bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A rare cause of intellectual disability: Novel mutations of NFIX gene in two patients with clinical features of Marshall–Smith syndrome and Malan syndrome
Authors: Uzman Ceren Yılmaz , Gürsoy Semra , Hazan Filiz
Published: June 2023

Marshall–Smith syndrome (MSS) and Malan syndrome (MS) are both allelic disorders caused by mutations in the NFIX gene. MS is characterized by overgrowth, intellectual disability, distinctive facial features, and accelerated skeletal maturation. On the other hand, clinical features of MSS consist of advanced bone age, dysmorphic features, intellectual disability, and failure to thrive at birth. In this study, we presented the clinical and molecular findings of two different patients with MS and MSS as a rare cause of intellectual disability and reported two novel variants in the NFIX gene. NFIX gene sequencing revealed a novel heterozygous c.1287delC (p.G430Vfs*34) mutation in patient 1 whose clinical diagnosis was compatible with Marshall–Smith syndrome, and in the second patient, physical features consistent with Malan syndrome, was detected a heterozygous one nucleotide duplication, c.303dupC (pCys102LeufsTer17).
Permeabilized whole cells containing co‐expressed cyclomaltodextrinase and maltooligosyltrehalose synthase facilitate the synthesis of nonreducing maltoheptaose (N‐G7) from β‐cyclodextrin
Authors: Zheng Luhua , Zhou Ruiqi , Jiang Bo , Chen Jingjing , Hu Miaomiao , Zhang Tao
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Maltodextrin is an important bulk ingredient in food and other industries; however, drawbacks such as uneven polymerization and high reducibility limit its utilization. Nonreducing maltoheptaose (N‐G7) is a good substitute for maltodextrin owing to its single degree of polymerization and its nonreducing properties. In this study, in vitro cell factory biotransformation of β‐cyclodextrin (β‐CD) to N‐G7 is demonstrated using coexpressed cyclomaltodextrinase (CDase, EC 3.2.1.54) and maltooligosyltrehalose synthase (MTSase, EC 5.4.99.15). However, the cell membrane prevents β‐CD from entering the cell owing to its large diameter.

RESULTS

The amylase‐deficient permeabilized host ΔycjM‐ΔmalS‐ΔlpxM is utilized for the coexpression of recombinant CDase and MTSase. Deletion of lpxM effectively allows the entry of β‐cyclodextrin into the cell, despite its large diameter, without requiring any relevant cell membrane permeability‐promoting reagent. This results in a 28.44% increase in the efficiency of β‐CD entry into the cell, thus enabling intracellular N‐G7 synthesis without the extracellular secretion of recombinant CDase and MTSase. After reacting for 5.5 h, the highest purity of N‐G7 (65.50%) is obtained. However, hydrolysis decreases the purity of N‐G7 to 49.30%, thus resulting in a conversion rate of 40.16% for N‐G7 when the reaction lasts 6 h. Precise control of reaction time is crucial for obtaining high‐purity N‐G7.

CONCLUSION

Whole‐cell catalysis avoids cell fragmentation and facilitates the creation of an eco‐friendly, energy‐efficient biotransformation system; thus, it is a promising approach for N‐G7 synthesis. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
The expression levels of circulating miR‐140‐3p, miR‐130a‐3p, and miR‐320b as diagnostic biomarkers in acute ischemic stroke
Authors: Ju Hong‐Yan , Tang Shan‐Shan , Li Bang‐Jing , Luo Xi , Li Qi
Published: June 2023

Plasma miRNAs can characterize several diseases, including acute ischemic stroke (AIS), which is noninvasive and currently affordable in most laboratories worldwide. We aimed to demonstrate plasma miR‐140‐3p, miR‐130a‐3p, and miR‐320b as diagnostic biomarkers in AIS.GSE110993 and GSE86291 datasets were analyzed to obtain plasma differentially expressed miRNAs between AIS and healthy control subjects (HCs). We further applied RT‐qPCR for the validation in 85 AIS patients and 85 HCs. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were conducted to evaluate their diagnostic utility in AIS. Correlation was analyzed between DEmiRNAs and clinical and laboratory parameters, as well as inflammatory markers. The plasma levels of miR‐140‐3p, miR‐130a‐3p, and miR‐320b were found to be consistently altered in both GSE110993 and GSE86291 datasets. In comparison to HCs, AIS patients at admission exhibited lower levels of miR‐140‐3p and miR‐320b and higher level of miR‐130a‐3p in their plasma. The ROC analysis revealed that plasma miR‐140‐3p, miR‐130a‐3p, and miR‐320b had area under the curve values of 0.790, 0.831, and 0.907, respectively. When combined, these miRNAs showed superior discriminatory power with a sensitivity of 91.76% and specificity of 95.29%. Plasma miR‐140‐3p and miR‐320b negatively correlated glucose levels and inflammatory markers (IL‐6, MMP‐2, MMP‐9, and VEGF) in AIS patients. Conversely, plasma miR‐130a‐3p levels were positively associated with glucose levels and these markers. Plasma miR‐140‐3p, miR‐130a‐3p, and miR‐320b levels varied significantly among AIS patients with different NIHSS scores. Plasma miR‐140‐3p, miR‐130a‐3p, and miR‐320b had high diagnostic value in AIS patients, which were correlated with inflammation and severity in stroke.
Suture Stenting After Sialendoscopy: A Novel Technique That Reduces Risk of Recurrent Parotitis
Authors: Finegersh Andrey , Chang Julia , Lee Yu‐Jin , Sirjani Davud
Published: June 2023

Objective

Chronic sialadenitis is associated with decreased quality of life and recurrent infections. While sialendoscopy with stenting is effective in relieving symptoms of sialadenitis, currently available stents are rigid and poorly tolerated by patients, leading to early removal and potential for adverse scarring. This study examines whether sutures can be used as a stenting material to improve patient comfort and reduce recurrence risk.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of a consecutive series of adult patients with chronic sialadenitis undergoing sialendoscopy with or without suture stenting. Data were collected between 2014 and 2018 with a 3‐year follow‐up period ending in 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence of sialadenitis within 3 years of surgery. Secondary outcomes were stent dislodgement and patient‐reported discomfort.

Results

We included 63 patients with parotid sialadenitis of whom 28 underwent suture stenting and 35 did not receive stenting after sialendoscopy. Stents were well tolerated, with a mean duration of 34.5 days, and only 2 of 28 stents (7.1%) accidentally dislodged within the first week. Suture stenting significantly reduced symptom recurrence after sialendoscopy (OR = 0.09, 95% CI 0.02–0.45, p = 0.003; 3‐year sialadenitis recurrence rate: 7.1% vs. 45.7%, p = 0.005). Cox multivariate regression for clinicodemographic variables showed an HR of 0.04 (95% CI 0.01–0.19, p < 0.001) for the risk of symptom recurrence.

Conclusions and relevance

Suture stenting after sialendoscopy is low cost, available across all institutions, well‐tolerated by patients, and highly efficacious in reducing risk of recurrent sialadenitis after sialendoscopy.

Level of Evidence

3 Laryngoscope, 134:614–621, 2024
Multilayer Polymer Shell Perfluoropentane Nanodroplets for Multimodal Ultrasound, Magnetic Resonance, and Optoacoustic Imaging
Authors: Maksimova Elizaveta A. , Nozdriukhin Daniil , Kalva Sandeep Kumar , Lyu Shuxin , Lafci Berkan , Augath Mark‐Aurel , Rudakovskaya Polina G. , Solovev Alexander A. , Mei Yongfeng , Deán‐Ben Xosé Luís , Razansky Daniel , Gorin Dmitry A.
Published: June 2023

Multimodal imaging increases the value of stand‐alone modalities by enabling simultaneous multiparametric characterization of biological tissues in vivo. Particularly, optoacoustic (OA) tomography has enabled bringing optical imaging advantages to previously unattainable depths and is currently being hybridized with other imaging technologies for enhanced performance. The full potential of these multimodal imaging approaches can only be achieved with dedicated contrast agents ensuring simultaneous measurements and accurate co‐registration of the information provided. Herein, perfluoropentane‐filled nanodroplets are modified, providing excellent contrast in ultrasound imaging, by introducing shell‐embedded additives offering strong contrast in magnetic resonance and OA imaging. Magnetite nanoparticles and indocyanine green (ICG) dye are simultaneously deposited as a multilayer shell on the droplets with the layer‐by‐layer method. This results in sufficiently high amounts of magnetite (0.54 ± 0.08 mg mL−1) and ICG (0.30 ± 0.08 mg mL−1) for efficient magnetic resonance and OA detection, respectively. The high sensitivity achieved with the developed trimodal nanodroplets is first demonstrated in phantom experiments, after which their potential toxic effects, biodistribution, and clearance are examined in vitro and in vivo. Taken together, the obtained results indicate that the developed multilayer polymer shell nanodroplets are efficient hybrid contrast agents for multimodal biomedical imaging applications.
Who leaps first: Status quo of the leapfrogging phenomenon
Authors: Killmer Jan F.
Published: June 2023

In an economic environment, the leapfrogging phenomenon manifests itself in various facets and makes it possible to skip stages of development or product generations. However, an overview of the actors that are involved, how they are connected, and the effects that leapfrogging can have is missing. This article thus focuses on identifying relevant research contributions and analyzing their content by text mining. The results reveal that various actors engage in leapfrogging and that this phenomenon plays a major role in the development of countries, for instance. Firms and industries also pursue leapfrogging, for example, to take leading positions in the market (business strategies). An area of research that has received little attention thus far addresses the leapfrogging behavior of consumers. Technological leapfrogging also combines numerous elements of this phenomenon. Therefore, this article derives many relevant topics for research and practice to investigate this phenomenon in a more accurate and targeted manner.
Technical note: Feasibility of gating for dynamic trajectory radiotherapy – Mechanical accuracy and dosimetric performance
Authors: Loebner Hannes A. , Frauchiger Daniel , Mueller Silvan , Guyer Gian , Mackeprang Paul‐Henry , Stampanoni Marco F. M. , Fix Michael K. , Manser Peter , Bertholet Jenny
Published: June 2023

Background

Dynamic trajectory radiotherapy (DTRT) extends state‐of‐the‐art volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) by dynamic table and collimator rotations during beam‐on. The effects of intrafraction motion during DTRT delivery are unknown, especially regarding the possible interplay between patient and machine motion with additional dynamic axes.

Purpose

To experimentally assess the technical feasibility and quantify the mechanical and dosimetric accuracy of respiratory gating during DTRT delivery.

Methods

A DTRT and VMAT plan are created for a clinically motivated lung cancer case and delivered to a dosimetric motion phantom (MP) placed on the table of a TrueBeam system using Developer Mode. The MP reproduces four different 3D motion traces. Gating is triggered using an external marker block, placed on the MP. Mechanical accuracy and delivery time of the VMAT and DTRT deliveries with and without gating are extracted from the logfiles. Dosimetric performance is assessed by means of gamma evaluation (3% global/2 mm, 10% threshold).

Results

The DTRT and VMAT plans are successfully delivered with and without gating for all motion traces. Mechanical accuracy is similar for all experiments with deviations <0.14° (gantry angle), <0.15° (table angle), <0.09° (collimator angle) and <0.08 mm (MLC leaf positions). For DTRT (VMAT), delivery times are 1.6–2.3 (1.6– 2.5) times longer with than without gating for all motion traces except one, where DTRT (VMAT) delivery is 5.0 (3.6) times longer due to a substantial uncorrected baseline drift affecting only DTRT delivery. Gamma passing rates with (without) gating for DTRT/VMAT were ≥96.7%/98.5% (≤88.3%/84.8%). For one VMAT arc without gating it was 99.6%.

Conclusion

Gating is successfully applied during DTRT delivery on a TrueBeam system for the first time. Mechanical accuracy is similar for VMAT and DTRT deliveries with and without gating. Gating substantially improved dosimetric performance for DTRT and VMAT.
Quality of working life of employees in public healthcare organization in Finland: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Kesti Reetta , Kanste Outi , Konttila Jenni , Oikarinen Anne
Published: June 2023

Aim

Work dissatisfaction, burnout and workforce shortage are major problems in healthcare globally, all of which are associated with QWL. Previous studies have found that the QWL of healthcare professionals is moderate or low. The aim was to describe the quality of working life (QWL) of employees working in public healthcare and describe the association between QWL and background variables.

Design

This study had a quantitative cross‐sectional survey design.

Methods

Data was collected from the employees of a Finnish healthcare organization in autumn 2021 using an online questionnaire (n = 837). Convenience sampling was used in the selection of the healthcare organization. The study was reported according to STROBE guidelines.

Results

The QWL was moderate, and the mean QWL index calculated from the questionnaire responses was 0.524. The QWL index was lowest in healthcare professionals and highest in upper management, with some dissatisfaction towards leadership noted.
Correlations among morphological and biochemical traits in high‐cannabidiol hemp (Cannabis sativa L.)
Authors: Stack George M. , Carlson Craig H. , Toth Jacob A. , Philippe Glenn , Crawford Jamie L. , Hansen Julie L. , Viands Donald R. , Rose Jocelyn K. C. , Smart Lawrence B.
Published: June 2023

Cannabis sativa is cultivated for multiple uses including the production of cannabinoids. In developing improved production systems for high‐cannabinoid cultivars, scientists and cultivators must consider the optimization of complex and interacting sets of morphological, phenological, and biochemical traits, which have historically been shaped by natural and anthropogenic selection. Determining factors that modulate cannabinoid variation within and among genotypes is fundamental to developing efficient production systems and understanding the ecological significance of cannabinoids. Thirty‐two high‐cannabinoid hemp cultivars were characterized for traits including flowering date and shoot‐tip cannabinoid concentration. Additionally, a set of plant architecture traits, as well as wet, dry, and stripped inflorescence biomass were measured at harvest. One plant per plot was partitioned post‐harvest to quantify intra‐plant variation in inflorescence biomass production and cannabinoid concentration. Some cultivars showed intra‐plant variation in cannabinoid concentration, while many had a consistent concentration regardless of canopy position. There was both intra‐ and inter‐cultivar variation in architecture that correlated with intra‐plant distribution of inflorescence biomass, and concentration of cannabinoids sampled from various positions within a plant. These relationships among morphological and biochemical traits will inform future decisions by cultivators, regulators, and plant breeders.
Optimization of Device Parameters for Back‐Contact Transparent Conductive Oxide–Less Dye‐Sensitized Solar Cells Fabrication
Authors: Molla Md Zaman , Baranwal Ajay Kumar , Hayase Shuzi , Pandey Shyam S.
Published: June 2023

Transparent conductive oxide–less (TCO‐less) dye‐sensitized solar cell (DSSC) has been constructed and characterized employing mesoporous TiO2‐coated stainless‐steel mesh (S‐S‐mesh or Mesh) as a bendable photoanode and iodine‐based redox electrolyte. Efforts have been directed toward optimizing electronic parameters to enhance the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of TCO‐less DSSC to equalize its TCO‐based DSSC counterpart. It is found that protection of Mesh is essential for increasing the PCE of TCO‐less DSSCs employing iodine electrolyte as assured by suppressed reverse saturation current and better diode factor. The PCE of 5.6% is obtained with TCO‐less DSSC compared with TCO‐based DSSC with PCE of 6.09%. A bit of decrease in PCE with TCO‐less DSSC is due to larger resistance in TiO2/dye/electrolyte as well as within electrolyte as evident by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) study owing to the Mesh having perforated holes and larger thickness of electrolyte absorbing sheet of the porous polytetrafluoroethylene film (35 μm) compared to TCO‐based DSSC without any barriers and lower electrolyte layer thickness of 25 μm.
Observer‐based robust control for N‐coupled wave equations
Authors: Meng Tingting , Guo Bao‐Zhu
Published: June 2023

In this article, we consider robust output regulation for an MIMO wave system with disturbance and reference produced from an exosystem. The approach we adopt is the observer‐ based approach from partial differential equation (PDE) perspective. The main differences from our previous works are two points: (a) the eigenvalues of the exosystem are not necessarily required to be algebraically simple; (b) tracking error feedback dynamic controls are designed directly from the uncertain PDE itself, not a nominal system where disturbance and reference are specially chosen so that the nominal waves and exosystem are detectable. To this purpose, we introduce transformations to transfer the original system into a disturbance free system, and at the same time, each reference is transformed into a linear combination of the exosystem. An observer is designed to estimate the states of the transformed disturbance free system and the unknown linear combinations of the exosystem. The feedforward controls are designed where the input disturbances are then written based on the linear combinations of the exosystem. A set of observer‐based feedback controls is then designed by replacing the state and disturbance with their estimates from the observer. The robustness of the closed‐loop system is discussed by analyzing the stability of the transformed tracking error system and the observer error system. The numerical simulations are presented to validate visually the effectiveness of the proposed tracking error feedback control.
Maximin optimal cluster randomized designs for assessing treatment effect heterogeneity
Authors: Ryan Mary M. , Esserman Denise , Li Fan
Published: June 2023

Cluster randomized trials (CRTs) are studies where treatment is randomized at the cluster level but outcomes are typically collected at the individual level. When CRTs are employed in pragmatic settings, baseline population characteristics may moderate treatment effects, leading to what is known as heterogeneous treatment effects (HTEs). Pre‐specified, hypothesis‐driven HTE analyses in CRTs can enable an understanding of how interventions may impact subpopulation outcomes. While closed‐form sample size formulas have recently been proposed, assuming known intracluster correlation coefficients (ICCs) for both the covariate and outcome, guidance on optimal cluster randomized designs to ensure maximum power with pre‐specified HTE analyses has not yet been developed. We derive new design formulas to determine the cluster size and number of clusters to achieve the locally optimal design (LOD) that minimizes variance for estimating the HTE parameter given a budget constraint. Given the LODs are based on covariate and outcome‐ICC values that are usually unknown, we further develop the maximin design for assessing HTE, identifying the combination of design resources that maximize the relative efficiency of the HTE analysis in the worst case scenario. In addition, given the analysis of the average treatment effect is often of primary interest, we also establish optimal designs to accommodate multiple objectives by combining considerations for studying both the average and heterogeneous treatment effects. We illustrate our methods using the context of the Kerala Diabetes Prevention Program CRT, and provide an R Shiny app to facilitate calculation of optimal designs under a wide range of design parameters.
Comparison of 2D and 3D meso‐model of concrete under high strain loading rate
Authors: Gupta P. K. , Singh Chandrabhan
Published: June 2023

In this paper, 2D and 3D meso‐models of concrete are developed numerically using different shapes of aggregate. For 2D model, circular and random polygon aggregate shapes are considered while for 3D model, spherical and convex hull aggregate shapes are adopted. Five different spatial distributions are employed in both circular and polygon shapes to get Circle1–Circle5 and Poly1–Poly5 geometrical model. Similarly, for 3D meso‐model, Spherical1–Spherical5 and one Convex hull geometrical models are developed. In all the numerical models, three different phases of concrete are considered, that is aggregate, mortar, and interfacial transition zone. Explicit analysis of the developed models has been performed using LS‐DYNA. All the developed models are verified by comparing the obtained results of stress–strain variations with the existing literature. The behavior of concrete is studied for both the loading conditions, that is quasi‐static and high strain loading rate. Added to this, the effect of spatial distribution of aggregates is also evaluated. Finally, the dynamic impact factors (DIF) are evaluated and compared for all the developed numerical models. Finally, cubic polynomial equations for DIF, for different shape aggregate 3D models, are obtained using regression analysis.
Optimizing feedback for learner motivation and mastery: Design standards and the role of technology
Authors: Crisp Erin , Hardman Philippa
Published: June 2023

This chapter proposes a new approach to evaluating course quality by prioritizing the learner's feedback experience. The authors argue that courses may still be ineffective despite having the core components and suggest incorporating technology to enhance the feedback experience.
Quality doesn't matter: Educational development as a young science
Authors: McCreary Michael
Published: June 2023

This chapter explores the limitations of measuring teaching quality through observation of “observable behaviors” and argues for a more holistic approach to educational development that focuses on the richness of pedagogical qualities.
Effective nutrient removal using nutrient film technique hydroponics unit under varying nitrate nitrogen concentrations
Authors: Rajalakshmi Manimozhi , Manoj Valsa Remony
Published: June 2023

Surface and groundwater are both susceptible to nitrate nitrogen contamination that has emerged as an issue around the globe in past few years. The main goal of this research was to treat nitrate‐contaminated water through phytoremediation in a hydroponic system with reduced cost and also assess the root and shoot growth of plants cultivated in NFT hydroponic systems. Four different nitrate‐nitrogen concentrations (30, 60, 90, and 120 mg/L) were given to hydroponic treatment unit. The results revealed that shoot growth, root growth, leaf number, and shoot numbers were increased with increasing nutrient solution concentration. The study's findings demonstrated that the average elimination efficiencies of nitrate‐nitrogen varied from 44.5% to 88% for money plants, 30.77% to 80.66% for crotons, 42.56% to 86% for arrowhead plants, 32.03% to 72.25% for vetiver grass, 28.08% to 70% for spinach, and 38.11% to 75.5% for brinjal plants, respectively. Thus, hydroponic phytoremediation has emerged as the environmental and cost‐effective technique for diminishing and removing nitrate nitrogen from wastewater.
Revisiting puffy dark matter with novel insights: partial wave analysis
Authors: Wang Wenyu , Xu Wu-Long , Yang Jin Min , Zhu Bin
Published: June 2023

Abstract

We present a comprehensive study on the self-interaction cross-section of puffy dark matter (DM) particles, which have a significant intrinsic size compared to their Compton wavelength. For such puffy DM self-interaction cross-section in the resonant and classical regimes, our study demonstrates the significance of the Yukawa potential and the necessity of partial wave analysis: (i) Due to the finite-size effect of puffy DM particles, the new Yukawa potential of puffy DM is found to enlarge the Born-effective regime for the self-interaction cross-section, compared with the point-like DM; (ii) Our partial wave analysis shows that depending on the value of the ratio between Rχ (radius of a puffy DM particle) and 1/mϕ (force range), the three regimes (Born-effective, resonant and classical) for puffy DM self-interaction cross-section can be very different from the point-like DM; (iii) We find that to solve the small-scale anomalies via self-interacting puffy DM, the Born-effective and the resonant regimes exist for dwarf galaxies, while for the cluster and Milky Way galaxy the non-Born regime is necessary.
Beschleunigung per Gesetz – über Sinn und Sinnhaftigkeit der Legalplanung
Authors: Guckelberger Annette
Published: June 2023

Obwohl das Maßnahmengesetzvorbereitungsgesetz erhebliche Kritik hervorgerufen hat, erhofft sich
auch die neue Bundesregierung von der Legalplanung einen maßgeblichen Beschleunigungseffekt für
die Realisierung von Infrastrukturvorhaben. Daher lohnt sich ein etwas genauerer Blick auf die Legalplanung.
TuckerDNCaching: high-quality negative sampling with tucker decomposition
Authors: Madushanka Tiroshan , Ichise Ryutaro
Published: June 2023

Knowledge Graph Embedding (KGE) translates entities and relations of knowledge graphs (KGs) into a low-dimensional vector space, enabling an efficient way of predicting missing facts. Generally, KGE models are trained with positive and negative examples, discriminating positives against negatives. Nevertheless, KGs contain only positive facts; KGE training requires generating negatives from non-observed ones in KGs, referred to as negative sampling. Since KGE models are sensitive to inputs, negative sampling becomes crucial, and the quality of the negatives becomes critical in KGE training. Generative adversarial networks (GAN) and self-adversarial methods have recently been utilized in negative sampling to address the vanishing gradients observed with early negative sampling methods. However, they introduce the problem of false negatives with high probability. In this paper, we extend the idea of reducing false negatives by adopting a Tucker decomposition representation, i.e., TuckerDNCaching, to enhance the semantic soundness of latent relations among entities by introducing a relation feature space. TuckerDNCaching ensures the quality of generated negative samples, and the experimental results reflect that our proposed negative sampling method outperforms the existing state-of-the-art negative sampling methods.
Neural Network Inverse Optimal Control of Ground Vehicles
Authors: Cespi Riccardo , Di Gennaro Stefano , Castillo-Toledo Bernardino , Romero-Aragon Jorge Carlos , Ramírez-Mendoza Ricardo Ambrocio
Published: June 2023

In this paper an active controller for ground vehicles stability is presented. The objective of this controller is to force the vehicle to track a desired reference, ensuring safe driving conditions in the case of adhesion loss during hazardous maneuvers. To this aim, a nonlinear discrete-time inverse optimal control based on a neural network identification is designed, using a recurrent high order neural network (RHONN) trained by an Extended Kalman Filter. The RHONN ensures stability of the identification error, while the controller ensures the stability of the tracking errors. Moreover, a discrete-time reduced order state observer is utilized to reconstruct the lateral vehicle dynamic not usually available. For the control problem, the references of the lateral velocity and yaw rate are given by a dynamic system mimicking an ideal vehicle having not-decreasing tire lateral characteristics. The proposed approach avoids the identification of the Pacejka’s lateral parameters of the tires, so simplifying the input control determination. Moreover, an optimal control is proposed to optimize the actuator effort and power, usually bounded. Control gains are determined using optimal “nature-inspired" algorithms such as particle swarm optimization. Test maneuvers, performed through the full vehicle simulator CarSim®, have been used to test correctness, quality and performances of the observer, the neural identifier and the inverse optimal controller. Robustness of the reduced order discrete-time state observer is also discussed for different sample times. Finally, a fair comparison between optimal and non-optimal control schemes is presented, highlighting the numerical results obtained in simulation.
Network analysis with the aid of the path length matrix
Authors: Noschese Silvia , Reichel Lothar
Published: June 2023

Let a network be represented by a simple graph $$\mathcal {G}$$
G
with n vertices. A common approach to investigate properties of a network is to use the adjacency matrix $$A=[a_{ij}]_{i,j=1}^n\in \mathbb {R}^{n\times n}$$

A
=

[

a

ij

]

i
,
j
=
1

n

∈

R

n
×
n

associated with the graph $$\mathcal {G}$$
G
, where $$a_{ij}>0$$

a

ij

>
0

if there is an edge pointing from vertex $$v_i$$

v
i

to vertex $$v_j$$

v
j

, and $$a_{ij}=0$$

a

ij

=
0

otherwise. Both A and its positive integer powers reveal important properties of the graph. This paper proposes to study properties of a graph $$\mathcal {G}$$
G
by also using the path length matrix for the graph. The $$(ij)^{th}$$

(
i
j
)

th

entry of the path length matrix is the length of the shortest path from vertex $$v_i$$

v
i

to vertex $$v_j$$

v
j

; if there is no path between these vertices, then the value of the entry is $$\infty $$
∞
. Powers of the path length matrix are formed by using min-plus matrix multiplication and are important for exhibiting properties of $$\mathcal {G}$$
G
. We show how several known measures of communication such as closeness centrality, harmonic centrality, and eccentricity are related to the path length matrix, and we introduce new measures of communication, such as the harmonic K-centrality and global K-efficiency, where only (short) paths made up of at most K edges are taken into account. The sensitivity of the global K-efficiency to changes of the entries of the adjacency matrix also is considered.
Implicit Values in the Recent Carbon Nanotube Debate
Authors: Surber Nicholas , Arvidsson Rickard , de Fine Licht Karl , Palmås Karl
Published: June 2023

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are one of the first examples of nanotechnology, with a history of promising uses and high expectations. This paper uses the recent debate over their future to explore both ethical and value-laden statements which unsettle the notion of CNTs as a value-free nanotechnology and their regulation as purely a technical affair. A point of departure is made with the inclusion of CNTs on the Substitute-It-Now list by the Swedish NGO ChemSec, an assessment process that anticipates and complements the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulation in Europe. An argument map is constructed to illustrate the core contention in the debate—should CNTs be substituted or not—which follows from a systematic literature review and content analysis of sampled journal articles. Nine arguments are articulated that bolster one of two camps: the pro-substitution camp or the contra-substitution camp. Beneath these arguments are a set of three implicit values that animate these two camps in prescribing competing interventions to resolve the dispute: (i) environmental protection and human safety, (ii) good science, and (iii) technological progress. This leads to a discussion around the regulatory problem of safeguarding conflicting values in decision-making under sustained scientific uncertainty. Finally, the study suggests further empirical work on specific nanomaterials in a pivot away from the abstract, promissory nature of nanotechnology and other emerging technologies in science, technology, and innovation policy. The examination of ethics and values is useful for mapping controversies in science and technology studies of regulation, even amongst experts in cognate research fields like nanomedicine and nanotoxicology.
Opportunities to learn, technological pedagogical knowledge, and personal factors of pre-service teachers: understanding the link between teacher education program characteristics and student teacher learning outcomes in times of digitalization
Authors: Gerhard Kristina , Jäger-Biela Daniela J. , König Johannes
Published: June 2023

Despite the need to foster pre-service teacher competence with respect to information and communication technology (ICT) integration in school during the current era of digitalization, scientific understanding of the correlation between the relevant characteristics of teacher education programs and student teachers’ learning outcomes remains limited. This paper thus examines the relationship between student teachers’ opportunities to learn (OTL) and technological pedagogical knowledge (TPK) with the aim of obtaining insights into their learning processes and the effectiveness of teachers’ preparation upon completing their bachelor studies. A sample of 338 student teachers in their 6th semester at the University of Cologne was used. Findings from path modeling reveal that measures of OTL relate to TPK. While no direct effect of technological pedagogical OTL on TPK was identified, an indirect effect between conventional pedagogical OTL and TPK, mediated by student teachers’ general pedagogical knowledge (GPK) was found. Among the personal factors that affect student teachers, their motivation for using ICT reveals a direct effect on TPK. Further factors, such as gender and teacher education program type have no effect on TPK. The findings will be discussed in relation to expectations of teacher education effectiveness.
Measuring the impact of tax loss carryforwards on capital structure choice: the accuracy of earnings-based proxies
Authors: Rechbauer Martina , Rünger Silke
Published: June 2023

Empirical studies on capital structure choice frequently control for whether or not a firm has tax loss carryforwards (TLCFs). However, tax data on TLCFs is often not available to researchers. As a consequence, many studies rely upon earnings-based information in order to determine whether a firm has TLCFs. In this paper, we study the accuracy of earnings-based proxies in predicting whether a firm has TLCFs. Our results, which are based upon a panel of Italian listed firms between 2009 and 2012, show that earnings-based proxies correctly predict whether a firm has TLCFs for 70–77% of all firm-year observations. Furthermore, for all but one proxy, we identify a non-random measurement error in TLCF variables that are built upon these proxies. We evaluate the consequences of this measurement error and find that it does not significantly change the estimated effects of TLCFs on capital structure choice for some proxies, including last year’s earnings before taxes. We conclude that last year’s earnings before taxes serves as an accurate proxy for a firm’s true TLCF status. It is easy to determine and leads to statistically and quantitatively similar conclusions as those reached using tax data on TLCFs.
Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction: What Clinicians and Investigators Should Know
Authors: Marano Paul , Wei Janet , Merz C. Noel Bairey
Published: June 2023

Purpose of Review

Abnormal structure and function of the coronary microvasculature have been implicated in the pathophysiology of multiple cardiovascular disease processes. This article reviews recent research progress related to coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) and salient clinical takeaways.

Recent Findings

CMD is prevalent in patients with signs and symptoms of ischemia and no obstructive epicardial coronary artery disease (INOCA), particularly in women. CMD is associated with adverse outcomes, including most frequently the development of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. It is also associated with adverse outcomes in patient populations including hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy, and acute coronary syndromes. In patients with INOCA, stratified medical therapy guided by invasive coronary function testing to define the subtype of CMD leads to improved symptoms.

There are invasive and non-invasive methodologies to diagnose CMD that provide prognostic information and mechanistic information to direct treatment. Available treatments improve symptoms and myocardial blood flow; ongoing investigations aim to develop therapy to improve adverse outcomes related to CMD.
Bad Faith, Public Policy and Morality: How Open Concepts Shape Trade Mark Protection
Authors: Davis Jennifer , Żelechowski Łukasz
Published: June 2023

The grounds for refusal or invalidity relating to trade marks filed in bad faith or being contrary to public policy or accepted principles of morality are based entirely on undefined concepts and require a value judgement to be made by the adjudicating authorities. This openness has led to the exploration of new lanes for these grounds in case law beyond the traditional scope of their application. This paper examines how the flexibility of the concepts at hand has led to considerable uncertainty in assessing whether a particular mark is registered in bad faith or offends against morality and public policy – and in some cases both. In particular, the objective, consistent viewpoint of the average consumer, which is normally applied in other areas of trade mark law, appears to be exiled from the analysis in these cases. In the case of bad faith, the assessment involves a subjective element, as there is a mandatory requirement that there should be bad faith intent on the part of the applicant. The paper argues that much of the uncertainty as to when bad faith applies could be overcome by adopting an objective viewpoint in its assessment. By contrast, the assessment of the offence against morality remains objective. It is based on the perception of a model member of society with average thresholds of sensitivity and tolerance who does not always overlap with the average consumer of the goods covered by a trade mark application. Infringement of public policy is also objective and is linked with offence against the “top-down” rules laid down by the public authority.
Sex and Sexual Identity Disparities in STDs and Their Mental Health or Substance Use Disorder Risk Factors Among Black/African American Adults
Authors: Adzrago David , Yeh Paul Gerardo , Choudhury Sumaita , Markham Christine
Published: June 2023

There is a lack of studies examining sexually transmitted disease (STD) diagnosis among subgroups of Black/African American population. We examined the association between STD diagnosis and sociodemographic, sexual identity, mental health, and substance use disorder factors based on sex among Black/African American adult population (N = 15,924). Secondary data analysis was computed using the 2017 to 2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, a cross-sectional survey. The prevalence of STDs was higher among Black/African American females (3.01%) than among males (2.61%). Compared to heterosexual females, bisexual females were more likely to have STDs. Males who identified as gay or bisexual were more likely than heterosexual individuals to have STDs. Males or females who experienced marijuana use disorder were more likely than their counterparts to be diagnosed with STDs. Major depressive episode (MDE), alcohol use disorder (AUD), opioid use disorder (OUD), marijuana use disorder, and illicit drugs other than marijuana moderated the association between STD diagnosis and sexual identity based on sex. This study revealed differences in STD diagnosis based on the intersection of sex and sexual identity, mental health, and substance use among Black/African American adults for tailored intervention development efforts.
Continuous-time locally stationary time series models
Authors: Bitter Annemarie , Stelzer Robert , Ströh Bennet
Published: June 2023

We adapt the classical definition of locally stationary processes in discrete time (see e.g. Dahlhaus, ‘Locally stationary processes’, in Time Series Analysis: Methods and Applications (2012)) to the continuous-time setting and obtain equivalent representations in the time and frequency domains. From this, a unique time-varying spectral density is derived using the Wigner–Ville spectrum. As an example, we investigate time-varying Lévy-driven state space processes, including the class of time-varying Lévy-driven CARMA processes. First, the connection between these two classes of processes is examined. Considering a sequence of time-varying Lévy-driven state space processes, we then give sufficient conditions on the coefficient functions that ensure local stationarity with respect to the given definition.
Optical rectification in 4H-SiC: paving the way to generate strong terahertz fields with ultra-wide bandwidth
Authors: Li Fangjie , Zhong Kai , Zhang Yiwen , Wu Tong , Liu Yuxin , Qiao Hongzhan , Li Jining , Xu Degang , Yao Jianquan
Published: June 2023

The 4H-SiC crystal is found to have great potential in terahertz generation via nonlinear optical frequency conversion due to its extremely high optical damage threshold, wide transparent range, etc. In this paper, optical rectification (OR) with tilted-pulse-front (TPF) setting based on the 4H-SiC crystal is proposed. The theory accounts for the optimization of incident pulse pre-chirping in the TPF OR process under high-intensity femtosecond laser pumping. Compared with the currently recognized LiNbO3-based TPF OR, which generates a single-cycle terahertz pulse within 3 THz, 4H-SiC demonstrates a significant advantage in producing ultra-widely tunable (up to over 14 THz, TPF angle 31°–38°) terahertz waves with high efficiency (~10–2) and strong field (~MV/cm). Besides, the spectrum characteristics, as well as the evolution from single- to multi-cycle terahertz pulses can be modulated flexibly by pre-chirping. The simulation results show that 4H-SiC enables terahertz frequency extending to an unprecedent range by OR, which has extremely important potential in strong-field terahertz applications.
Wars, Rulers, Rationality
Authors: Mann Michael
Published: June 2023

This article provides the conclusions of a study of wars which are relatively well-documented through the ages and across the continents of human settlement. The evidence on which these conclusions are based is to be found in my book On Wars published by Yale University Press in July 2023. There are two main conclusions. First, the initial decisions to make either war or peace have almost always been made by a small handful of rulers and their advisors, regardless of whether they inhabit autocratic or representative political systems. They are to blame for war, not the peoples. Second, wars are rarely rational in either means or ends. They are rarely carefully calculated and they rarely bring the the desired ends, with the exceptions of where big powers aggress against small ones, “sharks swallowing minnows”, and of wars fought in self-defense where there is a reasonable chance of success. This is because in addition to the element of rational calculation so stressed by Realist theory, rulers and their advisors are substantially driven by combinations of emotions and ideologies.
Teaching Senior Medical Students Mass Casualty Incident Management by 3D Tabletop Exercise without Lecture: Increase Students' Knowledge and Motivation
Authors: Chou Wei-Kuo , Lin Chien-Hao
Published: June 2023

Introduction:

Mass casualty incident (MCI) management was usually taught by lectures and then tested by exercises. However, the lecture may not be interesting and tabletop exercise (TTx) may not adequately engage participants, especially senior medical students. To solve these two problems, we think that a TTx using 3D models can be a good teaching method of MCI management for medical students.

Method:

A TTx of MCI in the emergency room (ER) was designed for senior medical students based on five core capabilities of MCI management: incident management system, event recognition and initiation of response, patient triage, surge capacity and capability, and recovery and demobilization. 3D models containing miniatures of the ER, hospital staff, patients, and other personnel were used in the TTx. No lecture was conducted before or during the exercise. Students needed to discuss how to respond to events in the incident and show their responses using the 3D models, and the instructor facilitated the discussion and gave feedback right after the students’ decision.

Knowledge of each core capability was tested by four multiple-choice questions. The interest in learning disaster medicine and willingness to participate in MCI management were evaluated by questionnaire, along with quantitative feedback to the exercise. The same test and questionnaire were conducted before and after the TTx.

Results:

From September 2018 to May 2022, 326 students completed both pre- and post-exercise evaluations. The test scores of all five core capabilities, levels of interest, and willingness increased significantly after the exercise. Students thought the exercise was interesting and a good learning tool. Most students wanted to be notified of further training.

Conclusion:

A tabletop exercise using 3D models is an effective way to teach senior medical students MCI management and disaster medicine while increasing their interest in learning and willingness to participate.
Childhood Maltreatment and Suicidal Thoughts and Behaviors in Young Adults
Authors: Wong Natalie E. , Hagan Melissa J. , Holley Sarah R.
Published: June 2023

Abstract: Background: Childhood maltreatment strongly predicts suicidality in young adulthood, which is increasingly common among Latina/o and Asian Americans. However, greater attention to modifiable explanatory factors is needed, particularly in ethnically minoritized populations. Aims: The current study evaluated whether the association between childhood maltreatment and suicidality may be accounted for by emotion regulation difficulties among a sample of young adults attending a large, minority-serving state university. Methods: Young adults ( n = 853 participants; Mage = 22.43 years; 76.2% female) completed validated measures of suicidality, childhood maltreatment, depression, and emotion regulation difficulties. A multiple indirect effect analysis was conducted in a structural equation modeling framework. Results: Greater childhood maltreatment was associated with significantly greater emotion regulation difficulties across all six types and greater endorsement of overall suicidality. An indirect effect was found for limited access to regulation strategies only. Unexpectedly, lack of emotional awareness was associated with lower levels of ideation/attempts or threats of engaging in suicidal behavior. Limitations: The study was cross-sectional, precluding conclusions regarding causality. Conclusions: The findings suggest that, for individuals who have experienced childhood maltreatment, it is particularly important to address deficits in access to emotion regulation strategies to reduce the risk of suicidal ideation and behavior.