bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The associations between pediatric weight status and cystic fibrosis‐related diabetes status and health‐related quality of life among children and young adults with cystic fibrosis: A systematic review
Authors: Gomes Allison , Patusco Rachael , Chung Mei , Dreker Margaret R. , Byham‐Gray Laura , Lapin Craig , Ziegler Jane 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundCystic fibrosis (CF) is a life‐shortening genetic disease, yet life expectancy has recently increased, shifting the focus to disease management and health‐related quality of life (HRQoL). Identification of clinical factors, such as weight status and CF‐related diabetes (CFRD), that are associated with HRQoL can inform clinicians about the patient's health perception. The goal of this systematic review was two prong: identify the association of pediatric weight status and HRQoL and determine how CFRD status impacts HRQoL.MethodsA systematic review of published research was conducted following the methodology in the Cochrane Handbook on Systematic Reviews for Interventional Studies. Results were reported according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta‐Analyses. Risk of bias was assessed using the National Heart Lung & Blood Institute tool. A meta‐analysis was not performed due to variability of the inclusion/exclusion criteria, differences in outcome reporting, and insufficient primary outcome data to pool.ResultsNine studies met inclusion criteria (n = 6 explored weight status and n = 3 studied CFRD), for a total of 1585 subjects (CFRD cases = 87). Pediatric weight status was positively associated with HRQoL, most commonly the Body Image and Eating Disturbance domains. CFRD was negatively associated with HRQoL, specifically the Treatment Burden and Weight domains.ConclusionsBased on the limited data available, improved pediatric weight status appears to increase HRQoL while a CFRD diagnosis appears to decrease HRQoL. More research is needed to fully understand the role of these clinical factors on HRQoL, especially with life expectancy increasing among those with CF.
A Study of the Influence of Storage Time of Uncured Propellants on the Final Properties of the Composite in Multi‐Batch Processes on an Industrial Scale
Authors: Christo da Cunha Bruno Cesar , Fidel Rocco José Atílio Fritz 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn the Brazilian Aerospace Program, even though all developed rocket motors are manufactured in the same plant of the Department of Aerospace Science and Technology, differences are observed in the magnitude of the masses applied in each motor. Thus, depending on the volume of the combustion chamber, it is common for the casting to carry out multi‐batch processes when a required mass of solid propellant is greater than the maximum capacity of the reactor. In this context, the studies that systematically evaluate multi‐batch processes on an industrial scale of composite propellants based on polyurethanes obtained from HTPB are incipient. Furthermore, each batch preparation of the casting process for large motors is carried out on different days, so that each of these has a different storage time until the day of the effective casting. As a result, this wait can generate changes in the properties of the propellant grain as a whole, which can modify the motor's performance. Thusly, through the analysis of data of multi‐batch processes, the present study evaluated the influence of the storage time in the preparation of the propellant and on the final properties of the grain. It was concluded that the grain becomes softer with a reduction in its hardness, greater elongation at break, and less modulus for batches with longer storage times before casting.
Subtype selective fluorescent ligands based on ICI 118,551 to study the human β2‐adrenoceptor in CRISPR/Cas9 genome‐edited HEK293T cells at low expression levels
Authors: Goulding Joëlle , Mistry Sarah J. , Soave Mark , Woolard Jeanette , Briddon Stephen J. , White Carl W. , Kellam Barrie , Hill Stephen J. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFluorescent ligand technologies have proved to be powerful tools to improve our understanding of ligand‐receptor interactions. Here we have characterized a small focused library of nine fluorescent ligands based on the highly selective β2‐adrenoceptor (β2AR) antagonist ICI 118,551. The majority of fluorescent ICI 118,551 analogs had good affinity for the β2AR (pKD >7.0) with good selectivity over the β1AR (pKD <6.0). The most potent and selective ligands being 8c (ICI 118,551‐Gly‐Ala‐BODIPY‐FL‐X; β2AR pKD 7.48), 9c (ICI 118,551‐βAla‐βAla‐BODIPY‐FL‐X; β2AR pKD 7.48), 12a (ICI 118,551‐PEG‐BODIPY‐X‐630/650; β2AR pKD 7.56), and 12b (ICI 118,551‐PEG‐BODIPY‐FL; β2AR pKD 7.42). 9a (ICI 118,551‐βAla‐βAla‐BODIPY‐X‐630/650) had the highest affinity at recombinant β2ARs (pKD 7.57), but also exhibited significant binding affinity to the β1AR (pKD 6.69). Nevertheless, among the red fluorescent ligands, 9a had the best imaging characteristics in recombinant HEK293 T cells and labeling was mostly confined to the cell surface. In contrast, 12a showed the highest propensity to label intracellular β2ARs in HEK293 T cell expressing exogenous β2ARs. This suggests that a combination of the polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker and the BODIPY‐X‐630/650 makes this ICI 118,551 derivative particularly susceptible to crossing the cell membrane to access the intracellular β2ARs. We have also used these ligands in combination with CRISPR/Cas9 genome‐edited HEK293 T cells to undertake for the first time real‐time ligand binding to native HEK293 T β2ARs at low native receptor expression levels. These studies provided quantitative data on ligand‐binding characteristics but also allowed real‐time visualization of the ligand‐binding interactions in genome‐edited cells using NanoBRET luminescence imaging.
Molecular and pharmacological characterization of biogenic amine receptors from the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella
Authors: Liu Tiansheng , Zhan Xue , Yu Yuan , Wang Shaozhen , Lu Cong , Lin Guifang , Zhu Xiangyu , He Weiyi , You Minsheng , You Shijun 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBACKGROUDInsect biogenic amines play important roles in mediating behavioral and physiological processes. They exert their effects by binding to biogenic amine receptors (BARs), which are specific receptor proteins in the G‐protein‐coupled receptor superfamily. BAR genes have been cloned and characterized from multiple model insects, including Drosophila melanogaster, Anopheles gambiae, Bombyx mori, Apis mellifera and Tribolium castaneum. However, relatively little work has addressed the molecular properties, expression profiles, and pharmacological characterization of BARs from other insects, including important pests.RESULTSIn this study, we cloned 17 genes encoding putative biogenic amine receptor proteins from Plutella xylostella, a global pest of Brassica crops. These PxBAR genes were five octopamine receptors (PxOA1, PxOA2B1, PxOA2B2, PxOA2B3, and PxOA3), three tyramine receptors (PxTAR1A, PxTAR1B, and PxTAR2), four dopamine receptors (PxDOP1, PxDOP2, PxDOP3, and PxDopEcR), and five serotonin receptors (Px5‐HT1A, Px5‐HT1B, Px5‐HT2A, Px5‐HT2B, and Px5‐HT7). All PxBARs showed considerable sequence identity with orthologous BARs, and phylogenetic analysis clustered the receptors within their respective groups while preserving organismal evolutionary relationships. We investigated their molecular properties and expression profiles, and pharmacologically characterized the dopamine receptor, PxDOP2.CONCLUSIONSOur study provides important information and resources on biogenic amine receptors from P. xylostella, which suggests potential target sites for controlling this pest species. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Time‐between‐events monitoring using nonhomogeneous Poisson process with power law intensity
Authors: Ali Sajid 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe traditional process monitoring techniques used to study high‐quality processes have several demerits, that is, high‐false alarm rate and poor detection, etc. A recent and promising idea to monitor such processes is the use of time‐between‐events (TBE) control charts. However, the available TBE control charts have been developed in a nonadaptive fashion assuming the Poisson process. There are many situations where we need adaptive monitoring, for example, health, flood, food, system, or terrorist surveillance. Therefore, the existing control charts are not useful, especially in sequential monitoring. This article introduces new adaptive TBE control charts for high‐quality processes based on the nonhomogeneous Poisson process by assuming the power law intensity. In particular, probability control limits are used to develop control charts. The proposed methodology allows us to get control limits that are dynamic and suitable for online process monitoring with an additional advantage to monitor a process where we believe the underlying failure rate may be changing over time. The average run length and coefficient of variation of the run length distribution are used to assess the performance of the proposed control charts. Besides simulation studies, we also discuss three examples to highlight the application of the proposed charts.
NovidChain: Blockchain‐based privacy‐preserving platform for COVID‐19 test/vaccine certificates
Authors: Abid Amal , Cheikhrouhou Saoussen , Kallel Slim , Jmaiel Mohamed 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe COVID‐19 pandemic has emerged as a highly transmissible disease which has caused a disastrous impact worldwide by adversely affecting the global economy, health, and human lives. This sudden explosion and uncontrolled worldwide spread of COVID‐19 has revealed the limitations of existing healthcare systems regarding handling public health emergencies. As governments seek to effectively re‐establish their economies, open workplaces, ensure safe travels and progressively return to normal life, there is an urgent need for technologies that may alleviate the severity of the losses. This article explores a promising solution for secure Digital Health Certificate, called NovidChain, a Blockchain‐based privacy‐preserving platform for COVID‐19 test/vaccine certificates issuing and verifying. More precisely, NovidChain incorporates several emergent concepts: (i) Blockchain technology to ensure data integrity and immutability, (ii) self‐sovereign identity to allow users to have complete control over their data, (iii) encryption of Personally Identifiable Information to enhance privacy, (iv) W3C verifiable credentials standard to facilitate instant verification of COVID‐19 proof, and (v) selective disclosure concept to permit user to share selected pieces of information with trusted parties. Therefore, NovidChain is designed to meet a high level of protection of personal data, in compliant with the GDPR and KYC requirements, and guarantees the user's self‐sovereignty, while ensuring both the safety of populations and the user's right to privacy. To prove the security and efficiency of the proposed NovidChain platform, this article also provides a detailed technical description, a proof‐of‐concept implementation, different experiments, and a comparative evaluation. The evaluation shows that NovidChain provides better financial cost and scalability results compared to other solutions. More precisely, we note a high difference in time between operations (i.e., between 46% and 56%). Furthermore, the evaluation confirms that NovidChain ensures security properties, particularly data integrity, forge, binding, uniqueness, peer‐indistinguishability, and revocation.
A Western‐style dietary pattern is associated with cerebrospinal fluid biomarker levels for preclinical Alzheimer's disease—A population‐based cross‐sectional study among 70‐year‐olds
Authors: Samuelsson Jessica , Kern Silke , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Rothenberg Elisabet , Wallengren Ola , Skoog Ingmar , Zettergren Anna 
Published: May 2021

AbstractBackgroundDiet may be a modifiable factor for reducing the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Western‐style dietary patterns are considered to increase the risk, whereas Mediterranean‐style dietary patterns are considered to reduce the risk. An association between diet and AD‐related biomarkers have been suggested, but studies are limited.AimTo investigate potential relations between dietary patterns and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for AD among dementia‐free older adults.MethodsData were derived from the population‐based Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies, Sweden. A total of 269 dementia‐free 70‐year‐olds with dietary and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid beta (Aβ42 and Aβ40), total tau (t‐tau), and phosphorylated tau (p‐tau) data were investigated. Dietary intake was determined by the diet history method, and four dietary patterns were derived by principal component analysis. A Western dietary pattern, a Mediterranean/prudent dietary pattern, a high‐protein and alcohol pattern, and a high‐total and saturated fat pattern. Logistic regression models, with CSF biomarker pathology (yes/no) as dependent variables, and linear regression models with continuous CSF biomarker levels as dependent variables were performed. The analyses were adjusted for sex, energy intake, body mass index (BMI), educational level, and physical activity level.ResultsThe odds ratio for having total tau pathology (odds ratio [OR] 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02 to 2.01) and preclinical AD (Aβ42 and tau pathology; OR 1.79; 95% CI 1.03 to 3.10) was higher among those with a higher adherence to a Western dietary pattern. There were no other associations between the dietary patterns and CSF biomarkers that remained significant in both unadjusted and adjusted models.DiscussionOur findings suggest that higher adherence to a Western dietary pattern may be associated with pathological levels of AD biomarkers in the preclinical phase of AD. These findings can be added to the increasing amount of evidence linking diet with AD and may be useful for future intervention studies investigating dietary intake in relation to AD.
Expanding Stories with Author’s Notes in Culturally Authentic Picture Books
Authors: Kaczmarczyk Annemarie , Adams Brittany 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAn increase in curated lists of books focused on race, bias, equity, and privilege has begun tasking teachers with examining and identifying diversity within their own classroom libraries. As purchasing new books is not always feasible, teachers can look to the culturally authentic books already in their possession to help extend conversations around diversity and social justice issues. In addition to the stories told within these books, there is a resource that often gets overlooked, the author’s note. Author’s notes frequently add to the voices and experiences shared within the stories themselves. They can provide more factual information related to events in the story, or an author’s own personal connection. Adding exposure to an author’s note during literacy instruction can deepen conversations about and even open avenues for further research into a person or topic aligned with social justice.
Optimal group maintenance decision for a wind farm based on condition‐based maintenance
Authors: Wang Jinhe , Zhang Xiaohong , Zeng Jianchao 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThis study investigated the group maintenance (GM) strategy based on condition‐based maintenance (CBM) of a parallel wind farm with multiple identical wind turbines. In terms of this strategy, the state of deterioration of the system is determined by periodic inspection, with the GM activities at each inspection point performed according to the number of failed turbines, which are determined by the corresponding state of deterioration of the system. Under this strategy, the probabilities that influence GM are derived by the stationary probability density function, which is based on the stationary law of the state of the wind farm system. Furthermore, employing numerical experiments and a case study, we verified the correctness and effectiveness of the stationary probability density function under different deterioration‐related parameters and obtained the optimal number of failed turbines when GM is performed, as well as the optimal interval between two consecutive inspection points. Finally, through comparison of strategies and sensitivity analysis, we demonstrated the economic advantages and the effectiveness of the proposed strategy. For a parallel system with high maintenance set‐up cost owing to severe environmental conditions, our proposed GM policy based on CBM outperformed other existing strategies in terms of cost benefit and ease of implementation.Highlights

Proposing group maintenance (GM) schedules for cost‐effectiveness of the whole wind farm.
Determining optimal inspection interval and number of the failed wind turbines for GM.
A stationary probability density function is developed to address maintenance relevance.
Investigating effects of various parameters on the optimal policy performance.
Saving huge maintenance cost over the other two maintenance strategies.
The COVID‐19 pandemic: Stay Home policy and exposure to risks of infection among Nigerians
Authors: Akeju David O. , Adejoh Samuel O. , Fakunmoju Ayoola J. , Allsop Matthew J. , Ebenso Bassey , Tade Titilayo , Okusanya Babasola O. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe global threat which continues to accompany SARS‐CoV‐2 has led to a global response which adopts lockdown and stays home policy as means of curtailing its spread. This study investigates compliance with the Stay Home policy and exposure to COVID‐19 in Nigeria. A survey was conducted from April 4 to May 8, 2020 using a cross‐sectional mixed‐methods approach to elicit responses from 879 participants across six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. Descriptive, χ2, and multiple regression tests were used to analyze survey data using SPSS, whereas NVivo v12 was used for thematic analysis of qualitative data. States with complete lockdown had 72.4% of respondents complying fully with the policy compared with 44.2% of respondents in zones with the partial lockdown. Market places, classified as high‐risk zones, were the most visited (n = 505; 71.0%). Though compliance was influenced by the nature of lockdown enforced (χ2 = 70.385, df = 2; p < 0.05), being a female, a widow, and unemployed were associated with increased compliance. Exposure to COVID‐19 was associated with being married, unemployed, and having no income. Fear, anxiety, and misperception play major roles in compliance. The authors conclude that compliance is not uniform and a more nuanced and targeted approach is required as the government continues to respond to the COVID‐19 global pandemic.
Climate change and health in Ethiopia: To what extent have the health dimensions of climate change been integrated into the Climate‐Resilient Green Economy?
Authors: Bhopal Anand , Medhin Haileselassie , Bærøe Kristine , Norheim Ole F. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractEthiopia is experiencing an increasing frequency and intensity of slow‐onset and acute disasters caused by climate change, with significant health impacts. Understanding and addressing these impacts involves trade‐offs, which are central to effective priority setting in health and overarching efforts to meet the Sustainable Development Goals. Despite minimal historic greenhouse gas emissions, Ethiopia has been at the forefront of climate action since launching the Climate‐Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) in 2011, a low‐carbon development strategy. To learn from the Ethiopian approach, this paper examines to what extent health has been integrated into the CRGE. We found that the early years of the CRGE prioritized developing the financial basis of the green economy, while the health impacts of climate change have only been tentatively considered to date and remain detached from broader health strategies. Further analysis of climate adaptation measures, “health co‐benefits,” and reducing specific vulnerabilities of the health sector could help improve health and build climate resilience.
Stress concentration due to the bi‐axial deformation of a plate of a porous elastic body with a hole
Authors: Murru Pavitra , Rajagopal K.R. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMost solid bodies are porous and in such bodies we expect the material properties to vary with porosity and hence with the density. Such bodies whose properties depend on the density cannot be described by the classical linearized elastic constitutive relation when they are undergoing small deformations, as the material moduli cannot depend on density. A constitutive relation which is valid in the small displacement gradient range wherein the material moduli are dependent on the density can be developed by linearizing implicit constitutive relations for describing elastic bodies introduced recently by Rajagopal [1]. In this paper, we determine the stress concentration due to a hole in a slab that is subject to biaxial loading in a body described by such a constitutive relation. We find that the stress concentration can be much as 147% higher than that for classical linearized elasticity for the range of loadings considered in the study.
International Monetary Frameworks
Authors: Bindseil Ulrich , Fotia Alessio 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this chapter we turn to representing flows of funds in alternative international monetary frameworks, and what global liquidity these different frameworks provide. We first recall some arguments in favour of and against fixed exchange rate systems. We then introduce two international monetary arrangements of the past which imply fixed exchange rates, namely the gold standard and the Bretton Woods system, and recall why both eventually failed. We then turn to three international monetary frameworks in the context of the current paper standard, i.e. fixed exchange rate systems, flexible exchange rate systems, and the European monetary union. We explain the role of an international lender of last resort and related solutions, and how these allow for more leeway in running fixed exchange rate systems. We also show how banks and central bank balance sheets are affected by international flows of funds and the balance of payments. Finally, we briefly review recent developments of foreign currency reserves, being the key central bank balance sheet position in this context.
Humanitarian NGOs and Global Governance: One, No One and One Hundred Thousand Humanitarian NGOs
Authors: Massari Alice 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTo understand the role that NGOs’ representation of Syrian displacement plays in global governance before getting into the visual analysis it is important reflect upon the aspirations of emergency organizations. How do relief agencies intend, perceive and present their role to the public? Are they interested in participating or influencing global governance? Do they consider their role as promoters of universal values or technical agents performing a specific task? Answering these questions is important to unpack their distinctiveness and the different ways in which different NGOs conceive and perform their mission in the international arena. In this sense, it is extremely interesting to look at how relief organizations accommodate their humanitarian role and the humanitarian principles within contexts that are inescapably highly political (e.g., situations of violence, displacement, political contestation or belligerent occupation). Not only do NGOs work within a complex web of political interests, international relations and systems of power, but, for better or worse, their humanitarian and advocacy actions have practical political implications. The investigation of how different organizations negotiate their relationship with politics allows us to better understand where each positions itself within the heated debate around the interrelations of humanitarianism and politics discussed in the first chapter.