bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Identification of multiple nonlinear lap joints using instantaneous power flow balance
Authors: Anish R. , Shankar K. 
Published: April 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to apply the novel instantaneous power flow balance (IPFB)-based identification strategy to a specific practical situation like nonlinear lap joints having single and double bolts. The paper also investigates the identification performance of the proposed power flow method over conventional acceleration-matching (AM) methods and other methods in the literature for nonlinear identification.Design/methodology/approachA parametric model of the joint assembly formulated using generic beam element is used for numerically simulating the experimental response under sinusoidal excitations. The proposed method uses the concept of substructure IPFB criteria, whereby the algebraic sum of power flow components within a substructure is equal to zero, for the formulation of an objective function. The joint parameter identification problem was treated as an inverse formulation by minimizing the objective function using the Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm, with the unknown parameters as the optimization variables.FindingsThe errors associated with identified numerical results through the instantaneous power flow approach have been compared with the conventional AM method using the same model and are found to be more accurate. The outcome of the proposed method is also compared with other nonlinear time-domain structural identification (SI) methods from the literature to show the acceptability of the results.Originality/valueIn this paper, the concept of IPFB-based identification method was extended to a more specific practical application of nonlinear joints which is not reported in the literature. Identification studies were carried out for both single-bolted and double-bolted lap joints with noise-free and noise-contamination cases. In the current study, only the zone of interest (substructure) needs to be modelled, thus reducing computational complexity, and only interface sensors are required in this method. If the force application point is outside the substructure, there is no need to measure the forcing response also.
Business engagement for the SDGs in COVID-19 time: an Italian perspective
Authors: Scarpa Francesco , Torelli Riccardo , Fiandrino Simona 
Published: April 2023

Purpose
This paper aims to understand how companies addressed and revisited their sustainable development goals (SDGs) engagement during COVID-19.

Design/methodology/approach
The study conducts semi-structured interviews with the sustainability managers of 16 Italian listed companies acting for the accomplishment of the SDGs. Then, the interviews’ transcripts and the companies’ sustainability reports were thematically analysed to tease out relevant findings.

Findings
The findings show that companies have intensified their SDGs efforts during COVID-19, implementing an approach closer to the “Sustainability for Braving Crisis”. The findings unveil the transformational mechanisms which determined and facilitated this improvement at three levels of the business SDGs engagement: “WHY” (general awareness and motivations), “HOW” (governance mechanisms, organizational structure and stakeholder dialogue) and “WHAT” (SDGs identification and prioritization and actions for the SDGs). These findings uncover the mechanisms through which a global crisis may prompt and catalyse sustainable business practices, acting as i) an inspirational and empowering event, ii) an organisational lever and iii) a reference point.

Practical implications
This research has important implications for practice and policy, as it offers managers and stakeholders guidance to understand how companies have reshaped their sustainability practices during the pandemic and drives future corporate responses in times of crisis.

Social implications
This study shows that a crisis may be a powerful lever to intensify business sustainability practices towards a better contribution to the SDGs.

Originality/value
This study focuses on how companies have revised their SDGs practices when faced with a global crisis such as COVID-19.
Feasibility and self‐perceived effectiveness of an online training program on dysphagia in residential aged care homes in mainland China
Authors: Law Thomas , Wei Yifeng , Wong Kay H. Y. , Hu Yunyi , Tong Michael C. F. , Lee Kathy Y. S. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundWith a rapidly aging population in mainland China, dysphagia has become one of the common geriatric disorders which creates a huge demand on speech and language therapists (SLTs). The major challenge is the shortage of SLTs in China. In addition, frontline practitioners in mainland China may not be well equipped with the knowledge and practical skills in dysphagia management due to lack of systematic training and the work nature.AimsThis study evaluates the self‐perceived effectiveness and feasibility of an online training program that aims to enhance the self‐assessed knowledge and skills of SLTs providing dysphagia care in residential aged care homes.Methods and ProceduresSixteen SLTs working in a residential aged care homes in mainland China attended a three‐hour pilot online training program which consists of didactic lecture and practical skills activity components. A total of 10 participants completed an online questionnaire one month after the training to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of this online training program.Outcomes and ResultsThe preliminary results demonstrated participants’ self‐perception of high training effectiveness in theoretical knowledge and practical skills. A majority of the participants perceived that the training enhanced their theoretical knowledge and all of them perceived that they acquired practical skills. All respondents were satisfied with the online training approach. They also highlighted the advantage and challenges of the online training approach.Conclusions and ImplicationsOnline training is an effective and feasible approach for theoretical knowledge and practical skills transfer in SLT training and could ultimately benefit the delivery of services for individuals with dysphagia in mainland China.What this paper addsWhat is already known on the subject
Previous studies have shown that online training approach is as effective as face‐to‐face training in increasing professional knowledge. Online training programs may be more cost efficient and time efficient when compared with face‐to‐face training.What this study adds
The present study provided preliminary evidence to support the feasibility and effectiveness of using online training on dysphagia for speech and language therapists working in residential aged care homes in mainland China.What are the clinical implications of this work?
From the participants’ perception, online training approach is effective and feasible in delivering theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It may be a better training approach for mainland China considering the lack of expertise and accessibility to training.
Exploring Australian emergency department clinicians' knowledge, attitudes and adherence to the national peripheral intravenous catheter clinical care standard: A cross‐sectional national survey
Authors: Xu Hui (Grace) , Rickard Claire M , Takashima Mari , Butterfield Michael , Pink Edward , Ullman Amanda J 
Published: April 2023

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to (i) capture clinicians' knowledge, attitude and adherence to the first Australian national peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) Clinical Care Standard, (ii) examine the instrument performance of the knowledge related questions and (iii) explore the educational needs for, and barriers to, Standard adherence among Australian ED clinicians.MethodsA cross‐sectional national online survey was conducted from March to June 2022, using a snowball sampling method. The survey used 5‐point Likert scales and multiple‐choice questions to capture respondents' knowledge, attitude and adherence to the Standard as well as the educational needs for, and barriers to, Standard adherence.ResultsIn total, 433 ED nurses and doctors responded. Although nearly half (n = 206, 47.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 55.5–65.8) of respondents claimed that they were unfamiliar with the Standard, questions on PIVC knowledge yielded that most respondents had adequate knowledge of most of the key standards. Respondents' attitudes towards multiple intravenous insertion attempts and ongoing PIVC competency monitoring are not in agreement with the Standard. Self‐reported practices regarding routine insertion of idle catheters (55%; 95% CI 49.9–59.9), using antecubital fossa as the first insertion site (84%; 95% CI 80–87), insertion without confidence (46%; 95% CI 41.2–51.1) and lack of routine reviewing the ongoing needs of PIVC (40%; 95% CI 35.3–45.1) were not aligned with the Standard. Unawareness of the Standard and non‐practical recommendations were rated as the top barriers to Standard adherence.ConclusionThe findings of the survey suggest that the Standard may need modification to align with the needs of ED clinicians. Future studies need to explore the applicability and relevancy of some recommendations in the ED settings as they may cause low adherence to the Standard.
New Insights into the Mesozoic Large‐scale Intra‐plate Magmatism and Mineralization in South China from Seismic Tomography
Authors: SHI Danian , LÜ Qingtian , SHEN Yang , XU Xiaoming , ZHANG Yongqian , XU Yao , ZHAO Jinhua , GU Yumin , SHI Jianyu , CHEN Changxin 
Published: April 2023

AbstractA great amount of new S‐wave data has been combined to image the mantle structure down to lower mantle depth near the southeastern margin of Eurasia and understand the tectonics in South China since the Mesozoic. Our results reveal a large‐scale structure beneath the South China Sea, with a prominent, broad low‐velocity feature of at least 1500‐km wide in and below the mantle transition zone (MTZ) and a pronounced low‐velocity feature of nearly 500‐km wide in the lowermost mantle. Together these features may represent the head‐and‐tail of an upwelling mantle plume that has interacted with and deformed by the subducting plates in the region. The Andaman–Sumatra plate is seen subducting steeply without stagnation in the MTZ over the large‐scale low‐velocity structure, suggesting that the upwelling mantle may have exerted significant influence on the overlying plate tectonics. Our results suggest a long‐term extensional regime near the southeastern margin of Eurasia, which may help to understand the formation of the large‐scale intra‐plate magmatism and mineralization with accumulation of huge amount of rare metal elements in South China during the Mesozoic, and the continental breakup, the southeastward extrusion of Indochina, and the opening of the South China Sea during the Cenozoic.
A Numerical Simulation Study of Temperature and Pressure Effects on the Breakthrough Pressure of CO2 in Unsaturated Low‐permeability Rock Core
Authors: HU Zhikai , LI Yi , LI Qi , DIAO Yujie , MA Xin , LIU Hejuan , FENG Guanhong , WANG Fugang , YU Qingchun 
Published: April 2023

AbstractGas breakthrough pressure is a key parameter to evaluate the sealing capacity of caprock, and it also plays important roles in safety and capacity of CO2 geological storage. Based on the published experimental results, we present numerical simulations on CO2 breakthrough pressure in unsaturated low‐permeability rock under 9 multiple P‐T conditions (which can keep CO2 in gaseous, liquid and supercritical states) and thus, a numerical method which can be used to accurately predict CO2 breakthrough pressure on rock‐core scale is proposed. The simulation results show that CO2 breakthrough pressure and breakthrough time are exponential correlated with P‐T conditions. Meanwhile, pressure has stronger effects on experimental results than that of temperature. Moreover, we performed sensitivity studies on the pore distribution index λ (0.6, 0.7, 0.8, and 0.9) in van Genuchten‐Muale model. Results show that with the increase of λ, CO2 breakthrough pressure and breakthrough time both show decreasing trends. In other words, the larger the value of λ is, the better the permeability of the caprock is, and the worse the CO2 sealing capacity is. The numerical method established in this study can provide an important reference for the prediction of gas breakthrough pressure on rock‐core scale and for related numerical studies.
How much carbon is stored in the terrestrial ecosystems of the Chilean Patagonia?
Authors: Perez‐Quezada Jorge F. , Moncada Macarena , Barrales Patricio , Urrutia‐Jalabert Rocío , Pfeiffer Marco , Herrera Aldo Farías , Sagardía Rodrigo 
Published: April 2023

AbstractWe estimated the amount of carbon (C) stored in terrestrial ecosystems of the Chilean Patagonia and the proportion within protected areas. We used existing public databases that provide information on C stocks in biomass and soils. Data were analysed by ecosystem and forest type in the case of native forests. Our results show that some ecosystems have been more extensively studied both for their stocks in biomass and soils (e.g. forests) compared with others (e.g. shrublands). Forests and peatlands store the largest amount of C because of their large stocks per hectare and the large area they cover. The total amount of C stored per unit area varies from 261.7 to 432.8 Mg C ha−1, depending on the published value used for soil organic C stocks in peatlands, highlighting the need to have more precise estimates of the C stored in this and other ecosystems. The mean stock in national parks (508 Mg C ha−1) is almost twice the amount stored in undisturbed forests in the Amazon. State and private protected areas contain 58.9% and 2.1% of the C stock, respectively, playing a key role in protecting ecosystems in this once pristine area.
Trends in early gestation stillbirths and neonatal deaths in New South Wales, Australia 2002–2019
Authors: Parry Marissa , Torvaldsen Siranda , Nippita Tanya A. , Bowen Jennifer , Morris Jonathan M. , Ibiebele Ibinabo 
Published: April 2023

BackgroundLittle research has focused on understanding trends in early gestation (20–27 weeks) stillbirths and neonatal deaths.AimsTo examine trends in early gestation stillbirths and neonatal deaths in New South Wales (NSW), Australia.Materials and MethodsPopulation‐based cohort study of all births ≥20 weeks gestation among female NSW residents during 2002 to 2019, induced pregnancy terminations excluded. Stillbirth rates by gestational age and birth year were calculated per 1000 fetuses‐at‐risk (FAR). Neonatal death rates by gestational age and birth year were calculated per 1000 live births. Linear regression was used to examine trends in stillbirth and neonatal death rates among all, singleton and twin births.ResultsDeclining trends in early gestation stillbirth and neonatal death rates were found. Stillbirth rates decreased from 1.9 and 0.9/1000 FAR in 2002 to 1.6 and 0.7 in 2019 for 20–23 and 24–27 week groups, respectively. Neonatal rates decreased from 940 and 315/1000 live births in 2002 to 925 and 189 in 2019 for the 20–23 and 24–27 week groups, respectively. Among singleton births, declining trends in stillbirth and neonatal death rates across all age groups were observed, except for 37–38 week stillbirths. No trends in twin stillbirth rates were found across gestational age groups, although a decreasing trend was observed for 20–23 week twin neonatal deaths.ConclusionsTrends in early gestation stillbirth and neonatal deaths have declined in recent decades in NSW but further efforts are needed to reduce both early and late gestation stillbirth rates among twin births.
Bleb morphology of glaucoma drainage devices on magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Correia Barão Rafael , Berhanu David , Bernardo Matos Diogo , Barata André Diogo , Sousa Rita , Abegão Pinto Luís 
Published: April 2023

AbstractPurposeTo evaluate bleb morphology features of different glaucoma drainage devices (GDD) using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Materials and MethodsProspective cohort study of GDD and bleb morphology in consecutive glaucoma patients implanted with Ahmed Glaucoma Valve (AGV), Paul Glaucoma Implant (PGI), Baerveldt Glaucoma Implant (BGI) and Ahmed ClearPath (ACP) devices. Thirty‐six eyes from 30 consecutive patients underwent standardized GDD implantation followed by MRI at least 1 month after surgery. Main outcomes included bleb volume and endplate position relative to the optic nerve. Secondary outcomes included intraocular pressure (IOP), medication and surgical complications during a 12‐month follow‐up.ResultsSeven eyes were implanted with the AGV (19%), 5 with BGI (14%), 16 with PGI (44%) and 8 with ACP (22%). MRI scans were obtained 85 ± 66 days after surgery. Mean total bleb volume was 563 ± 390 mm3. This bleb volume was inversely correlated with early post‐operative IOP (day 7; rs = −0.3326, p = 0.0475) but positively correlated with IOP at 12 months (rs = 0.3592, p = 0.0341). No significant difference in total bleb volume was found between GDD types (p = 0.1223). A double‐layered bleb was observed in 34 eyes (94%). The inferior bleb volume was significantly larger in PGI devices versus other GDD types (380 ± 205 vs. 193 ± 161 mm3; p = 0.0043). Distance from the endplate to the optic nerve was 9.5 ± 4.0 mm, similar across GDDs (p = 0.2519).ConclusionsDouble‐layered blebs are a common finding with GDDs. Bleb volume showed different correlations with IOP at distinct timepoints and the PGI device formed larger blebs. A standardized GDD implantation technique ensures a safe distance from the GDD endplate to the optic nerve.
Exploring the interactive mechanism of acarbose with the amylase SusG in the starch utilization system of the human gut symbiont Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron through molecular modeling
Authors: Kwain Samuel , Dominy Brian N. , Whitehead Kristi J. , Miller Brock A. , Whitehead Daniel C. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe α‐amylase, SusG, is a principal component of the Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (Bt) starch utilization system (Sus) used to metabolize complex starch molecules in the human gastrointestinal (GI) tract. We previously reported the non‐microbicidal growth inhibition of Bt by the acarbose‐mediated arrest of the Sus as a potential therapeutic strategy. Herein, we report a computational approach using density functional theory (DFT), molecular docking, and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to explore the interactive mechanism between acarbose and SusG at the atomic level in an effort to understand how acarbose shuts down the Bt Sus. The docking analysis reveals that acarbose binds orthosterically to SusG with a binding affinity of −8.3 kcal/mol. The MD simulation provides evidence of conformational variability of acarbose at the active site of SusG and also suggests that acarbose interacts with the main catalytic residues via a general acid–base double‐displacement catalytic mechanism. These results suggest that small molecule competitive inhibition against the SusG protein could impact the entire Bt Sus and eliminate or reduce the system's ability to metabolize starch. This computational strategy could serve as a potential avenue for structure‐based drug design to discover other small molecules capable of inhibiting the Sus of Bt with high potency, thus providing a holistic approach for selective modulation of the GI microbiota.
Transethosomes: Cutting edge approach for drug permeation enhancement in transdermal drug delivery system
Authors: Nayak Bhabani Shankar , Mohanty Biswaranjan , Mishra Bibaswan , Roy Harekrishna , Nandi Sisir 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe skin is a major route of drug administration. Despite the high surface area of the skin, drug delivery via the skin route is problematic due to its physiological obstacles. The formulation scientist has developed a vesicular system to enhance the skin's absorption of bioactive substances. Among numerous vesicular systems, concept of transethosomes (TEs) introduced in 2012 are being tested for drug delivery to the dermis. When transferosomes and ethosomes interact, TEs are produced. It consists of water, ethanol, phospholipids, and an edge activator. Ethanol and the edge activator increase the absorption of medication through the skin. In the presence of ethanol and an edge activator, skin permeability can increase. The advantages of TEs include increased patient compliance, bypassing first‐pass metabolism, including non‐toxic raw components, being a noninvasive method of drug delivery, being more stable, biocompatible, biodegradable, and administered in semisolid form. TEs can be produced through the use of hot, cold, mechanical dispersion, and conventional techniques. The morphology, shape, size, zeta potential, drug loading efficiency, vesicle yield, biophysical interactions, and stability of TEs define them. Recent studies reported successful transdermal distribution of antifungal, antiviral, anti‐inflammatory, and cardiovascular bioactive while using ethosomes with significant deeper penetration in skin. The review extensively discussed various claims on TEs developed by researchers, patents, and marketed ethosomes. However, till today no patens being granted on TEs. There are still lingering difficulties related to ethanol‐based TEs that require substantial research to fix.
Flaws and uncertainties in pandemic global excess death calculations
Authors: Ioannidis John P. A. , Zonta Francesco , Levitt Michael 
Published: April 2023

AbstractSeveral teams have been publishing global estimates of excess deaths during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Here, we examine potential flaws and underappreciated sources of uncertainty in global excess death calculations. Adjusting for changing population age structure is essential. Otherwise, excess deaths are markedly overestimated in countries with increasingly aging populations. Adjusting for changes in other high‐risk indicators, such as residence in long‐term facilities, may also make a difference. Death registration is highly incomplete in most countries; completeness corrections should allow for substantial uncertainty and consider that completeness may have changed during pandemic years. Excess death estimates have high sensitivity to modelling choice. Therefore different options should be considered and the full range of results should be shown for different choices of pre‐pandemic reference periods and imposed models. Any post‐modelling corrections in specific countries should be guided by pre‐specified rules. Modelling of all‐cause mortality (ACM) in countries that have ACM data and extrapolating these models to other countries is precarious; models may lack transportability. Existing global excess death estimates underestimate the overall uncertainty that is multiplicative across diverse sources of uncertainty. Informative excess death estimates require risk stratification, including age groups and ethnic/racial strata. Data to‐date suggest a death deficit among children during the pandemic and marked socioeconomic differences in deaths, widening inequalities. Finally, causal explanations require great caution in disentangling SARS‐CoV‐2 deaths, indirect pandemic effects and effects from measures taken. We conclude that excess deaths have many uncertainties, but globally deaths from SARS‐CoV‐2 may be the minority of calculated excess deaths.