bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Method for potential assessment and adaptation for additive manufacturing of conventionally manufactured components
Authors: Siller Nadja , Werner Sebastian , Molina Veronica , Göhlich Dietmar
Published: August 2023

The novelty of additive manufacturing (AM) involves new requirements, restrictions and rules, that are considerably different to those of conventional manufacturing methods. Therefore, designers often lack experience and knowledge about identifying AM-suited components. However, to ensure profitability, it is essential to choose components, that are well suited for additive manufacturing. State-of-the-art user-support methods for identifying AM potential widely focus on either economic potential or manufacturability but fail to address both aspects. While machine learning solutions are considered highly efficient, the assessment outcome lacks process transparency, inhibiting troubleshooting, plausibility checks and problem-oriented considerations. This paper proposes a holistic, yet detailed and transparent approach to identify conventionally manufactured parts for AM from an existing product portfolio, enabling decision-making based on quantifiable results. It combines and advances state-of-the-art methods, considering manufacturability, economic profitability and socio-ecological aspects. Besides evaluating AM potential, the method additionally assesses the components' potential for re-design-based enhancement for AM suitability. Besides understanding product functions and present production processes, users are expected to have a basic understanding of company goals. The approach involves inquiries regarding company- and product-specific priorities, enabling a weighted assessment. The weights are determined based on individual company philosophies regarding AM value propositions such as differing stakeholder interests and priorities. Additionally, the approach allows users to investigate different development goals by weighting opportunistic and restrictive assessment. The method application is demonstrated via an assembly comprising 11 parts in a scenario focusing on serviceability, eventually determining suitability statements.
A database of human predictive patch test data for skin sensitization
Authors: Strickland Judy , Abedini Jaleh , Allen David G. , Gordon John , Hull Victoria , Kleinstreuer Nicole C. , Ko Hon-Sum , Matheson Joanna , Thierse Hermann-Josef , Truax James , Vanselow Jens T. , Herzler Matthias
Published: August 2023

Critical to the evaluation of non-animal tests are reference data with which to assess their relevance. Animal data are typically used because they are generally standardized and available. However, when regulatory agencies aim to protect human health, human reference data provide the benefit of not having to account for possible interspecies variability. To support the evaluation of non-animal approaches for skin sensitization assessment, we collected data from 2277 human predictive patch tests (HPPTs), i.e., human repeat insult patch tests and human maximization tests, for skin sensitization from 1555 publications. We recorded protocol elements and positive or negative outcomes, developed a scoring system to evaluate each test for reliability, and calculated traditional and non-traditional dose metrics. We also traced each test result back to its original report to remove duplicates. The resulting database, which contains information for 1366 unique substances, was characterized for physicochemical properties, chemical structure categories, and protein binding mechanisms. This database is publicly available on the National Toxicology Program Interagency Center for the Evaluation of Alternative Toxicological Methods website and in the Integrated Chemical Environment to serve as a resource for additional evaluation of alternative methods and development of new approach methodologies for skin sensitization assessments.
Phenotype Design Space Provides a Mechanistic Framework Relating Molecular Parameters to Phenotype Diversity Available for Selection
Authors: Savageau Michael A.
Published: August 2023

Two long-standing challenges in theoretical population genetics and evolution are predicting the distribution of phenotype diversity generated by mutation and available for selection, and determining the interaction of mutation, selection and drift to characterize evolutionary equilibria and dynamics. More fundamental for enabling such predictions is the current inability to causally link genotype to phenotype. There are three major mechanistic mappings required for such a linking – genetic sequence to kinetic parameters of the molecular processes, kinetic parameters to biochemical system phenotypes, and biochemical phenotypes to organismal phenotypes. This article introduces a theoretical framework, the Phenotype Design Space (PDS) framework, for addressing these challenges by focusing on the mapping of kinetic parameters to biochemical system phenotypes. It provides a quantitative theory whose key features include (1) a mathematically rigorous definition of phenotype based on biochemical kinetics, (2) enumeration of the full phenotypic repertoire, and (3) functional characterization of each phenotype independent of its context-dependent selection or fitness contributions. This framework is built on Design Space methods that relate system phenotypes to genetically determined parameters and environmentally determined variables. It also has the potential to automate prediction of phenotype-specific mutation rate constants and equilibrium distributions of phenotype diversity in microbial populations undergoing steady-state exponential growth, which provides an ideal reference to which more realistic cases can be compared. Although the framework is quite general and flexible, the details will undoubtedly differ for different functions, organisms and contexts. Here a hypothetical case study involving a small molecular system, a primordial circadian clock, is used to introduce this framework and to illustrate its use in a particular case. The framework is built on fundamental biochemical kinetics. Thus, the foundation is based on linear algebra and reasonable physical assumptions, which provide numerous opportunities for experimental testing and further elaboration to deal with complex multicellular organisms that are currently beyond its scope. The discussion provides a comparison of results from the PDS framework with those from other approaches in theoretical population genetics.
Ultra-long-term results of the Chiari pelvic osteotomy in hip dysplasia patients: a minimum of thirty-five years follow-up
Authors: Chiari Catharina , Schneider Eleonora , Stamm Tanja , Peloschek Philipp , Kotz Rainer , Windhager Reinhard
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The Chiari pelvic osteotomy was the first surgical procedure to address hip dysplasia by changing the position of the acetabulum by medialization, thus creating a bony roof and improving biomechanical conditions. The aim of this retrospective cohort study was to report on the very long-term results of this technique.

Methods

Out of a consecutive series of 1536 hips, 504 in 405 patients were available for follow-up. The patients were assessed by physical and radiological examination. A Kaplan–Meier survival analysis with total hip arthroplasty as an endpoint was performed and stratified for age groups, pre-operative diagnosis, sex and osteoarthritis stage.

Results

The average follow-up was 36 ± 8.1 years (range, 35.2 to 54). The average pain level on the Visual Analogue Scale was 2.9 ± 2.6 (range 0 to 8.7). The average Harris Hip Score was 80.2 ± 17.4 (range 17.4 to 100). Correction of dysplasia was effective and remained stable over time. Osteoarthritis significantly increased over time with 53% Tönnis grade 3 at follow-up. The cumulative survivorship was 79.8% (95% confidence interval (CI), 76.1–83.2%) at 20 years, 57.1% (95% CI, 52.8–61.8%) at 30 years and 35% (95% CI, 30.3–40.3%) at 40 years. Young age, male sex and low osteoarthritis grade were positive prognostic factors.

Conclusions

Although the Chiari pelvic osteotomy is considered a salvage procedure nowadays, it achieved excellent long-term results even in indications, which would be treated differently today. Young patients without osteoarthritis had the best outcome.
Is the Coral Triangle’s future shown in a Pliocene reef gap?
Authors: Harrison G. William M. , Santodomingo Nadia , Johnson Kenneth G. , Renema Willem
Published: August 2023

Although Pliocene temperature and pCO2 are similar to those predicted in the IPPC RCP4.5 scenario, the distribution of coral reefs in the center of maximum coral diversity, the Coral Triangle, during this period has not been explored. We discovered a significantly lower occurrence of reefs during the Pliocene, which we refer to as the Pliocene Reef Gap, but this decrease was not associated with a drop in coral genus richness. While some of the multiple local causes that drove this decline, such as sea level rise, are analogs to drivers of Anthropocene reef decline, neither warming nor increasing pCO2 are among them.
Generation of a radially polarized beam in a polycrystalline ceramic Yb:Lu2O3 thin-disk laser
Authors: Didychenko Denys , Esser Stefan , Beirow Frieder , Savchenko Anton , Pruss Christof , Graf Thomas , Abdou Ahmed Marwan
Published: August 2023

We report on the generation of a continuous-wave (CW) radially polarized beam with an Yb:Lu2O3polycrystalline ceramic disk in a thin-disk laser (TDL) oscillator. A circular grating-waveguide mirror (CGWM) with a high polarization discrimination given by a reflectivity difference between the two orthogonal polarization states of 44.6% was used as a polarization-selective cavity end-mirror. An output power of 175 W was achieved with an optical efficiency of 39.6%. A high degree of radial polarization of 96.2% and a beam propagation factor ofM2hor. = 2.05 andM2ver. = 2.32 were measured at the maximum output power.
Understanding changes in heat waves, droughts, and compound events in Yangtze River Valley and the corresponding atmospheric circulation patterns
Authors: Qian Zhonghua , Sun Yingxiao , Ma Qianrong , Gu Yu , Feng Taichen , Feng Guolin
Published: August 2023

Heat waves, droughts, and compound drought and heat waves (CDHWs) have received extensive attention because of their disastrous impacts on agriculture, ecosystems, human health, and society. Here, we computed the heat wave magnitude index (HWMI), drought magnitude index (DMI), and compound drought and heat wave magnitude index (CDHMI) for Yangtze River Valley (YRV) from July to August during 1961–2022. We compared the large-scale atmospheric circulation characteristics of different extreme events based on these indexes. The results show that the positive center with sink motion in East Asia provides a favorable circulation background for heat wave events. Drought events are mainly affected by the zonal wave train dominated by a significant negative anomaly in Siberia and a high-pressure anomaly upstream, and a anticyclonic water vapor with strong divergence over the Yangtze River basin. During CDHW events, both anomalous systems that affect heat waves and droughts appear and strengthen simultaneously. Specifically, in the middle and upper troposphere, the positive height anomaly center in YRV expands abnormally, and the “+–+” wave train over the northern 50° N region of East Asia becomes more obvious. Therefore, the positive anomaly and water vapor anomaly brought by the two circulation patterns at different latitudes are superimposed over the YRV, leading to severe CDHWs. At the same time, the warm positive eddy center and cold negative eddy center in high latitudes exhibit more stable positive pressure features, which are conducive to the persistent development and strengthening of CDHWs. In addition, the anomalous warm sea surface temperature in western Pacific moderating the favorable circulation patterns may also promote the occurrence of CDHWs in the YRV during the same period.
Perspective: mitochondrial STAT3 in cardioprotection
Authors: Kleinbongard Petra
Published: August 2023

Activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) has been identified as a key cardioprotective signal not only in animal studies but also in humans—in animals, STAT3 is causally involved in cardioprotection. In response to late ischemic conditioning, canonical function of STAT3 activation upregulates the expression of cardioprotective and anti-apoptotic proteins. In its non-canonical function, STAT3 is activated during ischemic conditioning and is part of the cardioprotective cytosolic survival activating factor enhancement pathway. Activated STAT3 is imported and localized to the mitochondria. Mitochondrial STAT3 stimulates the activity of mitochondrial electron transport chain complex I, reduces mitochondrial reactive oxygen species production and mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening. Finally, two novel aspects of STAT activation in cardioprotection are discussed: a genetic variance of the STAT encoding region as a potential primordial confounding variable for cardioprotection, and the cardioprotective potential of sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors through STAT3 activation.
Risk factors for migraine disease progression: a narrative review for a patient-centered approach
Authors: Lipton Richard B. , Buse Dawn C. , Nahas Stephanie J. , Tietjen Gretchen E. , Martin Vincent T. , Löf Elin , Brevig Thomas , Cady Roger , Diener Hans-Christoph
Published: August 2023

Background

In individuals with migraine, attacks may increase in frequency, severity, or both. Preventing migraine progression has emerged as a treatment goal in headache subspecialty practice, but there may be less awareness in general neurology or primary care settings where most people with migraine who seek treatment consult. Herein, we review the definition of and risk factors for migraine progression and consider strategies that could reduce its risk.

Methods

A group of headache expert healthcare professionals, clinicians, and researchers reviewed published evidence documenting factors associated with increased or decreased rates of migraine progression and established expert opinions for disease management recommendations. Strength of evidence was rated as good, moderate, or based solely on expert opinion, using modified criteria for causation developed by AB Hill.

Results

Migraine progression is commonly operationally defined as the transition from ≤ 15 to ≥ 15 monthly headache days among people with migraine; however, this does not necessarily constitute a fundamental change in migraine biology and other definitions should be considered. Established and theoretical key risk factors for migraine progression were categorized into five domains: migraine disease characteristics, treatment-related factors, comorbidities, lifestyle/exogenous factors, and demographic factors. Within these domains, good evidence supports the following risk factors: poorly optimized acute headache treatment, cutaneous allodynia, acute medication overuse, selected psychiatric symptoms, extra-cephalic chronic pain conditions, metabolism-related comorbidities, sleep disturbances, respiratory conditions, former/current high caffeine intake, physical inactivity, financial constraints, tobacco use, and personal triggers as risk factors. Protective actions that may mitigate migraine progression are sparsely investigated in published literature; our discussion of these factors is primarily based on expert opinion.

Conclusions

Recognizing risk factors for migraine progression will allow healthcare providers to suggest protective actions against migraine progression (Supplementary Fig. 1). Intervention studies are needed to weight the risk factors and test the clinical benefit of hypothesized mitigation strategies that emerge from epidemiological evidence.
Clinical and economic implications of epilepsy management across treatment lines in Spain: a real-life database analysis
Authors: Toledano Rafael , Villanueva Vicente , Toledo Manuel , Sabaniego Joel , Pérez-Domper Paloma
Published: August 2023

Background

Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease characterized by recurrent seizures. We investigated real-world management of epilepsy across treatment lines in Spain, including healthcare resource use (HRU) and associated costs.

Methods

This was a retrospective study of real-life data from epilepsy patients prescribed antiseizure medication (ASM) between January 2016 and December 2021. Patients were grouped according to their line of treatment (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th +) during the recruitment period. Demographic and clinical characteristics, comorbidities and concomitant medications were analyzed during the baseline period (6 months before starting treatment line); antiepileptic treatments, concomitant medications, HRU and associated costs were analyzed during follow-up.

Results

The study included 5006 patients. Treatment duration decreased as treatment lines progressed (mean ± SD progression time: 523.2 ± 279.1 days from 1st to 2nd line, 351.6 ± 194.4 days from 2nd to 3rd line; 272.7 ± 139.3 days from 3rd to 4th + line). Significant HRU differences were found with subsequent treatment lines, including an increase in hospital admissions and patients on sick leave. Mean (95% CI) adjusted total costs per patient were €2974/year (2773–3175) in the 1st line and €5735/year (5043–6428) in the 4th + line. There was an increase in adjusted direct and total costs with subsequent treatment lines; the mean difference in total costs between cohorts was €2761 (p < 0.001). The highest direct costs were associated with epilepsy medication, days at the hospital and specialist visits.

Conclusion

Our data revealed a progressive increase in the use of resources and associated costs across subsequent epilepsy treatment lines.
A comparison between real-time intraoperative voice dictation and the operative report in laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a multicenter prospective observational study
Authors: Eryigit Özgür , van de Graaf Floyd W. , Nieuwenhuijs Vincent B. , Sosef Meindert N. , de Graaf Eelco J. R. , Menon Anand G. , Lange Marilyne M. , Lange Johan F.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The current operative report often inadequately reflects events occurring during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). The addition of intraoperative video recording to the operative report has already proven to add important information. It was hypothesized that real-time intraoperative voice dictation (RIVD) can provide an equal or more complete overview of the operative procedure compared to the narrative operative report (NR) produced postoperatively.

Methods

SONAR is a multicenter prospective observational trial, conducted at four surgical centers in the Netherlands. Elective LCs of patients aged 18 years and older were included. Participating surgeons were requested to dictate the essential steps of LC during surgery. RIVDs and NRs were reviewed according to the stepwise LC guideline of the Dutch Society for Surgery. The cumulative adequacy rates for RIVDs were compared with those of the postoperatively written NR.

Results

79 of 90 cases were eligible for inclusion and available for further analysis. RIVD resulted in a significantly higher adequacy rate compared to NR for the circumferential dissection of the cystic duct and artery (NR 32.5% vs. RIVD 61.0%, P = 0.016). NR had higher adequacy rates in reporting the transection of the cystic duct (NR 100% vs. RIVD 77.9%, P =  < 0.001) and the removal of the gallbladder from the liver bed (NR 98.7% vs. RIVD 68.8%, P < 0.001). The total adequacy was not significantly different between the two reporting methods (NR 78.0% vs. RIVD 76.4%, P = 1.00).

Conclusion

Overall, the adequacy of RIVD is comparable to the postoperatively written NR in reporting surgical steps in LC. However, the most essential surgical step, the circumferential dissection of the cystic duct and artery, was reported more adequately in RIVD.
Aspects of the skin morphology in the sub-Antarctic fur seal Arctocephalus tropicalis
Authors: Bester M. N. , van Ouwerkerk M.
Published: August 2023

The present study examined whether sweat glands are present in the skin of sub-Antarctic fur seals, Arctocephalus tropicalis, using standard histological procedures and light microscopy. Aspects of the microanatomy and histology of skin were described to elucidate structure and function. Sweat glands were present both in the furred areas of the body trunk, as well as in naked skin areas of the flippers. The density of the apocrine sweat glands appeared higher in fur-covered areas than in naked areas, while the size of sweat glands was similar amongst naked and fur-covered skin. The superficial position of sweat glands in the dermis of naked skin areas and the large, coiled, tubular nature of the secretory portion seem to indicate sweat gland activity in contrast to the deep lying, narrow sweat glands in fur-covered areas.
Chronic kidney disease mineral bone disorder in childhood and young adulthood: a ‘growing’ understanding
Authors: Lalayiannis Alexander D. , Soeiro Emilia M. D. , Moysés Rosa M. A. , Shroff Rukshana
Published: August 2023

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) mineral and bone disorder (MBD) comprises a triad of biochemical abnormalities (of calcium, phosphate, parathyroid hormone and vitamin D), bone abnormalities (turnover, mineralization and growth) and extra-skeletal calcification. Mineral dysregulation leads to bone demineralization causing bone pain and an increased fracture risk compared to healthy peers. Vascular calcification, with hydroxyapatite deposition in the vessel wall, is a part of the CKD-MBD spectrum and, in turn, leads to vascular stiffness, left ventricular hypertrophy and a very high cardiovascular mortality risk. While the growing bone requires calcium, excess calcium can deposit in the vessels, such that the intake of calcium, calcium- containing medications and high calcium dialysate need to be carefully regulated. Normal physiological bone mineralization continues into the third decade of life, many years beyond the rapid growth in childhood and adolescence, implying that skeletal calcium requirements are much higher in younger people compared to the elderly. Much of the research into the link between bone (de)mineralization and vascular calcification in CKD has been performed in older adults and these data must not be extrapolated to children or younger adults. In this article, we explore the physiological changes in bone turnover and mineralization in children and young adults, the pathophysiology of mineral bone disease in CKD and a potential link between bone demineralization and vascular calcification.

Graphical abstract
Retrograde intramedullary nailing or locked plating for stabilisation of distal femoral fractures? A comparative study of 193 patients
Authors: Howard Anthony , Myatt A. , Hodgson H. , Naeem H. , Pepple S. , Perumal A. , Panteli M. , Kanakaris N. , Giannoudis P. V.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The aim of this study was to evaluate the results of distal femoral fracture fixation of two different methods, lateral locking plate (LP) or an Intra-medullary nail (IMN), in patients managed in our institution. More specifically, to assess: (a) if there was a difference in functional outcomes between the LP and IMN groups; (b) whether the rate of complications was different between the two groups.

Methods

Between January 2009 and December 2018 adult patients with distal femoral fractures managed in our unit with either LP or IMN for extra and intra-articular fractures were eligible to participate. Demographic details, fracture type, procedures performed, time to union, complications and functional scores (Oxford Knee Score) were recorded and analysed. The mean follow up was 4 years (12–120 months).

Results

Out of 193 patients who met the inclusion criteria, 93 received an IMN whereas 100 patients were treated with LP. Mean age was 64.2 (18–99) and 70.1 (18–100) for the IMN and LP groups respectively. Overall, the two groups had similar demographics and there was no significant difference in the type of fractures sustained (p > 0.05). The Oxford Knee Score was highest for patients fixed with LP, mean 37.3 (6–48, SD 7.3) versus 28.4 (3–48, SD 14.4), (p =  < 0.02) compared to the IMN group. In terms of complications, the rate of non-union was higher in the LP group 8.6% versus 4% in those patients treated with an IMN, p value < 0.01.

Conclusion

While the rate of non-union was higher in the LP group and the functional results were superior in the plating group.
Enhancement effects of extracellular fluid viscosity and matrix stiffness on cancer cell mechanosensing
Authors: Cao Chunyu , Xu Zhao , Liu Yan , Cheng Bo , Xu Feng
Published: August 2023

Cancer cells are in vivo situated in a complex and heterogeneous tumor microenvironment (TME) that includes various biochemical and biophysical cues, such as the elasticity of extracellular matrix (ECMwo) and the viscosity of extracellular fluid (ECF). ECF viscosity in TME is much higher than in normal tissue, but it is unclear how this increased viscosity works simultaneously with other biophysical cues (e.g., ECM stiffness) to influence cancer cell behavior. We experimentally observed that ECF viscosity can significantly enhance cellular mechanosensing behaviors (e.g., cell spreading, cell adhesion, and YAP/TAZ nuclear translocation) only on a stiff substrate, representing a novel enhancement of cell behaviors by distinct mechanical signals. To explore the mechanical mechanisms behind such enhancement phenomenon, we developed a viscosity-based motor-clutch model, with which we found that cells sense and respond to ECF viscosity and ECM stiffness by regulating integrin-ECM bonds in cell adhesion dynamics. These findings help us understand how different mechanical signals in the complex tumor microenvironment collaborate to influence cancer cell behaviors during the development of cancers.
Systematic review of distributed practice and retrieval practice in health professions education
Authors: Trumble Emma , Lodge Jason , Mandrusiak Allison , Forbes Roma
Published: August 2023

To determine the effect of distributed practice (spacing out of study over time) and retrieval practice (recalling information from memory) on academic grades in health professions education and to summarise a range of interventional variables that may affect study outcomes. A systematic search of seven databases in November 2022 which were screened according to predefined inclusion criteria. The Medical Education Research Study Quality Instrument (MERSQI) and Newcastle-Ottawa Scale-Education (NOS-E) were used to critically appraise eligible articles. A summary of interventional variables includes article content type, strategy type, assessment type and delay and statistical significance. Of 1818 records retrieved, 56 were eligible for inclusion and included a total of 63 experiments. Of these studies, 43 demonstrated significant benefits of distributed practice and/or retrieval practice over control and comparison groups. Included studies averaged 12.23 out of 18 on the MERSQI and averaged 4.55 out of 6 on the NOS-E. Study designs were heterogeneous with a variety of interventions, comparison groups and assessment types. Distributed practice and retrieval practice are effective at improving academic grades in health professions education. Future study quality can be improved by validating the assessment instruments, to demonstrate the reliability of outcome measures. Increasing the number of institutions included in future studies may improve the diversity of represented study participants and may enhance study quality. Future studies should consider measuring and reporting time on task which may clarify the effectiveness of distributed practice and retrieval practice. The stakes of the assessments, which may affect student motivation and therefore outcomes, should also be considered.
EEG Microstates in Mood and Anxiety Disorders: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Chivu Alina , Pascal Simona A. , Damborská Alena , Tomescu Miralena I.
Published: August 2023

To reduce the psycho-social burden increasing attention has focused on brain abnormalities in the most prevalent and highly co-occurring neuropsychiatric disorders, such as mood and anxiety. However, high inter-study variability in these patients results in inconsistent and contradictory alterations in the fast temporal dynamics of large-scale networks as measured by EEG microstates. Thus, in this meta-analysis, we aim to investigate the consistency of these changes to better understand possible common neuro-dynamical mechanisms of these disorders.

In the systematic search, twelve studies investigating EEG microstate changes in participants with mood and anxiety disorders and individuals with subclinical depression were included in this meta-analysis, adding up to 787 participants.

The results suggest that EEG microstates consistently discriminate mood and anxiety impairments from the general population in patients and subclinical states. Specifically, we found a small significant effect size for B microstates in patients compared to healthy controls, with larger effect sizes for increased B presence in unmedicated patients with comorbidity. In a subgroup meta-analysis of ten mood disorder studies, microstate D showed a significant effect size for decreased presence. When investigating only the two anxiety disorder studies, we found a significantly small effect size for the increased microstate A and a medium effect size for decreased microstate E (one study). However, more studies are needed to elucidate whether these findings are diagnostic-specific markers.

Results are discussed in relation to the functional meaning of microstates and possible contribution to an explanatory mechanism of overlapping symptomatology of mood and anxiety disorders.
Encouraging Individual Contributions to Net-Zero Organizations: Effects of Behavioral Policy Interventions and Social Norms
Authors: Bastini Karola , Kerschreiter Rudolf , Lachmann Maik , Ziegler Matthias , Sawert Tim
Published: August 2023

To contribute to a better understanding of the determinants of climate-friendly organizational behavior, we study the potential of behavioral policy interventions and social norms to foster individual contributions to organizational decarbonization initiatives. We investigate the effects of different types of behavioral policy interventions (default nudges vs. short-term boosts) in isolation and when they are combined with normative appeals to adopt climate-friendly behaviors in an organizational context. In a 2 × 2 between-subjects experiment, we find that default nudges generally induced higher individual contributions to organizational carbon compensation programs than short-term boosts. Moreover, injunctive social norm information decreased the effectiveness of both types of behavioral interventions but affected the effectiveness of short-term boosts to a stronger extent than the effectiveness of default nudges. Contributing to the nascent literature on motivating climate change mitigating behaviors in organizational contexts, we additionally explore whether factors such as personality traits, pro-social and pro-environmental beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors, and the degree of organizational identification exert an influence on the effectiveness of the interventions and provide qualitative insights into participants’ reasoning for their decisions.
Heterozygous FOXJ1 Mutations Cause Incomplete Ependymal Cell Differentiation and Communicating Hydrocephalus
Authors: Hou Connie C. , Li Danielle , Berry Bethany C. , Zheng Shaokuan , Carroll Rona S. , Johnson Mark D. , Yang Hong Wei
Published: August 2023

Heterozygous mutations affecting FOXJ1, a transcription factor governing multiciliated cell development, have been associated with obstructive hydrocephalus in humans. However, factors that disrupt multiciliated ependymal cell function often cause communicating hydrocephalus, raising questions about whether FOXJ1 mutations cause hydrocephalus primarily by blocking cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow or by different mechanisms. Here, we show that heterozygous FOXJ1 mutations are also associated with communicating hydrocephalus in humans and cause communicating hydrocephalus in mice. Disruption of one Foxj1 allele in mice leads to incomplete ependymal cell differentiation and communicating hydrocephalus. Mature ependymal cell number and motile cilia number are decreased, and 12% of motile cilia display abnormal axonemes. We observed decreased microtubule attachment to basal bodies, random localization and orientation of basal body patches, loss of planar cell polarity, and a disruption of unidirectional CSF flow. Thus, heterozygous FOXJ1 mutations impair ventricular multiciliated cell differentiation, thereby causing communicating hydrocephalus. CSF flow obstruction may develop secondarily in some patients harboring FOXJ1 mutations.

Graphical Abstract

Heterozygous FOXJ1 mutations impair motile cilia structure and basal body alignment, thereby disrupting CSF flow dynamics and causing communicating hydrocephalus.
Stranger Danger: The Political Debate on Crimmigrants
Authors: Heber Anita
Published: August 2023

Politicians are increasingly describing immigrants as dangerous and threatening criminals. The criminal immigrant, i.e., ‘crimmigrant’ has become a useful symbol, especially for the emerging radical-right parties in the Nordic countries. This article fuses crimmigration research with studies of political debates, to explore the current parliamentary debate on crimmigrants in Sweden. It looks at how, when, and why politicians link immigrants to crime, and strangers to danger. The empirical analysis identifies five narrative characters that are discussed in the Swedish political debate on immigrants and crime. The study shows that even firm stereotypes such as the crimmigrant have nuances. It highlights how and when radical-right and mainstream parties contribute to the crimmigrant stereotype, or dispute it. It shows how certain narrative characters are used in politics, and how politicians link immigrants to crime, and strangers to danger.
Influences of habitat and seasonal changes on gonadal maturation of Echinometra mathaei (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) and Tridacna squamosa (Mollusca: Bivalvia) in the Red Sea, Egypt
Authors: El-Sokkary Samaa G. , El-Wakeil Khaleid F. Abd , Obuid-Allah Ahmad H. , Omer Mohsen Y.
Published: August 2023

The present work is aimed at investigating the effects of seasonal changes and habitat conditions on reproductive state and gonadal development of two macrobenthic fauna. Echinometra mathaei and Tridacna squamosa were collected seasonally (summer and winter) in July 2019 and January 2020 from three sites along the Red Sea coast, Egypt: Hamraween, Sedy Malek, and Porto Ghalb. Sexual differences and gonadal maturation in the two species were determined by performing biopsies of their gonads followed by morphologic analyses. Hematoxylin and eosin–stained gonadal sections were examined and analyzed. In E. mathaei, reproductive behavior was more active in the summer than in the winter; in T. squamosa, reproductive behavior was active almost all the year, especially during the winter. The reproductive activity and gonadal maturation of both species were affected by environmental factors. The results indicated that temperature is a vital factor affecting the reproductive activity of both species. This study concluded that temperature fluctuations may pose significant challenges to coastal marine ecosystems.
Modelling fracture due to corrosion and mechanical loading in reinforced concrete
Authors: Alfaiate J. , Sluys L. J. , Costa A.
Published: August 2023

Corrosion in reinforced concrete is an important feature which can lead to increased deformation and cracking, as well as to premature failure. In the present work, macro-mechanical modelling of corrosion is performed, namely the degradation of bond–slip between concrete and steel. A mixed-mode damage model is adopted, in which the interaction between the bond–slip law and the stress acting in the neighbourhood of the concrete–steel bar interface is taken into account. Bond–slip degradation is modelled using an evolutionary bond–slip relationship, which depends on the level of corrosion. Different relevant loading cases are studied. Special attention is given to the evolution of corrosion in time, under constant load. This is done by adopting a Total Iterative Approach, in which the structure is reevaluated each time step, upon damage increase due to corrosion. Pullout tests are presented to illustrate the performance of the model. Bending tests are also performed to evaluate the influence of corrosion at structural level.
Development of an LCA-based tool to assess the environmental sustainability level of cosmetics products
Authors: Rocca Roberto , Acerbi Federica , Fumagalli Luca , Taisch Marco
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The depletion of natural resources and the downgrading of the environment, driven by globalization and consumerism phenomena, are worldwide pushing the interest in sustainable manufacturing paradigm and environment preservation. It is moreover clear to academia and practitioners that the cosmetics industry needs to update its current operations to face new sustainable requirements and norms due to its ever-growing size and massive consumption of natural resources. Different methodologies, metrics, and indicators have been and are being proposed for solving the complex issues of environmental sustainability evaluation of cosmetics processes and products.

Methods

Among these approaches and methods, product-related assessment tools (e.g., life cycle assessment) are usually more focused on the environmental dimension of sustainability, and they are always based on the life cycle of the product. The core of this paper is on the development of a novel tool to classify cosmetics products based on the results of LCA: the eco-friendliness assessment tool (EFAT). The methodology of the work is structured into 5 main phases: definition of the scientific background of the work, definition of the tool requirements, tool development, testing of the tool, analysis of the results. The eco-friendliness assessment tool proposed is structured into two main parts: (i) process flow 1: environmental impact score and (ii) process flow 2: supplier environmental sustainability assessment.

Results

The tool has been tested on a cosmetics product manufactured in a cosmetics company located in Italy. The acquisition of raw material process and primary packaging process are the two most critical processes resulting from the impact analysis of LCA methodology. The application of the EFAT tool shows the two possible most sustainable improved scenarios are as follows: (i) exploiting transportation of the primary packaging by sea and (ii) adopting the European location of the primary packaging supplier. The results coming from the tool application allowed the definition of the company product eco-friendliness. The eco-friendliness is symbolized by an alphabetical letter and a color.

Conclusions

The paper proposes a practical tool to assess the environmental sustainability level of cosmetics products, with the intention to overcome two of the main literature gaps found in the state of the art: (i) absence of LCA methodology implementation in the cosmetics industry on makeup products, (ii) absence of tools that rely on the results of the LCA analysis of a cosmetic product for understanding its sustainability level of sustainability.
Thermal Analysis and Phase Equilibria of the Molten System Na3AlF6-NdF3-Nd2O3
Authors: Krishnan Dhiya , Korenko Michal , Šimko František , Kubíková Blanka , Rakhmatullin Aydar
Published: August 2023

Phase diagrams of the systems Na3AlF6-NdF3 and (Na3AlF6-NdF3)eut-Nd2O3 were experimentally determined by thermal analysis up to 60 mol.% NdF3 and 45 mol.% Nd2O3, respectively. The Na3AlF6-NdF3 system was found to be a simple eutectic system with the eutectic point with the following approximate coordinates: 49 mol.% NdF3 and 905°C. This eutectic composition was then used for the thermal analysis of the (Na3AlF6-NdF3)eut-Nd2O3 system. The coordinates of the eutectic point of the (Na3AlF6-NdF3)eut-Nd2O3 system were found to be approximately 46 mol.% Nd2O3 and 733°C. After the thermal analysis, the x-ray diffraction analysis of the solidified samples of both systems was performed. The XRD analysis of the Na3AlF6-NdF3 system has shown the formation of two new compounds; NaNdF4 and NdOF. The formation of NdOF is probably the product of the high-temperature hydrolysis between the moisture in the atmosphere and NdF3. The XRD analysis of the solidified samples of the (Na3AlF6-NdF3)eut-Nd2O3 system has shown the formation of the following new compounds: NaNdF4, NdOF, NdAlO3, and NaF.
The Pandemic of Coronary Heart Disease in the Middle East and North Africa: What Clinicians Need to Know
Authors: Manla Yosef , Almahmeed Wael
Published: August 2023

Purpose of Review

Coronary heart disease (CHD) is the leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and disability in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). While the prevention, diagnosis, and management of CHD have been detailed in international guidelines, we aimed in this review to quantify the pandemic of CHD in the MENA region and highlight regional patient characteristics, clinical challenges, and future directions to optimize CHD care in the region.

Recent Findings

Patients with CHD in the MENA feature younger age at presentation and worse prognosis in women. Despite the high burden of CHD risk factors, many of these factors remain underrecognized, undertreated, and uncontrolled. Additionally, CHD care is hampered by poor patient awareness, inefficient preventive strategies, and limited access to guideline-recommended therapeutics.

All stakeholders involved in healthcare should work together to develop and execute strategies aimed at tackling the burden of CHD in the MENA.
Simultaneous Denoising and Heterogeneity Learning for Time Series Data
Authors: Jiang Xiwen , Shen Weining
Published: August 2023

Noisy time series data are often collected in biomedical applications, and it remains an important task to understand the data heterogeneity. We propose an approach that combines the strength of trend filtering and distance-based clustering to simultaneously perform temporal mean denoising and subject-level clustering. We discuss an iterative algorithm that efficiently computes the cluster structure and clusterwise mean trends. Simulation studies confirm the excellent numerical performance of our method. We further consider two data application examples including an U.S. lung cancer mortality study and a suicide rate study.
Yielding and Flow in Aggregated Particulate Suspensions
Authors: Scales Peter J. , Usher Shane P. , Larsen Maria Barmar , Stickland Anthony D. , Teo Hui-En , de Kretser Ross G. , Buscall Richard
Published: August 2023

The flow and consolidation of strongly flocculated particulate suspensions in water are common to a range of processing scenarios in the minerals, food, water and wastewater industries. Understanding the compressive strength or resistance to consolidation of these suspensions is relevant to processes such as filtration, centrifugation and gravity settling, where the compressive strength defines an upper boundary for processing. New data for the compressive strength of consolidating flocculated particulate suspensions in water, including alumina and calcium carbonate, are compared with earlier data from the literature and from our own laboratories for several systems, including two earlier sets of data for alumina. The three sets of data for the compressive strength of alumina agree well. Differences are noted for data measured in shear between our own laboratories and others. New data for the shear strength of AKP-30 alumina are also presented, and although the agreement is not as good, the difference is implied to be due to wall slip associated with a difference in measurement techniques. A simple nonlinear poro-elastic model of the compressive strength was applied to the eight sets of compressive strength data and was found to account for most features of the observed behaviour. The agreement strongly supports the mechanistic failure mode in compression for these systems to be one of simple strain hardening. The one feature that it does not account for without invoking a ‘ratchet’ is the irreversibility of consolidation. It is, however, suspected that wall adhesion might provide such a ratchet in reality, since wall adhesion has been neglected in the analysis of raw compressive strength until recently, notwithstanding the pioneering work of Michaels and Bolger (30). Overall, the data analysis and fitting presented herein indicate a new future for the characterisation of aggregated particulate suspensions in shear and compression whereby a limited data set in both compression and shear, albeit targeted across a wide concentration range, can now be used to predict comprehensive curves for the shear yield stress and compressive yield stress of samples using a simple poro-elastic model. The veracity of the approach is indicated through a knowledge that the behaviour of both parameters is scalar across a wide range of materials and across a wide range of states of aggregation.
The State- and Trait-Level Effects and Candidate Mechanisms of Four Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Practices: Two Exploratory Studies
Authors: Maloney Shannon , Surawy Christina , Martin Maryanne , Montero-Marin Jesus , Kuyken Willem
Published: August 2023

Objectives

The primary aim was to explore state- and trait-level effects and candidate mechanisms of four Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) practices.

Method

One hundred sixty adults self-selected from the general population were randomized to one of four mindfulness practices: body scan, mindful movement, breath and body, and befriending. Study 1 explored state-level self-compassion, mindfulness, decentering (mechanisms), and pleasantness of thoughts, emotions, and body sensations at multiple time points using two single mindfulness sessions. Study 2 explored trait-level self-compassion, mindfulness, decentering, interoceptive awareness, attentional control (mechanisms), anxiety, depression, and psychological quality of life pre-post 2 weeks of daily practice.

Results

In study 1, state-level effects were demonstrated in all candidate mechanisms and outcomes within the whole sample across time points (d = 0.27 to 0.86), except for state decentering. After controlling for pre-scores and additional covariates, no between-group effects were found (p = 0.050 to 0.973). In study 2, trait-level effects were demonstrated in psychological quality of life and most candidate mechanisms within the whole sample (d = 0.26 to 0.64) but no between-group effects were found (p = 0.080 to 0.805). Within the whole sample, after controlling for pre-scores, changes in mindfulness, self-compassion, decentering, and interoceptive awareness (i.e. body listening) were associated with improvements in psychological quality of life (r = 0.23 to 0.40) and self-led mindfulness practice (r = 0.18 to 0.23).

Conclusions

Future research should test the generated hypotheses using well-designed, adequately powered, and theory-driven studies that address universal and specific mechanisms in different populations and contexts.

Pre-registration

This study is not pre-registered.