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Although Life Cycle Sustainability Assessments (LCSA) are important in evaluating the sustainability of complex products and services, there is no sufficient support for engineers performing LCSA. The concept of an Engineering Graph focuses on the relations of data within engineering. It provides a model that leverages existing data in engineering and extendibility to include specialized databases and open and public data from the semantic web. This paper proposes a concept of how Engineering Graphs can be used to address the issues of LCSA and support engineers.

Periodontitis affects the teeth supporting tissues, leading to tooth loss and damage to animal health. Evidence in humans suggests that oral microorganisms spread systemically, increasing the risk of pregnancy disorders such as miscarriage, prematurity, and low birth weight. This study aimed to verify whether periodontopathogenic microorganisms reach the transplacental unit, culminating in problems in pregnant ewes. After analyzing the oral cavity, 10 clinically healthy pregnant ewes (OGCH group) and 10 pregnant ewes with periodontitis (OGP group) were selected. The subgingival biofilm was collected for the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and amniotic fluid for both the PCR and interleukin (IL) analysis. Peripheral blood was collected for complete blood count, and analyses of IL-6, IL1-β, and tumor necrosis factor-α were performed. Placental fragments were collected to assess the inflammatory changes using optical microscopy. After giving birth, both the ewes and their lambs were weighed. On clinical examination, a positive correlation between bleeding and suppuration (correlation index - CI=0.54), suppuration and marginal gingivitis (CI=0.34), and marginal gingivitis and edema (CI=0.54) was observed. The weights of the ewes (p=0.013) and their respective lambs (p=0.04) in the OGP group were lower than those of their OGCH group counterparts. The hematological analysis revealed that the OGP group ewes showed a slight increase in the mean corpuscular volume (p=0.2447), segmented cells (p=0.3375), and eosinophils (p=0.3823) when compared with the OGCH group ewes, without a statistical difference. Regarding the microorganisms detected in the oral cavity, there was a significant difference between the occurrence of periodontal pockets and the presence of Fusobacterium necrophorum (p=0.0328), Porphyromonas asaccharolytica (p=0.0392), and the Mollicutes class (p=0.0352). Staphylococcus genus (p=0.9107) and Archaea domain (p=0.7245) were detected in the amniotic samples of both groups, without a significant difference, whereas P. asaccharolytica (p=0.2685) was only detected in one sample in the OGCH group. The expression of cytokine IL-6 in the OGP group differed significantly between the prepartum and postpartum periods (p=0.0039); moreover, it differed significantly in the postpartum period between the OGCH and OGP groups (p=0.0198). Histological examination showed a higher percentage of placental changes in the OGP group (70%) than in the OGCH group, such as the presence of macrophages, neutrophils, plasma cells, and multifocal areas of calcification. These results do not corroborate the hypothesis of dissemination of oral microorganisms to the placental unit, suggesting that it constitutes placental isolation in sheep. RESUMO: A periodontite afeta os tecidos de suporte dos dentes levando à perda dentária e danos à saúde do animal. Evidências em humanos sugerem que os microrganismos orais se espalham sistemicamente, aumentando o risco de distúrbios da gravidez, como aborto espontâneo, prematuridade e baixo peso ao nascer. Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar se microrganismos periodontopatogênicos atingem a unidade transplacentária, culminando em problemas em ovelhas gestantes. Após análise da cavidade oral, foram selecionadas 10 ovelhas gestantes clinicamente saudáveis (grupo OGCH) e 10 ovelhas gestantes com periodontite (grupo OGP). O biofilme subgengival foi coletado para o teste de reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e o líquido amniótico para teste de PCR e análise de interleucina (IL). Sangue periférico foi coletado para hemograma completo e análises de IL-6, IL1-β e fator de necrose tumoral-α foram realizadas. Fragmentos de placenta foram coletados para avaliação das alterações inflamatórias por meio de microscopia óptica. Após o parto, as ovelhas e seus cordeiros foram pesados. Ao exame clínico, observou-se correlação positiva entre sangramento e supuração (índice de correlação - IC=0,54), supuração e gengivite marginal (IC=0,34) e gengivite marginal e edema (IC=0,54). Os pesos das ovelhas (p=0,013) e de seus respectivos cordeiros (p=0,04) do grupo OGP foram inferiores aos do grupo OGCH. A análise hematológica revelou que as ovelhas do grupo OGP apresentaram discreto aumento no volume corpuscular médio (p=0,2447), células segmentadas (p=0,3375) e eosinófilos (p=0,3823) quando comparadas com as ovelhas do grupo OGCH, sem diferença estatística diferença. Em relação aos microrganismos detectados na cavidade oral, houve diferença significativa entre a ocorrência de bolsas periodontais e a presença de Fusobacterium necrophorum (p=0,0328), Porphyromonas asaccharolytica (p=0,0392) e da classe Mollicutes (p=0,0352). O gênero Staphylococcus (p=0,9107) e o domínio Archaea (p=0,7245) foram detectados nas amostras amnióticas de ambos os grupos, sem diferença significativa, enquanto P. asaccharolytica (p=0,2685) foi detectado apenas em uma amostra do grupo OGCH. A expressão da citocina IL-6 no grupo OGP diferiu significativamente entre os períodos pré e pós-parto (p=0,0039); além disso, diferiu significativamente no período pós-parto entre os grupos OGCH e OGP (p=0,0198). O exame histológico mostrou maior porcentagem de alterações placentárias no grupo OGP (70%) do que no grupo OGCH, como a presença de macrófagos, neutrófilos, plasmócitos e áreas multifocais de calcificação. Esses resultados não corroboram a hipótese de disseminação de microrganismos orais para a unidade placentária, sugerindo que se trata de um isolamento placentário em ovinos.

Minimally invasive repair techniques are typically reserved for the surgical treatment of acute Achilles tendon ruptures, with surgery performed within 2 weeks of injury. We present 2 successful cases of percutaneous Achilles tendon repair performed in the subacute setting. At final follow-up (15 and 18 months, respectively), both patients had American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot scale scores of 100 and had returned to their normal and recreational activities. Percutaneous Achilles tendon repair techniques may have expanded use in the subacute setting, which may mitigate wound issues and infection rates associated with more open approaches, while still providing a quality repair to allow for the most optimal functional outcome. Level of Evidence: Level IV: Case report

This study revealed dual functions of the installed Facac ligands: enhancement of framework mechanical stability due to electrostatic interactions; and weaker capillary forces evaluated from free energies of dehydration during water evacuation.

The incorporation of free halide ions into MOF-808 makes it a promising water-harvesting material with high working capacity and good cycle stability.

We describe and experimentally illustrate a strategy for synthesizing reactant-accessible, supported arrays of well-confined, sub-nanometer to 2 nm, metal(0) clusters and particles-here, copper, palladium, and platinum. The synthesis entails (a) solution-phase binding of metal ions by a generation-2 poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimer, (b) electrostatic uptake of metalated, solution-dissolved, and positively charged dendrimers by the negatively charged pores of a zirconium-based metal-organic framework (MOF), NU-1000, and (c) chemical reduction of the incorporated metal ions. The pH of the unbuffered solution is known to control the overall charges of both the dendrimer guests and the hierarchically porous MOF. The combined results of electron microscopy, X-ray spectroscopy, and other measurements indicate the formation and microscopically uniform spatial distributions of zero-valent, monometallic Cu, Pd, and Pt species, with sizes depending strongly on the conditions and methods used for reduction of incorporated metal ions. Access to sub-nanometer clusters is ascribed to the stabilization effects imposed by the two templates (i.e., NU-1000 and dendrimer), which significantly limit the extent to which the metal atoms aggregate; as the thermal input increases, the dendrimer template gradually decomposes, allowing a further aggregation of metal clusters inside the hexagonal mesoporous channel of the MOF template, which ultimately self-limits at 3 nm (i.e., the mesopore width of NU-1000). Using CO oxidation and n-hexene hydrogenation as model reactions in the gas and condensed phases, we show that the dual-templated metal species can act as stable, efficient heterogeneous catalysts.

We integrate the information gap theory of specific curiosity with the challenge-hindrance-stressor framework to argue that work-related information gaps act as a double-edged sword by eliciting both specific curiosity as well as frustration in employees. We further consider employees' information gap-related self-efficacy as a moderator that influences whether information gaps are perceived as a challenge that compounds curiosity or a hindrance that feeds frustration. We largely find support for our hypothesized model across two diary studies. In Study 1 (74 full-time employees, 270 data points), we validated a work-related information gap scale and demonstrated a positive relationship with employees' specific curiosity. In Study 2 (107 full-time employees, 719 data points), information gaps were positively associated with specific curiosity and frustration, which in turn had differential effects on work engagement. Information gap-related self-efficacy buffered the negative relationship between information gaps and frustration but had no impact on specific curiosity.

Computational psychiatry provides a powerful new approach for linking the behavioral manifestations of addiction to their precise cognitive and neurobiological substrates. However, this emerging area of research is still limited in important ways. While research has identified features of reinforcement learning and decision-making in substance users that differ from health, less emphasis has been placed on capturing addiction cycles/states dynamically, within-person. In addition, the focus on few behavioral variables at a time has precluded more detailed consideration of related processes and heterogeneous clinical profiles. We propose that a longitudinal and multidimensional examination of value-based processes, a type of dynamic "computational fingerprint", will provide a more complete understanding of addiction as well as aid in developing better tailored and timed interventions.

A common way to approximate $F(A)b$ -- the action of a matrix function on a vector -- is to use the Arnoldi approximation. Since a new vector needs to be generated and stored in every iteration, one is often forced to rely on restart algorithms which are either not efficient, not stable or only applicable to restricted classes of functions. We present a new representation of the error of the Arnoldi iterates if the function $F$ is given as a Laplace transform. Based on this representation we build an efficient and stable restart algorithm. In doing so we extend earlier work for the class of Stieltjes functions which are special Laplace transforms. We report several numerical experiments including comparisons with the restart method for Stieltjes functions.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is utilized as one of the most popular consumer plastics worldwide, but difficulties associated with recycling PET have generated a severe environmental crisis with most PET ending its lifecycle in landfills. We report that zirconium-based metal-organic framework (Zr-MOF) UiO-66 deconstructs waste PET into the building blocks terephthalic acid (TA) and mono-methyl terephthalate (MMT) within 24 hours at 260 °C (total yield of 98 % under 1 atm H

In this paper a framework is introduced to elicit requirements of Artificial Intelligence (AI) towards the System Model in order to support engineers in Virtual Product Development (VPD). The framework supports to shape the evolution necessary in system modelling to provide the right data in the right quality for AI. Depending on the business benefit that a company wants to realize, AI can provide capabilities and solutions to be implemented in VPD. Therefore, differing requirements need to be fulfilled for each business benefit that a company pursues. This framework is applied in a case study in the Medical Device Industry, where a marked leader wants to improve their capability to create innovations by automatically increasing their market knowledge. Therefore, a Natural Language Processing system is applied to automatically enhance the company knowledge base with an external source. This is realized in an initial prototype by analyzing Tender Documents and automatically connecting the new knowledge generated to the company internal knowledge in the system model. This paper is part of research activities within the Research and Development department of a global Medical Device Company. The Objective of these research activities is to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence to analyze and support the Virtual Development Process.

We report a rare case of posttraumatic hallux valgus in a collegiate football player after an acute medial collateral ligament tear of the first metatarsophalangeal joint. The patient was treated with a modification of the modified McBride technique, using an all-suture anchor for the medial ligamentous complex repair. There was return to sport at 5 months and a Foot and Ankle Outcome Score of 95% at 10 months.A modified McBride procedure further modified with the utilization of an all-suture anchor for the medial ligamentous complex repair can result in correction of deformity, pain-free movement and return to sport.

Previous research has provided contradicting findings on whether valuing and pursuing happiness is beneficial or detrimental to one’s level of well-being. These contradicting findings might be resolved by considering these so-called Happiness Goal Orientations (HGO) as a multidimensional construct. The goals of this paper were (1) to present a new multidimensional scale to measure HGO and (2) to investigate whether the different dimensions of the scale are differentially related to well-being. Inspired by theories that distinguish between different dimensions of motivational systems and goal pursuit, we developed and validated the HGO Scale in four independent studies. The scale distinguishes two dimensions: Happiness-Related Strivings represent the propensity to move actively and persistently toward the desired level of happiness. Happiness-Related Concerns represent the propensity to worry about and to focus on threats to one’s level of happiness. Happiness- Related Strivings are associated with approach-related constructs, positivity, successful strategies to regulate one’s moods and emotions, endorsing a broad range of happiness definitions, and the intention to pursue different happiness definitions in everyday life. Happiness-Related Concerns are associated with avoidance-related constructs, anxiety, poor strategies to regulate one’s moods and emotions, defining happiness solely as the absence of negativity, and having no intentions to pursue happiness in everyday life. Happiness-Related Strivings are positively associated with well-being, whereas Happiness-Related Concerns are negatively associated with well-being. These differential associations with well-being demonstrate the importance of considering HGO as a multidimensional construct and that HGO can be both beneficial and detrimental to one’s level of well-being.

Background Palliative care should be holistic, but spiritual issues are often overlooked. General practitioners and nurses working together in PaTz-groups (palliative home care groups) consider spiritual issues in palliative care to be relevant, but experience barriers in addressing spiritual issues and finding spiritual caregivers. This study evaluates the feasibility and perceived added value of a listening consultation service by spiritual caregivers in primary palliative care. Methods From December 2018 until September 2019, we piloted a listening consultation service in which spiritual caregivers joined 3 PaTz-groups whose members referred patients or their relatives with spiritual care needs to them. Evaluation occurred through (i) monitoring of the implementation, (ii) in-depth interviews with patients (n = 5) and involved spiritual caregivers (n = 5), (iii) short group interviews in 3 PaTz-groups (17 GPs, 10 nurses and 3 palliative consultants), and (iv) questionnaires filled out by the GP after each referral, and by the spiritual caregiver after each consultation. Data was analysed thematically and descriptively. Results Consultations mostly took place on appointment at the patients home instead of originally intended walk-in consultation hours. Consultations were most often with relatives (72%), followed by patients and relatives together (17%) and patients (11%). Relatives also had more consecutive consultations (mean 4.1 compared to 2.2 for patients). Consultations were on existential and relational issues, loss, grief and identity were main themes. Start-up of the referrals took more time and effort than expected. In time, several GPs of each PaTz-group referred patients to the spiritual caregiver. In general, consultations and joint PaTz-meetings were experienced as of added value. All patients and relatives as well as several GPs and nurses experienced more attention for and awareness of the spiritual domain. Patients and relatives particularly valued professional support of spiritual caregivers, as well as recognition of grief as an normal aspect of life. Conclusions If sufficient effort is given to implementation, listening consultation services can be a good method for PaTz-groups to find and cooperate with spiritual caregivers, as well as for integrating spiritual care in primary palliative care. This may strengthen care in the spiritual domain, especially for relatives who are mourning.

Statins are among the most widely prescribed medications worldwide. Considered the ‘gold-standard’ treatment for cardiovascular disease (CVD), statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase to ultimately reduce serum LDL-cholesterol levels. Unfortunately, the main adverse event of statin use is the development of muscle-associated problems, referred to as SAMS (statin-associated muscle symptoms). While regular moderate physical activity also decreases CVD risk, there is apprehension that physical activity may induce and/or exacerbate SAMS. While much work has gone into identifying the epidemiology of SAMS, only recent research has focused on the extent to which these muscle symptoms are accompanied by functional declines. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of possible mechanisms underlying SAMS and summarize current evidence regarding the relationship between statin treatment, physical activity, exercise capacity, and SAMS development. PubMed and Google Scholar databases were used to search the most relevant and up-to-date peer-reviewed research on the topic. The mechanism(s) behind SAMS, including altered mitochondrial metabolism, reduced coenzyme Q10 levels, reduced vitamin D levels, impaired calcium homeostasis, elevated extracellular glutamate, and genetic polymorphisms, still lack consensus and remain up for debate. Our summation of the evidence leads us to suggest that the etiology of SAMS development is likely multifactorial. Our review also demonstrates that there is limited evidence for statins impairing exercise adaptations or reducing exercise capacity for the majority of the investigated populations. The available evidence indicates that the benefits of engaging in physical activity while on statin medication largely outweigh the risks.

Palliatieve Thuiszorg (PaTz) is een methode om de palliatieve zorg in de eerste lijn te verbeteren via regionale registratie- en gespreksbijeenkomsten van huisartsen en wijkverpleegkundigen. Uit dit retrospectieve vragenlijstonderzoek blijkt dat PaTz-deelnemers betere samenwerking en deskundigheid in de palliatieve zorg ervaren. PaTz-deelname is geassocieerd met een toename in communicatie over levenseindeonderwerpen. De tijdsinvestering is een belangrijke barriere voor deelname. Om huisartsen verder te enthousiasmeren voor de PaTz-methode bevelen we nader effectonderzoek en een structurele vergoeding voor PaTz-deelname aan.

Catalytic oxidation of hydrocarbons with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) has been of the utmost importance for several decades. The vast majority of studies have been performed in the condensed phase, eve...

These notes cover my contributions over 65 years as a member of Phi Alpha Theta, my experience in research and writing about Benjamin Disraeli, my interpretation of the significance for his politic...

Background Spiritual care is an important aspect of palliative care. In the Netherlands, general practitioners and district nurses play a leading role in palliative care in the primary care setting. When they are unable to provide adequate spiritual care to their patient, they can refer to spiritual caregivers. This study aimed to provide an overview of the practice of spiritual caregivers in the primary care setting, and to investigate, from their own perspective, the reasons why spiritual caregivers are infrequently involved in palliative care and what is needed to improve this. Method Sequential mixed methods consisting of an online questionnaire with structured and open questions completed by 31 spiritual caregivers, followed by an online focus group with 9 spiritual caregivers, analysed through open coding. Results Spiritual caregivers provide care for existential, relational and religious issues, and the emotions related to these issues. Aspects of spiritual care in practice include helping patients find meaning, acceptance or reconciliation, paying attention to the spiritual issues of relatives of the patient, and helping them all to say farewell. Besides spiritual issues, spiritual caregivers also discuss topics related to medical care with patients and relatives, such as treatment wishes and options. Spiritual caregivers also mentioned barriers and facilitators for the provision of spiritual care, such as communication with other healthcare providers, having a relationship of trust and structural funding.. In the online focus group, local multidisciplinary meetings were suggested as ideal opportunities to familiarize other healthcare providers with spirituality and promote spiritual caregivers’ services. Also, structural funding for spiritual caregivers in the primary care setting should be organized. Conclusion Spiritual caregivers provide broad spiritual care at the end of life, and discuss many different topics beside spiritual issues with patients in the palliative phase, supporting them when making medical end-of-life decisions. Spiritual care in the primary care setting may be improved by better cooperation between spiritual caregiver and other healthcare providers, through improved education in spiritual care and better promotion of spiritual caregivers’ services.

This paper describes a photocatalytic hydrogen evolution system that is dynamically and reversibly responsive to the pH of the surrounding solution through the actuation of a microhydrogel (microgel) matrix that hosts the photocatalysts (CdSe/CdS nanorods). The reversible actuation occurs within 0.58 (swelling) and 1.7 s (contraction). ΔpH = 0.01 relative to the p

The production of polymer-grade ethylene requires the purification of ethylene feed from acetylene contaminant. Accomplishing this task by state-of-the-art thermal hydrogenation requires high temperature, external feed of H2 gas, and noble metal catalysts, and is not only expensive and energy-intensive but also prone to overhydrogenate to ethane. We report a photocatalytic system to reduce acetylene to ethylene with >99% selectivity for ethylene under both non-competitive (no ethylene co-feed) and competitive (ethylene co-feed) conditions, and near 100% conversion under the latter industrially relevant condition. Our system uses a molecular catalyst based on earth-abundant cobalt operating under ambient conditions and sensitized by either [Ru(bpy)3]2+ or an inexpensive organic semiconductor (mpg-CN) under visible light. These features and the use of water as a proton source offer substantial advantages over current hydrogenation technologies with respect to selectivity and sustainability.