which is a special case of highly correlated high-dimensional data, exhibits the ‘small n and large p’ problem. Pathway analysis can take into account the dependency structures among genes and the possibility that several moderately regulated genes may have significant impacts on the clinical outcomes. To test the significance of gene pathways in the presence of subgroups, we propose a finite mixture model of semiparametric Bayesian survival kernel machine regressions (fm-BKSurv). Within each hidden group, we model the unknown function of gene pathways via a Gaussian kernel machine. We demonstrate how fm-BKSurv excels in terms of true positive rate, false positive rate, accuracy, and precision in a simulation study, and further illustrate the outperformance of fm-BKSurv in detecting significant gene pathways using a gene pathway expression dataset of breast cancer patients.
An analysis of in‐field soil testing and mapping for improving fertilizer decision‐making in vegetable production in Kenya and Ghana
Authors: Mallory Adrian , Golicz Karolina , Sakrabani Ruben
Published: December 2020

In‐field soil testing and soil mapping can contribute to addressing the challenge of poor soil fertility and limited fertilizer application across sub‐Saharan Africa. Semi‐quantitative colorimetric methods, such as paper test strips, are frequently employed in soil nutrient assessment across developing countries, especially in South‐East Asia. This research investigated the accuracy of nutrient‐sensitive paper strips and smartphone, which was re‐purposed to act as a reflectometer, to assess soil nitrate‐N, and different methods for mapping soil fertility to identify areas of land that are suitable for human waste‐derived fertilizers (HWDF) application. The study entailed testing soil samples across 42 different farms in Kenya and Ghana and compared it to laboratory results in‐country. It was found that paper strips were capable of assessing available nitrate‐N concentration present in the soil within ±20 kg ha−1 of the standard method for 86% of the farms. Paper strips were less effective in Ghana as they had been calibrated for a method that was not used by local laboratories. Paper strips were not effective for HWDF samples, where chemical interferences and concentration of different forms of nitrates were too high, resulting in overestimation of readings and thus negatively affecting any associated nutrient management advice. Soil mapping has the potential to use open‐source data to inform farmers through mobile technology. For soil mapping two methods were deployed which includes targeting organic matter deficient areas and stakeholder led mapping, with the latter shown to be more effective in identifying areas for HWDF application.
Parallelism in gene expression between foothill and alpine ecotypes in Arabidopsis arenosa
Authors: Wos Guillaume , Bohutínská Magdalena , Nosková Jana , Mandáková Terezie , Kolář Filip
Published: December 2020

Parallel adaptation results from the independent evolution of similar traits between closely related lineages and allows us to test to what extent evolution is repeatable. Similar gene expression changes are often detected but the identity of genes shaped by parallel selection and the causes of expression parallelism remain largely unknown. By comparing genomes and transcriptomes of four distinct foothill–alpine population pairs across four treatments, we addressed the genetic underpinnings, plasticity and functional consequences of gene expression parallelism in alpine adaptation. Seeds of eight populations of Arabidopsis arenosa were raised under four treatments that differed in temperature and irradiance, factors varying strongly with elevation. Parallelism in differential gene expression between the foothill and alpine ecotypes was quantified by RNA‐seq in leaves of young plants. By manipulating temperature and irradiance, we also tested for parallelism in plasticity (i.e., gene–environment interaction, GEI). In spite of global non‐parallel patterns transcriptome wide, we found significant parallelism in gene expression at the level of individual loci with an over‐representation of genes involved in biotic stress response. In addition, we demonstrated significant parallelism in GEI, indicating a shared differential response of the originally foothill versus alpine populations to environmental variation across mountain regions. A fraction of genes showing expression parallelism also encompassed parallel outliers for genomic differentiation, with greater enrichment of such variants in cis‐regulatory elements in some mountain regions. In summary, our results suggest frequent evolutionary repeatability in gene expression changes associated with the colonization of a challenging environment that combines constitutive expression differences and plastic interaction with the surrounding environment.
Persuasive Strategies on Social Media: A Case of Malaysian Social Media Influencer Asma Nasarudin
Authors: Ithnin Norrabiyah , Mohd Muhridza Nur Hazwani , Abdullah Siti Rahmah , Mohd Rosli Nur Afifah , Jamal Siti Noraisyah
Published: December 2020

Social media influencers, or SMIs are on the rise in this age of ubiquitous Internet. SMIs as independent third-party endorsers utilise platforms such as social media, blogs, etc. to influence the attitudes of their audiences. SMIs have a powerful role in promoting or demoting a brand and/or organization to their followers as they can influence perceptions and even the purchasing power of their audiences. This phenomenon is obvious from the resonance of social media users with SMIs reviewing products, services and social trends on their social media accounts.  SMIs document or visually narrate what they do in their daily life via photo and video-sharing applications in social networking sites (SNS) such as Instagram and YouTube. In order to become a ‘micro celebrity’, the influencers embed commercials and celebrity culture into their postings. This study aims to investigate the persuasive devices used by one Malaysian social media influencer through her social media postings using the five elements in the Electronic Eloquence Model (EEM). A thorough qualitative analysis was conducted to identify the strategies implied within the embedded media content of Malaysian SMI Asma’ Nasarudin.  The data selected for analysis were gathered from her Instagram and YouTube video postings from October 2018 to December 2018. A total of five postings were carefully selected. Textual and visual analyses were conducted to investigate the persuasive strategies and devices. Findings demonstrated that all five elements of EEM appeared in the social media postings.
Experiencias y aproximaciones en el territorio: indagaciones y hallazgos
Authors: Burbano González David Armando , di Campli Antonio , Michel Estrada Gabriel , Cuadrado Torres Holger Patricio , Cuenca Rosillo María de los Ángeles , Flores Elizondo Rodrigo , Mendo Gutiérrez Alejandro , Rodríguez Echeverry Natalie , Solórzano Gil Mónica , Tobón Giraldo Isabel Cristina , Vázquez Piombo Pablo , Acosta Collazo Alejandro
Published: December 2020

La territorialidad latinoamericana reciente, fundamentada por la demanda de nuevas lógicas de recomposición de los territorios rurales y urbanos, y dependiente de alteraciones y cambios concretos, ha determinado la generación de nuevas perspectivas y maneras de analizar y proyectar el territorio contemporáneo. Desde una postura transdisciplinar, este segundo volumen de la colección Transiciones Territoriales comienza a estructurar un nuevo discurso que surge desde el estudio de relaciones establecidas entre la sociedad y su entorno y las prácticas que lo transforman. Por ello, es presentado en dos grandes campos de investigación: el primero aborda la relación entre diseño territorial, sociedad y ambiente; el segundo se detiene en la relación entre territorio, cultura, patrimonio y sociedades locales. Desde el punto de vista espacial, las experiencias y posturas presentadas por los autores se explican a través de la articulación entre paisaje, cultura y pensamiento, pero también desde la cosmovisión, la historia, el patrimonio y la propia explotación productiva del territorio. En ese sentido, la territorialidad es también una realidad que difiere de acuerdo al sujeto y, por ende, a la relación entre sus formas de organización. Es por esto que la variedad de contextos presentados en este libro y la diversidad de los sujetos relacionados con organizaciones culturales y económicas diversas reafirman esta realidad y, ante esto, es válido preguntarse si, desde una lectura transversal de sus capítulos, la tercera década del siglo XXI nos está conduciendo a nuevas territorialidades ya construidas o si estamos entrando en un proceso de reconocimiento de una transición.
Mitigating residual stress of high temperature CVD diamond films on vanadium carbide coated steel
Authors: Martins Rômulo Luís , Damm Djoille Denner , Corat Evaldo José , Trava-Airoldi Vladimir Jesus , Barquete Danilo Maciel
Published: December 2020

In this work, a process condition was created to deposit a thin film of diamond on AISI O1 steel in a hot filament chemical vapor deposition (CVD) reactor. The main drawbacks to overcome are the diamond film high residual stresses caused by the difference between the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of steel (∼12 × 10−6 K−1) and diamond (0.8 × 10−6 K−1). Our group proposed a diffusion vanadium carbide (VC) interlayer as a potential solution to mitigate carbon dissolution in the substrate and graphite formation instead of diamond; however, the intermediate CTE of VC still provides high thermal stress and delamination of the film. A solution was proposed by performing the diamond CVD on the AISI O1 steel substrate above the steel austenitizing temperature, under the prospect that thermal stress will be minimized during cooling, since the return of steel from faced-centered cubic to body-centered cubic crystalline structures will cause substrate expansion. The lower residual stress was accomplished by the diamond growth temperature of 840 °C with all the steel substrate above the austenitizing critical temperature. The residual stress mitigation was 3.9 GPa, merging VC interlayer and high growth temperature, where numerical simulation exposed the same stress created by the growth temperature at 545 °C.
Habitual Caffeine Consumption Does Not Affect the Ergogenicity of Coffee Ingestion During a 5 km Cycling Time Trial
Authors: Clarke Neil D. , Richardson Darren L.
Published: December 2020

There is growing evidence that caffeine and coffee ingestion prior to exercise provide similar ergogenic benefits. However, there has been a long-standing paradigm that habitual caffeine intake may influence the ergogenicity of caffeine supplementation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of habitual caffeine intake on 5-km cycling time-trial performance following the ingestion of caffeinated coffee. Following institutional ethical approval, in a double-blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled design, 46 recreationally active participants (27 men and 19 women) completed a 5-km cycling time trial on a cycle ergometer 60 m in following the ingestion of 0.09 g/kg coffee providing 3 mg/kg of caffeine, or a placebo. Habitual caffeine consumption was assessed using a caffeine consumption questionnaire with low habitual caffeine consumption defined as <3 and ≥6 mg · kg−1 · day−1 defined as high. An analysis of covariance using habitual caffeine intake as a covariant was performed to establish if habitual caffeine consumption had an impact on the ergogenic effect of coffee ingestion. Sixteen participants were classified as high-caffeine users and 30 as low. Ingesting caffeinated coffee improved 5-km cycling time-trial performance by 8 ± 12 s; 95% confidence interval (CI) [5, 13]; p < .001; d = 0.30, with low, 9±14 s; 95% CI [3, 14]; p = .002; d = 0.18, and high, 8 ± 10 s; 95% CI [−1, 17]; p = .008; d = 0.06, users improving by a similar magnitude, 95% CI [−12, 12]; p = .946; d = 0.08. In conclusion, habitual caffeine consumption did not affect the ergogenicity of coffee ingestion prior to a 5-km cycling time trial.
The Effects of Low-Intensity Multimodal Proprioceptive Exercise on Cognitive Function in Older Adults
Authors: Boyle Spencer E. , Fothergill Melissa A. , Metcalfe John , Docherty Sarah , Haskell-Ramsay Crystal F.
Published: December 2020

Background: Physical activity provides a number of physical and psychological benefits. Multimodal proprioceptive exercise represents a useful balance-based exercise with the potential to reduce falls in older adults. Previous research has also indicated cognitive benefits following multimodal proprioceptive exercise in young and older adults. This study aimed to assess cognition and mood following 2 types of physical activity (multimodal proprioception vs yoga) compared with control (classroom-based) in healthy older adults. Method: Nineteen older adults (Mage = 65, sex = 9 males) participated in this randomized controlled crossover trial. Participants completed a 20-minute multimodal proprioceptive exercise class, 20-minute yoga session, and 20-minute classroom-based control. Numeric working memory and mood were assessed before and immediately following each of the interventions. Results: The multimodal proprioceptive intervention significantly reduced numeric working memory reaction time versus the yoga (P = .043) and control (P = .023) group. There were no differences found for accuracy or mood. Conclusions: These results indicate that multimodal proprioceptive exercise is worthy of further investigation as an alternative mode of exercise alongside the more traditional aerobic and strength-based exercise for healthy older adults.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa Polynucleotide Phosphorylase Controls Tolerance to Aminoglycoside Antibiotics by Regulating the MexXY Multidrug Efflux Pump
Authors: Fan Zheng , Pan Xiaolei , Wang Dan , Chen Ronghao , Fu Tongtong , Yang Baopeng , Jin Yongxin , Bai Fang , Cheng Zhihui , Wu Weihui
Published: December 2020

Pseudomonas aeruginosa
is an opportunistic pathogen that shows high intrinsic resistance to a variety of antibiotics. The MexX-MexY-OprM efflux pump plays an important role in bacterial resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics.
Selective Survival of Escherichia coli Phylotypes in Freshwater Beach Sand
Authors: Rumball Natalie A. , Mayer HannahRose C. , McLellan Sandra L.
Published: December 2020

Fecal pollution monitoring still relies on
E. coli
enumeration, despite the fact that this organism can survive for prolonged periods and has been shown to be easily transported from sand into surrounding waters through waves and runoff, thus no longer representing recent fecal pollution events. Here, we demonstrate experimentally that regardless of the host source, certain genetically distinct subgroups, or phylotypes, survive longer than others under conditions typical of Great Lakes beach sites.
Structure and Biochemical Characteristics of the Methyltransferase Domain of RNA Capping Enzyme from African Swine Fever Virus
Authors: Du Xuejian , Gao Zeng-Qiang , Geng Zhi , Dong Yu-Hui , Zhang Heng
Published: December 2020

African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious hemorrhagic viral disease in pigs that is caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV). There have been no effective drugs or vaccines for protection against ASFV infection until now.
Conserved Genomic Terminals of SARS-CoV-2 as Coevolving Functional Elements and Potential Therapeutic Targets
Authors: Chan Agnes P. , Choi Yongwook , Schork Nicholas J.
Published: December 2020

The CoV disease 2019 (COVID-19) infectious disease outbreak is having a dramatic global effect on public health and the economy. As of October 2020, SARS-CoV-2 has been detected in over 189 countries, has infected over 40 million people, and is responsible for more than 1 million deaths.
Reconciling along-strike disparity in slip displacement of the San Andreas fault, central California, USA
Authors: Gooley Jared T. , Sharman Glenn R. , Graham Stephan A.
Published: December 2020

The correlation of the ca. 23 Ma Pinnacles and Neenach volcanic complexes provides the most robust estimate on the timing and magnitude of Neogene right-lateral displacement on the San Andreas strike-slip fault system (California, United States). Displacement of ∼315 km has been applied rigorously along the plate margin to guide reconstruction of offset paleogeographic features. We present new detrital zircon U-Pb geochronology from the La Honda and western San Joaquin basins to document sediment provenance and reevaluate compositional constraints on a hypothesized key cross-fault tie (i.e., Castle Rock–Recruit Pass submarine fan system). Whereas the Upper Oligocene–Lower Miocene Vaqueros Formation of the La Honda basin was likely recycled from or shared a similar southern Sierra Nevada–western Mojave source with the underlying Eocene stratigraphy, we found that the Temblor Formation of the central Temblor Range (e.g., Recruit Pass submarine fan) was derived directly from Late Cretaceous northern Salinian basement. Furthermore, the Carneros Sandstone of the northern Temblor Range had a central Sierra Nevada batholith source that was likely recycled during early Miocene unroofing of the underlying stratigraphy. Conversely, strata of the southwest San Joaquin basin have provenance characteristics that match more closely with those of the La Honda basin.

Our data preclude a contiguous Castle Rock–Recruit Pass submarine fan system across the San Andreas fault. These relationships are resolved by restoring the ca. 105–100 Ma basement of the northernmost Salinian block an additional ∼45 km or greater farther south relative to the Sierra Nevada batholith during late Oligocene–early Miocene time. Inconsistency in displacement along the San Andreas fault with the coeval correlation of the Pinnacles–Neenach volcanic complex is reconciled by postdepositional Miocene–Quaternary off-fault NW-SE structural shortening via major thrusts and/or transrotation of the Tehachapi block, in combination with extension of the northern Salinian block. This additional displacement reduces the need for pre–28 Ma slip on the San Andreas or predecessor faults to resolve Cretaceous through Eocene cross-fault relationships and reconciles an early Miocene discrepancy with Pacific–North America relative plate motion. This study highlights the fact that displacement histories of major strike-slip faults are divergent across changing structural domains, and recognition of slip disparities can constrain the magnitude of deformation.
New method of measuring subjective well-being: prospective validation study of the ‘Daily Experience Sampling Questionnaire’ (DESQ) in patients with psoriasis and healthy subjects in Germany
Authors: Blome Christine , Kirsten Natalia , Nergiz Ibrahim , Schiffner Ulrich , Otten Marina , Augustin Matthias
Published: December 2020

Objectives

To validate the newly developed Daily Experience Sampling Questionnaire (DESQ) that measures affective subjective well-being (SWB). The DESQ is an end-of-day diary in which respondents retrospectively rate their SWB at six different, randomly determined moments; it is completed over 1 week. The DESQ shall provide an alternative or complementary approach to existing methods of near-time SWB measurement (experience sampling, Day Reconstruction Method). The primary research objective was to determine criterion validity of the DESQ.

Design

Prospective, non-interventional study.

Setting

Participants were recruited in Hamburg, Germany, at a specialised outpatient clinic (patients) and via different channels (healthy participants).

Participants

101 adults with diagnosed and stable psoriasis (46 women, 55 men); 105 adults without psoriasis (49 women, 56 men).

Primary and secondary outcome measures

Participants completed the DESQ for 3 weeks. In weeks 2 and 3, they also performed experience sampling. Criterion validity was determined by weekwise intraclass correlations (ICC) between both methods. Sensitivity to change was determined by the correlation between changes in both methods from weeks 2 to 3. For convergent validity, related concepts such as life satisfaction were measured. Retest reliability was determined using DESQ values of weeks 2 and 3.

Results

Criterion validity was excellent (ICC: patients=0.86, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.91; healthy participants=0.86, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.91). Sensitivity to change was r=0.57 and r=0.56, respectively. Correlations with convergent criteria were mostly significant and higher in constructs more proximal to SWB. The ICC indicating retest reliability was 0.77 in patients (95% CI 0.68 to 0.84) and 0.81 in healthy participants (95% CI 0.73 to 0.86).

Conclusions

The DESQ is a valid, reliable and feasible instrument for SWB measurement in people with psoriasis and healthy people. Its approach of end-of-day evaluations of single moments may also lend itself to the measurement of other highly time-variant constructs such as pain, fatigue or depression.
Injuries among Maryland jockeys during thoroughbred racing: 2015–2019
Authors: Ryan Kelly , Garruppo Gabrielle , Alexander Kezia , Hluchan Christine M , Lincoln Andrew E
Published: December 2020

Objectives

Our goal was to characterise jockey injuries at Maryland racetracks during thoroughbred racing activities over 4 years using medical records maintained by the sports medicine team.

Methods

Injury data were prospectively gathered by sports medicine physicians who were onsite for all thoroughbred racing activities in Maryland from 12 September 2015 to 5 May 2019 to evaluate and treat any injury to the jockeys. Descriptive statistics (frequencies, rates with corresponding 95% CIs and proportions) of injury types, body parts, mechanisms, severity and location on track were calculated.

Results

Over nearly 4 years of racing and 45 000 mounts, there were 204 injuries involving 184 incidents and 131 falls during those races. The vast majority of injuries (80%) was related to soft tissue, while 4% were concussions. Most injuries involved the lower extremity (31%) or upper extremity (26%) and typically resulted from a fall from the horse. Among all incidents, 79.3% (n=146) resulted in an injury, while 76.3% (n=100) of falls resulted in an injury. We identified a significant proportion of injuries (41%) in and around the starting gate. Over a quarter of incidents resulting in injury required further medical care in hospital or other medical facility, while surgery was required in 2.5% of injuries.

Conclusion

Access to a consistent group of sports medicine providers facilitated jockey injury reporting and tracking. The majority of jockey injuries is related to soft tissue and results from falls, while the starting gate area is associated with the greatest proportion of injuries.
Relation between intra-abdominal pressure and early intestinal ischemia in rats
Authors: Strang Steven G , van der Hoven Ben , Monkhorst Kim , Ali Samir , van Lieshout Esther M M , van Waes Oscar J F , Verhofstad Michael H J
Published: December 2020

Background

Little is known on early irreversible effects of increased intra-abdominal pressure (IAP). Therefore, timing of abdominal decompression among patients with abdominal compartment syndrome remains challenging. The study objective was to determine the relation between IAP and respiratory parameters, hemodynamic parameters, and early intestinal ischemia.

Methods

Twenty-five anesthetized and ventilated male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to five groups exposed to IAPs of 0, 5, 10, 15, or 20 mm Hg for 3 hours. Respiratory parameters, hemodynamic parameters, and serum albumin-cobalt binding (ACB) capacity as measure for systemic ischemia were determined. Intestines were processed for histopathology.

Results

IAP was negatively associated with mean arterial pressure at 90 (Spearman correlation coefficient; Rs=−0.446, p=0.025) and 180 min (Rs=−0.466, p=0.019), oxygen saturation at 90 min (Rs=−0.673, p<0.001) and 180 min (Rs=−0.882, p<0.001), and pH value at 90 (Rs=−0.819, p<0.001) and 180 min (Rs=−0.934, p<0.001). There were no associations between IAP and lactate level or ACB capacity. No histological signs for intestinal ischemia were found.

Discussion

Although increasing IAP was associated with respiratory and hemodynamic difficulties, no signs for intestinal ischemia were found.

Level of evidence

Prognostic and epidemiologic study, level II.
Knockdown of SGLT1 prevents the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes induced by glucose fluctuation via relieving oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction
Authors: Chai Qian , Miao Jiajing , Liu Meili , Zhang Ziying , Meng Ziang , Wu Weihua
Published: December 2020

Fluctuations in the concentration of glucose in the blood is more detrimental than a constantly high level of glucose with respect to the development of cardiovascular complications associated with diabetes mellitus (DM). Sodium glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors have been developed as antidiabetic drugs with cardiovascular benefits; however, whether inhibition of SGLT1 protects the diabetic heart remains to be determined. This study investigated the role of SGLT1 in rat H9c2 cardiomyocytes subjected to fluctuating levels of glucose and the underlying mechanisms. The results indicated that knockdown of SGLT1 restored cell proliferation and suppressed the cytotoxicity associated with fluctuating glucose levels. Oxidative stress was induced in H9c2 cells subjected to fluctuating glucose levels, but these changes were effectively reversed by knockdown of SGLT1, as manifested by reductions in the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species and increased antioxidant activity. Further study demonstrated that knockdown of SGLT1 attenuated the mitochondrial dysfunction in H9c2 cells exposed to fluctuating glucose levels, by restoring mitochondrial membrane potential and promoting mitochondrial fusion. In addition, knockdown of SGLT1 downregulated the expression of Bax, upregulated the expression of Bcl-2, and reduced the activation of caspase-3 in H9c2 cells subjected to fluctuating levels of glucose. Collectively, our results show that knockdown of SGLT1 ameliorates the apoptosis of cardiomyocyte caused by fluctuating glucose levels via regulating oxidative stress and combatting mitochondrial dysfunction.
Leptogenesis due to oscillating Higgs field
Authors: Enomoto Seishi , Cai Chengfeng , Yu Zhao-Huan , Zhang Hong-Hao
Published: December 2020

We propose a new leptogenesis scenario in which the lepton asymmetry and matter particles are simultaneously generated due to the coherent oscillating Higgs background. To demonstrate the possibility of our scenario, we consider the type-I seesaw model as an illuminating example and show the numerical analysis. In order to generate the required lepton number $$|n_L/s| = 2.4 \times 10^{-10}$$

|

n
L

/
s
|
=
2.4
×

10

-
10

, we find that the scales of the Higgs background oscillation is required to be higher than $$10^{14}$$

10
14

GeV.