bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Versatility of use of fibrin glue in wound closure and vitreo-retinal surgery
Authors: Lopezcarasa-Hernandez Gabriela , Perez-Vazquez Jose-Francisco , Guerrero-Naranjo Jose-Luis , Martinez-Castellanos Maria A.
Published: April 2021

Background

Fibrin glue is an absorbable blood-derived product, a biological tissue adhesive which imitates the final stages of the coagulation cascade, it produces a firm clot, forming a seal along the whole length of the wound, the resultant fibrin clot degrades physiologically into granulation tissue 2 weeks after the application. Biological glue has been used extensively in many forms of surgical procedures. Its use in eye surgery has grown lately as we have evidence that showed it was effective in securing conjunctival grafts in pterygium surgery, in securing wounds after glaucoma surgery and more importantly in 20G and 23G vitrectomy.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to present our experience in the use of fibrin glue in vitreoretinal surgery.

Material and methods

We included 281 eyes of 221 patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery during the period of May 2009 to July 2012, the preoperative diagnoses were as following: proliferative diabetic retinopathy, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, luxation of cataratous nucleous and cortex, intraocular lens luxation, penetrating trauma, silicone extraction, phaco + IOL + vitrectomy + Ahmed valve implant, vitreous biopsy and optic nerve pit associated to macular detachment. The procedures were performed with Alcon Accurus Surgical System 20-gauge, 23-gauge or a combination of both. We used fibrin glue in all of the 20-gauge sclerotomies and leaking 23-gauge sclerotomies, scleral wound for IOL extraction, conjunctival peritomy for buckle implantation, conjunctiva in Ahmed valve implant, corneal graft in corneal perforation in trauma and leaking corneal wounds for phacoemulsification, in an optic pit, and in subretinal space in a giant retinal tear.

Results

We did not use any suture in any of the patients throughout the different procedures, there was no leakage in any wounds in the postoperative period, we found no inflammatory reaction, infection, and whenever we had excess amount, it was trimmed. Two patients presented a small dehiscence of the wound that was corrected in-office with a small amount of fibrin glue in the post-operative period.

Conclusions

Fibrin glue reduces surgical time, it is a good sealant, safe, with minimal allergic or toxic reactions and inflammation, minimizes bleeding, easy to undo and that eventually degrades. This small series shows that fibrin glue is a viable alternative for tissue coaptation in vitreoretinal surgery. However, further studies are required before fibrin glue takes the place of sutures.
Chitosan based antibacterial composite materials for leather industry: a review
Authors: Yuan Linlin , Yao Qingda , Liang Yongxian , Dan Ye , Wang Yixiao , Wen Huitao , Yang Yiqing , Dan Weihua
Published: April 2021

Chitosan is an amorphous translucent substance with a structural unit similar to the polysaccharide structure of the extracellular matrix, It has good antibacterial, biocompatible, and degradable properties. It has important application value in leather, water treatment, medicine, food and other fields, so chitosan and its modified products have received widespread attention. This article reviewed the preparation methods of chitosan-based antibacterial composites in recent years, including chitosan/collagen, chitosan/graphene, chitosan/tannic acid, and chitosan/polyethylene glycol composite materials, elaborates their modification methods and antibacterial mechanism were reviewed in detail, and its applications in the leather industry as antibacterial auxiliaries and water treatment antibacterial adsorption materials were discussed. Finally, the future development and challenges of chitosan-based composite materials in the leather industry were forecasted.

Graphical abstract
Validation of imaging reporting and data system of coronavirus disease 2019 lexicons CO-RADS and COVID-RADS with radiologists’ preference: a multicentric study
Authors: Atta Haisam , Hasan Hosam A. , Elmorshedy Reham , Gabr Adel , Abbas Wael A. , El-Barody Mohamed M.
Published: April 2021

Background

A retrospective multicentric study gathered 1439 CT chest studies with suspected coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affection. Three radiologists, blinded to other results, interpreted all studies using both lexicons with documentation of applicability and preferred score in assessing every case. The purpose of the study is to assess COVID-19 standardized assessment schemes’ (CO-RADS and COVID-RADS lexicons) applicability and diagnostic efficacy.

Results

This study included 991 RT-PCR-confirmed CT studies. An almost perfect agreement was found in COVID-RADS among the three observers (Fleiss Kappa = 0.82), opposed by a substantial agreement in CO-RADS (Κ = 0.78). The preference records favor COVID-RADS/CO-RADS in 78.5%/12.5%, 75.5%/24.5%, and 73.4%/24.5% regarding the three radiologists’ records, respectively. The distinguishability between positive and negative RT-PCR cases was 0.92 for COVID-RADS, while it was 0.85 for CO-RADS. On the other hand, both lexicons’ performance regarding clinical diagnosis and clinical suspicion index was 0.93 for COVID-RADS and 0.94 for CO-RADS. A very high to excellent agreement between the three observers for COVID-RADS/CO-RADS preference was concluded (Fleiss Kappa = 0.80 to 0.94). These results were statistically significant (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Both lexicon scores (CO-RADS and COVID-RADS) were found to be applicable in the COVID-19 structured report with the preference of COVID-RADS in more than 50% of cases. The diagnostic accuracy of COVID-RADS against RT-PCR was higher than that of CO-RADS.
Teaching Hardy-Weinberg Equilibrium using Population-Level Punnett Squares: Facilitating Calculation for Students with Math Anxiety
Authors: Williams K. R. , Wasson S. R. , Barrett A. , Greenall R. F. , Jones S. R. , Bailey E. G.
Published: April 2021

The effectiveness of teaching Punnett squares as a calculation aid for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium with a quasi-experimental design was tested. On its own, this aid may allow for increased calculation success, and it may increase mastery of equation derivation when taught before the equations. Benefits for students with math anxiety are discussed.
Is climate change a mental health crisis?
Authors: Romeu Daniel
Published: April 2021

The Earth's climate is in a complex state of change as a result of human activity. The interface between climate change and physical health has received significant attention, but its effects on mental health and illness are less understood. This article provides an insight into the psychiatric sequelae of climate change, suggests strategies that psychiatrists can use to take action, and argues that it is their responsibility to do so.
Cognitive remediation and professional insertion of people with schizophrenia: RemedRehab, a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cervello S. , Dubreucq J. , Trichanh M. , Dubrulle A. , Amado I. , Bralet M. C. , Chirio-Espitalier M. , Delille S. , Fakra E. , Francq C. , Guillard-Bouhet N. , Graux J. , Lançon C. , Zakoian J. M. , Gauthier E. , Demily C. , Franck N.
Published: April 2021

Background

People suffering from schizophrenia cannot easily access employment in European countries. Different types of vocational programs coexist in France: supported employment, sheltered employment (ShE), and hybrid vocational programs. It is now acknowledged that the frequent cognitive impairments constitute a major obstacle to employment for people with schizophrenia. However, cognitive remediation (CR) is an evidence-based nonpharmacological treatment for these neurocognitive deficits.

Methods

RemedRehab was a multicentric randomized comparative open trial in parallel groups conducted in eight centers in France between 2013 and 2018. Participants were recruited into ShE firms before their insertion in employment (preparation phase). They were randomly assigned to cognitive training Cognitive Remediation for Schizophrenia (RECOS) or Treatment As Usual (TAU). The aim of the study was to compare with the benefits of the RECOS program on access to employment and work attendance for people with schizophrenia, measured by the ratio: number of hours worked on number of hours stipulated in the contract.

Results

Seventy-nine patients were included in the study between October 2018 and September 2019. Fifty-three patients completed the study. Hours worked / planned hours equal to 1 or greater than 1 were significantly higher in the RECOS group than in the TAU group.

Conclusions

Participants benefited from a RECOS individualized CR program allows a better rate of work attendance in ShE, compared to the ones benefited from TAU. Traditional vocational rehabilitation enhanced with individualized CR in a population of patients with schizophrenia is efficient on work attendance during the first months of work integration.
Consensus on Treatment and Follow-Up for Biochemical Recurrence in Castration-Sensitive Prostate Cancer: A Report From the First Global Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference for Developing Countries
Authors: Monteiro Fernando S. M. , Schutz Fabio A. , Morbeck Igor A. P. , Bastos Diogo A. , de Padua Fernando V. , Costa Leonardo A. G. A. , Maia Manuel C. , Rinck Jr Jose A. , Zequi Stenio de Cassio , da Trindade Karine M. , Alfer Jr Wladimir , Nahas William C. , dos Santos Lucas V. , Ferrigno Robson , da Rosa Diogo A. R. , Sade Juan P. , Orlandi Francisco J. , de Oliveira Fernando N. G. , Soares Andrey
Published: April 2021

PURPOSE

To present a summary of the treatment and follow-up recommendations for the biochemical recurrence in castration-sensitive prostate cancer (PCa) acquired through a questionnaire administered to 99 PCa experts from developing countries during the Prostate Cancer Consensus Conference for Developing Countries.

METHODS

A total of 27 questions were identified as related to this topic from more than 300 questions. The clinician's responses were tallied and presented in a percentage format. Topics included the use of imaging for staging biochemical recurrence, treatment recommendations for three different clinical scenarios, the field of radiation recommended, and follow-up. Each question had 5-7 relevant response options, including “abstain” and/or “unqualified to answer,” and investigated not only recommendations but also if a limitation in resources would change the recommendation.

RESULTS

For most questions, a clear majority (> 50%) of clinicians agreed on a recommended treatment for imaging, treatment scenarios, and follow-up, although only a few topics reached a consensus > 75%. Limited resources did affect several areas of treatment, although in many cases, they reinforced more stringent criteria for treatment such as prostate-specific antigen values > 0.2 ng/mL and STAMPEDE inclusion criteria as a basis for recommending treatment.

CONCLUSION

A majority of clinicians working in developing countries with limited resources use similar cutoff points and selection criteria to manage patients treated for biochemically recurrent castration-sensitive PCa.
“Waiving” Goodbye to PE: State Law and School Exemption and Substitution Practices in the United States
Authors: Chriqui Jamie F. , Leider Julien , Piekarz-Porter Elizabeth , Lin Wanting , Turner Lindsey , Michael Shannon L. , Brener Nancy , Perna Frank
Published: April 2021

Purpose

The importance of schools providing physical education (PE) and promoting physical activity (PA) and the benefits of PA for children are well documented. However, a majority of students do not get the nationally recommended 60 min of daily PA. Many states grant waivers, substitutions, or exemptions from PE despite national recommendations. This study examined the association between state laws allowing for the use of PE substitutions and exemptions and school-level substitution and exemption practices.

Methods

School-level PE exemption and substitution data from the 2014 School Health Policies and Practices Study were linked to state law data from the National Wellness Policy Study and the National Cancer Institute’s 2013 Classification of Laws Associated with School Students. The analytic sample included 320 schools located in 42 states. Separate multivariable logistic regression models linked five types of school PE exemptions/substitutions to corresponding state laws, controlling for school characteristics.

Results

Overall, 24 of the 42 states had laws addressing PE waivers, exemptions, or substitutions. Schools had higher odds of allowing PE substitutions for school sports (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 3.59; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.33–9.68), other school activities (AOR, 8.52; 95% CI, 2.90–25.03), and community sports (AOR, 4.30; 95% CI, 1.43–12.96) and allowing exemptions for fitness test scores (AOR, 4.67; 95% CI, 1.49–14.62) or vocational training (AOR, 5.92; 95% CI, 1.04–33.68) if state law allowed it, compared with schools in states that did not allow such practices.

Conclusions

Given the connection between PA and beneficial outcomes for children, decision makers, school administrators, practitioners, advocates, and researchers should consider and further examine how PE waiver, exemption, and substitution policies and practices may affect students’ PA and related outcomes.
Theological and Ethical Aspects of Mind Transfer in Transhumanism
Authors: Osiński Grzegorz
Published: April 2021

Mind transfer is the most important concept of transhumanists. Its tech­nological implementation is to copy and transfer the human mind to a computer, by exact mapping of all neural connections in the human brain and their precise copying in a computer simulation. The idea of mind transfer also brings some dangers, related to the denial of human nature, the placing of hopes for future life in digital spaces and the liberation from the limitations imposed on man by his biological structure. Transhumanists believe that in order to achieve mind transfer, various technologies defined by the acronym NBIC (Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology, Cognitive Science) currently available, should be used. The very dynamic development of these technologies in recent years, and in particular the latest AI (Artificial Intelli­gence) algorithms seem to be very fast approaching the moment when practical mind transfer will be possible. The paper contains a very brief description of these technical capabilities with the necessary short commentary on their ethical aspects.
Wait, But Why? Challenging the Intuitive Force of Substance Dualism
Authors: Ritchie Sarah Lane
Published: April 2021

In responding to Joshua Farris’ The Soul of Theological Anthropology, I suggest several reasons for questioning the theological need for substance dualism in any form. Specifically, I argue that it is not at the level of analytic argumentation that the mind or soul is best understood, and that the sciences do indeed challenge substance dualism (despite philosophical arguments to the contrary). In making this argument, I examine the roles of intuition and theological pre-commitments in one’s determination of the correct understanding of the mind or soul. I suggest that dualism is not only theologically unnecessary, but also an intuition that we have reason to question.
Traditional Cardiopulmonary Criterion of Death is the Only Valid Criterion of Human Death
Authors: Volek Peter
Published: April 2021

In recent time the critique of the whole brain death as the criterion of human death, that was introduced in 1968, has been growing. The paper aims to show in systematically that there are good reasons based on empirical findings combined with Thomistic Christian anthropology to accept the traditional cardiopulmonary criterion as the criterion of human death. This will be shown through a systematic critique of other criteria of death: whole brain death, higher brain death, brain stem death, and controlled cardiac/circulatory death. The traditional cardiopulmonary criterion of death provides the opportunity to maintain the dead donor rule for organ transplantation. This also affirms the respect for human life required by the ethics of the sanctity of human life. The paper further provides a justification of dead donor rule. The paper proposes 35 minutes period after cardiac arrest to declare the patient dead, since at that time there is no possibility to autoresuscitate the heart.
Imperio y causalidad en Tomás de Aquino
Authors: Enríquez Gómez María Teresa , Montoya Camacho Jorge Martín
Published: April 2021

Ante ciertos modelos causales del agente libre inspirados en Tomás de Aquino, resulta interesante atender al modelo causal presentado por Tomás mismo, especialmente en un texto a partir del cual se puede rastrear la exposición de la acción libre como el efecto de los cuatro sentidos causales aristotélicos. Se trata de la cuestión sobre los actos imperados (ST I-II, q. 17); en cuyos primeros cuatro artículos –y en sus textos paralelos– determina que la voluntad es causa agente; la razón práctica, causa ordenadora; y el imperium de ambas (razón y voluntad) se relaciona con el acto imperado como lo formal con lo material.
Managerial Learning from Analyst Feedback to Voluntary Capex Guidance, Investment Efficiency, and Firm Performance
Authors: Bae Jihun , Biddle Gary C. , Park Chul W.
Published: April 2021

We test predictions that managers issuing voluntary capex guidance learn from analyst feedback and that this learning enhances investment efficiency and firm performance. Our findings are consistent with these predictions. First, we find that managers’ capex adjustments and capex guidance revisions relate positively with analyst feedback measured by differences between postguidance analyst capex forecasts and managerial capex guidance. Second, changes in investment efficiency relate positively with analyst feedback. Third, subsequent firm financial performance relates positively with the predicted values of both managers’ capex adjustments and capex guidance revisions. These findings extend prior evidence regarding sources of managerial learning and investment efficiency and help to explain the active issuance of voluntary guidance by managers in settings where, as for capex guidance, the potential for managerial learning from related share price effects is limited, as we also explain.

This paper was accepted by Brian Bushee, accounting.
The Phenomenon of Design Thinking: a Synergetic Approach
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Varianytsia Liudmyla
Published: April 2021

The article focuses on describing the phenomenon of design thinking on the basis of synergetic approach methodology. The author studies the category of design thinking as a methodology of generating innovations, as well as determines its characteristic features, namely, accumulating ideas with the help of creative thinking; making risky decisions at the primary stages of a project; empathy with the user of the service; no fear of failure; testing ideas on a number of customers in advance; ergonomic value of a service or product. The realisation of the synergetic approach in accord with the category of design thinking is described by means of the main principles of synergy, including its homeostatic, hierarchic and open character, linearity / non-linearity, observation. The author comes to the conclusion that design thinking as a methodology of solving non-linear tasks is an open system with non-linear relations between the components and sub-systems which is capable of self-development and self-organisation. Moreover, the development of such a system includes the processes of bifurcation which re-direct the self-development of a system towards innovation.
The Essence of the Phenomenon of Facilitation in the Context of the Implementation of the Ideas of Partnership Pedagogy in Primary School
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Yepikhina Maryna
Published: April 2021

The article proves the urgency of the problem of forming the readiness of future primary school teachers for facilitation interaction of teachers with all participants in the educational process, reveals the essence of the development of the research problem in the psychological and pedagogical literature. The essence of the concepts «pedagogical facilitation», «teacher-facilitator» is defined, the purpose of facilitation is revealed, the facilitation role of the primary school teacher in the context of realization of ideas of partnership pedagogy is substantiated. The basic instructions of the teacher-facilitator, as well as general methods that can be used in various modifications are analyzed. It is proved that pedagogical facilitation creates the best conditions for the implementation of the ideas of partnership pedagogy in the modern educational process, and is also a more effective tool for partnership pedagogy.
Development of the Program of Activity of the Social Teacher Concerning Support of Single-Parent Families in the Conditions of Establishment of General Secondary Education
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Otroshchenko Nataliia
Published: April 2021

The article emphasizes that the experience that a person acquires in the family determines its individual behavior, creates an internal structure of reality, on the basis of which the individual perceives the environment. The process of diagnosing the psychosocial state of children from single-parent families is described, which includes the diagnosis of the level of anxiety, aggression, determination of socio-psychological adaptation and determination of self-esteem. It is emphasized that the analysis of diagnostic results allows to identify those areas of life in which a child from a single-parent family is experiencing difficulties and needs socio-pedagogical support. After the analysis of the obtained results, during a joint conversation with class teachers and a social pedagogue, during the study of school documentation, we selected 16 students of 9th grades for further research. Based on the analysis of psychological and pedagogical literature and the obtained diagnostic results, a program of social and pedagogical support for children from single-parent families «You are the author!» Was developed, which is implemented in three areas: social and pedagogical support for adolescents It is summarized that the program is built in accordance with the main essential characteristics of socio-pedagogical support. The problem of socio-pedagogical support for children from single-parent families is relevant and needs further research.
Formation and Development of the System of Interaction Between Family and School in the Upbringing of Hyperactive Students
Authors:   State Institution Luhansk Taras Shevchenko National University, Makovetska Anastasiia
Published: April 2021

This article is generalized attempts by different scientists who has tried to identify the peculiarities of the cooperation as a social mechanism. The analysis of historical periods of work development with such families in secondary schools was carried out. The most scientists’ works and legislative acts of the specified period were analyzed. The main purpose of education and raising a hyperactive child was justified. It provides cooperation in interdependent activities in the system of relations between parents and teachers. The genesis of the families and schools’ cooperation in the education of hyperactive students has been investigated. In the course of investigation it was determined that the cooperation is based on help social institutions to each other and to a smart combination of opportunities and efforts in organizing the students’ life. It was allocated the main characteristics directions in the organization of families and schools’ cooperation in education of hyperactive students. The article finds that despite the fact that the problem of interaction between family and school in teaching and educating students does not belong to a new field of scientific knowledge and covers a wide academic environment, there is not enough scientific and pedagogical literature, which, given for its importance, can be used as a scientific foundation of modern pedagogical practices in the interaction of family and school in the social support of hyperactive students.
Necesidades y dificultades de los/las profesionales sanitarios/as de los servicios de prevención de riesgos laborales de Cataluña
Authors: Vargas Leguás Hernán , Porcel Pérez Eva , Cortès Franch Imma
Published: April 2021

Objetivo: conocer las dificultades y necesidades del personal de medicina de los servicios de prevención de riesgos laborales de Cataluña para desarrollar sus funciones sanitarias descritas por la ley.

Métodos: estudio Delphi en tres rondas. La selección de participantes se realizó diferenciadamente para servicios de prevención propios y ajenos. La primera ronda incluyó dos preguntas abiertas: ¿Qué dificultades tiene para realizar las funciones sanitarias de su SPRL? y ¿Qué necesidades tiene para realizar las funciones sanitarias de su SPRL? En la segunda y tercera ronda las personas participantes puntuaron las categorías identificadas en la primera ronda según su importancia y relevancia. Se calcularon un índice de acuerdo interjueces (ICC) y un “índice de preocupación (IP)”. 

Resultados: la gestión de las personas trabajadoras con limitaciones y la vigilancia colectiva de la salud de baja calidad son las dificultades más importantes para los Servicios de Prevención Propios. Para los Ajenos, la falta de comunicación con otros organismos, la preeminencia de los criterios económicos y de rentabilidad asociado al alto volumen de trabajo son las más relevantes. La necesidad de establecer canales de comunicación con otras instituciones u organismos como la Atención Primaria, las Mutuas, el Instituto de Evaluaciones Médicas y las Unidades de Salud Laboral es común a ambos grupos.

Conclusiones: la diferente naturaleza de las actividades preventivas que realizan los servicios de prevención determina diferencias importantes en las dificultades expresadas, no así en las necesidades identificadas donde se encuentran puntos en común.
Análisis del ajuste de mascarillas autofiltrantes en combinación con las mascarillas quirúrgicas para la protección del profesional sanitario en su atención a pacientes afectos de SARS-COV-2 a partir de un estudio experimental
Authors: García Vela Raquel , Cabanas Valdés Rosa , Huertas Ríos Santos , Donat Roca Rafel , Monné Cuevas Pol , Moizé Arcone Luciana , Calvo Sanz Jordi
Published: April 2021

Introducción: Un componente importante del equipo de protección individual (EPI) frente al SARS-CoV-2 son las mascarillas quirúrgicas y las mascarillas autofiltrantes (FFP). La norma europea EN 149 establece y clasifica las mascarillas autofiltrantes en tres niveles de protección dependiendo del porcentaje de fuga del total de partículas en suspensión del aire exterior hacia el aire interior FFP1, FFP2, FFP3. El objetivo de este e ensayo de laboratorio es determinar y cuantificar el nivel de ajuste de las mascarillas autofiltrantes FFP2 combinadas con las mascarillas quirúrgicas mediante series de pruebas de ajuste (fit test).

Material y Métodos: Se utilizó el equipo medidor de ajuste de mascarillas FFP modelo PortaCount® Pro + 8038 compatible con las normas y metodología de la OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) de los EEUU. Se realizaron series de pruebas de ajuste sobre diferentes modelos de mascarillas autofiltrantes FFP2 con y sin mascarilla quirúrgica para diferentes situaciones de respiración del trabajador participante en este experimento. 

Resultados: El uso de la mascarilla quirúrgica sobre una mascarilla autofiltrante FFP2 aporta una mejora en la protección respiratoria determinante, incrementando el factor de ajuste hasta de +200 (el factor de ajuste mínimo debe ser 100).

Conclusiones: Las mascarillas quirúrgicas cuando se usan conjuntamente con las mascarillas autofiltrantes, podrían mejorar significativamente el grado de ajuste de todas las mascarillas autofiltrantes proporcionando una mayor eficacia de filtración y una mayor protección al usuario frente a la exposición a aerosoles.
Antimicrobial stewardship strategies in wound care: evidence to support the use of dialkylcarbamoyl chloride (DACC)- coated wound dressings
Authors: Rippon Mark G , Rogers Alan A , Ousey Karen
Published: April 2021

Background:

Traditionally, infections are treated with antimicrobials (for example, antibiotics, antiseptics, etc), but antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has become one of the most serious health threats of the 21st century (before the emergence of COVID-19). Wounds can be a source of infection by allowing unconstrained entry of microorganisms into the body, including antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. The development of new antimicrobials (particularly antibiotics) is not keeping pace with the evolution of resistant microorganisms and novel ways of addressing this problem are urgently required. One such initiative has been the development of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) programmes, which educate healthcare workers, and control the prescribing and targeting of antimicrobials to reduce the likelihood of AMR. Of great importance has been the European Wound Management Association (EWMA) in supporting AMS by providing practical recommendations for optimising antimicrobial therapy for the treatment of wound infection. The use of wound dressings that use a physical sequestration and retention approach rather than antimicrobial agents to reduce bacterial burden offers a novel approach that supports AMS. Bacterial-binding by dressings and their physical removal, rather than active killing, minimises their damage and hence prevents the release of damaging endotoxins.

Aim:

Our objective is to highlight AMS for the promotion of the judicious use of antimicrobials and to investigate how dialkylcarbamoyl chloride (DACC)-coated dressings can support AMS goals.

Method:

MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google Scholar were searched to identify published articles describing data relating to AMS, and the use of a variety of wound dressings in the prevention and/or treatment of wound infections. The evidence supporting alternative wound dressings that can reduce bioburden and prevent and/or treat wound infection in a manner that does not kill or damage the microorganisms (for example, by actively binding and removing intact microorganisms from wounds) were then narratively reviewed.

Results:

The evidence reviewed here demonstrates that using bacterial-binding wound dressings that act in a physical manner (for example, DACC-coated dressings) as an alternative approach to preventing and/or treating infection in both acute and hard-to-heal wounds does not exacerbate AMR and supports AMS.

Conclusion:

Some wound dressings work via a mechanism that promotes the binding and physical uptake, sequestration and removal of intact microorganisms from the wound bed (for example, a wound dressing that uses DACC technology to successfully prevent/reduce infection). They provide a valuable tool that aligns with the requirements of AMS (for example, reducing the use of antimicrobials in wound treatment regimens) by effectively reducing wound bioburden without inducing/selecting for resistant bacteria.
Embankment Breach Research: Observed Internal Erosion Processes
Authors: Ali Abdelfatah K. , Hunt Sherry L. , Tejral Ronald D.
Published: April 2021

Highlights

This study provides data from internal erosion tests on four intermediate-scale homogeneous embankment dams.

Soil properties influence the breach formation process and breach timing.

Results showed that observed erosion rates of the internal flow path varied by several orders of magnitude.

Quality control of embankment construction can greatly influence breach development.

Abstract. Internal erosion and embankment overtopping are the two most common causes of embankment dam and levee failures and incidents. Internal erosion is the removal of soil material by the flow of water through a continuous defect, cavity, or crack within a compacted fill and/or its foundation. Internal erosion initiates from vulnerabilities within the embankment. The embankment soil material plays a key role in both the erosion process and rate of failure, but characterizing soil properties and how they relate to the rate of failure can be challenging. Soil properties such as texture, density, strength, moisture content, and erodibility can vary greatly; thus, it is important to study the effects of these properties on the breach formation process and breach timing. The USDA Agricultural Research Service performed internal erosion breach experiments on four intermediate-scale homogeneous earthen embankments constructed of soils ranging from a silty sand to a lean clay material. The embankments were constructed to a height of 1.3 m, a top width of 1.8 m, and upstream and downstream slopes of 3(H):1(V). The embankment materials were characterized by water content, density, texture, strength, and erodibility. Erodibility was measured using a jet erosion test (JET) apparatus. A 40 mm diameter, continuous steel pipe was placed through each embankment during construction and removed to form an open-ended void through the embankment connected to the upstream reservoir. The removal of the pipe initiated internal erosion. The objectives of the experiments were to observe the development of the internal erosion process over time and to examine the influence of soil properties on the erosion rate, breach timing, geometry of the breach opening, and breach outflow. The rate of erosion and failure observed in these tests varied by several orders of magnitude, with the silty sand embankment eroding most rapidly and the lean clay embankment with a mean moisture content of 18% dry basis at standard compaction eroding the slowest. These observations were indicative of the soil textures. Although the two lean clay embankments were constructed of similar soils, the difference in erosion rates speak to the importance of quality control (e.g., compaction moisture content) during construction. Soil properties including soil texture, erodibility, and compaction moisture content are key predictors of erosion rate and observed failure. Keywords: Breach, Dam failure, Dams, Embankments, Erodibility, Internal erosion, Levees, Overtopping.
Effectiveness of Conservation Crop Rotation for Water Pollutant Reduction from Agricultural Areas
Authors: Koropeckyj-Cox Lydia , Christianson Reid D. , Yuan Yongping
Published: April 2021

Highlights

Adjusting nitrogen (N) fertilization rates for corn following legumes can reduce N losses.

Including perennial legumes in corn rotations can reduce nitrate-N losses and improve water quality.

Crop rotations that include three or more years of legumes can be cost-effective.

Corn-soybean was the most cost-effective, with a net benefit in nitrate-N loss reduction compared to continuous corn.

Abstract. Legumes included in corn-based crop rotation systems provide a variety of benefits to the subsequent crops and potentially to the environment. This review aims to synthesize available data from the literature on legume N credits and the effects of crop rotations on water quality, as well as to analyze the cost benefits associated with different legume-corn rotation systems. We found that there was much variation in reported values for legume N credits to subsequent corn crops, from both empirical results and recommendations made by U.S. land grant universities. But despite inherent complexity, accounting for this contribution is critical when estimating optimal N fertilizer application rates as part of nutrient management. Results from research on the influence of crop rotations on water quality show that including legumes in corn-based rotation systems generally decreases nitrate-N concentrations in subsurface drainage discharge. Our cost analysis showed that incorporating legumes in cropping systems reduced N fertilizer and pesticide costs compared to conventional cropping systems, i.e., continuous corn and corn-soybean rotations, but extended rotations, such as corn-soybean-alfalfa-alfalfa-alfalfa, are not as profitable as conventional systems in the U.S. Midwest. In comparing continuous corn and corn-soybean rotations, although their impacts on water quality are not significantly different when using overall means from the literature data, corn-soybean rotations are more profitable than continuous corn. When using data from papers that directly compared the two, we found that switching from continuous corn to corn-soybean can provide a benefit of $5 per kg N loss reduction. The cost analysis methods used could be tailored to any location or management scenario with appropriate inputs and serve as a useful tool for assessing cost benefits for other agricultural conservation practices. Legume-corn crop rotations have the potential to be an effective conservation practice with the ultimate goal of improving water quality, and, with further research, these rotations could be made even more effective by integrating them into a multi-practice system. Keywords: Conservation practice, Cost analysis, Crop rotation, Nitrate, Nutrient management, Water quality.
Experimental Study on Critical Shear Stress of Cohesive Soils and Soil Mixtures
Authors: Gao Xiaojing , Wang Qiusheng , Xu Chongbang , Su Ruilin
Published: April 2021

Highlights

Erosion tests were performed to study the critical shear stress of cohesive soils and soil mixtures.

Linear relationships were observed between critical shear stress and cohesion of cohesive soils.

Mixture critical shear stress relates to noncohesive particle size and cohesive soil erodibility.

A formula for calculating the critical shear stress of soil mixtures is proposed and verified.

Abstract. The incipient motion of soil is an important engineering property that impacts reservoir sedimentation, stable channel design, river bed degradation, and dam breach. Due to numerous factors influencing the erodibility parameters, the study of critical shear stress (tc) of cohesive soils and soil mixtures is still far from mature. In this study, erosion experiments were conducted to investigate the influence of soil properties on the tc of remolded cohesive soils and cohesive and noncohesive soil mixtures with mud contents varying from 0% to 100% using an erosion function apparatus (EFA). For cohesive soils, direct linear relationships were observed between tc and cohesion (c). The critical shear stress for soil mixture (tcm) erosion increased monotonically with an increase in mud content (pm). The median diameter of noncohesive soil (Ds), the void ratio (e), and the organic content of cohesive soil also influenced tcm. A formula for calculating tcm considering the effect of pm and the tc of noncohesive soil and pure mud was developed. The proposed formula was validated using experimental data from the present and previous research, and it can reproduce the variation of tcm for reconstituted soil mixtures. To use the proposed formula to predict the tcm for artificial engineering problems, experimental erosion tests should be performed. Future research should further test the proposed formula based on additional experimental data. Keywords: Cohesive and noncohesive soil mixture, Critical shear stress, Erodibility, Mud content, Soil property.
Development of a Robotic Harvesting Mechanism for Button Mushrooms
Authors: Huang Mingsen , Jiang Xiaohu , He Long , Choi Daeun , Pecchia John , Li Yaoming
Published: April 2021

Highlights

A robotic mushroom picking mechanism was developed, including positioning, picking, and stipe trimming.

The picking end-effector was designed based on a bending motion around the stipe-substrate joint.

The overall success rate of the developed picking mechanism reached 91.4%.

Acting time and air pressure for the suction cup were studied in mushroom bruise level tests.

Abstract. Button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus) harvesting mainly relies on costly manpower, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Robotic harvesting is an alternative method to address this challenge. In this study, a robotic mushroom picking mechanism was designed, including a picking end-effector based on a bending motion, a four degree-of-freedom (DoF) positioning end-effector for moving the picking end-effector, a mushroom stipe trimming end-effector, and an electro-pneumatic control system. A laboratory-scale prototype was fabricated to validate the performance of the mechanism. Bruise tests on the mushroom caps were also conducted to analyze the influence of air pressure and acting time of the suction cup on bruise level. The test results showed that the picking end-effector was successfully positioned to the target locations. The success rate of the picking end-effector was 90% at first pick and increased to 94.2% after second pick. The main reason for the failures was inclined growing condition of those mushrooms, resulting in difficulties in engaging the mushroom cap with the suction cup facing straight downward. The trimming end-effector achieved a success rate of 97% overall. The bruise tests indicated that the air pressure was the main factor affecting the bruise level, compared to the suction cup acting time, and an optimized suction cup may help to alleviate the bruise damage. The laboratory test results indicated that the developed picking mechanism has potential to be implemented in automatic mushroom harvesting. Keywords: Bruise test, End-effector, Mushroom, Robotic harvesting.
Design and Testing of a Shearing and Breaking Device for Mulch Film and Cotton Stalk Mixtures
Authors: Pan Feng , Hu Bin , Luo Xin , Guo Mengyu , He Haomeng
Published: April 2021

Highlights

This article presents a shearing and breaking device for mulch film and stalk mixtures after mechanized recovery.

The focus is on a curved V-shaped mechanism with three-dimensional precompression and shearing functions.

The device can efficiently and continuously perform film crushing, stalk crushing, and entanglement breaking.

The crushed film and stalk mixture is conducive to material separation, further treatment, and recycling.

Abstract. Because the mixture of mulch film and stalks collected in harvested cotton fields in Xinjiang, China, cannot be separated mechanically, a technical solution for shearing and breaking is proposed. This study designed a shearing and breaking device for film and stalk mixtures that can continuously perform film crushing, stalk crushing, and entanglement breaking. The design focuses on a curved V-shaped shearing mechanism, which provides three-dimensional shearing and improves the crushing of film and stalks. The linear speed of the conveying rollers (x1), the working angle of the shearer (x2), and the speed of the shearer spindle (x3) were selected as influencing factors, and the crushed film rate (Ph), crushed stalk rate (Gh), and broken entanglement rate (Kh) were used as evaluation indexes in quadratic orthogonal rotation combination tests. The test results were analyzed with Design-Expert software, and a regression model between each factor and the evaluation indexes was established to analyze the significance of each factor’s influence. The results showed that the influences of the three factors on Ph in descending order were x3, x2, and x1. The order of influence on Gh and Kh was x3, x1, and x2. The optimization module in the software was used for parameter optimization, and the optimal combination of working parameters of the device was x1 = 0.98 m s-1, x2 = 153°, and x3 = 753 r min-1. The optimized parameter combination was tested and verified, and the results were Ph = 77.28%, Gh = 87.78%, and Kh = 85.30%. The test results are basically consistent with the predicted values, and the optimized working parameters are reliable and can meet the requirements for the shear fracture of film and stalk mixtures. This research provides a technical reference for the cutting and crushing of complex mixed solid materials. Keywords: Agricultural machinery, Curved V-shaped moving knife, Design, Film and stalk mixture, Parameter optimization.
Evolution of Phosphine from Aluminum Phosphide Pellets
Authors: Elsayed Sherif , Casada Mark E. , Maghirang Ronaldo G. , Wei Mingjun
Published: April 2021

Highlights

This study developed a mathematical relationship accounting for the production rate of phosphine.

The effect of temperature on phosphine sorption into wheat is described mathematically.

A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was built to predict the phosphine concentration in fumigated grain.

Experiments were conducted to validate the CFD model.

Abstract. Phosphine gas (PH3) is widely used as a fumigant for stored product insect infestations due to its relatively low price and the near absence of residual chemical on the grain. Understanding the behavior of phosphine gas inside the fumigated space is crucial to maintaining a lethal dosage and protecting stored grain from subsequent insect damage. Phosphine is available either in gas form or is produced from a solid material, as pellets or tablets, that reacts with water in the air. The solid form is the most commonly used; however, limited information is available on the rate of phosphine gas generated from the solid material. In this study, a mathematical equation was formulated, based on previous studies in the literature, to describe the gas generation rate. This equation was incorporated into a computational model using ANSYS Fluent 19.1, a commercial software for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. The computational model developed here allows prediction of the phosphine concentration within a fumigated grain bulk. The PH3 sorption was included in the model. The effect of temperature on the sorption rate was investigated based on published data, and the rate change due to temperature was characterized. The gas generated by a single pellet was measured in laboratory experiments in a 0.208 m3 sealed barrel. The measurements confirmed the CFD results with an error of 0.3%, 0.9%, and 7.2% for three different configurations. The deviations seen between the experimental replicates increased the error and show the need for further investigation of the effects of temperature, grain age and history, leakage, and other factors. Keywords: CFD, Evolution rate, Phosphine, Sorption.
La didáctica de la gramática desde el tratamiento integrado de lenguas en la CAPV: Análisis de materiales del proyecto EKI
Authors: Balza Irene , Encinas M.ª Carmen , Milla Ruth
Published: April 2021

Este trabajo constituye una revisión crítica de la manera en que se presentan los contenidos gramaticales en el proyecto didáctico EKI elaborado por la editorial IkasElkar para el último ciclo de Primaria. Dicho proyecto surge a raíz de la necesidad de editar materiales didácticos coherentes con el Decreto curricular 236/2015 para la Educación Básica de la CAPV, en el marco del plan estratégico Heziberri 2020 para la mejora del sistema educativo vasco. Uno de los objetivos del proyecto es el multilingüismo y, para alcanzarlo, se recurre a un planteamiento integrado de lenguas que tiene como eje el euskara. El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en analizar cómo se inserta en dicho contexto la didáctica de la gramática. Tras el análisis de los materiales de Lengua Castellana, Euskara e Inglés, se concluye que los principios metodológicos son adecuados, aunque, en lo que a la enseñanza de la gramática se refiere, se echa en falta un mayor desarrollo de la reflexión metalingüística y un mayor aprovechamiento de la comparación entre lenguas.