bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generation of NK cells with chimeric-switch receptors to overcome PD1-mediated inhibition in cancer immunotherapy
Authors: Susek Katharina H. , Schwietzer Ysabel A. , Karvouni Maria , Gilljam Mari , Keszei Marton , Hussain Alamdar , Lund Johan , Kashif Muhammad , Lundqvist Andreas , Ljunggren Hans-Gustaf , Nahi Hareth , Wagner Arnika K. , Alici Evren
Published: November 2022

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematological cancer, in which immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI) with monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) has failed due to uncontrollable immune responses in combination therapies and lack of efficacy in monotherapies. Although NK cell-specific checkpoint targets such as NKG2A and KIRs are currently being evaluated in clinical trials, the clinical impact of NK cells on the PD1 cascade is less well understood compared to T cells. Furthermore, while NK cells have effector activity within the TME, under continuous ligand exposure, NK cell dysfunctionality may occur due to interaction of PD1 and its ligand PD-L1. Due to above-mentioned factors, we designed novel NK cell specific PD1-based chimeric switch receptors (PD1-CSR) by employing signaling domains of DAP10, DAP12 and CD3ζ to revert NK cell inhibition and retarget ICI. PD1-CSR modified NK cells showed increased degranulation, cytokine secretion and cytotoxicity upon recognition of PD-L1+ target cells. Additionally, PD1-CSR+ NK cells infiltrated and killed tumor spheroids. While primary NK cells (pNK), expressing native PD1, showed decreased degranulation and cytokine production against PD-L1+ target cells by twofold, PD1-CSR+ pNK cells demonstrated increased activity upon PD-L1+ target cell recognition and enhanced antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. PD1-CSR+ pNK cells from patients with MM increased degranulation and cytokine expression against autologous CD138+PD-L1+ malignant plasma cells. Taken together, the present results demonstrate that PD1-CSR+ NK cells enhance and sustain potent anti-tumor activity in a PD-L1+ microenvironment and thus represent a promising strategy to advance adoptive NK cell-based immunotherapies toward PD-L1+ cancers.
Shared genetic risk across different presentations of gene test–negative idiopathic nephrotic syndrome
Authors: Downie Mallory L. , Gupta Sanjana , Chan Melanie M. Y. , Sadeghi-Alavijeh Omid , Cao Jingjing , Parekh Rulan S. , Diz Carmen Bugarin , Bierzynska Agnieszka , Levine Adam P. , Pepper Ruth J. , Stanescu Horia , Saleem Moin A. , Kleta Robert , Bockenhauer Detlef , Koziell Ania B. , Gale Daniel P.
Published: November 2022

Background

Idiop
athic nephrotic syndrome (INS) is classified in children according to response to initial corticosteroid therapy into steroid-sensitive (SSNS) and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (SRNS), and in adults according to histology into minimal change disease (MCD) and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). However, there is well-recognised phenotypic overlap between these entities. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have shown a strong association between SSNS and variation at HLA, suggesting an underlying immunological basis. We sought to determine whether a risk score generated from genetic variants associated with SSNS could be used to gain insight into the pathophysiology of INS presenting in other ways.

Methods

We developed an SSNS genetic risk score (SSNS-GRS) from the five variants independently associated with childhood SSNS in a previous European GWAS. We quantified SSNS-GRS in independent cohorts of European individuals with childhood SSNS, non-monogenic SRNS, MCD, and FSGS, and contrasted them with SSNS-GRS quantified in individuals with monogenic SRNS, membranous nephropathy (a different immune-mediated disease-causing nephrotic syndrome), and healthy controls.

Results

The SSNS-GRS was significantly elevated in cohorts with SSNS, non-monogenic SRNS, MCD, and FSGS compared to healthy participants and those with membranous nephropathy. The SSNS-GRS in all cohorts with non-monogenic INS were also significantly elevated compared to those with monogenic SRNS.

Conclusions

The shared genetic risk factors among patients with different presentations of INS strongly suggests a shared autoimmune pathogenesis when monogenic causes are excluded. Use of the SSNS-GRS, in addition to testing for monogenic causes, may help to classify patients presenting with INS.

Graphical abstract
On the Dynamic Fragmentation of Rock-Like Spheres: Insights into Fragment Distribution and Energy Partition
Authors: Guccione Davide Ettore , Giacomini Anna , Thoeni Klaus , Fityus Stephen , Buzzi Olivier
Published: November 2022

Fragmentation of blocks upon impact is commonly observed during rockfall events. Nevertheless, fragmentation is not properly taken into account in the design of protection structures because it is still poorly understood. This paper presents an extensive and rigorous experimental campaign that aims at bringing insights into the understanding of the complex phenomenon of rock fragmentation upon impact. A total of 114 drop tests were conducted with four diameters (50, 75, 100, and 200 mm) of rock-like spheres (made of mortar) of three different strengths (34, 23 and 13 MPa), falling on a horizontal concrete slab, with the objective to gather high-quality fragmentation data. The analysis focuses on the fragment size distribution, the energy dissipation mechanisms at impact and the distribution of energy amongst fragments after impact. The results show that the fragment size distributions obtained in this campaign are not linear on a logarithmic scale. The total normalised amount of energy loss during the impact increases with impact velocity, and consequently the total kinetic energy after impact decreases. It was also found that energy loss to create the fracture surfaces is a constant fraction of the kinetic energy before impact. The trajectories of fragments are related to the impact velocity. At low impact velocity, the fragments tend to bounce but, as the impact velocity increases, they tend to be ejected sideways. Although testing mortar spheres in normal impact is a simplification, the series of tests presented in this work has brought some valuable understanding into the fragmentation phenomenon of rockfalls.
Intelligent analysis of the quality of education through teaching practices on virtual campuses
Authors: Alvarez-Blanco Lucia , Castro-Lopez Adrian , Cervero Antonio
Published: November 2022

ICTs have been increasingly involved in teaching–learning processes due to the potential offered by the tools as well as to the set of demands derived from the political and health situations of the social environment. In this sense, the introduction of virtual campuses as complex systems that centralize the entire technological component that complements traditional teaching processes has meant a change of paradigm with repercussions at the teaching and pedagogical level. In this context, the purpose of this study aims to analyze students’ perception of the use of virtual campus and how to enhance the quality of the educational process using intelligent systems. For this purpose, 318 students that use virtual campus have been surveyed. The results show that there are three variables that predominantly influence the quality of teaching–learning processes using virtual campuses: frequent contact with teachers through the platform, the digital competence of the student, and the adaptation of training content to the students’ prior knowledge. This information can be useful, as it allows them to establish guidelines to guide the practices of their teaching teams in technological environments, guaranteeing the suitability of the teaching–learning process and improving the evaluation processes and the assessment of their own educational work.
Osteoporosis treatment in Austria—assessment of FRAX-based intervention thresholds for high and very high fracture risk
Authors: Dimai Hans P. , Johansson Helena , Harvey Nicholas C. , Lorentzon Mattias , Liu Enwu , Vandenput Liesbeth , Fahrleitner-Pammer Astrid , Pietschmann Peter , Muschitz Christian , McCloskey Eugene V. , Kanis John A.
Published: November 2022

Summary

The adoption of the management pathway proposed by the National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG), UK applied using the Austrian FRAX® tool in a referral population of Austrian women categorises 22–29% of women age 40 years or more eligible for treatment of whom 28–34% are classified at very high risk.

Purpose

The aim of this study is to provide a reference document for the further development of existing guidelines for the management of osteoporosis in Austria, considering FRAX-based intervention thresholds for high and very high fracture risk.

Methods

The model development was based on two Austrian hospital referral cohorts. Baseline information was collected to compute the 10-year probability (using the Austrian FRAX model) of a major osteoporotic fracture (MOF) and hip fracture both with and without the inclusion of femoral neck bone mineral density (BMD). Assessment thresholds for BMD testing were defined, as well as intervention thresholds. In addition, thresholds that characterise men and women at high and very high fracture risk were established. The management pathway followed that currently recommended by the UK National Osteoporosis Guideline Group (NOGG).

Results

The two cohorts comprised a total of 1306 women and men with a mean age of 66.7 years. Slightly more than 50% were eligible for treatment by virtue of a prior fragility fracture. In those women without a prior fracture, 22% (n = 120) were eligible for treatment based on MOF probabilities. Of these, 28% (n = 33) were found to be at very high risk. When both MOF and hip fracture probabilities were used to characterise risk, 164 women without a prior fracture were eligible for treatment (29%). Of these, 34% (n = 56) were found to be at very high risk. Fewer men without prior fracture were eligible for treatment compared with women.

Conclusion

The management pathway as currently outlined is expected to reduce inequalities in patient management. The characterisation of very high risk may aid in the identification of patients suitable for treatment with osteoanabolic agents.
Experimental study of the low salinity water injection process in the presence of scale inhibitor and various nanoparticles
Authors: Khormali Azizollah , Koochi Mojtaba Rezaei , Varfolomeev Mikhail A. , Ahmadi Soroush
Published: November 2022

In this work, the process of low salinity water injection (LSWI) into reservoirs at various salt concentrations was simulated in order to study the change in the oil recovery factor during oil production. The simulation results of the recovery factor were compared with the experimental data. The results demonstrated that the simulation data were in good agreement with the experimental results. In addition, the formation damage (rock permeability reduction) in carbonate core samples was evaluated through coreflood experiments during LSWI in the range of salt concentration and temperature of 1500–4000 ppm and 25–100 °C, respectively. In the worst scenario of LSWI, the rock permeability has reached about 83% of the initial value. Our previous correlation was used to predict the formation damage in LSWI. In this case, the R-squared value between predicted and experimental data of rock permeability ratios was more than 0.97. Furthermore, the recovery factor during LSWI was analyzed with and without the use of DTPMP scale inhibitor (diethylenetriamine penta (methylene phosphonic acid)), and various nanoparticles (TiO2, SiO2, Al2O3). The results of the coreflood experiments showed that the use of scale inhibitor provides an increase in the recovery factor by more than 8%. In addition, the highest recovery factor was observed in the presence of SiO2 nanoparticles at 0.05 wt.%. The oil displacement during LSWI in the porous media with SiO2 particles was better than TiO2 and Al2O3. The recovery factor in the presence of SiO2, TiO2, and Al2O3 with DTPMP was 72.2, 62.4, and 59.8%, respectively. Among the studied nanoparticles, the lowest values of the oil viscosity and interfacial tension (IFT) between oil and water were observed when using SiO2. Moreover, the contact angle was increased by increasing the brine concentration. The contact angle with the use of SiO2, TiO2, and Al2O3 at 0.05 wt.% was reduced by 11.2, 10.6, and 9.9%, respectively.
High-temperature catalytic pyrolysis of radiata pine for production of high-value products
Authors: Iminabo Misel , Yip Alex C. K. , Iminabo John T. , Pang Shusheng
Published: November 2022

In this study, high-temperature catalytic pyrolysis of radiata pine was investigated for the production of high-value gas products. Pyrolysis experiments were conducted in a fluidized bed reactor at temperatures of 600 to 850 °C. The effect of temperature and the addition of titanomagnetite as the catalyst was evaluated based on product distribution, gas composition, gas properties, and tar composition. The results show that with titanomagnetite, the maximum gas yield of 72.9% was achieved at 850 °C, which is higher than that of the non-catalytic pyrolysis at the same temperature. The main gas species in the gas product from the catalytic pyrolysis at 850 °C include hydrogen (12.8 vol%), carbon monoxide (37.6 vol%), carbon dioxide (35.8 vol%), methane (5.8 vol%), and ethylene (5.8 vol%). Also, with titanomagnetite, the maximum lower heating value of 23.0 MJ/Nm3 for the product gas was achieved at 800 °C, and the maximum value for hydrogen to carbon monoxide (0.34) was found at 850 °C. Titanomagnetite promoted the formation of oxygenated hydrocarbons such as acids, esters, and phenols in tar, but at 850 °C, the tars from both catalytic and non-catalytic pyrolysis were rich in naphthalenes (more than 40%). H2-reduced titanomagnetite performed equally as the unreduced titanomagnetite with respect to gas yield, but the hydrogen and ethylene contents in the gas from the pyrolysis at 850 °C were 21.5 and 21.8 vol%, respectively. At this temperature, the lower heating value of the gas from the catalytic pyrolysis with the H2-reduced titanomagnetite was 17.4 MJ/Nm3, and the hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio was 2.6.
Abstracts najaarsvergadering NVU, 4 november 2022
Authors:   Bohn Stafleu van Loghum
Published: November 2022

Samenvatting

Het preoperatief voorspellen van de kans op pelviene lymfekliermetastasen is cruciaal om patiënten te selecteren die in aanmerking komen voor een uitgebreide pelviene lymfeklierdissectie (ePLND), ten tijde van de radicale prostatectomie (RARP).
Space-Based Sensor Tasking Using Deep Reinforcement Learning
Authors: Siew Peng Mun , Jang Daniel , Roberts Thomas G. , Linares Richard
Published: November 2022

To maintain a robust catalog of resident space objects (RSOs), space situational awareness (SSA) mission operators depend on ground- and space-based sensors to repeatedly detect, characterize, and track objects in orbit. Although some space sensors are capable of monitoring large swaths of the sky with wide fields of view (FOVs), others—such as maneuverable optical telescopes, narrow-band imaging radars, or satellite laser-ranging systems—are restricted to relatively narrow FOVs and must slew at a finite rate from object to object during observation. Since there are many objects that a narrow FOV sensor could choose to observe within its field of regard (FOR), it must schedule its pointing direction and duration using some algorithm. This combinatorial optimization problem is known as the sensor-tasking problem. In this paper, we developed a deep reinforcement learning agent to task a space-based narrow-FOV sensor in low Earth orbit (LEO) using the proximal policy optimization algorithm. The sensor’s performance—both as a singular sensor acting alone, but also as a complement to a network of taskable, narrow-FOV ground-based sensors—is compared to the greedy scheduler across several figures of merit, including the cumulative number of RSOs observed and the mean trace of the covariance matrix of all of the observable objects in the scenario. The results of several simulations are presented and discussed. Additionally, the results from an LEO SSA sensor in different orbits are evaluated and discussed, as well as various combinations of space-based sensors.
Frequency of Student Resource Use and Academic Performance in Preclerkship Education: A Survey Study
Authors: Ikonne Uzoma , Brodie Adrienne , Bay Curt , Campbell Anna
Published: November 2022

Medical students have unprecedented access to a large variety of learning resources, but patterns of resource use, differences in use across education cohorts, and the relationship between resource use and academic performance are unclear. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to evaluate student resource use and its relationship to academic performance during preclerkship years. First-year and second-year medical students completed a 10-question electronic survey that assessed likelihood of using outside resources recommended by others, reasons for using outside resources, frequency of use of resources, and use of outside resources for specific disciplines. Outcomes were compared between the 2 cohorts of students. First-year students were more likely to use instructor-produced resources and self-generated study resources, and second-year students were more likely to use board review resources. Although differences were found between cohorts for frequency of use of certain resources, correlations between resource use and academic performance were modest. Overall, our results indicated that student use of study resources changed between the first and second years of medical school. These results suggest opportunities for medical educators to guide students in the selection and effective use of outside resources as they mature as self-regulated learners. Further, since students seem to extensively use external resources for learning, institutions should consider calibrating their curriculum and teaching methods to this learning style and providing high-quality, accessible resource materials for all students to reduce the potential impact of socioeconomic factors on student performance.
Internalization strikes back? Global value chains, and the rising costs of effective cascading compliance
Authors: Van Assche Ari , Narula Rajneesh
Published: November 2022

Strategies that make quasi-internalization feasible such as cascading compliance provide a means for lead firms to control the social and environmental conditions among their suppliers and sub-suppliers in ways other than through equity ownership. We take an internalization theory lens to reflect on the effectiveness of cascading compliance as a governance mechanism to promote sustainability along global value chains. While cascading compliance provides significant economic benefits to the lead firm, there are disincentives for suppliers to invest the required resources to meet the sustainability conditions, leading to periodic social and environmental violations. Enhanced cascading compliance (‘cascading compliance plus’) that adds trust-inducing mechanisms to engage suppliers in joint problem-solving and information-sharing has the promise to improve sustainability. But the added transaction costs that this generates has the potential to crowd-out suppliers, and possibly even make full internalization attractive again.
Interface Reversible Electric Field Regulated by Amphoteric Charged Protein-Based Coating Toward High-Rate and Robust Zn Anode
Authors: Zhu Meihua , Ran Qing , Huang Houhou , Xie Yunfei , Zhong Mengxiao , Lu Geyu , Bai Fu-Quan , Lang Xing-You , Jia Xiaoteng , Chao Danming
Published: November 2022

Metallic interface engineering is a promising strategy to stabilize Zn anode via promoting Zn2+ uniform deposition. However, strong interactions between the coating and Zn2+ and sluggish transport of Zn2+ lead to high anodic polarization. Here, we present a bio-inspired silk fibroin (SF) coating with amphoteric charges to construct an interface reversible electric field, which manipulates the transfer kinetics of Zn2+ and reduces anodic polarization. The alternating positively and negatively charged surface as a build-in driving force can expedite and homogenize Zn2+ flux via the interplay between the charged coating and adsorbed ions, endowing the Zn-SF anode with low polarization voltage and stable plating/stripping. Experimental analyses with theoretical calculations suggest that SF can facilitate the desolvation of [Zn(H2O)6]2+ and provide nucleation sites for uniform deposition. Consequently, the Zn-SF anode delivers a high-rate performance with low voltage polarization (83 mV at 20 mA cm−2) and excellent stability (1500 h at 1 mA cm−2; 500 h at 10 mA cm−2), realizing exceptional cumulative capacity of 2.5 Ah cm−2. The full cell coupled with ZnxV2O5·nH2O (ZnVO) cathode achieves specific energy of ~ 270.5/150.6 Wh kg−1 (at 0.5/10 A g−1) with ~ 99.8% Coulombic efficiency and retains ~ 80.3% (at 5.0 A g−1) after 3000 cycles.
The concept of Cheeger deformations on fiber bundles with compact structure group
Authors: Cavenaghi Leonardo F. , Grama Lino , Sperança Llohann D.
Published: November 2022

The purpose of this paper is two-fold: we systematically introduce the notion of Cheeger deformations on fiber bundles with compact structure groups, and recover in a very simple and unified fashion several results that either already appear in the literature or are known by experts, though are not explicitly written elsewhere. We re-prove: Schwachhöfer–Tuschmann Theorem on bi-quotients, many results due to Fukaya and Yamaguchi, as well as, naturally extend the work of Searle–Solórzano–Wilhelm on regularization properties of Cheeger deformations, among others. In this sense, this paper should be understood as a survey intended to demonstrate the power of Cheeger deformations. Even though some of the results here appearing may not be known as stated in the presented form, they were already expected, being our contribution to the standardization and spread of the technique via a unique language.
Radical-controlled plasma processes
Authors: Hori Masaru
Published: November 2022

In plasmas, a variety of radicals which are defined as electrically neutral radicals in this article are efficiently produced by collisions between electrons and gas molecules. These radicals can subsequently undergo gas phase reactions with solids, liquids and living organisms that result in non-equilibrium surface/interface physicochemical processes. The specific phenomena produced by these reactions remain largely unknown, even though these plasma-based processes could lead to disruptive technological innovations. As an example, in the case of semiconductor microfabrication processes, the density, energy and lifetime of individual radicals, as well as the reaction time constants of these species with various materials should be ascertained. This would allow the identification and control of the effective radical species during processes, such as the high-precision etching and deposition of functional thin films. In addition, the type of reactions occurring between radicals generated in plasmas with liquids or living organisms is still an unexplored area. Establishing a theoretical system for these radical reactions and controlling the associated mechanisms could lead to innovations in the fields of functional devices and materials as well as in the areas of environmental protection, medicine and agriculture/fisheries. Focusing on the non-equilibrium surface/interface physicochemical reactions between radicals and solids occurring in semiconductor plasma processing, this paper describes the formation of nanostructured thin films by top-down mechanisms based on controlled radical production and bottom-up processes involving radical-induced self-organization. As well, this review examines next-generation medical and agricultural applications, such as the selective killing of cancer cells and plant growth promotion and functionalization. These systems result from the interactions of radicals generated in atmospheric-pressure, low-temperature plasmas with liquids, or the interactions of gas or liquid phase radicals with biological species. Finally, the importance of academic research into radical-controlled plasma processes and potential future technologies based on this interdisciplinary field are examined.
Simulation of Dielectric Axion Haloscopes with Deep Neural Networks: A Proof-of-Principle
Authors: Jung Philipp Alexander , Santos Bernardo Ary dos , Bergermann Dominik , Graulich Tim , Lohmann Maximilian , Novák Andrzej , Öz Erdem , Riahinia Ali , Schmidt Alexander
Published: November 2022

Dielectric axion haloscopes, such as the Madmax experiment, are promising concepts for the direct search for dark matter axions. A reliable simulation is a fundamental requirement for the successful realisation of the experiments. Due to the complexity of the simulations, the demands on computing resources can quickly become prohibitive. In this paper, we show for the first time that modern deep learning techniques can be applied to aid the simulation and optimisation of dielectric haloscopes.
Mikro-TESE versus Standard-TESE: für welchen Patienten welches OP-Verfahren?
Authors: Amend Bastian , Rausch Steffen
Published: November 2022

Die nichtobstruktive Azoospermie (NOA) zählt als testikuläre Ursache zu den häufigsten Gründen eines unerfüllten Kinderwunsches. Die testikuläre Spermienextraktion (TESE) stellt mit Blick auf eine assistierte Reproduktion die einzige Möglichkeit einer biologischen Vaterschaft dar. Die mikrochirurgische TESE unter Anwendung eines OP-Mikroskops zur Identifikation erweiterter Tubuli seminiferi wurde mit dem Ziel einer Verbesserung der „sperm retrieval rates“ entwickelt, wobei vorwiegend die Standard-TESE in der Praxis verbreitet ist. Die Diagnose einer NOA ergibt sich aus der Diagnostik mittels Spermiogrammen nach WHO-Handbuch, Erhebung des Hormonstatus, körperlicher Untersuchung und Sonographie. Patienten mit NOA, Kryptozoospermie oder ausgeprägter Oligozoospermie sollte eine humangenetische Beratung und Diagnostik angeboten werden. Bei Nachweis einer kompletten AZFa- oder AZFb-Deletion wird auch ein operativer Spermiennachweis nicht gelingen. Eine präoperative medikamentöse Therapie über einige Monate ist bei NOA nicht zugelassen. Die Datenlage zur „off label“ Anwendung verschiedener hormonmanipulierender Substanzen ist uneinheitlich, wobei der hohe Wunsch der Realisierung des Kinderwunsches nicht selten zum individuellen Therapieversuch führt. Vor Durchführung einer TESE sollte ausführlich über die Erfolgschancen, Techniken und möglichen Komplikationen beraten werden. Die Wahl des Verfahrens zwischen Mikro-TESE und Standard-TESE hängt grundsätzlich von der Verfügbarkeit am andrologischen Zentrum ab. Wenngleich die Leitlinien der EAU 2022 erstmals aufgrund einer Neubewertung der Datenlage die Mikro-TESE als favorisiertes Verfahren empfehlen, können bei Betrachtung der Literatur weiterhin beide Verfahren zum Einsatz kommen. Bei Nachweis eines „Sertoli-cell-only syndrome“ oder bei wiederholter operativer Spermiengewinnung scheint die Durchführung einer Mikro-TESE mit Vorteilen verbunden zu sein.
Development of technologies to support the diagnosis of infectious diseases and cancer to support the primary health care
Authors: Ferreira Matheus A. C. , Carvalho Dionísio D. A. , Cruz Agnaldo S. , Coutinho Karilany D. , Oliveira Carlos A. P. , Morais Antonio H. F. , Santos João Paulo Q. , Mayrink Nadja N. V. , Galvão-Lima Leonardo J. , Sales-Moioli Ana Isabela L. , Barros Daniele M. S. , Albuquerque Gabriela A. , Alves Luca P. C. F. , Teixeira César A. D. , Henriques Jorge M. O. , Gil Paulo , Gusmão Cristine M. G. , Valentim Ricardo A. M.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Primary Health Care (PHC) is the coordinator of health care in Brazil and needs to be strengthened in the diagnostic field to increase health care quality. Aiming to improve the diagnostic tools currently available in PHC, this work describes the process of development and validation of two point-of-care biomedical devices for screening patients with syphilis or different kinds of cancer.

Methods

The development of these devices followed nine stages of action based on the requirements established by the Ministry of Health. During development, both systems followed the stages of circuit planning, software simulation to verify the components used, cost assessment for the acquisition of features, simulation in contact matrix, development of the embedded system, and planning of the printed circuit board and storage box.

Results

Both devices underwent preliminary functionality tests to assess their quality. The performance tests applied on the device to diagnose syphilis performed 8,733,194 requests, with a flow of 2426 requests/second, reaching the desired parameters of robustness, integrity, durability, and stability. In addition, functioning tests on the cancer-screening device indicated the ability to detect standard fluorescence in a minimal (150 uL) sample volume.

Conclusions

Together, the methodology used for developing the devices resulted in promising equipment to improve the diagnosis and meet the requirements for executing technologies for testing and triaging patients in PHC.
Gene expression changes during the evolution of the tetrapod limb
Authors: Varga Zsombor , Varga Máté
Published: November 2022

Major changes in the vertebrate anatomy have preceded the conquest of land by the members of this taxon, and continuous changes in limb shape and use have occurred during the later radiation of tetrapods. While the main, conserved mechanisms of limb development have been discerned over the past century using a combination of classical embryological and molecular methods, only recent advances made it possible to identify and study the regulatory changes that have contributed to the evolution of the tetrapod appendage. These advances include the expansion of the model repertoire from traditional genetic model species to non-conventional ones, a proliferation of predictive mathematical models that describe gene interactions, an explosion in genomic data and the development of high-throughput methodologies. These revolutionary innovations make it possible to identify specific mutations that are behind specific transitions in limb evolution. Also, as we continue to apply them to more and more extant species, we can expect to gain a fine-grained view of this evolutionary transition that has been so consequential for our species as well.
The threat, hype, and promise of artificial intelligence in education
Authors: Humble Niklas , Mozelius Peter
Published: November 2022

The idea of building intelligent machines has been around for centuries, with a new wave of promising artificial intelligence (AI) in the twenty-first century. Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) is a younger phenomenon that has created hype and promises, but also been seen as a threat by critical voices. There have been rich discussions on over-optimism and hype in contemporary AI research. Less has been written about the hyped expectations on AIED and its potential to transform current education. There is huge potential for efficiency and cost reduction, but there is also aspects of quality education and the teacher role. The aim of the study is to identify potential aspects of threat, hype and promise in artificial intelligence for education. A scoping literature review was conducted to gather relevant state-of-the art research in the field of AIED. Main keywords used in the literature search were: artificial intelligence, artificial intelligence in education, AI, AIED, teacher perspective, education, and teacher. Data were analysed with the SWOT-framework as theoretical lens for a thematic analysis. The study identifies a wide variety of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats for artificial intelligence in education. Findings suggest that there are several important questions to discuss and address in future research, such as: What should the role of the teacher be in education with AI? How does AI align with pedagogical goals and beliefs? And how to handle the potential leak and misuse of user data when AIED systems are developed by for-profit organisations?
Taking taniwha seriously
Authors: Kingsbury Justine
Published: November 2022

Taniwha are powerful water creatures in te ao Māori (the Māori world/worldview). Taniwha sometimes affect public works in Aotearoa New Zealand: for example, consultation between government agencies and tangata whenua (the people of the land) about proposed roading developments sometimes results in the route being moved to avoid the dwelling place of a taniwha. Mainstream media responses have tended to be hostile or mocking, as you might expect, since on the face of it the dominant western scientific worldview has no place for beings like taniwha. However, in the 2020s, there appears to be an increased willingness to engage with te ao Māori. In this spirit, this paper proposes a way for non-Māori to begin to take taniwha more seriously, taking as its starting point the work of Dan Hikuroa on the practical usefulness of taniwha pūrākau (traditional narratives) in encoding information about natural hazards. The focus of this paper is narrow, but aspects of the strategy it proposes may be generalisable both to other aspects of te ao Māori and to other bicultural and multicultural contexts.
Development and testing of a low-current applied-field magnetoplasmadynamic thruster with a rectangular discharge channel
Authors: Gondol Norman , Tajmar Martin
Published: November 2022

This study explores the possibility of miniaturizing magnetoplasmadynamic thrusters (MPDTs) to significantly lower power and discharge current levels compared to most conventional MPDTs. A design alternative for MPDTs using a discharge channel with a rectangular cross-section is presented that enables the implementation of strong external magnetic fields to increase the applied-field Lorentz force. The thruster concept uses heaterless calcium aluminate electride (C12A7:e-) hollow cathodes as the electron source. A prototype of the concept intended for the low-amp current range generates thrust in the low millinewton range with a specific impulse ranging between 400 s and 1200 s at power levels below 500 W but shows high thermal power losses to the anode. A further miniaturized version of the concept intended for the sub-amp current range is thermally more sustainable but requires high mass flow rates to achieve a stable discharge, limiting the achievable specific impulse.
Research and Application of Compulsive Buying Behaviors of Consumers in E-Commerce Livestreaming on Big Data
Authors: Min Ye , Tan Chai Ching
Published: November 2022

Due to the rise of e-commerce live streaming, more and more Chinese people liked live streaming shopping in recent years. In the era of digital economy, e-commerce platform has developed into a data platform ecosystem built around data resources and data mining technology system. The most typical application of big data is also concentrated in the field of e-commerce livestreaming. E-commerce live streaming platform is a multidisciplinary research field. It is not easy to have a comprehensive understanding of the knowledge structure in this field. In this study, the purpose of this study is to derive and empirically validate a stimulus–organism–response (SOR) model that explains the factors influencing the compulsive buying behavior of customers in livestreaming service platforms offered by well-established e-commerce leaders in China, such as Alibaba Taobao Live. Based on the analysis of the research conclusion, this study proposes that the operators of store livestreaming should improve customers' trust and purchase intention from the aspects of utilitarian value, hedonic value, social value, and perceived value, as well as the use of edge information advantages. Therefore, from the perspective of customer psychology and based on the stimulus–organic–response (S–O–R) theory, this paper empirically analyzes the impact of livestreaming marketing mode on customers' compulsive buying decisions by using structural equation modeling.
Economic Integration Agreements and Export Survival in Ghana
Authors: Nkansah Kwabena , Takyi Paul Owusu , Sakyi Daniel , Adusah-Poku Frank
Published: November 2022

This study examines the effect of regional integration—specifically, that of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) as an economic integration agreement—on the survival rate of Ghana’s exports. It employs a discrete-time complementary log–log hazard model with a random effects estimation technique and Kaplan–Meier estimates of the survival function, using data spanning from 1996–2018. The findings from the study indicate that ECOWAS has a significantly negative impact on the hazard rate of Ghana’s exports, implying that ECOWAS as an economic integration agreement increases the survival rate of Ghana’s exports for both aggregate exports and commodity-specific ones. Additionally, the heterogeneity effect of other economic integration agreements on Ghana’s export survival was found to increase the survival rate of exports. From a policy perspective, efforts to ensure the smooth operation of trade agreement contracts among member countries within the ECOWAS sub-region are necessary for the long-lasting export survival of Ghana’s exports.
Investment Climate and Foreign Direct Investment in Africa: The Role of Ease of Doing Business
Authors: Njuguna Angelica E. , Nnadozie Emmanuel
Published: November 2022

This paper explores the relationship between the ease of doing business, as one of the investment climate indicators, and foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in Africa. It uses instrumental variable estimation and the control function approach to correct for possible endogeneity between FDI and the ease of doing business as well as economic growth. The study uncovers evidence that the ease of doing business plays a positive role in attracting FDI. The findings support African countries’ attempts to invest in improving their business environment to attract favorable FDI.
Comparative Recognition and Enforcement
Authors: Stamboulakis Drossos
Published: November 2022

This book provides the first detailed analysis of recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments and awards in civil and commercial matters from a transnational perspective. This perspective facilitates greater understanding of the present state of recognition and enforcement and offers insight into the establishment and operation of key modern instruments. This book represents a timely contribution, as instruments harmonising and promoting recognition and enforcement are increasingly being considered and implemented internationally. Many countries have recently reiterated their commitment to improving access to justice and have indicated an intention to sign one or both of the treaties designed to harmonise and promote recognition and enforcement of civil and commercial judgments internationally: the 2005 Choice of Court Convention or the 2019 Judgments Convention. This book is an essential resource for policymakers, scholars, and intergovernmental organisations to understand the nature and origin of recognition and enforcement approaches, as well as their application, interpretation, and future directions.
Loops, Knots, Gauge Theories
Authors: Gambini Rodolfo , Pullin Jorge , Ashtekar Abhay
Published: November 2022

This volume provides a self-contained introduction to applications of loop representations, and the related topic of knot theory, in particle physics and quantum gravity. These topics are of considerable interest because they provide a unified arena for the study of the gauge invariant quantization of Yang-Mills theories and gravity, and suggest a promising approach to the eventual unification of the four fundamental forces. The book begins with a detailed review of loop representation theory and then describes loop representations in Maxwell theory, Yang-Mills theories as well as lattice techniques. Applications in quantum gravity are then discussed, with the following chapters considering knot theories, braid theories and extended loop representations in quantum gravity. A final chapter assesses the current status of the theory and points out possible directions for future research. First published in 1996, this title has been reissued as an Open Access publication on Cambridge Core.
A Comparison Process for Mouse Pairs
Authors: Steel John R.
Published: November 2022

This book proves some important new theorems in the theory of canonical inner models for large cardinal hypotheses, a topic of central importance in modern set theory. In particular, the author 'completes' the theory of Fine Structure and Iteration Trees (FSIT) by proving a comparison theorem for mouse pairs parallel to the FSIT comparison theorem for pure extender mice, and then using the underlying comparison process to develop a fine structure theory for strategy mice. Great effort has been taken to make the book accessible to non-experts so that it may also serve as an introduction to the higher reaches of inner model theory. It contains a good deal of background material, some of it unpublished folklore, and includes many references to the literature to guide further reading. An introductory essay serves to place the new results in their broader context. This is a landmark work in inner model theory that should be in every set theorist's library.
Effects of Anesthetic Agents on Blood Brain Barrier Integrity: A Systematic Review
Authors: Rizk Abanoub Aziz , Plitman Eric , Senthil Pooja , Venkatraghavan Lashmi , Chowdhury Tumul
Published: November 2022

Background:

The blood brain barrier (BBB) is a highly selective permeable barrier that separates the blood and the central nervous system. Anesthesia is an integral part of surgery, and there is little known about the impact of anesthetics on the BBB. Therefore, it is imperative to explore reversible or modifiable variables such as anesthetic agents that influence BBB integrity. We aimed to synthesize the literature pertaining to the various effects of anesthetics on the BBB.

Methods:

MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane were searched from inception up to September 2022.

Results:

A total of 14 articles met inclusion into the review. The articles included nine randomized control studies (64.3%) and five quasi-experimental studies (35.7%). Twelve studies used volatile anesthetics, one study used fentanyl intravenously, and one study used pentobarbital or ketamine intraperitoneally. BBB structural deficits following the administration of an anesthetic agent included ultrastructural deficits, decreases in tight junctions, and decreases in BBB components. BBB functional deficits included permeability increases following exposure to volatile anesthetics. However, two studies found decreased permeability after fentanyl, pentobarbital, or ketamine exposure. Moreover, the impact of anesthetics on the BBB seems to be related to the duration of exposure. Notably, study findings also suggest that changes following anesthetic exposure demonstrate some reversibility over the short-term.

Conclusion:

Overall, our systematic review highlights interesting findings pertaining to the impact of anesthetic agents on BBB integrity in previously healthy models. These findings and mechanisms should inspire future work to aid practitioners and healthcare teams potentially better care for patients.
Missions, Minorities, and the Motherland: Xenophobic Narratives of an Ottoman Christian “Stab in the Back”
Authors: Travis Hannibal
Published: November 2022

This roundtable focuses on the marginalization of ethnicities or religious denominations within Middle East studies, and in the larger realm of history writing. Without a nation–state of their own to preserve their language and history, the Assyrian people and the Church of the East denomination of Christianity fell subject to repression in Turkey, only recently finding a voice. Marginalization in history books and educational curricula is one symptom of broken treaty commitments and lack of equal access to state institutions and funds. In our century, marginalization has given way to something perhaps even worse: vilification and expulsion even from countries outside of Turkey where the Assyrians reside, during a neo-Ottoman period in which parts of Iraq and Syria came to more closely resemble Turkey, a resemblance that included the presence of Turkish arms.
Confucius and the varifocal stance
Authors: Lai Karyn , Stapleton Mog
Published: November 2022

We put the bifocal stance theory (BST) into dialogue with the Confucian approach to ritual. The aim of the commentary is two-fold: To draw on BST to provide an explanatory framework for a Confucian approach to social learning and, while doing so, to show how Chinese (Confucian) philosophy can contribute to debates in cultural evolution.
From flows towards updates: Security regimes and changing technologies for financial surveillance
Authors: Westermeier Carola
Published: November 2022

‘Follow the money’ is currently the central principle of international financial security, although money itself is probably one of the most unlikely objects to make traceable. Two recent scandals around a security unit and the payment processor Wirecard show how existing systems of financial surveillance that seek to capture ‘flows’ of money for security purposes are either enabled or frustrated. While this current regime of financial surveillance adheres to demanding the free flow of money through financial infrastructures and various actors and intermediaries, new digital currencies build on a set type of ledger(s) in which money is stored as data. Hence, what we understand as money does not ‘flow’, but is rather updated. This change in the underlying infrastructure means that traceability does not need to be enacted; it is an intrinsic feature of digital currencies. With new central bank digital currencies (CBDC), the regime of financial security thus changes from the monitoring of financial flows and flagging of (potentially) illicit transactions towards the storage of financial data in (de)centralised ledgers. This form of transactional governance is engendered by shifting geopolitical agendas that increasingly rely on fractured instead of globalised financial infrastructures, thus making CBDCs themselves subject to security efforts.
INSTRUMENTAL VARIABLES INFERENCE IN A SMALL-DIMENSIONAL VAR MODEL WITH DYNAMIC LATENT FACTORS
Authors: Carlini Federico , Gagliardini Patrick
Published: November 2022

We study semiparametric inference in a small-dimensional vector autoregressive (VAR) model of order p augmented by unobservable common factors with a dynamic described by a VAR process of order q. This state-space specification is useful to measure separately the direct causality effects and the responses to dynamic common factors. We show that the state-space parameters are identifiable from the autocovariance function of the observed process. We estimate the model by means of a multistep procedure in closed-form, which combines an eigenvalue–eigenvector matrix decomposition and a linear instrumental variable estimation allowing for Hansen–Sargan specification tests. We study the asymptotic and finite-sample properties of the parameter estimators and of rank tests for selecting the number of unobservable factors and VAR orders. In an empirical illustration, we investigate the dynamic common factors and the spillover effects that explain the co-movements among the log daily realized volatilities of four European stock market indices.