bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cardiac involvement in cystic fibrosis evaluated using cardiopulmonary magnetic resonance
Authors: Lagan Jakub , Naish Josephine H. , Bradley Joshua , Fortune Christien , Palmer Charlie , Clark David , Schelbert Erik B. , Schmitt Matthias , Bright-Thomas Rowland , Miller Christopher A. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractCystic fibrosis (CF) transmembrane conductance regulator is expressed in myocardium, but cardiac involvement in CF remains poorly understood. The recent development of a combined cardiopulmonary magnetic resonance imaging technology allows for a simultaneous interrogation of cardiac and pulmonary structure and function. The aim of this study was to investigate myocardial manifestations in adults with CF, both in a stable state and during an acute respiratory exacerbation, and to investigate the relationship between cardiac and pulmonary disease. Healthy adult volunteers (n = 12) and adults with CF (n = 10) were studied using a multiparametric cardiopulmonary magnetic resonance protocol. CF patients were scanned during an acute respiratory exacerbation and re-scanned when stable. Stable CF was associated with left ventricular dilatation and hypertrophy (LVH; left ventricular mass: CF 59 ± 9 g/m2 vs. control 50 ± 8 g/m2; p = 0.028). LVH was predominantly driven by extracellular myocardial matrix expansion (extracellular matrix mass: CF 27.5 ± 3.4 g vs. control 23.6 ± 5.2 g; p = 0.006; extracellular volume [ECV]: CF 27.6 [24.7–29.8]% vs. control 24.8 [22.9–26.0]%; p = 0.030). Acute CF was associated with an acute reduction in left ventricular function (ejection fraction: acute 57 ± 3% vs. stable 61 ± 5%; p = 0.025) and there was a suggestion of myocardial oedema. Myocardial oedema severity was strongly associated with the severity of airflow limitation (r = − 0.726, p = 0.017). Multiparametric cardiopulmonary magnetic resonance technology allows for a simultaneous interrogation of cardiac and pulmonary structure and function. Stable CF is associated with adverse myocardial remodelling, including left ventricular systolic dilatation and hypertrophy, driven by myocardial fibrosis. CF exacerbation is associated with acute myocardial contractile dysfunction. There is also a suggestion of myocardial oedema in the acute period which is related to pulmonary disease severity.
Is employer engagement effective in external quality assurance of higher education? A paradigm shift or QA disruption from quality assurance perspectives in Asia
Authors: Hou Angela Yung Chi , Hill Christopher , Justiniano Dewin , Lin Arianna Fang Yu , Tasi Sandy 
Published: January 2022

AbstractDue to global attention on student employability, employers are expected to be involved in institutional governance in higher education and quality assurance (QA). Due to the difficulties in recruiting motivated employers to participate in external QA governance and process, this has become a challenging issue in many Asian nations. The paper aims to explore employer legitimacy in Asian national higher education regulations and EQA system according to a four-dimensional diagram of institutional governance model. There are two major findings. First, Asian governments developed QA policies with a focus on employer engagement but the emerging practice is still ineffective. Second, approaches of employer engagement in QA governance vary context to context, such as HK and Malaysia in the excellence mode; Taiwan, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand belong to advanced type; and China, Thailand, and Vietnam fall in the intermediate category.
Development of TiB and nanocrystalline Ti-reinforced novel hybrid Ti nanocomposite produced by powder metallurgy
Authors: Angel D. A. , Mikó T. , Kristály F. , Benke M. , Gácsi Z. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractTitanium monoboride (TiB) whisker-reinforced titanium (Ti) matrix composites were produced by powder metallurgy, through vacuum sintering. TiB is formed by thermal decomposition of TiB2 precursor. In addition, a new hybrid composite was developed by admixing nanograined and nanocrystalline (more important) Ti to enhance the transformation mechanism of TiB2 to TiB phase. The morphology and particle size of the initial powders, mixtures and the microstructure of the composites have been studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The phase analysis and transformation monitoring were performed by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The sintered composites were also subjected to compressive strength and hardness measurements. According to XRD results, through the addition of nanocrystalline Ti, a probable enhancement of the TiB2 → TiB transformation occurred producing more TiB whiskers in the hybrid composites. All samples of the hybrid composites exhibited improved yield strength (1365 MPa) and hardness (358 HV) compared to the non-hybrid ones 927 MPa and 254 HV, respectively.
Graphical abstract
“We are also here”—Spiritual Care Practitioners’ Experiences of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Qualitative Study from Poland
Authors: Domaradzki Jan 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAlthough healthcare professionals have become the symbol of risk and sacrifice during the COVID-19 pandemic, spiritual care practitioners (SCP) have also put themselves at great risk while offering their service in hospitals, hospices and other healthcare facilities. This study was designed to explore the lived experiences of SCP during the current health crisis in Poland. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with twenty-four SCP. Nine major themes emerged from the interviews: personal reactions to the pandemic, SCP’s perception of the pandemic, the impact of COVID-19 on the provision of spiritual care, spiritual needs during the pandemic, work-related emotions, the impact of the COVID-19 on religion, the role of spiritual care during the outbreak, the healthcare professionals’ perceptions of SCP and barriers to the provision of spiritual care during the pandemic. The SCP indicated that although the COVID-19 crisis has affected the availability of pastoral, religious and spiritual care, it has amplified the importance of such care and has positively influenced the visibility of SCP in modern healthcare practice. Nonetheless, in such desperate times, SCP are still neglected and should be further recognised and integrated into the healthcare system.
Pooling Modalities and Pointwise Intersection: Semantics, Expressivity, and Dynamics
Authors: Van De Putte Frederik , Klein Dominik 
Published: January 2022

AbstractWe study classical modal logics with pooling modalities, i.e. unary modal operators that allow one to express properties of sets obtained by the pointwise intersection of neighbourhoods. We discuss salient properties of these modalities, situate the logics in the broader area of modal logics (with a particular focus on relational semantics), establish key properties concerning their expressive power, discuss dynamic extensions of these logics and provide reduction axioms for the latter.
Complex climate and network effects on internal migration in South Africa revealed by a network model
Authors: Xiao Tingyin , Oppenheimer Michael , He Xiaogang , Mastrorillo Marina 
Published: January 2022

AbstractClimate variability and climate change influence human migration both directly and indirectly through a variety of channels that are controlled by individual and household socioeconomic, cultural, and psychological processes as well as public policies and network effects. Characterizing and predicting migration flows are thus extremely complex and challenging. Among the quantitative methods available for predicting such flows is the widely used gravity model that ignores the network autocorrelation among flows and thus may lead to biased estimation of the climate effects of interest. In this study, we use a network model, the additive and multiplicative effects model for network (AMEN), to investigate the effects of climate variability, migrant networks, and their interactions on South African internal migration. Our results indicate that prior migrant networks have a significant influence on migration and can modify the association between climate variability and migration flows. We also reveal an otherwise obscure difference in responses to these effects between migrants moving to urban and non-urban destinations. With different metrics, we discover diverse drought effects on these migrants; for example, the negative standardized precipitation index (SPI) with a timescale of 12 months affects the non-urban-oriented migrants’ destination choices more than the rainy season rainfall deficit or soil moisture do. Moreover, we find that socioeconomic factors such as the unemployment rate are more significant to urban-oriented migrants, while some unobserved factors, possibly including the abolition of apartheid policies, appear to be more important to non-urban-oriented migrants.
Long-term assessment of floodplain reconnection as a stream restoration approach for managing nitrogen in ground and surface waters
Authors: Mayer Paul M. , Pennino Michael J. , Newcomer-Johnson Tammy A. , Kaushal Sujay S. 
Published: January 2022

AbstractStream restoration is a popular approach for managing nitrogen (N) in degraded, flashy urban streams. Here, we investigated the long-term effects of stream restoration involving floodplain reconnection on riparian and in-stream N transport and transformation in an urban stream in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. We examined relationships between hydrology, chemistry, and biology using a Before/After-Control/Impact (BACI) study design to determine how hydrologic flashiness, nitrate (NO3−) concentrations (mg/L), and N flux, both NO3− and total N (kg/yr), changed after the restoration and floodplain hydrologic reconnection to its stream channel. We examined two independent surface water and groundwater data sets (EPA and USGS) collected from 2002–2012 at our study sites in the Minebank Run watershed. Restoration was completed during 2004 and 2005. Afterward, the monthly hydrologic flashiness index, based on mean monthly discharge, decreased over time from 2002 and 2008. However, from 2008–2012 hydrologic flashiness returned to pre-restoration levels. Based on the EPA data set, NO3− concentration in groundwater and surface water was significantly less after restoration while the control site showed no change. DOC and NO3− were negatively related before and after restoration suggesting C limitation of N transformations. Long-term trends in surface water NO3− concentrations based on USGS surface water data showed downward trends after restoration at both the restored and control sites, whereas specific conductance showed no trend. Comparisons of NO3− concentrations with Cl− concentrations and specific conductance in both ground and surface waters suggested that NO3− reduction after restoration was not due to dilution or load reductions from the watershed. Modeled NO3− flux decreased post restoration over time but the rate of decrease was reduced likely due to failure of restoration features that facilitated N transformations. Groundwater NO3− concentrations varied among stream features suggesting that some engineered features may be functionally better at creating optimal conditions for N retention. However, some engineered features eroded and failed post restoration thereby reducing efficacy of the stream restoration to reduce flashiness and NO3− flux. N management via stream restoration will be most effective where flashiness can be reduced and DOC made available for denitrifiers. Stream restoration may be an important component of holistic watershed management including stormwater management and nutrient source control if stream restoration and floodplain reconnection can be done in a manner to resist the erosive effects of large storm events that can degrade streams to pre-restoration conditions. Long-term evolution of water quality functions in response to degradation of restored stream channels and floodplains from urban stressors and storms over time warrants further study, however.
Comparative assessment on the probable mechanisms underlying the hepatorenal toxicity of commercial imidacloprid and hexaflumuron formulations in rats
Authors: Hassanen Eman I. , Hussien Ahmed M. , Mehanna Sally , Ibrahim Marwa A. , Hassan Neven H. 
Published: January 2022

Abstract
Pesticides are viewed as a major wellspring of ecological contamination and causing serious risky consequences for people and animals. Imidacloprid (IM) and hexaflumuron (HFM) are extensively utilized insect poisons for crop assurance on the planet. A few investigations examined IM harmfulness in rodents, but its exact mechanism hasn’t been mentioned previously as well as the toxicity of HFM doesn’t elucidate yet. For this reason, the present study was designed to explore the mechanism of each IM and HFM–evoked rat liver and kidney toxicity and to understand its molecular mechanism. 21 male Wistar albino rats were divided into 3 groups, as follows: group (1), normal saline; group (2), IM; and group (3), HFM. Both insecticides were orally administered every day for 28 days at a dose equal to 1/10 LD50 from the active ingredient. After 28 days postdosing, rats were anesthetized to collect blood samples then euthanized to collect liver and kidney tissue specimens. The results showed marked changes in walking, body tension, alertness, and head movement with a significant reduction in rats’ body weight in both IM and HFM receiving groups. Significant increases in MDA levels and decrease of GHS levels were recorded in liver and kidney homogenates of either IM or HFM groups. Liver and kidney tissues obtained from both pesticide receiving groups showed extensive histopathological alterations with a significant increase in the serum levels of ALT, AST, urea, and creatinine and a decrease in total proteins, albumin, and globulin levels. In addition, there was upregulation of the transcript levels of casp-3, JNK, and HO-1 genes with strong immunopositivity of casp-3, TNF-ὰ, and NF-KB protein expressions in the liver and kidneys of rats receiving either IM or HFM compared with the control group. In all studied parameters, HFM caused hepatorenal toxicity more than those induced by IM. We can conclude that each IM and HFM provoked liver and kidneys damage through overproduction of ROS, activation of NF-KB signaling pathways and mitochondrial/JNK-dependent apoptosis pathway.
Numerical and experimental investigation of flat-clinch joint strength
Authors: Friedrich Sandra , Gerstmann Thoralf , Binotsch Carolin , Awiszus Birgit 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe striving for energy savings by lightweight construction requires the combination of different materials with advantageous properties. For joining sheet metal components, clinching offers a good alternative to thermal joining processes. In contrast to thermal joining processes, the microstructure in the joining zone remains largely unaffected. Conventional clinch joints, however, have a protrusion on the underside of the joint, which restricts their use in functional and visible surfaces. Flat-clinching minimizes this disadvantage by using a flat anvil instead of a die. Due to the flatness on the underside, it can be used in visible and functional surfaces. This paper deals with the increase of joint strength by using an auxiliary joining element (AJE) in the second forming stage. To achieve optimum improvement in the joint strength of an aluminum Al99.5 H14 sheet metal joint and to save costs, the AJE was varied numerically in terms of volume, material and basic shape. The geometric parameters (e.g., interlocking f and neck thickness tn) do not allow direct derivation of the joint strength. For this reason, the 2D clinch model was extended for the first time to include 3D load models (cross tension, shear tension). To validate the numerical results, optimized flat-clinch joints with AJE and the associated load tests were implemented experimentally. The numerical models were used to improve the process development.
States and Refugee Integration: a Comparative Analysis of France, Germany, and Switzerland
Authors: Feinstein Scott , Poleacovschi Cristina , Drake Riley , Winters Leslie Ann 
Published: January 2022

AbstractThe Syrian civil war led to mass migration and Europe becoming a potential site of refuge. How have Syrians experienced refuge in Europe? Drawing on 58 interviews with Syrian refugees in Germany, France, and Switzerland, we find that refugees continue to experience exclusion in all integration domains including those found as markers and means, social connections, facilitators, and foundations of integration . While our cases demonstrate that Syrian refugees in Europe experience discrimination across all domains, not all conditions are equal. Using narrative analysis, differences were observed within three integration domains. Accessing language programs was more challenging in France, finding housing was more challenging in Germany, and F type residence permits limited refugees’ rights in Switzerland more than in other countries. Discrimination across domains is deepening the socio-cultural-economic divide between autochthonous communities and Syrian refugees, but not all domains are equally divisive across countries. The findings outline that where these states outsourced refugee services, refugees experienced increased barriers to integration.
Hermitian–Yang–Mills Connections on Collapsing Elliptically Fibered K3 Surfaces
Authors: Datar Ved , Jacob Adam 
Published: January 2022

AbstractLet$$X\rightarrow {{\mathbb {P}}}^1$$X→P1be an elliptically fiberedK3 surface, admitting a sequence$$\omega _{i}$$ωiof Ricci-flat metrics collapsing the fibers. LetVbe a holomorphicSU(n) bundle overX, stable with respect to$$\omega _i$$ωi. Given the corresponding sequence$$\Xi _i$$Ξiof Hermitian–Yang–Mills connections onV, we prove that, ifEis a generic fiber, the restricted sequence$$\Xi _i|_{E}$$Ξi|Econverges to a flat connection$$A_0$$A0. Furthermore, if the restriction$$V|_E$$V|Eis of the form$$\oplus _{j=1}^n{\mathcal {O}}_E(q_j-0)$$⊕j=1nOE(qj-0)forndistinct points$$q_j\in E$$qj∈E, then these points uniquely determine$$A_0$$A0.
Measuring Impartial Beneficence: A Kantian Perspective on the Oxford Utilitarianism Scale
Authors: Mihailov Emilian 
Published: January 2022

AbstractTo capture genuine utilitarian tendencies, (Kahane et al., Psychological Review 125:131, 2018) developed the Oxford Utilitarianism Scale (OUS) based on two subscales, which measure the commitment to impartial beneficence and the willingness to cause harm for the greater good. In this article, I argue that the impartial beneficence subscale, which breaks ground with previous research on utilitarian moral psychology, does not distinctively measure utilitarian moral judgment. I argue that Kantian ethics captures the all-encompassing impartial concern for the well-being of all human beings. The Oxford Utilitarianism Scale draws, in fact, a point of division that places Kantian and utilitarian theories on the same track. I suggest that the impartial beneficence subscale needs to be significantly revised in order to capture distinctively utilitarian judgments. Additionally, I propose that psychological research should focus on exploring multiple sources of the phenomenon of impartial beneficence without categorizing it as exclusively utilitarian.
Movement behavior of residual oil droplets and CO2: insights from molecular dynamics simulations
Authors: Luo Yongcheng , Xiao Hanmin , Liu Xiangui , Zhang Haiqin , Wu Zhenkai , Li Yaxiong , Zhao Xinli 
Published: January 2022

AbstractAfter primary and secondary recovery of tight reservoirs, it becomes increasingly challenging to recover the remaining oil. Therefore, improving the recovery of the remaining oil is of great importance. Herein, molecular dynamics simulation (MD) of residual oil droplet movement behavior under CO2 displacement was conducted in a silica nanopores model. In this research, the movement behavior of CO2 in contact with residual oil droplets under different temperatures was analyzed, and the distribution of molecules number of CO2 and residual oil droplets was investigated. Then, the changes in pressure, kinetic energy, potential energy, van der Waals' force, Coulomb energy, long-range Coulomb potential, bond energy, and angular energy with time in the system after the contact between CO2 and residual oil droplets were studied. At last, the g(r) distribution of CO2–CO2, CO2-oil molecules, and oil molecules-oil molecules at different temperatures was deliberated. According to the results, the diffusion of CO2 can destroy residual oil droplets formed by the n-nonane and simultaneously peel off the n-nonane molecules that attach to SiO2 and graphene nanosheets (GN). The cutoff radius r of the CO2–CO2 is approximately 0.255 nm and that of the C–CO2 is 0.285 nm. The atomic force between CO2 and CO2 is relatively stronger. There is little effect caused by changing temperature on the radius where the maximum peak occurs in the radial distribution function (RDF)-g(r) of CO2–CO2 and C–CO2. The maximum peak of g(r) distribution of the CO2–CO2 in the system declines first and then rises with increasing temperature, while that of g(r) distribution of C–CO2 changes in the opposite way. At different temperatures, after the peak of g(r), its curve decreases with the increase in radius. The coordination number around C9H20 decreases, and the distribution of C9H20 becomes loose.
Riser and well casing analysis during drift-off: a coupled solution in the time domain
Authors: Guimarães Fabiano 
Published: January 2022

AbstractOne of the most serious incidents that can occur in offshore drilling and exploration is damage to the well structure and subsea components which can result in uncontrolled hydrocarbon release to the environment and present a safety hazard to rig personnel. Over decades, there have been substantial developments to the mathematical models and algorithms used to analyze the stresses on the related structure and to define the operational and integrity windows in which operations can proceed safely and where the mechanical integrity of the well is preserved. The purpose of this work is to present a time-domain solution to the system of equations that model the dynamic behavior of the riser and casing strings, when connected for well drilling/completion during the event of drift-off of the rig. The model combines a solution using finite differences for the riser dynamics and a recursive method to analyze the behavior of the casing in the soil. It allows for the coupling between the equations related to the riser and casing and for the coupling with the equations that describe the dynamics of the rig when station keeping capabilities are lost. The use of the forward–backward finite-differences coupled with the recursive method does not require linearization of the forces acting on the structure making it an ideal methodology for riser analysis while improving convergence. The findings of this study can help improve understanding of the impact of the watch circle limits to riser/well integrity, whether these limits are set based on a quasi-static drive-off/drift-off or fully dynamic. The gain in accuracy in using the fully coupled equations of drift-off dynamics, where there is interaction between the rig and the top of the riser during drive-off/drift-off, is evaluated, and the effects of varying the riser top tension and the compressive loads on the casing string are also analyzed. In particular, it is shown that the results of the fully coupled system of equations representing the dynamics of the riser and casing during drift-off/drive-off are less conservative than the quasi-static approach. Another important finding is that the gain in accuracy in coupling the top of the riser and the rig during drift-off/drive-off is not substantial, which indicates that solving separately the rig dynamics equations and the riser-casing equations is an approach that provides reasonable results with less computational effort. The model can also be used to evaluate wellhead and casing fatigue during the life of the intervention. Finally, the model limitations are discussed.