bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictive significance of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte for cytomegalovirus infection in infants less than 3 months: A retrospective study
Authors: Zhan Canyang , Wang Weiyan , Chen Lihua
Published: November 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of the hematological parameters in the identification of human cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in infants less than 3 months.

Methods

A single‐center, observational study of infants with CMV infection was conducted retrospectively. Routine blood parameters were analyzed in CMV‐infected infants and controls with no differences of birthweight, sex, gestational age at birth, and date of admission. Furthermore, receiver‐operating curve was used to assess the predictive value of the hematological parameters for CMV infection.

Results

One hundred ninety cases with CMV infection were studied retrospectively. Compared with the control group, there were significant differences in the white blood cell count, neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, platelet count, hemoglobin, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte (NLR), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte (PLR), and lymphocyte‐to‐monocyte (LMR) for the patients with CMV infection (all p < 0.001). The best predicted values for CMV infection based on the area under the curve (AUC) were NLR and PLR with the optimal cut‐off value of 0.28 and 65.36. NLR‐PLR score of 0, 1, or 2 based on an elevated NLR (>0.28), an elevated PLR (>65.36), or both. NLR‐PLR score for CMV infection prediction yielded higher AUC values than NLR or PLR alone (0.760 vs. 0.689, 0.689; p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The NLR combined with PLR is potentially useful as a predictor of CMV infection in infants less than 3 months.
The tooth‐specific basic helix‐loop‐helix factor AmeloD promotes differentiation of ameloblasts
Authors: Jia LingLing , Chiba Yuta , Saito Kan , Yoshizaki Keigo , Tian Tian , Han Xu , Mizuta Kanji , Chiba Mitsuki , Wang Xin , Al Thamin Shahad , Yamada Aya , Fukumoto Satoshi
Published: November 2021

Tissue‐specific basic helix‐loop‐helix (bHLH) transcription factors play an important role in cellular differentiation. We recently identified AmeloD as a tooth‐specific bHLH transcription factor. However, the role of AmeloD in cellular differentiation has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to elucidate the role of AmeloD in dental epithelial cell differentiation. We found that AmeloD‐knockout (AmeloD‐KO) mice developed an abnormal structure and altered ion composition of enamel in molars, suggesting that AmeloD‐KO mice developed enamel hypoplasia. In molars of AmeloD‐KO mice, the transcription factor Sox21 encoding SRY‐Box transcription factor 21 and ameloblast differentiation marker genes were significantly downregulated. Furthermore, overexpression of AmeloD in the dental epithelial cell line M3H1 upregulated Sox21 and ameloblast differentiation marker genes, indicating that AmeloD is critical for ameloblast differentiation. Our study demonstrated that AmeloD is an important transcription factor in amelogenesis for promoting ameloblast differentiation. This study provides new insights into the mechanisms of amelogenesis.
Issues in transferring education research across dental schools
Authors: Chambers David W.
Published: November 2021

Issue

Almost all dental educational research describes statistically significant changes using a one‐time intervention at a single program. It is hoped that the most significant of these interventions will transfer to other schools.

Approach

But the research logic of context‐specific investigations does not always generalize with the same impact to new situations. This is the transfer problem. There is virtually no systematic research exploring the extent to which transfer from the dental educational literature is attempted, how successful it is, and what factors improve transfer.

Impact

The paper discusses some of the more prominent issues in transferability such as (a) the meaning of “identical” conditions upon which inductive statistics are based, (b) isolation of causal factors, (c) generalizability, (d) reliability and validity, (e) measures of effect, (f) statistical versus practical significance, and (g) the need to build theory in discussion sections. Eight suggestions are offered for making dental educational research more transferable.
The histone deacetylase Hdac7 supports LPS-inducible glycolysis and Il-1β production in murine macrophages via distinct mechanisms
Authors: Ramnath Divya , Das Gupta Kaustav , Wang Yizhuo , Abrol Rishika , Curson James E B , Lim Junxian , Reid Robert C , Mansell Ashley , Blumenthal Antje , Karunakaran Denuja , Fairlie David P , Sweet Matthew J
Published: November 2021

TLRs reprogram macrophage metabolism, enhancing glycolysis and promoting flux through the tricarboxylic acid cycle to enable histone acetylation and inflammatory gene expression. The histone deacetylase (HDAC) family of lysine deacetylases regulates both TLR-inducible glycolysis and inflammatory responses. Here, we show that the TLR4 agonist LPS, as well as agonists of other TLRs, rapidly increase enzymatic activity of the class IIa HDAC family (HDAC4, 5, 7, 9) in both primary human and murine macrophages. This response was abrogated in murine macrophages deficient in histone deacetylase 7 (Hdac7), highlighting a selective role for this specific lysine deacetylase during immediate macrophage activation. With the exception of the TLR3 agonist polyI:C, TLR-inducible activation of Hdac7 enzymatic activity required the MyD88 adaptor protein. The rapid glycolysis response, as assessed by extracellular acidification rate, was attenuated in Hdac7-deficient mouse macrophages responding to submaximal LPS concentrations. Surprisingly however, reconstitution of these cells with either wild-type or an enzyme-dead mutant of Hdac7 enhanced LPS-inducible glycolysis, whereas only the former promoted production of the inflammatory mediators Il-1β and Ccl2. Thus, Hdac7 enzymatic activity is required for TLR-inducible production of specific inflammatory mediators, whereas it acts in an enzyme-independent fashion to reprogram metabolism in macrophages responding to submaximal LPS concentrations. Hdac7 is thus a bifurcation point for regulated metabolism and inflammatory responses in macrophages. Taken together with existing literature, our findings support a model in which submaximal and maximal activation of macrophages via TLR4 instruct glycolysis through distinct mechanisms, leading to divergent biological responses.
Oligodendrocyte progenitor proliferation is disinhibited following traumatic brain injury in leukemia inhibitory factor heterozygous mice
Authors: Frondelli Michelle J. , Mather Marie L. , Levison Steven W.
Published: November 2021

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a significant problem that affects over 800,000 children each year. As cell proliferation is disturbed by injury and required for normal brain development, we investigated how a pediatric closed head injury (CHI) would affect the progenitors of the subventricular zone (SVZ). Additionally, we evaluated the contribution of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) using germline LIF heterozygous mice (LIF Het), as LIF is an injury‐induced cytokine, known to influence neurogenesis and gliogenesis. CHIs were performed on P20 LIF Het and wild‐type (WT) mice. Ki‐67 immunostaining and stereology revealed that cell proliferation increased ~250% in injured LIF Het mice compared to the 30% increase observed in injured WT mice at 48‐hr post‐CHI. OLIG2+ cell proliferation increased in the SVZ and white matter of LIF Het injured mice at 48‐hr recovery. Using an 8‐color flow cytometry panel, the proliferation of three distinct multipotential progenitors and early oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation was significantly increased in LIF Het injured mice compared to WT injured mice. Supporting its cytostatic function, LIF decreased neurosphere progenitor and oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation compared to controls. In highly enriched mouse oligodendrocyte progenitor cell cultures, LIF increased phospho‐protein kinase B after 20 min and increased phospho‐S6 ribosomal protein at 20 and 40 min of exposure, which are downstream targets of the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway. Altogether, our data provide new insights into the regulatory role of LIF in suppressing neural progenitor cell proliferation and, in particular, oligodendrocyte progenitor cell proliferation after a mild TBI.
Prediction of femoral head coverage from articulated statistical shape models of patients with developmental dysplasia of the hip
Authors: Atkins Penny R. , Agrawal Praful , Mozingo Joseph D. , Uemura Keisuke , Tokunaga Kunihiko , Peters Christopher L. , Elhabian Shireen Y. , Whitaker Ross T. , Anderson Andrew E.
Published: November 2021

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is commonly described as reduced femoral head coverage due to anterolateral acetabular deficiency. Although reduced coverage is the defining trait of DDH, more subtle and localized anatomic features of the joint are also thought to contribute to symptom development and degeneration. These features are challenging to identify using conventional approaches. Herein, we assessed the morphology of the full femur and hemi‐pelvis using an articulated statistical shape model (SSM). The model determined the morphological and pose‐based variations associated with DDH in a population of Japanese females and established which of these variations predict coverage. Computed tomography (CT) images of 83 hips from 47 patients were segmented for input into a correspondence‐based SSM. The dominant modes of variation in the model initially represented scale and pose. After removal of these factors through individual bone alignment, femoral version and neck‐shaft angle, pelvic curvature, and acetabular version dominated the observed variation. Femoral head oblateness and prominence of the acetabular rim and various muscle attachment sites of the femur and hemi‐pelvis were found to predict 3D CT‐based coverage measurements (R2 = 0.5–0.7 for the full bones,R2 = 0.9 for the joint). Statement of Clinical Significance: Currently, clinical measurements of DDH only consider the morphology of the acetabulum. However, the results of this study demonstrated that variability in femoral head shape and several muscle attachment sites were predictive of femoral head coverage. These morphological differences may provide insight into improved clinical diagnosis and surgical planning based on functional adaptations of patients with DDH.
Effects of different metal ions on the physicochemical properties and microstructure of egg white gel
Authors: Tian Yang , Jin Hetong , Guo Sainan , Lin Songyi , Bao Zhijie
Published: November 2021

BACKGROUND

To ameliorate egg white gel's salinity and undesirable texture characteristics during curing, different metal ions (K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Zn2+) were used to replace sodium chloride (NaCl) to simulate salted eggs partially. The effects of these ions on the physicochemical properties, microstructure, and gel characteristics of egg white protein were studied.

RESULTS

Low field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analysis showed that adding K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and Zn2+ could decrease immobile water content and increase free water content in egg white gel. Circular dichroism/fluorescence spectrophotometry (CD/FL) analysis showed that substitutive addition of K+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and Zn2+ changed the conformational structure of the protein, which was not conducive to the formation of the three‐dimensional mesh gel structure. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results show that the addition of four metal ions could reduce the thermal denaturation temperature of egg white gel. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed that the gel structure of egg white in the zinc chloride (ZnCl2) group was rougher and more chaotic, the crosslinking degree was worse, so it was not suitable for low sodium salted egg preparations. The gel strength of the calcium chloride (CaCl2) group was significantly higher than other groups (P < 0.05), while the gel strength of the potassium chloride (KCl) group was similar to the NaCl group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

CaCl2 and KCl could be used as partial NaCl substitutes to study the addition level and ratio further and improve salted egg white quality. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.
Distinct microbiota assembly mechanisms revealed in different reconstruction stages during gut regeneration in the sea cucumber Apostichopus japonicus
Authors: Yu Zichao , Xue Zhuang , Liu Chao , Zhang Anguo , Fu Qiang , Yang Kun , Zhang Fang , Ran Liyuan
Published: November 2021

Apostichopus japonicus is a useful model for studying organ regeneration, and the gut microbiota is important for host organ regeneration. However, the reconstruction process and the mechanisms of gut microbiota assembly during gut regeneration in sea cucumbers have not been well studied. In the present study, gut regeneration was induced (via evisceration) in A. japonicus, and gut immune responses and bacterial diversity were investigated to reveal gut microbiota assembly and its possible mechanisms during gut regeneration. The results revealed that bacterial community reconstruction involved two stages with distinct assembly mechanisms, where the reconstructed community was initiated from the bacterial consortium in the residual digestive tract and tended to form a novel microbiota in the later stage of reconstruction. Together, the results of immunoenzyme assays, community phylogenetic analysis, and source tracking suggested that the host deterministic process was stronger in the initial stage than in the later stage. The bacterial interactions that occurred were significantly different between the two stages. Positive interactions dominated in the initial stage, while more complex and competitive interactions developed in the later stage. Such a dynamic bacterial community could provide the host with energetic and immune benefits that promote gut regeneration and functional recovery. The results of the present study provide insights into the processes and mechanisms of gut microbiota assembly during intestinal regeneration that are valuable for understanding gut regeneration mechanisms mediated by the microbiota.
Generalized Bloch model: A theory for pulsed magnetization transfer
Authors: Assländer Jakob , Gultekin Cem , Flassbeck Sebastian , Glaser Steffen J. , Sodickson Daniel K.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The paper introduces a classical model to describe the dynamics of large spin‐1/2 ensembles associated with nuclei bound in large molecule structures, commonly referred to as the semi‐solid spin pool, and their magnetization transfer (MT) to spins of nuclei in water.

Theory and Methods

Like quantum‐mechanical descriptions of spin dynamics and like the original Bloch equations, but unlike existing MT models, the proposed model is based on the algebra of angular momentum in the sense that it explicitly models the rotations induced by radiofrequency (RF) pulses. It generalizes the original Bloch model to non‐exponential decays, which are, for example, observed for semi‐solid spin pools. The combination of rotations with non‐exponential decays is facilitated by describing the latter as Green’s functions, comprised in an integro‐differential equation.

Results

Our model describes the data of an inversion‐recovery magnetization‐transfer experiment with varying durations of the inversion pulse substantially better than established models. We made this observation for all measured data, but in particular for pulse durations smaller than 300 μs. Furthermore, we provide a linear approximation of the generalized Bloch model that reduces the simulation time by approximately a factor 15,000, enabling simulation of the spin dynamics caused by a rectangular RF‐pulse in roughly 2 μs.

Conclusion

The proposed theory unifies the original Bloch model, Henkelman’s steady‐state theory for MT, and the commonly assumed rotation induced by hard pulses (i.e., strong and infinitesimally short applications of RF‐fields) and describes experimental data better than previous models.
Drive for thinness in adolescents predicts greater adult BMI in the Growth and Health Study cohort over 20 years
Authors: Laraia Barbara A. , Leung Cindy W. , Tomiyama A. Janet , Ritchie Lorrene D. , Crawford Patricia B. , Epel Elissa S.
Published: November 2021

Objective

In youth, a preoccupation with weight and the desire to be thinner, or drive for thinness, might persist into adulthood and predict reward‐based compulsive eating and greater weight status.

Methods

A total of 623 women were enrolled from a prospective cohort study starting at 10 years old and assessed up to 20 years later. Drive for thinness was measured five times during adolescence. In adulthood (mean age = 39.5), drive for thinness, reward‐based eating drive, and BMI were measured.

Results

Structural equation modeling found cumulative adolescent drive for thinness predicted higher scores for both adult drive for thinness and reward‐based eating drive. Youth drive for thinness was not directly associated with adult BMI but rather indirectly through adult drive for thinness. Reward‐based eating drive was not associated with adult BMI.

Conclusions

Drive for thinness during the critical developmental years may exert long‐term effects on adulthood eating behaviors tied to greater weight gain, potentially reflecting an important early target of intervention.
Experimental study of the effect of GO/WMCNTs on the mechanical properties and impact response of magnesium‐based fiber metal laminates
Authors: Deng Yunfei , Hu Ang , Wei Gang , Wang Ruiwen , Yin Yuan , Zhou Chunping
Published: November 2021

In order to investigate the effect of graphene oxide (GO)/multi wall carbon nanotubes (WMCNTs) on the mechanical properties and low‐velocity impact response of magnesium‐based fiber metal laminates (FMLs), the FMLs specimens reinforced with GO, WMCNTs or their mixture were prepared, and quasi‐static tensile and low‐velocity drop hammer impact tests were performed. The tensile test results showed that the mechanical performance of FMLs could be improved by adding a certain concentration of nanoparticles. The tensile strength increased by 14.9% and 26.6% when the concentration of GO or WMCNTs is 0.6 wt%, respectively. Due to the agglomeration phenomenon, there are the opposite effect for the tensile strength of FMLs when the particle concentration is excessive. After the mixture of GO and WMCNTs was added to the epoxy matrix, the tensile strength of FMLs could still be increased by 12.8% at the GO to WMCNTs ratio of 0.6:0.9 (the overall concentration of particle is 1.5 wt%). And the elastic modulus is also significantly increased, but it has a negative effect on the ductility. The low‐velocity impact test results showed that the FMLs reinforced a mixture of GO and WMCNTs have greater peak impact load due to the lager stiffness. The FMLs reinforced with WMCNTs have better energy absorption capacity under impact load due to lager damage area.
Pilot randomized psychosocial trial of a screening intervention in pediatric oncology
Authors: Barrera Maru , Desjardins Leandra , Prasad Soni , Shama Wendy , Alexander Sarah , Szatmari Peter , Hancock Kelly
Published: November 2021

Objective

Psychosocial screening is a standard of care in pediatric oncology, but there is limited information about how to intervene after screening. This pilot trial aimed to determine feasibility of the novel Enhanced Psychosocial Screening Intervention (EPSI) and explore its preliminary efficacy outcomes. We examined rates of recruitment, retention, intervention acceptability, and monthly distress screening completion, as well as exploratory efficacy outcomes (Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System: depression, anxiety and fatigue; distress thermometer, pain and sleep).

Methods

Parallel‐group randomized pilot trial: Caregiver‐youth (10–17 years at enrollment, newly diagnosed with cancer) dyads were randomly allocated to either EPSI or standard care with 1:1 ratio allocation. EPSI consists of having a Psychosocial Navigator who shares screening results conducted near diagnosis and monthly for one year with treating teams and families, and provides recommendations tailored to screening results.

Results

Enrollment rate was 54% (38 dyads); retention was 90% and acceptability 86% (caregivers) and 76% (youth). Exploratory symptoms of depression, anxiety, distress and fatigue outcomes consistently improved mainly for caregivers.

Conclusions

Results suggest EPSI is feasible and acceptable and exploratory mental and physical efficacy outcomes are promising for use in a future confirmatory multisite efficacy trial.
Effect of electrode configurations on the characteristics of the ring–ring typed atmospheric pressure plasma jet and its modification on polymer film
Authors: Wang Tao , Wang Shengquan , Wang Jiahao , Chen Sile , Li Meng , Shi Liping , Zhang Xingquan
Published: November 2021

This paper investigates the effect of three different ring electrode configurations (copper wire electrode [CWE], copper foil electrode [CFE], and copper block electrode [CBE]) on the characteristics of the ring–ring typed atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) and polyethylene terephthalate modification. The characteristics of APPJ were simulated and experimentally explored. The results show that APPJ with CWE has the maximum electric field magnitude, power, concentration of reactive species, and gas temperature. While CBE has the most uniform electric field distribution and the most stable discharge process. Besides, CWE has the maximum hydrophilization rate while the CBE has the most uniform modification area. The plasma characteristics and modification effect of APPJ with CFE fall in between.
Linear Hypercumulation Formation Mechanism for π‐Type Shaped Charge
Authors: Shu Yun , Shao Peng , Li Zi‐hao , Dong Chao , Yi Xin‐wei , Cao Zhen
Published: November 2021

To investigate the formation mechanism of linear hypercumulation (LH) for plane‐symmetric π‐type linear shaped charges (π‐LSC), the formation process of LH was studied by using classical steady jet theory and explosive dynamics. Three associated stages during LH formation were analysed theoretically, including the action of detonation wave and stress wave on primary and additional liners, and two collapse processes of the primary liner. Considering the effect of transmitted stress wave in the additional liner, we proposed a new calculation method for the peak velocity of LH. To verify the theoretical results, a plane‐symmetric π‐LSC along with a classical linear shaped charge (CLSC) known as V‐type structure was simulated by AUTODYN. Results demonstrate that the variation characteristics of the pressure and velocity of LH correspond well to the above three‐stage analysis. The pressure acting on the primary liner is enhanced due to the additional liner, and the truncated structure of the primary liner brings a more reasonable velocity gradient to the spiculate head of LH, evidently improving the peak velocity of LH compared with the CLSC jet by about 70 %. Finally, the penetration experimental results show that the penetration depth by the LH of π‐LSC is greatly improved,73.7 % higher than that of CLSC jet.
Basic Body Awareness Therapy versus standard care in hip osteoarthritis. A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Olsen Aarid Liland , Magnussen Liv Heide , Skjaerven Liv Helvik , Assmus Jörg , Sundal Mary‐Anne , Furnes Ove , Hallan Geir , Strand Liv Inger
Published: November 2021

Background

Compensational movement patterns in hip osteoarthritis (HOA) are associated with hip dysfunction. Basic Body Awareness Therapy (BBAT) promotes functional movement quality and might, accordingly, be beneficial in HOA.

Objective

To examine the outcomes of BBAT compared to standard care in people with HOA after first receiving patient education (PE).

Study Design

A prospective, assessor‐blinded, and block‐randomized controlled trial.

Methods

Community‐living adults with HOA participating in PE were randomly allocated to an intervention group receiving BBAT in groups (12 sessions offered once a week), or a comparison group. Data at baseline (pretest) and at 6 months (posttest) were analyzed. Primary outcomes were pain during walking assessed by the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) and function by the Hip Osteoarthritis Outcome Score, subscale ADL (HOOS A). Secondary outcomes addressed physical capacity, movement quality, and self‐reported aspects of function and health.

Results

At pretest, there were no significant differences in demographic and test data between the intervention (n = 51) and the comparison (n = 50) group. Forty‐one intervention and 45 comparison participants completed the posttest. At posttest, no significant differences in change between groups were found on NRS (p = 0.694, effect size (ES) = 0.02) or HOOS A (p = 0.783, ES = 0.07). Among secondary outcomes, movement quality improved significantly more (p < 0.001, ES = 0.84) in the intervention group. Compliance with BBAT varied substantially. Per‐protocol analysis showed changes in favor of the intervention group for self‐efficacy (p = 0.049, ES = 0.36), health (p = 0.037, ES = 0.44), and function (p = 0.029, ES = 0.53) when only intervention participants who completed at least 10 sessions of BBAT were included.

Conclusions

BBAT was not found to be a more effective treatment modality than self‐initiated standard care to reduce pain during walking and improve daily functioning in people with HOA. Movement quality was significantly more improved in participants receiving BBAT, and improvement in other health aspects was associated with sufficient therapy compliance.
Selective maintenance on a multi‐state system considering maintenance task assignment and operating cost
Authors: Sun Yao , Sun Zhili , Zhou Jie
Published: November 2021

For some engineering systems where there is a finite break between two consecutive missions, maintenance activities can only be performed during the break, and the budget is also limited. Due to limited resources, it is necessary to select a subset of the maintenance activities to be performed, with the aim of meeting the next mission requirement. This is termed as selective maintenance. We propose a selective maintenance model for a multi‐state system in which both maintenance task assignment and operating cost are considered. The algorithm of maintenance task assignment is proposed inspired by the 0–1 knapsack problem to help fulfill the maintenance optimization. The correctness and computationally effectiveness of this algorithm are validated. With the degradation of each component modeled as a homogenous Markov process, the operating cost of the system is modeled based on the Markov reward process and is treated as part of the total cost. Additionally, the randomness of the operating time is considered and the necessity of this consideration is illustrated. The proposed model is applied to a coal transportation system to demonstrate its effectiveness, and the effects of ignoring maintenance task assignment and operating cost are analyzed. The results show that it is essential to take the maintenance task assignment into consideration, especially when the time constraint plays a major limiting role, as failure to do so may lead to poor system optimization. Furthermore, not considering the operating cost will underestimate the requirement of the resources, more so when a higher reliability is required.
Examining the Interaction between two Process‐based L2 Listening Instruction Methods and Listener Proficiency Level: Which form of Instruction Most Benefits Which Learners?
Authors: Yeldham Michael
Published: November 2021

This study examined how L2 listeners’ proficiency levels interacted with the two major process‐based listening instruction methods of (1) strategy training and (2) interactive training (which involved training in strategies and bottom‐up skills), to influence the listeners’ development. In a mixed‐methods design, the quantitative component of the study reanalyzed data from an earlier study by the author which had compared these two instruction methods, with the current study factoring in the listeners’ proficiency level. The less‐proficient listeners (LPLs) were at lower‐intermediate level, and the more‐proficient listeners (MPLs) at intermediate level. Trends in the quantitative data showed that in the interactive course, the LPLs improved their listening comprehension more than the MPLs. By comparison, the strategy course learners at both these proficiency levels improved their listening comprehension to almost equal extent – but slightly less so than the interactive course LPLs. Quantitative and qualitative analyses then highlighted the benefits derived by the interactive course LPLs from learning the bottom‐up skills, especially connected speech and intonation skills. For the MPLs in that course, learning the bottom‐up skills appeared to provide less value than learning the strategies. Implications of the study for listening instruction theory are discussed, with advice given for classroom practice.
Computational Enzyme Design at Zymvol
Authors: Monza Emanuele , Gil Victor , Lucas Maria Fatima
Published: November 2021

Directed evolution is the most recognized methodology for enzyme engineering. The main drawback resides in its random nature and in the limited sequence exploration; both require screening of thousands (if not millions) of variants to achieve a target function. Computer-driven approaches can limit laboratorial screening to a few hundred candidates, enabling and accelerating the development of industrial enzymes. In this book chapter, the technology adopted at Zymvol is described. An overview of the current development and future directions in the company is also provided.
What Should We Do as Intellectual Activists? A Comment on the Ethico-political in Knowledge Production
Authors: Lundberg Anna
Published: November 2021

This research comment makes an argument on the need to develop epistemic communities of belonging. These are spaces facilitating conversations about and enabling transformative ethico-political research. A research practice that can invoke attentiveness, responsibility, curiosity, and awareness to the field we study. Rather than answering what we should do as intellectual activists to maintain ethically integrity, the author here investigates the spaces we may develop as intellectual activists. Based on her work in the transformative collective initiative, the Asylum Commission and the reading of the Caring for Big Data book, the author proposes two concepts that are valuable for the creation of such spaces: epistemic injustice and hope.
Migrant Digital Space: Building an Incomplete Map to Navigate Public Online Migration
Authors: Makrygianni Vasiliki , Kamal Ahmad , Rossi Luca , Galis Vasilis
Published: November 2021

This chapter introduces the concept of migrant digital space (MDS). MDS is defined as configured by migrants’ online activity before the journey, en route, and when settling down, and as a space shaped by practices. Following a relational approach to space, MDS is understood as an outcome of social relations and practices with material and intangible characteristics. Within this perspective, MDS is formed by (a) digital subjects (accounts, pages, hashtags, channels), (b) migrant-related topics (such as discussions on migration routes; language lessons; football conversations; university enrolment; job seeking) through conversations across (c) various digital platforms. After introducing the concept of MDS it is explained how, in the context of the DIGINAUTS project, the concept was developed into the collection of a dataset of public Facebook content, which was subsequently implemented. The data collected and some of its characteristics are highlighted.
Impossible Research? Ethical Challenges in the (Digital) Study of Deportable Populations Within the European Border Regime
Authors: Fischer Leandros , Jørgensen Martin Bak
Published: November 2021

Social researchers often walk a tightrope. On the one hand, they try to adhere to ethical principles when working with vulnerable groups. On the other, they aim to not cast these groups as inherently lacking agency. Digital practices have only made this dilemma more acute by strengthening the agency of vulnerable groups—in this case, those within the European border regime threatened by deportation—while also putting migrants at increased danger from bordering and surveillance practices. Drawing from a militant research approach, as well as from the Autonomy of Migration (AoM) perspective, this contribution illuminates this dilemma, while also arguing for reflexive and contextualised ethics aimed towards solidarity and social change.
On Data and Care in Migration Contexts
Authors: Leurs Koen
Published: November 2021

The commentary provides the reader with several genealogies of data and care, key themes that underpin the theorisation, as well as the methodological and ethical operationalisation of a more caring digital migration studies described in this book. By doing that, it shows how pursuing careful data engagement allows understanding and reflection on the “ambivalence and shifting tensions” inherent in care-technology relations. The genealogies discussed show how neither migration nor data nor care are singular totalities but co-exist with limits and paradoxes. This is furthermore important when a caring perspective on data in migration studies is more and more relevant. This relevance is seen as a response to the recent trend of seeing migration as a laboratory where experiments with big data can be conducted and the overarching data ideology that depicts migrations as something that can be controlled through more or better data without having to come to terms with underpinning large-scale historical, socio-cultural, geo-political and economic concerns.
Life Skills Education for Youth in Developing Countries: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?
Authors: Murphy-Graham Erin , Cohen Alison K.
Published: November 2021

Drawing from a review of theoretical, methodological, and empirical literature on life skills from the fields of education, public health, psychology, economics, and international development, this paper attempts to clarify basic definitional and conceptual issues that relate to life skills education. It addresses the questions: (1) What are life skills, and how has the term emerged in academic and donor agency literature? And (2) What bodies of practice and research evidence converge in the rise of ‘life skills’ programming and increased interest in ‘life skills’ among thought leaders and donors in the field of international education? The paper identifies implications from this analysis to be considered in research and interventions that focus on life skills for adolescents, particularly in light of global efforts to improve the quality of education.
Workforce Skills Curriculum Development in Context: Case Studies in Rwanda, Algeria, and the Philippines
Authors: Honeyman Catherine , Cordisco Tsai Laura , Chervin Nancy , Sany Melanie , Ubaldo Janice
Published: November 2021

Life skills programming in the field of international workforce development operates within a professional community of practice that is shaped by dynamics of power, influence, and resources, as well as by specific local contexts and actors. This chapter gives detailed insight into three case studies of youth workforce life skills programming developed by the organizations World Learning, Education Development Center, and 10ThousandWindows in different national settings and with distinct youth populations, highlighting how these organizations have interacted with the larger field and learned from one another to address issues of contextualization, pedagogy, sustainability, and scale. Through descriptions of programming in Rwanda, Algeria, and the Philippines, the chapter offers insight into the complexities of life skills curriculum development and contextualization processes and highlights issues that remain difficult to resolve, as well as new frontiers for programming in rapidly changing economies.
A Life Knowledge Approach to Life Skills: Empowering Boys with New Conceptions of Masculinity
Authors: Sahni Urvashi
Published: November 2021

This chapter argues for a structural, human rights and social justice-based approach to life skills, contextualized in an urban setting in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India. This approach takes a more socially and politically embedded view of life skills than most other life skills approaches, which take a more individualized, decontextualized, and apolitical approach. I argue that since our lives are framed and structured by the socio-political contexts in which they are lived, a deeper conceptual understanding of these contexts is essential in order to navigate this terrain skillfully and successfully. This chapter provides a descriptive analysis of a school program for girls and boys from marginalized backgrounds, which educates them to become active democratic citizens with gender-just perceptions and behaviors. The school, Prerna, was established and is run by Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF). Prerna focuses on life outcomes and learning outcomes, with the educational goal of educating its students to develop egalitarian and gender-just habits, and the intellectual, emotional, and behavioral skills that will enable them to live as equal persons, including respecting others’ (girls’) right to equality. This chapter focuses particularly on the school’s program for boys, where they are empowered to develop an egalitarian conception of masculinity and of themselves in relationship to girls.
Digital Humanism and Global Issues in Artificial Intelligence Ethics
Authors: Tamburrini Guglielmo
Published: November 2021

In the fight against pandemics and climate crisis, the zero hunger challenge, the preservation of international peace and stability, and the protection of democratic participation in political decision-making, AI has increasing – and often double-edged – roles to play in connection with ethical issues having a genuinely global dimension. The governance of AI ambivalence in these contexts looms large on both the AI ethics and digital humanism agendas.
How to Be a Digital Humanist in International Relations: Cultural Tech Diplomacy Challenges Silicon Valley
Authors: Blume Clara , Rauchbauer Martin
Published: November 2021

Digital humanism is often seen as an antidote to the excesses of Silicon Valley and its underlying cultural values. It is however very short-sighted to label big tech exclusively as a threat to our humanistic values, since it has proven to be an essential ally, particularly in the context of the ongoing digital transformation of the international system and its negative impact on human rights and privacy. The emerging field of cultural tech diplomacy has established a new meeting point in the center of global innovation between diplomats, policy makers, artists, and technologists in order to positively shape the future of technology according to our needs and our full potential as human beings. A new digital humanism empowered by artists can serve as a compass for diplomats and technologists alike to serve their citizens and customers while navigating a world radically transformed by artificial intelligence and biotechnology.
We Are Needed More Than Ever: Cultural Heritage, Libraries, and Archives
Authors: Eichinger Anita , Prager Katharina
Published: November 2021

Libraries and archives as institutions of cultural heritage have a long history of and great expertise in collecting, securing, handling, and contextualizing masses of material and data. In the context of digital humanism, these institutions might become essential as a model as well as a field of experimentation. Questioning their own role as gatekeepers and curators, the digital transformation offers them the chance to open up – through both participatory initiatives and inclusive collecting. At the same time, however, it is a matter of preserving the library and archive as a place of encounter and personal dialogue in a human and humanist tradition.
The Attention Economy and the Impact of Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Baeza-Yates Ricardo , Fayyad Usama M.
Published: November 2021

The growing ubiquity of the Internet and the information overload created a new economy at the end of the twentieth century: the economy of attention. While difficult to size, we know that it exceeds proxies such as the global online advertising market which is now over $300 billion with a reach of 60% of the world population. A discussion of the attention economy naturally leads to the data economy and collecting data from large-scale interactions with consumers. We discuss the impact of AI in this setting, particularly of biased data, unfair algorithms, and a user-machine feedback loop tainted by digital manipulation and the cognitive biases of users. The impact includes loss of privacy, unfair digital markets, and many ethical implications that affect society as a whole. The goal is to outline that a new science for understanding, valuing, and responsibly navigating and benefiting from attention and data is much needed.
Scaling Up Broken Systems? Considerations from the Area of Music Streaming
Authors: Knees Peter
Published: November 2021

We discuss the effects and characteristics of disruptive business models driven by technology, exemplified by the developments in music distribution and consumption over the last 20 years. Starting from a historical perspective, we offer insights into the current situation in music streaming, where technology has not only changed the way we access music but also has important implications on the broader ecosystem, which includes the consumers, the authors, the record industry, and the platforms themselves. The discussion points to potential benefits, as well as to the risks involved in the currently deployed systems. We conclude that the increased profitability of the disruptive business models in the music domain and beyond is largely generated at the expense of the providers of the goods or services being brokered. Using the platforms as a consumer further subsidizes their value and might lead to mono- and oligopolies. While technology allows companies to effectively scale up business, the resulting systems more often amplify existing injustices than mitigate them.
The Platform Economy After COVID-19: Regulation and the Precautionary Principle
Authors: Codagnone Cristiano
Published: November 2021

Online platforms are two-sided or multisided markets whose main function is matching different groups (of producers, consumers, users, advertisers, i.e., hosts and guest in Airbnb, audiences and advertised in Google, etc.) that might otherwise find it more difficult to interact and possibly transact. Some of the potential critical issues associated with the platform economy include the relationship between personhood (the quality and condition of being an individual person with protected sphere of privacy and intimacy) and personal data, on which the platform economy thrives by extracting behavioral surplus, scale to dominance and market power, and lockin for businesses. In this chapter, I first shortly review how the pandemic crisis has impacted the platform economy and what problems are being exacerbated. I then conclude and focus the core part of my analysis on the issue of regulation and particularly on the merits and limits of applying the precautionary principle when addressing the online platform economy.
The Unbearable Disembodiedness of Cognitive Machines
Authors: Nardelli Enrico
Published: November 2021

Digital systems make up nowadays the communication and social infrastructure and fill every parcel of space and time, affecting our lives both professionally and personally. However, these “cognitive machines” are completely detached from the human nature, whose comprehension is beyond their capabilities. It is therefore our duty to ensure their actions respect human rights and values of a democratic society. Education is one of the main tools to attain this goal, and a generalized preparation in the scientific basis of the digital technologies is a required element. Moreover, it is fundamental to understand why the digital automation has a nature completely different from the traditional industrial one and to develop an appreciation for human and social viewpoints in the development and deployment of digital systems. These are the key issues considered in this chapter.
The Technological Construction of Sovereignty
Authors: Timmers Paul
Published: November 2021

For policy-makers, it has always been a struggle to do justice to a diversity of perspectives when tackling challenging issues such as market access regulation, public investment in R&D, long-term unemployment, etc. In this struggle, technology, as a force that shapes economy, society, and democracy, at best used to be considered as an exogenous factor and at worst was simply forgotten. Today, however, we live in a different world. Technology is recognized as a major driver. Digital technology is now in the veins, heart, and brains of our society. Yet, the idea that we can put technology to our hand to shape reality, rather than taking technology as a given, has still not been embraced by policy-makers. This chapter argues that we can and should give a stronger steer on technology to construct the kind of reality and in particular the kind of sovereignty we aspire.
A Crucial Decade for European Digital Sovereignty
Authors: Metakides George
Published: November 2021

The current decade will be critical for Europe’s aspiration to attain and maintain digital sovereignty so as to effectively protect and promote its humanistic values in the evolving digital ecosystem. Digital sovereignty in the current geopolitical context remains a fluid concept as it must rely on a balanced strategic interdependence with the USA, China, and other global actors. The developing strategy for achieving this relies on the coordinated use of three basic instruments, investment, regulation, and completion of the digital internal market. Investment, in addition to the multiannual financial framework (2021–2027) instruments, will draw upon the 20% of the 750 billion recovery fund. Regulation, in addition to the Digital Governance Act and the Digital Market Act, will include the Data Act, the new AI regulation, and more that is in the pipeline, leveraging the so-called Brussels effect. Of key importance for the success of this effort remains the timing and “dovetailing” of the particular actions taken.
Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control
Authors: Russell Stuart
Published: November 2021

A long tradition in philosophy and economics equates intelligence with the ability to act rationally—that is, to choose actions that can be expected to achieve one’s objectives. This framework is so pervasive within AI that it would be reasonable to call it the standard model. A great deal of progress on reasoning, planning, and decision-making, as well as perception and learning, has occurred within the standard model. Unfortunately, the standard model is unworkable as a foundation for further progress because it is seldom possible to specify objectives completely and correctly in the real world. The chapter proposes a new model for AI development in which the machine’s uncertainty about the true objective leads to qualitatively new modes of behavior that are more robust, controllable, and deferential to humans.
Work Without Jobs
Authors: Samaan Daniel K.
Published: November 2021

Technology has always had an impact on the world of work. This chapter compares the transformation of our societies during the Industrial Revolution with potential transformations that digitalization may bring about today. If digitalization is truly disruptive, more may be at stake than job losses in some sectors and job gains in others. Identifying several key features of digitalization, this chapter sketches a future of work in which not jobs but work itself stands in the center of economic activity. Such a development could open a pathway to more humanistic, more democratic, and more sustainable societies but would require rethinking entirely how we organize and reward work on a societal level.