bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A U‐Net Approach to Apical Lesion Segmentation on Panoramic Radiographs
Authors: Bayrakdar Ibrahim S. , Orhan Kaan , Çelik Özer , Bilgir Elif , Sağlam Hande , Kaplan Fatma Akkoca , Görür Sinem Atay , Odabaş Alper , Aslan Ahmet Faruk , Różyło-Kalinowska Ingrid
Published: January 2022

The purpose of the paper was the assessment of the success of an artificial intelligence (AI) algorithm formed on a deep‐convolutional neural network (D‐CNN) model for the segmentation of apical lesions on dental panoramic radiographs. A total of 470 anonymized panoramic radiographs were used to progress the D‐CNN AI model based on the U‐Net algorithm (CranioCatch, Eskisehir, Turkey) for the segmentation of apical lesions. The radiographs were obtained from the Radiology Archive of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology of the Faculty of Dentistry of Eskisehir Osmangazi University. A U‐Net implemented with PyTorch model (version 1.4.0) was used for the segmentation of apical lesions. In the test data set, the AI model segmented 63 periapical lesions on 47 panoramic radiographs. The sensitivity, precision, and F1‐score for segmentation of periapical lesions at 70% IoU values were 0.92, 0.84, and 0.88, respectively. AI systems have the potential to overcome clinical problems. AI may facilitate the assessment of periapical pathology based on panoramic radiographs.
Mupirocin‐Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Iran: A Biofilm Production and Genetic Characteristics
Authors: Zamani Samira , Mohammadi Anis , Hajikhani Bahareh , Abiri Parnaz , Fazeli Maryam , Nasiri Mohammad Javad , Dadashi Masoud , Goudarzi Mehdi , Haghighi Mehrdad
Published: January 2022

The spread of mupirocin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains in hospitals and communities is a universal challenge. Limited data is available on the genetic features of high‐level mupirocin resistant‐ (HLMUPR‐) S. aureus isolates in Tehran. In the present research, we investigated 48 high‐level mupirocin resistance S. aureus by antimicrobial activity, virulence analysis, biofilm formation, multilocus sequence typing (MLST), and staphylocoagulase (SC) typing. All the HLMUPR strains were positive for mupA gene. The frequency of multidrug resistance was 97.9%. Twenty‐one (43.8%) were toxinogenic with 14 producing pvl (29.2%), 5 tst (10.4%), and two eta (4.2%). Among the HLMUPR isolates, biofilm production was detected in 45 (89.6%) isolates with complete dominance clfB, clfA genes, and a noticeably high frequency fnbA (95.8%), followed by fnbB (93.8%), eno and icaD (each 83.3%), sdrC (81.3%), ebps (79.2%), icaA (75%), sdrD (66.7%), fib (60.4%), sdrE (50%), cna (41.7%), and bap (4.2%). Coagulase typing distinguished isolates into four genotypic patterns including III (50%), II (27.1%), and type IVa (22.9%). A total of three clonal complexes (CCs) and 4 sequence types (STs) including CC/ST22 as the most prevalent (52.1%), CC8/ST239 (20.8%), CC/ST8 (16.7%), and CC/ST5 (10.4%) were identified in current work. According to our analysis, nonbiofilm producer isolates belonged to CC8/ST239 (6.3%) and CC/ST8 (4.2%). Fusidic acid‐resistant isolates belonged to CC/ST45 (n = 3) and CC8/ST239 (n = 1). Observations highlighted the circulation of the CC/ST22 HLMUPR S. aureus strains with strong biofilm‐production ability in our hospitals, indicating the possibility of transmission of this type between community and hospital.
Identification of Key Genes and Pathways in Osteosarcoma by Bioinformatics Analysis
Authors: Chen Xiujin , Zhang Nan , Zheng Yuanyuan , Tong Zhichao , Yang Tuanmin , Kang Xin , He Yan , Dong Liang
Published: January 2022

Purpose. Osteosarcoma (OS) is the most primary bone malignant tumor in adolescents. Although the treatment of OS has made great progress, patients’ prognosis remains poor due to tumor invasion and metastasis. Materials and Methods. We downloaded the expression profile GSE12865 from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. We screened differential expressed genes (DEGs) by making use of the R limma software package. Based on Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis, we performed the function and pathway enrichment analyses. Then, we constructed a Protein-Protein Interaction network and screened hub genes through the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes. Result. By analyzing the gene expression profile GSE12865, we obtained 703 OS-related DEGs, which contained 166 genes upregulated and 537 genes downregulated. The DEGs were primarily abundant in ribosome, cell adhesion molecules, ubiquitin-ubiquitin ligase activity, and p53 signaling pathway. The hub genes of OS were KDR, CDH5, CD34, CDC42, RBX1, POLR2C, PPP2CA, and RPS2 through PPI network analysis. Finally, GSEA analysis showed that cell adhesion molecules, chemokine signal pathway, transendothelial migration, and focal adhesion were associated with OS. Conclusion. In this study, through analyzing microarray technology and bioinformatics analysis, the hub genes and pathways about OS are identified, and the new molecular mechanism of OS is clarified.
A Review on Natural Fibre-Reinforced Biopolymer Composites: Properties and Applications
Authors: Prakash S. Om , Sahu Parul , Madhan Mohankumar , Johnson Santhosh A.
Published: January 2022

In ongoing decades, material researchers and scientists are giving more consideration towards the improvement of biobased polymer composites as various employments of items arranged by natural fibres and petrochemical polymers prompt natural awkwardness. The goal of this review paper is to provide an intensive review and applications of the foremost appropriate commonly used biodegradable polymer composites. It is imperative to build up the completely/incompletely biodegradable polymer composites without bargaining the mechanical, physical, and thermal properties which are required for the end-use applications. This reality roused to create biocomposite with better execution alongside the least natural effect. The utilization of natural fibre-reinforced polymer composites is concerned with the mechanical properties that are highly dependent on the morphology, hydrophilic tendency, aspect ratio, and dimensional stability of the natural fibre. With this in-depth consideration of eco-friendly biocomposites, structural application materials in the infrastructure, automotive industry, and consumer applications of the following decade are attainable within the near future.
Identification of Hub Genes Associated with Immune Infiltration in Cardioembolic Stroke by Whole Blood Transcriptome Analysis
Authors: Li Qiaoqiao , Gao Xueping , Luo Xueshan , Wu Qingrui , He Jintao , Liu Yang , Xue Yumei , Wu Shulin , Rao Fang
Published: January 2022

Cardioembolic stroke (CS) is the most common type of ischemic stroke in the clinic, leading to high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although many studies have been conducted, the molecular mechanism underlying CS has not been fully grasped. This study was aimed at exploring the molecular mechanism of CS using comprehensive bioinformatics analysis and providing new insights into the pathophysiology of CS. We downloaded the public datasets GSE58294 and GSE16561. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened via the limma package using R software. CIBERSORT was used to estimate the proportions of 22 immune cells based on the gene expression profiling of CS patients. Using weighted gene correlation network analysis (WGCNA) to cluster the genes into different modules and detect relationships between modules and immune cell types, hub genes were identified based on the intersection of the protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and WGCNA, and their clinical significance was then verified using another independent dataset GSE16561. Totally, 319 genes were identified as DEGs and 5413 genes were clustered into nine modules using WGCNA. The blue module, with the highest correlation coefficient, was identified as the key module associated with stroke, neutrophils, and B cells naïve. Based on the PPI analysis and WGCNA, five genes (MCEMP1, CLEC4D, GPR97, TSPAN14, and FPR2) were identified as hub genes. Correlation analysis indicated that hub genes had general association with infiltration-related immune cells. ROC analysis also showed they had potential clinical significance. The results were verified using another dataset, which were consistent with our analysis. Five crucial genes determined using integrative bioinformatics analysis might play significant roles in the pathophysiological mechanism in CS and be potential targets for pharmaceutic therapies.
A Deep Neural Network Model for the Detection and Classification of Emotions from Textual Content
Authors: Asghar Muhammad Zubair , Lajis Adidah , Alam Muhammad Mansoor , Rahmat Mohd Khairil , Nasir Haidawati Mohamad , Ahmad Hussain , Al-Rakhami Mabrook S. , Al-Amri Atif , Albogamy Fahad R.
Published: January 2022

Emotion‐based sentimental analysis has recently received a lot of interest, with an emphasis on automated identification of user behavior, such as emotional expressions, based on online social media texts. However, the majority of the prior attempts are based on traditional procedures that are insufficient to provide promising outcomes. In this study, we categorize emotional sentiments by recognizing them in the text. For that purpose, we present a deep learning model, bidirectional long‐term short‐term memory (BiLSMT), for emotion recognition that takes into account five main emotions (Joy, Sadness, Fear, Shame, Guilt). We use our experimental assessments on the emotion dataset to accomplish the emotion categorization job. The datasets were evaluated and the findings revealed that, when compared to state‐of‐the‐art methodologies, the proposed model can successfully categorize user emotions into several classifications. Finally, we assess the efficacy of our strategy using statistical analysis. This research’s findings help firms to apply best practices in the selection, management, and optimization of policies, services, and product information.
An Empirical Model for Geopolymer Reactions Involving Fly Ash and GGBS
Authors: M Beulah , Sudhir MR , Chen Shenen , Rai Sasha , Jain Deekshith
Published: January 2022

Numerous works are reported in literature regarding the enhancement of compressive strength of fly ash-GGBS geopolymer combinations with addition of alkali activators of varying concentrations. However, a limited study has been chronicled, revealing the specific role of alkali or alkaline earth contributed by the fly ash-GGBS combinations on the compressive strength development. It is well known that the strength of a geopolymer is dependent on gel formation from Al/Si ratio, Ca/Si ratio, and Ca/(Si + Al) ratio but their exact role when cured for various extended periods is unknown as yet. In the present study, alkali concentration in a fly ash-GGBS geopolymer combination was varied from 6 M to 12 M with increments of two mol in six different fly ash-GGBS combinations with a minimum of 20 percent and a maximum of 70 percent GGBS. The correlation coefficients between compressive strength and Al/Si, Ca/Si, and Ca/(Si + Al) ratios exhibited values higher than 0.95 taken individually. Multiple linear regression analysis with compressive strength (as dependent parameter) and individual values of Al/Si, Ca/Si, and Ca/(Si + Al) ratios (as independent parameters) was effectuated. It was observed that, depending on the composition, the compressive strength circumstantiated a changeover from Ca/Si to Ca/(Si + Al) ratio in the intermediate composition range. Such a detailed analysis is considered supportive of developing a suitable composition which will provide the optimum compressive strength of the combination.
The Wound Healing Effect of Nanoclay, Collagen, and Tadalafil in Diabetic Rats: An In Vivo Study
Authors: Ordeghan Allahyar Noori , Khayatan Danial , Saki Mohammad Reza , Alam Mostafa , Abbasi Kamyar , Shirvani Hossein , Yazdanian Mohsen , Soufdoost Reza Sayyad , Raad Haidar Taimouri , Karami Ali , Tebyaniyan Hamid
Published: January 2022

The diabetic wound is the most challenging one to manage, which is associated with microvascular and macrovascular dysfunction, and novel strategies such as using hydrogels demonstrate their promising prospect in treatment and management approaches of the diabetic wound. This study aimed to investigate the effect of collagen/nanoclay/tadalafil hydrogel on wound healing in diabetic rats under HIIT exercise. Hydrogel was synthesized, and then biocompatibility and antibacterial tests were performed. The therapeutic effect of collagen/nanoclay/tadalafil hydrogel was assessed after induction of diabetes in the rat model, and wound healing was evaluated with macroscopic and microscopic tests. The result of the MTT test showed no significant cytotoxicity of collagen/nanoclay/tadalafil hydrogel. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of hydrogel was detected on E. coli and S. aureus. The macroscopic results demonstrated that the wound contraction was considerable in the hydrogel/HIIT exercise and hydrogel groups compared with the HIIT exercise and control groups during 21 days. The microscopic results showed that the presence of fibroblasts, the amount of collagen, the epidermis density, and the formation of hair follicles were increased in the hydrogel/HIIT exercise group compared with other groups in the diabetic rate model. It can be concluded that collagen/nanoclay/tadalafil hydrogel with HIIT exercise could accelerate diabetic wound healing and can be an appropriate candidate for skin regeneration in medical applications.
Enhanced Intelligent Smart Home Control and Security System Based on Deep Learning Model
Authors: Taiwo Olutosin , Ezugwu Absalom E. , Oyelade Olaide N. , Almutairi Mubarak S.
Published: January 2022

Security of lives and properties is highly important for enhanced quality living. Smart home automation and its application have received much progress towards convenience, comfort, safety, and home security. With the advances in technology and the Internet of Things (IoT), the home environment has witnessed an improved remote control of appliances, monitoring, and home security over the internet. Several home automation systems have been developed to monitor movements in the home and report to the user. Existing home automation systems detect motion and have surveillance for home security. However, the logical aspect of averting unnecessary or fake notifications is still a major area of challenge. Intelligent response and monitoring make smart home automation efficient. This work presents an intelligent home automation system for controlling home appliances, monitoring environmental factors, and detecting movement in the home and its surroundings. A deep learning model is proposed for motion recognition and classification based on the detected movement patterns. Using a deep learning model, an algorithm is developed to enhance the smart home automation system for intruder detection and forestall the occurrence of false alarms. A human detected by the surveillance camera is classified as an intruder or home occupant based on his walking pattern. The proposed method’s prototype was implemented using an ESP32 camera for surveillance, a PIR motion sensor, an ESP8266 development board, a 5 V four-channel relay module, and a DHT11 temperature and humidity sensor. The environmental conditions measured were evaluated using a mathematical model for the response time to effectively show the accuracy of the DHT sensor for weather monitoring and future prediction. An experimental analysis of human motion patterns was performed using the CNN model to evaluate the classification for the detection of humans. The CNN classification model gave an accuracy of 99.8%.
Polydatin Attenuates Cisplatin-Induced Acute Kidney Injury by Inhibiting Ferroptosis
Authors: Zhou Lu , Yu Peng , Wang Ting-ting , Du Yi-wei , Chen Yang , Li Zhen , He Man-lin , Feng Lan , Li Hui-rong , Han Xiao , Ma Heng , Liu Hong-bao
Published: January 2022

Cisplatin is widely used in the treatment of solid tumors, but its application is greatly limited due to its nephrotoxicity; thus, there is still no effective medicine for the treatment of cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (Cis-AKI). We previously identified that polydatin (PD) exerts nephroprotective effects by antioxidative stress in AKI models. Recent evidence suggests that oxidative stress-induced molecular events overlap with the process of ferroptosis and that there are common molecular targets, such as glutathione (GSH) depletion and lipid peroxidation. Nevertheless, whether the nephroprotective effect of PD is related to anti-ferroptosis remains unclear. In this study, the inhibitory effect of PD on ferroptosis was observed in both cisplatin-treated HK-2 cells (20 μM) in vitro and a Cis-AKI mouse model (20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) in vivo, characterized by the reversion of excessive intracellular free iron accumulation and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, a decrease in malondialdehyde (MDA) content and GSH depletion, and an increase in glutathione peroxidase-4 (GPx4) activity. Remarkably, PD dose-dependently alleviated cell death induced by the system Xc− inhibitor erastin (10 μM), and the effect of the 40 μM dose of PD was more obvious than that of ferrostatin-1 (1 μM) and deferoxamine (DFO, 100 μM), classical ferroptosis inhibitors. Our results provide insight into nephroprotection with PD in Cis-AKI by inhibiting ferroptosis via maintenance of the system Xc−-GSH-GPx4 axis and iron metabolism.
Who Bears the Burden of a Pandemic? COVID-19 and the Transfer of Risk to Digital Platform Workers
Authors: Tubaro Paola , Casilli Antonio A.
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we analyze the recessionary effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on digital platform workers. The crisis has been described as a great work-from-home experiment, with platform ecosystems presenting as its most advanced form. Our analysis differentiates the direct (health) and indirect (economic) risks incurred by workers in order to critically assess the portrayal of platforms as buffers against crisis-induced layoffs. We submit that platform-mediated labor may eventually increase precarity, without necessarily reducing health risks for workers. Our argument is based on a comparison of the three main categories of platform work—“on-demand labor” (gigs such as delivery and transportation), “online labor” (tasks performed remotely, such as data annotation), and “social networking labor” (content generation and moderation). We discuss the strategies that platforms deploy to transfer risk from clients onto workers, thus deepening existing power imbalances between them. These results question the problematic equivalence between work-from-home and platform labor. Instead of attaining the advantages of the former in terms of direct and indirect risk mitigation, an increasing number of platformized jobs drift toward high economic and insuppressible health risks.
Historically White Colleges and Universities: The Unbearable Whiteness of (Most) Colleges and Universities in America
Authors: Bonilla-Silva Eduardo , Peoples Crystal E.
Published: January 2022

In this paper, we examine the academy as a specific case of the racialization of space, arguing that most colleges and universities in the United States are in fact historically white colleges and universities (HWCUs). To uncover this reality, we first describe the dual relationship between space and race and racism. Using this theoretical framing, we demonstrate how seemingly “race neutral” components of most American universities (i.e., the history, demography, curriculum, climate, and sets of symbols and traditions) embody, signify, and reproduce whiteness and white supremacy. After examining the racial reality of HWCUs, we offer several suggestions for making HWCUs into truly universalistic, multicultural spaces.
(Un)Natural Disasters: Electoral Cycles in Disaster Relief
Authors: Cooperman Alicia
Published: January 2022

Emergency spending is often exempt from campaign period restrictions and procurement guidelines, making it attractive for opportunistic politicians, but natural disasters are seen as outside political business cycles. However, droughts are frequent but challenging to measure, so politicians can leverage discretion for electoral gain. This paper analyzes electoral cycles, term limits, and partisan targeting around municipal drought declaration in Northeast Brazil. Two sources of exogeneity (rainfall shocks, electoral calendar) isolate the effect of non-climatic factors on drought declarations. I find that drought declarations, which trigger relief, are more likely in mayoral election years. Incumbents are more likely to win re-election if they declare a drought in the election year, during below or even above average rainfall. The results are consistent with interviews suggesting voters reward competent mayors and mayors trade relief for votes. This study highlights the interaction between distributive and environmental politics, which has increasing consequences due to climate change.
The Context (In)Dependence of Low-Fit Brand Extensions
Authors: Mathur Pragya , Malika Malika , Agrawal Nidhi , Maheswaran Durairaj
Published: January 2022

Low-fit brand extensions, while often presenting profitable opportunities for existing brands, are known to meet with varying levels of consumer acceptance. This research identifies conditions in which low-fit extensions can succeed. Specifically, the authors show that the extent to which consumers consider the context in forming judgments (i.e., they are context dependent) determines their acceptance of low-fit extensions. Across four studies, the authors examine the combined effects of context (in)dependence and type of information. Context-dependent consumers form their evaluations on the basis of the type of brand extension information provided, such that providing benefit-based information enhances the evaluations of low-fit extensions, whereas providing attribute-based information leads to a reliance on extension fit and subsequent unfavorable evaluations of low fit extensions. In contrast, context-independent consumers are more likely to base their judgments on extension fit regardless of whether they receive attribute- or benefit-based information. Acceptance of high-fit extensions is unaffected by context (in)dependence and type of information. These findings provide a two-step strategy (i.e., sensitize consumers to context and providing benefit-based extension information) to managers for launching low-fit extensions and leveraging existing parent brand equity.
Electroencephalogram utilization and psychiatric comorbidities among children and adolescents with epilepsy in rural Southwestern Uganda
Authors: Kirabira Joseph , Rukundo Godfrey Z , Kibuuka Moses
Published: January 2022

Objective

This study aimed at describing routine electroencephalogram (EEG) findings among children and adolescents with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy and determines how interictal EEG abnormalities vary with the psychiatric comorbidities.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study among children and adolescents with epilepsy aged 5–18 years receiving care from a regional referral hospital in Southwestern Uganda. Psychiatric comorbidities were assessed using an adapted parent version of Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-5. Thirty-minute EEG samples were taken from routine EEG recordings that were locally performed and remotely interpreted for all participants.

Results

Of the 140 participants, 71 (50.7%) had normal EEG findings and 51 (36.4%) had epileptiform abnormalities while 18 (12.9%) had non-epileptiform. Of those who had epileptiform abnormalities on EEG, 23 (45.1%) were focal, 26 (51.0%) were generalized, and 2 (3.9%) were focal with bilateral spread. There was no significant association between the different psychiatric comorbidities and the interictal EEG abnormalities.

Conclusions

Among children and adolescents with a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy in Southwestern Uganda, only 36% showed epileptiform abnormalities on their EEG recordings. There was no association between the interictal EEG abnormalities and psychiatric comorbidities.
Static puncture resistance characteristics with various indenter nose shape geometry perforation of shear thickening fluid impregnated polypropylene fabric for soft armour application
Authors: SampathKumar Deepak , Duraisamy Thirumalaikumarasamy , Pattabi Thirumal , Mohankumar AshokKumar
Published: January 2022

At present, puncture resistance and rheological performance of shear thickening fluid (STF) is an essential design requirement for a soft armour material (target sample). The target sample is prepared with a dip and dry process of STF impregnated woven polypropylene (PP) fabric. These samples were tested and compared with neat PP fabric. The penetration depth of target samples is highly sensitive to the coefficient of friction between the indenter’s nose shape geometry and the target sample. The STF is prepared by mechanical dispersion of synthesized microsphere silica microparticles at a volume fraction of 57% in polyethylene glycol (400 g/mol). The rheological response indicates that the prepared concentration of silica microparticles in the STF suspension is observed to have a better shear thickening effect. The viscosity of suspension is highly sensitive to silica aspect ratio, volume fraction and particle size distribution in this work. Tensile tests along with puncture resistance with different indenter nose shapes geometry (hemispherical, elliptical, flat and conical) have been performed in the present study. Results indicate that the energy absorption is more with the hemispherical indenter and less with that of the conical indenter, which is attributed to the minimum surface area of contact as compared to all other indenters. A total of 16 number of fabricated target samples with various coating thicknesses of STF impregnated fabrics achieved the desired tensile strength, modulus and puncture resistance.
Reclaiming disabled creativity: How cultural models make legible the creativity of people with disabilities
Authors: Jones David R
Published: January 2022

The field of creativity studies underrepresents—even excludes—creators who have disabilities. The underrepresentation partly reflects an approach that pathologizes disability. Disability as a pathology or marker of ineligibility makes the contributions of people with disabilities invisible or illegible to creativity research. However, disability operates as a marker of membership in a larger disability culture. Considering disability and creativity as cultural phenomena locates a means for including disabled creators in creativity studies. Cultural models describe creativity in terms of groups sharing values, experiences, and resources. People with disabilities participate in subcultures (e.g., deaf communities) and/or larger cultures (i.e., disability culture). Disability cultures encapsulate shared experiences and values as well as resources. In the following article, I pair three propositions from cultural creativity models with evidence from creators with disabilities to demonstrate that (a) members of disability culture experience the world in ways that generate creative expression, (b) encountering a world designed for abled bodies incites the creativity of disabled people, and (c) disabled and abled people collaboratively create. However, not all methodological approaches effectively include creators with disabilities. Qualitative approaches suit best when the researcher practices reflexivity and allows creators with disabilities the right to manage their own representation within the project.
A semiotic cultural psychology theory analysis of the signs ‘We’, ‘Us’, ‘I’ and ‘Me’
Authors: Rutherford Glen
Published: January 2022

Relevant to the emerging field of semiotic cultural psychology theory (SCPT), the present paper considers ‘We’, ‘Us’, ‘I’ and ‘Me’ as semiotic and cultural psychology phenomena. Drawing on the semiotics of Saussure, Peirce, Jakobson, and Cousins, a semiotic dynamic ‘double-dyadic’ model of the signifier and the referent is proposed. For each ‘We’, ‘Us’, ‘I’ and ‘Me’, the COVID-19 global pandemic related cases are used to analyse and illustrate the signifier-referent model. Implications are drawn from the new model for the complex systems entailed in organizing self and culture. Finally, suggestions are made for testing the model.
Optimization study on wet electrostatic powder coating process to manufacture UHMWPE/LDPE towpregs
Authors: Khan Ashraf Nawaz , Goud Vijay , Alagirusamy Ramasamy , Mahajan Puneet , Das Apurba
Published: January 2022

In the present study, an attempt has been made to coat the non-conductive Ultra-high Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibers with Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) powder. In order to enable the deposition of electrostatically charged LDPE powder onto the fiber surface, UHMWPE fibers are dipped into a surface modification bath to impart momentary conductivity. Further, Box Behnken’s experimental design is used to optimize the processing parameters for Fiber Volume Fraction (Vf) for this wet electrostatic spray coating process. An experimental multi-parametric equation is acquired through response surface methodology to ascertain the association amid the process parameters such as processing temperature (A), conveying air pressure (B), and gun nozzle angle (C) on the output response of Vf. The process parametric values for A, B, and C are varied from 225°C to 245°C, 0.2 bar to 0.4 bar, and 0° to 120° respectively. The Vf obtained is in the range of 37.02%–56.28% depending on the combination of process parametric values. Powder pick-up increases with an increase in the gun nozzle angle. An increase in conveying air pressure and temperature of the hot air oven leads to an increase in powder deposition. The values predicted from the model are observed to be in close proximity (94.59%) to the experimental results. Gun nozzle angle is the principal parameter affecting the matrix deposition on the fiber surface in comparison to other process parameters.
MicroRNA regulation of BAG3
Authors: Singh Madhu V , Dhanabalan Karthik , Verry Joseph , Dokun Ayotunde O
Published: January 2022

B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated athanogene 3 (BAG3) protein is a member of BAG family of co-chaperones that modulates major biological processes, including apoptosis, autophagy, and development to promote cellular adaptive responses to stress stimuli. Although BAG3 is constitutively expressed in several cell types, its expression is also inducible and is regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs). miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that mostly bind to the 3′-UTR (untranslated region) of mRNAs to inhibit their translation or to promote their degradation. miRNAs can potentially regulate over 50% of the protein-coding genes in a cell and therefore are involved in the regulation of all major functions, including cell differentiation, growth, proliferation, apoptosis, and autophagy. Dysregulation of miRNA expression is associated with pathogenesis of numerous diseases, including peripheral artery disease (PAD). BAG3 plays a critical role in regulating the response of skeletal muscle cells to ischemia by its ability to regulate autophagy. However, the biological role of miRNAs in the regulation of BAG3 in biological processes has only been elucidated recently. In this review, we discuss how miRNA may play a key role in regulating BAG3 expression under normal and pathological conditions.
Whose Voice is It Really? Ethics of Photovoice With Children in Health Promotion
Authors: Abma Tineke , Breed Marieke , Lips Sarah , Schrijver Janine
Published: January 2022

Photovoice, a way of conducting research through pictures, is considered a child-friendly method to engage children in participatory research and social change but this practice can raise ethical dilemmas. These dilemmas have rarely been discussed in the literature. The aim of this article is to provide insight into the ethical dilemmas we faced using photovoice with children. It is grounded in a 4-year participatory health research project in two primary schools where we used photovoice alongside other creative and arts-based methods. We reflect critically on pressing ethical tensions and how we dealt with these dilemmas. Our logbooks and reflexive conversations were used as data sources. The findings reveal that everyday ethical dilemmas occurred throughout the project. These were sometimes anticipated but were often unexpected. Questions that arose included: ‘Who controls the outcome?’; ‘Photos to assess needs or to give voice?’; ‘Giving voice or aesthetics?’; ‘Who decides who is visible?’ and ‘Disrespectful and stereotypical representations?’ We conclude that ethical dilemmas in using photovoice with children deserve more attention to sensitize researchers and help them live up to the ideals of voice and empowerment.
The interplay of open innovation and strategic innovation: Unpacking the role of organizational learning ability and absorptive capacity
Authors: Mirza Saima , Mahmood Asif , Waqar Hassan
Published: January 2022

We explore the open innovation research model in order to remove barriers in service organizations, where lack of knowledge is the main barrier to innovation. The purpose of this paper is to propose a research model exploring the relationship between open innovation, organizational learning ability, absorptive capacity, and strategic innovation. In this study, we collected data from 330 pharmaceutical companies in Lahore and Karachi (Pakistan). The Structural equation model analysis was used through analysis of moment structures and statistical package for the social sciences to check the relationship between the variables. The results reveal that hypotheses related to innovation have been accepted. The findings of this study are evidence that various types of open innovation have different effects on strategic innovation. The inbound and outbound open innovation directly affects strategic innovation; the mutual effect of exploitative learning ability and explorative learning ability between open innovation and strategic innovation have indirect effects. Similarly, the empirical findings of absorptive capacity also significantly impact open innovation and organizational learning ability. This study contributes to the theory by introducing exploitative and explorative learning abilities as mediators between open innovation and strategic innovation. Moreover, it analyzes how absorptive capacity may enhance learning abilities through the open innovation phenomenon. Practically, this study would help the managers understand and improve organizational productivity and gain competitive advantage by creating, sharing, and utilizing knowledge through internal and external avenues.
Preoperative Depression is Associated With Increased Complications Following Ankle Fracture Surgery
Authors: Broggi Matthew S. , Tahmid Syed , Hurt John , Kadakia Rishin J. , Bariteau Jason T. , Coleman Michelle M.
Published: January 2022

Background

The effects of preoperative depression following ankle fracture surgery remains unknown. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between preoperative depression and outcomes following ankle fracture surgery.

Methods

This retrospective study used the Truven MarketScan database to identify patients who underwent ankle fracture surgery from January 2009 to December 2018. Patients with and without a diagnosis of preoperative depression were identified based on International Classification of Diseases (ICD) codes. Chi-squared and multivariate analyses were performed to determine the association between preoperative depression and postoperative complications following ankle fracture surgery. Results. In total, 107,897 patients were identified for analysis, 13,981 of whom were diagnosed with depression (13%). Preoperative depression was associated with the increased odds for postoperative infection (odds ratio [OR]: 1.33, confidence interval [CI]: 1.20-1.46), wound complications (OR: 1.13, CI: 1.00-1.28), pain-related postoperative emergency department visits (OR: 1.58, CI: 1.30-19.1), 30-day and 90-day readmissions (OR: 1.08, CI: 1.03-1.21 and OR: 1.13, CI: 1.07-1.18), sepsis (OR: 1.39, CI: 1.12-1.72), and postoperative development of complex regional pain syndrome (OR: 1.46, CI: 1.18-1.81).

Conclusion

Preoperative depression is associated with increased complications following ankle fracture surgery. Further studies are warranted to investigate the degree to which depression is a modifiable risk factor.

Level of Evidence:

3
Determinants of wasting among South Sudanese 6- to 59-month-old children in Okugo refugee camp, Gambella Region, South-Western Ethiopia: Unmatched case–control study
Authors: Tadesse Tesfaye , Turi Ebisa , Wirtu Desalegn , Bikila Haile , Assefa Lemessa
Published: January 2022

Introduction:

Wasting among refugee children continues to be a serious public health problem particularly in conflict and in situations when people are displaced. Evidence of risk factors in the refugee context is crucial to successfully prevent malnutrition and its consequences. However, little information is known about the determinants of wasting in a refugee setting. Hence, this study was aimed to identify determinants of wasting among South Sudanese 6- to 59-month-old children in Okugo refugee camp, South-Western Ethiopia.

Methods:

Institutional-based unmatched case–control study was conducted on 99 acute malnutrition children (cases) and 297 children who are not malnourished (control) from 6 April to 2 May 2019. The study participant was selected by systematic random sampling and data on exposure variables were collected by face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire. Data were entered into Epi data version 3.1 and was exported to SPSS version 25 for further analysis. Descriptive, bivariable, and multivariable analyses were done to compute summary statistics and to identify determinants of wasting.

Result:

The mean age of the cases and controls with standard deviation (SD) was 13.8 (±6.9) and 19.2 (±8.7) months, respectively. Multi-variable analysis revealed that mothers who were unable to read and write (adjusted odds ratio = 3.26, 95% confidence interval (1.07–7.93)), fathers only decision-maker to use donations items in the household (adjusted odds ratio = 3.75, 95% confidence interval (1.28–10.85)), not used all donated refugee food and non-food items (adjusted odds ratio = 2.57; 95% confidence interval (1.17–5.66)), the incidence of diarrhea 2 weeks preceding the survey (adjusted odds ratio = 5.28, 95% confidence interval (2.31–12.04)), and mother’s smoking habit (adjusted odds ratio = 2.98, 95% confidence interval (1.19–7.44)) were significant determinants of wasting.

Conclusion:

The finding shows that mothers who are unable to read and write, father only decision-maker, parents’ smoking habit, not using all donated refugee food items, and diarrheal disease were found to be independent determinants of wasting. Hence, interventions on acute malnutrition which are focused on empowering women through training and strengthening their control over the household assets, proper utilization of donated food, and non-food items will play a paramount role.
Fact-Checking the Crisis: COVID-19, Infodemics, and the Platformization of Truth
Authors: Cotter Kelley , DeCook Julia R. , Kanthawala Shaheen
Published: January 2022

During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, various officials flagged the critical threat of false information. In this study, we explore how three major social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube) responded to this “infodemic” during early stages of the pandemic via emergent fact-checking policies and practices, and consider what this means for ensuring a well-informed public. We accomplish this through a thematic analysis of documents published by the three platforms that address fact-checking, particularly those that focus on COVID-19. In addition to examining what the platforms said they did, we also examined what the platforms actually did in practice via a retrospective case study drawing on secondary data about the viral conspiracy video, Plandemic. We demonstrate that the platforms focused their energies primarily on the visibility of COVID-19 mis/disinformation on their sites via (often vaguely described) policies and practices rife with subjectivity. Moreover, the platforms communicated the expectation that users should ultimately be the ones to hash out what they believe is true. We argue that this approach does not necessarily serve the goal of ensuring a well-informed public, as has been the goal of fact-checking historically, and does little to address the underlying conditions and structures that permit the circulation and amplification of false information online.
Assessing the New Product Development Process for the Industrial Decarbonization of Sustainable Economies
Authors: Wan Qilong , Zhao Xiaoqing , Liu Haibing , Dinçer Hasan , Yüksel Serhat
Published: January 2022

This study aims to find out the significant stages of new product development process for the industrial decarbonization of sustainable economies by using interval type-2 (IT2) fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL). The findings demonstrate that commercialization is the most significant process of new product generation process of industrial decarbonization. Moreover, it is also concluded that with respect to the sub-criteria, cost analysis, and performance evaluation have the highest weights. An effective cost analysis is required in the new product development process. The costs of the product development process can in some cases be much higher than anticipated. This situation eliminates the effectiveness of the newly developed product. In this context, companies need to make the necessary plans for the costs of these new products correctly. On the other hand, it is important to follow the costs in detail during the process. Otherwise, the product that does not provide a cost advantage will not be preferred by industrial companies. This will cause the actions to be taken to reduce carbon emissions to fail.
How Reliable and Valid are the Evaluations of Digital Competence in Higher Education: A Systematic Mapping Study
Authors: Saltos-Rivas Rafael , Novoa-Hernández Pavel , Serrano Rodríguez Rocío
Published: January 2022

Evaluating digital competencies has become a topic of growing interest in recent years. Although several reviews and studies have summarized the main elements of progress and shortcomings in this area, some issues are yet to be explored. Very little information is available about the ways of ensuring the validity and reliability of the instrument used. This study addresses this issue through systematic mapping covering the period from January 2015 to July 2020. Based on 88 primary studies, we conclude that a growing number of studies have emerged over the years; most of them are based on European university students in social science programs; the quality of the journals where they were published is low; and the instruments used are mostly questionnaires and ad-hoc surveys that measure the various dimensions of digital competence based on participants’ perceptions. Out of the eight possible types of quality assessment, studies commonly report only four (one in the case of reliability and three in the case of validity). More than 50% of the studies do not provide evidence of having assessed the reliability and validity at the same time. Although participant discipline resulted in a significantly association with the practice of reporting reliability and validity assessments, no specific dimension explained such association. A non-parametric multivariate analysis reveals, among other interesting patterns, that the practice of not reporting quality assessments is more present in studies where participants belong to the fields of Engineering and Technology, Health Sciences, and Humanities.
The Use of Tumor Prostheses for Primary or Revision Reverse Total Shoulder Arthroplasty With Proximal Humeral Bone Loss
Authors: Mengers Sunita RP , Knapik Derrick M , Strony John , Nelson Grant , Faxon Evan , Renko Nellie , Getty Patrick , Gillespie Robert
Published: January 2022

Background

During shoulder arthroplasty with substantial bone and soft tissue loss, reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) with a tumor prosthesis may restore function, reduce pain, and improve implant fixation.

Methods

Thirteen adult patients undergoing RSA using a tumor prosthesis system were retrospectively reviewed. Preoperative visual analog score (VAS), single assessment numeric evaluation (SANE), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, simple shoulder test (SST), and forward flexion were compared to latest follow up. Postoperative radiographs and complications were recorded.

Results

Mean age at surgery was 68.4 years. Eight patients had undergone at least 1 prior operation on the indicated shoulder. Six patients required wide excision of proximal humerus tumor. At mean of 34 months postoperatively, significant improvements were noted in VAS ( P = .03) and ASES score ( P = .04). Active forward elevation was 81.1 degrees. For all patients, postoperative radiographs demonstrated satisfactory alignment. Complications occurred in 38% of patients, with 31% requiring reoperation.

Conclusion

In cases of failed shoulder arthroplasty with excessive bone and soft tissue loss or substantial tumor burden, RSA with a tumor prosthesis can reduce pain levels and improve functional outcomes. However, forward elevation remains limited, and postoperative complications are a concern.
Aspiration of viscous plug in macular hole surgery: a case series
Authors: Ahmed Khan Shaheryar , Goldsmith Craig , Thandar So Mya
Published: January 2022

Macular hole surgery has been revolutionized since the 1990s’ with the advent of pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade, which is now extensively practiced and regarded as the gold standard procedure for surgical treatment of macular hole. Here, we report a simple adjunctive maneuver to conventional PPV with ILM peel and gas tamponade. We observed presence of a viscous fluid in the base of the macular hole in our series. In all, 40 eyes of 39 patients consecutively operated on from June 2019 to December 2020 for PPV with ILM peel and gas tamponade, were included in this study. The viscous plug was aspirated passively using a 25 gauge cannula with its tip above the macular hole, approaching only until a fluid-wave was visualized, which resulted in flattening of the fluid cuff area aiding the macular hole closure in a concentric pattern. Macular hole closure and complete success was seen in 39 out of 40 eyes (97.5%) and only 1 failure (2.5%) observed in this series. In our case series, we have observed the presence of a viscous fluid plug in the macular hole. We demonstrated that aspirating this thick fluid from the hole results in the flattening of the cuff of fluid and subsequent closure of the macular hole in a concentric manner in almost all cases in our series. The lack of concurrent control group means we cannot state a definitive effect of the intervention, but it does suggest the utility of a prospective randomized controlled trial.