bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Peripheral nervous system: A promising source of neuronal progenitors for central nervous system repair
Authors: Mueller Jessica L. , Stavely Rhian , Hotta Ryo , Goldstein Allan M.
Published: July 2022

With a steadily aging population there is an increasing prevalence of neurological disorders. Given the lack of effective treatment strategies and a limited ability for the central nervous system (CNS) to regenerate endogenously, there is a critical need to better understand exogenous strategies for nervous system repair. Stem cell therapy offers a promising approach to promote the repair of neurologic tissue and function, however studies to date have been limited by various factors including challenges in harvesting donor cells from the CNS, ethical concerns regarding use of embryonic or fetal tissue, tumorigenic potential of induced pluripotent stem cells, and immune-mediated rejection of non-autologous cell sources. Here we review and propose two alternative sources of autologous cells derived from the peripheral nervous system (PNS) for CNS repair: enteric neuronal stem cells (ENSCs) and neural crest-derived Schwann cells found in subcutaneous adipose tissue (termed SAT-NSCs). ENSCs can be successfully isolated from the postnatal enteric nervous system, propagated in vitro, and transplanted successfully into models of CNS injury via both direct intracerebral injection and systemic tail vein injection. Similarly, SAT-NSCs can be readily isolated from both human and mouse adipose tissue and, although not yet utilized in models of CNS injury, have successfully been transplanted and restored function in models of colonic aganglionosis and gastroparesis. These unique sources of PNS-derived autologous cells offer an exciting option for stem cell therapies for the CNS as they have proven neurogenic potential and eliminate concerns around tumorigenic risk, ethical considerations, and immune-mediated rejection.
Transitioning to sustainable healthy diets: A model-based and conceptual system thinking approach to optimized sustainable diet concepts in the United States
Authors: Agyemang Prince , Kwofie Ebenezer M. , Baum Jamie I.
Published: July 2022

Food production and consumption are essential in human existence, yet they are implicated in the high occurrences of preventable chronic diseases and environmental degradation. Although healthy food may not necessarily be sustainable and vice versa, there is an opportunity to make our food both healthy and sustainable. Attempts have been made to conceptualize how sustainable healthy food may be produced and consumed; however, available data suggest a rise in the prevalence of health-related and negative environmental consequences of our food supply. Thus, the transition from conceptual frameworks to implementing these concepts has not always been effective. This paper explores the relative environmental and health risks associated with highly consumed food groups and develops a methodological workflow for evaluating the sustainability of diet concepts in the context of different health, socio-economic and environmental indicators. In addition, we apply the multi-criteria decision-making techniques (an integrated Analytic Hierarchy Process- Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (AHP-TOPSIS) model) to examine the health and environmental impact of selected sustainable healthy diet concepts implemented in the United States. The principal findings indicate that adopting plant-based diet patterns would benefit the environment and the population's health. However, the up-scale, broad adoption and implementation of these concepts are hindered by critical bottlenecks. Hence we propose potential modification strategies through a conceptual system thinking approach to deliver optimized sustainable diet concepts to aid in the realization of the anticipated benefits of adoption/implementation.
Comparison of clinicopathologic characteristics and survival outcomes between invasive IPMN and invasive MCN: A population-based analysis
Authors: Yang Zhen , Shi Guangjun
Published: July 2022

Background

Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN) and mucinous cystic neoplasm (MCN) are two main histological subtypes of pancreatic cystic neoplasms with rapidly increasing incidence recently. The natural histories, treatment patterns, and survival outcomes of invasive IPMN and invasive MCN have not been well explored.

Methods

Patients with a diagnosis of invasive IPMN and invasive MCN in the SEER database from 2000 through 2018 were retrospectively identified. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was conducted to determine the independent risk factors associated with overall survival (OS). Subgroup analyses of survival outcomes for invasive IPMN and invasive MCN were conducted. The OS for invasive IPMN was compared between patients who underwent surgery alone and those who received surgery plus chemotherapy by propensity score matching (PSM).

Results

A total of 2,505 patients were included, of whom 2,300 were diagnosed with invasive IPMN and 205 were diagnosed with invasive MCN. Half of the invasive IPMN (48.4%) and three-quarters of the invasive MCN (76.1%) patients were female. Of all patients, both the OS and cancer-specific survival were significantly better in the invasive MCN cohort compared to the invasive IPMN cohort. In subgroup analyses, while invasive MCN experienced better OS compared to invasive IPMN in the subgroups of patients with local–regional disease, the survival advantages disappeared in patients at a distant stage. In addition, surgery plus chemotherapy in invasive IPMN patients was associated with significantly better survival compared to surgery alone after PSM.

Conclusion

We examined the demographic and clinical characteristics between invasive IPMN and invasive MCN patients using a large-population-based analysis. Although the OS is significantly better for invasive MCN versus invasive IPMN, the difference disappeared in patients with distant disease. A combination of surgery and chemotherapy in selected invasive IPMN patients could confer survival benefits compared to surgery alone.
Case report: Single-session double-Ilizarov lengthening technique in the treatment of a child with congenital fibular deficiency
Authors: Shu Wen , Yue Changjie , Zhong Haobo , Tang Xin
Published: July 2022

Background

Congenital fibular deficiency is a rare disease with a broad spectrum of deformities. Associated anomalies complicate the symptoms of patients and, consequently, individualized treatments that aim at normal function and acceptable appearance.

Case presentation

We present a case of congenital femoral and fibular shortening in the right lower limb with foot anomaly at school age. The patient underwent limb lengthening procedure in a single session on the right femur and tibia at the same time using a double-Ilizarov frame. The functional and cosmetic of his right lower extremity achieved a good outcome. Complications were minimal except for the superficial infection. Treatment lasted for 9.2 months, allowing for returning the patient to functional activity as soon as possible.

Conclusion

A satisfactory result was obtained with limb lengthening in a single session using double Ilizarov external fixators in a school-aged patient with congenital fibular deficiency.
Respiratory distress syndrome management in resource limited settings—Current evidence and opportunities in 2022
Authors: Ekhaguere Osayame A. , Okonkwo Ikechukwu R. , Batra Maneesh , Hedstrom Anna B.
Published: July 2022

The complications of prematurity are the leading cause of neonatal mortality worldwide, with the highest burden in the low- and middle-income countries of South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. A major driver of this prematurity-related neonatal mortality is respiratory distress syndrome due to immature lungs and surfactant deficiency. The World Health Organization's Every Newborn Action Plan target is for 80% of districts to have resources available to care for small and sick newborns, including premature infants with respiratory distress syndrome. Evidence-based interventions for respiratory distress syndrome management exist for the peripartum, delivery and neonatal intensive care period- however, cost, resources, and infrastructure limit their availability in low- and middle-income countries. Existing research and implementation gaps include the safe use of antenatal corticosteroid in non-tertiary settings, establishing emergency transportation services from low to high level care facilities, optimized delivery room resuscitation, provision of affordable caffeine and surfactant as well as implementing non-traditional methods of surfactant administration. There is also a need to optimize affordable continuous positive airway pressure devices able to blend oxygen, provide humidity and deliver reliable pressure. If the high prematurity-related neonatal mortality experienced in low- and middle-income countries is to be mitigated, a concerted effort by researchers, implementers and policy developers is required to address these key modalities.
A trio of biological rhythms and their relevance in rhythmic mechanical stimulation of cell cultures
Authors: Kwak Dongho , Olsen Petter Angell , Danielsen Anne , Jensenius Alexander Refsum
Published: July 2022

The primary aim of this article is to provide a biological rhythm model based on previous theoretical and experimental findings to promote more comprehensive studies of rhythmic mechanical stimulation of cell cultures, which relates to tissue engineering and regenerative medicine fields. Through an interdisciplinary approach where different standpoints from biology and musicology are combined, we explore some of the core rhythmic features of biological and cellular rhythmic processes and present them as a trio model that aims to afford a basic but fundamental understanding of the connections between various biological rhythms. It is vital to highlight such links since rhythmic mechanical stimulation and its effect on cell cultures are vastly underexplored even though the cellular response to mechanical stimuli (mechanotransduction) has been studied widely and relevant experimental evidence suggests mechanotransduction processes are rhythmic.
Effect of Physical Exercise on College Students’ Life Satisfaction: Mediating Role of Competence and Relatedness Needs
Authors: Zhang Yunqi , Ren Menghao , Zou Shengqi
Published: July 2022

This study examined the effect of physical exercise on the life satisfaction among college students. On the basis of the Basic Psychological Need Theory, the mediating roles of competence and relatedness needs satisfaction and their differences among college students in physical education (PE) majors and non-PE majors were explored. The sample included 1,012 college students who were selected to participate in an online survey. Major findings were as follows: (1) The total effect of physical exercise commitment on college students’ life satisfaction was marginally significant while that of physical exercise adherence was not significant; (2) The effect of physical exercise commitment was observed exclusively through the mediating role of relatedness need satisfaction, while that of physical exercise adherence was through both competence and relatedness needs satisfaction; (3) In terms of differences caused by major, only one mediation path, that was, physical exercise → competence need satisfaction → college students’s life satisfaction was significant among PE majors. This study thus enriched the empirical research on the benefits of physical exercise to individual mental health, highlighted the particularity of college students majoring in PE, and provided targeted and sensible suggestions for the design of physical exercise intervention programs.
Training in women soccer players: A systematic review on training load monitoring
Authors: Costa Júlio A. , Rago Vincenzo , Brito Pedro , Figueiredo Pedro , Sousa Ana , Abade Eduardo , Brito João
Published: July 2022

Objective

The present systematic review aimed to provide an overview of training load (TL), along with their responses, monitoring during training sessions in highly trained and elite adult women soccer players.

Data source

Electronic databases searches (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Ebsco) for relevant studies published in peer-reviewed journals were conducted, and eligibility criteria were based on the PICOS model in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Study selection

Studies were considered as follows: (a) highly trained and elite adult (>18 years) women’s soccer players; (b) continuous (minimum 1-week duration) TL monitoring in the context of the team routine; (c) TL collected from entire training session. Methodological qualitative assessments and risk of bias criteria were used for judging the studies.

Data extraction

A total of 1,163 studies were identified, and 16 were included. The selected studies were fully screened to extract the population characteristics; the number of players; a type of study design; region where the study was performed; the main findings.

Data synthesis

Accumulated external TL (ETL) during the pre-season was positively correlated to enhanced adaptations in intermittent exercise capacity. Daily ETL was negatively correlated to next-day self-reported fatigue and muscle soreness. Daily internal TL (ITL) was negatively correlated to post-session sleep duration and sleep efficiency. One study showed that higher accumulated player load and total distance were associated with injury.

Conclusion

Information about TL during training sessions in women soccer players is very sparse, and it is currently very difficult to consider evidence-based practices for training sessions in highly trained and elite adult women soccer players. Moreover, the dose–response relationships between TL and training outcome (e.g., fatigue, training adaptations and injuries) need to be further explored to understand the optimal training stimulus to enhance performance outcomes while preserving player health.
The impact of criminal law regulation-based business environment optimization on entrepreneurial spirit and enterprise development
Authors: Liu Xianzhen , Li Shuai
Published: July 2022

The purpose is to explore the impact of the business environment optimization by Criminal Law Regulation (CLR) on Entrepreneurial Spirit (ES) and Enterprise Development (ED) and to provide a reference for subsequent related research. Based on this, this work first makes a detailed analysis of the business environment and CLR. Second, the research hypotheses are put forward, and the conceptual model is proposed. At the same time, a Questionnaire Survey (QS) is designed to analyze the business environment, ES, and ED, and their relationships. Finally, a Structural Equation Model (SEM) is constructed and the CLR-optimized business environment is used as the intermediary variable to explore the impact of the business environment on ES and ED. Then, 200 QSs (recovering 192 valid ones) are distributed to investigate entrepreneurs' attitudes toward ES and ED in different regions. Statistical analysis and independent t-tests are performed on the survey results to judge the relationship between variables. The results of empirical analysis show that (1) The significance coefficient P of ES and ED is 0.005 < 0.01, and the scores of ES and ED of large enterprises are 132.7864 and 142.3243, respectively, which are the highest. Therefore, CLR-optimized business regulation has a significant positive impact on the ED. (2) The influence coefficient of CLR-optimized business regulation and ES is 0.60, and the influence coefficient of CLR-optimized business regulation and ED is 0.75. Therefore, CLR-optimized business regulation plays a positive role in the development of ES. CLR-optimized business regulation plays a regulating role between ES and ED. (3) CLR-optimized business regulation has a significant positive impact on the formation of ES. The policy enlightenment of this work mainly has three points. First, optimizing the business environment can stimulate and protect ES, thus improving the quality of economic growth. All regions should promote “mass entrepreneurship and innovation” and high-quality economic development by improving the convergence of economic policies and building a legal and market-oriented business environment. Second, all regions should implement dynamic and differentiated policies to optimize the business environment's spatial pattern in Chinese cities. Third, there is a need to further strengthen the construction of new infrastructure through cutting-edge information technologies, such as Fifth Generation (5G) mobile communication, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Employees’ emotional awareness as an antecedent of organizational commitment—The mediating role of affective commitment to the leader
Authors: Santana-Martins Marisa , Nascimento José Luís , Sánchez-Hernández Maria Isabel
Published: July 2022

Commitment has been perceived as a strategic topic in organizations due to its positive effect on retaining talent, increasing performance, or boosting employees’ innovative behavior. However there are many focis of commitment in the workplace, which has represented a challenge to human resources management, who need implement measures to improve the employee’s commitment. Recent research has suggested a need to conduct studies about commitment, namely antecedents and the relationship between different focis, to understand the dynamic and directionality between them. Hence, the purpose of this work is to analyze how employees’ emotional awareness relates with two focis of commitment (the leader and the organization), also assessing the mediating role of affective commitment to the leader. The study uses structural equation modeling and Lisrel to test the hypotheses considering the multidimensionality of organizational commitment (affective; normative; and continuance), employees emotional awareness (understanding self-emotions; self-control when facing criticism; and understanding others’ emotions), and the affective commitment to the leader, under the scope of Social Exchange Theory. The Mackinon’s Z Test was used to assess the mediation role of affective commitment to the leader. The sample is composed for 403 employees from two multinational companies. The results provide empirical evidence about the mediating role of affective commitment to the leader in the relationship between employees’ emotional awareness and organizational commitment, and the employees’ emotional awareness as an antecedent of commitment. The implications for theory and practice are discussed.
The modified German subjective vitality scale (SVS-GM): Psychometric properties and application in daily life
Authors: Buchner Laura , Amesberger Günter , Finkenzeller Thomas , Moore Stephanie R. , Würth Sabine
Published: July 2022

Subjective vitality describes the positive feeling of experiencing physical and mental energy, which can lead to purposive actions, but no German instruments exist with action-oriented verbiage: This work supports the development and modification of already existing German Subjective Vitality Scales and provides further evidence for its psychometric properties. In a first step (N = 56) two modified (action-oriented) short-forms were developed. An extension of time perspectives (past, present, future) should also enrich the scale by enhancing the accuracy of self-reports. Study 1 (N = 183) then examined the psychometric properties for each time perspective. Study 2 (N = 27) was a 6-day diary study to identify the reliability of within- and between-person differences in vitality over time and working days with responses recorded three times per day. The exploratory factor analysis from study 1 revealed a three-factor solution with three items each. Test-retest reliability was moderate for the past and future time perspective and less stable for state subjective vitality. The modified German Subjective Vitality Scale (SVS-GM) showed divergent validity with fatigue, negative affect, and optimism, and convergent but distinguishable validity with life satisfaction, positive affect, and perceived self-efficacy. High reliability for daily vitality measures (with lower vitality rates in the morning) was found in study 2, but no substantial variation was found between working days and days off. The SVS-GM shows good psychometric properties in different settings and provides researchers with a 3-item (for cross-sectional or longitudinal studies) and 1-item (for short screenings) version to measure subjective vitality in German-speaking populations.
Facebook use and its predictive factors among students: Evidence from a lower- and middle-income country, Bangladesh
Authors: Al-Mamun Firoj , Hosen Ismail , Griffiths Mark D. , Mamun Mohammed A.
Published: July 2022

Background:

Facebook is a popular social networking site in the modern world. It has an adverse effect such as impairing daily health and psychological health and also interpersonal relationships when the use becomes problematic.

Aims

To examine problematic Facebook use (PFU) and its predictors among Bangladeshi students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Method

A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 601 Bangladeshi students and collected data related to socio-demographic information, behavioral health, internet use behavior, depression, anxiety and problematic Facebook use [assessed using the Bergen Facebook Addiction Scale (BFAS)]. The data were analyzed using descriptive (frequencies and percentages) and inferential statistics (independent sample t-tests, one-way ANOVAs, correlations, and multivariable linear regression).

Results

The results indicated that 29.1% of participants were problematic Facebook users (using cutoff ≥18 out of 30). Medical college students had higher mean score on PFU than other students (p < 0.001). In addition, the mean score of PFU was significantly higher among the students who were in a relationship (p = 0.001), did not engage in physical activity (p < 0.001), used the internet more than 5 h per day (p < 0.001), used social media (p < 0.001), and had depression or anxiety symptoms (p < 0.001). PFU was significantly associated with depression and anxiety among the whole sample. Predictive factors for PFU included relationship status, daily internet use time, gaming, social media use, depression, and anxiety. The model predicted almost 33.2% variance for PFU.

Conclusions

Findings suggest interventions should be implemented for students with a special focus on medical students who had higher score of PFU than other types of students.
Occupational safety of janitors in Ethiopian University during COVID-19 pandemic: Results from observational study
Authors: Daba Chala , Gebrehiwot Mesfin , Asefa Lechisa , Lemma Hailu , Atamo Amanuel , Kebede Edosa , Embrandiri Asha , Debela Sisay Abebe
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Janitors are at high risk of COVID-19 infection, as they are among the frontline workers for the prevention and control of COVID-19. Poor occupational safety practices could contribute to loss of lives of janitors and the general public. However, there are no detailed investigations on occupational safety practices of janitors involved in different settings, such as universities where there are crowds of people. In addition, although observation is recognized as a better tool to investigate occupational safety practices, previous studies mainly employed self-administered questionnaires and/or face-to-face interviews as data collection mechanisms. Therefore, this study aimed to assess occupational safety practices to prevent COVID-19 transmission and associated factors among Ethiopian University janitors using an observation tool and a self-administered questionnaire.

Methods

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 410 janitors of Bule Hora University (Ethiopia) from November to December, 2021. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify the independent factors associated with occupational safety practices.

Results

Occupational safety practices for COVID-19 were good only among 53.9% of the janitors. Training on COVID-19 prevention measures (AOR = 2.62; 95% CI: 1.57–4.37), availability of policy and protocol in the work place (AOR = 5.46; 95% CI: 3.57–8.36), and availability of soap/bleach (AOR = 2.71; 95% CI: 1.64–4.46) were found to significantly increase the likelihood of occupational safety of the janitors.

Conclusion

A significant proportion of the janitors had poor occupational safety practices. Therefore, an adequate supply of PPE and regular training and awareness creation on COVID-19 should be strengthened. Close follow-up and regular supervision of safety procedures should also be conducted as controlling strategies.
Disaster health education framework for short and intermediate training in Saudi Arabia: A scoping review
Authors: Bajow Nidaa , Mortelmans Luc J. M. , Maghraby Nisreen , Alatef Sultan Salem Ali , Mani Zakaria A. , Aloraifi Samer
Published: July 2022

Background

Saudi Arabia has made extensive efforts to manage disasters using unique national approaches; however, challenges and obstacles concerning disaster health handling persist. The nation has a reactive strategy to disaster management with a need for increased involvement of health professionals in disaster management and improvement of healthcare facilities emergency preparedness including competency-based education training.

Objective

A comprehensive and consistent approach of disaster education programs for short and intermediate training of health professionals involved in disaster responses in Saudi Arabia is still not evident. Therefore, it is vital to explore and map the current state of the disaster education framework in Saudi Arabia.

Methods

The Joanna Briggs Institute approach for scoping reviews was used to assess research articles and preprints between January 2000 and September 2021 from Saudi Digital Library; PubMed, CINAHL, and Google Scholar. Five experts identified key aspects of the disaster education approach and eligibility criteria to facilitate identification of relevant articles.

Results

Only five articles met the specified criteria and described two short and three intermediate courses on disaster health management in Saudi Arabia. All courses involved competency-specific training aimed at basic or foundational level and involved a range of activities and learning types. None had refresher courses within 12 months.

Conclusion

The review highlights the obvious scarcity of short and intermediate term evidence-based disaster health programs in Saudi Arabia. Adoption of the education framework proposed by the authors based on international frameworks could improve the quality and consistency of the disaster education curriculum in Saudi Arabia.
Consumers' decoy effect when purchasing pork with traceability technologies
Authors: Chen Mo , Liu Pingping , Wu Linhai
Published: July 2022

Despite government investment, policy guidance, and publicity, it has been difficult to establish a traceable food market in China over the past 2 decades. Once a food safety problem occurs, it is difficult to implement effective traceability, recall, and accountability along the food supply chain. How to use the decoy effect to promote the development of China traceable food market? As bounded rationality, a decoy effect exists when adding an alternative to a choice set increases the chance an existing alternative to be chosen. However, few studies have examined the decoy effect in food purchases. Based on consumers in Wuxi, Jiangsu Province, China, we show the decoy effect in traceable pork hindquarter purchases and that the effects differ across product quality and price attributes. The effects are heterogeneous across consumers and are less likely to occur among those who had a personal annual income of more than 50,000 yuan (USD $7,000), were married, and had minor children in the family. These findings have implications on leveraging the influence of the decoy effect on consumer behavior and facilitating the construction of food traceability systems.
Inequality in abundance
Authors: Plamondon Stephanie
Published: July 2022

With technological advance has come the possibility of a new era of abundance. Technologies like 3D printing and robotics promise to lower the costs of production and distribution of goods and services, presumably making these goods and services readily available to those across income and wealth spectrums. This undoubtedly is a good thing. But what will be the effect of these technologies on existing wealth inequalities and the psychological and societal burdens they impose? Can we expect that this newfound abundance will help remedy the current historic levels of inequality in the U.S. and other western countries? Unfortunately, the answer is likely no, for two reasons. First, history suggests that inequality often persists even under conditions of abundance due to dynamics of power and politics and ongoing impacts of structural inequalities. Having more than enough of a particular good or service to go around does not guarantee that all will have access to this good or service. Second, even if the new abundance enabled by technology extends into all levels of the socioeconomic spectrum, enabling individuals to access goods and services (and their attendant benefits) previously beyond their reach, the harms that attend unequal societies will persist. Increasing evidence suggests that these harms, including increased violence and decreased health, arise not from access (or a lack thereof) to particular goods and services, but from the adverse psychological consequences of living in an unequal society. This is a psychological burden shared not just by those at the losing end of the inequality equation, but also those who enjoy a relative advantage in society. Unequal societies are psychologically harmful to all who live in them, regardless of where these individuals fall on the socioeconomic spectrum, and largely independent of the particular goods and services they enjoy. The upshot is that society cannot rely on new abundance technologies to automatically solve problems of inequality and the social and psychological burdens that plague those who live in unequal societies. Indeed, depending on how society responds to questions of access to these technologies, their introduction might exacerbate various forms of inequality. In light of this, it is crucial to address conditions of inequality head-on, so that the new era of abundance promised by technological advance can lead to real gains in individual and societal wellbeing.
Using 2D and 3D pluripotent stem cell models to study neurotropic viruses
Authors: LaNoce Emma , Dumeng-Rodriguez Jeriel , Christian Kimberly M.
Published: July 2022

Understanding the impact of viral pathogens on the human central nervous system (CNS) has been challenging due to the lack of viable human CNS models for controlled experiments to determine the causal factors underlying pathogenesis. Human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and, more recently, cellular reprogramming of adult somatic cells to generate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) provide opportunities for directed differentiation to neural cells that can be used to evaluate the impact of known and emerging viruses on neural cell types. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) can be induced to neural lineages in either two- (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) cultures, each bearing distinct advantages and limitations for modeling viral pathogenesis and evaluating effective therapeutics. Here we review the current state of technology in stem cell-based modeling of the CNS and how these models can be used to determine viral tropism and identify cellular phenotypes to investigate virus-host interactions and facilitate drug screening. We focus on several viruses (e.g., human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), Zika virus (ZIKV), human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), SARS-CoV-2, West Nile virus (WNV)) to illustrate key advantages, as well as challenges, of PSC-based models. We also discuss how human PSC-based models can be used to evaluate the safety and efficacy of therapeutic drugs by generating data that are complementary to existing preclinical models. Ultimately, these efforts could facilitate the movement towards personalized medicine and provide patients and physicians with an additional source of information to consider when evaluating available treatment strategies.
Intensity and Direction of Volatility Spillover Effect in Carbon–Energy Markets: A Regime-Switching Approach
Authors: Li Leon
Published: July 2022

This paper advances a volatility-regime-switching mechanism to investigate the intensity and direction of the volatility spillover effect in carbon–energy markets. Switching between a low-volatility (LV) and high-volatility (HV) regime, our mechanism involves a four-state system (i.e., LV-LV, HV-LV, LV-HV and HV-HV). Our findings are listed as follows: First, the highest EUA–WTI correlation occurs when both are in an HV regime (i.e., HV-HV), revealing the intensity of the volatility spillover effect. Second, when EUA and WTI are experiencing an opposite volatility regime (one in LV and the other in HV), a higher EUA–WTI correlation is observed when WTI is in an HV regime. This result implies that the direction of the volatility spillover effect is from the energy market to the carbon market. Third, the regime-switching model involving the non-uniform volatility–correlation relations outperforms the conventional GARCH and DCC models in volatility forecasting and portfolio construction.
Modelling Cross-Docking in a Three-Level Supply Chain with Stochastic Service and Queuing System: MOWFA Algorithm
Authors: Rostami Parinaz , Avakh Darestani Soroush , Movassaghi Mitra
Published: July 2022

In today’s competitive world, it is essential to provide a new method through which maximum efficiency can be created in the production and supply cycle. In many production environments, sending goods directly from the producer to the consumer brings many problems. Therefore, an efficient transport system should be established between producers and consumers. Such a system is designed in the field of supply chain management knowledge. Supply chain management is the evolutionary result of warehousing management and is one of the important infrastructural foundations of business implementation, in many of which the main effort is to shorten the time between the customer’s order and the actual delivery of the goods. In this research, the supply chain consists of three levels. Suppliers are placed on the first level, cross-docks on the second level, and factories on the third level. In this system, a number of suppliers send different raw materials to several different cross-docks. Each channel is assigned to a cross-dock for a specific product. The main goal of this article is to focus on optimizing the planning of incoming and outgoing trucks with the aim of minimizing the total operation time within the supply chain. The arrival rate of goods from suppliers to the cross-dock is stochastic with a general probability distribution. On the other hand, the time required to prepare and send the goods is random with a general probability distribution. The service time in each cross-dock depends on the number of its doors. Therefore, each cross-dock can be modeled as a G/G/m queueing system where m represents the number of doors. The mathematical model of the research has been developed based on these assumptions. Since the problem is NP-hard, the time to solve it increases drastically with the increase in the dimensions of the problem. Therefore, three metaheuristics, including multi-objective water flow, non-dominated sorting genetic, and a multi-objective simulated annealing algorithm have been used to find near-optimal solutions to the problem. After adjusting the parameters of the algorithms using the Taguchi method, the results obtained from the algorithms were analyzed with a statistical test and the performance of the algorithms was evaluated. The results vividly demonstrate that non-dominated sorting genetics is the best of all.
Numerical Study on Seismic Behavior of Flexural Frames with Semi-Rigid Welded Steel Connections Considering Static and Reciprocating Loads: A Performance-Based Earthquake Approach
Authors: Malekzadeh Majid , Shayanfar Mohsenali
Published: July 2022

This paper aims to apply a performance-based earthquake engineering approach to assess the assurance of flexural frames whose members are jointed together by using new modified RBS connections, namely, semi-rigid welded steel connections, which obey a progressive failure mechanism. First, the structural members and connections are modeled and predesigned in ETABS software, and then, using OpenSees software, a series of nonlinear progressive failure analyses are performed on the built models extracted from ETABS. To this end, three types of multi-story structures with 3, 10, and 15 are modeled. The models are subjected to 15 earthquakes, such as Northridge (1994), Kobe (1995), Chichi (1999), Bam (2003), Tabas (1978), and so on. The connections are modeled by a series of rotational springs whose nonlinear behavior is estimated by a three-line curve that is established based on the modified Ibarra–Krawinkler deterioration model. Finally, obtaining the maximum ground acceleration versus the maximum relative drift of the floors, the fragility curves of the structures for a collapse level (CP) are determined, through which the seismic performances of the models are evaluated. The results show that by reducing the number of structural floors, the ductility of structures was reduced, and by increasing the ductility of structures, higher drifts in structures were achieved at the same seismic level. The average amount of ductility reduction coefficient in structures with RBS was 1.06 times those without RBS, which indicates that the energy dissipation capacity in structures without RBS connection is higher than in those with RBS. Local analysis of connections shows a 9% increase in the plastic rotation capacity if RBS connections are used. The ductility of all frames with RBS connection increased slightly compared to frames without RBS.
Precision Medicine of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Cancers: Focusing on Clinical Trial Outcomes
Authors: Tsumura Takehiko , Doi Keitaro , Marusawa Hiroyuki
Published: July 2022

Tumor-agnostic precision medicine employing comprehensive genome profiling (CGP) and using next-generation sequencing (NGS) has been progressing recently. This review focuses on precision medicine for advanced unresectable hepatobiliary and pancreatic cancers. In this paper, for biliary tract cancer (BTC), therapies that target several regulators of cancer cell growth, including isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1), fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) fusion, proto-oncogene B-Raf (BRAF), and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) alterations, are reviewed. For pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), therapies for Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) gene mutation G12C, neuregulin (NRG)1, and breast cancer type 1 and 2 susceptibility (BRCA1/2), gene alterations are summarized. On the other hand, precision medicine targets were not established for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), although telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT), tumor protein P53 (TP53), and Wnt/β catenin signaling alterations have been recognized as HCC driver oncogenes. Tumor-agnostic therapies for microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) and neurotropic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) fusion cancers effectively treat biliary and pancreatic cancers. Precision medicine methods developed using NGS of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and utilizing a liquid biopsy technique are discussed.
Low Copper Diet—A Therapeutic Option for Wilson Disease?
Authors: Teufel-Schäfer Ulrike , Forster Christine , Schaefer Nikolaus
Published: July 2022

Wilson’s disease (WD) is an autosomal recessive inherited disease in which a pathological storage of copper in various organs is the mean pathophysiological mechanism. The therapy consists of drug therapy with chelating agents or zinc. For patients, nutrition is always an important issue. The aim of this review was to determine whether there are clear recommendations for a low copper diet for WD patients, or whether the essential trace element zinc plays a role? We were able to show that some of the foods with high copper content would have to be consumed in such large quantities that this is regularly not the case. Furthermore, there are also different absorption rates depending on the copper content. A lower copper intake only prevents the re-accumulation of copper. In summary, consistent adherence to drug therapy is more important than a strict diet. Only two foods should be consistently avoided: Liver and Shellfish.
Prospective Evaluation of Kidney Function in Long-Term Survivors of Pediatric CNS Tumors
Authors: Stepien Natalia , Handler Viktoria , Gojo Johannes , Azizi Amedeo A. , Mayr Lisa , Grylli Chryssa , Schwarz Daniela , Chocholous Monika , Slavc Irene , Boehm Michael , Peyrl Andreas
Published: July 2022

Purpose: Numerous acute effects of chemotherapeutics on kidney function are well described. However, data on the long-term effects of chemotherapy in the growing population of childhood central nervous system (CNS) tumor survivors is limited. We aimed to evaluate the kidney function of a cohort of long-term CNS tumor survivors treated with different standard chemotherapeutic regimens. Methods: Patients treated for a CNS tumor were prospectively evaluated up to 12 years after completion of their therapy. Examination of kidney function was performed during routine follow-up visits. Blood pressure and blood and urine parameters were analyzed for kidney function evaluation. Glomerular function was assessed by calculating the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), tubular functions were analyzed by measuring serum electrolytes, bicarbonate and phosphate reabsorption, and proteinuria was assessed by calculating the protein/creatinine ratio and phosphate reabsorption. Results: None of the 65 patients evaluated suffered from clinically relevant kidney impairment (eGFR < 90 mL/min/L, 73 m2). There was no association between chemotherapy dose and eGFR. Only two patients showed mild signs of tubulopathy and 11 patients were diagnosed with elevated blood pressure. Conclusion: With adequate supportive measures, such as sufficient hydration according to chemotherapy protocol guidelines, as well as avoidance or close monitoring of additional nephrotoxic medication, impaired kidney function is rare in CNS tumor survivors treated with standard chemotherapy. Nonetheless, long-term follow-up is essential for early detection of mild impairment of kidney function.
Stochastic Properties of Fractional Generalized Cumulative Residual Entropy and Its Extensions
Authors: Alomani Ghadah , Kayid Mohamed
Published: July 2022

The fractional generalized cumulative residual entropy (FGCRE) has been introduced recently as a novel uncertainty measure which can be compared with the fractional Shannon entropy. Various properties of the FGCRE have been studied in the literature. In this paper, further results for this measure are obtained. The results include new representations of the FGCRE and a derivation of some bounds for it. We conduct a number of stochastic comparisons using this measure and detect the connections it has with some well-known stochastic orders and other reliability measures. We also show that the FGCRE is the Bayesian risk of a mean residual lifetime (MRL) under a suitable prior distribution function. A normalized version of the FGCRE is considered and its properties and connections with the Lorenz curve ordering are studied. The dynamic version of the measure is considered in the context of the residual lifetime and appropriate aging paths.
Marine Renewable Energy: An Important Direction in Taking the Green Road towards a Low Carbon Future
Authors: Rusu Eugen
Published: July 2022

In recent decades, it has become quite clear that the dynamics of the environmental matrix have been subjected to notable changes [...]
Forecasting Live Fuel Moisture of Adenostema fasciculatum and Its Relationship to Regional Wildfire Dynamics across Southern California Shrublands
Authors: Park Isaac , Fauss Kristina , Moritz Max A.
Published: July 2022

In seasonally dry environments, the amount of water held in living plant tissue—live fuel moisture (LFM)—is central to vegetation flammability. LFM-driven changes in wildfire size and frequency are particularly important throughout southern California shrublands, which typically produce intense, rapidly spreading wildfires. However, the relationship between spatiotemporal variation in LFM and resulting long-term regional patterns in wildfire size and frequency within these shrublands is less understood. In this study, we demonstrated a novel method for forecasting the LFM of a critical fuel component throughout southern California chaparral, Adenostema fasciculatum (chamise) using gridded climate data. We then leveraged these forecasts to evaluate the historical relationships of LFM to wildfire size and frequency across chamise-dominant California shrublands. We determined that chamise LFM is strongly associated with fire extent, size, and frequency throughout southern California shrublands, and that LFM–wildfire relationships exhibit different thresholds across three distinct LFM domains. Additionally, the cumulative burned area and number of fires increased dramatically when LFM fell below 62%. These results demonstrate that LFM mediates multiple aspects of regional wildfire dynamics, and can be predicted with sufficient accuracy to capture these dynamics. Furthermore, we identified three distinct LFM ‘domains’ that were characterized by different frequencies of ignition and spread. These domains are broadly consistent with the management thresholds currently used in identifying periods of fire danger.