bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
User‐centered development process of an evidence‐based mHealth intervention for psychosocially burdened families during the transition to parenthood
Authors: Vogel Lea , Henning Carmen , Wolstein Jörg , Versele Vickà , Van Poppel Mireille N. M. , Steppan Kenneth , Schlossbach Teresa , Opitz Ansgar , Lux Ulrike , Löchner Johanna , Färber Tanja , Deliens Tom , Boehlke Eva , Seiferth Caroline
Published: March 2024

Mobile health (mHealth) interventions are a promising approach to promote mothers' and fathers' health in the perinatal period. This may be particularly true for psychosocially burdened families who are poorly reached by current preventive services. Studies are needed that examine how user‐centered and evidence‐based mHealth interventions look like for this target group. The objective of this paper is to describe the iterative development process of the I‐PREGNO app intervention that aims to prevent unhealthy weight gain and to promote mental health in psychosocially burdened families during the perinatal period. The systematic content development process was divided into four stages. User needs were assessed through focus group discussions with psychosocially burdened mothers and healthcare professionals (HPs; stage I). In stage II, a prototype of the app was developed and evaluated through usability tests and a walkthrough with the target group and HPs (stage III). Finally, the behavior change techniques implemented in the app were assessed using an existing taxonomy (stage IV). The focus group discussions revealed that HPs as well as end‐users would benefit from an intervention that addresses psychosocial aspects (i.e., emotion regulation, coping) and links these to health behaviors. The identified needs of the target group during the perinatal period were combined with existing evidence‐based content and translated into 12 app modules. Most of the behavior change techniques used in these thematic modules were assigned to the clusters self‐monitoring, knowledge building, and goal planning. The I‐PREGNO app development process was guided by an iterative and user‐centered approach involving the target audience and a multidisciplinary team of experts. The findings provide valuable implications for the design and development of evidence‐based self‐guided mHealth for hard‐to‐reach groups during the transition to parenthood. The efficacy of the I‐PREGNO intervention will be evaluated in randomized controlled trials in routine care.
On control intervals of chaos with Fréchet derivative of certain iterations as discrete dynamical system in Banach spaces
Authors: Sekman Derya , Karakaya Vatan
Published: March 2024

Dynamical systems are one of the interesting concepts where iteration algorithms and chaos can be considered together. In iteration algorithms, one of the basic concepts of fixed point theory, it is well known that the behavior of the iteration mechanism is chaotic if the original transformation is taken as chaotic. One of the natural ways to transform a chaotic system into a dynamical system is through control mechanisms. In this paper, we first consider an iteration class defined on Banach spaces, which is prominent in the literature in terms of both speed and convergence rate. Then, we consider the transformation constituting the iteration class as chaotic and obtain the stability and unstability behaviors of the iterations according to the operator norm by using Gâteaux and Fréchet derivatives representing the direction‐dependent derivative. In this way, we aimed to obtain the chaos control intervals obtained with functions in real space with the help of operators in Banach spaces. Using the operator norm obtained with the Fréchet derivative, we derive interesting dynamical system intervals from a chaotic system with parameter variables of iteration algorithms. It is noteworthy that the parameter variables of the studied iteration classes are the same in some transformation classes. In addition, analytical proofs are followed by computer simulations of parameter‐dependent control intervals considering the logistic operator with a chaotic structure. At the same time, the periodic behavior of the iteration algorithms used in our study is illustrated by the Lyapunov exponent with parameter‐dependent control intervals according to operator norm. Finally, as a real‐life problem, it has been shown that the chaos of the logistic population growth model with dynamic features can be controlled by chaos control mechanisms established by fixed point iteration methods.
Uniqueness of nodal radial solutions to nonlinear elliptic equations in the unit ball
Authors: Li Fuyi , Li Xiaoting , Liang Zhanping
Published: March 2024

In this paper, we study the uniqueness of nodal radial solutions to nonlinear elliptic equations in the unit ball in
. Under suitable conditions, we prove that, for any given positive integer
, the problem we considered has at most one solution possessing exactly
nodes. Together with the results presented by Nagasaki [J. Fac. Sci. Univ.  Tokyo Sect. IA Math. 36 (2): 211–232, 1989] and Tanaka [Proc. Roy. Soc. Edinburgh Sect. A. 138 (6): 1331–1343, 2008], we can prove that more types of nonlinear elliptic equations have the uniqueness of nodal radial solutions.
Density affects rearing performance of juvenile landlocked fall Chinook Salmon
Authors: Rosburg Alex J. , Barnes Michael E.
Published: March 2024

Objective

Density-related information for landlocked fall Chinook Salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha shortly after first feeding is poorly understood. This study was undertaken to determine the effects of a range of rearing densities (low, intermediate, and high) on rearing performance and survival of newly feed-trained juvenile landlocked fall Chinook Salmon.

Methods

The fish were reared for 66 days in 1.8-m (diameter) tanks with approximate volume of 2036 L at one of three loadings of approximately 2500, 5000, or 10,000 fish/tank.

Result

The initial and final densities for each of the three loadings were 0.73 and 8.93, 1.45 and 16.41, and 2.90 and 26.86 kg/m3, respectively. At the end of the study, the specific growth rates were significantly lower, total lengths were significantly shorter, and feed conversion ratios were significantly greater in the fish from the highest-density treatment relative to the fish in the other treatments. Percentage of weight gain, final weights, and condition factor were significantly reduced in fish from the highest-density treatment relative those at the lowest density. There were no significant differences in any growth metrics between fish that were reared at the lowest and intermediate densities. The intermediate density (5000 fish/tank) produced intermediate results that did not significantly differ from either the highest or lowest densities. Mortality was not significantly different among the density treatments.

Conclusion

An initial loading of 5000 fish in 1.8-m (diameter) circular tanks, corresponding to initial and final densities of 1.45 and 16.41 kg/m3, respectively, is recommended to minimize the detrimental effects of density on newly feeding Chinook Salmon while maximizing their production in often limited hatchery space.
Improving water desalination: Sustainable grafted cellulose acetate reverse osmosis membrane from Egyptian cotton
Authors: Zhang Hong , Morsy Ashraf , Kandil S. , Ewais Hassan A. , Abdel‐Salam Ahmed H. , Kenawy E. , Yousef N. S. , Shokry F. , Abdel‐Fattah Tarek M. , Ebrahim Sh.
Published: March 2024

Cellulose diacetate (CDA) and triacetate (CTA) were derived from Egyptian cotton to fabricate reverse osmosis (RO) membranes. The Pphase inversion method was utilized for the production of CDA‐based membranes. Comprehensive characterization of these membranes involved structural, morphologial, and hydrophilic property analyses through techniques such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), infrared spectroscopy, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle measurements. NMR spectra indicated a degree of substitution of 2.9 for CTA and 2 for CDA. The resulting RO membrane demonstrated a water flux of 6.1 L/m2·h and a salt rejection of 90.3%. Annealing led to an enhanced top layer with reduced defects and macrovoids in the support layer. Moreover, grafting the RO membranes with 15 wt% of 2‐acrylamidopropane‐2‐methyl sulphonic acid improved salt rejection to 96.2% and water flux to 8.7 L/m2.h. These findings underscore the significant performance enhancements achieved through both annealing and grafting processes in RO membranes.
Anti-TIF-1γ Dermatomyositis: Erythematous Eruption with Weakness and Normal Creatine Kinase
Authors: Mackie Lucy , Wijesuriya Nilukshi , Iyer Ashok
Published: March 2024

We describe a case of a previously well 76-year-old woman who presented with 9 months of a generalised pruritic rash alongside fatigue, weight-loss and a symmetrical weakness of the legs.
The influence of relational, political, discursive, and structural dimensions of power on increasing equitable access to undergraduate research experiences
Authors: Friesen Rebecca S. , Cimetta Adriana D.
Published: March 2024

Attracting and retaining students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics majors, particularly those who are underrepresented, is a national concern. While undergraduate research experiences have been shown to increase retention and engagement, inequities in access exacerbate disparities. Understanding what hinders or facilitates the implementation of undergraduate research experiences is crucial. Using semi‐structured interviews with the project leaders and document analysis, the findings from this project expose the relational, political, discursive, and structural power dimensions hindering or facilitating the integration of research experiences in undergraduate science courses. Revealing these barriers and opportunities will inform future initiatives, such as those focused on implementing course‐based research experiences.
Creating and establishing your own personal brand in medicine
Authors: Kirby Roger , Rees Siân
Published: March 2024

Medicine as a career has never been an easy option, but these days it seems to be an increasingly uphill struggle to survive and thrive as a doctor. While social media might seem something of a sideshow to many clinicians, here we argue that the investment of some time and effort to create your own personal brand is an important way of making career progress.
In the Studio and on Location: Mapping Pinewood’s Culture in 1946
Authors: Street Sarah
Published: March 2024

This chapter analyses how Pinewood’s post-war culture was evolving as a more streamlined, economical style of filmmaking with reference to some key film examples. While these resembled the mid-range budgeted type of films produced before the Second World War, it is argued that the adoption of newer, more efficient modes was key to Pinewood’s identity. The chapter examines the desire to rationalise production methods in 1946 by focusing in detail on five films shot at Pinewood by the Independent Producers group. It concentrates on the methods used by set designers and other technicians working on the feature films Great Expectations (1946), Green for Danger (1946), Black Narcissus (1947), Take My Life (1947) and Captain Boycott (1947). The chapter draws on the trade press’s often extensive reportage of visits to Pinewood’s stages when the films were being shot. It applies the concepts of ‘studio relay’ and ‘situated art direction’ to highlight the many innovative techniques which were integral to the films’ economical and artistic creation.
Omnithermal Metamaterials: Designing Universally Thermo-Adjustable Metasurfaces
Authors: Yang Fu-Bao , Huang Ji-Ping
Published: March 2024

Designing efficient infrared illusions pose continuous hurdles, from complex operational circumstances to multiple heat distribution mechanisms and manufacturing intricacies. Most recent research efforts have been predominantly concentrated on tackling one issue at a time. In this chapter, we adopt a comprehensive approach by suggesting a kind of reconfigurable metasurface capable of illustrating an illusion in the infrared spectrum whilst preserving visible-light resemblance. The triadic essential modes of heat distribution are taken into consideration in the theoretical designs, with radiation-cavity effects being utilized in the practical construction process. Additionally, this study facilitates the concurrent modification of surface temperature and emissivity. Such metasurfaces prove their worth in fluctuating-temperature environments and transient situations. This summary not only underscores the potential of these adjustable metasurfaces in surmounting difficulties tied to thermal illusion design but also accentuates their flexibility and dependability in assorted settings.
Transformation Thermotics and Effective Medium Theory for Thermal Conduction
Authors: Yang Fu-Bao , Huang Ji-Ping
Published: March 2024

In this Chapter, we embark on an exploration of the intricacies of heat conduction, primarily delving into the transformation thermotics and the effective medium theory. Beginning with the foundational Fourier’s law of heat conduction, an intriguing observation is the form invariance of the associated equations under arbitrary coordinate transformations. This symmetry elucidates a novel method for orchestrating the temperature field and heat flux dynamics. To illustrate the practical implications and operationalizability of the thermal transformation, we conceptualized and implemented a thermal cloak. It should be noted, however, that the parameters projected theoretically often manifest as inhomogeneous and anisotropic, posing considerable challenges for tangible synthesis. A viable approach to circumnavigate these challenges is to pivot the focus towards the thermally effective medium theory. In the ensuing sections, we will delve into a systematic exposition of the effective medium theory, subsequently crafting functional structures illuminated by three distinct frameworks: linear theory, wherein the thermal conductivity remains unaffected by temperature variations, nonlinear theory, and the theory of heat sources.
Atrial and ventricular strain using cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the prediction of outcomes of pericarditis patients: a pilot study
Authors: Cau Riccardo , Pisu Francesco , Muscogiuri Giuseppe , Sironi Sandro , Suri Jasjit S. , Pontone Gianluca , Salgado Rodrigo , Saba Luca
Published: March 2024

Objective

Our study aimed to explore with cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) the impact of left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) myocardial strain in patients with acute pericarditis and to investigate their possible prognostic significance in adverse outcomes.

Method

This retrospective study performed CMR scans in 36 consecutive patients with acute pericarditis (24 males, age 52 [23–52]). The primary endpoint was the combination of recurrent pericarditis, constrictive pericarditis, and surgery for pericardial diseases defined as pericardial events. Atrial and ventricular strain function were performed on conventional cine SSFP sequences.

Results

After a median follow-up time of 16 months (interquartile range [13–24]), 12 patients with acute pericarditis reached the primary endpoint. In multivariable Cox regression analysis, LA reservoir and LA conduit strain parameters were all independent determinants of adverse pericardial diseases. Conversely, LV myocardial strain parameters did not remain an independent predictor of outcome. With receiving operating characteristics curve analysis, LA conduit and reservoir strain showed excellent predictive performance (area under the curve of 0.914 and 0.895, respectively) for outcome prediction at 12 months.

Conclusion

LA reservoir and conduit mechanisms on CMR are independently associated with a higher risk of adverse pericardial events. Including atrial strain parameters in the management of acute pericarditis may improve risk stratification.

Clinical relevance statement

Atrial strain could be a suitable non-invasive and non-contrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance parameter for predicting adverse pericardial complications in patients with acute pericarditis.

Key Points

• Myocardial strain is a well-validated CMR parameter for risk stratification in cardiovascular diseases.

• LA reservoir and conduit functions are significantly associated with adverse pericardial events.

• Atrial strain may serve as an additional non-contrast CMR parameter for stratifying patients with acute pericarditis.
Non-polynomial q-Askey Scheme: Integral Representations, Eigenfunction Properties, and Polynomial Limits
Authors: Lenells Jonatan , Roussillon Julien
Published: March 2024

We construct a non-polynomial generalization of the q-Askey scheme. Whereas the elements of the q-Askey scheme are given by q-hypergeometric series, the elements of the non-polynomial scheme are given by contour integrals, whose integrands are built from Ruijsenaars’ hyperbolic gamma function. Alternatively, the integrands can be expressed in terms of Faddeev’s quantum dilogarithm, Woronowicz’s quantum exponential, or Kurokawa’s double sine function. We present the basic properties of all the elements of the scheme, including their integral representations, joint eigenfunction properties, and polynomial limits.
How to adequately represent biological processes in modeling multifunctionality of arable soils
Authors: Vogel H.-J. , Amelung W. , Baum C. , Bonkowski M. , Blagodatsky S. , Grosch R. , Herbst M. , Kiese R. , Koch S. , Kuhwald M. , König S. , Leinweber P. , Lennartz B. , Müller C. W. , Pagel H. , Rillig M. C. , Rüschhoff J. , Russell D. , Schnepf A. , Schulz S. , Siebers N. , Vetterlein D. , Wachendorf C. , Weller U. , Wollschläger U.
Published: March 2024

Essential soil functions such as plant productivity, C storage, nutrient cycling and the storage and purification of water all depend on soil biological processes. Given this insight, it is remarkable that in modeling of these soil functions, the various biological actors usually do not play an explicit role. In this review and perspective paper we analyze the state of the art in modeling these soil functions and how biological processes could more adequately be accounted for. We do this for six different biologically driven processes clusters that are key for understanding soil functions, namely i) turnover of soil organic matter, ii) N cycling, iii) P dynamics, iv) biodegradation of contaminants v) plant disease control and vi) soil structure formation. A major conclusion is that the development of models to predict changes in soil functions at the scale of soil profiles (i.e. pedons) should be better rooted in the underlying biological processes that are known to a large extent. This is prerequisite to arrive at the predictive models that we urgently need under current conditions of Global Change.
Dynamics and vibration reduction performance of asymmetric tristable nonlinear energy sink
Authors: Chen Hongyan , Zeng Youcheng , Ding Hu , Lai Siukai , Chen Liqun
Published: March 2024

With its complex nonlinear dynamic behavior, the tristable system has shown excellent performance in areas such as energy harvesting and vibration suppression, and has attracted a lot of attention. In this paper, an asymmetric tristable design is proposed to improve the vibration suppression efficiency of nonlinear energy sinks (NESs) for the first time. The proposed asymmetric tristable NES (ATNES) is composed of a pair of oblique springs and a vertical spring. Then, the three stable states, symmetric and asymmetric, can be achieved by the adjustment of the distance and stiffness asymmetry of the oblique springs. The governing equations of a linear oscillator (LO) coupled with the ATNES are derived. The approximate analytical solution to the coupled system is obtained by the harmonic balance method (HBM) and verified numerically. The vibration suppression efficiency of three types of ATNES is compared. The results show that the asymmetric design can improve the efficiency of vibration reduction through comparing the chaotic motion of the NES oscillator between asymmetric steady states. In addition, compared with the symmetrical tristable NES (TNES), the ATNES can effectively control smaller structural vibrations. In other words, the ATNES can effectively solve the threshold problem of TNES failure to weak excitation. Therefore, this paper reveals the vibration reduction mechanism of the ATNES, and provides a pathway to expand the effective excitation amplitude range of the NES.
Ecological risk assessment of metal pollution in the surface sediments of delta region, Egypt
Authors: Thabet Walaa M. , Moneer Abeer A. , Abdelwahab Ola , Ahdy Hoda H. H. , Khedawy Mohamed , Shabaan Nashwa A.
Published: March 2024

The surface sediments from eleven sectors perpendicular to the Egyptian Mediterranean Sea coast, along the delta region, have been assessed. These sectors cover areas of Eastern Harbour, Abu Qir Bay, Rosetta, Abo Khashaba, Burullus, Baltim, Damietta, and Manzala. The assessment process is based on determining the eight metals’ (Fe, Cu, Zn, Mn, Ni, Co, Pb, and Cd) content, followed by applying different pollution and ecological risk indices such as enrichment factor (EF), geoaccumulation factor (Igeo), contamination factor (CF), Pollution Load Index (PLI), degree of contamination (Cdeg.), Nemerow Integrated Pollution Index (NIPI), and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI). The results indicate the average concentrations of metals (μg/g) were Fe (18,000), Mn (213), Zn (120), Ni (26), Co (13), Cu (12), Pb (10), and Cd (2). The single-pollution indices reveal that most metals were depleted to metal levels, the sediments were moderately polluted with Cd and unpolluted with other metals, and the CF values confirmed that the sediments were highly polluted with Cd and low contaminated with the rest of the metals. According to the integrated pollution indices, the Eastern Harbour, Damietta, Manzalah, and Bardawil (eastern Inlet) are the most polluted sectors relative to the rest, subjected to various point sources of pollution. Drainage management system is recommended to enhance water conservation and improve fish stocks.
Dynamic Light Scattering for the Measurement of Transport Properties of Fluids
Authors: Koller Thomas M. , Rausch Michael H. , Fröba Andreas P.
Published: March 2024

The present article summarizes experimental and theoretical considerations required for a proper use of dynamic light scattering (DLS) for the measurement of transport properties of fluids. It addresses not only recent advancements of the method, but also aims to provide recommendations to researchers who intend to apply the technique in the future. As outlined in this study, DLS is based on the analysis of scattered light governed by microscopic statistical or periodic fluctuations that originate from the thermal movement of molecules and/or particles at macroscopic thermodynamic equilibrium. The dynamics of these hydrodynamic fluctuations in the bulk of fluids or at their phase boundaries are related to the underlying diffusive processes and, thus, to the associated transport properties, and are reflected by the time-dependent correlation function of the scattered light intensity. The fundamentals of this type of detection, known as photon correlation spectroscopy (PCS), will be discussed in the present contribution in some more detail. It is emphasized that the experiments need to be designed carefully in accordance with theory in order to assign the measurement signals to the corresponding hydrodynamic fluctuations. If the necessary conditions are fulfilled, DLS allows the accurate determination of several transport properties including kinematic and dynamic viscosity, thermal diffusivity, mutual diffusivity, and sound attenuation, which may be accessed together with other thermophysical properties such as speed of sound and surface or interfacial tension. In some instances, also the simultaneous determination of several transport properties is possible. With the exception of the sound attenuation, expanded uncertainties for the mentioned transport properties down to 1 % can be achieved for various types of fluid systems over a wide range of thermodynamic states up to elevated temperatures and pressures as well as in the vicinity of critical points. This performance and versatility of the DLS technique is documented in the present study by highlighting measurement examples from recent thermophysical property research on different classes of working fluids relevant for process and energy technology.
Attractive target for tax avoidance: trade liberalization and entry mode
Authors: Okoshi Hirofumi
Published: March 2024

Growing foreign direct investments (FDIs) have been observed in parallel to the development of tax avoidance by multinational enterprises; however, empirical evidence indicates the asymmetric effects of trade costs on a firm’s entry decision. To give a new rationale and insights into the impacts of transfer pricing and trade liberalization on a firm’s global activities, this study incorporates transfer pricing and investigates a foreign firm’s entry decision: exports, greenfield FDI (GFDI), or cross-border mergers and acquisitions (CM&As). We show that CM&A is the equilibrium entry mode when transfer pricing regulation is loose, whereas the choice between exports and GFDI depends on the fixed costs of GFDI. Moreover, trade liberalization increases the likelihood of CM&A but decreases that of exports because a reduction in trade costs enhances tax-avoidance efficiency due to more intrafirm trade, implying that tax avoidance in the form of CM&A becomes crucial as globalization progresses. Our welfare analysis shows that regulating CM&A based on consumers’ benefits may result in welfare reduction because profit shifting is most effective under CM&A and a host country’s tax revenue from the foreign firm increases. The results imply the importance of considering the link between international tax and antitrust policies.
Lower Bounds on the Noiseless Worst-Case Complexity of Efficient Global Optimization
Authors: Xu Wenjie , Jiang Yuning , Maddalena Emilio T. , Jones Colin N.
Published: March 2024

Efficient global optimization is a widely used method for optimizing expensive black-box functions. In this paper, we study the worst-case oracle complexity of the efficient global optimization problem. In contrast to existing kernel-specific results, we derive a unified lower bound for the oracle complexity of efficient global optimization in terms of the metric entropy of a ball in its corresponding reproducing kernel Hilbert space. Moreover, we show that this lower bound nearly matches the upper bound attained by non-adaptive search algorithms, for the commonly used squared exponential kernel and the Matérn kernel with a large smoothness parameter $$\nu $$
ν
. This matching is up to a replacement of d/2 by d and a logarithmic term $$\log \frac{R}{\epsilon }$$

log

R
ϵ

, where d is the dimension of input space, R is the upper bound for the norm of the unknown black-box function, and $$\epsilon $$
ϵ
is the desired accuracy. That is to say, our lower bound is nearly optimal for these kernels.
Moisture thresholds for ignition vary between types of eucalypt forests across an aridity gradient
Authors: Cawson Jane G. , Burton Jamie E. , Pickering Bianca J. , Penman Trent D.
Published: March 2024

Context

Quantifying spatial and temporal variations in landscape flammability is important for implementing ecologically desirable prescribed burns and gauging the level of fire risk across a landscape. Yet there is a paucity of models that provide adequate spatial detail about landscape flammability for these purposes.

Objectives

Our aim was to quantify spatial and temporal variations in ignitability across a forested landscape. We asked: (1) How do fuel moisture and meteorological variables interact to affect ignitability? (2) Do fuel moisture thresholds for ignition vary across a gradient of forest types? (3) How does the spatial connectivity of ignitable fuel vary over time? (4) How could an ignitability model be used to inform fire management decision-making?

Methods

We conducted field-based ignition tests with flaming firebrands over three fire seasons. Ignitions were attempted across a range of moisture and meteorological conditions at 15 sites in eucalypt forest in south-eastern Australia. Structural equation modelling and generalized linear models were used to quantify relationships between ignitability, aridity, fuel moisture and weather.

Results

The strongest predictors of ignitability were the moisture content of dead near surface fine fuel and in-forest vapour pressure deficit. Ignition thresholds for both varied across an aridity gradient. Dense forests (i.e., wet and damp eucalypt forests) needed drier fuel and drier in-forest atmospheric conditions to ignite than sparser forests (i.e., shrubby foothill forest).

Conclusion

Our modelling of ignitability could inform fire planning in south-eastern Australia and the methodology could be applied elsewhere to develop similar models for other regions. Days with consistently high ignitability across the landscape are more conducive to the development of large wildfires whereas days when ignitability is spatially variable are more suitable for prescribed burning.
Post-stroke Cognition is Associated with Stroke Survivor Quality of Life and Caregiver Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Stolwyk Renerus J. , Mihaljcic Tijana , Wong Dana K. , Hernandez Diana Ramirez , Wolff Brittany , Rogers Jeffrey M.
Published: March 2024

Disability arising from post-stroke cognitive impairment is a likely contributor to the poor quality of life (QoL) stroke survivors and their carers frequently experience, but this has not been summarily quantified. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was completed examining the association between general and domain-specific post-stroke cognitive functioning and adult stroke survivor QoL, caregiver QoL, and caregiver burden. Five databases were systematically searched, and eligibility for inclusion, data extraction, and study quality were evaluated by two reviewers using a standardised protocol. Effects sizes (r) were estimated using a random effects model. Thirty-eight studies were identified, generating a sample of 7365 stroke survivors (median age 63.02 years, range 25–93) followed for 3 to 132 months post-stroke. Overall cognition (all domains combined) demonstrated a significant small to medium association with QoL, r = 0.23 (95% CI 0.18–0.28), p < 0.001. The cognitive domains of speed, attention, visuospatial, memory, and executive skills, but not language, also demonstrated a significant relationship with QoL. Regarding caregiver outcomes, 15 studies were identified resulting in a sample of 2421 caregivers (median age 58.12 years, range 18–82) followed for 3 to 84 months post-stroke. Stroke survivor overall cognitive ability again demonstrated a significant small to medium association with caregiver outcomes (QoL and burden combined), r = 0.17 (95% CI 0.10–0.24), p < 0.001. In conclusion, lower post-stroke cognitive performance is associated with significant reductions in stroke survivor QoL and poorer caregiver outcomes. Cognitive assessment is recommended early to identify those at risk and implement timely interventions to support both stroke survivors and their caregivers.
Screening Through Investment: Evidence from the Chinese Automobile Industry
Authors: Lin Wei , Mathewson Frank , Xiao Junji
Published: March 2024

This paper proposes a competition theory to explain the role of automobile dealers’ investment in a vertical contract with manufacturers. Dealer contracts specify manufacturer-suggested retail prices and elements of dealer quality. Dealer quality investments require minimum financial capital where manufacturers impose these limits on dealers. The required dealer investment screens for qualified dealers and incentivizes the desired dealer quality. The prediction is that promotional services, prices, and gross returns are greater for high-quality brands than that for standard-quality brands. To test the theory, we collected data on auto dealers in China in June 2015 for an empirical analysis. Our findings support these predictions: Dealer investment (registered capital) is positively correlated with brand average product prices. In addition, the registered capital is higher when the aggregate demand is greater since high demand increases returns, which induces dealers to increase their investment.
Endothelial specific prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing protein 2 deficiency attenuates aging-related obesity and exercise intolerance
Authors: Pan Lihong , He Xiaochen , Xu Rui , Bhattarai Umesh , Niu Ziru , do Carmo Jussara , Sun Yuxiang , Zeng Heng , Clemmer John S. , Chen Jian-Xiong , Chen Yingjie
Published: March 2024

Obesity and exercise intolerance greatly reduce the life quality of older people. Prolyl hydroxylase domain-containing protein 2 (PHD2) is an important enzyme in modulating hypoxia-inducible factor-alpha (HIF) protein. Using vascular endothelial cell-specific PHD2 gene knockout (PHD2 ECKO) mice, we investigated the role of endothelial PHD2 in aging-related obesity and exercise capacity. Briefly, PHD2 ECKO mice were obtained by crossing PHD2-floxed mice with VE-Cadherin (Cdh5)-Cre transgenic mice. The effect of PHD2 ECKO on obesity and exercise capacity in PHD2 ECKO mice and control PHD2f/f mice were determined in young mice (6 to 7 months) and aged mice (16–18 months). We found that aged PHD2 ECKO mice, but not young mice, exhibited a lean phenotype, characterized by lower fat mass, and its ratio to lean weight, body weight, or tibial length, while their food uptake was not reduced compared with controls. Moreover, as compared with aged control mice, aged PHD2 ECKO mice exhibited increased oxygen consumption at rest and during exercise, and the maximum rate of oxygen consumption (VO2 max) during exercise. Furthermore, as compared with corresponding control mice, both young and aged PHD2 ECKO mice demonstrated improved glucose tolerance and lower insulin resistance. Together, these data demonstrate that inhibition of vascular endothelial PHD2 signaling significantly attenuates aging-related obesity, exercise intolerance, and glucose intolerance.
Study on the applicability of a modified strain approach to predict the fatigue life of HFMI-treated transverse stiffeners under variable amplitude loading
Authors: Löschner Daniel , Engelhardt Imke , Nitschke-Pagel Thomas , Ummenhofer Thomas
Published: March 2024

This paper analyses the applicability of a modified strain approach to predict the fatigue life of HFMI-treated transverse stiffeners under variable amplitude loading (VAL) with random load sequences of a p(1/3) and linear shaped spectrum. Local stresses are determined using linear-elastic finite element analyses. The measured weld geometry and component imperfections are considered. From the hardness of the HFMI-treated zone and the base material, the elastic–plastic material behaviour and Coffin-Manson parameters to describe the damage parameter Woehler curve are estimated. Based on a hysteresis counting method (HCM), the damage for each closed hysteresis is calculated. The applied notch strain approach includes the impact of residual stresses and the influence of surface roughness. Thus far, the application of similar approaches has only been validated for welded components with comparatively low residual stresses and HFMI-treated welds subjected to constant amplitude loading. To validate the accuracy of the approach for HFMI-treated welds under variable amplitude loading, the approximated fatigue life is compared to the number of cycles derived from experimental investigations. In this study, it is shown in conjunction with experimental results that it is essential to consider the strength of the base material near the weld when assessing the service life. This area can be more critical than the HFMI-treated weld toe.
A Thalamocortical Perspective on Sleep Spindle Alterations in Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Authors: Herrera Carolina Gutierrez , Tarokh Leila
Published: March 2024

Purpose of Review

Neurodevelopmental disorders are a group of conditions that affect the development and function of the nervous system, typically arising early in life. These disorders can have various genetic, environmental, and/or neural underpinnings, which can impact the thalamocortical system. Sleep spindles, brief bursts of oscillatory activity that occur during NREM sleep, provide a unique in vivo measure of the thalamocortical system. In this manuscript, we review the development of the thalamocortical system and sleep spindles in rodent models and humans. We then utilize this as a foundation to discuss alterations in sleep spindle activity in four of the most pervasive neurodevelopmental disorders—intellectual disability, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, and schizophrenia.

Recent Findings

Recent work in humans has shown alterations in sleep spindles across several neurodevelopmental disorders. Simultaneously, rodent models have elucidated the mechanisms which may underlie these deficits in spindle activity. This review merges recent findings from these two separate lines of research to draw conclusions about the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders.

We speculate that deficits in the thalamocortical system associated with neurodevelopmental disorders are exquisitely reflected in sleep spindle activity. We propose that sleep spindles may represent a promising biomarker for drug discovery, risk stratification, and treatment monitoring.
Gratitude Buffers Against the Effects of Stressful Life Events on Adolescents’ Externalizing Behavior but Not Internalizing Behavior
Authors: Webb Mimi S. , Whitmire Jackson B. , Hills Kimberly J. , Huebner E. Scott
Published: March 2024

The identification of psychological strengths that foster healthy development in youth has become a major topic of exploration in the field of positive psychology. Gratitude is a trait-like characteristic with qualities indicative of a potential psychological strength that may serve as a protective factor for early adolescents in the face of stressful life events (SLEs). This two-wave longitudinal study utilized data from a sample of 830 middle school students from the Southeastern United States. Path analysis was employed to investigate gratitude’s role as a moderator in the relations between prior SLEs and early adolescents’ frequencies of externalizing and internalizing coping behaviors. The interaction between SLEs and gratitude significantly predicted early adolescents’ subsequent frequencies of externalizing behaviors, but not internalizing behaviors. The results provided support for gratitude as a key psychological strength in early adolescents. The results also implied the benefits of promoting youths’ gratitude in efforts to prevent externalizing behavior.
The Third Country Regime for Investment Firms
Authors: Louisse Marije , van Rijn Mirik
Published: March 2024

In this article we discuss how an investment firm established outside the EU may provide services (to clients) in the EU. We explore how such third country firms may enter the European market and discuss the current state of the third country regimes as provided (partly) under EU law, their use—or notable lack thereof—and the challenges involved in the supervision of third country firms. We note that the recent updates to the third country equivalence regime for the provision of services to professional clients render the use of this regime even more difficult. In respect of the (optional) third country regime for the provision of services to retail clients, we observe that this regime is much akin to a full license requirement, albeit with notable difficulties when it comes to supervision and enforcement. Altogether, we come to the unfortunate conclusion that the EU third country regime for investment firms established in third countries can barely be called successful.
Dilation and energy evolution mechanisms of sandstone under true-triaxial mining unloading conditions
Authors: Li Wenpu , Wang Ze , Feng Guorui , Zhang Huan , Du Jiahui , Li Hao , Duan Minke
Published: March 2024

The study of sandstone dilation characteristics under actual mining and excavation conditions promotes the safe and efficient development of underground engineering. Accordingly, this study employs true-triaxial testing to reveal the influence of intermediate principal stress and unloading action in the minimum principal stress directions on rock dilation. In the stress–strain analysis, with increasing intermediate principal stress, the maximum compression of the sandstone volume in the loading and unloading tests increases, while the onset of dilation is delayed under loading conditions and initially delayed and then accelerated under unloading conditions. The energy storage limit of sandstone under the unloading test tends to decrease with increasing intermediate principal stress, contrary to the results of the loading test, and the characteristic point at which the percentage of dissipative energy is greater than that of elastic energy occurs earlier. The energy of sandstone in the unloading test in the intermediate principal stress direction was smaller than that in the minimum principal stress direction, while the loading test showed the opposite trend. Combining these two analyses can elucidate the restraining effect and tensile stress effect of the intermediate principal stress, as well as the weakening and strengthening effects of the unloading action on the two effects. By further combining the average elastic energy and dissipative energy conversion rate under different test conditions, the weakening effect was manifested by shortening the compressive deformation course, and the strengthening effect was manifested by developing the degree of plastic expansion deformation. This study provides important guidance for deep mining projects.
A review of the current state-of-the-art on in situ monitoring in electron beam powder bed fusion
Authors: Grasso Marco , Colosimo Bianca Maria
Published: March 2024

The industrial development of electron beam powder bed fusion (PBF-EB) is relatively younger and much more limited in terms of global widespread and revenues compared to laser powder bed fusion (PBF-L). Nevertheless, PBF-EB has been adopted in some of the most successful industrial case studies of metal AM, as it provides specific benefits and capabilities that make it a key enabling technology in a variety of industrial applications. Moreover, the recent years have seen a rapid evolution with new actors and new systems entering the market, together with a considerable increase of research and innovation programs. A field of major interest is the development and continuous improvement of in situ sensing and monitoring methods to anticipate the detection of defects, to predict the final quality of the part, and to rethink product qualification procedures. The technological features of the PBF-EB process have motivated the development of solutions that differ from the ones in PBF-L. Some of them have reached a good maturity level, being recently integrated into industrial machines, while others still deserve further research. This study explores the current state-of-the-art on in situ and in-line monitoring of the PBF-EB process, aiming to provide an up-to-date overview of the major differences with respect to PBF-L, currently available methods and their performances, as well as open issues, challenges to be tackled, and perspective for future research and industrial developments.
“Some People Sit, Some People Stand, That’s Just What We Do”: a Qualitative Exploration of Sit-Stand Desk Use in Naturalistic Settings
Authors: Deery Elizabeth , Buckley John , Morris Michael , Kennedy Lynne
Published: March 2024

Prolonged sedentary behaviour is associated with poor health. Office-based workers spend much of the working day sitting. Sit-stand desks have become a popular intervention, but real-life experiences of the value of sit-stand desks remain relatively unexplored outside of research-led interventions. A qualitative study was therefore undertaken to explore real-life experiences, including perceived barriers, and facilitators of using sit-stand desks. Six focus-group interviews were undertaken with a total of 34 desk-based employees in North-West England. Interviews were transcribed and analysed using thematic analysis. Three main themes emerged: The Sedentary Office, Motivators, and The Active Office. The Sedentary Office highlighted participants’ frustration with an increasingly sedentary office environment. Motivators to reducing sitting time were knowledge of the health consequences of prolonged sitting, previous (ill) health, and the potential benefits expected. The Active Office highlighted the importance of control, choice, enhanced interaction with colleagues, and the benefits associated with moving more and enhancing an overall sense of workplace wellbeing. Perceived benefits, facilitators, and barriers - experienced and observed – from sit-stand desk use in the real world were examined, thus contributing to important discussions of transferability. Overall, the study shed light on the perceived facilitators, benefits, and drawbacks of sit-stand desk work whilst also giving evidence of the real-world acceptability and research translation of sit-stand desk use. Future research should examine this in multiple contexts and should explore implications of an increasing prevalence in home working.
The Benefit of a Multi-wedge Acoustic Black Hole at Low-frequency Mitigation
Authors: Käfer Max , Dohnal Fadi
Published: March 2024

Introduction

Acoustic black holes (ABH) are capable to mitigate structural vibrations efficiently above a certain cut-on frequency. The most commonly used geometry for a flexible beam is a simple wedge following a power-law curve. A simple wedge demands large dimensions for achieving mitigation in the low-frequency range below 1000 Hz. It was shown recently by experiments and numerical simulation that a multi-wedge configuration is beneficial for realizing a compact design and still showing good performance at low frequencies.

Materials and Methods

The WKB approximation is extended for a single-wedge design. Expressions for the reflection coefficient and cut-on frequency are discussed for an arbitrary number of wedges—the suggested multi-wedge ABH.

Results

The main benefit of the stacked multi-wedge ABH is a great improvement in performance in the low-frequency range. A numerical example highlights the successful vibration mitigation. It is shown how a multi-wedge ABH is tuned towards low-frequency in terms of cut-on frequency and reflections’ coefficient. The improved performance of a multi-wedge ABH is benchmarked against the well-established simple ABH.