bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Moving on up? How Social Origins Shape Geographic Mobility within Britain’s Higher Managerial and Professional Occupations
Authors: Hecht Katharina , McArthur Daniel
Published: October 2022

This article presents the first longitudinal analysis of social and geographic mobility into Britain’s higher managerial and professional occupations. Using linked census records from the Office for National Statistics Longitudinal Study, we find that those from advantaged social origins are substantially more likely to make long-distance residential moves, implying that geographic mobility is a correlate of advantaged social origins rather than a determinant of an advantaged adult class position. Among higher managers and professionals, those with advantaged backgrounds lived in more affluent areas as children than those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This ‘area gap’ persists during adulthood: when the upwardly mobile move, they are unable to close the gap to their peers with privileged backgrounds in terms of the affluence of the areas they live in: they face a moving target. Geographic advantage, and disadvantage, thus lingers with individuals, even if they move.
Analysis of the sustainability aspects of fashion: A literature review
Authors: Daukantienė Virginija
Published: October 2022

Today, the fashion industry faces challenges related to the sustainability problem due to its richness, heterogeneity, and globality. Taking into account the complexity of the fashion industry, this review of the literature analyzes the sustainability of fashion, beginning with the development of fibers and ending with the use of worn garments and considers the environmental, economic, and social sustainability aspects that must be evaluated throughout the life cycle of the product. The results of the literature review have shown that the integration of complex decisions into the business models of both manufacturing and marketing companies must be implemented to develop the sustainable fashion industry from a long-term perspective.
Analysis of a delayed diagnosis of carotid artery aneurysm presenting as a parapharyngeal space infection
Authors: Xiao Shufen , Zhang Juan , Wang Ling , Zhang Hong
Published: October 2022

It is very rare for extracranial carotid artery dissection to present as a carotid pseudoaneurysm. A delayed diagnosis and delayed treatment will lead to rupture of carotid pseudoaneurysm and massive hemorrhage and death. In this paper, we reviewed the progress of the disease in one patient and reviewed the relevant literature reports to understand the characteristics of the disease. The patient had two consultations within the otolaryngology department. The patient later showed signs of infection in the parapharyngeal space and then died of an aneurysmal rupture and massive hemorrhage.
Suitability of Online Higher Education for Learners with Disabilities: The Students’ Voices
Authors: Reyes José Israel , Meneses Julio , Xavier Marlon
Published: October 2022

Online higher education has the potential to offer extra benefits for students with disabilities in comparison with campus-based universities, but it can also cause them some challenges. This case study addresses why students with disabilities choose online studies and how a fully online educational model fits their expectations and needs. Twenty-four students living with physical, sensory, mental, and learning disabilities participated in semi-structured interviews from which we identified six main themes: flexibility, accessibility, curricular design, online interaction, online collaboration, and psycho-emotional wellbeing. These students find online studies flexible, accessible, and helpful for their psycho-emotional wellbeing, but still challenging for interacting and collaborating. Our findings emphasize the importance of applying the Universal Instructional Design for Online Learning in combination with the Universal Design for Learning principles to enhance the inclusion of students with diverse profiles in online learning, as well as offering personalized support for those with severe or multiple disabilities.
Web-based Evidence on the Treatment of Behavioral Addictions in United States Model Treatment Centers
Authors: Sussman Steve , Galimov Artur , Ayala Nayeli , Sinclair Deborah Louise
Published: October 2022

Behavioral addictions are highly comorbid with substance use disorders, presenting in as many as 54% of service users receiving substance use treatment. Few studies have examined whether treatment centers are attentive to such other addictions, which may undermine treatment. This study examined the mention and treatment of behavioral addictions on United States treatment center websites. The 2021 Newsweek America’s Best Addiction Treatment Centers website was utilized to examine the mention and treatment of behavioral addictions in 300 leading treatment centers across 25 states in the United States. Of 289 active websites, only 61 (21.1%) treatment centers mentioned anything about behavioral addictions. The highest prevalence was for gambling ( n = 38), sex ( n = 22), food/eating ( n = 21), and internet gaming ( n = 12). A total of 49 treatment centers reported treating those addictions. The most prevalent treatments involved 12-step programming ( n = 18), cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT; n = 16), individual counseling ( n = 16), and group therapy ( n = 15). Little formalized importance via websites was provided regarding the mention or treatment of behavioral addictions at treatment centers. A greater emphasis on concurrent and substitute behavioral addictions is needed to improve the quality of life and lower the possibility of relapse among those persons in addictions treatment.
Renewable Energy Consumption-Growth Nexus in European Countries: A Sectoral Approach
Authors: Simionescu Mihaela , Rădulescu Magdalena , Cifuentes-Faura Javier
Published: October 2022

The renewable energy consumption plays a significant role in achieving sustainable development, but a sectoral approach is necessary to design the better recommendations for each sector. In this context, the main objective of this paper is to assess the impact of the use of this type of energy on economic growth in 23 European Union (EU) member states in the period 1990–2020. Besides overall renewable energy consumption, different utilisations of this energy are considered: in industry, transport, in commercial and public services, and for residential purposes. The methodological background is built around panel data models that start from a Cobb–Douglas function. The renewable energy consumption is considered an important factor that should generate economic growth. The panel data approach based on causality analysis and Augmented Mean Group and Common Correlated Effects Mean Group estimators suggests that renewable energy use in industry does not determine economic growth, but economic development is a cause for more utilisation of this energy in industry. In addition, more renewable energy consumption in transport enhances economic growth. A high level of economic development can promote the consumption of renewable energies in industrial sectors. In this way, industrial companies can allocate more financial funds to research in the field of renewable energies and can afford to adopt renewable energy sources. Investment in biofuels can contribute to achieving sustainable transport in the EU.
Polling, Partisanship, and Promoting Violence: New Developments in Impression Management From Candidate and Super PAC Advertisements
Authors: Katz Nathan
Published: October 2022

Super PACs have become a pivotal force in U.S. elections, often working in tandem with political campaigns to create cohesive messages in advertisements that serve as a tool for impression management. In previous research, I outlined a series of performance types, impression management techniques used by candidates and Super PACS in the 2012 Republican Primary. Since then, a second Republican Primary occurred, and a more expansive dataset on 2012 was released. In this paper I replicate my past work with the new dataset and compare performance types in advertisements from the 2012 and 2016 primaries. When comparing datasets, the findings were overwhelmingly consistent. At the same time, there were fundamental changes between 2012 and 2016. Notably, the inclusion of a new performance type, “the warrior,” which promotes an eagerness to use physical violence toward non-Americans. This change further indicates the rightward shift in Republican messaging that leans into fascism.
Criminal Victimization of Central American Migrants in Transit Through Mexico
Authors: Torre Cantalapiedra Eduardo
Published: October 2022

This article examines the factors associated with robbery or assault victimization for Central American migrants in transit through Mexico to the United States. A theoretical model of victimization of transit migrants is developed. Drawing on the Survey on Migration in the Southern Border of Mexico 2018 and 2019, a descriptive and logistic regression analysis is carried out to analyze how migrants’ sociodemographic characteristics and journey characteristics are associated with victimization events. The article shows that migrants who used trains and trucks and who received support from assistance networks (e.g., migrant shelters) had higher relative odds of being robbed or assaulted, whereas migrants who hired coyotes had lower relative odds of being victimized. The findings of this work highlight the usefulness of surveys conducted on migrants after deportation to analyze the victimization that international migrants suffer during their dangerous journeys across borders and territories.
Effects of different routes of administration and doses of Sulodexide on leukocyte-endothelium interaction and tissue perfusion on an animal model of low flow and high pressure in veins
Authors: Souza Maria das Graças Coelho de , Leal Iasmim Bento , Cyrino Fatima Zely Garcia de Almeida , Bouskela Eliete
Published: October 2022

Objectives

To assess the effects of different doses and routes of Sulodexide on leukocyte-endothelium interaction and tissue perfusion in a model of venous hypertension and low blood flow.

Methods

Six weeks after venous hypertension induction, through external iliac vein ligature male hamsters ( Mesocricetus auratus) received Sulodexide at 1, 2, or 4 mg/kg/day or saline (placebo) by subcutaneous or intramuscular routes during 2 or 4 weeks. After treatments, leukocyte rolling and adhesion, functional capillary density (FCD), and venular diameter were evaluated on the affected hindlimb.

Results

Subcutaneous and intramuscular treatments with Sulodexide after 2 and 4 weeks, significantly reduced leukocyte rolling and adhesion and increased FCD. Sulodexide did not affect venular diameter and intramuscular treatment was more effective in reducing leukocyte adhesion than the subcutaneous one.

Conclusion

This preliminary study demonstrated that Sulodexide significantly decreased leukocyte-endothelium interaction and improved tissue perfusion in hamsters subjected to venous hypertension and low blood flow.
Associations between MDMA/ecstasy use and physical health in a U.S. population-based survey sample
Authors: Jones Grant , Ricard Jocelyn A. , Hendricks Peter , Simonsson Otto
Published: October 2022

Introduction:

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA/“ecstasy”) is an empathogen that can give rise to increased pleasure and empathy and may effectively treat post-traumatic stress disorder. Although prior research has demonstrated associations between ecstasy use and favorable mental health outcomes, the associations between ecstasy and physical health have largely been unexplored. Thus, the goal of this study was to examine the associations between ecstasy use and physical health in a population-based survey sample.

Method:

This study utilized data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2005–2018), a yearly survey that collects information on substance use and health outcomes in a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. We used multinomial, ordered, and logistic regression models to test the associations between lifetime ecstasy use and various markers of physical health (self-reported body mass index, overall health, past year heart condition and/or cancer, past year heart disease, past year hypertension, and past year diabetes), controlling for a range of potential confounders.

Results:

Lifetime ecstasy use was associated with significantly lower risk of self-reported overweightness and obesity (adjusted relative risk ratio range: 0.55–0.88) and lower odds of self-reported past year heart condition and/or cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 0.67), hypertension (aOR: 0.85), and diabetes (aOR: 0.58). Ecstasy use was also associated with significantly higher odds of better self-reported overall health (aOR: 1.18).

Conclusion:

Ecstasy shares protective associations with various physical health markers. Future longitudinal studies and clinical trials are needed to more rigorously test these associations.
Pyridoxamine treatment ameliorates large artery stiffening and cerebral artery endothelial dysfunction in old mice
Authors: Reeve Emily H , Kronquist Elise K , Wolf Julia R , Lee Byron , Khurana Aleena , Pham Hanson , Cullen Abigail E , Peterson Jessica A , Meza Antonio , Colton Bramwell R , Villasana Laura , Machin Daniel R , Henson Grant D , Walker Ashley E
Published: October 2022

Age-related increases in large artery stiffness are associated with cerebrovascular dysfunction and cognitive impairment. Pyridoxamine treatment prevents large artery stiffening with advancing age, but the effects of pyridoxamine treatment on the cerebral vasculature or cognition is unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pyridoxamine on blood pressure, large artery stiffness, cerebral artery function, and cognitive function in old mice. Old male C57BL/6 mice consumed either pyridoxamine (2 g/L) or vehicle control in drinking water for ∼7.5 months and were compared with young male C57BL/6 mice. From pre- to post-treatment, systolic blood pressure increased in old control mice, but was maintained in pyridoxamine treated mice. Large artery stiffness decreased in pyridoxamine-treated mice but was unaffected in control mice. Pyridoxamine-treated mice had greater cerebral artery endothelium-dependent dilation compared with old control mice, and not different from young mice. Old control mice had impaired cognitive function; however, pyridoxamine only partially preserved cognitive function in old mice. In summary, pyridoxamine treatment in old mice prevented age-related increases in blood pressure, reduced large artery stiffness, preserved cerebral artery endothelial function, and partially preserved cognitive function. Taken together, these results suggest that pyridoxamine treatment may limit vascular aging.
Constraint-consistent task-oriented whole-body robot formulation: Task, posture, constraints, multiple contacts, and balance
Authors: Khatib Oussama , Jorda Mikael , Park Jaeheung , Sentis Luis , Chung Shu-Yun
Published: October 2022

We present a comprehensive formulation to the problem of controlling a high-dimensional robotic system involving complex tasks subject to a variety of constraints, obstacles, balance, and contact challenges. Using intuitive and natural representations, the approach is initiated by establishing individual objectives for a task and its constraints. Simple independent controllers using artificial potential fields are then designed for each objective to reach goals while enforcing the constraints. Dynamically consistent projections in nullspaces associated with task and constraint representations are employed to deliver a coherent whole-body robot control. In multi-link multi-contact tasks, contact forces produce both resulting and internal forces. Internal forces play a critical role in robot balance and stability, achieved in this framework through modeling and controlling virtual linkages that explicitly describe the relationship between active/passive contact force, resultant force, controlled/uncontrolled internal force for multi-link multi-contact underactuated robots. Control of contacts with the environment involves material considerations such as friction and geometric constraints. Potential barriers direct the selection of contact forces ensuring stability and balance. This approach of dynamic projection and the Virtual Linkage Model addresses robot underactuation. In addition, the framework introduces a coordinate completion mechanism to establish a generalized coordinates representation of the task, removing redundancy and maintaining the full operational space dynamics description. This enables task-space dynamic control based on the relevant inertial properties. We present the experimental validation on a physical humanoid platform.
Luck and the ‘situations’ of research
Authors: Davies Sarah R , Pham Bao-Chau
Published: October 2022

This research note uses material from interviews with senior scholars in the natural sciences to highlight, and start to explore, the role and nature of ‘luck’ in scientific careers. By examining this in the context of STS work on the nature of contemporary academia, we argue for the importance of taking luck seriously as we interrogate life and work in research.
Temporary markets: Market devices and processes of valuation at three Basel art fairs
Authors: Haisch Tina , Menzel Max-Peter
Published: October 2022

We investigate trade fairs as markets. We combine literature on temporary clusters and that on the geography of markets and describe how the particular knowledge ecologies at trade fairs are enhanced by market devices. Our framework distinguishes the following three kinds of market devices: physical arrangements, judgement devices and prosthetic prices. Using this framework, we compare market constructions before, during and after three fairs for contemporary art in Basel. Our study presents the following findings. Firstly, the limited time and space at trade fairs lead to a proliferation of market devices. Secondly, different equipment with market devices leads to a hierarchy of fairs. Thirdly, trade fairs at the top of this hierarchy generate market devices for other temporary markets and thus contribute to the development of a uniform global market.
Living otherwise in uncertain and speculative times
Authors: Prouse Carolyn
Published: October 2022

Speculation has come to define the current conjuncture in myriad ways, from the structural hegemony of finance capital to the ways that people and communities are always thinking about and remaking their futures. In this brief commentary, I draw out five ways in which the articles in this special issue advance our understanding of speculation in the contemporary moment: speculative urbanism's temporalities, geographies, undersides, more-than-human materialities, and articulations. I also pose questions of where the concept of speculation might lead, hoping to further enflesh this analytic from the perspectives of different socio-spatial positionalities across the globe. I ultimately consider how storytelling and future envisionings are already leading people to live life otherwise in uncertain and speculative times.
Multifaceted characteristics of aridity changes and causal mechanisms in Chinese drylands
Authors: Hu Ying , Wei Fangli , Fu Bojie , Wang Shuai , Wang Lanhui , Chen Yongzhe
Published: October 2022

The water cycle is accelerating in the context of global warming. However, how the multifaceted characteristics of aridity, particularly atmospheric, hydrological, and ecological drying, change and interact with each other are largely unknown. A gap we bridged was discovering the causal relationships underlying the atmosphere-hydrosphere-biosphere nexus from the nonlinear dynamic system perspective based on convergent cross mapping (CCM). Dryland area in China has expanded since 1982, while the vegetation greenness indicated by leaf area index has been increasing during the same period. The results showed that the causality among atmospheric, hydrological, and ecological drying in different subtypes of drylands was different. In arid and semi-arid regions: vegetation changes were mainly driven by soil moisture (SM) and vapor pressure deficit (VPD), and VPD regulated SM. In hyper-arid and dry sub-humid areas: VPD dominated vegetation changes. VPD increases did not contribute to SM loss under the intense water stress in hyper-arid regions, as the soil water supply cannot meet the atmospheric water demand. In dry sub-humid areas, human disturbances have attenuated the dependence of vegetation changes on SM variability. This research pioneers complex nonlinear dynamic analyses on the multifaceted characteristics of ecosystems, which can deepen our understanding of atmosphere-vegetation-soil interactions in drylands and guide the sustainable management of dryland ecosystems in China and elsewhere.
Islam, Eurocentrism, and the question of jihadism
Authors: Sulaiman Mohammed
Published: October 2022

This article offers a novel historical interpretation of the problem of jihadism through a critique of the philosophical foundations of Olivier Roy’s scholarship on Islam and jihadism. In particular, the article elucidates the consequences of the dominant positivist ontology and secular episteme of the social sciences for the analysis of jihadism. To this end, it formulates an alternative conceptualization of the main terms of analysis (namely, Islam, the ummah, the caliphate, and jihad), highlighting their political significance and disavowing thereby the epistemic prejudices of Eurocentric social science. The article argues jihad designates a political phenomenon tied to Islam’s presence as a universal order and Muslims as an autonomous community. It is a signifier of the organized, collective warfare of Muslims as a distinct political group, represented by the caliphate as an ‘Islamicate great power’, and waged by its professional armies. Jihadism represents the venture to recover jihad in a world without a caliphate, its condition of possibility being the disappearance of the caliphate, and in that it signifies the fragmentation, disorganization, and de-politicization of jihad.
Admission and Care of Individuals with Mental Illness in Massachusetts Nursing Homes: An Exploratory Study
Authors: Barooah Adrita , Nadash Pamela
Published: October 2022

Rising rates of mental illness in nursing homes (NHs) led Congress to pass the 1987 Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) mandate, aimed at limiting inappropriate institutionalization of people with mental illness (MI) and ensuring appropriate service of NH residents with MI. The law’s flexibility results in significant cross-state variations. This study explores Massachusetts’ experiences with PASRR implementation, using semi-structured interviews ( N=8) with key informants representing major stakeholders. Thematic Content Analysis was used for analysis.

Four themes emerged as follows: 1) PASRR screens MI, insufficient in ensuring services, 2) NHs face challenges implementing PASRR, 3) inadequate community-based services increase pressure on NHs, and 4) reactions to PASRR revisions were mixed. Participants agreed that PASRR’s first aim was met—avoiding inappropriate institutionalization—but not the second—ensuring appropriate services, and highlighted the limited community alternatives for serving people with MI. More research is needed to understand state variations in PASRR implementation.
External intelligence assistance and the recipient government’s violence against civilians
Authors: Maekawa Wakako
Published: October 2022

During a civil war, does external intelligence assistance reduce violence perpetrated by the recipient government against civilians? I contend that intelligence assistance reduces violence against civilians by facilitating identification problems and adopting a “winning-hearts-and-minds strategy,” which enhances the recipient government's legitimacy and intelligence potential. Enhanced intelligence capability solves the recipient government's identification problems. I examined this logic using a dataset on external support and one-sided violence between 1990 and 2008. The empirical findings show that external intelligence assistance reduces the recipient government's violence against civilians.
Surgically Remediable Secondary Network Epileptic Encephalopathies With Continuous Spike Wave in Sleep: Lesions May Not Be Visible on Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
Authors: Alawadhi Abdulla , Appendino Juan Pablo , Hader Walter , Rosenblatt Bernard , Moreau Jeremy T. , Dubeau Francois , Dudley Roy W.R. , Myers Kenneth A.
Published: October 2022

Background

Continuous spike wave in sleep (CSWS) is an electroencephalogram (EEG) pattern associated with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy with spike-and-wave activation in sleep (DEE-SWAS). This etiologically heterogeneous syndrome may occur because of genetic factors and congenital or acquired brain lesions. We studied the pattern of clinical presentation and underlying etiologies in patients with DEE-SWAS that respond to resective surgery.

Methods

We reviewed our clinical and research databases for patients who had resolution of CSWS following surgical resection of a focal lesion.

Results

We identified 5 patients meeting inclusion criteria. In 3 of 5, an epileptogenic structural abnormality was not apparent on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). In all 3 patients, focal cortical dysplasia was identified through intracranial EEG monitoring.

Significance

DEE-SWAS may be a secondary bilateral network epilepsy syndrome, which can be treated with resection of the inciting focal lesion. In patients with drug-resistant CSWS, clinicians should consider a complete epilepsy presurgical workup, including intracranial EEG monitoring.
Planning and Climate Change in African Cities: Informal Urbanization and ‘Just’ Urban Transformations
Authors: Cobbinah Patrick Brandful , Finn Brandon Marc
Published: October 2022

The proliferation of informal settlements and growing risks of climate change across African cities pose core questions to urban planning theory and practice. Where do informal settlements fit into future climate adaptation plans? What constitutes a ‘just’ climate transformation for African urbanization? And how does a ‘just’ climate transformation address the concerns of Africans in informal settlements? We conduct a literature review to highlight the importance of local, community-based knowledge production and action in addressing African urbanization and climate change. We show how informality and climate change impact each other across diverse African cities and conduct a detailed case study based on Accra, Ghana. We argue that national and global approaches to planning for urbanization and climate change are required to strengthen local community-based knowledge production and action.
Video clips of the Mediterranean Diet on YouTube TM: A social Media Content Analysis
Authors: Benajiba Nada , Alhomidi Maha , Alsunaid Fahdah , Alabdulkarim Aljawharah , Dodge Elizabeth , Chavarria Enmanuel A. , Aboul-Enein Basil H.
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The present study conducted a social media content analysis on videos describing the Mediterranean Diet (MedDiet) posted onYouTube.

Setting

YouTube TM online video sharing and social media platform.

Method

Three independent content experts evaluated 141 YouTube videos on the MedDiet in August 2020 utilizing standard rubric and protocol. Data abstracted include media source(s) of posted videos, and viewer exposure/engagement metrics. Information quality was measured by each content expert independently through use of the DISCERN instrument, a 16-item tool designed to assess reliability, dependability, and trustworthiness of an online source, scores were then aggregated for analysis.

Results

A majority of videos (n = 102, 72.3%) were educational in nature. A third of videos were less clear and less credible on information presented (n = 46, 32.6%). Most videos were posted by an individual (n = 79, 56%), and the majority of videos were rated as medium quality (n = 88, 62.4%). Overall level of user engagement as measured by number of “likes,” “dislikes,” and user comments varied widely across all sources of media. Exploratory correlation analysis suggests that the number of a video’s views, comments, likes, and dislikes are not correlated with quality.

Conclusion

Study findings suggest that MedDiet health promotion and education via YouTube has the potential to reach and inform clients; however, existing video content and quality varies significantly. Future intervention research focused on MedDiet should further examine possible predictors of high quality MedDiet content utilizing diverse online video sharing platforms.
A developmental approach to youth maladaptive personality traits: Variable- versus person-centered change in the transition from childhood to adolescence
Authors: Laceulle Odilia M , Rienks Karen , Meijer Laurien , de Moor Elisabeth L , Karreman Annemiek
Published: October 2022

Increasing evidence shows that personality pathology starts to develop from (late) childhood onwards. The current study extends previous research by examining maladaptive personality change using both a variable-centered approach (i.e., mean-level changes) and a person-centered approach (i.e., latent profile transitions). Data were used from a 3-wave longitudinal study on Dutch youth (at T1: N = 492, mean age = 10.1). Maladaptive personality traits (i.e., Emotional Instability, Disagreeableness, Introversion, and Compulsivity) were assessed yearly using the Dimensional Personality Symptom Item Pool (DIPSI). A Factor of Curves model indicated presence of a higher-order developmental factor, reflecting low initial levels and small decreases over time, which explained change in all DIPSI traits. Latent profile analyses revealed three quantitatively different maladaptive personality trait profiles. Latent Transition Analysis demonstrated substantial stability in profiles over time. Small groups showed a transition toward another (often more adaptive) profile. Although a person-centered approach may have some merit when aiming to detect high-risk subgroups, the current results suggest that a variable-centered approach—and a Factor of Curves model capturing shared underlying developmental processes in particular—is favorable over a person-centered approach.
Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis: Your questions answered
Authors: Pepereke Shingai , Shah Ankur D , Brown Edwina A
Published: October 2022

Encapsulating peritoneal sclerosis (EPS) is a clinical syndrome hallmarked by the formation of a fibrous cocoon encapsulating the bowel resulting in morbidity and mortality. EPS is most frequently associated with peritoneal dialysis (PD), particularly with its discontinuation. While EPS is one of the most feared complications of PD, the majority of patients receiving PD will not go on to develop EPS. Risk factors for development include time on PD, some types of peritonitis and discontinuation of PD. Owing to its rarity, much of the knowledge of EPS comes from case series and registries and treatments are extrapolated from low-quality evidence. Malnutrition is a significant driver of mortality, and nutritional support is critical in management. We present a case of EPS and frequently asked questions including the definition, diagnosis, epidemiology, pathophysiology, risk factors, role of infection, management and roles of nutrition and surgery.
Hot-stamped B-pillar for automotive driven by Lean 4.0
Authors: da Silva Iris Bento , de Camargo Ítalo Leite , Lovo João Fiore Parreira , Erbereli Rogério , Barbosa Gustavo Franco , Shiki Sidney Bruce , Fortulan Carlos Alberto
Published: October 2022

Lean is applied in automobile companies to reduce lead time and waste through value stream mapping. Industry 4.0 is a process of industrial systems revolution in companies driven by digitalization and data-oriented techniques. The combination of both is called Lean 4.0. In this sense, the purpose of this paper is to attend Ultra-Light Steel Auto-body (ULSAB) automotive requirements through Lean 4.0 framework applied in the fabrication of B-pillar by hot stamping. Optimization algorithms are important to simulate different scenarios and interact with these processes. The proposal was developed in the case study by assessments based on semi-structured questionnaires, analysis of records and documents. The findings showed overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) was increased by 41.5%. The contribution of this work was to meet ULSAB automotive requirements for hot stamping process by reducing vehicle weight while increasing structural strength.
Theoretical and experimental investigations for geometrical error during hemispherical cavity machining on CO2 laser
Authors: Jain Piyush S , Varsi Arif M , Patel Divyesh S , Kagzi Shakil A
Published: October 2022

CO2 laser material processing has become popular due to its unique advantages such as high productivity, ease of automation, non-contact processing, greater material utilization, and minimum heat-affected zone. Polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) is found to be one of the most suitable thermoplastics for CO2 laser machining due to its higher melting point and higher absorptivity at the CO2 laser wavelength. The scope of the present work deals with geometrical error analysis during machining of the three-dimensional spherical cavity with the help of a 2D setup of the laser. The influence of process parameters like power, cutting speed, and the number of passes of laser probe on cusp height is examined. The cusp height is measured after machining equal and unequal step size on PMMA. The experiments were performed for profile controlled approach for equal step size and accuracy approach for unequal step size. An algorithm is proposed for predicting unequal step diameter with a constant value of cusp height. It was observed that higher power, lower speed, and more number of passes of laser probe leads to minimum cusp height. Hence, the proposed algorithm for predicting unequal step diameter for a constant cusp height leads to a reduction in staircase effect, thereby, producing a smoother curve as compared to the profile controlled (equal step diameter) approach.
An investigation of oil leakage from automotive driveshaft radial lip seals
Authors: Nomikos Petros , Rahmani Ramin , Morris Nicholas , Rahnejat Homer
Published: October 2022

There is an ever-increasing stringent directive for environmental protection, even for the previously rather negligible lubricant leakage from vehicular drivetrains. Leakage from transmissions and differential units are no longer permitted and can lead to excessive warranty costs. Additionally, the trend in component downsizing, including for sealing systems has indirectly altered the leakage behaviour of transmissions. To guarantee leakage-free operation, it is important to establish standardised methods of manufacturing processes, particularly for surface topography of shafts. The paper investigates the leakage from two different shaft machining processes: corundum and cubic boron nitride (CBN) grinding. The performance of passenger car transmission sealing system is ascertained with the development and use of a novel detailed representative fully instrumented test rig. A test protocol is set up to assess the performance of shafts during break-in period and correlate shaft topographic data with its measured performance. The results show that the measured oil leakage correlates well with the shaft surface skewness whilst no particular trend is observed with Ra, Rz and shaft lead angle values, which form the basis of most current standards used in industry. Overall, it was observed that shafts with negative skewness in their roughness profile produced lesser leakage. A basic analytical predictive method is also developed which corroborates with the measured data.
Online control of the False Discovery Rate in group-sequential platform trials
Authors: Zehetmayer Sonja , Posch Martin , Koenig Franz
Published: October 2022

When testing multiple hypotheses, a suitable error rate should be controlled even in exploratory trials. Conventional methods to control the False Discovery Rate assume that all p-values are available at the time point of test decision. In platform trials, however, treatment arms enter and leave the trial at different times during its conduct. Therefore, the actual number of treatments and hypothesis tests is not fixed in advance and hypotheses are not tested at once, but sequentially. Recently, for such a setting the concept of online control of the False Discovery Rate was introduced. We propose several heuristic variations of the LOND procedure (significance Levels based On Number of Discoveries) that incorporate interim analyses for platform trials, and study their online False Discovery Rate via simulations. To adjust for the interim looks spending functions are applied with O’Brien-Fleming or Pocock type group-sequential boundaries. The power depends on the prior distribution of effect sizes, for example, whether true alternatives are uniformly distributed over time or not. We consider the choice of design parameters for the LOND procedure to maximize the overall power and investigate the impact on the False Discovery Rate by including both concurrent and non-concurrent control data.
Test of a light emitting diode fully integrated pre-prototype spectrometer for rapid evaluation of table tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L., Marinda F1) quality
Authors: Tugnolo Alessio , Pampuri Alessia , Giovenzana Valentina , Casson Andrea , Guidetti Riccardo , Beghi Roberto
Published: October 2022

The present research aims to evaluate the performance of an optical pre-prototype based on light emitting diode, (450–860 nm) to quantify table tomatoes’ quality features in a rapid and non-destructive way ( Solanum lycopersicum L., Marinda F1). A total of 200 samples were analysed. Calibration of the pure near infrared (NIR, 960–1650 nm) and visible/near infrared (VIS/NIR, 400–1000 nm) commercial spectrometers to estimate the main tomato quality parameters, i.e. moisture content (MC) and total soluble solids (TSS), was performed by using PLS regression. Since no substantial differences were highlighted between the two commercial devices, to reduce the complexity while keeping the performance of the model using the whole spectra (1647 variables for VIS/NIR), a cost-effective pre-prototype was designed and built by using 12 bands in the VIS/NIR optical range. The pre-prototype shows slightly lower performance, resulting in RMSEP values of 2% and 1.45 °Brix for MC and TSS respectively, compared to RMSEP values of 1% and 1.19 °Brix for the VIS/NIR device (using the entire spectrum). Moreover, no significant differences at 95% were highlighted by using Passing-Bablok regression. In conclusion, the pre-prototype performance can be considered sufficiently accurate to allow an initial field screening of the trend of the analysed parameters (MC and TSS) using a new generation of simplified optical sensors.
Multivariate calibration strategy in simultaneous determination of temperature properties of petroleum diesel by near infrared spectrometry
Authors: Othman Abd Rahim , Zain Sharifuddin Md , Low Kah Hin
Published: October 2022

It is essential to control the quality of diesel products so that they comply with relevant fuel specifications, however, the quality assessments rely upon conventional wet chemical analyses that are costly and time consuming. Rapid, simultaneous quality measurement enabling immediate online optimisation for process control and blending offers tremendous cost savings by minimising product quality give-away, shipment demurrage, tank inventory, and laboratory analysis. In this study, the use of near infrared spectroscopy and chemometrics demonstrates a straightforward workflow for simultaneous determination of the petroleum diesel’s boiling point at 95% recovery (T95), flash point (FP), cloud point (CP), and cetane index (CI) calibration development. It involved appropriate spectral region selection, calibration/validation set partition, data pre-processing, regression modelling and validation. Based on the calibration and validation results, the supervised learning models that are obtained from a combination region of 4000–4800 cm−1 on a randomly selected calibration set managed to deliver promising predictive performance in terms of coefficient of determination for prediction (r2P/T95 ≥ 0.94, r2P/FP ≥ 0.89, r2P/CP ≥ 0.89, r2P/CI ≥ 0.993), root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP (T95) ≤ 5.2°C, RMSEP (FP) ≤ 2.0°C, RMSEP (CP) ≤ 2.4°C, RMSEP (CI) ≤ 0.3), and ratio of performance deviation (RPD (T95) ≥ 3.7, RPD (FP) ≥ 3.0, RPD (CP) ≥ 2.9, RPD (CI) ≥ 11). Regardless of principal component regression or partial least square regression on either the multiplicative scattering corrected spectra or Savitzky-Golay second derivative spectra, the developed models met respective ASTM reproducibility requirements, and were considered adequate for immediate quality assessment of diesel.
Introduction to the Book Forum on Ishita Pande’s Sex, Law, and the Politics of Age: Child Marriage in India, 1891–1937
Authors: Burton Antoinette
Published: October 2022

Introduction to the Book Forum on Ishita Pande’s Sex, Law, and the Politics of Age: Child Marriage in India, 1891–1937
A Survey on Change in Communication Between Healthcare Professionals and Patients Before and During Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic
Authors: Bhagat Simran Hemant , Borkar Tejas
Published: October 2022

The World Health Organization declared the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic a public health emergency of international concern on 30 January, which caused difficulties among the healthcare professionals (HCPs). Since this pandemic led to strict use of rules and regulations in maintaining physical distancing, a turn was experienced in communication. This study is aimed at assessing communication skills between HCPs and patients before, during and to compare communication skills between them before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at Pravara Rural Hospital, Loni, Maharashtra. Samples were included based upon the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results were obtained with the help of statistical analysis. The present study shows that certain components of communication are changed when comparing before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. To curb the fear of HCP, certain measures can be implemented to reduce anxiety such as informative videos, images, brochures and many more.
Efficacy of single-shot adductor canal block before Versus after primary total knee arthroplasty – Does timing make a difference? A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Heller Snir , Shemesh Shai , Rukinglaz Oleg , Cohen Nir , Velkes Steven , Fein Shai
Published: October 2022

Background

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is associated with severe postoperative pain. Multimodal analgesia, including peripheral nerve block, is recommended for post-operative pain relief. Administration of some pain medications prior to surgery has shown to be more effective than after the operation. This is a prospective, randomized controlled trial designed to compare the analgesic efficacy of the adductor canal block (ACB) performed immediately before or immediately after primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA). We hypothesized that ACB before the surgery will reduce postoperative pain and improve knee function.

Methods

A total of 50 patients were enrolled and randomized into 2 groups, with 26 patients receiving a preoperative ACB and 24 receiving a postoperative ACB.

Results

Treatment groups were similar in terms of gender ( p = .83), age ( p = 0.61) weight ( p = .39) and ASA score. Average visual analogue scale (VAS) on arrival to the post-anesthesia care unit (PACU) were 4.9 ± 3.2 in the preoperative ACB versus 3.4 ± 2.8 for the postoperative ACB ( p = .075). VAS scores at different time points as well as the mean, minimal and maximal reported VAS scores were not significantly different between the two groups. The cumulative quantities of Fentanyl administered by the anesthesia team was comparable between the groups. Similarly, the dosage of Morphine, Tramadol, Acetaminophen and Dipyrone showed only small variations. The Quality of Recovery Score, Knee Society Scores and knee range of motion did not differ between the groups.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate no significant differences in patient total narcotics consumption, pain scores and functional scores, between preoperative and postoperative ACB in patients undergoing TKA.

Trial Registration

The trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov and was assigned the registration number NCT02908711

Level of Evidence

level I randomized controlled trial.
Association of Patient-Centered Elements of Care and Palliative Care Among Patients With Advanced Lung Cancer
Authors: Schweiger Liana , Vranas Kelly C. , Furuno Jon P. , Hansen Lissi , Slatore Christopher G. , Sullivan Donald R.
Published: October 2022

Context

Palliative care (PC) is associated with improved quality of life, survival, and decreased healthcare use at the end of life among lung cancer patients. However, the specific elements of palliative care that may contribute to these benefits are unclear.

Objectives

To evaluate the associations of PC and its setting of delivery with prescriptions of symptom management medications, advance care planning (ACP), hospice enrollment, and home health care (HHC) receipt.

Methods

Retrospective, cohort study of patients with advanced stage (IIIB/IV) lung cancer in the Veterans Health Administration (VA) diagnosed from 2007-2013; with follow-up through 2017. Propensity score methods were used with inverse probability of treatment weighting and logistic regression modeling, adjusting for patient and tumor characteristics.

Results

Among 23 142 patients, 57% received PC. Compared to non-receipt of PC, PC in any setting (inpatient or outpatient) was associated with increased prescriptions of pain medications (Adjusted Odds Ratio (aOR) = 1.63, 95% CI: 1.45-1.83), constipation regimen with pain medications (aOR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.63-2.54), and antidepressants (aOR = 1.78, 95% CI: 1.52-2.09). PC was also associated with increased ACP (aOR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.37-1.67) and hospice enrollment (aOR = 1.39, 95% CI:1.31-1.47), and decreased HHC (aOR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.70-.90) compared to non-receipt of PC. Receipt of PC in outpatient settings was associated with increased prescriptions of pain medications (aOR = 2.54, 95% CI: 2.13-3.04) and antidepressants (aOR = 1.76, 95% CI: 1.46-2.12), and hospice enrollment (aOR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.90-2.31) compared to receipt of PC in inpatient settings.

Conclusions

PC is associated with increased use of symptom management medications, ACP, and hospice enrollment, especially when delivered in outpatient settings. These elements of care elucidate potential mechanisms for improved outcomes associated with PC and provide a framework for a primary palliative care approach among non-palliative care clinicians.