bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internet gaming disorder and its relationship with behavioral disorder and mother’s parenting styles in primary school students according to gender in Iran
Authors: Areshtanab Hossein Namdar , Fathollahpour Fatemeh , Bostanabad Mohammad Arshadi , Ebrahimi Hossein , Hosseinzadeh Mina , Fooladi Marjaneh M.
Published: July 2021

Background

The problem of students’ gaming addiction has been related to the individual student’s characteristics and the influence of family environment. Researchers aimed to investigate if and how internet gaming disorder (IGD) of the elementary school boys and girls is related to behavioral disorder and their mother’s parenting style in Iran.

Methods

This is a descriptive correlational study, involving 657 fifth and sixth-grade elementary school students in 2019. Researchers used a multistage stratified random sampling of students, their parents and their teachers. Data were collected using internet gaming disorder questionnaire (IGD 20), Rutter teacher behavioral disorder questionnaire and Baumrind Parenting Styles questionnaire (PSI). Obtained data were analyzed using SPSS version16 for descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation coefficient test.

Results

Findings showed that IGD prevalence was 5.9% among primary school students with significant relationship between IGD and behavioral disorder among all participants (r = 0.23, p = 0.04); although it was insignificant among boys (r = 0.13, p = 0.11). Also the relationship between IGD and mother’s parenting style was significant in the total sample (r = 0.12, p = 0.03), in particular for girls and their mothers (r = 0.2, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

The results of this study indicate the importance of family and parental involvement in prevention and management of IGD chiefly among girls. Healthcare professionals will benefit from knowing the problematic consequences of online gaming among school-age children and try to promote safe and healthy online behavior supported by a supervised family environment.
Low frequency conduction block: a promising new technique to advance bioelectronic medicines
Authors: Conde Silvia V.
Published: July 2021

Nerve conduction block is an appealing way to selective target the nervous system for treating pathological conditions. Several modalities were described in the past, with the kilohertz frequency stimulation generating an enormous interest and tested successfully in clinical settings. Some shortcomings associated with different modalities of nerve blocking can limit its clinical use, as the “onset response”, the high demand of energy supply, among others. A recent study by Muzquiz and colleagues describes the efficacy and reversibility of low frequency alternating currents in blocking the cervical vagus in the pig, in the absence of an onset effect and apparent lack of neuronal damage.
Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 – an approach to categories of pathology
Authors: Leven Yana , Bösel Julian
Published: July 2021

Background

Various neurological manifestations of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) have been reported, associated with a broad spectrum of diverse neurological symptoms and syndromes. Estimating rate and relevance of these manifestations remains difficult as there is a lack of standardised case definitions.

Methods

We defined comprehensive categories including most reported neurological manifestations associated with SARS-CoV-2 to allow for a more standardised data collection. After a literature search of MEDLINE with ten keywords, 12 selected studies and larger case series were included. We compared the rate and relevance of neurological manifestations in hospitalized patients. We propose four main categories including 1) cerebrovascular disease, 2) inflammatory syndromes of the central nervous system (CNS), peripheral nervous system (PNS) and muscle, 3) metabolic/toxic dysfunction of CNS, PNS and muscle and 4) miscellaneous disorders.

Conclusion

Ageusia (702) and anosmia (805) have been reported as the most common and the first occurring neurological symptoms. Cerebrovascular disease (451) and encephalopathy (663) were associated with a more severe course and worse clinical outcome. Any neurological manifestation was associated with a longer hospital stay and a higher morbidity and mortality compared to patients without neurological manifestations. We suggest reporting future neurological manifestations of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) following a pathophysiology-based approach using standardized pre-defined case definitions to yield more specific and comparable data.
Microfabric features of microbial carbonates: experimental and natural evidence of mold holes and crusts
Authors: Wu Ya-Sheng , Jiang Hong-Xia , Li Ying , Yu Gong-Liang
Published: July 2021

Results of our study based on examination of induced precipitation of carbonate by a cyanobacterium,Lyngbyain the laboratory, and the analyses of microphotographs of both modern and ancient microbial carbonates, demonstrated the importance of recognition of mold holes and carbonate crusts in understanding microbial carbonates. In the experiment, only cyanobacteriaLyngbyacan induce precipitation of carbonate, forming scattered grains on the surface ofLyngbyafilaments. Carbonate crusts enclosing the old parts of the filaments were formed through aggregation of these scatter grains while mold holes were formed after decay of the filaments. Mainly based on the experiment, six different ways of microbial carbonate formation were recognized: (1) trapping without mold holes, (2) trapping with mold holes, (3) particle-forming induced-precipitation of carbonate, (4) discrete crust-forming induced-precipitation of carbonate, (5) induced precipitation, forming tangled crusts that build a porous construction, and (6) induced precipitation, forming a dense construction. And mold holes and crusts can form in ways (4), (5), and (6). Examination of both modern microbial carbonates from the Shark Bay of Australia, Highborne Cay of Bahamas and the atoll of Kiritimati and the microbialites from the Cambrian dolostone sequence in Tarim, Xinjiang, China all demonstrated the limitation of recognizing only mesofabric features and importance of examining microfabric features for understanding of the genesis of the microbial carbonates and their proper classification. The shape, size and arrangement of the mold holes, crusts, and the features of the minerals filling in pores between the crusts, which are referred as the microfabric features here, are keys to better understand the formation and environments of both modern and ancient microbial carbonates.
Short Androgen Suppression and Radiation Dose Escalation in Prostate Cancer: 12-Year Results of EORTC Trial 22991 in Patients With Localized Intermediate-Risk Disease
Authors: Bolla Michel , Neven Anouk , Maingon Philippe , Carrie Christian , Boladeras Ana , Andreopoulos Demetrios , Engelen Antoine , Sundar Santhanam , van der Steen-Banasik Elzbieta M. , Armstrong John , Peignaux-Casasnovas Karine , Boustani Jihane , Herrera Fernanda G. , Pieters Bradley R. , Slot Annerie , Bahl Amit , Scrase Christopher D. , Azria David , Jansa Jan , O'Sullivan Joe M. , Van Den Bergh Alphonsus C. M. , Collette Laurence ,   for the EORTC Radiation Oncology Group
Published: July 2021

PURPOSE

The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) trial 22991 ( NCT00021450 ) showed that 6 months of concomitant and adjuvant androgen suppression (AS) improves event- (EFS, Phoenix) and clinical disease-free survival (DFS) of intermediate- and high-risk localized prostatic carcinoma, treated by external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) at 70-78 Gy. We report the long-term results in intermediate-risk patients treated with 74 or 78 Gy EBRT, as per current guidelines.

PATIENT AND METHODS

Of 819 patients randomly assigned between EBRT or EBRT plus AS started on day 1 of EBRT, 481 entered with intermediate risk (International Union Against Cancer TNM 1997 cT1b-c or T2a with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≥ 10 ng/mL or Gleason ≤ 7 and PSA ≤ 20 ng/mL, N0M0) and had EBRT planned at 74 (342 patients, 71.1%) or 78 Gy (139 patients, 28.9%). We report the trial primary end point EFS, DFS, distant metastasis–free survival (DMFS), and overall survival (OS) by intention-to-treat stratified by EBRT dose at two-sided α = 5%.

RESULTS

At a median follow-up of 12.2 years, 92 of 245 patients and 132 of 236 had EFS events in the EBRT plus AS and EBRT arm, respectively, mostly PSA relapse (48.7%) or death (45.1%). EBRT plus AS improved EFS and DFS (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.53; CI, 0.41 to 0.70; P < .001 and HR = 0.67; CI, 0.49 to 0.90; P = .008). At 10 years, DMFS was 79.3% (CI, 73.4 to 84.0) with EBRT plus AS and 72.7% (CI, 66.2 to 78.2) with EBRT (HR = 0.74; CI, 0.53 to 1.02; P = .065). With 140 deaths (EBRT plus AS: 64; EBRT: 76), 10-year OS was 80.0% (CI, 74.1 to 84.7) with EBRT plus AS and 74.3% (CI, 67.8 to 79.7) with EBRT, but not statistically significantly different (HR = 0.74; CI, 0.53 to 1.04; P = .082).

CONCLUSION

Six months of concomitant and adjuvant AS statistically significantly improves EFS and DFS in intermediate-risk prostatic carcinoma, treated by irradiation at 74 or 78 Gy. The effects on OS and DMFS did not reach statistical significance.
β-1.3 Glucan Complex Drastically Suppresses Kidney Clearance of siRNA
Authors: Uno Atsushi , Arima Kenji , Ushida Maki , Katayama Yuka , Shimazaki Masako , Amano Kanako , Namikawa Reiko , Sakurai Kazuo
Published: July 2021

siRNA was complexed with a β-1,3-glucan schizophyllan and intravenously administrated into mice. The complexed siRNA escaped renal excretion and remained in the blood. The monocytes in spleen were found to capture the complex and cause the longer residence time of the complexed siRNA, as well as increased size of the complex.
Sedentary Behavior in U.S. Adults: Fall 2019
Authors: MATTHEWS CHARLES E. , CARLSON SUSAN A. , SAINT-MAURICE PEDRO F. , PATEL SHREYA , SALERNO ELIZABETH A. , LOFTFIELD ERIKKA , TROIANO RICHARD P. , FULTON JANET E. , SAMPSON JOSHUA N. , TRIBBY CALVIN , KEADLE SARAH K. , BERRIGAN DAVID
Published: July 2021

Purpose

Higher levels of sedentary behavior are associated with early mortality, but the distribution of sedentary time by classes of behavior and demographic groups is poorly described in U.S. adults. To quantify the amount and sources of sedentary time in U.S. adults, we conducted a nationwide survey using a novel validated self-administered previous-day recall method and compared these values with a commonly used sitting time question.

Methods

Participants from the AmeriSpeak panel 20 to 75 yr of age (N = 2640) completed up to two activities completed over time in 24 h (ACT24) previous-day recalls. Recalls were conducted on randomly selected days in October and November 2019. Survey sample designs were applied to reflect the U.S. population.

Results

Mean age was 45.3 yr, 51% were female, 67% non-Hispanic White, and 37% had a body mass index of ≥30 kg·m−2. U.S. adults reported a mean 9.5 h·d−1 of sedentary time (95% confidence interval = 9.4, 9.7 h·d−1), which was 34% more than reported using a common surveillance measure (P < 0.01). Most daily sedentary time was accumulated in the leisure and work life domains, with leisure accounting for 47% (4.3 h·d−1, 95% confidence interval = 4.2, 4.5 h·d−1) of the total sedentary time. Eighty-two percent of leisure time was spent sedentary, mainly watching television/videos or engaged in Internet/computer use.

Conclusions

U.S. adults appear to spend more time in sedentary behavior than previously thought, and the majority of this time is accumulated at work and in leisure time. Reducing sedentary screen time during leisure in favor of physically active could be an important intervention target in the effort to increase physical activity in U.S. adults.
Determinants of Performance in Paced and Maximal 800-m Running Time Trials
Authors: BELLINGER PHILLIP , DERAVE WIM , LIEVENS ELINE , KENNEDY BEN , ARNOLD BLAYNE , RICE HAL , MINAHAN CLARE
Published: July 2021

Purpose

We aimed to identify the underpinning physiological and speed/mechanical determinants of different types of 800-m running time trials (i.e., with a positive or negative pacing strategy) and key components within each 800-m time trial (i.e., first and final 200 m).

Methods

Twenty trained male 800-m runners (800-m personal best time (min:s): 1:55.10 ± 0:04.44) completed a maximal 800-m time trial (800MAX) and one pacing trial, whereby runners were paced for the first lap, and speed was reduced by 7.5% (800PACE) relative to 800MAX, whereas the last lap was completed in the fastest time possible. Anaerobic speed reserve, running economy, the velocity corresponding with V˙O2peak (VV˙O2peak), maximal sprint speed (MAXSS), maximal accumulated oxygen deficit, and sprint force–velocity–power profiles were derived from laboratory and field testing. Carnosine content was quantified by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the gastrocnemius and soleus and expressed as a carnosine aggregate Z (CAZ) score to estimate muscle typology. Data were analyzed using multiple stepwise regression analysis.

Results

MAXSS and vV˙O2peak largely explained the variation in 800MAX time (r
2 = 0.570; P = 0.020), whereas MAXSS was the best explanatory variable for the first 200-m time in 800MAX (adjusted r
2 = 0.661, P < 0.001). Runners with a higher CAZ score (i.e., higher estimated percentage of type II fibers) reduced their last lap time to a greater extent in 800PACE relative to 800MAX (adjusted r
2 = 0.413, P < 0.001), whereas better maintenance of mechanical effectiveness during sprinting, a higher CAZ score and vV˙O2peak was associated with a faster final 200-m time during 800PACE (adjusted r
2 = 0.761, P = 0.001).

Conclusions

These findings highlight that diversity in the physiological and speed/mechanical characteristics of male middle-distance runners may be associated with their suitability for different 800-m racing strategies to have the best chance of winning.
Effectiveness of Hematoma Aspiration and Platelet-rich Plasma Muscle Injections for the Treatment of Hamstring Strains in Athletes
Authors: TRUNZ LUKAS M. , LANDY JEFFREY E. , DODSON CHRISTOPHER C. , COHEN STEVEN B. , ZOGA ADAM C. , ROEDL JOHANNES B.
Published: July 2021

Introduction

The effect of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment on recovery in acute hamstring injuries is controversial. Previous study results are inconsistent, and a standardized therapeutic approach has not been established yet.

Purpose

To assess the treatment effect using a combination of hematoma aspiration and muscle strain PRP injection in partial hamstring muscle tears (grade 2 strains) in athletes.

Methods

Magnetic resonance imaging of athletes with grade 2 hamstring strains were reviewed from 2013 to 2018. From 2013 to 2015, athletes were treated conservatively, and from 2016 to 2018, with a combination of ultrasound-guided hematoma aspiration and PRP muscle strain injection. The outcome, including return-to-play (in days) and recurrence rate, was compared retrospectively between both groups (conservative vs aspiration/PRP) using ANOVA and Fisher’s exact test. There was no significant difference in age, type of sport, and muscle involvement (including injury grade/location, hamstring muscle type, and length/cross-sectional area of the strain).

Results

Fifty-five athletes (28 treated conservatively, 27 with hematoma aspiration/PRP injection) were included. Average return-to-play time (mean) was 32.4 d in the conservative group and 23.5 d in the aspiration/PRP group (P < 0.001). Recurrence rate of the hamstring strain was 28.6% (8/28) in the conservative treatment group and less than 4% (1/27) in the aspiration/PRP group (P = 0.025).

Conclusions

Athletes with grade 2 hamstring strains treated with a combination of hematoma aspiration and PRP injection had a significantly shorter return-to-play and a lower recurrence rate compared with athletes receiving conservative treatment.
College Admission with Multidimensional Privileges: The Brazilian Affirmative Action Case
Authors: Aygün Orhan , Bó Inácio
Published: July 2021

In 2012, Brazilian public universities were mandated to use affirmative action policies for candidates from racial and income minorities. We show that the policy makes the students’ affirmative action status a strategic choice and may reject high-achieving minority students while admitting low-achieving majority students. Empirical data shows evidence consistent with this type of unfairness in more than 49 percent of the programs. We propose a selection criterion and an incentive-compatible mechanism that, for a wider range of similar problems and the one in Brazil in particular, is fair and removes any gain from strategizing over the privileges claimed. (JEL I23, O15, I28, J15, D82, H52)
Inducing Cooperation through Weighted Voting and Veto Power
Authors: Macé Antonin , Treibich Rafael
Published: July 2021

We study the design of voting rules for committees representing heterogeneous groups (countries, states, districts) when cooperation among groups is voluntary. While efficiency recommends weighting groups proportionally to their stakes, we show that accounting for participation constraints entails overweighting some groups, those for which the incentive to cooperate is the lowest. When collective decisions are not enforceable, cooperation induces more stringent constraints that may require granting veto power to certain groups. In the benchmark case where groups differ only in their population size (i.e., the apportionment problem), the model provides a rationale for setting a minimum representation for smaller groups. (JEL C73, D71, D72)
Information Redundancy Neglect versus Overconfidence: A Social Learning Experiment
Authors: Angrisani Marco , Guarino Antonio , Jehiel Philippe , Kitagawa Toru
Published: July 2021

We study social learning in a continuous action space experiment. Subjects, acting in sequence, state their beliefs about the value of a good after observing their predecessors’ statements and a private signal. We compare the behavior in the laboratory with the Perfect Bayesian Equilibrium prediction and the predictions of bounded rationality models of decision-making: the redundancy of information neglect model and the overconfidence model. The results of our experiment are in line with the predictions of the overconfidence model and at odds with the others’. (JEL C91, D12, D82, D83)
Growing Oligopolies, Prices, Output, and Productivity
Authors: Ganapati Sharat
Published: July 2021

American industries have grown more concentrated over the last 40 years. In the absence of productivity innovation, this should lead to price hikes and output reductions, decreasing consumer welfare. With US census data from 1972 to 2012, I use price data to disentangle revenue from output. Industry-level estimates show that concentration increases are positively correlated to productivity and real output growth, uncorrelated with price changes and overall payroll, and negatively correlated with labor’s revenue share. I rationalize these results in a simple model of competition. Productive industries (with growing oligopolists) expand real output and hold down prices, raising consumer welfare, while maintaining or reducing their workforces, lowering labor’s share of output. (JEL D43, L13, D24, D33, D21, D42)
“AMR Dialogues”: a public engagement initiative to shape policies and solutions on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Thailand
Authors: Poomchaichote Tassawan , Osterrieder Anne , Prapharsavat Ravikanya , Naemiratch Bhensri , Ruangkajorn Supanat , Thirapantu Chaiwat , Sukrung Karnjariya , Kiatying-Angsulee Niyada , Sumpradit Nithima , Punnin Sirima , Limmathurotsakul Direk , Cheah Phaik Yeong
Published: July 2021

Background: The use of antimicrobials in Thailand has been reported as one of the highest in the world in both the human and animal sectors. The objectives of this project are: (1) to improve understanding of the issue of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among adult Thai communities and (2) to drive change through the national AMR policy to include context-specific and locally-driven solutions.

Methods: The project contains two components conducted in parallel: the “AMR Dialogues” public engagement project and the embedded evaluation of the project. We will bring together AMR stakeholders and members of the public through a series of conversation events to co-create an AMR stakeholder map, engagement strategy, and context-specific solutions to reduce the burden of AMR. There will be a combination of regional in-person events (‘regional conversations’) and national online events (‘national conversations’) with members of the public. The conversations will follow this sequence: introduce and explore issues related to AMR, brainstorm solutions and finally propose promising/feasible solutions to take forward. Evaluation of the project will be conducted to assess if the AMR Dialogues objectives have been achieved using feedback forms and qualitative methods.

Ethics: Approval of the evaluation component of the project has been obtained from the ethics committee of the Thailand Institute for the Development of Human Subject Protection (IHRP2021059) and the Oxford University Tropical Research Ethics Committee (OxTREC 529-21).

Dissemination: The results of these conversation events will inform the next Thailand National Strategic Plan on AMR. The learning and outcomes will be disseminated to AMR policy makers, academic audiences, and participants of all the conversation events.

Thaiclinicaltrials.org registration: TCTR20210528003 (28/05/2021)
Application of clustering algorithms to analyze the customer base of the store
Authors: Evdokimova Svetlana , Zhuravlev Aleksandr , Novikova Tatyana
Published: July 2021

This paper analyzes the buyers of the BigCar store, which sells spare parts for trucks, using clustering methods. The algorithms of k-means, g-means, EM and construction of Kohonen networks are considered. For their implementation, the Loginom Community analytical platform is used. Based on sales data for 3 years, buyers are divided into 3 clusters by implementing the k-means, EM algorithms and building a self-organizing Kohonen network. An EM algorithm was also performed with automatic determination of the number of clusters and g-means, which divided buyers into 9 and 10 clusters. The analysis of the resulting clusters showed that the results of the k-means and Kohonen algorithms are better suited to increase sales efficiency.
Portfolio Risk Management of Project Network Interdependency (on the Example of Agroholding)
Authors: Levina Anna
Published: July 2021

The article is devoted to the problem of portfolio risk management of network project interdependencies in an agricultural company, as the lack of existing methods of project portfolio risk assessment and proper consideration of interdependencies are traced. During the study, we conducted an in-depth interview with the CFO of the company to identify the pool of ongoing projects of the company, determine the types of interproject dependencies, the likelihood of the corresponding risk in the project and the level of losses in monetary terms. Using the method of expert assessments and the noisy-OR gate tool, calculations were made in the GeNIe software product to determine the overall risk of the project portfolio after identifying high-risk projects and then recommendations were given for the application of a dynamic portfolio risk management model based on the software product used in the company.
Distance learning: the “Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes: ECHO” project: a case study
Authors: Panyayen Jularat , Nantsupawat Teerapat , Tangwijitsakul Wittawat , Nantsupawat Nopakoon
Published: July 2021

This article reports a case conference that was part of the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (ECHO®) project, which is a model of monthly telemedicine conferences on chronic disease and behavioral health, important topics for primary care teams in rural areas and for university-based specialists. The ECHO® project has proved to be a successful learning model in health care. The main goal of the project is moving knowledge not the patients, so this tele-mentoring builds capacity and creates access to high-quality specialty care serving local communities. A secondary goal is shared learning between community providers and specialists about best practices that are practical, achievable, and sustainable for the community. We present the case of a critical care patient who was brought to the emergency department with left-side weakness and dysarthria. Computed tomography of the head and electrocardiograms established the diagnosis during the admission. Discussion points from a multidisciplinary team and specialty consultants via telemedicine are listed in this article.
Key words: telemedicine, teleconsulting, primary care, developing countries, rural area
The regulation of ACE-2 in the heart and lungs
Authors: Kopel Jonathan , Tenner Thomas , Brower Gregory
Published: July 2021

The pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 disease remains an active and rapidly evolving area of investigation. Currently, the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 protein (ACE-2) is the primary receptor implicated in the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2. In normal physiological responses, the ACE-2 has important roles in regulating the renin-angiotensin systems (RAS) in several organs, including the heart, kidney, and lungs. Dysregulation of ACE-2 has been linked to heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, and diabetic cardiovascular complications. Two main risk factors for COVID-19 include hypertension and cardiovascular disease. However, the precise mechanism causing these risk factors for COVID-19 infectivity remains unknown. In this paper, we provide possible molecular mechanisms that underlie the cardiovascular risk factors for COVID-19.
Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE-2), hormones, cardiovascular, hypoxia, metabolism, regulation, and pathophysiology
Trends in e-tools and resources for translators and interpreters
Authors: Nemati Parsa Rouhullah
Published: July 2021

Recent years have witnessed the rapid development of translation technology, which has achieved tremendous success in both academia and industry. Due to these rapid advances, it is clear that technology has already profoundly affected the way translation is produced. More recently, translation technology – ranging from translation-specific technologies such as MT to more general-purpose speech technologies and cloud computing – calls into question some of the assumptions about how, by whom, and to what level of quality translation should be done. Commercially viable translation today is almost entirely the computer-aided variety, given the ubiquitous use of computers in text production practices (O’Hagan, 2020).
Humour in audiovisual translation: Theories and applications
Authors: pan Li , Zhou Qing
Published: July 2021

The first 20 years of the 21st century have witnessed an explosion of audiovisual translation (AVT) products. Unlimited as to time, space and economic status, the widespread use of online streaming media has made AVT entertainment a feature of daily life. Among the various genres, comedy – with the laughter, happiness, and social commentary it brings – continues to enjoy popular appeal. Humour is indeed a universal phenomenon; its presentation in audiovisual products understandably attracts wide scholarly attention, and Margherita Dore’s monograph, Humour in audiovisual translation: Theories and applications, is one of the latest works to explore it.
Pricing Anomalies and Arbitrage in Container Transport in India
Authors: Upadhyay Amit
Published: July 2021

Intermodal transportation requires multiple entities to manage diverse resources under complex regulations and contracts. In this paper, we carry out a multidisciplinary cross-functional analysis of container rail haulage pricing and operations in India. We discover that the total haulage cost of a container train unduly depends on the position of the containers within the train, which is referred to here as position arbitrage. The main objective of this paper is to introduce and analyze this new concept of arbitrage for the first time in the literature. We derive the limits to the arbitrage, present management insights and empirical results, and explain that the arbitrage is undesirable because of its adverse effects on the efficiency of the container supply chain. With a real case, we empirically show that container train operators can save an average of 450 million INR annually by exploiting the arbitrage. On completion of dedicated freight corridors, the annual total value of the arbitrage can increase by one billion Indian rupees. This research is also beneficial for the railways to understand the implications of haulage pricing on operational efficiency and also for the port operators and shippers to understand the implications of the arbitrage for their operations.
Mean-Variance Portfolio Selection with Dynamic Targets for Expected Terminal Wealth
Authors: He Xue Dong , Jiang Zhaoli
Published: July 2021

In a market that consists of multiple stocks and one risk-free asset whose mean return rates and volatility are deterministic, we study a continuous-time mean-variance portfolio selection problem in which an agent is subject to a constraint that the expectation of the agent’s terminal wealth must exceed a target and minimize the variance of the agent’s terminal wealth. The agent can revise the expected terminal wealth target dynamically to adapt to the change of the agent’s current wealth, and we consider the following three targets: (i) the agent’s current wealth multiplied by a target expected gross return rate, (ii) the risk-free payoff of the agent’s current wealth plus a premium, and (iii) a weighted average of the risk-free payoff of the agent’s current wealth and a preset aspiration level. We derive the so-called equilibrium strategy in closed form for each of the three targets and find that the agent effectively minimizes the variance of the instantaneous change of the agent’s wealth subject to a certain constraint on the expectation of the instantaneous change of the agent’s wealth.
Phase Transition in Taxi Dynamics and Impact of Ridesharing
Authors: Yang Bo , Ren Shen , Legara Erika Fille , Li Zengxiang , Ong Edward Y. X. , Lin Louis , Monterola Christopher
Published: July 2021

We develop a numerical model using both artificial and empirical inputs to analyse taxi dynamics in an urban setting. More specifically, we quantify how the supply and demand for taxi services, the underlying road network, and the public acceptance of taxi ridesharing (TRS) affect the optimal number of taxis for a particular city and commuters’ average waiting time and trip time. Results reveal certain universal features of the taxi dynamics with real-time taxi booking: that there is a well-defined transition between the oversaturated phase when demand exceeds supply and the undersaturated phase when supply exceeds demand. The boundary between the two phases gives the optimal number of taxis a city should accommodate, given the specific demand, road network, and commuter habits. Adding or removing taxis may affect commuter experience very differently in the two phases revealed. In the oversaturated phase, the average waiting time is exponentially affected, whereas in the undersaturated phase it is affected sublinearly. We analyse various factors that can shift the phase boundary and show that an increased level of acceptance for TRS universally shifts the phase boundary by reducing the number of taxis needed. We discuss some of the useful insights for the benefits and costs of TRS, especially how, under certain situations, TRS not only economically benefits commuters but can also save the shared parties in overall travel time by significantly reducing the time commuters spend on waiting for taxis. Simulations also suggest that elementary artificial taxi systems can capture most of the universal features of the taxi dynamics. We give detailed methodologies of the microscopic simulations we employed. The relevance of the assumptions and the overall methodology are also illustrated using comprehensive empirical road network and taxi demand in the city-state of Singapore.
All-dielectric thermonanophotonics
Authors: Zograf George P. , Petrov Mihail I. , Makarov Sergey V. , Kivshar Yuri S.
Published: July 2021

Nanophotonics is an important branch of modern optics dealing with
light–matter interaction at the nanoscale. Nanoparticles can exhibit
enhanced light absorption under illumination by light, and they become
nanoscale sources of heat that can be precisely controlled and
manipulated. For metal nanoparticles, such effects have been studied
in the framework of thermoplasmonics,
which, similar to plasmonics itself, has a number of limitations.
Recently emerged all-dielectric resonant
nanophotonics is associated with optically induced electric
and magnetic Mie resonances, and this field hasdeveloped very rapidly
over the past decade. As a result, thermoplasmonics is being
complemented by all-dielectric
thermonanophotonics with many important applications such as
photothermal cancer therapy, drug and gene delivery, nanochemistry,
and photothermal imaging. This review paper aims to introduce this new
field of non-plasmonic nanophotonics and discuss associated thermally
induced processes at the nanoscale.
Bayesian approach for developing threshold color-difference models by the strip-pair comparison method
Authors: Brusola Fernando , Tortajada Ignacio , Jordá Begoña , Río Jimena González-Del , Lengua Ismael
Published: July 2021

A Bayesian approach alternative to the one used in the strip-pair comparison method for developing threshold color-difference models is presented in this paper. Strip-pair comparison method is based on the construction of color-control strips made of pairs of patches put in contact and ordered by increasing the CIELAB color difference. Observers are required to indicate the number of the pair of patches in every strip for which they begin to perceive a just noticeable color difference. Frequency data obtained, from repeating several times the visual assessment, is recorded to build a Bayesian multinomial logistic regression model, which allows the determination of the coefficients of the color discrimination ellipsoids. The results of the Bayesian approach agree closely with the results obtained to validate strip-pair comparison method for the same theoretical frequency data. The main advantage of the Bayesian approach over many other methods is that it allows a direct analysis of the statistical variability of the estimated parameters by means of confidence intervals and other measures of statistical variability.
Exact dispersion relations for the hybrid plasmon-phonon modes in graphene on dielectric substrates with polar optical phonons
Authors: Jalalvandi Sharare , Darbari Sara , Moravvej-Farshi Mohammad Kazem
Published: July 2021

Intrinsic optical phonons and extrinsic polar optical phonons (POPs) strongly affect the graphene surface plasmons. Specifically, extraneous POPs present on the surface of an underlying substrate change the behavior of the graphene's surface plasmons sharply due to the plasmon-phonon hybridization. Here, we report modeling of exact dispersion relations for graphene's surface plasmons affected by intrinsic optical phonons and extrinsic POPs of the surface of polar dielectric substrates with one or more vibrational frequencies. In doing so, we have employed random phase approximation with modified two-dimensional polarizability (2D-Π0). The adapted Π0addresses limitations of the previously derived plasmons dispersion, obtained using classical two-dimensional polarizability. We show the new model overcomes the unsatisfying behavior of the plasmonic dispersion relation obtained by the classical 2D-Π0at high-wavenumbers and its inability to indicate the starting point of the mode damping. Our new simple model eliminates the complexity of the other presented models in describing the surface plasmons’ behavior, specifically at high wavenumbers. Besides, we use our dispersion model to learn about the plasmon content of the hybrid modes, which is a vital value to compute output current in plasmonic graphene-based devices. The coupled-mode lifetime due to the hybrid nature depends on both plasmon and phonon lifetimes. We capture this value here. There is an excellent agreement between our theoretical results and the experimental data reported earlier. They pave the way for the exact modeling of graphene plasmons on common polar substrates and bring in the closeness of the theoretical approaches and experimental results.
Refractometer based on fiber Mach-Zehnder interferometer composed of two micro bending cores
Authors: Ma Yiwei , Yi Yang , Li Xiaoyang , Su Chunbo , Zhang Min , Geng Tao , Sun Weimin , Yuan Libo
Published: July 2021

In this paper, a novel refractometer based on Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) is proposed and experimentally investigated. The MZI is composed of 2 micro bending cores (MBCs), one of which excites the cladding modes and the other couples the modes back. This structure is formed by high-frequency CO2 laser polishing and oxyhydrogen flame heating. With the unique deformation method, the interaction between the fiber core and the external status gets enhanced, moreover, higher modes in the cladding are excited, which leads to a high refractive index (RI) sensitivity. Due to the high temperature of the oxyhydrogen flame, the core of CO2 polished fiber is modulated, furthermore, the cladding shape of MBC tends to be circular. Hence, relatively small modulating regions of 500 μm can form for interference. In the experiment, 2 transmission dips are chosen for RI measuring, which possesses the wavelength of 1530.4 nm and 1600.8 nm, respectively. The RI sensitivities of the 2 transmission dips are -271.7 nm/RIU and -333.8 nm/RIU with the RI range of 1.33-1.42. The temperature characteristic is also experimentally analyzed and the temperature sensitivities of which are 0.121 nm/℃ and 0.171 nm/℃ in the range of 34℃-154℃. By solving the matrix equation, the proposed sensor can be applied for simultaneous measurement of RI and temperature.
Highly sensitive Fourier-transform coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectroscopy via genetic algorithm pulse shaping
Authors: Lindley Matthew , Gala de Pablo Julia , Kinegawa Ryo , Hiramatsu Kotaro , Goda Keisuke
Published: July 2021

We report highly sensitive Fourier-transform coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering spectroscopy enabled by genetic algorithm (GA) pulse shaping for adaptive dispersion compensation. We show that the non-resonant four-wave mixing signal from water can be used as a fitness indicator for successful GA training. This method allows GA adaptation to sample measurement conditions and offers significantly improved performance compared to training using second-harmonic generation from a nonlinear crystal in place of the sample. Results include a

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improvement to peak signal-to-noise ratio for 2-propanol measurement, as well as a

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improvement to peak intensities from the high-throughput measurement of polystyrene microbeads under flow.
Covasim: An agent-based model of COVID-19 dynamics and interventions
Authors: Kerr Cliff C. , Stuart Robyn M. , Mistry Dina , Abeysuriya Romesh G. , Rosenfeld Katherine , Hart Gregory R. , Núñez Rafael C. , Cohen Jamie A. , Selvaraj Prashanth , Hagedorn Brittany , George Lauren , Jastrzębski Michał , Izzo Amanda S. , Fowler Greer , Palmer Anna , Delport Dominic , Scott Nick , Kelly Sherrie L. , Bennette Caroline S. , Wagner Bradley G. , Chang Stewart T. , Oron Assaf P. , Wenger Edward A. , Panovska-Griffiths Jasmina , Famulare Michael , Klein Daniel J.
Published: July 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has created an urgent need for models that can project epidemic trends, explore intervention scenarios, and estimate resource needs. Here we describe the methodology of Covasim (COVID-19 Agent-based Simulator), an open-source model developed to help address these questions. Covasim includes country-specific demographic information on age structure and population size; realistic transmission networks in different social layers, including households, schools, workplaces, long-term care facilities, and communities; age-specific disease outcomes; and intrahost viral dynamics, including viral-load-based transmissibility. Covasim also supports an extensive set of interventions, including non-pharmaceutical interventions, such as physical distancing and protective equipment; pharmaceutical interventions, including vaccination; and testing interventions, such as symptomatic and asymptomatic testing, isolation, contact tracing, and quarantine. These interventions can incorporate the effects of delays, loss-to-follow-up, micro-targeting, and other factors. Implemented in pure Python, Covasim has been designed with equal emphasis on performance, ease of use, and flexibility: realistic and highly customized scenarios can be run on a standard laptop in under a minute. In collaboration with local health agencies and policymakers, Covasim has already been applied to examine epidemic dynamics and inform policy decisions in more than a dozen countries in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America.
In vitro activity of SPR719 against Mycobacterium ulcerans, Mycobacterium marinum and Mycobacterium chimaera
Authors: Pidot Sacha J. , Porter Jessica L. , Lister Troy , Stinear Timothy P.
Published: July 2021

Nontuberculosis mycobacterial (NTM) infections are increasing in prevalence across the world. In many cases, treatment options for these infections are limited. However, there has been progress in recent years in the development of new antimycobacterial drugs. Here, we investigate the in vitro activity of SPR719, a novel aminobenzimidazole antibiotic and the active form of the clinical-stage compound, SPR720, against several isolates of Mycobacterium ulcerans, Mycobacterium marinum and Mycobacterium chimaera. We show that SPR719 is active against these NTM species with a MIC range of 0.125–4 μg/ml and that this compares favorably with the commonly utilized antimycobacterial antibiotics, rifampicin and clarithromycin. Our findings suggest that SPR720 should be further evaluated for the treatment of NTM infections.
Personality traits, workers’ age, and job satisfaction: The moderated effect of conscientiousness
Authors: Topino Eleonora , Di Fabio Annamaria , Palazzeschi Letizia , Gori Alessio
Published: July 2021

Job satisfaction has gained increasing interest in the world of work and a vast field of research has been stimulated regarding its antecedents. Among these, personality traits have received consistent and significant attention, with a particular emphasis on conscientiousness. To delve deeper and detail these aspects, in the present research, a moderation model was hypothesized, with the aim of investigating the effect of age on the association between conscientiousness (and its subdimensions scrupulousness and perseverance) and job satisfaction. The age-moderated interactions of the other Big Five personality traits were also explored. The study involved 202 Italian workers (92 men, 110 women) with a mean age of 44.82 years (SD = 10.56) who completed the Big Five Questionnaire and the Job Satisfaction Scale. The results showed a positive association between conscientiousness and job satisfaction. This was moderated by age to the extent that it was significant for younger and average-age workers and was less significant for older workers. Similar results were found for the subdomain of perseverance, while the relationship between scrupulousness and job satisfaction was not significant. Furthermore, no age-moderated interaction between the other Big Five personality traits and Job satisfaction were found. Such data supports interactive models that highlight the need to integrate personality traits with other factors in exploring the antecedents of job satisfaction. These findings provide additional elements to an understanding of the factors contributing to workers satisfaction, and could have important applicative implications in a framework for healthy organizations and the well-being movement.
Extracellular vesicles derived from DFO-preconditioned canine AT-MSCs reprogram macrophages into M2 phase
Authors: Park Su-Min , An Ju-Hyun , Lee Jeong-Hwa , Kim Kyung-Bo , Chae Hyung-Kyu , Oh Ye-In , Song Woo-Jin , Youn Hwa-Young
Published: July 2021

Background

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are effective therapeutic agents that ameliorate inflammation through paracrine effect; in this regard, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have been frequently studied. To improve the secretion of anti-inflammatory factors from MSCs, preconditioning with hypoxia or hypoxia-mimetic agents has been attempted and the molecular changes in preconditioned MSC-derived EVs explored. In this study, we aimed to investigate the increase of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α)/cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) in deferoxamine (DFO)-preconditioned canine MSC (MSCDFO) and whether these molecular changes were reflected on EVs. Furthermore, we focused on MSCDFO derived EVs (EVDFO) could affect macrophage polarization via the transfer function of EVs.

Results

In MSCDFO, accumulation of HIF-1α were increased and production of COX-2 were activated. Also, Inside of EVDFO were enriched with COX-2 protein. To evaluate the transferring effect of EVs to macrophage, the canine macrophage cell line, DH82, was treated with EVs after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. Polarization changes of DH82 were evaluated with quantitative real-time PCR and immunofluorescence analyses. When LPS-induced DH82 was treated with EVDFO, phosphorylation of signal transducer and transcription3 (p-STAT3), which is one of key factor of inducing M2 phase, expression was increased in DH82. Furthermore, treated with EVDFO in LPS-induced DH82, the expression of M1 markers were reduced, otherwise, M2 surface markers were enhanced. Comparing with EVDFO and EVnon.

Conclusion

DFO preconditioning in MSCs activated the HIF-1α/COX-2 signaling pathway; Transferring COX-2 through EVDFO could effectively reprogram macrophage into M2 phase by promoting the phosphorylation of STAT3.
Observed and predicted ages at peak height velocity in soccer players
Authors: Malina Robert M. , Coelho-e-Silva Manuel J. , Martinho Diogo V. , Sousa-e-Siva Paulo , Figueiredo Antonio J. , Cumming Sean P. , Králík Miroslav , Kozieł Sławomir M.
Published: July 2021

The purpose of the study was to evaluate predicted maturity offset (time before age at PHV) and age at PHV (chronological age [CA] minus maturity offset) in a longitudinal sample of 58 under-13 club level soccer players in central Portugal for whom ages at PHV were estimated with the SITAR model. Two maturity offset prediction equations were applied: the original equation which requires CA sitting height, estimated leg length, height and weight, and a modified equation which requires CA and height. Predicted maturity offset increased, on average, with CA at prediction throughout the age range considered, while variation in predicted maturity offset and ages at PHV within CA groups was considerably reduced compared to variation in observed ages at offset and at PHV. Predicted maturity offset and ages at PHV were consistently later than observed maturity offset and age at PHV among early maturing players, and earlier than observed in late maturing players. Both predicted offset and ages at PHV with the two equations were, on average, later than observed among players maturing on time. Intra-individual variation in predicted ages at PHV with each equation was considerable. The results for soccer players were consistent with similar studies in the general population and two recent longitudinal studies of soccer players. The results question the utility of predicted maturity offset and age at PHV as valid indicators of maturity timing and status.