bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Sieiro Santos Cristiana , Moriano Morales Clara , Álvarez Castro Carolina , González Fernández Ismael , Díez Álvarez Elvira 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundPregnancies in Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) are considered high risk and associated with maternal and obstetric complications.ObjectivesTo determine the most important predictors for each of the main adverse pregnancy outcomes in SLE patients.MethodsPatients with SLE were retrospectively analysed from 1990 to 2020. Maternal and fetal complications in pregnant women with SLE were retrieved. We compared clinical and analytical characteristics of SLE patients with adverse pregnancy outcomes to controls with SLE diagnosis without adverse pregnancy outcomes. Qualitative data were analysed by Chi‐square test and Fisher's exact test. Continuous variables were analysed by using Student's t test. Multiple logistic regression was performed to determine the predictive factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes with adjustment of confounding factors.Results135 multiparous women were included (42% with adverse pregnancy outcomes). A total of 57 pregnancies (42%) were linked to adverse outcomes. The occurrence of abortion was correlated with anti‐DNAds (β = 0.71, p = 0.04), renal involvement (β = 0.28, p 0.03), antiphospholipid antibodies (APA) (β = 0.29, p 0.03), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) elevation (β = 0.81, p = 0.02) and C‐reactive protein (CPR) elevation (β = 0.91, p = 0.01). Stillbirth was also correlated with renal involvement (β = 0.26, p = 0.04), APA (β = 0.22, p = 0.03) and ESR elevation (β = 0.53, p = 0.02). Preeclampsia was correlated with direct Coombs positivity (β = 0.42, p = 0.01), serositis (β = 0.31, p = 0.02), ESR elevation (β = 0.52, p = 0.03) and CPR elevation (β = 0.32, p = 0.04). Neonatal Lupus was correlated with anti‐RNP (β = 0.16, p = 0.03) and anti‐Ro/SSA (β = 0.16, p 0.02).ConclusionsThe most unfavourable pregnancy outcome in women with SLE was spontaneous abortion. Renal involvement, anti‐DNAds positivity, antiphospholipid antibody positivity, anti‐Ro/SSA, elevated ESR and a younger age at disease onset increased the risk of pregnancy complications.
Knee osteoarthritis and the knowledgeable, trustworthy pharmacist: Patient and pharmacist perceptions of community pharmacy‐based education and support
Authors: Darlow Ben , Brown Melanie , Hudson Ben , Frew Gareth , Clark Jane , Vincent Loren , Grainger Rebecca , Marra Carlo , McKinlay Eileen , Abbott J. Haxby , Briggs Andrew M. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundOsteoarthritis (OA) clinical guidelines recommend self‐management education, but education is often not included in primary care consultations.ObjectiveTo explore pharmacists' and patients' perceptions of a pharmacist‐led model of service delivery for knee OA that was integrated within pharmacies' day‐to‐day workflow.MethodsCross‐sectional qualitative design using Thematic Analysis. Community pharmacies were recruited in New Zealand and Australia. Pharmacy patients were screened for knee OA and offered tailored explanations, self‐management information and referral for further support. Pharmacist focus groups and patient 1:1 interviews explored perceptions of the service delivery model.ResultsNineteen pharmacists and 12 patients with knee OA participated. Pharmacist and patient data were analysed separately, with themes compared and contrasted to derive three meta‐themes. Meta‐theme 1: ‘Welcome Engagement’ included two pharmacist themes (‘putting my broad skill set to use’ and ‘we're here and happy to help’) and two patient themes (‘information delivered well’ and ‘a welcome offer of help’). Meta‐theme 2: ‘The Knowledgeable and Trustworthy Pharmacist’ included two pharmacist themes (‘professional knowledge to help all sorts of patients’ and ‘managing time to help my patients’) and one patient theme (‘the accessible professional who I know and trust’). Meta‐theme 3: ‘The Opportunity for More Support’ included one pharmacist theme (‘this is not the end of the story’) and one patient theme (‘more help is available’).ConclusionCommunity pharmacists are well‐positioned to provide information and support to people with knee OA. Pharmacists appreciate the opportunity to better use their skills and accessibility for OA care, and patients welcome this engagement.
Gender differences in psychosocial characteristics and diabetes self‐management among inner‐city African Americans
Authors: Tseng Hsin‐Hui Katty , Nkimbeng Manka , Han Hae‐Ra 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAimsTo characterize differences in psychosocial variables between inner‐city African American men and women with type 2 diabetes, and to test if the relationships between psychosocial variables and diabetes self‐management behaviours differ by gender.DesignSecondary analysis.MethodsWe used baseline data from participants enrolled in the Prevention through Lifestyle Intervention and Numeracy 4 Success‐Diabetes study (N = 37). Differences in psychosocial variables between genders were compared using chi‐square tests. A two‐way analysis of variance was then used to compare self‐management scores by different psychosocial characteristics and gender.ResultsThere was no statistically significant difference in psychosocial characteristics between genders. High diabetes knowledge and self‐efficacy were associated with better self‐management behaviours in African American women but not in men. In contrast, high numeracy was associated with better diabetes self‐management only in men. Low depression, high health literacy, and high social support were associated with better self‐management practices in both genders.
Experimental investigation on the effect of fiber volume fraction of sponge gourd outer skin fiber reinforced epoxy composites
Authors: Arockiasamy Felix Sahayaraj , M Muthukrishnan 
Published: May 2022

AbstractNatural fibers have gained popularity as composite reinforcements in recent years. Matured sponge gourd has a fibrous structure consisting of inner core and outer shell (skin). Several studies were done on the inner core as reinforcement in the various thermoplastic and thermoset polymer matrices. In the current experimental study, the fibers were extracted from the outer skin of the matured sponge gourd used as reinforcement in the epoxy matrix. Extracted sponge gourd outer skin fibers (SGOSF) were cut into short fibers then reinforced with the epoxy resin and the composites were manufactured by compression molding method. The fiber volume fraction varies from 10 to 50 wt% reinforced with epoxy matrix and the composites were characterized by mechanical, thermal, and water absorption characteristics. The results revealed that 40 wt% SGOSF reinforced composites have higher tensile, flexural, compressive, and impact strengths and hardness when compared to other prepared composite materials. It is found from the thermal study results that the developed composite can withstand up to 340°C higher temperature than neat epoxy. The matrix/fiber bonding and void content were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis.
Temporal residual spontaneous cure in L‐shaped composites structures: The influence of angular stacking sequence, autoclave cooling rate cycle, and thickness
Authors: Pereira Glaucio Carley , Ioshida Maria Irene , LeBoulluec Peter , Lu Wei‐Tsen , Alves Ana Paula , Avila Antonio Ferreira 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThis work shows the degree of cure achieved after traditional autoclave curing is not completed. Pre‐impregnated, prepreg, based on resin F8552 system was used in the manufacture of various L‐shaped specimens. This system contains carbon tapes as reinforcement structures. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used in order to obtain quantitative data which support the investigation about the influence of the several factors on L‐shaped composites degree of cure. Approximately 1 year interval was considered in DSC analyses for each sample configuration. The influence of degree of cure has been studied by using symmetric, balanced, and unbalanced laminates with three different thicknesses. The influence of three autoclave cooling rate cycles was also studied. A total 81 samples were used to perform the study. It is observed that the degree of spontaneous residual curing was more significant in thinner samples. The slower cooling rates produce higher degree of cure over time. Last, the degree of residual cure is more pronounced in unbalanced laminates.
Theoretical Research on the Combustion Mechanism and Kinetics for Aluminum and Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Zhang Siyi , Sun Yunlan , Zhu Baozhong , Sun Tao 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe reaction mechanism and kinetics of ground state aluminum (Al) atom and carbon dioxide (CO2) molecule were studied by quantum chemical calculations. The transition states and reaction paths were investigated at the B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) (Becke type three‐parameter Lee‐Yang‐Parr functional model) basis set. The energy of each stagnation point was calculated at the high‐precision CBS‐QB3 (limiting complete basis set) level of theory. The reaction of CO2 with Al is a complex process. There are four basic reaction processes and two main reaction paths (Reaction pathway 1: Al+CO2→IM1→TS1→IM2→TS2→AlO (2Π)+CO and Reaction pathway 2: Al+CO2→IM3→TS3→AlCO2linear→TS4→AlO (2Σ)+CO). The temperature‐ and pressure‐dependent rate constants of the reaction of Al and CO2 was estimated by CBS‐QB3//B3LYP/6‐311+G(d,p) level at 300∼3000 K, which is combined with Transition State Theory (TST), Variational Transition State Theory (VTST), and Rice‐Ramsperger‐Kassel‐Marcus (RRKM) theory. The total rate constant of Reaction pathway 1 (ktotal,1) is much higher than that of Reaction pathway 2 (ktotal,2), indicating that the reaction of Al with CO2 is easier to occur through Reaction pathway 1. Compared with ktotal,2, ktotal,1 shows a strong pressure dependence at high temperature, but it is almost independent with the pressure at low temperature.
AlphaFold2 fails to predict protein fold switching
Authors: Chakravarty Devlina , Porter Lauren L. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractAlphaFold2 has revolutionized protein structure prediction by leveraging sequence information to rapidly model protein folds with atomic‐level accuracy. Nevertheless, previous work has shown that these predictions tend to be inaccurate for structurally heterogeneous proteins. To systematically assess factors that contribute to this inaccuracy, we tested AlphaFold2's performance on 98‐fold‐switching proteins, which assume at least two distinct‐yet‐stable secondary and tertiary structures. Topological similarities were quantified between five predicted and two experimentally determined structures of each fold‐switching protein. Overall, 94% of AlphaFold2 predictions captured one experimentally determined conformation but not the other. Despite these biased results, AlphaFold2's estimated confidences were moderate‐to‐high for 74% of fold‐switching residues, a result that contrasts with overall low confidences for intrinsically disordered proteins, which are also structurally heterogeneous. To investigate factors contributing to this disparity, we quantified sequence variation within the multiple sequence alignments used to generate AlphaFold2's predictions of fold‐switching and intrinsically disordered proteins. Unlike intrinsically disordered regions, whose sequence alignments show low conservation, fold‐switching regions had conservation rates statistically similar to canonical single‐fold proteins. Furthermore, intrinsically disordered regions had systematically lower prediction confidences than either fold‐switching or single‐fold proteins, regardless of sequence conservation. AlphaFold2's high prediction confidences for fold switchers indicate that it uses sophisticated pattern recognition to search for one most probable conformer rather than protein biophysics to model a protein's structural ensemble. Thus, it is not surprising that its predictions often fail for proteins whose properties are not fully apparent from solved protein structures. Our results emphasize the need to look at protein structure as an ensemble and suggest that systematic examination of fold‐switching sequences may reveal propensities for multiple stable secondary and tertiary structures.
Impact of front‐of‐pack labels in chocolate bars and soft drinks on consumer perceptions: A cross‐sectional study using free word association
Authors: Leão Rebeca Dantas , dos Santos Alves Maria Jaízia , Moraes Monteiro Carla Roana , Ribeiro Gagliardi Talita , Ayala Valencia Germán 
Published: May 2022

AbstractFood packaging is a factor used to attract consumer attention and generate sensory and hedonic expectations. Most food packaging use conventional labels having the nutritional table as the main component; however, other alternatives such as the traffic light (TL) and warning labels have been proposed to the food industry as an alternative to improve the consumer interpretation related to food products. This study aimed to understand the effect of two front‐of‐pack labels (TL and warning models) on consumer perceptions and purchasing intention using free word association. A cross‐sectional study with 551 volunteers was carried out using chocolate bars and soft drinks having conventional labels and front‐of‐pack labels. Results from volunteers using free word association show that front‐of‐pack labels did not impact the purchasing intention of volunteers when compared with food packaging having conventional labels (only nutritional table). However, the use of front‐of‐pack labels can modify consumer perception, inducing consumers to reflect on the information exposed on the food label. In this context, the warning label was more efficient to transmit the information to consumers when compared with the TL model. Based on these results, it is possible to suggest the warning model as the most indicate label to be used in food products.
Containment problem for multi‐agent systems with position and velocity constraints
Authors: Chen Jie , Wang Yalin , Pan Zhuofu , Hou Hailiang , Gui Weihua 
Published: May 2022

AbstractThe containment problem is investigated for networked second‐order agents with nonuniform position and nonconvex velocity constraints under directed switching topologies. A distributed containment algorithm is designed for each agent to drive it into the convex target area formed by multiple leaders. The proposed control strategy only utilizes the information of each agent and its neighbor interaction. Theoretical analysis demonstrates that the constrained containment problem can be addressed only if each agent has a directed communication path from at least one leader to it in the union of the graphs. Finally, several numerical simulation results are presented to demonstrate the proposed control schemes.
Prescribed performance tracking for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems with actuator failures
Authors: Liu Jiehan , Yi Peng , Wang Chaoli 
Published: May 2022

AbstractIn this article, we consider the design of a tracking controller for a class of uncertain nonlinear systems with external disturbances and actuator failures and achieve predesignated performance results on the tracking error. First, since the existing prescribed performance strategies are unable to specify performance bounds in an arbitrary way, we propose a new tool to address the prescribed performance issue by constructing chained first‐order filters and an input switching method. With the aid of the new and flexible prescribed performance tool, any predesignated continuous bounds can be formed by setting the reference coordinate values, sufficiently small coordinate value intervals and the gain parameters of the filters. Second, a full state feedback controller design scheme based on the prescribed performance bounds, which describe the convergence rate and maximum overshoot of the tracking error, is proposed. It is proven that the tracking error always satisfies the prescribed performance bounds. Finally, simulation studies are used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed tool and the correctness of the established theoretical results.
A Universal Mechanochemistry Allows On‐Demand Synthesis of Stable and Processable Liquid Metal Composites
Authors: Wu Die , Liu Dingyao , Tian Xinyu , Lei Chuxin , Chen Xianchun , Zhang Shiming , Chen Feng , Wu Kai , Fu Qiang 
Published: May 2022

AbstractGallium‐based liquid metal (LM) is regarded as one of the most promising candidates for the new‐generation jigsaw of stretchable electronics. Nonetheless, the obstacle for the LM application lies in its high surface tension and easy fluidity which leads to great difficulty in handling and processing. Herein, a cross‐mechanochemistry between liquid metal and inorganic solid, mediated via the coordination binding between the empty electronic orbits of the former and the lone electron pair of the latter is reported. The mechanism is validated via density functional theory calculation and electron energy loss spectroscopy, and experimentally proven to be universally applicable for various liquid metals and inorganic solids. With the unique mechanochemistry, simple ball milling allows on‐demand transformation of the liquid metal into a low‐surface‐tension liquid, semi‐solid paste, or even solid powder. The overcoming of the intrinsic high surface tension of the liquid metal with this approach unleashes the freedom to easily process the liquid metal composites into polymer composites or as direct molding processable paste and printable electronic ink.
Fucoxanthin decreases lipopolysaccharide‐induced acute lung injury through the inhibition of RhoA activation and the NF‐κB pathway
Authors: Lee Chien‐Ying , Chen Shih‐Pin , Huang‐Liu Rosa , Gau Shuo‐Yan , Li Yi‐Ching , Chen Chun‐Jung , Chen Wen‐Ying , Wu Chun‐Nan , Kuan Yu‐Hsiang 
Published: May 2022

AbstractFucoxanthin is a natural pigment widely distributed in macroalgae and microalgae. An orange‐colored xanthophyll, it has several bioactive effects, including anticancer, anti‐obesity, oxidative stress reduction, and anti‐inflammation. Acute lung injury (ALI) caused by acute infections or injurious stimuli to the lung tissues is a severe pulmonary inflammatory disease. To date, no evidence has shown ALI to be reduced by fucoxanthin through activation of Ras homolog family member A (RhoA) and the nuclear factor (NF)‐κB pathway in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐treated mice. Pretreatment with fucoxanthin inhibited histopathological changes in lung tissues and neutrophil infiltration into bronchoalveolar lavage fluid induced by LPS in ALI mice. Moreover, LPS‐induced proinflammatory cytokine expression and neutrophil infiltration were inhibited by fucoxanthin in a concentration‐dependent manner. Pretreatment of mice with fucoxanthin inhibited NF‐κB phosphorylation and IκB degradation in the lungs of mice with LPS‐induced ALI. We further found that phosphorylation of Akt and p38 mitogen‐activated protein KINASE (MAPK) was inhibited by fucoxanthin. By contrast, the phosphorylation of extracellular signal‐regulated kinase and c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase was not inhibited by fucoxanthin. Furthermore, we found that the activation of RhoA was inhibited by fucoxanthin in LPS‐induced ALI. On the basis of these results, we propose that fucoxanthin disrupts the RhoA activation‐mediated phosphorylation of Akt and p38 MAPK, leading to NF‐κB activation in mice with LPS‐induced ALI.
The Third Delay in General Surgical Care in a Regional Referral Hospital in Soroti, Uganda
Authors: Starr Savannah , Kim Woon Cho , Oke Rasheedat , Carvalho Melissa , Ledesma Yera , Okullu Silas , Ariokot Mary Goretty , Wange Andrew Hyginus , Agwang Esther , Ekuchu Peter , Boeck Marissa , Juillard Catherine , Ajiko Mary Margaret , Dicker Rochelle A. 
Published: May 2022

AbstractBackgroundBuilding capacity for surgical care in low‐and‐middle‐income countries is essential for the improvement of global health and economic growth. This study assesses in‐hospital delays of surgical services at Soroti Regional Referral Hospital (SRRH), a tertiary healthcare facility in Soroti, Uganda.MethodsA prospective general surgical database at SRRH was analyzed. Data on patient demographics, surgical characteristics, delays of care, and adverse clinical outcomes of patients seen between January 2017 and February 2020 were extracted and analyzed. Patient characteristics and surgical outcomes, for those who experienced delays in care, were compared to those who did not.ResultsOf the 1160 general surgery patients, 263 (22.3%) experienced at least one delay of care. Deficits in infrastructure, particularly lacking operating theater space, were the greatest contributor to delays (n = 192, 73.0%), followed by shortage of equipment (n = 52, 19.8%) and personnel (n = 37, 14.1%). Male sex was associated with less delays of care (OR 0.63) while undergoing emergency surgeries (OR 1.65) and abdominal surgeries (OR 1.44) were associated with more frequent delays. Delays were associated with more adverse events (10.3% vs. 5.0%), including death (4.2% vs. 1.6%). Emergency surgery, unclean wounds, and comorbidities were independent risk factors of adverse events.DiscussionPatients at SRRH face significant delays in surgical care from deficits in infrastructure and lack of capacity for emergency surgery. Delays are associated with increased mortality and other adverse events. Investing in solutions to prevent delays is essential to improving surgical care at SRRH.
Plant defences and spider-mite web affect host plant choice and performance of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci
Authors: Dias Cleide Rosa , Cardoso André Costa , Kant Merijn R. , Mencalha Jussara , Bernardo Ana Maria Guimarães , da Silveira Marcela Cristina Agustini Carneiro , Sarmento Renato Almeida , Venzon Madelaine , Pallini Angelo , Janssen Arne 
Published: May 2022

AbstractHerbivores select host plants depending on plant quality and the presence of predators and competitors. Competing herbivores change host plant quantity through consumption, but they can also change plant quality through induction of plant defences, and this affects the performance of herbivores that arrive later on the plant. Some herbivores, such as the spider mite Tetranychus evansi, do not induce, but suppress plant defences, and later-arriving herbivores can profit from this suppression. It has been suggested that the dense web produced by this spider mite serves to prevent other herbivores to settle on the plant and benefit from the suppressed defences. Here, we confirmed this by studying the preference and performance of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci, a generalist herbivorous pest. To disentangle the effects through changes in plant defences from the effects of spider-mite web, we included treatments with a strain of the closely-related web-producing spider mite T. urticae, which induces plant defences. Whiteflies did perform worse on plants with defences induced by T. urticae, but, in contrast to other herbivores, did not perform better on plants with defences suppressed by T. evansi. Moreover, the web of both spider mites reduced the juvenile survival of whiteflies, and whiteflies avoided plants that were covered with web. Hence, whitefly performance was not only affected by plant quality and induced plant defences, but also through the web produced by spider mites, which thus serves to protect against potential competitors, especially when these could profit from the suppression of plant defences by the mites.