bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigatıon Of The Effect Of Teachers' Cultural And Socıal Capital Qualifications On Their Professional Performance
Authors: ELÇİÇEK Zakir , AVCI Yunus Emre
Published: October 2022

Bu araştırmada amaç, öğretmenlerin kültürel ve sosyal sermaye yeterlikleri ile mesleki performansları arasındaki ilişkiyi tespit etmektir. Bu amaçla öğretmenlerin kültürel ve sosyal sermaye yeterlikleri ile mesleki performanslarını ölçen 3 ölçek kullanılarak veriler toplanmıştır. Veriler 2020 yılında Siirt ilindeki resmi devlet okullarında çalışan 4566 öğretmenden basit seçkisiz yöntemle seçilen 596 katılımcıdan elde edilmiştir. Verilerin analizinde betimsel analizler, hiyerarşik regresyon analizi ve kısmi korelasyon gibi istatistiksel yöntemlerden yararlanılmıştır. Araştırma sonucunda öğretmenlerin kültürel sermaye düzeyleri yüksek düzeyde, sosyal sermaye düzeyleri orta düzeyve ve mesleki performans algı düzeyleri yüksek düzeyde tespit edilmiştir. Aşamalı bir şekilde öce sosyal sermayenin daha sonra ise sosyal sermaye ve kültürel sermayenin mesleki performans üzerindeki etkisi incelenmiştir. Elde edilen sonuçlara göre; sosyal sermaye tek başına mesleki performansı yüzde 17 oranında açıklarken kültürel sermayenin de modele dahil edilmesiylei sosyal sermaye ve kültürel sermayenin mesleki performans üzerindeki açıklayıcılığı yüzde 36 düzeyinde tespit edilmiştir. Önemli bir bulgu ise kısmi korelasyon değerlerinin incelenmesi sonucu elde edilmiştir. Sosyal sermayenin etkisi kontrol edildiğinde kültürel sermeyenin mesleki performans üzerindeki etkisi artarken; kültürel sermaye kontrol edildiğinde sosyal sermayenin mesleki performans üzerindeki etkisi azalmaktadır. Bu durum öğretmenlerin mesleki performansları üzerinde sosyal sermayeden çok kültürel sermayenin baskın bir etkisinin olduğu şeklinde ifade edilebilir. Araştırmadan nihai olarak, kültürel sermaye ve sosyal sermayenin öğretmenlerin mesleki performansının önemli yordayıcıları olduğu ve bu iki yordayıcıdan ise kültürel sermayenin daha ağır bastığı hatta sosyal sermayenin mesleki performans üzerindeki etkisinin de bir kısmının kültürel sermayeden kaynaklandığı sonucu çıkmaktadır. Bu durumda öğretmenlerin kültürel sermaye yeterliklerinin güçlendirilmesinin mesleki performansı arttıracağını söyleyebiliriz. Aynı zamanda öğretmenlerin sosyal sermaye düzeylerinin orta düzeyde çıkması, mesleki performansı kültürel sermaye kadar yordamaması ve bunun arkasındaki muhtemel problemler olan kollektif hareket önündeki engeller ve bireyselleşme gibi örgütsel sorunlar üzerinde yoğunlaşılarak eğitimin çıktılarını daha nitelikli hale getirmek için tüm paydaşların üzerine düşen sorumlulukları yerine getirmesi gerekmektedir.
Dual Variational Formulations for a Large Class of Non-Convex Models in the Calculus of Variations
Authors: Botelho Fabio
Published: October 2022

This article develops dual variational formulations for a large class of models in variational optimization. The results are established through basic tools of functional analysis, convex analysis and duality theory. The main duality principle is developed as an application to a Ginzburg-Landau type system in superconductivity in the absence of a magnetic field. In the first part final sections, we develop new general dual convex variational formulations, more specifically, dual formulations with a large region of convexity around the critical points which are suitable for the non-convex optimization for a large class of models in physics and engineering. Finally, in the last section we present some numerical results concerning the generalized method of lines applied to a Ginzburg-Landau type equation.
Further Steps against Scientific Gerrymandering: A New Definition of Geographic Information Science
Authors: López-Vázquez Carlos Manuel , Gonzalez-Campos María-Ester , Bernabe-Poveda Miguel-Angel
Published: October 2022

Sometimes there are clear and natural limits to the scope of action of a science, and in other cases they are simply convenient ones. Geographic Information Science (GISc) is a transversal science, with contacts with all geosciences but also with various formal sciences such as Mathematics, Logic and Computer Science. A first approach to specifying the limits of a science is through its definition. Definitions of GISc are often so expansive that they have been rightly criticized for practicing gerrymandering, in particular with the rest of the geosciences. To avoid this, an operational definition is proposed that places GISc among the sciences that handle Data and not Information. This solves the gerrymandering problem without really implying a significant cut of what is usually considered within GISc. As an unforeseen consequence, this delimitation will allow it to be characterized as Formal Science, leaving it as the only geoscience with this characteristic.
Murder, Extermination and Torture as the Underlying Offenses of Crimes against Humanity: A Practical Reflection on the International Crimes Tribunal Bangladesh
Authors: Billah Maruf , Saripan Hartini , Rahmat Nur Ezan , Hassan Rafizah Abu , Mia Md. Tuhin
Published: October 2022

The current government of Bangladesh introduced a criminal tribunal namely, the International Crimes Tribunal Bangladesh (ICTB) in 2010, aiming to try and penalize the offenders of crimes against humanity committed in the Liberation War of Bangladesh in 1971. Generally, crimes against humanity are perpetrated thru a natural person, not by an intangible entity. Establishing each element of a specific criminal act is essential to prove such crimes’ guilts and punish the criminal. Hence, this study analyzes the elements of murder, extermination, and torture as the underlying offenses of crimes against humanity according to international customary law and the ICTB Statute. Firstly, this study scrutinizes the latest international customary law development and international criminal tribunals’ findings on these mentioned offenses. Secondly, this study examines whether specific requirements of such underlying offenses of crimes against humanity are being applied by the ICTB with the latest development enshrined in international criminal law and tribunals. Finally, this study examines any legal failure ascertained by the ICTB to apply elements of specific offenses of crimes against humanity that are internationally known as the established norm before proving crimes against humanity as the main international crimes. Then, this study recommends some ways forward; otherwise, the ICTB would be considered the victor's justice type of initiative to suppress the alleged perpetrators, mainly from the opposition political party of Bangladesh.
Sustainable Synthesis of Sulfur-Single Walled Carbon Nanohorns Composite for Long Cycle Life Lithium-Sulfur Battery
Authors: Venezia Eleonora , Salimi Pejman , Chauque Susana , Proietti Zaccaria Remo
Published: October 2022

The preparation of sulfur-single walled carbon nanohorns active material via a simple and sustainable evaporation method for application as cathode in lithium-sulfur batteries is reported. We show that the synthesis process enables the infiltration of elemental sulfur within the carbon nanohorns thus obtaining a morphology responsible for the ameliorating of the shuttle effect. The sulfur-carbon composite is characterized in terms of structure, morphology, and composition through x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analyses. From the electrochemical point of view, cyclic voltammetry, rate capability, and galvanostatic cycling tests are performed employing a solution of bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide lithium salt and lithium nitrate in a mixture of 1,2-dimethoxyethane and 1,3-dioxolane in order to evaluate the electrode design applicability within lithium-sulfur cells. In this respect, further insights are provided by the estimation of the lithium-ion diffusion coefficient through the Randles-Sevcik equation, and by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The obtained results reveal a remarkable cycle life lasting around 800 cycles with a stable capacity of 520 mA h g-1 for the first 400 cycles at C/4, while reaching a value around 300 mA h g-1 at the 750th cycle. These results suggest sulfur-carbon nanohorns active material as a potential candidate for the next-generation battery technology.
Does Time Smoothen Space? Implications for Space-Time Representation
Authors: Sang Neil
Published: October 2022

The continuous nature of space and time is a fundamental tenet of many scientific endeavours. That digital representation imposes granularity is well recognized but whether it is possible to address space completely remains unanswered. Part 1 argues that Hales’ proof of Keppler’s conjecture on the packing of hard spheres suggests the answer to be ‘no’, providing examples of why this matters in GIS generally and spatio-temporal GIS in particular. Part 2 seeks to resolve the dichotomy between continuous and granular space, showing how a continuous space may be emergent over a random graph. However, its projection into 3D/4D imposes granularity. Perhaps surprisingly, representing space and time as locally conjugate may be key to addressing a ‘smooth’ spatial continuum. This insight leads to the suggestion of Face Centered Cubic Packing as a space-time topology but also raises further questions for spatio-temporal representation.
A Smartphone-based Low-Cost Inverted Laser Fluorescence Microscope for Disease Diagnosis
Authors: Ormachea Omar , Villazón Alex , Rodriguez Patricia , Zimic Mirko
Published: October 2022

Fluorescence microscopy is an important tool for disease diagnosis, often requiring costly optical components, such as fluorescence filter cubes and high-power light sources. Due to its high cost, conventional fluorescence microscopy cannot be fully exploited in low-income settings. Smartphone-based fluorescence microscopy becomes an interesting low-cost alternative, but raises challenges in the optical system. We present the development of a low-cost inverted laser fluorescence microscope, that uses a smartphone to visualize the fluorescence image of biological samples. Our fluorescence microscope uses a laser-based simplified optical filter system, that provides analog optical filtering capabilities of a fluorescence filter cube. Firstly, we validated our inverted optical filtering by visualizing microbeads labeled with three different fluorescent compounds or fluorophores, commonly used for disease diagnosis. Secondly, we validated the disease diagnosis capabilities, by comparing the results of our device with those of a commercial fluorescence microscope. We successfully detected and visualized Trypanosoma cruzi parasites, responsible of the Chagas infectious disease, and the presence of Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies of the ANCA non-communicable autoimmune disease. The samples were labeled with the fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) fluorophore, one of the most commonly used for disease diagnosis. Our device provides a 400 X magnification and is at least two orders magnitude cheaper than conventional commercial fluorescence microscopes.
Vulnerability Assessment to Flood Hazards of Households in Flood-Prone Areas of Kasese District, Western Uganda
Authors: Tibara Yayiru , Wasswa Hannington , Musoke Semakula Henry
Published: October 2022

The research study assessed the level of household exposure, sensitivity, and capacity to cope with flood hazards in Kasese municipality, Kasese district, Uganda. The study used an indicator-based methodology. About 210 respondents were randomly sampled for interview. Individual weights for each indicator were allocated using Principal Component Analysis. Vulnerability indices were constructed at the household level and then aggregated at the division level. A Chi Square test at a significance level of 5% was used to test for differences in the level of household vulnerability. The results revealed that Nyamwamba division was most exposed while Central was least exposed to floods. The Central division was also found most sensitive while Bulembia was least sensitive to floods. Central division had better capacity to cope with floods while Bulembia had the least capacity. Results revealed a significant difference in the level of households’ vulnerability across the divisions. However, overall, Nyamwamba was found most vulnerable and Central least vulnerable to floods. About 43.8% of the households in Kasese municipality were found highly vulnerable to floods. Therefore, urgent attention by the government through policy action measures towards climate change adaptation should be given to address the high levels of vulnerability.
A Lightweight Reconstruction Network for Surface Defect Inspection
Authors: Hu Chao , Yao Jian , Wu Weijie , Qiu Weiibin , Zhu Liqiang
Published: October 2022

Currently, most deep learning methods cannot solve the problem of scarcity of industrial product defect samples and significant differences in characteristics. This paper proposes an unsupervised defect detection algorithm based on a reconstruction network, which is realized using only a large number of easily obtained defect-free sample data. The network includes two parts: image reconstruction and surface defect area detection. The reconstruction network is designed through a fully convolutional autoencoder with a lightweight structure. Only a small number of normal samples are used for training so that the reconstruction network can be A defect-free reconstructed image is generated. A function combining structural loss and L1 loss is proposed as the loss function of the reconstruction network to solve the problem of poor detection of irregular texture surface defects. Further, the residual of the reconstructed image and the image to be tested is used as the possible region of the defect, and conventional image operations can realize the location of the fault. The unsupervised defect detection algorithm of the proposed reconstruction network is used on multiple defect image sample sets. Compared with other similar algorithms, the results show that the unsupervised defect detection algorithm of the reconstructed network has strong robustness and accuracy.
The Association of Acute Myocardial Infarction with Pyogenic Spondylitis in Korea: A Nationwide Longitudinal Cohort Study
Authors: Kim Sol Bi , Kim Hakyung , Kim Jimin , Kim Woo Yup , Hong Je Beom , Lee Jung-Keun , Sheen Seung Hun , Han Inbo , Sohn Seil
Published: October 2022

Objective: The goal of this nationally matched longitudinal study was to investigate the relationship between acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and pyogenic spondylitis (PS) in Korea.Methods: We collected patient data from the National Health Insurance Service Health Screening cohort from January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2015. PS was classified using the International Classification of Diseases codes M46.2 (osteomyelitis), M46.8 (inflammatory spondylopathy), M49.2 (enterobacterial spondylitis), and M49.3 (enterobacterial spondylitis) (spondylopathy in other infectious and parasitic diseases). The PS group had a total of 628 patients. The control group included 3,140 people. Utilizing the Kaplan-Meier technique, the groups’ AMI rates were estimated. A Cox proportional-hazards regression analysis was used to compute the hazard ratio for AMI.Results: After controlling for age and sex, the hazard ratio for AMI in the PS group was 2.241 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.112-4.516). The adjusted hazard ratio in the PS group was 2.138 after controlling for demographics and concomitant medical conditions (95% CI, 1.056-4.318). In a subgroup analysis, the AMI percentages were substantially greater in the PS group in women over 65, those with diabetes, and in non-hypertension and non-dyslipidemia subgroups. Conclusion: This nationwide longitudinal study found that PS patients had an elevated risk of AMI.
Islamic Ethical Perspective of Environmental Abuse in Lagos State Nigeria
Authors: Bello Musthapa Adebayo
Published: October 2022

The mega city of Lagos is increasingly bugged down by environmental challenges threatening the developmental agenda of successive regimes since the beginning of the 4th republic. With an estimated population of 21 million people, the environmental landscape is replete with the shattering of the basic elements of nature- land, air and water- which sustain life as a result of human indiscretion in the treatment of the environment. Such abuses constitute daily challenges being addressed by various environmental agencies in the State. Many of such governmental efforts bordering on the management of the physical consequences of environmental abuse have really not addressed the unethical human conducts which more often than not precipitate such avoidable environmental convulsions threatening sustainable development. Contrastingly, religious establishment also on their own focuses on moral protection of the environment thereby revealing a glaringly dichotomy between the approaches. This widening gap is the focus of this paper. Using exploratory and qualitative methods, this study interrogates the Islamic integrated approach as it relates with the roles of Islamic advocacy platform (Minbar) and tool (Khutbah) in the sustenance of the ecological balance ingrained into nature ab initio by Allah.
Pad Wells and Packer Penetrator Depth with and without Tdv
Authors: Kasem Towfeq Salem
Published: October 2022

A Design responsible for more than thirty parameters of drilling projects, and a computer program to create groupings of the wells of a pad with consequent calculations of technical-economic characteristics, are developed and tested, covering a small surface area on land and a maximum interference with the reservoir downhole.

PAD wells are mainly installed with Packers/penetrators, SSSV (subsurface safety valves) for well bore protection from any abnormal high pressure, the casing is secured with the non-beaded packers and the tubing is secured with an SSSV that is activated manually through a capillary tube connected up to the surface.

Here we present the performance of electrical submersible pumps in PAD wells installed with TDV (Tubing drain valves) and without TDV and the effect of the gasses accumulated in the annulus that can affect the performance of the electrical submersible pumps which can cause gasses locks or ESP trips and this can be classified as below:

PAD Wells with TDV PAD wells without TDV

The above classification can be further branched into the below:

Higher Distance between Packer and Intake less distance between Packer and intake

using the daily monitoring and the sensor parameter charts and studying the history and performance of the ESP we will analyze each cases separately to get to conclusions and recommendations on which case is better to design for PAD wells that can efficiently increase the performance of the ESP and increase the ERL (Equipment run life).

In addition, this paper will discuss the effect of accumulated gasses trapped in the annulus on the ESP cable.

Based on the conclusions for each case, this paper will provide recommendations to enhance the equipment run life of the ESP system to avoid premature failures, gas lock and smooth operation for such cases.
Age and serum creatinine can differentiate ceruloplasmin-normalized patients with Wilson disease
Authors: Chen Lin , Shi Yongguang , Wang Nan , Lou Zhuoqi , Wu Chensi , Pan Liya , Xu Xiaolan , Yang Renmin , Han Yongzhu , Hu Wenbin , Ruan Bing
Published: October 2022

Background: Significantly reduced serum ceruloplasmin (Cp) is the most important clue in the diagnosis of Wilson disease (WD) and is well known to clinicians. The false increase of Cp in some WD patients decrease the diagnostic accuracy. The aims of our study was to understand the factors affecting WD patients’ Cp normalization, and identify these WD patients using routine predictors.
Methods:We retrospectively screened people with serum Cp ≥140mg/L from 1032 WD patients, and followed their medical records to execute mixed effects model analysis in longitudinal study. Logistic regression analyses were performed in a case-control study between WD cohort and another liver diseases cohort to explore the independent risk factors for Cp normalization and establish a regression model.
Results:Eighty-six WD patients and their 352 medical records over more than nine years and another 98 non-WD liver disease patients entered into present study. The Cp normalization were significantly associated with the copper burden and liver function indexes, such as urinary copper, γ-glutamyltransferase, albumin (P< 0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed age and serum creatine (P< 0.001) were independent risk factors associated with WD. Its AUC value of regression model in total cohort was 0.926 (P< 0.001). At a cutoff value of ≥ 0.617 and ≥ -1, the positive and negtive predictive value both are 90.8% for WD, respectively.
Conclusion: Increased serum Cp in WD patients is related to excessive copper burden and hepatic injury, common tests can effectively foretell those WD patients from other liver injury patients.
A Finite Element method for Pricing Continuous-Installment Options under a Markov-modulated model
Authors: heidari saghar
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we apply Markov-modulated models to value continuous-installment options of European style with partial differential equation approach. Under regime switching models and the opportunity for continuing or stopping to pay installments, the valuation problem can be formulated as coupled partial differential equations (CPDE) with free boundary features, which in many ways is similar to the free boundary problem for vanilla American options due to the possibility of early exercise. In this paper to value the continuous-installment options under the proposed model with numerical approach, we first express the truncated CPDE as a linear complementarity problem (LCP), then a finite element method is applied to solve the resulting variational inequality. Under some appropriate assumptions, we establish the stability of the method and illustrate some numerical results to examine the rate of convergence and accuracy of the proposed method for the pricing problem under regime-switching model.
Estimated public health gains from German smokers switching to risk-reduced alternatives: Results from population health impact modelling
Authors: Rytsar Romana , Djurdjevic Smilja , Nussbaum Alexander K , Kaul Ashok , Bennewitz Emanuel , Lee Peter N , Fry John S
Published: October 2022

Background
Smoking is associated with cancer and cardiorespiratory disease mortality. Reducing smoking prevalence reduces deaths and life-years lost. Here, we estimate the impact of introducing heat-not-burn products and e-cigarettes in Germany from 1995 to 2015 on mortality from lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, ischaemic heart disease, and stroke in men and women aged 30–79 years.
Methods
We used the previously described population health impact model. Modelling starts with individuals of a given sex and age range with a defined cigarette smoking distribution. They are then followed under a “Null Scenario”, where reduced-risk products are never introduced, and one of seven “Alternative Scenarios”, where they are. Transition probabilities allow tobacco product use to change annually, and the individual product histories then allow estimation of risks, relative to never users, for each year and Scenario, which are then used to estimate reductions in deaths and life-years lost for each Alternative Scenario.
Results
In the Null Scenario, we estimated 852,357 deaths from cigarette smoking, with 8.61 million life-years lost. Had everyone quit in 1995, with no further use of the three products, these numbers would reduce by 216,650 and 2.88 million. The reductions would be 159,278 and 2.06 million with an immediate complete switch from cigarettes to heat-not-burn products, and 179,470 and 2.34 million with an immediate switch to 50% heat-not-burn products and 50% e-cigarettes. In four Scenarios with a more gradual switch, estimated decreases were 39,818–81,293 deaths and 0.50–1.05 million life-years, representing 17.5%-37.5% of the effect of cessation. These estimates assume switching to heat-not-burn products and e-cigarettes involves risk decreases of 80% and 95% of those from quitting. The decreases would have increased, had more diseases and a wider age range been considered, and also with a longer follow-up period, the decreases increasing markedly with time.
Conclusions
Various limitations are discussed, none affecting our conclusion that introducing these new products into Germany in 1995 could have substantially reduced mortality. Our results imply deaths from cigarette smoking could be substantially reduced, both by cessation and switching to reduced-risk products. Risk-proportionate public health campaigns and regulation might increase such switching.
The effect of minimum segment width of collimator on VMAT plan quality for rectal cancer using Monaco TPS
Authors: Zhou Peng , Duan Aowen , Geng Mingying , Liu Yanhai , Li Jian , Luo Jia , He Xiao
Published: October 2022

Purpose: To compare the effect of the minimum segment width of the multi-leaf collimator (MLC) on the quality of rectal cancer planning in the Monaco treatment planning system.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of 30 rectal cancer patients was conducted using the Monaco treatment planning system with varying minimum segment widths under the same optimization parameters. The dose of the target area and organs at risk (OARs), conformability index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), time of treatment and monitor units (MUs) were compared across patients under different minimum segment widths.
Results: All of the patients had γ-passing rates greater than 95% and they were all statistically significant. From TPS calculations and 3DVH recalculations, deviations above 5% occur at MLC=0.5 and 2.0, particularly larger at 0.5 and with a larger variance for target areas. Of the 9 dosimetric parameters, only D98 and Dmax were statistically significant. As the minimum segment width increases, the mean number of MUs decreased with 724, 525, 469, and 451 respectively, and the mean time of treatment also decreased from 154, 141 to 140s. The differences in target area dose, conformability index, homogeneity index and organs at risk dose with different segment widths were not statistically significant(P>0.05).
Conclusion: When designing treatment plans for rectal cancer using Monaco, dose distributions that meet the requirements can be obtained using all 4 segment width optimization patterns. In short, the radiation treatment time can be shortened and the clinical efficiency can be enhanced by increasing the minimum segment width without compromising the treatment outcome.
Cellular senescence affects energy metabolism, immune infiltration and immunotherapeutic response in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Gao Biao , Wang Yafei , Lu Shichun
Published: October 2022

Background
Aging is an inevitable consequence of life, characterized by a progressive decline in tissue and organ function and an increased risk of death. There is growing evidence that aging is closely related to tumor development and immune regulation. However, in hepatocellular carcinoma, the relationship between cellular senescence and immune infiltration, energy metabolism, chemokines, and immunotherapeutic response is unclear and needs further study.
Methods
We first analyzed 274 cellular senescence-associated genes by the NMF algorithm and identified two cellular senescence-associated clusters. Subsequently, we compared the differences between the two clusters, in terms of immune infiltration, energy metabolism, chemokines, and immunotherapeutic response to treatment. We further constructed risk models using cellular senescence-associated signature genes that could effectively identify the two subpopulations. Finally, we validated the validity and robustness of the risk model using an external dataset.
Results
We found significant differences in survival prognosis between two cellular senescence-associated clusters. In addition, we found significant differences in immune cell infiltration, expression of energy metabolism-related genes, expression of chemokine-related genes, expression of immune checkpoint-related genes, Tumor Immune Dysfunction and Exclusion between the two clusters. Also, a scoring system associated with cellular senescence was developed and validated as an independent prognostic indicator.It was validated as an independent prognostic factor and immunotherapeutic predictor for HCC.It was validated as an independent prognostic factor and immunotherapeutic predictor for HCC. The cellular senescence-related scoring system was validated as an independent prognostic factor and immunotherapy predictor for HCC, and patients with low CSS were characterized by prolonged survival time.
Conclusion
Our study confirmed the relationship between cellular senescence and immune cell infiltration, energy metabolism, chemokines, expression of immune checkpoint-related genes, and response to immunotherapy. This enhances our understanding of cellular senescence and tumor immune microenvironment, energy metabolism, chemokines, and provides new insights to improve immunotherapy outcomes in HCC patients. It provides new insights to improve the outcome of immunotherapy in HCC patients.
Multimodal imaging of a micro-anatomical structure in the vitreous base
Authors: Han Liang , Ma Zhi-zhong
Published: October 2022

Background
To describe an ultrastructure in the vitreous base (VB) and its micro-anatomical characteristics by multimodal imaging.
Methods
Light and transmission electron microscopy of the VB were performed on specimens from post-trauma eyes and one healthy donor eye. Intra-operative fundus images associated with VB abnormalities were captured from 4 cases, including 2 retinal detachment (RD) with PVR eyes and 2 post-trauma eyes. Images during micro-anatomical observation of the three specimens were analyzed along with the fundus images obtained during vitrectomy.
Results
Densely packed collagen fibers were observed by light microscopy between the pigment epithelium layer and uveal tissue within the ora serrata region in specimen 1 and the post-mortem healthy eye, respectively. A similar structure was also observed by transmission electron microscopy interior to the pigment epithelium layer and exposed to the vitreous cavity in specimen 2. The collagen fibers, which were termed ciliary body-choroid-retina (CB-C-R) connector, connects to the vitreous fibers interiorly, ciliary epithelium anteriorly, peripheral retina posteriorly, and uveal tissue exteriorly. The three different RD boundaries related to the posterior edge of the VB, ora serrata, and ciliary epithelium are demonstrated with the micro-anatomical characteristics of the CB-C-R connector.
Conclusion
The CB-C-R connector exists deep in the VB.
Structural and Functional Differences in Small Intestinal and Fecal Microbiota: 16S rRNA Gene Investigation in Rats
Authors: Sun Xiao Wei , Zhang Hua , Li Hong Rui , Xin Peng Fei , Gao Xue , Zhou Cai Yun , Gao Wen Min , Kou Xuan Xuan , Jin Xiao Lei , Tang Xiao , Wang Da Wen , Zhang Xiao , Zhang Jian Gang
Published: October 2022

Background: The occurrence of serious diseases, such as inflammatory diseases and cancer, in the small intestine is significantly lower than that in the colon. The differentiation of small-intestine microbiota from large-intestine microbiota might hold great significance.
Materials and methods: To compare floral composition and functions between the two types of microbiota, ileal contents and feces were collected from Sprague Dawley (SD) rats, and the V3–V4 region of the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (rRNA) gene in these rats was amplified and sequenced. We subjected the data to bioinformatics analyzing.
Results: Compared with feces, about 50% of bacterial genera in the ileum were exclusive, with low abundance (operational taxonomic units [OTUs] <1000). Of bacteria shared between the ileum and feces, a few genera were highly abundant (dominant), whereas most had low abundance (less dominant). Dominant bacteria differed between the ileum and feces. Ileal bacteria showed greater β-diversity, and the distance between in-group samples was nearer than that between paired ileum–feces samples. Moreover, the ileum shared various biomarkers and functions with feces (P < 0.05). A high-fat diet (HFD) and specific-pathogen–free (SPF) conditions had a profound influence on α-diversity and abundance but not on the exclusive/shared features or β-diversity of samples. Intestinal microbiota were composed of high-prevalence dominant, low-prevalence dominant, and less-dominant bacteria.
Conclusions: The present findings suggested that ileal and fecal bacteria were different structurally and functionally. These differences might be key to the fundamental protection of the small intestine from diseases.
A Patient Safety Knowledge Graph Supporting Vaccine Product Development
Authors: Simms Andrew M. , Kanakia Anshul , Sipra Muhammad , Dutta Bhaskar , Southall Noel
Published: October 2022

Background: Knowledge graphs are well-suited for modeling complex, unstructured, and multi-source data and facilitating their analysis. During the COVID-19 pandemic, adverse event data were integrated into a knowledge graph to support vaccine safety surveillance and nimbly respond to urgent health authority questions. Here, we provide details of this post-marketing safety system using public data sources. In addition to challenges with varied data representations, adverse event reporting on the COVID-19 vaccines generated an unprecedented volume of data; an order of magnitude larger than adverse events for all previous vaccines. The Patient Safety Knowledge Graph (PSKG) is a robust data store to accommodate the volume of adverse event data and harmonize primary surveillance data sources.
Methods: We designed a semantic model to represent key safety concepts. We built an extract-transform-load (ETL) data pipeline to parse and import primary public data sources; align key elements such as vaccine names; integrated the Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA); and applied quality metrics. PSKG is deployed in a Neo4J graph database, and made available via a web interface and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs).
Results: We import and align adverse event data and vaccine exposure data from 250 countries on a weekly basis, producing a graph with 4,340,980 nodes and 30,544,475 edges as of July 1, 2022 . PSKG is used for ad-hoc analyses and periodic reporting for several widely available COVID-19 vaccines. Analysis code using the knowledge graph is 80% shorter than an equivalent implementation written entirely in Python, and runs over 200 times faster.
Conclusions: Organizing safety data into a concise model of nodes, properties, and edge relationships has greatly simplified analysis code by removing complex parsing and transformation algorithms from individual analyses and instead managing these centrally. The adoption of the knowledge graph transformed how the team answers key scientific and medical questions. Whereas previously an analysis would involve aggregating and transforming primary datasets from scratch to answer a specific question, the team can now iterate easily and respond as quickly as requests evolve (e.g., “Produce vaccine-X safety profile for adverse event-Y by country instead of age-range”).
Co-benefits not trade-offs associated with heat tolerance in a reef building coral
Authors: Lachs Liam , Humanes Adriana , Pygas Daniel , Bythell John , Mumby Peter , Ferrari Renata , Figueira William , Beauchamp Elizabeth , East Holly , Edwards Alasdair , Golbuu Yimnang , Martinez Helios , Sommer Brigitte , Steeg Eveline van der , Guest James
Published: October 2022

As marine species adapt to climate change, their heat tolerance will likely be under strong selection. Yet trade-offs between heat tolerance and other life history traits could compromise natural adaptation or restorative assisted evolution. This is particularly important for ecosystem engineers, such as reef-building corals, which support biodiversity yet are vulnerable to heatwave-induced mass bleaching and mortality. Here, we exposed 70 colonies of the reef-building coral Acropora digitifera to a long-term marine heatwave emulation experiment. We tested for trade-offs between heat tolerance and three traits – colony growth (3D photogrammetry models), fecundity (oocyte counts), and symbiont community composition (ITS2 sequencing). Despite observing remarkable within-population variability in heat tolerance, all coral colonies were dominated by Cladocopium C40 symbionts. We found no evidence for trade-offs between heat tolerance and fecundity or growth. Contrary to expectations, positive associations emerged with growth, such that faster-growing colonies tended to bleach and die at higher levels of heat stress. Collectively, our results suggest that these corals exist on an energetic continuum where some individuals have co-benefits across multiple traits. Within populations, trade-offs between heat tolerance and either growth or fecundity may not be major barriers to natural adaptation or the success of restorative assisted evolution interventions.
Nodular hidradenoma Breast – A rare case report with review of literature
Authors: BHARTI JYOTSNA NARESH , Sharma Naveen , Meena Satya Prakash , Yadav Taruna
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Nodular hidradenoma is a rare and very slow-growing tumor of the sweat gland; it is also known as clear cell hidradenoma/clear cell myoepithelioma or eccrine acrospiroma. Due to cystic nature the neoplasm it can masquerade as cystic lesion. Case Presentation :We present a case of a middle-aged Asian female who complaint of a slightly mobile lump in the left breast. The clinical suspicion of fibroadenoma was made, and the lesion was excised. The histopathological features were of nodular hidradenoma. The three years follow-up was uneventful. Conclusions: Nodular hidradenoma is rare in the breast and lacks characteristic clinical and radiological features. They share similar features as reported elsewhere in the body. Therefore, the final diagnosis is mainly made only after the histopathological examination.
Proton center staffing: A multicenter survey in the United States
Authors: Zhao Li
Published: October 2022

Purpose:
A survey was conducted to evaluate staffing among operational proton therapy centers in the United States.
Methods:
Seventeen operational proton therapy centers in the United States with multiple treatment rooms were contacted. Two separate questionnaires were generated for centers offering proton therapy only (Group A questionnaire) and centers providing both proton therapy and photon therapy (Group B questionnaire). The survey included questions on the relative full-time equivalent (FTE) for therapists, dosimetrists, physicists, and radiation oncologists, number of patients undergoing procedures, and number of treatment machines and imaging equipment.
Results:
Fourteen centers completed the questionnaire (response rate 82.3%). Among them, seven centers provided proton therapy only. The average daily patient per staffing ratios for therapists, dosimetrists, physicists, and radiation oncologists were 4.2, 8.8, 11.9, and 20.6, respectively, for Group A and 4.5, 12.4, 12.0, and 12.8, respectively, for Group B. When relative FTE for physicists was increased from 0.25 to 0.35 per proton treatment machine as a proposed modification to the ASTRO worksheet, predicted FTE for physicists compared well with survey data.
Conclusions:
There was a noticeable difference in the patient per staffing ratio between the two groups for dosimetrists and radiation oncologists. In contrast, a negligible difference was found for therapists and physicists. The 0.35 physicist FTE factor per treatment machine proposed in the revised ASTRO staffing model improves the accuracy of staffing calculation. Our study provides an important data basis for further discussion to determine mandatory minimum staffing levels in proton therapy.
Multiple timescales of learning within a single task: Continuous-time changes in evidence-accumulation processes during perceptual decision-making
Authors: Cochrane Aaron , Sims Chris , Bejjanki Vikranth , Green Shawn , Bavelier Daphne
Published: October 2022

Drift Diffusion Models have enabled strong advances in our understanding of decision-making, yet their application to examining learning has not been common. Using data from participants completing a dynamic random dot-motion direction discrimination task across four days, we characterized alterations in two components of perceptual decision-making (drift rate and response boundary). Continuous-time learning DDMs were applied to characterize trajectories of performance change, with different models allowing for varying dynamics. The best-fitting model included drift rate changing as a continuous, exponential function of cumulative trial number. In contrast, response boundary changed within each daily session, but in an independent manner across daily sessions. Our results highlight two different processes underlying the pattern of behavior observed across the entire learning trajectory, one involving a continuous tuning of perceptual sensitivity, and another more variable process describing participants’ threshold of when enough evidence is present to act.
Thermal gradient of local sheep and goats reared in the Brazilian semi-arid region
Authors: Mascarenhas Nágela Maria Henrique , de Souza Bonifácio Benício , Furtado Dermeval Araújo , Costa Antonio Nelson Lima da , Feitosa José Valmir , Batista Luanna Figueiredo , Silva Maycon Rodrigues da
Published: October 2022

In the Brazilian semi-arid region, small ruminants reared in the field, especially in the dry period of the year, may be subjected to thermal stress, which can compromise their homeothermy. This study aimed to evaluate the climatic indices, rectal temperature (TR), surface temperature (TS), thermal gradient between rectal and surface temperatures and the ambient temperature of Santa Inês sheep and Moxotó goats, reared in the Brazilian semi-arid region in two periods of the year (less hot and hot) and at three times (13, 14 and 15 h), using 24 animals, 12 of each breed, 6 males and 6 females of each species, grouped in a completely randomized design in a 2 x 2 x 2 factorial scheme (species, genders and periods), with 6 replicates. Ambient temperature and black globe temperature and humidity index in the periods and times were above ideal for the species, with low relative humidity. In both periods, the means of TR remained within the normality standard for the species, but higher in sheep. TS remained high for the two species and higher in sheep at the times evaluated. The thermal gradients were below ideal, indicating damage to the physiological capacity of the animals to maintain homeothermy in the environment in which they were.
Intratubular crystal formation in the exposed dentin from nano-sized calcium silicate for dentin hypersensitivity treatment
Authors: Jeon Mi-Jeong , Park Jeong-Won , Seo Deog-Gyu
Published: October 2022

Objectives
This study aimed to evaluate intratubular crystal formation from the experimental material consisting of dicalcium silicate and tricalcium silicate (C2S/C3S).
Materials and Methods
A total of twenty-four specimens were made by isolating 8 mm of the cervical part centered at the cementoenamel junction of extracted premolars. Twelve samples of the exposed upper dentin surface were treated with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid followed by sodium hypochlorite to simulate sensitive dentin. The other twelve specimens were not treated and considered as controls. The experimental material consisting of C2S/C3S with a nano-scaled particle size was applied to the other twelve specimens by brushing for 10,000 strokes. Each group was randomly divided into four subgroups according to the period of immersion in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for 1, 30, 60, and 90 days. The specimens were sectioned longitudinally and examined via scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersion X-ray spectroscopy.
Results
The intratubular crystal was formed in PBS and densely filled the dentinal tubules over time. Crystal formation occurred at a depth of more than 50 µm from the dentin surface. The Ca/P ratio of formed intratubular crystals was 1.68 after three months.
Conclusion
Intratubular crystals were formed and grown in the dentin from nano-sized C2S/C3S particles under PBS, and the Ca/P ratio of the crystals was similar to that of hydroxyapatite.
Clinical Relevance
C2S/C3S with a nanoscale particle size can form intratubular crystals in PBS, and there is a possibility of reducing dentin hypersensitivity by blocking the dentinal fluid flow.
Modeling car-following behavior in heterogeneous traffic mixing human-driven, automated and connected vehicles: considering multitype vehicle interactions
Authors: Song Ziyu , Ding Haitao
Published: October 2022

In this study, a car-following model is put forth to explain the car-following behavior of HDVs (human-driven vehicles), AVs (autonomous vehicles) and CAVs (connected and automated vehicles) in mixed traffic. Based on the IDM (intelligent-driver model) and molecular dynamic theory, the model includes the velocity of surrounding vehicles along with the difference of velocity and the headway between each pair of vehicles. The drivers’ sensitivity to the deceleration of the nearest front vehicle was considered in HDV car-following modeling and the influences of various kinds of nearest front and rear vehicles were distinguished in the CAV model. Based on the information obtained from the real road test mixed with HDVs, AVs and CAVs, the optimum value of the model parameters was obtained and the accuracy of model was verified with simulation. The results show that the simulation for HDVs’, AVs’ and CAVs’ car-following behavior under the proposed model is more accurate than that for the IDM, ACC (adaptive cruise control) model and CACC (cooperative adaptive cruise control) model. The model can be applied to car-following simulations of HDVs, AVs and CAVs in mixed traffic, in the model the tools and concepts of nonlinear dynamics especially molecular dynamic theory is applied which can benefit road traffic vehicle interaction analysis. In addition, this study provides valuable suggestions and guidance for effectively guiding AVs and CAVs to follow vehicles and improving the stability of CF behavior.
Study on the effect and its mechanism of H2O, O2 and CO2 on NTP combined with CH4-SCR
Authors: Li Hongyu , Cai Yunkai , Lü lin
Published: October 2022

In this paper, the influence mechanism of O2/H2O/CO2on the removal of CH4and NOxby non-thermal plasma (NTP) combined with selective catalytic reduction of NOxby CH4(NTP-CH4-SCR) were investigated. The results show that the increase of NTP energy density (0 J/L-491 J/L) promoted the CH4removal but inhibited the NOxremoval in NTP-CH4-SCR. In CH4-SCR, H2O could significantly reduce catalyst activity, adding 0.5% H2O decreased the removal efficiency of CH4and NOxfrom 30–2.9% and 58.4–1.8% respectively. In NTP-CH4-SCR, the increase of H2O content (0.5%-10.4%) contributed to formation of oxidizing free radicals such as OH and HO2, thus the CH4removal efficiency increased from 24.1–37.4%. The increase of O2content (0%-10%) promoted the adsorption of NO and the reaction of adsorption products with CH4oxidation products, causing the CH4removal efficiency increased from 1.3–32.3% and NOxremoval efficiency increased from 1.5–61.6% in CH4-SCR. Increasing O2(0–10%) produced more O and HO2radicals in NTP-CH4-SCR, resulting in the increase of CH4removal efficiency from 18.6–44.9%. However, these O and HO2radicals would react with N radicals to form NO2, NO3et al., thus decreasing NOxremoval efficiency from 68–40.8%. The change of CO2concentration has little effect on CH4and NOxremoval efficiency.