bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the Hurdles and Solutions in Procuring IBS Components for Malaysian Housing Projects
Authors: Abd Jalil Ahmad Bin , Shaari Shazwan Mohamed
Published: October 2022

The adoption of industrialized building system (IBS) needs different method to cope with its dissimilar with traditional construction as it requires different process on design, installation and precision, but yet IBS always been treated the same as conventional projects. This cause problems and thus, this study provides a questionnaire survey comprising 24 questions delivered to experienced professionals who involved in Malaysian IBS housing projects. The aim is to ascertain the challenges and suggest solutions on procuring the IBS components focusing for Malaysian IBS housing. The collected result was then verified through several semi- structured interviews with experienced professionals from various field involve in IBS. This study finds that the main challenges in procuring IBS components are surround by factors on price, logistical barriers, and inadequacy on terms of agreement, The result also revealed in most IBS housing projects, the contract agreement between IBS manufacturers and main contractors were often breached especially on payment mechanism, amount and delivery time. Due to payment problems, some IBS manufacturers take unilateral action by stop delivery the IBS components, causing delay to the project, while others pursue the case to court, which also prolong into litigation. Contribution of this research is on the highlighting several urgent issues in the context of procuring IBS components for Malaysian housing. The findings reveal due to the unsolved issues, IBS targets to reduce cost and faster completion is hard to achieve, while exposing the project to end with delay or litigation.
Sustainable Rural Housing Development in Sarawak: A Preliminary Conceptual Framework
Authors: Wong S Y , Low W W , Wong K S , Kan F K
Published: October 2022

Sustainability practices within rural area housing development is relatively scarce. This may be due to insufficient financial support and focus by the local authorities. Some of the rural areas in the largest state of Malaysia, namely, Sarawak, are facing serious housing issues with limited supply of electricity and water, which in turn, creates low standard of living. This seems to imply on the unsustainable housing development. This paper reviewed the international sustainable development approach and the sustainable practices in Malaysia, in housing development. The initial review identified 40 sustainability-related housing indicators, which revealed a potential research area to ascertain different housing indicators for improving the living standards of the rural residents in Sarawak. This research could help to provide a more sustainable housing environment to improve residents’ living standard, and possibly, to suggest a better efficient use of resources, that could help to improve the current government guidelines, for developing sustainable rural housing in Sarawak.
Determinants of Maintenance Cost of Hospital Buildings: An Artificial Neural Network Approach
Authors: Olanrewaju AbdulLateef , Ooi Yu Lin
Published: October 2022

Hospital maintenance organizations are under constant pressure to plan maintenance work due to insufficient budgets. The ability to predict maintenance costs is a significant function of the maintenance organization. This paper reports a study that investigated the critical determinants associated with the maintenance costs of hospital buildings. The research developed a questionnaire instrument that included 18 determinants of the maintenance cost of hospital buildings. The average maintenance cost is about RM550,000, and the average age of the buildings is about 20 years. The size of most of the hospitals is more than 21,000 square meters. Using maintenance cost as the dependent variable, an artificial neural network model to predict maintenance cost was presented. The model revealed that the critical determinants of maintenance costs are the size of the hospitals, improper use of the hospital buildings, poor budgeting, absence of forecasting techniques, and high-performance expectations of the buildings. This research provides new information on the cost profile of the maintenance cost of hospital buildings.
Aerial work with helicopters in the construction of cableways and their impact on the concrete mixture design
Authors: Bisták A , Hulínová Z , Vavrík I , Šťastný P
Published: October 2022

Slovakia is a rugged country, a significant part of which consists of mountain areas. Construction activities in these localities should consider specific natural conditions, while taking into account economic issues. In these cases, the efficient way of construction is the use of aerial work, so the execution of constructions using helicopters. However, compared to conventional technologies, helicopters are limited in their work by several factors, which are mainly related to their movement in a three-dimensional environment (atmosphere). The aim of this article is to show how the choice of fresh concrete mixture is related to the work of helicopters, to design a suitable mixture for the currently valid Slovak requirements and to test it in laboratory conditions. The selection of the mixture is narrowly specialized for the construction of reinforced concrete footings of cableways, which are typically realized in mountain areas. The results showed that by using a suitable superplasticizer based on polycarboxylates, it is possible to ensure the required workability of fresh concrete within 180 minutes. However, the condition must always be met that the onset of setting of the used cement does not occur earlier than 180 minutes. Longer workability time can be achieved by adding a retarding additive.
Resistance of a sealed joint subjected to tensile stress at different temperatures
Authors: Boháček A , Šlanhof J , Průcha A
Published: October 2022

In this paper, research on the topic of Resistance of a sealed joint subjected to tensile stress at different temperatures is presented. Tensile stress is one of the physical effects acting on conventional structures. This research specifically deals with the sealing of problematic material. Aquapanel cement board is chosen as the problematic material. This board has a large amount of fine dust particles on its surface, which prevent the sealant from adhering properly to the base material. Next, two sealants and the appropriate primers are selected. The sealants used were selected based on the manufacturer's recommendations on suitability for use in sealing cementitious materials. From these three components, the Aquapanel cement board, the sealant and the primer, test specimens are made, which are tested according to the valid European standard. The results of this test are carefully recorded and further analysed. Based on the results of this test, it is possible to recommend both tested sealants for sealing cement materials that are exposed to tensile stress at different temperatures.
Assessment and adaptation to climate change and sea level rise impacts on Egypt’s northern coasts
Authors: Zelenakova M , Abd-Elhamid H , Barańczuk K , Barańczuk J
Published: October 2022

Climate change and sea level rise (SLR) represent many challenges for coastal areas such as coastal erosion and saltwater intrusion (SWI). This study aims to highlight the effect of climate change and SLR on Egypt’s northern coasts and present appropriate adaptations. A number of techniques for adapting with climate change and SLR have been presented. Two numerical models have been used for simulation PLAXIS and 2D-FEST. The results showed that SLR will affect a number of cities on Egypt’s northern coasts and the Nile Delta aquifer will be affected by SWI. A number of scenarios have been applied to adapt with climate change and SLR. Precast Diaphragm Wall (PDW) is used to protect Egypt’s northern coasts from SLR. The results showed that PDW is applicable and cost efficient. The cost of building PDW along the north coasts is about 1.0% of the likely losses due to SLR in 2100. However, to control SWI into the Nile Delta aquifer a number of measures have been presented and discussed. The results revealed that using treated wastewater to increase the recharge to the Nile Delta aquifer combined with decreasing the abstraction from the aquifer could help in protecting the aquifer from probable SLR.
Investigation of the thermal properties of candle wax material
Authors: Eštoková A , Kapalo P
Published: October 2022

Indoor air quality is a key aspect of people staying inside buildings. Combustion processes have been identified as one of the most important sources of pollutants in the indoor environment. Proper HVAC design must account for all sources and variations in their intensity, such as also the burning of candles, which produce not only increased amounts of carbon dioxide as a result of the combustion of the organic matrix, but also often dangerous organic substances. On the other hand, the candle burning represents an energy source as well. This article deals with the study of thermal decomposition of selected candle material using methods of thermal analysis - thermal gravimetric analysis (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The wax material analyzed was identified as a mixture of palm stearin and paraffin. During the candle wax material heating, the energy up to 772.6 J per 1 g of material can be released in dependence on the heating rate.
The seismic response of cylindrical steel tank at Al Hoceïma city in Morocco
Authors: Kotrasova K , Kormanikova E , Loukili M , Mansour S , Foti D
Published: October 2022

The aim of this article is determination of seismic response of cylindrical steel tank situated at Al Hoceïma city in Morocco. When a storage facility containing liquid starts moving due to earthquake loading, the fluid filling exerts additional hydrodynamic pressure on storage facility solid domain. The seismic effect of a liquid–filled storage facility converts the contained liquid into and equivalent spring-mass system representing impulsive mode together with convective mode of vibration of the storage facility - liquid system. The seismic response of cylindrical steel tank subjected to seismic loading was calculated by using the elastic response spectrum for locality Al Hoceïma city in Morocco. The rules of Eurocode 8-4 were respected for documented seismic analysis of storage facility containing liquid.
Dosimetric measurement of lighting conditions in office environment
Authors: Hanuliak P , Hartman P
Published: October 2022

The aim of the paper is to present partial outputs from continual measurement of light conditions in office environment during common work activity. The volunteers worn head mounted dosimetric devices – the Lightwatchers, to collect individual and realistic data in contrary to fixed photometric measurement devices. The outputs confirm that the natural activity of office workers has a great influence on recorded illuminance levels. It shows an overall decrease of light levels recorded on vertical plane in facial area when compared to standalone fixed sensors. Since the total amount of the light received through the eyes is important for a proper entrainment of our biological system, an adjustments for office´s lighting design needs to be taken into consideration.
Survey of consumer preferences in the field of wooden buildings
Authors: Švajlenka J , Kozlovská M
Published: October 2022

The future of future generations of humanity is conditioned by the decisions, actions and behavior of contemporary society towards the surrounding nature. The current critical state of the environment caused by the human factor forces one to think about a change in thinking in relation to ecology. Progress in this direction and the pursuit of a sustainable way of life is also felt in the construction sector. Modern wooden buildings are an environmental alternative to buildings made of energy-intensive materials. This type of construction is currently experiencing great success worldwide and is already part of the standard of living in many countries. Progress in this ecological way of construction has been recorded in recent years by the construction industry in Slovakia, but in its development it is progressing much more slowly than other countries of the European Union. The potential behind the development of wood-based structures is currently not fully exploited and it is therefore necessary to pay increased attention to research and innovation in the timber construction sector. The work deals with a survey of consumer preferences in the field of wooden buildings.
Stationary dissipative systems of classical mechanics in the basis of unscientific principles of the theory of creep of reinforced concrete
Authors: Beglov A , Sanjarovsky R , Ter-Emmanuilyan T
Published: October 2022

The basis of creation and development of the theory of creep of reinforced concrete is based on unscientific principles taken from systems of classical mechanics that do not correspond to this theory. Linear systems with stationary properties (inertial, dissipative and positional components) are used to describe the properties of aging concrete. The replacement of constant coefficients in classical models is carried out: instead of these constant coefficients ai variable coefficients are inserted, which are functions of time - a
i
(τ), a
i
(τ), i=1, 2, 3, 4. From such the replacement, the integrand function of the theory has lost its physical meaning. Errors in structural calculations are 300-500%.
Numerical analysis of shear resistance on composite beams.
Authors: Weissova M , Kvocak V , Dubecky D , Vaňová P
Published: October 2022

The part of the preparation of experimental verification of shear connectors is also numerical analysis of the examined problem. The main subject of this research is the FEM analysis of a chosen experiment, the push-out test. For FEM analysis, we have opted for Abaqus/CAE software. This piece of work will focus on the modeling of the push-out test via the software stated above.
Influence of Takt Time Planning on Construction Efficiency
Authors: Kozlovská M , Klosova D
Published: October 2022

Creating continuous workflow and reducing variability of construction processes is one of the essential principles of Takt Time system. The Takt Time Planning is a powerful lean tool that creates a continuous flow of people, materials, and resources, therefore it is recognized as a technology with great potential for process innovation in construction. A takt is a demand-driven pace or rhythm of work, which ensures that professionals work at the same speed to free up workspace within standard time frames, leading to a more optimized production process. The main purpose of this article is to explore the practical application and influence of Takt Time Planning on the productivity and efficiency of construction projects by providing an overview of selected case studies. Results show that Tact Time helps to establish a continuous flow and, as a result, reduce waste, reduce the duration and number of inventory buffers, and therefore reduce costs of construction projects.
Methods of strengthening the grains of recycled aggregates
Authors: Sicakova A
Published: October 2022

Poorer quality indicators than natural aggregates generally characterize recycled aggregates. This is due to the composition of the primary raw material (mostly demolition waste), the method of processing (crushing, sorting) and the typical character of the grains, which, in addition to the original grain of natural aggregate, also contains the original adhered mortar. The resulting grains are heterogeneous, characterized by lower strength, higher porosity, higher absorbency, or the presence of cracks. Improving the quality of these grains is one of the approaches to increase their potential for use in concrete. Several methods of recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) grain strengthening are being studied worldwide, the effect of which on the final quality of recycled aggregates and new concrete is different. The article describes and compares the methods in terms of their impact on selected properties of both. The comparative analysis is based on the collection of results presented in research publications. Based on the evaluation of the results, polymer emulsion treatment can be identified as the most effective way to improve RCA water absorption. Sodium silicate treatment came out the best to improve the compressive strength of concrete mixed with treated RCA.
Modelling of Stormwater runoff and Wastewater Flow in the Sewer Network
Authors: Wittmanová R , Makro I , Hrudka J , Šutús M , Stanko Š
Published: October 2022

The purpose of mathematical modelling of sewer networks is mainly to assess the hydraulic capacity and monitor its behaviour under different conditions to predict the future state. Sewerage network models are also part of the design process. Their advantage is the possibility of simulating the future state of the network and the precipitation and runoff process in the context of climate change. With the help of simulations, it is possible to anticipate future conditions in urban catchments and thus effectively design new networks. The aim of this paper is to summarize mathematical simulation models that are used to model sewer networks.
Practical deflection analysis of tubular telecommunication towers subjected to a temperature gradient
Authors: Król P A
Published: October 2022

The subject of the paper are tubular telecommunication towers, commonly used by mobile telephony operators to build relay stations placed at relatively short distances from each other. The advantage of this type of facilities is their simple structure and small surface area they occupy. It has been observed that during operation, as a result of solar radiation, the towers experience excessive deflection, resulting in disturbances in the operation of transmitting and receiving systems mounted on the towers. The issue of a reliable and relatively precise assessment of the phenomenon of uneven heating of the body surface due to sunlight is not a trivial issue. From a practical view-point, the greatest difficulty is to estimate the temperature to which the surface of a structure exposed to sunlight heats up. Even the attempts at numerical modeling of the phenomenon do not accurately reflect its essence. The paper presents a proposal of a simplified analytical computational model that allows for a practical and uncomplicated estimation of the thermal loads to which such structures are subjected as a result of insolation. The considerations were supplemented with examples from engineering practice, showing the differences in deflection of structures protected by zinc and paint coatings.
Incorporating New Technologies in Road Industry: Test Track in Antwerp, Belgium
Authors: Omranian S R , Van den bergh W , Golchin B , Couscheir K , Vuye C , Braspenninckx J
Published: October 2022

Numerous factors may disrupt pavement construction including human errors and unforeseen changes in the environmental conditions. These incidents can shorten pavement life span. New technologies recently came to the aid of contractors and road agencies to detect and possibly mitigate undesirable impacts of unpredictable incidents during the asphalt paving process as well as monitoring pavement performance during pavements service life. In this study, several technologies including layer thickness assessment (using both MIT-scan device coupled with metal plates and conventional topographical technique), infrared thermal camera, intelligent roller compactors, and density gauge devices were utilized to develop a coherent construction system and improve the durability of asphalt pavements in Antwerp, Belgium. The data collected in situ were compared with the characterized cores in the laboratory. It was clear that several factors can influence the outcome of the employed devices. For instance, surface temperatures obtained from an infrared camera fluctuated when the camera tilted from the perpendicular axis. Such discrepancies may be associated with the changes in the distance and environmental condition that affect the refraction of the infrared spectra. It was also found that an elaborated data collection format is essential to clearly understand the correlations between the results of the employed technologies.
Quality of first flush of rainwater from urban area: short review
Authors: Marko I , Wittmanová R , Hrudka J , Raczková A , Škultétyová I
Published: October 2022

As a result of changes in social, economic, and political relations, undesirable phenomena are created that have an adverse effect on the urban environment. Surface runoff represents one of several risks to environmental policy, causing the major problem in urban agglomerations. In an urbanized area, it causes an increased runoff volume and the flood peak. Also, it affects increasing the contamination of urban rainwater. The significant problem of surface runoff formation in urban river basins is the accumulation of pollutants on the surface of paved areas during the rainless period. In the case of the formation of surface runoff, these substances come into movement. It is assumed that the most polluted rainwater is in the initial phase of runoff formation. However, not all authors agree with the statement. In some literature, this phenomenon is termed the first flush. Given the above facts, the study focuses on surface runoff characteristics in terms of its quality and quantity in the initial phase of surface runoff formatting. The study aims to summarize and compare the results of several studies to evaluate the first rainwater flush in an urbanized area.
Tools of 4D modeling of construction projects
Authors: Nechyporchuk Yaroslav , Bašková Renáta
Published: October 2022

The 4D BIM model links the construction schedule and the 3D construction model. The 4D model makes possible to visualize how the construction and its structures in the construction site would look like at any point in time by simulation the construction process. The article provides basic information about BIM technology and 4D modeling. Various levels of tools for creating 4D models are presented in the core of the article. The analysis of selected software from the point of view of their conformity with requirements for creation and for usage of 4D models in construction practice is processed.
Electrospun α-mangosteen–chitosan–poly(ethylene oxide) nanofibers
Authors: Wardhani Riesca Ayu Kusuma , Primadona Indah , Hardiansyah Andri
Published: October 2022

In this study, electrospun α-mangosteen–chitosan–polyethylene oxide (PEO) nanofibers were produced via electrospinning process. The structure and morphology of nanofibers were evaluated through a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The FE-SEM demonstrated that the average diameter of electrospun α-mangosteen–chitosan–PEO nanofibers were 125.5 ± 33.6 nm, 91.8 ± 27.1 nm, and 111.7 ± 39.8 nm for 0.025, 0.05, and 0.075% (w/v) α-mangosteen concentration, respectively, meanwhile the average diameter of electrospun chitosan–PEO nanofibers and electrospun α-mangosteen–PEO nanofibers was 124.8 ± 52.8 nm and 153.5 ± 49 nm, respectively. The FE-SEM image of electrospun α-mangosteen–chitosan–PEO nanofibers shows that the higher concentration of PEO resulted in smooth morphology, no beads, and continuous fibers. The morphology of electrospun α-mangosteen–chitosan–PEO nanofibers resulted in a better preservative than the morphology of electrospun α-mangosteen–PEO nanofibers. The FTIR spectra of the electrospun nanofibers demonstrate the presence of characteristic peaks of α-mangosteen, chitosan, and PEO and indicate intermolecular interactions via hydrogen bonds. The average diameter of the electrospun α-mangosteen–chitosan–PEO nanofibers are within the size range of the extracellular matrix of the natural structure. Therefore, the electrospun α-mangosteen–chitosan–PEO nanofibers are the potential for biomedical applications.
Properties of trifluoromethylated lithium borates for lithium-ion battery electrolytes
Authors: Takahashi Mikihiro , Tsujioka Shoichi , Kawabata Wataru , Sai Ryansu , Tsutsumi Hiromori , Katayama Yu
Published: October 2022

Lithium salts govern important characteristics of lithium-ion batteries, including their efficiency (ion conductivity), operating voltage (potential window), and thermal stability. Herein, a series of lithium borates (lithium difluoro(perfluoropinacolato)borate (PFP-F2), lithium difluoro(2-hydroxy-3,3,3,3ʹ,3ʹ,3ʹ-hexafluoroisobutirato)borate (HHIB-F2), lithium (perfluoropinacolato)(oxalato)borate (PFP-Ox), lithium bis(2-hydroxy-3,3,3,3ʹ,3ʹ,3ʹ-hexafluoroisobutirato)borate (HHIB2), and lithium (2-hydroxy-3,3,3,3ʹ,3ʹ,3ʹ-hexafluoroisobutirato)(oxalato)borate) containing CF3 and C=O groups were developed as potential electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. The proposed lithium borates were synthesized in good purity from lithium tetrafluoroborate and lithium difluoro(oxalato)borate using trimethylchlorosilane and three types of bidentate ligands in ethylmethylcarbonate. The applicability of the novel lithium borates as electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries was demonstrated based on thermal and electrochemical stability evaluations. In addition, lithium borates with >4 CF3 groups (PFP-F2, PFP-Ox, and HHIB2) exhibited outstanding stability against hydrolysis (water contamination). HHIB-F2 showed the best ionic conductivity owing to the balanced incorporation of increased Li+ dissociation and mobility by introducing the CF3 group and reducing the anion size. HHIB-F2 and HHIB2-containing electrolytes showed better cycle performance than their conventional BF4 counterparts. This study suggests that the new lithium borates, HHIB2, and HHIB-F2, are promising lithium salts for lithium-ion batteries, providing a new direction for the lithium salt molecular design.
Enhanced metal exsolution at the non-polar (001) surfaces of multi-faceted epitaxial thin films
Authors: Weber Moritz L , Kindelmann Moritz , Wessel Egbert , Sarantopoulos Alexandros , Menzler Norbert H , Dittmann Regina , Waser Rainer , Guillon Olivier , Lenser Christian , Gunkel Felix
Published: October 2022

Metal exsolution is a dynamic process driven under a reducing atmosphere and at elevated temperatures that results in the self-assembly of nanoparticles at the surface of complex perovskite catalysts. The nanoparticle characteristics of metal exsolution catalysts can be subject to considerable inhomogeneity, and the anisotropic surface properties of ceramic oxides have been identified to have a major influence on the exsolution behavior. We systematically reveal the orientation-dependent anisotropy of the exsolution behavior of Ni in SrTi0.9Nb0.05Ni0.05O3−δ using multi-faceted epitaxial thin films that represent a material system with properties in between functional ceramics and single-crystalline perovskite thin film model systems. Using an approach of combined orientation mapping and surface imaging we study the exsolution behavior with particular focus on the initial exsolution response, i.e. after short annealing times. We find orientation-specific variations in the surface morphology of the thin film facets. In the as-prepared state, surface reconstructions cause the formation of patterned surface structures for all thin film facets apart from (001) surfaces, which exhibit a plain surface morphology as well as an enhanced exsolution response. Surface reconstructions and their inherent energy landscape may hence cause an additional energy barrier for the exsolution reaction that results in orientation-dependent differences in the exsolution kinetics.
Molecular electron doping to single-walled carbon nanotubes and molybdenum disulfide monolayers
Authors: Yoshida Kazuhiro , Yura Ryoto , Nonoguchi Yoshiyuki
Published: October 2022

Carrier doping is an essential way to inject holes and electrons to electronic materials, which modulates their transport properties. While the substitution of heteroatoms essentially modulates the band structure of most semiconducting materials, chemical (molecular) doping can achieve relatively reliable carrier concentration modulation, particularly for nanocarbons and two-dimensional semiconductors. Compared to p-type counterparts, the stabilization of n-type carbon materials has been a challenge not only for basic science but also for various electronic device applications. This Mini-Review describes rational concepts for, and the results of, a stable n-type doping technique mainly for carbon nanotubes using molecular reactions and interactions. The stable n-type carbon nanotubes with controlled carrier concentration are implemented in complementary circuits and thermoelectric energy harvesters. The molecular and supramolecular n-type doping is not limited for carbon nanotubes, but is utilized in the fabrication of conducting transition metal dichalcogenides such as a molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) monolayer.
𝐹-analytic 𝐵-pairs
Authors: Poyeton Léo
Published: October 2022

In this note, we define the notion of

F
F

-analytic

B
B

-pairs and we prove that its category is equivalent to the one of

F
F

-analytic

(

φ
q

,

Γ
K

)

(\varphi _q,\Gamma _K)

-modules.
A projection from filling currents to Teichmüller space
Authors: Hensel Sebastian , Sapir Jenya
Published: October 2022

Let

S
S

be a closed, genus

g
g

surface. The space of geodesic currents on

S
S

encompasses the set of closed curves up to homotopy, as well as Teichmüller space, and many other spaces of structures on

S
S

. We show that one can define a mapping class group equivariant, length minimizing projection from the set of filling geodesic currents down to Teichmüller space, and prove some basic properties of this projection to show that it is well-behaved.
Differential-difference properties of hypergeometric series
Authors: Brisebarre Nicolas , Salvy Bruno
Published: October 2022

Six families of generalized hypergeometric series in a variable 

x
x

and an arbitrary number of parameters are considered. Each of them is indexed by an integer 

n
n

. Linear recurrence relations in 

n
n

relate these functions and their product by the variable 

x
x

. We give explicit factorizations of these equations as products of first order recurrence operators. Related recurrences are also derived for the derivative with respect to 

x
x

. These formulas generalize well-known properties of the classical orthogonal polynomials.
Common neural substrates of diverse neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Sokolowski H Moriah , Levine Brian
Published: October 2022

Neurodevelopmental disorders are categorized and studied according to their manifestations as distinct syndromes. For instance, congenital prosopagnosia and dyslexia have largely non-overlapping research literatures and clinical pathways for diagnosis and intervention. On the other hand, the high incidence of neurodevelopmental comorbidities or co-existing extreme strengths and weaknesses suggest that transdiagnostic commonalities may be greater than currently appreciated. The core-periphery model holds that brain regions within the stable core perceptual and motor regions are more densely connected to one another compared to regions in the flexible periphery comprising multimodal association regions. This model provides a framework for the interpretation of neural data in normal development and clinical disorders. Considering network-level commonalities reported in studies of neurodevelopmental disorders, variability in multimodal association cortex connectivity may reflect a shared origin of seemingly distinct neurodevelopmental disorders. This framework helps to explain both comorbidities in neurodevelopmental disorders and profiles of strengths and weaknesses attributable to competitive processing between cognitive systems within an individual.
Individualized morphometric similarity predicts body mass index and food approach behavior in school-age children
Authors: Wang Yulin , Dong Debo , Chen Ximei , Gao Xiao , Liu Yong , Xiao Mingyue , Guo Cheng , Chen Hong
Published: October 2022

Childhood obesity is associated with alterations in brain structure. Previous studies generally used a single structural index to characterize the relationship between body mass index(BMI) and brain structure, which could not describe the alterations of structural covariance between brain regions. To cover this research gap, this study utilized two independent datasets with brain structure profiles and BMI of 155 school-aged children. Connectome-based predictive modeling(CPM) was used to explore whether children’s BMI is reliably predictable by the novel individualized morphometric similarity network(MSN). We revealed the MSN can predict the BMI in school-age children with good generalizability to unseen dataset. Moreover, these revealed significant brain structure covariant networks can further predict children’s food approach behavior. The positive predictive networks mainly incorporated connections between the frontoparietal network(FPN) and the visual network(VN), between the FPN and the limbic network(LN), between the default mode network(DMN) and the LN. The negative predictive network primarily incorporated connections between the FPN and DMN. These results suggested that the incomplete integration of the high-order brain networks and the decreased dedifferentiation of the high-order networks to the primary reward networks can be considered as a core structural basis of the imbalance between inhibitory control and reward processing in childhood obesity.
Toward evaluation of multiresolution cortical thickness estimation with FreeSurfer, MaCRUISE, and BrainSuite
Authors: Nian Rui , Gao Mingshan , Zhang Shichang , Yu Junjie , Gholipour Ali , Kong Shuang , Wang Ruirui , Sui Yao , Velasco-Annis Clemente , Tomas-Fernandez Xavier , Li Qiuying , Lv Hangyu , Qian Yuqi , Warfield Simon K
Published: October 2022

Advances in Magnetic Resonance Imaging hardware and methodologies allow for promoting the cortical morphometry with submillimeter spatial resolution. In this paper, we generated 3D self-enhanced high-resolution (HR) MRI imaging, by adapting 1 deep learning architecture, and 3 standard pipelines, FreeSurfer, MaCRUISE, and BrainSuite, have been collectively employed to evaluate the cortical thickness. We systematically investigated the differences in cortical thickness estimation for MRI sequences at multiresolution homologously originated from the native image. It has been revealed that there systematically exhibited the preferences in determining both inner and outer cortical surfaces at higher resolution, yielding most deeper cortical surface placements toward GM/WM or GM/CSF boundaries, which directs a consistent reduction tendency of mean cortical thickness estimation; on the contrary, the lower resolution data will most probably provide a more coarse and rough evaluation in cortical surface reconstruction, resulting in a relatively thicker estimation. Although the differences of cortical thickness estimation at the diverse spatial resolution varied with one another, almost all led to roughly one-sixth to one-fifth significant reduction across the entire brain at the HR, independent to the pipelines we applied, which emphasizes on generally coherent improved accuracy in a data-independent manner and endeavors to cost-efficiency with quantitative opportunities.
Virtual reality-based sensorimotor adaptation shapes subsequent spontaneous and naturalistic stimulus-driven brain activity
Authors: Wilf Meytal , Dupuis Celine , Nardo Davide , Huber Diana , Sander Sibilla , Al-Kaar Joud , Haroud Meriem , Perrin Henri , Fornari Eleonora , Crottaz-Herbette Sonia , Serino Andrea
Published: October 2022

Our everyday life summons numerous novel sensorimotor experiences, to which our brain needs to adapt in order to function properly. However, tracking plasticity of naturalistic behavior and associated brain modulations is challenging. Here, we tackled this question implementing a prism adaptation-like training in virtual reality (VRPA) in combination with functional neuroimaging. Three groups of healthy participants (N = 45) underwent VRPA (with a shift either to the left/right side, or with no shift), and performed functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) sessions before and after training. To capture modulations in free-flowing, task-free brain activity, the fMRI sessions included resting-state and free-viewing of naturalistic videos. We found significant decreases in spontaneous functional connectivity between attentional and default mode (DMN)/fronto-parietal networks, only for the adaptation groups, more pronouncedly in the hemisphere contralateral to the induced shift. In addition, VRPA was found to bias visual responses to naturalistic videos: Following rightward adaptation, we found upregulation of visual response in an area in the parieto-occipital sulcus (POS) only in the right hemisphere. Notably, the extent of POS upregulation correlated with the size of the VRPA-induced after-effect measured in behavioral tests. This study demonstrates that a brief VRPA exposure can change large-scale cortical connectivity and correspondingly bias visual responses to naturalistic sensory inputs.
Microstimulation in the primary visual cortex: activity patterns and their relation to visual responses and evoked saccades
Authors: Oz Roy , Edelman-Klapper Hadar , Nivinsky-Margalit Shany , Slovin Hamutal
Published: October 2022

Intracortical microstimulation (ICMS) in the primary visual cortex (V1) can generate the visual perception of a small point of light, termed phosphene, and evoke saccades directed to the receptive field of the stimulated neurons. Although ICMS is widely used, a direct measurement of the spatio-temporal patterns of neural activity evoked by ICMS and their relation to the neural responses evoked by visual stimuli or how they relate to ICMS-evoked saccades are still missing. To investigate this, we combined ICMS with voltage-sensitive dye imaging in V1 of behaving monkeys and measured neural activity at a high spatial (meso-scale) and temporal resolution. We then compared the population response evoked by small visual stimuli to those evoked by microstimulation. Both stimulation types evoked population activity that spread over few millimeters in V1 and propagated to extrastriate areas. However, the population responses evoked by ICMS have shown faster dynamics for the activation transients and the horizontal propagation of activity revealed a wave-like propagation. Finally, neural activity in the ICMS condition was higher for trials with evoked saccades as compared with trials without saccades. Our results uncover the spatio-temporal patterns evoked by ICMS and their relation to visual processing and saccade generation.
Using fractal dimension analysis to assess the effects of normal aging and sex on subregional cortex alterations across the lifespan from a Chinese dataset
Authors: Chen Yiyong , Zuo Yizhi , Kang Shaofang , Pan Liliang , Jiang Siyu , Yan Aohui , Li Lin
Published: October 2022

Fractal dimension (FD) is used to quantify brain structural complexity and is more sensitive to morphological variability than other cortical measures. However, the effects of normal aging and sex on FD are not fully understood. In this study, age- and sex-related differences in FD were investigated in a sample of 448 adults age of 19–80 years from a Chinese dataset. The FD was estimated with the surface-based morphometry (SBM) approach, sex differences were analyzed on a vertex level, and correlations between FD and age were examined. Generalized additive models (GAMs) were used to characterize the trajectories of age-related changes in 68 regions based on the Desikan–Killiany atlas. The SBM results showed sex differences in the entire sample and 3 subgroups defined by age. GAM results demonstrated that the FD values of 51 regions were significantly correlated with age. The trajectories of changes can be classified into 4 main patterns. Our results indicate that sex differences in FD are evident across developmental stages. Age-related trajectories in FD are not homogeneous across the cerebral cortex. Our results extend previous findings and provide a foundation for future investigation of the underlying mechanism.
The institutional impossibility of guild socialism
Authors: Hodgson Geoffrey M
Published: October 2022

Guild socialism was developed in the 1906–25 period. It has been held up as a ‘libertarian’ and ‘democratic’ alternative to the statist socialism of the Fabians and the Soviet bloc. This article outlines the basic features of guild socialism, particularly in the most influential version of G. D. H. Cole. Guild socialists wanted to minimise markets and to give higher administrative bodies the right to impose prices in cases of dispute. It is argued here that, despite the intentions of its proponents, guild socialism has a strong centralising dynamic that would undermine its defining aspirations for ‘workers' control’. This centralising dynamic will remain, as long as the guilds are denied legal autonomy, (cooperative) ownership of their means of production and their general right to negotiate prices of their outputs and inputs with buyers and sellers. This diminished capacity for local adjustment, with a potential upward referral of crucial decisions and powers, would add to the informational and task burdens of higher administrative bodies. Much of the previous literature on guild socialism has overlooked these problems. Attention must be paid to legal, as well as other, power relations in the analysis of actual or proposed economic systems.
Gaps and discontinuation of statin treatment in Norway: potential for optimizing management of lipid lowering drugs
Authors: Engebretsen Ingrid , Munkhaugen John , Bugge Christoffer , Halvorsen Sigrun , Ødegaard Kristina Malene , Støvring Henrik , Kristiansen Ivar Sønbø
Published: October 2022

Aims

In clinical practice, many patients do not reach the recommended treatment targets for LDL-cholesterol levels. We aimed to examine treatment patterns and adherence for patients on lipid lowering drugs in Norway to inform future strategies to improve therapies.

Methods and results

We obtained information on all dispensed statins, ezetimibe, and proprotein convertase subtilisin/-kexin 9 (PCSK9) inhibitors 2010–2019 from the Norwegian Prescription Database. Treatment gaps were assessed assuming patients take one tablet per day and were defined to occur if a patient did not refill a prescription when the previous one should have been depleted. Treatment was defined as discontinued when the preceding prescription would have been used and no new subsequent prescription was filled. The mean proportion of days covered (PDC) was calculated by aggregating the total number of tablets dispensed during each calendar year and dividing by 365. Patients 80 years were excluded. A considerable proportion of statin users in Norway had long treatment gaps or discontinuation in treatment. The 19.6% of the patients had treatment gaps of 180 days or more, and 10.8% had gaps or greater than 365 days. Similar results were found for patients on antidiabetics and hypertensives. PDC ranged from 84.9% for simvastatin to 72.2% for ezetimibe (2019). The most common lipid lowering drugs in 2019 were atorvastatin, simvastatin, and ezetimibe.

Conclusion

There is a great potential for improving drug adherence and optimizing lipid lowering therapy by switching to more effective statins in greater doses, and more often add ezetimibe and PCSK9 inhibitors to treatment.
Social determinants of health and recurrence of atrial fibrillation after catheter ablation: a Danish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Vinter Nicklas , Calvert Peter , Kronborg Mads B , Cosedis-Nielsen Jens , Gupta Dhiraj , Ding Wern Y , Trinquart Ludovic , Johnsen Søren P , Frost Lars , Lip Gregory Y H
Published: October 2022

Aims

To examine the associations between three social determinants of health (SDOH) and recurrence of AF after ablation.

Methods and results

We selected patients who underwent a first ablation after an incident hospital diagnosis of AF between 2005 and 2018 from the entire Danish population. Educational attainment, family income, and whether the patient was living alone were assessed at the time of ablation. We used cause-specific proportional hazard models to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) adjusted for age and sex. In secondary analyses, we adjusted for comorbidities, antiarrhythmic medication, and prior electrical cardioversion.

We selected 9728 patients (mean age 61 years, 70% men), and 5881 patients had AF recurrence over an average of 1.37 years after ablation (recurrence rate 325.7 (95% CI 317.6–334.2) per 1000 person-years). Lower education (HR 1.09 [1.02–1.17] and 1.07 [1.01–1.14] for lower and medium vs. higher), lower income [HR 1.14 (1.06–1.22) and 1.09 (1.03–1.17) for lower and medium vs. higher], and living alone [HR 1.07 (1.00–1.13)] were associated with increased rates of recurrence of AF. We found no evidence of interaction between sex or prior HF with SDOH. The association between family income and AF recurrence was stronger among patients < 65 years compared with those aged ≥ 65 years. The associations between SDOH and AF recurrence did not persist in the multivariable model.

Conclusion

AF was more likely to recur among patients with lower educational attainment, lower family income, or those living alone. Multidisciplinary efforts are needed to reduce socioeconomic inequity in the effect of ablation.
Coronary angiography after cardiac arrest without ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a network meta-analysis
Authors: Heyne Sebastian , Macherey Sascha , Meertens Max M , Braumann Simon , Nießen Franz S , Tichelbäcker Tobias , Baldus Stephan , Adler Christoph , Lee Samuel
Published: October 2022

Aims

This network meta-analysis aimed to assess the effect of early coronary angiography (CAG) compared with selective CAG (late and no CAG) for patients after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest without ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTE-OHCA).

Methods and results

A systematic literature search was performed using the EMBASE, MEDLINE and Web of Science databases without restrictions on publication date. The last search was performed on 15 July 2022. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized studies (NRS) comparing the effect of early CAG to selective CAG after NSTE-OHCA on survival and/or neurological outcomes were included. Meta-analyses were performed based on a DerSimonian-Laird random effects model. A total of 18 studies were identified by the literature search. After the exclusion of two studies due to high risk of bias, 16 studies (six RCTs, ten NRS) were included in the final analyses. Meta-analyses showed a statistically significant increase in survival after early CAG compared with selective CAG in the overall analysis [OR: 1.40, 95% confidence interval (CI): (1.12–1.76), P < 0.01, I2 = 68%]. This effect was lost in the subgroup analysis of RCTs [OR: 0.89, 95% CI: (0.73–1.10), P = 0.29, I2 = 0%]. Random effects model network meta-analysis of NRS based on a Bayesian method showed statistically significant increased survival after late compared with early CAG [OR: 4.20, 95% CI: (1.22, 20.91)].

Conclusion

The previously reported superiority of early CAG after NSTE-OHCA is based on NRS at high risk of selection and survivorship bias. The meta-analysis of RCTs does not support routinely performing early CAG after NSTE-OHCA.