Trelleborg (Sweden)

In this study, a newly developed fatigue criterion, effective tensile stress, was applied, for the first time, to a road-engineering isolator. This criterion reliably predicts crack initiation under both positive and negative R ratios without the need for curve-fitting procedures. By introducing a damaged-element removal program, the criterion was extended to include crack propagation, yielding a unified crack assessment framework. To focus on both crack initiation and propagation, an engine isolator, the Drum Mount, was used to validate this approach. The evaluation of both prediction and observation confirmed its effectiveness. The predicted fatigue crack initiation occurred at 2.76 million cycles, whereas the fatigue test was halted at 2.63 million cycles after a crack appeared. The predicted crack length was 13.8 mm, and the actual length after the test was 13 mm. The method could evaluate fatigue crack initiation and propagation under multiaxial conditions without artificial pre-cuts at different R ratios, offering an alternative approach to fracture mechanics for crack growth assessment. Therefore, this methodology could be helpful in anti-vibration design and failure analysis. Additional validation with more engineering cases is still necessary.

Good Behavior Game (GBG) is a school-based intervention designed to reduce conduct problems, while increasing on-task behavior and a positive classroom climate. Earlier studies have shown positive long-term effects in several outcomes, making GBG a promising method of universal prevention. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a translated and adapted version of GBG in a pragmatic, cluster-randomized controlled, parallel group superiority trial. Schools with K-3 students were eligible for recruitment. Five schools were recruited to either receive training in GBG or continue with business-as-usual. Schools were allocated using stratified randomization. The outcomes included teacher-rated conduct problems in the classroom (primary outcome) and common school areas, observer-rated on-task behavior, along with teacher- and observer-rated classroom climate. All 43 classrooms had teacher-rated measures, while a subset of 20 classrooms were randomly assigned to also receive the observer-rated measures by blinded and independent observers. Measurements were conducted at the start (pre-intervention), middle (3-month follow-up), and end of the school year (9-month follow-up and primary endpoint). Measurements had a 100% response rate and all classrooms were included in the analysis using Bayesian mixed effects models. Conduct problems in the classroom, on-task behavior and classroom climate had effects in a positive direction. Partially in line with the mechanics of GBG, there was no effect on conduct problems in common school areas over time. Effects for all outcomes were imprecise, as highest posterior density intervals overlapped for changes over time between the intervention and control group. Although imprecise, effects were directionally consistent with earlier research. Taken together, this study lends tentative support for cross-cultural transportation and adaptation of GBG to a pragmatic context, without major external provision of resources or personnel. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05794893.

Learning factual information is an activity that most individuals have engaged in during their schooling, at university, or in specific courses. It is commonly stated that one "absorbs" facts, with the intention of retaining the learned material over time. According to memory psychologist Hermann Ebbinghaus, a specific pattern must be followed to prevent the forgetting of learned material. Ebbinghaus, H. (1885) Uber das Gedächtnis zur Experimentellen Psychologie Verlag von Duncker & Humblot, Leipzig. The article outlines the approach necessary to maximize retention. When a considerable number of individuals adhere to Ebbinghaus's pattern, it results in a group whose memory of the learned material improves from a lower level to a significantly higher one. If this group comprises employees within an organization, it leads to what is known as a "knowledge gain" for the organization, thereby enhancing the overall quality of its collective knowledge. This pertains to the concept of organizational memory—the total knowledge residing within an organization. In the article by Walsh J.P. and Ungson G.R. (1991), titled "Organizational Memory," published in the Academy of Management Review, the authors highlight the critical importance of effectively managing and leveraging an organization's accumulated knowledge, thereby elevating the practice of knowledge management.

The recognition of amine groups by ninhydrin, along with a simple mathematical algorithm, showed that di- and tripeptides derived from dietary protein are the major end products of protein digestion entering the blood postprandially. There are thousands of oligopeptides appearing in the gut during protein digestion. However, the presented study on a pig model clearly shows that peptides longer than tri-amino acid peptides do not appear postprandially in the blood in nutritional amounts. We hypothesize that the measurement of postprandial free amino acids, di- and tripeptides and proportions between these components could be a useful, desirable tool both in laboratory and clinical practice, which could be used to determine the metabolic importance of protein digestion end products in health and disease.

The productive sectors related to agriculture have the potential to contribute significantly to the energy transition. The paper describes an in-depth investigation on the extra virgin olive oil production towards the decarbonization of the sector. A multidimensional approach is applied, integrating surveys on environmental impacts through Life Cycle Assessment and Carbon Footprint, carbon sequestration, carbon balance associated to emissions and removals, and socio-economic impacts via Life Cycle Costing and consumer surveys. The assessment was performed in the different Mediterranean regions, and the paper includes the results from a representative case study in Italy. Focusing on the production of 1l of olive oil as functional unit, the most impacting technical processes were identified, and cleaner alternatives proposed and implemented. The amount of CO2 sequestered annually by olive trees was found 1.59kg/loil, comparable to the CO2eq emitted for oil production - i.e., 1.58kg/loil for a 0.75l glass bottle, and 1.16kg/loil for a 5l tin can - and then resulting in a neutral/negative carbon footprint product in the sustainable management scenario. In economic terms the introduction of the low-impact technical process allows to reduce production costs of 270euros/ha; while the willingness to pay a premium price for the olive oil with Carbon Footprint certification is estimated around 3 € for a 0.75l glass bottle. The proposed methodology could be extended to other agronomic sectors to reduce carbon emissions, enhance traditional techniques and promote sustainable practices, while also seeking to engage the consumer through transparent certification and communication.

Background Impulsive-compulsive disorders (ICDs) are commonly acknowledged as side effects of dopaminergic therapy in Parkinson’s disease (PD). While many large-scale studies have focused on prevalences and high-risk treatments, little is known about practical management of ICDs in clinical care and patients’ experiences. Objective To investigate how ICDs are recognized in clinical PD care, clinical features of patients with ICDs, and how patients are impacted by their ICD. Methods Questionnaires were sent to all patients who reported ICD symptoms in the Swedish quality register for PD in Skåne County (n = 170) and patients’ medical records were screened for mention of ICDs. Core subjects were communication between clinician and patient, course and management of ICDs, and impact on different life domains. Results Despite sufficient awareness of the ICD risk during PD treatment, there was limited communication between clinical care staff and patients regarding ICDs. Only 49% of patients had reported their ICD as part of clinical care, and only 14% had been asked about it. Additionally, collaboration with psychiatry was rare (12%). ICD severity increased over time with ongoing PD treatment, and most patients reported a mild to moderate impact of their ICD on close relationships, family, mental and physical health. Conclusions This study identified insufficient communication about ICDs as part of clinical care in PD and a very limited involvement of mental health services. Thus, to improve prevention and treatment, ICDs should be recognized, monitored and treated more systematically in routine clinical care, and collaboration with mental health services should be increased.

This study investigates the role of gamification in enhancing customer engagement on TikTok among users in the Jakarta area, focusing on the effects of interactive experiences and customer motivation. Gamification, through game-like elements such as challenges, points, and rewards, has emerged as a powerful tool for fostering deeper brand engagement and loyalty. Utilizing a quantitative research method, data were collected through online surveys of 100 TikTok users, with the analysis conducted via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). The results demonstrate that gamification significantly impacts both interactive experiences and customer motivation, which, in turn, positively influence customer engagement. Additionally, the study reveals that interactive experiences and customer motivation act as mediators between gamification and engagement, amplifying the effectiveness of gamified marketing strategies. These findings highlight the potential for brands to leverage gamification to create sustained emotional connections and long-term loyalty in fast-paced, short-form video platforms like TikTok. The study also emphasizes the importance of understanding local cultural and demographic factors in tailoring gamified marketing approaches for maximum impact.