bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Surface integrity investigation and multi-objective optimization in high-speed cutting of AISI 304 stainless steel for dry cutting and MQCL conditions
Authors: Wang Yinzhi , Zheng Chengli , Liu Niancong , Wu Long , Chen Yun
Published: November 2022

To realize green production in the manufacturing industry, it is important to reduce or even eliminate the discharge of cutting fluid. In this study, the impact tendency of the cutting parameters on the surface roughness of 304 steel was analyzed by establishing variance analysis models. The surface quality profile parameters and the main cutting force under minimum quantity cooling lubrication (MQCL) and dry cutting conditions were analyzed and compared. The characterization of the morphology of the machined surface was evaluated, and the wear mechanisms of the two machining methods were analyzed. A hybrid machining strategy was developed in which dry cutting is used at the beginning of cutting and dry cutting is replaced with MQCL before the quality of the machined surface deteriorates sharply. This strategy obtains the optimal parameter combination through a genetic algorithm. The most important factor affecting the surface roughness was the feed rate, whereas the change in cutting depth had no obvious effect on the surface roughness. In addition, the parameters of low cutting speed and feed rate were advantageous under dry cutting conditions. However, with increases in the feed rate and cutting speed, the peak and valley of the surface profile gradually increased, and the MQCL conditions were more conducive to obtaining a smoother surface. Furthermore, the MQCL and higher cutting speed could reduce the main cutting force. The surface roughness under hybrid cutting was 5.19% and 18.76% lower than that under MQCL and dry cutting, respectively.
Model based view planning for the robot-guided automation of optical 3D digitization based on a variable mesh resolution processing approach
Authors: Geiger Kilian , Sauerbier Christoph , Montavon Benjamin , Schmitt Robert H
Published: November 2022

The digital 3D representation of manufactured parts plays a crucial role in the quality assurance of small, individualized lot sizes. Machine vision systems, such as optical 3D scanners, guided by an industrial robotic arm, allow for a contactless full digital reconstruction of surface geometries. In order to digitize the whole geometry, it is necessary to acquire 3D scans from multiple viewpoints with respect to the part, which in combination cover the entire surface. With efficiency in mind, this results in an optimization problem between a high surface area coverage and low measurement effort, referred to as the view planning problem. In the presented work, two popular viewpoint candidate generation methods are implemented: Firstly, a surface-based random sampling method, which generates viewpoints within a solution space, in which visibility of a given model surface can be expected. Secondly, a view sphere viewpoint generation approach, which is independent of the object geometry but avoids clustering by generating evenly spaced viewpoints on a sphere around the centre of the object. Using an adjustable remeshing procedure, a multi-stage approach is implemented by generating multiple meshes with different resolutions. Through this, the benefits of working on a coarse mesh, such as fast viewpoint candidate evaluation and selection, are combined with the level of detail of a fine mesh. It is found that it is possible to considerably reduce the mesh resolution while maintaining a reasonably high surface area coverage on a reference model. Applying the proposed procedure to the view planning for a state-of-the-art 3D fringe light projection scanner with highly sophisticated scanning capabilities, it is demonstrated that the view sphere approach is more suitable for this use-case due to the large measurement volumes of the 3D scanner. The frequently used random sampling approach requires an excessively higher computational effort to achieve similar results in comparison.
Numerical-experimental study of die geometry in the constrained groove pressing of 6061 aluminum sheets
Authors: Eftekhari Shahri Seyyed Ehsan , Gholami Moein , Rakhshkhorshid Masoud
Published: November 2022

Nowadays, in line with the need of different industries to the materials with high strength to weight ratio, researchers have drawn attention to the processes of severe plastic deformation. The constrained groove pressing (CGP) is one of the most effective methods of severe plastic deformation to produce high-strength sheet metal using two dies with different shapes (grooved and flat). Despite the advantages of CGP in creating high accumulative plastic strain, this process leads to non-uniformity in mechanical properties of the sheet. This non-uniformity is one of the limitations of the CGP process which is considered in this study. Experimental and numerical studies were performed to investigate CGP process on 6061 aluminum alloy sheet up to two complete passes and the mechanical properties of the sheets were studied. Hardness testing was conducted on the worked material and the increase in the hardness of tested material in both longitudinal and thickness directions were observed. Also, it was shown that the non-uniformity in hardness distribution is correlated to the non-uniformity in the strain distribution. So, validated numerical model was used to develop the response surface method (RSM) and consequently to investigate the effect of geometric parameters in the grooved die on the strain uniformity. Finally, die geometry was optimized using the developed RSM model to produce a sample with more uniformity in strain and hardness distribution.
Metallurgical and mechanical properties evolution in cusp-magnetic field-assisted GTAW of low carbon steel
Authors: Durgaprasad Kelli , Pal Sukhomay , Das Manas
Published: November 2022

In this work, magnetic field-assisted autogenous gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW) of low carbon steel has been studied. The external magnetic field was generated by custom made rectangular shaped samarium cobalt permanent magnets which were arranged in a manner to generate a cusp-type magnetic field (CMF). The impact of CMF on the morphology and microstructural evaluation of the weld joints were examined prudently using optical microscope, Field-emission scanning electron microscope and X-Ray Diffraction technique. The experimental results exhibited that the CMF assisted GTAW produce joints with better mechanical and metallurgical properties compared to conventional GTAW. In CMF assisted welds, width of weld beads was reduced by an average of 4% and depth of penetration was increased by 13%. Temperature measurement on the work piece showed a significant amount of temperature decrease for the same amount of heat input under the influence of the CMF. An improvement in grain refinement was observed in the heat-affected zone (HAZ) adjacent to fusion boundary by 12% and HAZ adjacent to base metal by 15% compared to conventional GTAW, which in turn promoted a considerable increase in hardness. The tensile properties in CMF assisted welds were enhanced by 3% and 8%, respectively, for an increase of heat inputs from 0.34 to 0.45 kJ mm−1.
Evaluation of titanium nitride/titanium aluminum nitride thin film coating, plasma nitriding on AISI 304 stainless steel using the plasma-assisted physical vapor deposition process, and thermal stress investigated through finite-element analysis
Authors: Aslam Mohd , Chandan Guddakesh Kumar , Kanchan Brajesh Kumar
Published: November 2022

In the present paper, plasma-assisted physical vapor depositions (PAPVDs) have been used to extract the TiN and titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN). Further, plasma nitriding (PN) has been used prior to thin-film deposition of TiN on AISI 304 stainless steel material using intentional biasing (in the coating). PAPVD is integrated to investigate the thermal resistant effect coating of AISI 304 stainless steel by TiN coating using finite-element analysis. The morphology of elements on the coating was studied by field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. From XRD analysis, it has been observed that at the coated zone Ti, TiN was found on the AISI 3O4 stainless steel. The results in microhardness through the Vickers microhardness tester have been measured up to 350 Hv for the base sample at a 10 g load. Moreover, TiN/(PN + TiN) coated samples were measured with an average microhardness of 2220, 963, and 720 Hv for the nitride sample. In addition to this, the microhardness of TiAlN was found up to 1890 and 2400 Hv for different samples. The thickness of the film is around 1.4279 µm (TiN) and 1.888 µm (TiAlN) in 1 h of deposition.
Application of yaw dampers with frequency-selective damping to improve the locomotive adaptability to low/high conicity stability
Authors: Li Guang , Zhou Yan , Yao Yuan , Hu Xiaoyi , Wei Ling
Published: November 2022

High-speed locomotives are prone to the carbody or bogie hunting under extreme wheel-rail contact conditions, which can cause negative impacts on vehicle dynamics performance. The influence of key suspension parameters on the carbody lateral ride comfort and bogie lateral acceleration is investigated by the multi-objective optimization and Sobol global sensitivity analysis methods, which is based on the Radial Basis Function Neutral Network surrogate model. The results illustrate that the yaw damper damping is sensitive to the two hunting stabilities, but conventional yaw dampers with fixed damping fail to satisfy both the stability demands simultaneously. Therefore, this paper presents a damping-adjustable yaw damper integrating an FSD (frequency-selective damping) valve to guarantee the lateral stability especially in abnormal wheel-rail contact states, and the application effects of the FSD yaw damper for the locomotive are researched by dynamics simulations. The results show that the FSD yaw damper can improve the adaptability of the locomotive to both the low and high wheel-rail contact conicity service conditions compared with the conventional yaw dampers.
Revisiting Hofstede's dimensions of national culture and environmental sustainability
Authors: Huang Chi-Jui , Liu Heng-Yih , Lin Ting-Ling , Lai Jia-Yu
Published: November 2022

This study investigates the impact of Hofstede's dimensions of national culture on environmental sustainability across 57 countries. Hofstede's national culture construct reflects and gauges the extent of the inclination of a particular national person toward either economic development or environmental preservation. Climate change and pollution have continuously devastated the environment in recent decades. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals aim to achieve a more sustainable future and prevent further environmental destruction. This study aims to explore whether national culture significantly influences national environmental sustainability. We use national environmental performance as the proxy for national environmental sustainability and adopt the ordinary least squares regression model to explore the possible relationship with two datasets of international indices; one is proposed by Hofstede, and the other is proposed by Germanwatch. Our results show that the power distance index has a strong negative impact on the climate change performance index (CCPI), greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, renewable energy, and energy use. Further, the masculinity index is negatively related to CCPI and GHG emissions. The individual index is also negatively related to renewable energy. Furthermore, indulgence is positively associated with climate policy. These findings support the notion that nations should consider their cultural characteristics to improve environmental sustainability. Thus, conducting a national environmental policy that aligns with national culture is suggested to achieve environmental sustainability.
Imagination in perception and art
Authors: Essom-Stenz Anders , Roald Tone
Published: November 2022

The phenomenon of imagination plays an important though ambiguous role in philosophy and psychology. In this article, we describe its prereflective aspects, elucidating a form of imagination with defining consequences for our every experience. We lean on the epistemological framework developed by Maurice Merleau-Ponty in his book, Phenomenology of Perception (1945/2012), and argue that prereflective imagination can affect perceptual experiences in specific ways: it signifies an awareness of potential variations of our phenomenological field. This variability affects how we experience our perceptual field as meaningful. By discussing both perception of ordinary objects and experiences of art, we show how the latter involve prereflective imagination to a greater extent than ordinary perception. Our awareness of the difference between imaginary engagement in these experiences both enhances the theoretical clarity of the phenomenon of imagination and is a necessity if we wish to understand the psychological meanings arising from experiences of imagination.
Personal Antecedents of Entrepreneurial Intention: A Perceptual Study on Generation Z Girls
Authors: Adhikari Kingshuk , Ghosh Ankita
Published: November 2022

The participation of women in business is ever increasing, and there is a gradual increase of enterprises owned by women in India. Women entrepreneurship development is rising in different states of India, but the growth of women entrepreneurship is relatively low in the northeastern region. Entrepreneurship development is dependent upon entrepreneurial intention, which is again contingent upon personal antecedents. The study makes an attempt to analyse the perception of college-going female students over the personal antecedents influencing entrepreneurial intention. Fifteen components influencing entrepreneurial intention have been identified and grouped under five personal antecedents to prepare questionnaire and conduct online survey. Population includes female students of colleges of Silchar town of Assam, and the sample size is 88. Relevant descriptive and inferential statistics have been used. The most influential personal antecedent triggering entrepreneurial intention is ‘Need for achievement’, which is followed by ‘Self-confidence’, ‘Risk-bearing capacity’, ‘Creativity’ and ‘Adaptability’.

JEL Code: M13, D9, L26, L31, I23
The ad hoc judge: A rehabilitation
Authors: van der Sloot Bart
Published: November 2022

The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) is composed of one judge per country that has ratified the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). When a case is brought against a country, that country has the privilege to have ‘its’ judge take seat ex officio. When the elected judge is unable to sit ex officio, the country may propose an ad hoc judge. Ad hoc judges do not need to pass the normal test of scrutiny as to their competence and impartiality, allowing governments to propose pro-government candidates in politically sensitive cases. Consequently, academic literature, legal practice and even judges of the Court have voiced concerns over the neutrality and quality of ad hoc judges. Changes have been made to the Convention mechanism and further changes are called for to ensure the neutrality of ad hoc judges. By doing statistical analysis, this article suggests that the actual voting behaviour of ad hoc judges may not be so problematic as sometimes suggested. This may be relevant for a decision to introduce further changes to the Convention mechanism and the extent of those potential revisions.
Dynamics of rectangular laminated composite plates with selective layer-wise fillering rested on elastic foundation using higher-order layer-wise theory
Authors: Parida Sarada P , Jena Pankaj C , Dash Rati R
Published: November 2022

A laminated composite plate designed is supposed to be used under different end supports. The elastic foundation is one of such conditions. The strength of the laminated composite plates can be enhanced by altering constituents or by the addition of filler materials. For localized strengthening of laminated composite plates, such as at particular layers, it is not cost-effective to strengthen the whole structure. So, the laminated composite plates are strengthened at a particular layer by adding the fillering materials, for example, graphene or flyash. The addition of these filler materials in a particular region sometimes causes agglomeration. Agglomeration of filler materials causes adverse effects such as stress concentration or strain aging. In theoretical formulation, Eringen’s nonlocal principle is applied to account for the impact of agglomeration. In the current study, neat epoxy glass laminated composite plates as well as rectangle laminated composite plate variants with outer layer graphene, core layer graphene, functionally graded laminated composite plate, laminated composite plates exclusively rich in graphene, and laminated composite plates only rich in flyash are taken into consideration. Using a layer-wise model, the fifth-order shear deformation theory is applied. The laminated composite plates are assumed to rest on an elastic foundation. The consequence of elastic coefficient of foundation on procured parameters such as fundamental frequencies, stress parameters, center deflections, and buckling performance is determined. For this purpose, computerized programs are developed using MATLAB and validated first for isotropic material. Further, the work is extended to study these effects on the laminated composite plate variants.
Evaluation of Novel Urinary Biomarkers in Beagle Dogs With Amphotericin B-Induced Kidney Injury
Authors: Adedeji Adeyemi O. , Sonee Manisha , Chen Yafei , Lynch Karen , Peron Katrina , King Nicholas , McDuffie James E. , Vinken Petra
Published: November 2022

Next-generation urinary protein biomarkers have been qualified to enable monitoring for drug-induced kidney injury in toxicology studies conducted in rats. However, there is limited literature on the utility of these biomarkers in dogs. To add to the existing body of knowledge on the utility of the next-generation drug-induced kidney injury (DIKI) biomarkers, we evaluated the value of these biomarkers for the early detection of DIKI in Beagle dogs using a differentiated nephrotoxicant, Amphotericin B (AmpB). In dogs with AmpB-induced kidney injury, we monitored the response of urinary albumin, total protein, clusterin, kidney injury molecule 1, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin and N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase. We also measured blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and cystatin C. The results showed that urinary clusterin (up to ∼ 112x) was much more sensitive to AmpB-induced kidney injury relative to other biomarkers. Moreover, other than urinary clusterin and to a much lesser extent urinary albumin and total protein, none of the other biomarkers analyzed in this study were more sensitive than blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine. The AmpB related tubular alterations were characterized by minimal to mild, multifocal necrosis, degeneration, regeneration, dilatation and mineralization. The mild nature of these histopathologic findings further attested to the sensitivity of urinary clusterin to AmpB-induced kidney injury in dogs. These results will help drug developers make informed decisions when selecting urinary biomarkers for monitoring DIKI in dogs for toxicology studies.
A comparative analysis of anti-vax discourse on twitter before and after COVID-19 onset
Authors: Nasralah Tareq , Elnoshokaty Ahmed , El-Gayar Omar , Al-Ramahi Mohammad , Wahbeh Abdullah
Published: November 2022

This study aimed to identify and assess the prevalence of vaccine-hesitancy-related topics on Twitter in the periods before and after the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Using a search query, 272,780 tweets associated with anti-vaccine topics and posted between 1 January 2011, and 15 January 2021, were collected. The tweets were classified into a list of 11 topics and analyzed for trends during the periods before and after the onset of COVID-19. Since the beginning of COVID-19, the percentage of anti-vaccine tweets has increased for two topics, “government and politics” and “conspiracy theories,” and decreased for “developmental disabilities.” Compared to tweets regarding flu and measles, mumps, and rubella vaccines, those concerning COVID-19 vaccines showed larger percentages for the topics of conspiracy theories and alternative treatments, and a lower percentage for developmental disabilities. The results support existing anti-vaccine literature and the assertion that anti-vaccine sentiments are an important public-health issue.
Family members’ reasoning in relation to pleasant environments in nursing homes
Authors: Palmgren Marianne , Rosenberg Lena , Gaber Sophie Nadia , Johansson Karin
Published: November 2022

The physical environment plays an important role in how everyday life is shaped and experienced for persons living in nursing homes as well as for the residents’ family and friends. Still, there is a scarcity of research exploring the perspectives of family members of residents regarding everyday life in common areas in nursing homes. In this study, we chose the term, ‘a pleasant place’, with the ambition of remaining open to various ideas and aspects that family members perceive as relevant when reasoning about the nursing home environment. The study aimed to explore how family members of nursing home residents reason in relation to pleasant places in nursing homes. Four focus group sessions were conducted with a total of 14 family members. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis. The analysis resulted in four themes. ‘A door ajar’, highlighted the importance of a nursing home environment that provides potential opportunities for pleasurable everyday moments. ‘Why does it have to be so ugly?’, revealed how family members perceived institutional logics as guiding the design of the nursing homes, which were misaligned with the logics of a pleasant place. ‘A place to care for?’, emphasised the physical environment as an integrated aspect of care, in terms of being carefully arranged and used with sensitivity. Finally, ‘allegiance to the place’ showed that despite the family members’ recognitions of shortcomings in the nursing home physical environments, their allegiance to the place provided a sense of the nursing home as a pleasant place. The study contributes knowledge regarding the perceived value of the design of the physical environment in nursing homes, particularly in common areas, as an integral aspect of care, and moves beyond the ideas of homelike and non-institutional nursing home environments.
The Role of Preparedness for Caregiving on the Relationship Between Caregiver Distress and Potentially Harmful Behaviors
Authors: Hancock David W. , Czaja Sara , Schulz Richard
Published: November 2022

This work extends research suggesting a link between indicators of distress among informal caregivers (CG) (e.g., depression and burden), and potentially harmful behaviors (PHB), including feeling like yelling or screaming at the care recipient (CR). We tested three hypotheses regarding the role of a novel predictor, CG preparedness for caregiving, which were: 1) a direct effect between CG preparedness and PHB, 2) CG distress mediates the relationship between the direct effect of CG preparedness on PHB, and finally, 3) CG preparedness is only related to PHB through their shared associations with indicators of caregiver distress, an indirect effects model. Examining two indicators of PHB and CG depression and CG burden, results supported the indirect effects model. Higher CG preparedness was associated with lower CG distress, which in turn was associated with lower risk of PHB. These findings highlight the importance of CG preparedness as a target for caregiver intervention research.
Distal femoral extension osteotomy and patellar tendon advancement or shortening in ambulatory children with cerebral palsy: A modified Delphi consensus study and literature review
Authors: Rutz Erich , Novacheck Tom F , Dreher Thomas , Davids Jon R , McCarthy James , Kay Robert M , Shore Benjamin J , Shrader M Wade , Veerkamp Matthew , Chambers Hank , Narayanan Unni , Pierz Kristan , Rhodes Jason , Shilt Jeffrey , Theologis Tim , Van Campenhout Anja , Graham Kerr
Published: November 2022

Purpose:

In children with cerebral palsy, flexion deformities of the knee can be treated with a distal femoral extension osteotomy combined with either patellar tendon advancement or patellar tendon shortening. The purpose of this study was to establish a consensus through expert orthopedic opinion, using a modified Delphi process to describe the surgical indications for distal femoral extension osteotomy and patellar tendon advancement/patellar tendon shortening. A literature review was also conducted to summarize the recent literature on distal femoral extension osteotomy and patellar tendon shortening/patellar tendon advancement.

Method:

A group of 16 pediatric orthopedic surgeons, with more than 10 years of experience in the surgical management of children with cerebral palsy, was established. The group used a 5-level Likert-type scale to record agreement or disagreement with statements regarding distal femoral extension osteotomy and patellar tendon advancement/patellar tendon shortening. Consensus for the surgical indications for distal femoral extension osteotomy and patellar tendon advancement/patellar tendon shortening was achieved through a modified Delphi process. The literature review, summarized studies of clinical outcomes of distal femoral extension osteotomy/patellar tendon shortening/patellar tendon advancement, published between 2008 and 2022.

Results:

There was a high level of agreement with consensus for 31 out of 44 (70%) statements on distal femoral extension osteotomy. Agreement was lower for patellar tendon advancement/patellar tendon shortening with consensus reached for 8 of 21 (38%) of statements. The literature review included 25 studies which revealed variation in operative technique for distal femoral extension osteotomy, patellar tendon advancement, and patellar tendon shortening. Distal femoral extension osteotomy and patellar tendon advancement/patellar tendon shortening were generally effective in correcting knee flexion deformities and extensor lag, but there was marked variation in outcomes and complication rates.

Conclusion:

The results from this study will provide guidelines for surgeons who care for children with cerebral palsy and point to unresolved questions for further research.

Level of evidence:

level V.
Adjusting Therapy Profiles When Switching to Ultra-Rapid Lispro in an Advanced Hybrid Closed-Loop System: An in Silico Study
Authors: Colmegna Patricio , Diaz C. Jenny L. , Garcia-Tirado Jose , DeBoer Mark D. , Breton Marc D.
Published: November 2022

Background:

It has been shown that insulin acceleration by itself might not be sufficient to see clear improvements in glycemic metrics, and insulin therapy may need to be adjusted to fully leverage the extra safety margin provided by faster pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles. The objective of this work is to explore how to perform such adjustments on a commercially available automated insulin delivery (AID) system.

Methods:

Ultra-rapid lispro (URLi) is modeled within the UVA/Padova simulation platform using data from previously published clamp studies. The Control-IQ AID algorithm is selected as it leverages carbohydrate-to-insulin ratio (CR in g/U), correction factor (CF in mg/dL/U), and basal rate (BR in U/h) daily profiles that are fully customizable. An experiment roadmap is proposed to understand how to safely modify these profiles when switching from lispro to URLi.

Results:

Simulations show that a 7% decrease in CR (approximately an 8% increase in prandial insulin) and a 7.5% increase in BR lead to cumulative improvements in glucose control with URLi. Comparing with baseline metrics using lispro, a clinically significant increase in time in the range of 70 to 180 mg/dL (overall: 70.2%-75.2%, P < .001; 6 am-12 am: 62.4%-68.5%, P < .001) and a reduction in time below 70 mg/dL (overall: 1.8%-1.2%, P < .001; 6 am-12 am: 1.8%-1.3%, P < .001) were observed.

Conclusion:

Properly adjusting therapy parameters allows to fully leverage glucose control benefits provided by faster insulin analogues, opening opportunities to take another step forward into a next generation of more effective AID solutions.
Heading perception from optic flow is affected by heading distribution
Authors: Sun Qi , Yan Ruifang , Wang Jingyi , Li Xinyu
Published: November 2022

Recent studies have revealed a central tendency in the perception of physical features. That is, the perceived feature was biased toward the mean of recently experienced features (i.e., previous feature distribution). However, no study explored whether the central tendency was in heading perception or not. In this study, we conducted three experiments to answer this question. The results showed that the perceived heading was not biased toward the mean of the previous heading distribution, suggesting that the central tendency was not in heading perception. However, the perceived headings were overall biased toward the left side, where headings rarely appeared in the right-heavied distribution (Experiment 3), suggesting that heading perception from optic flow was affected by previously seen headings. It indicated that the participants learned the heading distributions and used them to adjust their heading perception. Our study revealed that heading perception from optic flow was not purely perceptual and that postperceptual stages (e.g., attention and working memory) might be involved in the heading perception from optic flow.
HRQoL and nutritional well-being dissimilarities between two different online collection methods: Value for digital health implementation
Authors: Higuera-Gomez Andrea , Ribot-Rodriguez Rosa , San-Cristobal Rodrigo , Martín-Hernández Roberto , Mico Victor , Espinosa-Salinas Isabel , Ramirez de Molina Ana , Martinez J Alfredo
Published: November 2022

Background

Online health data collection has gained a reputation over the last years to record and process information about health issues for implementing digital health.

Objective

The research aim was to appraise two online methods (open and rewarded) to collect information about HRQoL and nutritional well-being and to compare the results between both surveyed populations.

Methods

This cross-sectional study is framed on the NUTRiMDEA project. Online data through two different web-based methods (open survey and rewarded survey) were retrieved to assemble data related to sociodemographic, lifestyle (diet, physical activity and sleep patterns) and general health aspects, as well as HRQoL by an evidence-based form such as the SF-12 questionnaire, the IPAQ survey, and MEDAS-14, participants were adults (>18 years old).

Results

Overall, 17,332 participants responded to the open survey (OS, n = 11,883) or the rewarded survey (RS, n = 5449). About 65.1% of the participants were female, while the mean age was in the range of 40–70 years. There were significant differences ( p < 0.05) between surveyed populations in sociodemographic, lifestyle (diet and physical activity), health and HRQoL data.

Conclusions

This investigation implemented an evidence-based online questionnaire that collected demographic, lifestyle factors, phenotypic and health-related aspects as well as compared differential outcomes in HRQoL and nutritional/lifestyle well-being depending on the online mode data collection. Findings demonstrated dissimilarities in most aspects of health, HRQoL, dietary intake and physical activity records between both populations. Overall, OS sample was characterized as a healthier population with superior lifestyle habits than RS participants.
Institutional development of legislative supporting agencies (LSAs) from a perspective of difference between presidential and parliamentary systems
Authors: Makita Jun
Published: November 2022

This article focuses on legislative supporting agencies (LSAs) as agencies supporting the activities of legislature and elucidates the relation between LSAs’ institutional development and other political factors, paying attention to the difference between the presidential system and the parliamentary system. The concrete factors that would influence LSAs’ development, i.e. ‘presidential system or parliamentary system’, ‘whether a government has a right to initiate a bill’ and ‘whether a person can concurrently have positions in both the executive and the legislative branches’, are presented, and as a result of statistical analyses, it is clarified that these factors have an impact on the development level of LSAs to some extent.
Examination of the Factor Structure of Psychopathology in a Mozambican Sample
Authors: Giusto Ali , Romer Adrienne , Lovero Kathryn , dos Santos Palmira Fortunado , Greene Claire , Gouveia Lidia , Suleman Antonio , Feliciano Paulino , Oquendo Maria A. , Mootz Jennifer , Wainberg Milton L.
Published: November 2022

Factor-analytic studies are needed in global samples to advance understanding of psychopathology. Here, we examined the structure of psychopathology and a general psychopathology (p) factor using data from a cross-sectional study of 971 adults (63% women) from Maputo City, Mozambique. We used confirmatory factor analyses of symptoms from 15 psychiatric disorders to test common models of the structure of psychopathology. Models that included Internalizing, Substance Use, and Thought Disorder factors as well as a general p factor fit the data well. Measurement invariance testing revealed that factor loadings on p differed by gender. Higher levels of p, Internalizing, and Thought Disorder factors were associated with greater suicide risk, psychiatric comorbidity, chronic medical illnesses, and poorer functioning. A general p factor and Internalizing, Substance Use Disorder, and Thought Disorder factors were identifiable in this Mozambican sample. Understanding psychopathology dimensions is a step toward building more scalable mental health service approaches globally.
Book review: Niraja Gopal Jayal, Citizenship Imperilled: India’s Fragile Democracy
Authors: Chakrabarti Ahana
Published: November 2022

Niraja Gopal Jayal, Citizenship Imperilled: India’s Fragile Democracy. India: Permanent Black. 2021. 260 pages. ₹795. ISBN: 9788178246451.
Types of Retears After Knot-tying and Knotless Suture Bridge Rotator Cuff Repair: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Prasathaporn Niti , Thamrongskulsiri Napatpong , Itthipanichpong Thun , Limskul Danaithep
Published: November 2022

Background:

In conventional double-row repair for rotator cuff tears, tying the medial row of anchor sutures can strangulate the tendon. The knotless medial row technique has been recommended to improve vascularity and reduce retear rates. The researchers divided the retear pattern into 2 categories: type 1 (failure at the tendon-bone interface) and type 2 (failure at the musculotendinous junction with healed footprint).

Purpose:

To compare studies on knot-tying versus knotless double-row repair for rotator cuff tears according to retear type and clinical and radiological outcomes.

Study Design:

Systematic review; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A search of the PubMed, Embase, Scopus, and Cochrane databases was performed following the 2020 Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Included were studies that directly compared the knot-tying and knotless double-row techniques and provided postoperative patient-reported outcomes and retear rates. The Methodology Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS) criteria were used for methodological quality assessment of the included studies. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated for dichotomous outcomes, and mean differences (MDs) were calculated for continuous outcomes.

Results:

Included were 12 studies (n = 1411 shoulders); 1 study had level 1 evidence, 3 studies had level 2 evidence, and 8 studies had level 3 evidence. The MINORS score ranged from 15 to 19, indicating that the methodology was fair to good. There was no statistically significant difference in retear rate between techniques (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.67-1.47; P = .96); however, more type 1 retears were seen in the knotless technique (OR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.23-0.77; P = .005), and more type 2 retears were seen in the knot-tying technique (OR, 3.15; 95% CI, 1.70-5.83; P = .0003). Higher postoperative Constant scores were seen in the knot-tying technique (MD, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.03-2.53; P = .04); however, there were no significant differences between techniques regarding other postoperative outcomes.

Conclusion:

There was no significant difference in overall retear rates between the knotless and knot-tying techniques, and both techniques demonstrated similar clinical outcomes. However, type 2 retear rates were significantly greater after knot-tying repair, and type 1 retear rates were significantly greater after knotless repair.
What do Family Planning Staff Prioritize for Patient Experience Improvements? Findings From a Training Initiative in New York State
Authors: Quimby Katherine , Hungate Caitlin , Milner Becky , Richmond Chanel , Kawatu Jennifer
Published: November 2022

It is especially important for providers of sexual and reproductive healthcare services to deliver positive patient experiences, given the personal, preference-driven, and sensitive nature of these services. We facilitated a patient experience training initiative with 8 teams representing family planning agencies in New York State. Teams participated in onsite assessment activities, 4 individualized coaching calls, and 5 group virtual sessions. Teams reported regularly on their progress and changes made. Seven teams (88%) improved clinic flow and 4 teams (50%) increased access to appointments. Five teams (63%) each addressed staff satisfaction and internal communication, and 2 teams (25%) improved their first impressions with patients. Four teams (50%) enhanced the physical environment and 3 teams (38%) improved their website and virtual presence. When engaged in a process to collect data, identify opportunities for improvement, implement changes, and reflect on the progress of those changes—both individually and with peer agencies—all 8 teams successfully implemented system-level changes.
Identifying relevant volunteered geographic information about adverse weather events in Trondheim using the CitizenSensing participatory system
Authors: Opach Tomasz , Navarra Carlo , Rød Jan Ketil , Neset Tina-Simone , Wilk Julie , Cruz Sara Santos , Joling Almar
Published: November 2022

The study set out to investigate how the experience of creating a map-based participatory system might help identify what is needed to support the production of relevant volunteered geographic information (VGI) about urban areas exposed to impacts of adverse weather events in Trondheim, Norway. This article details the systematic approach used to collect VGI, starting from the active engagement of end users during the design and development process of the CitizenSensing participatory system, through using the system in two VGI campaigns, up to the examination of the collected data. Although the VGI examination identified exposed areas in Trondheim, for instance, those that are likely to accumulate surface water from heavy rains or meltwater, the experience gained from the use of the CitizenSensing system helped to identify some critical points regarding the production of relevant VGI. Potential practical implications justify the need for VGI. For instance, in the case of Trondheim, relevant VGI may result in better planned municipal interventions regarding city infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers, increased public awareness and access to local knowledge about areas exposed to inundation. The study also confirmed the need for adequate system components for VGI vetting and exploration in the post-collection stage to obtain a comprehensive insight into collected VGI.
Factors Associated with Nonunion and Infection Following Ankle Arthrodesis using a Large Claims Database
Authors: Wong Liam H. , Chrea Bopha , Meeker James E. , Yoo Jung , Atwater Lara C.
Published: November 2022

Category:

Ankle; Ankle Arthritis

Introduction/Purpose:

Complications such as nonunion and infection following ankle arthrodesis can lead to increased patient morbidity and financial burden from repeat operations. Improved knowledge on complication likelihood and associated risk factors can improve patient selection and inform post-ankle arthrodesis surveillance protocols.

Methods:

This is a large retrospective, database study with structured query of a national insurance claims database (PearlDiver Technologies) for patients treated with ankle arthrodesis from 2015 through 2019 as identified by ICD-10 codes. Patients with any operation one year prior to or following ankle arthrodesis were excluded from analysis to prevent attributing complications to another operation. Likelihoods of nonunion and infection within one-year and three-years following ankle arthrodesis were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier estimations. Patient characteristics associated with the identified complications following ankle arthrodesis were analyzed using multivariable logistic regression analyses; data included age at time of operation, sex, obesity, smoking record, diabetes, and the Elixhauser Comorbidity Index score.

Results:

Our query yielded 2,463 patients in the five-year period who underwent ankle arthrodesis. Nonunion occurred in 11% (95% CI, 10-12) of patients within one-year of ankle arthrodesis and 16% (95% CI, 14-17) of patients within three-years. Infection occurred in 3.9% (95% CI, 3.1-4.7) of patients within one-year of ankle arthrodesis and in 6.2% (95% CI, 5.1-7.2) of patients within three-years. Obese patients increased odds of nonunion on multivariable analysis (OR 1.6 [95% CI, 1.3-2.0]; P<0.001). On multivariable analysis, diabetes (OR 1.7 [95% CI, 1.2-2.6]; P=0.010) and each one-unit increase in Elixhauser Comorbidity Index scores (OR 1.1 [95% CI, 1.1-1.2]; P<0.001) contributed to increased odds of infection after ankle arthrodesis.

Conclusion:

Nonunion and infection are common complications following ankle arthrodesis with a three-year probability of 16% and 6%, respectively. Over one-quarter of patients with nonunion post-ankle arthrodesis experience a delay in diagnosis past one- year. The risk of post-ankle arthrodesis nonunion is highest in patients with obesity; the risk of infection is highest in patients with diabetes or an elevated Elixhauser Comorbidity Index score. Although diabetes and its associated 'poor biology' is often viewed as the culprit in an obese diabetic who fails to heal, our research suggests that we should pay more attention to the mechanical and biologic consequences of obesity.
Relationship Between Talofibular Impingement and Increased Talar Tilt in Incongruent Varus Ankle Osteoarthritis
Authors: Yoon Youngsik , Kyung Min Gyu , Cho Yun Jae , Lee Dong-Oh , Lee Dong Yeon , Park HyeSun
Published: November 2022

Category:

Ankle; Ankle Arthritis

Introduction/Purpose:

Recently, talofibular bony impingement has been postulated to be a source of ankle pain. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between talofibular impingement and increased talar tilt in incongruent varus ankle OA patients using bilateral weightbearing CT.

Methods:

Incongruent varus ankle osteoarthritis was defined as a talar tilt of more than 4° on standard ankle anteroposterior radiographs. We retrospectively reviewed 30 patients with unilateral incongruent varus ankle osteoarthritis with normal alignment of the contralateral ankle. All patients underwent bilateral weightbearing computed tomography and standing plain radiographs. The talar tilt and the distance between the talar lateral process and lateral malleolar tip were measured from a standing ankle anteroposterior radiograph of both sides. Talar and fibular spurs were assessed on the coronal and axial views of weightbearing computed tomography. After simulating the correction of the talar tilt in varus ankle osteoarthritis, talofibular bony impingement was reassessed.

Results:

On the varus side, the distance between the talar lateral process and the lateral malleolar tip was significantly shorter than that on the contralateral side (p < .001). Talar spur was present in the varus side of all 30 patients on the axial view of weightbearing computed tomography and in the control side of 10 patients. After the simulation of talar tilt correction, talofibular impingement (overlap) occurred in all 30 patients with a larger extent in the severe talar tilt subgroup (p < .001).

Conclusion:

Talofibular impingement by lateral gutter osteophytes is closely related to increased talar tilt in patients with incongruent varus ankle osteoarthritis. Therefore, lateral gutter osteophytes should be resected to stabilize mortise and improve clinical outcomes.
Accessory Soleus: Posterior Ankle Pain in Two Adolescent Athletes
Authors: Zhang Hui , Cammack Paul M.
Published: November 2022

Category:

Sports

Introduction/Purpose:

Accessory soleus muscles are a rare cause of posterior ankle pain and swelling in adolescent athletes. The increased accessibility of MRI imaging has been a helpful aid its proper diagnosis and treatment. Different surgical treatment also exists including partial fasciotomy as well as surgical excision. This case report offers 2 cases of adolescent athletes with this finding causing pain and swelling in the posterior ankle limiting rigorous athletic activities that were treated with surgical excision of the accessory soleus.

Methods:

Two patients were evaluated in clinic for posterior ankle pain during participation in rigorous athletic activities. The first patient was a 13-year-old girl with posterior ankle pain and swelling while playing softball that limited her ability to pitch more than one inning. The second patient was a 17-year-old boy with posterior ankle pain and swelling that limited his ability to perform at peak performance during basketball games. Both patients had MRI evaluation of the ankles after months of no improvement with nonoperative treatment. MRI demonstrated accessory soleus muscles that was attributed to be the cause of their symptoms. After unsatisfactory symptom relief with nonoperative treatment measures, the two patients underwent surgical excision of the accessory soleus muscle.

Results:

Both patients underwent surgical excision of the accessory soleus muscle through a posteromedial approach. The accessory soleus muscle was found just anterior and medial to the Achilles tendon. The muscle was detached from its insertion into the calcaneus distally and traced back proximally. The muscle was then truncated proximally approximately 5-6 cm proximal to its insertion on the calcaneus. Both patients began weight bearing to tolerance in a walking boot immediately postoperatively. Both patients experienced resolution of their symptoms after surgical excision.

Conclusion:

Accessory soleus muscles are rare anomalous muscles of the posterior ankle that can cause pain and swelling with activity. Increased accessibility of MRI imaging has led to its diagnosis and treatment. Surgical excision is a reasonable surgical treatment option when nonoperative treatment fails to alleviate symptoms.