bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of non-thermal ultraviolet and ultrasound technologies on disinfection of meat preparation equipment in catering industry
Authors: Kayaardı Semra , Uyarcan Müge , Atmaca Işıl , Yıldız Dilay , Benzer Gürel Duygu
Published: January 2023

In recent years, ultraviolet and ultrasound treatments are gaining attraction as promising green decontamination technologies to ensure microbial safety in food industry. Decontamination by ultraviolet light is a physical process defined by the transfer of electromagnetic energy from a light source to an organism's cellular material and depended on the emission of radiation in the ultraviolet region (100–400 nm), specifically the UV-C region (200–280 nm) which has been demonstrated to be germicidal. Ultrasound technology is defined as sound waves with high and low frequency beyond the limit of human hearing and shows a decontamination effect that occurs as a consequence of cavitation at high power (low frequency) in general. In the present study, it was aimed to determine the effectiveness of ultraviolet light (254 nm, 10 min) and high frequency ultrasound techniques (40 kHz, 10 min) in reducing total aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeast and mold, Esherichia coli/coliform and Salmonella spp. on the equipment surfaces used in the catering facility. For this purpose, the equipment (cutting knife, meat grinder knife, knife sharpener, cut-proof glove) used in the meat preparation department of catering facility were selected for the treatments. According to the results, appreciable reductions were achieved in total aerobic mesophilic bacterial counts of the ultraviolet treated samples (maximum difference 2.61 log cfu/cm2) and the ultrasound treated samples (maximum difference 4.07 log cfu/cm2). After ultraviolet treatment, Salmonella spp. were totally inhibited on the contaminated surfaces. Furthermore, Escherichia coli/coliform was not detected in the samples after both treatments whereas it was detected before the treatments. It has been concluded that the techniques are effective in reducing microbiological load and also ultraviolet treatment is effective on pathogenic microorganisms on food contact surfaces. As a result, the ultraviolet and ultrasound techniques are effective treatments for equipment disinfection in the catering sector and can be used industrially as it gives successful results.
The Influence of Adopting New Reference Breathing Parameters on ICRP66 Model on the Regional Deposition of the Inhaled Attached Radon-222 Daughters Within the Human Airways
Authors: Belete Guadie Degu , Msganaw Shiferaw Aragaw
Published: January 2023

The radiation dose from internal radiation exposure is difficult to measure directly and hence different lung models were developed. The dose on the lung is the result of the regional deposition of aerosols carrying radon daughters in the respiratory tract. Deposition of aerosols can be take place during inhalation and exhalation in the 5 regions of the respiratory tract due to variation of aerosol sizes and other biological factors such as breathing rate. In this paper, a modified breathing rate is instead applied on the assumptions developed by the ICRP66 model to analyze the regional deposition of radioactive aerosols and a comparison has been made with the result of ICRP66 model deposition. According to the result, as the diameter of aerosols increases from 1 to 10 μm, the percentage deposition fraction in extrathoracic regions, in ET1 region increases from 6.53% to 48.43% and in ET2 region increases from 7.3% to 50.33%. The aerodynamic deposition of the attached fraction of radon aerosols along the bronchial regions (bronchi (BB), and bronchiolar (bb) region) is found small and almost constant. For 1 μm diameter aerosols, the percentage deposition is found 0.82%, for 5 μm diameter aerosols, the deposition is predicted 2.56% and at 10 μm the deposition is predicted about 1.93% in bronchi (BB) region. In the bronchiolar region (bb) for 1 μm aerosols, the deposition predicted is 1.5% and at 10 μm about 0.88% is predicted. The deposition of small size attached fraction of radon aerosols is found maximum in the alveolar region as compared to other regions of the respiratory tract and the deposition becomes almost negligible for large size aerosols in this region.
A model study of low-frequency noise exposure indoors due to road traffic
Authors: Forssén Jens , Zachos Georgios , Rosas Perez Carmen , Kropp Wolfgang
Published: January 2023

Indoor low-frequency noise levels due to road traffic has been modelled for facade examples consisting of a lightweight steel facade, a concrete facade and two types of windows. Possible audibility of heavy vehicles passing by has been investigated as well as the dependence of the exposure level on driving speed and distance to road. The results show that pass-by events may be audible at low frequencies for cases complying with building standards and noise guideline values exemplified by Swedish regulation. Moreover, the A-weighted levels may be dominated by low frequency noise, and the frequency of occurrence of pass-by traffic noise events may be sufficiently high to create disturbance for typical traffic situations. Furthermore, it is shown that the contribution of pass-by events to the equivalent level indoors may increase when the driving speed is lowered.
Scale and spread of innovation in health and social care: Insights from the evaluation of the New Care Model/Vanguard programme in England
Authors: MacInnes Julie , Billings Jenny , Coleman Anna , Mikelyte Rasa , Croke Sarah , Allen Pauline , Checkland Kath
Published: January 2023

Objective

Little is known about how to achieve scale and spread beyond the early local adoption of an innovative health care programme. We use the New Care Model – or ‘Vanguard’ – programme in the English National Health Service to illuminate the process, assessing why only one of five Vanguard programmes was successfully scaled up.

Methods

We interviewed a wide range of stakeholders involved in the Vanguard programme, including programme leads, provider organisations, and policymakers. We also consulted relevant documentation.

Results

A lack of direction near the end of the Vanguard programme, a lack of ongoing resources, and limited success in providing real-time monitoring and evaluation may all have contributed to the failure to scale and spread most of the Vanguard models.

Conclusions

This programme is an example of the ‘scale and spread paradox’, in which localism was a key factor influencing the successful implementation of the Vanguards but ultimately limited their scale and spread.
An improved TRF mechanism for a new turbulent premixed combustion model with application to engine combustion CFD
Authors: Yang Shiyou
Published: January 2023

In the present work, an existing TRF (toluene reference fuel) chemical kinetic mechanism has been improved. In the improvement, the existing TRF mechanism was found to have unphysically higher laminar flame speeds at temperatures greater than 750 K which are typical in engine compression-combustion operating conditions. Eight dominant reactions which mainly control the laminar flame speeds under higher temperatures ( T > 750 K) have been identified. Based on a recently published power-law laminar flame speed correlation which is able to provide good predictions under a wide range of engine conditions, correct reaction rate constants for the eight high-temperature dominant reactions have been determined for physical laminar flame speeds. The identification and improvement of the eight high-temperature dominant reactions are the first novelty of this work. In order to simulate ethanol and gasoline blends, a latest ethanol sub-mechanism has been implemented into the TRF mechanism. The improved TRF mechanism was validated using available experimental data in the literature. Based on the improved TRF mechanism, a new mechanism library has been generated, which can be used for an improved mechanism-dynamic-selection turbulent premixed combustion model in which turbulent diffusivity is constructed as a function of local turbulence/thermodynamics conditions. The dynamic turbulent diffusivity sub-model is the second novelty of this work. The improved TRF mechanism and its combination with the improved mechanism-dynamic-selection turbulent premixed combustion model were successfully applied to the prediction of combustion and emissions of GTDI (gasoline turbocharged direct injection) engines under both warm-up and transient cold start operating conditions, indicating that the improved models in this work are beneficial for predictive engine combustion CFD (computational fluid dynamics).
On fieldwork in the hybrid field: A “methodological novel” on ethnography, photography, fiction, and creative writing
Authors: Gariglio Luigi
Published: January 2023

This is an autoethnographic note on conducting fieldwork with the purpose of documenting; first, outside academia––doing documentary photography; and second doing ethnography and autoethnography within academia. It explores different ways to conduct fieldwork (alone or in groups, ethnographically or autoethnographically) and different traditional and innovative ideas about how the “field” was interpreted commonsensically in the past and could be interpreted now, using the analytical dimension of the hybrid field. It is written both autoethnographically and creatively and includes a short methodological “novel.” The research note concludes with a reflection on a particular field-work experience, tackling its limitation and imagining different ways to perform it.
Getting Realistic About Action-Guidance: Moralism, Radical Realism and Divisions of Labour
Authors: Cross Ben
Published: January 2023

Moralists and radical realists both seem to employ a division of intellectual labour to enable their theories to be action-guiding. Moralists typically distinguish between formulating normative principles and devising suitable means for implementing or approximating them. Radical realists, meanwhile, seem to distinguish between the findings of ideology critique and further political theorising informed by these findings. However, radical realist criticisms of the moralist division of labour may suggest a tu quoque objection to radical realism: if the moralist division of labour is defective, why does the same not also hold for the radical realist division of labour? My aim in this article is to answer this question. I identify two distinct radical realist objections to the moralist division of labour, which I refer to as the seminar room objection and the motivation objection respectively. I then argue that radical realists can deal effectively with these objections if they were to be turned against their version of the division of labour. Hence, radical realists can consistently criticise moralist versions of the division of labour while simultaneously employing their own version.
Decision Support for Flexible Manufacturing Systems: Application of the Cognitive Systems Engineering and Ecological Interface Design Approach
Authors: Bennett Kevin B. , Edman Christopher , Cravens Dylan , Jackson Natalie
Published: January 2023

We applied the cognitive systems engineering (CSE)/ecological interface design (EID) approach to the work domain of flexible manufacturing systems (FMS). Work domain analyses (WDA) and activity analyses were conducted. Previous concerns regarding the suitability of CSE for FMS are addressed. Principles of EID (i.e., direct perception, direct manipulation, and visual momentum) were applied in designing an ecological interface for a flexible manufacturing system (EcoFlex). The critical links between the products of a WDA and the content of an ecological interface (a key innovation of EID) are made explicit. The evaluations of this interface were very positive across a wide variety of traditional and novel dependent variables (please see the companion manuscript). The overall success of this research program clearly demonstrates that the CSE/EID approach is capable of being applied to FMS. Contributions of this manuscript include both theoretical insights (defining properties of the FMS work domain, concrete examples of the principles of EID, critical links between CSE and EID, resolution of concerns about the overall framework) and practical applications (specific design solutions for FMS and similar work domains, and successful examples of the CSE/EID approach which can be studied and leveraged by students).
Disaster Diaries: Qualitative Research at a Distance
Authors: Mueller Grace , Barford Anna , Osborne Helen , Pradhan Kaajal , Proefke Rachel , Shrestha Soniya , Pratiwi Andi M.
Published: January 2023

The common-place quantification of humanitarian disasters enables rapid and informed crisis responses. In disaster settings, understanding feelings and perceptions regarding individuals’ experiences, livelihood disruptions and coping mechanisms can also be valuable for extending and deepening quantitative insight. This paper explores the potential for diary methods to capture extensive, nuanced data from marginalised groups during a disaster, by drawing upon a study with 100 young diarists (aged 15–29) who produced 1418 diary entries over 4 months. In particular, we share how diary-methods can be designed inclusively, through addressing themes of equitable research partnerships, supporting more vulnerable participants, ensuring data quality, data management, participatory analysis, and budgeting for collaborative research.
Forced solitary wave and vorticity with topography effect in quasi-geostrophic modelling
Authors: Zhao Baojun , Wang Jiaxin
Published: January 2023

A forced KdV equation including the special topography effect is derived to describe nonlinear long wave and solitary eddy based on the quasi-geostrophic potential vorticity model. We obtain the theoretical solution of the equation and the concrete form of stream function through perturbation theory and multi-scale analysis methods. It is found that the joint effect of weak shear basic flow and topography can change the cyclone and anticyclone structure of eddy, and in the meantime topographic structure affects the East-West propagation direction of solitary wave. Finally, according to the interaction between nonlinear long wave and topography by pseudo spectral numerical method, the topographic height is related to the amplitude, wavelength and wave velocity of the excited wave train, and the topography affects not only the spatial structure of wave, but also the amplitude of wave.
Indirubin Inhibits TRAIL-Induced Activation of Death Receptor 5 in Jurkat Cells
Authors: Young Malaney C. , Vunnam Nagamani , Rebbeck Robyn T. , Yuen Samantha L. , Thomas David D. , Sachs Jonathan N.
Published: January 2023

Death receptor 5 (DR5) is an apoptosis-inducing membrane receptor that mediates cell death in several life-threatening conditions. There is a crucial need for the discovery of DR5 antagonists for the therapeutic intervention of conditions in which the overactivation of DR5 underlies the pathophysiology. DR5 activation mediates cell death in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and neurodegenerative processes including amyloid-beta (Aβ) accumulation, spinal cord injury (SCI), and brain ischemia. In the current work, we used fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to monitor the conformational dynamics of DR5 that mediate death signaling. We used a time-resolved FRET screening platform to screen the Selleck library of 2863 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved compounds. The high-throughput screen (HTS) identified 13 compounds that modulated the FRET between DR5 monomers beyond 5 median absolute deviations (MADs) from the DMSO controls. Of these 13 compounds, indirubin was identified to specifically inhibit tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced caspase-8 activity without modulating DR5 surface expression or TRAIL binding. Indirubin inhibited Fas-associated death domain (FADD) oligomerization and increased cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) expression; both are molecular mechanisms involved in inhibiting the DR5 signaling cascade. This study has elucidated previously unknown properties of indirubin that make it a promising candidate for therapeutic investigation of diseases in which overactivation of DR5 underlies pathology.
Evolutionary History of Oxysterol-Binding Proteins Reveals Complex History of Duplication and Loss in Animals and Fungi
Authors: Singh Rohan P. , Poh Yu-Ping , Sinha Savar D. , Wideman Jeremy G.
Published: January 2023

Cells maintain the specific lipid composition of distinct organelles by vesicular transport as well as non-vesicular lipid trafficking via lipid transport proteins. Oxysterol-binding proteins (OSBPs) are a family of lipid transport proteins that transfer lipids at various membrane contact sites (MCSs). OSBPs have been extensively investigated in human and yeast cells where 12 have been identified in Homo sapiens and 7 in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The evolutionary relationship between these well-characterized OSBPs is still unclear. By reconstructing phylogenies of eukaryote OSBPs, we show that the ancestral Saccharomycotina had four OSBPs, the ancestral fungus had five OSBPs, and the ancestral animal had six OSBPs, whereas the shared ancestor of animals and fungi as well as the ancestral eukaryote had only three OSBPs. Our analyses identified three undescribed ancient OSBP orthologues, one fungal OSBP (Osh8) lost in the lineage leading to yeast, one animal OSBP (ORP12) lost in the lineage leading to vertebrates, and one eukaryotic OSBP (OshEu) lost in both the animal and fungal lineages.
A noval prognostic signature of the N7-methylguanosine (m7G)-related miRNA in lung adenocarcinoma
Authors: Duan Han-ping , Yan Jian-hui , Nie Lin , Wang Ye , Xie Hui
Published: January 2023

Background

Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates and poor prognosis. N7-methylguanosine play an increasingly vital role in lung adenocarcinoma. However, the prognostic value of N7-methylguanosine related-miRNAs in lung adenocarcinoma remains unclear.

Methods

In the study, the mRNA and miRNA expression profiles and corresponding clinical informations were downloaded from the public database. The prognostic signature was built using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox analysis. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to compare survival outcomes between the high- and low-risk groups. Signatures for the development of lung adenocarcinoma were tested using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis was used to determine the immune cell infiltration score. First, we predicted METTL1 and WDR4 chemosensitivities based on a public pharmacogenomics database. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the performance of signature in 1-,3-, and 5-year survival predictions were 0.68, 0.65, and 0.683, respectively.

Results

We established a novel prognostic signature consisting of 9 N7-Methylguanosine related miRNAs using least absolute shrinkage and selection operator Cox analysis. Patients in the high-risk group had shorter survival times than those in the low-risk group did. The calibration curves at 1, 3, and 5-year also illustrate the high predictive power of the structure. Signature was corrected using the Toumor stage. The expression levels of METTL1 and WDR4 significantly correlated with the sensitivity of cancer cells to antitumor drugs.

Conclusions

A novel signature constructed using 9 N7-methylguanosine related-miRNAs can be used for prognostic prediction.
Correlation between surgical segment mobility and paravertebral muscle fatty infiltration of upper adjacent segment in single-segment LDD patients: retrospective study at a minimum 2 years’ follow-up
Authors: Guan Jianbin , Zhao Dingyan , Liu Tao , Yu Xing , Feng Ningning , Jiang Guozheng , Li Wenhao , Yang Kaitan , Zhao He , Yang Yongdong
Published: January 2023

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between surgical segment mobility and fatty infiltration of the adjacent segment paravertebral muscles in patients with single-segment lumbar degenerative disease (LDD) who underwent decompression with fusion or dynamic stabilization.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of patients who underwent lumbar decompression combined with titanium rod fixation intertransverse fusion (PITF group), Isobar TTL dynamic stabilization (TTL group) or Isobar EVO dynamic stabilization (EVO group) for single-segment lumbar degenerative disease, from March 2012 to July 2018. The preoperative and final follow-up clinical indexes C-LDSI and the measured imaging indexes (range of motion of the surgical segment and the upper adjacent segment, and Goutallier grade of the upper adjacent segment) were counted, and the differences between the preoperative and final follow-up indexes were compared.

Results

According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 68 patients were included in this study, 21 in the PITF group, 24 in the TTL group, and 23 in the EVO group. At the final follow-up, the C-LSDI score had significantly higher in the PITF group than the TTL and EVO groups, and the C-LSDI score was a very strongly negatively correlated with ROM of surgical segment (r=-0.7968, p < 0.001). There was a strong negative correlation between surgical segment and upper adjacent segment mobility (r = -0.6959, p < 0.001). And there was a very strong negative correlation between ROM of surgical segment and upper adjacent segment paravertebral muscle Goutallier classification (r = -0.8092, p < 0.001), whereas the ROM of the upper adjacent segment was strong positive correlated with the Goutallier classification (r = 0.6703, P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Compared with decompression combined with rigid fusion, decompression combined with dynamic fixation for single-segment lumbar degenerative disease can significantly reduce postoperative low back stiffness. And a certain range of increased mobility of the dynamic stabilization device can effectively reduce the compensatory mobility of the upper adjacent segment and slow down the fatty infiltration of the paravertebral muscle in the adjacent segment.
A novel 1.38-kb deletion combined with a single nucleotide variant in KIAA0586 as a cause of Joubert syndrome
Authors: Shen Yue , Lu Chao , Cheng Tingting , Cao Zongfu , Chen Cuixia , Ma Xu , Gao Huafang , Luo Minna
Published: January 2023

Background

KIAA0586, also known as Talpid3, plays critical roles in primary cilia formation and hedgehog signaling in humans. Variants in KIAA0586 could cause some different ciliopathies, including Joubert syndrome (JBTS), which is a clinically and genetically heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive neurological disorders.

Methods and Results

A 9-month-old girl was diagnosed as JBTS by the “molar tooth sign” of the mid-brain and global developmental delay. By whole-exome sequencing, we identified a single nucleotide variant c.3303G > A and a 1.38-kb deletion in KIAA0586 in the proband. These two variants of KIAA0586 were consistent with the mode of autosomal recessive inheritance in the family, which was verified using Sanger sequencing.

Conclusions

This finding of a compound heterozygote with a 1.38-kb deletion and c.3303G > A gave a precise genetic diagnosis for the patient, and the novel 1.38-kb deletion also expanded the pathogenic variation spectrum of JBTS caused by KIAA0586.
Universal health coverage in Pakistan: is the health system geared up to take on the challenge?
Authors: Shaikh Babar Tasneem , Ali Nabeela
Published: January 2023

Background

There is a strong and wide consensus that Pakistan must pursue universal health coverage (UHC) attainment as the driving force for achieving sustainable development goals by 2030. Nevertheless, several institutional and socioeconomic challenges may hinder the progress toward UHC.

Main body

It is important that the health system of Pakistan must be transformed to strengthen all three dimensions of UHC i.e. maximizing the population covered, increasing the range of services offered, and reducing the cost-sharing. To make UHC dream a reality in Pakistan, there are some pre-requisites to meet upfront: a) budgetary allocation for health as percentage of GDP must be increased; b) health system’s readiness especially in the public sector ought to improve in terms of human resource and availability of essential services; c) safety nets for health must continue regardless of the change in the political regimes; d) decrease the reliance on donors’ funding; and e) accountability to be ensured across the board for service providers, managers, administrators and policymakers in the health system.

Conclusion

COVID-19 pandemic has revealed some major gaps in the health system’s capacity to deliver equitable healthcare, which is a cornerstone to achieving the UHC agenda. The priority-setting process will need to be aligned with the SDGs to ensure that the agenda for action towards 2030 is comprehensively addressed and successfully accomplished preferably before, but hopefully not beyond the targeted dates.
Intervention for Sleep and Pain in Youth (ISPY-RCT): protocol for a two-phase randomized controlled trial of sequenced cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia and pain management in adolescents with migraine
Authors: Law Emily F. , Ritterband Lee , Zhou Chuan , Palermo Tonya M.
Published: January 2023

Background

Migraine is a major pediatric health problem impacting 10–12% of youth. About 1 in 3 youth with migraine are diagnosed with insomnia. Sleep and migraine share a cyclical relationship, and data indicate that insomnia symptoms increase migraine severity. CBT for insomnia (CBT-I) has demonstrated efficacy for improving insomnia in adults with migraine and other pain conditions; however, effects in youth have not been evaluated. Moreover, in adults, there is some indication that CBT-I may lead to changes in pain after there are sustained improvements in sleep, but this has never been empirically tested. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for pain management (CBT-Pain) is an established treatment approach for youth with migraine, leading to reductions in headache frequency and disability. In the proposed study, we will address these gaps in knowledge by using an innovative two-phase trial design to (1) test the efficacy of Internet-delivered CBT-I intervention for youth with migraine and comorbid insomnia compared to Internet-delivered sleep education for modifying sleep and (2) investigate how changes in sleep may modify the response to Internet-delivered CBT-Pain intervention.

Methods

We will study a cohort of 180 adolescents, ages 11–17 years, with migraine (with or without aura, chronic migraine) and comorbid insomnia. In phase 1, youth will be randomly assigned to receive Internet-delivered CBT-I intervention or Internet sleep education control. In phase 2, all youth will receive Internet-delivered CBT-Pain intervention. Assessments will occur at baseline, immediately after phase 1 intervention, immediately after phase 2 intervention, and 6 months post-intervention. We will use a comprehensive multidimensional assessment of sleep and headache including self-report questionnaires, ambulatory actigraphy monitoring, and 14-day daily diaries.

Discussion

Given the high prevalence of insomnia in adolescents with migraine, an extension of CBT-I intervention to this population will address an important gap in clinical practice and in conceptual understanding of the relationship between sleep and migraine. By testing a separate CBT-I intervention, we will be able to apply this treatment in the future to other pediatric populations (e.g., cancer, arthritis) who commonly experience comorbid insomnia.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04936321. Registered on June 23, 2021.
An AI-based patient-specific clinical decision support system for OA patients choosing surgery or not: study protocol for a single-centre, parallel-group, non-inferiority randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kastrup Nanna , Bjerregaard Helene H. , Laursen Mogens , Valentin Jan B. , Johnsen Søren P. , Jensen Cathrine E.
Published: January 2023

Background

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects 20% of the adult Danish population, and the financial burden to society amounts to DKK 4.6 billion annually. Research suggests that up to 75% of surgical patients could have postponed an operation and managed with physical training. ERVIN.2 is an artificial intelligence (AI)-based clinical support system that addresses this problem by enhancing patient involvement in decisions concerning surgical knee and hip replacement. However, the clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness of using such a system are scantily documented.

Objective

The primary objective is to investigate whether the usual care is non-inferior to ERVIN.2 supported care. The second objective is to determine if ERVIN.2 enhances clinical decision support and whether ERVIN.2 supported care is cost-effective.

Methods

This study used a single-centre, non-inferiority, randomised controlled in a two-arm parallel-group design. The study will be reported in compliance with CONSORT guidelines. The control group receives the usual care. As an add-on, the intervention group have access to baseline scores and predicted Oxford hip/knee scores and HRQoL for both the surgical and the non-surgical trajectory. A cost-utility analysis will be conducted alongside the trial using a hospital perspective, a 1-year time horizon and effects estimated using EQ-5D-3L. Results will be presented as cost per QALY gain.

Discussion

This study will bring knowledge about whether ERVIN.2 enhances clinical decision support, clinical effects, and cost-effectiveness of the AI system. The study design will not allow for the blinding of surgeons.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04332055. Registered on 2 April 2020.
UAE university students’ experiences of virtual classroom learning during Covid 19
Authors: Islam Monjurul , Mazlan Nurul Hijja , Al Murshidi Ghadah , Hoque Mohammed Shamsul , Karthiga S. V. , Reza Mohoshin
Published: January 2023

Virtual Classroom (VC) learning approaches have recently drawn considerable attention because they have the potential to encourage student engagement to ensure active and collaborative learning. Although research on online learning has gained visibility in recent times, VC learning has not received notable attention, especially in Gulf countries like the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The study examines students’ perception and experience of VC in a university in UAE during the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of its necessity and helpfulness. This research also examines the situational pressure of VC and aims to explain the reasons for its desirability and inevitability. As a current learning space beyond the conventional face-to-face classroom learning, VC learning is available in various forms and quality depending on creating opportunities for the learners’ participation. However, there are issues with VC practice too. Our analysis of survey data (N = 334) leads to portraying autonomous learning freedom in different learning environments in VC. We argue that students may resort to VC not because of its proven effectiveness but because of the necessity to continue addressing their learning needs. This study contributes to the general understanding of the online and traditional in-person classroom learning and virtual learning resources in the teaching of English as a globally desired language.
The spear of capital and the shield of labor: Chinese model of emotional labor in domestic work
Authors: Liang Meng , Li Kunxi , Feng Xue
Published: January 2023

The theory of emotional labor, originating from the institutional background of the Western social and cultural system, is committed to criticizing the emotional management and emotional alienation of service workers under capital discipline. This paper introduces the construction of social relations with acquaintances typical in Chinese rural society into the analytical framework. It presents a Chinese model of automatized emotional labor, different from the model of commercialized emotional labor, by analyzing the emotional model acquisition in the professional development process of domestic workers and the mechanisms of formation, maintenance, and reproduction of the model in the labor process. In the new model, consumers (customers) and workers are equal and mutually beneficial interactive subjects, and emotional labor is no longer the spear of capital but instead becomes a shield for workers against challenges in the labor process. Therefore, this paper puts forward a theoretical reflection on consumers–workers under the model of commercialized emotional labor.
Explosive eye injuries: characteristics, traumatic mechanisms, and prognostic factors for poor visual outcomes
Authors: Zhang Ying , Kang Xin , Wu Qiong , Zheng Zhong , Ying Jun , Zhang Mao-Nian
Published: January 2023

Background

Explosions can produce blast waves, high-speed medium, thermal radiation, and chemical spatter, leading to complex and compound eye injuries. However, few studies have comprehensively investigated the clinical features of different eye injury types or possible risk factors for poor prognosis.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive records of explosive eye injuries (1449 eyes in 1115 inpatients) in 14 tertiary referral hospitals in China over 12 years (between January 2008 and December 2019). Data on demographics, eye injury types, ocular findings, treatments, and factors affecting visual prognosis were extracted from a standardized database of eye injuries and statistically analyzed.

Results

Mechanical ocular trauma accounted for 94.00% of explosion-related eye injuries, among which intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) resulted in 55.17% of open globe injuries (OGIs) and contusion caused 60.22% of close globe injuries (CGIs). Proliferative vitreous retinopathy (PVR) was more common in perforating (47.06%) and IOFB (26.84%) than in penetrating (8.79%) injuries, and more common with laceration (24.25%) than rupture (9.22%, P < 0.01). However, no difference was observed between rupture and contusion. Ultimately, 9.59% of eyes were removed and the final vision was ≤ 4/200 in 45.82% of patients. Poor presenting vision [odds ratio (OR) = 5.789], full-thickness laceration of the eyeball ≥ 5 mm (OR = 3.665), vitreous hemorrhage (OR = 3.474), IOFB (OR = 3.510), non-mechanical eye injury (NMEI, OR = 2.622, P < 0.001), rupture (OR = 2.362), traumatic optic neuropathy (OR = 2.102), retinal detachment (RD, OR = 2.033), endophthalmitis (OR = 3.281, P < 0.01), contusion (OR = 1.679), ciliary body detachment (OR = 6.592), zone III OGI (OR = 1.940), and PVR (OR = 1.615, P < 0.05) were significant negative predictors for poor visual outcomes.

Conclusions

Explosion ocular trauma has complex mechanisms, with multiple eyes involved and poor prognosis. In lethal level I explosion injuries, eyeball rupture is a serious condition, whereas contusion is more likely to improve. In level II injuries, IOFBs are more harmful than penetrating injuries, and level IV represents burn-related eye injuries. PVR is more associated with penetrating mechanisms than with OGI. Identifying the risk predictors for visual prognosis can guide clinicians in the evaluation and treatment of ocular blast injuries.
Survey of feature selection and extraction techniques for stock market prediction
Authors: Htun Htet Htet , Biehl Michael , Petkov Nicolai
Published: January 2023

In stock market forecasting, the identification of critical features that affect the performance of machine learning (ML) models is crucial to achieve accurate stock price predictions. Several review papers in the literature have focused on various ML, statistical, and deep learning-based methods used in stock market forecasting. However, no survey study has explored feature selection and extraction techniques for stock market forecasting. This survey presents a detailed analysis of 32 research works that use a combination of feature study and ML approaches in various stock market applications. We conduct a systematic search for articles in the Scopus and Web of Science databases for the years 2011–2022. We review a variety of feature selection and feature extraction approaches that have been successfully applied in the stock market analyses presented in the articles. We also describe the combination of feature analysis techniques and ML methods and evaluate their performance. Moreover, we present other survey articles, stock market input and output data, and analyses based on various factors. We find that correlation criteria, random forest, principal component analysis, and autoencoder are the most widely used feature selection and extraction techniques with the best prediction accuracy for various stock market applications.
Optimal layout model of feeder automation equipment oriented to the type of fault detection and local action
Authors: Chen Ruizhi , Li Xihong , Chen Yanbo
Published: January 2023

In feeder automation transformation there are difficulties in equipment and location selection. To help with this, an optimal layout model of feeder automation equipment oriented to the type of fault detection and local action is proposed. It analyzes the coordination relationship of the three most common types of automation equipment, i.e., fault indicator, over-current trip switch and non-voltage trip switch in the fault handling process, and the explicit expressions of power outage time caused by a fault on different layouts of the above three types of equipment are given. Given constraints of power supply reliability and the goal of minimizing the sum of equipment-related capital investment and power interruption cost, a mixed-integer quadratic programming model for optimal layout is established, in which the functional failure probability of equipment is linearized using the $$3\delta$$

3
δ

principle in statistics. Finally, the basic characteristics of the proposed model are illustrated by different scenarios on the IEEE RBTS-BUS6 system. It can not only take into account fault location and fault isolation to enhance user power consumption perception, but also can guide precise investment to improve the operational quality and efficiency of a power company.
Performance of LiDAR-SLAM-based PNT with initial poses based on NDT scan matching algorithm
Authors: Chiang Kaiwei , Chiu Yuting , Srinara Surachet , Tsai Menglun
Published: January 2023

To achieve higher automation level of vehicles defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers, safety is a key requirement affecting navigation accuracy. We apply Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) as a main auxiliary sensor and propose LiDAR-based Simultaneously Localization and Mapping (SLAM) approach for Positioning, Navigation, and Timing. Furthermore, point cloud registration is handled with 3D Normal Distribution Transform (NDT) method. The initial guess of the LiDAR pose for LiDAR-based SLAM comes from two sources: one is the differential Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) solution; the other is Inertial Navigation System (INS) and GNSS integrated solution, generated with Extended Kalman Filter and motion constraints added, including Zero Velocity Update and Non-Holonomic Constraint. The experiment compares two initial guesses for scan matching in terms navigation accuracy. To emphasize the importance of a multi-sensor scheme in contrast to the conventional navigation method using the stand-alone system, the tests are conducted in both open sky area and GNSS signal block area, the latter might cause Multipath and Non-Line-Of-Sight effects. To enhance the navigation accuracy, the Fault Detection and Exclusion (FDE) mechanism is applied to correct the navigation outcome. The results show that the application of NDT and FDE for INS/GNSS integrated system can not only reach where-in-lane level navigation accuracy (0.5 m), but also enable constructing the dynamic map.
Using the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications-Expanded (FRAME) to study adaptations in lung cancer screening delivery in the Veterans Health Administration: a cohort study
Authors: Strayer Thomas E. , Spalluto Lucy B. , Burns Abby , Lindsell Christopher J. , Henschke Claudia I. , Yankelevitz David F. , Moghanaki Drew , Dittus Robert S. , Vogus Timothy J. , Audet Carolyn , Kripalani Sunil , Roumie Christianne L. , Lewis Jennifer A.
Published: January 2023

Background

Lung cancer screening is a complex clinical process that includes identification of eligible individuals, shared decision-making, tobacco cessation, and management of screening results. Adaptations to the delivery process for lung cancer screening in situ are understudied and underreported, with the potential loss of important considerations for improved implementation. The Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications-Expanded (FRAME) allows for a systematic enumeration of adaptations to implementation of evidence-based practices. We applied FRAME to study adaptations in lung cancer screening delivery processes implemented by lung cancer screening programs in a Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Enterprise-Wide Initiative.

Methods

We prospectively conducted semi-structured interviews at baseline and 1-year intervals with lung cancer screening program navigators at 10 Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) between 2019 and 2021. Using this data, we developed baseline (1st) process maps for each program. In subsequent years (year 1 and year 2), each program navigator reviewed the process maps. Adaptations in screening processes were identified, documented, and mapped to FRAME categories.

Results

We conducted a total of 16 interviews across 10 VHA lung cancer screening programs (n=6 in year 1, n=10 in year 2) to collect adaptations. In year 1 (2020), six programs were operational and eligible. Of these, three reported adaptations to their screening process that were planned or in response to COVID-19. In year 2 (2021), all 10 programs were operational and eligible. Programs reported 14 adaptations in year 2. These adaptations were planned and unplanned and often triggered by increased workload; 57% of year 2 adaptations were related to the identification and eligibility of Veterans and 43% were related to follow-up with Veterans for screening results. Throughout the 2 years, adaptations related to data management and patient tracking occurred in 60% of programs to improve the data collection and tracking of Veterans in the screening process.

Conclusions

Using FRAME, we found that adaptations occurred primarily in the areas of patient identification and communication of results due to increased workload. These findings highlight navigator time and resource considerations for sustainability and scalability of existing and future lung cancer screening programs as well as potential areas for future intervention.
K-means clustering of electricity consumers using time-domain features from smart meter data
Authors: Okereke George Emeka , Bali Mohamed Chaker , Okwueze Chisom Nneoma , Ukekwe Emmanuel Chukwudi , Echezona Stephenson Chukwukanedu , Ugwu Celestine Ikechukwu
Published: January 2023

Smart meter stores electricity consumption data of every consumer in the smart grid system. A better understanding of consumption behaviors and an effective consumer classification based on the similarity of these behaviors can be helpful for flexible demand management and effective energy control. In this paper, we propose an implementation of unsupervised classification for categorizing consumers based on the similarity of their typical electricity consumption behaviors. The main goal is to group similar observations together in order to easily look at the dataset. Hence, we go through pattern identification in households’ consumption with the K-means clustering algorithm. K-means clusters consumption behaviors based on extracted temporal features into k groups. The result from the algorithm helps power suppliers to understand power consumers’ better and helps them make better informed decision based on the information available to them. The dataset used in this paper is a real data from the London Data Store energy consumption readings for a sample of 5567 London Households that took part in the UK Power Networks Led Low Carbon London project between November 2011 and February 2014 available at: https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/smartmeter-energy-use-data-in-london-households.
Wavelength Modulation of Defect Photoluminescence from Locally Functionalized Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes Using Heterocycle-Substituted Aryldiazonium Salts
Authors: Yu Boda , Fujigaya Tsuyohiko , Shiraki Tomohiro
Published: January 2023

Local chemical functionalization of single-walled carbon nanotubes has been developed for defect introduction to produce locally functionalized SWCNTs (lf-SWCNTs). Compared with the original PL of unmodified SWCNTs, lf-SWCNTs exhibit defect photoluminescence (PL) in near-infrared (NIR) regions with higher quantum yields and red-shifted wavelengths. Recently, using a few chemical functionalization approaches, considerably red-shifted defect PL (E11*− PL, >1250 nm) of lf-SWCNTs was observed in contrast to typical defect PL (E11* PL, ∼1150 nm), although the E11*− PL wavelength modulation approaches have yet been unexplored. In this study, we synthesized aryldiazonium salts containing heterocycle substituents at the ortho position for the lf-SWCNT synthesis. The resultant lf-SWCNTs selectively emitted E11*− PL and its wavelength variation was observed by modifying the heterocycle structures. Additionally, wavelength switching of E11*− PL was observed through pH variations, in which the protonation/deprotonation of the ortho-pyridine in the lf-SWCNTs induced large spectral shifts in E11*− PL compared to the observed shifts in earlier para-substituent design systems employing E11* PL. The developed E11*− PL wavelength modulation method based on the functionalized molecule designs for the lf-SWCNT synthesis would provide novel NIR PL nanomaterials relevant to advanced bio/medical and telecom application fields.
Study of hepatic toxicity in small liver tumors after photon or proton therapy based on factors predicting the benefits of proton
Authors: Uchinami Yusuke , Katoh Norio , Abo Daisuke , Morita Ryo , Taguchi Hiroshi , Fujita Yoshihiro , Kanehira Takahiro , Suzuki Ryusuke , Miyamoto Naoki , Takao Seishin , Matsuura Taeko , Sho Takuya , Ogawa Koji , Orimo Tatsuya , Kakisaka Tatsuhiko , Kobashi Keiji , Aoyama Hidefumi
Published: January 2023

Objectives:

In a previous study of hepatic toxicity, the following three factors were identified to predict the benefits of proton beam therapy (PBT) for hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) with a maximum diameter of ≤5 cm and Child-pugh grade A (CP-A): number of tumors (1 vs ≥2), the location of tumors (hepatic hilum or others), and the sum of the diameters of lesions. The aim of this study is to analyze the association between these three factors and hepatic toxicity.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed patients of CP-A treated with PBT or photon stereotactic body radiotherapy (X-ray radiotherapy, XRT) for HCC ≤5 cm. For normal liver dose, the V5, V10, V20 (volumes receiving 5, 10, and 20 Gy at least), and the mean dose was evaluated. The albumin-bilirubin (ALBI) and CP score changes from the baseline were evaluated at 3 and 6 months after treatment.

Results:

In 89 patients (XRT: 48, PBT: 41), those with two or three (2–3) predictive factors were higher normal liver doses than with zero or one (0–1) factor. In the PBT group, the ALBI score worsened more in patients with 2–3 factors than those with 0–1 factor, at 3 months (median: 0.26 vs 0.02, p = 0.032) and at 6 months (median: 0.35 vs 0.10, p = 0.009). The ALBI score change in the XRT group and CP score change in either modality were not significantly different in the number of predictive factors.

Conclusion:

The predictive factor numbers predicted the ALBI score change in PBT but not in XRT.

Advances in knowledge:

This study suggest that the number of predictive factors previously identified (0–1 vs 2–3) were significantly associated with dosimetric parameters of the normal liver in both modalities. In the proton group, the number of predictive factors was associated with a worsening ALBI score at 3 and 6 months, but these associations were not found in the photon SBRT group.