bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unbiddable Pasts
Authors: Walsh Maurice
Published: September 2022

At the Ulster Museum in Belfast two artefacts connect the momentous events of 1916 with the thirty years of conflict in Northern Ireland brought to an end by the Good Friday Agreement in 1998. One piece is the work of republican prisoners interned aboard HMS Maidstone in the Belfast docks in the early 1970s: a plaque, signed by its creators, bearing a portrait of the only socialist among the leaders of the Easter Rising in Dublin, James Connolly. The other is a painting by Gusty Spence, the founder of the modern loyalist paramilitary group, the Ulster Volunteer Force. It commemorates the Battle of the Somme: two soldiers in silhouette, bugles to their lips, on either side of a standard bearing the words ‘In Immortal Memory’, a reference to the 5,000 troops from the 36th Ulster Division who were killed or injured going over the top on 1 July 1916. These two objects not only bring home the importance of history and memory to the paramilitaries who fought each other during the Troubles but also point to how the story of the modern conflict is already being crafted for current political debates and future generations. As William Blair writes, the greatest challenge for the Ulster Museum in the near future will not be remembrance of the battles of a century ago but ‘dealing with the difficult and divisive legacy of “the Troubles”’.1 This is also an issue which historians have already begun to confront, often through their contributions to the debates surrounding the so-called ‘Decade of Centenaries’, stretching from the Home Rule crisis of 1912 to the end of the Irish revolution in 1923. These five books deal with the politics of memory in Ireland generally, and Northern Ireland in particular, and how memorialisation of traumatic events – official, unofficial and private – has shaped both the public sphere and the hidden recesses of everyday life. Two almost simultaneous events from 1916 – the Easter Rising in Dublin and the Battle of the Somme – have acquired extraordinary resonance in the contemporary politics of memory in Northern Ireland.
Background risk and risk-taking – evidence from the field
Authors: Kleemann Linda , Riekhof Marie-Catherine
Published: September 2022

Most decisions involving risk are not taken in isolation. In addition to the risk from that decision, other independent, so-called ‘background’ risks, are considered. Our research adds to the growing evidence that this background risk influences risk-taking. We report results from a repeated lab-in-the-field investment task with Senegalese fishers in the presence of background risk related to their fishing income and their health. Our measure of background risk is the monthly wind condition. Without controls, we find that fishers act on average intemperately. Adding controls, we find that the impact of background risk on risk-taking—measured as the investment in the investment task—depends on the boat size of the fishers. When dividing the sample according to wealth, we find temperate behavior for the relatively poorer group and intemperate behavior that depends on boat lengths for the relatively richer group. Our results show the interrelations between background risk and context factors.
Value-based Healthcare, PROMs und Shared Decision-Making
Authors: Rüter Florian , Meier Christoph A.
Published: September 2022

Zusammenfassung. Die bestmögliche Gesundheitsversorgung gemessen am individuell wahrgenommen Wert einer Behandlung zu günstigen Kosten ist die Kurzformel der wertbasierten Gesundheitsversorgung (Value-based Healthcare, VBHC). Diese 2006 durch den Harvard-Ökonomen Michael Porter und Elizabeth Teisberg in ihrem Standardwerk «Redefining Healtcare» [1] entwickelte Formel und ihre Prinzipien stehen aktuell als umfassendes Konzept nicht nur in der Schweiz zur Umgestaltung des Gesundheitssystems zur Diskussion, um als Mass für die Behandlungsqualität auf den (Mehr-)Wert einer Behandlung aus Patientensicht zu fokussieren. In der wertbasierten Gesundheitsversorgung steht der Patient nicht nur im Zentrum: Ziel ist es, ihn zum Partner auf Augenhöhe in einem Gesundheitssystem zu machen, das die evidenzbasierte Qualität mit der aus Patientensicht gemessenen Lebensqualität zusammenführt. Der standardisierten, von Patienten berichteten Ergebnismessung (Patient-Reported Outcome-Measurement, PROM) als Kernelement des VBHC-Konzepts kommt in der Betrachtung eines Zusammenhangs zwischen VBHC und SDM eine besondere Bedeutung zu, denn das Treffen gemeinsamer Entscheidungen – Shared Decision-Making (SDM) – ist ein Schlüsselelement, ohne das eine Optimierung des Mehrwerts medizinischer Leistungen für einen individuellen Patienten kaum möglich ist.
Shared Decision-Making als genuin interprofessionelle Aufgabe
Authors: Rosca Ana , Monteverde Settimio , Krones Tanja
Published: September 2022

Zusammenfassung. Mit steigender Komplexität der Entscheidungsprozesse steigt auch die Komplexität der Kommunikationsprozesse, welche von allen an der Behandlung beteiligten Fachpersonen angepasste kommunikative Fertigkeiten erfordern. Shared Decision-Making (SDM) erfordert deswegen als Prozess der gemeinsamen Entscheidungsfindung auch einen konsequenten Miteinbezug und die Mitgestaltung durch alle beteiligten Professionen. Wie Interprofessionalität (IP) verfolgt auch SDM das Ziel, bestmögliche Rahmenbedingungen für den klinischen Kontext herzustellen (hier die auf die Person «zugeschnittene» und mit ihr aufgrund ihrer Präferenzen und Werte vereinbarte Behandlung). Die zahlreichen positiven Auswirkungen sowohl von SDM als auch der interprofessionellen Zusammenarbeit machen die Integration beider Ansätze im klinischen Alltag nicht nur zu einer ethischen Notwendigkeit, sondern auch zu einer Voraussetzung für eine optimale Behandlungsqualität. Die spezifische Struktur von SDM hilft nicht nur in einer dyadischen Entscheidungssituation zwischen Ärzt_in und Patient_in, sondern auch in den interprofessionellen Behandlungsteams, sich von der individualistischen Sichtweise einer einzigen besten Lösung zu trennen und zu einem stärker interprofessionell orientierten Teamansatz überzugehen, der sowohl den Patient_innen als auch dem behandelnden Team zugutekommt.
Shared Decision-Making bei Patient_innen mit psychischen Störungen oder kognitiven Beeinträchtigungen
Authors: Hempeler Christin , Gather Jakov , Haberstroh Julia , Trachsel Manuel
Published: September 2022

Zusammenfassung. Shared Decision-Making (SDM) beschreibt ein Modell der gemeinsamen Entscheidungsfindung, bei der das Expert_innenwissen von Gesundheitsfachpersonen und das Erfahrungswissen von Patient_innen verbunden werden. Damit können Patient_innen im Entscheidungsprozess eine aktivere Rolle einnehmen. Auch in der Behandlung von Menschen mit psychischen Störungen oder kognitiven Beeinträchtigungen gewinnt SDM zunehmend an Bedeutung. Bei diesen Patient_innen kann es jedoch durch spezifische Herausforderungen zu Schwierigkeiten in der Umsetzung von SDM kommen, beispielsweise wenn ihre Selbstbestimmungsfähigkeit eingeschränkt ist oder zur Abwehr von akuter Eigen- oder Fremdgefährdung Zwang angewendet werden muss. Andererseits bietet SDM gerade in diesem Bereich wichtige Chancen. So sind psychiatrische Professionelle bei der klinischen Entscheidungsfindung oftmals stärker als in der somatischen Versorgung auf das Erfahrungswissen der Patient_innen angewiesen. Ausserdem stellen Empowerment und eine gute therapeutische Beziehung zentrale Aspekte in der Behandlung von Menschen mit psychischen Störungen oder kognitiven Beeinträchtigungen dar, die durch SDM gestärkt werden können. Vor diesem Hintergrund wird ein Überblick über Chancen von und Erfahrungen mit SDM in der Versorgung von Menschen mit psychischen Störungen oder kognitiven Beeinträchtigungen gegeben. Ausserdem werden Ansatzpunkte für eine Förderung der Implementierung von SDM für diese Patient_innengruppe aufgezeigt.
Patienten-Entscheidungshilfen zur Werteklärung und Präferenzerhebung
Authors: Cheetham Marcus , Holzer Barbara , Kleber Martina , Biller-Andorno Nikola , Meier Christoph A.
Published: September 2022

Zusammenfassung. Die gemeinsame Entscheidungsfindung, beziehungsweise Shared Decision-Making, ist vor allem dann angezeigt, wenn die verfügbaren Evidenzen nicht klar erkennen lassen, welche medizinische Massnahme für einen bestimmten Patienten oder eine bestimmte Patientin die bessere Option ist, sodass die endgültige Entscheidung von den persönlichen Werten und Präferenzen von Patient_innen abhängt. Der Prozess der Werteklärung und Präferenzermittlung kann zeitaufwändig und für Patient_innen kognitiv und emotional anspruchsvoll sein. Zunehmend helfen daher Entscheidungshilfen (z.B. zur Nutzen-Schaden-Abwägungen) den Patient_innen, sich auf die medizinische Konsultation vorzubereiten und mit dem Behandlungsteam wertekongruente medizinische Entscheidungen zu treffen. Bei den meisten klinisch validierten Entscheidungshilfen handelt es sich um papierbasierte Flyer und Aufklärungsbroschüren. Es gibt auch computer-, audio-, video- oder webbasierte Entscheidungshilfen. Bei den webbasierten Hilfen wird das Potenzial interaktiver Technologien kaum genutzt trotz der gut bekannten Vorteile dieses Mediums. Ziel dieses Artikels ist es, einen Überblick über Entscheidungshilfen und Herausforderungen bei der Werteklärung und Präferenzerhebung zu geben und einige Entwicklungen bei interaktiven webbasierten Technologien aufzuzeigen, welche die Werteklärung und Präferenzerhebung erleichtern könnten.
Parenting and School Context Differentiate Nigerian Adolescents’ Profiles of Substance Use
Authors: Agwogie Martin Osayande , Kliewer Wendy , Mattfeld Elizabeth , Somoye Olusola Anthonia , Olatunde Isaac Adetolu , Ola Bolanle Adeyemi
Published: September 2022

Abstract. Substance use among Nigerian adolescents has increased significantly in the past decade, highlighting the need to implement evidence-based, effective prevention programs as one strategy to help reverse this trend. This study aimed to identify profiles of adolescent substance use and parenting and school correlates of these profiles to inform preventive interventions. Latent class analysis identified four distinct use patterns in 2,004 adolescents (46% male; M = 14.8 years) attending public and private schools in Lagos. Low levels of use distinguished the Low Use class (92.1% of the sample), while use of alcohol, cigarettes, and codeine defined the Alcohol Use class (2.9%). Moderate to high use of tramadol and codeine without a prescription differentiated the Nonmedical Use class (2.8%), and high use of most substances defined the High Use class (2.1%). Males, older youth, and private school students engaged in the riskiest substance use. Students in the Low Use class compared to students in the High Use class were more likely to attend public schools and had parents who solicited less information from them but were more disapproving of substance use. Students in the Low Use class relative to students in the Alcohol Use class also were more likely to attend public schools and had parents who solicited less information but knew more about their child’s activities. These findings suggest that tailored preventive interventions with parents and adolescents could be useful and that more research is needed to understand how the private school context confers risk for substance use.
A Qualitative Examination of Transnational Identity Development in Multicountry Immersers
Authors: Giboi Courtney J. , Nath Sanjay R.
Published: September 2022

Abstract. Although numerous studies have examined the acculturation and identity experiences of binational migrants having lived in two countries, little known research has specifically looked at migrants to three or more countries. Collectively termed multicountry immersers, or MCIs, this study seeks to examine the unique experiences of such individuals who have lived and adapted culturally, linguistically, and professionally to three or more countries. Semistructured interviews were conducted on a diverse sample of 10 emerging adult, geographically dispersed MCIs with extensive immersive and acculturative experiences in three or more countries. Individual and group themes emerged via qualitative analysis, including adaptation experiences, experiences of connection and disconnection, and individual identity dimensions. A theoretical model of identity transformation as a result of multiple country immersions is introduced.
Autonomous CE Mass‐Spectra Examination for the Ocean Worlds Life Surveyor
Authors: Mauceri Steffen , Lee Jake , Wronkiewicz Mark , Mandrake Lukas , Doran Gary , Lightholder Jack , Cieslarova Zuzana , Kok Miranda , Mora Maria F. , Noell Aaron
Published: September 2022

Ocean worlds such as Europa and Enceladus are high priority targets in the search for past or extant life beyond Earth. Evidence of life may be preserved in samples of surface ice by processes such as deposition from active plumes, hydrofracturing, or thermal convection. Terrestrial life produces unique distributions of organic molecules that translate into recognizable biosignatures. Identification and quantification of these organic compounds can be achieved by separation science such as capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry (CE‐MS). However, the data generated by such an instrument can be multiple orders of magnitude larger than what can be transmitted back to Earth during an ocean world’s mission. This requires onboard science data analysis capabilities that summarize and prioritize CE‐MS observations with limited computational resources. In response, the autonomous capillary electrophoresis mass‐spectra examination (ACME) onboard science autonomy system was created for application to the ocean world’s life surveyor (OWLS) instrument suite. ACME is able to compress raw mass spectra by two to three orders of magnitude while preserving most of its scientifically relevant information content. This summarization is achieved by the extraction of raw data surrounding autonomously identified ion peaks and the detection and parameterization of unique background regions. Prioritization of the summarized observations is then enabled by providing estimates of scientific utility, including presence of key target compounds, and the uniqueness of an observation relative to previous observations.
Timing of Tectonic and Magmatic Events in the Philippine Sea Plate Since 50 Ma From High‐Resolution Magnetostratigraphy of IODP Site U1438
Authors: Maffione Marco , Morris Antony
Published: September 2022

The Philippine Sea Plate in the West Pacific is a unique natural laboratory to study subduction dynamics and the evolution of upper plate magmatism following subduction initiation. To investigate these processes, International Ocean Discovery Program Expedition 351 recovered at Site U1438, located in a rear‐arc position, a complete sedimentary sequence from recent age to the early Eocene and the top of the underlying volcanic basement. The recovered cores offered the opportunity to study for the first time and in unprecedented detail the styles, products, and timing of the volcanic events that marked the emplacement, growth, and demise of the Kyushu‐Palau volcanic arc following the inception of the Izu‐Bonin‐Mariana subduction. Here, we report a magnetostratigraphy for Site U1438 based on ∼60,000 remanence directions isolated from 1,063 archive half core sections and 429 discrete specimens. We identified 142 magnetic reversals and correlated 115 of them with the geomagnetic polarity timescale. When combined with additional biostratigraphic and geochronological constraints, our magnetostratigraphy allowed construction of a high‐resolution age model for Site U1438 and the determination of changes in sedimentation rates. We show that following subduction initiation at 52–50 Ma and the emplacement of basalts in the rear‐arc at 48.7 Ma, a diffuse volcanism in the rear‐arc (48.4–45.6 Ma) preceded the true emplacement of the Kyushu‐Palau arc at 40.2 Ma, which then grew through four compositionally distinct eruptive phases until 28.8 Ma. Subsequent rollback of the Pacific slab triggered rifting of the arc (28.8–24.3 Ma) and ultimately back‐arc spreading in the Shikoku and Parece Vela basins.
Jupiter's Sheared Flow Unstable Magnetopause Boundary Observed by Juno
Authors: Ma X. , Delamere P. A. , Schok A. , Wing S. , Johnson J. R. , Liou Yu‐Lun
Published: September 2022

The interaction between the solar wind and giant magnetospheres (i.e., Jupiter's and Saturn's magnetospheres) is fundamentally important for magnetospheric physics, in which the viscous interaction (presumably driven by the Kelvin‐Helmholtz (KH) instability) is often expected to play an important role. Previous simulation and theory studies suggested that Jupiter's low‐latitude dawn side flank region is KH unstable due to the large sheared flow between the fast tailward solar wind and magnetospheric sunward corotational flow. The onset of the KH instability can strongly modify the magnetopause boundary layer, which is consistent with the identification of 194 boundary crossings during Juno's first 14 orbits. We applied four different boundary normal analysis methods to illustrate that there is always a wide range of local normal directions, suggesting Jupiter's dawn‐side flank region is often highly perturbed. The distribution of local normal directions is insensitive to the upstream solar wind dynamic pressure, Juno's inward/outward boundary crossing direction, and the location along the z direction of the boundary crossing. We also used a 2‐D magnetohydrodynamic simulation to demonstrate that such a wide distribution can be formed by the KH instability even at the beginning of the nonlinear stage.
In vitro activity of celastrol in combination with thymol against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates
Authors: Abdel-Halim Mahmoud Saad , Askoura Momen , Mansour Basem , Yahya Galal , El-Ganiny Amira M.
Published: September 2022

Klebsiella pneumoniae is an opportunistic pathogen causing nosocomial and community-acquired infections. Klebsiella has developed resistance against antimicrobials including the last resort class; carbapenem. Currently, treatment options for carbapenem-resistant-Klebsiella (CRK) are very limited. This study aims to restore carbapenem effectiveness against CRK using celastrol and thymol. Clinical Klebsiella isolates were identified using biochemical and molecular methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility was determined using disk-diffusion method. Carbapenemase-production was tested phenotypically and genotypically. Celastrol and thymol-MICs were determined and the carbapenemase-inhibitory effect of sub-MICs was investigated. Among 85 clinical Klebsiella isolates, 72 were multi-drug-resistant and 43 were meropenem-resistant. Phenotypically, 39 isolates were carbapenemase-producer. Genotypically, blaNDM1 was detected in 35 isolates, blaVIM in 17 isolates, blaOXA in 18 isolates, and blaKPC was detected only in 6 isolates. Celastrol showed significant inhibitory effect against carbapenemase-hydrolytic activity. Meropenem-MIC did not decrease in presence of celastrol, only 2-fold decrease was observed with thymol, while 4–64 fold decrease was observed when meropenem was combined with both celastrol and thymol. Furthermore, thymol increased CRK cell wall-permeability. Molecular docking revealed that celastrol is superior to thymol for binding to KPC and VIM-carbapenemase. Our study showed that celastrol is a promising inhibitor of multiple carbapenemases. While meropenem-MIC were not affected by celastrol alone and decreased by only 2-folds with thymol, it decreased by 4–64 folds in presence of both celastrol and thymol. Thymol increases the permeability of CRK-envelope to celastrol. The triple combination (meropenem/celastrol/thymol) could be useful for developing more safe and effective analogues to restore the activity of meropenem and other β-lactams.
Predicting and preventing COVID-19 outbreaks in indoor environments: an agent-based modeling study
Authors: Reveil Mardochee , Chen Yao-Hsuan
Published: September 2022

How to mitigate the spread of infectious diseases like COVID-19 in indoor environments remains an important research question. In this study, we propose an agent-based modeling framework to evaluate facility usage policies that aim to lower the probability of outbreaks. The proposed framework is individual-based, spatially-resolved with time resolution of up to 1 s, and takes into detailed account specific floor layouts, occupant schedules and movement. It enables decision makers to compute realistic contact networks and generate risk profiles of their facilities without relying on wearable devices, smartphone tagging or surveillance cameras. Our demonstrative modeling results indicate that not all facility occupants present the same risk of starting an outbreak, where the driver of outbreaks varies with facility layouts as well as individual occupant schedules. Therefore, generic mitigation strategies applied across all facilities should be considered inferior to tailored policies that take into account individual characteristics of the facilities of interest. The proposed modeling framework, implemented in Python and now available to the public in an open-source platform, enables such strategy evaluation.
Dorsolateral prefrontal cortex plays causal role in probability weighting during risky choice
Authors: Panidi Ksenia , Vorobiova Alicia Nunez , Feurra Matteo , Klucharev Vasily
Published: September 2022

In this study, we provide causal evidence that the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) supports the computation of subjective value in choices under risk via its involvement in probability weighting. Following offline continuous theta-burst transcranial magnetic stimulation (cTBS) of the DLPFC subjects (N = 30, mean age 23.6, 56% females) completed a computerized task consisting of 96 binary lottery choice questions presented in random order. Using the hierarchical Bayesian modeling approach, we then estimated the structural parameters of risk preferences (the degree of risk aversion and the curvature of the probability weighting function) and analyzed the obtained posterior distributions to determine the effect of stimulation on model parameters. On a behavioral level, temporary downregulation of the left DLPFC excitability through cTBS decreased the likelihood of choosing an option with higher expected reward while the probability of choosing a riskier lottery did not significantly change. Modeling the stimulation effects on risk preference parameters showed anecdotal evidence as assessed by Bayes factors that probability weighting parameter increased after the left DLPFC TMS compared to sham.
Genomic epidemiology of Mycobacterium abscessus in a Canadian cystic fibrosis centre
Authors: Waglechner Nicholas , Tullis Elizabeth , Stephenson Anne L. , Waters Valerie , McIntosh Fiona , Ma Jennifer , Jamieson Frances B. , Behr Marcel A. , Batt Jane , Lee Robyn S.
Published: September 2022

The Mycobacterium abscessus complex causes significant morbidity and mortality among patients with Cystic Fibrosis (CF). It has been hypothesized that these organisms are transmitted from patient to patient based on genomics. However, few studies incorporate epidemiologic data to confirm this hypothesis. We longitudinally sampled 27 CF and 7 non-CF patients attending a metropolitan hospital in Ontario, Canada from 2013 to 2018. Whole genome sequencing along with epidemiological data was used to evaluate the likelihood of transmission. Overall, the genetic diversity of M. abscessus was large, with a median pairwise distance (IQR) of 1,279 (143–134) SNVs between all Ontario M. abscessus isolates and 2,908 (21–3,204) single nucleotide variants (SNVs) between M. massiliense isolates. This reflects the global diversity of this pathogen, with Ontario isolates widely dispersed throughout global phylogenetic trees of each subspecies. Using a maximum distance of 25 SNVs as a threshold to identify possible transmission, we identified 23 (of 276 total) pairs of closely-related isolates. However, transmission was probable for only one pair based on both genomic and epidemiological data. This suggests that person-to-person transmission of M. abscessus among CF patients is indeed rare and reinforces the critical importance of epidemiological data for inferences of transmission.
Possible alleviation of symptoms and side effects through clinicians’ nocebo information and empathy in an experimental video vignette study
Authors: Meijers M. C. , Stouthard J. , Evers A. W. M. , Das E. , Drooger H. J. , Jansen S. J. A. J. , Francke A. L. , Plum N. , van der Wall E. , Nestoriuc Y. , Dusseldorp E. , van Vliet L. M.
Published: September 2022

To alleviate anti-cancer treatment burden in advanced breast cancer, patient-clinician communication strategies based on nocebo-effect mechanisms are promising. We assessed distinct/combined effects on psychological outcomes (e.g. anxiety; main outcome) and side-effect expectations of (1) nocebo information about the (non)pharmacological origin of side effects, and (2) clinician-expressed empathy through reassurance of continuing support. Furthermore, we explored whether information and empathy effects on side-effect expectations were mediated by decreased anxiety. In a two-by-two experimental video-vignette design, 160 cancer patients/survivors and healthy women watched one of four videos differing in level of nocebo information (±) and empathy (±). Regression and mediation analysis were used to determine effects of information/empathy and explore anxiety’s mediating role. Anxiety was not influenced by empathy or information (Stai-state: p = 0.281; p = 0.410, VAS p = 0.387; p = 0.838). Information improved (specific) side-effect coping expectations (p < 0.01). Empathy improved side-effect intensity expectations (p < 0.01 = specific; p < 0.05 = non-specific/partial) and specific side-effect probability expectations (p < 0.01), and increased satisfaction, trust, and self-efficacy (p < 0.001). No mediating effects were found of anxiety on expectations. Mainly empathy, but also nocebo information improved psychological outcomes and—mainly specific—side-effect expectations. Exploring the power of these communication elements in clinical practice is essential to diminish the anti-cancer treatment burden in advanced breast cancer.
Optimisation of geometric aspect ratio of thin film transistors for low-cost flexible CMOS inverters and its practical implementation
Authors: van Fraassen N. C. A. , Niang K. M. , Parish J. D. , Johnson A. L. , Flewitt A. J.
Published: September 2022

A low-cost, flexible processor is essential to realise affordable flexible electronic systems and transform everyday objects into smart-objects. Thin film transistors (TFTs) based on metal-oxides (or organics) are ideal candidates as they can be manufactured at low processing temperatures and low-cost per unit area, unlike traditional silicon devices. The development of complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor (CMOS) technology based on these materials remains challenging due to differences in performance between n- and p-type TFTs. Existing geometric rules typically compensate the lower mobility of the metal-oxide p-type TFT by scaling up the width-to-length (W/L) ratio but fail to take into account the significant off-state leakage current. Here we propose the concept of an optimal geometric aspect ratio which maximises the inverter efficiency represented by the average switching current divided by the static currents. This universal method is especially useful for the design of low-power CMOS inverters based on metal-oxides, where the large off-current of the p-type TFT dominates the static power consumption of the inverter. We model the inverter efficiency and noise margins of metal-oxide CMOS inverters with different geometric aspect ratios and compare the performance to different inverter configurations. The modelling results are verified experimentally by fabricating CMOS inverter configurations consisting of n-type indium-silicon-oxide (ISO) TFTs and p-type tin monoxide (SnO) TFTs. Notably, our results show that reducingW/Lof metal-oxide p-type TFTs increases the inverter efficiency while reducing the area compared to simply scaling upW/Linversely with mobility. We anticipate this work provides a straightforward method to geometrically optimise flexible CMOS inverters, which will remain relevant even as the performance of TFTs continues to evolve.
Signals of local bioclimate-driven ecomorphological changes in wild birds
Authors: Mahendiran Mylswamy , Parthiban Mylswamy , Azeez Parappurath Abdul
Published: September 2022

Across disciplines—biological, ecological, evolutionary, or environmental—researchers increasingly recognize the importance and the need for cost-effective, non-invasive techniques for in-situ morphological measurements of organisms in diverse research contexts. By applying a non-invasive technique using digital images taken under field conditions, we successfully measured the body sizes of wild Painted Storks (Mycteria leucocephala) in two different biogeographic regions of India, spatially separated by 20° of latitude. We have used the wild Painted Storks as model species for measuring their morphometrics using a non-invasive technique that could easily be applied to similar species, rare, endemic, colonial, aquatic, and even those with cultural taboos. Our results satisfactorily classify and predict the sexes of the species and their biogeographic origin based on independent morphological variables using Machine Learning algorithms. The BayesNet yielded the correct classification instances (Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) = 0.985), outperforming all the other tested classifying algorithms. A strong relationship was observed between the local bioclimatic conditions and the morphological variations in wild Painted Storks reflecting clear eco-geographic patterns. Without this non-invasive technique, it would be almost impossible to collect morphological measurements at a large scale from live birds under field conditions. Our study is a testimony to the effectual use of the non-invasive digital method for in-situ measurements from free-living wild species in the field, assuming significance, especially from climate change perspectives, biology, ecology, and conservation.
Correlated stochastic epidemic model for the dynamics of SARS-CoV-2 with vaccination
Authors: Khan Tahir , Ullah Roman , Alwan Basem Al , El-Khatib Youssef , Zaman Gul
Published: September 2022

In this paper, we propose a mathematical model to describe the influence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus with correlated sources of randomness and with vaccination. The total human population is divided into three groups susceptible, infected, and recovered. Each population group of the model is assumed to be subject to various types of randomness. We develop the correlated stochastic model by considering correlated Brownian motions for the population groups. As the environmental reservoir plays a weighty role in the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, our model encompasses a fourth stochastic differential equation representing the reservoir. Moreover, the vaccination of susceptible is also considered. Once the correlated stochastic model, the existence and uniqueness of a positive solution are discussed to show the problem’s feasibility. The SARS-CoV-2 extinction, as well as persistency, are also examined, and sufficient conditions resulted from our investigation. The theoretical results are supported through numerical/graphical findings.
Common variants in GNL3 gene contributed the susceptibility of hand osteoarthritis in Han Chinese population
Authors: Wang Xi , Xiao Lin , Wang Zhiyuan , Zhi Liqiang , Li Qiang
Published: September 2022

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most popular degenerative joint diseases. The nucleolar GTP binding protein 3 (GNL3) gene encodes guanine nucleotide binding protein-like 3, which is related in cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell cycle regulation. Our study aimed to examine the contribution of GNL3 gene polymorphisms to the risk of hand OA and its related clinical features. A total of 3387 study participants including 1160 patients with hand OA and 2227 controls were recruited in this study. Eleven SNPs in GNL3 gene were selected for genotyping. Genetic association signals were examined using Plink. Relationships between significant SNPs and clinical features of hand OA were also explored. SNP rs11177 was found to be strongly associated with susceptibility of hand OA (P = 4.32 × 10–5). The minor allele of rs11177 was associated with increased susceptibility of hand OA. In addition, significant associations were also identified between genotypes of rs11177 and clinical features of hand OA patients including K-L grade (P < 0.01) and categorized pain scores (P < 0.01). Significant eQTL signals for rs11177 on GNL3 in multiple types of human tissues were also identified in GTEx database. Our results have established the link between GNL3 gene and susceptibility of hand OA.
A novel model forecasting perioperative red blood cell transfusion
Authors: Zhang Yawen , Fu Xiangjie , Xie Xi , Yan Danyang , Wang Yanjie , Huang Wanting , Yao Run , Li Ning
Published: September 2022

We aimed to establish a predictive model assessing perioperative blood transfusion risk using a nomogram. Clinical data for 97,443 surgery patients were abstracted from the DATADRYAD website; approximately 75% of these patients were enrolled in the derivation cohort, while approximately 25% were enrolled in the validation cohort. Multivariate logical regression was used to identify predictive factors for transfusion. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration plots, and decision curves were used to assess the model performance. In total, 5888 patients received > 1 unit of red blood cells; the total transfusion rate was 6.04%. Eight variables including age, race, American Society of Anesthesiologists' Physical Status Classification (ASA-PS), grade of kidney disease, type of anaesthesia, priority of surgery, surgery risk, and an 18-level variable were included. The nomogram achieved good concordance indices of 0.870 and 0.865 in the derivation and validation cohorts, respectively. The Youden index identified an optimal cut-off predicted probability of 0.163 with a sensitivity of 0.821 and a specificity of 0.744. Decision curve (DCA) showed patients had a standardized net benefit in the range of a 5–60% likelihood of transfusion risk. In conclusion, a nomogram model was established to be used for risk stratification of patients undergoing surgery at risk for blood transfusion. The URLs of web calculators for our model are as follows: http://www.empowerstats.net/pmodel/?m=11633_transfusionpreiction.
Surprisingly high prevalence rates of severe psychological distress among consumers who purchase loot boxes in video games
Authors: Drummond Aaron , Hall Lauren C. , Sauer James D.
Published: September 2022

Loot boxes are randomised rewards available in some video games, often purchasable for real-world money. Loot boxes have been likened to conventional forms of gambling and may satisfy legal requirements to be considered bona fide gambling in some jurisdictions. Research has consistently shown that people with problem gambling symptoms report spending more on these mechanisms than people without such symptoms. However, a significant gap in our current understanding is whether engaging with these mechanisms is associated with harm. Here we examine the prevalence rates of severe psychological distress among purchasers of loot boxes relative to non-purchasers. A reanalysis of two cross-sectional surveys collected online via online collection platforms. Participants were 2432 Aotearoa New Zealand, Australian, and United States residents recruited through online survey. Our results show that purchasers of loot boxes are at approximately 1.87 times higher risk of severe psychological distress on a standardised clinical screening tool than people who do not purchase loot boxes. These relative risk rates are not due to gender, age, spending on other video game related purchases, or problem gambling symptoms. Individuals who purchased loot boxes appeared to also have higher risk of severe psychological distress irrespective of demographic characteristics or problem gambling status. Loot boxes appear to be associated with significantly higher risk of experiencing psychological harm even for players without problem gambling symptoms.
Location intelligence reveals the extent, timing, and spatial variation of hurricane preparedness
Authors: Li Bo , Mostafavi Ali
Published: September 2022

Hurricanes are one of the most catastrophic natural hazards faced by residents of the United States. Improving the public’s hurricane preparedness is essential to reduce the impact and disruption of hurricanes on households. Inherent in traditional methods for quantifying and monitoring hurricane preparedness are significant lags, which hinder effective monitoring of residents’ preparedness in advance of an impending hurricane. This study establishes a methodological framework to quantify the extent, timing, and spatial variation of hurricane preparedness at the census block group level using high-resolution location intelligence data. Anonymized cell phone data on visits to points-of-interest for each census block group in Harris County before 2017 Hurricane Harvey were used to examine residents’ hurricane preparedness. Four categories of points-of-interest, grocery stores, gas stations, pharmacies and home improvement stores, were identified as they have close relationship with hurricane preparedness, and the daily number of visits from each CBG to these four categories of POIs were calculated during preparation period. Two metrics, extent of preparedness and proactivity, were calculated based on the daily visit percentage change compared to the baseline period. The results show that peak visits to pharmacies often occurred in the early stage of preparation, whereas the peak of visits to gas stations happened closer to hurricane landfall. The spatial and temporal patterns of visits to grocery stores and home improvement stores were quite similar. However, correlation analysis demonstrates that extent of preparedness and proactivity are independent of each other. Combined with synchronous evacuation data, CBGs in Harris County were divided into four clusters in terms of extent of preparedness and evacuation rate. The clusters with low preparedness and low evacuation rate were identified as hotspots of vulnerability for shelter-in-place households that would need urgent attention during response. Hence, the research findings provide a new data-driven approach to quantify and monitor the extent, timing, and spatial variations of hurricane preparedness. Accordingly, the study advances data-driven understanding of human protective actions during disasters. The study outcomes also provide emergency response managers and public officials with novel data-driven insights to more proactively monitor residents’ disaster preparedness, making it possible to identify under-prepared areas and better allocate resources in a timely manner.
Neural correlates of lateral modulation and perceptual filling-in in center-surround radial sinusoidal gratings: an fMRI study
Authors: Lin Yih-Shiuan , Chen Chien-Chung , Greenlee Mark W.
Published: September 2022

We investigated lateral modulation effects with functional magnetic resonance imaging. We presented radial sinusoidal gratings in random sequence: a scotoma grating with two arc-shaped blank regions (scotomata) in the periphery, one in the left and one in the right visual field, a center grating containing pattern only in the scotoma regions, and a full-field grating where the pattern occupied the whole screen. On each trial, one of the three gratings flickered in counterphase for 10 s, followed by a blank period. Observers were instructed to perform a fixation task and report whether filling-in was experienced during the scotoma condition. The results showed that the blood-oxygen-level-dependent signal was reduced in areas corresponding to the scotoma regions in the full-field compared to the center condition in V1 to V3 areas, indicating a lateral inhibition effect when the surround was added to the center pattern. The univariate analysis results showed no difference between the filling-in and no-filling-in trials. However, multivariate pattern analysis results showed that classifiers trained on activation pattern in V1 to V3 could differentiate between filling-in and no-filling-in trials, suggesting that the neural activation pattern in visual cortex correlated with the subjective percept.
Investigating group-velocity-tunable propagation-invariant optical wave-packets
Authors: Li Zhaoyang , Liu Yanqi , Leng Yuxin , Li Ruxin
Published: September 2022

The group-velocity of the propagation-invariant optical wave-packet generated by the conical superposition can be controlled by introducing well-designed arbitrarily-axisymmetric pulse-front deformation, which permits realizing superluminal, subluminal, accelerating, decelerating, and even nearly-programmable group-velocities. To better understand the tunability of the group-velocity, the generation methods of this propagation-invariant optical wave-packet and the mechanisms of the tunable group-velocity in both the physical and Fourier spaces are investigated. We also have studied the relationship with the recently-reported space–time wave-packet, and this group-velocity-tunable propagation-invariant optical wave-packet should be a subset of the space–time wave-packet.
A moderate static magnetic field promotes C. elegans longevity through cytochrome P450s
Authors: Song Mengjiao , Dong Shiming , Zhang Xiangfei , Dai Yumin , Zhang Xin , Shen Yidong
Published: September 2022

Ageing is co-regulated by genetic and environmental factors. Life on earth lives and evolves in a mild geomagnetic field. Yet, the biological effects of a moderate magnetic field on ageing and the underlying genetic mechanisms remain barely unknown. Here, we report that a moderate static magnetic field (SMF) extends the lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans, a well-established model organism in ageing research. Consistently, the SMF-treated worms show improved motility and mitochondrial function when aged. We identified from the transcriptomic changes upon SMF treatment that the upregulation of three cytochrome P450 genes are required for SMF-induced longevity. Our findings thus reveal that proper SMF treatment could promote longevity through the well-conserved cytochrome P450 enzymes.
Study on the inherent magnetism and its relationship with mechanical properties of structural round steel
Authors: Liu Yang , Liu Kun , Wang Wentao , Fan Linlin , Li Binbin , Yang Tao
Published: September 2022

Inherent magnetism is an important properties of ferromagnetic materials. In this study, the internal magnetic field intensity (IMFI) and internal magneto-mechanical effect (IMME) of Q390B in a structural field were investigated to detect and verify the inherent magnetism in structural settings. In the IMFI test, the magnetic flux was used to detect the change in magnetic field to verify the existence of magnetism. In the IMME test, a novel instrument was implemented to measure the magnetic variation in the Q390B specimen without magnetic flux. Based on the low frequency cyclic (LFC) tensile loading tests, the inherent magnetism was fully described. Experimental results indicate that IMME shows great potential and more efficiency in inherent magnetism studies and can be promoted in the near future.
Astaxanthin attenuates irradiation-induced osteoporosis in mice by inhibiting oxidative stress, osteocyte senescence, and SASP
Authors: Geng Qinghe , Wang Shen , Heng Ke , Zhai Juan , Song Xingchen , Xia Lei , Wang Lulu , Lin Qiang , Li Hongwei , Guo Yilong
Published: September 2022

Astaxanthin can correct osteoporotic phenotypes, caused by irradiation, by inhibiting oxidative stress, DNA damage, osteocyte senescence and SASP, subsequently promoting osteoblastic bone formation and inhibiting osteoclastic bone resorption.
Novel thiazole derivatives incorporating phenyl sulphonyl moiety as potent BRAFV600E kinase inhibitors targeting melanoma
Authors: Khormi Afaf Y. , Farghaly Thoraya. A. , Bayazeed Abrar , Al-Ghamdi Youssef O. , Abdulwahab Hanan Gaber , Shaaban Mohamed R.
Published: September 2022

Thiazole derivatives 7b and 13a were superior to dabrafenib against B-RAFV600E kinase and potently inhibited the growth of WM266.4 melanoma cells. Compound 7b suppressed the phosphorylation of downstream ERK1/2 from WM266.4 cells.
Establishing a UHPLC-MS/MS method for evaluation of the influence of stir-frying on the pharmacokinetics of seven compounds in Arctii Fructus
Authors: Shi Yun , Hu Jing , Wang Hongsen , Yan Zhankuan , Zhao Guangrui , Gao Xun , Li Weidong , Qin Kunming
Published: September 2022

The pharmacokinetics of multiple, orally administrated compounds of raw and stir-fried Arctii Fructus extracts using a UHPLC-MSMS method.
Synergistic effects of CNTs/SiO2 composite fillers on mechanical properties of cement composites
Authors: Li Shaojie , Shen Ping , Zhou Hang , Du Shiguo , Zhang Yuling , Yan Jun
Published: September 2022

CNTs/SiO2 composite fillers are prepared by assembling CNTs with nano-SiO2 paticles. The synergistic reinforcing effects of the prepared CNTs/SiO2 fillers on cement composites were researched.
Acid-controlled multicomponent selective synthesis of 2,4,6-triaryl pyridines and pyrimidines by using hexamethyldisilazane as a nitrogen source under microwave irradiation
Authors: Chan Chieh-Kai , Chung Yi-Hsiu , Wang Cheng-Chung
Published: September 2022

Synthesis of pyrimidines and pyridines from commercially available ketones and aldehydes by using hexamethyldisilazane as a nitrogen source and controlled by acids under microwave irradiation.
An Exploratory Study on Disparities in Service Provision and Long-Term Need After Early Childhood Acquired Brain Injury
Authors: Riccardi Jessica Salley , Lundine Jennifer
Published: September 2022

Purpose:

While health care and educational disparities are known to impact minoritized groups, few research studies have been conducted to examine disparities after childhood acquired brain injury (ABI). The purpose of this study was to explore child and injury factors (i.e., race, socioeconomic status, and length of hospital stay) associated with referral, parent education, and long-term need for children who experienced an early childhood ABI.

Method:

This study was a secondary analysis of data collected through retrospective cohort chart review and prospective caregiver phone surveys.

Results:

Exploratory logistic regressions indicated a statistically significant association between child and injury factors and (a) referral to rehabilitation or educational services at hospital discharge (p< .001) and (b) caregiver-reported long-term needs (including both met and unmet needs) for special education services (p= .009). The models for caregiver-reported receipt of education on ABI and caregiver-reported unmet need for special education were not significant. For both significant models, there were no significant individual predictors.

Conclusions:

Differences in acute and long-term service provision and need after childhood ABI are likely influenced by a complex interaction of individual, injury, and social–environmental factors. Future research should consider how health care and education practice and policy might account for these interactions to support more equitable access to and utilization of services to improve long-term outcomes for all children with ABI.

Supplemental Material:

https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21158878