bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case study on learning basic logical competencies when utilising technologies and real-world objects
Authors: Weinhandl Robert , Houghton Tony , Lavicza Zsolt
Published: July 2020

In our technological age, many technologies and real-world objects communicate with each other or partly merge. However, this combination of technologies and real-world objects has not yet found its way into everyday teaching practices in schools to any great extent. To investigate the possibilities of combining technologies and real-world objects in mathematics classes, we conducted an exploratory educational study with 47 students. Analysing students’ data using the principles of grounded theory demonstrated that for students in our study (A) using open tasks with multiple solutions, (B) immediate feedback and (C) novelty effects in the learning process, are essential to design mathematics learning environments with combining technologies and real-world objects when learning basic logical operations.
The urban regeneration’s framework for transit villages in Qatar: the case of Al Sadd in Doha
Authors: Furlan Raffaello , Zaina Sara , Patel Shikha
Published: July 2020

In the past two decades, Doha, the capital city of the State of Qatar, has undergone a rapid urban transformation. In 2013 and 2014, the State of Qatar, respectively, initiated the construction of Doha Metro and launched the Qatar National Development Framework (QNDF), an action plan for managing sustainable urban development at national level. Namely, QNDF emphasizes the importance of linking Doha Metro system with urban growth through transit-oriented developments (TODs), a model maximizing the integration between transport systems and land use, through the development of sustainable, vibrant, livable, compact and mixed-use communities. This research study focuses on Al Sadd, a mixed-use neighborhood located in the center of Doha. Al Sadd is considered a significant site for investigating the extent to which the TOD model can contribute to enhance standards of urban living and fostering a long-term urban sustainability. The strategy for monitoring and assessing the potential benefits of the investigated TOD is grounded on the on-site analysis (based on graph theory) of two indices: (1) built environment diversity and density and (2) travel behavior. The revealed comprehensive approach for the urban regeneration of the Al Sadd TOD is based on a framework for enhancing its (1) mixed-used urban fabric and (2) multimodal transportation systems. In turn, the proposed framework provides insights to move incrementally toward interdisciplinary research and governance for TOD in Qatar and in the globalizing GCC, through a long-term sustainability perspective.
Operational Restrictions in General Probabilistic Theories
Authors: Filippov Sergey N. , Gudder Stan , Heinosaari Teiko , Leppäjärvi Leevi
Published: July 2020

The formalism of general probabilistic theories provides a universal paradigm that is suitable for describing various physical systems including classical and quantum ones as particular cases. Contrary to the usual no-restriction hypothesis, the set of accessible meters within a given theory can be limited for different reasons, and this raises a question of what restrictions on meters are operationally relevant. We argue that all operational restrictions must be closed under simulation, where the simulation scheme involves mixing and classical post-processing of meters. We distinguish three classes of such operational restrictions: restrictions on meters originating from restrictions on effects; restrictions on meters that do not restrict the set of effects in any way; and all other restrictions. We fully characterize the first class of restrictions and discuss its connection to convex effect subalgebras. We show that the restrictions belonging to the second class can impose severe physical limitations despite the fact that all effects are accessible, which takes place, e.g., in the unambiguous discrimination of pure quantum states via effectively dichotomic meters. We further demonstrate that there are physically meaningful restrictions that fall into the third class. The presented study of operational restrictions provides a better understanding on how accessible measurements modify general probabilistic theories and quantum theory in particular.
Convergence of Gamification and Machine Learning: A Systematic Literature Review
Authors: Khakpour Alireza , Colomo-Palacios Ricardo
Published: July 2020

Recent developments in human–computer interaction technologies raised the attention towards gamification techniques, that can be defined as using game elements in a non-gaming context. Furthermore, advancement in machine learning (ML) methods and its potential to enhance other technologies, resulted in the inception of a new era where ML and gamification are combined. This new direction thrilled us to conduct a systematic literature review in order to investigate the current literature in the field, to explore the convergence of these two technologies, highlighting their influence on one another, and the reported benefits and challenges. The results of the study reflect the various usage of this confluence, mainly in, learning and educational activities, personalizing gamification to the users, behavioral change efforts, adapting the gamification context and optimizing the gamification tasks. Adding to that, data collection for machine learning by gamification technology and teaching machine learning with the help of gamification were identified. Finally, we point out their benefits and challenges towards streamlining future research endeavors.
Flexi-pharma: a molecule-ranking strategy for virtual screening using pharmacophores from ligand-free conformational ensembles
Authors: Lans Isaias , Palacio-Rodríguez Karen , Cavasotto Claudio N. , Cossio Pilar
Published: July 2020

Computer-aided strategies are useful for reducing the costs and increasing the success-rate in drug discovery. Among these strategies, methods based on pharmacophores (an ensemble of electronic and steric features representing the target active site) are efficient to implement over large compound libraries. However, traditional pharmacophore-based methods require knowledge of active compounds or ligand–receptor structures, and only few ones account for target flexibility. Here, we developed a pharmacophore-based virtual screening protocol, Flexi-pharma, that overcomes these limitations. The protocol uses molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to explore receptor flexibility, and performs a pharmacophore-based virtual screening over a set of MD conformations without requiring prior knowledge about known ligands or ligand–receptor structures for building the pharmacophores. The results from the different receptor conformations are combined using a “voting” approach, where a vote is given to each molecule that matches at least one pharmacophore from each MD conformation. Contrarily to other approaches that reduce the pharmacophore ensemble to some representative models and score according to the matching models or molecule conformers, the Flexi-pharma approach takes directly into account the receptor flexibility by scoring in regards to the receptor conformations. We tested the method over twenty systems, finding an enrichment of the dataset for 19 of them. Flexi-pharma is computationally efficient allowing for the screening of thousands of compounds in minutes on a single CPU core. Moreover, the ranking of molecules by vote is a general strategy that can be applied with any pharmacophore-filtering program.
Introduction to the Special Issue on Nonverbal Vocal Communication in Development
Authors: Filippa Manuela , Grandjean Didier
Published: July 2020

Nonverbal vocal aspects of communication, often related to affective states, are crucial to social interactions not only for animals but also for humans during early infancy, as well as being one of the pillars of human language development and acquisition. The thread that binds together the contributions to this Special Issue is the analysis of nonverbal vocal communication during development, both from ontogenetic and phylogenetic perspectives. This introduction presents the multiple viewpoints emerging from this Special Issue and delineates future research directions for investigating the nonverbal aspects of vocal communication in early development.
Analysis of a piecewise linear aeroelastic system with and without tuned vibration absorber
Authors: Lelkes János , Kalmár-Nagy Tamás
Published: July 2020

The dynamics of a two-degrees-of-freedom (pitch–plunge) aeroelastic system is investigated. The aerodynamic force is modeled as a piecewise linear function of the effective angle of attack. Conditions for admissible (existing) and virtual equilibria are determined. The stability and bifurcations of equilibria are analyzed. We find saddle-node, border collision and rapid bifurcations. The analysis shows that the pitch–plunge model with a simple piecewise linear approximation of the aerodynamic force can reproduce the transition from divergence to the complex aeroelastic phenomenon of stall flutter. A linear tuned vibration absorber is applied to increase stall flutter wind speed and eliminate limit cycle oscillations. The effect of the absorber parameters on the stability of equilibria is investigated using the Liénard–Chipart criterion. We find that with the vibration absorber the onset of the rapid bifurcation can be shifted to higher wind speed or the oscillations can be eliminated altogether.
Simulations of oxidation of metal nanoparticles with a grain boundary inside
Authors: Zhdanov Vladimir P.
Published: July 2020

The generic 2D lattice Monte Carlo simulations presented herein are focused on the spatio-temporal kinetics of oxidation of metal nanoparticles composed of two grains separated by a single grain boundary. The oxidation is assumed to occur via inward diffusion of interstitial oxygen ions in the oxide. The results of simulations illustrate that the regimes of oxidation can range from one where the presence of grains is negligible and the oxide shell is formed at the periphery of a whole nanoparticle to one where each grain is oxidized almost independently.
Interaction effects of corporate hedging activities for a multi-risk exposure: evidence from a quasi-natural experiment
Authors: Hang Markus , Geyer-Klingeberg Jerome , Rathgeber Andreas W. , Alasseur Clémence , Wichmann Lena
Published: July 2020

This study analyzes the interaction effects of corporate hedging activities of electric utility firms facing a manifold risk exposure consisting of several market price risks. We employ 16 recent introductions of markets for trading electricity derivatives as a quasi-natural experiment. The results show that electric utilities generally favor domestic markets for trading electricity derivatives, which might be reduced to their usual high market power and the related good predictability of electricity prices. As a consequence, electricity output hedging eliminates a major part of overall market risk. Further, we identify several spillover effects of electricity output hedging: The sensitivities to input commodity prices decrease, while the sensitivities to foreign exchange rates and interest rates increase. Furthermore, electricity output hedging increases debt capacities and the availability of internal funds. These results are relevant for electric utility firms, market operators, and policy makers, since the selective presence of derivatives markets might let financing policies globally diverge.
Superelastic Effect in NiTi Alloys Manufactured Using Electron Beam and Focused Laser Rapid Manufacturing Methods
Authors: Dutkiewicz Jan , Rogal Łukasz , Kalita Damian , Węglowski Marek , Błacha Sylwester , Berent Katarzyna , Czeppe Tomasz , Antolak-Dudka Anna , Durejko Tomasz , Czujko Tomasz
Published: July 2020

Two different methods of rapid manufacturing—electron beam additive manufacturing (EBAM) and laser-engineered net shaping (LENS)—were used in order to fabricate NiTi elements. Microstructure and martensitic transformation temperatures of initial materials in the form of wire or spherical powder were established. The samples fabricated using LENS technique showed martensitic transformation temperature (MTT) at − 26 °C (represented by maximum martensite peak maximum in DSC) which was lower in comparison with raw powder. In the case of samples fabricated using EBAM, the MMT reached − 19 °C. The peaks of martensite and reverse transformations were diffuse due to differences in grain size and composition across the sample. Aging at 500 °C for 2 h caused not only separation of R-phase during cooling of both samples, but also formation of sharper and higher transformation peaks as well as shift of MTT to higher temperatures. Microstructural investigation showed columnar grains, near the interface of deposited element and base plate, growing perpendicular to the plate surface. The grains showed axial fiber texture <001> along the growth direction. STEM micrographs revealed the presence of elongated particles enriched in Ti. Formation of Ti-rich particles during the process led to the depletion of Ti in the matrix and contributed to increase in MTT in comparison with initial NiTi powder. LENS-deposited sample additionally contained higher dislocation density in the austenite. Compression stress/strain curves of EBAM-deposited sample revealed deformation of martensite only, while the LENS-deposited one showed almost complete superelastic effect in compression mode up to 3%.
Aortic valve-sparing procedure—a durable choice in liver transplantation recipient
Authors: De Martino Andrea , Pratali Stefano , Carrai Paola , Petruccelli Stefania , De Simone Paolo , Bortolotti Uberto
Published: July 2020

A 44-year old man with aortic regurgitation and aneurysm of the ascending aorta underwent an aortic valve-sparing procedure as a durable treatment before liver transplantation. Since patients with chronic liver failure are at high risk of hemorrhagic complications at time of major surgery, while management of warfarin administration may still represent a concern, the choice of a cardiac procedure which avoids any anticoagulant treatment appeared justified.
Cost-utility of an eHealth application ‘Oncokompas’ that supports cancer survivors in self-management: results of a randomised controlled trial
Authors: van der Hout A. , Jansen F. , van Uden-Kraan C. F. , Coupé V. M. , Holtmaat K. , Nieuwenhuijzen G. A. , Hardillo J. A. , de Jong R. J. Baatenburg , Tiren-Verbeet N. L. , Sommeijer D. W. , de Heer K. , Schaar C. G. , Sedee R. J. E. , Bosscha K. , van den Brekel M. W. M. , Petersen J. F. , Westerman M. , Honings J. , Takes R. P. , Houtenbos I. , van den Broek W. T. , de Bree R. , Jansen P. , Eerenstein S. E. J. , Leemans C. R. , Zijlstra J. M. , Cuijpers P. , van de Poll-Franse L. V. , Verdonck-de Leeuw I. M.
Published: July 2020

Purpose

The eHealth self-management application ‘Oncokompas’ was developed to support cancer survivors in monitoring health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and symptoms, and obtaining personalized feedback and options for supportive care. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-utility of Oncokompas compared with care as usual (CAU) among cancer survivors.

Methods

Survivors were randomly allocated to the intervention or control group. Direct (non-)medical, indirect non-medical costs, and HRQOL were measured at 3- and 6-month follow-up, using iMTA Medical Consumption and Productivity Costs and the EuroQol-5D questionnaires. Mean cumulative costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were compared between both groups.

Results

In total, 625 survivors were randomized into intervention (n = 320) or control group (n = 305). Base case analysis showed that incremental costs from a societal perspective were − €163 (95% CI, − 665 to 326), and incremental QALYs were 0.0017 (95% CI, − 0.0121 to 0.0155) in the intervention group compared with those in the control group. The probability that, compared with CAU, Oncokompas is more effective was 60%, less costly 73%, and both more effective and less costly 47%. Sensitivity analyses showed that incremental costs vary between − €40 and €69, and incremental QALYs vary between − 0.0023 and − 0.0057.

Conclusion

Oncokompas is likely to be equally effective on utilities, and not more expensive than CAU, and will therefore contribute to sustainable cancer survivorship care in a (cost-)effective manner.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

Oncokompas seems to improve HRQOL and reduces the burden of several tumour-specific symptoms, while costs from a societal perspective are similar to CAU.
Clinical forensic height measurements on injured people using a multi camera device for 3D documentation
Authors: Sieberth Till , Ebert Lars C , Gentile Simon , Fliss Barbara
Published: July 2020

Documenting the existence, size, position and shape of injuries is an important part of medical forensic examinations. In the photography of an injury, the documentation is limited to an approximation of size and position of the injury based on a ruler included in the image. The documentation of injuries can be improved with photogrammetry, which allows the creation of scaled 3D models of an injury that can be used to not only document and visualize the injury but also to match the injury with an injury-causing object. In this paper, the multicamera device “Botscan” was used to perform 3D whole-body documentation and measure the positions of injuries. A major advantage of 3D whole-body documentation compared to photography is that the former can be performed at a later stage of the investigation. This makes the whole-body 3D documentation of injuries an important tool for re-examination.
Food Web Fuel Differs Across Habitats and Seasons of a Tidal Freshwater Estuary
Authors: Young Matthew , Howe Emily , O’Rear Teejay , Berridge Kathleen , Moyle Peter
Published: July 2020

Estuarine food webs are fueled by multiple different primary producers. However, identifying the relative importance of each producer to consumers is difficult, particularly for fishes that utilize multiple food sources due to both their mobility and their generally high trophic levels. Previous studies have documented broad spatial differences in the importance of primary producers to fishes within the Upper San Francisco Estuary, California, including separation between pelagic and littoral food webs. In this study, we evaluated the importance of primary producers to adult fishes in three closely spaced subregions that represented disparate habitat types (a tidal wetland channel, a turbid backwater channel, and a deep open-water channel), each a potential outcome of local restoration projects. Using stable isotope analysis coupled with a Bayesian mixing model, we identified significant differences in primary-producer contribution to fishes and invertebrates across habitats and seasons, especially in the relative contribution of submersed aquatic vegetation and phytoplankton. Most fishes utilized multiple primary producers and showed little segregation between pelagic and littoral food webs among habitats. Availability of primary producers differs seasonally and across multiple spatial scales, helping to buffer environmental variability and thus enhancing food web resilience. Ecosystem restoration may improve with emphasis on restoring a wide variety of primary producers to support consumers.
10 recommendations for African governments to ensure food security for poor and vulnerable populations during COVID-19
Authors: Lawson-Lartego Laté , Cohen Marc J.
Published: July 2020

In addressing COVID-19, African governments should not forget the livelihoods as well as the food and nutrition security of their citizens. With over 70% of the workforce in the informal sector without any social protection and health insurance, the pandemic could have a devastating impact on income and livelihoods as well as food and nutrition security for workers up and down the food chain. There are ten steps African governments can take to ensure that their response to the disease takes food and nutrition security into account:

1. Protect food supply chains and consider them essential services;

2. Consider fiscal and monetary incentives;

3. Prioritize healthy diets;

4. Use food reserves wisely;

5. Keep food markets open while ensuring safety;

6. Use mobile cash transfers for social protection;

7. Protect farmers and food workers;

8. Prioritize gender equality;

9. Instill a sense of solidarity; and

10. Avoid export bans.
Ancient incomplete lineage sorting of Hyles and Rhodafra (Lepidoptera: Sphingidae)
Authors: Hundsdoerfer Anna K. , Kitching Ian J.
Published: July 2020

The hawkmoth genusRhodafracomprises two African species with unclear relationships, as their wing patterns are markedly different, with one species closely resembling species of a related genus,Hyles. The present paper aims to investigate the monophyly and phylogenetic position ofRhodafrain relation toHylesand other genera of the subtribe Choerocampina (Sphingidae: Macroglossinae: Macroglossini) using mitochondrial and nuclear sequence data from more species and individuals than have hitherto been studied. As no fresh tissue ofRhodafrawas available, ancient-DNA methodology was applied. All data corroborate the genus as monophyletic and that a similar wing pattern is not a good indicator of close phylogenetic relationship in this group of moths. Phylogenetic trees based on mitochondrial data agree in placingRhodafrawithinHyles. In contrast, analysis of nuclear EF1alpha sequences produces a topology in whichRhodafrais placed as the sister clade toHyles. Although multispecies coalescent analyses suggest a polytomy betweenRhodafra,Hyles lineataand the remainingHyles, total evidence analyses corroborateRhodafraas sister toHyles. This relationship is interpreted as the favoured topology. For a more robust result, the question should be re-examined using genomic approaches.
Probability density function (PDF) models for particle transport in porous media
Authors: Icardi Matteo , Dentz Marco
Published: July 2020

Mathematical models based on probability density functions (PDF) have been extensively used in hydrology and subsurface flow problems, to describe the uncertainty in porous media properties (e.g., permeability modelled as random field). Recently, closer to the spirit of PDF models for turbulent flows, some approaches have used this statistical viewpoint also in pore-scale transport processes (fully resolved porous media models). When a concentration field is transported, by advection and diffusion, in a heterogeneous medium, in fact, spatial PDFs can be defined to characterise local fluctuations and improve or better understand the closures performed by classical upscaling methods. In the study of hydrodynamical dispersion, for example, PDE-based PDF approach can replace expensive and noisy Lagrangian simulations (e.g., trajectories of drift-diffusion stochastic processes). In this work we derive a joint position-velocity Fokker–Planck equation to model the motion of particles undergoing advection and diffusion in in deterministic or stochastic heterogeneous velocity fields. After appropriate closure assumptions, this description can help deriving rigorously stochastic models for the statistics of Lagrangian velocities. This is very important to be able to characterise the dispersion properties and can, for example, inform velocity evolution processes in continuous time random walk dispersion models. The closure problem that arises when averaging the Fokker–Planck equation shows also interesting similarities with the mixing problem and can be used to propose alternative closures for anomalous dispersion.
Correction to: To what extent does the detection of climate change in Hungary depend on the choice of statistical methods?
Authors: Izsák Beatrix , Szentimrey Tamás
Published: July 2020

Authors would like to change the first name and surname of the authors from Izsák Beatrix and Szentimrey Tamás to Beatrix IZSÁK and Tamás SZENTIMREY.
Effects of heat-moisture treatment on the thermal, functional properties and composition of cereal, legume and tuber starches—a review
Authors: Mathobo Vhulenda Melinda , Silungwe Henry , Ramashia Shonisani Eugenia , Anyasi Tonna Ashim
Published: July 2020

Several methods are currently employed in the modification of starch obtained from different botanical sources. Starch in its native form is limited in application due to retrogradation, syneresis, inability to withstand shear stress as well as its unstable nature at varying temperatures and pH environment. Modification of starch is therefore needed to enhance its food and industrial application. A primary and safe means of modifying starch for food and industrial use is through hydrothermal methods which involves heat-moisture treatment and annealing. Heat-moisture treatment (HMT) is a physical modification technique that improves the functional and physicochemical properties of starch without changing its molecular composition. Upon modification through HMT, starches from cereals, legumes and tuber crops serve as important ingredients in diverse food, pharmaceutical and industrial processes. Although changes in starch initiated by HMT have been studied in starches of different plant origin, this work further provides insight on the composition, thermal and functional properties of heat-moisture treated starch obtained from cereals, legumes and tuber crops.
An overview of nanoscale materials on the removal of wastewater contaminants
Authors: Soni Ramendra , Pal Arun Kumar , Tripathi Pooja , Lal Jonathan A. , Kesari Kavindra , Tripathi Vijay
Published: July 2020

Growing population and climate change are increasing the challenges to the global water situation. Due to a continuous elevating level of pollution, there is the requirement of novel innovative water technologies to ensure the good supply of drinking water. This review is mainly focused on the recent advances in nanotechnology aspects for water and wastewater treatment that include nano-based materials such as nanosorbents, metal oxides of nanoscale materials, polymer-based nanosorbents, membranes of nanoscale materials (nanomembranes), carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). These nanomaterials are beneficial when the properties and specific characteristics of these materials are compared with conventional processes of the wastewater treatment. The aim and objective of this review are to provide an overview of different types of nanomaterials and their applicability in the removal of heavy metals and bacterial pathogens from wastewater during the treatment process.
Decolonial AI: Decolonial Theory as Sociotechnical Foresight in Artificial Intelligence
Authors: Mohamed Shakir , Png Marie-Therese , Isaac William
Published: July 2020

This paper explores the important role of critical science, and in particular of post-colonial and decolonial theories, in understanding and shaping the ongoing advances in artificial intelligence. Artificial intelligence (AI) is viewed as amongst the technological advances that will reshape modern societies and their relations. While the design and deployment of systems that continually adapt holds the promise of far-reaching positive change, they simultaneously pose significant risks, especially to already vulnerable peoples. Values and power are central to this discussion. Decolonial theories use historical hindsight to explain patterns of power that shape our intellectual, political, economic, and social world. By embedding a decolonial critical approach within its technical practice, AI communities can develop foresight and tactics that can better align research and technology development with established ethical principles, centring vulnerable peoples who continue to bear the brunt of negative impacts of innovation and scientific progress. We highlight problematic applications that are instances of coloniality, and using a decolonial lens, submit three tactics that can form a decolonial field of artificial intelligence: creating a critical technical practice of AI, seeking reverse tutelage and reverse pedagogies, and the renewal of affective and political communities. The years ahead will usher in a wave of new scientific breakthroughs and technologies driven by AI research, making it incumbent upon AI communities to strengthen the social contract through ethical foresight and the multiplicity of intellectual perspectives available to us, ultimately supporting future technologies that enable greater well-being, with the goal of beneficence and justice for all.
Arthrinins E–G, Three Botryane Sesquiterpenoids from the Plant Endophytic Fungus Arthrinium sp. HS66
Authors: Su Xiao-Zheng , Tang Jian-Wei , Hu Kun , Li Xiao-Nian , Sun Han-Dong , Puno Pema-Tenzin
Published: July 2020

Arthrinins E–G (1–3), three new sesquiterpenoids possessing non-isoprenoid botryane skeleton, were isolated from the fermentation of an endophytic fungus named Arthrinium sp. HS66 which colonized in the stems of Isodon xerophilus. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods. Furthermore, the structure of 1 was unambiguously confirmed by X-ray diffraction, while those of 2 and 3 were verified through quantum chemical calculation of NMR data and ECD spectra.
Renal structure in type 2 diabetes: facts and misconceptions
Authors: Di Vincenzo Angelo , Bettini Silvia , Russo Lucia , Mazzocut Sara , Mauer Michael , Fioretto Paola
Published: July 2020

The clinical manifestations of diabetic nephropathy are similar in type 1 and type 2 diabetes, while the renal lesions may differ. Indeed, diabetic glomerulopathy is the predominant renal lesion in type 1 diabetes, although also tubular, interstitial and arteriolar lesions are present in the advanced stages of renal disease. In contrast, in type 2 diabetes renal lesions are heterogeneous, and a substantial number of type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic kidney disease have mild or absent glomerulopathy with tubulointerstitial and/or arteriolar abnormalities. In addition, a high prevalence of non-diabetic renal diseases, isolated or superimposed on classic diabetic nephropathy lesions have been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes, often reflecting the bias of selecting patients for unusual clinical presentations for renal biopsy. This review focuses on renal structural changes in type 2 diabetes, emphasizing the contribution of research kidney biopsy studies to the understanding of the pathogenesis of DKD and of the structural lesions responsible for the different clinical phenotypes. Also, kidney biopsies could provide relevant information in terms of renal prognosis, and help to understand the different responses to different therapies, especially SGLT2 inhibitors, thus allowing personalized medicine.
Improving the workability of materials during the dieless drawing processes by multi-pass incremental deformation
Authors: Milenin Andrij , Furushima Tsuyoshi , Du Peihua , Pidvysots’kyy Valeriy
Published: July 2020

The paper explores the new method of improving the workability of materials in the dieless drawing processes. The proposed method is based on the implementation of a multi-pass incremental deformation. Moreover, in each pass, strain and strain rate sensitivity of flow stress should be positive and significant. An approach based on the finite element calculation of instability coefficient of plastic deformation and simultaneous modeling of material ductility were applied for prediction of the workability. Two dieless drawing processes have been investigated. The difference was related to the heating system—induction heating and laser heating. FE simulations and experimental tests for three materials, two magnesium alloys (MgCa0.8 and MgNi19) and pure copper were performed. It was shown that the most effective increase in workability by multi-pass deformation can be achieved using laser dieless drawing. This is possible due to the shorter heating area and, as a consequence, the larger strain rate, which leads to better stability of the deformation process.
Population Genetics of SARS-CoV-2: Disentangling Effects of Sampling Bias and Infection Clusters
Authors: Liu Qi , Zhao Shilei , Shi Cheng-Min , Song Shuhui , Zhu Sihui , Su Yankai , Zhao Wenming , Li Mingkun , Bao Yiming , Xue Yongbiao , Chen Hua
Published: July 2020

A novel RNA virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), is responsible for the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Population genetic analysis could be useful for investigating the origin and evolutionary dynamics of COVID-19. However, due to extensive sampling bias and existence of infection clusters during the epidemic spread, direct applications of existing approaches can lead to biased parameter estimations and data misinterpretation. In this study, we first present robust estimator for the time to the most recent common ancestor (TMRCA) and the mutation rate, and then apply the approach to analyze 12,909 genomic sequences of SARS-CoV-2. The mutation rate is inferred to be 8.69 × 10−4 per site per year with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of [8.61 × 10−4, 8.77 × 10−4], and the TMRCA of the samples inferred to be Nov 28, 2019 with a 95% CI of [Oct 20, 2019, Dec 9, 2019]. The results indicate that COVID-19 might originate earlier than and outside of Wuhan Seafood Market. We further demonstrate that genetic polymorphism patterns, including the enrichment of specific haplotypes and the temporal allele frequency trajectories generated from infection clusters, are similar to those caused by evolutionary forces such as natural selection. Our results show that population genetic methods need to be developed to efficiently detangle the effects of sampling bias and infection clusters to gain insights into the evolutionary mechanism of SARS-CoV-2. Software for implementing VirusMuT can be downloaded at https://bigd.big.ac.cn/biocode/tools/BT007081.
Approach to childhood asthma in the era of COVID-19
Authors: Al-Shamrani Abdullah , Al-Harbi Adel S. , Alhaider S.A. , Alharbi Saleh , Al-Harbi Nasser S. , Alanazi Alnashmi , Al Ahmadi Turki S.
Published: July 2020

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that infect humans, which may result in mild symptoms similar to those of the common cold. COVID-19 is most recent subtype similar or even worse than the two previous pandemic strains which were the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS- CoV) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). The first cases of COVID-19 emerged in December 2019. Since then, the virus causing the disease has infected more than four million people around the globe and led to hundreds of thousands deaths. We think addressing the management of asthma in the era of this pandemic is important for several reasons: high prevalence of asthma in Saudi Arabia, further, majorities were uncontrolled disease. The statement will provide special instructions and answers to common questions of physicians dealing with asthmatic children during this pandemic.
Challenges and Opportunities for Marketing Scholars in Times of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Authors: Krafft Manfred , Sajtos Laszlo , Haenlein Michael
Published: July 2020

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and 5G connectivity have been identified as drivers of the so-called Fourth Industrial Revolution (FIR). AI and 5G, through emerging technologies such as blockchain, gene editing, Internet of Things sensors, nanotechnology, or 3D printing accelerate a blurring of boundaries between digital, biological, and physical spheres. In this editorial, we introduce the term boundary object, or boundary technology, that can help process more information (syntactic boundary) for enhanced learning (semantic boundary) and that can create a higher-level intelligence (pragmatic boundary). Boundary objects are also a means of representing, learning about, and transforming knowledge at a given boundary. We propose that crossing syntactic, semantic, and pragmatic boundaries is facilitated by three FIR phenomena (big data, machine learning, and AI). Each of these phenomena possesses a unique capability (processing, learning, and adaptation) to help communities learn about their differences and dependences. We also show how the six articles in this special issue are related to boundary and sphere challenges, and we provide an overview of directions for future research. All in all, marketing scholars should focus on enhancing their abilities in knowledge integration across boundaries to sustain their role as cutting-edge scientists.
Exosome Released From Schwann Cells May Be Involved in Microenergy Acoustic Pulse–Associated Cavernous Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Peng Dongyi , Reed-Maldonado Amanda B. , Zhou Feng , Tan Yan , Yuan Huixing , Banie Lia , Wang Guifang , Tang Yuxin , He Leye , Lin Guiting , Lue Tom F.
Published: July 2020

Background

Neurogenic erectile dysfunction (ED) is often refractory to treatment because of insufficient functional nerve recovery after injury or insult. Noninvasive mechano-biological intervention, such as microenergy acoustic pulse (MAP), low-intensity pulsed ultrasound, and low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave treatment, is an optimal approach to stimulate nerve regeneration.

Aim

To establish a new model in vitro to simulate nerve injury in neurogenic ED and to explore the mechanisms of MAP in vitro.

Methods

Sprague-Dawley rats were used to isolate Schwann cells (SCs), major pelvic ganglion (MPG), and cavernous nerve with MPG (CN/MPG). SCs were then treated with MAP (0.033 mJ/mm2, 1 Hz, 100 pulses), and SC exosomes were isolated. The MPG and CN/MPG were treated with MAP (0.033 mJ/mm2, 1 Hz) at different dosages (25, 50, 100, 200, or 300 pulses) or exosomes derived from MAP-treated SCs in vitro.

Outcomes

Neurite growth from the MPG fragments and CN was photographed and measured. Expression of neurotropic factors (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor, and neurotrophin-3) was checked.

Results

Neurite outgrowth from MPG and CN/MPG was enhanced by MAP in a dosage response manner, peaking at 100 pulses. MAP promoted SC proliferation, neurotropic factor (brain-derived neurotrophic factor, nerve growth factor, and neurotrophin-3) expression, and exosome secretion. SC-derived exosomes significantly enhanced neurite outgrowth from MPG in vitro.

Clinical Implications

MAP may have utility in the treatment of neurogenic ED by SC-derived exosomes.

Strength & Limitations

We confirmed that MAP enhances penile nerve regeneration through exsomes. Limitations of this study include that our study did not explore the exact mechanisms of how MAP increases SC exosome secretion nor whether MAP modulates the content of exosomes.

Conclusion

This study revealed that neurite outgrowth from MPG was enhanced by MAP and by SC-derived exosomes which were isolated after MAP treatment. Our findings indicate that one mechanism by which MAP induces nerve regeneration is by stimulation of SCs to secrete exosomes.
“I Tell Them What I Can Feel and How Far My Legs Can Bend”: Optimizing Sexual Satisfaction for Women with Spina Bifida
Authors: Streur Courtney S. , Schafer Christine L. , Garcia Valerie P. , Quint Elisabeth H. , Wiener John S. , Sandberg David E. , Kalpakjian Claire Z. , Wittmann Daniela A.
Published: July 2020

Background

There is a high reported rate of sexual dysfunction among women with spina bifida, but little is known about the etiology of this or how sexual satisfaction could be improved.

Aim

To identify, through the words of women with spina bifida, perceived causes of diminished sexual satisfaction and recommendations to optimize partnered sexual encounters.

Methods

In this qualitative study, we conducted semi-structured individual interviews with 22 women with spina bifida (median age 26.5 years, range 16–52 years) who have had a romantic partner. Using Grounded Theory, interviews were independently coded by 3 reviewers. Disagreements were resolved by consensus.

Outcomes

We identified overlapping themes of issues women experienced during sexual intimacy and strategies they learned to improve sexual encounters.

Results

7 salient themes emerged from the data: (i) fear of rejection with resulting difficulty setting boundaries and the risk of coercion; (ii) conflict between spontaneity and self-care in sexual encounters; (iii) worry about incontinence during sex; (iv) trial and error in learning optimal sexual positions; (v) decreased genital sensation; (vi) safety considerations; and (vii) sharing advice with other women with spina bifida.

Clinical Implications

As sexual satisfaction is influenced by physical features as well as psychological, interpersonal, and sociocultural factors, optimizing sexual satisfaction of women with spina bifida is best managed with a holistic approach utilizing a biopsychosocial model.

Strengths & Limitations

The sample included women with a diverse range of functional impairments. Women were forthright with their comments and thematic saturation was reached. Recruitment was primarily from a single Midwestern institution, which may have limited sampled perspectives.

Conclusion

While women with spina bifida encounter challenges during sexual encounters, strategies focused on improving communication with partners and addressing specific physical considerations can potentially enhance their sexual experiences.
Trends in Sexual Activity and Associations with All-Cause and Cause-Specific Mortality Among US Adults
Authors: Cao Chao , Yang Lin , Xu Tianlin , Cavazos-Rehg Patricia A. , Liu Qinran , McDermott Daragh , Veronese Nicola , Waldhoer Thomas , Ilie Petre Cristian , Shariat Shahrokh F. , Smith Lee
Published: July 2020

Background

Sexual activity can be referred to as a health behavior and may also act as an indicator of health status.

Aim

To evaluate temporal trends in sexual activity and to examine associations of sexual activity with all-cause and cause-specific mortality risk.

Methods

We examined the trends and prevalence of sexual activity and association of sexual activity with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a nationally representative sample using data from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2005 to 2016 and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005-2014 Linked Mortality File (through December 31, 2015).

Outcomes

All-cause, cardiovascular disease, and cancer mortality.

Results

A total of 15,269 US adults (mean age, 39.1 years [standard error, 0.18 years]) were included in the trend analysis. In the 2015-2016 cycle, while 71.7% (95% CI, 67.7–75.7%) US adults aged 20-59 years engaged in sexual activity ≥ 12 times/year (monthly), only 36.1% (95% CI, 31.6–40.7%) of them engaged in sexual activity ≥ 52 times/year (weekly). Since the 2005–2006 cycle, the estimated prevalence of sexual activity, ≥52 times/year and ≥12 times/year, were both stable over time among overall and each age group (all P for trend >0.1). During a median follow-up of 5.7 years (range, 1–11 years) and 71,960 person-years of observation, among 12,598 participants with eligible information on mortality status, 228 deaths occurred, including 29 associated with cardiovascular disease and 62 associated with cancer. Overall, participants with higher sexual activity frequency were at a lower risk of all-cause death in a dose-response manner (P for trend = 0.020) during the follow-up period. In addition, the multivariable-adjusted hazard ratios for all-cause mortality, CVD mortality, cancer mortality, and other cause mortality among participants who had sex ≥52 times/year compared with those having sex 0–1 time/year were 0.51 (95% CI, 0.34 to 0.76), 0.79 (95% CI, 0.19 to 3.21), 0.31 (95% CI, 0.11 to 0.84), and 0.52 (95% CI, 0.28 to 0.96), respectively.

Clinical Implications

Sexual activity appears to be a health indicator of all-cause and cancer mortality in US middle-aged adults.

Strengths & Limitations

Clear strengths of the present study include the large representative sample of the noninstitutionalized US population as well as the identification of precise estimates in relation to sexual activity and mortality. However, because of the observational nature of the study design, causality could not be determined.

Conclusions

Sexual activity was found to be associated with a lower risk of mortality from all cause and cancer.
A Retrospective Cohort Study Evaluating Surgical Aptitude Over Time in a New Male-To-Female Penoscrotal Vaginoplasty Program
Authors: Whynott Rachel M. , Summers Karen , Mickelsen Riley , Ponnuru Satish , Broghammer Joshua A. , Gray Meredith
Published: July 2020

Background

Given the burgeoning demand for gender affirmation surgery, there are few studies examining both surgical process variables and patient outcome variables. Knowing the learning curve for surgical teams who are beginning to perform this procedure will be important for patient safety and presurgical patient counseling as more institutions open transgender surgical programs.

Aim

The purpose of this study was to determine the demographics of patients pursuing penoscrotal vaginoplasty, to determine their postoperative course, and to determine a learning curve for the surgical team performing penoscrotal vaginoplasty.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed charts of all 43 patients who underwent penoscrotal vaginoplasty from the commencement of a new male-to-female penoscrotal vaginoplasty program in March 2018 through July 2019.

Outcomes

Primary outcomes included mean hemoglobin decrease from surgery and operative time. Mean time to neoclitoral sensation, length of hospital admission, complication rates, reoperation rates, length of narcotic use after surgery, and demographics were also evaluated. Associations between surgical team experience and outcomes were assessed with Spearman's rho and Cox regression, and curve-fitting procedures were applied to determine the relationship.

Results

The mean operative time from initial incision to procedure finish was 225 minutes, and the mean decrease in hemoglobin was 3.3 g/dL. The mean time to neoclitoral sensation was 0.72 months. The time until neoclitoral sensation decreased as the surgical cases performed increased (Spearman's rho, −0.577 [P < .001]), with a power function best describing the learning curve. Operative time did not change with case number (Spearman's rho, 0.062 [P = .698]) but overall time in the operating room did (Spearman's rho, 0.631 [P < .001]). Mean length of hospital admission was 2.9 days. There were no intraoperative complications. 18 patients (42%) experienced a postoperative complication. 8 of 43 patients underwent reoperation (20%). Narcotics were used a mean of 9.5 days after surgery.

Clinical Implications

A learning curve can be demonstrated in penoscrotal vaginoplasty for time to neoclitoral sensation and overall time in the operating room, plateauing between 30 and 40 cases.

Strengths and Limitations

Strengths include assessing a learning curve for time to neoclitoral sensation, length of hospital stay, and length of postoperative narcotic use after penoscrotal vaginoplasty, which, to our knowledge, has not been reported elsewhere. Limitations include our overall low number of patients.

Conclusion

Despite a low number of cases, length of hospital stay was short and the postoperative complication rate was similar to that of long-standing penoscrotal vaginoplasty programs.