bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comprehensive study on physicochemical characteristics of magnetorheological elastomer featuring epoxidized natural rubber
Authors: Yusoff Muhamad Shakir , Yunus Nurul Azhani , Muhammad Zaki Norizatie , Mazlan Saiful Amri , Abdul Aziz Siti Aishah , Ubaidillah  , Nik Ismail Nik Intan 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
The effect of the epoxidation level of epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) on the physicochemical characteristics of magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) made from it was studied. MRE samples were fabricated by mixing ENR with additives and carbonyl iron particles (CIP), followed by vulcanisation at 150 °C for 30 min. The factors that are manipulated for this study include the epoxidation level of ENR, through the use of ENR 25 and ENR 50 as the polymer matrix, and the proportion of the components of the composite, through varying the amount of CIP added in the mixing step. The analysis was performed by measuring the physicochemical characteristics of the MRE, which include curing time, magnetisation, functional group composition, thermal stability, and morphology. The cure time (t
90) of the MRE increased with increasing CIP content while the scorch time (ts2) decreased. Electron microscopy showed that the CIP were randomly distributed throughout the MRE samples, indicating an isotropic MRE. The MRE fabricated with ENR 25 and 70 wt% CIP had a considerably higher value of saturation magnetisation at 42.54 emu g−1, whereas the MRE fabricated with ENR 50 and 70 wt% CIP had a saturation magnetisation of 40.80 emu g−1. Hydrogen bonds were created between the epoxy bonds in the epoxidized rubber and the hydroxyl groups from the CIP and other additives. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated an improvement in thermal stability, as the addition of CIP delayed the thermal degradation of the MRE. The results showed that the epoxidation level of the natural rubber has a significant effect on the physicochemical characteristics of the MRE fabricated from it. Overall outcomes showed that both ENR 25 and ENR 50 could be used as an alternative matrix material for fabricating an MRE, with the choice falling on the application specification.
Design, Implementation and Evaluation of an Industrial Water Treatment System in El Coca, Ecuador in accordance with National Guidelines
Authors: Urrutia-Goyes Ricardo , Moreano Israel , Bonilla William , Mena Stephany 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Water treatment systems are necessary in every industrial complex, especially when operations are held in the vicinity of a rainforest. The main focus of this study was to implement an industrial water treatment plant at the facilities of Halliburton company located in El Coca, Ecuador, in order to treat effluents and reuse them for machine washing and discharge to the environment. In first instance, evaluations were made of the operational conditions of an obsolete water treatment plant in the facilities, to analyze the requirements of a new treatment system. Physical characteristics were analyzed by identifying leaks, cracks and corrosion of the treatment units. Laboratory analyzes of the treated water were reviewed and parameters exceeding Ecuadorian guidelines (Ministerial Agreement N° 097-A) were identified. Once the requirement for a new treatment system was justified, evaluations of physical, chemical and organoleptic parameters of the wastewater were carried out, in which the existing pollutants were identified and treatment stages were established to remove the pollutants, complying with the beneficiary's technical and economic specifications. Once the industrial wastewater treatment plant was built, conditioning was carried out at each of its stages, as well as all the industrial mechanisms involved. Finally, monitoring of parameters was carried out every week for a period of one month to guarantee the correct performance of the treatment plant and compliance with the guidelines of the country.
Threat of Sabotage as a Driver of Collective Action
Authors: De Jaegher Kris 
Published: April 2022

AbstractA model is presented where the welfare of contributors to a public good can increase when they face an adversary who ex post sabotages their efforts. It is a best response for the adversary to maximally sabotage the smallest effort, thus increasing a defector's marginal product of effort. This creates a kink in the individual contributor's payoff function around the equilibrium effort, which can lock contributors into exerting high effort. For a sufficiently large degree of complementarity between the contributors’ efforts, the adversary increases contributors’ welfare. This result is robust when departing from several simplifying assumptions of the model.
Effects of fermentation conditions on physicochemical properties and flavor quality of fermented bayberry juice
Authors: Chen Ying , Liu Feifei , Chen Jin , Chen Jianle , Chen Shiguo , Wu Dan , Ye Xingqian , Cheng Huan 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Probiotic fermented fruit juice could improve intestinal health with better sensory attributes. The effects of fermentation conditions on flavor quality of fermented bayberry juice were compared through microbial viability and sensory evaluation. Fermentation by combined Streptococcus thermophilus (ST) and Lactobacillus acidophilus (LA) resulted in higher microbial viability and sensory evaluation scores. The fermentation conditions were optimized by orthogonal experimental design and Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution analysis (ST and LA in a mass ratio of 3:1; 0.6% (mass concentration) inoculation; fermentation time, 48 h, at 37 °C; 10% (mass concentration) added sucrose). Fermentation under these conditions decreased the anthocyanin content of the juice, maintained the total phenolic content, and slightly decreased the antioxidant capacity. Fermentation reduced aroma volatiles from 42 in fresh juice to 33, as determined by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry (GC-MS-O), the aldehyde content decreased and the alcohol content increased. Lactic acid fermented bayberry juice by ST and LA produced a beverage with desirable consumer attributes, combining the health benefits of fresh juice and probiotics.
Frailty Is Associated With Cognitive Decline Independent of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease and Brain Atrophy
Authors: Siejka Timothy P , Srikanth Velandai K , Hubbard Ruth E , Moran Chris , Beare Richard , Wood Amanda G , Collyer Taya A , Gujjari Siddhanth , Phan Thanh G , Callisaya Michele L 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Background
To examine the effect of frailty on cognitive decline independent of cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) and brain atrophy, and whether associations between neuropathology and cognition differed depending on frailty status.

Methods
The Tasmanian Study of Cognition and Gait was a population-based longitudinal cohort study with data collected at 3 phases from 2005 to 2012. Participants aged 60–85 were randomly selected from the electoral roll. Various data were used to operationalize a 36-item frailty index (FI) at baseline. Brain MRI was undertaken to obtain baseline measures of neuropathology. A neuropsychological battery was used to assess cognition at each time point. Generalized linear mixed models were used to examine the effect of frailty and MRI measures on cognition over time. The associations between MRI measures and cognition were explored after stratifying the sample by baseline frailty status. All analyses were adjusted for age, sex, and education.

Results
A total of 385 participants were included at baseline. The mean age was 72.5 years (standard deviation [SD] 7.0), 44% were female (n = 171). In fully adjusted linear mixed models, frailty (FI × time β −0.001, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.003, −0.001, p = .03) was associated with decline in global cognition, independent of brain atrophy, and cSVD. The association between cSVD and global cognition was significant only in those with low levels of frailty (p = .03).

Conclusion
These findings suggest that frailty is an important factor in early cognitive dysfunction, and measuring frailty may prove useful to help identify future risk of cognitive decline.
Plasma Growth and Differentiation Factor 15 Predict Longitudinal Changes in Bone Parameters in Women, but Not in Men
Authors: Osawa Yusuke , Tanaka Toshiko , Semba Richard D , Fantoni Giovanna , Moaddel Ruin , Candia Julián , Simonsick Eleanor M , Bandinelli Stefania , Ferrucci Luigi 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Bone fragility can progress with aging, but biomarkers to detect emerging osteopenia have not been fully elucidated. Growth/differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) has pleiotropic roles in a broad range of age-related conditions, but its association with osteopenia is unknown. We examined the relationship between plasma GDF-15 levels and rate of change in bone parameters over 9 years of follow-up in 596 adults in the InCHIANTI study (baseline age, 65–94 years; women, 52.4%; mean follow-up, 7.0 ± 3.0 years). Plasma GDF-15 concentrations were measured using the 1.3k HTS SOMAscan assay. Eight bone parameters were measured in the right tibia by peripheral quantitative computed tomography; total bone density, trabecular bone density, medullary plus trabecular bone density, cortical bone density, total bone area, cortical bone area, medullary bone area, and minimum moment of inertia (mMOI). We ran sex-specific linear mixed-effect models with random intercepts and slopes adjusted for age, age-squared, education, body mass index, the rate of change in weight, smoking, sedentary behavior, cross-sectional areas of calf muscles and fat, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcium, diabetes mellitus, and follow-up time. We found a significant association of “baseline GDF-15 × time” in models predicting cortical bone density and the mMOI in women, suggesting that the rates of decline in these bone parameters increased with higher GDF-15 (false discovery rate &lt;0.05). Higher plasma levels GDF-15 predicted an accelerated decline in bone parameters in women, but was less associated in men. Furthermore studies are needed to understand the mechanisms underlying these sex differences.
Language used to describe medication review activities: does it require standardisation? A narrative synthesis
Authors: Alharthi M , Blacklock J , Scott S , Wright D 
Published: April 2022

Abstract

Introduction
Medication review (MR) is a health care professional’s systematic assessment of a patient’s medications with recommendations for improvement (1). To enable comparison between different evaluations of medication review-based interventions to determine whether the nature of activity differs, it is important that standardised language is used. Currently, there is no accepted international taxonomy for describing medication review activities. Therefore, we undertook a systematic review of literature with narrative synthesis to determine whether standardisation may be appropriate.

Aim
To determine the range of terms used to describe medication review activities.

Method
A PROSPERO registered systematic review (CRD 42020215992) was performed using search terms according to the Population, Intervention, Comparison and Outcome (PICO) framework. ‘Population’ & ‘Comparison’ were not used. Synonyms for medication review activities were used for both ‘Intervention’ and ‘Outcomes’, e.g., stop, start, change, alter. We included all papers reporting medication review activities in English with empirical data. Papers not using language to describe medication review activities were excluded. Two researchers reviewed all titles, abstracts, and full-text papers independently; discussion resolved any disagreement. Data extraction was carried out independently as per Cochrane Effective Practice and Organisation of Care (EPOC) as follows:
The papers were assessed using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The research team themed the extracted terms.

Results
After deleting duplicates, 9746 titles were screened. Twenty-one studies were included: eight quantitative non-randomised trials, eight randomised controlled trials, and five quantitative descriptive studies. The studies covered the UK, Netherlands, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Belgium, Canada, and Jordan. The table summarises the medication review activities reported in these papers.

Conclusion
Various authors reported medication review activities. ‘Alter’ and ‘adaptation’ are examples of ambiguous terms. Determining whether actions are related with activities to reduce or increase doses is difficult due to such terminology. As a result, comparing medication review approaches may be difficult. Limiting the search strategy to English-language only may have missed some studies. A taxonomy to describe and define medication review activities, thereby standardising MR reporting, should improve the presentation of data from process evaluations and the ability to compare activity between studies.

Reference
(1) Christensen M, Lundh A. Medication review in hospitalised patients to reduce morbidity and mortality. Cochrane Database Syst Rev [Internet]. 2016 Feb 20; Available from: https://doi.wiley.com/10.1002/14651858.CD008986.pub3
Dynamics of charged particles and quasi-periodic oscillations in the vicinity of a distorted, deformed compact object embedded in a uniform magnetic field
Authors: Faraji S , Trova A 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACT
This work presents the dynamic properties of charged test particles influenced by the gravitational and electromagnetic fields. Accordingly in this work, we concentrate on the static and axially symmetric metric containing two quadrupole parameters. One relates to the central object, and another relates to the external distribution of matter. This metric may associate the observable effects to these parameters as dynamical degrees of freedom. The astrophysical motivation for choosing such a field is the possibility to constitute a reasonable model for an actual situation occurring in the objects’ vicinity. To test the role of large-scale magnetic fields in accretion processes, we start by analysing different time-like bound orbits under the influence of the system’s different parameters. This leads to examining their stability concerning radial and/or vertical oscillations. The main focus is to discuss the effect of magnetic field on the oscillation modes’ resonant phenomena using different resonant models for disc-oscillation modes. In the present contribution, we further explore the possibility of relating oscillatory frequencies of charged particles to the frequencies of the high-frequency quasi-periodic oscillations observed in the microquasars GRS 1915+105, XTE 1550-564, and GRO 1655-40 via assuming relevance of resonant phenomena on the radial and vertical oscillations.
Constitutional Law in Venezuela
Authors: Núñez M. Ana Cristina , Pérez-Perdomo Rogelio 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
This chapter discusses Venezuela’s constitutional history. Venezuelans were eager drafters of constitutions in the nineteenth century. The first Venezuelan constitution was published in December 1811. It was also the first constitution written in Spanish. The first constituent assembly declared Venezuela an independent federal republic on 5 July 1811. The decades of 1850 and 1860 were of political turmoil and declared civil war between 1859 and 1864 (the so-called ‘Federal War’). The 1864 Constitution reorganized Venezuela with a very weak central government. In the 1990s, a political crisis led to the election of Hugo Chavez as President of the Republic, a former military man who had twice attempted to overthrow the government and assassinate the President via coup d’état. Chavez was able to call for a national constitutional assembly that enacted the Constitution of 1999 and establish a so-called ‘revolution’, which will be analysed.
Latin American Constitutional Traditions
Authors: Gargarella Roberto 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
Since the enactment of the Venezuelan Constitution of 1811, and until almost the end of the century, there were 103 Constitutions adopted in Latin America in sixteen countries. This chapter distinguishes three fundamentally different constitutional traditions, which refer to three different projects or understandings of constitutionalism. These are republicanism, conservatism, and liberalism. The classification aims to highlight fact that Latin American constitutional law was definitely marked by three lasting political and legal currents, which derived from the French Revolution, the American Revolution, and the Spanish Empire. The republican, liberal, and conservative constitutional traditions in Latin American Constitutional Law were and still are in dialogue with those three fundamental influences. The chapter closely explores these three different constitutional traditions and their developments.
Immigration and Citizenship
Authors: Ventura Deisy , Baraldi Camila 
Published: April 2022

Abstract
International migration has become a dominant topic in social and human sciences, giving rise to a vast academic production about and in South American countries. This chapter stresses the role regional integration has had as a propelling force to a human rights approach, and a subsequent short reference to how the Inter-American Human Rights System has handled the issue. Thereafter, it introduces the complexity of national migration legislation related to this paradigm, referring to a specific case: the recent Haitian migration flux to Brazil and Brazilian local governments’ response in terms of public policies. Finally, the reference to electoral legislation completes the overview, briefly introducing migrants’ social and political participation.
Evaluation of Pain After Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A Prospective Study
Authors: Shir-az Ofir , Berl Ariel , Shalom Avshalom 
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND
Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a widely used technique for removal of cutaneous tumors. The procedure is well-tolerated with little surgical or postoperative pain.

OBJECTIVE
This study examined pain levels after Mohs surgery throughout the first week of recovery and the relation to patient demographics, lesion characteristics, surgery details, and postoperative analgesia.

METHODS
A 2-year prospective observational study included patients who underwent MMS. Patients rated the severity of postoperative pain once daily until removal of sutures and documented analgesics used. Analyses of patient and lesion characteristics along with reconstruction methods were conducted.

RESULTS
A total of 2,178 patients were included in the study. Pain levels were strongest on the first postoperative day (POD) and were significantly different between genders on POD 3. Site of skin lesion, method of reconstruction, and number of stages of MMS were significantly related to postoperative pain levels on univariate and multivariate analyses. Postoperative consumption of analgesics differed significantly between men and women and was not correlated to age.

CONCLUSION
Mohs surgery is generally nonpainful and is well-tolerated by men and women across all ages. The site of the lesion and method of reconstruction are the major determinants affecting the perception of pain.
Systematic Endotracheal Aspiration in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit Reduces Broad-spectrum Antibiotic Use for Ventilator-associated Pneumonia
Authors: Roncin César , Vanel Noémie , Morand Aurelie , Belghiti Alaoui Myriem , Michel Fabrice 
Published: April 2022

Aim:
To determine the impact of a systematic endotracheal aspiration (ETA) sampling program for mechanically ventilated patients on initial antibiotic therapy for ventilator-acquired pneumonia (VAP).

Design:
Retrospective cohort study; before-after study design.

Setting:
Pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) with 16 medical and surgical beds in a tertiary teaching hospital.

Subjects:
Patients <16 years of age hospitalized in the PICU who fulfilled VAP criteria.

Intervention:
Biweekly systematic ETA sampling was conducted in mechanically ventilated patients.

Measurements:
We retrospectively studied patients who received antibiotic therapy for suspected VAP 12 months before and after the initiation of systematic ETA (periods 1 and 2, respectively), evaluating the initial antibiotic therapy spectrum in both periods.

Results:
During period 1, 56 patients developed VAP and 47 developed VAP during period 2. The incidence was 17 cases of VAP/1000 days of mechanical ventilation in both periods. Ideal antibiotic therapy was prescribed in 19.6% of cases for period 1 and 55.2% for period 2 (P = 0.001). Initial antibiotic therapy for VAP during period 2 had a significantly lower proportion of broad-spectrum antibiotics than therapy during period 1 (P = 0.01).

Conclusion:
In our PICU, knowledge of bronchial colonization reduced initial broad-spectrum antibiotic use for VAP.
Perceptions of Gender Violence in Spanish Adolescents
Authors: Rodríguez-Borrego María Aurora , Rodríguez-Muñoz Pedro Manuel , López-Soto Pablo Jesús , Carmona-Torres Juan Manuel 
Published: April 2022

ABSTRACT

Background
Gender violence among adolescents is a global problem. In the context of public healthcare, nursing professionals play an important role.

Objective
The aim of this study was to determine awareness, information, and beliefs regarding gender violence in adolescents and identify their educational needs.

Participants and Setting
Data from a study conducted by the Spanish Centre for Sociological Research and the Government Office for Gender Violence in 2013 are used. The sample contained 698 adolescents aged 15–19 years.

Methods
This is a secondary analysis of a data survey. Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology guidelines are followed. Sociodemographic variables and seven topics of interest were analyzed: gender inequality, intimate relationships, definition of abuse, identification of abuse, awareness of cases of abuse in women, and informal and formal support networks.

Results
The results show that adolescents are well informed, are aware of informal and formal support networks, use the word “respect,” identify abuse and consider it unacceptable, and believe media coverage is useful in giving visibility to gender violence. No significant differences were found in gender, social class, or education, and their idea of romantic love remains intact.

Conclusions
The researchers conclude that, in Spain, adolescents' awareness of gender violence is strongly influenced by environmental and cultural factors, because of the prevalence of gender and intimate partner violence in the country. Formal interventions such as health education provided by either nursing professionals in schools or the broader community can have a positive effect on adolescent health. Primary care nurses should use these findings to support the development of health promotion programs for young adults.