bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sight-Threatening Immune Retinopathy Developing Secondary to Durvalumab Treatment of Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Case Report
Authors: Kim Doah , Jang Jeong Kyeong , Sung Youngje
Published: April 2024

Introduction: Given the recent additions of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) to various cancer treatments, adverse effects, especially involving the eyes, have been on the rise. Here, we report an acute exacerbation of cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) triggered by durvalumab treatment of small-cell lung cancer (SCLC). Case Presentation: An 81-year-old Asian male complained of a scotoma in the left eye after durvalumab administration, to treat SCLC. Humphrey visual field examination revealed a C-shaped temporal scotoma. Spectralis domain optical coherence tomography revealed outer retinal layer atrophy and progressive loss of the ellipsoid zone in the atrophic peripapillary area. Fundus autofluorescence (AF) images evidenced a large C-shaped hypo-AF with enhanced AF at the margin of the atrophic area, thus at the position of the scotoma. We prescribed subtenon triamcinolone injections under suspicion of CAR exacerbation, supported by positive Western blotting results for Rab6 and aldolase, and immunohistochemical staining of photoreceptor cells. The disrupted ellipsoid zone evident on OCT partially recovered, and a visual field test showed that the scotoma had improved. Conclusion: ICI-triggered exacerbation of CAR should be considered in SCLC patients before ICI treatment commences; an optimal treatment should preserve functional vision.
Complementos de resistência dos materiais. 2. ed.
Authors:   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, Laier José Elias , Barreiro João Carlos ,   Universidade de São Paulo. Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, Savassi Walter
Published: April 2024

O presente texto vem dar continuidade nas publicações referentes às disciplinas de Resistência dos Materiais ministradas na Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos, da Universidade de São Paulo. Nesta segunda edição foram adicionados vários assuntos complementares nos capítulos à exceção do Capítulo III que trata do Método da Energia, uma vez que esse método é muito bem explorado nos textos sobre o Método dos Elementos Finitos hoje em dia muito divulgado no meio da engenharia de estruturas, contemplando desde versões para iniciantes até textos bem completos. No Capítulo I, que aborda o tensor das tensões e das deformações, foi inicialmente trabalhado a questão da ortogonalidade dos autovetores (direções principais) de modo mais expedito, bem como fato de serem sempre reais os autovalores (tensões principais). Além disso, a representação gráfica dos tensores em questão dadas pelo círculo do Mohr foi incluída, não só para esclarecer o caráter extremo das componentes principais, mas pelo fato de que a representação gráfica dos tensores constituir uma ferramenta que permite entender melhor tais grandezas Uma discussão mais detalhada da Lei de Hooke com pequenas incursões na descrição do tensor de quarta ordem das constantes da Lei de Hooke, bem como uma abordagem mais geral no caso do material isótropo, e finalizando-se discorre-se sobre a energia de deformação bem como apresenta-se um breve esboço da formulação matemática dos tensores cartesianos. No Capítulo II, que expõe uma introdução à Teoria da Elasticidade, foi acrescentada apenas uma rápida observação sobre o caráter vetorial da equação de equilíbrio expressa em termos de derivadas do tensor das tensões que, em princípio, constitui um tensor de terceira ordem. No Capítulo IV o Método da Diferenças Finitas é agora formulado com base no desenvolvimento da série de Taylor, procedimento que deixa explícito o grau de convergência dos operadores de diferenças finitas lagrangeanos objeto de maior atenção, além de ser apropriado para a formulação de operadores mais gerais, como os operadores de diferenças finitas hermitianos. No Capítulo V foi acrescentado o estudo ilustrativo do comportamento plástico para o caso de cargas repetidas e também alternada indicando de modo rudimentar a questão da acomodação plástica e do chamado colapso incremental.
Procjena bola kod pacijenata oboljelih od demencije u uznapredovanoj fazi
Authors: Knezić Klaudia , Valent Ružica , Kruško Jasmina , Krznar Mateja
Published: April 2024

Uvod: Starenje populacije donosi izazove u skrbi za starije osobe, posebno za one s Alzheimerovom demencijom. Ovaj tekst istražuje procjenu bola kod osoba s demencijom i koristi se različitim alatima za multidimenzionalnu procjenu bola. Cilj: Cilj je ovog rada istražiti i analizirati različite metode i alate za procjenu bola kod pacijenata oboljelih od demencije u uznapredovanoj fazi. Pregledom relevantne literature i analizom postojećih alata za procjenu bola kod neverbalnih i kognitivno oštećenih osoba, cilj je identificirati najefikasnije i najprimjenjivije alate za kliničku praksu. Metode: U istraživanju su korišteni pretraživači: Pub Med, CROSBI, Hrčak i Academia.edu. Pregledano je 70 izvora o procjeni bola uslijed demencije. Rezultati: Postoje alati za procjenu bola kod neverbalnih i kognitivno oštećenih osoba poput alata za procjenu neugodnosti u demenciji, popisa neverbalnih indikatora bola, instrumenti za procjenu bola nekomunikativnih pacijenata (NOPPAIN), kontrolnog popisa za procjenu bola starijih s otežanom komunikacijom (PACSLAC) i skale za procjenu bola kod uznapredovane demencije (PAINAD). Odabrano je sedam skala za procjenu bola koje se najčešće upotrebljavaju kod demencije, uključujući numeričku skalu, modificiranu neverbalnu skalu bola, PAINAD, Abbey skalu, Bolton alat za procjenu bola, McGillov upitnik za bol (MPQ) i kratki popis bola (BPI). Zaključak: Medicinske sestre primjenjuju holistički pristup pri procjeni bola kod demencije. Nedostatak standardizirane skale otežava preciznost mjerenja. Preporučuje se daljnje istraživanje i razvoj alata za bolju identifikaciju i upravljanje bolom. Edukacija osoblja važna je za poboljšanje kvalitete života osoba s demencijom. Kontinuirani napredak u razumijevanju bola ključan je za optimalnu skrb i dobrobit osoba s demencijom.
Stavovi medicinskih sestara o najzastupljenijim karakteristikama voditelja timova u zdravstvu
Authors: Težak Martina
Published: April 2024

Zdravstveni tim predstavlja oblik rada u području zdravstvene djelatnosti kojim se omogućuje suradnja više različitih stručnjaka usmjerenih na postizanje zajedničkog cilja. Voditelji timova svakodnevno sudjeluju u superviziji, edukaciji i savjetovanju zaposlenika, unapređuju razinu kvalitete, standarda i sigurnosti zdravstvene zaštite u skladu s protokolima medicinske profesije, zdravstvene ustanove i standarda o sigurnosti, cjeloživotnim programima obrazovanja te obavljanju administrativnih poslova. Cilj istraživanja bio je provesti ispitivanje trenutnih stavova medicinskih sestara i tehničara o važnosti pojedinih poželjnih osobina na mjestu voditelja timova u sestrinskoj djelatnosti ovisno o području medicinske djelatnosti i radnom mjestu. Ispitivanje je provedeno krajem 2021. godine i sudjelovao je ukupno 791 ispitanik. Ispitanici su po struci medicinske sestre i tehničari zaposleni u Hrvatskoj. Kao najvažnije poželjne osobine voditelja tima u području palijative, domova zdravlja i srodnih zdravstvenih ustanova ispitanici navode sljedeće: profesionalnost, pravednost, timski igrač, odgovornost prema drugima i suradljivost, a na mjestu voditelja u području hitne medicine, objedinjenog hitnog bolničkog prijema i srodnih zdravstvenih ustanova ispitanici ističu: profesionalnost, timski igrač, odgovornost prema drugima, praktično znanje i motiviranje drugih.
Longitudinal Analysis of the Relationship Between Social Isolation and Hypertension in Early Middle Adulthood
Authors: Parker Marie , Self‐Brown Shannon Renee , Rahimi Ali , Fang Xiangming
Published: April 2024

Background

Most studies have used cross‐sectional or limited follow‐up data to evaluate the relationship between social isolation (SI) and hypertension in older populations. The objective of this analysis was to examine the relationship between longitudinal SI and hypertension in a younger population.

Methods and Results

The present analysis used data from waves I to V of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (1994–2018) and logistic regression models to describe the association of timing, duration, and transitional patterns of SI with hypertension in early middle adulthood. Models were adjusted for demographic variables and adolescent socioeconomic and health‐related confounders. SI was higher across life stages among individuals with hypertension (adolescence: 38% versus 35%, young adulthood: 52% versus 44%, and early middle adulthood: 61% versus 52%). Individuals who were socially isolated in young adulthood or early middle adulthood had greater odds of hypertension in early middle adulthood than those who were not (odds ratio [OR], 1.30 [95% CI, 1.07–1.56]; OR, 1.42 [95% CI, 1.15–1.76], respectively). Early middle adulthood hypertension was significantly associated with persistent SI across all life stages and for those who moved into persistent SI after adolescence (OR, 1.40 [95% CI, 1.02–1.93]; OR, 1.61 [95% CI, 1.18–2.19], respectively).

Conclusions

SI in young or early middle adulthood significantly increased the odds of hypertension, as did moving into SI and the accumulation of SI across life stages. Our analysis provides insights regarding timing for effective interventions to reduce hypertension earlier in the life course, which may prevent future adverse cardiovascular‐related events.
Features of Group Discussion in In-person and Online Focus Groups
Authors: Melnikova Olga T. , Nesterova Ekaterina M.
Published: April 2024

Background. Today, there is a trend towards the introduction of online communication in the field of scientific research. The development of this trend in social psychology was accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and by the requirements of social distancing. These conditions make it difficult to apply qualitative methods in in-person format. The use of online focus groups became relevant for researchers even before the outbreak of the pandemic. However, now the practical importance of studying online focus groups is only increasing. Objectives. The aim of the study is to identify the features of group discussion in in-person and online focus groups. Study Participants. 29 people (27.9 % men, 72.41 % women) from 18 to 25 years old (M = 21.1; SD = 1.95) participated in in-person focus groups, and 24 people (37.5 % men, 62.5 % women) from 18 to 26 years old (M = 22.8; SD = 2.15). Methods. The study involves qualitative content analysis of 10 transcripts of focus groups conducted in face-to-face and online formats between 2019 and 2021. Results. As a result of qualitative content analysis, categories that reflect the features of interaction between participants at each stage of the group discussion in online and in-person focus groups were identified. The features of group discussion in in-person and online focus groups are revealed. Conclusions. (1) In in-person focus groups, self-orientation is observed only at the beginning of the discussion, while in online focus groups, it prevails throughout the discussion; (2) in in-person focus groups, participants' focus on others is expressed in frequent interaction and in asking participants questions; in online groups it manifests itself in giving participants the opportunity to express their opinions and in paying attention to other opinions; (3) in online focus groups, unlike in-person focus groups, participants do not have a psychological community of group members; (4) the effect of group discussion in in-person focus groups is an attempt to reach a single "average" opinion on the issue under discussion, whereas in online focus groups, the aim is in deepening discussion of the topic.
The Christian Population of 16th-Century Ottoman Anatolia: An Overview and Preliminary Observations on Its Location and Numbers in the 1520s
Authors: Moustakas Konstantinos , Kontopanagou Aikaterini Konstantina , Kastrinakis Petros
Published: April 2024

By the 15th century, the transformation of Anatolia into a region with a large Muslim majority had been completed. By then the Christian population in most of Anatolia was either small—in absolute numbers as well as in comparison to Muslims—or non-existent. This general picture has long been known to scholarship, yet no effort has been made to date to provide a systematic overall perspective of the Christian presence in Ottoman Anatolia. This article offers a preliminary overview of the location and relative strength or weakness of that presence in the different parts of Anatolia, based on data from Ottoman fiscal registers that reflect the situation in the 1520s.
Systematics and palaeobiology of kangaroos of the late Cenozoic genus Protemnodon (Marsupialia, Macropodidae)
Authors: KERR ISAAC A.R. , CAMENS AARON B. , VAN ZOELEN JACOB D. , WORTHY TREVOR H. , PRIDEAUX GAVIN J.
Published: April 2024

Species of the kangaroo genus Protemnodon were common members of late Cenozoic communities across Australia and New Guinea until their extinction in the late Pleistocene. However, since the genus was first raised 150 years ago, it has proven difficult to diagnose, as have the species allocated to it. This is due primarily to the incompleteness of the type material and a heavy reliance on cheek tooth size and slight variations in premolar form. Along with the rare association between cranial and postcranial material, this has hampered understanding of the palaeobiology of these large-bodied kangaroos. Here we review and re-diagnose Protemnodon, recognising a total of seven species and providing a hypothesis of species interrelationships. The following new synonymies are made: Protemnodon chinchillaensis is synonymised with P. otibandus and P. hopei with P. tumbuna. The following are considered nomina dubia: Protemnodon brehus, P. roechus, P. mimas, P. antaeus, and P. devisi. We reveal that the morphology of the cheek dentition is not as consistently useful for differentiating species of Protemnodon as features of the cranium and postcranial skeleton. As a whole, the species share anatomical features that reflect stability and power in the limb joints, yet they differ in body proportions, and axial and limb morphology. This we interpret as showing locomotory adaptations to different habitats. Of the three Pliocene species, Protemnodon snewini is interpreted as a medium- to high-geared hopper, suggesting proficiency in more open environments, whereas P. dawsonae sp. nov. we infer to have been a medium-geared inhabitant of eastern Australian forests and woodlands. Protemnodon otibandus, with a range extending through the woodlands and forests of eastern Australia into the rainforests of eastern New Guinea, displays adaptations to slower hopping. Its Pleistocene descendant, P. tumbuna, is convergent on the morphology of modern New Guinea forest wallabies, and was likely facultatively quadrupedal. Of the three Australian Pleistocene species, the long-necked P. anak is hypothesised to have been a large, medium-geared, eastern Australian species, and P. mamkurra sp. nov. a robust, low-geared resident of well-wooded southern Australia habitats. By contrast, P. viator sp. nov. was larger but more gracile, suggested to be a medium- to high-geared species convergent in some traits on large extant kangaroos. This and a wide inland distribution point to adeptness in open, arid environments. Protemnodon mamkurra sp. nov. and P. viator sp. nov. occupy the morphospace previously occupied by P. roechus and P. brehus. Overall, the species of Protemnodon exhibit a degree of ecomorphological variation suggestive of a broader array of ecological adaptations than hitherto envisioned.
Colletotrichum xishanense as a new etiological anthracnose agent on Fagopyrum gracilipes in Yunnan Province, China
Authors: ZHAO SHI-YI , WANG QIU-TONG , GUO MEI-JUN , HOU CHENG-LIN
Published: April 2024

Buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp.) is an important agricultural crop in some remote regions of China. In this study, two strains of Colletotrichum were isolated from brown and grey-white spots on the leaves of Fagopyrum gracilipes in Yunnan Province, China. Phylogenetic analyses inferred from combined ITS, act, chs-1, cal, gapdh, apmat, gs, and tub2 sequences revealed that these isolates are a new species, belonging to the C. gloeosporioides species complex and therefore we introduce as Colletotrichum xishanense. Pathogenicity tests indicated that C. xishanense infects not only herbaceous plant but also woody plant. Given the broader host range and stronger pathogenicity, it is time to focus on disease management and resistance breeding.
Oligosoma eludens sp. nov. (Reptilia: Scincidae) from the Hawkdun, Ida, and Saint Bathans Ranges of North Otago, Aotearoa/New Zealand
Authors: KNOX CAREY , CHAPPLE DAVID G. , BELL TRENT
Published: April 2024

A species of diurnal skink from the Hawkdun, Ida, and Saint Bathans Ranges of North Otago, Aotearoa/New Zealand is described as Oligosoma eludens sp. nov. It is a small species, coloured mid- to dark brown with especially fine, smooth longitudinal stripes, and lives along the edges of greywacke screes in alpine grasslands. This skink is cryptic, fast moving, and displays erratic emergence, generally only being easily detectable in the early morning or evening.
Description of a new Psalmopoeus Pocock, 1895 species (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Psalmopoeinae) from the Chocó region of Ecuador
Authors: DUPÉRRÉ NADINE , TAPIA ELICIO
Published: April 2024

A new species of Theraphosidae, genus Psalmopoeus Pocock, 1895 is described from the Chocó region of Ecuador, Psalmopoeus pristirana n. sp. (male and female). The identity of the female of the recently described Psalmopoeus satanas Peñaherrera-R. & León-E., 2023 is discussed. Images of Psalmopoeus ecclesiasticus Pocock, 1903 are given for comparison and a distribution map of all Ecuadorian Psalmopoeus species is presented.
A new species of Isonychia Eaton, 1871 (Ephemeroptera: Isonychiidae) from Taishun, China based on morphological characteristics and COX1 gene
Authors: HUANG DONG-DONG , SHEN CHEN-YANG , HUANG GUI-YING , YE LIN-YU , WU HUI-YUAN , ZHANG SHU-SHENG , CHENG HONG-YI
Published: April 2024

Isonychia taishunensis Huang, Shen, Zhang & Cheng sp. nov. is described based on larval samples from Taishun County, Zhejiang Province, China. The new species is distinguished from other species of Isonychia Eaton by the following characters: gill plates with spines apically, the color of abdominal tergum X, color pattern of abdominal terga I–IX, and color pattern of each gill plate. The genetic distance between the new species and other species of Isonychia is over 10% using the Kimura 2-parameter model. The phylogenetic relationship of I. taishunensis is close to the clade of I. japonica Ulmer and I. ussurica Bajkova. The morphological characters and molecular data (COX1, Kimura 2-parameter) support that this new species represents the ninth species of the genus Isonychia in China. The modified key to known larvae of the genus Isonychia is provided.
A new species of the genus Indochinamon Yeo & Ng, 2007 (Crustacea: Brachyura: Potamoidea: Potamidae) and a new country record from Northern Vietnam
Authors: DANG KHAI , HOANG ANH TRAM , DO CUONG
Published: April 2024

A new species of freshwater crab, Indochinamon datii n. sp. is described from Xuan Son National Park, Phu Tho Province, Northern Vietnam. The new species external morphology is most similar to I. kimboiense (Dang, 1967) and I. bavi Naruse, Nguyen & Yeo, 2011. However, it can be distinguished from the other species by characters of the carapace, telson and male first gonopod. Indochinamon malipoense Zhang & Sun in Zhang, Pan, Hao & Sun, 2020 is also recorded for the first time in Vietnam.
CCN Activation and Droplet Growth in Pi Chamber Simulations with Lagrangian Particle–Based Microphysics
Authors: Grabowski Wojciech W. , Kim Yongjoon , Yum Seong Soo
Published: April 2024

Numerical simulations of turbulent moist Rayleigh–Bénard convection driving CCN activation and droplet growth in the laboratory Pi chamber are discussed. Supersaturation fluctuations come from isobaric mixing of warm and humid air rising from the lower boundary with colder air featuring lower water vapor concentrations descending from the upper boundary. Lagrangian particle–based microphysics is used to represent the growth of haze CCN and cloud droplets with kinetic, solute, and surface tension effects included. Dry CCN spectra in the range between 2- and 200-nm radii from field observations are considered. Increasing the total CCN concentration from pristine to polluted conditions results in an increase in the droplet concentration and reduction in the mean droplet radius and spectral width. These are in agreement with Pi chamber observations and numerical simulations, as well as with numerous past studies of CCN cloud-base activation in natural clouds. The key result is that a relatively small fraction of the available CCN is activated in the Pi chamber fluctuating supersaturations, from about a half in the pristine case to only a 10th in the polluted case. The activation fraction as a function of the dry CCN radius is similar in all simulations, close to zero at the CCN small end, increasing to a maximum at CCN radius around 50 nm, and decreasing to close to zero at the large CCN end. This is explained as too small supersaturations to activate small CCN as in natural clouds and insufficient time to allow large CCN reaching the critical radius.

Significance Statement

Impact of turbulence on the formation and growth of cloud droplets is an important cloud physics problem. Laboratory experiments in the Michigan Technological University cloud chamber provide key insights into this problem. Numerical simulations of cloud chamber processes discussed in this paper complement laboratory experiments by providing insights difficult or impossible to obtain in the laboratory. The study contrasts the formation and growth of cloud droplets in the laboratory cloud chamber with processes taking place in natural clouds. The differences documented in this paper pose questions concerning the impact of turbulence on the formation and growth of cloud droplets as a result of interactions of clouds with their environment.
Complicating Conversations: English Anglican Perspectives on Abortion
Authors: Leith Jenny , O’Donnell Karen
Published: April 2024

The question at the heart of the matter of abortion is who has the moral authority to decide whether, and under what circumstances, it is ethically justifiable for an abortion to be carried out. Public moral discourse about abortion rests moral authority in one of two poles—either legislators and/or medical professionals or the pregnant person. This article attempts to complicate this discourse through the English Anglican approach of moral discernment through conversation via the work of Rowan Williams. We offer an exploration of this approach whilst retaining first-person authority before turning to relational models of understanding pregnancy to demonstrate the potential of such a mode of moral discernment. Finally, we turn to Catherine Keller to articulate a vision of bodies as always in dialogue in order to argue that moral discernment through conversation might be particularly ontologically suitable for human beings.
John Coltrane's Wisdom Psalm: A Love Supreme (1965)
Authors: LeMon Joel M.
Published: April 2024

John Coltrane's classic recording, "A Love Supreme" (1965) has only one line of lyrics, namely, "A love supreme," which appears at the end of the first part of his four-part jazz suite. To be sure, these words are not a direct quotation of any biblical text. Nevertheless, this study treats the album as an expression of the musical reception history of the Bible. The essay provides a musical analysis of the album's four parts, entitled "Acknowledgement," "Resolution," "Pursuance," and "Psalm," alongside a textual analysis of the liner notes. The analysis shows how Coltrane's work reflects the tradition of sapiential psalmody. This album reveals numerous similarities in form, texture, and theme with the wisdom psalms, especially Psalm 119, the psalm supreme.
Characteristics of in-situ automated fiber placement carbon-fiber-reinforced low-melt polyaryl ether ketone laminates part 1: Manufacturing influences
Authors: Mössinger Ines , Raps Lukas , Fricke Daniel , Freund Jonathan , Löbbecke Miriam , Chadwick Ashley R
Published: April 2024

This study presents an investigation into mechanical and thermal properties, as well as the microstructure of Automated Fiber Placement-manufactured laminates using a novel carbon fiber-reinforced low-melt polyaryl ether ketone polymer material. The material’s lower melting temperature and lower melt viscosity as compared to established high-temperature thermoplastic materials as PEEK, promises favourable characteristics for the Automated Fiber Placement process. This work aims at in-situ consolidation and the influence of a heated tooling and a post process tempering step, which both turned out to be promising in previous investigations. Laminates were manufactured using a cold tooling, a heated tooling configuration, a cold tooling with a subsequent tempering process step and a hot-pressed reference laminate. Differential Scanning Calorimetry showed that crystallinity values more than doubled for the heated tooling and post process tempering configurations, compared to the cold tooling, reaching 24% and 30%, respectively. Mechanical strength values showed an increase in interlaminar shear strength and compression strength but did not increase to the same extent as was expected from the increase in crystallinity. With Scanning Electron Microscopy differences in the microscopic structure of the polymer matrix could be detected. While the post process tempering step leads to a mostly lamellar crystalline structure, the heated tooling configuration and the post process hot pressing induce a predominance of crystalline spherulites, which might positively affect the mechanical performance. Computed Tomography scans revealed a high amount of porosity in the in-situ-manufactured samples and unprocessed tape material, which likely mitigated the positive effect of increased crystallinity.
Urban motorways as spaces of possibility: Urban interstices and everyday practices around a motorway in Sardinia
Authors: Loi Martina
Published: April 2024

In this article, I explore the hypothesis that urban interstices around urban motorways could be intended as spaces of creative, political and performative possibilities not responding to planning and market logic. Urban interstices are context-dependent spaces in a minoritarian position compared to more powerful spaces. Their relationship with planning and investments is ambiguous, because they are by-products of urban processes but temporarily neglected spaces. This leads to a certain degree of freedom in the experimentation of different uses and dynamics. Grounding in Gibson-Graham’s politics of possibility, I provide a re-reading of urban motorways as spaces of possibility where undisciplined spatial forms and dynamics are made visible, conceivable and therefore possible. With an ethnographic approach, I explored the daily practices taking place in the interstices of the urban motorway SS 554, which encircles the city of Cagliari, in Sardinia. I provide an understanding of the daily practices of its inhabitants as a form of non-conflictual everyday politics, intended as a practice of producing urban space always-in-the-making. By observing daily life in urban interstices, I highlight the political possibilities that infrastructure entails and suggest an overcoming of the technocratic and normative gaze usually adopted in work on urban motorways. These urban interstices appear to be spaces of possibility, where the discarded pieces of urban processes are appropriated by inhabitants to produce a different urbanity.
Research on adaptive coupling trajectory tracking anti-swing control strategy for three-dimensional double-pendulum overhead crane
Authors: Li Dong , Xie Tianhu , Li Guowei , Hu Songming , Yao Jingfeng
Published: April 2024

In the transportation process of a three-dimensional double-pendulum overhead crane, the system is significantly influenced by the pronounced coupling introduced by the double-pendulum effect, posing a considerable challenge for the development of effective anti-swing control strategies. Moreover, uncertainties in certain system parameters and errors in trolley positioning contribute to the complexity of anti-swing control strategy design. To address these practical issues, a control strategy is proposed: First, an S-shaped transport trajectory with minimal positioning error is introduced, incorporating more system parameters into the coupling signal design to enhance system coupling. Based on this, an error-coupled trajectory signal is introduced. Second, the error-coupled trajectory signal is integrated into the energy function, and leveraging adaptive principles, an adaptive coupled trajectory tracking anti-swing control strategy is proposed to estimate uncertain system parameters online. Subsequently, the asymptotic stability of the equilibrium point of the closed-loop system is verified using the Lyapunov techniques and the Barbalat lemma. Finally, through simulations and experiments, it is demonstrated that the proposed control strategy not only ensures precise positioning of the trolley and bridge but also effectively suppresses oscillations of the hook and load, exhibiting excellent control performance. Even in scenarios where system parameters undergo changes or external disturbances are introduced, the proposed control strategy exhibits strong robustness and holds significant practical potential.
The association of the prothrombin A19911G single-nucleotide polymorphism and the risk of venous thromboembolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xiang Kehong , Xu Huan , Zhang Yamei , Leng Qiuju , Zhang Feng
Published: April 2024

Background

The study employed meta-analysis to provide a comprehensive synthesis of evidence regarding the association between the prothrombin A19911G polymorphism and the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE).

Method

The databases were searched to identify studies investigating the association between the prothrombin A19911G polymorphism and the risk of VTE. Meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 14.0 software.

Results

A total of five literature studies were included, involving 14,001 participants. Meta-analysis demonstrated that prothrombin A19911G polymorphism increased the risk of VTE (G vs A: OR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.11–1.22, p < .00001; GG + AG vs AA: OR = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.13–1.31, p < .00001; GG vs AG + AA: OR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.14–1.33, p < .00001; AG vs AA: OR = 1.15, 95% CI = 1.06–1.25, p = .0006; GG vs AA: OR = 1.34, 95% CI = 1.22–1.48, p < .00001).

Conclusion

The polymorphism of prothrombin A19911G enhances the susceptibility to VTE.
A framework for collaborative multi-robot mapping using spectral graph wavelets
Authors: Bernreiter Lukas , Khattak Shehryar , Ott Lionel , Siegwart Roland , Hutter Marco , Cadena Cesar
Published: April 2024

The exploration of large-scale unknown environments can benefit from the deployment of multiple robots for collaborative mapping. Each robot explores a section of the environment and communicates onboard pose estimates and maps to a central server to build an optimized global multi-robot map. Naturally, inconsistencies can arise between onboard and server estimates due to onboard odometry drift, failures, or degeneracies. The mapping server can correct and overcome such failure cases using computationally expensive operations such as inter-robot loop closure detection and multi-modal mapping. However, the individual robots do not benefit from the collaborative map if the mapping server provides no feedback. Although server updates from the multi-robot map can greatly alleviate the robotic mission strategically, most existing work lacks them, due to their associated computational and bandwidth-related costs. Motivated by this challenge, this paper proposes a novel collaborative mapping framework that enables global mapping consistency among robots and the mapping server. In particular, we propose graph spectral analysis, at different spatial scales, to detect structural differences between robot and server graphs, and to generate necessary constraints for the individual robot pose graphs. Our approach specifically finds the nodes that correspond to the drift’s origin rather than the nodes where the error becomes too large. We thoroughly analyze and validate our proposed framework using several real-world multi-robot field deployments where we show improvements of the onboard system up to 90% and can recover the onboard estimation from localization failures and even from the degeneracies within its estimation.
Long-Term Performance of Flexible Pavements Containing Crumb Rubber Modified Asphalt in Louisiana
Authors: Pant Shasank , Akentuna Moses , Mohammad Louay N. , Cooper Samuel B. , Cooper Samuel B.
Published: April 2024

The use of crumb rubber modifiers (CRMs) in asphalt mixtures plays a significant role in creating a sustainable circular economy. This study aims to evaluate the field performance of CRM asphalt sections with service years greater than eight. Five field projects were evaluated. Each project had one or two CRM sections constructed alongside a companion control section. Five types of CRM products were considered. A 16-mesh proprietary CRM, a Rouse-80 powder (R-80), and a Neste Wright powder were used in the wet blending process. Further, a 16-mesh generic crumb rubber, a PlusRideTM shredded rubber, and R-80 were used in a dry blend. Field performance data, including rutting, roughness, and cracking, were collected and analyzed. Moreover, economic analysis was performed to ascertain the cost-effectiveness (CE) of constructing CRM sections. Furthermore, laboratory performance indicators measured during construction were analyzed to ascertain their ability to rank field performance. Generally, CRM sections exhibited significantly similar or better ride quality, cracking and rutting resistance, and pavement condition index than their corresponding control sections. In some cases, the styrene-butadiene-styrene polymer modifier showed better cracking resistance in the control sections than the CRMs. CRM asphalt sections generally exhibited higher CE than their corresponding control sections because of their high initial unit costs. The Rouse wet CRM asphalt section in field project 4, which had a relatively lower unit cost, was found to be cost-effective compared to its corresponding control section. The limited laboratory mechanical performance parameters considered were ineffective in consistently ranking field performance indicators.
Human epididymal protein 4 and its combined detection show good diagnostic value in lung cancer: A retrospective study
Authors: Wu Lifang , Chen Xiang , Peng Tingting , Tang Enyan , Bai Wenjing , Chen Liya
Published: April 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the diagnostic value of human epididymal protein 4 (HE4), a potential novel biomarker for lung cancer, and its combined detection with five other conventional biomarkers in lung cancer diagnosis and subtyping.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 115 lung cancer patients, 50 patients with benign pulmonary disease, and 50 healthy controls were included. Serum HE4, progastrin-releasing peptide (ProGRP), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen, cytokeratin-19 fragment (CYFRA21-1), neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were analyzed using the electrochemiluminescence immunoassay and chemiluminescence immunoassay. The receiver operating characteristic curve was performed to analyze the diagnostic efficacy of individual biomarkers in identifying both lung cancer and its histologic subtypes.

Results

All six biomarkers showed significantly elevated levels in the lung cancer group compared to both benign pulmonary disease and control groups ( P < 0.05). Among the biomarkers evaluated, HE4 exhibited the highest diagnostic performance for lung cancer, lung adenocarcinoma, and lung squamous cell carcinoma with area under the curve (AUC) values of 0.921, 0.891, and 0.937, respectively. ProGRP was the optimal biomarker for small cell lung cancer with an AUC of 0.973. The combination of all six biomarkers yielded the largest AUCs in the diagnosis of lung cancer subtypes (0.937 for lung adenocarcinoma, 0.998 for lung squamous cell carcinoma, and 0.985 for small cell lung cancer). Furthermore, specific combinations, such as HE4 + CEA, HE4 + SCC, and ProGRP + HE4 + NSE, showed strong diagnostic performance in lung cancer.

Conclusions

HE4 and its combined detection held substantial clinical significance in the diagnosis of lung cancer and its histologic subtyping, especially for lung adenocarcinoma and lung squamous cell carcinoma.
More resource efficient recycling of copper and copper alloys by using X-ray fluorescence sorting systems: An investigation on the metallic fraction of mixed foundry residues
Authors: Kölking Max , Flamme Sabine , Heinrichs Stefan , Schmalbein Nico , Jacob Martin
Published: April 2024

According to the state of the art, most of the mixed copper and copper alloy scrap and residues are processed in a copper smelter. Despite the environmental and economic advantages relative to primary production, the recycling of copper and its alloying elements (zinc, tin, lead, nickel, etc.) requires significantly more energy and cost than remelting unmixed or pure scrap fractions such as separate collected material or production scrap. To date, however, less attention has been given to the mechanical purification of mixed scrap. Therefore, sorting by alloy-specific components (SBASC) using an industrial X-ray fluorescence (XRF) sorting system was tested on the coarse metallic fraction (10–32 mm) of mixed foundry residues. The findings show that XRF–SBASC can recover higher-grade copper concentrates (reaching 98.3% Cu), leaded brass and complex alloys, such as aluminium bronze and red brass with high purities, for the use in the production of new materials. XRF–SBASC can therefore contribute to a more resource efficient metal recycling, mainly by reducing the energy consumption and loss levels in copper metallurgy.
A review of the mesotheliogenic potency of cleavage fragments found in talc
Authors: Miller E , Beckett EM , Cheatham D , Comerford CE , Lewis RC , Krevanko C , Mandava N , Pierce JS
Published: April 2024

It has long been recognized that amphibole minerals, such as cleavage fragments of tremolite and anthophyllite, may exist in some talc deposits. We reviewed the current state of the science regarding the factors influencing mesotheliogenic potency of cleavage fragments, with emphasis on those that may co-occur in talc deposits, including dimensional and structural characteristics, animal toxicology, and the most well-studied cohort exposed to talc-associated cleavage fragments. Based on our review, multiple lines of scientific evidence demonstrate that inhaled cleavage fragments associated with talc do not pose a mesothelioma hazard.
The Involvement of Caregivers in the End-of-life Care of an Older Adult Living in a Long-term Care Home: A Qualitative Case Study with Nurses and Relatives
Authors: Auclair Isabelle , Bourbonnais Anne
Published: April 2024

Background

A key role of nurses working in long-term care homes (LTCHs) is to promote the involvement of care partners in end-of-life (EOL) care. However, studies on the involvement of care partners in EOL care in LTCHs have focused on care planning and decision-making. While care partners can participate in other ways, it's unclear how they are currently involved in EOL care by staff.

Purpose

We aimed to explore the involvement of care partners in the EOL care of an older adult living in a LTCH.

Methods

A qualitative case study was conducted. Data was collected from a sample of four nurses and three care partners, using sociodemographic questionnaires, individual semi-structured interviews, documents pertaining to the LTCH's philosophy for EOL care, and a field diary.

Results

The results of a thematic analysis showed the broad scope of care partners’ possible involvement, including contributing to care, obtaining information, and being present. As there was some variation in care partners’ desire to be involved, nurses seemed to rely on them to convey their wishes. To promote this involvement, some strategies aimed at health professionals and managers were suggested.

Conclusions

These results can guide improvement in clinical practices and raise awareness on the EOL care experiences of care partners.
Do Peers and National Culture Matter for Capital Structure Decisions of Emerging Market Corporations?
Authors: Zaighum Isma , Aman Ameenullah , Karim Mohd Zaini B. Abd
Published: April 2024

The study investigated how national culture acts as a mediating factor in the connection between peer effects and corporate capital structure in enterprises from emerging market nations. The methodology employs a two-stage least squares technique, incorporating fixed effects and an instrumental variable approach, to analyze the regression results obtained from ordinary least squares. The results indicate that the level of influence exerted by peers is significant for a firm when determining its own level of leverage. Furthermore, it has been noted that enterprises tend to adopt similar cultural traits as their peers, such as minimal power distance, high uncertainty avoidance, individualism and masculinity. Hence, managers may consider their peers’ decisions on leverage in the industry while making assessments about the appropriate level of leverage for their own company. Furthermore, as emerging economies often encounter perplexing and uncertain circumstances, obtaining reliable information from peers’ financial decisions can potentially mitigate the duration and cost associated with making this crucial decision.
Congenital localized cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis in a Holstein calf
Authors: Agerholm Jørgen S. , Mason Gary , Steffen David
Published: April 2024

Distinct solitary dermal nodules, either covered by an alopecic, or sometimes ulcerated, epidermis, were noticed on the head of a stillborn Holstein calf. The head was submitted for autopsy, and the nodules were found to consist of homogeneous, diffuse pale-yellow, soft-tissue masses with distinct margins that elevated the epidermis above the adjacent skin. Histologically, the dermal nodules were well-delineated on the deep margin approaching the cutaneous muscle and consisted of perivascular neoplastic infiltrates of round cells that in some places coalesced into sheets that extended into the dermis and subcutis. Neoplastic cells separated adnexa and collagen. Immunohistochemistry revealed intense tumor cell expression of vimentin, Iba1, E-cadherin, and CD204; expression of CD18 was faint. The masses were diagnosed as Langerhans cell histiocytosis. Congenital cutaneous Langerhans cell histiocytosis has not been reported previously in cattle, to our knowledge, and should be included in the differential diagnosis of congenital nodular skin lesions.
Creative Personality, Team Conflict Profiles, and Team Outcomes
Authors: Schoen Jeremy L. , Schilpzand Marieke C. , Bowler Jennifer L. , O’Neill Thomas A.
Published: April 2024

We develop theory using a novel conceptualization of creative personality to explain how implicit creative personality predicts the development of conflict in teams. Specifically, we contend that implicit creative personality is useful for predicting differing profiles of team conflict that subsequently predict important team outcomes, including performance. Informed by the complexity perspective on conflict, we demonstrate that higher team average levels of implicit creative personality are associated with functional profiles of team conflict that are indicative of team norms of ‘lively debate’ and a robust work ethic, both of which are ultimately beneficial to multiple aspects of team effectiveness. The findings from two samples (including more than 900 individuals in over 240 teams) of undergraduate students largely support our theory. This investigation of the influence of implicit aspects of creative personality on team effectiveness through team conflict offers clarity regarding the way in which creative personality affects team processes and team outcomes. Implications for theory and practice are discussed.
The Gendered Political Consequences of Racialized Sexual Threats
Authors: Smilan-Goldstein Rachel
Published: April 2024

Narratives of racialized sexual violence—specifically, where a dominant-group woman faces harm by a man outside the dominant group—have long been a staple of American political communication. Past scholarship has examined how these threats prime racial resentment among White Americans; less is known about their gendered effects. I present an original survey experiment comparing racialized sexual threats with racialized threats that are not gendered or sexual. Both evoke racial resentment. Compared with solely racial threats, however, racialized sexual threats also make benevolent sexism salient for a range of democratic outcomes. Moreover, I find distinct effects by respondent race and gender, as men and women of different racial identities are situated differently vis a vis racialized sexual threats. To demonstrate that the gendered/sexualized impact of these appeals extends to real-world campaigns, I conclude with an analysis of candidate support in the 1988 presidential election. The 1988 race saw one of the most notorious examples of racialized sexual threat in modern American politics in the “Willie Horton” ad, aired on behalf of the Bush campaign. Even with the limited measures available in that year, I find that sexism played an important role in shaping Americans’ political views.
An Analysis of Homicides by Off-Duty Police Officers
Authors: Culhane Scott E.
Published: April 2024

The current study examined 119 incidents of off-duty police shootings resulting in 123 deaths. Results show that the majority (69%) of off-duty deaths were the cumulative result of the officer being a target of a crime or interjecting themselves to assist others who were targeted. Those who intercede on behalf of others were not subjected to criminal proceedings. Other findings of note revealed how off-duty fatal police shootings frequently involved people of color. The various approaches of states, police departments, and district attorney offices in reporting of these cases was problematic. A greater transparency within the investigation is discussed.
Renal Pathology of Ciliopathies
Authors: Sekar Thivya , Sebire Neil J.
Published: April 2024

Renal ciliopathies are a group of genetic disorders that affect the function of the primary cilium in the kidney, as well as other organs. Since primary cilia are important for regulation of cell signaling pathways, ciliary dysfunction results in a range of clinical manifestations, including renal failure, cyst formation, and hypertension. We summarize the current understanding of the pathophysiological and pathological features of renal ciliopathies in childhood, including autosomal dominant and recessive polycystic kidney disease, nephronophthisis, and Bardet-Biedl syndrome, as well as skeletal dysplasia associated renal ciliopathies. The genetic basis of these disorders is now well-established in many cases, with mutations in a large number of cilia-related genes such as PKD1, PKD2, BBS, MKS, and NPHP being responsible for the majority of cases. Renal ciliopathies are broadly characterized by development of interstitial fibrosis and formation of multiple renal cysts which gradually enlarge and replace normal renal tissue, with each condition demonstrating subtle differences in the degree, location, and age-related development of cysts and fibrosis. Presentation varies from prenatal diagnosis of congenital multisystem syndromes to an asymptomatic childhood with development of complications in later adulthood and therefore clinicopathological correlation is important, including increasing use of targeted genetic testing or whole genome sequencing, allowing greater understanding of genetic pathophysiological mechanisms.