bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prosocial risk taking and interpersonal regret in children: An individual differences study
Authors: Corbett Bethany , Feeney Aidan , McCormack Teresa
Published: October 2022

The relations between prosocial risk taking (taking a risk to benefit another person; PSRT) and interpersonal regret (regret that one's choices have caused a poor outcome for another person) were examined in 192 children aged 7–9. PSRT was measured by children's choices within a gambling task in which one choice guaranteed participants a good prize whereas the other involved risking this prize to help a peer also win a good prize. Interpersonal regret was assessed within the same task by examining children's change in emotion when they learned they would have won a better prize for a peer had they chosen differently. Performance on this task was also examined in relation to sympathy and resource sharing. Findings indicated that the operationalizations of PSRT and interpersonal regret were meaningful. Children who took a prosocial risk were more generous in a resource sharing task. In some circumstances, children who took a prosocial risk were also more likely to experience interpersonal regret than those who did not take a prosocial risk, indicating that experiencing interpersonal regret may be related to individual differences in prosociality. However, experiencing interpersonal regret did not have a direct effect on subsequent prosocial behavior, when measured by resource sharing. We consider findings in relation to a possible distinction between outcome and process regret and the generalizability of the behavioral consequences of regret.
Trajectory of quality of mother‐child interactions: Prospective links with child socioemotional functioning
Authors: Marquis‐Brideau Camille , Bernier Annie , Cimon‐Paquet Catherine , Sirois Marie‐Soleil
Published: October 2022

Research shows that the quality of mother‐child interactions is a robust antecedent of child socioemotional functioning. Yet, relatively little is known about the evolution of this relational quality over time, and even less about how changes in relational quality may bear on child adjustment. This study aimed to describe the trajectory of quality of mother‐child interactions between ages 2 and 7 and to investigate associations between individual differences in this trajectory and child socioemotional functioning at age 8. In a sample of 233 mother‐child dyads primarily comprised of White French‐Canadian mothers, the quality of interactions was assessed during 10‐min play sequences when children were aged 2, 4, and 7 years. Child internalizing, externalizing, and prosocial behaviors were reported by a subsample of 171 teachers at age 8. The results showed that on average, quality of mother‐child interactions decreased over time. In terms of individual differences, children who experienced a slower decrease in the quality of interactions with their mother from 2 to 7 years showed less internalizing behavior at age 8, over and above initial quality at 2 years. Children involved in higher quality interactions with their mother at 2 years showed more prosocial and less externalizing behavior at age 8, independent of the subsequent decrease in the quality of those interactions. The findings suggest that initial levels and subsequent changes in the quality of mother‐child interactions are two distinct indicators of their relationship with potentially different implications for child adjustment.
Impact of prophylactic antimalarials in pregnant women living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus on birth outcomes in Botswana
Authors: Olaleye Omonike Arike , Zash Rebecca , Diseko Modiegi , Mayondi Gloria , Mabuta Judith , Lockman Shahin , Melton M. Lendsey , Mmalane Mompati , Makhema Joseph , Shapiro Roger L.
Published: October 2022

Objectives

Until late 2015, Botswana recommended preventive treatment for pregnant women in malarial regions with chloroquine and proguanil (CP). The guideline change provided an opportunity to evaluate CP and adverse birth outcomes.

Methods

The Tsepamo Study performed birth outcomes surveillance at large delivery centres throughout Botswana. We evaluated adverse birth outcomes from 2015 to 2017 at three hospitals where 93% of CP use was recorded. Outcomes included neonatal death (NND), small for gestational age (SGA), very SGA, stillbirth (SB), preterm delivery (PTD) and very PTD. Logistic regression analysis (unadjusted and adjusted) was conducted for each adverse birth outcome.

Results

During the study period, 5883 (26%) of 23,033 deliveries were exposed to CP, with the majority (65%) in the most malaria‐endemic region. At this site, there was a trend or an association between CP use and reduction of three adverse birth outcomes: PTD (aOR 0.85, 95% CI 0.76–0.96), vPTD (aOR 0.83, 95% CI 0.68–1.01) and NND (aOR 0.65, 95% CI 0.42–1.00). However, at the least malaria‐endemic site, the association was in the opposite direction for SB (aOR 1.54, 95% CI 1.08–2.22), SGA (aOR 1.24, 95% CI 1.06–1.44) and vSGA (aOR 1.42, 95% CI 1.14–1.77). The association between CP and reduced PTD was present among women without HIV (aOR 0.77, 95% CI 0.67–0.89) but not among women with HIV (aOR 1.09, 95% CI 0.78–1.35).

Conclusions

Antimalarial prophylaxis was associated with improved birth outcomes in the most malaria‐endemic region of Botswana, but not elsewhere. This finding supports current WHO guidance to use prophylaxis strategies among pregnant women in highly malaria‐endemic regions. Further studies of the risks and benefits of specific antimalarial regimens in pregnancy are warranted, particularly in areas with lower incidence of malaria.
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND IN GOD'S EXISTENCE: CONNECTING PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION AND COMPUTATION
Authors: Vestrucci Andrea
Published: October 2022

The exploration of metaphysical arguments in the symbolic AI environment provides clarification and raises unexpected questions about notions in philosophy of religion and theology. Recent attempts to apply automatic theorem prover technology to Anselm's ontological argument have led to a simplification of the argument. This computationally discovered simplification has given rise to logical observations. The article assesses one of these observations: the application of the diagonal method (in Cantor's version) to Anselm's argument. The evaluation of the applications of theorem provers to metaphysical and theological arguments contributes to the following topics in philosophy of religion: the limits of natural theology, the relationship between religion and STEM, and theology's scientificity.
Sudan's Government Interventions: A Review Article On How To Overcome The Gap Between Wheat Production And Consumption
Authors: Ibrahim Howida Ahmed , Mohamed Baqutayan Shadiya
Published: October 2022

Agriculture is considered the mainstay of Sudan's economy and the livelihood of the majority of the population. It has contributed an annual average of 32 % of GDP for the last 10 years. Wheat is a strategic and political crop in Sudan and has played a central role in the country’s economy during successive regimes. This review paper aims to highlight the status of wheat production and consumption in Sudan in line with government interventions in the local and imported wheat sectors over the past few decades to ensure adequate grain supplies for domestic consumption. The Sudan government's official national-level statistics data and the government policy documents related to wheat production and consumption are used to conduct this paper. Despite the agricultural potential and ingredients available in Sudan, as well as government interventions via policies and plans oriented towards achieving wheat self-sufficiency, domestic production does not meet the population's needs and only covers an average of domestic consumption, which does not exceed 24%. Therefore, the Sudanese government has been importing wheat to bridge this gap, which was a great burden on its budget previously, and from this year (2022), this will be a great burden on the Sudanese citizens as the government completely lifted subsidies for wheat imports. This situation, in line with the world prices of wheat, which have surged since February 2022 and reached an all-time high level not seen since 2008 as the Russian invasion of Ukraine triggered supply disruption from two of the world's largest wheat producers, requires evaluation of previous government interventions to determine what the real problem is, with a focus in the background of the commitments of the Millennium Development Goals and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) to enhance the policies on "No Poverty," "Zero Hunger," and "Good Health and Well-being."
Retelling Through the Eyes of Innocents: A Study of Jojo Rabbit and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
Authors: Kalloli Angela Teresa , Tyagi Sarika
Published: October 2022

This paper undertakes a study of the novels The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne and Caging Skies by Christine Leunens along with their award-winning movie retellings – The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by Mark Herman and Heyman, and Jojo Rabbit by Taika Waititi – to explore how the film retellings employ the technique of a child’s perception to provide a fresh perspective of one of the darkest moments of history: the Holocaust by the Nazi Regime. Rewriting, retelling and adapting historical, canonical or even familiar tale tropes are enduring conventions in literature and these are traditions central to many literary movements. Over the years, numerous movies have been crafted, retelling or adapting a short story or a novel or a play to a screenplay, furthering the scope of literary retellings via the visual media. These adaptations exhibit the capability of human creativity, human literary behavior, and the ability to bring about a novel and immersive experience of a literary piece. A comparative study of the novels and their movie retellings by employing a distinctive perspective is undertaken to throw light on the other factors influencing the popularity of the work. This paper also seeks to study the dynamics of the relationship between Literature and Media – with reference to select movies of the 21st Century, in particular, in retelling stories and making ventures to address aspects that the present century calls for, with the background of the past.
Mediating Role of Cultural Identity in the Relationship between Social Media Use Intensity and Social Media Use Purpose among Chinese International Students in Malaysia
Authors: Zhao Wenwen , Osman Mohd Nizam , Omar Siti Zobidah , Yaakup Hani Salwah
Published: October 2022

Social media has become essential for international students adjusting to a new environment. Previous research has shown that social media use purposes influence international students' cognition, psychology, and behavior. Limited studies have explored whether social media use purposes could be modified. This study investigated whether and how social media use intensity could influence use purpose by focusing on the mediating role of cultural identity among 213 Chinese international students studying in Malaysia. Data were analyzed using both SPSS and PROCESS macro. The findings revealed that social media use intensity positively predicted social media use purpose. Cultural identity (both Chinese and Malaysian cultural identity) partially mediated the relationship between social media use intensity and social media use purpose. Therefore, part of the impact of social media use intensity on social use purpose is achieved through cultural identity. By comparing the proportion of the mediating effect to the total effect, Malaysian cultural identity had a larger mediating effect than Chinese cultural identity. The results of this study could help improve the cross-cultural experience of Chinese students in Malaysia.
Electrochemical potential enables dormant spores to integrate environmental signals
Authors: Kikuchi Kaito , Galera-Laporta Leticia , Weatherwax Colleen , Lam Jamie Y. , Moon Eun Chae , Theodorakis Emmanuel A. , Garcia-Ojalvo Jordi , Süel Gürol M.
Published: October 2022

The dormant state of bacterial spores is generally thought to be devoid of biological activity. We show that despite continued dormancy, spores can integrate environmental signals over time through a preexisting electrochemical potential. Specifically, we studied thousands of individual
Bacillus subtilis
spores that remain dormant when exposed to transient nutrient pulses. Guided by a mathematical model of bacterial electrophysiology, we modulated the decision to exit dormancy by genetically and chemically targeting potassium ion flux. We confirmed that short nutrient pulses result in step-like changes in the electrochemical potential of persistent spores. During dormancy, spores thus gradually release their stored electrochemical potential to integrate extracellular information over time. These findings reveal a decision-making mechanism that operates in physiologically inactive cells.
Two FTD-ALS genes converge on the endosomal pathway to induce TDP-43 pathology and degeneration
Authors: Shao Wei , Todd Tiffany W. , Wu Yanwei , Jones Caroline Y. , Tong Jimei , Jansen-West Karen , Daughrity Lillian M. , Park Jinyoung , Koike Yuka , Kurti Aishe , Yue Mei , Castanedes-Casey Monica , del Rosso Giulia , Dunmore Judith A. , Zanetti Alepuz Desiree , Oskarsson Björn , Dickson Dennis W. , Cook Casey N. , Prudencio Mercedes , Gendron Tania F. , Fryer John D. , Zhang Yong-Jie , Petrucelli Leonard
Published: October 2022

Frontotemporal dementia and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FTD-ALS) are associated with both a repeat expansion in the
C9orf72
gene and mutations in the TANK-binding kinase 1 (
TBK1
) gene. We found that TBK1 is phosphorylated in response to
C9orf72
poly(Gly-Ala) [poly(GA)] aggregation and sequestered into inclusions, which leads to a loss of TBK1 activity and contributes to neurodegeneration. When we reduced TBK1 activity using a TBK1-R228H (Arg
228
→His) mutation in mice, poly(GA)-induced phenotypes were exacerbated. These phenotypes included an increase in TAR DNA binding protein 43 (TDP-43) pathology and the accumulation of defective endosomes in poly(GA)-positive neurons. Inhibiting the endosomal pathway induced TDP-43 aggregation, which highlights the importance of this pathway and TBK1 activity in pathogenesis. This interplay between
C9orf72
,
TBK1
, and TDP-43 connects three different facets of FTD-ALS into one coherent pathway.
Toward a more inclusive internet
The Equality Machine
Orly Lobel
PublicAffairs, 2022. 368 pp.
Authors: Greenbaum Dov
Published: October 2022

Expecting perfection impedes progress in the march toward digital equality, argues a legal scholar
Violent conflict in Myanmar linked to boom in amber studies
Authors: Ortega Rodrigo Pérez
Published: October 2022

Among hundreds of publications on fossils preserved in amber, almost none include Myanmar researchers
NSF turns to big data to check if grantees have foreign ties
Authors: Mervis Jeffrey
Published: October 2022

New CHIPS law mandates tougher enforcement of research security by U.S. funding agencies
Emergence of Tn
1999.7
, a New Transposon in
bla
OXA-48
-Harboring Plasmids Associated with Increased Plasmid Stability
Authors: Sattler Janko , Tsvetkov Tsvetan , Stelzer Yvonne , Schäfer Sina , Sommer Julian , Noster Janina , Göttig Stephan , Hamprecht Axel
Published: October 2022

OXA-48 is the most common carbapenemase in
Enterobacterales
in Germany and many other European countries. Depending on the genomic location of
bla
OXA-48
, OXA-48-producing isolates vary in phenotype and intra- and interspecies transferability of
bla
OXA-48
. In most bacterial isolates,
bla
OXA-48
is located on one of seven variants of Tn
1999
(Tn
1999.1
to Tn
1999.6
and invTn
1999.2
).
A Signaling Factor Linked to Toxoplasma gondii Guanylate Cyclase Complex Controls Invasion and Egress during Acute and Chronic Infection
Authors: Ye Shu , Lunghi Matteo , Soldati-Favre Dominique
Published: October 2022

Toxoplasma gondii
is an obligate intracellular parasite of the phylum Apicomplexa. This life-threatening opportunistic pathogen establishes a chronic infection in human and animals that is resistant to immune attacks and chemotherapeutic intervention.
Chromosome-Level Genome Sequences, Comparative Genomic Analyses, and Secondary-Metabolite Biosynthesis Evaluation of the Medicinal Edible Mushroom Laetiporus sulphureus
Authors: Dong Wei-ge , Wang Zhen-xin , Feng Xi-long , Zhang Rui-qi , Shen Dao-yin , Du Shuangtian , Gao Jin-ming , Qi Jianzhao
Published: October 2022

L. sulphureus
is a parasitic basidiomycete fungus that causes brown rot. The fruiting bodies of
L. sulphureus
are used as ancient medicines in China and Europe to cure cancer, analgesia, cough, and rheumatism and are considered a functional food that regulates the body and improves health.
L. sulphureus
was inferred to be a tetrapolar system based on a high-quality genome, which will aid molecular breeding and artificial farming.
Supplemental Material: Formation of the Green Mountain anticlinorium in northern Vermont at ca. 420 Ma
Authors: Tam Evan , al. et
Published: October 2022

 Full descriptions of methods for microstructural and 40Ar/39Ar geochronology analyses, apparent age spectra for all samples, microphotographs of all samples detailing observed microstructures, data tables with locations, and summaries for each sample (including microstructural and 40Ar/39Ar geochronological results and full 40Ar/39Ar data tables).  
In-situ manipulations of aquatic optical depth and its effect on small unoccupied aerial systems–derived spectral reflectance
Authors: Holzbauer-Schweitzer Brandon K. , Nairn Robert W.
Published: October 2022

The collection of spectral data with sensors fixed to various platforms (e.g., satellites, occupied aerial vehicles, and small unoccupied aerial systems (sUAS)) has allowed for the estimation of optically active constituents (OACs) common in surface waters. However, in small, complex, and optically shallow waters where multiple OACs (e.g., chlorophyll-a and total suspended solids) impact the spectral signature, these technologies have experienced significant limitations. Altering the scale at which these examinations are performed on surface waters (e.g., ponds and lakes) to mesocosm systems (37 cm in height and 30 cm in diameter) provides information on the interactions between multiple OACs and insight on the impact aquatic optical depth has on remotely sensed spectra. This field study examines optically shallow and optically deep mesocosm systems simulated in five-gallon buckets to determine the role aquatic optical depth has on developing accurate surface-water quality models. Results demonstrated an accurate representation of OACs in optically deep mesocosms compared with optically shallow mesocosms when assessed with sUAS (i.e., relative percent differences in predicted iron concentrations of −86 and 16 for optically shallow and deep waters, respectively). The interferences observed under these conditions were comparable to literature values when studying optically complex water bodies with hyperspectral data. This study provides a basis for understanding the benefits and limitations of monitoring in-situ water quality via sUAS.
Double shadow of a 4D Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet black hole and the connection between them with quasinormal modes
Authors: Liu Tian-Tian , Zhang He-Xu , Feng Yu-Hang , Deng Jian-Bo , Hu Xian-Ru
Published: October 2022

In this paper, we study the shadow of a 4D Einstein–Gauss–Bonnet black hole as photons couple to the Weyl tensor and find that the propagation of light depends on its polarization which leads to the existence of a double shadow. Then, we discuss the effect of the coupling parameter [Formula: see text], the polarization of light and the Gauss–Bonnet coupling constant [Formula: see text] on the shadow. Further, we explore the influence of the Gauss–Bonnet coupling constant [Formula: see text] on the quasinormal modes (QNMs) of massless scalar field and investigate the connection between the real part of QNMs in the eikonal limit and the shadow radius of black holes. We find that in the eikonal limit, the real part of QNMs is inversely proportional to the shadow radius under the case of the photons uncoupled to the Weyl tensor.
Quasi-local stress-tensor formalism and the Casimir effect
Authors: Nazari Borzoo
Published: October 2022

We apply the quasi-local stress–energy tensor formalism to the Casimir effect of a scalar field confined between conducting planes located in a static spacetime. We show that the surface energy vanishes for both Neumann and Dirichlet boundary conditions and consequently the volume Casimir energy reduces to the famous zero point energy of the quantum field, i.e. [Formula: see text]. This enables us to reinforce previous results in the literature and extend the calculations to the case of massive and arbitrarily coupled scalar field. We found that there exists a first-order perturbation correction to the Casimir energy contrary to previous claims which state that it vanishes. This shows many orders of magnitude greater than previous estimations for the energy corrections and makes it detectable by near future experiments.
Efficient Predicate Evaluation Using Randomized Degeneracy Detection
Authors: Milenkovic Victor , Sacks Elisha
Published: October 2022

Computational geometry algorithms branch on the signs of predicates. Prior predicate evaluation techniques are slow on degenerate (zero sign) predicates, especially on predicates on algebraic numbers. Degeneracy is common for predicates whose arguments have common antecedents. We present three randomized algorithms for degeneracy detection. The first algorithm uses modular arithmetic to detect degenerate predicates on rational numbers. The second algorithm uses quotient rings to reduce detecting degenerate predicates on algebraic numbers to multiple rational predicates, which can be evaluated deterministically or using the first algorithm. This algorithm is impractical because it is exponential in the number of algebraic numbers, yet it is still much faster than prior work that uses root separation bounds. The third algorithm uses a perturbation to eliminate degenerate algebraic predicates that are not identical to zero and a second perturbation to detect those that are. The first and third algorithms are incorporated into an exact geometric computation library. By sampling values generated by the algorithms, the library estimates the degeneracy detection failure probability over the lifetime of every calling program. We call this approach statistical degeneracy detection (SDD). Extensive testing shows that predicate evaluation is reliable and fast.
Learning about VR in VR
Authors: DeVeaux Cyan , Bailenson Jeremy
Published: October 2022

After 20 years of teaching about VR, we finally taught in VR. This article describes lessons learned from 263 students who spent 10 weeks in virtual reality together and a total of 200,000 shared minutes "in headset."
The future of experiential computing
Authors: Perlin Ken
Published: October 2022

In another decade smart glasses, and the networked infrastructure that will make them possible, will fundamentally alter all that we know. It is hard to fully anticipate the impact of such a profound change, but we can make a few predictions.
Floquet States in Open Quantum Systems
Authors: Mori Takashi
Published: October 2022

In Floquet engineering, periodic driving is used to realize novel phases of matter that are inaccessible in thermal equilibrium. For this purpose, the Floquet theory provides us a recipe for obtaining a static effective Hamiltonian. Although many existing works have treated closed systems, it is important to consider the effect of dissipation, which is ubiquitous in nature. Understanding the interplay of periodic driving and dissipation is a fundamental problem of nonequilibrium statistical physics that is receiving growing interest because of the fact that experimental advances have allowed us to engineer dissipation in a controllable manner. In this review, we give a detailed exposition on the formalism of quantum master equations for open Floquet systems and highlight recent work investigating whether equilibrium statistical mechanics applies to Floquet states.
Crowd Dynamics: Modeling and Control of Multiagent Systems
Authors: Gong Xiaoqian , Herty Michael , Piccoli Benedetto , Visconti Giuseppe
Published: October 2022

This review aims to present recent developments in modeling and control of multiagent systems. A particular focus is set on crowd dynamics characterized by complex interactions among agents, also called social interactions, and large-scale systems. Specifically, in a crowd each individual agent interacts with a field generated by the other agents and the environment. These systems can be modeled at the microscopic scale by ordinary differential equations, while an alternative description at the mesoscopic scale is given by a partial differential equation for the propagation of the probability density of the agents. Control actions can be applied at the individual level as well as at the level of the corresponding fields. This article presents and compares different control types, and the specific application to multilane, multiclass traffic is developed in some detail, showing the main tools at work in a hybrid setting with relevant impacts on autonomous driving.
An Aspirin a Day: New Pharmacological Developments and Cancer Chemoprevention
Authors: Menter David G. , Bresalier Robert S.
Published: October 2022

Chemoprevention refers to the use of natural or synthetic agents to reverse, suppress, or prevent the progression or recurrence of cancer. A large body of preclinical and clinical data suggest the ability of aspirin to prevent precursor lesions and cancers, but much of the clinical data are inferential and based on descriptive epidemiology, case control, and cohort studies or studies designed to answer other questions (e.g., cardiovascular mortality). Multiple pharmacological, clinical, and epidemiologic studies suggest that aspirin can prevent certain cancers but may also cause other effects depending on the tissue or disease and organ site in question. The best-known biological targets of aspirin are cyclooxygenases, which drive a wide variety of functions, including hemostasis, inflammation, and immune modulation. Newly recognized molecular and cellular interactions suggest additional modifiable functional targets, and the existence of consensus molecular cancer subtypes suggests that aspirin may have differential effects based on tumor heterogeneity. This review focuses on new pharmacological developments and innovations in biopharmacology that clarify the potential role of aspirin in cancer chemoprevention.
High-Dimensional Survival Analysis: Methods and Applications
Authors: Salerno Stephen , Li Yi
Published: October 2022

In the era of precision medicine, time-to-event outcomes such as time to death or progression are routinely collected, along with high-throughput covariates. These high-dimensional data defy classical survival regression models, which are either infeasible to fit or likely to incur low predictability due to overfitting. To overcome this, recent emphasis has been placed on developing novel approaches for feature selection and survival prognostication. In this article, we review various cutting-edge methods that handle survival outcome data with high-dimensional predictors, highlighting recent innovations in machine learning approaches for survival prediction. We cover the statistical intuitions and principles behind these methods and conclude with extensions to more complex settings, where competing events are observed. We exemplify these methods with applications to the Boston Lung Cancer Survival Cohort study, one of the largest cancer epidemiology cohorts investigating the complex mechanisms of lung cancer.
Three-Decision Methods: A Sensible Formulation of Significance Tests—and Much Else
Authors: Rice Kenneth M. , Krakauer Chloe A.
Published: October 2022

For real-valued parameters, significance tests can be motivated as three-decision methods, in which we either assert the sign of the parameter above or below a specified null value, or say nothing either way. Tukey viewed this as a “sensible formulation” of tests, unlike the widely taught null hypothesis significance testing (NHST) system that is today's default. We review the three-decision framework, collecting the substantial literature on how other statistical tools can be usefully motivated in this way. These tools include close Bayesian analogs of frequentist power calculations, p-values, confidence intervals, and multiple testing corrections. We also show how three-decision arguments can straightforwardly resolve some well-known difficulties in the interpretation and criticism of testing results. Explicit results are shown for simple conjugate analyses, but the methods discussed apply generally to real-valued parameters.
Research on the Measurement of Logistics Capability of Core Cities along “the Belt and Road” in China
Authors: Sun Zhichao , Wang Tao , Xiao Xinuo , Zhang Qing , Guo Huiwen
Published: October 2022

The B&R strategy came into being to promote the free and orderly flow of economic factors, the efficient allocation of resources, and the depth of market integration. Logistics is the artery of element circulation and the basis of the B&R. The logistics capacity of core cities along the R&B will be an essential factor affecting the strategy. In this context, it is of practical significance to measure the logistics capacity of the core cities along the B&R. Since combing domestic and overseas research, this paper first uses clustering analysis to screen out nine core cities along the B&R and then uses fuzzy matter-element analysis to measure their urban logistics capacity and sort them. The results show that the urban logistics capacity in the eastern coastal areas of China is higher than that in northwest and southwest China. The logistics capacity of cities along “The 21st Century Sea Silk Road” is more robust than that of others and through the urban agglomeration could further achieve economies of scale. The logistics capacity of cities along the “Silk Road Economic Zone” should improve the construction of logistics infrastructure and enhance logistics information in the future.
Impacted Palatal Canines and Diode Laser Surgery: A Case Report
Authors: Vitale Marina Consuelo , Nardi Maria Gloria , Pellegrini Matteo , Spadari Francesco , Pulicari Federica , Alcozer Roberto , Minardi Martina , Sfondrini Maria Francesca , Bertino Karin , Scribante Andrea
Published: October 2022

Introduction. Maxillary canine is the most frequent dental element that could likely remain impacted in the bone structure, with a percentage between 1 and 5%. This study presents a case report using a diode laser for surgical-orthodontics disinclusion of a palatal mucosal impacted permanent left upper canine (2.3) and the simultaneous application of an orthodontic bracket. Methods. After cementation of the trans-palatal bar to the upper first molars with a hook for orthodontic traction, local anaesthesia with articaine was performed, followed by surgical operculectomy using a diode laser (810 nm wavelength, continuous wave mode with a power output of 3 W, and a 0.4 mm diameter optical fiber), and the orthodontic bracket with a passive metal looped ligature was applied. Subsequently, active elastic traction was applied on 2.3 and the upper arch was bonded for the application of a series of orthodontic wires, lace-back, and metal ligatures. A progressive reactivation of the elastic traction and extraction of 6.3 was necessary to translate the canine into the correct arch position. Results. Diode laser surgical-orthodontic disinclusion of impacted upper canine was performed successively, resulting in a dry surgical field ideal for orthodontic bracket adhesion. No pain and no swelling have been reported from the patient. The orthodontic treatment allowed the canine to be moved to the correct position in the arch. Conclusions. This case showed that the diode laser is a valid alternative for the surgical-orthodontic disinclusion of an included tooth element.
Design of Hardware Acceleration in Edge Computing Device for Bottle Cap High-Speed Inspection
Authors: Liu Kaiyuan , Liu Yiming , Peng Chong , Chang Yiyang , Zhao Yi
Published: October 2022

High-speed product appearance inspection is crucial for modern automated industrial production such as bottle caps. The main detection method is to capture the image of bottle caps on the high-speed conveyor belt by industrial cameras and send them to the server through edge devices for various analyses. In order to improve production efficiency, it is necessary to increase the inspection rate of bottle caps. However, the transmission rate and huge data throughput of traditional inspection methods limit the inspection rate. Because of the application requirements for improving bottle cap detection efficiency, this paper proposes a hardware acceleration design based on edge devices to improve the bottle cap detection rate significantly. In this paper, an image processing module based on FPGA is designed as the edge device, improving algorithm execution speed through pipeline processing. It realizes the edge detection of the bottle cap and the fast detection of the front or back states and can send the instructions to the actuator to correct it in time when the back bottle cap is detected. It also realizes the positioning of the bottle cap area and cuts the image. Thereby, the amount of data sent to the server is significantly reduced. We have done both functional simulation and hardware implementation. Comparing with the pure software solution, the proposed design reduces the execution time of the algorithm from 16 ms to 3.07 ms, which achieves a more than four times rate increase. The amount of data that needs to be transmitted to the server per second is reduced from 7200 Kb is reduced to 25 Kb, which reduces the transmission capacity and server cache space by more than 280 times compared to the original image. In this paper, the hardware acceleration design of edge devices and the positioning and cropping of original images can greatly reduce the transmission pressure, data calculation pressure, and buffer space requirements of the central server and improve the detection rate. This design can not only be used for bottle cap inspection but also for various machine vision fields, such as defect detection of other workpieces.
Detection of Beta-Lactamases (ESBL and MBL) Producing Gram-Negative Pathogens in National Public Health Laboratory of Nepal
Authors: Shrestha Anjana , Acharya Jyoti , Amatya Jyoti , Paudyal Rabin , Rijal Nisha
Published: October 2022

Background. Bacterial resistance to antibiotics has increased in recent years. Resistance to β-lactams in Gram-negative bacteria has been reported to be associated with extended spectrum beta-lactamases and metallo-beta-lactamases. This study was aimed at determining the distribution and antibiotic susceptibility patterns of Gram-negative pathogens producing extended spectrum beta lactamases and metallo-beta lactamases. Method and Methodology. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the National Public Health Laboratory during a period of six months. All clinical specimens were obtained and processed for the identification of Gram-negative pathogens by culture, morphological, and biochemical tests. Antibiotic susceptibility testing of the isolates was performed by the Kirby Bauer disc diffusion and the isolates were tested for ESBL and MBL by the combined disk method. Results. Out of 4266 clinical specimens, 197 (4.6%) were found to be Gram-negative bacterial isolates. 47 (23.9%) isolates were ESBL producers. The most predominant organisms were Escherichia coli (53%), Klebsiella pneumonia (23%), and Pseudomonas spp. (13%). 16 (8.2%) were positive for MBL producers, and 6(3.1%) were both ESBL and MBL producers. The MBL activity was seen in E. coli (38%), followed by Pseudomonas spp. (31%), and K. pneumoniae (19%). The ESBL producers showed a higher degree of sensitivity towards imipenem and amikacin, followed by piperacillin tazobactam. MBL producers showed sensitivity towards amikacin only. Conclusion. The prevalence of ESBL and MBL producing Gram-negative bacteria was found to be high in bacterial infections in Nepal. Routine laboratory testing for ESBL and MBL is needed in order to optimize antibiotic management and reduce the risk of spread of infections caused by ESBL and MBL producers.
KRT17 Accelerates Cell Proliferative and Invasive Potential of Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma (LSCC) through Regulating AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-Catenin Pathways
Authors: Wang JianQiu , Lan Longjiang , Ma Bingliang , Ren Gang , Yin ChengYi
Published: October 2022

Background. Laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) is a prevalent malignant tumor of the head and neck with a dismal prognosis. Keratin17 (KRT17) has been proven to serve as an oncogene in various cancers, but it has never been explored in LSCC. We proposed to assess the impact and possible mechanisms of KRT17 in the development of LSCC. Methods. Quantitative reverse transcription-PCR (qRT-PCR) was utilized to examine the mRNA levels. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to calculate the relationship between KRT17 expression and survival curves in LSCC patients. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation, and flow cytometry assays were utilized to estimate LSCC cell proliferation. The migration and invasion abilities of LSCC cells were ascertained by wound-healing and transwell assays. Immunohistochemical and western blot assays were utilized to appraise protein levels. The xenograft tumor model was used to determine the effect of KRT17 on tumor growth. Results. In the present study, KRT17 was extremely high in LSCC tissues and cells and correlated with a poor prognosis. Inhibition of KRT17 weakens cell proliferative, migratory, and invasive abilities in LSCC and contributes to cell cycle arrest. Besides, we approved that knockdown of KRT17 extraordinarily restrained the xenograft tumor growth in vivo. We preliminarily investigated the role of KRT17 on the AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling axes and found that these signaling pathways were largely blocked by KRT17 deletion. Conclusion. Collectively, we uncovered that exhaustion of KRT17 suppresses LSCC progression through coordinating AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling axes, illustrating KRT17 as a promising biomarker for making strides in LSCC treatment.
Shikonin Mediates Apoptosis through G Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor of Ovarian Cancer Cells
Authors: Liu Xinyue , Yang Yao , Tang Xuefei , Guo Li , Tang Xinhui , Zhu Ting , Zhao Tiannan , Zhang Weina , Zhang Ping
Published: October 2022

This study was intended to establish the predictive target of Shikonin (SK) against ovarian cancer using network pharmacology and to clarify the potential mechanism of SK in promoting apoptosis in ovarian cancer. Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, plate clone assays, LDH assay, flow cytometric analysis of Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide staining, and western blotting were used to assess the effect of SK on apoptosis of ovarian cancer cell lines (SKOV3 and A2780). Pharmacodynamic targets were used to predict the targets of SK and ovarian cancer. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Gene and Genome (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were used to analyze the biological functions and signal pathways of these targets. SK promoted apoptosis in ovarian epithelioid adenocarcinoma cells. SK-ovarian cancer pharmacodynamic target analysis screened 17 related genes. GO and KEGG analyses showed that SK affected the estrogen signaling pathway. SK inhibited the expression of GPER in SKOV3 and A2780 cells and downregulated the expression of EGFR, p-EGFR, PI3K, and p-AKT in a concentration-dependent manner. The apoptosis-promoting effect of SK was enhanced by GPER-specific agonist G1 and inhibited by the specific inhibitor G15. The expression of EGFR, p-EGFR, PI3K, and p-AKT was decreased by G1 and reversed by G15. SK also inhibited tumor growth in the SKOV3 xenograft model, and it acted synergistically with G1. However, the effect can be attenuated by G15 in vivo. In summary, SK may affect the apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells through GPER/EGFR/PI3K/AKT, and GPER may be a key target of SK in ovarian cancer cell apoptosis.
Mutagenic, Carcinogenic, and Teratogenic Effect of Heavy Metals
Authors: Dasharathy Sukeerthi , Arjunan Selvam , Maliyur Basavaraju Anusha , Murugasen Vidya , Ramachandran Saravanan , Keshav Rohini , Murugan Rajadurai
Published: October 2022

Heavy metal (HM)-induced toxicity and its associated complications have become a major issue in the medical world. HMs are not biodegradable, enter into the food chain, and gets accumulated in the living systems. Increased concentrations and accumulation of HMs can cause severely damaging effects and severe complications in living organisms and can even lead to the death of the organism. In Ayurvedic medicine, ingredients of natural origin, including whole plants or certain portions of the plant, animal sources, and minerals, are used for therapeutic purposes as medicine, both alone and in combination. HM such as cadmium, copper, zinc, lead, chromium, nickel, and arsenic cause hazardous effects on animals, human health, and the environment. This review focuses on mutagenic, carcinogenic, and teratogenic effects of HM , mechanism, organ toxicity, available remedies in the market, and their side effects. Also, emphasis is given to alternative systems of medicine to treat HM toxicity.
Pomegranate Peel Extract-Mediated Green Synthesis of ZnO-NPs: Extract Concentration-Dependent Structure, Optical, and Antibacterial Activity
Authors: Alnehia Adnan , Al-Odayni Abdel-Basit , Al-Sharabi Annas , Al-Hammadi A. H. , Saeed Waseem Sharaf
Published: October 2022

Plant-based nanoparticles (NPs) have many advantages over physical and chemical methods and featured with several medicinal and biological applications. In this study, zinc oxide NPs (ZnO-NPs) were synthesized using pomegranate peel aqueous extract, under mild and ecofriendly conditions. The ZnO-NPs structure, morphology, and optical properties were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis). Antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains were evaluated using the disk diffusion method. The effect of extract concentration (20, 30, and 40 mL) on the final properties of NPs, as well as the NPs concentration used for antibacterial test (50, 100, and 200 mg/mL), were also studied. The results indicate a hexagonal structure with particle size increases as extract concentration increase (D  = 18.53, 29.88, and 30.34 nm), while the optical bandgap was decreased (Eg = 2.87, 2.80, and 1.92 eV). The antibacterial activity of ZnO-NPs indicated high efficiency, similar or even higher than that of the control azithromycin, more against S. aureus, increased with NPs concentration, and preferred when NPs prepared from high extract concentration. Such promising physicochemical properties support the usefulness and efficacy of the reported bio-route for production of ZnO-NPs and may encourage its application for large-scale production.
Punctate Enhancement of Bilateral Basal Ganglia in a Case of Epstein-Barr Virus Encephalitis
Authors: Wada Takafumi , Yamamoto Toru , Ozaki Akihiko
Published: October 2022

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) encephalitis is caused by initial infection or reactivation of EBV. In adults, the risk factors of EBV encephalitis include human immunodeficiency virus infection, immunosuppressant drugs, congenital immune deficiencies, post-stem cell transplantation, and post-solid organ transplantation. However, a few cases of adult-onset EBV encephalitis without these risk factors were also reported. The efficacy of steroid or intravenous immunoglobulin remains unclear in the treatment of EBV encephalitis. Herein, we report a case of an 82-year-old man with fever and disturbance of consciousness who was diagnosed as having EBV encephalitis. Gadolinium-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging showed punctate enhancement in the bilateral basal ganglia, which resembled chronic lymphocytic inflammation with pontine perivascular enhancement responsive to steroids (CLIPPERS). Symptoms and enhanced lesions improved after immunotherapy. Immunotherapy may be effective in the treatment of EBV encephalitis with CLIPPERS-like lesions.
Prevalence of Molecular Alterations in a Swiss Cohort of 512 Colorectal Carcinoma Patients by Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Analysis in Routine Diagnostics
Authors: Haefliger Simon , Marston Katharina , Alborelli Ilaria , Stauffer Edouard-Jean , Gugger Mathias , Jermann Philip M. , Hoeller Sylvia , Tornillo Luigi , Terracciano Luigi M. , Bihl Michel , Matter Matthias S.
Published: October 2022

Introduction: Colorectal carcinoma (CRC) is among the most common carcinomas in women and men. In the advanced stage, patients are treated based on the RAS status. Recent studies indicate that in the future, in addition to KRAS and NRAS, alterations in other genes, such as PIK3CA or TP53, will be considered for therapy. Therefore, it is important to know the mutational landscape of routinely diagnosed CRC. Method: We report the molecular profile of 512 Swiss CRC patients analyzed by targeted next-generation sequencing as part of routine diagnostics at our institute. Results: Pathogenic and likely pathogenic variants were found in 462 (90%) CRC patients. Variants were detected in TP53 (54.3%), KRAS (48.2%), PIK3CA (15.6%), BRAF (13.5%), SMAD4 (10.5%), FBXW7 (7.8%), NRAS (3.5%), PTEN (2.7%), ERBB2 (1.6%), AKT1 (1.5%), and CTNNB1 (0.9%). The remaining pathogenic alterations were found in the genes ATM(n= 1), MAP2K1(n= 1), and IDH2(n= 1). Discussion/Conclusions: Our analysis revealed the prevalence of potential predictive markers in a large cohort of CRC patients obtained during routine diagnostic analysis. Furthermore, our study is the first of this size to uncover the molecular landscape of CRC in Switzerland.