bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High-throughput fabrication of large-scale metasurfaces using electron-beam lithography with SU-8 gratings for multilevel security printing
Authors: Sin Tan You , Wang Hao , Wang Hongtao , Pan Chengfeng , Yang Joel K. W.
Published: November 2022

The field of metasurface research has rapidly developed in the past decade. Electron-beam lithography (EBL) is an excellent tool used for rapid prototyping of metasurfaces. However, Gaussian-beam EBL generally struggles with low throughput. In conjunction with the recent rise of interest in metasurfaces made of low-index dielectric materials, we propose in this study the use of a relatively unexplored chemically amplified resist, SU-8 with EBL, as a method for rapid prototyping of low-index metasurfaces. We demonstrate the use of SU-8 grating on silicon for cost-efficient fabrication of an all-dielectric multilevel security print for anti-counterfeiting purposes, which encrypt different optical information with different light illumination conditions, namely, bright-field reflection, dark-field reflection, and cross-polarized reflection. The large-scale print (1  mm2) could be exposed in a relatively short time (∼11  min) due to the ultrahigh sensitivity of the resist, while the feature size of ∼200  nm was maintained, demonstrating that SU-8 EBL resist serves as a good candidate for rapid prototyping of metasurface designs. Our results could find applications in the general area of increasing EBL patterning speed for a variety of other devices and structures.
Optically transparent graphene-based cognitive metasurface for adaptive frequency manipulation
Authors: Geng Mingyang , Yang Xiaolu , Chen Hao , Bo Xinzhi , Li Mengzi , Liu Zhenguo , Lu Weibing
Published: November 2022

Optically transparent microwave absorbing metasurfaces have shown great potential and are needed in multiple applications environments containing optical windows owing to their ability to reduce backscattering electromagnetic (EM) signals while keeping continuous optical observation. Meanwhile, they are also required to have adaptive EM manipulation capability to cope with complex and capricious EM environments. As a general approach, distributed circuit components, including positive-intrinsic-negative diodes and varactors and sensing components, are integrated with passive absorbing metasurfaces to realize adaptive control of microwave absorption. However, these circuit elements generally require bulky electrical wires and complex control circuits to regulate the operating state, resulting in the absorbing structures being optically opaque. Hence, it is a great challenge to realize self-operating absorbers while maintaining optical transparency. Here, we report an optically transparent cognitive metasurface made of patterned graphene sandwich structures and a radio frequency detector, which can achieve adaptive frequency manipulation to match incident EM waves. As a proof-of-principle application example, we realize a closed-loop automatic absorber system prototype of the proposed graphene metasurface with self-adaptive frequency variation, without any human intervention. The approach may facilitate other adaptive metadevices in microwave regime with high-level recognition and manipulation and, more generally, promote the development of intelligent stealth technologies.
Fundamental limits for transmission modulation in VO2 metasurfaces
Authors: Li Bohan , Camacho-Morales Rocio , Li Neuton , Tognazzi Andrea , Gandolfi Marco , de Ceglia Domenico , De Angelis Costantino , Sukhorukov Andrey A. , Neshev Dragomir N.
Published: November 2022

The interest in dynamic modulation of light by ultra-thin materials
exhibiting insulator–metal phase transition, such as

VO

2

, has rapidly grown due to the myriad
industrial applications, including smart windows and optical limiters.
However, for applications in the telecommunication spectral band, the
light modulation through a thin

VO

2

film is low due to the presence of strong
material loss. Here, we demonstrate tailored nanostructuring of

VO

2

to dramatically enhance its transmission
modulation, reaching a value as high as 0.73, which is 2 times larger
than the previous modulation achieved. The resulting designs,
including free-topology optimization, demonstrate the fundamental
limit in acquiring the desired optical performance, including
achieving positive or negative transmission contrast. Our results on
nanophotonic management of lossy nanostructured films open new
opportunities for applications of

VO

2

metasurfaces.
Comb-mode resolved spectral domain interferometer enabled by a broadband electro-optic frequency comb
Authors: Jang Yoon-Soo , Park Jungjae , Jin Jonghan
Published: November 2022

The spectral domain interferometer (SDI) has been widely used in dimensional metrology. Depending on the nature of the SDI, both wider spectral bandwidth and narrower linewidth of the light source are paradoxically required to achieve better resolution and longer measurable distances. From this perspective, a broadband frequency comb with a repetition rate high enough to be spectrally resolved can be an ideal light source for SDIs. In this paper, we propose and implement a broadband electro-optic frequency comb to realize a comb-mode resolved SDI. The proposed electro-optic frequency comb was designed with an optically recirculating loop to provide a broadband spectrum, which has a repetition rate of 17.5 GHz and a spectral range of 35 nm. In a preliminary test, we demonstrated absolute distance measurements with sub-100 nm repeatability. Because of these advantages, we believe this electro-optic frequency comb can open up new possibilities for SDIs.
The association between multimorbidity and mobility disability-free life expectancy in adults aged 85 years and over: A modelling study in the Newcastle 85+ cohort
Authors: Davies Laurie E. , Mercer Stewart W. , Brittain Katie , Jagger Carol , Robinson Louise , Kingston Andrew
Published: November 2022

Background

Mobility disability is predictive of further functional decline and can itself compromise older people’s capacity (and preference) to live independently. The world’s population is also ageing, and multimorbidity is the norm in those aged ≥85. What is unclear in this age group, is the influence of multimorbidity on (a) transitions in mobility disability and (b) mobility disability-free life expectancy (mobDFLE).

Methods and findings

Using multistate modelling in an inception cohort of 714 85-year-olds followed over a 10-year period (aged 85 in 2006 to 95 in 2016), we investigated the association between increasing numbers of long-term conditions and (1) mobility disability incidence, (2) recovery from mobility disability and (3) death, and then explored how this shaped the remaining life expectancy free from mobility disability at age 85. Models were adjusted for age, sex, disease group count, BMI and education. We defined mobility disability based on participants’ self-reported ability to get around the house, go up and down stairs/steps, and walk at least 400 yards; participants were defined as having mobility disability if, for one or more these activities, they had any difficulty with them or could not perform them. Data were drawn from the Newcastle 85+ Study: a longitudinal population-based cohort study that recruited community-dwelling and institutionalised individuals from Newcastle upon Tyne and North Tyneside general practices.

We observed that each additional disease was associated with a 16% increased risk of incident mobility disability (hazard ratio (HR) 1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.07 to 1.25,p< 0.001), a 26% decrease in the chance of recovery from this state (HR 0.74, 95% CI: 0.63 to 0.86,p< 0.001), and a 12% increased risk of death with mobility disability (HR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.07- to .17,p< 0.001). This translated to reductions in mobDFLE with increasing numbers of long-term conditions. However, residual and unmeasured confounding cannot be excluded from these analyses, and there may have been unobserved transitions to/from mobility disability between interviews and prior to death.

Conclusions

We suggest 2 implications from this work. (1) Our findings support calls for a greater focus on the prevention of multimorbidity as populations age. (2) As more time spent with mobility disability could potentially lead to greater care needs, maintaining independence with increasing age should also be a key focus for health/social care and reablement services.
The negative impact of COVID-19 on working memory revealed using a rapid online quiz
Authors: Baseler Heidi A. , Aksoy Murat , Salawu Abayomi , Green Angela , Asghar Aziz U. R.
Published: November 2022

Although coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) affects the respiratory system, it can also have neurological consequences leading to cognitive deficits such as memory problems. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of COVID-19 on working memory function. We developed and implemented an online anonymous survey with a working memory quiz incorporating aspects of gamification to engage participants. 5428 participants successfully completed the survey and memory quiz between 8th December 2020 and 5th July 2021 (68.6% non-COVID-19 and 31.4% COVID-19). Most participants (93.3%) completed the survey and memory quiz relatively rapidly (mean time of 8.84 minutes). Categorical regression was used to assess the contribution of COVID status, age, time post-COVID (number of months elapsed since having had COVID), symptoms, ongoing symptoms and gender, followed by non-parametric statistics. A principal component analysis explored the relationship between subjective ratings and objective memory scores. The objective memory scores were significantly correlated with participants’ own assessment of their cognitive function. The factors significantly affecting memory scores were COVID status, age, time post-COVID and ongoing symptoms. Our main finding was a significant reduction in memory scores in all COVID groups (self-reported, positive-tested and hospitalized) compared to the non-COVID group. Memory scores for all COVID groups combined were significantly reduced compared to the non-COVID group in every age category 25 years and over, but not for the youngest age category (18–24 years old). We found that memory scores gradually increased over a period of 17 months post-COVID-19. However, those with ongoing COVID-19 symptoms continued to show a reduction in memory scores. Our findings demonstrate that COVID-19 negatively impacts working memory function, but only in adults aged 25 years and over. Moreover, our results suggest that working memory deficits with COVID-19 can recover over time, although impairments may persist in those with ongoing symptoms.
Influencing factor of COVID-19 vaccination trust and hesitancy in Wonju city, South Korea
Authors: Lee Hocheol , Noh Eun Bi , Kim Ji Eon , Oh Juyeon , Nam Eun Woo
Published: November 2022

Social capital (SC) has been documented to effectively reduce the spread of diseases, including COVID-19; however, research pertaining to SC and COVID-19 vaccination in Korea is lacking. This cross-sectional study conducted in the city of Wonju, Gangwon Province, Korea (n = 1,096) examined the differences in COVID-19 vaccine trust and hesitancy considering individual characteristics and investigated the effects of SC on COVID-19 vaccine trust and hesitancy. SC was measured based on 14 items pertaining to social trust, network, and norms. Responses regarding COVID-19 screening history, vaccine trust, and vaccine hesitancy were also assessed. SC scores did not differ between sexes, but differed significantly according to age and household income; thus, adults aged 70–79 years had the highest SC scores, and mean SC score increased significantly with income. COVID-19 vaccine trust differed significantly according to age, average household income, social organization involvement, and SC score. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy differed significantly with age, SC score, and COVID-19 screening history. In univariate logistic regression, age, average household income, social organization involvement, and SC score were significant predictors of vaccine trust; in multivariable analysis, however, the identified predictors were age and SC. In particular, people with an SC score ≥50 were 2.660 times more likely to trust COVID-19 vaccines than those with lower scores. In multivariable analysis, age and SC were significant predictors of vaccine hesitancy. In particular, people with an SC score ≥50 were 1.400 times more likely not to be hesitant about receiving COVID-19 vaccines than people with lower scores. These results indicate that prioritizing policies to increase SC and trust in the government could boost the COVID-19 vaccination rate.
Trauma consultations in a Swiss tertiary emergency department: Comparison of asylum seekers and the local population—Patient characteristics and patterns of injuries, a retrospective study
Authors: Jachmann Anne , Saffuri Rabia , Eijer Henk , Brown Adam D. , Karamagioli Evika , Pikoulis Emmanouil , Exadaktylos Aristomenis , Klingberg Karsten , Srivastava David
Published: November 2022

Background

In 2017, accidents and other acts of violence were the fifth most common cause of death in Switzerland. Moreover, there are increasing numbers of refugees and asylum seekers (AS), who often exhibit distinct disease profiles from those of the natives of the host country. If these differences could be clearly identified, this might help to develop and implement strategies to prevent injuries in health care programs for refugees and asylum seekers. The aim of this study was to examine the types and characteristics of physical trauma profiles in patients from the two largest groups of AS in Switzerland–from Eastern Africa (EA) and the Middle East (ME)–who consulted a Swiss Emergency Department (ED) in 2017/2018. Furthermore, the physical trauma profiles of Swiss national (SN) patients were examined in order to explore potential differences.

Methods

Descriptive retrospective study of adult trauma patients consulting the ED of a Swiss University Hospital between 01/2017 and 12/2018. The study included 157 asylum seeking trauma patients from EA and ME were included in the study. These were matched by gender and age to 157 Swiss trauma patients consulting the ED in the study period.

Results

There were significant differences between the groups with respect to type of admission, level of severity, localization and mechanisms of injury. While SN had higher levels of injuries related to road traffic or work, AS had higher levels of injuries related to attempted suicide or to assault.

Conclusions

There were differences between AS and the local population with respect to the characteristics and patterns of injury, so that strategies for preventing injuries and promoting health must be tailored to the target population. Moreover, the observed high rates of outpatient treatment for both groups underline the increasing role of EDs as primary care providers for the population served.
Work-life balance in physicians working in two emergency departments of a university hospital: Results of a qualitative focus group study
Authors: Pudasaini Samipa , Schenk Liane , Möckel Martin , Schneider Anna
Published: November 2022

By applying an explorative approach, we aimed to identify a wide set of challenges and opportunities for the compatibility of the work and life domains in emergency department (ED) physicians as well as their suggestions for practical approaches to improve work-life balance. Four focus groups with 14 physicians of differing hierarchical position and family status were carried out at two EDs of one major university hospital. Data analysis was based on qualitative content analysis. Discussed themes within main categories included ED work conditions, aspects of residency training, physician’s mentality and behaviors as well as context factors of university medicine. Working in an ED is associated with a comparatively high work-life-interference, mostly due to the unpredictable nature of ED work. Based on our context-specific findings, further research might address factors influencing work-life balance in ED physicians with a mixed-methods approach for identification of relevant associations and intervention approaches in this field.
Textural feature based intelligent approach for neurological abnormality detection from brain signal data
Authors: Tawhid Md. Nurul Ahad , Siuly Siuly , Wang Kate , Wang Hua
Published: November 2022

The diagnosis of neurological diseases is one of the biggest challenges in modern medicine, which is a major issue at the moment. Electroencephalography (EEG) recordings is usually used to identify various neurological diseases. EEG produces a large volume of multi-channel time-series data that neurologists visually analyze to identify and understand abnormalities within the brain and how they propagate. This is a time-consuming, error-prone, subjective, and exhausting process. Moreover, recent advances in EEG classification have mostly focused on classifying patients of a specific disease from healthy subjects using EEG data, which is not cost effective as it requires multiple systems for checking a subject’s EEG data for different neurological disorders. This forces researchers to advance their work and create a single, unified classification framework for identifying various neurological diseases from EEG signal data. Hence, this study aims to meet this requirement by developing a machine learning (ML) based data mining technique for categorizing multiple abnormalities from EEG data. Textural feature extractors and ML-based classifiers are used on time-frequency spectrogram images to develop the classification system. Initially, noises and artifacts are removed from the signal using filtering techniques and then normalized to reduce computational complexity. Afterwards, normalized signals are segmented into small time segments and spectrogram images are generated from those segments using short-time Fourier transform. Then two histogram based textural feature extractors are used to calculate features separately and principal component analysis is used to select significant features from the extracted features. Finally, four different ML based classifiers are used to categorize those selected features into different disease classes. The developed method is tested on four real-time EEG datasets. The obtained result has shown potential in classifying various abnormality types, indicating that it can be utilized to identify various neurological abnormalities from brain signal data.
Postoperative management of total elbow arthroplasty: Results of a European survey among orthopedic surgeons
Authors: Dam Willemijn van , Meijering Danielle , Stevens Martin , Boerboom Alexander L. , Eygendaal Denise
Published: November 2022

Background

The number of complications after total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is high and survival rates are low compared to hip and knee arthroplasties. The most common reason for revision is aseptic loosening, which might be caused by overloading of the elbow. In an attempt to lower failure rates, current clinical practice is to restrict activities for patients with a TEA. However, postoperative management of TEA is a poorly investigated topic, as no evidence-based clinical guidelines exist and the aftercare is often surgeon-based. In this study we evaluated the current postoperative management of TEA among orthopedic surgeons.

Methods

An online survey of 30 questions was sent to 635 members of the European Society for Surgery of the Shoulder and the Elbow (SECEC/ESSSE), about 10% (n = ± 64) of whom are considered dedicated elbow specialists. The questions were on characteristics of the surgeon and on the surgeon’s preferred postoperative management, including items to be assessed on length of immobilization, amount of weight bearing and axial loading, instructions on lifelong activities, physiotherapy, and postoperative evaluation of the elbow.

Results

The survey was completed by 54 dedicated elbow specialists from 17 different countries. Postoperative immobilization of the elbow was advised by half of respondents when using the triceps-sparing approach (52%), and even more with the triceps-detaching approach (65%). Postoperative passive movement of the elbow was allowed in the triceps-sparing approach (91%) and in the triceps-detaching approach (87%). Most respondents gave recommendations on weight bearing (91%) or axial loading (76%) by the affected elbow, but the specification shows significant variation.

Conclusion

The results from this survey demonstrate a wide variation in postoperative care of TEA. The lack of consensus in combination with low survival rates stresses the need for clinical guidelines. Further research should focus on creating these guidelines to improve follow-up care for TEA.
It’s just that uncertainty that eats away at people: Antarctic expeditioners’ lived experiences of COVID-19
Authors: Nash Meredith , Leane Elizabeth , Norris Kimberley
Published: November 2022

With Antarctic expeditioners popularly portrayed in the media during the pandemic as both heroic stalwarts better equipped than any other people to deal with the rigours of isolation and, paradoxically, the only people untouched by the virus, it was all too easy to ignore the actual experiences of those working in the continent. Drawing on the experiences of expeditioners in the Australian Antarctic Program from 2019–21, this article provides a counter to popular media perspective by exploring how COVID-19 protocols–including quarantine and social distancing–affected expeditioners’ individual well-being and their experiences of the social environment. We argue that Antarctic life during COVID-19 has not been as detached from the rest of the world nor as heroic as the popular media has suggested, but nonetheless provides important insights for survival in isolated, confined, and extreme environments (ICE) and non-ICE environments at a time of pandemic.
Spelling acquisition in a consistent orthography: The facilitatory effect of syllable frequency in novice spellers
Authors: Iaia Marika , Marinelli Chiara Valeria , Vizzi Francesca , Angelelli Paola
Published: November 2022

This study investigates the effects of two sublexical variables, syllable frequency, and word length, in the spelling acquisition of novice spellers dealing with a transparent orthography, such as Italian. Two groups of 1 st-grade Italian children were tested respectively after 4 and 8 months of schooling, with a spelling-to-dictation task of single words created ad hoc by manipulating syllable frequency orthogonally (high vs low frequency of the first syllable) and length (short vs long words). The results show that after only four months of schooling, children could offset their difficulty in writing long words by taking advantage of the high frequency of the initial syllable. However, the regularity of Italian spelling makes it easy to capture fine-sized phoneme-to-grapheme units, rendering the syllable effect no longer detectable in more schooled children.
Can digital farming technologies enhance the willingness to buy products from current farming systems?
Authors: Wilmes Rolf , Waldhof Gabi , Breunig Peter
Published: November 2022

While current global agriculture allows for efficient food production, it brings environmental disadvantages, which resulted in a lack of public acceptance. Digital technologies (e.g., technologies that enable precision agriculture) have been suggested as a potential solution to reconcile environmental sustainability and yield increases. By embedding digital technologies into holistic farming system visualized through mission statements, this study tests the effect of different intensities of digitization, as well as environmental arguments on the willingness to buy food produced by farms in Germany. We use a 4 x 4 repeated measure experimental design surveying a representative sample of 2,020 German citizens recruited online. Our research framework captures the farming system (comparing low intensity of digitalization for a small or organic farm and low, medium, and high intensity of digitalization for large or conventional farms) and environmental arguments (comparing no arguments, and altruistic, egoistic, and biospheric arguments). The results show a negative effect of digital technologies on willingness to buy. However, this relationship turns positive when introducing environmental arguments. Furthermore, there is a moderation effect for respondents’ attitudes towards technologies that varies depending on whether altruistic, egoistic, or biospheric concerns were stated. The results indicate that digital technologies can increase willingness to buy products from both large and conventional farms, but not to the level of small farms and organic farms.
Cigarette smoking and associated factors among men in five South Asian countries: A pooled analysis of nationally representative surveys
Authors: Shariful Islam Md , Rashid Mamunur , Sizear Monaemul Islam , Hassan Raafat , Rahman Mahbubur , Parvez Sarker Masud , Hore Shuvon Chandra , Haque Rehnuma , Jahan Farjana , Chowdhury Supta , Huda Tarique Mohammad Nurul , Saif-Ur-Rahman K. M. , Khan Arifuzzaman
Published: November 2022

Smoking is one of the leading causes of premature deaths worldwide. The cigarette is the commonest form of tobacco smoking. This study investigated the factors associated with cigarette smoking among men in five South Asian countries. We analyzed nationally representative cross-sectional study (Demographic and Health Survey) data conducted in Afghanistan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Pakistan from 2015–2018. Our study population was men aged between 15 and 49 years. The outcome variable was the prevalence of cigarette smoking. We performed both pooled and country-specific analyses using multivariable logistic regression. The prevalence of cigarette smoking among men is the highest (41.2%) in the Maldives and the lowest (20.1%) in Pakistan. Our pooled analysis found that higher age, lower education, lower wealth status, and involvement in any occupations were strongly associated with cigarette smoking (p-value <0.001). However, we did not find a significant association between age and wealth status in Afghanistan, occupations in Nepal and Pakistan, and education in Pakistan with cigarette smoking when country-specific analyses were performed. In this study, socioeconomic position, age, and urban area are strongly associated with cigarette smoking in South Asian countries. The country-specific circumstances should be considered in planning and designing national smoking control strategies and interventions. However, improving access to smoking cessation services could be an effective intervention for all studied countries, Afghanistan, India, Maldives, Nepal, and Pakistan.
“Anime-se!”
Authors: Moura de Almeida Ferreira Carvalho Rebecca , Trevisan de Souza Vera Lucia
Published: November 2022

O presente trabalho é um recorte de uma pesquisa de mestrado em andamento, que se utiliza de animes e mangás para favorecer a expressão e elaboração das emoções de alunos do 6º ano do fundamental de uma escola estadual da região metropolitana de Campinas (RMC), São Paulo. Os alunos foram convidados a assistirem ao primeiro episódio de animes diferentes, e em seguida era proposta uma conversa/discussão sobre suas impressões e relações. Como resultado observou-se um grande interesse em relação a esse tipo de mídia, assim como a presença de um processo de identificação com os personagens. Esse processo fez com que emergissem emoções que ao serem expressas por cada um eram refletidas e elaboradas no coletivo. A experiência nos leva a defender os
animes como instrumento na atuação do psicólogo escolar assim como de ações pedagógicas na escola. Concluímos que os animes podem ser ferramentas midiáticas dentro da psicologia escolar e do próprio planejamento pedagógico, visto que suas características, ao enfatizarem as emoções, favorecerem a identificação/não identificação dos alunos e a reflexão sobre o que sentem e vivenciam no cotidiano. A apresentação do trabalho ocorreu no dia 12 de novembro de 2022 no6º Congresso Brasileiro Psicologia: Ciência e Profissão em São Paulo.
Fungi Associated with the Inhibition of Germination of Cowpea Seeds
Authors: Etaware Peter
Published: November 2022

Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. (Cowpea) is a legume that is significant in the diet of millions of people around the world. The physiological impact of fungal encroachment on stored cowpea seeds include: increased seed temperature and mustiness, increased fatty acid production, reduced sugar quality and respiration rate, production of mycotoxins (which if consumed may be harmful to man and animals) and loss in seed weight and viability (Etaware and Ogungbemile, 2019). There are very few reports on the effects of fungi on the germination and growth of cowpea. Therefore, this research was setup to analyze the impact of fungal infection on the germination parameters of cowpea seeds. Aspergillus flavus and A. parasiticus were the most virulent of all the strains of fungal species tested, as they inhibited the germination of a total of 80% (each) of the cowpea seeds treated with the spore suspension of the pathogens. Fusarium oxysporum inhibited the germination of 70% of cowpea seeds inoculated its spore suspension, while a total of 60% of the cowpea seeds inoculated with A. fumigatus lost their germination potentials after the pretreatment with the spore suspension of the pathogen. Rhizopus stolonifer and A. niger had milder effects on the germinating cowpea seeds as they each inhibited 50% and 0% respectively of the inoculated cowpea seeds at the end of the experiment
Patient-Reported Impact of Symptoms in Crohn's Disease
Authors: Varma Anika , Weinstein Jennifer , Seabury Jamison , Rosero Spencer , Wagner Ellen , Zizzi Christine , Luebbe Elizabeth , Dilek Nuran , McDermott Michael , Heatwole John , Saubermann Lawrence , Temple Larissa , Rogoff Scott , Heatwole Chad
Published: November 2022

INTRODUCTION:

Patients with Crohn's disease (CD) experience a variety of symptoms that significantly affect their lives. In this study, we (i) ascertain the most prevalent and impactful symptoms in CD and (ii) identify modifying factors that are associated with a higher disease burden in CD.

METHODS:

We conducted semistructured interviews with adult participants with CD to determine what issues have the greatest impact on their lives. Next, we conducted a large cross-sectional study of individuals with CD to determine the prevalence and relative importance of those symptoms and themes and to identify the demographic features that are associated with a higher disease burden.

RESULTS:

Sixteen individuals with CD provided 792 direct quotes regarding their symptomatic burden. Four hundred three people with CD participated in our cross-sectional study. The symptomatic themes with the highest prevalence in CD were gastrointestinal issues (93.0%), fatigue (86.4%), dietary restrictions (77.9%), and impaired sleep or daytime sleepiness (75.6%). The symptomatic themes that had the greatest impact on patients' lives (0–4 scale) related to fatigue (1.82), impaired sleep or daytime sleepiness (1.71), gastrointestinal issues (1.66), and dietary restrictions (1.61). Symptomatic theme prevalence was strongly associated with a higher number of soft stools per day, greater number of bowel movements per day, missed work, employment and disability status, and having perianal disease.

DISCUSSION:

Patients with CD experience numerous symptoms that affect their daily life. These symptoms, some underrecognized, vary based on disease and demographic characteristics and represent potential targets for future therapeutic interventions.
The engineering performance of eco-friendly concretes containing diatomite fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag
Authors: Aruntaş Hüseyin Yilmaz , Yildiz Erkan , Kaplan Gökhan
Published: November 2022

Approximately 10 % of CO2 is emitted from an ordinary Portland cement production. In cement and concrete production, CO2 emissions can be greatly reduced by using Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs). In addition, the microstructure and durability properties of concrete are greatly improved when silica-rich SCMs are used. In this study, Eco-Friendly concrete design was carried out using three different SCMs. Diatomite, ground granulated blast furnace (GGBFS) and fly ash (FA) were used as the SCM in the concrete mixtures. SCMs were used instead of cement at ratios of 5, 10, 15, and 20 wt %. When diatomite was used at the rate of 20 %, the standard consistency water increased 1.7 times as compared to the reference mixture. With the increase in the replacement ratio, the final setting times of the pastes increased. The high active SiO2 content of diatomite shortened the initial setting time and increased the compressive strength. The use of 5 % diatomite reduced the slump value by 57 % as compared to the reference mixture. The slump and Ve-Be tests of GGBFS and FA mixtures showed similar properties to the reference mixture. The 28-day compressive strength of concrete varied between 29.2–34.6 MPa. With the increase in the curing time of the concrete mixtures, up to 50 % improvements were observed in the compressive strength. Especially on the 180th day, a compressive strength of 44.1 MPa was obtained in concrete mixtures with a 10 % replacement ratio. While using the FA in the mixtures improved the abrasion properties, the opposite result was observed in the case of the GGBFS. It was observed that the mixtures with 5 % FA showed the closest properties to the reference mixture. As a result, it was determined that SCMs with different properties could be used in environmentally friendly concrete mixtures by up to a 20 % replacement ratio.
Concrete lintels reinforced with steel fibres oriented by a magnetic field
Authors: Carrera Kristýna , Künzel Karel , Konrád Petr , Sovják Radoslav , Papež Václav , Mára Michal , Fornůsek Jindřich , Kheml Přemysl
Published: November 2022

This paper explores the possibility of applying the technique of magnetic orientation of steel fibres for manufacturing a concrete structural element of realistic dimensions, compared to small laboratory specimens. This technique could be a part of an answer to the current need for faster and automated production in the prefabrication industry. The examined specimens have dimensions of commonly used lintels in construction, 80 mm × 100 mm × 980 mm. The properties of specimens with magnetically oriented fibres are compared with same size specimens prefabricated conventionally. The orientation of fibres has been confirmed by Q-factor non-destructive testing method using a measuring coil. All specimens were tested with a four-point bending test. The specimens with oriented fibres show a significantly higher flexural strength, by 150 %, than specimens produced conventionally with the same volume of fibres.
Reduction of pavement thickness using a subgrade layer treated by different techniques
Authors: Zehawi Raquim N. , Kareem Yassir A. , Khudhair Emad Y.
Published: November 2022

A range of stabilisers for poor quality subgrade soils have been developed to promote road constructions. Many of them are becoming more popular depending on their effectiveness. The purpose behind this research is to identify the relative efficacy of many physical and chemical stabilisation techniques for enhancing the properties of three types of local Iraqi subgrade soils. The comparison of the samples is based on the CBR tests. The AASHTO (1993) flexible pavement design was used to compute the pavement thickness requirements. The soil samples A, B and C have a natural CBR values of 3.8, 3.9 and 4, respectively, on which the physical stabilisers of Powdered rock (PR), grained recycled concrete (GRC), and recycled crumb rubber grains (CR) were employed, while Quicklime (QL) and activated fly ash (AFA) were both utilised as chemical stabilisers. The stabilisation with 15 % of AFA proved to be the most applicable method for soil types A and B for reducing the pavement thickness requirements by 51 % and 32 %, respectively, with a reasonable financial feasibility for both. The same feasibility is proven when stabilising soil type C with 15 % of GRC, which reduces the pavementthickness by 25.7 %.
MENGHILANGKAN KELUHAN PELANGGAN DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN TEKNIK POKA-YOKE SEDERHANA BERBIAYA MURAH
Authors: Fatah Kemas Muhammat Abdul
Published: November 2022

Kinerja perusahan dalam konteks mutu tidak terlepas dari total biaya mutu yang terdiri dari biaya pengendalian mutu dan biaya kegagalan. Biaya kegagalan muncul karena terjadinya kegagalan, baik terjadi di internal (kegagalan internal) maupun terjadi di eksternal (kegagalan eksternal). Kegagalan internal yang tidak terdeteksi dan berlanjut sampai ke pelanggan dapat menyebabkan terjadinya kegagalan eksternal dalam bentuk keluhan pelanggan. Penelitian ini ditujukan untuk menghilangkan keluhan pelanggan dengan menggunakan teknik Poka-Yoke. Diagram Pareto menunjukkan bahwa keluhan pelanggan atas kurang jumlah kirim barang menjadi prioritas pertama untuk dihilangkan. Aktivitas Gemba menemukan bahwa akar permasalahan berasal dari area proses packing. Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) menunjukkan bahwa potensi penyebab keluhan pelanggan adalah operator lalai dalam menghitung dan solusi yang disarankan adalah menggunakan teknik Poka-Yoke berupa alat bantu hitung, namun harus dirancang dalam bentuk sederhana dan berbiaya murah. Dengan membandingkan nilai Risk Priority Number (RPN) pada FMEA sebelum dengan FMEA setelah implementasi, di mana terjadi penurunan nilai RPN, membuktikan bahwa alat bantu hitung berfungsi efektif untuk menghilangkan keluhan pelanggan. Abstract[Eliminating Customer Complaints by Using Simple and Low-Cost Poka-Yoke Technique] The company's performance in the context of quality is inseparable from the total cost of quality, consisting of quality control costs and failure costs. Failure costs arise due to the occurrence of failures, whether internal failure or external failure. The undetectable internal failure, and continue to the customer, can lead to external failures in the form of customer complaints. This study aims to eliminate customer complaints by using the Poka-Yoke technique. The Pareto diagram shows that customer complaints about the lack of goods delivered are the priority to be eliminated. Gemba's activities found that the root cause of customer complaints comes from the packing process area. Failure Mode and Effect Analysis (FMEA) shows that the potential cause of failure is operator carelessness in calculating, and the recommended solution is to use the Poka-Yoke technique as a counting device, but it must be designed in a simple and low-cost form. By comparing the value of the Risk Priority Number (RPN) in the FMEA before with the FMEA after implementation, there is a decrease in the value of the RPN, proving that the counting devices effectively eliminate customer complaints.Keywords: customer complaints; FMEA;Poka-Yoke; RPN
O příkladu zavádění integrované výuky
Authors: Koldová Helena , Rokos Lukáš , Hašková Tereza
Published: November 2022

Integrovaná výuka je jedním z trendů současného vzdělávání a je mj. zakotvena v dokumentech vzdělávací a kurikulární politiky. Umožňuje uplatnění různých (mezipředmětových, logických, strukturních, analogických) vazeb v obsahu vzdělávacích oblastí, zejména pak propojení teoretických poznatků s praktickými činnostmi žáků.
Vzhledem k tomu, že učitelé v České republice jsou připravováni ve dvouoborových aprobacích, domníváme se, že by pro ně mohla být komplexní integrovaná výuka novinkou či výzvou. Tento příspěvek prezentuje případovou studii, v níž byl sledován postup, jakým způsobem je integrovaná výuka zaváděna do praxe na vybrané základní škole. Zajímali jsme se o faktory, které podporují či brzdí její efektivní zavádění, a sledovali jsme také pohledy konkrétních osob, které se na její implementaci podílely.
Výsledky výzkumu rozvoje školy ukazují, že pro úspěch implementace integrované výuky do praxe je potřebná aktivní a motivovaná spolupráce aktérů na různých úrovních v organizaci školy, včetně vytvoření příslušných podmínek na těchto úrovních. Ke stejným závěrům jsme dospěli v naší studii, v níž nám čtyři respondenti z vybrané školy, která se snaží o implementaci integrované výuky do praxe, poskytli informace o své osobní zkušenosti s tímto přístupem, o příležitostech a rizicích souvisejících s procesem implementace, o vhodných podmínkách a svých vizích.
Domníváme se, že prezentované informace mohou být příkladem zajímavé zkušenosti z praxe, ale i inspirací pro učitele, studenty učitelství, vzdělavatele učitelů či vedení škol k efektivnímu plánování a implementaci integrovaného kurikula do výuky přírodovědných předmětů a matematiky.
Utváření profesního sebepojetí učitele jako součást kurikula studijního programu učitelství
Authors: Vaculík Pravdová Blanka
Published: November 2022

Cíle: Předkládaná studie představuje kurikulum studijního programu učitelství (akreditovaného jako doplňující pedagogické studium), jež je zaměřeno na utváření profesního sebepojetí studenta učitelství. Studie si klade za cíl (a) objasnit příčinné vztahy mezi realizovaným kurikulem studijního programu a vývojem profesního sebepojetí studentů učitelství a (b) vyhodnotit předpokládaný vliv intervencí vzdělavatelů budoucích učitelů na utváření profesního sebepojetí studentů učitelství.
Metody: Pro výzkumné šetření byl využit design evaluační případové studie. Ta je jednopřípadová, s tzv. vnořeným přístupem. Kvalitativní obsahové analýze byly podrobeny závěrečné práce zaznamenávající vývoj profesního sebepojetí 29 studentů učitelství (23 žen, 6 mužů), kteří v letech 2019–2021 absolvovali popisovaný studijní program.
Výsledky: Cílené intervence (průběžná a pravidelná reflexe praktických zkušeností, práce s kompetenčním rámcem studenta učitelství, práce s osobním rozvojovým cílem, práce na tzv. profesní výzvě ad.) vedou k transformaci či zpřesnění původních prekoncepcí spojených s jednotlivými složkami profesního sebepojetí (pojetí sebe v roli učitele, pojetí žáka, pojetí výuky). Účinek realizovaných intervencí souvisí (a) s bezpečným a podnětným prostředím na praxi ve škole i ve stálé studijní skupině při vysokoškolské výuce a (b) s rozvojem reflektivních kompetencí studentů učitelství.
Hlavní směry transformace primárního vzdělávání v České republice po roce 1989 a perspektivy dalšího vývoje
Authors: Spilková Vladimíra
Published: November 2022

Cílem přehledové studie je reflektovat hlavní směry transformace české primární školy v posledních třiceti letech v širším kontextu společenských a politických změn po roce 1989. Vybrané fenomény jsou sledovány na pozadí trendů ve vyspělých zemích i naší vzdělávací tradice v této oblasti.

Reformní procesy jsou analyzovány z hlediska (1) vzdělávací politiky (proklamované a projektované změny), (2) teoretických východisek a vůdčích konceptů, (3) praktických pokusů o proměnu primárního vzdělávání v realitě školní praxe.

Optikou vzdělávací politiky jsou v centru pozornosti hlavní tendence, které se postupně uplatnily v řízení, legislativě, koncepčních materiálech, kurikulárních dokumentech apod. Na základě relevantní literatury domácí i zahraniční provenience jsou charakterizovány klíčové principy na dítě orientovaného pojetí primárního vzdělávání z hlediska celkové koncepce, cílů, obsahu a strategií výuky. 

Jádro studie je věnováno proměnám primárního vzdělávání z hlediska vnější i vnitřní reformy, přičemž důraz je položen na otázky vnitřní proměny primární školy.

V návaznosti na záměry vzdělávací politiky, projektované změny a teoretická východiska je  zaměřena pozornost na realitu transformačních procesů v praxi primárních škol. Jsou  reflektovány hlavní směry v úsilí o výraznou změnu v pojetí primárního vzdělávání s cílem odpovědět na otázku, které pedagogické přístupy, inovativní projekty a alternativní koncepce se ve školské praxi nejvýrazněji prosadily.

V závěru studie jsou diskutovány problémy, otevřené otázky, kritická místa dosavadního vývoje. Jsou zvažovány také perspektivy dalšího vývoje v oblasti primárního vzdělávání v souvislosti s měnícími se kontexty (společenské požadavky, měnící se charakteristiky dětské populace aj.) a novými výzvami.
Case of the Development of a Biomedical Device Innovation Project of a Mexican Public University to Face COVID-19
Authors: Roberto Vega-González Luis , Sánchez Pérez Celia A.
Published: November 2022

Through the case study method, in this article, the activities of an innovation project carried out by the Biomedical Devices group of the Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology of the National Autonomous University of México (UNAM) to face Covid-19 pandemic are presented. A notable result is that the drastic reduction of university development times required to deliver results to the health sector in the form of technological products to face the disaster situation is observed. However, it is also noted that some government authorities in the field of intellectual property and health permits act as barriers that make it difficult to reach the innovation frontier because the time required to obtain governmental authorizations. This situation made it difficult to reach the moment of launching the technological product to society. It is concluded that the joint reaction time of the different innovation actors is one of the main variables or dimensions that must be reduced through emergency policies and actions that must be planned, based on the organizational and individual learning that occurs in contingent situations.
The Impact of Board Capabilities on Firm Financial Performance: A Resource-Based View Perspective
Authors: Ismail Aida Maria , Mohd Fauzi Siti Aisyah Amirah , Yatim Normahiran
Published: November 2022

The study aims to examine the effect of board capabilities (board composition, board gender diversity and board independence) on firm financial performance in Malaysian public listed companies based on the Resource-Based View Theory (RBVT). The board capabilities are crucial for the investors to create a better organisational performance. The study also used regression analysis to determine the relationships between the variables. The data were extracted from Thomson EikonTM DataStream and annual reports of companies listed under Bursa Malaysia, comprising five years’ worth of information. The results demonstrated a significant impact of board capabilities on firm financial performance. Specifically, board composition and board gender diversity significantly affected firm financial performance. Conversely, board independence and firm financial performance presented no significant impact. Ultimately, the study outlines the essential factors that impact firm financial performance to restore public confidence towards the companies. Hence, the corporate governance factors should be emphasised to protect investors’ interests.