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3D printing of continuous carbon fiber-reinforced polymer reinforcement for concrete columns
No full textUsing fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) rebars and spirals as internal reinforcement for concrete structures has been a mainstream direction in field of FRP composites for construction. The traditional manufacturing process of FRP reinforcement based on pultrusion not only leads to considerable material waste but also results in fiber wrinkles in the bent sections, significantly compromising the mechanical performance of the bent bars. To address these issues, this study employs a novel 3D printed continuous fiber-reinforced thermoplastic polymer (CFRTP) reinforcement for reinforcing concrete columns. Initially, ring tensile tests were conducted on 3D printed CFRTP circular ties. 3D printed CFRTP ties (3DP-CFRTPTs) as transverse reinforcement was then applied to both concrete cylinders and square prisms to evaluate their effectiveness. Axial compression tests were performed on six cylinders and six square prisms to investigate the effects of tie cross-sectional height and spacing on the compressive performance of concrete columns reinforced with 3DP-CFRTPTs. The results indicate that 3DP-CFRTPTs significantly enhance the compressive strength of specimens, with tie spacing having a considerable impact on the compressive strength. Comparison of the experimental results with predictions from eight different models showed that while the existing FRP strip confinement concrete models are suitable for predicting the ultimate axial stress of 3DP-CFRTPT confined concrete, they are unable to predict the axial strain accurately
Risk of adverse outcomes associated with mirtazapine compared to sertraline use among older people living in long-term care facilities
No full textData source: Supplementary data, https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afaf074Subjects: Individuals aged 65–105 years entering LTCFs in three Australian states during 1 January 2015 to 31 October 2018, who initiated mirtazapine or sertraline ≤60 days post-LTCF entry, with follow-up to 31 December 2019.
Background: Antidepressants are used by 60% of residents of long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Mirtazapine and sertraline are the most commonly used antidepressants, despite little safety information for their use in LTCFs.
Objective: To investigate risk of adverse outcomes (falls, fractures, cardiovascular-, dementia-, and delirium-related hospitalisations, all-cause mortality) associated with mirtazapine compared to sertraline use post-LTCF entry.
Design: Active new user retrospective cohort study.
Methods: The inverse probability of treatment weighting of individuals’ propensity scores was used to adjust Cox and Fine–Gray regression models to estimate the risk of outcomes of interest associated with mirtazapine compared to sertraline use in LTCFs. Weighted (adjusted) hazard ratios (aHRs), subdistribution hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) are presented.
Results: A total of 5409 residents initiated mirtazapine (71%, n = 3837) or sertraline (29%, n = 1572) post-LTCF entry. After weighting, mirtazapine was associated with a higher risk of mortality (aHR 1.16, 95% CI 1.05–1.29) compared to sertraline. The risk of falls and fractures within 90 days was not statistically significantly different between the groups but was lower in mirtazapine users thereafter. No differences in risk of cardiovascular-, dementia- or delirium-related hospitalisations were observed.
Conclusions: Compared to sertraline, mirtazapine use is associated with a higher risk of mortality and, after 90 days of use, a lower risk of falls and fractures. This risk of harm should be balanced with limited evidence for effectiveness when considering antidepressant therapy in LTCFs
Understanding the language of medicines use in older adults: a systematic review of definitions and measures
No full textData source: Supplementary data, https://doi.org/10.1093/ijpp/riaf060BackgroundMany terms have been used in the literature to describe medicines use behaviour without standardized definitions. It is unclear whether these terms are being applied interchangeably and variably across different measurement methods.AimTo review the definitions of medicines adherence, compliance, persistence, and concordance in the published literature on older adults and identify how they have been measured.MethodsA systematic literature search with review of reference lists was conducted. Two investigators independently reviewed the identified articles. A content analysis was conducted using NVivo V.14 to identify the main elements for defining medicines adherence, compliance, persistence, and concordance. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the studies by their type, country of study, and related participant characteristics.Key findingsOne hundred and fifteen identified papers were eligible for inclusion. Discrepancies were found in the definitions of each term. Commonalities were found between the definitions of medicines compliance, adherence, and persistence. Only one study was found on medicines concordance. Similar instruments such as the medication possession ratio (MPR) and proportion of days covered (PDC) were used to determine medicines adherence, compliance, and persistence. Some measurement instruments were applied differently across studies in which different cut-off values were used to classify outcomes.ConclusionsThere is a considerable overlap and inconsistency in the definitions of terms used to describe medicines use behaviour. The imperative to standardize the definitions appears as a critical step to strengthen consistent measurement approaches leading to accurate estimates of medicines use outcomes
Good intentions, poor execution? why current workplace policies on menstrual and menopausal health fall short
No full textMenstrual and menopausal workplace policies are vital for equity and well-being at the workplace—but remain uneven, underdeveloped, and rarely evaluated. While menopause has gained attention, menstruation and menstrual disorders are often overlooked. This commentary explores why menopause has become the more “acceptable” entry point and how this reflects broader stigma and power dynamics. We argue for inclusive, evidence-based policies that (1) address menstrual stigma, (2) promote leadership awareness, (3) use intersectional, participatory approaches, (4) embed thorough evaluation frameworks, and (5) go beyond leave policies to reframe reproductive health as a shared organizational concern and not as an individual burde
Search for CP violation in D(+)(s) -> K(0)SK(-)pi(+)pi(+) decays using triple and quadruple products
No full textWe perform the first search for CP violation in D(+) (s) → K(0)(S)(K)(−)π(+)π(+) decays. We use a combined data set from the Belle and Belle II experiments, which study e(+)e(−) collisions at center-of-mass energies at or near the Υ(4S) resonance. We use 980 fb(−)(1) of data from Belle and 428 fb−1 of data from Belle II. We measure six CP-violating asymmetries that are based on triple products and quadruple products of the momenta of final-state particles, and also the particles’ helicity angles...The Belle and Belle II Collaboration
Metabolic monitoring for adults living with a serious mental illness on a second-generation antipsychotic agent: a scoping review
No full textData source: Supplementary Information, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-024-01408-9Premature mortality in people living with a severe mental illness (SMI) is often attributed to multiple factors including the use of medicines such as antipsychotics. Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are known to cause metabolic syndrome which can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Practice guidelines have recommended regular physical health monitoring, particularly of metabolic parameters, however, metabolic monitoring for people living with SMI using antipsychotics remains suboptimal. Therefore, highlighting the need for ongoing research. This scoping review aimed to provide an overview of current metabolic monitoring practices.
We anticipate that this information will assist clinicians and policymakers and inform future research. The following databases were searched: MEDLINE (Ovid), Embase (Ovid), CINAHL (EBSCO), the Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews (Wiley), APA PsycInfo (Ovid) and Scopus (Elsevier Science Publishers). The target group was adults (aged ≥ 18) diagnosed with SMI (including bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder and psychotic disorders) and taking SGAs. In total, 44 studies from 14 countries were retrieved. Our findings highlighted that most studies conducted in hospitals did not report on metabolic monitoring practices. Additionally, the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals in metabolic monitoring for SMI were infrequently described and parameters such as waist circumference and BMI were often poorly monitored. The scoping review highlights that no streamlined approach towards metabolic monitoring currently exists. There is a need to stipulate and define the roles and responsibilities of all health professionals involved in metabolic monitoring in SMI to optimise care for these individuals. Moreover, there is a need for ongoing research, particularly in the community setting, to promote increased accessibility to metabolic monitoring for SMI
Functionalization of rice husk for high selective extraction of germanium
No full textIt is of strategic significance to extract germanium (Ge) in an ecological way for sustainable development. Adsorbents that already adsorb Ge have disadvantages such as poor selectivity and low adsorption capacity. In this study, a novel adsorbent material based on rice husk functionalized with tannic acid was developed for the efficient extraction of Ge from simulated coal fly ash leachate. The adsorption capacity of tannic acid-functionalized rice husk (TA-EPI-ORH) for Ge was 19.9 times higher than that of untreated rice husk, demonstrating significantly improved performance. The results showed that the adsorption process of Ge by TA-EPI-ORH is consistent with pseudo-second-order kinetic and Freundlich isotherm model. TA-EPI-ORH had excellent selective adsorption properties, with adsorption of 1.40 mg L−¹ Ge exceeding 95% and solid-liquid partition coefficients of 4380 mL g−¹, even in the presence of nine impurity metal ions (average concentration: 479.08 mg L−¹). When compared with the two main coexistence ions-aluminum (Al) and calcium (Ca)-both of which have the relatively highest concentrations (Al: 1594.20 mg L−¹, Ca: 1740.13 mg L−¹), the separation factors for Ge still maintain relatively high level with SF(Ge/Al) = 42.57 and SF(Ge/Ca) = 39.93. Compared to existing studies, TA-EPI-ORH exhibits superior selective adsorption performance even with the presence of more interfering ions. After elution of the adsorbed Ge from TA-EPI-ORH, the extraction rate of Ge with low initial concentration (1.40 mg L−¹) reached 85.17%, while the extraction rates of Al and Ca were only 1.02% and 1.18%, respectively. Further research revealed that the catechol groups on the surface of TA-EPI-ORH formed stable complexes with Ge, whereas the complexes with coexisting ions (e.g., Ca and Al) were unstable, thereby ensuring high selectivity for Ge. This green chemistry-based functionalization of rice husk not only enables high-value utilization of agricultural waste but also provides a sustainable and eco-friendly strategy for efficient Ge separation and recovery
Improving detection of monogenic diabetes through reanalysis of <i>GCK</i> variants of uncertain significance
No full textLink to a related website: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00592-025-02467-6, CorrectionAbstract
Aims
To assess the utility of reanalysing GCK variants of uncertain significance (VUS) as an intervention to improve the detection of monogenic diabetes.
Methods
We examined GCK VUS in a local cohort of individuals with suspected monogenic diabetes and re-curated each variant against the recent ClinGen GCK-specific variant classification guidelines.
Results
Variant reanalysis achieved a new ‘likely pathogenic’ classification (i.e., positive results) in 4/8 identified VUS. The single most common newly applied criterion indicating variant pathogenicity was a confirmed phenotype of GCK-hyperglycaemia. RNA sequencing and segregation studies were performed in two cases but not additive to reclassification.
Conclusions
This is the first VUS reclassification study in monogenic diabetes using gene-specific guidelines. Within the limits of this small study, we observed a high rate (50%) of VUS upgrades to a positive result, thereby confirming the utility of VUS reanalysis– particularly with biochemical phenotyping– in increasing the detection of monogenic diabetes. We recommend HbA1c, fasting blood glucose and either pancreatic autoantibody negativity or a small oral glucose tolerance test increment as a feasible minimum dataset to inform variant classification at the individual patient level, noting the ongoing work of the ClinGen Monogenic Diabetes Expert Panel in systematically reviewing GCK variants at the international level.
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The continued evolution of the L2 cephalosporinase in Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: a key driver of beta-lactam resistance
No full textData source: supplementary data, https://doi.org/10.1042/BCJ20240478The Stenotrophomonas maltophilia L2 cephalosporinase is one of two beta-lactamases which afford S. maltophilia beta-lactam resistance. With the overuse of beta-lactams, selective pressures have contributed to the evolution of these proteins, generating proteins with an extended spectrum of activity. Variant L2 cephalosporinases have been detected, as has their distribution into two main clades (Clade 1 and 2). Comprehensive analysis of six L2 variants, cloned into pET41a(+) and expressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells, revealed that Clade 1 variants exhibited higher ceftazidime resistance compared to Clade 2. Notably, the Sm5341 L2 variant, carrying a Phe72Ile variation, displayed a significantly reduced resistance profile across all substrates tested, suggesting a key role of Phe72 in enzymatic activity. A Ile72Phe substitution in the pET41a(+) based Sm5341_L2 variant resulted in a gain-of-function for this protein, confirming the role of Phe72 in the activity of L2. Furthermore, residue interaction network analysis elucidated a pi-cation interaction between Tyr272 and Arg244, which may potentially be stabilizing the enzyme and its binding site. The presence of Tyr272 in Clade 1 variants correlates with higher ceftazidime affinity, contrasting the Asp272 in Clade 2 variants. Displaying lower Km values and higher kcat/Km ratios, Clade 1 L2 enzymes demonstrated a higher binding efficiency and greater catalytic efficiency for most of substrates assessed. These results indicate that L2 enzymes are continuing to evolve and adapt to a selective environment fuelled by the overuse of beta-lactams. This adaptation may signal the beginning of an evolutionary process yielding variant L2 cephalosporinases with extended substrate profiles