bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Nutrition and Vitamin Deficiencies Are Common in Orthopaedic Trauma Patients
Authors: Handcox Jordan E. , Gutierrez-Naranjo Jose M. , Salazar Luis M. , Bullock Travis S. , Griffin Leah P. , Zelle Boris A.
Published: October 2021

Macro- and micronutrients play important roles in the biological wound-healing pathway. Although deficiencies may potentially affect orthopaedic trauma patient outcomes, data on nutritional deficiencies in orthopaedic trauma patients remain limited in the literature. The purpose of this study was to (1) evaluate the prevalence of macro- and micronutrient deficiencies in orthopaedic trauma patients with lower extremity fractures and (2) evaluate the impact of such deficiencies on surgical site complications. This retrospective study identified 867 patients with lower extremity fractures treated with surgical fixation from 2019 to 2020. Data recorded included albumin, prealbumin, protein, vitamins A/C/D, magnesium, phosphorus, transferrin and zinc, as well as wound complications. Nutritional deficiencies were found for prealbumin, albumin and transferrin at 50.5%, 23.4% and 48.5%, respectively. Furthermore, a high prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies (vitamin A, 35.4%; vitamin C, 54.4%; vitamin D, 75.4%; and zinc, 56.5%) was observed. We also recorded a statistically significant difference in wound complications in patients who were deficient in prealbumin (21.6% vs. 6.6%, p = 0.0142) and vitamin C (56.8% vs. 28.6%, p = 0.0236). Our study outlines the prevalence of nutritional deficiencies in an orthopaedic trauma population and identifies areas for possible targeted supplementation to decrease wound complications.
What Do We Know about Inequalities in NAFLD Distribution and Outcomes? A Scoping Review
Authors: Talens Mar , Tumas Natalia , Lazarus Jeffrey V. , Benach Joan , Pericàs Juan M.
Published: October 2021

With prevalence high and rising given the close relationship with obesity and diabetes mellitus, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is progressively becoming the most common chronic liver condition worldwide. However, little is known about the health inequalities in NAFLD distribution and outcomes. This review aims to analyze health inequalities in NAFLD distribution globally and to assess the health disparities in NAFLD-related outcomes. We conducted a scoping review of global health inequalities in NAFLD distribution and outcomes according to gender/sex, ethnicity/race, and socioeconomic position from PubMed’s inception to May 2021. Ultimately, 20 articles were included in the review, most (75%) of them carried out in the United States. Males were found to have a higher NAFLD prevalence (three articles), while available evidence suggests that women have an overall higher burden of advanced liver disease and complications (four articles), whereas they are less likely to be liver-transplanted once cirrhosis develops (one article). In the US, the Hispanic population had the highest NAFLD prevalence and poorer outcomes (seven articles), whereas Whites had fewer complications than other ethnicities (two articles). Patients with low socioeconomic status had higher NAFLD prevalence (four articles) and a higher likelihood of progression and complications (five articles). In conclusion, globally there is a lack of studies analyzing NAFLD prevalence and outcomes according to various axes of inequality through joint intersectional appraisals, and most studies included in our review were based on the US population. Available evidence suggests that NAFLD distribution and outcomes show large inequalities by social group. Further research on this issue is warranted.
Perirenal Adipose Tissue from Healthy Donor: Characteristics and Promise as Potential Therapeutic Cell Source
Authors: Lee Eun Hye , Chun So Young , Lee Jun Nyung , Chung Jae-Wook , Yoon Bo Hyun , Kim Hyun Tae , Kwon Tae Gyun , Ha Yun-Sok , Kim Bum Soo
Published: October 2021

Perirenal adipose tissue, one of the fat masses surrounding the kidneys, can be obtained from healthy donors during a kidney transplant. Perirenal adipose tissue has only ever been known as a connective tissue to protect the kidneys and renal blood vessels from external physical stimulation. Yet, recently, as adipose tissue has begun to be considered an endocrine organ, and perirenal adipose tissue is now regarded to have a direct effect on metabolic diseases. The characteristics of perirenal adipose tissue from a healthy donor are that: (1) There are a large number of brown adipose cells (70–80% of the total), (2) Most of the brown adipose cells are inactive in the resting cell cycle, (3) Activating factors are constant low-temperature exposure, hormones, metastasis factors, and environmental factors, (4) Anatomically, a large number of brown adipose cells are distributed close to the adrenal glands, (5) Beige cells, produced by converting white adipocytes to brown-like adipocytes, are highly active, (6) Activated cells secrete BATokines, and (7) Energy consumption efficiency is high. Despite these advantages, all of the perirenal adipose tissue from a healthy donor is incinerated as medical waste. With a view to its use, this review discusses the brown adipocytes and beige cells in perirenal adipose tissue from a healthy donor, and proposes opportunities for their clinical application.
Frequency of Early Intervention Sessions and Vocabulary Skills in Children with Hearing Loss
Authors: Wiggin Mallene , Sedey Allison L. , Yoshinaga-Itano Christine , Mason Craig A. , Gaffney Marcus , Chung Winnie
Published: October 2021

Background: A primary goal of early intervention is to assist children in achieving age-appropriate language skills. The amount of intervention a child receives is ideally based on his or her individual needs, yet it is unclear if language ability impacts amount of intervention and/or if an increased frequency of intervention sessions results in better outcomes. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the frequency of early intervention sessions and vocabulary outcomes in young children with hearing loss. Methods: This was a longitudinal study of 210 children 9 to 36 months of age with bilateral hearing loss living in 12 different states. Expressive vocabulary skills were evaluated using the MacArthur–Bates Communicative Development Inventories. Results: A higher number of intervention sessions reported at the first assessment predicted better vocabulary scores at the second assessment, and more sessions reported at the second assessment predicted better scores at the third assessment. For each increase in the number of sessions reported, there was a corresponding, positive increase in vocabulary quotient. In contrast, children’s vocabulary ability at an earlier time point did not predict intervention session frequency at a later point in time. Conclusions: A significant prospective effect was apparent with more therapy sessions resulting in improved vocabulary scores 9 months later. These findings underscore the importance of early intervention. Pediatricians and other health care professionals can help apply these findings by counseling parents regarding the value of frequent and consistent participation in early intervention.
Prognostic Value of Resistance Proteins in Plasma Cells from Multiple Myeloma Patients Treated with Bortezomib-Based Regimens
Authors: Robak Paweł , Szemraj Janusz , Mikulski Damian , Drozdz Izabela , Juszczak Karolina , Jarych Dariusz , Misiewicz Małgorzata , Kościelny Kacper , Fendler Wojciech , Robak Tadeusz
Published: October 2021

While multiple myeloma (MM) treatment with proteasome inhibitors and other agents yields encouraging results, primary and secondary resistance remains an emerging problem. An important factor in such treatment resistance is the overexpression of several proteins. The present study comprehensively evaluates the expression of POMP, PSMB5, NRF2, XBP1, cMAF and MAFb proteins in plasma cells isolated from the bone marrow of 39 MM patients treated with bortezomib-based regimens using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The proteins were selected on the basis of previous laboratory and clinical studies in bortezomib-treated MM patients. It was found that the expression of the investigated proteins did not significantly differ between bortezomib-sensitive and bortezomib-refractory patients. However, the expression of some proteins correlated with overall survival (OS); this was significantly shorter in patients with higher POMP expression (HR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.1–7.0, p = 0.0277) and longer in those with higher MAFB expression (HR 0.32, 95% CI: 0.13–0.80, p = 0.0147). Our results indicate that a high expression of POMP and MAFB in MM plasma cells may serve as predictors of OS in MM patients treated with bortezomib-based regimens. However, further studies are needed to determine the role of these factors in effective strategies for improving anti-myeloma therapy.
Knowledge and Attitudes toward Cornea Donation among Different Social Groups in Poland
Authors: Szkodny Dominika , Wróblewska-Czajka Ewa , Wylęgała Edward
Published: October 2021

Background: Limited access to corneal tissue for transplantation remains a challenge in many parts of the world. To date, little attention has been paid to the problem of the cornea donor shortage in Poland, where the number of waiting patients exceeds the number of transplants performed three-fold. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and willingness towards participating in corneal donation among different social groups in Poland. Methods: This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted among health professionals, medical students, clerics, teachers, journalists, employees and patients of the District Railway Hospital in Katowice. Online and paper questionnaires were used to collect socio-demographic data and information regarding awareness of, knowledge about and attitudes toward corneal donation. For health professionals and medical students, the questionnaires contained additional questions concerning knowledge and solutions for expanding the donor pool. Descriptive analysis and associations were evaluated using the chi2 test. Results: In the survey, 1026 participants took part, including 370 (36.06%, group 1) health professionals and 656 (63.94%, group 2) participants from a non-medical field. A total of 330 (89.18%) from group 1 and 528 (80.49%) respondents from group 2 expressed willingness to donate their corneas. The main reason for refusal of donation in both groups was a lack of knowledge concerning eye donation (7.8%). A social campaign (64.6%) was the most frequently chosen solution for increasing the number of potential donors by health professionals and medical students. In the group of doctors, not knowing how to report a potential donor was chosen as the greatest source of difficulty in donor reporting (40%). Conclusions: In the present study, the willingness to donate one’s eyes was substantial in both groups. Social campaigns and improving knowledge concerning the donor reporting process among health professionals might be beneficial in expanding the donor pool.
VEGF Concentration in a Preovulatory Leading Follicle Relates to Ovarian Reserve and Oocyte Maturation during Ovarian Stimulation with GnRH Antagonist Protocol in In Vitro Fertilization Cycle
Authors: Wu Wen-Bin , Chen Hsuan-Ting , Lin Jun-Jie , Lai Tsung-Hsuan
Published: October 2021

Serum vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is involved in follicular vascularization, oxygenation, and consequently in oocyte maturation and embryo development. Unanswered questions remain regarding the relationship of intrafollicular VEGF level in preovulatory leading follicles to oocyte maturation and ovarian reserve during ovarian stimulation. We conducted this study to investigate the relationship of intrafollicular VEGF level in the fluid of single preovulatory leading follicles to ovarian reserve and oocyte maturation in patients receiving GnRH antagonist in vitro fertilization (IVF) protocol treatment. One hundred and eighty-five patients receiving IVF treatment were recruited and assigned to low-, normal-, and high-ovarian-reserve groups according to their serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) level. Follicular fluid (FF) in preovulatory leading follicles, serum profiles, and clinical variables were collected for analysis. The result disclosed a significant among-group difference in FF VEGF concentration. Moreover, the serum AMH level was also negatively correlated with FF VEGF level. The oocyte maturation rate tended to be increased at higher AMH levels. FF VEGF concentration was significantly positively correlated with basal FSH level. In conclusion, FF VEGF concentration has a negative association with ovarian reserve level and oocyte maturation rate in patients undergoing GnRH antagonist IVF protocols.
Did the COVID-19 Pandemic Increase the Incidence of Acute Macular Neuroretinopathy?
Authors: Azar Georges , Bonnin Sophie , Vasseur Vivien , Faure Céline , Salviat Flore , Clermont Catherine Vignal , Titah Cherif , Farès Selim , Boulanger Elise , Derrien Sabine , Couturier Aude , Duvilliers Amélie , Manassero Anthony , Hage Rabih , Tadayoni Ramin , Behar-Cohen Francine , Mauget-Faÿsse Martine
Published: October 2021

Background: Acute macular neuroretinopathy (AMN) is an increasingly diagnosed disorder associated with several diseases. The aim of this study was to report the incidence of AMN cases diagnosed during the 2020 coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic year in a French hospital, and to describe their different forms. Methods: All patients diagnosed between 2019 and 2020, in Paris Rothschild Foundation Hospital, with AMN, paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM) and multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (MEWDS) were retrospectively collected using the software Ophtalmoquery® (Corilus, V1.86.0018, 9050 Gand, Belgium). Systemic and ophthalmological data from AMN patients were analyzed. Results: Eleven patients were diagnosed with AMN in 2020 vs. only one patient reported in 2019. The incidence of AMN significantly increased from 0.66/100,000 visits in 2019 to 8.97/100,000 visits in 2020 (p = 0.001), whereas the incidence of PAMM and MEWDS remained unchanged. Four (36%) of these AMN patients were tested for COVID-19 and received positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. Conclusions: The incidence of AMN cases increased significantly in our institution in 2020, which was the year of the COVID-19 pandemic. All AMN-tested patients received a positive COVID PCR test, suggesting a possible causative link. According to the different clinical presentations, AMN may reflect different severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogenic mechanisms.
Impact of Rhythm vs. Rate Control in Atrial Fibrillation on the Long-Term Outcome of Patients Undergoing Transcatheter Edge-to-Edge Mitral Valve Repair
Authors: Waechter Christian , Ausbuettel Felix , Chatzis Georgios , Cheko Juan , Fischer Dieter , Nef Holger , Barth Sebastian , Halbfass Philipp , Deneke Thomas , Kerber Sebastian , Kikec Jan , Mueller Hans-Helge , Divchev Dimitar , Schieffer Bernhard , Luesebrink Ulrich
Published: October 2021

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a highly prevalent comorbidity in patients with severe mitral valve regurgitation (MR) undergoing transcatheter mitral valve repair (TMVR) and has been shown to significantly worsen their outcome. However, data on the impact of AF treatment strategy in this rapidly growing cohort of patients is unknown. In a multicenter, observational cohort study, 542 consecutive patients undergoing TMVR were enrolled, and subsequently, comprehensive survival analyses according to AF status and therapy were performed using propensity score matching and Cox regression. In the analyzed cohort, 373 (73.3%) of the TMVR patients had concomitant AF. Of these patients, 212 (59%) were on rate control therapy and 161 (41%) were on rhythm control therapy. At 3 years, significantly reduced cumulative survival was observed for patients on rhythm compared to patients on rate control (46.7% (75/161) vs. 56.5% (91/161), p = 0.032). Amiodarone was used to a substantial extent for rhythm control and found to be an independent mortality predictor (Hazard Ratio 1.5, 95%CI 1.1–2.1, p = 0.04). The adverse outcome of concomitant AF in TMVR patients was confirmed (AF: 47.3% (126/266) vs. non-AF: 58.3% (78/133), p = 0.047). Rhythm control achieved almost exclusively pharmacologically is associated with an adverse outcome compared to the rate control of AF in TMVR. This raises awareness of the importance of AF and its treatment, as this seems to be a promising key point for improving the prognosis of TMVR patients.
Impaired Cardiac Sympathetic Innervation Increases the Risk of Cardiac Events in Heart Failure Patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Mechanical Dyssynchrony
Authors: Doi Takahiro , Nakata Tomoaki , Noto Takahiro , Mita Tomohiro , Nagahara Daigo , Yuda Satoshi , Hashimoto Akiyoshi
Published: October 2021

Background. Left ventricular mechanical dyssynchrony (LVMD), left ventricular hypertrophy, and impaired cardiac sympathetic innervation are closely related to the development of heart failure (HF) and unfavorable outcomes. Methods and Results. A total of 705 consecutive HF patients with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) < 50% were registered in our hospital HF database. LVMD and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) were evaluated three-dimensionally by gated myocardial perfusion SPECT. LVMD was measured as a heterogeneity index (phase SD) of the regional contraction phase angles calculated by Fourier analysis. Cardiac sympathetic innervation was quantified as a normalized heart-to-mediastinum ratio (HMR) of the 123I-metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) activity. The patients were followed up with a primary end point of lethal cardiac events (CEs) for 42 months. CEs were documented in 246 of the HF patients who had a greater phase SD, greater LVMI, and lower MIBG HMR than those in HF patients without CEs. In the overall multivariate analysis, phase SD, LVMI, and MIBG HMR were identified as significant CE determinants. The three biomarkers were incrementally related to increases in CE risks. Conclusions. Assessment of cardiac sympathetic innervation can further stratify patients with systolic heart failure at increased cardiac risk identified by left ventricular hypertrophy and mechanical dyssynchrony.
Decrease in CD14++CD16+ Monocytes in Low-Immunological-Risk Kidney Transplant Patients with Subclinical Borderline Inflammation
Authors: Caballero Abelardo , Vazquez-Sanchez Teresa , Ruiz-Esteban Pedro , Leon Myriam , Alonso-Titos Juana , Lopez Veronica , Sola Eugenia , Gutierrez Elena , Cabello Mercedes , Casas-Gonzalez Cristina , Pozo-Alvarez Rafael , Delgado-Burgos Juan , Hernandez Domingo
Published: October 2021

We determined the association between CD14++CD16+ monocytes and subclinical infiltrates that do not reach the histological threshold for rejection (≥Banff IA). We studied low-immunological-risk kidney-transplant recipients in a clinical trial (NCT02284464; EudraCT 2012-003298-24) whose protocol biopsy in the third month showed no significant changes or borderline lesions (BL). Flow cytometry was used to analyze the percentage of CD14++CD16+ monocytes in peripheral blood (PB) and blood from a fine-needle-aspiration biopsy (FNAB). A protocol biopsy was performed in 81 low-immunological-risk patients, of whom 15 were excluded (BK polyomavirus and rejection). The 28 (42.4%) with borderline lesions had significantly low levels of CD14++CD16+ in PB compared to patients with normal biopsies (7.9 ± 5.4 vs. 13.0 ± 12.8; p = 0.047). Patients without significant changes had similar percentages of CD14++CD16+ monocytes in the graft blood (GB) and FNAB blood. The percentage of these monocytes in the patients with an interstitial infiltrate, however, increased significantly in the FNAB blood compared to the GB: 16.9 ± 16.6 vs. 7.9 ± 5.4; p = 0.006. A difference of 50% in CD14++CD16+ in the GB versus the PB was a significant risk factor (p = 0.002) for BL, increasing the risk seven times. A decrease in CD14++CD16+ in the PB could be associated with the recruitment of these cells to the graft tissue in cases of subclinical BL inflammatory infiltrates below the threshold for rejection.
Multigene Phylogeny and Morphology Reveal Unexpectedly High Number of New Species of Cantharellus Subgenus Parvocantharellus (Hydnaceae, Cantharellales) in China
Authors: Zhang Ming , Wang Chao-Qun , Buyck Bart , Deng Wang-Qiu , Li Tai-Hui
Published: October 2021

The genus Cantharellus, commonly known as chanterelles, has recently been divided into six subgenera; however, wider sampling approaches are needed to clarify the relationships within and between these groups. A phylogenetic overview of Cantharellus subgenus Parvocantharellus in China was inferred based on the large subunit nuclear ribosomal RNA gene (nrLSU), the DNA-directed RNA polymerase II subunit 2 (rpb2), and the transcription elongation factor 1-alpha (tef1). A total of nine species from China were assigned to the subgenus, including seven novel species, namely Cantharellusaurantinus, C. austrosinensis, C. galbanus, C. luteolus, C. luteovirens, C. minioalbus, and C. sinominior, and two known species, namely C. albus and C. zangii. The detailed descriptions and illustrations were provided based on the newly obtained data, with the comparisons to closely related species. C. zangii was restudied based on the paratype specimens and multiple new collections from the type locality. Futhermore, the Indian species C. sikkimensis was identified as a synonym of C. zangii based on the morphological and molecular analyses. A key to the Chinese species belonging to the subg. Parvocantharellus is also provided.
Dynamics and Predictors of Cognitive Impairment along the Disease Course in Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Lopez-Soley Elisabet , Martinez-Heras Eloy , Andorra Magi , Solanes Aleix , Radua Joaquim , Montejo Carmen , Alba-Arbalat Salut , Sola-Valls Nuria , Pulido-Valdeolivas Irene , Sepulveda Maria , Romero-Pinel Lucia , Munteis Elvira , Martínez-Rodríguez Jose E. , Blanco Yolanda , Martinez-Lapiscina Elena H. , Villoslada Pablo , Saiz Albert , Solana Elisabeth , Llufriu Sara
Published: October 2021

(1) Background: The evolution and predictors of cognitive impairment (CI) in multiple sclerosis (MS) are poorly understood. We aimed to define the temporal dynamics of cognition throughout the disease course and identify clinical and neuroimaging measures that predict CI. (2) Methods: This paper features a longitudinal study with 212 patients who underwent several cognitive examinations at different time points. Dynamics of cognition were assessed using mixed-effects linear spline models. Machine learning techniques were used to identify which baseline demographic, clinical, and neuroimaging measures best predicted CI. (3) Results: In the first 5 years of MS, we detected an increase in the z-scores of global cognition, verbal memory, and information processing speed, which was followed by a decline in global cognition and memory (p < 0.05) between years 5 and 15. From 15 to 30 years of disease onset, cognitive decline continued, affecting global cognition and verbal memory. The baseline measures that best predicted CI were education, disease severity, lesion burden, and hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex volume. (4) Conclusions: In MS, cognition deteriorates 5 years after disease onset, declining steadily over the next 25 years and more markedly affecting verbal memory. Education, disease severity, lesion burden, and volume of limbic structures predict future CI and may be helpful when identifying at-risk patients.
Effective Connectivity between Major Nodes of the Limbic System, Salience and Frontoparietal Networks Differentiates Schizophrenia and Mood Disorders from Healthy Controls
Authors: Kandilarova Sevdalina , Stoyanov Drozdstoy St. , Paunova Rositsa , Todeva-Radneva Anna , Aryutova Katrin , Maes Michael
Published: October 2021

This study was conducted to examine whether there are quantitative or qualitative differences in the connectome between psychiatric patients and healthy controls and to delineate the connectome features of major depressive disorder (MDD), schizophrenia (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD), as well as the severity of these disorders. Toward this end, we performed an effective connectivity analysis of resting state functional MRI data in these three patient groups and healthy controls. We used spectral Dynamic Causal Modeling (spDCM), and the derived connectome features were further subjected to machine learning. The results outlined a model of five connections, which discriminated patients from controls, comprising major nodes of the limbic system (amygdala (AMY), hippocampus (HPC) and anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)), the salience network (anterior insula (AI), and the frontoparietal and dorsal attention network (middle frontal gyrus (MFG), corresponding to the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, and frontal eye field (FEF)). Notably, the alterations in the self-inhibitory connection of the anterior insula emerged as a feature of both mood disorders and SCZ. Moreover, four out of the five connectome features that discriminate mental illness from controls are features of mood disorders (both MDD and BD), namely the MFG→FEF, HPC→FEF, AI→AMY, and MFG→AMY connections, whereas one connection is a feature of SCZ, namely the AMY→SPL connectivity. A large part of the variance in the severity of depression (31.6%) and SCZ (40.6%) was explained by connectivity features. In conclusion, dysfunctions in the self-regulation of the salience network may underpin major mental disorders, while other key connectome features shape differences between mood disorders and SCZ, and can be used as potential imaging biomarkers.
Discovering Customer Purchase Patterns in Product Communities: An Empirical Study on Co-Purchase Behavior in an Online Marketplace
Authors: Kafkas Kenan , Perdahçı Ziya Nazım , Aydın Mehmet Nafiz
Published: October 2021

Marketplace platforms gather and store data on each activity of their users to analyze their customer purchase behavior helping to improve marketing activities such as product placement, cross-selling, or customer retention. Market basket analysis (MBA) has remained a valuable data mining technique for decades for marketers and researchers. It discovers the relationship between two products that are frequently purchased together using association rules. One of the issues with this method is its strict focus on binary relationships, which prevents it from examining the product relationships from a broader perspective. The researchers presented several methods to address this issue by building a network of products (co-purchase networks) and analyzing them with network analysis techniques for purposes such as product recommendation and customer segmentation. This research aims at segmenting products based on customers’ purchase patterns. We discover the patterns using the Stochastic Block Modeling (SBM) community detection technique. This statistically principled method groups the products into communities based on their connection patterns. Examining the discovered communities, we segment the products and label them according to their roles in the network by calculating the network characteristics. The SBM results showed that the network exhibits a community structure having a total of 309 product communities, 17 of which have high betweenness values indicating that the member products play a bridge role in the network. Additionally, the algorithm discovers communities enclosing products with high eigenvector centralities signaling that they are a focal point in the network topology. In terms of business implications, segmenting products according to their role in the system helps managers with their marketing efforts for cross-selling, product placement, and product recommendation.
Visualizing the Complexity of Knowledges to Support the Professional Development of University Teaching
Authors: Kinchin Ian M. , Correia Paulo R. M.
Published: October 2021

The idea that knowledge may exist in different forms may present a conceptual challenge for many university teachers. Our experience has shown that STEM teachers tend to view knowledge through a singular epistemological lens, driven by their disciplinary background. Such a restricted view impedes the development of teaching beyond traditional transmission models. In order to help STEM academics engage with a broader view of knowledge (and so help their students to engage in meaningful learning that does not exclude deeply held cultural perspectives), we propose a gateway into the ecology of knowledges. In this case, the gateway is created by using the analogy of protein structure—a complex idea that science teachers will be familiar with, and which demonstrates the importance of multiple perspectives on a single object. In this conceptual paper, we offer this as a tool to support the adoption of a multi-epistemic appreciation of knowledge that may lead to a more scholarly approach to university teaching.
Exploring the Effects of Contextual Factors on Residential Land Prices Using an Extended Geographically and Temporally Weighted Regression Model
Authors: Chai Zhengyuan , Yang Yi , Zhao Yangyang , Fu Yonghu , Hao Ling
Published: October 2021

A spatial and temporal heterogeneity analysis of residential land prices, in general, is crucial for maintaining high-quality economic development. Previous studies have attempted to explain the geographical evolution rule by studying spatial-temporal heterogeneity, but they have neglected the contextual information, such as school district, industrial zone, population density, and job density, associated with residential land prices. Therefore, in this study, we consider contextual factors and propose a revised local regression algorithm called the contextualized geographically and temporally weighted regression (CGTWR), to effectively address spatiotemporal heterogeneity, and to creatively extend the feasibility of importing the contextualization into the GTWR model. The quantitative impact of contextual information on residential land prices was identified in Shijiazhuang (SJZ) city from 1974 to 2021. Empirical analyses demonstrated that school district and industrial zone factors played important roles in residential land prices. Notably, the distance from a residential area to an industrial zone was significantly positively correlated with residential land prices. In addition, a positive relationship between school districts and residential land prices was also observed. Finally, the R2 value of the CGTWR model was 92%, which was superior to those of ordinary least squares (OLS, 76%), geographically weighted regression (GWR, 85%), contextualized geographically weighted regression (CGWR, 86%), and GTWR (90%) models. These evaluation results indicate that the CGTWR algorithm, which incorporates contextual information and spatiotemporal variation, could provide policy makers with evidence for understanding the nature of varying relationships within a land price dataset in China.
Spatio-Temporal Land-Use/Land-Cover Change Dynamics in Coastal Plains in Hangzhou Bay Area, China from 2009 to 2020 Using Google Earth Engine
Authors: Zhao Yinghui , An Ru , Xiong Naixue , Ou Dongyang , Jiang Congfeng
Published: October 2021

Land-use classification is fundamental for environmental and water resource evaluation in coastal plain areas. However, comprehensive remote sensing image-based land-use analysis is challenged by the lack of massive remote sensing images and the massive computing power of large-scale server systems. In this paper, the spatial-temporal land-use change characteristics of the Hangzhou Bay area coastal plain are investigated on the Google Earth Engine platform. The proposed model uses a random forest algorithm to assist the land-use classification. The dataset is selected from the year 2009 to 2020 and classified with an average classification accuracy of 89% and Kappa coefficient of 88%. The results show that the land use in the selected region is affected by urbanization, the balance of cultivated land occupation and compensation, construction of economic development zone, and other activities. The investigation also shows that in the past 12 years, land use has changed rapidly, and each land-use type maintains the dynamic balance of occupation and compensation. Although the overall land-use distribution is stable, the information entropy fluctuates at a high level, with an average value of 1.15, and the multi-year average value of equilibrium is as high as 0.83. The driving force of land-use change is analyzed and accounted as demographics and human population dynamics, social-economic development, urbanization, and coupling effects of the above-mentioned factors.
Plant Responses to Changing Water Supply and Availability in High Elevation Ecosystems: A Quantitative Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Sumner Emma , Venn Susanna
Published: October 2021

Climate change is expected to lead to changes to the amount, frequency, intensity, and timing of precipitation and subsequent water supply and its availability to plants in mountain regions worldwide. This is likely to affect plant growth and physiological performance, with subsequent effects to the functioning of many important high-elevation ecosystems. We conducted a quantitative systematic review and meta-analysis of the effects of altered water supply on plants from high elevation ecosystems. We found a clear negative response of plants to decreases in water supply (mean Hedges’ g = −0.75, 95% confidence intervals: −1.09 to −0.41), and a neutral response to increases in water supply (mean Hedges’ g = 0.10, 95% confidence intervals: 0.43 to 0.62). Responses to decreases in water supply appear to be related to the magnitude of change in water supply, plant growth form, and to the measured response attribute. Changes to precipitation and water supply are likely to have important consequences for plant growth in high elevation ecosystems, with vegetation change more likely be triggered by reductions than increases in growing season precipitation. High elevation ecosystems that experience future reductions in growing-season precipitation are likely to exhibit plant responses such as reduced growth and higher allocation of carbohydrates to roots.
Which PASI Outcome Is Most Relevant to the Patients in Real-World Care?
Authors: Kirsten Natalia , Rustenbach Stephan , von Kiedrowski Ralph , Sorbe Christina , Reich Kristian , Augustin Matthias
Published: October 2021

In psoriasis treatment, there is a high need to define meaningful endpoints and differences from the patient perspective to analyze patient-relevant differences of frequently used outcome methods for psoriasis under real-world conditions. A sample of 3116 patients from the German Psoriasis-Registry PsoBest was analyzed for clinical as well as patient-reported outcomes (PRO) after 3- and 6-month treatment. The parameters PASI, DLQI, and PBI were intercorrelated and related to two anchoring variables: (1) patient satisfaction with treatment and (2) perceived complete clearance. Baseline data were as follows: PASI 10.5 ± 9.1, DLQI 12.4 ± 3.4, and PBI 2.7 ± 0.3. There was an almost linear relationship between “complete patient satisfaction” and the relative differences in PASI in the range from PASI 25 to PASI 90. However, there was no additional benefit between PASI 90 and PASI 100. The same finding resulted from the anchoring variable “perception of complete healing”. When related to DLQI outcomes, relative PASI changes as well as absolute changes and PASI at 3 and 6 months showed relevant differences between the PASI classes 25 to 90 but not between PASI 90 and PASI 100. Under real-world conditions, changes in PASI and DLQI reflect patient-relevant benefits.
Residual Stress and Tribological Performance of ZrN Coatings Produced by Reactive Bipolar Pulsed Magnetron Sputtering
Authors: Laera Anna Maria , Massaro Marcello , Dimaio Domenico , Vencl Aleksandar , Rizzo Antonella
Published: October 2021

In the past few decades, ZrN thin films have been identified as wear resistant coatings for tribological applications. The mechanical and tribological properties of ZrN thin layers depend on internal stress induced by the adopted deposition techniques and deposition parameters such as pressure, temperature, and growth rate. In sputtering deposition processes, the selected target voltage waveform and the plasma characteristics also play a crucial influence on physical properties of produced coatings. In present work, ZrN thin films, obtained setting different values of duty cycle in a reactive bipolar pulsed dual magnetron sputtering plant, were investigated to evaluate their residual stress through the substrate curvature method. A considerable progressive increase of residual stress values was measured at decreasing duty cycle, attesting the significant role of voltage waveform in stress development. An evident correlation was also highlighted between the values of the duty cycle and those of wear factor. The performed analysis attested an advantageous effect of internal stress, having the samples with high compressive stress, higher wear resistance. A downward trend for wear rate with the increase of internal residual stress was observed. The choice of suitable values of duty cycle allowed to produce ceramic coatings with improved tribological performance.
Macroscopic and Mesoscopic Deterioration Behaviors of Concrete under the Coupling Effect of Chlorine Salt Erosion and Freezing–Thawing Cycle
Authors: Chen Shaojie , Ren Jianxi , Li Yugen , Ren Xiang , Song Yongjun , Sun Jielong
Published: October 2021

The aim of this study was to reveal the macroscopic and mesoscopic deterioration behaviors of concrete under the coupling effect of chlorine salt erosion and the freezing–thawing cycle. The rapid freezing–thawing test was carried out in a 5% chlorine salt environment. The macroscopic characteristics of concrete were analyzed by testing the mass, the relative dynamic modulus of elasticity, and the compressive strength of concrete under different freezing–thawing cycles. Using CT scanning technology and three-dimensional reconstruction technology, the pore structure, CT value, and surface deviation of concrete before and after freezing–thawing were analyzed. Based on the changes of solid volume, pore volume, and solid CT value of concrete, the calculation method of relative CT value was proposed, and the damage model was established with relative CT value as the damage variable. The results demonstrate that the mass loss rate decreases in the beginning and then increases in the process of chlorine salt erosion and freezing–thawing, and the smaller the concrete size, the greater the mass loss rate. The relative dynamic modulus of elasticity decreases gradually, slowly at the initial stage and then at a faster rate, and the compressive strength loss rate increases gradually. The pore quantity, porosity, and volume loss rate of concrete increase in a fluctuating manner, whereas the relative CT value decreases. The comprehensive analysis shows that the chlorine salt frost resistance of concrete is negatively related to the water-cement ratio when the freezing–thawing cycle is fixed. The damage model could better reflect the freezing–thawing damage degree of concrete with different water cement ratios, and the damage evolution process is well described by the Weibull function.
A Low-Cost, Portable, and Wireless In-Shoe System Based on a Flexible Porous Graphene Pressure Sensor
Authors: Cui Tianrui , Yang Le , Han Xiaolin , Xu Jiandong , Yang Yi , Ren Tianling
Published: October 2021

Monitoring gait patterns in daily life will provide a lot of biological information related to human health. At present, common gait pressure analysis systems, such as pressure platforms and in-shoe systems, adopt rigid sensors and are wired and uncomfortable. In this paper, a biomimetic porous graphene–SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) pressure sensor (PGSPS) with high flexibility, sensitivity (1.05 kPa−1), and a wide measuring range (0–150 kPa) is designed and integrated into an insole system to collect, process, transmit, and display plantar pressure data for gait analysis in real-time via a smartphone. The system consists of 16 PGSPSs that were used to analyze different gait signals, including walking, running, and jumping, to verify its daily application range. After comparing the test results with a high-precision digital multimeter, the system is proven to be more portable and suitable for daily use, and the accuracy of the waveform meets the judgment requirements. The system can play an important role in monitoring the safety of the elderly, which is very helpful in today’s society with an increasingly aging population. Furthermore, an intelligent gait diagnosis algorithm can be added to realize a smart gait monitoring system.
One Cut-Point Phase-Type Distributions in Reliability. An Application to Resistive Random Access Memories
Authors: Acal Christian , Ruiz-Castro Juan E. , Maldonado David , Roldán Juan B.
Published: October 2021

A new probability distribution to study lifetime data in reliability is introduced in this paper. This one is a first approach to a non-homogeneous phase-type distribution. It is built by considering one cut-point in the non-negative semi-line of a phase-type distribution. The density function is defined and the main measures associated, such as the reliability function, hazard rate, cumulative hazard rate and the characteristic function, are also worked out. This new class of distributions enables us to decrease the number of parameters in the estimate when inference is considered. Additionally, the likelihood distribution is built to estimate the model parameters by maximum likelihood. Several applications considering Resistive Random Access Memories compare the adjustment when phase type distributions and one cut-point phase-type distributions are considered. The developed methodology has been computationally implemented in R-cran.
On PSO-Based Simulations of Fuzzy Dynamical Systems Induced by One-Dimensional Ones
Authors: Kupka Jiří , Škorupová Nicole
Published: October 2021

Zadeh’s extension principle is one of the elementary tools in fuzzy set theory, and among other things, it provides a natural extension of a real-valued continuous self-map to a self-map having fuzzy sets as its arguments. The purpose of this paper is to introduce a new algorithm that can be used for simulations of fuzzy dynamical systems induced by interval maps. The core of the proposed algorithm is based on calculations including piecewise linear maps, and consequently, an implementation of an optimization algorithm (in our case, particle swarm optimization) was prepared to obtain necessary piecewise linear approximations. For all parts of this algorithm, we provide detailed testing and numerous examples.
Objective Bayesian Estimation for Tweedie Exponential Dispersion Process
Authors: Yan Weian , Zhang Shijie , Liu Weidong , Yu Yingxia
Published: October 2021

An objective Bayesian method for the Tweedie Exponential Dispersion (TED) process model is proposed in this paper. The TED process is a generalized stochastic process, including some famous stochastic processes (e.g., Wiener, Gamma, and Inverse Gaussian processes) as special cases. This characteristic model of several types of process, to be more generic, is of particular use for degradation data analysis. At present, the estimation methods of the TED model are the subjective Bayesian method or the frequentist method. However, some products may not have historical information for reference and the sample size is small, which will lead to a dilemma for the frequentist method and subjective Bayesian method. Therefore, we propose an objective Bayesian method to analyze the TED model. Furthermore, we prove that the corresponding posterior distributions have nice properties and propose Metropolis–Hastings algorithms for the Bayesian inference. To illustrate the applicability and advantages of the TED model and objective Bayesian method, we compare the objective Bayesian estimates with the subjective Bayesian estimates and the maximum likelihood estimates according to Monte Carlo simulations. Finally, a case of GaAs laser data is used to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed methods.
Effect of Voids and Internal State Variables in Elasticity of Porous Bodies with Dipolar Structure
Authors: Marin Marin , Vlase Sorin , Fudulu Iana , Precup Georgiana
Published: October 2021

In this study, we will prove that the presence of the voids and of the internal state variables in an elastic body with dipolar structure have no effect on the result of uniqueness regarding the solution of the initial-boundary value problem from this context. First, we put down the basic equations and conditions which define the initial-boundary value problem in the context. Then, by means of three theorems, we prove some auxiliary estimates that underlie the result of uniqueness. Finally, by means of these estimates and by using the Gronwall’s inequality, we prove our main result.
Evolutionary Game of Multi-Subjects in Live Streaming and Governance Strategies Based on Social Preference Theory during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Chen Tinggui , Peng Lijuan , Yang Jianjun , Cong Guodong , Li Guoping
Published: October 2021

After the outbreak of the COVID-19, offline consumption has been significantly impacted. For the sake of safety, online consumption has become the most common manner, and this has generated e-commerce, which not only breaks the spatio-temporal or regional restrictions, but also conforms to the normal economic development needs for epidemic prevention and control. However, this new business model causes problems such as the shortage of post-sales service, false publicity, and uneven quality of live streaming anchors, seriously affecting the interests of consumers. Therefore, it is urgent to strengthen the management of the chaos of live streaming. This study focuses on exploring the problems and the behavioral strategies of stakeholders in the governance process. The paper obtained online user comments by python, and used topic clustering and subject extraction methods to dig out the problems and related multiple subjects in live streaming at first. Secondly, the theory of social preference was introduced to construct an evolutionary game model among multiple subjects, and how to guide the behavioral decision-making of multiple subjects to standardize and rationalize was studied, so as to control the problem of live streaming. Finally, simulation experiments were conducted and the results demonstrated that: (1) Compared with strengthening the reciprocal preference of the government, live streaming platforms, and consumers, changing the individual’s altruistic preference is more effective in controlling the chaos of live streaming; (2) weakening the platform’s altruistic preference for anchors is conducive to creating a good live streaming environment; and (3) changing consumers’ altruistic preference or reciprocal preference is less effective in promoting the governance of the live streaming environment.