bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute kidney injury following autoimmune hemolytic anemia due to simultaneous use of ciprofloxacin and hydrochlorothiazide: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Yaghoubi Fatemeh , Tavakoli Farnaz , Dalil Davood , Jamaloo Hoda
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Rare cases of autoimmune hemolytic anemia (AHA) associated with using ciprofloxacin or hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) alone have been reported before. However, simultaneous use of both drugs could lead to a severe clinical condition. This study presents the combination of acute kidney injury (AKI) and AHA following the simultaneous use of ciprofloxacin and HCTZ for three days.

Case Description

A 42‐year‐old Iranian woman presented to the emergency department with symptoms of fatigue, lethargy, nausea and vomiting, ataxia, oliguria, dark urine, and jaundice. The patient reported using HCTZ due to high blood pressure and ciprofloxacin for a urinary tract infection three days before presentation. Early laboratory findings revealed hemolytic anemia with a hemoglobin of 7 g/dl, the strongly positive direct and indirect Coombs test, high level of lactate dehydrogenase (820 IU/L), and hyperbilirubinemia (total: 3 mg/dL and direct: 1.2 mg/dL). Furthermore, hyperkalemia (5.2 mEq/L), hyperphosphatemia (6.2 mg/dL), high levels of BUN (100 mg/dL), and creatinine rise (6.8 mg/dL) were found. Urine analysis showed 2+ blood, 4‐6 red blood cells, and cola‐colored urine. Based on the findings, drug‐induced AHA, followed by AKI, was diagnosed. Following, the drugs were stopped and steroid therapy was initiated. The patient underwent four sessions of hemodialysis to improve the AKI.

Conclusion

Healthcare providers should be aware of the life‐threatening adverse effects of commonly used drugs such as ciprofloxacin or HCTZ. The timely diagnosis of the offending drugs leads to avoiding the persistence of the risk factor and the deterioration of the patient's clinical condition.
Through a glass, darkly: Gazing into the field of carers in academia
Authors: Moreau Marie‐Pierre , Wheeler Lucie
Published: February 2023

Carers in academia is a young but growing field, which has quickly expanded since the 2000s and has gained new momentum during the Covid‐19 pandemic and the accompanying disruptions of personal and professional lives. It is also one which, through its associations with reproductive and women's work, remains relatively marginalised. This article examines the English language research literature on carers in academia. Drawing upon feminist poststructuralist theories, we contend that, because the literature is not ‘out of the discourses’ of care and academic work and, instead, contributes to construct the objects it speaks of, the state of the field is a matter of cognitive and social justice. Following the presentation of the methodological and theoretical frameworks and a discussion of the authorial voices framing the field, we consider the relative in/visibilities of various groups of care/rs. Drawing on a review which identified 158 relevant texts, we find research in the field broadly ignores male, disabled, BME and LGBTQ+ carers, as well as ancillary workers and professional groups other than academics, and forms of care work other than parenting healthy, abled children. We then move to discussing the liminalities of care, noting the absence of studies of care work in academia related to non‐humans and to end of life. We conclude by pointing out the need for further reflexivity in terms of how processes of knowledge production include and exclude in ways that are complex and fluid.
Implementation of adaptive fault‐tolerant tracking control for robot manipulators with integral sliding mode
Authors: Liu Linzhi , Zhang Liyin , Hou Yinlong , Tang Dafeng , Liu Hui
Published: February 2023

This article presents an adaptive fault‐tolerant tracking control for uncertain robot manipulators. By fully considering the effects of uncertainties and actuator effectiveness faults, an integral sliding manifold with a novel auxiliary function is first proposed for tracking control of robot manipulators. Then, a novel fault‐tolerant tracking control based on the proposed integral sliding manifold is developed to acquire robustness in both reaching and sliding phase. In order to further reduce the effects of uncertainties on tracking performance, an adaptive law is performed to estimate unknown parameters of the upper bounded uncertainties, which further reduces the control torque input in case of the similar tracking performance. The stability of the proposed approaches is accomplished by Lyapunov stable theory and homogeneous technique. The key contributions of the proposed approach are as follows: (i) the reaching phase of sliding mode control is removed completely in the control design and then the tracking system enters the sliding mode from the initial states; (ii) the nominal control term is eliminated in the design of integral sliding surface and then the algebraic loop problem is also avoided in the proposed approach for robot manipulators; (iii) the simple control structure with an adaptive law is obtained better tracking performance by utilizing lower control torque input and then the effects of time‐delay and computational burden are also restrained from the proposed approach. Simulation and experimental comparisons have been accomplished for verifying the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
The double negative approach to sustainability
Authors: Feitelson Eran , Stern Eliahu
Published: February 2023

Thirty years after Bruntland there is still no consensus on how sustainability should be defined. This is due to the multiplicity of value laden meanings, tradeoffs between goals, the political aspects of goal prioritization and the variance over time and place in perceptions of challenges. In the recent two decades, a double negative approach has gradually been accepted. That is, rather than defining what sustainability is, the emphasis has shifted to definitions of what is unsustainable, thereby identifying safe and just spaces, which can be viewed as sustainable states. In this paper, we review the evolution of the double negative approach, arguing that it can be generalized. We show this approach is scalable and adaptable, as it allows for the introduction of additional dimensions as a function of scale, sector and setting. To operationalize this approach we propose a method to identify red lines that serve as benchmarks for safe and just spaces.
High‐power and low‐cost sodium‐ion batteries with a wide operation temperature from −70 °C to 130 °C
Authors: Li Zhi , Zhang Yu , Wang Yonggang
Published: February 2023

Low‐cost sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) are promising candidates for grid‐scale energy‐storage systems, and the wide‐temperature operations of SIBs are highly demanded to accommodate extreme weather. Herein, a low‐cost SIB is fabricated with a Na4Fe3(PO4)2P2O7 (NFPP) cathode, a natural graphite (NG) anode, and an ether‐based electrolyte. The prepared NG//NFPP batteries deliver a long lifespan of 1000 cycles, high‐power density of 5938 W/kg, and remarkable rate performance of 10 A/g with a high capacity retention of 60%. Benefiting from the solvent co‐intercalation process of the NG anode and the high Na+ diffusion rate of the NFPP cathode, the NG//NFPP battery displays outstanding performance at −40 °C and even can work at an ultralow temperature of −70 °C. Furthermore, the high boiling point of the electrolytes and high thermal stability of the electrode materials also enable the high‐temperature operation of the full battery up to 130 °C. This work will guide the design of the wide‐temperature SIBs.
Defining species-specific and conserved interactions of apical membrane protein 1 during erythrocyte invasion in malaria to inform multi-species vaccines
Authors: Drew Damien R. , Wilson Danny W. , Weiss Gretchen E. , Yeoh Lee M. , G. Henshall Isabelle , Crabb Brendan S. , Dutta Sheetij , Gilson Paul R. , Beeson James G.
Published: February 2023

Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax are the major causes of human malaria, and P. knowlesi is an important additional cause in SE Asia. Binding of apical membrane antigen 1 (AMA1) to rhoptry neck protein 2 (RON2) was thought to be essential for merozoite invasion of erythrocytes by Plasmodium spp. Our findings reveal that P. falciparum and P. vivax have diverged and show species-specific binding of AMA1 to RON2, determined by a β-hairpin loop in RON2 and specific residues in AMA1 Loop1E. In contrast, cross-species binding of AMA1 to RON2 is retained between P. vivax and P. knowlesi. Mutation of specific amino acids in AMA1 Loop1E in P. falciparum or P. vivax ablated RON2 binding without impacting erythrocyte invasion. This indicates that the AMA1–RON2-loop interaction is not essential for invasion and additional AMA1 interactions are involved. Mutations in AMA1 that disrupt RON2 binding also enable escape of invasion inhibitory antibodies. Therefore, vaccines and therapeutics will need to be broader than targeting only the AMA1–RON2 interaction. Antibodies targeting AMA1 domain 3 had greater invasion-inhibitory activity when RON2-loop binding was ablated, suggesting this domain is a promising additional target for vaccine development. Targeting multiple AMA1 interactions involved in invasion may enable vaccines that generate more potent inhibitory antibodies and address the capacity for immune evasion. Findings on specific residues for invasion function and species divergence and conservation can inform novel vaccines and therapeutics against malaria caused by three species, including the potential for cross-species vaccines.
Thunder and lightning—a report on firework-associated acoustic trauma at New Year 2021/2022
Authors: Flockerzi Veronika , Schick Bernhard ,   German Acoustic Fireworks-associated Traumata Study (GAFATS) Group, Ilgner Justus , Hesse Gerhard , Jecker Peter , Eichwald Herbert , Dommerich Steffen , Gerstner Andreas O. H. , Hoppe Stephanie , Ebmeyer Jörg , Thomas Jan Peter , Papst Friedemann , Hornung Joachim , Lang Stephan , Knopf Andreas , Dost Philipp , Arens Christoph , Wrobel Christian , Langer Jörg , Münscher Adrian , Lenarz Thomas , Cem Bulut Olcay , Hein Matti , Inhestern Johanna , Flockerzi Veronika , Schick Bernhard , Bozzato Alessandro , Federspil Philippe , Ambrosch Petra , Schmidt Sandra , Ebeling O. , Papatsoutsos Efastathios , Scherl Claudia , Schmidt Sandra , Stuck Boris A. , Hofauer Benedikt , Al Kadah Basel , Bumm Klaus , Jäckel Martin C. , Hilger Gregor , Muschal Birgit , Becker Sven , Evers Theo , Bozzato Alessandro
Published: February 2023

Background

This cross-sectional study aimed to assess the frequency and type of firework-associated acoustic trauma occurring in Germany on New Year’s Eve 2021, despite the ban on firework sales due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Materials and methods

The survey period lasted 7 days, from 28 December 2021 to 03 January 2022. A questionnaire inquired date, type and treatment of trauma, sex, and age of the patient, and whether the trauma occurred when lighting or watching fireworks. Hearing impairment was classified according to the World Health Organization (WHO grades 0 to 4), and concomitant tinnitus, vertigo, or other injuries were recorded. The questionnaire was sent to the otorhinolaryngology departments of 171 hospitals in Germany.

Results

Of 37 otorhinolaryngology departments, 16 reported no and 21 reported 50 patients with firework-associated acoustic trauma. Mean age was 29 ± 16 years and 41 of 50 patients were males. Of these 50 patients, 22 presented without and 28 with hearing loss, 32 reported tinnitus and 3 vertigo; 20 patients were injured when lighting fireworks and 30 when watching. Hearing impairment was classified as 14 × WHO grade 0, 5 × WHO grade 1, 4 × WHO grade 2, 2 × WHO grade 3, and 3 × WHO grade 4. Inpatient treatment was received by 8 patients and 11 suffered from concomitant burn injuries.

Conclusion

Despite the sales ban, some firework-associated acoustic traumas occurred at New Year 2021/2022 in Germany. Some instances led to hospitalization, but an even higher number of unreported cases can be assumed. This study can serve as a baseline for further annual surveys to raise the awareness of the danger of seemingly harmless fireworks for the individual.
Childhood adiposity and novel subtypes of adult-onset diabetes: a Mendelian randomisation and genome-wide genetic correlation study
Authors: Wei Yuxia , Richardson Tom G. , Zhan Yiqiang , Carlsson Sofia
Published: February 2023

Aims/hypothesis

We investigated whether the impacts of childhood adiposity on adult-onset diabetes differ across proposed diabetes subtypes using a Mendelian randomisation (MR) design.

Methods

We performed MR analysis using data from European genome-wide association studies of childhood adiposity, latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA, proxy for severe autoimmune diabetes), severe insulin-deficient diabetes (SIDD), severe insulin-resistant diabetes (SIRD), mild obesity-related diabetes (MOD) and mild age-related diabetes (MARD).

Results

Higher levels of childhood adiposity had positive genetically predicted effects on LADA (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.05, 2.52), SIDD (OR 2.11, 95% CI 1.18, 3.80), SIRD (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.60, 4.75) and MOD (OR 7.30, 95% CI 4.17, 12.78), but not MARD (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.70, 1.60).

Conclusions/interpretation

Childhood adiposity is a risk factor not only for adult-onset diabetes primarily characterised by obesity or insulin resistance, but also for subtypes primarily characterised by insulin deficiency or autoimmunity. These findings emphasise the importance of preventing childhood obesity.

Graphical abstract
Stationary probability measures on projective spaces 1: block-Lyapunov dominated systems
Authors: Aoun Richard , Sert Cagri
Published: February 2023

Given a finite-dimensional real vector space V, a probability measure $$\mu $$
μ
on $${\text {PGL}}(V)$$

PGL
(
V
)

and a $$\mu $$
μ
-invariant subspace W, under a block-Lyapunov contraction assumption, we prove existence and uniqueness of lifts to $$P(V){\setminus } P(W)$$

P
(
V
)
\
P
(
W
)

of stationary probability measures on the quotient P(V/W). In the other direction, i.e.  block-Lyapunov expansion, we prove that stationary measures on P(V/W) have lifts if any only if the group generated by the support of $$\mu $$
μ
stabilizes a subspace $$W'$$

W
′

not contained in W and exhibiting a faster growth than on $$W \cap W'$$

W
∩

W
′

. These refine the description of stationary probability measures on projective spaces as given by Furstenberg, Kifer and Hennion, and under the same assumptions, extend corresponding results by Aoun, Benoist, Bruère, Guivarc’h, and others.
Use of Temporary Abdominal Closure in Non‐Trauma Surgery: A Cohort Study
Authors: Peng Calvin C. , Tay Jia , Tham Nicole , Tully Emma K. , Shakerian Rose , Furlong Tim , Thomson Benjamin N. J. , Hayes Ian P.
Published: February 2023

Background

Damage control surgery in trauma is widely used but the evidence for the use of laparostomy in non‐trauma abdominal emergencies is limited. This study aimed to characterise outcomes in emergency abdominal surgery by comparing laparostomy to one‐stage laparotomy for patients of similar illness severity.

Methods

A retrospective study of adult patients requiring emergency abdominal surgery and post‐operative intensive care stay was performed between 2016 and 2020 at a major Australian metropolitan hospital. Case selection was from a prospectively maintained database, and case notes were reviewed. Patients having delayed abdominal closure were compared with those having one‐stage abdominal closure. The primary outcome was odds of in‐hospital mortality. The secondary outcomes included intensive care unit length of stay (LOS), overall hospital LOS, definitive stoma rate and discharge destination. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to adjust for potentially confounding variables.

Results

Two hundred and eighteen patients met inclusion criteria (80 laparostomy and 138 non‐laparostomy). The most common indications for laparostomy were bowel ischaemia (41.3%), sepsis (26.3%) and physiological instability (22.5%). There was no evidence of difference in odds of in‐hospital mortality between groups (adjusted OR = 1.67, CI: 0.85–3.28; p = 0.138). Patients requiring laparostomy had a slightly longer median ICU LOS (4 vs. 3 days; p < 0.001), similar median hospital LOS (19 vs. 14 days, p = 0.245) and similar discharge destination. There was no difference in stoma rate (35.0% vs. 35.5%).

Conclusion

Compared with standard one‐stage laparotomy, laparostomy resulted in similar odds of in‐hospital mortality in emergency abdominal surgery patients requiring intensive care.
Starches in the encapsulation of plant active ingredients: state of the art and research trends
Authors: Montoya-Yepes Diego F. , Jiménez-Rodríguez Angel A. , Aldana-Porras Alvaro E. , Velásquez-Holguin Luisa F. , Méndez-Arteaga Jonh J. , Murillo-Arango Walter
Published: February 2023

As a natural polymer, starches and their derivatives have received widespread attention in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, particularly for their use as a coating material. In this sense, as an encapsulating agent, starches stand out, considering the number of compounds that they can trap. Additionally, they provide a nutritional contribution and may improve acceptance by patients. As such, this type of material may serve as an alternative to overcome gaps such as loss of activity of the active principles, low assimilation, or deterioration under environmental and physiological conditions. In this paper, we aim to present the state of the art and research trends on the use of starch as a wall material for the encapsulation of active principles of plant origin. It was found that the most-encapsulated active principles are essential oils and polyphenols; native or modified starches are typically used, either as the sole wall material or in combination with other polymers; and the most widely used methodology is spray drying. The reviewed studies indicate the potential of starches for their use in active ingredient encapsulation processes, improving their viability and expanding their range of applications in different industries, as well as showing a clearly increasing publication trend over the last 10 years.

Graphical abstract
Ovarian cancer prevention by opportunistic salpingectomy is a new de facto standard in Germany
Authors: Runnebaum I. B. , Kather A. , Vorwergk J. , Cruz J. J. , Mothes A. R. , Beteta C. R. , Boer J. , Keller M. , Pölcher M. , Mustea A. , Sehouli J.
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The most prevalent and aggressive subtype of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC), high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC), originates in many cases from the fallopian tubes. Because of poor prognosis and lack of effective screening for early detection, opportunistic salpingectomy (OS) for prevention of EOC is being implemented into clinical routine in several countries worldwide. Taking the opportunity of a gynecological surgery in women at average cancer risk, extramural fallopian tubes are completely resected preserving the ovaries with their infundibulopelvic blood supply. Until recently, only 13 of the 130 national partner societies of the International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO) have published a statement on OS. This study aimed to analyze the acceptance of OS in Germany.

Methods

(1) Survey of German gynecologists in 2015 and 2022 by the Department of Gynecology of the Jena University Hospital in co-operation with the Department of Gynecology at Charité-University Medicine Berlin with support of NOGGO e. V. and AGO e. V. (2) Salpingectomy numbers in Germany for years 2005–2020 as retrieved from the Federal Statistical Office of Germany (Destatis).

Results

(1) Survey: Number of participants was 203 in 2015 and 166 in 2022, respectively. Nearly all respondents (2015: 92%, 2022: 98%) have already performed bilateral salpingectomy without oophorectomy in combination with benign hysterectomy with the intention to reduce the risk for malignant (2015: 96%, 2022: 97%) and benign (2015: 47%, 2022: 38%) disorders. Compared to 2015 (56.6%), considerably more survey participants performed OS in > 50% or in all cases in 2022 (89.0%). Recommendation of OS for all women with completed family planning at benign pelvic surgery was approved by 68% in 2015 and 74% in 2022. (2) Case number analysis: In 2020, four times more cases of salpingectomy were reported by German public hospitals compared to 2005 (n = 50,398 vs. n = 12,286). Of all inpatient hysterectomies in German hospitals in 2020, 45% were combined with salpingectomy, and more than 65% in women at the age of 35 to 49 years.

Conclusion

Mounting scientific plausibility regarding involvement of fallopian tubes in the pathogenesis of EOC led to change of clinical acceptance of OS in many countries including in Germany. Case number data and widespread expert judgment demonstrate that OS has become a routine procedure in Germany and a de facto standard for primary prevention of EOC.
Comparison of two intraductal brush cytology devices for suspected malignant biliary strictures: randomized controlled trial
Authors: Gorris Myrte , van Huijgevoort Nadine C. M. , Fockens Paul , Meijer Sybren L. , Verheij Joanne , Voermans Rogier P. , van Wanrooij Roy L. J. , Lekkerkerker Selma J. , van Hooft Jeanin E.
Published: February 2023

Background

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) with biliary brush cytology is commonly used to diagnose malignant pancreatobiliary strictures. This trial compared the sensitivity of two intraductal brush cytology devices.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial in which consecutive patients with suspected malignant, extrahepatic biliary strictures were randomized (1:1) to a dense or conventional brush cytology device. Primary endpoint was sensitivity. Interim analysis was conducted after 50% of the patients completed follow-up. Results were interpreted by a data safety monitoring board.

Results

Between June 2016 and June 2021, 64 patients were randomized to the dense (27 patients, 42%) or conventional brush (37 patients, 58%). Malignancy was diagnosed in 60 patients (94%) and benign disease in 4 patients (6%). Diagnoses were confirmed by histopathology in 34 patients (53%), cytopathology in 24 patients (38%), and clinical or radiological follow up in 6 patients (9%). Sensitivity of the dense brush was 50%, compared to 44% for the conventional brush (p = 0·785).

Discussion

The results of this randomized controlled trial showed that the sensitivity of a dense brush is not superior to a conventional brush for diagnosing malignant extrahepatic pancreatobiliary strictures. This trial was prematurely ended for reasons of futility.

Trial registration

Netherlands Trial Register number; NTR5458.
Efficiency and selectivity of cost-effective Zn-MOF for dye removal, kinetic and thermodynamic approach
Authors: Elsherbiny Abeer S. , Rady Ahmed , Abdelhameed Reda M. , Gemeay Ali H.
Published: February 2023

Green synthesis of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) has attracted a lot of attention as a crucial step for practical industrial applications. In this work, green synthesis of zinc(II) metal–organic framework (Zn-MOF) has been carried out at room temperature. The Zn metal (node) was extracted from spent domestic batteries, and the linker was benzene di-carboxylic acid (BDC). The characterization of the as-prepared Zn-MOF was accomplished by PXRD, FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, TEM, TGA, and nitrogen adsorption at 77 K. All the characterization techniques strongly supported that as-synthesized Zn-MOF using metallic solid waste Zn is similar to that was reported in the literature. The as-prepared Zn-MOF was stable in water for 24 h without any changes in its functional groups and framework. The prepared Zn-MOF was tested for the adsorption of three dyes, two anionic dyes, aniline blue (AB), and orange II (O(II)) as well as methylene blue (MB), an example of cationic dye from aqueous solution. AB has the highest equilibrium adsorbed amount, qe, of value 55.34 mg g−1 at pH = 7 and 25 °C within 40 min. Investigation of the adsorption kinetics indicated that these adsorption processes could be described as a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Furthermore, the adsorption process of the three dyes was described well by the Freundlich isotherm model. According to the thermodynamic parameters, the adsorption of AB on the prepared Zn-MOF was an endothermic and spontaneous process. In contrast, it was non-spontaneous and exothermic for the uptake of O(II) and MB. This study complements the business case development model of “solid waste to value-added MOFs.”
Utility of mono-exponential, bi-exponential, and stretched exponential signal models of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) to predict prognosis and survival risk in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LHSCC) patients after chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Zhang Ya , Luo Dehong , Guo Wei , Liu Zhou , Zhao Xinming
Published: February 2023

Purpose

To investigate the predictive power of mono-exponential, bi-exponential, and stretched exponential signal models of intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) in prognosis and survival risk of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LHSCC) patients after chemoradiotherapy.

Materials and methods

Forty-five patients with laryngeal or hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma were retrospectively enrolled. All patients had undergone pretreatment IVIM examination, subsequently, mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADCmean), maximum ADC (ADCmax), minimum ADC (ADCmin) and ADCrange (ADCmax − ADCmean) by mono-exponential model, true diffusion coefficient (D), pseudo diffusion coefficient (D*), perfusion fraction (f) by bi-exponential model, distributed diffusion coefficient (DDC), and diffusion heterogeneity index (α) by stretched exponential model were measured. Survival data were collected for 5 years.

Results

Thirty-one cases were in the treatment failure group and fourteen cases were in the local control group. Significantly lower ADCmean, ADCmax, ADCmin, D, f, and higher D* values were observed in the treatment failure group than in the local control group (p < 0.05). D* had the greatest AUC of 0.802, with sensitivity and specificity of 77.4 and 85.7% when D* was 38.85 × 10–3 mm2/s. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that the curves of N stage, ADCmean, ADCmax, ADCmin, D, D*, f, DDC, and α values were significant. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed ADCmean and D* were independently correlated with progression-free survival (PFS) (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.125, p = 0.001; HR = 1.008, p = 0.002, respectively).

Conclusion

The pretreatment parameters of mono-exponential and bi-exponential models were significantly correlated with prognosis of LHSCC, ADCmean and D* values were independent factors for survival risk prediction.
Fatigue Analysis for Automotive Wheel Bearing Flanges
Authors: Jin Ji-Won , Kang Ki Weon , Lee Seungpyo
Published: February 2023

The automotive wheel bearing is an integral component of automobiles that transfers rotation and supports the weight of the vehicle. The life of automotive wheel bearings can be categorized into the raceway and flange lives. The raceway life is based on the spalling that occurs in the raceway and can be determined analytically using the basic rating life calculation method for the rolling bearing.
The flange life is based on failure involving the flange and can be numerically predicted through fatigue analysis. In particular, the fatigue analysis for predicting the flange life must consider rotation owing to the bearing characteristics, unlike the general fatigue analysis. In this study, we examined the fatigue analysis of the automotive wheel bearing flange while considering rotation. We performed sequential stress and fatigue analyses using commercial software. As the fatigue material properties are required for fatigue analysis, we obtained the properties by conducting a rotary bending fatigue test on the bearing materials. To verify the results of the analysis, we compared the analysis results with the test results. The validity of the proposed fatigue analysis was confirmed.
Effects of Pretreatment with a Ball Mill on Methane Yield of Horse Manure
Authors: Heller René , Roth Peter , Hülsemann Benedikt , Böttinger Stefan , Lemmer Andreas , Oechsner Hans
Published: February 2023

Lignocellulosic biomass is an abundant organic material, which can be utilised in biogas plants for sustainable production of biogas. Since these substrates usually have high lignin contents and consist of rather elongated particles, a special pretreatment is required for an economical and process-stable utilisation in the biogas plant. The mechanical pretreatment of horse manure was carried out with the prototype of a ball mill at different speeds. The aim of ball milling is to comminute the substrate and disintegrate the lignocellulosic bond. Mechanical pretreatment in the ball mill resulted in a significant increase in specific methane yield of more than 37% in anaerobic batch digestion (up to 243 LCH4 kgVS−1) of horse manure. The kinetics of the methane gas formation process was analysed by a modified Gompertz model fitting and showed a higher methane production potential and maximum daily methane production rate as well as a lower duration of the lag phase after pretreatment at 6 rpm. This was further confirmed by sieve analyses, which showed a significant reduction of particle size compared to the untreated variant. Thus, the use of the ball mill increases the specific methane yield and improves the fermentation of lignocellulosic substrates such as horse manure.

Graphical Abstract
Self-Compassion Mediates the Impact of Family Support on Clinical and Personal Recovery Among People with Mental Illness
Authors: Chan Kevin Ka Shing , Yip Charles Chiu Hung , Tsui Jack Ka Chun
Published: February 2023

Objectives

The present study aimed to investigate the impact of family support on the recovery of people with mental illness and to explore the potential mechanisms underlying this impact. Specifically, we examined whether family support would be associated with clinical recovery (as indicated by symptom severity, social functioning, and work functioning) and personal recovery (as indicated by recovery perceptions and life satisfaction) among people with mental illness. We also examined whether these associations would be mediated by self-compassion.

Method

A total of 356 people with mental illness provided cross-sectional questionnaire data on family support, self-compassion, symptom severity, social functioning, work functioning, recovery perceptions, and life satisfaction.

Results

Path analyses showed that family support was associated positively with self-compassion, which was, in turn, related to lower symptom severity, higher social functioning and work functioning, more positive perceptions of recovery, and greater life satisfaction. Sobel tests and bootstrap analyses further revealed that family support had indirect effects on symptom severity, social functioning, work functioning, recovery perceptions, and life satisfaction via self-compassion.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that people with mental illness who receive greater support from the family are better able to have self-caring attitudes. With higher levels of self-compassion, they may have less psychopathology and better functioning. They may also have more positive experiences and perceptions of recovery and attain greater levels of life satisfaction and enjoyment.

Preregistration

This study is not preregistered.
ACPSEM position paper: the safety of magnetic resonance imaging linear accelerators
Authors: Cook Nick , Shelton Nikki , Gibson Stephen , Barnes Peter , Alinaghi-Zadeh Reza , Jameson Michael G. ,   on behalf of the ACPSEM Magnetic Resonance Imaging Linac Working Group (MRILWG)
Published: February 2023

Magnetic Resonance Imaging linear-accelerator (MRI-linac) equipment has recently been introduced to multiple centres in Australia and New Zealand. MRI equipment creates hazards for staff, patients and others in the MR environment; these hazards must be well understood, and risks managed by a system of environmental controls, written procedures and a trained workforce. While MRI-linac hazards are similar to the diagnostic paradigm, the equipment, workforce and environment are sufficiently different that additional safety guidance is warranted. In 2019 the Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM) formed the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Linear-Accelerator Working Group (MRILWG) to support the safe clinical introduction and optimal use of MR-guided radiation therapy treatment units. This Position Paper is intended to provide safety guidance and education for Medical Physicists and others planning for and working with MRI-linac technology. This document summarises MRI-linac hazards and describes particular effects which arise from the combination of strong magnetic fields with an external radiation treatment beam. This document also provides guidance on safety governance and training, and recommends a system of hazard management tailored to the MRI-linac environment, ancillary equipment, and workforce.
High-fidelity modeling approaches for the analysis of reinforced structures using one-, two- and three-dimensional elements
Authors: Zappino Enrico , Cavallo Tommaso , Pagani Alfonso , Carrera Erasmo
Published: February 2023

The present paper proposes a method for analyzing reinforced thin-walled structures based on high-order one-, two- and three-dimensional finite elements (FE). Refined finite elements are developed in the domain of the Carrera unified formulation (CUF). The node-dependent kinematic approach (NDK), which allows to connect in an easy manner elements with incompatible kinematics, has been used to connect elements with different dimensions without the need of ad hoc connection techniques. The formulation ensures the continuity of the displacement at the interface preventing the onset of singularities that lead to inaccurate results when beam, plate and solid elements have to be coupled to solve complex structures. The effectiveness of the present method has been confirmed by comparing the results with those from literature and with those obtained using commercial finite element codes. Static and free-vibration analyses of reinforced panels have been carried out to demonstrate the capabilities of the present models. The results show that the limits of classical structural models can be easily overcome using the present approach, and at the same time, a quasi three-dimensional solution can be obtained with a large computational cost saving.
Die Literatur der Gesellschaft
Authors: Gess Nicola
Published: February 2023

Der Artikel lotet die Möglichkeiten von Literaturwissenschaft als einer Hermeneutik des Sozialen aus, indem er disziplinäre Zwischenformen von Literatur(wissenschaft) und Soziologie in der Gegenwart und in der Frühzeit der DVjs, d.h. in den 1920er-Jahren, untersucht. Er interessiert sich zunächst für soziologische Selbstbefragungen anhand des Mediums der Kriminalerzählung (Kracauer, Boltanski). Als Testfall für die Produktivität der vorgeschlagenen Ausrichtung nimmt er dann den deutschsprachigen Detektivroman der Zwischenkriegsjahre (Perutz, Jacques) in den Blick und arbeitet dessen Problematisierung eines sozialen Imaginären in der »Zeit der Monster« heraus.
Geistesgeschichte als Ideologie und als Versprechen
Authors: Hindrichs Gunnar
Published: February 2023

Die Geistesgeschichte antwortete sachlich auf ein modal-quantitatives Problem der klassischen deutschen Philosophie. Sie war Ideologie, weil sie zur Lösung dieses Problems das historisch Gegebene als Geist verklärte. Aber sie birgt bis heute das Versprechen, daß Geschichte tatsächlich eine Geschichte des Geistes werden könnte und hierin das Gegebene überstiege.
Testing the Decision Support Tool for Responsible Pain Management for Headache and Facial Pain Diagnosis with Opioid-Risk-Stratified Treatment
Authors: St. Marie Barbara , Perkhounkova Yelena , Gedney-Lose Amalia , Jimmerson Andrea , Porter Brooke , Herr Keela , Nadkarni Prakash
Published: February 2023

In primary and urgent care, headache and facial pain are common and challenging to diagnose and manage, especially with using opioids appropriately. We therefore developed the Decision Support Tool for Responsible Pain Management (DS-RPM) to assist healthcare providers in diagnosis (including multiple simultaneous diagnoses), workup (including triage), and opioid-risk-informed treatment. A primary goal was to supply sufficient explanations of DS-RPM’s functions allowing critique. We describe the process of iteratively designing DS-RPM adding clinical content and testing/defect discovery. We tested DS-RPM remotely with 21 clinician-participants using three vignettes—cluster headache, migraine, and temporal arteritis—after first training to use DS-RPM with a trigeminal-neuralgia vignette. Their evaluation was both quantitative (usability/acceptability) and qualitative using semi-structured interviews. The quantitative evaluation used 12 Likert-type questions on a 1–5 scale, where 5 represented the highest rating. The mean ratings ranged from 4.48 to 4.95 (SDs ranging 0.22–1.03). Participants initially found structured data entry intimidating but adapted and appreciated its comprehensiveness and speed of data capture. They perceived DS-RPM as useful for teaching and clinical practice, making several enhancement suggestions. The DS-RPM was designed, created, and tested to facilitate best practice in management of patients with headaches and facial pain. Testing the DS-RPM with vignettes showed strong functionality and high usability/acceptability ratings from healthcare providers. Risk stratifying for opioid use disorder to develop a treatment plan for headache and facial pain is possible using vignettes. During testing, we considered the need to adapt usability/acceptability evaluation tools for clinical decision support, and future directions.
Drivers of demographic dividend in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Woldegiorgis Mesfin Mulugeta
Published: February 2023

Compared to other developing regions, Africa has experienced a relatively late start to the demographic transition, although certain countries in the continent’s north and south did. As a result, Africa is only now starting to broadly benefit from the demographic dividend. Thus, a study on the drivers of the dividend, the timing and length of the dividend, and the dividend optimization strategies is crucial. The paper uses a cross-country panel data for 34 African countries for the years between 1990 and 2018. To identify the drivers of the demographic dividend, fixed effects econometric analysis is used. The foremost contribution of the paper is that it empirically shows the ongoing demographic transition and the simulated time span of the potential first and second demographic dividends. It also identifies pertinent drivers of the demographic dividend. Besides, as a new conceptual framework, it introduces an innovative analytical framework for augmenting the demographic dividend from formal migration. The framework is named after the “International Surplus Labour Circulation (ISLC) model.”
Capture-reduction mechanism for promoting Cr(VI) removal by sulfidated microscale zerovalent iron/sulfur-doped graphene-like biochar composite
Authors: Wang Yue , Liu Zhenglong , Huang Wenli , Lu Jinfeng , Luo Shuangjiang , Czech Bożena , Li Tielong , Wang Haitao
Published: February 2023

The application of microscale zerovalent iron (mZVI) in the removal of Cr(VI) from water is plagued with the readily formation of oxide passivation layer. In this study, we propose a “capture-reduction” mechanism to enhance the Cr(VI) removal performance of mZVI under anaerobic condition through dual modification, i.e., sulfidation and construction of composite with sulfur-doped graphene like biochar (SGB). The S-mZVI/SGB has a Cr(VI) removal capacity of 70.2 mg·g− 1 at circumneutral pH, which is 56 times of that of mZVI. The 1,10-phenanthroline shielding experiments indicate that the contribution of Fe(II) to Cr(VI) removal is only 17.6%. Density-theory-functional (DFT) calculation results indicate that sulfur doping could significantly promote the adsorption of Cr(VI) on SGB nanosheets. The mechanism study confirmed the “capture-reduction” Cr(VI) removal mechanism, whereby the SGB nanosheets capture Cr(VI) ions and receive electrons from Fe0 to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III). Considering its advantages such as low cost and easy preparation, the S-mZVI/SGB composite is a promising green material for the removal of Cr(VI) from water.

Graphical Abstract
Clinical empathy: definition, measurement, correlates, group differences, erosion, enhancement, and healthcare outcomes
Authors: Hojat Mohammadreza , Maio Vittorio , Pohl Charles A. , Gonnella Joseph S.
Published: February 2023

This article presents a brief history of the Jefferson Empathy Project, provides a definition of clinical empathy, and describes the Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE), the most frequently used instrument for measuring clinical empathy in health professions students and healthcare practitioners. Also, we highlight selected empirical findings from our team and other national and international researchers on correlates of clinical empathy showing significantly positive associations between scores on the JSE and measures of personal qualities that are conducive to relationship building. Findings include group differences on the JSE scores by gender, race/ethnicity, academic background, specialty interest, and clinical competence, as well as empirical findings on erosion and enhancement of clinical empathy in health professions students and practitioners. Additionally, significant associations are reported between physicians’ scores on the JSE, and pertinent/tangible healthcare outcomes in diabetic patients in the U.S. and Italy; plausible explanations are offered for psychosocial and neurobiological mechanisms possibly involved in the link between physician empathy and healthcare outcomes. These findings suggest that empathy must be placed in the realm of evidence-based medicine, considered an essential element of overall professional competence, assessed for admission decisions to medical schools and postgraduate training programs, and incorporated into professional development of all health professionals-in-training and in-practice.
Lidar-Derived Road Profiles
Authors: Field Sean
Published: February 2023

Despite considerable developments in the archaeological application of lidar for detecting roads, less attention has been given to studying road morphology using lidar. As a result, archaeologists are well equipped to locate but not thoroughly study roads via lidar data. Here, a method that visualizes and statistically compares road profiles using elevation values extracted from lidar-derived digital elevation models is presented and illustrated through a case study on Chaco roads, located in the US Southwest. This method is used to establish the common form of ground-truthed Chaco roads and to measure how frequently this form is across non-ground-truthed roads. This method is an addition to the growing suite of tools for documenting and comparing roads using remotely sensed data, and it can be particularly useful in threatened landscapes where ground truthing is becoming less possible.
Despair and Hopelessness
Authors: KWONG JACK M. C.
Published: February 2023

It has recently been argued that hope is polysemous in that it sometimes refers to hoping and other times to being hopeful. That it has these two distinct senses is reflected in the observation that a person can hope for an outcome without being hopeful that it will occur. Below, I offer a new argument for this distinction. My strategy is to show that accepting this distinction yields a rich account of two distinct ways in which hope can be lost, ways that map onto the two senses of hope: A person can lose hope either by ceasing to hope for an outcome (hopelessness) or by ceasing to be hopeful that it will obtain (despair). Thinking about these negative attitudes in these two ways, I contend, is explanatorily rich and fruitfully reveals how they differ in phenomenology, behavioral differences, and the ways in which a person can escape them.
Does housing system affect horse welfare? The AWIN welfare assessment protocol applied to horses kept in an outdoor group-housing system: The ‘parcours’
Authors: Dai Francesca , Dalla Costa Emanuela , Minero Michela , Briant Christine
Published: February 2023

Outdoor group housing is generally reported as being beneficial to the welfare of horses compared to single boxes, being considered to show greater similarities with the living conditions of feral horses, allowing full expression of behaviours such as grazing, social interactions and free movement. However, concerns persist regarding the ability to maintain a good nutritional state and the possibility of acquiring injury. No data reporting a comprehensive assessment of welfare for horses in outdoor group-housing systems are currently available. The present study aimed at applying a scientifically valid welfare assessment protocol to group-housed outdoor horses in ‘parcours’, a particular management system used in the south of France. ‘Parcours’ are semi-natural areas, grazed by domestic herbivores located in lowland, mountain, or marsh. One hundred and seventy-one horses older than a year pertaining to six farms and kept on ‘parcours’ were evaluated by a trained veterinarian using a modified version of the second level Animal Welfare Indicators (AWIN) welfare assessment protocol for horses. No major welfare issues were detected. Horses in ‘parcours’ displayed few abnormal behaviours, they could move freely for most of the day and interact with conspecifics, maintaining a healthy state of nutrition and a good relationship with humans. The main welfare concerns were related to the presence of superficial integument alterations such as alopecia, difficulty in reaching quality controlled water sources and a lack of shelter. As the number of facilities involved in this study is relatively limited, further harmonised data collection should aim to enlarge the sample size and allow comparison with different outdoor group-housing conditions.
Motion verbs, sentience, and event delimitedness in Blackfoot
Authors: Kim Kyumin
Published: February 2023

This paper provides the first detailed documentation of aspectual properties of motion verbs in Blackfoot (an Algonquian language) from the Kainaa dialect. In particular, the focus of the paper is to detail how a sentient subject in this language is associated with an inherent endpoint of motion events (i.e., delimitedness). I show that in Blackfoot, an event can have a delimited construal when a sentient subject is an agent (but not a theme). A language-specific requirement for event delimitedness is thus the presence of an external argument that is sentient, which I formalize as a feature [m(ental state)] on a DP, as in Ritter (2015). A major contribution of the current study is thus to show that event delimitedness can be constrained by formal features of the external argument, whereas previously only the internal argument was thought to be involved in event delimitedness.