bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Effect of Perceived Threats and Response Efficacy on Adaptation to Smog: An Instrumental Variables Design
Authors: Mehiriz Kaddour , Gosselin Pierre
Published: August 2021

Threats and response efficacyperceptions are core conceptsof the protection motivationtheory, and recent years have witnessed a considerable growth of research on the effect of thesefactors on adaptation to air pollution. However, few studies use appropriate designs to deal with endogeneity issues, a situation that raises serious questions on the validity of their findings. To overcome this problem, this study uses the instrumental variables method to test the effect of perceived threats and response efficacy on adaptation to smog episodes. The results of this study show that the conjunction of a moderate to high perception of threats with a high perception of response efficacy is positively associated with the adoption of the recommended behavior. The increase of perceived threats does not seem to have an effect on the behavior of individuals with low response efficacy perception. Moreover, change in perceived response efficacy does not lead to any change in the behavior of individuals with low threat perceptions. Concerning policy implications, this study suggests that smog warnings and health communication campaigns could be more effective if they provide accurate information simultaneously on air pollution level, its adverse effects, and advice on how to mitigate these effects.
Machine Learning Approaches to Identify Thresholds in a Heat-Health Warning System Context
Authors: Masselot Pierre , Chebana Fateh , Campagna Céline , Lavigne Éric , Ouarda Taha B.M.J. , Gosselin Pierre
Published: August 2021

During the last two decades, a number of countries or cities established heat-health warning systems in order to alert public health authorities when some heat indicator exceeds a predetermined threshold. Different methods were considered to establish thresholds all over the world, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. The common ground is that current methods are based on exposure-response function estimates that can fail in many situations. The present paper aims at proposing several data-driven methods to establish thresholds using historical data of health issues and environmental indicators. The proposed methods are model-based regression trees (MOB), multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), the patient rule-induction method (PRIM) and adaptive index models (AIM). These methods focus on finding relevant splits in the association between indicators and the health outcome but do it in different fashions. A simulation study and a real-world case study hereby compare the discussed methods. Results show that proposed methods are better at predicting adverse days than current thresholds and benchmark methods. The results nonetheless suggest that PRIM is overall the more reliable method with low variability of results according to the scenario or case.
Joint Quantile Regression for Spatial Data
Authors: Chen Xu , Tokdar Surya T.
Published: August 2021

Linear quantile regression is a powerful tool to investigate how predictors may affect a response heterogeneously across different quantile levels. Unfortunately, existing approaches find it extremely difficult to adjust for any dependency between observation units, largely because such methods are not based upon a fully generative model of the data. For analysing spatially indexed data, we address this difficulty by generalizing the joint quantile regression model of Yang and Tokdar (Journal of the American Statistical Association, 2017, 112(519), 1107–1120) and characterizing spatial dependence via a Gaussian or t-copula process on the underlying quantile levels of the observation units. A Bayesian semiparametric approach is introduced to perform inference of model parameters and carry out spatial quantile smoothing. An effective model comparison criteria is provided, particularly for selecting between different model specifications of tail heaviness and tail dependence. Extensive simulation studies and two real applications to particulate matter concentration and wildfire risk are presented to illustrate substantial gains in inference quality, prediction accuracy and uncertainty quantification over existing alternatives.
Organizational and financial aspects of a continuous renal replacement therapy program
Authors: Connor Michael J. , Lischer Eileen , Cerdá Jorge
Published: August 2021

Critically ill patients who develop severe acute kidney injury in the intensive care unit often require treatment with renal replacement therapies (RRTs). This complication is associated with severe morbidity and mortality and high costs, both during hospitalization and postdischarge. This article discusses the operational requirements to develop and conduct a RRT program, as well as the financial implications of this complex form of patient care. The management of these programs must occur in a context where a clear organizational and educational framework and a multidisciplinary team ensures safety, effectiveness, cost‐control, and a clear quality control framework.
Are people better employees than machines? Dehumanizing language and employee performance appraisals
Authors: Fowler Luke , Utych Stephen
Published: August 2021

Objective

Although performance appraisals are based on objective procedures, cognitive biases from appraisers may create avenues for errors in judgment of employee performance. Dehumanizing language, or metaphors that characterize humans in nonhuman terms (e.g., cogs in a machine), is one important way cognitive biases can occur

Method

We conduct a survey experiment
to determine if dehumanizing language affects perceptions of employee value or competency within the context of performance appraisals.

Result

Findings show that when employees are referred to in mechanistic terms, respondents perceive that employee to be deserve hire compensation, and be more competent, as compared to referring to employees in human or animalistic terms.

Conclusion

Conclusions suggest dehumanizing language is an important type of cognitive bias that affects individuals in administrative environments, and the managerial and ethical implications of its use require further examination.
The pro‐competitive effects of foreign firm entry: Evidence from the Korean retail sector
Authors: Hwang Kyung In
Published: August 2021

I investigate the effect of foreign entry on host country market competition. Using a firm‐level data set for the Korean retail sector during the process of FDI liberalisation, I find that the increase in the number of foreign stores caused average markups across local firms to fall. I show that the channel through which FDI decreases local firms’ markups increased competition as opposed to productivity spillovers.
Tumour necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL) loss in canine mammary carcinoma
Authors: Kim Soo‐Hyeon , Seung Byung‐Joon , Bae Min‐Kyung , Lim Ha‐Young , Cho Seung‐Hee , Sur Jung‐Hyang
Published: August 2021

Escaping apoptosis is a hallmark of cancer. Tumour necrosis factor‐related apoptosis‐inducing ligand (TRAIL), a central molecule that regulates the extrinsic apoptotic pathway, has been widely investigated in human oncology; however, investigations focusing on the endogenous expression of TRAIL in canine tumours are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to examine the expression of endogenous TRAIL in canine mammary tumours and analysed its correlation with downstream molecules Fas‐associated protein with death domain (FADD) and caspase‐3, and to the apoptotic index. A total of 147 samples, classified as normal mammary gland (n = 9), mammary adenoma (n = 30), low‐grade carcinoma (n = 42) and high‐grade carcinoma (n = 66), were included in the immunohistochemical analyses, and 43 samples with sufficient levels of RNA were analysed via RNA in situ hybridization and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labelling (TUNEL) assay. In immunohistochemistry, TRAIL protein expression was significantly decreased in high‐grade carcinoma compared to those in normal mammary gland and adenoma, with similar downregulation of TRAIL mRNA expression. Also, FADD and caspase‐3 expression positively correlated with TRAIL expression. However, the apoptotic index was paradoxically elevated in high‐grade tumours. Overall, these results suggest that the loss of TRAIL accompanied by dysregulation of TRAIL‐induced extrinsic apoptotic pathway molecules could affect malignant progression of canine mammary tumours.
THE RATIONALITY OF BEAUTY: AESTHETICS AND THE RENAISSANCE OF TELEOLOGY
Authors: Coelho Humberto Schubert
Published: August 2021

As is well‐known, the mechanistic ontology associated with the work of Descartes and Newton also challenged the irreducibility of final causes. This challenge undercut objective justifications of goodness and beauty. As one result, aesthetics has since been viewed largely or wholly as a subjective matter. In this article, however, I argue that the anti‐teleological turn has now been undermined because of new discoveries in sciences. I argue therefore that the claim can no longer be made that science compels us to reject classical and objective accounts of goodness and beauty in aesthetics. Such developments are important to a wide range of fields, including aesthetics and metaphysics, as well as science and religion.
PHOTODEGRADATION EFFECT ON OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF MANGOSTEEN PERICARP, BLACK GRAPE PEEL AND VIOLET BOUGAINVILLEA FLOWERS AS PHOTOSENSITIZER FOR SOLAR CELL APPLICATION
Authors: Mohd Arifin Nurul Alfatihah , Salleh Hasiah , Dagang Ahmad Nazri , Nik Ali Nik Aziz , Alias Nur Salihah , Kamarulzaman Nurul Huda
Published: August 2021

Alternative energy sources such as wind, solar, biomass, hydro, and geothermal have become imperative for green energy solutions. A growing demand of hybrid solar cells is yet another promising option toward green energy providing the opportunity to explore natural dye extracts from the plant. The natural dyes were extracted from mangosteen pericarp (MP), black grape peel (BGP), and violet bougainvillea flowers (VBF), respectively. The natural dyes were then undergoing degradation under exposure to the light for six weeks. UV-vis spectroscopy was used to characterize the optical absorption of the natural dyes. UV-vis result showed that MP absorbs three ranges of light, 400-600 nm (chlorophyll a), 530- 550 nm (anthocyanin), and 650-670 nm (chlorophyll a). After 6 weeks, MP gives the best in sustaining itself by having the lowest percentage of photodegradation (50.73 %) compare to BGP (83.88%) and VBF (65.66%). The natural dyes gave the FTIR vibration peaks of OH, C-H, C=O, and C-O-C functional groups. Therefore, this study provides significant contributes towards explaining the potential of MP as the promising photosensitizer in the development of the hybrid solar cell.
Assessing Global Needs When Identifying Potential Engineering for Global Development Projects
Authors: Mabey Christopher S. , Mattson Christopher A. , Dahlin Eric C.
Published: August 2021

With limited time and resources available to carry out Engineering for Global Development (EGD) projects, it can be difficult to know where those resources should be allocated to have greater potential for meaningful impact. It is easy to assume that projects should occur in a particular location based on personal experience or where other development projects are taking place. This can be a consideration, but it may not lead to the greatest social impact. Where to work on a project and what problem to work on are key questions in the early stages of product development in the context of EGD. To aid in this process, this article presents a method for assessing global needs to ensure thoughtful use of limited EGD resources. We introduce a method for identifying locations where there is human need, gaps in technological achievement, and what the work environment is in a country. Results of the method are compared to what countries receive the most foreign aid dollars per capita. Measures were calculated using the principal component analysis on data from development agencies. These results can help practitioners in selecting where to undertake development projects with an eye toward targeting locations that may yield high levels of social impact.
Mechanical Impedance of Rat Glabrous Skin and Its Relation With Skin Morphometry
Authors: Gök Çağlar , Devecioğlu İsmail , Güçlü Burak
Published: August 2021

The mechanical impedance of intact and epidermis-peeled rat glabrous skin was studied at two sites (digit and sole) and at two frequencies (40 Hz and 250 Hz). The thicknesses of skin layers at the corresponding regions were measured histologically from intact- and peeled-skin samples in every subject. Compared to intact sole skin, digital rat skin has thicker layers and higher mechanical resistance, and it is less stiff. The resistance of the skin significantly decreased after epidermal peeling at both the digit and the sole. Furthermore, peeling caused the reactance to become positive due to inertial effects. As the frequency was increased from 40 to 250 Hz, the resistance and stiffness also increased for the intact skin, while the peeled skin showed less frictional (i.e., resistance) but more inertial (i.e., positive reactance) effects. We estimated the mechanical properties of epidermis and dermis with lumped-element models developed for both intact and peeled conditions. The models predicted that dermis has higher mass, lower stiffness, and lower resistance compared to epidermis, similar to the experimental impedance results obtained in the peeled condition which consisted mostly of dermis. The overall impedance was simulated more successfully at 40 Hz. When both frequencies are considered, the models produced consistent results for resistance in both conditions. The results imply that most of the model parameters should be frequency-dependent and suggest that mechanical properties of epidermis can be related to its thickness. These findings may help in designing artificial skin for neuroprosthetic limbs.
Prediction-Optimization of the Effects of Di-Tert Butyl Peroxide-Biodiesel Blends on Engine Performance and Emissions Using Multi-Objective Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Sharma Prabhakar
Published: August 2021

Alternative fuels, such as biodiesel, can be used in place of fossil fuels, although they have a greater viscosity and a longer igniting delay. To compensate for these limitations, several additives are added to biodiesel. The cetane improver di-tert butyl peroxide (DTBP) was investigated as an additive in this work. DTBP was shown to influence the combustion and emission properties of waste cooking oil biodiesel-diesel blends. The multi-objective response surface technique (MORSM) with Box-Behnken design was used to decrease the number of trials to conserve precious resources such as human effort, time, and money. Theil's uncertainty for the model's predictive capabilities (Theil's U2) was less than 0.1189, demonstrating its robustness. Nash-Sutcliffe efficiency was excellent (0.9885–0.9995), with a mean absolute percentage error of less than 1.32%. The engine operating parameters that were optimized were 71.64% engine load, 4964 ppm DTBP additive, and 24.98-deg advance ignition timing. The MORSM-based proposed technique's reliability and robustness validate the usage of DTBP with biodiesel blends, model prediction, and optimization.
Spray characteristics of an ultrasonic microdroplet generator with a continuously variable operating frequency
Authors: Shan Li , Cui Mingyang , Meacham J. Mark
Published: August 2021

Droplet spraying is utilized in diverse industrial processes and biomedical applications, including nanomaterial synthesis, biomaterial handling, and inhalation drug delivery. Ultrasonic droplet generators transfer energy into bulk liquids using acoustic waves to disrupt the free liquid surface into fine microdroplets. We previously established a method combining ultrasonic actuation, resonant operation, and acoustic wave focusing for efficient spraying of various liquids (e.g., low surface tension fuels, high viscosity inks, and suspensions of biological cells). The microfabricated device comprises a piezoelectric transducer, sample reservoir, and an array of acoustic horn structures terminated by microscale orifices. Orifice size roughly dictates droplet diameter, and a fixed reservoir height prescribes specific device resonant frequencies of operation. Here, we incorporate a continuously variable liquid reservoir height for dynamic adjustment of operating parameters to improve spray efficiency in real-time and potentially tune the droplet size. Computational modeling predicts the system harmonic response for a range of reservoir heights from 0.5 to 3 mm (corresponding to operating frequencies from ∼500 kHz to 2.5 MHz). Nozzle arrays with 10, 20, and 40 μm orifices are evaluated for spray uniformity and stability of the active nozzles, using model predictions to explain the experimental observations.
Within-Session Reliability and Minimum Detectable Differences for Discrete Lower-Extremity Angles and Moments During Walking
Authors: Hawkins Jillian L. , Milner Clare E.
Published: August 2021

Differences in walking biomechanics between groups or conditions should be greater than the measurement error to be considered meaningful. Reliability and minimum detectable differences (MDDs) have not been determined for lower-extremity angles and moments during walking within a session, as needed for interpreting differences in cross-sectional studies. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine within-session reliability and MDDs for peak ankle, knee, and hip angles and moments during walking. Three-dimensional gait analysis was used to record walking at 1.25 m/s (±5%) in 18 men, 18–50 years of age. Peak angles and moments were calculated for 2 sets of 3 trials. Intraclass correlation coefficients (3, 3) were used to determine within-session reliability. In addition, MDDs were calculated. Within-session reliability was good to excellent for all variables. The MDDs ranged from 0.9° to 3.6° for joint angles and 0.06 to 0.15 N·m/kg for joint moments. Within-session reliability for peak ankle, knee, and hip angles and moments was better than the between-session reliability reported previously. Overall, our MDDs were similar or smaller than those previously reported for between-session reliability. The authors recommend using these MDDs to aid in the interpretation of cross-sectional comparisons of lower-extremity biomechanics during walking in healthy men.
The Effect of Partitioned Ticket Prices on Sport Consumer Perceptions and Enduring Attitudes
Authors: Hayduk Ted , Brison Natasha , Drayer Joris
Published: August 2021

The efficacy of partitioned pricing (PP) has been investigated in a range of industries. This work showed that the usefulness of PP is situational, with numerous contextual factors playing important roles. Ticket pricing scholarship has yet to devote adequate attention to PP as a focal variable, which is problematic given the industry’s reliance on ticket revenue and the “service” fees ubiquitous in the ticketing industry. In addition, there is a need to investigate the moderating factors unique to sport consumption, such as team identification and the entertainment value of live sport. Using a sample of 403 sport consumers, this study found that PP is associated with lower perceptions of fairness but not lower enduring attitudes about the platform. Thus, sport consumers are displeased by PP, but not enough to dissuade them from future purchases. The analysis found that team identification—the entertainment value of live sports entertainment value—can further offset negative perceptions of PP.
Fitness Philanthropy: Exploring a Movement at the Nexus of Leisure, Charity, and Events
Authors: Palmer Catherine , Filo Kevin , Hookway Nicholas
Published: August 2021

Sport is increasingly being used by individuals, charities, and corporate sponsors as a means of acquiring donors and fundraisers to support a variety of social and health causes. This paper examines five key features of fitness philanthropy that when considered together provide new sociological insight into a unique social phenomenon. These are: (a) peer-to-peer giving, (b) social media accounts of embodied philanthropy, (c) community connection and making a difference, (d) fitness philanthropy as social capital, and (e) charity and corporate giving. The significance of the paper is threefold. First, it highlights the ways in which fitness philanthropy points to the changing nature of sport, leisure, and physical activity, whereby fundraising is a key motivation for participation. Second, it examines the types of “empathy paths” created by fitness philanthropy with its emphasis on the body, social media, and peer-to-peer forms of organizational giving. Third, the paper seeks to answer critical questions about fitness philanthropy in the context of neoliberalism and “caring capitalism.” Bringing these themes into dialogue with broader research on the intersections between sport and charity adds to the body of sociological research on sport, philanthropy, well-being, and civic engagement by addressing novel conceptual frameworks for the embodied expression of these concerns.
Identification of a Novel Metallo-β-Lactamase, VAM-1, in a Foodborne Vibrio alginolyticus Isolate from China
Authors: Cheng Qipeng , Zheng Zhiwei , Ye Lianwei , Chen Sheng
Published: August 2021

A multidrug-resistant
Vibrio alginolyticus
isolate recovered from a shrimp sample with reduced carbapenem susceptibility produced a novel metallo-β-lactamase (MBL), VAM-1. That carbapenemase shared 67% to 70% amino acid identity with several VMB family subclass B1 MBLs, which were recently reported among some marine bacteria including
Vibrio
,
Glaciecola
, and
Thalassomonas
. The
bla
VAM-1
gene was located in a novel conjugative plasmid, namely, pC1579, and multiple copies of
bla
VAM-1
via an unusual mechanism of gene amplification were detected in pC1579.
Metabolism of Poly-β1,4-
N
-Acetylglucosamine Substrates and Importation of
N
-Acetylglucosamine and Glucosamine by Enterococcus faecalis
Authors: Keffeler Erica C. , Parthasarathy Srivatsan , Abdullahi Zakria H. , Hancock Lynn E.
Published: August 2021

Enterococcus faecalis
causes life-threatening health care-associated infections in part due to its intrinsic and acquired antibiotic resistance, its ability to form biofilms, and its nutrient versatility. Alternative nutrient acquisition systems are key factors that contribute to enterococcal colonization at biologically unique host anatomic sites.
Supplemental Material: Variscan intracrustal recycling by melting of Carboniferous arc-like igneous protoliths (Évora Massif, Iberian Variscan belt)
Authors: Castro A. , al. et
Published: August 2021

Table S1: SHRIMP U-Pb-Th zircon data of samples from Alto de São Bento (Évora Massif); Table S2: Amphibole thermobarometry results on the microprobe analyses from plutonic rocks of Hospistais intrusion.
Identification of treatment-warranted retinopathy of prematurity by neonatal nurse specialist
Authors: Ravelo Janette , Adams Gillian , Husain Shahid
Published: August 2021

Objective

To determine the accuracy in the identification of infants with treatment-warranted retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) by a trained and experienced ROP neonatal nurse specialist compared with skilled ophthalmologists.

Methods

A single-centre, prospective, blinded, agreement study was performed on a cohort of infants undergoing ROP screening. An experienced ROP neonatal nurse specialist obtained retinal images using a wide field digital retinal imaging system (WFDRI) on 127 infants and identified those with treatment-warranted ROP. This interpretation was compared with the interpretation of the same images by skilled ophthalmologists. The accuracy of the ROP nurse specialist’s interpretation was assessed for sensitivity and specificity compared with the gold standard interpretation by the ophthalmologists.

Results

The ROP nurse specialist performed 345 ROP screens on both eyes of 127 infants. The mean (SD) gestation age (weeks) and birth weight (g) of the infants screened was 26.8 (2.8) and 929 (327), respectively. The nurse specialist correctly identified all 8 infants with treatment-warranted ROP and 118/119 infants without. The sensitivity and specificity (95% CI) of ROP screening episodes were 100% (63% to 100%) and 99.7% (98.4% to 100.0%), respectively.

Conclusion

A trained and experienced ROP neonatal nurse specialist can correctly identify infants with treatment-warranted ROP using WFDRI. Further work is required to examine the generalisability of this finding and its impact on ROP screening services.
Pancreatic enzyme autodigestion of an unresectable retroperitoneal liposarcoma
Authors: Zeh Ryan , Wiseman Jason , Liebner David , Grignol Valerie
Published: August 2021

This is a case of a 71-year-old man who had multiple synchronous retroperitoneal liposarcoma (LPS) foci composed of both well-differentiated and dedifferentiated histologies. In addressing this, the patient underwent a margin negative resection of a 11.8×8.8 cm right-sided dedifferentiated LPS requiring pancreaticoduodenectomy; however, a 13.1×7.2 cm left-sided well-differentiated LPS (WDLPS) was not resected due to its involvement of the proximal mesenteric vessels. The patient’s postoperative course was complicated by grade B postoperative pancreatic fistula involving the anatomical territory of the residual WDLPS. Over the next 12 months, serial CT scans demonstrated a stepwise reduction in size of the WDLPS until it completely regressed. The authors hypothesise that enzymes shed from the pancreatic fistula initiated the autodigestion and subsequent necrosis of the WDLPS with associated tumour regression.
Before and beyond trust: reliance in medical AI
Authors: Kerasidou Charalampia (Xaroula) , Kerasidou Angeliki , Buscher Monika , Wilkinson Stephen
Published: August 2021

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing healthcare and the practice of medicine as data-driven science and machine-learning technologies, in particular, are contributing to a variety of medical and clinical tasks. Such advancements have also raised many questions, especially about public trust. As a response to these concerns there has been a concentrated effort from public bodies, policy-makers and technology companies leading the way in AI to address what is identified as a "public trust deficit". This paper argues that a focus on trust as the basis upon which a relationship between this new technology and the public is built is, at best, ineffective, at worst, inappropriate or even dangerous, as it diverts attention from what is actually needed to actively warrant trust. Instead of agonising about how to facilitate trust, a type of relationship which can leave those trusting vulnerable and exposed, we argue that efforts should be focused on the difficult and dynamic process of ensuring reliance underwritten by strong legal and regulatory frameworks. From there, trust could emerge but not merely as a means to an end. Instead, as something to work in practice towards; that is, the deserved result of an ongoing ethical relationship where there is the appropriate, enforceable and reliable regulatory infrastructure in place for problems, challenges and power asymmetries to be continuously accounted for and appropriately redressed.
Does the General Medical Council’s 2020 guidance on consent advance on its 2008 guidance?
Authors: Sarela Abeezar I
Published: August 2021

The General Medical Council renewed its guidance on consent in 2020. In this essay, I argue that the 2020 guidance does not advance on the earlier, 2008 guidance in regard to treatments that doctors are obliged to offer to patients. In both, doctors are instructed to not provide treatments that are not in the overall benefit, or clinical interests, of the patient; although, patients are absolutely entitled to decline treatment. As such, consent has two aspects, and different standards apply to each aspect. To explore this paradigm, I propose the reconceptualisation of consent as a person’s freedom to achieve treatment, using Amartya Sen’s approach. Sen explains that freedom has two aspects: process and opportunity. Accordingly, a patient’s freedom to achieve treatment would comprise a process for the identification of proper treatment, followed by an opportunity for the patient to accept or decline this treatment. As per Sen, the opportunity aspect is to be assessed by the standard of public reason, whereas the standard for the process aspect is variable and contingent on the task at hand. I then use this reconceptualised view of consent to analyse case law. I show that senior judges have conceived the patient’s opportunity to be encompassed in information, which is to be decided by public reason. On the other hand, the process aspect relies on the private reason of medical professionals. Given the nature of professionalism, this reliance is inescapable, and it is maintained in the case law that is cited in both guidances.
Different approach to medical decision-making in difficult circumstances: Kittay’s Ethics of Care
Authors: Butchart Liam , Krumenacker Kristin , Baig Aymen
Published: August 2021

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated advances in bioethical approaches to medical decision-making. This paper develops an alternative method for rationing care during periods of resource scarcity. Typical approaches to triaging rely on utilitarian calculations; however, this approach introduces a problematic antihumanist sentiment, inviting the proposition of alternative schemata. As such, we suggest a feminist approach to medical decision-making, founded in and expanding upon the framework of Eva Kittay’s Ethics of Care. We suggest that this new structure addresses the issue of medical decision-making during times of resource scarcity just as well as pure utilitarian approaches while better attending to their significant theoretical concerns, forming a coherent alternative to the current bioethical consensus.
Low-dose lipopolysaccharide protects nerve cells against spinal cord injury via regulating the PI3K–AKT–Nrf2 signaling pathway
Authors: Li Wei-Chao , Yao Shao-Ping , Zhang Jun , Liu Wei-Bing , Liu Jie , Geng Cheng-Kui
Published: August 2021

This study explored the molecular mechanism behind the protective effects from low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on an in-vitro model of spinal cord injury (SCI). For this, PC12 cells were treated with different concentrations of LPS and the cell counting kit-8 assay was used to measure the toxicity of LPS to the cells. Next, we used immunofluorescence to measure nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in PC12 cells. PC12 cells were then treated with IGF-1 (PI3K agonist) and LY294002 (PI3K inhibitor). An in-vitro model of SCI was then established via oxygen–glucose deprivation/reoxygenation. Rates of apoptosis were measured using flow cytometry and the TUNEL assay. Low-dose LPS increased the expression levels of Nrf2, p-PI3K/PI3K, and p-AKT/AKT, and facilitated nuclear translocation of Nrf2. The activation of PI3K–AKT signaling by IGF-1 significantly increased the expression of Nrf2, whereas inhibition of PI3K–AKT signaling significantly decreased the expression of Nrf2. Low-dose LPS reduced the apoptotic ratio of PC12 cells, decreased the expression levels of caspase 3 and caspase 9, and increased the expression levels of HO-1, NQO1, and γ-GCS. Low-dose LPS also reduced the rate of apoptosis and oxidative stress by activating the PI3K–AKT–Nrf2 signaling pathway. Collectively, the results indicate that PI3K–AKT–Nrf2 signaling participates in the protective effects from low-dose LPS in an in-vitro PC12 cell model of SCI.
New approaches to the design of analgesic medicinal substances
Authors: Rogachevskii Ilia V. , Plakhova Vera B. , Penniyaynen Valentina A. , Terekhin Stanislav G. , Podzorova Svetlana A. , Krylov Boris V.
Published: August 2021

A gamma-pyrone derivative, comenic acid, activates the opioid-like receptor-mediated signaling pathway that modulates the NaV1.8 channels in the primary sensory neuron membrane. These channels are responsible for the generation of the nociceptive signal; therefore, gamma-pyrones have great therapeutic potential as analgesics, and this effect deserves a deeper understanding. The novelty of our approach to the design of a medicinal substance is based on a combination of the data obtained from living neurons using very sensitive physiological methods and the results of quantum chemical calculations. This approach allows the correlation of the molecular structure of gamma-pyrones with their ability to evoke a physiological response of the neuron. Comenic acid can bind to two calcium cations. One of them is chelated by the carbonyl and hydroxyl functional groups, while the other forms a salt bond with the carboxylate anion. Calcium-bound gamma-pyrones have fundamentally different electrostatic properties from free gamma-pyrone molecules. These two calcium ions are key elements involved in ligand-receptor binding. It is very likely that ion-ionic interactions between these cations and anionic functional groups of the opioid-like receptor activate the latter. The calculated intercationic distance of 9.5 Å is a structural criterion for effective ligand-receptor binding of calcium-bound gamma-pyrones.
Stable and self-consistent charged gravastar model within the framework of $$f(R,\,T)$$ gravity
Authors: Bhar Piyali , Rej Pramit
Published: August 2021

In this work, we discuss the configuration of a gravastar (gravitational vacuum stars) in the context of $$f(R, \,T )$$

f
(
R
,

T
)

gravity by employing the Mazur–Mottola conjecture (Mazur and Mottola in Report No. LA-UR-01-5067, 2001; Mazur and Mottola, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 101:9545, 2004). The gravastar is conceptually a substitute for a black hole theory as available in the literature and it has three regions with different equation of states. By assuming that the gravastar geometry admits a conformal Killing vector, the Einstein–Maxwell field equations have been solved in different regions of the gravastar by taking a specific equation of state as proposed by Mazur and Mottola. We match our interior spacetime to the exterior spherical region which is completely vacuum and described by the Reissner–Nordström geometry. For the particular choice of $$f(R,\,T)$$

f
(
R
,

T
)

of $$f(R, \,T )=R+2\gamma T$$

f
(
R
,

T
)
=
R
+
2
γ
T

, here we analyze various physical properties of the thin shell and also present our results graphically for these properties. The stability analysis of our present model is also studied by introducing a new parameter $$\eta $$
η
and we explore the stability regions. Our proposed gravastar model in the presence of charge might be treated as a successful stable alternative of the charged black hole in the context of this version of gravity.
The scenario with hadronic dark matter
Authors: Kuksa Vladimir , Beylin Vitaly
Published: August 2021

In this paper, we analyze scenario with strongly interacting massive particles which follows from the Standard Model extension with singlet quark. The lightest new neutral hadron is stable, it can be interpreted as a candidate for hadronic dark matter. Here, we consider principal features of this scenario: large mass of new hadrons, fine and hyperfine splitting in the spectrum of hadron states, low-energy interaction with the standard particles. Both splitting effects lead to processes which can be registered in cosmic rays and deciphered as the hadronic dark matter manifestations. In this work, we reconsider and specify some results from our previous papers.
Closed geodesics on surfaces without conjugate points
Authors: Climenhaga Vaughn , Knieper Gerhard , War Khadim
Published: August 2021

We obtain Margulis-type asymptotic estimates for the number of free homotopy classes of closed geodesics on certain manifolds without conjugate points. Our results cover all compact surfaces of genus at least 2 without conjugate points.
Are Terrestrial Biological Invasions Different in the Tropics?
Authors: Chong Kwek Yan , Corlett Richard T. , Nuñez Martin A. , Chiu Jing Hua , Courchamp Franck , Dawson Wayne , Kuebbing Sara , Liebhold Andrew M. , Padmanaba Michael , Souza Lara , Andersen Kelly M. , Fei Songlin , Lee Benjamin P.Y.-H. , Lum Shawn , Luskin Matthew S. , Ngo Kang Min , Wardle David A.
Published: August 2021

Most biological invasion literature—including syntheses and meta-analyses and the resulting theory—is reported from temperate regions, drawing only minimally from the tropics except for some island systems. The lack of attention to invasions in the tropics results from and reinforces the assumption that tropical ecosystems, and especially the continental tropics, are more resistant to invasions. We have critically assessed biological invasions in the tropics and compared them with temperate regions, finding relatively weak evidence that tropical and temperate regions differ in their invasibility and in the traits that determine invader success and impacts. Propagule pressure and the traits that promote adaptation to disturbances (e.g., high fecundity or fast growth rates) are generally favorable to invasions in both tropical and temperate regions. We emphasize the urgent need for greater investment and regional cooperation in the study, prevention, and management of biological invasions in the tropics.
From Low- to Net-Zero Carbon Cities: The Next Global Agenda
Authors: Seto Karen C. , Churkina Galina , Hsu Angel , Keller Meredith , Newman Peter W.G. , Qin Bo , Ramaswami Anu
Published: August 2021

This article provides a systematic review of the literature on net-zero carbon cities, their objectives and key features, current efforts, and performance. We discuss how net-zero differs from low-carbon cities, how different visions of a net-zero carbon city relate to urban greenhouse gas accounting, deep decarbonization pathways and their application to cities and urban infrastructure systems, net-zero carbon cities in theory versus practice, lessons learned from net-zero carbon city plans and implementation, and opportunities and challenges in transitioning toward net-zero carbon cities across both sectors and various spatial fabrics within cities. We conclude that it is possible for cities to get to or near net-zero carbon, but this requires systemictransformation. Crucially, a city cannot achieve net-zero by focusing only on reducing emissions within its administrative boundaries. Cities must decarbonize key transboundary supply chains and use urban and regional landscapes to sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Because of carbon lock-in, and the complex interplay between urban infrastructure and behavior, strategic sequencing of mitigation action is essential for cities to achieve net-zero.
Methods—PETLION: Open-Source Software for Millisecond-Scale Porous Electrode Theory-Based Lithium-Ion Battery Simulations
Authors: Berliner Marc D. , Cogswell Daniel A. , Bazant Martin Z. , Braatz Richard D.
Published: August 2021

This article presents PETLION, which is an open-source, high-performance computing implementation of the porous electrode theory (PET) model in Julia. A typical runtime for a dynamic simulation of full charge or discharge is 3 ms on a laptop while allocating about 1 MB of total memory, and the software is seen to be two orders of magnitude faster than comparable software for some applications. At moderate spatial resolutions, the computation times are similar to those of reduced-order and reformulated models in the literature. Multiple numerical solvers and methods for their initialization are compared in terms of numerical convergence and computational times, for a wide variety of operating conditions. PETLION is shown to quickly and robustly simulate complex battery protocols such as the Galvanostatic Intermittent Titration Technique (GITT), and to achieve high performance when incorporated into real-time PET-based nonlinear model predictive control.
Basketball Sports Injury Prediction Model Based on the Grey Theory Neural Network
Authors: Zhang Fengyan , Huang Ying , Ren Wengang
Published: August 2021

Sports injuries will have an impact on the consistency and systemicity of the training process, as well as athlete training and performance improvement. Many talented athletes have had their careers cut short due to sports injuries. Preventing sports injuries is the best way for basketball players to reduce sports injuries. Many coaches and athletes on sports teams, on the other hand, are unaware of the importance of sports injury prevention. They only realize that the body’s sports functions are abnormal when it suffers from sports injuries. As a result, this paper proposes a gray theory neural network-based athlete injury prediction model. First, from the standpoint of a single model, the improved unequal interval model is used to predict sports injury by optimizing the unequal interval model in gray theory. The findings show that it is a good predictor of sports injuries, but it is a poor predictor of the average number of injuries. Following that, in order to overcome the shortcomings of a single model, a gray neural network combination model was used. A combination model of the unequal time interval model and BP neural network was determined and established. The prediction effect is significantly improved by combining the gray neural network mapping model and the coupling model to predict the two characteristics of sports injuries. Finally, simulation experiments show that the proposed method is effective.
[Retracted] A 3D‐2D Convolutional Neural Network and Transfer Learning for Hyperspectral Image Classification
Authors: Nyabuga Douglas Omwenga , Song Jinling , Liu Guohua , Adjeisah Michael
Published: August 2021

As one of the fast evolution of remote sensing and spectral imagery techniques, hyperspectral image (HSI) classification has attracted considerable attention in various fields, including land survey, resource monitoring, and among others. Nonetheless, due to a lack of distinctiveness in the hyperspectral pixels of separate classes, there is a recurrent inseparability obstacle in the primary space. Additionally, an open challenge stems from examining efficient techniques that can speedily classify and interpret the spectral‐spatial data bands within a more precise computational time. Hence, in this work, we propose a 3D‐2D convolutional neural network and transfer learning model where the early layers of the model exploit 3D convolutions to modeling spectral‐spatial information. On top of it are 2D convolutional layers to handle semantic abstraction mainly. Toward simplicity and a highly modularized network for image classification, we leverage the ResNeXt‐50 block for our model. Furthermore, improving the separability among classes and balance of the interclass and intraclass criteria, we engaged principal component analysis (PCA) for the best orthogonal vectors for representing information from HSIs before feeding to the network. The experimental result shows that our model can efficiently improve the hyperspectral imagery classification, including an instantaneous representation of the spectral‐spatial information. Our model evaluation on five publicly available hyperspectral datasets, Indian Pines (IP), Pavia University Scene (PU), Salinas Scene (SA), Botswana (BS), and Kennedy Space Center (KSC), was performed with a high classification accuracy of 99.85%, 99.98%, 100%, 99.82%, and 99.71%, respectively. Quantitative results demonstrated that it outperformed several state‐of‐the‐arts (SOTA), deep neural network‐based approaches, and standard classifiers. Thus, it has provided more insight into hyperspectral image classification.
[Retracted] Optimization Strategy of IoT Sensor Configuration Based on Genetic Algorithm‐Neural Network
Authors: Yang Yuanyuan
Published: August 2021

This article carries out the overall design framework of the IoT sensor data processing platform and analyzes the advantages of using the integrated construction platform. The platform is divided into two parts, a web management platform and a data communication system, and interacts with the database by integrating the business layers of the two into one. The web management platform provides configurable communication protocol customization services, equipment information, personal information, announcement information management services, and data collection information monitoring and analysis services. The collected data is analyzed by the sensor data communication service system and then provided to the web management platform for query and call. This paper discusses the theoretical basis of the combination of genetic algorithm and neural network and proposes the necessity of improving genetic algorithm. The improved level involves chromosome coding methods, fitness function selection, and genetic manipulation. We propose an improved genetic algorithm and use an improved genetic algorithm (IGA) to optimize the neural network structure. The finite element method is adopted, the finite element model is established, and the shock piezoelectric response is numerically simulated. The genetic neural network method is used to simulate the collision damage location detection problem. The piezoelectric sensor is optimized, and the optimal sensor configuration corresponding to its initial layout is obtained, which provides guidance for the optimal configuration of the actual piezoelectric sensor.
A Rare Anatomical Finding: Bilateral Accessory Mental Foramen
Authors: Karabıyık Zülfikar , Kıranatlı Mustafa
Published: August 2021

Aim. Accessory mental foramen (AMF) is a not common anatomical variation. During the surgical procedures involving the mandible such as implant surgery, periapical surgery, jaw surgeries, and periapical surgery and enucleation of pathologies at the mental region, obvious attention should be given to prevent postoperative sequelae. Case Report. Orthopantomograph (OPG) is routinely taken to visualize the maxillofacial region at a dental clinic. OPG shows exactly upper and lower jaw and teeth but superficially reveals some pathology or anatomic variation. It misses sometimes an anatomic landmark such as AMF. As the surgery is planned to a maxillofacial region, a detailed knowledge should be known before going into surgery to not interfere with anatomic landmarks. A 52-year-old male patient was referred to Kütahya Health Science University Dental Hospital, Turkey, to rehabilitate his bilateral partial edentulous lower jaw region. Implant surgery was planned in our patient. OPG was taken to evaluate the maxillofacial region but was unremarkable. Before the implant surgery, CBCT was obtained from our patient. CBCT and a three-dimensional reconstructed model of the male patient showed bilateral accessory mental foramen (AMF). Conclusion. Accessory mental foramen (AMF) carries additional innervation to the chin, mandibular anterior gingiva, and mental region. Reflection and protection of the AMF during the surgery can prevent hemorrhage and neurosensory disturbance at the mental region and can improve quality of life for the patient. CBCT has higher precision but also a higher price and radiation dose. Although anatomical variations are uncommon, they can be found on digital panoramic radiographs but in limited percentage.