bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sustainable Development of Shared Mobility in China in Relation to the Privacy Paradox of Users
Authors: Li Yuqin , Guo Hanying
Published: April 2022

Shared mobility is an important part of a smart city transportation system. However, during the short period it has been in effect, privacy leakages have frequently occurred, and as travellers are increasingly paying attention to their privacy, leakages hinder the rapid development of shared mobility. Therefore, it is important to explore the origin of the privacy paradox in the context of shared mobility and propose some targeted measures for improvement. The privacy paradox has been attested in numerous studies, where, despite their obvious concern that their privacy will be compromised, users continued to adopt services that may compromise it. This study constructs a model for the privacy paradox based on the theory of planned behaviour, privacy calculus theory, and construal level theory. A questionnaire survey was conducted with 301 Chinese college students to quantitatively analyse the relationship between the main factors of users’ privacy paradox in the context of shared mobility. The study results showed that (a) the privacy paradox does exist in shared mobility among college students; (b) both perceived benefit and trust have a significant positive effect on near future disclosure intention, with trust being the prime motivator; (c) both privacy concern and perceived risk have significant negative effects on distant future disclosure intention, with privacy concern being the key ingredient; and (d) both near and distant future disclosure intentions have positive effects on privacy disclosure behaviour, with near future disclosure intention having a more significant influence. Further, to promote the healthy and sustainable development of China’s shared mobility industry, countermeasures and suggestions have been proposed for users, ride-sharing enterprises, and the government according to the research results.
Information Extraction and Spatial Pattern Analysis of Sports Events Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Zheng Quansheng
Published: April 2022

The analysis of sports events information greatly promotes the formulation of scientific development strategy for sports events, the optimization of the spatial distribution of these events, and the popularization of sports culture. Most of the previous studies focused on the positive effects on sports events, but few quantified the effects. Besides, the broad environment of new media information communication was not considered. Therefore, this study carries out information extraction and spatial pattern analysis of sports events based on deep learning. Firstly, the texts of sports events information were classified by convolutional neural network (CNN), and the most valuable news or cases of sports events were screened. On this basis, a named entity recognition model was constructed to extract the most effective information from the data of sports events information. Next, a spatial pattern analysis approach was provided for the diffusion of sports event information flow. Finally, experiments were carried out to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed model and provide the spatial pattern analysis results on the diffusion of sports events information flow.
Modeling Analysis of Improved Minimum Safe Following Distance under Internet of Vehicles
Authors: Luo Qiang , Ling Meining , Zang Xiaodong , Zhai Cong , Shao Liming , Yang Junheng
Published: April 2022

The development of the Internet of vehicles technology can improve the communication between vehicles, thereby changing the driving behavior of drivers. Therefore, the traditional safe-following model cannot accurately describe the driving behavior and needs to be improved accordingly. First, two key parameters (i.e., drivers’ reaction sensitivity and road friction coefficient) are obtained through a comprehensive comparative analysis of influencing factors on the Internet of vehicles environment. And the calculation methods of these two parameters are proposed by using the multilevel comprehensive weighted evaluation method and the BP neural network. Then, these two key parameters are used to improve the traditional minimum safety distance model for adapting to driving behavior under the Internet of vehicles environment. Finally, through setting up simulation experiments and comparative analysis, the relationship between different influencing factors and the minimum safe following distance is obtained, and the influence degree of different influencing factors is sorted. The most important factor affecting car-following safety is the drivers’ characteristics. It can provide strong theoretical support for the safe driving assistance system of vehicles.
Coevolutionary Framework-Based Constrained Multi-Objective Optimization for Optimal Carbon-Energy Combined Flow of a Power Grid
Authors: Pan Feng , Zhao Jingming , Yang Yuyao , Feng Haoyang , Cai Jiahui , Yu Tao
Published: April 2022

A new constrained multi-objective optimization coevolutionary algorithm (CCMO) based on the NSGA-II algorithm is proposed to cope with the efficient optimization of multiple objectives containing constraints in the optimal combined carbon-energy flow (OCECF). The algorithm improves the convergence of the population by evolving a new auxiliary population that shares effective information with the original population for weak cooperation, offering significant performance advantages. Applying the algorithm for reactive power control on two different-sized IEEE benchmark systems (IEEE-57 and IEEE-300 bus systems), respectively, minimizes carbon emissions and voltage deviations in the grid. Simulation results show that the CCMO algorithm has significant advantages in terms of the convergence speed and Pareto front.
Gut Microbiome Characteristics in Mothers and Infants According to the Presence of Atopic Dermatitis
Authors: Sung Myongsoon , Choi Yujin , Park Hyunjoon , Huh Chul Sung
Published: April 2022

Objective. The role of the gut microbiome in the onset and development of atopic dermatitis (AD) has been postulated. Thus, we investigated the gut microbial compositions in infants with and without AD and compared the gut bacterial flora of their mothers. Methods. The prospective and cross‐sectional study participated in 44 pairs of mothers and children. We selected infants born via full‐term normal vaginal delivery and no history of antibiotic or probiotic use and infection during the first three months of life. The 15 pairs, consisting of nine healthy infants and six AD infants, were included in this study. Fecal samples of mothers and infants were analyzed within 30 days of delivery and at 12 months, respectively. Microbes in the fecal samples of mothers and infants were subjected to analysis of 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. Results. The abundance of specific taxonomic groups was notably different, but microbial diversity and phylogenetic distances were not significantly different in either maternal or infant groups according to the presence of infant AD. A total of 12 species were selected as differential species in infants with AD compared to healthy infants. Six species were significantly different in the mothers of infants with AD compared to the mothers of healthy infants. Akkermansia muciniphila was only detected in healthy infants and their mothers. Conclusion. The presence of Akkermansia muciniphila in mothers and children after vaginal delivery is associated with the onset and development of AD.
Exclusion of Chromium(VI) Ion in Grueling Activated Carbon Fabricated from Manilkara zapota Tree Wood by Adsorption: Optimization by Response Surface Methodology
Authors: Sujatha S. , Sivarethinamohan R. , Oorkalan A. , Senthilkumar V. , Anuradha B. , Veluchamy B. , Prabhu P. , Abdellattif Magda H. , Dhahi Alsukaibi Abdulmohsen Khalaf
Published: April 2022

The current paper makes obvious the elimination of chromium(VI) ion, from wastewater via adsorption technique with activated carbon generated from Manilkara zapota tree (MZTWAC). Preliminarily MZTWAC has undergone characterization studies which uncovered the suitability of MZTWAC to expel chromium(VI) from aqueous solution. Batch adsorption experimentation was premeditated with the competence of central composite design (CCD) and it was executed. Response surface methodology (RSM) was the key optimization software to appraise the adsorptive chattels of MZTWAC engaged in removing chromium(VI) ion in aqueous solution which explored the interactions flanked between four expounding variables explicitly initial concentration of chromium(VI) ion, pH of the solution, MZTWAC dose and time of exposure, and contact time. The response variable that was concentrated in the study was adsorption capacity. It was deduced a polynomial in quadratic equation was documented amid the adsorption capacity and variables influencing the adsorption with R2 = 0.9792 which was projected as the best suit for the adsorption process. ANOVA that is expanded as analysis of variance judged the connotation of adsorption process variables. 0.2 g of MZTWAC dosage has removed 87.629% chromium(VI) from aqueous solution. The enhancement of adsorption process reclined on the attainment of maximum adsorption capacity which further depends on the optimization of variables under consideration. This criterion was accomplished by the desirability function optimizing the process variables.
Decreased Risk of Stroke in People Using Red Yeast Rice Prescriptions (LipoCol Forte®): a Total Population-Based Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Chang Chuen-Chau , Sun Mao-Feng , Chou Yi-Chun , Yeh Chun-Chieh , Hu Chaur-Jong , Cherng Yih-Giun , Chen Ta-Liang , Liao Chien-Chang
Published: April 2022

The influence of red yeast rice (RYR) on the risk of incident stroke remains underexplored. We aimed to compare the risk of stroke between people with and without use of RYR prescriptions. We used research data from the National Health Insurance Program in Taiwan and identified 34,723 adults (aged ≥20 years) who first received the RYR prescription from 2010 to 2014. To select the appropriate control group, we used frequency matching by age and sex (case-control ratio = 1 : 1) and identified a non-RYR cohort that included 34,723 adults who first received lovastatin. Events of an incident stroke that occurred during the follow-up period of 2010–2017 were identified from medical claims. The adjusted hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of stroke risk associated with RYR prescription were calculated in the multiple Cox proportional hazard model. Compared with the non-RYR cohort, patients who received RYR prescriptions had a decreased risk of stroke (HR 0.65, 95% CI 0.59–0.71), including hemorrhagic stroke (HR 0.60, 95% CI 0.44–0.83), ischemic stroke (HR 0.49, 95% CI 0.43–0.57), and other types of strokes (HR 0.53, 95% CI 0.42–0.67). The association between RYR prescription and stroke risk was significant in both sexes and in people aged more than 40 years, as well as in those individuals with various medical conditions. The frequency of RYR prescription (HR 0.57, 95% CI 0.50–0.64) was associated with a decreased risk of stroke with a dose-response relationship (p for trend<0.0001). This study showed a potentially positive effect of RYR on the risk of stroke. However, compliance with medication use should be cautioned. The findings of this study require future studies to validate the beneficial effects of RYR prescription on stroke risk.
Failure of Passive Transfer in Camel Calves: 4 Cases (2010-2019)
Authors: James Amanda , Smith Joe , Sheldon Julie , Videla Ricardo
Published: April 2022

Failure of passive transfer is a management concern for all ruminant species, but is not well described in the literature for camel calves. This case series presents four camel calves (Camelus dromedarius and Camelus bactrianus) referred to a North American veterinary teaching hospital for diagnosis and management of failure of passive transfer. Diagnostics utilized included hematology, serum biochemistry, and immunologic methods as described for crias. Management included antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and plasma transfusion therapies. Three of the four calves survived to discharge, and common diagnostic practices such as evaluation of total solids, total protein, immunoglobulin G, and sodium sulfite appear to be correlate to passive transfer status in these four calves. Xenotransfusion with llama plasma was well tolerated by two calves, and xenotransfusion with bovine plasma was well tolerated by an additional calf in this study. An additional work is necessary to develop validated breakpoints for diagnosis of passive transfer status in camel calves.
PPDRL: A Pretraining-and-Policy-Based Deep Reinforcement Learning Approach for QoS-Aware Service Composition
Authors: Yi Kan , Yang Jin , Wang Shuangling , Zhang Zhengtong , Ren Xiao
Published: April 2022

Service composition is a mainstream paradigm for rapidly constructing large-scale distributed applications. QoS-aware service composition, i.e., selection of the optimal execution plan that maximizes the composition’s end-to-end QoS properties, is an active area of research and development endeavors in service composition. In this paper, we propose PPDRL, a pretraining-and-policy-based deep reinforcement learning approach, to solve the QoS-aware service composition problem. Its significant feature is to incorporate a maximum likelihood estimate and a policy scoring mechanism into a deep reinforcement learning framework. As a result, our approach can balance the exploitation and exploration efforts adaptively and can search for the solution space in a robust and efficient manner. We have executed our approach to solve 6 randomly generated QoS-aware service composition problems with different sizes and structures based on QWS data set including 2,507 real Web services classified into 233 categories. The results indicate that our approach can find near-optimal solutions within moderate numbers of iteration and has performance superiority in comparison with five state-of-the-art algorithms.
Development and Analysis of Educational Virtual Reality System Using Static Image
Authors: Zhang Qian
Published: April 2022

With the rapid improvement of computer hardware performance, the price of computer and its ancillary equipment is also reduced. Virtual reality technology is a method of simulating the real world through the use of computers. It can meet the needs of situational and natural learning media interaction; so, it has a huge application potential in the field of education. Life is altered by technological advancements. The advent of virtual reality technology has opened up new avenues for traditional education. Its inception allows for the advancement and innovation of traditional teaching tools. Simultaneously, as a new teaching aid, it plays an important role in piquing students’ interest in learning and improving teaching effectiveness. In terms of simulation, it creates a three-dimensional world for users to interact with and reflect changes in physical objects in real time. Participants can get a sense of direct participation and exploration of the role and change of virtual objects in their environment by engaging in realistic perceptual behaviors such as viewing, listening, touching, and touching.
Real-Time Analysis of Youth Emotion Based on Python Language and Smart Sensor Network
Authors: Yan Qilin
Published: April 2022

Adolescents’ emotional changes will have a huge impact on themselves; perhaps, they do not understand themselves. However, according to research, many behaviors of adolescents are often accompanied by emotional changes, and the occurrence of these changes will also bring about their unconsciousness. This article first introduces the research background, significance, and development status of smart home sensors and young people’s emotions at home and abroad. This article then gives a detailed introduction to the Python language, intelligent sensor networks, and real-time analysis of youth emotions. In the introduction, it mainly explains the design of the intelligent sensor network system and introduces the system architecture and software and hardware design of the wireless sensor network in detail. In the hardware part, it mainly gives a brief overview of information collection, data transmission, and data processing. In the software part, the embedded software design of three types of network nodes and the control center software design based on Python are given. Finally, the neural network algorithm is used to realize the real-time analysis of young people’s emotions, and the recognition rate of multiple algorithms and the data situation of multiple emotional factors are tested at the same time. The results show that the highest recognition rate of 58.4% can be achieved on the validation set of the HAPPEI database after preprocessing, which is higher than the recognition result obtained by directly training the network using the training set of the HAPPEI database.
Application of Discrete Mathematical Model in Edge Distortion Correction of Moving Image
Authors: Xu Qingwei , Liu Zhoufeng
Published: April 2022

The existing edge distortion correction methods of moving images ignore the consistency of human subjective vision in the restoration process. Therefore, this study proposes an edge distortion correction method of moving images using a discrete mathematical model. According to the image binarization, the moving target region is segmented, the motion fuzzy degradation model is constructed by using the discrete mathematical model, the global structure information of the image is considered by the structure similarity, the image gradient is transformed from the rectangular coordinate system to the polar coordinate system, the image deconvolution algorithm of the edge distribution of the natural image is used to enhance the image edge features, and the edge distortion correction of the moving image is realized. The experimental results show that the astringency of the experimental scattergram is obviously improved, the fitting line is almost a straight line, and it has good recognition of the jump of the gray level of noise points, which can meet the requirements of the consistency of the subjective vision of human eyes.
Surgical Management of a Volvulus of a Wandering Spleen Associated with a Volvulus of the Small Intestine
Authors: Maienza Elisa , Chereau Nathalie , Menegaux Fabrice
Published: April 2022

Introduction. A wandering spleen is a rare anatomical condition characterized by a free-floating splenic tissue that is not located in its normal position in the left upper quadrant. This condition is usually asymptomatic but can also manifest itself with volvulus of the spleen and consequent infarction and necrosis of the parenchyma, requiring an urgent surgical management. Additionally, a wandering spleen can be associated with other contemporaneous anatomical anomalies. Case Presentation. We report a case of a 21-year-old woman, admitted to our hospital for intense abdominal pain and vomiting. A CT scan revealed a wandering spleen in the mesogastric area with the spleen torted on its axis, associated with a volvulus of the small intestine. Abdominal exploration revealed a macroscopically normal free-floating spleen attached to an abnormally long vascular pedicle. The management of the wandering spleen was conservative, and a splenopexy was performed. Conclusions. The torsion of the wandering spleen constitutes an infrequent but life-threatening abdominal emergency. The diagnosis of the wandering spleen is frequently challenging since clinical findings are usually not specific. Imaging such as computed tomography scan plays an important role in the differential diagnosis pathway. Treatment should be planned according to the splenic parenchyma conditions. Splenectomy is indicated when massive infarction and thrombosis of splenic vessels have occurred. When splenic parenchyma is not compromised, it is preferred to perform a conservative surgical technique, such as splenopexy, in order to avoid postsplenectomy complications.
Self‐Assembled PSMA‐Targeted Nanoparticles Enhanced Photodynamic Therapy in Prostate Cancer
Authors: Deng Yongming , Zhang Qing , Liu Guangxiang , Lin Tingsheng , Zhang Wenlong , He Xin , Lu Wenfeng , Ding Yuanzhen , Cao Wenmin , Guo Hongqian
Published: April 2022

Prostate cancer greatly threatens human health. Many treatment strategies including surgery and radiotherapy are applied to treat prostate cancer. However, these treatment strategies will bring great side effects. Herein, we developed a functionalized Prostate‐Specific Membrane Antigen‐Chlorin e6 (PSMA‐Ce6) NPs to enhance photodynamic therapy to reduce the side effects of prostate cancer treatments. We linked the hydrophobic photosensitizer Ce6 with the small hydrophilic molecule PSMA ligand through a covalent bond to form a functionalized PSMA‐Ce6. In aqueous phase, the PSMA‐Ce6 self‐assembled into nanoparticles with a hydrophobic core and a hydrophilic shell, which significantly enhanced the accumulation of PSMA‐Ce6 in the tumor. The molecularly targeted drug PSMA inhibitor can not only specifically inhibit PSMA but also increase the accumulation of the photosensitizer Ce6 in the tumor and achieve a completed tumor ablation under the near infrared (NIR) irradiation. PSMA‐Ce6 NPs have great potential for translation into clinical applications.
Scenario Analysis of Water-Saving Potential in Yeast Manufacturing Industry under the Guidance of Water Intake Quota
Authors: Zhang Yubo , Bai Xue
Published: April 2022

While yeast manufacturing consumes a large amount of water per unit of product, water use efficiency varies widely within the industry due to disparity in water-saving technologies. By stipulating water intake per unit of product, the Norm of Water Intake––Part 41: Yeast Production (GB/T 18916.41-2019) will standardize production water use and improve the water-saving level of the yeast manufacturing industry. This paper estimates the industry’s production capacity from 2020 to 2024 through regression analysis. It examines the distribution of water use efficiency under different policy scenarios based on the standard for water intake, including the business-as-usual scenario, the bottom-line scenario, the ideal scenario, and the expected scenario. Then, the water use of the yeast manufacturing industry under different scenarios is calculated, and the water-saving potential is analyzed by comparing it with the business-as-usual scenario. The results indicate that depending on the intensity of policy implementation, the average annual water savings will range from

2.5
×
106
 

m

3

to

14
×
106
 

m

3

. The cumulative water savings will add up to

16
×
106
 

m

3

to

51
×
106
 

m

3

in the next five years, which is very large.
The Characteristics and Geological Significances of Tectonic Regime Changes in Chepaizi Uplift, Junggar Basin, Western China
Authors: An Bang , Wang Weifeng , Li Baogang , Wang Zhaobing , Yang Shuaijie , Sun Yifei , Li Xin
Published: April 2022

Tectonic regime change refers to the process in which the two periods of tectonic movement changes and produce corresponding tectonic regime change surfaces (unconformity surfaces) and other geological responses in the process of basin development and evolution. The change of tectonic movement is the root cause of tectonic regime change. Tectonic regime changes produce different geological responses, which can be used as the signs to identify tectonic regime changes. In order to study the characteristics of tectonic regime changes of Chepaizi Uplift in Junggar Basin and the control on oil and gas migration and accumulation, four stages of tectonic regime changes were identified by using the techniques of the rock acoustic emission (AE) technology, tectonic subsidence analysis, and tectonic stratigraphic sequence analysis, which occurred at the end of Early Permian, the end of Late Triassic, the end of Jurassic, and the end of Paleogene, respectively. The main stratigraphic product of tectonic regime change is the unconformity structure. The unconformity structure has obvious stratification, including the bottom conglomerate layer, the weathered clay layer, and the semiweathered rock layer, and plays an important role in controlling oil and gas migration and accumulation. The weathered clay layer and the hydrolysis layer have a sealing and shielding effect on oil and gas; the leaching layer can become the effective reservoir; at the same time, the leaching layer can provide a channel for the lateral transportation of oil and gas.
Application of Visual Sensing Techniques in Computational Intelligence for Risk Assessment of Sports Injuries in Colleges
Authors: Sun Yan , Zheng Yang , He Le , Guo Liang , Geng Xiao
Published: April 2022

Injury prediction is one of the most challenging issues in sports and is a key component of injury prevention, since successful injury prediction forms the basis for effective preventive measures. In this study, an analysis was made on the risk of physical injuries to college students to guarantee the physical safety of students in sports and improve the quality of physical education. Then, a study was carried out on the occurrences of physical injury risks through visual sensing techniques, and an investigation was conducted into the characteristics of physical injury risks in colleges. Next, the student’s body shape and physical characteristics are computed using visual sensing techniques, and the risk of sports injuries is evaluated. The results show that the proposed image recognition and computation methods can accurately identify the sports injuries of college students. Furthermore, it can effectively analyze the factors affecting the risk of sports injuries, and the error of the proposed technique remains between −3 and 2. In addition, it can accurately locate the occurrence of sports injury risks and reduce the impact of those risks in time. This work provides technical support for the reduction of sports injury risks and contributes to the improvement of physical education teaching quality in colleges.
Ultrasonic Functionalized Egg Shell Powder for the Adsorption of Cationic Dye: Equilibrium and Kinetic Studies
Authors: Sridevi Veluru , Rathi B. Senthil , Kumar P. Senthil , Saravanan A. , Hemavathy R. V. , Karishma S. , Jeevanantham S. , Pamu Sri Himaja , Rani Lam Sudha , Prasad K. S. N. V.
Published: April 2022

The present research focuses on synthesizing surface-modified egg shell powders using ultrasonic modification method for the effective adsorption of malachite green dye (MG). The presence of functional groups and surface morphology of ultrasonic-assisted egg shell powder (UAESP) was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, respectively. A batch adsorption study was performed to predict the optimum conditions, and the results showed that maximum adsorption rate at the solution pH of 8.0 within the interaction time of 90 min, dosage of 1.5 g/L for MG dye concentration of 25 mg/L, and temperature 30°C. The isotherm and kinetics modeling of the present adsorption system can be well described by Freundlich and pseudosecond-order kinetics, respectively. The monolayer adsorption capacity of UAESP for MG dye was originated to be 64.58 mg/g. The results of the thermodynamic study reported that adsorption removal of MG dye onto UAESP was exothermic and spontaneous. This study accredited that UAESP has higher efficiency, cost-effective, and sustainable adsorbent for the removal of hazardous dyes on an industrial level.
Emotional Analysis and Personalized Recommendation Analysis in Music Performance
Authors: Sun Bo
Published: April 2022

Music performance belongs to music recreation activities, is through singing, musical instrument performance, and vocal conductor, including a variety of artistic means, to convey music to the audience with real sound effects that can be felt, and can play its social function. Emotional state is a part of the whole attitude, which is consistent with introverted feelings and intentions in attitude, and is a complex and stable physiological evaluation and experience of attitude in physiology. This paper first introduces the concepts of music performance from the perspective of music appreciation and music ability. Then based on the emotional feature learning of matrix factorization constrained nonnegative matrix factorization and model optimization algorithm are used to analyze the emotional aspects of music. Finally, through the experimental comparison of the difficulty of emotion in various artistic creations, a conclusion is drawn. The research involves matrix decomposition, mathematical modeling, model optimization, digital audio technology application, and other fields. In the third part of this paper, the constrained nonnegative matrix factorization, the constrained nonnegative matrix factorization with external information, and the model optimization algorithm are used to study the mathematical modeling.
Internet Development, Collaborative Innovation, and Carbon Emissions
Authors: Ding Xuemeng , Zhao Qiang
Published: April 2022

In order to promote the deep integration of “Internet” and “green ecology,” it is of great significance to realize the high-quality development of China’s economy. Methods. Based on the panel data of 30 provinces from 2011 to 2018, this paper explores the mechanism of Internet development affecting carbon emission intensity by using the dynamic spatial Durbin model combined with the mediating effect model. The findings are as follows: first, spatially, within the whole region, Internet development not only significantly suppresses the carbon emission intensity of the region but also has a negative spatial spillover effect on the carbon emission of the surrounding areas. Second, in terms of regional heterogeneity, the impact of Internet development on carbon emission reduction is greater in the eastern region compared to the central and western regions and small cities. Third, in the aspect of influence mechanism, collaborative innovation is an important path for Internet development to promote carbon emission reduction, and collaborative innovation partially plays a mediating role in this mechanism. Through the development of regional new energy, high-tech, and other low-carbon technologies, enhance the potential of regional emission reduction, form a “strong by strong” development model, achieve the overall goal of regional carbon emission reduction, and improve the high-quality development of China’s economy.
Calotropis gigantea Assisted Synthesis of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticle Catalysis: Synthesis of Novel 3‐Amino Thymoquinone Connected 1,4‐Dihyropyridine Derivatives and Their Cytotoxic Activity
Authors: Gobinath Perumal , Packialakshmi Ponnusamy , Hatamleh Ashraf Atef , Al-Dosary Munirah Abdullah , Al-Wasel Yasmeen Abdualrhman , Balasubramani Ravindran , Surendrakumar Radhakrishnan , Idhayadhulla Akbar
Published: April 2022

The synthesis of biologically active 1,4‐dihyripyridine derivatives using a Calotropis gigantea leaf powder and ZnO NPs used as catalyst under solvent‐free conditions at room temperature via grinding method has been established in a single‐stage, mild, and environmentally friendly green process. The procedure is fast and effective and produces high yields. Three cancer cell lines were used to assess the cytotoxic activity of 1,4‐dihyropyridine derivatives. The cytotoxicity of 1,4‐dihyropyridine compound 1f (HepG2, LC50‐0.50 μM, MCF‐7, LC50‐0.64 μM, and HeLa, LC50‐0.52 μM) was found to be highly active. The synthesized derivatives demonstrated their safety by causing substantially less cytotoxicity in normal cell lines HEK‐293, LO2, and MRC5 with IC50 > 100 g/mL. As a result, compound 1f could serve as a high‐impact molecule for the production of anticancer drugs in the future.
The Combined Use of Metformin and Methotrexate in Psoriasis Patients with Metabolic Syndrome
Authors: Tam Huynh Thi Xuan , Thuy Luong Nguyen Dac , Vinh Ngo Minh , Anh Tran Ngoc , Van Bui Thi
Published: April 2022

Objective. To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the combination of metformin and methotrexate (MTX) versus MTX monotherapy in treating psoriasis in patients with metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods. A prospective clinical trial was conducted using metformin and MTX to treat psoriasis patients with metabolic syndrome. A treatment group of 35 psoriasis patients with metabolic syndrome was treated with MTX and metformin. A control group of 31 psoriasis patients with metabolic syndrome was treated with MTX only. Results. Patients treated with the combined regimen showed measured improvement in disease status compared to those treated with MTX monotherapy. The Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) scores of psoriasis patients with metabolic syndrome using the metformin and MTX combination were significantly lower than those treated with MTX only (p < 0.05). The combination treatment group also showed a significant decrease in blood sugar and triglyceride levels after 3 months (p < 0.05). However, there were no significant differences in subclinical indexes between the treatment and control groups. Conclusion. In this treatment sample, a combination of metformin and MTX in psoriasis patients with metabolic syndrome showed positive responses and no serious side effects.
Severe Short Bowel Syndrome: Prognosis for Nutritional Independence Through Management by a Multidisciplinary Nutrition Service and Surgery
Authors: Yeh Daniel D. , Vasileiou Georgia , Mulder Michelle , Byerly Saskya , Ripat Caroline , Byers Patricia M.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Short bowel syndrome (SBS) is a debilitating condition associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Historically, SBS patients require indefinite parenteral nutrition (PN) and endure lifelong nutritional challenges. The purpose of this study was to review the outcomes, specifically nutritional independence, of a multidisciplinary nutrition service.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of SBS patients followed by our surgical nutrition service was performed. Patients without 1-year follow-up were excluded. Demographics and nutritional parameters were collected at 4 intervals: initial presentation, 1-year, 2-year, and 5-year follow-up. Short bowel syndrome anatomical subtypes identified through operative reports were characterized as end jejunostomy, jejunocolonic, or jejuno-ileocolonic with ileo-cecal valve intact. Intestinal failure was defined by the requirement of PN, while intestinal insufficiency was defined by enteral support requirement. Clinical outcomes examined included mortality, fistula closure, and nutritional independence.

Results

The study cohort comprised 89 patients, 50 of whom had ≤ 100 cm intestinal length. Mean age was 57 ± 17y, 55 (62%) were female, and median initial intestinal length was 77 [60-120] cm. Short bowel syndrome was complicated by fistulas in 47 (53%) of patients. Overall mortality was 13%, and 67 (75%) were liberated from PN. A total of 58 (65%) underwent operative intervention and fistula closure was achieved in 37 of 47 (79%) patients.

Conclusions

Short bowel syndrome patients can experience significant benefit under treatment by a multidisciplinary nutrition service. By incorporating surgical intervention, the majority of patients previously relegated to lifelong PN have the opportunity to become nutritionally independent within 5 years.
Abjection in extremely gendered colonial organizations: Female military firefighter officers in Brazil
Authors: de Souza Eloisio Moulin , Brewis Joanna , Godfrey Richard
Published: April 2022

It is often suggested that some occupations are inherently more suited to men or to women. Such beliefs can become norms that can have powerful effects on those who inhabit, or wish to enter, such occupations. This article explores the discursive framing of gendered occupations by considering the experience of cis female military firefighter officers in the masculine world of the Corpo de Bombeiros Militar in the Brazilian state of Espírito Santo. We identify this Global South organization as extremely gendered but also profoundly colonial in its patriarchal order and its hierarchical culture and structure. We use Kristeva’s and Butler’s work on abjection to understand how these officers and their bodies are differentiated. Based on interviews and document analysis, we foreground their abjection using three examples: the organization’s physical entrance test, the maternal body and its masculine organizational grammar. Yet, just as they are targets of exclusion, these women and their bodies are also necessary to maintain the hypermasculinity of this organization. Our contribution is to analyse abjection in a specific hypergendered organizational context where masculinity is not only amplified by the co-presence of military service and firefighting, but also where gender relations, structure and culture have deep colonial roots.
Spanish Version of the Death Attitude Profile-Revised. Translation and Validation Into Spanish
Authors: Cruzado Juan Antonio , Ibáñez del Prado Celia , Carrascosa Pujalte Elisa , Wong Paul T. P. , Eisenbeck Nikolett , Carreno David F.
Published: April 2022

The Death Attitude Profile-Revised (DAP-R) was developed in English-speaking cultures with the aim of measuring attitudes towards death. This measure consists of 32 items, grouped into five factors (Fear of Death, Avoidance of Death, Neutral Acceptance, Approach Acceptance, and Escape Acceptance). The DAP-R was translated and adapted to Spanish (DAP-RSp), and the psychometric properties were analyzed accross a general sample. The face validity was evaluated by 20 experts in palliative care. N = 417 (X = 39.06 years) took part in the validation. DAP-RSp showed adequate internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha ranging from 0.67 for Neutral Acceptance to 0.95 for Escape a Acceptance, and 0.88 for the total), a multitrait scaling analysis and a confirmatory factor analysis reproduced the five dimensions of the original scale. The Spanish version of the DAP-R can be used as a valid scale to assess attitudes towards death in Spanish speaking population.
The instrumental Brahmin and the “half-caste” computer: Astronomy and colonial rule in Madras, 1791–1835
Authors: Prashant Kumar S.
Published: April 2022

What did science make possible for colonial rule? How was science in turn marked by the knowledge and practices of those under colonial rule? Here I approach these questions via the social history of Madras Observatory. Constructed in 1791 by the East India Company, the observatory was to provide local time to mariners and served as a clearinghouse for the company’s survey and revenue administration. The astronomical work of Madras’ Brahmin assistants relied upon their knowledge of jyotiśāstra [Sanskrit astronomy/astrology], and can be seen as a specialized form of the kind of South Indian scribal labor and knowledge that also staffed the company’s tax offices. If at Greenwich the division of labor meant observatory work bore resemblances to the factory and the accounts office, in Madras, astronomy and accounting drew on similar labor forms because they were part of the same enterprise. But the company did not just adapt preexisting forms of labor, it also attempted to produce its own at a school built near the observatory to train “half-caste” orphans as apprentice surveyors and assistant computers. The school, staffed by the Brahmins, drew upon knowledge and pedagogical practice associated with the tinnai, the schools in which upper-caste children learned to read, write, and calculate. For a time, the observatory’s social order was literally “half-caste.” The paper also considers how the relationship between caste, status, and instrument was reflected in the visual and material culture of the observatory, such as in Indian-language inscriptions on its central pillar. For company astronomers, the measurement of time meant reworking the relationships among the Indian past, the colonial present, and an imperial posterity. Science under colonial rule spanned multiple temporal and social registers because it was the result of negotiations between the demands of political economy and the knowledge and practices of colonized others.
The impact of time of entrance to center-based care on children’s general, language, and behavioral development
Authors: Narea Marigen , Cumsille Patricio , Allel Kasim
Published: April 2022

There are contrasting results of the association between center-based care attendance and child development, mainly related to how the time of entry and permanence in the program relates to developmental outcomes. Using latent class analysis in a nationally representative sample of Chilean children between 6 and 35 months old ( n = 3,992), and controlling for the child’s age, maternal education, mother’s marital status, and household income, we identify three different timings of entrance in center-based care programs. The three timings of entrance were defined as early-entry (16%), those children who are more likely to enter before they are 6 months old; middle-entry (16%), those who are more likely to enter when they are between 6 and 18 months old; and late-entry (68%), those children with a low probability of enrollment any time before they are 35 months old. We found that children from the early- and middle-entry classes had higher language development when compared with children from the late-entry class. Still, only those from the middle-entry class showed higher general development in the Battelle test. In contrast, children in the early- and middle-entry classes presented higher scores in the Child Behavior Checklist’s externalizing behavior scale than children in the late-entry class. Our findings highlight the existence of a likely linkage between the timing of entry to center-based care and child development. It is essential to understand the potential advantages of center-based care in younger children, especially in enhancing their vocabulary and general development, and the potential negative association of early-entry with problematic behavior.
Investigating country-focused studies in Library and Information Science journals
Authors: Kim Eungi , Kim Eun Sil
Published: April 2022

A country-focused study can be defined as a type of study in which the article’s topic is limited to a particular country. Based on the assumption that a country-focused article contains one or more country names in the title or keywords (CNtk), the objective of this study was to investigate the characteristics of country-focused articles in Library and Information Science (LIS) journals. For this study, we selected 30 journals from the Scimago Journal Rank with the highest h-index scores to empirically investigate LIS articles with CNtk. The respective bibliographic records of these journals from 2010 to 2020 were downloaded from Scopus. In terms of subject categories, journals that addressed scientific and technical topics published fewer country-focused articles. In contrast, those on culture, society and government published a higher number of country-focused articles. One exception to this generalisation is that country-focused studies were found to be highly prevalent in certain technical subjects, such as bibliometrics. Although additional empirical evidence is needed for other fields of study, the proposed method seems valuable in analysing journal characteristics since it provides country-specific information about the published articles.
History of political thought at a standstill: Abensour, constellations and textual alterity
Authors: Holman Christopher
Published: April 2022

This article suggests that the philosophical contributions of the French democratic theorist Miguel Abensour offer a unique model for the practice of the history of political thought. Under the influence of the first generation of Frankfurt School critical theory, Abensour can be seen as applying a method of thinking in constellations to the study of historical texts, the critical rearrangement of conceptual elements drawn from the latter generating new dialectical images that reveal something previously obscured about the object of investigation. The history of political thought on this model is less about the recuperation of a definite textual intelligibility than the revelation of social and political alterity.
Media skepticism and reactions to political scandals: An analysis of the Trump–Ukraine case
Authors: Marcos-Marne Hugo , González-González Pablo , Gil de Zúñiga Homero
Published: April 2022

While the discussion on the individual level variables that affect responses to political scandals has focused mainly on variables such as partisan identity or political cynicism, we suggest that media skepticism could also moderate whether and how individuals respond to political scandals. To test this relationship, we rely on panel data from the United States gathered before and after the Trump–Ukraine scandal occurred (Wave 1 in June 2019, Wave 2 in October 2019). Our results show that individuals who rank higher on media skepticism hold comparatively more positive views of Trump after the scandal, even when previous evaluations and alternative explanations are controlled for. Conversely, we find no effect of media skepticism in trust toward the US political system and government. We believe our findings have significant consequences to understanding the relationship between the governed and those governing in times of widespread media skepticism.
Juggling on a tightrope: Experiences of small and micro business managers responding to employees with mental health difficulties
Authors: Suter Jane , Irvine Annie , Howorth Carole
Published: April 2022

This article presents findings from an in-depth qualitative study focused exclusively on the first-hand experiences of small and micro businesses managers who have responded to employees with mental health difficulties. Despite growing policy focus on workplace mental health, empirical research evidence on management experiences of responding to mental health issues in a small or micro business context is rare. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 21 UK-based small and micro business managers who described 45 individual employee cases, we examine how managers traverse a support-performance continuum, and use a tension-based lens to analyse the tensions that managers experienced. We examine three key tensions for small and micro business managers that surfaced when responding to employees with mental health problems: (1) Individual vs Collective; (2) Confidence vs Caution; (3) Informal vs Formal. Our analysis exposes how managers handle tensions when managing at the nexus of support and performance and contributes a deeper understanding of the dynamics and challenges of managing mental health problems in small and micro businesses.
Association between varicose vein and atrial fibrillation—a population-based study in Taiwan
Authors: Hu Wei-Syun , Lin Cheng-Li
Published: April 2022

Objective

This study retrospectively explores the association between varicose vein and atrial fibrillation (AF).

Methods

The data are from Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. The univariate and multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios (HR), with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI), for the occurrence of AF between the varicose vein cohort and comparison cohort were estimated using cox proportional hazards models after adjustment for age, sex, and comorbidities.

Results

The incidence rates of AF in the varicose vein and the comparison cohort were 4.82 per 1000 person-years and 3.47 per 1000-person years, respectively. After controlling for all the confounding variables, subjects with varicose vein were associated with a significantly higher risk of AF (adjusted HR = 1.23, 95% CI = 1.04–1.45) compared with the comparison cohort.

Conclusions

Our study is the first to show that varicose vein correlates to AF.