bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Eigenmode analysis of arbitrarily shaped two-dimensional cavities by the method of point-matching
Authors: Kang Sang Wook , Lee Jang Moo
Published: July 2002

In the proposed method, as in the boundary element method (BEM), a field problem is solved on its boundary along which nodes are distributed. The distinct feature of the proposed method is related to the fact that no interpolation functions between the nodes are required, so that the basic collocation method is employed to satisfy a given boundary condition. This approach reduces a large amount of numerical calculation induced due to the interpolation functions. Unlike the method of auxiliary sources (MAS), in the proposed method only the regular functions that have finite functional values everywhere including the origins are employed as basis functions. As a result, the proposed method does not need the auxiliary surface, the construction of which is a troublesome work because its form, dimension, shifting, etc. strongly influence the accuracy of the MAS. The eigenvalues calculated by the proposed method rapidly converge to the exact values thanks to the simplicity of the method. Moreover, the method gives mode shapes successfully without using the interpolation functions between the nodes. The efficiency and accuracy of the method are verified through several applications.
Hydrodynamic lubrication theory for the Bingham plastic flow model
Authors: Tichy John A.
Published: July 2002

When the shear stress magnitude of a Bingham material exceeds the yield shear stress, quasi-Newtonian flow results, otherwise the material is rigid. The Bingham model has been used in tribology to describe the behavior of greases, but may also be used for electrorheological fluids proposed as ‘‘smart’’ lubricants. For two-dimensional flow, different modified Reynolds’ equations are obtained, depending on the possible local formation of a rigid core which may be attached to either surface, or float between the surfaces. From the modified Reynolds’ equation it is straightforward to predict bearing behavior, patching together the different core formation cases. Results are presented for two geometries: the squeeze film damper and the journal bearing.
Role of slip and fracture in the oscillating flow of HDPE in a capillary
Authors: Hatzikiriakos Savvas G. , Dealy John M.
Published: July 2002

Certain polymers exhibit two distinct branches in their capillary flow curves (wall shear stress versus apparent wall shear rate). This gives rise to oscillatory flow in constant-piston-speed rheometers and to flow curve hysteresis in controlled-pressure rheometers. These curious phenomena have attracted considerable interest over a period of many years, but their basic mechanisms are still the subject of debate. Building on previous work we have developed a model that predicts all the essential features of the curves of pressure and flow rate versus time in the oscillatory flow regime. Fluid compressibility and the second branch of the flow curve are necessary features of the model, but fluid elasticity is found not to be an essential element. While our macroscopic measurements do not prove it conclusively, our data lead us to believe that on the high-flow-rate branch of the flow curve there is slip along a cylindrical fracture surface near the wall. The jump to the high-flow branch occurs when this fracture occurs, at an upper critical value of the shear stress, while the jump back to the low-flow branch occurs when adhesion is established at the fracture surface at a lower critical shear stress.
Migration of particles undergoing pressure-driven flow in a circular conduit
Authors: Hampton R. E. , Mammoli A. A. , Graham A. L. , Tetlow N. , Altobelli S. A.
Published: July 2002

This study focuses on the demixing of neutrally buoyant suspensions of spheres during slow, pressure driven flows in circular conduits. Distributions of the solid fraction of particles, φ, and the suspension velocity, ν, are measured at different lengths from a static in-line mixer. Experiments were conducted over a range of volume average solids fractions, φbulk (0.10⩽φ⩽0.50), and at two different ratios of the particle radius, a, to the radius of the circular conduit, R (a/R=0.0256 and a/R=0.0625). At φbulk⩾0.20, the particles rapidly migrate to the low-shear-rate region in the center of the conduit. This migration results in a blunting of the ν profile, relative to the parabolic profile observed in homogeneous Newtonian fluids. For the flow geometry with the smaller ratio of a/R, the φ profile builds to a sharp maximum or cusp in the center. Particle structures are observed in the experiments with the higher a/R. The entrance lengths for the development of the φ and ν fields, Lφ and Lν, respectively, are strong functions of a/R and φbulk. Lφ and Lν rapidly decrease as φ and a/R increase. Over the range of our data, the ν profiles are observed to develop more rapidly than the φ profiles. The experimental results are compared with fully developed flow predictions from the shear-induced migration (SIM) model and the suspension balance (SB) model. At the smaller a/R, the SIM model more accurately predicts the experimental results. At larger a/R, some qualitative features of the experimental results are better predicted by the SB model, however, neither model provides good quantitative predictions, especially at low φbulk.
Establishing Thermal Infusion Method for Stable Zinc Metal Anodes in Aqueous Zinc‐Ion Batteries
Authors: Zhou Jiahui , Wu Feng , Mei Yang , Hao Yutong , Li Li , Xie Man , Chen Renjie
Published: March 2022

Metallic zinc (Zn) having low cost, high capacity, environmentally friendly features is considered to be an attractive anode material for aqueous energy storage devices. However, dendritic growth and severe side reactions restrict the development of Zn‐metal anodes. Numerous 3D hosts are extensively explored to settle these issues, whereas the accessible prestoring of Zn metal into structured electrodes is challenging. Here, a thermal infusion strategy is first reported to create a stable composite Zn‐based anode. Upon this melting–wetting–cooling process, the metallic Zn is densely and firmly encapsulated in the 3D skeleton, efficiently inhibiting the dendritic growth. Meanwhile, through in/ex situ tests, the formation of ZnO layer on the metallic Zn surface inhibits the hydrogen evolution reactions (1.8 mmol h−1 cm−2) and passivation during cycling. Consequently, the electrode enables a long‐cycling life of over 1000 cycles at 10 mA cm−2 in a symmetrical cell. The pouch cells pairing this novel anode and LiMn2O4 cathode maintain over 94 mAh g−1 capacity retention after 300 cycles. This research presents an innovative Zn anode structure and extendable prestoring metallic Zn method for aqueous Zn‐ion batteries.
Male Cayo Santiago rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) tend to have greater molar wear than females at comparable ages: Exploring two possible reasons why
Authors: Guatelli‐Steinberg Debbie , Guerrieri Taylor , Kensler Terry B. , Maldonado Elizabeth , Francis George , Kohn Luci A. P. , Zhao Martin Q. , Turnquist Jean E. , Wang Qian
Published: March 2022

Objectives

(1) To investigate sex differences in molar wear in known‐age Cayo Santiago rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) and, (2) To explore sex differences in body weight and molar eruption timing as factors influencing sex differences in molar wear.

Materials and methods

Data set I comprises wear scores, ages and body weights of 212 living monkeys included in the 1985 roundup. Data set II consists of molar wear measurements taken on 2D images of 103 of these monkeys' dental remains. Ordinal logistic regression was used to analyze the first data set. General linear models were used to analyze the second.

Results

Males generally exhibited more wear than females at equivalent chronological ages, though results varied by tooth type for the second data set. Male body weight in the full 1985 living sample was significantly related to dental wear, when age was taken into account; however, when males less than 8 years of age were eliminated from the sample, the association between dental wear and weight became statistically insignificant. Analysis of the second data set suggested no statistically significant sex difference in dental wear for third molars, despite the approximately 2 year sex difference in eruption age for this tooth type.

Discussion

This study suggests that body weight in males might be a predictor of dental wear and that if it is, body weight might also influence sex differences in dental wear. Sex differences in dental eruption timing do not appear to explain sex differences in dental wear in this sample.
Polymer functional coatings modified by ZrP‐based composites: Preparation and applications on marine concrete
Authors: Yin Bing , Zhao Erfa , Hua Xujiang , Xu Huafeng , Fan Fangyu , Qi Dongmei , Hua Xianle , Zhen Jinming , Hou Dongshuai
Published: March 2022

The development of high‐performance coatings for concrete structures is essential to ensure their durability and service life. However, most of the proposed developed strategies suffer from various limitations, especially regarding the wear and biological‐corrosion resistances of the coatings. This work reports a facile and efficient method to prepare effective composite coatings by nano‐modification, in which the intercalated composites play structural and functional roles in the corrosion, wear, and biological‐corrosion resistances. An in situ assembly synthesis was used to prepare the intercalated composites. The composites exhibited an innovative alternating skateboard structure and a functional composition. The silane‐emulsion modified with the composites was prepared and coated on the mortar surface to systematically study its performance at the concrete interface. The results indicate the good dispersion stability of the innovative α‐ZrP composites in the silane emulsion and their significant enhancement of the silane coatings' ability to improve the durability of marine concrete. The mechanisms of performance improved by the prepared composites through their unique lamellar structure and interlamellar silver‐nanoparticle composition were also examined. The prepared composite coating exhibits a new strategic approach to solve problems associated with concrete applications and provides technical guidance for surface protection of marine concrete structures.
Cyanopropyl functionalized benzimidazolium salts and their silver N‐heterocyclic carbene complexes: Synthesis, antimicrobial activity, and theoretical analysis
Authors: Türker Dilek , Üstün Elvan , Günal Selami , Yıldız Hatice , D. Düşünceli Serpil , Özdemir İsmail
Published: March 2022

The reaction of N‐substituted benzimidazole with 4‐bromobutyronitrile gives the corresponding benzimidazolium salts as N‐heterocyclic carbene (NHC) precursors. Silver(I) carbene complexes are synthesized by the reaction of the corresponding benzimidazolium salts with Ag2O in dichloromethane. These new NHC precursors and Ag–NHC complexes were characterized by spectroscopy techniques and also screened for their antibacterial activities against the standard bacterial strains Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis, and the standard fungal strains Candida albicans and Candida glabrata, and promising results were achieved. The compounds were also analyzed by density functional theory (DFT)/time‐dependent DFT and docking methods.
Identification and structural prediction of the unrevealed amidohydrolase enzyme: Pterin deaminase from Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404
Authors: Dhanapal Anand Raj , Thandeeswaran Murugesan , Muthusamy Palaniswamy , Jayaraman Angayarkanni
Published: March 2022

Microbes make a remarkable contribution to the health and well‐being of living beings all over the world. Interestingly, pterin deaminase is an amidohydrolase enzyme that exhibits antitumor, anticancer activities and antioxidant properties. With the existing evidence of the presence of pterin deaminase from microbial sources, an attempt was made to reveal the existence of this enzyme in the unexplored bacterium Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404. After, the cells were harvested and characterized as intracellular enzymes and then partially purified through acetone precipitation. Subsequently, further purification step was carried out with an ion‐exchange chromatogram (HiTrap Q FF) using the Fast‐Protein Liquid Chromatography technique (FPLC). Henceforward, the approximate molecular weight of the purified pterin deaminase was determined through SDS–PAGE. Furthermore, the purified protein was identified accurately by MALDI‐TOF, and the sequence was explored through a Mascot search engine. Additionally, the three‐dimensional structure was predicted and then validated, as well as ligand‐binding sites, and the stability of this enzyme was confirmed for the first time. Thus, the present study revealed the selected parameters showing a considerable impact on the identification and purification of pterin deaminase from A. tumefaciens LBA4404 for the first time. The enzyme specificity makes it a favorable choice as a potent anticancer agent.
Chemistry, Biosynthesis, and Biological Activity of Halogenated Compounds Produced by Marine Microorganisms
Authors: Wang Jiamin , Pang Xiaoyan , Chen Chunmei , Gao Chenghai , Zhou Xuefeng , Liu Yonghong , Luo Xiaowei
Published: March 2022

Comprehensive Summary

Natural products derived from marine microorganisms have been received great attention as a potential source of new compound entities for drug discovery. The unique marine environment brings us a large group of halogen‐containing natural products with abundant biological functionality and good drugability. Meanwhile, biosynthetically halogenated reactions are known as a significant strategy used to increase the pharmacological activities and pharmacokinetic properties of compounds. Given that a tremendous increase in the number of new halogenated compounds from marine microorganisms in the last five years, it is necessary to summarize these compounds with their diverse structures and promising bioactivities. In this review, we have summarized the chemistry, biosynthesis (related halogenases), and biological activity of a total of 316 naturally halogenated compounds from marine microorganisms covering the period of 2015 to May 2021. Those reviewed chlorinated and brominated compounds with the ratio of 9 : 1 were predominantly originated from 36 genera of fungi (62%) and 9 bacterial strains (38%) with cytotoxic, antibacterial, and enzyme inhibitory activities, structural types of which are polyketides (38%), alkaloids (27%), phenols (11%), and others. This review would provide a plenty variety of promising lead halogenated compounds for drug discovery and inspire the development of new pharmaceutical agents.
β‐Cyclodextrin covalent organic framework supported by polydopamine as stationary phases for electrochromatographic enantioseparation
Authors: Gu Lei , Guan Jin , Huang Ziwei , Huo Hongyi , Shi Shuang , Zhang Dongxiang , Yan Feng
Published: March 2022

In this work, a new open‐tubular capillary electrochromatography (OT‐CEC) column was prepared using β‐cyclodextrin covalent organic framework (β‐CD COF) as a stationary phase. Polydopamine was used to assist fabrication of β‐CD COF on an inner wall of a fused‐silica capillary. The coating layer on the capillary was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Electroosmotic flow (EOF) was also studied to evaluate the variation of the inner wall of immobilized columns. Furthermore, the chiral separation effectiveness of the fabricated capillary column was evaluated by CEC using enantiomers of several related proton pump inhibitors as model analytes, including omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole and tenatoprazole. The effects of bonding time and concentration of β‐CD COF, the type, concentration and pH of buffer, applied voltage were investigated to obtain satisfactory enantioselectivity. In the optimum conditions, the enantiomers of four analytes were resolved within 15 min with resolutions of 1.63–2.62. The relative standard deviation values for migration times and resolutions of the analytes representing intraday and interday were less than 6.75% and 4.24%, respectively. The results reveal that β‐CD COF has great potential as chiral‐stationary phases for enantioseparation in CEC.
Distribution characteristics of pulverized coal and stress–gas pressure–temperature response laws in coal and gas outburst under deep mining conditions
Authors: Zhao Bo , Wen Guangcai , Ma Qianwei , Sun Haitao , Yan Fazhi , Nian Jun
Published: March 2022

Deep mining will increase the likelihood of coal and gas outburst accidents and do harm to the safety of coal mining. In this study, a coal and gas outburst experiment under deep high‐stress conditions was carried out and stress–gas pressure–temperature response laws in coal and rock surrounding the burst hole were evaluated. The experimental results showed that the stress response around the burst hole was intense and stress variation decreased as distance from the position to burst port increased. The gas pressure in the coal decreased sharply and oscillated several times during the burst process. The maximum rebound range was 0.05 MPa during this process. The decreasing rate of gas pressure reduced with the increase of the position‐burst port distance. The temperature response near the burst port was stronger than peripheral area. The gas internal energy was still the main energy source of coal and gas outbursts, accounting for 75% of the total energy, and played a key role in the burst process. The contribution of elastic potential energy was 22% under deep high‐stress conditions in this study. Based on the analysis of burst energy, the gas and stress were key factors of an outburst.
Does the topographic data source truly influence the routing modelling of debris flows in a torrent catchment?
Authors: Boreggio Mauro , Bernard Martino , Gregoretti Carlo
Published: March 2022

To cope with debris‐flow hazards, a common practice is the mapping of threatened areas through routing models. Considering the primary role of topography in affecting the mobility of gravity‐driven flows, its proper representation through digital elevation models (DEMs) is a requirement in routing modelling applications. The ‘quality’ of DEMs mainly depends on the quality, resolution and spatial arrangement of the topographic measurements (i.e. on the employed survey technology). Nevertheless, no attempt to systematically evaluate the influence of the topographic data source on the behaviour of routing models has been carried out. To address this, we initially assess the performances of both terrestrial‐ (i.e. global navigation satellite system, GNSS) and airborne‐based (i.e. full‐waveform LiDAR and structure‐from‐motion, SfM digital photogrammetry) survey technologies in characterizing the topography of a debris‐flow channel. Afterwards, we investigate whether the topographic data source can effectively influence the behaviour of a geographic information system (GIS)‐based cell routing model. Regarding the assessment of the survey technologies performances, the ‘standard’ statistic‐based approach indicated that GNSS and full‐waveform LiDAR can provide an accurate digital representation of the gully. However, the analysis of the shapes stressed that the most faithful and finer reproduction of the topographic singularities is yielded by the photogrammetrically reconstructed surface due to the extremely high data source resolution. Furthermore, the pairwise comparison of derived elevation models pointed out that meaningful discrepancies among tested survey technologies can be detected in morphologically complex areas because of the inherent limits of the terrestrial‐based method. Here, this research showed how these discrepancies have the potential to affect simulated flow dynamics, even if not in a meaningful way from a risk planning and management point of view. Overall, it appears that the topographic data source does not truly represent a determining factor in modelling applications of channelized debris‐flow routing.
Priority Organic Pollutants and Endocrine-Disrupting Compounds in Arctic Marine Sediments (Svalbard Islands, Norway)
Authors: Spataro Francesca , Rauseo Jasmin , Pescatore Tanita , Patrolecco Luisa
Published: March 2022

The present study investigated the occurrence and distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and phenolic endocrine-disrupting compounds (PEDCs), including bisphenol A (BPA), 4-nonylphenol (4-NP), and its monoethoxylate (NP1EO) and diethoxylate precursors in marine sediments in an Arctic fjord (Svalbard, Norway). The contribution of different local sources of contamination was also evaluated, together with a risk assessment for the marine environment. Samples were collected during two consecutive summer seasons (2018 and 2019), and target contaminants were analyzed with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography–MS/MS. The results showed no statistical differences between total PAH concentrations measured in 2018 (mean value 53.7 ± 54.3 ng/g) and 2019 (mean value 58.1 ± 63.6 ng/g). Low-ring (three or four rings) PAHs were the most abundant congeners, and single PAH ratios indicated a predominance of petrogenic sources (i.e., coal and liquid fossil fuel combustion). Nonylphenols and BPA showed a significant decrease in 2019 compared to 2018; 4-NP and NP1EO prevailed in both years, particularly in sediments close to the Ny-Ålesund research village. Overall, the results indicate that local anthropic activities are the major source of contamination in the Kongsfjorden ecosystem, but also melting waters from glaciers in the summer season can play an important role as a secondary source of pollutants previously trapped in ice. Comparison between our data and empirical and mechanistic indices derived from sediment quality guidelines suggests that the occurrence of PAHs and PEDCs in sediments does not currently pose a risk for this Arctic ecosystem, but further investigation is needed on the spread of hazardous contaminants and their effects on these fragile environments. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:953–965. SETAC
Effects of spray droplet size on pronamide control of Poa annua
Authors: Ignes Martin , Tseng Te‐Ming P. , de Castro Edicarlos , Wilber Amy L. , McCurdy James D.
Published: March 2022

Annual bluegrass (Poa annua L.) is a problematic weed in turfgrass that has evolved resistance to 12 different herbicide sites of action. The mitotic inhibiting herbicide pronamide has both pre‐ and postemergence activity on susceptible annual bluegrass populations, but on certain resistant populations, postemergence activity is hypothetically compromised due to lack of root uptake or due to an unknown foliar resistance mechanism. Spray droplet size may affect foliar and soil deposition of pronamide, thus potentially explaining variation in population control or differential shoot and root uptake. Greenhouse experiments were conducted to quantify pronamide, flazasulfuron, and pronamide + flazasulfuron (a common tank mixture) deposition on annual bluegrass as affected by spray‐droplet size. Five droplet sizes (200, 400, 600, 800, and 1,000 μm) were sprayed in an enclosed spray chamber on two‐ to three‐leaf stage annual bluegrass plants. Fluorescent dye was added to each treatment solution to quantify the effects of herbicide and spray droplet size on herbicide deposition. Results indicate that spray droplet size affects deposition of pronamide and flazasulfuron, applied alone and in combination, on annual bluegrass. The highest foliar deposition was produced with 400‐μm spray droplets in pronamide treatments and with 200 μm spray droplets in flazasulfuron and pronamide + flazasulfuron treatments. The addition of flazasulfuron to pronamide did not affect herbicide deposition when compared with pronamide‐alone treatments. Results suggest that 200‐ to 400‐μm spray droplets are optimal for foliar deposition of pronamide. Alternatively, larger droplet sizes may facilitate better soil deposition of pronamide where root uptake is optimal.
Evaluation of change in tumor stiffness measured by acoustic radiation force impulse imaging for early prediction of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer
Authors: Mahadevan Gowtham Sembagounden Valasu , Chakkalakkoombil Sunitha Vellathussery , Kayal Smita , Dharanipragada Kadambari , Toi Pampa Ch. , Ananthakrishnan Ramesh
Published: March 2022

Objectives

In this study, the role of change in tumor stiffness between pre‐ and post‐two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) measured by Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging for predicting the response to NACT in breast cancer was analyzed.

Methods

Fifty‐two adult women with biopsy‐proven locally advanced breast cancer and early‐stage breast cancer who received NACT followed by either modified radical mastectomy or breast conservation surgery were included in the study. Tumor stiffness represented by shear wave velocity (SWV) in meter per second by ARFI imaging was measured before and after two cycles of NACT. Participants were categorized into responders and nonresponders based on pathological response assessment from the postoperative specimen. The association of change in tumor stiffness between pre‐ and post‐two cycles of NACT with final pathological response status was assessed.

Results

The mean change in SWV before and after completion of two cycles of NACT was 0.42 ± 0.16 and 0.17 ± 0.11 m/s in responders and nonresponders, respectively, and this difference was proven to be statistically significant (p < 0.001) suggesting that tumors that exhibit a larger reduction in tumor stiffness, respond better. An SWV reduction cut‐off of 0.295 m/s between baseline and post‐two cycles of NACT was also arrived at, which can discriminate between responders and nonresponders with a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 83%, respectively.

Conclusion

Difference in tumor stiffness measured by ARFI imaging before and after two cycles of chemotherapy can be used as a reliable early predictor of response to chemotherapy in breast cancer.
Dis, Dat, and Dem: Addressing linguistic awareness for counselors of African American English speakers
Authors: Graham Jasmine , Day‐Vines Norma L. , Zaccor Karla
Published: March 2022

Upward of 80% of Black people speak some variant of African American English (AAE). The counseling profession is a language‐oriented form of help seeking, yet the relevance of linguistic diversity in a counseling context is largely absent from scholarly literature. Using Critical Race Theory as a theoretical framework, the authors provide a definition of AAE, as well as historical and sociopolitical contextual information about AAE. Important clinical implications for working effectively with AAE speakers are identified.
Physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant properties and bacterial profiling of three Malaysian honey varieties: a study using multivariate analysis
Authors: Yap Shu Khang , Chin Nyuk Ling , Abdul Karim Shah Nor Nadiah , Than Leslie Thian Lung , Niranjan Keshavan
Published: March 2022

BACKGROUND

The physicochemical characteristics, antioxidant properties, and bacterial profiles of Heterotrigona itama, Apis dorsata, and Apis mellifera honey of Malaysian origin were studied and the results were assessed using Pearson correlation analysis and canonical correspondence analysis (CCA).

RESULTS

The analysis showed that the Mellifera honey was characterized by high total sugar content (717.5 g kg−1); the Itama honey was characterized by high free acidity (347.5 meq kg−1); and the Dorsata honey was characterized by high radical scavenging activity (RSA; 69.3%RSA), total phenolic content (TPC; 1284.5 mg GAE kg−1) and hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF; 51.5 mg kg−1). Pearson correlation analysis showed that the TPC was positively correlated with HMF as well as RSA. The bacterial profile of Mellifera honey was significantly less diverse than Itama and Dorsata honey. Mellifera and Itama honey seemed to harbour a significant abundance of lactic acid bacteria, with relative abundance of 0.339 and 0.195, which suggests that it possesses probiotic potential. The Dorsata honey, however, contained pathogenic Clostridium genus, constituting 5% of its bacterial profile.

CONCLUSION

The characteristic properties of the three investigated honey, Itama, Dorsata, and Mellifera were identified. The distinctive characteristics of the honey varieties informed the development of appropriate processing strategies for retaining the beneficial qualities of raw honey. It is hoped that the results of this study will shine light on Malaysian honey in a highly competitive global market. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Retrospective claims analysis of physical therapy utilization among women with stress or mixed urinary incontinence
Authors: McKinney Jessica L. , Datar Manasi , Pan Li‐Chen , Goss Thomas , Keyser Laura E. , Pulliam Samantha J.
Published: March 2022

Objective

To describe the characteristics of women with stress or mixed urinary incontinence (SUI/MUI) receiving physical therapy (PT) services, including referral patterns and PT utilization.

Methods

Female patients with claims associated with an SUI or MUI diagnosis (International Classification of Disease—Clinical Modification [ICD‐9‐CM]: 625.6, 788.33, or ICD‐10‐CM: N39.3, N39.46) between July 01, 2014 and June 30, 2016 were identified in International business machines (IBM)'s MarketScan Research Database. Inclusion criteria included the absence of pregnancy claims and ≥80% medical and pharmacy enrollment pre‐ and postindex. First SUI/MUI diagnosis claim determined index. Patients were followed for 2 years, and associated UI‐associated PT encounters were identified. Descriptive statistics were calculated for patients with at least one PT visit during the postindex period.

Results

In a cohort of 103,813 women with incident SUI or MUI diagnosis, 2.6% (2792/103,813) had at least one PT visit in the 2 years following their diagnosis. Mean age at index PT encounter was 50.55 years. A total of 52.36% (1462/2792) women had one to four PT visits; 21.2% (592/2792) had >8 PT visits. In subanalysis of the PT cohort (1345/2792), women who received PT only had the lowest average 2‐year postindex total medical cost (mean: $12,671; SD: $16,346), compared with PT plus medications (mean: $27,394; SD: $64,481), and PT plus surgery (mean: $33,656; SD: $26,245), respectively. Over 40% had their first PT visit ≥3 months after their index date.

Conclusions

The percentage of women with a PT visit associated with an incident SUI or MUI diagnosis was low (2.6%), and 30% of this group completed three or more PT visits. This suggests poor adherence to clinical guidelines regarding supervised treatment of UI in women.

Impact Statement

Our study suggests underutilization of PT among insured women with SUI and MUI in the 2 years following diagnosis. Interventions to improve this gap in first‐line care may represent an opportunity for an increased role for PTs in the care of women with UI.
Interleaved and simultaneous multi‐nuclear magnetic resonance in vivo. Review of principles, applications and potential
Authors: Lopez Kolkovsky Alfredo L. , Carlier Pierre G. , Marty Benjamin , Meyerspeer Martin
Published: March 2022

Magnetic resonance signals from different nuclei can be excited or received at the same time,rendering simultaneous or rapidly interleaved multi‐nuclear acquisitions feasible. The advan‐tages are a reduction of total scan time compared to sequential multi‐nuclear acquisitions or that additional information from heteronuclear data is obtained at thesame time and anatomical position. Information content can be qualitatively increased by delivering a more comprehensive MR‐based picture of a transient state (such as an exercise bout). Also, combiningnon‐proton MR acquisitions with 1Hinformation (e.g., dynamic shim updates and motion correction) can be used to improve data quality during long scans and benefits image coregistration. This work reviews the literature on interleaved and simultaneous multi‐nuclear MRI and MRS in vivo. Prominent use cases for this methodology in clinical and research applications are brain and muscle, but studies have also been carried out in other targets, including the lung, knee, breast and heart. Simultaneous multi‐nuclear measurements in the liver and kidney have also been performed, but exclusively in rodents. In this review, a consistent nomenclature is proposed, to help clarify the terminology used for this principle throughout the literature on in‐vivo MR. An overview covers the basic principles, the technical requirements on the MR scanner and the implementations realised either by MR system vendors or research groups, from the early days until today. Considerations regarding the multi‐tuned RF coils required and heteronuclear polarisation interactions are briefly discussed, and fields for future in‐vivo applications for interleaved multi‐nuclear MR pulse sequences are identified.
Associations between cardiometabolic disease severity, social determinants of health (SDoH), and poor COVID‐19 outcomes
Authors: Howell Carrie R. , Zhang Li , Yi Nengjun , Mehta Tapan , Cherrington Andrea L. , Garvey W. Timothy
Published: March 2022

Objective

This study aimed to determine the ability of retrospective cardiometabolic disease staging (CMDS) and social determinants of health (SDoH) to predict COVID‐19 outcomes.

Methods

Individual and neighborhood SDoH and CMDS clinical parameters (BMI, glucose, blood pressure, high‐density lipoprotein, triglycerides), collected up to 3 years prior to a positive COVID‐19 test, were extracted from the electronic medical record. Bayesian logistic regression was used to model CMDS and SDoH to predict subsequent hospitalization, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and mortality, and whether adding SDoH to the CMDS model improved prediction was investigated. Models were cross validated, and areas under the curve (AUC) were compared.

Results

A total of 2,873 patients were identified (mean age: 58 years [SD 13.2], 59% were female, 45% were Black). CMDS, insurance status, male sex, and higher glucose values were associated with increased odds of all outcomes; area‐level social vulnerability was associated with increased odds of hospitalization (odds ratio: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.38‐2.45) and ICU admission (odds ratio 1.98, 95% CI: 1.45‐2.85). The AUCs improved when SDoH were added to CMDS (p < 0.001): hospitalization (AUC 0.78 vs. 0.82), ICU admission (AUC 0.77 vs. 0.81), and mortality (AUC 0.77 vs. 0.83).

Conclusions

Retrospective clinical markers of cardiometabolic disease and SDoH were independently predictive of COVID‐19 outcomes in the population.
Globalisation and pollinators: Pollinator declines are an economic threat to global food systems
Authors: Murphy James T. , Breeze Tom D. , Willcox Bryony , Kavanagh Saorla , Stout Jane C.
Published: March 2022

Trade in animal‐pollinated crops plays an important role in global food systems: in many low‐income countries, export of pollinated crops such as coffee and cocoa plays a significant role in livelihoods, while food systems in many higher income nations depend on international trade in these crops to satisfy their local demands. Losses of pollination services therefore pose a significant risk to economies beyond the area directly affected.

Using a simple extension of a common economic model, we explore which countries are most affected by a loss of pollination services in three case study groups of 25 countries that are vulnerable to different risks: pesticide use, natural disasters and economic debts.

In all three cases, large, developed economies such as the United Kingdom, Germany and Japan, are estimated to suffer the greatest economic losses, even if pollinator losses only affect smaller, less‐developed economies.

In cases where higher income countries are affected by pollinator losses, there is a significant shift in the value of global pollinated crop production towards other large, unaffected countries.

Our findings highlight the need for richer countries to invest in pollinator conservation beyond their own borders to maintain resilient food systems. We provide suggestions for further economic research to better understand and identify system vulnerabilities to pollinator losses.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Effect of poly ether ether ketone particles on v‐notched shear and drop weight impact behavior of carbon/epoxy composite
Authors: Rehman Muhammad Muslim , Shaker Khubab , Nawab Yasir
Published: March 2022

Due to the intrinsic brittleness, low velocity impact (LVI) causes internal invisible damages that drastically degrade the structural qualities of carbon/epoxy composites. The addition of pre‐formed immiscible thermoplastic filler in thermoset matrix offers various advantages over miscible phase separated thermoplastic filler. In this work, poly ether ether ketone (PEEK) micro particles were used to improve the toughness of the carbon/epoxy composite. Mechanical stirring was used to disperse the particles. Composite was fabricated using hand lay‐up process followed by compression molding. The effect of PEEK particles was assessed using in‐plane v‐notched rail shear characteristics, drop weight impact, and compression after impact strength. The addition of PEEK particles significantly improved the in‐plane shear strength and damage tolerance of the carbon/epoxy composite, according to the results.
Computational study of the transamination reaction in vinylogous acyls: Paving the way to design vitrimers with controlled exchange kinetics
Authors: Hamzehlou Shaghayegh , Ruipérez Fernando
Published: March 2022

One of the key points in the design of vitrimers is controlling the associative exchange kinetics. One common chemistry used in vitrimers is based on the dynamic amine exchange reaction of vinylogous acyl compounds in presence of free amine. Understanding the reaction mechanism is essential to assist the optimization of the reaction conditions as well as the molecular structure of the reactant compounds in the pursuit of new materials. In this work, a computational study has been performed to explore different reaction mechanisms in neutral, acidic and in basic conditions or in the presence of Lewis acids, as well as the effect of chemical modifications in the exchange reaction. The results reveal that the formation of hydrogen bonds are a key feature and that the vinylogous urea improves the transamination compared to vinylogous urethane. The esteric hindrance of the amino group in the vinylogous compound also plays an important role. Finally, the nature of the free amine can improve the reactivity by equilibrating two contrary effects: the basicity favors the nucleophilic attack and the conjugated acidity favors the protonation. The findings of this theoretical work shed light in the design of new vitrimers with controlled exchange kinetics by chemical modifications.
Achieving Enhanced Energy‐Storage Performances in Bi0.5(K0.15Na0.85)0.5TiO3 Ceramics Modified by Sr(Ti0.85Zr0.15)O3
Authors: Qiang Hua , Deng Lingyun , Xu Zunping
Published: March 2022

Lead‐free (1−x)Bi0.5(K0.15Na0.85)0.5TiO3‐xSr(Ti0.85Zr0.15)O3 ((1−x)BKNT‐xSTZ, x = 0.1–0.4) ceramics are synthesized by citrate combustion method. The grain size is reduced, and the high‐temperature shoulder dielectric peak (Tm) shifts toward low temperature, while the low‐temperature shoulder dielectric peak (Ts) shifts toward high temperature as x increases. The remnant polarization decreases and slimmer hysteresis loops are realized with x increasing. The optimal energy density (Wre ≈2.85 J cm−3) with high efficiency (η ≈ 81%) is obtained for 0.7BKNT‐0.3STZ at 160 kV cm−1. More importantly, excellent frequency stability and enhanced temperature‐dependent energy properties (Wre ≈ 1.12 J cm−3 and η ≈ 94%) of 0.7BKNT‐0.3STZ ceramic are obtained at 100 kV cm−1 and 120 °C.
Aural single‐word and aural phrasal verb knowledge and their relationships to L2 listening comprehension
Authors: Cheng Junyu , Matthews Joshua , Lange Kriss , McLean Stuart
Published: March 2022

This study quantifies second language (L2) knowledge of aural single words and aural phrasal verbs (PVs) and investigates their relationship with L2 listening comprehension. An aural first language (L1) meaning recall test format was used to measure knowledge of 81 single‐word and 81 PV target items (with equivalent frequencies of occurrence) among 224 Chinese tertiary‐level learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Participants’ L2 listening was measured with a version of the Test of English for International Communication (TOEIC). Participants’ aural single‐word and aural PV knowledge were compared, and their relationship with L2 listening were examined using correlation and multiple regression analysis. These analyses also included comparison between participants of relatively high (Independent Users) and relatively low (Basic Users) L2 listening proficiency. Although regression modelling showed that single‐word test scores were most predictive of L2 listening comprehension, it also showed that PV test scores made a substantial contribution to the model’s predictive capacity. In combination, single‐word and PV test scores could predict 42.7% of the variance observed in the listening scores. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.
Background and Motivation
Authors: Barachini Franz , Stary Christian
Published: March 2022

We discuss how consciousness emerges in human brains and speculate whether it can also emerge in computational substrates. We discuss the relevance of emotional aspects for cognitive architectures, and we characterize the future role of artificial intelligence.
Electric field decay without pair production: lattice, bosonization and novel worldline instantons
Authors: Hu Xu-Yao , Kleban Matthew , Yu Cedric
Published: March 2022

Abstract

Electric fields can spontaneously decay via the Schwinger effect, the nucleation of a charged particle-anti particle pair separated by a critical distance d. What happens if the available distance is smaller than d? Previous work on this question has produced contradictory results. Here, we study the quantum evolution of electric fields when the field points in a compact direction with circumference L < d using the massive Schwinger model, quantum electrodynamics in one space dimension with massive charged fermions. We uncover a new and previously unknown set of instantons that result in novel physics that disagrees with all previous estimates. In parameter regimes where the field value can be well-defined in the quantum theory, generic initial fields E are in fact stable and do not decay, while initial values that are quantized in half-integer units of the charge E = (k/2)g with k ∈ ℤ oscillate in time from +(k/2)g to −(k/2)g, with exponentially small probability of ever taking any other value. We verify our results with four distinct techniques: numerically by measuring the decay directly in Lorentzian time on the lattice, numerically using the spectrum of the Hamiltonian, numerically and semi-analytically using the bosonized description of the Schwinger model, and analytically via our instanton estimate.
Justificatory explanations in machine learning: for increased transparency through documenting how key concepts drive and underpin design and engineering decisions
Authors: Casacuberta David , Guersenzvaig Ariel , Moyano-Fernández Cristian
Published: March 2022

Given the pervasiveness of AI systems and their potential negative effects on people’s lives (especially among already marginalised groups), it becomes imperative to comprehend what goes on when an AI system generates a result, and based on what reasons, it is achieved. There are consistent technical efforts for making systems more “explainable” by reducing their opaqueness and increasing their interpretability and explainability. In this paper, we explore an alternative non-technical approach towards explainability that complement existing ones. Leaving aside technical, statistical, or data-related issues, we focus on the very conceptual underpinnings of the design decisions made by developers and other stakeholders during the lifecycle of a machine learning project. For instance, the design and development of an app to track snoring to detect possible health risks presuppose some picture or another of “health”, which is a key notion that conceptually underpins the project. We take it as a premise that these key concepts are necessarily present during design and development, albeit perhaps tacitly. We argue that by providing “justificatory explanations” about how the team understands the relevant key concepts behind its design decisions, interested parties could gain valuable insights and make better sense of the workings and outcomes of systems. Using the concept of “health”, we illustrate how a particular understanding of it might influence decisions during the design and development stages of a machine learning project, and how making this explicit by incorporating it intoex-postexplanations might increase the explanatory and justificatory power of these explanations. We posit that a greater conceptual awareness of the key concepts that underpin design and development decisions may be beneficial to any attempt to develop explainability methods. We recommend that “justificatory explanations” are provided as technical documentation. These are declarative statements that contain at its simplest: (1) a high-level account of the understanding of the relevant key concepts a team possess related to a project’s main domain, (2) how these understandings drive decision-making during the life-cycle stages, and (3) it gives reasons (which could be implicit in the account) that the person or persons doing the explanation consider to have plausible justificatory power for the decisions that were made during the project.
Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related acute longitudinal myelitis involving the entire spinal cord
Authors: Zhao Yu , Wang Fuxiang , Cao Liming
Published: March 2022

Introduction

As acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) becomes more widespread, there will be an increasing need for diagnostic AIDS-related neurological syndromes. AIDS-related myelitis is easy to be ignored, and AIDS-related longitudinal myelitis has not yet been reported.

Case presentation

A 45-year-old male patient was admitted to our hospital after 3 days of progressive slurred speech and limb weakness. Neurologic examination revealed near-complete four-limb paralysis with dyspnea, dysarthria, and neck rigidity. Contrast-enhanced T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperintensities within the entire spinal cord. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed elevated white blood cell count and protein level. He was administered high-dose immunoglobulin and methylprednisolone. There was rapid regression in his symptoms after a month of therapy.

Conclusions

This unique presentation of AIDS with longitudinal myelitis involving the entire spinal cord enriches our understanding of the clinical spectrum of this condition. Our case provides essential information for the diagnosis and treatment of longitudinal myelitis in AIDS patients.