bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How We Write with Crowds
Authors: Feldman Molly Q. , McInnis Brian James
Published: January 2021

Writing is a common task for crowdsourcing researchers exploring complex and creative work. To better understand how we write with crowds, we conducted both a literature review of crowd-writing systems and structured interviews with designers of such systems. We argue that the cognitive process theory of writing described by Flower and Hayes (1981), originally proposed as a theory of how solo writers write, offers a useful analytic lens for examining the design of crowd-writing systems. This lens enabled us to identify system design challenges that are inherent to the process of writing as well as design challenges that are introduced by crowdsourcing. The findings present both similarities and differences between how solo writers write versus how we write with crowds. To conclude, we discuss how the research community might apply and transcend the cognitive process model to identify opportunities for future research in crowd-writing systems.
Conducting Risky Research with Teens
Authors: Badillo-Urquiola Karla , Shea Zachary , Agha Zainab , Lediaeva Irina , Wisniewski Pamela
Published: January 2021

The methods in which we study the online experiences of adolescents should be evidence-based and informed by youth. This is especially true when studying sensitive topics, such as the online risk behaviors of minors. We directly engaged 20 adolescents (ages 12-18) in the co-design of two different research methodologies (i.e., diary studies and analyzing social media trace data) for conducting adolescent online safety research. We also interviewed 13 of their parents to understand their perspectives. Overall, teens wanted to share their personal experiences and benefit society, while parents wanted researchers to tackle a topic that they felt was a prevalent problem for teens. Yet, they both had significant concerns regarding data privacy of the sensitive disclosures made by teens during such studies. Teens' feared getting in trouble. Participants emphasized the importance of developing a trusting relationship with the researcher to overcome these concerns. Participants also saw the potential for using the research study as a tool for risk-reporting and mitigation, where researchers could act as liaisons between the teens and other parties (e.g., counselors, law enforcement, parents) to share pertinent risk details and facilitate resources or even help teens directly by giving them strategies for mitigating online risks they encountered during the study. Our research delves into important ethical considerations for conducting risk-focused research with adolescents and uncovers the critical need for designing risk-based research for youth protection. We provide researchers with heuristic guidelines for conducting ethical research with vulnerable populations (i.e., adolescents) and keeping participants safe while doing so.
Explainable Active Learning (XAL)
Authors: Ghai Bhavya , Liao Q. Vera , Zhang Yunfeng , Bellamy Rachel , Mueller Klaus
Published: January 2021

The wide adoption of Machine Learning (ML) technologies has created a growing demand for people who can train ML models. Some advocated the term "machine teacher'' to refer to the role of people who inject domain knowledge into ML models. This "teaching'' perspective emphasizes supporting the productivity and mental wellbeing of machine teachers through efficient learning algorithms and thoughtful design of human-AI interfaces. One promising learning paradigm is Active Learning (AL), by which the model intelligently selects instances to query a machine teacher for labels, so that the labeling workload could be largely reduced. However, in current AL settings, the human-AI interface remains minimal and opaque. A dearth of empirical studies further hinders us from developing teacher-friendly interfaces for AL algorithms. In this work, we begin considering AI explanations as a core element of the human-AI interface for teaching machines. When a human student learns, it is a common pattern to present one's own reasoning and solicit feedback from the teacher. When a ML model learns and still makes mistakes, the teacher ought to be able to understand the reasoning underlying its mistakes. When the model matures, the teacher should be able to recognize its progress in order to trust and feel confident about their teaching outcome. Toward this vision, we propose a novel paradigm of explainable active learning (XAL), by introducing techniques from the surging field of explainable AI (XAI) into an AL setting. We conducted an empirical study comparing the model learning outcomes, feedback content and experience with XAL, to that of traditional AL and coactive learning (providing the model's prediction without explanation). Our study shows benefits of AI explanation as interfaces for machine teaching--supporting trust calibration and enabling rich forms of teaching feedback, and potential drawbacks--anchoring effect with the model judgment and additional cognitive workload. Our study also reveals important individual factors that mediate a machine teacher's reception to AI explanations, including task knowledge, AI experience and Need for Cognition. By reflecting on the results, we suggest future directions and design implications for XAL, and more broadly, machine teaching through AI explanations.
A Dozen Stickers on a Mailbox
Authors: Fedosov Anton , Lampinen Airi , Odom William , Huang Elaine M.
Published: January 2021

Many non-profit peer-to-peer exchange arrangements and profit-driven, multi-sided online marketplaces leverage underutilized resources, such as tools, to optimize their use to capacity. They often rely on a digital platform in pursuit of their social aspirations and/or economic objectives. We report on a field study of a local sharing community that employs a set of stickers illustrating different household items, typically placed on community members' mailboxes, along with complementary digital tools. The stickers are used to communicate the availability of resources among neighbors to facilitate social encounters and to encourage sustainable use and re-use of shared resources. Through in-depth qualitative interviews with sixteen participants, we describe the opportunities and limitations of this approach to peer-to-peer exchange. We offer insights for designers of resource sharing communities into facilitating face-to-face encounters and the online interactions needed to support them.
Probing User Perceptions of On-Skin Notification Displays
Authors: Kao Cindy Hsin-Liu (Cindy) , Hung Min-Wei , Zhang Ximeng , Huang Po-Chun , You Chuang-Wen
Published: January 2021

On-skin displays are emerging as a wearable form factor for the display of information; however, the perception of using such devices in public could determine whether they are eventually adopted or rejected. This study investigated the means by which on-skin notification displays are perceived by the general public. We adopted a mixed-methods approach to the analysis of results from an online survey (n = 254) and in-lab interviews (n = 36) pertaining to the novel form factor, device materiality, and envisioned use cases. The study was conducted in the US and Taiwan in order to examine cross-cultural attitudes toward device usage. The results of this structured examination provide valuable insights into the design of on-skin notification displays for everyday use across cultures.
Unequal Impacts of Augmented Reality on Learning and Collaboration During Robot Programming with Peers
Authors: Radu Iulian , Hv Vivek , Schneider Bertrand
Published: January 2021

Augmented reality (AR) applications are growing in popularity in educational settings. While the effects of AR experiences on learning have been widely studied, there is relatively less research on understanding the impact of AR on the dynamics of co-located collaborative learning, specifically in the context of novices programming robots. Educational robotics are a powerful learning context because they engage students with problem solving, critical thinking, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) concepts, and collaboration skills. However, such collaborations can suffer due to students having unequal access to resources or dominant peers. In this research we investigate how augmented reality impacts learning and collaboration while peers engage in robot programming activities. We use a mixed methods approach to measure how participants are learning, manipulating resources, and engaging in problem solving activities with peers. We investigate how these behaviors are impacted by the presence of augmented reality visualizations, and by participants? proximity to resources. We find that augmented reality improved overall group learning and collaboration. Detailed analysis shows that AR strongly helps one participant more than the other, by improving their ability to learn and contribute while remaining engaged with the robot. Furthermore, augmented reality helps both participants maintain a common ground and balance contributions during problem solving activities. We discuss the implications of these results for designing AR and non-AR collaborative interfaces.
"An Ideal Human"
Authors: Zhang Rui , McNeese Nathan J. , Freeman Guo , Musick Geoff
Published: January 2021

Driven by state-of-the-art AI technologies, human-AI collaboration has become an important area in computer-supported teamwork research. While human-AI collaboration has been investigated in various domains, more research is needed to explore human perceptions and expectations of AI teammates in human-AI teaming. To achieve an in-depth understanding of how people perceive AI teammates and what they expect from AI teammates in human-AI teaming, we conducted a survey with 213 participants and a follow-up interview with 20 participants. Considering the context-dependency of teamwork, we chose to study human-AI teaming in the context of multiplayer online games as a case study. This study shows that people have mixed feelings toward AI teammates but hold a positive attitude toward future collaboration with AI teammates in general. Our findings highlight people's expectations for AI teammates in a rapidly changing collaborative environment (e.g., instrumental skills for in-game tasks, shared understanding between humans and AI, communication capabilities, human-like behaviors and performance), as well as factors that impact people's willingness to team up with AI teammates (e.g., pre-existing attitudes toward AI, previous collaboration experience with humans). We contribute to CSCW by shedding light on how AI should be structured in human-AI teaming to support highly complex collaborative activities in CSCW environments.
Un Grano de Arena: Infrastructural Care, Social Media Platforms, and the Venezuelan Humanitarian Crisis
Authors: Dye Michaelanne
Published: January 2021

Venezuela is in the midst of a humanitarian crisis. In addition to food and medicinal shortages, violent crime has risen dramatically since 2014, spurring a mass exodus from the country. In order to cope with persistent material, informational, and digital infrastructural breakdowns that their friends and family in Venezuela are facing, members of the Venezuelan diaspora have turned to social media platforms to support people they left behind. Through semi-structured interviews and participant observation, I uncover the ways participants form a critical infrastructure for people in Venezuela. I describe participants' actions as infrastructural care --- infrastructural action as a form of caring for others at a distance through the ongoing management of resources, relationships, and infrastructures. Infrastructural care consists of relational, negotiated, and dialectic actions that provide critical support while also generating ongoing tensions as participants are geographically separated from the crisis and, through their involvement, are forced to confront their own experiences of trauma. In addition to proposing the lens of infrastructural care, this paper contributes to our understandings of the ways people cope with an ongoing humanitarian crisis at a distance and how social media platforms fit in with wider ecologies of efforts.
Towards Building Community Collective Efficacy for Managing Digital Privacy and Security within Older Adult Communities
Authors: Kropczynski Jess , Aljallad Zaina , Elrod Nathan Jeffrey , Lipford Heather , Wisniewski Pamela J.
Published: January 2021

Older adults are increasingly becoming adopters of digital technologies, such as smartphones; however, this population remains particularly vulnerable to digital privacy and security threats. To date, most research on technology used among older adults focuses on helping individuals overcome their discomfort or lack of expertise with technology to protect them from such threats. Instead, we are interested in how communities of older adults work together to collectively manage their digital privacy and security. To do this, we surveyed 67 individuals across two older adult communities (59 older adults and eight employees or volunteers) and found that the community's collective efficacy for privacy and security was significantly correlated with the individuals' self-efficacy, power usage of technology, and their sense of community belonging. Community collective efficacy is a group's mutual belief in its ability to achieve a shared goal. Using social network analysis, we further unpacked these relationships to show that many older adults interact with others who have similar technological expertise, and closer-knit older adult communities that have low technology expertise (i.e., low power usage and self-efficacy) may increase their community collective efficacy for privacy and security by embedding facilitators (e.g., employees or volunteers) who have more technical expertise within their communities. Our work demonstrates how both peer influence and outside expertise can be leveraged to support older adults in managing their digital privacy and security.
Content Creation in Later Life
Authors: Reuter Arlind , Scharf Thomas , Smeddinck Jan
Published: January 2021

In increasingly digitalised societies, government initiatives to ensure that public services remain accessible for everyone typically focus on the digital inclusion of older adults. However, by solely viewing older adults as passive recipients or consumers of services, digital inclusion strategies under-emphasise the concept of digital participation. Highlighting the importance of older adults as active contributors in a digital society, we investigated the potential of content creation to increase older adults' digital skills whilst also strengthening their digital participation. Through a workshop and interviews involving three different groups of older content producers, we show that content creation can stimulate older adults' digital participation. We report on challenges faced by the content creators, including time constraints, lack of professional support and the preference to create content collaboratively. We propose that by facilitating collaborative content creation activities, local communities can better support older adults' digital participation and facilitate inclusion across different life domains.
Towards Supporting Programming Education at Scale via Live Streaming
Authors: Chen Yan , Lasecki Walter S. , Dong Tao
Published: January 2021

Live streaming, which allows streamers to broadcast their work to live viewers, is an emerging practice for teaching and learning computer programming. Participation in live streaming is growing rapidly, despite several apparent challenges, such as a general lack of training in pedagogy among streamers and scarce signals about a stream's characteristics (e.g., difficulty, style, and usefulness) to help viewers decide what to watch. To understand why people choose to participate in live streaming for teaching or learning programming, and how they cope with both apparent and non-obvious challenges, we interviewed 14 streamers and viewers about their experience with live streaming programming. Among other results, we found that the casual and impromptu nature of live streaming makes it easier to prepare than pre-recorded videos, and viewers have the opportunity to shape the content and learning experience via real-time communication with both the streamer and each other. Nonetheless, we identified several challenges that limit the potential of live streaming as a learning medium. For example, streamers voiced privacy and harassment concerns, and existing streaming platforms do not adequately support viewer-streamer interactions, adaptive learning, and discovery and selection of streaming content. Based on these findings, we suggest specialized tools to facilitate knowledge sharing among people teaching and learning computer programming online, and we offer design recommendations that promote a healthy, safe, and engaging learning environment.
Looking for a Deal?
Authors: Vrzakova Hana , Amon Mary Jean , Rees McKenzie , Faber Myrthe , D'Mello Sidney
Published: January 2021

Whereas social visual attention has been examined in computer-mediated (e.g., shared screen) or video-mediated (e.g., FaceTime) interaction, it has yet to be studied in mixed-media interfaces that combine video of the conversant along with other UI elements. We analyzed eye gaze of 37 dyads (74 participants) who were tasked with negotiating the price of a new car (as a buyer and seller) using mixed-media video conferencing under competitive or cooperative negotiation instructions (experimental manipulation). We used multidimensional recurrence quantification analysis to extract spatio-temporal patterns corresponding to mutual gaze (individuals look at each other), joint attention (individuals focus on the same elements of the interface), and gaze aversion (an individual looks at their partner, who is looking elsewhere). Our results indicated that joint attention predicted the sum of points attained by the buyer and seller (i.e., the joint score). In contrast, gaze aversion was associated with faster time to complete the negotiation, but with a lower joint score. Unexpectedly, mutual gaze was highly infrequent and unrelated to the negotiation outcomes and none of the gaze patterns predicted subjective perceptions of the negotiation. There were also no effects of gender composition or negotiation condition on the gaze patterns or negotiation outcomes. Our results suggest that social visual attention may operate differently in mixed-media collaborative interfaces than in face-to-face interaction. As mixed-media collaborative interfaces gain prominence, our work can be leveraged to inform the design of gaze-sensitive user interfaces that support remote negotiations among other tasks.
Speculative Data Work & Dashboards
Authors: Hockenhull Michael , Cohn Marisa Leavitt
Published: January 2021

This paper studies data work in an organizational context, and suggests speculative data work as a useful concept and the speculative dashboard as a design concept, to better understand and support cooperative work. Drawing on fieldwork in a Danish public sector organisation, the paper identifies and conceptualizes the speculative data work performed around processes of digitalization and the push to become data-driven. The speculative dashboard is proposed as a design concept and opportunity for design, using practices from speculative design and research to facilitate speculation about data?its sources, visualizations, practices and infrastructures. It does so by hacking the 'genre' of the business intelligence data dashboard, and using it as a framework for the juxtaposition of different kinds of data, facilitating and encouraging speculation on alternative visions for data types and use. The paper contributes an empirical study of organizational use of and attitudes towards data, informing a novel design method and concept for co-speculating on alternative visions of and for organizational data.
Opportunistic Collective Experiences
Authors: Louie Ryan , Garg Kapil , Werner Jennie , Sun Allison , Gergle Darren , Zhang Haoqi
Published: January 2021

Despite many available social technologies for connecting at a distance, we don't always find opportunities to actively engage in shared experiences and activities with friends and loved ones, even though this kind of interaction is associated with increased social closeness. To better support active engagement in shared experiences and activities while also making it convenient to find opportunities for interacting in this way, our work explores the design of Opportunistic Collective Experiences (OCEs), or social experiences powered by computer programs that identify opportune moments when users share situations across distance and structure shared activities in those situations. To support interacting with, programming, and executing OCEs, we developed Cerebro, a computational platform that consists of a mobile app that supports users? social interaction, an API for expressing the situations and activities that make up the interactional opportunity, and an opportunistic execution engine that checks for interactional opportunities and executes them when possible. Through a 20 day deployment study tested with groups of geographically-distributed college alumni (N=21), we found that OCEs promoted opportunities for active engagement; facilitated interactions that were socially connecting by structuring ways to engage in shared experiences and activities; and made actively engaging easier by identifying situations appropriate for interacting and structuring how to engage in activities in these situations. We contribute to CSCW (1) a novel interaction that facilitates engaging in shared experiences and activities at distance during coincidental moments; and (2) the design of systems to interact with, program, and execute these kinds of interactions.
What Is Robotics? Why Do We Need It and How Can We Get It?
Authors: Koditschek Daniel E.
Published: January 2021

Robotics is an emerging synthetic science concerned with programming work. Robot technologies are quickly advancing beyond the insights of the existing science. More secure intellectual foundations will be required to achieve better, more reliable, and safer capabilities as their penetration into society deepens. Presently missing foundations include the identification of fundamental physical limits, the development of new dynamical systems theory, and the invention of physically grounded programming languages. The new discipline needs a departmental home in the universities, which it can justify both intellectually and by its capacity to attract new diverse populations inspired by the age-old human fascination with robots.
Food Matrix and Macronutrient Digestion
Authors: Capuano Edoardo , Janssen Anja E.M.
Published: January 2021

Food digestion may be regarded as a physiological interface between food and health. During digestion, the food matrix is broken down and the component nutrients and bioactive compounds are absorbed through a synergy of mechanical, chemical, and biochemical processes. The food matrix modulates the extent and kinetics to which nutrients and bioactive compounds make themselves available for absorption, hence regulating their concentration profile in the blood and their utilization in peripheral tissues. In this review, we discuss the structural and compositional aspects of food that modulate macronutrient digestibility in each step of digestion. We also discuss in silico modeling approaches to describe the effect of the food matrix on macronutrient digestion. The detailed knowledge of how the food matrix is digested can provide a mechanistic basis to elucidate the complex effect of food on human health and design food with improved functionality.
Environmental Health Threats to Latino Migrant Farmworkers
Authors: Castillo Federico , Mora Ana M. , Kayser Georgia L. , Vanos Jennifer , Hyland Carly , Yang Audrey R. , Eskenazi Brenda
Published: January 2021

Approximately 75% of farmworkers in the United States are Latino migrants, and about 50% of hired farmworkers do not have authorization to work in the United States. Farmworkers face numerous chemical, physical, and biological threats to their health. The adverse effects of these hazards may be amplified among Latino migrant farmworkers, who are concurrently exposed to various psychosocial stressors. Factors such as documentation status, potential lack of authorization to work in the United States, and language and cultural barriers may also prevent Latino migrants from accessing federal aid, legal assistance, and health programs. These environmental, occupational, and social hazards may further exacerbate existing health disparities among US Latinos. This population is also likely to be disproportionately impacted by emerging threats, including climate change and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Latino migrant farmworkers are essential to agriculture in the United States, and actions are needed to protect this vulnerable population.
Variation of Oxygen Vacancy Defects in sALD-ZnO Films Annealed in an Oxygen-Rich Ambient
Authors: Zhao Ming-Jie , Sun Zhi-Tao , Wu Wan-Yu , Hsu Chia-Hsun , Zhang Xiao-Ying , Lien Shui-Yang , Zhu Wen-Zhang
Published: January 2021

Oxygen vacancy defects play an important role in determining the properties of zinc oxide (ZnO) film. In this study, ZnO film prepared by a high-deposition-rate spatial ALD process was annealed in an oxygen-rich ambient. The variation of oxygen vacancy defects was analyzed. The results show that oxygen vacancy defects were suppressed by the annealing treatment, particularly at 500 °C–700 °C. As a result, the carrier concentration decreases with increasing annealing temperature, leading to the higher film resistivity. In addition, the oxygen atoms segregated to the ZnO/Si interface to form an interfacial oxide layer, leading to an oxygen-deficient ZnO film when annealed at 300 °C–400 °C and the decrease of oxygen atomic ratio when annealed at 500 °C–800 °C. The annealing treatment also induces higher crystallinity with larger crystallite size, leading to a higher mobility. The refractive index increases with annealing temperature at 300 °C–700 °C, possibly due to the structural relaxation, densification and crystallization of the film. However, the annealing treatment has little effect on the film transmittance due to the low optical loss.
Epitaxial Growth of Active Si on Top of SiGe Etch Stop Layer in View of 3D Device Integration
Authors: Loo R. , Jourdain A. , Rengo G. , Porret C. , Hikavyy A. , Liebens M. , Becker L. , Storck P. , Beyer G. , Beyne E.
Published: January 2021

We describe challenges of the epitaxial Si-cap/Si0.75Ge0.25//Si-substrate growth process, in view of its application in 3D device integration schemes using Si0.75Ge0.25 as backside etch stop layer with a focus on high throughput epi processing without compromising material quality. While fully strained Si0.75Ge0.25 with a thickness >10 times larger than the theoretical thickness for layer relaxation can be grown, it is challenging to completely avoid misfit dislocations at the wafer edge during Si-growth on top of strained Si0.75Ge0.25, even for thinner Si0.75Ge0.25 layers and when growing the Si-cap layer at a lower temperature. Extremely sensitive characterization methods are mandatory to detect the extremely low density of misfit dislocations at the wafer edge. Light scattering measurements are most reliable. The epitaxial Si-cap/Si0.75Ge0.25//Si-substrate layer stacks are stable against post-epi thermal processing steps, typically applied before wafer-to-wafer bonding and Si-substrate and Si0.75Ge0.25 backside removal.
The Path Optimization Algorithm of Car Navigation System considering Node Attributes under Time-Invariant Network
Authors: Zhu Dan-dan , Sun Jun-qing
Published: January 2021

Vehicle path planning plays a key role in the car navigation system. In actual urban traffic, the time spent at intersections accounts for a large proportion of the total time and cannot be ignored. Therefore, studying the shortest path planning problem considering node attributes has important practical significance. In this article, we study the vehicle path planning problem in time-invariant networks, with the minimum travel time from the starting node to the destination node as the optimization goal (including node time cost). Based on the characteristics of the problem, we construct the mathematical model. We propose a Reverse Order Labeling Algorithm (ROLA) based on the traditional Dijkstra algorithm to solve the problem; the correctness of the proposed algorithm is proved theoretically, and we analyse and give the time complexity of the ROLA and design a calculation example to verify the effectiveness of the algorithm. Finally, through extensive simulation experiments, we compare the performance of the proposed ROLA with several other existing algorithms. The experimental results show that the proposed algorithm has good stability and high efficiency.
Spontaneous Tension Pneumothorax as a Complication of COVID-19
Authors: Umar Shahzad Muhammad , Han Jennie , Ramtoola Mohammad Ishack , Lamprou Vasileious , Gupta Urmi
Published: January 2021

Key Clinical Message. Tension pneumothorax is an uncommon presentation in patients with SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) or COVID-19 pneumonia. We present a case of tension pneumothorax in a patient with COVID-19 pneumonia and myocarditis. This was an unlikely diagnosis in a patient with no known underlying lung condition and no other precipitating factors such as barotrauma. In an acute deterioration of patients with SARS-CoV-2, it is important to always consider alternative diagnoses and repeat imaging.
Lifestyle and Chronic Constipation in Medical Students
Authors: Yildirim Mehmet Aykut , Cakir Murat , Bicer Mehmet , Senturk Mustafa , Yonar Harun , Gur Merve Nur , Akiner Zeliha Nur , Guldiken Ayse , Karagul H. Kaan , Ceri Bugra
Published: January 2021

Aim. Constipation is one of the most common complaints of the digestive system indicated with an increase in defecation frequency, difficulty in defecation, and hard and strained defecation. Environmental, personal, and genetic factors may be affecting constipation although the affecting factors have not yet been thoroughly explained. The aim of this study was to investigate constipation frequency and lifestyles in medical students. Method. The population was selected among medical students for the study, which was planned as a survey study. Demographic data of all the participants and the factors suggested to affect constipation were questioned and analyzed. Results. The study covered a total of 425 medical students. Among the students reporting constipation, 2.86% were in their first year of medical school, while 7.53% were in the third year and 9.09% were in the sixth year. The rate of students reporting constipation and familial history was statistically significant. While regular eating habits were reported in the first and third years, this rate was much lower in the sixth year group working at clinical departments. The results of our study did not reveal any significant relationship between daily intake of water and constipation. There was, however, a significant relationship between stress and constipation. Conclusion. The results of our study showed that medical education did not curb constipation frequency. We believe that stress is significant in constipation. The data we collected indicate that regular eating habits and excess liquid intake are not as effective as suggested in the treatment of constipation.
A Remarkably Efficient Phase-Transfer Catalyzed Amination of α-Bromo-α, β-Unsaturated Ketones in Water
Authors: Mekonnen Alemayehu , Tesfaye Alemu
Published: January 2021

Tandem conjugate addition–alkylation reaction of various amines with α-bromo-α, β-unsaturated ketones resulted in near-quantitative conversions into the corresponding aziridines when the reaction was carried out in the presence of 10 mol% of phase-transfer, PT catalysts in water. Some chiral quaternary ammonium salts derived from Cinchona alkaloids were investigated as water-stable PT catalysts. The scope and limitations of the reaction have also been investigated. The catalytic performances were significantly improved in comparison with the corresponding ordinary quaternary ammonium salt catalysts, and excellent yields (81%–96%) were obtained. Although an increase in the rate of aziridination has been accomplished, no stereoselectivity was observed. The positive values of the protocol have been confirmed.
How Does the Heterogeneity of Members Affect the Evolution of Group Opinions?
Authors: Lu An , Ling Haifeng , Ding Zhengping
Published: January 2021

Understanding the impact of heterogeneity on the evolution of group opinions can enlighten us on how to effectively organize, redesign, and improve decision-making efficiency. This article explores mainly the effects of heterogeneity on the evolution of group opinions. It is found that the heterogeneity of individuals’ openness has an important influence on the ability to aggregate group opinions. According to the average amount of clusters and Herfindahl–Hirschman Index (HHI) under different network structures, heterogeneity often improves the ability. In addition, for the small-world network and random network, there is little difference in the aggregation ability from both the average amount of clusters and the Herfindahl–Hirschman Index. While for the regular network, the ability is obviously weaker than that of the other two. This result also shows that the randomness of interaction between members will enhance the cohesion of a group.
Chemical Composition and Physicochemical Analysis of Opuntia dillenii Extracts Grown in Morocco
Authors: Loukili EL Hassania , Abrigach Farid , Bouhrim Mohamed , Bnouham Mohamed , Fauconnier Marie-laure , Ramdani Mohammed
Published: January 2021

The chemical composition and physicochemical properties of hexane and ethyl acetate extracts of skin, juice, and seeds of Opuntia dillenii fruit collected from three Moroccan regions (Oujda, Nador, and Essaouira) were studied. The study revealed that the seed oil extracts presented the highest yield of 13.12%, followed by the skin fraction (1.77%) and the juice extract (0.49%). The evaluation of fatty acid compositions using GC-MS analysis revealed the presence of linoleic acid as a dominating unsaturated fatty acid with a value of 72.39%, followed by palmitic acid, oleic acid, and stearic acid in all localities. Otherwise, the juice extract of Oujda locality was richer in margaric acid (37.41%), followed by Essaouira skin extract (10.7%) and Oujda seed extract (6.18%). However, the campesterol was detected only in trace in the juice extract. The physicochemical properties of O. dillenii seed oils such as acid value, peroxide value, ester value, pH value, saponification value, density, and refractive index were all found to be in good agreement with the quality criteria for pure and fresh oils. In addition, principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) were implemented to compare the difference in the chemical composition of the different O. dillenii extracts.
Molecular Detection of Antibiotic-Resistant Genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa from Nonclinical Environment: Public Health Implications in Mthatha, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
Authors: Hosu Mojisola Clara , Vasaikar Sandeep , Okuthe Grace Emily , Apalata Teke
Published: January 2021

Evaluation of resistant profiles and detection of antimicrobial-resistant genes of bacterial pathogens in the nonclinical milieu is imperative to assess the probable risk of dissemination of resistant genes in the environment. This paper sought to identify antibiotic-resistant genes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa from nonclinical sources in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, and evaluate its public health implications. Samples collected from abattoir wastewater and aquatic environment were processed by membrane filtration and cultured on CHROMagarTM Pseudomonas medium. Species identification was performed by autoSCAN-4 (Dade Behring Inc., IL). Molecular characterization of the isolates was confirmed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (rPCR) and selected isolates were further screened for the possibility of harboring antimicrobial resistance genes. Fifty-one Pseudomonas species were recovered from abattoir wastewater and surface water samples, out of which thirty-six strains were Pseudomonas aeruginosa (70.6%). The P. aeruginosa isolates demonstrated resistance to aztreonam (86.1%), ceftazidime (63.9%), piperacillin (58.3%), cefepime (55.6%), imipenem (50%), piperacillin/tazobactam (47.2%), meropenem (41.7%), and levofloxacin (30.6%). Twenty out of thirty-six P. aeruginosa displayed multidrug resistance profiles and were classified as multidrug-resistant (MDR) (55.6%). Most of the bacterial isolates exhibited a high Multiple Antibiotic Resistance (MAR) Index ranging from 0.08 to 0.69 with a mean MAR index of 0.38. In the rPCR analysis of fifteen P. aeruginosa isolates, 14 isolates (93.3%) were detected harboring blaSHV, six isolates (40%) harbored blaTEM, and three isolates (20%) harbored blaCTX-M, being the least occurring ESBL. Results of the current study revealed that P. aeruginosa isolates recovered from nonclinical milieu are resistant to frontline clinically relevant antipseudomonal drugs. This is concerning as it poses a risk to the environment and constitutes a public health threat. Given the public health relevance, the paper recommends monitoring of multidrug-resistant pathogens in effluent environments.
Mobile Coverage in Rural Sweden: Analysis of a Comparative Measurement Campaign
Authors: Sudheesh P. G. , van de Beek Jaap
Published: January 2021

Under the umbrella of 1G to 5G, different technologies have been used to provide mobile communication. Various technologies are being proposed to bring a person in remote area under coverage. However, a statistical analysis on what these users get from already existing technologies has not been carried out. We fill this gap by carrying out such a study using a measurement campaign, where we present a framework for analyzing mobile signal strength experienced at the user end. Measurements are taken throughout the Norrbotten county, the northernmost county in Sweden, using mobile phones recording various parameters at regular intervals. Based on measured signal strength, a coverage map has been made via inverse distance weighting (IDW) interpolation. Based on the coverage map, various analyses are carried out on signal strength over residential areas and roads of Norrbotten. Overall, we lay a framework to analyze and quantify the effect of signal strength on users.
Antenatal Management of Bronchopulmonary Sequestration by Intrafetal Vascular Laser Ablation under Ultrasound Control: Narrative Review of the Literature and Report of Three Cases
Authors: Grozdeva Lora , Senat Marie-Victoire , Vandewynckele Nada , Fouquet Virginie , Castaigne Vanina , Le Bouar Gwenaelle , Benachi Alexandra , Bouchghoul Hanane
Published: January 2021

Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of intrafetal vascular laser ablation (VLA) for fetuses with bronchopulmonary sequestration (BPS) with hydrops. Methods: First, we present 3 cases of fetuses with BPS and hydrops treated by VLA. Second, we aimed to conduct a narrative review to identify all reported cases of fetuses with BPS treated by intrafetal VLA. Results: The review of the literature identified 41 fetuses treated by VLA for BPS with hydrops. The median gestational age of the VLA was 27+0 weeks’ gestation [25+0–31+0] with an associated procedure at the same time in 43% of the cases (pleuroamniotic shunt, thoracentesis, and amniodrainage). A second procedure was required in 25% of cases for residual flow in the feeding vessel. No stillbirth or neonatal death was reported. The complications reported were a fetal thoracic hematoma complicated by fetal anemia and 4 preterm deliveries with a rate of 9%. Conclusion: VLA of the feeding vessel can be an effective treatment but is not without complications. In cases demonstrating cardiac output failure, intrafetal VLA should be considered as a treatment for BPS.
Capsaicin: Plants of the Genus Capsicum and Positive Effect of Oriental Spice on Skin Health
Authors: Basharat Shahnai , Gilani Syed Amir , Iftikhar Faiza , Murtaza Mian Anjum , Basharat Ayesha , Sattar Ahsan , Qamar Muhammad Mustafa , Ali Muhammad
Published: January 2021

Background: Capsaicin, the main pungent ingredient in hot chili peppers, causes excitation of small sensory neurons. It also provides the basic pungent flavor in Capsicum fruits. Summary: Capsaicin plays a vital role as an agonist for the TRPV1 (transient receptor potential cation channel, subfamily V, member 1) receptor. TRPV1 is essential for the reduction of oxidative stress, pain sensations, and inflammation. Therefore, it has many pros related to health issue. Activation and positive impact of TRPV1 via capsaicin has been studied in various dermatological conditions and in other skin-related issues. Past studies documented that capsaicin plays a vital role in the prevention of atopic dermatitis as well as psoriasis. Moreover, TRPV1 is also very important for skin health because it acts as a capsaicin receptor. It is found in nociceptive nerve fibers and nonneural structures. It prompts the release of a compound that is involved in communicating pain between the spinal cord nerves and other parts of the body. Key Messages: Here, we summarize the growing evidence for the beneficial role of capsaicin and TRPV1 and how they help in the relief of skin diseases such as inflammation, permeation, dysfunction, atopic dermatitis, and psoriasis and in pain amplification syndrome.
Performance of the FMF First-Trimester Preeclampsia-Screening Algorithm in a High-Risk Population in The Netherlands
Authors: Zwertbroek Eva F. , Groen Henk , Fontanella Federica , Maggio Luana , Marchi Laura , Bilardo Caterina M.
Published: January 2021

Objective: The aim of the study was to evaluate the performance of the first-trimester Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF) screening algorithm, including maternal characteristics and medical history, blood pressure, pregnancy-associated plasma protein A and placenta growth factor, crown rump length, and uterine artery pulsatility index, for the prediction of preeclampsia in a high-risk population in the Netherlands. Methods: This is a prospective cohort including nulliparous women and women with preeclampsia or intrauterine growth restriction in previous pregnancy. We screened patients at 11–14 weeks of gestation to calculate the risk for preeclampsia. The primary outcome was preeclampsia and gestational age at delivery. Performance of the model was evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUCs) and calibration graphs; based on the ROC curves, optimal predicted risk cutoff values for our study population were defined. Results: We analyzed 362 women, of whom 22 (6%) developed preeclampsia. The algorithm showed fair discriminative performance for preeclampsia <34 weeks (AUC 0.81; 95% CI 0.65–0.96) and moderate discriminative performance for both preeclampsia <37 weeks (AUC 0.71; 95% CI 0.51–0.90) and <42 weeks (AUC 0.71; 95% CI 0.61–0.81). Optimal cutoffs based on our study population for preeclampsia <34, <37, and <42 weeks were 1:250, 1:64, and 1:22, respectively. Calibration was poor. Conclusions: Performance of the FMF preeclampsia algorithm was satisfactory to predict early and preterm preeclampsia and less satisfactory for term preeclampsia in a high-risk population. However, by addressing some of the limitations of the present study, the performance can potentially improve. This is essential before implementation is considered.
Post-Tuberculosis Lung Disease: Clinical Review of an Under-Recognised Global Challenge
Authors: Allwood Brian W. , Byrne Anthony , Meghji Jamilah , Rachow Andrea , van der Zalm Marieke M. , Schoch Otto Dagobert
Published: January 2021

An estimated 58 million people have survived tuberculosis since 2000, yet many of them will suffer from post-tuberculosis lung disease (PTLD). PTLD results from a complex interplay between organism, host, and environmental factors and affects long-term respiratory health. PTLD is an overlapping spectrum of disorders that affects large and small airways (bronchiectasis and obstructive lung disease), lung parenchyma, pulmonary vasculature, and pleura and may be complicated by co-infection and haemoptysis. People affected by PTLD have shortened life expectancy and increased risk of recurrent tuberculosis, but predictors of long-term outcomes are not known. No data are available on PTLD in children and on impact throughout the life course. Risk-factors for PTLD include multiple episodes of tuberculosis, drug-resistant tuberculosis, delays in diagnosis, and possibly smoking. Due to a lack of controlled trials in this population, no evidence-based recommendations for the investigation and management of PTLD are currently available. Empirical expert opinion advocates pulmonary rehabilitation, smoking cessation, and vaccinations (pneumococcal and influenza). Exacerbations in PTLD remain both poorly understood and under-recognised. Among people with PTLD, the probability of tuberculosis recurrence must be balanced against other causes of symptom worsening. Unnecessary courses of repeated empiric anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy should be avoided. PTLD is an important contributor to the global burden of chronic lung disease. Advocacy is needed to increase recognition for PTLD and its associated economic, social, and psychological consequences and to better understand how PTLD sequelae could be mitigated. Research is urgently needed to inform policy to guide clinical decision-making and preventative strategies for PTLD.
Using the World Apheresis Association Registry Helps to Improve the Treatment Quality of Therapeutic Apheresis
Authors: Stegmayr Bernd , Newman Elizabeth , Witt Volker , Derfler Kurt , Leitner Gerda , Eloot Sunny , Dhondt Annemieke , Deeren Dries , Ptak Jan , Blaha Milan , Lanska Mirka , Gasova Zdenka , Bhuiyan-Ludvikova Zdenka , Hrdlickova Radomira , Ramlow Wolfgang , Prophet Heinrich , Kielstein Jan T. , Liumbruno Giancarlo , Mori Elena , Griskevicius Antanas , Audzijoniene Judita , Vrielink Hans , Rombout-Sestrienkova Eva , Aandahl Astrid , Sikole Aleksandar , Tomaz Jorge , Lalic Katarina , Bojanic Ines , Strineholm Virginia , Brink Bo , Berlin Gösta , Dykes Josefina , Nilsson Thomas , Eich Torsten , Hadimeri Henrik , Welander Gunilla , Ortega Sanchez Sandra , Ilhan Osman , Poole Colwyn
Published: January 2021

Therapeutic apheresis (TA) is prescribed to patients that suffer from a severe progressive disease that is not sufficiently treated by conventional medications. A way to gain more knowledge about this treatment is usually by the local analysis of data. However, the use of large quality assessment registries enables analyses of even rare findings. Here, we report some of the recent data from the World Apheresis Association (WAA) registry. Data from >104,000 procedures were documented, and TA was performed on >15,000 patients. The main indication for TA was the collection of autologous stem cells (45% of patients) as part of therapy for therapy. Collection of stem cells from donors for allogeneic transplantation was performed in 11% of patients. Patients with indications such as neurological diseases underwent plasma exchange (28%). Extracorporeal photochemotherapy, lipid apheresis, and antibody removal were other indications. Side effects recorded in the registry have decreased significantly over the years, with approximately only 10/10,000 procedures being interrupted for medical reasons. Conclusion: Collection of data from TA procedures within a multinational and multicenter concept facilitates the improvement of treatment by enabling the analysis of and feedback on indications, procedures, effects, and side effects.