bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Numerical simulation of rail surface-initiated rolling contact fatigue in the switch panel of railway turnouts
Authors: Ma Xiaochuan , Wang Ping , Xu Jingmang , Chen Rong , Liu Linya
Published: March 2020

Considering the complex characteristics of the track structure in railway turnouts, it is difficult and also expensive to experimentally study rail damages; therefore, numerical methods are an effective alternative. This study presents a numerical method to simulate rail surface-initiated rolling contact fatigue in the switch panel of railway turnouts. This method includes simulation of the vehicle–turnout wheel–rail dynamic interaction, analysis of the wheel–rail multipoint non-Hertzian rolling contact that considers the relative motion between the switch and stock rails, and calculation of the accumulated rail surface-initiated rolling contact fatigue. The accumulated rail surface-initiated rolling contact fatigue after the vehicles passed a turnout switch panel 80 times (the average number of vehicles running on the Chinese high-speed railway lines per day) in the through route with facing move was simulated based on this procedure. The result showed that the maximum surface-initiated rolling contact fatigue damage of the switch rail and the stock rail was 1.57 × 10−2 and 0.62 × 10−2, respectively. Surface-initiated rolling contact fatigue in the switch rail mainly occurred at the gauge angle, and in the stock rail it mainly occurred at the center of the rail. In addition, the influence of track parameters (rail inclination, track gauge, and friction coefficient) is analyzed. The friction coefficient influenced the rail surface-initiated rolling contact fatigue. When the coefficient exceeded 0.3 in particular, the rail rolling contact fatigue damage increased sharply. Hence, suitable friction control measures should be taken during rail maintenance in order to mitigate the rail surface-initiated rolling contact fatigue damage, e.g. by keeping the wheel–rail friction coefficient below 0.3.
Performance enhancement of hybrid hydraulic excavator using multiple hydro-pneumatic accumulators
Authors: Ranjan Prabhat , Bhola Mohit , Wrat Gyan , Mishra Santosh Kr. , Das Jayanta
Published: March 2020

In this article, the heavy earth moving machinery like hydraulic excavator used in the construction and mining industries has been taken into consideration. Most of the heavy earth moving machineries used in these industries are mobile with engine as the main source of power. The work deals with two different hydraulic circuits: first the proposed one and second the conventional one, and both are studied at laboratory scale, which resembles the circuit of the hydraulic excavator. In the hydraulic circuit, out of the three hydraulic linear actuators, two are connected with hydro-pneumatic accumulators and one hydro-motor is also taken into consideration, which resembles the boom, arm, bucket and swing motor, respectively. The idea behind the proposed circuit is to store substantial potential energy during downward movement of the two linear actuators in the accumulators, which resembles the boom and arm cylinder of the excavator. The stored energy is used for upward motion of the two actuators without utilizing any energy from the main pump. For the devised strategy, MATLAB/Simulink environment has been utilized for developing the simulation model and the same has been validated with the experimental data with reasonable accuracy. The effect of accumulator volume and pre-charge pressure has been studied for optimization of the accumulator size on the validated simulation model. This concept helps in saving 14.06% energy than its conventional counterpart which does not have the energy storage elements. The linear position control of the boom and the arm actuator in the proposed circuit have been accomplished using proportional–integral–derivative control and pressure-compensated proportional flow control valve and have been achieved with reasonably accuracy.
Holocene palaeoenvironments from the Direndall tufa (Luxembourg) reconstructed from the molluscan succession and stable isotope records
Authors: Granai Salomé , Dabkowski Julie , Hájková Petra , Naton Henri-Georges , Brou Laurent
Published: March 2020

This paper reports the results of new malacological analyses from a thick tufa sequence at Direndall (Luxembourg). The study is temporally contextualised with radiocarbon dates and an age–depth model. The malacological study focuses on species associations to reconstruct palaeoenvironmental developments. The gradual appearance of several shade-demanding species reflects the expansion of forest environments during the early Holocene. After c. 7.5 cal. kyr BP, three phases of maximal expansion of shade-demanding species are interspersed with two phases of decline of these taxa dated between c. 7.1 and 6.5 cal. kyr BP and between c. 3.5 and 2.4 cal. kyr BP. Malacological data are discussed with previously published calcite stable isotope data from the same sequence. Strong correlations between malacological data and δ13C profile are highlighted over the whole sequence. Combined influences of local environmental conditions and regional climatic trends are emphasised. The sequence provides a palaeoenvironmental succession free of any anthropic influence.
Evaluation of carvacrol on pituitary and sexual hormones and their receptors in the testicle of male diabetic rats
Authors: Shoorei H , Khaki A , Shokoohi M , Khaki AA , Alihemmati A , Moghimian M , Abtahi-Eivary S-H
Published: March 2020

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a complex metabolic disease and it is also closely associated with a reduction in fertility in male patients. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the antidiabetic effect of carvacrol (CRV), as a potent antioxidant, on the numbers of germ cells and Sertoli cells in testicular tissue, and the messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein expression of some genes involved in spermatogenesis, including luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor ( LHCGR), follicle-stimulating hormone receptor ( FSHR), and steroidogenic factor 1 ( SF-1), as well as hormones such as luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), and insulin. Adult male Wistar rats ( n = 32) were randomly divided into four groups (eight animals per group), including healthy control that received 0.2% Tween 80, diabetic control group, the diabetic group treated orally with CRV (75 mg/kg), and CRV group that received orally CRV (75 mg/kg). The duration of the treatment period lasted 8 weeks. In the diabetic group, the numbers of Sertoli cells and germ cells were significantly decreased, while the treatment with CRV prevented the degree of the damage to the cells mentioned earlier. CRV administration elevated the concentrations of insulin, T, FSH, and LH. Moreover, treatment with CRV significantly enhanced the levels of the mRNA and protein expression of SF-1, LHCGR, and FSHR. According to the obtained results, CRV administration could prevent the deleterious effects of DM on testicular germ cells, and it increases the levels of hormones and some essential genes, such as SF-1, LHCGR, and FSHR, involved in the process of spermatogenesis.
Toxicity and postwithdrawal effects of ketamine on the reproductive function of male albino rats: Hormonal, histological, and immunohistochemical study
Authors: Paulis MG , Hafez EM , El-Tahawy NF
Published: March 2020

Ketamine is increasingly used in clinical practice, and ketamine addiction is common in young individuals. There are limited reviews on the chronic effects of ketamine on the testes. Three groups of rats received saline or ketamine 50 mg/kg/day intraperitoneally for 6 weeks with or without a subsequent 4-week drug-free period. Serum follicle-stimulating hormone, luteinizing hormone, prolactin, and testosterone levels, as well as testicular malondialdehyde concentrations, were measured. Epididymal sperm parameters were assessed. Testicular tissues were examined by hematoxylin and eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining using caspase-3 and vimentin antibodies. Chronic ketamine injection significantly decreased the levels of the examined hormones and adversely affected sperm parameters. Testicular tissue showed a significant increase in caspase-3 expression. In addition, Sertoli cell shape and position were disrupted. These effects disappeared 4 weeks after drug withdrawal. Chronic ketamine treatment has revisable hazardous effects on the rat reproductive function. There is a need to increase the knowledge of physicians and the public regarding these harmful effects of ketamine.
The 20 years anniversary of the Tampere programme: Securitization, intergovernmentalism and informalization
Authors: Carrera Sergio
Published: March 2020

The end of 2019 coincided with two anniversaries with profound implications for EU Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) cooperation. First, it has been 20 years since the adoption of the Tampere Programme under the Finnish Presidency of the EU (October 1999). Following the entry into force of the Amsterdam Treaty, the European Council provided for the first time a multi-annual EU policy agenda for the progressive creation of an Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (AFSJ). Second, it has been 10 years since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty (December 2009), and the EU Charter of Fundamental rights becoming legally binding. In light of this background, this Editorial critically examines some of the latest key developments in the EU AFSJ law and policy.
Exporting Forest Loss? A Cross-National Analysis of the United States Export–Import Bank Financing in Low- and Middle-Income Nations
Authors: Restivo Michael , Shandra John M. , Sommer Jamie M.
Published: March 2020

Dependency theory argues that due to unequal economic relationships, including exports, multinational corporations, and loans from multilateral lending institutions, high-income nations exploit the labor and resources of low- and middle-income nations. We extend this line of reasoning to the United States Export–Import Bank, as it has recently come under scrutiny for its lending in the forestry sector of low- and middle-income nations. Although this concern has been raised, we are not aware of any cross-national research that empirically evaluates if their investments adversely impact forests. Therefore, we examine the impact of the United States Export–Import Bank lending in the forestry sector on forest loss. Using a two-stage instrumental variable regression model to account for possible donor selection bias as well as ordinary least squares regression to analyze data for 78 low- and middle-income nations, we find that export credit agency financing is related to increased forest loss from 2001 to 2014. Our findings are consistent with dependency theory ideas that economic linkages with high-income nations increase forest loss in low- and middle-income nations.
Burnout–Depression Overlap: Exploratory Structural Equation Modeling Bifactor Analysis and Network Analysis
Authors: Verkuilen Jay , Bianchi Renzo , Schonfeld Irvin Sam , Laurent Eric
Published: March 2020

Burnout has been viewed as a work-induced condition combining exhaustion, cynicism, and professional inefficacy. Using correlational analyses, an exploratory structural equation modeling bifactor analysis, structural regression analyses, and a network analysis, we examined the claim that burnout should not be mistaken for a depressive syndrome. The study involved 1,258 educational staff members. Burnout was assessed with the Maslach Burnout Inventory–General Survey and depression with the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Illegitimate work tasks and work–nonwork interferences were additionally measured. We notably found that (a) on average, exhaustion, cynicism, and professional inefficacy correlated less strongly with each other than with depression; (b) exhaustion―burnout’s core―was more strongly associated with depression than with either cynicism or professional inefficacy; (c) the Patient Health Questionnaire–9 did not correlate more strongly with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale than with exhaustion; (d) exhaustion and depression loaded primarily on a general distress/dysphoria factor in the exploratory structural equation modeling bifactor analysis; (e) on average, burnout and depression were related to job stressors in a similar manner; (f) work–nonwork interferences were strongly linked to distress/dysphoria. Overall, burnout showed no syndromal unity and lacked discriminant validity. Clinicians should systematically assess depressive symptoms in individuals presenting with a complaint of “burnout.”
Monitoring Compound-Related Effects on Coagulability in Rats and Cynomolgus and Rhesus Monkeys by Thrombin Generation Kinetic Measurement
Authors: Poitout-Belissent F. , Culang D. , Poulin D. , Samadfan R. , Cotton S. , Bédard C.
Published: March 2020

Thrombin generation assay (TGA) is a sensitive method for the assessment of the global clotting potential of plasma. This kinetic assay can detect both hypocoagulable and hypercoagulable conditions: delayed or reduced thrombin generation leading to a prolonged clotting time, or induced thrombin activity, shifting the coagulation cascade toward thrombosis. The purpose of this study is to qualify the TGA in nonhuman primates (NHP) and rats for its use during nonclinical in vivo and in vitro studies. Blood was drawn from nonanesthetized animals, and platelet-poor plasma was obtained after double centrifugation; coefficients of variation were <10% for all derived parameters of thrombin generation assessed with 5 pM of tissue factor. Thrombin generation was evaluated in vitro in rat and NHP plasmas with ascending doses of unfractionated heparin (UFH), recombinant tissue factor, and anticoagulant compounds. Thrombin generation was decreased with UFH and anticoagulant compounds, but was increased in the presence of tissue factor, in a dose-dependent manner. In a rat model of inflammation, animals were administered a low dose of lipopolysaccharides. Thrombin generation measurements were decreased 3 hours post-LPS administration with a nadir at 24 hours, while thrombin–antithrombin complexes reached a peak at 8 hours, supporting an earlier production of thrombin. In conclusion, these data demonstrated that TGA can be performed in vitro for screening of compounds expected to have effects on coagulation cascade, and thrombin generation can be measured at interim time points during nonclinical in vivo studies in rats and NHP.
Temperature effect on free vibration response of a smart multifunctional sandwich plate
Authors: Moradi-Dastjerdi Rasool , Behdinan Kamran
Published: March 2020

A smart multifunctional sandwich plate with a wide range of applications can be produced by proper arrangement of its layers. This paper offers a smart multifunctional sandwich plate with one central lightweight porous layer, two middle polymer/graphene nanocomposite layers and two active faces made of a piezoceramic material. The coupled effects of temperature conditions and piezoelectric behavior on the natural frequencies of the proposed smart multifunctional sandwich plate located on elastic foundations have been studied in the current research. For the dispersions of graphene particles and pores inside host layers, different functional profiles have been considered. Moreover, graphene particles and polymeric materials with temperature-dependent material properties have been adopted. The mechanical properties of polymer/graphene nanocomposite are evaluated by employing Halpin-Tsai approach which is modified to capture nanoscale effects. Eventually, the coupled governing eigenvalue equations of the proposed smart multifunctional sandwich plate are derived using a third-order theory called TSDT and are studied by a developed meshless solution. In addition, the effects of graphene, porosity, geometric and foundation aspects on the natural frequency of the proposed smart multifunctional sandwich plate are studied. The results disclose that the natural frequencies of the proposed smart multifunctional sandwich plates are improved by embedding pores in core layer due to the remarkable reduction of structural weight. It is worth noting that nanocomposite layers can completely compensate the structural stiffness reduction caused by embedding pores in the core.
Fabrication and compression properties of continuous carbon fiber reinforced polyether ether ketone thermoplastic composite sandwich structures with lattice cores
Authors: Hu Jiqiang , Zhu Shaowei , Wang Bing , Liu Ankang , Ma Li , Wu Linzhi , Zhou Zhengong
Published: March 2020

Lightweight and high-strength sandwich structures with advanced materials are essential for the sustainable development of future industrial development. This paper focuses on investigating the fabrication technology and compression properties of the three-dimensional sandwich structure with lattice cores fabricated by using the continuous carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyether ether ketone (CCF/PEEK). A novel fabrication technology for continuous carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyether ether ketone lattice core is proposed utilizing the unique characteristic of repeated thermoforming of continuous carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyether ether ketone. A mould was designed and then the continuous carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyether ether ketone lattice cores were fabricated. Typical adhesive technology is selected to connect facesheets and lattice cores. The out-of-plane compression behaviors of continuous carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyether ether ketone sandwich structures with lattice cores were investigated by experiment and simulation. Compared with the experimental results, the reliability and correctness of the simulation model were verified. By dint of the simulation model, the effect of stacking sequence of the lattice cores on the structural compression properties was investigated, and the correctness of lattice cores adopted [Formula: see text] stacking sequence in this paper was proved. The continuous carbon fiber reinforced thermoplastic polyether ether ketone lattice sandwich structures exhibit the competitive compression strength with other thermoplastic sandwich structures and surpasses some metal foams at a range of densities.
Review of Evidence and Recommendation for Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination of Canadian Males Over the Age of 26 Years
Authors: Derstenfeld Alex , Cullingham Kyle , Ran Zhuo Cai , Litvinov Ivan V.
Published: March 2020

Human papillomavirus (HPV) remains the most common sexually transmitted infection with a lifetime incidence of over 75%. Based on US data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 64% of invasive HPV-associated cancers are attributable to HPV 16 or 18 (65% for females; 63% males) and may be prevented by vaccination with either the quadrivalent or nonavalent HPV vaccine. Public HPV vaccination programs are now the norm for women aged 9-45 years and men aged 9-26 years in Canada. Yet, only recently have guidelines begun to consider vaccination of men older than 26 years of age. There now exist compelling reasons to recommend vaccination against HPV amongst males >26 years of age. Recognizing that the risks posed by HPV infection persist beyond 26 years of age, that the vaccination of men aged 26-45 years with HPV vaccine confers immunogenicity at levels demonstrably efficacious against HPV-related diseases, and that the Food and Drug Administration recently expanded the HPV vaccination to include older men, it is argued that HPV vaccination in men older than 26 years of age should be routinely recommended.
Optimization of cylinder liner macro-scale surface texturing in marine diesel engines based on teaching–learning-based optimization algorithm
Authors: Mohamad Salaheldin A , Kamel Mohamed A
Published: March 2020

This paper investigates the effect of optimum macro-scale cylinder liners oil groove on the tribological behavior of large bore marine diesel engines. Parabolic bottom shape grooves are selected as the cylinder liner surface texturing. The grooves have been distributed along the stroke in the form of array of circumferential cells with the axial groove centered in each cell. Teaching–learning-based optimization algorithm is applied to get the optimum dimensions of oil grooves, where the objective is to minimize the cyclic average total friction force between the top compression piston ring and the cylinder liner. Numerical simulation based on Reynolds equation is presented to study the effect of optimum grooves’ dimensions on tribological parameters such as hydrodynamic friction, asperity contact pressure, and hydrodynamic oil film pressure. Results showed that the optimum dimensions oil grooves have a significant effect on the total friction force and the cavitation pressure of the oil film.
Ancestral calling, traditional health practitioner training and mental illness: An ethnographic study from rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Authors: van der Zeijst Martine , Veling Wim , Makhathini Elliot Mqansa , Susser Ezra , Burns Jonathan K. , Hoek Hans W. , Susser Ida
Published: March 2020

This qualitative ethnographic study complements an epidemiological study on first episode psychosis in Vulindlela, a rural area in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It focuses on two themes that emerged from our data: (1) the calling of the ancestors to become a traditional health practitioner and (2) ukuthwasa, the training to become a traditional health practitioner. The purpose of this study is to describe the ancestral calling, and to explore whether ukuthwasa may help with the management of mental disturbances, including unusual perceptual experiences. We also provide a discussion of the changing sociopolitical context of healing in KwaZulu-Natal, as a background to our study. In-depth interviews were conducted with 20 (apprentice) traditional health practitioners, formal health practitioners, patients and relatives recruited through local traditional health practitioners and a health care clinic. Our results show that the ancestral calling might announce itself with symptoms of mental illness including unusual perceptual experiences, for which some participants consider ukuthwasa as the only effective cure. We found indications that in some individuals successful completion of ukuthwasa might promote recovery from their illness and lead to a profession in which the unusual perceptual experiences become a legitimate and positively valued aspect. We suggest that – in this particular community today, which has been subject to several sociopolitical changes – ukuthwasa may be a culturally sanctioned healing process which moderates experiences that a Western psychiatric system might characterize as psychotic symptoms, providing some individuals with a lucrative and respected role in society.
Effect of gender, stature, and body mass on immobilized supine human response during en route care transport
Authors: Rahmatalla Salam , Kinsler Rachel , Qiao Guandong , DeShaw Jonathan , Mayer Andrew
Published: March 2020

The effects of gender, stature, and body mass on the biodynamic response of supine humans during transport are presented in this work. Twelve female and 14 male subjects were strapped to a litter and spine board and transported in a military ground ambulance that was driven on a track ranging from smooth to bumpy conditions. Female subjects showed more pelvis vertical motion, less pelvis roll, and more pelvis pitch ( p < 0.05 for most conditions) than male subjects. Subjects with higher body mass showed less pelvis vertical motion, more torso roll, more pelvis roll, and more torso pitch than subjects with lower body mass ( p < 0.05 for some conditions). Differences were also seen among subjects with different statures but were not as significant. The subjects showed softening and stiffening behavior across the different road-sections with different vibration magnitudes and the results will be investigated in detail in future work.
‘Open source has won and lost the war’: Legitimising commercial–communal hybridisation in a FOSS project
Authors: O’Neil Mathieu , Muselli Laure , Raissi Mahin , Zacchiroli Stefano
Published: March 2020

Information technology (IT) firms are paying developers in Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) projects, leading to the emergence of hybrid forms of work. In order to understand how the firm–project hybridisation process occurs, we present the results of an online survey of participants in the Debian project, as well as interviews with Debian Developers. We find that the intermingling of the commercial logic of the firm and the communal logic of the project requires rhetorical legitimation. We analyse the discourses used to legitimise firm–project cooperation as well as the organisational mechanisms which facilitate this cooperation. A first phase of legitimation, based on firm adoption of open licenses and developer self-fulfilment, aims to erase the commercial/communal divide. A second more recent phase seeks to professionalise work relations inside the project and, in doing so, challenges the social order which restricts participation in FOSS. Ultimately, hybridisation raises the question of the fair distribution of the profits firms derive from FOSS.
Sparse Bayesian learning approach for propagation distance recognition and damage localization in plate-like structures using guided waves
Authors: Zhao Meijie , Zhou Wensong , Huang Yong , Li Hui
Published: March 2020

In ultrasonic guided wave–based damage detection, the propagation distance recognition of wave packets is an essential step. However, it is difficult to perform direct distance extraction from guided wave signals since the multimode, mode conversion, and dispersion effects typically lead to wave packet overlapping and distortion. In addition, the identified damage location may be incorrect due to inevitable uncertainties in the procedure of propagation distance recognition and damage localization. Motivated by these difficulties, a novel two-stage approach for propagation distance recognition and damage localization is proposed based on sparse Bayesian learning framework. In the first stage, prior knowledge of a small number of wave packets contained in a signal is exploited to sparsely represent the guided wave signal and then the corresponding propagation distance and amplitude information of each wave packet can be obtained. In the next stage, only a small number of damages occurring in a structure are exploited and a vector consisting of the propagation distances extracted from the previous stage is used to match the atoms in a pre-defined over-complete distance dictionary matrix, to achieve our goal of localizing structural damage. Both procedures of the two stages are realized by the sparse Bayesian learning algorithm, which obtains the most probable value and the corresponding uncertainty. A sampling strategy is presented to transfer the uncertainty of the propagation distance recognition to the subsequent damage localization. Finally, the effectiveness of the proposed method is validated using numerical simulation and experimental investigation on aluminum plates. The proposed method is only valid for single damage localization in the present form, but it has the potential to be extended for multiple damage localization.
Exploring Self-Leadership Development of Malaysian Women Entrepreneurs
Authors: Rasdi Roziah Mohd , Hamzah Siti Raba’ah , Yean Tan Fee
Published: March 2020

The Problem

In Malaysia, women entrepreneurs are underrepresented, and little is known about their development of self-leadership. Official statistics indicate that approximately half of the businesses run by women remain underperforming. This shows that women entrepreneurs’ self-leadership is an issue that should be addressed.

The Solution

This study aims to explore self-leadership development of Malaysian women entrepreneurs. Qualitative interviews with seven women entrepreneurs were conducted. The study findings indicated that self-leadership is a process that can be developed and mastered by women entrepreneurs so that they have better chances of success in their business start-ups. This study provides a model of the self-leadership process that illustrates a range of influences that are likely to contribute to women entrepreneurs’ self-leadership development.

The Stakeholders

The model developed would be beneficial to human resource development (HRD) practitioners and Malaysian government agencies (e.g., SME Corporation Malaysia) that design and deliver interventions (e.g., incubator programs and training workshops) focusing on women entrepreneurs’ self-leadership development.
Virtual Guide Dog: Next-generation pedestrian signal for the visually impaired
Authors: Zhong Zijia , Lee Joyoung
Published: March 2020

Accessible pedestrian signal was proposed as a mean to achieve the same level of service that is set forth by the Americans with Disabilities Act for the visually impaired. One of the major issues of existing accessible pedestrian signals is the failure to deliver adequate crossing information for the visually impaired. This article presents a mobile-based accessible pedestrian signal application, namely, Virtual Guide Dog. Integrating intersection information and onboard sensors (e.g. GPS, compass, accelerometer, and gyroscope sensor) of modern smartphones, the Virtual Guide Dog application can notify the visually impaired: (1) the close proximity of an intersection and (2) the street information for crossing. By employing a screen tapping interface, Virtual Guide Dog can remotely place a pedestrian crossing call to the controller, without the need of using a pushbutton. In addition, Virtual Guide Dog informs VIs the start of a crossing phase using text-to-speech technology. The proof-of-concept test shows that Virtual Guide Dog keeps the users informed about the remaining distance as they are approaching the intersection. It was also found that the GPS-only mode is accompanied by greater distance deviation compared to the mode jointly operating with both GPS and cellular positioning.
Architecture, Time, and Cultural Politics
Authors: Jones Paul
Published: March 2020

Architecture is inextricably entangled with time. Illustrating this point, the article explores two moments of architectural production centred on London in the mid-19th century: the ‘Battle of the Styles’, a struggle over the social meaning of historicist architectural design and its suitability for state-funded public buildings; and the proto-modernist Crystal Palace, which housed the Great Exhibition of 1851. While ostensibly involving different cultural orientations to pasts-presents-futures, both cases reflect how political claims can involve the mobilisation of temporalised architectural forms. The general contention is that architecture is a culturally experimental space through which nation-states and architects seek to orientate otherwise abstracted notions of temporality. While there is no straightforward or singular correspondence between temporality and architectural sites, the built environment is pushed and pulled by states’ politicised claims regarding time and temporality. Architecture always involves the materialisation of particular and partial visions of the world as is, as was, and as could be; temporal registers in the built environment involve the stabilisation of some ways of being and the displacement of others. The political basis of these processes can be illuminated sociologically.
Comparative study between open and arthroscopic techniques for scaphoid excision and four-corner arthrodesis
Authors: Shim Jae Woo , Kim Joo Whan , Park Min Jong
Published: March 2020

This study presents our technique of arthroscopic scaphoid excision and four-corner arthrodesis and compares the clinical and radiological outcomes with those achieved with the open method. Twenty-seven patients (14 in arthroscopy group and 13 in open group) were included. Bone union was achieved in 13 of 14 patients in the arthroscopy group and in all 13 patients in the open group. In the open group, severe stiffness (flexion–extension arc was 10°) occurred in one patient after surgery. The mean postoperative flexion–extension arc was 75° and 51° in the arthroscopy group and open group, respectively. The pain, clinical scores, and radiological indices were improved in both arthroscopy and open groups. Arthroscopic and open scaphoid excision and four-corner arthrodesis did not show significant differences in clinical outcomes and bone union rates. The arthroscopic method provided a superior range of motion.

Level of evidence: III
Influence of basketball shoe midsole inserts featuring different mechanical rebound properties on biomechanical loading and subjective perception during a side-cutting maneuver
Authors: Pan Jing W , Sterzing Thorsten , Pang Jun W , Chua YaoHui K , Kong Pui W
Published: March 2020

This study examined the influence of basketball shoe midsole inserts with different forefoot and rearfoot rebound properties on biomechanical loading and subjective perception during a side-cutting maneuver. Eleven male basketball players executed side cutting in four shoe conditions mechanically characterized for their rearfoot/forefoot rebound: compliant/compliant, springy/springy, compliant/springy, and springy/compliant. Lower extremity kinetics and kinematics (normalized to body mass), as well as subjective perception, were measured. During the weight-acceptance phase, there were no differences between shoes in all biomechanical variables, except a slightly greater ankle range of motion (1.2° greater than the other three shoes) in the frontal plane for shoe compliant/springy. During the push-off phase, shoe springy/springy led to a greater ankle plantarflexion moment (1.21 Nm/kg greater than the other three shoes, p < 0.001) and knee internal rotation moment (0.09 Nm/kg greater than the other three shoes, p = 0.012), while shoe compliant/springy resulted in a greater ankle range of motion in the frontal plane (1.4° greater than the other three shoes, p < 0.001). Perception data showed no statistically significant difference among any shoes. In conclusion, springy inserts of basketball shoe midsoles induced a biomechanical loading effect. Perception of players being unaffected indicates the importance of biomechanical evaluation to examine the effects of the given shoe modifications during side cutting.
The effectiveness of a specialist Hypertension Clinic in reducing blood pressure: Factors determining blood pressure response
Authors: O’Callaghan Georgina , Butt Mariam , Ferro Albert
Published: March 2020

Objectives

We retrospectively assessed both blood pressure response to management in a specialist Hypertension Clinic and the predictors of response.

Design

Retrospective data audit.

Setting

Hypertension Clinic at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals, London, UK.

Participants

One hundred and twenty-two sequential patients attending the clinic between January 2017 and October 2018. Patients were excluded if they had previously been seen in the clinic, failed to attend their initial appointment or did not return after their initial appointment.

Outcome measure

Change in blood pressure readings between first and last recorded appointments.

Results

Systolic blood pressure decreased from 149 ± 20 mmHg to 140 ± 17 mmHg, and diastolic blood pressure from 92 ± 13 to 86 ± 1 mmHg, between the first and last recorded appointments (P < 0.05 for each). Those patients who reached target blood pressure were significantly younger than those who did not (age 45 ± 14 versus 52 ± 17 years, P = 0.0171); however, the degree of blood pressure reduction was independent of age, and younger subjects had a baseline blood pressure significantly lower than older subjects. Sex, body mass index and lifestyle interventions had an important effect on blood pressure reduction; however, these were not associated with attainment of target blood pressure.

Conclusion

Specialist hypertension input is effective in helping patients to achieve target blood pressure, especially so in younger as compared to older hypertensive patients, but this appears to be related to the fact that blood pressure in younger patients is already closer to target at baseline. Blood pressure reduction is greater in women, those with higher body mass index and those who receive lifestyle interventions.
The development of a cryptoglandular Anal Fistula Core Outcome Set (AFCOS): an international Delphi study protocol
Authors: Machielsen A.J.H.M. , Iqbal N. , Kimman M.L. , Sahnan K. , Adegbola S.O. , Kleijnen J. , Vaizey C.J. , Grossi U. , Tozer P.J. , Breukink S.O.
Published: March 2020

Purpose

Cryptoglandular anal fistula is a disorder with an incidence of around 1 per 5,000 people per year in European countries. Many studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions for anal fistula. However, there is considerable heterogeneity in the outcomes assessed and reported in these studies. This limits research quality and complicates evidence synthesis. A solution for heterogeneity in outcome reporting is the development of a Core Outcome Set (COS). This paper describes the protocol for the development of a European COS for Anal Fistula (AFCOS).

Methods

The first step will be a systematic review of the literature to identify potential outcomes that may be included in the COS. Patient interviews will be conducted in The United Kingdom and The Netherlands to ensure that both clinician‐important and patient‐important outcomes are captured. The outcomes will be categorized using the COMET taxonomy and taken forward to a Delphi consensus exercise. In up to three web‐based Delphi surveys the outcomes will be prioritized by patients, clinicians (surgeons, gastroenterologists, and radiologists), and (clinical) researchers. The responses will be summarized and reported anonymously in subsequent round(s) facilitating convergence to a consensus opinion. The final COS will be decided during a face‐to‐face consensus meeting with patients, clinicians, and (clinical) researchers.

Discussion

This study protocol describes the development of a European COS for anal fistula to improve research quality, evidence synthesis, and patient care.
How Does Financial Life Shape Emerging Adulthood? Short-Term Longitudinal Associations Between Perceived Features of Emerging Adulthood, Financial Behaviors, and Financial Well-Being
Authors: Vosylis Rimantas , Klimstra Theo
Published: March 2020

Becoming independent from parental financial support and developing financial capabilities are important life tasks in emerging adulthood (EA). However, research on how the accomplishment of these tasks contributes to perceptions of EA features is rare. This study investigates how functioning in the financial domain shapes perceptions of EA features during the early years of EA. Participants in this short-term longitudinal study were 533 emerging adults (57.2% women; Mage = 18.94, SDage = .73, range 18–21 years) freshly enrolled into a set of programs at three higher education institutions. Results show that (a) financial well-being promotes more desirable (perceived) EA features, while financial difficulties tend to be related to more negative ones; (b) change in economic dependence is primarily driven by financial well-being; (c) (perceived) features of EA also contribute to how one functions in financial life; and (d) parental socioeconomic status plays at least some role in these matters.
Blade coating analysis of viscous nanofluid having Cu–water nanoparticles using flexible blade coater
Authors: Kanwal Marya , Wang Xinhua , Shahzad Hasan , Chen Yingchun , Chai Hui
Published: March 2020

This article presents the blade coating analysis of viscous nanofluid passing over a porous substrate using a flexible blade coater. Water-based copper nanoparticles are considered to discuss the blade coating process. The lubrication approximation theory is applied to develop the flow equations. The analytical solution is obtained for velocity, volumetric flow rate, and pressure gradient, while shooting method is applied to obtain the pressure, thickness, and load. Different models for dynamic viscosity have been applied to observe the impact of related parameters on pressure, pressure gradient, and velocity. These results are presented graphically. Interesting engineering quantities such as load, deflection, and thickness are computed numerically and are shown in the tabulated form. It is found that nanoparticle volume fraction increases the pressure gradient, pressure and has minor effects on velocity. For model 1, an increase in the volume fraction reduces the coating thickness, load, and deflection, while model 2 has opposite effects on the mentioned quantities. Also, model 2 has a greater impact on pressure and pressure gradient when compared to model 1.
Fabrication and evaluation of Olopatadine hydrochloride ocular inserts
Authors: Qureshi Junaid , Iqbal Furqan Muhammad , Hussain Farwa , Ijaz Hira , Aamir Muhammad Fakhruddin , Afzal Mehreen
Published: March 2020

Development of the novel delivery provides optimal drug delivery via facilitated transcorneal penetration and ultimately improved retention time in eye. The present study was to fabricate and evaluate the performance of ocular inserts of Olopatadine hydrochloride by consuming polymers such as hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, gelatin, and chitosan at various concentrations with different plasticizers using solvent casting technique. Prepared formulations were evaluated for thickness, weight variations, drug content, surface pH, swelling studies, and in vitro drug release. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy studies showed that interaction occurred between polymer and drug, and successful drug entrapment occurred in the matrix. All formulations showed excellent film-forming capacity with good thickness and weight uniformity. Folding endurance proved that the inserts were soft, elastic, and flexible. Chitosan-based ocular inserts showed greater swelling index as compared to gelatin and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose inserts. In vitro studies showed prolonged drug release and followed zero-order kinetic model and non-Fickian drug release.
CATS: Cas9-assisted tag switching. A high-throughput method for exchanging genomic peptide tags in yeast
Authors: Berry Lisa K. , Thomas Grace Heredge , Thorpe Peter H.
Published: March 2020

Background

The creation of arrays of yeast strains each encoding a different protein with constant tags is a powerful method for understanding how genes and their proteins control cell function. As genetic tools become more sophisticated there is a need to create custom libraries encoding proteins fused with specialised tags to query gene function. These include protein tags that enable a multitude of added functionality, such as conditional degradation, fluorescent labelling, relocalization or activation and also DNA and RNA tags that enable barcoding of genes or their mRNA products. Tools for making new libraries or modifying existing ones are becoming available, but are often limited by the number of strains they can be realistically applied to or by the need for a particular starting library.

Results

We present a new recombination-based method, CATS – Cas9-Assisted Tag Switching, that switches tags in any existing library of yeast strains. This method employs the reprogrammable RNA guided nuclease, Cas9, to both introduce endogenous double strand breaks into the genome as well as liberating a linear DNA template molecule from a plasmid. It exploits the relatively high efficiency of homologous recombination in budding yeast compared with non-homologous end joining.

Conclusions

The method takes less than 2 weeks, is cost effective and can simultaneously introduce multiple genetic changes, thus providing a rapid, genome-wide approach to genetic modification.
Trend analysis of the role of circular RNA in goat skeletal muscle development
Authors: Ling Yinghui , Zheng Qi , Zhu Lu , Xu Lina , Sui Menghua , Zhang Yunhai , Liu Ya , Fang Fugui , Chu Mingxing , Ma Yuehui , Zhang Xiaorong
Published: March 2020

Background

Circular RNA (circRNA) is produced during the splicing of mRNA (in addition to linear splicing) and is part of the gene regulatory network. The temporal expression patterns the different developmental stages were inseparable from these molecules’ function.

Results

Skeletal muscles of Anhui white goat (AWG) across seven fetal to postnatal development stages were sequenced and 21 RNA sequencing libraries were constructed. We thereby identified 9090 circRNAs and analyzed their molecular properties, temporal expression patterns, and potential functions at the different stages. CircRNAs showed complexities and diversity of formation as the same host gene produces multiple isoforms of these nucleic acids with different expression profiles. The differential expression of 2881 circRNAs (DECs, P < 0.05) was identified and four were randomly selected and validated by qPCR. Moreover, 1118 DECs under strict selected (SDECs, |log2FC| > 2 and P-adj value < 0.01) showed 4 expression trends (Clusters 0, 19, 16 and 18). Cluster 0 molecules had increasing expression at all stages with effects on muscle through metabolism, regulation of enzyme activity, and biosynthesis. Cluster 16 circRNAs had high expression in the early and late stages and are involved in “Wnt signaling pathway”, “AMPK signaling pathway” and others. Cluster 18 molecules were mainly expressed at F120 and participate in “cytoskeletal protein binding”, “Notch signaling pathway” and so on. Cluster 19 circRNAs were down-regulated at all stages and related to muscle structure and development. Lastly, the SDECs divided the period of skeletal muscle development into three transitional stages: stage 1 (F45 to F90), which related to muscle satellite cell proliferation and muscle fiber structure; stage 2 (F90 to B1), in which the attachment of the cytoplasmic surface to the actin cytoskeleton initiates; and stage 3, which involved the “cGMP-PKG signaling pathway”. Moreover, the paraffin sections messages also validated that there are three transitional stages of skeletal muscle development.

Conclusion

Our current study provides a catalog of goat muscle-related circRNAs that can stratify skeletal muscle development fetus 45 days to newborn 90 days into three developmental stages. These findings better our understanding of functional transitions during mammalian muscle development.