bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of a patient education video and prehabilitation on the quality of preoperative person-centred coordinated care experience: protocol for a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Wong Sami Sum Yu , Cheung Helen Hoi TIng , Ng Floria Fung , Yau Derek King Wai , Wong Man Kin Henry , Lau Vivian Nga Man , Leung Wing Wa , Mak Tony Wing Chung , Lee Anna
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Multimodal prehabilitation, an emerging field within the Perioperative Medicine specialty, requires close multidisciplinary team coordination. The goal is to optimise the patient’s health status in the 4–8 weeks before elective surgery to withstand surgical stress. Most patients are unfamiliar with the concept of prehabilitation but are interested in participating in such a programme after explanation. The objective of this randomised controlled trial is to evaluate the effect of prehabilitation (patient education video and multimodal prehabilitation) on the preoperative patient-centred coordinated care experience.

Method and analysis

One hundred patients undergoing major elective surgery (cardiac, colorectal, hepatobiliary-pancreatic and urology) will be recruited into a two-group, parallel, superiority, single-blinded randomised controlled trial. Patients will be randomised to receive either preoperative patient education comprising of a video and prehabilitation programme with standard care (intervention) or standard care (control). The primary outcome measure will be the quality of preoperative patient care experience using the 11-item Chinese version of the Person-Centred Coordinated Care Experience Questionnaire (P3CEQ) before surgery. Secondary outcomes will include the change in Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score from trial enrolment to before surgery, Quality of Recovery Score (QoR-15) on third day after surgery and Days Alive and At Home within 30 days after surgery (DAH30). Intention-to-treat and per-protocol analyses will be performed.

Ethics and dissemination

The Joint CUHK-NTEC Clinical Research Ethics Committee approved the study protocol (CREC Ref. No. 2021.518-T). The findings will be presented at scientific meetings, in peer-reviewed journals and to study participants.

Trial registration number

ChiCTR2100053637.
Acute care for patients exposed to a chemical attack: protocol for an international multicentric observational study
Authors: Bourassa Stephane , Noebert Daniel , Dauphin Marc , Rambaud Jerome , Kawaguchi Atsushi , Léger François , Beijer Daan , Fortier Yvan , Dligui Mina , Ivanovski Hristijan , Simard Serge , Jouvet Philippe , Leclerc Jacinthe
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The use of weapons of mass destruction against civilian populations is of serious concern to public health authorities. Chemical weapons are of particular concern. A few studies have investigated medical responses in prehospital settings in the immediate aftermath of a chemical attack, and they were limited by the paucity of clinical data. This study aims to describe the acute management of patients exposed to a chemical attack from the incident site until their transfer to a medical facility.

Methods and analysis

This international multicentric observational study addresses the period from 1970 to 2036. An online electronic case report form was created to collect data; it will be hosted on the Biomedical Telematics Laboratory Platform of the Quebec Respiratory Health Research Network. Participating medical centres and their clinicians are being asked to provide contextual and clinical information, including the use of protective equipment and decontamination capabilities for the medical evacuation of the patient from the incident site of the chemical attack to the moment of admission at the medical facility. In brief, variables are categorised as follows: (1) chemical exposure (threat); (2) prehospital and hospital/medical facility capabilities (staffing, first aid, protection, decontamination, disaster plans and medical guidelines); (3) clinical interventions before hospital admission, including the use of protection and decontamination and (4) outcomes (survivability vs mortality rates). Judgement criteria focus on decontamination drills applied to any of the patient’s conditions.

Ethics and dissemination

The Sainte-Justine Research Centre Ethics Committee approved this multicentric study and is acting as the main evaluating centre. Study results will be disseminated through various means, including conferences, indexed publications in medical databases and social media.

Trial registration number

NCT05026645.
Comparison of two skin protection regimes for the Prevention of Incontinence-associated Dermatitis in geriatric care (PID): a study protocol for an exploratory randomised controlled pragmatic trial
Authors: El Genedy-Kalyoncu Monira , Fastner Alexandra , Völzer Bettina , Raeder Kathrin , Neumann Konrad , Lahmann Nils Axel , Kottner Jan
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The majority of aged long-term care receivers and patients in geriatric acute care are affected by some form of incontinence. These individuals are at risk of developing incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), a common type of irritant contact dermatitis caused by repeated and prolonged direct contact of the skin with urine and stool. The prevalence of IAD in these settings is high. Preventive measures include mild skin cleansing and the application of skin protecting leave-on products. Available evidence is weak regarding the comparative performance of different skin protection strategies and products due to a lack of confirmatory trials using relevant comparators and endpoints. Therefore, the overall aim of this exploratory trial is to compare the effects of three skin protection strategies to estimate effect sizes of the recently published core outcomes in IAD research.

Methods and analysis

A pragmatic three-arm, assessor-blinded, randomised controlled, exploratory trial with parallel group design will be performed, comparing film-forming and lipophilic skin protecting leave-on products for IAD prevention with standard incontinence care alone. The trial will be conducted in geriatric nursing homes and geriatric acute care settings in the federal state of Berlin, Germany. A total of n=210 participants being incontinent of urine and stool will be included. Outcomes include IAD incidence, erythema, erosion, maceration, IAD-related pain, patient satisfaction, safety, feasibility and compliance. IAD incidence of the control and intervention groups will be compared to estimate effect sizes, and the procedural feasibility of the intervention will be tested to plan a possible subsequent confirmatory randomised controlled trial.

Ethics and dissemination

The study received the approval of the ethics committee of Charité–Universitätsmedizin Berlin (EA4/043/22). Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed open-access journals and international conferences.

Trial registration number

ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05403762) and German Clinical Trials Register (Deutsches Register Klinischer Studien, or DRKS) (DRKS00028954).
Protocol for a qualitative pilot study to explore ethical issues and stakeholder trust in the use of normothermic regional perfusion in organ donation in Canada
Authors: Murphy Nicholas , Lingard Lorelei , Blackstock Laurie , Ott Mary , Slessarev Marat , Basmaji John , Brahmania Mayur , Healey Andrew , Shemie Sam , Skaro Anton , Wilson Lindsay , Weijer Charles
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The process of controlled organ donation after circulatory determination of death (cDCDD) results in ischaemic injury to organs and leads to poorer outcomes in organ recipients. Although not yet used in Canada, normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) is a perfusion technology used postmortem with cDCDD donors to selectively restore perfusion of oxygenated blood to target organs in situ, reversing ischaemic injury and improving organ viability and post-transplant outcomes. However, NRP poses significant ethical challenges. To preserve trust in deceased donation, these ethical challenges must be addressed to the satisfaction of Canadian stakeholders before NRP’s implementation. This study will identify ethical issues pertaining to NRP and explore perspectives of NRP among key stakeholders. By developing an explanatory framework delineating how stakeholder perceptions of NRP’s ethical implications impact trust in Canada’s donation and transplantation systems, this study will inform the development of responsible policy on NRP’s use in Canada.

Methods and analysis

This study includes two workstreams. Workstream 1 is a scoping review of medical and bioethical literature to identify ethical issues stemming from NRP. We will apply a common search string across Medline, PubMed (other than Medline) and Embase to identify relevant articles. We will identify grey literature through Google searches, websites of organ donation organisations and consultation with our research network. No date limits will be applied. All peer-reviewed publications, commentaries, editorials or documents that engage with ethical issues in NRP (or conceptual and empirical issues as they relate to these ethical issues) will be included. News articles, conference abstracts and publications not in English will be excluded. Workstream 2 consists of interviews with healthcare providers, institutional stakeholders, organ recipients and deceased donors’ family members (n=24–36), as well as focus groups with healthcare providers involved in deceased donation and transplantation (n=20–32). Constructivist grounded theory methodology will guide data collection and analysis in workstream 2.

Ethics and dissemination

This study was approved by Western University’s research ethics committee (Western REM; ID: 120001). All participants will be asked to provide written informed consent to participate. Findings will be shared with Canadian organ donation and transplantation organisations, presented at national conferences and published in medical journals.
Harnessing the Vnn1 pantetheinase pathway boosts short chain fatty acids production and mucosal protection in colitis
Authors: Millet Virginie , Gensollen Thomas , Maltese Michael , Serrero Melanie , Lesavre Nathalie , Bourges Christophe , Pitaval Christophe , Cadra Sophie , Chasson Lionel , Vu Man Thien Phong , Masse Marion , Martinez-Garcia Juan Jose , Tranchida Fabrice , Shintu Laetitia , Mostert Konrad , Strauss Erick , Lepage Patricia , Chamaillard Mathias , Broggi Achille , Peyrin-Biroulet Laurent , Grimaud Jean-Charles , Naquet Philippe , Galland Franck
Published: September 2022

Objective

In the management of patients with IBD, there is a need to identify prognostic markers and druggable biological pathways to improve mucosal repair and probe the efficacy of tumour necrosis factor alpha biologics. Vnn1 is a pantetheinase that degrades pantetheine to pantothenate (vitamin B5, a precursor of coenzyme A (CoA) biosynthesis) and cysteamine. Vnn1 is overexpressed by inflamed colonocytes. We investigated its contribution to the tolerance of the intestinal mucosa to colitis-induced injury.

Design

We performed an RNA sequencing study on colon biopsy samples from patients with IBD stratified according to clinical severity and modalities of treatment. We generated the VIVA mouse transgenic model, which specifically overexpresses Vnn1 on intestinal epithelial cells and explored its susceptibility to colitis. We developed a pharmacological mimicry of Vnn1 overexpression by administration of Vnn1 derivatives.

Results

VNN1 overexpression on colonocytes correlates with IBD severity. VIVA mice are resistant to experimentally induced colitis. The pantetheinase activity of Vnn1 is cytoprotective in colon: it enhances CoA regeneration and metabolic adaptation of colonocytes; it favours microbiota-dependent production of short chain fatty acids and mostly butyrate, shown to regulate mucosal energetics and to be reduced in patients with IBD. This prohealing phenotype is recapitulated by treating control mice with the substrate (pantethine) or the products of pantetheinase activity prior to induction of colitis. In severe IBD, the protection conferred by the high induction of VNN1 might be compromised because its enzymatic activity may be limited by lack of available substrates. In addition, we identify the elevation of indoxyl sulfate in urine as a biomarker of Vnn1 overexpression, also detected in patients with IBD.

Conclusion

The induction of Vnn1/VNN1 during colitis in mouse and human is a compensatory mechanism to reinforce the mucosal barrier. Therefore, enhancement of vitamin B5-driven metabolism should improve mucosal healing and might increase the efficacy of anti-inflammatory therapy.
How do US orthopaedic surgeons view placebo-controlled surgical trials? A pilot online survey study
Authors: Bernstein Michael H , Rosenfield Maayan N , Blease Charlotte , Magill Molly , Terek Richard M , Savulescu Julian , Beaudoin Francesca L , Rich Josiah D , Wartolowska Karolina
Published: September 2022

Randomised placebo-controlled trials (RPCTs) are the gold standard for evaluating novel treatments. However, this design is rarely used in the context of orthopaedic interventions where participants are assigned to a real or placebo surgery. The present study examines attitudes towards RPCTs for orthopaedic surgery among 687 orthopaedic surgeons across the USA. When presented with a vignette describing an RPCT for orthopaedic surgery, 52.3% of participants viewed it as ‘completely’ or ‘mostly’ unethical. Participants were also asked to rank-order the value of five different types of evidence supporting the efficacy of a surgery, ranging from RPCT to an anecdotal report. Responses regarding RPCTs were polarised with 26.4% viewing it as theleastvaluable (even less valuable than an anecdote) and 35.7 .% viewing it as themostvaluable. Where equipoise exists, if we want to subject orthopaedic surgeries to the highest standard of evidence (RPCTs) before they are implemented in clinical practice, it will be necessary to educate physicians on the value and ethics of placebo surgery control conditions. Otherwise, invasive procedures may be performed without any benefits beyond possible placebo effects.
Clinical evidence comparing bridging and direct endovascular thrombectomy: progress and controversies
Authors: Bai Xuesong , Fu Zhaolin , Wang Xue , Song Chengyu , Xu Xin , Li Long , Feng Yao , Dmytriw Adam A , Regenhardt Robert W , Sun Ziyi , Yang Bin , Jiao Liqun
Published: September 2022

Clinical evidence comparing bridging endovascular thrombectomy (bEVT) with intravenous thrombolysis and direct endovascular thrombectomy (dEVT) without thrombolysis for patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) presented directly to an EVT-capable center is overwhelming but inconsistent. This study aimed to analyze the progress and controversies in clinical evidence based on current meta-analyses. Three databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library, were searched. Relevant data were extracted and reviewed from the pooled studies. The Assessment of Multiple Systematic Review (AMSTAR-2) was used for quality assessment. Twenty-five meta-analyses were finally included. There were 56% (14/25) from Asian countries, 20% (5/25) from North America, and 24% (6/25) from Europe. The majority (72%, 18/25) of evidence arose in a short period from 2020 to 2022 with the serial publication of four randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Among the 25 meta-analyses, 11 pooled at least three RCTs but there is substantial overlap among seven (five recruited the same four RCTs solely and two recruited the same three RCTs solely). Meanwhile, quality rating based on AMSTAR-2 showed 16 ‘high’ rated studies (64%). For functional independence, 40% (10/25) of studies favored bEVT and 60% showed neutral results. For symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage, most studies (82.6%, 19/23) showed no significant difference. Non-RCT studies contributed to evidence favoring bEVT. Current RCTs provide an update of clinical evidence comparing bEVT and dEVT. However, they simultaneously contribute to an unnecessary overlap among studies. Contemporary observational studies demonstrated different but possibly confounded evidence. Thus, this issue still requires more clinical evidence under standard procedures.
Clinical value of automated volumetric quantification of early ischemic tissue changes on non-contrast CT
Authors: Brugnara Gianluca , Mihalicz Peter , Herweh Christian , Schönenberger Silvia , Purrucker Jan , Nagel Simon , Ringleb Peter Arthur , Bendszus Martin , Möhlenbruch Markus A , Neuberger Ulf
Published: September 2022

Background

Quantitative and automated volumetric evaluation of early ischemic changes on non-contrast CT (NCCT) has recently been proposed as a new tool to improve prognostic performance in patients undergoing endovascular therapy (EVT) for acute ischemic stroke (AIS). We aimed to test its clinical value compared with the Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) in a large single-institutional patient cohort.

Methods

A total of 1103 patients with AIS due to large vessel occlusion in the M1 or proximal M2 segments who underwent NCCT and EVT between January 2013 and November 2019 were retrospectively enrolled. Acute ischemic volumes (AIV) and ASPECTS were generated from the baseline NCCT through e-ASPECTS (Brainomix). Correlations were tested using Spearman’s coefficient. The predictive capabilities of AIV for a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale score at 90 days ≤2) were tested using multivariable logistic regression as well as machine-learning models. Performance of the models was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and differences were tested using DeLong’s test.

Results

Patients with a favorable outcome had a significantly lower AIV (median 12.0 mL (IQR 5.7–21.7) vs 18.8 mL (IQR 9.4–33.9), p<0.001). AIV was highly correlated with ASPECTS (rho=0.78, p<0.001) and weakly correlated with the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score at baseline (rho=0.22, p<0.001), and was an independent predictor of an unfavorable clinical outcome (adjusted OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.96 to 0.98). No significant difference was found between machine-learning models using either AIV or ASPECTS or both metrics for predicting a good clinical outcome (p>0.05).

Conclusion

AIV is an independent predictor of clinical outcome and presented a non-inferior performance compared with ASPECTS, without clear advantages for prognostic modelling.
Cost-effectiveness of endovascular thrombectomy in acute stroke patients with large ischemic core
Authors: Sanmartin Maria X , Katz Jeffrey M , Wang Jason , Malhotra Ajay , Sangha Kinpritma , Bastani Mehrad , Martinez Gabriela , Sanelli Pina C
Published: September 2022

Background

Evidence has shown that endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) treatment improves clinical outcomes. Yet, its benefit remains uncertain in patients with large established infarcts as defined by ASPECTS (Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score) <6. This study evaluates the cost-effectiveness of EVT, compared with standard care (SC), in acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients with ASPECTS 3–5.

Methods

An economic evaluation study was performed combining a decision tree and Markov model to estimate lifetime costs (2021 US$) and quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) of AIS patients with ASPECTS 3–5. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), net monetary benefits (NMBs), and deterministic one-way and two-way sensitivity analyses were performed. Probabilistic sensitivity analyses were also performed to evaluate the robustness of our model.

Results

Compared with SC, the cost-effectiveness analyses revealed that EVT yields higher lifetime benefits (2.20 QALYs vs 1.41 QALYs) with higher lifetime healthcare cost per patient ($285 861 vs $272 954). The difference in health benefits between EVT and SC was 0.79 QALYs, equivalent to 288 additional days of healthy life per patient. Even though EVT is more costly than SC alone, it is still cost-effective given better outcomes with ICER of $16 239/QALY. The probabilistic sensitivity analyses indicated that EVT was the most cost-effective strategy in 98.8% (9882 of 10 000) of iterations at the willingness-to-pay threshold of $100 000 per QALY.

Conclusions

The results of this study suggest that EVT is cost-effective in AIS patients with a large ischemic core (ASPECTS 3–5), compared with SC alone over the patient’s lifetime.
Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in terrestrial and aquatic environments following wildfire: a review
Authors: Kieta K.A. , Owens P.N. , Petticrew E.L. , French T.D. , Koiter A.J. , Rutherford P.M.
Published: September 2022

Wildfires are a natural landscape disturbance in many climates and forest types, but the cumulative impact of human-caused climate change, historical fire management and suppression, and changing species diversity in forests has led to an increase in the size and (or) severity of wildfires in certain regions across the globe. There are a significant number of research studies on the effects of wildfire on human health, forest ecology, hydrology, and the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils. However, research on the impact of wildfire on watersheds including toxicity in aquatic organisms, water chemistry, and fluvial sediment quality is less extensive, focusing primarily on water quality indicators such as nutrients and sediment flux. Recent research has shown that wildfires contribute to the environment significant amounts of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are compounds produced during the incomplete combustion of organic material, and are known to be toxic and mutagenic compounds. The primary objective of this paper is to review the recent literature that pertains to the contamination of surface waters and sediments and source apportionment of wildfire-derived PAHs to determine where research gaps remain. Additional objectives are to assess the use of molecular ratios to apportion PAH sources and, finally, to create a roadmap for future studies in designing and conducting research that seeks to determine sources of wildfire-derived PAHs in water and sediment.
Production of primordial black holes via single field inflation and observational constraints
Authors: Gangopadhyay Mayukh R. , Jain Jayesh C. , Sharma Devanshu , Yogesh
Published: September 2022

In a class of single field models of inflation, the idea of primordial black holes (PBHs) production is studied. In this case, the dynamics on small cosmological scales differs significantly from that of the large scales probed by the observations of cosmic microwave background (CMB). This difference becomes a virtue in producing correct physical ambiance for the seeds required to produce PBHs. Thus, once the perturbed scales re-enter the horizon of our Universe during the later epochs of radiation domination and subsequent matter domination, these seeds collapses to produce PBHs. We have shown, in this class of model, depending on the model parameters and the class defining set parameters, one can have PBHs formed for a vast mass ranges from$$10^{-18}$$10-18to$$10^{-6}$$10-6solar mass ($$M _\odot $$M⊙). We have also shown, for a particular class of model, the total dark matter density today can be attributed to the PBHs density. The vast range of the mass depending on the class parameter, gives ample opportunity to study enriched phenomenological implications associated with this model to probe the nascent Universe dynamics.
Improving the Performance of Finger Vein Recognition Using the Local Histogram Concatenation of Image Descriptors
Authors: Tahir Ahmed AK. , Mustafa Ahmed A.
Published: September 2022

In this paper, a system based on image descriptor and Local Histogram Concatenation (LHC) for finger vein recognition is introduced. The LHC of image descriptors such as LBP, LDP CLBP cannot be inverted back to the original images, therefore they can provide good security if stored as enrolled data. On the other hand, the technique of LHC does not depict spatial information, therefore it is expected to be less sensitive to image misalignment if a measure such as the histogram difference [Formula: see text] is used for recognition. The use of histogram difference makes the system more robust to misalignment compared to the pixel-by-pixel-based measures such as the Hamming Distance (HD). The approach of LHC is implemented by dividing the image descriptor into non-overlapped grids, then the histogram within each grid is calculated and concatenated with the histograms of the preceding grids and finally, the concatenated histograms of each two images are compared using [Formula: see text] measure. Two datasets, UTFVP and SDUMLA-HMT, are used for testing the performance of the system. The results have shown that the Identification Recognition Rate (IRR) is improved when LHCs of the image descriptors with [Formula: see text] measure are used compared to the use of only the image descriptors with HD measure. For UTFVP dataset, the IRR values were 97.44%, 95% and 98.37% when LHC and [Formula: see text] were used with LBP, LDP and CLBP, respectively, while these values were 89.44%, 92.63% and 92.92% when only LBP, LDP and CLBP with HD were used. For SDUMLA-HMT dataset, the IRR values of the system were 98.43%, 98.69% and 98.85% when LHC and [Formula: see text] were used with LBP, LDP and CLBP, respectively, while these values were 97.6%, 98.24% and 97.27% when only the image descriptors LBP, LDP and CLBP with HD were used.
Stochastic P-Bifurcation in a Delayed Myc/E2F/miR-17-92 Network
Authors: Han Zikun , Wang Qiubao , Wu Hao , Hu Zhouyu
Published: September 2022

In this paper, Myc/E2F/miR-17-92 network under Gaussian white noise is studied. Taking the time delay as the parameter, the Hopf bifurcation of the system is obtained, which causes the protein concentration to oscillate periodically. Under the influence of time delay and noise, the stochastic D-bifurcation of the system is obtained. It is worth noting that the occurrence of stochastic P-bifurcation is successfully captured. Thus a pattern of coexistence of high and low protein concentrations is founded in the network. The specific research methods of this paper are as follows: firstly, the system is reduced to a finite dimensional system by using stochastic center manifold and normal form theory. Then, using the stochastic averaging method, the Fokker–Planck–Kolmogorov equation of the system is constructed in which the statistical response in the stationary state is the probability density. Finally, the stochastic bifurcation analysis and numerical simulation are carried out. The agreements between the analytical method and those obtained numerically validate the effectiveness of the analytical investigations.
Effects of Predator-Driven Prey Dispersal on Sustainable Harvesting Yield
Authors: Bhattacharyya Joydeb , Piiroinen Petri T. , Banerjee Soumitro
Published: September 2022

Dispersal of organisms between patches is a common phenomenon in ecology and plays an important role in predator–prey population dynamics. We propose a nonsmooth Filippov predator–prey model in a two-patch environment characterized by a generalist predator-driven intermittent refuge protection of an apprehensive prey along with a balanced dispersal of the prey between refuge and nonrefuge areas. By employing qualitative techniques of nonsmooth dynamical systems, we see that the switching surface is a repeller whenever the interior equilibria are virtual, causing long-term population fluctuations. We find that the level of prey vigilance and the rate of prey dispersal play pivotal roles in the total harvesting yield. We observe that a sustainable high harvesting yield is possible when the prey is less vigilant and obtain the harvesting efforts for maximum sustainable total yield (MSTY). We further modify the model by considering a continuous threshold predator-driven prey dispersal and show that the model exhibits a Hopf bifurcation when the level of prey vigilance exceeds some critical threshold value. By comparing the dynamics of the two models we see that for a sustainable high harvesting yield of the system with continuous threshold dispersal, the prey needs to be highly vigilant compared to that of the system with intermittent dispersal of the prey. Further, we find numerically that the estimated MSTY from both models remains the same.
The role of geodiversity and geoheritage in tourism and local development
Authors: Migoń Piotr , Pijet-Migoń Edyta
Published: September 2022

Geodiversity and geoheritage play an increasingly important role in the tourism industry, although visitors’ interest in natural phenomena is much older than these two, relatively modern concepts. This chapter reviews several key issues emerging at the interface of geoheritage and the needs and expectations of the tourism industry, both tourists and service providers. Specific themes discussed include evaluation of geodiversity and geoheritage resources for tourism purposes, problems of interpreting Earth heritage for the general public, accessibility issues related to conservation, and the role of geoparks and allied initiatives in fostering local development. More general overviews are supplemented by case studies, illustrating each theme. These are taken from various localities globally, from Europe, South America and Oceania. It is concluded that the coverage of thematic studies at the interface between geoheritage resources and tourism science is uneven. Inventories and assessments of geoheritage and geodiversity sites for geotourism are widely reported and new resources for geotourism development are commonly explored, whereas much less is known about the actual perception of geoheritage values among visitors and the quality and effectiveness of their interpretation. Likewise, the positive impact of geotourism on local economies seems to be more hypothesized or anticipated than actually demonstrated.
Multidesignated areas: case study from Comarca Minera UNESCO Global Geopark, Mexico
Authors: Cruz-Pérez Miguel A. , García-Sánchez Laeticia , Miros Jorge , Canet Carles , Muñoz-Salazar Joshua Iván
Published: September 2022

The emergence and implementation of the geopark concept bring into discussion the topic of areas with previous designations (i.e. biosphere reserves, national parks) and open up the debate on challenges to areas aspiring to new ones (e.g. heritage stones, IUGS geological heritage sites). When put into context, the ‘layering’ of designations, whether they are partial or total, national or international, bring the need to harmonize documents, management plans and teams; advancements and new given designations in dissonance with normative implementation are detrimental to such goals but happen, as evidenced in the general lack of geoconservation laws in Mexico. Comarca Minera is a UNESCO Global Geopark having one National Park (El Chico) totally immersed in the polygon and one Biosphere Reserve (Barranca de Metztitlán) which overlaps
c.
9.15% of the total area of the geopark. Communal land inhabitants and owners (
ejidos
), undertaking geosite maintenance and involved in geopark activities, are widespread in the area and these are the only places in the country to be in two designated areas (geopark–national park and geopark–biosphere reserve). The benefits of multiple designations in the territory are seen in education agreements, increased transdisciplinary research, domestic and international agreements, public awareness, a sense of pride and engagement of communities. While the previous natural designated areas have existed for decades (1987 to the present) the geopark lessons learned so far (e.g. a lack of institutional coordination at the national level, an ineffective national legal framework, differences in reporting and objectives) stress the need to establish a permanent inter-institutional committee to avoid isolated normatives. Multidesignated areas are the new challenge of natural protected areas in Mexico.
Full-body Human Motion Reconstruction with Sparse Joint Tracking Using Flexible Sensors
Authors: Chen Xiaowei , Jiang Xiao , Zhan Lishuang , Guo Shihui , Ruan Qunsheng , Luo Guoliang , Liao Minghong , Qin Yipeng
Published: September 2022

Human motion tracking is a fundamental building block for various applications including computer animation, human-computer interaction, healthcare, and so on. To reduce the burden of wearing multiple sensors, human motion prediction from sparse sensor inputs has become a hot topic in human motion tracking. However, such predictions are non-trivial as (i) the widely adopted data-driven approaches can easily collapse to average poses, and (ii) the predicted motions contain unnatural jitters. In this work, we address the aforementioned issues by proposing a novel framework which can accurately predict the human joint moving angles from the signals of only four flexible sensors, thereby achieving the tracking of human joints in multi-degrees of freedom. Specifically, we mitigate the collapse to average poses by implementing the model with a Bi-LSTM neural network that makes full use of short-time sequence information; we reduce jitters by adding a median pooling layer to the network, which smooths consecutive motions. Although being bio-compatible and ideal for improving the wearing experience, the flexible sensors are prone to aging which increases prediction errors. Observing that the aging of flexible sensors usually results in drifts of their resistance ranges, we further propose a novel dynamic calibration technique to rescale sensor ranges, which further improves the prediction accuracy. Experimental results show that our method achieves a low and stable tracking error of 4.51 degrees across different motion types with only four sensors.
CL
2
R: Compatible Lifelong Learning Representations
Authors: Biondi Niccoló , Pernici Federico , Bruni Matteo , Mugnai Daniele , Bimbo Alberto Del
Published: September 2022

In this article, we propose a method to partially mimic natural intelligence for the problem of lifelong learning representations that are compatible. We take the perspective of a learning agent that is interested in recognizing object instances in an open dynamic universe in a way in which any update to its internal feature representation does not render the features in the gallery unusable for visual search. We refer to this learning problem as
Compatible Lifelong Learning Representations
(CL
2
R), as it considers compatible representation learning within the lifelong learning paradigm. We identify stationarity as the property that the feature representation is required to hold to achieve compatibility and propose a novel training procedure that encourages local and global stationarity on the learned representation. Due to stationarity, the statistical properties of the learned features do not change over time, making them interoperable with previously learned features. Extensive experiments on standard benchmark datasets show that our CL
2
R training procedure outperforms alternative baselines and state-of-the-art methods. We also provide novel metrics to specifically evaluate compatible representation learning under catastrophic forgetting in various sequential learning tasks. Code is available at
https://github.com/NiccoBiondi/CompatibleLifelongRepresentation
.
Virtual Reality Solutions Employing Artificial Intelligence Methods: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Ribeiro de Oliveira Tainã , Biancardi Rodrigues Brenda , Moura da Silva Matheus , Antonio N. Spinassé Rafael , Giesen Ludke Gabriel , Ruy Soares Gaudio Mateus , Iglesias Rocha Gomes Guilherme , Guio Cotini Luan , da Silva Vargens Daniel , Queiroz Schimidt Marcelo , Varejão Andreão Rodrigo , Mestria Mário
Published: September 2022

Although there are methods ofartificial intelligence (AI)applied tovirtual reality (VR)solutions, there are few studies in the literature. Thus, to fill this gap, we performed a systematic literature review of these methods. In this review, we apply a methodology proposed in the literature that locates existing studies, selects and evaluates contributions, analyses, and synthesizes data. We used Google Scholar and databases such as Elsevier's Scopus, ACM Digital Library, and IEEE Xplore Digital Library. A set of inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to select documents. The results showed that when AI methods are used in VR applications, the main advantages are high efficiency and precision of algorithms. Moreover, we observe that machine learning is the most applied AI scientific technique in VR applications. In conclusion, this paper showed that the combination of AI and VR contributes to new trends, opportunities, and applications for human-machine interactive devices, education, agriculture, transport, 3D image reconstruction, and health. We also concluded that the usage of AI in VR provides potential benefits in other fields of the real world such as teleconferencing, emotion interaction, tourist services, and image data extraction.
Harmony or Involution: Game Inspiring Age-of-Information Optimization for Edge Data Gathering in Internet of Things
Authors: Yin Xiaoyan , Mi Xiaoqian , Yu Sijia , Chen Yanjiao , Li Baochun
Published: September 2022

Age-of-Information (AoI) has been recently reckoned as a suitable parameter to evaluate the freshness of collected information, which is essential for data retrieval in Internet of Things, especially the monitoring tasks, e.g., the operating situation of equipments. To motivate a large number of sensor nodes and solicit more up-to-date information from these nodes, the control center usually allocates rewards to nodes according to their proportional contributions. This induces intense competitions among nodes who try to gain high payoffs by carefully balancing the rewards and the costs. In this article, we propose a novel stochastic game model to formulate the competition among sensor nodes, which considers AoI as a metric used by the control center to quantify the contributions of nodes. We also take into account the uncertainty of channel quality, which affects the transmission success ratio of packets generated by nodes. Finally, we design an ϵ-Nash learning algorithm, which adopts the θ-greedy exploration strategy, to derive the ϵ-approximate Nash equilibrium such that nodes can maximize their long-term payoffs. Our substantive simulation results and analysis verify that the proposed algorithm outperforms baseline algorithms in bringing higher payoffs to nodes and more fresh information to the control center.
Toward Visual Behavior and Attention Understanding for Augmented 360 Degree Videos
Authors: Zhu Yucheng , Min Xiongkuo , Zhu Dandan , Zhai Guangtao , Yang Xiaokang , Zhang Wenjun , Gu Ke , Zhou Jiantao
Published: September 2022

Augmented reality (AR) overlays digital content onto reality. In an AR system, correct and precise estimations of user visual fixations and head movements can enhance the quality of experience by allocating more computational resources for analyzing, rendering, and 3D registration on the areas of interest. However, there is inadequate research to help in understanding the visual explorations of the users when using an AR system or modeling AR visual attention. To bridge the gap between the saliency prediction on real-world scenes and on scenes augmented by virtual information, we construct the ARVR saliency dataset. The virtual reality (VR) technique is employed to simulate the real-world. Annotations of object recognition and tracking as augmented contents are blended into omnidirectional videos. The saliency annotations of head and eye movements for both original and augmented videos are collected and together constitute the ARVR dataset. We also design a model that is capable of solving the saliency prediction problem in AR. Local block images are extracted to simulate the viewport and offset the projection distortion. Conspicuous visual cues in the local block images are extracted to constitute the spatial features. The optical flow information is estimated as an important temporal feature. We also consider the interplay between virtual information and reality. The composition of the augmentation information is distinguished, and the joint effects of adversarial augmentation and complementary augmentation are estimated. The Markov chain is constructed with block images as graph nodes. In the determination of the edge weights, both the characteristics of the viewing behaviors and the visual saliency mechanisms are considered. The order of importance for block images is estimated through the state of equilibrium of the Markov chain. Extensive experiments are conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Replication Compartments of Eukaryotic and Bacterial DNA Viruses: Common Themes Between Different Domains of Host Cells
Authors: Knipe David M. , Prichard Amy , Sharma Surendra , Pogliano Joe
Published: September 2022

Subcellular organization is essential for life. Cells organize their functions into organelles to concentrate their machinery and supplies for optimal efficiency. Likewise, viruses organize their replication machinery into compartments or factories within their host cells for optimal replicative efficiency. In this review, we discuss how DNA viruses that infect both eukaryotic cells and bacteria assemble replication compartments for synthesis of progeny viral DNA and transcription of the viral genome. Eukaryotic DNA viruses assemble replication compartments in the nucleus of the host cell while DNA bacteriophages assemble compartments called phage nuclei in the bacterial cytoplasm. Thus, DNA viruses infecting host cells from different domains of life share common replication strategies.
Advances in Understanding Neuropathogenesis of Rift Valley Fever Virus
Authors: Connors Kaleigh A. , Hartman Amy L.
Published: September 2022

Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) is an emerging arboviral pathogen that causes disease in both livestock and humans. Severe disease manifestations of Rift Valley fever (RVF) in humans include hemorrhagic fever, ocular disease, and encephalitis. This review describes the current understanding of the pathogenesis of RVF encephalitis. While some data from human studies exist, the development of several animal models has accelerated studies of the neuropathogenesis of RVFV. We review current animal models and discuss what they have taught us about RVFV encephalitis. We briefly describe alternative models that have been used to study other neurotropic arboviruses and how these models may help contribute to our understanding RVFV encephalitis. We conclude with some unanswered questions and future directions.
Spatiotemporal Visualization and Chemical Identification of the Metal Diffusion Layer at the Electrochemical Interface
Authors: Zhang Yuxin , Hu Anyang , Maxey Evan , Li Luxi , Lin Feng
Published: September 2022

The diffusion layer created by transition metal (TM) dissolution is ubiquitous at the electrochemical solid-liquid interface and plays a key role in determining electrochemical performance. Tracking the spatiotemporal dynamics of the diffusion layer has remained an unresolved challenge. With spatially resolved synchrotron X-ray fluorescence microscopy and micro-X-ray absorption spectroscopy, we demonstrate the in situ visualization and chemical identification of the dynamic diffusion layer near the electrode surface under electrochemical operating conditions. Our method allows for direct mapping of the reactive electrochemical interface and provides insights into engineering the diffusion layer for improving electrochemical performance.
A Multi-Scale Heterogeneous Electrochemical-Diffusion-Induced Stress Coupling Model for Lithium-Ion Batteries
Authors: Wang Yaxuan , Li Junfu , Ma Siyue , Zhao Ming , Dai Changsong , Zhao Lei , Wang Zhenbo
Published: September 2022

During repeated charge/discharge cycles of lithium-ion batteries, diffusion-induced stress (DIS) is generated inside the active particles. For models that neglect the DIS, the simulation accuracy is reduced at high rates. In this work, the cause of the DIS inside the active particles of different size is analyzed, the active material is represented by several particles of different sizes that reference the real particle size distribution of electrode material, and the concentration distribution and DIS are considered for modeling. The solid-phase surface stoichiometric numbers of electrodes are theoretically derived at micro scale by using a parabola equation approximation method, and the basic working process, reactive polarization, concentration polarization, ohmic polarization and other internal processes of the battery are analyzed theoretically and derived at meso and macro scales. Thus, a multi-scale heterogeneous electrochemical-diffusion-induced stress coupling model is built and it is verified based on the test data of LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 battery at different discharge rates. The results show that the model has high accuracy at high rates and can simulate stress and strain inside the electrode materials. The model can carry out rapid iterative solution and provide a foundation for battery management and material development.
Altered lung physiology in two cohorts after COVID-19 infection as assessed by computed cardiopulmonography
Authors: Magor-Elliott Snapper R. M. , Alamoudi Asma , Chamley Rebecca R. , Xu Haopeng , Wellalagodage Tishan , McDonald Rory P. , O’Brien David , Collins Jonathan , Coombs Ben , Winchester James , Sellon Ed , Xie Cheng , Sandhu Dominic , Fullerton Christopher J. , Couper John H. , Smith Nicholas M. J. , Richmond Graham , Cassar Mark P. , Raman Betty , Talbot Nick P. , Bennett Alexander N. , Nicol Edward D. , Ritchie Grant A. D. , Petousi Nayia , Holdsworth David A. , Robbins Peter A.
Published: September 2022

This study used a novel technique, computed cardiopulmonography, to study the lungs of patients who have had COVID-19. Depending on severity of infection, there were increases in anatomical dead space, reductions in absolute lung volumes, and increases in ventilation inhomogeneity broadly equivalent to those associated with 15 yr of aging. However, without measurements taken before infection, it is unclear whether the changes result from COVID-19 infection or are risk factors for more severe disease.
Physical Exercise Improves Academic Performance: Based on CNKI Meta-Analysis Evidence
Authors: Xiang Xin , Wang Qi
Published: September 2022

Background. It has long been a major source of debate in academic circles whether physical activity has a positive or negative effect on academic performance. Although this subject has been covered in several studies at various levels, only a small number of researchers have examined and supported the data found in the literature. Methods. A meta-analysis is used to thoroughly examine the literature on physical exercise and academic performance included in the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) database. After three rounds of searching, screening, and according to the criteria of literature inclusion, 13 valid documents are obtained for analysis with 90 final indicators. Results. (1) Physical exercise has a significant effect on academic performance; (2) physical exercise has a significant effect on single-subject performance, and there are no group differences in academic performance between different subjects; and (3) different exercise intensities have a significant effect on academic performance and significant differences in academic performance. Conclusions. (1) Physical exercise can improve academic performance and should increase students’ physical education participation; (2) physical exercise in different disciplines should hold physical education as equal to other cultural subjects; and (3) sports exercise with different sports intensities has different benefits for academic performance, and sports should be scientifically designed to achieve the maximum effect on academic performance.