bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute management and investigation of seizures
Authors:   Wessex Neurological Centre, Southampton General Hospital Tremona Road Southampton SO16 6YD, Kinton Lucy
Published: June 2021

This article summarises the management of different situations in which patients present to the acute medical service with seizures. It covers the management of single attacks of loss of consciousness, multiple seizures and status epilepticus in patients with and without known epilepsy. The importance of a good history and witness account where there is a diagnostic issue is stressed. In the case of multiple seizures and status epilepticus, the investigation of the cause of the attacks as well as their acute management is reviewed.
An unusual cause of meningitis
Authors:   Hull Royal Infirmary, Pasha T.M. , Trower K. ,   Infectious Diseases Castle Hill Hospital, Bhatia D. ,   Hull Royal Infirmary, Thaker H.K. ,   Infectious Diseases Castle Hill Hospital
Published: June 2021

A 57 year old man patient presented with fever and frontal headache. He had a background history of sero-positive rheumatoid arthritis which was well controlled on immunomodulatory disease modifying anti-rheumatoid drugs (DMARDS) including methotrexate and leflunomide. Six months earlier he had returned from Massachussetts in the USA after a one year period of residence there. On examination his vital signs were within normal limits and he was afebrile with a temperature of 36.1o C. His left elbow joint was warm, tender and swollen; examination was otherwise normal.
An Unusual Case of Endocarditis
Authors:   Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Alhajji M , Anand V ,   Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust, Meigh J ,   Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Published: June 2021

A 74 year gentleman was admitted with a 6 month history of dizzy spells, malaise, generalised weakness and weight loss of over a stone. He attributed his weight loss to poor appetite due to persistent nausea. He had no significant past medical history apart from moderate mitral regurgitation and recent cholecystectomy. He felt some of these symptoms began after laparoscopic cholecystectomy 12 months before. The procedure had been complicated by a self-limiting biliary leak. He had been recently evaluated by chest physicians and gastroenterologists for clubbing and weight loss. Computerised tomography (CT) of the chest showed right basal fibrosis, CT of the abdomen and pelvis was normal, and upper endoscopy revealed a non-obstructive mild pyloric stenosis. Routine blood tests were unremarkable.
Does a Post-take Ward Round Proforma Lead to Sustainable Improvements in Quality of Documentation for Patients Admitted to the Medical Assessment Unit?
Authors:   Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust Tremona Road Southampton, Kamara A , Henderson Stuart ,   Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust Tremona Road Southampton, Rodrigo C ,   Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust Tremona Road Southampton, Dulay J ,   Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust Tremona Road Southampton
Published: June 2021

This study assessed the quality of post-take ward round (PTWR) documentation, specifically looking at twelve criteria, in the medical assessment unit (MAU) prior to, 3- months and 2-years after introducing a PTWR proforma. 216 case records were analysed; 40 prior to, 40 three-months and 146 two-years after introducing the PTWR proforma. There was a significant improvement in eight criteria threemonths after introducing the PTWR proforma. These improvements were sustained two-years later and significant improvements made in a further 3 criteria (1 at p < 0.05 and 2 at p < 0.01).
Specialist Registrars in Acute Medicine Receiving Patients in the Resuscitation Room: A Key Component in the Training Curriculum
Authors:   Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, Department of Acute Medicine, Birmingham, United Kingdom, Clare Sarbjit , Fair Susan M ,   Acute Medicine, City Hospital Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, Birmingham, Langford Nigel J ,   Acute Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, City Hospital, Birmingham, Lee Brian C ,   Acute Medicine, Diabetes and Endocrinology, Medical Assessment Unit, Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, Dudley Road, Birmingham
Published: June 2021

A key component of training in Acute Medicine is the assessment and initial resuscitation of severely ill medical patients. The curriculum for General Internal Medicine (Acute Medicine) states that all specialists in Acute Medicine should attain Level 3 competencies in all emergency presentations.1 Different training programmes have variable exposure to the emergency department, to which the majority of these patients present. One module, currently being developed at City Hospital, Birmingham, is for the Acute Medicine Specialist Registrars (SpRs) to attend all medical alerts in Accident and Emergency (A&E) Department. This means that the SpR works as part of the receiving team, seeing patients first hand, rather than taking secondary referrals. At our hospital over 80% of alerts brought in the resuscitation room are medical emergencies.
The President’s Piece: A Final Word
Authors:   Greater Manchester Neurosciences Centre, Salford Royal Foundation Trust, Jones Matthew
Published: June 2021

Well that’s it from me! At the close of our 1st International meeting in Glasgow I handed the reins of Presidency to the safe hands of Rhid Dowdle.
Setting New Standards for Acute Care
Authors:   Acute Medicine, University Hospital Southampton Foundation Trust, Southampton, Roseveare Chris
Published: June 2021

The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre provided the venue for the first truly International meeting of the Society for Acute Medicine in early October. Almost 600 delegates were treated to some unseasonal Glasgow sunshine and traditional Scottish hospitality, as they enjoyed the varied programme put together by Mike Jones, Derek Bell and Liz Myers. The long distance that the Society has travelled in the past 7 years to reach this size was emphasised repeatedly over the two days; in his inaugural address to the society as incoming President, Dr Rhid Dowdle told us that SAM is now playing in a much bigger league than ever before, but cautioned that the speciality still has a way to go to reach the ‘top division’. Some of the highlights of the meeting are summarised below, but for those delegates who did not make it to the event most of the presentations are now available on the SAM website (www.acutemedicine.org.uk)
An unusual case of ‘exacerbation of COPD’
Authors:   The Great Western Hospital, Marlborough Road, Swindon, Wiltshire, Marsh Ruth , Cannon Charlotte ,   Acute Medicine, Swindon Great Western Hospital, Swindon
Published: June 2021

A 66 year old man who had been diagnosed with COPD 18 months earlier was readmitted with breathlessness unresponsive to bronchodilators and steroids. His symptoms were noticeably improved by lying on his left side. CTPA showed no evidence of pulmonary embolism but raised the possibility of tracheomalacia, which was later confirmed with bronchoscopy and lung function testing. The classification and treatment options for tracheomalacia are discussed.
An unusual cause of spinal cord compression
Authors:   Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, City Hospital Campus, Nottingham, Perry Christina , Blundell Adrian ,   Healthcare of the Elderly, Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Mansfield, Seddon David ,   Healthcare of the Elderly, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Queen’s Medical Centre Campus, Nottingham
Published: June 2021

Abstract Spinal subdural haematoma (SSDH) is a rare, but potentially reversible, cause of spinal cord compression. We describe the case of an 85-year-old lady on long-term low-dose aspirin who presented with features of spinal cord compression. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) confirmed a large anterior thoracic SSDH. The aetiology, pathophysiology, clinical features and treatment options are discussed.
Developing Occupational Therapy Best Practice Guidelines for Acute Medical Services
Authors:   Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Mearns Nicola , Millar Alison ,   NHS Lothian, Murray Fiona ,   NHS Borders, Fraser Susanne ,   NHS Lothian
Published: June 2021

Occupational Therapists began exploring their role in Acute Medicine in the late 1990’s.1 A decade later the presence of Occupational Therapists in accident & emergency departments and acute medical units is seen as routine. The literature and evidence base to support this, however, has not progressed as rapidly. With few guidelines to support practice the authors produced a document locally to promote standardisation of good practice and equity of treatment within all relevant NHS Lothian and NHS Borders sites. A table illustrates the specialist skills necessary for Occupational Therapy in Acute Medicine and appendices outline components of various assessments. It is hoped that as therapists progress through the flow chart they can utilise further sections of the guidelines related to specific assessments. This article will introduce the reader to the occupational therapy process in acute medicine and describe the guidelines that are currently in use.
Tuberculosis of the central nervous system: Recognition, diagnosis and treatment in a low-prevalence country
Authors:   Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London, M Pollock Katrina , Lalvani Ajit ,   Department of Respiratory Medicine, National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, Norfolk Place, London
Published: June 2021

Abstract Tuberculosis (TB) is one of the greatest threats to global public health, with 9.2 million new cases in 20061 and has become increasingly common in the UK. Central nervous system (CNS) infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) is relatively rare but is associated with a serious risk of neurological morbidity or death. Delays in diagnosis worsen prognosis and even with anti-tuberculous therapy up to 30% of tuberculous meningitis (TBM) patients may die.2 TBM and tuberculomas can mimic other CNS pathologies. Careful analysis of the clinical features, CSF examination and pragmatic use of diagnostic tests can aid the diagnosis. Prolonged anti-tuberculous treatment is required and presumptive treatment should not be delayed for microbiological confirmation of the disease…
Acute Painless Jaundice: Assessment and Management
Authors:   Gastroenterology, University Hospital Wales, Cardiff, Pritchard Ceris Wyn , Webberley Mike ,   Nevill Hall Hospital, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire
Published: June 2021

The most common presentation of liver and biliary disease is jaundice, and most acute medical teams will encounter several jaundiced patients over time. Some of these patients will be extremely unwell, and a systematic approach will enable all doctors to manage such patients correctly. Key questions should be addressed during initial assessment: i. Is the patient critically ill? ii. Does the patient have fulminant hepatic failure? iii. Is the jaundice secondary to an intra- or extrahepatic cause? This article aims to provide a guide to the assessment and management of the acutely jaundiced patient in the emergency setting…
A Retrospective Analysis of Alcohol Intake and Management on the Medical Assessment Unit
Authors:   St James’s University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, Hoye Sarah , Boundy Rebecca ,   Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, Cooper Nicola ,   Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Published: June 2021

A retrospective case note analysis of 100 consecutive admissions to a Medical Assessment Unit to (a) review the current impact of alcohol, and (b) assess the quality of clinical management and adherence to local and national guidelines.
Laser whitening of a devitalized discolored tooth not associated with the gel containing hydrogen peroxide: A case report
Authors: Giovanna Mosaico  , Omar Cutuli  , Cinzia Casu
Published: June 2021

The color of the teeth is considered an important aspect for having a beautiful smile and improving the aesthetic appearance. Quick teeth whitening has become one of the most requested dental procedures in our society. The laser has been considered the most valuable energy for teeth whitening. The main advantage of laser whitening is that it can be completed in a single studio treatment and allows you to focus on a single tooth or even a selected part of a tooth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the whitening effect of the 810 nm laser light, without the addition of hydrogen peroxide gel, on a devitalized and dyschromic dental element with aesthetic value.
İlkokul Öğrencilerinde Temel Dil Becerilerinin Geliştirilmesine Yönelik Etkinlik Örnekleri
Authors: NARİN Aykut
Published: June 2021

Okullarda Türkçe öğretimi dört temel çerçevede yapılmaktadır. Temel dil becerileri diye ifade edilen dinleme, okuma, yazma ve konuşma becerileri ana dil öğretiminde çok önemlidir. Dolayısıyla bu becerilerin geliştirilmesine yönelik çalışmaların hassasiyetle yürütülmesi gerekmektedir. Özelikle ilkokul yılları, öğrencilerin akademik olarak ana dil öğrenimine ilk başladıkları yıllar olması yönüyle, temel dil becerilerinin geliştirilmesine yönelik çalışmaların en yoğun yapılması gereken dönemdir. Temel dil becerilerinin geliştirilmesine yönelik etkinliklerin tasarlanması ve derslerde uygulanmasının ilkokul yaş grubunda amaca ulaşmada işlevsel olacağı düşünülmektedir. Araştırmanın amacı ilkokul öğrencilerinde temel dil becerilerinin geliştirilmesi kapsamında çeşitli etkinlikler tasarlamak ve bu yönde bir farkındalık oluşturmaktır. Dinleme, konuşma, okuma ve yazma becerilerine dair onar tane olmak üzere toplamda kırk etkinlik tasarlanmıştır. Etkinliklerden her biri ilgili olduğu becerinin geliştirilmesine katkı sunacak nitelikte tasarlanmıştır. Bu sayede amaca ulaşmada öğrencileri sürece daha fazla dâhil etmek ve eğlenirken aynı zamanda hedeflenen becerileri de kazandırmaktır. Çoğu uygulamaya dayanan etkinliklerin işleyişinde öğrenci merkezlilik ön planda olacağından çocuklar süreçte de aktif katılımcı rolünde olacaktır. Dolayısıyla yapılan etkinlikler kalıcılık açısından da fayda sağlayacaktır.
A Beloved or A Devil?: Toxic Masculinity in Robert Browning's “My Last Duchess’’ and “Porphyria's Lover’’
Authors: URUK Ahmet
Published: June 2021

Coinciding with the years between 1837 and 1901, The Victorian period witnessed the dramatic growth of the reading public and the increasing significance of the novel genre in accordance with the circulating libraries and weekly magazines through which a great number of Victorian novels were published. Although these realist novels, characterized by an impetus for social realism in order to portray the negative impacts of industrialism and capitalism upon the Victorian life, prevailed over any other genre through their critical imagery of contemporary issues, there was a group of poets such as Alfred Tennyson, Matthew Arnold, and Robert Browning who contributed to the blossoming of poetry and its distinctive characteristics. Considered as a threshold between Romanticism and Modernism, Victorian poetry has a tendency to depict religious uncertainty, science, morality, and social reform, thereby leading it to incorporate both social and political issues into the realist lens of poetry. In view of its moralist outlook of Victorian poetry, Robert Browning (1812-1889) produced, essentially, a great number of dramatic monologues, based on a fictitious speaker and a listener, so as to epitomize women’s repression and patriarchal domination, consolidated by the growing male authority in the Victorian era in opposition to the country's female ruler named ''Victoria''. Thus, this article aims to analyze the objectification and victimization of women by the patriarchal society and toxic masculinity in the Victorian period through the male gaze of such poems as “My Last Duchess’’ and “Porphyria's Lover’’.
The Mediating Role of Death Anxiety on The Relationship Between Successful Aging and Life Satisfaction
Authors: EKŞİ Halil , DEMİR ÇELEBİ Çiğdem , ÖZGÜR ŞAHİN Şeniz
Published: June 2021

This study aimed to test the mediating role of death anxiety on the relationship between Turkish older adults’ levels of successful aging and life satisfaction. The study group consisted of 243 individuals (130 females, 113 males) aged 60 years and older. The Successful Aging Scale, Adult Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Death Anxiety Scale were used for data collection. The Pearson product-moment correlation technique and the standard multiple regression technique were used to analyze the data. Preliminary analysis showed the existence of significant relationships among the variables discussed in the study. The regression analysis results indicated that a significant relationship exists among elderly individuals’ levels of life satisfaction and death anxiety, with these variables significantly predicting their level of successful aging. Another important finding from this study was that the variables of death anxiety and life satisfaction together explain 36% of the total variance in successful aging. It was concluded that death anxiety was a mediating variable in the relationship between successful aging and life satisfaction. In this context, in order to obtain more detailed information, it is recommended to increase the studies in quantitative, qualitative and mixed methods within the framework of the concepts of death anxiety, successful aging and life satisfaction.
Accuracy of Local Knowledge in Prediction Seasonal Weather: Empirical Evidence from North eastern Nigeria
Authors: Jajere Ahmed Abubakar , Jonah Kunda Joshua, , Bibi Umar Muhammed , Maina-Bukar Yusuf
Published: June 2021

Over the years, West African Sahel’s people developed some strategies for predicting the seasonal weather using meteorological indicators to plan for extreme weather events. This study used information on local indicators of seasonal weather prediction and mean monthly rainfall and temperature record (1981-2017) from Nguru weather station located at Latitude 14°N in achieving the aim of the study. Both qualitative and quantitate (descriptive and inferential) statistical tools were employed in analysing the collected data. The study found that the local population of the study area used meteorological indicators in predicting the seasonal weather. The results of the analysis revealed that the variability of the annual rainfall during the study period was large. An increasing trend of 3.1mm annually was observed. While decreasing trend in the cold, dry and hot dry season temperature and an increasing trend in warm moist temperature by 0.025°C, 0.05°C and 0.0004°C respectively, was observed. Annual rainfall amount accounts for 31% and 2% variability in cold dry and warm moist season temperature, respectively. Cold, dry season and warm moist season temperature respond to any 1mm increase in annual rainfall by decreasing by 0.012°C and 0.002°C, respectively. The Hot, dry season temperature also accounts for 4% of the variability in annual rainfall. The model’s result revealed anyone 1°C increase in hot dry season temperature lowers the annual rainfall by 10mm. This study confirmed that the observed relationship between seasons weather conditions by local population exist. Therefore annual rainfall is the major determinant of cold dry seasonal temperature in the study area.
THE GAP OF THE GRAPH OF A LINEAR TRANSFORMATION
Authors: FAGHIH-HABIBI JAVAD , HOLLINGSWORTH RALPH
Published: June 2021

Assume that $A$ is a linear transformation from $\mathbb{C}^n$ into $\mathbb{C}^m$. The Gap of the graph of $A$ is

\[\theta(A_g)=\frac{||A||}{\sqrt{1+||A||^2}}.\]

Here $||A||$ is the operator norm of $A$. This is an extention of the result in [2], in which the first author used another  method to prove for the case of $m= n$.
GLOBAL ATTRACTIVITY IN A NONAUTONOMOUS DELAY-LOGISTIC EQUATION
Authors: SHEN JIANHUA , WANG ZHICHENG
Published: June 2021

Consider the nonautonomous delay-Logistic equation
\[x'(t)=r(t)x(t)[1-b_1x(t-\tau_1)-b_2x(t-\tau_2)], \quad t\ge 0.\]

We obtain sufficient conditions for the positive steady state $x^* =1/(b_1+b_2)$ to be a global attractor. An application of our result also solves a conjecture of Gopalsamy.
Ensino de Astronomia: Tendências das Teses e Dissertações Publicadas Entre 2013 e 2019
Authors: Simões Cleonir Coelho , Voelzke Marcos Rincon , Palanch Wagner Barbosa de Lima
Published: June 2021

O presente artigo consiste em um mapeamento realizado nos principais Bancos de Teses e Dissertações entre os anos de 2013 e 2019, com o objetivo de verificar a presença de publicações sobre o Ensino de Astronomia. Busca-se responder à seguinte questão de pesquisa: Quais são as tendências metodológicas e temáticas evidenciadas nas Teses e Dissertações publicadas no período compreendido entre janeiro de 2013 e novembro de 2019? Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa e do tipo Estado da Arte. Obtiveram-se 289 publicações, das quais, 27 correspondem a Teses de Doutorado e 262 a Dissertações de Mestrado. Destacam-se o crescimento do número de publicações no período analisado, o Ensino Médio como o nível de ensino contemplado pelo maior número de publicações e Conteúdo-Método, Formação de Conceitos e Recursos Didáticos como os focos temáticos mais frequentes nas Teses e Dissertações analisadas.
COGNIC - A Mobile Device Application Used for Cognitive Stimulation in Older People with Dementia
Authors: Pertence Antônio Augusto de Faria Guimarães Melo , Mota Rosilane Ribeiro da , Assis Luciana de Oliveira
Published: June 2021

Dementia is characterized by marked cognitive impairment and is a prevalent mental illness among older people. Alzheimer’s disease is the most frequent form of dementia, affecting memory and other cognitive functions. Although there is no cure for the disease, there are treatments that can relieve cognitive symptoms and control the behavior of affected individuals. In recent years, there has been a progressive increase in the use of applications designed for smartphones and tablets for the non-pharmacological treatment of dementia. This article describes the development of an application for mobile devices with the Android® platform operating system based on guidelines established in the literature to be used by health professionals who provide care for older people with a diagnosis of mild to moderate dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. The application was evaluated employing usability tests and questionnaires, the results of which indicated that the application met the proposed objectives, validating the guidelines established in the literature for the development of applications for this population.
Sin, Sins, and Intellectual Disability: An Ethnographic Examination of Moral Agency and Structural Sin
Authors: Cuddeback-Gedeon Lorraine ,   Philosophy Documentation Center
Published: June 2021

Conversations around intellectual disability and sin often rest on either the structural level, or culpability for specific actions. Yet, the effects of sin in the world cannot be reduced to culpability, especially in light of the far-reaching impact of structural sin. Using ethnographic fieldwork among adults with intellectual disabilities, I illustrate how people with IDD participate in structural and interpersonal sin alike, particularly how they resist sin through the exertion of complex agencies. Through the thick description of fieldwork, we gain better tools for recognizing the full, complex humanity of people with IDD—not dismissing them as either sinners or saints—while also recognizing all persons’ call to resist structural sin.
Exemplarity and Its Discontents
Authors: Conway Daniel ,   Hegel Society of America
Published: June 2021

This essay situates Jon Stewart’s Hegel’s Interpretation of the Religions of the World and Hegel’s Lectures on the Philosophy of Religion in the genre of philo­sophical anthropology, wherein corresponding conceptions of the human and the divine are studied in tandem and the reciprocal relationship between them is revealed. In this context, the essay shows how Hegel’s interpretation of religion—viz. as a trans-cultural vehicle of human maturation—can make a significant contribution to our thinking about globalization, the pursuit of reciprocal recognition, and the future of Christianity. I conclude my essay by demonstrating that Stewart’s interpretation positions us to understand that Hegel not only accommodates, but also authorizes, the articulations of religious exemplarity advanced by two of his greatest critics: Søren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche.
Exclusive use and evaluation of inheritance metrics viability in software fault prediction—an experimental study
Authors: Aziz Syed Rashid , Khan Tamim Ahmed , Nadeem Aamer
Published: June 2021

Software Fault Prediction (SFP) assists in the identification of faulty classes, and software metrics provide us with a mechanism for this purpose. Besides others, metrics addressing inheritance in Object-Oriented (OO) are important as these measure depth, hierarchy, width, and overriding complexity of the software. In this paper, we evaluated the exclusive use, and viability of inheritance metrics in SFP through experiments. We perform a survey of inheritance metrics whose data sets are publicly available, and collected about 40 data sets having inheritance metrics. We cleaned, and filtered them, and captured nine inheritance metrics. After preprocessing, we divided selected data sets into all possible combinations of inheritance metrics, and then we merged similar metrics. We then formed 67 data sets containing only inheritance metrics that have nominal binary class labels. We performed a model building, and validation for Support Vector Machine(SVM). Results of Cross-Entropy, Accuracy, F-Measure, and AUC advocate viability of inheritance metrics in software fault prediction. Furthermore, ic, noc, and dit metrics are helpful in reduction of error entropy rate over the rest of the 67 feature sets.
A novel method for credit scoring based on feature transformation and ensemble model
Authors: Li Hongxiang , Feng Ao , Lin Bin , Su Houcheng , Liu Zixi , Duan Xuliang , Pu Haibo , Wang Yifei
Published: June 2021

Credit scoring is a very critical task for banks and other financial institutions, and it has become an important evaluation metric to distinguish potential defaulting users. In this paper, we propose a credit score prediction method based on feature transformation and ensemble model, which is essentially a cascade approach. The feature transformation process consisting of boosting trees (BT) and auto-encoders (AE) is employed to replace manual feature engineering and to solve the data imbalance problem. For the classification process, this paper designs a heterogeneous ensemble model by weighting the factorization machine (FM) and deep neural networks (DNN), which can efficiently extract low-order intersections and high-order intersections. Comprehensive experiments were conducted on two standard datasets and the results demonstrate that the proposed approach outperforms existing credit scoring models in accuracy.
Modeling of Economic Data using Bivariate MGARCH Models
Authors: Pepple Shakarho Udi , Essi Isaac Didi , Emeka Amos
Published: June 2021

Aims: The aim of this study is to examine Economic data using the multivariate GARCH model.

Study design: The study used monthly data of Nigerian crude oil prices (dollar Per Barrel) and Consumer price Index

Methodology:  This work covers time series data on crude oil price and consumer price Index rural obtained from   Central bank of Nigeria (CBN)   from 2000 to 2019. To achieve the aim of the study, bivariate VECH and BEKK model were applied.

Results: The results confirmed that returns on economic data were correlated. Also, diagonal multivariate VECH model confirmed one of the properties that it must be ‘positive semi-definite’ and the BEKK also confirmed the volatility spillover effects among the economic data.

Conclusion: From the results obtained, it was confirmed that conditional variances depends only on own lags and own lagged square returns and conditional covariances depends only on own lags and own lagged cross products of returns. As for cross-volatility effects, past innovations in crude oil price have greatest influence on future volatility of returns on economic data. It was also confirmed that time varying covariance displays among these economic data and lower degree of persistence and based on Model selection criteria using the Akaike information criteria (AIC) diagonal VECH model is better fitted than the BEKK model.
Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Frozen Stored Minced Meat of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Authors: Mishra Monalisa , Ghosh Subal Kumar , Soni Mayank , Sadawarte R. K. , Sadawarte V. R.
Published: June 2021

The physicochemical and functional properties of frozen stored Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) minced meat were analysed. The organoleptic attributes of mincemeat has been analysed as well as the physicochemical parameters were colour, pH, proximate composition, PV, FFA, TMA-N, TVB-N, TBA were measured. The microbiological and functional parameters analysed were TPC, water holding capacity, cook loss and emulsion stability. The storage period was for 45 days and each time analysis had been conducted in a week time interval. The frozen storage has a major effect on the mincemeat and there was significant difference in all the parameters (p<0.05). The organoleptic quality of the mincemeat was also acceptable till the end of frozen storage period.
Epoxy Fillet Height Study of Tapeless QFN Leadframe Package on Different Diebonders
Authors: Jr. E. Graycochea , Rodriguez R. , Gomez F. R.
Published: June 2021

The paper focused on the evaluation of quad-flat no-leads (QFN) device in tapeless leadframe technology on different diebonder platforms to achieve an acceptable fillet height performance. The study was narrowed down into two main machines with the objective of attaining a fillet height of less than 75 % for small die. Eventually, the fillet height requirement was achieved by both diebonder platforms, hence, these machines could be used for future works on devices with similar requirement.
Examining electrometer performance checks with direct‐current generator in a clinic: Assessment of generated charges and implementation of electrometer checks
Authors: Kinoshita Naoki , Oguchi Hiroshi , Shimizu Morihito , Kidoya Eiji , Shioura Hiroki , Kimura Hirohiko
Published: June 2021

Purpose

Medical physicists use a suitable detector connected to an electrometer to measure radiotherapy beams. Each detector and electrometer has a lifetime (due to physical deterioration of detector components and electrical characteristic deterioration in electronic electrometer components), long‐term stability [according to IEC 60731:2011, ≤0.5% (reference‐class dosimeter)], and calibration frequency [according to Muir et al. (J Appl Clin Med Phys. 2017; 18:182‐190), generally 2 years]; thus, physicists should check the electrometer and detector separately. However, to the best of our knowledge, only one study (Blad et al., Phys Med Biol. 1998; 43:2385–2391) has reported checking the electrometer independently from the detector. The present study conducts performance checks on electrometers separately from the detector in clinical settings, using an electrometer equipped with a direct current (DC) generator (EMF 521R) capable of injecting DC (effective range: ±20 pA to ±20 nA) into itself or another electrometer.

Methods

First, to check the nonlinearity of the generated currents from ±20 pA to ±20 nA, charges generated from the DC generator were measured with the EMF 521R electrometer. Next, six reference‐class electrometers classified according to IEC 60731:2011 were checked for repeatability at a current of ±20 pA or a minimum effective indicated value meeting IEC 60731:2011, as well as for nonlinearity within the current range from ±20 pA to ±20 nA.

Results

The nonlinearities for the measured currents were less than ±0.05%. The repeatability for the six electrometers was < 0.1%. While the nonlinearity of one electrometer reached up to 0.22% at a current of –20 pA, all six electrometers displayed nonlinearities of less than ±0.1% at currents of ±100 pA or higher.

Conclusions

This work suggests that it is possible to check the nonlinearity and repeatability of clinical electrometers with DCs above the ±30 pA level using a DC generator in a clinic.
Inorganic Dust Exposure During Military Service as a Predictor of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Autoimmune Conditions
Authors: Ying David , Schmajuk Gabriela , Trupin Laura , Blanc Paul D.
Published: June 2021

Objective

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and other autoimmune (AI) conditions are associated with inorganic dust exposure. Many military activities are likely to entail inorganic dust exposures. We wished to identify associations between prior military dust exposure and RA and other AI conditions.

Methods

We studied persons from a roster of Army, Navy, Air Force, or Marine Corps personnel who had served in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn. We linked military occupational codes to a job exposure matrix assigning dust exposure likelihood. We used the Veterans Affairs Health Care System (VAHCS) electronic health care records to identify cases of RA, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), systemic sclerosis (SSc), vasculitis, and inflammatory myositis. Generalized estimating equations modeled risk of RA and other AI conditions associated with dust exposure, taking into account military service branch, age at first VAHCS encounter, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking status, and years of military service.

Results

Of 438 086 veterans (68% ever‐smokers), 44% were classified with likely or somewhat likely dust exposure. Cases included 1139 cases with RA, 467 cases with SLE, and 180 cases with other AI diseases (SSc, vasculitis, or inflammatory myositis). Military dust exposure was associated with increased odds of RA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.10; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.003‐1.20) and increased odds of SSc, vasculitis, or inflammatory myositis (OR = 1.23; 95% CI = 1.14‐1.34) but was protective for SLE (OR = 0.81; 95% CI = 0.76‐0.88).

Conclusion

Dust exposure during past military service comprises an occupational and environmental risk factor for RA and other AI diseases. This is potentially relevant for prevention activities.
Screening for AUD doesn't always lead to treatment
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: June 2021

It was in 2016 that Kim Johnson, then head of the Center for Substance Abuse Treatment at the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), told treatment providers at the invitation‐only luncheon at the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence (AATOD) conference that they should utilize the “cascade of care” model first originated for HIV, in which the 90‐90‐90 formula is followed (see “AATOD coverage: Policy must focus on treatment engagement,” ADAW, Nov. 7, 2016; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adaw.30763). This means 90% of people who have HIV know they have it, 90% of them get treated and 90% of them have a reduced viral load after treatment. “Why can't we do this goal in addiction?” she asked attendees. Since then, studies have looked at exactly this question (see “Cascade of Care model to be used in SUDs,” ADAW May 29, 2017; https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adaw.30963).
Correlating the Molecular Structure of A‐DA′D‐A Type Non‐Fullerene Acceptors to Its Heat Transfer and Charge Transport Properties in Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Zhang Chujun , Yuan Jun , Ho Johnny Ka Wai , Song Jiage , Zhong Hui , Xiao Yiqun , Liu Wei , Lu Xinhui , Zou Yingping , So Shu Kong
Published: June 2021

Efficient heat transfer is beneficial to heat dissipation and the thermal durability of organic solar cell (OSCs). In this regard, heat transfer properties of organic semiconductors within OSCs should play important roles, but their thermal properties are rarely explored. Here, heat diffusion properties of Y‐series non‐fullerene acceptors processing different DA′D framework, named BZ4F‐5, BZ4F‐6, and BZ4F‐7 are probed; it is found that backbone rings extension from five‐ to six‐ and seven‐membered‐fused rings trigger longer phonon mean free path and higher thermal diffusivities (D) in their pristine solid films and bulk heterojunction blends. Particularly, the correlation between the thermal transport properties in Y‐series acceptors and their backbone geometry, molecule stacking, and thin‐film crystallinity is demonstrated. More importantly, both organic thin‐film transistors and OSCs confirm that thermal durability of organic semiconductor devices correlated with the thermal properties of their active layer. Although BZ5F‐6 and BZ4F‐7 based devices possess similar device performance at room temperature, superior heat dissipation in BZ4F‐7 molecule endows it with enhanced device lifetime. These results contribute to critical design criteria for future molecular optimization in photovoltaic and optoelectronic devices.
A Fast Autonomous Healing Magnetic Elastomer for Instantly Recoverable, Modularly Programmable, and Thermorecyclable Soft Robots
Authors: Cheng Yin , Chan Kwok Hoe , Wang Xiao‐Qiao , Ding Tianpeng , Li Tongtao , Zhang Chen , Lu Wanheng , Zhou Yi , Ho Ghim Wei
Published: June 2021

Intrinsically self‐healing stretchable polymers have been intensively explored for soft robotic applications due to their mechanical compliance and damage resilience. However, their prevalent use in real‐world robotic applications is currently hindered by various limitations such as low mechanical strength, long healing time, and external energy input requirements. Here, a self‐healing supramolecular magnetic elastomer (SHSME), featuring a hierarchical dynamic polymer network with abundant reversible bonds, is introduced. The SHSME exhibits high mechanical strength (Young's modulus of 1.2 MPa, similar to silicone rubber) and fast self‐healing capability (300% stretch strain after 5 s autonomous repair at ambient temperature). A few SHSME‐based robotic demonstrations, namely, rapid amphibious function recovery, modular‐assembling‐prototyping soft robots with complex geometries and diverse functionalities, as well as a dismembering–navigation–assembly strategy for robotic tasking in confined spaces are showcased. Notably, the SHSME framework supports circular material design, as it is thermoreformable for recycling, demonstrates autorepair for extended lifespan, and is modularizable for customized constructs and functions.
Architecting Freestanding Sulfur Cathodes for Superior Room‐Temperature Na–S Batteries
Authors: Yang Huiling , Zhou Si , Zhang Bin‐Wei , Chu Sheng‐Qi , Guo Haipeng , Gu Qin‐Fen , Liu Hanwen , Lei Yaojie , Konstantinov Konstantin , Wang Yun‐Xiao , Chou Shu‐Lei , Liu Hua‐Kun , Dou Shi‐Xue
Published: June 2021

Room‐temperature sodium–sulfur (RT Na–S) batteries have attracted extensive attention because of their low cost and high specific energy. RT Na–S batteries, however, usually suffer from sluggish reaction kinetics, low reversible capacity, and short lifespans. Herein, it is shown that chain‐mail catalysts, consisting of porous nitrogen doped carbon nanofibers (PCNFs) encapsulating Co nanoparticles (Co@PCNFs), can activate sulfur via electron engineering. The chain‐mail catalysts Co@PCNFs with a micrograde hierarchical structure as a freestanding sulfur cathode (Co@PCNFs/S) can provide space for high mass loading of sulfur and polysulfides. The electrons can rapidly transfer from chain‐mail catalysts to sulfur and polysulfides during discharge–charge processes, therefore boosting its conversion kinetics. As a result, this freestanding Co@PCNFs/S cathode achieves a high sulfur loading of 2.1 ± 0.2 mg cm−2, delivering a high reversible capacity of 398 mA h g−1 at 0.5 C (1 C = 1675 mA g−1) over 600 cycles and superior rate capability of an average capacity of 240 mA h g−1 at 5 C. Experimental results, combined with density functional theory calculations, demonstrate that the Co@PCNFs/S can efficiently improve the conversion kinetics between the polysulfides and Na2S via transferring electrons from Co to them, thereby realizing efficient sulfur redox reactions.
NIR Light‐Triggered Shape Memory Polymers Based on Mussel‐Inspired Iron–Catechol Complexes
Authors: Liang Ruixue , Yu Haojie , Wang Li , Wang Nan , Amin Bilal Ul
Published: June 2021

Shape memory polymers (SMPs) with the permanent shape reconfiguration capability have received much research interest because they are capable of diversified tasks and the ability to work in conditions that required complex geometry. However, most of such SMPs are thermally triggered, which limits their applications. Inspired by reversible mussel adhesive protein chemistry, NIR light‐triggered SMPs with the permanent shape reconfiguration capability are prepared. The polymer networks are constructed using biocompatible polyethylene glycol, which is crosslinked based on catechol–Fe3+ coordination. The polymer networks have a uniform network structure and exhibit a considerable one‐way shape memory effect (1W‐SME) as well as a good two‐way shape memory effect (2W‐SME) under stress conditions. Taking advantage of the dynamic nature of the catechol–Fe3+ coordination, the permanent shape of the polymers could be reconfigured. Moreover, the catechol–Fe3+ complexes have a broad absorption in the NIR window, which bestows the polymers with excellent NIR light‐triggered SME. Further, the great potential of the obtained polymers in biomedical and electronic applications is presented. Owing to the NIR‐triggered 1W‐SME and the permanent shape reconfiguration capability, the polymer could be used as a personalizing vascular stent. Additionally, the polymer could be applied in light‐driven switches based on the NIR light‐triggered 2W‐SME.
Mg Biodegradation Mechanism Deduced from the Local Surface Environment under Simulated Physiological Conditions
Authors: Gonzalez Jorge , Lamaka Sviatlana V. , Mei Di , Scharnagl Nico , Feyerabend Frank , Zheludkevich Mikhail L. , Willumeit‐Römer Regine
Published: June 2021

Although certified magnesium‐based implants are launched some years ago, the not well‐defined Mg degradation mechanism under physiological conditions makes it difficult to standardize its use as a degradable biomaterial for a wide range of implant applications. Among other variables influencing the Mg degradation mechanism, monitoring the pH in the corrosive solution and, especially, at the corroding interface is important due to its direct relation with the formation and stability of the degradation products layer. The interface pH (pH at the Mg/solution interface) developed on Mg‐2Ag and E11 alloys are studied in situ during immersion under dynamic conditions (1.5 mL min‐1) in HBSS with and without the physiological amount of Ca2+ cations (2.5 × 10‐3 m). The results show that the precipitation/dissolution of amorphous phosphate‐containing phases, that can be associated with apatitic calcium‐phosphates Ca10‐x(PO4)6‐x(HPO4 or CO3)x(OH or ½ CO3)2‐x with 0 ≤ x ≤ 2 (Ap‐CaP), promoted in the presence of Ca2+ generates an effective local pH buffering system at the surface. Thus, high alkalinization is prevented, and the interface pH is stabilized in the range of 7.6 to 8.5.
Genetically Encoded Elastin‐Like Polypeptides for Drug Delivery
Authors: Jenkins Irene C. , Milligan Joshua J. , Chilkoti Ashutosh
Published: June 2021

Elastin‐like polypeptides (ELPs) are thermally responsive biopolymers that consist of a repeated amino acid motif derived from human tropoelastin. These peptides exhibit temperature‐dependent phase behavior that can be harnessed to produce stimuli‐responsive biomaterials, such as nanoparticles or injectable drug delivery depots. As ELPs are genetically encoded, the properties of ELP‐based biomaterials can be controlled with a precision that is unattainable with synthetic polymers. Unique ELP architectures, such as spherical or rod‐like micelles or injectable coacervates, can be designed by manipulating the ELP amino acid sequence and length. ELPs can be loaded with drugs to create controlled, intelligent drug delivery systems. ELPs are biodegradable, nonimmunogenic, and tolerant of therapeutic additives. These qualities make ELPs exquisitely well‐suited to address current challenges in drug delivery and have spurred the development of ELP‐based therapeutics to treat diseases—such as cancer and diabetes—and to promote wound healing. This review focuses on the use of ELPs in drug delivery systems.
Conjugated Organic Photothermal Films for Spatiotemporal Thermal Engineering
Authors: Kim Hee Jung , Kim Byeonggwan , Auh Yanghyun , Kim Eunkyoung
Published: June 2021

With the growth of photoenergy harvesting and thermal engineering, photothermal materials (PTMs) have attracted substantial interest due to their unique functions such as localized heat generation, spatiotemporal thermal controllability, invisibility, and light harvesting capabilities. In particular, π‐conjugated organic PTMs show advantages over inorganic or metallic PTMs in thin film applications due to their large light absorptivity, ease of synthesis and tunability of molecular structures for realizing high NIR absorption, flexibility, and solution processability. This review is intended to provide an overview of organic PTMs, including both molecular and polymeric PTMs. A description of the photothermal (PT) effect and conversion efficiency (ηPT) for organic films is provided. After that, the chemical structure and optical properties of organic PTMs are discussed. Finally, emerging applications of organic PT films from the perspective of spatiotemporal thermal engineering principles are illustrated.
Nanoarchitectured Porous Conducting Polymers: From Controlled Synthesis to Advanced Applications
Authors: Luo Hao , Kaneti Yusuf Valentino , Ai Yan , Wu Yong , Wei Facai , Fu Jianwei , Cheng Jiangong , Jing Chengbin , Yuliarto Brian , Eguchi Miharu , Na Jongbeom , Yamauchi Yusuke , Liu Shaohua
Published: June 2021

Conductive polymers (CPs) integrate the inherent characteristics of conventional polymers and the unique electrical properties of metals. They have aroused tremendous interest over the last decade owing to their high conductivity, robust and flexible properties, facile fabrication, and cost‐effectiveness. Compared to bulk CPs, porous CPs with well‐defined nano‐ or microstructures possess open porous architectures, high specific surface areas, more exposed reactive sites, and remarkably enhanced activities. These attractive features have led to their applications in sensors, energy storage and conversion devices, biomedical devices, and so on. In this review article, the different strategies for synthesizing porous CPs, including template‐free and template‐based methods, are summarized, and the importance of tuning the morphology and pore structure of porous CPs to optimize their functional performance is highlighted. Moreover, their representative applications (energy storage devices, sensors, biomedical devices, etc.) are also discussed. The review is concluded by discussing the current challenges and future development trend in this field.