bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
XA4C: eXplainable representation learning via Autoencoders revealing Critical genes
Authors: Li Qing , Yu Yang , Kossinna Pathum , Lun Theodore , Liao Wenyuan , Zhang Qingrun
Published: October 2023

Machine Learning models have been frequently used in transcriptome analyses. Particularly, Representation Learning (RL), e.g., autoencoders, are effective in learning critical representations in noisy data. However, learned representations, e.g., the “latent variables” in an autoencoder, are difficult to interpret, not to mention prioritizing essential genes for functional follow-up. In contrast, in traditional analyses, one may identify important genes such as Differentially Expressed (DiffEx), Differentially Co-Expressed (DiffCoEx), and Hub genes. Intuitively, the complex gene-gene interactions may be beyond the capture of marginal effects (DiffEx) or correlations (DiffCoEx and Hub), indicating the need of powerful RL models. However, the lack of interpretability and individual target genes is an obstacle for RL’s broad use in practice. To facilitate interpretable analysis and gene-identification using RL, we propose “Critical genes”, defined as genes that contribute highly to learned representations (e.g., latent variables in an autoencoder). As a proof-of-concept, supported by eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI), we implemented eXplainable Autoencoder for Critical genes (XA4C) that quantifies each gene’s contribution to latent variables, based on which Critical genes are prioritized. Applying XA4C to gene expression data in six cancers showed that Critical genes capture essential pathways underlying cancers. Remarkably, Critical genes has little overlap with Hub or DiffEx genes, however, has a higher enrichment in a comprehensive disease gene database (DisGeNET) and a cancer-specific database (COSMIC), evidencing its potential to disclose massive unknown biology. As an example, we discovered five Critical genes sitting in the center of Lysine degradation (hsa00310) pathway, displaying distinct interaction patterns in tumor and normal tissues. In conclusion, XA4C facilitates explainable analysis using RL and Critical genes discovered by explainable RL empowers the study of complex interactions.
Neurodevelopmental deficits and cell-type-specific transcriptomic perturbations in a mouse model of HNRNPU haploinsufficiency
Authors: Dugger Sarah A. , Dhindsa Ryan S. , Sampaio Gabriela De Almeida , Ressler Andrew K. , Rafikian Elizabeth E. , Petri Sabrina , Letts Verity A. , Teoh JiaJie , Ye Junqiang , Colombo Sophie , Peng Yueqing , Yang Mu , Boland Michael J. , Frankel Wayne N. , Goldstein David B.
Published: October 2023

Heterozygous de novo loss-of-function mutations in the gene expression regulator HNRNPU cause an early-onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. To gain insight into pathological mechanisms and lay the potential groundwork for developing targeted therapies, we characterized the neurophysiologic and cell-type-specific transcriptomic consequences of a mouse model of HNRNPU haploinsufficiency. Heterozygous mutants demonstrated global developmental delay, impaired ultrasonic vocalizations, cognitive dysfunction and increased seizure susceptibility, thus modeling aspects of the human disease. Single-cell RNA-sequencing of hippocampal and neocortical cells revealed widespread, yet modest, dysregulation of gene expression across mutant neuronal subtypes. We observed an increased burden of differentially-expressed genes in mutant excitatory neurons of the subiculum—a region of the hippocampus implicated in temporal lobe epilepsy. Evaluation of transcriptomic signature reversal as a therapeutic strategy highlights the potential importance of generating cell-type-specific signatures. Overall, this work provides insight into HNRNPU-mediated disease mechanisms and provides a framework for using single-cell RNA-sequencing to study transcriptional regulators implicated in disease.
Reconstruction of the molecular evolution of Usutu virus in Germany: Insights into virus emersion and circulation
Authors: Bergmann Felicitas , Holicki Cora M. , Michel Friederike , Bock Sabine , Scuda Nelly , Priemer Grit , Kenklies Susanne , Siempelkamp Timo , Skuballa Jasmin , Sauerwald Claudia , Herms Louise , Muluneh Aemero , Peters Martin , Hlinak Andreas , Groschup Martin H. , Sadeghi Balal , Ziegler Ute
Published: October 2023

Usutu virus (USUV) is a mosquito-borne flavivirus that is widely distributed in southern and central Europe. The zoonotic virus circulates primarily between birds and mosquitoes, can, however, in rare cases infect other mammals including humans. In the past, USUV has been repeatedly associated with mass mortalities in birds, primarily blackbirds and owls. Birds commonly succumb either due to the peracute nature of the infection or due to severe encephalitis. In Germany, USUV has spread rapidly since its first detection in 2010 in mosquitoes under the presence of susceptible host and vector species. Nonetheless, there is to date limited access to whole genome sequences resulting in the absence of in-depth phylogenetic and phylodynamic analyses. In this study, 118 wild and captive birds were sequenced using a nanopore sequencing platform with prior target enrichment via amplicons. Due to the high abundancy of Europe 3 and Africa 3 in Germany an ample quantity of associated whole genome sequences was generated and the most recent common ancestor could be determined for each lineage. The corresponding clock phylogeny revealed an introduction of USUV Europe 3 and Africa 3 into Germany three years prior to their first isolation in the avifauna in 2011 and 2014, respectively. Based on the clustering and temporal history of the lineages, evidence exists for the genetic evolution of USUV within Germany as well as new introductions thereof into the country.
Epidemiology and risk factors of Japanese encephalitis in Taiwan, 2010–2022
Authors: Hsu Jen-Yu , Hung Chien-Ching , Tsou Tsung-Pei , Chen Wan-Chin
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Taiwan introduced a two-dose inactivated Japanese encephalitis (JE) mouse brain-derived (JE-MB) vaccine into routine childhood immunization in 1968, with booster vaccination implemented in 1974 and 1983. In 2017, JE-MB vaccine was replaced by a two-dose live-attenuated chimeric vaccine (JE-CV). After implementation of JE vaccination programs, JE cases have shifted from children to adults. In this study, we described the JE epidemiology and identify high-risk groups to further inform vaccine policy.

Methodology/Principal findings

We extracted data from Taiwan’s notifiable disease surveillance database, vital statistics, and employment statistics from 2010 to 2022. Diagnosis of JE was confirmed by JE seroconversion, a four-fold increase in virus-specific antibodies, a positive JE viral nucleic-acid test, or JE virus isolation. From 2010 to 2022, a total of 313 cases of JE were diagnosed, resulting in an overall incidence rate of 0.10 cases per 100,000 person-years and a mortality rate of 0.006 per 100,000 population per year. Among these patients, 64% were male, and the median age was 51 years (range 0–82). Compared with people born in or after 1976 (vaccinated with four doses of JE-MB vaccine or two doses of JE-CV), those born in or before 1962 (unvaccinated) and those born during 1963–1975 (vaccinated with two or three doses of JE-MB vaccine) had a 4.2-fold (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.0–5.7) and 5.9-fold (95% CI 4.3–8.1) higher risk of JE, respectively. The relative risk of working in agriculture, forestry, fishing, or animal husbandry, compared to other occupations, was 5.0 (95% CI 3.5–7.0).

Conclusions/Significance

In Taiwan, individuals born before 1976 and those employed in agriculture, forestry, fishing, or animal husbandry had a higher risk of JE. We recommend JE vaccination for people in these high-risk groups who have not been fully vaccinated or have an unknown vaccination history.
Modeling opinion polarization on social media: Application to Covid-19 vaccination hesitancy in Italy
Authors: Franceschi Jonathan , Pareschi Lorenzo , Bellodi Elena , Gavanelli Marco , Bresadola Marco
Published: October 2023

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic reminded us how vaccination can be a divisive topic on which the public conversation is permeated by misleading claims, and thoughts tend to polarize, especially on online social networks. In this work, motivated by recent natural language processing techniques to systematically extract and quantify opinions from text messages, we present a differential framework for bivariate opinion formation dynamics that is coupled with a compartmental model for fake news dissemination. Thanks to a mean-field analysis we demonstrate that the resulting Fokker-Planck system permits to reproduce bimodal distributions of opinions as observed in polarization dynamics. The model is then applied to sentiment analysis data from social media platforms in Italy, in order to analyze the evolution of opinions about Covid-19 vaccination. We show through numerical simulations that the model is capable to describe correctly the formation of the bimodal opinion structure observed in the vaccine-hesitant dataset, which is witness of the known polarization effects that happen within closed online communities.
Indirect exposure to insect growth disruptors affects honey bee (Apis mellifera) reproductive behaviors and ovarian protein expression
Authors: Fine Julia D. , Foster Leonard J. , McAfee Alison
Published: October 2023

Pesticide exposure and queen loss are considered to be major causes of honey bee colony mortality, yet little is known regarding the effects of regularly encountered agrochemicals on honey bee reproduction. Here, we present the results of a two-generational study using specialized cages to expose queens to commonly used insect growth disrupting pesticides (IGDs) via their retinue of worker bees. Under IGD exposure, we tracked queen performance and worker responses to queens, then the performance of the exposed queens’ offspring was assessed to identify patterns that may contribute to the long-term health and stability of a social insect colony. The positive control, novaluron, resulted in deformed larvae hatching from eggs laid by exposed queens, and methoxyfenozide, diflubenzuron, and novaluron caused a slight decrease in daily egg laying rates, but this was not reflected in the total egg production over the course of the experiment. Curiously, eggs laid by queens exposed to pyriproxyfen exhibited increased hatching rates, and those larvae developed into worker progeny with increased responsiveness to their queens. Additionally, pyriproxyfen and novaluron exposure affected the queen ovarian protein expression, with the overwhelming majority of differentially expressed proteins coming from the pyriproxyfen exposure. We discuss these results and the potential implications for honey bee reproduction and colony health.
Proximity-dependent mapping of the HCMV US28 interactome identifies RhoGEF signaling as a requirement for efficient viral reactivation
Authors: Medica Samuel , Crawford Lindsey B. , Denton Michael , Min Chan-Ki , Jones Taylor A. , Alexander Timothy , Parkins Christopher J. , Diggins Nicole L. , Streblow Gabriel J. , Mayo Adam T. , Kreklywich Craig N. , Smith Patricia , Jeng Sophia , McWeeney Shannon , Hancock Meaghan H. , Yurochko Andrew , Cohen Michael S. , Caposio Patrizia , Streblow Daniel N.
Published: October 2023

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) encodes multiple putative G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). US28 functions as a viral chemokine receptor and is expressed during both latent and lytic phases of virus infection. US28 actively promotes cellular migration, transformation, and plays a major role in mediating viral latency and reactivation; however, knowledge about the interaction partners involved in these processes is still incomplete. Herein, we utilized a proximity-dependent biotinylating enzyme (TurboID) to characterize the US28 interactome when expressed in isolation, and during both latent (CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells) and lytic (fibroblasts) HCMV infection. Our analyses indicate that the US28 signalosome converges with RhoA and EGFR signal transduction pathways, sharing multiple mediators that are major actors in processes such as cellular proliferation and differentiation. Integral members of the US28 signaling complex were validated in functional assays by immunoblot and small-molecule inhibitors. Importantly, we identified RhoGEFs as key US28 signaling intermediaries. In vitro latency and reactivation assays utilizing primary CD34+ hematopoietic progenitor cells (HPCs) treated with the small-molecule inhibitors Rhosin or Y16 indicated that US28 –RhoGEF interactions are required for efficient viral reactivation. These findings were recapitulated in vivo using a humanized mouse model where inhibition of RhoGEFs resulted in a failure of the virus to reactivate. Together, our data identifies multiple new proteins in the US28 interactome that play major roles in viral latency and reactivation, highlights the utility of proximity-sensor labeling to characterize protein interactomes, and provides insight into targets for the development of novel anti-HCMV therapeutics.
Identification of IMC43, a novel IMC protein that collaborates with IMC32 to form an essential daughter bud assembly complex in Toxoplasma gondii
Authors: Pasquarelli Rebecca R. , Back Peter S. , Sha Jihui , Wohlschlegel James A. , Bradley Peter J.
Published: October 2023

The inner membrane complex (IMC) of Toxoplasma gondii is essential for all phases of the parasite’s life cycle. One of its most critical roles is to act as a scaffold for the assembly of daughter buds during replication by endodyogeny. While many daughter IMC proteins have been identified, most are recruited after bud initiation and are not essential for parasite fitness. Here, we report the identification of IMC43, a novel daughter IMC protein that is recruited at the earliest stages of daughter bud initiation. Using an auxin-inducible degron system we show that depletion of IMC43 results in aberrant morphology, dysregulation of endodyogeny, and an extreme defect in replication. Deletion analyses reveal a region of IMC43 that plays a role in localization and a C-terminal domain that is essential for the protein’s function. TurboID proximity labelling and a yeast two-hybrid screen using IMC43 as bait identify 30 candidate IMC43 binding partners. We investigate two of these: the essential daughter protein IMC32 and a novel daughter IMC protein we named IMC44. We show that IMC43 is responsible for regulating the localization of both IMC32 and IMC44 at specific stages of endodyogeny and that this regulation is dependent on the essential C-terminal domain of IMC43. Using pairwise yeast two-hybrid assays, we determine that this region is also sufficient for binding to both IMC32 and IMC44. As IMC43 and IMC32 are both essential proteins, this work reveals the existence of a bud assembly complex that forms the foundation of the daughter IMC during endodyogeny.
El otro conocimiento es situado. El Arte Popular y la alfarería de Quinchamalí, Chile, como objetividad encarnada
Authors: Navarrete Sepúlveda Beatriz
Published: October 2023

Proponemos nuevos imperativos al momento de reajustar las miradas en torno al mundo del arte latinoamericano, aquellos que desde la academia y los estudios humanistas puedan asumir con mayor justicia las complejidades de este tiempo. Intentamos responder a esta exigencia desde un desplazamiento epistémico e interdisciplinar para el estudio de las prácticas artísticas populares, entendidas generalmente como aquellas que se despliegan en el mundo rural y periféricas a las perspectivas institucionales de lo que se denomina Arte. Para ello, acudiremos a la noción de “conocimiento situado” elaborado por Donna Haraway con el fin de detonar una dimensión reflexiva muchas veces invisibilizada, iluminando un aspecto básico del mundo artístico popular que emana de una doble condición: el de ser principalmente ejecutado por mujeres y la situación geográfica específica en que ellas desarrollan sus oficios. Frente a lo planteado, el Arte Popular de la alfarería de Quinchamalí de Chile emerge como un ejemplo de este modo de conocimiento, al ser desarrollado por las mujeres como resultado del vínculo indisoluble de esta práctica con su paisaje. Desde principios de la Colonia en América, podemos reconocer en ellas una resistencia territorial expresada, por un lado, mediante la perseverancia de los imaginarios moldeados en arcilla negra y, por otro, a través de la transformación de la materia prima en sintonía con las formas de habitar su territorio. Ellas han transmitido por generaciones estos saberes enfrentando los embates que el modelo económico y cultural les han intentado imponer
The Impact of Public Green Space Views on Indoor Thermal Perception and Environment Control Behavior of Residents - A Survey Study in Shanghai
Authors: Wu Chunya
Published: October 2023

To reduce energy consumption while meeting the indoor thermal comfort requirements of residential buildings, this survey study explores the visual-thermal cross-modal effect of public green space window view on residents’ indoor thermal perception, and how this effect regulates residents’ environment control behavior. Based on an online questionnaire, 424 valid data were collected from Shanghai residents during the lockdown period during which the window view is the only accessible connection to the outside. The result shows that public green space views, while not significantly changing the physical thermal sensation of residents, made a greater proportion of participants feel thermal neutral, and significantly improved the participants' environmental evaluation, thermal comfort, and thermal acceptance, resulting in a 7% decrease in using air conditioning and 7% increase in natural ventilation. Path analysis reveals that public green space window view can improve indoor thermal comfort by enhancing subjective environmental evaluation, and thus encourage passive environmental regulation behavior, reducing energy consumption. Complementing previous studies, this research provides direct evidence for the energy-saving potential of public green space in residential areas from a different angle.

Keywords: Visual-thermal interaction; cross-modal perception; Environment control behavior; Environmental psychology;

Sustainable design
Bridging Education and Sustainable Development: Assessing Future Psychologists’ Perspectives
Authors: Stoliarchuk Olesia , Liang Keyan , Khrypko Svitlana , Ishchuk Olena , Serhieinkova Oksana , Kalishchuk Svitlana , Divchuk Tetiana
Published: October 2023

Education serves as a dynamic interplay between generations, encompassing dialogue and mutual enrichment. It embodies the spiritual essence inherent in individuals, communities, eras, and cultural contexts, shaped by moral and spiritual values specific to cultural circles. Education bridges the gap between the ‘values of the environment’ and the ‘values of life experience’, defining the persona of individuals, communities, and societies. It functions as a repository of intellectual potential, dismissing the notion of ‘excessive’ education and highlighting its indispensability for human growth. Values, pivotal to human intellectual exploration, encapsulate the initiation, propagation, or negation of philosophical paradigms within fluctuating contexts. Education emerges as a distinctive manifestation of self-cultivation and a testament to human accomplishments. This study aimed to assess sustainable social development awareness and implementation readiness among future psychologists. The investigation involved 160 Ukrainian psychology students, employing written surveys and statistical analysis. Findings unveiled a limited comprehension of sustainable societal development among respondents, often narrowed to environmental concerns and overlooking the social facet. Despite this, over half of the participants sought alignment with their interpretation, integrating these ideals into their university environment. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine intensified the urgency of instilling sustainable development values, though a third of the respondents fully embraced these concepts. Implementation challenges included consumeristic attitudes towards natural resources and low environmental consciousness, highlighting the need for value propagation and social responsibility cultivation. Respondents recognized the social dimension’s salience in their future professional roles, albeit with a tendency to overlook intergenerational continuity concerns. The study exposed limited and fragmented competence in understanding sustainable societal development among future psychologists, with value cultivation appearing spontaneous and disjointed. The university environment presents an opportunity to nurture sustainable development values, urging educators to augment students’ competency and motivational preparedness for their roles in implementing these concepts.

Keywords: sustainable development, education, values, future psychologists, professional training, awareness, societal  progress, professional roles.
Corporations vs. Countries. Fostering Governance Sustainability in a Global Environment
Authors: Bodislav Dumitru Alexandru , Dobrea Cătălin Răzvan , Bran Florina , Moncea Mădălina
Published: October 2023

This research study integrates the results from theoretical and real-world scenarios in the frameworks of corporate governance, state governance, and public administration. Whether it be via the tight examination of the private sector or the public sector, the strategy adopted in this research involved constructing a 360-degree focus on real occurrences that generate the formal and informal processes that keep the globe going. In the first portion of the article, the global mechanism as viewed from the perspective of business and the worldwide mechanism as seen from the standpoint of the economy are both given their own section.

Keywords: corporate governance, economic growth, free trade, global accountability
Innovative ICT Applications to Increase Social Acceptance of Transport Investments
Authors: Jakovics Tibor Princz- , Szemenyei Márton
Published: October 2023

Consideration of the environmental impact of transport investments is typically one of the critical aspects in the preparation phase of decisions, strongly influenced by the degree and quality of public participation. Environmental regulation often uses instruments that favour direct government intervention, while other methods based on agreements has minor attention. An overview of the environmental economics of transaction costs and exploring of the processes leading to agreements will be the basis of our work. Then, we summarise existing Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services are already available to understand and address the environmental problems. These services are usually limited to certain functions, however additional ICT solutions would increase the level of cooperation between investors and stakeholders. The aim of this research is to propose an ICT platform for facilitating agreements that improve environmental quality. We present the structure of the ICT platform, its essential features and possible implementations. Our platform may contribute to the preparation phase of several types of projects and provide an innovative tool for optimal level of pollution. Through practical examples the potential applications of the proposed ICT system in transport and urban development schemes will be shown and the estimation of achievable benefits will be given.

Keywords: environmental sustainability, social acceptance, information and communication technologies, transaction costs, transport investments.
Rural Area Infrastructural Challenges and the Role of Architecture in Urban-Rural Development in Nigeria
Authors: Okosun Andrew E. , Okeke Francis O. , Igwe Ajuluchukwu E. , Ezema Emmanuel C. , Okpalike Cyriacus O.
Published: October 2023

Urban and rural areas are diametrically opposed but related phenomena. It is often difficult to ascertain where the rural areas end and where the city begins; because in city’s growth process, the surrounding countryside is absorbed. Part of it disappears forever, but many of its elements are preserved, fitting into the urban environment with marked differences of infrastructure facilities. These Community infrastructures are the framework of physical facilities needed to support and sustain inhabitants to live and work. However, rural societies suffer neglect. Many elderly people retire and return to rural areas for the comfort, slow and communal lifestyle it offers. Yet, as the world advances at a rapid pace, rural areas and people are left behind. Employing a qualitative literature review, the study delves into the current state of rural infrastructure development in Nigeria, and review various programmes implemented by the government in years past. The findings reveal three phases of rural infrastructural development. It highlights the issues and challenges stemming from the neglect of rural infrastructural needs, and the role of architecture in facilitating urban-rural development. It concludes that focus must be turned to rural areas with architects playing significant role in advancing the quality of rural life.

Keywords: Infrastructure facilities, Rural development, Architecture, Environment, Urban-rural.
Effective Leadership and the Quest for Environmental Sustainability in Africa
Authors: Solomon Kingsley Christopher , Nkem Okolie Charles , Enyinnaya Nwamuo Bright , Okeke Ifeanyi Johnson , Okoroafor Ogbonnaya Ikwor , Chibuike Anyanwu Timothy , Nneka Okezie Benedette
Published: October 2023

The African continent is undeniably blessed with immense resources that spans from natural to human. The remarkably blessed natural resources and the unique environment accounts for the abundance of food and raw materials that keep the various industries around the world operational. In other words, Africa and its numerous natural resources cannot be undermined in the world’s food-chain and supplies of raw materials that keep industrial world functional. This beautiful horizon of Africa’s natural environment remains the home of various species of unique animals and plants. However, in recent times, the rich African environment and natural resources have been under threats by various human activities and natural disaster such as Gas flaring, Deforestation, flood, wild fire, hunting, oil explorations etc.  These human and natural disaster have put the African continent and indeed its beautiful natural environment at the threshold of near collapse, unproductivity, risk of extinction of unique plants and animals and of course other unimaginable problems, if not properly handled. Leadership crisis and indeed poor leadership in Africa have not only contributed to the socio-political and cultural problems in Africa, but to the environmental crisis and mismanagement of various resources that can aid the progress of Africa. This paper affirms that effective leadership remains a propitious tool of environmental sustainability in Africa. 

Keywords: Leadership, Effective leadership, Environmental sustainability in Africa
Labor Market - Evolution and Trends in Post-Pandemic Times
Authors: WANG Jianbo , GHINEA Raluca-Elena , STATE Cristina , ZHANG Xiaoliang
Published: October 2023

Since the appearance of the first entrepreneurial activities, people have noticed that the most important resource, without which they will not be able to be successful, is the human resource. Over time, industries and fields of activity have evolved and this is obvious to everyone, but this would not have been possible without well-trained, involved and eager people to achieve performance.

Therefore, whatever resources are involved in a business, regardless of the field, country, coverage area, the human resource remains the most valuable. The business sector is constantly evolving and, along with it, the labor market also shows a dynamic that is at least directly proportional.

The pandemic period strongly affected almost all economic sectors and, at the same time, a very large number of employees were directly affected by these changes: either they became unemployed, or they were laid off, or (the happiest ones) they continued the flow of work, without being strongly affected by what happened in the market. We have analysed these changes at the international level in order to outline the evolution of the labor market in recent years and its future trends.

Through this article, with the help of the synthesis of case studies carried out by accredited institutions as well as the specialized literature, we propose to identify what was, with the total or partial return to normality, the dynamics of the labor market and how the companies managed to straighten and fold with the new realities of the markets.

Keywords: pandemic, human resources, business growth, crisis, labor market
The Association Between Homelessness and Key Liver-Related Outcomes in Veterans With Cirrhosis
Authors: Pulaski Marya , Bittermann Therese , Taddei Tamar H. , Kaplan David E. , Mahmud Nadim
Published: October 2023

INTRODUCTION:

Homelessness adversely affects patient outcomes in broad cohort studies; however, its impact on key liver-related outcomes in patients with cirrhosis is understudied. We aimed to address this knowledge gap using data from the Veterans Health Administration, a cohort disproportionately affected by homelessness.

METHODS:

This was a retrospective cohort study of the Veterans Health Administration patients with incident cirrhosis diagnosis between January 2008 and February 2022. Homeless status was classified at baseline and as time-updating variable during follow-up. Inverse probability treatment weighted Cox regression was performed to evaluate the association between homelessness and outcomes of all-cause mortality, cirrhosis decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

RESULTS:

A total of 117,698 patients were included in the cohort, of whom 14,243 (12.1%) were homeless at baseline. In inverse probability treatment weighted Cox regression, homelessness was associated with a 24% higher hazard of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22–1.26, P < 0.001). However, in competing risk regression models, homelessness was associated with a reduced subhazard of decompensation (subhazard ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.84–0.88, P < 0.001) and hepatocellular carcinoma (subhazard ratio 0.86, 95% CI 0.83–0.89, P < 0.001). In cause-specific mortality analysis, homeless patients had significantly increased non–liver-related and liver-related mortality; however, the magnitude of effect size was greater for non–liver-related mortality (csHR 1.38, 95% CI 1.35–1.40, P < 0.001).

DISCUSSION:

Homelessness in veterans with cirrhosis is associated with increased all-cause mortality; however, this is likely mediated primarily through non–liver-related factors. Future studies are needed to explore drivers of mortality and improve mitigation strategies in these patients.
Concept of Using the Brain-Computer Interface to Control Hand Prosthesis
Authors: Żaba Julia , Paszkiel Szczepan
Published: October 2023

The scope of this study refers to the possibility of implementing intelligent artificial limbs for patients after injuries or amputations. Brain-computer technology allows signals to be acquired and sent between the brain and an external device. Upper limb prostheses, however, are quite a complicated tool, because the hand itself has a very complex structure and consists of several joints. The most complicated joint is undoubtedly the saddle joint, which is located at the site of the thumb. You need to demonstrate adequate anatomical knowledge to construct a prosthesis that will be easy to use and resemble a human hand as much as possible. It is also important to create the right control system with the right software that will easily work together with the brain-computer interface. Therefore, the proposed solution in this work is simple. It consists of three parts, which are: the Emotiv EPOC + Neuroheadsets, a control system made of a servo and an Arduino UNO board (with dedicated software), and a hand prosthesis model made in the three-dimensional graphic program Blender and printed using a 3D printing printer. Such a hand prosthesis controlled by a signal from the brain could help people with disabilities after amputations and people who have damaged innervation at the stump site.
Non-linear Model-based Predictive Control for Trajectory Tracking and Control Effort Minimization in a Smartphone-based Quadrotor
Authors: Garcia Linares Luis Eduardo , Rosero García Esteban
Published: October 2023

In this paper, the design and implementation of a non-linear model-based predictive controller (NMPC) for predefined trajectory tracking and to minimize the control effort of a smartphone-based quadrotor is carried out. The optimal control actions are calculated in each iteration by means of an optimal control algorithm based on the non-linear model of the quadrotor, considering some aerodynamic effects. Control algorithm implementation and simulation tests are executed on a smartphone using the CasADi framework. In addition, a technique for estimating the energy consumed based on control signals is presented. NMPC controller performance is compared to an H-infinity controller and an LQI controller, using three predefined trajectories, where the NMPC average tracking error was around 50\% lower, and average estimated power and energy consumption slightly higher, with respect to the H-infinity and LQI controllers.
Hybrid Navigation of an Autonomous Mobile Robot to Depress an Elevator Button
Authors: Wu Pan-Long , Zhang Zhe-Ming , Liew Chuin Jiat , Shaw Jinsiang
Published: October 2023

The development of an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) with an eye-in-hand robot arm atop for depressing elevator button is proposed. The AMR can construct map and perform localization using the ORB-SLAM algorithm (the Oriented FAST (Features from Accelerated Segment Test) and Rotated BRIEF (Binary Robust Independent Elementary Features) feature detector-Simultaneous Localization and Mapping). It is also capable of real-time obstacle avoidance using information from 2D-LiDAR sensors. The AMR, robot manipulator, cameras, and sensors are all integrated under robot operating system (ROS). In experimental investigation to dispatch the AMR for depressing an elevator button, AMR navigation initiating from the laboratory is divided into three parts. First, the AMR initiated navigation using ORB-SLAM for most of the journey to a waypoint nearby the elevator. The resulting mean absolute error (MAE) is 8.5 cm on the x-axis, 10.8 cm on the y-axis, 9.2-degree rotation angle about the z-axis, and the linear displacement from the reference point is 15.1 cm. Next, the ORB-SLAM is replaced by an odometry based 2D-SLAM method for further navigating the AMR from waypoint to a point facing the elevator between 1.5 to 3 meter distance, where the ORB-SLAM is ineffective due to sparse feature points for localization and where the elevator can be clearly detected by an eye-in-hand machine vision onboard the AMR. Finally, the machine vision identifies space position of the elevator and again the odometry based 2D SLAM method is employed for navigating the AMR to front of the elevator between 0.3 to 0.5 meter distance. Only at this stage, the small-size elevator button can be detected and reached by the robot arm on the AMR. An averaged 60% successful rate of button depressing by the AMR starting at the laboratory is obtained in the experiments. Improvements of successful elevator button depressing rate are also pointed out.
Automatic Detection of Brain Tumors Using Genetic Algorithms with Multiple Stages in Magnetic Resonance Images
Authors: Annam Karthik , G Sunil Kumar , P Ashok Babu , Domala Narsaiah
Published: October 2023

Biomedicine is still working to solve the problem of detecting brain tumours, one of the biggest problems in the profession today. With improved technology or instrument, early diagnosis of brain cancers is feasible. Classifying brain tumour kinds using patent brain pictures enables automation in automated procedures. Furthermore, the suggested new method is utilised to tell the difference between brain tumours and other brain diseases. To split the tumour and other brain areas, the input picture is first pre-processed. After this, the pictures are divided into different colours and levels, and then they are run through the Gray Level Co-Occurrence and SURF extraction methods to uncover the important details in the photographs. Using genetic optimization, the retrieved characteristics are made smaller. For training and testing tumour classification, the cut-down characteristics are used using an advanced learning technique. The technique's accuracy, error, sensitivity, and specificity are all evaluated alongside the current method. The method has a 90%+ accuracy rate, with less than 2% inaccuracy for all kinds of cancers. Finally, the specificity and sensitivity of every kind are above 90% and 50% correspondingly. Using a genetic algorithm to support the approach is more efficient, since the method it uses has both higher accuracy and specificity than the other techniques.
Alguns aspectos do uso do vocativo em telejornal de Minas Gerais
Authors: Antonio Peres Gilberto , Silveira de Araujo Leandro
Published: October 2023

O presente trabalho objetiva introduzir o leitor nos estudos sobre o vocativo no português, problematizando a necessidade de ampliar as pesquisas sobre a categoria sintática na língua. De modo particular, investigamos como o telejornal pode ser uma importante fonte de dados para o estudo do vocativo e, por conseguinte, análise das relações estabelecidas entre os enunciadores que figuram nos diversos quadros que compõem o telejornal. Assim, partimos da percepção social da linguagem em contraste com os estudos formais e tradicionais sobre o vocativo a fim de evidenciar a limitação dessas abordagens. Como resultado, observamos um quantitativo expressivo de ocorrências do vocativo no jornal mineiro e descrevemos como se distribuem quanto ao tipo e colocação sintática
Investigations on Agrophotovoltaic System Using Different Crops with Special Attention on the Improved Electrical Output
Authors: Waghmare Rahul , Jilte Ravindra , Joshi Sandeep
Published: October 2023

In an Agrophotovoltaic (APV) system, the same plot of land is used for both agriculture and power production. APV systems are currently being investigated for thermal control of solar PV modules using natural transpiration cooling by cultivated crops. The current research focuses on the experimental studies on a 1 kWp APV and 1 kWp reference system with two different crops cultivated beneath the solar PV modules; an experimental setup was designed and built in Nagpur, India. Two crops, Spinacia oleracea and Solanum lycopersicum (Spinach and Tomato, respectively), were grown below 50% of PV modules, and the thermal and electrical performance of the solar plant was investigated as an APV system. The performance of this APV system was compared with the remaining 50% of PV installation. During this study, the effect of crop height on the performance of the solar plant was also investigated. According to the experiments, the temperature of the solar PV modules in the APV system with Tomato and Spinach was reduced by about 5 °C and 6 °C, respectively, when compared to a reference solar PV system. Additionally, the power plant's production is higher when there is less space between the solar PV module and the crop. To predict the performance of the APV system for any given location and for any given crops a systematic analytical procedure has been formulated. This experimental study shows that for the spinach and tomato crops, a 1 MW APV system would produce 169200 kWh and 187500 kWh more electricity yearly than a reference solar PV plant, respectively. Additionally, the same piece of land would give a comparable crop yield along with improved power generation.
Notes from the Editors, October 2023
Authors: Editors -
Published: October 2023

buy this issueAt the center of the United States's New Cold War MR editors write, is the World Trade Organization, "the crown jewel of the liberal international order." After China's admittance into the WTO did not lead to the collapse of socialism in that country, presidents from Obama to Biden have gutted the institution and escalated the tariff war, all in the name of protecting the so-called rules-based international order.
POTENTIAL OF BLENDED PRECURSORS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE BUILDING MATERIALS
Authors: Fořt Jan , Mildner Martin , Afolayan Ayodele
Published: October 2023

Facing the consequences of climate change, the building sector as a substantial contributor of various pollutants and needs to be reformed to meet sustainable criteria. In this regard, the replacement of traditional binders such as Portland cement represents a major task that should be resolved. To contribute to the current state of knowledge, the submitted paper deals with a design of alkali-activated materials based on blended precursors from waste materials activated by a waste alkali activator. Specifically, the granulated blast furnace slag, a by-product of iron production together with selected freshwater sediments are used in several ratios to investigate the changes in the mineralogical and chemical composition. Casted samples are subjected to mechanical strength tests to elucidate the relationship between chemical and microstructural analysis and engineering properties. Obtained results point to the potential of utilization of freshwater sediments as a blended precursor that reached a compressive strength of about 50 MPa.
SEARCH FOR CULTURAL IDENTITY IN THE TRADITION OF FORTIFIED STRUCTURES
Authors: Mazzetto Silvia
Published: October 2023

The country's fast growth in Qatar has recently opened the door to questioning future development directions. The country's need to enhance local identity has promoted many campaigns for conserving local tradition and preserving national heritage, following an opposite direction compared to the recent construction boom in contemporary architecture. Heritage restoration and reuse can be a sustainable strategy to enhance the local tourism offer and improve country identity values with the involvement of local communities. The historical origins of the country are embedded in the defensive functions of many heritage buildings currently undergoing a series of interventions financed by governmental institutions to promote the valorization of national resources and culture. The paper illustrates the conducted analyses and shows how the defensive structures are located in the Qatar territory into three main areas to defend from the invasions from the North-West and the East sides of the country. The results show three main categories of buildings based on their traditional defensive function and location: traditional forts, fortified residential buildings to protect the population and watch towers to provide surveillance. The research highlights how heritage sites still need to be valorized and how the conservation practice can promote sustainable growth and development of the country in the post-oil area.
BIM USE IN GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION PROCESSES
Authors: Ly Lesley , Kiroff Lydia
Published: October 2023

Green building certification schemes have been developed to incentivize sustainable construction leading to the development of green BIM technology, which uses multi-disciplinary data to support sustainable construction. However, due to a lack of understanding, interoperability, and technical issues, BIM is not widely used to support green building certification. This study investigates the current use of BIM for certification purposes, the building characteristics or information that need to be modeled, and the skills or knowledge required to use BIM for green building certification. The research, which employed a case study approach, examined the BIM use in a recently built 6 Green Star rated Head Office of a major supermarket chain in south Auckland. The main data collection methods were document analysis and semi-structured interviews with key project stakeholders. The results suggest that despite generally good knowledge of BIM and sustainable building design, the connection between BIM and green building certification is weak or non-existent. Instead, BIM is used mainly for model authoring, coordination, quantity take-off, and basic sustainability analysis. The main factors hindering BIM integration that have been identified are low-quality modeling, lack of multi-disciplinary coordination, and inefficient procurement. It is recommended that BIM usage should be accurately detailed and coordinated for downstream uses to gain the most value. Procurement should also accommodate appropriate BIM procedures to encourage multi-disciplinary coordination. Furthermore, new technology and research development are also needed to increase interoperability with sustainable (green) software.
POTENTIAL OF SEWAGE SURVEILLANCE IN EARLY DETECTION OF COVID-19
Authors: Kumar Sanjeev , Kumar Yogesh
Published: October 2023

In the prevailing pandemic, recognizing and eventually isolating infected people is the need of the hour. Present testing methods tend to take their share of time to identify positive samples, then the authorities initiate communication with infected persons, and necessary precautions are taken. This process takes time, keeping the target person to be an individual, but where we need to get a broad idea of the virus spread in a community, a suitable, effective, and efficient method should be applied, which brings us to sewage surveillance for COVID-19 spread. The concept of mass sewage surveillance for a check on epidemics supports the requirement of individual testing and suggests potential hotspots. Sewage samples taken up from a community are tested on common testing platforms, and their results can give a bigger picture of the infection in that particular community. Other infections, such as polio, have been effectively detected via sewage testing. Several studies related to this methodology have been coming up recently, making sewage samples a source of testing rather than individual testing. It saves time and effort, and eventually, we move towards better governance in public health. This review paper looks at the various studies done under sewage surveillance in different parts of the world, emphasizing their critical points.
FRAMEWORK FOR IDENTIFYING INFLUENCING FACTORS FOR STAY-IN-PLACE FORMWORK IN BRIDGE CONSTRUCTION
Authors: Patel Dharmik V , Patel Jaymeen H , Lad Vishal H , Patel Kashyapkumar Arvindbhai , Patel Dilipkumar Arvindkumar
Published: October 2023

The formwork system (FWS) adopted for construction is the most important and crucial part of any structure, as it contributes about 40% to 60% of the cost of concrete and 10% of the total cost of construction. Formwork activity also consumes 50% to 70% of the total time requires in RC construction. Particularly in bridge construction, conventional FWS is used for the construction of the bridge's deck, which requires the assembly of multiple FWS components. Conventional FWSs for deck construction are time and labor-intensive. Recently, there is a rise in the use of Stay-in-Place (SIP) formwork for bridge superstructure construction. SIP FWS eliminates the use of falsework, resulting in a reduction in labor input and time. The present study attempts to identify influencing factors affecting the selection of SIP FWS over the conventional FWS in bridge deck construction using the Delphi method. Firstly, based on the literature review, 7 main factors and 28 sub-factors influencing the selection of SIP FWS are identified. Three rounds of the Delphi method are conducted to finalize the main factors and sub-factors by creating a questionnaire and gathering responses from 10 qualified experts. Subsequently, the main 7 factors (Flexibility, Economy, Quality, Safety, Completion Time, Local Condition, and Organizational Support) and 27 sub-factors are shortlisted. Cronbach’s alpha is calculated to check the internal consistency of the main factors. The proposed framework can be extended for estimating the acceptability of SIP FWS compared to the conventional FWS in the Indian Construction Industry.