bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Considerations on gradual glutamate accumulation related to cognitive task performance
Authors: Möller Harald E
Published: November 2022

Long-lasting activities with high demand in cognitive control are known to result in cognitive fatigue. However, the reason for control cost inflation remains elusive. A neurometabolic account was proposed in a recent study combining magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) with daylong execution of behavioral tasks. It suggests that control cost during high-demand work is related to the necessity of recycling potentially toxic substances, specifically glutamate, which may accumulate extracellularly. As MRS provides estimates of metabolite concentrations, further evaluations are possible how well this hypothesis fits with fundamental consequences from the dynamic equilibrium of intercompartmental glutamate distributions.
Living with small fiber neuropathy: insights from qualitative focus group interviews
Authors: Damci Aysun , Hoeijmakers Janneke G.J. , de Jong Jeroen , Faber Catharina G. , de Mooij Maria A.C. , Verbunt Jeanine A.M.C.F. , Goossens Mariëlle E.J.B.
Published: November 2022

Objective

Small fiber neuropathy (SFN) is characterized by chronic neuropathic pain and autonomic dysfunction. Currently, symptomatic pharmacological treatment is often insufficient and frequently causes side effects. SFN patients have a reduced quality of life. However, little is known regarding whether psycho-social variables influence the development and maintenance of SFN-related disability and complaints. Additional knowledge may have consequences for the treatment of SFN. For example, factors such as thinking, feeling, and behavior are known to play roles in other chronic pain conditions. The aim of this study was to obtain further in-depth information about the experience of living with SFN and related chronic pain.

Methods

Fifteen participants with idiopathic SFN participated in a prospective, semi-structured, qualitative, focus group interview study. The focus groups were audio-recorded, transcribed, and analyzed cyclically after each interview.

Results

The following main themes were identified: “pain appraisal”, “coping”, “social, work, and health environment”, and “change in identity”. Catastrophic thoughts and negative emotions were observed. Living with SFN resulted in daily limitations and reduced quality of life.

Conclusions

Given the results, it can be concluded that an optimal treatment should include biological, psychological, and social components.
Acute obstructive suppurative pancreatic ductitis (AOSPD) with duodenal obstruction treated by pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD): a rare case report
Authors: Pallaneeandee Nayagan Kavidassen , Govindan Shankara Subramanyam , Liu Zi Jun
Published: November 2022

We report a rare case of acute obstructive suppurative pancreatic ductitis (AOSPD) accompanied by duodenal obstruction in a patient with chronic pancreatitis (CP). A woman in her 40s was admitted to our hospital for intermittent abdominal distension, epigastric pain, and vomiting, which worsened during the previous 6 months. Gastroscopy showed incomplete pyloric obstruction, and computed tomography (CT) revealed calcification in the enlarged head of the pancreas, dilation of the main pancreatic duct (MPD), and thickening of both the gastric antrum and duodenal walls. The patient was preoperatively diagnosed as having an inflamed head of the pancreas, with a stone, and duodenal obstruction. Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) was performed to resolve the duodenal obstruction and remove the pancreatic stone. While transecting the neck of the pancreas, frank pus began to flow from the MPD, and the pus was drained and collected. Bacterial culture of the purulent pancreatic juice revealed the presence of Escherichia coli, confirming AOSPD. The patient’s symptoms were relieved, and she recovered fully, after the surgery. In conclusion, AOSPD associated with duodenal obstruction can be treated successfully by PD.
Global material flow analysis of end-of-life of lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide batteries from battery electric vehicles
Authors: Shafique Muhammad , Akbar Arslan , Rafiq Muhammad , Azam Anam , Luo Xiaowei
Published: November 2022

The global market for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) is continuously increasing which results in higher material demand for the production of Li-ion batteries (LIBs). Therefore, the end of life (EOL) of batteries must be handled properly through reusing or recycling to minimize the supply chain issues in future LIBs. This study analyses the global distribution of EOL lithium nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) oxide batteries from BEVs. The Stanford estimation model is used, assuming that the lifespan of NMC batteries follows a Weibull distribution. The global sales data of NMC batteries from 2009 to 2018 were collected and the sales data from 2019 to 2030 were estimated based on historical trends and BEV development plans in the top 10 countries for BEV sales. The result shows a view of EOL NMC batteries worldwide. In 2038, China, South Korea and the United States (US) will be the three leading countries in the recovery of NMC battery materials. An overall global flow of NMC battery materials (aluminium, copper, manganese, steel, lithium and graphite/carbon) was also predicted in this research. This study estimated the waste potential of NMC battery materials specifically in the top 10 countries and also in other countries. Finally, the economic value estimation results for recovered materials indicated that copper, aluminium and manganese will have cumulative economic values of 7.9, 4.4 and 3.9 billion US dollars in 2038, respectively. As this study considers the different specific energy of NMC batteries in the coming years due to technological advancement, the findings can provide a more realistic insight into the future demand for NMC battery materials. This study reveals that a high number of EOL NMC batteries will be accumulated in 2038 in several countries. Therefore, large-scale recycling infrastructures should be set up to improve the efficiency of the recovery of battery materials.
Numerical simulation of sheet metal forming of an Al-Mg alloy incorporating plane strain properties in the yield criterion
Authors: Prakash Ved , Digavalli Ravi Kumar , Lenzen Matthias , Hagenah Hinnerk , Merklein Marion
Published: November 2022

In this work, numerical simulation of AA5083-O aluminum alloy sheets is carried out using Yld2000-2d yield criterion to predict thinning and variation of load with displacement in sheet metal forming. It has been found that the accuracy of predictions in numerical simulation depends on the coefficients and the stress exponent used in the yield criterion. Hydraulic bulge tests with circular and elliptical die cavities are performed to characterize the material in equi-biaxial and plane strain conditions. An improved stress exponent is determined by incorporating the material properties obtained in plane strain in the existing criterion. The improved stress exponent is validated by using it in the numerical simulations of cylindrical cup deep drawing and stretch forming at room temperature. The same exponent is also used in the numerical simulations carried out for the case of experiments conducted at 250°C. The predicted thinning and load-displacement variations from the numerical simulations are validated with the experimental measurements. A considerable improvement in the results predicted using the improved stress exponent is observed at both the temperatures.
Shear properties of top-of-rail products in numerical modelling
Authors: Kvarda Daniel , Galas Radovan , Omasta Milan , Hartl Martin , Krupka Ivan , Dzimko Marian
Published: November 2022

Top-of-rail product assessment in terms of frictional properties plays a key role in the evaluation of desired benefits for wheel-rail contact. In this study, a high-pressure torsion device is used to study the friction-displacement properties of three types of top-of-rail products. The effects of applied amount and increased temperature were investigated. All tested products were very sensitive to the amount applied. For the water-based substance, the evaporation of water created a solid-like film that provided very low friction. The increase in temperature lowered the coefficient of friction for dry contact but had a negligible effect on the applied products. A FASTSIM-based numerical model is used to demonstrate the application of these results.
Liaison Amid Business Issues and Stress Experienced by Textile Entrepreneur’s During Pandemic: Substantiates from ‘City of Weavers’
Authors: Aggarwal Deepanshi , Rathee Seema
Published: November 2022

The virus that sparked a localised shockwave in China is today dispensing a substantial worldwide shock. The Coronavirus outbreak has irreparably harmed the economy, disrupted numerous systems and left it clinging to life. The current study has made a preliminary effort to unveil the challenges that pandemic has posed for city of weavers (Panipat) textile business owners in terms of their businesses and in turn whether the varied business-related roadblocks that entrepreneurs are currently managing have led them to experience stress or not. The data was gathered from 150 textile business owners in Panipat. Exploratory factor analysis and regression analysis both robust statistical tools have been deployed for analysis. It was unearthed that impression on firm’s liquidity position and employment accompanied with influence on prospective marketing strategies were the prominent cause of business-related problems for entrepreneurs that also led to stress among textile entrepreneurs with significant t-values 16.30 and 11.65, respectively. Meanwhile, the major chunk of them was discovered to be digitally capable, accepting digital knowledge rapidly and seizing possibilities by producing N95 masks and personal protective equipment (PPE). The proposed study was a prospective effort to comprehend the pandemic early effects on Panipat’s textile industry.
Impact of Dairy Production on Smallholder Households Food Security in the Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia
Authors: Derbe Chalachewu , Chanie Essa , Adugna Marelign , Derbe Tegegne
Published: November 2022

This study investigated how dairy production affected the food security of households in the Central Gondar Zone, Ethiopia. To collect primary data, 313 households were selected for interviews based on a multistage sampling approach. A review of published and unpublished documents was also conducted for secondary data collection. According to inferential statistics, about 73.08% (household dietary diversity scores (HDDs)) and 72.53% (HFCS) of dairy producer households were food secure, while 32.06% (HDDs) and 33.59% (HFCS) of dairy non-producer households were food secure. Furthermore, the Endogenous Switching Probit Regression model showed that dairy production increased food security among smallholders. Dairy production increased dairy producer households’ food security by 48.4% (HDDs) and 45.9% (HFCS). Also, it would have improved food security by 10.4% (HDDs) and 7.1% (HFCS) for dairy non-producer households. In conclusion, dairy production contributes significantly to enhancing food security for smallholders. Hence, stakeholders must pay attention to the dairy sector to improve its production and reduce household food insecurity.
Morinda officinalis polysaccharide attenuates osteoporosis in rats underwent bilateral ovariectomy by suppressing the PGC-1α/PPARγ pathway
Authors: Rong Kai , Chen Pingbo , Lang Yi , Zhang Yaowu , Wang Zhan , Wen Fengli , Lu Laijin
Published: November 2022

Objective

Osteoporosis (OP) is a widespread disease that causes risks of spine and hip fractures. Morinda officinalis polysaccharide (MOP) shows therapeutic potential in OP. This article intended to understand the mechanism by which MOP impacts bone mineral density (BMD) and serum trace elements in OP rats.

Methods

OP rat models were established by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). Rats were intragastrically administered with MOP or ZLN005 [the activator of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α)] since the first day after operation for 8 weeks. Microstructural changes in OP rats were analyzed using micro-computed tomography system. Contents of serum Zn, Cu, Fe, and Mg in rats were measured. Levels of serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), GSH, and malondialdehyde (MDA) in rats were determined by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Protein levels of PGC-1α and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in cartilage tissues of rats were determined via Western blotting.

Results

MOP enhanced BMD, bone volume per trabecular volume (BV/TV), Tb.N, and Tb.Th and reduced Tb.Sp in the distal femur of OVX rats, elevated levels of serum Cu, Fe, and Mg and contents of SOD, GSH, and GSH-PX and decreased MDA content. Moreover, MOP suppressed the PGC-1α/PPARγ pathway. Activation of PGC-1α partially abolished the action of MOP on ameliorating OP in OVX rats and strengthening anti-oxidation ability.

Conclusion

MOP mitigated OP in OVX rats by inhibiting the PGC-1α/PPARγ pathway.
Transitions Theatre: Creating a Research-Based Reader’s Theatre With Disabled Youth and Their Families
Authors: Seko Yukari , Oh Anna , Curran C.J. , King Gillian
Published: November 2022

Transition to adult life can be a challenging time for disabled youth and their families. This article describes the collaborative creation of Transitions Theatre, a research-based reader’s theatre activity based on narrative interviews with eight disabled youth (aged 17–22) and seven parents. Analysis of these interviews generated two opposing yet interrelated themes. On one hand, youth and families felt lost in transition facing multiple gaps in healthcare, financial support, education, and opportunities for social participation after having “aged out” of the pediatric system. On the other hand, they started cripping “normal” adulthood to envision more inclusive futures wherein disabilities are understood as integral to society. These two themes were transformed into two reader’s theatre scripts, one featuring a youth, the other featuring a parent. Seven youth and four parents (six of them were original interview participants) then participated in a Transitions Theatre workshop to read the scripts together and discuss the authenticity and relatability of the scripts. Participant feedback suggested that the reader’s theatre method was effective in sharing findings with research participants and stimulating a critical dialogue on how to (re)imagine transition to adulthood. We discuss the importance of implementing inclusive design strategies to make reader’s theatre accessible to participants with diverse abilities and preferences.
Ethics Roundtable: Advance Directives, Autonomy, and Gastrostomy Placement
Authors: Baumrucker Steven J. , VandeKieft Gregg , Smith Eddy R , Stolick Matt , Jefferson Vladlena , Boyles Scott P. , Thatcher Kristin L. , Leach Rebecca J.
Published: November 2022

CL is a 94-year-old male who is brought to the Emergency Department from an assisted living facility due to a new onset of weakness and altered mental status. He was in his usual state of moderately compensated health, requiring assistance for most activities of daily living due to medical frailty and a previous right brain CVA with residual mild left sided weakness. On the day of admission, the staff found him lethargic and disoriented. The family requested a surgical consult for percutaneous, endoscopic, gastrostomy (PEG) tube placement. A review of the patient’s records showed that the patient had refused a PEG tube during his last two hospitalizations. During the last admission, the hospitalist documented that the patient repeatedly refused nutritional support stating “if it’s my time, I’ve lived a full life. I’m ready to die and join my wife.” There was no advance care plan (“living will”), but CL did sign a “Selection of Surrogate Decision-maker” form previously, assigning his nephew as primary surrogate. Under pressure from multiple family members, including the designated surrogate, the attending requested a surgical consultation. The surgical team determined that the patient did not have capacity and scheduled CL for PEG tube placement. The care team had concerns regarding the conflict between the patient’s previously (and consistently) stated desires and the family’s wishes; an ethics consult was requested
A Comprehensive Program to Reduce Tobacco-related Cancers Through Actions by a National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center
Authors: Cofer Jennifer , Hurst Alex N. , Winter Tiffany , Moreno Mark , Cinciripini Paul M. , Walsh Michael T , Tektiridis Jennifer , Hawk Ernest
Published: November 2022

Tobacco use accounts for 30% of all cancer-related deaths worldwide and 20% in the US, despite effective, evidence-based interventions for reducing tobacco use and tobacco-related cancers and deaths. In 2012, to reduce the burden of tobacco-related cancer and associated population-level risks across Texas, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center initiated the EndTobacco® program to promote statewide cancer control activities. We created evidence-based initiatives, established selection criteria, and implemented actions involving policy, education, and tobacco treatment services. As a result, EndTobacco has supported, educated, and convened local and state coalitions in policymaking; provided tobacco treatment education to health professionals; implemented Texas’ only certified tobacco treatment training program; and led an initiative to enhance the tobacco-free culture of the state’s publicly funded university system. Supported by commitments from MD Anderson, we developed and implemented evidence-based actions for tobacco control tailored to the center’s mission, values, expertise, resources, and partnerships. By 2021, the adult smoking rate in Texas dropped from 19.2% (2014) to 13.2%. Contributors to this drop include state tobacco control policies, programs and services from multiple agencies and associations, and EndTobacco activities that complement the statewide effort to prevent youth smoking initiation and increase quit attempts among youth and adults.
Menstrual and Reproductive Factors in Association With Breast Cancer Risk in Vietnamese Women: A Case-Control Study
Authors: Bui Oanh Thi , Tran Huong Thanh , Nguyen Sang Minh , Dao Tu Van , Bui Quang Vinh , Pham Anh Tuan , Shrubsole Martha J. , Cai Qiuyin , Ye Fei , Zheng Wei , Luu Hung Nguyen , Tran Thuan Van , Shu Xiao-Ou
Published: November 2022

Objectives

Though menstrual and reproductive factors have been associated with the risk of breast cancer in many populations, very few studies have been conducted among Vietnamese women. This study aimed to assess the association between menstrual and reproductive factors and the risk of breast cancer in Vietnamese women.

Methods

A retrospective case-control study of 490 breast cancer cases and 468 controls was conducted in Northern Vietnam. Unconditional logistic regression models adjusting for confounders were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations of menstrual and reproductive factors with the risk of breast cancer; overall and by cancer subtype.

Results

Among breast cancer patients, the luminal B subtype was the most frequent (48.6%), followed by HER2-overexpressing (24.5%), luminal A (16.7%), and triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC; 10.2%). Among menopausal women, menopausal age at 50 years or older (OR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.15-2.57 vs. <50 y) was associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. Earlier age at menarche (<13 y) was associated with a significantly increased risk of breast cancer (OR = 2.66, 95% CI: 1.08-7.51) among premenopausal women only and the luminal A subtype of breast cancer (OR = 3.06, 95% CI: 1.04-8.16). Having more than two children was associated with a reduced risk of premenopausal (OR = .42, 95%CI: .21-.83), luminal B (OR = .43, 95% CI: .24-.79), and TNBC (OR = .34, 95% CI: .14-.89). Later menopause was positively associated with the risk of breast cancer with HER2 overexpression (OR = 2.19, 95% CI: 1.14-4.23).

Conclusion

Associations of menstrual and reproductive factors with breast cancer among Vietnamese women, particularly for among premenopausal women and for the luminal A subtype, are generally consistent with those reported from other countries. These findings suggest that changes in menstrual and reproductive patterns among young Vietnamese women may contribute to the recent rising incidence of breast cancer in Vietnam.
Assessment of Healthcare Resource Utilization by Anticoagulant Heparinoid Dosage Level in Patients Hospitalized with COVID-19
Authors: Robinson Keith , Schott Laura L. , Matthews Tom , Tyagi Manu , Ajmani Vivek B. , Sacco Nancy , Cao Zhun
Published: November 2022

The aim was to describe inpatients with COVID-19 empirically prescribed heparinoid anticoagulants and compare resource utilization between prophylactic/low-dose and therapeutic/high-dose groups. Methods: This retrospective observational study used real-world data from 880 US hospitals in the PINC AI™ Healthcare Database during 4/1/2020–11/30/2020. Descriptive analysis was used to characterize patients. Multivariable regression was used to evaluate intensive care unit (ICU) admissions, length of stay (LOS), mortality, and costs by anticoagulation dose group, adjusting for cohort characteristics. Among 122,508 inpatients, 29,225 (23.9%) received therapeutic/high-dose, and 93,283 (76.1%) received prophylactic/low-dose anticoagulation. The high-dose group had more comorbidities and worse laboratory values compared with low-dose. Respectively, ICU admission rates were 36.7% and 19.1% and LOS median (Q1, Q3) was 8 (5, 15) and 5 (3, 9) days. In separate adjusted models, high-dose anticoagulation was associated with a 45% increase in odds of ICU admission, 26% increase in odds of in-hospital mortality, 21% longer average LOS, and 28% greater average total cost compared with low-dose (each P < 0.001). Prophylactic/low-dose anticoagulation treatment was associated with decreased healthcare resource utilization (HRU) in hospitalized patients with COVID-19.
Anisotropy influence on guided wave scattering for composite structure monitoring
Authors: Hervin Flora , Fromme Paul
Published: November 2022

Composite structures are widely used for aerospace applications but are prone to barely visible impact damage from low velocity impacts. Guided wave measurements using sparse arrays of distributed sensors provide an important structural health monitoring (SHM) tool for detecting and localizing impact damage in composites. However, the anisotropy of composites needs to be considered as it can affect guided wave propagation and scattering, impacting imaging performance. Improved defect characterization can be achieved by considering the scattering characteristics for the signal processing. Scattering around two different damage types for multiple incident wave directions in a quasi-isotropic carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) panel were investigated. Full 3D Finite Element (FE) simulations were compared to the measured scattered guided wave field at an artificial insert delamination. Permanent magnets mounted on an undamaged region of the plate were used as scattering targets and both numerical and experimental scattering patterns were compared to the delamination results. Strong directional dependency was observed for both damage types, with energy focusing along the fiber directions of the outer ply layers. For the delamination, mostly forward scattering is observed for all incident wave directions, whereas the magnet blocked forward wave transmission and scattered wave energy in all directions. 2D scattering matrices were calculated, demonstrating distinct scattering behavior for each damage type. Implications of anisotropy and angular scattering on SHM guided wave sparse array imaging are discussed.
Looking into the past: Audience heterogeneity and the inconsistency of market signals
Authors: Wang Pengfei
Published: November 2022

Prior literature has emphasized that inconsistency of market signals leads to evaluation penalty. However, limited attention has been paid to the heterogeneity of audiences who deal with inconsistency. I argue that audiences differ in the extent to which they process different market signals, which may largely shape the effect of signal inconsistency. When audiences fail to process all signals, they may not perceive signal inconsistency, thereby weakening its effect on product evaluation. It is hence important to investigate audience heterogeneity in theorizing signal inconsistency. In this study, I focus on the distinction between two important audience groups: professional critics and end consumers. Specifically, I argue that signal inconsistency exerts a stronger effect on critics’ evaluations than on consumers’ evaluations, because critics are more likely than consumers to process various market signals. I argue further that critics can act as an important intermediary to bridge the effect of signal inconsistency on consumers, even though consumers may not process all signals themselves. I test these ideas in a sample of video games released between 2001 and 2016 and find general support.
Ultrafine and bimodal structured polyamide-6 nanofiber/nets membrane for air nanofiltration
Authors: Sohrabi Majid , Abbasi Marjan , Karimi Mohammad
Published: November 2022

Particulate matter and spread of viruses, including COVID-19 caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), are two of the most serious problems because of their significant threat to human health. Here, we fabricate ultrafine and bimodal structured polyamide-6 nanofiber/nets (PA-6 NFN) membrane via one-step electrospinning/netting. The PA-6 NFN membranes include ultrafine (∼70 nm) nanofibers and two-dimensional (2D) ultrathin (∼20 nm) nanonets. These membranes are optimized by facilely regulating the solution concentration, incomplete phase separation by adding NaCl, and also applying a high voltage of 22 kV. With integrated properties of small pore size, high porosity, high specific surface area of 108.8 m2/g, and robust tensile strength of 13.70 MPa, the resultant PA-6 NFN membranes exhibit high filtration efficiency of 99.11%, low pressure drop of 81 Pa, and higher quality factor compared to the two standard commercial masks which consist of three-ply surgical mask and respirator face mask. It can include bacteria, fungi, and also viruses including SARS-CoV-2 (with a diameter of about 100 nm). Additionally, after 24 h of operation of the filtration process in a simulated living environment, the obtained air filter still displayed a high filtration efficiency and a less variation pressure drop that shows the long-term performance of PA-6 NFN membranes. In addition, the R2 value was 0.99, which indicates that the calculation results are in good agreement with the measured results. The fabrication of PA-6 NFN membrane makes it a promising candidate for PM0.3 governance at applications including face mask, protective clothing, clean room, and engine intake.
How Can Authorities Support Distributed Improvisation During Major Crises? A Study of Decision Bottlenecks Arising During Local COVID-19 Vaccine Roll-Out
Authors: Phillips Ross Owen , Baharmand Hossein , Vandaele Nico , Decouttere Catherine , Boey Lise
Published: November 2022

Despite the increased importance attributed to distributed improvisation in major crises, few studies investigate how central authorities can promote a harmonic, coordinated national response while allowing for distributed autonomy and improvisation. One idea implicit in the literature is that central authorities could help track and tackle common decision bottlenecks as they emerge across “improvising” local authorities as a result of shared, dynamic external constraints. To explore this idea we map central functions needed to roll-out vaccines to local populations and identify and classify bottlenecks to decision-making by local authorities managing COVID-19 vaccine roll-out in Norway. We found five bottlenecks which emerged as vaccine roll-out progressed, three of which could feasibly have been addressed by changing the local authorities’ external constraints as the crisis developed. While the national crisis response strategy clearly allowed for distributed improvisation, our overall findings suggest that there is potential for central authorities to address external constraints in order to ease common bottlenecks as they emerge across local authorities responding to the crisis. More research is to explore alternative centralized response strategies and assess how well they effectively balance centralized and distributed control. The study contributes to the growing literature examining the interaction between local and centralized response in crisis management.
Men’s Preconception Health and Fertility Intentions: A Latent Class Analysis Approach
Authors: Anakwe Adaobi , BeLue Rhonda , Xian Hong , Xaverius Pamela
Published: November 2022

Men’s pregnancy intention is associated with a host of positive outcomes for families, yet this topic remains understudied. Because unintended pregnancies are more likely to occur at suboptimal parental health, this study aimed to examine the extent to which men improve their preconception health in the context of future fertility planning. This study used pooled data from the 2011–2019 National Survey of Family Growth for a final sample size of 10,223. Latent class analysis (LCA) was used to identify distinct classes of men’s preconception health. Eight preconception health risk factors were used to determine class membership. A classify-analyze approach was used to create the preconception health phenotype ( PhP) exposure variable. The outcome of interest was men’s fertility intentions. Multinomial regression models were used to examine the association between the exposure and the outcome. Three unique PhPs were identified (lowest risk, substance users, and sexual risk-takers) from the LCA model. Men in the substance users’ group (22.9%) were characterized by high-risk alcohol use and drug use, while sexual risk-takers (8.1%) were characterized by having multiple sexual partners. Belonging in the phenotypes of substance users or sexual risk-takers was associated with increased odds for definite no fertility intention than definite yes intentions (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [1.18, 1.84] and aOR: 1.51, 95% CI: [1.13, 2.01], respectively). Results provide new insights on how preconception health can be measured and fills a knowledge gap on its relationship to men’s future fertility planning. Findings can be applied to preconception care intervention frameworks, and guide family planning interventions and contraceptive counseling.
Connecting and Healing: The Role of Existential Isolation in Mediating the Impact of the Therapeutic Relationship on Canadian Men’s Mental Health Outcomes
Authors: Storey Quinn K. , Kealy David , Seidler Zac E. , Oliffe John L. , Rice Simon M. , Ogrodniczuk John S.
Published: November 2022

The therapeutic relationship has emerged as one of the most important components of successful treatment outcomes, regardless of the specific form of therapy. Research has now turned its attention to better understanding how the therapeutic relationship contributes to patient improvement. Extant literature contends that a strong therapeutic relationship may help reduce a patient’s sense of existential isolation (i.e., a sense of not feeling understood by others). Research indicates that existential isolation might be especially problematic for men, potentially increasing their risk for suicidality. This study investigated the association between strength of the therapeutic relationship and psychological distress and suicidality among men who received psychotherapy, and whether existential isolation mediated this association. A total of 204 Canadian men who had previously attended psychotherapy participated in a cross-sectional survey, completing measures of the quality of their most recent therapeutic relationship, existential isolation, depression and anxiety symptoms, and suicidality. Regression with mediation analysis was conducted. Two models were tested; one with depression/anxiety symptoms as the dependent variable and the other with suicidality as the dependent variable. Both mediation models emerged as significant, indicating an indirect effect for quality of the therapeutic relationship on symptoms of anxiety/depression and suicidality through existential isolation. The findings suggest that a positive therapeutic relationship can contribute to men feeling less isolated in their experiences in life (i.e., less existentially isolated), thereby helping mitigate psychological distress and suicidality.
Cross-domain intelligent fault diagnosis of rolling bearing based on distance metric transfer learning
Authors: Zhou Hongdi , Huang Tao , Li Xixing , Zhong Fei
Published: November 2022

Rolling bearings are present ubiquitously in mechanical equipment, timely fault diagnosis has great significance in guaranteeing the safety of mechanical operation. In real world industrial applications, the distribution of training dataset (source domain) and testing dataset (target domain) is often different and varies with operating environment, which may lead to performance degradation. In this study, a cross-domain fault diagnosis of rolling bearing method based on distance metric transfer learning (DMTL) and wavelet packet decomposition (WPD) is proposed. The Mahalanobis distance is adopted for learning the intrinsic similarity or dissimilarity between instances and learned by simultaneously maximizing the intra-class distances and minimizing the inter-class distances for target domain. The features of source domain and target domain are first extracted from original vibration signals by WPD which is a powerful tool in dealing with non-stationary signals and can provide meticulous analysis. Then, the DMTL model is adopted to eliminate the error propagation across different components, which can weaken the weight of low-quality instances and enhance the weight of high-quality samples. Finally, the k-nearest neighbor (KNN) classifier is applied to accomplish the cross-domain intelligent fault-type classification. The superiority and effectiveness of the proposed fault diagnosis model is validated by two diagnosis cases. The experimental results demonstrated that the proposed method performs better than other compared methods in recognizing various fault types and has the capability in handling the complex cross-domain adaptation scenarios.
A wide kernel CNN-LSTM-based transfer learning method with domain adaptability for rolling bearing fault diagnosis with a small dataset
Authors: Zhu Yingmou , chen Hongming , Meng Wei , Xiong Qing , Li Yongjian
Published: November 2022

It is difficult to obtain sufficient data for some machines, in addition, different working conditions result in different distributions of training data and test data, which lead to the failure of traditional deep learning methods in engineering applications. To solve these problems, we propose a novel deep learning framework called 1D-WCLT for rolling bearing fault diagnosis that combines wide kernel deep convolutional neural network and long short-term memory (WDCNN-LSTM). In this approach, a wide convolution kernel is utilized for local convolution, because the local convolution receptive field is increased, the fault feature contained in the low-middle frequency component is extracted. It is worth mentioning that the network complexity has not increased. Then, the transfer learning is applied to solve related but different domain problems, the useful knowledge learned by WDCNN-LSTM model under sufficient data conditions is transferred to diagnosis tasks with small dataset. After that, some state-of-the-art methods are applied to compare with the proposed method. At the end, experimental results showed that the proposed approach is an excellent algorithm for fault feature extraction of machinery and has much better identification accuracy and applicability than the other existing techniques.
Computing reliability indices of a wind power system via Markov chain modelling of wind speed
Authors: Eryilmaz Serkan , Bulanik İrem , Devrim Yilser
Published: November 2022

Statistical modelling of wind speed is of great importance in the evaluation of wind farm performance and power production. Various models have been proposed in the literature depending on the corresponding time scale. For hourly observed wind speed data, the dependence among successive wind speed values is inevitable. Such a dependence has been well modelled by Markov chains. In this paper, the use of Markov chains for modelling wind speed data is discussed in the context of the previously proposed likelihood ratio test. The main steps for Markov chain based modelling methodology of wind speed are presented and the limiting distribution of the Markov chain is utilized to compute wind speed probabilities. The computational formulas for reliability indices of a wind farm consisting of a specified number of wind turbines are presented through the limiting distribution of a Markov chain. A case study that is based on real data set is also presented.