bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do executive function performance, gaze behavior, and pupil size change during incremental acute physical exercise?
Authors: Albuquerque Maicon Rodrigues , Hooper Beatriz , Viana Iasmin Oliveira de Sousa , Mesquita Paulo H. C. , Santos Tony Meireles , Apolinário‐Souza Tércio , Fortes Leonardo de Sousa , Gonçalves Dawit Albieiro Pinheiro
Published: December 2022

Several studies have investigated the interaction between acute physical exercise and cognitive performance. However, few studies have investigated this issue during acute high‐intensity exercise. In the present study, we evaluated executive functions (EFs) during incremental exercise in three different intensities [below lactate threshold (LT), at LT, and above LT], measuring EFs performance, gaze behavior, and pupil diameter. Twenty subjects were familiarized with the EFs test and participated in a graded maximal exercise test on a cycle ergometer on the first visit. On the second visit, they performed the EFs task at rest and while exercising at three different intensities using mobile eye‐tracking glasses. Our results showed that the psychophysiological measures differed between the conditions. Regarding EFs performance, during exercise above LT, the subjects showed worse accuracy when compared with rest (p < .001) and below LT (p < .001). In addition, the response time (RT) at LT and above LT was shorter than in the rest condition (p < .050). Further, RT was faster (p = .002) in the above LT than in the below LT condition. In addition, the gaze behavior measures indicated that exercise, independently of the intensity, improves the number of fixations with shorter fixation durations compared to the rest condition (p < .050). Additionally, we found no significant differences in average and peak pupil diameter between conditions. In conclusion, exercise at LT improves the EFs performance while exercising above LT worsens EFs performance. However, there were no significant differences in average and peak pupil diameter between conditions.
Organizations and the structure of culture
Authors: Lizardo Omar , Jilbert Isaac
Published: December 2022

Recent work emphasizes how organizations and organizing are suffused by culture. Ignored, however, is the question of how organizations and organizing shape cultural understandings. In this paper, we draw attention to how organizations impact the creation, maintenance, and matching of cultural associations: The “structure of culture.” Cultural associations are distributed understandings of “what goes with what,” diffused via their co‐adoption by individual and corporate actors. We argue that the process of associative diffusion is heavily influenced by organizational forms, routines, and operations. While organizations shape culture production, they likewise shape resulting associations between cultural items, actively modifying the structure of culture. We conclude that the role of organizations in shaping the structure and dynamics of culture should be a central topic of study moving forward.
Francis-Turbine Installations of the Norris and Hiwassee Projects
Authors: Rich George R. , Roberts J. F.
Published: December 2022

The Hiwassee turbine, having a rated output of 80,000 hp at 190-ft head, is believed to be the highest-powered Francis wheel in the eastern United States. The Norris turbines are identical in physical size with the Hiwassee unit and have a rated output of 66,000 hp at 165-ft head. In this paper, considerations affecting the selection of these machines are discussed, and principal features of the design and acceptance testing are described.
Piston Effect of Trains in Tunnels
Authors: Daugherty R. L.
Published: December 2022

The author was recently engaged by the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad to make a study of the ventilation of the Moffat Tunnel, which is 6.21 miles in length. In the course of this work measurements were made of the friction of air through the empty tunnel and also of the air pressures developed by different trains of various lengths passing through the tunnel at speeds ranging from 15 to 38 mph. The results of this investigation are presented in the form of curves for a wide variety of conditions. The mathematical analyses are given, which may be applied to the problem of tunnel ventilation in general. For the reason that but little information concerning the subject of “piston action” of trains in tunnels is available in the engineering literature, the author deems it desirable to make the present data a matter of record.
Experimental Study, Feedwater Treatment for 1400-Lb Boiler Operating Pressure
Authors: Carmichael D. C.
Published: December 2022

Study has shown that the future steam and electrical loads of the Dye Works of the author’s company would he most economically supplied by a 1400-psi boiler-and-turbine installation, exhausting directly into the plant process mains, without the use of evaporators as are now-used at the Deepwater plant of the Deepwater Operating Company. The development of a satisfactory water-purification system to permit 100 per cent treated soft water to be used in a 1400-lb boiler would eliminate the necessity of using Intermediate evaporators with their consequent maintenance and loss of thermal potential. It has been calculated in connection with the study of increased steam and electrical capacity for the Dye Works that the elimination of the evaporators would permit the generation of up to 8000 kw of electricity from the same steam. Additional savings in maintenance would be realized. This paper reviews the various steps undertaken in developing, installing, and operating the experimental water-treatment system, followed later by the installation of a 1400-lb experimental boiler, operating with a heat absorption of 100,000 Btu per sq ft per hr. A 400,000-lb per hr boiler to operate at 1400 psi with 100 per cent treated soft water has been purchased and will start operation in January, 1942.
Operating Experiences With High-Pressure High-Temperature Unit at Des Moines
Authors: McLaughlin J. F.
Published: December 2022

Operating experiences, with performance records for 1939 and 1940, with a 35,000-kw turbine generator operating at 1290 psi and 925 F, and a steam generator which has a capacity of 420,000 lb per hr are presented, and changes made to overcome failures and outages are described.
Some Problems in Pulverizing and Burning Midwest Coals
Authors: Foster A. C.
Published: December 2022

The author cites the characteristics of Midwest coals which require special consideration in the design of pulverizers and boiler furnaces to meet the conditions of combustion. The principal items to be provided are (1) large furnace volume with moderate heat-release rates, (2) ample furnace cooling surface, (3) preheated air at sufficient temperature to enable pulverizer to pulverize coal with maximum moisture content which may be encountered, (4) ample mill capacity. The paper includes a discussion of these various elements in the solution of the problem of burning Midwest coals efficiently.
The Calculation of Critical Speeds of an Oil-Well Pumping System
Authors: Freberg C. R. , Kemler E. N.
Published: December 2022

Because of the increasing economic necessity for using light oil-well pumping equipment, steps must be taken to keep loads and stresses at a minimum. Loads can be controlled to some extent by using proper speeds, stroke, and plunger size. Proper counterbalancing has a greater influence on peak loads and stresses than any other item of equipment design. Vibration and critical-speed problems are among the most difficult experienced in pumping systems. Such systems do not lend themselves to mathematical analyses so the authors have undertaken to solve the more complicated problems by replacing such involved systems by an equivalent system, which will have the same capacity for storage of kinetic and potential energy. A mathematical explanation of the procedure used in reducing a pumping system to equivalent mass, and equivalent elastic systems, followed by calculations of typical elements of the system and examples illustrating specific applications of the method, are given.
Air-Heater Facts: 1926–1941
Authors: Hopping E. L. , Schick D. F.
Published: December 2022

In 1926, data were presented by N. E. Funk covering several types of air heaters used on boilers equipped with economizers and on some not so equipped. The equipment selected for discussion at the Chester and Richmond Stations of the Philadelphia Electric Company was relatively new at the time, but provided a valuable basis for future selection of air-heater units. The present paper gives facts pertaining to experience gained in operation of the air heaters previously mentioned; applications of new heaters to recently installed generating equipment; applications in associated industries; and trends evident in an analysis of new units. Further detail is given covering the selection of air heaters, corrosion problems, methods of eliminating corrosion, cleaning air-heater units, and troubles experienced with air-heater installations.
Burning Pulverized Anthracite in Steam Power Plants
Authors: Frick C. H.
Published: December 2022

After citing early installations for burning pulverized anthracite in steam power plants, the author describes in some detail the present Pine Grove installation of the Pennsylvania Power & Light Company. This plant incorporates three boilers using pulverized anthracite exclusively, each boiler having a capacity of 180,000 lb of steam per hour. They have been operating successfully since 1927. A proposed two-boiler pulverized-fired installation at the Hauto plant of the company is also described. Each boiler, which is now on order, will be capable of producing 365,000 lb of steam per hour at 1325 psi and 930 F total temperature. Economic considerations entering into the decision to use this type of fuel are also considered in the paper.
Experience With Intercrystalline Cracking on Railroads
Authors: Bardwell R. C. , Laudemann H. M.
Published: December 2022

With 60 per cent of the steam-boiler horsepower of the United States in locomotives, which operate under widely diverse conditions and with waters of many compositions, this field offers extensive opportunity for the study of embrittlement cracking. The authors present a record of the experience of The Chesapeake & Ohio Railway with intercrystalline cracking as representative of the more recent work being done by the railroads to combat this form of metal deterioration. The paper deals with the investigation of various inhibitors, covering a period from 1933 to the present time, based on extensive testing with the embrittlement detector applied to locomotives in service. It was found that sodium sulphate does not prevent or even delay embrittlement cracking; that waste sulphite liquor will prevent cracking of detector specimens on many boiler waters, failing in but few cases; and that sodium nitrate has essentially eliminated cracking of detector specimens on the entire system of The Chesapeake & Ohio Railway.
Energy Transfer Between a Fluid and a Rotor for Pump and Turbine Machinery
Authors: Moss Sanford A. , Smith Chester W. , Foote William R.
Published: December 2022

The paper presents an analytical treatment of the energy transfer between a working fluid and a rotor for pump and turbine machinery, which affords means for selection of the particular sort of vane angles and general arrangements best for a machine for a particular service, and for determination of the detailed dimensions of a machine for particular pressure conditions. A single general formula is given which applies to every sort of machine and which is reduced to a particular form for every particular machine.

In the analytical study a kinematic treatment of rotor energy is first given, which is followed by a hydraulic and thermodynamic treatment of fluid energy. The relations set forth are then applied to pumps and turbines of the axial-flow and of the radial inward- and outward-flow types.

Some of the matter here set forth has been given before, in discussion of particular machines; some of this old matter is here presented in a new way. However, it is doubtful if there has hitherto been presented a general expression for energy transfer correlated with its various applications and physical interpretations. It is the primary purpose of this paper to give such a presentation from many years of practical experience of the authors. In order to give an orderly presentation, the new and old matter are so intermingled to form a complete whole that it is difficult to make distinction and to give reference for the old matter.
Test Stand for Centrifugal and Propeller Pumps
Authors: Wislicenus G. F.
Published: December 2022

This paper describes a new test stand for experimental investigations on centrifugal- or propeller-type pumps, as well as on pump installations. The test stand is particularly suited for a complete determination of the cavitation characteristics of the test pump and for reliable control of the flow conditions at the pump inlet.
Mercury for the Generation of Light, Heat, and Power
Authors: Hackett H. N.
Published: December 2022

This paper outlines the principles upon which the mercury boiler was first developed and tested in a small unit in 1912. Many difficulties were experienced in units built in succeeding years, the full importance of which was not apparent until the two 20,000-kw units at Schenectady and Kearny were placed in operation in 1932 and 1933, respectively. The major problem from then on was the elimination of mercury attack on the steel tubes, which after short periods of operation became plugged with an iron crystalline deposit. As a result of extensive research, a mercury-sodium-titanium amalgam was discovered which solved the problem of dissolution of the steel. This development combined with the exclusion of oxygen from the boiler, piping, and valves greatly improved the situation. The final solution came in the redesign of the Schenectady plant in 1937 and the construction of an entirely new mercury-vapor unit at Marcus Hook in 1939, in which magnesium and titanium were used in the boiler mercury. Details are also given of the more recently rebuilt plant at Kearny, incorporating all known improvements. This unit, producing 21,000 kw per hr from the mercury turbine and 30,000 kw per hr from by-product steam, operates on 0.5 lb of fuel oil per kwhr. During more than 15 months of operation, this boiler has carried an average hourly load of 205 per cent of the national average for steam-generating units for 1940.
Wind-Tunnel Tests to Establish Stack Height for Riverside Generating Station
Authors: von Hohenleiten H. L. , Wolf E. F.
Published: December 2022

Because of its proximity to a residential area and to the municipal airport, the Consolidated Gas Electric Light and Power Company of Baltimore, in the construction of its new Riverside Generating Station, found it necessary to give careful consideration to the flue-gas problem and the height of stacks. The problem resolved itself into three distinct phases: (a) to establish the wind and weather conditions which would produce the most serious smoke annoyance; (b) to determine the effect of adding units to the plant; (c) to investigate all possible means for improving dissipation of flue gases. The model-test procedure followed, in studying these elements, in the wind tunnel of the Allied Aviation Corporation, the results attained in comparison with known data from the Westport Plant of the company, and the decisions reached in designing and arranging stacks at Riverside are thoroughly discussed.
Protecting Buried Metals Against Corrosion
Authors: Thayer Starr
Published: December 2022

The author mentions briefly the various types of corrosion from the standpoint of methods used to combat it. His main concern, however, is with underground structures, such as pipe lines, which suffer a corrosion loss of upward of $100,000,000 yearly. Protective coatings have been developed which constitute a long step toward elimination of pipe-line corrosion, when applied to new pipe. Older lines can be protected by a cathodic process, based on correcting the galvanic differences in potential between small sections of the pipe wall, or changes in soil conditions. The process of making the pipe cathodic to the surrounding soil is described, illustrations of the practical effects of the method being given.
RdmA Is a Key Regulator in Autoinduction of DSF Quorum Quenching in Pseudomonas nitroreducens HS-18
Authors: Wang Huishan , Dong Lingling , Wu Wenting , Hu Haowei , Zhang Lian-Hui , Liao Lisheng
Published: December 2022

DSF family quorum-sensing (QS) signals play important roles in regulation of bacterial physiology and virulence in a wide range of plant and human bacterial pathogens. Quorum quenching (QQ), which acts by either degrading QS signals or blocking QS communication, has proven to be a potent disease control strategy, but QQ mechanisms that target DSF family signals and associated regulatory mechanisms remain largely unknown.
Juxtaposition of different-grade metamorphic rocks in an ancient orogen: Evidence from the Chengde Complex of the Trans-North China Orogen, North China Craton
Authors: Zhang Hui C.G. , Zhao Guochun , Wang Chao , Xu Nanqing , Yao Jinlong
Published: December 2022

Juxtaposition of different-grade metamorphic slices is a typical feature of Phanerozoic orogens but is relatively scarce in Precambrian orogens. Here, we focus on the Chengde Complex at the northern segment of the late Paleoproterozoic Trans-North China Orogen, the North China Craton as a case, to explore how different-grade orogeny-related metamorphism was juxtaposed in Precambrian orogens. The Trans-North China Orogen is a typical Precambrian collisional orogen and records abundant information about the Paleoproterozoic orogeny. High-pressure (HP) mafic granulite and two types of amphibolite samples were collected from the Chengde Complex, and we conducted a combined study involving litho-structural assemblage investigation, metamorphic petrology, and geochronology to decipher their metamorphic P-T−t history.

HP mafic granulite and amphibolite occur as enclaves or dikes within felsic gneisses. HP mafic granulite records clockwise P-T paths with isothermal decompression (ITD) segments, and the peak metamorphic P-T conditions are 13.0−14.9 kbar/790−830 °C. Peak metamorphic P-T conditions retrieved from garnet-bearing amphibolite are 8.3 kbar/675 °C, whereas peak metamorphic P-T conditions retrieved from garnet-free amphibolite are 4.0−5.5 kbar/500−510 °C. Zircon U-Pb dating of HP granulite and amphibolite yield different prograde (1914−1871 Ma), peak (1869−1816 Ma), and retrograde (ca. 1830 Ma) metamorphic ages, and all of these data indicate that these metamorphic rocks were diachronously transferred to different depths in the subduction channel and subsequently exhumed at shallower crustal levels. Therefore, we conclude that the Chengde Complex is composed of imbricate rocks with different metamorphic grades and ages, and such an unordered juxtaposition of diverse metamorphism could also be a typical feature of Precambrian orogens.
Eustatic change modulates exhumation in the Japanese Alps
Authors: King Georgina E. , Ahadi Floriane , Sueoka Shigeru , Herman Frédéric , Anderson Leif , Gautheron Cécile , Tsukamoto Sumiko , Stalder Nadja , Biswas Rabiul , Fox Matthew , Delpech Guillaume , Schwartz Stéphane , Tagami Takahiro
Published: December 2022

The exhumation of bedrock is controlled by the interplay between tectonics, surface processes, and climate. The highest exhumation rates of centimeters per year are recorded in zones of highly active tectonic convergence such as the Southern Alps of New Zealand or the Himalayan syntaxes, where high rock uplift rates combine with very active surface processes. Using a combination of different thermochronometric systems including trapped-charge thermochronometry, we show that such rates also occur in the Hida Mountain Range, Japanese Alps. Our results imply that centimeter per year rates of exhumation are more common than previously thought. Our thermochronometry data allow the development of time series of exhumation rate changes at the time scale of glacial-interglacial cycles, which show a four-fold increase in baseline rates to rates of ~10 mm/yr within the past ~65 k.y. This increase in exhumation rate is likely explained by knickpoint propagation due to a combination of very high precipitation rates, climatic change, sea-level fall, range-front faulting, and moderate rock uplift. Our data resolve centimeter-scale sub-Quaternary exhumation rate changes, which show that in regions with horizontal convergence, coupling between climate, surface processes, and tectonics can exert a significant and rapid effect on rates of exhumation.
Study protocol: a randomised controlled proof-of-concept real-world study – does maximising time in range using hybrid closed loop insulin delivery and a low carbohydrate diet restore the glucagon response to hypoglycaemia in adults with type 1 diabetes?
Authors: Baxter Faye , Baillie Nicola , Forbes Shareen
Published: December 2022

Introduction

People with type 1 diabetes (T1D) develop an impaired glucagon response to hypoglycaemia within 5 years of diagnosis, increasing their risk of severe hypoglycaemia. It is not known whether eliminating hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia allows recovery of this glucagon response. Hybrid closed loop (HCL) technologies improve glycaemic time in range (TIR). However, post-prandial glycaemic excursions are still evident. Consuming a low carbohydrate diet (LCD) may minimise these excursions.

Methods and analysis

This feasibility study will assess if maximising TIR (glucose ≥3.9 mmol/L≤10 mmol/L) using HCL systems plus an LCD (defined here as <130 g carbohydrate/day) for >8 months, restores the glucagon response to insulin-induced hypoglycaemia. Adults (n=24) with T1D (C-peptide <200 pmol/L), naïve to continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and HCL systems, will be recruited and randomised to: group 1 (non-HCL) to continue their standard diabetes care with intermittent blinded CGM; or group 2 (HCL-LCD) to use the HCL system and follow a LCD. Baseline data on diet and glycaemia will be collected from all participants. The HCL-LCD group will then enter a 2-week run-in to acclimatise to their devices. Throughout, the HCL-LCD group will have their glucose closely monitored and adjusted aiming for glycaemic TIR >70%. Participants will have their glucagon response to hypoglycaemia measured at the beginning and 8 months later at the study end using a stepped hyperinsulinaemic hypoglycaemic clamp, in combination with the stable isotopes 6,6-2H2-glucose (D2-glucose) and 1,1,2,3,3-2H5-glycerol (D5-glycerol) to assess glucose and glycerol kinetics. The impact of hypoglycaemia on symptoms and cognitive function will be assessed during each clamp study. The primary outcome is the difference in the glucagon response to hypoglycaemia between and within groups at baseline versus study end.

Ethics and dissemination

Ethical (20/SS/0117)/institutional review board (2021/0001) approval has been obtained. The study will be disseminated by peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.

Trial registration number

NCT04614168.
Community engagement for birth preparedness and complication readiness in the Community Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP) Trial in India: a mixed-method evaluation
Authors: Kavi Avinash , Kinshella Mai-Lei Woo , Ramadurg Umesh Y , Charantimath Umesh , Katageri Geetanjali M , Karadiguddi Chandrashekhar C , Honnungar Narayan V , Bannale Shashidhar G , Mungarwadi Geetanjali I , Bone Jeffrey N , Vidler Marianne , Magee Laura , Mallapur Ashalata , Goudar Shivaprasad S , Bellad Mrutyunjaya , Derman Richard , von Dadelszen Peter , Working Group The CLIP India
Published: December 2022

Objective

To describe the process of community engagement (CE) in northern Karnataka, India and its impact on pre-eclampsia knowledge, birth preparedness and complication readiness, pregnancy-related care seeking and maternal morbidity.

Design

This study was a secondary analysis of a cluster randomised trial of Community Level Interventions for Pre-eclampsia (CLIP). A total of 12 clusters based on primary health centre catchment areas were randomised to intervention or control. CE was conducted in intervention clusters. CE attendance was summarised according to participant group using both quantitative and qualitative assessment. Pre-eclampsia knowledge, birth preparedness, health services engagement and perinatal outcomes was evaluated within trial surveillance. Outcomes were compared between trial arms using a mixed effects logistic regression model on RStudio (RStudio, Boston, USA). Community feedback notes were thematically analysed on NVivo V.12 (QSR International, Melbourne, Australia).

Setting

Belagavi and Bagalkote districts in rural Karnataka, India.

Participants

Pregnant women and women of reproductive age, mothers and mothers-in-law, community stakeholders and male household decision-makers and health workers.

Results

A total of 1379 CE meetings were conducted with 39 362 participants between November 2014 and October 2016. CE activities may have had an effect on modifying community attitudes towards hypertension in pregnancy and its complications. However, rates of pre-eclampsia knowledge, birth preparedness, health services engagement and maternal morbidities among individual pregnant women were not significantly impacted by CE activities in their area.

Conclusion

Evaluation of our CE programme in India demonstrates the feasibility of reaching pregnant women alongside household decision-makers, community stakeholders and health workers. More research is needed to explore the pathways of impact between broad community mobilisation to strengthen support for maternal care seeking and clinical outcomes of individual pregnant women.

Trial registration number

NCT01911494.
Early Neurological ASsessment with pupillometrY during Cardiac Arrest REsuscitation (EASY-CARE): protocol for an observational multicentre prospective study
Authors: Zerbi Simone Maria , Sandroni Claudio , Botteri Marco , Bellasi Antonio , Latronico Nicola , Rasulo Frank
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest is burdened with a high rate of ineffective resuscitation and poor neurological outcome among survivors. To date, there are few perfusion assessment tools during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and none of them provide reliable data. Despite the lack of information, physicians must decide whether to extend or terminate resuscitation efforts.

Method and analysis

This is a multicentre prospective, observational cohort study, involving adult patients, victims of unexpected out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. Early Neurological ASsessment with pupillometrY during Cardiac Arrest Resuscitation aims to primarily describe the reliability of quantitative pupillometry through use of the Neurological Pupillary Index (NPi) during the manoeuvre of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, as a predictor of the return of spontaneous circulation. The second objective is to seek and describe the association between the NPi and neurological outcome in the surviving cohort. Patients will be excluded if they are less than 18 years of age, have sustained traumatic brain injury, cerebrovascular emergencies, direct injury to the eyes or have pupil anomalies. Neurological outcome will be collected at intensive care unit discharge, at 30 days, 6 months and at 1 year. The Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) will be used in the emergency department; modified Rankin Score will be adopted for neurological assessment; biomarkers and neurophysiology exams will be collected as well.

Ethics and dissemination

The study has been approved by Ethics Committee of Milano. Local committee acceptance is required for each of the centres involved in the clinical and follow-up data collection. Data will be disseminated to the scientific community through original articles submitted to peer-reviewed journals and abstracts to conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT05192772.
Provision of educational events and subsequent questionnaire response rates in a large-scale birth cohort study from Japan
Authors: Tsuchida Akiko , Kigawa Mika , Matsumura Kenta , Ito Mika , Tanaka Tomomi , Hamazaki Kei , Inadera Hidekuni
Published: December 2022

Objectives

We examined whether providing educational events for participants in a birth cohort study would increase the response rates of study questionnaires.

Design

Birth cohort study.

Setting

Questionnaires were distributed and returned by post twice in 1 year. We developed and implemented two educational sessions; a Baby Food lecture for mothers with children around 8 months old (analysis 1) and a Eurythmic session for mothers with children around 1 year and 8 months old (analysis 2). Mothers with children over the target ages were not invited (not-invited group). The invited participants were divided into three groups: those who did not apply to attend (not-applied group), those who applied but did not attend (applied group), and those who applied and attended (attended group).

Participants

The participants were 5379 mother–child pairs registered with the Toyama Regional Center of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS).

Outcome measure

The outcome measure was return of the JECS questionnaire for 1 year old sent out after the Baby Food lecture and the JECS questionnaire for 2 years old sent out after the Eurythmic session. The questionnaires were returned to us by post.

Results

The response rate for the attended group of the Baby Food lecture was 99.7%, and the odds ratio (OR) was significantly higher for this group than for the not-invited group (crude OR 24.54; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.42 to 176.13; analysis 1). After the exclusion of participants who had previously attended the Baby Food lecture, the response rate for the attended group of the Eurythmic session was 97.8%, and the OR was significantly higher for this group than for the not-invited group (adjusted OR 5.66; 95% CI 1.93 to 16.54; analysis 2).

Conclusion

Providing educational events that are appropriate to the age and needs of the participants may increase questionnaire response rates in birth cohort studies.

Trial registration number

UMIN 000030786.
Predictors of first-line antiretroviral treatment failure among children on antiretroviral therapy at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialised hospital, North-west, Ethiopia: a 14-year long-term follow-up study
Authors: Wondifraw Endalk Birrie , Tebeje Nigusie Birhan , Akanaw Worknesh , Chanie Ermias Sisay
Published: December 2022

Objective

To determine the incidence and predictors of first-line human immune deficiency virus treatment failure among human immune deficiency virus-infected children at the University of Gondar comprehensive specialised hospital in Ethiopia.

Design

A retrospective follow-up study.

Setting

University of Gondar comprehensive specialised hospital, North-west, Ethiopia.

Participants

Children were among the HIV infected from January 2005 to December 2018. There were 336 children included in the study. The data were entered into EPi Info V.7.2 and then exported to STATA V.14.0 Software for analysis. Both bivariable and multivariable analyses with Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify the predictors of treatment failure.

Primary outcome measures

Predictors of first-line antiretroviral treatment failure among children on antiretroviral therapy (ART) during 14 years long-term follow-up study.

Result

A total of 336 human immunodeficiency virus-infected children participated in this study with 27 058 child years of observation. The overall incidence rate was 2.1 (95% CI 1.57 to 2.78) per 100 child years. Poor adherence (adjusted HR (AHR); 6.5 (95% CI 2.03 to 21.39)), fair adherence (AHR; 6.55 (95% CI 2.64 to 16.53), the presence of opportunistic infection (AHR; 4.22 (95% CI 1.44 to 12.30), clinical staging of III/IV (AHR; 3.08 (95% CI 1.17 to 8.08) and a baseline CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3(AHR; 3.61 (95% CI 1.12 to 11.54)).

Conclusion

The incidence of first-line ART failure was found to be high. Baseline opportunistic infection, poor and fair adherence, advanced WHO clinical staging III/IV and a CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm3were all predictors of first-line treatment failure. Early identification of associated factors and monitoring treatment failure has to be important for the optimal management of HIV-infected children who are receiving ART and to prevent further complications.
Application of the capability approach to Indigenous People’s health and well-being: protocol for a mixed-methods scoping review
Authors: van der Boor Catharina , Molina-Bulla Carlos Iván , Chiumento Anna , White Ross G
Published: December 2022

Background

Indigenous Peoples are subject to marginalisation, and experience systematic disadvantage in relation to health outcomes. Human development initiatives may help determine whether, and how, Indigenous Peoples are able to be agents of their own development and improve their health and well-being. This scoping review protocol outlines a process for synthesising the existing evidence that has applied the capability approach (CA) to Indigenous People’s health and/or well-being.

Methods and analysis

A mixed-method scoping review is proposed including academic peer-reviewed publications and grey literature. Screening inclusion criteria will include Indigenous populations, using the CA approach to conceptualise health and/or well-being, and be available in English, Spanish, French or Portuguese. Publications that meet these criteria will undergo data extraction. Qualitative and quantitative data will be thematically and descriptively analysed and interpreted.

Ethics and dissemination

The proposed scoping review does not involve collecting data directly from Indigenous Peoples but will be based on previous research conducted within Indigenous settings. The current protocol and the proposed scoping review incorporate aspects of community involvement to guide the research process.

This scoping review constitutes the first phase of a wider participatory action research project conducted with the Indigenous Kankuamo Peoples of Colombia. The findings of this review will be reported to local partners, published in a peer-reviewed journal and an executive summary will be shared with wider stakeholders. Within the wider project, the review will be considered alongside primary data to inform the development of tools/approaches of mental health and well-being for the Kankuamo communities.
Implementation and perceived impact of the SWAN model of end-of-life and bereavement care: a realist evaluation
Authors: Stewart-Lord Adele , Baillie Lesley , Green Laura , Murphy Fiona , Leary Alison
Published: December 2022

Objectives

To evaluate the End-of-Life and Bereavement Care model (SWAN) from conception to current use.

Design

A realist evaluation was conducted to understand what works for whom and in what circumstances. The programme theory, derived from a scoping review, comprised: person and family centred care, institutional approaches and infrastructure. Data were collected across three stages (May 2021 to December 2021): semi-structured, online interviews and analysis of routinely collected local and national data.

Setting

Stage 1: Greater Manchester area of England where the SWAN model was developed and implemented. Stage 2: Midlands. Stage 3: National data.

Participants

Twenty-three participants were interviewed: Trust SWAN leads, end-of-life care nurses, board members, bereavement services, faith leadership, quality improvement, medicine, nursing, patient transport, mortuary, police and coroners.

Results

Results from all three stages were integrated within themes, linked to the mechanisms, context and outcomes for the SWAN model. The mechanisms are: SWAN is a values-based model, promoting person/family-centred care and emphasising personhood after death. Key features are: memory-making, normalisation of death and ‘one chance’ to get things right. SWAN is an enablement and empowerment model for all involved. The branding is recognisable and raises the profile of end-of-life and bereavement care. The contextual factors for successful implementation and sustainability include leadership, organisational support, teamwork and integrated working, education and engagement and investment in resources and facilities. The outcomes are perceived to be: a consistent approach to end-of-life and bereavement care; a person/family-centred approach to care; empowered and creative staff; an organisational culture that prioritises end-of-life and bereavement care.

Conclusion

The SWAN model is agile and has transferred to different settings and circumstances. This realist evaluation revealed the mechanisms of the SWAN model, the contextual factors supporting implementation and perceived outcomes for patients, families, staff and the organisation.
Can quantum nonlocality be connected to extra dimensions?
Authors: Genovese Marco
Published: December 2022

Quantum nonlocality, as described by Einstein–Podolsky–Rosen (EPR) paradox, represents one of the mysteries at the very foundations of quantum mechanics. Here, we suggest to investigate if it can be understood by considering extra dimensions.
Gravity effect in a piezo-thermoelastic diffusive medium with dual-phase-lag model
Authors: Ahmed Ethar A. A. , Eraki Ebtesam E. M. , Othman Mohamed I. A.
Published: December 2022

The model of generalized thermoelasticity, with the dual-phase-lag theory (DPL), is applied to study the influence of gravity on a piezo-thermoelastic diffusive medium. Normal mode analysis is used to obtain the exact expressions for different physical quantities. The derived expressions are computed numerically and the results are presented in graphical form. Comparisons are made with the results predicted by the Lord–Shulman theory (LS) and the DPL model in the presence and absence of gravity.
Design and analysis of shunt active power filter for the management of power quality
Authors: Arslan Muhammad
Published: December 2022

For the last decade, power systems have been facing different issues with power quality due to often usage of non-linear loads. These issues contain high harmonics and low power factors, which are solved using a shunt active power filter. These issues affect the economic aspects of both the industries and consumers as they result in voltage drop, sagging and swelling of transmission lines in high voltage transmission. Consumers' day-to-day lives negatively affect the life cycle of consumers' equipment. To adjust the system's power factor and harmonics, one of the prime roles is the shunt active power filter. A reference current waveform is generated for each phase, and the inverter is driven with gating signals to trace the reference waveform by this filter. In the form of a regulated power source in the power distribution system shunt, an active power filter introduces current harmonic elements. Compared to the traditional two-level converters, power semiconductor devices can operate at fewer voltages. Due to this characteristic using MLIs in power electronic devices, switching loss and voltage stress can be minimized significantly. The multilevel inverters produce a stepped output voltage through different lower DC voltage sources. Low-harmonic components and better power quality are due to the small voltage steps generated by the output voltage given by the MLIs.In this project, a shunt active power filter is designed and analyzed. This system is developed on the concept of the multilevel inverter, which enables to resolve problems such as lower power factor and harmonic presence in a power system. A solar PV cell is used to provide power to the system. Also, several other components such as MOSFET, voltage control unit, PI controller, peak detection method, and diode bridge are used to create this system. Here, to create a two-level inverter, a MOSFET is used. To requite the load current harmonics and the reactive power peak detection method is applied in this system to create reference currents. A three-phase supply is utilized to power the model, whereas an active power filter is applied to reduce the unwanted noise produced. Also, a PI controller and a hysteresis current controller are used in this system. After selecting the various elements required for the system, a block representation indicating the workflow sequence is drawn. Then, a working model of the system is created in Simulink. Later, the model is simulated several times, and the output of the system verified the stress on the power electronics devices is minimized by the enhancement in power quality. Also, an economic system for resolving power issues is developed that is easy to usage.
Promising Therapeutic Functions of Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Derived-Exosome in Asthma
Authors: Yuan Jia-Ying , Wang Xiang-Yun , Tong Zhi-Ying , Dong Yu-Chao , Zhao Jia-Yi , Zhang Yi , Shang Yan
Published: December 2022

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disturbance of the airways in which many cells and cellular elements are involved. Wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, especially at night or in the early morning, are typical symptoms of asthma. At present, inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) and long-acting β-agonists (LABAs) are standard treatments for regular management. Oral corticosteroids (OCSs) were recommended for controlling asthma exacerbation but only for a short-term treatment because of the side effects on organs. Biologic therapies have achieved exciting and notable effects in clinical treatment but are not applicable for all phenotypes of asthma. At present, some new approaches are under exploration to lessen side effects and improve curative effects. Studies have revealed that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) hold various curative effects in asthma and may benefit in the long term with high safety. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) enriched in body fluid were characterized as subcomponents of extracellular vesicles and delivered carriers combined with genetic messages in vivo. The therapeutic potential of exosomes has become a research hotspot in many diseases. BMMSC-derived exosomes were considered as the dominant part of BMMSCs in cell-to-cell communications and playing curative effects. Points also hold that BMMSC-Exo could interfere with airway inflammation and airway remolding in asthma via modulating the immune response, regulating gene expression, adjusting the phenotype of macrophage, etc. However, BMMSC-Exo still lacked more clinical trials for evaluating the effects on asthma, and the technology of extraction and purification still needs to be improved for wide use. This review aims to draw the relationship among asthma, BMMSC, and exosome, which may provide innovate ideas for treatment of asthma, and arouse attention about the curative potential of BMMSC-Exo.
Isolation, Production, and Characterization of Serum Immunoglobulin M (IgM) of Indian Major Carp Cirrhinus mrigal (MRIGAL)
Authors: Khandige Prasanna Shama , Shankar K. M. , Babu P. Suresh , Sadananda Vandana , Gowrish S.
Published: December 2022

A method for the isolation of immunoglobulin M (IgM) in Indian major carp Cirrhinus mrigal (mrigal) serum to produce polyclonal antibodies is described in the present study. The purified immunoglobulins (IgM) were isolated from the serum of mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigal) by the bovine serum albumin (BSA)-CL affinity column purification method, and the IgM was used to produce a polyclonal rabbit anti-mrigal IgM antiserum. The IgM preparations were employed in the characterization of mrigal serum immunoglobulin. Reduced mrigal IgM on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was shown to consist of two subunits, compatible with heavy and light chains. A single heavy chain at approximately 90 kDa and variant of light chain 30 kDa were found. The dominant form of nonreduced IgM had a MW of approximately 900 kDa, suggesting a tetrameric structure based on estimated molecular weights, the relative protein content, and the reactivity with anti-mrigal IgM antisera, was obtained. The antisera were characterized as to specificity and reactivity by means of the enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting method. The information on the structure and character of immunoglobulin of fishes is essential in health management. The study described here investigates the possibility of using the serological techniques to assess the reactivity of antibody with the anti-mrigal IgM antisera.
Effects of Data Augmentation with the BNNSMOTE Algorithm in Seizure Detection Using 1D-MobileNet
Authors: Zhang Peiling , Zhang Xuan , Liu Ankang
Published: December 2022

Automatic seizure detection technology has important implications for reducing the workload of neurologists for epilepsy diagnosis and treatment. Due to the unpredictable nature of seizures, the imbalanced classification of seizure and nonseizure data continues to be challenging. In this work, we first propose a novel algorithm named the borderline nearest neighbor synthetic minority oversampling technique (BNNSMOTE) to address the imbalanced classification problem and improve seizure detection performance. The algorithm uses the nearest neighbor notion to generate nonseizure samples near the boundary, then determines the seizure samples that are difficult to learn at the boundary, and lastly selects seizure samples at random to be used in the synthesis of new samples. In view of the characteristic that electroencephalogram (EEG) signals are one-dimensional signals, we then develop a 1D-MobileNet model to validate the algorithm’s performance. Results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms previous seizure detection methods on the CHB-MIT dataset, achieving an average accuracy of 99.40%, a recall value of 87.46%, a precision of 97.17%, and an F1-score of 91.90%, respectively. We also had considerable success when we used additional datasets for verification at the same time. Our algorithm’s data augmentation effects are more pronounced and perform better at seizure detection than the existing imbalanced techniques. Besides, the model’s parameters and calculation volume have been significantly reduced, making it more suitable for mobile terminals and embedded devices.
An Analysis of the RBF Hyperparameter Impact on Surrogate-Assisted Evolutionary Optimization
Authors: Tenne Yoel
Published: December 2022

Computationally expensive optimization problems are often solved using surrogates and a common variant is the radial basis functions (RBF) model. It aggregates several basis functions which all depend on a hyperparameter affecting their individual outputs and consequentially the overall surrogate prediction. However, the optimal value of the hyperparameter is typically unknown and should therefore be calibrated. This raises the question how does the hyperparameter affect the overall optimization search effectiveness (and not just the stand-alone surrogate accuracy) and to what extent is such a calibration beneficial, which is an important consideration both for end-users and algorithm researchers alike. To rigorously address this issue this paper presents an analysis based on an extensive set of numerical experiments with an RBF surrogate-assisted evolutionary algorithm. It follows that the hyperparameter strongly affected performance and that the extent of its impact varied depending on the basis function, objective function modality, and problem dimension. Overall, calibration of the hyperparameter was typically highly beneficial to the search performance while dynamically optimizing the hyperparameter during the search yielded additional performance gains.
ETS Fight Club on Microsatellite Enhancers
Authors: Mercher Thomas
Published: December 2022

In this issue of Blood Cancer Discovery, Kodgule, Goldman, Monovichet al. cleverly analyzed the transcription regulatory elements to investigate why the second copy of ETV6 is often lost in ETV6::RUNX1-translocated in B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (BCP-ALL). It turns out that ETV6 suppresses the enhancer activity of GGAA microsatellite repeats, preventing ERG from subverting them to activate aberrant oncogene transcription.

See related article by Kodgule, Goldman, Monovich et al., p. 34 (5).