bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Platelet association with leukocytes in active eosinophilic esophagitis
Authors: Bartig Kelly A. , Lee Kristine E. , Mosher Deane F. , Mathur Sameer K. , Johansson Mats W.
Published: April 2021

We previously demonstrated that the percentage of blood eosinophils that are associated with platelets and thus positive for CD41 (integrin αIIb-subunit) correlates with and predicts peak eosinophil count (PEC) in biopsies of eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE) patients after treatment. Thus, flow cytometric determination of CD41+ eosinophils is a potential measure of EoE disease activity. Determinants of association of platelets with eosinophils and other leukocytes in EoE are largely unknown. The objectives of this study were to test the hypotheses that platelets associate with blood leukocytes other than eosinophils in EoE and that such associations also predict EoE activity. Whole blood flow cytometry was performed on samples from 25 subjects before and after two months of standard of care EoE treatment. CD41 positivity of cells within gates for eosinophils, neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, and natural killer cells was compared. We found that percent CD41+ neutrophils, monocytes, and eosinophils correlated with one another such that principal component analysis of the five cell types identified “myeloid” and “lymphoid” factors. Percent CD41+ neutrophils or monocytes, or the myeloid factor, like CD41+ eosinophils, correlated with PEC after treatment, and CD41+ neutrophils or the myeloid factor predicted PEC < 6/high power field after treatment, albeit with lower area under the curve than for CD41+ eosinophils. We conclude that the processes driving platelets to associate with eosinophils in EoE also drive association of platelets with neutrophils and monocytes and that association of platelets with all three cell types is related to disease activity. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT02775045.
Addressing the maldistribution of health resources in Sichuan Province, China: A county-level analysis
Authors: Ding Li , Zhang Ning , Mao Ying
Published: April 2021

Introduction

The equity of health resource allocation geographically is a contested topic. Sichuan Province, located in Southwest China, has varied topography, providing us with natural materials to explore the determinants of health resource distribution.

Materials and methods

Spatial panel econometric models were constructed to explore the relationship between health resources and factors such as health care service demand and socioeconomic and demographic perspectives using data from Sichuan Province for eight consecutive years (2010–2017).

Results

Health care service demands were found to be a major driving force behind the distribution of health resources, showing that an increase in health care service demands draws health resources to specific counties and surrounding areas. From a socioeconomic perspective, gross domestic product per capita and the average wage show a positive association with health resources. In addition, the total population and proportion of the urban population have diverse effects in regard to health-related human resources but have the same effects on material and financial health resources.

Conclusions

Our results provide the Chinese government with evidence needed to formulate and promulgate effective policies, especially those aiming to tackle inequity among different regions.
How far from the gold standard? Comparing the accuracy of a Local Position Measurement (LPM) system and a 15 Hz GPS to a laser for measuring acceleration and running speed during team sports
Authors: Fischer-Sonderegger Karin , Taube Wolfgang , Rumo Martin , Tschopp Markus
Published: April 2021

Purpose

This study compared the validity and inter- and intra-unit reliability of local (LPM) and global (GPS) position measurement systems for measuring acceleration during team sports.

Methods

Devices were attached to a remote-controlled car and validated against a laser. Mean percentage biases (MPBs) of maximal acceleration (amax) and maximal running speed (vmax) were used to measure validity. Mean between-device and mean within-device standard deviations of the percentage biases (bd-SDs and wd-SDs) of amax and vmax were used to measure inter- and intra-unit reliability, respectively.

Results

Both systems tended to underestimate amax similarly (GPS: –61.8 to 3.5%; LPM: –53.9 to 9.6%). The MPBs of amax were lower in trials with unidirectional linear movements (GPS: –18.8 to 3.5%; LPM: −11.2 to 9.6%) than in trials with changes of direction (CODs; GPS: –61.8 to −21.1%; LPM: −53.9 to –35.3%). The MPBs of vmax (GPS: –3.3 to –1.0%; LPM: –12.4 to 1.5%) were lower than those of amax. The bd-SDs and the wd-SDs of amax were similar for both systems (bd-SDs: GPS: 2.8 to 12.0%; LPM 3.7 to 15.3%; wd-SDs: GPS: 3.7 to 28.4%; LPM: 5.3 to 27.2%), whereas GPS showed better bd-SDs of vmax than LPM.

Conclusion

The accuracy depended strongly on the type of action measured, with CODs displaying particularly poor validity, indicating a challenge for quantifying training loads in team sports.
Observing spontaneous, accelerated substrate binding in molecular dynamics simulations of glutamate transporters
Authors: Wang Jiali , Li Peifan , Yu Xiaozhen , Grewer Christof
Published: April 2021

Glutamate transporters are essential for removing the neurotransmitter glutamate from the synaptic cleft. Glutamate transport across the membrane is associated with elevator-like structural changes of the transport domain. These structural changes require initial binding of the organic substrate to the transporter. Studying the binding pathway of ligands to their protein binding sites using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations requires micro-second level simulation times. Here, we used three methods to accelerate aspartate binding to the glutamate transporter homologue Gltph and to investigate the binding pathway. 1) Two methods using user-defined forces to prevent the substrate from diffusing too far from the binding site. 2) Conventional MD simulations using very high substrate concentrations in the 0.1 M range. The final, substrate bound states from these methods are comparable to the binding pose observed in crystallographic studies, although they show more flexibility in the side chain carboxylate function. We also captured an intermediate on the binding pathway, where conserved residues D390 and D394 stabilize the aspartate molecule. Finally, we investigated glutamate binding to the mammalian glutamate transporter, excitatory amino acid transporter 1 (EAAT1), for which a crystal structure is known, but not in the glutamate-bound state. Overall, the results obtained in this study reveal new insights into the pathway of substrate binding to glutamate transporters, highlighting intermediates on the binding pathway and flexible conformational states of the side chain, which most likely become locked in once the hairpin loop 2 closes to occlude the substrate.
Quantitative proteomics reveals the antifungal effect of canthin-6-one isolated from Ailanthus altissima against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum in vitro
Authors: Li Yongchun , Zhao Meirong , Zhang Zhi
Published: April 2021

Canthin-6-one, one of the main alkaloid compounds extracted from Ailanthus altissima, has recently attracted increasing interest for its antifungal activity. To evaluate the potential of canthin-6-one in controlling plant fungal diseases, we investigated the antifungal activity of canthin-6-one isolated from A. altissima against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum (Foc) in vitro. The mycelial growth rate and micro-broth dilution were used to test antifungal activity. Furthermore, label-free quantitative proteomics and parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) techniques were applied to analyze the antifungal mechanism. It was found that canthin-6-one significantly inhibited the growth of Foc, and had higher inhibitory action than chlorothalonil at the same concentration. Proteomic analysis showed that the expression of 203 proteins altered significantly after canthin-6-one treatment. These differentially expressed proteins were mainly involved in amino acid biosynthesis and nitrogen metabolism pathways. These results suggest that canthin-6-one significantly interferes with the metabolism of amino acids. Therefore, it affects nitrogen nutrients and disturbs the normal physiological processes of fungi, and ultimately leads to the death of pathogens. This study provides a natural plant antifungal agent and a new perspective for the study of antifungal mechanisms.
Do cholesterol levels and continuity of statin use affect colorectal cancer incidence in older adults under 75 years of age?
Authors: Han Kyu-Tae , Kim Seungju
Published: April 2021

Introduction

Colorectal cancer(CRC) is 3rd most common cancer and has a relatively high mortality rate. Currently, the relationships between CRC and serum cholesterol or statin treatment, especially in older adults under 75 years of age, remain questionable due to a lack of data. The present study evaluated the association between serum cholesterol levels and statin treatment continuity and CRC risk in older adults under 75 years of age.

Methods

This study used senior cohort data obtained from the National Health Insurance Service of South Korea. The selected cohort contains 131,266 participants who were enrolled from 2009 to 2011 and followed for up to 5 years. Serum cholesterol levels were classified as categorical variables, and continuity of statin treatment was evaluated based on dyslipidemia diagnosis and average medication possession ratio. We used Cox regression analysis to evaluate the associations between CRC risk and serum cholesterol level or statin use.

Results

A low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C) was significantly associated with high CRC risk compared to an HDL-C level in the normal range(hazard ratio [HR]: 1.197, 95% CI: 1.040–1.377). A high level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) was associated with increased CRC risk compared to a normal LDL-C level, but not statistically significant. Statin use was associated with decreased CRC risk, and high medication compliance was inversely associated with CRC risk in patients with and without dyslipidemia.

Conclusions

Statin use was associated with decreased CRC risk, and high medication compliance was inversely associated with CRC risk in patients with and without dyslipidemia compared to non-use of medication. Regular health examinations can help identify individuals who are vulnerable to CRC, and continued statin use may be associated with a reduced risk of CRC. This is particularly important in patients with diabetes and dyslipidemia.
Association between urinary arsenic, blood cadmium, blood lead, and blood mercury levels and serum prostate-specific antigen in a population-based cohort of men in the United States
Authors: Wu Hongke , Wang Ming , Raman Jay D. , McDonald Alicia C.
Published: April 2021

Exposures to heavy metals have been linked to prostate cancer risk. The relationship of these exposures with serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a marker used for prostate cancer screening, is unknown. We examined whether total urinary arsenic, urinary dimethylarsonic acid, blood cadmium, blood lead, and total blood mercury levels are associated with elevated PSA among presumably healthy U.S. men. Prostate cancer-free men, aged ≥40 years, were identified from the 2003–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Logistic regression analyses with survey sample weights were used to examine the association between heavy metal levels and elevated PSA for the total population and stratified by black and white race, after adjusting for confounders. There were 5,477 men included. Approximately 7% had elevated PSA. Men with an elevated PSA had statistically significantly higher levels of blood cadmium and blood lead compared to men with a normal PSA (p-values ≤ 0.02), with black men having higher levels. After adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, body mass index, smoking, and education, there was no association found between any of the heavy metal levels and elevated PSA for the total population. In addition, there was no association found when stratified by black and white race. Further investigation is warranted in a larger cohort of men who persistently are exposed to these heavy metals.
Wage theft in professional kitchens: Conned or complicit?
Authors: Robinson Richard N. S. , Brenner Matthew L.
Published: April 2021

Wage theft, which is the non-payment of employee entitlements, is a term that has gained currency in the legal and policy literature. In Australia, the context for this study, pressure has been applied to the hospitality industry after a string of revelations, many involving celebrity chef business interests, of routine wage violations. A national study into the working experiences of chefs, involving individual and group interviews, investigated the dimensionality of wage theft forms in professional kitchens. Besides cataloguing a number of direct and indirect wage theft genres, the study has revealed that alongside creative and exploitative organizational practices, victims are often complicit in their own mistreatment. Theoretically, this augments our understandings of how workers can become disempowered in organizational contexts. Practically, it suggests interventions directed at both victims and perpetrators are required to complement policy and jurisdictional approaches.
Online incivility, hate speech and political violence in Zambia: Examining the role of online political campaign messages
Authors: Gondwe Gregory
Published: April 2021

The aim of this study was to explore the relationship of online incivility and political violence in Zambia. The study used the 2018 Chilanga Constituency by-election campaign messages and those of the 2019 Sesheke constituency to examine the problem. The study drew from the simulation effects (that communication with dissimilar others can encourage incivility and hate online) to assert that political elite campaign messages contribute to incivility/hate and subsequent violence during elections in Zambia. This assumption was tested using 5844 data points collected from various social media platforms owned or purported to be owned by either the Patriotic Front (PF) or the United Party for National Development (UPND) party. The findings support the paper’s hypotheses, and additional analyses suggest that men are more likely to practice incivility online than women. Second, findings suggest that while the PF party’s online platforms exhibit higher trends of partisanship, the UPND tend to privilege tribal affiliations.
The role of change agents in the adaptation and use of mobile money services in Kenya
Authors: Tuwei David , Tully Melissa
Published: April 2021

Kenya’s M-Pesa has arguably become the most recognizable symbol of mobile money globally. The success of M-Pesa can be partially attributed to Safaricom’s continuous product innovation. However, few studies have examined the role of M-Pesa employees (called agents) in the adaptation of M-Pesa. To address this gap, we explore the role of M-Pesa agents in Kenya’s mobile money ecosystem by using observations and interviews with agents in Western Kenya. Drawing on technology adaptation and using literature, we explore the role of M-Pesa agents as innovators and facilitators of mobile money services. Findings suggest that although Safaricom expects agents to follow certain protocols, agents revealed that they push back on these expectations by bending corporate procedures to align with the social, economic and cultural realities of their customers. As such, they play a key role in the innovation and adoption process, and arguably, have contributed to the long-term success of M-Pesa.
The Effects of COVID-19 on the Digital Transformation of the Hungarian Banking Sector
Authors: Tóth Tibor
Published: April 2021

When choosing the topic, I tried to focus on dealing with such a current and ongoing event, we still don’t see the result, and I just find where it develops in three, five, or ten years. Digitization affects all segments and industries to varying degrees, and its impact can be widely demonstrated. Besides, the precarious economic situation resulting from the COVID-19 epidemic further complicates the situation. I found the topic relevant because I am dealing with a phenomenon, a dilemma that directly or indirectly affects everyone and can be useful to a wider audience. During the dissertation, I try to answer the following questions: How does COVID-19 affect the process of digital transformation in the Hungarian banking sector? And how does this affect the collaboration strategies of banks and FinTech companies? In my work, I rely mainly on previous publications and articles by international, prominent researchers. Also, I conducted interviews with Hungarian experts who are currently actively working for Hungarian banks. During the selection of the interviewees, I followed the concept of asking the employees of different financial institutions working at different levels for the most comprehensive picture. In terms of methodology, in addition to processing the interviews and evaluating the literature, I tried to collect and analyze surveys and public data from various commercial banks, regulatory bodies, and major consulting firms. In this article, I have collected trends that have influenced the current state of the banking sector and present the operating environment. In addition to the positive and negative factors influencing the relationship between domestic commercial banks and FinTech companies, I outline a possible scenario for a future digitization strategy for the banking sector. This exploratory research aims to examine the situation and to identify the most important variables and correlations.
Thin Ice: Teasing Play as a Network-Forming Force in Organizations
Authors: Tóth Rita
Published: April 2021

Play is a deeply human constitutive activity of organizational life, which may manifest in several distinct processes. In the present study, the author compasses a particular culturally relative form of play, namely teasing in the workplace setting. Conducting a meta-synthesis of adjacent streams of literature, the author reframes the concept of teasing and inspects it through the analytical lens of play. The research unfolds how teasing behaviour may form an invisible meta-network in organizations, which may fundamentally affect group and organizational dynamics.
The Impact of the Quality of Public Spending and Institutional Change on the Use of Oil Royalties: Exploring Public Management Research
Authors: Jordao da Silva Claudia
Published: April 2021

The aim of the paper is to analyze the impacts of the quality of public spending and institutional change on the use of oil royalties. The related research is based on the (re)definition of concepts that are crucial for scholars in public administration. The debate on their utilization involves social and environmental issues, not limited to economic growth. Given the current economic crises faced by governments, there is a more significant limitation on public resources available by local governments. Therefore, one should not ignore the window of opportunity that has opened to give due attention to the quality of public spending. The research has also adopted the New Institutionalism theory that has as a premise that the institutions exert influence on the behavior of actors and on the political decisions. As a result, it is concluded that there is path dependence. The arguments of path dependence and increasing returns are used to explain the continuities. In the institutional analysis, the concept of path dependence helps to understand the possible behavior of economic agents. Thus, in this context, the economy does not represent an increase in the population’s quality of life, and it is necessary to build a work methodology that involves the knowledge of local needs.
Professionalization of Family Firms: Striking a Balance Between Personal and Non-Personal Factors
Authors: Kárpáti Zoltán
Published: April 2021

The amount of research on family businesses’ analysis has increased significantly in recent years, thus showing the high importance of the topic. In most countries, family businesses occupy a prominent place in contributing to the economy with the added value they produce. However, less attention has been paid to the professionalization of family businesses and the exploration and presentation of the related literature. The professionalization of family business is a significant research concern in the entrepreneurship and governance literature. In the context of family businesses, professionalization initially meant nothing more than hiring an outside, non-family manager. For today, the content of professionalization has expanded, and a multidimensional model has evolved: a broader, deeper understanding has evolved, which involves other vital aspects such as developing formal control and human resource systems, decentralization of authority, formal strategic planning, or top-level activeness. This study aims to present the essential international literature on professionalization and provide a comprehensive overview of the studies published. The literature review mainly summarizes the results of the last twenty years and closely related articles. The paper follows the next logic; in the first part, the definition of professionalization is introduced along with its benefits and challenges. Then, based on the research methodology presented, the related empirical and theoretical studies are examined. In the end, the review summarizes the key findings in a table.
A Q-módszer elmélete és alkalmazása a marketingkutatásban
Authors: Hofmeister Tóth Ágnes , Simon Judit
Published: April 2021

A Q-módszer a magyar társadalomtudományi kutatásokban, így a marketingkutatásokban is alig ismert módszer. Az angolszász szakirodalomban azonban, különösen a politikatudomány és a pszichológia területén elég elterjedten alkalmazzák. A Q- módszer valahol a kvalitatív és kvantitatív kutatások között helyezkedik el, és általában szubjektív vélemények, attitűdök és értékorientációk megállapítására használható. A szerzők bemutatják a Q-sort technika létrejöttének történetét, elméletét és módszertanát, valamint alkalmazási lehetőségeit a kvalitatív kutatás során. A cikk példákat hoz a Q-módszertan alkalmazására a nemzetközi és a hazai szakirodalomból, továbbá hangsúlyozza a Q-módszertan fontosságát az olyan feltáró kutatások számára, ahol személyiségtípusok képzése a cél, valamint a kvantitatív és kvalitatív módszereket alkalmazó kombinált eljárások számára. A cikk utal a módszer újszerű jellegére is.
Time variability management and trade-off analysis of quality, productivity, and maintenance efficiency
Authors: Campos João Thiago de Guimarães Anchieta e Araujo , Ferreira Adonias Magdiel Silva , Freires Francisco Gaudêncio Mendonça
Published: April 2021

Goal: This research aims to examine the trade-off behaviour between productivity, quality and maintenance performance and evaluate the efficiency of the framework integrated to a time variability in operational management. 

Design / Methodology / Approach: The proposed framework integrates a stochastic analysis of process and TVM to manage process variability and analyse the trade-off behaviour between quality, productivity, and maintenance efficiency. The framework generates a control chart for each workstation and analyses the operator's time to execute an assembly process for six workstations. The processes are characterised and evaluated via stochastic simulation, resulting in a trade-off analysis with a multicriteria approach.

Results: A relational graphic of performance dimensions shows that productivity and maintenance performance have a high dependency on time variability management, whereas quality has a minor impact over trade-off decisions. The proposed framework has a huge significance to operational management which allow to apply complex models to time variability analysis and organisation performance.

Limitations of the investigation: The trade-off analysis in this study is limited to a constant trade-off model to validate the framework.

Practical implications: This framework, used in association with traditional management philosophies, is a powerful tool that permits managers to develop a trade-off analysis and make decisions on workstations. Thus, a research field that correlates time variability with performance dimensions may be validated by this framework.

 Originality / Value: A framework that allows the use of MCDM to analyse the trade-off behaviour on organization performance and a trade-off analysis between performance dimensions and time variability management in operational performance.
Activity-based cost analysis of laboratory tests in clinical chemistry
Authors: Declerck Baptist , Swaak Mathijs , Martin Manuella , Kesteloot Katrien
Published: April 2021

Ojectives

Since health care budgets are limited and must be allocated efficiently, there is an economic pressure to reduce the costs of health care interventions. This study aims to investigate the cost of testing within a Clinical Chemistry laboratory.

Methods

This study was conducted in the Clinical Chemistry laboratory of the University Hospital UZ Brussel, Belgium, in which 156 tests were included and an average cost per test was calculated for the year 2018. Activity-based costing (ABC) was applied, using a top-down perspective. Costs were first allocated to different activity centers and subsequently to different tests. Number of tests, parameters, analyzers and time estimates were used as activity cost drivers.

Results

The blood glucose test on the point-of-care testing (POCT) analyzer Accu Chek Inform II had the lowest unit cost (€0.92). The determination of methanol, ethanol and isopropanol on the GC-FID (7820A) is the test with the highest unit cost (€129.42). In terms of average cost per test per activity center, core laboratory (€3.37) scored lowest, followed consecutively by POCT (€3.49), diabetes (€22.09), toxicology (€31.52), metabolic disorder (€41.53) and cystic fibrosis (€86.02). The cost per test was mainly determined by staff (57%), costs of support services (23%) and reagents (14%).

Conclusions

High-volume and automated tests have lower unit costs, as is the case with the core laboratory. ABC provides the ability to identify high average cost tests that can benefit from optimizations, such as focusing on automation or outsourcing low-volume tests that can benefit from economies of scale.
Effects of Study-Abroad Experiences on Chinese Students ’ L2 Learning Activities and Study-Abroad Motivations
Authors: Chen Tiancheng , Chen Jing
Published: April 2021

This study explores how overseas exchange opportunities might influence Chinese students ’ engagement in L2 learning activities and how far such opportunities may satisfy their motivation to study abroad. The analysis of the data, collected and filtered from carefully designed questionnaires and interviews, showed that students ’ L2 learning activities and study-abroad motivations underwent changes after their overseas experiences. Regarding the former, the overseas environment was the cause of the change because it provided students with more chances to talk with native speakers and increased the frequency of their using L2 in their daily life. Regarding the latter, the decline of the students ’ major study-abroad motivations was partly because they tended to treat L2 learning as a tool for realizing other goals and partly because the students had got other important motivations. In view of these findings, suggestions were raised to help future students get better prepared for their overseas study or short-term exchange life.
Emerging Research Efficacy Through Scaffolded Research Practice: An EFL Preservice Teacher Autobiographical Narrative
Authors: Han Yuting
Published: April 2021

EFL preservice teachers ’ research efficacy, as perceived competence to perform tasks in research, is crucial to their research engagement. This autobiographical narrative inquiry investigates the contribution of scaffolded research practice to a female EFL preservice teacher ’ s research efficacy. The data were collected through conversations, notes, journals, and portfolios. The findings suggest that teacher research efficacy was pliable through scaffolded research practice. It emerged gradually over time, in different places with social and personal interaction. The factors contributing to the emerging research efficacy were: teacher educators ’ support, peers ’ support, and research participation. The study sheds light on teacher educators and EFL preservice teachers, with the intention of establishing an inquiry-based pedagogy for M.Ed. programs.
The Inside Information Regime of the MAR andthe Rise of the ESG Era
Authors: Mülbert Peter O. , Sajnovits Alexander
Published: April 2021

The rise in ESG investing has been characterized as an “investor revolution” and a manifestation of “social change”. The current coronavirus pandemic will arguably intensify the impact of such social change, with the “S” and “G” components of ESG, in particular, having been brought into sharper focus during the crisis. The issue of the extent to which ESG factors are (currently) of considerable importance – and, in particular, are likely to become even more so in the future – for the performance of share prices remains a highly controversial one in financial economics. However, where an empirically substantiated impact of ESG-related information on the prices of financial instruments can be shown, the question of whether such information is also of relevance to the inside information regime of the Market Abuse Regulation (“MAR”) arises and must be answered. This article explores the potential impact of ESG-related information and an increase in ESG-compliant investments on the prohibition on insider dealing and the obligation to publicly disclose inside information. We believe that the ESG preferences of a critical mass of real-life investors and, as a corollary, ESG-related information, are and will continue to be of great importance to the inside information regime. However, the intense debate regarding the precise depiction of the ‘reasonable investor’ within the meaning of Art. 7 MAR indicates that the relevance of ESG-related information to the inside information regime of the MAR is by no means clear. In light of these uncertainties, and given its efforts to promote sustainable finance, the EU legislature would be well advised to further specify the concept of inside information with a particular focus on ESG-related information.
Detection and modeling of soil salinity variations in arid lands using remote sensing data
Authors: Alqasemi Abduldaem S. , Ibrahim Majed , Fadhil Al-Quraishi Ayad M. , Saibi Hakim , Al-Fugara A’kif , Kaplan Gordana
Published: April 2021

Soil salinization is a ubiquitous global problem. The literature supports the integration of remote sensing (RS) techniques and field measurements as effective methods for developing soil salinity prediction models. The objectives of this study were to (i) estimate the level of soil salinity in Abu Dhabi using spectral indices and field measurements and (ii) develop a model for detecting and mapping soil salinity variations in the study area using RS data. We integrated Landsat 8 data with the electrical conductivity measurements of soil samples taken from the study area. Statistical analysis of the integrated data showed that the normalized difference vegetation index and bare soil index showed moderate correlations among the examined indices. The relation between these two indices can contribute to the development of successful soil salinity prediction models. Results show that 31% of the soil in the study area is moderately saline and 46% of the soil is highly saline. The results support that geoinformatic techniques using RS data and technologies constitute an effective tool for detecting soil salinity by modeling and mapping the spatial distribution of saline soils. Furthermore, we observed a low correlation between soil salinity and the nighttime land surface temperature.
Cellular-level chemical changes in Japanese beech (Fagus crenata Blume) during artificial weathering
Authors: Kanbayashi Toru , Matsunaga Masahiro , Kobayashi Masahiko
Published: April 2021

Since wood chemical components can be depolymerized and modified by weathering, a better understanding of the mechanisms governing these processes in needed to develop effective protection methods for wood surfaces. Unfortunately, very little has been reported about the micro-scale chemical changes in wood, particularly hardwood, during weathering. The purpose of the present work is to determine the degradation behavior of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata Blume) under artificial weathering at the cellular-level. Herein, the structural and micro-distributional changes in wood components during weathering were investigated using micro-Raman spectral and chemical mapping analyses. The Raman spectra showed that weathering facilitated lignin degradation and modification. The degradation behavior of lignin differed depending on the type of wood tissue. The rate of lignin reduction followed a descending order: vessel element > axial parenchyma cell > wood fiber. Raman mapping determined that cellular-level lignin reduction on the surface layers differed for wood species. Although lignin degradation of cedar tracheids proceeded from both the surface and the cell lumen, the lignin in beech fibers degraded according to the depth.
Investigation of the structure of regulatory proteins interacting with glycosaminoglycans by combining NMR spectroscopy and molecular modeling – the beginning of a wonderful friendship
Authors: Künze Georg , Huster Daniel , Samsonov Sergey A.
Published: April 2021

The interaction of regulatory proteins with extracellular matrix or cell surface-anchored glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) plays important roles in molecular recognition, wound healing, growth, inflammation and many other processes. In spite of their high biological relevance, protein-GAG complexes are significantly underrepresented in structural databases because standard tools for structure determination experience difficulties in studying these complexes. Co-crystallization with subsequent X-ray analysis is hampered by the high flexibility of GAGs. NMR spectroscopy experiences difficulties related to the periodic nature of the GAGs and the sparse proton network between protein and GAG with distances that typically exceed the detection limit of nuclear Overhauser enhancement spectroscopy. In contrast, computer modeling tools have advanced over the last years delivering specific protein-GAG docking approaches successfully complemented with molecular dynamics (MD)-based analysis. Especially the combination of NMR spectroscopy in solution providing sparse structural constraints with molecular docking and MD simulations represents a useful synergy of forces to describe the structure of protein-GAG complexes. Here we review recent methodological progress in this field and bring up examples where the combination of new NMR methods along with cutting-edge modeling has yielded detailed structural information on complexes of highly relevant cytokines with GAGs.
Numerical Study to Understand the Distortion Behavior of a Weight-Reduced Counter Gear*
Authors: Kagathara J. , Lübben T.
Published: April 2021

Objectives in the field of lightweight construction can be achieved by changing the component design, among other things. However, a design suitable for production would have to be taken into account, since serious distortion problems can occur after the final heat treatment due to reduced stiffness or asymmetries in the mass distribution. To illustrate this problem area, case hardening experiments using the example of a weight-reduced counter gear made of 20MnCr5 were carried out and have shown significantly different distortion behavior depending on the geometry and process parameters. However, it is difficult or even impossible to understand such a distortion behavior only through experiments, since many different variables can be responsible for dimensional and shape changes. In this context, a simulation tool can be very helpful to identify important variables that cause dimensional and shape changes and to understand the associated processes. This paper attempts to answer some open questions that arise from experiments on distortion behavior through simulations. ◼
Performance evaluation of titanium-based metal nitride coatings and die lifetime prediction in a cold extrusion process
Authors: Shen Li , Zhao Jiang , Zhang Yu-Qing , Quan Guo-Zheng
Published: April 2021

Surface coating can greatly enhance the lifetime of cold extrusion die. It is a significant issue to evaluate the performance of coatings and even predict the lifetime of cold extrusion die. In this work, the titanium-based nitride coatings including TiN, TiAlN, and TiAlCrN were, respectively, deposited on the surface of high-speed steel substrate W6Mo5Cr4V2 (M2) by the physical vapor deposition technology. The hardness test, scratch test, Rockwell adhesion test, and pin-on-disc (POD) wear test were carried out aiming to investigate the performances of the three coatings including hardness, adhesion strength, and wear resistance. The results show that the TiAlCrN coating exhibits the highest hardness of 3,033 HV in comparison with TiN coating (1,222 HV) and TiAlN coating (1,916 HV), while it possesses poor adhesion strength and inferior wear resistance. Furthermore, the TiAlN coating presents the highest resistance to wear and spalling from the substrate. In addition, the Archard wear model of the coatings was solved and applied in the finite element model of cold extrusion to calculate the wear depth and lifetime of the cold extrusion dies. The results suggest that TiAlN coating is the optimal option for cold extrusion die as compared with TiAlCrN and TiN coatings. TiAlN coating can prolong the lifetime of the substrate die up to 260%.
A User-Centered Approach to Gamify the Manual Creation of Training Data for Machine Learning
Authors: Alaghbari Sarah , Mitschick Annett , Blichmann Gregor , Voigt Martin , Dachselt Raimund
Published: April 2021

The development of artificial intelligence, e. g. for Computer Vision, through supervised learning requires the input of large amounts of annotated or labeled data objects as training data. Usually, the creation of high-quality training data is done manually which can be repetitive and tiring. Gamification, the use of game elements in a non-game context, is one method to make such tedious tasks more interesting. We propose a multi-step process for gamifying the manual creation of training data for machine learning purposes. In this article, we give an overview of related concepts and existing implementations and present a user-centered approach for a real-life use case. Based on a survey within the target user group we identified annotation use cases and dominant player characteristics. The results served as a foundation for designing the gamification concepts which were then discussed with the participants. The final concept includes levels of increasing difficulty, tutorials, progress indicators and a narrative built around a robot character which at the same time is a user assistant. The implemented prototype is an extension of an existing annotation tool at an AI product company and serves as a basis for further observations.
“Let’s Talk about Gender” – Development of a Card Deck on (Gender) Sensitivity in HCI Research and Practice Based on a Contrasting Literature Review
Authors: Burtscher Sabrina , Spiel Katta
Published: April 2021

Funding bodies in Western societies increasingly require researchers to address gender in their proposals – though often exclusively framed around binary notions. With oppressive power structures being prevalent and persuasive, these seep into current practices of Computer Science and Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) research. However, current curricula rarely provide actors in this space with grounded guidance on gender issues tied to their inquiries. Hence, developing an increased awareness of our societal responsibility towards equity can be challenging without an appropriate starting point. Drawing on a close reading of select literature discussing gender sensitivity in HCI research, we derived practical guidance in the form of recommendations for the design, proposal, conduct and presentation of research. Based on these recommendations, we then present the design of a card deck and initial tests thereof at ditact women’s IT summer university. Our analysis offers a starting point for HCI students and interested researchers to explore questions and issues around gender and to identify how gender relates to their research. This sensitisation may aid them in further reflecting on how they might better account for gendered implications of their work.
Impacts of different blanching pretreatments on the quality of dried potato chips and fried potato crisps undergoing heat pump drying
Authors: Li Yao , Zhang Yilin , Liu Haibo , Jin Xuedong , Liu Xiong
Published: April 2021

Hot water blanching (WB) and steam blanching (SB) have been noted to improve the quality of potato chips. In this work, the possibility of steam blanching assisted with ultrasound treatment (SUB) to enhance the quality of dried potato chips and fried potato crisps was investigated. Compared to WB and SB groups, dried potato chips of SUB groups showed lower shrinkage ratio (78.46%), higher rehydration capability (3.93:1), and lower moisture content (0.08 g/g). Meanwhile, fried potato crisps of SUB groups displayed lower hardness (1965.70 g) and oil content (12.0%). The low reducing sugar content (0.42%) and free amino acid content (6.10 mg/g) in SUB dried potato slices could explain for the higher L
* value, lower a
* and ΔE values of SUB fried potato crisps. Additionally, sensory evaluation results confirmed above obtained consequences. Overall, SUB could improve the quality of fried potato crisps further in comparison with WB and SB.
Quantum algorithms for computing general discrete logarithms and orders with tradeoffs
Authors: Ekerå Martin
Published: April 2021

We generalize our earlier works on computing short discrete logarithms with tradeoffs, and bridge them with Seifert's work on computing orders with tradeoffs, and with Shor's groundbreaking works on computing orders and general discrete logarithms. In particular, we enable tradeoffs when computing general discrete logarithms. Compared to Shor's algorithm, this yields a reduction by up to a factor of two in the number of group operations evaluated quantumly in each run, at the expense of having to perform multiple runs. Unlike Shor's algorithm, our algorithm does not require the group order to be known. It simultaneously computes both the order and the logarithm. We analyze the probability distributions induced by our algorithm, and by Shor's and Seifert's order-finding algorithms, describe how these algorithms may be simulated when the solution is known, and estimate the number of runs required for a given minimum success probability when making different tradeoffs.
Polarization rotation-based all-optical AND gate using single semiconductor optical amplifier and implementation of a majority gate
Authors: Raja Ashif , Mukherjee Kousik , Roy Jitendra Nath
Published: April 2021

Semiconductor optical amplifier-based polarization rotation is utilized in designing all-optical AND gate at 100 Gbps. The AND gate shows high extinction ratio (ER ∼ 15 dB), contrast ratio (CR ∼ 18 dB) and quality factor (Q-factor ∼ 16 dB). The effect of the amplified spontaneous emission noise on the performances is also investigated. The AND gate has relative eye opening (REO) varying from 93.52 to 97.1% for 10–30 dB unsaturated gain. Using the AND gate a majority voting gate is designed and analyzed and has Q ∼ 11.7 dB with REO ∼ 91%.
Betamethasone as a potential treatment for preterm birth associated with sterile intra-amniotic inflammation: a murine study
Authors: Galaz Jose , Romero Roberto , Arenas-Hernandez Marcia , Panaitescu Bogdan , Para Robert , Gomez-Lopez Nardhy
Published: April 2021

Objectives

Preterm birth remains the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Preterm birth is preceded by spontaneous preterm labor, which is commonly associated with sterile intra-amniotic inflammation; yet, no approved treatment exists for this clinical condition. Corticosteroids are the standard of care to improve neonatal outcomes in women at risk of preterm birth. Herein, we first validated our model of alarmin-induced preterm birth. Next, we investigated whether treatment with betamethasone could prevent preterm birth resulting from sterile intra-amniotic inflammation in mice.

Methods

Under ultrasound guidance, the first cohort of dams received an intra-amniotic injection of the alarmin high-mobility group box-1 (HMGB1, n=10) or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS, n=9) as controls. A second cohort of dams received HMGB1 intra-amniotically and were subcutaneously treated with betamethasone (n=15) or vehicle (n=15). Dams were observed until delivery, and perinatal outcomes were observed.

Results

Intra-amniotic HMGB1 reduced gestational length (p=0.04), inducing preterm birth in 40% (4/10) of cases, of which 100% (4/4) were categorized as late preterm births. Importantly, treatment with betamethasone extended the gestational length (p=0.02), thereby reducing the rate of preterm birth by 26.6% (from 33.3% [5/15] to 6.7% [1/15]). Treatment with betamethasone did not worsen the rate of neonatal mortality induced by HMGB1 or alter weight gain in the first three weeks of life.

Conclusions

Treatment with betamethasone prevents preterm birth induced by the alarmin HMGB1. This study supports the potential utility of betamethasone for treating women with sterile intra-amniotic inflammation.
Jordanian graduate students’ complaints on Facebook: Semantic formulas and politeness
Authors: Migdadi Fathi , Badarneh Muhammad A. , Khwaylih Laila
Published: April 2021

This study examines Jordanian graduate students' complaints posted on a Facebook closed group and directed to the representatives of Student Union at Jordan University of Science and Technology to be transferred to the officials concerned. In line with Boxer (1993b), the study considers the students' complaints to be indirect speech acts, as the addressee(s) are not the source of the offense. Using a sample of 60 institutional complaining posts, the researchers have analysed the complaints in terms of their semantic formulas, politeness functions and correlations with the gender of the complainers. The students’ complaints are classified into six semantic formulas of which theact statementelement is indispensable as the complaint is stated in it. The other five formulas, ordered according to their frequency, areopener,remedy,appreciative closing,justificationandothers. Despite the negative affect typically involved in the complaining act, the semantic formulas identified in this study are found to signal politeness and fit into Brown and Levinson’s (1987) pool of face-saving strategies rather than face-threatening acts. Specifically, when the graduate students direct their Facebook complaints to the students' representatives, they tend to offer camaraderie with them to be encouraged to pursue the problems specified in the complainers’ posts.
On a Monte Carlo scheme for some linear stochastic partial differential equations
Authors: Nakagawa Takuya , Tanaka Akihiro
Published: April 2021

The aim of this paper is to study the simulation of the expectation for the solution of linear stochastic partial differential equation driven by the space-time white noise with the bounded measurable coefficient and different boundary conditions.
We first propose a Monte Carlo type method for the expectation of the solution of a linear stochastic partial differential equation and prove an upper bound for its weak rate error.
In addition, we prove the central limit theorem for the proposed method in order to obtain confidence intervals for it.
As an application, the Monte Carlo scheme applies to the stochastic heat equation with various boundary conditions, and we provide the result of numerical experiments which confirm the theoretical results in this paper.