bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Experimental investigation on physical, mechanical, and thermal properties of jute and hemp fibers reinforced hybrid polylactic acid composites
Authors: Felix Sahayaraj A. , Muthukrishnan M. , Ramesh M.
Published: March 2022

Nowadays researchers seeking attention on plant‐based natural fibers as reinforcement with the biodegradable matrix‐like polylactic acid (PLA) to solve the environmental issues. In this research work, jute and hemp fibers are reinforced with PLA matrix with the weight fraction of 50:50 and the composites are fabricated by using compression molding technique. The properties such as hardness, tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength and inter‐laminar shear strength (ILSS), and water absorption characteristics are evaluated. The characterization of these composites are examined by using thermo‐gravimetry analysis, differential thermal analysis, differential thermo‐gravimetric, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. Experimental results show that the jute/hemp/PLA hybrid composites exhibit better tensile strength (69 MPa), flexural strength (145.40 MPa), impact strength (6.37 J), and ILSS (2.98 MPa) than other combinations. From the thermal analysis it is found that the decomposition and weight loss occurring started around 250°C and ended by 350°C. From the experimental analysis it is concluded that the hybrid composites performed well, indicating that they have a lot of potential for use as a green substitute material for synthetic or single plant fiber reinforced composites.
Statin use and the risk of progression to vision threatening diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Meer Elana , Bavinger J. Clay , Yu Yinxi , Hua Peiying , McGeehan Brendan , VanderBeek Brian L.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to assess the effect of statins on progression from nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) to vision‐threatening diabetic retinopathy (VTDR), proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) or diabetic macular edema (DME).

Methods

Two cohort studies using a U.S. medical claims database from 2002 to 2019 including NPDR patients 18 years or older. A risk factor analysis performed a time‐updating cox regression model assessing statin usage. A second new‐user active comparator design analysis replicating a previously published study. Main outcomes included a new diagnosis of VTDR (composite of either PDR or DME) or DME and PDR individually for the risk factor study and included additional outcomes of new DR, NPDR, vitreous hemorrhage (VH) and tractional retinal detachment (TRD) for the new user study.

Results

Risk factor analysis included 66 617 statin users with NPDR at baseline and 83 365 nonstatin users. Of these, 27 325 (18.2%) progressed to VTDR, 4086 (2.71%) progressed to PDR, and 22 750 (15.1%) progressed to DME. After multivariable analysis, no protective effect of statin use was found for progression to VTDR, PDR, or DME (HR = 1.01–3, p >0.33 for all comparisons). Replicated new user design analysis also showed no protective effect for statins on risk of development of DR (HR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.99–1.07, p = 0.13), PDR (HR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.79–1.02, p = 0.09), DME (HR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.86–1.03, p = 0.21), VH (HR = 1.00, 95% CI: 0.86–1.16, p = 0.99), and TRD (HR = 1.11, 95% CI: 0.89–1.38, p = 0.36).

Conclusion

Statin use was found not to be protective for progression of DR regardless of study methodology. These results suggest that the specifics of the population studied rather than differing study methodology are important in assessing the effect of statins on DR progression.
Challenging the southern boundary of active rock glaciers in West Greenland
Authors: Abermann Jakob , Langley Kirsty
Published: March 2022

Rock glaciers (RGs) are landscape features impacting the composition and magnitude of runoff and, given their ice content, they are used as indicators for past and present climate conditions. While our knowledge of RG coverage has improved over recent years in many mountainous regions, there is very little information available for RGs in Greenland. Here, we provide evidence for an active RG in West Greenland, about 230 km south of what previously has been identified as the southern limit of active RGs. We present field evidence such as bottom temperature of the snow pack and surface displacements and indicate how these results could be utilized in further studies to better assess RG distribution or their ice content.
Mucosal Delivery of HIV‐1 Glycoprotein Vaccine Candidate Enabled by Short Carbon Nanotubes
Authors: Xu Yang , Jiang Xunqing , Zhou Ziyou , Ferguson Tammy , Obliosca Judy , Luo Christina C. , Chan Kun‐Wei , Kong Xiang‐Peng , Tison Christopher K.
Published: March 2022

The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV‐1) envelope glycoprotein spike is targeted by antibodies and therefore represents the main viral antigen for antibody‐based vaccine design. One of the challenges in HIV‐1 vaccine development is inducing efficient immune system recognition and response to the virus without establishing an infection. Since HIV‐1 enters the body at mucosal surfaces, induction of immune response at these sites is a preferred preventive approach. Nasal administration is an effective route for mucosal immunization since it can stimulate immune responses both locally and distantly. In this paper, Luna Labs develops a short carbon nanotube‐based delivery platform known as “CNTVac.” The size of carbon nanotubes is controlled to possess HIV‐1 particle‐like morphology capable of efficient intranasal delivery of a broad range of antigens. A polyethylene glycol‐lipid chain is localized between V1V2 antigens and serves to protect antigen conformation and enhance mucosal penetration. This is demonstrated to cause enhanced local immunoglobulin A and systemic antibody immunoglobulin G responses in mice and rabbits. CNTVac not only serves as an efficient delivery system but also reduces the amount of lipid required for vaccine dosing in order to eliminate potential adverse effects. These data suggest a promising platform technology for vaccine delivery.
Soybean dose–response to 2,4‐D and dicamba at vegetative and reproductive growth stages
Authors: Sperry Benjamin P , Scholtes Alanna B , Golus Jeffrey A , Vieira Bruno C , Reynolds Daniel B , Kruger Greg R , Irby Jon Trenton , Eubank Thomas W , Barber L Thomas , Dodds Darrin M
Published: March 2022

Background

Field experiments were conducted across multiple sites in 2012 and 2013 to describe sensitivity of soybean to 2,4‐D (six doses) and dicamba (seven doses) at V3 and R1 growth stages. Further experiments were conducted under greenhouse conditions in 2017 and 2018 to compare soybean response to several dicamba herbicides across a broader range of doses than those tested in the field.

Results

Soybean yield loss was 6.1‐fold greater from 2,4‐D exposure at V3 compared to R1 and 1.4 times greater from dicamba exposure at R1 than at V3. In V3 exposures, soybean was 15.4 times more sensitive to dicamba than 2,4‐D and 134.4‐fold more sensitive to dicamba when exposed at R1. Plant injury and height correlations to grain yield resulted in coefficients ranging from 0.65 to 0.91. In greenhouse experiments, five dicamba products were tested at up to 19 doses and as low as 0.002 g ae ha−1 (3.6 × 10−6% of maximum single use‐rate); however, no differences were observed among formulations used in dicamba‐resistant crops versus traditional formulations. A no observable effects dose was not identified due to responses observed even at the lowest doses tested, although hormesis effects were observed in plant height.

Conclusion

These data suggest that the sensitivity of soybean to dicamba is much greater than what has previously been reported. However, as has been indicated by previous work, that injury does not always result in yield loss. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
A needle deflection model with operating condition optimization for corrective force‐based needle guidance during transrectal prostate brachytherapy
Authors: Dai Xuesong , Zhang Yongde , Jiang Jingang , Zhang Shu
Published: March 2022

Background

Transrectal prostate brachytherapy (BT) involves the permanent implantation of radioactive seeds through a needle, which must be inserted along a straight path to satisfy dose distribution requirements. However, this process is complicated by bevelled needle tips that can cause deflection during penetration. In clinical practice, physicians typically rotate the bevelled tip intermittently or apply manual correction forces near the insertion point, to reduce needle deflection. While assisted rotational insertion robots have made substantial progress in the past 20 years, tissue sticking can be caused by rotation of the bevelled tip and there are currently few studies on the use of corrective forces. As such, an auxiliary needle insertion guide for transrectal prostate BT, based on corrective forces, is investigated in this study for the first time.

Methods

The proposed BT guide is designed to reduce needle deflection and was experimentally verified by in vitro experiments. An energy‐based deflection model was developed to predict needle motion as corrective forces were applied during insertion. An experimental platform was constructed to perform corrective force‐assisted punctures, using the magnitude of the corrective force (A), the position of corrective force application (B) and the puncture speed (C) as test factors, with needle deflection as a test indicator. Design‐Expert 8.0.5b software was used for simulation, and a high‐definition camera acquired pictures of the needle tip as it pierced the tissue. A regression equation was also established for the test factors and test indicators, using Design‐Expert software. Optimal parameter combinations (A, B and C) were determined through optimization.

Results

Calculated needle deflection values were then compared with the measured position of the needle insertion point, producing an average error of 0.39 ± 0.28 mm. Deflection was as low as 0.8 mm using optimal puncture parameters

Conclusions

A needle‐tissue interaction model, considering tissue nonlinearity, which experimental results demonstrated to be highly accurate. Optimal puncture parameters effectively improved puncture accuracy.
Microfluidic Impedance‐Deformability Cytometry for Label‐Free Single Neutrophil Mechanophenotyping
Authors: Petchakup Chayakorn , Yang Haoning , Gong Lingyan , He Linwei , Tay Hui Min , Dalan Rinkoo , Chung Aram J. , Li King Ho Holden , Hou Han Wei
Published: March 2022

The intrinsic biophysical states of neutrophils are associated with immune dysfunctions in diseases. While advanced image‐based biophysical flow cytometers can probe cell deformability at high throughput, it is nontrivial to couple different sensing modalities (e.g., electrical) to measure other critical cell attributes including cell viability and membrane integrity. Herein, an “optics‐free” impedance‐deformability cytometer for multiparametric single cell mechanophenotyping is reported. The microfluidic platform integrates hydrodynamic cell pinching, and multifrequency impedance quantification of cell size, deformability, and membrane impedance (indicative of cell viability and activation). A newly‐defined “electrical deformability index” is validated by numerical simulations, and shows strong correlations with the optical cell deformability index of HL‐60 experimentally. Human neutrophils treated with various biochemical stimul are further profiled, and distinct differences in multimodal impedance signatures and UMAP analysis are observed. Overall, the integrated cytometer enables label‐free cell profiling at throughput of >1000 cells min−1 without any antibodies labeling to facilitate clinical diagnostics.
A Unique Nanoflake‐Shape Bimetallic Ti–Nb Oxide of Superior Catalytic Effect for Hydrogen Storage of MgH2
Authors: Xian Kaicheng , Wu Meihong , Gao Mingxia , Wang Shun , Li Zhenglong , Gao Panyu , Yao Zhihao , Liu Yongfeng , Sun Wenping , Pan Hongge
Published: March 2022

MgH2 is one of the most promising solid hydrogen storage materials due to its high capacity, excellent reversibility, and low cost. However, its operation temperature needs to be greatly reduced to realize its practical applications, especially in the highly desired fuel cell fields. This work synthesizes a 2D nanoflake‐shape bimetallic Ti–Nb oxide of TiNb2O7, which has high surface area and shows superior catalytic effect for the hydrogen storage of MgH2. Incorporated with the TiNb2O7 nanoflakes as low as 3 wt%, MgH2 shows a low onset dehydrogenation temperature of 178 °C, which is lowered by 100 °C compared with the pristine one. A dehydrogenation capacity as high as 7.0 wt% H2 is achieved upon heating to 300 °C. The capacity retention is as high as 96% after 30 cycles. The mechanism of the improved hydrogen storage properties is analyzed by density functional theory (DFT) calculation and the microstructural evolution during dehydrogenation and hydrogenation. This work provides an MgH2 system with high available capacity and low operation temperature by a unique structural design of the catalyst. The high surface area feature of the TiNb2O7 nanoflakes and the synthesis method hopefully can develop the application of TiNb2O7.
Interfacial Reviving of the Degraded LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 Cathode by LiPO3 Repair Strategy
Authors: Feng Ze , Zhang Shan , Huang Xiaobing , Ren Yurong , Sun Dan , Tang Yougen , Yan Qunxuan , Wang Haiyan
Published: March 2022

Nickel‐rich cathode materials, owing to their high energy density and low cost, are considered to be one of the cathodes with the most potential in next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries. Unfortunately, this kind of cathode with highly active surface is easy to react with H2O and CO2 when exposed to ambient air, resulting in the formation of lithium impurities and interfacial phase transition as well as deterioration of the electrochemical properties. In this work, the evolution mechanism of the structure and interface of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 during air‐exposure is systematically investigated. Furthermore, a facile reviving strategy is proposed to restore the degraded LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 by using LiPO3 as the repair agent. The lithium impurities on the surface of the degraded sample can transform into the repair/coating layer, and part of the rock salt phase on the subsurface can revive to layered phase after repair heat treatment. As a result, the optimized cathode delivers an initial discharge capacity of 198.3 mAh g−1 at 0.1C and a capacity retention of 85.5% after 50 cycles. Although slightly lower than the bare sample (201 mAh g−1 and 88%), they are obviously higher than the exposed samples (166.5 mAh g−1 and 40.4%). The regenerated electrochemical properties should be attributed to the multifunctional repair layer that can efficiently reduce the surface lithium impurities, prevent the corrosion of electrolyte, and improve the interfacial Li+ diffusion kinetics. This work can effectively reduce the waste of the degraded Ni‐rich ternary materials and realize the transformation of “waste” into wealth.
DNA Logic Circuits for Cancer Theranostics
Authors: Chen Jing , Fu Shengnan , Zhang Chunyi , Liu Huiyu , Su Xin
Published: March 2022

Cancer diagnosis and therapeutics (theranostics) based on the tumor microenvironment (TME) and biomarkers has been an emerging approach for precision medicine. DNA nanotechnology dynamically controls the self‐assembly of DNA molecules at the nanometer scale to construct intelligent DNA chemical reaction systems. The DNA logic circuit is a particularly emerging approach for computing within the DNA chemical systems. DNA logic circuits can sensitively respond to tumor‐specific markers and the TME through logic operations and signal amplification, to generate detectable signals or to release anti‐cancer agents. In this review, the fundamental concepts of DNA logic circuits are clarified, the basic modules in the circuit are summarized, and how this advanced nano‐assembly circuit responds to tumor‐related molecules, how to perform logic operations, to realize signal amplification, and selectively release drugs through discussing over 30 application examples, are demonstrated. This review shows that DNA logic circuits have powerful logic judgment and signal amplification functions in improving the specificity and sensitivity of cancer diagnosis and making cancer treatment controllable. In the future, researchers are expected to overcome the existing shortcomings of DNA logic circuits and design smarter DNA devices with better biocompatibility and stability, which will further promote the development of cancer theranostics.
Evolution of and Disparity among Biomimetic Superhydrophobic Surfaces with Gecko, Petal, and Lotus Effect
Authors: Weng Wei , Tenjimbayashi Mizuki , Hu Wei Hsun , Naito Masanobu
Published: March 2022

It is desirable to turn one kind of superhydrophobic (SHPO) surfaces into another by changing surface topography alone and attaining solid surfaces with tunable properties. Herein, gecko‐, petal‐, and lotus‐like SHPO surfaces, composed of ZnO tetrapods and polydimethylsiloxane, are realized by adjusting the roughness factor and length scale of roughness, while keeping the surface chemistry the same. Afterward, water droplet sliding and impacting are investigated. The surfaces behave similarly in spreading but deviate from each other in sliding, receding, jetting, and rebounding due to their different adhesive properties. Moreover, the disparity between surfaces with petal and lotus effects is well explained by Furmidge's and Young–Dupre equations. On the other hand, these formulas fail to elucidate the surface with gecko effect because of its inside sealed air that produces negative pressure upon droplet motion. This paper provides a facile topography evolution path and a manifest correlation between topography and performance in water droplet dynamics for SHPO surfaces with gecko, petal, and lotus effects.
Covalent Networking of a Conjugated‐Polymer Photocatalyst to Promote Exciton Diffusion in the Aqueous Phase for Efficient Hydrogen Production
Authors: An Sanghyeok , Hassan Syed Zahid , Jung Jin‐Woo , Cha Hyojung , Cho Chang‐Hee , Chung Dae Sung
Published: March 2022

A conjugated polymer particle in an aqueous phase is covalently networked in 3D by crosslinking with azide groups, leading to significantly enhanced activity—a high photocatalytic H2 evolution rate (11 024 µmol g−1 h−1 (λ > 420 nm)) and a high apparent quantum yield (up to 0.8%). The reaction between the photoactive azide and the alkyl chains of the conjugated polymer provides more intact intermolecular polymeric interactions in the colloidal state, thus preventing physical swelling and inhibiting the recombination of photoproduced carriers. The covalent network efficiently promotes exciton diffusion, which greatly facilitates charge separation and transfer. The azide photo‐crosslinking also leads to more compact and better‐packed nanoparticles in the aqueous phase and efficient transfer of excitons to the outer surface of the nanoparticles, where photocatalytic reactions occur. These results show that photo‐crosslinking can suppress the adverse effects of alkyl chains which inhibit photocatalytic performance. Therefore, covalent crosslinking is a promising strategy for the development of solar and hydrogen energy.
Internet of things network intrusion detection model based on quantum artificial fish group and fuzzy kernel clustering algorithm
Authors: Zhang Jinfeng , Zhang Dongdong
Published: March 2022

The application of internet of things (IoT) devices in 5G/B5G has benefited many industries, such as automated production, smart agriculture and autopilot, and has provided access to billions of smart devices. However, the rapid growth of IoT devices has also brought network security issues. The purpose of this paper is to study the network intrusion detection model based on quantum artificial fish population and fuzzy kernel clustering algorithm. In this paper, the network intrusion detection model based on traditional fuzzy C‐means (FCM) clustering has poor classification effect and is prone to local extremum. A semi‐supervised fuzzy kernel–clustering algorithm based on quantum artificial fish group is proposed. The algorithm adopts a small amount of tag data and many unknown tag data to generate the classification of network intrusion detection and constructs a new objective function of FCM algorithm by means of kernel distance. In the simulation experiment of KDD Cup 99 network intrusion detection data, compared with the intrusion detection model based on FCM, particle swarm optimization‐FCM, the detection rate of the proposed algorithm in the known attack and unknown attack is 92.5% and 84.9%, respectively. The results show that the proposed intrusion detection algorithm has better detection rate.
Investigation of the Role of Nitrogen in Cr18Mn15Mo1.5N Marine Steel
Authors: Liu Jimeng , Zhao Dingguo , Zhang Cunshuai , Li Hao , Wang Shuhuan
Published: March 2022

A new high‐nitrogen steel (Cr18Mn15Mo1.5N) with a nitrogen content of 0.54% for marine engineering is prepared using a vacuum induction furnace and remelting furnace. The effects of nitrogen on the microstructure, yield strength, yield ratio, elongation, and corrosion resistance are studied by holding the experimental steel at 800, 900, 1000, 1100, and 1200 °C for 1, 3, and 5 h, respectively, which are compared with 316 steel series. The results of solution treatment show that the second phase includes Cr2N precipitates at 800 and 900 °C, the second phase dissolves at 1000 and 1100 °C, and ferrite precipitates at 1200 °C, respectively. The yield strength of Cr18Mn15Mo1.5N steel is 2.5 times that of 316 steel, and the plasticity is equivalent. The corrosion resistance of the experimental steel treated at 1100 °C for 1 h is 7.94 times better than that of 316 steel.
Managed aquifer recharge site assessment with electromagnetic imaging: Identification of recharge flow paths
Authors: Pepin Karissa , Knight Rosemary , Goebel‐Szenher Meredith , Kang Seogi
Published: March 2022

Surface spreading recharge, the intentional flooding of the ground surface to replenish a groundwater system, is one approach used to mitigate groundwater overdraft in California's Central Valley (CV). Choosing appropriate sites for surface spreading recharge, in regard to the sites’ ability to convey water from the ground surface to the desired recharge depth, can be challenging because of limited knowledge of the properties of the subsurface. In this study, we present an approach for using a towed time‐domain electromagnetic (tTEM) imaging method to develop three‐dimensional (3D) models of sediment type, map potential flow paths through the subsurface, and evaluate sites for surface spreading. We began with tTEM data from seven sites in the CV along with an existing resistivity‐to‐sediment type transform. We leveraged geostatistical methods to generate multiple 3D models of binary (flow and no‐flow) sediment type from the tTEM data. We then developed two metrics to assess the quality of sites for recharge: (a) the depth to the shallowest no‐flow unit beneath each point at the surface and (b) preferential flow paths lengths measured by finding the shortest distance through connected flow units between surface points and the desired depth. We explored how these metrics can be used to identify optimal areas within a site, then developed a way to compare and assess the relative suitability of each site using the decay in the number of vertical flow paths as a function of depth. Our methods can be used to rapidly identify potential sites for surface spreading recharge.
Management of osteoarthritis: From drug molecules to nano/micromedicines
Authors: Di Francesco Martina , Fragassi Agnese , Pannuzzo Martina , Ferreira Miguel , Brahmachari Sayanti , Decuzzi Paolo
Published: March 2022

With the change in lifestyle and aging of the population, osteoarthritis (OA) is emerging as a major medical burden globally. OA is a chronic inflammatory and degenerative disease initially manifesting with joint pain and eventually leading to permanent disability. To date, there are no drugs available for the definitive treatment of osteoarthritis and most therapies have been palliative in nature by alleviating symptoms rather than curing the disease. This coupled with the vague understanding of the early symptoms and methods of diagnosis so that the disease continues as a global problem and calls for concerted research efforts. A cascade of events regulates the onset and progression of osteoarthritis starting with the production of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)‐α; catabolic enzymes, such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs)‐1, ‐3, and ‐13, culminating into cartilage breakdown, loss of lubrication, pain, and inability to load the joint. Although intra‐articular injections of small and macromolecules are often prescribed to alleviate symptoms, low residence times within the synovial cavity severely impair their efficacy. This review will briefly describe the factors dictating the onset and progression of the disease, present the current clinically approved methods for its treatment and diagnosis, and finally elaborate on the main challenges and opportunities for the application of nano/micromedicines in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Thus, future treatment regimens will benefit from simultaneous consideration of the mechanobiological, the inflammatory, and tissue degradation aspects of the disease.

This article is categorized under:

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology

Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanotechnology in Tissue Repair and Replacement
Gendered Migrations and Conceptual Approaches: Theorising and Researching Mobilities
Authors: Christou Anastasia , Kofman Eleonore
Published: March 2022

While the repetitive rhetoric of ‘discovering’ women as active agents in mobility decisions, plans and the execution of such, might have had a major contribution in filling an important lacuna in migration studies literature several decades ago now (Morokvasic, 1984; Kofman, 1999), there are a number of analytical problems with continuing claims that seem to either conflate ‘gender’ with women or tend to nearly essentialise the ‘feminization of migration’ in reflecting discursive stereotypes. In the latter case, gendered migration research requires taking on board the historicity and local embeddedness of particular case studies which should clearly frame socio-political and development strategies when conducting studies to understand women migrants and female migration (Cornwall et al., 2008; Dannecker & Sieveking, 2009; Amelina & Lutz, 2019). This perspective becomes clear in the following sections and in the box included in this chapter where we include exemplifications from case studies and our own research findings.
The effects of pelvic ring injuries on quality of life, physical, and mental health: results of a 2-year prospective cohort study
Authors: Banierink Hester , ten Duis Kaj , Meesters Anne M. L. , Trouwborst Nymke M. , Heineman Erik , Wendt Klaus W. , Ploegmakers Joris J. W. , Reininga Inge H. F. , IJpma Frank F. A.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

Pelvic ring injuries are known to affect the patients’ daily life in terms of physical functioning and quality of life (QoL). Still, prospective studies on the patient’s perception over the first 2 years of rehabilitation are lacking. Therefore, patients cannot be properly informed about whether or when they will return to their pre-existing level of physical functioning and QoL.

Methods

A prospective longitudinal cohort study was performed over a 4-year period including all consecutive patients above 18 years who sustained a pelvic ring injury in a level 1 trauma center. Validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) were used to assess physical functioning (SMFA) and QoL (EQ-5D) at baseline (recalled pre-injury score), 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year and 2 years after the injury. It was assessed whether patients had fully recovered by comparing follow-up scores to baseline PROMs. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors for patients who did not fully recover. Most experienced difficulties at 3 months and 1 year were identified by analyzing the highest reported scores on individual items of the SMFA.

Results

A total of 297 patients with a pelvic ring injury were identified of which 189 were eligible for follow-up and 154 (82%) responded. Median SMFA function score at 3 months, 1 and 2 years was 70, 78 and 88, respectively, compared to 96 out of 100 before the injury. Median SMFA bother score was 67, 79 and 88, respectively. Median EQ-5D score at 3 months, 1 and 2 years was 0.61, 0.81 and 0.85, respectively, compared to 1 (maximum achievable) before the injury. After 1 and 2 years of follow-up, 61% and 75% of the patients fully “recovered” in physical functioning and 52% and 71% fully recovered in terms of QoL. Female gender and high-energy trauma were independent predictors for not fully recovering after 1 year. After 3 months of follow-up, 54% of patients reported severe difficulties with recreational activities, whereas after 1 year, most experienced difficulties (31% of patients) concerned heavy house or yard work. Moreover, after 3 months and 1 year, 44% and 27% of patients reported feeling physically disabled.

Conclusion

Pelvic ring injuries have a large impact on the patients’ daily life in the first 2 years of rehabilitation. Directly after the injury, physical functioning and QoL decrease strongly but then gradually improve over a 2-year period with about 75% of patients fully recovering. Female gender and high-energy trauma are shown to be independent predictors for not fully recovering. After 3 months, patients experience difficulties with both the physical and mental effects of the injury which continue to be present after 1 year.
Grouping of chemicals into mode of action classes by automated effect pattern analysis using the zebrafish embryo toxicity test
Authors: Teixidó E. , Kieβling T. R. , Klüver N. , Scholz S.
Published: March 2022

A central element of high throughput screens for chemical effect assessment using zebrafish is the assessment and quantification of phenotypic changes. By application of an automated and more unbiased analysis of these changes using image analysis, patterns of phenotypes may be associated with the mode of action (MoA) of the exposure chemical. The aim of our study was to explore to what extent compounds can be grouped according to their anticipated toxicological or pharmacological mode of action using an automated quantitative multi-endpoint zebrafish test. Chemical-response signatures for 30 endpoints, covering phenotypic and functional features, were generated for 25 chemicals assigned to 8 broad MoA classes. Unsupervised clustering of the profiling data demonstrated that chemicals were partially grouped by their main MoA. Analysis with a supervised clustering technique such as a partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) allowed to identify markers with a strong potential to discriminate between MoAs such as mandibular arch malformation observed for compounds interfering with retinoic acid signaling. The capacity for discriminating MoAs was also benchmarked to an available battery of in vitro toxicity data obtained from ToxCast library indicating a partially similar performance. Further, we discussed to which extent the collected dataset indicated indeed differences for compounds with presumably similar MoA or whether other factors such as toxicokinetic differences could have an important impact on the determined response patterns.
A new model for predicting the winner in tennis based on the eigenvector centrality
Authors: Arcagni Alberto , Candila Vincenzo , Grassi Rosanna
Published: March 2022

The use of statistical tools for predicting the winner in tennis matches has enjoyed an increase in popularity over the last two decades and, currently, a variety of methods are available. In particular, paired comparison approaches make use of latent ability estimates or rating calculations to determine the probability that a player will win a match. In this paper, we extend this latter class of models by using network indicators for the predictions. We propose a measure based on eigenvector centrality. Unlike what happens for the standard paired comparisons class (where the rates or latent abilities only change at timetfor those players involved in the matches at timet), the use of a centrality measure allows the ratings of the whole set of players to vary every time there is a new match. The resulting ratings are then used as a covariate in a simple logit model. Evaluating the proposed approach with respect to some popular competing specifications, we find that the centrality-based approach largely and consistently outperforms all the alternative models considered in terms of the prediction accuracy. Finally, the proposed method also achieves positive betting results.
The heterogeneous effects of the great recession on informal care to the elderly
Authors: Carro Jesús M. , Pronkina Elizaveta
Published: March 2022

This paper studies the role of unobserved factors to measure the impact of the economic downturn on informal care availability to the elderly in Europe. We use the Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), which allows controlling for socio-demographic variables. Our results show that the impact of the Great Recession on care receipt depends not only on observed, but also on unobserved characteristics. For 21% of the sample, the effect is three to four times larger than the average effect for the entire sample. For 57% of the sample, there is no effect of the economic crisis, and this is related to unobservable factors. In our estimation process, we are able to characterize how this unobserved heterogeneity correlates with the observable variables. Moreover, we show that if the unobserved heterogeneity in the effect of the crisis is ignored, then we are not able to capture that there is no effect for more than half of the individuals, even if we allow for unobserved heterogeneity in the intercept of the model and for the heterogeneous effect of the crisis based on observables.
Parent-reported Early Atypical Development and Age of Diagnosis for Children with Co-occurring Autism and ADHD
Authors: Sainsbury Willow J. , Carrasco Kelly , Whitehouse Andrew J. O. , Waddington Hannah
Published: March 2022

Autism and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often co-occur. This survey of 288 New Zealand parents of children diagnosed with autism (n = 111), ADHD (n = 93), or both conditions (n = 84), examined the relations between age of diagnosis and early atypical development, the age specialist consultation was needed and types of specialists seen. Co-occurring autism and ADHD was associated with an earlier ADHD diagnosis and a later autism diagnosis. Parents of children with both diagnoses reported less atypical development in language and social behaviours compared to parents of children of autism, and this co-occurring group also experienced longer wait times to diagnosis, and saw more types of specialists prior to a diagnosis, than those with autism.
Examining Temporality and Difference: an Intensive Approach to Understanding Medieval Rural Settlement
Authors: Jervis Ben
Published: March 2022

A new theoretical approach to medieval rural settlement, built on the concept of intensity, is proposed. It is argued that analysing settlements as intensive spaces creates new opportunities to explore the emergence of difference in medieval lived experience. The approach is intended to overcome the challenges posed by approaches to medieval architecture framed by binary divisions (e.g. inside/outside). Drawing on posthuman thought, it is argued that such divisions constrain the understanding of how and why difference emerged in the past. The paper advances this approach through its application to the study of house construction and domestic economy in the medieval village of Hangleton, England. It is proposed that difference emerges as everyday practices are performed in constantly changing material environments, generating situationally grounded but varied experiences of rurality. Rather than being subject to macro-scale economic processes, this approach allows us to understand historical change as a patchwork of localised interactions which overflowed the bounds of communities or regions.
“Let’s build an Anscombe box”: assessing Anscombe’s rebuttal of the statistics objection against indeterminism-based free agency
Authors: Müller Thomas
Published: March 2022

Towards the end of her famous 1971 paper “Causality and Determination”, Elizabeth Anscombe discusses the controversial idea that “ ‘physical haphazard’ could be the only physical correlate of human freedom of action”. In order to illustrate how the high-level freedom of human action can go together with micro-indeterminism without creating a problem for micro-statistics, she provides the analogy of a glass box filled with minute coloured particles whose micro-dynamics is subject to statistical laws, while its outside reliably displays a recognisable variation of a certain image created by an external cause. Anscombe’s example is somewhat enigmatic, and she provides no details to support its viability. In this paper we discuss the context of Anscombe’s analogy, and we provide basics of the theory and practice of building an Anscombe box.
Demystifying the myth of sensation: Wilfrid Sellars’ adverbialism reconsidered
Authors: Corti Luca
Published: March 2022

This paper reconstructs and defends a Sellarsian approach to “sensation” that allows us to avoid mythological conceptions of it. Part I reconstructs and isolates Sellars’s argument for “sensation,” situating his adverbial interpretation of the notion within his broader theory of perception. Part II positions Sellars’s views vis-à-vis current conversations on adverbalism. In particular, it focuses on the Many Property Problem, which is traditionally considered the main obstacle to adverbialism. After reconstructing Sellars’s response to this problem, I demonstrate that his position is compatible with some current strategies to solving it and can be developed along similar lines. Finally, part III addresses how a Sellarsian adverbial approach productively accounts for the phenomenal properties of experience often understood to fall under the notion of “sensation”. The paper therefore shows how isolating Sellars’s argument can yield a non-problematic conception of sensation. Indeed, the argument on which I focus offers a form of direct realism compatible with recent forms of “new adverbialism”. Although my view remains Sellarsian, to defend it I maintain that some Sellarsian claims about sensation should be resisted as not logically entailed by his argument.
Quantum Technologies and Society: Towards a Different Spin
Authors: Coenen Christopher , Grinbaum Alexei , Grunwald Armin , Milburn Colin , Vermaas Pieter
Published: March 2022

Due primarily to technological advances over the last decade, quantum research has become a key priority area for science and technology policy all over the world. With this manifesto, we wish to prevent quantum technology from running into fiascos of implementation at the interface of science and society. To this end, we identify key stumbling blocks and propose recommendations.
The Experience of European Researchers in China: A Comparative Capital Advantage Perspective
Authors: Braun Střelcová Andrea , Cai Yuzhuo , Shen Wei
Published: March 2022

This paper unfolds a “black box” concerning European researchers working in China, an emerging phenomenon as an outcome of European and Chinese international research collaboration. China’s rapid economic growth has created plentiful career opportunities in research and innovation, attracting mainly returning Chinese but also non-Chinese researchers. While emerging research has brought attention to the individual experiences of the latter group, this work has been hampered by a lack of conceptual frameworks, as well as empirical knowledge regarding these migrants’ motivations, job satisfaction, and career prospects. This article attempts to bridge this research gap by focusing on European researchers working in Chinese universities. It develops a novel analytical framework that integrates insights from the push–pull framework and Bourdieu’s conceptualization of capital and applies this framework in a qualitative investigation of China-based European researchers. This analysis shows, first, that significant capital gains exist for natural scientists, as opposed to social scientists, in China, as the former operates in a more internationalized, better-funded, and less politically controlled environment. Second, it demonstrates that European researchers’ migration journeys in China remain predominantly temporary, as their initial advantages tend to fade away over time. Finally, this article finds that European researchers’ reasons for leaving China are connected to challenges beyond the workplace, yet their stay in China becomes an important step in increasing their competitiveness in the global academic labor market.
Vortex Merger in Shallow Water Model
Authors: Sun Wen-Yih , Oh Tae-Jin
Published: March 2022

An inviscid, nonlinear shallow water model is applied to study the formation of filaments and merging of potential vorticity (PV, π). We confirm that misalignment of vorticity with the streamlines is crucial to merger. Flow creates positive PV tendency (πt) on the lee side of π ridge, which increases the angle between streamlines and PV contours and the efficiency of vorticity transport along the parallel but oppositive direction in the positive quadrants of πt. So, the vortices move closer while rotating around each other. Filamentation starts as weak vorticity shatters from the outer edge of vortex core. The filament grows and rotates around the cores, but shows little effects to positive PV advection or vortex merging in the inner core, evidenced by the steady core area integrated PV trends. Consecutive PV transfer from lower to higher interval levels are observed during merger process while elongated filamentation is dissolving into the lower level PV regime. The vortices never merge when negative πt prevails between two vortices. Distance between the vortex cores show direct correspondence to positive πt between them. Hence, the advance of positive πt provides a simple mechanism of merging. The Rossby radius of deformation (LD) is confirmed to be another strong indicator for vortex pair merger where LD comparable or smaller than the initial vortex core separation length scale makes merger more likely due to geostrophic adjustment. The Rossby number (Ro) affected the overall flow interaction speed speed when LD is fixed.
Gas-discharge induced flash sintering of YSZ ceramics at room temperature
Authors: Zhu Yuchen , Zhou Hongyang , Huang Rongxia , Yan Nianping , Wang Xilin , Liu Guanghua , Jia Zhidong
Published: March 2022

This is the first study to conduct the flash sintering of 3 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (3YSZ) ceramics at room temperature (25 °C) under a strong electric field, larger than 1 kV/cm. At the standard atmospheric pressure (101 kPa), the probability of successful sintering is approximately half of that at low atmospheric pressure, lower than 80 kPa. The success of the proposed flash sintering process was determined based on the high electric arc performance at different atmospheric pressures ranging from 20 to 100 kPa. The 3YSZ samples achieved a maximum relative density of 99.5% with a grain size of ∼200 nm. The results showed that as the atmospheric pressure decreases, the onset electric field of flash sintering decreases, corresponding to the empirical formula of the flashover voltage. Moreover, flash sintering was found to be triggered by the surface flashover of ceramic samples, and the electric arc on the sample surfaces floated upward before complete flash sintering at overly high pressures, resulting in the failure of flash sintering. This study reveals a new method for the facile preparation of flash-sintered ceramics at room temperature, which will promote the application of flash sintering in the ceramic industry.
Groups of Rotations of Euclidean and Hyperbolic Spaces
Authors: Beardon A. F. , Minda D.
Published: March 2022

In both the Euclidean plane$${\mathbb {R}}^2$$R2and the hyperbolic plane$${\mathbb {H}}^2$$H2, a non-trivial group of rotations has a unique fixed point. We compare groups of rotations of the three-dimensional spaces$${\mathbb {R}}^3$$R3and$${\mathbb {H}}^3$$H3, and in each case we discuss the existence of a (possibly non-unique) common fixed point of the elements in such a group.
Prävalenz und Auswirkungen von Untergewicht im professionellen Bühnentanz
Authors: Stawiarski Lina , Wanke Eileen M.
Published: March 2022

Neben einer guten Tanztechnik spielt die Körperform von professionellen Tänzer*innen eine entscheidende Rolle. Im klassischen Tanz gilt eine leptosom-grazile Form mit langen Gliedmaßen bei Frauen als ideal. Dementsprechend ist die Prävalenz von Untergewicht hoch. Dabei ist es nicht ausgeschlossen, dass dieses physische Erscheinungsbild mittels Diäten erreicht wird. Auffällig ist eine höhere Prävalenz von Störungen des Essverhaltens und Essstörungen vor allem bei Tänzerinnen im Vergleich zu nicht tanzenden Vergleichsgruppen. Im Zusammenhang mit dem Untergewicht können hormonelle Störungen, wie Amenorrhoe, Osteoporose oder Leistungseinschränkungen auftreten. Daher ist es wichtig, Tänzer*innen regelmäßig zu untersuchen und präventive Maßnahmen zu ergreifen. Ziel der vorliegenden Übersicht ist die Darstellung der Literatur zu diesem Thema.
A Comprehensive Analysis of Passenger Alighting and Boarding Rates
Authors: Harris Nigel G , de Simone Flavia , Condry Ben
Published: March 2022

The understanding and management of station stops continues to be a key issue in the operation of urban railways. This paper reports a statistical meta-analysis of passenger alighting and boarding rates from an expansion of a real-life worldwide data set which includes 34 different variables reflecting characteristics of passenger flow, rolling stock design, infrastructure and management actions. This has enabled the authors to identify, test hypotheses about, and quantify the impact of, previously-untested variables. A stepwise regression method using the R statistical package was proposed and developed into a more tractable model with fewer variables. This process eliminated those variables shown to provide no statistical explanation (including the presence of platform edge doors). Of the remaining 18 hypothesised variables, all provided some form of statistical explanation at the 90% level (or more) in one model or another. The results will help railways and transport authorities around the world manage station stops, through timetabling and appropriate investment.
Empirical Bayes and Selective Inference
Authors: Rasines Daniel García , Young G. Alastair
Published: March 2022

We review the empirical Bayes approach to large-scale inference. In the context of the problem of inference for a high-dimensional normal mean, empirical Bayes methods are advocated as they exhibit risk-reducing shrinkage, while establishing appropriate control of frequentist properties of the inference. We elucidate these frequentist properties and evaluate the protection that empirical Bayes provides against selection bias.