bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Human Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Exhibit High HLA-DR Levels and Altered Cellular Characteristics under a Xeno-free and Serum-free Condition
Authors: Dam Phuong T. M. , Hoang Van T. , Bui Hue Thi Hong , Hang Le Minh , Hoang Duc M. , Nguyen Hoang Phuong , Lien Ha Thi , Tran Huong Thi Thanh , Nguyen Xuan-Hung , Nguyen Thanh Liem
Published: September 2021

Background

We have observed an increased expression of negative markers in some clinical-grade, xeno- and serum-free cultured adipose-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (ADMSC) samples. It gave rise to concern that xeno- and serum-free conditions might have unexpected effects on human ADMSCs. This study aims to test this hypothesis for two xeno- and serum-free media, PowerStem MSC1 media (PS) and StemMACS MSC Expansion Media (SM), that support the in vitro expansion of ADMSCs.

Methods

We investigated the expression of negative markers in 42 clinical-grade ADMSC samples expanded in PS. Next, we cultured ADMSCs from seven donors in PS and SM and examined their growth and colony-forming ability, surface marker expression, differentiation, cell cycle and senescence, as well as genetic stability of two passages representing an early and late passage for therapeutic MSCs.

Results

15 of 42 clinical-grade PS-expanded ADMSC samples showed an increased expression of negative markers ranging from 2.73% to 34.24%, which positively correlated with the age of donors. This rise of negative markers was related to an upregulation of Human Leukocyte Antigen – DR (HLA-DR). In addition, the PS-cultured cells presented decreased growth ability, lower frequencies of cells in S/G2/M phases, and increased ß-galactosidase activity in passage 7 suggesting their senescent feature compared to those grown in SM. Although MSCs of both PS and SM cultures were capable of multilineage differentiation, the PS-cultured cells demonstrated chromosomal abnormalities in passage 7 compared to the normal karyotype of their SM counterparts.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the SM media is more suitable for the expansion of therapeutic ADMSCs than PS. The study also hints a change of ADMSC features at more advanced passages and with increased donor’s age. Thus, it emphasizes the necessity to cover these aspects in the quality control of therapeutic MSC products.

Graphical abstract
Circulating Hematopoietic (HSC) and Very-Small Embryonic like (VSEL) Stem Cells in Newly Diagnosed Childhood Diabetes type 1 – Novel Parameters of Beta Cell Destruction/Regeneration Balance and Possible Prognostic Factors of Future Disease Course
Authors: Jamiołkowska-Sztabkowska Milena , Grubczak Kamil , Starosz Aleksandra , Krętowska-Grunwald Anna , Krętowska Magdalena , Parfienowicz Zuzanna , Moniuszko Marcin , Bossowski Artur , Głowińska-Olszewska Barbara
Published: September 2021

Aims/Hypothesis

We aimed to evaluate hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) and very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSEL) mobilization to establish their role in residual beta cell function maintenance and partial remission occurrence in children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

We recruited 59 type 1 diabetic patients (aged 6–18 years) monitored for 2 years, and 31 healthy children as a control group. HSC and VSEL levels were assessed at disease onset in PBMC isolated from whole peripheral blood with the use of flow cytometry. An assessment of beta cell function was based on C-peptide secretion. Studied groups were stratified on the basis of VSEL, HSC and/or C-peptide median levels in regard to beta cell function and partial remission.

Results

Patients with higher stimulated C-peptide secretion at disease onset demonstrated lower levels of HSC (p < 0.05), while for VSEL and VSEL/HSC ratio higher values were observed (p < 0.05). Accordingly, after 2 years follow-up, patients with higher C-peptide secretion presented lower initial levels of HSC and higher VSEL/HSC ratio (p < 0.05). Patients with lower values of HSC levels demonstrated a tendency for better partial remission prevalence in the first 3 to 6 months after diagnosis.

Conclusions

These clinical observations indicate a possible significant role of HSC and VSEL in maintaining residual beta cell function in type 1 diabetic patients.

Graphical Abstract
Application of ADSCs and their Exosomes in Scar Prevention
Authors: Li Cong , Wei Shuqiang , Xu Quanchen , Sun Yu , Ning Xuchao , Wang Zhiguo
Published: September 2021

Scar is a common way of healing after tissue injury. The poor scar healing will not only cause dysfunction of tissues and organs but also affect the appearance of the patients’ body surface, which causes the pressure of life and spirit to the patients. However, the formation of scar tissue is an extremely complex process and its mechanism is not fully understood. At present, there is no treatment method to eliminate scars completely. Fibroblasts are the most abundant cells in the dermis, which have the ability to synthesize and remodel extracellular matrix (ECM). Myofibroblasts actively participate in the wound healing process and influence the outcome. Therefore, both of them play important roles in wound healing and scar formation. Adipose tissue-derived stem cells (ADSCs) are pluripotent stem cells that can act on target cells by paracrine. Adipose tissue stem cell-derived exosomes (ADSC-Exos) are important secretory substances of ADSCs. They are nanomembrane vesicles that can transport a variety of cellular components and fuse with target cells. In this review, we will discuss the effects of ADSCs and ADSC-Exos on the behavior of fibroblasts and myofibroblasts during wound healing and scarring stage in combination with recent studies.

Graphical Abstract
Quantitative Analysis of the QMS for Pharmaceutical Manufacturing
Authors: Wang Guoxu , Wang Weibing , Zheng Qiang
Published: September 2021

Purpose

To propose a statistical methodology for quantitative analysis of the quality management system (QMS) of pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Methods

(1) Based on the manufacturing data from two established active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) manufacturers in China from 2010 to 2019, the linear regression with Pearson correlation coefficient is used to find the correlations between the proposed QMS operation indicators and performance indicators. (2) A stepwise multiple linear regression is used to identify the independent operation indicators with the biggest impact on a given performance indicator. (3) The Akaike Information Criterion is used to predict the performance indicators based on the operation indicators.

Results

(1) Correlation: the right-first-time rate correlates strongly with various changes and deviations; the customer complaints correlate with changes, deviations, and CAPAs; the deficiency rate of foreign inspections correlates with deviations and CAPAs; and the CAPA on-time completion rate correlates with changes, deviations, and the ratio of employees in quality. (2) Impact: the right-first-time rate and the customer complaints are mostly impacted by the total deviations; the deficiency rate of foreign inspections is mostly impacted by deviations in equipment and instrument, and deviations due to human error; the CAPA on-time completion rate is mainly impacted by deviations in facility and utilities. (3) Predictability: the right-first-time rate, the customer complaints, the deficiency rate of foreign inspections, and the CAPA on-time completion rate can all be predicted based on the existing data with statistical significance.

Conclusions

Deviations emerge as a key leading indicator for the performance of QMS. The proposed statistical methodology provides a basis for the data-driven quality management and regulation, whose visibility and predictability are likely to progress as the data accumulates.
Postgraduate Surgical Training in the UK: the Trainees’ Perspective
Authors: Rose Anna , Aruparayil Noel
Published: September 2021

Over the last 20 years, surgical training in the United Kingdom (UK) has changed dramatically. There have been considerable efforts towards creating a programme that delivers the highest standard of training while maintaining patient safety. However, the journey to improve the quality of training has faced several hurdles and challenges. Recruitment processes, junior doctor contracts, flexible working hours and equality and diversity have all been under the spotlight in recent times. These issues, alongside the extended surgical team and the increasingly recognised importance of trainee wellbeing, mean that postgraduate surgical training is extremely topical. Alongside this, as technology has evolved, this has been incorporated into all aspects of training, from recruitment to simulated training opportunities and postgraduate examinations. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has brought technology and simulation to the forefront in an attempt to compensate for reduced operative exposure and experience, and has transformed the way that we learn and work. In this article, we reflect on the UK surgical trainee experience and discuss areas of success as well as highlighting potential areas for improvement going forward.
The Historic Centre of Urbino, UNESCO World Heritage (Marche Region, Italy): an Urban-Geological Itinerary Across the Building and Ornamental Stones
Authors: Santi Patrizia , Tramontana Mario , Tonelli Gianluigi , Renzulli Alberto , Veneri Francesco
Published: September 2021

The local and extra-regional (national and transnational) stones mainly used as building and ornamental materials in the historic centre of Urbino (UNESCO World Heritage List) were unravelled through a detailed geological and petrographic study. The types of building stones used in the past for the development of an urban centre were mostly affected by the availability of suitable geomaterials in the surrounding areas. For this reason, the stones found in the historical buildings of Urbino generally come from the local sedimentary formations (mostly limestones) belonging to the Umbria–Marche–Romagna SuccessionAuct., which crops out in the Northern Marche Apennines. Only some ornamental highly prized stones used for monuments and decorations come from both extra-regional Italian areas (Alps, other sectors of the Northern Apennines) and foreign countries (France, Egypt). A brief description of the Northern Marche geology was also reported to exactly match the local provenance of the stones, so highlighting the relationship between the territory and the architecture of Urbino. Because of obvious conservation reasons, no samples were collected from buildings or monuments and only autoptic observations, together with a detailed historical and bibliographic research, were carried out to identify the different materials and the provenance areas. Besides the availability of the local sedimentary rocks, we emphasised how the choice of the building and ornamental stones could have been also influenced by the historic period and artistic style, aesthetic features, economic and social importance of the building and/or monument and the relationship to some distinguished personality (e.g., Pope Clemente XI). An open-air stone itinerary across significant places (10 stops and additional sites and monuments in the urban area) is finally proposed for the best fruition of the geological and cultural heritage of Urbino, also aimed at geotourism development.
Small Polymeric Toys Placed in Child-Dedicated Chocolate Food Products—Do They Contain Harmful Chemicals? Examination of Quality by Example of Selected VOCs and SVOCs
Authors: Śmiełowska Monika , Marć Mariusz , Zabiegała Bożena
Published: September 2021

This study was focused on child-dedicated chocolate food products that contain a plastic package with a small toy inside (also known as chocolate eggs). Three types of these products that are commercially available on the Polish market, with different prices, chocolate composition, and main types of polymers used in the toy manufacturing process, were investigated. The polymers were identified using Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) analysis and emissions of selected toxic volatile organic compounds of toy and packaging samples were identified using stationary emission micro-chamber. Total volatile organic compounds emissions were also estimated. Moreover, the content of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) as bioaccumulative semi-volatile organic compounds was checked in all parts of the cheapest product. The highest PBDE concentrations, which ranged from 5.32 ± 0.79 to 1768 ± 289 ng/g, were recorded in chocolate samples. This demonstrates the need for consumer knowledge on the safety of such products available on the Polish market to be broadened. This is one of the many examples of studies showing that products sold on the European market do not always comply with the Conformité Européenne (CE) declaration of conformity. Furthermore, the presence of phased-out PBDEs in toys may provide evidence of wrong recycling practices. Forward-looking considerations showed that, based on assessments of the hazard quotient (HQ) and cancer risk of BDE-209 and assuming each child has contact with one toy and eats one of the studied chocolate products per day, there is no high risk associated with the exposure of children to PBDEs.
Life at the continental–marine interface: palaeoenvironments and biota of the Alcobaça Formation (Late Jurassic, Central Portugal), with a formal definition of the unit appended
Authors: Fürsich Franz T. , Schneider Simon , Werner Winfried , Lopez-Mir Berta , Pierce Colm S.
Published: September 2021

The Kimmeridgian Alcobaça Formation of the Lusitanian Basin forms a mixed carbonate–siliciclastic unit between basinal deposits of the Abadia Formation, and fluvial–terrestrial strata of the Lourinhã Formation. This study presents >2.5 km of detailed logs of nine outcrop sections of the Alcobaça Formation in its type region. Eight of these sections encircle the Caldas da Rainha Diapir, which was a prominent, emergent, passive salt diapir during the time of deposition. Palaeoenvironments of the unit form a complex mosaic of low- to high-energy, carbonate- or siliciclastic-dominated shallow shelf settings; coastal embayments and lagoons; and coastal plains with rivers, lakes and playas. In the strata, abundant microfauna is often joined by a rich macrofauna, usually dominated by bivalves. Locally, corals, calcareous sponges or oysters form meadows or patch reefs. These autochthonous to parautochthonous remnants of former communities are assigned to 35 benthic macrofaunal associations. The integration of palaeoecological analysis of these associations with microfaunal and sedimentological data provides constraint on their salinity ranges, which range from slightly hypersaline to freshwater. Frequent temporal and spatial salinity fluctuations are attributed to variations in relative sea-level, salt tectonics or climate. The NNE-trending Caldas da Rainha Diapir induced pronounced facies differentiation. Predominantly, non-marine siliciclastic facies in the northwest and carbonate to siliciclastic, marine to brackish facies in the southwest are contrasted by shallow-marine carbonate facies east of the diapir. Comprehensive exposure and well-preserved fossils make the Alcobaça Formation an excellent showcase to demonstrate how biofacies analysis can help to disentangle the interplay of climate changes, sea-level fluctuations and salt tectonics. Based on the improved characterisation of the unit, the Alcobaça Formation is formally defined, and seven members are established.
An emotion-driven virtual counselling system in computer-mediated communication
Authors: Gaeta Angelo , Orciuoli Francesco , Parente Mimmo
Published: September 2021

We present and evaluate a virtual counselling system that is devoted to improving user awareness of emotional situations in computer-mediated communication and making informed decisions on actions to recommend to the users involved in a conversation. Starting from elements such as the moods and emotions of the users involved in a conversation, the system constructs the emotional signatures of individuals and groups that are used to characterize a situation. It then uses an approximate reasoning mechanism based on three-way decisions to classify recognized situations with respect to particular emotional dynamics based on emotional contagion. A prototype of the system has been experimented on in a real context based on collaboration between university students for the realization of project work. The distinctive features of the system have been evaluated with accuracy measures, and the results are promising.
Novel preparation of low-cost support for NaA zeolite membrane by utilizing natural clay
Authors: Chen Gangling , Zhang Jianying , Ma Tianlin , Wang Yujie , Chen Guihua , Guo Youzhi
Published: September 2021

The membrane support is the basis for the preparation and application of the zeolite membrane and its cost and properties directly determine the performance of the zeolite membrane as well as its industrial applications. In this paper, the direct synthesis of NaA zeolite membrane on a novel low-cost support via an in situ reaction by utilizing natural clay can enable a significant reduction in manufacturing costs. During the preparation of the support for the NaA zeolite membrane, additives, such as Al2O3, Al(OH)3 and AlF3, were combined with kaolin clay and used as alumina precursors. Using the resulting porous mullite support, the effects of the firing temperature on the permeability and pore structure of the support were investigated extensively. The results of the experiment showed that silica in the natural clay was reacted by the Al2O3 precursor additives, producing a needle-like mullite in situ that served as a rigid skeleton porous structure for the support. Thus, a network porous structure of the mullite support could be formed during sintering process. The prepared network porous structure mullite supports exhibited a high pure water permeance of 3324 L m2 h1 bar1, open porosity of 41.8% and a mean pore size of 1.36 µm which was ideal for the preparation of the NaA zeolite membrane.
Characterization of reservoir sands using 3D seismic attributes in the coastal swamp area of Niger Delta Basin
Authors: Olaleye Oluwatoyin Khadijat , Enikanselu Pius Adekunle , Ayuk Michael Ayuk
Published: September 2021

Hydrocarbon accumulation and production within the Niger Delta Basin are controlled by varieties of geologic features guided by the depositional environment and tectonic history across the basin. In this study, multiple seismic attribute transforms were applied to three-dimensional (3D) seismic data obtained from “Reigh” Field, Onshore Niger Delta to delineate and characterize geologic features capable of harboring hydrocarbon and identifying hydrocarbon productivity areas within the field. Two (2) sand units were delineated from borehole log data and their corresponding horizons were mapped on seismic data, using appropriate check-shot data of the boreholes. Petrophysical summary of the sand units revealed that the area is characterized by high sand/shale ratio, effective porosity ranged from 16 to 36% and hydrocarbon saturation between 72 and 92%. By extracting attribute maps of coherence, instantaneous frequency, instantaneous amplitude and RMS amplitude, characterization of the sand units in terms of reservoir geomorphological features, facies distribution and hydrocarbon potential was achieved. Seismic attribute results revealed (1) characteristic patterns of varying frequency and amplitude areas, (2) major control of hydrocarbon accumulation being structural, in terms of fault, (3) prospective stratigraphic pinch-out, lenticular thick hydrocarbon sand, mounded sand deposit and barrier bar deposit. Seismic Attributes analysis together with seismic structural interpretation revealed prospective structurally high zones with high sand percentage, moderate thickness and high porosity anomaly at the center of the field. The integration of different seismic attribute transforms and results from the study has improved our understanding of mapped sand units and enhanced the delineation of drillable locations which are not recognized on conventional seismic interpretations.
Detection of candidate gene networks involved in resistance to Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in soybean
Authors: Zhang Yu , Wang Yuexing , Zhou Wanying , Zheng Shimao , Ye Runzhou
Published: September 2021

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) mapping often yields associations with dissimilar loci/genes as a consequence of diverse factors. One trait for which very limited agreement between mapping studies has been observed is resistance to white mold in soybean. To explore whether different approaches applied to a single data set could lead to more consistent results, haplotype-trait association and epistasis interaction effects were explored as a complement to a more conventional marker-trait analysis. At least 10 genomic regions were significantly associated with Sclerotinia sclerotiorum resistance in soybean, which have not been previously reported. At a significance level of α = 0.05, haplotype-trait association showed that the most prominent signal originated from a haplotype with 4-SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) on chromosome 17, and single SNP-trait analysis located a nucleotide polymorphism at position rs34387780 on chromosome 3. All of the peak-SNPs (p-value < 0.05) of each chromosome also appeared in their respective haplotypes. Samples with extreme phenotypes were singled-out for association studies, 25–30% from each end of the phenotypic spectrum appeared in the present investigation to be the most appropriate sample size. Some key genes were identified by epistasis interaction analysis. By combining information on the nearest positional genes indicated that most loci have not been previously reported. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses suggest potential candidate genes underlying callose deposition in the cell wall and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway-plant, as well as plant-pathogen interaction pathway, were activated. Integration of multi-method genome-wide association study (GWAS) revealed novel genomic regions and promising candidate genes in novel regions, which include Glyma.01g048500, Glyma.03g129100, Glyma.17g072200, and the Dishevelled (Dvl) family of proteins on chromosomes 1, 3, 17, and 20, respectively.
A quantitative approach to disjointly non-singular operators
Authors: González Manuel , Martinón Antonio
Published: September 2021

We introduce and study some operational quantities which characterize the disjointly non-singular operators from a Banach lattice E to a Banach space Y when E is order continuous, and some other quantities which characterize the disjointly strictly singular operators for arbitrary E.
Interval maximum likelihood inversion for well logging data and statistical properties of estimated parameters
Authors: Balázs László
Published: September 2021

During the conventional petrophysical interpretation fixed (predefined) zone parameters are applied for every interpretation zone (depth intervals). Their inclusion in the inversion process requires the extension of a likelihood function for the whole zone. This allows to define the extremum problem for fitting the parameter set to the full interval petrophysical model of the layers crossed by the well, both for the parameters associated with the depth points (e.g. porosity, saturations, rock matrix composition etc.) and for the zone parameters (e.g. formation water resistivity, cementation factor etc.). In this picture the parameters form a complex coupled and correlated system. Even the local parameters associated with different depths are coupled through the zone parameter change. In this paper, the statistical properties of the coupled parameter system are studied which fitted by the Interval Maximum Likelihood (ILM) method. The estimated values of the parameters are coupled through the likelihood function and this determines the correlation between them.
The Cyberball task in people after obesity surgery: preliminary evaluation of cognitive effects of social inclusion and exclusion with a laboratory task
Authors: Meneguzzo Paolo , Tenconi Elena , Collantoni Enrico , Longobardi Gloria , Zappalà Adele , Vindigni Vincenzo , Favaro Angela , Pavan Chiara
Published: September 2021

Background

Social cognition and temperamental and interpretative styles could play a role in the outcome of bariatric surgery. This study aims to assess preliminary evidence about how obesity surgery patients evaluate social inclusion and exclusion through a ball-tossing game called Cyberball, looking at the influence of early maladaptive schemas.

Methods

Thirty-four patients with a history of obesity surgery interventions and 44 controls were recruited for this study. A psychological evaluation was performed before and after the Cyberball task with self-report questionnaires.

Results

In the ostracism condition, significant differences were seen across all the patients’ fundamental psychological needs with less perceived ostracization (p = 0.001) even if they recognized less interaction via fewer ball tosses than controls. Moreover, the ostracism paradigm resulted in patients experiencing a higher urge to binge (p = 0.010) and a higher urge to restrain (p = 0.012) than controls. Looking at differences due to the Cyberball paradigm applied, clear differences emerged only between controls subgroups at the specific self-report scales applied, corroborating the reduced perception of the exclusion. As evidenced by the schema domains, the study found a connection between the impaired limits-schema domain and the drive to binge.

Conclusion

The results show that obesity surgery patients reported different effects of the Cyberball task than controls. Different possible interpretations are discussed, and future directions for studies are exposed, both for the evaluation of social interactions effects and in the assessment of the role of specific cognitive schemas.

Level of evidence

Level III: evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case–control analytic studies.
An Introduction to Current Trends in Meat Microbiology and Hygiene
Authors: Johler Sophia , Guldimann Claudia
Published: September 2021

Purpose of Review

This editorial review aims to provide readers with an introduction to the Current Clinical Microbiology Report Special Issue “Meat Microbiology and Hygiene.” It will provide an overview of overarching trends and developments in this field, introduce the articles presented in this Special Issue, and attempt to offer a glimpse into the future of meat microbiology and hygiene.

Recent Findings

Meat production has been subjected to transformative changes within the last decade, and the focus of assuring meat safety has shifted to account for changing consumer demands as well as new microbial risks such as strains carrying antimicrobial resistance determinants.

Assuring that meat products meet high safety standards remains crucial to consumers worldwide. New risk-based meat safety assurance systems leveraging latest technological advances are needed to protect consumers and promote public health.
Reversible Zn2+ Insertion in Tungsten Ion-Activated Titanium Dioxide Nanocrystals for Electrochromic Windows
Authors: Liang Yi , Cao Sheng , Wei Qilin , Zeng Ruosheng , Zhao Jialong , Li Haizeng , Yu William W. , Zou Bingsuo
Published: September 2021

Zinc-anode-based electrochromic devices (ZECDs) are emerging as the next-generation energy-efficient transparent electronics. We report anatase W-doped TiO2 nanocrystals (NCs) as a Zn2+ active electrochromic material. It demonstrates that the W doping in TiO2 highly reduces the Zn2+ intercalation energy, thus triggering the electrochromism. The prototype ZECDs based on W-doped TiO2 NCs deliver a high optical modulation (66% at 550 nm), fast spectral response times (9/2.7 s at 550 nm for coloration/bleaching), and good electrochemical stability (8.2% optical modulation loss after 1000 cycles).
Applications of Carbon Nanotubes in the Internet of Things Era
Authors: Pang Jinbo , Bachmatiuk Alicja , Yang Feng , Liu Hong , Zhou Weijia , Rümmeli Mark H. , Cuniberti Gianaurelio
Published: September 2021

The post-Moore's era has boosted the progress in carbon nanotube-based transistors. Indeed, the 5G communication and cloud computing stimulate the research in applications of carbon nanotubes in electronic devices. In this perspective, we deliver the readers with the latest trends in carbon nanotube research, including high-frequency transistors, biomedical sensors and actuators, brain–machine interfaces, and flexible logic devices and energy storages. Future opportunities are given for calling on scientists and engineers into the emerging topics.
Review of the shadow-test approach to adaptive testing
Authors: van der Linden Wim J.
Published: September 2021

Constrained adaptive testing is reviewed as an instance of discrete maximization with the shadow-test approach delivering its solution. The approach may look counterintuitive in that it assumes sequential assembly of full test forms as its basic operation. But it always produces real-time solutions that are optimal and satisfy the set of specifications in effect for the test. Equally importantly, it can be used to run testing programs with different degrees of adaptation for the same set of specifications and/or as a tool to manage programs with simultaneous processes as adaptive item calibration, time management, and/or item-security monitoring.
The simple regularities in the dynamics of online news impact
Authors: Medo Matúš , Mariani Manuel S. , Lü Linyuan
Published: September 2021

Online news can quickly reach and affect millions of people, yet we do not know yet whether there exist potential dynamical regularities that govern their impact on the public. We use data from two major news outlets, BBC and New York Times, where the number of user comments can be used as a proxy of news impact. We find that the impact dynamics of online news articles does not exhibit popularity patterns found in many other social and information systems. In particular, we find that a simple exponential distribution yields a better fit to the empirical news impact distributions than a power-law distribution. This observation is explained by the lack or limited influence of the otherwise omnipresent rich-get-richer mechanism in the analyzed data. The temporal dynamics of the news impact exhibits a universal exponential decay which allows us to collapse individual news trajectories into an elementary single curve. We also show how daily variations of user activity directly influence the dynamics of the article impact. Our findings challenge the universal applicability of popularity dynamics patterns found in other social contexts.
Geographies of Twitter debates
Authors: del Gobbo Emiliano , Fontanella Lara , Fontanella Sara , Sarra Annalina
Published: September 2021

Over the last years, the prodigious success of online social media sites has marked a shift in the way people connect and share information. Coincident with this trend is the proliferation of location-aware devices and the consequent emergence of user-generated geospatial data. From a social scientific perspective, these location data are of incredible value as it can be mined to provide researchers with useful information about activities and opinions across time and space. However, the utilization of geo-located data is a challenging task, both in terms of data management and in terms of knowledge production, which requires a holistic approach. In this paper, we implement an integrated knowledge discovery in cyberspace framework for retrieving, processing and interpreting Twitter geolocated data for the discovery and classification of the latent opinion in user-generated debates on the internet. Text mining techniques, supervised machine learning algorithms and a cluster spatial detection technique are the building blocks of our research framework. As real-word example, we focus on Twitter conversations about Brexit, posted on Uk during the 13 months before the Brexit day. The experimental results, based on various analysis of Brexit-related tweets, demonstrate that different spatial patterns can be identified, clearly distinguishing pro- and anti-Brexit enclaves and delineating interesting Brexit geographies.
The influence of plasma-sprayed coatings on surface properties and corrosion resistance of 316L stainless steel for possible implant application
Authors: Woźniak Anna , Staszuk Marcin , Reimann Łukasz , Bialas Oktawian , Brytan Zbigniew , Voinarovych Sergii , Kyslytsia Oleksandr , Kaliuzhnyi Sergii , Basiaga Marcin , Admiak Marcin
Published: September 2021

Herein, we analyzed the morphology of atmospheric plasma-sprayed (APS) coating on medical 316L stainless steel and its influence on the physical and electrochemical properties of implant application. Fivetypes of coatings were examined: hydroxyapatite (HAp), titanium (Ti), zirconium (Zr), Ti/HAp and Zr/HAp. The base properties of the coatings were analyzed via chemical and phase composition, surface topography, surface wettability and in particular the corrosion resistance in Ringer solution in immersed conditions and potentiodynamic test, and EIS analysis. APS coating of pure HAp on 316L stainless steel showed poor cohesive bonding to the substrate material, whereas the application of Ti and Zr interlayer prior to HAp deposition improved surface morphology and coating properties. The beneficial effect of Ti and Zr interlayer under HAp layer on binding was demonstrated. HAp containing coatings (HAp, Ti/HAp and Zr/HAp) show Ca/P ratio greater than 1.8, which may positively influence the differentiation of osteogenic cells and good adhesion to bones. Among the studied materials, the composite coatings with Zr or Zr/HAp showed favorable physicochemical properties and the highest corrosion resistance in Ringer solution.
Moral exemplars for the virtuous machine: the clinician’s role in ethical artificial intelligence for healthcare
Authors: Hindocha Sumeet , Badea Cosmin
Published: September 2021

Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to pervade several aspects of healthcare with pace and scale. The need for an ethical framework in AI to address this has long been recognized, but to date most efforts have delivered only high-level principles and value statements. Herein, we explain the need for an ethical framework in healthcare AI, the different moral theories that may serve as its basis, the rationale for why we believe this should be built around virtue ethics, and explore this in the context of five key ethical concerns for the introduction of AI in healthcare. Some existing work has suggested that AI may replace clinicians. We argue to the contrary, that the clinician will not be replaced, nor their role attenuated. Rather, they will be integral to the responsible design, deployment, and regulation of AI in healthcare, acting as the moral exemplar for the virtuous machine. We collate relevant points from the literature and formulate our own to present a coherent argument for the central role of clinicians in ethical AI and propose ideas to help advance efforts to employ ML-based solutions within healthcare. Finally, we highlight the responsibility of not only clinicians, but also data scientists, tech companies, ethicists, and regulators to act virtuously in realising the vision of ethical and accountable AI in healthcare.
ON SUPERSETS OF NON-LOW SETS
Authors: AMBOS-SPIES KLAUS , DOWNEY ROD G. , MONATH MARTIN
Published: September 2021

We solve a longstanding question of Soare by showing that if
${\mathbf d}$
is a non-low
$_2$
computably enumerable degree then
${\mathbf d}$
contains a c.e. set with no r-maximal c.e. superset.
CLASSIFYING SPACES AND THE LASCAR GROUP
Authors: CAMPION TIM , COUSINS GREG , YE JINHE
Published: September 2021

We show that the Lascar group
$\operatorname {Gal}_L(T)$
of a first-order theory T is naturally isomorphic to the fundamental group
$\pi _1(|\mathrm {Mod}(T)|)$
of the classifying space of the category of models of T and elementary embeddings. We use this identification to compute the Lascar groups of several example theories via homotopy-theoretic methods, and in fact completely characterize the homotopy type of
$|\mathrm {Mod}(T)|$
for these theories T. It turns out that in each of these cases,
$|\operatorname {Mod}(T)|$
is aspherical, i.e., its higher homotopy groups vanish. This raises the question of which homotopy types are of the form
$|\mathrm {Mod}(T)|$
in general. As a preliminary step towards answering this question, we show that every homotopy type is of the form
$|\mathcal {C}|$
where
$\mathcal {C}$
is an Abstract Elementary Class with amalgamation for
$\kappa $
-small objects, where
$\kappa $
may be taken arbitrarily large. This result is improved in another paper.
Adeiain Fifth-Century Athens
Authors: Esu Alberto
Published: September 2021

This article discusses the rationale ofadeia(immunity) in the fifth-century Athenian legal system. It argues thatadeiawas designed to grant a temporary suspension of the effect of a law in exceptional circumstances without allowing for any permanent legal change. This article explores the origin ofadeiaand the relevant ideology underpinning the legal procedure. It provides a comprehensive reconstruction of the legal procedure and analyses the extensive use ofadeiafor collecting information during the investigation of the profanation of the Mysteries and the mutilation of the herms in 415 BC. This article also discusses the implications of the use ofadeiafor public investigation and emergency powers in Classical Athens.
Improvements of Statistical Learning Skills Allow Older Children to Go Beyond Single-Hypothesis Testing When Learning Words
Authors: SIA Ming Yean , MAYOR Julien
Published: September 2021

Children learn words in ambiguous situations, where multiple objects can potentially be referents for a new word. Yet, researchers debate whether children maintain a single word-object hypothesis – and revise it if falsified by later information – or whether children establish a network of word-object associations whose relative strengths are modulated with experience. To address this issue, we presented 4- to 12-year-old children with sets of mutual exclusivity (fast-mapping) trials: offering them with obvious initial hypotheses (that the novel object is the referent for the novel word). We observe that children aged six years and above, despite showing a novelty bias and retaining this novel word – novel object association, also formed an association between the novel word and the name-known object, thereby suggesting that older children attend to more than one word-object association, in a manner similar to associative learning. We discuss our findings in the context of competing theoretical accounts related to word learning.
Association between dietary patterns and glycaemic control in a middle-aged Chinese population
Authors: Shen Xiao-Ming , Shu Long , Huang Yi-Qian , Zhang Xiao-Yan , Zheng Pei-Fen , Zhu Qin
Published: September 2021

Objective:

The present work was performed to analyse the association of dietary patterns with glycaemic control (Hb A1c < 7 %) in a large group of Chinese adults aged between 45 and 59 years.

Design:

Habitual dietary intakes in the preceding 12 months were assessed by well-trained interviewers using a validated semi-quantitative FFQ. Factor analysis with principal component method was used to obtain the dietary patterns, and the associations between dietary patterns and glycaemic control were determined using multivariable logistic regression models. Poor glycaemic control was defined as HbA1c ≥ 7·0.

Setting:

Despite decades of research, data on the relationship between dietary patterns and glycaemic control (HbA1c < 7 %) in China are sparse.

Participants:

A total of 1739 participants aged 45–59 years from Hangzhou were included in the final analysis.

Results:

Three dietary patterns were ascertained and labelled as traditional southern Chinese, Western and grains-vegetables patterns. After controlling of the possible confounders, participants in the highest quartile of Western pattern scores had greater OR for HbA1c ≥ 7·0 (OR = 1·05; (95 % CI 1·000, 1·095); P = 0·048) than did those in the lowest quartile. Compared with those in the lowest quartile of grains-vegetables pattern, participants in the highest quartile had lower OR for HbA1c ≥ 7·0 (OR = 0·82; (95 % CI 0·720, 0·949); P = 0·038). Besides, no significant relationship between the traditional southern Chinese pattern and HbA1c ≥ 7·0 was observed (P > 0·05).

Conclusions:

This study indicated that the Western pattern was associated with a higher risk, and the grains-vegetables pattern was associated with a lower risk for HbA1c ≥ 7·0. Future prospective studies are needed to confirm our findings.
Food environment interactions after migration: a scoping review on low- and middle-income country immigrants in high-income countries
Authors: Berggreen-Clausen Aravinda , Hseing Pha Sai , Mölsted Alvesson Helle , Andersson Agneta , Daivadanam Meena
Published: September 2021

Objective:

To map and characterise the interactions between the food environment and immigrant populations from low- and middle-income countries living in high-income countries.

Design:

A scoping review was carried out following the framework outlined by Arksey and O’Malley, as well as Levac et al. Peer-reviewed studies in English published between 2007 and 2021 were included. Two reviewers screened and selected the papers according to predefined inclusion criteria and reporting of results follows the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A ‘Best fit’ framework synthesis was carried out using the Analysis Grid for Environments Linked to Obesity (ANGELO) framework.

Setting:

High-income countries.

Participants:

Immigrants from low- and middle-income countries.

Results:

A total of sixty-eight articles were included, primarily based in the USA, as well as Canada, Australia and Europe, with immigrants originating from five regions of the globe. The analysis identified three overarching themes that interconnected different aspects of the food environment in addition to the four themes of the ANGELO framework. They demonstrate that in valuing fresh, healthy and traditional foods, immigrants were compelled to surpass barriers in order to acquire these, though children’s demands, low incomes, time scarcity and mobility influenced the healthiness of the foods acquired.

Conclusion:

This study brought together evidence on interactions between immigrant populations and the food environment. Immigrants attempted to access fresh, traditional, healthier food, though they faced structural and family-level barriers that impacted the healthiness of the food they acquired. Understanding the food environment and interactions therein is key to proposing interventions and policies that can potentially impact the most vulnerable.
Perceived barriers and facilitators to participating in the North Carolina Healthy Food Small Retailer Program: a mixed-methods examination considering investment effectiveness
Authors: Boys Kathryn A , Haynes-Maslow Lindsey , McGuirt Jared T , Ammerman Alice S , Van Fleet Erin E , Johnson Nevin S , Kelley Casey J , Donadio Victoria E , Fleischhacker Sheila E , Truesdale Kimberly P , Bell Ronny A , Jilcott Pitts Stephanie B
Published: September 2021

Objective:

The North Carolina Legislature appropriated funds in 2016–2019 for the Healthy Food Small Retailer Program (HFSRP), providing small retailers located in food deserts with equipment to stock nutrient-dense foods and beverages. The study aimed to: (1) examine factors facilitating and constraining implementation of, and participation in, the HFSRP from the perspective of storeowners and (2) measure and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of investment in the HFSRP.

Design:

The current analysis uses both qualitative and quantitative assessments of storeowner perceptions and store outcomes, as well as two innovative measures of policy investment effectiveness. Qualitative semi-structured interviews and descriptive quantitative approaches, including monthly financial reports and activity forms, and end-of-programme evaluations were collected from participating HFSRP storeowners.

Setting:

Eight corner stores in North Carolina that participated in the two cohorts (2016–2018; 2017–2019) of the HFSRP.

Participants:

Owners of corner stores participating in the HFSRP.

Results:

All storeowners reported that the HFSRP benefitted their stores. In addition, the HFSRP had a positive impact on sales across each category of healthy food products. Storeowners reported that benefits would be enhanced with adjustments to programme administration and support. Specific suggestions included additional information regarding which healthy foods and beverages to stock; inventory management; handling of perishable produce; product display; modified reporting requirements and a more efficient process of delivering and maintaining equipment.

Conclusions:

All storeowners reported several benefits of the HFSRP and would recommend that other storeowners participate. The barriers and challenges they reported inform potential approaches to ensuring success and sustainability of the HFSRP and similar initiatives underway in other jurisdictions.
Noumenal Freedom and Kant’s Modal Antinomy
Authors: Abaci Uygar
Published: September 2021

Kant states in §76 of the third Critique that the divine intuitive intellect would not represent modal distinctions. Kohl (2015) and Stang (2016) claim that this statement entails that noumena lack modal properties, which, in turn, conflicts with Kant’s attribution of contingency to human noumenal wills. They both propose resolutions to this conflict based on conjectures regarding how God might non-modally represent what our discursive intellects represent as modally determined. I argue that (i) these proposals fail; (ii) the viable resolution consists in recognizing that we modalize human noumenal wills as a merely regulative-practical principle in our judgements of imputation.
Constraining Crustal Properties With Bayesian Joint Inversion of Vertical and Radial Teleseismic P‐Wave Coda Autocorrelations
Authors: Tork Qashqai Mehdi , Saygin Erdinc
Published: September 2021

The sensitivity of seismic compressional and shear waves and their velocity ratios to rock lithology, pore fluids, and high‐temperature materials makes these parameters very useful for constraining the physical state of the crust. In this study, we develop a joint inversion approach utilizing both radial and vertical components’ autocorrelations of teleseismic P‐wave coda for imaging the crust by simultaneously characterizing the crustal , , and ratio. Autocorrelations of the radial and vertical components contain P and S waves that are reflected from the subsurface. Therefore, joint inversion of them can account for the variations of both and , and consequently, the ratio. Synthetic inversions show significant improvement in the estimation of these parameters compared to those from the inversion of either, P receiver functions or the autocorrelation of the vertical component. The velocity models inferred from the application of the approach to teleseismic data recorded along a north‐south passive seismic profile (BILBY experiment) in central Australia reveal a distinct pattern of the Moho and the variations across the crustal blocks/domains. The general trend of the Moho structure corresponds well with the change of the reflectivity that can normally be seen at the base of the crust and also with the Moho estimated from previous studies including the deep seismic reflection profiling method. The structure at depths greater than 10 km shows dominant high values beneath locations where the crustal domains interact (e.g., at transition from one domain to another).