bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Non-volatile compact optical phase shifter based on Ge2Sb2Te5 operating at 2.3 µm
Authors: Miyatake Yuto , Ho Chong Pei , Pitchappa Prakash , Singh Ranjan , Makino Kotaro , Tominaga Junji , Miyata Noriyuki , Nakano Takashi , Toprasertpong Kasidit , Takagi Shinichi , Takenaka Mitsuru
Published: October 2022

We investigate an optical phase shifter based on Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) integrated with a Si waveguide at mid-infrared (MIR) wavelengths. Since the optical absorption of both amorphous and crystalline GST can be reduced at a longer wavelength, we demonstrate that the optical loss of the phase shifter can be reduced at MIR wavelengths. The measured optical loss per π phase shift of a phase-change material (PCM) phase shifter at 2.32 µm wavelength is 2.6 dB/π, which is more than 80 times smaller than that at 1.55 µm wavelength (21.7 dB/π) and more than 5 times smaller than that at 1.92 µm wavelength (9.7 dB/π). Moreover, resonance wavelength tuning of an add-drop micro-ring resonator using a PCM phase shifter at 2.32 µm wavelength is demonstrated owing to the low-loss optical phase shift. These findings reinforce the applicability of the approach toward a low-loss optical phase shifter based on PCMs operating at MIR wavelengths on a Si photonic platform for quantum computing, sensing, and optical communication.
Widespread expression of the ancient HERV-K (HML-2) provirus group in normal human tissues
Authors: Burn Aidan , Roy Farrah , Freeman Michael , Coffin John M.
Published: October 2022

Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) transcripts are known to be highly expressed in cancers, yet their activity in nondiseased tissue is largely unknown. Using the GTEx RNA-seq dataset from normal tissue sampled at autopsy, we characterized individual expression of the recent HERV-K (HML-2) provirus group across 13,000 different samples of 54 different tissues from 948 individuals. HML-2 transcripts could be identified in every tissue sampled and were elevated in the cerebellum, pituitary, testis, and thyroid. A total of 37 different individual proviruses were expressed in 1 or more tissues, representing all 3 LTR5 subgroups. Nine proviruses were identified as having long terminal repeat (LTR)-driven transcription, 7 of which belonged to the most recent LTR5HS subgroup. Proviruses of different subgroups displayed a bias in tissue expression, which may be associated with differences in transcription factor binding sites in their LTRs. Provirus expression was greater in evolutionarily older proviruses with an earliest shared ancestor of gorilla or older. HML-2 expression was significantly affected by biological sex in 1 tissue, while age and timing of death (Hardy score) had little effect. Proviruses containing intact gag, pro, and env open reading frames (ORFs) were expressed in the dataset, with almost every tissue measured potentially expressing at least 1 intact ORF (gag).
Altered expression response upon repeated gene repression in single yeast cells
Authors: Schuh Lea , Kukhtevich Igor , Bheda Poonam , Schulz Melanie , Bordukova Maria , Schneider Robert , Marr Carsten
Published: October 2022

Cells must continuously adjust to changing environments and, thus, have evolved mechanisms allowing them to respond to repeated stimuli. While faster gene induction upon a repeated stimulus is known as reinduction memory, responses to repeated repression have been less studied so far. Here, we studied gene repression across repeated carbon source shifts in over 1,500 singleSaccharomyces cerevisiaecells. By monitoring the expression of a carbon source-responsive gene, galactokinase 1 (Gal1), and fitting a mathematical model to the single-cell data, we observed a faster response upon repeated repressions at the population level. Exploiting our single-cell data and quantitative modeling approach, we discovered that the faster response is mediated by a shortened repression response delay, the estimated time between carbon source shift and Gal1 protein production termination. Interestingly, we can exclude two alternative hypotheses, i) stronger dilution because of e.g., increased proliferation, and ii) a larger fraction of repressing cells upon repeated repressions. Collectively, our study provides a quantitative description of repression kinetics in single cells and allows us to pinpoint potential mechanisms underlying a faster response upon repeated repression. The computational results of our study can serve as the starting point for experimental follow-up studies.
Transgenerational effects of alcohol on behavioral sensitivity to alcohol in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Guzman Dawn M. , Chakka Keerthana , Shi Ted , Marron Alyssa , Fiorito Ansley E. , Rahman Nima S. , Ro Stephanie , Sucich Dylan G. , Pierce Jonathan T.
Published: October 2022

Alcohol abuse and dependence have a substantial heritable component. Although the genome has been considered the sole vehicle of heritable phenotypes, recent studies suggest that drug or alcohol exposure may induce alterations in gene expression that are transmitted across generations. Still, the transgenerational impact of alcohol use (and abuse) remains largely unexplored in part because multigenerational studies using rodent models present challenges for time, sample size, and genetic heterogeneity. Here, we took advantage of the extremely short generation time, large broods, and clonal form of reproduction of the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We developed a model of pre-fertilization parental alcohol exposure to test alterations in behavioral responses to acute alcohol treatment (referred to in short as intoxication) in subsequent F1, F2 and F3 generations. We found that chronic and intermittent alcohol-treatment paradigms resulted in opposite changes to intoxication sensitivity of F3 progeny that were only apparent when controlling for yoked trials. Chronic alcohol-treatment paradigm in the parental generation resulted in alcohol-naïve F3 progeny displaying moderate resistance to intoxication. Intermittent treatment resulted in alcohol-naïve F3 progeny displaying moderate hypersensitivity to intoxication. Further study of these phenomena using this new C. elegans model may yield mechanistic insights into how transgenerational effects may occur in other animals.
To pretrain or not? A systematic analysis of the benefits of pretraining in diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Srinivasan Vignesh , Strodthoff Nils , Ma Jackie , Binder Alexander , Müller Klaus-Robert , Samek Wojciech
Published: October 2022

There is an increasing number of medical use cases where classification algorithms based on deep neural networks reach performance levels that are competitive with human medical experts. To alleviate the challenges of small dataset sizes, these systems often rely on pretraining. In this work, we aim to assess the broader implications of these approaches in order to better understand what type of pretraining works reliably (with respect to performance, robustness, learned representation etc.) in practice and what type of pretraining dataset is best suited to achieve good performance in small target dataset size scenarios. Considering diabetic retinopathy grading as an exemplary use case, we compare the impact of different training procedures including recently established self-supervised pretraining methods based on contrastive learning. To this end, we investigate different aspects such as quantitative performance, statistics of the learned feature representations, interpretability and robustness to image distortions. Our results indicate that models initialized from ImageNet pretraining report a significant increase in performance, generalization and robustness to image distortions. In particular, self-supervised models show further benefits to supervised models. Self-supervised models with initialization from ImageNet pretraining not only report higher performance, they also reduce overfitting to large lesions along with improvements in taking into account minute lesions indicative of the progression of the disease. Understanding the effects of pretraining in a broader sense that goes beyond simple performance comparisons is of crucial importance for the broader medical imaging community beyond the use case considered in this work.
Impact of preoperative magnetic resonance imaging on surgery and eligibility for intraoperative radiotherapy in early breast cancer
Authors: Chan Wai Yee , Cheah Wai Keong , Ramli Hamid Marlina Tanty , Md Shah Mohammad Nazri , Fadzli Farhana , Kaur Shaleen , See Mee Hoong , Mohd Taib Nur Aishah , Rahmat Kartini
Published: October 2022

We looked at the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in decision-making and surgical management of patients selected for intraoperative radiotherapy (IORT). We also compared lesion size measurements in different modalities (ultrasound (US), mammogram (MMG), MRI) against pathological size as the gold standard. 63 patients eligible for IORT based on clinical and imaging criteria over a 34-month period were enrolled. All had MMG and US, while 42 had additional preoperative MRI for locoregional preoperative staging. Imaging findings and pathological size concordances were analysed across the three modalities. MRI changed the surgical management of 5 patients (11.9%) whereby breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and IORT was cancelled due to detection of satellite lesion, tumor size exceeding 30mm and detection of axillary nodal metastases. Ten of 42 patients (23.8%) who underwent preoperative MRI were subjected to additional external beam radiotherapy (EBRT); 7 due to lymphovascular invasion (LVI), 2 due to involved margins, and 1 due to axillary lymph node metastatic carcinoma detected in the surgical specimen. Five of 21 (23.8%) patients without prior MRI were subjected to additional EBRT post-surgery; 3 had LVI and 2 had involved margins. The rest underwent BCS and IORT as planned. MRI and MMG show better imaging-pathological size correlation. Significant increase in the mean ‘waiting time’ were seen in the MRI group (34.1 days) compared to the conventional imaging group (24.4 days). MRI is a useful adjunct to conventional imaging and impacts decision making in IORT. It is also the best imaging modality to determine the actual tumour size.
Effects of learner control design in an AR-based exhibit on visitors’ museum learning
Authors: Lin Weijane , Lo Wen-Ting , Yueh Hsiu-Ping
Published: October 2022

This study shifts the focus away from demonstrating the existence of the effect toward understanding the mechanism by which the effect of AR operates in museum learning. By uncovering and describing the contingencies of AR from the perspectives of learner control, this study investigates how and when AR affects museum learning experiences, and to give insights into curation with AR. A between-subjects experiment was conducted with 48 college students divided into three groups. This study considered both qualitative and quantitative features of learner control and designed the AR control tools and experiment accordingly, and the findings supported the success of integrating the immersive technology of AR and the theoretical framework of learner control to construct museum exhibits. The results showed that visitors are willing to use the provided tools in museum AR and perform steadily in knowledge acquisition. In addition to offering more learner control in museums, AR promotes positive behaviors and attitudes. This study contributes to the field studies of learner control by linking learner control with the critical dimensions of AR-enhanced museum learning to provide more guidance in exhibit design. Based on the findings, practical suggestions on incorporating learner control in AR-based interactive exhibits are provided.
Platelet function testing using the Multiplate analyzer after administration of aspirin in Aachen minipigs
Authors: Franz Christiane , Bender Lara , Dorn Christoph , Sichtermann Thorsten , Minkenberg Jan , Franko Maximilian , Wiesmann Martin , Stockero Andrea , Nikoubashman Omid , May Rebecca , Ridwan Hani
Published: October 2022

Knowledge of platelet function in pigs and the effectiveness of antiplatelet therapy is important to ensure proper transferability from animal studies to humans. Our aim was to (1) characterize baseline platelet function of Aachen minipigs using the bedside Multiplate analyzer, (2) compare baseline platelet function with Göttingen minipigs, and (3) characterize platelet inhibition within the first 5 minutes after intravenous administration of acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). We characterized the baseline platelet function and hematological parameters in 9 Aachen minipigs. Historical data of 8 unmedicated Göttingen minipigs were used for comparison of baseline values. Platelet inhibition in Aachen minipigs was tested 1–5 minutes after intravenous administration of 500 mg ASA. Multiplate examinations included the following tests: ASPI test (to assess the effect of ASA), adenosine-diphosphate-test (ADP test) and thrombin receptor activating peptide test (TRAP test). Median values and interquartile range (IQR) of the Multiplate baseline tests in Aachen minipigs were as follows: ASPI: 39 U (IQR = 21–71), ADP: 70 U (IQR = 48–73), and TRAP: 8 U (IQR = 6–9), whereas the values in Göttingen minipigs were as follows: ASPI: 70.5 U (IQR = 60–78), ADP: 51 U (IQR = 45–66), and TRAP: 6.5 U (IQR = 4–8). ASPI values of Göttingen minipigs were significantly higher than those of Aachen minipigs (p = 0.046). Intravenous administration of ASA in Aachen minipigs resulted in significant platelet inhibition after 1 minute, which remained stable over a period of 5 minutes (p≤0.038). Aachen minipigs appeared to have a high variance in arachidonic acid-mediated platelet aggregation. In Aachen minipigs, intravenous ASA administration resulted in immediate platelet inhibition.
The interleukin-6/interleukin-23/T helper 17-axis as a driver of neuro-immune toxicity in the major neurocognitive psychosis or deficit schizophrenia: A precision nomothetic psychiatry analysis
Authors: Al-Hakeim Hussein Kadhem , Al-Musawi Ali Fattah , Al-Mulla Abbas , Al-Dujaili Arafat Hussein , Debnath Monojit , Maes Michael
Published: October 2022

Background

Schizophrenia and especially deficit schizophrenia (DSCZ) are characterized by increased activity of neuroimmunotoxic pathways and a generalized cognitive decline (G-CoDe). There is no data on whether the interleukin (IL)-6/IL-23/T helper 17 (IL-6/IL-23/Th17)-axis is more associated with DSCZ than with non-deficit schizophrenia (NDSCZ) and whether changes in this axis are associated with the G-CoDe and the phenome (a factor extracted from all symptom domains) of schizophrenia.

Methods

This study included 45 DSCZ and 45 NDSCZ patients and 40 controls and delineated whether the IL-6/IL-23/Th17 axis, trace elements (copper, zinc) and ions (magnesium, calcium) are associated with DSCZ, the G-CoDe and the schizophrenia phenome.

Results

Increased plasma IL-23 and IL-6 levels were associated with Th17 upregulation, assessed as a latent vector (LV) extracted from IL-17, IL-21, IL-22, and TNF-α. The IL-6/IL-23/Th17-axis score, as assessed by an LV extracted from IL-23, IL-6, and the Th17 LV, was significantly higher in DSCZ than in NDSCZ and controls. We discovered that 70.7% of the variance in the phenome was explained by the IL-6/IL-23/Th17-axis (positively) and the G-CoDe and IL-10 (both inversely); and that 54.6% of the variance in the G-CoDe was explained by the IL-6/IL-23/Th17 scores (inversely) and magnesium, copper, calcium, and zinc (all positively).

Conclusion

The pathogenic IL-6/IL-23/Th17-axis contributes to the generalized neurocognitive deficit and the phenome of schizophrenia, especially that of DSCZ, due to its key role in peripheral inflammation and neuroinflammation and its consequent immunotoxic effects on neuronal circuits. These clinical impairments are more prominent in subjects with lowered IL-10, magnesium, calcium, and zinc.
Theoretical research on reasonable shield support capacity in close-multiple coal seams with the coordinated mining: A case study of Qianjiaying coal mine
Authors: Li Yang , Ren Yuqi , Lei Xinghai , Wang Nan , Jin Xiangyang , Li Guoshuai
Published: October 2022

In order to assess the rationality of the rated shield support capacity (RSSC) experienced selection and guide the reasonable RSSC selection for the subsequent working faces of each coal seam, the coupling relationship between shield and roof strata was revealed during each coal seams mining. According to whether the fractured rock blocks generated by the main roof are articulated and whether the upper coal seam has been mined and influenced on the lower coal seam, two roof structure mechanical models of the rock blocks generated by the thick main roof and two calculation methods of a given load on the rock blocks are proposed. In addition, a selection method of roof structure model for maximum shield support capacity (MSSC) of close-multiple coal seams with the coordinated mining is put forward. Three roof structures to calculate the MSSC are established. Based on a case study of close-multiple coal seams with the coordinated mining in the Qianjiaying coal mine, the MSSC is calculated and analyzed in each coal seam combined with roof structure characteristics description, theoretical analysis, and field measurement. No.7, No.12-1, and No.5 coal seams mining are applicable to a voussoir beam balanced structure. No.8 coal seam mining is applicable to a balanced structure with a given load of loose body. No.9 coal seam mining is applicable to a voussoir beam balanced structure with a given load of loose body. Through the calculation, the MSSC of No.7, No.8, No.12-1, No.9, and No.5 coal seam is 3948.55kN, 4018.32kN, 4101.63kN, 3560.03kN, and 4015.30kN, respectively. And the RSSC suggested selection of each coal seam is 4500kN, 4300kN, 4300kN, 4000kN, and 4300kN, respectively. By field measurement, the RSSC experienced selection of each coal seam in the Qianjiaying coal mine is unreasonable with low support load utilization. However, after adopting the RSSC suggested selection in each coal seam, the support load utilization increased by 29.07%, 9.6%, 8.57%, 15.33%, and 11.39%.
Tri-objective generator maintenance scheduling model based on sequential strategy
Authors: Muthana Shatha Abdulhadi , Ku-Mahamud Ku Ruhana
Published: October 2022

A multi-objective modeling approach is required in the context of generator maintenance scheduling (GMS) for power generation systems. Most multi-objective modeling approaches in practice are modeled using a periodic system approach that caters for a fixed maintenance window. This approach is not suitable for different types of generating units and cannot extend the generator lifespan. To address this issue, this study proposes a tri-objective GMS model with three conflicting objectives based on the sequential system approach that accounts for operating hours and start-up times. The GMS model’s objectives are to minimize the total operation cost, maximize system reliability and minimize violation. The main difference between the proposed tri-objective GMS model and other multi-objective GMS models, is that the proposed model uses a sequential strategy based on operating hours and start-up times. In addition, the proposed model has considered the most important criteria in scheduling the generator maintenance, and this reflects the real-life requirements in electrical power systems. A multi-objective graph model is also developed to generate the maintenance units scheduling and used in developing the proposed Pareto ant colony system (PACS) algorithm. A PACS algorithm is proposed to implement the model and obtain solution for GMS. The performance of the proposed model was evaluated using the IEEE RTS 26, 32, and 36-unit systems dataset. The performance metrics used comprise the GMS model objectives. The experimental results showed that the obtained solution from the proposed tri-objective GMS model was a robust solution by considering the different initial operational hours of the units.
Systematic review of international studies evaluating MDRD and CKD-EPI estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) equations in Black adults
Authors: Umeukeje Ebele M. , Koonce Taneya Y. , Kusnoor Sheila V. , Ulasi Ifeoma I. , Kostelanetz Sophia , Williams Annette M. , Blasingame Mallory N. , Epelbaum Marcia I. , Giuse Dario A. , Apple Annie N. , Kaur Karampreet , González Peña Tavia , Barry Danika , Eisenstein Leo G. , Nutt Cameron T. , Giuse Nunzia B.
Published: October 2022

Use of race adjustment in estimating glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) has been challenged given concerns that it may negatively impact the clinical care of Black patients, as it results in Black patients being systematically assigned higher eGFR values than non-Black patients. We conducted a systematic review to assess how well eGFR, with and without race adjustment, estimates measured GFR (mGFR) in Black adults globally. A search across multiple databases for articles published from 1999 to May 2021 that compared eGFR to mGFR and reported outcomes by Black race was performed. We included studies that assessed eGFR using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) and Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPICr) creatinine equations. Risk of study bias and applicability were assessed with the QUality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies-2. Of 13,167 citations identified, 12 met the data synthesis criteria (unique patient cohorts in which eGFR was compared to mGFR with and without race adjustment). The studies included patients with and without kidney disease from Africa (n = 6), the United States (n = 3), Europe (n = 2), and Brazil (n = 1). Of 11 CKD-EPI equation studies, all assessed bias, 8 assessed accuracy, 6 assessed precision, and 5 assessed correlation/concordance. Of 7 MDRD equation studies, all assessed bias, 6 assessed accuracy, 5 assessed precision, and 3 assessed correlation/concordance. The majority of studies found that removal of race adjustment improved bias, accuracy, and precision of eGFR equations for Black adults. Risk of study bias was often unclear, but applicability concerns were low. Our systematic review supports the need for future studies to be conducted in diverse populations to assess the possibility of alternative approaches for estimating GFR. This study additionally provides systematic-level evidence for the American Society of Nephrology—National Kidney Foundation Task Force efforts to pursue other options for GFR estimation.
Collaborative and individual learning of geography in immersive virtual reality: An effectiveness study
Authors: Sedlák Michal , Šašinka Čeněk , Stachoň Zdeněk , Chmelík Jiří , Doležal Milan
Published: October 2022

Many university-taught courses moved to online form since the outbreak of the global pandemic of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Distance learning has become broadly used as a result of the widely applied lockdowns, however, many students lack personal contact in the learning process. A classical web-based distance learning does not provide means for natural interpersonal interaction. The technology of immersive virtual reality (iVR) may mitigate this problem. Current research has been aimed mainly at specific instances of collaborative immersive virtual environment (CIVE) applications for learning. The fields utilizing iVR for knowledge construction and skills training with the use of spatial visualizations show promising results. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of collaborative and individual use of iVR for learning geography, specifically training in hypsography. Furthermore, the study’s goals were to determine whether collaborative learning would be more effective and to investigate the key elements in which collaborative and individual learning were expected to differ–motivation and use of cognitive resources. The CIVE application developed at Masaryk University was utilized to train 80 participants in inferring conclusions from cartographic visualizations. The collaborative and individual experimental group underwent a research procedure consisting of a pretest, training in iVR, posttest, and questionnaires. A statistical comparison between the geography pretest and posttest for the individual learning showed a significant increase in the score (p = 0.024, ES = 0.128) and speed (p = 0.027, ES = 0.123), while for the collaborative learning, there was a significant increase in the score (p<0.001, ES = 0.333) but not in speed (p = 1.000, ES = 0.000). Thus, iVR as a medium proved to be an effective tool for learning geography. However, comparing the collaborative and individual learning showed no significant difference in the learning gain (p = 0.303, ES = 0.115), speed gain (p = 0.098, ES = 0.185), or performance motivation (p = 0.368, ES = 0.101). Nevertheless, the collaborative learning group had significantly higher use of cognitive resources (p = 0.046, ES = 0.223) than the individual learning group. The results were discussed in relation to the cognitive load theories, and future research directions for iVR learning were proposed.
How do the smart travel ban policy and intercity travel pattern affect COVID-19 trends? Lessons learned from Iran
Authors: Nassiri Habibollah , Mohammadpour Seyed Iman , Dahaghin Mohammad
Published: October 2022

COVID-19, as the most significant epidemic of the century, infected 467 million people and took the lives of more than 6 million individuals as of March 19, 2022. Due to the rapid transmission of the disease and the lack of definitive treatment, countries have employed nonpharmaceutical interventions. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of the smart travel ban policy, which has been implemented for non-commercial vehicles in the intercity highways of Iran since November 21, 2020. The other goal was to suggest efficient COVID-19 forecasting tools and to examine the association of intercity travel patterns and COVID-19 trends in Iran. To this end, weekly confirmed cases and deaths due to COVID-19 and the intercity traffic flow reported by loop detectors were aggregated at the country’s level. The Box-Jenkins methodology was employed to evaluate the policy’s effectiveness, using the interrupted time series analysis. The results indicated that the autoregressive integrated moving average with explanatory variable (ARIMAX) model outperformed the univariate ARIMA model in predicting the disease trends based on the MAPE criterion. The weekly intercity traffic and its lagged variables were entered as covariates in both models of the disease cases and deaths. The results indicated that the weekly intercity traffic increases the new weekly COVID-19 cases and deaths with a time lag of two and five weeks, respectively. Besides, the interrupted time series analysis indicated that the smart travel ban policy had decreased intercity travel by around 29%. Nonetheless, it had no significant direct effect on COVID-19 trends. This study suggests that the travel ban policy would not be efficient lonely unless it is coupled with active measures and adherence to health protocols by the people.
Evaluation of topical oclacitinib and nail trimming as a treatment for murine ulcerative dermatitis in laboratory mice
Authors: Davison Steven E. , Emmer Kathryn M. , Ugiliweneza Beatrice , Sherwood Leslie C.
Published: October 2022

Murine ulcerative dermatitis (UD) is a common, multifactorial skin disease of C57BL/6 and C57BL/6-background strains of mice. Many treatment options have been previously reported but have been variably successful and may interfere with specific research studies. Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors, such as oclacitinib, have been used to treat allergic dermatitis in humans, dogs, and other species. Additionally, topical oclacitinib was shown to improve an induced model of dermatitis in mice. We hypothesized that topical application of oclacitinib in conjunction with hind limb nail trimming would improve UD lesion scores more than our institutional standard treatment regime using meloxicam, topical antibiotic ointment, and nail trimming or nail trimming alone. To test this, mice with naturally occurring UD were recruited to the study and assigned to one of three treatment groups (n = 14/group): nail trim only; nail trim plus meloxicam and topical triple antibiotic ointment; or nail trim plus topical oclacitinib. UD was assessed on days 1, 7, and 14 for all treatment groups, and scored based on a previously published scoring system that quantitatively scored UD lesions based on pruritus, character of the lesion, size of lesion, and location of lesion. Here we found that mean UD scores decreased from day 1 to day 7 and from day 1 to day 14 for all treatment groups. However, there was no significant difference in mean UD score between the treatment groups at any timepoint. These data show that topical oclacitinib and nail trimming together improved UD lesion scores comparably to our institutional standard treatment and nail trimming alone. However, further studies may be warranted to investigate other potential applications of oclacitinib to treat UD.
Comparison of alignment and spondylolysis fracture angle in bilateral and unilateral spondylolysis
Authors: Matsuzawa Kanta , Matsui Tomoyuki , Azuma Yoshikazu , Miyazaki Tetsuya , Hiramoto Machiko , Hashimoto Ruo , Kida Noriyuki , Morihara Toru
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Spondylolysis occurs bilaterally or unilaterally and bilateral spondylolysis increases the risk of developing isthmic spondylolisthesis. The characteristics of the lumbar lordosis angle (LLA), sacral slope angle (SSA), and spondylolysis fracture angle (SFA) in bilateral spondylolysis compared with those in unilateral spondylolysis have not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to compare the LLA, SSA, and SFA of bilateral and unilateral spondylolysis.

Materials and methods

Thirty-eight patients with lumbar spondylolysis who visited our clinic for an initial visit and 15 age-matched patients with a chief complaint of low back pain were included as controls. Computed tomography films were used to classify all spondylolysis patients into two groups: those with bilateral fractures (bilateral) and those with unilateral fractures (unilateral). The LLA and SSA were measured using lateral X-ray films and the SFA was measured using computed tomography films.

Results

The LLA was significantly higher in all spondylolysis patients than in the control group (p = .026). There was no significant difference in SSA between the spondylolysis and control groups (p = .28). The LLA was significantly higher in the bilateral group than in the unilateral group (p = .018). There was no significant difference in SSA between the bilateral and unilateral groups (p = .15). The SFA was significantly lower in the bilateral group than in the unilateral group (p = .024).

Conclusions

This study suggests that physical therapy for spondylolysis may be considered bilaterally and unilaterally.
Combinatorial interactions between viral proteins expand the potential functional landscape of the tomato yellow leaf curl virus proteome
Authors: Wang Liping , Tan Huang , Medina-Puche Laura , Wu Mengshi , Garnelo Gomez Borja , Gao Man , Shi Chaonan , Jimenez-Gongora Tamara , Fan Pengfei , Ding Xue , Zhang Dan , Ding Yi , Rosas-Díaz Tábata , Liu Yujing , Aguilar Emmanuel , Fu Xing , Lozano-Durán Rosa
Published: October 2022

Viruses manipulate the cells they infect in order to replicate and spread. Due to strict size restrictions, viral genomes have reduced genetic space; how the action of the limited number of viral proteins results in the cell reprogramming observed during the infection is a long-standing question. Here, we explore the hypothesis that combinatorial interactions may expand the functional landscape of the viral proteome. We show that the proteins encoded by a plant-infecting DNA virus, the geminivirus tomato yellow leaf curl virus (TYLCV), physically associate with one another in an intricate network, as detected by a number of protein-protein interaction techniques. Importantly, our results indicate that intra-viral protein-protein interactions can modify the subcellular localization of the proteins involved. Using one particular pairwise interaction, that between the virus-encoded C2 and CP proteins, as proof-of-concept, we demonstrate that the combination of viral proteins leads to novel transcriptional effects on the host cell. Taken together, our results underscore the importance of studying viral protein function in the context of the infection. We propose a model in which viral proteins might have evolved to extensively interact with other elements within the viral proteome, enlarging the potential functional landscape available to the pathogen.
Morality inside the matrix: A qualitative exploration of gamers’ moral considerations in video games
Authors: Ferchaud Arienne , Orme Stephanie , Daniel Emory S.
Published: October 2022

Many contemporary video games incorporate decision-making mechanics that can alter a game’s narrative experience for players. Often, these decisions challenge players to engage with questions of ethics, morality and empathy. Much of the previous research on moral decision-making in games assumes that players utilize real-world moral frameworks to make these decisions, without accounting for the way that game spaces function as unique sites for this type of decision-making. Video games can uniquely incentivize or punish players for their in-game decisions, shaping the way players engage with issues of morality. This study examines factors that influence how players approach moral decision-making in video games. Using semi-structured interviews with 24 individuals, we explored how both players’ real-world moral foundations and in-game constraints guide their moral decisions. Findings include how customizable avatars, subsequent playthroughs, in-game rewards and the manner in which a moral conflict is presented to players all influence their choices.
Editorial
Authors: Brezavšček Pia , Bozovičar Rok
Published: October 2022

Yugofuturism is a never-ending story, indeed worthy of having a chance at a new beginning. Two years ago, shortly after marking the centenary edition of the Maska magazine and after we organized the conference Precarity and Self-management?, which drew parallels between the potentials and traumas of the past and the present, and published the edition titled Yugofuturism (mainly due to the contributions’ countries of origin), we came to realise that we had not yet broached the futuristic dimensions of the open problems at all. In view of this, we organized (in cooperation with MGLC) another YUFU conference in the frame of the 34th Ljubljana Biennial of Graphic Arts in autumn of 2021, aiming to start a reflection on “the horizon of a common Yugoslav future” and to open up “the possibility of a certain Yugofuturist future.” The next edition of the YUFU conference will be held in September 2022 at the BITEF Festival in Belgrade. We are grateful to the co-organisers for recognising the potential of our idea as well as for their cooperation in the making of the present edition.
Erased From the Future with Unbearable Ease
Authors: Smole Simon
Published: October 2022

The little leftover spirit left circulating in the barren future is destined not to surpass the present. And while the utopians are collectively converting into optimists, utopianism is now serving as the backside of politics. There are only enough proponents of communism and other dreamers to fill one or two ships of fools at the most. The people never got their chance. What was it, truly, that Yugoslav socialism was trying to let its children know? We talked about what may and what has to follow, with four people from the land of a common former utopia.
A place that will be the last to collapse, but that will inevitably collapse
Authors: Ferčec Goran
Published: October 2022

The text was written at the request of the Steirischer Herbst 2019 festival within the framework of its program with the phrase Grand Hotel Abyss, a striking metaphor of the philosopher Georg Lukács, which he used to describe the European intellectual and cultural scene in its confrontation with the arrival of fascism. In five monologues, the text reconstructs the story of the hotel complex Haludovo, a decadent paradise for rich American gamblers on the Croatian island of Krk in former Yugoslavia. The author of the idea and the investor of this hotel complex was the American multimillionare Bob Guccione, owner of the adult magazine Penthouse. With this playground for the rich, Guccione thought he had found the formula to merge capitalism and socialism, to appease the hatreds of the Cold War. The Grand Palace Hotel Haludovo offered for a socialist country unimaginable luxury, but it went bankrupt already in 1973, just a year after the lavish opening party, and entered a slow but certain decline. Today, its ruins represent the remnants of many failed ideas – Yugoslavia and its model of socialism and social ownership, the transition and privatization of the 1990s and the weary concept of a sovereign Europe.
Yugofeminism: Legacy and Imagination
Authors: Dimitrova Kalia
Published: October 2022

What does my grandmother have in common with other women from Yugoslavia? What do I have in common with her? What do we as feminists today have in common with feminists from Yugoslavia? How do we embrace our unique yugofeminist past to imagine a possible feminist future for our region? This essays opens these questions up, through diving through family memories, connecting them with the key motivations and issues that brought hundreds of feminists together in Belgrade for the Drug-ca zena conference in Belgrade in 1078 and trying to bring those intimate and public histories to the present time, with the hope of imagining a possible future starting from there. Forty years after Drug-ca zena happened, when most social movements are being commodified by the states or the market, when most systems of care are being privatized and the ecosystem is slowly collapsing, it is needed to look back at our feminist legacy: for knowledge, strength, better understanding of ourselves and the systems of oppression we live in.
For waste’s sake: Stakeholder mapping of circular economy approaches to address the growing issue of clothing textile waste
Authors: Brydges Taylor , Henninger Claudia E. , Amasawa Eri , Hanlon Mary , Jones Celina
Published: October 2022

By now, it is well established that the fashion industry faces several social and environmental sustainability issues, including the growing problem of clothing textile waste. In recent years, the concept of circular economy (CE) has been put forth as a solution to drive the industry towards a more sustainable future, including as a strategy to reduce clothing textile waste. However, currently there is a gap in our understanding of how circular approaches are enacted by different stakeholders and if/how stakeholders are working together, especially when it comes to post-consumer clothing textile waste. To remedy this gap, this conceptual article draws on a wide range of secondary resources to propose a conceptual framework based on stakeholder mapping. The framework aims to help understand who is responsible for post-consumer textile waste and how they interact and work together, driven by three key questions: where do responsibility(ies) lie in addressing the growing challenge of textile waste, what actions are currently being taken across supply chains and stakeholders to address textile waste and what are the opportunities and challenges in conceptualizing CE practices through a stakeholder mapping approach? In exploring actions across four key stakeholder groups (policy-makers, fashion industry, clothing textile recyclers and actors from the not-for-profit sector), the need for engagement and collaboration across stakeholders, investment in recycling technology and infrastructure, and policy leadership are identified as key challenges facing the industry as it seeks to redress social and environmental challenges.
Using circularity as ‘permission to shop’ among Gen Z consumers
Authors: Richardson Clare , Boardman Rosy , Benstead Amy V.
Published: October 2022

This study explores the unintended consequences of circular fashion and whether perceptions of acting sustainably give consumers ‘permission to shop’. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of Gen Z consumers aged 18–24. Findings reveal that the circular initiatives that give ‘permission to shop’ are charity shops in terms of disposal and fashion brands’ sustainability initiatives, such as the incorporation of recycled materials in their product ranges, in terms of consumption. Charity shops are the disposal method consumers feel most comfortable engaging with, and access to them allows consumers to justify purchasing new clothes they do not need and may dispose of swiftly. In addition, consumers feel less guilty about shopping for items that they do not need when those items are made from ‘more sustainable’ or recycled materials.
Escorregamento de terras na encosta da Av. Elísio de Moura em Coimbra
Authors: Lemos Luís , Quinta Ferreira Mário
Published: October 2022

Fazem-se algumas considerações iniciais sobre a classificação de escorregamentos, métodos de análise, parâmetros de resistência ao corte e causas de instabilização de taludes. Descreve- se o deslizamento observado na encosta entre a Avenida Elísio de Moura e a Rua António Jardim. Apresentam-se as várias intervenções efectuadas desde 1986 incluindo a solução de estabilização implementada em 1997. O mecanismo de deslizamento verificado em 27 de Dezembro de 2000, pelas 21:00 horas é interpretado e é feita uma avaliação das causas e agentes envolvidos.
Características de deformabilidade dos solos que interessam à funcionalidade das estruturas
Authors: Gomes Correia António
Published: October 2022

Neste artigo e feita uma abordagem aos níveis de deformação no terreno representativos do estado em serviço de diferentes estruturas: edifícios, contenções, fundações, túneis, pavimentos e vias férreas. Em seguida, salientam-se os aspectos relevantes no estabelecimento das leis constitutivas dos solos para estes níveis de deformação. Referem-se depois os meios laboratoriais e de campo mais apropriados a obtenção directa, ou por análise inversa, dos parâmetros nesses modelos. Por fim propõe­se uma metodologia para uma melhor avaliação das características de deformabilidade dos solos, conjugando a informação dos ensaios de campo com os de laboratório, calibrada com alguns comportamentos de referência.
Determinação "in situ" da deformabilidade de aluvioes no local da barragem de Crestuma
Authors: Neves Emanuel
Published: October 2022

A partir dos resultados de ensaios de penetração efectuados nas aluviões arenosas do local da barragem de Crestuma, aplica-se uma via de cálculo que permite determinar a compressibilidade abaixo da "profundidade crítica". Comparam-se os valores obtidos com os deduzidos de ensaios de carga de grandes dimensões realizados posteriormente.
A Mecânica das Rochas
Authors: Rocha Manuel
Published: October 2022

Refere-se brevemente o aparecimento e a evolução da mecânica das rochas como disciplina independente, e mencionam-se as suas afinidades com outras disciplinas. São apresentadas as motivações do rápido desenvolvimento do novo ramo da mecânica, citando-se exemplos típicos das suas numerosas aplicações no campo da engenharia e das geociências. Termina-se com a definição do âmbito da mecânica das rochas.
Características de resistência e deformabilidade dos materiais de enrocamento
Authors: Pinto A. Veiga
Published: October 2022

Nos últimos anos, vários autores têm procurado estabelecer modelos reológicos para os materiais de enrocamento. Este artigo*** analisa a principal bibliografia sobre o assunto e fazem-se algumas sugestões com base em ensaios laboratoriais conduzidos no LNEC.

Três aspectos são especialmente focados: o estudo da deformabilidade a partir de considerações sobre as forças de contacto e a resistência à fracturação das partículas; a relação de semelhança na preparação de provetes laboratoriais com partículas reduzidas a uma dada escala relativamente à amostra do protótipo; uma análise sobre a influência dos múltiplos factores que condicionam o comportamento mecânico dos materiais de enrocamento, a qual permite uma melhor compreensão das dificuldades envolvidas na definição dum modelo reológico simples.
Notas sobre Geologia de Barragens
Authors: Oliveira Ricardo
Published: October 2022

Neste trabalho analisam-se alguns aspectos ligados à realização de estudos geológicos para locais de barragens.

Depois de se fazerem algumas considerações sobre a necessidade e a finalidade dos estudos geológicos com vista à caracterização geotécnica de locais de barragens dão-se algumas indicações quanto à maneira de conduzir esses estudos e quanto à forma de apresentar os seus resultados.
Ensaios triaxiais dos solos residuais da cidade do Porto
Authors: Cardoso António
Published: October 2022

Descrevem-se e interpretam-se os resultados de ensaios triaxiais realizados com os solos residuais do "granito do Porto". Dá-se especial ênfase à influência da trajectória de tensões no comportamento daqueles solos.
Alteração experimental de rochas - A contribuição do Instituto Superior Técnico
Authors: Miranda A. Mouraz
Published: October 2022

Faz-se uma resenha dos trabalhos de alteração experimental de rochas rotinadas no Laboratório de Mineralogia e Petrologia do I.S.T.: ensaio com extractor de Soxhlet, ensaio de percolação forçada, ensaio de percolação livre em circuito fechado, ensaios de abrasão mecânica e ensaio de fadiga térmica com secagem-molhagem.
Mecanismos de atrito interno de solos e rochas
Authors: Nascimento Úlpio , Teixeira H.
Published: October 2022

Analisam-se os diferentes mecanismos que geram atrito interno de solos e rochas por efeito de fricção, de cunha, de rotação e de rolamento. A partir da cinemática desses mecanismos, relacionam-se os ângulos de atrito gerados com as formas das partículas dos solos ou dos blocos dos maciços rochosos e com a amplitude da distorção sofrida pelo terreno. Apresentam-se também relações entre a dilatância provocada pela distorção com a amplitude desta.

Com base nos mecanismos elementares, deduzem-se relações para alguns mecanismos compostos, chamando-se a atenção para o efeito da rotação combinado com o efeito de fricção.
Ensaios de permeabilidade em maciços rochosos
Authors: Oliveira Ricardo
Published: October 2022

Refere-se sumàriamente o principio do ensaio e apresentam-se considerações quanto à interpretação dos seus resultados. Fazem-se comentários quanto à validade do ensaio, quanto aos cuidados a ter nas fases de planeamento, realização e interpretação para os resultados sejam representativos destacando-se o aspecto da definição das pressões a utilizar nas diversas fases do ensaio.
Análise da barragem de Segredo utilizando conceito do plano espacial mobilizado
Authors: Saboya Albuquerque Júnior Fernando , Filho Pedricto
Published: October 2022

A barragem de Segredo do tipo emocamento com face de concreto com 145 metros de altura, foi analisada através do modelo do plano espacial mobilizado. Sua simplicidade nas formulações, em comparação a outros modelos elastoplásticos, é uma de suas vantagens, além de ser um modelo desenvolvido para materiais granulares não coesivos. Para a análise da barragem de Segredo, foi necessário a utilização de curvas tensão x deformação de materiais semelhantes devido a ausência de ensaios especiais. Os deslocamentos previstos se mostraram em razoável concordância com àqueles observados, porém o principal objectivo foi detectar zonas de plastificação no interior do maciço e sua influência nos deslocamentos finais.
Avaliação de parâmetros geotécnicos pelo DMT em solos Portugueses
Authors: Cruz Nuno , Fonseca A. Viana , Lemos J.L. , Coelho Paulo
Published: October 2022

Apresentam-se as conclusões resultantes de três estudos experimentais realizados com base no ensaio com Dilatómetro de Marchetti (DMT) em depósitos aluvionares dos rios Vouga, Mondego e Tejo. Os resultados obtidos são comparados com ensaios de laboratório e in situ convencionais. Descreve-se ainda uma primeira tentativa de utilização deste ensaio em solos residuais, através de um estudo experimental realizado em solos residuais graníticos do Porto.