bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reinforcement of agricultural wastes liquefied polyols based polyurethane foams by agricultural wastes particles
Authors: Zhang Jingmiao , Hori Naruhito , Takemura Akio 
Published: February 2021

AbstractFour kinds of agricultural wastes particles (XS: oilseed rape straw [OS], rice straw [RS], wheat straw [WS], and corn stover [CS]) were used to reinforce agricultural wastes liquefied polyol (P‐XS) based polyurethane (PU) foam. Different XS loading dosages (0% ~ 15%) are investigated to confirm suitable filler concentrations for modifying foams. RS particles show great promoting ability, OS particles reveal complex influence, while WS and CS particles display mild effect on foaming process. With 1% of OS, 6% of RS, 3% of WS, or 1% of CS incorporating in matrix materials, the reinforced foam could keep applicable density, reach better physical and mechanical property, display more uniform cellular structure, and show higher thermal stability with more excellent water absorption ability. Using of agricultural wastes as polymer filler is economical, simple, environmental, and wide applicable for biomass utilization and biopolymer preparation.
Decentralisation and government trust in South Korea: Distinguishing local government trust from national government trust
Authors: Lee Jae Hyun , Suh Jaekwon 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis article examines how people's confidence in their governments changed in the context of South Korean decentralisation. South Korea provides a unique case to answer the question because it is one of the world's most rapid modernisers and has maintained autonomous local systems across three decades of decentralisation. Analysing data from the first and fourth wave of the Asian Barometer Survey in a seemingly unrelated regression (SUR) model, we find that the trust function of the local governments correlates with the trust function of the national government in 2003 and then disappears in 2015. We understand this finding as a piece of indirect evidence that South Korean local autonomy encourages local government trust, which does not reflect merely trust in the national government. This article also discusses the need for normalisation of the National Assembly, the creation of regional political parties and the dispersion of presidential power.
Distribution of demersal fish assemblages along the west coast of St Lucia: Implications for planning no‐take marine reserves
Authors: Mitchell Peter J. , Bolam Stefan G. , Close Hayden L. , Garcia Clement , Monk Jacquomo , Alliji Khatija 
Published: February 2021

Abstract

Evidence‐based decisions relating to effective marine protected areas as a means of conserving biodiversity require a detailed understanding of the species present. The Caribbean island nation of St Lucia is expanding its current marine protected area network by designating additional no‐take marine reserves on the west coast. However, information on the distribution of fish species is currently limited.
This study used baited remote underwater stereo‐video to address this shortcoming by investigating the effects of depth and seabed habitat structure on demersal fish assemblages and comparing these assemblages between regions currently afforded different protection measures.
From the 87 stations visited a total of 5,921 fish were observed comprising 120 fish taxa across 22 families. Species richness and total abundance were higher within the highly managed region, which included no‐take reserves. Redundancy analysis explained 17% of the total variance in fish distribution, driven predominantly by the seabed habitats. The redundancy analysis identified four main groups of demersal fishes each associated with specific seabed habitats.
The current no‐take marine reserves protected two of these groups (i.e. fishes associated with the ‘soft corals, hard corals or gorgonians’ and ‘seagrass’ groups). Importantly, habitats dominated by sponges, bacterial mats, algal turfs or macroalgae, which also supported unique fish assemblages, are not currently afforded protection via the marine reserve network (based on the five reserves studied). These results imply that incorporation of the full breadth of benthic habitat types present would improve the efficacy of the marine reserve network by ensuring all fish assemblages are protected.
Early Pandemic Experiences of Autistic Adults: Predictors of Psychological Distress
Authors: Bal Vanessa H. , Wilkinson Ellen , White L. Casey , Law J. Kiely ,   The SPARK Consortium, Feliciano Pamela , Chung Wendy K. 
Published: February 2021

The COVID‐19 pandemic has disrupted lives around the world. Autistic adults are at higher risk for co‐occurring medical and psychiatric conditions and may be more prone to difficulties adapting to pandemic‐related changes and social distancing mandates and coping with ongoing uncertainties. On the other hand, the pandemic may lead to greater understanding and acceptance of accommodations in the broader community that may facilitate supports for autistic adults beyond the pandemic. To learn more about their early pandemic experiences, online surveys were sent to independent adults enrolled in the Simons Powering Autism Research Knowledge (SPARK). The first survey was open from March 30 to April 19, 2020; a follow‐up survey sent to original responders was open from May 27 to June 6, yielding 396 participants with data for both surveys. We found that adults who were female, younger, had prior diagnoses of a mental health condition, personal COVID‐19 experience (i.e., knowing someone who had symptoms or tested positive) or less frequent hope for the future reported the greatest negative impacts. Decrease in feelings of hopefulness over time predicted greater psychological distress at T2, accounting for T1 impact and distress levels and increases in total COVID‐19 impact. Less perceived benefit of online services also predicted later distress. Although there tends to be a focus on coping with negative effects of the pandemic, mental health providers may consider approaches that focus on positives, such as fostering hope and understanding factors that facilitate benefit from online services.Lay SummaryAutistic adults may be at risk for psychological distress during the COVID‐19 pandemic. The current study suggests that autistic adults who were younger, female, had a mental health diagnosis before the pandemic and knew someone who showed symptoms or tested positive for COVID‐19 reported more areas negatively impacted by COVID‐19 and greater difficulty coping with those effects. Decreases in hope over time were associated with greater psychological distress. Less perceived benefit from online services also predicted distress 2 months later. These results suggest important areas to further explore as we develop supports for autistic adults during the pandemic.
Evidence for a cluster of rare birth defects in the Ain department (France)
Authors: Gnansia Elisabeth , Michon Lucas , Amar Emmanuelle , Estève Jacques 
Published: February 2021

AbstractBackgroundREMERA (REgistre des Malformations En Rhône‐Alpes) is a registry of congenital malformations that covers 58,000 births annually in Central‐East France. In 2010, the registry raised an alarm to the health authorities (Santé publique France, SpF) about three cases of a unilateral isolated transverse upper limb reduction defect (UITULRD) in a small subarea; the general prevalence of this defect is one case in 10,000 births. In the following years, more infants were born with the same malformation in the same territory of the Ain department. Public health authorities, supported by an expert committee, rejected the existence of a cluster, but we aim here at providing evidence for this cluster.MethodsGeocoded data for all UITULRD cases (ICD‐10 codes Q71.2 and Q71.3) were extracted from the REMERA database. We conducted a Kulldorff cluster analysis of these data, using the spatial SaTScanTM algorithm.ResultsThe analysis found a cluster of eight cases of UITULRD among the 8,204 births occurring between 2009 and 2014 within a circle of 16.24 km radius centered on a village of the Ain department, whereas 0.82 cases were expected under a uniform probability of such a birth throughout the registry territory. This represents an almost 10fold excess over the expected number of cases (p = .0057).ConclusionsThe arguments used to deny the cluster are disputed and we present the evidence supporting its reality. The controversy that has followed the alarm has compromised the search for the cause(s) of this excess of rare malformations.
Modellentwicklung torsionsbeanspruchter Kreisringsegmente mit trockenen Fugen
Authors: Hartwig Steffen , Marx Steffen 
Published: February 2021

AbstractDie Segmentbauweise bei Türmen für Windenergieanlagen (WEA) hat sich bei der Herstellung von großen Nabenhöhen in Form von hybriden Konstruktionen etabliert. Hybride Türme bestehen im oberen Bereich aus Stahlrohrtürmen und im unteren Bereich häufig aus segmentierten vorgespannten Stahlbetontürmen. Die in der Stahlbetonkonstruktion entstehenden horizontalen Fugen werden in der Regel als trockene geschliffene Fugen ohne Schubverzahnungen ausgebildet. Schubkräfte können in den Fugen nur durch Reibung übertragen werden. Speziell der Lastfall der Torsion ist im Grenzzustand der Tragfähigkeit (GZT) beim Aufklaffen der Fugen aufgrund einer Biegebeanspruchung häufig bemessungsrelevant. Die aktuellen Theorien beruhen auf den bekannten Torsionstheorien nach Saint‐Venant, sind jedoch auf diese Bauweise nur bedingt anwendbar. In diesem Artikel wird, aufbauend auf den theoretischen Betrachtungen aus [1], ein Torsionstragmodell für Kreisringsegmente mit trockenen Fugen entwickelt. Das Modell wird mit numerischen Berechnungen und versuchstechnischen Ergebnissen verglichen.
Carbonstäbe im Bauwesen
Authors: Wagner Juliane , Curbach Manfred 
Published: February 2021

AbstractIn den vergangenen Jahren nahm der Einsatz von nichtmetallischer Bewehrung im Bauwesen immer weiter zu. Vor allem in Deutschland lag dabei das Augenmerk der Forschung in den letzten zwei Jahrzehnten hauptsächlich auf dem Einsatz textiler Bewehrungsstrukturen. Seit einiger Zeit gewinnen jedoch stabförmige Bewehrungselemente ebenfalls an Bedeutung. Um diese auch in Strukturen mit ermüdungswirksamen Belastungen einsetzen zu können, ist es erforderlich, deren Ermüdungsverhalten genauer zu untersuchen.Der vorliegende Beitrag gibt daher einen Überblick über die Untersuchung von Carbonstäben unter Zugschwellbelastung. Neben der Erstellung von Last‐Schwingspiel (S‐N)‐Linien und der Untersuchung der Resttragfähigkeit von Durchläufern werden auch die Stabdehnungen und Steifigkeiten während der Ermüdungsbelastung betrachtet. Letztendlich kann festgestellt werden, dass das Ermüdungsverhalten der Carbonstäbe, welche den Faserverbundkunststoffen (FVK) zugeordnet werden können, im Großen und Ganzen auch dem bekannten Ermüdungsverhalten von FVK entspricht.
Simple production of photoluminescent polyester coating using lanthanide‐doped pigment
Authors: Abumelha Hanna M. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA long‐persistent phosphorescent surface coating was developed from a simple inorganic/organic nanocomposite towards the simple industrial manufacture of glow‐in‐the‐dark products. This glow‐in‐the‐dark smart coating is able to continue to emit light for proloned time periods. The organic/inorganic nanocomposite consisted of an organic polyester resin and inorganic europium‐ and dysprosium‐doped strontium aluminate oxide nanoparticles. The phosphorescent lanthanide‐doped strontium aluminate oxide pigment nanoparticles were added to the synthetic polyester resin in a generated pigment‐loaded viscous solution that could then be harden in a few minutes using a cross‐linking process in the presence of methylethyl ketone peroxide as a catalyst. The transparency of the produced glow‐in‐the‐dark coating was accomplished simply by homogenous dispersion of the phosphorescent lanthanide‐doped strontium aluminate nanoparticles into the sticky polyester resin before adding the catalyst to prevent pigment accumulation. This translucent long‐persistent phosphorescent polyester nanocomposite can be simply applied under ambient conditions onto different surfaces such walls, textiles, tiles and glasses, ceramics, paper sheets, metals, and wood. The photoluminescent film displayed durable long‐persistence emission with high reversibility. An optimum excitation wavelength was monitored at 360 nm, while the emission was monitored at 525 nm. Both the blank and the luminescent coating exhibited a transparent white colour in normal visible light. Conversely, the photoluminescent coating generated a bright green colour under an ultraviolet light lamp, a bright white colour after maintaining the sample for 10 sec in the dark, and a green phosphor after maintaining the sample for 100 min in the dark. The coloration parameters were explored using Commission Internationale de l'éclairage CIELAB colour coordinates. The hardness, as well as photophysical properties including emission, excitation, and life‐time were studied. The surface morphology and elemental content were investigated using scanning electron microscopy, wavelength dispersive X‐ray fluorescence, elemental mapping, and energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy. The films displayed an enhanced superhydrophobic activity without negatively influencing its native physico‐mechanical properties.
Hydrocyclones as cell retention devices for an N‐1 perfusion bioreactor linked to a continuous‐flow stirred tank production bioreactor
Authors: Kundu Anita M. , Hiller Gregory W. 
Published: February 2021

AbstractA continuous Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell culture process comprised of a highly proliferative N‐1 perfusion bioreactor utilizing a hydrocyclone as a cell retention device linked to a production continuous‐flow stirred tank reactor (CSTR) is presented. The overflow stream from the hydrocyclone, which is only partially depleted of cells, provides a continuous source of high viability cells from the N‐1 perfusion bioreactor to the 5–20 times larger CSTR. Under steady‐state conditions, this linked‐bioreactor system achieved a peak volumetric productivity of 0.96 g/L/day, twofold higher than the optimized fed‐batch process. The linked bioreactor system using a hydrocyclone was also shown to be 1.8–3.1 times more productive than a dual, cascading CSTR system without cell retention.
Environmental performance, sustainability, governance and financial performance: Evidence from heavily polluting industries in China
Authors: Nguyen Thi H.H. , Elmagrhi Mohamed H. , Ntim Collins G. , Wu Yue 
Published: February 2021

AbstractThis study seeks to contribute to the existing business strategy and the environment literature by examining the effect of governance structures on Chinese firms' environmental performance, and consequently ascertain the extent to which the financial performance–environmental performance nexus is moderated by governance mechanisms. Using a sample of Chinese companies from heavily polluting industries over a 5‐year period, our baseline findings suggest that, on average, board size and governing board meetings are positively associated with Chinese firms' environmental performance, whilst board independence and gender diversity have positive, but insignificant association with firms' environmental performance. Our evidence suggests further that the examined internal governance mechanisms have a mixed moderating effect on the link between financial performance and environmental performance. Our findings have important implications for company executives, environmental activists, policy‐makers, and regulators. Our results support insights drawn from agency, resource dependence, stakeholder, and legitimacy theories.
Feasibility and acceptability of a brief suicide intervention for youth involved with the family court
Authors: Kemp Kathleen , Pederson Casey A. , Webb Margaret , Williamson Shannon , Elwy A. Rani , Spirito Anthony 
Published: February 2021

AbstractAs efforts to develop models for suicide prevention and intervention in the juvenile justice (JJ) system continue to grow, research to understand the feasibility and acceptability of implementing these models is critical. Examining organizational readiness for implementation, ensuring leadership and staff buy‐in for delivering the intervention, and planning for sustainability of staff participation in implementation efforts is essential. The current study involved semi‐structured formative evaluation interviews with key JJ stakeholders (n = 10) to determine perspectives on the acceptability (perceived need and fit of the intervention) and feasibility (organizational readiness for change) of a proposed brief safety planning intervention for youth with suicidal ideation delivered by nonclinical staff and integrated into the existing system. Qualitative data revealed stakeholders' perceived need for the intervention in the family court context and their agreement that the aims of the intervention were congruent with the goals of the family court. Some barriers to successful implementation were noted, which, addressed through selection of appropriate implementation strategies, can be overcome in a future test of the safety intervention.
Apoptotic profiling of chronic myeloid leukaemia patients' platelets ex vivo before and after treatment with Imatinib
Authors: Repsold Lisa , Pool Roger , Karodia Mohammed , Tintinger Gregory , Becker Piet , Joubert Anna Margaretha 
Published: February 2021

Chronic myeloid leukaemia (CML) is a malignancy of the haematopoietic stem cells. The first line of treatment for CML, especially in developing countries, remains the first‐generation tyrosine kinase inhibitor, Imatinib. Patients with CML are frequently diagnosed with platelet abnormalities. However, the specific mechanism of platelet abnormalities in CML remains unclear and poorly understood. The aim of this study was therefore to determine the apoptotic profiles of CML patients ex vivo on platelets before and after treatment with Imatinib. Blood samples of healthy volunteers and CML patients at diagnosis and after 6 months treatment with Imatinib were collected. Platelet counts, viability and activation were determined. Results showed that CML patients' platelet counts were elevated upon diagnosis and these levels statistically significantly decreased after 6 months of treatment. Platelet activation was significantly increased after 6 months of treatment compared to levels at diagnosis (P‐value < .05). Similarly, platelet apoptosis was also increased after 6 months of treatment. Abnormalities in platelet functioning found in this study may partly be due to clonal proliferation of haematopoietic cells in CML patients, specifically of megakaryocyte precursors as well as the inhibition of platelet tyrosine kinase's and the inhibition of platelet‐derived growth factor.
HOXD1 functions as a novel tumor suppressor in kidney renal clear cell carcinoma
Authors: Cui Yuanbo , Zhang Chunyan , Li Ya , Ma Shanshan , Cao Wei , Guan Fangxia 
Published: February 2021

AbstractKidney renal clear cell carcinoma (KIRC) is a common malignant tumor in human genitourinary system. Previous studies have shown that the homeobox‐D (HOXD) cluster genes, which belong to the homeobox (HOX) family, are involved in the progression of multiple types of cancer. However, the expression profile and prognostic values of the HOXD genes in KIRC remain largely unknown. Herein, we comprehensively analyzed the transcriptional levels and prognosis of HOXD genes in KIRC using four online The Cancer Genome Atlas analysis databases (GEPIA, UALCAN, starBase v3.0, and LinkedOmics). We found that several members of the HOXD gene family were abnormally expressed in KIRC and correlated with patient prognosis. The messenger RNA levels of HOXD1, HOXD8, and HOXD10 were significantly downregulated in KIRC tissues as compared with the normal tissues. Low expression of HOXD1 or HOXD8 predicted poor overall survival (OS) of KIRC patients, and downregulated HOXD1, HOXD3, or HOXD4 indicated unfavorable patient disease‐free survival (DFS) in KIRC. Through integrated analysis, we found that HOXD1 was lowly expressed in KIRC and correlated with patient OS, DFS and advanced tumor stages. Moreover, gene set enrichment analysis showed that HOXD1 may be mainly implicated in cell cycle regulation, tumor growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) and Wnt signaling pathways in KIRC. Furthermore, both loss‐of‐function and gain‐of‐function experiments demonstrated that HOXD1 inhibited cell proliferation, cell cycle and the TGF‐β signaling in KIRC. Taken together, our findings suggest that HOXD1 is a novel potential tumor suppressor in KIRC.
Circ‐Zfp644 acts as a pro‐hypertrophic mediator in an Ang‐II induced in vitro myocardial hypertrophy model
Authors: Chen Yongquan , Song Daifu , Gao Jiaxin , Zhang Xuehuang , Chen Ximing 
Published: February 2021

AbstractCardiac hypertrophy (CH) is a common risk factor for heart failure and even sudden cardiac death. Molecules have emerged as vital regulators in cardiac disorders. LIM domain kinase 1 (Limk1) is reported as a pro‐fibrotic mediator in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation and it has also been suggested to aggravate cardiac dysfunction in rats with chronic heart failure. The present study observed that Limk1 was significantly upregulated in the in vitro model of CH induced by angiotensin II (Ang‐II). Interestingly, silencing Limk1 led to inhibition of the hypertrophic phenotypes in Ang‐II‐treated cardiomyocytes. Next, through a series of mechanistic assays including RIP assay, RNA pull‐down assay, and luciferase reporter assay, miR‐93‐5p was verified to target Limk1. Furthermore, circ‐Zfp644 was validated as the sponge of miR‐93‐5p. Circ‐Zfp644 functioned as a ceRNA to upregulate Limk1 expression via sequestering miR‐93‐5p in Ang‐II‐treated cardiomyocytes. Finally, a range of rescue assays revealed that circ‐Zfp644 stimulated hypertrophic effects in Ang‐II‐treated cardiomyocytes via upregulating Limk1 while miR‐93‐5p exerted the opposite effects via its inhibition on Limk1. On the whole, the present study revealed that circ‐Zfp644 aggravated CH through modulating the miR‐93‐5p/Limk1 axis. The findings observed on the in vitro model of CH provided new potential for developing CH treatment.
Incoordination during the pharyngeal phase in severe dysphagia due to lateral medullary syndrome
Authors: Kunieda Kenjiro , Sugi Takafumi , Ohno Tomohisa , Nomoto Akiko , Shigematsu Takashi , Kanazawa Hideaki , Fujishima Ichiro 
Published: February 2021

AbstractOne of the mechanisms of severe dysphagia due to lateral medullary syndrome may be a reversed pressure gradient caused by incoordination of pharyngeal contractility and UES opening during swallowing.
Comparative Study of the Combined Supersonic Separator and Vortex Tube Performance for Hydrocarbon Gas Drying
Authors: Yudakov Alexandr , Vlasenko Victor , Slesarenko Vyacheslav 
Published: February 2021

AbstractExperimental investigation of the combined supersonic separator (CSS) characteristics was carried out and the results were compared with those from the vortex tube. The separator is a counter‐flow vortex tube with an energy separation chamber in the shape of a Laval nozzle; it can be used for hydrocarbon gas transportation preparation and power plant fuel gas drying. Numerical modeling was carried out to confirm the flow specifics in the examined separator structure. Although the cooling capability of the CSS is 30–50 % less than that of the vortex tube, its efficiency of moisture removal is twice as large, as is shown by the experimental research. The maximal cooling power corresponds to a cold flow fraction level of 0.39, while the range of optimal values for the moisture separation is 0.4–0.6.