bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A general interfacial thermal contact model for consolidation of bilayered saturated soils considering thermo‐osmosis effect
Authors: Wen Minjie , Tian Yi , Li Lichen , Qiu Xinchen , Wang Kuihua , Wu Wenbing , Mei Guoxiong , Xu Meijuan
Published: June 2022

In this paper, a general interfacial thermal contact model is proposed to investigate the heat conduction characteristics at the interface of bilayered saturated soils. The semianalytical solutions of thermal consolidation of the bilayered saturated soils considering thermo‐osmosis effect under ramp‐type heating are derived by using the Laplace transform. Then, the expressions of the temperature increment, excess pore water pressure, and displacement are obtained in time domain by using the Crump's method. Comparisons are performed to verify the rationality of the obtained solutions, and the influences of contact transfer coefficient, partition coefficient, and the thermo‐osmosis coefficient on the thermal consolidation of the bilayered saturated soil are illustrated and discussed. Neglecting the thermal contact resistance would overestimate the thermal consolidation behavior of the bilayered saturated soils. The calculated excess pore water pressure and displacement considering thermo‐osmosis effect are much larger than those without thermo‐osmosis effect.
Surgical anatomy of the mid‐vagina
Authors: Haylen Bernard T. , Vu Dzung , Wong Audris , Livingstone Sarah
Published: June 2022

Aim

The mid‐vagina (MV) represents Level II of the vagina. The surgical anatomy of the MV has not been recently subject to a comprehensive examination and description. MV surgery involving anterior and posterior colporrhaphy represents a key part of surgery for a majority of pelvic organ prolapse (POP).

Methods

Literature review and surgical observations of many aspects of the MV were performed including MV length and width; MV shape; immediate relationships; histological analysis; anterior and posterior MV prolapse assessment and anterior MV surgical aspects. Unpublished pre‐ and postoperative quantitative data on 300 women undergoing posterior vaginal compartment repairs are presented.

Results

The MV runs from the lower limit of the vaginal vault (VV) to the hymen. Its length is a mean of 5 cm. Its shape in section overall is a compressed rectangle. Its longitudinal shape is created by its anterior and posterior walls being inverse trapezoid in shape. Histology comprises three layers: (i) mucosa; (ii) muscularis; (iii) adventitia. MV prolapse staging uses pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP‐Q). Anterior MV prolapse can be quantitatively assessed using POP‐Q while posterior MV prolapse can be assessed with POP‐Q or PR‐Q. Around 50% of both cystocele and rectocele are due to VV defects. POP will increase anterior MV width and length. Native tissue anterior colporrhaphy is the current conventional repair with mesh disadvantages outweighing advantages. Posteriorly, Level II (MV) defects are far smaller (mean 1.3 cm) than Level I (mean 6.0 cm) and Level III (mean 2.9 cm).

Conclusion

An understanding of the surgical anatomy of the MV can assist anterior and posterior colporrhaphy. In particular, if VV support is employed, the Level II component of a posterior repair should be relatively small.
Advanced design of MRI inversion pulses for inhomogeneous field conditions by optimal control
Authors: Graf Christina , Soellradl Martin , Aigner Christoph Stefan , Rund Armin , Stollberger Rudolf
Published: June 2022

Non‐selective inversion pulses find widespread use in MRI applications, where requirements on them are increasingly demanding. With the use of high and ultra‐high field strength systems, robustness to
and
inhomogeneities, while tackling SAR and hardware limitations, has rapidly become important. In this work, we propose a time‐optimal control framework for the optimization of
‐ and
‐robust inversion pulses. Robustness is addressed by means of ensemble formulations, while allowing inclusion of hardware and energy limitations. The framework is flexible and performs excellently for various optimization goals. The optimization results are analyzed extensively in numerical experiments. Furthermore, they are validated, and compared with adiabatic RF pulses, in various phantom and in vivo measurements on a 3 T MRI system.
Feeling all alone in the world – experiences of patients with a neurological disease during a COVID‐19 visitor ban: An interview study
Authors: Loft Mia Ingerslev , Poulsen Ingrid , Guldager Rikke
Published: June 2022

Aim

The aim of this study was to explore how patients with neurological disease experienced a COVID‐19 visitor ban and to identify ways of improving the quality of care.

Background

In March 2020, a temporary visitor ban was introduced in Danish hospitals to reduce the spread of COVID‐19. This led to changes in clinical practice, leaving patients without their loved ones beside them. Since neurological patients are already considered vulnerable due to physical, and sometimes cognitive impairment, we urgently wished to investigate these circumstances to facilitate appropriate support.

Design

This study was conducted using a qualitative explorative design.

Methods

Fourteen patients with neurological disease were interviewed using a semi‐structured interview guide. Data were analysed through inductive thematic analysis.

Results

For most patients, being hospitalized during the COVID‐19 visitor ban was a painful experience with the potential to negatively influence both their mental and physical health.
Metabolic adaptation after combined resistance and aerobic exercise training in older women
Authors: Martins Catia , Gower Barbara , Hunter Gary R.
Published: June 2022

Objective

This study investigated whether combined aerobic and resistance training in older women leads to metabolic adaptation.

Methods

A total of 80 women (64 White individuals; BMI: 30.0 [4.4] kg/m2; age: 64.8 [3.5] years) followed 32 weeks of aerobic and resistance training. Body weight/composition (dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry) and resting metabolic rate (RMR; indirect calorimetry) were measured at baseline, week 16, and week 32. Metabolic adaptation was defined as significantly lower measured versus predicted RMR. A regression model to predict metabolic adaptation was developed that included race, age, baseline fat‐free mass, RMR and respiratory quotient, and changes in net submaximal oxygen consumption after different tasks.

Results

There was significant metabolic adaptation at week 16 (−59 [136] kcal/d, p = 0.002), following a 640‐kcal/wk energy loss (−0.7 [2.6] kg of weight loss). In 53 women with complete data, metabolic adaptation was seen both at week 16 (−64 [129] kcal/d, p = 0.001) and at week 32 (−94 [127] kcal/d, p < 0.001). Metabolic adaptation at week 16 was predicted by race, age, baseline fat‐free mass, RMR and respiratory quotient, and change in net oxygen consumption of walking (R2 adjusted = 0.90, p < 0.001). Similar results were seen at week 32.

Conclusions

In older women with overweight and obesity, a minimal energy deficit induced by aerobic and resistance exercise is associated with metabolic adaptation at the level of RMR.
Hybridisation of institutional logics and civil society organisations' advocacy in Kenya
Authors: Kumi Emmanuel , Saharan Tara
Published: June 2022

Managerialist logic has become dominant in development policy and practice. However, in recent years, the Dutch government is seeking to adopt social transformation approaches to development interventions. The implementation of social transformation ideas takes place in an environment dominated by managerialism. However, our understanding of how the logic of social transformation and managerialism collide or come into conflict and the pathways through which the managerialist principles dominate the social transformation principles is limited. Drawing on qualitative data from the Strategic Partnerships (SP) and Accountability Fund (AF) policy instruments for civil society organisations in Kenya, we find that in practice, the social transformation principles underpinning the SP and AF ‘vaporise’ or get lost during implementation due to the wider aid system within which they are embedded. We highlight the implications of the broader aid system on attempts by donor agencies to shift from managerialism towards a social transformation perspective on development.
Hierarchical structure and properties of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) microporous films fabricated via thermally‐induced phase separation (TIPS): Effect of presence of ultra‐high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE)
Authors: Yang Bin , Wang Shun , Ding Mengya , Wang Chengjun , Lv Cheng , Wang Yang , Yang Yuqing , Zhang Nuo , Shi Zhiqiang , Qian Jiasheng , Xia Ru , Fang Yirong
Published: June 2022

In this study, HDPE/UHMWPE microporous films were prepared by blending UHMWPE and HDPE with DOP as the diluent via thermally‐induced phase separation (TIPS) method. Morphological studies showed that the phase separation mode of the mixed systems was hardly changed in the presence of UHMWPE. Both average pore size and porosity of the blend films increased firstly and then decreased with increasing UHMWPE content. When UHMWPE content reached 1.5 wt%, both porosity and average pore size of the film reached their maximum values (with a porosity of 84.8% and an average pore size of 0.79 μm). The addition of UHMWPE was found to not only enhance the thermal stability of the HDPE/UHMWPE blend films, but also greatly reduce their thermal shrinkage rate as well as the closed cell temperature, which made the diaphragms containing UHMWPE have good prospect for the application in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs).
Pain, depressive symptoms, and health‐related quality of life among survivors of pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant
Authors: Klages Kimberly L. , Chardon Marie L. , Drake Sarah N. , Myers Kasiani C. , Morrison Caroline F. , Pai Ahna L. H.
Published: June 2022

Objective

Pediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HCT) is an intensive medical procedure associated with significant late effects, of which pain is a prominent example. While pain is associated with increased depressive symptoms and health‐related quality‐of‐life (HRQoL) impairments in other pediatric chronic illness populations, associations between these variables are not well understood in pediatric HCT. Clarifying these associations may inform clinical interventions to improve health outcomes following pediatric HCT. This study aimed to investigate the relations between pain intensity, depressive symptoms, and HRQoL in survivors of pediatric HCT.

Method

Fifty‐one survivors of pediatric HCT (Mage = 14.3 years, standard deviation [SD] = 4.3; 58.8% male; 80.4% White) completed self‐report measures of pain intensity, depressive symptoms, and HRQoL. Demographic and disease information was collected via demographic forms and medical record review. Path analysis was used to examine hypothesized associations between pain intensity, depressive symptoms, and HRQoL.

Results

Analyses revealed direct effects of pain intensity on depressive symptoms (estimate [Est.] = .23, p < .001) and HRQoL (Est. = −.2, p = .04), and direct effects of depressive symptoms on HRQoL (Est. = −.68, p < .001). Depressive symptoms also mediated the relationship between pain intensity and HRQoL (Est. = −.16, p = .006).

Conclusions

Greater pain intensity was associated directly with increased depressive symptoms and indirectly with HRQoL through depressive symptoms. Results of this study suggest that multitargeted cognitive behavioral interventions that address pain and depressive symptoms may improve HRQoL ratings in survivors of pediatric HCT.
The impact of hiring a full‐time fertility navigator on fertility‐related care and fertility preservation at a pediatric institution
Authors: Wright Mariah L. , Theroux Charleen I. , Olsavsky Anna L. , DaJusta Daniel , McCracken Kate A. , Hansen‐Moore Jennifer , Yeager Nicholas D. , Whiteside Stacy , Audino Anthony N. , Nahata Leena
Published: June 2022

Fertility navigators (FNs) are important in communicating infertility risk and fertility preservation (FP) options to patients receiving gonadotoxic therapies. This retrospective study examined electronic medical records of patients with fertility consults at a large pediatric institution (2017–2019), before and after hiring a full‐time FN. Of 738 patient encounters, 173 consults were performed pre‐navigator and 565 post‐navigator. Fertility consults for long‐term follow‐up cancer survivors increased most substantially: pre‐navigator (n = 7) and post‐navigator (n = 387). Across diagnoses, females had a larger increase in consults compared to males (χ2[3, N = 738] = 8.17, p < .05). Findings highlight FNs’ impact on counseling rates, particularly in survivorship.
Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T‐cell lymphoproliferative disorder in children: A case report and review of the literature
Authors: Plumptre Isabella R. , Said Jordan T. , Sheu Song Johanna , Corey Kristen , LeBoeuf Nicole R.
Published: June 2022

Primary cutaneous CD4+ small/medium T‐cell lymphoproliferative disorder (PCSM‐TCLPD) is a rare benign lymphoproliferative disorder, recently redefined by the 2016 World Health Organization classification of lymphoid neoplasms. In adults, PCSM‐TCLPD responds well to monotherapy with surgical excision or local radiation, with or without topical/injected corticosteroids; in contrast, PCSM‐TCLPD has only rarely been reported in children, in whom treatments favored in adults may be non‐optimal. We present a 14‐year‐old male with PCSM‐TCLPD on the forehead, who achieved complete remission following biopsy, topical corticosteroids, and surgical excision. We also review all literature‐reported cases of pediatric PCSM‐TCLPD, emphasizing the disorder's benign nature and treatment responsiveness in children.
A sensitive and inexpensive high‐resolution melting‐based testing algorithm for diagnosis of transient abnormal myelopoiesis and myeloid leukemia of Down syndrome
Authors: Camargo Ricardo , de Castro Moreira dos Santos Agenor , Cândido Guido Bruna , Lemos Mendanha Cavalcante Larissa , Silva Dias Anna Carolina , Mendonça de Pontes Robéria , Magalhães Furtado Felipe , Feitosa Salviano Cristiane , Tiziani Valdenize , Martins Córdoba José Carlos , Quezado Magalhães Isis Maria
Published: June 2022

Patients with Down syndrome (DS) are commonly affected by a pre‐leukemic disorder known as transient abnormal myelopoiesis (TAM). This condition usually undergoes spontaneous remission within the first 2 months after birth; however, in children under 5, 20%–30% of cases evolve to myeloid leukemia of Down syndrome (ML‐DS). TAM and ML‐DS are caused by co‐operation between trisomy 21 and acquired mutations in the GATA1 gene. Currently, only next‐generation sequencing (NGS)‐based methodologies are sufficiently sensitive for diagnosis in samples with small GATA1 mutant clones (≤10% blasts). Alternatively, this study presents research on a new, fast, sensitive, and inexpensive high‐resolution melting (HRM)‐based diagnostic approach that allows the detection of most cases of GATA1 mutations, including silent TAM. The algorithm first uses flow cytometry for blast count, followed by HRM and Sanger sequencing to search for mutations on exons 2 and 3 of GATA1. We analyzed 138 samples of DS patients: 110 of asymptomatic neonates, 10 suspected of having TAM, and 18 suspected of having ML‐DS. Our algorithm enabled the identification of 33 mutant samples, among them five cases of silent TAM (5/110) and seven cases of ML‐DS (7/18) with blast count ≤10%, in which GATA1 alterations were easily detected by HRM. Depending on the type of genetic variation and its location, our methodology reached sensitivity similar to that obtained by NGS (0.3%) at a considerably reduced time and cost, thus making it accessible worldwide.
Defining vascular anomaly phenotypes in children based on a systematic literature search: A critical step in developing a single severity score for interventional clinical trials
Authors: Gariépy‐Assal Laurence , Dubois Josée , Zwicker Kelley , Pincivy Alix , Powell Julie , Zhang Yang , Breakey Vicky , Price Victoria , Brandão Leonardo R. , Carcao Manuel , Kleiber Niina
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Genetically targeted drugs in vascular anomalies (VA) are used despite the absence of a validated severity score. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of grouping phenotypic VA clinical characteristics into a single severity score.

Methods

A systematic literature review including children treated with sirolimus accompanied by a detailed description of phenotype and management was conducted. Demographic data and clinical features were extracted to define distinct categories of phenotypes.

Results

Children with VA display two main phenotypes regardless of VA subtype, which may overlap. A systemic phenotype results from direct invasion and compression of vital structures generally leading to hospitalization and aggressive management in infancy. A functional phenotype is associated with chronic pain and disability manifesting mainly during early adolescence and managed in the outpatient setting.

Conclusion

The two distinct phenotypes described could be the basis for developing a unified scoring system for VA severity assessment.
Physical, mechanical, and antibacterial properties of Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract and graphene oxide incorporated corn starch nanocomposite films
Authors: Aydin Gulsum , Yildiz Mualla
Published: June 2022

The utilization of eco‐friendly and biodegradable natural biopolymers is globally expanding due to environmental problems caused by non‐degradable synthetic polymers. This study examined the physical, mechanical, and antibacterial properties of corn starch‐based films incorporated with Hibiscus sabdariffa L. extract (HE) and different concentrations (0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt% of starch) of graphene oxide (GO). The addition of HE and GO into the starch matrix resulted in increased thickness, moisture content, solubility, and swelling degree in the composite films. FTIR spectrum proved intermolecular interactions among starch, HE, and GO. Moreover, SEM images showed that films presented a continuous surface without cracks and bubbles, without separation of phases between starch, HE, and GO verifying the compatibility of the constituents in the film matrix. On the other hand, the addition of the plant extract and GO significantly reduced the tensile strength of the films (except the film containing 0.5% GO) and increased the percentage of elongation at break. Furthermore, all films displayed strong antibacterial activity against both the Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. Obtained results suggest that the novel antibacterial starch films incorporated with HE and GO are promising to be used as wound dress or food coating.
Machine learning for improving high‐dimensional proxy confounder adjustment in healthcare database studies: An overview of the current literature
Authors: Wyss Richard , Yanover Chen , El‐Hay Tal , Bennett Dimitri , Platt Robert W. , Zullo Andrew R. , Sari Grammati , Wen Xuerong , Ye Yizhou , Yuan Hongbo , Gokhale Mugdha , Patorno Elisabetta , Lin Kueiyu Joshua
Published: June 2022

Purpose

Supplementing investigator‐specified variables with large numbers of empirically identified features that collectively serve as ‘proxies’ for unspecified or unmeasured factors can often improve confounding control in studies utilizing administrative healthcare databases. Consequently, there has been a recent focus on the development of data‐driven methods for high‐dimensional proxy confounder adjustment in pharmacoepidemiologic research. In this paper, we survey current approaches and recent advancements for high‐dimensional proxy confounder adjustment in healthcare database studies.

Methods

We discuss considerations underpinning three areas for high‐dimensional proxy confounder adjustment: (1) feature generation—transforming raw data into covariates (or features) to be used for proxy adjustment; (2) covariate prioritization, selection, and adjustment; and (3) diagnostic assessment. We discuss challenges and avenues of future development within each area.

Results

There is a large literature on methods for high‐dimensional confounder prioritization/selection, but relatively little has been written on best practices for feature generation and diagnostic assessment. Consequently, these areas have particular limitations and challenges.

Conclusions

There is a growing body of evidence showing that machine‐learning algorithms for high‐dimensional proxy‐confounder adjustment can supplement investigator‐specified variables to improve confounding control compared to adjustment based on investigator‐specified variables alone. However, more research is needed on best practices for feature generation and diagnostic assessment when applying methods for high‐dimensional proxy confounder adjustment in pharmacoepidemiologic studies.
The political origins of platform economy regulations. Understanding variations in governing Airbnb and Uber across cities in Switzerland
Authors: Benli‐Trichet Marine C. , Kübler Daniel
Published: June 2022

In the past decade, digital platforms have entrenched themselves within key urban sectors, opening the way for radical changes in traditional industries. Along with new opportunities for city residents, globally operating platforms such as Airbnb and Uber also raised specific challenges, sparking calls for adequate responses by city governments around the world. The aim of this paper is to explain the diversity of regulations across cities. Holding constant national factors, we conducted comparative case studies in six Swiss cities (Zurich, Geneva, Davos, Montreux, Aarau, and Neuchâtel) to investigate political processes leading to local regulations of Airbnb and Uber. Four crucial factors shape regulatory trajectories. First, intensity of platform‐related issues in cities is key in shaping the stringency of regulatory responses. Second, grassroots and political mobilization plays a role: where these issues become politically salient, regulations are stricter. Third, the inscription of platform‐related issues on a city's institutional agenda tends to produce stricter regulatory responses. Finally, local governments tend to adopt a stricter control over platforms in cities where relevant urban sectors are already highly regulated. We conclude that the varying stringency of governmental responses to the platform economy lays in the dynamics of politicization from which they emerged.
Structure and activity of a bacterial defense‐associated 3′‐5′ exonuclease
Authors: Liang Qishan , Richey Sara T. , Ur Sarah N. , Ye Qiaozhen , Lau Rebecca K. , Corbett Kevin D.
Published: June 2022

The widespread CBASS (cyclic oligonucleotide‐based anti‐phage signaling system) immune systems in bacteria protect their hosts from bacteriophage infection by triggering programmed cell death. CBASS systems all encode a cyclic oligonucleotide synthase related to eukaryotic cGAS but use diverse regulators and effector proteins including nucleases, phospholipases, and membrane‐disrupting proteins to effect cell death. Cap18 is a predicted 3′‐5′ exonuclease associated with hundreds of CBASS systems, whose structure, biochemical activities, and biological roles remain unknown. Here we show that Cap18 is a DEDDh‐family exonuclease related to the bacterial exonucleases RNase T and Orn and has nonspecific 3′‐5′ DNA exonuclease activity. Cap18 is commonly found in CBASS systems with associated CapW or CapH+CapP transcription factors, suggesting that it may coordinate with these proteins to regulate CBASS transcription in response to DNA damage. These data expand the repertoire of enzymatic activities associated with bacterial CBASS systems and provide new insights into the regulation of these important bacterial immune systems.
Knockdown of hexokinase in Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) by RNAi inhibits chitin synthesis and leads to abnormal phenotypes
Authors: Yang Shan , Zou Zhiwen , Xin Tianrong , Cai Shiyu , Wang Xi , Zhang Huijie , Zhong Ling , Xia Bin
Published: June 2022

Background

Silencing specific genes in pests using RNA interference (RNAi) technology is a promising new pest‐control strategy. The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, is the most important citrus pest because it transmits Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, which causes huanglongbing. Chitin is essential for insect development, and enzymes in this pathway are attractive targets for pest control.

Results

The hexokinase gene DcHK was characterized from D. citri to impair proper growth and chitin synthesis through RNAi. The transcription of DcHK was more highly developed in third‐instar nymphs, adults and the Malpighian tube. The RNAi needed for D. citri is dose‐dependent, with 600 ng μl−1 dsDcHK sufficient to knockdown endogenous DcHK expression. The messenger RNA (mRNA) level was lowest at 36 h after dosing, and there were significant effects on the relative levels of mRNA in the chitin synthesis pathway (DcTre, DcG6PI, DcGNAT, DcGFAT, DcPGM, DcUAP and DcCHS), leading to mortality, reduced body weight and abnormal or lethal phenotypes.

Conclusion

RNAi can be triggered by orally delivered double‐stranded RNA in D. citri. These results can provide support for HK genes as a new potential target for citrus psyllid control. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Development of a new SPE UPLC–MS/MS method for extraction and quantitation of toluene diamine on gloves following toluene diisocyanate exposure
Authors: Daoud Asma , Cloutier Pierre‐Luc , Gagné Sébastien , Breau Livain , Lesage Jacques
Published: June 2022

Rationale

Toluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a highly reactive isocyanate commonly used as a mixture of 2,4‐ and 2,6‐ isomers in the production of flexible foams. Exposure to TDI occurs primarily through vapour inhalation in workplaces where TDI is produced or used, but dermal exposure is also possible during some tasks. To ensure workplace safety, accurate monitoring of TDI and toluene diamine (TDA) levels is required. Methods of quantifying field effectiveness of gloves in preventing dermal exposure have not been established. Therefore, there is a need to develop a new practical method for assessing glove effectiveness for TDI/TDA.

Method

A new offline SPE UPLC–MS/MS method for the quantitation of TDA isomers from TDI‐exposed gloves was developed. Gloves were dipped in a solution of 1% acetic acid leading to a full conversion to TDA. TDA‐free amine compounds were derivatized with acetic anhydride to increase chromatographic retention and signal intensity.

Results

2,4‐Diaminotoluene‐α, α, α‐d3 (2,4‐d3‐TDA) was selected as a surrogate standard to minimise the variability in sample preparation and instrumental sensitivity. The choice of UPLC–MS/MS operated in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode allowed to reach much lower limits of detection (LOD). The LOD of the method was 6.86 and 2.83 ng/mL (0.03 and 0.01 μg) for 2,6‐TDA and 2,4‐TDA, respectively. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 22.85 and 9.42 ng/mL (0.11 and 0.05 μg) for 2,6‐TDA and 2,4‐TDA, respectively.

Conclusion

A new UPLC–MS/MS analytical method has been developed to determine field effectiveness of gloves for preventing dermal exposure to TDI/TDA. The new technique overcomes some limitations for measuring putative dermal exposure to isocyanates and may be useful in exposure monitoring and future research on isocyanate health risks.
4‐Mercaptobenzoic acid‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for sensitive quantification of cesium and strontium in drinking water
Authors: Shao Wenya , Sun Ying , Su Hang , Sun Qianqian , Lin Zian
Published: June 2022

Rationale

Cesium ions (Cs+) and strontium ions (Sr2+), which enter the human body mainly through drinking water, are an important determinant of health. They are widely distributed on Earth and extremely soluble in water. In order to assist assessment of the drinking safety, it was essential to develop a rapid analytical method for quantification. We have established a 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA)‐based matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) method for the rapid detection and sensitive quantification of Cs+ and Sr2+ in the aqueous environment.

Methods

Using MBA as the matrix, the rapid detection and quantification for Cs+ and Sr2+ were conducted by MALDI‐TOF‐MS. At first, the concentration of MBA was optimized. Then, salt tolerance, detection limit and reproducibility of this method were evaluated by standard solutions. Finally, the calibration curves were constructed and applied to the rapid determination of Cs+ and Sr2+ in six commercially available bottled waters for drinking.

Results

For the MBA‐assisted MALDI‐TOF‐MS method, the optimal concentration of MBA was 2 mg/mL. The signal‐to‐noise (S/N) ratio of Cs+ was up to 971 in 1000 mmol/mL NaCl solution. The detection limits of the method for Cs+ and Sr2+ were 3 pg/mL and 10 pg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, this developed method was applied to the rapid analysis of Cs+ and Sr2+ in six commercially available drinking waters, and the results correlated well with the results obtained from a validated inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) method.

Conclusions

The MBA‐assisted MALDI‐TOF‐MS method has high sensitivity, fast detection speed, less background interference, and high reproducibility in the analysis of Cs+ and Sr2+. Because of the physiological functions and general toxic effects, detection of Cs+ and Sr2+ in water is of major importance for drinking safety.
Robust control for a class of nonlinear systems with input constraints based on actor‐critic learning
Authors: Li Dongdong , Dong Jiuxiang
Published: June 2022

This article focuses on establishing a general robust actor‐critic online learning control structure for disturbed nonlinear continuous systems with input constraints. It enriches the existing studies for the robustness of input constraint systems. First, the problem of robust controller design is successfully transformed into optimal controller design, and this process is proven, in which a particular nonquadratic discount cost function is defined. Then, build two neural networks (NNs) to estimate the cost function together and update each other. In the update process of actor NN, a robust term related to the state is introduced, which can guarantee the system's stability during the online learning process, and the state information is more fully utilized. Furthermore, using Lyapunov's direct method, it is proved that the estimated weights of the closed‐loop optimal control system and the actor‐critic NNs are uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB). It also provides extended discussions and a simulation example to demonstrate the robustness verification results of the novel algorithm.
Building information modeling‐based 3D reconstruction and coverage planning enabled automatic painting of interior walls using a novel painting robot in construction
Authors: Zhou Yang , Li Peng , Ye Zefeng , Yue Linzhu , Gui Linhai , Jiang Xin , Li Xiang , Liu Yun‐hui
Published: June 2022

Due to the lack of experienced labor and high‐quality requirements, interior painting task calls for robotic solutions in the construction field. This paper presents a robotic system aiming for the automatic interior wall painting task. The new painting robot comprises an omnidirectional mobile base and a seven degrees‐of‐freedom (7‐DOF) redundant manipulator consisting of a 6‐DOF robot arm and a 1‐DOF lifting mechanism to make the painting task more flexible. Further, a building information modeling‐based three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction approach is used to obtain the complete 3D model of all walls in the interior environment for automatic painting. Moreover, we propose a two‐stage coverage planning framework to automatically generate optimal mobile base paths and manipulator trajectories to paint the walls. In the proposed framework, the global planner plans the painting waypoints sequence optimally. The local planner generates the mobile base poses by a new evaluation function which both ensures coverage of all painting waypoints and optimizes robot paths length. The results of field tests showed that the whole painting robot system has high environment adaptability to paint interior walls automatically. Furthermore, the planning results can significantly reduce total robot paths length compared with the previous studies. The painting robot can automatically finish a painting of 46.3  in 59.3 min, and this performance verifies the proposed design and algorithms.
Bioavailability of phosphorus to loblolly pine and red maple in clay and saprolite from the southeastern Piedmont, USA
Authors: Wang Zhine , Thompson Aaron , Sutter Lori , Markewitz Daniel
Published: June 2022

Soil P is present in multiple forms through the profile with plants potentially accessing different P pools at different depths through distinct pathways. Understanding P pool distribution and dynamics is necessary for sustainable forest management. Our research investigates soil P dynamics in clay (at 60–100 cm depth) and saprolite (at 450–500 cm depth) of the Calhoun Critical Zone Observatory (CCZO) in South Carolina through a 1‐yr greenhouse planting of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and red maple (Acer rubrum L.). We compared total plant P uptake to changes in soil P pools defined by Mehlich 3 (MIII) P, Hedley P, or total P fractions and to indices of potential iron (Fe) reduction and phosphatase activity as potential pathways of P release. We hypothesized that (a) the soil content of MIII P would be insufficient to meet plant demand; (b) ectomycorrhizal (EM) pine to differ from arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) maple in accessing organic P pools; and (c) Fe reduction to correlate with declines in NaOH P (associated with Fe‐bound P) with greater decreases in the Fe‐oxide‐rich clay layer. Our results indicated MIII extractable P is plant available but present in insufficient quantities to meet total demand. In Hedley P pools, resin Pi and NaOH Pi supplied the most P for plant growth, and stable P pools (concentrated HCl P and residual P) buffered losses from these P pools. Plant‐available P in these soils seems sufficient to meet long‐term plant demand particularly if deeply rooted trees grow into the saprolite that had higher available soil P supply.
Do ambitious entrepreneurs benefit more from training?
Authors: Kotha Reddi , (Bala) Vissa Balagopal , Lin Yimin , Corboz Anne‐Valérie
Published: June 2022

Research Summary

Does growth training help entrepreneurs scale‐up new ventures? Our field experiment answers this question using data from 181 Singapore‐based, early‐growth entrepreneurs drawn from a broad range of industry sectors. Treatment content focused on three growth‐catalyst tools relevant for formulating and executing innovation‐led growth: business‐model design, leveraging external networks, and building internal teams. Treatment format comprised interactive lecture sessions and workshops on these tools supplemented by personalized coaching in applying the tools to entrepreneurs' specific challenges. We find that ventures led by entrepreneurs that received training experienced sales growth of 72.5% compared to 30.3% for those in the control condition. Furthermore, ventures led by entrepreneurs with more ambitious growth expectations experienced sales growth of about 100% compared to 10% for those in the control condition.

Managerial Summary

We study how training in growth‐catalyst tools help entrepreneurs scale‐up new ventures. We focused on three tools relevant for formulating and executing innovation‐led growth: business‐model design, leveraging external networks, and building internal teams. The training format comprised lecture workshops and personalized coaching in applying the tools. Our quantitative findings confirm that entrepreneurs who attended the training increased their venture's sales revenue, and the more ambitious entrepreneurs increased their venture's sales revenue to a much greater degree. Illustrative interviews suggest these tools help entrepreneurs to reimagine their business, successfully access influential resource‐holders such as potential investors or customers, and persuade them by representing their business in a credible and succinct fashion. Our findings inform policymakers designing entrepreneurial training interventions on how participants' ambitions shapes intervention success.
Network orientation, organisational improvisation and innovation: An empirical examination
Authors: Zhang Ao , Zhang Weiyong
Published: June 2022

In today's highly competitive world market, businesses can hardly maintain their competitiveness without strong innovation abilities. In the past, many Chinese enterprises have enjoyed success through imitation. But to continue to succeed in a global marketplace, they must develop ambidextrous innovation abilities. The resource‐based theory eloquently posits that competitive advantage is associated with different and heterogeneous resources. To obtain such resources, firms must establish an external network to acquire necessary knowledge and skills. In this paper, we develop a theoretical model linking network orientation, organisational improvisation, ambidexterity and competitive tension. We postulate that organisational improvisation has a mediating effect and competitive tension is a moderator. Empirical results (N = 340) show that (1) network orientation leads to both exploratory and exploitative innovations, (2) the above effect is mediated by organisational improvisation and (3) competitive tension positively moderates the effect between network orientation and organisational improvisation.
Atrophic gastritis is inversely associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease in a twin register based study
Authors: Zhang Ji , Bellocco Rino , Franzén Joar , Zagai Ulrika , Magnusson Patrik K. E. , Ye Weimin
Published: June 2022

Background

The association between atrophic gastritis (AG) and symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) needs to be better assessed.

Objective

We aimed to study this association in a twin setting, controlling for genetic and familial factors, in addition to a range of known covariates.

Methods

We performed a co‐twin control study based on the Swedish Twin Registry, including confirmed monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins. AG was determined by the measurement of serum pepsinogen I (PGI) and pepsinogen II (PGII), with different cut‐off values. GERD was defined using a structured questionnaire, by questions on symptoms of heartburn, acid regurgitation, pain behind the breastbone, and drug history. Patients were grouped into total GERD, less frequent (<1/week), and frequent GERD (≥1/week).

Results

A total of 12,533 twins were included in the study, among whom 37.7% showed less frequent GERD, and 18.7% had frequent GERD. There was an inverse association between AG and GERD, especially for frequent GERD. When PGI<30 was used as cut‐off value for AG, the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.52 (0.44, 0.62). When PGI<70 and PGI/PGII<3 was used as cut‐off value for AG, the OR (95% CI) was 0.53 (0.46, 0.63). A risk reduction for GERD was also observed in AG patients when the analysis was restricted in MZ or DZ twins.

Conclusion

In this co‐twin control study from the Swedish Twin Register, AG is persistently associated with a reduced risk for GERD, after controlling for genetic and shared familial factors.
Development and diseases of the coronary microvasculature and its communication with the myocardium
Authors: Neffeová Kristýna , Olejníčková Veronika , Naňka Ondřej , Kolesová Hana
Published: June 2022

We review the current understanding of formation and development of the coronary microvasculature which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the heart myocardium and removes waste. We emphasize the close relationship, mutual development, and communication between microvasculature endothelial cells and surrounding cardiomyocytes. The first part of the review is focused on formation of microvasculature during embryonic development. We summarize knowledge about establishing the heart microvasculature density based on diffusion distance. Then signaling mechanisms which are involved in forming the microvasculature are discussed. This includes details of cardiomyocyte—endothelial cell interactions involving hypoxia, VEGF, NOTCH, angiopoietin, PDGF, and other signaling factors. The microvasculature is understudied due to difficulties in its visualization. Therefore, currently available imaging methods to delineate the coronary microvasculature in development and in adults are discussed. The second part of the review is dedicated to the importance of the coronary vasculature in disease. Coronary microvasculature pathologies are present in many congenital heart diseases (CHD), especially in pulmonary atresia, and worsen outcomes. In CHDs, where the development of the myocardium is impaired, microvasculature is also affected. In adult patients coronary microvascular disease is one of the main causes of sudden cardiac death, especially in women. Coronary microvasculature pathologies affect myocardial ischemia and vice versa; myocardial pathologies such as cardiomyopathies are closely connected with coronary microvasculature dysfunction. Microvasculature inflammation also worsens the outcomes of COVID‐19 disease. Our review stresses the importance of coronary microvasculature and provides an overview of its formation and signaling mechanisms and the importance of coronary vasculature pathologies in CHDs and adult diseases.

This article is categorized under:

Cardiovascular Diseases > Stem Cells and Development

Congenital Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology

Cardiovascular Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Conclusions and Recommendations
Authors: Ceccato Vania , Abraham Jonatan
Published: June 2022

This chapter outlines our conclusions and recommendations for future research. We link our recommendations of research on crime and safety to the most pressing sustainability issues following the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.
Current Knowledge on Crime and Safety in Rural Areas
Authors: Ceccato Vania , Abraham Jonatan
Published: June 2022

This chapter reports the growing body of literature on crime and safety in rural areas via a systematic review of four decades of publications, from 1980 to 2020. This chapter describes the review approach, which focused on English-language literature (in Scopus, JSTOR, and ScienceDirect) in the form of articles, books, and book chapters, and identified research themes. This chapter characterizes the research on crime and safety in rural areas; highlights some of the most prevalent themes, such as policing, crime prevention, and methodology; and emphasizes the importance of the interdisciplinary nature of the field.
Safety Perceptions in Rural Areas
Authors: Ceccato Vania , Abraham Jonatan
Published: June 2022

In this chapter, we adopt the overarching concept of “safety” to bring together the meaning of fear (of crime) and overall anxiety, as documented in the international literature and as expressed by those living in areas on the rural-urban continuum. Surveys and interviews of crime victims are often the basis for this type of research. Although victimization is influenced by gender and other individual characteristics, research has shown that it is the intersection of individual characteristics and other situational circunstances that determines an individual’s vulnerability to crime and fear of crime.
Prospects
Authors: Swan Jerry , Nivel Eric , Kant Neel , Hedges Jules , Atkinson Timothy , Steunebrink Bas
Published: June 2022

The failure of GOFAI created a vacancy for a new guiding philosophy for AI.
Where is My Mind?
Authors: Swan Jerry , Nivel Eric , Kant Neel , Hedges Jules , Atkinson Timothy , Steunebrink Bas
Published: June 2022

The research field of AI is concerned with devising theories, methods, and workflows for producing software artifacts which behave as intelligent subjects. Evidently, intelligence, as the property of an agent, is not of necessity inherited from the methods used to construct it: that a car has been assembled by robots does not make it a robot. Unfortunately, even this obvious distinction can sometimes be erased in some prominent published work. To wit: the statement, “an agent that performs sufficiently well on a sufficiently wide range of tasks is classified as intelligent” was recently published by DeepMind [273] to give context to a paper claiming to have developed “the first deep RL agent that outperforms the standard human benchmark on all 57 Atari games” [14]. This invites the inference that the range of the tasks (57 games) that have been achieved warrants calling the advertised agent ‘intelligent’. However, careful reading of the paper reveals that the authors have in fact developed 57 different agents. Granted, this was achieved using the same development method and system architecture, but 57 agents were nonetheless trained, rather than the claimed single agent. Here is a prime example of distilled confusion: a property (applicability to 57 tasks) of one construction method (instantiating the Agent57 system architecture) has just been ‘magically’ transferred to some 57 artifacts produced by the method.
Challenges for Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Swan Jerry , Nivel Eric , Kant Neel , Hedges Jules , Atkinson Timothy , Steunebrink Bas
Published: June 2022

Reinforcement learning was historically established as a descriptive model of learning in animals [234], [324], [32], [279] then recast as a framework for optimal control [331].
Multiple point criticality principle and Coleman-Weinberg inflation
Authors: Racioppi Antonio , Rajasalu Jürgen , Selke Kaspar
Published: June 2022

Abstract

We apply the multiple point criticality principle to inflationary model building and study Coleman-Weinberg inflation when the scalar potential is quadratic in the logarithmic correction. We analyze also the impact of a non-minimal coupling to gravity under two possible gravity formulation: metric or Palatini. We compare the eventual compatibility of the results with the final data release of the Planck mission.
Interactions of strings on a T-fold
Authors: Satoh Yuji , Sugawara Yuji
Published: June 2022

Abstract

We consider the interactions of strings on T-folds from the world-sheet point of view which are exact in α′. As a concrete example, we take a model where the internal torus at the SO(8) enhancement point is twisted by T-duality (T-folded), and compute the scattering amplitudes of a class of massless strings. The four-point amplitudes involving both twisted and untwisted strings are obtained in a closed form in terms of the hyper- geometric function. By their factorization, the three-point coupling of the twisted and untwisted strings is found to be suppressed by the chiral momenta along the internal torus, and quantized in integer powers of 1/4. The asymptotic forms of the four-point amplitudes in high-energy limits are also obtained. Our results rely only on general properties of the asymmetric orbifold by the T-duality twist and of the Lie algebra lattice from the symmetry enhancement, and thus may be extended qualitatively to more general T-folds.