bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Study on the Mechanical Properties and Design Parameters of Floor Slabs Waste Subgrade Filler
Authors: Shi Chenglin , Wang Yong , Wu Chunli , Song Wenzhu
Published: March 2022

In recent years, there have been more and more studies on the use of construction and demolition waste (CDW) as subgrade filler. The physical performance indexes of a single material of floor slabs waste (FSW) are studied, which meet the requirements of subgrade specification. From the perspective of construction quality control, it is proposed that when FSW is used as subgrade filler, the compaction thickness and the maximum allowable particle size should be controlled according to different layers, and the gradation of subgrade filler is evaluated by using the nonuniformity coefficient (Cu) and curvature coefficient (Cc). The compaction test of FSW shows that the maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of different gradations do not change much. The crushing value under the freeze-thaw cycle is proposed to evaluate the frost resistance of FSW. The crushing value of FSW after water absorption and frost heaving changes a little. The CBR and resilience modulus tests were carried out on the FSW such that the results show that they have a good relationship and the relevant expressions under different compaction degrees are fitted. When performing on-site compaction testing, it is proposed that the upper roadbed adopts the sand replacement method according to the different layers of the FSW subgrade and the settlement discrepancy method should be adopted for other parts. Through laboratory tests and construction field detective, the quality control requirements, road performance indexes, and design indexes of FSW materials are put forward.
Low EBI3 Expression Promotes the Malignant Degree of Gastric Cancer
Authors: Gu Qiqi , Wu Han , Cheng Zhouyang , Zhi Xiaofei , Song Qingjie , Chen Xiaoyang , Yang Xiaobing
Published: March 2022

Objective. To explore expression changes and clinical significance of EBI3 in gastric cancer. Methods. Expression of EBI3 in gastric cancer (GC) cell lines, GC tissues, and corresponding adjacent tissues were detected by qRT-PCR, Western blot, or immunohistochemistry. The relationship between the EBI3 expression and clinicopathological features of GC patients was analyzed. Expression of EBI3 in BGC-823 was overexpressed or downregulated, then, the changes of proliferation, migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity of BGC-823 were observed by MTT, scratch test, Transwell test, and tumorigenesis assay model. Results. EBI3 was lowly expressed in GC tissues. EBI3 expression in BGC823 was highest than other cell lines. EBI3 expression was significantly associated with TNM stage. GC patients with low expression of EBI3 had a rather poor prognosis than the GC patients with high expression of EBI3. Low EBI3 expression was an independent risk predictor of the prognosis of GC patients. After EBI3 was overexpressed, the viability, migration, invasion, and tumorigenicity abilities of BGC-823 were significantly reduced. Opposite effect was observed after EBI3 expression was downregulated. Conclusion. EBI3 low expression is closely related to the malignant degree of GC and may be a predictive indicator of the prognosis of GC and potential therapeutic targets.
Dynamic Evolution Analysis of Desertification Images Based on BP Neural Network
Authors: Lu Guanyao , Xu Dan , Meng Yue
Published: March 2022

In recent years, with the rise of artificial intelligence, deep neural network models have been used in various image recognition researches. Land desertification is a major environmental problem facing the world at present, and how to do a good job in dynamic monitoring is particularly important. For remote sensing images, this paper constructs a GA-PSO-BP analysis model based on BP neural network, genetic algorithm, and particle swarm algorithm and compares the classification training accuracies of the four models of BP, GA-BP, PSO-BP, and GA-PSO-BP; GA-PSO-BP was selected for dynamic analysis of desertification images, and the results showed the following: (1) By comparing the regional classification training accuracies of the four models of BP, GA-BP, PSO-BP, and GA-PSO-BP, the GA-PSO-BP neural network remote sensing image classification method proposed in this paper is simple and easy to operate. Compared with traditional remote sensing image classification methods and traditional neural network classification methods, the classification accuracy of remote sensing effects is improved. (2) Carrying out desertification analysis on remote sensing images of Horqin area, from 2010 to 2015, the desertified land area in the test area increased by 1.56 km2; from 2015 to 2020, the desertified land area in the test area decreased by 1.131 km2, and the desertified land in the test area from 2010 to 2020 showed a trend of increasing first and then decreasing, which is consistent with the actual situation. The GA-PSO-BP remote sensing image classification model has a good performance portability.
Operator Behavior Analysis System for Operation Room Based on Deep Learning
Authors: Jia Junying , Yang Haibo , Lu Xin , Li Mengkun , Li Yanbo
Published: March 2022

Human behavior analysis has been a leading technology in computer vision in recent years. The station operation room is responsible for the dispatch of trains when they enter and leave the station. By analyzing the behaviors of the operators in the operation room, we can judge whether the operators have violations. However, there is no scheme to analyze the operator’s behavior in the operation room, so we propose an operator behavior analysis system in the station operation room to detect operator’s violations. This paper proposes an improved target tracking algorithm based on Deep-sort. The proposed algorithm can improve the target tracking performance through the actual test compared with the traditional Deep-sort algorithm. In addition, we put forward the detection scheme for common violations in the operation room: off-position, sleeping, and playing mobile phone. Finally, we verify that the proposed algorithm can detect the behaviors of operators in the station operation room in real time.
On the Effect of Electroacupuncture in Promoting Healing after High Tibial Osteotomy
Authors: Tian XiangDong , Li Xia , Zhou LiQun , Zhao JiPing , Li XiaoMin , Huang Ye , Ding TianSong
Published: March 2022

Purpose. To explore the clinical effect of electroacupuncture in promoting the healing of the osteotomy area after high tibial osteotomy. Methods. 50 patients with knee osteoarthritis who underwent open wedge high tibial osteotomy (OWHTO) were selected and randomly divided into the observation group and control group. The control group got the common postoperative treatment, and the observation group was added electroacupuncture from the 3rd day after the operation on the basis of the control group. The electroacupuncture acupoints were selected SP10, ST34, ST32, EX-LE2, ST40,KI6, KI3, SP6, and ST41, once a day, and 14 days were a course of treatment. And then we contrasted the index of the Lane-Sandhu X-ray score, the skin incision healing time, the swelling subsided time, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index Score (WOMAC), and Lysholm in different time. Results. The Lane-Sandhu X-ray score of the observation group was better than that of the control group at all time points (

P
<
0.05

), and the time to achieve bone healing was about 2 weeks earlier than that of the control group. The skin healing and swelling were the subsided time in the osteotomy area. Both were better than the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). The VAS score, WOMAC score, and Lysholm score of the two groups were significantly improved compared with preoperatively, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). The improvement of the observation group’s VAS score, WOMAC score, and Lysholm score at 1 week, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks after the end of the treatment course was better than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (

P
<
0.05

). Conclusion. Electroacupuncture can quicken the healing of bone tissue and surrounding soft tissues in the osteotomy area after high tibial osteotomy, and at the same time, it can help the relief of knee joint pain and improve knee joint function.
The Faroe Islands COVID‐19 Recreational Football Study: Player‐to‐Player Distance, Body‐to‐Body Contact, Body‐to‐Ball Contact and Exercise Intensity during Various Types of Football Training for Both Genders and Various Age Groups
Authors: Mohr Magni , Sjúrðarson Tórur , Leifsson Eli N. , Randers Morten B. , Knudsen Nikolas Sten , Thomasen Manuel Mounir Demetry , Panduro Jeppe , Larsen Malte Nejst , Andersen Thomas Bull , Krustrup Peter
Published: March 2022

We determined player‐to‐player distance, body‐to‐ball contact, and exercise intensity during three training modalities in various football populations. 213 participants were recruited, ranging from 9‐year‐old boys to young men and 11‐year‐old girls to middle‐aged women. All groups were analysed with video‐filming and GPS‐based Polar Pro monitors during three types of football training for 20 min, i.e., COVID‐19‐modified training (CMT) with >2‐metre player‐to‐player distance, small‐sided games (SSG), and simulated match‐play with normal rules (SMP), in randomised order. Time spent in a danger zone (1.5 m) per‐percent‐infected‐player (DZ PPIP) ranged from 0.015 to 0.279% of playing time. DZ PPIP for SSG was higher (P < 0.05) than CMT and SMP. The average number of contacts (within 1.5 m) with a potentially infected player ranged from 12 to 73 contacts/hour. SSG had more (P < 0.05) contacts than CMT and SMP, with SMP having a higher (P < 0.05) number of contacts than CMT. Time/contact ranged from 0.87 to 3.00 seconds for the groups. No player‐to‐player and body‐to‐ball touches were registered for CMT. Total player‐to‐player contacts were 264% higher (P < 0.05) in SSG than SMP, ranging from 80 to 170 and 25 to 56 touches, respectively. In all groups, a greater total distance was covered during SMP compared to CMT (38–114%; P < 0.05). All groups performed more high‐intensity running (33–54%; P < 0.05) and had higher heart rates during SMP compared to CMT. Different types of football training all appear to exert a minor COVID‐19 infection risk; however, COVID‐19‐modified training may be safer than small‐sided game training, but also match‐play. In contrast, exercise intensity is lower during COVID‐19‐modified training than match‐play.
Topological Properties of Degree‐Based Invariants via M‐Polynomial Approach
Authors: Alsulami Samirah , Hussain Sabir , Afzal Farkhanda , Farahani Mohammad Reza , Afzal Deeba
Published: March 2022

Chemical graph theory provides a link between molecular properties and a molecular graph. The M‐polynomial is emerging as an efficient tool to recover the degree‐based topological indices in chemical graph theory. In this work, we give the closed formulas of redefined first and second Zagreb indices, modified first Zagreb index, nano‐Zagreb index, second hyper‐Zagreb index, Randić index, reciprocal Randić index, first Gourava index, and product connectivity Gourava index via M‐polynomial. We also present the M‐polynomial of silicate network and then closed formulas of topological indices are applied on the silicate network.
A Novel Intelligent Hybrid Optimized Analytics and Streaming Engine for Medical Big Data
Authors: Thilagaraj M. , Dwarakanath B. , Pandimurugan V. , Naveen P. , Hema M. S. , Hariharasitaraman S. , Arunkumar N. , Govindan Petchinathan
Published: March 2022

Medical data processing is exponentially increasing day by day due to the frequent demand for many applications. Healthcare data is one such field, which is dynamically growing day by day. In today’s scenario, an enormous amount of sensing devices and data collection units have been employed to generate and collect medical data all over the world. These healthcare devices will result in big real-time data streams. Hence, healthcare-based big data analytics and monitoring have gained hawk-eye importance but needs improvisation. Recently, machine and deep learning algorithms have gained importance to analyze huge amounts of medical data, extract the information, and even predict the future insights of diseases and also cope with the huge volume of data. But applying the learning models to handle big/medical data streams remains to be a challenge among the researchers. This paper proposes the novel deep learning electronic record search engine algorithm (ERSEA) along with firefly optimized long short-term memory (LSTM) model for better data analytics and monitoring. The experimentations have been carried out using Apache Spark using the different medical respiratory data. Finally, the proposed framework results are contrasted with existing models. It shows the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity like 94%, 93.5%, and 94% for less than 5 GB dataset, and also, more than 5 GB it provides 94%, 92%, and 93% to prove the extraordinary performance of the proposed framework.
Synthesis and Oxygen Storage Capability of CeO2 Powders for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Acid Orange 7
Authors: Xu Yaohui , Deng Chi , Dong Changxue , Wang Qin , Gao Nunan
Published: March 2022

Acid Orange 7 (AO7) is one of the most common azo dyes; however, its strong azo bond makes them difficult to biologically degrade. We sought to degrade AO7 dye using CeO2 as a promising alternative photocatalyst. CeO2 powders were synthesized with alternative monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), and triethanolamine (TEA) as a precipitant by solvothermal process combined calcination in air. Compared to the oxygen storage capability of Blank-CeO2 (0.186 mmol O2/g), that of MEA-CeO2 synthesized in the presence of MEA as a precipitant increased by 21.0%, while that of DEA-CeO2 and TEA-CeO2 synthesized in the presence of DEA and TEA as precipitants were decreased. Importantly, such MEA-CeO2 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity than Blank-, DEA-, and TEA-CeO2 in degradation of AO7 under simulated sunlight illumination, and the removal rate of AO7 by MEA-CeO2 could reach 98.3% within 100 min.
Classification and Retrieval of Multimedia Book Cloud Resources Based upon Hash Algorithm
Authors: Shen Li
Published: March 2022

Classified retrieval is one of the important factors of library management. It can help readers and administrators quickly find the required materials and better enjoy the convenience of modern network. Through data mapping, hash algorithm can directly convert high-dimensional data into low-dimensional data and store it in Hamming space, which greatly reduces storage consumption and increases computational convenience. For the multimedia retrieval and classification in the era of big data, hash algorithm is right to the point. This paper is aimed at studying the classification and retrieval method of multimedia book cloud resources, extracting different classification categories, determining classification items; cloud resources contain a large amount of image text information, and according to the characteristics of the image text, the features can be well extracted for classification and retrieval, find the optimal book retrieval and classification method, and realize the classification and retrieval of multimedia book cloud resources with the help of hash algorithm. The experimental results show that the hash algorithm can help the classification and retrieval of multimedia books, optimize the classification of multimedia book cloud resources, and improve the efficiency by 20% and user satisfaction by 30%.
Effects of Traditional Chinese Medicine Adjuvant Therapy on the Survival of Patients with Primary Liver Cancer
Authors: Hou Jie , Shi Ke , Liu Yao , Chen Jialiang , Ran Chongping , Wang Xianbo
Published: March 2022

Aim. This study aims to evaluate whether adjuvant traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can improve the survival of patients with primary liver cancer (PLC). Methods. A total of 1,859 patients with PLC at Beijing Ditan Hospital between August 2008 and September 2017 were included. The patients were divided into TCM and control groups according to whether the patients took TCM for ≥3 months. There were 1,111 patients in the TCM group and 748 in the control group. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to analyze the factors affecting the 3-year survival of patients with PLC. To reduce selection bias, 1 : 1 propensity score matching (PSM) was performed between the two groups. The overall survival outcomes were evaluated using the Kaplan–Meier (K–M) survival curve, and the log-rank test was used to compare the differences in survival curves. Results. After multivariate Cox regression analysis, TCM was an independent favorable factor for the 3-year survival of patients with PLC (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 0.359, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.292–0.441,

P
<
0.001

). Before and after PSM, the 3-year overall survival rates were 33.3% and 54% in the control group and 79.7% and 69.7% in the TCM group, respectively. The 3-year mortality risk in the TCM group was lower than that in the control group for different PLC subgroups. Conclusions. TCM adjuvant therapy increased the 3-year overall survival rate of patients with PLC.
Long-Term Intestinal Failure and Home Parenteral Support: A Single Center Experience
Authors: Brito Mariana , Padinha Mafalda , Carlos Sandra , Oliveira Cátia , Santos Ana Paula , Nunes Gonçalo , Santos Carla Adriana , Fonseca Jorge
Published: March 2022

Introduction: Home parenteral nutrition (HPN) and/or home parenteral hydration (HPH) are the gold-standard treatment for patients with long-term intestinal failure (IF). The authors aimed to assess the impact of HPN/HPH on nutritional status and survival of long-term IF patients, as well as HPN/HPH-related complications. Methods: This was a retrospective study including IF patients under HPN/HPH followed in a single large tertiary Portuguese hospital. The data collected included demographics, underlying conditions, anatomical characteristics, type and duration of parenteral support, IF functional, pathophysiological, and clinical classifications, body mass index (BMI) at the beginning and end of follow-up, complications/hospitalizations, current patient status (deceased, alive with HPN/HPH, and alive without HPN/HPH), and cause of death. Survival after HPN/HPH beginning, until death or August 2021, was recorded in months. Results: Overall 13 patients were included (53.9% female, mean age 63.46 years), and 84.6% of patients presented type III IF and 15.4% type II. Short bowel syndrome caused 76.9% of IF. Nine patients received HPN and 4 HPH. Eight patients (61.5%) were underweight at the beginning of HPN/HPH. At the end of follow-up, 4 patients were alive without HPN/HPH, 4 maintained HPN/HPH, and 5 died. All patients improved their BMI (mean initial BMI 18.9 vs. 23.5 at the end, p < 0.001). Eight patients (61.5%) were hospitalized due to catheter-related complications, mainly infectious (mean hospitalization episodes 2.25, mean hospital stay of 24.5 days). No deaths were related to HPN/HPH. Conclusion: HPN/HPH significantly improved IF patients’ BMI. HPN/HPH-related hospitalizations were common, however causing no deaths, reinforcing that HPN/HPH is an adequate and safe therapy for long-term IF patients.
Viscoelastic-Induced Interlamellar Stromal Keratopathy (VISK) during Cataract Surgery in a Patient with a History of Laser in situ Keratomileusis
Authors: Chang Matthew , Vo Rosalind C. , Bernard Stewart , Hoatson Stephanie , Narvaez Julio
Published: March 2022

A 47-year-old patient status post uncomplicated bilateral LASIK treatment presented with interlamellar stromal keratopathy induced by viscoelastic material during cataract surgery, decreasing her vision to CF (count fingers) postoperatively. After recognition, the viscoelastic material was removed by interface irrigation. The keratopathy improved by postoperative day 1 and resolved by 6 weeks with best-corrected visual acuity being 20/30. We conclude that viscoelastic-induced stromal keratopathy requires correct recognition in order to undertake appropriate management.
Choroidal Effusion following Intravitreal Brolucizumab Injection: A Case Report
Authors: Sim Ha Eun , Kim Jae Suk , Hwang Je Hyung
Published: March 2022

This report describes a case of choroidal effusion after intravitreal brolucizumab injection for wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). A 71-year-old Korean man with a history of wet AMD visited our clinic. On examination, the best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/200 in the right eye. Fundus photography and optical coherence tomography showed wet AMD in the right eye. The patient showed no improvement while undergoing treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy (aflibercept, 6 times; ranibizumab, 5 times; and bevacizumab 3 times). We administered intravitreal brolucizumab injections in the right eye of the patient. After first brolucizumab injection, the BCVA improved from 20/200 to 20/63 in the right eye. Two months after the intravitreal brolucizumab injection, recurrence of wet AMD and deterioration of the BCVA to 20/200 was observed on the right eye. The patient underwent a second intravitreal brolucizumab injection in the right eye in the same manner. Three days after the second brolucizumab injection, choroidal effusion was observed in the right eye. The choroidal effusion resolved completely 12 days after the injection, without any additional treatment. Intravitreal brolucizumab injection may provoke choroidal effusion. Although it may resolve promptly, short-term follow-up fundus examinations may be necessary for the early diagnosis and treatment of this complication.
Leveraging Spaceflight to Advance Cardiovascular Research on Earth
Authors: Scott Jessica M. , Stoudemire Jana , Dolan Lianne , Downs Meghan
Published: March 2022

The direct (eg, radiation, microgravity) and indirect (eg, lifestyle perturbations) effects of spaceflight extend across multiple systems resulting in whole-organism cardiovascular deconditioning. For over 50 years, National Aeronautics and Space Administration has continually enhanced a countermeasures program designed to characterize and offset the adverse cardiovascular consequences of spaceflight. In this review, we provide a historical overview of research evaluating the effects of spaceflight on cardiovascular health in astronauts and outline mechanisms underpinning spaceflight-related cardiovascular alterations. We also discuss how spaceflight could be leveraged for aging, industry, and model systems such as human induced pluripotent stem cell–derived cardiomyocytes, organoid, and organ-on-a-chip technologies. Finally, we outline the increasing opportunities for scientists and clinicians to engage in cardiovascular research in space and on Earth.
MicroRNA-210 Controls Mitochondrial Metabolism and Protects Heart Function in Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Song Rui , Dasgupta Chiranjib , Mulder Cassidy , Zhang Lubo
Published: March 2022

Background:

Ischemic heart disease remains a leading cause of death worldwide. In this study, we test the hypothesis that microRNA-210 protects the heart from myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury by controlling mitochondrial bioenergetics and reactive oxygen species (ROS) flux.

Methods:

Myocardial infarction in an acute setting of IR was examined through comparing loss- versus gain-of-function experiments in microRNA-210–deficient and wild-type mice. Cardiac function was evaluated by echocardiography. Myocardial mitochondria bioenergetics was examined using a Seahorse XF24 Analyzer.

Results:

MicroRNA-210 deficiency significantly exaggerated cardiac dysfunction up to 6 weeks after myocardial IR in male, but not female, mice. Intravenous injection of microRNA-210 mimic blocked the effect and recovered the increased myocardial IR injury and cardiac dysfunction. Analysis of mitochondrial metabolism revealed that microRNA-210 inhibited mitochondrial oxygen consumption, increased glycolytic activity, and reduced mitochondrial ROS flux in the heart during IR injury. Inhibition of mitochondrial ROS with MitoQ consistently reversed the effect of microRNA-210 deficiency. Mechanistically, we showed that mitochondrial glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase is a novel target of microRNA-210 in the heart, and loss-of-function and gain-of-function experiments revealed that glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase played a key role in the microRNA-210–mediated effect on mitochondrial metabolism and ROS flux in the setting of heart IR injury. Knockdown of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase negated microRNA-210 deficiency–induced increases in mitochondrial ROS production and myocardial infarction and improved left ventricular fractional shortening and ejection fraction after the IR treatment.

Conclusions:

MicroRNA-210 targeting glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase controls mitochondrial bioenergetics and ROS flux and improves cardiac function in a murine model of myocardial infarction in the setting of IR injury. The findings suggest new insights into the mechanisms and therapeutic targets for treatment of ischemic heart disease.
What Is the Relationship between the Sense of Presence and Learning in Virtual Reality? A 24-Year Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Krassmann Aliane Loureiro , Melo Miguel , Pinto Darque , Peixoto Bruno , Bessa Maximino , Bercht Magda
Published: March 2022

The sense of presence is an important aspect of experiences in Virtual Reality (VR), an emerging technology in education, leading this construct to be increasingly researched in parallel to learning purposes. However, there is not a consensus in the literature on the outcomes of this association. Aiming to outline a panorama in this regard, a systematic literature review was conducted, with a comprehensive analysis of 140 primary studies recovered from five worldwide databases. The analysis shows an overview of 24 years of areas, factors, and methodological approaches that seem to be more inclined to benefit from the sense of presence toward learning purposes. We contribute to the advancement of state of the art by providing an understanding of the relationship among these variables, identifying potential ways to benefit from the sense of presence to further leverage the use of VR for learning purposes.
Emotional Personalization in Immersive Journalism: Exploring the Influence of Emotional Testimonies and Modality on Emotional Valence, Presence, Empathy, and Recall
Authors: Li Benjamin (Benjy) J. , Lee Hui Min
Published: March 2022

Immersive journalism (IJ), where individuals engage in a news story from a first-person perspective using interactive technologies, has become increasingly popular in recent years. Such stories may improve the impact of journalism on the audience by enhancing feelings and emotions associated with the news content. Studies have shown that rather than undermining rationality, emotion could increase engagement toward news pieces, and improve knowledge of social issues. Emotional personalization (EP), a strategy where the production of news content involves the emotional testimony of ordinary citizens at the heart of the story, is therefore increasingly employed. This study explores how EP, as well as the modality of IJ content, influences our perceptions and cognitions with regards to an IJ piece on war and conflict. In our study, 193 participants took part in a 2 (EP: present vs. absent) × 2 (modality: VR vs. desktop) experiment. Participants in the EP-present condition reported stronger feelings of presence and greater story recall, while those in the VR condition experienced lower emotional valence and stronger feelings of empathy. Our results support current literature on IJ and EP and suggest that with the rising interest in immersive technologies, sustained investigation on the implications of EP strategies in IJ is crucial.
The Investment Treaty Implications of Covid-19 Responses by States
Authors: Lavranos Nikos , Mazlom Ahmed
Published: March 2022

By analysing Covid- 19 measures taken by States in eleven jurisdictions – whilst considering a range of international investment agreements (iia s) including ‘old – school’ European bit s, North American style treaties, and Asian investment treaties – the authors examine to what extent Covid- 19 measures could potentially result in investment treaty claims. This study presents these implications through a balanced overview of treaty-based grounds and justifications, which are built upon classical investment protections and fundamental doctrines. When State measures are examined in terms of aim, effect, duration, and scope, a typology emerges that not only classifies, but also reveals similar patterns crystallising across varied jurisdictions – despite a decentralised and disparate approach taken by States. The comparative analysis of generational differences between iia s determines the probability of successfully invoking claims, whilst simultaneously assessing the risks for States seeking to rely upon treaty- based justifications. Thus, when read by States, this legal analysis amounts to a risk assessment, and when read by foreign investors, serves as a guide on recourse. The authors conclude that States should include ‘pandemic- proof’ provisions in prospective iia negotiations, and thus, potentially ushering a dawn of new ‘pandemic- proof iia s’.
Micula v Romania – A Saga of Lasting Significance
Authors: Northmore-Ball Lawrence , Harvey Jennifer , Courtier Amber
Published: March 2022

The dispute between the Micula parties and Romania has continued for over 16 years raising issues in investment arbitration and European Union (EU) law and particularly the enforceability of arbitral awards in varying jurisdictions. The proceedings, first brought before an ICSID Tribunal in 2005 (followed by annulment proceedings) have since led to enforcement proceedings across multiple fora including the EU Commission (involving State aid rules) as well as EU, English and US domestic courts. Whilst the Micula saga may be inching near to a conclusion, it threatens to cause lasting damage to what was intended to be a closed ecosystem of the ICSID Convention. A precedent has been set whereby instead of enforcing awards in accordance with the provisions of the ICSID Convention, Courts of ICSID Member States may proceed to enforce awards as though the ICSID Convention did not apply. As such, a discussion may need to take place in relation to the possible amendment of certain provisions of the ICSID Convention; however, in the short term it is important that supranational bodies unrelated to the ICSID Convention do not interfere with the obligations of ICSID Member States or purport to prohibit ICSID Member States from complying with ICSID awards.
Investment Protection Under the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement: Limited but Predictable?
Authors: Pape Samuel , Zhou Alice
Published: March 2022

After ten months of intense negotiations, the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA) was concluded on 24 December 2020. The TCA runs to 1,246 pages and covers what may be the broadest range of issues ever to be addressed within an international trade agreement. However, the tca’s limited investment protection provisions have been met with perplexity and expressions of disappointment among commentators. In particular, the limited set of substantive investment protections and the absence of an investor-State dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism have been viewed as something of a missed opportunity, particularly as the EU and the UK have agreed to more expansive investment chapters in recent trade agreements with third parties. Why did the UK and the EU ultimately limit the scope of investment protection and exclude ISDS under the TCA? This article examines this question by analysing the key features of the tca’s investment chapter and tracing the underlying investment policy dynamics, including the UK’s and the EU’s respective negotiating positions that led to the tca’s circumscribed investment chapter. This article also considers the significance and potential implications of the TCA for the UK’s and the EU’s respective investment policies going forward.
Parmotrema sahyadrica (Parmeliaceae): A new species of parmelioid lichen from Wayanad, Southern Western Ghats, India
Authors: SEQUEIRA STEPHEN , CHRISTY ARUN , ANILKUMAR ASWATHI , ARSHA S. M.
Published: March 2022

A new species of Parmotrema with characteristic yellow medulla is described as new to science. The new species P. sahyadrica has a densely isidiate thallus with 6-10 mm wide lobes and contains entothein and atranorin as major compounds. The material was collected from Wayanad district of Kerala state at an elevation of 750 m.
A key to Russian and Eastern European species of Blaps Fabricius, 1775 (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae: Blaptinae) with the description of a new species from the North Caucasus supported by morphological and molecular data
Authors: NABOZHENKO MAXIM V. , CHIGRAY IVAN A. , NTATSOPOULOS KONSTANTINOS , PAPADOPOULOU ANNA
Published: March 2022

A new species is described from the Central part of the North Caucasus (Russia): Blaps caucasica M. Nabozhenko et I. Chigray sp. n. This taxon was interpreted earlier as B. scabriuscula subalpina Ménétriés, 1832, but both our morphological and molecular genetic analyses showed that it is in fact a separate new species. The following new synonymies are proposed: Blaps verrucosa Adams, 1817 = Blaps scabriuscula Ménétriés, 1832 syn. n., = Blaps montana Motschulsky, 1839 syn. n.; Blaps lethifera Marsham, 1802 = Blaps pterotapha Ménétriés, 1832 syn. n. The rank of one species is reinstated: Blaps subalpina Ménétriés, 1832 stat. resurr. The name Blaps sinuatocollis Solier, 1848 was unambiguously proposed for an infrasubspecific entity and must be excluded from zoological nomenclature. A phylogenetic hypothesis was reconstructed using mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences for some closely related taxa from the North Caucasus and Ciscaucasia: B. caucasica sp. n., B. lethifera, B. subalpina and B. verrucosa. The resulting tree supports the assignment of two specimens from the Lower Don area (Rostov Region of Russia), earlier interpreted as B. scabriuscula subalpina, to B. lethifera. All known Blaps from Russia and Eastern Europe (countries of the former USSR) are illustrated, and keys on males and females are provided. The status of an invasive species Blaps aff. oblonga Kraatz, 1883 from South Siberia is discussed.
Mechanism of sodium-hypochlorite-induced degradation of cellulose acetate and the enhancement of its degradation resistance by chemical modification
Authors: Hashizume Tomohiro , Okamoto Yusuke , Nagai Kanji , Shimamoto Shu
Published: March 2022

Cellulose acetate, when used in the form of hollow fibers in the ultrafiltration stage of water treatment, is occasionally treated with sodium hypochlorite to remove organic particles such as humic acids. However, prolonged use of sodium hypochlorite reduces the strength of the membrane and facilitates its breakage.

The present study was designed to reveal the degradation mechanism of cellulose acetate caused by aqueous sodium hypochlorite and to improve its resistance to this chemical. Filaments of cellulose acetate, prepared using a nonsolvent-induced phase separation method, were exposed to 2000 ppm aqueous sodium hypochlorite at 25°C for 13 days to allow for evaluation of the changes in their tensile strength, elongation at break, molecular weight, degree of substitution, and chemical structure. The tensile strength, elongation at break, and molecular weight decreased as the duration of exposure to sodium hypochlorite increased. No significant changes in the degree of substitution were observed by one-dimensional hydrogen 1 nuclear magnetic resonance, and cleavages of both glycoside bonds and carbon–carbon bonds were detected by two-dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance, revealing that base-catalyzed hydrolysis of ester groups did not play an important role in degradation. The chemical modifications of the cellulose esters, such as the introduction of pentanoyl, stearoyl, and benzoyl groups, were studied in accordance with the degradation mechanism, and cellulose esters with bulky substituents such as benzoyl groups were found to exhibit improved chlorine resistance. Perbenzoylated cellulose, which exhibited high resistance to sodium hypochlorite, is considered to be a potential membrane material for the filtration of foulant-rich raw water.
Shine Bright Like a Diamond: When Signaling Creates Glass Cliffs for Female Executives
Authors: Reinwald Max , Zaia Johannes , Kunze Florian
Published: March 2022

There is mixed support for the glass cliff hypothesis that firms will more likely appoint female candidates into top management positions when in crisis. We trace the inconsistent findings back to an underdeveloped theoretical link and deficient identification strategies. Using signaling theory, we suggest that crisis firms appoint female top managers to signal change to the market and argue that the effect is context-dependent. In a field study of 26,156 executive appointments in U.S. firms between 2000 and 2016, we exploit a regression discontinuity to test for the causal impact of firm crisis status on the likelihood of female top management appointments and for moderators of the effect. We find that crisis status leads to a significant increase in female top management appointments and that crisis (vs. noncrisis) firms are more likely to frame female appointments as change-related in press releases. Importantly, the presence of the glass cliff effect hinges on attributes of the signaler (absence of another female executive), signal (appointment type), and receiver (investor attention). The findings robustly evidence the glass cliff and our theoretical extensions.
Multimodality and the Messy Object: Exploring how rhetoric and materiality engage
Authors: Giovannoni Elena , Napier Christopher J.
Published: March 2022

We respond to the call for more research into the entanglement between multiple (including non-visual and non-verbal) modes of communication within organizations by exploring the relationships between rhetoric and materiality. We draw on archival sources concerning the Founder’s Building at Royal Holloway College (1874–1897). We discuss the building as a multimodal material object, inherently multiple, fluid and messy: the Founder’s Building is open to multiple encounters with sociality through multiple modes of communication. We find that such ‘messiness’ explains how the spatial, aural, sensual and visual modes embedded in a material object engage with each other, as well as with other visual, verbal and numerical modes, in the crafting of rhetoric: different modes sustain and oppose each other and evolve through absences and presences. We find that the messiness of material objects explains the engagement between rhetoric and materiality: materiality can limit or augment rhetoric, and materiality and rhetoric can co-evolve when the ‘rhetors’ (such as the founder and the governors of the College) and their audiences (such as students, visitors and tax authorities) attempt to transform the object (the Founder’s Building) into always something else, even an absent object.
Organizing for the Smart African City: Leveraging the urban commons for exerting the right to the city
Authors: Peter Camaren , Meyer Camille
Published: March 2022

To accommodate the need for community engagement and place-based approaches in smart city agendas in Africa, we build on the literature on smart cities, southern urbanism and the urban commons to develop a conceptual framework for urban commoning in Africa. We argue that commoning, as an organizing process, establishes institutions for urban commons that account for different urban dwellers’ needs, perspectives and knowledges thereby strengthening inclusion and producing knowledge-intensive smart city development. We explain how the proposed conceptual framework is particularly suited to the African context, as it can mitigate the formal-informal divide and enable marginalized citizens to meaningfully express their right to the city. By enabling citizens’ voice in planning and distributing urban resources, commoning helps redefine local bureaucracies, rendering them more open and inclusive while limiting the enclosure and marketization of cities, which is often a source of contestation in the development of smart cities.
The effect of metformin on cognitive function: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Tabatabaei Malazy Ozra , Bandarian Fatemeh , Qorbani Mostafa , Mohseni Shahrzad , Mirsadeghi Somayeh , Peimani Maryam , Larijani Bagher
Published: March 2022

Most people are familiar with metformin as a diabetic treatment option. Different positive benefits have been found for it, in addition to its anti-diabetes properties. Cognitive function enhancement is the most recent characteristic that has been studied. This study aimed to look at the evidence on the effects of metformin on cognitive performance. Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases were searched systematically. After eliminating duplicates and irrelevant documents, the findings were screened. The documents that remained were scanned and data were extracted. Nineteen studies were qualified for meta-analysis after evaluating 3827 identified records. There was no significant relationship between metformin therapy and cognitive performance in none of the studies including cross-sectionals, cohorts, and clinical trials ( p > 0.05). Results show that metformin has no significant effect on improving cognitive function or protecting against any dementia including vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, and cognitive impairment as well.
Astrocyte regulation of cerebral blood flow during hypoglycemia
Authors: Nippert Amy R , Chiang Pei-Pei , Del Franco Armani P , Newman Eric A
Published: March 2022

Hypoglycemia triggers increases in cerebral blood flow (CBF), augmenting glucose supply to the brain. We have tested whether astrocytes, which can regulate vessel tone, contribute to this CBF increase. We hypothesized that hypoglycemia-induced adenosine signaling acts to increase astrocyte Ca2+ activity, which then causes the release of prostaglandins (PGs) and epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs), leading to the dilation of brain arterioles and blood flow increases. We used an awake mouse model to investigate the effects of insulin-induced hypoglycemia on arterioles and astrocytes in the somatosensory cortex. During insulin-induced hypoglycemia, penetrating arterioles dilated and astrocyte Ca2+ signaling increased when blood glucose dropped below a threshold of ∼50 mg/dL. Application of the A2A adenosine receptor antagonist ZM-241385 eliminated hypoglycemia-evoked astrocyte Ca2+ increases and reduced arteriole dilations by 44% (p < 0.05). SC-560 and miconazole, which block the production of the astrocyte vasodilators PGs and EETs respectively, reduced arteriole dilations in response to hypoglycemia by 89% (p < 0.001) and 76% (p < 0.001). Hypoglycemia-induced arteriole dilations were decreased by 65% (p < 0.001) in IP3R2 knockout mice, which have reduced astrocyte Ca2+ signaling compared to wild-type. These results support the hypothesis that astrocytes contribute to hypoglycemia-induced increases in CBF by releasing vasodilators in a Ca2+-dependent manner.
Luminance and Contrast of Images in the THINGS Database
Authors: Harrison William J
Published: March 2022

The THINGS database is a freely available stimulus set that has the potential to facilitate the generation of theory that bridges multiple areas within cognitive neuroscience. The database consists of 26,107 high quality digital photos that are sorted into 1,854 concepts. While a valuable resource, relatively few technical details relevant to the design of studies in cognitive neuroscience have been described. We present an analysis of two key low-level properties of THINGS images, luminance and luminance contrast. These image statistics are known to influence common physiological and neural correlates of perceptual and cognitive processes. In general, we found that the distributions of luminance and contrast are in close agreement with the statistics of natural images reported previously. However, we found that image concepts are separable in their luminance and contrast: we show that luminance and contrast alone are sufficient to classify images into their concepts with above chance accuracy. We describe how these factors may confound studies using the THINGS images, and suggest simple controls that can be implemented a priori or post-hoc. We discuss the importance of using such natural images as stimuli in psychological research.
Technique for Cephalometric Analysis Using Keynote
Authors: Shahrul Dr Al Imran
Published: March 2022

Digital software developed specifically for cephalometric analysis is costly, creating a need for low-cost alternative methods for performing these analyses. One such alternative is Keynote, a freely available software package that can be a cost-effective way to trace and analyze cephalometric radiographs; this article describes a technique for cephalometric analysis using Keynote.
Ease of Doing Business State Ranking: Analysing the Impact of Business Reform Action Plan on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Among Top and Emerging States
Authors: Sodhi Simran , Dwivedi Amit K.
Published: March 2022

Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are considered a crucial part of the Indian economy. They contribute significantly to the country’s GDP and conduces social growth through inclusive development. The rural parts of India are getting an upliftment with the help of growing MSMEs. The Government of India (GoI) takes several initiatives to support the MSMEs, and one such step was taken in the year 2014. In respect to that, GoI proposed a framework in 2015 that would evaluate the ease of doing business (EoDB) among Indian states. The initiative was taken to create more favourable entrepreneurial ecosystem across all Indian states. This paper tries to analyse the impact of Business Reform Action Plans (BRAPs) on the increase/decrease of MSMEs in the top and emerging states. States ranked as top achievers and achievers in EoDB ranking (2016–2017 and 2017–2018) are considered the top performing states, and fast-moving states are considered emerging states for the analyses. Some states show a positive relation between BRAP scores and MSMEs count, but some have contrary results. BRAP actions of top and emerging states with no point scoring are studied to determine which actions contribute to growing MSMEs. For this, the reports of BRAP published by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade were studied. The results revealed four major action plans: commercial dispute resolution enablers, construction permit enablers, labour regulation enablers and availability of land, influencing the increase/decrease of MSMEs in Indian states/union territories (UTs).