bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decolonizing Academic Writing Pedagogies for Multilingual Students
Authors: Canagarajah Suresh
Published: May 2023

This article discusses how academic writing pedagogies for multilingual students can be transformed by the literacy traditions that these students bring to North American classrooms. This is an embodied and personal rendition, situated in the author's South Asian literacies as illustrative of Global South traditions, and draws from his own empirical research and teaching practices for writing instructors in TESOL. Informed by developments in decolonization, the article highlights the principles of embodiment and relationality as significant for Indigenous and Southern communities, and contrasts them with texts being treated as autonomous and instrumental in the European tradition. It reviews the different pedagogical models in the disciplinary field of “L1 composition,” which also influence academic programs labeled as “L2 composition,” to demonstrate how recent revisions to accommodate social and material influences are still influenced by Eurocentric epistemological values of logocentrism, cognitivism, and individualism. After reporting from the author's study of scientific research writing to illustrate how its entextualization demonstrates the distributed practice of diverse social networks, material resources, and semiotic repertoires across expansive space and time, the article recommends an ecological writing pedagogy that draws from situated learning and embodied apprenticeship as practiced by Southern communities. (Translations of abstract inhttps://www.iris‐database.org/details/rV5zj‐95Z8L).
Calf health veterinary services: Making them work for calves, farmers and veterinarians
Authors: Aplin Kath , Morgans Lisa , Palczynski Laura , Main David , Debbaut Charlotte , Hepworth Lucy , Reed Jemma
Published: May 2023

Background

Despite an appetite among UK veterinarians (vets) and farmers to improve calf health, vets face challenges in delivering and sustaining proactive calf health services.

Methods

Forty‐six vets and 10 veterinary technicians (techs) participated in a project to determine what makes calf health services successful while improving their own services. In four facilitated workshops and two seminars, carried out between August 2021 and April 2022, participants described their approaches to calf work, discussed measures of success, identified challenges and success factors, and addressed knowledge gaps.

Results

Many approaches to calf health services were described, and these could be categorised into three overlapping models. Success involved enthusiastic, knowledgeable vets/techs, supported by their practice team, fostering positive attitudes among farmers by providing the services they need, creating a tangible return on investment for farmers and the practice. Lack of time was identified as the most prominent challenge to achieving success.

Limitations

Participants were self‐selected from one nationwide group of practices.

Conclusion

Successful calf health services depend on identifying the needs of calves, farmers and veterinary practices, and delivering measurable benefits to each. More calf health services embedded as a core part of farm veterinary practice could bring wide ranging benefits to calves, farmers and vets.
Applying DATEMATS Methods and Tools to Nanomaterials: A Design Challenge by the Company Antolin
Authors: Casas Robert D. Thompson
Published: May 2023

A current area of R&D focuses on developing optimal workshop methodologies which are based on didact-creative programmes specifically tailored to stimulate creative insight within participants, through the delivery of perfected techniques in both knowledge transfer and creative development sessions. The overarching goal of these methods is to develop and deliver new and useful projected applications of material properties and technologies which, when combined, can progress into new and previously unforeseen advancements in innovation across diverse fields of applicability. Here, contending technologies, whichever they may be, are presented to a select public of participants, followed by various collaborative creativity techniques whereby the assimilated information is collected, categorized and then reassimilated into new forms of innovative ordering, structuring and integrated storytelling. Although a number of creativity and technology building workshops exist, this particular study relates to the methods for developing new art applications from distinct physio-chemical traits found among a diverse collection of nanotech materials, including and in particular, carbon-based ones. An object of this paper is to disclose the specific didactic and creativity techniques used in a workshop setting which was performed in collaboration with the Antolin group who is a manufacturer and provider of helical carbon nanofibers. A further objective of this paper is to derive conclusive evaluations and insights regarding the successes and failures encountered during the knowledge transfer phases and their conversion into creative insights and market potential. Various creativity fostering strategies are presented as they were adopted through third-party mediated practices in similarity-finding, inductive and deductive reasoning, exercises in free-association/abstraction and visual Imagineering of scientifically supported product outcomes.
Contextualising COVID-19: Domestic and Family Violence During Times of Crisis
Authors: Pfitzner Naomi , Fitz-Gibbon Kate , Walklate Sandra , Meyer Silke , Segrave Marie
Published: May 2023

This first chapter sets the scene for the chapters that follow by examining the ways that times of crisis (natural disaster, war, global health emergencies, financial crises) have impacted experiences of, and responses to, violence against women. This research is drawn together to focus on what was already known about the impact of such crises and the extent to which further knowledge on such impacts unfolded during the COVID-19 pandemic. The chapter goes on to consider why the ‘stay home, stay safe’ government-imposed restrictions, introduced at various times and in diverse ways worldwide, have increased the risk for women and children experiencing domestic and family violence. This chapter considers these issues and their variable impact and interconnections with social inequalities more generally through the lens of social precarity.
The Pandemic Pivot: DFV Service Innovation and Remote Delivery During COVID-19 Restrictions
Authors: Pfitzner Naomi , Fitz-Gibbon Kate , Walklate Sandra , Meyer Silke , Segrave Marie
Published: May 2023

Government-imposed restrictions introduced through the COVID-19 pandemic raised challenges for services providing support to victims of domestic and family violence. The lack of face-to-face services and the constant presence of perpetrators in victim-survivors’ homes during periods of stay-at-home restrictions limited specialist practitioners’ abilities to respond to DFV, to assess victim risk and to engage in effective safety planning. To counter these service system barriers, frontline and specialist DFV practitioners in many countries developed service innovations and pivoted to deliver support for victim-survivors remotely during periods of restrictions. This chapter considers some case studies of service innovation during the pandemic and reflects on the degree to which these offer lessons for practice beyond the pandemic.
Effects of Web Stiffeners Locations on Flexural Capacities of SupaCee Sections About the Weak Axis
Authors: Pham Ngoc Hieu
Published: May 2023

The paper investigates the influence of variation of web stiffener locations on the sectional capacities of SupaCee sections under bending about the weak axis. The SupaCee is the new section made on the basis of the traditional channel section by adding several stiffeners in the web of the channel section to increase stability. The variation of stiffener locations has specific impacts on the flexural capacities of SupaCee sections about the weak axis. With the asymmetrical character of the SupaCee section about the weak axis, the behaviour of this section is analysed when the moment direction is changed. The flexural capacities of cold-formed steel SupaCee sections are determined according to the Australian/New Zealand Standard AS/NZS 4600:2018. Based on the investigated results, it is found that the behaviour of SupaCee sections depends on the moment directions. Also, the web stiffeners should be kept far from the flanges which will be more beneficial for the flexural capacities of SupaCee sections about the weak-axis.
Numerical Analysis of Bearing Capacity of Basic Stress Unit Frame of Socket-Type Wheel Buckle Formwork Support Frame Body
Authors: Liu Heng , Xu Weiwen , Xu Hongtao , Xiang Xuemiao
Published: May 2023

Socket-and-socket wheel-buckle steel pipe formwork support frame is a new formwork support system, with fixed component specifications and fast erection speed, which can significantly improve the construction efficiency. Its application performance is different from that of fastener-type, bowl-buckle-type and plate-buckle-type, and there are not enough experimental and numerical analysis results to consult. Therefore, based on the bearing capacity test of the basic bearing units of socket-type wheel-buckle steel pipe formwork support, the finite element software ANSYS is used to conduct numerical analysis of 12 groups of basic bearing units, and the influence degree of vertical bearing capacity of different specifications of unit supports is studied by stud spacing and wedge tightness of cross bar plug. It is pointed out that the stiffness of formwork support in the vertical and horizontal directions should not be too different in the construction process.
Study on Performance of Pervious Concrete Modified by Nano-Silicon + Polypropylene Fiber Composite
Authors: Shan Jingsong , Song Chengfa , Zhou Shengbo , Duan TongJun , Zheng Shuai , Zhang Bo
Published: May 2023

In order to improve the comprehensive performance of pervious concrete, nano-silicon and polypropylene fiber were added to pervious concrete to study the change of performance of pervious concrete. Firstly, the effect of single doped nano-silicon on the properties of cement slurry and pervious concrete was studied, and the optimal water-binder ratio and nano-silicon content were determined. Based on this, mixed polypropylene fiber with different proportions of length of 18 mm to determine the reasonable amount of polypropylene fiber. The results showed that the compressive strength of pervious concrete was the highest when the nano-silicon content was 0.5% and the water-binder ratio was 0.32. Based on this ratio, the maximum compressive strength can be obtained by adding 1.0 kg/m3 polypropylene fiber, and the compressive strength of 7d and 28d increased by 29.9% and 42.2%, respectively. Adding 1.5 kg/m3 polypropylene fiber was the most beneficial to improve the freezing resistance of pervious concrete. For example, after 300 freeze–thaw cycles, the compressive strength residual rate was 62%. That's much higher than the 40 percent that was found when nano silicon was mixed alone.
Finite Element Analysis of Steel Tube Bundle Composite Shear Wall with Different Constructions
Authors: Wan Shengwu , Cheng Xueyuan
Published: May 2023

In order to study the seismic performance of the steel tube bundle composite shear wall with different constructions. Based on the failure tests of three composite shear wall specimens without steel tube bundle end, with studs and stiffener, a feasible numerical model is established by ABAQUS. The hysteresis curve and energy dissipation coefficient, skeleton curve and ductility of the shear wall were further analyses by varying the axial compression ratio and the spacing of the internal diaphragm. The results show that the stud group and the stiffener group can effectively improve the horizontal bearing capacity, energy dissipation capacity, bearing capacity and ductility of the shear wall. Under the condition of low axial compression ratio, the horizontal bearing capacity of the member with stud is increased by 6.3%; Under the condition of high axial compression ratio, the horizontal bearing capacity of members with stiffeners is increased by 4.5%; The change of axial compression ratio and the spacing between inner diaphragms of shear walls with stiffeners has little effect on their energy dissipation capacity and ductility.
An Experimental Study on Intelligent Bearing System for Bridge Health Monitoring
Authors: Teng Gaofei , Cao Xinning , Gai Weiming , Jiang Ruijuan
Published: May 2023

Bridge Bearings are important devices for transferring loads between the upper and lower structures of bridges. They can ensure the safety of bridges and regulate deformation. They can also prevent bridge displacement caused by temperature changes, seismic forces, and other factors in various structural types. The status of bridge bearings can effectively reflect the healthy status of the bridge. Monitoring of stresses on bridge bearings can be used to evaluate the healthy status of the bridge structure. However, bridge bearings are installed in invisible locations, and traditional manual inspection methods cannot accurately determine their damage and degree of destruction. In this paper, an intelligent bearing pair is designed to resolve this problem. The designed intelligent bearing status assessment system with multi-level threshold values can trigger a warning when the threshold is exceeded. Experiments have been conducted to verify the accuracy of its signal processing.
Research on the Pore Characteristics of Dredger Fill By Preloading
Authors: Tian Jinfeng , Yan Huan , Zhao Guijie
Published: May 2023

This study investigated the characteristics of dredger fill after preloading at the DaLian. Granulometric composition test and X-ray diffraction were employed to determine the composition of dredger fill. Mercury intrusion porosimetry was combined to determine the related features of the pore. This paper also discussed the changes in porosity, pore diameter distribution, and morphological characteristics of the pore. Preloading influence depth was established based on pore changes. The results show that: the dredger fill contained numerous clay minerals, mainly illite and illite–smectite mixed layer; and the influence depth established based on pore changes of the area was almost 11 m. Within the influence depth, porosity decreased rapidly as the depth increased, and the main scope of pore volume fraction changes from the scope of 0.06–10 μm to the scope of 0.1–1 μm. When depth was greater than the influence depth, porosity slowly changed, pores with diameters greater than 1 μm show an increasing trend. Thus, the soil was compacted.
Seismic Interferometry by Multi-Dimensional Deconvolution Free from Point-Spread Function
Authors: Bin Lu , Ji Wang , Huan Niu , Bo Li , Guangzhong Ji
Published: May 2023

Seismic interferometry (SI) can be used to reconstruct a pseudo-acquisition from response of a passive source, while the reconstructed data can be used to recover a portion of the model space that is different from that recovered by the inversion of original measurements. The SI by crosscorrelation requiring the seismic wave field to be evenly distributed, which limits the scope of application of this method. SI by multi-dimensional deconvolution (MDD) broken through the limitation that the wave field must be evenly distributed, but there are still some limitations in some special practices. Interferometric point-spread function (PSF), like the correlation function, is a necessary condition of the MDD method, but in some practices it cannot be derived from the field data. A new MDD method is proposed in this paper that free from PSF, and theoretically proved that it is equivalent to usual MDD. We demonstrate the effectiveness of this method with two numerical examples of one-sided illumination, and the source blurring phenomenon in the results of SI by crosscorrelation is effectively eliminated. The first numerical example is far-field one-side illumination, which can also be treated with the usual MDD, and the comparison of the results shows that the two MDD methods are equally effective. The second example is the near-field one-side illumination, and only the MDD method proposed in this paper can be used because the PSF cannot be obtained.
Water Environment Simulation and Ecological Restoration in Sanhekou Reservoir Basin
Authors: Zheng Yuqiang , Wang Ying , Gao Feng , Zhang Xin
Published: May 2023

Sanhekou Reservoir is an important water source for the Han Wei River Diversion Project, which plays a very important role in supplying water to Guanzhong area. Taking Sanhekou reservoir basin as the research object, MIKE21 model is used to simulate the water environment of the reservoir basin. MIKE21 hydrodynamic module is used to analyze the flow field characteristics of the reservoir study area in high flow year, normal flow year and low flow year. MIKE21 water quality module is used to simulate the water pollution of the reservoir, and analyze the maximum concentration value of pollutant migration in 6, 12 and 24 h under four working conditions, as well as the pollution peak value of 5 and 20 km sections. The results show that the overall velocity variation range of the study area in the wet, normal and dry years is 0–0.139 m/s, 0–0.102 m/s and 0–0.096 m/s respectively. In the four working conditions, the maximum pollutant concentration of working condition 1 is 4.76 mg/L under 6 h of pollution leakage, and the peak value of pollutants under the four working conditions of 5 km section is larger than that of 20 km section. In view of the ecological environment problems in Sanhekou basin, reasonable ecological restoration suggestions and measures are proposed.
The Variation of Hydrological Regime According to the Daily Operation of a Complementary Hydro-Photovoltaic Reservoir and Its Impact
Authors: Wang Chonglin , Liang Sizhen , Feng Jingjie , Li Ran , Zhao Gaolei
Published: May 2023

Daily operation of a hydropower station is conducted to meet the energy requirement. The hydraulic parameters of the downstream are significantly affected by the dam operation, which has a negative impact on the aquatic system. When the multi energy complementary method is used, such as hydro-photovoltaic (hydro-PV) combined power generation, the problem will worsen. Hydropower station A (HSA) on River X was selected to investigate the impact of daily operation. HSA is a part of hydro-PV complementary power generation. The spawning and breeding period of typical fish, April to July, was selected as the study period. According to various scheduling, the changes of hydrological regime were analyzed. The results show that the maximum flow variation was 334 m3/s, and the variations in water surface width and velocity during reservoir operation were between natural conditions. The maximum daily water level variations under the two operating scenarios were 1.6 m and 3.5 m respectively. The remarkable change of water level may have a negative impact on aquatic organisms. Considering the daily variation limit of 1.2 m under natural condition, the relationship between the allowable daily variation of reservoir outflow and the reference base flow was proposed. The results in this paper serve as a technical reference for studying changes in the hydrological regime and lessening their impacts on aquatic organisms in hydro-photovoltaic complementary development.
Effect of Dry-Wet Cycling on Shear Strength of Phyllite-Weathered Soil in Longsheng, Guilin
Authors: Yin Jianliang , Liu Zhikui , Gu Zhanfei , Yan Yan , Xie Yong Xiong , Huang Bingyan
Published: May 2023

The phyllite-weathered soil is a regional speciality. It is essential to study the changes in shear strength of phyllite-weathered soil under dry-wet cycles to understand the changes in mechanical properties of phyllite-weathered soil in the process of dry-wet climate and to manage the slope of phyllite-weathered soil. This paper simulated 12 dry-wet cycles on the specimens of remodelled phyllite-weathered soil. Direct shear and SEM tests were conducted on the specimens in the 0th, 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th drying paths. The effects of moisture content and the number of dry-wet cycles on the shear strength of phyllite-weathered soil were analysed macroscopically and microscopically. The following conclusions were obtained: (1) The cohesion of the weathered soil of phyllite will be reduced by increasing the number of cycles, and the more the number of dry-wet cycles, the more pronounced the reduction; the internal friction angle of the weathered soil of phyllite will be reduced by increasing the number of cycles, but the pattern of the decrease in the internal friction angle is not obvious. (2) The increase in the number of dry-wet cycles will increase the stiffness and brittleness of the phyllite-weathered soil specimen, and it will change from the weak hardening type of plastic damage to the solid softening type of brittle damage after a certain number of cycles. (3) The SEM test found that phyllite-weathered soil particles in Longsheng, Guilin are large, and most of the particles are in face-to-face and angle-to-face contact, which is easy to form a hollow structure, and the dry density value of the soil in the natural state is small. At the same time, the soil is reddish-brown in colour because of the leaching of Fe2 O3. The shear strength index of the cemented phyllite-weathered soil with Fe2 O3 is more significant than that of phyllite-weathered soil in other areas. The soil has a good shear strength index and a small dry density.
Quantitative Evaluation of Four Kinds of Site Seismic Response Analysis Methods Using DTW
Authors: Sun Rui , Qi Wanwan
Published: May 2023

In order to quantitatively evaluate the one-dimensional site seismic response analysis methods, this article selected 2418 ground motion records of Japan KiK-net strong-motion seismograph network and 2418 groups of acceleration response spectra calculated by DEEPSOIL, SHAKE2000, SOILQUAKE and SOILRESPONSE, and then` used the dynamic time warping (DTW) algorithm to calculate the DTW distance between the measured acceleration response spectrum and the calculated acceleration response spectrum. The average DTW distance and change trend in different PGA ranges were compared and analyzed. The average DTW distance of the four methods in weak ground motion were similar, and in the strong ground motion, the average DTW distance of SOILRESPONSE was smaller than the other three methods. The DTW distance of the four methods increased with the increase of PGA, the growth rate of SOILRESPONSE was significantly lower than the other three methods. DTW distance can accurately and effectively reflect the difference between response spectrum, which provides a new method for quantitative evaluation of one-dimensional site seismic response analysis method.
The Influence of Coating Material and Thickness on the Corrosion Degree of Q345 Steel
Authors: Wan Li , Pan Xiang , Huang Lizhen , Huang Baotao , Yang Cai , Du Yiming
Published: May 2023

In order to investigate the anti-corrosion effect of coated steel of steel bridge, Q345 steel plate specimens with three types of coatings, including zinc coating, aluminum coating and zinc-aluminum coating, are produced by the arc spraying technology. In the present study, chlorine corrosion tests are performed to investigate the influence law of different coating material and its thickness on the corrosion degree. Then the calculation results of two corrosion indicators are compared and analyzed. It is shown that the two corrosion indicators reflect the same corrosion law of three kinds of coating steel. The corrosion of all coated specimens is obviously severe in the early stage and gradually gentle in the later stage. It is also found that during the whole corrosion cycle, the corrosion rate of aluminum coating is smaller and change slower than the other two kinds of coatings, whereas the coating thickness of 200 μm of aluminum coating changes significantly. Therefore, aluminum coating is recommended as a priority, and the recommended coating thickness range of which is 100–150 μm.
Non-destructive Detection of Grouting Defects Behind Shield Tunnel Wall by Combining Ground Penetrating Radar with Seismic Wave Method
Authors: Han Qing , Huang Yihui , Li Chaochen , Yang Peiquan , Deng Xiongjie , Wang Dengyi , Ma Fuan , Shi Hufeng
Published: May 2023

The shield construction is a mature tunnel construction technology. Grouting behind segment wall synchronously during shield construction is an important measure to control stratum deformation, reduce ground settlement and prevent tunnel water seepage. The quality of grouting can significantly affect the quality of tunnel construction. The method of grouting quality judgment in early tunnel construction is inefficient and uncertain. To ensure the safety of tunnel structure, it is an urgent technical innovation to study the non-destructive testing technology for grouting effect of shield segment wall. Nowadays, the general Non-destructive testing methods include ground penetrating radar detection and seismic wave detection. These two methods can meet most of the needs of grouting defect detection behind the wall, but also have their own advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, this study proposes the combination of ground penetrating radar and seismic wave method of shield tunnel wall after grouting defects Non-destructive detection method, first, ground penetrating radar is used for scanning probe shield wall after grouting, and then according to the seismic wave method is used to further verify the results for some suspected injury, while ensure the detection efficiency to improve recognition accuracy. Finally, the defect detection and verification of the proposed method was carried out based on the shield segment model test platform, and this proposed method was successfully applied to the actual project of a metro line in Foshan.
Rhein-attenuates LPS-induced acute lung injury via targeting NFATc1/Trem2 axis
Authors: Li Xiang , Xiao Chuan , Yuan Jia , Chen Xianjun , Li Qing , Shen Feng
Published: May 2023

Background

Evidence indicated that the early stage transition of macrophages’ polarization stages yielded a superior prognosis for acute lung injury (ALI) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Rhein (cassic acid) is one major component of many traditional Chinese medicines, and has been reported to perform with strong anti-inflammation capabilities. However, the role rhein played and the mechanism via which it did so in LPS-induced ALI/ARDS remain unclear.

Methods

ALI/ARDS was induced by LPS (3 mg/kg, i.n, st), accompanied by the applications of rhein (50 and 100 mg/kg, i.p, qd), and a vehicle or NFATc1 inhibitor (10 mg/kg, i.p, qd) in vivo. Mice were sacrificed 48 h after modeling. Lung injury parameters, epithelial cell apoptosis, macrophage polarization, and oxidative stress were examined. In vitro, conditioned medium from alveolar epithelial cells stimulated by LPS was used for culturing a RAW264.7 cell line, along with rhein administrations (5 and 25 μM). RNA sequencing, molecule docking, biotin pull-down, ChIP-qPCR, and dual luciferase assay were performed to clarify the mechanisms of rhein in this pathological process.

Results

Rhein significantly attenuated tissue inflammation and promoted macrophage M2 polarization transition in LPS-induced ALI/ARDS. In vitro, rhein alleviated the intracellular ROS level, the activation of P65, and thus the M1 polarization of macrophages. In terms of mechanism, rhein played its protective roles via targeting the NFATc1/Trem2 axis, whose function was significantly mitigated in both Trem2 and NFATc1 blocking experiments.

Conclusion

Rhein promoted macrophage M2 polarization transition by targeting the NFATc1/Trem2 axis to regulate inflammation response and prognosis after ALI/ARDS, which shed more light on possibilities for the clinical treatments of this pathological process.
Remdesivir treatment and clinical outcome in non-severe hospitalized COVID-19 patients: a propensity score matching multicenter Italian hospital experience
Authors: Attena Emilio , Caturano Alfredo , Annunziata Anna , Maraolo Alberto Enrico , De Rosa Annunziata , Fusco Francesco Maria , Halasz Geza , Dall’Ospedale Valeria , Conte Maddalena , Parisi Valentina , Galiero Raffaele , Sasso Ferdinando Carlo , Fiorentino Giuseppe , Russo Vincenzo
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Remdesivir exerts positive effects on clinical improvement, even though it seems not to affect mortality among COVID-19 patients; moreover, it was associated with the occurence of marked bradycardia.

Methods

We retrospectively evaluated 989 consecutive patients with non-severe COVID-19 (SpO2 ≥ 94% on room air) admitted from October 2020 to July 2021 at five Italian hospitals. Propensity score matching allowed to obtain a comparable control group. Primary endpoints were bradycardia onset (heart rate < 50 bpm), acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in need of intubation and mortality.

Results

A total of 200 patients (20.2%) received remdesivir, while 789 standard of care (79.8%). In the matched cohorts, severe ARDS in need of intubation was experienced by 70 patients (17.5%), significantly higher in the control group (68% vs. 31%; p < 0.0001). Conversely, bradycardia, experienced by 53 patients (12%), was significantly higher in the remdesivir subgroup (20% vs. 1.1%; p < 0.0001). During follow-up, all-cause mortality was 15% (N = 62), significantly higher in the control group (76% vs. 24%; log-rank p < 0.0001), as shown at the Kaplan–Meier (KM) analysis. KM furthermore showed a significantly higher risk of severe ARDS in need of intubation among controls (log-rank p < 0.001), while an increased risk of bradycardia onset in the remdesivir group (log-rank p < 0.001). Multivariable logistic regression showed a protective role of remdesivir for both ARDS in need of intubation (OR 0.50, 95%CI 0.29–0.85; p = 0.01) and mortality (OR 0.18, 95%CI 0.09–0.39; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

Remdesivir treatment emerged as associated with reduced risk of severe acute respiratory distress syndrome in need of intubation and mortality. Remdesivir-induced bradycardia was not associated with worse outcome.
Non-contrast computed tomography features predict intraventricular hemorrhage growth
Authors: Nawabi Jawed , Schlunk Frieder , Dell’Orco Andrea , Elsayed Sarah , Mazzacane Federico , Desser Dmitriy , Vu Ly , Vogt Estelle , Cao Haoyin , Böhmer Maik F. H. , Akkurt Burak Han , Sporns Peter B. , Pasi Marco , Jensen-Kondering Ulf , Broocks Gabriel , Penzkofer Tobias , Fiehler Jens , Padovani Alessandro , Hanning Uta , Morotti Andrea
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Non-contrast computed tomography (NCCT) markers are robust predictors of parenchymal hematoma expansion in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). We investigated whether NCCT features can also identify ICH patients at risk of intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) growth.

Methods

Patients with acute spontaneous ICH admitted at four tertiary centers in Germany and Italy were retrospectively included from January 2017 to June 2020. NCCT markers were rated by two investigators for heterogeneous density, hypodensity, black hole sign, swirl sign, blend sign, fluid level, island sign, satellite sign, and irregular shape. ICH and IVH volumes were semi-manually segmented. IVH growth was defined as IVH expansion > 1 mL (eIVH) or any delayed IVH (dIVH) on follow-up imaging. Predictors of eIVH and dIVH were explored with multivariable logistic regression. Hypothesized moderators and mediators were independently assessed in PROCESS macro models.

Results

A total of 731 patients were included, of whom 185 (25.31%) suffered from IVH growth, 130 (17.78%) had eIVH, and 55 (7.52%) had dIVH. Irregular shape was significantly associated with IVH growth (OR 1.68; 95%CI [1.16–2.44];p = 0.006). In the subgroup analysis stratified by the IVH growth type, hypodensities were significantly associated with eIVH (OR 2.06; 95%CI [1.48–2.64];p = 0.015), whereas irregular shape (OR 2.72; 95%CI [1.91–3.53];p = 0.016) in dIVH. The association between NCCT markers and IVH growth was not mediated by parenchymal hematoma expansion.

Conclusions

NCCT features identified ICH patients at a high risk of IVH growth. Our findings suggest the possibility to stratify the risk of IVH growth with baseline NCCT and might inform ongoing and future studies.

Clinical relevance statement

Non-contrast CT features identified ICH patients at a high risk of intraventricular hemorrhage growth with subtype-specific differences. Our findings may assist in the risk stratification of intraventricular hemorrhage growth with baseline CT and might inform ongoing and future clinical studies.

Key Points

• NCCT features identified ICH patients at a high risk of IVH growth with subtype-specific differences.

• The effect of NCCT features was not moderated by time and location or indirectly mediated by hematoma expansion.

• Our findings may assist in the risk stratification of IVH growth with baseline NCCT and might inform ongoing and future studies.
Systemic lupus erythematosus and prostate cancer risk: a pool of cohort studies and Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Ou Junyong , Zhen Kailan , Wu Yaqian , Xue Zixuan , Fang Yangyi , Zhang Qiming , Bi Hai , Tian Xiaojun , Ma Lulin , Liu Cheng
Published: May 2023

Background

Current observational studies suggest that there may be a causal relationship between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and prostate cancer (PC). However, there is contradictory evidence. This study aimed to investigate and clarify the association between SLE and PC.

Methods

We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus until May 2022. A meta-analysis was conducted on the standard incidence rate (SIR) and 95% CI. Subgroup analysis was performed based on the follow-up duration, study quality, and appropriate SLE diagnosis. Mendelian randomization (MR) of the two samples was used to determine whether genetically elevated SLE was causal for PC. Summary MR data were obtained from published GWASs, which included 1,959,032 individuals. The results were subjected to sensitivity analysis to verify their reliability.

Results

In a meta-analysis of 79,316 participants from 14 trials, we discovered that patients with SLE had decreased PC risk (SIR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.70–0.87) significantly. The MR results showed that a one-SD increase in genetic susceptibility to SLE significantly reduced PC risk (OR, 0.9829; 95% CI, 0.9715–0.9943; P = 0.003). Additional MR analyses suggested that the use of immunosuppressants (ISs) (OR, 1.1073; 95% CI, 1.0538–1.1634; P < 0.001), but not glucocorticoids (GCs) or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which were associated with increased PC risk. The results of the sensitivity analyses were stable, and there was no evidence of directional pleiotropy.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that patients with SLE have a lower risk of developing PC. Additional MR analyses indicated that genetic susceptibility to the use of ISs, but not GCs or NSAIDs, was associated with increased PC risk. This finding enriches our understanding of the potential risk factors for PC in patients with SLE. Further study is required to reach more definitive conclusions regarding these mechanisms.
Cardio-pulmonary nematodes of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) of Sardinia, Italy
Authors: Nonnis Francesca , Tamponi Claudia , Tosciri Gabriele , Manconi Maria , Pudda Flavia , Cabras Pierangela , Dessì Giorgia , Scala Antonio , Varcasia Antonio
Published: May 2023

Cardio-pulmonary parasites, such as Angiostrongylus vasorum, Crenosoma vulpis, and Eucoleus aerophilus, pose a significant concern on account of pulmonary and cardiac problems they induce in dogs. While the red fox is known to be a key reservoir host for A. vasorum and may also play a role in transmitting C. vulpis and E. aerophilus, there has been no recent research on these parasites in foxes from Sardinia, with the most current studies dating back to 1986. A survey was conducted on red foxes in Sardinia, where a total of 51 foxes were collected, necropsied, and examined for adult worms in their hearts and lungs. The worms were identified using morphometric analysis and molecular methods. The results showed a 54.9% overall prevalence at dissection: 45.1% of the foxes were positive for E. aerophilus, 17.6% for C. vulpis, and 13.7% for A. vasorum. The molecular analyses validated the morphological characterization. In comparison to previous research, which found 13 out of 85 foxes to be positive for A. vasorum with a prevalence rate of 15.3% and 1 for E. aerophilus with a prevalence of 1.2%, this study showed an increased prevalence of E. aerophilus and C. vulpis, and a decrease in the prevalence of A. vasorum. These results indicate that the red foxes in Sardinia represent a reservoir host for cardio-pulmonary nematodes and it should be considered in the differential diagnosis of respiratory distress syndrome in dogs.
Behandlungspräferenzen von Patient*innen mit Speiseröhrenkrebs
Authors: Kiemen Andrea , Dammer Nathalie , Czornik Manuel , Hipp Julian , Schmoor Claudia , Höppner Jens , Weis Joachim
Published: May 2023

Hintergrund

Die Behandlung von Ösophaguskarzinom nach geltendem Standard ist eine Operation, die nach einer neoadjuvanten Chemotherapie (nCT) oder Radiochemotherapie (nCRT) erfolgt. Für Patient*innen mit klinischer Komplettresponse auf eine nCT/nCRT kann eine aktive Überwachung mit einer Operation nur bei Bedarf eine gleichwertige Option in Bezug auf das Überleben darstellen.

Fragestellung

Identifikation von Faktoren, die Therapiepräferenzen, Beweggründe zur Entscheidungsfindung sowie Befürchtungen/Hoffnungen von EC-Patient*innen hinsichtlich der Wahl der beiden Behandlungsoptionen.

Material und Methode

Die qualitative Erhebung mit teilstrukturierten Einzelinterviews mit EC-Patient*innen und Expert*inneninterviews mit Ärzt*innen, Pflegekräften und Psychoonkolog*innen.

Ergebnisse

Die ärztliche Aufklärung stellt bei der Therapiepräferenz eine Entscheidungsgrundlage dar. Hierbei wird nicht nur eine empathische und kompetente Beratung, sondern auch eine konkrete Anweisung bzgl. der Therapiewahl von den behandelnden Ärzt*innen erwartet. Als ein wesentlicher Faktor für die Therapiewahl wird das Alter genannt. Vor allem erhöhtes Komplikationsrisiko während oder nach einer Operation bzw. körperliche Schwäche scheinen für Patient*innen in höherem Alter ein bedeutsamer Grund zu sein, eine Operation nach Bedarf zu bevorzugen. Die Entscheidung für oder gegen eine bestimmte Therapie orientiert sich an Lebenszeit und Lebensqualität der Patient*innen, die immer individuell und unterschiedlich interpretiert wird.

Schlussfolgerungen

Nach den hier vorliegenden qualitativen Daten ist die sofortige Operation die primäre Behandlungsoption bei Patient*innen mit Ösophaguskarzinom (7 von 11), dennoch sehen einige Patient*innen sehr wohl die Vorteile der alternativen Behandlungsmethode und würden eine Operation nach Bedarf bevorzugen. Die überwiegende Anzahl der Patient*innen (8 von 11) würde an einer RCT teilnehmen und betrachtet die Teilnahme als eine einmalige Chance, eine alternative Behandlungsmethode zu erhalten, eine Operation zu vermeiden und somit ihre Lebensqualität zu verbessern.
Cumulative 10-year performance of endodontically treated teeth with prosthetic restorations of base metal alloy double crowns with friction pins—a retrospective study
Authors: Hinz Sebastian , Bömicke Wolfgang , Bensel Tobias
Published: May 2023

Objectives

This 120-month follow-up study aimed to investigate the complication rate of abutment teeth after endodontic pretreatment with base metal alloy double crowns with friction pins.

Materials and methods

A total of 158 participants (n = 71, 44.9% women) aged 62.5 ± 12.7 years with 182 prostheses on 520 abutment teeth (n = 459, 88.3% vital) were retrospectively analyzed between 2006 and 2022. Of the endodontically treated abutment teeth, 6.9% (n = 36) were additionally treated with post and core reconstructions. Cumulative complication rates were calculated using the Kaplan–Meier estimator and log-rank test. In addition, Cox regression analysis was performed.

Results

The cumulative complication rate at 120 months for the entire set of abutment teeth was 39.6% (confidence interval [CI]: 33.0–46.2). Endodontically treated abutment teeth (33.8%; CI: 19.6–48.0) were found to have a significantly higher cumulative fracture rate than vital teeth (19.9%; CI: 13.9–25.9, p < 0.001). Endodontically treated teeth restored with post and core reconstructions (30.4%; CI: 13.2–47.6) showed a nonsignificant lower cumulative fracture rate than that of teeth with root fillings only (41.6%; CI: 16.4–66.8, p = 0.463).

Conclusions

Higher 120-month cumulative fracture rates were observed in endodontically treated teeth. Comparable performance was observed in teeth with post and core reconstructions compared to teeth with root fillings only.

Clinical relevance

If endodontically treated teeth are used as abutments for double crowns, the risk of complications from these teeth should be considered when planning treatment and communicating with the patient.
Degradation of the compression strength of spacers made of high-density pressboard used in power transformers under the influence of thermal ageing
Authors: Oria C. , Méndez C. , Carrascal I. , Ferreño D. , Ortiz A.
Published: May 2023

The structural components inside power transformers are commonly made of high-density pressboard, due to its suitable mechanical and dielectric properties. Among these components are the spacers used in the windings of transformers, which are subjected to compressive loading during operation. The spacers are immersed in dielectric liquid and subjected to high temperatures and chemical reactions during the lifespan of the transformer, which result in the degradation of their dielectric and mechanical properties. The performance and reliability of the power transformer greatly depends on its mechanical integrity, so it is necessary to understand how ageing degrades the mechanical response of the high-density pressboard. In this study, spacers made of high-density pressboard and pieces of copper conductor were immersed in uninhibited paraffinic oil and aged at 150 °C for different periods of time, trying to realistically represent the process suffered by a power transformer during its whole lifespan. The evolution caused by the thermal ageing over some chemical parameters (acidity and moisture content) and dielectric properties (AC breakdown voltage, dielectric dissipation factor, resistivity and degree of polymerisation) of the oil and the pressboard was studied experimentally. Compressive mechanical tests were performed on samples of the aged high-density pressboard, and the compressive stiffness during the ageing process was related with other chemical and dielectric parameters.
GARCHNet: Value-at-Risk Forecasting with GARCH Models Based on Neural Networks
Authors: Buczynski Mateusz , Chlebus Marcin
Published: May 2023

This paper proposes a new GARCH specification that adapts the architecture of a long-term short memory neural network (LSTM). It is shown that classical GARCH models generally give good results in financial modeling, where high volatility can be observed. In particular, their high value is often praised in Value-at-Risk. However, the lack of nonlinear structure in most approaches means that conditional variance is not adequately represented in the model. On the contrary, the recent rapid development of deep learning methods is able to describe any nonlinear relationship in a clear way. We propose GARCHNet, a nonlinear approach to conditional variance that combines LSTM neural networks with maximum likelihood estimators in GARCH. The variance distributions considered in the paper are normal, t and skewed t, but the approach allows extension to other distributions. To evaluate our model, we conducted an empirical study on the logarithmic returns of the WIG 20 (Warsaw Stock Exchange Index), S&P 500 (Standard & Poor’s 500) and FTSE 100 (Financial Times Stock Exchange) indices over four different time periods from 2005 to 2021 with different levels of observed volatility. Our results confirm the validity of the solution, but we provide some directions for its further development.
My Lovely Granny’s Farm: An immersive virtual reality training system for children with autism spectrum disorder
Authors: Soltiyeva Aiganym , Oliveira Wilk , Madina Alimanova , Adilkhan Shyngys , Urmanov Marat , Hamari Juho
Published: May 2023

One of the biggest difficulties faced by children with Autism Spectrum Disorder during their learning process and general life, is communication and social interaction. In recent years, researchers and practitioners have invested in different approaches to improving aspects of their communication and learning. However, there is still no consolidated approach and the community is still looking for new approaches that can meet this need. Addressing this challenge, in this article we propose a novelty approach (i.e., an Adaptive Immersive Virtual Reality Training System), aiming to enrich social interaction and communication skills for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. In this adaptive system (called My Lovely Granny’s Farm), the behavior of the virtual trainer changes depending on the mood and actions of the users (i.e., patients/learners). Additionally, we conducted an initial observational study by monitoring the behavior of children with autism in a virtual environment. In the initial study, the system was offered to users with a high degree of interactivity so that they might practice various social situations in a safe and controlled environment. The results demonstrate that the use of the system can allow patients who needed treatment to receive therapy without leaving home. Our approach is the first experience of treating children with autism in Kazakhstan and can contribute to improving the communication and social interaction of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We contribute to the community of educational technologies and mental health by providing a system that can improve communication among children with autism and providing insights on how to design this kind of system.
Shifting the ways prospective teachers frame and notice student mathematical thinking: from deficits to strengths
Authors: Scheiner Thorsten
Published: May 2023

Noticing the strengths in students’ mathematical thinking is a critical skill that teachers need to develop, but it can be challenging due to the prevalence of deficit-based thinking in mathematics education. To address this challenge, a teacher education course was designed to encourage prospective teachers to engage in critical reflection on their own and others’ framings of students’ thinking and shift their focus towards noticing students’ strengths. The study analyzed written responses from the prospective teachers, collected at the beginning and end of the course, to investigate their framing and noticing of students’ mathematical thinking. The analysis focused on the aspects of students’ thinking that the prospective teachers paid attention to, the stances they took when interpreting students’ thinking, and the instructional moves they proposed in response to their thinking. Furthermore, the study established a spectrum of deficit-based and strength-based framings on students’ mathematical thinking. This spectrum allowed for the identification of each participant’s written noticing responses within a range of possibilities, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of the changes in teachers’ framing and noticing of students’ thinking over time.
Axioms and Postulates as Speech Acts
Authors: Schmidt João Vitor , Venturi Giorgio
Published: May 2023

We analyze axioms and postulates as speech acts. After a brief historical appraisal of the concept of axiom in Euclid, Frege, and Hilbert, we evaluate contemporary axiomatics from a linguistic perspective. Our reading is inspired by Hilbert and is meant to account for the assertive, directive, and declarative components of modern axiomatics. We will do this by describing the constitutive and regulative roles that axioms possess with respect to the linguistic practice of mathematics.