bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Burden of disease in Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome: taking the patient’s perspective
Authors: Lehnerer Sophie , Herdick Meret , Stegherr Regina , Gerischer Lea , Stascheit Frauke , Stein Maike , Mergenthaler Philipp , Hoffmann Sarah , Meisel Andreas
Published: February 2024

Background

Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is an autoimmune-mediated neuromuscular disorder leading to muscle weakness, autonomic dysregulation and hyporeflexia. Psychosocial well-being is affected. Previously, we assessed burden of disease for Myasthenia gravis (MG). Here, we aim to elucidate burden of disease by comparing health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with LEMS to the general population (genP) as well as MG patients.

Methods

A questionnaire-based survey included sociodemographic and clinical data along with standardized questionnaires, e.g. the Short Form Health (SF-36). HRQoL was evaluated through matched-pairs analyses. Participants from a general health survey served as control group.

Results

46 LEMS patients matched by age and gender were compared to 92 controls from the genP and a matched cohort of 92 MG patients. LEMS participants showed lower levels of physical functioning (SF-36 mean 34.2 SD 28.6) compared to genP (mean 78.6 SD 21.1) and MG patients (mean 61.3 SD 31.8). LEMS patients showed lower mental health sub-scores compared to genP (SF-36 mean 62.7 SD 20.2, vs. 75.7 SD 15.1) and MG patients (SF-36 mean 62.7 SD 20.2, vs. 66.0 SD 18.). Depression, anxiety and fatigue were prevalent. Female gender, low income, lower activities of daily living, symptoms of depression, anxiety and fatigue were associated with a lower HRQoL in LEMS.

Discussion

HRQoL is lower in patients with LEMS compared to genP and MG in a matched pair-analysis. The burden of LEMS includes economic and social aspects as well as emotional well-being.

Trial Registration Information

drks.de: DRKS00024527, submitted: February 02, 2021, https://drks.de/search/en/trial/DRKS00024527.
Genetic and histological analysis intraplacental choriocarcinoma: a case report
Authors: Takano Natsuko , Takamura Masashi , Mizuno Yosuke , Mizuno Yumi , Tamaru Shunsuke , Nakamura Kohei , Soma Hiroaki , Kajihara Takeshi
Published: February 2024

We report on single case of intraplacental choriocarcinoma (IC) coexisting with feto-maternal hemorrhage from our hospital, a rare malignant tumor that occurs in the chorionic villous trophoblast. To investigate genetic and epigenetic changes to the carcinogenesis of IC, we employed cancer gene panel analysis and whole methylation analysis from a recent case of IC. By Short Tandem Repeats analysis, we confirmed that the tumor of present IC was derived from concurrent normal chorionic villous trophoblast cells. No mutation was found in 145 cancer-related genes. Meanwhile, amplification in MDM2 gene was observed. Furthermore, we observed deferentially methylated CpG sites between tumor and surrounding normal placenta in present IC case. These observations suggest that IC might be arisen as a result of aberrations of methylation rather than of DNA mutations. Further studies are needed to clarify association between aberrant methylation and choriocarcinogenesis.
A Multiparametric MRI-based Radiomics Model for Stratifying Postoperative Recurrence in Luminal B Breast Cancer
Authors: Xu Kepei , Hua Meiqi , Mai Ting , Ren Xiaojing , Fang Xiaozheng , Wang Chunjie , Ge Min , Qian Hua , Xu Maosheng , Zhang Ruixin
Published: February 2024

This study aims to develop an MRI-based radiomics model to assess the likelihood of recurrence in luminal B breast cancer. The study analyzed medical images and clinical data from 244 patients with luminal B breast cancer. Of 244 patients, 35 had experienced recurrence and 209 had not. The patients were randomly divided into the training set (51.5 ± 12.5 years old; n = 171) and the test set (51.7 ± 11.3 years old; n = 73) in a ratio of 7:3. The study employed univariate and multivariate Cox regression along with the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression methods to select radiomics features and calculate a risk score. A combined model was constructed by integrating the risk score with the clinical and pathological characteristics. The study identified two radiomics features (GLSZM and GLRLM) from DCE-MRI that were used to calculate a risk score. The AUCs were 0.860 and 0.868 in the training set and 0.816 and 0.714 in the testing set for 3- and 5-year recurrence risk, respectively. The combined model incorporating the risk score, pN, and endocrine therapy showed improved predictive power, with AUCs of 0.857 and 0.912 in the training set and 0.943 and 0.945 in the testing set for 3- and 5-year recurrence risk, respectively. The calibration curve of the combined model showed good consistency between predicted and measured values. Our study developed an MRI-based radiomics model that integrates clinical and radiomics features to assess the likelihood of recurrence in luminal B breast cancer. The model shows promise for improving clinical risk stratification and treatment decision-making.
Topological deep learning: a review of an emerging paradigm
Authors: Zia Ali , Khamis Abdelwahed , Nichols James , Tayab Usman Bashir , Hayder Zeeshan , Rolland Vivien , Stone Eric , Petersson Lars
Published: February 2024

Topological deep learning (TDL) is an emerging area that combines the principles of Topological data analysis (TDA) with deep learning techniques. TDA provides insight into data shape; it obtains global descriptions of multi-dimensional data whilst exhibiting robustness to deformation and noise. Such properties are desirable in deep learning pipelines, but they are typically obtained using non-TDA strategies. This is partly caused by the difficulty of combining TDA constructs (e.g. barcode and persistence diagrams) with current deep learning algorithms. Fortunately, we are now witnessing a growth of deep learning applications embracing topologically-guided components. In this survey, we review the nascent field of topological deep learning by first revisiting the core concepts of TDA. We then explore how the use of TDA techniques has evolved over time to support deep learning frameworks, and how they can be integrated into different aspects of deep learning. Furthermore, we touch on TDA usage for analyzing existing deep models; deep topological analytics. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future prospects of topological deep learning.
From regional climate models to usable information
Authors: Jebeile Julie
Published: February 2024

Today, a major challenge for climate science is to overcome what is called the “usability gap” between the projections derived fromclimate models and the needs of the end-users. Regional Climate Models (RCMs) are expected to provide usable information concerning a variety of impacts and for a wide range of end-users. It is often assumed that the development of more accurate, more complex RCMs with higher spatial resolution should bring process understanding and better local projections, thus overcoming the usability gap. In this paper, I rather assume that the credibility of climate information should be pursued together with two other criteria of usability, which are salience and legitimacy. Based on the Swiss climate change scenarios, I study the attempts at meeting the needs of end-users and outline the trade-off modellers and users have to face with respect to the cascade of uncertainty. A conclusion of this paper is that the trade-off between salience and credibility sets the conditions under which RCMs can be deemed adequate for the purposes of addressing the needs of end-users and gearing the communication of the projections toward direct use and action.
Meaning and subjectivity in the PISA mathematics frameworks: a sociological approach
Authors: Beccuti Francesco
Published: February 2024

Social institutions function not only by reproducing specific practices but also by reproducing discourses endowing such practices with meaning. The latter in turn is related to the development of the identities or subjectivities of those who live and thrive within such institutions. Meaning and subjectivity are therefore significant sociological categories involved in the functioning of complex social phenomena such as that of mathematical instruction. The present paper provides a discursive analysis centered on these categories of the influential OECD’s PISA mathematics frameworks. As we shall see, meaning as articulated by the OECD primarily stresses the utilitarian value of mathematics to individuals and to society at large. Furthermore, molding students’ subjectivities towards endorsing such articulation of meaning is emphasized as an educational objective, either explicitly or implicitly, as connected to the OECD’s definition of mathematical literacy. Therefore, the OECD’s discourses do not only serve to reproduce the type of mathematical instruction implied in the organization’s services concerning education, but also concomitantly provide a potentially most effective educational technology through which the demand of these very services may be reproduced.
OMI-based emission source classification in East China and its spatial redistribution in view of pollution control measures
Authors: Zara Marina , van der A Ronald , Ding Jieying , Stavrakou Trissevgeni , Boersma Folkert
Published: February 2024

This study aims to generate a satellite-based qualitative emission source characterization for the heavily polluted eastern part of China in the 2010–2016 time period. The applied source identification technique relies on satellite-based NOx and SO2 emission estimates by OMI, their SO2:NOx ratio, and the MIX anthropogenic emission inventory to distinguish emissions from different emission categories (urban, industrial, natural) and characterize the dominant source per 0.25° × 0.25° grid cell in East China. Overall, we find good agreement between the satellite- and emission inventory–based spatiotemporal distribution and characterization of the dominant emission sources in East China in 2010–2016. In 2010, the satellite measurements suggest an emission distribution less dominated by industrial areas, a somewhat larger role for urban/transportation areas and agricultural activities, and more natural emissions in the southern part compared to the bottom-up emission categorization. In 2016, more than half of the classified emission categories over East China have remained the same. At the same time, there is a notable increase of agricultural lands and decrease of areas dominated by industry/transportation in 2016, suggestive of an overall decrease in heavy air pollution in East China over the course of 7 years. This is likely attributed to the sustained efforts of the Chinese government to drastically improve the air quality, especially since 2013 when the National Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan was enacted. However, signs of urban expansion (urbanization) and rural–urban migration (“Go West” motion) stemmed from China’s rapid economic growth and labour demand are evident; escalating industrialization (even with cleaner means) and the urban population growth in East China resulted in stronger emissions from sources representing consumption and transportation which are strongly related to NO2 and PM10 pollution (rather than SO2) and are directly influenced by the population size. This resulted to a shift of the emissions from the east mainly to the north and northwest of East China. Overall, although the effectiveness of the Chinese environmental control policies has been successful, the air pollution problem remains an important concern.
Clinical outcomes of traumatic globe rupture in corneal graft patients
Authors: Figueiredo Francisco , Sandhu Jas , Shaw Michael
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study reports the mechanisms, complications and graft survival following sight-threatening traumatic globe rupture in patients having previously undergone corneal transplantation in the same eye.

Methods

A retrospective, observational, single-center consecutive cohort study at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK over a 20-year period. Medical records and Newcastle Corneal Transplantation Service electronic database (eNCTS) review was undertaken of all consecutive patients who underwent corneal transplantation with a history of traumatic globe rupture.

Main outcome measures include mechanism of injury, final best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA), graft survival and complications.

Results

A total of 921 keratoplasties were undertaken between 1997 and 2017 with 24 (3.0%) patients identified with a history of traumatic globe rupture.

A bimodal relationship of age and mechanism of trauma was observed. The mean age (SD) of individuals reporting cause as a fall was 71.5 (14.8) years, and 45.3 (20.8) years (P < 0.05) amongst individuals reporting accidental trauma or assault.

The pre- and post-trauma mean (SD) LogMAR BCDVA was 0.6 (0.9) and 1.7 (1.0), respectively (P = 0.001). The overall graft-failure rate was 60.9% (11 grafts) during a mean (SD) follow-up period of 3.5 (4.1) years. Globe rupture with lens damage was associated with poorer final BCDVA (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

This study represents the first published series from England for this type of patient cohort. Overall visual outcomes were poor with a bimodal relationship of age and mechanism of trauma. Worse prognostic factors included lens and posterior segment complications. Re-grafting in these select group of patients may prove valuable.
Improvement of the photoelectrical properties of chemical bath-deposited Sb2S3 thin films with low copper doping
Authors: Salinas-Beltrán Susana , Gaitán-Arevalo Juniet R. , González Luis A.
Published: February 2024

The chemical bath deposition method was used to prepare Cu-doped Sb2S3 thin films from complexes of Cu and Sb with triethanolamine. The as-deposited films with orange coloration had good adherence to the substrate. After an annealing treatment at 300 °C for 30 min in an Ar atmosphere, the resulting films acquired a brown color and exhibited the orthorhombic phase of Sb2S3 with the preferential growth of [hk0] grains. The Sb2S3 films were formed by rod-shaped nanoparticles, while the insertion of Cu ions in Sb2S3 promoted the formation of ribbon-like structures. The analysis of optical properties indicated the narrowing of bandgap energy from 1.9 to 1.8 eV due to the presence of Cu ions. In addition, the photoconductivity of the films increased from 8.3 × 10–6 to 30.5 × 10–6 Ω−1cm−1, while the photosensitivity factor was enhanced by more than 3 times. The performance of photovoltaic devices based on CdS/Sb2S3 and CdS/Cu:Sb2S3 heterojunctions were investigated. Compared with the device using a Sb2S3 layer, the one using a Cu-doped Sb2S3 layer exhibited an increase in open circuit voltage from 118.2 to 205 mV, short circuit current density from 0.14 to 0.34 mA/cm2 and conversion efficiency from 0.02 to 0.12%. The best performance was obtained by a photovoltaic device with a 500 nm Cu-doped Sb2S3 layer reaching an open circuit voltage of 226 mV, a short circuit current density of 0.94 mA/cm2 and conversion efficiency of 0.32%.
Region-Specific Variation in the Electrophysiological Responses of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) to Synthetic Sex Pheromone Compounds
Authors: Akinbuluma Mobolade D. , van Schaijk Renée A. H. , Roessingh Peter , Groot Astrid T.
Published: February 2024

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J.E. Smith), is a global pest that feeds on  > 350 plant species and causes major yield loses. Variation in the responses of S. frugiperda males to female sex pheromone compounds affects the detection, monitoring and management of the pest. We determined geographic variation in the responses of S. frugiperda males to four different doses of synthetic sex pheromone compounds using a gas chromatography-electroantennogram detector (GC-EAD). Furthermore, we disentangled regional populations into C- and R- mitotypes via molecular analysis of the cytochrome oxidase I gene, and measured their responses to the compounds. When comparing responses of males from Florida, Benin, Nigeria and Kenya, we found some regional differences in the responses of S. frugiperda males to the major compound, Z9-14:OAc and minor component Z9-12:OAc. However, we found no differences in male responses between the different African countries. All males showed significantly higher antennal responses to Z7-12:OAc than to E7-12:OAc. When comparing the mitotypes, we found that Florida R-type males showed higher responses to Z9-14:OAc, Z7-12:OAc and Z9-12:OAc than Benin R-type males, while C-type males from both regions responded equally to Z7-12:OAc. In addition, Florida R-type males showed higher responses to E7-12:OAc than Florida C-type males. Our study thus shows some differential physiological responses of S. frugiperda males towards the known sex pheromone compounds, including E7-12:OAc, but mostly in the different mitotypes. How these differences translate to field trap catches remains to be determined.
The pharmaco-epigenetics of hypertension: a focus on microRNA
Authors: Yaacoub Serge , Boudaka Ammar , AlKhatib Ali , Pintus Gianfranco , Sahebkar Amirhossein , Kobeissy Firas , Eid Ali H.
Published: February 2024

Hypertension is a major harbinger of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. It predisposes to higher rates of myocardial infarction, chronic kidney failure, stroke, and heart failure than most other risk factors. By 2025, the prevalence of hypertension is projected to reach 1.5 billion people. The pathophysiology of this disease is multifaceted, as it involves nitric oxide and endothelin dysregulation, reactive oxygen species, vascular smooth muscle proliferation, and vessel wall calcification, among others. With the advent of new biomolecular techniques, various studies have elucidated a gaping hole in the etiology and mechanisms of hypertension. Indeed, epigenetics, DNA methylation, histone modification, and microRNA-mediated translational silencing appear to play crucial roles in altering the molecular phenotype into a hypertensive profile. Here, we critically review the experimentally determined associations between microRNA (miRNA) molecules and hypertension pharmacotherapy. Particular attention is given to the epigenetic mechanisms underlying the physiological responses to antihypertensive drugs like candesartan, and other relevant drugs like clopidogrel, aspirin, and statins among others. Furthermore, how miRNA affects the pharmaco-epigenetics of hypertension is especially highlighted.
The two faces of hierarchy: CEO power and TMT learning diversity in technology venture innovation
Authors: Wesemann Henrik , Sirén Charlotta , He Vivianna Fang , Grichnik Dietmar , Wincent Joakim
Published: February 2024

The relationship between top management team (TMT) members’ learning behavior and the innovation strategy of technology ventures remains unclear, especially when complicated by social hierarchies within the team. We draw on organizational learning theory to theorize that diversity in TMT members’ learning behavior has both positive and negative latent effects that produce an inverted U-shaped relationship between TMT learning diversity and a firm’s radical innovation strategy. Building on the social hierarchy literature, we also suggest that CEO power moderates this relationship by altering the latent forces: structurally powerful CEOs neutralize the benefits of TMT learning diversity, turning the link between learning diversity and radical innovation strategy predominantly negative, whereas prestigiously powerful CEOs neutralize the costs of TMT learning diversity, turning its relationship with the firm’s radical innovation strategy predominantly positive. Longitudinal, multi-source data from 77 TMTs support our model. The findings contribute to the research on learning and social hierarchies by illustrating how hierarchies rooted in different sources of power have different effects on the relationship between TMT learning diversity and innovation strategy.
Measuring science and innovation linkage using text mining of research papers and patent information
Authors: Motohashi Kazuyuki , Koshiba Hitoshi , Ikeuchi Kenta
Published: February 2024

In this study, the text information of academic papers published by Japanese authors (about 1.7 million papers) and patents filed with the Japan Patent Office (about 12.3 million patents) since 1991 are used for analyzing the inter-relationship between science and technology. Specifically, a distributed representation vector using the title and abstract of each document is created, then neighboring documents to each are identified using the cosine similarity. A time trend and sector specific linkages within science and technology are identified by using the count of neighbor patents (papers) for each paper (patent). It is found that the science intensity of inventions (the number of neighbor papers for patents) increases over time, particularly for university/PRI patents and university–industry collaboration patents over the 30 years studied. As for university/PRI patents, the institutional reforms for the science sector (government laboratory incorporation in 2001 and national university incorporation in 2004) contributed to the interactions between science and technology. In contrast, the technology intensity of science (the number of neighbor patents by paper) decreases over time. It is also found that the technology intensity of life science papers is rather low, although they have a significant impact on subsequent patents. However, there are some scientific fields which are affected by technological developments, so that the state of science and innovation interactions is heterogeneous across the fields.
Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Liquorilactobacillus mali strains, isolated from Algerian food products, are producers of the postbiotic compounds dextran, oligosaccharides and mannitol
Authors: Zarour Kenza , Zeid Ahmed Fouad , Mohedano Mari Luz , Prieto Alicia , Kihal Mebrouk , López Paloma
Published: February 2024

Six lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from Algerian sheep’s milk, traditional butter, date palm sap and barley, which produce dextran, mannitol, oligosaccharides and vitamin B2 have been characterized. They were identified as Leuconostoc mesenteroides (A4X, Z36P, B12 and O9) and Liquorilactobacillus mali (BR201 and FR123). Their exopolysaccharides synthesized from sucrose by dextransucrase (Dsr) were characterized as dextrans with (1,6)-d-glucopyranose units in the main backbone and branched at positions O-4, O-2 and/or O-3, with d-glucopyranose units in the side chain. A4X was the best dextran producer (4.5 g/L), while the other strains synthesized 2.1–2.7 g/L. Zymograms revealed that L. mali strains have a single Dsr with a molecular weight (Mw) of ~ 145 kDa, while the Lc. mesenteroides possess one or two enzymes with 170–211 kDa Mw. As far as we know, this is the first detection of L. mali Dsr. Analysis of metabolic fluxes from sucrose revealed that the six LAB produced mannitol (~ 12 g/L). The co-addition of maltose–sucrose resulted in the production of panose (up to 37.53 mM), an oligosaccharide known for its prebiotic effect. A4X, Z36P and B12 showed dextranase hydrolytic enzymatic activity and were able to produce another trisaccharide, maltotriose, which is the first instance of a dextranase activity encoded by Lc. mesenteroides strains. Furthermore, B12 and O9 grew in the absence of riboflavin (vitamin B2) and synthesized this vitamin, in a defined medium at the level of ~ 220 μg/L. Therefore, these LAB, especially Lc. mesenteroides B12, are good candidates for the development of new fermented food biofortified with functional compounds.
Disrupted Tuzzerella abundance and impaired l-glutamine levels induce Treg accumulation in ovarian endometriosis: a comprehensive multi-omics analysis
Authors: Chen Yichen , Ye Lingfang , Zhu Jue , Chen Liang , Chen Huan , Sun Yuhui , Rong Yishen , Zhang Jing
Published: February 2024

Introduction

The microbial community plays a crucial role in the pathological microenvironment. However, the structure of the microbial community within endometriotic lesions and its impact on the microenvironment is still limited.

Methods

All 55 tissue samples, including ovarian ectopic (OEMs) and normal (NE) endometrium, were subjected to 16S rRNA sequencing, metabolomic and proteomic analysis.

Results

We found the abundance of Tuzzerella is significantly lower in OEMs compared to NE tissue (p < 0.01). We selected samples from these two groups that exhibited the most pronounced difference in Tuzzerella abundance for further metabolomic and proteomic analysis. Our findings indicated that endometriotic lesions were associated with a decrease in l-Glutamine levels. However, proteomic analysis revealed a significant upregulation of proteins related to the complement pathway, including C3, C7, C1S, CLU, and A2M. Subsequent metabolic and protein correlation predictions demonstrated a negative regulation between l-Glutamine and C7. In vitro experiments further confirmed that high concentrations of Glutamine significantly inhibit C7 protein expression. Additionally, immune cell infiltration analysis, multiplex immunofluorescence, and multifactorial testing demonstrated a positive correlation between C7 expression and the infiltration of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in ectopic lesions, while l-Glutamine was found to negatively regulate the expression of chemotactic factors for Tregs.

Conclusion

In this study, we found a clear multi-omics pathway alteration, “Tuzzerella (microbe)—l-Glutamine (metabolite)—C7 (protein),” which affects the infiltration of Tregs in endometriotic lesions. Our findings provide insights into endometriosis classification and personalized treatment strategies based on microbial structures.

Graphical abstract
Preclinical assessments of safety and tumorigenicity of very high doses of allogeneic human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Chin Sze-Piaw , Saffery Nik Syazana , Then Kong-Yong , Cheong Soon-Keng
Published: February 2024

Human umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have been widely investigated as a new therapeutic agent to treat injuries and inflammatory-mediated and autoimmune diseases. Previous studies have reported on the safety of low-dose infusion of hUC-MSCs, but information on the cell behaviour at higher doses and frequency of injection of the cells remains uncertain. The aim of the present study was to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of hUC-MSCs by Cytopeutics® (Selangor, Malaysia) from low to an extremely high dose in different monitoring periods in healthy BALB/c mice as well as assessing the tumorigenicity of the cells in B-NDG SCID immunocompromised mice. Umbilical cord from two healthy human newborns was obtained and the isolation of the hUC-MSCs was performed based on previous established method. Assessment of the cells at different doses of single or multiple administrations was performed on healthy BALB/c mice in dose range finding, sub-acute (7 d and 28 d) and sub-chronic periods (90 d). Tumorigenicity potential of Cytopeutics® hUC-MSCs was also evaluated on B-NDG immunocompromised mice for 26 wk. Single or multiple administrations of Cytopeutics® hUC-MSCs up to 40 × 106 cells per kilogramme of body weight (kg BW) were found to have no adverse effect in terms of clinical symptoms, haematology and other laboratory parameters, and histology examination in healthy BALB/c mice. hUC-MSCs were also found to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-α) in a dose-dependent manner. No sign of tumor formation was observed in B-NDG mice in the 26-wk tumorigenicity assessment. Single or multiple administration of allogenic Cytopeutics® hUC-MSCs was safe even at very high doses, is non-tumorigenic and did not cause adverse effects in mice throughout the evaluation periods. In addition, Cytopeutics® hUC-MSCs exhibited immunomodulatory effect in a dose-dependent manner.
From Integration Policies to Belonging: Local Integration Workers’ Boundary Construction Concerning Immigrants in Rural Areas
Authors: Enbuska Marja
Published: February 2024

The concept of integration implies an imbalance between people, where immigrants are those who are obligated to integrate into the society of a new country. Thus, I suggest that alongside of integration, the focus should be the process of belonging and to how different local actors participate in the belonging process. In this study, I examine how people who try to promote immigrants’ integration, namely local migration coordinators, project employees and volunteers, create immigrants’ belonging in rural Finland. The data consist of fourteen semi-structured interviews. My research questions are (1) What symbolic boundaries do local integration workers construct when they speak about immigrants and their integration? and (2) What kind of belonging do they (re)produce for immigrants through these boundaries? I argue that local integration workers establish a notion of belonging that follows the official, national integration policy on language, employment, active membership, and individual immigrants’ adaptation. However, they simultaneously expand the boundaries of belonging by highlighting the responsibility of the local community in the process, and by emphasising immigrants’ personal desires, individuality and experiences of a sense of being at home.
Maximizing ollie height by optimizing control strategy and skateboard geometry using direct collocation
Authors: Heinen Jan T. , Brockie Samuel G. , ten Broek Raymund , van der Kruk Eline , Moore Jason K.
Published: February 2024

The ollie is the base aerial human–board maneuver, foundational to most modern skateboarding tricks. We formulate and solve an optimal control problem of a two-dimensional simplified human model and a rigid body skateboard with the objective of maximizing the height of the ollie. Our solution simultaneously discovers realistic human-applied force trajectories and optimal board geometry. We accomplish this with a direct collocation formulation using a null seed initial guess by carefully modeling the discontinuous aspects of board–ground impact and foot–board friction. This leads to efficient and robust solutions that are 10 times more computationally efficient than prior work on similar problems. The solutions show that ollie height can increase 3% by decreasing the wheelbase and that a smaller board with a back-foot-dominated force strategy can give 12% higher ollies. Our model can be used to inform jump strategy and the effects of changes to the essential board geometry.
Previous Experience Matters: An in-Person Investigation of Expectations in Human–Robot Interaction
Authors: Rosén Julia , Lindblom Jessica , Lamb Maurice , Billing Erik
Published: February 2024

The human–robot interaction (HRI) field goes beyond the mere technical aspects of developing robots, often investigating how humans perceive robots. Human perceptions and behavior are determined, in part, by expectations. Given the impact of expectations on behavior, it is important to understand what expectations individuals bring into HRI settings and how those expectations may affect their interactions with the robot over time. For many people, social robots are not a common part of their experiences, thus any expectations they have of social robots are likely shaped by other sources. As a result, individual expectations coming into HRI settings may be highly variable. Although there has been some recent interest in expectations within the field, there is an overall lack of empirical investigation into its impacts on HRI, especially in-person robot interactions. To this end, a within-subject in-person study ($$N=31$$

N
=
31

) was performed where participants were instructed to engage in open conversation with the social robot Pepper during two 2.5 min sessions. The robot was equipped with a custom dialogue system based on the GPT-3 large language model, allowing autonomous responses to verbal input. Participants’ affective changes towards the robot were assessed using three questionnaires, NARS, RAS, commonly used in HRI studies, and Closeness, based on the IOS scale. In addition to the three standard questionnaires, a custom question was administered to capture participants’ views on robot capabilities. All measures were collected three times, before the interaction with the robot, after the first interaction with the robot, and after the second interaction with the robot. Results revealed that participants to large degrees stayed with the expectations they had coming into the study, and in contrast to our hypothesis, none of the measured scales moved towards a common mean. Moreover, previous experience with robots was revealed to be a major factor of how participants experienced the robot in the study. These results could be interpreted as implying that expectations of robots are to large degrees decided before interactions with the robot, and that these expectations do not necessarily change as a result of the interaction. Results reveal a strong connection to how expectations are studied in social psychology and human-human interaction, underpinning its relevance for HRI research.
The Impact of the Historic Policy to Ban Homosexuality in the UK Armed Forces: The Lived Experience of LGBT + Veterans
Authors: Osborne Alison K. , McGill Gill
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Until 12 January 2000, the UK Armed Forces retained a policy of discharging all gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender personnel under exemptive military laws. The so-called ‘gay ban’ was enforced with the rationale that homosexuality was incompatible with military service. Little research has explored the experiences of LGBT + veterans or the impact of the ‘gay ban’ policy.

Methods

In 2021, 15 LGBT + veterans who had been affected by the ‘gay ban’ participated in semi-structured interviews lasting around 90 minutes. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results

Five overarching themes were identified in exploring the experiences and impact of the ‘gay ban’ policy: LGBT + identity struggle; camouflage; intense investigative process; extraction, exclusion and loss; and the personal impact.

Conclusions

Serving in the UK Armed Forces during this homosexuality ban policy affected the social, health and well-being of LGBT + veterans. The necessity for LGBT + veterans to hide their sexual orientation and/or gender identity, the impact of investigations, loss of careers and alienation have led to long-term experiences of social isolation, loneliness due to barriers to connecting to others and difficulties around health and well-being.

Policy Implications

LGBT + veteran vulnerability and traumatic experiences need to be understood in the context of help-seeking behaviour and service provision. The implications for policy change include achieving health and social care equity in relation to access to support services. Support services need to ensure that there is an awareness of the impact of serving under the discriminatory ‘gay ban’ policy.
Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor Agonist Cases Reported to United States Poison Centers, 2017–2022
Authors: Gaw Christopher E. , Hays Hannah L. , Kemp Cydney A. , Kistamgari Sandhya , Spiller Henry A. , Rine Natalie I. , Rhodes Allison L. , Zhu Motao , Smith Gary A.
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) are a class of medications for management of diabetes and obesity. The objective of this study is to characterize the epidemiology of GLP-1RA cases reported to US poison centers.

Methods

We analyzed cases involving a GLP-1RA reported to the National Poison Data System during 2017–2022.

Results

There were 5,713 single-substance exposure cases reported to US poison centers involving a GLP-1RA. Most cases were among females (71.3%) and attributable to therapeutic errors (79.9%). More than one-fifth (22.4%) of cases were evaluated in a healthcare facility, including 0.9% admitted to a critical care unit and 4.1% admitted to a non-critical care unit. Serious medical outcomes were described in 6.2% of cases, including one fatality. The rate of cases per one million US population increased from 1.16 in 2017 to 3.49 in 2021, followed by a rapid increase of 80.9% to 6.32 in 2022. Trends for rates of serious medical outcomes and admissions to a healthcare facility showed similar patterns with 129.9% and 95.8% increases, respectively, from 2021 to 2022.

Conclusions

Most GLP-1RA cases reported to US poison centers were associated with no or minimal effects and did not require referral for medical treatment; however, a notable minority of individuals experienced a serious medical outcome or healthcare facility admission. The rate of reported cases increased during the study period, including an 80.9% increase from 2021 to 2022. Opportunities exist to improve provider and patient awareness of the adverse effects of these medications.
Navigating the 2021 ACPSEM ROMP workforce model: insights from a single institution
Authors: McCallum-Hee Broderick Ivan , Mukwada Godfrey
Published: February 2024

Workforce modelling for Radiation Oncology Medical Physicists (ROMPs) is evolving and challenging, prompting the development of the 2021 Australasian College of Physical Scientists and Engineers in Medicine (ACPSEM) ROMP Workforce (ARW) Model. In the exploration of this model at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, a comprehensive productivity exercise was conducted to obtain a detailed breakdown of ROMP time at a granular level. The results provide valuable insights into ROMP activities and enabled an evaluation of ARW Model calculations. The findings also capture the changing ROMP role as evidenced by an increasing involvement in consultation and advisory tasks with other professionals in the field. They also suggest that CyberKnife QA time requirements in the data utilised by the model may need to be revised. This study emphasises features inherent in the model, that need to be understood if the model is to be applied correctly.
Introducing a Newly Developed Computer Software to Analyze Fluid Transients in Pressurized Pipeline Systems
Authors: Uyanık Murat Cenk , Bozkuş Zafer
Published: February 2024

Changes in flow rates in pressurized pipeline systems, due to power loss in a pump, opening or closing of a valve, load rejection by a turbine, etc., may lead to unsteady conditions called fluid transients or water hammer in the pipeline, which, in turn, can lead to dangerous consequences. This potential phenomenon must be checked during the design phase of pipeline systems in order to prevent such dangerous situations. For this purpose, many software programs have been developed worldwide to analyze fluid transients. In this study, a computer software was developed that analyzes this type of flow in pipeline systems using C# programming language. In addition to simulating and solving problems in transient flows in pipeline systems, this will help the purpose of having a free domestic transient flow software for education and research purposes, avoiding expensive alternatives. The method of characteristics is used to solve the nonlinear, hyperbolic partial differential equations of unsteady pipe flow. The developed software was tested using various well-known benchmark cases for validation purposes. It was shown that the computed results of the new software are very similar to those obtained in the literature, proving the accuracy and reliability of the new program. In future studies, it is hoped that the program will be more comprehensive with more boundary conditions added to the program. In this paper, the developed program and some of its important features will be introduced, and validation of the program with certain benchmark studies will be provided.
Spatial distribution and migration pattern analysis of Erythroculter erythropterus utilizing a telemetry approach in relation to water quality in the Nakdong River basin
Authors: Lim J. Y. , Mamun Md , Kim J. Y. , An K.-G.
Published: February 2024

The fish Erythroculter erythropterus has been introduced to the Nakdong River. It is a top carnivore (growing to up to 1.5 m long) but is inedible. The population of Erythroculter erythropterus tends to increase in areas where mainstream flow is slowed by weirs, likely due to the creation of more favorable habitat conditions. Erythroculter erythropterus dominates the fish community, reducing the number of endemic and commercial fish. The South Korean government sought to eliminate the species, but the spread was too rapid, resulting in top-down biological disturbance. The species distributions and movement patterns of Erythroculter erythropterus are not well known and no management strategy is available. Here, we determined the distribution and migration patterns of Erythroculter erythropterus in the tributaries and mainstream of the Nakdong River and analyzed how the water chemistry and physical habitat affected these variables. We used a submersible ultrasonic receiver to collect signals from transmitters attached to fish and analyzed the migration pattern. Massive aggregations of this species were evident at depth. Erythroculter erythropterus dominated all study sites but was significantly (p < 0.05) more common in the mainstream (relative abundance [RA] = 12.2%) than in tributaries (RA = 1.45%). Water quality parameters significantly regulated the population; total organic carbon was the highest one (R2 = 0.71). The transmitters revealed massive congregations in the deepest water (− 17 m) during winter hibernation, which sheds light on how the fish can best be removed.
Towards a Holistic Definition of Post-pandemic Resilience: The Pacific Context
Authors: Elias Arun Abraham , Pepper Matthew , Singh Gurmeet
Published: February 2024

Post-pandemic resilience in the Pacific region presents some unique, context-specific, economic, social, environmental, and political challenges as well as opportunities. This study aims at developing a holistic definition of post-pandemic resilience in the Pacific context, based on the interconnected aspects and factors that contribute. As there is a gap in the literature for a holistic definition of post-pandemic resilience based on empirical studies from the Pacific Island countries, this study tries to plug that gap. Using a qualitative systems thinking approach, data was collected from primary and secondary sources including semi-structured interviews with ten senior leaders in the Pacific. This study first captures the multiple levels and different interconnected aspects of post-pandemic resilience in the Pacific and then presents a holistic definition. An analysis of the different papers published in this special issue based on this holistic definition and their contexts is also provided in this article. Overall, this study contributes to the literature and practice on post-pandemic resilience by developing a holistic definition using an empirical study based in the Pacific.
Associations Between Physical Characteristics and Golf Clubhead Speed: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis
Authors: Brennan Alex , Murray Andrew , Mountjoy Margo , Hellstrom John , Coughlan Dan , Wells Jack , Brearley Simon , Ehlert Alex , Jarvis Paul , Turner Anthony , Bishop Chris
Published: February 2024

Background

Historically, golf does not have a strong tradition of fitness testing and physical training. However, in recent years, both players and practitioners have started to recognise the value of a fitter and healthier body, owing to its potential positive impacts on performance, namely clubhead speed (CHS).

Objective

The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine the associations between CHS (as measured using a driver) and a variety of physical characteristics.

Methods

A systematic literature search with meta-analysis was conducted using Medline, SPORTDiscus, CINAHL and PubMed databases. Inclusion criteria required studies to have (1) determined the association between physical characteristics assessed in at least one physical test and CHS, (2) included golfers of any skill level but they had to be free from injury and (3) been peer-reviewed and published in the English language. Methodological quality was assessed using a modified version of the Downs and Black Quality Index tool and heterogeneity assessed via theQstatistic andI2. To provide summary effects for each of the physical characteristics and their associations with CHS, a random effects model was used wherez-transformedrvalues (i.e.zr) were computed to enable effect size pooling within the meta-analysis.

Results

Of the 3039 studies initially identified, 20 were included in the final analysis. CHS was significantly associated with lower body strength (zr = 0.47 [95% confidence intervals {CI} 0.24–0.69]), upper body strength (zr = 0.48 [95% CI 0.28–0.68]), jump displacement (zr = 0.53 [95% CI 0.28–0.78]), jump impulse (zr = 0.82 [95% CI 0.63–1.02]), jumping peak power (zr = 0.66 [95% CI 0.53–0.79]), upper body explosive strength (zr = 0.67 [95% CI 0.53–0.80]), anthropometry (zr = 0.43 [95% CI 0.29–0.58]) and muscle capacity (zr = 0.17 [95% CI 0.04–0.31]), but not flexibility (zr = − 0.04 [95% CI − 0.33 to 0.26]) or balance (zr =  − 0.06 [95% CI − 0.46 to 0.34]).

Conclusions

The findings from this meta-analysis highlight a range of physical characteristics are associated with CHS. Whilst significant associations ranged from trivial to large, noteworthy information is that jump impulse produced the strongest association, upper body explosive strength showed noticeably larger associations than upper body strength, and flexibility was not significant. These findings can be used to ensure practitioners prioritise appropriate fitness testing protocols for golfers.
A noise-robust voice conversion method with controllable background sounds
Authors: Chen Lele , Zhang Xiongwei , Li Yihao , Sun Meng , Chen Weiwei
Published: February 2024

Background noises are usually treated as redundant or even harmful to voice conversion. Therefore, when converting noisy speech, a pretrained module of speech separation is usually deployed to estimate clean speech prior to the conversion. However, this can lead to speech distortion due to the mismatch between the separation module and the conversion one. In this paper, a noise-robust voice conversion model is proposed, where a user can choose to retain or to remove the background sounds freely. Firstly, a speech separation module with a dual-decoder structure is proposed, where two decoders decode the denoised speech and the background sounds, respectively. A bridge module is used to capture the interactions between the denoised speech and the background sounds in parallel layers through information exchanging. Subsequently, a voice conversion module with multiple encoders to convert the estimated clean speech from the speech separation model. Finally, the speech separation and voice conversion module are jointly trained using a loss function combining cycle loss and mutual information loss, aiming to improve the decoupling efficacy among speech contents, pitch, and speaker identity. Experimental results show that the proposed model obtains significant improvements in both subjective and objective evaluation metrics compared with the existing baselines. The speech naturalness and speaker similarity of the converted speech are 3.47 and 3.43, respectively.