bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An application of machine learning regression to feature selection: a study of logistics performance and economic attribute
Authors: Jomthanachai Suriyan , Wong Wai Peng , Khaw Khai Wah
Published: April 2022

This study demonstrates how to profit from up-to-date dynamic economic big data, which contributes to selecting economic attributes that indicate logistics performance as reflected by the Logistics Performance Index (LPI). The analytical technique employs a high degree of productivity in machine learning (ML) for prediction or regression using adequate economic features. The goal of this research is to determine the ideal collection of economic attributes that best characterize a particular anticipated variable for predicting a country’s logistics performance. In addition, several potential ML regression algorithms may be used to optimize prediction accuracy. The feature selection of filter techniques of correlation and principal component analysis (PCA), as well as the embedded technique of LASSO and Elastic-net regression, is utilized. Then, based on the selected features, the ML regression approaches artificial neural network (ANN), multi-layer perceptron (MLP), support vector regression (SVR), random forest regression (RFR), and Ridge regression are used to train and validate the data set. The findings demonstrate that the PCA and Elastic-net feature sets give the closest to adequate performance based on the error measurement criteria. A feature union and intersection procedure of an acceptable feature set are used to make a more precise decision. Finally, the union of feature sets yields the best results. The findings suggest that ML algorithms are capable of assisting in the selection of a proper set of economic factors that indicate a country's logistics performance. Furthermore, the ANN was shown to be the best effective prediction model in this investigation.
Free surface equatorial flows in spherical coordinates with discontinuous stratification depending on depth and latitude
Authors: Martin Calin , Petruşel Adrian
Published: April 2022

We derive and subsequently analyze an exact solution of the geophysical fluid dynamics equations which describes equatorial flows (in spherical coordinates) and has a discontinuous fluid stratification that varies with both depth and latitude. More precisely, this solution represents a steady, purely–azimuthal equatorial two-layer flow with an associated free-surface and a discontinuous distribution of the density which gives rise to an interface separating the two fluid regions. While the velocity field and the pressure are given by means of explicit formulas, the shape of the free surface and of the interface are given in implicit form: indeed we demonstrate that there is a well-defined relationship between the imposed pressure at the free-surface and the resulting distortion of the surface’s shape. Moreover, imposing the continuity of the pressure along the interface generates an equation that describes (implicitly) the shape of the interface. We also provide a regularity result for the interface defining function under certain assumptions on the velocity field.
On a bivariate copula for modeling negative dependence: application to New York air quality data
Authors: Ghosh Shyamal , Bhuyan Prajamitra , Finkelstein Maxim
Published: April 2022

In many practical scenarios, including finance, environmental sciences, system reliability, etc., it is often of interest to study the various notion of negative dependence among the observed variables. A new bivariate copula is proposed for modeling negative dependence between two random variables that complies with most of the popular notions of negative dependence reported in the literature. Specifically, the Spearman’s rho and the Kendall’s tau for the proposed copula have a simple one-parameter form with negative values in the full range. Some important ordering properties comparing the strength of negative dependence with respect to the parameter involved are considered. Simple examples of the corresponding bivariate distributions with popular marginals are presented. Application of the proposed copula is illustrated using a real data set on air quality in the New York City, USA.
Early timing analysis based on scenario requirements and platform models
Authors: Holtmann Jörg , Deantoni Julien , Fockel Markus
Published: April 2022

Distributed, software-intensive systems (e.g., in the automotive sector) must fulfill communication requirements under hard real-time constraints. The requirements have to be documented and validated carefully using a systematic requirements engineering (RE) approach, for example, by applying scenario-based requirements notations. The resources of the execution platforms and their properties (e.g., CPU frequency or bus throughput) induce effects on the timing behavior, which may lead to violations of the real-time requirements. Nowadays, the platform properties and their induced timing effects are verified against the real-time requirements by means of timing analysis techniques mostly implemented in commercial-off-the-shelf tools. However, such timing analyses are conducted in late development phases since they rely on artifacts produced during these phases (e.g., the platform-specific code). In order to enable early timing analyses already during RE, we extend a scenario-based requirements notation with allocation means to platform models and define operational semantics for the purpose of simulation-based, platform-aware timing analyses. We illustrate and evaluate the approach with an automotive software-intensive system.
Using Occlusion-Based Saliency Maps to Explain an Artificial Intelligence Tool in Lung Cancer Screening: Agreement Between Radiologists, Labels, and Visual Prompts
Authors: Gandomkar Ziba , Khong Pek Lan , Punch Amanda , Lewis Sarah
Published: April 2022

Occlusion-based saliency maps (OBSMs) are one of the approaches for interpreting decision-making process of an artificial intelligence (AI) system. This study explores the agreement among text responses from a cohort of radiologists to describe diagnostically relevant areas on low-dose CT (LDCT) images. It also explores if radiologists’ descriptions of cases misclassified by the AI provide a rationale for ruling out the AI’s output. The OBSM indicating the importance of different pixels on the final decision made by an AI were generated for 10 benign cases (3 misclassified by the AI tool as malignant) and 10 malignant cases (2 misclassified by the AI tool as benign). Thirty-six radiologists were asked to use radiological vocabulary, typical to reporting LDCT scans, to describe the mapped regions of interest (ROI). The radiologists’ annotations were then grouped by using a clustering-based technique. Topics were extracted from the annotations and for each ROI, a percentage of annotations containing each topic were found. Radiologists annotated 17 and 24 unique ROIs on benign and malignant cases, respectively. Agreement on the main label (e.g., “vessel,” “nodule”) by radiologists was only seen in only in 12% of all areas (5/41 ROI). Topic analyses identified six descriptors which are commonly associated with a lower malignancy likelihood. Eight common topics related to a higher malignancy likelihood were also determined. Occlusion-based saliency maps were used to explain an AI decision-making process to radiologists, who in turn have provided insight into the level of agreement between the AI’s decision and radiological lexicon.
Roadkill mortality decreases after road inauguration
Authors: Sacramento Enrique , Rodríguez Beneharo , Rodríguez Airam
Published: April 2022

The main factors affecting specific road casualty rates are related to life-history traits, road features, and landscape variables. After road inauguration, roadkill rate and spatial and temporal patterns can change substantially due to changes in traffic intensity, avoidance behaviour or local population decline. Despite the Canary Islands constituting a biodiversity hotspot, Canarian ecosystems are highly threatened because of the high human density, and studies on anthropogenic sources of mortality of wildlife are scarce. Here, we counted roadkills during two annual cycles after the inauguration of an 8.8-km-road section on Tenerife, the largest and most densely populated island of the Canaries. We counted 694 roadkills belonging to a minimum of 19 species of birds and six species of introduced mammals. Seasonal variation was apparent during both annual cycles, particularly for birds, being the majority of victims concentrated in May and June. Although traffic intensity increased since road inauguration, the number of roadkills decreased significantly in the second annual cycle. The reduction in road mortality in the second cycle could be related to some non-mutually exclusive factors such as population decline, road avoidance, or weather conditions. As road networks of the Canary Islands are still increasing, further studies quantifying road mortality impacts on Canarian ecosystems and threatened species are urgently needed to guarantee the management and conservation of its fragile wildlife.
Successive generation introduction time for high technological products: an analysis based on different multi-attribute utility functions
Authors: Anand Adarsh , Agarwal Mohini , Aggrawal Deepti , Hughes Laurie , Maroufkhani Parisa , Dwivedi Yogesh K.
Published: April 2022

Highly competitive markets have forced many organizations to come up with generational products. The relevance, appropriateness, added functionality, and sustainability are some of the potential reasons behind the launch of a new generation over the previous generation. The launch time of the new generation is dependent on the performance of the existing generation in the market which can be measured based on the attributes viz. the adoption behavior of the customer and indicator of adoption rate. The introduction of a new generation greatly affects the market of the existing generation of the product and huge capital is ought to be invested in feature enhancement in the latest generation as compared to the existing version. Consequently, the investment made in production and marketing activities should be economical which significantly influences the launch time. Based on these attributes, the focus is on determining the launch time of the successive generation of the product. In this paper, three conflicting and contrasting attributes: customer adoption behavior, adoption rate indicator, and cost are proposed. The aim is to study and understand the impact of the trade-off for these attributes on the launch time of successive generations of the product. To examine the tradeoff between these attributes, multi-attribute utility theory has been used. The proposed decision approach is based on three different weighted combinations of the utility function in multi-attribute utility theory. Additionally, three different forms of utility functions viz, the weighted arithmetic, geometric and harmonic forms have been used in understanding their superiority over one another. For validation purposes, the case in which an organization launches successive generations of a durable product for which demand is characterized by an innovation diffusion process has been assessed.
Preservice Subject Teachers’ Lack of Interest in Their Minor Subject: Is It a Problem?
Authors: Havia Johanna , Lutovac Sonja , Komulainen Tiina , Kaasila Raimo
Published: April 2022

Interest in a particular subject is one central factor in preservice teachers’ decision to become subject teachers. Interest in a subject can also become visible in preservice teachers’ teaching and may consequently impact their students’ interest in the subject. However, the interest of preservice teachers in their major and minor subjects has been scarcely addressed. In Finland, secondary school teachers usually study and teach two or three subjects. Major subjects are often chosen based on interest; however, the reasons for choosing a minor subject can vary. In this study, we examined the narratives of three preservice subject teachers regarding their interest in their minor and major subjects. They all studied mathematics, physics, and chemistry and revealed a much weaker interest in the minor subjects compared to the major subjects. Interestingly, our findings also reveal that preservice teachers’ perceived strengths in a specific subject may not be as crucial to their interests, as has been suggested by prior research. We discuss the consequences of preservice teachers’ weaker interest in certain subjects and provide recommendations for teacher education.
Dominance or Tolerance? Causes and consequences of a period of increased intercommunity encounters among bonobos (Pan paniscus) at LuiKotale
Authors: Moscovice Liza R. , Hohmann Gottfried , Trumble Benjamin C. , Fruth Barbara , Jaeggi Adrian V.
Published: April 2022

Group-living primates exhibit variable reactions to intergroup encounters (or IGEs), reflecting species-specific strategies and individual motivations. In chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes), dominating in IGEs provides fitness benefits. Less is known about responses to IGEs in bonobos (Pan paniscus) despite their equal relevance for understanding the origins of human intergroup relations. We observed the Bompusa West (WBp) bonobo community at LuiKotale during a 2-month shift in ranging resulting in frequent IGEs with the smaller Bompusa East (EBp) community. We tested whether incursions provided ecological benefits, and whether responses to IGEs were consistent with inter-community dominance or tolerance. We measured fruit availability and collected activity scans from 26 mature WBp community members when in their core ranging area, during incursions into the EBp ranging area, and during IGEs. We collected data on sexual interactions and aggression with in-group and out-group members during 19 independent IGEs. During their shift in ranging, fruit availability was greater in the EBp ranging area, and WBp bonobos consumed more fruit during incursions than when in their core ranging area. Coalitionary intergroup aggression occurred during nine IGEs, and outcomes were consistent with imbalances in fighting power, in that larger WBp parties supplanted smaller EBp parties from the immediate area. However, communities reformed associations following 70% of coalitionary conflicts, and prolonged IGEs facilitated out-group sexual interactions and female transfers. The WBp community shift in ranging was likely motivated by ecological factors and responses to increased IGEs reflected a mixture of competitive and tolerant strategies.
Simulation-Based Investigation of a Probability of Detection (POD) Model Using Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing (PAUT) Technique
Authors: Lei Xiangyu , Wirdelius Håkan , Rosell Anders
Published: April 2022

Probability of detection (POD) as a metric for quantifying the capability of inspection procedures in nondestructive evaluation (NDE), has been applied and evolved in industries since 1970s. Progress had been noted when certain statistical functions were brought up to model POD behavior, including log-normal model (also referred as Probit model). This model had been concluded to be the best fit and therefore has been widely used in many studies, while the involved assumptions and conditions were not carefully addressed and explored. To make flexible POD datasets available for specific inspection procedures and reduce the number of expensive experiments needed, model-assisted POD (MAPOD) is an alternative. This paper addresses a pure simulation-based POD procedure of an inspection scenario involving phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) on lack-of-fusion defects in additive manufactured (AM) components. The mathematical simulations are performed by an ultrasonic testing (UT) simulation software, simSUNDT, developed at Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden. Resulted inspection datasets with the proposed data processing steps are evaluated in terms of the assumptions and conditions of log-normal POD model, with the purpose of discussing the POD model validity under different circumstances. Simulation-based POD curves are finally compared with several discrete POD values at some defect sizes, calculated through massive computations from physics-model based metamodel. Comparisons and observations confirm satisfactory application of log-normal POD model despite some violations in model hypotheses.
The potential of three whole blood microRNAs to predict outcome and monitor treatment response in sarcoid-bearing equids
Authors: Hamza E. , Cosandey J. , Gerber V. , Koch C. , Unger L.
Published: April 2022

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as biomarkers for equine sarcoid (ES) disease. In this study, the suitability of three whole blood miRNAs to diagnose ES and to predict and monitor the outcome of therapy was explored. Using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), expression levels of eca-miR-127, eca-miR-379, and eca-miR-432 in whole blood of ES-affected equids before and at least one year after therapy were compared to those of unaffected control equids. Associations of age, sex, species, diagnosis, and therapy outcome with miRNA expression levels were examined using general linear models. In total, 48 ES-affected equids and 47 control equids were recruited. From the affected animals, 31 responded favorably to treatment, and 17 demonstrated a failure of therapy. None of the tested miRNAs were influenced by age. Male equids showed increased expression of eca-miR-127 compared to females and horses showed higher expression levels of eca-miR-379 and eca-miR-432 than donkeys. Eca-miR-127 was confirmed as a diagnostic discriminator between ES-affected and control equids. No difference in miRNA profiles before therapy was found when comparing ES-affected equids with success vs. failure of therapy. Eca-miR-379 and eca-miR-432 decreased over time in horses where therapy was successful, but not in those cases where it failed. Biological variables influence equine whole blood miRNA expression, which may complicate biomarker validation. While none of the tested miRNAs could predict the response to therapy in ES-affected equids and eca-miR-127 showed poor diagnostic accuracy for ES, eca-miR-379 and eca-miR-432 miRNAs might allow refinement of monitoring of success of ES therapy.
P2X7 receptor activation mediates superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) release from murine NSC-34 motor neurons
Authors: Bartlett Rachael , Ly Diane , Cashman Neil R. , Sluyter Ronald , Yerbury Justin J.
Published: April 2022

Mutant superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) can be constitutively released from motor neurons and transmitted to naïve motor neurons to promote the progression of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, the biological impacts of this process and the precise mechanisms of SOD1 release remain to be fully resolved. Using biochemical and fluorescent techniques, this study aimed to determine if P2X7 receptor activation could induce mutant SOD1 release from motor neurons and whether this released SOD1 could be transmitted to motor neurons or microglia to mediate effects associated with neurodegeneration in ALS. Aggregated SOD1G93A, released from murine NSC-34 motor neurons transiently transfected with SOD1G93A, could be transmitted to naïve NSC-34 cells and murine EOC13 microglia to induce endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) release, respectively. Immunoblotting revealed NSC-34 cells expressed P2X7. Extracellular ATP induced cation dye uptake into these cells, which was blocked by the P2X7 antagonist AZ10606120, demonstrating these cells express functional P2X7. Moreover, ATP induced the rapid release of aggregated SOD1G93A from NSC-34 cells transiently transfected with SOD1G93A, a process blocked by AZ10606120 and revealing a role for P2X7 in this process. ATP-induced SOD1G93A release coincided with membrane blebbing. Finally, aggregated SOD1G93A released via P2X7 activation could also be transmitted to NSC-34 and EOC13 cells to induce ER stress and TNFα release, respectively. Collectively, these results identify a novel role for P2X7 in the prion-like propagation of SOD1 in ALS and provide a possible explanation for the therapeutic benefits of P2X7 antagonism previously observed in ALS SOD1G93A mice.
Lead Nitrate Induces Inflammation and Apoptosis in Rat Lungs Through the Activation of NF-κB and AhR Signaling Pathways
Authors: Attafi Ibraheem M. , Bakheet Saleh A. , Ahmad Sheikh F. , Belali Osamah M. , Alanazi Fawaz E. , Aljarboa Suliman A. , AL-Alallah Ibrahim A. , Korashy Hesham M.
Published: April 2022

Lead (Pb) is one of the most frequent hazardous air contaminants, where the lungs are particularly vulnerable to its toxicity. However, the Pb distribution and its impact on lung inflammation/apoptosis and particularly the involvement of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathways in Pb-induced lung toxicity have not yet been fully investigated. Adult male Wistar albino rats were exposed to Pb nitrate 25, 50, and 100 mg/kg b.w. orally for 3 days. The histopathological changes of several rat organs were analyzed using hematoxylin and eosin staining. The concentrations of Pb ion in different organ tissues were quantified using inductive coupled plasma mass spectrometry, while gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to identify organic compounds. The changes in the mRNA and protein expression levels of inflammatory and apoptotic genes in response to Pb exposure were quantified by using RT-PCR and Western blot analyses, respectively. Treatment of rats with Pb for three consecutive days significantly increased the accumulation of Pb in lung tissues causing severe interstitial inflammation. Pb treatment also increased the percentage of lung apoptotic cells and modulated apoptotic genes (Bc2, p53, and TGF-α), inflammatory markers (IL-4, IL-10, TNF-α), and oxidative stress biomarkers (iNOS, CYP1A1, EphX) in rat lung tissues. These effects were associated with a significant increase in organic compounds, such as 3-nitrotyrosine and myeloperoxidase, and some inorganic elements, such as selenium. Importantly, the Pb-induced lung inflammation and apoptosis were associated with a proportional increase in the expression of NF-κB and AhR mRNAs and proteins. These findings clearly show that Pb induces severe inflammation and apoptosis in rat lungs and suggest that NF-κB and AhR may play a role in Pb-induced lung toxicity.
Applying social life cycle assessment to evaluate the use phase of mobility services: a case study in Berlin
Authors: Gompf Katharina , Traverso Marzia , Hetterich Jörg
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The main purpose of this S-LCA case study is to analyse social impacts of the use phase of mobility services is a holistic way, taking into account positive as well as negative impacts. The use phase plays an important role for the assessment of services, which is why this study exclusively focuses on the use phase assessment. That way, this study aims to contribute to answer the question whether mobility services can improve quality of life in cities.

Methods

For the analysis, seven different mobility options were chosen in the city of Berlin, Germany, including free-floating car sharing, e-scooter sharing, S-Bahn, subway, tram, bus and the car in private ownership. For the analysis, five stakeholder groups that are outlined in the S-LCA Guidelines (UNEP 2020) were taken into account: Local Community, Consumer, Worker, Value Chain Actors and Society. For a detailed analysis of all relevant aspects, 37 indicators were analysed, out of which 23 are quantitative and 14 are qualitative. For data collection, several different data sources were used, including publicly available data e.g. from statistics as well as own data from interviews.

Results and discussion

For comparability, all results are displayed on a 5-point scale from − 2 to + 2, in line with the Handbook (Goedkoop et al. 2018) and the S-LCA Guidelines (UNEP 2020). For some indicators, the results of the case study are as expected, for example regarding impacts on air quality. For other indicators, however, the results are specific for the analysed mobility services in Berlin and therefore give new insights and reveal new aspects, as for example in the case of job creation for the local community. The main challenge of this S-LCA case study was data availability and data quality, which is why assumptions and simplifications had to be made, especially regarding space occupancy and the allocation of common infrastructure.

Conclusions

This S-LCA case study provides a holistic assessment of the use phase of mobility services, taking into account five stakeholder categories and their respective social impacts. The study illustrates specific results for the city of Berlin, showing positive as well as negative social impacts of mobility services and outlines a procedure for further studies. That way, this case study contributes to answer the overlying question whether mobility services can improve quality of life in cities.
Corrosion Effect on the Efficiency of High-Frequency Mechanical Impact Treatment in Enhancing Fatigue Strength of Welded Steel Structures
Authors: Al-Karawi Hassan
Published: April 2022

Fatigue and corrosion are two material degradation phenomena that occur in welded steel structures. High-frequency mechanical impact (HFMI) treatment is a post-weld treatment method that aims to increase the fatigue strength of welded details. This paper investigates the effect of steel corrosion on the efficiency of this method in enhancing fatigue resistance. More than 150 fatigue test results on corroded and HFMI-treated welded details are collected from several research articles and analyzed for both transverse welded attachment and butt-welded details. The efficiency of HFMI treatment decreases in corroded details as the corrosion level increases. However, HFMI treatment is found to have a high potential in prolonging the fatigue life, even in circumstances of an extremely corrosive environment.
Characteristics of tumour stroma in regional lymph node metastases in colorectal cancer patients: a theoretical framework for future diagnostic imaging with FAPI PET/CT
Authors: Polack Meaghan , Hagenaars Sophie C. , Couwenberg Alice , Kool Walter , Tollenaar Rob A. E. M. , Vogel Wouter V. , Snaebjornsson Petur , Mesker Wilma E.
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The recently developed fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI) tracer for PET/CT, binding tumour-stromal cancer-associated fibroblasts, is a promising tool for detection of positive lymph nodes. This study provides an overview of features, including sizes and tumour-stromal content, of lymph nodes and their respective lymph node metastases (LNM) in colorectal cancer (CRC), since literature lacks on whether LNMs contain sufficient stroma to potentially allow FAPI-based tumour detection.

Methods

Haematoxylin and eosin-stained tissue slides from 73 stage III colon cancer patients were included. Diameters and areas of all lymph nodes and their LNMs were assessed, the amount of stroma by measuring the stromal compartment area, the conventional and total tumour-stroma ratios (TSR-c and TSR-t, respectively), as well as correlations between these parameters. Also, subgroup analysis using a minimal diameter cut off of 5.0 mm was performed.

Results

In total, 126 lymph nodes were analysed. Although positive correlations were observed between node and LNM for diameter and area (r = 0.852, p < 0.001 and r = 0.960, p < 0.001, respectively), and also between the LNM stromal compartment area and nodal diameter (r = 0.612, p < 0.001), nodal area (r = 0.747, p < 0.001) and LNM area (r = 0.746, p < 0.001), novel insight was that nearly all (98%) LNMs contained stroma, with median TSR-c scores of 35% (IQR 20–60%) and TSR-t of 20% (IQR 10–30%). Moreover, a total of 32 (25%) positive lymph nodes had a diameter of < 5.0 mm.

Conclusion

In LNMs, stroma is abundantly present, independent of size, suggesting a role for FAPI PET/CT in improved lymph node detection in CRC.
The Superior Colliculus: Cell Types, Connectivity, and Behavior
Authors: Liu Xue , Huang Hongren , Snutch Terrance P. , Cao Peng , Wang Liping , Wang Feng
Published: April 2022

The superior colliculus (SC), one of the most well-characterized midbrain sensorimotor structures where visual, auditory, and somatosensory information are integrated to initiate motor commands, is highly conserved across vertebrate evolution. Moreover, cell-type-specific SC neurons integrate afferent signals within local networks to generate defined output related to innate and cognitive behaviors. This review focuses on the recent progress in understanding of phenotypic diversity amongst SC neurons and their intrinsic circuits and long-projection targets. We further describe relevant neural circuits and specific cell types in relation to behavioral outputs and cognitive functions. The systematic delineation of SC organization, cell types, and neural connections is further put into context across species as these depend upon laminar architecture. Moreover, we focus on SC neural circuitry involving saccadic eye movement, and cognitive and innate behaviors. Overall, the review provides insight into SC functioning and represents a basis for further understanding of the pathology associated with SC dysfunction.
In Defence of Principlism in AI Ethics and Governance
Authors: Seger Elizabeth
Published: April 2022

It is widely acknowledged that high-level AI principles are difficult to translate into practices via explicit rules and design guidelines. Consequently, many AI research and development groups that claim to adopt ethics principles have been accused of unwarranted “ethics washing”. Accordingly, there remains a question as to if and how high-level principles should be expected to influence the development of safe and beneficial AI. In this short commentary I discuss two roles high-level principles might play in AI ethics and governance. The first and most often discussed “start-point” function quickly succumbs to the complaints outlined above. I suggest, however, that a second “cultural influence” function is where the primary value of high-level principles lies.
Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Energy Conversion and Storage: Design Strategies Under and Beyond the Energy Scaling Relationship
Authors: Li Jiangtian
Published: April 2022

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is the essential module in energy conversion and storage devices such as electrolyzer, rechargeable metal–air batteries and regenerative fuel cells. The adsorption energy scaling relations between the reaction intermediates, however, impose a large intrinsic overpotential and sluggish reaction kinetics on OER catalysts. Developing advanced electrocatalysts with high activity and stability based on non-noble metal materials is still a grand challenge. Central to the rational design of novel and high-efficiency catalysts is the development and understanding of quantitative structure–activity relationships, which correlate the catalytic activities with structural and electronic descriptors. This paper comprehensively reviews the benchmark descriptors for OER electrolysis, aiming to give an in-depth understanding on the origins of the electrocatalytic activity of the OER and further contribute to building the theory of electrocatalysis. Meanwhile, the cutting-edge research frontiers for proposing new OER paradigms and crucial strategies to circumvent the scaling relationship are also summarized. Challenges, opportunities and perspectives are discussed, intending to shed some light on the rational design concepts and advance the development of more efficient catalysts for enhancing OER performance.
Biodegradable, Super-Strong, and Conductive Cellulose Macrofibers for Fabric-Based Triboelectric Nanogenerator
Authors: Hu Sanming , Han Jing , Shi Zhijun , Chen Kun , Xu Nuo , Wang Yifei , Zheng Ruizhu , Tao Yongzhen , Sun Qijun , Wang Zhong Lin , Yang Guang
Published: April 2022

Electronic fibers used to fabricate wearable triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) for harvesting human mechanical energy have been extensively explored. However, little attention is paid to their mutual advantages of environmental friendliness, mechanical properties, and stability. Here, we report a super-strong, biodegradable, and washable cellulose-based conductive macrofibers, which is prepared by wet-stretching and wet-twisting bacterial cellulose hydrogel incorporated with carbon nanotubes and polypyrrole. The cellulose-based conductive macrofibers possess high tensile strength of 449 MPa (able to lift 2 kg weights), good electrical conductivity (~ 5.32 S cm−1), and excellent stability (Tensile strength and conductivity only decrease by 6.7% and 8.1% after immersing in water for 1 day). The degradation experiment demonstrates macrofibers can be degraded within 108 h in the cellulase solution. The designed fabric-based TENG from the cellulose-base conductive macrofibers shows a maximum open-circuit voltage of 170 V, short-circuit current of 0.8 µA, and output power at 352 μW, which is capable of powering the commercial electronics by charging the capacitors. More importantly, the fabric-based TENGs can be attached to the human body and work as self-powered sensors to effectively monitor human motions. This study suggests the potential of biodegradable, super-strong, and washable conductive cellulose-based fiber for designing eco-friendly fabric-based TENG for energy harvesting and biomechanical monitoring.
The Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Erectile Dysfunction in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Xu , Zhang Yuyang , Zhang Wei , Liu Guodong , Huang Houbao , Jiang Hui , Zhang Xiansheng
Published: April 2022

Background

Erectile dysfunction (ED) may be common in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), but its prevalence and risk factors still remain debatable.

Aim

To evaluate the prevalence of ED in the IBD population and the potential role of risk factors in the development of ED.

Methods

An extensive search in the PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was performed to identify relevant English-language articles published up to December 2021 that evaluated the prevalence of ED on IBD patients. The included studies were evaluated by 2 independent reviewers for eligibility. We used an adapted Assessment Tool for Prevalence Studies to evaluate the quality of enrolled studies. Data were analyzed and graphed using the STATA software (version 16.0; Stata Corporation, College Station, TX, USA). The ORs with 95% CIs were pooled using a fixed or random-effects model according to heterogeneity. Subgroup analysis was performed to explore the source of heterogeneity. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to evaluate the stability of the results.

Outcomes

The pooled prevalence of ED in IBD patients was calculated, and the OR value and 95% CIs were used to assess the strength of the association between IBD-related risk factors and ED.

Results

Fourteen studies included 32,858 individuals totally were enrolled for this meta-analysis. The overall pooled prevalence estimate of ED in IBD patients was 27% (95% CI: 20–34%). Operation (OR 1.28; 95% CI: 1.17–1.39; P < .00001; I2 = 0.0%), disease activity (OR 2.06; 95% CI: 1.07–3.05; P < .00001), and depression (crude OR 3.31; 95% CI: 1.08–5.54; P = .004; I2 = 0.0%) significantly increase the risk of ED in people with IBD. The association of depression and ED was further confirmed by calculating the pooled estimates of adjusted OR (1.58; 95% CI: 0.05–3.12; P < .05; I2 = 0.0%). The pooled prevalence estimates of ED were 30, 33, and 17% in the age <40, IIEF diagnostic tool, and IPAA surgery subgroups, respectively.

Clinical Implications

IBD patients had a significantly increased prevalence of ED, indicating that erectile function in men with IBD should be concerned by clinicians.

Strengths & Limitations

The strength of this study is that this is the first meta-analysis to assess the global prevalence and risk factors of ED in IBD patients. A limitation is that the results after pooling the included articles showed significant heterogeneity.

Conclusion

The results of our meta-analysis and systematic review provide evidence of the high prevalence and risk factors of ED in IBD patients.
The Everyday Crusade
Authors: McDaniel Eric L. , Nooruddin Irfan , Shortle Allyson F.
Published: April 2022

What is causing the American public to move more openly into alt-right terrain? What explains the uptick in anti-immigrant hysteria, isolationism, and an increasing willingness to support alternatives to democratic governance? The Everyday Crusade provides an answer. The book points to American Religious Exceptionalism (ARE), a widely held religious nationalist ideology steeped in myth about the nation's original purpose. The book opens with a comprehensive synthesis of research on nationalism and religion in American public opinion. Making use of survey data spanning three different presidential administrations, it then develops a new theory of why Americans form extremist attitudes, based on religious exceptionalism myths. The book closes with an examination of what's next for an American public that confronts new global issues, alongside existing challenges to perceived cultural authority. Timely and enlightening, The Everyday Crusade offers a critical touchstone for better understanding American national identity and the exclusionary ideologies that have plagued the nation since its inception.
Science on the Roof of the World
Authors: Fleetwood Lachlan
Published: April 2022

When, how, and why did the Himalaya become the highest mountains in the world? In 1800, Chimborazo in South America was believed to be the world's highest mountain, only succeeded by Mount Everest in 1856. Science on the Roof of the World tells the story of this shift, and the scientific, imaginative, and political remaking needed to fit the Himalaya into a new global scientific and environmental order. Lachlan Fleetwood traces untold stories of scientific measurement and collecting, indigenous labour and expertise, and frontier-making to provide the first comprehensive account of the East India Company's imperial entanglements with the Himalaya. To make the Himalaya knowable and globally comparable, he demonstrates that it was necessary to erase both dependence on indigenous networks and scientific uncertainties, offering an innovative way of understanding science's global history, and showing how geographical features like mountains can serve as scales for new histories of empire.
Symmetry in Graphs
Authors: Dobson Ted , Malnič Aleksander , Marušič Dragan
Published: April 2022

This is the first full-length book on the major theme of symmetry in graphs. Forming part of algebraic graph theory, this fast-growing field is concerned with the study of highly symmetric graphs, particularly vertex-transitive graphs, and other combinatorial structures, primarily by group-theoretic techniques. In practice the street goes both ways and these investigations shed new light on permutation groups and related algebraic structures. The book assumes a first course in graph theory and group theory but no specialized knowledge of the theory of permutation groups or vertex-transitive graphs. It begins with the basic material before introducing the field's major problems and most active research themes in order to motivate the detailed discussion of individual topics that follows. Featuring many examples and over 450 exercises, it is an essential introduction to the field for graduate students and a valuable addition to any algebraic graph theorist's bookshelf.
Business Adaptation to Climate Change
Authors: Rivera Jorge E. , Oh Chang Hoon , Oetzel Jennifer , Clement Viviane
Published: April 2022

This book seeks to advance the understanding of how businesses may adapt to climate change trends. Specifically, it focuses on two general research questions: Firstly, how do businesses adapt to chronic slow-onset nature adversity conditions linked to climate change? Secondly, how do firms adapt to weather-related natural disasters exacerbated by climate change? In the first part of the book, the authors develop a conceptual framework in response to these questions. In the second part, they test this framework using multiple empirical studies involving large data analyses of: (a) the U.S. western ski industry adaptation to warmer temperatures, and (b) the effect of natural disasters on the foreign investment of multinational corporations around the world. This book will interest management and public policy students and scholars researching successful business climate change adaptation strategies, as well as business and non-profit organization leaders and policy makers involved in developing and promoting such effective strategies.
Geography, Capacity, and Inequality
Authors: Beramendi Pablo , Rogers Melissa
Published: April 2022

In this Element, we investigate how economic geography, the distribution of subnational economic endowments within a nation, shapes long-run patterns of inequality through its impact on the development of fiscal capacity. We present an argument that links economic geography to capacity through different types of industrialization processes. We show how early industrializers shape spatial distributions domestically by investing in productivity across their nations, and externally by reinforcing spatial polarization among late industrializers. We also show how differences in economic geography impact the process of capacity building, setting the stage for the modern politics of redistribution discussed in Volume II. We support this argument with descriptive data, case studies, and cross-national analyses.
Individualized home-based rehabilitation after stroke in France: a pragmatic study of a community stroke rehabilitation team
Authors: Daviet Jean-Christophe , Compagnat Maxence , Bonne Guillaume , Maud Laurène , Bernikier David , Salle Jean-Yves
Published: April 2022

Background:

Community stroke rehabilitation teams (CSRT) provide an individualized home-based rehabilitation service to patients recovering from stroke.

Objective:

To examine whether there is an improvement in the social participation of patients who received a rehabilitation program provided by CSRT. The secondary objectives were to show if there is an improvement in the patients’ quality of life and a reduction in the caregiver burden.

Methods:

Retrospective cohort study, pragmatic in real-care conditions. The rehabilitation program delivered by the CSRT was adapted to the needs of the patients and caregivers. The outcome questionnaires included: the Frenchay Activity Index (FAI), the Minizarit, the EuroQol EQ5D, and the Barthel Index. The primary outcome measure was the FAI.

Results:

We included 206 patients followed by the CSRT over the 2018–2020 study period, for whom the primary endpoint was present. The mean age was 66.3 ± 12.7 years, the post-stroke delay was 16.4 ± 32.7 months, and the Barthel index was 66.42 ± 12.6. The duration of the rehabilitation program was on average 162 ± 109 days. We observed a significant improvement in the FAI, from 12.9 ± 10.4 to 17.85 ± 12.4 (p < 0.00001); in the EuroQol, from 57.51 ± 19.96 to 66.36 ± 18.87 (p < 0.00001); in the mini-Zarit, from 2.49 ± 1.75 to 2.06 ± 1.67 (p = 0.0002); and in the Barthel index, from 66.42 ± 12.67 to 84.81 ± 23.70 (p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

Patients who received a rehabilitation program by the CSRT have an improvement in their social participation, and their informal caregivers have a reduction in their burden.
External Validation of the Passive Surveillance Stroke Severity Indicator
Authors: Joundi Raed A. , King James A. , Stang Jillian , Nicol Dana , Hill Michael D. , Kapral Moira K. , Smith Eric E. , Yu Amy Y. X.
Published: April 2022

Background:

The Passive Surveillance Stroke Severity (PaSSV) Indicator was derived to estimate stroke severity from variables in administrative datasets but has not been externally validated.

Methods:

We used linked administrative datasets to identify patients with first hospitalization for acute stroke between 2007-2018 in Alberta, Canada. We used the PaSSV indicator to estimate stroke severity. We used Cox proportional hazard models and evaluated the change in hazard ratios and model discrimination for 30-day and 1-year case fatality with and without PaSSV. Similar comparisons were made for 90-day home time thresholds using logistic regression. We also linked with a clinical registry to obtain National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and compared estimates from models without stroke severity, with PaSSV, and with NIHSS.

Results:

There were 28,672 patients with acute stroke in the full sample. In comparison to no stroke severity, addition of PaSSV to the 30-day case fatality models resulted in improvement in model discrimination (C-statistic 0.72 [95%CI 0.71–0.73] to 0.80 [0.79–0.80]). After adjustment for PaSSV, admission to a comprehensive stroke center was associated with lower 30-day case fatality (adjusted hazard ratio changed from 1.03 [0.96–1.10] to 0.72 [0.67–0.77]). In the registry sample (N = 1328), model discrimination for 30-day case fatality improved with the inclusion of stroke severity. Results were similar for 1-year case fatality and home time outcomes.

Conclusion:

Addition of PaSSV improved model discrimination for case fatality and home time outcomes. The validity of PASSV in two Canadian provinces suggests that it is a useful tool for baseline risk adjustment in acute stroke.
“The Answers Come from The People”: The Highlander Folk School and the Pedagogies of the Civil Rights Movement
Authors: Slate Nico
Published: April 2022

Scholars have demonstrated that a range of institutions, organizations, and “social movement schools” aimed to advance the civil rights movement through education. What remains unclear is how those institutions balanced conversation, direct instruction, role-play, and other pedagogical methods. This article focuses on the Highlander Folk School, a radical, racially integrated institution located in the hills of Tennessee. Drawing upon audio tapes of civil rights workshops at Highlander, I argue that the folk school's workshops blended a variety of pedagogical styles in a way that previous scholarship has failed to acknowledge, and that close attention to Highlander's varied pedagogies can help us rethink the relationship between education and the civil rights movement.
Social Participation and Quality of Best Friendship of Students With Moderate Learning Difficulties in Early Adolescence: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Avramidis Elias , Aroni Katerina , Strogilos Vasilis
Published: April 2022

Recent sociometric research has described students with special educational needs (SEN) as less accepted and experiencing more social difficulties than their classmates without SEN. This study addresses the social participation of students with moderate learning difficulties (MLD) in regular schools while also focusing on the quality of their best friendship. In this longitudinal study, 313 secondary students, including 46 with MLD, were first examined while at Grade 7 (T1) and 2 years later at Grade 9 (T2). In line with previous studies, the students with MLD held reduced peer acceptance, had fewer friendships, and engaged less often in social interactions with peers than their typically developing classmates on both administrations. However, students with MLD held positive perceptions of social self-concept and friendship quality, with the two measures being positively associated. At T2, students with MLD reported poorer socio-emotional skills, which were positively correlated with their perceptions of both social self-concept and friendship quality. The paper concludes by outlining the importance of supporting students’ socio-emotional development through implementing relevant school-based interventions.