bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Clinical case analysis of 32 children aged 0–6 years with lead poisoning in Nanning, China
Authors: Wei Yi-fei , Gan Cui-liu , Xu Fang , Fang Yuan-yuan , Zhang Bao-dan , Li Wu-shu , Nong Kang , Aschner Michael , Jiang Yue-ming
Published: November 2023

Lead is one of the heavy metals that is toxic and widely distributed in the environment, and children are more sensitive to the toxic effects of lead because the blood–brain barrier and immune system are not yet well developed. The objective of the study was to investigate the clinical characteristics of lead poisoning in children aged 0∼6 years in a hospital in Guangxi, and to provide scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of lead poisoning. We collected and analyzed the clinical data of 32 children with lead poisoning admitted to a hospital in Guangxi from 2010 to 2018. The results showed that most of the 32 cases presented with hyperactivity, irritability, poor appetite, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation. The hemoglobin (HGB), mean corpusular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and hematocrit (HCT) of the lead-poisoned children were all decreased to different degrees and were below normal acceptable levels. Urinary β2-microglobulin was increased. Blood lead levels (BLL) decreased significantly after intravenous injection of the lead chelator, calcium disodium edetate (CaNa2-EDTA). In addition, HGB returned to normal levels, while MCV, MCH, and HCT increased but remained below normal levels. Urinary β2-microglobulin was reduced to normal levels. Therefore, in this cohort of children, the high-risk factors for lead poisoning are mainly Chinese medicines, such as baby powder. In conclusion, lead poisoning caused neurological damage and behavioral changes in children and decreased erythrocyte parameters, leading to digestive symptoms and renal impairment, which can be attenuated by CaNa2-EDTA treatment.
The Negative Effects of Travel on Student Athletes Through Sleep and Circadian Disruption
Authors: Heller H. Craig , Herzog Erik , Brager Allison , Poe Gina , Allada Ravi , Scheer Frank A. J. L. , Carskadon Mary , de la Iglesia Horacio O. , Jang Rockelle , Montero Ashley , Wright Kenneth , Mouraine Philippe , Walker Matthew P. , Goel Namni , Hogenesch John , Van Gelder Russell N. , Kriegsfeld Lance , Mah Cheri , Colwell Christopher , Zeitzer Jamie , Grandner Michael , Jackson Chandra L. , Roxanne Prichard J. , Kay Steve A. , Paul Ketema
Published: November 2023

Collegiate athletes must satisfy the academic obligations common to all undergraduates, but they have the additional structural and social stressors of extensive practice time, competition schedules, and frequent travel away from their home campus. Clearly such stressors can have negative impacts on both their academic and athletic performances as well as on their health. These concerns are made more acute by recent proposals and decisions to reorganize major collegiate athletic conferences. These rearrangements will require more multi-day travel that interferes with the academic work and personal schedules of athletes. Of particular concern is additional east-west travel that results in circadian rhythm disruptions commonly called jet lag that contribute to the loss of amount as well as quality of sleep. Circadian misalignment and sleep deprivation and/or sleep disturbances have profound effects on physical and mental health and performance. We, as concerned scientists and physicians with relevant expertise, developed this white paper to raise awareness of these challenges to the wellbeing of our student-athletes and their co-travelers. We also offer practical steps to mitigate the negative consequences of collegiate travel schedules. We discuss the importance of bedtime protocols, the availability of early afternoon naps, and adherence to scheduled lighting exposure protocols before, during, and after travel, with support from wearables and apps. We call upon departments of athletics to engage with sleep and circadian experts to advise and help design tailored implementation of these mitigating practices that could contribute to the current and long-term health and wellbeing of their students and their staff members.
Moody and in love? The role of neuroticism and romantic relationships for momentary affect in adolescence
Authors: Wieczorek Larissa L. , Utesch Katharina , Grund Simon , Wagner Jenny
Published: November 2023

The affective lives of adolescents are unique in that momentary affect in this age group is more negative and variable. This study examined how neuroticism and romantic relationships (i.e., relationship involvement and relationship quality) relate to adolescents’ daily affective experiences. In a weeklong experience sampling period, 408 German adolescents ( MAge = 16.83) reported up to five times per day on their positive and negative affect. We estimated mixed-effects location scale models to analyze interindividual differences in adolescents’ affect level and variability. Adolescents with higher neuroticism experienced lower levels of positive affect, higher levels of negative affect, and higher variability of positive and negative affect. Whereas adolescents with a romantic partner did not differ from their single peers with regard to affect level, they experienced higher affect variability, although evidence for these effects was weak. Finally, among adolescents who were currently involved in a romantic relationship, those with higher relationship quality experienced more variability in their positive affect if they scored higher in neuroticism. Across models, effect sizes systematically differed between affect level and variability, positive and negative affect, as well as neuroticism facets. We discuss these findings in light of adolescents’ affective dynamics, affective development, and personality-social relationship interactions.
Conflicting Norms—How Norms of Disconnection and Availability Correlate With Digital Media Use Across Generations
Authors: Geber Sarah , Nguyen Minh Hao , Büchi Moritz
Published: November 2023

Digital disconnection has emerged as a response to constant connectivity and the perceived harms to well-being that technology overuse may cause in a digital society. Despite the apparent conflict with expectations of constant availability, there has been limited research on the role of social norms in individuals’ regulation of their digital media use. The present study applied a nuanced conceptualization of social norms—by differentiating referent groups (i.e., family, friends, and everyday contacts) as well as injunctive and descriptive norms—and examined the associations of disconnection and availability norms with disconnection behavior across two generations of digital media users. Drawing on an online survey based on a stratified population sample ( N = 1163), we found perceptions of injunctive disconnection norms to differ across generations, with younger digital media users perceiving digital disconnection but also availability to be more important to their social environment. This conflict of contradictory norms was also reflected in an interactional effect on own disconnection behavior in this group, where positive correlations between disconnections norms and behavior were countered by availability norms. Overall, our findings demonstrate the social complexity of the individual decision to (dis)connect and, on the societal level, that social norms of disconnection are in transition with disconnection behavior becoming and being perceived as more and more important.
Minimum-time and minimum-energy trajectory planning under dynamic constraints for a quadrotor
Authors: Larabi Yassine , Haddad Moussa , Khenfri Fouad , Brulin Pierre Yves , Bouadi Hakim
Published: November 2023

This article proposes an approach for optimizing the trajectory planning of quadrotors in structured environments, taking into consideration the trade-off between task execution time and energy consumption. The constraints taken into account are geometrical (boundary conditions in position and orientation, obstacle avoidance), kinematic (boundary conditions in velocity, linear velocity, and acceleration limits of the system), and dynamic (limit capacities in torque of the actuators, constraints related to the under-actuation of the system). The approach extends the Random Trajectory Profile Approach (RPA) to the case of quadrotors. The results of this approach are validated through experimental tests and compared with those in the literature, demonstrating its effectiveness in offline and online scenarios. The proposed approach offers a promising solution for achieving optimal trajectory planning of quadrotors in structured environments.
The antioxidant properties of resveratrol on sperm parameters, testicular tissue, antioxidant capacity, and lipid peroxidation in isoflurane-induced toxicity in mice
Authors: Mohammadi Zahra , Alaee Sanaz , Namavar Mohammad Reza , Khodabandeh Zahra , Ahmadi Nahid , Rashidipour Niloofar , Karami-Mohajeri Somayyeh
Published: November 2023

This study explores whether resveratrol effectively protects the reproductive system against isoflurane-induced toxicity in testicular tissue. In this experiment, we randomly divided 60 adult male C57BL/6 mice into six groups ( n = 10). Five consecutive days per week, mice were exposed to 1.5% isoflurane for 1 h/day and were given 50 and 100 mg/kg resveratrol. After 35 days (the completion of the mouse spermatogenesis period), the left testis was removed for histomorphometric evaluations, while the right testis was used to determine the Capacity of total antioxidants and lipid peroxidation. To analyze the Parameters of sperm, chromatin maturation, and DNA fragmentation, the left caudal epididymis was used. Based on a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), we considered a difference in means of 0.05 to be significant (P0.05). Compared to the control group, the isoflurane group showed a significant decrease in testicular weight, volume, sperm parameters, and tissue histomorphometry. Comparatively, to the control group, malondialdehyde levels increased, and the total antioxidant capacity decreased significantly. Resveratrol improved all of the above parameters in the simultaneous treatment groups compared to the isoflurane group. It did not, however, reach the level of the control group in all cases. It has been demonstrated that resveratrol, with its powerful antioxidant properties, reduces the reproductive toxicity of isoflurane by inhibiting free radicals and increasing the testicular tissue's antioxidant capacity.
The estimated prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies and criteria-antiphospholipid syndrome in subjects with renal thrombotic microangiopathy
Authors: Aluf Ofir , Parente Silvia , Radin Massimo , Campa Loretta , Gazzola Valentina , Olugbogi Akindamola , Tesio Nicolò , Ugo Heinrich , Zanetti Edoardo , Zevallos Carla , Versino Elisabetta , Lembo David , Roccatello Dario , Sciascia Savino
Published: November 2023

Background

While the prevalence of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in venous and arterial thrombotic events had already been estimated by previous studies, the prevalence of aPL in subjects with Thrombotic Microangiopathy (TMA) is still not fully elucidated. Thus, we conducted a systematic review to estimate the frequency of aPL in subjects with biopsy-proven renal TMA.

Methods

We conducted in the PubMed database a search for English-language studies investigating the presence of aPL in subjects with biopsy-proven renal TMA from January 1985 to December 2022. Keywords used in the search included: ‘antiphospholipid syndrome’, ‘antiphospholipid antibodies’ and ‘thrombotic microangiopathy’. Cohorts of HUS patients were excluded due to the risk of over-estimating the prevalence of aPL in these populations. The median frequency for positive aPL including anticardiolipin antibodies (aCL), antibodies against β2-glycoprotein-I (anti-β2GPI) and lupus anticoagulant (LA) was then calculated.

Results

522 articles were identified through the literature search. Six studies, assessing the prevalence of aPL in 211 subjects with renal TMA, were retrieved. The overall aPL prevalence was estimated as 24.4% (range 22–56). The estimated prevalence of aCL (IgG/IgM), anti-β2GPI, (IgG/IgM) and LA was 4.0% (range 3–27), 4.0% (range 3–16) and 18.9% (range 13–25), respectively. APS was diagnosed in 16.3% (range 11–29) of the patients. Of note, a high level of heterogeneity was observed when comparing the reported aPL profiles for each study.

Conclusions

This comprehensive systematic analysis of studies investigating the prevalence of aPL in renal TMA showed that, despite the high heterogeneity of the included studies, aPL are present in about one case out of four renal-TMA cases.
A union in distress: Contested spatial imaginations, narratives and practices of European (dis)integration
Authors: Beurskens Kristine , Bruns Bettina , Kirndörfer Elisabeth , Pilz Madlen
Published: November 2023

Europe as a spatial concept and space in practice has witnessed a variety of integrative as well as disintegrative tendencies over the past decades. While a binary concept of the terms integration and disintegration has dominated a vast proportion of public discussion as well as academic literature, some authors advance a more differentiated view. The introduction of this special issue will pick up the threads of these debates and connect them to considerations of the spatialities of such processes. While theoretically dissecting the roles and meanings of spatial imaginations, narratives and everyday practices and conceptualizing their entanglements within Europe’s growing together and apart, the introduction will provide a basis for the detailed and empirical accounts of this issue. By paying particular attention to the meaningful and symbolic power of imaginations and narratives used within the struggles around European (dis)integration, the main aim is to engage closer with the central mechanisms facilitating and underlying the current struggles around European (dis)integrations. Consequently, the introduction opens the view for a multitude of spatially enhanced processes ranging between encounters and borderings.
Corporate Accountability. Not Moral Responsibility
Authors: Rönnegard David
Published: November 2023

The aim of this article is to briefly spell out why corporate moral agency is a fallacy and to show how this conclusion should shift the field of business ethics more in the direction of political philosophy and the rule of law. An argument based on a false assumption can be valid, but it cannot be sound. If corporate moral agency is a fallacy, and thus also moral prescriptions for corporations, how do we salvage the field of business ethics? To the extent that business ethics is about corporate behaviour (rather than individual managerial behaviour), the field can shift its foundational paradigm from ethics (which requires the attributes of moral agency) to legal accountability (which can be imposed instrumentally on corporate legal agents). By letting our elected representatives legislate the norms of acceptable corporate behaviour we can hold corporate legal entities legally accountable. What these norms should be then becomes the central focus of business ethics seen through the lens of political philosophy.
Can Machine Learning Outperform the Market? Testing the Weak-form Efficiency Hypothesis of the Indian Stock Market Using Support Vector Machines
Authors: Thomas Robin
Published: November 2023

This article examines the validity of the weak form of the efficient market hypothesis (EMH) in the context of the Nifty stock market index by applying a support vector machine (SVM) model. The aim is to forecast future stock prices using historical data and to evaluate the performance of the SVM model based on accuracy, precision, recall and the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC). The findings offer important implications for the efficiency of the Nifty market and its consequences for investors. The EMH posits that stock prices incorporate all available information, making it impossible to consistently beat the market using historical data. This article tests this proposition by using an SVM model to forecast future stock prices using historical data. The methodology consists of applying the SVM algorithm on historical data of the Nifty stock market index. Performance measures, such as accuracy, precision, recall and AUC, are used to assess the effectiveness of the SVM model. The results show an accuracy of 63.25% in forecasting stock prices, indicating a substantial agreement between predicted and actual labels. The precision score of the model is 97.97%, indicating a high proportion of correctly predicted positive instances. However, the recall score is relatively low at 34.36%, suggesting that some actual positive instances were overlooked. The ROC curve visually illustrates the trade-off between true positive rate and false positive rate for different classification thresholds. This article contributes to the literature on market efficiency by applying a novel SVM model to forecast future stock prices of the Nifty index and finding that the model outperforms random chance, thus challenging the weak form of the EMH.
Trust Formation in Food Manufacturer–Distributor Relation in Africa: Evidence From Tanzania
Authors: Nandonde Felix Adamu , Ndyetabula Daniel , Kuada John
Published: November 2023

This article looks at the formation of trust in developing economies focusing on food manufacturer–distributor relationship. The study used the descriptive phenomenological method to understand how actors in the food value chain develop trust in a business environment where one cannot enforce the contract. In general, the study identifies three dimensions of trust in the food manufacturer–distributor relationship in Tanzania, namely, the use of personal relationship, social gathering and trade credit. The article shows the implication of the study to managers and policy and areas for further research were provided.
A Temporal Assessment of Burglary at Residential Premises in the Newlands East Policing Precint
Authors: Mbonambi Nokukhanya Neptune
Published: November 2023

Knowing when crimes occur most predominantly in a specific area, such as which hour/s of the day, which day/s of the week, or which month/s of the year, is fundamental for the formulation of crime prevention strategies. This information facilitates operational as well as tactical resource deployment in areas at times when they are needed the most. This article aimed to contribute to this knowledge by exploring when most residential burglaries occurred in the Newlands East policing precinct in the Durban area. This was deemed necessary as residential burglary had been reported as the highest property-related crime in the study area for the 5-year period (2015–2019) preceding the study. To ensure that the aim of this study was achieved, a qualitative research design was utilized which assisted the researcher to focus on the temporal assessment of burglary at residential premises in the Newlands East policing precinct. Data collection was achieved by means of Focus Group Discussions and semi-structured interviews that involved a total of 37 participants comprising of South African Police Service members, Community Policing Forum representatives, local Ward councillors, and ordinary community members. The overall results suggest that the Newlands area experiences fluctuations in the frequency of residential burglaries throughout the year by hour, day, week, month, and season. This information can inform policymakers and law enforcement agents on when to implement crime prevention strategies.
Comparison of Laboratory and Non-Laboratory-Based 2019 World Health Organization Cardiovascular Risk Charts in the Bhutanese Population
Authors: Chhezom Kuenzang , Gurung Mongal Singh , Wangdi Kinley
Published: November 2023

The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends the use of color-coded cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk charts for CVD management. This study evaluated the agreement between the laboratory and non-laboratory 10-year CVD risks based on 2019 WHO CVD risk-prediction charts. The agreement of CVD risk scores among 40- to 69-year-old Bhutanese population stratified by gender and age groups (<60 and ≥60 years) was determined via weighted kappa statistics. In the general population, there was substantial agreement between the two CVD risk score charts for all ages and <60 years but a moderate agreement for participants aged ≥60 years. In males, substantial agreement was observed in all ages and in <60 years and moderate agreement in ≥60 years. In females, both the predictions showed substantial agreement in all ages and <60, but a moderate agreement for ≥60 years. The non-laboratory-based risk charts can be used interchangeably with laboratory-based charts for predicting 10-year CVD risk in resource-constrained countries like Bhutan.
Degree of articular injury as measured by CT cross sectional area is associated with physical function following the treatment of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures
Authors: von Keudell Arvind , Huebner Kyla D , Mandell Jacob , O’Brien Matthew , Harris Mitchel B , Esposito John G , Caton Tyler , Weaver Michael J
Published: November 2023

Background

Bicondylar tibial plateau fractures are complex injuries that commonly require surgical repair. Long-term clinical outcome has been associated with discrepancies in leg alignment, instability and condylar width abnormalities. While intuitive, the degree of articular damage at time of injury has not been linked to outcomes in patients with bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. The aim of this study was to quantify percentage of articular surface cross sectional area disruption and assess for correlation between the degree of articular injury and patient reported physical function.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study at two level 1 trauma centers. 57 consecutive patients undergoing surgical repair for bicondylar tibial plateau fractures between 2013 and 2016.

Main outcome measure

Preoperative CT scans were reviewed, and the percentage of articular surface disruption cross sectional area was calculated. PROMIS® scores were collected from patients at a minimum of 2 years.

Results

57 patients with an average age of 58 ± 14.3 years were included. The average PROMIS® score was 45.5. There was a correlation between percentage of articular surface disruption and total PROMIS® scores (0.4, CI: 0.2–0.5, p = .007) and the physical function of the PROMIS® score (0.4, CI: 0.2–0.6, p < .001).

Conclusion

Our method for calculating articular surface disruption on CT is a simple, reproducible and accurate method for assessing the degree of articular damage in patients with bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. We found that the percentage of cross-sectional articular surface disruption correlates with patient reported outcomes and physical function.
“You Had Better Mention All of Them:” Race and Gender Effects in Election Loss Narratives
Authors: Haines Pavielle , Masket Seth
Published: November 2023

A common explanation for Hillary Clinton’s loss in the 2016 presidential election was that she catered to minorities at the expense of the broader electorate. How does such a loss narrative influence voters' interpretation of subsequent elections? In a conjoint experiment, white and Black Democratic respondents were randomly exposed to a vignette that ascribed Democrats’ 2016 losses to their focus on identity politics. This narrative had an asymmetric effect on attitudes toward the 2020 election based on both race and gender. While it had no impact on white men’s or Black women’s understanding of why the Democrats lost the last presidential election or their candidate preferences for the next, it had a substantial impact on the electoral attitudes of white women and a moderate impact on those of Black men. Specifically, it shifted their support away from candidates committed to gender and racial equity and toward those emphasizing broad economic policies. The identity politics loss narrative thus may have acted as a self-fulfilling prophecy that advantaged white male candidates in the 2020 election.
From Adaptive Readiness to Adaptation Results Testing the Career Construction Model of Adaptation in Chinese Adolescents
Authors: Zhang Xiao-jing , Savickas Mark L. , Ma Yi-dan , Li Chang-jun , Xue Wei-feng , Wang Rui
Published: November 2023

China’s college entrance examination reforms necessitate a new view of adolescent career development along with suitable assessment instruments for career intervention with secondary school students. We conducted two studies to address this need. The first study examined the evidence for the validity and reliability of the Student Career Construction Inventory (SCCI). The results of the Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) supported the four-factor structure of the SCCI. The findings suggest that the SCCI is an effective measure of career-construction behaviors among Chinese secondary school students. The second study evaluated the applicability of the career construction model of adaptation (CCMA). The model was empirically tested using the validated SCCI. The results of the serial mediation analysis confirmed that adaptive readiness indirectly influences adaptability resources, adapting responses, and adaptation results in the CCMA model.
Women's Empowerment Through Access to Safe Transport: The Impact of Sexual and Nonsexual Victimization on Female Commuters in Bangladesh and Cambodia
Authors: King Julie , King Mark , Oviedo-Trespalacios Oscar , Watling Hanna , Carroll Julie-Anne , Bull Melissa , Grant-Smith Deanna , Anam Mujibul , Pen Sakony , Davidson Danielle
Published: November 2023

An examination of women's experience on public transport in Bangladesh and Cambodia found that victimization does reduce perceived safety or transport use. In a cultural context where women are socialized to fear and avoid public spaces, experiencing victimization may confirm rather than change previous beliefs. Moreover, it is possible that the participants’ use of public transport was driven by necessity rather than choice and that they were unable to change travel patterns in response to victimization. These findings underscore the importance of targeting public violence toward women and the broader societal norms that limit their participation in public life.
Strategic use of ultra-high-performance concrete and carbon fiber reinforced polymer reinforcement for end zone design of prestressed girders
Authors: Salah Abdulrahman , Kalliontzis Dimitrios
Published: November 2023

The design of end zones to prevent severe cracking is a key requirement toward durable prestressed girders. Traditional approaches employ large amounts of steel reinforcement to attain this requirement, which may result in steel congestion. This paper investigates a hybrid girder concept that uses Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) and Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) bars to enhance crack control and long-term durability in the end zones of prestressed girders. The objectives of this study are to quantify the UHPC zone lengths needed to restrain end zone cracks, eliminate or reduce the required amount of steel reinforcement, and investigate its replacement with CFRP bars. A finite element modeling (FEM) approach was developed for this purpose and its fidelity was validated with experimental data. The FEM results showed that UHPC zones with lengths below or equal to half of the girder depth can significantly reduce end zone cracking. CFRP bars can be added in the UHPC zones as a conservative measure to crack control, to ensure the long-term corrosion resistance of the girders.
Complex modal analysis of structural vibration and acoustic radiation of plates
Authors: Wei Lai , Li Sheng
Published: November 2023

Inhomogeneous damping distribution leads to the occurrence of complex modes of structures. Complex modes' vibration and acoustic radiation characteristics are different from real modes. This paper studies the complex modal characteristics of inhomogeneously damped plates for forced vibration. We used the state space method to obtain the complex eigenvalues and eigenvectors of the vibration system and calculated the relationship between modal coordinates and frequency under unit force. The results show that the absolute values of the modal coordinates of two conjugate complex eigenvectors are different, and the structure's vibration is dominated by the eigenvectors corresponding to eigenvalues with positive imaginary parts near natural frequencies. When investigating the structural sound radiation in the vibration mode space, each mode's acoustic radiation is not independent but coupled with each other. The influence of the coupling between complex modes on the calculation results of the acoustic radiation power of the plate is studied in this paper. The results show that the coupling effect between modes cannot be ignored when calculating the acoustic radiation power based on complex modes. Finally, the error of calculating acoustic power using the decoupling approximation instead of the complex mode method is analyzed.
Making sense of cultural diversity’s complexity: Addressing an emerging challenge for leadership
Authors: Chua Shireen Wei Yuin , Sun Peter YT , Sinha Paresha
Published: November 2023

The growing complexity of cultural diversity within organizations’ workforce today requires leadership to find new organizational approaches to diversity management. Today’s workforce are seeking a different management approach where the staff experience inclusion and belonging whilst contributing to the organization’s purpose. The current organizational approaches to diversity management have not been successful in delivering on the promised outcomes (e.g., creativity and innovation) that leadership seeks. Leadership’s role is critical to developing organizational approaches to diversity management. Cultural inclusion offers leadership today’s approach of managing for inclusion. This paper proposes a conceptual framework that looks at leadership’s role in their organization’s diversity management approach. We identify three dimensions in our conceptual framework that influence leadership in their effort’s for effective diversity management: leadership’s accountability for diversity management; leadership’s approach to diversity management; and leadership’s focus of diversity management. This conceptual framework allows the leadership of organizations to identify their current diversity management approaches by mapping leadership position’s position with the three dimensions to identify leadership’s role in managing their culturally diverse organizations.
Life cycle assessment of ammonia/hydrogen-driven marine propulsion
Authors: Dong Duc Tuan , Schönborn Alessandro , Christodoulou Anastasia , Ölcer Aykut I. , González-Celis José
Published: November 2023

Marine fuels are the main sources of pollution from shipping industry. Hydrogen and ammonia have been suggested to be alternative fuels for shipping as these two fuels do not emit carbon dioxides in the combustion process. This study employed life cycle assessment method to compare the environmental performance of propulsion systems using hydrogen and ammonia as marine fuels to fossil fuels. 2-stroke and 4-stroke engines of tankers using fossil fuels were chosen as base case scenarios. Alternative scenarios using ‘green’ and ‘blue’ hydrogen and ammonia with the support of pilot fuel were then compared to the base case scenarios. While the performance of the coming combustion concepts for hydrogen and ammonia engines are still unknown, preliminary estimations were used in this study. The results showed that hydrogen and ammonia could substantially reduce the global warming potential, compared with the fossil fuel scenarios. Hydrogen and ammonia are also expected to be highly effective in cutting down the particulate matter and the emission of black carbon.
Let Me in, Let Me in!: One Coach’s Efforts to Gain Access to Teachers’ Classrooms
Authors: Saclarides Evthokia Stephanie
Published: November 2023

This case explores Coach Rosa’s efforts to gain access to teachers’ classrooms to support teaching and learning. As Rosa demonstrates, working to gain access is a complex coaching practice and coaches cannot assume that their classroom access at any school is universal. School leaders, including district administrators, principals, coaches, and teacher leaders, using this case will learn about the wide range of access-granting strategies Rosa strategically leveraged to support her classroom entry for coaching work. Furthermore, school leaders will have the opportunity to reflect upon their own classroom access for coaching work and consider which access-granting strategies may enhance their access.
Measuring Racial Differences in Obesity Risk Factors in Non-Hispanic Black and White Men Aged 20 Years or Older
Authors: Zare Hossein , Aazami Aida , Shalby Noran , Gilmore Danielle R. , Thorpe Roland J.
Published: November 2023

Obesity prevalence in the United States has increased drastically in the last two decades. Racial differences in obesity have emerged with the increase in obesity, with temporal trends because of individual, socioeconomic, and environmental factors, eating behaviors, lack of exercise, etc., raising questions about understanding the mechanisms driving these racial differences in the prevalence of obesity among non-Hispanic Black (NHB) and non-Hispanic White (NHW) men. Although many studies have measured obesity using body mass index (BMI), little is known about waist circumference (WC). This study examines variations in obesity among NHW and NHB using BMI and WC. We used National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (1999–2016) with a sample of 9,000 NHW and 3,913 NHB men aged 20 years or older. To estimate the association between the prevalence of obesity (BMI ≥30) and race, we applied modified Poisson regression; to explore and decompose racial differences, we used Oaxaca–Blinder decomposition (OBD). We found that NHW had higher abdominal obesity (WC ≥102) than NHB, but NHB were more likely to be obese (BMI ≥30) during most years, with some fluctuations. Modified Poisson regression showed that NHB had a higher prevalence of obesity (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.11, 95% confidence interval [CI] = [1.04, 1.18]) but lower abdominal obesity (PR: 0.845; 95% CI = [0.801, 0.892]) than NHW. OBD showed that age, access to health care, smoking, and drinking contributed to the differences in abdominal obesity. The study identifies a significant increase in obesity among men over the last two decades; generalized obesity (based on BMI) was more problematic for NHB men, but abdominal obesity was more problematic for NHW men.
Study on lubrication performance of engine piston skirt with bionic design
Authors: Bo Wu , Song Zhang , Weijun Tian , Qian Cong
Published: November 2023

As the main friction pair of engine, the friction loss of piston-cylinder liner assembly in the working process has become the main reason of engine friction power consumption. Many species in the biological world have formed non-smooth forms of resistance reduction after thousands of years of survival and evolution. Many people have applied this non-smooth shape of drag reduction on organisms to the surface of friction pairs in construction machinery. Based on LX108 engine, the wear and erosion resistance of Scapharca subcrenata surface is applied to the piston skirt, which is the main friction pair in the engine. Nine test schemes were designed according to orthogonal test. This design selects three factors, namely, groove distribution type, groove depth and width, groove spacing, and each factor includes three levels. The macroscopic fluid lubrication state of the whole piston skirt with bionic shape is studied. Through the change of oil film thickness caused by thermal-mechanical coupling deformation of skirt, combined with the average Reynolds equation, the hydrodynamic pressure of lubricating oil, shear stress, and skirt friction force are obtained to verify the contribution of bionic shape to piston drag reduction, wear reduction, wetting increase, and friction power consumption. The simulation and test results show that the lubrication of all parts of the bionic groove piston skirt is better than that of the standard piston; When the depth and width of groove is 0.8 mm and the spacing is 10°, the thicker the oil film thickness of skirt is; The bionic piston whose oil film bearing area is 74%–87% of the standard piston has the smallest normal pressure and friction; When the upper end of the skirt is arranged with groove shape and the lower end is arranged with narrow groove shape between wide grooves, the lubrication effect is better.
Development of a model for predicting the flash temperature in single asperity contact between TC4 titanium and Q235 steel
Authors: Pan He , Zhang Yang
Published: November 2023

The friction hot surfaces generated by metal under low-speed friction is the main potential ignition source for explosive atmosphere, while the friction flash temperature is often much higher than the bulk temperature under the same conditions. Then the first to reach the ignition temperature of the combustible gas is the bulk temperature of the hot surface or the flash temperature of the contact of the asperities, which is worth studying. In view of this, by establishing a friction model, this paper conducts an in-depth study on the flash temperature of the asperities contact between the of TC4 titanium alloy and Q235 steel at the friction conditions of low speed and low load. According to the Hertz contact theory, the contact process of a single pair of asperities and the calculation method of the maximum flash temperature are analyzed, and the maximum flash temperature value is calculated using two assumptions. Combined with regression analysis, the mathematical model of the flash temperature with load and relative velocity is obtained. Under the same conditions, the maximum bulk temperature and flash temperature are calculated, so as to study the real effective ignition source of the gas at the friction conditions of low speed and low load.
Sensory nerve transfers in the upper limb after peripheral nerve injury: a scoping review
Authors: Duraku Liron S. , Hundepool Caroline A. , Moore Amy M. , Eberlin Kyle R. , Michiel Zuidam J. , George Samuel , Power Dominic M.
Published: November 2023

Nerve transfer for motor nerve paralysis is an established technique for treating complex nerve injuries. However, nerve transfer for sensory reconstruction has not been widely used, and published research on this topic is limited compared to motor nerve transfer. The indications and outcomes of nerve transfer for the restoration of sensory function remain unproven. This scoping review examines the indications, outcomes and complications of sensory nerve transfer. In total, 22 studies were included; the major finding is that distal sensory nerve transfers are more successful than proximal ones in succeeding protective sensation. Although the risk of extension of the sensory deficit with donor site loss and morbidity from neuromas remain a barrier to wider adoption, these complications were not reported in the review. Further, the scarcity of studies and small patient series limit the ability to determine sensory nerve transfer success. However, sensory restoration remains an opportunity for surgeons to pursue.

Level of evidence: II
Clinical and operative risk factors for complications after Apert hand syndactyly reconstruction
Authors: Cordray Holly , Graham Emily M. , Kota Anchith , Shah Apurva S. , Chang Benjamin , Mendenhall Shaun D.
Published: November 2023

This study evaluated how Apert hand syndactyly presentations and reconstructive techniques influence reconstruction outcomes. All cases at a major paediatric hospital between 2007 and 2022 were analysed, including 98 web space reconstructions in 17 patients. Overall, 62% of hands developed complications and 15% required revision surgery. Upton hand type was significantly associated with postoperative complication incidence, specifically including range-of-motion deficits, flexion contracture, web creep and revision surgery. More severe syndactylies may benefit from additional measures to reduce complications. Rectangular commissural flaps showed 1.9 times greater complication risk than interdigitating triangular flaps, including 11.2 times greater risk of web creep. Zigzag volar finger flaps showed 1.8 times greater complication risk than straight-line incisions, including 3.8 times greater risk of web creep. Our study showed that interdigitating triangular commissural flaps and straight-line volar finger incisions are preferable to rectangular commissural and zigzag finger flaps in most cases of Apert hand syndactyly to minimize complications.

Level of evidence

III
Association between IL-6 and prognosis of gastric cancer: a retrospective study
Authors: Liang Panping , Zhang Yuexin , Jiang Tianyuchen , Jin Tao , Chen Zhengwen , Li Zedong , Chen Zehua , He Fengjun , Hu Jiankun , Yang Kun
Published: November 2023

Background:

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the common and fatal cancers. Even though the Tumor, Node, Metastasis (TNM) staging system is the most classical staging system recognized worldwide, it has been controversial because there are various factors affecting the prognosis of GC patients.

Objectives:

The study aims to evaluate the relationship between interleukin-6 (IL-6) and several clinical indicators and construct a prognostic model to better predict the prognosis of GC.

Design:

A retrospective study.

Methods:

Data of 249 patients with GC diagnosed in GC center of West China Hospital were collected. Clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed to determine whether there were differences between IL-6 HIGH group and IL-6 LOW group. Besides, the association between the two groups and tumor marker levels was clarified. The K-M curves of 3- and 5-year were plotted with log-rank test. Afterward, we conducted univariate and multivariate analysis and a predicting nomogram. Significantly, C-index, and calibration were used to evaluate the value of nomogram in predicting prognosis.

Results:

The overall survival of GC in the IL-6 HIGH and IL-6 LOW groups were 47.8 months (95% CI: 42.1–53.4) and 57.9 months (95% CI: 54.1–61.7), respectively, with significant differences ( p = 0.0046). Average tumor size of GC ( p = 0.000) and nerve invasion ( p = 0.018) were statistically significant between two groups. Multivariate analysis revealed that the factors affecting prognosis were IL-6 (<5.51 and ⩾5.51 pg/ml) (Hazard Ratio(HR): 1.665, 95% CI: 1.026–2.703, p = 0.039), N stage (HR: 1.336, 95% CI: 1.106–1.615, p = 0.003), and T stage (HR: 1.268, 95% CI: 0.998–1.611, p = 0.052), which were included in the nomogram with a C-index of 0.71. The current data calculated TNM staging C-index was 0.68, and the p-value for the difference between the two models was 0.08. Internal validation revealed that the predicted overall survival did not differ significantly from the actual observed patient survival.

Conclusion:

The differential expression of IL-6 has a tendency to differentiate the prognosis of GC patients. IL-6, N stage, and T stage are independent prognostic factors, and the new survival prognostic model consisting of the above three indicators is better than the classical TNM staging system.

Trial registration:

This study is a retrospective study, which does not require clinical registration.
Multimodal imaging-based diagnostic approach for MRI-negative posterior cortex epilepsy
Authors: Mo Jiajie , Dong Wenyu , Sang Lin , Zheng Zhong , Guo Qiang , Zhou Xiuming , Zhou Wenjing , Wang Haixiang , Meng Xianghong , Yao Yi , Wang Fengpeng , Hu Wenhan , Zhang Kai , Shao Xiaoqiu
Published: November 2023

Background:

Posterior cortex epilepsy (PCE) primarily comprises seizures originating from the occipital, parietal, and/or posterior edge of the temporal lobe. Electroclinical dissociation and subtle imaging representation render the diagnosis of PCE challenging. Improved methods for accurately identifying patients with PCE are necessary.

Objectives:

To develop a novel voxel-based image postprocessing method for better visual identification of the neuroimaging abnormalities associated with PCE.

Design:

Multicenter, retrospective study.

Methods:

Clinical and imaging features of 165 patients with PCE were retrospectively reviewed and collected from five epilepsy centers. A total of 37 patients (32.4% female, 20.2 ± 8.9 years old) with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-negative PCE were finally included for analysis. Image postprocessing features were calculated over a neighborhood for each voxel in the multimodality data. The postprocessed maps comprised structural deformation, hyperintense signal, and hypometabolism. Five raters from three different centers were blinded to the clinical diagnosis and determined the neuroimaging abnormalities in the postprocessed maps.

Results:

The average accuracy of correct identification was 55.7% (range from 43.2 to 62.2%) and correct lateralization was 74.1% (range from 64.9 to 81.1%). The Cronbach’s alpha was 0.766 for the correct identification and 0.683 for the correct lateralization with similar results of the interclass correlation coefficient, thus indicating reliable agreement between the raters.

Conclusion:

The image postprocessing method developed in this study can potentially improve the visual detection of MRI-negative PCE. The technique could lead to an increase in the number of patients with PCE who could benefit from the surgery.
Outcomes after revision surgery for glenoid baseplate failure in reverse shoulder arthroplasty
Authors: Chen Raymond E , Vaughan Alayna K , Singh Jaspal , Lazarus Mark D , Williams Gerald R , Namdari Surena
Published: November 2023

Background

The purpose of this study was to report clinical outcomes in patients who underwent revision surgery for glenoid baseplate failure after index reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA).

Methods

A retrospective review was performed to identify patients from 2010 to 2020 at a single institution who sustained glenoid baseplate failure after RSA and underwent revision surgery. Exclusion criteria included periprosthetic joint infection or lack of minimum 1 year clinical and radiographic follow-up. Included patients were contacted for clinical outcomes (American Shoulder Elbow Surgeons (ASES), Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain, Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation (SANE) and Patient Satisfaction scores).

Results

A total of 24 patients were identified, and 22 out of 24 (92%) patients were available for clinical follow-up at a mean period of 3.4 years after final revision surgery. The mean age was 70 years, and 15 out of 22 (68%) patients were female. A total of 17 patients were revised to RSA, and five patients were revised to hemiarthroplasty. For the 22 included patients, the mean follow-up ASES score was 64.6, VAS pain was 2.4 and SANE was 58%, which were all significantly improved versus pre-revision. In total, 64% of patients were satisfied or completely satisfied.

Discussion

Revision surgery after glenoid baseplate failure in RSA yields unpredictable clinical outcomes. Revision to RSA or hemiarthroplasty both resulted in modest functional results with persistent mild pain.