bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Constructing popular music programs at Higher Music Education Institutions across Europe
Authors: Coppes Wessel , Berkers Pauwke
Published: September 2022

There has been a steady increase in popular music programs at Higher Music Education Institutions (HMEIs) across Europe. However, what students actually are supposed to learn at popular music bachelor/master programs has remained largely understudied. Based on 12 in-depth interviews with leaders in higher popular music education, this paper addresses: (1) how popular music is defined and possibly canonized, (2) what the position of popular music programs is, and (3) how the content of popular music programs is constructed—at HMEIs. First, participants struggle to provide a clear definition of popular music. Therefore, they differ in how they name their program – as popular music, pop music or something else. Because there is little consensus over a canon of popular music, our interviewees work from a mini-canon of British/American popular music, add local music to the curriculum, use jazz as a basis and/or work without a canon. Second, despite their growing popularity, popular music programs still struggle to position themselves, particularly at HMEIs with strong classical music departments. Third, program leaders navigate between different approaches of content construction within the constraints of their institution: (a) craft-centered (top-down, teacher-driven, skill-oriented), (b) arts-centered (bottom-up, student-driven, creativity-oriented), and (c) market-centered (side-to-side, industry-driven, commercially-oriented).
Background music of varying tempi produces differing facial emotional expressions and performance in music-majors and non-majors as they complete a reading comprehension test
Authors: Moreno Matthew , Ryan Charlene , Woodruff Earl
Published: September 2022

This study examined how music major and non-music major participants’ performances and emotional expressions differed when exposed to background music of varying tempi while completing a reading comprehension task. Two questions were addressed: (1) What effect does background music of varying tempi have on the performance of music and non-music majors while completing a reading comprehension task? and (2) What real-time expressed emotions and self-report measures may predict the reading comprehension scores between music and non-music majors? A total of 34 participants completed a reading comprehension task under each of three musical test conditions while facial-muscular emotion software analyzed their facial expressions, to understand the effect on performance. Results indicated that music majors displayed significantly different ( p < .05) emotional expressions of joy and contempt, which corresponded to no significant differences in performance scores, in comparison to non-majors, whose performance varied greatly across the background music test conditions that were given. These findings support the growing literature surrounding the possible effects of music training and how differences between trained and non-musicians may be understood through emotion detection software.
“It was terrible, I didn’t sleep for two years”: A mixed methods exploration of sleep and its effects among family caregivers of in-home hospice patients at end-of-life
Authors: Starr Lauren T , Washington Karla T , McPhillips Miranda V , Pitzer Kyle , Demiris George , Oliver Debra Parker
Published: September 2022

Background:

Due to overnight caregiving demands; exacerbation of high rates of anxiety, depression, and distress; and inadequate support, millions of family caregivers of patients receiving in-home hospice are at risk of poor sleep and negative health effects.

Aim:

To describe sleep experiences of family caregivers of in-home hospice patients and perceptions of these experiences on caregivers’ wellbeing in the context of caregiver health and live-in status.

Design:

Developed using the Symptom Management Model, this mixed methods study featured a concurrent nested design prioritizing qualitative reflexive thematic analysis.

Setting/participants:

About 47 family caregivers of in-home hospice patients from two randomized clinical trials (NCT03712410, NCT02929108) were interviewed (United States, 2021). Anxiety (GAD-7), depression (PHQ-9), quality-of-life (QOL) (CQLI-R), and self-rated health and energy were reported prior to interviews.

Results:

Qualitative analysis revealed three themes: compromised sleep quality, factors influencing sleep, effects of sleep. 72.5% of hospice family caregivers described “fair” or “poor” sleep quality, with “ interrupted” sleep and frequent night-waking due to “ on-call” “ vigilance” and anxiety. Negative effects included exhaustion, mental and physical health decline, and reduced caregiver function. Live-in caregivers reported higher mean depression scores (8.4 vs 4.3, p = 0.08), higher mean anxiety scores (7.7 vs 3.3, p = 0.06), and lower mean QOL scores (24.8 vs 33.6, p < 0.001) than live-out caregivers. Anxiety, depression, and QOL worsened as self-reported caregiver sleep quality decreased. Few caregivers had adequate support.

Conclusion:

End-of-life family caregivers experience disrupted sleep with negative effects and inadequate support. Clinicians must assess sleep, offer sleep interventions, and provide more supports to hospice family caregivers.
Effect of dexmedetomidine on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment in older patients undergoing pulmonary surgery
Authors: Liu Tao , Liu Fang-Chao , Xia Yu , Luo Tai-Jun , Wang Fei , Chen Bin , Wang Chun , Gao Guang-Kuo , Zhai Wen-Ting , Liu Wei
Published: September 2022

Objective

We investigated the effect of dexmedetomidine anesthesia on postoperative cognitive function after pulmonary surgery.

Methods

A blinded, prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study was performed on 60 patients (age range 65–74 years) undergoing lobectomy by video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (29 in the dexmedetomidine group; 31 in the placebo group). Dexmedetomidine group patients received dexmedetomidine, and placebo group patients received an equal volume of physiological saline 20 minutes before anesthesia induction. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment 1 day before surgery and on postoperative day (POD)1, POD3, and POD7. The regional cerebral oxygen saturation (rSO2) was monitored continuously by near-infrared spectroscopy before anesthesia.

Results

The Montreal Cognitive Assessment score was significantly different between the two groups on POD1 (dexmedetomidine 26.4  ±  0.73 vs. placebo 25.5 ± 0.96) and POD3 (dexmedetomidine 27.1 ± 0.79 vs. placebo 26.6 ± 0.80). Specifically, attention and orientation scores were increased in the dexmedetomidine group on POD1 and POD3. The rSO2 was not significantly different between the dexmedetomidine and placebo groups.

Conclusion

Dexmedetomidine given before induction of anesthesia could reduce the risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction and might not decrease rSO2. Hence, dexmedetomidine could be employed in pulmonary surgical procedures, especially for older patients with a high risk of cognitive dysfunction.
Liver cancer concurrent with chronic myelocytic leukemia and extreme thrombocytosis: a rare case report
Authors: Han Ping , Han Zhi-Qiang , Mao Xia , Wang Jin , Li Qin-Lu , Xiao Min , Meng Li , Tian De-An , Hong Zhen-Ya
Published: September 2022

Chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) can occasionally occur after long-term chemotherapy for solid tumors; solid tumors secondary to chemotherapy and biotherapy for CML have also been reported. However, concurrence of these two phenomena in an untreated patient has seldom been reported. Herein, we describe the case of a female patient in her early 60 s who was transferred to the liver surgery department after the discovery of a large liver mass and elevated plasma alpha-fetoprotein levels. She was initially diagnosed with liver cancer. Blood tests indicated an increased platelet count (2464 × 109/L). Chromosomal examination from a bone marrow biopsy indicated the presence of the t(9;22) translocation, and subsequent fluorescence in situ hybridization and PCR were positive for the BCR-ABL rearrangement. A diagnosis of CML was made. The patient received hydroxyurea and imatinib to treat CML and underwent subsequent platelet-lowering therapy and a liver biopsy, which suggested moderately poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma or potentially hepatic metastatic carcinoma. However, the patient refused further pathological examination or screening for the site of the primary tumor. She died 6.5 months after discharge. The exact relationship between the two tumors remains unclear, and more patients need to be evaluated.
Investigating Students’ Engagement Patterns and Supporting Game Features in a Personalized Computerized Role-Playing Game Environment
Authors: Zhong Lin
Published: September 2022

Engagement in educational games was conceptualized as four dimensions but few studies have examined the four dimensions together. Additionally, game features vary greatly in different game genres that demand different engagement dimensions. However, engaging game features were studied in general and did not inquire specific game genres in extant literature. This study aimed at filling in this gap by examining students’ engagement patterns as well as what and how game features provided engagement opportunities in a personalized computerized role-playing game environment through the lens of the four-dimension engagement framework. Results showed the instability of engagement and certain engagement dimensions would predominate in different gameplay stages. Students exhibited cognitive engagement both during and after gameplay. Behavioral engagement dominated during gameplay while affective engagement dominated after gameplay. This study also found that gender, age, employment status, and gameplay experience affected engagement during gameplay. All features of personalized computerized role-playing game could engage students but manipulating a fictional world and portraying game characters could best engage students. Implications and future research were also discussed in the study.
Who Says What in Which Networks: What influences Social Media Users’ Emotional Reactions to the COVID-19 Vaccine Infodemic?
Authors: Yang Aimei , Jieun Shin , Kim Hye Min , Zhou Alvin , Liu Wenlin , Huang-Isherwood Ke , Jang Eugene , Sun Jingyi , Lee Eugene , Yafei Zhang , Chuqin Dong
Published: September 2022

This study aims to identify effective predictors that influence publics’ emotional reactions to COVID-19 vaccine misinformation as well as corrective messages. We collected a large sample of COVID-19 vaccine related misinformation and corrective messages on Facebook as well as the users’ emotional reactions (i.e., emojis) to these messages. Focusing on three clusters of features such as messages’ linguistic features, source characteristics, and messages’ network positions, we examined whether users’ reactions to misinformation and corrective information would differ. We used random forest models to identify the most salient predictors among over 70 predictors for both types of messages. Our analysis found that for misinformation, political ideology of the message source was the most salient feature that predicted anxious and enthusiastic reactions, followed by message features that highlight personal concerns and messages’ network positions. For corrective messages, while the sources’ ideology was still key to raising anxiety, the most important feature for triggering enthusiasm was the messages’ network positions and message quality.
Stencil printing of adhesive-based fuel cell sealings: The influence of rheology on bubble formation during the separation step
Authors: Indicatti Fabiano I , Rädler Michael , Günter Friedhelm , Stammen Elisabeth , Dilger Klaus
Published: September 2022

The widespread deployment of fuel cell technology requires the development of new manufacturing technologies to turn it economically viable. Stencil printing is known as one of the highest throughput techniques for applying adhesives, where a moving squeegee forces the adhesive through pre-defined apertures in a stencil onto a substrate. Thus, stencil printing is investigated as an innovative method to reduce production costs and manufacturing cycle times of fuel cell sealings. Moreover, in order to allow a greater design freedom, adhesive layer thicknesses up to 500 µm should be printable under reproducible conditions and within cycle times <3 s, which have not been realized or implemented until today. With the aim of printing closed-loop structures (sealings), a mesh located on the upper region of the aperture needs to be integrated. However, this mesh can produce additional air bubbles and surface irregularities, which might affect the sealing performance and diminish the process stability. This paper describes the experimentally identified formation mechanisms of bubbles during the separation step. The quantity and size of these bubbles were measured for five separation speeds, two mesh opening sizes and three adhesive systems (UV-curable acrylic). Primary focus was placed on relating the print results with the adhesive rheological properties, which are decisive to successfully implement the sealing application process. It was found that a previously derived empirical relationship to predict the adhesive tendency to stretch filaments can be employed as a model to quantitatively assess the characteristics of bubbles that emerge during the separation step and thus specify rheological properties to enhance print quality.
Negotiation of psycho-social risks of remote working. An enterprise-level comparison in Italy and France
Authors: Seghezzi Francesco
Published: September 2022

The article focuses on how the actors of industrial relations acted at firmlevel in multi-national company, Danone, in two different institutional contexts (Italy and France), in order to set rules and procedures aimed to mitigate the negative psycho-social consequences of remote working adopted during Covid-19 pandemic. In particular, it examines what was the role of firm-level industrial relations in setting specific oriented actions and what were the relations between these, global policies of the company and national level policies about health and safety and in general the institutional context. It emerges the importance of informality of relations between actors in helping to face an emergency together with the role of global policies of the company that seems to overcomes the different national institutional contexts.
COVID Symptoms, Symptom Clusters, and Predictors for Becoming a Long-Hauler Looking for Clarity in the Haze of the Pandemic
Authors: Huang Yong , Pinto Melissa D. , Borelli Jessica L. , Asgari Mehrabadi Milad , Abrahim Heather L. , Dutt Nikil , Lambert Natalie , Nurmi Erika L. , Chakraborty Rana , Rahmani Amir M. , Downs Charles A.
Published: September 2022

Post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) is defined as persistent symptoms after apparent recovery from acute COVID-19 infection, also known as COVID-19 long-haul. We performed a retrospective review of electronic health records (EHR) from the University of California COvid Research Data Set (UC CORDS), a de-identified EHR of PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2-positive patients in California. The purposes were to (1) describe the prevalence of PASC, (2) describe COVID-19 symptoms and symptom clusters, and (3) identify risk factors for PASC. Data were subjected to non-negative matrix factorization to identify symptom clusters, and a predictive model of PASC was developed. PASC prevalence was 11% (277/2,153), and of these patients, 66% (183/277) were considered asymptomatic at days 0–30. Five PASC symptom clusters emerged and specific symptoms at days 0–30 were associated with PASC. Women were more likely than men to develop PASC, with all age groups and ethnicities represented. PASC is a public health priority.
Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Stock and Their Spatial Variability Along an Exclosure Chronosequence at Kewet District, Central Dry Lowlands of Ethiopia
Authors: Tesfay Fikrey , Kibret Kibebew , Gebrekirstos Aster , Hadgu Kiros Meles
Published: September 2022

Empirical evidence and a better explanation of the effect of exclosures on soil properties are needed to rehabilitate degraded land and properly utilize the restored ecosystem. This study was conducted to determine soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (TN) stocks and to map their spatial distribution and aggregate stability along open grazing land, 5, 15, and 20 years exclosure, and three slope positions. To map the spatial distribution of SOC and TN stocks an ordinary kriging interpolation method was applied. The results showed that the age of exclosure had significantly ( p < .05) affected SOC and TN stock. Soil organic carbon stock was the highest in the 15-year-old (18.43 Mg ha−1) and lowest (14.22 Mg ha−1) in the 5-year-old exclosures. Similarly, the 15-year-old (1.81 Mg ha−1) and 5-year-old (1.41 Mg ha−1) exclosures had the highest and the lowest TN stock, respectively. Soil organic carbon associated with macroaggregates (>250 µm) and microaggregates (<250 µm) varied significantly ( p < .05) between ages of exclosures and adjacent open grazing land. Significantly ( p < .05) higher SOC stock (16.99 Mg ha−1) and macroaggregate associated SOC (3.05%) were recorded in the upper slope position as compared to the middle and lower slope positions. Due to the variation in vegetation cover and density and topography of the area, both SOC and TN stock showed high spatial variability across all ages of exclosure and adjacent open grazing land. Despite its inconsistency, the age of exclosure had affected SOC and TN stock, mean weight diameter, water-stable aggregates, and aggregate associated SOC. It is suggested that exclosure as a restoration measure of degraded landscapes can sequester and stock a significant amount of atmospheric CO2. Further study on soil organisms and litterfall is suggested to understand the dynamics of SOC and TN stocks in these exclosures.
MeTooMS: Sexual, physical, and emotional abuse experience among women with multiple sclerosis
Authors: Pol-Patil Jeta , Glanz Bonnie , Safar Laura , Misasi Elizabeth , Manieri Maria Claudia , Shanahan Rachel , Healy Brian , Houtchens Maria
Published: September 2022

Background:

Sexual and physical violence against disabled individuals is widespread and linked to negative public health and social outcomes. The real-world prevalence of abuse in women with multiple sclerosis (MS) has not been well studied.

Objectives:

To explore abuse prevalence in a real-world cohort of females with MS attending an academic MS Center.

Methods:

Prospective and retrospective abuse data were confidentially collected during neurology clinic visits and extracted from medical records for women attending an academic MS Center. Self-reported and provider-documented prevalence of abuse experiences were correlated with socio-economic and disease-specific factors.

Results:

In total, 200 women completed prospective questionnaires, and 121 non-overlapping independent health records were retrospectively reviewed. Mean age ( SD) was 49.055 (11.39). Seventy-six (38%) reported lifetime abuse incidents; 15% were abused within the previous year. Intimate partners were the most likely verbal ( p ⩽ 0.01)) and physical ( p = 0.04) abuse perpetrators. Neurologic disability correlated with greater likelihood of verbal abuse ( p = 0.021) in prospective cohort. There was no billing or encounter documentation for any form of abuse.

Conclusion:

Intimate partner violence is common in women with MS, correlates with neurologic disability, and is underreported by the health system. Future research needs to focus on abuse detection and mitigation strategies.
Neurodegeneration and humoral response proteins in cerebrospinal fluid associate with pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis and not monophasic demyelinating syndromes in childhood
Authors: Bruijstens Arlette L , Stingl Christoph , Güzel Coşkun , Stoop Marcel P , Wong Yu Yi M , van Pelt E Daniëlle , Banwell Brenda L , Bar-Or Amit , Luider Theo M , Neuteboom Rinze F ,   Dutch Pediatric MS and ADEM Study Group; Canadian Pediatric Demyelinating Disease Network
Published: September 2022

Background:

Pediatric-onset multiple sclerosis (POMS) represents the earliest stage of disease pathogenesis. Investigating the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) proteome in POMS may provide novel insights into early MS processes.

Objective:

To analyze CSF obtained from children at time of initial central nervous system (CNS) acquired demyelinating syndrome (ADS), to compare CSF proteome of those subsequently ascertained as having POMS versus monophasic acquired demyelinating syndrome (mADS).

Methods:

Patients were selected from two prospective pediatric ADS studies. Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was performed in a Dutch discovery cohort (POMS n = 28; mADS n = 39). Parallel reaction monitoring–mass spectrometry (PRM-MS) was performed on selected proteins more abundant in POMS in a combined Dutch and Canadian validation cohort (POMS n = 48; mADS n = 106).

Results:

Discovery identified 5580 peptides belonging to 576 proteins; 58 proteins were differentially abundant with ⩾2 peptides between POMS and mADS, of which 28 more abundant in POMS. Fourteen had increased abundance in POMS with ⩾8 unique peptides. Five selected proteins were all confirmed within validation. Adjusted for age, 2 out of 5 proteins remained more abundant in POMS, that is, Carboxypeptidase E (CPE) and Semaphorin-7A (SEMA7A).

Conclusion:

This exploratory study identified several CSF proteins associated with POMS and not mADS, potentially reflecting neurodegeneration, compensatory neuroprotection, and humoral response in POMS. The proteins associated with POMS highly correlated with age at CSF sampling.
Why tourism economists should treat resident well-being more seriously
Authors: Dwyer Larry
Published: September 2022

Recognising that well-being is a primary policy objective, tourism economics must incorporate resident well-being outcomes into conceptual analysis, empirical findings and policy assessment in a more inclusive way. Use of a well-being lens allows the research effort in tourism economics to convert tourism development impacts into resident well-being outcomes and better align with the broader Beyond GDP research agenda to measure societal progress. Several areas of tourism research are identified where determination of well-being outcomes can enrich economic analysis and its input into policymaking. This requires new concepts and new systems of measurement to support tourism policymaking with tourism economists expected to play an important role in the research effort.
Expert voices in the news reporting of the coronavirus pandemic: A study of UK television news bulletins and their audiences
Authors: Morani Marina , Cushion Stephen , Kyriakidou Maria , Soo Nikki
Published: September 2022

The study examines the role of experts in UK television news at the start of the coronavirus pandemic by analysing both how they were used in coverage and perceived by news audiences. Our systematic content analysis of sources ( N = 2300) used in the UK’s flagship evening news bulletins found a reliance on political sources, principally from the government’s perspective. We also discovered health and scientific experts received limited coverage and were only occasionally used to scrutinise public health policy. Yet, our six-week online diary study with 175 participants identified a strong preference for expert views about how the pandemic was being handled. It showed audiences favoured a range of expert sources in routine reporting – balancing government appointed and independent experts – to provide evidence-based scrutiny of the executive’s decision-making. Overall, our findings contribute to a greater understanding of audience expectations, opinions, and experiences with broadcast news during a major public health crisis.
“This is how I want it”: Exploring the use of a workbook with persons with dementia to support advance care planning engagement
Authors: Sussman Tamara , Lawrence Jack , Pimienta Rebecca
Published: September 2022

This mixed method sequential study reports focus group and pilot intervention findings that (1) explore the views of persons with dementia and their caregivers on using a self-directed advance care planning engagement workbook ( Your Conversation Starter Kit) and (2) uncover the conditions that encouraged and hindered workbook use. In Phase 1, we conducted five focus groups consisting of 10 persons with dementia and eight family members/caregivers from two urban Canadian cities to explore overall impressions of the workbook and factors that might affect its use. In Phase 2, we empirically explored the factors identified in Phase 1 by distributing the workbook to 24 persons with dementia. The combined findings suggest that the workbook offers promise in supporting advance care planning engagement for persons with dementia in the early stages of their condition. Involving family/caregivers and clarifying some of the ranked questions might improve the workbook’s use. Persons with dementia without familial support or those who have never contemplated advance care planning may require additional guidance prior to workbook distribution.
Environmental storage conditions influencing the filtration behavior of electret filters with repeated use
Authors: Lee Jiyul , Lee Kyeongeun , Park Hanjou , Kim Jooyoun
Published: September 2022

Worldwide attention has been paid to effective protection strategies against the COVID-19 pandemic. Filtering masks are generally kept for a certain period of shelf-life before being used, and frequently, they are used repeatedly with recurrent storages. This study investigates the effect of storage temperature and humidity on the structural characteristics and charges of an electret filter, associating with the filtration performance in terms of efficiency and pressure drop based on a practical use-storage scenario. For the repeated use conditions with recurrent storage, humid storage conditions significantly deteriorated the filtration efficiency as hygroscopic particles quickly wetted the surface and masked the surface charges. The high temperature rapidly deteriorated the filter charges and caused a lowered electrostatic filtration efficiency. In a heated condition, the web became fluffier, yet it did not directly affect the pressure drop or mechanical filtration efficiency. The approach of this study is progressive in that rigorous analysis was performed on examining the particle morphology and internal structure of filter media with varied storage conditions to link with the filtration performance and the effective lifetime. This study intends to provide a scientific reference guiding a desirable storage condition and replacement cycle of filtering masks considering the actual use habits and storage environment.
The hybridization effect and damage sequence investigation of biaxial/unidirectional braided composite tubes by micro-CT method
Authors: Shi Lin , Wu Zhenyu , Cheng Xiaoying , Pan Zhongxiang , Yuan Yanhong
Published: September 2022

Thanks to the 2D braiding manufacturing method, the hybrid braided composite composed of the biaxial and unidirectional layers is available in a mass-production manner. For enhancing the crashworthiness of braided composite tubes, the damage characteristics and energy absorption capacity of braided composite with biaxial/unidirectional hybridization structures under axial compression were studied in this work. The axial compression tests were conducted on pure biaxial and unidirectional braided tubes (BBB and UUU), and hybrid tubes with different surface and inner layers (BUB and UBU). Micro-CT was utilized to analyze the crack characteristic and propagation inside the tubes. It was found that the easily progressed intra-laminar cracks in unidirectional layers promoted splitting damage feature, leading to enhanced energy absorption capacities in hybrid tubes than pure biaxial braided tube, in which local buckling damage feature was observed attributed to interlaced yarns induced constrained intra-laminar crack propagation and tendency to delamination. In particular, the UBU tube dissipated 20.4% more crushing energy and exhibited 13.0% higher energy absorption per unit area than the BBB tube.
Identification of key genes involved in calcific aortic valve disease based on integrated bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Liu Ye-Hong , Liu Yang , Xin Yuan-Feng , Zhang Qi , Ding Meng-Lei
Published: September 2022

The calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) develops as an aortic valve sclerosis and progresses to an advanced form of stenosis. In many biological fields, bioinformatics becomes a fundamental component. The key mechanisms involved in CAVD are discovered with the use of bioinformatics to investigate gene function and pathways. We downloaded the original data (GSE51472) from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database ( http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/ ). After standardization, 2978 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified from the data sets GSE51472 containing samples from normal, calcified, and sclerotic aortic valves. Analysis of DEGs based on the series test of clusters (STCs) revealed the two most significant patterns. Based on the result of the STC, the functional enrichment analysis of gene ontology (GO) was conducted to investigate the molecular function (MF), biological process (BP), and cell compound (CC) of the DEGs. With a p value of 0.01, DEGs associated with “chronic inflammation,” “T-cell receptor complexes,” and “antigen binding” had the highest significance within BP, CC, and MF. DEG enrichment in signaling pathways was analyzed using KEGG pathway enrichment. Using a p < 0.05 level of significance, the most enriched biological pathways related to CAVD were “Chemokine signaling pathway,” “Cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction,” “Tuberculosis,” “PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,” and “Transcriptional misregulation in cancer.” Finally, the construction of gene co-expression networks and pathway networks illustrated the pathogensis of CAVD. TLR2, CD86, and TYROBP were identified as hub genes for the development of CAVD. Moreover, “MAPK signaling pathway,” “Apoptosis,” and “Pathways in cancer” were regarded as the core pathways among the samples of normal, sclerotic and calcified aortic valve samples.
Active bone material containing modified recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein-2 induces bone regeneration in rabbit spina bifida
Authors: Sun Xue-Cheng , Wang Hu , Li Jian-Hui , Yin Li-Qiang , Yan Yu-Fang , Ma Xu , Xia Hong-Fei
Published: September 2022

This study focuses on spina bifida, which is a high incidence among the current clinical manifestations of human birth defects. Because in the treatment of bone defects, the source of autologous bone is limited and it is easy to cause secondary injury to the patient. At the same time, since the bone tissue in animals needs to perform a variety of biological functions, its complex structure cannot be replaced by a single material. Therefore, in this study, we used Japanese white rabbits to establish an animal model similar to human congenital spina bifida. The established animal model is used to screen the best regenerative repair products for the treatment of congenital spondylolisthesis defects, and to evaluate the safety of regenerative repair products. The results show that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-2 combined with collagen material has a better regeneration effect than collagen material alone, and it did not negatively affect the health of animals. This study is not only suitable for the screening of large-scale biomaterials, accelerating the research progress of regenerative repair products, but also conducive to the research on the mechanism of regeneration and repair of various materials.
Successful Management of Prolonged Thrombocytopenia After Surgery for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm With Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Authors: Yamamoto Naoki , Onoda Koji
Published: September 2022

We report a case of an infrarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm that developed acute onset thrombocytopenia and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) after a previous coronary artery bypass grafting. Open surgical intervention was successfully performed for the treatment of aortic aneurysm; however, thrombocytopenia and enhanced-fibrinolytic-type DIC were prolonged even after the surgery, and improved after Helicobacter pylori eradication therapy and medication with warfarin and oral tranexamic acid. Surgical intervention alone was not effective as a treatment for DIC associated with aortic aneurysm, and multidisciplinary management was necessary for the optimization of the coagulation and fibrinolytic systems, even after successful surgery.
Hybrid multi-objective node deployment for energy-coverage problem in mobile underwater wireless sensor networks
Authors: Fattah Salmah , Ahmedy Ismail , Idris Mohd Yamani Idna , Gani Abdullah
Published: September 2022

Underwater wireless sensor networks have grown considerably in recent years and now contribute substantially to ocean surveillance applications, marine monitoring and target detection. However, the existing deployment solutions struggle to address the deployment of mobile underwater sensor nodes as a stochastic system. The system faces internal and external environment problems that must be addressed for maximum coverage in the deployment region while minimizing energy consumption. In addition, the existing traditional approaches have limitations of improving simultaneously the objective function of network coverage and the dissipated energy in mobility, sensing and redundant coverage. The proposed solution introduced a hybrid adaptive multi-parent crossover genetic algorithm and fuzzy dominance-based decomposition approach by adapting the original non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II. This study evaluated the solution to substantiate its efficacy, particularly regarding the nodes’ coverage rate, energy consumption and the system’s Pareto optimal metrics and execution time. The results and comparative analysis indicate that the Multi-Objective Optimisation Genetic Algorithm based on Adaptive Multi-Parent Crossover and Fuzzy Dominance (MOGA-AMPazy) is a better solution to the multi-objective sensor node deployment problem, outperforming the non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II, SPEA2 and MOEA/D algorithms. Moreover, MOGA-AMPazy ensures maximum global convergence and has less computational complexity. Ultimately, the proposed solution enables the decision-maker or mission planners to monitor effectively the region of interest.
Study on the optimal process parameters for stripping the X-ETFE insulation layer of aviation wires by a small semiconductor laser
Authors: Li Pin , Zhou Baoqiang , Huang Huiping , Wang Ping , Huang Guangwen , Zhou Peimin , Tian Chunlin
Published: September 2022

A reasonable laser wire stripping process parameter set is a prerequisite for high-quality and high-efficiency wire stripping. For the X-ETFE insulated wire used in aviation, this study explores the method of obtaining the optimal stripping process parameters based on a 405 nm wavelength semiconductor laser. Build energy conversion model, mobile heat source model, and finite element simulation numerical model of the laser stripping insulating layer process. Based on the single-factor analysis method, simulate the effect of laser power, scanning speed, and processing time on the kerf width, heat-affected zone width, and cutting seam depth of the insulating layer. The results show that increasing the laser power to improve the stripping efficiency will also increase the width of the kerf and heat-affected zone, and increasing the scanning speed can effectively reduce the kerf width. A reasonable combination of laser power and scanning speed can improve stripping efficiency while ensuring quality. According to the single-factor simulation analysis results, select the possible value levels for each parameter to carry out the actual laser wire stripping orthogonal test. There is a good correspondence between the range analysis results of the test data of each stripping quality evaluation index and the conclusions obtained from the single-factor simulation, which verifies the reliability of getting the optimal combination of laser stripping process parameters through the orthogonal test.
Romosozumab for the treatment of osteoporosis in women: Efficacy, safety, and cardiovascular risk
Authors: Lim Sian Yik
Published: September 2022

Increased understanding of the Wnt signaling pathway has led to the development of romosozumab, one of the most potent osteoanabolic agents to date for osteoporosis treatment. Romosozumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits sclerostin, a natural inhibitor of the Wnt signaling pathway. Romosozumab, by inhibiting sclerostin activates the Wnt signaling pathway, leading to increased bone formation and decreased bone resorption. The pivotal ARCH and FRAME studies established romosozumab’s fracture reduction efficacy. Romosozumab was superior to alendronate in fracture reduction and bone mineral density gain in the ARCH study. Romosozumab treatment should be followed sequentially with a potent antiresorptive agent. The antifracture efficacy gained from romosozumab is maintained or improved after transitioning to an antiresorptive agent. As one of the most potent osteoanabolic agents, the introduction of romosozumab has significantly increased our ability to treat osteoporosis. Studies have provided important information on using romosozumab with other osteoporosis medications to optimize osteoporosis treatment. Romosozumab used before antiresorptive medications is associated with more significant bone mineral density increases than when an antiresorptive agent is used before romosozumab. Romosozumab is recommended for osteoporosis treatment in patients at very high risk for fracture with low cardiovascular risk. Romosozumab is generally well tolerated, with 4%–5% of patients having injection site reactions. The ARCH trial showed a higher risk of cardiovascular events in patients receiving romosozumab. Romosozumab carries a black box warning that romosozumab should not be initiated in patients with myocardial infarction or stroke in the preceding year. However, the information on romosozumab and increased cardiovascular risk is conflicting. The risk of cardiovascular disease with romosozumab is unclear. While romosozumab has demonstrated significant osteoanabolic effect and antifracture efficacy and will benefit high fracture risk patients, further studies are needed to investigate the cardiovascular safety of romosozumab.
A Unique Case of Aggressive Central Giant Cell Granuloma in a 10-Year-Old Boy With 16p13.11 Microdeletion Syndrome
Authors: Shum Betty J. , Kim Mimi S. , Kondra Katelyn , Hammoudeh Jeffrey A. , Strom Charles , Ryabets-Lienhard Anna
Published: September 2022

Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is a rare disease characterized by sporadic, benign, intraosseous mandibular lesions of unknown etiology. Histologically, these lesions are indistinguishable from brown tumors of hyperparathyroidism and cherubism, and occasionally have been associated with different syndromes raising a question for genetic etiology. The CGCG has varied presentation ranging from nonaggressive and indolent to aggressive, destructive, and recurrent, often posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Herein, we present the first case of a 10-year-old boy with CGCG and 16p13.11 microdeletion syndrome, highlight the diagnostic challenges inherent to this heterogeneous disorder, and discuss the genetics and treatment approaches of these complex lesions.
LINC00240/miR-155 axis regulates function of trophoblasts and M2 macrophage polarization via modulating oxidative stress-induced pyroptosis in preeclampsia
Authors: Wu Hai-Ying , liu Kan , Zhang Jing-Li
Published: September 2022

Background

This study aimed to investigate the effects of LINC00240/miR-155/Nrf2 axis on trophoblast function and macrophage polarization in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia.

Methods

Bindings between LINC00240, miR-155 and Nrf2 were validated by dual luciferase reporter assay or RNA-immunoprecipitation. Cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and pyroptosis were detected by CCK-8, clone formation, wound healing, Transwell system, and flow cytometry, respectively. Macrophage polarization was tested by flow cytometry. The expression levels of LINC00240, miR-155, Nrf2, and oxidative stress and pyroptosis-related markers in in vitro and in vivo preeclampsia models were analyzed by qPCR, western blot, or ELISA assays. Blood pressure, urine protein levels, liver and kidney damages, and trophoblast markers in placenta tissues were further studied in vivo.

Results

Placenta tissues from preeclampsia patients and animals showed decreased LINC00240 and Nrf2 and increased miR-155 expression levels, and the decreased M2 macrophage polarization. LINC00240 directly bound and inhibited expression of miR-155, which then inhibited oxidative stress-induced pyroptosis, promoting proliferation, migration and invasion abilities of trophoblasts, and M2 macrophage polarization. Inhibition of miR-155 led to increased Nrf2 expression and similar changes as LINC00240 overexpression in trophoblast function and macrophage polarization. Overexpression of LINC00240 in in vivo preeclampsia model decreased blood pressure, urine protein, liver and kidney damages, increased fetal weight and length, and induced trophoblast function and M2 macrophage polarization.

Conclusion

LINC00240 inhibited symptoms of preeclampsia through regulation on miR-155/Nrf2 axis, which suppressed oxidative stress-induced pyroptosis to improve trophoblast function and M2 macrophage polarization. LINC00240 could be a potential therapeutic target for preeclampsia.
Analytical Modelling and Experiment of Novel Rotary Electro-Mechanical Converter with Negative Feedback Mechanism for 2D Valve
Authors: Meng Bin , Dai Mingzhu , Zhu Chenhang , Zhang Chenchen , Ding Chuan , Ruan Jian
Published: September 2022

The manufacturing of spiral groove structure of two-dimensional valve (2D valve) feedback mechanism has shortcomings of both high cost and time-consuming. This paper presents a novel configuration of rotary electro-mechanical converter with negative feedback mechanism (REMC-NFM) in order to replace the feedback mechanism of spiral groove and thus reduce cost of valve manufacturing. In order to rapidly and quantitative evaluate the driving and feedback performance of the REMC-NFM, an analytical model taking leakage flux, edge effect and permeability nonlinearity into account is formulated based on the equivalent magnetic circuit approach. Then the model is properly simplified in order to obtain the optimal pitch angle. FEM simulation is used to study the influence of crucial parameters on the performance of REMC-NFM. A prototype of REMC-NFM is designed and machined, and an exclusive experimental platform is built. The torque-angle characteristics, torque-displacement characteristics, and magnetic flux density in the working air gap with different excitation currents are measured. The experimental results are in good agreement with the analytical and FEM simulated results, which verifies the correctness of the analytical model. For torque-angle characteristics, the overall torque increases with both current and rotation angle, which reaches about 0.48 N·m with 1.5 A and 1.5°. While for torque-displacement characteristics, the overall torque increases with current yet decrease with armature displacement due to the negative feedback mechanism, which is about 0.16 N·m with 1.5 A and 0.8 mm. Besides, experimental results of conventional torque motor are compared with counterparts of REMC-NFM in order to validate the simplified model. The research indicates that the REMC-NFM can be potentially used as the electro-mechanical converter for 2D valves in civil servo areas.
Selection and Validation of 48 KASP Markers for Variety Identification and Breeding Guidance in Conventional and Hybrid Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Tang Weijie , Lin Jing , Wang Yanping , An Hongzhou , Chen Haiyuan , Pan Gen , Zhang Suobing , Guo Baowei , Yu Kun , Li Huayong , Fang Xianwen , Zhang Yunhui
Published: September 2022

Background

Breeding of conventional and hybrid rice (Oryza sativa L.) have solved hunger problems and increased farmers' income in the world. Molecular markers have been widely used in marker-assisted breeding and identification of larger numbers of different bred varieties in the past decades. The recently developed SNP markers are applied for more stable and detectable compared with other markers. But the cost of genotyping lots SNPs is high. So, it is essential to select less representative SNPs and inexpensive detecting methods to lower the cost and accelerate variety identification and breeding process. KASP (Kompetitive Allele-Specific PCR) is a flexible method to detect the SNPs, and large number of KASP markers have been widely used in variety identification and breeding. However, the ability of less KASP markers on massive variety identification and breeding remains unknown.

Results

Here, 48 KASP markers were selected from 378 markers to classify and analyze 518 varieties including conventional and hybrid rice. Through analyzing the population structure, the 48 markers could almost represent the 378 markers. In terms of variety identification, the 48 KASP markers had a 100% discrimination rate in 53 conventional indica varieties and 193 hybrid varieties, while they could distinguish 89.1% conventional japonica rice from different breeding institutes. Two more markers added would increase the ratio from 68.38 to 77.94%. Additionally, the 48 markers could be used for classification of subpopulations in the bred variety. Also, 8 markers had almost completely different genotypes between japonica and indica, and 3 markers were found to be very important for japonica hybrid rice. In hybrid varieties, the heterozygosity of chromosomes 3, 6 and 11 was relatively higher than others.

Conclusions

Our results showed that 48 KASP markers could be used to identify rice varieties, and the panel we tested could provide a database for breeders to identify new breeding lines. Also, the specific markers we found were useful for marker-assisted breeding in rice, including conventional and hybrid.
Male sexual health predictors during the Covid-19 outbreak: a multicenter study
Authors: Taha Diaa-Eldin , Ibrahim Ali , El-Halwagy Samer , Elbaset M. A. , Ashour Rawdy , Nabeeh Hossam , Samaha Ibrahem Ismail
Published: September 2022

Background

Pandemic-induced feelings of fear and worry are all psychological implications of the COVID-19 pandemic. The goal of this study was to see how the COVID-19 pandemic affected male Sexual Health and to look for plausible predictors.

Methods

Married males were asked to fill out an Arabic Sexual Health questionnaire. Before and during the lockdown. Additionally, generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaires.

Results

A multicenter study. The survey was completed by 281 men in total. Only 130 males (47.3%) were satisfied with their Sexual performance before lockdown, compared to 170 males (56.5%) who were not satisfied (P 0.000). Financial issues (P ≤ 0.000), smoking habit prior to lockdown (P ≤ 0.001), spots practice (P ≤ 0.001), smoking during lockdown (P ≤ 0.001), presence of depressive disorder on the PHQ-9 total score (P ≤ 0.001), diagnosis of anxiety on the GAD-7 score (P ≤ 0.001), and presence of ED on the IIEf-5 questionnaire (P ≤ 0.001) were all found to be significant on univariate analysis. On bivariate analysis, financial issues (odds ratio [OR]: 3.56,P ≤ 0.000), presence of anxiety on GAD-7 (OR: 6.40,P ≤ 0.001), PHQ score (OR: 2.50,P ≤ 0.001), and diagnosis of ED on the IIEF-5 scale (OR: 7.50,P ≤ 0.001) were significantly associated with Sexual relationship stress and Sexual Health.

Conclusion

During and after COVID-19 lockdown, the presence of anxiety on the GAD-7 scale, PHQ score, and the diagnosis of ED on the IIEF-5 scale were all independent predictors of Sexual Health.