bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preparation, characterization, and in vitro biological evaluation of salicylic acid‐modified polyphenylene sulfide/quartz fiber/hydroxyapatite composite with high mechanical property for bone replacement
Authors: Cai Shijie , Yan Dawei , Chen Xiaolu , Yang Hulin , Chen Chaobi , Li Xiaodan , Yan Yonggang , Ren Haohao
Published: November 2023

The surface inertness of pure polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) limits its application in orthopedic implant materials. On that basis, modified PPS containing hydroxyl and carboxyl groups, that is, SAPPS was synthesized by nucleophilic substitution of dihalide monomers and sodium sulfide under high pressure. And consequently, a kind of ternary composite consisting of polyphenylene sulfide salicylate/quartz fiber/hydroxyapatite (SAPPS/QF/HA) was developed. The structure, composition, cross section morphology, degradation behavior, mechanical property, and biological property of all the composites were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analyzer, scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrometer, and in vitro cytocompatibility tests. The composites exhibited good thermal property, which achieved a high melting point (277.8°C) and decomposition temperature (493.9–502.7°C at 5% weight loss). When the mass fraction of 20 wt% QF and 20 wt% HA was added in the pure SAPPS, the bending yield strength and bending modulus of the composite (SAPPS/20QF/20HA) were 177.4 MPa and 8.03 GPa, respectively, which increased by 61.6% and 158.2% compared with that of the pure SAPPS. Observing the considerable proliferation and adhesion of mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (mBMSCs) in the experiment, we demonstrated that the SAPPS and its composites were non‐toxic, and the SAPPS/QF/20HA composites had the most prominent effect in promoting the proliferation and adhesion of mBMSCs.

Highlights

Salicylic acid‐modified polyphenylene sulfide was studied as a biomaterial.

The composite material has mechanics matching with human cortical bone.

Cell experiments showed that all materials were nontoxic.
„Nicht gemacht zu gemeinsamer Arbeit“
Authors: Loos Andreas
Published: November 2023

Noch heute erinnern gewisse Symbole In der Tensor‐Rechnung an den Eigenbrötler.
Nietzsches postmoderne Physik
Authors: Mecke Klaus
Published: November 2023

Der Philologe Friedrich Nietzsche entwarf eine Theorie von Raum und Zeit, um seinen heute so schädlich interpretierten „Perspektivismus“ und „Willen zur Macht“ zu begründen.
An Analysis of Direct and Indirect Costs in Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Authors: Howard-James Claudine , Tobin Anne-Marie
Published: November 2023

Background

Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with recurrent nodules and abscesses that culminate in purulent discharge and scarring. It has significant physical, psychological and financial impact.

Objectives

This study plans to analyse patient costs associated with HS. Direct costs include prescription items. Indirect or out-of-pocket costs include dressings, analgesia, and healthcare-related travel costs. This study will also assess disease impact on quality-of-life (QOL).

Methods

Patients with HS diagnosis attending dermatology OPD at our public tertiary centre were invited to participate. Ethical approval was secured, and informed consent was obtained. Participants completed an anonymous survey which was analysed to identify costs associated with HS as well as demographics and QOL impact.

Results

A total of 25 patients completed the survey; median age was 29% and 80% were female. Median time from HS onset to diagnosis was 2 years, with 24% waiting >10 years to be diagnosed. In the past 3 months, 20% spent >€200 in both categories; prescription and non-prescription items. In the non-prescription category, 36% of patients reported expenditure >€100 in the past 3 months. Dressings were the most common out-of-pocket expense (in 15/25 patients), followed by analgesia and protective clothing. Attendance at medical appointments cost 24% of patients €50–€200. Four participants reported difficulty accessing HS treatments due to associated costs. Mean number of absence days from work/education as result of HS was 8.7 in the past 3 months. Two patients reported being on disability allowance, and two on unemployment benefit as result of their skin disorder. In the QOL question; 96% reported disease impact on QOL, and 11 participants reported that it affected their life ‘very much’.

Conclusions

HS is a chronic inflammatory skin condition with significant financial burden alongside the well-analysed biopsychosocial disease impact. Financial burden can be divided into direct prescription costs and indirect costs such as non-prescription items, protective clothing and travel costs which we have explored in this study. Further research is needed in this area to identify and optimise both the financial and QOL implications of HS in acute flares and chronic disease management.
Kühlräume aus Sandwichelementen
Authors: Naujoks Bernd , Ardelmann Niklas
Published: November 2023

Kühlräume sind innenliegende bauliche Anlagen, die für die Lagerung von Lebensmitteln unverzichtbar sind. Für die Verteilzentren der Lebensmitteleinzelhändler wachsen die Anforderungen an große Flächen, sodass bereits Kühlräume in Stahlleichtbauweise mit Abmessungen von L × B × H = 50 m × 20 m × 16 m realisiert wurden, für die eine entsprechende Tragwerksplanung benötigt wird. Für den Bau dieser Kühlräume werden wegen ihrer hervorragenden Dämmeigenschaften überwiegend Sandwichelemente verwendet. Die räumliche Aussteifung kann direkt über die Decken‐ und Wandscheiben als Schubfelder erfolgen, wenn entsprechende konstruktive Regeln beachtet werden. Sofern die Wandelemente zur Abtragung der Deckenlasten auf die zusätzliche Normalkraftbeanspruchung nach Theorie II. Ordnung nachgewiesen werden, können Kühlräume aus Sandwichelementen ohne jegliche Unterkonstruktion hergestellt werden. Der Entwurf der neuen Norm prEN 1993‐7 „Bemessung und Konstruktion von Stahlbauten – Sandwichelemente“ enthält ein entsprechendes Bemessungsverfahren. Bauphysikalisch und statisch bewährte Detailausbildungen sowie Berechnungsbeispiele für Schubfelder und Druckstützen aus Sandwichelementen werden nachfolgend erläutert.
Experimentelle Untersuchungen an Verbindungen im Leichtbau als Basis für die Erdbebenbemessung
Authors: Wallner Anna , Ummenhofer Thomas
Published: November 2023

Trapezprofile oder Sandwichelemente werden häufig als Gebäudehülle für Industrie‐ und Gewerbebauten verwendet. Das geringe Eigengewicht der Gebäudehülle in Metallleichtbauweise bietet im Erdbebenfall einen deutlichen Vorteil gegenüber anderen Bauweisen. Die duktilen Eigenschaften können gegenwärtig allerdings beim Erdbebennachweis nicht genutzt werden, da entsprechende Untersuchungen und Regelungen hinsichtlich der dynamischen Eigenschaften der Metallleichtbauelemente und deren Verbindungen fehlen. Es soll ermittelt werden, inwiefern die Dach‐ und Wandelemente, die zunächst nur eine raumabschließende Funktion haben, eine aussteifende Funktion als Schubfeld übernehmen und dadurch die Primärtragstruktur und die Aussteifungselemente entlasten. Dies ist vom Steifigkeitsverhältnis der genannten Bauteile abhängig. Um ein geeignetes Bemessungsverfahren für den Erdbebenfall zu entwickeln, werden aktuell im Rahmen eines Forschungsvorhabens der FOSTA Untersuchungen an Leichtbauverbindungen durchgeführt. Zunächst wird anhand statischer Versuche die Steifigkeit der Verbindungen ermittelt. Zur Erfassung der Eigenschaften unter Erdbebenbeanspruchung werden zyklische Versuche mit zunehmender Verformung durchgeführt. Auf Basis der Versuchsergebnisse sollen geeignete Ingenieurmodelle erarbeitet werden, die eine Aktivierung der Metallleichtbauelemente zur Energiedissipation bei Erdbebenbeanspruchung ermöglichen.
Standardized Schoeller diagrams—A Matlab plotting tool
Authors: Schäffer Rafael , Dietz Alexander
Published: November 2023

A complete water analysis typically contains at least 65 chemical and physical parameters. This variety of parameters complicates temporal or spatial comparisons of different water samples. Hence, special hydrogeological diagrams, such as the Schoeller diagram, were developed to facilitate the evaluation and interpretation of analytical results of multiple samples. In conventional Schoeller diagrams, the concentrations of calcium, magnesium, sodium, chloride, sulfate, and bicarbonate/carbonate are plotted as points on logarithmic scales. Points of one analysis are connected to form characteristic signatures of each sample. Occasionally, resulting parallel signatures indicate a similar water genesis. Here, we present standardized Schoeller diagrams and introduce a practical Matlab tool for this purpose. Standardization means that the different logarithmic axes are shifted towards each other so that the signature of a selected sample becomes a horizontal line. This procedure greatly facilitates comparisons of water samples to the chosen standard and increases the informative value of the diagrams. However, manual implementations of standardizations are arduous and time-consuming, as a single calculation of the relocation of each axis is necessary. In addition, the calculations must be repeated if another sample is chosen as the standard. We developed a Matlab tool that allows the fast generation of standardized Schoeller diagrams with many options and implements user-specific preferences with just one command. Probably the most useful feature is that users can choose which parameters are displayed, opening up new areas of application for Schoeller diagrams.
Forecasting cryptocurrencies returns: Do macroeconomic and financial variables improve tail expectation predictions?
Authors: Lawuobahsumo Kokulo K. , Algieri Bernardina , Leccadito Arturo
Published: November 2023

This study aims to jointly predict conditional quantiles and tail expectations for the returns of the most popular cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Dogecoin and Litecoin) using financial and macroeconomic indicators as explanatory variables. We adopt a Monotone Composite Quantile Regression Neural Network (MCQRNN) model to make one- and five-steps-ahead predictions of Value-at-Risk (VaR) and Expected Shortfall (ES) based on a rolling window and compare the performance of our model against the Historical simulation and the standard ARMA(1,1)-GARCH(1,1) model used as benchmarks. The superior set of models is then chosen by backtesting VaR and ES using a Model Confidence Set procedure. Our results show that the MCQRNN performs better than both benchmark models for jointly predicting VaR and ES when considering daily data. Models with the implied volatility index, treasury yield spread and inflation expectations sharpen the extreme return predictions. The results are consistent for the two risk measures at the 1% and 5% level both, in the case of a long and short position and for all cryptocurrencies.
Characterizing a collaboration by its communication structure
Authors: Wüthrich Adrian
Published: November 2023

I present first results of my analysis of a collection of about 24,000 email messages from internal mailing lists of the ATLAS collaboration, at CERN, the particle physics laboratory, during the years 2010–2013. I represent the communication on these mailing lists as a network in which the members of the collaboration are connected if they reply to each other’s messages. Such a network allows me to characterize the collaboration from a bird’s eye view of its communication structure in epistemically relevant terms. I propose to interpret established measures such as the density of the network as indicators for the degree of “collaborativeness” of the collaboration and the presence of “communities” as a sign of cognitive division of labor. Similar methods have been used in philosophical and historical studies of collective knowledge generation but mostly at the level of information exchange, cooperation and competitionbetweenindividual researchers or small groups. The present article aims to take initial steps towards a transfer of these methods and bring them to bear on the processes of collaborationinsidea “collective author.”
Fuelling phytoremediation: gasoline degradation by green wall systems—a case study
Authors: Matheson Stephen , Fleck Robert , Lockwood Thomas , Gill Raissa L , Irga Peter J , Torpy Fraser R
Published: November 2023

The capacity for indoor plants including green wall systems to remove specific volatile organic compounds (VOCs) is well documented in the literature; however under realistic settings, indoor occupants are exposed to a complex mixture of harmful compounds sourced from various emission sources. Gasoline vapour is one of the key sources of these emissions, with several studies demonstrating that indoor occupants in areas surrounding gasoline stations or with residentially attached garages are exposed to far higher concentrations of harmful VOCs. Here we assess the potential of a commercial small passive green wall system, commercially named the ‘LivePicture Go’ from Ambius P/L, Australia, to drawdown VOCs that comprise gasoline vapour, including total VOC (TVOC) removal and specific removal of individual speciated VOCs over time. An 8-h TVOC removal efficiency of 42.45% was achieved, along with the complete removal of eicosane, 1,2,3-trimethyl-benzene, and hexadecane. Further, the green wall also effectively reduced concentrations of a range of harmful benzene derivatives and other VOCs. These results demonstrate the potential of botanical systems to simultaneously remove a wide variety of VOCs, although future research is needed to improve upon and ensure efficiency of these systems over time and within practical applications.
TREM2 Deficiency Aggravates NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Pyroptosis in MPTP-Induced Parkinson’s Disease Mice and LPS-Induced BV2 Cells
Authors: Huang Peiting , Zhang Zhanyu , Zhang Piao , Feng Jiezhu , Xie Jianwei , Zheng Yinjuan , Liang Xiaomei , Zhu Baoyu , Chen Zhenzhen , Feng Shujun , Wang Lijuan , Lu Jiahong , Liu Yawei , Zhang Yuhu
Published: November 2023

Microglia-mediated neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2) confers strong neuroprotective effects in PD by regulating the phenotype of microglia. Recent studies suggest that TREM2 regulates high glucose-induced microglial inflammation through the NLRP3 signaling pathway. This study aimed to investigate the effect of TREM2 on NLRP3 inflammasome activation and neuroinflammation in PD. Mice were injected with AAV-TREM2-shRNA into both sides of the substantia nigra using a stereotactic injection method, followed by intraperitoneal injection of MPTP to establish chronic PD mouse model. Behavioral assessments including the pole test and rotarod test were conducted to evaluate the effects of TREM2 deficiency on MPTP-induced motor dysfunction. Immunohistochemistry of TREM2 and tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence Iba1, Western blot of NLRP3 inflammasome and its downstream inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18, and the key pyroptosis factors GSDMD and GSDMD-N were performed to explore the effect of TREM2 on NLRP3 inflammasome and neuroinflammation. In an in vitro experiment, lentivirus was used to interfere with the expression of TREM2 in BV2 microglia, and then lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and adenopterin nucleoside triphosphate (ATP) were used to stimulate inflammation to construct a cellular inflammation model. The expression differences of NLRP3 inflammasome and its components were detected by qPCR and Western blot. In vivo, TREM2 knockdown aggravated the loss of dopaminergic neuron and the decline of motor function. After TREM2 knockdown, the number of activated microglia was significantly increased, and the expression of cleaved caspase-1, NLRP3 inflammasome, IL-1β, GSDMD, and GSDMD-N was increased. In vitro, TREM2 knockdown aggravated the inflammatory response of BV2 cells stimulated by LPS and promoted the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome through the NF-κB pathway. In addition, TREM2 knockdown also promoted the expression of TLR4/MyD88, an upstream factor of the NF-κB pathway. Our vivo and vitro data showed that TREM2 knockdown promoted NLRP3 inflammasome activation and downstream inflammatory response, promoted pyroptosis, and aggravated dopaminergic neuron loss. TREM2 acts as an anti-inflammatory in PD through the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway, which extends previous findings and supports the notion that TREM2 ameliorates neuroinflammation in PD.
How Can Digital Storytelling Open Up Spaces for Activist Citizenship Where Young Children Create Stories of Hope and Resilience Across the World?
Authors: Macleroy Vicky , Chung Yu-chiao
Published: November 2023

This article examines how 8-year-old children in a primary school in England develop new understandings of hardship and survival through the process of digital storytelling. The research presented here is part of a larger global literacy ‘Critical Connections Multilingual Digital Storytelling Project’ (2012-ongoing) working across 15 countries (Algeria, Australia, Cyprus, Egypt, England, Germany, India, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Palestine, Switzerland, Taiwan, Turkey, U.S.A.) in over 36 languages. We build on critical literacy research which argues that in creating texts, such as digital stories, with an ethic of social justice, children have to navigate tensions existing within cultures, languages, and communities. In our research, we look at what happens when children create their own collaborative digital story, interrogating these tensions surrounding ideas and realities of social justice, and decide how to represent their lives and the lives of others. We analyze the filmmaking process and how a class of 8-year-old children create a digital story, A Reflection on Water, for the project. As part of the process of creating their digital story, these children walk around their school playground carrying heavy buckets of water, raise money for Water Aid, create a website, and want children across the world to get clean water. These young children become part of a wider digital storytelling community at a global film festival, and we examine their reflections on the digital story, From my Window- De ma Fenêtre, created by older 10-year-old children in their school. A Ukrainian child joined this class during the project and their digital story shifted to incorporate their collective response to the Ukrainian crisis. In conclusion, we return to the Critical Connections Pedagogical Model and demonstrate collaborative filmmaking can open up spaces for activist citizenship with young children, and stories of hope and resilience.
Fabricating modified carbon of oak fruit for adsorption of fluoride and nitrate from aqueous media: isotherm and kinetic models
Authors: Ramezani Ali , Lorestani Bahareh , Sobhanardakani Soheil , Cheraghi Mehrdad , Nourmoradi Heshmatollah
Published: November 2023

Fluoride and nitrate are one of the developed compounds that can enter water resources in different ways. The present research examines the effectiveness of activated carbon made from oak fruit to remove fluoride and nitrate from water, and then the as-synthesized adsorbent is functionalized using ammonium chloride species. The results showed that activated carbon-containing NH4Cl had the highest adsorption capacity for fluoride and nitrate pollutant. The maximum absorbing capacity is 26.00 mg/g for fluoride and 26.53 mg/g for nitrate. The results of the reaction kinetics and adsorption isotherms showed that the pseudo-second-order kinetics and Freundlich isotherm fit the data from this study better than other experimental models. Eventually, recycling the adsorbent for seven cycles to adsorb the pollutant showed no remarkable activity loss. Until now, most absorption methods have been performed to remove the pollutant concentration of 30 mg/l. In the current study, with the input pollutant concentration of 50 mg/l, it can be mentioned that the activated carbon modified from the oak fruit is a cheap, efficient, and effective adsorbent. It is considered available to remove fluoride from aqueous solutions.
Assessment of groundwater quality in terms of water quality index (WQI) and fluoride contamination of Nuapada District, Odisha, India
Authors: Swain Pratap Kumar , Biswal Trinath
Published: November 2023

The physico-chemical parameters and WQI of ground water in all five blocks of district Nuapada are calculated by taking ten samples from each block in the month of October 2019. The correlation study between different physicochemical parameters shows significant negative relationships. The WQI of ground water on Boden block is 472.1, Kharial is 366.7, Sinapali block is 319.82, Komana block is 344.1, and Nuapada block is 225.65. Hence the ground water of all these blocks is E-class and not fit for human use. Among all these blocks, the Boden block is highly polluted. The mean value of fluoride in the Boden block is 6.17 mg/l, the Kharial block is 4.79 mg/l, the Sinapali block is 3.93 mg/l, the Komana block is 4.47 mg/l, and the Nuapada block is 2.86 mg/l. Hence, the present study reveals that the groundwater quality of different regions of the district Nuapada is heavily polluted and not suitable for drinking.
Inhibition of the glutamate-cysteine ligase catalytic subunit with buthionine sulfoximine enhances the cytotoxic effect of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in Burkitt lymphoma cells
Authors: Kazimierska Marta , Leśniewska Aleksandra , Bakker Anja , Diepstra Arjan , Kasprzyk Marta Elżbieta , Podralska Marta , Rassek Karolina , Kluiver Joost , van den Berg Anke , Rozwadowska Natalia , Dzikiewicz-Krawczyk Agnieszka
Published: November 2023

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a highly aggressive lymphoma that mainly affects children and young adults. Chemotherapy is effective in young BL patients but the outcome in adults is less satisfactory. Therefore, there is a need to enhance the cytotoxic effect of drugs used in BL treatment. Glutathione (GSH) is an important antioxidant involved in processes such as regulation of oxidative stress and drug detoxification. Elevated GSH levels have been observed in many cancers and were associated with chemoresistance. We previously identified GCLC, encoding an enzyme involved in GSH biosynthesis, as an essential gene in BL. We now confirm that knockout of GCLC decreases viability of BL cells and that the GCLC protein is overexpressed in BL tissues. Moreover, we demonstrate that buthionine sulfoximine (BSO), a known inhibitor of GCLC, decreases growth of BL cells but does not affect control B cells. Furthermore, we show for the first time that BSO enhances the cytotoxicity of compounds commonly used in BL treatment, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide. Given the fact that BSO itself was not toxic to control cells and well-tolerated in clinical trials, combination of chemotherapy with BSO may allow reduction of the doses of cytotoxic drugs required to obtain effective responses in BL patients.
The probable role of tissue plasminogen activator/neuroserpin axis in Alzheimer’s disease: a new perspective
Authors: Ali Naif H. , Al-kuraishy Hayder M. , Al-Gareeb Ali I. , Alnaaim Saud A. , Alexiou Athanasios , Papadakis Marios , Saad Hebatallah M. , Batiha Gaber El-Saber
Published: November 2023

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia associated with amyloid beta (Aβ) deposition. Dysfunction of the neuronal clearance pathway promotes the accumulation of Aβ. The plasminogen-activating system (PAS) is controlled by various enzymes like tissue plasminogen activators (tPA). Neuronal tPA enhances the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, which cleaves Aβ; this function is controlled by many inhibitors of PAS, including a plasminogen-activating inhibitor (PAI-1) and neuroserpin. Therefore, the objective of the present narrative review was to explore the potential role of tPA/neuroserpin in the pathogenesis of AD. PAI-1 activity is increased in AD, which is involved in accumulating Aβ. Progressive increase of Aβ level during AD neuropathology is correlated with the over-production of PAI-1 with subsequent reduction of plasmin and tPA activities. Reducing plasmin and tPA activities promote Aβ by reducing Aβ clearance. Neuroserpin plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of AD as it regulates the expression and accumulation of Aβ. Higher expression of neuroserpin inhibits the neuroprotective tPA and the generation of plasmin with subsequent reduction in the clearance of Aβ. These observations raise conflicting evidence on whether neuroserpin is neuroprotective or involved in AD progression. Thus, neuroserpin over-expression with subsequent reduction of tPA may propagate AD neuropathology.

Graphical abstract
Familiale Bildungsorientierungen von First Generation Studierenden
Authors: Hermes Michael , Petzold-Rudolph Kathrin , Lotze Miriam
Published: November 2023

Vor dem Hintergrund anhaltender Chancenungleichheiten in der Teilhabe an hochschulischer Bildung werden im Rahmen einer Forschungskooperation familiale Bildungsorientierungen von Studierenden des Lehramtes für berufsbildende Schulen sowie im Studiengang Soziale Arbeit untersucht, die mit nicht-traditionellen Bildungsbiographien und -hintergründen in die akademische Bildung einmünden. Fokussiert werden individuelle (familien-)biographische Verlaufsmuster, verstanden als Wechselspiel zwischen den Polen der Entfremdung sowie der ‚Bewährung‘ des Habitus im neuen Feld Hochschule. Auf gesamtgesellschaftlicher Ebene rücken entsprechende Mechanismen, die wir als ‚Aufstiegsmobilität‘ fassen, in den forschenden Blick. Gefragt wird nach der innerfamilialen Bearbeitung von Relationen, Überlagerungen und Diskrepanzen zwischen dem familialen und hochschulischen Erfahrungsraum, woraus sich eine Verortung innerhalb qualitativ-rekonstruktiver Sozialforschung ergibt. Die narrativ fundierten, biografischen Einzelinterviews mit First Generation Studierenden und ihren Eltern werden auf Grundlage der Dokumentarischen Methode vertiefend analysiert und interpretiert.

Im Beitrag werden zentrale Projektbefunde vorgestellt. Die Ergebnisse verweisen auf einen Zusammenhang zwischen familialer Sozialisation sowie Prägung und dessen bildungsbiographische Integrationsprozesse. Auch wird deutlich, dass grundlegende Orientierungen zu Bildung, Lernen und Persönlichkeitsentwicklung Bildungsentscheidungen und entsprechende (berufs-)biografische Handlungen prägen und diese vor dem Hintergrund der sozial-familialen Einbindung begründungspflichtig werden. Zugleich wird die zentrale Bedeutung der biographischen Passage zwischen schulisch-beruflichem Abschluss und dem Übergang in das Feld akademischer Bildung erkennbar.
Influence of welding thermal cycles on properties of TMCP and Q&T steels evaluated by thermo-physical simulation
Authors: Neumann Martin , Hälsig André , Hensel Jonas
Published: November 2023

The welding process represents an unintentional, but unavoidable, heat treatment in the form of soft annealing or tempering, but also hardening during the cooling of the melt. Particularly in the case of high-strength fine-grained structural steels, this leads to critical states of the mechanical-technological properties of the base material. In order to investigate the influence of the heat input during welding on the resulting properties of the heat-affected areas, a thermo-physical simulation was carried out on a quenching and forming dilatometer Bähr DIL 805 A/D, considering low-alloyed quenched and tempered (Q&T) and low-alloyed thermo-mechanically controlled processed steels (TMCP) with yield strengths in the range of 500 to 960 MPa (S500MC, S700MC, S770QL, and S960QL). For this purpose, time–temperature cycles based on gas metal arc welding (GMAW) were simulated with different maximum temperatures (1200 °C; 1000 °C; 800 °C), representing the typical microstructural regions of the heat-affected zones (HAZ), and cooling times t8/5 (5 s; 12 s; 20 s; 25 s) on miniature tensile specimens. To evaluate the property changes of the characteristic HAZ, tensile tests, hardness measurements, and microstructural investigations were analyzed. The investigations illustrate the significant influence of heat input during the welding process on the resulting mechanical-technological properties and microstructure for both kinds of steel. It was demonstrated that all the steels investigated tend to soften with increasing cooling times. The investigated Q&T steels have a lower risk of falling below the strength of the untreated base material than the investigated TMCP fine-grained structural steels. The considerably pronounced softening also resulted in the minimum strength values not being achieved for certain cooling time ranges.
Design control and actuator selection of a lower body assistive exoskeleton with 3-D passive compliant supports
Authors: Masud Nauman , Rafique Sajid , Smith Christian , Isaksson Magnus
Published: November 2023

Physical human–robotic interaction is a crucial area of concern for robotic exoskeletons. Lower weight requirement for the worn exoskeletons limits the number and size of joint actuators, resulting in a low active degree of freedom for the exoskeletons with joint actuators having limited power and bandwidth. This limitation invariably results in reduced physical human–robotic interaction performance for the exoskeleton. Recently several techniques have been proposed for the low active degree of freedom exoskeletons with improved physical human–robotic interaction performance using better load torque compensators and improved active compliance. However, effective practical implementation of these techniques requires special hardware and software design considerations. A detailed design of a new lower body exoskeleton is proposed in this paper that can apply these recently developed techniques to practically improve the physical human–robotic interaction performance of the worn exoskeletons. The design presented includes the exoskeleton's structural design, new joint assemblies and the design of novel 3-D passive, compliant supports. A methodology of selecting and verifying the joint actuators and estimating the desired assistive forces at the contact supports based on human user joint torque requirements and the degree of assistance is also thoroughly presented. A new CAN-based master–slave control architecture that supports the implementation of recent techniques for improved physical human–robotic interaction is also fully presented. A new control strategy capable of imparting simultaneous impedance-based force tracking control of the exoskeleton in task space using DOB-based-DLTC at joint space is also thoroughly presented. Simulation verification of the proposed strategy based on the actual gait data of elderly is presented lastly.
Factors Associated with Self-reported COVID-19 Infection and Hospitalization among Patients Seeking Care at a Comprehensive Cancer Center
Authors: Amorrortu Rossybelle P. , Zhao Yayi , Keenan Robert J. , Gilbert Scott M. , Rollison Dana E.
Published: November 2023

Background

COVID-19 infection severity differs by race and ethnicity, but its long-term effect on cancer-related outcomes is unknown. Therefore, information on COVID-19 history is critical to ascertain among new cancer patients in order to advance research on its impact on cancer outcomes and potentially related health disparities.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 16,025 new patients seeking care at Moffitt Cancer Center (MCC) between 2021 and 2022. Patient self-reported histories of COVID-19 infection and other pre-existing health conditions were obtained from electronic questionnaires administered to all new MCC patients. Associations between demographics and COVID-19 infection and hospitalization were examined.

Results

A total of 1,971 patients (12.3%) reported ever having COVID-19. Self-reported COVID-19 history was significantly more prevalent in Hispanic vs. non-Hispanic patients (OR = 1.24, 1.05–1.45) and less prevalent in Asian versus White patients (OR = 0.49, 95% 0.33–0.70). Among patients who ever had COVID-19, 10.6% reported a COVID-19-related hospitalization. Males had higher odds of a COVID-19 related hospitalization than females (OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.09–2.05), as did Black/African American patients (OR = 2.11, 95% CI = 1.18–3.60) and patients of races other than Black/African American and Asian (OR = 2.61, 95% CI = 1.43–4.54) compared to White patients. Hispanic patients also experienced higher odds of hospitalization (OR = 2.06, 95% CI-1.29- 3.23) compared with non-Hispanic patients of all races in a sensitivity analysis that combined race/ethnicity. Pre-existing lung and breathing problems were associated with higher odds of being hospitalized with COVID-19 (OR = 2.38, 95% CI = 1.61–3.48), but these and other health conditions did not explain the observed associations between race and COVID-19 hospitalization.

Conclusions

Higher rates of COVID-19 hospitalization were observed among patients identifying as Black/African American or Hispanic independent of pre-existing health conditions. Future studies evaluating long-term effects of COVID-19 should carefully examine potential racial/ethnic disparities in cancer outcomes.
An Integrated General Theory of Psychopathology and Suicide
Authors: Soper C. A.
Published: November 2023

This article presents biological meta-theory that is intended to serve as a shared key to progress in psychiatry and suicidology. It argues that diverse forms of psychopathology, widely believed to cause suicide, may instead manifest the organism’s last-ditch efforts to avoid that lethal outcome. The analysis elaborates on the pain-brain theory, which views suicide as a costly by-product of human sapience, with the cost managed by serial lines of evolved anti-suicide defenses. The last of these, emergency interventions that function to block the enacting of suicidal ideas, are hypothesized to display in an array of psychiatric phenomena, including mood disorders, substance and behavioral addictions, and psychoses.

The etiology of psychiatric syndromes is explained in three parts. First, psychopathology associates with suicidal ideation because the two outcomes share a causal root: the individual’s experience of chronic psychological pain (psychache), subject to a threshold of intellectual maturation. An evolved system utilizes these inputs to evaluate the risk of suicide and to release commensurately severe countermeasures, which manifest non-specifically as psychopathology. Second, the configuration of symptoms is determined by other aspects of individual differences: reflecting contextual needs, individualized blends of motivational and/or cognitive modifications seek to make lethal escape unnecessary and/or impracticable. Third, psychiatric syndromes can be understood as often-observed, heterogeneous clusters of anti-suicide symptoms, combined with psychache and side effects.

The model integrates ultimate and proximate explanation, aligns with the epidemiological record, and yields testable predictions. It offers foundations for advancing research, policy, and clinical practice in suicide prevention and mental health.
Teaming mit Robotern – Prinzipien nachhaltig menschengerechter Arbeitsgestaltung
Authors: Tausch Alina , Kluge Annette
Published: November 2023

Der Einsatz zunehmend autonomer und kollaborativer agierender sozialer Roboter oder Cobots kann und sollte als Chance für die menschengerechte Gestaltung von mit Technologien angereicherten Arbeitsplätzen verstanden werden. Dazu gilt es, den Einsatz menschzentriert zu gestalten und unter anderem drei wesentliche Voraussetzungen sicherzustellen: (1) die Gestaltung der Arbeit von Menschen mit Robotern im Sinne einer Teamarbeit, (2) eine dynamische Zuteilung von Aufgaben und (3) die Anpassbarkeit von Robotern durch Beschäftigte. Zu diesen Aspekten präsentieren wir jeweils drei Handlungsempfehlungen, die in einem Anwender‑/innenschema so aufbereitet werden, dass sie bei der Gestaltung von Mensch-Roboter-Arbeitsplätzen mit einfachen Entscheidungsschritten berücksichtig werden können. Dadurch sollen Arbeitsgestalter‑/innen, Betriebsrät‑/innen und Interessensvertreter‑/innen befähigt werden, für nachhaltig menschen-gerechte Arbeitsbedingungen zu sorgen.
Genetic diversity and population structure of Mastacembelus armatus in the river systems of southern China revealed by microsatellites
Authors: Lin Tingting , Yang Jinlin , Yu Zhide , Feng Yuwei , Qin WeiJian , Lu Baoyue , Cui Mingxiang , Han Chong , Shu Hu
Published: November 2023

The Zig-zag eel (Mastacembelus armatus) is an economically important species in southern China. Its natural resources have declined year by year due to overfishing. Understanding its genetic diversity and population structure is very important for resource conservations. Here, we first successfully developed 28 polymorphic microsatellite markers for zig-zag eels and ten of them were used to examine the genetic diversity and differentiation of 7 populations collected from the major river systems of south China. In total, 224 alleles were found with the 10 microsatellite loci in 7 populations, ranging from 4.6 (Nandujiang: NDJ) to 11.1 (Xijiang, XJ), with an average of 8.871 alleles. The average observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.550 (NDJ) to 0.964 (Yuangjiang, YJ) and from 0.537 (NDJ) to 0.775 (Tanjiang, TJ), respectively. The average polymorphism-information content ranged from 0.472 (NDJ) to 0.757 (TJ). Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium test results revealed the loci showed differing deviation in different populations. In total, low level of genetic diversity was only found in HJ (Hanjiang) and NDJ populations. Besides, evidence of recent bottleneck was found in the HJ populations. Analysis of molecular variation showed that the percent variation within individuals (75.00%) was higher than that among populations (25%). In addition, population structure and the pairwise FST revealed that there was low differentiation among XJ, TJ and YJ populations. These data provide important genetic resources for understanding the population differentiation and facilitating genetic conservation and utilization of this species.
The Development of User Requirements as a Framework for the Design and Evaluation of a Fit-for-Purpose Missing Person Locator System for Underground Mines
Authors: Ngwenyama Philani Larrance , Webber-Youngman Ronald C.W.
Published: November 2023

Entrapments are a huge risk in underground mines. This happens when miners (or any other persons who have entered underground) survive the initial event of an accident, become trapped or lost in unknown and life-threatening locations after evacuation, and remain unaccounted for. At this point, every second counts, and emergency response is highly desired for any chances of saving survivors. The survival chances of the missing persons depend on how quickly they can be located. Rescue teams are often deployed to search for the missing persons underground. However, the rescue teams are forced to search in random and presumed areas of the mine. This is due to the unavailability of information pertaining to the whereabouts of the missing persons. Not only the provision of accurate locations, but various other types of information such as post-accident two-way communication can enhance the survival chances of the missing persons. This information can be provided by a fit-for-purpose missing person locator system. A wide variety of missing person locator systems are already commercially available, some are in testing phases and others in prototype and development phases. This includes tracking, tracing, location detectors and post-accident two-way communication systems. These systems have unique functionalities, capabilities and limitations; making it difficult for mines to select the most effective, applicable and suitable system specific to their mine. In this study, the user requirements for a fit-for-purpose missing person locator system were developed. The purpose of the user requirements was to provide a guideline to facilitate the system selection process. The user requirements can also be used as a tool to measure and evaluate the performance of the selected missing person locator system. The user requirements were also used to predict the success of the selected system under different missing person incident scenarios. The development of the user requirements showed a potential for many other benefits for missing person locator systems.
The Impact of Humic Acid and Moringa Treatments on Enhancing Arsenic Tolerance in Broccoli Plants: Modulation of Sulphur Components and Enzymatic Antioxidant Defense
Authors: Radi Abeer A. , Abdel-Wahab Dalia A. , Hamada Afaf M. , Farghaly Fatma A.
Published: November 2023

Compared with the lowlands of Asia, the ecological exposure to arsenic (As) in Egypt has not received much attention. Recent studies have discovered geogenic As-polluted soil and groundwater in numerous areas in Egypt. The behavior of metals can be affected by the complexation of humic acid (HA), a significant soil organic component, and moringa leaf extract (MLE), a superb source of phytohormones, amino acids, minerals, and antioxidants. This research investigated whether soaking broccoli in HA (0.1%) or MLE (25%) may boost the vegetable’s tolerance to various doses of As (0, 0.75, 1.50, and 3.0 mM Na2HAsO4. 7H2O; AsV). The results of this research demonstrated that HA and MLE enhanced the tolerance index (TI) of shoots, roots, and thiol compounds in leaves (cysteine (Cys), glutathione (GSH), and non-protein thiols (NPTs)) of As-treated plants. The content of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and proline in leaves and roots, phenolic compounds (free and bound), and activity of lipoxygenase (LOX), catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POD) in leaves under As stress were substantially increased while they were decreased by HA and MLE treatments. These results provide insight into the regulation of As pollution by HA and MLE, which is relatively safer and more adaptable to the environment. Further research in this field is necessary to declare that HA and MLE are the most efficient treatments for As stress.
The role of microfinance service in the sustainable development goals of women's empowerment: a glimpse from Amhara Credit and Savings Institution (ACSI)
Authors: Wondimu Habtamu , Terefe Dagnachew , Melkamu Girum
Published: November 2023

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are major concerns under Goal 5 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030. Therefore, microfinance institutions in developing nations have been working on these issues by providing loans to married women and others in need. As a result, this paper focuses on one such microfinance institution in Ethiopia, called ACSI (Amhara Credit and Saving Institution), and its role in fostering economic independence for married women and their involvement in various public social schemes. The study utilized a qualitative approach, collecting data through in-depth interviews (26), focus group discussions (1), and life histories from ACSI experts (4) and key informants from Women's and Children's Affairs (6). Specifically, the study focused on married women in Basona Werana Woreda and examined the impact of ACSI's credit services on their social conditions. The empirical findings of the study reveal that the social condition of married women clients has improved due to the credit services provided by ACSI. Women's social empowerment indicators have shown positive changes after utilizing the credit services. However, the study also identified challenges faced by the institution, such as a lack of adequate transportation means and a shortage of personnel to reach remote residents and fulfill their mission of improving the situation of vulnerable low-income and productive poor resident women. Additionally, cultural attitudes pose significant challenges to the social empowerment of women. The empirical implementation of this study provides insights into the achievements and hurdles that need to be addressed in enhancing economic security for married women through microfinance initiatives.
Sorghum stover and winery solid wastes co-digestion: application of iron oxide nanoparticles for biogas yield optimisation
Authors: Ossinga Carrelle G. , Okudoh Vincent I. , Chowdhury Mahabubur R.
Published: November 2023

One approach to addressing energy security issues is to produce renewable and sustainable bioenergy using abundant waste resources through anaerobic co-digestion (AcoD). However, the lignocellulosic nature of these biomass resources makes them recalcitrant, and pretreatment is required to make them more amenable to conversion. Iron oxide nanoparticles (ION) have been shown to increase methane yield significantly when added to biomass resources. This study aimed to investigate the effect of ION application on Sorghum stover (SS) and Winery solid waste (WSW) under mesophilic conditions. Hydrothermal synthesis was used to obtain Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Biomethane potential (BMP) tests were carried out in semi-continuous batch reactors with and without ION singly and combined SS: WSW (1:1) during a 30-day retention period. The results showed that the ION application on WSW delivered a higher biogas yield (380 mL), indicating an increase of 162% in biogas production compared to the sample without ION (145 mL). In addition, CH4 generation went from 30 to 114 mLCH4, indicating a 280% increase. However, adding ION to SS inhibited CH4 production. The study found that ION addition significantly improved biogas yield, especially with WSW, where the increase was more than triple, of interest to bioenergy and waste management practitioners.

Graphic Abstract
Interaction Models
Authors: Clark William Roberts , Golder Matt
Published: November 2023

The radical interdependence between humans who live together makes virtually all human behavior conditional. The behavior of individuals is conditional upon the expectations of those around them, and those expectations are conditional upon the rules (institutions) and norms (culture) constructed to monitor, reward, and punish different behaviors. As a result, nearly all hypotheses about humans are conditional – conditional upon the resources they possess, the institutions they inhabit, or the cultural practices that tell them how to behave. Interaction Models provides a stand-alone, accessible overview of how interaction models, which are frequently used across the social and natural sciences, capture the intuition behind conditional claims and context dependence. It also addresses the simple specification and interpretation errors that are, unfortunately, commonplace. By providing a comprehensive and unified introduction to the use and critical evaluation of interaction models, this book shows how they can be used to test theoretically-derived claims of conditionality.
Inland Waters can Act as Nitrous Oxide Sinks: Observation and Modeling Reveal that Nitrous Oxide Undersaturation May Partially Offset Emissions
Authors: Aho K. S. , Maavara T. , Cawley K. M. , Raymond P. A.
Published: November 2023

Inland waters are significant, yet highly uncertain, natural sources of nitrous oxide (N2O). Many emission models assume that N2O is only emitted from freshwaters, and that N2O sink behavior is negligible. However, observational studies have reported N2O undersaturation, suggesting that inland waters can act as N2O sinks due to net N2O consumption. This study leverages data from the National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON) and an existing global emission model to examine the prevalence of and controls on N2O undersaturation in streams, rivers, and lakes across scales and biomes. We find that N2O undersaturation is prevalent in the NEON data set (14%–30% of samples) and process‐based model outputs (38%), occurring across biomes and spatial scales. Failing to account for undersaturation in the NEON data set could result in an 100% overestimation of N2O emissions. These results show that consideration of N2O sink behavior is needed for accurate emission estimates.