bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flexural behaviour of reinforced self compacting concrete beams subjected to elevated temperature before and after retrofitting
Authors: B.P. Sachin , Suresh N. 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
The purpose of the paper is to study the effect of elevated temperature on load carrying capacity of reinforced self compacting concrete beams and the performance of deteriorated beams after retrofitting by GFRP sheets. The reinforced beams which were exposed to sustained elevated temperature and tested for flexural load-carrying capacity. Further deteriorated beams (exposed from 500°C to 800°C) were re-strengthened by adopting retrofitting with GFRP sheets.

Design/methodology/approach
The investigation includes the concrete specimens, i.e. cubes of 150 mm, cylinders of size 150 mm dia with 300 mm height and beams of 150 × 150 × 1,100 mm, reinforced with minimum tension reinforcement according to IS 456–2000. The specimens were subjected to elevated temperature from 300°C to 800°C with an interval of 100°C for 2 h. The residual compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, load at first crack of beams and load-carrying capacity of beams for 5-mm deflection were measured before and after retrofitting.

Findings
The result shows that there is a gain in residual compressive strength at 300°C and beyond which it decreases. The modulus of elasticity, load at first crack and load-carrying capacity of beams reduces continuously with an increase in temperature. The decrease in load-carrying capacity of beams is observed from 27.55% and up to 38.77% between the temperature range of 500°C–800°C and after the retrofitting of distressed beams, the load carrying capacity increases up to 24.48%.

Originality/value
Better performance was observed with retrofitting by GFRP sheets when the specimens were distressed due to elevated temperatures.
Fire resistance of 3D printed concrete composite wall panels exposed to various fire scenarios
Authors: Suntharalingam Thadshajini , Upasiri Irindu , Gatheeshgar Perampalam , Poologanathan Keerthan , Nagaratnam Brabha , Rajanayagam Heshachanaa , Navaratnam Satheeskumar 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
Fire safety of a building is becoming a prominent consideration due to the recent fire accidents and the consequences in terms of loss of life and property damage. ISO 834 standard fire test regulation and simulation cannot be applied to assess the fire performance of 3D printed concrete (3DPC) walls as the real fire time-temperature curves could be more severe, compared to standard fire curve, in terms of the maximum temperature and the time to reach that maximum temperature. Therefore, this paper aims to describe an investigation on the fire performance of 3DPC composite wall panels subjected to different fire scenarios.

Design/methodology/approach
The fire performance of 3DPC wall was traced through developing an appropriate heat transfer numerical model. The validity of the developed numerical model was confirmed by comparing the time-temperature profiles with available fire test results of 3DPC walls. A detailed parametric study of 140 numerical models were, subsequently, conducted covering different 3DPC wall configurations (i.e. solid, cavity and rockwool infilled cavity), five varying densities and consideration of four fire curves (i.e. standard, hydrocarbon fire, rapid and prolong).

Findings
3DPC walls and Rockwool infilled cavity walls showed superior fire performance. Furthermore, the study indicates that the thermal responses of 3DPC walls exposed to rapid-fire is crucial compared to other fire scenarios.

Research limitations/implications
To investigate the thermal behaviour, ABAQUS allows performing uncoupled and coupled thermal analysis. Coupled analysis is typically used to investigate combined mechanical-thermal behaviour. Since, considered 3DPC wall configurations are non-load bearing, uncouple heat transfer analysis was performed. Time-temperature variations can be obtained to study the thermal response of 3DPC walls.

Originality/value
At present, there is limited study to analyse the behaviour of 3DPC composite wall panels in real fire scenarios. Hence, this paper presents an investigation on the fire performance of 3DPC composite wall panels subjected to different fire scenarios. This research is the first attempt to extensively study the fire performance of non-load bearing 3DPC walls.
Empirical path loss models at 433 MHz in Himalayan snow for health monitoring
Authors: Garg Rajesh Kumar , Soni Surender Kumar 
Published: July 2021

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of snow on the radio link performance of wireless sensor nodes in Indian Himalayan conditions and to propose empirical path loss models for radio wave propagation.

Design/methodology/approach
At the remote test site, one source and three listening wireless sensor nodes were deployed at frequency of 433 MHz. The path loss models are derived from experimental data collected during the period of snowfall and clear weather conditions. Linear, exponential, second and third-order polynomials path loss models have been investigated along with experimental data.

Findings
With the help of curve fitting and goodness-of-fit tests, it is found that path loss can be modelled through third-order polynomial equation during the snowfall period. However, if sensor is buried, the acceptable path loss model is exponential. Similarly, for unified modelling requirement, exponential path loss model over linear can be a preferred choice.

Originality/value
Results show that path loss can be estimated priori for deciding optimum transmission energy in wireless sensor network. Presented work is usable in extending the lifetime of health monitoring devices buried in snowy environment.
Facial hair shaving behavior and skin problems of shaved areas of males
Authors: Sukakul Thanisorn , Bunyaratavej Sumanas , Chaweekulrat Pichanee , Trakanwittayarak Suphattra , Varothai Supenya 
Published: July 2021

AbstractUnwanted facial hair is a common problem and requires different grooming regimens or treatments. Shaving beard hair can cause undesirable skin effects, such as irritation, razor burn, razor nick, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. This study explores male behaviors related to shaving facial hair and the consequential effects on the shaved skin. A questionnaire‐based, cross‐sectional, analytical study was conducted on 340 healthy men. Most of the participants were manual shavers. Approximately one‐third of the manual shavers prepared their skin for shaving, compared to 13% of the electric shavers. The most common shaving‐related skin problems were irritation and dryness, razor burn, razor nicks, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The shaving‐related skin problems resulted from individual skin conditions and their shaving techniques. Appropriate skin preparation should be undertaken before shaving, and post‐shaving care products should be used to avoid problems.
Preliminary effects of a pilot listening comprehension intervention on the narrative abilities of children with ASD
Authors: Henry Alyssa R. , Solari Emily J. , McIntyre Nancy S. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractPurposeMany children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience difficulties in narrative production and comprehension. The present study is a pilot test examining the effects of a storybook‐based listening comprehension intervention on the narrative abilities of students with ASD.Method16 children with ASD, aged 7‐12, participated in 8 weeks of intervention (3 45‐minute sessions per week). The intervention provided explicit instruction in specific listening comprehension skills, vocabulary, and writing. Descriptive measures and child‐generated narratives were collected prior to and immediately following the intervention. Children’s narratives were analyzed for evaluation characteristics.ResultsResults from a Wilcoxon signed rank test indicated that participants made significant gains in overall narrative evaluation and the use of internal state language following the intervention.ConclusionsThese preliminary results suggest that this intervention shows initial efficacy in ameliorating the narrative difficulties of students with ASD. This pilot study highlights the social and oral language underpinnings of narrative ability and provides further evidence for intervention practices to support narrative development in children with ASD.
Do high‐deductible health plans affect price paid for childbirth?
Authors: Cliff Betsy Q. 
Published: July 2021

AbstractObjectiveTo test whether out‐of‐pocket costs and negotiated hospital prices for childbirth change after enrollment in high‐deductible health plans (HDHPs) and whether price effects differ in markets with more hospitals.Data SourcesAdministrative medical claims data from 2010 to 2014 from three large commercial insurers with plans in all U.S. states provided by the Health Care Cost Institute (HCCI).Study DesignI identify employer groups that switched from non‐HDHPs in 1 year to HDHPs in a subsequent year. I estimate enrollees' change in out‐of‐pocket costs and negotiated hospital prices for childbirth after HDHP switch, relative to a comparison group of employers that do not switch plans. I use a triple‐difference design to estimate price changes for enrollees in markets with more hospital choices. Finally, I re‐estimate models with hospital‐fixed effects.Data CollectionFrom the HCCI sample, childbearing women enrolled in an employer‐sponsored plan with at least 10 people.Principal FindingsSwitching to an HDHP increases out‐of‐pocket cost $227 (p < 0.001; comparison group base $790) and has no meaningful effect on hospital‐negotiated prices (−$26, p = 0.756; comparison group base $5821). HDHP switch is associated with a marginally statistically significant price increase in markets with three or fewer hospitals ($343, p = 0.096; comparison group base $5806) and, relative to those markets, with a price decrease in markets with more than three hospitals (−$512; p = 0.028). Predicted prices decrease from $5702 to $5551 after HDHP switch in markets with more than three hospitals due primarily to lower prices conditional on using the same hospital.ConclusionsPrices for childbirth in markets with more hospitals decrease after HDHP switch due to lower hospital prices for HDHPs relative to prices at those same hospitals for non‐HDHPs. These results reinforce previous findings that HDHPs do not promote price shopping but suggest negotiated prices may be lower for HDHP enrollees.
Clinical evidence that the pandemic from 1889 to 1891 commonly called the Russian flu might have been an earlier coronavirus pandemic
Authors: Brüssow Harald , Brüssow Lutz 
Published: July 2021

SummaryContemporary medical reports from Britain and Germany on patients suffering from a pandemic infection between 1889 and 1891, which was historically referred to as the Russian flu, share a number of characteristics with COVID‐19. Most notable are aspects of multisystem affections comprising respiratory, gastrointestinal and neurological symptoms including loss of taste and smell perception; a protracted recovery resembling long covid and pathology observations of thrombosis in multiple organs, inflammation and rheumatic affections. As in COVID‐19 and unlike in influenza, mortality was seen in elderly subjects while children were only weakly affected. Contemporary reports noted trans‐species infection between pet animals or horses and humans, which would concur with a cross‐infection by a broad host range bovine coronavirus dated by molecular clock arguments to an about 1890 cross‐species infection event.
miR‐21‐5p/SMAD7 axis promotes the progress of lung cancer
Authors: Tang Jinming , Li Xu , Cheng Tianli , Wu Jie 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundLung cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors threatening human health. The aim of this study was to investigate the function of miR‐21‐5p in lung cancer progression.MethodsWe analyzed the expression levels of miR‐21‐5p in lung cancer tissues and cell lines. The qRT‐PCR and MTT assays were performed after transfection with miR‐21‐5p mimic, inhibitor and negative control into lung cancer cells.ResultsLuciferase reporter assays showed miR‐21‐5p directly target SMAD7. The miR‐21‐5p inhibitor significantly suppressed lung cancer cell proliferation, invasion and migration. We found that SMAD7 was upregulated in lung cancer tissue. In addition, we found that SMAD7 inhibited lung cancer cell proliferation and miR‐21‐5p mimic damaged the inhibitory effect of SMAD7.ConclusionsmiRNA‐21‐5p may promote cell proliferation, migration and invasion by spoiling SMAD7 expression in lung cancer cells.
Serious diagnoses at revisits in children discharged from the emergency department with back pain
Authors: Zhou Amy Z. , Marin Jennifer R. , Hickey Robert W. , Lam Sandi K. , Ramgopal Sriram 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundBack pain is often benign but can be a harbinger for serious pathology. Little is known about the outcome in children with back pain but no serious diagnoses detected at the initial visit. We sought to estimate the rate of serious diagnoses at revisits among children initially discharged from the emergency department (ED) with back pain.MethodsWe performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients from 45 pediatric hospitals in the Pediatric Health Information System database from October 1, 2015, to March 31, 2019. We included patients discharged from the ED with a principal diagnosis of back pain and excluded patients with trauma and concurrent or previously known serious diagnoses. We identified the rates and types of serious diagnoses made within 30 days of the index visit. We examined the rates of diagnostic tests at the index visit in patients with and without serious diagnoses.ResultsOf the 25,130 patients with back pain, 88 (0.4%, 95% confidence interval = 0.3% to 0.4%) had serious pathology diagnosed within 30 days. The most common diagnoses were anatomic (40%) and nonneurologic (39%) categories such as vertebral fracture and nephrolithiasis; infectious (19%) and neoplastic etiologies (3%) were less common. Diagnoses requiring acute interventions such as cauda equina syndrome (n = 2) and intraspinal abscess (n = 3) were rare. Patients with serious diagnoses at revisits underwent more blood tests and back ultrasound at the index visit compared to patients without serious diagnoses.ConclusionsIn pediatric patients discharged from the ED with a diagnosis of back pain and no serious or trauma diagnoses, there is a low rate of serious pathology on revisits. Of the serious diagnoses identified, high‐acuity diseases were rare. For the subset of patients with clinical suspicion for serious pathology but none identified at the index visit, this represents an opportunity for further research to optimize their management.
Differentiating central from peripheral causes of acute vertigo in an emergency setting with the HINTS, STANDING, and ABCD2 tests: A diagnostic cohort study
Authors: Gerlier Camille , Hoarau Maëlle , Fels Audrey , Vitaux Hélène , Mousset Carole , Farhat Wassim , Firmin Marine , Pouyet Victorine , Paoli Audrey , Chatellier Gilles , Ganansia Olivier 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundDiagnosing stroke in dizzy patients remains a challenge in emergency medicine. The accuracy of the neuroophthalmologic examination HINTS performed by emergency physicians (EPs) is unknown. Our objective was to determine the accuracy of the HINTS examination performed by trained EPs for diagnosing central cause of acute vertigo and unsteadiness and to compare it with another bedside clinical tool, STANDING, and with the history‐based score ABCD2.MethodsThis was a prospective diagnostic cohort study among patients with isolated vertigo and unsteadiness seen in a single emergency department (ED). Trained EPs performed HINTS and STANDING tests blinded to attending physicians. ABCD2 ≥ 4 was used as the threshold and was calculated retrospectively. The criterion standard was diffusion‐weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Peripheral diagnoses were established by a normal MRI, and etiologies were further refined by an otologic examination.ResultsWe included 300 patients of whom 62 had a central lesion on neuroimaging including 49 strokes (79%). Of the 238 peripheral diagnoses, 159 were vestibulopathies, mainly benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (40%). HINTS and STANDING tests reached high sensitivities at 97% and 94% and NPVs at 99% and 98%, respectively. The ABCD2 score failed to predict half of central vertigo cases and had a sensitivity of 55% and a NPV of 87%. The STANDING test was more specific and had a better positive predictive value (PPV; 75% and 49%, respectively; positive likelihood ratio [LR+] = 3.71, negative likelihood ratio [LR–] = 0.09) than the HINTS test (67% and 44%, respectively; LR+ = 2.96, LR– = 0.04). The ABCD2 score was specific (82%, LR+ = 3.04, LR– = 0.56) but had a very low PPV (44%).ConclusionsIn the hands of EPs, HINTS and STANDING tests outperformed ABCD2 in identifying central causes of vertigo. For diagnosing peripheral disorders, the STANDING algorithm is more specific than the HINTS test. HINTS and STANDING could be useful tools saving both time and costs related to unnecessary neuroimaging use.
From unfair prices to unfair trading practices: Political economy, value chains and 21st century agri‐food policy
Authors: Swinnen Johan , Olper Alessandro , Vandevelde Senne 
Published: July 2021

AbstractThis article analyzes how value chains play a role in the political economy of agricultural and food policy by (1) discussing historical insights; (2) reviewing an emerging literature on political economy of trade policy and value chains and drawing implications for agricultural and food policy; (3) discussing market power issues with increasing concentration in agri‐food value chains and its implications for government regulations; and (4) presenting a political economy case study of recent regulations that have explicitly targeted value chain structures in the agri‐food sector: the EU regulations on “unfair trading practices (UTPs)”. The case study is of wider relevance since it addresses a key concern in global value chains.
Improved quality and fertilizability of cryopreserved buffalo spermatozoa with the supplementation of methionine sulfoxide reductase A
Authors: Indhu Mahalingam Selvaraj , Ramamoorthy Muthu , Pandey Sriti , Mathesh Karikalan , Mahawar Manish , Sarkar Mihir , Ghosh Subrata Kumar , Taru Sharma Guttulu , Bhure Sanjeev Kumar 
Published: July 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe excessive reactive oxygen species produced during semen‐freezing and ‐thawing damage the macromolecules resulting in impairment of cellular functions. Proteins are the primary targets of oxidative damage, wherein methionine residues are more prone to oxidation and get converted into methionine sulfoxide, thus affecting the protein function. The methionine sulfoxide reductase A (MsrA) catalyzes the conversion of methionine sulfoxide to methionine and restores the functionality of defective proteins.ObjectivesTo establish the expression of MsrA in male reproductive organs, including semen and its effect on quality of cryopreserved semen upon exogenous supplementation, taking buffalo semen as a model.Materials and methodsThe expression of MsrA was established by immunohistochemistry, PCR, and Western blots. Further, the effect of recombinant MsrA (rMsrA) supplementation on the quality of cryopreserved spermatozoa was assessed in three treatment groups containing 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 µg of rMsrA/50 million spermatozoa in egg yolk glycerol extender along with a control group; wherein the post‐thaw progressive motility, viability, membrane integrity, and zona binding ability of cryopreserved spermatozoa were studied.ResultsThe MsrA was expressed in buffalo testis, epididymis, accessory sex glands, and spermatozoa except in seminal plasma. In group 2, the supplementation has resulted in a significant (p < 0.05) improvement as compared to the control group in mean progressive motility (47.50 ± 2.50 vs. 36.25 ± 2.63), viability (56.47 ± 1.85 vs. 48.05 ± 2.42), HOST (50.76 ± 1.73 vs. 44.29 ± 1.29), and zona binding ability of spermatozoa (149.50 ± 8.39 vs. 29.50 ± 2.85).Discussion and conclusionIn the absence of native MsrA of seminal plasma, the supplementations of rMsrA may repair the oxidatively damaged seminal plasma proteins and exposed sperm plasma membrane proteins resulting in better quality with a fivefold increase in fertilizability of frozen‐thawed spermatozoa. The findings can be extended to other species to improve the semen quality with the variation in the amounts of rMsrA supplementation.
Changes in obstetric interventions and preterm birth during COVID‐19: A nationwide study from Iceland
Authors: Einarsdóttir Kristjana , Swift Emma Marie , Zoega Helga 
Published: July 2021

AbstractIntroductionPrevious evidence has been conflicting regarding the effect of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic lockdowns on obstetric intervention and preterm birth rates. The literature to date suggests potentially differential underlying mechanisms based on country economic setting. We aimed to study these outcomes in an Icelandic population where uniform lockdown measures were implemented across the country.Material and methodsThe study included all singleton births (n = 20 680) during 2016–2020 identified from the population‐based Icelandic Medical Birth Register. We defined two lockdown periods during March–May and October–December in 2020 according to government implemented nationwide lockdown. We compared monthly rates of cesarean section, induction of labor and preterm birth during lockdown with the same time periods in the 4 previous years (2016–2019) using logit binomial regression adjusted for confounders.ResultsOur results indicated a reduction in the overall cesarean section rate, which was mainly evident for elective cesarean section, both during the first (adjusted odd ratio [aOR] 0.71, 95% CI 0.51–0.99) and second (aOR 0.72, 95% CI 0.52–0.99) lockdown periods, and not for emergency cesarean section. No change during lockdown was observed in induction of labor. Our results also suggested a reduction in the overall preterm birth rate during the first lockdown (aOR 0.69, 95% CI 0.49–0.97) and in the months immediately following the lockdown (June–September) (aOR 0.67, 95% CI 0.49–0.89). The reduction during the first lockdown was mainly evident for medically indicated preterm birth (although not statistically significant) and the reduction during June–September was mainly evident for spontaneous preterm birth.ConclusionsThis study suggested a reduction in elective cesarean section during COVID‐19 lockdown, possibly reflecting changes in prioritization of non‐urgent health care during lockdown. We also found a reduction in overall preterm birth during the first lockdown and spontaneous preterm birth following the first lockdown, but further research is needed to shed light on the underlying mechanisms for these findings.