bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
In-vitro assessment of the efficiency of cold atmospheric plasma on decontamination of titanium dental implants
Authors: Flörke Christian , Janning Josephine , Hinrichs Cedric , Behrens Eleonore , Liedtke Kim Rouven , Sen Sinan , Christofzik David , Wiltfang Jörg , Gülses Aydin
Published: March 2022

Background

The aim of the current study was to comparatively assess the efficiency of three different adjunctive therapy options (cold atmospheric plasma, [CAP], photodynamic therapy [PDT] and chemical decontamination via 35% phosphoric acid gel [PAG]) on decontamination of titanium implant surfaces in-vitro.

Materials and methods

Implants were inserted in concavities of four mm in depth mimicking a bone defect at the implant recipient site. In each model, two implants were inserted in the fourth and one implant in the third quadrants. After contamination with E. faecalis, the first group has been treated with CAP for 3 min, the second group with 35% PAG (and the third group with PDT. After treatment, quantification of bacterial colonization was assessed by quantification via colony forming units and qualitatively by fluorescence microscopy and scanning electron microscopy.

Results

With a mean value of 1.24 × 105 CFU/ml, the CAP treated implants have showed the least microorganisms. The highest number of CFU was found after PDT with mean value of 8.28 × 106 CFU/ml. For the implants that were processed with phosphoric acid, a mean value of 3.14 × 106 CFU/ml could be detected. When the groups were compared, only the CAP and PDT groups differed significantly from each other (p = 0.005).

Conclusion

A complete cleaning of the micro-textured implant surface or the killing of the bacteria could not be achieved by any of the investigated treatment options, thus bacteria in the microstructure of the titanium surface cannot be completely reached by mechanical and physico-chemical processes.

Clinical relevance

The main goal of the adjunctive peri-implantitis treatment is the decontamination of the implant surface. However, there is still an ongoing need to define the most appropriate adjunctive therapy method. Due to its antimicrobial effects, CAP combined with mechanical debridement could be a feasible treatment modality in the management of peri-implantitis.
Study of the Awareness of Adoption as a Family-Building Option Among Oncofertility Stakeholders in Japan
Authors: Shiraishi Eriko , Sugimoto Kouhei , Shapiro Jason Solomon , Ito Yuki , Kamoshita Keiko , Kusuhara Atsuko , Haino Takayuki , Koizumi Tomoe , Okamoto Aikou , Suzuki Nao
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The oncofertility decision tree was developed by the oncofertility consortium as a tool to support healthcare professionals and patients through the complicated process of deciding the most appropriate fertility preservation strategy for patients with cancer. Various strategies include oocyte retrieval, oocyte donation, use of a gestational carrier and adoption. However, differences in the cultural and legal landscape present serious barriers to utilizing some of these strategies in Japan.

Patients and Methods

We surveyed Japanese oncofertility stakeholders including 60 cancer survivors, 27 oncology facilities, 78 reproductive medicine facilities and 15 adoption agencies by a questionnaire to characterize awareness among oncofertility stakeholders in Japan about parenting options including adoption to inform work to establish guidelines for decision-making by cancer survivors in an oncofertility.

Results

Our results indicate that oncologists and reproductive endocrinologists in Japan have an insufficient understanding of adoption that prevents them from adequately informing their patients. Japanese cancer survivors self-describe a lack in confidence in finding a suitable partner and raising a child. Contrastingly, of the 9 adoption agencies which responded, no agency included being a cancer survivor as a criterion for disqualification and 4 of 9 (44%) adoption agencies reported at least 1 adoption to a cancer survivor in the last year.

Conclusion

Our work demonstrates that a cancer survivor’s medical history itself is not a hurdle to adoption and investment in patient-provider education could be a viable strategy to improve the utilization of adoption as a fertility preservation strategy in Japan.
Ethical Considerations for Phase I Trials in Oncology
Authors: Bittlinger Merlin , Bicer Selin , Peppercorn Jeffrey , Kimmelman Jonathan
Published: March 2022

Phase I trials often represent the first occasion where new cancer strategies are tested in patients. Various developments in cancer biology, methodology, regulation, and medical ethics have altered the ethical landscape of such trials. We provide a narrative review of contemporary ethical challenges in design, conduct, and reporting of phase I cancer trials and outline recommendations for addressing each. We organized our review around four topics, supplementing the first three with scoping reviews: (1) benefit/risk, (2) research biopsies, (3) therapeutic misconception and misestimation, and (4) reporting. The main ethical challenges of conducting phase I trials stem from three issues. First, phase I trials often involve higher research burden and scientific uncertainty compared with other cancer trials. Second, many patients arrive at phase I trials at a transitional point in their illness trajectory where they have exhausted standard survival-extending options. Third, phase I trial results play a major role in informing downstream drug development and regulatory decisions. Together, these issues create distinct pressures for study design, ethical review, informed consent, and reporting. Developments in methodology, regulation, cancer biology, and ethical awareness have helped mitigate some of these challenges, while introducing others. We conclude our review with a series of recommendations regarding trial design, ethical review, consent, and reporting. We also outline several unresolved questions that, if addressed, would strengthen the ethical foundation of phase I cancer trials.
Effect of AZD4017, a Selective 11β-HSD1 Inhibitor, on Bone Turnover Markers in Postmenopausal Osteopenia
Authors: Abbas Afroze , Schini Marian , Ainsworth Gemma , Brown Sarah R , Oughton Jamie , Crowley Rachel K , Cooper Mark S , Fairclough Rebecca J , Eastell Richard , Stewart Paul M
Published: March 2022

Context

The causative link between circulating glucocorticoid excess and osteoporosis is well-established. The enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1), which increases local cortisol production, is expressed in human osteoblasts and its activity increases with age.

Objective

We hypothesized that local 11β-HSD1 might mediate an age-related decrease in bone formation and that selective 11β-HSD1 inhibition may enhance bone formation.

Methods

A dual-center, phase II, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 90 days’ treatment with AZD4017 (a selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitor) was conducted in 55 postmenopausal women with osteopenia. Participants received 400 mg oral AZD4017 twice daily vs matched placebo over 90 days. The primary outcome measure was the impact on the bone formation marker osteocalcin. Secondary objectives included correlation with 11β-HSD1 activity.

Results

At 90 days, osteocalcin levels did not differ between treatment groups: active (mean 22.3 [SD 8.6] ng/mL, n = 22) and placebo (21.7 [SD 9.2] ng/mL, n = 24), with a baseline-adjusted treatment effect of 0.95 (95% CI: −2.69, 4.60). The results from the urinary [THF + alloTHF]/THE ratio (index of 11β-HSD1 activity) and the urinary cortisol/cortisone ratio (index of 11β-HSD2 activity) confirmed a > 90% inhibition of 11β-HSD1 but no change in activity of 11β-HSD2.

Conclusion

This trial demonstrates that AZD4017 selectively inhibits 11β-HSD1 activity in vivo in a safe and reversible manner. Following 90 days of treatment, there is no effect on bone formation, indicating that the relative impairment of bone mineral density in postmenopausal women is not mediated by local intracellular production of cortisol under normal physiological concentrations.
Low Plasma Ionized Calcium Is Associated With Increased Mortality: A Population-based Study of 106 768 Individuals
Authors: Kobylecki Camilla J , Nordestgaard Børge G , Afzal Shoaib
Published: March 2022

Context

Low circulating total calcium or albumin-adjusted calcium has been associated with higher mortality, especially in hospital settings; however, these measures tend to misclassify patients with derangements in calcium homeostasis.

Objective

As the association of the biologically active ionized calcium with mortality is poorly elucidated, we tested the hypothesis that low plasma ionized calcium is associated with higher risk of all-cause and cause-specific mortality in the general population.

Methods

We included 106 768 individuals from the Copenhagen General Population Study. Information on all-cause and cause-specific mortality was from registries and risks were calculated using Cox regression and competing-risks regression by the STATA command stcompet.

Results

During a median follow-up period of 9.2 years, 11 269 individuals died. Each 0.1 mmol/L lower plasma ionized calcium below the median of 1.21 mmol/L was associated with a multivariable adjusted hazard ratio of 1.23 (95% CI, 1.10-1.38) for all-cause mortality. Corresponding hazard ratios for cancer and other mortality were 1.29 (1.06-1.57) and 1.24 (1.01-1.53), respectively. In contrast, for cardiovascular mortality, only high plasma ionized calcium was associated with mortality with a hazard ratio of 1.17 (1.02-1.35) per 0.1 mmol/L higher plasma ionized calcium above the median. We found no interactions between plasma ionized calcium and preexisting cardiovascular or renal disease on all-cause mortality.

Conclusion

In the general population, low plasma ionized calcium was associated with increased all-cause, cancer, and other mortality, while high levels were associated with increased cardiovascular mortality.
Endotoxin Biomarkers Are Associated With Adiposity and Cardiometabolic Risk Across 6 Years of Follow-up in Youth
Authors: Perng Wei , Friedman Jacob E , Janssen Rachel C , Glueck Deborah H , Dabelea Dana
Published: March 2022

Context

Metabolic endotoxemia may be a shared mechanism underlying childhood obesity and early-onset metabolic diseases (eg, type 2 diabetes, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease).

Objective

Examine prospective associations of serum endotoxin biomarkers lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and its binding protein, LPS binding protein (LBP), and anti-endotoxin core immunoglobulin G (EndoCab IgG) with adiposity and cardiometabolic risk in youth.

Design/setting

This prospective study included 393 youth in the Exploring Perinatal Outcomes Among Children cohort in Colorado. Participants were recruited from 2006 to 2009 at age 10 years (baseline) and followed for 6 years (follow-up). We examined associations of endotoxin biomarkers at baseline with adiposity [body mass index (BMI) z-score, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT), skinfolds, waist circumference] and cardiometabolic risk (insulin, glucose, adipokines, lipid profile, blood pressure) across both visits using mixed-effects regression, and with hepatic fat fraction (HFF) at follow-up using linear regression.

Results

Higher LPS and LBP predicted greater adiposity across follow-up. Each 1-unit log-transformed LPS corresponded with 0.23 (95% CI 0.03, 0.43) units BMI z-score, 5.66 (95% CI 1.99, 9.33) mm3 VAT, 30.7 (95% CI 8.0, 53.3) mm3 SAT, and 8.26 (95% CI 4.13, 12.40) mm skinfold sum. EndoCab IgG was associated with VAT only [3.03 (95% CI 0.34, 5.71) mm3]. LPS was associated with higher insulin [1.93 (95% CI 0.08, 3.70) µU/mL] and leptin [2.28 (95% CI 0.66, 3.90) ng/mL] and an adverse lipid profile. No association was observed with HFF. Accounting for pubertal status and lifestyle behaviors did not change findings. However, adjustment for prepregnancy BMI and gestational diabetes attenuated most associations.

Conclusions

Serum endotoxin may be a marker of pathophysiological processes underlying development of childhood obesity and cardiometabolic conditions associated with exposure to fetal overnutrition.
“Why Don’t You Go to Nursing School?”
Authors: Kozma Liat , Nuriely Benny
Published: March 2022

The article analyzes the gendered experience at Hebrew University Medical School in its first two decades, 1950–70. Contrary to earlier studies on women in medicine, which focused on immigrant doctors to late Ottoman and mandatory Palestine, gendering the future cadre of doctors in post-1948 Israel has not been discussed. Based on archival documents, newspapers of the period, and interviews with the school’s graduates, the article argues that the school maintained a consistent though informal quota policy, which also differentiated between country-born and immigrant students. It examines students’ interactions with the school, beginning with their decision to apply for medical school and going through the interview process, the experience of student life, and their attempts to balance medical school with marriage and motherhood.
The Affective Politics of Care in Trans Crowdfunding
Authors: Barcelos Chris
Published: March 2022

Trans-for-trans crowdfunding is a common strategy to raise money both for gender-affirming medical care and for survival expenses related to living in a transphobic world. Although crowdfunding is infrequently successful in funding our survival needs, there have been few attempts to theorize what this form of mutual aid accomplishes. The objective of this article is to explore the possibilities and limits of trans crowdfunding as part of a critical trans political project. Drawing on the emergent body of scholarship in trans care and the cultural sites in which t4t crowdfunding circulates, this article asks: how does thinking about trans crowdfunding as an affect, labor, and politics of care help us understand its utility, even in the face of its failures to redistribute wealth and meet our material needs? The author argues that trans crowdfunding functions as a form of “complicit care” that simultaneously furthers both our marginalization and our collective liberation.
“Necessary Bonding”
Authors: Lundy-Harris Amira
Published: March 2022

This article uses a t4t framework rooted in Black feminist thought to meditate on the convergence of Black and trans in meetings between fields, encounters with text, and relational bonds forged between individuals that help promote collective creation. Section 1 explores the bridging of Black feminist thought and trans studies in relationship to the emergence of Black trans studies. The second section examines how the searching Black trans reader's encounter with the text allows for the imagination and creation of an actualized trans self. Section 3 takes a more conventional approach to the concept of t4t, exploring the kin bonds created between Black trans people, with an eye to the way that Black feminist literature is used to describe these relationships.
Piezo1 activation attenuates thrombin-induced blebbing in breast cancer cells
Authors: O'Callaghan Paul , Engberg Adam , Eriksson Olle , Fatsis-Kavalopoulos Nikos , Stelzl Christina , Sanchez Gonzalo , Idevall-Hagren Olof , Kreuger Johan
Published: March 2022

Cancer cells exploit a variety of migration modes to leave primary tumors and establish metastases, including amoeboid cell migration, which is typically reliant on bleb formation. Here we demonstrate that thrombin induces dynamic blebbing in the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line and confirm that protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) activation is sufficient to induce this effect. Cell confinement has been implicated as a driving force in bleb-based migration. Unexpectedly, we found that gentle contact compression, exerted using a custom built ‘cell press’ to mechanically stimulate cells, reduced thrombin-induced blebbing. Thrombin-induced blebbing was similarly attenuated using the small molecule Yoda1, an agonist of the mechanosensitive Ca2+ channel Piezo1, and this attenuation was impaired in Piezo1-depleted cells. Additionally, Piezo1 activation suppressed thrombin-induced phosphorylation of ezrin, radixin and moesin (ERM) proteins, which are implicated in the blebbing process. Our results provide mechanistic insights into Piezo1 activation as a suppressor of dynamic blebbing, specifically that which is induced by thrombin.
Prevalence of depressive symptoms in patients with chronic physical illness: A single institutional cross-sectional study from Nepal
Authors: Mahara Rawal Namrata , Adhikari Suman Prasad , Rajbhandari Sabin , Bhusal Santosh , Gupta Sonali , Piya Shreya Bhasu , K.C Soniya , Lama Susan , Shrestha Dhan Bahadur
Published: March 2022

Background

Depression is a global public health problem. Studies show comorbid depression increases morbidity, mortality, and associated risk of poor adherence compared to those without depression.

Materials and Method

An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 326 patients who met the inclusion criteria. They were selected following simple random sampling from medical OPD and ward of Shree Birendra Hospital Kathmandu, Nepal.  Semi-structured interview schedule (SSIS), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and Kuppuswamy’s Scale (KS) were used for data collection. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 26 and STATA version 15. Simple frequency distribution of attributes presented in tables and association assessed using Chi-square/ Fisher’s exact test. Further, the relation between depression and other independent factors is quantified using multivariate/ multivariable logistics regression analyses.

Result

Using Beck depression inventory (BDI-II) as a tool to determine depression 52.1% (n=170) had minimal or no depression, 16.9% (n=55) had mild depression, 18.7 %( n=61) had moderate depression and 12.3% (n=40) had severe depression i.e. 47.9% of population had some form of depression. Prevalence of depression among patient with single comorbidity found to be 30.9% (n=25, N=81) for hypertension, 43.3% (n=13, N=30) for diabetes mellitus, 45.6% (n=31, N=68) for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, 77.5% (n=31, N=40) for chronic kidney disease, and 60 %( n=9, N=15) for chronic heart disease. Depression among patient with multiple comorbidities (more than one disease above mention) was found to be 51.1% (n=47, N=92). Prevalence of depression was more among patients with history of longer duration of illness; 11 years and above 52.9 % (n=36, N=68); 6-10 years 48.3 % (n=43, N=89); 1-5 years 45.6 %( n=77, N=169).

Conclusion

This study showed that the prevalence of depression has a significant relationship with the duration of illness. Therefore, early recognition and treatment play a crucial role in reducing the effects of depression.
Effectiveness of acute L-arginine supplementation on physical performance in strength training: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Pasa Camila , Godinho de Oliveira Ruberlei , da Rosa Lima Thiago , Jalousie Kommers Michelle , Régia Ferreira Viana Figueiredo Karla , Christiane Rezende Fett Waléria , Alexandre Fett Carlos
Published: March 2022

Background: The oral administration of L-arginine has been related to improved physical performance due to a likely reduction in muscle fatigue, resulting from the vasodilator effect of nitric oxide on skeletal muscle. However, there is no precise and quantitative analysis of the information in the literature. The main objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of L-arginine supplementation on physical performance in strength training with a systematic review and meta-analysis. We hypothesized that L-arginine supplementation would improve performance capacity and the effects involved in strength training.

Methods: The study period was from 2010 to 2020. The inclusion process established articles with well-designed human experiments that included only L-arginine supplementation (without any additional compounds) testing the effects of L-arginine supplementation on sports performance related to strength training; identical experimental conditions in placebo or control group; and publications in the last ten years (until December 31, 2020). Three studies were included that compared L-arginine supplementation with placebo in anaerobic performance tests. Test analysis supplementation with other supplements was removed and there was no gender, age, and ethnicity level.

Results: There was no significant heterogeneity (p>0.05) in the analysis of the three selected articles and the effects of L-arginine supplementation in muscular endurance; performance had a mean of 0.26 (95% CI = -0.129; 0.649; p = 0.190), peak torque with a mean of -0.002 (95% CI = -0.531; 0.527; p = 0. 99) of the third series of exercises and, furthermore, when comparing the integrated effect (resistance rate with the peak torque) there was no difference with a mean of 0.168 (95% CI = -0.145; 0.481; p = 0.292).

Conclusions: Acute L-arginine supplementation provides no ergogenic effect on strength training performance.
A PowerPack of SuperScientists: An innovative concept by African scientists to address gender bias and inequity in science
Authors: Mthembu Maphe , Baiyegunhi Omolara , Mdleleni Yanga , Ndlovu Lerato , Keal Hannah , Waddilove Kim , Yarrow Justin C. , Kasprowicz Victoria , Ndung'u Thumbi , Wong Emily B.
Published: March 2022

Underrepresentation of women in scientific leadership is a global problem. To understand and counter narratives that limit gender equity in African science, we conducted a public engagement campaign. Scientists representing six sub-Saharan African countries and multiple career stages used superhero imagery to create a diverse and unified team fighting for gender equity in science. In contrast to many traditional scientific environments and global campaigns, this “PowerPack of SuperScientists” was led by early-career Black female scientists whose perspectives are often under-represented in discussions about gender equity in science. The superhero imagery served as a powerful and fun antidote to imposter syndrome and helped to subvert traditional power structures based on age, race and sex. In an interactive social media campaign, the PowerPack developed insights into three themes: a) cultural stereotypes that limit women’s scientific careers, b) the perception of a “conflict” between family and career responsibilities for women scientists, and c) solutions that can be adopted by key stakeholders to promote gender equity in African science. The PowerPack proposed solutions that could be undertaken by women working internally or collectively and interventions that require allyship from men, commitment from scientific institutions, and wider societal change. Further work is required to fully engage African scientists and institutions in these solutions and to enhance commitment to achieving gender equity in science. Our experience suggests that creative tools should be used to subvert power dynamics and bring fresh perspectives and urgency to this topic.
Invasive sphenoid sinus aspergillosis with normal findings on initial diagnostic tests that mimics Tolosa-Hunt syndrome—a diagnostic dilemma: a case report
Authors: Jeong Yu Hun , Choi Jongsuk , Kim Byung-Jo , Seok Hung Youl
Published: March 2022

Invasive sphenoid sinus aspergillosis can mimic Tolosa-Hunt syndrome (THS), leading to frequent misdiagnoses and potentially fatal consequences. We report a case of invasive sphenoid sinus aspergillosis initially misdiagnosed as THS. A 79-year-old man presented with right periorbital pain, ophthalmoplegia, and loss of vision. Initial evaluations including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), were normal. He was first diagnosed with THS based on clinical features. The disease progressed despite high-dose intravenous steroid treatment, and an enhancing mass-like lesion was found in the right orbital apex, cavernous sinus, and sphenoid sinus on follow-up MRI. Aspergillosis was eventually confirmed by sphenoid sinus biopsy. The patient developed cerebral infarction and finally died despite being treated with amphotericin B. Given that invasive sphenoid sinus aspergillosis may initially resemble THS, high suspicion and rapid histological examination are important for diagnosis.
SOMERSET MAUGHAM - MASTER OF CREATING CHARACTERS
Authors: BIZIKOEVA L , BALIKOEVA M
Published: March 2022

Purpose. The goal of the present article is to study various means of creating a literary character. Analyzing the creative work of a famous English writer William Somerset Maugham and basing on the story «The Kite» an attempt is made to scrutinize Maugham’s peculiar style and lexico-stylistic devices he employs to create the main female characters of the story «The Kite». The main methods used in the research are: the method of contextual analysis and the descriptive-analytical method. Results. The results of the research revealed that the peculiar characteristic of the protagonists of the story “The Kite” is the author’s strong presence. Portraying the characters of Missis Sunbury and Miss Bevan, Somerset Maugham pays special attention to precise description of their appearances and manner of speech. Employing various lexico-stylistic devices, S. Maugham creates extraordinarily vivid characters. Practical implications. The received results can be used in teaching Stylistics of the English language, stylistic analysis of the text as well as theory and practice of translation.
LEXICO-STYLISTIC MEANS OF CREATING CHARACTERS (BASED ON THE STORY “THE POOL” BY W.S. MAUGHAM)
Authors: BIZIKOEVA L.S. , BALIKOEVA M.I.
Published: March 2022

Purpose. The article deals with various lexico-stylistic means of portraying a literary character. The analysis is based on the empirical study of the story “The Pool” by a famous English writer William Somerset Maugham. The main methods used in the research are: the method of contextual analysis and the descriptive-analytical method. Results. The results of the research revealed that the peculiar characteristic of the story “The Pool” as well as of many other Maugham’s stories is the author’s strong presence. The portrayal characteristics of the protagonists, their manner of speech, the surrounding nature greatly contribute to creating the unforgettable characters of Lawson and his wife Ethel. Somerset Maugham employs various lexico-stylistic means to create the images of Lawson and Ethel, allowing the reader to vividly portray their personalities. Practical implications. The received results can be used in teaching Stylistics of the English language, stylistic analysis of the text as well as theory and practice of translation, in writing course and graduation papers.
STUDY ON QUALITY AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATION TECHNOLOGY OF SPOT WELDING JOINT BASED ON ULTRASONIC NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING
Authors: HONGXIAO WANG , CHUNSHENG WANG , GUANGZHONG HE , WENWEN GAO , LIGUO LIU , WEI JIANG
Published: March 2022

As an important link to ensure the welding quality, the post-welding inspection of resistance spot welding joints has been paid much attention in the welding production of stainless steel metro vehicle body. At present, ultrasonic testing technology for spot welding joint quality is mostly qualitative testing, which cannot determine the quality information such as the geometric state of nugget and the size of internal defects. Therefore, the research on ultrasonic propagation characteristics and sound field distribution in resistance spot welding joints is carried out, and the visual image of internal connection state of spot welding joints is the key to realize quantitative nondestructive testing and quality evaluation of spot welding joints, which has important theoretical significance and practical value, and has broad application prospects in technical fields such as automobiles, rail passenger cars, aerospace and machinery.
RESEARCH AND APPLICATION OF ACTIVE QUALITY IMPROVEMENT MODEL BASED ON DATA DECISION
Authors: LI LIANGLIANG , LI YANLIN , WANG XISHAN
Published: March 2022

In view of the current situation and demand of enterprise quality management activities, this paper combines quality management and data mining technology, and makes full use of the large amount of quality data obtained by the enterprise to establish data model, and digs out the data that is conducive to improving product quality and reducing the rate of product disqualification. The model realizes regular and automatic analysis of existing quality data, and identifies opportunities for improvement, and automatically pushes the responsible department to improve. Finally, the improvement effect is verified and evaluated. The improved model is introduced into the production, and the improvement opportunities are found, and injected into the production process to provide data decision support for quality improvement. The quantity improvement model is based on machine learning algorithm to identify abnormal and send out early warning information. According to a large number of existing historical quality data of EMU, business objects are determined and business mining objectives are defined. All the data related to business objects are found, and selected the original data suitable for data mining applications. In this paper, a high generalization intelligent early warning quality improvement model is established by constructing quality improvement index features to complete automatic identification of quality problems and provide intelligent early warning and data decision support for quality improvement. Through the actual production data to verify the established early warning quality improvement model, the results are in good agreement with the experimental situation.
DESIGN OF AUTOMATIC CONTINUITY AND INSULATION TEST SYSTEM FOR RAILWAY VEHICLE BASED ON DISTRIBUTED STRUCTURE
Authors: HONGYUE ZHANG
Published: March 2022

This system adopts distributed structure to distribute the test equipment around the tested vehicle and provide power and communication for the test equipment through cascade cables. One end of the adapter cable is connected to the peripheral interface of the test equipment, and the other end is connected to the electrical interface of the tested vehicle. This structure can minimize the volume of equipment and the length of adapter cable, reduce the time of test preparation and recovery, and improve the efficiency of automatic conduction insulation test for the whole rail vehicle.
RESEARCH ON RAPID DESIGN OF FRONT-END ENERGY ABSORBING STRUCTURE THAT BASED ON AMERICAN STANDARD ASME RT-2
Authors: LIU ZHAOXIN , LIU XIAOFANG , LIU YANWEN , ZHANG HAIFENG , LIANG JINGWEN , WANG JIANRAN
Published: March 2022

The energy absorbing structure is required at the front end of railway vehicles to reduce the collapse of the passenger area and increase the safety of the vehicle in case of collision based on American Standard ASME RT-2. In this paper, a typical front-end structure with integrated energy absorbing is introduced in detail as well as two other designs to illustrate the theory on rapid design of front-end underframe structure. The three front-end underframe structures are all mainly comprised of anti-climber, several kinds of crushed elements and head girders. Two other designs are based on the typical front-end underframe structure. All three designs are optimized multiple times based on the finite element analysis results of main load cases. To validate the design and analysis, the impact test of all front-end underframe structures is successfully conducted by investigating crash energy, deformation behavior and impact force. From the design and optimization of all three front end structures, it is concluded that different shapes, dimensions and materials of those components and different crushed energy elements could all be optimized and replaced to conduct further rapid design on railway vehicles that comply with requirements of ASME RT-2.
AN INTELLIGENT METHOD FOR BEARING FAULT DIAGNOSIS BASED ON IMPROVED VMD AND GSM-SVM
Authors: HAIJIANG LI , RUBIN LI , QIUHUA AO , WEICHENG WANG , XIUFENG WANG , LEILEI DU , JUN WEN , LILI ZHU
Published: March 2022

In industrial sites, the running state of rolling bearings is often judged by hearing the sound with human ears. This method relies on long-term accumulation of human experience and is prone to cause occupational noise hazards. To solve this problem, this paper proposed an intelligent diagnosis method for the running state of bearings based on machine hearing. Firstly, bearing vibration signal was decomposed using an improved Variational Mode Decomposition (VMD) algorithm, by which the best mode component containing the fault characteristic was determined according to a time-frequency weighted kurtosis maximization criterion. Then, the time-domain feature indexes and psychoacoustic indexes of the best mode component were calculated to define a feature vector. Finally, the feature vectors were input into a fault classification model based on Support Vector Machine optimized by Grid Search Method (GSM-SVM) for training. The trained model was used to diagnose unknown faults of bearings. The proposed method was applied to the traction motors of EMU train for automatic bearing fault diagnose. Field test in the manufacturing factory showed that it could quickly diagnose bearing faults with a high accuracy rate.
OPTIMIZING THE MAINTENANCE PROGRAM FOR PASSENGER VEHICLES (OMP)
Authors: HARTWIG HEIKO , MALLWITZ CHRISTIAN , SCHULZ TORBEN , TRAUPE MARKUS
Published: March 2022

Rubber-metal components and hydraulic vibration dampers in bogies are subject to mechanical loads and time-dependent aging. Therefore, bogies receive an overhaul after a defined limit mileage (e.g. 1.5 million km) or limit time (e.g. 8 years), during which the affected components are replaced. By optimizing the heavy maintenance of bogies in rail vehicles, it is possible to stretch the running time or mileage intervals of the revision of the bogies or individual components with an acceptable increase in risk for the operation. In particular, the components of the running gear that are not designed to be fatigue-resistant and are not already subject to a separate maintenance strategy are considered. Furthermore, hydraulic vibration dampers and rubber-to-metal elements in the wheelset guidance system, in the spring systems (primary/secondary) and in the running gear steering system are particularly relevant for the investigation. This measure can reduce maintenance costs and increase vehicle availability. This approach to maintenance optimization has been successfully applied and implemented by DB AG in local and long-distance transport for several years.
STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITOR FOR BOGIE FRAME BASE ON AXLE BOX ACCELERATION
Authors: WU XINGWEN , GAO AOLIN , WEN ZEFENG , HE SHIZHONG , CHI MAORU , LIANG SHULIN
Published: March 2022

This paper developed an online estimation of fatigue damage of bogie frame based on the axle box accelerations. In this method, the 3-axis accelerations of axle box and dynamic stress of concerned hotspot in the bogie frame are taken as inputs and outputs to determine the transfer function. This permits us to calculate the power spectra density (PSD) of dynamic stress in the frequency domain based on the axle box acceleration PSD. Subsequently, the frequency-domain fatigue life estimation method is employed to determine the real-time damage based on the obtained stress PSDs. This is expected to facilitate the development of condition-based maintenance or damage-based maintenance.
RESEARCH AND APPLICATION OF RADIAL BASIS NETWORK BOGIE FAULT DIAGNOSIS MODEL BASED ON PARTICLE SWARM OPTIMIZATION
Authors: GAO MINGLIANG , GAO SHAN , YU CHUANG , LI DEQUAN , SONG SHIJI , SHI HAIMING , SUN HONGLIANG , WANG HONGCHAO
Published: March 2022

Bogie system is the key system that affects the safety and quality of EMU operation. The construction of fault diagnosis model for bogie system can effectively improve the safety and comfort of EMU operation. The traditional modeling method uses BP neural network to model by fitting bogie system temperature and other parameters. However, BP neural network is prone to fall into local minimum, slow convergence and poor diagnostic accuracy. In this paper, particle radial basis function neural network (PSRB) is designed by using particle swarm optimization algorithm with high convergence. Particle Swarm optimization (PSO) is used to optimize the parameters of RBF Neural Networks. According to the complexity of the input parameters of the bogie system, the input and output parameters of the model are determined. Particle swarm optimization algorithm is used to search the optimal values of the center, width and output layer weight threshold of the RBF neural network. The hybrid algorithm is applied to the fault diagnosis of bogie system, and a bogie fault diagnosis model based on particle radial basis function neural network is designed. The experimental results show that the diagnosis model can effectively improve the identification accuracy of fault diagnosis, the minimum error accuracy is 0.0055, the operation time is saved, the operation time is reduced to 1.9s, and the influence of non-target parameters on the inversion results is eliminated. The model can also be used in other EMU systems, and has practical application value.
FAULT DIAGNOSIS OF TURNOUT SWITCH MACHINE BASED ON BRAIN-INSPIRED INTELLIGENCE
Authors: YUAN CAO , YUHAN ZHOU , YONGKUI SUN
Published: March 2022

As the core equipment to control the running direction of railway vehicle, the turnout switch machine, its failure will lead to a series of problems. At present, more and more researchers conduct intelligent re-search on its fault diagnosis. In this paper, aiming at different types of faults during the operation of turnout switch machines, a spiking neural networks model based on apoptosis mechanism (BASNNs) is established as a classifier for fault diagnosis. The model uses neuron competition rules and intelligent unsupervised learning algorithms to update the network. The system uses the non-contact measurement of the sound signal as the input, and uses the combination of empirical mode decomposition (EMD) and wavelet packet decomposition energy entropy (WPDE) to extract features of the sound data. Experimental results show that the proposed method has better data recognition ability than traditional ANNs with the same number of layers.
INFLUENCE OF TEMPERATURE VARIATION ON HIGH FREQUENCY VIBRATION TRANSMISSION CHARACTERISTICS OF PRIMARY HYDRAULIC DAMPER OF HIGH-SPEED TRAIN BOGIE
Authors: SUN QIANG , JIANG XUDONG , WANG JINTIAN
Published: March 2022

In this paper, the influence of temperature change on the high frequency vibration transmission characteristics of the primary hydraulic damper of bogie is analyzed through the laboratory test of the dynamic stiffness characteristics of the primary hydraulic damper at different temperatures and the simulation prediction of the high frequency vibration transmission characteristics. The results show that with the temperature decreasing, the peak frequency of the overall frequency response function of the damper obviously shifts to the high frequency, but the peak value of the frequency response function gradually decreases above -10℃ and increases below- 10℃. Since the damper contains both oil and rubber, the test results are influenced by the temperature change characteristics of rubber and oil. Based on the above test results, with the decrease of temperature, the dynamic stiffness of rubber joint and oil increases gradually; before -10℃, rubber joint is the dominant factor of temperature change characteristics of damper; after -10℃, the structural characteristics of oil inside damper are the dominant factor of temperature change characteristics of damper. This study provides reference and basis for the design of vibration reduction and noise reduction of high-speed train bogies under the condition of large temperature difference.
A DEEP TRANSFER LEARNING METHOD FOR ROLLING BEARING FAULT DIAGNOSIS BASED ON RESNEXT-50
Authors: JIANG SIHUI , GU XIAOHUI , YANG SHAOPU
Published: March 2022

Rolling bearings are key components in the bogie of locomotive vehicles, their condition monitoring and fault diagnosis are widely concerned. Deep learning, as one of the most widely used methods in rolling bearing fault diagnosis, has achieved proper recognition and promotion. However, compared with other fields (such as computer vision, etc.), the depth of neural network model used for the task of rolling bearing fault diagnosis is relatively shallow due to the number of labeled samples, which limits its final prediction accuracy. In this paper, a data-driven fault diagnosis method based on Resnext-50 is proposed and applied to multiclassification tasks and condition transfer diagnosis tasks of bearing faults. First, a signal-image conversion method based on wavelet transform is utilized to transform the original vibration signals of bearings into RGB format. Second, all the layers of the pre-trained ResNeXt-50 model are further trained directly by the generated target data set. Finally, the trained ResNeXt-50 model was applied to multiclassification tasks and condition transfer diagnosis tasks of bearing faults. The method was verified on the bearing data set from Case Western Reserve University, and the results show that the accuracy rate of the proposed method is close to 100%, which has good application prospects.
AN INTELLIGENT MAINTENANCE DECISION METHOD
Authors: LONGLONG SONG , ZHIGUO LI , GUIHONG XU , XIAOJIN LI
Published: March 2022

An intelligent maintenance decision method has been proposed, which can automatically judge the state of components according to the operation and maintenance data, and provide the most reasonable maintenance strategy according to the components state. The method fundamentally eliminates over repair and under repair, which solves the contradiction between "one size fits all" maintenance procedures and individual differences, and truly realizes personalized and intelligent maintenance. The operation and maintenance data of the carbon strip of a urban rail vehicle is taken to as an example, the wear data of the carbon strip is extracted and integrated to analyze the relationship between the wear amount of the carbon strip and the operating mileage, and the intelligent maintenance decision-making model of the carbon strip has been built, which can provide the most reasonable maintenance and replacement strategies according to the current wear amount of the carbon strip.
Sobre la negatividad de la estética en general y de la belleza kantiana en particular
Authors: Genazzano Pablo
Published: March 2022

Este artículo pretende definir la negatividad de la belleza kantiana con el fin de ver cómo en ella se encuentra contenido un principio disciplinar de la estética. En primer lugar, ofreceremos una introducción histórica de la estética para indicar el presupuesto básico del que partimos, a saber, que la estética se constituye históricamente a partir de cierta doctrina cristiana platonizada del amor (§1). Luego daremos cuenta de algunos aspectos de la idea de un sistema filosófico con el fin de resaltar la importancia que tiene la belleza en el conjunto de la filosofía kantiana (§2). Después pasaremos al capítulo central del artículo, en el que expondremos, a partir de de la “Analítica de lo Bello”, que el objeto estético se constituye a partir de su pérdida (§3). Para justificar cómo esta “pérdida estética del objeto” pertenece a la constitución disciplinar de la estética haremos un breve repaso de la estética postkantiana (§4). Por ultimo daremos una conclusión en la que se resumen los argumentos y señalamos los problemas que quedan por resolver.
Líneas de fuga en la obra de arte: lo indeterminado, la ausencia, el vacío
Authors: Castillo Sánchez Óscar del
Published: March 2022

En la vivencia subjetiva de lo real puede distinguirse entre un momento de presencia o determinación y uno de ausencia o indeterminación. Diversas modalidades artísticas dan prioridad a uno u otro: unas se apoyan más en lo actual, lo material, lo presente; otras dan más valor a la actividad imaginaria del sujeto ante la obra, cuya materialidad actúa como mero acicate de ese imaginar. El énfasis en lo objetivo o lo subjetivo tiene claras implicaciones políticas, pues, como se argumentará, el arte de la presencia resulta en último término afín a una economía de consumo y de crecimiento continuado. Lo insostenible de este crecimiento en un planeta de recursos finitos permite augurar un porvenir de economías en recesión. El paso hacia semejante escenario resultará menos traumático desde actitudes que cuestionen la importancia de los objetos y aprendan a valorar lo inmaterial. La obra del vacío nos inicia en un imaginar que contempla y disfruta la realidad de un modo nuevo, más allá de las quimeras del consumo.
Aún cien veces más digno de ser pensado". Fracaso y poética de la negatividad. [Epílogo a "Léolo" (Jean-Claude Lauzon, 1992)
Authors: Moreno César
Published: March 2022

Tomando como referencia el film Léolo (Jean-Claude Lauzon, 1992), el propósito de este artículo es contribuir a una exploración en torno a las posibilidades de una poética de la negatividad. Para ello, se pregunta cómo es posible la trascendencia poética en el ejercicio de prestigiar, no tanto celebrar, los motivos, sobre todo existenciales, del acto poético. Situándose en la inmanencia del film, e intentando evitar distracciones, se persigue, al mismo tiempo, desbrozar dicha pregunta y esclarecer el fluir discursivo del extraordinario film de Lauzon, en un acercamiento in crescendo al propio fracaso de Léolo y a la figura, esencial en el film, del domador de versos, artífice genuino del trascendimiento poético.
El «oído del muerto» (totengehör): silencio ensordecedor y anulación de sí en la música última de b. A. Zimmermann
Authors: Gonzalo Carbó Antoni
Published: March 2022

El silencio es la memoria primordial. O la memoria primordial es una memoria de silencio. Anton Webern hablaba de una música «apenas audible» y Marina Tsvietáieva de una «música reducida a la nada». Esta música del silencio, del silencio audible, recorre la música tardía del compositor alemán Bernd Alois Zimmermann: Stille und Umkehr (1970), Ekklesiastische Aktion (1970). Estas composiciones dan respuesta a la voz extraña o voz divina de la teología negativa por medio de un silencio ensordecedor. Zimmermann lleva a término la rilkeana «muerte que le es propia» suicidándose (cf. su Requiem für einen jungen Dichter, 1967-69) en el mismo año que compone Stille und Umkehr. La absoluta kénōsis, la annihilatio y el exitus de este mundo, es la única forma de acceder a la memoria primordial del origen, la vuelta o reintegración al silencio. Liberación sin redención posible. La guadaña que cercena la cabeza de San Juan (Mallarmé), es la que la joven Tsvietáieva, que puso fin a su vida, evoca en una línea: «la muerte segará una cabeza, la mía»
The “Ferradeira” individual burial of Herdade do Álamo (Beja): facets of social change in the late 3rd millennium BC in South Portugal.
Authors: Valera António Carlos , do Pereiro Tiago , Nogueira Sofia , Shaw Evangelista Lucy , Maurer Anne-France , Barrocas Dias Cristina , Ribeiro Sara , Bottaini Carlo
Published: March 2022

The individual burial of the Herdade do Álamo, located in Beja municipality, South Portugal, is presented along with its bioanthropological study, radiocarbon dating and isotopic approaches on diet and mobility. The results show a male, with a terrestrial diet and youth mobility, dating from the last quarter of the 3rd millennium BC. The archaeometallurgical study of the metal votive assemblage (one tongue dagger and three Palmela points) indicates a copper metallurgy with high values of Arsenic (As), typical of this period of transition. The burial is contextualized in a process of individuation of the funerary practices and in the “Ferradeira Horizon”, considered as a facet of the diversified funerary practices and of the complex social changes of the late 3rd millennium BC in the South of Portugal.