bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Innovative technology and equipment for stone processing sludge recycling
Authors: Bondarenko Andrii , Kukhar Viktor , Nurmanova Assel
Published: June 2024

The aim of the study is to substantiate the parameters of technology and equipment for the manufacture of building products using alumina sludge from stone processing as an alumina aggregate. The standard methods of setting up an experiment for laboratory washing of granular sludge from stone processing and studying its physical and mechanical characteristics, manufacturing laboratory samples of polystyrene concrete blocks with further study of their strength characteristics were used. The physical and mechanical characteristics of granular man-made material - sludge waste from the stone processing industry - were experimentally determined. The possibility of using man-made sludge in the manufacture of polystyrene concrete blocks was substantiated by its particle size distribution and mineralogical composition. Average samples of granular material were deslagged using the TurboWash unit. The particle size distribution of the material after washing was analysed. According to the standard technology, recipe and raw materials for D300 polystyrene concrete, polystyrene concrete blocks of standard sizes of three grades were produced. Primary sludge without preliminary processing, sand and dusty loess obtained from the processing of primary sludge were used as an aggregate. The numerical values of the axial compression resistance for the studied grades of polystyrene concrete blocks were determined.
Hydrodynamic impact as a way of controlling the state of the coal-gas system: analysis and data processing
Authors: Zberovskyi Vasyl , Ahaiev Ruslan , Vlasenko Vasyl , Prytula Dmytro
Published: June 2024

The research results on hydrodynamic impact during the outburst-hazardous coal seams opening at the Donbas Central District mines are considered. Emphasis is placed on the technological processes complexity related to coal mining and the importance of systematic monitoring of the stress-strain state of rock massif. It is noted that the research and optimization of the hydrodynamic impact process parameters and the coal-gas system state require the use of statistical and probabilistic methods, in particular descriptive statistics. An analysis of the hydrodynamic impact process parameters on the stress-strain state of rock massif in the conditions of steeply sloping seams was carried out using the example of 50 openings. A data array with different characteristics and parameters distribution was obtained. Methods of data distribution normality checking and their use in normality hypothesis verifying for process control are considered. Information on research methods and analysis of parameters related to hydrodynamic impact on the rock massif is summarized. The results of studies of hydrodynamic impact parameters and control of the gasdynamic state of outburst-hazardous coal seams during their opening are considered. The results will be used in further studies of the controlling process of stress-strain state of outburst-hazardous coal seams by hydrodynamic impact.
Innovative technology for mining parallel superimposed inclined tabular deposits
Authors: Kushnerov Ivan , Chukharev Serhii , Maksymov Ivan , Fedorenko Serhii , Kryvenko Andrii
Published: June 2024

Ore deposits are often parallel superimposed inclined tabular ones with waste rock inclusions between ore beds. The present research aims to develop an innovative safe and efficient technology to reduce the cost of waste rock transportation outside the stoping block and provide a rational flowsheet for mining superimposed beds with original structural elements. The paper proposes a new technological flowsheet for mining superimposed deposits with disposal of waste rocks occurring between beds in previously prepared rooms and establishes new dependencies of room dimensions on the volume of rocks to be disposed. The research results enable expansion of the scope of employment of room mining systems and significant reduction in costs in the working area. The efficiency of ore mining is achieved by creating room crowns from unmined interbedded rocks, disposing broken waste rocks in worked-out spaces and rationally mining the deposits. Implementation of the proposed technology enables reduction of the cost of mining ore from parallel superimposed inclined tabular deposits.
Study of rock fracture patterns for obtaining the basis for energy-efficient ore ball milling
Authors: Kondratets Vasyl , Matsui Anatolii , Brovko Dmytro , Demchyshyna Oksana
Published: June 2024

The study is conducted using methods of analysis (in proving the possibility of assessing the disintegration of rocks by energy consumption), methods of free vibration theory (to determine the motion of a falling ball over an elastic connection), methods of energy balance, methods of theoretical mechanics and material resistance (to study amplitude characteristics of mechanical systems), methods of rock fracture theory (to determine fracture work), physical modeling (to design test benches) and experimental methods (to find relationships between parameters). The strength of bulk crushed material in the first stages of ore preparation is practically independent of its coarseness and solid form, which allows the estimated volume of disintegrated ore (particle concentration) to be determined by the energy expended, translated into other physical quantities. Results of experimental studies support the theoretical dependences. The proposed approach of automatic stabilisation of solid concentration in the ball mill pulp at the optimum level allows to increase the productivity of ore preparation on the finished grade in the first stages by 10% at reduction of specific power consumption for ore grinding.
Forecasting the risks of underground roadway stability loss based on mine research data
Authors: Slashchova Olena , Kohtieva Olha , Rahimov Serhii , Kharchenko Vitalii
Published: June 2024

The article presents results of the research on forecasting the risks of underground roadway stability loss based on the results of mine monitoring. The method is used for safety control in the process of conducting mining operations and re-exploitation of roadways as industrial facilities. The risk assessment was carried out with allowance for spread of physical and mechanical parameters of rocks; this approach is confirmed by procession of data of more than 1000 experiments. Mining-and-technical factors and their negative impact on the rock destruction were identified and systematized. The structure of risk control in a geotechnical system “rock massif - roadway” was substantiated. The method for forecasting the risks of underground roadway destruction based on the results of the mine research was further developed. The method differs from the well-known ones by taking into account the dominant influencing factors, variations of values and standard deviations of the forecasted risks of roadway functionality loss and criteria for violation of its technological air gaps at a certain point in time. This makes it possible to assess the degree of danger of mine roadway stability loss and to undertake response measures more reasonably.
Transfer processes in porous diaphragms and ion-exchange membranes for hydrogen production in electrochemical reactor with reduced energy consumption
Authors: Nefedov Volodymyr , Matveev Vadim , Polishchuk Yuliya , Sukhyi Mykhailo K. , Tulskyi Hennadii
Published: June 2024

This paper presents the results of measuring the main physicochemical parameters of diaphragm materials (porous polypropylene, asbestos, mipor, polypropylene, nylon and chlorine fabrics) and the MA-40 anion-exchange membrane. These materials can be used to separate electrode chambers in an electrochemical reactor for producing hydrogen with reduced energy consumption. The values of materials (diffusion and migration) flows in the cathode and anode chambers are described and calculated for the use of porous separating partitions and an anion-exchange membrane. It has been experimentally proven that for woven separating materials, filtration transfer of substances is possible when the pressure in the electrode chambers changes. The complex of obtained results of the studied separating partitions (diaphragms and anion-exchange membrane) clearly indicates the feasibility of using an anion-exchange membrane in an electrochemical reactor with a soluble iron anode to produce hydrogen with reduced energy costs.
Dynamics of a vibrating screen with two motor-vibrators
Authors: Franchuk Vsevolod , Antsiferov Oleksandr , Shkut Anastasiia
Published: June 2024

A method for calculating a vibrating screen with two motor vibrators is proposed. The first part of the article is devoted to the issue of synchronizing the rotation of the rotors of both drives. Their opposite rotation creates a directed force passing through the center of gravity of the screen and perpendicular to the plane of the vibrator axes. The interaction of forces in this plane determines the phase mismatch of the rotation angles of the vibrators θ. An expression is obtained for determining the angle θ depending on the frequency of their rotation vibrators ω. It is shown that at ω > 100 rad/s, motor-vibrators operate in self-synchronizing mode. In the second part of the article a dynamic calculation of the screen was carried out. Linear vibrations in the vertical plane of symmetry of the screen and rotational vibrations around a perpendicular to this plane are investigated. The Lagrange equation of the second kind is compiled without considering inelastic resistances. They are considered at the last stage of the calculation in the form of the imaginary part of the complex modulus of elastic bonds. The amplitude-frequency characteristic of the screen was constructed considering the rotation mismatch angle of the vibrators θ. Stabilization of the oscillation amplitude at high frequencies is shown.
Development and implementation of vibroseismic protection of buildings and structures from external dynamic loads
Authors: Bulat Anatolii , Lysytsia Mykola , Lapin Vladimir , Grebenyuk Serhii , Marienkov Mykola , Ahaltsov Hennadii , Novikova Alina , Kalhankov Yevhen , Lysytsia Natalia
Published: June 2024

The article considers the results of vibration dynamic tests of the vibration acceleration levels of a vibration insulated reinforced concrete slab and floors of a residential building, which have confirmed the effectiveness of the seismic vibration isolation system using rubber elements. The registered levels of vibration accelerations in residential premises on different floors do not exceed permissible levels according to sanitary standards, which ensures comfortable living conditions in the presence of dynamic influences. To determine the actual vibration levels of the soil and piles vibration and dynamic studies were carried out. Based on the results of these studies, numerical calculations were carried out to determine the compliance of the predicted vibration levels in residential premises with the existing sanitary standards when they are exposed to real anthropogenic loads.
Hydrotechnical and ecological principles of water resources management for a mined-out mine field
Authors: Sadovenko Ivan , Tymoshchuk Vasyl , Zahrytsenko Alina , Rodríguez Francesc , Sherstiuk Yevheniia , Vlasov Vladyslav , Chushkina Iryna
Published: June 2024

The article considers the issue of predicting and managing water resources of flooded mines based on hydrotechnical and ecological criteria. Reproduction of a natural-technogenic situation within mine fields with many unknowns regarding the condition of a rock massif and influence factors became possible through a step-by-step construction and identification of a numerical geofiltration model. Balance components of formation for a technogenic underground water mode, capacity parameters and zonal water permeability of a rock massif are estimated as a result of methodical adaptation and creation of a hydrodynamic model of two adjacent mines with a complex hydrogeological structure. A duration and speed for groundwater level restoration at different time periods, an area of underflooding and flooding on the surface is established according to predictive calculations. The inefficiency of submersible pumps use is proven when capital workings lose their drainage functions and a massif has rheological dynamics. Variants for long-term pumping of mine waters with subsequent discharge into a hydrographic network do not bring the territory into a self-draining mode. Therefore, the mode of closing mines with full restoration of underground water level in a monitoring mode with a combination of drainage reconstruction of the surface is the most acceptable.
Experimental study of dust emission intensity from the surface of the alluvium beach
Authors: Medvedieva Olha , Biliaiev Mykola , Kozachyna Vitalii , Mormul Taras , Buketov Valentyn
Published: June 2024

The paper presents data on the current state of waste storage facilities of mining and processing plants in Kryvyi Rih. They are complex, environmentally hazardous hydraulic structures. When assessing the extent of dust pollution from tailing ponds, it is extremely important to know the intensity of dust emissions from the surface of the alluvium beach. This parameter is the basic one in all prognostic models used to predict environmental pollution. The paper presents the results of experimental studies to determine the wind speed at which the removal of dry dust particles from the surface of the beach of a tailing pond begins, as well as the intensity of dust removal from the surface of the beach for dry sand and wet sand. The experimental studies conducted in the laboratory allowed obtaining data on the intensity of dust emission from the surface of the tailing dump beach. The results obtained by the authors make it possible to more accurately assess the degree of environmental dustiness using predictive models. The data on determining the intensity of dust formation for sand of different moisture content will be useful for determining the effectiveness of dust suppression by supplying water to the beach surface.
Method of successive approximation in mathematical modelling of geotechnical mechanics problems
Authors: Larionov Hryhorii , Sapehin Volodymyr , Zemliana Yuliia , Khvorostian Viktor , Holovko Sofiia
Published: June 2024

The purpose of this work was to develop a mathematical model by the results of mathematical modeling of the problem of loading a circular cross-sectional roadway under the action of hydrostatic pressure. Instead of finite element method, it proposed to solve this problem by method of successive approximation, which assumes finding a solution in vicinity of one point in the domain of definition in a multiplicative form where the product functions are one-dimensional functions of parameters. Such representation advantageously differs from classical representation of approximation results by visualization and convenience and by possibility to investigate function sensitivity to the parameter variation. The obtained model provides errors of 5-7%. The results of qualitative comparison of volumetric functions of the tangential stress intensity obtained by the successive approximation method with the representation of numerical results of solving the chosen classical problem presented. Mathematical models of the tangential stresses intensity function in vicinity of a roadway in analytical form are obtained. It is proposed to use this method for representing mathematical models in analytical form and determining function sensitivity to the parameter variation in the problems of geotechnical mechanics. The effectiveness of the method increases when analyzing results of multiparametric problems.
Methodology for determining the design parameters of combined type plasma-chemical reactor for gasification of carbon-containing raw materials
Authors: Shevchenko Volodymyr , Oparin Serhii , Kabakova Liudmyla
Published: June 2024

The paper shows the advantages of combined type reactors for plasma-chemical allothermic processes of carbon-containing raw materials gasification. The methodology for determining the design parameters of combined type plasma-chemical reactor for gasification of carbon-containing raw materials is developed. Analytical dependences for determination of time and constructive parameters of the combined type plasma-chemical reactor are established. Dependences contain interrelation between the main technological parameters of the process of thermo-conversion of carbon-containing raw materials taking into account thermochemical reactions. Dependences of constructive parameters of reaction zone of combined type plasma-chemical reactor for steam plasma gasification of carbon-containing media are obtained. It is established that at steam gasification of carbon-containing raw materials with the maximum particle size of 150 microns and the temperature in the reaction zone of 5000 K the volume of the reaction zone depends on the productivity of carbon-containing raw materials, which has a significant effect on the design parameters of the reaction zone.
Stress state of elastic shell of standard sample in process of cable tear out testing
Authors: Belmas Ivan , Kolosov Dmytro , Bilous Olena , Tantsura Hanna , Onyshchenko Serhii
Published: June 2024

Article purpose is establishment of a quantitative character for influence of structural parameters of a rubber-cable belt on tensile testing results of a standard belt sample and influence of structural parameters on distribution of stresses in a butt-joint connection. Article methodology is in model construction, stress state determination for elastic material of deformed shape located between cables of a sample by methods of linear theory of elasticity and in obtaining parameters of a stress-strain state of an elastic shell of a standard sample for cable tear out testing in a closed form. Influence character of geometric parameters of a rubber-cable belt on tensile testing results of a standard belt sample is established and it allows considering parameters during determining maximum stresses in elastic shell of a belt butt-joint connections. Influence character of a stress-strain state of a standard sample on geometric parameters of a belt is established. The results make it possible to determine a distribution of shear stresses in elastic shell of a belt in butt-joint connections considering the structure of connections based on testing the standard samples. This increases the safety of usage of butt-joint connections of rubber-cable belts and increases their lifecycle.
Geodense section of the lithosphere of the Ukrainian shield along the Shepetivka – Zhytomyr – Dnipro – Volnovakha traverse
Authors: Pigulevskiy Petro , Shumlianska Liudmyla
Published: June 2024

Based on the results of transformation of one-dimensional density models using polynomial corrections to reference model AK135 for different domains of mantle of the Ukrainian Shield, a preliminary reconstruction of the Earth’s geodensity structure to depth of 2600 km was performed. The one-dimensional density models are properly correlated with gravitational field and mass of each mantle layer. Based on these constructions, the integration of the horizontally layered model with seismic stratigraphy data and the vertically block model with gravity field calculations to depth of 275 km along the Shepetivka-Zhytomyr-Dnipro-Volnovakha geotraverse was carried out. The results significantly increased the informativeness of data from two methods regarding the features of deep lithospheric tectonics within the Ukrainian Shield. The results of geological interpretation along the geotraverse show that the megablocks of the shield are best reflected in density anomalies, characterized by different densities both horizontally and in depth. The obtained features of the lithospheric structure of the Ukrainian Shield indicate the need for further research of upper and lower mantle to obtain a comprehensive interconnected model of its structure to refine the petrophysical characteristics that affect the formation of the Earth’s crust and mineral resources.
Knowledge and Assertion
Authors: Sbisà Marina
Published: June 2024

This chapter examines the connections of knowledge with assertion as they emerge from How to Do Things with Words and ‘Other Minds’. It argues that, for Austin, knowledge is neatly distinct from belief and the speaker who makes an assertion raises an implicit claim to it as a precondition of their own speech act, so that accepting an assertion as successfully performed involves attributing knowledge to the speaker. It claims that according to Austin, knowledge attributions are governed by a by-default principle: once granted, they hold unless there are specific reasons for challenging them. It expounds and discusses Austin’s claim that utterances of ‘I know’ are as performative as utterances of ‘I promise’, remarking that its point is not to deny that ‘I know’ has truth-conditions, but to respond to the problem posed to epistemology by human fallibility and interpreting it in the context of the dynamics of knowledge attribution connected with assertion as an illocutionary act. Finally, it points out that the proposed reconstruction of an Austinian account of knowledge might require the introduction of two distinctions: one between de iure and de facto knowledge (the former of which is a conventional state) and another between knowledge as a requirement and knowledge as an outcome of the act of making an assertion.
When We Do Not Know
Authors: Sbisà Marina
Published: June 2024

This chapter examines Austin’s view as regards failures in perceptual knowledge and their relation to reliable, genuine perception. It expounds his criticism of the Argument from Illusion as equivocating between two distinct types of failure, illusion and delusion, and his remarks about that distinction, which turn out not to cover all the cases of alleged perceptual failure. Then, it argues that Austin’s philosophy of perception opens the way to disjunctivism: indeed, Austin takes it that reliable perception and unreliable appearance are radically different phenomena in spite of the fact that we may go wrong in distinguishing them. It points out, however, that Austin’s views and disjunctivism differ under various respects, particularly as regards the question of the possible indistinguishability, due to their qualities, of reliable perception and unreliable appearance. It discusses the apparent contrast between two remarks of Austin’s: that it is in principle possible to distinguish between reliable perception and unreliable appearance and that indistinguishable things may be different in nature. It concludes that Austin’s stance is coherent, but distant from disjunctivism because of his refusal to consider experience as a matter of qualities separable from circumstances and activities.
Knowledge in Its Making
Authors: Sbisà Marina
Published: June 2024

This chapter is about the picture of how we get and transmit knowledge that emerges from Austin’s writings. It examines a view of assertion as a Verdictive (and therefore an act of judgement) that is compatible with seeing it as formulating knowledge linguistically. It argues that assertions are judgements on the basis of the detailed description of the micro-structure of assertion that Austin provides in ‘How to Talk—Some Simple Ways’ while analysing several varieties of assertion. Then, it outlines an Austinian model for the transmission of knowledge which comes close to the anti-reductionist view of knowledge by testimony: indeed, according to Austin, we legitimately trust our interlocutors provided there is no particular reason not to trust their entitlement to assert, so that such entitlement and the knowledge it involves are by-default transmitted to the audience. It also examines the differences between first-hand and second-hand knowledge from the Austinian perspective outlined: in the transmission of knowledge by testimony, some aspects of a speaker’s competence to assert may get lost and the construction of a body of shared knowledge requires paying particular attention to them. It concludes by summarizing the various, heterogeneous facets and roles of knowledge that Austin’s perspective on knowledge proposes to our attention: not only de iure vs de facto knowledge, but also perceptual knowledge vs linguistically formulated knowledge, and knowledge-that as the outcome of asserting vs diverse kinds of knowledge, including knowledge-how, that contribute to the speaker’s entitlement to assert.
Getting to Grips with Truth
Authors: Sbisà Marina
Published: June 2024

This chapter is concerned with Austin’s work on truth and his debate with Peter Strawson on that issue. It clarifies how the polemic with Strawson contributed to misrepresenting Austin’s views. It expounds Austin’s views on truth, comparing them with those of Gottlob Frege and highlighting analogies and contrasts: Austin seems to accept a Fregean framework, but systematically opposes Frege’s choices when an alternative is available, claiming (among other things) that truth is a matter of degree, that truth-bearers are not propositions but assertions, that an assertion refers to a situation as opposed to a truth-value, and that ‘is true’ is not semantically superfluous. It then examines whether Austin’s view of truth is a form of correspondentism and highlights its peculiarities: he does not represent truth as isomorphism or correlation, rather, it deals with it as a matter of the quality (or adequacy) of a combination of correlations, those between sentence and type of situation and respectively assertion and situation in the world. It also underscores that Austin’s correspondentism is strictly connected with his sense of human situatedness and his attention for the dimension of action.
Use
Authors: Sbisà Marina
Published: June 2024

This chapter deals with the ways in which attention for language use influences Austin’s philosophy. It distinguishes an instrumental aspect from a systematic aspect of the use of language and argues that Austin paid attention to both, the former by replacing talk of the ‘functions of language’ with his speech act theory and the latter by analysing the role of various words and phrases in language as a system or within certain sentential or textual connections. It remarks that there is coherence between focusing on language use and refusing to reify meaning and that Austin’s philosophy of language is characterized by that refusal, in part under the influence of an analogous refusal by Wittgenstein (both philosophers connect the reification of meaning with philosophical overgeneralization in slightly different ways). It expounds Austin’s reinterpretation of the Aristotelian notion of paronymy, which he uses to account for the cases in which different things are called by the same name in a way similar to, but in part critical of, Wittgenstein’s family resemblances. Finally, it considers another way in which Austin manifests his opposition to the reification of meaning: his refusal to use the notion of proposition in his philosophy of language and speech act theory.
Linguistic Phenomenology
Authors: Sbisà Marina
Published: June 2024

This chapter examines the statement of philosophical method included in Austin’s paper ‘A Plea for Excuses’. It argues that the research question ‘what we should say when’ is meant to be descriptive as opposed to normative, but language itself has its own normativity which constrains what can be meant by uttering certain words in a certain speech situation. It also argues that the ‘we’ who are agents and objects of Austin’s Ordinary Language Philosophy constitute a plural subject not in virtue of their social and cultural conditions, but of their sharing a linguistic system and using it ordinarily. It discusses the charges of conservatism and philosophical irrelevance that have been levelled at Austin’s method, to which Austin replied in advance in part at least, explaining that while ordinary language is not the Last Word, it is the First Word nevertheless. It expounds and discusses various reactions to Austin’s remark that his method could be called ‘linguistic phenomenology’ and puts forward a new interpretation of it, according to which Austin is referring to Edmund Husserl’s phenomenology and proposes a linguistic-phenomenological reduction or epochē analogous to Husserl’s phenomenological epochē. It claims that while Husserl uses the epochē to focus on consciousness, setting aside the natural standpoint, Austin uses the linguistic epochē to focus on ordinary linguistic usage, setting aside the relation between language and states of affairs (including psychological ones). Finally, it compares Austin’s statement of method with the practices and results that anticipated or followed it in his writings.
Conclusions
Authors: Sbisà Marina
Published: June 2024

This chapter provides a sketchy overview of Austin’s thought about the five themes of illocution, action, knowledge, truth, and philosophy. Then, in the attempt to identify some unifying features of Austin’s work, it highlights some ideas or stances that are recurrent in it, such as the opposition to dichotomies (including the two ‘fetishes’ consisting of the truth/falsity and value/fact dichotomy) to which he systematically prefers multiple distinctions and graded differences, the attention for intersubjectivity that can be observed in his philosophy of action, speech act theory, epistemology, and ‘linguistic phenomenology’, and the commitment to a ‘sober’ philosophy. It also highlights the role played in Austin’s thought by situatedness, not conceived as determined by what one is aware of, but by where one is placed and what one is up to.
Free Speech as Civic Structure
Authors: Krotoszynski, Jr. Ronald J
Published: June 2024

Free Speech as Social Structure examines and explains the very limited relevance of constitutional text to the scope and vibrancy of free speech within a particular polity. The limited relevance of text to expressive freedom holds true in the United States, where the Supreme Court largely ignores the actual text of the First Amendment, as well as in other democratic countries. In Australia, Israel, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States, all surveyed in this book, the presence of relevant constitutional text (the United States and South Africa), relevant statutory text (the United Kingdom), in addition to the complete absence of constitutional text (Australia) or lack of a formal, entrenched constitution as such (Israel) all make little to no difference to free speech rights on the ground. The strength or weakness of free speech protections depends critically on the willingness and ability of judges to police government efforts to censor speech—in conjunction with the salience of speech as a sociolegal value within the body politic. Thus, a legal system featuring independent courts, ideally vested with a power of judicial review, but that lacks a written free speech guarantee, will likely feature broader protection of the freedom of expression than a legal system with a written guarantee that lacks independent courts. Across jurisdictions, text or its absence invariably serves as, at best, a starting point for judicial efforts to protect speech. Judges, engaged in a common law enterprise, matter far more than text, and common law constitutionalism constitutes the global rule rather than the exception.
Ethnic Minorities, Political Competition, and Democracy
Authors: Rovny Jan
Published: June 2024

Ethnic minorities make contemporary Europe increasingly diverse. The wisdom in research on ethnicity is that it is a troublemaker disrupting programmatic politics, prioritizing group identity over ideology, polity over policy, principle over compromise. Ethnicity is expected to be a source of particularistic tension. This book takes a theoretical step back. Approaching ethnic politics as normal politics, it investigates the ideological potential of ethnicity. The book seeks to answer central questions: What are the political preferences of ethnic minorities and their representatives and how are they translated into political representation? How does this shape political competition, and with what systemic effects? The book proceeds from the expectation that ethnic minorities seek group preservation. While group preservation is best ensured via group sovereignty, this is often unlikely. Most ethnic minorities face low chances of achieving group sovereignty, and, consequently, they remain as permanent minorities. This book demonstrates that permanent minorities search for group preservation by championing liberal rights that would protect them from the tyranny of the majority. This translates into broader ideological preferences and political behavior, inducing the formation of liberal political poles. This dynamic is system forming, as it configures political cleavages, shapes party systems, and informs the absorption of new political issues. Ultimately, the presence of ethnic minorities can be a force for liberal democracy. Simultaneously, ethnic liberalism is circumstantial, as conditional factors cross-pressure the ethnic minority search for rights and liberties, potentially attenuating ethnic liberalism and inducing exclusionary particularism. The book combines the study of ethnic politics with research on electoral behavior and party competition, while studying minorities in eastern Europe in comparison with majorities. The book utilizes existing data, and collects new evidence, which it analyses using mixed experimental, quantitative, and qualitative methods. Its empirical chapters are divided into two parts, one focusing on large-N comparative analyses, and one carrying out three in-depth case studies on interwar Czechoslovakia, and contemporary Slovakia and Estonia.
Ethnicity and the Formation of Political Competition
Authors: Rovny Jan
Published: June 2024

This empirical chapter delves into the pivotal role of ethnic politics in shaping the political landscape of eastern Europe. Using extensive quantitative evidence, it illustrates how the presence of mobilized ethnic minorities influences the formation of liberal political poles, shaping alliances between minority and sympathetic majority factions. This frames the structure of political competition in the region, affecting electoral behavior as well as party dynamics. The chapter systematically showcases how ethnicity molds political decision-making for both minorities and majorities, shaping the social basis of electoral choice, highlighting the structured nature of eastern European politics. It demonstrates the formation of liberal political tendencies which are associated with ethnic minority representation. Additionally, it delineates how different types of countries in the region, whether unitary, centers, or peripheries of former communist federations, display varying political alignments rooted in ethnic identity. The chapter thus demonstrates the significant impact of ethnic politics on vote choice and the structuring of party systems.
Democratic Denizens: The Slovak Hungarians
Authors: Rovny Jan
Published: June 2024

Focusing on Slovakia, this case study addresses the role of Hungarian political representation in the formation and working of Slovak democracy. It examines the evolving dynamics and influence of Hungarian representatives in the transition period of Slovakia. The chapter investigates the impact of Hungarian political participation on promoting liberal principles and democratic values within a context marked by significant nationalist illiberalism. It highlights the influential role played by ethnic politics, particularly by examining the cooperative efforts between Slovak liberals and Hungarian representatives in advancing the democratic consolidation of the country. It also delves into the complex interplay between ethnic Hungarians in Slovakia and the increasingly illiberal Orbán governments in Hungary, shedding light on the negative influence of illiberal kin state politics on ethnic liberalism. The chapter draws insights from an original survey conducted in Slovakia which oversamples the Hungarian minority, as well as from interviews with key political, administrative, and academic figures. Finally, the chapter compares the democratic trajectory of Slovakia with neighboring Czech Republic to emphasize the generally positive impact of ethnic Hungarian representation on democratic development.
Association of a Healthy Lifestyle With Ambulatory 24-Hour Blood Pressure Among Chinese Youths: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Mao Bin , Yang Yide , Fan Zehui , Li Yuxian , Xiang Wanyun , Dong Bin , Hu Jie
Published: June 2024

BACKGROUND

This study aims to explore the association between a healthy lifestyle and abnormal ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) in Chinese youths.

METHODS

A school-based sample of 1,296 college students was investigated. A lifestyle score was calculated by synthesizing 5 lifestyle factors, including smoking, alcohol consumption, diet, physical activity, and sleeping. The total score ranged from 0 to 5, with a higher score indicating a healthier lifestyle. This score was then divided into 3 categories representing low adherence to a healthy lifestyle (0–2), medium adherence (3), and high adherence (4–5). Abnormal 24-hour blood pressure (BP) was defined as systolic BP (SBP) ≥ 130 mm Hg and/or diastolic BP (DBP) ≥ 80 mm Hg. Abnormal daytime BP was determined as daytime SBP ≥ 135 mm Hg and/or DBP ≥ 85 mm Hg, while abnormal nighttime BP was characterized as nighttime SBP ≥ 120 mm Hg and/or DBP ≥ 70 mm Hg. We assessed the associations using the binomial regression model.

RESULTS

Mean age was 18.81 years, and 74.5% were women. The prevalence of abnormal 24-hour BP, daytime BP, and nighttime BP are 4.2%, 3.7%, and 9.0%, respectively. We found that participants with a high level of adherence to a healthy lifestyle had a significantly lower prevalence of abnormal 24-hour BP [prevalence ratios (PR) = 0.15, 95% CI: 0.05, 0.48] and abnormal daytime BP (PR = 0.16, 95%CI: 0.05, 0.52), when compared to those with a low level of adherence and after adjusting for the potential covariates.

CONCLUSIONS

A healthier lifestyle is associated with a better ambulatory BP profile among youths.
Outcomes of a tele–intensive care unit pharmacist on the management of diabetic ketoacidosis
Authors: Olson Haley , Sanchez Michael , Gilbert Stephen , McBride Joshua , Linn Eric
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The tele–intensive care unit (tele-ICU) pharmacist facilitates patient-specific diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) treatment utilizing guideline-directed therapy. This study was designed to determine how patient-specific interventions by a tele-ICU pharmacist affected patients with DKA compared to the standard of care.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study utilized custom reports and manual chart review to evaluate the electronic health records of patients 18 years or older who received continuous intravenous insulin and were admitted for DKA between January 2019 and December 2020. The primary endpoint was time to DKA resolution, defined by the patient meeting at least 2 of the following criteria: a serum bicarbonate concentration of at least 18 mEq/L, an arterial pH of greater than 7.3, and closure of the anion gap (less than or equal to 12 mEq/L).

Results

Patients treated with tele-ICU pharmacist patient-specific interventions reached DKA resolution 7.32 hours earlier than patients treated with the standard of care (22.16 vs 29.48 hours; P = 0.0019). There was no statistically significant difference between the groups for ICU length of stay, time until subcutaneous insulin administration, incidence of hypoglycemia, incidence of severe hypoglycemia, and sodium bicarbonate use. In patients who received a tele-ICU pharmacist intervention, there was a statistically significant increase in the volume for fluid resuscitation and the amount of total continuous insulin infused after ICU admission and a statistically significant reduction in the time between laboratory draws.

Conclusion

Treatment of patients with tele-ICU pharmacist patient-specific interventions was associated with faster DKA resolution, more frequent laboratory monitoring, and higher volumes of insulin and fluids infused than in patients treated with protocol-driven therapy.
Short-term use of an Impella ventricular assist device sterile water–based bicarbonate purge solution for positron emission tomography scanning
Authors: Schumacher Sarah M , Hobbs Ryan A
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Impella microaxial ventricular assist devices require a dextrose-based purge solution in combination with heparin or sodium bicarbonate to prevent device dysfunction and stoppage, but the dextrose in these solutions can interfere with positron emission tomography (PET) scans, necessitating an alternative approach.

We describe the short-term use in 2 cases of an alternative purge solution for patients with an Impella 5.5 ventricular assist device undergoing PET scans to rule out infection and malignancy. Sodium chloride solutions cannot be used with Impella ventricular assist devices even for short periods of time due to the potential for motor corrosion. We therefore selected a sterile water–based sodium bicarbonate purge solution, incorporating a short dextrose-free period before and during the PET scan. Imaging was successfully performed with this alternative solution, with monitoring of Impella performance levels and purge parameters throughout the procedure indicating no adverse effects on pump function.

Conclusion

Our sterile water–based bicarbonate purge solution coupled with a short-term restriction of dextrose is a practical option for PET imaging in patients with an Impella ventricular assist device.
Medication use evaluation of tocilizumab implementation in COVID-19 treatment guidelines: A causal inference approach
Authors: Goriacko Pavel , Moskowitz Ari , Ferguson Nadia , Khalique Saira , Hopkins Una , Quinn Nicholas , Sinnett Mark , Bellin Eran
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Introduction of new medications to health-system formularies is often not accompanied by assessments of their clinical impact on the local patient population. The growing availability of electronic health record (EHR) data and advancements in pharmacoepidemiology methods offer institutions the opportunity to monitor the medication implementation process and assess clinical effectiveness in the local clinical context. In this study, we applied novel causal inference methods to evaluate the effects of a formulary policy introducing tocilizumab therapy for critically ill patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods

We conducted a medication use evaluation utilizing EHR data from patients admitted to a large medical center during the 6 months before and after implementation of a formulary policy endorsing the use of tocilizumab for treatment of COVID-19. The impact of tocilizumab on 28-day all-cause mortality was assessed using a difference-in-differences analysis, with ineligible patients serving as a nonequivalent control group, and a matched analysis guided by a target trial emulation framework. Safety endpoints assessed included the incidence of secondary infections and liver enzyme elevations. Our findings were benchmarked against clinical trials, an observational study, and a meta-analysis.

Results

Following guideline modification, tocilizumab was administered to 69% of eligible patients. This implementation was associated with a 3.1% absolute risk reduction in 28-day mortality (odds ratio, 0.86; number needed to treat to prevent one death, 32) attributable to the inclusion of tocilizumab in the guidelines and an additional 8.6% absolute risk reduction (odds ratio, 0.65; number needed to treat to prevent one death, 12) linked to its administration. These findings were consistent with estimates from published literature, although the effect estimates from the difference-in-differences analysis exhibited imprecision.

Conclusion

Evaluating formulary management decisions through novel causal inference approaches offers valuable estimates of clinical effectiveness and the potential to optimize the impact of new medications on population outcomes.
Nasal Deviation and Facial Asymmetry in Patients Undergoing Rhinoplasty
Authors: Scott Brian L , Pearlman Steven
Published: June 2024

Background

The existing literature is conflicted on whether nasal deviation is primarily attributable to trauma or the result of asymmetric facial development.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of nasal trauma and facial asymmetry in patients undergoing rhinoplasty, and to determine if a correlation exists between the laterality of facial asymmetry and nasal deviation.

Methods

A retrospective review was undertaken of patients who had undergone primary rhinoplasty with the senior author over a 12-month period. Patient charts were reviewed and clinical photographs were analyzed.

Results

In total, 144 patients underwent rhinoplasty over the study period; 68 patients underwent revision rhinoplasty and were excluded. Of the 76 patients who underwent primary rhinoplasty, 9% reported prior nasal trauma, 68% had deviated nasal bones, 46% had deviated nasal tips, 70% had asymmetric midfaces, and 36% had deviated chins. In patients without prior trauma history, nasal bones were most commonly deviated towards the side of midface hypoplasia (53%, P = .008). The nasal tip was most commonly deviated contralateral to the side of septal deviation (59%, P = .001). There was no association between nasal bone and chin deviation. Nasal tip deviation was not associated with midface hypoplasia or chin deviation.

Conclusions

Nasal deviation is primarily driven by asymmetric facial growth rather than being the result of nasal trauma.

Level of Evidence: 3
GammaGateR: semi-automated marker gating for single-cell multiplexed imaging
Authors: Xiong Jiangmei , Kaur Harsimran , Heiser Cody N , McKinley Eliot T , Roland Joseph T , Coffey Robert J , Shrubsole Martha J , Wrobel Julia , Ma Siyuan , Lau Ken S , Vandekar Simon
Published: June 2024

Motivation

Multiplexed immunofluorescence (mIF) is an emerging assay for multichannel protein imaging that can decipher cell-level spatial features in tissues. However, existing automated cell phenotyping methods, such as clustering, face challenges in achieving consistency across experiments and often require subjective evaluation. As a result, mIF analyses often revert to marker gating based on manual thresholding of raw imaging data.

Results

To address the need for an evaluable semi-automated algorithm, we developed GammaGateR, an R package for interactive marker gating designed specifically for segmented cell-level data from mIF images. Based on a novel closed-form gamma mixture model, GammaGateR provides estimates of marker-positive cell proportions and soft clustering of marker-positive cells. The model incorporates user-specified constraints that provide a consistent but slide-specific model fit. We compared GammaGateR against the newest unsupervised approach for annotating mIF data, employing two colon datasets and one ovarian cancer dataset for the evaluation. We showed that GammaGateR produces highly similar results to a silver standard established through manual annotation. Furthermore, we demonstrated its effectiveness in identifying biological signals, achieved by mapping known spatial interactions between CD68 and MUC5AC cells in the colon and by accurately predicting survival in ovarian cancer patients using the phenotype probabilities as input for machine learning methods. GammaGateR is a highly efficient tool that can improve the replicability of marker gating results, while reducing the time of manual segmentation.

Availability and implementation

The R package is available at https://github.com/JiangmeiRubyXiong/GammaGateR.