bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In Situ Fabricated Non‐Flammable Quasi‐Solid Electrolytes for Li‐Metal Batteries
Authors: Zhao Jiwei , Li Mengjie , Su Hai , Liu Yuansheng , Bai Panxing , Liu Hang , Ma Lanhua , Li Weiyang , Sun Jie , Xu Yunhua
Published: May 2023

Lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are viewed as one of the most promising high energy density battery systems, but their practical application is hindered by significant fire hazards and fast performance degradation due to the lack of a safe and compatible configuration. Herein, nonflammable quasi‐solid electrolytes (NQSEs) are designed and fabricated by using the in situ polymerization method, in which 1,3,2‐dioxathiolan‐2,2‐oxide is used as both initiator to trigger the in situ polymerization of solvents and interphase formation agent to construct robust interface layers to protect the electrodes, and triethyl phosphate as a fire‐retardant agent. The NQSEs show a high ionic conductivity of 0.38 mS cm−1 at room temperature and enable intimate solid‐electrolyte interphases, and demonstrate excellent performance with stable plating/striping of Li metal anode, and high voltage (4.5 V) and high temperature (>60 °C) survivability. The findings provide an effective strategy to build high‐temperature, high‐energy density, and safe quasi‐solid LMBs.
Monitoring of dairy farm management determinants and production performance using structural equation modelling in the Amhara region, Ethiopia
Authors: Birhan Malede , Mekuriaw Yeshambel , Tassew Asaminew , Tegegne Firew
Published: May 2023

Background

Models have been presented to evaluate the link between dairy farm production factors and their degree of association with production determinants. Studies have found causal relationships between production parameters (dairy farm facility, farm hygiene and waste management, feed and nutrition, reproduction performance, health and extension services, mode of transportation, education level and gross revenue) as well as farm efficiency parameters. Furthermore, structural equation modelling (SEM) allows for the estimation of parameters that are not directly quantifiable, known as latent variables.

Objective

The research was designed to identify the dairy management determinants and evaluate farm production performance using an SEM approach in the selected areas of the Amhara region, Ethiopia.

Methodology

In‐person survey using a semi‐structured pre‐tested questionnaire was employed in 2021 to collect primary data on 117 randomly selected commercial dairy producers keeping cross‐breed Holstein Frisian cows in the Amhara region. SEM was used to study the complexity of influences on efficiency measures in milk production utilizing the combined data.

Results

The model result revealed that the relationship between construct reliabilities and farm facilities was significantly varied (p < 0.01). The model analysis showed that the level of education has also a positive and statistically significant correlation with the reproduction performance of the dairy farms, (ρ = 0.337) and the gross revenue of the farm showed as (p = 0.849). Farm gross revenue articulated a positive, strong statistically significant association with feed and nutrition values (ρ = 0.906), dairy farm facilities (ρ = 0.934), and hygiene and waste management (ρ = 0.921). Consequently, the predictors of dairy farm facility's feed and nutrition and hygiene and waste management explained 93.40%, 84.0%, 80.20%, and 88.50% of the variance.

Conclusion

The proposed model was scientifically valid, and training and education have an effect on management practices, subsequently affecting the production performance of the dairy farms.
Effects of dietary supplementation of probiotic and Spirulina platensis microalgae powder on growth performance immune response, carcass characteristics, gastrointestinal microflora and meat quality in broilers chick
Authors: khalilnia Fatemeh , Mottaghitalab Majid , Mohiti Maziar , Seighalani Ramin
Published: May 2023

Background

With the potential development of human pathogenic bacteria resistant to antibiotics, the use of antibiotics as growth promoter in poultry production was banned in different countries, and it has forced the poultry industry to consider ‘Biologically safer’ alternatives to antibiotics, among which the probiotics and microalgae can be mentioned.

Objective

Present study aimed to compare Spirulina platensis microalgae in combination with a native probiotic as an alternative to antibiotics.

Methods

336 male broiler chicks were allotted into 7 treatments and 4 repetitions in a completely randomised design to evaluate chick's performance and immune response to different treatment based on indexes as feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, humoral immunity, carcass characteristics, thigh and breast pH, intestinal morphology and microbial population. European production efficiency coefficient was also reported.

Results

No significant difference was appeared in the pH of thigh and breast meat (p > 0.05). Supplementation of diets with SP0.3 revealed better villi height, villi length to crypt depth ratio and villi surface. With significant difference (p < 0.05), the highest and lowest colonies of Lactobacillus and E. coli were recorded for PR0.5SP0.3 treatments.

Conclusions

Supplementation of broilers diets either with probiotic prepared from the microorganism isolated of native birds (1 g/kg) or S. platensis (0.2 g/kg) alone and their combination (0.3 g/kg of S. platensis in combination with 0.5 g/kg of native probiotic) are promising and can be a good alternative to antibiotics, lead to progress of broiler's performance.
Pneumopericardium associated with blunt trauma in a dog
Authors: Angelou Vasileia , Papazoglou Lysimachos , Thomas Angelos‐Lauris , Svigkas Panagiotis , Patsikas Michail
Published: May 2023

Pneumopericardium due to blunt trauma in the thorax is rarely described in veterinary literature. The pathogenetic mechanism of pneumopericardium is not always clear. In the present case, a 15‐year‐old dog was referred by the local veterinarian due to walking disability after a fall from height of 2 m. The dog was paralysed in pelvic limbs with increased spinal reflexes, compatible with thoracolumbar syndrome. Plain radiographs of the thorax revealed pneumopericardium. The dog was monitored during hospitalisation for signs of respiratory distress. It remained asymptomatic, so pericardiocentesis was not performed. Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging was recommended for diagnosis of the thoracolumbar syndrome, but owners declined for financial reasons. The dog was discharged 10 days after admission. The last day of hospitalisation thoracic radiographs revealed resorption of pneumopericardium. In conclusion, the aim of this study was to describe a case of incidentally found pneumopericardium that is rarely reported after a blunt trauma.
Lingual abscess in a South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris): A diagnostic challenge
Authors: Mercera Karl , Michaux Denis
Published: May 2023

An 18‐year‐old, male South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris) presented with acute oropharyngeal damage beginning with moderate macroglossia, ptyalism and dysphagia, and rapidly progressing to severe macroglossia with hypoglossal nerve sensory and motor damage. Investigations did not allow the authors to find the origin of this damage and, in view of the deterioration of the general state and wellbeing of the animal despite the care provided, euthanasia was carried out. Anatomical and histopathological examination revealed a lingual and sublingual abscess of undetermined origin associated with lesions of bacterial interstitial pneumonia, probably secondary to dysphagia. This case illustrates the diagnostic failure of investigations performed, including submandibular ultrasound by a ventral approach and fine‐needle aspiration, which are supposed to be efficient in the diagnostic of lingual abscesses.
Wild origins and mitochondrial genetic diversity of Angolan Colobus monkeys (Colobus angolensis) in AZA‐accredited zoos and its implications for ex situ population management
Authors: McDonald Monica M. , Cunneyworth Pamela M. K. , Anderson Aaron G. , Wroblewski Emily
Published: May 2023

Across zoo's accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), species are typically managed as a single population to retain 90% of the founding members' gene diversity. Often, little is known about the specific geographic origins of the founders or how representative the ex situ population's genetic diversity is of the wild population. This study uses mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequencing to investigate haplotype diversity and geographic female founder origin of the AZA‐managed Angolan colobus (Colobus angolensis) monkey population. We obtained fecal samples from individuals closely related to founder animals at five zoos and found four haplotypes among 23 individuals. Analyzed together with wild C. angolensis haplotypes, we found two haplotypes identical to those found in Tanzanian populations: one haplotype, possessed by 13 individuals (descended from three founders), matched an East Usambara Mountains haplotype, while the other, possessed by seven individuals (from four founders), matched a haplotype found in both the South Pare Mountains and Rufiji River. Two haplotypes were not detected in wild populations but were closely related to haplotypes found in the Rufiji River (one individual descended from one founder) and Shimoni, Kenya (two individuals descended from one founder) populations, suggesting nearby origins. Thus, the AZA‐managed population of Angolan colobus likely originated from several localities, but all have mtDNA lineages associated with the subspecies C. a. palliatus, a Vulnerable subspecies. Examining founders' mtDNA haplotypes may be a useful addition to the zoo population management toolkit to help improve breeding recommendations by identifying individuals with rare haplotypes and revealing likely kinship among founders.
Generalized Quasilinear Elliptic Equations in $${\mathbb {R}}^N$$
Authors: Mennuni Federica , Salvatore Addolorata
Published: May 2023

In this paper, we aim at establishing a new existence result for the quasilinear elliptic equation$$\begin{aligned} - \textrm{div} (a(x,u,\nabla u)) + A_t(x,u,\nabla u) + V(x) {\vert u \vert }^{p-2} u= g(x,u) \quad \quad \hbox { in }{{\mathbb {R}}}^{N} \end{aligned}$$-div(a(x,u,∇u))+At(x,u,∇u)+V(x)|u|p-2u=g(x,u)inRNwith$$p>1$$p>1,$$N\ge 2\ $$N≥2and$$V:{\mathbb {R}}^N\rightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$V:RN→Rsuitable measurable positive function. Here, we suppose$$A: {\mathbb {R}}^N \times {\mathbb {R}}\times {\mathbb {R}}^N \rightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$A:RN×R×RN→Ris a given$${C}^{1}$$C1-Carathéodory function which grows as$$|\xi |^p$$|ξ|p, with$$A_t(x,t,\xi ) = \frac{\partial A}{\partial t}(x,t,\xi )$$At(x,t,ξ)=∂A∂t(x,t,ξ),$$a(x,t,\xi ) = \nabla _\xi A(x,t,\xi )$$a(x,t,ξ)=∇ξA(x,t,ξ),$$V:{\mathbb {R}}^N\rightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$V:RN→Ris a suitable measurable function and$$g:{\mathbb {R}}^N \times {\mathbb {R}}\rightarrow {\mathbb {R}}$$g:RN×R→Ris a given Carathéodory function which grows as$$|\xi |^q$$|ξ|qwith$$1<q<p$$1<q<p. Since the coefficient of the principal part depends on the solution itself, under suitable assumptions on$$A(x,t,\xi ), V(x)$$A(x,t,ξ),V(x)andg(x, t), we study the interaction of two different norms in a suitable Banach space with the aim of obtaining a good variational approach. Thus, a minimization argument on bounded sets can be used to state the existence of a nontrivial weak bounded solution on an arbitrary bounded domain. Then, one nontrivial bounded solution of the given equation can be found by passing to the limit on a sequence of solutions on bounded domains. Finally, under slightly stronger hypotheses, we can able to find a positive solution of the problem.
The “Bankart knee”: high‐grade impression fractures of the posterolateral tibial plateau lead to increased translational and anterolateral rotational instability of the ACL‐deficient knee
Authors: Milinkovic Danko Dan , Kittl Christoph , Herbst Elmar , Fink Christian , Greis Friedrich , Raschke Michael J. , Śmigielski Robert , Herbort Mirco
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The aim of this biomechanical cadaver study was to evaluate the effects of high‐grade posterolateral tibia plateau fractures on the kinematics of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)‐deficient joints; it was hypothesized that, owing to the loss of the integrity of the osseous support of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus (PHLM), these fractures would influence the biomechanical function of the lateral meniscus (LM) and consequently lead to an increase in anterior translational and anterolateral rotational (ALR) instability.

Methods

Eight fresh‐frozen cadaveric knees were tested using a six‐degree‐of‐freedom robotic setup (KR 125, KUKA Robotics, Germany) with an attached optical tracking system (Optotrack Certus Motion Capture, Northern Digital, Canada). After the passive path from 0 to 90° was established, a simulated Lachman test and pivot‐shift test as well as external rotation (ER) and internal rotation (IR) were applied at 0°, 30°, 60° and 90° of flexion under constant 200 N axial loading. All of the parameters were initially tested in the intact and ACL‐deficient states, followed by two different types of posterolateral impression fractures. The dislocation height was 10 mm, and the width was 15 mm in both groups. The intraarticular depth of the fracture corresponded to half of the width of the posterior horn of the lateral meniscus in the first group (Bankart 1) and 100% of the meniscus width in the second group (Bankart 2).

Results

There was a significant decrease in knee stability after both types of posterolateral tibial plateau fractures in the ACL‐deficient specimens, with increased anterior translation in the simulated Lachman test at 0° and 30° of knee flexion (p = 0.012). The same effect was seen with regard to the simulated pivot‐shift test and IR of the tibia (p = 0.0002). In the ER and posterior drawer tests, ACL deficiency and concomitant fractures did not influence knee kinematics (n.s.).

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that high‐grade impression fractures of the posterolateral aspect of the tibial plateau increase the instability of ACL‐deficient knees and result in an increase in translational and anterolateral rotational instability.
Bone bridge technique for lateral meniscal allograft transplantation: no difference in clinical outcome compared to the soft tissue technique
Authors: Bhattacharyya Rahul , Krishnan Harry , Bausch Nicole , Pilarski Adam , McGoldrick Niall , Thompson Peter , Metcalfe Andrew , Spalding Tim
Published: May 2023

Purpose

There is considerable debate regarding the optimal method of fixation for lateral meniscus allograft transplantation (MAT), with bone bridge techniques technically harder but allowing maintenance of root attachments, while soft tissue techniques are potentially more challenging for healing. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical results of the bone bridge and soft tissue techniques for lateral MAT in terms of failure, re‐operation rate, complications and patient reported outcomes.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data for patients undergoing primary lateral MAT with a minimum of 12‐month follow‐up. Patients following surgery utilising the bone bridge technique (BB) were compared with historical control patients who underwent MAT with the soft tissue technique (ST). Outcome was assessed by failure rate, defined as removal or revision of the meniscus transplant, survivorship by Kaplan–Meir analysis, re‐operation rates, and other adverse event. Patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs) were compared using data at the 2‐year point or 1 year if not reached 2 years.

Results

One‐hundred and twelve patients following lateral meniscal transplants were included, 31 in the BB group and 81 in the ST historical control group, with no differences in demographics between both groups. Median follow‐up for the BB group was 18 (12–43) months compared to 46 (15–62) months for the ST group. There were 3 failures (9.6%) in the BB group v 2 (2.4%) in the ST group (n.s.) with a mean time to failure of 9 months in both groups. 9 patients (29%) required a re‐operation (all cause) in the BB group v 24 patients (29.6%) in the ST group (n.s). There was no difference in complications between both groups. There was significant improvement (p < 0.0001) in all PROMs (Tegner, IKDC, KOOS and Lysholm) between baseline and 2‐year follow‐up for both groups but no between‐group differences.

Conclusion

Lateral MAT has a high success rate for symptomatic meniscal deficiency with significant benefits irrespective of the fixation technique. There is no advantage in performing the more technically demanding BB technique over ST fixation.

Level of evidence

Level 2.
Valgus alignment of the femoral component is associated with higher revision rates 10 years after TKA
Authors: Luyckx T. , Moreels R. , Geernaert H. , Scheys L. , Vandenneucker H.
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Appropriate positioning and alignment of tibial and femoral component in primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA) are factors of major importance directly related to patient satisfaction and implant survival. Most literature works elaborate on overall post‐operative alignment and its correlation to implant survival. However, less is known about the impact of individual component alignment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of undercorrection of overall alignment as well as the effect of individual tibial and femoral component alignment on the post‐operative failure rate after total knee arthroplasty.

Methods

Clinical and radiographic data of primary TKA cases from 2002 to 2004, with a minimum of 10‐year follow‐up, were retrospectively reviewed. The pre‐ and post‐operative hip–knee–ankle angle (HKA), mechanical lateral distal femoral angle (mLDFA) and mechanical medial proximal tibial angle (mMPTA) were measured on weight‐bearing, full‐length antero‐posterior lower limb radiographs. Statistical analysis was performed to establish the correlation between both overall and implant alignment and revision rate.

Results

In total, 379 primary TKA cases were evaluated. The mean time of follow‐up was 12.9 years (range 10.3–15.9 years, SD = 1.8). Nine out of 379 cases were revised due to aseptic loosening; the mean time to revision was 5.5 years (range 1.0–15.5 years, SD = 4.6). Varus undercorrection of overall alignment was not associated with a higher rate of revision (p = 0.316). Post‐operative valgus femoral alignment (mLDFA < 87°) contributed to a significant decreased prosthesis survival in contrast to neutral femoral alignment (revision rate valgus group: 10.7% and neutral group: 1.7%; p = 0.003). Post‐operative tibial mechanical alignment was not identified as a significant predictor for implant survival (revision rate varus group: 2.9% and neutral group: 2.4%; p = 0.855).

Conclusions

Primary TKA showed significantly higher revision rates when the femoral component was placed in > 3° of valgus (mLDFA < 87°). In contrast, postoperative overall residual varus alignment (HKA) and varus alignment of the tibial component were not related to higher revision rates at a minimum 10‐year follow‐up after TKA. These findings should be considered when choosing component position in individualised TKA.

Level of evidence

III.
A consensus score to combine inferences from multiple centres
Authors: Haselimashhadi Hamed , Babalola Kolawole , Wilson Robert , Groza Tudor , Muñoz-Fuentes Violeta
Published: May 2023

Experiments in which data are collected by multiple independent resources, including multicentre data, different laboratories within the same centre or with different operators, are challenging in design, data collection and interpretation. Indeed, inconsistent results across the resources are possible. In this paper, we propose a statistical solution for the problem of multi-resource consensus inferences when statistical results from different resources show variation in magnitude, directionality, and significance. Our proposed method allows combining the corrected p-values, effect sizes and the total number of centres into a global consensus score. We apply this method to obtain a consensus score for data collected by the International Mouse Phenotyping Consortium (IMPC) across 11 centres. We show the application of this method to detect sexual dimorphism in haematological data and discuss the suitability of the methodology.
Memory-guided navigation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Maier Patrizia M. , Iggena Deetje , Meyer Thomas , Finke Carsten , Ploner Christoph J.
Published: May 2023

Background

Previous studies have yielded inconsistent results about hippocampal involvement in non-demented patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We hypothesized that testing of memory-guided spatial navigation i.e., a highly hippocampus-dependent behaviour, might reveal behavioural correlates of hippocampal dysfunction in non-demented ALS patients.

Methods

We conducted a prospective study of spatial cognition in 43 non-demented ALS outpatients (11f, 32 m, mean age 60.0 years, mean disease duration 27.0 months, mean ALSFRS-R score 40.0) and 43 healthy controls (14f, 29 m, mean age 57.0 years). Participants were tested with a virtual memory-guided navigation task derived from animal research (“starmaze”) that has previously been used in studies of hippocampal function. Participants were further tested with neuropsychological tests of visuospatial memory (SPART, 10/36 Spatial Recall Test), fluency (5PT, five-point test) and orientation (PTSOT, Perspective Taking/Spatial Orientation Test).

Results

Patients successfully learned and navigated the starmaze from memory, both in conditions that forced memory of landmarks (success: patients 50.7%, controls 47.7%, p = 0.786) and memory of path sequences (success: patients 96.5%, controls 94.0%, p = 0.937). Measures of navigational efficacy (latency, path error and navigational uncertainty) did not differ between groups (p ≥ 0.546). Likewise, SPART, 5PT and PTSOT scores did not differ between groups (p ≥ 0.238).

Conclusions

This study found no behavioural correlate for hippocampal dysfunction in non-demented ALS patients. These findings support the view that the individual cognitive phenotype of ALS may relate to distinct disease subtypes rather than being a variable expression of the same underlying condition.
EpCAM tumor specificity and proteoform patterns in urothelial cancer
Authors: Dressler Franz F. , Hinrichs Sofie , Roesch Marie C. , Perner Sven
Published: May 2023

Background

The role of the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) in cancer is still unclear. EpCAM cleavage through regulated intramembrane proteolysis results in fragments which interact with both oncogenic and tumor suppressive pathways. Additionally, the EpCAM molecule itself is used as a descriptive therapeutic target in urothelial cancer (UC), while data on its actual tumor specificity remain limited.

Methods

Samples from diagnostic formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) UC tissue and fresh-frozen UC cells were immunoblotted and used for qualitative characterization of five different EpCAM fragments. These expression patterns were quantified across a cohort of 76 samples with 52 UC and 24 normal urothelial samples. Cell viability effects of the extracellular EpEX fragment were assessed in the UC cell lines T24 and HT1376.

Results

The proteolytic EpCAM fragments could be identified in clinical FFPE tissue specimens too. Neither overall nor fragment-specific EpCAM expression showed relevant tumor specificity. EpEX and its deglycosylated variant showed an inverse relationship across healthy and tumor tissue with a decrease of deglycosylated EpEX in tumors. However, extracellular EpEX did not show a relevant effect in vitro.

Conclusions

EpCAM should not be regarded as tumor-specific in UC without patient-specific predictive testing. EpCAM fragment patterns indicate cancer-specific changes and could be involved in its complex tumor-biological role.
Multilingual text categorization and sentiment analysis: a comparative analysis of the utilization of multilingual approaches for classifying twitter data
Authors: Manias George , Mavrogiorgou Argyro , Kiourtis Athanasios , Symvoulidis Chrysostomos , Kyriazis Dimosthenis
Published: May 2023

Text categorization and sentiment analysis are two of the most typical natural language processing tasks with various emerging applications implemented and utilized in different domains, such as health care and policy making. At the same time, the tremendous growth in the popularity and usage of social media, such as Twitter, has resulted on an immense increase in user-generated data, as mainly represented by the corresponding texts in users’ posts. However, the analysis of these specific data and the extraction of actionable knowledge and added value out of them is a challenging task due to the domain diversity and the high multilingualism that characterizes these data. The latter highlights the emerging need for the implementation and utilization of domain-agnostic and multilingual solutions. To investigate a portion of these challenges this research work performs a comparative analysis of multilingual approaches for classifying both the sentiment and the text of an examined multilingual corpus. In this context, four multilingual BERT-based classifiers and a zero-shot classification approach are utilized and compared in terms of their accuracy and applicability in the classification of multilingual data. Their comparison has unveiled insightful outcomes and has a twofold interpretation. Multilingual BERT-based classifiers achieve high performances and transfer inference when trained and fine-tuned on multilingual data. While also the zero-shot approach presents a novel technique for creating multilingual solutions in a faster, more efficient, and scalable way. It can easily be fitted to new languages and new tasks while achieving relatively good results across many languages. However, when efficiency and scalability are less important than accuracy, it seems that this model, and zero-shot models in general, can not be compared to fine-tuned and trained multilingual BERT-based classifiers.
Nutzung von KI-Methoden für die Kupplungsentwicklung in automobilen Antriebssträngen
Authors: Altenburg S. , Schuchter F. , Bause K. , Albers A.
Published: May 2023

Im Spannungsfeld steigender Erwartungen an Fahrkomfort und Energieeffizienz stoßen aktuelle Entwicklungsmethoden der Modellbildung und Optimierung für Fahrzeugkupplungen an ihre Grenzen. In diesem Beitrag wird der Einsatz von KI-Methoden für die Kupplungsentwicklung untersucht und ein Überblick anhand verschiedener Anwendungsbeispiele in aktuellen Forschungsprojekten der Mercedes-Benz AG gegeben. Mittels überwachten Lernens und tiefen neuronalen Netzen werden ein Reibungszahlmodell sowie ein Temperaturmodell einer Kupplung mit hoher Abbildungsgüte entwickelt. Verstärkendes Lernen mit tiefen neuronalen Netzen wird zur Synthese von Regelungen für verschiedene Gangwechsel eingesetzt. Fahrzeugmessdaten werden mit Cluster-Algorithmen analysiert, um Handlungsempfehlungen für die Applikation des Motorwiederstarts eines hybriden Antriebsstrangs abzuleiten. Mit den gezeigten Methoden steigt das Automatisierungspotential in der Entwicklung und der Aufwand für die Übernahme komplexer Entwicklungsprozesse auf neue Getriebevarianten sinkt.
Myotonic dystrophy type 1 in the COVID-19 era
Authors: Ilic Zivojinovic Jelena , Djurdjevic Katarina , Bozovic Ivo , Meola Giovanni , Peric Marina , Azanjac Arsic Ana , Basta Ivana , Rakocevic-Stojanovic Vidosava , Peric Stojan
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is the most prevalent muscular dystrophy in adults. People with DM1 might represent a high-risk population for respiratory infections, including COVID-19. Our aim was to evaluate the characteristics of COVID-19 infection and vaccination rate in DM1 patients.

Methods

This cross-sectional cohort study included 89 patients from the Serbian registry for myotonic dystrophies. Mean age at testing was 48.4 ± 10.4 years with 41 (46.1%) male patients. Mean duration of the disease was 24.0 ± 10.3 years.

Results

COVID-19 infection was reported by 36 (40.4%) DM1 patients. Around 14% of patients had a more severe form of COVID-19 requiring hospitalization. The severity of COVID-19 was in accordance with the duration of DM1. A severe form of COVID-19 was reported in 20.8% of patients who were not vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2 and in none of the vaccinated ones. The majority of 89 tested patients (66.3%) were vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. About half of them (54.2%) received three doses and 35.6% two doses of vaccine. Mild adverse events after vaccination were recorded in 20.3% of patients.

Conclusions

The percentage of DM1 patients who suffered from COVID-19 was like in general population, but with more severe forms in DM1, especially in patients with longer DM1 duration. The study indicated an overall favorable safety profile of COVID-19 vaccines among individuals with DM1 and its ability to protect them from severe COVID-19.
Modelling climate analogue regions for a central European city
Authors: Reuter Lynn , Graf Alexander , Goergen Klaus , Döscher Niels , Leuchner Michael
Published: May 2023

In this study, we describe a methodology to derive climate analogue cities for spatially highly resolved future climate scenarios. For the computation, a reduced and in hindsight bias-adjusted EURO-CORDEX EUR-11 dataset is used based on two climate scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). A total of 389 European cities are processed by the algorithm, which uses five statistical climate variables (2-m air temperature average and amplitude, precipitation sum and amplitude, correlation between 2-m air temperature average and precipitation sum). Additionally, extreme weather events (hot days, summer days, tropical nights, extreme precipitation events) are calculated for further comparison and validation. Finding an appropriate analogue permits a more accurate derivation and depiction of necessary climate adaptation efforts and therefore assist decision-making in city planning. As an example of our method, we searched for plausible climate twins for the mid-sized city of Aachen (Germany) at the end of the twenty-first century. Our results show that the French city of Dijon is highly likely to become Aachen’s climate twin by the end of the century for RCP4.5. As for the scenario RCP8.5, no clear European analogue city could be determined, indicating that the city might enter a novel climate. The nearest match suggests the cities of Florence and Prato in Tuscany. However, considering climate indices, the encompassing region of the French–Spanish city triangle Bordeaux–Toulouse–Bilbao is a better fit. The developed algorithm can be applied to any of the cities included in the dataset.
Exploring the metaphoric nature of programming teachers’ reflections on action - a case study with teaching in mind
Authors: Larsson Andreas , Stolpe Karin
Published: May 2023

In recent years, subject content such as programming and digital literacy has become an integral part of technology education. However, research shows that many programming teachers lack sufficient formal education to teach programming and show disparate educational and professional experiences. This study investigates how three teachers’ knowledge and beliefs about their teaching practices are enacted in their classroom practice. The data for the study consist of videoed classroom observations and subsequent episodic narrative interviews with the teachers. Metaphor analysis have been used to uncover central relations between the teachers’ knowledge and beliefs about their practice and their classroom actions. The result of the study reveals that the teachers describe their roles as teachers differently. Despite the differences, the teachers still share the idea that programming is an activity where small pieces of code is intertwined so that they can achieve a purpose. However, none of the teachers speak about code as being essential for learning programming. The teachers all seem to view themselves as assets for the students’ achievements, nevertheless, they do not share the idea of why. Altogether, the result of the study suggests that even though the curriculum is the same, teachers’ knowledge and beliefs about their teaching plays a big role in students’ education. Also, the study show, that it is reasonable to suggest that conceptual metaphors affect not only our language, but also our actions in the classroom.
Molybdenum oxide reinforced polyvinyl alcohol composite as high-performance dielectric material for flexible electronics
Authors: Parangusan Kiruthika , Subramaniam Venkat , Ganesan Anandha babu , Venkatesh P. Sundara , Ponnamma Deepalekshmi
Published: May 2023

Polymer dielectrics are highlighted as capable energy storing materials due to their better dielectric strength and supreme versatility compared to inorganic ceramic dielectrics in sophisticated electronics and pulsed power systems. The capacity of pristine polymers to store energy, on the other hand, has hardly been constrained by relatively poor internal dielectric properties. This study demonstrates a viable solution-casting method for creating a MoO3 (0%, 1%, 3%, and 5%) doped PVA-based composites for notable dielectric characteristics. The structural variations and morphological properties in the presence of MoO3 nanoparticles within the polymer, connected through intra/intermolecular hydrogen bonding are investigated using XRD and FTIR. The influence of MoO3 content on the complex dielectric properties, conductivities, electric modulus, and impedance parameters of PVA is further investigated. According to the MoO3 proportion in the host matrix, the dielectric properties and relaxation factors associated with polymer cooperative chain segmental migration alter considerably. The improved electrical and dielectric properties of MoO3 doped PVA composite demonstrate its potential in creating compact polymer electrolyte systems.
Regression models for censored time-to-event data using infinitesimal jack-knife pseudo-observations, with applications to left-truncation
Authors: Parner Erik T. , Andersen Per K. , Overgaard Morten
Published: May 2023

Jack-knife pseudo-observations have in recent decades gained popularity in regression analysis for various aspects of time-to-event data. A limitation of the jack-knife pseudo-observations is that their computation is time consuming, as the base estimate needs to be recalculated when leaving out each observation. We show that jack-knife pseudo-observations can be closely approximated using the idea of the infinitesimal jack-knife residuals. The infinitesimal jack-knife pseudo-observations are much faster to compute than jack-knife pseudo-observations. A key assumption of the unbiasedness of the jack-knife pseudo-observation approach is on the influence function of the base estimate. We reiterate why the condition on the influence function is needed for unbiased inference and show that the condition is not satisfied for the Kaplan–Meier base estimate in a left-truncated cohort. We present a modification of the infinitesimal jack-knife pseudo-observations that provide unbiased estimates in a left-truncated cohort. The computational speed and medium and large sample properties of the jack-knife pseudo-observations and infinitesimal jack-knife pseudo-observation are compared and we present an application of the modified infinitesimal jack-knife pseudo-observations in a left-truncated cohort of Danish patients with diabetes.
Consistency of the Bäcklund Transformation for the Spin Calogero–Moser System
Authors: Berntson Bjorn K.
Published: May 2023

We prove the consistency of the Bäcklund transformation (BT) for the spin Calogero–Moser (sCM) system in the rational, trigonometric, and hyperbolic cases. The BT for the sCM system consists of an overdetermined system of ordinary differential equations; to establish our result, we construct and analyze certain functions that measure the departure of this overdetermined system from consistency. We show that these functions are identically zero and that this allows for a unique solution to the initial value problem for the overdetermined system.
LuGre or not LuGre
Authors: Rill G. , Schaeffer T. , Schuderer M.
Published: May 2023

The LuGre model is widely used in the analysis and control of systems with friction. Recently, it has even been made available in the commercial multibody dynamics simulation software system Adams. However, the LuGre model exhibits well-known drawbacks like too low and force rate-dependent break-away forces, drift problems during sticking periods, and significant differences in non-stationary situations between the pre-defined friction law and the one produced by the LuGre model. In the present literature, these problems are supposed to come from the model dynamics or its nonlinear nature. However, most of these drawbacks are not simple side effects of a dynamic friction model but are caused in the LuGre approach, as shown here, by a too simple and inconsistent model of the bristle dynamics. Standard examples and a more practical application demonstrate that the LuGre model is not a “what you see is what you get” approach. A dynamic friction model with accurate bristle dynamics and consistent friction force is set up here. It provides insight into the physical basis of the LuGre model dynamics. However, it results in a nonlinear and implicit differential equation, whose solution will not be easy because of the ambiguity of the friction characteristics. The standard workaround, a static model based on simple regularized characteristics, produces reliable and generally satisfactory results but definitely cannot maintain a stick. The paper presents a second-order dynamic friction model, which may serve as an alternative. It can maintain a stick and produces realistic and reliable results.
Über die Einhegung von Race in Ethnizität. Eine feministische Intervention
Authors: Löw Martina
Published: May 2023

In seinem Beitrag „Immer Ärger mit ,Race‘. Eine Agenda für den Umgang mit einer heiklen Kategorie“ schlägt Loïc Wacquant vor, Race als einen „paradoxen Subtyp von Ethnizität“ zu behandeln. Damit wirft er die wichtige Frage nach dem theoretischen Stellenwert dieser substanzlosen Kategorie sowie der Theoriearchitektur auf, in deren Rahmen sich Probleme von Rassismus thematisieren lassen. Dennoch folgt der Kommentar der Annahme, dass der Preis, den wir für die Einhegung von Race im Feld der Ethnizität zahlen, zu hoch ist: erstens, weil dabei Klasse und Geschlecht substanzialisiert werden, und zweitens, weil die Subsumierung von Race unter Ethnizität so reibungslos plausibel dann doch nicht ist. Dagegen wird vorgeschlagen, Race und Geschlecht als Konzepte zur Beobachtung (und zwar ausschließlich um doing race und doing Geschlecht zu verstehen) engzuführen, insofern beide Konstruktionen auf körperlichen Einschreibungen basieren und somit von dem Konstruktionsmodus der Klasse und der Ethnizität unterscheidbar sind.
Gradient Boosted Regression Trees for Modelling Onset of Austenite Decomposition During Cooling of Steels
Authors: Luukkonen Juho , Pohjonen Aarne , Louhenkilpi Seppo , Miettinen Jyrki , Sillanpää Mikko J. , Laitinen Erkki
Published: May 2023

Continuous cooling transformation (CCT) diagrams can be constructed by empirical methods, which is expensive and time consuming, or by fitting a model to available experimental data. Examples of data-driven models implemented so far include regression models, artificial neural networks, k-Nearest Neighbours and Random Forest. Gradient boosting machine (GBM) has been succesfully used in many machine learning applications, but has not been used before in modelling CCT-diagrams. This article presents a novel way of predicting ferrite start temperatures for low alloyed steels using gradient boosting. First, transformation onset temperatures are predicted over a grid of values with a trained GBM-model after which a physically-based model is fitted to the piecewise constant curve obtained as output from the model. Predictability of the GBM-model is tested with two sets of CCT-diagrams and compared to Random Forest and JMatPro software. GBM outperforms its competitors under all tested model performance metrics:e.g.R2for test data is 0.92, 0.87 and 0.70 for GBM, Random Forest and JMatPro respectively. Output from the GBM-model is used for fitting a physically based model, which enables the estimation of transformation start for any linear or nonlinear cooling path. This can be further converted to Time-Temperature-Transformation (TTT) diagram.
Fabrication and Mechanical Testing of Mesoscale Specimens
Authors: Lodh Arijit , Keller Clement , Castelluccio Gustavo M.
Published: May 2023

The mechanical response of metallic materials results from a complex hierarchy of deformation mechanisms across length scales. The need to understand these mechanisms independently has driven the miniaturization of testing samples, including small scale samples and single crystal micropillars. However, difficulties in machining and testing small samples have hampered the evaluation of the mechanical response of mesoscale samples with dimensions between tens to hundreds of microns. This paper innovates with a simple approach for the manufacturing and test of dog-bone specimens with a minimum gauge width up to 50 μm. The results demonstrate a pronounced sample size effects on the mechanical response for the dimensions analysed and highlights the need to advance the characterization of mesoscale samples. We also demonstrated the capability of testing the tensile response of single crystals from engineering alloys.
A thematic analysis of alcohol use and culture amongst elite (intercounty) Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) players
Authors: Mac Gearailt Conall , Murphy Colm , McCaffrey Jack , Turk Matthew , Murray Kieran
Published: May 2023

Background

There are limited studies examining alcohol consumption in Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) players. In a previous paper, we reported excess alcohol consumption, alcohol-related harms and binge drinking amongst elite GAA players. In that survey, the players were provided with an opportunity to provide comments on alcohol. This current study analyses these comments.

Aims

The aim of this study was to provide a qualitative analysis of elite GAA players opinions on alcohol consumption, harms, behaviours and culture.

Methods

An anonymous, web-based e-questionnaire was distributed to all registered adult elite (inter-county) GAA players. This analysed demographics, alcohol consumption, alcohol culture and alcohol-related harms. This paper is a thematic analysis of the players comments on alcohol in the GAA.

Results

Seven hundred seventy-three of 3592 (21%) players responded. One hundred fifty-two respondents (21%) commented in the free text section of the survey regarding alcohol. One hundred eleven comments (73%) were suitable for analysis. Relevant themes were a pattern of abstinence and bingeing (n = 44), excess alcohol consumption (n = 40) and drinking bans contributing to a binge drinking culture (n = 37). There was a mixed attitude to alcohol sponsorship.

Conclusion

These data show players recognise intermittent binge drinking with periods of abstinence and alcohol-related harms. Further initiatives regarding alcohol harm reduction merit consideration including prohibition of alcohol sponsorship, similar to the GAA’s ban on gambling.
Shared Decision-Making in Acute Pain Services
Authors: Bello Corina M. , Mackert Simone , Harnik Michael A. , Filipovic Mark G. , Urman Richard D. , Luedi Markus M.
Published: May 2023

Purpose of Review

The implementation of shared decision-making (SDM) in acute pain services (APS) is still in its infancies especially when compared to other medical fields.

Recent Findings

Emerging evidence fosters the value of SDM in various acute care settings. We provide an overview of general SDM practices and possible advantages of incorporating such concepts in APS, point out barriers to SDM in this setting, present common patient decisions aids developed for APS and discuss opportunities for further development.

Especially in the APS setting, patient-centred care is a key component for optimal patient outcome. SDM could be included into everyday clinical practice by using structured approaches such as the “seek, help, assess, reach, evaluate” (SHARE) approach, the 3 “MAking Good decisions In Collaboration”(MAGIC) questions, the “Benefits, Risks, Alternatives and doing Nothing”(BRAN) tool or the “the multifocal approach to sharing in shared decision-making”(MAPPIN’SDM) as guidance for participatory decision-making. Such tools aid in the development of a patient–clinician relationship beyond discharge after immediate relief of acute pain has been accomplished. Research addressing patient decision aids and their impact on patient-reported outcomes regarding shared decision-making, organizational barriers and new developments such as remote shared decision-making is needed to advance participatory decision-making in acute pain services.
Improving the performance of biobased polyurethane dispersion by the incorporation of photo-crosslinkable coumarin
Authors: Germán-Ayuso Lorena , Cuevas José M. , Seoane-Rivero Rubén , Navarro Rodrigo , Marcos-Fernández Angel , Vilas-Vilela José L.
Published: May 2023

High biobased carbon content polyurethane dispersions (PUD) are a more sustainable alternative to conventional oil-derived waterborne dispersions in coatings. However, there are still many performance limitations from restricted availability of effective renewable monomers and oligomers. This work demonstrates the improvement of the properties of high biobased content PUD and derived coating by introducing a photo-reversibly crosslinkable coumarin as chain extender within the structure. The effect of partial substitution of 1,3-propanediol biobased by a di-hydroxy photo-reactive cyclic coumarin on the particle size and the stability was analyzed by dynamic light scattering (DLS) and multiple light scattering (MLS). The lateral and more rigid structure of coumarin involved a moderated increment in particle size without significant effect on the dispersion stability for at least 45 days. Associated improvement in hardness and toughness was also demonstrated by tensile test, pendulum hardness, pencil hardness and scratch resistance test. Furthermore, controlled UV irradiation of the polyurethane gave rise to a mechanical performance adjustment from reversible photo-crosslinking and scission of the coumarin molecules within the macromolecular structure. A 70% dimerization degree of the coumarin within the polyurethane film by UV light provided a partially reversible threefold higher tensile strength than that of the original biobased formulation as an effective tool to tune the response of biobased polyurethanes.

Graphical Abstract