bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Toxicological effects of the chemical and green ZnO NPs on Cyprinus carpio L. observed under light and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Rasool Saba , Faheem Mehwish , Hanif Uzma , Bahadur Saraj , Taj Sehrish , Liaqat Fareeha , Pereira Leonel , Liaqat Iram , Shaheen Shabnam , Shuaib Muhammad , Gulzar Sadia
Published: October 2021

Nanoparticles in aquatic bodies cause serious harm to the aquatic organisms when accumulated in high amounts. However, green nanoparticles synthesized using plants can be less toxic as compared to chemical nanoparticles. Hence, we designed our study to investigate the toxicological effects of chemical and green zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) on the biological activity of juvenile Cyprinus carpio. The green ZnO NPs were synthesized from Solieria robusta, and chemical ZnO NPs were synthesized using zinc chloride solution and ammonium hydroxide. Characterization was done by using light microscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transmission infrared radiation, and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. The highest absorbance of nanoparticles was observed at 360 which confirmed the synthesis of ZnO. The SEM analysis showed that green nanoparticles were hexagonal while the chemical nanoparticles were spherical to cubic in shape. Definite peaks were observed in XRD of green and chemical NPs at 2θ angles 45.84° and 32.18°, respectively. Oxidative stress was determined by chemical analysis of catalase, glutathione S‐transferase (GST), glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxidation (LPO) activities. The toxicological effects of chemical ZnO NPs on the catalase, LPO, GST, and GSH activities were more than green ZnO NPs. The histopathological investigation proved that the effect of chemical nanoparticles was worse than green ZnO NPs. More tissue damage was found in chemical nanoparticles than green synthesized nanoparticles. It was concluded that chemical nanoparticles can be replaced by green nanoparticles, as green nanoparticles are eco‐friendly with less toxicological effects. This replacement can limit the toxic effect of nanoparticles when they get accumulated in high amounts in water bodies.
Assessing genetic counselor communication in response to virtual, asynchronous simulated video prompts
Authors: Lowe Chenery , Setzer Michael , Roter Debra L.
Published: October 2021

Online methods of teaching and assessing communication skills meet not only the need for remote education during the COVID‐19 pandemic but also future demand for flexible training methods. This study aimed to explore the utility of standardized video prompts intended to elicit samples of genetic counselors’ (GCs’) interpersonal, psychosocial, and counseling skills by describing variation in GCs’ socioemotional communication during their responses to a series of videotaped communication challenges. We analyzed the previously recorded communication of 43 GCs responding to a set of videotaped simulated client prompts related to a cancer or prenatal counseling session. We applied the Roter Interaction Analysis System to the prompts and GCs' responses, focusing on the proportion of socioemotional content as an indicator of interpersonal, psychosocial, and counseling skill use. We analyzed the responses of 21 GCs to the cancer prompts and 22 GCs to the prenatal prompts. Two‐sample t tests explored differences in the proportion of socioemotional content in GCs’ responses to prompts within and across the two scenarios. Overall, socioemotional statements accounted for 31% (SD = 8%) of all GC statements in response to the prenatal prompts and 36% (SD = 9%) of statements in response to the cancer prompts (Bonferroni‐adjusted p=.49). The proportion of socioemotional communication in individual prompt responses varied from 4% (SD = 12%) to 76% (SD = 26%) across the cancer prompt series and 10% (SD = 13%) to 76% (SD = 30%) across the prenatal prompt series. Across the two scenarios, two of 10 matched prompts showed significant differences in the proportion of GCs’ socioemotional content of the prompt responses (p's < 0.001). These differences appear related to differences in the socioemotional nature of the prompts. These findings inform online methods of communication assessment that are useful during restrictions to in‐person learning due to COVID‐19, as well as future hybrid training and research efforts.
Long monochromatic even cycles in 3‐edge‐coloured graphs of large minimum degree
Authors: Łuczak Tomasz , Rahimi Zahra
Published: October 2021

We show that for every , there exists such that for every even , and every graph with vertices and minimum degree at least , each colouring of the edges of with three colours results in a monochromatic cycle of length .
Epidemiology of cytomegalovirus infection in pregnancy in Israel: Real‐world data from a large healthcare organization
Authors: Weil Clara , Bilavsky Efraim , Sinha Anushua , Chodick Gabriel , Goodman Elizabeth , Wang Wei (Vivian) , Calhoun Shawna R. , Marks Morgan A.
Published: October 2021

Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMVi) is the leading cause of nonhereditary sensorineural hearing loss among newborns. Women newly acquiring cytomegalovirus infection (CMVi) during pregnancy have the highest risk of vertical transmission. This study aimed to describe the epidemiology of CMVi in pregnancy in a large healthcare database. A retrospective cohort study was performed using the Maccabi Healthcare Services database (Israel). Women aged 18–44 years old on July 1, 2013 with no record of pregnancy in the prior 6 months were followed through December 31, 2017 for first pregnancy occurrence. Pregnancy outcomes (live birth, spontaneous/therapeutic abortions, stillbirth, and uncertain outcomes) were captured. CMV test results were obtained to assess serostatus at the start of pregnancy (SoP) and primary CMV infection (CMVi) during pregnancy. Associations of demographic and reproductive factors with pCMVi were investigated (multivariable logistic regression). The study included 84 699 pregnant women (median age = 31 years; interquartile range = 28–35). Live birth, fetal loss, and uncertain pregnancy outcomes accounted for 76.8%, 18.2%, and 5.0%, respectively. The seroprevalence of CMV at the start of pregnancy in this cohort was 63.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 63.1–63.7). Among seronegative women with available test results (n = 10 657), CMVi incidence was 14.5 per 1000 (95% CI = 12.2–16.7). In multivariate logistic regression models adjusting for maternal age, CMVi was significantly associated with having one or more prior live births (odds ratio [OR]: 3.8 [95% CI: 2.6–5.4]) and having a child less than 6 years of age (OR: 4.3 [95%CI: 3.0–6.1]). One in three pregnant women in Israel is at risk for primary CMVi. This study demonstrates that real‐world electronic healthcare data can be leveraged to support clinical management and development of interventions for congenital CMV by identifying women at high risk for CMVi during pregnancy.
A comparative study of body potential transient profile of geosynchronous orbit spacecraft in single and double Maxwellian plasma models
Authors: Pandya Ashish , Kothari Nikhil , Alad Rizwan
Published: October 2021

Estimation of the transient profile of body potential of spacecraft in recommended cases of plasma models is crucial because of its importance to estimate electrostatic discharge (ESD) events. The spacecraft structure consisting of a cuboid with two coplanar rectangular plates is modeled as a lumped equivalent capacitance circuit. Method of moments is used to compute absolute and coupled capacitances, which directly affect the transient profile of body potential. Additionally, closer to the actual plasma model representing substorm injection events is vital for reliable estimation of absolute charging. Accordingly, in this work, we attempt a comprehensive analysis of the charging of a spacecraft in Maxwellian plasma models with the inclusion of induced electron yields for the probable particle incidences. Subsequently, the critical range of particle energy susceptible to failures related to ESD is investigated for a spacecraft structure of Aluminum. The comparison of transient variations of body potential in single and double Maxwellian plasma environments identifies the critical aspects of normal and worst cases concerning the prediction of ESD events, which can be useful in the early stage of a spacecraft design.
The shift to pay transparency: Undermet pay standing expectations and consequences
Authors: Schnaufer Kathrin , Christandl Fabian , Berger Sebastian , Meynhardt Timo , Gollwitzer Mario
Published: October 2021

This research examines the shift from pay secrecy to transparency and seeks to improve the understanding of previously unrecognized negative consequences on job satisfaction. Drawing on undermet expectations research, we propose that shifting toward pay transparency decreases job satisfaction among employees who encounter negative discrepancies between expected and revealed pay standing (undermet pay standing expectations). Using data from field and experimental studies, we tested our hypotheses that episodic envy mediates the effect of undermet pay standing expectations on job satisfaction and that this indirect effect is moderated by victim sensitivity. Study 1 results suggest that undermet pay standing expectations lead to the predicted decrease in job satisfaction through episodic envy. In Study 2, we surveyed employees of a technology company before and after their shift to pay transparency and found partial support for our hypotheses, suggesting that episodic envy mediates the negative effects of undermet pay standing expectations on job satisfaction only for those low in victim sensitivity. Study 3 supported our overall model by illustrating that low victim sensitivity strengthened the negative indirect effects of undermet pay standing expectations on job satisfaction via episodic envy in an experimental study. We then discuss the implications for theory and practice.
Identification of chemical constituents in vitro and in vivo of Er Shen Zhenwu Decoction by utilizing ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography with quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Hong Li‐Li , Zhao Yan , Yang Chen‐Yu , Li Guo‐Zhuang , Wang Hong‐Song , Chen Wei‐Dong , Cheng Xiao‐Yu , Liu Li
Published: October 2021

Er Shen Zhenwu Decoction is a prescription for treating chronic heart failure of heart and kidney yang deficiency, while its active ingredients remain unclear and difficult to identify. This paper aims to apply a rapid assay strategy of ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry to collect the mass spectrometry data of Er Shen Zhenwu Decoction and its decomposed recipes (monarch, minister, and assist). By comparing with retention time and MSE fragmentation patterns, 67 and 34 components in vitro and in vivo were identified, respectively, the main ingredients include saponins, terpenes, alkaloids, phenolic acids, tanshinone, urea, steroids, aromatics, organic acids, carbohydrates, and so forth, of which the monarch medicine > minister medicine > assist medicine. By comparison with reference standards, paeoniflorin, rosmarinic acid, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re, ginsenoside Rb1 and atractylenolide III were identified in vitro and paeoniflorin, ginsenoside Rg1, ginsenoside Re and ginsenoside Rb1 were identified in vivo. In this study, the chemical ingredients of Er Shen Zhenwu Decoction were analyzed by ultra‐high‐performance liquid chromatography–quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry technology and each compound was grouped into the decomposed recipes. The identified substances can be used as references for Er Shen Zhenwu Decoction quality control and potential medicinal substances in chronic heart failure of heart and kidney yang deficiency treatment.
Quantifying Neck Fibrosis and Its Functional Implications: Development of the Neck Fibrosis Scale
Authors: Noel Christopher W. , Kwinter Adam , Mifsud Matthew , Ringash Jolie , Waldron John , Chepeha Douglas B. , Irish Jonathan C. , Martino Rosemary , Gomes Andrea , Aziza Elana , de Almeida John R. , Goldstein David P.
Published: October 2021

Objective

Despite increasing recognition of the importance of functional outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer, post‐treatment neck fibrosis remains poorly understood. We sought to develop and validate a patient reported outcome measure for head and neck cancer patients with neck fibrosis.

Study Design

Prospective multiphase cross‐sectional study.

Methods

To guide instrument development, we employed the World Health Organization International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health as our conceptual framework. Items were generated using a composite strategy consisting of patient focus groups, literature review, and expert opinion from a multidisciplinary group. Candidate items were reduced through the item impact method. Preliminary psychometric properties of the finalized instrument were evaluated through measures of internal consistency, test–retest reliability, and construct validity.

Results

Four in person focus groups were held with 13 head and neck cancer patients. The process of item generation led to 221 relevant citations and 68 unique items. An additional 17 items were identified from review of existing neck disability questionnaires and expert opinion. A draft instrument with 25 candidate items was generated and reduced to its final 15‐item scale using item impact method. Early psychometric testing revealed excellent internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.95) and test–retest reliability [ICC = 0.95]. Internal consistency at the item level was good (>0.7) for 11/15 individual items. Four separate constructs were evaluated. Three of the four constructs matched oura priorihypotheses.

Conclusion

The Neck Fibrosis Scale demonstrates preliminary reliability and validity for discriminate use. Further research is needed to confirm dimensionality and assess responsiveness.

Level of Evidence

NALaryngoscope, 132:1015–1021, 2022
Degradation of Melt Electrowritten PCL Scaffolds Following Melt Processing and Plasma Surface Treatment
Authors: Paxton Naomi C. , Ho Selina W. K. , Tuten Bryan T. , Lipton‐Duffin Josh , Woodruff Maria A.
Published: October 2021

Melt electrowriting (MEW) has been widely used to process polycaprolactone (PCL) into highly ordered microfiber scaffolds with controllable architecture and geometry. However, the integrity of PCL during specific processes involved in routine MEW scaffold development has not yet been thoroughly investigated. This study investigates the impact of MEW processing on PCL following exposure to high temperatures required for melt extrusion as well as atmospheric plasma, a widely used surface treatment for improving MEW scaffold hydrophilicity. The change in polymer molecular weight and melt temperature is characterized, in comparing unprocessed and processed samples, in addition to analysis of the mechanical and surface properties of the scaffolds. No significant difference in the molecular weight or mechanical properties of the PCL scaffolds is evident following 5 days of cyclic heating to 90 °C. Exposure to plasma for up to 5 min significantly increased hydrophilicity and surface adhesion force, characterized via contact angle and atomic force microscope, however, significant polymer degradation occurred evidenced by increased brittleness of the scaffolds. This study demonstrates the degradation of PCL following fabrication via MEW and surface treatment to guide the optimization of scaffold development for subsequent applications in tissue engineering and biofabrication.
Time filters and spurious acoustics in artificial compression methods
Authors: Guzel Ahmet , Layton William , McLaughlin Michael , Rong Yao
Published: October 2021

Artificial compression methods are used in computational fluid dynamics as a cost‐effective way of solving for the velocity and pressure in a flow. However, relaxation of compressibility in these algorithms yields nonphysical oscillations in the pressure. This report presents analysis and computational tests of time filters to reduce nonphysical acoustic waves in artificial compression
methods.
Binding specificity of type three secretion system effector NleH2 to multi‐cargo chaperone CesT and their phosphorylation
Authors: Yadav Manisha , Srinivasan Mahalashmi , Tulsian Nikhil K. , Liu Yu Xuan , Lin Qingsong , Rosenshine Ilan , Sivaraman J.
Published: October 2021

Gram‐negative pathogens like Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) utilize the type three secretion system (T3SS) to translocate various effector proteins that are needed to “hijack” the host system for pathogenic survival. Specialized T3SS chaperones inside bacterial cells stabilize these effector proteins and facilitate their translocation. CesT is a unique multi‐cargo chaperone that interacts with and translocates ~10 different effector proteins. Here, we report the specific interaction between CesT and its key effector, NleH2, and explore the potential role of NleH2 as a kinase for CesT phosphorylation. First, we identified the chaperone‐binding domain (CBD; 19–97aa) of NleH2, and mapped the specific interaction sites for both CesT and NleH2. The N‐ and C‐terminal residues of the CBD interact with the dimeric interface of CesT. Further, we compared the CesT binding to NleH2, to that of another key effector Tir and with the global carbon regulator CsrA. Notably, the effectors have the binding regions at the β‐sheet core and dimer interface of CesT, whereas the CsrA regulator interacts predominantly through the C‐terminal region, which is found ~17 Å away from the effectors‐binding sites. Next, we showed that NleH2 remains an active kinase even as a complex with CesT and is responsible for its autophosphorylation as well as phosphorylation of CesT at Tyr153. Collectively, our findings enhance the understanding of the role of multi‐cargo chaperone CesT in orchestrating effector translocation through T3SS.
GaN and InGaN Based Nanocomposites for Ammonia Gas Sensing Applications
Authors: Manavaimaran Balaji , B. Ravichandran Sivasankaran
Published: October 2021

Gallium nitride (GaN) and indium gallium nitride (InGaN) nanostructures, and their nanocomposites with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) are prepared by solvothermal method and used as sensing materials for ammonia gas. The ammonia sensing characteristics are studied by coating the synthesized GaN and InGaN nanostructures, and their nanocomposites on interdigitated electrodes. The sensing parameters, i.e., sensing response, selectivity, and stability, are studied for various operating temperatures and relative humidity. The pristine GaN and InGaN exhibit a sensing response of 23.8% and 28.1% for 200 ppm concentration at 300 K, whereas the nanocomposites of GaN and InGaN show an increased response of 37.4% and 44.2%. This improvement in the nanocomposites maybe ascribed to the better conductivity, higher number of gas adsorption sites and reduced bandgap. It is found that these materials are an excellent choice for ammonia gas sensing application.
Occurrence of chronic endometritis in different types of human adenomyosis
Authors: Khan Khaleque N. , Fujishita Akira , Ogawa Kanae , Koshiba Akemi , Mori Taisuke , Itoh Kyoko , Nakashima Masahiro , Kitawaki Jo
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Human adenomyosis has an adverse effect on female fertility. Exact mechanistic basis is still unclear. We investigated the occurrence of chronic endometritis (CE) in different types of human adenomyosis.

Methods

This is a prospective non‐randomized observational study enrolling patients with focal (n = 30), diffuse (n = 26), intrinsic (n = 23), and extrinsic (n = 10) adenomyosis. Endometrial biopsy samples were collected from hysterectomy specimens. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using antibody against CD68 (Mφ marker) with biopsy samples of intrinsic/extrinsic adenomyosis and CD138 (Syndecan‐1), a marker of plasma cells, in all biopsy samples.

Results

In GnRHa‐untreated groups, a higher trend in the occurrence of CE, as characterized by infiltration of ≥1 plasma cells in endometrial stroma, was found in women with focal (58.8%, p = 0.0849) and diffuse adenomyosis (60.0%, p = 0.0841) comparing to control women (10.0%). In women with focal adenomyosis, ipsilateral side showed a significantly higher occurrence of CE (58.8%) than on the contralateral side (11.7%) (p = 0.043). Tissue infiltration of macrophages in endometria was significantly higher in intrinsic than in extrinsic adenomyosis (p = 0.03) without showing any significant difference in the occurrence of CE between these two variants of adenomyosis.

Conclusion

A variable occurrence of CE in different types of adenomyosis may be involved in adverse reproductive outcome.
Factor analysis for high‐dimensional time series: Consistent estimation and efficient computation
Authors: Xia Qiang , Wong Heung , Shen Shirun , He Kejun
Published: October 2021

To deal with the factor analysis for high‐dimensional stationary time series, this paper suggests a novel method that integrates three ideas. First, based on the eigenvalues of a non‐negative definite matrix, we propose a new approach for consistently determining the number of factors. The proposed method is computationally efficient with a single step procedure, especially when both weak and strong factors exist in the factor model. Second, a fresh measurement of the difference between the factor loading matrix and its estimate is recommended to overcome the nonidentifiability of the loading matrix due to any geometric rotation. The asymptotic results of our proposed method are also studied under this measurement, which enjoys “blessing of dimensionality.” Finally, with the estimated factors, the latent vector autoregressive (VAR) model is analyzed such that the convergence rate of the estimated coefficients is as fast as when the samples of VAR model are observed. In support of our results on consistency and computational efficiency, the finite sample performance of the proposed method is examined by simulations and the analysis of one real data example.
Nanoarrays of Individual Liposomes and Bacterial Outer Membrane Vesicles by Liftoff Nanocontact Printing
Authors: Cawley Jennie L. , Blauch Megan E. , Collins Shannon M. , Nice Justin B , Xie Qing , Jordan Luke R. , Brown Angela C. , Wittenberg Nathan J.
Published: October 2021

Analytical characterization of small biological particles, such as extracellular vesicles (EVs), is complicated by their extreme heterogeneity in size, lipid, membrane protein, and cargo composition. Analysis of individual particles is essential for illuminating particle property distributions that are obscured by ensemble measurements. To enable high‐throughput analysis of individual particles, liftoff nanocontact printing (LNCP) is used to define hexagonal antibody and toxin arrays that have a 425 nm dot size, on average, and 700 nm periodicity. The LNCP process is rapid, simple, and does not require access to specialized nanofabrication tools. These densely packed, highly ordered arrays are used to capture liposomes and bacterial outer membrane vesicles on the basis of their surface biomarkers, with a maximum of one particle per array dot, resulting in densely packed arrays of particles. Despite the high particle density, the underlying antibody or toxin array ensured that neighboring individual particles are optically resolvable. Provided target particle biomarkers and suitable capture molecules are identified, this approach can be used to generate high density arrays of a wide variety of small biological particles, including other types of EVs like exosomes.
Typische Fehler bei Planung, Fertigung und Betrieb von Kranbahnträgern und ihre Vermeidung
Authors: Seeßelberg Christoph
Published: October 2021

Nahezu jeder im Industriebau tätige Ingenieur hat gelegentlich die Aufgabe, Kranbahnen zu entwerfen, zu berechnen oder zu bauen. Da die Anforderungen an Kranbahnträger in vielerlei Hinsicht von denen an übliche Bauwerke abweichen, ist der Umgang mit Fahrwegen für Brückenkrane immer wieder eine Herausforderung. Dabei können Fehler gemacht werden, die sich auf die Funktionsweise, auf die Standsicherheit oder auf die Dauerhaftigkeit der Kranbahnkonstruktionen auswirken. Einige dieser Fehlermöglichkeiten werden im vorliegenden Beitrag samt ihren Folgen und den Optionen für ihre Vermeidung aufgezeigt.
A retrospective of the human viewpoint and its applicability to future systems
Authors: Handley Holly A. H.
Published: October 2021

This paper describes the human viewpoint that was developed by a multinational panel of System Engineers and Human System Integration practitioners as an adjunct to existing systems architecting frameworks. The data collected in the human viewpoint enables engineering analyses that include human‐system trade‐offs to address stakeholder concerns. These analyses focus on the role definitions and task allocations that improve overall system performance. The human views method was developed to facilitate assessments of increasing fidelity, such as human data content analysis, human‐system design trade‐offs, restructuring role‐task allocations, and crew reductions due to automation. Ten examples, across a range of applications and levels of assessment, are provided to illustrate the ability to provide decision support to stakeholders. A reflection on the use of the human viewpoint traces its development across the examples, as well as suggesting a research agenda to improve its ability to address the design concerns of future systems.
Impact of low‐molecular‐weight poly(4‐styrenesulfonic acid‐co‐maleic acid) sodium salt on filtration and rheological parameters of nanoparticles‐enhanced drilling fluid
Authors: Beg Mukarram , Kesarwani Himanshu , Sharma Shivanjali , Saxena Amit
Published: October 2021

The thermally stable drilling fluid is the need of the oil and gas industry. The impetus for producing appropriate drilling fluid lies in the addition of novel polymeric additives. The addition of polymer improves the filtration and rheological properties of the drilling fluid. Poly(4‐styrene sulfonic acid‐co‐maleic acid) sodium salt (PSSM), a low‐molecular‐weight polymer, exhibited filtration and rheological control in the water‐based drilling fluid system containing bentonite and hydroxyethyl cellulose. The polymer was characterized using a thermogravimetric technique and found to be stable up to 250°C. The optimum concentration for PSSM is 1.0 w/v% as fluid loss from the drilling fluid reduced by ~63% on addition of 1.0 w/v% PSSM and by ~75% on addition of 2.0 w/v% PSSM. The addition of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) to the PSSM‐induced drilling fluid further improved the rheological and filtration properties at elevated temperature. The thermal aging studies confirm the stability of the drilling mud up to 110°C in the presence of NPs. The addition of PSSM and NPs significantly improved the mud performance due to PSSM interactions with NPs and other mud additives even at high temperatures which suggests the applicability of these mud formulations for challenging high‐temperature wells.
Dynamics of HMBG1 (High Mobility Group Box 1) during radiochemotherapy correlate with outcome of HNSCC patients
Authors: Clasen Kerstin , Welz Stefan , Faltin Heidrun , Zips Daniel , Eckert Franziska
Published: October 2021

Purpose

High Mobility Group Box 1 (HMGB1) protein has been described as a consensus marker for immunogenic cell death (ICD) in cancer. To personalize treatments, there is a need for biomarkers to adapt dose prescription, concomitant chemotherapy, and follow-up in radiation oncology. Thus, we investigated the levels of HMGB1 in plasma of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) during the course of radiochemotherapy and follow-up in correlation with oncologic outcome and clinical confounders.

Methods

In our pilot study, 11 patients with advanced HNSCC were treated with definitive radiochemotherapy. Blood samples were taken weekly during treatment and frequently at follow-up visits. HMGB1 levels as well as routine laboratory values were measured and clinical information was collected including tumor volume, infections, toxicity, and follow-up data.

Results

In total, 85 samples were analyzed. In eight patients, HMGB1 levels (baseline vs. last available sample during treatment) were increasing and in three patients HMGB1 values were decreasing toward the end of treatment. All three patients with decreasing values developed tumor recurrence. By contrast, no relapse occurred in patients that showed increasing HMGB1 levels during therapy. Moreover, a positive correlation of HMGB1 levels with tumor volumes, C‑reactive protein (CRP) levels, infections, and grade three toxicity (RTOG) was observed.

Conclusion

HMGB1 might be a promising marker to monitor ICD in HNSCC during the course of radiochemotherapy. However, HMGB1 seems to reflect complex and diverse immunogenic responses and potential confounders. Infections and treatment-associated toxicity should be considered when interpreting the dynamics of HMGB1.
Interpretable machine learning for genomics
Authors: Watson David S.
Published: October 2021

High-throughput technologies such as next-generation sequencing allow biologists to observe cell function with unprecedented resolution, but the resulting datasets are too large and complicated for humans to understand without the aid of advanced statistical methods. Machine learning (ML) algorithms, which are designed to automatically find patterns in data, are well suited to this task. Yet these models are often so complex as to be opaque, leaving researchers with few clues about underlying mechanisms. Interpretable machine learning (iML) is a burgeoning subdiscipline of computational statistics devoted to making the predictions of ML models more intelligible to end users. This article is a gentle and critical introduction to iML, with an emphasis on genomic applications. I define relevant concepts, motivate leading methodologies, and provide a simple typology of existing approaches. I survey recent examples of iML in genomics, demonstrating how such techniques are increasingly integrated into research workflows. I argue that iML solutions are required to realize the promise of precision medicine. However, several open challenges remain. I examine the limitations of current state-of-the-art tools and propose a number of directions for future research. While the horizon for iML in genomics is wide and bright, continued progress requires close collaboration across disciplines.
What students want? Experiences, challenges, and engagement during Emergency Remote Learning amidst COVID-19 crisis
Authors: Tulaskar Rucha , Turunen Markku
Published: October 2021

COVID-19 pandemic has affected the entire world in many ways. It has sparked a prominent pedagogical shift for university level students, as it has changed the way students learn, attend classes, or communicate with teachers. Globally, every student is forced to adopt Emergency Remote Learning (ERL) as a result of immediate transformation of physical classes into remote education. This two-fold study investigated the differences between traditional distance, online, and virtual learning solutions and the new Emergency Remote Learning (ERL) method for the university level education. Furthermore, a pragmatic mix-method study is conducted in the form of surveys, semi-structured interviews, and diary study spanning across 10 months of pandemic, to examine self-reported insights on ERL challenges, experiences, and learning engagement of the students from Finland and India. Cumulative findings suggest that scheduling, distractions, pessimistic emotions, longer durations, and concentration were the highest challenges faced by the students which impacted their learning experiences and engagement. The study also found that the ERL specific factors like low-interactivity, technical limitations, non-structured, and non-standardized methods had a prominent impact on the effectiveness of remote education. Furthermore, the study has suggested guidelines for improving remote learning experience as a futuristic solution beyond COVID-19 pandemic.
Are Separated Fathers Less or More Involved in Childrearing than Partnered Fathers?
Authors: Koster Tara , Castro-Martín Teresa
Published: October 2021

Separated fathers are generally assumed to be less involved with their children than partnered fathers. Yet, extant research on separated fathers has mainly focused on nonresident fathers without taking into consideration the existing diversity in post-separation residence arrangements. In fact, separated resident and shared residence fathers may possibly be more involved than partnered fathers, because the former likely bear primary childcare responsibilities, while the latter often act as secondary caregivers. This study extends previous research by investigating father involvement via regular care and leisure activities across a full range of separated fathers, and how it compares to that of partnered fathers, as well as whether patterns differ by father’s education. Data from the New Families in the Netherlands survey (N = 1592) reveal that as compared to partnered fathers, shared residence fathers and especially resident fathers are more actively involved in the regular care of their child, whereas nonresident fathers are less involved. Results are similar for leisure, except that partnered fathers are similarly involved as shared residence fathers in this activity. Education also matters: involvement of fathers across different post-separation residence arrangements is more similar to that of partnered fathers when being highly educated. These findings suggest that including resident and shared residence fathers in the picture offers a more optimistic view of fathers’ post-separation parenting role, because these separated fathers are actually more actively involved in childrearing than partnered fathers.
Friction-induced traveling wave coupling in tuned bladed-disks
Authors: González-Monge Javier , Rodríguez-Blanco Salvador , Martel Carlos
Published: October 2021

Flutter is a major constraint on modern turbomachines; as the designs move toward more slender, thinner, and loaded blades, they become more prone to experience high cycle fatigue problems. Dry friction, present at the root attachment for cantilever configurations, is one of the main sources of energy dissipation. It saturates the flutter vibration amplitude growth, producing a limit cycle oscillation whose amplitude depends on the balance between the energy injected and dissipated by the system. Both phenomena, flutter and friction, typically produce a small correction of the purely elastic response of the structure. A large number of elastic cycles is required to notice their effect, which appears as a slow modulation of the oscillation amplitude. Furthermore, even longer time scales appear when multiple traveling waves are aerodynamically unstable and exhibit similar growth rates. All these slow scales make the system time integration very stiff and CPU expensive, bringing some doubts about whether the final solutions are properly converged. In order to avoid these uncertainties, a numerical continuation procedure is applied to analyze the solutions that set in, their traveling wave content, their bifurcations and their stability. The system is modeled using an asymptotic reduced order model and the continuation results are validated against direct time integrations. New final states with multiple traveling wave content are found and analyzed. These solutions have not been obtained before for the case of microslip friction at the blade attachment; only solutions consisting of a single traveling wave have been reported in previous works.
5G NR system design: a concise survey of key features and capabilities
Authors: Rinaldi Federica , Raschellà Alessandro , Pizzi Sara
Published: October 2021

As we enter a new era of next-generation wireless systems represented by Fifth Generation (5G) New Radio (NR) technology, it is essential to grasp the recent progress in their standardization and development. This article offers a concise survey of the 5G NR system design that aims at introducing its features according to the relevant Third Generation Partnership (3GPP) specifications. Our focus is set on the flexibility of 5G NR, which refers to its capability to support novel services and technologies, such as enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) and Internet of Things (IoT) for massive Machine Type Communications (mMTC) while satisfying the underlying quality requirements. The key enablers of the 5G NR operation are scalable numerology, ultra-lean and beam-centric design, support for low latency, spectrum extension, and forward compatibility. This work summarizes these important features by studying the overall 5G architecture and the user-/control-plane protocol stacks specified by 3GPP. Furthermore, the impact of scalable numerology on system performance is discussed. Finally, we also consider open challenges and future research directions.
Effectiveness of extended shutdown measures during the ´Bundesnotbremse´ introduced in the third SARS-CoV-2 wave in Germany
Authors: Schuppert Andreas , Polotzek Katja , Karschau Jens , Karagiannidis Christian
Published: October 2021

A third SARS-CoV-2 infection wave has affected Germany from March 2021 until April 24th, until the ´Bundesnotbremse´ introduced nationwide shutdown measures. The ´Bundesnotbremse´ is the technical term which was used by the German government to describe nationwide shutdown measures to control the rising infection numbers. These measures included mainly contact restrictions on several level. This study investigates which effects locally dispersed pre- and post-´Bundesnotbremse´ measures had on the infection dynamics. We analyzed the variability and strength of the rates of the changes of weekly case numbers considering different regions, age groups, and contact restrictions. Regionally diverse measures slowed the rate of weekly increase by about 50% and about 75% in regions with stronger contact restrictions. The 'Bundesnotbremse' induced a coherent reduction of infection numbers across all German federal states and age groups throughout May 2021. The coherence of the infection dynamics after the 'Bundesnotbremse' indicates that these stronger measures induced the decrease of infection numbers. The regionally diverse non-pharmaceutical interventions before could only decelerate further spreading, but not prevent it alone.
Non-uniform ergodic properties of Hamiltonian flows with impacts
Authors: FRĄCZEK KRZYSZTOF , ROM-KEDAR VERED
Published: October 2021

The ergodic properties of two uncoupled oscillators, one horizontal and one vertical, residing in a class of non-rectangular star-shaped polygons with only vertical and horizontal boundaries and impacting elastically from its boundaries are studied. We prove that the iso-energy level sets topology changes non-trivially; the flow on level sets is always conjugated to a translation flow on a translation surface, yet, for some segments of partial energies the genus of the surface is strictly greater than
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. When at least one of the oscillators is unharmonic, or when both are harmonic and non-resonant, we prove that for almost all partial energies, including the impacting ones, the flow on level sets is uniquely ergodic. When both oscillators are harmonic and resonant, we prove that there exist intervals of partial energies on which periodic ribbons and additional ergodic components coexist. We prove that for almost all partial energies in such segments the motion is uniquely ergodic on the part of the level set that is not occupied by the periodic ribbons. This implies that ergodic averages project to piecewise smooth weighted averages in the configuration space.
Unsupervised modelling of a transitional boundary layer
Authors: Foroozan F. , Guerrero V. , Ianiro A. , Discetti S.
Published: October 2021

A data-driven approach for the identification of local turbulent-flow states and of their dynamics is proposed. After subdividing a flow domain in smaller regions, the

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-medoids clustering algorithm is used to learn from the data the different flow states and to identify the dynamics of the transition process. The clustering procedure is carried out on a two-dimensional (2-D) reduced-order space constructed by the multidimensional scaling (MDS) technique. The MDS technique is able to provide meaningful and compact information while reducing the dimensionality of the problem, and therefore the computational cost, without significantly altering the data structure in the state space. The dynamics of the state transitions is then described in terms of a transition probability matrix and a transition trajectory graph. The proposed method is applied to a direct numerical simulation dataset of an incompressible boundary layer flow developing on a flat plate. Streamwise–spanwise velocity fields at a specific wall-normal position are referred to as observations. Reducing the dimensionality of the problem allows us to construct a 2-D map, representative of the local turbulence intensity and of the spanwise skewness of the turbulence intensity in the observations. The clustering process classifies the regions containing streaks, turbulent spots, turbulence amplification and developed turbulence while the transition matrix and the transition trajectories correctly identify the states of the process of bypass transition.
INTRODUCTION: Investigating Malingering and Public Policy Through an Interdisciplinary Working Group
Authors: Goldberg Daniel S.
Published: October 2021

This Introduction frames the context of the interdisciplinary working group that examined the role of malingering in health and social policy in 2019-2020. The Symposium Issue here is the result of the group’s time, energy, and analysis.
Influence of work design and work status on part-time employees' inclusion and work engagement: some Australian evidence
Authors: Sarich Jennifer , Kiffin-Petersen Sandra , Soutar Geoff
Published: October 2021

Increasing numbers of people are working part-time (PT) hours, sometimes involuntarily (IPT). Australia has the fourth highest percentage of PT employees among Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development countries (26%). This study examines relationships between work design factors and workplace inclusion for PT employees and identifies how perceived inclusion and work engagement of PT and IPT employees compares with full-time (FT) employees. Data were collected using an online questionnaire distributed to employees in Australia. A part-time work design model was developed and tested across two independent samples using partial least squares. Results suggest that PT and IPT employees feel less included in the workplace compared to FT employees. PT employees also perceive their roles to be less task interdependent. A key finding was that PT employees' perceived inclusion was related to proactive behaviors, autonomy, and job crafting, in addition to hours worked. Implications for the management of PT employees are discussed.
Italy's first ONB Alpine colonia climatica: more than fresh air, exercise, and propaganda?
Authors: Muschamp Amy
Published: October 2021

By the end of the 1930s in Italy, ambitious winter and summer camps or colonie cimatiche for the young had been erected along Italy's coastline and in its Alpine resorts. Here, thousands of Italian children from the country's urban centres were sent to experience a regime of fresh air, exercise and Fascist propaganda. The small village of Fai in the autonomous province of Trento in the Italian Alps was home to the first such Alpine colonia managed by the Italian Fascist youth organisation, the Opera Nazionale Balilla. Through an examination of a range of contemporary Italian publications, this article will reveal how the Alpine colonia climatica went beyond its official remit of ‘climatic assistance to childhood’. It offers evidence of the Fascist regime's exploitation of these establishments in newly-annexed Trentino as a tool to unify and italianise, and argues that they were used to promote a militarised view of the national landscape.
RADIOCARBON AND ATMOSPHERIC14CO2PIONEER ATHOL RAFTER
Authors: Turnbull Jocelyn C , Lowe Dave C , Manning Martin R , Sparks Rodger
Published: October 2021

Direct atmospheric14CO2measurements began in New Zealand in 1954, initially to improve14C as a dating tool, but quickly evolving into a method for understanding the carbon cycle. These early14CO2measurements immediately demonstrated the existence of an “Atom Bomb Effect,” as well as an “Industrial Effect.” These two gigantic tracer experiments have been utilized via14CO2measurements over the years to produce a wealth of knowledge in multiple research fields including atmospheric carbon cycle research, oceanography, soil science, and aging of post-bomb materials.
Whose Museum Is It? Jewish Museums and Indigenous Theory
Authors: Feller Yaniv
Published: October 2021

Are museums places about a community or for the community? This article addresses this question by bringing into conversation Jewish museums and Indigenous museum theory, with special attention paid to two major institutions: the Jewish Museum Berlin and the National Museum of the American Indian. The JMB’s exhibitions and the controversies surrounding them, I contend, allow us to see the limits of rhetorical sovereignty, namely the ability and right of a community to determine the narrative. The comparison between Indigenous and Jewish museal practices is grounded in the idea of multidirectional memory. Stories of origins in museums, foundational to a community’s self-understanding, are analyzed as expressions of rhetorical sovereignty. The last section expands the discussion to the public sphere by looking at the debates that led to the resignation of Peter Schäfer, the JMB’s former director, following a series of events that were construed as anti-Israeli and hence, so was the argument, anti-Jewish. These claims are based on two narrow conceptions: First, that of the source community that makes a claim for the museum. Second, on the equation of Jewishness with a pro-Israeli stance. Taken together, the presentation of origins and the public debate show the limits of rhetorical sovereignty by exposing the contested dynamics of community claims. Ultimately, I suggest, museums should be seen not only as a site for contestation about communal voice, but as a space for constituting the community.
Getting By: Neoliberal Governmentality and the Lack of Success in Instilling Financial Self-Reliance
Authors: CHONG YEN KIAT
Published: October 2021

The Short-To-Medium-Term Assistance (SMTA) is a state programme in Singapore providing financial, employment and other assistance to individuals in financial need. SMTA frames the resources that it provides as a temporary form of support that applicants should use to regain their financial self-reliance through employment. Drawing on eleven months of ethnographic fieldwork, this article identifies two forms of self-reliance which differ from the objective of the programme. First, informants worked to receive assistance by convincing Social Service Office (SSO) officers of their financial need; they further approached their Members of Parliament (MPs) to enhance the approval of their assistance. Second, informants worked to find jobs on their own rather than accept job recommendations from SSO officers and career consultants. The different forms of self-reliance illustrate the agency of informants to get by, which contrasts with the agency resource embedded in the neoliberal governmentality of SMTA. These ethnographic insights indicate that SMTA was unsuccessful in directing informants to work and achieve financial self-reliance.