bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inner Ear Pharmacotherapy for Residual Hearing Preservation in Cochlear Implant Surgery: A Systematic Review
Authors: Parys Quentin-Alexandre , Van Bulck Pauline , Loos Elke , Verhaert Nicolas
Published: April 2022

Cochlear implantation initiates an inflammatory cascade in which both acute insertion trauma and chronic foreign body reaction lead to intracochlear fibrosis and loss of residual hearing. Several strategies have been proposed to attenuate the local reactive process after implantation, including intracochlear drug delivery. The present study gives an overview of what is being investigated in the field of inner ear therapeutics and cochlear implant surgery. The aim is to evaluate its potential benefit in clinical practice. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases identifying comparative prospective studies examining the effect of direct inner ear drug application on mechanical cochlear trauma. Both animal and human studies were considered and all studies were assessed for quality according to the validated risk of bias tools. Intracochlear administration of drugs is a feasible method to reduce the local inflammatory reaction following cochlear implantation. In animal studies, corticosteroid use had a significant effect on outcome measures including auditory brainstem response, impedance, and histological changes. This effect was, however, only durable with prolonged drug delivery. Significant differences in outcome were predominantly seen in studies where the cochlear damage was extensive. Six additional reports assessing non-steroidal agents were found. Overall, evidence of anti-inflammatory effects in humans is still scarce.
A Novel Allosteric Inhibitor Targets PLK1 in Triple Negative Breast Cancer Cells
Authors: Patel Jankiben R. , Thangavelu Prasad , Terrell Renee M. , Israel Bridg’ette , Sarkar Arindam Basu , Davidson A. Michael , Zhang Kun , Khupse Rahul , Tilghman Syreeta L.
Published: April 2022

While Polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) inhibitors have shown promise in clinical settings for treating triple-negative breast cancer tumors and other solid tumors, they are limited by their ability to bind non-selectively to the ATP kinase domain. Therefore, we sought to develop a PLK1 allosteric inhibitor targeting the PLK1 T-loop (a switch responsible for activation) and evaluate its effects in triple-negative breast cancer cells. A novel compound, RK-10, was developed based on an in silico model, and its effects on specificity, viability, migration, and cell cycle regulation in MCF-10A and MDA-MB 231 cells were evaluated. When MDA-MB 231 cells were treated with 0–50 µg/mL RK-10, phospho-PLK1 (Thr-210) was decreased in cells cultured adherently and cells cultured as mammospheres. RK-10 significantly inhibited viability after 24 h; however, by 48 h, 25–50 µM RK-10 caused >50% reduction. RK-10 attenuated wound healing by up to 99.7% and caused S and G2/M cell cycle arrest, which was associated with increased p21 expression. We developed a novel allosteric inhibitor which mediates anti-proliferative and anti-migratory properties through targeting phospho-PLK1 (Thr-210) in mammospheres and causing S phase and G2/M cell cycle arrest. Further development of PLK1 allosteric inhibitors may be a promising approach for TNBC treatment.
Combining Radiotherapy and Immunotherapy in Metastatic Breast Cancer: Current Status and Future Directions
Authors: David Steven , Tan Jennifer , Siva Shankar , Karroum Lama , Savas Peter , Loi Sherene
Published: April 2022

The role of radiotherapy and immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) is of emerging interest in many solid tumours, including breast cancer. There is increasing evidence that the host’s immune system plays an important role in influencing the response to treatment and prognosis in breast cancer. Several pre-clinical studies and clinical trials have reported on the ‘abscopal effect—regression of distant untreated tumour sites, mediated by an immunological response following ionizing radiation to a targeted tumour site. Stereotactic Ablative Body Radiotherapy (SABR) is a non-invasive technique used to augment various immune responses with an ablative tumoricidal dose when compared to conventional radiotherapy. SABR is characterized by typically 1–5 precision radiotherapy treatments that simultaneously deliver a high dose, whilst sparing normal tissues. Following SABR, there is evidence of systemic immune activation in patients with increased PD1 expression on CD8+ and CD4+ T cells. Studies continue to focus on metastatic triple-negative disease, a highly immunogenic subtype of breast cancer with poor prognosis. In this review, we discuss the immunological effect of SABR, alone and in combination with immunotherapy, and the importance of dose and fractionation. We also propose future strategies for treating oligometastatic disease, where this approach may be most useful for producing durable responses.
The Current State of Treatment and Future Directions in Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma
Authors: Ernst Madison , Giubellino Alessio
Published: April 2022

Malignant melanoma is the leading cause of death among cutaneous malignancies. While its incidence is increasing, the most recent cancer statistics show a small but clear decrease in mortality rate. This trend reflects the introduction of novel and more effective therapeutic regimens, including the two cornerstones of melanoma therapy: immunotherapies and targeted therapies. Immunotherapies exploit the highly immunogenic nature of melanoma by modulating and priming the patient’s own immune system to attack the tumor. Treatments combining immunotherapies with targeted therapies, which disable the carcinogenic products of mutated cancer cells, have further increased treatment efficacy and durability. Toxicity and resistance, however, remain critical challenges to the field. The present review summarizes past treatments and novel therapeutic interventions and discusses current clinical trials and future directions.
Efficacy and Safety of Topical Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Inhibitors for Facial Angiofibromas in Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis
Authors: Lin Yu-Ting , Yu Chia-Ling , Tu Yu-Kang , Chi Ching-Chi
Published: April 2022

Previous studies have suggested that the topical mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors may be effective in treating facial angiofibromas in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Various concentrations of topical sirolimus for TSC have been tested, but their comparative efficacy and safety remained unclear. To assess the effects of topical mTOR inhibitors in treating facial angiofibromas, we conducted a systematic review and network meta-analysis (NMA) and searched MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library for relevant randomized controlled trials on 14 February 2022. The Cochrane Collaboration tool was used to assess the risk of bias of included trials. Our outcomes were clinical improvement and severe adverse events leading to withdrawal. We included three trials on 261 TSC patients with facial angiofibromas. The NMA found when compared with placebo, facial angiofibromas significantly improved following the application of various concentrations of topical sirolimus (risk ratio being 3.87, 2.70, 4.43, and 3.34 for 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 1%, respectively). When compared with placebo, all concentrations of topical sirolimus did not differ in severe adverse events leading to withdrawal. The ranking analysis suggested topical sirolimus 0.2% as the most effective drug. In conclusion, topical sirolimus 0.05–1% are effective and safe in treating facial angiofibromas in patients with TSC, with topical sirolimus 0.2% being the most effective.
Microstructure and Hydrophobicity of the External Surface of a Sonoran Desert Beetle
Authors: Tellechea-Robles Luis E. , Méndez-Alonzo Rodrigo , Molina-Freaner Francisco E. , Maldonado Amir
Published: April 2022

We have studied the external surface (elytra) of the Sonoran Desert beetle (Eleodes eschscholtzii). Our aim was to assess whether this species has similar traits to some beetles from the Namibian Desert that are known to have hierarchical micropatterns that allow for water harvesting. We have conducted scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and apparent contact angle experiments on specimens collected at two sampling sites with different ambient humidity. The results show that the beetle’s external surface microstructure is composed of a compact array of polygons with randomly scattered protuberances. The density of the polygons in the microstructure is different for individuals collected in different sites: the polygon array is denser in the more humid site and less dense in the drier site. The measured contact angles also depend on the sampling site. For individuals collected in the drier site, the average apparent contact angle is 70°, whereas for the more humid site, the average apparent contact angle is 92°. FT-IR experiments are consistent with the presence of hydrophobic wax compounds in the studied surfaces. Our investigation opens new questions that are currently being addressed by experiments that are underway. For instance, it would be interesting to know whether the observed nanopatterns could be used in biomimetic devices for water harvesting purposes.
Post-Occupancy Evaluation of the Biophilic Design in the Workplace for Health and Wellbeing
Authors: Lei Qinghua , Lau Stephen Siu Yu , Yuan Chao , Qi Yi
Published: April 2022

There is mounting evidence suggesting that workplace design directly connects with workers’ health and wellbeing. Additionally, the personal status of the mind can affect subjective attitudes and feelings towards the environment. In this study, the impacts of biophilic design attributes in offices on workers’ health and wellbeing are examined. A new post-occupancy evaluation (POE) questionnaire is developed for evaluating the biophilic design for workplace health and wellbeing. A questionnaire and field observations of two green building offices in Singapore and Shenzhen, China, are performed. The main obtained results are: (i) the questionnaire results show that the workers have a moderately high evaluation of the biophilic attributes in the workplace for improving health and wellbeing; (ii) there are significant differences between the self-reported health and nature relatedness of various ages and genders. Furthermore, the present study provides designers with new weighted biophilic design guidelines, specifically for workplace design practices.
Pelvic Exenteration for the Treatment of Locally Advanced Vulvar Cancer in South West Wales
Authors: Abdulrahman Ganiy Opeyemi , Das Nagindra , Chandrasekaran Thipparajapura V. , Khot Umesh , Drew Peter J. , Bose Pradeep , Vet Jessica N. , Tofazzal Nasima , Roberts Shaun , Lutchman Singh Kerryn
Published: April 2022

The treatment of locally advanced vulvar carcinoma (LAVC) represents a major challenge. We investigated the role of pelvic exenteration as a treatment of LAVC. Women who underwent pelvic exenteration for primary and recurrent LAVC in our centre between 2001 and 2019 were included. Among the 19 women included during the study period, 14 women (73.7%) had primary LAVC while 5 women (26.3%) had recurrent disease. Surgical resection margins were microscopically clear (R0) in 94.7% of patients—14/14 undergoing primary treatment and 4/5 undergoing treatment for recurrent disease. Complete closure of the wound was achieved in 100% of women, with no wound left to heal by secondary intention. Tumour size was a predictor of requiring myocutaneous flap reconstruction, with all tumours less than 40 mm undergoing primary closure, while almost all tumours 40 mm diameter or greater (14/15 women) required flap reconstruction (p = 0.001). The 30-day major morbidity rate was 42% and there was no perioperative death. The mean overall survival was 144.8 months (2–206 months), with 1-, 2- and 5-year survival rates of 89.5%, 75.1% and 66.7%, respectively. In our centre, a primary surgical approach to the management of LAVC has resulted in good survival outcomes with acceptable morbidity rates.
Protective Effects of Growth Differentiation Factor-6 on the Intervertebral Disc: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study
Authors: Miyazaki Kunihiko , Miyazaki Shingo , Yurube Takashi , Takeoka Yoshiki , Kanda Yutaro , Zhang Zhongying , Kakiuchi Yuji , Tsujimoto Ryu , Ohnishi Hiroki , Matsuo Tomoya , Ryu Masao , Kuroda Ryosuke , Kakutani Kenichiro
Published: April 2022

Growth differentiation factors (GDFs) regulate homeostasis by amplifying extracellular matrix anabolism and inhibiting pro-inflammatory cytokine production in the intervertebral disc (IVD). The aim of this study was to elucidate the effects of GDF-6 on human IVD nucleus pulposus (NP) cells using a three-dimensional culturing system in vitro and on rat tail IVD tissues using a puncture model in vivo. In vitro, Western blotting showed decreased GDF-6 expression with age and degeneration severity in surgically collected human IVD tissues (n = 12). Then, in moderately degenerated human IVD NP cells treated with GDF-6 (100 ng/mL), immunofluorescence demonstrated an increased expression of matrix components including aggrecan and type II collagen. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis also presented GDF-6-induced downregulation of pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α (p = 0.014) and interleukin (IL)-6 (p = 0.016) gene expression stimulated by IL-1β (10 ng/mL). Furthermore, in the mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, Western blotting displayed GDF-6-induced suppression of p38 phosphorylation (p = 0.041) under IL-1β stimulation. In vivo, intradiscal co-administration of GDF-6 and atelocollagen was effective in alleviating rat tail IVD annular puncture-induced radiologic height loss (p = 0.005), histomorphological degeneration (p < 0.001), matrix metabolism (aggrecan, p < 0.001; type II collagen, p = 0.001), and pro-inflammatory cytokine production (TNF-α, p < 0.001; IL-6, p < 0.001). Consequently, GDF-6 could be a therapeutic growth factor for degenerative IVD disease.
Neuroprotective Effects of TRPM7 Deletion in Parvalbumin GABAergic vs. Glutamatergic Neurons following Ischemia
Authors: Zhang Pengju , Li Wei , Liu Yaan , Gao Yanqin , Abumaria Nashat
Published: April 2022

Oxidative stress induced by brain ischemia upregulates transient receptor potential melastatin-like-7 (TRPM7) expression and currents, which could contribute to neurotoxicity and cell death. Accordingly, suppression of TRPM7 reduces neuronal death, tissue damage and motor deficits. However, the neuroprotective effects of TRPM7 suppression in different cell types have not been investigated. Here, we found that induction of ischemia resulted in loss of parvalbumin (PV) gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABAergic) neurons more than Ca2+/calmodulin-kinase II (CaMKII) glutamatergic neurons in the mouse cortex. Furthermore, brain ischemia increased TRPM7 expression in PV neurons more than that in CaMKII neurons. We generated two lines of conditional knockout mice of TRPM7 in GABAergic PV neurons (PV-TRPM7−/−) and in glutamatergic neurons (CaMKII-TRPM7−/−). Following exposure to brain ischemia, we found that deleting TRPM7 reduced the infarct volume in both lines of transgenic mice. However, the volume in PV-TRPM7−/− mice was more significantly lower than that in the control group. Neuronal survival of both GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons was increased in PV-TRPM7−/− mice; meanwhile, only glutamatergic neurons were protected in CaMKII-TRPM7−/−. At the behavioral level, only PV-TRPM7−/− mice exhibited significant reductions in neurological and motor deficits. Inflammatory mediators such as GFAP, Iba1 and TNF-α were suppressed in PV-TRPM7−/− more than in CaMKII-TRPM7−/−. Mechanistically, p53 and cleaved caspase-3 were reduced in both groups, but the reduction in PV-TRPM7−/− mice was more than that in CaMKII-TRPM7−/− following ischemia. Upstream from these signaling molecules, the Akt anti-oxidative stress signaling was activated only in PV-TRPM7−/− mice. Therefore, deleting TRPM7 in GABAergic PV neurons might have stronger neuroprotective effects against ischemia pathologies than doing so in glutamatergic neurons.
Conservation of Heritage Sites in Kathmandu, Nepal: Assessing the Corrosion Threat from Pigeon Excreta on Metal Monuments
Authors: Shrestha Saroj , Khanal Laxman , Pandey Naresh , Kyes Randall C.
Published: April 2022

Pigeons have long been a common nuisance at numerous cultural sites in the Kathmandu Valley. Besides the health, economic and aesthetic issues caused by the pigeon excreta, this waste may also result in damaging effects to the materials used in Nepalese architecture, including metals such as copper and its alloys. This study assessed the impact of pigeon excreta on the metal-based monuments of cultural importance in the Kathmandu Valley. To test the corrosive effects of the excreta, fresh pigeon excreta were collected from three world heritage sites located around the Kathmandu Valley: Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan Durbar Squares. Additionally, metal samples, like those used in the monuments (including copper and its alloys bronze and brass), were obtained from metal shops in the surrounding area of Patan Durbar Square. The metal samples were cleaned, weighed, and immersed in pigeon excreta and placed in covered beakers for a duration of 122 days. During this study period, the metal samples were cleaned and weighed at multiple intervals during three designated exposure periods: Short-term duration (<10 days), Medium-term duration (10–42 days) and Long-term duration (42–122 days), to evaluate the degree of corrosion. Analysis of the metal samples showed a significant corrosion loss in copper but not in the alloys bronze and brass, thus indicating a stronger negative impact of pigeon excreta on copper compared to its alloys. Therefore, the use of copper-alloys instead of pure copper in monument renovation could serve as a useful alternative to help minimize the adverse effects of pigeon excreta. These findings provide an important insight in helping to promote the long-term preservation of cultural heritage sites.
Microwaved Vermicast Physicochemical Properties and Active Microbial Groups Impact on Photosynthetic Activity, Growth and Yield of Kale
Authors: Abbey Lord , Rao Zhixu , Lin Suwen
Published: April 2022

Microwave technology has wide applications, including extraction of active compounds in biomass and compost for agricultural use. A study was carried out to determine the effects of microwave power level from 0 (control) to 1000 W on the properties and active microbial groups in vermicast, and how it may impact the photosynthesis, plant growth, and yield of kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) ‘Red Russian’. Heat accumulation in the vermicast increased rapidly to a peak of 86 °C at 400 W before declining to 68 °C at 1000 W. Vermicast water loss increased exponentially up to 800 W before declining. The C:N ratio of the vermicast was reduced at ≥600 W while the pH remained the same. In a 2D-principal component analysis biplot, vermicast treated at 600, 800 and 1000 W were associated with Gram-positive (G+), GGram-negative (G−), G + G− bacteria, protozoa, and fungi groups while the 0, 200, and 400 W treated vermicast were associated with eukaryotes. However, the trend for total microbial mass was 200 W = 400 W > 0 W > 600 W = 800 W = 1000 W. Kale leaf anthocyanin, chlorophylls, and carotenoids were significantly (p = 0.001) increased by the 400 W or 600 W treatment compared to the other treatments. Stomatal conductance, transpiration, and photosynthesis rates were increased by the 400 W followed by the 600 W. As a result, yield of kale grown in the 400 W microwaved vermicast was the highest. Future studies will explain the functions of specific microbial populations and elemental composition in microwaved vermicast.
Selective Laser Melting of Pure Ag and 925Ag Alloy and Their Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Wang Di , Wei Yang , Wei Xiongmian , Khanlari Khashayar , Wang Zhi , Feng Yongwei , Yang Xusheng
Published: April 2022

Due to the high reflectivity of Ag to infrared lasers, there is little research focused on the manufacturing of Ag and Ag alloys by selective laser melting (SLM) technique. In this paper, the manufacturing characteristics, microstructure, and thermal conductivity of SLMed Ag, 925Ag, and their heat-treated parts were studied. With the suitable processing parameters, Ag and 925Ag samples with relative densities of 91.06% and 96.56%, respectively, were obtained. Due to the existence of non-molten particles inside the samples and local high energy density of the laser during the processing, a large number of irregular pores and micropores were formed in the microstructures. XRD analysis shows that no phase transition occurred in the annealed Ag and solution-treated 925Ag parts, as compared to their as-built conditions. The SLMed Ag exhibited fine equiaxed grains, while both columnar grains and elongated lath grains existed in the SLMed 925Ag parts. The annealed Ag and solution-treated 925Ag exhibited large equiaxed grains. Due to the grain growth that occurred in the microstructure, the thermal conductivity of Ag increased by 11.35% after completing the annealing treatment. However, that of 925Ag decreased by 17.14% after completing the solid solution treatment, due to the precipitation of the strengthening phase at grain boundaries. A comparison of the thermal conductivities of Ag and 925Ag shows that the influence of the materials on the obtained thermal conductivities was more pronounced than that of the porosity.
Chemical Vapor Deposition of Ferrimagnetic Fe3O4 Thin Films
Authors: Lan Feifei , Zhou Rui , Qian Ziyue , Chen Yuansha , Xie Liming
Published: April 2022

Ultrathin magnetic materials with room-temperature ferromagnetism/ferrimagnetism hold great potential in spintronic applications. In this work, we report the successful controllable growth of Fe3O4 thin films using a facile chemical vapor deposition method. Room-temperature ferrimagnetism was maintained in the as-grown Fe3O4 thin films down to 4 nm. Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis were conducted to reveal the structure and quality of the Fe3O4 film. Magnetization measurement showed ferrimagnetic hysteresis loops in all Fe3O4 thin films. A saturation magnetization of 752 emu/cm3 was observed for the 4 nm Fe3O4 film, which was higher than that of bulk Fe3O4 materials (480 emu/cm3). Additionally, the Verwey transition at ~120 K was visible for the Fe3O4 thin films. This work provides an alternative method of synthesizing ferrimagnetic ultrathin films for electronic, spintronic, and memory device applications.
Synthesis of New Homopiperazine-1.4-Diium Tetrachloridromercurate (II) Monohydrate (C5H14N2)[HgCl4]·H2O, Crystal Structure, Hirshfeld Surface, Spectroscopy, Thermal Analysis, Antioxidant Activity, Electric and Dielectric Behavior
Authors: Ayari Chaima , Alotaibi Abdullah A. , Baashen Mohammed A. , Alotaibi Khalid M. , Alharbi Khadijah H. , Othmani Abdelhak , Fujita Wataru , Nasr Cherif Ben , Mrad Mohamed Habib
Published: April 2022

Using acid–base assays and simple slow evaporation method at ambient temperature, we were successful in producing a novel salt with the chemical formula (C5H14N2)[HgCl4]·H2O. According to single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, the crystal packing was regulated by H-bonds and by Coulomb interactions (also called electrostatic interactions) between distinct entities, which formed a 3D network. The 2D fingerprint plots and the Hirshfeld surface were utilized to examine the effect of intermolecular interactions. FTIR spectroscopy, PL spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and electrical conductivity experiments were also carried out, and the antioxidant activity was tested.
Analysis of Electromagnetic Effects on Vibration of Functionally Graded GPLs Reinforced Piezoelectromagnetic Plates on an Elastic Substrate
Authors: Sobhy Mohammed , Al Mukahal F. H. H.
Published: April 2022

A new nanocomposite piezoelectromagnetic plate model is developed for studying free vibration based on a refined shear deformation theory (RDPT). The present model is composed of piezoelectromagnetic material reinforced with functionally graded graphene platelets (FG-GPLs). The nanocomposite panel rests on Winkler–Pasternak foundation and is subjected to external electric and magnetic potentials. It is assumed that the electric and magnetic properties of the GPLs are proportional to those of the electromagnetic materials. The effective material properties of the plate are estimated based on the modified Halpin–Tsai model. A refined graded rule is introduced to govern the variation in the volume fraction of graphene through the thickness of the plate. The basic partial differential equations are provided based on Hamilton’s principle and then solved analytically to obtain the eigenfrequency for different boundary conditions. To check the accuracy of the present formulations, the depicted results are compared with the published ones. Moreover, impacts of the variation in elastic foundation stiffness, plate geometry, electric potential, magnetic potential, boundary conditions and GPLs weight fraction on the vibration of the smart plate are detailed and discussed.
Dataset of Annotated Virtual Detection Line for Road Traffic Monitoring
Authors: Namatēvs Ivars , Kadiķis Roberts , Zencovs Anatolijs , Leja Laura , Dobrājs Artis
Published: April 2022

Monitoring, detection, and control of traffic is a serious problem in many cities and on roads around the world and poses a problem for effective and safe control and management of pedestrians with edge devices. Systems using the computer vision approach must ensure the safety of citizens and minimize the risk of traffic collisions. This approach is well suited for multiple object detection by automatic video surveillance cameras on roads, highways, and pedestrian walkways. A new Annotated Virtual Detection Line (AVDL) dataset is presented for multiple object detection, consisting of 74,108 data files and 74,108 manually annotated files divided into six classes: Vehicles, Trucks, Pedestrians, Bicycles, Motorcycles, and Scooters from the video. The data were captured from real road scenes using 50 video cameras from the leading video camera manufacturers at different road locations and under different meteorological conditions. The AVDL dataset consists of two directories, the Data directory and the Labels directory. Both directories provide the data as NumPy arrays. The dataset can be used to train and test deep neural network models for traffic and pedestrian detection, recognition, and counting.
Aggressive Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinomas Following Treatment for Graft-versus-Host Disease: A Case Report and Review of Risk Factors
Authors: Pendlebury Gehan A. , Bongiorno Michelle A. , Lackey Jeffrey N.
Published: April 2022

A 19-year-old female with a history of pre-B cell acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) presented with two aggressive cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (C-SCC) in the right hand. The patient was diagnosed with pre-B cell ALL at four years of age. She underwent chemotherapy with initial remission. However, recurrence of the pre-B cell ALL required an unrelated allogeneic cord hematopoietic stem cell transplant (alloHSCT). Post-transplant, the patient developed Graft-Versus-Host Disease (GVHD), which was treated with immunosuppressant therapy for six years until resolution. Fourteen years following the transplant, the patient developed a morbilliform drug eruption secondary to clindamycin. She consequently received prednisone treatment. During the treatment period, the patient developed a new ulcerated and tender nodule on the dorsal aspect of her right hand. Further histopathological biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of C-SCC, which required excision. Ten months following the excision, the patient developed an additional C-SCC nodule on the same right hand, separated by 2.6 cm from the prior C-SCC. She was referred for a ray resection procedure. This case illustrates a patient with multiple risk factors that may have contributed to the continued development of C-SCC. Such risk factors include: a prolonged course of immunosuppressant medications and voriconazole treatment. Additional research is needed to investigate the etiologies and risks of C-SCC development in patients who require a transplant and long-duration immunosuppressive therapy.
Modal Analysis of a Discrete Tire Model with a Contact Patch and Rolling Conditions Using the Finite Difference Method
Authors: Alobaid Faisal , Taheri Saied
Published: April 2022

Obtaining the modal parameters of a tire with ground contact and rolling conditions represents a challenge due to the complex vibration characteristic behaviors that cause the distortion of the tire’s symmetry and the bifurcation phenomena of the natural frequencies. An in-plane rigid–elastic-coupled tire model was used to examine the 200 DOF finite difference method (FDM) modal analysis accuracy under non-ground contact and non-rotating conditions. The discrete in-plane rigid–elastic-coupled tire model was modified to include the contact patch restriction, centrifugal force and Coriolis effect, covering a range from 0 to 300 Hz. As a result, the influence of the contact patch and the rotating tire conditions on the natural frequencies and modes were obtained through modal analysis.
First Record of the Red-Footed Falcon’s Nocturnal Flight Activity during the Nestling Period Using GPS Data
Authors: Ferrarini Alessandro , Gustin Marco
Published: April 2022

The red-footed falcon (Falco vespertinus) is a species that is of great interest to conservation. Because of this, understanding the red-footed falcon’s flight behavior is important for the conservation of this species. In this context, by using accurate GPS data-loggers, in 2019 and 2020, we analyzed its flight activity at the two largest colonies in Italy, and we collected 5840 GPS points. At night, all of the surveyed individuals were active during all of the hourly intervals, and they were in flight for about 10% of the time (40% in the daytime). The nocturnal flight activity showed a dual pattern: frequent and long-distance flights before sunrise (22.22% of time in flight; maximum distance from nest > 3 km) and after sundown (32.14% of time in flight; maximum distance from nest > 12 km), and limited and short-distance flights late at night (10 p.m.–5 a.m.; <5% of time in flight; maximum distance from nest < 100 m). Our study suggests that an increase in alfalfa crops and fallow land (in place of maize and soy crops) in the surroundings (i.e., 50–100 m) of the nests would considerably help this species to avoid, or at least to minimize, nocturnal flight activity, with expected improvements in its reproductive success. Our results are a step forward in advancing the knowledge of this important red-footed falcon population, which has been largely unknown so far. We provide here the first evidence ever of the red-footed falcon’s regular nocturnal flight activity during the nestling period (June–July).
Assessment for Learning: The University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine M.D. Program Experience
Authors: Tait Glendon R. , Kulasegaram Kulamakan Mahan
Published: April 2022

(1) Background: Programmatic assessment optimizes the coaching, learning, and decision-making functions of assessment. It utilizes multiple data points, fit for purpose, which on their own guide learning, but taken together form the basis of holistic decision making. While they are agreed on principles, implementation varies according to context. (2) Context: The University of Toronto MD program implemented programmatic assessment as part of a major curriculum renewal. (3) Design and implementation: This paper, structured around best practices in programmatic assessment, describes the implementation of the University of Toronto MD program, one of Canada’s largest. The case study illustrates the components of the programmatic assessment framework, tracking and making sense of data, how academic decisions are made, and how data guide coaching and tailored support and learning plans for learners. (4) Lessons learned: Key implementation lessons are discussed, including the role of context, resources, alignment with curriculum renewal, and the role of faculty development and program evaluation. (5) Conclusions: Large-scale programmatic assessment implementation is resource intensive and requires commitment both initially and on a sustained basis, requiring ongoing improvement and steadfast championing of the cause of optimally leveraging the learning function of assessment.
Circumnavigating the Revolving Door of an Ethical Milieu
Authors: Capewell Carmel , Frodsham Sarah , Paynter Kim Waring
Published: April 2022

This paper reflects on an Ethical Review Board’s (ERB) established structure of practice throughout a student-led project. We use the research project as a means of exploring the three questions set by the Editors, Fox and Busher, regarding the role of ERBs throughout the research process. We gained full university-level ethical approval in October 2020. This project initially focused on collecting data from students, from a UK university. The participatory way we collaborated with both undergraduates and postgraduates illuminated their individual unique perspectives and successfully facilitated their agentive contributions. This required on-going simultaneous negotiation of predetermined ethical procedures through the ERB. We termed this iterative process ‘circumnavigating the revolving door’ as it summarised revisiting ethical approval in the light of requests from our student participants. The participants were also invited to be part of the analysis and dissemination phase of this research. Original data collected related to personalised experiences of learning during the on-going global pandemic. The philosophical approach adopted was through an adaptation of Photovoice. That is, with limited direction by the researchers, the participants were invited to construct images (photos or hand drawn pictures), with captions (written text or voice), to explore their own educative circumstances. With this in mind, this paper explores the students’ participatory agency throughout this visual methods project through three lenses: namely, the appropriateness of ethical practices within a contextualised scenario (i.e., researching learning during lockdown in a higher educational institution); how the ethical process of an educational establishment supported the dynamic and iterative nature of participant-led research; and finally, how the original researchers’ experiences can inform ethical regulations and policy, both nationally and internationally. The circumnavigation of the revolving door of participatory ethics has proved invaluable during this research. This iterative cycle was necessary to incorporate the students (or co-researchers) suggested contributions. One example includes gaining the ERB’s approval, post full approval, for participants to audio record their own captions for a public facing website. From originally welcoming the students as participants, to facilitating them to become agentive co-researchers, it became increasingly important to provide them with opportunities to be actively involved in all parts of the research process. The reciprocal iterative relationship developed between co-researcher, researchers and the ERB served to strengthen the outcomes of the project.
STEM Education and Problem-Solving in Space Science: A Case Study with CanSat
Authors: Contente José , Galvão Cecília
Published: April 2022

Research has shown that hands-on projects promote stem education, namely via problem-solving. CanSat, literally ‘satellite in a can’, is a stem educational project promoted by the European Space Agency. This paper addresses this issue by researching this STEM project and trying to understand how secondary students solve problems in the STEM CanSat project. We use qualitative techniques of data collection and analysis. The results showed that students used sophisticated thinking strategies to process information within this interdisciplinary project: (a) cognitive testing, cognitive organization, cognitive regulation, and monitoring, in addition to computer language and physical-mathematical calculations, are cognitive and metacognitive behavior strategies revealed in the CanSat; (b) problem-solving was suggested as a specific model, where students’ higher cognitive and metacognitive ordering processes deepen in project development; (c) computational, lateral, or divergent and convergent thinking were detected as thinking types of students associated with and mobilized in the course of problem-solving. The findings of this research have practical implications for STEM education in space science. Hands-on projects using problem-solving are an essential strategy to promote STEM. This project reinforces this. Additionally, they are a starting point to promote meaningful learning and new thinking types.
Application of Weld Scar Recognition in Small-Diameter Transportation Pipeline Positioning System
Authors: Lv Zhen , Wang Guochen , Wang Zicheng , Zhao Huachuan , Gao Wei
Published: April 2022

In order to improve the positioning accuracy of the pipeline inspection gauge (PIG), a pipeline positioning method, based on weld location, is proposed. The position of the welding scar is recognized by wavelet transform modulus maxima (WTMM). Equidistant welding scars provide positioning references to the strap-down inertial navigation system (SINS)/dead reckoning (DR) navigation system, which is the positioning algorithm in PIG. The following improvements have been made in relation to prior research. First, we suggest a selection strategy for the optimal mother wavelet and decomposition level; based on the strategy, WTMM can recognize the collision response between the PIG and submerged weld in the burst noise for the inertial measurement unit (IMU) output. Then, characteristic position (CP), which is the site of the weld scar, and non-holonomic constraints are utilized to decrease the position and the attitude error. By doing such, the SINS/DR/CP algorithm is proposed. The positioning error of the modified algorithm is 0.129% in the experiment, which performs better than other algorithms.
CondNAS: Neural Architecture Search for Conditional CNNs
Authors: Park Gunju , Yi Youngmin
Published: April 2022

As deep learning has become prevalent and adopted in various application domains, the need for efficient convolution neural network (CNN) inference on diverse target platforms has increased. To address the need, a neural architecture search (NAS) technique called once-for-all, or OFA, which aims to efficiently find the optimal CNN architecture for the given target platform using genetic algorithm (GA), has recently been proposed. Meanwhile, a conditional CNN architecture, which allows early exits with auxiliary classifiers in the middle of a network to achieve efficient inference without accuracy loss or with negligible loss, has been proposed. In this paper, we propose a NAS technique for the conditional CNN architecture, CondNAS, which efficiently finds a near-optimal conditional CNN architecture for the target platform using GA. By attaching auxiliary classifiers through adaptive pooling, OFA’s SuperNet is successfully extended, such that it incorporates the various conditional CNN sub-networks. In addition, we devise machine learning-based prediction models for the accuracy and latency of an arbitrary conditional CNN, which are used in the GA of CondNAS to efficiently explore the large search space. The experimental results show that the conditional CNNs from CondNAS is 2.52× and 1.75× faster than the CNNs from OFA for Galaxy Note10+ GPU and CPU, respectively.
Analysis of Current and Future Forest Disturbances Dynamics in Central Europe
Authors: Gejdoš Miloš , Michajlová Katarína
Published: April 2022

The area of forests and the standing volume per hectare are constantly increasing in Europe, and this trend is expected to continue for several more decades; the aim of this paper was to provide an empirical overview of the development of disturbances in selected countries of central Europe and based on this overview to empirically model and predict the development and intensity of disturbances in the future. Statistical methods (Holt–Winters) and predictive risk models of the growth simulator SIBYLA were used for prediction. From the statistically predicted values by this method, it follows that, in the next three years, it is possible to assume that stagnation will result in declining volumes of incidental fellings in all countries. Forecast from the growth simulator SIBYLA shows a substantial increase in the predicted volume of incidental fellings for the years 2021 and 2022, compared with 2020. The volumes of incidental fellings should grow most significantly, especially in Germany, Poland, and Austria. The performed analysis and predictions suggest that the peak of wood volumes damaged by disturbances in the next decade will probably be reached already in the reports for 2021 or 2022. However, the risk of disturbances remains high, and other large-scale area disturbances in forest ecosystems cannot be completely ruled out.
Probiotics, Prebiotics, and Their Application in the Production of Functional Foods
Authors: Tarrah Armin
Published: April 2022

Food biotechnology innovation and development reached an estimated growth tendency rate of 28% per year [...]
Location Transparency Call (LTC) System: An Intelligent Phone Dialing System Based on the Phone of Things (PoT) Architecture
Authors: Khalil Haytham , Elgazzar Khalid
Published: April 2022

Phone of Things (PoT) extends the connectivity options for IoT systems by leveraging the ubiquitous phone network infrastructure, making it part of the IoT architecture. PoT enriches the connectivity options of IoT while promoting its affordability, accessibility, security, and scalability. PoT enables incentive IoT applications that can result in more innovative homes, office environments, and telephony solutions. This paper presents the Location Transparency Call (LTC) system, an intelligent phone dialing system for businesses based on the PoT architecture. The LTC system intelligently mitigates the impact of missed calls on companies and provides high availability and dynamic reachability to employees within the premises. LTC automatically forwards calls to the intended employees to the closest phone extensions at their current locations. Location transparency is achieved by actively maintaining and dynamically updating a real-time database that maps the persons’ locations using the RFID tags they carry. We demonstrate the system’s feasibility and usability and evaluate its performance through a fully-fledged prototype representing its hardware and software components that can be applied in real situations at large scale.
Length–Weight Relationships and Growth Parameters of Common and Leafy Seadragons (Syngnathidae) from a Public Aquarium
Authors: Pauly Daniel , Matsushige Leslee , Malacane Janet , Hay Amanda , Chu Elaine , Warren Melanie
Published: April 2022

The length–weight relationships (LWR) of the common seadragon Phyllopteryx taeniolatus (Lacepède, 1804) and the leafy seadragon Phycodurus eques (Günther, 1865), Syngnathidae, are presented in this paper, based on specimens raised in the Birch Aquarium at Scripps, La Jolla, California. Furthermore, we used the length at known age of 40 specimens of common and 15 leafy seadragons to estimate the parameter of the von Bertalanffy growth function (VBGF) for these species. Some of the pros and cons of the newly proposed length type used, ‘scalene length’ are presented. The parameters of the LWR and the VBGF parameters are discussed, with an emphasis on the rearing conditions, the peculiar anatomy of seadragons, especially of P. eques, and on the Gill-Oxygen Limitation Theory (GOLT).
Modeling the Chemical Pollution of the Area by the Random-Addition Method
Authors: Ekhlakov Roman , Romanova Ekaterina , Dogadina Elena , Korchagin Sergey , Gataullin Sergey , Mosiej Józef , Gataullin Timur , Nikitin Petr
Published: April 2022

Currently, a significant group of industrial facilities can be classified as chemically hazardous facilities (CHFs). To predict the spread of harmful impurities in the programs being developed, Gaussian and Lagrangian models are actively used, on the basis of which the complexes used both in the EMERCOM of Russia and in research organizations are being implemented. These complexes require the introduction of a large amount of information, including the characteristics of the wind field in the distribution of an emergency chemically hazardous substance, which limits their use. In systems, the formation of which is influenced by a large number of different random factors, spatial scaling (similarity) is often found, and one or another parameter can be described using the methods of fractal geometry, which in the past few decades has been actively and successfully applied to the description of various physical objects. The purpose of this study is to analyze the possibility of using the random-addition method for early prediction of the distribution of harmful impurities in the surface air layer during the short-term release of a substance on the surface as a result of an emergency.
Fractals Generated via Numerical Iteration Method
Authors: Al-shameri Wadia Faid Hassan , El Sayed Mohamed
Published: April 2022

In this research article, a modified algorithm for the generation of a fractal pattern resulting from the iteration of an algebraic function using the numerical iteration method is presented. This fractal pattern shows the dynamical behavior of the numerical iterations. A nonstandard convergence test of the displayable fractal pattern was applied.
Why Controlling the Asymptomatic Infection Is Important: A Modelling Study with Stability and Sensitivity Analysis
Authors: Pan Jiaji , Chen Zhongxiang , He Yixuan , Liu Tongliang , Cheng Xi , Xiao Jun , Feng Hao
Published: April 2022

The large proportion of asymptomatic patients is the major cause leading to the COVID-19 pandemic which is still a significant threat to the whole world. A six-dimensional ODE system (SEIAQR epidemical model) is established to study the dynamics of COVID-19 spreading considering infection by exposed, infected, and asymptomatic cases. The basic reproduction number derived from the model is more comprehensive including the contribution from the exposed, infected, and asymptomatic patients. For this more complex six-dimensional ODE system, we investigate the global and local stability of disease-free equilibrium, as well as the endemic equilibrium, whereas most studies overlooked asymptomatic infection or some other virus transmission features. In the sensitivity analysis, the parameters related to the asymptomatic play a significant role not only in the basic reproduction number R0. It is also found that the asymptomatic infection greatly affected the endemic equilibrium. Either in completely eradicating the disease or achieving a more realistic goal to reduce the COVID-19 cases in an endemic equilibrium, the importance of controlling the asymptomatic infection should be emphasized. The three-dimensional phase diagrams demonstrate the convergence point of the COVID-19 spreading under different initial conditions. In particular, massive infections will occur as shown in the phase diagram quantitatively in the case R0>1. Moreover, two four-dimensional contour maps of Rt are given varying with different parameters, which can offer better intuitive instructions on the control of the pandemic by adjusting policy-related parameters.
Egalitarian Allocations and Convexity
Authors: Dragan Irinel C.
Published: April 2022

In the Inverse Set, relative to the Shapley Value of a non-convex cooperative game, we derive a procedure to find out a convex game in which the Egalitarian Allocation is a coalitional rational value. The procedure depends on the relationship between two parameters called the Convexity Threshold and the Coalitional Rationality Threshold. Some examples follow and illustrate the procedure. We discussed a similar problem for other efficient values, the Shapley Value and the Egalitarian Nonseparable Contribution, in earlier work.