bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Remanence deviations in permanent magnet synchronous machines evaluated using a model order reduction approach
Authors: Kolb Johann , Müller Fabian , Hameyer Kay
Published: September 2022

In this article remanence deviations of a permanent magnet synchronous machine are studied with the proper orthogonal decomposition (POD). The design of experiments enables to create designs with a reduced sample size compared to full factorial designs without decreasing the stochastic significance of the remanence distributions. Next, a POD basis is created with the belonging design, that is distinctly smaller than the reference. From the POD basis the projection matrix is built to compute the flux density solutions. The machine's output is then analyzed regarding accuracy originating from numerical errors. Different parameters are evaluated and compared to the reference to appraise the accuracy of the flux density solutions, which includes the POD basis size, rotor angle step size and dimension of the reduced system. Results show, that the most influence has the dimension of the reduced system. Depending on the dimension and other parameters about one quarter of computational effort can be conserved without a significant loss in accuracy.
Efficient separation of anti‐inflammatory isolates from Polygonti rhizome by three different modes of high‐speed counter‐current chromatography
Authors: Yu Jinqian , Chen Wenxiu , Zhao Lei , Yue Tao , Yang Wencui , Wang Xiao
Published: September 2022

Successful isolation of 15 compounds from Polygonti rhizome was obtained by an efficient technique combined with macroporous resin column chromatography pretreatment and three different modes of high‐speed counter‐current chromatography for the first time. For the pretreatment, AB‐8 resin was applied to remove the polysaccharides and enrich four different parts (samples I, II, III, and IV) by polarities. For the separation, sample I was separated by pH‐zone‐refining counter‐current chromatography and seven cycle recycling mode high‐speed counter‐current chromatography, yielding four alkaloids (1‐‐4); samples II–IV were further separated by the conventional high‐speed counter‐current chromatography, yielding seven flavonoids (5–10, 12), one steroid saponin (11), and three terpenoids (13–15). Finally, the isolates were assayed for their anti‐inflammatory activities against nitric oxide production with compounds 5, 9–10, 13 showing significant anti‐inflammatory activities, IC50 values which were 13.0, 16.2, 17.1, and 14.7 μM, respectively, while others showing moderate and weak anti‐inflammatory activities, respectively.
Tracking Occupational Voice State with a Visual Analog Scale: Voice Quality, Vocal Fatigue, and Effort
Authors: Castillo‐Allendes Adrián , Guzmán‐Ferrada Daniel , Hunter Eric J. , Fuentes‐López Eduardo
Published: September 2022

Background

Due to elevated vocal health risk in industries such as call centers, there is a need to have accessible and quick self‐report tools for voice symptoms. This study aimed to determine if the concurrent and construct validity of three visual analog scales (VASs) of voice quality and symptoms could be used as a screening tool in call center agents.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was carried out in three call center companies. The Voice Handicap Index‐10 (VHI‐10) and a vocal hygiene and symptoms survey were administered to 66 call center workers. Further, acoustic parameters including harmonics‐to‐noise ratio (HNR), smoothed cepstral peak prominence (CPPs), L1‐L0 slope, and Alpha ratio were collected. Finally, workers completed three VASs capturing self‐perception of vocal effort (VAS‐1), voice quality (VAS‐2), and vocal fatigue (VAS‐3). Linear regression models with bootstrapping evaluated the possible relationship between the three VASs measurements, self‐perceived vocal symptoms, and acoustic parameters.

Results

VAS‐1 scores were associated with HNR and voice breaks, VAS‐2 with voice breaks, and VAS‐3 with Alpha ratio. Using the area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), the highest AUC for detecting an altered VHI‐10 questionnaire score was observed for the three VASs. Also, the highest AUC for detecting altered CPPs was reached for the VAS‐1.

Conclusions

VAS as a self‐report instrument of vocal symptoms is related to psychosocial voice impairment and alterations of acoustic voice parameters in call center workers. Such instruments could be easily implemented to identify voice complaints in these populations.

Level of Evidence

2 (Diagnosis research question) Laryngoscope, 133:1676–1682, 2023
The Role of Sialendoscopy in Parotid Duct Stenosis in Graft‐Versus‐Host Disease
Authors: Hansen Elisabeth E. , Mitchell Margaret B. , Rahmati Rahmatullah W.
Published: September 2022

Sialendoscopy, a minimally invasive procedure for concurrent diagnosis and treatment of salivary gland ductal pathologies, was used to alleviate recurrent left parotid gland swelling and dry mouth in a 58‐year‐old man with chronic graft‐versus‐host disease. Laryngoscope, 133:279–281, 2023
Impact of nonlinear infection rate on HIV/AIDS considering prevalence‐dependent awareness
Authors: Majumder Madhuri , Tiwari Pankaj Kumar , Pal Samares
Published: September 2022

An HIV/AIDS transmission model is constructed and analyzed that assimilates spontaneous change in human behavior depending on the disease prevalence incorporating self‐shielding mechanism and treatment control. It is assumed that human population become aware of HIV disease from exposed environment and are conscious enough to make their knowledge fruitful by adopting self‐protective measures to reduce disease transmission. We introduce Hill type of behavioral change function and an awareness‐induced transmission function associated with nonlinear infection rate. We emphasize the effectiveness of human awareness in controlling HIV epidemic by investigating the impact of nonlinear incidence rate. Further, an optimal control model is formulated and solved to find the strategy of applying treatment considering spontaneous response of people towards HIV disease. In the numerical simulation segment, impacts of significant parameters have been assessed using sophisticated techniques. We calibrate the proposed model with the real data of HIV cases in India and estimate some crucial model parameters. Moreover, different amalgamations of preventive and treatment controls are introduced. The optimal treatment control has massive impact in curbing HIV epidemic. Also, combined strategy of prevention and treatment can curtail the disease with economic gain. It reveals that effective response of individuals can suppress the disease in such an unexpected situation when treatment rate is low. Increasing the efficacy of human consciousness is much beneficial in curbing HIV outbreak. Thus, our findings highlight a path to control HIV epidemic with uninstructed modification of human behavior by boosting up the productivity of their existing knowledge.
Evaluation of mechanical and tribological properties of nano clay reinforced Kevlar/Sisal polyester composites
Authors: Somaiah Chowdary Mallampati , Raghavendra Gujjala , Niranjan Kumar M. S. R. , Ojha Shakuntala , Anupama Ammulu Manne , Prasanthi P. Phani
Published: September 2022

Due to the material's balance of mechanical and ecological features, hybrid composites have become a hot topic among researchers. Hybridization is a helpful process for improving the strength and performance of composite materials. Hybrid composites were created in this study by reinforcing Kevlar(K)/Sisal(S) in Polyester using a hand lay‐up method with various wt% (2,4,6 wt%) of Nano clay (NC) reinforcements. Mechanical experiments were performed on hybrid composite laminates to establish their tensile and flexural properties, and SEM was used to characterize the fractured samples. The fabricated specimens were also subjected to erosion tests, conducted at ambient temperature with an elongated silica sand erodent striking at 148 m/s at impingement angles of 30, 60, and 90°. In comparison to 0–4 wt% NC reinforcement, the tensile strength increased by 18% for the polyester/KSSK composites. Flexural strength is highest at 2 wt%, while polyester/KSSK reinforced NC composites have a 28% improvement in flexural strength compared to 0–2 wt%. The erosion wear resistance of 2 wt% NC reinforced KSSK/polyester was excellent in the normal direction, with minor wear at a 90° impingement angle. This conclusion supports the suggested new laminates' suitability for engineering materials in the aviation and automobile industry.
Transforming one organ into another to overcome challenges in tissue engineering
Authors: Wang Zhenzhen , Tian Xuejiao , Wang Chunming , Qi Xiaolong , Gracia‐Sancho Jordi , Dong Lei
Published: September 2022

Tissue engineering (TE) is promising for the regeneration of failed organs. However, immune rejection, shortage of seed cells, and unintegrated blood vessels restrict the development and clinical application of TE. The last factor is the most challenging and intractable. Harnessing the mature blood vessel network in existing dispensable organs could be a powerful approach to effectively overcome the obstacles. After being remodeled to harbor an immunosuppressive and proregenerative niche, these potential target organs can be transformed into other organs with specific physiological functions, compensating the latter's failed native functions. Organ transformation, such as a hepatized spleen, represents an effective and encouraging TE strategy. In this review, we discuss the current development and obstacles of TE and its feasibility and superiority in organ transformation.
Associations of autoantibodies and clinical profile of the patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Mahmud Shahin , Choudhury Minhaj R. , Bandhan Iftekhar H. , Islam Md. Sahidul , Shahin Md. Abu , Haq Syed A. , Zaman Mohammad M.
Published: September 2022

Background

Systemic sclerosis is characterized by the involvement of organs and the presence of specific antibodies. The objectives of this study were to identify the autoantibodies and to determine their association with the selected clinical features of the disease among Bangladeshi systemic sclerosis patients.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was performed at the rheumatology outpatient clinic of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University. Autoantibodies against nine systemic sclerosis‐specific antigens were tested using an enzyme‐linked immunoassay immunoblot kit. Several clinical features of patients with positive and negative autoantibody were examined by χ2 or Fisher's exact tests.

Results

A total of 71 patients with systemic sclerosis (66; 93.0% female) were included. Their mean age at disease onset was 33.2 years. Fifty‐seven (80.3%) patients had diffuse cutaneous subtype. Out of nine autoantibodies, four were positive, anti‐topoisomerase‐I (57.7%), anti‐U1 ribonucleic protein (21.1%), anti‐RNA polymerase III (18.3%), and anticentromere antibodies (4.2%). Eleven (15.5%) patients were negative for any antibodies and 11 patients were positive for at least two autoantibodies. Anti‐U3‐RNP, anti‐PM‐Scl, anti‐Ku, and anti‐Th/To auto antibodies were absent in all patients. Anti‐RNA polymerase III was associated with raised pulmonary arterial systolic pressure (PASP) and anti‐U1‐RNP with decreased forced vital capacity (FVC).

Conclusions

Anti‐topoisomerase‐I was the commonest autoantibody in patients with systemic sclerosis in Bangladesh. Anti‐RNA polymerase III antibody had  significant association with raised PASP and anti‐U1‐RNP with decreased FVC.
Synthesizing the impacts of information and communication technology advancement and educational developments on environmental sustainability: A comparative analyses of three economic blocs—BRICS, MINT, and G7 economies
Authors: Gyamfi Bright Akwasi , Onifade Stephen Taiwo , Ofori Elvis Kwame
Published: September 2022

In the wake of the growing threats to humanity from climate change, we analyzed the information and communications technology (ICT)/education—environmental nexus from three distinct blocs including BRICS, MINT, and the G7 economies between 1990 and 2020. Two models were examined to reach the study's objectives. The first model evaluates whether education and ICT are essential for environmental sustainability via potential reduction in carbon emission. On the other hand, the second model fills an existing gap in extant studies by examining the prospect of education and ICT in influencing citizens on the importance of transition to renewable energy usage. Driscoll and Kraay estimator was employed as a panacea tool for cross‐sectional dependence and slope homogeneity while the fixed effect approach provides sufficient robustness checks on the findings. While some outcomes vary per bloc, others are relatively similar across the three blocs. Education level in school enrollment perspectives shows a negative significant pollution reduction effect across the three blocs, while only the G7 bloc performed better from human capital perspectives. The combined sample bloc shows that ICT also significantly reduces carbon emission, however, an individual bloc analysis refutes this stance for the MINT bloc. Additionally, while renewable energy cushions emissions in all the blocs, rapid urbanization, shows a positive CO2 emission impact except in the G7 bloc. Last, ICT and education significantly boost renewable energy usage only in the G7. Hence, governments and stakeholders in the blocs should gravitate toward greater investments in quality education and greener ICT infrastructures for a sustainable environment.
The nexus of United Nations' 2030 Agenda and corporate sustainability reports
Authors: Tsalis Thomas A. , Terzaki Maria , Koulouriotis Dimitrios , Tsagarakis Konstantinos P. , Nikolaou Ioannis E.
Published: September 2022

The role of corporate responsibility in the protection of the natural environment is unquestionably a key factor in achieving a stable and sustainable future for modern economies and societies. Thus, the business community implements practices to protect the natural environment and eliminate its negative impacts. Such corporate practices are placed under the umbrella of the sustainable development concept which pursues multifaceted economical environmental and social goals and more recently the 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) of the United Nations' (UN) 2030 Agenda. In this context, this paper aims at examining corporate reporting behavior in the energy sector in relation to SDG disclosures during the first years of the introduction of Agenda 2030. An assessment framework was designed to assess the quality and the range of information disclosed in a set of 105 sustainability reports published during the period 2016–2018. The findings of the empirical analysis led to the conclusion that the examined energy firms did not provide an adequate level of information regarding corporate actions toward the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development. Both the quality of disclosed information and the number of disclosure topics were low. SDG4 was the main focus of the reports, with the highest reporting performance, whereas the issues covered by SDG16 and SDG1 were discussed the least in the examined reports. Also, in practical terms, the proposed methodology provides a sound basis for further investigation of the sustainability reporting practices from the energy sector in relation to the scope of SDG.
Microwave and Ultrasonic‐Assisted Synthesis of Highly Functionalized Carbazoles And Dibenzofurans from Biaryl‐Triazenes Promoted by Acidic Ionic Liquid
Authors: Kim Kang Min , Sutar Suraj M. , Kalkhambkar Rajesh G. , Refat Moamen S. , Alsuhaibani Amnah Mohammed
Published: September 2022

Brønsted acidic Ionic liquid promoted synthesis of functionalized carbazoles and dibenzofurans is reported employing biaryl‐triazene as intermediate. The shorter reaction time, diverse functional group tolerance, high yield, mild reaction condition and employment of microwave and ultrasonic assistance highlight the importance of this reaction. Approximately 80–92% of the product yield was achieved with this highly efficient green technique. Along with this, recycling and re‐use of ionic liquids are also addressed.
New Design and Construction of Hierarchical Porous Ni/SiO2 Catalyst with Anti‐sintering and Carbon Deposition Ability for Dry Reforming of Methane
Authors: San Xiaoguang , Cui Jia , Chu Yanxing , Xu Juhua , Meng Dan , Pan Zhiyuan , Wang Guosheng , Qi Jian , Jin Quan
Published: September 2022

Recently, low‐resistance to sintering and carbon deposition used in dry reforming of methane (DRM) limits their industrial application. In this study, we synthesized the better anti‐carbon deposition performance of a novel Ni/SiO2 catalyst which has hierarchical porous flower‐like structure by hydrothermal method. A series of characterizations were carried out by different test methods, and the results confirmed that the material had typical hierarchical porous structure, high specific surface areas, and strong metal‐support interaction. The catalyst activity tests at 700 °C in 40 h reaction manifested that CO2 and CH4 conversions of the flower‐like structure of Ni/SiO2 (F‐Ni/SiO2) (87.44% and 79.56%) are higher than that of Ni/SiO2 by the conventional impregnation method (C‐Ni/SiO2) (71.79% and 62.30%). The main reasons can be explained that the large specific surface area, Ni particles were well dispersed on the support surface, and the interaction between the active metal and support of the flower‐like structure of F‐Ni/SiO2 catalyst, have better stability and catalytic performance. Meanwhile, the TG result also showed that the F‐Ni/SiO2 catalyst had better anti‐carbon deposition performance than the traditional catalyst, which leading to a higher catalytic activity.
Nanoscale Synergetic Effects on Ag–TiO2 Hybrid Substrate for Photoinduced Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (PIERS) with Ultra‐Sensitivity and Reusability
Authors: Shondo Josiah , Veziroglu Salih , Tjardts Tim , Sarwar Tamim Bin , Mishra Yogendra Kumar , Faupel Franz , Aktas Oral Cenk
Published: September 2022

Here, a 4N‐in‐1 hybrid substrate concept (nanocolumnar structures, nanocrack network, nanoscale mixed oxide phases, and nanometallic structures) for ultra‐sensitive and reliable photo‐induced‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (PIERS), is proposed. The use of the 4N‐in‐1 hybrid substrate leads to an ≈50‐fold enhancement over the normal surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy, which is recorded as the highest PIERS enhancement to date. In addition to an improved Raman signal, the 4N‐in‐1 hybrid substrate provides a high detection sensitivity which may be attributed to the activation possibility at extremely low UV irradiation dosage and prolonged relaxation time (long measurement time). Moreover, the 4N‐in‐1 hybrid substrate exhibits a superior photocatalytic degradation performance of analytes, allowing its reuse at least 18 times without any loss of PIERS activity. The use of the 4N‐in‐1 concept can be adapted to biomedicine, forensic, and security fields easily.
Recent Advances in Self‐Supported Semiconductor Heterojunction Nanoarrays as Efficient Photoanodes for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Liu Jinlong , Luo Ziyu , Mao Xichen , Dong Yusong , Peng Lishan , Sun‐Waterhouse Dongxiao , Kennedy John V. , Waterhouse Geoffrey I. N.
Published: September 2022

Growth of semiconductor heterojunction nanoarrays directly on conductive substrates represents a promising strategy toward high‐performance photoelectrodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. By controlling the growth conditions, heterojunction nanoarrays with different morphologies and semiconductor components can be fabricated, resulting in greatly enhanced light‐absorption properties, stabilities, and PEC activities. Herein, recent progress in the development of self‐supported heterostructured semiconductor nanoarrays as efficient photoanode catalysts for water oxidation is reviewed. Synthetic methods for the fabrication of heterojunction nanoarrays with specific compositions and structures are first discussed, including templating methods, wet chemical syntheses, electrochemical approaches and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) methods. Then, various heterojunction nanoarrays that have been reported in recent years based on particular core semiconductor scaffolds (e.g., TiO2, ZnO, WO3, Fe2O3, etc.) are summarized, placing strong emphasis on the synergies generated at the interface between the semiconductor components that can favorably boost PEC water oxidation. Whilst strong progress has been made in recent years to enhance the visible‐light responsiveness, photon‐to‐O2 conversion efficiency and stability of photoanodes based on heterojunction nanoarrays, further advancements in all these areas are needed for PEC water splitting to gain any traction alongside photovoltaic‐electrochemical (PV‐EC) systems as a viable and cost‐effective route toward the hydrogen economy.
The Effects of Dually Modified (Hydrolyzed‐Hydroxypropylated) Sago Starch on the Quality Characteristics of Frozen Dough and Bread
Authors: Ghalambor Pantea , Asadi Gholamhassan , Mohammadi Nafchi Abdorreza , Seyedin Ardebili Seyed Mahdi
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this research is to investigate the possibility of using chemically modified sago starch in frozen dough and bread. The sago starch is first modified by acid hydrolysis (AHS) and hydroxypropylation (HPS) alone or in combination (AHHPS) and then incorporated into burger bread formulation at 10%(W/W) and tested at room temperature for five days. The results indicated that the addition of AHS to the dough reduced the dough stability time and increased the dough development time. The dough containing AHHPS hava a shorter stability time and a longer expansion time than the control. The addition of the single and dual modified sago starches significantly reduced the extensibility and increased extensograph ratio. With the addition of sago starches, there is no significant change in the percentage of freezable water in the dough and the enthalpy of ice melting, but the specific volume of bread is reduced. The use of HPS, followed by AHHPS in bread formulation, is able to better retain moisture in bread during the storage period and significantly reduce the staling intensity in bread. Finally, the results demonstrated that HPS could be used to maintain the quality of bread and delay retrogradation and staling during storage.
Survey of porcine circovirus type 2 and parvovirus in swine breeding herds of Colombia
Authors: Uribe‐García Heinner F. , Suarez‐Mesa Rafael A. , Rondón‐Barragán Iang S.
Published: September 2022

Background

One of the consequences of the presentation of reproductive failures in sows is the economic losses in production because it alters the estimated values of the volume of production, decreasing the productivity of the farm. Porcine circovirosis by porcine circovirus 2 (PCV2) has been associated with reproductive disorders, and porcine parvovirus (PVP) is one of the pathological agents most related to the presentation of reproductive failure in pigs. In Colombia, there are reports of the presence of PCV2 through molecular techniques, and PVP through serum tests; however, in the department of Tolima, the prevalence of these two viruses is unknown.

Objective

In this study, the aim was to establish a report of the prevalence of viruses in five municipalities of the department of Tolima‐Colombia.

Methods

Blood samples from 150 breeding sows of five municipalities in Tolima, Colombia, were obtained. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to detect the PCV2 and PVP virus in the blood samples followed by PCR and sequencing of 16 PCR products of the amplification of thecapgene of PCV2. A phylogenetic tree was constructed to identify the genotype of the PCV2 virus.

Results

The presence of PCV2d in sows was detected in 135 samples (90%), as well as the identification of PVP in 2.6% of the samples. In addition, the phylogenetic analysis showed that 16 isolates were the PCV2d2 genotype.

Conclusion

PCV2d and PVP were found to coinfect the females, and the identification of variability in regions in the predicted amino acid sequence of the PCV2 capsid may be associated with virus pathogenicity.
Relativistic fluids, hydrodynamic frames and their Galilean versus Carrollian avatars
Authors: Petkou Anastasios C. , Petropoulos P. Marios , Rivera-Betancour David , Siampos Konstantinos
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We comprehensively study Galilean and Carrollian hydrodynamics on arbitrary backgrounds, in the presence of a matter/charge conserved current. For this purpose, we follow two distinct and complementary paths. The first is based on local invariance, be it Galilean or Carrollian diffeomorphism invariance, possibly accompanied by Weyl invariance. The second consists in analyzing the relativistic fluid equations at large or small speed of light, after choosing an adapted gauge, Arnowitt-Deser-Misner-Zermelo for the former and Papapetrou-Randers for the latter. Unsurprisingly, the results agree, but the second approach is superior as it effortlessly captures more elaborate situations with multiple degrees of freedom. It furthermore allows to investigate the fate of hydrodynamic-frame invariance in the two limits at hand, and conclude that its breaking (in the Galilean) or its preservation (in the Carrollian) are fragile consequences of the behaviour of transport attributes at large or small c. Both methods do also agree on the doom of Nœtherian currents generated in the relativistic theory by isometries: conserved currents are not always guaranteed in Newton-Cartan or Carroll spacetimes as a consequence of Galilean or Carrollian isometries. Comparison of Galilean and Carrollian fluid equations exhibits a striking but often superficial resemblance, which we comment in relation to black-hole horizon dynamics, awkwardly akin to Navier-Stokes equations. This congruity is authentic in one instance though and turns out then to describe Aristotelian dynamics, which is the last item in our agenda.
Multilepton signatures from dark matter at the LHC
Authors: Belyaev Alexander , Blumenschein Ulla , Freegard Arran , Moretti Stefano , Sengupta Dipan
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Leptonic signatures of Dark Matter (DM) are one of the cleanest ways to discover such a secluded form of matter at high energy colliders. We explore the full parameter space relevant to multi-lepton (2- and 3-lepton) signatures at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) from representative minimal consistent models with scalar and fermion DM. In our analysis, we suggest a new parametrisation of the model parameter spaces in terms of the DM mass and mass differences between DM and its multiplet partners. This parametrisation allows us to explore properties of DM models in their whole parameter space. This approach is generic and quite model-independent since the mass differences are related to the couplings of the DM to the Standard Model (SM) sector. We establish the most up-to-date LHC limits on the inert 2-Higgs Doublet Model (i2HDM) and Minimal Fermion DM (MFDM) model parameter spaces, by using the complementary information stemming from 2- and 3-lepton signatures. We provide a map of LHC efficiencies and cross-section limits for such 2- and 3-lepton signatures allowing one to easily make model-independent reinterpretations of LHC results for analogous classes of models. We also present combined constraints from the LHC, DM relic density and direct search experiments indicating the current status of the i2HDM and MFDM model.
Analysis of Compliance with Enhanced Recovery After Surgery (ERAS) Protocol for Esophagectomy
Authors: Puccetti Francesco , Klevebro Fredrik , Kuppusamy MadhanKumar , Han Shiwei , Fagley Richard E. , Low Donald E. , Hubka Michal
Published: September 2022

Background

ERAS guidelines have provided an effective recovery approach for esophagectomy. This study aimed to identify the relationship between the length of hospital stay (LOS) and compliance with clinical benchmarks of an established institutional ERAS program.

Methods

A single‐center prospective database of esophageal cancer patients was retrospectively analyzed between January 2016 and January 2020. All patients underwent surgery within a standardized ERAS pathway for esophagectomy. Compliance with individual ERAS benchmarks and postoperative outcomes were evaluated according to patient's LOS; accelerated (≤ 6 days, AR), targeted (7–8 days, TR), and delayed recovery (≥ 9 days, DR).

Results

The study included 100 consecutive patients undergoing esophagectomy with a median LOS of 7 (3.8–40.8) days, and a 30‐day readmission rate of 12.6%. LOS was not affected by comorbidities, tumor type or stage, neoadjuvant therapy, operative approach or anastomotic leak. Postoperative complications were 49.5%, and 90‐day mortality was 3.8%. AR, TR, and DL were achieved by 45%, 31%, and 24% of patients, respectively. Postoperative morbidity differed significantly among groups, impacting LOS (p < 0.001). Overall compliance with ERAS protocol was 82.7% and adherence to specific benchmarks was initially (< 48 h) high, but significantly affected by postoperative complications afterwards.

Conclusions

Adherence to recovery benchmarks in patients undergoing esophagectomy is most commonly impacted by postoperative complications. In esophageal cancer surgery, the adherence to ERAS benchmarks after esophagectomy should be regularly audited. Modification to ERAS protocols to increase application in patients with complications should be considered.
Abdominal fascia dehiscence: is there a connection to a special microbial spectrum?
Authors: Stropnicky P. V. , Kandemir F. , Schäffer M. , Pochhammer J.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Acute fascia dehiscence (FD) is a threatening complication occurring in 0.4–3.5% of cases after abdominal surgery. Prolonged hospital stay, increased mortality and increased rate of incisional hernias could be following consequences. Several risk factors are controversially discussed. Even though surgical infection is a known, indisputable risk factor, it is still not proven if a special spectrum of pathogens is responsible. In this study, we investigated if a specific spectrum of microbial pathogens is associated with FD.

Methods

We performed a retrospective matched pair analysis of 53 consecutive patients with an FD after abdominal surgery in 2010–2016. Matching criteria were gender, age, primary procedure and surgeon. The primary endpoint was the frequency of pathogens detected intraoperatively, the secondary endpoint was the occurrence of risk factors in patients with (FD) and without (nFD) FD.

Results

Intraabdominal pathogens were detected more often in the FD group (p = 0.039), with a higher number of Gram-positive pathogens. Enterococci were the most common pathogen (p = 0.002), not covered in 73% (FD group) compared to 22% (nFD group) by the given antibiotic therapy. Multivariable analysis showed detection of Gram-positive pathogens, detection of enterococci in primary laparotomy beside chronic lung disease, surgical site infections and continuous steroid therapy as independent risk factors.

Conclusion

Risk factors are factors that reduce wound healing or increase intra-abdominal pressure. Furthermore detection of Gram-positive pathogens especially enterococci was detected as an independent risk factor and its empirical coverage could be advantageous for high-risk patients.
Methodology to Analyse Three-Dimensional Asymmetries in the Forces Applied to the Pedals in Cycling
Authors: Martín-Sosa Ezequiel , Chaves Victor , Soler-Vizán Elena , Mayo Juana , Ojeda Joaquín
Published: September 2022

The asymmetries study between both legs of the forces applied to the pedals in cycling is important because they may affect the performance of the cyclist or prevent the occurrence of injuries. Studies focused on analysing asymmetries in forces tend to consider only the effective force, disregarding the three-dimensional nature of the force. Furthermore, these studies do not analyse the possible physical or neurological causes that may have led to the appearance of the asymmetries. This paper presents a methodology to carry out three-dimensional analysis of the asymmetries of the forces applied in both pedals and discriminate the possible sources of these asymmetries. Seven participants, amateurs and without pathologies, were analysed. Two commercial pedals were instrumented to measure the three components of the force applied to each pedal. The Normalized Symmetry Index (NSI) and the Cross Correlation Coefficient (CCC) were used for the asymmetries analysis. Results showed that both indexes need to be used in conjunction to analyse the causes of asymmetry in the pedal forces from a 3D perspective along the pedal cycle. The NSI is an index that makes it possible to evaluate asymmetry by considering only the value of the force applied by each leg at each instant. The CCC makes it possible to evaluate whether the temporal evolutions of the forces applied by each leg are similar. Preliminary results suggest that the proposed methodology is effective for analysing asymmetries in the forces in a pedalling cycle from a three-dimensional point of view. Forces in the sagittal plane showed a high level of symmetry. The lateral-medial force presented the highest level of asymmetry due to the difference in the magnitudes of the applied forces by both legs and the existing time shift between the two force patterns. The results of this work will allow for more complete and accurate three-dimensional dynamic analyses of the lower body during pedalling.
A blockchain-based IoT data marketplace
Authors: Sober Michael , Scaffino Giulia , Schulte Stefan , Kanhere Salil S.
Published: September 2022

The (IoT) is growing steadily, and so is the number of data that is generated by (IoT) devices. This makes it difficult to find and leverage relevant data (and data sources) without a data marketplace. Such a marketplace provides a platform to enable different parties, e.g., sensor operators and service providers, to trade their data. Today, most data marketplaces are based on centralized solutions, which may become a single point of failure and come with expensive infrastructure, trust problems, and privacy issues. Therefore, we propose the application of blockchain technology to implement a data marketplace for the IoT. Within the proposed marketplace, smart contracts are used to implement various functionalities and enforce the rules of the data exchange. The marketplace also includes a proxy, a broker, and (GUIs) to enable data trading. To show the applicability of the proposed data marketplace, we analyze the costs arising from the utilization of smart contracts.
Autism Traits and Cognitive Performance: Mediating Roles of Sleep Disturbance, Anxiety and Depression
Authors: McArthur Gaynor E. , Lee Eunro , Laycock Robin
Published: September 2022

Theories about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) have addressed cognitive deficits however few have examined how comorbid diagnoses, including sleep disturbance, anxiety and depression contribute to the underlying deficits. We investigated potential mediations of common ASD comorbidities in the relationship between sub-clinical autism traits and cognitive performance using an international community sample. Cognitive tasks assessed working memory [executive functioning (EF) theory], mental state attribution [theory of mind (ToM)], and global/local visual processing [weak central coherence (WCC) theory]. Structural equation modelling (SEM) demonstrated sleep disturbance and anxiety mediated the relationship of autism traits on measures of EF, but not WCC and ToM. This suggests that treating the symptoms of sleep disturbance and anxiety may lead to improvements in working memory.
The effect of the strain rate on the longitudinal modulus of cellulosic fibres
Authors: Zizek Marko , Czibula Caterina , Hirn Ulrich
Published: September 2022

The longitudinal stiffness of cellulosic fibres plays an important role in the mechanical performance of many products these fibres are used for. Especially, the fibres’ viscoelastic properties are having an influence on the product performance.

In this work, tensile testing at different strain rates was performed on single fibres to investigate the rate dependence of their moduli. Four different fibre types were tested: chemi-thermomechanical softwood pulp (CTMP), bleached chemical softwood pulp (CP), unbleached softwood kraft pulp (UKP), and viscose (VIS). For each fibre sample, ten strain rates ranging from 0.113% s−1 to 800% s−1 were applied. The rate-dependent modulus $$E_{r}$$

E
r

of each fibre at each strain rate was calculated by linearly fitting the stress–strain curves. By obtaining the values of the normalized modulus, a slope value per decade was calculated to quantify the rate dependence. To exclude possible plastic and relaxation effects, two additional experiments were used: a force-controlled loading–unloading experiment and a reverse rate protocol.

All cellulosic fibres tested exhibited rate-dependent behaviour with a log-linear relationship between loading rate and modulus. For each tenfold increase in loading rate we found an increase in modulus up to nearly 20%—depending on the fibre type. Viscose fibres exhibit the highest rate dependence, whereas chemical softwood pulp fibres exhibit the lowest.
Kritische politische Theorie der Präfiguration
Authors: Sörensen Paul
Published: September 2022

Auf der Grundlage eines idealtypisierenden Sortierungsversuchs politischen Theoretisierens soll eine zumindest rudimentäre Programmatik für eine auch utopistische kritische politische Theorie skizziert werden. Um deren spezifisches Erkenntnisinteresse und ihre Verfahrensweisen herauszuarbeiten, wird auf das zuletzt im Kontext sozialer Bewegungen revitalisierte Konzept der Präfiguration zurückgegriffen. Ein das Präfigurative in dreifacher Weise integrierendes Unterfangen vermag im besten Fall einen Schritt über die oft negativistischen Formen kritischen Theoretisierens hinaus zu tun, ohne dadurch in rein ideal-theoretische Bahnen zu geraten. Um diese Programmatik zu umreißen, begibt sich die Abhandlung sowohl auf Spurensuche bei Vertretern der sogenannten „ersten Generation“ der Kritischen Theorie, um zugleich aber auch aus anderen Kontexten, wie etwa der Utopie- und Bewegungsforschung, zu schöpfen.
Benchmarking distance-based partitioning methods for mixed-type data
Authors: Costa Efthymios , Papatsouma Ioanna , Markos Angelos
Published: September 2022

Clustering mixed-type data, that is, observation by variable data that consist of both continuous and categorical variables poses novel challenges. Foremost among these challenges is the choice of the most appropriate clustering method for the data. This paper presents a benchmarking study comparing eight distance-based partitioning methods for mixed-type data in terms of cluster recovery performance. A series of simulations carried out by a full factorial design are presented that examined the effect of a variety of factors on cluster recovery. The amount of cluster overlap, the percentage of categorical variables in the data set, the number of clusters and the number of observations had the largest effects on cluster recovery and in most of the tested scenarios. KAMILA, K-Prototypes and sequential Factor Analysis and K-Means clustering typically performed better than other methods. The study can be a useful reference for practitioners in the choice of the most appropriate method.
Advocating a Valid Cultural Alltagspsychologie
Authors: von Fircks Enno
Published: September 2022

In the present article, I criticize the narrow-minded definitions of validity as done by mainstream psychology and its quantitative imperative. I argue that validity should be defined in a broader way such as enhancing the transparency of a present scientific inquiry. The consequence of a too narrow-minded focus upon validity is that specific psychological phenomena are bracketed, and its analysis is argued as non-valid or non-scientific. Psychological phenomena such as watching television, going to sleep, and talking to friends—among many others—are part and parcel of human everyday life. For such phenomena, we are not able to control variables or a specific setting. Yet, I argue that this is not necessary as we can unravel those psychological mechanisms within a different scientific lens that I call a cultural Alltagspsychologie (folk psychology) in tradition of Jerome Bruner. This Alltagspsychologie analyzes a person’s individual social relatedness in time that is argued to demonstrate his/her personal culture and accounts for his/her relations with his environment as well as with himself/herself. Analyzing this relatedness is possible by the TEM diagrams that can decipher the development of culture from past to future and show equally potential alterations of exactly that culture. In the end, I argue that such a scientific approach can be also called valid.
Task-Based Language Teaching
Authors: Jackson Daniel O.
Published: September 2022

This Element is a guide to task-based language teaching (TBLT), for language instructors, teacher educators, and other interested parties. The work first provides clear definitions and principles related to communication task design. It then explains how tasks can inform all stages of curriculum development. Diverse, localized cases demonstrate the scope of task-based approaches. Recent research illustrates the impact of task design (complexity, mode) and task implementation (preparation, interaction, repetition) on various second language outcomes. The Element also describes particular challenges and opportunities for teachers using tasks. The epilogue considers the potential of TBLT to transform classrooms, institutions, and society.
Plutarch's Prism
Authors: Kingston Rebecca
Published: September 2022

Throughout the early modern period, political theorists in France and England drew on the works of Plutarch to offer advice to kings and princes. Elizabeth I herself translated Plutarch in her later years, while Jacques Amyot's famous translations of Plutarch's The Parallel Lives led to the wide distribution of his work and served as a key resource for Shakespeare in the writing of his Roman plays, through Sir Thomas North's English translations. Rebecca Kingston's new study explores how Plutarch was translated into French and English during the Renaissance and how his works were invoked in political argument from the early modern period into the 18th century, contributing to a tradition she calls 'public humanism'. This book then traces the shifting uses of Plutarch in the Enlightenment, leading to the decline of this tradition of 'public humanism'. Throughout, the importance of Plutarch's work is highlighted as a key cultural reference and for its insight into important aspects of public service.
Fundamental Principles of Corpus Linguistics
Authors: McEnery Tony , Brezina Vaclav
Published: September 2022

How might evidence of language use – writing and speech – be used as a way of studying language? Corpus linguistics is the study of linguistic data from a particular language or set of languages. It is a fast-moving approach to studying language, and there is still a degree of divergence in how research questions are approached using corpus data. This book uses a framework, based on the work of Karl Popper, to explore a number of fundamental issues in corpus linguistics. It critically evaluates how these issues are tackled, and proposes a set of best practices for future research. It spells out why using corpus data is valuable, what we can learn from using it, and how we may most effectively progress our understanding of language by using such data. It is essential reading for researchers and students of language in general, and of applied linguistics and English language in particular.
The Role of Deliberative Mini-Publics in Improving the Deliberative Capacity of Multi-Stakeholder Initiatives
Authors: Pek Simon , Mena Sébastien , Lyons Brent
Published: September 2022

Multi-stakeholder initiatives (MSIs)—private governance mechanisms involving firms, civil society organizations, and other actors deliberating to set rules, such as standards or codes of conduct, with which firms comply voluntarily—have become important tools for governing global business activities and the social and environmental consequences of these activities. Yet, this growth is paralleled with concerns about MSIs’ deliberative capacity, including the limited inclusion of some marginalized stakeholders, bias toward corporate interests, and, ultimately, ineffectiveness in their role as regulators. In this article, we conceptualize MSIs as deliberative systems to open the black box of the different elements that make up the MSI polity and better understand how their deliberative capacity hinges on problems in different elements. On the basis of this conceptualization, we examine how deliberative mini-publics—forums in which a randomly selected group of individuals from a particular population engage in learning and facilitated deliberations about a topic—can improve the deliberative capacity of MSIs.
Thinking Holistically About Procedural Justice in Alternative Dispute Resolution: A Case Study of the German Federal Ombudsman Scheme
Authors: Bradford Ben , Creutzfeldt Naomi , Steffek Felix
Published: September 2022

This article examines data collected from users of the German Federal Ombudsman Scheme (GFOS). The data was collected as part of a research project to understand how the GFOS operates in practice and how its procedures and outcomes are accepted by its users. We begin from the premise that experience of procedural justice during this alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process will build institutional legitimacy, and the article makes three contributions to the literature on procedural justice. First, we extend evidence of the link between procedural justice and legitimacy to a novel institutional context that is different in many ways to the criminal justice focus of much of the extant literature. Second, we consider the motivations of service users to engage with ADR as potential moderators of that link. Third, we analyze the relationship between procedural justice, subjective outcomes, and the actual outcomes provided to service users. Overall, we conclude that the link between procedural justice and legitimacy can be identified among those with very different motivations for using the GFOS.
ONp-ADIC INTERPOLATION IN TWO OF MAHLER’S PROBLEMS
Authors: DE PAULA MIRANDA BRUNO , LELIS JEAN
Published: September 2022

Motivated by thep-adic approach in two of Mahler’s problems, we obtain some results onp-adic analytic interpolation of sequences of integers$(u_n)_{n\geq 0}$. We show that if$(u_n)_{n\geq 0}$is a sequence of integers with$u_n = O(n)$which can bep-adically interpolated by an analytic function$f:\mathbb {Z}_p\rightarrow \mathbb {Q}_p$, then$f(x)$is a polynomial function of degree at most one. The case$u_n=O(n^d)$with$d>1$is also considered with additional conditions. Moreover, ifXandYare subsets of$\mathbb {Z}$dense in$\mathbb {Z}_p$, we prove that there are uncountably manyp-adic analytic injective functions$f:\mathbb {Z}_p\to \mathbb {Q}_p$, with rational coefficients, such that$f(X)=Y$.