bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Backcalculation of Thickness and Dielectric Properties of Asphalt Concrete Using Numerical Simulation of Ground Penetrating Radar
Authors: Khan Zafrul H. , Tarefder Rafiqul A. , Bairgi Biswajit K. , Susmita Saiqa M.
Published: March 2023

Ground penetrating radar (GPR) is an essential tool for the non-destructive evaluation of pavement conditions. The accuracy of GPR analysis depends on the correct prediction of the layer dielectric property. In this study, a finite-difference time domain simulation-based two-step backcalculation algorithm was developed to determine the layer thickness and dielectric constant from air-coupled GPR data. The two-step backcalculation algorithm was developed by combining a surrogate-based global optimizer and artificial neural network for efficiency and accuracy. The GPR backcalculated results were compared with the field conditions of three pavement sections. The results show that the backcalculation algorithm could predict the layer thicknesses with almost 95% to 99.7% accuracy, whereas the prediction accuracy of the dielectric constants was between 90% and 98.5%. Furthermore, it was observed that the variations of dielectric constants in each lift of the asphalt concrete layer could be used to predict the presence of probable distress in the field.
Innovative Air Convection Embankment for Cold/Arctic Region Low-Volume Roads
Authors: Wu Hanli , Liu Jenny , Zhang Xiong , Saboundjian Steve
Published: March 2023

Roadbed thaw settlement is a unique challenge for the durability of low-volume roads (LVRs) in permafrost regions. Air convection embankment (ACE) is an effective technique that acts as a semi-heat-transfer system to control temperature variation and reduce the thaw depth of subsoil. However, limited by the shortage of the necessary crushed rocks within a short distance, building an ACE in Alaska, U.S., is prohibitively expensive. Previous studies identified the feasibility of using cellular concrete for ACE and determined the optimized thickness of the cellular concrete aggregate interlayer for ACE. However, the economic efficiency and thermal and mechanical performance of the optimized, innovative cellular concrete aggregate ACE need further investigation. Therefore, two innovative cellular concrete ACEs with reasonable heights for cold/Arctic region LVRs were evaluated in this study. A thermal-mechanical coupling model was created using ANSYS Fluent and ANSYS Mechanical to evaluate the thermal and mechanical stability of the two optimized innovative cellular concrete aggregate ACEs by comparing them with a typical Alaskan flexible pavement, a silty sand/gravel embankment, and a conventional crushed-rock ACE. The fatigue damage was predicted using the elastic-based Alaska Flexible Pavement Design (AKFPD) program. A life-cycle cost analysis was conducted using AKFPD to evaluate the overall long-term economic efficiency of the cellular concrete ACEs. The results showed that cellular concrete ACE could achieve better thermal and mechanical performance with much lower embankment height than crushed-rock ACE. The cost analysis showed that the proposed cellular concrete ACEs had a significant cost advantage over the conventional crushed-rock ACE.
Development of a Bridge Railing Optimized for Rural, Low-Volume Roads
Authors: Rosenbaugh Scott , Faller Ronald K. , Bielenberg Robert W.
Published: March 2023

A new steel bridge rail was developed for use on rural, low-volume bridges. The railing consisted of 31-in. tall, 12-gauge W-beam guardrail mounted on S3x5.7 posts, which were supported by steel square-tube sockets. These side-mounted sockets were attached to the deck edge using a unique bolted design that connects directly to coupling nuts and threaded anchor rods embedded into the bridge deck. Thus, during a crash, the tensile impact loads are transferred directly to the anchor rods and the risk of damage to the deck edge is minimized. Full-scale crash testing was conducted according to test 2 to 11 of the AASHTO’s Manual for Assessing Safety Hardware (MASH). The test vehicle struck the bridge rail at 44.2 mph and an angle of 25.5° and was successfully contained and redirected. Damage to the bridge rail consisted of bent posts and deformed guardrail. No damage to the deck or sockets was observed. The tests passed all evaluation criteria of MASH test 2 to 11. The new railing was deemed crashworthy to MASH Test Level 2 (TL-2) with a post spacing of 75 in. Additionally, when the post spacing is reduced to 37.5 in., the railing was determined to be MASH Test Level 3 (TL-3) crashworthy through a comparison to similar, crash-tested, W-beam guardrail systems. BARRIER VII simulations showed that the new railing could be directly connected to the Midwest Guardrail System without a transition. Guidance was provided pertaining to the length of guardrail required adjacent to the bridge rail.
A Randomized Controlled Trial using Brief Educational Messages Directed to Adults with Intellectual Disability and Hypertension or their Helpers Reduces Hospital Stays
Authors: Zhang Wanfang , McDermott Suzanne , Salzberg Deborah C. , Hollis NaTasha D. , Hardin James
Published: March 2023

Purpose

We assessed an educational intervention to reduce the number of emergency department (ED) and inpatient stays for cardiovascular diagnoses, among South Carolina adult Medicaid Members with intellectual and developmental disability and hypertension (Members).

Design

This Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) included Members or the person who helped them with their medications (Helpers). Participants, who included Members and/or their Helpers, were randomly assigned to an Intervention or Control group.

Setting

South Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, which administers Medicaid, identified eligible Members.

Sample

412 Medicaid Members - 214 Intervention (54 Members participating directly; 160 Helpers participating in lieu of Members) who received the messages about hypertension and surveys about knowledge and behavior and 198 Controls (62 Members; 136 Helpers) who only received surveys of knowledge and behavior.

Intervention

Educational intervention about hypertension included a flyer and monthly text or phone messages for one year.

Measures

Input measures - characteristics of the Members; Outcome measures - hospital emergency department (ED) and inpatient visits for cardiovascular conditions.

Analysis

Quantile regression tested the association of Intervention/Control group status with ED and inpatient visits. We also estimated models using Zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP) models for sensitivity analysis.

Results

Participants in the Intervention group with highest baseline hospital use (top 20% ED; top 15% Inpatient) had significant reductions in Year 1 (.57 fewer ED and 2 fewer inpatient days) compared to the Control group. For ED visits, improvement continued in year two.

Conclusion

The intervention reduced the frequency of cardiovascular disease-related ED visits and Inpatient days for participants in the Intervention group in the highest quantiles of hospital use, and the improvement was better for those who had a Helper.
Technological Change, Tasks and Class Inequality in Europe
Authors: Gil-Hernández Carlos J , Vidal Guillem , Torrejón Perez Sergio
Published: March 2023

Neo-Weberian occupational class schemas, rooted in industrial-age employment relations, are a standard socio-economic position measure in social stratification. Previous research highlighted Erikson-Goldthorpe-Portocarero (EGP)-based schemas’ difficulties in keeping up with changing labour markets, but few tested alternative explanations. This article explores how job tasks linked to technological change and rising economic inequality might confound the links between employment relations, classes, and life chances. Using the European Working Conditions Survey covering the European Union (EU)-27 countries, this article analyses over time and by gender: 1) the task distribution between social classes; and 2) whether tasks predict class membership and life chances. Decomposition analyses suggest that tasks explain class membership and wage inequality better than theorised employment relations. However, intellectual/routine tasks and digital tools driving income inequality are well-stratified by occupational classes. Therefore, this article does not argue for a class (schema) revolution but for fine-tuning the old instrument to portray market inequalities in the digital age.
Carboxyl-functionalized nanocellulose/sulfonated poly(aryl ether ether ketone ketone) composites for proton exchange membrane by electrospinning
Authors: Guo Xiaohui , Yang Xue , Liu Wanli , Zheng Shuai , Wang Yuanrui , Hu Wei , Liu Baijun
Published: March 2023

A novel nanocomposite proton-exchange membrane (PEM) was obtained by combined electrospinning and solution casting of a composite solution of sulfophenylated poly(ether ether ketone ketone) (SP-PEEKK) and maleic anhydride modified nanocellulose (MN). SP-PEEKK was prepared by polymerization between phenyl hydroquinone and 1,4-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)benzene followed by post-sulfonation. Nanocellulose (NCC) was prepared by the acid treatment of MCC with sulfuric acid, and MN with carboxyl group was obtained by modifying NCC with maleic anhydride. PEMs with 2% MN (MN2) showed a water uptake of 28% at 100°C, which was higher than that of MN0 (with 0% MN content). MN2 possessed a high tensile strength of 48.7 MPa, Young’s modulus of 1.3 GPa, and elongation at break of 34%, which was 54%, 21%, and 16% higher than those of MN0, respectively. Thus, the ordered distributed of MN was illustrated to be the effective reinforcing material for SP-PEEKK membranes because of the strong interface between the hydroxyl group of rigid MN and the sulfonic acid group of SP-PEEKK. MN2 also had a substantially higher proton conductivity of 0.09 S cm−1 at 90°C than MN0 (0.037 S cm−1). Therefore, combined electrospinning and solution casting was found to be a promising choice to improve the proton conductivity of nanocomposite PEMs, as promoted by the three-dimensional hydrogen bond-proton-transport network formed by the well-oriented MN in SPEEKK produced by the electrospinning.
An improved load distribution model for involute helical gear pairs considering an actual contact ratio
Authors: Li Shanran , Zuo Shuguang , Luo Ying , Huang Zhiyong
Published: March 2023

With the increasing requirements of helical gears for high strength and low noise, it is significant to improve the accuracy of the load distribution ratio depending on the minimum elastic potential energy (MEPE) model. In this paper, an improved distribution model is developed to replace the theoretical contact ratio with the actual contact ratio and introduce the potential energy of the fillet foundation for comparison. Then, the operation process of the helical gear is divided into seven cases. Finally, combined with the finite element method, the accuracy of the improved model is confirmed. Results indicate that the load distribution model with fillet foundation energy is only effective under the front or the full tooth meshing. When the gear meshing includes the rear part of a tooth, the inclusion of the actual contact ratio and fillet foundation energy should be considered.
Dissimilar welding of austenitic and ferritic steels using nickel and stainless-steel filler: Associated issues
Authors: Gupta Alok , Singh Jaiveer , Chhibber Rahul
Published: March 2023

The microstructure development and mechanical behaviour of dissimilar metal welds between ferritic and austenitic steel, as well as their application in nuclear power plants, are discussed in this review paper. Nuclear reactor components, such as steam generators and pressure vessels, consist primarily of SA508 due to their low cost and high operating temperatures and pressures. The welding of dissimilar metals is crucial due to variations in physical characteristics such as thermal conductivity, thermal expansion coefficient, mechanical properties and chemical compositions. The principal challenges of dissimilar ferritic and austenitic steel welding are the subject of this review work. Weldability issues include a sharp change in mechanical and metallurgical characterization across the fusion line, carbon migration, cyclic thermal stresses and residual stresses, which necessitate a thorough investigation of the welded joint. Generally, austenitic steel and nickel-based fillers are used to join austenitic and ferritic steel materials; however, owing to many weldability concerns, nickel-based consumables are replacing austenitic consumables. Another critical issue in the weld joint is the selection of appropriate welding consumables, and detailed explanations of the benefits of employing a buttering layer on the ferritic side are provided. The effect of heat treatment on the metallurgical and mechanical characteristics of the weld joint, as well as the formation of residual stress, has also been thoroughly explored.
Numerical assessment of gun mufflers using finite element method, neural networks, and a genetic algorithm
Authors: Chiu Min-Chie , Chang Ying-Chun
Published: March 2023

In order to enhance the acoustical performance of gun mufflers, a multi-chamber muffler internally inserting with expansion cones and perforated tubes ducts is presented. Because of the complicated geometry of gun muffler, traditional analytic method used in predicting a muffler’s acoustical performance is difficult; therefore, a finite element method using the COMSOL software is adopted to predict the gun muffler’s sound transmission loss. Moreover, because an objective function (or fitness function) is needed during the optimization process, a simplified mathematical model using Artificial Neural Network (ANN) is used. Here, a polynomial objective function is established by inputting the muffler’s geometric design parameters and the related simulated Sound Transmission Loss (STL) (run on the COMSOL) via the Artificial Neural Network. Furthermore, Genetic Algorithm (GA), an optimizer, is linked to the simplified mathematical model to maximize the gun muffler’s acoustical performance. To pursue a maximal STL at the targeted tones, the geometric parameters of cone’s horizontal length (L1) and first cone’s span (L2) is optimally adjusted. Results demonstrates the STL of gun muffler at the specified frequencies of 1000, 2000, and 4000 Hz can be improved from 15.8 dB, 72.6 dB, 184.8 dB to 18.2 dB, 112.6 dB, and 416.3 dB, respectively. The paper aims to provide an optimal design method of gun muffler using Finite Element Method (FEM), Artificial Neural Network, and Genetic Algorithm. Consequently, the simulated results reveal that the optimally shaped gun muffler can efficiently depress the gun’s shooting noise.
A review of challenges and prospects of 3D cell-based culture models used for studying drug induced liver injury during early phases of drug development
Authors: Chipangura John K , Ntamo Yonela , Mohr Bert , Chellan Nireshni
Published: March 2023

Drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is the leading cause of compound attrition during drug development. Over the years, a battery of in-vitro cell culture toxicity tests is being conducted to evaluate the toxicity of compounds prior to testing in laboratory animals. Two-dimensional (2D) in-vitro cell culture models are commonly used and have provided a great deal of knowledge; however, these models often fall short in mimicking natural structures of tissues in-vivo. Testing in humans is the most logical method, but unfortunately there are ethical limitations associated with human tests. To overcome these limitations better human-relevant, predictive models are required. The past decade has witnessed significant efforts towards the development of three-dimensional (3D) in-vitro cell culture models better mimicking in-vivo physiology. 3D cell culture has advantages in being representative of the interactions of cells in-vivo and when validated can act as an interphase between 2D cell culture models and in-vivo animal models. The current review seeks to provide an overview of the challenges that make biomarkers used for detection of DILI not to be sensitive enough during drug development and explore how 3D cell culture models can be used to address the gap with the current models.
Measuring Regional Competitiveness
Authors: Carpio Luis Del , Feldman Percy Marquina , Avolio Beatrice
Published: March 2023

The objective of this article is to propose a new methodological approach to determine the level of competitiveness of subnational territories (regions). To this end, the relationship between regions’ economic performance and the determinant of regional competitiveness is studied. The regions’ level of competitiveness can be considered an unobserved effect and, to determine it, a model is proposed that takes into account unobserved heterogeneity, which is postulated to be a simplification of regional competitiveness within a country, that is, the element that can explain the differences in the region’s economic performance. An econometric panel data model with fixed effects using the dummy variables technique is proposed. The dependent variable represents a model region and is constructed by averaging all of the regions’ GDPs in real terms, as an approximation of a model region. For the independent variables, five dimensions are proposed to explain regional competitiveness. The data used are based on 91 variables for each one of the 25 regions of Peru from 2012 to 2018. The main finding is proof that the model is significant and correlates with the theoretical model. In this sense, the proposed model adequately explains the economic performance of the model region, and the estimations for each of the regions of Peru are relevant when it comes to measuring the differences between them in order to have a new way to measure regional competitiveness.
Task Re-allocation in New Venture Teams: A Team Conflict Perspective
Authors: Brattström Anna
Published: March 2023

This study contributes a novel perspective on how new venture teams navigate task re-allocation during the new venture development phase. It highlights the relevance of task re-allocation conflict, shows how “negative affect expectations” shape the unfolding of such conflicts, and demonstrates why acting out conflict and its associated negative affect can enable team members to make substantial task re-allocations instead of symbolic ones. The analysis has implications for two bodies of research, which have previously not been considered in tandem: (1) research on task (re-)allocation, professionalization, and structural imprinting in new ventures, and (2) research on team conflict.
Variance in Autism Prevalence: Links With State-Level Autism Resources
Authors: Kester Johanna S. , Hill Trenesha , Thompson Lauren , Black Corey L. , Coriano Veronica L. , Bruton Julia , Baker Courtney N.
Published: March 2023

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has varied over time and across the United States. This variability is likely related to external factors, such as regional differences in ASD-related resources. The study reported on here examined the links between ASD prevalence as measured by Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part B child count data and four aspects of state infrastructure (health care and insurance policies, clinical resources, research infrastructure, and awareness-raising individuals/organizations). This study also investigated whether these constructs varied by geographical region. The data for this study were abstracted from publicly available databases. Information on state infrastructure was gathered from high-quality reports, resource guides, certificant registries, and databases. More comprehensive ASD-relevant insurance and health care policies, more clinical resources, and greater research infrastructure were associated with higher ASD state prevalence rates as measured by the IDEA Part B child count data. Prevalence of ASD was higher in eastern U.S. states compared with southern U.S. states, but state-level ASD resources did not statistically significantly differ across geographic regions. Implications for research, practice, and policy are discussed.
Outcomes of Salvage Procedures for Failed Total Ankle Arthroplasty
Authors: Pfahl Kathrin , Röser Anke , Eder Julia , Gottschalk Oliver , Hörterer Hubert , Mehlhorn Alexander , Walther Markus
Published: March 2023

Background:

The number of total ankle arthroplasty (TAA) procedures increased rapidly in the last years and so have its complications. The main pillars in treating failed TAA are revision total ankle arthroplasty (RTAA), revision total ankle arthrodesis (RAA), or revision tibiotalocalcaneal fusion (RTTC). To evaluate these options, we compared clinical, radiologic, and patient-reported outcomes.

Methods:

A single-center, retrospective review of 111 cases of revision procedures of failed TAA from 2006 to 2020 was performed. Patients undergoing polyethylene exchange and revision of one metallic component were excluded. Demographic data, failure, and survival rates were analyzed. The European Foot and Ankle Society (EFAS) score and radiographic changes in the subtalar joint were evaluated. The average follow-up was 67.89 ± 40.51 months.

Results:

One hundred eleven patients underwent removal of TAA. The procedures included 40 revisions of both metallic components, 46 revision total ankle arthrodesis and 25 revision tibiotalocalcaneal fusion. The overall failure rate in the cohort was 5.41% (6/111). The failure rate after RAA was 4.35 times higher than that of RTAA, whereas RTTC did not show failures. RTAA and RTTC lead to a 1-year and 5-year survival rate of 100%. RAA resulted in a 1-year survival rate of 90% and a 5-year survival rate of 85%. The mean EFAS score in the cohort was 12.02 ± 5.83. Analysis of the EFAS score showed that RTTC provided the most reliable pain reduction, and RTAA achieved the best gait pattern. RAA resulted in poorer clinical results. Subtalar joint degeneration occurred significantly less in the RTAA group ( P = .01).

Conclusion:

This retrospective study suggests lower failure rates, increased short-term survival and a better clinical outcomes of revision arthroplasty and tibiotalocalcaneal fusion than ankle arthrodesis. Revision arthroplasty is a promising solution in treating failed total ankle arthroplasty considering lower rate of subsequent adjacent joint degeneration.

Level of Evidence:

Level III, non-randomized observational study.
Influence of face sheet thickness on flexural strength characteristics of carbon/epoxy/Nomex honeycomb sandwich panels
Authors: Naresh Kakur , Alia Ruzanna Aziz , Cantwell Wesley J. , Umer Rehan , Khan Kamran Ahmed
Published: March 2023

This study presents the findings of an investigation into the effect of varying the thickness of a carbon/epoxy face sheet of a Nomex honeycomb sandwich panel on its the flexural properties. The thickness (hs) of the face sheet was varied by increasing the number of plies from one 0.25 mm thick layer to eight such layers, giving a total nominal thickness of 2.0 mm, whilst maintaining a constant thickness of the core. The flexural properties of the sandwich panels were investigated through a series of three- and four-point bending tests. A particular focus was on identifying changes in the failure mode with increasing face sheet thickness. The flexural properties of the sandwich panels were predicted using sandwich beam theory, where the deviation from the experimental values was shown to be less than 13%. A two parameter Weibull distribution model was used to predict the maximum flexural load using an analysis of variance (ANOVA) tool and an excellent level of correlation was observed with the experimental values. The difference between the predicted maximum load values and the experimental results was below 5% in all cases. A brittle mode of failure was observed in the thickest panel. The sandwich panel based on 1.5 mm thick face sheet was identified as being the most appropriate design, both in terms of strength and stiffness.
Depression Predicts Cardiac Cachexia in Heart Failure Patients
Authors: Moughrabi Samira M. , Habib Samer I , Evangelista Lorraine
Published: March 2023

Background

Cardiac cachexia (CC) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in persons with heart failure (HF). Compared to the biological underpinning of CC, little is known about the psychological factors. Thus, the overarching objective of this study was to determine whether depression predicts the onset of cachexia at 6 months in patients with chronic HF.

Methods

114 participants with a mean age of 56.7 ± 13.0 years, LVEF of 33.13 ± 12.30% and NYHA class III (48.0%) were assessed for depression using the PHQ-9. Body weight was measured at baseline and at 6 months. Patients who had ≥6% non-edematous unintentional weight loss were classified as cachectic. Univariate and logistic multivariate regression were used to examine the relationship between CC and depression, controlling for clinical and demographic variables.

Results

Cachectic patients (11.4%) had significantly higher baseline BMI levels (31.35 ± 5.70 vs. 28.31 ± 4.73; p = .038), lower LVEF (mean = 24.50 ± 9.48 vs. 34.22 ± 12.18, p = .009), and depression scores (mean = 7.17 ± 6.44 vs. 4.27 ± 3.98, p = .049) when compared to their non-cachectic counterparts. In multivariate regression analysis, depression scores ( β = 1.193, p = .035) and LVEF ( β = .835, p = .031) predicted cachexia after controlling for age, gender, body mass index, VO2 max, and New York Heart Association class and accounted for 49% of the variance in Cardiac cachexia. When depression was dichotomized, depression and LVEF predicted 52.6% of the variance in CC.

Conclusion

Depression predicts CC in patients with HF. Additional studies are needed to expand the knowledge of the role of the psychological determinants of this devastating syndrome.
One day of eating: Tracing misinformation in ‘What I Eat In A Day’ videos
Authors: Topham Justine , Smith Naomi
Published: March 2023

This article traces how misinformation occurs and is negotiated in What I Eat In A Day (WIEIAD) videos. Data were collected from 84 WIEIAD videos across 59 YouTube accounts. Our discourse analysis demonstrated that misinformation is presented in ways that invoke expertise, scientific credibility and personal experience, making it more difficult to identify and respond to. Our analysis illustrates how misinformation arises in seemingly mundane sites of discourse and argues that identifying and responding to misinformation is not a binary task. The WIEIAD genre demonstrates the complexity of contemporary wellness discourses and their broader role in health and risk management, which results in the (re)circulation of misinformation. The tension between the sensory and the rational in WIEIAD videos highlights the complexities present in how misinformation, wellness and health are entangled on social media.
Ten second triage: A novel and pragmatic approach to major incident triage
Authors: Vassallo Jamie , Cowburn Philip , Park Claire , Bull Dave , Harris Sean , Moran Christopher G. , Smith Jason Edward
Published: March 2023

Triage is a key principle in the effective management of major incidents and has traditionally been performed using an assessment of a casualty's physiology. However, it has become apparent from recent experiences of major incidents that physiological triage may practically not be possible, especially in the early stages of an incident. A key factor is the speed with which it is possible to perform triage, and subsequently, the speed at which key life-saving interventions (e.g., management of external haemorrhage and airway opening manoeuvres) are able to be performed simultaneously as part of the triage process. Addressing this issue was a priority for the review of major incident triage undertaken by NHS England and culminated in the development of the Ten Second Triage (TST) tool.
Sonic methodologies for more-than-human geographies: the politics of listening in a traditional slaughterhouse in the UK
Authors: Mc Loughlin Eimear
Published: March 2023

Sound is an established parameter in animal welfare studies. A sonic ethnographic study of a traditional slaughterhouse in south-west England reveals how animal welfare, conceived as ‘respect for the animal’ at slaughter, is based on sonically attuned practices. Such sonic engagement distinguishes the traditional slaughterhouse from industrial operations and works to dispel the stigma of killing for the workers. A sonic approach centers the more-than-human methodologically whilst also revealing the politics of listening in the slaughterhouse.
Mathematical modeling of strategic behavior: the Battle of Midway, 1942
Authors: Founta Konstantina , Zachilas Loukas
Published: March 2023

In this paper, an innovative discrete dynamical model is presented, which is used to predict the kind of strategic behavior the participants should adopt to win a battle. For study purposes, a computer model is developed to reveal the most critical factors that strategically affect combat and the relationship of dependence between the warring parties. Besides, it can predict the outcome of a battle under specific scenarios. Furthermore, the proposed dynamical system is applied in Midway’s air–naval battle, which was one of the most decisive battles of World War II (WWII). It was a significant turning point in the history of naval warfare in the Pacific Ocean since the victory of the United States marked an end to Japanese expansionist policy, and these are the reason this battle was chosen. The numerical results of the analysis were presented, and the key factors (e.g., persons, decisions, and weather conditions represented by the critical values of model parameters) were highlighted, defining the outcome of the conflict.
How to TEVAR swine for scientific research: Technical, anatomic, and device considerations to translate human TEVAR techniques into the large animal laboratory
Authors: Stonko David P , Treffalls Rebecca N , Edwards Joseph , Abdou Hossam , Lang Eric , Stonko Daniel C , Cullen Pierce , Hicks Caitlin W , Morrison Jonathan J
Published: March 2023

Objective

Thoracic Endovascular Aortic Repair (TEVAR) is well established in humans. Despite widespread use, additional research questions related to thoracic aortic stenting and endovascular innovation require large animal models. Translating human TEVAR devices and techniques into animal models, however, is a challenge even for experienced endovascular surgeons looking to develop a large animal TEVAR model. This article describes swine-specific strategies to deploy human TEVAR stent grafts, delineate how to select, size, prepare, and re-use human stents and deployment systems in swine, and how to translate human imaging modalities to large animal TEVAR.

Methods

We describe a selection of related TEVAR models and techniques in Yorkshire swine to support scientific inquiry. This includes an animal husbandry and pre-operative preparation and planning program. All imaged specimens in this paper are castrated male Yorkshire swine in the 60–80 kg range and underwent TEVAR with the Medtronic Navion stent and deployment system.

Results

To study human aortic stent grafts in swine, the animals generally must be at least 50 kgs to guarantee a 2 cm internal aortic diameter at the left subclavian, and for the iliac arteries to accommodate the human deployment system. Swine will have longer torsos and shorter iliofemoral segments than a human of the same weight which can make human deployment systems too short to reach the left subclavian from the femoral arteries in larger animals. We provide techniques to overcome this, including open iliac access or upside-down carotid TEVAR, which may be particularly useful if the scientific data would be confounded by iliofemoral access. Unlike humans that present clinically with axial imaging, swine will generally not have preoperative imaging, and many translational research laboratories do not have access to inexpensive preoperative CT, or any intraoperative CT scanning, which we are fortunate to have. We describe, therefore, several strategies for imaging in this setting including TEVAR via C-arm fluoroscopy and with or without in-laboratory CT scanning. Due to the low-resource setting of most large animal laboratories, as compared to a human hybrid room, we also describe several techniques to reduce cost and reuse materials, including the stent grafts, which at the end of non-survival experiments can be recovered during necropsy, cleaned, reinserted into the deployment device and reused on additional animals.

Conclusions

This article describes a collection of related techniques and tips to translate human TEVAR imaging, sizing/selection, deployment, and anatomy to swine research. Using this framework alone, an experienced human vascular or endovascular surgeon may develop a complete aortic stenting animal model with strategies for scientific data acquisition.
Effect of geometrical parameters and use of porous material in a Helmholtz resonator on suppression of thermo-acoustic instabilities
Authors: Deshmukh Nilaj N. , Ansari Afzal , Degwekar Sharvil , Paul Benson , Unnikrishnan Rohit
Published: March 2023

Thermo-acoustic instabilities are mainly formed due to in-phase superposition of non-uniform heat release and pressure variation in the combustors of gas turbines, rocket engines and other acoustically confined spaces. These instabilities not only damage the structural system but also reduce its combustion efficiency and heat transfer rate. Hence suppression of thermo-acoustic instabilities is a prominent requirement for stable and safe heat generation in the combustors. In this work, the Helmholtz resonator has been used to suppress the instability. The efficacy of the resonator has been further increased by the addition of absorptive material to it. This work concentrates on inspecting the influence of cavity volume, neck length and neck diameter of the Helmholtz Resonator and the thickness of the absorptive material in the damping process of thermo-acoustic instabilities. The experimentation was carried out for various combinations of resonator cavity volume, neck diameter and neck length, and the best combination was found to be 6 mm neck diameter with 20 mm neck length at 60% volume which provided an acoustic damping of around 30 dB. Further, it was noticed that the addition of absorptive material is effective at lower volumes of Helmholtz resonator, and with an increase in thickness of absorptive material beyond a certain limit, the damping ability of the resonator reduces.
New variants of ultra-conservative Islamic schools in Indonesia: A study on Islamic school endeavor with Islamic group movement
Authors: Malik Abdul
Published: March 2023

After the reformation era in 1998, Islamic education, either Pesantren or Madrasah, has witnessed significant growth. Unlike during the Dutch, Soekarno, and Soeharto eras, when Islamic education remained marginalized, Indonesia recently houses the biggest Islamic education system where thousands of Pesantren become homes to Muslim children. Nonetheless, the fall of the later regime in 1998 has hitherto marked the prominence of Pesantren education nationwide along with the rise of Salafi-based Pesantren. This article aimed to discover three novel ultra-conservative variants of Salafi-based Pesantren and their contestation against other Islamic organizations promoting social tension and prejudice. Therefore, using a qualitative research method, the study’s main aim is to identify how Islamic school institutions develop influenced by the movement of Islamic groups in Indonesia, specifically Islamic boarding schools. In doing so, this study interviewed 190 informants from 39 of 8 provinces. This study unveiled three Salafi-based Pesantren variants: Salafi jihadis, Salafi Wahabi, and Salafi Haraki. These three variants of Salafi gained little attention from previous studies.
A silver lining or digital divide? Systematic review of literature on online learning during Covid-19 in Nepal
Authors: Lamichhane Yog Raj
Published: March 2023

Almost all educational institutions across the globe jumped into online learning since the declaration of Covid-19 as a global pandemic. Nepali academic institutions from pre-primary schools to universities also entered into online learning. Such online learning aimed to control the educational damage threatened by the infectious pandemic and lingering lockdown. This study draws on 33 research papers to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) concerning online learning during Covid-19 in Nepal. In particular, the study investigates whether online learning created a digital divide or contributed to a positive contribution to the quality of delivery of education in Nepal in future. The systematic review finds that frequent power cuts, poor internet connectivity and inadequate ICT tools for online learning as the most common educational hindrances along with the loss of practical, applied activities and fieldwork for those studying technical subjects. The final SWOT analysis identified more weaknesses and threats in comparison to strengths and opportunities associated with online learning during Covid-19 in Nepal. However, if Nepal and her academic institutions minimize or redress the weaknesses, reinforce the existing strengths, institutionalize the opportunities, and mitigate the possible threats concerning online learning, the learning has the potential to become more effective. Certainly, there is a digital divide, but the study also identified the strengths and opportunities of online learning during Covid-19 that have stemmed the educational damage as a silver lining in the cloud of the Corona Virus.
Bittersweet Symphony: Nostalgia and Melancholia in Music Reception
Authors: Toth Roland , Dienlin Tobias
Published: March 2023

Listening to music can cause experiences of nostalgia and melancholia. Although both concepts are theoretically related, to date they have not been analyzed together regarding their emotional and cognitive profiles. In this study, we identify their theoretical underpinnings and determine how they can be measured empirically. We analyze how listening to music causes nostalgia and melancholia, and whether both experiences are related to different behavioral intentions. To this end, we conducted an online experiment with 359 participants who listened to music they considered either nostalgic, melancholic, or neutral. Afterward, participants answered 122 questionnaire items related to nostalgia and melancholia. Using Structural Equation Modeling, and more specifically Multiple Indicators and Multiple Causes Modeling, we first developed two new scales: the Formative Nostalgia Scale and the Formative Melancholia Scale. Both scales consist of five items each. Results showed that listening to music indeed increased nostalgia and melancholia. Although considerably different, the concepts are related. Listening to nostalgic music increases melancholia, whereas listening to melancholic music does not increase nostalgia. Also, both experiences are related to different behavioral intentions. Whereas experiencing nostalgia was associated with a stronger intention to share the music and to listen to it again, experiencing melancholia revealed the exact opposite relation.
Satisfaction, Intimacy and Conflict in Canadian Couples: An Analysis of Change from Adolescence to Adulthood
Authors: Raymond Maude , Poulin François
Published: March 2023

Romantic relationship qualities are likely to change from adolescence to adulthood. Therefore, we undertook a longitudinal study to examine changes in satisfaction, intimacy, and conflict over this period by simultaneously testing the effects of age, relationship length, and their interaction. These qualities were measured at nine-time points from ages 16 to 30 in a Canadian sample of 337 participants (62.9% women) who reported being in a romantic relationship at least once over this period. The results of multilevel analyses show that satisfaction, intimacy, and conflict decline with age but increase with relationship length. Moreover, age and relationship length were found to have a significant interactive effect on satisfaction and intimacy.
Congruence in Communication and Customer Booking Decision: A Cognitive Heuristic Perspective
Authors: Wang Hongli , Liang Cuiqi , Zhu Yunxia , Zhou Mengnan
Published: March 2023

This study adopts a cognitive heuristic perspective to examine the role of congruence in communication in influencing customer decision-making in the Airbnb context. It is well accepted that home-feeling is an important guest experience of Airbnb. We particularly examine how potential guests source credible online home-feeling-oriented information to make booking decisions. Existing research on home-feeling and its positive impact focus on a single source of information, either from the host or the guest while overlooking the (in)congruence of information of these sources. The results of polynomial regressions on 2,644 matching data from Airbnb support our view. Our findings show that booking will be higher when guest reviews and host self-descriptions are aligned with a high-level congruence of home-feeling-oriented information. However, when they are not closely aligned, a better outcome of booking is achieved based on a high level of home-feeling-oriented information from guest review than that from host self-descriptions.
Making prisoner deaths visible: Towards a new epistemological approach
Authors: Tomczak Philippa , Mulgrew Róisín
Published: March 2023

In custodial contexts, the duty of states to protect the most fundamental right – to life – is heightened. Nevertheless, prisoner deaths are a universal and frequent concern. The mortality rate among the 11.5 million prisoners globally is up to 50% higher than amongst non-imprisoned persons, forming a human rights and health equity concern. It is therefore peculiar that prisoner deaths have attracted only piecemeal scholarly attention. In this article, we problematize epistemologies of prisoner death, highlighting obfuscations and agglomerations in existing datasets based on poor definitions, reductive statistics and constrained medico-legal categorizations. We provide a springboard towards a new epistemological approach that makes the scale and breadth of prisoner deaths and deceased prisoner characteristics more visible to facilitate prevention. We advance three tenets: count prisoners who die rather than deaths in prison, disaggregate prisoner death data through rights-informed dimensions and adopt explicitly defined, mutually exclusive categorizations.
Pediatric Insurance Coverage Variation of Orthognathic Surgery and Orthodontic Treatment for Congenital Craniofacial Abnormalities
Authors: Bhagwat Atharva M. , Yusuf Cynthia T. , Njoroge Moreen W. , Lopez Christopher D. , Redett Richard J. , Yang Robin
Published: March 2023

Introduction:

Orthognathic surgery and associated orthodontic treatment are necessary parts of care for children who have congenital craniofacial deformities. Inconsistencies in insurance coverage across the U.S. have led to serious barriers to care for many families. In an effort to describe common patterns of coverage, we report craniofacial coverage criteria for both medical and dental insurances.

Methods:

In this study, we analyzed medical policies of the top 50 market share insurance providers, as well as all dental policies available in the U.S., for a total of 776 policies. Included in this analysis are Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Results:

A total of 94.1% of both private medical and dental policies provide up-front limited coverage of congenital-related treatments, along with 98.0% of Medicaid plans covering oral surgery for cleft palate. Almost all states (n = 47) offered at least one private medical plan that covered orthognathic surgery for congenital and craniofacial anomalies, while n = 3 states (Colorado, Ohio, West Virginia) did not offer any. Coverage for oral surgery and orthodontic treatment by private dental and standalone dental plans were consistent, with 80.9% (n = 518) plans offering (52 ± 14)% in-network coverage of costs for oral surgery and 55.6% (n = 356) offering a similar (49 ± 12)% out-of-network coverage. Forty-six Medicaid and 44 CHIP programs offered coverage of “oral surgery for cleft palate.” Of these plans, 8.8% (n = 9) covered oral surgery as a medical benefit and 2.9% (n = 3) required that the surgery be “medically necessary.” Fifty Medicaid and 48 CHIP plans offered coverage for orthodontia.

Conclusion:

Many systemic barriers remain in the way of consistent access to affordable care in the United States. Coverage for patients with congenital anomalies remains highly variable and greater efforts are needed to ensure consistent, comprehensive coverage.
Acute stress reduces population-level metabolic and proteomic variation
Authors: Steward Katherine F. , Refai Mohammed , Dyer William E. , Copié Valérie , Lachowiec Jennifer , Bothner Brian
Published: March 2023

Background

Variation in omics data due to intrinsic biological stochasticity is often viewed as a challenging and undesirable feature of complex systems analyses. In fact, numerous statistical methods are utilized to minimize the variation among biological replicates.

Results

We demonstrate that the common statistics relative standard deviation (RSD) and coefficient of variation (CV), which are often used for quality control or part of a larger pipeline in omics analyses, can also be used as a metric of a physiological stress response. Using an approach we term Replicate Variation Analysis (RVA), we demonstrate that acute physiological stress leads to feature-wide canalization of CV profiles of metabolomes and proteomes across biological replicates. Canalization is the repression of variation between replicates, which increases phenotypic similarity. Multiple in-house mass spectrometry omics datasets in addition to publicly available data were analyzed to assess changes in CV profiles in plants, animals, and microorganisms. In addition, proteomics data sets were evaluated utilizing RVA to identify functionality of reduced CV proteins.

Conclusions

RVA provides a foundation for understanding omics level shifts that occur in response to cellular stress. This approach to data analysis helps characterize stress response and recovery, and could be deployed to detect populations under stress, monitor health status, and conduct environmental monitoring.
EG-TransUNet: a transformer-based U-Net with enhanced and guided models for biomedical image segmentation
Authors: Pan Shaoming , Liu Xin , Xie Ningdi , Chong Yanwen
Published: March 2023

Although various methods based on convolutional neural networks have improved the performance of biomedical image segmentation to meet the precision requirements of medical imaging segmentation task, medical image segmentation methods based on deep learning still need to solve the following problems: (1) Difficulty in extracting the discriminative feature of the lesion region in medical images during the encoding process due to variable sizes and shapes; (2) difficulty in fusing spatial and semantic information of the lesion region effectively during the decoding process due to redundant information and the semantic gap. In this paper, we used the attention-based Transformer during the encoder and decoder stages to improve feature discrimination at the level of spatial detail and semantic location by its multihead-based self-attention. In conclusion, we propose an architecture called EG-TransUNet, including three modules improved by a transformer: progressive enhancement module, channel spatial attention, and semantic guidance attention. The proposed EG-TransUNet architecture allowed us to capture object variabilities with improved results on different biomedical datasets. EG-TransUNet outperformed other methods on two popular colonoscopy datasets (Kvasir-SEG and CVC-ClinicDB) by achieving 93.44% and 95.26% on mDice. Extensive experiments and visualization results demonstrate that our method advances the performance on five medical segmentation datasets with better generalization ability.