bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Behavioral assessment scale of consciousness for nonhuman primates: A Delphi study
Authors: Sun Weiming , Dong Xiangli , Yu Guohua , Yang Yang , He Binjun , Wei Yingming , Li Shijin , Feng Zhen , Ma Chaolin 
Published: September 2023

Objective Nonhuman primates (NHPs) are suitable for being model animals in the study of consciousness and loss of consciousness (LoC) with a similar brain structure and function to humans. However, there is no effective consciousness assessment scale for them. This study aimed to develop a behavioral assessment scale of consciousness for NHPs. Methods We constructed an initial indicator framework based on the clinical consciousness disorder assessment scales and the physiological characteristics, consciousness, and arousal behavior of NHPs. A two-round online Delphi method was conducted by a multidisciplinary expert panel to construct a behavioral assessment scale of consciousness for NHPs. The indicators and descriptions were revised according to the experts’ feedback and then sent out for repeated consultations along with a summary of the results of the previous round of consultations. The accepted competencies of indicators were established with mean scores in two scoring criteria (importance and feasibility) ≥4.0, agreement rate with a rating of importance or essential ≥70.0%, and a coefficient of variation ≤0.25, as well as discussions of the research group. Results Consensus was achieved after the second round of consultations, which was completed by 28 experts who specialized in rehabilitation, neuroscience, psychology, neurosurgery, and neurology. A new behavioral assessment scale of consciousness for NHPs, including 37 items organized hierarchically within seven dimensions including visual function, auditory function, motor function, orofacial movements, arousal, brainstem reflexes, and respiration, was developed in this study. Conclusions This study has successfully developed a behavioral assessment scale for measuring the conscious state of NHPs or NHP models with LoC. This tool is expected to facilitate future research into the underlying mechanisms of consciousness by providing a detailed and comprehensive means of measurement.
Decarbonising at scale: Extracting strategic thinking from EPC and deprivation data
Authors: Ampatzidis Petros , Bowyer Emily , Coley David , Stephenson Victoria 
Published: September 2023

Decarbonising the built environment is at the heart of many nations' route to net zero. This leads to policies that target specific technologies. Within such policies, there is a natural instinct to combine the need to reduce carbon emissions with solving other issues, such as fuel poverty. Here, we examine for the first time if, from a carbon perspective, this is optimal. By assembling energy performance certificates and household economic deprivation data, we use fuzzy matching techniques to produce a single statistically robust dataset of 44,300 households. Then, through secondary data analysis, we closely examine the carbon impact and cost of energy retrofits. Overall, upgrading to band C is the most viable strategy. However, the results demonstrate that households belonging to the least deprived 20% present more than double the carbon saving potential compared to those in the most deprived 20% (2.7 and 1.2tCO2/yr, respectively), and offer the best return in CO2 savings on money spent. This highlights the need for retrofitting policy to be cognisant of both building stock and deprivation and the disproportionate role in climate change played by the more affluent. The results offer important new insights for governments and suggest a rethinking of retrofit initiatives. Practical Application: This study is the first to employ such data to identify retrofit strategies for governments and offers three key practical applications. (i) It shows how by combining such data one can start to develop policy that is tuned to the demographics and stock, and that by disaggregating the data a lot can be learnt prior to the development of local or national policy. (ii) It clearly puts to bed the idea that attacking fuel poverty is the most effective way towards carbon reductions. (iii) It suggests a new way of thinking about targeted interventions that optimise carbon reduction in a cost-effective way.
Hybrid IPN Foam Composites
Authors: Frisch K.C. , Ashida K. , Hsu C.F. 
Published: September 2023

Novel hybrid IPN foam composites have been produced by simultaneous polymerisation and crosslinking of an unsaturated polyester or vinyl ester and polyether-based polyurethanes. The reinforcement for the composites con¬sisted of glass fibre continuous roving, continuous strand mats, and chopped glass fibres. In order to increase the bonding between the matrix resins and the reinforcing glass fibres, various acrylate and methacrylate monomers were used in combination with styrene, which enhanced both the impact strength and flexural modulus of the resulting foam composites. Physical properties of the hybrid IPN foam composites are compared with natural wood. These foam composites have considerable potential as wood substitutes in building and construction, marine, transportation, as well as in applications requiring corrosion and mildew resistance.
Rigid Polyurethanes Systems for Metal-Faced Sandwich Panels
Authors: Bagaglio Giancarlo , White Terry 
Published: September 2023

Metal-faced sandwich panels with polyurethane foam-filled cores have become increasingly successful in satisfying the needs of the construction industry, especially with the growing emphasis on system building and energy conservation. Global awareness of the need to protect the environment is also growing, and foam-cored panels have an important role to play in this respect; energy savings are provided through building insulation and contribute significantly to the preservation of food supplies. In order to maintain their contribution to the global environment, however, traditional CFC blowing agents must be replaced with more environmentally acceptable altematives. Although it has not been possible to identify a single universal replacement for CFC 11, a variety of polyurethane foam systems has been developed for use with the altematives in order to comply with, and possibly anticipate, the phase-out programmes. The industry already has the means to overcome most of the immediate problems posed by the need to eliminate CFCs. CFC 11 can, for instance, be replaced in the next few years by HCFCs, without losing any of the properties required by sandwich panel manufacturers. This paper reviews ongoing development for the longer term, looking at systems which will enable sandwich panels to continue to develop and for their energy saving characteristics to be fully utilised.
Infrared Spectroscopy of Site-Dependent Inhomogeneities in Conventional Flexible Polyurethane foam
Authors: Steger W.E. , Machill S. , Herzog K. , Gerhards R. , Jussofie I. , Schator H. 
Published: September 2023

An IR-microscope was used to study the cell membranes of a flexible PU foam prepared with cell dimensions up to 2.5 mm. Along the membrane's long axis IR-spectra up to 25 overlapping spots with diameters of 200 μm were measured. Varying absorbance values of the IR-signals along the membrane axis indicate variations in the membrane thickness. It was possible to correlate the absorbance values of the methyl-signals with absolute thicknesses calculated from the interference patterns observed in some spectra. In general, membranes elongated in the rise direction were thinner in the upper part. This can be explained by the influence of gravitation during the foaming process when the material is still able to flow. The detailed evaluation of the spectra shows varying concentrations of urea and urethane species across the membrane. Manually separated membranes and struts were investigated by the conventional KBr-disc technique. Statistical treatment of the data obtained shows no significant difference between both sample types. Consequently the reaction process in struts and membranes must be very similar.
Friction and the Dynamic Mechanical and Thermal Properties of Polyurethane Elastomers. 2. Microcellular Polyurethanes
Authors: Hanhi K. , Stenberg B. 
Published: September 2023

The quantities achieved describing the dynamic mechanical and thermal properties proved to be of essentially the same magnitude for solid and microcellular polyurethanes with the same soft segment polyol. In addition to the dynamic mechanical and thermal properties, the dependence of the strength, wear and flexing endurance properties on the mechanical properties at different temperatures was evaluated. The correlations between the dynamic mechanical and thermal properties and the friction could be efficiently analysed with the help of a computer-aided robotic friction measurement station developed in the course of the work. The whole field of friction, and the tailoring of materials to meet desired friction requirements, is an important field for further studies. The temperature scale and sliding conditions of the experiments need to be expanded and a diversity of base materials employed. A further analysis of the dynamic mechanical behaviour of the materials under the sliding circumstances would serve the further friction analysis, as well.
Polyol and Blowing Agent Binary System Described by Means of the Flory Model
Authors: Basile G. , Musso E. , Tesser R. , Serio M. Di 
Published: September 2023

Binary systems consisting of small halogenated molecules dissolved in oligomers have been investigated. Pressure/composition isothermal data were used to calculate the activities by the Flory equation which provides a good description of such systems and includes the possible immiscibility region calculated from the Gibbs excess energy. The interaction χ parameter can be calculated as well, which accounts for the essentially enthalpic contribution to the non ideality. Deviations from ideality can also be determined by boiling temperature isobaric measurements. The slope of the composition with respect to boiling temperature profile appears as an important term modelling the free rise of a polyurethane system foamed by physical blowing agents. Adopting such a model and utilizing the Flory equation to describe the χ dependence on the temperature, the profile of the blowing agent mole fraction with respect to boiling temperature and its slope have been determined and cream, gel times along with density and bulk temperature profiles have been simulated. Simulation shows that calculated kinetics and density profiles are significantly dependent on using experimental data relative to blowing agents such as CCl3F, CHCl2-CF3 and CH2F-CF3. The last two compounds in this study have been assumed to be model molecules focusing attention on their opposite deviation from ideality with respect to CCl3F. Work is in progress to evaluate how this simulation is suitable to describe the real foaming processes
Thermal and Thermal-Oxidative Degradation of Polyurethane Foams Filled with Ammonium Phosphate
Authors: Modesti M. , Simioni F. , Albertin P. 
Published: September 2023

The mechanisms of degradation of rigid Polyurethane foams (PU) filled with Ammonium Phosphate (AP) as inorganic flame retardant, have been studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) both in inert (N2) and oxidizing (air) atmospheres. TGA analyses have shown that the filler modifies the thermal and the thermaloxidative decomposition of the polymer, but the formation of much more stable thermal structures with respect of unfilled PU can be obtained only in an oxidizing atmosphere. The phosphoric acid formed by the endothermic decomposition of AP, acts as a dehydrating catalyst of the polymeric substrate, leading towards the formation of thermally stable structures (char precursors). The reduction in the smoke density of the AP filled foams can be attributed to the actions in the solid phase of the H3PO4 that produce a slower thermaloxidative degradation of the polymer decreasing the flammable volatile and potentially toxic products and also producing a protective layer on the surface of burning material.
Long-term outcomes of nummular headache: A series of 168 patients and 1198 patient-years of follow-up
Authors: García-Iglesias Cristina , González-Celestino Ana , Sierra Mencía Álvaro , González Osorio Yésica , Recio García Andrea , Martínez-Badillo Cristina , Echavarría Íñiguez Ana , Varona-Galán Berta , García-Azorín David , Guerrero-Peral Ángel Luis 
Published: September 2023

Background Since the first description of nummular headache (NH), more than 500 cases have been described, delineating its clinical phenotype and response to treatment. However, data on the natural history of NH and outcomes during long-term follow-up are not currently available. The present study aimed to describe the long-term outcomes and follow-up of a large series of patients with NH. Methods A descriptive observational ambisective study with a series of cases was conducted. The study population included adult patients with primary NH and a minimum of 12 months of follow-up. Demographic variables, previous medical history, clinical phenotype, diagnosis and treatment of NH, temporal pattern, and long-term evolution were analysed. Results In total, 168 patients were enrolled and followed for a median [interquartile range (IQR)] of 80.5 (55–118.5) months. The temporal pattern after NH onset was chronic in 67.9% and, at diagnosis, the median (IQR) number of pain days per month was 20 [10–30] days with 138 (82.1%) patients with ≥8 days of pain per month. Preventive treatment was needed by 112 (66.7%) patients. The most frequently used drugs were gabapentin (69/112; 61.6%), onabotulinumtoxinA (38/112; 33.9%), amitriptyline (31/112; 27.7%) and lamotrigine (21/112; 18.7%). Response to preventive treatment was at least partial in 91/112 (81.3%) patients. At the end of follow-up, 81 (48.2%) patients had inactive NH. Of patients with active NH, the median (IQR) number of headache days per month was 3 (1–12) days and patients had ≥8 days of pain in 35 (20.8%) cases. Conclusions Long-term outcomes of NH were positive in most patients. After a median of 6.7 years of follow-up, 48% of cases were inactive. Two-thirds of patients required preventive treatment, and 80% of them were treatment-responsive. In NH cases that remained symptomatic, the headache frequency was lower, and the proportion of patients with chronic NH decreased from 68% to 11%.
Effect of an Integrated School Garden and Home Garden Intervention on Anemia Among School-Aged Children in Nepal: Evidence From a Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Baliki Ghassan , Weiffen Dorothee , Schreinemachers Pepijn , Shrestha Akina , Shrestha Rachana Manandhar , Schreiner Monika , Brück Tilman 
Published: September 2023

Background: Integrated school and home garden interventions can improve health outcomes in low-income countries, but rigorous evidence remains scarce, particularly for school-aged children and to reduce anemia. Objective: We test if an integrated school and home garden intervention, implemented at pilot stage, improves hemoglobin levels among school children (aged 9-13 years) in a rural district in the mid-hills of Nepal. Methods: We use a cluster randomized controlled trial with 15 schools each in the control and treatment groups (n = 680 school children). To test if nutritional improvements translate into a reduction of anemia prevalence, hemoglobin data were collected 6 months after intervention support had ended. Using structural equation modeling, we estimate the direct and indirect effects of the treatment through several pathways, including nutritional knowledge, good food and hygiene practices, and dietary diversity. Results: The integrated school and home garden intervention did not lead to a direct significant reduction in anemia. Causal positive changes of the treatment on nutritional outcomes, although significant, are not strong enough to impact hemoglobin levels. The program improved hemoglobin levels indirectly for children below 12 by increasing the use of good food and hygiene practices at home. These practices are associated with higher hemoglobin levels, particularly for girls, young children, and in households where caregivers are literate. Conclusions: Even integrated school and home garden interventions are not sufficient to reduce anemia among school children. Incorporating behavioral change components around food and hygiene practices into integrated garden interventions is important to unlocking their health impacts.
Microcosmic mechanism of metal–organic framework enhanced thermoplastic polyurethane exposed to laser-induced shock wave
Authors: Ma Dong , Wang Cheng , Xu Wenlong , Qi Fangfang , Jia Shiyu 
Published: September 2023

Incorporating nano-particles into polymer matrix has enabled improving shock wave mitigation (SWM) ability. Vast majority of researchers adopted inorganic nano-materials to enhance polymer matrix. Due to the incompatibility between inorganic nano-particles and polymers, complicated interface modification processes were often used. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have good compatibility with polymers and show excellent SWM capabilities. However, they are brittle and experience lattice collapse after shock loading. Based on this, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) enhanced by zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) was proposed and prepared. The mixtures can not only improve the SWM ability of polymers, but also address the brittleness of MOFs. Additionally, scholars often use simulation methods to study energy dissipation mechanism of materials, rarely evidences of microstructural changes observed to support theoretical speculations. In this work, by analyzing surface morphology and molecular structural changes, energy dissipative mechanism was investigated. With addition amount of 5 wt% and 10 wt% ZIF-8 particles in TPU, the pressure can be reduced by 0.074 GPa and 0.1478 GPa than neat TPU. TPUM-10 had a stronger deformation resistance and SWM ability. Moreover, main chemical structures were remained unchanged after shock. The increased ability of SWM may relate to hydrogen bond forming process and delayed material failure.
Effect of MWCNT on the properties of NCF-CFP hybrid composite fabricated via vacuum infusion
Authors: Pektürk Hatice Yakut , Demir Bilge , Bilgi Cahit , Öz Fatih , Ersoy Nuri 
Published: September 2023

This work is an attempt to evaluate the effect of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) reinforcement on the properties of non-crimp fabric (NCF) carbon fiber-reinforced polymer hybrid composite (CFRP). MWCNT NCF-CFRP plates were produced by vacuum infusion. Epoxy-MWCNT mixtures were prepared by adding a surfactant, Triton-X 100, and ethanol and mixing ultrasonically. The plates were subjected to thermal and electrical conductivity, DSC and FT-IR characterizations, and tensile testing. SEM image analyses evaluated tensile fracture surfaces. Results showed that 0.5 wt% MWCNT-reinforced nanocomposite samples exhibited better tensile properties than pure NCF-CFRP composites and other nanocomposite samples. The 1.5% MWCNT reinforced sample was the best conductor at all temperatures. The temperature increases also increase the conductivity. However, the conductivity value of 0.5% MWCNT reinforced material increased significantly at low frequencies such as 100–10,000 Hz. The heat reaction of the 0.5 wt% MWCNT nanocomposite was also a bit higher than that of 1–1.5 % wt MWCNT nanocomposites, indicating a decrease in the cure.
Effect of unit cell shape and structure volume fraction on the mechanical and vibration properties of 3D printed lattice structures
Authors: Singh Gurminder , Singh Jasvinder , Singh Narinder , Farina Ilenia , Colangelo Francesco , Pandey Pulak Mohan 
Published: September 2023

Lattice structures have been proven to be one of the best choices since their inception, for various structural and other commercial applications, for enhanced mechanical properties, especially in the case of vibration isolation, where band gaps play a vital role. In the present study, additively manufactured 3D printed lattices are prepared with the help of fused deposition modelling (FDM) under various design variations such as Diamond, Kelvin, and Octa formations. Further, three variations in the form of cell density have been used in all the designs, such as low, medium, and high density. The effect of the design variations on Young’s modulus, ultimate compressive strength, and plateau stress have been studied, and comparative analysis amongst the designs has been carried out. In the case of the diamond foam, the Young’s modulus of 54.84, 79.43, and 63.13 MPa has been obtained for low, medium, and high density, respectively. However, in the case of Octa formation with a high-density apology, highest value of young modulus is obtained, which is 174.94 MPa. But the plateau stress is the best in the case of high-density diamond topology and least in the case of high-density Octa formation. In addition, the diamond foam with the medium density has shown the best compressive strength, i.e., 5.003 MPa. Moreover, vibration analysis properties were explored; interestingly, it has been seen that the transmissivity of the medium-form structures for all shapes is higher than the others whereas the natural frequency of the Diamond and Octa shapes is lower. Hence the shape and form of the lattice have a significant effect on the final properties of the lattices and lattice structures contribute to structural integrity in terms of better properties and enhanced behaviour.
Knowledge and attitudes of health professionals in Chile towards people living with human immunodeficiency virus: A cross-national survey
Authors: Picón-Jaimes Yelson Alejandro , Lozada-Martinez Ivan David , Orozco-Chinome Javier Esteban , Molina-Franky Jessica , Bolaño-Romero Maria Paz , Fiorillo-Moreno Ornella 
Published: September 2023

Introduction: People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) often experience discrimination from both other individuals and the health personnel who care for them. Chile has experienced a marked increase in the number of new HIV cases. Methods: Prospective cross-sectional study. The HIV/AIDS questionnaire for providers and health personnel was obtained from the International Planned Parenthood Federation, initially carrying out a pilot test and evaluating its validity. Results: A total of 784 health professionals answered the questionnaire correctly. Among them, 68.4% ( n = 536) were women, and 36.2% ( n = 284) were physicians. The study revealed that more than 90% of respondents had a positive attitude towards caring for people living with HIV, and more than 75% did not mind buying food from them or sharing services with them. Furthermore, more than 99% rejected the religiously endorsed labeling of people living with HIV/AIDS as immoral. Additionally, 95.5% ( n = 749) mentioned that they did not feel anxious about knowing whether the next patient on their care list was living with HIV, and 76.9% ( n = 603) of the respondents felt safe taking blood samples. Conclusions: Chilean health professionals have good knowledge about HIV infection and its mode transmission. Their attitudes towards people living with HIV are also generally positive.