bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Teaching democracy: The role of public institutions in promoting civic learning
Authors: Lee Jacquelyn J. , McCunney Dennis
Published: May 2022

Democracy requires an informed populous that is engaged, politically, and otherwise, and concerned for the safety and wellbeing of its communities. Public institutions of higher education play a pivotal role in democracy, and a direct pathway to this result is civic learning and democratic engagement (CLDE). Now more than ever, a sharper focus on the ways in which equity and inclusion – dimensions of civic courage – intersect with education for democracy is of paramount importance. To underscore the role of public institutions in promoting civic learning, this chapter explores the historic roots of education for democracy, student affairs and co‐curricular approaches to CLDE, and the role of professional organizations in encouraging CLDE. Challenges and opportunities related to increasing institutional attention to civic learning are discussed.
Reimagining identity development: Inspiring & empowering active civic leaders
Authors: Kermiet Tara N. , Locke Katy V.
Published: May 2022

The vision of what Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement (CLDE) work encompasses within higher education has evolved from voter engagement efforts to broader approaches, which instill a sense of personal identity related to civic leadership. This chapter sheds light on the culture shift of CLDE work at one institution and the ways in which student leadership competencies inspire and empower civic identity through various programs, initiatives, and structures. Using this as a strategy to foster identity development will support students as they establish their capacities as active civic leaders and contribute to a thriving democracy. Our hope is to inspire colleges and universities to embed the student leadership competencies into programs, initiatives, and institutional structures, fostering the identity development of active civic leaders who contribute to a thriving democracy.
Recalibrating student affairs practice and preparation to graduate career‐ready citizen professionals
Authors: Moore Tami L. , Leffingwell Claire J. , Nelson Mark S.
Published: May 2022

Since the origins of higher education in North America, interested parties have argued the role of colleges and universities. Some advance a public good argument for educating students as active citizens; others, from a private good stance, focusing on preparing graduates for employment. Moore, Leffingwell and Nelson suggest a hybrid purpose: preparing college graduates as leaders who are career‐ready and also oriented toward advancing the well‐being of their workplace, organization, or community. Achieving these goals, the authors argue, begins with ensuring that all educators who support student learning in and out of the classroom have been prepared with the skills, knowledge, and habits of mind that practitioners want students to learn during their college years. Therefore, the desired outcomes of recalibrating the CLDE agenda advanced in this volume must include consideration of student affairs professional practice and graduate preparation programs.
Now or later: Health impacts of delaying single‐dose HPV vaccine implementation in a high‐burden setting
Authors: Burger Emily A. , Laprise Jean‐François , Sy Stephen , Regan Mary Caroline , Prem Kiesha , Jit Mark , Brisson Marc , Kim Jane J.
Published: May 2022

We aimed to quantify the health impact of immediate introduction of a single‐dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination program in a high‐burden setting, as waiting until forthcoming trials are completed to implement single‐dose HPV vaccination may result in health losses, particularly for cohorts who would age‐out of vaccination eligibility. Two mathematical models fitted to a high‐burden setting projected cervical cancer incidence rates associated with (a) immediate implementation of one‐dose HPV vaccination vs (b) waiting 5 years for evidence from randomized trials to determine if one‐ or two‐doses should be implemented. We conducted analyses assuming a single dose was either noninferior or inferior to two doses. The models projected that immediate implementation of a noninferior single‐dose vaccine led to a 7.2% to 9.6% increase in cancers averted between 2021 to 2120, compared to waiting 5 years. Health benefits remained greater with immediate implementation despite an inferior single‐dose efficacy (80%), but revaccination of one‐dose recipients became more important assuming vaccine waning. Under most circumstances, immediate vaccination avoided health losses for those aging out of vaccine eligibility, leading to greater health benefits than waiting for more information in 5 years.
Parental beliefs about positive affect and parental depressive symptoms predicting parents' positive emotion socialisation in India
Authors: Freeman McKenna , Sathiyaseelan Anuradha , Luebbe Aaron , Raval Vaishali
Published: May 2022

Emerging literature examines implications of parental socialisation of positive affect (PA) for children's socio‐emotional functioning, though little is known about predictors of parental PA socialisation behaviours in diverse families around the world. Based on the literature that suggests that parental cognitions (Okagaki & Bingham, 2005) and their own mood state contribute to their parenting (Dix & Meunier, 2009), we examined two parent‐related factors (parental beliefs regarding PA and depressive symptoms) as predictors of parental responses to their adolescents' PA in an urban middle‐class sample of mothers and fathers from India (N = 267; 40.4% mothers). Parents completed measures of their PA‐related beliefs, depressive symptomatology, and their responses to adolescents' PA at two‐time points, 5 months apart. Parental PA‐related beliefs showed low stability and depressive symptoms showed moderate stability across time. There were concurrent bivariate associations between parental PA‐related beliefs and their socialisation behaviours, though these relations did not hold in multivariate path analyses across time. Parental depressive symptoms at T1 inversely predicted family savouring at T2 and positively predicted dampening at T2. These findings provide the first line of evidence indicating that parental cognitions and their own mood contribute to their emotion‐related parenting behaviours in India.
Assessing barriers to the career ladder and professional development for ethnic minority genetic counselors in the United States
Authors: Baldwin Aaron , Berninger Taylor , Harrison Barbara , Ramos Erica , McGinniss Molly A.
Published: May 2022

Ethnic diversity is not reflected within healthcare professions, including genetic counseling, where lack of growth and membership among minority colleagues extends to upper‐level and executive roles. While diversity and inclusion‐based topics have been emphasized, studies on potential barriers to career advancement in the field of genetic counseling have not received the same attention. Our study examined the current state of mentorship and sponsorship programs, the presence of diversity and inclusion initiatives, and opportunities for career advancement through the lens of a minority genetic counselor. Practicing genetic counselors in the United States identifying as part of any racial group, other than non‐Hispanic White alone, were recruited through the Minority Genetics Professionals Network for survey participation. A 31‐item survey was fully completed by 19 practicing genetic counselors from a variety of ethnic backgrounds. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis, allowing for individual stories and accounts to be amplified. Results showed 16 of 19 participants had never been promoted in their current employment setting. Additionally, 7 out of 19 respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed that their company had a commitment to an ethnically diverse workforce within upper‐level positions. Prominent themes identified from open‐ended responses included lack of social connection with supervisors and the cross‐race effect, a term referencing a tendency for individuals to better recognize members of their own race or ethnicity than others. Additional themes revealed feelings of isolation, need for support from White colleagues, as well as desired emphasis on sponsorship tailored toward professional growth. These findings demonstrate a need for proactive involvement in reaching ethnic and racial minority genetic counselors through companywide policy efforts, support and advocacy from White colleagues, and modification of cultural perception frameworks. Further focus and emphasis on these distinct but critical topics may be important in promoting increased diversity in upper‐level positions in the field of genetic counseling.
Genetics providers’ experiences using telehealth: A grounded theory approach
Authors: Beretich Lauren A. , Sarasua Sara M. , DeLuca Jane M.
Published: May 2022

There was a paucity of research describing the perspectives and experiences of clinical genetics providers in telehealth prior to the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic. The available literature focused primarily on provider satisfaction and offered limited insight into genetics providers’ work in telehealth. The purpose of this study, conducted just prior to the widespread knowledge of SARS‐CoV‐2 in the United States and mass transition to telehealth, was to understand the telehealth process from the vantage of genetics providers working in telehealth practice settings. This research employed grounded theory using the constant comparative method in coding and analysis of data to generate theory. Ten genetics providers were interviewed over the phone about their experiences, specifically the efficacy of telehealth work, providers’ perspectives of patient outcomes, and personal fulfillment derived from telehealth patient care. Six themes emerged in the study: Making Professional Choices, Increasing Patient Access, Providing Effective Services, Understanding Telehealth Limits, Feelings about Telehealth Consultations, and Deepening Personal Fulfillment. These major themes guided the creation of the Theoretical Model of Telehealth Providers in Genetics, which depicts the connections between providers’ personal fulfillment in telehealth, commitment to patient services, and the provision of telehealth to the public. This model may help others who are working on telehealth initiatives or developing telehealth programs. Findings from this study can support the current use and the growth of telehealth in genetics as a result of the SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic. Future research is needed to describe the telehealth process and develop valid instruments for assessing and measuring the constructs of the Theoretical Model of Telehealth Providers in Genetics.
Long‐term efficacy and safety of programmed death‐1 (PD‐1) antibody alone in relapsed/refractory human immunodeficiency virus‐associated Hodgkin lymphoma
Authors: Wang Chaoyu , Zhou Fanlin , Zhang Lingqian , Liu Tingting , Nan Yingyu , Liu Yao
Published: May 2022

We report a young patient initially diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐associated Hodgkin lymphoma (HL), and received six cycles of ABVD chemotherapy regimens and involvement field irradiation therapy. However, the disease progressed after two months later, and then received second line GDP regimen. Unfortunately, after five cycles of GDP, the patient progression disease (PD) again. The patient was then offered sintilimab alone. After 8 cycles, the patient received complete response (CR) and no 3/4 grade toxicity. Currently, at a follow‐up period of four years, he is still alive with CR and no lymphoma‐related symptoms. This case demonstrates the feasibility of sintilimab antibody in relapsed/refractory HIV‐associated Hodgkin lymphoma.
Comparing Survival Outcomes of Patients With LI‐RADS‐M Hepatocellular Carcinomas and Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinomas
Authors: Kierans Andrea S. , Lafata Kyle J. , Ludwig Daniel R. , Burke Lauren M. B. , Chernyak Victoria , Fowler Kathryn J. , Fraum Tyler J. , McGinty Katrina A. , McInnes Matthew D. F. , Mendiratta‐Lala Mishal , Cunha Guilherme Moura , Allen Brian C. , Hecht Elizabeth M. , Jaffe Tracy A. , Kalisz Kevin R. , Ranathunga Damithri S. , Wildman‐Tobriner Benjamin , Cardona Diana M. , Aslam Anum , Gaur Sonia , Bashir Mustafa R.
Published: May 2022

Background

There is a sparsity of data evaluating outcomes of patients with Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System (LI‐RADS) (LR)‐M lesions.

Purpose

To compare overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS) between hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) meeting LR‐M criteria and to evaluate factors associated with prognosis.

Study Type

Retrospective.

Subjects

Patients at risk for HCC with at least one LR‐M lesion with histologic diagnosis, from 8 academic centers, yielding 120 patients with 120 LR‐M lesions (84 men [mean age 62 years] and 36 women [mean age 66 years]).

Field Strength/Sequence

A 1.5 and 3.0 T/3D T1‐weighted gradient echo, T2‐weighted fast spin‐echo.

Assessment

The imaging categorization of each lesion as LR‐M was made clinically by a single radiologist at each site and patient outcome measures were collected.

Statistical Tests

OS, PFS, and potential independent predictors were evaluated by Kaplan–Meier method, log‐rank test, and Cox proportional hazard model. A P value of <0.05 was considered significant.

Results

A total of 120 patients with 120 LR‐M lesions were included; on histology 65 were HCC and 55 were iCCA. There was similar median OS for patients with LR‐M HCC compared to patients with iCCA (738 days vs. 769 days, P = 0.576). There were no significant differences between patients with HCC and iCCA in terms of sex (47:18 vs. 37:18, P = 0.549), age (63.0 ± 8.4 vs. 63.4 ± 7.8, P = 0.847), etiology of liver disease (P = 0.202), presence of cirrhosis (100% vs. 100%, P = 1.000), tumor size (4.73 ± 3.28 vs. 4.75 ± 2.58, P = 0.980), method of lesion histologic diagnosis (P = 0.646), and proportion of patients who underwent locoregional therapy (60.0% vs. 38.2%, P = 0.100) or surgery (134.8 ± 165.5 vs. 142.5 ± 205.6, P = 0.913). Using multivariable analysis, nonsurgical compared to surgical management (HR, 4.58), larger tumor size (HR, 1.19), and higher MELD score (HR, 1.12) were independently associated with worse OS.

Data Conclusion

There was similar OS in patients with LR‐M HCC and LR‐M iCCA, suggesting that LR‐M imaging features may more closely reflect patient outcomes than histology.

Evidence Level

3

Technical Efficacy

Stage 5
The Orinoco low‐level jet during El Niño–Southern Oscillation
Authors: Builes‐Jaramillo Alejandro , Yepes Johanna , Salas Hernán D.
Published: May 2022

This study shows the influence of El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) over the seasonal and diurnal variability of the Orinoco low‐level jet (OLLJ) during the December–January–February (DJF) season. Results show changes in the occurrence and intensity of the OLLJ winds during the phases of ENSO (El Niño and La Niña) in relation to Neutral conditions. During El Niño (La Niña), the OLLJ days decrease (increase) over the mid and exit of the OLLJ corridor. Furthermore, the mean wind vertical profiles (and the intensity of the diurnal cycle) decrease (increase) with values ranging from 5 to 9 m·s−1. We highlight that the OLLJ days decrease (increase) in January (February) during El Niño (La Niña) up to 24% (15%). These changes are modulated by the pressure gradient between the Atlantic subtropical high and the near‐equatorial trough regions that decreases (increases) during El Niño (La Niña) and thus induces a decrease (increase) of the OLLJ winds. Moreover, the water vapour flux and precipitation reduce during both phases of ENSO along the OLLJ corridor. This work shows new insights on the OLLJ features during ENSO, which contributes to improving our understanding of the processes that influence the hydro‐climatology of northern South America.
The role of cultural innovation in the success of luxury startups
Authors: Serdari Thomaï
Published: May 2022

Luxury startups' sensibility to the social and cultural environment is the dimension that in addition to the technical and strategic excellence and pricing strategy ensure the firms' long‐term success. Incorporating a humanities approach and design theory in the study of business challenges leads to articulated solutions. Luxury that is enduring, addresses the customer on a cognitive level and not solely on an emotional or physical one. A response to a startup's cultural context is the key to achieving internal consistency and (external) resonance with the consumers.
Using employee‐generated content from digital platforms to understand the luxury culture
Authors: Castillo Jhon Alvarez , Bryson Douglas , Divakaran Pradeep Kumar Ponnamma , Xiong Jie
Published: May 2022

As perceived by company employees, luxury culture is best understood by collecting and analyzing anonymous genuine current or past employee‐generated comments (EGCs) about their experience of specific work culture, without fear of retaliation by using digital platforms. This paper focuses on luxury culture, including organizational culture, founder culture, and country‐of‐origin culture. It examines the employee‐perception of organizational culture in the case of L'Oréal, a luxury cosmetics company, by analyzing EGCs collected from a digital platform. This study demonstrates that sentiment analysis methodology is a valuable technique in understanding how employees' perceptions of luxury companies' cultures and significantly that changes happening in luxury brands' dynamic organizational cultures may well be known relatively early by analyzing the EGCs. This study adds a new factor to the luxury organizational culture called “digital culture,” in addition to the previously identified cultural determinants, including collective, emotional, historical, symbolic, dynamic, and diffuse dimensions.
Accounting for residual heterogeneity in double‐observer sightability models decreases bias in burro abundance estimates
Authors: Hennig Jacob D. , Schoenecker Kathryn A. , Cain James W. , Roemer Gary W. , Laake Jeffrey L.
Published: May 2022

Feral burros (Equus asinus) and horses (E. ferus caballus) inhabiting public land in the western United States are intended to be managed at population levels established to promote a thriving, natural ecological balance. Double‐observer sightability (MDS) models, which use detection records from multiple observers and sighting covariates, perform well for estimating feral horse abundances, but their effectiveness for use in burro populations is less understood. These MDSmodels help minimize detection bias, yet bias can be further reduced with models that account for unmodeled variation, or residual heterogeneity, in detection probability. In populations containing radio‐marked individuals, residual heterogeneity can be estimated with MDSmodels by including a covariate that corresponds to the marked status of a group (MHmodels). Another approach is to use information from detections missed by both observers to account for the characteristics that make groups more or less likely to be detected, or recaptured, by the second observer (MRmodels). We used aerial survey data from 3 burro populations (Sinbad Herd Management Area, UT [2016–2018], Lake Pleasant Herd Management Area, AZ [2017], and Fort Irwin National Training Center, CA [2016–2017]) to develop MDSmodels applicable for feral burros in the southwestern United States. Our objectives were to quantify precision and bias of standard MDSsurveys for feral burros and to examine which model type for incorporating residual heterogeneity (MHor MR) would result in the least‐biased estimates of burro populations relative to the minimum number known alive (MNKA) within the Sinbad Herd Management Area. Standard MDSmodel estimates achieved a mean coefficient of variation of 0.08, while underestimating MNKA by an average of 27.1%. Accounting for residual heterogeneity through recapture probability in MRmodels resulted in estimates closer to MNKA than MHmodels (9.5% vs. 16.5% less than MNKA). Our results indicate that MDSmodels can achieve precise enough estimates to monitor feral burro populations, but they routinely produce negatively biased estimates. We encourage the use of radio‐collars to reduce bias in future burro surveys by accounting for residual heterogeneity through MRmodels.
Second primary squamous cell carcinomas treated with trans oral robotic surgery: Oncological and functional results
Authors: Soldati Federico , Lambercy Karma , Simon Christian
Published: May 2022

Background

Recovery of swallowing in patients treated with trans‐oral robotic surgery (TORS) is in general considered as favorable. However, patients afflicted with a secondary primary carcinoma of the head and neck may be more vulnerable to swallowing dysfunctions after trans‐oral surgery as a consequence of previous treatments.

Methods

This is a retrospective monocentric study on patients undergoing TORS for second primary squamous cell carcinoma between 2013 and 2017 (follow‐up until June 2021). Swallowing performance was assessed via the functional outcome swallowing scale (FOSS). Also, overall survival (OS), disease‐free survival (DS) and disease‐specific survival (DSS) were evaluated.

Results

Eighteen patients (median 62 years) underwent TORS with curative intent for T1‐2 oropharyngeal and supraglottic secondary primaries. The average follow‐up was of 52 months. All cases were resected R0 using TORS. 84% of patients had a post‐treatment FOSS score equal or better upon last follow‐up compared with pre‐treatment. Only one patient required a percutaneous gastrostomy long term. DSS/DFS/OS at 5 years was 94%, 60%, and 67%, respectively. The main cause of death was metachronous pulmonary neoplasia.

Conclusions

Our study demonstrates encouraging results in terms of swallowing recovery in patients undergoing TORS for selected secondary primaries of the oropharynx and supraglottic larynx. Further studies into trans‐oral surgery for this condition seem therefore warranted.

Level of Evidence: Case series; Level 4.
A trait‐based carbon export model for mesopelagic fishes in the Gulf of Mexico with consideration of asynchronous vertical migration, flux boundaries, and feeding guilds
Authors: Woodstock Matthew S. , Sutton Tracey T. , Zhang Yuying
Published: May 2022

Fish‐mediated carbon export provides a significant proportion of the biological carbon pump in oligotrophic regions. Bioenergetic models estimate this carbon transport, but many lack species‐specific traits and no carbon export model has been developed in the mesopelagic Gulf of Mexico. Intensive mesopelagic sampling efforts in the northern and eastern Gulf of Mexico have provided high‐resolution information regarding community composition, species' vertical migratory characteristics, diel depth occupancies, and diets. A stochastic, individual‐based model was developed for deep‐pelagic fishes in the northern Gulf of Mexico to estimate bioenergetic rates and carbon export fluxes. Fishes that ate gelatinous zooplankton consumed more mass per body weight per day than predators of cephalopods and fishes, ostensibly to increase the throughput of prey with less carbon (gelata) or more refractory materials (Crustacea). A dynamic energy budget submodel indicated that during 81% of occurrences, asynchronous vertically migrating fishes rested for 1 d before migrating again, but migrations on successive days were possible. In terms of carbon export, myctophids and stomiids contributed greater than 53% and 12% of the active carbon flux for the entire assemblage in all scenarios. The assemblage‐wide carbon export rate driven by vertically migrating fishes was 0.14–0.72 mg C m−2 d−1, 61% of the ingested carbon by the assemblage. Incorporating species‐specific traits and individual variability in bioenergetic models allows for more complex research questions (e.g., the effect of feeding guilds and asynchronous migration on carbon export) compared to the carbon export models that otherwise assume all fishes within a functional group are equivalent.
The detection of bacterial exometabolites in marine dissolved organic matter through ultrahigh‐resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Bercovici Sarah K. , Dittmar Thorsten , Niggemann Jutta
Published: May 2022

Bacteria play a key role in sustaining the chemodiversity of marine dissolved organic matter (DOM), yet there is limited direct evidence of a major contribution of bacterial exometabolites to the DOM pool. This study tests whether molecular formulae of intact exometabolites can be detected in natural DOM via untargeted Fourier‐transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT‐ICR‐MS). We analyzed a series of quantitative mixtures of solid‐phase extracted DOM from the deep ocean, of a natural microbial community and selected model strains of marine bacteria. Under standard instrument settings (200 broadband scans, mass range 92–1000 Da), 77% of molecular formulae were shared between the mesocosm and marine DOM. However, there was < 10% overlap between pure bacterial exometabolome with marine DOM, and in mixing ratios closest to mimicking natural environments (1% bacterial DOM, 99% marine DOM), only 4% of the unique bacterial exometabolites remained detectable. Further experiments with the bacterial exometabolome DOM mixtures using enhanced instrument settings resulted in increased detection of the exometabolites at low concentrations. At 1000 and 10,000 accumulated scans, 23% and 29% of the unique molecular formulae were detectable at low concentrations, respectively. Moreover, windowing a specific mass range encompassing a representative fraction of exometabolites tripled the number of unique detected formulae at low concentrations. Routine FT‐ICR‐MS settings are thus not always sufficient to distinguish bacterial exometabolome patterns from a seawater DOM background. To observe these patterns at higher sensitivity, we recommend a high scan number coupled with windowing a characteristic region of the molecular fingerprint.
Influence of corrosion behavior of X80 steel in silty soil containing composite sodium salt based on orthogonal test
Authors: Wang Yuting , Han Pengju , Sun Funan , Xie Ruizhen , Bai Xiangling , He Bin , Wang Xiaoyuan
Published: May 2022

The corrosion law of X80 steel in silty soils with different contents of sodium chloride and sodium sulfate is studied at different temperatures by using an orthogonal test group of three factors and three levels L9 (34) in conjunction with the results of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, polarization curve, and microscopic images. The steel corrosion rate increases with the silty soil temperature. The presence of SO42− in silty soil inhibits corrosion in X80 steel. The corrosion mechanism involves competition between Cl− and SO42− for adsorption sites: SO42− ions occupy some corrosion pits, and FeS and other corrosion products are generated and adhere to the surface of the corrosion pits, inhibiting further reaction. A range analysis of the fitted electrochemical impedance spectra and polarization curves of X80 steel shows that the temperature has the strongest effect on the corrosion of X80 steel, followed by the Cl− content, whereas the SO42− content has the least effect. The lowest corrosion rate is found for a silty soil Cl− content of 0.3%, a SO42− content of 2.0%, and a temperature of −20°C.
Configuration‐Dependent Liquid Crystal and Gel Behaviors of Tetraphenylethene‐Containing Main‐Chain Copolyesters
Authors: Wang Jing , Wang Tian , Jiang Qian , Zhang Yuping , Qiu Yuan , Wang Hong , Yin Guochuan , Liao Yonggui , Xie Xiaolin
Published: May 2022

The construction of aggregation‐induced emission‐active (AIE‐active) gelators with liquid crystal properties remains a challenge. Moreover, the effects of AIE configuration on liquid crystal, gel and AIE behaviors in one system are unclear. Herein, two main‐chain liquid crystalline copolyester gelators with a single configuration of AIEgen TPE, mesogen biphenyl, and pendent amide groups are synthesized through melt polycondensation. Both copolyesters display smectic phase, while E‐P20 possesses a wider temperature range of liquid crystal and a narrower layer distance owing to the more serious nonlinear “defect” of Z‐TPE than E‐TPE units. In addition, E‐P20 and Z‐P20 can form AIE‐active gels with the minimum gelation concentration (MGC) values of 10 and 4 wt% in ethyl acetate mainly via hydrogen bonds between the pendent amide groups, respectively. These AIE‐active gels show potential applications in temperature sensor, information storage, and so on.
Self‐Healing and Electrical Properties of Viscoelastic Polymer–Carbon Blends
Authors: Milkin Pavel , Danzer Michael , Ionov Leonid
Published: May 2022

Self‐healing polymer–carbon composites are seen as promising materials for future electronic devices, which must be able to restore not only their structural integrity but also electrical performance after cracking and wear. Despite multiple reports about self‐healing conductive elements, there is a lack of a broad fundamental understanding of correlation between viscoelasticity of such composites, their electrical properties, and self‐healing of their mechanical as well as electrical properties. Here, it is reported thorough investigation of electromechanical properties of blends of carbon black (CB) as conductive filler and viscoelastic polymers (polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS) and polyborosiloxane (PBS)) with different relaxation times as matrices. It is shown that behavior of composites depends strongly on the viscoelastic properties of polymers. Low molecular polymer composite possesses high conductivity due to strong filler network formation, quick electrical, and mechanical properties restoration, but for this the ability is sacrificed to flow and ductility at large deformation (material is brittle). In contrary, high relaxation time polymer composite behaves elastically on small time and flows at large time scale due to weak filler network and can heal. However, the electrical properties are worse than that of carbon and viscous polymer and degrade with time.
The influence of roller burnishing process parameters on surface quality and fatigue life of AA 7075‐T6 alloy
Authors: Celik M. , Caydas U. , Akyuz M.
Published: May 2022

Roller burnishing method is a low‐cost and effective surface treatment method that has been frequently preferred in recent years. In this method the surface roughness is minimized by small plastic deformations, without removing chips from the surfaces, caused by the rolling element pressed against the surface with a certain force. While the surface hardness of the material increases in the process, the surface roughness decreases significantly. In this study, the effects of the process parameters of roller burnishing method (burnishing pressure and number of passes) on AA7075‐T6 aluminum alloy in terms of fatigue strength and surface roughness were investigated experimentally. Taguchi L9 experimental design method was used in the study, and the burnishing process was carried out by a specially produced disc‐shaped apparatus. As a result of the study, it was determined that the roller burnishing method increased both the fatigue strength and surface quality of AA 7075 T6 alloy. In consequence of roller burnishing, it was determined that fatigue life and surface roughness values improved by 116 % and 96 %, respectively.
Plasma lncRNA LOC338963 and mRNA AP3B2 are upregulated in paraneoplastic Lambert‐Eaton myasthenic syndrome
Authors: Yang Fei , Jing Feng , Li Yang , Kong Shanshan , Zhang Shimin , Huo Yunyun , Huang Xusheng , Yu Shengyuan
Published: May 2022

Introduction/Aims

Lambert‐Eaton myasthenic syndrome (LEMS) is an autoimmune neuromuscular junction disorder. Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) can regulate the expression of mRNA and is involved in the development of autoimmune diseases, but few genetic studies are available. In this study we aimed to explore the lncRNA and mRNA changes of LEMS.

Methods

Plasma lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles of three LEMS patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC) and three matched healthy controls were analyzed by microarray. Differentially expressed lncRNAs and adjacent mRNAs were jointly analyzed, and candidates were verified by quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The identified genes were subsequently evaluated in 9, 8, and 4 patients with paraneoplastic LEMS, nontumor LEMS, and SCLC, respectively. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses were performed to determine possible functions.

Results

A total of 320 lncRNA and 168 mRNAs were differentially expressed in the three LEMS with SCLC and compared with healthy controls. Among these, lncRNA LOC338963 and its neighboring mRNA AP3B2 were upregulated jointly, which was confirmed by qRT‐PCR. qRT‐PCR revealed significant upregulation of the two genes in patients with paraneoplastic LEMS compared with nontumor LEMS or SCLC. GO analysis of AP3B2 identified the enrichment terms anterograde synaptic vesicle transport and establishment of synaptic vesicle localization. KEEG analysis showed that AP3B2 was enriched in lysosomal pathways.

Discussion

LOC338963 and AP3B2 were upregulated in patients with paraneoplastic LEMS, suggesting their involvement in pathogenesis. These genes could be targets for exploring the pathomechanism of paraneoplastic LEMS.
Relationship between the early repolarization pattern and a history of suicide attempts among drug‐free psychiatric patients
Authors: Kameyama Hiroshi , Sugimoto Kenichi , Kodaka Fumitoshi , Ito Kyoko , Nukariya Kazutaka , Kato Tomohiro , Shigeta Masahiro
Published: May 2022

Aim

Suicide attempts are an important severe psychiatric symptom and a clear outcome for mental disorders. Although the relationship between the early repolarization pattern in electrocardiogram and psychiatric disorders has recently been reported, these reports have not been able to exclude the influence of psychiatric drugs. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the early repolarization pattern and a history of suicide attempts among patients not receiving psychiatric medication.

Methods

A total of 71 patients with a history of suicide attempts were investigated, 38 of whom were analyzed for this study. We compared the frequency of the early repolarization pattern between a suicide attempt group and a control group. Then, we investigated the association between the early repolarization pattern and the suicide attempt group by logistic regression analysis, including electrocardiographic findings associated with psychiatric disorders.

Results

The findings indicated that the frequency of the early repolarization pattern was significantly higher in the suicide attempt group (n = 20; 52.6%) than in the control group (n = 4; 10.5%) (P < 0.001), and the results of the logistic regression analysis indicated that the early repolarization pattern was associated with suicide attempts.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the early repolarization pattern is associated with a history of suicide attempts.
Inverse optimal control for positive impulsive systems toward personalized therapeutic regimens
Authors: Hernandez‐Vargas Esteban A. , Hernandez‐Mejia Gustavo , Hernandez‐Gonzalez Miguel
Published: May 2022

Infectious diseases are latent threats to humankind. Control theoretical approaches can help practitioners to advance the scheduling of drugs. For the case of infectious diseases, it is not possible to keep continuous flow of drug administration over all time‐steps, thus the action of the control input has to be restricted at some of thekth instants. This paper presents the adaptation of inverse optimal control to positive impulsive systems in discrete‐time to schedule therapies. The properties of positive systems are used to simplify the control design. Thus, the problem of scheduling therapies in infectious diseases is illustrated with influenza and COVID‐19. Numerical results show the applicability of the control algorithms.
Electrospinning of spider silk‐based nanofibers
Authors: Yazawa Kenjiro , Mizukami Saeka , Aoki Masaaki , Tamada Yasushi
Published: May 2022

Spider silk has garnered attention as a structural material and a medical resource for next generation because it is tough, lightweight, and biodegradable. Nonwoven silk fabrics are emerging in research and industries owing to advanced electrospinning techniques. Several studies have reported nonwoven fabrics made of spider silk‐like proteins, which are originated from recombinant expression systems, with lower molecular weights than the natural counterpart. The lower molecular weight causes a lack of mechanical strength and durability, preventing the evaluation of industrial potential of the spider silk‐based nonwoven fabric to use as a structural and medical material. In this study, an electrospun nonwoven fabric is produced using native spider silk fibers forcibly reeled from live spiders. The spider silk‐based nonwoven fabrics demonstrate cell compatibility, and the mechanical properties are superior to the silkworm silk‐based nonwoven fabrics. The availability of spider silk‐based nonwoven fabrics introduces an unexplored set of potential uses, along with the context of sustainable development goals.
Modification of reactive PB‐g‐SAG core–shell particles to achieve higher toughening ability for brittle polylactide
Authors: Hao Chunbo , Zheng Shusong , Sun Shulin
Published: May 2022

Core–shell structured particles have been used to toughen brittle polylactide (PLA) extensively. In this research, reactive core–shell (RCS) particles with polybutadiene (PB) as core and the terpolymer styrene–acrylonitrile‐glycidyl methacrylate as shell were prepared to improve the toughening ability of RCS for PLA. The tert‐dodecyl mercaptan (TDDM) content was varied during polymerization and higher TDDM concentrations induced lower grafting and cross‐linking of the PB phase, which significantly influenced the dispersed phase morphology and toughness of RCS toughened PLA blends. With the increase of TDDM content, the phase morphology of RCS changed from uniform dispersion, net‐like structure to an agglomeration pattern. The impact strength of PLA blends increased with TDDM content and reached 922 J/m for the PLA/RCS‐T5 (TDDM: 1.18 wt%), which was 30 times higher than pristine PLA and ~3 times than PLA/RCS‐T0 blend. Higher TDDM contents decreased toughening efficiency. Appropriate TDDM contents decreased the glass transition temperature (Tg) and cross‐linking degree of RCS particles which enhanced the cavitation ability of the PB core phase and promoted the shear yielding of PLA matrix. The modification effect of TDDM solves the problem of insufficient toughening ability of core–shell particles. Under the same toughener content, the modified RCS particles make the PLA blend achieve super toughness.
Synthesis, characterization, conductivity, and gas‐sensing performance of copolymer nanocomposites based on copper alumina and poly(aniline‐co‐pyrrole)
Authors: Sankar S. , Ramesan M. T.
Published: May 2022

A series of copolymer nanocomposites based on poly(aniline‐co‐pyrrole) (PANI‐co‐PPy) with different contents of copper alumina (Cu‐Al2O3) nanoparticles were synthesized by benign in situ chemical oxidation polymerization. The structural, thermal transition, and morphological interpretations were carried out by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and high‐resolution transmission electron microscope (HR‐TEM). The electrical properties such as alternating current (AC) conductivity and dielectric measurements were performed at room temperature to verify their application in developing new electronic devices. The presence of nanoparticles in the copolymer and the synergistic interaction in the copolymer matrix was confirmed by FTIR and XRD. HR‐TEM indicates the nanosized uniform dispersion of nanofiller in the copolymer matrix. DSC revealed a reduction in the flexibility of polymer with an increase in glass transition temperature of copolymer composites. AC conductivity measurement manifested an increased hopping of charge carriers in nanocomposites when compared with pristine PANI‐co‐PPy. Dielectric properties were maximum for copolymer with 5 wt% Cu‐Al2O3. Excellent gas sensing traits were observed for copolymer nanocomposites due to the electron transfers existing between PANI‐co‐PPy and ammonia gas. The maximum gas‐sensing properties and electrical conductivity were observed for 5 wt% copolymer composites. The magnificent material properties make PANI‐co‐PPy/Cu‐Al2O3 nanocomposites, a promising contender for developing nano‐electronic devices.
The influence of resilience on social creativity: Chain mediation effects of sense of humor and positive mood
Authors: Li Yadan , Liu Chunyu , Yang Yilong , Du Ying , Xie Cong , Xiang Shuoqi , Duan Haijun , Hu Weiping
Published: May 2022

Though previous research has established a strong link between resilience and cognitive creativity, few studies have extended this association to social creativity. The underlying mechanisms of the influence of resilience on social creativity remain unknown. Therefore, the current study introduced sense of humor and positive mood to explore the influence of resilience on social creativity. We established a chain mediation model with data from 186 Chinese college students. The results showed that resilience was associated with social creativity. The sense of humor and positive mood were serial mediators in this relationship. The results have demonstrated that student participants with higher levels of resilience are more likely to use humor in their study, which may help them get a more positive mood than their counterparts with lower levels of resilience. Then, positive mood is conducive to students' performance of social creativity.
Prediction of tropical cyclone precipitation over China by the DSAEF_LTP model
Authors: Ding Chenchen , Su Zhizhong , Ren Fumin , Wong Wai‐Kin , Chen Boyu , Ren Hongchang
Published: May 2022

The Dynamical–Statistical–Analog Ensemble Forecast for Landfalling Typhoon Precipitation (DSAEF_LTP) model was used to forecast the accumulated precipitation of 92 tropical cyclone cases from 2004 to 2018 in China. Through the basic experiment of 76 training samples from 2004 to 2016, the best forecasting scheme of the DSAEF_LTP model in China was selected. The forecasting performance of the DSAEF_LTP model in 16 independent samples (2017–2018) with this scheme was found to be comparable to four numerical weather prediction (NWP) models (European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts, Global Forecast System, Global/Regional Assimilation and Prediction Enhanced System, and Shanghai Meteorological Service WRF ADAS Real‐Time Modeling System). Specifically, the prediction ability of the DSAEF_LTP model ranked third among the five models. Meanwhile, the prediction performance of the DSAEF_LTP model in different areas demonstrated clear regional characteristics with the single best forecasting scheme for the whole of China, providing a skillful forecast in the coastal areas of southeast and south China. To improve the performance of the DSAEF_LTP model, China was divided into three subregions (south, southeast, and northern China), and subregion experiments were conducted. After regionalization, the forecasting performance of the DSAEF_LTP model improved to some extent. In general, the TSsum (sum of the threat score with precipitation over 250 mm and 100 mm) of the DSAEF_LTP model in the subregion experiments was 0.236, which represented an increase of 19.8% from the value of 0.197 in the basic experiment. Compared with the four NWP models, the TSsum of the DSAEF_LTP model was higher than that of the Global Forecast System (0.225), ranking it second only to the Shanghai Meteorological Service WRF ADAS Real‐Time Modeling System (0.248). In addition, the bias scores of different models showed that the DSAEF_LTP model had a tendency of false alarms, whereas the NWP models tended to misses.
Structural reliability analysis of automotive parts based on strength degradation and abrasion and correlation
Authors: Yang Zhou , Kou Maomao , Rao Singiresu S , Zhang Yimin
Published: May 2022

In this paper, based on Shcaff residual strength theory, the effect of abrasion is considered while the strength degradation of parts is studied. Based on the maximum abrasion, a stress‐strength interference model considering strength degradation and abrasion is established. Then, the reliability and reliability sensitivity of vehicle parts are analyzed by using the first‐order second moment and random perturbation method, and they are verified by the Monte Carlo method. The fitting results are good. It provides a more practical analysis method for engineering analysis. At the same time, based on the correlation between variables, the effect of correlation coefficient on the reliability of vehicle tension rod is discussed. The reliability index and reliability of the correlation coefficient of vehicle tension rod are analyzed, and the reliability sensitivity of the correlation coefficient is also analyzed. At the same time, the gradient reliability of vehicle tension rod geometry is analyzed based on strength degradation theory. Found that if the influence of multiple correlation coefficients on reliability is increased (decreased), then the influence of parameter correlation on reliability will further increase (decrease). On the contrary, if the influence of multiple correlation coefficients on reliability increases and decreases, the reliability change needs to be analyzed specifically. In other words, the influence of multiple correlation coefficients on reliability will produce superposition effect. It provides a new direction for the study of correlation coefficient.
Optimal periodic resource allocation in reactive dynamical systems: Application to microalgal production
Authors: Bernard Olivier , Lu Liu‐Di , Salomon Julien
Published: May 2022

In this article, we focus on a periodic resource allocation problem applied on a dynamical system which comes from a biological system. More precisely, we consider a system with resources and activities, each activity use the allocated resource to evolve up to a given time where a control (represented by a given permutation) will be applied on the system to reallocate the resources. The goal is to find the optimal control strategies which optimize the cost or the benefit of the system. This problem can be illustrated by an industrial biological application, namely, the optimization of a mixing strategy to enhance the growth rate in a microalgal raceway system. A mixing device, such as a paddle wheel, is considered to control the rearrangement of the depth of the algae cultures, hence the light perceived at each lap. We prove that if the dynamics of the system is periodic, then the period corresponds to one reallocation whatever the order of the involved permutation matrix is. A nonlinear optimization problem for one reallocation process is then introduced. Since permutations need to be tested in the general case, it can be numerically solved only for a limited number of . To overcome this difficulty, we introduce a second optimization problem which provides a suboptimal solution of the initial problem, but whose solution can be determined explicitly. A sufficient condition to characterize cases where the two problems have the same solution is given. Some numerical experiments are performed to assess the benefit of optimal strategies in various settings.