bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells Exert Anti-Inflammatory and Chondrocyte Activity in Rats with Knee Arthritis
Authors: Zhang Wanbiao , Qiu Haiyan , Han Fangmiao , Liu Liming , Jin Haibo , Shang Hongsheng
Published: August 2022

This study investigates whether bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCS) exert antiinflammatory and chondrocyte activity in rats with knee arthritis. 36 SD rats were randomly divided into Health group (H group), knee arthritis group (K group), methotrexate group (M group), BMSCs group (B Group), with 9 rats in each group followed by analysis of the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1, morphology of knee cartilage by H&E staining, chondrocyte activity by MTT assay, and the expression of NO, ERαand cGMP by Western Blot. H&E staining showed that the surface of knee cartilage in group H was smooth and the morphology of chondrocytes was normal. In group K, bone fissure was formed on articular cartilage surface, and the hyperplasia of deep cells was disorder. The surface of articular cartilage in group B and GROUP M gradually became smooth. Compared with group H, the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1 were increased and chondrocytes activity was decreased in group K (P< 0.05) with decreased TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1 levels and increased chondrocytes activity in group M and B (P< 0.05). The levels of NO, ERαand cGMP in knee cartilage of group K were decreased (P< 0.05) and increased in group M and group B (P< 0.05). Bone marrow mesenchymal cells can down-regulate the levels of IL-6, IL-1 and TNF-α, enhance the activity of chondrocytes, and up-regulate the levels of NO, ERαand cGMP, thus providing a new idea for the treatment of knee arthritis.
Soybean Isoflavones Activating Autophagy and Improving the Chemosensitivity of Carboplatin to Ovarian Cancer Cells
Authors: Runlin Wu , Xiang Pan , Juan Lu , Shu Yao
Published: August 2022

Objection: To discuss soybean isoflavones activating autophagy and improving the chemosensitivity of carboplatin to ovarian cancer cells. Materials and Methods: Using SKOV3 and A2780 cell lines as research object, dividing into Normal, Carb (treated with 50 μmol/L
carboplatin) and Carb+Soy (treated with 50 μmol/L carboplatin and 80 μmol/L soybean isoflavone). Evaluating cell proliferation by EdU and MTT assay; measuring cell apoptosis rate by flow cytometry; observation cells’ autophagy by transmission electron microscope (TEM);
LC 3B protein expression were evaluated by cellular immunofluorescence and using WB assay to evaluate autophagy relative proteins expression. Results: Compared with Normal group, the cell proliferation were significantly depressed with cell apoptosis rates significantly increasing (P
< 0.01, respectively); and autophagy enhancing; with LC 3B, LC 3II/LC 3I ratio and Beclin 1 significantly up-regulation and P62 protein significantly down-regulation (P < 0.01, respectively) in Carb and Carb+Soy groups. And there were significantly differences between Carb and
Carb+Soy groups in EdU cell number, cell proliferation, apoptosis rate, autophagy, LC 3B, LC 3II/LC 3I ratio, Beclin 1 and P62 protein expression. Conclusion: Soy activating autophagy and improving the chemosensitivity of carboplatin to ovarian cancer cells.
Protective Effect of Buckwheat Polysaccharide on Streptozotocin-Induced Kidney Injury in Diabetic Rats and the Possible Mechanism
Authors: Zhang Haitao , Zhou Qibing , Xiao Pengfei , Liu Xiulan , Liu Lingwei
Published: August 2022

We intend to explore the mechanism underlying the effect of Buckwheat polysaccharide on kidney damage in diabetics. In this study, rats received 5 week-STZ injection to induce type 2 diabetes and then were administered with 8-week buckwheat polysaccharide followed by analysis of the diabetes-index and kidney histopathological changes by immunohistochemistry and ELISA as well as the expression of kidney Col IV, Akt, TGF-β1, FN, FoxO1 and MnSOD by western blot and RT-qPCR. Diabetic nephropathy rats exhibited significantly increased blood glucose, kidney body mass index, Scr and glomerular mesangial index, with thickened glomerular basement membrane, and elevated BUN and urinary albumin excretion. Besides, podocyte was fused as demonstrated by significantly decreased expression of renal TGF-β1, FN, Col IV mRNA and renal MnSOD mRNA. In conclusion, Buckwheat polysaccharides significantly alleviate kidney injury in diabetes possibly through regulation of FoxO1/MnSOD axis.
Preparation of g-C3N4/CQDs/Ag2S Composite Material and Its Antibacterial Properties
Authors: Li Hongxia , Gao Xiang , Niu Xiaohui , Zhang Deyi , Fan Haiyan , Wang Kunjie
Published: August 2022

The emergence of bacterial resistance to traditional antibiotics and its global spread has brought huge threats to human life and health, and the need for new alternative antibacterial agents has become increasingly urgent. The rapid development of nanoscience provides a potential alternative to antibacterial therapy. In this study, g-C3N4was synthesized using melamine as the raw material. It was then successfully combined with carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and silver sulfide to synthesize a g-C3N4/CQDs/Ag2S composite material. Such combination narrows the band gap of g-C3N4from 2.53 eV to 2.21 eV and enhances the photocatalytic efficiency. Consequently, it indicated photocatalytic antimicrobial effects against three strands of bacteria,Shylococcus aureus(Grampositive),Escherichia coli(Gram-negative) and Methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureusunder the irradiation of visible light. Other than the common pathogens, g-C3N4/CQDs/Ag2S exhibited an appreciable inhibition against the well-known drug-resistant bacteria. With its antimicrobial features and excellent photoelectric properties, the as prepared nanocomposites show its potential in the development of new antimicrobial and photocatalytic materials.
Challenges and Benchmark Datasets for Machine Learning in the Atmospheric Sciences: Definition, Status, and Outlook
Authors: Dueben Peter D. , Schultz Martin G. , Chantry Matthew , Gagne David John , Hall David Matthew , McGovern Amy
Published: August 2022

Benchmark datasets and benchmark problems have been a key aspect for the success of modern machine learning applications in many scientific domains. Consequently, an active discussion about benchmarks for applications of machine learning has also started in the atmospheric sciences. Such benchmarks allow for the comparison of machine learning tools and approaches in a quantitative way and enable a separation of concerns for domain and machine learning scientists. However, a clear definition of benchmark datasets for weather and climate applications is missing with the result that many domain scientists are confused. In this paper, we equip the domain of atmospheric sciences with a recipe for how to build proper benchmark datasets, a (nonexclusive) list of domain-specific challenges for machine learning is presented, and it is elaborated where and what benchmark datasets will be needed to tackle these challenges. We hope that the creation of benchmark datasets will help the machine learning efforts in atmospheric sciences to be more coherent, and, at the same time, target the efforts of machine learning scientists and experts of high-performance computing to the most imminent challenges in atmospheric sciences. We focus on benchmarks for atmospheric sciences (weather, climate, and air-quality applications). However, many aspects of this paper will also hold for other aspects of the Earth system sciences or are at least transferable.

Significance Statement

Machine learning is the study of computer algorithms that learn automatically from data. Atmospheric sciences have started to explore sophisticated machine learning techniques and the community is making rapid progress on the uptake of new methods for a large number of application areas. This paper provides a clear definition of so-called benchmark datasets for weather and climate applications that help to share data and machine learning solutions between research groups to reduce time spent in data processing, to generate synergies between groups, and to make tool developments more targeted and comparable. Furthermore, a list of benchmark datasets that will be needed to tackle important challenges for the use of machine learning in atmospheric sciences is provided.
An Analytical Solution of the Effective-Buoyancy Equation
Authors: Davies-Jones Robert
Published: August 2022

The effective buoyancy per unit volume is the statically forced part of the local nonhydrostatic upward pressure-gradient force. It is important because it does not depend on the basic-state density defined with the anelastic approximation. Herein, an analytical solution is obtained for the effective buoyancy associated with an axisymmetric column of less dense air. In special cases where the radial profiles of density are step functions, the analytical solutions replicate qualitatively several features in a recently published numerical solution as follows. The effective buoyancy is positive within the column of lighter air and negative outside. It increases from the axis to the inner edge of the column, then jumps discontinuously to a negative value and thereafter increases until it reaches zero at radial infinity. As the column radius increases, the effective buoyancy on the axis decreases and the change in effective buoyancy between the axis and the inner edge increases, but the jump magnitude is unaltered. For continuous radial density distributions that resemble step functions, the solutions are similar except the cusps are rounded off and the jumps become smooth transition zones.

Significance Statement

In atmospheric convection, vertical accelerations are due to buoyancy forces and vertical perturbation pressure-gradient forces. Separately, these forces depend on the choice of a basic state. To avoid the ambiguity of an arbitrary reference atmosphere defining which parcels are buoyant, we define an effective-buoyancy force per unit volume that is independent of any basic state. It is the part of the vertical nonhydrostatic pressure-gradient force that depends solely on horizontal density variations. The remaining part of the vertical force is dynamical in origin; it depends only on inertial forces. An analytical solution demonstrates that, for an axisymmetric column of lighter air, effective buoyancy is greatest just inside the column edge and is most negative just outside the edge.
Shaping Nascent Industries: Innovation Strategy and Regulatory Uncertainty in Personal Genomics
Authors: Gao Cheng , McDonald Rory
Published: August 2022

In nascent industries―whose new technologies are often poorly understood by regulators―contending with regulatory uncertainty can be crucial to organizational survival and growth. Prior research on nonmarket strategy has largely focused on established firms in mature industries, but such strategies are apt to differ for new ventures, which generally have limited resources and market power and operate in novel domains in which the rules of the game are underdeveloped. How do new ventures navigate regulatory uncertainty? To explore this question, we conduct an inductive, multi-case research study of five ventures that pioneered the nascent personal-genomics industry. Drawing on extensive qualitative data, we develop an emergent theoretical framework that elucidates how ventures navigate evolving regulatory uncertainty. Grounded in a power versus industry-evolution logic, this framework illuminates how ventures’ strategies for doing so vary and theorizes why certain strategies appear more effective than others. In doing so, we also introduce a novel logic of interaction— regulatory co-creation—that ventures can employ to shape emerging regulations. Taken together, our theory and findings challenge existing perspectives on strategy in nascent industries, shed light on the dynamic interplay between market and nonmarket strategy, and recast the relationship between ventures and regulators during the emergence of new technology industries.
Absence of Association of Tinnitus With Pre-existing Hypertension: A Population-based Study
Authors: Huang Po-Hsiu , Xirasagar Sudha , Chen Jin-Hua , Cheng Yen-Fu , Kuo Nai-Wen , Lin Herng-Ching
Published: August 2022

Objectives:

Whether tinnitus is associated with pre-existing hypertension remains uncertain. This study explored the association between tinnitus and pre-existing hypertension.

Methods:

We obtained data on a retrospective cohort of 542 884 cases ≥18 years old with a first-time tinnitus diagnosis from Taiwan’s National Health Insurance Research Database. We used propensity-score matching to select 542 884 matched controls and performed multiple logistic regression analyses to estimate the adjusted odds of prior hypertension among patients with tinnitus versus controls.

Results:

Bivariate analysis showed no significant difference in the prevalence of prior hypertension between the tinnitus and no-tinnitus groups (35.58% vs 35.5%, P = .617). Univariable logistic regression analysis confirmed the bivariate analysis finding, unadjusted odds of prior hypertension among the tinnitus group relative to controls, 1.002, 95% CI: 0.994-1.010, P = .617). After adjusting for age, sex, monthly income, geographic location and urbanization level, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hearing loss, obesity, anemia, rheumatoid arthritis, alcohol abuse, nicotine dependence, anxiety disorder, depressive disorder and idiopathic intracranial hypertension, the odds of prior hypertension were similar among the tinnitus and no-tinnitus groups (OR = 1.006, 95% CI: 0.997-1.016, P = .178).

Conclusions:

Our population-based study found no evidence for an association between tinnitus and pre-existing hypertension.
Weaponized volunteering: Where and whither
Authors: Van Til Jon
Published: August 2022

Writing on weaponized volunteering in these perilous times, one risks the perils Auden described of ‘lecturing on navigation as the ship goes down’. Aging and unarmed, this scholar proceeds to respond to the invitation of providing concluding remarks to the monograph issue. I address four aspects of weaponized volunteering, as introduced in the five articles presented in this issue: (1) the significance of the content of this phenomenon; (2) the scope and quality of initial presentations; (3) the refinement of criteria for the subject; and (4) the range of responses that are likely to greet initial efforts to develop this field. Researchers in this field, if they are to succeed, will need to be exceptionally introspective, reflective, and self-critical. It will not be difficult for their critics to attack them as apologists for one or another side in the conflicts they study, or even as advocates for violence or terrorism. Studies in this field will themselves require study, relating, for example, the depiction of groups targeted for study to the intellectual backgrounds and political orientations of the researchers themselves. And the field itself will expand in both time and space: the long history of weaponized volunteering will be discovered and explored as it unfolds in the many corners of the earth; alternative futures and their implications for social peace and justice will require charting. In short, this may become a lively and important field, one which opens a wide range of new issues and concerns to the researcher aiming to understand the broadened nature of voluntary and purposive social action.
Radiating power tracking based on fractional order sliding mode controller
Authors: Gou Xuan , Yin Chun , Chen Kai , Wang Zengzeng , Wang Peng , Wang Houjun
Published: August 2022

The radiating power with sine waveform is required for modulated infrared thermography nondestructive testing. Sine voltage was applied by former authors for deriving sine power waveform. The theory mode of infrared lamp is proposed. According to numerical solution and FFT analysis, high frequency components are included in the radiating power waveform, when sine voltage is set to drive the lamp. A light intensity sensor was utilized for monitoring the real-time radiating power, and a close-loop power tracking system was constructed. Fractional order sliding mode controller was selected in the tracking system, for its robustness and flexibility property. The reachability of the controller is proved and the calculation formulas of reach time are given. In experiment, the tracking results with both PID and sliding mode controller were derived. Lower tracking overshoot and better robustness was derived through the sliding mode controller, compared with the PID counterpart.
Genetic algorithm based active fault-tolerant control system for air fuel ratio control of internal combustion engines
Authors: Iqbal Muhammad Sajid , Amin Arslan Ahmed
Published: August 2022

Internal Combustion (IC) engines are commonly used in the process industry, and proper Air-Fuel Ratio (AFR) regulation in their fuel system is essential for improved engine performance, fuel efficiency, and environmental protection. Since faults in the sensors of the AFR system cause the engine to shut down, fault tolerance is essentially required for them. In this paper, an advanced Active Fault-Tolerant Control System (AFTCS) for AFR control of an IC engine is proposed to prevent the engine shutdown. For analytical redundancy, the proposed AFTCS uses the Genetic Algorithm (GA) based observer model in the Fault Detection and Isolation (FDI) unit to generate estimated value for the faulty sensors using the values of other healthy sensors. The proposed framework was simulated in the MATLAB/Simulink environment to verify its effectiveness. In comparison to previous literature works, the results show that the AFR control system has superior fault tolerance output for sensor faults, especially for the MAP sensor, in terms of less oscillatory response. Finally, a comparison of the proposed GA-based AFTCS was carried out with the existing literature works and its superior performance was elaborated.
Participatory Livelihood Vulnerability Assessment of the Forest Dwellers: A Study of Fifteen Tribes and Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups in the Eastern Indian Region
Authors: Behera Hari Charan , Sinha Ashish Aman , Sahoo Amiya Kumar , Jha Ganganath
Published: August 2022

This study aims to undertake the Participatory Livelihood Vulnerability Assessment (PLVA) of forest dwellers in the Jharkhand and Odisha states of eastern Indian region. The study covers 15 tribes that included 8 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and 7 other tribes from eight districts of Jharkhand and Odisha. The authors combined both participatory and survey-based approaches and used the simple indexing method for PLVA. They observed that landless families were among the most vulnerable. The forest dwellers have poor access to education and health. Both minor forest produce and social-welfare measures are important safety nets for the forest dwellers. There is, however, better access to banking, pukka houses, toilets and so on. Furthermore, attention is required to strengthen livelihood opportunities for the forest dwelling communities.
Spark plasma sintering of ZrO2 reinforced Ni-Cr alloy: Microstructure and mechanical behavior
Authors: Oketola Adeola , Jamiru Tamba , Adegbola Adesola T , Ogunbiyi Olugbenga , Rominiyi Azeez L , Salifu Smith
Published: August 2022

Ni-Cr-ZrO2 composites with varying amounts of ZrO2 additive (5 wt%, 7.5 wt%, 10 wt% and 12.5 wt%) were fabricated using spark plasma sintering method at a sintering temperature of 1000°C, heating rate of 100°C/min, holding time of 5 min, and a pressure of 50 MPa. The effect of ZrO2 addition on the microstructure, tribological and mechanical properties of the developed composites were studied. The results showed that maximum densification was attained at 10 wt% ZrO2. Further increase in the fractions of ZrO2 within the composites results in a decrease in the relative density of the sintered composite. A significant increase in hardness from 433.24 HV to 510.11 HV and elastic modulus from 252.67 GPa to 294.6 GPa was observed in the fabricated samples as the ZrO2 content increase from 5 to 12.5 wt%. An appreciable improvement in the wear performance of the sintered samples was obtained with increasing ZrO2 content. The observed improvement in the properties of the sintered composites was attributed to the presence of the hard dispersoids of ZrO2 and formation of solid solution strengthening and hard Cr3Ni2 phases within the matrix of the sintered composites.
Electrospun poly (lactic acid) -cotton core-shell yarns: Processing, morphology, and mechanical properties
Authors: Maleki Homa , Yilmaz Demet , Semnani Rahbar Rouhollah , Alay Aksoy Sennur
Published: August 2022

In this study, aiming to improve the mechanical performance of the Poly (lactic acid) (PLA)-based nanofibrous structures, the electrospinning method was employed to develop twisted yarns with core-shell structure. Within this process, a conventional ring-spun cotton yarn fed to the electrical field, where nanofibers covered it by a certain orientation owning to the twisting procedure. This approach combines the excellent biological and physical-mechanical properties of cotton with outstanding features of the PLA nanofibers for biomedical applications. The effects of the core and shell structures on the ultimate properties of the electrospun core-shell yarns were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) demonstrated that relatively uniform and bead-free fibers with smooth surfaces were formed. SEM images also confirmed that the nanofibers were arranged around the core with a specific angle to the axis (with the angle range of 8–44 based on the twisting rate) to constitute a twisted core-shell yarn. The diameter of the electrospun yarns decreased (∼ 22%) by increasing the twist rate. The influence of the core on the mechanical behavior of core-shell yarn are also discussed. Improvements in mechanical performance of core-shell yarns were generally perceived at low twist levels of the core yarn (αe = 2.8), and electrospun shell (40 rpm).
Design allowables of composite laminates: A review
Authors: Cumbo Roberta , Baroni Antonio , Ricciardi Alfredo , Corvaglia Stefano
Published: August 2022

The design and certification process of composite structures relies on the building-block approach, which starts from the mechanical characterization of the material at coupon-level. The certification of composite laminates is thus the first challenge and requires the definition of the design allowables, which are statistically defined as established by the Composite Material Handbook. These quantities are strength or strain values indicated as A- or B-basis and an accurate estimation is needed in order to guarantee the integrity of the structure. Given the statistical nature of material allowables, a high number of experimental tests have to be performed for the full mechanical characterization of a material. Notched and unnotched allowables are determined under different testing conditions and in accordance to the standards specified by American Society for Testing and Materials. Different methodologies are presented in literature and explore the combination of simulation-based solutions supported by test-evidence of a reduced number of coupons. In the recent years, several approaches have been explored in the field of uncertainty quantification and Machine Learning demonstrating to be powerful alternatives to full testing-based or simulation-based solutions. A comprehensive literature review is presented in this contribution among the main solutions for the definition of material allowables. This review demonstrates that simulations supported by a reduced number of tests can reach accurate results and the number of simulations can be further reduced by combining the numerical models with predicting theories.
Observer-based integrated event–triggered sliding mode control for Internet of vehicles with communication constraints
Authors: Yue Wei , Shen Hongxia , Wang Liyuan
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates the co-design problem of the integrated event-triggering (IET) scheme and integral sliding mode control (ISMC) for the non-linear Internet of vehicles (IoVs) with communication constraints. The main goal is to improve the tracking performance and increase the bandwidth utilization of vehicular ad hoc networks (VANETs) with various external disturbances. First, a non-linear IoV dynamic model is established by considering the disturbance from the preceding vehicle, internal and external resistance, and uncertainty of the engine time constant. Second, an IET transmission mechanism based on both absolute and relative restriction conditions of sampled-data error is proposed to reduce unnecessary data transmissions among vehicles. Third, co-design IET mechanisms and ISMC controller based on estimated H∞ observer are designed, which can obtain the disturbance attenuation and asymptotic stability, and the result is complemented by additional conditions established for guaranteeing string stability. Finally, extensive simulations are conducted to verify the theoretical analysis and prove the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method.
The use of subject headings varied in Embase and MEDLINE: An analysis of indexing across six subject areas
Authors: Frandsen Tove Faber , Carlsen Anne-Marie Fiala , Eriksen Mette Brandt
Published: August 2022

Many bibliographic databases describe the content of a publication using a thesaurus. The vocabularies vary and the extent to which the databases apply them may also differ significantly. The aim of this study is to empirically explore the number of subject headings assigned to publications in two databases over time and to determine if publication characteristics are associated with the number of subject headings. Articles and reviews in MEDLINE and Embase from 1990 to 2019 assigned with one of the subject headings from six subject areas are included in this study. Each of the retrieved publications in Embase is matched with a similar publication in MEDLINE. Furthermore, multivariable linear regressions are used to explore the association of the number of subject headings in MEDLINE and Embase with six prespecified publication characteristics. The average number of assigned subject headings in MEDLINE is stable or even slightly decreasing over time. In Embase, the average number of assigned subject headings was stable until about 2000 where the average number increased dramatically during the next 3 years. Furthermore, linear regressions show that the average number of subject headings in MEDLINE and Embase is higher for publications in English, publications with longer abstract, recent publications and if it belongs to specific subject areas. However, reviews are assigned with more subject headings in Embase and fewer in MEDLINE. The implications of the results are discussed.
Antidepressant effects of a psychedelic experience in a large prospective naturalistic sample
Authors: Nygart Victoria Amalie , Pommerencke Lis Marie , Haijen Eline , Kettner Hannes , Kaelen Mendel , Mortensen Erik Lykke , Nutt David John , Carhart-Harris Robin Lester , Erritzoe David
Published: August 2022

Background:

Over the last two decades, a number of studies have highlighted the potential of psychedelic therapy. However, questions remain to what extend these results translate to naturalistic samples, and how contextual factors and the acute psychedelic experience relate to improvements in affective symptoms following psychedelic experiences outside labs/clinics. The present study sought to address this knowledge gap.

Aim:

Here, we aimed to investigate changes in anxiety and depression scores before versus after psychedelic experiences in naturalistic contexts, and how various pharmacological, extrapharmacological and experience factors related to outcomes.

Method:

Individuals who planned to undergo a psychedelic experience were enrolled in this online survey study. Depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and 2 and 4 weeks post-psychedelic experience, with self-rated Quick Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (QIDS-SR-16) as the primary outcome. To facilitate clinical translation, only participants with depressive symptoms at baseline were included. Sample sizes for the four time points were N = 302, N = 182, N = 155 and N = 109, respectively.

Results:

Relative to baseline, reductions in depressive symptoms were observed at 2 and 4 weeks. A medicinal motive, previous psychedelic use, drug dose and the type of acute psychedelic experience (i.e. specifically, having an emotional breakthrough) were all significantly associated with changes in self-rated QIDS-SR-16.

Conclusion:

These results lend support to therapeutic potential of psychedelics and highlight the influence of pharmacological and non-pharmacological factors in determining response. Mindful of a potential sample and attrition bias, further controlled and observational longitudinal studies are needed to test the replicability of these findings.
Treating peripheral neuropathy in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus with intraneural facilitation: a single blind randomized control trial
Authors: Sahba Kyan , Berk Lee , Bussell Mark , Lohman Everett , Zamora Francis , Gharibvand Lida
Published: August 2022

Objective

To evaluate the effectiveness of intraneural facilitation (INF) for the treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).

Methods

This single-blind, randomized clinical trial enrolled patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and moderate-to-severe DPN symptoms below the ankle. Patients were randomly assigned to receive INF or sham treatment. In the INF group, trained INF physical therapists provided therapy for 50–60 min, three times a week for 3 weeks. Sham treatment consisted of patients believing they received anodyne therapy for 3 weeks. Pre- and post-treatment data were compared between the two groups for quality of life, balance, gait, protective sensory function and pain outcome measures.

Results

A total of 28 patients (17 males) were enrolled in the study (INF group n = 17; sham group n = 11). There was a significant decrease in the overall pain score in both the INF and sham groups over time, but the decrease was greater in the INF group (1.11 versus 0.82). Between-group comparisons demonstrated significant differences in unpleasant pain and protective sensory function. The INF group showed post-treatment improvements in protective sensory function and composite static balance score.

Conclusions

INF treatment improved pain perception, the composite static balance score and protective sensations in patients with DPN. Research Registry number: CNCT04025320
For a new weird geography
Authors: Turnbull Jonathon , Platt Ben , Searle Adam
Published: August 2022

The contemporary ecological condition is one of ‘global weirding’, a term coined to describe both anthropogenically changed worlds and the experience of dwelling within them. In this paper, we foreground New Weird fiction as a progressive literary style, distinct from its problematic roots, with conceptual import to human geography. Through attention to the New Weird’s treatment of difference, dis/orientation and ecological relation, these texts provoke geographers to foster a speculative ethics suited to a weirding world. In suggesting this ethical approach, this paper contributes to emerging debates in geography concerning ambivalence, disorientation and affirmation/negation.
Experimental and numerical investigation of residual stress distribution in Al-6061 tubes under using tubular channel angular pressing process by new trapezoidal channel
Authors: Aghababaei Amir , Honarpisheh Mohammad
Published: August 2022

Tubular channel angular pressing (TCAP) method is an appropriate severe plastic deformation (SPD) techniques for the generation of ultra-fine grained (UFG) and nanostructured (NS) tubes. In forming methods, the measurement of residual stresses is very important due to their significant effects on the processed samples. Therefore, determining the residual stresses created by the TCAP method in metals is of great importance. In this research, the distribution of residual stresses in Al-6061 tubes under the TCAP process, was studied experimentally and numerically. For this purpose, first the TCAP process was applied on Al-6061 tubes and after that the residual stresses generated in the TCAPed tubes were measured. Sachs method was used experimentally to measure the residual stresses. Sachs method is one of the destructive, convenient and efficient methods for measuring the residual stresses of axisymmetric cylindrical samples. Residual stresses measured by Sachs method in the processed samples showed that the tensile and compressive residual stresses were created on the external and internal tube surfaces, respectively. In addition, a good agreement was existed between the results of the numerical simulation and experimental methods for measuring the residual stress distribution.
The Longitudinal Youth in Transition Study (LYiTS) Cohort Profile: Exploration by Hospital- Versus Community-Based Mental Health Services
Authors: Cleverley Kristin , Davies Julia , Brennenstuhl Sarah , Bennett Kathryn J. , Cheung Amy , Henderson Joanna , Korczak Daphne J. , Kurdyak Paul , Levinson Andrea , Pignatiello Antonio , Stevens Katye , Voineskos Aristotle N. , Szatmari Peter
Published: August 2022

Objectives

Youth face numerous challenges in receiving coordinated and continuous mental health services, particularly as they reach the age of transition from child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) to adult mental health services (AMHS). The Longitudinal Youth in Transition Study (LYiTS) follows youth prospectively as they cross this transition boundary to better understand their transition pathways and resulting symptoms and health service use outcomes. The current paper presents the baseline profile description for the LYiTS cohort and additionally examines differences in symptoms and functioning and health service utilization between youth receiving services at hospital- versus community-based CAMHS.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was used. A sample of 237 16–18-year-old youth recruited from outpatient CAMHS at two hospitals and two community sites completed self-report measures at their first of four annual assessments. A latent profile analysis was conducted to identify symptomology profiles, and youth were compared on symptoms and health service use between hospital- and community-based sites.

Results

Four distinct symptomology profiles were identified (subclinical, moderate internalizing, moderate externalizing, and high symptomology). Symptom profiles and functioning levels reported by youth were no different across both types of organization, although there were differences detected in health service utilization, such as type of provider seen and use of medications.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that there is little difference in symptomology between youth accessing hospital versus community-based CAMHS. With growing interest in understanding the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of different models of mental health care, these findings provide a new understanding of the clinical and service use profiles of transition-aged youth that will be explored further as this cohort is followed across the CAMHS to AMHS transition boundary.
A review on membrane concentrate management from landfill leachate treatment plants: The relevance of resource recovery to close the leachate treatment loop
Authors: de Almeida Ronei , Porto Raphael Ferreira , Quintaes Bianca Ramalho , Bila Daniele Maia , Lavagnolo Maria Cristina , Campos Juacyara Carbonelli
Published: August 2022

Membrane filtration processes have been used to treat landfill leachate. On the other hand, closing the leachate treatment loop and finding a final destination for landfill leachate membrane concentrate (LLMC) – residual stream of membrane systems – is challenging for landfill operators. The re-introduction of LLMC into the landfill is typical; however, this approach is critical as concentrate pollutants may accumulate in the leachate treatment facility. From that, leachate concentrate management based on resource recovery rather than conventional treatment and disposal is recommended. This work comprehensively reviews the state-of-the-art of current research on LLMC management from leachate treatment plants towards a resource recovery approach. A general recovery train based on the main LLMC characteristics for implementing the best recovery scheme is presented in this context. LLMCs could be handled by producing clean water and add-value materials. This paper offers critical insights into LLMC management and highlights future research trends.
Plasticity in Photoperiodism: Drosophila montana Females Have a Life-Long Ability to Switch From Reproduction to Diapause
Authors: Lankinen Pekka , Kastally Chedly , Hoikkala Anneli
Published: August 2022

Photoperiodic reproductive diapause is an essential part of female life cycle in several insect species living on high latitudes, where overwintering in reproductive stage involves high risks for survival and progeny production. The sensitive period (SP), during which photoperiodic cues can trigger the switch from direct development to diapause, can last from a few hours or days after emergence to the entire life span of females. Moreover, in some species, sexually mature females can enter post-reproductive diapause as a response to decreasing day length and/or temperature. We studied the duration of SP for diapause induction and the females’ ability to enter post-reproductive diapause at short day lengths in Drosophila montana strains from different latitudes in Europe, North America, and Japan. Our study shows that the females of this species have a life-long SP and that they retain an ability to switch between reproduction and diapause as a response to back-and-forth changes in day length for at least 3 months. D. montana strains from different latitudes showed high variation in females’ ability to enter post-reproductive diapause; females of the southern strains generally requiring longer time and/or lower temperature to enter this stage than those of the northern strains. Moreover, the proportion of females that switched to post-reproductive diapause in 3 weeks in short day conditions at 16 °C showed positive correlation with the critical day length (CDL) for diapause induction and the latitudinal and continental origin of the strains. Life-long SP increases females’ flexibility to respond to short-term changes in environmental conditions and enables reproducing females to switch to post-reproductive diapause when the days get shorter and colder toward the autumn. This ability can play a major role in species phenology and should be taken into account in theoretical and empirical studies on insect adaptation to seasonal variation.
Peritoneal dialysis in the modern era
Authors: Karkar Ayman , Wilkie Martin
Published: August 2022

The practice and clinical outcomes of peritoneal dialysis (PD) have demonstrated significant improvement over the past 20 years. The aim of this review is to increase awareness and update healthcare professionals on current PD practice, especially with respect to patient and technique survival, patient modality selection, pathways onto PD, understanding patient experience of care and use prior to kidney transplantation. These improvements have been impacted, at least in part, by greater emphasis on shared decision-making in dialysis modality selection, the use of advanced laparoscopic techniques for PD catheter implantation, developments in PD connecting systems, glucose-sparing strategies, and modernising technology in managing automated PD patients remotely. Evidence-based clinical guidelines such as those prepared by national and international societies such as the International Society of PD have contributed to improved PD practice underpinned by a recognition of the place of continuous quality improvement processes.
Evaluation of Patient Experience with Veterans Affairs Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners Providing Comprehensive Medication Management
Authors: McFarland Michael S. , Tran Michael , Ourth Heather L. , Morreale Anthony P.
Published: August 2022

Patient experience is considered an important dimension of health care quality and thus is included as part of the quadruple aim of health care. The VHA Clinical Pharmacist Practitioner (CPP) operates as an advanced practice provider (APP) providing comprehensive medication management (CMM) with authority to initiate, discontinue or modify medication under a scope of practice (SOP). The VHA CPP practices in many different outpatient clinical areas to include but not limited to primary care, mental health, pain management, cardiology, substance use disorder and anticoagulation. While literature regarding the ability of the VHA CPP to increase access and quality of care is well published, very little information exist regarding patient experience with the VHA CPP. We sought to report the patient experience with VHA CPP as measured electronically over 1 year by Veterans. Patient experience surveys were electronically sent to randomly selected Veterans via email to evaluate a recent outpatient healthcare encounter at a VA medical center or outpatient clinic with a CPP with scoring on a Likert scale of 1-5 with 5 being optimal. A total of 743 Veteran surveys were completed for a response rate of 20%. For individual domains of patient experience based on respondent scores of 4 or 5, ease and simplicity were rated at 94.4%, quality 91.9%, employee helpfulness 94.9%, satisfaction 95.0% and confidence/trust 91.9%. Results demonstrate that Veterans’ experience with the CPP in every patient care experience domain was positive with scores ranging from the low to high 90th percentile.
A dynamic model for pin coupling anti-rotation mechanism of automotive scroll compressor
Authors: Zhang Shuai , Wu Jianhua , Wang Che , Li Jiachen
Published: August 2022

Pin coupling anti-rotation mechanism is adopted in mechanically driven automotive scroll compressor due to its simple structure and high reliability. However, the sidewall of anti-rotation hole in pin coupling anti-rotation mechanism is easy to be worn out, deteriorating the performance of scroll compressor. To figure out the cause and take measures, a dynamic model for pin coupling anti-rotation mechanism is developed in this paper. The dynamic model takes two important factors into consideration, offsetting scroll wraps and radial compliance mechanism. Using the dynamic model, the contact force between the anti-rotation pin and anti-rotation hole can be determined, thus the wear zone can be predicted during one rotation cycle. A simulation program adopting the above dynamic model is developed to predict the performance of automotive scroll compressor. The error between simulated shaft power of compressor and experimental result is no more than 4% for all test conditions. The wear zone predicted by the simulation program agrees well with the actual scroll compressor which survived a durability test.
Entropy production analysis and cooling time calculation for an open hemispherical cavity in natural convection
Authors: Behera Bismaya Ranjan , Chandrakar Vikrant , Mukherjee Arnab , Senapati Jnana Ranjan
Published: August 2022

A numerical investigation of natural convection from an open hemispherical cavity is conducted in this study. The entropy production analysis and estimation of cooling time is the prime objective here. The study is conducted for different Rayleigh numbers [Formula: see text], the surface temperatures (350–550 K) and radius of curvature ratios of the hemisphere vary from 1 to 5. The problem is simulated in ANSYS Fluent 19. The perspective of both the first and second thermodynamic law is included in the modified function ( I/Q) to make the analysis. Entropy production because of fluid friction and heat transfer and corresponding irreversibilities are calculated, and obtained results are compared with the thermo-fluid behavior of the problem. The heat transfer enhances with an increment in the curvature radius and Rayleigh number for the given temperature. Also, entropy production, mainly contributed by heat transfer and fluid friction, has a lesser contribution. When the non-dimensional radius rises from 1 to 5, the dimensionless heat transfer increases from 5 to 24.05, almost five times for Ra = 103 and T*  = 1.67. The entropy generation grows from 0.0011 to 0.0147 W/K when the non-dimensional temperature rises from 1.17 to 1.67 for R* = 5 and Ra = 103. A similar observation for Ra = 107 is noticed. With an increase in non-dimensional radius, the entropy generation rate increases up to five times. Moreover, the induced heat transfer irreversibility rises with the curvature radius, whereas fluid friction irreversibility reduces. The cooling time of the body is computed using lumped capacitance method.
Application of Value Stream Mapping for Lean Operation: An Indian Case Study of a Dairy Firm
Authors: Kumar Upendra , Shankar Ravi
Published: August 2022

In recent times, there has been greater awareness of safety issues, emerging risks and challenges in food supply chain. To this effect, transparency, traceability and information flow have become mandatory to minimize waste in the farm to fork supply chain. Furthermore, value stream mapping is well known for detecting and reducing waste in manufacturing by streamlining value-added (VA) activities, minimizing the non-value-added but essential (NVAE) activity, and removing non-value-added (NVA) activities. The processing time of milk collection, processing, storing and supplying dairy products is obtained from the dairy firm located at Rewari, Haryana (North India). With the help of the processing time of each step, we calculated the lead time for the dairy supply chain. A diagram depicting the process is created to represent the operation’s current status known as current stream map. VA, NVAE and NVA activities are identified inside and between each process, depending on its time and resource consumption. The process is evaluated for the possibility of significantly reducing and simplifying it to the minimum possible steps. By decreasing waste, the process throughput speed increases, and the lead time for the dairy supply chain decreases. Implementing the lean tool reduces lead time by approximately 34.79%.
Who Lacks Pension Knowledge, Why and Does it Matter? Evidence From Swedish Retirement Savers
Authors: Elinder Mikael , Hagen Johannes , Nordin Mattias , Säve-Söderbergh Jenny
Published: August 2022

Recent pension reforms have shifted a larger responsibility towards savers. Individuals therefore need better knowledge of the rules and incentives embedded in the pension system to adequately save and prepare for retirement. In this paper, we use a novel Swedish survey matched with high-quality administrative data to show that many lack, and feel that they lack, such pension-specific knowledge. We also show that the most economically vulnerable groups know the least. Linking pension knowledge to behavior, we find that knowing less is associated with lower preparedness for retirement, even after controlling for financial literacy and subjective knowledge. Moreover, a large majority state the complexity of the pension system, or that they have planned to learn more about pensions but that it just hasn’t happened, as reasons for why they do not have sufficient knowledge.