bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A conceptual framework for nutritional evaluation, screening, and monitoring of pregnant women: Evidence from a Brazilian cohort of nulliparous women
Authors: Miele Maria J. , Souza Renato T. , Vieira Matias C. , Pacagnella Rodolfo C. , Cecatti José G.
Published: September 2022

The present review comes from five previous studies of a multicenter cohort of nulliparous pregnant women from different regions of Brazil. The first study showed a wide difference in consumption of industrialized foods among women from the south and southeast regions compared with northeastern women who chose to eat a healthier diet with fresh natural food. The second investigation intended to understand maternal eating habits, where five dietary patterns were identified: two considered healthy and three with excess protein, ultra‐processed foods, fats, and sweets. Considering some barriers to classifying nutrition status during prenatal care, when data on pre‐pregnancy weight is unknown, the third study developed a tool to identify three levels of risk for each gestational age range, assessed by measuring arm circumference. Applying those new tools, the associations between maternal nutrition and pregnancy outcomes were investigated: prematurity, pre‐eclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, and small‐for‐gestational‐age infants. From these analyses, a predictive model was developed indicating that obesity, non‐white color, and dietary pattern with excess protein consumption were associated with a greater probability of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Moreover, the potential of the intergenerational influence of head circumference as a proxy for maternal nutrition was analyzed. Using a Path Analysis method, the model was evidenced by different socioeconomic variables. Finally, understanding the complexity of the nutritional assessment, the present conceptual framework was proposed for nutritional assessment, and tracking and monitoring of pregnant women.
Dual-Layer Spectral–Computed Tomography Enhances the Separability of Calcium-Based Implant Material from Bone: An Ex Vivo Quantitative Imaging Study
Authors: Peña Jaime A. , Shaul Jonathan L. , Müller Michael , Damm Timo , Barkmann Reinhard , Kurz Bodo , Campbell Graeme M. , Freitag-Wolf Sandra , Glüer Claus-C.
Published: September 2022

Local treatment of bone loss with an injection of a resorbable, calcium-based implant material to replace bone has a long history of clinical use. The in vivo discrimination of changes in bone versus implant is challenging with standard computed tomography (CT). However, spectral-CT techniques enable the separation between tissues of similar densities but different chemical compositions. Dual-layer spectral-CT imaging and postprocessing analysis methods were applied to investigate the separability of AGN1 (a triphasic calcium-based implant) and bone after AGN1 injection in n = 10 male cadaveric femurs ex vivo. Using the area under the curve (AUC) from receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) analyses, the separability of AGN1 from bone was assessed for AGN1 (postoperatively) versus compact and versus femoral neck cancellous bone (both preoperatively). CT techniques included conventional Hounsfield (HU) and density-equivalent units (BMD, mg hydroxyapatite [HA]/cm3) and spectral-CT measures of effective atomic number (Zeff) and electron density (ED). The samples had a wide range of femoral neck BMD (55.66 to 241.71 mg HA/cm3). At the injection site average BMD, HU, Zeff, and ED increased from 69.5 mg HA/cm3, 109 HU, 104.38 EDW, and 8.30 Zeff in the preoperative to 1233 mg HA/cm3, 1741 HU, 181.27 EDW, and 13.55 Zeff in the postoperative CT scan, respectively. For compact bone at the femoral shaft the preoperative values were 1124.15 mg HA/cm3, 1648 HU, 177 EDW, and 13.06 Zeff and were maintained postoperatively. Zeff showed substantially sharper distributions and significantly greater separability compared to ED, BMD, and HU (all p < 0.002, for both regions) with average AUCs for BMD, HU, ED, and Zeff of 0.670, 0.640, 0.645, and 0.753 for AGN1 versus compact and 0.996, 0.995, 0.994, and 0.998 for AGN1 versus femoral neck cancellous sites, respectively. Spectral-CT permits better discrimination of calcium-based implants like AGN1 from bone ex vivo. Our results warrant application of spectral-CT in patients undergoing procedures with similar implants. © 2022 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Structural evolution and electronic properties of pure and semiconductor atom doped in clusters: Inn−, InnSi−, and InnGe− (n = 3–16)
Authors: Wang Kai , Miao Lin , Jia Zezhao , Wang Runyu , Yin Guangjia , Zhu Xiaodong , Moro Ramiro , Ma Lei
Published: September 2022

The bonding and electronic properties of Inn−, InnSi−, and InnGe− (n = 3–16) clusters have been computationally investigated. An intensive global search for the ground‐state structures of these clusters were conducted using the genetic algorithm coupled with density functional theory (DFT). The ground‐state structures of these clusters have been identified through the comparison between simulated photoelectron spectra (PES) of the found lowest‐energy isomers and the experimentally measured ones. Doping semiconductor atom (Si or Ge) can significantly change the structures of the In clusters in most sizes, and the dopant prefers to be surrounded by In atoms. There are three structural motifs for InnX− (X = Si, Ge, n = 3–16), and the transition occurs at sizes n = 5 and 13. All InnSi− and InnGe− share the same configurations and similar electronic properties except for n = 8. Among all above studied clusters, In13− stands out with the largest vertical detachment energy (VDE), HOMO–LUMO gap, (Eb) and second order energy difference Δ2E due to its closed electronic shell of (1S)2(1P)6(1D)10(2S)2(1F)14(2P)6. Similarly, the neutral In12X (X = Si, Ge) clusters are also identified as superatoms but with electronic configuration of (1S)2(1P)6(2S)2(1D)10(1F)14(2P)6.
Establishment and characterization of a new mantle cell lymphoma cell line with a NOTCH2 mutation, Arbo
Authors: Safa Firas , Rasmussen Terri , Lobelle‐Rich Patricia , Collier Stephanie , Milligan Nicholas , Schmeig John , Schmid Janet , Wiewiorowski Carol , Totaro Denise , Brown Theresa C. , Satyavarapu Ishwarya , Badoo Melody , Ungerleider Nathan , Flemington Erik K. , Safah Hana , Saba Nakhle S.
Published: September 2022

Cell lines represent an essential tool used in preclinical research. Most hematologic malignancies have a wide array of cell lines representing their respective molecular and pathologic spectra. In mantle cell lymphoma (MCL), cell lines become specifically valuable in view of the heterogeneity of this disease. Unfortunately, the number of MCL cell lines that are available for the research community remains small, with only nine cell lines available for purchase through the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC). We have established a novel blastoid MCL cell line, isolated from the malignant pleural effusion of a 69‐year‐old male with refractory MCL. Arbo was fully characterized with cytogenetics, immunophenotyping, whole exome sequencing and drug sensitivity assays. One of the most notable mutations identified in Arbo (but not in normal tissue) was the missense mutation NOTCH2 R2400*, which has been proposed as a clinically significant mutation in MCL seen in 5% of cases. NOTCH2 R2400* results in a truncated Notch2 protein, leading to a more stable and active protein. Using pharmacologic inhibition of Notch2, we showed a dependence of Arbo on NOTCH2 signaling, as well as a link between CD23 expression on Arbo and NOTCH2 activity. Arbo represents a NOTCH2 mutated model that is useful in MCL as well as other lymphomas with such mutation. We plan to deposit Arbo at the ATCC to be available for the research community.
Moral awareness and its relationship with moral sensitivity among Iranian nursing students: A basis for nursing ethics education
Authors: Rahmani Parvin , Behshid Mozhgan , Seif‐Farshad Mehran , Mousavi Saeid , Molaei Tavani Fatemeh
Published: September 2022

Aim

This descriptive‐analytical correlational study was carried out to examine moral awareness and its relationship with moral sensitivity among Iranian nursing students.

Design

A descriptive‐analytical correlational study.

Methods

The present descriptive‐analytical study was performed among 140 Iranian nursing students. The data collection tool was a three‐part questionnaire including (1) Demographic Information Questionnaire, (2) Nurses' Awareness about the Iranian Nursing Code of Ethics by Mohajjel Aghdam and (3) Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire (MSQ) by Kim Lutzen. The data collected from these questionnaires were analysed in SPSS‐26 using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

The mean moral awareness (29.42 ± 4.01) was good, and the mean moral sensitivity (135.05 ± 18.79) was moderate among the students. A significant positive correlation was observed between the total score of moral awareness and moral sensitivity (r = .22, p = .009) in the nursing students.
Physical and socioeconomic burden of caregiving on family caregivers of children with cancer at a tertiary Hospital in Ghana
Authors: Bekui Beatrice A. A. , Ohene Lillian Akorfa , Badzi Caroline , Ampomah Menford Owusu , Aziato Lydia
Published: September 2022

Background

Childhood cancer is proportionately higher in Africa and these result in increased demands on caregivers. The inability of affected children to take care of themselves; coupled with prescribed medical interventions presents physical and social burdens on family caregivers.

Aims and methods

This study used a qualitative exploratory design to explore the physical and socioeconomic challenges for family caregivers of children diagnosed with cancer and receiving care at one of the biggest tertiary hospitals in Ghana. A total of thirteen family caregivers of children with cancer were interviewed.

Findings

Two major themes were identified: Burden of care on Physical Health and Socioeconomic burdens of caregiving on the family caregiver. It was reported that family caregivers encounter physical challenges such as Aches and Pains when performing caregiving activities, Loss of Appetite, Fatigue, Compromised Functional State and Sleep Disruption. The second theme, Socioeconomic burdens of caregiving on family caregivers account for the consequences of caregiving on social lives, family relationships, finance and employment.

Conclusions and recommendations

The study recommends that measures that provided relief for the caregivers such as teaching them to adopt local measures of pain relief such as massage should be encouraged. Policies should adopt measures that encourage caregivers to have some days of rest whiles providing care to their children with cancer. Also, health insurance packages that provide relief for the cost of accessing healthcare, should be extended to children with cancers to support their caregivers.
Intensive care units nurses' burnout, organizational commitment, turnover intention and hospital workplace violence: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Wang Tiemei , Abrantes António Cunha Meneses , Liu Yan
Published: September 2022

Aims

This study aimed to (1) assess the relationship between intensive care unit (ICU) nurses' burnout, organizational commitment and turnover intention, (2) examine the moderating effect of the organizational commitment on the relationship between ICU nurses' burnout and turnover intention, and (3) explore the prevalence and influencing factors of hospital workplace violence among ICU nurses.

Design

Cross‐sectional study design.

Methods

Data were collected from August to October 2020 and a convenience sample of registered nurses was recruited. To control common method biases, one‐month temporal separation, Harman's single‐factor analysis and method of latent variables were adopted. The moderating effect was tested by SPSS Hayes PROCESS Macro. Chi‐square and logistic regression were used to examine workplace violence data.

Results

Organizational commitment (β = −.23, 95% confidence interval −.45 to −.03) and continuance commitment (β = −.15, 95% confidence interval −.24 to −.16) have negative moderation effects on the relationship between emotional exhaustion and turnover intention. 77.7% of ICU nurses experienced workplace violence, male and staff nurses, and nurses with lower professional titles and shorter working years have greater odds of experiencing this violence.
Plasticizing and thermal stabilizing effect of bio‐based epoxidized cardanol esters on PVC
Authors: Yang Yang , Zhang Caili , Han Yu , Weng Yunxuan
Published: September 2022

Poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is a widely used plastics in different industries. It is an intrinsically hard and brittle polymer and requires the use of plasticizers to improve the processability. Commonly used phthalate‐based plasticizers have serious toxicity issues and we present alternatives based on epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) and epoxidized cardanol esters (ECEs). ECEs are synthesized from cardanol and three fatty acids (oleic, ricinoleic, and myristic) using 1‐ethyl‐3‐(3‐dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) as a coupling agent. Their structure and purity are confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear magnetic resonance. Moreover, plasticized PVC films are prepared using a solvent‐free method. The replacement of 10 phr of ESO with 5 phr of ECE improves the plasticizing power due to the co‐solvency effect. Mechanical properties and thermal stability of plasticized PVC films are correlated with the chain length and the number of epoxy groups in ECE. The best plasticizing effect is observed for epoxidized cardanol‐myristate (ECD‐MA). ECD‐MA as a shorter‐chain secondary plasticizer is more compatible with ESO and allows higher conformational mobility of PVC chains. PVC/30ESO/5ECD‐MA polymer exhibits an exceptionally high initial thermal decomposition temperature (314.4°C) while preserving moderate ductility and tensile strength (263.4% and 23.3 MPa). Overall, this study highlights the potential applicability of ECD‐MA in combination with ESO as a sustainable, bio‐based plasticizer and heat stabilizer for flexible PVC products.
A transdisciplinary approach to define and assess wild food plant sustainable foraging in Norway
Authors: Teixidor‐Toneu Irene , Giraud Nicolas J. , Karlsen Pål , Annes Alexis , Kool Anneleen
Published: September 2022

Societal Impact Statement

Foraging wild food plants is sometimes perceived as a conservation threat or, alternatively, as an opportunity for sustainable development. Little is known of how foragers themselves define and ensure sustainable foraging. Here, we collaboratively assessed the activities and motivations of the forager community in Norway in order to achieve a combined social and ecological assessment of foraging sustainability. Current foraging of wild food plants in Norway contributes to an increased appreciation of nature rather than generating negative environmental impact and is hence an opportunity for sustainable development.

Wild food plants are well recognized as local sources of nutrition that can contribute to food security, but foraging is sometimes viewed as a threat to biological conservation. Here, we characterize and assess sustainable foraging in Norway through transdisciplinary research co‐constructed with the Norwegian Association for Mycology and Foraging.

We conducted 19 face‐to‐face interviews with key stakeholders and produced an online questionnaire returned by 219 recreational and commercial foragers to enquire about what species are harvested, by whom and how, where do foragers learn and what are their perspectives on the sustainability of foraging.

Foraging fosters a strong connection with the natural environment. Foragers decide when and how much can be harvested considering location, plant and plant part being harvested. They pay attention to native plants' conservation status and local abundance and plant individual's survival after foraging and aim to not spread invasive species.

We define sustainable foraging as the knowledge and practices that enable enriching forager–biodiversity relationships over time. Such a definition can support collaborative sustainability efforts between the academic community and civil society.
Electrical Properties of Sr3Mo1–xWxO6‐Based Solid Solution
Authors: Magalhães Ticiane A. , Paiva Denis V. M. , Silva Marcelo A. S. , Mazzetto Selma E. , Sombra Antonio S. B. , Fechine Pierre B. A.
Published: September 2022

Herein, a study on the suitability of the Sr3Mo1–xWxO6 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.9) solid‐solution system for radio frequency and microwave (MW) applications is reported. The ceramic powders are synthesized via solid‐state reaction at 1423 K for 6 h. X‐ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy are performed to confirm the double‐perovskite‐type structure and investigate the surface morphology, respectively. Electrical characterization of the system as a function of temperature is performed using impedance spectroscopy. The equivalent circuit with two parallel association resistor‐constant phase elements (R‐CPEs), connected in series, associated with grain and grain boundary effects is used to adjust the electric response of the solid solutions. Sr3Mo0.9W0.1O6 solid solution exhibit a resonant frequency temperature coefficient (τf) value close to zero (8.5 ppm K−1), showing great potential for MW applications.
Monitoring multivariate coefficient of variation with individual observations
Authors: Haq Abdul , Khoo Michael B. C.
Published: September 2022

Monitoring the multivariate coefficient of variation (MCV) is conducted when the multivariate process variation changes proportionally with the mean vector because under this situation the traditional multivariate charts for the mean and variance cannot work correctly. All existing MCV charts in the literature are implemented based on sample MCVs computed from samples of size larger than unity each. However, there are situations when forming samples (of ) is not feasible. To address the aforementioned limitation of existing MCV charts, in this paper, an EWMA chart based on individual observations for monitoring the MCV is developed. Numerical studies based on Monte Carlo simulations are conducted to investigate the run length properties of the proposed chart in detecting either increases or decreases in the MCV, for two and three quality characteristics and various parameter values. A real bivariate dataset on the diameter and length of dowel pins is adopted to illustrate the implementation of the proposed chart.
Optimal control of nonlinear systems with integer‐valued control inputs and stochastic constraints
Authors: Wu Xiang , Zhang Kanjian , Cheng Ming
Published: September 2022

Practical industrial process is usually a dynamic process including uncertainty. Stochastic constraints can be used for industrial process modeling, when system sate and/or control input constraints cannot be strictly satisfied. Thus, optimal control of nonlinear systems with stochastic constraints can be available to address practical industrial process problems with integer‐valued control inputs. In general, obtaining an analytical solution of this optimal control problem is very difficult due to the discrete nature of the control inputs and the complexity of stochastic constraints. To obtain a numerical solution, this problem is formulated as a finite dimensional static constrained optimization problem. First, the integer‐valued control input is relaxed into a continuous‐valued control input by imposing a penalty term on the objective function. Convergence results show that the relaxed solution obtained is an integer solution as long as the penalty parameter is sufficiently large. In addition, it should be noted that no any constraint is introduced in the novel relaxation technique, which can effectively avoid introducing any extra extreme point for the original optimal control problem. Next, a novel smooth approximation function is used to construct a subset of feasible region for this optimal control problem. It is proved that the smooth approximation can converge uniformly to the stochastic constraints as the adjusting parameter reduces. Following that, a numerical computation method is proposed for solving the original optimal control problem. Finally, in order to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, an electric vehicle energy management problem is extended by considering some stochastic constraints. The numerical results show that the proposed method is less conservative compared with the existing typical approaches and can obtain a stable and robust performance when considering the initial condition small perturbations.
Coalescence of Au–Pd Nanoropes and their Application as Enhanced Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Yu Jialong , Jin Hui , Wang Qian , Wei Xiaoliang , Chen Hongyu , Wang Yawen
Published: September 2022

Lattice distortions and defects can lead to a strain effect that greatly affects the electronic structure of the noble metal surface and the chemical adsorption of ligands on the surfaces. Introducing defects is an efficient strategy to improve the activity of noble metal catalysts. Herein, a fusion approach is developed to fine‐tune the defects and lattice strain in Au–Pd nanowires. Specifically, braided strands in Au–Pd nanoropes gradually coalesce to form solid nanowires upon H2O2 treatment and heating, leading to a series of Au–Pd nanowires with various amounts of defects. Owing to the 1D morphology, as well as the optimized lattice strain and surface electronic structure, the intermediate Au–Pd nanowire obtained after 60 min heating (denoted as Au–Pd NW60) exhibits excellent catalytic activity and stability toward the oxygen reduction reaction, with the half‐wave potential at 0.918 V, 45 mV higher than that of the commercial Pt/C; and specific activity reaches up to 1.7 mA cm−2, 7.3 times higher than that of the Pt/C.
Quantitative validation of complex systems integration principles
Authors: Grumbach Joshua Logan , Thomas Lawrence Dale
Published: September 2022

The integration of complex systems is an important aspect of systems engineering. Previous research derived six integration principles and qualitatively validated four of them using a data set of 14 systems. Of the two non‐validated principles, one was determined to be confounded with two of the four validated principles and is hence not considered in this research. This paper describes the quantitative validation of the resulting five integration principles based on an expanded data set of 52 systems. This expanded data set is analyzed statistically, and the interactions between integration principles are also evaluated. This research quantitatively validates four of the five integration principles and identifies three principle interactions that are significantly related to integration success, solidifying validity of the principles, and identifying three cases where the principles interact that must be further explored.
Sequential Monte Carlo optimization and statistical inference
Authors: Duan Jin‐Chuan , Li Shuping , Xu Yaxian
Published: September 2022

Sequential Monte Carlo (SMC) is a powerful technique originally developed for particle filtering and Bayesian inference. As a generic optimizer for statistical and nonstatistical objectives, its role is far less known. Density‐tempered SMC is a highly efficient sampling technique ideally suited for challenging global optimization problems and is implementable with a somewhat arbitrary initialization sampler instead of relying on a prior distribution. SMC optimization is anchored at the fact that all optimization tasks (continuous, discontinuous, combinatorial, or noisy objective function) can be turned into sampling under a density or probability function short of a norming constant. The point with the highest functional value is the SMC estimate for the maximum. Through examples, we systematically present various density‐tempered SMC algorithms and their superior performance vs. other techniques like Markov Chain Monte Carlo. Data cloning and k‐fold duplication are two easily implementable accuracy accelerators, and their complementarity is discussed. The Extreme Value Theorem on the maximum order statistic can also help assess the quality of the SMC optimum. Our coverage includes the algorithmic essence of the density‐tempered SMC with various enhancements and solutions for (1) a bi‐modal nonstatistical function without and with constraints, (2) a multidimensional step function, (3) offline and online optimizations, (4) combinatorial variable selection, and (5) noninvertibility of the Hessian.

This article is categorized under:

Statistical and Graphical Methods of Data Analysis > Monte Carlo Methods

Algorithms and Computational Methods > Stochastic Optimization

Algorithms and Computational Methods > Integer Programming
New analyses of event shape observables in electron-positron annihilation and the determination of αs running behavior in perturbative domain
Authors: Wang Sheng-Quan , Luo Chao-Qin , Wu Xing-Gang , Shen Jian-Ming , Di Giustino Leonardo
Published: September 2022

Abstract

In this paper, we give comprehensive analyses for event shape observables in electron-positron annihilation by using the Principle of Maximum Conformality (PMC) which is a rigorous scale-setting method to eliminate the renormalization scheme and scale ambiguities in perturbative QCD predictions. Conventionally the renormalization scale and theoretical uncertainties in event shape observables are often evaluated by setting the scale to the center-of-mass energy $$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

. The event shape distributions using this conventional scale setting are plagued by the large renormalization scale uncertainty and underestimate the experimental data. Moreover, since the renormalization scale is simply fixed to the center-of-mass energy $$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

, only one value of the coupling αs at the single scale $$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

can be extracted. In contrast, the PMC renormalization scales are determined by absorbing the nonconformal β contributions that govern the behavior of the running coupling via the Renormalization Group Equation (RGE). The resulting PMC scales change with event shape kinematics, reflecting the virtuality of the underlying quark and gluon subprocess. The PMC scales thus yield the correct physical behavior of the scale and the PMC predictions agree with precise event shape distributions measured at the LEP experiment. More importantly, we can precisely determine the running of the QCD coupling constant αs(Q2) over a wide range of Q2 in perturbative domain from event shape distributions measured at a single center-of-mass energy $$ \sqrt{s} $$

s

.
A Complex Exponential Structure for Low-Complexity Variable Fractional Delay FIR Filters
Authors: Zhao Ruijie , Tay David B.
Published: September 2022

Variable fractional delay (VFD) filters generally require significantly greater computational resources for implementation than static filters. The motivation of this work is therefore to develop ways for implementation complexity reduction. The Farrow structure is adopted by most of the variable fractional delay (VFD) filters due to their effectiveness. This structure essentially assumes an algebraic polynomial approximation to the continuously varying impulse response. In this paper, we dispense with the polynomial function and instead propose the use of complex exponential functions for approximation. This new approach leads to a Farrow-like implementation structure with complex coefficient subfilters and a shape parameter. The complex exponential (CE) VFD filter is analyzed, and various types of symmetry properties are derived. Accordingly, a simplified implementation structure is obtained. The complexity analysis shows that the design and implementation complexities can be reduced to something comparable to the classical real algebraic polynomial (AP) VFD filters with the same number of subfilters and filter order. However, the CE filters can achieve a better approximation accuracy to the desired fractional delay characteristics, compared to the AP filters. Moreover, this superiority becomes significant, when only a few subfilters are used, or when the filter orders are high. Therefore, the reduction in complexity can be achieved for the same design specification. The design algorithm is developed using a weighted least-squares formulation. Using a matrix-based approach, the closed-form solution is derived firstly for a fixed shape parameter. This is then followed by optimization of the shape parameter using the Golden Cut method. Comprehensive design examples will be presented that compare the CE filters with the AP filters.
An in-depth analysis of tool wear mechanisms and surface integrity during high-speed hard turning of AISI D2 steel via novel inserts
Authors: Khan Sarmad Ali , Ameer Muhammad Faizan , Uddin Ghulam Moeen , Ali Muhammad Asad , Anwar Saqib , Farooq Muhammad Umar , Alfaify Abdullah
Published: September 2022

Over the years, machinists have been exploring the hard part turning of AISI D2 steels. Initially, cylindrical grinding was used for this purpose, but it was later replaced by single-point turning due to its advantages such as high material removal, low cost, and greater flexibility. Conventional inserts are used in single-point turning, but they have been reported to have large radial forces, high notch wear, and poor surface finish. Therefore, multi-radii wiper inserts were designed to overcome these machining issues, but their use was restricted to shallower depths of cut and moderate feed rates because of the thick chips produced by the high entry angle. Prime inserts, on the other hand, were designed with a modest entry angle, making them ideal for evaluating tool wear/life, material removal and surface roughness at greater cutting speeds, depths of cut, and feed rates. It was observed that cutting speed has a significant effect on tool wear/life with a contribution of 55.38% followed by feed rate (13.72%) and depth of cut (11.43%). Cutting speed (84.87%) and feed rate (13.01%) are observed to be the most significant parameters controlling material removed. It was also observed that feed rate has a significant effect on workpiece surface roughness with a contribution of 67.30% followed by depth of cut (20.60%), whereas cutting speed had no significant effect on surface roughness. Moreover, it is found that prime insert outperformed wiper and conventional inserts in terms of tool life/wear and surface roughness.
Impact of Local Control on Clinical Course in Stage IVC Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Yamazaki Haruhiko , Sugino Kiminori , Katoh Ryohei , Masudo Katsuhiko , Matsuzu Kenichi , Kitagawa Wataru , Nagahama Mitsuji , Rino Yasushi , Ito Koichi
Published: September 2022

Background

The present study investigated the association between local resection and cause of death in anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) patients with stage IVC disease.

Methods

A total of 54 ATC patients with stage IVC disease were included in the study. Information including patient characteristics, laboratory data including complete blood count, treatment, and death were collected for analysis.

Results

The median overall survival (OS) for patients with or without resection was 8.4 [95% confidence interval (CI) 5.9–14.4)] and 4.2 (95% CI 2.5–6.2) months, respectively (p < 0.001). No patients survived without resection at 1 year. Univariate analysis revealed that resection (p < 0.001) and radiotherapy (p = 0.018) were significantly associated with OS. Multivariate analysis revealed that resection (hazard ratio 0.257; 95% CI 0.115–0.575; p < 0.001) was the only independent prognostic factor of OS. In ATC patients with known resection status, the median OS for the patients with a resection status of R0/1 (n = 28) and R2 (n = 7) were 13.0 (95% CI 7.5–18.7) and 1.7 (95% CI 0.1–6.2) months, respectively (p < 0.001). The most common specific cause of death was respiratory insufficiency (35%), followed by airway obstruction (25%) and cerebral cardiovascular‐related death (5%). The frequency of airway obstruction was significantly lower in patients with resection (p = 0.018).

Conclusions

Resection probably impacts on clinical course in ATC patients despite the presence of distant metastasis. However, R2 resection is likely to be harmful and surgeons should carefully consider the resectability of thyroid tumors.
Effects of sickness manipulation on disgust and pleasantness in interpersonal touch
Authors: Gruhl Anne , Saluja Supreet , Stevenson Richard , Croy Ilona
Published: September 2022

The theory of the behavioral immune system (BIS) describes a set of behaviors that protect the individual from infectious diseases and that are motivated by disgust and the perceived vulnerability to disease. As interpersonal touch is one of the most common situations of potential transmission of infectious diseases in our everyday life, it seems likely that being touched by an apparently sick individual activates disgust. Our aim was to determine if risk of contamination from interpersonal touch alters the pleasantness of interpersonal touch and modulates facially expressed emotions. In total, 64 participants received interpersonal stroking by either a healthy or by sick-appearing experimenter. Half the strokes were performed at a slow velocity of 3 cm/s and half at a faster velocity of 30 cm/s, to modulate the degree of C-tactile fiber activation in the touch perceiver. While the experimental sickness manipulation did not influence the reported touch pleasantness, there was a tendency for a diminished expression of happiness in the slow stroking condition. In addition, the desire to clean the arm after stroking correlated positively to disgust sensitivity and to germ aversion, which is a subscale of the perceived vulnerability to disease. Contrary to previous studies, participants did not prefer the slow over the fast stroking velocity, irrespective of sickness induction. Our results lead us to assume that disgust in interpersonal touch depends especially on the touch receiver and we speculate that a rather conservative reactivity of the BIS allows for an adaptive behavioral balance in interpersonal relations. This balance may be needed to weight the risks of contamination against the benefits of interpersonal touch for social interaction.
Posterior mesh inguinal hernia repairs: a propensity score matched analysis of laparoscopic and robotic versus open approaches
Authors: Reinhorn M. , Fullington N. , Agarwal D. , Olson M. A. , Ott L. , Canavan A. , Pate B. , Hubertus M. , Urquiza A. , Poulose B. , Warren J.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

International guidelines suggest the use of lapro-endoscopic technique for primary unilateral inguinal hernia (IHR) because of lower postoperative pain and reduction in chronic pain. It is unclear if the primary benefit is due to the minimally invasive approach, the posterior mesh position or both. Further research evaluating posterior mesh placement using open preperitoneal techniques is recommended. A potential benefit of open preperitoneal repair is the avoidance of general anesthesia, as these repairs can be performed under local anesthesia. This study compares clinical and patient-reported outcomes after unilateral laparo-endoscopic, robotic, and open posterior mesh IHRs.

Methods

We performed a propensity score matched analysis of patients undergoing IHR between 2012 and 2021 in the Abdominal Core Health Quality Collaborative registry. 10,409 patients underwent a unilateral IHR via a posterior approach. Hernia repairs were performed via minimally invasive surgery (MIS) which includes laparoscopic and robotic transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP), laparoscopic totally extraperitoneal (TEP), or open transrectus preperitoneal/open preperitoneal (TREPP/OPP) approaches. Propensity score matching (PSM) utilizing nearest neighbor matching accounted for differences in baseline characteristics and possible confounding variables between groups. We matched 816 patients in the MIS cohort with 816 patients in the TREPP/OPP group. Outcomes included patient reported quality of life, hernia recurrence, and postoperative opioid use.

Results

Improvement was seen after TREPP/OPP as compared to MIS IHR in EuraHS at 30 days (Median(IQR) 7.0 (2.0–16.64) vs 10 (2.0–24.0); OR 0.69 [0.55–0.85];p = 0.001) and 6 months (1.0 (0.0–4.0) vs 2.0 (0.0–4.0); OR 0.63 [0.46–85];p = 0.002), patient-reported opioid use at 30-day follow-up (18% vs 45% OR 0.26 [0.19–0.35];p < 0.001), and rates of surgical site occurrences (0.8% vs 4.9% OR 0.16 [0.06–0.35];p < 0.001). There were no differences in EuraHS scores and recurrences at 1 year.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates a potential benefit of open posterior mesh placement over MIS repair in short-term quality of life and seroma formation with equivalent rates of hernia recurrence. Further study is needed to better understand these differences and determine the reproducibility of these findings outside of high-volume specialty centers.
Covariance’s Loss is Privacy’s Gain: Computationally Efficient, Private and Accurate Synthetic Data
Authors: Boedihardjo March , Strohmer Thomas , Vershynin Roman
Published: September 2022

The protection of private information is of vital importance in data-driven research, business and government. The conflict between privacy and utility has triggered intensive research in the computer science and statistics communities, who have developed a variety of methods for privacy-preserving data release. Among the main concepts that have emerged are anonymity and differential privacy. Today, another solution is gaining traction, synthetic data. However, the road to privacy is paved with NP-hard problems. In this paper, we focus on the NP-hard challenge to develop a synthetic data generation method that is computationally efficient, comes with provable privacy guarantees and rigorously quantifies data utility. We solve a relaxed version of this problem by studying a fundamental, but a first glance completely unrelated, problem in probability concerning the concept of covariance loss. Namely, we find a nearly optimal and constructive answer to the question how much information is lost when we take conditional expectation. Surprisingly, this excursion into theoretical probability produces mathematical techniques that allow us to derive constructive, approximately optimal solutions to difficult applied problems concerning microaggregation, privacy and synthetic data.
What to advise to patients with only one good quality blastocyst, PGT-A or not? Outcomes of 2064 cycles
Authors: Kahraman Semra , Duzguner Ipek Nur Balin , Sahin Yucel , Irez Tulay
Published: September 2022

Purpose

To evaluate whether preimplantation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) is beneficial for patients who have only one blastocyst available for biopsy or transfer.

Methods

This retrospective study was based on 1126 single blastocyst PGT-A and 938 non-PGT-A cycles, a total of 2064 ART cycles which resulted in a single good quality blastocyst in women between 20 and 45 years old. The PGT-A group had 225 single euploid embryo transfer cycles and the non-PGT-A group had 938 single blastocyst embryo transfer cycles.

Results

In the generalized linear mixed model (GLMM), female age and PGT-A variables were found to be significant variables on pregnancy outcomes. In the PGT-A cases, regardless of the effect of other variables, the probabilities of clinical pregnancy and live birth were found to be 3.907 and 3.448 fold higher respectively than in the non-PGT-A cases (p < 0.001). In non PGT-A cases, the probability of a total pregnancy loss was found to be 1.943 fold higher (p = 0.013).

Conclusion

PGT-A in the presence of a single blastocyst significantly increases clinical pregnancy and live birth rates and decreases total pregnancy losses regardless of age. In addition, aneuploid embryo transfer cancelations prevent ineffective and potentially risky transfers.
Does early publishing in top journals really predict long-term scientific success in the business field?
Authors: Hou Li , Wu Qiang , Xie Yundong
Published: September 2022

The soaring number of researchers has led to increasingly intense competition in academia. Early identification of scientists’ potential is a practical but difficult issue currently attracting escalating attention. This study takes the business field as an example and explores whether early publishing in top journals is an effective yardstick to recognise scientists who will have better academic performance in their careers. We extract the career records of publication and citations for 1933 business scientists with stable and continuous publication records from the combination of the ORCID and Scopus databases. Through regression analysis and various checks, we find that researchers publishing in top journals early in their careers indeed perform better subsequently compared to peers with similar early career profiles but no top journal publications. Our research sheds light on a new perspective for early identification of potential star scientists, especially in the business field, and justifies encouraging junior researchers to devote themselves to publishing in top-ranked peer-reviewed journals.
From the Coast to the High Mountains: A Remote Sensing Survey of Disturbances and Threats to the Archaeology and Heritage of South Sinai
Authors: Tews Sophie , ten Harkel Letty , Shams Ahmed
Published: September 2022

The archaeology and heritage of South Sinai is rich and varied. Most research to date has focused on the High Mountains, specifically the area around the famous St Catherine’s Monastery, placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2002 (Saint Catherine Area, World Heritage Site 954). Recently, the Sinai Peninsula Research and the Endangered Archaeology in the Middle East and North Africa projects have focused on the landscape surrounding the St Catherine’s Monastery. These projects highlighted the wealth of archaeological and heritage sites spanning the prehistoric to modern periods, including sites that are still in use by local communities today, as well as the environmental and anthropogenic factors that threaten their survival, such as climate change, tourism, and the impact of infrastructure developments. By contrast, the archaeology and heritage of the coastal areas was never surveyed systematically until the research presented in this paper. Remote sensing work by the Maritime Endangered Archaeology project revealed a coastal landscape that is likewise rich in archaeological and heritage sites. As in the High Mountains, many of the coastal sites are under significant threat, but they do not enjoy the same level of recognition and protection. This paper compares the coastal sites to those in the High Mountains, including their disturbances and threats, and demonstrates the need for a locally specific heritage management and protection strategy for different parts of South Sinai.
Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging as diagnostic tools for sarcopenia in immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRDs)
Authors: Salaffi Fausto , Carotti Marina , Di Matteo Andrea , Ceccarelli Luca , Farah Sonia , Villota-Eraso Catalina , Di Carlo Marco , Giovagnoni Andrea
Published: September 2022

Sarcopenia is characterized by loss of muscle mass, altered muscle composition, fat and fibrous tissue infiltration, and abnormal innervation, especially in older individuals with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases (IMRDs). Several techniques for measuring muscle mass, strength, and performance have emerged in recent decades. The portable dynamometer and gait speed represent the most frequently used tools for the evaluation of muscle strength and physical efficiency, respectively. Aside from dual-energy, X-ray, absorptiometry, and bioelectrical impedance analysis, ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques appear to have a potential role in evaluating muscle mass and composition. US and MRI have been shown to accurately identify sarcopenic biomarkers such as inflammation (edema), fatty infiltration (myosteatosis), alterations in muscle fibers, and muscular atrophy in patients with IMRDs. US is a low-cost, easy-to-use, and safe imaging method for assessing muscle mass, quality, architecture, and biomechanical function. This review summarizes the evidence for using US and MRI to assess sarcopenia.
Vrancea intermediate-depth focal mechanism catalog: a useful instrument for local and regional stress field estimation
Authors: Craiu Andreea , Craiu Marius , Mihai Marius , Manea Elena Florinela , Marmureanu Alexandru
Published: September 2022

The Vrancea seismic zone, located in the bend region of the South-Eastern Carpathians, is a unique area with both crustal and intermediate-depth seismic activity and is known as one of the most active seismic area in Europe. Moderate crustal seismicity is recorded all over the Carpathian region, but the far more intense activity occurs in a small subcrustal seismogenic volume beneath the SE‐bend of the Carpathian arc with about 20 × 50 km lateral and 110 km vertical extent (70–180 km depth). A unique slab geometry, likely preserved until the present, causes stress localization due to the slab bending and subsequent stress release resulting in large mantle earthquakes in the region. The main focus of this study is to determine the focal mechanisms for events with a magnitude larger than 2.7, between 2005 and 2020 and evaluate the current stress field along the Vrancea subcrustal region, from the derived fault plane solutions. The main style of faulting for Vrancea subcrustal events presents a predominant reverse one, with two main earthquakes categories: the first one with the nodal planes, oriented NE–SW parallel with the Carpathian Arc and the second one with the nodal planes, oriented NW–SE perpendicular on the Carpathian Arc. The results of stress inversion indicate a dominant thrust faulting style, with an average stress regime index of 2.87. The stress pattern shows similar partitioning with vertical extension in the slab and no preferred orientation in the overlying crust, showing a transition regime from the extensional regime in the Moesian Platform to the compressional regime in the Vrancea subcrustal zone.
Developing algebraic activity through conjecturing about relationships
Authors: Coles Alf , Ahn Aehee
Published: September 2022

This manuscript contributes to research on how algebraic thinking about operations and properties can develop, and relevant forms of curricular activity. The key question asked is: how can students’ early algebraic activity be fostered through focusing on relations involving operations and properties? We adopt Radford’s three aspects of algebraic thinking (indeterminacy, denotation and analyticity), which focus on considering, symbolising and operating on unknown objects. We investigate the work of a class of 11–12 year old students in re-analysing data collected over 20 years ago as part of a project exploring algebraic activity. Our findings point to the proposal that a focus on conjecturing about relationships can be a powerful route into early algebra. On the basis of our analysis we propose an extension to Radford’s third aspect of algebraic thinking (analyticity) to include structuring a mathematical space, e.g., through a set of conjectures.