bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of 3D printed mechanical metamaterials for prosthetic liners
Authors: Devin Kirstie M , Tang Jinghua , Hamilton Andrew R , Moser David , Jiang Liudi
Published: January 2024

This study focuses on novel design and evaluation of Elastic 50A (EL50) mechanical metamaterials with open-cell patterns for its potential application to lower limb residuum/socket interfaces, specifically that of a transtibial (TT) amputee. Mechanical characteristics, that is, effective Young’s modulus ( E), was tuned by altering metamaterial porosity, which was experimentally verified. Specifically, pore radius of the unit cell was varied to achieve a range of E-values (0.05–1.71 MPa) for these 3D printed metamaterials. Finite Element Analysis (FEA) was conducted to evaluate pressure distribution across key load-bearing anatomical sites of a TT residuum. Using designed metamaterials for homogeneous liners, pressure profiles were studied and compared with a silicone liner case. Additionally, a custom metamaterial liner was designed by assigning appropriate metamaterials to four load-sensitive and tolerant anatomical sites of the TT residuum. The results suggest that lowest pressure variation (PV), as a measure of pressure distribution levels and potential comfort for amputees, was achieved by the custom metamaterial liner compared to any of the homogeneous liners included in this study. It is envisaged that this work may aid future design and development of custom liners using now commonly available 3D printing technologies and available elastomer materials to maximise comfort, tissue safety and overall rehabilitation outcomes for lower limb amputees.
The Rule of Law in an Ethnocracy: India's Citizenship Amendment Act and the Will of the Hindu Ethnos
Authors: Roy Indrajit
Published: January 2024

What is the fate of the rule of law in India that is transitioning to an ethnocracy? Drawing on a ‘thin’ conception of the rule of law, this article argues that the controversial Citizenship Amendment Act responds to the emergence of a political ideal that constructs the Hindu ethnos as central to the Indian nation. Drawing on a variety of sources that include pronouncements by leaders of the RSS, the ideological fount of India's ruling BJP, analysis of right-wing periodicals that function as a conveyor belt of social ideas, and the provisions of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), this article highlights the core themes that motivate the will of the Hindu ethnos in respect of the contentious legislation: (i) the persecution of the Hindu minorities in India's Muslim-majority neighbours; (ii) the discrimination faced by Dalits in particular and (iii) the establishment of India as a Hindu Zion. In the first section, I elaborate the concept of ‘ethnocracy’. The second section reflects on the fate of the rule of law in an ethnocratic India by analysing the social justifications for the introduction of the contentious CAA. In the third section, I situate these dynamics within India's broader transition to an ethnocracy, the political ideals that shape this transition, and the shared social norms that emerge from this transition, which feeds back to the rule of law in an ethnocracy.
Moving from informal talk to performance: The use of musical prompting as an interaction device for resuming practice in musical theatre rehearsals
Authors: Sanderson Alice , Ivaldi Antonia , Forrester Michael
Published: January 2024

In research on communication in music lessons, masterclasses, and rehearsals, there is a growing focus on multimodal interaction using conversation analysis (CA), where the combination of talk and embodied actions (e.g., using musical instruments, gestures, voice, and score) provides the opportunity to study this complex area in microscopic detail and the potential for findings to inform practice. A methodological approach informed by CA was used to explore processes in peer-led musical theatre rehearsals in a university, where students adopted the roles of both musical director and performer. The data consisted of 12 hr of video-recordings of rehearsals that took place over the course of 5 weeks and involved 24 participants; the data were analyzed to identify patterns in relation to informal interruptions (talking that did not relate to the task at hand) that occurred during the rehearsals, and how they were managed by the student director so that rehearsing could be resumed. Management often involved musical prompting as part of a three-stage sequence: (1) orienting to the piano, (2) giving directives, and (3) initiating performance. The directors’ prompts included vocalizing, playing the piano accompaniment, and making bodily movements. These actions served to capture the performers’ attention, interrupt the informal talk, bring the focus back to performing, and indicate performers’ starting notes. The director completed the sequence by initiating a run-through of the previously rehearsed segment of the performance. The findings not only have implications for students’ management of rehearsals but also highlight the value of studying multimodal rehearsal interactions and techniques generally to ensure effective and efficient delivery in typically time-constrained rehearsal periods.
A Survey of State Correctional Health Care Providers on Advance Care Planning: Opportunity for Collaboration With Corrections
Authors: O’Conner-Von Susan , Shlafer Rebecca , Galchutt Paul , Kettering Sara , Bouterse Ali , Freese Rebecca , Berry Patricia
Published: January 2024

Prison populations are rapidly aging. Persons in prison age quicker and suffer more chronic illness and disability than their nonincarcerated peers, posing challenges to caring for prisoners who are chronically ill and dying. The goal of our study was to describe state prisons’ practices and policies addressing persons in prison with advanced chronic and life limiting illness through a national web-based survey of state-level prison health care professionals. In particular, we focused on advanced care planning, use of health care directives, decision-making about goals of care, including life sustaining treatments, The response rate was 22% for a sample size 152 completed surveys. The average age of respondent was 52 years; majority were female and Caucasian, and had worked in corrections more than 8 years. Nearly half were registered nurses. Most reported their prison did not have a dedicated end-of-life care program and only 11% offered a peer-care program. However, two-thirds indicated their facility provided the opportunity to designate a health care agent with physicians most likely responsible for facilitating completion of a health care directive. It is evident the care of persons aging and dying in prison is complex and requires further investigation addressing staff and prison population education, ethics guidelines for care, compassionate release, and advance care planning. This study suggests that hospice and palliative care professionals could collaborate with corrections professionals and national organizations to provide innovative education and support to enhance the humane care of this vulnerable population.
Stress Appraisal Measure: Investigating the Factor Structure and Validity in the French Language
Authors: Grimm Elise , Francia Lea , Agrigoroaei Stefan
Published: January 2024

The Stress Appraisal Measure (SAM) captures six different types of cognitive appraisals in anticipation of an upcoming stressful situation. The goal of this article was to examine the factorial structure and the validity of the scale in the French language while accounting for existing limitations in the literature. These include factorial structure instability and low internal consistency for specific subscales across multiple validation studies in other languages. In the first study ( N = 425), the results from an exploratory factor analysis reliably suggested the removal of five items, the bridging of the threat and challenge subscales as one, and a new general five-factor structure. The new structure and its construct, convergent, and discriminant validity were confirmed in a second study ( N = 308). We discuss the relevance of this five-factor scale for the studies focused on individual differences in stress and appraisals.
Evaluation of the Antidiabetic Activities of the Fruit of Parquetina nigrescens (Afzel.) Bullock and In Silico Identification of Its Antidiabetic Agent
Authors: Ayoola Marcus D , Ogundeko Yetunde B , Obanleowo Temiloluwa D , Omole Deborah O , Chukwu Blessing N , Faloye Kolade O
Published: January 2024

The study investigated the antidiabetic potentials of the fruit extract of Parquetina nigrescens with the aim of justifying its folkloric antidiabetic usage in some part of Nigeria. Acute toxicity test of the plant extract was assessed using Lorke’s method. Its antidiabetic activities were assayed in α-amylase, α-glucosidase, glucose, and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats’ models at various doses with acarbose and glibenclamide (5 mg/kg) as positive controls. Molecular docking studies were performed to identify the antidiabetic constituent of the extract and elucidate its possible mechanism of action. The estimated median lethal dose (LD50) of the extract was above 5000 mg/kg. In the α-amylase, α-glucosidase study, the extract elicited concentration-dependent activity similar to acarbose. In the glucose-induced hyperglycaemic model, 200 mg/kg of the extract was the most effective dose with comparable ( P > .05) antihyperglycaemic activity to glibenclamide (5 mg kg) at 1 to 4 h. Also in the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats model, 100 and 200 mg/kg of the extract gave comparable ( P > 0.05) activity on days 4 to 14 that were significantly better than that of glibenclamide on days 4 to 7. The n-hexane and ethylacetate fractions of the extract, both at 200 mg/kg were the most active with comparable activity to glibenclamide at all time points. The molecular docking studies identified isorhoifolin as the best binder against alpha amylase with binding energy (−9.1 kcal/mol), alpha glucosidase (−9.4 kcal/mol), sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (−9.5 kcal/mol), peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (−10.3 kcal/mol), 11β- Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (−10.8 kcal/mol), and dipeptidyl peptidase IV (−9.4 kcal/mol). The results of the antidiabetic study of P nigrescence fruit extract justified its usage in ethnomedicne in diabetes management.
Lack of Association Between Depression and Subclinical Hypothyroidism in Adolescents Presenting for Routine Physical Examinations
Authors: Kumaratne Mohan , Vigneron Franck , Cisneros Jasmine , Rajapakse Vinodh
Published: January 2024

Background:

There are conflicting results in the existing studies regarding the association between depression and subclinical hypothyroidism in adolescents. Subclinical hypothyroidism is defined as elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels above the reference range without signs or symptoms of hypothyroidism.

Objectives:

The focus of this study is to determine whether there is any association between depression and subclinical hypothyroidism, (as defined by the serum TSH levels) in a population of healthy adolescents.

Design:

Quantitative-based cross-sectional study of a representative subset of the adolescent population.

Methods:

We carried out a cross-sectional study to determine the association between major depressive disorder (MDD) and subclinical hypothyroidism, in adolescents presenting for annual physical examinations during the peak period of the COVID-19 pandemic in the USA, a period deemed high for adolescent depression. All the adolescents were screened for depression by the PHQ-9 screening tool and had their TSH measured.

Results:

Of the 304 subjects analyzed, 179 (58.88%) were minimally or not depressed according to the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) screening tool (mean PHQ 1.80 ± 1.49). 70 (23.03%) had mild depression (mean PHQ 6.59 ± 1.46), 50 (16.45%) had moderate depression (mean PHQ 13.70 ± 2.75), and 5 (1.64%) had severe depression (mean PHQ 21.40 ± 1.67). Mean TSH values were 1.93 ± 0.99, 1.77 ± 1.05, 2.10 ± 0.98, and 1.57 ± 0.32 mIU/L, respectively in the four groups. All values were within the recommended range of 0.50 to 4.30 mIU/L, without statistically significant inter-group differences.

Conclusion:

We conclude that there is no statistically significant association between depression and subclinical hypothyroidism, in a population of adolescents presenting for physical examinations, and if the screening for depression by the PHQ-9 tool indicates depression, a screening TSH test for subclinical hypothyroidism is not justified.
White matter paramagnetic rim and non-rim lesions share a periventricular gradient in multiple sclerosis: A 7-T imaging study
Authors: Miscioscia Alessandro , Treaba Constantina A , Barletta Valeria T , Herranz Elena , Sloane Jacob A , Barbuti Elena , Mainero Caterina
Published: January 2024

Background:

Paramagnetic rim white matter (WM) lesions (PRL) are thought to be a main driver of non-relapsing multiple sclerosis (MS) progression. It is unknown whether cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-soluble factors diffusing from the ventricles contribute to PRL formation.

Objective:

To investigate the distribution of PRL and non-rim brain WM lesions as a function of distance from ventricular CSF, their relationship with cortical lesions, the contribution of lesion phenotype, and localization to neurological disability.

Methods:

Lesion count and volume of PRL, non-rim WM, leukocortical lesion (LCL), and subpial/intracortical lesions were obtained at 7-T. The brain WM was divided into 1-mm-thick concentric rings radiating from the ventricles to extract PRL and non-rim WM lesion volume from each ring.

Results:

In total, 61 MS patients with ⩾1 PRL were included in the study. Both PRL and non-rim WM lesion volumes were the highest in the periventricular WM and declined with increasing distance from ventricles. A CSF distance-independent association was found between non-rim WM lesions, PRL, and LCL, but not subpial/intracortical lesions. Periventricular non-rim WM lesion volume was the strongest predictor of neurological disability.

Conclusions:

Non-rim and PRL share a gradient of distribution from the ventricles toward the cortex, suggesting that CSF proximity equally impacts the prevalence of both lesion phenotypes.
Is it safe to use telephone for anaesthesia consultation in high-risk patients before non-invasive surgery? A pilot study in ophthalmology
Authors: Guerrier Gilles , Ohayon Johanna , Rothschild Pierre-Raphaël , Baillard Christophe
Published: January 2024

Background

Although telemedicine with video support for preoperative evaluation has been found effective, there is limited research on anaesthesia consultation by phone without video support, particularly among high-risk patients. To evaluate the effectiveness, safety and potential benefits of performing pre-anaesthesia evaluation by phone before eye surgery in patients having non-invasive surgery, we performed an observational study in a French teaching hospital.

Method

All elective patients having elective ophthalmic surgery were included to have a consultation by phone instead of an in-person consultation, regardless of the type of anaesthesia or ASA score. The incidence of day-of-surgery cancellations, patient satisfaction and time/distance saved through phone consultations were assessed.

Results

From February to October 2022, data of 3480 patients were analyzed, including 370 (11%) high-risk patients (ASA 3–4). Anaesthesia-related day-of-surgery cancellation rate was 0.5% ( n = 20) due to non-compliance with pre-operative instructions. No cancellation was due to inadequate pre-operative evaluation. No difference in cancellation rate was observed between low-risk patients and high-risk patients. Telephone consultations saved patients a mean of 126 min and 86 km. A younger age, an active status and living far from the hospital were associated with phone consultation preference.

Conclusion

Phone anaesthesia consultation seems to be effective and safe before ophthalmic surgery, regardless of patient's perioperative risk. In addition, phone consultation provides significant time and distance savings. Our results must be confirmed through a multicentric randomised study comparing phone and traditional consultation in ophthalmology as well as in other non-invasive surgical procedures in a high-risk patients population.
Indirect effects of health-related quality of life on suicidal ideation through psychological distress among cancer patients
Authors: Chukwuemeka Nkechi A , Yinka Akintunde Tosin , Uzoigwe Favour E , Okeke Marvellous , Tassang Andrew , Oloji Isangha Stanley
Published: January 2024

The interrelationships of suicidal ideation, psychological distress, and impaired health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in cancer patients are complex and multifaceted. Limited empirical evidence exists on the indirect effects of impaired HRQoL on suicidal ideation through psychological distress among cancer patients. To fill this research gap, 250 cancer patients were recruited through a cross-sectional hospital-based research design. Structural equation model (SEM) results indicated that impaired HRQoL is a predictor of psychological distress (β = 0.153; p < 0.05), and psychological distress positively predicts suicidal ideation (β = 0.647; p < 0.000). The study found no direct effects of impaired HRQoL on suicidal ideation (β = −0.05; p = 0.223). Indirect effects of HRQoL on suicidal ideation was confirmed, showing a full-mediation effect β = 0.099 (SE = 0.048, CI = [0.030, 0.189], p < 0.05) (i.e. the pathway impaired HRQoL predict suicidal ideation is through psychological distress). Cognitive-behavioral therapy and other emotional support programs should be considered for cancer patients to mitigate psychological vulnerabilities linking impaired HRQoL to suicidal ideation.
The standard of proof and crime prevention: A theoretical and empirical analysis
Authors: Malarino Ezequiel
Published: January 2024

Since fallibility is unavoidable, any criminal justice system must decide how the risk of error should be distributed. The traditional view holds that a false conviction is morally far worse than a false acquittal. Therefore, erroneous outcomes must be distributed asymmetrically to avoid, to the highest possible extent, convicting the innocent. This article casts doubts on this assumption. It postulates that the traditional view defends a markedly asymmetrical distribution of erroneous outcomes, because it neglects the preventive cost of acquitting the guilty. After a theoretical and empirical analysis, this article concludes that crime prevention must be considered when establishing the level of the standard of proof; and, when it is considered, pro tanto reasons emerge to adopt a weaker standard than that normally deemed appropriate in criminal cases. The article also examines three possible reasons why preventive arguments are not considered when establishing the criminal standard of proof. It concludes that ignoring the consequences of the standard of proof on crime cannot be justified by the distinction between statistical and individualised victims, or by that between distribution and concentration of harm, or ultimately by that between action and omission.
Reality offsets: Climate meets capitalism at the Olympic Games
Authors: Glasson Ben
Published: January 2024

In the era of undeniable climate crisis, investors too have become wary of corporate greenwashing. Far from heralding progress, this development appears to legitimise a collective greenwashing project better described as corporate environmentalism. Through this meta-greenwashing, corporations as a bloc are exploiting their communicative platforms to renarrate climate crisis into climate opportunity, positioning the corporation as an indispensable agent of overcoming the crisis. From one perspective, the entry of big capital into climate discourse promises to overcome the contradiction between endless growth and a finite planet. Yet, from another, it merely sustains the contradiction, fuelled by unjustified hope. This article critiques corporate environmentalism through the example of the Olympic Games. As the world’s largest media event that fuses half the population by technology while producing vast carbon emissions, the Games has in recent decades countered environmental critique through policies and discourses exemplary of corporate environmentalism. Analysing Olympic sustainability discourse shows how it sustains the double reality of climate crisis and capitalism by conjuring a seductive vision of a future of sustainability – a vision that floats free of present-day unsustainability in the same way net-zero targets rely on leaps of faith and undeveloped technologies. The examples analysed show how a new grammar of ‘future perfect sustainability’ offsets environmental concerns by rendering the present in light of a hoped-for future sustainability, just as it pushes sustainability ever farther away.
Static performance of precast concrete arches with carbon fiber reinforced polymer reinforcement
Authors: Zhao Xing , Zhou Jiannan , Kong Xinli , Chen Yishun , Wang Peng , Wu Jin
Published: January 2024

In this paper, static performances of a new precast concrete arch system with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforcement were investigated. Varied concrete strengths and segment types of precast concrete arches were tested. The results show that the increase of concrete strength can improve the bearing capacity of the precast arches with CFRP reinforcement. The ultimate bearing capacity of the precast arches segmented at the arch vault with CFRP reinforcement can reach or even exceed that of complete arches, while the precast arch segmented at the shoulder had lower ultimate load. A theoretical analysis method was proposed to predict the failure and bearing capacity of the precast concrete arches with CFRP reinforcement, which were found to be in close agreement with the experimental result.
Work it baby! A survey study to investigate the role of underaged children and privacy management strategies within parent influencer content
Authors: Beuckels Emma , Hudders Liselot , Vanwesenbeeck Ini , Van den Abeele Elisabeth
Published: January 2024

Nowadays, parents are increasingly drawn to establish a successful influencer status on social media. Being a parent influencer offers an alluring work environment, allowing them to combine devotion to their children and generating a considerable income. However, both scholars and policymakers raise significant concerns regarding the orchestrated and monetized nature of influencer sharenting, which involves sharing children’s personal information online. The present study, which surveyed 89 parent influencers from Belgium and The Netherlands, shows that children are omnipresent in their parents’ influencer content. The findings do not only uncover the underlying motivations driving influencer sharenting, but also reveal a low sharenting risk awareness. Building on parent influencers’ safe sharenting strategies, this study identifies three parent influencer types: reckless, safe, and authoritarian safe sharenters. This classification contributes to a better understanding of the heterogeneity of the parent influencer landscape and will foster the development of protective measures in favor of children’s wellbeing.
Complexities facing social work: Honor-based violence as lived reality and stereotype
Authors: Baianstovu Rúna í , Strid Sofia
Published: January 2024

It is widely accepted that honor-based violence is a lived reality and a serious problem. However, honor-based violence is also a contested academic and political field, characterized by a polarized debate about whether or not the violence comprises stereotyping images of immigrants. This article asks how honor-based violence can be understood in light of this polarization, and what consequences it may have for clients and social workers. It is based on interview data with 235 adults with either professional ( n = 199) or personal experiences ( n = 36) of honor-based violence in Sweden. The data has been thematically coded and analyzed using the concepts of culturalization and intersectionality.

Findings

Honor-based violence is simultaneously a lived reality and teeming with stereotypes that are constructed by culturalizing images of nation, gender, age, religion, and sexuality. These stereotypes constitute forms of violence themselves and decrease clients’ trust in society and its institutions. Hence, the stereotypes become obstacles to social workers’ capacity to support those exposed to violence. At a general level, the stereotypes contribute to retaining the exposed in violence. In contrast, intersectional approaches to understanding honor-based violence have the potential to capture clients’ self-perceived and complex formulations of the causes of, and the character of, their situation, and thus increase the possibilities for adequate support.

Applications

The article's findings can support social workers’ understanding of the complexity of honor-based violence and strengthen their possibilities and capacities to develop antiracist and nonviolent communicative practices and, thus, acknowledge clients’ varying experiences and individual needs.
Puppetry to educate social work practitioners: Telling the refugee story
Authors: Segal Uma A , Davenport Felia , Marshall Ramona , Romano Daniel “Digger”
Published: January 2024

The complexities of refugee resettlement are difficult to comprehend, and alternative approaches to education may enhance empathy. Puppetry's art form often engages broad audiences, allowing puppets to tell important stories. This project developed a research-based educational puppet show to increase understanding of refugees in the United States (US). Using a mixed-method approach, this exploratory study (1) interviewed eleven refugees from five origin countries; (2) analyzed the interviews for salient themes; (3) developed a “master” play based on emergent themes; (4) delivered the play through puppetry; and (5) empirically assessed the efficacy of puppetry in disseminating information about refugees.

Findings

Five overarching themes regarding refugee resettlement emerged from the interviews, namely, (1) economic concerns; (2) language barriers; (3) socio-cultural differences; (4) misperceptions; and (5) altered family dynamics. Almost all 107 respondents who completed a pre- and post-show survey evidenced having gained new knowledge about resettlement in the areas of (i) refugee status; (ii) the arrival process; (iii) economic realities; (iii) adaptation issues; and (iv) refugee perceptions of opportunities in the US.

Applications

The salient findings of the interviews were consistent with extant literature on refugee resettlement and the 40-min research-based puppet show confirmed that puppetry can be an alternative, or supplementary, training tool. Puppetry brings life to didactic presentations for social workers and other service providers through effective portrayals of difficulties faced by both refugee and host in the adaptation process. It also suggests that puppetry can sensitize and educate practitioners on issues that can be controversial.
A robust Kalman filter based on Gaussian-Exponential distribution for SINS/USBL integration navigation system
Authors: Li Yao , Zhang Liang
Published: January 2024

In order to meet the needs of high-precision navigation for underwater vehicles, a strapdown inertial navigation system (SINS)/ultra-short baseline (USBL) tightly coupled integrated strategy is proposed, which can avoid the errors generated in the calculation of absolute position and improve the positioning accuracy of the integrated navigation system compared with the loosely coupled strategy. In addition, due to the influence of environmental noise in the ocean, the measurement of USBL is accompanied by a large number of outliers, which leads to the decrease of the precision of the integrated navigation system based on traditional Kalman filter. Therefore, a robust filter based on Gaussian-Exponential distribution is presented for the SINS/USBL integrated navigation system in this paper. Finally, the feasibility and the superiority of the proposed algorithm is verified through simulation and field test in the Yangtze River.
Investigation on mechanical behaviour of underwater launching process of bidirectional pigging robot in the subsea oil pipeline using Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian method
Authors: Ma Qiang , Yang Zhenyuan , Yue Chunmei , Liu Shuhai
Published: January 2024

Underwater launchers are typically employed for the deployment of pigging robots in subsea pipelines for the purposes of cleaning and inspection. Throughout the launching process, challenges related to vibration, damage, and other issues must be addressed and resolved. In this study, the launching process of the pigging robot is numerically simulated using Abaqus 2020. Utilising the Coupled Eulerian-Lagrangian (CEL) method, the Fluid-Structure-Interaction (FSI) model of the launching process was constructed. And the variation of parameters such as velocity, friction force and tilt angle at different inlet flow rates were analysed. The findings indicate a positive correlation between the average velocity of the pigging robot and the inlet flow rate. The factors such as friction, tilt angle, and offset distance are related to the motion process of the pigging robot. Furthermore, during the pigging robot’s traversal through narrow pipe sections, the sealing discs undergo irregular deformation, generating a reaction force on the robot and inducing vibration. In conclusion, the analysis of the impact of inlet flow velocity on the motion behaviour of the pigging robot offers a theoretical foundation and reference for the successful launch of the robot.
Retrieval of a Greenfield Inferior Vena Cava Filter Indwelling for 29 Years
Authors: Patel Dipesh M , Di Capua John F , Rouhezamin Mohammad Reza , Uppot Raul N , Kalva Sanjeeva P
Published: January 2024

Inferior vena cava (IVC) filters are used to prevent fatal and nonfatal pulmonary embolism in patients who otherwise cannot receive anticoagulation for venous thrombosis. While generally safe and effective, complications can arise, especially after prolonged implantation. Timely retrieval is essential once the indication for insertion has resolved. However, encountering patients with long-standing embedded filters is not uncommon. This case report discusses the successful retrieval of a permanent Greenfield IVC filter after 29 years.
Design and analysis of a novel variable stiffness joints with robots
Authors: Wei Feng , Zhang Lixiang , Zhang Yeming , Li Shuping , Yao Ke , Li Cunjian
Published: January 2024

This paper presents the design of a symmetric variable stiffness joint that employs worm gear and sliding helical transmissions to adjust the effective length of the leaf springs. Firstly, the design concept and working principle of the variable stiffness joint are presented, along with two different assembly methods. Secondly, the stiffness equations and characteristics of the variable stiffness joint are then derived and analyzed. Next, the dynamics of the variable stiffness joint are modeled and simulated visually using Simulink. Finally, a prototype of the variable stiffness joint is constructed and its stiffness characteristics are experimentally verified. The experimental results demonstrate that both assembly methods are capable of adjusting the stiffness and position of the joint within a certain range. This study contributes to the understanding and development of symmetric variable stiffness joints by presenting a comprehensive design, analysis, simulation, and experimental evaluation. The proposed joint has potential applications in various fields that require adaptability, adjustability, and safety.
Magneto-Williamson nanofluid flow past a wedge with activation energy: Buongiorno model
Authors: Reddy M Vinodkumar , Ajithkumar M , Lone Showkat Ahmad , Ali Farhan , Lakshminarayana P , Saeed Anwar
Published: January 2024

The current investigation explores the effect of activation energy on the MHD radiative Williamson nanofluid flow across a wedge using heat generation and binary chemical reactivity. The flow model consists of partial differential equations (PDEs) by transforming them into ordinary differential equations (ODEs). Numerical computations have been carried out through the bvp4c MATLAB package. The most effective solutions for flow profiles have been displayed through graphs, while the numeric solutions for the drag friction, heat, and mass transport have been displayed via tables. Numerical findings demonstrate that the temperature field is accelerated by the increase in radiation parameter. In addition, it is intriguing to discover that the concentration boundary layer thickness improves as the activation energy increases. A fundamental study further reveals that the local skin friction coefficient is a rising function of thermal and concentration Grashof numbers. Moreover, it is concluded that the enhanced Brownian motion, thermophoresis, and Eckert number decline the heat transfer rate.
Vibration behaviors of cylindrical shell with bolted joint effects: An experimental study
Authors: Tang Qiansheng , Li Chaofeng , Wen Bangchun
Published: January 2024

The linear and nonlinear dynamics of a bolted cylindrical shell under a point excitation were experimentally investigated. The tests have been carried out through methods of the hammer test and sweeping frequency test. This paper aims to discover the effect of bolt joints on shell vibration, including the effects of bolt number, tightening torque, and excitation levels. The natural characteristics were analyzed by utilizing natural frequency and mode shapes. The nonlinear dynamic characteristics were analyzed through amplitude-frequency curves. The resonance frequency, resonance amplitude, and damping ratio under different tightening torques and excitation levels were investigated. Results show that: the number of bolts can not only change the value and order of the natural frequencies but also the shapes of the mode; The low tightening torque and larger excitation levels strongly lead to more complex nonlinear dynamics of shell structures.
Performance study of an isolated small scale Trombe wall with partially evacuated air gap
Authors: Ali Mahmud Hussain , Mawlood Mahmood Khalid , Jalal Rawand Ehsan
Published: January 2024

The Trombe wall is a passive solar heating system that aims to mitigate heating load. However, its efficiency is impeded by significant heat loss through the glazing. To address this issue, a novel technique has been developed that involves partial evacuation of the space between the storage wall and the glazing. This approach, which has already found successful application in double-paned windows and solar collectors, is examined in this study to evaluate its impact on the performance of an isolated Trombe wall. An effectiveness criterion based on the ability of a system to preserve its stored thermal energy is defined and used for assessing the performance of a vacuumed system relative to a non-vacuumed one. An experimental test cell, composed of a solid concrete wall serving as a thermal storage and a glazing separated from the wall by an air gap, facing south is constructed in Kirkuk, Iraq. The wall is insulated at all its sides except the side facing the glass. The gap has been sealed meticulously to maintain a vacuum. Due to unrepeatability of the testing conditions experimentally, a numerical method and a computer code is also developed for simulation of the system. Measurement results obtained from the test cell under normal atmospheric pressure and a gage pressure of −0.3 bar of the air gap are used to validate the numerical method. The code is then used to simulate the performance of the system under the same ambient conditions but at different vacuum pressures of the air gap. Results obtained from the numerical tests show that partial evacuation of the air gap can be an efficient way to enhance the performance of the Trombe wall and the absolute pressure of 0.1 bar results in the most significant increase in the effectiveness of the studied model.
Intelligent road segmentation and obstacle detection for autonomous railway vehicle
Authors: Li Dongtai , Zhang Jie
Published: January 2024

For autonomous railway vehicle with complex crisscrossed tracks, it is a huge challenge to intelligently detect the trespassers lying in the possible track regions where the train will move along. In order to solve the issue that the existing object detection algorithms detect all obstacles in traffic scene images, a novel strategy YOLOSEG is proposed for intelligent road segmentation and obstacle detection of railway trespasser. Unet is firstly trained to intelligently segment the railway track region where the train is likely to move on, and then the generated region mask is introduced into object detection network for recognizing obstacle within the mask area. The real video of the obstacle emerging in front of the train is difficult to record, therefore the traffic scenes taken from drivers’ perspectives are randomly combined with various obstacles to create the synthetic training dataset which covers various railway traffic scenarios and lighting conditions, and at the same time the label file is automatically generated. Furthermore, a random brightness strategy is proposed for dataset enhancement. By the performance evaluation comparison of FLOPs, Top-1 Accuracy, and mAP@0.5/%, abundant trespasser detection experiments based on synthetic dataset and real images verify the accuracy and effectiveness of the proposed method.
Non-psychologist practitioners’ views of cognitive assessment reports: An evaluation of a learning disability child and adolescent mental health service
Authors: Hinch Rebecca , Hill Freya , Laxton-Kane Martha
Published: January 2024

This report details a service evaluation for a learning disability child and adolescent mental health service. The project aimed to explore nonpsychologist healthcare professionals’ views of the accessibility and utility of cognitive assessment reports produced in the service. Semistructured interviews were conducted with eight healthcare professionals. Thematic analysis identified three themes: value of reports, readability, and acknowledging multiple audiences, each with supplementary subthemes. The following were recommended: shorter reports; simpler language; examples and recommendations pertinent and applicable to individual clients (supported by the case holder if the assessor is unfamiliar with the client); visual information to support written text; assessor to provide verbal feedback in addition to the written report; main report should contain information most pertinent to families and professionals: the clients’ level of functioning/abilities and recommended interventions, whilst the appendix should contain supplementary information such as scoring and performance on individual subtests.
The female jihadist narrative: a comparative analysis
Authors: Garcia García Maria Isabel
Published: January 2024

The research analyses the representation that different jihadist organizations make of women through their official propaganda. The aim is to analyse the construction of the feminine ideal designed by Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), ISIS and Jabhat Al-Nusra through their leading magazines and to identify if there are differences in their representation of women. A content analysis is carried out on the narrative in which females are portrayed by those organizations. The study is also supported by a quantitative analysis of three features, which provide data on prominence of women in jihadism: the number of times they are mentioned, the illustrations targeting females and the existence (or not) of a specific section for women in the magazines of these groups. The research shows that the portrayal of women as victims and weak individuals is recurrent but is not limited to this role. There are differences in the content and subject matter in the official discourse of the three groups, such as with regard to violence perpetrated by women. The strategic and political differences between AQAP, ISIS and Jabhat Al-Nusra affect the construction of female roles in their official propaganda.
The association between psoriasis, psoriasis severity, and inflammatory bowel disease: a population-based analysis
Authors: Shani Uria , Ben-Shabat Niv , Qassem Roula , Lahat Adi , Omar Mahmud , Savin Einat , Dotan Arad , Patt Yonatan Shneor , Fisher Lior , Zacay Galia , Amital Howard , Watad Abdulla , Sharif Kassem
Published: January 2024

Background:

The skin–gut axis, characterized by bidirectional communication between the skin and gut, plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of psoriasis and inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD).

Objectives:

We aimed to explore the association between psoriasis and IBD and identify predictors associated with IBD development among patients with psoriasis.

Design:

Retrospective cohort study.

Methods:

A retrospective study which utilized an electronic database from the Meuhedet Health Maintenance Organization (MHMO) in Israel. Psoriasis was categorized as severe if any systemic agent or phototherapy was administered. Univariate and multivariate logistic regressions were used to identify specific predictors for IBD, with adjustments made for potential confounders. The study received approval from the Ethical Committee of the MHMO.

Results:

In total, 61,003 adult patients who were diagnosed with psoriasis between 2000 and 2022 were included. Among them, 1495/61,003 patients (2.4%) were diagnosed with IBD, as compared to 3834/244,012 patients (1.6%) in the non-psoriasis group [adjusted odds ratio (OR): 1.47; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.37–1.56; p < 0.001]. Increased age (OR: 1.01; 95% CI: 1.01–1.02; p < 0.001), male gender (OR: 1.22; 95% CI: 1.03–1.45; p = 0.024), and Jewish ethnicity (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.2–4.1; p < 0.001) were identified as significant risk factors for IBD. Spondyloarthropathies, including psoriatic arthritis (OR: 2.27; 95% CI: 1.86–2.77; p < 0.001) and ankylosing spondylitis (OR: 2.82; 95% CI: 1.5–5.32; p < 0.05), were associated with a higher prevalence of IBD. Furthermore, severe psoriasis was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of IBD, compared to mild psoriasis (OR: 16.03; 95% CI: 11.02–23.34; p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

A significant association between psoriasis and IBD was demonstrated, including its subtypes: Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Moreover, such association may depend on psoriasis severity as determined by the treatment used. This association warrants further investigation and implies a potential need for closer monitoring of patients with severe psoriasis.
Prospective observational study to explore genes and proteins predicting efficacy and safety of brigatinib for ALK-gene rearranged non-small-cell lung cancer: study protocol for ABRAID study (WJOG11919L)
Authors: Ozawa Yuichi , Koh Yasuhiro , Hase Tetsunari , Chibana Kenji , Kaira Kyoichi , Okishio Kyoichi , Ichihara Eiki , Murakami Shuji , Shimokawa Mototsugu , Yamamoto Nobuyuki
Published: January 2024

Background:

ALK-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK-TKIs) are effective for treating non-small-cell lung cancer with ALK gene rearrangement; however, resistance is inevitable. Brigatinib is a unique ALK-TKI that is effective against many resistance mutations. However, data on factors associated with its efficacy and resistance mechanisms are limited.

Objectives:

This study will evaluate the efficacy and safety of brigatinib in the real world and explore factors related to its efficacy, safety, and resistance mechanisms.

Design:

Prospective observational study.

Ethics:

This study is approved by the Ethics Committee of Wakayama Medical University. Written informed consent will be obtained from all patients before study-related procedures.

Methods and analysis:

This study comprises three cohorts. Cohorts A, B, and 0 will enroll patients receiving alectinib as the first ALK-TKI, receiving alectinib as the first ALK-TKI and subsequently cytotoxic agents and/or lorlatinib after alectinib, and without a history of ALK-TKI, respectively. Overall, 100, 30, and 50 patients will be enrolled in Cohorts A, B, and 0, respectively. Circulating tumor DNA before starting brigatinib and at disease progression will be analyzed in all cohorts using a hypersensitive next-generation sequencing (NGS) PGDx Elio plasma resolve panel. Serum protein levels will be analyzed using the Milliplex xMAP assay system with a Luminex 200 (Luminex, Austin, USA). The enrollment period is 31 months and the patients will be observed for 2 years after enrollment. Archived tissues will be collected for NGS analysis, gene expression analysis, and immunohistochemistry staining 1 year after completion of registration. Quality of life and safety evaluation using electronic patient-reported outcomes will be investigated.

Discussion:

This study will elucidate predictors of ALK-TKI efficacy and resistance mechanisms and evaluate the efficacy and safety of brigatinib in a real-world setting. The results will provide crucial information for establishing treatment strategies, discovering novel biomarkers, and developing new therapeutic agents.

Trial registration:

UMIN000042439.
Sagicor’s digital transformation maturity journey
Authors: Golding Paul , McNamarah Sophia
Published: January 2024

This teaching case documents the digitization and data analytic maturity journey of a financial conglomerate of five distinct companies. Each with its own data needs, data priorities, data silos, governance requirements, and enterprise systems. The protagonist is charged with the task of aligning the companies to a single data strategy and fostering a data-driven culture. Progress is made as evidenced by the implementation of a rule-based engine system to address fraud, a data warehouse to improve business intelligence as well as improvement in the Gartner data analytic maturity level. Despite these technical successes the journey continues as the group seeks to address data quality and governance issues, increase data literacy, entrench a data-driven culture as well as move to the next Gartner data analytic maturity level.