bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
In vitro testing of cyanoacrylate tissue adhesives and sutures for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation cannula securement
Authors: Pearse India , Corley Amanda , Bartnikowski Nicole , Fraser John F. 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Background
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), an invasive mechanical therapy, provides cardio-respiratory support to critically ill patients when maximal conventional support has failed. ECMO is delivered via large-bore cannulae which must be effectively secured to avoid complications including cannula migration, dislodgement and accidental decannulation. Growing evidence suggests tissue adhesive (TA) may be a practical and safe method to secure vascular access devices, but little evidence exists pertaining to securement of ECMO cannulae. The aim of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of two TA formulations (2-octyl cyanoacrylate and n-butyl-2-octyl cyanoacrylate) for use in peripherally inserted ECMO cannula securement, and compare TA securement to ‘standard’ securement methods.

Methods
This in vitro project assessed: (1) the tensile strength and flexibility of TA formulations compared to ‘standard’ ECMO cannula securement using a porcine skin model, and (2) the chemical resistance of the polyurethane ECMO cannulae to TA. An Instron 5567 Universal Testing System was used for strength testing in both experiments.

Results
Securement with sutures and n-butyl-2-octyl cyanoacrylate both significantly increased the force required to dislodge the cannula compared to a transparent polyurethane dressing (p = 0.006 and p = 0.003, respectively) and 2-octyl cyanoacrylate (p = 0.023 and p = 0.013, respectively). Suture securement provided increased flexibility compared to TA securement (p < 0.0001), and there was no statistically significant difference in flexibility between 2-octyl cyanoacrylate and n-butyl-2-octyl cyanoacrylate (p = 0.774). The resistance strength of cannula polyurethane was not weakened after exposure to either TA formulation after 60 min compared to control.

Conclusions
Tissue adhesive appears to be a promising adjunct method of ECMO cannula insertion site securement. Tissue adhesive securement with n-butyl-2-octyl cyanoacrylate may provide comparable securement strength to a single polypropylene drain stitch, and, when used as an adjunct securement method, may minimise the risks associated with suture securement. However, further clinical research is still needed in this area.
Introducing activities of the Archives of Infectious Diseases History (AIDH) project: Historical epidemiology
Authors: Iijima Wataru , Inoue Hiroki , Ichikawa Tomoo 
Published: January 2021

AbstractThe AIDH is a project as a historical epidemiology. The AIDH aims to collect, maintain, and manage past epidemiological materials and to offer these materials to persons who are interested in the history and in the fields of tropical medicine and global health. In this paper, we introduce our purpose and activities and show a hypothesis about lymphatic filariasis with Brugia malayi in Japan as a case of historical epidemiology. We hope to build fruitful ties between historians and scholars of tropical medicine and global health workers through an interdisciplinary approach to the history of control of infectious diseases.
mSwap: a large-scale image-compositing method with optimal m-ary tree
Authors: Hou Min , Bi Chongke , Wang Fang , Deng Liang , Zheng Gang , Meng Xiangfei 
Published: January 2021

AbstractWith the increasing of computing ability, large-scale simulations have been generating massive amounts of data in aerodynamics. Sort-last parallel rendering is the most classical image compositing method for large-scale scientific visualization. However, in the stage of image compositing, the sort-last method may suffer from scalability problem on large-scale processors. Existing image compositing algorithms tend to perform well in certain situations. For instance, Direct Send is well on small and medium scale; Radix-k gets well performance only when the k-value is appropriate and so on. In this paper, we propose a novel method named mSwap for scientific visualization in aerodynamics, which uses the best scale of processors to make sure its performance at the best. mSwap groups the processors that we can use with a (m,k) table, which records the best combination of m (the number of processors in subgroup of each group) and k (the number of processors in each group). Then in each group, using a m-ary tree to composite the image for reducing the communication of processors. Finally, the image is composited between different groups to generate the final image. The performance and scalability of our mSwap method is demonstrated through experiments with thousands of processors.
PKA and AMPK Signaling Pathways Differentially Regulate Luteal Steroidogenesis
Authors: Przygrodzka Emilia , Hou Xiaoying , Zhang Pan , Plewes Michele R , Franco Rodrigo , Davis John S 
Published: January 2021

Abstract
Luteinizing hormone (LH) via protein kinase A (PKA) triggers ovulation and formation of the corpus luteum, which arises from the differentiation of follicular granulosa and theca cells into large and small luteal cells, respectively. The small and large luteal cells produce progesterone, a steroid hormone required for establishment and maintenance of pregnancy. We recently reported on the importance of hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL, also known as LIPE) and lipid droplets for appropriate secretory function of the corpus luteum. These lipid-rich intracellular organelles store cholesteryl esters, which can be hydrolyzed by HSL to provide cholesterol, the main substrate necessary for progesterone synthesis. In the present study, we analyzed dynamic posttranslational modifications of HSL mediated by PKA and AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) as well as their effects on steroidogenesis in luteal cells. Our results revealed that AMPK acutely inhibits the stimulatory effects of LH/PKA on progesterone production without reducing levels of STAR, CYP11A1, and HSD3B proteins. Exogenous cholesterol reversed the negative effects of AMPK on LH-stimulated steroidogenesis, suggesting that AMPK regulates cholesterol availability in luteal cells. AMPK evoked inhibitory phosphorylation of HSL (Ser565). In contrast, LH/PKA decreased phosphorylation of AMPK at Thr172, a residue required for its activation. Additionally, LH/PKA increased phosphorylation of HSL at Ser563, which is crucial for enzyme activation, and decreased inhibitory phosphorylation of HSL at Ser565. The findings indicate that LH and AMPK exert opposite posttranslational modifications of HSL, presumptively regulating cholesterol availability for steroidogenesis.
Pendulum-based measurements reveal impact dynamics at the scale of a trap-jaw ant
Authors: Jorge Justin F. , Bergbreiter Sarah , Patek S. N. 
Published: January 2021

ABSTRACT
Small organisms can produce powerful, sub-millisecond impacts by moving tiny structures at high accelerations. We developed and validated a pendulum device to measure the impact energetics of microgram-sized trap-jaw ant mandibles accelerated against targets at 105 m s−2. Trap-jaw ants (Odontomachus brunneus; 19 individuals, 212 strikes) were suspended on one pendulum and struck swappable targets that were either attached to an opposing pendulum or fixed in place. Mean post-impact kinetic energy (energy from a strike converted to pendulum motion) was higher with a stiff target (21.0–21.5 µJ) than with a compliant target (6.4–6.5 µJ). Target mobility had relatively little influence on energy transfer. Mean contact duration of strikes against stiff targets was shorter (3.9–4.5 ms) than against compliant targets (6.2–7.9 ms). Shorter contact duration was correlated with higher post-impact kinetic energy. These findings contextualize and provide an energetic explanation for the diverse, natural uses of trap-jaw ant strikes such as impaling prey, launching away threats and performing mandible-powered jumps. The strong effect of target material on energetic exchange suggests material interactions as an avenue for tuning performance of small, high acceleration impacts. Our device offers a foundation for novel research into the ecomechanics and evolution of tiny biological impacts and their application in synthetic systems.
Enhancement patterns of the normal facial nerve on three-dimensional T1W fast spin echo MRI
Authors: Warne Richard , Carney Olivia Mary , Wang George , Connor Steve 
Published: January 2021

Objectives:
With increasing neuroimaging applications of contemporary three-dimensional T1W fast spin echo (3D T1W FSE) sequences, it was aimed to reappraise the normal patterns of skull base facial nerve gadolinium enhancement.

Methods:
Pre- and post-gadolinium 3D T1W fast spin echo imaging studies (n = 64) were retrospectively analysed in patients without suspected facial nerve pathology. Two independent observers scored the signal at each of six skull base facial nerve segments. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare changes in signal between pre- and post-gadolinium sequences at each location, and how this differed between proprietary sequences or between the pairs of facial nerves.

Results:
There was significant enhancement at the fundal canalicular (16%), geniculate ganglion (96%), tympanic (45%) and mastoid (38%) facial nerve segments (p &lt; 0.05). Two different proprietary sequences demonstrated similar patterns of enhancement and there was symmetry between the two sides.

Conclusions:
There is a differing pattern of normal facial nerve enhancement on contemporary 3D T1W FSE sequences compared to previous studies of 2D T1W SE imaging and fundal canalicular enhancement may be physiological.

Advances in knowledge:
This is the first study to evaluate patterns of normal facial nerve enhancement using contemporary 3D T1W FSE MRI sequences.
Η σχέση της oικονομικής κρίσης με την υποκειμενική ψυχολογική ευεξία των φοιτητών στα ελληνικά ΑΕΙ
Authors: Λουμάκου Ευαγγελία-Άννα , Κανελλοπούλου Λίσσυ 
Published: January 2021

In this study, we examine the relationship between the perceived effects of the economic crisis on the subjective well-being of Greek University students. The sample consisted of 203 students in five institutions of higher education across the country (mean age: 21,7 years). Participants were administered two questionnaires. The first tool explored the perceived consequences of the economic crisis. Its construction was based on thematic analysis of a focus group discussion. The discussion explored the perceptions of a group of eight students on how and to what extent they were affected by the economic crisis. The second tool was the psychological well-being questionnaire of the World Health Organization (Bradley, 2013). Demographic data regarding sex, age, and SES were also collected. Findings suggested a negative association between the perceived effects of the economic crisis and the subjective well-being of students. Furthermore, participants seemed to realize the significant impact of the economic crisis in their lives. Specifically, they reported that they had to reduce daily expenses and to adjust their studies taking into account the economic crisis. They also declared pessimism regarding future employment. Findings are discussed in light of the literature on the effects of the economic crisis on young people.
Science, Nature and the Ethical Pursuit of Happiness: A Discussion
Authors: Baindur Meera 
Published: January 2021

Most philosophical engagements with science have been focused on the methods of science, epistemological concerns, nature of scientific methods or natural laws. New disciplines such as Science Studies and History of science have emerged from these inquiries and address any concerns on the relationship of science to society and knowledge. In this essay, the attempt is to clarify how scientific thought is not excluded from the moral domain. While a scientific fact itself cannot be subjected to moral or aesthetic judgement, since it is only, the aims and objects of scientific research can be a concern for philosophical ethics. Particularly the development of applied sciences that are focused on the exploitation of the natural world and unsustainable practices must become not only subject to moral supervision but also must be answerable to society and humanitarian interests. An analysis of the purpose of science and philosophy posits what should be the areas of science that should be subject to ethical judgements.
Санч як Центр Західньой Лемковины
Authors: Горбаль Богдан 
Published: January 2021

AbstractSącz as a Center of Western Lemko Region
At the turn of the 19th and the 20th centuries, Nowy Sącz became an important center for the Lemko Region. A group of East Galician activists teamed up with several local Lemko activists to set up Rusyn Boarding School (1898). Ideological differences led the former group to create a rival Ukrainian Boarding School (1902). Ukrainians also established the Lemko Bank (1903) and were behind the erection of a Greek Catholic church in the city (1911). Competing ethnonational agendas were also reflected in the activities of Prosvita (1902) and Kachkovsky (1903) societies. The overall presence of both groups in the city was noticeable. However, after World War I only the Greek Catholic parish continued its activity but when its church was destroyed, the Lemko organized presence in the city also disappeared.
Impacto del marketing digital a las empresas colombianas emergentes
Authors: Hernandez Palma Hugo Gaspar Hernandez , Pitre Redondo Remedios Catalina , Builes Zapata Suleica Elvira 
Published: January 2021

El marketing digital cobra cada vez mayor importancia en los entornos competitivos de los mercados globales; en este sentido, el comprador de hoy cuenta con características puntuales derivadas de su adopción de las nuevas tecnologías, que a su vez lo llevan a ejercer una toma de decisiones con un mayor análisis de información; de lo cual surge el interés por observar las condiciones de incorporación de las estrategias de marketing digital en las empresas colombianas y los aportes que pueden generar para su desarrollo. Por lo anterior, se llevó a cabo una revisión documental, bajo un enfoque cualitativo y descriptivo, que permitió detallar los principales aportes del marketing digital en el mundo, sus herramientas y estrategias, y las condiciones colombianas para su aplicación. Como conclusiones destacadas se evaluaron los principales componentes del marketing digital, las condiciones de accesibilidad de las TIC en la población nacional y sus tendencias de consumo a través del comercio electrónico; además de las dificultades y barreras culturales que deben ser superadas por las pymes para su adecuado aprovechamiento; para finalmente terminar con un análisis de los aportes relacionados con la competitividad, internacionalización de mercados, innovación, sostenibilidad económica y la interacción con los clientes.
Surviving the Australian Black Summer bushfires: a veterinary perspective
Authors: Pryor Liz , Woolacott Jane 
Published: January 2021

The Australian summer of 2019–2020 has become known as ‘the Black Summer’. The fires burned an estimated 186 000 km2; destroyed over 5900 buildings and killed at least 34 people. Nearly 80% of Australians were affected either directly or indirectly by the Black Summer bushfires. One of the lessons from this disaster is that everyone at risk has a responsibility to manage their own response to an emergency, there are simply not enough resources to be able to defend every house and every community. Prior preparation enables a community level response to an emergency that can improve outcomes in a disaster situation. This article provides an insight into the Black Summer fires from two different veterinary viewpoints, a practice partner whose hospitals came under direct fire threat, and a veterinarian volunteer firefighter who fought these fires on the frontline. The lessons learned from these unprecedented fires are applicable to all veterinarians. In a world where natural disasters are becoming the new norm, preparedness is the key to successfully managing these challenges.
Microbiological analysis of water and thickeners used for people with dysphagia
Authors: Boaden Elizabeth , Thomas Lois , Higham Susan , Watkins Caroline 
Published: January 2021

Background: Thickened fluids are a recognised intervention strategy in use for people with dysphagia. However, their bacterial profile has not previously been examined. Aims: To identify bacteria and changes in bacterial profiles in a range of water sources and thickener preparations over a 5-day period. Methods: Nine experiments were performed using a range of preparations of water (sterile, drinking, non-drinking tap water) and a thickening agent (sterile sachet and a used tin). Findings: No bacteria were grown on serial subcultures of sterile water, both with and without thickener. Drinking, tap and thickened water left at room temperature for 24 hours may become contaminated with environmental organisms. Conclusions: The growth of bacteria in preparations of thickening agent appears to be dependent upon water quality, while the proliferation of bacteria is dependent upon the length of time the preparation is allowed to stand at room temperature.
Simultaneous transmission of clock and data signals in photonic-assisted WDM passive optical networks
Authors: Karembera Reinhard , Nfanyana Ketshabile , Gibbon Tim 
Published: January 2021

This work reports on the use of a gain-switched vertical cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) optical frequency comb (OFC) to generate multiple optical carriers for applications in future wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) passive optical network (PON) systems. The VCSEL-based OFC system was tested for its ability to simultaneously transmit error-free data signals up to 30 Gbps, and a 50 MHz clock signal proposed to be used for latency monitoring of the network. The system was demonstrated over a fiber distance beyond 20 km. Four optical carrier signals were filtered from the generated OFC. Three of the four optical carriers were combined and amplitude-modulated with 5 and 10 Gbps on–off keying (OOK) data signals. The fourth optical carrier was amplitude-modulated with a 50 MHz clock signal. These four modulated optical carriers were multiplexed and transmitted over 21 km of standard single-mode fiber. When the three data-carrying optical carriers were modulated with 5 Gbps OOK data and multiplexed with the clock-carrying carrier, a negligible transmission penalty was achieved after fiber transmission. When these three data-carrying optical carriers were modulated with 10 Gbps OOK data and multiplexed with a clock-carrying carrier, a maximum transmission penalty of 4.8 dB was achieved after fiber transmission. The system was investigated at a minim bit error rate (BER) of

10

−
9

. A receiver sensitivity of less than

−

11

d
B
m

was achieved at both bit rates. The clock signal suffered little effect when transmitted with the three optical carriers at both 5 and 10 Gbps data rate. A power penalty of 15.37 dB, mainly due to fiber attenuation, was experienced in the clock after fiber transmission. Due to the unavailability of the numerical system to quantify the clock performance in terms of phase noise, the phase-noise results could not be provided. Nevertheless, the provided qualitative results were able to show that the transmitted clock integrity was able to be retained after being multiplexed with transmission on the 21 km fiber channel. For the first time, to the best of our knowledge, we have simultaneously reported on data and clock transmission results using a low-power, VCSEL-based OFC to realize a WDM-PON system. These results are attractive as they demonstrate and motivate the possibility of using gain-switched VCSELs as OFC sources in future WDM-PON networks requiring enhanced channel capacity and stringent network latency monitoring to realize intelligent, simple, and power-efficient PON networks.
Narrow linewidth near-UV InGaN laser diode based on external cavity fiber Bragg grating
Authors: Congar Antoine , Gay Mathilde , Perin Georges , Mammez Dominique , Simon Jean-Claude , Besnard Pascal , Rouvillain Julien , Georges Thierry , Lablonde Laurent , Robin Thierry , Trebaol Stéphane 
Published: January 2021

We realize a fiber Bragg grating InGaN-based laser diode emitting at 400 nm and demonstrate its high coherency. Thanks to the fabrication of a narrowband fiber Bragg grating in the near-UV, we can reach single-mode and single-frequency regimes for the self-injection locked diode. The device exhibits 44 dB side-mode suppression ratio and mW output power. Detailed frequency noise analysis reveals sub-MHz integrated linewidth and 16 kHz intrinsic linewidth. Such a narrow linewidth laser diode in the near-UV domain with a compact and low-cost design could find applications whenever coherency and interferometric resolutions are needed.
Are Ethiopian diabetic patients protected from financial hardship?
Authors: Tsega Gebeyehu , Getaneh Gebremariam , Taddesse Getasew 
Published: January 2021

BackgroundGlobally, diabetes mellitus exerts an economic burden on patients and their families. However, the economic burden of diabetes mellitus and its associated factors were not well studied in Ethiopia. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the economic burden of diabetes mellitus and its associated factors among diabetic patients in public hospitals of Bahir Dar city administration, Ethiopia.MethodsAcross sectional study was conducted on 422 diabetic patients. The patients were selected by simple random sampling method. The prevalence-based model was used to estimate the costs on patients’ perspective. Bottom up and human capital approaches were used to estimate the direct and indirect costs of the patients respectively. Wealth index was constructed using principal component analysis by SPSS. Forty percent of nonfood threshold level was used to measure catastrophic diabetic care expenditure of diabetic patients. Whereas, the World Bank poverty line (the $1.90-a-day poverty line) was used to measure impoverishment of patients due to expenses of diabetes mellitus care. Data were entered by Epi data version 3.1and exported to SPSS version 23 for analysis. Simple and multiple logistic regressions were used.ResultsFour hundred one respondents were interviewed with response rate of 95%. We found that 239 (59.6%) diabetic patients incurred catastrophic diabetic care expenditure at 40% nonfood threshold level. Whereas, 20 (5%) diabetic patients were impoverished by diabetic care spending at the $1.90-a-day poverty line. Educational status of respondent, educational status of the head of household, occupation and wealth status were statistically associated with the catastrophic diabetic care expenditure.ConclusionsThe study revealed that the economic burden of diabetic care is very disastrous among the less privileged populations: the less educated, the poorest and unemployed. Therefore, all concerned stakeholders should design ways that can reduce the financial hardship of diabetic care among diabetic patients.