bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epidemiological Features and Predictors of Mortality in Patients with COVID-19 with and without Underlying Hypertension
Authors: Moftakhar Leila , Piraee Elahe , Mohammadi Abnavi Mohammad , Moftakhar Parisa , Azarbakhsh Habibollah , Valipour Aliasghar
Published: October 2021

Backgrounds. Individuals with hypertension are at higher risk of COVID-19 infection and related mortality. This study was carried out to assess the epidemiological features and predictors of mortality in patients with COVID-19 with hypertension. Methods. In this retrospective study, the epidemiological characteristics of two groups of patients with COVID-19 with hypertension (1927) and without hypertension (39030) were compared. Chi-square test was applied to evaluate the differences between qualitative variables in two study groups. Logistic regression was also used to determine predictors of mortality in patients with COVID-19 and in patients with COVID-19 with hypertension. Results. The prevalence of hypertension in patients with COVID-19 was 4.7%, and 24.37% of COVID-19 related deaths occurred in these individuals. The average age of hypertension and nonhypertension patients was 61 and 37 years, respectively. Fever, cough, headache, anorexia, fatigue, and comorbid diseases, such as cardiovascular disease, chronic lung and kidney disease, diabetes, immunodeficiency disease, and thyroid disease, were significantly more frequent in people with hypertension than those without hypertension. The chances of mortality in patient with COVID-19 were 1.8 times higher in individuals with dyspnea, 1.25 in individuals with fever, 1.33 in individuals with cough, 3.6 in patients with hypertension, 2.21 in diabetics, and 2.2 in individuals with cardiovascular disease. Also, individuals with COVID-19 with hypertension that had dyspnea, immunodeficiency, and cardiovascular disease were at higher risk of mortality. Conclusion. Hypertension is a serious threat to patients with COVID-19. Therefore, in order to control these patients more precisely and reduce mortality in them, it is extremely important to develop prevention and treatment strategies.
Internet Rumor Reporting System Based on the Blockchain Incentive Mechanism
Authors: Bai Jie , Du Yanhui , Lu Tianliang
Published: October 2021

This study examined the characteristics of internet rumors in the user-generated content (UGC) mode, analysed the advantages of using the blockchain technology to curb internet rumors, and proposed a framework of the internet rumor reporting system based on the blockchain incentive mechanism. With Truffle as a development framework, intelligent contracts such as create, read, update, and delete were created using Solidity. The end users were connected to the blockchain using the MetaMask plugin. Finally, rewards were obtained by the participants, and the decentralizing program Dapp was created. The results showed that the TRUES could support multiuser reporting and execute intelligent contracts automatically and efficiently in a complex internet rumor environment; for the range of 1–2896 participants, virtual currency rewards could be obtained in 0.5–2.5 d. The conclusion showed that the internet rumor reporting system under the blockchain incentive mechanism had the characteristics of multilevel management, and distributed ledger and digital signatures contributed to the retention and traceability of rumors. Intelligent contracts and consensus mechanisms have obvious advantages in dealing with the complex forms of internet rumors.
A Computer-Aided Method for Digestive System Abnormality Detection in WCE Images
Authors: Amiri Zahra , Hassanpour Hamid , Beghdadi Azeddine
Published: October 2021

Wireless capsule endoscopy (WCE) is a powerful tool for the diagnosis of gastrointestinal diseases. The output of this tool is in video with a length of about eight hours, containing about 8000 frames. It is a difficult task for a physician to review all of the video frames. In this paper, a new abnormality detection system for WCE images is proposed. The proposed system has four main steps: (1) preprocessing, (2) region of interest (ROI) extraction, (3) feature extraction, and (4) classification. In ROI extraction, at first, distinct areas are highlighted and nondistinct areas are faded by using the joint normal distribution; then, distinct areas are extracted as an ROI segment by considering a threshold. The main idea is to extract abnormal areas in each frame. Therefore, it can be used to extract various lesions in WCE images. In the feature extraction step, three different types of features (color, texture, and shape) are employed. Finally, the features are classified using the support vector machine. The proposed system was tested on the Kvasir-Capsule dataset. The proposed system can detect multiple lesions from WCE frames with high accuracy.
A Type of MOF-Derived Porous Carbon with Low Cost as an Efficient Catalyst for Phenol Hydroxylation
Authors: Zhou Renjie , Chen Gui , Ouyang Yuejun , Ni Hairui , Zhou Nonglin , Xiang Bailin
Published: October 2021

Using MOF-5 as a template, the porous carbon (MDPC-600) possessing high specific surface area was obtained after carbonization and acid washing. After MDPC-600 was loaded with Cu ions, the catalyst Cu/MDPC-600 was acquired by heat treatment under nitrogen atmosphere. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), N2 physical adsorption (BET), field emission electron microscope (SEM), energy spectrum, and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results show that the Cu/MDPC-600 catalyst prepared by using MOF-5 as the template has a very high specific surface area, and Cu is uniformly supported on the carrier. The catalytic hydrogen peroxide oxidation reaction of phenol hydroxylation was investigated and exhibits better catalytic activity and stability in the phenol hydroxylation reaction. The catalytic effect was best when the reaction temperature was 80°C, the reaction time was 2 h, and the amount of catalyst was 0.05 g. The conversion rate of phenol was 47.6%; the yield and selectivity of catechol were 37.8% and 79.4%, respectively. The activity of the catalyst changes little after three cycles of use.
Immunohistochemical Expression of AQP2 and HSP70 in Broiler Kidney Tissue Treated with Salix tetrasperma Roxb. Extract under Heat Exposure
Authors: Sugito Sugito , Etriwati Etriwati , Akmal Muslim , Rahmi Erdiansyah , Delima Mira , Muchlisin Zainal Abidin , Hasan Denny Irmawati
Published: October 2021

The administration of plant extracts to broilers may be a way to mitigate the effects of heat stress. The importance of AQP2 and HSP70 compounds in maintaining the homeostasis of the chicken body when it is subjected to heat stress is well established. This study aims to determine the effect of giving the ethanolic extract of the leaves of Salix tetrasperma Roxb. on the immunohistochemical expression of AQP2 and HSP70 in exposed and unexposed broiler kidney tissue. This study used 36 samples of 28-day-old chicken kidneys. Chickens were kept in individual cages, provided with feed and drinking water ad libitum. The design used was a completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 6 replications: (a) chickens were reared in conditions exposed to heat (HS + 0); (b) chickens were reared in conditions exposed to heat and given Salix extract at a dose of 50 mg/L drinking water (HS + 50); (c) chickens were reared under heat-exposed conditions and given Salix extract at a dose of 100 mg/L drinking water (HS + 100); (d) chickens were reared in conditions without exposure to heat (n-HS + 0); (e) chickens were reared in conditions without exposure to heat and given Salix extract at a dose of 50 mg/L drinking water (nHS + 50); and (f) chickens were reared in conditions exposed without exposure to heat and given 100 mg/L drinking water (nHS + 100) of Salix extract. Salix extract was given for 24 hours and was renewed every 6 hours. The results showed that giving Salix extract 100 mg/L in drinking water to chickens exposed to heat (HS + 100) reduced the value of the H/L ratio. Giving Salix extract 50–100 mg/L in drinking water caused an upregulated AQP2 expression; on the other hand, it downregulated HSP-70 expression, in chicken kidney tubules both exposed to heat stress and nonexposed to heat stress. In conclusion, exposure to heat stress in broiler chickens and giving Salix extract can increase the formation of aquaporin 2 compounds and suppress the formation of HSP70.
Topological Descriptors of M-Carbon
M

r
,
s
,
t
Authors: Yang Hong , Naeem Muhammad
Published: October 2021

We have studied topological indices of the one the hardest crystal structures in a given chemical system, namely, M-carbon. These structures are based and obtained by the famous algorithm USPEX. The computations and applications of topological indices in the study of chemical structures is growing exponentially. Our aim in this article is to compare and compute some well-known topological indices based on degree and sum of degrees, namely, general Randić indices, Zagreb indices, atom bond connectivity index, geometric arithmetic index, new Zagreb indices, fourth atom bond connectivity index, fifth geometric arithmetic index, and Sanskruti index of the M-carbon

M

r
,
s
,
t

. Moreover, we have also computed closed formulas for these indices.
Quantitative Fourth Moment Theorem of Functions on the Markov Triple and Orthogonal Polynomials
Authors: Kim Yoon Tae , Park Hyun Suk
Published: October 2021

In this paper, we consider a quantitative fourth moment theorem for functions (random variables) defined on the Markov tripleE,μ,Γ, whereμis a probability measure andΓis the carré du champ operator. A new technique is developed to derive the fourth moment bound in a normal approximation on the random variable of a general Markov diffusion generator, not necessarily belonging to a fixed eigenspace, while previous works deal with only random variables to belong to a fixed eigenspace. As this technique will be applied to the works studied by Bourguin et al. (2019), we obtain the new result in the case where the chaos grade of an eigenfunction of Markov diffusion generator is greater than two. Also, we introduce the chaos grade of a new notion, called the lower chaos grade, to find a better estimate than the previous one.
mTORC2 Activation Mediated by Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Secreted Hepatocyte Growth Factors for the Recovery of Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Vascular Endothelial Barrier
Authors: Meng Shan-Shan , Guo Feng-Mei , Huang Li-Li , Huang Ying-Zi , Xie Jian-Feng , Yang Cong-Shan , Qiu Hai-Bo , Yang Yi
Published: October 2021

Acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is characterized by pulmonary microvascular endothelial barrier dysfunction. Mesenchymal stem cell-secreted hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has positive effects of lipopolysaccharide- (LPS-) induced pulmonary endothelial barrier. Studies have exhibited the mammalian TORC1 (mTORC1) signaling is of potent angiogenesis effects. The mTOR protein kinase has two distinct multiprotein complexes mTORC1 and mTORC2 that regulate different branches of the mTOR network. However, detailed mTORC2 mechanisms of HGF protective effects remain poorly defined. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether mTORC2 mediated protective effects of MSC-secreted HGF against LPS-induced pulmonary microvascular endothelial barrier dysfunction activated like mTORC1 activation. We introduced MSC-PMVEC coculture transwell system and recombinant murine HGF on LPS-induced endothelial cell barrier dysfunction in vitro and then explored potential mechanisms by lentivirus vector-mediated HGF, mTORC1 (raptor), and mTORC2 (rictor) gene knockdown modification. Endothelial paracellular and transcellular permeability, adherent junction protein (VE-Cadherin), cell proliferation, apoptosis, and mTOR-associated proteins were tested. These revealed that HGF could promote quick reestablishment of adherent junction VE-cadherin and decrease endothelial paracellular and transcellular permeability during LSP-induced endothelial dysfunction with the involvement of mTORC2 (rictor) and mTORC1 (raptor) pathways. Raptor and rictor knockdown in LPS-induced PMEVECs with stimulation of HGF increased apoptosis ratio, activated Cleaved-Caspase-3 expression, and downregulated cell proliferation. Moreover, mTORC2/Akt but not mTORC2/PKC had significance on HGF endothelial protective effects. Taken together, these highlight activation mTORC2 pathway could also contribute to vascular endothelial barrier recovery by MSC-secreted HGF in LPS stimulation.
Glioblastoma Cell–Derived lncRNA-Containing Exosomes Induce Microglia to Produce Complement C5, Promoting Chemotherapy Resistance
Authors: Li Ziwei , Meng Xiangqi , Wu Pengfei , Zha Caijun , Han Bo , Li Lulu , Sun Nan , Qi Tengfei , Qin Jie , Zhang Yangong , Tian Kaifu , Li Shupeng , Yang Changxiao , Ren Lejia , Ming Jianguang , Wang Pandeng , Song Yifei , Jiang Chuanlu , Cai Jinquan
Published: October 2021

Glioblastoma (GBM), the most common malignant primary brain cancer in adults, nearly always becomes resistant to current treatments, including the chemotherapeutic temozolomide (TMZ). The long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) TMZ-associated lncRNA in GBM recurrence (lnc-TALC) promotes GBM resistance to TMZ. Exosomes can release biochemical cargo into the tumor microenvironment (TME) or transfer their contents, including lncRNAs, to other cells as a form of intercellular communication. In this study, we found that lnc-TALC could be incorporated into exosomes and transmitted to tumor-associated macrophages (TAM) and could promote M2 polarization of the microglia. This M2 polarization correlated with secretion of the complement components C5/C5a, which occurred downstream of lnc-TALC binding to ENO1 to promote the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. In addition, C5 promoted the repair of TMZ-induced DNA damage, leading to chemotherapy resistance, and C5a-targeted immunotherapy showed improved efficacy that limited lnc-TALC–mediated TMZ resistance. Our results reveal that exosome-transmitted lnc-TALC could remodel the GBM microenvironment and reduce tumor sensitivity to TMZ chemotherapy, indicating that the lnc-TALC–mediated cross-talk between GBM cells and microglia could attenuate chemotherapy efficacy and pointing to potential combination therapy strategies to overcome TMZ resistance in GBM.

See related Spotlight by Zhao and Xie, p. 1372.
Rejuvenating Effector/Exhausted CAR T Cells to Stem Cell Memory–Like CAR T Cells By Resting Them in the Presence of CXCL12 and the NOTCH Ligand
Authors: Ando Makoto , Kondo Taisuke , Tomisato Wataru , Ito Minako , Shichino Shigeyuki , Srirat Tanakorn , Mise-Omata Setsuko , Nakagawara Kensuke , Yoshimura Akihiko
Published: October 2021

T cells with a stem cell memory (TSCM) phenotype provide long-term and potent antitumor effects for T-cell transfer therapies. Although various methods for the induction of TSCM-like cells in vitro have been reported, few methods generate TSCM-like cells from effector/exhausted T cells. We have reported that coculture with the Notch ligand–expressing OP9 stromal cells induces TSCM-like (iTSCM) cells. Here, we established a feeder-free culture system to improve iTSCM cell generation from expanded chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-expressing T cells; culturing CAR T cells in the presence of IL7, CXCL12, IGF-I, and the Notch ligand, hDLL1. Feeder-free CAR-iTSCM cells showed the expression of cell surface markers and genes similar to that of OP9-hDLL1 feeder cell–induced CAR-iTSCM cells, including the elevated expression of SCM-associated genes, TCF7, LEF1, and BCL6, and reduced expression of exhaustion-associated genes like LAG3, TOX, and NR4A1. Feeder-free CAR-iTSCM cells showed higher proliferative capacity depending on oxidative phosphorylation and exhibited higher IL2 production and stronger antitumor activity in vivo than feeder cell–induced CAR-iTSCM cells. Our feeder-free culture system represents a way to rejuvenate effector/exhausted CAR T cells to SCM-like CAR T cells.

Significance:

Resting CAR T cells with our defined factors reprograms exhausted state to SCM-like state and enables development of improved CAR T-cell therapy.
Cortical Hyper-Connectivity in a Stroke Patient with Rotated Drawing
Authors: Sebastiani Valentina , Chiacchiaretta Piero , Pavone Luigi , Sparano Antonio , Grillea Giovanni , Spadone Sara , Capotosto Paolo , Committeri Giorgia , Baldassarre Antonello
Published: October 2021

In the present case report, we investigated the cortical networks of a patient (DDA) affected by right parietal stroke who showed a constructional phenomenon, in which when coping and recalling from memory a complex figure, the model was reproduced rotated of 90° along the vertical axis. Previous studies suggested that rotation on copy is associated with visuospatial impairments and abnormalities in parietal cortex, whereas rotation on recall might be related to executive deficits and dysfunction of frontal regions. Here, we computed the DDA’s resting-state functional connectivity (FC) derived from cortical regions of the dorsal attention (DAN) and the frontal portion of the executive-control network (fECN), which are involved in the control of visuospatial attention and multiple executive functions, respectively. We observed that, as compared to a control group of right stroke patients without drawing rotation, DDA exhibited selective increased FC of the DAN and fECN, but not of task-irrelevant language network, within the undamaged hemisphere. These patterns might reflect a pathological communication in such networks leading to impaired attentional and executive operations required to reproduce the model in the correct orientation. Notably, such enhancement of FC was not detected in a patient with a comparable neuropsychological profile as DDA, yet without rotated drawing, suggesting that network-specific modulations in DDA might be ascribed to the constructional phenomenon of rotated drawing.
Metastatic Rectal Carcinoma with Long-Term Remission due to Modern Multimodality Treatment
Authors: Eigeliene Natalja , Saarenheimo Jatta , Wichmann Viktor , Österlund Pia , Jekunen Antti
Published: October 2021

In the era of personalized medicine, systemic treatment with chemotherapy in combination with targeted drugs, tailored according to RAS and BRAF status, has improved the survival of patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), but curative resection of metastases provides the only chance of cure. Here, we present a 40-year-old male with rectal adenocarcinoma and multiple bilateral synchronous liver metastases who has achieved long-term remission with multimodal treatment without resection of all metastatic lesions. This case emphasizes the need of repeated multidisciplinary team assessments and change of treatment intent if extraordinary responses are seen. The initial therapy consisted of short-course radiotherapy and surgery of the primary tumor followed by oxaliplatin-based combination chemotherapy and panitumumab with disease control intent. A complete radiologic response in >20 liver metastases in segments II–VIII was obtained. A biopsy-verified relapse of 3 liver metastases occurred at 9 months of treatment pause. Subsequently, major liver resection of 8 lesions was performed (4 with adenocarcinoma and 4 with cicatrix showing the challenge of disappearing lesions), followed by 6 months of adjuvant-like therapy. No relapse in MRI, PET, or CT has been noted since liver resection 6 years ago. Comprehensive genomic profiling of the primary tumor and liver metastases had similar driver mutations representing a low level of gene alteration and low diversity, possibly explaining the exceptional treatment response.
Multifocal Epithelioid Hemangioendothelioma Complicated with Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation
Authors: Kimura Hiroaki , Yamamoto Norio , Hayashi Katsuhiro , Higuchi Takashi , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki
Published: October 2021

Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (EHE) is a rare malignant vascular neoplasm that requires long-term management. Several reports describe disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) associated with angiosarcoma, but no association with EHE has been reported. We encountered a patient with DIC complicated by multifocal EHE. The patient was an 83-year-old woman with spinal lesions, small lung nodules, and a soft tissue mass in the right buttock. The tumor was biopsied and diagnosed as EHE. The patient received pain control therapy without antitumor therapy. One month later, DIC developed with tumor progression. DIC subsided with nafamostat mesylate infusion, and oral apixaban was administered. DIC was managed for 5 months until the patient died of brain metastases. This is the first report of a patient with DIC complicated by EHE. It should be noted that progression of EHE can cause DIC. We were able to manage DIC using anticoagulant agents.
Heritage Speakers’ Production of the Spanish Voiced Palatal Obstruent /ʝ/: A Closer Look at Orthography and Universal Phonetic Principles
Authors: Repiso-Puigdelliura Gemma , Benvenuti Isabel , Kim Ji Young
Published: October 2021

The Spanish voiced palatal obstruent /ʝ/ is orthographically represented as ⟨y⟩ or ⟨ll⟩. The most closely related sound in English is /j/, which is often written with ⟨y⟩, but produced with weaker constriction compared to the Spanish /ʝ/. Our goal is to examine influence from English (i.e., the majority language) in heritage speakers’ production of the Spanish /ʝ/ by testing the effect of orthography (i.e., whether stronger influence is found in ⟨y⟩ than in ⟨ll⟩). Heritage speech data were collected using a read-aloud task in which the stimuli varied in orthography, preceding vowel height, and stress condition. Results showed that heritage speakers predominantly produced the Spanish /ʝ/ as an English-like approximant [j], which was preferred even more when /ʝ/ was written with ⟨y⟩. However, the orthography effect surfaced only when the phonetic contexts did not favor strong constriction, suggesting that orthography-induced majority language influence is conditioned by universal phonetic principles.
A new species, new postabdominal descriptions and a new synonymy in Euphranta Loew (Diptera: Tephritidae: Trypetinae: Adramini)
Authors: DAVID K.J. , HANCOCK D.L. , SACHIN K. , MAHENDIRAN G.
Published: October 2021

A new species of Euphranta, E. flavothoracica David, Hancock & Sachin, sp. n. is described from India and placed in the zeylanica group of species. Postabdominal structures of E. cassiae (Munro), E. crux (Fabricius) and E. klugii (Wiedemann) are described. A revised key to the 16 species of Euphranta known from India is provided. A new generic and specific synonymy is established: Euphranta Loew, 1862 = Ichneumonomacula Chen, 2020, syn. n. and Dacus figuratus Walker, 1856 (=Euphranta figurata (Walker, 1856))= Ichneumonomacula wangyongi Chen, 2020, syn. n.
Vision Evaluation Tools for Adults With Acquired Brain Injury: A Scoping Review
Authors: Dubé Camille , Jin Yu , Powers Brienne G. , Li Ginny , Labelle Amélie , Rivers Meghan S. , Gumboc Ivy M. , Bussières André E.
Published: October 2021

Background. Unrecognized visual deficits (VDs) following an acquired brain injury (ABI) may impact clients’ rehabilitation. Little is known about evaluation tools used in vision rehabilitation. Purpose. To systematically explore the literature describing evaluation tools used for VD on adults with ABI. Method. Using a scoping review methodology, we searched in MEDLINE(Ovid), Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and the grey literature from inception to 2020. Quantitative and thematic analyses were performed. Findings. Of the 83 studies reporting on 86 evaluation tools, 47% used multiple tools to assess VD. Tools were mostly used by occupational therapists and psychologists to evaluate intermediate, intermediate to high, and high-level visual skills. Clinicians tend to select specific tools that focus on different levels of the hierarchy of visual skills. Implications. Future research should investigate the optimal timeframe for assessment of VD and the psychometric properties of tools to ensure comprehensive VD evaluation.
Is COVID-Era Assertiveness in Chinese Foreign Policy Novel?
Authors: Raman G. Venkat , Mukherjee Bappaditya
Published: October 2021

China has responded to criticisms of its handling of the COVID outbreak by an assertive foreign policy style referred to as ‘wolf-warrior diplomacy’. This study argues that this does not represent a radical shift in Chinese foreign policy but exacerbates a pre-existing trend. We say that this assertiveness builds upon the twin pillars of ‘core interests and the unambiguous exposition of the ‘striving for achievement’ policy adopted by China since Xi Jinping’s elevation as the President in 2012. We outline China’s response to its competition with the United States, based on heightened nationalism and practiced through centralised decision making.
Critical realist discourse analysis of Chinese parents of children with dyslexia
Authors: Mo Kitty Yuen-han , Chan Simon Tak-Mau
Published: October 2021

There is a dearth of research concerning parental discourses on dyslexic children and the particular educational context in which they occur. Dyslexia can be viewed as a socially constructed condition, different from its medical definition. Critical realist discourse analysis (CRDA), which emphasises the discovery of the underlying structure and causation of observed events, can facilitate the exploration of its complexities and the multiple underlying mechanisms at work. This article reports on a study, using CRDA to reveal stories that are rarely heard, the interacting factors embedded in the school environment, and the implications for social work practices.
Potent connections, mystery-work and the relational nature of retreat-going
Authors: Hodgson James
Published: October 2021

Retreat-going has mostly been understood through the lens of the self. Retreat-goers abscond from their obligations and relationships, their jobs and family duties, in order to spend time working on themselves, steeped in discourses and practices which prioritize self-discovery and self-mastery. But accounts given by retreat-goers often also emphasize the relationships and connections with others. Recent theoretical developments in the sociology of personal life provide useful tools to describe these relationships. Drawing data from interviews ( N = 27) with people who went on retreat, in this article I explore retreat-goers’ relationships via Jennifer Mason’s concept of ‘potent connection’. Specifically, I outline the ways in which uncertainty, surprise and mysteriousness characterize the relationships people made on retreat. Then, noting the importance of coordinated action in retreat-goers’ accounts, I describe how potent connections appear to be collectively produced, rather than just encountered – what I call ‘mystery-work’. This article extends the existing literature on retreats by adding further detail to the relational picture. Additionally, it suggests the generation of intense or ineffable relationships via mystery-work is a dimension of personal life that may be encountered in other contexts and that this is worth further study.
A review of textile-based electrodes developed for electrostimulation
Authors: Euler Luisa , Guo Li , Persson Nils-Krister
Published: October 2021

Electrical stimulation can be used for the treatment of various nerve and muscle injuries as well as acute and chronic pain conditions. An electrical pulse is applied to a muscle or nerve to activate excitable tissue using internal or external electrodes with the aim of building muscle strength, artificially creating or supporting limb movement or reducing pain. Textile electrodes offer several advantages over conventionally used disposable surface electrodes: they are flexible and re-usable and they do not require hydrogels, thereby avoiding skin irritation and allergic reactions and enhancing user comfort. This article presents a literature review that assesses the state of research on textile electrode constructions. Based on the review, production approaches and designs are compared, methods for evaluating stimulation discomfort and pain are proposed and issues related to user compliance are discussed. The article concludes with suggestions for future work focused on investigating the impacts of textile-based electrode parameters on comfort, convenience and ease of use.
Differential scanning calorimetry/small-angle X-ray scattering analysis of ultraviolet sensible polypropylene filaments
Authors: Vikova Martina , Sakurai Shinichi , Periyasamy Aravin Prince , Yasunaga Hidekazu , Pechočiaková Miroslava , Ujhelyiová Anna
Published: October 2021

In this work, ultraviolet (UV) sensible metallocene isotactic polypropylene (miPP) filaments were produced with different drawing ratios and various concentrations of photochromic pigment. The effects of pigment concentration and drawing ratio on the chromatic properties and the structural modification for the miPP filaments were studied extensively by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and small- and wide-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS/WAXS) measurements. The change in melting temperature and the polymeric structures, such as lamellar thickness, long period and degree of crystallinity of miPP with the addition of a UV sensible pigment into miPP and the drawing process, were evaluated. The results show that the pigment concentration and the drawing ratio influence the inner structure of miPP filaments. Finally, our investigation shows that SAXS and also WAXS are appropriate to determine the lamellar thickness and the degree of crystallinity established by the DSC approach. This work attempts to correlate the results of lamellar thickness, the degree of crystallinity and the higher-order structure of the polymer acquired by DSC as well as X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques in order to develop an appropriate approach to find the influence of pigment concentration and drawing ratio on miPP filaments.
Certain Cohesion Elements and the Readability of Technical Paragraphs
Authors: Selzer Jack
Published: October 2021

To determine how certain cohesion elements - the given-new contract, pronouns, synonyms, and topic sentences – affect the readability of technical paragraphs, six alternative paragraphs were composed, two “models” and four others carefully varied to feature the four factors under consideration. Then each passage was tested for its readability when subjects were administered a cloze procedure and a recall exercise for each paragraph. The results show that violations of the given-new contract make technical paragraphs more difficult to read; that changing repeated words to pronouns makes passages more difficult to follow; that using synonyms (instead of repetitions) makes prose harder to read; and that deleting a topic sentence may impede a reader's comprehension. Writing teachers, then, might consider these results when they direct students in the production of connected discourse. And researchers might use this methodology to investigate other influences on the readability of connected discourse.
The Rise of Technical Writing Instruction in America
Authors: Connors Robert J.
Published: October 2021

This article traces the history of technical writing instruction in American colleges, concentrating on the major figures in technical writing instruction, the most important textbooks, the forces that shaped courses in technical writing during the period 1900–1980, and the refinements and improvements in teaching and materials that led to the current growth and success of technical writing courses.
New advances in automatic shearer cutting technology for thin seams in Chinese underground coal mines
Authors: Chen Wang , Jie Zhou
Published: October 2021

Automatic mining technology is the ideal path and the inevitable way to improve production efficiency, reduce labour intensity and ensure safety for thin coal seam. Recently, while automatic mining technology is increasingly applied in China for thin seams, the corresponding automatic cutting technology has made new advances. Among them, mnemonic cutting technology has been fruitful industrial tested with suitable conditions. Simultaneously, another one called cutting trace pre-set technology of the shearer has been put forward. Using this method, the cutting trace in the area with coal thickness changed and geological structures can be preset. What's more, self-adaptive regulation strategy of cutting trace based on coal-rock recognition by monitoring current of cutting motor was discussed. Then, the main problems and development trends of automatic mining in China was also proposed.
Tax Advisors and Tax Aggressiveness: A Bargaining Model
Authors: Elitzur Ramy , Yaari Varda (Lewinstein)
Published: October 2021

We study the bargaining game between a tax agency and a tax advisor-taxpayer team. Specifically, we focus on the factors that motivate tax aggressiveness, and the role of tax advisors in tax aggressiveness. We begin by characterizing the conditions under which tax advisors would give aggressive advice to their clients. Next, we analyze the optimal number of bargaining rounds for the tax agency. Third, we study the counteroffers that the tax agency makes in each round of the bargaining game. In addition, we investigate the conditions under which a high-tax taxpayer type would hire a reputable tax adviser. Last, we analyze when would the taxpayer accept or reject the tax advisor’s recommendation.
Estranged companions: Bed bugs, biologies, and affective histories
Authors: Hollin Gregory JS , Giraud Eva Haifa
Published: October 2021

In recent decades, bed bugs have swept across wealthy industrialized nations. After near extirpation in North America and Northern Europe, the return of these insects has led to a significant level of public anxiety and cultural notoriety. Here, we undertake an analysis of human-bed bug relations in order to both better understand this contemporary resurgence and critically examine the concept of “companion species.” We argue for conceiving of bed bugs as “estranged companions,” and foreground the need to understand contemporary encounters between humans and the insects through distinct histories that have been shaped by the opening and closing of spaces between classed and racialized bodies and that have been dependent upon the development and deployment of particular technologies such as Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT). Further, we argue that “estrangement” has wider conceptual purchase and contributes to a body of research that has countered a strain of scientism in theory that decenters “the human” by interrogating the relations between companion species, (bio)political interventions, and colonial histories. Estrangement contributes to this task by, first, foregrounding that relationships with all companion species are imbricated in situated histories and biopolitical regimes and, second, drawing attention to the differential ethico-political implications of these regimes.
Dynamic Ride-Matching for Large-Scale Transportation Systems
Authors: Cokyasar Taner , de Souza Felipe , Auld Joshua , Verbas Omer
Published: October 2021

Efficient dynamic ride-matching (DRM) in large-scale transportation systems is a key driver in transport simulations to yield answers to challenging problems. Although the DRM problem is simple to solve, it quickly becomes a computationally challenging problem in large-scale transportation system simulations. Therefore, this study thoroughly examines the DRM problem dynamics and proposes an optimization-based solution framework to solve the problem efficiently. To benefit from parallel computing and reduce computational times, the problem’s network is divided into clusters utilizing a commonly used unsupervised machine learning algorithm along with a linear programming model. Then, these sub-problems are solved using another linear program to finalize the ride-matching. At the clustering level, the framework allows users adjusting cluster sizes to balance the trade-off between the computational time savings and the solution quality deviation. A case study in the Chicago Metropolitan Area, U.S., illustrates that the framework can reduce the average computational time by 58% at the cost of increasing the average pick up time by 26% compared with a system optimum, that is, non-clustered, approach. Another case study in a relatively small city, Bloomington, Illinois, U.S., shows that the framework provides quite similar results to the system-optimum approach in approximately 62% less computational time.
The Waqf Estates of Pānḍūa: Historical Analysis (from Fifteenth to Twentieth Centuries)
Authors: Zaweed Salim
Published: October 2021

In its first section, the article examines the creation of two major Sufi institutions, the khanqāhs of Shaikh Jalāluddīn Tabrīzī (d. 1225) known as Badi dargā h and Shaikh Nūr Quṭb Ālam (d. 1410) as Chhotī dargā h. Further, for the smooth functioning and maintenance, the rulers of Ilyas Shahi dynasty and other independent rulers of Bengal endowed rent-free lands to the respective khanqāhs presently known as Bāis Hazārī and Shash Hazārī waqf estates. The present study also attempts to look into a more comprehensive and detailed analysis of the sanads concerning with these grants were confirmed and continued by the Mughal emperors, Nawab Nazims of Bengal and British officials that testify to the importance of the place during the pre-colonial times. The extensive property enjoyed by the mutawallis of these dargā hs continued till date.

The focus of the article in its second section, on the historical changes of these waqf estates basing on official records from these institutions, court proceedings of the litigations, historical works by the mutawallis and other connected histories. This examination is followed by a discussion of the gradual decline of these institutions and subsequent patronage for the education and other measures of welfare for the society.
In vitro hemocompatibility investigation for the development of low-flow centrifugal blood pumps with less platelet clogging
Authors: Oota-Ishigaki Akiko , Yamane Takashi , Sakota Daisuke , Kosaka Ryo , Maruyama Osamu , Nishida Masahiro
Published: October 2021

Low-flow blood pumps rated under 1 L/min are emerging for new medical applications, such as hemofiltration in acute use. In those pumps, platelet adhesion and aggregation have to be carefully considered because of clogging risk in the filter part. To find an acceptable hemocompatibility that can be applied to low-flow centrifugal blood pump design, the platelet aggregation index, clogging on a micromesh filter, and the hemolysis index were investigated using a low-flow blood pump designed for hemofiltration use. We conducted circulation testing in vitro using fresh porcine blood and two centrifugal pumps with different impeller inlet shapes. The Negative Log Platelet Aggregation Threshold Index (NL-PATI), which reflects the ability of residual platelets to aggregate, and flow rate were measured during reflux for 60 min, and the Normalized Index of Hemolysis (NIH (g/20 min)) was calculated. In addition, blood cell clogging after reflux was observed on the micromesh filter by SEM, and the adhesion rate was calculated. Our results showed that the platelet clogging on the micromesh filter occurred when the average NL-PATI was greater than 0.28 and the average NIH (g/20 min) was greater than 0.01. In contrast, platelet clogging on the micromesh was suppressed when NL-PATI was less than 0.17 and the NIH (g/20 min) was less than 0.003. These values might be used as acceptable hemocompatibility of low-flow centrifugal blood pumps with suppressed platelet clogging for hemofiltration pumps.
“Longer than I Would’ve Originally Liked and Originally Thought”: Postsecondary Debt and Marriage Plans for Young Adults Coming of Age in the Great Recession
Authors: Napolitano Laura , Tevington Patricia , Carr Patrick J. , Kefalas Maria
Published: October 2021

While student loans play a large role in the financing of higher education, there has been relatively little qualitative work on how young adults understand their debt burdens and the debt’s perceived future impact. We examine this topic utilizing a sample of 105 young people from working-, middle-, and upper middle-class backgrounds who experienced young adulthood during the Great Recession. While most respondents are accepting of debt at the time of postsecondary enrollment, their inability to meet the demands of their debt leads to frustration and anxiety. Further, many respondents are concerned that this debt will impact their ability to support themselves and transition into the role of a marital partner, although this varies across social class backgrounds and debt levels. We argue that this debt, and its corresponding repercussions, are likely to contribute to the continued bifurcation of family life in the United States.
Modeling Daily Partner Violence and Substance Use Based upon Couple’s Reporting
Authors: Katerndahl David , Burge Sandra K. , del Pilar Montanez Villacampa Maria
Published: October 2021

While agent-based models (ABMs) have successfully modeled violence and women’s decision-making, they relied upon studies of her daily reports of violence and household environment; these models were not based upon descriptions of his emotions and perceptions. The purpose of this study was to improve our understanding of the triggers of violent events within violent relationships through agent-based modeling by including men’s perceptions and emotions. An agent-based model was created of couples with history of violence based upon results of a study involving multiple time series of partner violence, including couples’ daily reports of their emotions and perceptions. To explore factors that may alter model results, seven continuous variable parameters were created based upon significant ( p ≤ .05) but discrepant (opposite directions) in prior studies. To assess the potential impact that influencing factors such as random stress as well as his and her feelings and behaviors could have on violence and stalking, the impact of these factors was also assessed. Results found that, at baseline, which included no extremes in variable parameters, no violence emerged. One prior-day→same-day relationship (HerConcern→HerConcern) was particularly important in this ABM. Men’s and women’s drug use and refraining from arguments had little impact on any outcome, but his and her alcohol use, his sense of insult and her violence all had significant effects. In fact, women’s alcohol use interacted with other influencing variables and was a source of atypical patterns. In conclusion, incorporating men’s perceptions into an ABM of partner violence resulted in important differences compared with ABMs based solely on women’s input. Not only were women’s daily concerns about the effect of violence on children was critical to results, but this ABM demonstrated the complexity of partner violence in response to influences as illustrated by contextual dependence, interaction effects and synergy.
The Parkinson’s Disease-Cognitive Rating Scale: Greek Normative Data, Clinical Utility and Cultural Considerations
Authors: Aretouli Eleni , Chondrogiorgi Maria , Dede Olga , Koutsonida Myrto , Lafi Chrysi , Konstantinopoulou Eleni , Kulisevsky Jaime , Kosmidis Mary H. , Konitsiotis Spiridon
Published: October 2021

Background:

The Parkinson’s Disease-Cognitive Rating Scale (PD-CRS) is a comprehensive screening procedure for the evaluation of cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD).

Objectives:

In the present study we adjusted the PD-CRS for the Greek population, developed normative data and examined its clinical utility for the assessment of cognitive functioning in Greek PD patients. In addition, the correlation of clinical characteristics with cognitive performance in PD patients was examined.

Methods:

Three hundred four community-dwelling healthy adults and 59 patients with PD, completed the adapted PD-CRS.

Results:

Healthy adults outperformed the PD patients on the total, the cortical and subcortical scores of the PD-CRS. Normative data indicated effects of both education and age on the PD-CRS. The optimal total PD-CRS cutoff score for the identification of cognitive impairment in a heterogeneous sample of PD patients, with regard to the severity of cognitive difficulties, was 79, yielding a modest sensitivity and specificity. Clinical characteristics of the patients (i.e., disease duration and functional disease burden) were related to poor performance on the PD-CRS.

Conclusions:

The Greek version of the PD-CRS is a useful instrument for the assessment of cognition in PD. Future prospective studies should examine its clinical utility to identify PD-cognitive subtypes (i.e., PD patients with mild cognitive impairment), to monitor cognitive changes, as well as its predictive accuracy for subsequent dementia.
A comparative performance of machine learning algorithm to predict electric vehicles energy consumption: A path towards sustainability
Authors: Ullah Irfan , Liu Kai , Yamamoto Toshiyuki , Al Mamlook Rabia Emhamed , Jamal Arshad
Published: October 2021

The rapid growth of transportation sector and related emissions are attracting the attention of policymakers to ensure environmental sustainability. Therefore, the deriving factors of transport emissions are extremely important to comprehend. The role of electric vehicles is imperative amid rising transport emissions. Electric vehicles pave the way towards a low-carbon economy and sustainable environment. Successful deployment of electric vehicles relies heavily on energy consumption models that can predict energy consumption efficiently and reliably. Improving electric vehicles’ energy consumption efficiency will significantly help to alleviate driver anxiety and provide an essential framework for operation, planning, and management of the charging infrastructure. To tackle the challenge of electric vehicles’ energy consumption prediction, this study aims to employ advanced machine learning models, extreme gradient boosting, and light gradient boosting machine to compare with traditional machine learning models, multiple linear regression, and artificial neural network. Electric vehicles energy consumption data in the analysis were collected in Aichi Prefecture, Japan. To evaluate the performance of the prediction models, three evaluation metrics were used; coefficient of determination ( R2), root mean square error, and mean absolute error. The prediction outcome exhibits that the extreme gradient boosting and light gradient boosting machine provided better and robust results compared to multiple linear regression and artificial neural network. The models based on extreme gradient boosting and light gradient boosting machine yielded higher values of R2, lower mean absolute error, and root mean square error values have proven to be more accurate. However, the results demonstrated that the light gradient boosting machine is outperformed the extreme gradient boosting model. A detailed feature important analysis was carried out to demonstrate the impact and relative influence of different input variables on electric vehicles energy consumption prediction. The results imply that an advanced machine learning model can enhance the prediction performance of electric vehicles energy consumption.