bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prognostic significance of clinical characteristics and 18Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography quantitative parameters in patients with primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Liu Yizhen , Jiang Jinjin , Liu Lianfang , Wang Zezhou , Yu Baohua , Xia Zuguang , Zhang Qunling , Ji Dongmei , Liu Xiaojian , Lv Fangfang , Hong Xiaonan , Song Shaoli , Cao Junning
Published: January 2022

Objective

Primary mediastinal B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) lacks standard treatment regimens. This study aimed to identify the disease’s clinical features and prognostic factors.

Methods

This retrospective study included 56 patients with PMBCL. Patient demographic details and clinicopathological characteristics were summarized, and their effects on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were analyzed.

Results

The median patient age was 29 years (range, 14–56). Twenty-two patients received DA-EPOCH-R (dose-adjusted etoposide, vincristine, and doxorubicin for 96 hours with bolus doses of cyclophosphamide and oral prednisone, as well as rituximab), and 34 patients received R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone). Clinical/laboratory parameters, overall response rates, and 5-year PFS and OS rates did not differ between the treatment groups. Kaplan–Meier analysis indicated that late-stage disease and a higher International Prognostic Index (IPI) were associated with shorter PFS and OS. Furthermore, patients with B symptoms and first-line treatment non-responders exhibited worse OS. 18Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography/computed tomography quantitative parameters, such as higher metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG), were corrected with shorter PFS.

Conclusions

This study revealed that stage IV disease, higher IPI, and B symptoms were poor prognostic factors in patients with PMBCL. Significantly, higher MTV and TLG portended worse PFS.
Carbon ion radiotherapy with complete tumor regression for primary malignant melanoma of female urethra orifice: a case report
Authors: Li Xiaojun , Zhang Yihe , Zhang Yanshan , Ye Yancheng , Qi Ying , Hu Tingchao , Pan Xin
Published: January 2022

Primary malignant melanoma of the female urethra (PMMFU) is extremely rare, accounting for 0.2% of all melanomas, and fewer than 200 cases have been reported worldwide. Because of the small number of clinical cases and unclear biological characteristics, there is no uniform and standard treatment protocol. We herein describe the treatment of PMMFU using carbon ion radiotherapy. The radiotherapy was delivered at 60.8 Gy (RBE) in 16 fractions, once daily, five times per week. The patient achieved complete tumor disappearance within 1 year after carbon ion radiotherapy and remained disease-free thereafter. She developed acute grade 1 radiation dermatitis and urethritis, which resolved quickly; no other toxic effects were observed. At the time of this writing, her survival duration was 33 months. This case demonstrates that carbon ion radiotherapy may be a good option for primary genitourinary mucosal malignancies.
Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection in camelids
Authors: Te Nigeer , Ciurkiewicz Malgorzata , van den Brand Judith M. A. , Rodon Jordi , Haverkamp Ann-Kathrin , Vergara-Alert Júlia , Bensaid Albert , Haagmans Bart L. , Baumgartner Wolfgang , Segalés Joaquim
Published: January 2022

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is the cause of a severe respiratory disease with a high case fatality rate in humans. Since its emergence in mid-2012, 2578 laboratory-confirmed cases in 27 countries have been reported by the World Health Organization, leading to 888 known deaths due to the disease and related complications. Dromedary camels are considered the major reservoir host for this virus leading to zoonotic infection in humans. Dromedary camels, llamas, and alpacas are susceptible to MERS-CoV, developing a mild-to-moderate upper respiratory tract infection characterized by epithelial hyperplasia as well as infiltration of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and some macrophages within epithelium, lamina propria, in association with abundant viral antigen. The very mild lesions in the lower respiratory tract of these camelids correlate with absence of overt illness following MERS-CoV infection. Unfortunately, there is no approved antiviral treatment or vaccine for MERS-CoV infection in humans. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop intervention strategies in camelids, such as vaccination, to minimize virus spillover to humans. Therefore, the development of camelid models of MERS-CoV infection is key not only to assess vaccine prototypes but also to understand the biologic mechanisms by which the infection can be naturally controlled in these reservoir species. This review summarizes information on virus-induced pathological changes, pathogenesis, viral epidemiology, and control strategies in camelids, as the intermediate hosts and primary source of MERS-CoV infection in humans.
Medullary bone in male budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) with testicular neoplasms
Authors: Hoggard Nathan K. , Craig Linden E.
Published: January 2022

Medullary bone is a calcium-rich, labile bone normally occurring in female birds with each egg-laying cycle. The stimulus for formation of medullary bone is, in part, the cyclic increase in serum estrogens produced by preovulatory ovarian follicles. Increased bone density due to formation of medullary bone, particularly in pneumatic bones, has been termed polyostotic hyperostosis, even if physiologic. This study investigated the formation of medullary bone in nonpneumatic (femur) and pneumatic (humerus) bones in sexually mature male budgerigars submitted for autopsy. Of the 21 sexually mature male budgerigars submitted for autopsy, 7 (33%) had medullary bone in 1 or more bones examined. All 7 male budgerigars with medullary bone had a testicular neoplasm, which was morphologically consistent with a testicular sustentacular cell tumor, seminoma, or interstitial cell tumor. Medullary bone was not present in the 14 cases with other diseases. Medullary bone formation in pneumatic and nonpneumatic bones can occur in male budgerigars with testicular neoplasms. Radiographic increases in medullary bone density, particularly in the humerus, could provide antemortem indication of testicular neoplasia in male budgerigars.
Immunophenotype of the inflammatory response in the central and enteric nervous systems of cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) experimentally infected with parrot bornavirus 2
Authors: Leal de Araújo Jeann , Rech Raquel R. , Rodrigues-Hoffmann Aline , Giaretta Paula R. , Cirqueira Cinthya , Wenceslau Raphael Rocha , Tizard Ian , Diaz-Delgado Josué
Published: January 2022

Proventricular dilatation disease is a lethal disease of psittacine birds. In this study, we characterized the local cellular immune response in the brain, proventriculus, and small intestine of 27 cockatiels ( Nymphicus hollandicus) experimentally infected with parrot bornavirus 2 (PaBV-2). Perivascular cuffs in the brain were composed of CD3+ T-lymphocytes and Iba1+ macrophages/microglia in most cockatiels (n = 26). In the ganglia of the proventriculus, CD3+ T-lymphocytes (n = 17) and Iba1+ macrophages (n = 13) prevailed. The ganglia of the small intestine had a more homogeneous distribution of these leukocytes, including PAX5+ B-lymphocytes (n = 9), CD3+ T-lymphocytes (n = 8), and Iba1+ macrophages (n = 8). Our results indicate that perivascular cuffs in the brain and the inflammatory infiltrate in the proventriculus of PaBV-2-infected cockatiels is predominately composed of T-lymphocytes, while the inflammatory infiltrates in the ganglia of the small intestine are characterized by a mixed infiltrate composed of T-lymphocytes, B-lymphocytes, and macrophages.
Trophoblast emboli in the lung of a snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus)
Authors: Mainenti Marta , Van Wettere Arnaud J.
Published: January 2022

Spontaneous migration of placental trophoblasts into maternal blood vessels and embolization to other organs (ie, lung, adrenal gland, spleen, and liver) occurs in women and certain animals with hemochorial placentation. Although considered incidental in most species, increased incidence and numbers of trophoblast emboli are reported in women with gestational diseases with arterial hypertension (pre-eclampsia and eclampsia). To the best of our knowledge, trophoblast emboli have not been reported in lagomorphs. This case report describes the identification of trophoblast emboli in the lung of a wild snowshoe hare ( Lepus americanus). Death of this hare was attributed to pulmonary hemorrhages and hemothorax, but a definitive cause for the hemorrhages was not determined. It is unclear whether trophoblast embolism normally occurs in this species and represents an incidental finding, or whether it possibly contributed to rupture of pulmonary or thoracic blood vessels leading to hemorrhage.
Ferrets are valuable models for SARS-CoV-2 research
Authors: Ciurkiewicz Malgorzata , Armando Federico , Schreiner Tom , de Buhr Nicole , Pilchová Veronika , Krupp-Buzimikic Vanessa , Gabriel Gülşah , von Köckritz-Blickwede Maren , Baumgärtner Wolfgang , Schulz Claudia , Gerhauser Ingo
Published: January 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), resulted in an ongoing pandemic with millions of deaths worldwide. Infection of humans can be asymptomatic or result in fever, fatigue, dry cough, dyspnea, and acute respiratory distress syndrome with multiorgan failure in severe cases. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 is not fully understood, and various models employing different species are currently applied. Ferrets can be infected with SARS-CoV-2 and efficiently transmit the virus to contact animals. In contrast to hamsters, ferrets usually show mild disease and viral replication restricted to the upper airways. Most reports have used the intranasal inoculation route, while the intratracheal infection model is not well characterized. Herein, we present clinical, virological, and pathological data from young ferrets intratracheally inoculated with SARS-CoV-2. Infected animals showed no significant clinical signs, and had transient infection with peak viral RNA loads at 4 days postinfection, mild to moderate rhinitis, and pulmonary endothelialitis/vasculitis. Viral antigen was exclusively found in the respiratory epithelium of the nasal cavity, indicating a particular tropism for cells in this location. Viral antigen was associated with epithelial damage and influx of inflammatory cells, including activated neutrophils releasing neutrophil extracellular traps. Scanning electron microscopy of the nasal respiratory mucosa revealed loss of cilia, shedding, and rupture of epithelial cells. The currently established ferret SARS-CoV-2 infection models are comparatively discussed with SARS-CoV-2 pathogenesis in mink, and the advantages and disadvantages of both species as research models for zoonotic betacoronaviruses are highlighted.
Roughness sub-layer wind speed model for tropical wooded areas
Authors: Richmond-Navarro Gustavo , Montenegro-Montero Mariana , Casanova-Treto Pedro , Hernández-Castro Franklin , Monge-Fallas Jorge
Published: January 2022

There are few reports in the literature regarding wind speed near the ground. This work presents a model for wind speed from 4 m above the ground, based on year-round measurements in two meteorological towers. Each tower is equipped with anemometers at five heights, as well as thermometers and pressure and relative humidity sensors. The data is processed using Eureqa artificial intelligence software, which determines the functional relationship between variables using an evolutionary search technique called symbolic regression. Using this technique, models are found for each month under study, in which height and temperature are the variables that most affect wind speed. The model that best predicts the measured wind speeds is then selected. A polynomial function directly proportional to height and temperature is identified as the one that provides the best predictions of wind speed on average, within the rough sub-layer. Finally, future work is identified on testing the model at other locations.
Kidney and Mortality Outcomes Associated with Ondansetron in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Gray Matthew , Priyanka Priyanka , Kane-Gill Sandra , Wang Lirong , Kellum John A.
Published: January 2022

Background: Ondansetron is a preferred anti-emetic in critical care to treat nausea and vomiting, and has historically been considered a largely safe option. A recent pharmacoepidemiology study reported that ondansetron may be associated with an increased risk for acute kidney injury (AKI). Methods: We interrogated the High-Density Intensive Care (HiDenIC-15) database containing intensive care data for 13 hospitals across Western Pennsylvania between Oct 2008-Dec 2014. AKI was defined using the Kidney Disease, Improving Global Outcomes 2012 guidelines. Ondansetron use was considered as receiving any form of ondansetron within 24 h of admission. The subsequent 48 h (hours 25-72 after admission) were analyzed for outcomes. Primary outcome was development of AKI; secondary outcomes included 90-day mortality and time to AKI. Propensity-matched, multivariate logistic regression was applied for both outcomes. Comparator groups were metoclopramide and prochlorperazine using the same exposure criteria. Results:AKI occurred in 965 (5.6%), 12 (3.0%), and 61 (6.5%) patients receiving ondansetron, prochlorperazine, and metoclopramide, respectively. In the adjusted analysis, no anti-emetic was associated with a significant change in the odds of developing AKI. Ondansetron was associated with a 5.48% decrease (CI −6.17–−4.79) in death within 90 days of ICU-admission, which was independent of AKI status; an effect not seen with other anti-emetics. Anti-emetic usage was not associated with a change in the time to first AKI. Conclusion:Anti-emetic usage did not alter AKI risk. Ondansetron was associated with a significant decrease in 90-day mortality that was not seen by other anti-emetics, which requires further exploration.
Lipid-mediated biosynthetic labeling strategy for in vivo dynamic tracing of avian influenza virus infection
Authors: Liu Junfang , Su Minhong , Chen Xin , Li Zhongli , Fang Zekui , Yi Li
Published: January 2022

Monitoring the infection behavior of avian influenza viruses is crucial for understanding viral pathogenesis and preventing its epidemics among people. A number of viral labeling methods have been utilized for tracking viral infection process, but most of them are laborious or decreasing viral activity. Herein we explored a lipid biosynthetic labeling strategy for dynamical tracking the infection of H5N1 pseudotype virus (H5N1p) in host. Biotinylated lipids (biotinyl Cap-PE) were successfully incorporated into viral envelope when it underwent budding process by taking advantage of host cell-derived lipid metabolism. Biotin-H5N1p virus was effectively in situ–labeled with streptavidin-modified near-infrared quantum dots (NIR SA-QDs) using streptavidin-biotin conjugation with well-preserved virus activities. Dual-labeled imaging obviously shows that H5N1p viruses are primarily taken up in host cells via clathrin-mediated endocytosis. In animal models, Virus-conjugated NIR QDs displayed extraordinary photoluminescence, superior stability, and tissue penetration in lung, allowing us to long-term monitor respiratory viral infection in a noninvasive manner. Importantly, the co-localization of viral hemagglutinin protein and QDs in infected lung further conformed the dynamic infection process of virus in vivo. Hence, this in situ QD-labeling strategy based on cell natural biosynthesis provides a brand-new and reliable tool for noninvasion visualizing viral infection in body in a real-time manner.
The Association Between Bullying Victimization and Fighting in School Among US High School Students
Authors: Chacon Marco , Raj Anita
Published: January 2022

In-school fighting often results in severe punishment and compromised learning outcomes, without adequate consideration of contextual factors or student vulnerabilities. In this study, using a large, nationally representative data sample from the 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey ( N = 13677), we assessed associations between a history of bullying victimization (at school and online) and past year fighting at school among U.S. high school students. Multiple regression models were used, adjusting first for demographics, and then for demographics and emotional-behavioral risks (depressive symptoms, alcohol consumption, and sexual violence victimization), for the total sample and then stratified by gender/sex. Both cyberbullying and in-school bullying were significantly associated with past year in-school fighting for the total sample, with associations retained, but marginally attenuated in fully adjusted models (cyberbullying: AOR: 1.30; 95% CI: 1.01–1.66 and in-school bullying: AOR: 1.96, 95% CI: 1.57–2.45). Gender/sex-stratified models demonstrated retained associations for males (cyberbullying: AOR: 1.93; 1.51–2.46 and in-school bullying: AOR: 2.70, 95% CI: 2.18–3.34) and females (cyberbullying: AOR: 1.89; 1.33–2.68 and in-school bullying: AOR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.19–2.33) after adjusting for demographics, but only for males after adjusting for demographics and emotional-behavior risk factors (cyberbullying: AOR: 1.43; 95% CI: 1.07–1.93 and in-school bullying: AOR: 2.25; 95% CI: 1.73–2.92). These results demonstrate a significant association between bullying victimization and fighting, which was amplified for male students, and partially explained by social and emotional risks. This suggests that punitive approaches to fighting in school may be resulting in compounded harms for already vulnerable adolescents and that support-oriented approaches emphasizing conflict resolution, social-emotional well-being, positive gender identity development, and bullying prevention may be more appropriate.
Overcoming and Penalizing Precarity: Narratives of Drug Personalities Arrested in the Philippine War on Drugs
Authors: Gutierrez Filomin C.
Published: January 2022

The article problematizes state penality as a mechanism of repression of precarious workers through a war on drugs in the Philippines. The narratives of 27 arrested ‘drug personalities’ in Metro Manila tell of how methamphetamine energizes bodies and motivates minds for productive work. Bidding to be classified as willing and able workers and family men, the study’s participants orient to a moral stratification that pits the ‘moral versus immoral’ and the ‘hardworking versus lazy’. Qualifying their drug use as strategic and calculated, they uphold the neoliberal values of individual choice and accountability. Their support for the anti-drug campaign stems from their recognition of a drug problem and the socioemotional toll of the dysfunctions of living in the slums. While trade liberalization facilitates methamphetamine inflow, a war on drugs fuels an authoritarian populism. As the state reaffirms symbolic mission to protect its citizens, it blames precarity to a problem population.
Effect of process parameters on formability in two-point incremental forming-machining of planar and twisted AA5083 blades
Authors: Ghorbani-Menghari Hossein , Azadipour Mehrdad , Ghasempour-Mouziraji Mehran , Hoon Moon Young , Hoon Kim Ji
Published: January 2022

The deformation machining process (DMP) involves machining and incremental forming of thin structures. It can be applied for manufacturing products such as curved-surface blades without using 5-axis computerised numerical control machines. This work presents the effect of tool diameter and forming temperature on spring-back and dimensional accuracy of a simple fabricated part. The results of the first phase of the study are utilised to design the fabrication process of a curved surface blade. A feature-based algorithm is used to design the tool path for the forming process. The dimensional accuracy of the final product is improved through warm forming, two-point incremental forming, and extension of the bending zone to the outside of the product edges. The results show that DMP can be used to fabricate complex curved-surface workpieces with acceptable dimensional accuracy.
Front vehicle detection based on improved fusion method for lidar and visual image
Authors: Li Aijuan , Chen Zhenghong , Ning Donghong , Huang Xin , Liu Gang
Published: January 2022

In order to ensure the detection accuracy, an improved adaptive weighted (IAW) method is proposed in this paper to fuse the data of images and lidar sensors for the vehicle object’s detection. Firstly, the IAW method is proposed in this paper and the first simulation is conducted. The unification of two sensors’ time and space should be completed at first. The traditional adaptive weighted average method (AWA) will amplify the noise in the fusion process, so the data filtered with Kalman Filter (KF) algorithm instead of with the AWA method. The proposed IAW method is compared with the AWA method and the Distributed Weighted fusion KF algorithm in the data fusion simulation to verify the superiority of the proposed algorithm. Secondly, the second simulation is conducted to verify the robustness and accuracy of the IAW algorithm. In the two experimental scenarios of sparse and dense vehicles, the vehicle detection based on image and lidar is completed, respectively. The detection data is correlated and merged through the IAW method, and the results show that the IAW method can correctly associate and fuse the data of the two sensors. Finally, the real vehicle test of object vehicle detection in different environments is carried out. The IAW method, the KF algorithm, and the Distributed Weighted fusion KF algorithm are used to complete the target vehicle detection in the real vehicle, respectively. The advantages of the two sensors can give full play, and the misdetection of the target objects can be reduced with proposed method. It has great potential in the application of object acquisition.
Optimal design of a novel crash box with functional gradient negative Poisson’s ratio structure
Authors: Zhou Guan , Yan Pengfei , Wang Qi , Dai Shijuan , Li Xiang , Hao Yan , Wang Yuanlong
Published: January 2022

Crashworthiness and anti-vibration performance play critical roles in the performance of passenger cars. Aiming at enhancing the crash resistance and vibration resistance of vehicles thus providing good protection for passengers and drivers, a novel crash box with three-dimensional double arrow type negative Poisson’s ratio structure with functional gradient filling inner core (FGNPR crash box) is introduced in this paper and its performance is studied in detail through the comparison with the conventional crash box and the crash box filled with the uniform gradient negative Poisson’s ratio structure (NPR crash box) in crashworthiness and vibration resistance. Furthermore, range analysis is used to screen out the design variables that have little influence on the evaluation indexes and eliminate them. Based on these, neighborhood cultivation genetic algorithm (NCGA) and non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm-ii (NSGA-II) are selected as the optimization algorithms to carry out optimization design respectively and a comparison is made between the two suboptimal results screened out based on the normal boundary intersection (NBI) method to determine the overall optimal solution. Results show that the optimized FGNPR crash box has better crashworthiness and vibration resistance over the other crash boxes and its performance is further verified based on the peak acceleration of B-pillar in full vehicle crash condition. This paper provides some theoretical reference support for the development and exploration of automobile crash box systems.
Investigation of the buckling behavior of a control arm with Si particle reinforced aluminum based metal composite material
Authors: Oruç Çağrı , Özdemir Okan
Published: January 2022

Control arms are subjected to static and dynamic loads in car during their lifetime. Recent increases in loads in which control arms are subjected, are not complying with the low-weight design targets expected by auto makers. In this study, buckling behavior of control arms which have been produced with Si particle reinforced aluminum based metal composite material have been investigated and compared with the performance of control arms that are produced with standard aluminum alloy. The results revealed that mechanical properties of control arm housings with 10% Sip MMC material are lower than standard 6110 alloy due to different process parameters. Elasticity of modulus of control arm housings with 10% Sip MMC material are approximately 7% higher than standard aluminum alloys. Buckling results of control arms with 10% Sip MMC material are around 25% lower that control arms with standard 6110 alloy. Also, a second darker phase was found in the microstructure.
An approach with multi-tier automotive knowledge formalization for troubleshooting activities
Authors: Liang Jeremy S
Published: January 2022

Automotive troubleshooting process integrates repairing activities that are executed through auto professionals when they note phenomenon or conditions and determine about inspections, instructions, or checks, so as to tackle the trouble that affects a car. This study is focused on the knowledge representation for the aim of decision making in automotive troubleshooting process for automotive braking system. To reach this purpose, there are three phases followed: (1) a knowledge representation with procedural mode is investigated from an aspect of decision making; (2) a simple, instinctive, and efficient architecture of automotive knowledge formalization is presented; (3) an approach to generate troubleshooting procedures is defined. A new form, named diagram of expanded transformation (DoET), to represent knowledge and depict three fundamental tiers of decision making in the present or future disposal: processing strategy, quantity, and inapplicability. The approach can be also utilized manually to create DoETs from auto repair manuals (ARMs) or to build them spontaneously applying the messages feasible on workshop lists regarding single, multi-tier troubleshooting processes. The DoETs with auto repair manuals for auto braking system is validated. The acquired model can be utilized as a base structure for troubleshooting assisted systems generation.
Numerical analysis of WaveOne Gold and 2Shape endodontic files during root canal treatment
Authors: Thakur Vinod Singh , Kankar Pavan Kumar , Parey Anand , Jain Arpit , Kumar Jain Prashant
Published: January 2022

This study aims to develop and analyse a finite element model of the endodontic nickel-titanium (NiTi) instrument during the root canal treatment (RCT). The 3D model of the tooth and the endodontic instrument has been created using computer-aided design software. The nonlinear explicit dynamic analysis in the CAE package (ANSYS) has been used to analyse the mechanical behaviour of endodontic instruments such as total deformation, equivalent elastic strain, and equivalent stress during canal preparation. The mechanical behaviour of three commercially available endodontic NiTi alloy instruments such as WaveOne Gold (WOG), 2Shape 1 (TS1) and 2Shape 2 (TS2) endodontic files was evaluated using FEA. Consequently, the effect of deformation, equivalent stress and equivalent elastic strain on endodontic files during cleaning and shaping are investigated and compared. The results show that the total deformation and equivalent elastic strain are maximum in the TS1 endodontic file in comparison to TS2 and WOG files.
A review on experimental and numerical investigations of cortical bone fracture
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Ghosh Rajesh
Published: January 2022

This paper comprehensively reviews the various experimental and numerical techniques, which were considered to determine the fracture characteristics of the cortical bone. This study also provides some recommendations along with the critical review, which would be beneficial for future research of fracture analysis of cortical bone. Cortical bone fractures due to sports activities, climbing, running, and engagement in transport or industrial accidents. Individuals having different diseases are also at high risk of cortical bone fracture. It has been observed that osteon orientation influences cortical bone fracture toughness and fracture mechanisms. Apart from this, recent studies indicate that fracture parameters of cortical bone also depend on many factors such as age, sex, temperature, osteoporosis, orientation, location, loading condition, strain rate, and storage facility, etc. The cortical bone regains its fracture toughness due to various toughening mechanisms. Owing to these factors, several experimental, clinical, and numerical investigations have been carried out to determine the fracture parameters of the cortical bone. Cortical bone is the dense outer surface of the bone and contributes to 80%–82% of the skeleton mass. Cortical bone experiences load far exceeding body weight due to muscle contraction and the dynamics of motion. It is very important to know the fracture pattern, direction of fracture, location of the fracture, and toughening mechanism of cortical bone. A basic understanding of the different factors that affect the fracture parameters and fracture mechanisms of the cortical bone is necessary to prevent the failure and fracture of cortical bone. This review has summarized the advancement considered in the various experimental techniques and numerical methods to get complete information about the fracture mechanisms of cortical bone.
Family policies’ long-term effects on poverty: a comparative analysis of single and partnered mothers
Authors: Zagel Hannah , Van Lancker Wim
Published: January 2022

This study investigates whether generous family policies at the transition to parenthood reduce single and partnered mothers’ economic disadvantages later in the life course. Previous research usually focused on the immediate effects of family policies and disregards potential longer-term effects. In this study, we suggest taking a life-course perspective to study the relationships between family policy and mothers’ poverty risks. We empirically investigate how investment in child benefits, childcare services and parental leave measures at the transition to parenthood are associated with poverty outcomes at later life stages and whether these associations hold over time. We draw on pooled EU-SILC data, and an original policy dataset based on OECD expenditure data for child benefits, childcare and parental leave from 1994 to 2015. We find that mothers’ observed increase in poverty over time is slower in countries with high levels of spending for childcare at the transition to parenthood than in lower spending countries. The gap between partnered and single mothers was also diminishing in contexts of high childcare expenditure. For the other two policies, we did not find these links. These results do lend support to the claim that childcare is a prime example of a social investment policy with returns later in the life course and represents a life-course policy that seems to be able to disrupt economic path dependencies. The results for the other two policies suggest, however, a limited potential of family policy spending at transition to parenthood to reduce the poverty gap between partnered and single mothers over the course of life.
The four global worlds of welfare capitalism: Institutional, neoliberal, populist and residual welfare state regimes
Authors: Yörük Erdem , Öker İbrahim , Tafoya Gabriela Ramalho
Published: January 2022

What welfare state regimes are observed when the analysis is extended globally, empirically and theoretically? We introduce a novel perspective into the ‘welfare state regimes analyses’ – a perspective that brings developed and developing countries together and, as such, broadens the geographical, empirical and theoretical scope of the ‘welfare modelling business’. The expanding welfare regimes literature has suffered from several drawbacks: (i) it is radically slanted towards organisation for economic co-operation and development (OECD) countries, (ii) the literature on non-OECD countries does not use genuine welfare policy variables and (iii) social assistance and healthcare programmes are not utilized as components of welfare state effort and generosity. To overcome these limitations, we employ advanced data reduction methods, exploit an original dataset ( https://glow.ku.edu.tr/ ) that we assembled from several international and domestic sources covering 52 emerging markets and OECD countries and present a welfare state regime structure as of the mid-2010s. Our analysis is based on genuine welfare policy variables that are theorized to capture welfare generosity and welfare efforts across five major policy domains: old-age pensions, sickness cash benefits, unemployment insurance, social assistance and healthcare. The sample of OECD countries and emerging market economies form four distinct welfare state regime clusters: institutional, neoliberal, populist and residual. We unveil the composition and performance of welfare state components in each welfare state regime family and develop politics-based working hypotheses about the formation of these regimes. Institutional welfare state regimes perform high in social security, healthcare and social assistance, while populist regimes perform moderately in social assistance and healthcare and moderate-to-high in social security. The neoliberal regime performs moderately in social assistance and healthcare, and it performs low in social security, and the residual regime performs low in all components. We then hypothesize that the relative political strengths of formal and informal working classes are key factors that shaped these welfare state regime typologies.
Future of information retrieval systems and the role of library and information science experts in their development
Authors: Asadnia Abolfazl , CheshmehSohrabi Mehrdad , Shabani Ahmad , Asemi Asefeh , Demneh Mohsen Taheri
Published: January 2022

Many organizations and businesses are using futurology to keep pace with the ever-increasing changes in the world, as the businesses and organizations need to be updated to achieve organizational and business growth and development. A review of the previous studies has shown that no systematic research has been already conducted on the future of information retrieval systems and the role of library and information science experts in the future of such systems. Therefore, a qualitative study was conducted by reviewing resources, consulting experts, doing interaction analysis, and writing scenarios. The results demonstrated 13 key factors affecting the future of information retrieval systems in the form of two driving forces of social determinism and technological determinism, and four scenarios of Canopus star, Ursa major, Ursa minor, and single star. The results also showed the dominance of technology and social demand and its very important role in the future of information retrieval systems.
Integrative Approach to COVID-19: An Indian Facebook Recipe for Mental Health
Authors: Anand Akshay , Tyagi Rahul , Khosla Radhika , Bali Parul , Rain Manjari , Maity Kalyan , Verma Prashant , Gupta Sheetal J , Nadholta Pooja , Kaur Navneet , Sharma Kiran , Tripathi Satyam , Avti Pramod , Singh Amit
Published: January 2022

Background:

The COVID-19 pandemic has given the world a big blow and has forced the entire world to develop a new thought process. To cope with the stress of lockdown, it was important for people to indulge in educational and health activities to save them from the threats being caused by the news and social media.

A Facebook page named Yoga scholars Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) was created where three sessions were held per day for 225 days regularly. This activity resulted in people adopting an integrative approach towards alternative medicine.

Key message:

This also made possible a trial of Ashwagandha for COVID-19 treatment by the Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy (AYUSH) ministry.
Teaching Gerontology in Transcultural Academics: A Phenomenographic Study of Thai and Swedish Nurse Educators’ Conceptions of Gerontological Nursing
Authors: Mattsson Karin , Rosendahl Sirpa
Published: January 2022

Introduction:

There is an urgent need for registered nurses with gerontological competence within long-term care (LTC) of older adults. Despite increases of life expectancy, LTC for older adults is not emphasized in nursing curricula in neither Sweden nor Thailand. Thus, the aim was to explore conceptions on gerontological nursing (GN) among Swedish and Thai nurse educators.

Method:

A qualitative phenomenographic method, based on open-ended interviews with five Thai and nine Swedish nurse educators was conducted.

Results:

The results indicate a paradox between the educators’ knowledge about the implications of global aging, their hope of own aging, and LTC. The ethical responsibility of being credible and a source of inspiration in teaching about aging are focused, while GN seem to be less important.

Discussion:

To increase students’ interest in GN, measures need to be taken within the educational arenas, where the educators’ own conceptions toward GN, cultural aspects of aging, and LTC are discussed.
Family Self-Sufficiency Program Outcomes for Participants Enrolling During and After the Great Recession
Authors: Santiago Anna Maria , Leroux Joffré
Published: January 2022

Utilizing administrative data from the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program operated by the Denver Housing Authority, four program outcomes, (a) savings and escrow growth, (b) credit and debt reduction, (c) employment and earnings, and (d) positive exits from subsidized housing, are examined to assess if any differences exist between participants ( n = 424) who enrolled during or after the Great Recession. Propensity score matching with replacement was employed to match FSS enrollees. Compared to post-Great Recession enrollees, results suggest that enrollees entering the program during the Great Recession were more likely to reduce their monthly contractual debt and derogatory debt, increase monthly earned income, and remain in the FSS Program longer. Findings suggest that attaining participant financial capability goals is possible during severe economic shocks and may provide vulnerable families with additional capacity to weather such shocks.
Finite deformation and fractional order viscoelasticity of an auxetic foam
Authors: Stanisauskis Eugenia , Miles Paul , Oates William
Published: January 2022

Auxetic foams exhibit novel mechanical properties due to their unique microstructure for improved energy-absorption and cavity expansion applications that have fascinated the scientific community since their inception. Given the advancements in material processing and performance of polymer open cell auxetic foams, there is a strong desire to fully understand the nonlinear rate-dependent deformation of these materials. The influence of nonlinear compressibility is introduced here along with relaxation effects to improve model predictions for different stretch rates and finite deformation regimes. The viscoelastic behavior of the material is analyzed by comparing fractional order and integer order calculus models. All results are statistically validated using maximum entropy methods to obtain Bayesian posterior densities for the hyperelastic, auxetic, and viscoelastic parameters. It is shown that fractional order viscoelasticity provides [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] improvement in prediction over integer order viscoelastic models when the model is calibrated at higher stretch rates where viscoelasticity is more significant.
Principle and structure of a multi-chamber piezoelectric pump with large flow rate integrated into printed circuit board
Authors: Peng Yun-Hao , Wang Dai-Hua , Tang Lian-Kai
Published: January 2022

Parametric simulation of multi-chamber piezoelectric pump proposed by authors shows that its flow rate is positively correlated with chamber compression ratio when height of chamber wall is not less than central deflection of circular piezoelectric unimorph actuator (CPUA). Therefore, in this paper, principle and structure of multi-chamber piezoelectric pump with novel CPUAs with three-layer structure are proposed and realized, so as to improve its chamber compression ratio, and then improve its flow rate. Its processing technology compatible with PCB processing technology is studied and its flow rate model is established. Central deflection of CPUA with three-layer structure and the flow rate characteristics are tested. Experimental results show that when the central deflection of CPUA with three-layer structure reaches the maximum value of 106.8 μm, the chamber compression ratio and flow rate of multi-chamber piezoelectric pump reach the maximum value of 50% and 3.11 mL/min, respectively. The maximum flow rate is increased by 622% compared to unimproved pump. By comparing experimental results with numerical and finite element simulation results, the realized multi-chamber piezoelectric pump has large flow rate and the established flow rate model can predict its flow rate.
Optimization of profile and damping layer of plates embedded with acoustic black hole indentations for broadband energy dissipation
Authors: Huang Wei , Tao Chongcong , Ji Hongli , Qiu Jinhao
Published: January 2022

Acoustic Black Hole (ABH) plate structure has shown promising potentials of vibration suppression above a cut on frequency. For energy dissipation below the cut on frequency, however, the ABH is less effective due to the absence of wave focusing effect. This work reports a simultaneous optimization of ABH plates for broadband energy dissipation. Two sets of design variables of ABH plates, that is, geometry of the profile and topology of the damping layer, are optimized in an alternatively nested procedure. A novel objective function, namely the upper limit of kinetic energy, is proposed. Modeling of ABH structures is implemented and dynamic characteristic is solved using finite element method. A rectangular plate embedded with two ABH indentations is presented as a numerical example. Influence of frequency ranges in the calculation and mass ratios of the damping layer on results are discussed. The achieved optimal arrangement of the damping layer is found to cover equally, if not more, above the non-ABH (uniform) part of the plate than the ABH area. This is inconsistent with the conventional believe that damping layers should cover as much of the ABH area as possible. Mechanism of the broadband energy dissipation by the optimal solution is demonstrated.
Effect of operating parameters on functional fatigue characteristics of an Ni-Ti shape memory alloy on partial thermomechanical cycling
Authors: Ganesan Swaminathan , Vedamanickam Sampath
Published: January 2022

In this study, the influence of upper cycle temperature (maximum temperature in a cycle) and the magnitude of applied stress on the functional properties of an SMA during partial thermomechanical cycling has been studied. A near-equiatomic NiTi SMA was chosen and tested under different upper cycle temperatures (between martensite finish (Mf) and austenite finish (Af) temperatures) and stress level (below and above the yield strength of the martensite). The upper cycle temperature was varied by controlling the magnitude of the current supply. The results show that a raise in the upper cycle temperature causes the permanent strain to increase and also lowers the stability. However, decreasing the stress imposed to a value lower than the yield strength of the martensite improves cyclic stability. The upper cycle temperature was found to influence the crack nucleation, whereas the applied stress level the crack propagation during partial thermomechanical cycling of SMAs. Therefore, decreasing the upper cycle temperature as well as the magnitude of stress applied to lower than the yield stress of martensite have been found to be suitable strategies for increasing the lifespan of SMA-based actuators during partial thermomechanical cycling.
Monitoring of drying-induced soil moisture loss with PZT-based EMI technique
Authors: Wu Jianchao , Fang Jie , Wang Jianjun , Liang Yabin , Li Weijie
Published: January 2022

Air-drying process of soil is a crucial procedure in geological and geotechnical engineering. Drying-induced ground subsidence and damage to overlying buildings is a widespread and urgent problem. Monitoring of drying-induced water evaporation in soil is of great importance. In this paper, soil moisture loss monitoring based on lead zirconate titanate (PZT) transducer using electro-mechanical impedance (EMI) technique was investigated. A physical model test in our laboratory was conducted to study the feasibility and applicability. In the experimental research, three identical PZT transducers that were wrapped with waterproof insulation glue were pre-embedded inside a cohesive soil specimen. In addition, another PZT transducer was embedded in a sandy soil specimen to explore the application effect in soil with different composition. EMI signatures of these four PZT patches during the air-drying process were collected and analyzed. Experimental results indicated that the peak frequency in the conductance signatures presented a rightward shift as the water evaporates. Moreover, the corresponding peak magnitude keep decreasing with the continuous development of soil moisture loss. To better quantify the variations, two statistical metrics including root mean square deviation (RMSD) and mean absolute percentage deviation (MAPD) were employed to study the changing characteristics of the EMI signatures. All these two metrics increase coincidentally in the process. Experimental results demonstrate that cohesive and sandy soil moisture loss monitoring by using the embedded PZT transducer is feasible and reliable. This work also serves as a proof-of-concept study to demonstrate the performance of the EMI technique in monitoring the soil moisture content.
Piezoelectric stick-slip actuators with flexure hinge mechanisms: A review
Authors: Qiao Guangda , Li Hengyu , Lu Xiaohui , Wen Jianming , Cheng Tinghai
Published: January 2022

Piezoelectric stick-slip actuators (PSSAs) are famous for ultimate working condition adaptability, simple structure, and positioning accuracy. To meet the demand of industrial application, lots of PSSAs designed with flexure hinge mechanisms (FHMs-PSSAs) have been developed to realize the requirements of translational motion, rotational motion, multi-degree-of-freedom (multi-DOF) motion. The output performance of the FHMs-PSSAs has been greatly improved, including load capacity, speed, and accuracy; moreover, some approaches to solve the problem of the backward motion are provided as well. In this work, the working principle of FHMs-PSSAs is introduced, and the excitation signals applicable to FHMs-PSSAs are summarized. Based on the current research and development status, the progress of structure design of FHMs-PSSAs is introduced in accordance with translatory FHMs-PSSAs, rotary FHMs-PSSAs, and multi-DOF FHMs-PSSAs. Additionally, the developed analysis methods and design schemes to improve the performance are introduced, including theoretical analysis methods, consistency scheme of forward and reverse performance, suppression scheme of the backward motion, and improvement scheme of positioning accuracy. The significance of this work can be regarded as a further supplement to the previous review articles on the PSSAs, which will provide a reference and guidance for the future development of FHMs-PSSAs.