bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of a multischool collaborative COVID‐19 vaccination project
Authors: LeClair Jessica , Zahner Susan J.
Published: August 2022

To describe experiences of student nurses and faculty who participated in COVID‐19 vaccine delivery through a multischool collaboration. Cross‐sectional survey. Student nurses and faculty members from five university schools and colleges of nursing who participated in one or more COVID‐19 vaccination or education events in 2021. Surveys were designed for students and faculty to document process and outcome experiences associated with project participation. Surveys were administered through an online survey platform. Overall, 648 students and 68 faculty members participated in the project. The evaluation survey was completed by 115 students (18%) and 58 faculty members (85%). Students valued increasing their clinical skills and reported the experience influenced their perspectives on nursing, fueling their passion and informing future career choices. Students reported that it was personally important to contribute to the vaccination effort. Few students reported challenges in participating in the project. Faculty reported positive experiences including gaining knowledge about public health and their communities, fueling their passion for nursing education, feeling a deeper connection with students, and experiencing personal satisfaction from contributing to the pandemic response. This project resulted in meaningful student learning opportunities, enhanced capacity for the public health emergency response, and strengthened partnerships among nursing programs and between academia and public health community partners.
Regional differences in the contribution of smoking, dietary and cooking behaviours to airflow obstruction in China: A population‐based case–control study
Authors: Yan Ruohua , Duong MyLinh , Tse Lap Ah , Yin Lu , Rangarajan Sumathy , Yusuf Salim , Hou Yan , Xu Zhengting , Li Jinyuan , Li Wei
Published: August 2022

Background and objective

The major contributing risk factors to airflow obstruction (AO) in China remain largely unknown. We examined the environmental and lifestyle risk factors of unrecognized AO in the baseline of a population‐based cohort drawn from 115 urban and rural communities across 12 provinces in China.

Methods

Amongst 46,285 adults recruited from 2005 to 2009, 3686 were identified with AO on spirometry (defined by the ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second to forced vital capacity <0.7) and without known chronic lung disease. These cases were age‐ and sex‐matched to 11,129 controls with normal spirometry and no chronic lung disease from the same community. Conditional multivariable adjusted OR and population attributable fraction (PAF) were calculated for each identified risk factor and their combined effect.

Results

Compared to controls, smoking initiation age <20 years (OR 1.22 [95% CI 1.01–1.48]), smoking duration ≥40 years (OR 1.82 [1.50–2.22]), low vegetables (OR 1.86 [1.67–2.07]) and fruits (OR 1.14 [1.02–1.29]) intake, cooking with biomass fuels (OR 2.54 [2.32–2.78]) and poor kitchen ventilation (OR 1.37 [1.19–1.58]) were significantly associated with elevated risks of unrecognized AO. The combined effect of these lifestyle factors significantly elevated the odds by 25 fold (18.6–34.3). The addition of prior tuberculosis and low socioeconomic status further increased the odds to 40.1 (28.2–57.0) and the PAF to 66.7% (51.1–78.1).

Conclusion

Smoking, unhealthy diet, biomass cooking fuels and low socioeconomic status are strongly associated with AO. Addressing these risk factors could substantially reduce the burden of AO in China.
Introduction: 20 years of welfare reform in China (2000–2020): Challenges from developmentalism to COVID‐19
Authors: Hong Ijin , Ngok Kinglun
Published: August 2022

China as a welfare system is not yet well understood in social policy circles, despite being a well‐studied case in public administration and political science. Would this party‐state care to commit for its citizens' welfare? For many, associating the idea of a welfare state with China is still something to be frowned upon. Most available literature, especially in the English language, describes social policies in China as residual, unequally distributed, strongly dependent on local finances, prone to social dumping—especially for rural residents and migrant workers—paternalistic, disregarding social needs and so on. Yet, we believe that the social dumping practices of the 1980s and 1990s are now a thing of the past. As the government has taken a decidedly pro‐welfare stance since the 2000s, it could be more reasonable to identify different historical phases through which the welfare system took shape in China. We identify and discuss three stages in particular: the ‘iron rice bowl’ phase of socialist China (1949–1978), the welfare shedding resulting from China's opening up to the market (1979–2002), and the ‘social policy era’ characterised by major welfare expansion (2002–2020).
Extended genomic sequence of the HLA‐DRB1*14:04:07 and ‐DRB1*15:53 alleles from Gujarati individuals
Authors: Thakker Nirali C. , Dixit Hemangi , Buch Hiteshree , Thanki Kajal , Kumar Prabin
Published: August 2022

The extended genomic sequences of HLA‐DRB1*14:04:07 and ‐DRB1*15:53 alleles were identified in the Gujarati individuals.
Proximity‐dependent biotinylation identifies a suite of candidate effector proteins from Fusarium graminearum
Authors: Miltenburg Mary G. , Bonner Christopher , Hepworth Shelley , Huang Mei , Rampitsch Christof , Subramaniam Rajagopal
Published: August 2022

Fusarium graminearum is a fungal pathogen that causes Fusarium head blight in cereal crops. The identification of proteins secreted from pathogens to overcome plant defenses and cause disease, collectively known as effectors, can reveal the etiology of a disease process. Proximity‐dependent biotin identification (BioID) was used to identify potential effector proteins secreted in planta by F. graminearum during the infection of Arabidopsis. Mass spectrometry analysis of streptavidin affinity‐purified proteins revealed over 300 proteins from F. graminearum, of which 62 were candidate effector proteins (CEPs). An independent analysis of secreted proteins from axenic cultures of F. graminearum showed a 42% overlap with CEPs, thereby assuring confidence in the BioID methodology. The analysis also revealed that 19 out of 62 CEPs (approx. 30%) had been previously characterized with virulence function in fungi. The functional characterization of additional CEPs was undertaken through deletion analysis by the CRISPR/Cas9 method, and by overexpression into Triticum aestivum (wheat) leaves by the Ustilago hordei delivery system. Deletion studies of 12 CEPs confirmed the effector function of three previously characterized CEPs and validated the function of another four CEPs on wheat inflorescence or vegetative tissues. Lastly, overexpression in wheat showed that all seven CEPs enhanced resistance against the bacterial pathogen Pseudomonas syringae DC3000.
Analysis of Input (Supply) Multipliers for the Maltese Economy on the Basis of the SIOTs for 2010 and 2015
Authors: Cassar Ian P. , Theuma Adrian
Published: August 2022

The goal of this study is to present and assess estimates of input (supply) multipliers within the context of the Maltese economy to identify in which economic sectors it is the most beneficial to allocate primary resources with the aim to support economic growth. Via the application of the Ghoshian Supply-Driven Model, this study presents the first highly disaggregated input (supply) multiplier estimates for the Maltese economy based on the 2010 and 2015 Symmetric Input-Output Tables. This study also includes a comparative analysis between the years 2010 and 2015 to assess changes in the input (supply) multipliers ranking across economic sectors. Based on the 2015 Symmetric Input-Output Table, potential output is mostly increased following the additional allocation of primary inputs to the Manufacturing of other non-metallic mineral products sector following the highest input (supply) multiplier estimate, keeping all else constant. Furthermore, based on the 2010 Symmetric Input-Output Table, the Advertising and market research sector registered the highest input (supply) multiplier. The input (supply) multipliers are subject to the traditional input-output framework and the supply-side modelling assumptions. However, they do provide estimates on the potential change in economy-wide output following exogenous primary input shocks in every sector. In other words, the input (supply) multipliers provide policy makers a guide in which economic sector it is most beneficial to allocate primary inputs, such as labour supply, with the aim of supporting economic growth. The derived input (supply) multipliers may be utilised to aid in the formation of industry specific labour market policies with the aim of supporting overall economic expansion.
Examination of Neutral Intervals and Parent Scales in Persian Art Music: A Step toward the Standardization of the Musical System
Authors: Poorhaydari Kioumars
Published: August 2022

Neutral intervals between minor and major intervals have been used in Persian/Iranian art music for centuries or even millennia. During the medieval era in the Muslim world, several scholars proposed ratios for the various intervals used in their recognized musical species and presented
systematized parent scales. However, this did not result in unanimously accepted or standardized neutral interval sizes or fretting systems in practice, either in the past or in modern times. This article examines neutral intervals and parent scales in Persian art music in four sections. First,
the neutral intervals according to the main medieval theorists of the Muslim world (specifically, from the eighth through the fifteenth centuries) are reviewed. Second, the opinions of several twentieth-century mu sicologists and their measured/proposed neutral intervals are critically examined.
Third, several ratios for neutral seconds are considered based on different theoretical approach es, and a unique ratio, close to the current practice, is proposed. Finally, the arithmetic mean calculation method is directly applied to an 18-tone scale (for the fretting of a Persian tār/sitār)
as an example of a standardized parent scale.
On the Road to Iberia : Sonata Form and Españolismo in "Asturies" from Espagne (Souvenirs) by Isaac Albéniz
Authors: Entrialgo Alberto Martín
Published: August 2022

This analytical vignette examines Isaac Albéniz's "Asturies" (T. 103B). Drawing on both Caplin's formal-functional and Vande Moortele's two-dimensional approaches, it argues that despite its apparent large-ternary form, "Asturies" uses an unequivocal sonata-form rhetoric combined
with characteristic elements of Spanish folklore, a combination that became one of the most idiosyncratic features of Albéniz's musical language in his most famous work,Iberia . My analysis ultimately seeks to contribute to the appreciation of this forgotten composition and to
acknowledge its importance in Albéniz's compositional development.
Book Review
Authors: Sánchez-Kisielewska Olga
Published: August 2022

It has been a few decades since the study of musical expression and meaning coalesced into a widely accepted field of academic inquiry. In the 1980s and 1990s, the hermeneutic impulses of the "new musicology," the systematic development of a semiotics of music, and the historicist project
fueled by Leonard Ratner's topoi auspiciously coincided to present a challenge to the cult of "absolute" music and the formalist bias of music analysis. In 2020, the publication of two books— The Routledge Handbook of Music Signification, edited by Esti Sheinberg and William
Dougherty, and Joan Grimalt's Mapping Musical Signification — confirmed the maturity, vibrancy, and relevance of this field of study. Although neither title includes the term semiotics, both books are dedicated to the interpretation of musical signs and how they acquire,
articulate, and communicate meaning—especially, though not exclusively, in music of the written European tradition. [...]
La autoproducción del hábitat de un barrio informal en un contexto de ilegalidad y conflicto
Authors: Rojas Pinilla Humberto
Published: August 2022

¿De qué manera los barrios informales autoproducen su hábitat en un contexto de ilegalidad y conflicto? Los barrios de San Isidro Patios emergieron desde los años 70 sobre predios afectados por la declaración de la Reserva Forestal Bosque Oriental de Bogotá. Por considerarse ilegales, no son objeto de inversión pública en infraestructura básica, etc. Sus comunidades, desde hace más de 40 años, han utilizado diferentes tácticas y estrategias para agenciar su capital social, autoproducir su hábitat y configurar su bienestar. Para la investigación se utilizó el enfoque de Medios de Vida, que permite dar cuenta los cambios en los niveles de acceso a los capitales disponibles. Se realizaron entrevistas a líderes y expertos, se digitalizaron imágenes y se hicieron transeptos, entre otros. Irónicamente, si bien el capital social permitió a las comunidades agenciar servicios invaluables para su bienestar, el conflicto se complejizó aún más, así como la magnitud de los rasgos de intratabilidad
Multi-Fidelity Gaussian Process Surrogate Modeling of Pediatric Tissue Expansion
Authors: Han Tianhong , Ahmed Kaleem S. , Gosain Arun K. , Tepole Adrian Buganza , Lee Taeksang
Published: August 2022

Growth of skin in response to stretch is the basis for tissue expansion (TE), a procedure to gain new skin area for reconstruction of large defects. Unfortunately, complications and suboptimal outcomes persist because TE is planned and executed based on physician's experience and trial and error instead of predictive quantitative tools. Recently, we calibrated computational models of TE to a porcine animal model of tissue expansion, showing that skin growth is proportional to stretch with a characteristic time constant. Here, we use our calibrated model to predict skin growth in cases of pediatric reconstruction. Available from the clinical setting are the expander shapes and inflation protocols. We create low fidelity semi-analytical models and finite element models for each of the clinical cases. To account for uncertainty in the response expected from translating the models from the animal experiments to the pediatric population, we create multifidelity Gaussian process surrogates to propagate uncertainty in the mechanical properties and the biological response. Predictions with uncertainty for the clinical setting are essential to bridge our knowledge from the large animal experiments to guide and improve the treatment of pediatric patients. Future calibration of the model with patient-specific data—such as estimation of mechanical properties and area growth in the operating room—will change the standard for planning and execution of TE protocols.
Optimized Uncertainty and Disturbance Estimator Based Robust Controller for Micro Aerial Vehicle
Authors: Dixit Abhishek , Agrawal Pooja , Misra Ajay
Published: August 2022

The work presents optimized uncertainty and disturbance estimator (UDE) based robust controller to achieve the fixed wing micro-aerial vehicle (MAV) longitudinal and lateral stability. In the proposed control methodology, genetic algorithm (GA) is used to find the optimal value of UDE filter parameter (GAUDE) which is filter time constant. GA uses minimization of integral absolute time error (IATE) based fitness function. In this work, the proposed controller is GAUDE-based adaptive sliding mode control (SMC). The Lyapunov theory is used to establish the stability of the presented controller. The performance of proposed SMC-GAUDE controller is analyzed through comparative analysis using numerical simulations. The comparative analysis consists of the proposed controller performance evaluation with existing UDE-based and conventional controllers. The comparative study shows the faster response to attain desired states along with smooth and chattering free control efforts offered by SMC-GAUDE controller. The results present viability of the proposed controller. To show the robustness of the proposed controller, IATE performance index is evaluated. Also, the Monte Carlo simulations are done to highlight the efficacy of the proposed controller in the presence of parametric variations in MAV aerodynamic coefficients and velocity.
Loss Analysis of Cavity Leakage Flow in a Compressor Cascade
Authors: Deng Hefang , Xia Kailong , Teng Jinfang , Lu Shaopeng , Zhu Mingmin , Qiang Xiaoqing
Published: August 2022

The cavity flow of shrouded stators is quite complex and not yet completely understood, especially for its loss characteristics. In this paper, a matrix of numerical simulations was designed and conducted to investigate the loss characteristics of the cavity flow in a compressor cascade, with a wide range of incidence, two flow coefficients, and three seal clearances. The effect of the skewed boundary layer was introduced to simulate the practical compressor environment as far as possible. The results show that the total pressure loss coefficient is unable to evaluate the cavity leakage loss correctly since it ignores the temperature rise. With the reduction of the flow coefficient, the entropy loss coefficient and thermal entropy generation rate tend to increase, while the change of the viscous entropy generation rate is dependent on the incidence since the high tangential velocity deteriorates the flow of the pressure side at large negative incidence but significantly improves the flow of the suction side as the incidence increases. In addition, there is a significant difference in loss sensitivity to the seal clearance at various incidences. One of the major reasons is the change of pressure difference between the downstream and upstream. And the other major reason is the distribution difference of the high-loss fluid caused by the variation in the passage vortex. These key findings are able to provide insights leading to reducing the compressor loss due to the cavity leakage flow.
Effect of inharmonicity on pitch perception and subjective tuning of piano tones
Authors: Jaatinen Jussi , Pätynen Jukka
Published: August 2022

The consensus in piano tuning philosophy explains the stretched tuning scale by the inharmonicity of piano strings. This study aimed to examine how variable inharmonicity influences the result of the piano tuning process, compare the tuning curves of aurally tuned pianos with the curves derived from subjective octave enlargement experiments, and evaluate whether the pitches of inharmonic or harmonic versions of the same tone are perceived differently. In addition, the influence of strings of other piano keys on the measured inharmonicity of a single piano string was investigated. The inharmonicity of all individual strings was measured on a Steinway D grand piano. Variable inharmonicity was implemented by additive synthesis with frequency-adjusted sinusoidal partials. Fifteen piano tuners and 18 orchestra musicians participated in the experiments. The results indicate that the inharmonic piano tones produced a keyboard tuning curve similar to the Railsback curve and differed significantly from the harmonic counterpart. The inharmonic tuning curve was reminiscent of the subjective octave enlargement curve. Inharmonic tone pitches were perceived to be higher than harmonic tones up to C♯7. The covibrating strings of the other keys did not exhibit any meaningful effect on the measured inharmonicity of a single string of the played key.
Mechanically mutable polymer enabled by light
Authors: Cai Feng , Yang Bowen , Lv Xuande , Feng Wei , Yu Haifeng
Published: August 2022

Human skin is a remarkable example of a biological material that displays unique mechanical characters of both soft elasticity and stretchability. However, mimicking these features has been absent in photoresponsive soft matters. Here, we present one synthetic ABA-type triblock copolymer consisting of polystyrene as end blocks and one photoresponsive azopolymer as the middle block, which is stiffness at room temperature and shows a phototunable transition to soft elastics athermally. We have synthesized an elastics we term “photoinduced soft elastomer,” where the photo-evocable soft midblock of azopolymer and the glassy polystyrene domains act as elastic matrix and physical cross-linking junctions, respectively. On the basis of the photoswitchable transformation between stiffness and elasticity at room temperature, we demonstrated precise control over nanopatterns on nonplanar substrates especially adaptable in the human skin and fabrication of packaged perovskite solar cells, enabling the simple, human-friendly, and controllable approach to be promising for mechanically adaptable soft photonic and electronic packaging applications.
Uncovering the genomic basis of an extraordinary plant invasion
Authors: Bieker Vanessa C. , Battlay Paul , Petersen Bent , Sun Xin , Wilson Jonathan , Brealey Jaelle C. , Bretagnolle François , Nurkowski Kristin , Lee Chris , Barreiro Fátima Sánchez , Owens Gregory L. , Lee Jacqueline Y. , Kellner Fabian L. , van Boheemen Lotte , Gopalakrishnan Shyam , Gaudeul Myriam , Mueller-Schaerer Heinz , Lommen Suzanne , Karrer Gerhard , Chauvel Bruno , Sun Yan , Kostantinovic Bojan , Dalén Love , Poczai Péter , Rieseberg Loren H. , Gilbert M. Thomas P. , Hodgins Kathryn A. , Martin Michael D.
Published: August 2022

Invasive species are a key driver of the global biodiversity crisis, but the drivers of invasiveness, including the role of pathogens, remain debated. We investigated the genomic basis of invasiveness in
Ambrosia artemisiifolia
(common ragweed), introduced to Europe in the late 19th century, by resequencing 655 ragweed genomes, including 308 herbarium specimens collected up to 190 years ago. In invasive European populations, we found selection signatures in defense genes and lower prevalence of disease-inducing plant pathogens. Together with temporal changes in population structure associated with introgression from closely related
Ambrosia
species, escape from specific microbial enemies likely favored the plant’s remarkable success as an invasive species.
Cu(II) carboxylate arene C─H functionalization: Tuning for nonradical pathways
Authors: Kong Fanji , Chen Shusen , Chen Junqi , Liu Chang , Zhu Weihao , Dickie Diane A. , Schinski William L. , Zhang Sen , Ess Daniel H. , Gunnoe T. Brent
Published: August 2022

We report carbon-hydrogen acetoxylation of nondirected arenes benzene and toluene, as well as related functionalization with pivalate and 2-ethylhexanoate ester groups, using simple copper(II) [Cu(II)] salts with over 80% yield. By changing the ratio of benzene and Cu(II) salts, 2.4% conversion of benzene can be reached. Combined experimental and computational studies results indicate that the arene carbon-hydrogen functionalization likely occurs by a nonradical Cu(II)-mediated organometallic pathway. The Cu(II) salts used in the reaction can be isolated, recycled, and reused with little change in reactivity. In addition, the Cu(II) salts can be regenerated in situ using oxygen and, after the removal of the generated water, the arene carbon-hydrogen acetoxylation and related esterification reactions can be continued, which leads to a process that enables recycling of Cu(II).
Genome Editing of Veterinary Relevant Mycoplasmas Using a CRISPR-Cas Base Editor System
Authors: Ipoutcha Thomas , Rideau Fabien , Gourgues Geraldine , Arfi Yonathan , Lartigue Carole , Blanchard Alain , Sirand-Pugnet Pascal
Published: August 2022

Mycoplasmas are minimal pathogenic bacteria that infect a wide range of hosts, including humans, livestock, and wild animals. Major pathogenic species cause acute to chronic infections involving still poorly characterized virulence factors.
Agglutination of Borreliella burgdorferi by Transmission-Blocking OspA Monoclonal Antibodies and Monovalent Fab Fragments
Authors: Frye Amber M. , Ejemel Monir , Cavacini Lisa , Wang Yang , Rudolph Michael J. , Song Renjie , Mantis Nicholas J.
Published: August 2022

Lyme disease vaccines based on recombinantOutersurfaceprotein A (OspA) elicit protective antibodies that interfere with tick-to-host transmission of the disease-causing spirocheteBorreliella burgdorferi. Another hallmark of OspA antisera and certain OspA monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) is their capacity to induceB. burgdorferiagglutinationin vitro, a phenomenon first reported more than 30 years ago but never studied in molecular detail.
Type III and Not Type I Interferons Efficiently Prevent the Spread of Rotavirus in Human Intestinal Epithelial Cells
Authors: Doldan Patricio , Dai Jin , Metz-Zumaran Camila , Patton John T. , Stanifer Megan L. , Boulant Steeve
Published: August 2022

Rotavirus is one of the most common causes of gastroenteritis worldwide. In developing countries, rotavirus infections lead to more than 200,000 deaths in infants and children.
N-Linked Glycans Shape Skin Immune Responses during Arthritis and Myositis after Intradermal Infection with Ross River Virus
Authors: Tharmarajah Kothila , Everest-Dass Arun , Vider Jelena , Liu Xiang , Freitas Joseph R. , Mostafavi Helen , Bettadapura Jayaram , von Itzstein Mark , West Nicholas P. , Taylor Adam , Mahalingam Suresh , Zaid Ali
Published: August 2022

Arthritogenic alphaviruses are transmitted via mosquito bites through the skin, potentially causing debilitating diseases. Our understanding of how viral infection starts in the skin and how virus systemically disseminates to cause disease remains limited.
Lattice Dynamics of Bi2Те3 and Vibrational Modes in Raman Scattering of Topological Insulators MnBi2Te4·n(Bi2Te3)
Authors: Abdullaev N. A. , Amiraslanov I. R. , Aliev Z. S. , Jahangirli Z. A. , Sklyadneva I. Yu. , Alizade E. G. , Aliyeva Y. N. , Otrokov M. M. , Zverev V. N. , Mamedov N. T. , Chulkov E. V.
Published: August 2022

This work is devoted to the experimental study and symmetry analysis of the Raman-active vibration modes in MnBi2Te4·n(Bi2Te3) van der Waals topological insulators, where n is the number of Te–Bi–Te–Bi–Te quintuple layers between two neighboring Te–Bi–Te–Mn–Te–Bi–Te septuple layers. Confocal Raman spectroscopy is applied to study Raman spectra of crystal structures with $$n = 0,1,2,3,4,5,6$$, and ∞. The experimental frequencies of vibration modes of the same symmetry in the structures with different n are compared. The lattice dynamics of free-standing one, three, and four quintuple layers, as well as of bulk Bi2Те3$$(n = \infty )$$ and MnBi2Te4$$(n = 0)$$, is considered theoretically. Vibrational modes of the last two systems have the same symmetry, but different displacement fields. These fields in the case of a Raman-active mode do not contain displacements of manganese atoms for any finite $$n$$. It is shown that two vibrational modes in the low-frequency region of the spectrum (35–70 cm–1) of structures with $$n = 1,\;2,\;3,\;4,\;5$$, and 6 practically correspond to the lattice dynamics of n free quintuple Bi2Те3 layers. For this reason, the remaining two vibration modes, which are observed in the high-frequency region of the spectrum (100–140 cm–1) and are experimentally indistinguishable in the sense of belonging to quintuple or septuple layer or to both layers simultaneously, should also be assigned to vibrations in quintuple layers under immobile atoms of septuple layers.
Spinal cord stimulation therapy for patients with Parkinson’s disease and gait problems (STEP-PD): study protocol for an exploratory, double-blind, randomised, placebo-controlled feasibility trial
Authors: Hvingelby Victor S , Højholt Terkelsen Miriam , Johnsen Erik L , Møller Mette , Danielsen Erik Hvid , Henriksen Tove , Glud Andreas Nørgaard , Tai Yen , Møller Andersen Anne Sofie , Meier Kaare , Borghammer Per , Moro Elena , Sørensen Jens Christian Hedemann , Pavese Nicola
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Gait difficulties are common in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and cause significant disability. These symptoms are often resistant to treatment. Spinal cord stimulation (SCS) has been found to improve gait, including freezing of gait, in a small number of patients with PD. The mechanism of action is unclear, and some patients are non-responders. With this double-blind, placebo-controlled efficacy and feasibility clinical and imaging study, we aim to shed light on the mechanism of action of SCS and collect data to inform development of a scientifically sound clinical trial protocol. We also aim to identify clinical and imaging biomarkers at baseline that could be predictive of a favourable or a negative outcome of SCS and improve patient selection.

Methods and analysis

A total of 14 patients will be assessed with clinical rating scales and gait evaluations at baseline, and at 6 and 12 months after SCS implantation. They will also receive serial18F-deoxyglucose and18FEOBV PET scans to assess the effects of SCS on cortical/subcortical activity and brain cholinergic function. The first two patients will be included in an open pilot study while the rest will be randomised to receive active treatment or placebo (no stimulation) for 6 months. From this point, the entire cohort will enter an open label active treatment phase for a subsequent 6 months.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was reviewed and approved by the Committee on Health Research Ethics, Central Denmark RM. It is funded by the Danish Council for Independent Research. Independent of outcome, the results will be published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at national and international conferences.

Trial registration number

NCT05110053; ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier.
Qualitative study of emergency clinicians to inform a national guideline on the management of children with mild-to-moderate head injuries
Authors: Tavender Emma J , Wilson Catherine L , Dalziel Stuart , Oakley Ed , Borland Meredith , Ballard Dustin W , Cotterell Elizabeth , Phillips Natalie , Babl Franz E
Published: August 2022

Background

Head injury is a common reason children present to EDs. Guideline development to improve care for paediatric head injuries should target the information needs of ED clinicians and factors influencing its uptake.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews (November 2017–November 2018) with a stratified purposive sample of ED clinicians from across Australia and New Zealand. We identified clinician information needs, used the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore factors influencing the use of head CT and clinical decision rules/guidelines in CT decision-making, and explored ways to improve guideline uptake. Two researchers coded the interview transcripts using thematic content analysis.

Results

A total of 43 clinicians (28 doctors, 15 nurses), from 19 hospitals (5 tertiary, 8 suburban, 6 regional/rural) were interviewed. Clinicians sought guidance for scenarios including ED management of infants, children with underlying medical issues, delayed or representations and potential non-accidental injuries. Improvements to the quality and content of discharge communication and parental discussion materials were suggested. Known risks of radiation from head CTs has led to a culture of observation over use of CT in Australasia (TDF domain: beliefs about consequences). Formal and informal policies have resulted in senior clinicians making most head CT decisions in children (TDF domain: behavioural regulation). Senior clinicians consider their gestalt to be more accurate and outperform existing guidance (TDF domain: beliefs about capabilities), although they perceive guidelines as useful for training and supporting junior staff. Summaries, flow charts, publication in ED-specific journals and scripted training materials were suggestions to improve uptake.

Conclusion

Information needs of ED clinicians, factors influencing use of head CT in children with head injuries and the role of guidelines were identified. These findings informed the scope and implementation strategies for an Australasian guideline for mild-to-moderate head injuries in children.
Molecular mechanism of extracutaneous tumours in patients with basal cell nevus syndrome
Authors: Verkouteren Babette JA , Roemen Guido MJM , Schuurs-Hoeijmakers Janneke HM , Abdul Hamid Myrurgia , van Geel Michel , Speel Ernst-Jan M , Mosterd Klara
Published: August 2022

Basal cell nevus syndrome (BCNS) is a rare genetic disorder accompanied by a broad variety of tumours, of which basal cell carcinomas and odontogenic keratocysts are the most common. BCNS is caused by a germline or postzygotic mutation in eitherPTCH1orSUFU. As BCNS is a rare disease, it is difficult to establish whether less frequently occurring tumours are actually part of the syndrome. In this study, the molecular mechanism behind four extracutaneous tumours in patients with BCNS was elucidated. A leiomyoma of the testis and meningioma were confirmed to be associated with BCNS in two patients by presence of a second mutation or loss of heterozygosity inPTCH1. In a meningioma of a patient with a mosaic postzygoticPTCH1mutation an association could not be conclusively confirmed.SUFUwas probably not involved in the development of a thyroid carcinoma in a patient with a germlineSUFUmutation. Hence, we have proven that meningioma and leiomyoma of the testis are rare extracutaneous tumours that are part of BCNS.
The role of IQOS risk perceptions on cigarette smoking behaviours: results from a prospective pilot study
Authors: DeAtley Teresa , Stone Matthew D , Strasser Andrew A , Audrain-McGovern Janet
Published: August 2022

Background

IQOS is a heated tobacco product marketed as an alternative to combustible cigarette smoking. Little is known about cigarette smokers’ IQOS health risk perceptions and if these risk perceptions impact IQOS use and cigarette smoking behaviour.

Methods

Adult, daily, non-treatment-seeking cigarette smokers (n=27), naïve to IQOS, were recruited from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. Participants were introduced to IQOS and then completed measures of risk perceptions. Participants were given an IQOS 2.4 holder, charger and HeatSticks, and asked to switch completely from cigarettes to IQOS for 14 days. The effects of risk perceptions on changes in IQOS use, cigarettes per day (CPD), the substitution of IQOS for cigarettes and motivation to quit smoking were evaluated.

Results

Over the 14-day switch period, CPD significantly decreased (B=−0.18, 95% CI=−0.26 to –0.09, p<0.0001), IQOS use significantly increased (B=0.02, 95% CI=0.00 to 0.03, p=0.042), as did the percentage IQOS HeatSticks that replaced CPD (B=0.02, 95% CI=0.01 to 0.03, p=0.005). Participants who perceived IQOS as less risky than cigarettes used fewer IQOS HeatSticks per day. A lower percentage of IQOS HeatStick substitution for cigarettes was observed for participants with higher versus lower risk perceptions (B=−0.14, 95% CI=−0.28 to –0.01, p=0.042). Motivation to quit increased from a mean of 5.53 to 6.79 on the contemplation ladder from baseline to day 14 (B=1.26, 95% CI=0.54 to 1.97, p<0.001).

Conclusions

Smokers reduced their smoking rate and increased motivation to quit smoking while using IQOS. IQOS risk perceptions did not directly account for reductions in smoking, although they may contribute indirectly through increased IQOS use.
BaPipe: Balanced Pipeline Parallelism for DNN Training
Authors: Zhao Letian , Xu Rui , Wang Tianqi , Tian Teng , Wang Xiaotian , Wu Wei , Ieong Chio-In , Jin Xi
Published: August 2022

The size of deep neural networks (DNNs) grows rapidly as the complexity of the machine learning algorithm increases. Distributed deep learning based on model parallelism has been widely used to satisfy the requirements of DNN training related to computation and memory. In this paper, we propose a training framework for pipeline parallelism called BaPipe (Balanced Pipeline) that can automatically explore methods to schedule pipeline parallelism and balanced partition strategies for DNN training on heterogeneous accelerator clusters. In BaPipe, each accelerator calculates the forward and backward propagation for the assigned partition of networks to implement an intra-batch pipeline parallelism strategy. By considering the parameters of DNN models as well as the computation, memory, and communication resources of each accelerator, BaPipe automatically selects the most suitable method of pipeline scheduling from among multiple proposed scheduling modes. It also uses a novel strategy to automatically investigate load balancing in the context of inter-layer partition, intra-layer partition, and coarse-grained partition. We trained such DNNs as VGG-16, ResNet-50, and Google’s Neural Machine Translation (GNMT) on GPU clusters, and simulated the training-related performance of FPGA clusters. Compared with the state-of-the-art frameworks for data parallelism (DP) and pipeline parallelism, BaPipe provides a speedup of [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] of memory reduction on various homogeneous and heterogeneous platforms.
The synergy between two threats: Disinformation and COVID-19
Authors: Tórtura Henrique A. , Fontanari José F.
Published: August 2022

The breakdown of trusted sources of information is probably one of the most serious problems today, since in the absence of a common ground, it will be impossible to address the problems that trouble our contemporary world. The COVID-19 pandemic is just a recent situation where the lack of agreed stances has led to failure and hopelessness. In fact, disinformation surrounding the COVID-19 has been a distinctive feature of this pandemic since its very beginning and has hampered what is perhaps the most important initiative to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, viz., an effective communication between scientifically minded health authorities and the general public. To investigate how disinformation threatens epistemic security, here we propose and solve analytically an evolutionary game-theoretic model where the individuals must accurately estimate some property of their hazardous environment. They can either explore the environment or copy the estimate from another individual, who may display a distorted version of its estimate. We find that the exploration-only strategy is optimal when the environment is relatively safe and the individuals are not reliable. In this doomsday scenario, disinformation erodes trust and suppresses the ability of the individuals to share information with one another.
Coupling compartmental models with Markov chains and measure evolution equations to capture virus mutability
Authors: Weightman Ryan , Sbarra Anthony , Piccoli Benedetto
Published: August 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic lit a fire under researchers who have subsequently raced to build models which capture various physical aspects of both the biology of the virus and its mobility throughout the human population. These models could include characteristics such as different genders, ages, frequency of interactions, mutation of virus, etc. Here, we propose two mathematical formulations to include virus mutation dynamics. The first uses a compartmental epidemiological model coupled with a discrete-time finite-state Markov chain. If one includes a nonlinear dependence of the transition matrix on current infected, the model is able to reproduce pandemic waves due to different variants. The second approach expands such an idea to a continuous state-space leveraging a combination of ordinary differential equations with an evolution equation for measure. This approach allows to include reinfections with partial immunity with respect to variants genetically similar to that of first infection.
New wormhole shape functions in f(R,T) theory of gravity
Authors: Gashti S. Noori , Sadeghi J.
Published: August 2022

In this paper, we introduce two new shape functions of wormholes in [Formula: see text] gravity. Both shape functions are satisfied by various geometric conditions. We will also discuss the different energy conditions and geometric behavior corresponding to each shape function in different states. Finally, we investigate the system’s stability with a solution corresponding to the two shape functions.
A Survey on Hyperdimensional Computing aka Vector Symbolic Architectures, Part II: Applications, Cognitive Models, and Challenges
Authors: Kleyko Denis , Rachkovskij Dmitri , Osipov Evgeny , Rahimi Abbas
Published: August 2022

This is Part II of the two-part comprehensive survey devoted to a computing framework most commonly known under the names Hyperdimensional Computing and Vector Symbolic Architectures (HDC/VSA). Both names refer to a family of computational models that use high-dimensional distributed representations and rely on the algebraic properties of their key operations to incorporate the advantages of structured symbolic representations and vector distributed representations. Holographic Reduced Representations [
321
,
326
] is an influential HDC/VSA model that is well known in the machine learning domain and often used to refer to the whole family. However, for the sake of consistency, we use HDC/VSA to refer to the field.

Part I of this survey [
222
] covered foundational aspects of the field, such as the historical context leading to the development of HDC/VSA, key elements of any HDC/VSA model, known HDC/VSA models, and the transformation of input data of various types into high-dimensional vectors suitable for HDC/VSA. This second part surveys existing applications, the role of HDC/VSA in cognitive computing and architectures, as well as directions for future work. Most of the applications lie within the Machine Learning/Artificial Intelligence domain; however, we also cover other applications to provide a complete picture. The survey is written to be useful for both newcomers and practitioners.
Analgesic, Anti‐inflammatory, Antipyretic, and In Silico Measurements of Sonneratia caseolaris (L.) Fruits from Sundarbans, Bangladesh
Authors: Kundu Pritam , Debnath Shovan Lal , Devnath Hiron Saraj , Saha Lopa , Sadhu Samir Kumar
Published: August 2022

Sonneratia caseolaris is a widely distributed mangrove plant having much therapeutic importance in traditional medicine. This plant is reported for possessing numerous compounds that are already used for many therapeutic purposes. After finding the presence of antioxidant components in the qualitative antioxidative assay, we went to conduct quantitative tests where the total contents of phenolics, flavonoids, and tannins were estimated as 122 mg GAE/gm, 613 mg QE/gm, and 30 mg GAE/gm, respectively. In DPPH free radical, H2O2, and superoxide radical scavenging assay, the SC50 values were found to be 87, 66, and 192 μg/ml, respectively. In FeCl3 reducing power assay, the RC50 of SC extract and ascorbic acid were 80 and 28 μg/ml, respectively. This extract revealed a significant peripheral analgesic effect in the acetic acid‐induced writhing model in mice by reducing the writhing impulse by about 21% and 39% at 250  and 500 mg/kg doses, respectively, and a central analgesic effect in the tail immersion method by elongating the time up to about 22% and 37% at the same doses. In the anti‐inflammatory test in mice, this extract reduced the paw edema size over the observed period in a dose‐dependent manner. It also showed a significant reduction in the elevated rectal temperature of mice in the observing period in Brewer’s yeast‐induced pyrexia model. In silico analysis revealed better binding characteristics of ellagic acid and luteolin among other compounds with various receptors that might be responsible for antioxidative and anti‐inflammatory properties. From our observation, we suppose that SC fruits might be a potential source of drug leads for various inflammatory disorders.
An Improved Load Forecasting Method Based on the Transfer Learning Structure under Cyber-Threat Condition
Authors: Zhao Luo , Zhang Xinan , Chen Yifu , Peng Xiuyan , Cao Yankai
Published: August 2022

Smart grid is regarded as an evolutionary regime of existing power grids. It integrates artificial intelligence and communication technologies to fundamentally improve the efficiency and reliability of power systems. One serious challenge for the smart grid is its vulnerability to cyber threats. In the event of a cyber attack, grid data may be missing; subsequently, load forecast and power planning that rely on these data cannot be processed by generation centers. To address this issue, this paper proposes a transfer learning-based framework for smart grid scheduling that is less reliant on local data while capable of delivering schedules with low operating cost. Specifically, the proposed framework contains (1) a power forecasting model based on transfer learning which can provide high quality load prediction with limited training data, (2) a novel adaptive time series prediction method with modeling time series from a covariate shift perspective that aims to train the forecasting model with a strong generalization capability, and (3) a day-ahead optimal economic power scheduling model considering a shared energy storage station.
[Retracted] Analysis of DAT Combined with the VSD Technique in Wound Repair of Rats and Its Effect on Inflammatory Factors
Authors: Sun Xiaochen , Xu Chengxin , Lian Juan , Song Mei
Published: August 2022

The clinical efficacy of decellularized adipose tissue (DAT) combined with vacuum sealing drainage (VSD) in the treatment of wound healing in rats is investigated, and the changes of inflammatory factors are analyzed. The tissue defect model of SD (Sprague‐Dawley) rats is established and divided into the combined group (n = 12) and the control group (n = 12) according to different treatment methods. The control group is treated with a single VSD technique, and the combined group is treated with DAT on the basis of the control group. The wound healing time of the two groups is observed. Wound tissue is collected 1 day, 10 days, 20 days, and 30 days after treatment, and neutrophil infiltration is observed by HE (hematoxylin‐eosin) staining. The expression changes of IL‐6 and IL‐13 at each time point before and after treatment are compared. Histological observation shows that the cell infiltration is reduced in both groups, and the wound repair in the combined group is better than that in the control group. The experimental results show that the DAT combined with the VSD technique can further speed up wound healing and reduce inflammation in rats.
A Three-Stage Alternative Optimization Promoting Multi-UAV-Assisted Mobile Offloading
Authors: Han Xiao , Wang Huiqiang , Feng Guangsheng , Zhuang Xiaoxiao , Wang Chengbo
Published: August 2022

A solution using multiple-relay method is presented to provide an efficient solution using UAV-assisted mobile devices to complete computation offloading tasks, which considers the UAVs in the offloading system to help mobile devices to offload tasks in remote areas. Additionally, a mixed integer nonlinear optimization (MINO) problem is constructed to maximize minimum user computational speed, and a three-stage iterative optimization algorithm is proposed to find a solution of the MINO problem. Simulation experiments are setup to verify the effectiveness of the devised methods, which show that our proposed algorithm and solution is superior to the single UAV method.
An Improved YOLOX Algorithm for Forest Insect Pest Detection
Authors: Huang Jiyu , Huang Yong , Huang Hongliang , Zhu Weirong , Zhang Jun , Zhou Xiaolong
Published: August 2022

A large number of insect pests in the forest will seriously affect the construction of forest resources and agriculture in China. In this regard, in order to deeply understand and analyze the existing forest pest detection technology, it is found that it cannot meet practical needs. In order to prevent the harm caused by forest pests, it is necessary to correctly identify the types of pests and take targeted control measures. Therefore, this paper proposes a forest pest detection algorithm based on improved YOLOX. Firstly, aiming at the problem that there are few image data of real deep forest pests in the wild, we use Mosaic, Mixup, and random erasure data enhancement to preprocess the images. Secondly, in order to extract fine-grained features, shallow information is introduced into the existing network architecture, and a two-way cross-scale feature fusion mechanism is adopted. Finally, the improved YOLOX algorithm proposed in this paper has achieved the best results on the public forest pest dataset IP102.