bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Virtual reality content creation based on self-contained components in the e-learning domain: Re-using pattern-based vr content in different authoring toolkits
Authors: Horst Robin , Gerstmeier Simon , Naraghi-Taghi-Off Ramtin , Wagner Julian , Rau Linda , Dörner Ralf
Published: June 2022

In the context of e-learning, it is challenging to incorporate emerging technologies, such as alternate reality games or Virtual Reality (VR), within current learning trends. Microlearning is such a current trend. It divides large and complex chunks of content into small and elementary learning nuggets. These single self-contained nuggets are then composed to overarching lessons or courses. The concept of VR nuggets dovetails this educational trend. VR nuggets are standalone, self-contained, and rather short VR experiences that can be combined with other learning nuggets. By using initial implementations of VR nuggets, they can be used to let authors create VR earning content, for example, to let learners experience alternate realities. In this paper, we further investigate the VR nugget authoring concept and extent it. We introduce two novel authoring toolkits that rely on VR nuggets – one based on context-related module interaction (CoNMoD) and one based on visual scripting (ViNS Tiles). In two separate user studies, we examine the acceptance of the toolkits and compare them to existing authoring environments that also rely on VR nuggets but utilize different interface techniques. These studies’ results emphasize the importance of exchanging content between different established tools and indicate the acceptance of our tools regarding their hedonic and pragmatic qualities, also compared to existing tools from related work. As a conclusion, we propose an exchange format for VR nuggets that supports their reusability. It enables authors that use different toolkits to work together. They can utilize VR nuggets created with other toolkits and still use their own preferred toolkit. By means of an expert survey, we draw conclusions on technical aspects and a suitable platform to make VR nuggets available to the community. This survey indicates that potential authors would use such an exchange-approach for creating and presenting VR content and that they are willing to share their work and to contribute in a VR nugget authoring community.
Pre-surgery immune profiles of adult glioma patients
Authors: Bracci Paige M. , Rice Terri , Hansen Helen M. , Francis Stephen S. , Lee Sean , McCoy Lucie S. , Shrestha Pavan P. , Warrier Gayathri , Clarke Jennifer L. , Molinaro Annette M. , Taylor Jennie W. , Wiencke John K. , Wrensch Margaret R.
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Although immunosuppression is a known characteristic of glioma, no previous large studies have reported peripheral blood immune cell profiles prior to patient surgery and chemoradiation. This report describes blood immune cell characteristics and associated variables prior to surgery among typical glioma patients seen at a large University practice.

Methods

We analyzed pre-surgery blood samples from 139 glioma patients diagnosed with a new or recurrent grade II/III glioma (LrGG, n = 64) or new glioblastoma (GBM, n = 75) and 454 control participants without glioma. Relative cell fractions of CD4, CD8, B-cells, Natural Killer cells, monocytes, and neutrophils, were estimated via a validated deconvolution algorithm from blood DNA methylation measures from Illumina EPIC arrays.

Results

Dexamethasone use at time of blood draw varied by glioma type being highest among patients with IDH wild-type (wt) GBM (75%) and lowest for those with oligodendroglioma (14%). Compared to controls, glioma patients showed statistically significant lower cell fractions for all immune cell subsets except for neutrophils which were higher (all p-values < 0.001), in part because of the higher prevalence of dexamethasone use at time of blood draw for IDHwt GBM. Patients who were taking dexamethasone were more likely to have a low CD4 count (< 200, < 500), increased neutrophils, low absolute lymphocyte counts, higher total cell count and higher NLR.

Conclusion

We show that pre-surgery blood immune profiles vary by glioma subtype, age, and more critically, by use of dexamethasone. Our results highlight the importance of considering dexamethasone exposures in all studies of immune profiles and of obtaining immune measures prior to use of dexamethasone, if possible.
Efficacy and tolerability of regorafenib in pretreated patients with progressive CNS grade 3 or 4 gliomas
Authors: Werner Jan-Michael , Wolf Lena , Tscherpel Caroline , Bauer Elena K. , Wollring Michael , Ceccon Garry , Deckert Martina , Brunn Anna , Pappesch Roberto , Goldbrunner Roland , Fink Gereon R. , Galldiks Norbert
Published: June 2022

Background

The phase 2 REGOMA trial suggested an encouraging overall survival benefit in glioblastoma patients at first relapse treated with the multikinase inhibitor regorafenib. Here, we evaluated the efficacy and side effects of regorafenib in a real-life setting.

Methods

From 2018 to 2021, 30 patients with progressive WHO CNS grade 3 or 4 gliomas treated with regorafenib (160 mg/day; first 3 weeks of each 4-week cycle) with individual dose adjustment depending on toxicity were retrospectively identified. Side effects were evaluated according to the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 5.0). MRI was obtained at baseline and after every second cycle. Tumor progression was assessed according to RANO criteria. After regorafenib initiation, the median PFS and OS were calculated.

Results

The median number of treatment lines before regorafenib was 2 (range 1–4). Most patients (73%) had two or more pretreatment lines. At first relapse, 27% of patients received regorafenib. A total of 94 regorafenib cycles were administered (median 2 cycles; range 1–9 cycles). Grade 3 and 4 side effects were observed in 47% and 7% of patients, respectively, and were not significantly increased in patients with two or more pretreatments (P > 0.05). The most frequent grade 3 or 4 side effects were laboratory abnormalities (62%). PFS was 2.6 months (range 0.8–8.2 months), and the OS was 6.2 months (range 0.9–24 months).

Conclusions

In patients with progressive WHO grade 3 or 4 gliomas, predominantly with two pretreatment lines or more, regorafenib seems to be effective despite considerable grade 3 or 4 side effects.
Unzipping flood vulnerability and functionality loss: tale of struggle for existence of riparian buildings
Authors: Gautam Dipendra , Adhikari Rabindra , Gautam Suraj , Pandey Vishnu Prasad , Thapa Bhesh Raj , Lamichhane Suraj , Talchabhadel Rocky , Thapa Saraswati , Niraula Sunil , Aryal Komal Raj , Lamsal Pravin , Bastola Subash , Sah Sanjay Kumar , Subedi Shanti Kala , Puri Bijaya , Kandel Bidur , Sapkota Pratap , Rupakhety Rajesh
Published: June 2022

Floods pose significant risk to riparian buildings as evidenced during many historical events. Although structural resilience to tsunami flooding is well studied in the literature, high-velocity and debris-laden floods in steep terrains are not considered adequately so far. Historical floods in steep terrains necessitate the need for flood vulnerability analysis of buildings. To this end, we report vulnerability of riparian-reinforced concrete buildings using forensic damage interpretations and empirical/analytical vulnerability analyses. Furthermore, we propose the concept and implications of functionality loss due to flooding in residential reinforced concrete (RC) buildings using empirical data. Fragility functions using inundation depth and momentum flux are presented for RC buildings considering a recent flooding event in Nepal. The results show that flow velocity and sediment load, rather than hydrostatic load, govern the damages in riparian RC buildings. However, at larger inundation depth, hydrostatic force alone may collapse some of the RC buildings.
Identification of the glutamine synthetase (GS) gene family in four wheat species and functional analysis of Ta4D.GSe in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Yin Huayan , Sun Qian , Lu Xiaoqing , Zhang Lufei , Yuan Yanchao , Gong Cuiling , He Xiaoyan , Ma Wujun , Mu Ping
Published: June 2022

Drought stress can negatively impact crop yield and quality. Improving wheat yields under drought stress is a major objective of agronomic research. Glutamine synthetase (GS) is a key enzyme of nitrogen metabolism that is critical to plant growth and development in abiotic stress response. However, to date, no systemic characterization of the GS genes has yet been conducted in wheat and its close relatives. We identified a total of 15 GS genes in Triticum aestivum (2n = 6x = 42; AABBDD), as well as 9 GS genes in Triticum dicoccoides (2n = 4x = 28; AABB), 6 in Aegilops tauschii (2n = 2x = 14; DD), and 5 in Triticum urartu (2n = 2x = 14; AA). The 35 GSs were further clustered into five lineages according to the phylogenetic tree. Synteny analysis revealed that the three subgenomes in bread wheat retained extensive synteny between bread wheat and its three relative species. We identified three up-regulated TaGSs (Ta4A.GSe, Ta4B.GSe, and Ta4D.GSe) from transcriptome data after drought and salt stress. Ta4D.GSe was subsequently used for further functional studies, and its subcellular localization were determined in Arabidopsis protoplasts. Its overexpression in Arabidopsis enhanced drought tolerance by increasing the ability of scavenging of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and osmotic adjustment. We identified GS gene family in four wheat species and performed comparative analyses of their relationships, chromosome locations, conserved motif, gene structure, and synteny. The subcellular localization of Ta4D.GSe was detected and its drought tolerance function was demonstrated. Taken together, these findings provide insight into the potential functional roles of the GS genes in abiotic stress tolerance.

Key message

This report clearly shows detailed characterization of GS gene family in four wheat species and demonstrates that Ta4D.GSe plays an important role in enhancing drought tolerance by improving the scavenging of ROS and osmotic adjustment ability in Arabidopsis.
Spatiotemporal responses of rice root architecture and anatomy to drought
Authors: Fonta Jenna E. , Giri Jitender , Vejchasarn Phanchita , Lynch Jonathan P. , Brown Kathleen M.
Published: June 2022

Aims

Growth reductions and yield losses from drought could be mitigated by developing rice genotypes with more efficient root systems. We examined spatiotemporal responses to drought in order to determine whether roots developing in upper vs. deeper soil layers respond differently to drought stress.

Methods

Root anatomical and architectural phenotypes of two rice genotypes, Azucena (drought tolerant) and IR64 (drought susceptible), were measured weekly in well-watered and vegetative-stage drought stress treatments in solid medium with stratified moisture availability. Basal and apical segments were collected from older, deeper nodal roots and apical segments from younger, shallow roots for assessment of anatomy and lateral rooting phenotypes. The relationship between root anatomy and root respiration rates was tested in solution culture and solid medium.

Results

Compared to IR64, Azucena had deeper root systems and larger diameter roots in both treatments but reduced its living tissue area in response to drought, while IR64 roots exhibited less plasticity in root diameter. Root respiration rates were positively correlated with root diameter and living tissue area, providing evidence that root anatomy affects the metabolic cost of tissues. In response to drought, Azucena showed reduced theoretical axial hydraulic conductance in shallow roots and at the base of deep roots but slightly greater conductance at the tip of deep roots, while IR64 displayed low plasticity in metaxylem phenotypes.

Conclusion

We propose that the plasticity of root phenotypes in Azucena contributes to its drought tolerance by reducing the metabolic cost of soil exploration and improving the efficiency of water transport.
Covid and Public Funds: More Opportunities for a Misuse? The Case of the Intermediate Governments of Galicia
Authors: Blanco-Varela Bruno , Quintas-Pérez María , Sánchez-Carreira María Carmen , Mourão Paulo Jorge Reis
Published: June 2022

Corruption and inefficiency of public funds pose a risk in public administrations. This paper analyses the corruption risk at the local level by analysing indicators of public procurement contracts in four deputations of Galicia (Spain). In addition, the pandemic has created opportunities to increase this risk and the misuse of public funds given the need to act quickly. Therefore, the study analyses whether the Covid crisis led to significant changes in expenditure in the four deputations and whether it involves a higher use of minor contracts, an award procedure without publicity or bidding, which has been found as increasing corruption risk.
Heuristic time-dependent personal scheduling problem with electric vehicles
Authors: Rizopoulos Dimitrios , Esztergár-Kiss Domokos
Published: June 2022

In this paper, a heuristic method which contributes to the solution of the Daily Activity Chains Optimization problem with the use of Electric Vehicles (DACO-EV) is presented. The DACO-EV is a time-dependent activity-scheduling problem of individual travelers in urban environments. The heuristic method is comprised of a genetic algorithm that considers as its parameters a set of preferences of the travelers regarding their initial activity chains as well as parameters concerning the transportation network and the urban environment. The objective of the algorithm is to calculate the traveler’s optimized activity chains within a single day as they emerge from the improved combinations of the available options for each individual traveler based on their flexibility preferences. Special emphasis is laid on the underlying speed-up techniques of the GA and the mechanisms that account for specific characteristics of EVs, such as consumption according to the EV model and international standards, charging station locations, and the types of charging plugs. From the results of this study, it is proven that the method is suitable for efficiently aiding travelers in the meaningful planning of their daily activity schedules and that the algorithm can serve as a tool for the analysis and derivation of the insights into the transportation network itself.
Off-Diagonal Heat Kernel Estimates for Symmetric Diffusions in a Degenerate Ergodic Environment
Authors: Taylor Peter A.
Published: June 2022

We study a symmetric diffusion process on $\mathbb {R}^{d}$

ℝ

d

, d ≥ 2, in divergence form in a stationary and ergodic random environment. The coefficients are assumed to be degenerate and unbounded but satisfy a moment condition. We derive upper off-diagonal estimates on the heat kernel of this process for general speed measure. Lower off-diagonal estimates are also shown for a natural choice of speed measure, under an additional mixing assumption on the environment. Using these estimates, a scaling limit for the Green function is proven.
Open access in Angola: a survey among higher education institutions
Authors: Artigas Wileidys , Gungula Eurico Wongo , Laakso Mikael
Published: June 2022

Open access (OA) to research publications is of global relevance, both in terms of provision and consumption of scholarly content. However, much of the research, practice, and models surrounding OA have been centered around the Global North. In this study we investigate how and to what degree higher education institutions (HEIs) in Angola interact with the concept of OA to journal publications through their policies and practices, a country where the end of the civil war in 2002 marked a new start for growth in teaching and research. This study is based on an online survey conducted in 2020 among research management units of Angolan HEIs. 23 valid institutional responses were received of 44 invitations sent (52% response rate). The results suggest that Angolan HEIs have moderate awareness of OA but practical incorporation into academic processes has remained slow, however, this can be seen to be connected to the overall slow progress in ramping up research intensity in the country. Seven of the responding institutions reported to be involved in publishing scholarly journals, all of them OA. Overall Angolan HEIs have few institutional repositories, and have so far placed little value on OA in the context of academic career advancement.
Tamquam alter idem: formal similarities in a subset of reports on anti-inflammatory compounds in the years 2008–2019
Authors: Galli Carlo , Sala Roberto , Colangelo Maria Teresa , Guizzardi Stefano
Published: June 2022

A literature search on the in vitro testing of anti-inflammatory compounds of natural origin revealed a considerable number of studies adopting a similar template for data reporting in the years up to 2019. Sixty-five such reports appear to have been published between the years 2008 and 2019. Interestingly, this format template was clearly recognizable by a few hallmarks, such as a precise way of plotting cell viability data, extremely consistent endpoints, and the way these were graphically represented. In some instances the similarities extended to some textual features, such as in the case of figure legends. The similarity was so high that chance can be excluded and these studies can be safely assumed to have intentionally followed a template. By 2020, however, no new reports following this format have been published. Although a consistent and reproducible formatting for data reporting may improve report readability, this phenomenon should also be closely scrutinized to assess the rationale why it occurred, the validity of the endpoints that were chosen and why it was then abandoned. The present report reviewed the mean features of this format, traced its origin and its evolution over time, while discussing the limitations of this model.
Silver nanoparticles induced hepatoxicity via the apoptotic/antiapoptotic pathway with activation of TGFβ-1 and α-SMA triggered liver fibrosis in Sprague Dawley rats
Authors: Assar Doaa H. , Mokhbatly Abd-Allah A. , Ghazy Emad W. , Elbialy Zizy I. , Gaber Ahmed A. , Hassan Ayman A. , Nabil Ahmed , Asa Samah Abou
Published: June 2022

Despite the extraordinary use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in medicinal purposes and the food industry, there is rising worry about potential hazards to human health and the environment. The existing study aims to assess the hepatotoxic effects of different dosages of AgNPs by evaluating hematobiochemical parameters, oxidative stress, liver morphological alterations, immunohistochemical staining, and gene expression to clarify the mechanism of AgNPs’ hepatic toxic potential. Forty male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into control and three AgNPs intraperitoneally treated groups 0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg b.w. daily for 15 and 30 days. AgNP exposure reduced body weight, caused haematological abnormalities, and enhanced hepatic oxidative and nitrosative stress with depletion of the hepatic GSH level. Serum hepatic injury biomarkers with pathological hepatic lesions where cholangiopathy emerges as the main hepatic alteration in a dosage- and duration-dependent manner were also elevated. Furthermore, immunohistochemical labelling of apoptotic markers demonstrated that Bcl-2 was significantly downregulated while caspase-3 was significantly upregulated. In conclusion, the hepatotoxic impact of AgNPs may be regulated by two mechanisms, implying the apoptotic/antiapoptotic pathway via raising BAX and inhibiting Bcl-2 expression levels in a dose-dependent manner. The TGF-β1 and α-SMA pathway which triggered fibrosis with incorporation of iNOS which consequently activates the inflammatory process were also elevated. To our knowledge, there has been no prior report on the experimental administration of AgNPs in three different dosages for short and long durations in rats with the assessment of Bcl-2, BAX, iNOS, TGF-β1, and α-SMA gene expressions.

Graphical abstract
Monitoring spatiotemporal soil moisture changes in the subsurface of forest sites using electrical resistivity tomography (ERT)
Authors: Fäth Julian , Kunz Julius , Kneisel Christof
Published: June 2022

The effects of drought on tree mortality at forest stands are not completely understood. For assessing their water supply, knowledge of the small-scale distribution of soil moisture as well as its temporal changes is a key issue in an era of climate change. However, traditional methods like taking soil samples or installing data loggers solely collect parameters of a single point or of a small soil volume. Electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) is a suitable method for monitoring soil moisture changes and has rarely been used in forests. This method was applied at two forest sites in Bavaria, Germany to obtain high-resolution data of temporal soil moisture variations. Geoelectrical measurements (2D and 3D) were conducted at both sites over several years (2015–2018/2020) and compared with soil moisture data (matric potential or volumetric water content) for the monitoring plots. The greatest variations in resistivity values that highly correlate with soil moisture data were found in the main rooting zone. Using the ERT data, temporal trends could be tracked in several dimensions, such as the interannual increase in the depth of influence from drought events and their duration, as well as rising resistivity values going along with decreasing soil moisture. The results reveal that resistivity changes are a good proxy for seasonal and interannual soil moisture variations. Therefore, 2D- and 3D-ERT are recommended as comparatively non-laborious methods for small-spatial scale monitoring of soil moisture changes in the main rooting zone and the underlying subsurface of forested sites. Higher spatial and temporal resolution allows a better understanding of the water supply for trees, especially in times of drought.
A-Isometries and Hilbert-A-Modules Over Product Domains
Authors: Didas Michael
Published: June 2022

For a compact set$$K \subset {\mathbb {C}}^n$$K⊂Cn, let$$A \subset C(K)$$A⊂C(K)be a function algebra containing the polynomials$${\mathbb {C}}[z_1,\cdots ,z_n ]$$C[z1,⋯,zn]. Assuming that a certain regularity condition holds forA, we prove a commutant-lifting theorem forA-isometries that contains the known results for isometric subnormal tuples in its different variants as special cases, e.g., Mlak (Studia Math. 43(3): 219–233, 1972) and Athavale (J. Oper. Theory 23(2): 339–350, 1990; Rocky Mt. J. Math. 48(1): 2018; Complex Anal. Oper. Theory 2(3): 417–428, 2008; New York J. Math. 25: 934–948, 2019). In the context of Hilbert-A-modules, our result implies the existence of an extension map "Equation missing"for hypo-Shilov-modules "Equation missing"$$(i=1,2)$$(i=1,2). By standard arguments, we obtain an identification "Equation missing"where "Equation missing"is the minimal$$C(\partial _A)$$C(∂A)-extension of "Equation missing"$$(i=1,2)$$(i=1,2), provided that "Equation missing"is projective and "Equation missing"is pure. Using embedding techniques, we show that these results apply in particular to the domain algebra$$A=A(D)=C({\overline{D}})\cap {\mathcal {O}}(D)$$A=A(D)=C(D¯)∩O(D)over a product domain$$D = D_1 \times \cdots \times D_k \subset {\mathbb {C}}^n$$D=D1×⋯×Dk⊂Cnwhere each factor$$D_i$$Diis either a smoothly bounded, strictly pseudoconvex domain or a bounded symmetric and circled domain in some$${\mathbb {C}}^{d_i}$$Cdi($$1\le i \le k$$1≤i≤k). This extends known results from the ball and polydisc-case, Guo (Studia Math. 135(1): 1–12, 1999) and Chen and Guo (J. Oper. Theory 43: 69–81, 2000).
Strategic agility, openness and performance: a mixed method comparative analysis of firms operating in developed and emerging markets
Authors: Vrontis Demetris , Belas Jaroslav , Thrassou Alkis , Santoro Gabriele , Christofi Michael
Published: June 2022

This research delineates the relationship between strategic agility and performance, and proposes openness as a requisite means to fostering agility and enhancing performance. Methodologically, the research follows the pragmatist paradigm through a mixed-method research design, incorporating three separate studies. These comprise a CEO-based survey on foreign firms operating in emerging markets, a CEO-based survey on firms operating in developed countries, and CEO interviews, all of which are complimented by auxiliary instruments of secondary data and an expert panel. The research finds that strategic agility is vital for firms’ performance in both developed and developing markets. Moreover, we found that while search depth amplifies the above relationship in both contexts, search breadth does it only in the context of foreign firms operating in emerging markets. The value of these findings stems from their elucidation of the role of strategic agility in emerging markets and its comparison to that of firms operating in developed countries; their insights into strategic agility’s relationship with openness; their schematic culmination into a systemically and contextually depicted framework; and their prescriptive managerial implications.
Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors and Chemoradiation for Limited-Stage Small Cell Lung Cancer
Authors: Schlick Brian , Shields Misty Dawn , Marin-Acevedo Julian A. , Patel Ishika , Pellini Bruna
Published: June 2022

Opinion statement

Limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC) is a potentially curable disease. However, most patients develop disease relapse shortly after definitive treatment. The landmark trials IMpower133 and CASPIAN demonstrated a survival benefit with the addition of immunotherapy to first-line platinum/etoposide for extensive-stage small cell lung cancer. Therefore, it is critical to determine whether advancements in overall survival with immunotherapy can be translated earlier into the treatment paradigm for LS-SCLC. Decades of robust preclinical research into the synergism of radiation therapy and immunotherapy set the stage for the combination of these treatment modalities. Recently published data suggests tolerability of single agent immunotherapy concurrent with chemoradiation in LS-SCLC, along with promising efficacy. However, combination immunotherapy in the consolidation setting appears too toxic, although this may be reflective of the dosing schedule rather than inherent to any combination immune checkpoint blockade. Here, we review underlying mechanisms of synergy with the combination of radiation and immunotherapy, the safety and efficacy of respective treatment modalities, and the ongoing trials that are exploring novel therapeutic approaches for LS-SCLC. Pivotal trials in LS-SCLC are ongoing and anticipated to aid in understanding efficacy and safety of immunotherapy with concurrent platinum-based chemoradiotherapy.
Renin–Angiotensin–Aldosterone Inhibitors and COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Tsampasian Vasiliki , Corballis Natasha , Vassiliou Vassilios S.
Published: June 2022

Purpose of Review

This review summarises the literature data and provides an overview of the role and impact of the use of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system (RAAS) inhibitors in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection.

Recent Findings

The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) has a key role in the regulation of the RAAS pathway, downregulating angiotensin II and attenuating inflammation, vasoconstriction and oxidative stress. Additionally, it plays an instrumental part in COVID-19 infection as it facilitates the cell entry of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and enables its replication. The use and role of RAAS inhibitors therefore during the COVID-19 pandemic have been intensively investigated.

Although it was initially assumed that RAAS inhibitors may relate to worse clinical outcomes and severe disease, data from large studies and meta-analyses demonstrated that they do not have an adverse impact on clinical outcomes or prognosis. On the contrary, some experimental and retrospective observational cohort studies showed a potential protective mechanism, although this effect remains to be seen in large clinical trials.
Learning analytics: state of the art
Authors: Hernández-de-Menéndez Marcela , Morales-Menendez Ruben , Escobar Carlos A. , Ramírez Mendoza Ricardo A.
Published: June 2022

Learning Analyticsis a field that measures, analyses, and reports data about students and their contexts to understand/improve learning and the place in which it occurs. Educational institutions have different motivations to useLearning Analytics. Some want to improve students' outcomes or optimize their educational technology and reduce the dropout rate and others. This concept is presented with practical experiences that have been acquired and validated by 16 institutions. Besides, an analysis of the results, challenges, and expectations was performed. It was found that the majority of initiatives useLearning Analyticsto improve retention of students; few are focused merely on improving the teaching/learning process or academic issues. The organizations invest their resources in acquiringLearning Analyticssoftware; however, most universities develop their technology. The technology helps organizations be preventive and not reactive as various models determine students at risk of failing. This information allows them to make suitable interventions, which increases the success of the initiative.CoViD19pandemic is also put in context in this research;Learning Analyticscould be a great approach to help the educational community adapt effectively to the new forms of educational delivery. Based on an exhaustive bibliographic review, various educational projects and experiences were analyzed, presenting an overview detailing applications, results, and potentialities and opportunities, hoping that this article will be a useful reference for researchers and faculty to exploitLearning Analyticseducation.
Inflammatory Modulation of miR-155 Inhibits Doxorubicin-Induced Testicular Dysfunction via SIRT1/FOXO1 Pathway: Insight into the Role of Acacetin and Bacillus cereus Protease
Authors: Anwar Hend Mohamed , Hamad Sherin Ramadan , Salem Gad Elsayed Mohamed , Soliman Rania Hassan Mohamed , Elbaz Eman Maher
Published: June 2022

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic agent that can disrupt testicular function leading to male infertility. This study examined the protective role of natural flavone, acacetin (ACA), and a protease of Bacillus cereus bacteria (B. cereus) as well as the potential role of miR-155/SIRT1/FOXO1 network in DOX-induced testicular injury. Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly allocated into four groups and treated as follows: Control, DOX (1 mg/kg, i.p) every other day for 21 days with a total dose equal to 10 mg/kg throughout the experiment, and pre-treated groups that received ACA (5 mg/kg/day, p.o) or B. cereus protease (36 mg/kg/day, p.o) for a week prior to DOX administration. DOX challenge reduced the testis weight coefficient, serum testosterone, and testicular 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (17β-HSD). DOX caused a significant increase in testicular oxidative stress, inflammatory, and apoptotic markers. Aberrant testicular miR-34c, a germ-specific miRNA, and miR-155 expressions were observed, along with decreased protein expression of sirtuin1 (SIRT1) dependent forkhead box 1 (FOXO1) acetylation which induces apoptosis. Besides, abnormal histopathological architecture and a marked reduction in the testicular expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were observed. ACA or protease administration significantly improved the histopathological and immunohistochemical pictures compared with DOX alone and renovated testicular functions. Interestingly, treatment with protease was more significant than treatment with ACA in ameliorating DOX-induced testicular injury. Taken together, this study reveals the prophylactic role of these two regimens on male fertility by exhibiting antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-apoptotic effects against DOX-elicited testicular damage, possibly via modulating miR-155/SIRT1/FOXO1 network.

Graphical abstract
Current status of human adenovirus infection in China
Authors: Mao Nai-Ying , Zhu Zhen , Zhang Yan , Xu Wen-Bo
Published: June 2022

Background

Outbreaks of severe, acute hepatitis among children have recently attracted global attention. The pathogen causing the outbreak remains unknown, but there is growing evidence that it may be associated with human adenovirus (HAdV).

Data sources

A review of adenovirus-related clinical studies, epidemiological studies, etiological studies, and case reports was conducted by reviewers independently.

Results

HAdV can cause a wide variety of clinical symptoms. In the Mainland of China, HAdV infection accounts for 5.8%–13% of patients with acute respiratory infections, and these infections are mainly caused by species B, C, and E of HAdV. For acute conjunctivitis, 39.8%–74.9% of sporadic cases were infected by B and D species of HAdV. Outbreaks of keratoconjunctivitis and pharyngoconjunctival fever related to HAdV infection could be found throughout the country. In pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis, HAdV-41 was the predominant HAdV type, followed by HAdV species B and C. Several types of HAdV, including HAdV-5, HAdV-7, HAdV-1, and HAdV-2, have previously been reported as potential pathogens associated with HAdV hepatitis in immunocompromised patients. However, few HAdV-related hepatitis cases have been reported in China to date.

Conclusions

There are no systematic surveillance and clinical studies on HAdV hepatitis in China. Therefore, it is imperative to establish a nationwide HAdV virological surveillance system to collect relevant clinical, epidemiological and virological surveillance data and risk factor information as soon as possible to assess the potential risk of HAdV hepatitis among children.
Analysis of Biowaste-Based Materials in the Construction Sector: Evaluation of Thermal Behaviour and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)
Authors: Vilaboa Díaz Andrés , Francisco López Ahinara , Bello Bugallo Pastora M.
Published: June 2022

The objective of the work is to evaluate the thermal behaviour and the environmental impact of selected building biowaste-based materials, mainly biomass from agrowaste. An evaluation of the state of the art of the materials used from waste or biomass in the construction of buildings is carried out. The selected building materials are based on data availability: hemp concrete, isotex, bricks with olive core flour (OCF), bricks with wheat straw (WS). Subsequently, thermal behaviour is evaluated as a function of decrement factor, time lag and as an application in the thermal envelope of a building. Finally, a life cycle assessment of each material is carried out, including the calculation of the following indicators: non-renewable energy, cumulative energy demand and global warming potential. Hemp concrete and isotex are the materials with better thermal behaviour (lower decrement factor and greater time lag) like conventional materials, but with lower environmental impact. Regarding bricks, mixtures of 8% OCF and 7%WS generate more stable indoor temperatures than 4% OCF and 3%WS. Compared with conventional materials, building materials with incorporated biomass have better thermal behaviour and allow the construction of buildings with lower life cycle impact.

Graphical Abstract
Testing of drilling mud filter cake for low permeability micro-fracture plugging performance in shale rocks
Authors: Tian Yuexin , Liu Xiangjun , Luo Pingya , Liang Lixi , Xiong Jian , Huang Jinjun
Published: June 2022

Despite the current demand for shale gas development, there is no means to evaluate nanoscale microfracture plugging technologies for ultra-low permeability formations. In this paper, we expand upon previous research and develop new means to create artificial fractures in model mud cake. By controlling the mud cake quality and strength, we developed mud cake with permeability that approached that of real mud shale. Low-permeability mud cake was prepared from barite powder, calcium carbonate, polyacrylamide, sodium polyacrylate, water, silica, a polycarboxylate comb macromolecule, a double sparse inhibitor, a film-forming agent and a mud cake curing agent. The mud cake permeability reached 5.9 × 10–4 mD and increased with soaking time to 1.3 × 10–3 mD (240 h). The equivalent opening of a single fracture did not change greatly and remained in the range from 3.93 × 10–5 m to 4.93 × 10–5 m. Plugging performance was evaluated by simulating microfractures and low-permeability environment of the formation. This method provides very important guidelines for the selection and development of nanoscale and microscale plugging agents and the evaluation of the plugging effect. It is also applicable to the evaluation of plugging performance in other fractured formations.
Current use and potential role of radioguided surgery in brain tumours
Authors: Collamati Francesco , Valdés Olmos Renato , Albanese Alessio , Cocciolillo Fabrizio , Di Giuda Daniela , Collarino Angela
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The aim of this mini-review is to discuss the possible role of radioguided surgery in brain tumours and, in particular, in gliomas.

Methods

A research in the PubMed/Medline database was carried out to identify relevant studies evaluating radioguided surgery in brain tumours.

Results

Radioguided surgery results using gamma (γ)-emitting tracers and γ-detection probes were summarised. Most importantly, the review included preliminary findings with novel approaches, particularly those relying on the use of beta (β)−emitting isotopes and a dedicated β probe.

Conclusion

Although few data are available in the current literature, the use of β probes could be useful to accurately identify surgical margins in brain tumours. Nevertheless, further in vivo studies are required.
Why Are They Buying It?: United States Consumers’ Intentions When Purchasing Meat, Eggs, and Dairy With Welfare-related Labels
Authors: Thibault Melissa , Pailler Sharon , Freund Daisy
Published: June 2022

There is widespread and growing concern among U.S. consumers about the treatment of farmed animals, and consumers are consequently paying attention to food product labels that indicate humane production practices. However, labels vary in their standards for animal welfare, and prior research suggests that consumers are confused by welfare-related labels: many shoppers cannot differentiate between labels that indicate changes in the way animals are raised and those that do not. We administered a survey to 1,000 American grocery shoppers to better understand the extent to which consumers purchase and pay more for food with certain labels based on an assumption of welfare improvement. Results showed that 86% of shoppers reported purchasing at least one product with the following labels in the last year: “cage or crate-free”, “free-range”, “pasture-raised”, “natural”, “organic”, “no hormone”, “no antibiotic”, “no rBST”, “humane”, “vegetarian-fed”, “grass-fed”, “farm-raised”. Of those who purchased one of the aforementioned labels, 89% did so because they thought the label indicated higher-welfare production practices, and 79% consciously paid more for the product with the label because they thought that the label indicated better-than-standard animal welfare. However, many of these labels lack uniform standards for the production practices they represent, and some labels represent production practices that do not influence animal welfare, thus the degree of the animal welfare impact of a given label is highly variable. These results indicate that labels need to clearly and accurately specify their animal welfare benefits to improve the consumers’ ability to purchase products that align with their expectations.
Photocatalytic Reforming of Biomass: What Role Will the Technology Play in Future Energy Systems
Authors: Skillen Nathan , Daly Helen , Lan Lan , Aljohani Meshal , Murnaghan Christopher W. J. , Fan Xiaolei , Hardacre Christopher , Sheldrake Gary N. , Robertson Peter K. J.
Published: June 2022

Photocatalytic reforming of biomass has emerged as an area of significant interest within the last decade. The number of papers published in the literature has been steadily increasing with keywords such as ‘hydrogen’ and ‘visible’ becoming prominent research topics. There are likely two primary drivers behind this, the first of which is that biomass represents a more sustainable photocatalytic feedstock for reforming to value-added products and energy. The second is the transition towards achieving net zero emission targets, which has increased focus on the development of technologies that could play a role in future energy systems. Therefore, this review provides a perspective on not only the current state of the research but also a future outlook on the potential roadmap for photocatalytic reforming of biomass. Producing energy via photocatalytic biomass reforming is very desirable due to the ambient operating conditions and potential to utilise renewable energy (e.g., solar) with a wide variety of biomass resources. As both interest and development within this field continues to grow, however, there are challenges being identified that are paramount to further advancement. In reviewing both the literature and trajectory of the field, research priorities can be identified and utilised to facilitate fundamental research alongside whole systems evaluation. Moreover, this would underpin the enhancement of photocatalytic technology with a view towards improving the technology readiness level and promoting engagement between academia and industry.
Spaces and Places for Connection in the Postdigital University
Authors: Gravett Karen , Baughan Patrick , Rao Namrata , Kinchin Ian
Published: June 2022

This study focuses on the spaces and places for learning and teaching connections in higher education. Using a photovoice research method, we ask: what role do spaces and places play in offering opportunities for learning and teaching connection, and what do they tell us about the evolving practices of teachers in contemporary higher education? Whilst considerable attention has been paid to the learning spaces of students, we argue that less attention has been devoted to the spaces in which educators learn. Our findings are considered against a backdrop of the ongoing disruption of the Covid-19 pandemic, meaning that opportunities for interaction have assumed even greater significance, and the ways in which we use and understand teaching spaces are in flux. As such, our data highlights how the move to digital and hybrid learning is blurring the boundaries of spaces and places, reorienting what it means to teach and to learn in a postdigital higher education landscape. We engage sociomaterial and spatial concepts to examine how spaces entangle with university teachers’ experiences, and we explore the shifting nature of interaction and space in post-pandemic times.
Multi-objective optimization of aircraft landing within predetermined time window
Authors: Xia Qingjun , Ye Zhijian , Zhang Zhaoyue , Lu Tingting
Published: June 2022

This study presents a multi-objective optimization model to solve aircraft landing problem within a predetermined time window. Minimizing total fuel cost, minimizing total delays, maximizing throughput, and maximizing fairness are considered to construct the multi-objective optimization model. According to the different weights of objectives, the first-come-first-serve and simulated annealing are used to solve the multi-objective optimization problem. The algorithms’ feasibility is analysed and a suggestion about how to get satisfactory solutions for all stakeholders is given through the expert evaluation method. The results show that the simulated annealing can get better solution than the first-come-first-serve when the number of flights exceeds 10.
Hydra: Practical Metadata Security for Contact Discovery, Messaging, and Voice Calls
Authors: Schatz David , Rossberg Michael , Schaefer Guenter
Published: June 2022

Protecting communications’ metadata can be as important as protecting their content, i.e., recognizing someone contacting a medical service may already allow to infer sensitive information. There are numerous proposals to implement anonymous communications, yet none provides it in a strong (but feasible) threat model in an efficient way. We propose Hydra, an anonymity system that is able to efficiently provide metadata security for a wide variety of applications. Main idea is to use latency-aware, padded, and onion-encrypted circuits even for connectionless applications. This allows to implement strong metadata security for contact discovery and text-based messages with relatively low latency. Furthermore, circuits can be upgraded to support voice calls, real-time chat sessions, and file transfers—with slightly reduced anonymity in presence of global observers. We evaluate Hydra using an analytical model as well as call simulations. Compared to other systems for text-based messaging, Hydra is able to decrease end-to-end latencies by an order of magnitude without degrading anonymity. Using a dataset generated by performing latency measurements in the Tor network, we further show that Hydra is able to support anonymous voice calls with acceptable quality of service in real scenarios. A first prototype of Hydra is published as open source.
Similarity analysis of federal reserve statements using document embeddings: the Great Recession vs. COVID-19
Authors: Gutiérrez Luis Felipe , Tavakoli Neda , Siami-Namini Sima , Siami Namin Akbar
Published: June 2022

The coronavirus pandemic has already caused plenty of severe problems for humanity and the economy. The exact impact of the COVID-19 pandemic is still unknown, and economists and financial advisers are exploring all possible scenarios to mitigate the risks arising from the pandemic. An intriguing question is whether this pandemic and its impacts are similar, and to what extent, to any other catastrophic events that occurred in the past, such as the 2009 Great Recession. This paper intends to address this problem by analyzing official public announcements and statements issued by federal authorities such as the Federal Reserve. More specifically, we measure similarities of consecutive statements issued by the Federal Reserve during the 2009 Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic using natural language processing techniques. Furthermore, we explore the usage of document embedding representations of the statements in a more complex task: clustering. Our analysis shows that, using an advanced NLP technique in document embedding such as Doc2Vec, we can detect a difference of 10.8% in similarities of Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) statements issued during the Great Recession (2007–2009) and the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the results of our clustering exercise show that the document embeddings representations of the statements are suitable for more complex tasks, which provides a basis for future applications of state-of-the-art natural language processing techniques using the FOMC post-meeting statements as the dataset.