bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low-Temperature Integrity of Carbon Steel Pressure Piping: An Assessment Based on Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics and Full-Scale Testing
Authors: Hadley Isabel , Manteghi Siak , Evans Geoff , Haslett Matthew , Jin Janin Yin 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Good engineering practice usually requires that carbon steel pressure piping for low-temperature applications should meet a minimum Charpy energy requirement (typically 27J) at the Minimum Design Temperature (MDT). This work explores the possibility of safe operation at lower temperatures, using a mixture of mechanical testing and Engineering Critical Assessment (ECA), including the use of Probabilistic Fracture Mechanics (PFM) to model the variations in materials properties.
The experimental part of the program consisted of small- and large-scale testing of 12.7mm (nominally 0.5 in) thick girth welds made in a seamless pressure piping material compliant with ASTM A106 Gr. B/API X42. Welds were made in the laboratory using a procedure and consumables representing normal industrial practice and qualified to ASME B31.3. They were also subjected to additional tests, including low-temperature fracture mechanics tests, in order to determine the statistical distribution of fracture toughness using the Master Curve concept.
Three full-scale tests were then carried out on spools containing a large artificial flaw in the girth weld, at temperatures near to or below the Charpy transition temperature, T27J. The actual Charpy properties of both parent pipe and weld metal exceeded the requirements by a large margin; consequently, in order to achieve the goal of triggering brittle fracture in the weld metal, the full-scale tests needed to be carried out at temperatures between −120 and −160°C. In spite of these very low test temperatures, one specimen failed by necking remote from the crack plane and another from an undetected fatigue crack in the parent metal.
Results of the full-scale tests were interpreted in terms of both deterministic and probabilistic ECA, based on the UK flaw assessment procedure BS 7910. These assessments suggested a very high probability of failure of the full-scale tests, sometimes at odds with the observed results. Part of the discrepancy between the ECA and the observed behaviour of the test specimens is likely to be due to the fact that only fracture toughness and tensile properties were treated probabilistically in this work. A probabilistic interpretation of welding residual stress was not possible, because of the paucity of data specific to the type of girth welds tested. The characteristic upper bound residual stress profiles given in BS 7910 were used instead, leading to an overestimate of the probability of failure.
Case Histories of the Resolution of Piping Vibration Failures in the Oil and Gas Industry
Authors: Rattansingh Mark , Evans Geoff , Bottomley Ian , Reith Duncan , James Paul , Perry Ethan 
Published: November 2024

Abstract
Vibration in piping systems continues to be a significant source of failure within the process industry. This paper presents several case studies that are examples of the types of failure that occur in oil and gas facilities. Examples from offshore facilities, refineries and LNG plants are included. The paper sets out to understand the root causes of the failure and explain the lessons learnt about how the failure could have been prevented during design or operation.
Process piping is predominantly designed to the requirements of the ASME B31.3 piping code. This piping design code includes a requirement that piping shall be designed to prevent failures due to vibration. However, design methods or vibration acceptance criteria are not given. It is not a requirement (neither is it practical) to eliminate all vibration. The Energy Institute Guidelines for the Avoidance of Vibration Induced Fatigue Failure in Process Pipework (EI AVIFF) are now referenced in ASME B31.3.
The EI AVIFF guidelines are a comprehensive and systematic approach to preventing piping vibration. The guidelines give a proactive approach that may be applied during design and a reactive approach that may be applied to troubleshoot existing vibration problem in operations. The case studies highlight how use of these guidelines can be used to prevent piping vibration failure in service.
Evolutionary trajectories of β-lactam resistance in
Enterococcus faecalis
strains
Authors: Ugalde Silva Paul , Desbonnet Charlene , Rice Louis B. , García-Solache Mónica 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACT

Resistance to ampicillin and imipenem in
Enterococcus faecalis
is infrequent. However, the evolution of resistance can occur through prolonged antibiotic exposure during the treatment of chronic infections. In this study, we conducted a long-term evolution experiment using four genetically diverse strains of
E. faecalis
with varying susceptibilities to ampicillin and imipenem. Each strain was subjected to increasing concentrations of either ampicillin or imipenem over 200 days, with three independent replicates for each strain. Selective pressure from imipenem led to the rapid selection of highly resistant lineages across all genetic backgrounds, compared to ampicillin. In addition to high resistance, we describe, for the first time, the evolution of a β-lactam-dependent phenotype observed in lineages from all backgrounds. Whole-genome sequencing and bioinformatic analysis revealed mutations in three main functional classes: genes involved in cell wall synthesis and degradation, genes in the walK/R two-component system, and genes in the c-di-AMP pathway. Our analysis identified new mutations in genes known to be involved in resistance as well as novel genes potentially associated with resistance. Furthermore, the newly described β-lactam-dependent phenotype was correlated with the inactivation of c-di-AMP degradation, resulting in high levels of this second messenger. Together, these data highlight the diverse genetic mechanisms underlying resistance to ampicillin and imipenem in
E. faecalis
. The emergence of high resistance levels and β-lactam dependency underscores the importance of understanding evolutionary dynamics in the development of antibiotic resistance.

IMPORTANCE

Enterococcus faecalis
is a major human pathogen, and treatment is frequently compromised by poor response to first-line antibiotics such as ampicillin. Understanding the factors that play a role in susceptibility/resistance to these drugs will help guide the development of much-needed treatments.
ANCA-associated vasculitis with slowly progressive renal dysfunction: a little-known but treatable disease
Authors: Albers Jan , Seeger Harald , Jayne David , Fisler Andrea Elisabeth 
Published: November 2024

The clinical spectrum of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) with renal involvement includes forms with a slowly progressive course. These forms are poorly recognised and, therefore, often associated with misdiagnosis and delayed treatment. We present here a case of slowly progressive AAV with renal involvement. A patient in her 50s with long-standing hypertension was evaluated for chronic renal impairment. Laboratory diagnostics revealed mild glomerular disease with relevant proteinuria and glomerular microhaematuria. Furthermore, significantly elevated ANCA of the antimyeloperoxidase (MPO-ANCA) type was detected. Renal biopsy provided evidence of arteriolosclerosis with an increased number of obliterated glomeruli but no evidence of active glomerulonephritis. The initiation of immunosuppressive therapy led to an improvement in both the clinical and the laboratory courses.Our case emphasises the importance of ANCA testing, particularly in cases of unclear glomerulopathy with an atypical presentation of ANCA-associated glomerulonephritis. It also illustrates the diagnostic challenges often encountered with slowly progressive AAV.
Identifying thresholds for meaningful improvements in NTDT-PRO scores to support conclusions about treatment benefit in clinical studies of patients with non-transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia: analysis of pooled data from a phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial
Authors: Taher Ali T , Musallam Khaled M , Viprakasit Vip , Kattamis Antonis , Lord-Bessen Jennifer , Yucel Aylin , Guo Shien , Pelligra Christopher G , Shields Alan L , Shetty Jeevan K , Glassberg Mrudula B , Bueno Luciana Moro , Cappellini Maria Domenica 
Published: November 2024

ObjectivesTo estimate thresholds for defining meaningful within-patient improvement from baseline to weeks 13–24 and interpreting meaningfulness of between-group difference for the non-transfusion-dependent beta-thalassaemia patient-reported outcome (NTDT-PRO) tiredness/weakness (T/W) and shortness of breath (SoB) scores. A secondary objective was to determine the symptom severity threshold for the NTDT-PRO T/W domain to identify patients with symptomatic T/W.DesignPooled blinded data from the phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised BEYOND trial in NTDT (NCT03342404) were used. Anchor-based analyses supplemented with distribution-based analyses and empirical cumulative distribution function (eCDF) curves were applied. Distribution-based analyses and receiver operating characteristic curves were used to estimate between-group difference and symptomatic thresholds, respectively.SettingGreece, Italy, Lebanon, Thailand, the UK and the USA.ParticipantsAdults (N=145; mean age 39.9 years) with NTDT who were transfusion-free ≥8 weeks before randomisation.MeasuresScore changes from baseline to weeks 13–24 in PROs used as anchors (correlation coefficient ≥0.3): NTDT-PRO T/W and SoB scores, Patient Global Impression of Severity, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue (Fatigue Subscale, item HI12 and item An2) and Short Form Health Survey version 2.ResultsThe eCDF curves support the use of estimates from the improvement by one level group for all anchors to determine the threshold(s) for meaningful within-patient improvement. Mean (median) changes from these groups and estimates from distribution-based analyses suggest that a ≥1-point reduction in the NTDT-PRO T/W or SoB domains represents a clinically meaningful improvement. Meaningful between-group difference threshold ranges were 0.53–1.10 for the T/W domain and 0.65–1.15 for the SoB domain. The optimal symptomatic threshold for the T/W domain (by maximum Youden’s index) was ≥3 points.ConclusionsThe thresholds proposed may support the use of NTDT-PRO in assessing and interpreting treatment effects in clinical studies and identifying patients with NTDT in need of symptom relief.
Effect of goal-directed mobilisation versus standard care on physical functioning among medical inpatients: the GoMob-in randomised, controlled trial
Authors: Liechti Fabian D , Heinzmann Jeannelle , Schmutz Nina A , Rossen Michael L , Rossel Jean-Benoît , Limacher Andreas , Schmidt Leuenberger Joachim M , Baumgartner Christine , Wertli Maria M , Aujesky Drahomir , Verra Martin , Aubert Carole E 
Published: November 2024

ObjectiveTo assess the effect of goal-directed mobilisation (GDM) on physical functioning in medical inpatients.DesignRandomised, controlled, single-centre, parallel, superiority trial with a 3-month follow-up and blinded outcome assessment.SettingGeneral internal medicine wards of a Swiss tertiary acute hospital, September 2021 to April 2023.ParticipantsAdults with expected hospitalisation of ≥5 days, physiotherapy prescription and ability to follow study procedures.InterventionGDM during hospitalisation, which includes personal goal setting and a short session of patient education through a physiotherapist (experimental group), versus standard care (control group).Outcome measuresThe primary outcome was the change in physical activity between baseline and day 5 (De Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI)). Secondary outcomes included in-hospital accelerometer-measured mobilisation time; in-hospital falls; delirium; length of stay; change in independence in activities of daily living, concerns of falling and quality of life; falls, readmission and mortality within 3 months.ResultsThe study was completed by 123 of 162 (76%) patients enrolled, with the primary outcome collected at day 5 in 126 (78%) participants. DEMMI Score improved by 8.2 (SD 15.1) points in the control group and 9.4 (SD 14.2) in the intervention group, with a mean difference of 0.3 (adjusted for the stratification factors age and initial DEMMI Score, 95% CI −4.1 to 4.8, p=0.88). We did not observe a statistically significant difference in effects of the interventions on any secondary outcome.ConclusionsThe patient’s physical functioning improved during hospitalisation, but the improvement was similar for GDM and standard of care. Improving physical activity during an acute medical hospitalisation remains challenging. Future interventions should target additional barriers that can be implemented without augmenting resources.Trial registration numberNCT04760392.
The Empty Office: protocol for sequential mixed-method study on the impact of telework activities on social relations and well-being
Authors: Vacchiano Mattia , Fernandez Guillaume , Widmer Eric , Arntz Melanie , Azzi Manal , Bulti Abdi , Cianferoni Nicola , Cullati Stéphane , Junte Sander , Massoudi Koorosh , Molina Romo Oscar , Ramirez Ana Catalina , Steinmetz Stephanie 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionTeleworking is one of the most significant legacies of the pandemic. Great attention is now being paid to its effects on workers’ health. One of the arguments that emerged on this issue is that ‘working away from the office’ affects the time we spend with significant others. This calls into question all those processes that make relatives and colleagues important to our health, such as forms of mentoring and social support, but also conflicts, work interruptions or control over workers’ activities. So far, no study has evaluated the impact that teleworking has on these processes using data on personal networks.The Empty Officeis the first study to use social network analysis to measure the impact that telework has on social relations and, in turn, workers’ health and well-being.Methods and analysisThe project draws on a total sample of 4400 participants from Switzerland, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany (n=1100 per country). The choice of these countries is due to their specificity and diversity in socioeconomic features, which make them particularly interesting for studying teleworking from a comparative point of view. The research is conceived as a sequential mixed-method design. First, quantitative data collection will administer an online questionnaire to gather information on telework modalities, health and well-being markers, and data on personal networks collected by a name generator. A qualitative module, administered one year later, will consist of in-depth interviews with a subsample (n=32) of teleworkers selected for delving narratively into the mechanisms identified with the quantitative analyses.Ethics and disseminationThis study has obtained 2 years of funding from the Swiss Network for International Study and was approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Geneva (CUREG-20230920-292-2). All participants will be asked to provide informed consent to participate in this study. The results will be shared with international organisations and disseminated in scientific journals and conferences. Fully anonymised data will be made available on the Open Science Framework (OSF) data-repository platform.
Machine learning algorithms for prediction of measles one vaccination dropout among 12–23 months children in Ethiopia
Authors: Alemayehu Meron Asmamaw 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionDespite the availability of a safe and effective measles vaccine in Ethiopia, the country has experienced recurrent and significant measles outbreaks, with a nearly fivefold increase in confirmed cases from 2021 to 2023. The WHO has identified being unvaccinated against measles as a major factor driving this resurgence of cases and deaths. Consequently, this study aimed to apply robust machine learning algorithms to predict the key factors contributing to measles vaccination dropout.MethodsThis study utilised data from the 2016 Ethiopian Demographic and Health Survey to evaluate measles vaccination dropout. Eight supervised machine learning algorithms were implemented: eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, Support Vector Machine, Decision Tree, Naïve Bayes, K-Nearest Neighbours and Logistic Regression. Data preprocessing and model development were performed using R language V.4.2.1. The predictive models were evaluated using accuracy, precision, recall, F1-score and area under the curve (AUC). Unlike previous studies, this research utilised Shapley values to interpret individual predictions made by the top-performing machine learning model.ResultsThe XGBoost algorithm surpassed all classifiers in predicting measles vaccination dropout (Accuracy and AUC values of 73.9% and 0.813, respectively). The Shapley Beeswarm plot displayed how each feature influenced the best model’s predictions. The model predicted that the younger mother’s age, religion-Jehovah/Adventist, husband with no and mother with primary education, unemployment of the mother, residence in the Oromia and Somali regions, large family size and older paternal age have a strong positive impact on the measles vaccination dropout.ConclusionThe measles dropout rate in the country exceeded the recommended threshold of <10%. To tackle this issue, targeted interventions are crucial. Public awareness campaigns, regular health education and partnerships with religious institutions and health extension workers should be implemented, particularly in the identified underprivileged regions. These measures can help reduce measles vaccination dropout rates and enhance overall coverage.
DYnamics of Contraception in Eswatini (DYCE): protocol for a high-frequency, longitudinal cell phone survey
Authors: Greenleaf Abigail , Nhlabatsi Bonisile , Mahlalela Khophozile , Masangane Zandile , Ndlangamandla Mgcineni , Philips Neena , Nuwagaba‑Biribonwoha Harriet 
Published: November 2024

IntroductionBy 2030, an estimated 42% of the world’s adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) will live in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), where a quarter of AGYW pregnancies are undesired and AGYW represent 75% of new HIV infections. Most AGYW in SSA use short-acting contraceptive methods, including many who rely solely on condoms, which results in variable patterns of protection against undesired pregnancies and HIV. Dynamics of contraceptive use and HIV prevention efforts are poorly understood but the DYnamics of Contraception in Eswatini study will contribute to the understanding of the complex relationship between sexual behaviours, risk perception and HIV and pregnancy prevention.Methods and analysisAll AGYW 18–24 years who participated in a 2021 nationally representative, population-based (face-to-face) HIV survey, consented to future research and provided a mobile phone number will be contacted for enrolment. Consenting AGYW will complete a baseline questionnaire and be surveyed biweekly for 2 years. The three objectives of the study are to (1) investigate how changing individual context (schooling, income, residential mobility) impact contraceptive use; (2) examine the relationship between pregnancy desires and contraceptive use and (3) test whether changes in a woman’s perception of her HIV risk changes her probability of contraceptive use and HIV protective behaviours. Data collection will take place from March 2024 to March 2026 via computer-assisted telephone interviews. During recruitment (March–April 2024), two interviewers called 794 AGYW, of whom 326 completed the baseline questionnaire (41%) and 321 consented to biweekly follow-up (40% American Association for Public Opinion Research response rate #1). Analyses will mainly use hybrid within-between logistic regression models.Ethics and disseminationThis protocol was reviewed and approved by the Eswatini National Health Research Review Board in 2024 and Columbia University Medical Center Institutional Review Board in 2023. Findings from the study will inform the Eswatini Ministry of Health approaches to mitigating undesired pregnancies and HIV among AGYW. Second, few examples exist of high-frequency longitudinal data collection in SSA, and this study will contribute to the survey method knowledge. Finally, the rich dataset will available for secondary data analysis.
Socioeconomic and Demographic Risk Factors Affecting Adult Participants With Hypertension in Bangladesh: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Afroja Sohani , Islam Rashedul , Majumder Uttam Kumar 
Published: November 2024

Background: Globally, hypertension poses a serious threat to public health since it is a key contributor to atherosclerosis, a condition in which plaque accumulation in the arteries thickens and restricts blood flow. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are mostly caused by atherosclerosis. Considering this, the main objective of our study was to determine the prevalence of hypertension and related risk factors in adult Bangladeshis. In addition, we want to determine significant factors for predicting hypertension.Methods: The dataset used in this study was derived from the Bangladesh Demographic and Health Survey (BDHS) 2017–18 in Bangladesh, with a total of 11,961 adult respondents over the age of 18. To identify the association, we performed chi‐squared tests. The multinomial logistic regression model was used to determine the most significant variables to the development of hypertension and prehypertension in Bangladesh.Results: Individuals over the age of 65 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 9.423, confidence interval [CI]: 7.806–11.378) were almost 10 times more likely to develop hypertension in Bangladesh. In Bangladesh, those who are obese had a 4.36 times higher risk of hypertension and a 2.56 times higher risk of developing prehypertension. Therefore, we can conclude that the development of prehypertension and hypertension was significantly influenced by age, obesity, and diabetes.Conclusion: These findings suggested that age, overweight, marital status, wealth index, education, and diabetes were significant risk factors for hypertension and prehypertension. The study’s findings will help Bangladesh’s government and policymakers develop effective policies and initiatives to prevent hypertension in adults.