Critical Range Research Articles

Prediction of survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: the updated Swedish cardiac arrest risk score (SCARS) model.

Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) is a major health concern worldwide. Although one-third of all patients achieve a return of spontaneous circulation and may undergo a difficult period in the intensive care unit, only 1 in 10 survive. This study aims to improve our previously developed machine learning model for early prognostication of survival in OHCA. We studied all cases registered in the Swedish Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Registry during 2010 and 2020 (n = 55 615). We compared the predictive performance of extreme gradient boosting (XGB), light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM), logistic regression, CatBoost, random forest, and TabNet. For each framework, we developed models that optimized (i) a weighted F1 score to penalize models that yielded more false negatives and (ii) a precision-recall area under the curve (PR AUC). LightGBM assigned higher importance values to a larger set of variables, while XGB made predictions using fewer predictors. The area under the curve receiver operating characteristic (AUC ROC) scores for LightGBM were 0.958 (optimized for weighted F1) and 0.961 (optimized for a PR AUC), while for XGB, the scores were 0.958 and 0.960, respectively. The calibration plots showed a subtle underestimation of survival for LightGBM, contrasting with a mild overestimation for XGB models. In the crucial range of 0-10% likelihood of survival, the XGB model, optimized with the PR AUC, emerged as a clinically safe model. We improved our previous prediction model by creating a parsimonious model with an AUC ROC at 0.96, with excellent calibration and no apparent risk of underestimating survival in the critical probability range (0-10%). The model is available at www.gocares.se.

Black Boxes that Curtail Human Flourishing are no Longer Available for Use in Artificial Intelligence (AI) Design


 
 
 AI is considered to be very abstract to a range of critics. In this regard, algorithms are referred to regularly as black boxes and divorced from human intervention. A particular philosophical maneuver supports this outcome. The aim of this article is to (1) bring the philosophy to the surface that has contributed to this distance between AI and people and (2) offer an alternative philosophical position that can bring this technology closer to individuals and communities. The overall goal of the analysis in this paper is the humanising of AI by addressing the shortcomings of conceptualising algorithms as black boxes.
 
 

Impact of non-diffusive interactions on Turing instability

Observational studies of the chemical reactions have shown that the uniform state, driven by the diffusion differences of activator and inhibitor species, can seed the spontaneous emergence of spatially organized patterns—also known as Turing instability. The presence of diffusive interaction between the species in discrete media can naturally form the structure of the network Laplacian, thereby resulting in that the Turing instability can be better understood via the eigenvectors and eigenvalues of the graph Laplacian. However, it is still unclear whether and under which conditions the Turing instability can be induced in the absence of diffusive transport. In this work, to overcome the limitation of network Laplacian matrix that only has non-positive eigenvalues, we investigate the effects of non-diffusive (or no-local) coupling between the species on the Turing instability for the directed and undirected networks, respectively, where the interaction matrix may produce the positive and negative eigenvalues. In particular, we first derive the critical conditions that the Turing instability occurs by employing the linear stability analysis. Then we apply them to the networked systems governed by the FitzHugh–Nagumo dynamics and obtain the critical range of eigenvalues of the interaction matrix. Finally, we use the Girko’s circular law to predict the eigenvalues’ distribution, and show, via extensive numerical simulations, the transition process of the Turing instability depending on network size, network connectivity and connection weights (intraspecific interaction strength). Our results reveal that in the absence of diffusive transport, the Turing instability still can arise, offering a new perspective on the generation mechanism of the Turing instability.

Impact of the Temperature Reconditioning of Cold-Stored Potatoes on the Color of Potato Chips and French Fries.

The effect of temperature reconditioning on cold-stored potato tubers was investigated for three popularly consumed potato varieties (Shangi, Unica, and Dutch robjin) grown in Kenya. The potatoes were stored at 4 °C for 30 days, followed by removal and storage at 22 ± 3 °C for 9 days during which changes in sugar concentration were evaluated every two days. In parallel, potato chips and French fries were processed, and their colors were determined. The results showed that sugar content decreased significantly with increasing reconditioning time. The relative decrease in fructose content was the highest (p < 0.05) in Dutch robjin (57.49%), followed by Shangi (49.22%) and Unica (38.18%). Glucose content decreased by 54.1% in Dutch robjin, 49.5% in Shangi, and 50.8% in Unica. The lightness (L*) of French fries and chips increased significantly (p < 0.05) with reconditioning time while the redness (a*) values decreased significantly (p < 0.05) across all varieties. The correlation between lightness and the total reducing sugar content of the potatoes was r < -0.93, indicating a strong negative correlation for both products. The coefficient of determination showed that the glucose content of the tubers accounted for 80.5-97.6% of the lightness of French fries and 88.4-94.2% for potato chips. The critical glucose content range for acceptable products in French fries and chips based on the color (L* and a*) values was 12-22 mg/100g and 8-14 mg/100g, respectively, for the varieties in this study.

Mixing twist-bend and ferroelectric nematic liquid crystals.

Twist-bend (N_{tb}) and ferroelectric (N_{F}) nematic liquid crystals exhibit several novel effects and new physical properties. Here, we report experimental studies on the phase diagram and some physical properties of binary mixtures of CB9CB and RM734 mesogens. Both N-N_{tb} and N-N_{F} phase transition temperatures and the corresponding enthalpies decrease significantly and, eventually, these transitions disappear at some intermediate compositions, stabilizing wide nematic phase (N). Temperature-dependent birefringence several degrees above the N-N_{tb} phase transition shows strong director tilt fluctuations. The critical range of the fluctuations increases with the nematic range and the critical exponent is consistent with the mean field. The spontaneous polarization of RM734 decreases drastically with the addition of CB9CB mesogen. The temperature dependence of the splay elastic constant of the mixtures' high-temperature nematic (N) phase strikingly differs from that of the pristine CB9CB and RM734 mesogens. The study shows that a small inclusion of either compound has a substantial effect on the phase diagram and physical properties.

Experimental Study on the Skyhook Control of a Magnetorheological Torsional Vibration Damper.

This study proposes a dual-coil magnetorheological torsional vibration damper (MRTVD) and verifies the effectiveness of semi-active damping control to suppress the shaft system's torsional vibration via experimental research. Firstly, the mechanical model of the designed MRTVD and its coupling mechanical model with the rotating shaft system are established. Secondly, the torsional response of the shaft system is obtained via resonance experiments, and the influence of the current on the torsional characteristics of the magnetorheological torsional damper is analyzed. Finally, the MRTVD is controlled using the skyhook control approach. The experimental results demonstrate that when the main shaft passes through the critical speed range at various accelerations, the amplitude of the shaft's torsional vibration decreases by more than 15%, and the amplitude of the shaft's torsional angular acceleration decreases by more than 22%. These conclusions validate the inhibitory effect of MRTVD on the main shaft's torsional vibrations under skyhook control.

Characterisation of TCP precipitation sequences of superaustenitic stainless steel and correlation with electrochemical and mechanical properties

This study investigates the influence of precipitation sequences formed at critical high-temperature range for various ageing time of super austenitic stainless steel 654SMO against the evolution of its corrosive resistance performance through the microstructural characterization, hardness and electrochemical corrosion testing. The specific type of stainless-steel alloy is one of the most corrosion resistant along with exceptional mechanical properties, tailor-made for pressurized and erosive systems handling chlorinated sea water, plate heat exchangers, and fuel gas cleaning applications and an excellent case study of in-depth phase transformations-electrochemical properties characterization phenomena. The microstructure evolution is characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), hardness testing and potentiodynamic polarization curves. The corresponding precipitation characteristics and sequences of secondary phases are discussed and correlated with electrochemical properties. The results demonstrate σ phase with various morphologies formed during isothermal aging and the formation of three more secondary topologically close pack (TCP) phases, such as chi phase (χ), laves phase (A2B), and Cr2N against corrosive resistance and mechanical performance, which are of primary importance for understanding electrochemical phenomena of different phases and useful for optimizing such alloys for various applications.

Benefits of Top Management Team Education for Corporate Digital Transformation: A Critical Mass Perspective from China

We examine how the academic background of Top Management Teams (TMT) affects corporate digital transformation (CDT). Utilising a sample of listed firms in China for 2007–2022, we test for the influence of the critical mass and range of TMT members. Our results add to the existing body of knowledge by demonstrating a relationship between the academic background of TMT and CDT. Findings suggest that TMT is a significant facilitator of digital transformation, contingent upon the specific academic backgrounds that TMT members possess. Findings suggest that the strategic appointment of TMT members with specific academic backgrounds can significantly digital transformation.

Artistic Relations: Mapping KCS Paniker’s Constellations

As student, teacher, and principal of the Madras School of Art, and as mentor, colleague, editor, and painter, KCS Paniker (1911–77) lived within a network of relations that one might map, following Alex Seggerman’s reading of Egyptian modernism, as a constellation. These figures include artists and critics in his immediate local network, students who helped build Cholamandal Artists’ Village with him, and his legacy in the form of the following generations, including his son, the sculptor Nandagopal. He also corresponded with a range of collectors, critics, scholars, and artists around the world, during three trips abroad and in subsequent editorial efforts related to the journal Artrends. In past frameworks, we might think of these constellational relations as “influences” but this too unidirectionally defines them, and it causes us to privilege one end or the other of the interaction. My project here is to think broadly and critically about these relations, to acknowledge them as deeply important for our understanding of Paniker’s work, but also to look for the dimmer stars – the fleeting comets that might be missed. How might attentiveness to Paniker’s intellectual and artistic wanderings enable us to find toward a richer, pulsating and shining, picture of relation?

Co-existing chronic hypertension and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and associated adverse pregnancy outcomes

Objective Chronic hypertension (CHTN) causes vascular damage and resistance in the pregnant person and malperfusion in the placenta which may worsen the endothelial dysfunction of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). These conditions frequently co-exist. A cumulative effect has been inconsistently demonstrated in prior studies, and it is unclear how co-existing hypertensive conditions affect pregnancy outcomes. We sought to examine maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies affected by co-existing CHTN and HDP and compare these outcomes to those of pregnancies which were unaffected or affected by either condition alone. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of singleton deliveries at a single institution 1 October 2013 to 1 October 2021. Data were extracted from the electronic medical record using standardized definitions and billing and diagnosis codes. Pregnant people with no evidence of hypertensive condition were compared to those with CHTN only, HDP only, and co-existing CHTN and HDP. Demographics, baseline clinical data, and use of aspirin or antihypertensive medications were assessed. Maternal outcomes included cesarean delivery, critical range blood pressure, intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and death. Neonatal outcomes included preterm birth <37 weeks’ gestation, small for gestational age (SGA) birthweight, ICU admission, and a morbidity composite. Bivariate tests of association were performed using Chi-square test. Crude and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) were calculated using logistic regression for three maternal and four neonatal outcomes. Descriptive statistics and multivariable analyses were performed. Results Of 40,840 eligible people, 1451 (3.6%) had CHTN only; 5213 (12.8%) had HDP only; and 1890 (4.6%) had co-existing CHTN and HDP. Though odds of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes were significantly increased for all hypertensive groups relative to the unaffected referent group, co-existing CHTN and HDP had the highest odds of cesarean delivery (aOR 1.60; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.45–1.77), critical blood pressure (OR 41.54; 95% CI 35.96–47.99), maternal ICU admission or death (aOR 3.52; 95% CI 2.65–4.67), preterm birth (aOR 2.76; 95% CI 2.41–3.16), and SGA birthweight (aOR 1.61; 95% CI 1.39–1.87). Conclusions Hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in the setting of CHTN are associated with the highest odds of serious consequences on the pregnant person and neonate independent of maternal comorbidities and prematurity. Antihypertensive medication use lowers the odds of some adverse outcomes. Patients should be informed of heightened risks, but optimal management remains unclear.

On the issue of improving the technical and economic indicators of well wiring in difficult mining and geological conditions

In this work, the vulnerability of standard PDC bits was established when conducting wells in difficult mining and geological conditions, in particular, with frequent layering of rocks with different hardness. The use of adaptive TerrAdapt chisels, which automatically change the depth of cutting and the aggressiveness of the chisel, is proposed in Russian deposits with frequently alternating rocks. These bits can be combined with overhead dampers if the dynamic coefficient is in the critical range. This solution will improve the technical and economic performance when drilling wells.

BUBBLE DEFECTS AND CONTROL OF THERMAL CURING OF WATERBORNE RESIN COATINGS

To solve the problem of bubble retention leading to a decrease in the performance of waterborne resin coatings during thermal curing, a rapid thermal curing coating based on an aqueous epoxy-modified acrylic resin containing an amino resin cross linker was synthesized through solution copolymerization. Using a synchronous thermal analyzer, the mass loss and heat flow during the thermal curing process of the coating was measured. In addition, an in situ thermal curing visualization system was used to observe the curing behavior at the easy-open end notches under different heating rates. The results indicated that the curing process is divided into an initial rapid heating stage and a subsequent slower heating stage by the boiling point of water, with a critical temperature range of 126-150&amp;deg;C. The visualization experiments showed that when the temperature reached 100&amp;deg;C, the water quickly evaporated to form bubbles. Increasing the heating rate before this temperature caused the bubbles to rapidly escape. Therefore, an optimal heating profile with a rapid initial heating rate of 3.13&amp;deg;C/s, followed by a slower heating rate of 0.52&amp;deg;C/s in the next stage, is proposed. This discovery is of great significance for optimizing the thermal curing process of waterborne coatings on metal substrates, including those used for easy-open ends.

ATTITUDES OF ARABIC LANGUAGE TEACHERS IN PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN JERUSALEM TOWARDS TEACHING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

This study is concerned with identifying the attitudes of teachers in secondary schools in Jerusalem towards teaching critical thinking, and identifying the educational strategies they actually use to develop it. The importance of this study is highlighted in identifying teachers’ attitudes towards teaching critical thinking, and in encouraging teachers and students to liberate themselves from the traditional patterns prevailing in education, and replace them with educational patterns based on the use of thinking teaching programs, to develop students’ latent skills and energies. The researcher asked the following main question: “What are the attitudes of teachers in secondary schools in Jerusalem towards teaching critical thinking skills?” The following two sub-questions branched out from this main question: The first: What are the educational strategies that teachers use to develop critical thinking skills? The second: Do teachers intend to use educational strategies that develop critical thinking, or do they use them by chance and without planning? To answer the research questions, the researcher chose a purposive sample of teachers in secondary schools in Jerusalem. The qualitative approach was used in the study, and the research tool was discussion in the focus group. The study was conducted in the first semester of the academic year 2022/2023. After collecting the data, the researcher analyzed it qualitatively, and arrived at the following main results: There are some strategies that teachers use to develop critical thinking skills, and their use varies from one teacher to another, and teachers’ attitudes towards enhancing critical thinking skills range between desire and lack thereof, and whoever has the desire does not have the knowledge and skill. And experience, as well as the teachers’ use of some strategies for teaching critical thinking is unintentional and unplanned. The study concluded with a number of recommendations based on the results of the study, the most important of which are: that the responsible authorities in the Ministry of Education prepare special training programs for teachers in using strategies for teaching critical thinking skills, and that other studies be conducted on critical thinking strategies within the framework of various academic subjects, and the last recommendation is that Other studies are being conducted that link inclinations toward critical thinking and its skills, due to the importance of inclinations toward critical thinking in acquiring and developing skills

Development of food-grade xylanase encapsulation using electrospray dextran microparticles

With the rapid development of pre-mixed flour or pre-baked products, there is a huge market demand for food grade encapsulation of baking enzymes. In our work, a novel method for the food-grade electrospray encapsulation of enzymes was developed using dextran as a polymer matrix. The behavior of dextran in aqueous solution and its effects on electrospray were investigated, and their relationship function was determined. The electrospray properties of dextran were primarily determined by the critical concentration range required for particle formation as well as solution parameters. Subsequently, the encapsulation, characterization, and performance evaluation with respect to the Hmxyn xylanase, an enzyme from Halolactibacillus miurensis were studied. When Hmxyn xylanase was encapsulated with dextran using electrospray, both the dextran-based carrier and the electrospray method did not affect the activity of Hmxyn xylanase, with the encapsulation efficiency and activity recovery rate exceeding 90%. Fourier transform infrared spectra indicated that hydrogen bonding between dextran and xylanase was enhanced, favoring the formation of electrospray particles. In addition, the encapsulated xylanase was uniformly distributed in the dextran matrix and exhibited better thermal degradability and storage stability compared to the free enzymes. Herein, Hmxyn xylanase enzyme encapsulation at room temperature without an organic solvent involved provides a novel, facile, and safe-grade electrospray encapsulation technique that could be extended to more versatile food enzymes or biological additives.

Uniaxial Reloading Damage Characteristics of Critically Damaged Coal Samples at Different Confining Pressure Unloading Spans

To investigate the damage characteristics of the lower critical damage coal samples under different perimeter pressure unloading spans, a 13-group plus unloading perimeter pressure and then uniaxial loading test scheme was designed. Firstly, the coal samples were subjected to triaxial lowering and raising of the circumferential pressure to determine the critical damage range of the coal samples. Finally, acoustic emission signal, fractal theory, and energy theory were used to study the mechanical characteristics of the coal samples during damage. The results show that the surface cracks of the critically damaged coal samples develop from tension cracks to coexistence of tension and shear cracks to shear cracks as the unloading span of the surrounding pressure of the critically damaged coal samples decreases; through the triaxial unloading–uniaxial reloading experimental scheme, the critical damage range of the coal samples is determined as 60–70% of the triaxial compressive strength during axial pressure loading in the process of surrounding rock stress adjustment. The smaller the unloading span of the critically damaged coal sample, the smaller the peak strength of the sample, the more severe the damage, the weaker the energy storage capacity, the weaker the ability to deform elastically, the easier it is for the specimen to crack and deform plastically, and the larger the weak surface formed in the specimen, resulting in the larger the size of the fragment produced by the damage, the smaller the fractal dimension.

Screening Second Victims for Emotional Distress: Assessment of the Clinimetric Properties of the WITHSTAND-PSY Questionnaire

Introduction: Adverse events (AEs) are a leading cause of patient morbidity and mortality, greatly impacting healthcare providers’ well-being (second victim (SV) phenomenon). Since it is not accurately captured by existing psychometric instruments, we developed a clinimetric instrument for assessing SVs’ emotional distress before and after an AE. Methods: Content validity and clinical utility of the WITHSTAND-PSY Questionnaire (WS-PSY-Q) were examined using cognitive interviews. Rasch analysis (n = 284) was applied for clinimetric assessment (i.e., construct, concurrent, and clinical validity, internal consistency), considering two crucial psychological facets of the SV phenomenon (1st: emotional impact of the AE, 2nd: current emotional state). Results: The Rasch partial credit model was used. The 1st facet demonstrated overall acceptable clinimetric properties with the subscale anxiety meeting clinimetric threshold values (e.g., all items with ordered thresholds, Loevinger’s coefficient h ≥ 0.40; Person Separation Reliability Index (PSI) = 0.7). The 2nd facet showed overall better clinimetric properties for both subscales (e.g., h ≥ 0.40, PSI = 0.82 and 0.79, respectively; receiver operating characteristic area of 0.80 and 0.86, respectively). For both datasets, item fit statistics, except those for item 19, were within the critical range (z-score < ±2.5), and meaningful differential functioning analysis was observed for only 4 (out of 24) items. Local dependency was not observed, except for two item couples in the depression subscales. Conclusions: The WS-PSY-Q is the first clinimetric tool assessing SVs’ emotional distress. It should be regarded as part of the armamentarium used by clinicians to assess in-depth healthcare providers’ psychological reactions in the aftermath of an AE to mitigate burnout and allostatic overload.

THE EFFECT OF VISCOUS DISSIPATION ON THE ONSET OF INSTABILITY OF MAGNETO HYDRODYNAMIC FLOW IN A POROUS MEDIUM

The study of flow of fluid with its motion was study in the nineteenth century by Maurice Couette which was as a result of two parallel plates in which the movement are relative, such that the surfaces is moving laterally. The plates with varying radii, could be flat, parallel or two concentric which is generally referred to as plane Couette. Characteristics of fluid at rest or in motion may undergo changes and become unstable. The critical value or range of the parameters of flow which will give rise to instabilities is one of the problems of stability analysis. The stability of fluid motion may be tested by perturbing the fluid with a small sinusoidal disturbances on the parameter. In plane Couette where moving plates drive the flow and plane Poiseuille flow where a pressure gradient drives the flow, in the situation of weak flow and strong distortional elasticity, an asymptotic analysis will yields closed - form steady solutions with identical wall conditions which will focus on simulations will expose the effects due to wall anchoring conflicts and illustrate the induced morphology of the orientation distribution, stored viscoelastic stresses and non - Newtonian flow.

The unique flexibility feature of moso bamboo: Arising implications for biomimetic material design

Bamboo, renowned for its sustainability, renewable nature and extraordinary flexibility, has long been widely used as engineered materials. This coveted attribute can be attributed to the unique gradient microstructure of the bamboo culm, characterized by the volume fraction of reinforcing fibers diminishes exponentially from the epidermis to the endodermis. This inherent structural heterogeneity engenders disparate fracture behaviors and mechanical properties between the compression and tension sides during bending, i.e. the asymmetric bending behavior. Through a qualitative analysis with the shear-lag theory, this study has discerned that a critical range of fiber volume fraction, spanning from 25% to 30%, serves as the critical condition for whether fiber break occurs before or after pull-out. Moreover, it has been elucidated that the significant degree of radially discrepancy in fiber volume fraction manifests as a key determinant of the degree of asymmetry. By parameterizing the variation trend of the fiber volume fraction along the loading direction, it becomes feasible to predict the mechanical properties when subjected to loading from different sides. Such endeavors furnish a pivotal scientific foundation for characterizing the performance of gradient materials with similar densities, while concurrently offering novel insights for the structural design of high-performance biomimetic material.

A novel model for directed energy deposition-arc based on in-order stacking of primitives

ABSTRACT To address the issue of low accuracy of directed energy deposition-arc (DED-Arc) and expand its use in producing large-sized components, a novel concept called “in-order stacking of primitives” has been proposed. This concept aims to simplify the additive manufacturing (AM) planning process and improve forming accuracy. Experiments at the weld, layer, and block levels examined relationships between process parameters and primitive dimensions, offset distance, and interlayer lift height. Increasing heat and mass transfer significantly increased primitive width and surface roughness but had little effect on height variation (1.95-2.27 mm). The impact of offset distance on the forming precision for layer-level components varied by the stacking path used, with Zig-Zig level parts showing more deterioration than Zig-Zag level parts. Thermal equilibrium in block components was achieved within a critical height range of 88.2 to 112.0 mm. The stacking path has a substantial impact on the surface temperature and is a crucial factor for ensure accurate workpiece formation. This study establishes a physical relationship between component forming quality and process parameters through mathematical expressions that are supported by experimental results. Future research will focus on optimizing the physical model and refining the mathematical expressions.

Cytosine-rich mismatched DNA aptamer combined with superparamagnetic photonic crystal sensing material for the specific visual detection of silver ions

DNA aptamer superparamagnetic photonic crystals (DSPCs), enriched with a highly selective cytosine-rich mismatched single-stranded DNA aptamer (CRDA), were successfully employed in a novel visual detection strategy for the detection of silver ions (Ag+). The technologies of superparamagnetic colloidal nanospheres (SCNs), DNA aptamer, and photonic crystals were combined to fabricate DPSCs. The aptamer was immobilized via electrostatic adsorption with amino groups that were chemically introduced on the surface of the SCNs, forming D–NH–SCNs. The detection is achieved by forming an Ag+ complex (C–Ag+–C) between Ag+ and D–NH–SCN. The DSPCs assembled under a magnetic field by D–NH–SCNs effectively detected Ag+ in the range of 1 μg/L to 5 mg/L, corresponding to the critical concentration range for heavy metals in drinking water. During the detection, the DSPC exhibited a wavelength blueshift from 652.8 nm to 626.4 nm (26.4 nm), as well as changes in reflection intensity. Notably, when detecting Ag+, a change in DSPC color from orange to yellow was observed. In summary, the developed visual detection material facilitates direct Ag + sensing. In the future, different DNA aptamers will be modified further to detect various targets in the fields of medicine, environmental monitoring, and food safety.