bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predicting the seismic behavior of multiblock tower structures using the level set discrete element method
Authors: Harmon John M. , Gabuchian Vahe , Rosakis Ares J. , Conte Joel P. , Restrepo José I. , Rodriguez Andrés , Nema Arpit , Pedretti Andrea R. , Andrade José E.
Published: April 2023

In this paper a modeling method is validated at multiple scales for the seismic performance of multiblock tower structure (MTS). MTS are a proposed concept for large‐capacity gravitational energy storage that will enable renewable energy sources. The structure modeled is a tower of 7144 nominally identical blocks arranged in a 38‐layered annular pattern with no adhesive mechanisms between the blocks or the blocks and the foundation. The level set discrete element method is used to model the dynamics of the tower structure experiencing a ground motion. Experimental determination of each model parameter is shown from the use of individual blocks before construction. Close comparisons to experimental results are shown for the dynamic motion of the tower over a full ground motion time history for multiple scales, materials and ground motions. When the tower was brought to failure, the two ground motions used produced distinct failure modes of the tower showing both a peeling and buckling behavior. Both the effect of the friction coefficient and unequal block heights are investigated. Friction coefficient has a noticeable effect on the amplitude of motion of the tower while the unevenness of the block heights affects mostly the structural speed.
Wellness and well‐being in counseling research: A 31‐year content analysis
Authors: Nice Matthew L. , Brubaker Michael D. , Gibson Donna M. , McMullen James W. , Asempapa Bridget , Kennedy Stephen D. , Fullen Matthew C. , Moore C. Missy
Published: April 2023

To examine wellness and well‐being research in professional counseling journals, we completed a comprehensive 31‐year content analysis of counseling research within 25 counseling journals. Of the sample of 374 publications that met the search criteria, wellness publications accounted for 222 (59.4%) of the articles, and well‐being publications accounted for 152 (40.6%) of the articles. The authors examined publication patterns, topics, theoretical frameworks, and research methodologies within wellness and well‐being counseling research.
Crystallographic and biophysical analysis of the fusion core from SARS‐CoV‐2 spike protein
Authors: Hsu Chun‐Hua
Published: April 2023

Severe acute respiratory syndrome‐coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is a newly emerging infectious pathogen causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19). The virus primarily infects cells via its spike glycoprotein, which is cleaved into S1 and S2 subunits to aid in cell attachment and membrane fusion, respectively. Heptad repeat 1 (HR1) and heptad repeat 2 (HR2) of the S2 subunit are essential for membrane fusion, culminating in an expected six‐helix bundle termed fusion core. To better understand the structural and biophysical features of the SARS‐CoV‐2 fusion core, we designed, constructed, and bacterially produced a recombinant single‐chain HR1‐L6‐HR2 protein and conducted a series of biochemical and biophysical experiments. Our findings demonstrate that the HR1‐L6‐HR2 protein spontaneously assembles into a highly stable trimeric complex, further confirmed by x‐ray crystallographic analysis. The crystal structure of the fusion core reveals a trimeric coiled‐coil structure of HR1 antiparallelly surrounded by three HR2 to form a six‐helical bundle. Additionally, four residues of HR1 that contribute to binding with HR2 through the formation of hydrogen bonds and salt bridges were observed. These results indicate that the SARS‐CoV‐2 fusion core exhibits similar characteristics to other class I viral glycoproteins, suggesting potential for drug repurposing as an alternative strategy to combat COVID‐19.
Menthol‐based deep eutectic solvents as green extractants for the isolation of omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids from Perna canaliculus
Authors: Anstiss Logan , Weber Cameron C , Baroutian Saeid , Shahbaz Kaveh
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Marine‐derived omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are used globally as food supplements for their anti‐inflammatory properties and to reduce the risk of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. New Zealand green‐lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus) contain diverse valuable compounds, including omega‐3 PUFA. The most abundant omega‐3 PUFA in Perna canaliculus are eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), both of which account for many of the health benefits accredited to these mussels. This research investigates the feasibility of using deep eutectic solvents (DESs) to isolate EPA and DHA from Perna canaliculus.

RESULTS

Twenty‐two hydrophobic DESs were screened using COSMO‐RS software to predict their affinity for EPA and DHA. Nine top‐ranked DESs were used for experimental extraction validation. The results exposed that the extraction capacity of the menthol: lidocaine DES (1:1 M ratio) for EPA and DHA was superior (172.04 μg EPA g−1 dry weight (DW) of biomass and 602.79 μg DHA g−1 DW) amongst other DESs. This was a considerably higher extraction yield than that observed using ethanol (95.65 μg EPA g−1 DW and 311.49 μg DHA g−1 DW). The optimisation of the menthol: lidocaine ratio identified a 1:2 M ratio as the optimal composition for this DES. The highest yields of EPA (267.59 μg g−1 DW) and DHA (1014.84 μg g−1 DW) were obtained by this optimised DES ratio at optimum extraction conditions (extraction temperature 65 °C, extraction time 2.12 h, and biomass loading 5 w/v%). The EPA and DHA showed good stability in the menthol: lidocaine DES over 7 days. This DES also showed good reusability, with a comparable extraction efficiency being observed after five extraction cycles.

CONCLUSION

This research revealed that menthol‐based DES can be a potential green solvent for the extraction of EPA and DHA from New Zealand green‐lipped mussels and it may be applicable for extracting other bioactive compounds with similar characteristics. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
Morphology of the buccal apparatus of Dendronotus frondosus (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia)
Authors: Mikhlina Anna , Vortsepneva Elena
Published: April 2023

Nudibranchia is the order of Gastropoda, which is known for its high diversity of dietary specializations and a diversified morphology of the buccal armature. The characters of the buccal armature are adaptive to the feeding mechanisms and diet preferences, but they also are phylogenetically informative. The morphological differences in the buccal armature imply different mechanisms of the synthesis and morphology of the formation zones. Here, we report new data on the morphology of the buccal complex in a cladobranch species with broad radula, Dendronotus frondosus, using light microscopy, transmission and scanning elctron microscopy and computer‐based three‐ dimensional reconstruction and compare them with those on other nudibranchs. We report the presence of protective chitinous spindles in the epithelia of the oral tube and esophagus, which suggests the presence of Cnidaria in the diet of the studied mollusc species. Similar to other Cladobranchia, the jaw plate of D. frondosus is synthesized by the layer of gnathoblasts located posteriorly in the epithelial fold. Near the zone of jaw synthesis, the gnathoblasts with concentric granular endoplasmic reticulum structures were found. This may indicate the turnover of gnathoblasts during the life of a specimen. Despite that D. frondosus has a broad radula, the zone of its synthesis does not split into two parts, unlike other molluscs with broad radulae. A single radular tooth is formed by a few cells, such as in other Nudibranchia. The number of odontoblasts per tooth in D. frondosus is not defined by a tooth size. At the same time, the linear dimensions of the cells secreting radular teeth depend on the size of the teeth synthesized by them.
Spatial‐temporal patterns of high‐temperature and drought during the maize growing season under current and future climate changes in northeast China
Authors: Li E , Zhao Jin , Zhang Wenmeng , Yang Xiaoguang
Published: April 2023

Background

Under the background of global warming, the intensity and frequency of extreme meteorological events in the maize growing season in northeast China are increasing. In order to clarify the occurrence characteristics of extreme meteorological events in northeast China, this study focused on three extreme agrometeorological events, i.e., high temperatures, drought, and the compound events of high‐temperature and drought during the maize growing season (May–September), impacting maize production.

Results

Based on historical (1981–2017) and future (2021–2060) climate data, we analyzed the spatial‐temporal patterns of these three events with different intensities in northeast China. The results indicated that slight high‐temperatures and moderate and severe droughts occurred more frequently in the study area during the historical period. The frequency of the different grades of the compound events of high‐temperature and drought will exhibit an increasing trend in the future, as will the frequency of the compound events of high‐temperature and drought. This is particularly evident in the northwest of the study area.

Conclusion

The compound events of high‐temperature and drought mainly occurred in late July and early August, encompassing the flowering stage of maize varieties. It is important to identify the area and time of major extreme weather events to implement the necessary preventive measures. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Hydration dominates dielectric spectroscopy‐based high accuracy quantification of lactose content in cow's milk
Authors: Fang Donggen , Yang Ke , Zhu Jieliang , An Changqing , Guo Wenchuan , Zhu Xinhua
Published: April 2023

BACKGROUND

Lactose is a critical factor in the quality of milk and dairy products. Achieving high accuracy and rapid detection of lactose content in cow's milk remains a challenge. Dielectric spectroscopy has emerged as a promising tool for detecting food components. We explored the effect of lactose content on the dielectric spectra of cow's milk and we propose a rapid analytical method for the quantitative determination of lactose content in cow's milk with high accuracy based on dielectric spectra.

RESULTS

We obtained the dielectric spectra of 316 cow's milk samples in the frequency range 20–4500 MHz and noticed a strong negative correlation between the lactose content and the value of the dielectric loss factor (ε″) below 1500 MHz. Lactose does not affect cow's milk dielectric properties by excluded volume effect, but dominates the effect on the dielectric properties of cow's milk by hydration. The support vector regression model based on the variable importance in projection has the best prediction performance for lactose content. Its root‐mean‐square error of prediction set and residual prediction deviation is 0.29 g kg−1 and 6.968, respectively, and its prediction performance is better than that of the currently reported near‐infrared (NIR) method and other methods.

CONCLUSION

Despite the weak polarity of lactose molecules, its hydration is a significant factor affecting the dielectric properties of milk. The present study provides a basis for high accuracy and rapid quantitative detection of lactose in cow's milk based on dielectric spectra. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Impact of routine preoperative 18FDG PET/CT on the surgical management of primary colorectal cancer
Authors: Mogollón‐González Mónica , Conde‐Muiño Raquel , Rodríguez‐Fernández Antonio , Navarro‐Pelayo Mar , Domínguez‐Bastante Mireia , Palma Pablo
Published: April 2023

Objectives

Determine the usefulness of [18F]‐fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18FDG‐PET/CT) in the preoperative setting of colorectal cancer (CRC), assessing its impact on changes in management strategy.

Methods

Retrospective study of CRC patients who underwent preoperative 18FDG‐PET/CT and CT staging scans in a single referral center. The agreement between 18FDG‐PET/CT, contrast‐enhanced CT, and colonoscopy for the surgical location was compared using the κ coefficient. Maximum standardized uptake (SUVmax) value was obtained. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted.

Results

One hundred ninety‐five patients were included. 18FDG‐PET/CT improved tumor localization in 84.6% (165/195) of cases (κ value 0.798, p < 0.001), thus correcting endoscopic errors 69.7% (30/43) of the time. In patients with incomplete colonoscopies, 18FDG‐PET/CT detected synchronous tumors in 2.5% (5/195) patients, overlooked by CT staging scans. Based on extracolonic 18FDG‐uptake, the second primary malignancy was diagnosed in 7(3.6%,7/195) patients and total accuracy for lymph node and distant metastasis was 66.1% and 98.4%, respectively. The treatment plan was altered in 30 (15.4%, 30/196) patients. There was a significant association between the SUVmax and tumor size (odds ratio [OR] 4.254, p = 0.003) and the depth of tumor invasion (OR 1.696, p = 0.026).

Conclusions

Based on its ability to aid in preoperative evaluation and definitively alter surgical treatment planning, 18FDG‐PET/CT should be further evaluated in primary CRC.
The adoption of oncoplastic surgery: Is there a learning curve?
Authors: Karamchandani Manish M. , Jonczyk Michael M. , De La Cruz Ku Gabriel , Gaffney Kerry A. , Wareham Carly , Nardello Salvatore , Persing Sarah M. , Homsy Christopher , Chatterjee Abhishek
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Oncoplastic surgery (OPS) is a form of breast conservation surgery involving partial mastectomy followed by volume displacement or replacement surgery. As the field of OPS is growing, we sought to determine if there was a learning curve to this surgery.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted of all patients who underwent OPS over a 6‐year period with a single surgeon formally trained in both Plastic Surgery and Breast Oncology. Cumulative summation analysis (CUSUM) was performed on mean operative time to generate the learning curve and learning curve phases. Outcomes were compared between phases to determine significance.

Results

Mean operative time decreased significantly across the 6‐year period, generating three distinct learning curve phases: Learner phase (cases 1−23), Competence phase (24−73), and Mastery phase (74 and greater). The overall positive margin rate was 10.9% and there was no significant difference in rates between phases (p = 0.49). Overall complication rates, reoperation rates, and locoregional recurrence remained the same across all phases (p = 0.16; p = 0.65; p = 0.41). The rate of partial nipple loss decreased between phases (p = 0.02).

Conclusion

As with many complex operations, there does appear to be a learning curve with OPS, as the operative time and the rates of partial nipple loss decreased over time.
Real‐Time and High‐Accuracy Microwave Frequency Identification Based on Ultra‐Wideband Optical Chirp Chain Transient SBS Effect
Authors: Wang Henan , Dong Yongkang
Published: April 2023

The use of stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS) for microwave photonics frequency measurement is widely studied because of its unique advantage of high accuracy. However, the technique's slow response severely limits its use for real‐time applications. To solve this problem, this work proposes and demonstrates the use of an ultra‐wideband optical chirp chain (OCC) transient SBS effect to avoid the need to slowly frequency sweep the Brillouin spectrum. This innovation enables real‐time and high‐accuracy microwave frequency identification. It is shown that real‐time microwave tracking can be achieved by continuously repeating the OCC‐modulated wave, which allows for wide‐range frequency sweeping over a very short time. High accuracy is achieved by exploiting the narrow bandwidth characteristic of the transient Brillouin spectrum. In the experiments, the temporal resolution is 100 ns for the time‐varying frequency microwave identification, enabled by the transient SBS effect, representing at least three orders of magnitude improvement over previously reported SBS‐based methods. The frequency measurement is accurate to 1 MHz. In addition, several further benefits, such as resolving multifrequency signals, reconfigurable instantaneous bandwidth, and 20 GHz frequency measurement range, are demonstrated.
Femtosecond Frequency Combs with Few‐kHz Passive Stability over an Ultrabroadband Spectral Range
Authors: Hutter Sarah R. , Seer Ali , König Tilman , Herda Robert , Hertzsch Daniel , Kempf Hannes , Wilk Rafal , Leitenstorfer Alfred
Published: April 2023

Femtosecond frequency combs are among the most precise measurement tools in existence. They have applications ranging from high‐precision spectroscopy and metrology to time‐domain quantum physics. Maximizing the passive stability of these instruments is essential to achieve their full potential in fundamental science and high‐tech industry. However, the noise mechanisms across the entire operating space of these devices have not been fully characterized. Here the noise properties of fiber‐based frequency combs are studied as a function of intracavity dispersion, pump power, and repetition rate. Distinct minima are discovered in this parameter space where the free‐running linewidth of the carrier‐envelope offset (CEO) frequency fCEO drops below 1 kHz. The individual comb lines are analyzed spread over a wide spectral range producing a complete understanding of the particular contributions to the phase noise and their interplay. Exploiting these findings, combs featuring sharp teeth at specific frequency positions and over the entire spectrum from fCEO to 300 THz are demonstrated. The ultrabroadband stability offered by these compact systems provides a new level of quality for front‐end measurement tasks in both time and frequency domains.
Corrosion behavior of HR3C austenitic stainless steel in supercritical water near the critical point
Authors: Chen Hongsheng , Zhang Tengfei , Luo Jiandong , Tang Rui , Leng Xuesong
Published: April 2023

The corrosion behavior of HR3C stainless steel was investigated in supercritical water near the critical point. Results show that HR3C steel displays an unusual weight change behavior. Traditional weight gain behavior is detected in the initial corrosion stage because of the formation of spinel oxide scale and crater‐like Nb‐rich oxides. The detaching of crater‐like Nb‐rich oxides results in weight loss behavior during the middle corrosion stage. After 1200 h exposure, the diffusion‐controlled growth of outer Fe2O3 particles leads to the reoccurring of weight gain behavior. The formation of crater‐like Nb‐rich oxides is closely associated with the primary Z‐phase precipitates.
Rationalizing the Effect of the MAA/PEGMA Ratio of Comb‐Shape Copolymers Synthetized by Aqueous Free‐Radical Copolymerization in the Hydration Kinetics of Ordinary Portland Cements
Authors: Beldarrain Sara , Barquero Aitor , Goracci Guido , Dolado Jorge S. , Leiza Jose Ramon
Published: April 2023

Methacrylic acid‐co‐poly(ethylene glycol methacrylate) (MAA‐co‐PEGMA) copolymers (MPEG‐type polycarboxylate ether (PCE) superplasticizers) are characterized by a comb‐like structure. Although they have been used for years as dispersants in cementitious formulations, their structure–property relationship is still not fully understood. In this work, PCEs with uniform composition and different charge‐density (N) or different side chain lengths (P) are synthesized by free‐radical copolymerization varying the MAA/PEGMA ratios and ethylene oxide units in the PEGMA macromonomers. The effect of these copolymers on the hydration kinetics of an Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) is analyzed, and it is observed that by increasing the PCE concentration the hydration is delayed. For a given PCE concentration, the delay is longer as the MAA/PEGMA ratio increases or the side chain length of the PEGMA decreases. The hydration delay is proportional to the carboxylate dosage and all PCEs fit in a master curve proving that the microstructure of the PCEs synthesized by free‐radical copolymerization can be correlated with the hydration delay of a commercial OPC.
Nanofibrous Polymeric Membranes for Air Filtration Application: A Review of Progress after the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Scaffaro Roberto , Citarrella Maria Clara
Published: April 2023

Air pollution is one of the major global problems causing around 7 million dead per year. In fact, a connection between infectious disease transmission, including COVID‐19, and air pollution has been proved: COVID‐19 consequences on human health are found to be more severe in areas characterized by high levels of particulate matter (PM). Therefore, after the COVID‐19 pandemic, the production of air filtration devices with high filtration efficiency has gained more and more attention. Herein, a review of the post‐COVID‐19 pandemic progress in nanofibrous polymeric membranes for air filtration is provided. First, a brief discussion on the different types of filtration mechanism and the key parameters of air filtration is proposed. The materials recently used for the production of nanofibrous filter membranes are presented, distinguishing between non‐biodegradable polymeric materials and biodegradable ones. Subsequently, production technique proposed for the fabrication of nanofibrous membranes, i.e., electrospinning and solution blow spinning, are presented aiming to analyze and compare filtration efficiency, pressure drop, reusability and durability of the different polymeric system processed with different techniques. Finally, present challenges and future perspectives of nanofibrous polymeric membranes for air filtration are discussed with a particular emphasis on strategies to produce greener and more performant devices.
Evaluating merger effects
Authors: Genakos Christos , Lamprinidis Andreas , Walker James
Published: April 2023

This paper proposes a new algorithm to identify the potential effect of mergers by comparing the outcomes of interest in areas of overlap for the merging parties vis‐à‐vis areas where no overlap exists within a difference‐in‐differences estimation framework. Utilizing our proposed algorithm enables researchers and policymakers to perform retrospective merger evaluation studies that look at the effects of mergers on both price and non‐price aspects. We demonstrate the applicability and value of our proposed methodology by examining the effects on price and product variety of four mergers of the late 1980s and the 1990s on the U.K. car market.
Chief executive officer attributes, stock's liquidity, and firm's performance
Authors: Riaz Salman , Ali Rizwan , Hussain Saria , ur Rehman Ramiz
Published: April 2023

This study unfolds the CEO attributes, stock liquidity, and firms' performance nexus, drawing from an individual's personality attributes who hold the highest managerial positions. The fixed‐effect panel regression method is employed using nonfinancial firms listed at Pakistan Stock Exchange from 2011 to 2020. Significantly, CEOs' age, tenure, and ownership are positively associated with stock liquidity and firms' performance. Additionally, stock liquidity partially mediates the said nexus. This study provides new insights which confirm the theoretical implications of upper echelons theory which means specific attributes of an individual i.e., CEO can cause better performance of a firm.
GRK2‐Targeted Knockdown as Therapy for Multiple System Atrophy
Authors: Lopez‐Cuina Miguel , Guérin Paul , Dutheil Nathalie , Martin Christelle , Lasserre Thierry Leste , Fernagut Pierre‐Olivier , Meissner Wassilios G. , Bezard Erwan
Published: April 2023

Background

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a sporadic adult‐onset rare neurodegenerative synucleinopathy for which counteracting central nervous system insulin resistance bears the potential of being neuroprotective. G‐protein‐(heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide‐binding protein)‐coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is emerging as a physiologically relevant inhibitor of insulin signaling.

Objectives

We tested whether lowering brain GRK2 abundance may reverse insulin‐resistance.

Methods

We lowered brain GRK2 abundance through viral‐mediated delivery of a GRK2‐specific miRNA and quantified the reversion of a developing or an established insulin‐resistant phenotype using the transgenic PLP‐SYN mouse model of MSA.

Results

Viral vector delivery of a GRK2 miRNA demonstrated a neuroprotective capacity when administered (1) in utero intracerebroventricularly in developing PLP‐SYN mice and (2) intrastriatally in adult PLP‐SYN mice. Decreased striatal GRK2 levels correlated in both designs with neuroprotection of the substantia nigra dopamine neurons, reduction in high‐molecular‐weight species of α‐synuclein, and reduced insulin resistance.

Conclusions

These data support GRK2 as a potential therapeutic target in MSA. © 2023 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
CNN‐based fully automatic wrist cartilage volume quantification in MR images: A comparative analysis between different CNN architectures
Authors: Vladimirov Nikita , Brui Ekaterina , Levchuk Anatoliy , Al‐Haidri Walid , Fokin Vladimir , Efimtcev Aleksandr , Bendahan David
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Automatic measurement of wrist cartilage volume in MR images.

Methods

We assessed the performance of four manually optimized variants of the U‐Net architecture, nnU‐Net and Mask R‐CNN frameworks for the segmentation of wrist cartilage. The results were compared to those from a patch‐based convolutional neural network (CNN) we previously designed. The segmentation quality was assessed on the basis of a comparative analysis with manual segmentation. The best networks were compared using a cross‐validation approach on a dataset of 33 3D VIBE images of mostly healthy volunteers. Influence of some image parameters on the segmentation reproducibility was assessed.

Results

The U‐Net‐based networks outperformed the patch‐based CNN in terms of segmentation homogeneity and quality, while Mask R‐CNN did not show an acceptable performance. The median 3D DSC value computed with the U‐Net_AL (0.817) was significantly larger than DSC values computed with the other networks. In addition, the U‐Net_AL provided the lowest mean volume error (17%) and the highest Pearson correlation coefficient (0.765) with respect to the ground truth values. Of interest, the reproducibility computed using U‐Net_AL was larger than the reproducibility of the manual segmentation. Moreover, the results indicate that the MRI‐based wrist cartilage volume is strongly affected by the image resolution.

Conclusions

U‐Net CNN with attention layers provided the best wrist cartilage segmentation performance. In order to be used in clinical conditions, the trained network can be fine‐tuned on a dataset representing a group of specific patients. The error of cartilage volume measurement should be assessed independently using a non‐MRI method.
Defining bladder outlet obstruction and detrusor underactivity in females with overactive bladder: Are we forgetting about the free uroflowmetry?
Authors: Arevalo‐Vega Diego , Ponce Lucas , Valdevenito Juan Pablo , Gallegos Héctor , Dell'Oro Arturo , Santis‐Moya Fernanda , Calvo Carlos Ignacio
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Both detrusor underactivity (DU) and bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) can coexist in patients with overactive bladder. Definitions of both DU and BOO are based on pressure‐flow study (PFS) data. However, invasive urodynamics study can differ from a natural micturition, in fact, discrepancies between free uroflowmetry (UFM) and PFS have been largely described. Our goal is to assess the correlation of free‐flowmetry and PFS among patients with OAB and to evaluate how different definitions of DU/BOO are able to discriminate patients with different free UFMs.

Methods

A retrospective review of urodynamics performed at a single institution was conducted. Females with OAB who voided more than 150 mL in both UFM and PFS were included. Parameters from both voiding episodes were compared with nonparametric test. Two definitions of DU were applied; PIP1: Pdet@Qmax+Qmax < 30 and Gammie: Pdet@Qmax < 20 cmH2O, Qmax < 15 mL/s, and BVE < 90% (Bladder voiding efficiency). Also, two definitions of obstruction were chosen; Defretias: Pdet@Qmax ≥25 cmH2O and Qmax ≤ 12 mL/s and Solomon–Greenwell female BOO index ≥ 18. Patients who matched with each definition were compared to those who did not, to assess if any definitions were able to discriminate different noninvasive uroflowmetries.

Results

A total of 195 patients were included. Overall, mean age was 55 ± 12 years, 90.8% had mixed urinary incontinence, and 39% complained of at least one voiding symptom. Globally, Qmax and BVE correlated poorly between UFM and PFS, showing that most of the variation corresponded to a systematic error. Twenty‐two individuals were found to have DU, they had a difference of 13 mL/s on both maximum flows. Fifty‐four patients showed BOO, with a difference between their Qmax of 19 mL/s. Among the four definitions analyzed, only PIP1 and Defreitas were able to discriminate patients with actually a lower Qmax on the free UFM.

Conclusions

Patients with overactive bladder seem to have a systematic discordance between the urine flow of the free and invasive studies. Current definitions of DU and BOO, which are based on the PFS parameters, are not consistently able to discriminate patients who actually void deficiently on the free UFM.
The living experience of surviving out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest and spiritual meaning making
Authors: Aristidou Maria , Karanikola Maria , Kusi‐Appiah Elizabeth , Koutroubas Anna , Pant Usha , Vouzavali Foteini , Lambrinou Ekaterini , Papathanassoglou Elizabeth
Published: April 2023

Aim

To understand the meaning of surviving out of hospital cardiac arrest and its aftereffects among Greek‐speaking survivors.

Design

Hermeneutical phenomenological method based on Martin Heidegger's philosophy.

Methods

Eight Greek‐speaking out of hospital cardiac arrest survivors were recruited using purposive sampling method. Data collection and analysis using the seven stages of hermeneutic analysis described by Diekelman. Data were collected through semi‐structured personal interviews with open‐ended questions.

Results

Analysis revealed five themes: ‘The unexpected attack’, ‘Experiencing a different world: Transformation of Body, Time, Emotion and Sensation’, ‘Restoration of the re‐embodied self’, ‘Life transformation’ and ‘Personal transformation’. The themes are commensurate with transcultural components of Near‐Death Experiences. Surviving out of hospital cardiac arrest was perceived as a ‘divine gift’ and a chance to continue ‘living in a more conscious and meaningful way’. Despite participants' physical and psychosocial challenges, the narratives highlighted a newly acquired deep appreciation for the joy of life, living and others. Construction of meaning and a heightened spirituality seem central in reconstructing life after out of hospital cardiac arrest survivors.

Patient or Public Contribution

Out of hospital cardiac arrest survivors reflected and described in‐depth on their lived experiences of out of hospital cardiac arrest through a 60‐ to 90‐min interview. In addition, the participants provided their feedback on the interpretation of the findings, confirmed the study findings, and ensured that the analysis reflected aspects of their individual experiences and were true to them.
Impact of caregivers' psychological and caregiving status on recruitment, conversion, and retention in stem cell therapy trials for cerebral palsy: A prospective survey analysis
Authors: Huang Xiaoli , Qin Xixian , Li Mengyao , Li Ying , Shen Liming , Jin Guo , Wang Yachen , Liu Jing , Li Xiaoyan
Published: April 2023

Aim

To examine specific correlates that may affect retention outcomes of neural stem cell therapy trials in families screened for cerebral palsy.

Design

A prospective correlational study.

Methods

Primary caregivers completed surveys of psychological resilience, care burden and family caregiver tasks. The overall data and differences between groups were analysed and compared.

Results

Resilience was negatively correlated with the care ability and closely related to the monthly household income and educational level of the caregivers. Factors affecting the final retention rate included the type of disease, number of combined disorders, monthly household income, primary caregivers' education level and resilience.

Conclusion

Economic level, literacy and psychological status may affect trial retention. These findings can provide tips for preparing for subsequent screening, identification and intervention in stem cell clinical trials.

Implication for the Profession and/or Patient Care

The study results may provide nursing care tips to make recruitment more efficient, reduce trial costs, support patient‐centredness and accelerate trial progress.

No Patient or Public Contribution

The target population involves the primary caregivers of children living with cerebral palsy. However, neither patients nor the public contributed to the design or conduct of the study, analysis, or interpretation of the data, or preparation of the manuscript.
The people behind the scenes: Episodic volunteering at fundraising events
Authors: Cnaan Ram , Choi Daniel , Kang Chulhee , Song Jihyeon , Almog‐Bar Michal , von Schnurbein Georg
Published: April 2023

Nonprofit organizations (NPOs) have become increasingly dependent on episodic volunteers (EVs), those that would help carry out an event with little training and expectation to commit to future events. Despite its importance to the survival of NPOs, the use of EVs with respect to fundraising has received little research focus. Furthermore, none of the existing studies identified examined how fundraising EVs differ from other EVs. This study seeks to contribute to our understanding of fundraising EVs using a global perspective. Data were generated using surveys distributed in seven countries, tallying more than 4,000 respondents. Variables included demographic characteristics, previous donation and volunteer history, motives, mode of volunteering, and overall experience. The data were analyzed by applying between‐group (logistic regression on participation) and within‐group analysis (ordered logistic regression on willingness to participate in the future). Data were further analyzed by examining differences by country. We found that country, gender, religion, income, employment, history of donations, mode of volunteering, and several motives, both intrinsic and extrinsic, were significant in the logistic regression analysis of participation in fundraising episodic volunteering. The ordered logistic analysis unexpectedly found that the only predictors to foster a willingness to engage again were the responsiveness of the event team and a desire to fulfill spiritual satisfaction. In recruiting and selecting EVs for fundraising events, NPOs should consider previous or current donors and those with regular volunteering experience and they should market volunteer opportunities towards those in search of spiritual fulfillment and meaning. Moreover, NPOs should prioritize quick and clear communication with fundraising EVs in order to foster a willingness to volunteer again. Lastly, NPOs should regularly assess for country‐specific factors and contexts that may affect episodic volunteering in fundraising events. Our paper illustrates who fundraising EVs are, their motives, how they choose to volunteer, and what contributes to their willingness to volunteer again. Given the limited research on fundraising EVs, this study serves to help lay the foundation of research for this unique subgroup. Our aim was to not only address the dearth of literature but serve as a springboard for future research on fundraising EVs.
A systematic review of the adolescent‐directed marketing strategies of transnational fast food companies in low‐ and middle‐income countries
Authors: Bankole Elijah , Harris Neil , Rutherford Shannon , Wiseman Nicola
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Fast food consumption is associated with excessive intake of energy‐dense foods; a major determinant of childhood obesity. The lack of data on the marketing strategies used to promote fast food to adolescents in low and middle‐income countries (LMICs) acts as a barrier to global efforts to reduce the marketing of unhealthy foods to young people around the world.

Objectives

This systematic review aimed to identify the adolescent‐directed marketing strategies of transnational fast food corporations in LMICs.

Methods

A systematic search of eight scientific databases (PubMed, CINAHL, Medline, Embase, ProQuest, PsycInfo, Scopus and Google Scholar) was conducted. Following PRISMA guidelines, primary research articles written in English were included if they were published between 1 January 2010 and 30 December 2022, and reported any adolescent‐directed marketing activity undertaken by a transnational fast food company operating in a LMIC. Articles were excluded if they were not peer reviewed. The quality of the included articles was assessed using a condensed version of the Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research tool.

Results

Twelve articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in this review. A narrative synthesis of these articles revealed that the most documented strategies used to promote fast food to adolescents in LMICs were the use of incentives or premium offers, product appeals, promotional characters and brand familiarity. These strategies were mostly observed on social media, suggesting that there are serious concerns about adolescent exposure to fast food via social media in developing settings, especially as contextual differences in the nature of such marketing were identified.

Discussion

The promotion of fast food to adolescents in LMICs is contextual in nature, with the nature of marketing strategies employed by transnational fast food corporations varying greatly across cultural and socio‐economic contexts. These findings are crucial for the development of guidelines and regulations restricting the marketing of fast food to adolescents in lower income settings, contributing to global efforts to reduce adolescent exposure to unhealthy food promotion.
Betulin‐containing bioactive amphiphilic copolymers: Synthesis, characterization and self‐assembly
Authors: Orekhov Dmitry V. , Sivokhin Alexey Р. , Simagin Alexander S. , Kazantsev Oleg A. , Otopkova Ksenia V. , Ovchinnikov Alexey D. , Makhov Ilya N. , Melnikova Nina B.
Published: April 2023

Betulin, a natural triterpene possessing a wide range of biological activities, has been modified via Steglich esterification to produce a methacrylate derivative capable of participating in radical polymerization. The modification is intended to increase the solubility of betulin, which is almost insoluble in water, by incorporating into the composition of an amphiphilic copolymer. The resulting solubility of betulin in water increased from 8·10−5 mg/mL to more than 10 mg/mL per betulin. For this, well‐defined biocompatible thermoresponsive copolymers with high betulin content have been synthesized through the conventional and RAFT copolymerizations of betulin methacrylate (BeMA) with methoxy oligo(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (MOEGMA). BeMA was more reactive in the BeMA‐MOEGMA pair; the resulting copolymers were slightly enriched with BeMA units (r1 = 1.70, r2 = 0.93). The copolymers exhibited LCST‐type behavior. LCST was tuned by balancing the hydrophobic betulin and hydrophilic OEG fragments. The molecular weight characteristics of polymers and their behavior in aqueous and organic solutions have been studied. Copolymers obtained by conventional polymerization had lower cloud points than RAFT copolymers of the same composition. The copolymers are characterized by low critical micelle concentrations that decrease as the BeMA fraction in the copolymers increases. RAFT copolymers were shown to form unimolecular micelles resistant to dissociation, which is promising for their use in targeted drug delivery.
Enhancing mechanical and electrical properties of phthalic anhydride‐based unsaturated polyester resin by structural modification using methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride
Authors: Pham Anh‐Tuan , Do Khanh Duy , Ha Huong Thu , Mai Quan Doan , Tran Dieu Vinh
Published: April 2023

This work investigates the influence of methylhexahydrophthalic anhydride (MHHPA) on the properties of phthalic anhydride‐based unsaturated polyester resin (PA‐based UPR) when PA is replaced by MHHPA with different PA/MHHPA mole ratios, ranging from 100/0 to 0/100. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) are used to study the chemical structure, curing process and mechanical properties of the resins, showing the successful incorporation of MHHPA into the structure of UPRs with superior properties, compare to PA‐based UPRs. In particular, the addition of MHHPA significantly lowers the acidity by up to 28% and promotes the curing reaction, reducing the enthalpy of the reaction by 2.5 times, and shortens the curing time by up to 40%. This incorporation also increases the gel content up to 99.9%, thereby increasing the crosslinking between the polyester chains and improving the rigidity of UPRs. In addition, the glass‐transition temperature of the polymer increases approximately 78%, which can improve the working temperature of the MHHPA‐modified UPRs. The electrical properties of the resins containing MHHPA reveal better insulating performance in comparison with the PA‐based UPR. These findings demonstrate great potentials of the MHHPA‐modified UPRs for various applications, especially in outdoor environments.
Degradation of poly(1,3‐dioxolane). Depolymerization versus hydrolysis
Authors: Kubisa Przemyslaw
Published: April 2023

There is renewed interest in polymers of 1,3‐dioxolane (DXL), especially as components of degradable polymer networks. DXL, a five‐membered cyclic acetal, is easily available on a commercial scale. Due to the relatively low strain of the five‐membered ring, its polymerization proceeding by a cationic mechanism is reversible. Above the ceiling temperature in the presence of an acid catalyst, it therefore undergoes depolymerization and this is one of the possible ways of degradation. On the other hand, monomeric units within the poly(1,3‐dioxolane) (PDXL) chain are connected by acetal bonds that are susceptible to acid‐catalyzed hydrolysis and this offers an alternative route for PDXL chain degradation. Polymer networks with connecting PDXL blocks are designed as commodity plastic materials but also as gels intended for biomedical applications. In both applications the possibility of gel disintegration by controlled degradation of connecting PDXL blocks is advantageous. The degradation in the two instances should proceed under different conditions, however. Degradation of commodity plastic material may proceed at higher temperatures in ‘dry’ conditions while biomaterials should degrade at mild physiological temperatures in an aqueous environment. In published papers, the distinction between the two routes of degradation is not always considered. In the present mini‐review, both mechanisms of degradation are presented and the available information on PDXL bloc degradation is critically evaluated. © 2023 Society of Industrial Chemistry.
Effect of isopropanol cosolvent on the rheology and spinnability of aqueous polyacrylic acid solutions
Authors: Khandavalli Sunilkumar , Chen Yingying , Sharma‐Nene Nisha , Rajan Kashyap Sundara , Sur Samrat , Rothstein Jonathan P. , Reeves Kimberley S. , Cullen David A. , Neyerlin K. C. , Mauger Scott A. , Ulsh Michael
Published: April 2023

We investigate the effect of alcohol fraction (isopropanol, IPA) in a binary water‐alcohol solvent mixture on the shear and extensional rheological properties, as well as the role of viscoelasticity on fiber formation of poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) in electrospinning. Comparison of the scaling of both specific viscosities ηsp and extensional relaxation times λE of PAA in water–IPA mixtures, showed stronger scaling compared to salt‐free aqueous polyelectrolyte solutions, except for the ηsp in the unentangled regime displaying a polyelectrolyte‐like scaling ηsp ~ c0.5 for all IPA%. Such deviation suggested IPA induces association/aggregation of PAA. However, the trends between ηsp and λE magnitudes as a function of IPA% differ for concentrations compared in the entangled regime. The ηsp as well as their elastic moduli exhibit a maximum, whereas λE increases monotonically with IPA%, suggesting a complex interplay of various interactions are dictating their structure in water‐IPA mixtures, affecting their shear and extensional response differently. Electrospinning experiments showed increasing IPA% reduces the onset of both beaded and uniform fibers. Analysis using dimensionless numbers indicated the enhancement of their elasticity by IPA, and the consequent stabilizing effect on their jets/filaments against break‐up during electrospinning, plays a role in the improvement of their fiber formation.
Fluorine‐phosphate copolymerization waterborne acrylic resin coating with enhanced anticorrosive performance
Authors: Gao Fengjun , Liu Yan , Jiao Cuiyan , El‐Bahy Salah M. , Shao Qian , El‐Bahy Zeinhom M. , Li Handong , Wasnik Priyanka , Algadi Hassan , Xu Ben Bin , Wang Ning , Yuan Yihui , Guo Zhanhu
Published: April 2023

The modified waterborne acrylic resin was synthesized successfully by emulsion polymerization with octafluoropentyl methacrylate and phosphate functional monomer as monomers, showing an improved anti‐corrosion performance of the resin coating. The existence and general distribution of the elements of the modified monomer in the emulsion were explored, and the anti‐corrosion mechanism was disclosed. The results show that the modification of octafluoropentyl methacrylate and phosphate functional monomers improved the water resistance, corrosion resistance and thermal stability of acrylic resins. Compared with unmodified acrylic resin, the contact angle of the modified resin was increased from 74.23° to 83.51°, and the initial decomposition temperature was increased from 264 to 305 °C. At the same time, the corrosion voltage of the modified resin was increased, the corrosion current density was decreased, and the salt spray resistance was improved. This study provides a new way for the preparation of environmentally friendly, stable, and corrosion‐resistant waterborne acrylic resins.