bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Borehole azimuthal acoustic imaging using 3D spatial scanning: Application in acoustic detection of nearby wells
Authors: Zhao Teng , Che Xiaohua , Qiao Wenxiao , Cheng Lu
Published: December 2022

At present, it is difficult to image small-scale abnormal geo-bodies near wells using borehole acoustic imaging, as information from scattered waves is neglected and that from reflected waves is mainly used, thus resulting in low imaging resolution. Imaging methods based on scattered waves can help obtain higher-resolution measurements. Herein, a 3D scattered wave spatial scanning imaging method is proposed to make full use of multi-mode scattered waves for imaging small-scale abnormal geo-bodies near the well. The 3D finite-difference time-domain method was used to simulate the acoustic fields for borehole azimuthal acoustic imaging with a fluid-filled target borehole near a measurement well, and the imaging method was applied for the acoustic detection of nearby wells based on forward modeling and field measurement waveform data. The results show that for the fluid-filled target borehole that is approximately parallel to and distant from the measurement well, the amplitude of the scattered PP-wave is the largest followed by the mode converted PS- and SP-wave; and the amplitude of the scattered SS-wave is the smallest, which is related to the radiation, scattering, and reception of the monopole acoustic field. In this case, the scattered wave from the target borehole can be regarded as a plane-wave. The spatial scanning imaging method based on single-mode scattered acoustic waves and the 3D plane-wave imaging method provide similar imaging results. The comprehensive use of multi-mode scattered acoustic waves can further improve the imaging signal-to-noise ratio and resolution. A field example was used to verify the correctness of the forward analysis and the effectiveness of the imaging method. This study will help improve the imaging resolution for the acoustic detection of nearby wells and the evaluation of downhole hydraulic fracturing.
Fault characterization in a postsalt reservoir interval, Jubarte Field (Campos Basin), using seismic attributes and machine learning
Authors: Perico Edimar , Bedle Heather , Buist Bobby , Damasceno Andrea Carvalho
Published: December 2022

Seismic attributes are routinely applied to interpretation tasks to improve the recognition of geologic features in the subsurface. Subtle changes in the amplitude and phase components of the seismic data can reveal details and provide information about the management of hydrocarbon reservoirs. To this end, we investigate how instantaneous and geometric attributes can help in fault and discontinuity recognition. Seismic data from Jubarte’s 4D/4C Permanent Reservoir Monitoring system, offshore Brazil, were used to test the impact of a variety of algorithms and parameters in improving fault visualization. The presence of seismic noise and geologic units with weak acoustic impedance contrasts motivated the application of additional methods such as data conditioning workflows and unsupervised machine learning methods. We found that spectral balancing and structure-oriented filtering increased the lateral continuity of some stratigraphic reflectors and attenuated the random noise, which improved fault surface visibility. Attributes were calculated on the full-stack data and azimuth-restricted volumes revealing different impacts of the seismic noise and changes in the lateral continuity of the features. In some cases, faults are better delineated when the acquisition direction is oriented perpendicular (or nearly) to the discontinuity. In addition, the most-positive and most-negative curvature components indicate more details of major features. A large number of seismic cubes and attributes motivated the use of principal component analysis and self-organizing maps, which complement the identification of fault segments with clusters composed of specific neurons aligned within structural discontinuities. The improvements obtained in terms of fault visualization demonstrate the importance of having a workflow that combines different fault and fracture identification methods. An integrated study is important as it identifies effects related to seismic noise and stratigraphic features. For the Jubarte Field, a multiattribute approach demonstrates advantages for delimiting the lateral extension of faults and a more precise discontinuity location.
Stability and Function of Extracellular Vesicles Derived from Immortalized Human Corneal Stromal Stem Cells: A Proof of Concept Study
Authors: Lyu Ning , Knight Robert , Robertson Sarah Y. T. , Dos Santos Aurelie , Zhang Chi , Ma Chao , Xu Jianjiang , Zheng Jie , Deng Sophie X.
Published: December 2022

With significant advancement and development of extracellular vesicle (EV)-based therapies, there is a growing need to understand how their storage affects their physical and functional characteristics. EVs were isolated from the conditioned medium of a corneal stromal stem cell line (imCSSC) using Total Exosome isolation kit (TEI) and ultracentrifugation (UC) combined protocol. Purified EVs were stored at 4°C, − 80°C, room temperature (RT) after lyophilization with or without trehalose for 4 weeks. EVs stored at − 80°C and RT (lyophilization with trehalose) demonstrated a comparable morphology, while the freeze-dried samples without trehalose showed aggregation and degradation under a transmission electron microscope (TEM). Lyophilized samples without trehalose demonstrated a decreased particle concentration, recovery rate and protein concentration, which was remediated by the addition of trehalose. EVs stored at − 80℃ showed no change in the protein expression of CD9, CD63, and CD81. Regardless of the storage condition, all EV samples investigated reduced inflammation, as well as inhibited expression of fibrotic markers in vitro. Lyophilization of EVs with trehalose was a feasible storage method that retained the physical property and in vitro biological activities of EVs after 4 weeks of storage, while − 80°C offered the best retention of imCSSC-derived EV physical properties. For the first time, this data demonstrated a practical and translatable method for the storage of CSSC-derived EVs for clinical use.

Graphical Abstract
Kids on the Street
Authors: Plaster Joseph
Published: December 2022

In Kids on the Street Joseph Plaster explores the informal support networks that enabled abandoned and runaway queer youth to survive in tenderloin districts across the United States. Tracing the history of the downtown lodging house districts where marginally housed youth regularly lived beginning in the late 1800s, Plaster focuses on San Francisco’s Tenderloin from the 1950s to the present. He draws on archival, ethnographic, oral history, and public humanities research to outline the queer kinship networks, religious practices, performative storytelling, and migratory patterns that allowed these kids to foster social support and mutual aid. He shows how they collectively and creatively managed the social trauma they experienced, in part by building relationships with johns, bartenders, hotel managers, bouncers, and other vice district denizens. By highlighting a politics where the marginal position of street kids is the basis for a moral economy of reciprocity, Plaster excavates a history of queer life that has been overshadowed by major narratives of gay progress and pride.
Cooling the Tropics
Authors: Hobart Hi'ilei Julia Kawehipuaakahaopulani
Published: December 2022

Beginning in the mid-1800s, Americans hauled frozen pond water, then glacial ice, and then ice machines to Hawaiʻi—all in an effort to reshape the islands in the service of Western pleasure and profit. Marketed as “essential” for white occupants of the nineteenth-century Pacific, ice quickly permeated the foodscape through advancements in freezing and refrigeration technologies. In Cooling the Tropics Hiʻilei Julia Kawehipuaakahaopulani Hobart charts the social history of ice in Hawaiʻi to show how the interlinked concepts of freshness and refreshment mark colonial relationships to the tropics. From chilled drinks and sweets to machinery, she shows how ice and refrigeration underpinned settler colonial ideas about race, environment, and the senses. By outlining how ice shaped Hawaiʻi’s food system in accordance with racial and environmental imaginaries, Hobart demonstrates that thermal technologies can—and must—be attended to in struggles for food sovereignty and political self-determination in Hawaiʻi and beyond.

Duke University Press Scholars of Color First Book Award Recipient
Chemokine signaling synchronizes angioblast proliferation and differentiation during pharyngeal arch artery vasculogenesis
Authors: Liu Jie , Zhang Mingming , Dong Haojian , Liu Jingwen , Mao Aihua , Ning Guozhu , Cao Yu , Zhang Yiyue , Wang Qiang
Published: December 2022

Developmentally, the great vessels of the heart originate from the pharyngeal arch arteries (PAAs). During PAA vasculogenesis, PAA precursors undergo sequential cell fate decisions that are accompanied by proliferative expansion. However, how these two processes are synchronized remains poorly understood. Here, we find that the zebrafish chemokine receptor Cxcr4a is expressed in PAA precursors, and genetic ablation of either cxcr4a or the ligand gene cxcl12b causes PAA stenosis. Cxcr4a is required for the activation of the downstream PI3K/AKT cascade, which promotes not only PAA angioblast proliferation, but also differentiation. AKT has a well-known role in accelerating cell-cycle progression through the activation of cyclin-dependent kinases. Despite this, we demonstrate that AKT phosphorylates Etv2 and Scl, the key regulators of angioblast commitment, on conserved serine residues, thereby protecting them from ubiquitin-mediated proteasomal degradation. Altogether, our study reveals a central role for chemokine signaling in PAA vasculogenesis through orchestrating angioblast proliferation and differentiation.
Effects of Face Masks on the Multiple Dimensions and Neurophysiological Mechanisms of Exertional Dyspnea
Authors: FERGUSON OLIVIA N. , MITCHELL REID A. , SCHAEFFER MICHELE R. , RAMSOOK ANDREW H. , DHILLON SATVIR S. , DOMINELLI PAOLO B. , MOLGAT-SEON YANNICK , GUENETTE JORDAN A.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

During the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, public health officials widely adopted the use of face masks (FM) to minimize infections. Despite consistent evidence that FMs increase dyspnea, no studies have examined the multidimensional components of dyspnea or their underlying physiological mechanisms.

Methods

In a randomized crossover design, 16 healthy individuals (n = 9 women, 25 ± 3 yr) completed incremental cycling tests over three visits, where visits 2 and 3 were randomized to either surgical FM or no mask control. Dyspnea intensity and unpleasantness were assessed throughout exercise (0–10 Borg scale), and the Multidimensional Dyspnea Profile was administered immediately after exercise. Crural diaphragmatic EMG and esophageal pressure were measured using a catheter to estimate neural respiratory drive and respiratory muscle effort, respectively.

Results

Dyspnea unpleasantness was significantly greater with the FM at the highest equivalent submaximal work rate achieved by a given participant in both conditions (iso-work; 5.9 ± 1.7 vs 3.9 ± 2.9 Borg 0–10 units, P = 0.007) and at peak exercise (7.8 ± 2.1 vs 5.9 ± 3.4 Borg 0–10 units, P = 0.01) with no differences in dyspnea intensity ratings throughout exercise compared with control. There were significant increases in the sensory quality of “smothering/air hunger” (P = 0.01) and the emotional response of “anxiousness” (P = 0.04) in the FM condition. There were significant increases in diaphragmatic EMG and esophageal pressure at select submaximal work rates, but no differences in heart rate, pulse oximetry–derived arterial oxygen saturation, or breathing frequency throughout exercise with FMs compared with control. FMs significantly reduced peak work rate and exercise duration (both P = 0.02).

Conclusions

FMs negatively impact the affective domain of dyspnea and increase neural respiratory drive and respiratory muscle effort during exercise, although the impact on other cardiorespiratory responses are minimal.
Η ηθοποιός Κυβέλη Αδριανού
Authors: Καπή Μαρία
Published: December 2022

Αντικείμενο αυτής της διδακτορικής διατριβής αποτελεί η σταδιοδρομία της ηθοποιού και θιασάρχη Κυβέλης Αδριανού στο Ελληνικό θέατρο. Η Κυβέλη εμφανίστηκε στην ελληνική σκηνή στην αυγή του 20ού αιώνα και έπαιξε, με κάποιες διακοπές, έως το 1967. Βάση της πρωτογενούς έρευνας αποτέλεσε η εκτεταμένη έρευνα του Τύπου της εποχής και η μελέτη του αρχείου της Κυβέλης, το οποίο εντοπίστηκε στο Ινστιτούτο Κυβέλη και σήμερα βρίσκεται στο Ίδρυμα Αικατερίνης Λασκαρίδη.Η εργασία διαρθρώνεται σε δύο μέρη. Στο πρώτο μέρος αρχικά ερευνώνται τα βιογραφικά στοιχεία της ηθοποιού. Έπειτα παρατίθεται εκτενές χρονικό της καλλιτεχνικής της διαδρομής, από την εμφάνιση και την επικράτησή της στον θίασο "Νέα Σκηνή" μέχρι την ανεξάρτητη θιασαρχική της δράση από το 1907 έως τον Μεσοπόλεμο καθώς και την ύστερη καριέρα της έως το 1967. Στη συνέχεια εξετάζεται η καλλιτεχνική φυσιογνωμία της ηθοποιού όπως εκφράστηκε μέσα από το υποκριτικό στίγμα που άφησε καθώς και το είδoς και την πολιτική επιλογής του ρεπερτορίου της. Ακολουθεί ένα κεφάλαιο αφιερωμένο στη θιασαρχική πολιτική της Κυβέλης μαζί με τον δεύτερο σύζυγο, θεατρικό επιχειρηματία και διευθυντή των θεάτρων της Κώστα Θεοδωρίδη. Η μελέτη τελειώνει με ένα υποκεφάλαιο αφιερωμένο στο ζήτημα του γυναικείου βεντετισμού στο ελληνικό θέατρο, με τη σημαίνουσα θέση και τις πρακτικές της Κυβέλης σε αυτό το πεδίο.Στο δεύτερο μέρος της διατριβής, που αποτελείται από τρία Παραρτήματα, περιλαμβάνονται: Α) Αναλυτική παραστασιογραφία των θιάσων της Κυβέλης από το 1906 έως το 1967 στην Αθήνα και στους σταθμούς των περιοδειών. Συμπεριλαμβάνονται οι επαναλήψεις της κάθε παραγωγής. Β) Στατιστικά δεδομένα και ποσοτικές αναλύσεις των παραστάσεων των θιάσων "Κυβέλης" κατά τα χρόνια της σφύζουσας δραστηριότητάς τους (1907-1934). Γ) Συγκεντρωτικός κατάλογος έργων και ρόλων της Κυβέλης σε ολόκληρη τη σταδιοδρομία της (1901-1967).Στόχος της μελέτης υπήρξε η διερεύνηση, η καταγραφή και η ερμηνεία της μακράς πορείας μιας ηθοποιού - αστέρα και η συμβολή της στη διαμόρφωση της ταυτότητας του νεοελληνικού θεάτρου και πολιτισμού.
Monitoring of awake bruxism by intelligent app
Authors: Velásquez Ron Byron , Mosquera Cisneros Verónica , Pazmiño Troncoso Pamela , Rodríguez Tates María , Alvares Lalvay Eddy , Chauca Bajaña Luis , Ordoñez Balladares Andrea
Published: December 2022

Background. Bruxism is a topic of much controversy and is continually debated in the field of dentistry due to the multifaceted clinical relationship that results in painful conditions and consequences to patients. The aim of this review was to determine the effectiveness of a smartphones app in monitoring awake bruxism.

Methods. PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42021271190). The eligibility criteria were as followed: observational studies, case–control studies, studies that reported odds ratios, and studies on awake bruxism. The following keywords were searched: [smartphones apps] AND [apps] AND [awake bruxism], OR [sleep bruxism], OR [sleep hygiene], OR [parasomnias], AND [habits].

Results. All the included studies found that the use of the smartphone app allows controlled awake bruxism monitoring. The results also show that the slepp bruxism and awake bruxism  are interactive, having negative synergism and substantially increasing the risks of temporomandibular joint pain and temporomandibular disorders.

Discussion. In the awake bruxims it was possible to identify 70% symptoms through the different frequencies of behavior provided by the App, within the present technological tools have become daily in young and adult population. The app is effective and easy to use by patients, effectively limiting biases the time of evaluation.
Evaluation of left ventricular systolic function in children with sickle cell anemia: contribution of 2D strain
Authors: Chenik Sarra , Noamen Aymen , Bouslimi Abyr , Mahfoudhi Houaida , Hannachi Sadok , Barakizou Hager , Mejri Islam , Znegui Tasnim , Fehri Wafa
Published: December 2022

Background:

Children with sickle cell anemia (SCA) are at an increased risk of cardiovascular complications. The aim of this study was to assess the role of speckle tracking echocardiography in detecting subclinical myocardial damage in children with SCA.

Methods:

A cross-sectional case–control study was conducted at the echocardiography laboratory of the military hospital of Tunis between July and December 2018. Thirty patients with SCA were included. A control(C) group including 30 normally developing children was selected and matched to the SCA group by sex and age. We compared between the two groups: conventional echocardiographic parameters including cardiac output, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), thickness and the global longitudinal strain (GLS). The echocardiographic measurements were indexed according to body surface area. The left ventricular (LV) GLS association with clinical characteristics and echocardiographic parameters were also evaluated.

Results:

Patients and controls were matched for age and sex: the mean age was (11± 2years) in SCA group versus (12± 1 years) in C group with a sex ratio of (1.31 versus 1.27, respectively). Body surface area was comparable. LV hypertrophy and dilation were revealed in the SCA group, whereas measurements were normal in the C group. No significant differences were observed for cardiac output (p=0.4). LVEF were preserved in both groups. However, two-dimensional (2D) LVGLS was impaired in 46% of SCA group (n=14) with mean value of (-21%±3.07 vs -25%±2.98; p<0.01).In SCA group, impaired LVGLS was significantly associated with LV mass (r = – 0.399, p<0.01), LV tele diastolic diameter(r= -0.419, p<0.01) and left atrial volume (r= - 0.399, p< 0.04). In multivariate analysis, LV mass was the only independent factor.

Conclusions:

In the present study, LVGLS measurement revealed subclinical LV systolic impairment in patients with SCA. Therefore, 2D strain could be beneficial to detect the natural history of LV dysfunction in SCA.
The role of open research in improving the standards of evidence synthesis: current challenges and potential solutions in systematic reviews
Authors: Martinou Eirini , Angelidi Angeliki
Published: December 2022

Systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) are the cornerstone of evidence-based medicine and are placed at the top of the level-of-evidence pyramid. To date, there are several methodological resources available from international organizations such as the Cochrane Collaboration that aim to aid researchers in conducting high-quality secondary research and promoting reproducibility, transparency and scientific rigour. Nevertheless, researchers still face challenges in most stages of evidence synthesis. Open research and the FAIR (findability, accessibility, interoperability, and reusability) principles are rising initiatives being increasingly implemented in primary research. However, their beneficial role in secondary research is less emphasized. This article addresses how the challenges commonly faced during evidence synthesis research could be overcome using open research practices and currently available open research tools. Despite the phenomenally simple SR workflow, researchers still find tasks such as framing the SR research question, search strategy development, data extraction, and assessing for bias, challenging. The implementation of FAIR practices, including prospective registration at the PROSPERO database, abiding with the PRISMA guidelines, and making all SR data openly available could have significant benefits in avoiding duplication of effort and reducing research waste while improving the reporting standards of SRs. Additionally, this article highlights the need for further education in open research culture to overcome ethical and motivational barriers in implementing open research practices in evidence synthesis. Finally, in the era of technological breakthroughs, artificial intelligence may eventually be incorporated into the process of SRs and should abide by the FAIR standards for open research.
Interrogation of an ovine serum peptide spectral library to annotate ambiguous clinicopathological biomarkers using data-independent acquisition
Authors: Chemonges Saul
Published: December 2022

Background: The use of data-independent data acquisition mass spectrometry (DIA-MS) on biological samples from domestic animals is still uncommon. Here, sequential window acquisition of all theoretical mass spectra (SWATH-MS) – a variant of DIA-MS was used to analyse serum peptides of healthy sheep as compared with serum of sick sheep by interrogating a novel peptide spectral library (PSL). This approach enabled the detection and annotation of a wide range of proteins, than conventional clinical pathology protein assays.

Methods: Serum samples from healthy sheep were obtained from a commercial source and normalised to represent a healthy sheep proteome background and then compared with serum samples of sheep suffering from a range of naturally-acquired illnesses submitted to The University of Queensland, Australia. Purified tryptic peptides were subjected to liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) on a quadrupole time-of-flight instrument (TripleTOF 5600+, SCIEX) set in a cyclic data-independent acquisition (DIA) mode using a generic (SWATH™, SCIEX) acquisition method. Data were processed using PeakView® v2.2 software with SWATH™ Acquisition MicroApp 2.0 (SCIEX) and MarkerView™ v1.3 software (SCIEX) pipeline to generate protein lists for downstream gene ontology annotation and pathway analysis of identified proteins.

Results: There were distinct differences in peptide chromatographic features of sick sheep samples compared to those from healthy sheep. Healthy and sick sheep serum samples yielded 335 and 236 protein identifications (IDs), respectively. There were 96 protein IDs unique to sick sheep serum. A total of 431 protein IDs were annotated by combining healthy control and sick sheep protein IDs.

Conclusions: SWATH analysis successfully aided in the detection some established clinicopathological serum biochemical analytes. This approach enabled the distinction of protein profiles of sick sheep samples from a healthy control sample, thereby providing a promising future perspective for the application of SWATH analysis in veterinary clinical use.
Towards equality: gender representation at the Royal College of Radiologists’ Annual Scientific Meeting 2014-2021
Authors: Gibson Lorna M. , Wood Kayleigh L. , Wardlaw Joanna M.
Published: December 2022

Background: Conferences facilitate career advancement, but gender imbalances in public fora may negatively impact both women and men, and society. We aimed to describe the gender distribution of presenters at the UK’s 2014-2021 Royal College of Radiologists’ (RCR) Annual Scientific Meeting.

Methods: We extracted data on presenter name, role and session type from meeting programmes. We classified gender as male or female using names, records or personal pronouns, accepting the limitations of these categories. We classified roles by prestige: lead, other (speakers and workshop faculty), proffered paper or poster presenters. We calculated odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for associations between gender and binary outcomes using logistic regression. 

Results: Women held 1,059 (37.5%) of 2,826 conference roles and presented 9/27 keynotes. Compared to men, women were less likely to hold other roles such as speakers and workshop faculty (OR 0.72 95% CI 0.61-0.83), and more likely to present posters (OR 1.49 95% CI 1.27-1.76). There were 60 male-only and eight women-only multi-presenter sessions. Sessions led by women had higher proportions of women speakers. The odds of roles being held by women increased during online meetings during COVID (OR 1.61, 95% CI 1.36-1.91).

Conclusion: The proportion of women presenters and keynote speakers reflects that of RCR membership, but not of the patient population. Disadvantage starts from the earliest career stages, prejudicing career opportunities. Efforts to improve inclusion and diversity are needed; focusing on lead roles and hybrid online/in-person formats may accelerate change.
Demographic and socioeconomic predictors of religious/spiritual beliefs and behaviours in a prospective cohort study (ALSPAC) in Southwest England: Results from the offspring generation
Authors: Major-Smith Daniel , Morgan Jimmy , Halstead Isaac , Tohidinik Hamid Reza , Goulding Neil , Iles-Caven Yasmin , Golding Jean , Northstone Kate
Published: December 2022

Background: We explored associations between possible demographic and socioeconomic causes of religious/spiritual beliefs and behaviours (RSBB) in the offspring generation of the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

Methods: We examined approximately 4,450 offspring aged 28 years with RSBB data from a prospective birth cohort study (ALSPAC) in Southwest England. Three RSBB outcome measures were assessed: religious belief (belief in God/a divine power; yes/not sure/no), religious affiliation (Christian/none/other) and religious attendance (frequency of attendance at a place of worship). We explored age- and sex-adjusted associations between 35 demographic and socioeconomic exposures and each of the three RSBB outcomes using multinomial regression. Exposure-sex interactions were also examined.

Results: Some sociodemographic factors were associated with RSBB in this cohort; for instance, being female and from an ethnicity other than White were associated with increased religiosity across all domains. For many other exposures, however, associations were frequently null or inconsistent, often depending on the specific exposure and outcome combination. As an example, higher educational attainment was associated with higher rates of religious attendance, but not with religious belief or affiliation; in contrast, higher income was associated with lower levels of religiosity. No consistent interactions between sex and the exposures on RSBB were found. Effect sizes were also rather weak, with most pseudo-R2 values below 0.5% and a maximum of 1.2%.

Conclusions: The results highlight that several demographic and socioeconomic factors are associated with RSBB in this cohort. However, the number of these associations, and their magnitude, is smaller than comparable results from the parental generation of these offspring, suggesting that patterns of sociodemographic factors associated with RSBB differ between these generations. In addition to describing these associations, this paper will help inform future studies using these data, particularly regarding the choice of potential sociodemographic confounders.
Genome sequence of Leishmania mexicana MNYC/BZ/62/M379 expressing Cas9 and T7 RNA polymerase
Authors: Beneke Tom , Dobramysl Ulrich , Catta-Preta Carolina Moura Costa , Mottram Jeremy Charles , Gluenz Eva , Wheeler Richard
Published: December 2022

We present the genome sequence of Leishmania mexicana MNYC/BZ/62/M379 modified to express Cas9 and T7 RNA-polymerase, revealing high similarity to the reference genome (MHOM/GT2001/U1103). Through RNAseq-based annotation of coding sequences and untranslated regions, we provide primer sequences for construct and sgRNA template generation for CRISPR-assisted gene deletion and endogenous tagging.
A Proposed Method to Coordinate mmWave Beams Based on Coordinated Multi-Point in 5G Networks
Authors:   Electrical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, University of Mosul, Iraq, Abed Rafal Azzam , Ayoob Saad Ahmed
Published: December 2022

5G overcame the severe shortage of cellular spectrum used by its predecessors by using millimeter-wave (mmWave) packets that provide broadband to 5G wireless networks. The problem of Inter User Interference (IUI) is also one of the most important and dangerous problems facing telecommunication networks. IUI is exacerbated, especially in the areas near the Tower as the narrow coverage area compared to the areas farthest from the Tower. As a result of this effect, our paper proposes a new model by taking a matrix of antennas at different heights and coordinating mmWave beams. Coordinated Multi-Point (CoMP) is the essential solution in 5G to improve throughput and coverage performance. As a result, millimeter wave technology was used in the proposed CoMP system. The new proposed system works to study the effect of the height of the antenna matrix on reducing IUI by calculating the peak capacity value on the user with different distances. In addition to the impact of the azimuth angle of arrival AoA (∅) on capacity when implementing each scenario. Simulation results show that the proposed system scheme with different heights of the antenna matrix can get a large capacity than a traditional system. Choosing the best antenna matrix height reduces interference and improves capacity. The highest improvement obtained is 53%.
Hypothetical structuralism
Authors: Czakon Marcin
Published: December 2022

M. Resnik (2019) suggests a new version of structuralism which he calls non-ontological structuralism. In the present short article I discuss this view-point in the context of the Frege-Hilbert controversy about meaning of primitive notions in deductive theory, with special regard to the original views of K. Ajdukiewicz, Hilbert’s student. Following the proposed differentiations, I introduce a new type of structuralism which I call hypothetical structuralism, close to Resnik’s non-ontological structuralism.
Iranian women's birth experiences: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ghobadi Mona , Pazandeh Farzaneh , Potrata Barbara , Lili Ehsan Kazemnejad
Published: December 2022

Background/Aims

Women's childbirth experiences are an essential measure of childbirth and have a significant role in evaluating and improving the quality of care given during birth. This study's aim was to evaluate women's experiences during labour and childbirth in a teaching hospital in Iran.

Methods

This cross-sectional study was conducted in a public hospital in Guilan from July to August 2018. The study recruited 126 low-risk postpartum women. The childbirth experience questionnaire and a researcher-developed questionnaire were used for data collection. Linear regression was used to assess the effect of factors on birth care experience (significance level: P<0.05). Results Women's experiences of childbirth were not optimal. Women's overall experience score was 2.56±0.42. The desire to have a normal birth (P<0.001), the freedom to drink, change position or walk during labour (P=0.01), receiving respectful care (P<0.001) and emotional support (P=0.009) were contributing factors to women's perceptions of their experiences.

Conclusions

Quality improvement strategies are needed to implement evidence-based care in Iran. Interventions to ensure that healthcare professionals’ behaviour promotes women's psychological wellbeing and creates a respectful birth environment are required to promote high-quality childbirth care and improve birth experiences in Iran.
A critical analysis of a tripartite clinical decision involving a student, midwife and client
Authors: Hatherley Katie , Kitson-Reynolds Ellen
Published: December 2022

Abstract

Clinical decision-making is integral to contemporary healthcare. Midwives support and advocate for primarily healthy women throughout a life-altering transition, as set out in the code. They provide safe, evidence-based, compassionate and individualised care in partnership with women, to promote choice and shared decision-making. This critical reflection analyses a tripartite clinical decision, focusing on the hypothetico-deductive and dual processing models. This is an opportune time to reflect upon one's own practice, particularly in light of the Ockenden report, to ensure high professional standards are maintained collaboratively across all parties involved in a clinical decision.
MEHMET AKİF’İN SAVAŞLARLA İLGİLİ ŞİİRLERİNDE KUTSALLIĞIN VE FEDAKÂRLIĞIN BEDEN DİLİ
Authors: AYDIN ÖZER Emel
Published: December 2022

Savaşlarda tecrübe edilen pek çok şey bedenle ilgilidir, bu nedenle savaş adeta bedenler arasındaki mücadeledir denilebilir. Burada şiddeti uygulayan da ona maruz kalan da bedendir. Tüm bu yaşananlar, hayatla yakından bir bağa sahip olan şiirde de yansımasını bulur. Savaş hem bir olgu olarak hem de bedenlerin giriştiği bu şiddetli mücadelenin tasvirlerinin yapılması yoluyla şiirlerde yer bulur. Şairin yaptığı beden tasvirleri, onun bakış açısından etkilenir ve şair, bu bakış açısıyla yaptığı tasvirlerde okuyucuya bir mesaj vermeye, ona bir şeyler anlatmaya çalışır. Şair, tasvir ettiği bedene karşı acıma duygusuna sahipse onu farklı niteleyicilerle yansıtır; ona kızgınsa, kırgınsa veya onu kutsallaştırıyorsa aynı beden farklı niteleyicilerle anlatılır. Böylece şairin bakış açısı, anlatılan bedenin niteleyicilerini ve öne çıkan uzuvlarını etkiler. Mehmet Akif, savaşları konu alan şiirlerinde de beden tasvirlerini işlevsel olarak kullanır. Burada karşımıza fedakârlık ve kutsallaştırma gibi iki işlev çıkar. Şair; savaşlarda parçalanan, yakılan, dondurulan, ezilen bedenleri şiddet dolu ve bu şiddetin detaylandırıldığı tasvirlerle anlatır. Burada bağımsızlık mücadelesinde feda edilen bedenleri kutsallaştırdığını görürüz. Böylece hem yapılan fedakârlıkların unutulmamasını hem de düşmana karşı verilen tepkinin artmasını ister.
A Clinical Study on the Diagnosis and Observation of Functional Dyspepsia - Focused on Algometer
Authors: Rho Gi-Hwan , Choi Gyu-Ho , Lee Sang-Hyun , Noh Hyeon-Min , Choi Seo-Hyung
Published: December 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to determine whether comparing the pressure pain threshold (PPT) with an algometer before and after treatment for functional dyspepsia is of diagnostic value and investigate a possible correlation between PPT measured using an algometer and symptom improvement before and after treatment.Methods: A total of 99 patients with functional dyspepsia symptoms admitted to the OO Korean Medical Hospital from April 14, 2020 to January 21, 2021 were investigated. On the 1st and 14th days of hospitalization, the pressure of the first pain complaint at acupuncture points Juque (巨厥, CV14), Shangwan (上脘, CV13), Zhongwan (中脘, CV12), Xiawan (下脘, CV10), Guanuan (關元, CV4), Tianshu (天樞, ST25), and Daju (大巨, ST27) was measured using the algometer, and the visual analog scale (VAS) scores for patient’s symptoms were evaluated. The algometer PPT and patient-symptom VAS scores were compared by repeated measures corresponding to the sample t-test to analyze the changes after treatment. A correlation analysis was performed to identify the correlation between patient-symptom VAS scores and algometer PPT.Results: The PPT measured using the algometer significantly increased after treatment in the 99 patients. The patient-symptom VAS score decreased significantly in most cases as treatment progressed. Analysis of the correlation between algometer PPT and patient-symptom VAS scores revealed some notable negative correlations.Conclusion: The algometer can help to set the diagnostic and treatment baselines for patients with functional dyspepsia.
A traditional East Asian herbal complex, Majainhwan for constipation in Parkinson’s disease: A retrospective study
Authors: Cho Jun Ho , Jin Chul , Kwon Seungwon , Cho Seung-Yeon , Park Seong-Uk , Jung Woo-Sang , Moon Sang-Kwan , Park Jung-Mi , Ko Chang-Nam , Cho Ki-Ho
Published: December 2022

Objectives: Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients experience various non-motor symptoms, among which constipation is the second most common after anosmia. However, there are no clear guidelines or effective treatment for constipation in PD.Methods: To investigate the efficacy of Majainhwan (MH) on constipation in patients with PD, we conducted a retrospective chart review study of PD or Parkinsonism patients with constipation who received outpatient or inpatient treatment and whose previous laxatives were replaced by MH from August 2016 to July 2019.Results: In this study, a total of 68 patients’ medical records were reviewed. Among the 44 outpatients with MH treatment, “effective” results were observed in 86.4% patients. Similarly, among the 24 inpatients, “effective” results were noted in 95.8% patients. The adverse effect was "diarrhea" reported in five cases.Conclusion: Based on these findings, we could suggest that MH is relatively safe and may be effective in the treatment of constipation in patients with PD.
Anti-inflammatory activity of Kyungok-go on Lipopolysaccharide-Stimulated BV-2 Microglia Cells
Authors: Song Hyun-Suk , An Ji-Yeong , Oh Jin-Young , Kim Dong-Uk , Kweon Bitna , Park Sung-Joo , Bae Gi-Sang
Published: December 2022

Objectives: Kyungok-go (KOG) is a traditional multi-herbal medicine commonly used for enforcing weakened immunity for long time. Recently, there are several reports that KOG has anti-inflammatory and immuno-stimulatory activities in many experimental models. However, the protective effects of KOG on neuronal inflammation are still undiscovered. Thus, we investigated the neuro-protective activity of KOG on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated mouse microglia cells. To find out KOG’s anti-neuroinflammatory effects on microglial cells, we examined the production of nitrite using griess assay, and mRNA expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 and interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α using real time RT-PCR. In addition, to examine the regulating mechanisms of KOG, we investigated the protein expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and Iκ-Bα by western blot. KOG inhibited the elevation of nitrite, iNOS and COX-2 on LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Also, KOG significantly inhibited the pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α on LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Moreover, KOG inhibited the activation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), P38 and degradation of Iκ-Bα but not the activation of extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) on LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. These results showed KOG has the anti-inflammatory effects through the inhibition on nitrite, iNOS, COX-2, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α via the deactivation of JNK, p38 and nuclear factor (NF)-κB on LPS-stimulated BV2 microglial cells. Thereby, KOG could offer the new and promising treatment for neurodegenerative disease related to neuroinflammation.
Career Intent Factors of Special Education Teachers Serving Students With Intellectual Disability, Developmental Delay, and Autism Spectrum Disorder
Authors: Layden Selena J. , Gansle Kristin A. , Scott LaRon A. , Dayton Meagan , Noell George H.
Published: December 2022

Limited research exists on special education teachers (SETs) of students with intellectual disability (ID), developmental delay (DD), and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), their intent to leave or stay in the teaching profession, and the working conditions impacting those decisions. Through an online survey, we investigated working conditions of SETs who teach students with ID, DD, and ASD and their career intent, with attention to teacher demographic characteristics. Our investigation (n = 564) found Black/African American, Asian, Hawaiian/Pacific Islander SETs of students with ID, DD, or ASD reported higher intent to leave, as well as male SETs, compared to White SETs. Other differences are reported between groups. Results emphasize a need to focus on ways to retain SETs from underrepresented groups. Implications for practice and research related to working conditions are discussed.
A Scoping Review of the Competencies and Training of Employment Specialists Supporting Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
Authors: Ham Whitney , Schall Carol , Avellone Lauren
Published: December 2022

Employment specialists play an integral role in supporting individuals with disabilities to access competitive integrated employment; their skill or lack thereof has the potential to influence employment outcomes. A scoping review was conducted to identify the status of the empirical literature on employment specialist competencies and training to provide employment services to individuals with intellectual and development disabilities. Additionally, researchers evaluated what methods have been used to address competencies and training. Eight articles were identified that met the inclusion criteria. Of those, four articles identified or suggested competencies for employment specialists and four articles described or implemented training procedures. Results indicated that the existing peer-reviewed research on competencies and training is insufficient to address the needs of the profession.
Design and fabrication of a differential-pressure optical fiber grating sensor for monitoring the flow rate of fluid
Authors: Wang Bo , Bai Yan , Chen Qiang , Gao Hong , Zhang Dongyu , Jiang Lirong , Qiao Xueguang
Published: December 2022

A fiber Bragg grating (FBG) flow sensor is designed and fabricated, in which two FBGs are fixed on the front and other side of the metal diaphragm, and differential pressure is used to monitor the flow rate of fluid. The temperature sensitivity of these two FBGs is 0.030 and 0.029 nm/°C, which is almost the same, suggesting that the influence of temperature on the flow measurement can be effectively eliminated. The static pressure sensitivity of these two FBGs can be up to 86.7 nm/MPa and 68.6 nm/MPa, respectively; accordingly, the static pressure sensitivity of the sensor overall is 155.3 nm/MPa. Furthermore, the flow rate sensitivity is 0.00029 L/s. This FBG flow sensor exhibits high sensitivity, high accuracy, and a low start-up flow rate. Furthermore, the cross effect between the temperature and strain on the sensing sensitivity is eliminated, which makes this FBG flow sensor suitable for real-time monitoring of the trace flow rate in oil and gas wells.
APPLICATIONS OF LASER OPTICAL MICROSCOPIC TECHNIQUES IN DECIPHERING DISEASE SPECIFIC MECHANISMS AND DIAGNOSIS
Authors: Herman B.
Published: December 2022

Accumulating evidence strongly associates human papillomavirus infection with the development of cervical cancers. However, it has also become increasingly clear that HPV infections of the cervix span a wide clinical spectrum from benign lesions to precancerous lesions, with only a minority of infections resulting in invasive cancers, although the reasons for this are not clear. Longitudinal epidemiologic studies using cytologic methods to detect HPV infection have shown that the majority of women infected with HPV will regress spontaneously. In addition, age-stratified data for rates of HPV positivity from cross-sectional studies also suggest that many women clear the infection spontaneously. These results support the concept that many women may be only transiently infected with HPV during their life span and only in women with persistent HPV infection does cervical cancer progress. In addition to persistence of HPV infection, recent epidemiological studies indicate that the amount of high-risk HPV (viral load or HPV gene copy number) in cervicovaginal epithelial cells may be a risk factor for cervical cancer. Thus, a technique which could detect, genotype and quantitate HPV in smears of cervicovaginal epithelial cells would be of major import in assessment of patient clinical status as well as in epidemiological studies relating HPV infection to cervical cancer.
Hybrid opto-electronic deep neural network based orbital angular momentum mode recognition scheme in oceanic turbulence
Authors: Zhan Haichao , Wang Le , Wang Wennai , Zhao Shengmei
Published: December 2022

Orbital angular momentum (OAM) has been widely used in underwater wireless optical communication (UWOC) systems due to the mutual orthogonality between modes. However, wavefront distortion caused by oceanic turbulence (OT) on the OAM mode seriously affects its mode recognition and communication quality. In this work, we propose a hybrid opto-electronic deep neural network (HOEDNN) based OAM mode recognition scheme. The HOEDNN model consists of a diffractive DNN (DDNN) and convolutional neural network (CNN), where the DDNN is trained to obtain the mapping between intensity patterns of a distorted OAM mode and intensity distributions without OT interference, and the CNN is used to recognize the output of the DDNN. The diffractive layers of the trained DDNN model are solidified, fabricated, and loaded into a spatial light modulator, and the results recorded by a charge-coupled device camera are processed and fed into the trained CNN model. The results show that the proposed scheme can overcome the interference of OT to OAM modes and recognize accurately azimuthal and radial indices. The OAM mode recognition scheme based on HOEDNN has potential application value in UWOC systems.
29 GHz single-mode vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers passivated by atomic layer deposition
Authors: Cheng Hao-Tien , Qiu Junyi , Peng Chun-Yen , Kuo Hao-Chung , Feng Milton , Wu Chao-Hsin
Published: December 2022

The fabrication processes of high-speed oxide-confined single-mode (SM)-vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers (VCSELs) are complex, costly, and often held back by reliability and yield issues, which substantially set back the high-volume processing and mass commercialization of SM-VCSELs in datacom or other applications. In this article, we report the effects of Al2O3 passivation films deposited by atomic layer deposition (ALD) on the mesa sidewalls of high-speed 850-nm SM-VCSELs. The ALD-deposited film alleviates the trapping of carriers by sidewall defects and is an effective way to improve the performance of SM-VCSELs. The ALD-passivated SM-VCSELs showed statistically significant static performance improvements and reached a believed to be record-breaking SM-modulation bandwidth of 29.1 GHz. We also propose an improved microwave small-signal equivalent circuit model for SM-VCSELs that accounts for the losses attributed to the mesa sidewalls. These findings demonstrate that ALD passivation can mitigate processing-induced surface damage, enhance the performance of SM-VCSELs, and enable mass production of high-quality SM-VCSELs for mid- to long-reach optical interconnects.
Sidewall geometric effect on the performance of AlGaN-based deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes
Authors: Peng Kang-Wei , Tseng Ming-Chun , Lin Su-Hui , Lai Shouqiang , Shen Meng-Chun , Wuu Dong-Sing , Horng Ray-Hua , Chen Zhong , Wu Tingzhu
Published: December 2022

In this study, deep-ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (DUV LEDs) with different chip sidewall geometries (CSGs) are investigated. The structure had two types of chip sidewall designs that combined DUV LEDs with the same p-GaN thickness. By comparing the differences of the characteristics such as the external quantum efficiency droops, light output power, light extraction efficiency (LEE), and junction temperature of these DUV LEDs, the self-heated effect and light-tracing simulation results have been clearly demonstrated to explain the inclined sidewalls that provide more possibility pathway for photons escape to increase the LEE of LEDs; thus, the DUV LEDs with the CSG presented improved performance. These results demonstrate the potential of CSG for DUV LED applications.