bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Age stereotyping of gay and heterosexual men: Why does a minority sexual orientation blur the age of old men, in particular?
Authors: Coladonato Rosandra , Bianchi Mauro , Case Federica , Carnaghi Andrea
Published: February 2022

This research examined age stereotyping of male individuals displaying intersectional memberships stemming from the combination of age (Young vs. Elderly) and sexual orientation categories (Gay vs. Heterosexual). We found that the age stereotypes of ‘Elderly gay men’ were blurred: ‘Elderly gay men’ were stereotyped less on elderly‐ and more on young‐stereotypical traits than both ‘Elderly heterosexual men’ (Study 1) and ‘Elderly men’ (Studies 2–4). These findings did not occur with any subtype, as was also not the case for ‘Elderly right‐handed men’ (Study 3), but replicate only withatypicalsubtypes (Study 4). Indeed, the blurring of the age stereotypes for ‘Elderly gay men’ was replicated for an additional atypical subtype, ‘Elderly Atheist men’, and amplified when the atypical subtype involved ‘Elderly men’ in combination with ‘Athlete men’, whose stereotypes implied youthful traits (Study 4). The results informed cognitive models of multiple category stereotyping.
Electrogenerated Chemiluminescent Detection of Polyamines on a Microfluidic Device Using Micromolded Carbon Paste Microelectrodes
Authors: Gross Erin M. , Lowry Emily R. , Schaffer Leah V. , Henry Charles S.
Published: February 2022

A simple, sensitive, and rapid electrochemiluminescent (ECL) method was developed for the detection of several polyamines on a microfluidic chip. Rapid prototyping of poly(dimethylsiloxane) was used to fabricate flow channels and carbon paste microelectrodes. These devices are easily fabricated and amenable to ECL detection due to their planar and optically transparent nature. The ECL reaction between tris(2,2′‐bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) and amine‐containing co‐reactants was used to generate the ECL signal. Experimental parameters were optimized and low micromolar limits of detection (S/N=3) were determined for four different polyamines. The method was successfully used to determine the concentration of spermine in milk samples.
An Eco‐friendly Pencil Graphite Sensor for Voltammetric Analysis of the Antidepressant Vilazodone Hydrochloride
Authors: Hussien Emad M. , Rizk Mohamed S. , Daoud Amira M. , El‐Eryan Rasha Th.
Published: February 2022

A simple, eco‐friendly, accurate and inexpensive pencil graphite electrode (PGE) was utilized for the quantitative determination of Vilazodone hydrochloride (VLZ) by Square wave voltammetric (SWV) method. Optimum electrochemical performance of the electrode was achieved by optimizing the pH of the measuring solution, the rate of potential scan and the time of accumulation onto the electrode surface. The SWV showed linearity over the concentration range of 9.99×10−9 to 9.78×10−7 M, with LOD of 6.4×10−9 M. This method was applied to evaluate VLZ in pharmaceutical preparation and spiked plasma with %recovery± RSD of 99.99±0.41 and 99.40±1.36, respectively.
Using Carbon Paste Electrode Modified with Graphene and Nanodiamond for the Determination of Nimesulide in Biologic and Environmental Samples
Authors: Santos Anderson M. , Wong Ademar , Feitosa Maria H. A. , Silva Laís P. , Fatibello‐Filho Orlando , Moraes Fernando C.
Published: February 2022

The present work reports the development and application of a new carbon paste electrode modified with graphene and nanodiamond for the determination of nimesulide in biological and environmental samples. The morphology and electrochemical properties of the carbon nanostructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The application of the proposed electrochemical sensor led to a significant improvement in the analytical signal and nimesulide oxidation was found to occur at a potential of +0.97 V (vs. Ag/AgCl (3.0 mol L−1 KCl)). The determination of nimesulide was performed based on the application of differential pulse voltammetry, and the results obtained showed a linear concentration range of 0.50–9.0 μmol L−1 (r=0.999) with limit of detection of 15 nmol L−1. The proposed analytical method was successfully applied for the determination of nimesulide in spiked river water, serum and synthetic urine samples, where recoveries close to 100 % were obtained.
Use of Riparian Spiders as Sentinels of Persistent and Bioavailable Chemical Contaminants in Aquatic Ecosystems: A Review
Authors: Chumchal Matthew M. , Beaubien Gale B. , Drenner Ray W. , Hannappel Madeline P. , Mills Marc A. , Olson Connor I. , Otter Ryan R. , Todd Andrew C. , Walters David M.
Published: February 2022

Aquatic ecosystems around the world are contaminated with a wide range of anthropogenic chemicals, including metals and organic pollutants, that originate from point and nonpoint sources. Many of these chemical contaminants have complex environmental cycles, are persistent and bioavailable, can be incorporated into aquatic food webs, and pose a threat to the health of wildlife and humans. Identifying appropriate sentinels that reflect bioavailability is critical to assessing and managing aquatic ecosystems impacted by contaminants. The objective of the present study is to review research on riparian spiders as sentinels of persistent and bioavailable chemical contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. Our review of the literature on riparian spiders as sentinels suggests that significant progress has been made during the last two decades of research. We identified 55 published studies conducted around the world in which riparian spiders (primarily of the families Tetragnathidae, Araneidae, Lycosidae, and Pisauridae) were used as sentinels of chemical contamination of lotic, lentic, and estuarine systems. For several contaminants, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Hg, and Se, it is now clear that riparian spiders are appropriate sentinels. However, many contaminants and factors that could impact chemical concentrations in riparian spiders have not been well characterized. Further study of riparian spiders and their potential role as sentinels is critical because it would allow for development of national-scale programs that utilize riparian spiders as sentinels to monitor chemical contaminants in aquatic ecosystems. A riparian spider sentinel program in the United States would be complementary to existing national sentinel programs, including those for fish and immature dragonflies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:499–514. © 2021 SETAC

Abstract

A review of research on riparian spiders as sentinels of persistent and bioavailable chemical contaminants in aquatic ecosystems reveals that spiders are appropriate sentinels for some contaminants, such as PCBs, Hg, and Se, and that spiders have potential for use in aquatic contaminant monitoring programs.
Turning biennial into biannual harvest: Long‐term assessment of Arabica coffee–macadamia intercropping and irrigation synergism by biological and economic indices
Authors: Soratto Rogério P. , Perdoná Marcos J. , Parecido Renan J. , Pinotti Raquel N. , Gitari Harun I.
Published: February 2022

Intercropping that involves coffee (Coffee arabicaL.) and macadamia (Macadamia integrifoliaMaiden & Betche) can achieve the complementarity between component crops aiming at better use of natural resources, hence resulting in optimum crop production. However, there is no detailed information in the scientific literature about the biological and economic efficiency of coffee–macadamia intercropping. In this work, we evaluated the productivity and economic performance of Arabica coffee–macadamia intercropping under rainfed and irrigated conditions for 13 years (2006–2018) in São Paulo state, southeastern Brazil. In addition, some biological, economic, and competition indices were used to understand the complementarity of companion crops under the intercropping system. Irrigation significantly increased coffee (21%–40%) and macadamia (33%–44%) yields. Despite the greater values of aggressivity and dominance indices of macadamia over coffee crop have been calculated in the rainfed regime, intercropping with macadamia reduced more strongly coffee yield under irrigation. The higher values of land equivalent ratio (LER), land equivalent coefficient (LEC), percentage yield difference (PYD), income equivalent ratio (IER), and relative net return index (RNRI) indicated relatively higher benefits of intercropping under rainfed regime than under irrigation. The intercropping systems were more productive than monocrops, reaching 215% more yield, 3.2‐fold more gross income under rainfed conditions. The synergy of the combined use of irrigation and intercropping technologies decreased the payback period and the highest values of coffee equivalent yield (CEY) and monetary advantage index (MAI) under irrigation indicated a cumulative effect on the profitability. Here, for the first time, we demonstrated the complementarity between Arabica coffee and macadamia under the intercropping system, at least up to 13 years after planting of the crops, and suggest that it may be a viable option to optimize the use of resources, food production, and ecosystem services, making agricultural profitability more sustainable and stable.
Restoring statistical validity in group analyses of motion‐corrupted MRI data
Authors: Lutti Antoine , Corbin Nadège , Ashburner John , Ziegler Gabriel , Draganski Bogdan , Phillips Christophe , Kherif Ferath , Callaghan Martina F. , Di Domenicantonio Giulia
Published: February 2022

Motion during the acquisition of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data degrades image quality, hindering our capacity to characterise disease in patient populations. Quality control procedures allow the exclusion of the most affected images from analysis. However, the criterion for exclusion is difficult to determine objectively and exclusion can lead to a suboptimal compromise between image quality and sample size. We provide an alternative, data‐driven solution that assigns weights to each image, computed from an index of image quality using restricted maximum likelihood. We illustrate this method through the analysis of quantitative MRI data. The proposed method restores the validity of statistical tests, and performs near optimally in all brain regions, despite local effects of head motion. This method is amenable to the analysis of a broad type of MRI data and can accommodate any measure of image quality.
The additive impact of cardio‐metabolic disorders and psychiatric illnesses on accelerated brain aging
Authors: Ryan Meghann C. , Hong L. Elliot , Hatch Kathryn S. , Gao Si , Chen Shuo , Haerian Krystl , Wang Jingtao , Goldwaser Eric L. , Du Xiaoming , Adhikari Bhim M. , Bruce Heather , Hare Stephanie , Kvarta Mark D. , Jahanshad Neda , Nichols Thomas E. , Thompson Paul M. , Kochunov Peter
Published: February 2022

Severe mental illnesses (SMI) including major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BD), and schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) elevate accelerated brain aging risks. Cardio‐metabolic disorders (CMD) are common comorbidities in SMI and negatively impact brain health. We validated a linear quantile regression index (QRI) approach against the machine learning “BrainAge” index in an independent SSD cohort (N = 206). We tested the direct and additive effects of SMI and CMD effects on accelerated brain aging in the N = 1,618 (604 M/1,014 F, average age = 63.53 ± 7.38) subjects with SMI and N = 11,849 (5,719 M/6,130 F; 64.42 ± 7.38) controls from the UK Biobank. Subjects were subdivided based on diagnostic status: SMI+/CMD+ (N = 665), SMI+/CMD− (N = 964), SMI−/CMD+ (N = 3,765), SMI−/CMD− (N = 8,083). SMI (F = 40.47, p = 2.06 × 10−10) and CMD (F = 24.69, p = 6.82 × 10−7) significantly, independently impacted whole‐brain QRI in SMI+. SSD had the largest effect (Cohen’s d = 1.42) then BD (d = 0.55), and MDD (d = 0.15). Hypertension had a significant effect on SMI+ (d = 0.19) and SMI− (d = 0.14). SMI effects were direct, independent of MD, and remained significant after correcting for effects of antipsychotic medications. Whole‐brain QRI was significantly (p < 10−16) associated with the volume of white matter hyperintensities (WMH). However, WMH did not show significant association with SMI and was driven by CMD, chiefly hypertension (p < 10−16). We used a simple and robust index, QRI, the demonstrate additive effect of SMI and CMD on accelerated brain aging. We showed a greater effect of psychiatric illnesses on QRI compared to cardio‐metabolic illness. Our findings suggest that subjects with SMI should be among the targets for interventions to protect against age‐related cognitive decline.
Numerical simulation of three‐phase‐lag bio‐heat transfer model for generalized coordinate system amidst thermal ablation
Authors: Kumari Tejaswini , Singh Sawal Kishore
Published: February 2022

Various heat transmits models exhibit a thermal response in the tissue during thermal therapies. In the present work, we proposed a three‐phase‐lag (TPL) bio‐heat‐transmitting model including an external laser heating term amidst thermal treatment for the generalized coordinate system. The TPL model is based on the law of heat conduction containing heat flux, temperature gradient, and thermal displacement gradient terms. The solution is determined by implementing a discretization scheme of finite difference in the company of the Runge–Kutta (4,5) technique to examine the temperature repercussion throughout the thermal treatment of the tumor. In addition to this, the impact of various parameters such as phase lag in heat flux, temperature gradient, thermal displacement gradient, the heat generated because of blood perfusion, metabolism, and external heat source term is studied. A comparison has been shown graphically during the thermal treatment. The temperature profile is studied for different coordinate systems, and results are discussed. Moreover, validation has been made of the TPL model used in this paper with the experimental results. Thus the outcomes achieved from this study are purposeful in the therapeutical field, especially for oncologists.
Visualizing and Interacting with a System‐Centric Enterprise Digital Thread
Authors: Panthaki Malcolm , Keer Tim
Published: February 2022

As large enterprises embrace Digital Transformation, it is obvious that merely scanning paper documents to digital form is inadequate to achieve their broader goals. These must be transformed into more granular data that are version controlled, configuration managed and connected – i.e., a digital thread.

As a digital thread begins to span the product lifecycle, its complexity increases exponentially with the number of lifecycle phases and application areas that it encompasses. This quickly becomes intractable, given the “normal” approach to finding and presenting data in PLM platforms.

The goal of creating these enormous and rapidly growing networks of data is not just to archive the data. They must empower the product teams to be productive and to make the most effective use of this dynamic data network to meet the rapidly changing goals of the corporation as it reacts to the market's needs. This requires various graphical query and visualization tools.
Holistic Asset Performance Management Systems: Speculative design for Industrial APM systems and human work experience in an Industry 5.0 setting
Authors: Sengupta Rounak , Kant Vivek
Published: February 2022

The aim of this article is to comprehend human work experience in industry 5.0. In the next generation of human systems integration, the major challenge will be to incorporate creative experiences of people with technologies. This aspect will be particularly salient when using Asset Performance management Systems. In this article, we use a qualitative futures planning approach with a speculative design methodology to comprehend human experience in next generation work systems. We propose that by incorporating human experience, we need to characterize these systems as Holistic Asset Performance Management systems that consider the human without reducing it to the mechanistic component. By building on the speculative enactment method, this research also explores the advantages of involving actual creative individuals in the enactment process to achieve better results. It concludes with speculations for the future of APM systems and raises certain questions related to ethics.
Role of foreign direct investment in decomposing of scale and technique effects on China's energy consumption
Authors: Shahbaz Muhammad , Sinha Avik , Ahmad Shabbir , Jiao Zhilun , Wang Zhaohua
Published: February 2022

This study contributes to the literature of energy economics by divulging the nature of scale and technique effects on energy consumption, considering foreign direct investment (FDI) as one of considerable factors of energy demand. The Chinese provincial data over the period of 2000–2018 are used for empirical analysis. In doing so, we have applied the Westerlund and Edgerton cointegration test using cross‐sectional dependence and structural breaks, and bootstrapped quantile regression to decompose scale and technique effects. The empirical results show the presence of cointegrating association among the model parameters, in the presence of cross‐sectional dependence and structural breaks. The quantile regression results indicate that the scale effect exerted by FDI is negative at lower quantiles of energy consumption, and positive at upper quantiles. Moreover, scale and technique effects exerted by FDI are positive and negative, respectively, at lower quantiles of energy consumption, and negative and positive, respectively, at higher quantiles. The results of this study are expected to help in designing the energy policies in China, keeping the quantum of energy consumption at various provinces in mind, and, thereby, ensuring the sustainability in energy consumption.
Squamous cell and urothelial carcinomas in an ileal neobladder
Authors: Fujimoto Takeru , Sakamoto Hiromasa , Sakurai Takaki , Kanai Kasumi , Imai Kazuto , Aoyama Teruyoshi
Published: February 2022

Introduction

In cases of ileal neobladder following radical cystectomy for the treatment of bladder cancer, tumor development in the isolated gut segment is extremely rare. Herein, we report a case of squamous cell and urothelial carcinomas in the ileal neobladder 23 years after radical cystectomy.

Case presentation

A 71‐year‐old man was referred to our hospital for further examination of a solitary tumor in an ileal neobladder. At the age of 48 years, he underwent radical cystectomy with ileal neobladder reconstruction. Transurethral resection of the bladder tumor was performed, and histopathological findings showed squamous cell carcinoma with high‐grade urothelial carcinoma.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first report of squamous cell and urothelial carcinomas in an ileal neobladder. While secondary tumor development in an ileal neobladder is rare, it is a cause for concern as a late postoperative adverse event. Therefore, long‐term follow‐ups are recommended.
Rate constant ratios in the consecutive chlorination of liquid‐phase p‐xylene with Cl2 and antimony pentachloride as a catalyst
Authors: Rigas Fotis P.
Published: February 2022

The rate constant ratios of the consecutive chlorination of p‐xylene at 70oC in a gas–liquid semibatch reactor using molecular chlorine, dichloroethane as a solvent, and antimony pentachloride as a catalyst was investigated up to the fourth successive reaction (tetrachloro‐p‐xylene production). The rate ratios were determined with both mathematical expressions and a graphical method proposed recently in the literature by use of the maxima of the successive products. In addition, to this simple method that concerns only one pair of values of products (single‐point maximum approach), another novel method is proposed and successfully applied concerning many pairs of corresponding values of intermediate products (multiple points maximum approach). This latter method permits the estimation of uncertainties and propagation of uncertainties that proved the usefulness and the possibilities of determining the parameters based on special points of the kinetic dependencies. The rate ratios found for monochloro‐p‐xylene (2‐chloro‐p‐xylene), dichloro‐p‐xylene (the sum of 2,3‐dichloro‐p‐xylene and 2,5‐dichloro‐p‐xylene), trichloro‐p‐xylene (2,3,5‐trichloro‐p‐xylene), and tetrachloro‐p‐xylene (2,3,5,6‐tetrachloro‐p‐xylene) are k2/k1 = 0.09741, k3/k1 = 0.002685, and k4/k1 = 0.000499. The ratio of the dichloro‐isomers produced was also determined in the initial stages as 3.3 in favor of 2,5‐dichloro‐p‐xylene, which is reasonable since 2,3‐dichloro‐p‐xylene is highly hindered by the adjacent groups on the aromatic nucleus. Nevertheless, as the production of trichloro‐p‐xylene increased considerably, the proportion of 2,3‐dichloro‐p‐xylene gradually diminished down to complete disappearance. This is attributed to the ease of this isomer to be further chlorinated to trichloro‐product since its available free sites on the nucleus are less hindered compared to 2,5‐dichloro‐p‐xylene. The standard uncertainties of the rate constant ratios, the standard deviation of the means, as well as the expanded uncertainties of the means were calculated and proved statistically accepted. Finally, the propagation of uncertainties for the trichloro‐p‐xylene was estimated using the partial derivatives of this product for each of the rate constant ratios.
Variation in the predictability of lake plankton metric types
Authors: Kakouei Karan , Kraemer Benjamin M. , Adrian Rita
Published: February 2022

Statistical and climate models are frequently used for biodiversity projections under future climatic changes, but their predictive capacity for freshwater plankton may vary among different species and community metrics. Here, we used random forests to model plankton species and community metrics as a function of biological, climatic, physical, and chemical data from long‐term (2000–2017) monitoring data collected from Lake Müggelsee Berlin, Germany. We (1) compared the predictability of well‐known lake plankton metric types (biomass, abundance, taxonomic diversity, Shannon diversity, Simpson diversity, evenness, taxonomic distinctness, and taxonomic richness) and (2) assessed how the relative influence of different environmental drivers varies across lake plankton metric models. Overall, the metric predictability was highest for biomass and abundance followed by taxonomic richness. The biomass of dominant phytoplankton taxonomic groups such as cyanobacteria (adjusted‐R2 = 0.53) and the abundance of dominant zooplankton taxonomic groups such as rotifers (adjusted‐R2 = 0.59) and daphnids (adjusted‐R2 = 0.51) were more predictable than other metric types. The plankton metric predictability increased when grouping phytoplankton species according to their functional traits (adjusted‐R2 = 0.37 ± 0.14, mean ± SD, n = 36 functional groups) compared to higher taxonomic units (adjusted‐R2 = 0.25 ± 0.15, n = 22 taxonomic groups). Light, nutrients, water temperature, and seasonality for phytoplankton and food resources for zooplankton were the main drivers of both taxonomic and functional groups, giving confidence that our models captured the expected major environmental drivers. Our quantitative analyses highlight the multidimensionality of lake planktonic responses to environmental drivers and have implications for our capacity to select appropriate metrics for forecasting the future of lake ecosystems under global change scenarios.
Constraining uncertainties of diazotroph biogeography from nifH gene abundance
Authors: Meiler Simona , Britten Gregory L. , Dutkiewicz Stephanie , Gradoville Mary Rose , Moisander Pia H. , Jahn Oliver , Follows Michael J.
Published: February 2022

Marine diazotrophs fix dinitrogen gas into bioavailable nitrogen that drives the ocean nitrogen cycle; yet, efforts to infer global diazotroph distributions have been limited by a sparsity of observations. In situ measurements of nifH gene abundance (essential for nitrogen fixation) are increasingly being used to inform the biogeography of diazotrophs. However, comparing such gene abundances spatially, temporally and between diazotroph species remains difficult. We synthesize existing data on gene‐to‐cell and cell‐to‐biomass conversions for four major diazotroph groups to convert nifH gene counts to abundance‐ and biomass‐based biogeographic “currencies.” Results suggest up to two orders of magnitude uncertainty converting from nifH gene abundance to cell abundance, and up to four orders of magnitude uncertainty from nifH gene abundance to biomass. Uncertainty arises due to large taxonomic variation in cell size and presumed polyploidy, that is, variability in the number of genomes per cell. Such uncertainties hinder comparing biogeographies of different species. Additionally, numerical models need biogeographies for validation, typically in the currency of carbon biomass. Here, we show that conversion uncertainty from nifH gene abundance to biomass overwhelms biomass variability simulated in such models. These results demonstrate a basic currency problem in converting gene abundance observations to biogeographically meaningful quantities for synthesizing studies and modeling approaches. Such issues may also have relevance to other genes and organisms beyond diazotrophs. To avoid biases in interpreting gene counts as a measure of abundance, we suggest converting gene counts to a binary presence/non‐detect metric to map broad biogeographical distributions more robustly.
The Polymerization of Homogentisic Acid In Vitro as a Model for Pyomelanin Formation
Authors: Galeb Hanaa A. , Lamantia Angelo , Robson Alexander , König Katja , Eichhorn Jonas , Baldock Sara J. , Ashton Mark D. , Baum John V. , Mort Richard L. , Robinson Benjamin J. , Schacher Felix H. , Chechik Victor , Taylor Adam M. , Hardy John G.
Published: February 2022

Melanins are a class of biopolymers that are widespread in nature, with diverse origins, compositions, and functions, and their chemical and optoelectronic properties render them potentially useful for application in materials science for various biotechnological applications. For patients with alkaptonuria, the accumulation of homogentisic acid (HGA) in their bodies is associated with the concomitant deposition of pyomelanin, which is a pigment that contains significant amounts of polymerized HGA (polyHGA) in the bodily tissues of the patients. The polymerization of HGA under various different conditions in vitro is investigated using a selection of different analytical chemistry techniques to understand if there may be a correlation between the conditions and pigment deposition in vivo, and their potential for application as green/sustainable and components of electronic devices.
Recent advances and application of whole genome amplification in molecular diagnosis and medicine
Authors: Wang Xiaoyu , Liu Yapeng , Liu Hongna , Pan Wenjing , Ren Jie , Zheng Xiangming , Tan Yimin , Chen Zhu , Deng Yan , He Nongyue , Chen Hui , Li Song
Published: February 2022

Whole genome amplification (WGA) is a technology for non‐selective amplification of the whole genome sequence, first appearing in 1992. Its primary purpose is to amplify and reflect the whole genome of trace tissues and single cells without sequence bias and to provide sufficient DNA template for subsequent multigene and multilocus analysis, along with comprehensive genome research. WGA provides a method to obtain a large amount of genetic information from a small amount of DNA and provides a valuable tool for preserving limited samples in molecular biology. WGA technology is especially suitable for forensic identification and genetic disease research, along with new technologies such as next‐generation sequencing (NGS). In addition, WGA is also widely used in single‐cell sequencing. Due to the small amount of DNA in a single cell, it is often unable to meet the amount of samples needed for sequencing, so WGA is generally used to achieve the amplification of trace samples. This paper reviews WGA methods based on different principles, summarizes both amplification principle and amplification quality, and discusses the application prospects and challenges of WGA technology in molecular diagnosis and medicine.
A behavioral economic analysis of smartwatches using internet‐based hypothetical demand
Authors: Schwartz Lindsay P. , Hursh Steven R.
Published: February 2022

Hypothetical purchase tasks (HPTs) and operant demand analyses provide a promising methodology to determine how consumers value new products. This study used a demand analysis to determine value differences between Apple or Fitbit smartwatches and those same watches with hypothetical “added‐value” features. There were no differences between baseline smartwatches and those with additional features. However, participants who owned Apple products had significantly higher demand for Apple smartwatches, while this difference did not exist for Fitbit users. HPTs and demand analyses were sensitive enough to determine differences related to brand loyalty, but did not detect differences in added‐value of hypothetical features.
Wideband 3D‐printed dielectric reflectarray in Ka‐band
Authors: Guo Liwei , Li Simin , Liao Xin , Jiang Xing , Peng Lin
Published: February 2022

An ultra‐wideband 3D‐printed dielectric reflectarray antenna (DRA) is proposed in this letter. The dielectric reflectarray unit (DRU) adopts the photosensitive resin therm1220, which dielectric constant of 3.97 is conducive to improving the bandwidth. Through adjusting the size of the DRU, the reflection phase can be adjusted. The dielectric reflectarray is 23 × 23 element which printed by stereo lithography apparatus (SLA) and is realized by installing a metal plate with four resin screws. The measured of the gain covers 25.8–28.9 dBi from 27.5 to 38 GHz. And the 3‐dB gain bandwidth of measured is 32.1%. The measured aperture efficiency is basically above 30% from 28 to 35 GHz. The maximum gain is 28.1 dBi at 30 GHz, and the aperture efficiency is 39% during measurement. The 3 dB beam width of the E‐plane and H‐plane are both about 5.4° in Ka‐band. A good agreement can be observed between measurement and simulation.
Botulinum toxin for treating overactive bladder in men: A systematic review
Authors: Truzzi Jose C. , Lapitan Marie C. , Truzzi Natassia C. , Iacovelli Valerio , Averbeck Marcio A.
Published: February 2022

Purpose

We sought to systematically review the literature on the use of botulinum toxin (BTX‐A) injections in the bladder to treat overactive bladder (OAB) in men.

Materials and methods

A systematic review was performed to identify clinical trials on efficacy and safety of BTX‐A injections in the detrusor for treatment of OAB in men published from inception to October 2020. Quality assessment was performed using the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias and study characteristics were extracted by two reviewers independently.

Results

After screening 75 abstracts, 12 trials were included in the qualitative synthesis, of which 6 were conducted exclusively in men (mean age: 66.7 years). Only two were randomized controlled studies and the remaining were observational studies, mostly case series. Total number of participants in each study ranged from 28 to 146. Therapeutic response to intravesical BTX‐A injection was assessed differently across the studies, which used quality‐of‐life symptom questionnaires and voiding diary parameters. Urodynamics findings were reported separately for men before and after intravesical injection of BTX‐A in two studies only. Pooling of outcome data was possible with adverse events reported after BTX‐A by seven studies, which showed urinary tract infection, urinary retention, increased postvoid residual, de novo interstitial cystitis, and hematuria rates of 29.8%, 20.0%, 37.3%, 28.3%, and 12.4%, respectively.

Conclusions

Limited information regarding the efficacy and safety of BTX‐A bladder injections for male OAB from relatively low evidence is available. Further research is needed to better understand the risk‐benefit profile of BTX‐A in the male population.
Urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and quality of life in women submitted to total hip replacement
Authors: Martines Guilherme Augusto , Tamanini José Tadeu Nunes , Mota Gabriel Milhomem da Silva , Barreto Eduardo Tavares , Santos Jair Lício Ferreira , Sartori Marair Gracio Ferreira , Girão Manoel João Batista Castello , Castro Rodrigo de Aquino
Published: February 2022

Introduction and Hypothesis

Hip osteoarthritis (OA) compromises functioning. Total hip replacement (THR) is the indicated treatment and may improve urinary incontinence (UI) and symptoms of overactive bladder (OAB).

Objectives

Assess UI, OAB symptoms, and quality of life (QoL) impact in preoperative and postoperative periods of women submitted to THR and investigate associated factors.

Methods

A prospective cohort was conducted with 183 women submitted to THR. The International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire—Short Form (ICIQ‐SF), International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire—Overactive Bladder (ICIQ‐OAB) and SF‐12 questionnaires were administered pre‐ and 3 and 6 months after surgery.

Results

Significant improvements were found in UI and QoL 3‐ and 6‐month postoperatively in the overall sample and in the subgroup with preoperative UI. The multivariate regression revealed that the preoperative ICIQ‐SF and ICIQ‐OAB final scores were the best predictors of UI 6‐month postoperatively. The factors the best predicted the occurrence of UI 6‐month following THR were the preoperative ICIQ‐OAB scores and preoperative UI. Each unit of increase in the ICIQ‐OAB increases the chances of UI by 26.9% and preoperative UI increases the chances of postoperative UI by 18.7‐fold. A weak but significant negative correlation was found between the ICIQ‐SF score and the SF‐12 score.

Conclusion

Significant improvements in UI, OAB and QoL were found at 3‐ and 6‐month postoperatively. Preoperative ICIQ‐SF and ICIQ‐OAB final scores were the best predictors of UI at 6 months after surgery. We found significant association between urinary symptoms and THR, but this association is partially explained by current literature.
Self‐control as a mediator of age on students' compulsive buying
Authors: Liu Yanan , Bi Chongzeng , Unger Alexander , Papastamatelou Julie
Published: February 2022

Prior research on compulsive buying addresses a negative association with dispositional self‐control and a decreasing effect of age. However, there is currently no sufficient explanation for the observation that older individuals show a reduced risk for compulsive buying patterns. Our empirical contribution is to test the assumption of a reducing effect of dispositional self‐control on compulsive buying in a cross‐cultural sample of Chinese (n = 268) and German (n = 247) college students with the Short Form of the Self‐Control Scale and the Compulsive Buying Scale. We observed that females show a higher proneness to compulsive buying and older participants show decreased compulsive buying. Mediation analysis reveals that age has a reducing effect on compulsive buying that is fully mediated by dispositional self‐control. According to the last observation, our study delivers an explanation of the reduced compulsive buying proneness of older individuals. We discuss limitations and alternative explanations of our study.
Protein–DNA/RNA interactions: Machine intelligence tools and approaches in the era of artificial intelligence and big data
Authors: Cui Feifei , Zhang Zilong , Cao Chen , Zou Quan , Chen Dong , Su Xi
Published: February 2022

With the development of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and the availability of large amounts of biological data, computational methods for proteomics have undergone a developmental process from traditional machine learning to deep learning. This review focuses on computational approaches and tools for the prediction of protein–DNA/RNA interactions using machine intelligence techniques. We provide an overview of the development progress of computational methods and summarize the advantages and shortcomings of these methods. We further compiled applications in tasks related to the protein–DNA/RNA interactions, and pointed out possible future application trends. Moreover, biological sequence‐digitizing representation strategies used in different types of computational methods are also summarized and discussed.
The shared uncertainty experience of older adults with advanced cancer and their caregivers
Authors: Zhang Yingzi , Mohile Supriya , Culakova Eva , Norton Sally , Loh Kah Poh , Kadambi Sindhuja , Kehoe Lee , Aarne Grossman Valerie , Vogel Victor G. , Burnette Brian L. , Bradley Thomas P. , Flannery Marie
Published: February 2022

Objective

One primary source of psychological distress in patients with cancer and their caregivers is uncertainty. However, the uncertainty trajectory and its relationship between older adults with advanced cancer and their caregivers have rarely been examined. This study describes the uncertainty trajectory in patient‐caregiver dyads, explores the effect of geriatric assessment (GA) intervention on trajectory, and examines the interdependent relationship of uncertainty.

Methods

This secondary analysis used longitudinal data from a national cluster‐randomized controlled trial examining a GA intervention compared to usual care. Participants completed the modified 9‐item Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale at enrollment, 4–6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. The dyadic growth model and cross‐lagged actor‐partner interdependence model were used.

Results

A total of 397 dyads (patient age M = 76.81 ± SD5.43; caregiver age M = 66.69 ± SD12.52) were included. Both had a trend of decreased uncertainty over time (b = −0.16, p < 0.01). There was a greater decrease in uncertainty among caregivers in the GA group than those in the usual care group (b = −0.46, p = 0.02). For both patients and caregivers, their past uncertainty was a significant predictor of their own current uncertainty (i.e., actor effect, p < 0.01). The individual's past uncertainty was a significant predictor of the other dyad member's current uncertainty (i.e., partner effect, p < 0.05), indicating an interdependent relationship between patient and caregiver uncertainty over time.

Conclusions

Findings suggest patient and caregiver function as a unit with uncertainty levels affecting each other. Future interventions could build on GA to address uncertainty for older patients with advanced cancer and caregivers.
Chemical Composition Data‐Driven Machine‐Learning Prediction for Phase Stability and Materials Properties of Inorganic Crystalline Solids
Authors: Atsumi Taruto , Sato Kosei , Yamaguchi Yudai , Hamaie Masato , Yasuda Risa , Tanibata Naoto , Takeda Hayami , Nakayama Masanobu , Karasuyama Masayuki , Takeuchi Ichiro
Published: February 2022

Materials informatics has attracted significant attention toward the efficient discovery and development of new functional materials. Machine‐learning regression techniques have often been used to establish a link between properties. In this respect, precise and rational regression is contingent on the choice of descriptors used to represent both composition and structural information. The usage of structure‐derived descriptors restricts the prediction range to the registered materials in the crystal structure database owing to the structural information requirements. Conversely, machine‐learning regression based only on compositional descriptors is free from this restriction, despite the fact that the prediction performance may diminish. Herein, their prediction performance is improved using compositional descriptors with histograms, and detailed surveys are performed on their ability to extrapolate. The proposed model achieves a high prediction accuracy based on the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (specifically, AUC > 0.9).
The Electronic Structure and Chemical Bonding in MgPbP2
Authors: Basalaev Yury M. , Gordienko Alexey B.
Published: February 2022

Ab initio pseudopotential calculations have been performed for the recently predicted tetragonal MgPbP2 crystal with chalcopyrite structure. The results include band structure, total and projected densities of states, electron density maps as well as maximally localized Wannier functions, electron localization function, and effective Born charges. The MgPbP2 is found to be a direct‐gap semiconductor with a bandgap being of order 0.90 eV and mixed type of chemical bonding which is mostly ionic for MgP and covalent for PbP bonds.
Halide Ions Distribution and Charge Dynamics in Mixed‐Halide Perovskites
Authors: Sumukam Ranadeep Raj , Sahu Puspanjali , Savu Ramu Naidu , Khanam Sarvani Jowhar , Alsulami Qana A. , Banavoth Murali
Published: February 2022

Owing to the striking properties, perovskite materials have clutched the interest in the field of optoelectronics. The property of being band tunable via composition alteration makes the perovskites fit in many optoelectronic applications. However, the compositional instability of mixed‐halide perovskites (MHPs) under illumination or by charge‐carrier injection is intercepting the exploitation of mixed‐halide strategy which effectively tailors the perovskite's bandgap. Herein, the segregation of halide ions in lattice promotes the formation of individual halide‐rich domains that severely influence the electronic band structures of the MHPs. In this scenario, extensive research is heading to perceive the mechanisms that drive the halide segregation and abate the process accordingly. As the impact of ion segregation directly determines the performance of the devices, in‐depth understanding is a prerequisite. This perspective provides a compressive understanding of different aspects such as structural origin, influence of light intensity, temperature, and atmospheric conditions that root the segregation process. A rigorous analytical discussion on approaches to play with cations and anions compositions, dimensionality, and Lewis base treatment that are detrimental for the halide segregation process is presented. This perspective contains a critical view on the halide segregation process that paves the route for future research.
Robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy training: Description of a canine cadaveric model
Authors: Jamet Antoine , Hubert Nicolas , Maire Jérôme , Tran Nguyen , Hubert Jacques , Mazeaud Charles
Published: February 2022

Background

Assess the relevance of a canine model in robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) training.

Methods

Step‐by‐step RARP was performed in five dog cadavers using a Da Vinci Si® Surgical Robot (Intuitive Surgical, Inc.). The steps were defined according to the RARP score, a validated training tool describing 17 key steps and four levels of difficulty; each step was scored to reflect the anatomical and technical similarities, realism of dissection, and face validity of the canine model compared to the human procedure.

Results

Fourteen steps were performed during each procedure. Face validity was scored as high or very high for five of the nine steps of difficulty levels 1 and 2 as well as five of the eight steps of difficulty levels 3 and 4, especially nerve preservation, vesicourethral anastomosis and lymph node dissection.

Conclusions

The cadaveric canine model seems to be a realistic and relevant training model for key steps of RARP.
Disturbance estimation and synchronization control design for nonlinear complex dynamical networks with input delays
Authors: Sakthivel Rathinasamy , Birundha Devi Nallamuthu , Harshavarthini Shanmugam , Kwon Ohmin
Published: February 2022

The synchronization problem of complex dynamical networks (CDNs) with nonlinearities, uncertainties, time‐varying input delays and disturbances is investigated in this article. The key objective of this work is to estimate both the matched and mismatched disturbance signals, which is accomplished by making use of improved‐equivalent‐input‐disturbance estimator (IEIDE) technique. Subsequently, the impact of time‐delays in control input can be effectively handled by means of extended Smith predictor (ESP) approach. To be precise, an unified dynamic output feedback control protocol is developed for dealing the disturbances and input delays by combining IEIDE and ESP strategy for nonlinear CDNs. Moreover, Lyapunov stability theory is utilized for the resultant closed‐loop system to deduce the linear matrix inequality (LMI)‐based sufficient stability conditions, which ensure the asymptotic synchronization of the considered system. In addition, the unpredictable disturbance signals are estimated with high precision based on the proposed control design. More precisely, the desired gain matrices are obtained by solving the LMI‐based conditions. In the final analysis, the simulation results of the Lur'e system are provided to examine the practicability and efficacy of the developed control strategy.
Quantized stabilization of switched systems with partly unstabilizable subsystems and denial‐of‐service attacks
Authors: Yan Jingjing , Xia Yuanqing , Wang Xinjing , Feng Xiaoliang
Published: February 2022

This article addresses the problem of stabilizing a continuous‐time switched system affected by quantization and denial‐of‐service (DoS) attacks. The switching is assumed to be slow enough in the sense of combined dwell time and average dwell time, individual modes are assumed to be partly unstabilizable, and DoS attacks are supposed as energy limited by restraining DoS frequency and DoS duration. By introducing a Decision Maker into the system framework and proposing a switching algorithm for the attacked intervals, we simplify the design rules of the controller and divide the system status into four cases. On the basis of approximating the reachable set and analyzing the increasing/decreasing rate of Lyapunov function for each case, the sufficient conditions ensuring the exponential convergence and Lyapunov stability of the closed‐loop system are obtained. Two examples are illustrated to demonstrate the effectiveness of the theoretical analysis.
Orbital synchronization of homogeneous mechanical systems with one degree of underactuation
Authors: Herrera Leonardo , Rodríguez‐Liñán María del Carmen , Meza‐Sánchez Marlen , Clemente Eddie
Published: February 2022

A methodology for asymptotic orbital synchronization of a set of homogeneous mechanical systems with one degree of underactuation is proposed. A reference model generating a reference orbit is first constructed under the virtual holonomic constraints approach. Then, the synthesis is designed to, first, estimate the state vector of the homogeneous systems, provided that only position measurements are available, and second, to drive the state of the systems to that of the reference model. Due to the synthesis properties, the homogeneous systems converge asymptotically to the reference orbit when there are no disturbances affecting the systems nor the measurements. When disturbances are present, robustness is guaranteed provided that the gain of the closed‐loop systems remains lower than an attenuation level . Numerical results for a set of underactuated cart‐pendulums corroborate the proposed methodology.