bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Part of the solution: A survey of community organisation perspectives on barriers and facilitating actions to Advance Care Planning in British Columbia, Canada
Authors: Siden Ellie G. , Carter Rachel Z. , Barwich Doris , Hassan Eman
Published: December 2021

Background

Despite the established benefits of Advance Care Planning (ACP), engagement remains low in British Columbia. Since 2016, a growing number of community‐based nonprofits have offered ACP education. To date, no study has focused on the perspectives of nonprofits on ACP in British Columbia.

Objective

This study aimed to identify barriers and facilitating actions to ACP as perceived by British Columbian nonprofits.

Design

A mixed‐methods design was used. Data were collected through online surveys and telephone interviews.

Setting and Participants

Staff and volunteers from British Columbian nonprofits that are providing or interested in providing public education on ACP were recruited for this study.

Results

The lack of public awareness of ACP, the emotional difficulty of the conversation, the complicated ACP process, the belief that ACP is synonymous with completing a medical order form, the challenge of introducing ACP in different cultural contexts and the siloed approach to ACP education were rated as the most important barriers to ACP engagement. The most important facilitating actions were developing clear messages, improving ACP literacy, reframing ACP as part of life planning, simplifying ACP documentation and transfer, integrating ACP conversations into clinical practice and better collaboration between the health system and nonprofits.

Discussion

This study identifies numerous opportunities to improve ACP engagement in British Columbia from a community lens. To maximize ACP engagement, community‐led ACP education should be offered in coordination with the health system.

Conclusion

Community‐led ACP education as well as collaboration and consultation with nonprofits are part of the solution to the low ACP engagement in British Columbia.

Public Contribution

Study participants, including staff and volunteers at nonprofits, are members of the public.
Effect of quinoa, chia and millet addition on consumer acceptability of gluten‐free bread
Authors: Moss Rachael , McSweeney Matthew B.
Published: December 2021

There is an increasing demand for gluten‐free foods; however, standard gluten‐free foods are deficient in nutrients. This study investigated the use of alternative grains (chia, millet and quinoa) in gluten‐free breads to evaluate their sensory properties (fresh and following a partial bake method). A sensory trial (n = 98) asked participants to consider six fresh bread samples made from chia, millet and quinoa, using 9‐point hedonic scales and check‐all‐that‐apply. A second sensory trial (n = 89) was then completed using par‐baked bread samples of the different formulations. The sensory properties and the acceptability of the bread were significantly affected by the chia and quinoa flour. The millet flour did not change the acceptability of the bread. Furthermore, the partial baking method (after 90 days of frozen storage) did not significantly affect the acceptability of the breads made with chia, millet and quinoa, but it did affect the acceptability of the control bread prepared with brown rice flour. Overall, millet flour could be incorporated into gluten‐free breads made following a partial baking method without affecting consumer acceptability. Future studies should use a trained panel to evaluate how the breads differ based on the partial baking method.
Accounting for carbon dioxide emission effect of energy use, economic growth, and urbanization in the OPEC member states
Authors: Alao Rasheed O. , Payaslioglu Cem , Alhassan Abdulkareem , Alola Andrew Adewale
Published: December 2021

While extant studies have largely associated environmental degradation with energy sources and energy consumption, the procedure of oil exploration has not been excluded in the discus of environmental sustainability. On this note, the current study examined the effect of per capita energy consumption and urban population for the 14 Organization for Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) members from 1980 to 2017. In addition, the validity of Environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis is investigated by using the State‐of‐the‐art second‐generation panel data techniques. The main finding reveals that at an early stage, economic growth endangers the environment by release of pollutant emissions. However, sustained economic growth ameliorates environmental problems. Therefore, study validates the EKC hypothesis for the case of OPEC. Additionally, both energy use per person and urban population adversely affects environmental sustainability. Besides, the findings infer that economic growth brings about an increase in energy consumption and not the other way round. Thus, energy conservation policies aimed at rationing energy consumption and controlling carbon dioxide emissions would hurt economic growth.
‘The cure for us is a lot of things’: How young people with Prader‐Willi syndrome view themselves and future clinical trials
Authors: Dykens Elisabeth M. , Roof Elizabeth , Hunt‐Hawkins Hailee
Published: December 2021

Background

Despite work on the self‐identities of people with intellectual disabilities, research has yet to describe the self‐perceptions of people with Prader‐Willi syndrome (PWS). The perspectives of those with PWS are also important for rapidly evolving clinical trials aimed at treating symptoms of PWS.

Method

Twenty‐one young people with PWS were administered a semi‐structured interview that assessed how they perceive their syndrome and clinical trials. Transcribed interviews were reliably coded using content‐driven, applied thematic analyses.

Results

Five themes emerged: struggles with chronic hunger and food‐seeking that impede goals and relationships; struggles with anxiety and outbursts, schedule changes and school; distancing from PWS; needs for clinical trials that cure PWS, reduce hunger or anxiety, and lead to improved outcomes; and needs for advocacy and awareness of PWS.

Conclusions

Findings shed new light on the self‐perceptions of those with PWS and have important implications for current interventions and future clinical trials.
Mediation effect of obesity on the association between triglyceride‐glucose index and hyperuricemia in Chinese hypertension adults
Authors: Sun Jin , Sun Mingyan , Su Yongkang , Li Man , Ma Shouyuan , Zhang Yan , Zhang Anhang , Cai Shuang , Cheng Bokai , Bao Qiligeer , Zhu Ping , Wang Shuxia
Published: December 2021

The triglyceride glucose (TyG) index was regarded as a simple surrogate marker of insulin resistance (IR). It is confirmed that IR was significantly associated with hyperuricemia, and obesity was the risk factor for IR and hyperuricemia. However, the relationship between the TyG index and hyperuricemia and the potential role of obesity in Han Chinese hypertension are not entirely elucidated. A community‐based cross‐sectional study was conducted in 4551 hypertension patients aged 40–75 years with clinical and biochemical data. The TyG index was calculated as ln [fasting triglyceride (mg/dl) × fasting plasma glucose (mg/dl)/2]. Hyperuricemia was determined as serum uric acid ≥357μmol/L (6 mg/dl) for females and ≥417μmol/L (7 mg/dl) for males. Our study suggested that the TyG index was higher in patients with hyperuricemia than in those without (8.99±0.61, 8.70±0.59, p < .001). The prevalence of hyperuricemia in patients with the lowest (≤8.32), second (8.33–8.66), third (8.67–9.07) and the highest quartile (≥9.08) of the TyG index was 6.0%, 10.4%, 15.4%, 21.4%, respectively. Logistic regression analysis suggested that the higher quartile of TyG index was associated with increased hyperuricemia risk whether in crude or adjusted models (p < .05). Mediation analysis showed that all of our obesity indexes partially mediated the association between the TyG index and hyperuricemia to some extent. In Conclusions, the TyG index is significantly associated with hyperuricemia in hypertension patients among Han Chinese, obesity plays a partial mediation role in this relationship.
Feeding practices and the prevalence of cow's milk protein allergy in Irish preterm infants
Authors: Henderson Davina , Murphy Claire A. , Glynn Anna‐Claire , Boyle Michael A. , McCallion Naomi
Published: December 2021

Background

The prevalence of cow's‐milk protein allergy (CMPA) is between 2% and 3% and symptoms vary depending on underlying immune mechanism at play. Breast milk is the optimal nutrition for premature infants and breast milk fortifiers (BMF) are commonly used to optimise growth and nutrition. BMF are typically derived from cow's milk and, as such, preterm infants are exposed to cow's milk in the first weeks of life. Previously, preterm infants were suspected to have a higher risk of allergen development because of early antigen exposure and increased gut permeability. The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence of CMPA among very preterm (<32 weeks) and/or very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. The secondary aim was to describe feeding practices, specifically the breastfeeding rates and specialist, non‐standard formula use in this cohort over the first 6 months of life.

Methods

This was a retrospective study performed in a large tertiary maternity hospital (8500 deliveries/year and 110 very preterm infants/year) in Dublin, Ireland over a 3‐year period, 2017–2020. Infants born very preterm and/or VLBW who were followed in the outpatient clinic until 6 months corrected gestational age (CGA) were included. Hospital ethical approval was obtained.

Results

One hundred and forty‐four infants were included with a median birth weight of 1338 g. No infant had a diagnosis of CMPA when leaving the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) but, by 6 months CGA, this increased to 1.4% (n = 2). Upon discharge from the NICU, 88 infants (61%) were receiving at least some breast milk, decreasing to 13 (9.1%) at 6 months CGA. Those who were receiving exclusive breast milk at discharge were significantly more likely to still be receiving any breast milk at three (p ≤ 0.001) and 6 months ( p ≤ 0.001) CGA compared to those combined feeding or exclusively formula feeding. At 6 months CGA, 18.9% (n = 27) were attending a dietician and 31.5% (n = 45) were using specialist, non‐standard infant formula.

Conclusions

The prevalence of CMPA in this cohort was 1.4%, which is similar to the reported prevalence of CMPA in the general paediatric population. Infants who were discharged from NICU exclusively breastfeeding were more likely to be receiving any breast milk at outpatient follow‐up. This highlights the importance of on going dietetic and lactation support in the outpatient setting for this vulnerable cohort.
Macronutrient and micronutrient intake of individuals with diabetic foot ulceration: A short report
Authors: Collins Rebecca , Burrows Tracy , Donnelly Hailey , Tehan Peta Ellen
Published: December 2021

Background

Adequate nutrition is essential in individuals with diabetic foot ulceration (DFU); therefore, an assessment of dietary intake is critical. A lack of nutrients including protein, zinc and vitamins C and D have all been associated with poor wound healing. However, the comprehensive dietary intake of Australian adults with DFU is poorly understood. The aim of this cross‐sectional study was to describe the dietary intake of adults with DFU in an Australian setting.

Methods

Participants (n = 115) with diabetes (type 1 and 2), a mean body mass index of 36 and current foot ulceration were recruited from across New South Wales, Australia. Dietary intake was assessed using the Australian Eating Survey, a self‐reported validated food frequency questionnaire.

Results

The mean (SD) reported energy intake was 9.57 (±SD 4.43) MJ day–1. A mean protein intake of 104 (±SD 49) g day–1 is below recommended intake for wound healing; however, the mean protein intake contribution to energy (19%E) was within recommendations for normal populations. The mean carbohydrate intake (43%E) was within recommended ranges for healthy populations; however, the mean total fat intake (36%E) was above recommendations. Micronutrient intake was adequate, apart from folate, which was below the recommended intake, and sodium, vitamin C, vitamin A and selenium, which were above the recommended intake.

Conclusions

A lack of adequate folate may have a negative impact on healing, with folate proposed to play a role in tissue repair. Wound management of individuals with DFU should include a regular assessment of dietary intake to recognise deficiencies in macro‐ and micronutrients, and subsequently address these inadequacies to optimise healing.
Reconstruction of calcium silicate hydrates using multiple 2D and 3D imaging techniques: Light microscopy, μ‐CT, SEM, FIB‐nT combined with EDX
Authors: Kleiner Florian , Rößler Christiane , Vogt Franziska , Osburg Andrea , Ludwig Horst‐Michael
Published: December 2021

This study demonstrates the application and combination of multiple imaging techniques [light microscopy, micro‐X‐ray computer tomography (μ‐CT), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and focussed ion beam – nano‐tomography (FIB‐nT)] to the analysis of the microstructure of hydrated alite across multiple scales. However, by comparing findings with mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), it becomes obvious that the imaged 3D volumes and 2D images do not sufficiently overlap at certain scales to allow a continuous quantification of the pore size distribution (PSD). This can be overcome by improving the resolution and increasing the measured volume. Furthermore, results show that the fibrous morphology of calcium‐silicate‐hydrates (C‐S‐H) phases is preserved during FIB‐nT. This is a requirement for characterisation of nano‐scale porosity. Finally, it was proven that the combination of FIB‐nT with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDX) data facilitates the phase segmentation of a 11 × 11 × 7.7 μm3 volume of hydrated alite.
A historical review of experimental imaging of the beating heart coronary microcirculation in vivo
Authors: Kalia Neena
Published: December 2021

Following a myocardial infarction (MI), the prognosis of patients is highly dependent upon the re‐establishment of perfusion not only in the occluded coronary artery, but also within the coronary microcirculation. However, our fundamental understanding of the pathophysiology of the tiniest blood vessels of the heart is limited primarily because no current clinical imaging tools can directly visualise them. Moreover, in vivo experimental studies of the beating heart using intravital imaging have also been hampered due to obvious difficulties related to significant inherent contractile motion, movement of the heart brought about by nearby lungs and its location in an anatomically challenging position for microscopy. However, recent advances in microscopy techniques, and the development of fluorescent reporter mice and fluorescently conjugated antibodies allowing visualisation of vascular structures, thromboinflammatory cells and blood flow, have allowed us to overcome some of these challenges and increase our basic understanding of cardiac microvascular pathophysiology. In this review, the elegant attempts of the pioneers in intravital imaging of the beating heart will be discussed, which focussed on providing new insights into the anatomy and physiology of the healthy heart microvessels. The reviews end with the more recent studies that focussed on disease pathology and increasing our understanding of myocardial thromboinflammatory cell recruitment and flow disturbances, particularly in the setting of diseases such as MI.
Efficacy of 810 nm diode laser in hair reduction in Indian subpopulation using a novel Gabor filter‐based detection software and hair algorithm
Authors: Pai Sathish B. , Suvarna Punya , Shetty Varsha M. , Pathan Sameena
Published: December 2021

Background

Diode laser (810 nm) is frequently employed for hair reduction. There are few studies determining the efficacy in Indian population.

Objectives

Assessment of efficacy and safety of 810 nm diode laser in facial/axillary hair reduction and objective assessment of the improvement with dermoscopy, photographs, and novel Gabor filter‐based hair detection algorithm.

Methodology

This hospital‐based study included 40 adult women with 108 treatment sites over 5.4 sessions (range 4–8). Evaluation of treatment areas (hair texture, density) was done using modified Ferriman–Galwey scoring. Photography and dermoscopic images were taken before each session and 6 weeks after the last. Immediate and delayed adverse reactions were noted. Assessment of efficacy was done by patient, principal, and blinded investigator using Global Aesthetic Improvement scale (GAIS) and hair detection algorithm (evaluating characteristics of dermoscopic hair).

Results

The fluences ranged from 16 to 29 Joules/cm2 with pulse width of 30 ms. Upper lip (n = 29, 26.9%) and chin (n = 25, 22.1%) were commonly treated areas. Improvement in hair texture and density (reduction in uniformly distributed, terminal hair from 37.1% to 13.9%) was statistically significant (p < 0.0001). Excellent improvement of 75–100% (GAIS) was noted by principal and blinded investigator in 24.1% and 33.3% total sites, respectively. The median improvement, calculated by the algorithm, was 60% for side locks, 53.9% for axilla, 24.1% for upper lip, and 14.9% for chin. Axilla and upper lip were sites associated with maximum discomfort. Epidermolysis and paradoxical hypertrichosis were seen in five patients each.

Conclusion

The 810 nm diode laser is safe and effective in the reduction of dark, coarse terminal hairs in Fitzpatrick skin types III–V. Inter‐observer variation and investigator bias in the assessment of efficacy can be successfully overcome by using the algorithm.
Impact of insulin‐like growth factor 1, immunoglobulin G and vitamin A in colostrum on growth of newborn Black Bengal goats and its crossbred
Authors: Buranakarl Chollada , Thammacharoen Sumpun , Semsirmboon Sapon , Sutayatram Saikaew , Nuntapaitoon Morakot , Katoh Kazuo
Published: December 2021

The study aims to investigate the relationships between colostral concentrations of insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1), immunoglobulin G (IgG) and vitamin A (Vit A) and growth (body weight and average daily gain) in Black Bengal (BB) and its crossbred. The colostrum from dams (n = 16) was collected at parturition to measure the concentrations of IGF‐1, IgG and Vit A. The kid weight at birth (W‐0), day 14 (W‐14) and day 28 (W‐28) were measured and the average daily gain during day 1–14 (ADG1‐14) and day 14–28 (ADG14‐28) were calculated. The average concentrations of IGF‐1, IgG and Vit A in colostrum were 504.6 ± 74.9 ng/ml, 9.7 ± 0.6 mg/ml and 549.1 ± 72.5 µg/100 g, respectively. The average body weight of kids at birth, day 14 and 28 were 1.72 ± 0.08, 2.95 ± 0.11 and 3.94 ± 0.13 kg respectively. Kid’s breed, IGF‐1, IgG and Vit A had significant positive effects on ADG14‐28 while parity, litter size and sex had no effect. The growth factors that were classified into 2 classes based upon the mean values of colostral contents in all kids showed that the kids receiving the higher concentrations of IGF‐1, IgG and Vit A in colostrum had higher body weight gain than those receiving the lower concentrations (92.1 ± 7.8 vs. 59.8 ± 5.7 g/day; p = 0.002, 88.3 ± 7.8 vs. 60.3 ± 6.1 g/day; p = 0.009 and 91.1 ± 6.8 vs. 56.7 ± 5.8 g/day; p < 0.001 respectively). It is concluded that IGF‐1, IgG and Vit A concentrations in colostrum of dams were associated with increased kid's body weight gain at the end of first month in BB and BB crossbred goats.
Diversity in Religiosity Undermines Conventional Personal Morality Across the Globe: Evidence From 90 Nations, 300,000+ Individuals
Authors: Evans M.D.R. , Kelley Jonathan
Published: December 2021

In societies where the populace exhibits a wide range of religiosity, social conservatives (religiously devout or socially traditional) feel their beliefs and way of life threatened, even where others in their society (secular, or socially liberal) have no desire to threaten them, or to discriminate against them, or even to proselytize. Examples include devout English Pilgrims in liberal 16th century Holland and devout Muslims in liberal 21st century Western Europe. We suggest that this is because diversity in religiosity itself poses a threat to conventional personal morality (attitudes on abortion, divorce, euthanasia, suicide, prostitution). The consequences of societal diversity in religiosity (the centrality of religion to one's life) for individuals’ endorsement of conventional personal morality have been neglected in prior research. This paper shows that diversity in religiosity at the national level undermines individuals’ endorsement of conventional personal morality, net of an individual's own religiosity, net of the average levels of religiosity and socioeconomic development in the individual's society, and net of key individual‐level controls. Data are pooled from the World Values Surveys/European Values Surveys, 1981–2008, with 90 countries, 200+ surveys, and 300,000+ individual respondents. Analysis is by multilevel methods (variance components models with fixed effects and random intercepts, estimated by generalized least squares [GLS]).
Effects and side effects of migraine prophylaxis in children
Authors: Tekin Hande , Edem Pınar
Published: December 2021

Background

Migraine is the primary cause of headache in children. Most patients can be treated with lifestyle changes and acute attack prophylaxis. Prophylaxis should be considered when symptoms cause frequent school absenteeism, poor quality of life, recurring emergency room visits, and frequent analgesic use. We aimed to compare the efficacy and side effects of drugs used in migraine prophylaxis, chosen according to the clinical and/or demographic characteristics of the patients.

Methods

One hundred eighty‐six patients aged 6–18 years were evaluated and who were diagnosed with migraine according to The International Classification of Headache Disorders, 3rd edition beta version (ICH‐3β). Propranolol, topiramate, flunarizine, and cyproheptadine were given as prophylactic treatment. The Pediatric Migraine Disability Assessment Score (PedMIDAS) score, severity, duration, and frequency of the headache attacks were evaluated from the medical records and pre‐ and post‐treatment values were compared.

Results

The median age of the patients was 14 years (range, 6–18 years) and the mean duration of headache was 29.6 ± 21.02 months. The mean PedMIDAS score was 29.9 ± 21.2 before and 14.9 ± 12.5 after treatment. Most reduction in the frequency of attacks was observed in the topiramate group. All four drugs significantly reduced the PedMIDAS score. The most common side effect was palpitations.

Conclusions

Significant improvement was found in PedMIDAS scores in all drug groups. Topiramate was found to be the most effective drug in reducing the frequency of attacks. All four drugs in this study may be utilized for migraine prophylaxis in terms of effectiveness and safety.
Seeing and visual reference
Authors: Lande Kevin J.
Published: December 2021

Perception is a central means by which we come to represent and be aware of particulars in the world. I argue that an adequate account of perception must distinguish between what one perceives and what one's perceptual experience is of or about. Through capacities for visual completion, one can be visually aware of particular parts of a scene that one nevertheless does not see. Seeing corresponds to a basic, but not exhaustive, way in which one can be visually aware of an item. I discuss how the relation between seeing and visual awareness should be explicated within a representational account of the mind. Visual awareness of an item involves a primitive kind of reference: one is visually aware of an item when one's visual perceptual state succeeds in referring to that particular item and functions to represent it accurately. Seeing, by contrast, requires more than successful visual reference. Seeing depends additionally on meta‐semantic facts about how visual reference happens to be fixed. The notions of seeing and of visual reference are both indispensable to an account of perception, but they are to be characterized at different levels of representational explanation.
Bioheat Transfer Basis of Human Thermoregulation: Principles and Applications
Authors: Namisnak Laura H. , Haghayegh Shahab , Khoshnevis Sepideh , Diller Kenneth R.
Published: December 2021

Thermoregulation is a process that is essential to the maintenance of life for all warm-blooded mammalian and avian species. It sustains a constant core body temperature in the face of a wide array of environmental thermal conditions and intensity of physical activities that generate internal heat. A primary component of thermoregulatory function is the movement of heat between the body core and the surface via the circulation of blood. The peripheral vasculature acts as a forced convection heat exchanger between blood and local peripheral tissues throughout the body enabling heat to be convected to the skin surface where is may be transferred to and from the environment via conduction, convection, radiation, and/or evaporation of water as local conditions dictate. Humans have evolved a particular vascular structure in glabrous (hairless) skin that is especially well suited for heat exchange. These vessels are called arteriovenous anastomoses (AVAs) and can vasodilate to large diameters and accommodate high flow rates. We report herein a new technology based on a physiological principle that enables simple and safe access to the thermoregulatory control system to allow manipulation of thermoregulatory function. The technology operates by applying a small amount of heating local to control tissue on the body surface overlying the cerebral spine that upregulates AVA perfusion. Under this action, heat exchangers can be applied to glabrous skin, preferably on the palms and soles, to alter the temperature of elevated blood flow prior to its return to the core. Therapeutic and prophylactic applications are discussed.
Coupled Impression of Radiative Thermal Flux and Lorentz Force on the Water Carrying Composite Nanoliquid Streaming Past an Elastic Sheet
Authors: Harish Babu D. , Venkateswarlu B. , Sarojamma G. , Satya Narayana P.V.
Published: December 2021

A mathematical model for hybrid nanofluid is proposed to study the influence of oblique magnetic field and thermal radiation on an exponentially elongated sheet. A comparison of the thermal characteristics of the hybrid nanofluid and the mono nanofluids (Al2O3 /water and TiO2/water) is made. The governing flow equations are transformed into a system of ODEs with the assistance of similarity variables and are then computationally addressed using bvp4c.The graphs are displayed for velocity, heat measure, and reduced frictional coefficients for selected flow parameters. Hybrid nanofluid has 1–4% growth in the rate of heat transfer when compared to mono nanofluid while it is 1–4.5% in comparison to viscous fluid for increasing radiation parameter. The outcomes of this work revealed that the heat transfer as a consequence of the dispersion of dual nanomaterials is more promising than the mono nanofluid. To accomplish very effective cooling/heating in industrial and engineering applications, hybrid nanofluids can substitute mono nanofluids.
Blade Envelopes Part I: Concept and Methodology
Authors: Wong Chun Yui , Seshadri Pranay , Scillitoe Ashley , Duncan Andrew B. , Parks Geoffrey
Published: December 2021

Blades manufactured through flank and point milling will likely exhibit geometric variability. Gauging the aerodynamic repercussions of such variability, prior to manufacturing a component, is challenging enough, let alone trying to predict what the amplified impact of any in-service degradation will be. While rules of thumb that govern the tolerance band can be devised based on expected boundary layer characteristics at known regions and levels of degradation, it remains a challenge to translate these insights into quantitative bounds for manufacturing. In this work, we tackle this challenge by leveraging ideas from dimension reduction to construct low-dimensional representations of aerodynamic performance metrics. These low-dimensional models can identify a subspace which contains designs that are invariant in performance—the inactive subspace. By sampling within this subspace, we design techniques for drafting manufacturing tolerances and for quantifying whether a scanned component should be used or scrapped. We introduce the blade envelope as a computational manufacturing guide for a blade that is also amenable to qualitative visualizations. In this paper, the first of two parts, we discuss its underlying concept and detail its computational methodology, assuming one is interested only in the single objective of ensuring that the loss of all manufactured blades remains constant. To demonstrate the utility of our ideas, we devise a series of computational experiments with the Von Karman Institute’s LS89 turbine blade.
Safe Learning Reference Governor: Theory and Application to Fuel Truck Rollover Avoidance
Authors: Liu Kaiwen , Li Nan , Kolmanovsky Ilya , Rizzo Denise , Girard Anouck
Published: December 2021

This paper proposes a learning reference governor (LRG) approach to enforce state and control constraints in systems for which an accurate model is unavailable. This approach enables the reference governor to gradually improve command tracking performance through learning while enforcing the constraints during learning and after learning is completed. The learning can be performed either on a black-box type model of the system or directly on the hardware. After introducing the LRG algorithm and outlining its theoretical properties, this paper investigates LRG application to fuel truck (tank truck) rollover avoidance. Through simulations based on a fuel truck model that accounts for liquid fuel sloshing effects, we show that the proposed LRG can effectively protect fuel trucks from rollover accidents under various operating conditions.
Attachment of Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli to Host Cells Reduces O Antigen Chain Length at the Infection Site That Promotes Infection
Authors: Liu Bin , Qian Chengqian , Wu Pan , Li Xiaodan , Liu Yutao , Mu Huiqian , Huang Min , Zhang Yang , Jia Tianyuan , Wang Yuanyuan , Wang Lu , Zhang Xiao , Huang Di , Yang Bin , Feng Lu , Wang Lei
Published: December 2021

Little is known about the regulation of cell wall structure of enteropathogenic bacteria within the host. Here, we report that enterohemorrhagic
Escherichia coli
regulates its cell wall structure during the infection process, which balances its survival in the intestinal lumen and infection of intestinal epithelial cells.
Supplemental Material: Insights into the geometry and evolution of the southern San Andreas fault from geophysical data, southern California
Authors: Langenheim V.E. , Fuis G.S.
Published: December 2021

Table S1: New gravity data in Coachella Valley (shown in Figs. 2 and 4).
Formation of NiMoO4 Anisotropic Nanostructures under Hydrothermal Conditions
Authors: Simonenko T. L. , Bocharova V. A. , Simonenko N. P. , Simonenko E. P. , Sevastyanov V. G. , Kuznetsov N. T.
Published: December 2021

Abstract—The synthesis of NiMoO4 hierarchical nanostructures using the hydrothermal method has been studied. The decomposition of NiMoO4·xH2O crystalline hydrate formed during the synthesis has been studied using synchronous thermal analysis upon heating in a stream of air and argon. According to X-ray diffraction as well as scanning and transmission electron microscopies, the proposed conditions allow one to synthesize single-phase nanosized (average CSR size of about 25 ± 2 nm) nickel(II) molybdate, which has a spinel-type monoclinic structure (space group C2/m) without impurity inclusions.
Socioeconomic inequalities in child growth failure in Ethiopia: findings from the 2000 and 2016 Demographic and Health Surveys
Authors: Bekele Tolesa , Rawstorne Patrick , Rahman Bayzidur
Published: December 2021

Objective

Socioeconomic inequalities in child growth failure (CGF) remain one of the main challenges in Ethiopia. This study examined socioeconomic inequalities in CGF and determinants that contributed to these inequalities in Ethiopia.

Methods

The Ethiopia Demographic and Health Surveys 2000 and 2016 data were used in this study. A pooled unweighted sample of the two surveys yielded 21514 mother–child pairs (10873 in 2000 and 10641 in 2016). We assessed socioeconomic inequalities in CGF indicators using the concentration curve and concentration index (CI). We then decomposed the CI to identify percentage contribution of each determinant to inequalities.

Results

Socioeconomic inequalities in CGF have increased in Ethiopia between 2000 and 2016. The CI increased from −0.072 and −0.139 for stunting, −0.088 and −0.131 for underweight and −0.015 and −0.050 for wasting between 2000 and 2016, respectively. Factors that mainly contributed to inequalities in stunting included geographical region (49.43%), number of antenatal care visits (31.40%) and child age in months (22.20%) in 2000. While in 2016, inequality in stunting was contributed mainly by wealth quintile (46.16%) and geographical region (−13.70%). The main contributors to inequality in underweight were geographical regions (82.21%) and wealth quintile (27.21%) in 2000, while in 2016, wealth quintile (29.18%), handwashing (18.59%) and access to improved water facilities (−17.55%) were the main contributors. Inequality in wasting was mainly contributed to by maternal body mass index (−66.07%), wealth quintile (−45.68%), geographical region (36.88%) and paternal education (33.55%) in 2000, while in 2016, wealth quintile (52.87%) and urban areas of residence (-17.81%) were the main driving factors.

Conclusions

This study identified substantial socioeconomic inequalities in CGF, and factors that relatively contributed to the disparities. A plausible approach to tackling rising disparities may involve developing interventions on the identified predictors and prioritising actions for the most socioeconomically disadvantaged groups.
Evaluation of language analysis to summarize the literature: a comparison to traditional meta-analysis in primary hip and knee surgery
Authors: Myszewski Joshua , Klossowski Emily , Schroeder Kristopher M
Published: December 2021

Introduction

Sentiment analysis, by evaluating written wording and its context, is a growing tool used in computer science that can determine the level of support expressed in a body of text using artificial intelligence methodologies. The application of sentiment analysis to biomedical literature is a growing field and offers the potential to rapidly and economically explore large amounts of published research and characterize treatment efficacy.

Methods

We compared the results of sentiment analysis of 115 article abstracts analyzed in a recently published meta-analysis of peripheral nerve block usage in primary hip and knee arthroplasty to the conclusions drawn by the authors of the original meta-analysis.

Results

A moderately positive outlook supporting the utilization of regional anesthesia for hip and knee arthroplasty was found in the 115 articles that were included for analysis, with 46% expressing positive sentiment, 35% expressing neutral sentiment, and 19% of abstracts expressing negative sentiment. This was well aligned with the conclusions reached by a previous meta-analysis of the same articles.

Discussion

Sentiment analysis applied to the medical literature can rapidly evaluate large collections of published data and generate an impression of overall findings that are aligned with the findings of a traditional meta-analysis.
Genetic variants at the RTP4/MASP1 locus are associated with fatigue in Scandinavian patients with primary Sjögren’s syndrome
Authors: Norheim Katrine Brække , Imgenberg-Kreuz Juliana , Alexsson Andrei , Johnsen Svein Joar Auglænd , Bårdsen Kjetil , Brun Johan Gorgas , Dehkordi Rezvan Kiani , Theander Elke , Mandl Thomas , Jonsson Roland , Ng Wan-Fai , Lessard Christopher J , Rasmussen Astrid , Sivilis Kathy , Ronnblom Lars , Omdal Roald
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Fatigue is common and severe in primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). The aim of this study was to identify genetic determinants of fatigue in pSS through a genome-wide association study.

Methods

Patients with pSS from Norway, Sweden, UK and USA with fatigue and genotype data available were included. After genotype imputation and quality control, 682 patients and 4 966 157 genetic markers were available. Association analysis in each cohort using linear regression with fatigue as a continuous variable and meta-analyses between the cohorts were performed.

Results

Meta-analysis of the Norwegian and Swedish cohorts identified five polymorphisms within the same linkage disequilibrium block at the receptor transporter protein 4 (RTP4)/MASP1 locus associated with fatigue with genome-wide significance (GWS) (p<5×10−8). Patients homozygous for the major allele scored 25 mm higher on the fatigue Visual Analogue Scale than patients homozygous for the minor allele. There were no variants associated with fatigue with GWS in meta-analyses of the US/UK cohorts, or all four cohorts. RTP4 expression in pSS B cells was upregulated and positively correlated with the type I interferon score. Expression quantitative trait loci effects in whole blood for fatigue-associated variants at RTP4/MASP1 and levels of RTP4 and MASP1 expression were identified.

Conclusion

Genetic variations at RTP4/MASP1 are associated with fatigue in Scandinavian pSS patients. RTP4 encodes a Golgi chaperone that influences opioid pain receptor function and MASP1 is involved in complement activation. These results add evidence for genetic influence over fatigue in pSS.
Feature Projection and SVR-Based Model Update for Object Tracking
Authors: Qiu Shoumeng , Gu Yuzhang , Zhang Xiaolin
Published: December 2021

Siamese network-based object tracking algorithms have recently gained popularity due to continuous improvement in tracking accuracy and robustness. However, these trackers are often limited by inefficient initialization and unstable online update. The model drift accumulates as more frames are processed. To address the above issues, this paper introduced a method that combines both deep learning and conventional regression algorithms (SVR, Support Vector Regression). Specifically, we propose a feature projection algorithm, which can effectively reduce the dimension of the features extracted from deep neural networks and improve the distinguishability of them at the same time. To make the features more robust for SVR training, we further propose two feature aggregation methods at both the channel level and the spatial level. We update the SVR model online instead of the deep neural network to make the tracking process more robust. Extensive experiments on four challenging benchmarks indicate that our proposed tracker is superior to baseline methods both qualitatively and quantitatively.
FACILE SYNTHESIS NITROGEN-DOPED POROUS CARBON BY PYROLYZING BTA WITH EXCELLENT SUPERCAPACITANCE PERFORMANCE
Authors: LIU DONG , WU SHIYA , DING YIGANG , HU YONGMING
Published: December 2021

Nitrogen-doped porous carbon materials are a new type of electrode material with safety, nontoxicity, high conductivity and good electrochemical performance, which have recently attracted extensive attention due to its wide application in supercapacitors. In this work, carbon-based materials named ZBK-[Formula: see text] were prepared (where [Formula: see text] represents the different ratios of KNO3 used in the synthesis), using the nitrogen-containing organic molecule benzotriazole as a carbon and nitrogen source, and ZnCl2 and KNO3 as activators. These materials were mixed and heated at 350∘C for 1[Formula: see text]h and 750∘C for 2[Formula: see text]h under N2 to prepared porous carbon materials with a higher nitrogen content. The result had shown that material (ZBK-4) had a larger specific surface area (2292.47[Formula: see text]m2/g) and higher nitrogen and oxygen contents (4.88%[Formula: see text]N and 5.99% O). At the current density of 1[Formula: see text]A/g, the specific capacitance of ZBK-4 was 300[Formula: see text]F/g, indicating good rate capability. In addition, the specific capacitance of the material after 8000 cycles remained at 93.05%, indicating good cycle stability. Therefore, these experimental results have confirmed that the obtained nitrogen-doped porous carbon material has good electrochemical performance, and good prospects for application in the field of supercapacitors.
Constraints on energy conditions in f(R,Lm) gravity
Authors: Jaybhaye Lakhan V. , Mandal Sanjay , Sahoo P. K.
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we consider the extension of the Hilbert–Einstein action to analyze several interesting features of the theory. More specifically, the Lagrangian [Formula: see text] is replaced by [Formula: see text] in action, where [Formula: see text] is the Ricci scalar, and [Formula: see text] is the matter Lagrangian. We derive the motion equations for a test particle in the Friedmann–Lemaître–Robertson–Walker (FLRW) flat and homogeneous spacetime. We also derive the energy conditions in this framework. Then, we use the cosmographic parameter such as Hubble, deceleration, jerk and snap parameters to constraint the model parameters. As a result, we observe that with the constraint range of model parameters, our model shows the current accelerated expansion of the universe.
γ-induced-paired dominating graphs of paths and cycles
Authors: Sanguanpong Saharath , Trakultraipruk Nantapath
Published: December 2021

For any graph [Formula: see text], a nonempty subset [Formula: see text] of [Formula: see text] is called an induced-paired dominating set if every vertex in [Formula: see text] is adjacent to some vertex in [Formula: see text], and the induced subgraph [Formula: see text] contains only independent edges. An induced-paired dominating set of [Formula: see text] with minimum number of vertices is also called a [Formula: see text]-set. We define the [Formula: see text]-induced paired dominating graph of [Formula: see text], denoted by [Formula: see text], to be the graph whose vertex set consists of all [Formula: see text]-sets, and two [Formula: see text]-sets are adjacent in [Formula: see text] if they are different from each other by only one vertex. In this paper, we exhibit all [Formula: see text]-induced-paired dominating graphs of paths and cycles.
Fission: Practical algorithms for computing minimum balanced node separators
Authors: Blum Johannes , Li Ruoying , Storandt Sabine
Published: December 2021

Given an undirected graph, a balanced node separator is a set of nodes whose removal splits the graph into connected components of limited size. Balanced node separators are used for graph partitioning, for the construction of graph data structures, and for measuring network reliability. It is NP-hard to decide whether a graph has a balanced node separator of size at most [Formula: see text]. Therefore, practical algorithms typically try to find small separators in a heuristic fashion. In this paper, we present a branching algorithm that for a given value [Formula: see text] either outputs a balanced node separator of size at most [Formula: see text] or certifies that [Formula: see text] is a valid lower bound. Using this algorithm iteratively for growing values of [Formula: see text] allows us to find a minimum balanced node separator. To make this algorithm scalable to real-world (road) networks of considerable size, we first describe pruning rules to reduce the graph size without affecting the minimum balanced separator size. In addition, we prove several structural properties of minimum balanced node separators which are then used to reduce the branching factor and search depth of our algorithm. We experimentally demonstrate the applicability of our algorithm to graphs with thousands of nodes and edges. We showcase the usefulness of having minimum balanced separators for judging the quality of existing heuristics, for improving preprocessing-based route planning techniques on road networks, and for lower bounding important graph parameters. Finally, we discuss how our ideas and methods can also be leveraged to accelerate the heuristic computation of balanced node separators.
A New Online and Offline Blended Teaching System of College English Based on Computer Internet Technology
Authors: Li Ping , Zhang Hua , Tsai Sang-Bing
Published: December 2021

Through the analysis and research of the multimedia teaching platform system based on computer Internet technology, this paper proposes constructing a network multimedia teaching platform system based on streaming transmission to realize the sharing of excellent teaching resources in colleges and universities and the development of education and teaching. The design and development of each module of the teaching platform are completed, and the realization technology of each module function is explained. We completed the design and implementation of some auxiliary functions of the teaching platform, including the system usage help module, resource search module, and online on-demand playback functions. After the experiment, we compare the changes of students’ English anxiety before and after the experiment and conduct interviews with them. The results show that the application of the Internet-based scaffolding teaching model in college English reading teaching can alleviate students’ English learning anxiety. Through interviews to understand students’ feedback and evaluation of the new teaching model, it was found that most students hold positive evaluations of the Internet-based scaffolding teaching model, believing that the new teaching model can stimulate students’ English learning enthusiasm and increase confidence in English learning.
Cloud Computing Task Scheduling Model Based on Improved Whale Optimization Algorithm
Authors: Jia LiWei , Li Kun , Shi Xiaoming
Published: December 2021

The efficiency of task scheduling under cloud computing is related to the effectiveness of users. Aiming at the problems of long scheduling time, high cost consumption, and large virtual machine load in cloud computing task scheduling, an improved scheduling efficiency algorithm (called the improved whale optimization algorithm, referred to as IWC) is proposed. Firstly, a cloud computing task scheduling and distribution model with time, cost, and virtual machines as the main factors is constructed. Secondly, a feasible plan for each whale individual corresponding to cloud computing task scheduling is to find the best whale individual, which is the best feasible plan; in order to better find the optimal individual, we use the inertial weight strategy for the whale optimization algorithm to improve the local search ability and effectively prevent the algorithm from reaching premature convergence; we use the add operator and delete operator to screen individuals after each iteration which is completed and updated to improve the quality of understanding. In the simulation experiment, IWC was compared with the ant colony algorithm, particle swarm algorithm, and whale optimization algorithm under a different number of tasks. The results showed that the IWC algorithm has good results in terms of task scheduling time, scheduling cost, and virtual machine. The application is in cloud computing task scheduling.