bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Artificial Intelligence and VR Environment Design of Digital Museum Based on Embedded Image Processing
Authors: Bao Weiyue , Zhang Hong
Published: April 2022

This article first introduces the development of embedded image processing system, puts forward the overall design of the system structure, constructs the development environment of software system and hardware, and introduces in detail the choice of embedded image processing system and artificial intelligence embedded operating system in the industry, the choice of objective lens, and the choice and installation of the light source in the system. According to the system requirements, the design, function, and working method of the GPIO peripheral circuit are introduced in detail, and the circuit diagram and PCB diagram of the GPIO peripheral expansion circuit are provided. Based on this, this article focuses on the technical realization of 3D landscape modeling technology, 3D landscape rotation technology, digital museum dynamic scene fusion technology, interactive animation perception over time, real visual virtual landscape, and virtual roaming scene perception in detail. The 3D landscape modeling technology and the modeling method of digital museum environment in virtual reality in this article are used to analyze and study the general concept of VR environment design in virtual reality environment and make it based on different characteristic methods of different modeling. The overall structure and theoretical basis of the VR environment in the digital museum are based on technical solutions, such as process modeling and scene structure. This technical solution has been verified in practical applications and is achievable. Regarding image recording, this paper proposes an improved image-based recording method. In terms of image coupling, this article uses an improved progressive input and output algorithm that can use CRML to create simple dynamic scenes, which can create clear and vivid animation effects, so that the viewer has a good experience.
Analysis of Systolic Blood Pressure Level and Short-Term Variability in Masked Hypertension
Authors: Hou Yinjing , Liu Bo
Published: April 2022

Background. Patients with masked hypertension are at an elevated risk of cardiovascular events and all-cause death. This risk is close to that of sustained hypertension. The mean value and short-term variability of systolic blood pressure are considered to be risk factors for organ damage in hypertension. Objective. To investigate the mean value and short-term variability of systolic blood pressure in patients with masked hypertension. Methods. According to the results of in-clinic and ambulatory blood pressure measurement, participants were divided into four groups: normotension group, controlled hypertension group, masked hypertension group, and sustained hypertension group. The mean value and short-term variability of systolic blood pressure of masked hypertension group were evaluated by comparison with the other three groups. Results. A total of 250 subjects were enrolled, with an average age of 65.46 ± 8.76 years, and 166 (66.4%) were male, including 62 in the normotension group, 78 in the controlled hypertension group, 69 in the masked hypertension group, and 41 in the sustained hypertension group. Compared with the normotension group and controlled hypertension group, the mean value, blood pressure load, standard deviation, and coefficient of variation of systolic blood pressure over 24 hours and during the day and night, were all higher in the masked hypertension group (

P
<
0.05

), while the rate of the nocturnal systolic blood pressure decline was lower (

P
<
0.05

). There were no statistically significant differences in the above indexes between the masked hypertension group and sustained hypertension group (

P
>
0.05

). Conclusion. There are higher mean value of systolic blood pressure and greater short-term variability in masked hypertension patients. Identification of masked hypertension is an important challenge in the clinic.
Ten Hotspot MicroRNAs and Their Potential Targets of Chondrocytes Were Revealed in Osteoarthritis Based on Bibliometric Analysis
Authors: Hu Wei-Shang , Zhang Qi , Li Si-Hui , Ai Shuang-Chun , Wu Qiao-Feng
Published: April 2022

Background. Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common joint disorders and debilitating diseases. Current evidence suggests that microRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in the pathogenesis of OA and have great potential as new biomarkers and therapeutic targets. We aimed to analyze the trends and research status on miRNAs in OA and further demonstrate the hotspot miRNAs in OA via CiteSpace and VOSviewer. Methods. Publications regarding miRNAs and OA were extracted from the Web of Science (WOS) database on October 30, 2021. We assessed the number of publications, institutions, countries, authors, journals, cited references, and keywords with the help of the software tools CiteSpace and VOSviewer. Results. A total of 1109 articles were included. Research related to miRNAs and OA began to appear in 2008, and the overall trend is increasing. Chinese institutions have a leading advantage in the number of publications but lack high-quality and high-cited research and are laggard in co-cited literature. Ten miRNAs including miR-140, miR-146, miR-34, miR-181, miR-27, miR-9, miR-29, miR-21, miR-26, and miR-155 and chondrocytes were revealed as the most obvious miRNAs and a potential target for OA based on bibliometric analysis. More focus will be placed on a comprehensive study on chondrocytes regulated by miRNAs, which may accelerate possible diagnostic biomarkers and diagnostic biomarkers of OA in the future.
Designing the Education Resource Management System Using Apriori Algorithm
Authors: Yuan Xinlei
Published: April 2022

Standardization of educational resources and advanced use of appropriate computer knowledge to construct an efficient educational management system is integral for the modern system of education in the age of digitalized education. In the context of this need, this study is aimed at analyzing the Apriori algorithm of education resource management system and its implementation. The Apriori algorithm is analyzed and studied in this paper. Firstly, the background and function of the Apriori algorithm are summarized. Secondly, the content of the Apriori algorithm is introduced in detail. The educational resources managed by this system all follow the Apriori algorithm. It is the most widely used distance education standard at present. In addition, the idea and method of making educational resources in the specification are also expounded. The educational resources made by using this method have higher sharing and reuse. The article analyzes the present situation of the education resource management system, for the insufficiency in its function. The solution for different shortcomings has been dealt with one by one and presented as a grid with an Apriori algorithm for technical support. Moreover, various heterogeneous education resources have been integrated to a unified standardization conforming to the Apriori algorithm. It has been scientifically designed to provide an application platform that can store and manage educational resources efficiently and query educational resources conveniently. The universities can not only effectively manage their own educational resources but also use the resources of other schools, so as to avoid the repeated construction of educational resources. This enables them to achieve the whole Apriori within the scope of resource sharing and reuse. On this basis, this paper gives the system architecture diagram and topological structure diagram of educational resource management system on the Apriori algorithm based, puts forward the design scheme of the system, and describes the system’s technical architecture and functional architecture, respectively.
Influence of Health Education Based on IMB on Prognosis and Self-Management Behavior of Patients with Chronic Heart Failure
Authors: Liu Wei , Zhang Yan , Liu Hai-jing , Song Tian , Wang Song
Published: April 2022

As the contemporary society is increasingly entering an aging society, heart failure, as a common disease in the elderly population, has an increasing impact on people. The common one is mainly chronic heart failure. Coupled with the influence of various complications, such as hypostatic pneumonia and venous thrombosis, the mortality and hospital admission rates of patients are very high. Moreover, the current technology is not very effective for the prevention and treatment of chronic heart failure. The per capita consumption level of ordinary people in China is low, and it is not suitable to promote high-cost treatment programs. Based on this, this paper proposes the intervention management of mental failure patients under the intervention of health education based on IMB, in order to explore the impact of the intervention of health education on patients. The research in this paper selected 112 patients with chronic heart failure who were admitted to the cardiovascular ward of a city public hospital in 2017 and divided the patients into two groups. One group received health education intervention, which was the intervention group. The other group was the control group. The control group was given routine education and nursing. The experimental results of this paper show that the satisfaction of the intervention group is higher, accounting for 85.3%, and the satisfaction of the control group is lower than that of the intervention group, about 67.9%. Dissatisfaction with health education and the probability of short-term readmission were higher than those in the intervention group.
Using Different Low-Profile Abutments for Assisting Mandibular Implant Overdenture: A Split-Mouth Study
Authors: Khalifa Ahmed K. , Alokda Mohammad Mahmoud , Said Mohamed Moustafa
Published: April 2022

Background. Using a pair of different low-profile abutments to assist mandibular implant overdenture (MIOD) in limited restorative space is questionable due to the different morphology. Objective. To investigate the marginal bone level (MBL) change and peri-implant-tissue health (PITH) around a pair of OT Equator® and Locator® suprastructures assisting MIOD. Methods. Seventeen edentulous patients received MIOD assisted by OT Equator® and Locator®. MBL change was investigated at the implant loading (T1), after six months (T2) and twelve months (T3) of implant loading. PITH was evaluated at T2 and T3. Results. There was within abutment significant difference in MBL change after T2 and T3 of loading for Locator (0.05 ± 0.02 and 0.32 ± 0.08, respectively)P=0.01; and for Equator (0.11 ± 0.08 and 0.21 ± 0.09, respectively)P=0.01. Also, there was a significant difference between Locator and Equator on the modified plaque index (MPI) after T3P=0.01. The significant results were recorded for the MPI at T2 and T3 for Locator (0.92 ± 0.26 and 1.5 ± 0.51, respectively)P=0.01and for Equator (0.82 ± 0.26 and 1.42 ± 0.51, respectively)P=0.003. For modified bleeding index, there was significant difference at T2 and T3 for Locator (0.57 ± 0.19 and 1.14 ± 0.41, respectively)P=0.03and for Equator (0.46 ± 0.22 and 1.07 ± 0.41, respectively)P=0.01. For gingival index, there was significant difference at T2 and T3 for Locator (0.57 ± 0.11 and 1.28 ± 0.35, respectively)P=0.001and for Equator (0.35 ± 0.21 and 1.1 ± 0.46, respectively)P=0.001. Conclusions. Using different pairs of the low-profile OT Equator® and Locator® abutments to assist MIOD is clinically acceptable based on the MBL change and PITH outcomes.
Design and Evaluation of a Hybrid Technique for Detecting Sunflower Leaf Disease Using Deep Learning Approach
Authors: Malik Arun , Vaidya Gayatri , Jagota Vishal , Eswaran Sathyapriya , Sirohi Akash , Batra Isha , Rakhra Manik , Asenso Evans
Published: April 2022

Agriculture and plants, which are a component of a nation's internal economy, play an important role in boosting the economy of that country. It becomes critical to preserve plants from infection at an early stage in order to be able to treat them. Previously, recognition and classification were carried out by hand, but this was a time-consuming operation. Nowadays, deep learning algorithms are frequently employed for recognition and classification tasks. As a result, this manuscript investigates the diseases of sunflower leaves, specifically Alternaria leaf blight, Phoma blight, downy mildew, and Verticillium wilt, and proposes a hybrid model for the recognition and classification of sunflower diseases using deep learning techniques. VGG-16 and MobileNet are two transfer learning models that are used for classification purposes, and the stacking ensemble learning approach is used to merge them or create a hybrid model from the two models. This work makes use of a data set that was built by the author with the assistance of Google Images and comprises 329 images of sunflowers divided into five categories. On the basis of accuracy, a comparison is made between several existing deep learning models and the proposed model using the same data set as the original comparison.
Design and Application of Improved Ant Colony Algorithm in E-Commerce System
Authors: Li Ning , Yu Yanliang
Published: April 2022

Since the 21st century, artificial intelligence and e-commerce have taken the lead. The two are close to life. Data show that, in the digital economy era, the two have developed rapidly and are widely used; however, they also have some problems. E-commerce logistics system has always been the first problem mentioned by relevant personnel and users. The continuous increase in transaction volume is worth celebrating, but the logistics efficiency continues to be flat or even declining, which has become a serious problem. This shows that, for the e-commerce platform, the investment in science and technology is not comprehensive and in depth, and the artificial intelligence technology has not been deeply applied for the logistics industry. Understanding needs, finding problems, and solving them in time are the way to develop this industry. Pareto is chosen by most logistics systems, but in fact, its efficiency is not as high as imagined. In view of this, this paper proposes an innovative algorithm, based on ant colony algorithm, with optimization mechanism to strengthen the shortcomings, thus improving the premature problem of ant colony algorithm, and at the same time, a series of performances such as convergence speed, accuracy, and stability have been strengthened because of this improvement. Experiments show that the optimization ability of this algorithm is better than the other two.
Influence of COVID-19 on the Tourism Industry in China: An Artificial Neural Networks Approach
Authors: Waleed  , Ma Zongguo , Wahid Fazli , Baseer Samad , AlZubi Ahmad Ali , Khattak Hizbullah
Published: April 2022

Prior to COVID-19, the tourism industry was one of the important sectors of the world economy. This study intends to measure the perception of Chinese tourists concerning the spread of COVID-19 in China. The crowding perception, xenophobia, and ethnocentrism are the measurement indicators of the study. A five-point Likert scale is used to predict the perception of the tourists in various destinations. The Kaiser–Mayer–Olkin test and Cronbach’s alpha are conducted to ensure the validity and reliability of the corresponding items. SPSS version 21 is used to obtain factor loading, mean values, and standard deviation. Regression analysis is used to measure the strength of the constructs’ relationship and prove the hypotheses. Questionnaires have been filled from 730 Chinese respondents. Artificial neural networks and confusion matrices are used for validation and performance evaluation, respectively. Results show that crowding perception, xenophobia, and ethnocentrism caused the spread of COVID-19 during the epidemic. Hence, the tourism industry in China is adversely affected by COVID-19. The crisis management stakeholders of the country need to adopt policies to reduce the spread of COVID-19. The tourism sector needs to provide confidence to the tourists. It will provide ground for the mental strength of the tourists in China.
The Effects of Different Reference Methods on Decision-Making Implications of Auditory Brainstem Response
Authors: Liu Zhenzhen , Wang Xin , Zhu Mingxing , He Yuchao , Li Lin , Chen Li , Huang Weimin , Wei Zhilong , Chen Shixiong , Chen Yan , Li Guanglin
Published: April 2022

Hearing loss is a common disease affecting public health all around the world. In clinic, auditory brainstem response (ABR) has been widely used for the detection of hearing loss based on its convenience and accuracy. The different reference methods directly influence the quality of the ABR waveform which in turn affects the ABR-based diagnosis. Therefore, in this study, a reference electrode standardization technique (REST) was adopted to systematically investigate and evaluate the effect of different reference methods on the quality of ABR waveform in comparison with the conventional average reference (AR) and mean mastoid (MM) methods. In this study, ABR signals induced by click stimulus were acquired via an EEG electrode cap arrays, and those located on the six channels along the midline were compared systemically. The results showed that, when considering the different channels, the ABR in the Cz channel showed the best morphology. Then, the ABR waveforms acquired via the REST method possessed better morphologies with large amplitude (

0.06
±
0.02

 μV for wave I,

0.07
±
0.02

 μV for wave III, and

0.21
±
0.04

 μV for wave V) when compared with the traditional method. Summarily, we found that the REST and MM methods improved the quality of ABR on both amplitude and morphology under different stimulation rates and levels without changing the latencies of ABR when compared with the conventional AR method, suggesting that the REST and MM methods have the potential to help physicians with high accurate ABR-based clinical diagnosis. Moreover, this study might also provide a theoretic basis of reference methods on the acquisition of electroencephalogram over public health issues.
Radiosensitization by Gold Nanoparticles: Comparison of DNA Damage Induced by Low and High-Energy Electrons
Authors: Zheng Yi , Cloutier Pierre , Hunting Darel J. , Sanche Léon
Published: April 2022

Our previous studies on high energy (60 keV) electron bombardment of thin films of pGEM-3Zf(-) plasmid DNA with and without bound gold nanoparticles (GNP) showed that the presence of these particles greatly increases the formation of single-(SSB) and double-strand (DSB) breaks. To study
the basic mechanisms underlying this DNA sensitization, we performed similar experiments with low energy (1, 10, 100 eV) and 60 keV electrons. The exposure response curves were recorded for the formation of SSB, DSB and loss of supercoiled DNA. The yields of SSB and DSB for pure DNA, salted
DNA and GNP-DNA complexes with a molecular ratio of 1:1 were measured by agarose gel electrophoresis. The yields recorded for the GNP-DNA complexes were consistently enhanced by a factor of about 2 or more compared to those obtained with the salted DNA sample. Furthermore, the yields for low-energy
electron damage were at least one order of magnitude larger than those produced by high-energy electrons. The results suggest that the radiosensitizing action of GNP takes place via two mechanisms: (1) an increase of the absorption of ionizing radiation close to the DNA, which in turns leads
to a considerable increase in the production of short range secondary electrons that have a high probability of damaging DNA, and (2) an increase in the sensitivity of DNA to fragmentation induced by low energy electron impact near the site of binding of the GNP.
Should Surgical Services Admit Small Bowel Obstructions Managed Non-operatively?
Authors: Thacker Christopher , Lauer Claire , Nealon Kathleen , Wang Shengxuan , Factor Matthew
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Over the past decade, small bowel obstructions (SBO) have been increasingly managed non-operatively. Prior studies have looked at outcomes based on admission to surgical services (SS) or medicine services (MS), but most are restricted to operative patients. This study evaluates the outcomes of non-operative patients specifically.

Methods

A 12-year retrospective cohort study of patients ≥18-years-old admitted with SBO within one healthcare system was performed. Only non-operative patients were included. Clinicodemographic characteristics and admission details were extracted from the electronic medical record. Statistical analysis was performed using the student’s t-test, chi-square, and multivariable regression.

Results

A total of 3278 patients were included, of which 933(28.4%) patients were admitted to a SS. MS patients were older (57.7 vs 54.7 years, P < .001) and more likely to have diabetes (24.1 vs 20.2%, P = .015), CHF (5.7 vs 3.1%, P = .002), and AKI (29.8 vs 16.7%, P < .001). SS patients were more likely to have cancer (19.3 vs 13.7%, P < .001). Univariate analysis showed admission to SS decreased length of stay (3.4 vs 4.1 days, P < .001) and index admission mortality (0.1 vs 2.2%, P < .001). On multivariable analysis, admission to a SS decreased admission mortality (OR 0.056), 30-day mortality (OR 0.15), and 180-day mortality (OR 0.307). Similarly, 30-day readmissions (OR 0.683) and 180-day readmission (OR 0.54) were also significantly decreased. Length of stay was decreased by .6 days ( P < .001).

Discussion

In patients with non-operative SBO, admission to a surgical service decreased length of stay, mortality, and readmission. Further work should be completed evaluating how increased comorbidities affect long term outcomes. However, significantly decreased length of stay and mortality continue to support surgical services admitting SBO patients.
Gendered Governance: Is China Taking a U-Turn on Its Women’s Liberation Movement to Solve the Problem Left Over by It: ‘The Leftover Women’?
Authors: Chandran Usha
Published: April 2022

Increasing pursuit of education, employment and financial independence among women, which is undoubtedly an impact of early inception of women’s liberation movement in China, has nevertheless resulted in more and more women becoming uncompromising, when it comes to a marriage partner. Moreover, even though men are always in search for good looking and professionally successful women, but they are invariably unwilling to wed women with as much or more education or income than themselves. As a result, a new category of women, the ‘leftover women’ has emerged. This article explores the reasons behind their emergence and role played by women’s liberation movement therein. It also studies the actions taken by governing bodies in creating and propagating the term itself and the stigma around it, especially pinpointing the approach taken by them towards ‘leftover women’ visa-vie ‘leftover men’. It reveals the underlying patriarchal agenda of gendered governance, behind twisting and practically stalling the women’s liberation movement in China in the recent years. As the official narrative of women’s liberation and development is increasingly catering to more traditional and patriarchal values, the article argues, Chinese government is taking a complete U-turn in women’s liberation movement in the 21st century.
An Integrative Psychological Model of Risk Factors for Suicidal Ideation and Behavior Among Israeli LGBT Individuals
Authors: Levi-Belz Yossi , Peleg Dani , Ifrah Kfir
Published: April 2022

Lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transgender individuals (LGBT) are at high risk for suicide. This study aimed to examine an integrative psychological model of risk factors among LGBT individuals and explore the psychological pathways connecting social stigma, mental pain, and interpersonal characteristics to suicidal ideation and behavior (SIB) in this population. LGBT adults ( N = 473) responded to an online questionnaire about stigma, mental pain, interpersonal characteristics, as well as suicidal ideation and behaviors. We found group differences between LGBT respondents in the study variables: Transgender people reported the highest levels of SIB and depression, closely followed by bisexuals. The association between stigma-related variables and SIB was mediated by depression, entrapment, and perceived burdensomeness. These results highlight the role of entrapment and burdensomeness in facilitating suicide risk among LGBT adults, as they may increase the damaging effect of negative societal stigma against LGBTs and thus, elevate the suicide risk in this population.
Video Game Play Does Not Improve Spatial Skills When Controlling for Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off: Evidence From Mental-Rotation and Mental-Folding Tasks
Authors: Safaei Ali , Rahmanian Mahdieh , Oraki Mohammad , Zinchenko Artyom
Published: April 2022

Researchers have been divided on the efficacy of computerized cognitive training (CCT) for enhancing spatial abilities, transfer of training, and improving malleability of skills. In this study, we assessed the effects of puzzle video game training on subsequent mental rotation (MR) and mental folding (MF) performance among adults with no cognitive impairment. We assessed participants at baseline with the Shepard-Metzler MR test followed by the differential aptitude test: space relations MF test (i.e., far transfer). We ranked participants’ skills on these pre-tests and used a matching technique to form two skill groups from which we then randomly assigned members of each skill group either to an experimental group or a wait-list control group. The experimental group played two puzzle video games closely related to two-dimensional and three-dimensional MR tasks during 4-week training sessions (total of 12 hour of video games). Post-training, participants completed the MR and MF tests again. Two months later, we re-assessed only the experimental group’s spatial skills to explore the sustainability of the trained performance. In addition to response times (RT) and error scores (ES), reported separately, we combined these variables into rate correct scores (RCS) to form an integrated measure of potential speed-accuracy trade-offs (SAT). As a result, we did not find significant improvements in MR performance from CCT engagement, nor did participants show a transfer of skills obtained by practicing MR-related puzzle games to a MF task. Based on the current findings, we urge caution when proposing a game-based intervention as a training tool to enhance spatial abilities. We argue that separately interpreting individual test measures can be misleading, as they only partially represent performance. In contrast, composite scores illuminate underlying cognitive strategies and best determine whether an observed improvement is attributable to enhanced capacities or individual heuristics and learned cognitive shortcuts.
Burpee Interval Training Is Associated With a More Favorable Affective Valence and Psychological Response Than Traditional High Intensity Exercise
Authors: Mayr Ojeda Erika , Castro Flávio Antônio de Souza , Reich Micaela , Astorino Todd A. , Benítez-Flores Stefano
Published: April 2022

Acute psychological responses to physical activity may help explain long-term adherence to it. Thus, we compared acute psychological responses to different exercise protocols with identical durations. Eighteen moderately active young adults [ Mage = 23, SD = 3 years; MVO2max (maximum oxygen consumption) = 42.8, SD = 4.3 mL·kg−1·min−1; MBMI (body mass index) = 24, SD = 2 kg·m−2] completed three low-volume exercise sessions in a crossover research design: (a) sprint interval training (SIT), (b) burpee interval training (BIT) requiring 10 × 5 second efforts with 35 seconds of passive recovery, and (c) a single bout of vigorous intensity continuous training (VICT) requiring 6 minutes and 5 seconds of running at ∼85% of peak heart rate (HRpeak). We assessed participants’ ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), affective valence, enjoyment, intention, preference, and self-reported recovery and wellness before, during, and after each session. BIT was associated with significantly greater enjoyment, preference, and exercise intention (at 5 × week) than VICT ( p ≤ .05). SIT elicited greater RPE ( M = 5.38, SD = 2.00) than both BIT ( M = 2.88, SD = 1.23) and VICT ( M = 3.55, SD = 1.38) ( p ≤ .05), and we observed a higher increase in RPE over time with SIT versus BIT ( p = .019). For affective valence, SIT ( M = 0.55, SD = 2.12) elicited a more aversive response than both BIT ( M = 2.55, SD = 1.09) and VICT ( M = 1.94, SD = 1.51) ( p ≤ .05), and there was a higher increase in this aversive response to SIT over time ( p < .05). Forty-eight-hour postexercise session muscle soreness was significantly lower with VICT than with BIT ( p = .03). Overall, BIT was associated with more positive psychological responses than SIT and VICT.
Hepatitis C Elimination During a Global Pandemic: A Case Study of Resilience in Action
Authors: Facente Shelley N. , Grinstein Rachel , Broussard Janessa , Shost Jessica , Azari Soraya , Siruno Jennifer , Jimenez Jose A. , Luetkemeyer Anne F. , Burk Katie
Published: April 2022

Until the COVID-19 pandemic, San Francisco’s hepatitis C virus (HCV) elimination initiative, End Hep C SF, was expanding and refining HCV testing and treatment strategies citywide, making progress toward local HCV elimination goals. Although a shelter-in-place health order issued in March 2020 categorized HCV testing as an “essential service,” most HCV testing and treatment immediately stopped until COVID-19–safe protocols could be implemented. During the 14 months of pandemic-related organizational closures, End Hep C SF transitioned to a 100% virtual model, maintaining regularly scheduled meetings. Community-based HCV antibody testing decreased 80% from February to April 2020, and HCV treatment initiation also decreased, although both services started to rebound in mid-to-late 2020, partially as a result of End Hep C SF collaborations. End Hep C SF service providers, clinicians, and advocates reported that the continuous communication and common agenda of End Hep C SF—2 principles of the collective impact initiative—served as a familiar touchpoint and helpful source of information during this isolating and uncertain time. Ultimately, End Hep C SF allowed us to continue HCV elimination strategies through 6 lessons learned: maintaining HCV treatment access through telehealth and mobile services; leveraging research studies that provided HCV testing and treatment; offering HCV screening and linkage to care in tandem with COVID-19–related initiatives; being flexible and inventive, such as administering HCV treatment to residents of shelter-in-place hotels; establishing a data dashboard to track HCV testing and treatment; and relying on partnerships to solve problems and avoid burnout.
Clinic- and Community-Based SARS-CoV-2 Testing Among People Experiencing Homelessness in the United States, March–November 2020
Authors: Berner Lauryn , Meehan Ashley , Kenkel Joseph , Montgomery Martha , Fields Victoria , Henry Ankita , Boyer Alaina , Mosites Emily , Vickery Katherine Diaz
Published: April 2022

Objective:

SARS-CoV-2 testing is a critical component of preventing the spread of COVID-19. In the United States, people experiencing homelessness (PEH) have accessed testing at health clinics, such as those provided through Health Care for the Homeless (HCH) clinics or through community-based testing events at homeless service sites or encampments. We describe data on SARS-CoV-2 testing among PEH in US clinic- and community-based settings from March through November 2020.

Methods:

We conducted a descriptive analysis of data from HCH clinics and community testing events. We used a standardized survey to request data from HCH clinics. We developed and made publicly available an online data entry portal to collect data from community-based organizations that provided testing for PEH. We assessed positivity rates across clinics and community service sites serving PEH and used generalized linear mixed models to account for clustering.

Results:

Thirty-seven HCH clinics reported providing 280 410 tests; 3.2% (n = 8880) had positive results (range, 1.6%-4.9%). By race, positivity rates were highest among people who identified as >1 race (11.6%; P < .001). During the reporting period, 22 states reported 287 community testing events and 14 116 tests; 7.1% (n = 1004) had positive results. Among facility types, day shelters (380 of 2697; 14.1%) and inpatient drug/alcohol rehabilitation facilities (32 of 251; 12.7%) reported the highest positivity rates.

Conclusions:

While HCH clinic data provided results for a larger number of patients, community-based testing data showed higher positivity rates. Clinic data demonstrated racial disparities in positivity. Community-based testing data provided information about SARS-CoV-2 transmission settings. Although these data provide information about testing, standard surveillance systems are needed to better understand the incidence of disease among PEH.
Tilting relationalities: Exploring the world through possible futures of agriculture
Authors: Moore Henrietta L. , Moreno Juan M.
Published: April 2022

Demography has driven increases in agricultural productivity and is in the limelight once again with questions about how we intend to feed 9 billion people on the planet. The scale of this challenge and the ecological threat from collapsing resources has generated a sense of impending crisis, but remarkably little action. The frames of reference tend towards climate change and the Anthropocene, but perhaps a more fruitful approach is to reflect on developments in agriculture and agroecology to examine the scale and significance of the ecological challenges we face. In this article, we use agriculture as a nodal point through which to engage with the emerging and dislocating human–planetary relations of the contemporary world, reflecting on past, current and future notions of ‘progress’, and on how ongoing developments and experiments in making a living with others (human, non-human and more-than-human others) might offer potential pathways for positive social transformation and future flourishing. As we argue throughout the article, reassessing notions of progress does not mean the mere return to traditional forms of knowledge and practice, nor embracing a form of luddite politics absent of advances in modern science and technology. Instead, we propose this is about opening spaces where diversity, pluralism and contending perspectives and agencies are engaged on their own terms, creating and sharing alternative knowledge and ways of doing and being. Here, the role for the social sciences and humanities is not to describe or pretend to represent these emerging relationalities, but instead to enable and actively engage them. Doing this responsibly and effectively will require us to inhabit the disorienting and discomforting ruins of progress, eschewing the turn towards finalised solutions and outcomes.
First-line treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer: the real-world Italian cohort of the Prostate Cancer Registry
Authors: Galli Luca , Chiuri Vincenzo Emanuele , Di Lorenzo Giuseppe , Pisconti Salvatore , Rossetti Sabrina , Sirotova Zuzana , Muto Andrea , Petrioli Roberto , De Tursi Michele , Sbrana Andrea , Francolini Giulio , Ardizzoia Antonio , Scavelli Claudio , Satta Francesco , Quadrini Silvia , Airoldi Mario , D’Aniello Carmine , Bonetti Andrea , Conforti Serafino , Aieta Michele , Beccaglia Patrizia , Maestri Antonio , Fratino Lucia
Published: April 2022

Background:

With the availability of multiple treatment options for metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), new real-world data on disease management and drugs’ performance are needed.

Methods:

We described characteristics, management and clinical outcomes of patients receiving first-line mCRPC treatment within the Italian cohort of the real-world, prospective, international Prostate Cancer Registry. Patients were enrolled consecutively (2013-2016) in 32 Italian sites and followed for 3 years.

Results:

238 patients were included: 157 received first-line abiraterone acetate plus prednisone (“abiraterone” thereafter) and 70 first-line docetaxel; 11 patients receiving other treatments were not considered. Compared with docetaxel-treated patients, those receiving abiraterone were significantly older (age ⩾75: 63.7% vs 38.6%), less frequently had a Gleason score >8 (48.2% vs 67.6%, p<0.005) at initial diagnosis, and more frequently an ECOG score ⩾1 (52.7% vs 36.2%, p<0.05) and comorbidities (76.4% vs 57.1%, p<0.05) at baseline; they reported a lower analgesic use (15.3% vs 30%, p<0.005). In the abiraterone group (median follow-up 22.1 months), median time to progression (TTP) and progression-free survival (PFS) were, respectively, 14.4 months (95% confidence interval, CI, 10.6-18.0) and 13.0 months (95% CI, 9.1-16.8); median overall survival (OS) was not reached, and 3-year OS was 59.1%. In the docetaxel treatment group (median follow-up 25.3 months), median TTP, PFS and OS were, respectively, 8.2 months (95% CI, 6.1-10.3), 8.2 months (95% CI, 5.8-10.3) and 33.2 months (95% CI, 19.2-not estimable).

Conclusion:

This investigation provided valuable information on the overall mCRPC treatment pattern and the effectiveness of first-line abiraterone and docetaxel in a population representative of everyday practice.
Musical interaction in music therapy for depression treatment
Authors: Hartmann Martin , Mavrolampados Anastasios , Toiviainen Petri , Saarikallio Suvi , Foubert Katrien , Brabant Olivier , Snape Nerdinga , Ala-Ruona Esa , Gold Christian , Erkkilä Jaakko
Published: April 2022

Music therapy is efficacious for the treatment of depression. Compared to other psychotherapeutic forms, it allows for the emergence of various modes of mutual interaction, thus enabling multiple channels for emotional expression and fostering therapeutic alliance. Although musical interaction patterns between client and therapist have been regarded as predictors of therapeutic outcome in depression, this has not yet been systematically investigated. We aim to address this gap by analyzing the possible linkage between musical interaction features and changes in depression score. In a clinical trial, digital piano improvisations from 58 Finnish clients and their therapists were recorded over 12 sessions of music therapy lasting 6 weeks. Subsequently, a variety of symbolic features describing pitch, rhythm, duration, and velocity were extracted from the improvisations. We observed a number of relationships between client–therapist interaction and clinical improvement. Clients with largest improvements displayed higher overall interaction, particularly more musical interaction in the middle of the therapy process than in the beginning and end. In contrast, clients with lower depression change score exhibited overall lower interaction and yielded other temporal profiles of interaction. The association between clinical improvement and an inverted U-shaped curve of musical interaction is discussed in the light of process-outcome literature.
Experimental study of spruce wood reaction to fire in single burning item test
Authors: Terrei Lucas , Zeinali Davood , Acem Zoubir , Marchetti Véronique , Lardet Paul , Boulet Pascal , Parent Gilles
Published: April 2022

The aim of this work is to study and characterize the fire behavior of vertically oriented spruce wood panels using experiments conducted at the scales of cone calorimeter and single burning item tests. For this purpose, first incombustible panels were exposed to burner powers of 15, 20, 30, and 50 kW in the single burning item tests to obtain a mapping of the total heat fluxes received by the panel. Subsequently, wood panels were exposed to the same burner powers for exposure times of 15, 20, and 30 min. Very thin thermocouples were embedded inside the wood panel to measure accurately the in-depth temperatures while the lateral position of the char front on the exposed surface and the depth of the char layer were also measured for each test. The latter measurement permitted to establish a char depth map according to the burner power and exposure time. Correspondingly, it was observed that for a fixed exposure time, the degraded area on the surface grows linearly with the burner power. Moreover, the in-depth char front position deduced from the 300 °C isotherm was found to comply very well with that obtained from direct measurements. Finally, a comparison is made between the char front depths measured with the single burning item and those measured with the cone calorimeter for similar heat fluxes, showing that the corresponding charring rates from these two tests deviate from one another only at low heat fluxes.
The Case Against Capsulectomies When Removing Silicone Breast Implants
Authors: Brown Tim
Published: April 2022

Requests for removal of silicone breast implants are increasingly common. Often patients request a capsulectomy in either a total or “en bloc” form. Capsulectomy adds time, cost, and morbidity to removal of implant procedures. This article examines the reasoning given by practitioners for undertaking the procedure, and reviews the literature to examine the validity of those arguments. Except where pathology of the capsule is demonstrable (Breast implant related anaplastic large cell lymphoma, BIR-ALCL), there is currently no indication for prophylactic removal of capsules following removal of breast implants. Given the potential risks, and lack of evidence for the procedure, both patient and surgeons should be aware of the potential consequences.
Mitochondrial targeted astaxanthin liposomes for myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury based on oxidative stress
Authors: Gao Feng , Zhao Yongcheng , Zhang Bin , Xiao Chunwei , Sun Zhanfa , Gao Yuan , Dou Xueyong
Published: April 2022

Myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MI/RI) refers to the clinical state of decreased coronary blood flow caused by various causes. The main pathogenesis of MI/RI is mitochondrial oxidative damage. In this study, we designed a novel mitochondrial targeted astaxanthin (AST) liposome, namely, STPP-AST-LIP, targeting mitochondria of H9c2 myocardial cells. STPP-AST-LIP not only reduced the production of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS), but also increased the survival rate of MI/RI H9c2 cells. In addition, rat experiments further confirmed that STPP-AST-LIP could improve myocardial cardiac function in MI/RI rats, significantly inhibited apoptosis of myocardial cells, and had a protective effect on the heart of rats after MI/RI.
Social Media Use and Demographics Predicted Knowledge About Alcohol as a Cancer Risk Factor
Authors: Ma Rong , Ma Zexin
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To determine whether social media use, alcohol consumption, and sociodemographic factors predicted Americans’ knowledge about alcohol-related cancer risk.

Design

Health Information National Trends Survey (2020).

Setting

United States.

Subjects

A nationally representative sample ( N = 3865; response rate = 36.7%).

Measures

Knowledge about cancer risk of beer, wine, and liquor; social media use; demographics; smoking status; alcohol consumption; and cancer history.

Analysis

Data were analyzed using multinomial multiple logistic regression with jackknife replicate weights.

Results

Less than a third of U.S. adults (20.34-31.20%) were aware of cancer risk of alcohol. People who watched health-related YouTube videos were more likely to be well-informed (odds ratio [OR] = 1.55 [95% confidence interval 1.01, 2.36] for beer) and misinformed (OR = 1.68 [1.17, 2.43] for wine). Alcohol consumption predicted higher likelihoods of being misinformed about cancer risk of beer (OR = 1.03 [1.003, 1.05]). People who were older and had less education were less likely to be well-informed for all types of alcohol. Females (for liquor) and Blacks (for beer) were less likely to be well-informed and misinformed.

Conclusion

Social media can be a source of both correct information and misinformation about alcohol and cancer risk. Health promotion should target older adults, people with less education, racial minorities, females, and people who consume alcohol.
Normalizing and Resisting the New Precarity: A Case Study of the Indonesian Gig Economy
Authors: Yasih Diatyka Widya Permata
Published: April 2022

The article examines the effects of the normalization of a new form of precarious work—tied to the gig economy and shaped by the imperatives of neoliberalism—in impeding the formation of solidarity that would enable workers to challenge structural issues that shape their precarity, although without entirely preventing collective organization. While the article focuses on the manifestation of the new precarity and workers’ responses in the app-based transport service in Indonesia, it seeks insights from the different experiences of other countries. It is argued here that the historical absence of the Standard Employment Relationship (SER), and the historically rooted ineffectiveness of labor and broader society movements aggravate problems in translating the precarity discourse into the organizational struggles of contemporary labor.
Coupling level-set with volume-of-fluid for interface computation of incompressible gas-liquid flows
Authors: Wu Zhenlong , Tan Huijun , Zhang Tianyu
Published: April 2022

In this study, a solver coupling the level-set and volume-of-fluid methods is developed for interface computation of incompressible two-phase flows on the OpenFOAM platform. It corrects the surface tension, density, and viscosity of the fluids with the level-set function synchronously. To examine the effect of density and viscosity corrections, an intermediate solver that only corrects the surface tension force is also developed. Two test cases, that is, a bubble rising freely in stagnant water and a drop impacting on a liquid surface, are performed to validate and compare the capabilities of the new solvers. It is found that the coupling solver which corrects all the fluids’ properties mentioned above has the best prediction accuracy, especially for Rayleigh jet issues. With the application of this solver, the mechanism for the bubble entrainment in drop impact on a liquid pool is explained.
Adaptive energy management strategy for hybrid electric vehicle based on power prediction
Authors: DeHua Shi , XiangWei Rong , ShaoHua Wang , YingFeng Cai , HuaPing Shen , Tao Yang
Published: April 2022

The advantages of hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) in energy-saving strongly rely on the energy management strategy. Equivalent consumption minimization strategy (ECMS) is one kind of well-known instantaneous strategies with the capability of online application. Due to the complicated driving conditions, there are some limitations for the application of ECMS with fixed equivalence factor (EF). Therefore, the adaptive ECMS (A-ECMS) based on the average predicted power is proposed and studied. The average power is predicted by a polynomial function with the average velocity and average acceleration as prediction inputs. The coefficients of the prediction model are updated by the recursive least squares algorithm. By investigating the impacts of different power requirements and EF on the battery charging/discharging behaviors, the explicit expression model of adaptive EF based on the average predicted power and battery SOC is established. The particle swarm optimization (PSO) method is further adopted to derive the parameters of the explicit expression model. Simulation results demonstrate that when the average power is higher than 0.5 kW, the prediction accuracy of the proposed power prediction model is higher than 91%. Compared with the constant ECMS which uses the corresponding optimal EF under different test cycles, although the equivalent fuel economy with the proposed A-ECMS slightly deteriorates, most of the deterioration is smaller than 5%, while the battery charging sustainability for all test cycles are well maintained. The proposed strategy ensures good cycle adaptability in achieving good fuel economy and battery charging sustainability.