bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermomechanical Coupling in Polydomain Liquid Crystal Elastomers
Authors: Wei Zhengxuan , Wang Peixun , Bai Ruobing 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
Liquid crystal elastomers (LCEs) are made of liquid crystal molecules integrated with rubber-like polymer networks. An LCE exhibits both the thermotropic property of liquid crystals and the large deformation of elastomers. It can be monodomain or polydomain in the nematic phase and transforms to an isotropic phase at elevated temperature. These features have enabled various new applications of LCEs in robotics and other fields. However, despite substantial research and development in recent years, thermomechanical coupling in polydomain LCEs remains poorly studied, such as their temperature-dependent mechanical response and stretch-influenced isotropic-nematic phase transition. This knowledge gap severely limits the fundamental understanding of the structure-property relationship, as well as future developments of LCEs with precisely controlled material behaviors. Here, we construct a theoretical model to investigate the thermomechanical coupling in polydomain LCEs. The model includes a quasi-convex elastic energy of the polymer network and a free energy of mesogens. We study the working conditions where a polydomain LCE is subjected to various prescribed planar stretches and temperatures. The quasi-convex elastic energy enables a “mechanical phase diagram” that describes the macroscopic effective mechanical response of the material, and the free energy of mesogens governs their first-order nematic-isotropic phase transition. The evolution of the mechanical phase diagram and the order parameter with temperature is predicted and discussed. Unique temperature-dependent mechanical behaviors of the polydomain LCE that have never been reported before are shown in their stress-stretch curves. These results are hoped to motivate future fundamental studies and new applications of thermomechanical LCEs.
Rigorous Analysis of Energy Conservation During Dynamic Deployment of Elastic Thin-Shell Structures
Authors: Gianfranco Canales F. , Pellegrino Sergio 
Published: August 2023

Abstract
This paper studies the dynamic deployment of cylindrical thin-shell structures with open cross section, attached to a rigid base. The structures are elastically folded and then released. Previous experiments have shown that the total energy decreases while a fold moves back and forth along the structure, which was explained in terms of energy losses related to the fold “bouncing” against the boundary. This paper uses a rigorous numerical simulation, based on an in-house isogeometric shell finite element code that simultaneously eliminates shear locking and hourglassing without any intrinsic energy dissipation, to show that the total energy of the system is conserved during deployment. The discrepancy with the previous results is explained by showing that energy transfers from low-frequency, “rigid body” modes, to higher frequency modes.
Sequence specificity defines the effectiveness of PPMOs targeting
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Nanayakkara A. K. , Moustafa D. A. , Pifer R. , Goldberg J. B. , Greenberg D. E. 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACT

Development of new therapeutics against antibiotic resistant pathogenic bacteria is recognized as a priority across the globe. We have reported using peptide-conjugated phosphorodiamidate morpholino oligomers (PPMOs) as species-specific antibiotics. The oligo sequences, 11 bases are designed to be complementary to specific essential genes near the Shine-Dalgarno site and inhibit translation. Here, we analyzed target specificity and the impact of genetic mutations on lead PPMOs targeting the
rpsJ
or
acpP
gene of
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
. Mutants in
P. aeruginosa
PAO1 were generated with four, two, or one base-pair mutations within the 11-base target sequence of the
rpsJ
gene. All mutants exhibited increased MICs compared to wild-type PAO1 when treated with the RpsJ PPMO, and the increase in the MICs was proportional to the number of base-pair mutations. Among single base-pair mutants, mutations in the middle of the sequence were more impactful than mutations in 5′ or 3′ end of the sequence. The increased MICs shown by the
rpsJ
mutants could be reversed by PPMOs designed to target the mutated
rpsJ
sequence. BALB/c mice infected intratracheally with mutants demonstrated increased lung burden when treated with RpsJ PPMO compared to wild-type PAO1-infected mice treated with RpsJ PPMO. Treating mice with a PPMOs designed to specifically target the mutant sequence was more effective against these mutant strains. These experiments confirm target specificity of two lead
P. aeruginosa
PPMOs and illustrate one potential mechanism of resistance that could emerge from an antisense approach.
Does armed conflict lead to lower prevalence of maternal health-seeking behaviours: theoretical and empirical research based on 55 683 women in armed conflict settings
Authors: Zhang Tingkai , He Qiwei , Richardson Sol , Tang Kun 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundWomen and children bear a substantial burden of morbidity and mortality due to armed conflict. Life-saving maternal and child health (MCH) services are low-quality in most conflict-affected regions. Previous studies on armed conflict and MCH services have been mostly cross-sectional, and a causal relationship between armed conflict and MCH services utilisation cannot be inferred.MethodsFirst, we constructed a utility equation for maternal health-seeking behaviour. Next, we extracted MCH data from the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey led by the UNICEF. Armed conflict data were obtained from the Uppsala Conflict Data Programme; 55 683 women aged 15–49 from Chad, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Iraq were selected as participants. We fitted a difference-in-differences (DID) model, taking before or after the conflict started as an exposure variable to estimate the effects of armed conflict on maternal health-seeking behaviours.ResultsAccording to the results of the DID model, in the regional sample, armed conflict had a positive effect on tetanus vaccination (β=0.055, 95% CI 0.004 to 0.106, p<0.05), and had a negative effect on antenatal care at least eight visits (ANC8+) (β=−0.046, 95% CI −0.078 to −0.015, p<0.01). And, the effects of armed conflict on ANC, ANC4+, institutional delivery and early initiation of breast feeding (EIB) were not statistically significant. As for the country sample, we found that armed conflict had a negative effect on EIB (β=−0.085, 95% CI −0.184 to 0.015, p<0.1) in Chad. In Iraq, armed conflict had positive impacts on ANC (β=0.038, 95% CI −0.001 to 0.078, p<0.1) and tetanus vaccination (β=0.059, 95% CI 0.012 to 0.107, p<0.05), whereas it had a negative effect on ANC8+ (β=−0.039, 95% CI −0.080 to 0.002, p<0.1). No statistically significant associations were discovered in DRC based on the DID model.ConclusionsThere might be a mixed effect of armed conflict on maternal health-seeking behaviours. In the absence of humanitarian assistance, armed conflict reduces certain maternal health-seeking behaviours, such as ANC8+. When practical humanitarian health assistance is provided, the damage can be alleviated, and even the prevalence of maternal health-seeking behaviours can be improved, such as tetanus vaccination. Providing humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected regions improved the accessibility of MCH services for women living in those areas. However, the goals of saving lives and alleviating suffering still need to be achieved. In conflict-affected regions, humanitarian assistance on ANC, institutional delivery and breast feeding need strengthening.
Implementation of dementia care management in routine care (RoutineDeCM): a study protocol for process evaluation
Authors: Purwins Daniel , Fahsold Anne , Quasdorf Tina , Berthold Hanna , Klas Teresa , Albers Bernd , Seidel Katja , Haberstroh Julia , Holle Bernhard 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionDementia care management is a complex intervention intended to support persons with dementia and their (caring) relatives in home-based care arrangements. Dementia care management was developed in the federal state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania in Germany and subsequently adapted for the German region of Siegen-Wittgenstein, where it will now be implemented. Four different service providers will carry out the implementation process. This study protocol describes the planned procedures for the parallel evaluation of the implementation process.Methods and analysisA multiple embedded case study design was chosen for the planned process evaluation. Data collection and analysis will be informed by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research, the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change, the Medical Research Council framework for conducting process evaluations of complex interventions and the Taxonomy of Outcomes for Implementation Research. Information (qualitative and quantitative) will be collected from all stakeholders involved in the dementia care management intervention (ie, dementia care managers, general practitioners, people with dementia).Ethics and disseminationThe process evaluation is conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki, the recommendations on good scientific practice, the research ethics principles of the Code of Ethics of the German Society of Nursing Science, and on the basis of ethical approval from the Clinical Ethics Committee of University Medicine Greifswald (BB 110/22). The results of the process evaluation will be disseminated through reports to the funders of the study and also as a summary of recommendations for the sustainable implementation of dementia care management for future implementers. We also plan to publish the results of this process evaluation in an international peer-reviewed journal.Trial registration numberNCT05529277, Registered 7 September 2022,https://beta.clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05529277.
A cross-sectional study to evaluate hypovitaminosis C prevalence and risk factors in an acute geriatric unit in Lyon, France: the HYPO-VIT-C protocol
Authors: Quillon Alfred , Guittard Laure , Goldet Karine , Etienne Madeleine , Blond Emilie , Nourredine Mikail , Martin-Gaujard Géraldine , Doh Sébastien 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionVitamin C is an essential micronutrient playing crucial roles in human biology. Hypovitaminosis C is defined by a plasmatic ascorbemia below 23 µmol/L and is associated with numerous outcomes such as cardiovascular diseases, cancers or neurocognitive disorders. Numerous risk factors are common among older adults making them particularly susceptible to hypovitaminosis C. These risk factors include reduced vitamin intakes, higher vitamin metabolism related to polypathology, and iatrogeny because of polypharmacy. However, the precise prevalence of hypovitaminosis C and its risk factors are poorly documented within the geriatric population.A better knowledge of hypovitaminosis C prevalence and risk factor may lead to improving the vitamin C status among older people and prevent its consequences.Method and analysisTo answer these questions, we designed a monocentric cross-sectional study in a population of older hospitalised patients in Lyon, France. A sample size of 385 patients was needed to estimate hypovitaminosis C prevalence. The study was proposed to all eligible patient aged more than 75 years old entering the participating acute geriatric unit. The plasmatic vitamin C status was systematically assessed for participating patients, and variables part of the medical and geriatric evaluation were collected. For patients with severe vitamin C depletion, an oral supplementation and a follow-up phone call were organised to ensure treatment completion and tolerance.Ethics and disseminationThe protocol has been approved by an independent national ethics committee and meets the methodological requirements. Final outcomes will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated through conferences.Trial registration numberNCT05668663.
Diagnoses and treatments for participants with interstitial lung abnormalities detected in the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial
Authors: Upperton Sara , Beirne Paul , Bhartia Bobby , Boland Alison , Bradley Claire , Crosbie Philip A J , Darby Mike , Eckert Claire , Gabe Rhian , Hancock Neil , Kennedy Martyn P T , Lindop Jason , Rogerson Suzanne , Shinkins Bethany , Simmonds Irene , Sutherland Tim J T , Callister Matthew E J 
Published: August 2023

IntroductionInterstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) are relatively common incidental findings in participants undergoing low-dose CT screening for lung cancer. Some ILA are transient and inconsequential, but others represent interstitial lung disease (ILD). Lung cancer screening therefore offers the opportunity of earlier diagnosis and treatment of ILD for some screening participants.MethodsThe prevalence of ILA in participants in the baseline screening round of the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial is reported, along with the proportion referred to a regional ILD service, eventual diagnoses, outcomes and treatments.ResultsOf 6650 participants undergoing screening, ILA were reported in 169 (2.5%) participants. Following review in a screening review meeting, 56 participants were referred to the ILD service for further evaluation (0.8% of all screening participants). 2 participants declined referral, 1 is currently awaiting review and the remaining 53 were confirmed as having ILD. Eventual diagnoses were idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (n=14), respiratory bronchiolitis ILD (n=4), chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (n=2), connective tissue disease/rheumatoid arthritis-related ILD (n=4), asbestosis (n=1), idiopathic non-specific interstitial pneumonia (n=1), sarcoidosis (n=1) and pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (n=1). Twenty five patients had unclassifiable idiopathic interstitial pneumonia. Overall, 10 people received pharmacotherapy (7 antifibrotics and 3 prednisolone) representing 18% of those referred to the ILD service and 0.15% of those undergoing screening. 32 people remain under surveillance in the ILD service, some of whom may require treatment in future.DiscussionLung cancer screening detects clinically significant cases of ILD allowing early commencement of disease-modifying treatment in a proportion of participants. This is the largest screening cohort to report eventual diagnoses and treatments and provides an estimate of the level of clinical activity to be expected by ILD services as lung cancer screening is implemented. Further research is needed to clarify the optimal management of screen-detected ILD.Trial registration numberISRCTN42704678.
‘Pressure cooker’ and ‘balloon pressure’ techniques significantly increase 3-month complete occlusion rate after spinal arteriovenous fistula embolization as compared to glue: single center evaluation on 38 consecutive patients
Authors: Parat Damien , Granger Benjamin , Shotar Eimad , Premat Kevin , Reina Vincent , Drir Mehdi , Gerschenfeld Gaspard , Talbi Atika , Lenck Stephanie , Sourour Nader , Clarençon Frédéric 
Published: August 2023

BackgroundSpinal arteriovenous fistulas can be treated either by surgery or by endovascular means, using different strategies. The main drawback of embolization is the risk of recurrence. Our objective is to evaluate the angiographic occlusion rate and the predictive factors of angiographic cure of spinal arteriovenous fistulas at 3 months or more after embolization.MethodsThis is a retrospective single-center study including 38 consecutive patients with spinal arteriovenous fistulas treated by embolization as first-line treatment. We reviewed clinical and imaging data, complications, and the immediate angiographic occlusion rate of the fistulas, and at 3 months or more after the embolization.ResultsA total of 45 embolization procedures were performed: 30 procedures using glue, 15 using Onyx by ‘pressure cooker’ or ‘balloon pressure’ techniques. We observed no statistically significant difference between the two groups concerning the immediate angiographic occlusion rate (87% in both groups; P>0.9), as well as for periprocedural complication rates. The angiographic occlusion rate at 3 months or more was higher in the Onyx ‘combined’ techniques treated group (87% vs 40%, P=0.007). The use of Onyx ‘combined’ techniques was independently associated with angiographic cure at 3 months after embolization (P=0.029). No other factors were identified as predictive of angiographic cure and clinical recovery after embolization procedures, nor were any predictive factors identified for the occurrence of periprocedural complications.ConclusionEmbolization of spinal arteriovenous fistulas with Onyx using ‘combined’ techniques appears to be safe and associated with a higher rate of angiographic occlusion at 3 months than regular embolization with glue.
Understanding leadership development in DPT and MOT graduates at AdventHealth University via focus groups
Authors: Clark Elizabeth , Moghimi Christine , Ealdama Janelle , Penjavic Bojana , Scheraldi Michael , Vidal Steven 
Published: August 2023

PurposeWhile leadership knowledge, skills and behaviours develop during graduate education, faculty members engaged in curriculum design for doctor of physical therapy (DPT) and masters of occupational therapy (MOT) professionals want to understand how this occurs. The objective of this study was to understand what influenced the development of leadership in graduates.Patients and methodsA detailed narrative was created for virtual focus groups. Purposive sampling was used and eligible participants were emailed. Those who agreed to participate reviewed an institutional review board approved consent form and were sent a link through an online, recorded Microsoft Teams session. Forty-three DPT and MOT Class of 2022 Graduates were eligible for participation. Recordings were exported, deidentified and validated for transcript accuracy and then deleted. Transcripts were analysed for emerging themes via NVivo.ResultsTen graduates consented to participate. Saturation was reached during thematic analysis and three weighted themes emerged: leadership characteristics, on-campus curriculum and off-campus curriculum. Further data analysis revealed progression in leadership skill attainment over time and graduates attributed leadership development to the programme and aligned with current frameworks of multiprofessional/interprofessional education.ConclusionThese findings should be used to guide curriculum design for effective leadership development. These experiences align with the goal of advanced clinical practice of future healthcare leaders.
Effects of crossover point exercise and high-intensity interval training on vascular health in young overweight females
Authors: Yang Yuting , Zhang Peizhen , Zhu Xiaolan 
Published: August 2023

This study investigated the effects of 10 weeks of crossover point (COP) exercise training and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiovascular risk factors and vascular health in overweight young women. Overweight young women were randomized into HIIT and COP groups. Participants in the HIIT group ( n = 10; age = 22 ± 2, body mass index (BMI) = 25.72 ± 0.90) and COP group ( n = 10, age = 21 ± 2, BMI = 25.90 ± 1.90) took part in 10 weeks of HIIT and COP exercise training, respectively. Cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiovascular health, and oxidative stress indicators were measured before and after the intervention period. After 10 weeks of exercise intervention, both COP exercise and HIIT led to a significant increase in maximal oxygen uptake ( p < 0.001). The systolic blood pressure ( p = 0.006), diastolic blood pressure ( p = 0.006), and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity ( p = 0.002) were significantly decreased in both COP group and HIIT group, while serum interleukin-6 levels were increased in HIIT and COP groups. The present study shows that a training program at COP could be an effective strategy to protect vascular health.
Including supramaximal verification reduced uncertainty in VO2peak response rate
Authors: Renwick John R.M. , Preobrazenski Nicholas , Giudice Michael D. , Swinton Paul A. , Gurd Brendon J. 
Published: August 2023

Many reports describe using a supramaximal verification phase—exercising at a power output higher than the highest power output recorded during an incremental cardiopulmonary test—to validate VO2max. The impact of verification phases on estimating the proportion of individuals who increased VO2peak in response to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) remains an underexplored area in the individual response literature. This analysis investigated the influence of same-day and separate-day verification phases during repeated measurements (incremental tests—INCR1 and INCR2; incremental tests + supramaximal verification phases—INCR1+ and INCR2+) of VO2peak on typical error (TE) and the proportion of individuals classified as responders (i.e., the response rate) following 4 weeks of HIIT ( n = 25) or a no-exercise control period ( n = 9). Incorporation of supramaximal verification consistently reduced the standard deviation of individual response, TE, and confidence interval (CI) widths. However, variances were statistically similar across all groups ( p > 0.05). Response rates increased when incorporating either one (INCR1 to INCR1+; 24%–48%, p = 0.07) or two (INCR2 to INCR2+; 28%–48%, p = 0.063) supramaximal verification phases. However, response rates remained unchanged when either zero-based thresholds or smallest worthwhile difference response thresholds were used (50% and 90% CIs, all p > 0.05). Supramaximal verification phases reduced random variability in VO2peak response to HIIT. Compared with separate-day testing (INCR2 and INCR2+), the incorporation of a same-day verification (INCR1+) reduced CI widths the most. Researchers should consider using a same-day verification phase to reduce uncertainty and better estimate VO2peak response rate to HIIT.
A language framework for modeling social media account behavior
Authors: Nwala Alexander C. , Flammini Alessandro , Menczer Filippo 
Published: August 2023

AbstractMalicious actors exploit social media to inflate stock prices, sway elections, spread misinformation, and sow discord. To these ends, they employ tactics that include the use of inauthentic accounts and campaigns. Methods to detect these abuses currently rely on features specifically designed to target suspicious behaviors. However, the effectiveness of these methods decays as malicious behaviors evolve. To address this challenge, we propose a language framework for modeling social media account behaviors. Words in this framework, called BLOC, consist of symbols drawn from distinct alphabets representing user actions and content. Languages from the framework are highly flexible and can be applied to model a broad spectrum of legitimate and suspicious online behaviors without extensive fine-tuning. Using BLOC to represent the behaviors of Twitter accounts, we achieve performance comparable to or better than state-of-the-art methods in the detection of social bots and coordinated inauthentic behavior.