bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of lactate clearance on outcomes according to infection sites in patients with sepsis: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Sugimoto Momoko , Takayama Wataru , Murata Kiyoshi , Otomo Yasuhiro 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWhether lactate clearance (LC) influences outcomes differently depending on the infection site in sepsis cases is not fully elucidated. Herein, we analyzed LC’s clinical utility as a predictor of patient outcomes according to infection site. This retrospective study, conducted at two tertiary emergency critical care medical centers in Japan, included patients with sepsis or septic shock. The associations between infection site (lungs vs. other organs) and in-hospital mortality and ventilator-free days (VFDs) were evaluated using univariable and multivariate analyses. We assessed LC’s ability to predict in-hospital mortality using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. Among 369 patients with sepsis, infection sites were as follows: lungs, 186 (50.4%); urinary tract, 45 (12.2%); abdomen, 102 (27.6%); and other, 36 (9.8%). Patients were divided into a pneumonia group or non-pneumonia group depending on their infection site. The pneumonia group displayed a higher in-hospital mortality than the non-pneumonia group (24.2% vs. 15.8%, p = 0.051). In the multivariate analysis, lower LC was associated with higher in-hospital mortality [adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 0.97; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.96–0.98; p < 0.001] and fewer VFD [adjusted difference p value (AD), − 1.23; 95% CI − 2.42 to − 0.09; p = 0.025] in the non-pneumonia group. Conversely, LC did not affect in-hospital mortality (AOR 0.99; 95% CI 0.99–1.00; p = 0.134) and VFD (AD − 0.08; 95% CI − 2.06 to 1.91; p = 0.854) in the pneumonia group. Given the differences in the impact of LC on outcomes between the pneumonia and non-pneumonia groups, this study suggests that optimal treatment strategies might improve outcomes. Further studies are warranted to validate our results and develop optimal therapeutic strategies for sepsis patients.
Smart surgical sutures using soft artificial muscles
Authors: Phan Phuoc Thien , Hoang Trung Thien , Thai Mai Thanh , Low Harrison , Davies James , Lovell Nigel H. , Do Thanh Nho 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWound closure with surgical sutures is a critical challenge for flexible endoscopic surgeries. Substantial efforts have been introduced to develop functional and smart surgical sutures to either monitor wound conditions or ease the complexity of knot tying. Although research interests in smart sutures by soft robotic technologies have emerged for years, it is challenging to develop a soft robotic structure that possesses a similar physical structure as conventional sutures while offering a self-tightening knot or anchor to close the wound. This paper introduces a new concept of smart sutures that can be programmed to achieve desired and uniform tension distribution while offering self-tightening knots or automatically deploying secured anchors. The core technology is a soft hydraulic artificial muscle that can be elongated and contracted under applied fluid pressure. Each suture is equipped with a pressure locking mechanism to hold its temporary elongated state and to induce self-shrinking ability. The puncturing and holding force for the smart sutures with anchors are examined. Ex-vivo experiments on fresh porcine stomach and colon demonstrate the usefulness of the new smart sutures. The new approaches are expected to pave the way for the further development of smart sutures that will benefit research, training, and commercialization in the surgical field.
Colorful and facile in situ nanosilver coating on sisal/cotton interwoven fabrics mediated from European larch heartwood
Authors: Hasan K. M. Faridul , Horváth Péter György , Kóczán Zsófia , Bak Miklós , Alpár Tibor 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThis study reports on a novel coloration approach for sisal/cotton interwoven fabric via in situ synthesis of European larch (Larix decidua) heartwood-anchored sustainable nanosilver. The heartwood extracts functioned as the reducing and stabilizing agent in reaction systems. The deposited silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) over the fabric surfaces displayed brilliant coloration effects with improved fastness ratings and color strengths (K/S). The successful depositions of nanosilvers were quantified and increasing trends in K/S values with the increase in silver precursor loading were discovered. The concentrations of AgNPs deposited on fabric surfaces were found to be 16 mg/L, 323 mg/L, and 697 mg/L, which were measured through an iCP OES (atomic absorption spectroscopy) test. The K/S values obtained for different loadings of silver precursors (0.5, 1.5, and 2.5 mM (w/v)) are 2.74, 6.76, and 8.96. Morphological studies of the control and AgNP-treated fabrics also displayed a uniform and homogeneous distribution of AgNPs over the fabric surfaces. FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy) studies of the sustainably developed materials further confirms the successful bonding between the fabrics and AgNPs. Furthermore, stability against temperature was also noticed as per TGA (thermogravimetric analysis) and DTG (derivative TG) analysis although there was a slight decline from the control sisal/cotton interwoven fabrics observed. Statistically, regression analysis and ANOVA tests were conducted to understand the significance of increased nanosilver loading on sisal/cotton interwoven fabrics. In summary, the perceived results demonstrated successful coloration and functionalization of sisal/cotton interwoven fabrics through green AgNPs, which could indicate a new milestone for industrial production units.
Speech-Language Pathologists' Ratings of Speech Accuracy in Children With Speech Sound Disorders
Authors: Jing Linye , Grigos Maria I. 
Published: November 2021

Purpose:Forming accurate and consistent speech judgments can be challenging when working with children with speech sound disorders who produce a large number and varied types of error patterns. Rating scales offer a systematic approach to assessing the whole word rather than individual sounds. Thus, these scales can be an efficient way for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to monitor treatment progress. This study evaluated the interrater reliability of an existing 3-point rating scale using a large group of SLPs as raters.Method:Utilizing an online platform, 30 SLPs completed a brief training and then rated single words produced by children with typical speech patterns and children with speech sound disorders. Words were closely balanced across the three rating categories of the scale. The interrater reliability of the SLPs ratings to a consensus judgment was examined.Results:The majority of SLPs (87%) reached substantial interrater reliability to a consensus judgment using the 3-point rating scale. Correct productions had the highest interrater reliability. Productions with extensive errors had higher agreement than those with minor errors. Certain error types, such as vowel distortions, were especially challenging for SLPs to judge.Conclusions:This study demonstrated substantial interrater reliability to a consensus judgment among a large majority of 30 SLPs using a 3-point rating. The clinical implications of the findings are discussed along with proposed modifications to the training procedure to guide future research.
Thermally degraded speed estimation of traction machine drive in electric vehicle
Authors: Ali S. M. Nawazish , Hossain M. J. , Wang Dong , Mahmud M. A. Parvez , Sharma Vivek , Kashif Muhammad , Kouzani Abbas Z. 
Published: November 2021

AbstractThe speed of an induction machine drive (IMD) in the electrified powertrain of an electric vehicle (EV) suffers from thermal degradation caused by EV loading, driving cycle schedules, EV operating conditions, traffic state and temperature. It is necessary to estimate this thermal degradation in order to design appropriate control methodologies to address this significant issue that directly affects the EV performance. This study proposes a robust linear parameter varying (LPV) observer to estimate this degradation in IMD as well as EV speed under various thermal and loading conditions in steady state and during large transients. The stability and robustness of LPV methodology is ensured by optimal gains of control and linear matrix inequalities using convex optimisation techniques. The weighting functions in LPV design are optimised by genetic algorithms. The proposed observer performance is compared with that of conventional sensorless field‐oriented control and sliding mode observer. An improved speed performance during EV operation is also presented to validate the robustness of the proposed LPV observer against New European Driving Cycle. The performance analysis is conducted through NI myRIO 1900 controller‐based electrical drive set‐up.
Transmission adaptability planning considering cluster correlation of wind farms
Authors: Tian Shuxin , Shen Jinhua , Zhang Libo , Yang Xijun , Fu Yang , Mi Yang 
Published: November 2021

AbstractWind farm cluster penetration and its long‐distance delivery have become the important form of wind power accommodation of power network in China. For the adaptability of power network planning to the output volatility of clustering wind farms, three steps are studied as follows. Initially, the output uncertainty model of clustering wind farms based on Auto Regression Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA)‐Generalized Autoregression Conditional Heteroscedasticity (GARCH)‐Pair Copula is put forward to analyze the intermittency, fluctuation and clustering wind power correlation. Secondly, Full Cost (FC) theory is introduced to account social expense brought by grid‐connected clustering wind farms from four aspects of static cost, dynamic cost, environmental cost and inter‐generational cost. Meanwhile, available wind power transmission capacity is defined to reflect wind power accommodation based on transmission margin. Finally, the adaptive efficiency index is proposed by the ratio of available wind power transmission capacity to FC. The transmission adaptability planning model considering cluster correlation of wind farms is built with the objective function of the adaptive efficiency index. Taking the actual regional power grid as an example, the results show that the planning scheme considering the optimal adaptive efficiency index of clustering wind farms can be better adapted to the future power network environment.
Doppler‐aided Global Navigation Satellite System position estimation with B‐spline smoothing strategy
Authors: Sun Jieyi , Wang Yongqing , Shen Yuyao 
Published: November 2021

AbstractSmoothing process can effectively improve the accuracy of the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) position estimation algorithm. In this study, a Doppler‐aided GNSS position estimation algorithm with a B‐spline smoothing strategy is proposed. B‐spline signal processing is used to smoothen the code measurements with Doppler measurements, which were selected because they are more robust and immune to cycle slips than carrier phase measurements. Next, the mathematical expressions of the smoothing process and position estimation are derived. The smoothing process is based on the structure of a digital filter, which is especially suitable for real‐time applications. The Cramer–Rao lower bound of the proposed algorithm is derived. Moreover, a complete implementation structure of the proposed algorithm is presented. The validity of the proposed algorithm is verified through scenario simulation in terms of static, kinematic, and adverse environments. The advantages of the proposed algorithm are demonstrated by comparison with existing algorithms.
Versorgung von Menschen am Lebensende in Altenpflegeeinrichtungen in Niedersachsen – Eine quantitative Befragung von Angehörigen
Authors: Walther Wenke , Stiel Stephanie , Schneider Nils , Müller-Mundt Gabriele 
Published: November 2021

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Die Begleitung von Menschen am Lebensende ist ein zentraler Aspekt stationärer Altenpflege. Ziel der Studie war die Evaluation der Hospizkultur in Altenpflegeeinrichtungen aus Angehörigensicht.
Methodik Angehörige verstorbener Bewohner*innen (n = 452) aus 18 Einrichtungen in Niedersachsen wurden zur Befragungsteilnahme eingeladen. Der Fragebogen erfasst zentrale Aspekte von Hospizkultur. Die Auswertung erfolgte statistisch deskriptiv.
Ergebnisse 149 Angehörige (33 %) haben teilgenommen. Davon erlebten 96 % den Tod der Bewohner*innen als Sterben „in Ruhe und Würde“. Von ihnen waren 88 % mit der pflegerischen und 62 % mit der hausärztlichen Versorgung zufrieden. 23 % erhielten Informationen zu Hilfsangeboten bei der Trauerverarbeitung. 13 % der Bewohner*innen verstarben im Krankenhaus.
Schlussfolgerung In den Altenpflegeeinrichtungen werden zentrale Aspekte von Hospizkultur umgesetzt. Ausbaufähig erscheinen insbesondere Informationsangebote zur Trauerverarbeitung.
Acute Parkinsonism in a Patient with Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report
Authors: Perrotta Francesco , Perrini Marco Paolo , Cantatore Lea Pia 
Published: November 2021

AbstractParkinson's disease (PD) is the most common cause of parkinsonism, a clinical syndrome that includes bradykinesia, tremor, and postural instability. Secondary causes of parkinsonism include chronic traumatic encephalopathy. However, clear physiopathologic association between spinal cord injury (SCI) and PD has not been well described yet. We describe a rare/unusual case of a patient with C7–D1 fracture/listhesis who, 12 days after the trauma, developed a progressive cognitive impairment together with mandibular tremor. Seven days after the onset of symptoms, because of the persistence of mandibular tremor and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 4, therapy with L-DOPA/benserazide was started, which resulted in gradual reduction of symptoms and complete recovery of consciousness. This could be the first report of PD appearing only 12 days after an SCI in the acute stage. Early differential diagnosis on the first manifestations of this kind of symptoms should be considered in patients with SCI to set up the right therapy essential for improving the outcome and preventing devastating consequences. This might also provide insights into the potential pathophysiologic responses of the brain after primary (immediate) and secondary (delayed) damages.
High pressure, high flow rate batch mixing apparatus for high throughput experiments
Authors: Dalmiya Anandvinod , Mehta Jai M. , Tranter Robert S. , Lynch Patrick T. 
Published: November 2021

An automated, high pressure, high flow rate batch mixing apparatus has been designed and constructed for rapid, stable, and repeatable mixing of multiple gases and vapors. The apparatus operates as an intermittent batch mixer with cycles of topping off fresh mixture to maintain pressure in an accumulator tank until consumed in an experimental apparatus. At high duty cycles, the apparatus can also function at steady state. This style of mixing is suitable for experiments such as high repetition rate shock tubes and other devices with intermittent flow demands. It is compact and portable, facilitating use in locations such as synchrotron light sources. The entire apparatus is heated to permit the mixing of vapors from species with low volatilities. The apparatus is fully automated and runs for extended periods with the only intervention being to refresh reagent supplies. The accuracy and repeatability of the apparatus were verified by periodic gas sampling and analysis with gas chromatography. Multi-component mixtures spanning a wide range of complexity, dilution, and volatility of constituents have been prepared. The compositions of the majority of the mixture were found to be stable over several filling cycles, repeatable, and with the proper calibration of set-point conditions, accurate. Challenges were encountered preparing a mixture from multi-component liquids, and potential solutions are discussed.
Adaptive divergence in shoot gravitropism creates hybrid sterility in an Australian wildflower
Authors: Wilkinson Melanie J. , Roda Federico , Walter Greg M. , James Maddie E. , Nipper Rick , Walsh Jessica , Allen Scott L. , North Henry L. , Beveridge Christine A. , Ortiz-Barrientos Daniel 
Published: November 2021

SignificanceNew species originate as populations become reproductively isolated from one another. Despite recent progress in uncovering the genetic basis of reproductive isolation, it remains unclear whether intrinsic reproductive barriers, such as hybrid sterility, can evolve as a by-product of local adaptation to contrasting environments. Here, we show that differences in a plant’s response to the pull of gravity have repeatedly evolved amongst coastal populations of an Australian wildflower, thus implicating a role of natural selection in their evolution. We found a strong genetic association between variation in this adaptive trait and hybrid sterility, suggesting that intrinsic reproductive barriers contribute to the origin of new species as populations adapt to heterogeneous environments.
Testing models of diffusion of morphosyntactic innovations in Twitter data
Authors: Gopal Deepthi , Blaxter Tamsin , Willis David , Leemann Adrian 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Established models of the spatial diffusion of linguistic innovations vary in their relationship to population density. Differences in prediction between the gravity models (Trudgill 1974), in which probability of diffusion is sensitive to settlement size, and the traditional wave models can be challenging to test due to the difficulty of large-scale and finely-grained geographical sampling. This paper tests the suitability of data derived from Twitter in establishing diffusion patterns. Using two case studies from British English – variation in the realisation of ditransitives, and preposition drop with go – we propose that the correlation between (local) population density and linguistic similarity to geographical neighbours can be used as a measure of hierarchical patterning for an individual innovation.
Apple dimple fruit viroid. [Distribution map].
Authors: CABI  , EPPO  
Published: November 2021

Abstract

A new distribution map is provided for Apple dimple fruit viroid (Pospiviroidae: Apscaviroid). Host: apple (
Malus domestica
). Information is given on the geographical distribution in Asia (China, Shandong, Xinjiang, Iran, Japan, Honshu, Lebanon) and Europe (Italy and Kosovo).
Magnaporthe oryzae
. [Distribution map].
Authors: CABI  , EPPO  
Published: November 2021

Abstract

A new distribution map is provided for
Magnaporthe oryzae
Triticum pathotype (Sordariomycetes: Magnaporthaceae). Hosts: wheat (
Triticum aestivum
), barley (
Hordeum vulgare
) and durum wheat (
Triticum turgidum
subsp.
durum
). Information is given on the geographical distribution in Africa (Zambia), Asia (Bangladesh) and South America (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Distrito Federal, Goias, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, Parana, Rio Grande do Sul, Sao Paulo, Paraguay).
Aphanomyces cochlioides
. [Distribution map].
Authors: CABI  , EPPO  
Published: November 2021

Abstract

A new distribution map is provided for
Aphanomyces cochlioides
Drechsler. Peronosporea: Saprolegniales: Leptolegniaceae. Hosts: spinach (
Spinacia oleracea
), sugar beet (Beta vulgaris), and other members of the Chenopodiaceae and Amaranthaceae. Information is given on the geographical distribution in Africa (Egypt), Asia (Japan, Hokkaido, Turkey), Europe (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Moldova, Netherlands, Poland, Russia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, UK), North America (Canada, Alberta, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, USA, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Texas, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming), Oceania (Australia, Queensland), and South America (Chile).
Midisuperspace foam and the cosmological constant
Authors: Carlip S 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
Wheeler’s conjectured ‘spacetime foam’—large quantum fluctuations of spacetime at the Planck scale—could have important implications for quantum gravity, perhaps even explaining why the cosmological constant seems so small. Here I explore this problem in a midisuperspace model consisting of metrics with local spherical symmetry. Classically, an infinite class of ‘foamy’ initial data can be constructed, in which cancellations between expanding and contracting regions lead to a small average expansion even if Λ is large. Quantum mechanically, the model admits corresponding stationary states, for which the probability current is also nearly zero. These states appear to describe a self-reproducing spacetime foam with very small average expansion, effectively hiding the cosmological constant.
The effects of substrate morphology by regulating pseudopods formation on cell directional alignment and migration
Authors: Zou Jing , Jin Kun , Chen Tongsheng , Li Xinlei 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
When cells are cultured on the micro- or nano- structure substrate, filamentous pseudopods are formed at specific locations due to the effects of substrate morphology and local membrane curvature, which provides a powerful method to guide cell migration and neurite orientation. However, it is unclear the effects of substrate surface morphology and initial cell membrane on pseudopod formation and growth. Here, we present a quantitative thermodynamic model to investigate the difficulty of pseudopod formation. Based on the established model, we studied the effects of substrate morphology and the curvature of the initial cell membrane on filamentous pseudopods formation by analyzing the magnitude of an average driving force. We find that the pseudopod-substrate adhesion and the larger curvature radius of the initial cell membrane can facilitate filamentous pseudopods formation due to the smaller minimum resistance energy. Furthermore, our theoretical results seem to show a broad agreement with experimental observations, which implies that these studies would provide useful guidance to control the pseudopods formation on substrate for biomedical applications.
Break of symmetry at the surface of IrTe2 upon phase transition measured by x-ray photoelectron diffraction
Authors: Rumo Maxime , Pulkkinen Aki , Ma KeYuan , von Rohr Fabian O , Muntwiler Matthias , Monney Claude 
Published: November 2021

Abstract
IrTe2 undergoes a series of charge-ordered phase transitions below room temperature that are characterized by the formation of stripes of Ir dimers of different periodicities. Full hemispherical x-ray photoelectron diffraction (XPD) experiments have been performed to investigate the atomic position changes undergone near the surface of 1T-IrTe2 in the first-order phase transition, from the (1 × 1) phase to the (5 × 1) phase. Comparison between experiment and simulation allows us to identify the consequence of the dimerization on the Ir atoms local environment. We report that XPD permits to unveil the break of symmetry of IrTe2 trigonal to a monoclinic unit cell and confirm the occurrence of the (5 × 1) reconstruction within the first few layers below the surface with a staircase-like stacking of dimers.