bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inter-Risk Framing Contests: The Politics of Issue Attention among Scandinavian Climate NGOs during the Coronavirus Pandemic
Authors: Enggaard Thyge Ryom , Hedegaard Isfeldt Annika Solveig , Kvist Møller Anna Helene , Carlsen Hjalmar Bang , Albris Kristoffer , Blok Anders
Published: February 2023

In this article, we study the framing activities of Scandinavian climate-active non-governmental organizations (NGOs) during the early phases of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Building on theories of focusing events, crisis exploitation and Ulrich Beck’s global risks, we develop and apply the concept of inter-risk framing contests to the case. Empirically, we analyse all climate- and corona-related tweeting activity of a broad selection of green NGOs in Denmark (17 NGOs, 874 tweets), Norway (22 NGOs, 2575 tweets) and Sweden (15 NGOs, 920 tweets), respectively. Methodologically, we employ quantitative text analysis to map socio-symbolic constellations of NGO-term relations using principal component analysis, while complementing this via online ethnographic observation to increase interpretative validity. Overall, the analysis demonstrates similarities and differences in how green NGOs have variously responded to the ambiguous challenges and symbolic opportunities of the coronavirus event, in ways resonant with path-dependent dynamics of the three national green civil societies.
Advanced non-linear control based on artificial intelligence tuner for hand tremor suppression
Authors: Faraji Behnam , Rouhollahi Korosh , Nezhadi Akram , Jamalpoor Zahra
Published: February 2023

One of the most common symptoms among diverse patients (e.g. Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor) is hand tremor. Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has been a popular method of controlling hand tremor in recent years. Although recent advancements in the DBS system have enabled DBS applications in the context of various neurodegenerative disorders, the deployment of such interface tactics in DBS applications is seriously threatened by un-adaptability concerns and a lack of an accurate model. In response to these issues, the current letter discusses the construction of an intelligent technique for minimizing hand tremor and self-adaptive DBS settings without requiring a proper hand tremor system modeling setup. For this purpose, the hand tremor is suppressed using an intelligent proportional–integral (iPI) as the main controller and the sliding mode (SM) as an observer. Furthermore, as an auxiliary controller, a deep reinforcement learning (DRL) method with the Actor-Critic structure is adaptively incorporated. The feedback parameters of the ultra-local model (ULM) controller will be adaptively modified utilizing the DRL method by online neural network (NN) updating in the proposed strategy. The advantages of the ULM based on DRL structure over state-of-the-art approaches are demonstrated by a complete assessment.
Investigating the components of bibliotherapy implementation process in digital hospital libraries of Iran: Survey analysis
Authors: Noruzi Alireza , Ghargaz Zahra , Siamian Hasan
Published: February 2023

The study aimed to identify the components of bibliotherapy implementation in digital hospital libraries of Iran. The research method regarding purpose is applied and regarding methodology is survey. This showed the desired level of reliability was human resources, information resources, technology and technology infrastructure, services, copyright and financial resource. The most important basic requirements for the implementation of this plan in hospital digital libraries were as follows: Method of providing information resources: ‘Collection of various digital resources to launch bibliotherapy (audiovisual resources, audio, video, etc.)’; the most desirable people to provide information resources: ‘Librarians of digital libraries in consultation with physicians and consultants’; digital resource prioritisation: ‘Multimedia Resources’; services for users: ‘Providing digital information resources, suitable for any age group in the field of bibliotherapy’; legal barriers: ‘The unwillingness of authors and publishers to support free access and at the same time protect the copyright of digital resources in the field of bibliotherapy’; and economic barriers: ‘Impossibility to provide the necessary funding to provide bibliotherapy related services in hospital digital libraries’. Its conceptual and structural model, design and research results indicate a proper fit of the components. Based on the findings of the present study, it can be concluded that the components of bibliotherapy implementation in hospital digital libraries can be classified into six sections in terms of importance and effectiveness: technical and technological infrastructure, services, financial resources, information resources, copyright and human resources.
Workplace Humiliation and the Organization of Domestic Work
Authors: Varman Rohit , Al-Amoudi Ismael , Skålén Per
Published: February 2023

This study of domestic workers and employers in Kolkata (India) examines the significance of workplace humiliation as an important yet neglected concept for organization studies. It identifies practices of symbolic, sexual and physical workplace humiliation that shape corporeality and subjectivity in such a way that workers feel inferior, fearful and docile. Practices of workplace humiliation serve the purpose of social reproduction by stabilizing the existing skewed power relations between workers and employers, and making workers comply inexpensively with the harsh requirements of highly exploitative workplaces. In foregrounding humiliation as a key organizational mechanism, this study furthers understanding of workplace humiliation, oppression, caste and exploitation in organization studies.
Happiness in the Daily Socio-Cultural Integration Process: A day Reconstruction Study among American Immigrants in Germany
Authors: Hendriks Martijn , Birnberg Randall
Published: February 2023

Many immigrants struggle to integrate into host societies, despite the frequent long-term benefits of integration for immigrants and host societies. This article aims to increase understandings of immigrants’ experiences and obstacles in the daily socio-cultural integration process by examining the understudied impact of daily integration behaviors on momentary happiness. The daily experiences of 213 immigrants from the United States in Germany were captured, using a day reconstruction method. Our panel fixed-effects estimates show that immigrants who were not fluent in the host country's majority language generally felt happier when communicating in their mother tongue, as opposed to the majority language. Moreover, interacting with majority group members negatively affected the momentary happiness of less culturally integrated immigrants. By contrast, socio-cultural integration related positively to immigrants’ enduring happiness. Our results suggest that socio-cultural integration is an investment involving short-term costs to happiness, with important daily obstacles being the cost to momentary happiness of speaking the majority language and, to a lesser extent, interacting with majority group members. We argue that integration behaviors’ short-term costs also occur in many other migration contexts. The revealed short-term costs can increase understandings of immigrants’ integration struggles and related outcomes, including segregation and loneliness, and decreasing the costs may improve socio-cultural integration trajectories.
Expert opinion: How to treat type IA endoleakage
Authors: Peterss Sven , Stana Jan , Rantner Barbara , Buech Joscha , Radner Caroline , Konstantinou Nikolaos , Hagl Christian , Pichlmaier Maximilian , Tsilimparis Nikolaos
Published: February 2023

Type Ia endoleaks due to failed sealing or loss of landing zone and the adequate management thereof remain crucial for long-term therapeutic success following TEVAR. This expert opinion summarizes our institutional experience with endovascular, open surgical, and hybrid techniques in the context of recent scientific publications. The rapid turnover of technical innovations, but most importantly outcome data demonstrate the requirement for increasingly patient-tailored treatment strategies and the need for specialized aortic centers. The latter should offer a complete range of treatment options, an adequate perioperative management, and the highest level of multidisciplinary expertise.
Barriers for Believers in Christ from Muslim Backgrounds: A Case from North America
Authors: Kim Sam
Published: February 2023

Despite increasing numbers of converts from Islam, there are still difficulties for Believers in Christ from Muslim Backgrounds (BMBs) to become part of their local churches. Their understanding and expectation of churches are often vastly different from the reality on the ground. In addition, they also often have diverse practical issues that prevent a smooth integration within their adoptive Christian communities. This article reflects on the perspectives of BMBs related to their difficulties and barriers to fully embracing their new faith or belonging in local churches in North America. It also outlines the normative shape of faith communities in Islam and Christianity and suggests how local churches may better serve converts by encouraging closer belonging and informed discipleship.
Cross-Cultural Validation of the Short Form of the Life Skills Scale for Adolescents and Adults in Adolescents in Four Countries
Authors: Kase Takayoshi , Endo Shintaro
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to translate the Japanese version of the Life Skills Scale for Adolescents and Adults (LSSAA) into Chinese, English, and Korean, simplify it, and assess its reliability and validity. Validation was performed using individual data of 9941 high-school students from China, Japan, Korea, and the United States collected by the 2021 “Survey on Experiences and Attitudes Related to the Corona Crisis” conducted by the National Institution For Youth Education. Confirmatory factor analysis showed that the four-factor model of the LSSAA fit the data for all four countries. Testing of the measurement invariance of the four-factor model among the four countries supported the adoption of a weak invariance model, and the LSSAA scores were comparable across all four countries. These results suggest that the LSSAA has good reliability and validity and applies to adolescents in English-speaking countries and some Asian counties.
Agreement Between House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook Facial Nerve Grading Systems in Bell's Palsy in Children: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Multicenter Trial
Authors: Williams Amanda , Eapen Nitaa , Kochar Amit , Lawton Ben , Hort Jason , West Adam , George Shane , Berkowitz Robert , Lee Katherine J , Dalziel Stuart R , Hearps Stephen , Babl Franz E ,   on behalf of the PREDICT (Paediatric Research in Emergency Departments International Collaborative) research network
Published: February 2023

Background

There is limited evidence on the use of facial nerve function grading scales in acute facial nerve paralysis in children.

Objective

To investigate the agreement between and the usability of the House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook scales in children with idiopathic facial paralysis (Bell's palsy) and to compare their ease of administration.

Methods

Data from a randomized controlled trial in children aged 6 months to <18 years with Bell's palsy was used. Children were recruited within 72 hours of symptom onset and assessed using the House-Brackmann and the Sunnybrook scales at baseline and at 1, 3, and 6 months until recovered. Agreement between the scales was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) at each time point and using a Bland-Altman plot. Ease of administration was assessed using an 11-point Likert scale.

Results

Comparative data were available for 169 of the 187 children randomized. The ICC between the 2 scales across all time points was 0.92 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.91-0.93), at baseline 0.37 (95% 0.25, 0.51), at 1 month 0.91 (95% CI 0.89-0.94), at 3 months 0.85 (95% CI 0.80-0.89), and at 6 months 0.96 (95% CI 0.95-0.97). The median score for the ease of administration for the House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook scales was 3 (interquartile range [IQR]: 1-5) and 7 (IQR: 4-8) respectively ( P < .001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test).

Conclusions

There was excellent agreement between House-Brackmann and Sunnybrook scales, with poorer agreement at baseline. Clinicians found the House-Brackmann scale easier to administer. These findings suggest that both scales can be applied in children.
The Robot-Gender Divide: How and Why Men and Women Differ in Their Attitudes Toward Social Robots
Authors: Kislev Elyakim
Published: February 2023

Recent developments foretell that social robots will soon become an integral part of everyday life, offering companionship and intimate closeness of different kinds. While research thus far is limited in scope and data, the current research offers two studies into how and why gender affects social robots’ acceptance among European and American participants. Study 1 ( N = 26,344) is used to identify overall patterns, while Study 2 ( N = 426), divided into quantitative and qualitative analyses, is used to investigate specific differences in accepting four types of robots: helpers, companions, lovers, and sex partners. Results show that women have significantly less positive attitudes toward social robots as lovers and sex partners than men. The qualitative analyses of Study 2 show that this is due to women seeing such robots more negatively in terms of social norms, psychological health, morality, and functionality. The study further offers an axis system, on which attitudes toward robots can be theorized and examined.
Markov velocity predictor based on state space optimization and its applications in PHEV energy management
Authors: Wang Rong , He Yanze , Song Tinglun
Published: February 2023

Predictive energy management (PEM) strategy has shown great advantages in improving fuel economy for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV). A Markov velocity predictor optimization method and its applications in PHEV energy management is studied in this paper. The initial Markov velocity predictor is constructed using complete driving cycle information and the state space of the Markov velocity predictor is then optimized for specified driving conditions using simulated annealing algorithm (SAA). The practical driving conditions are identified using a multi-feature driving condition recognition unit by using the support vector machine (SVM) method. Based on the driving conditions identified, velocities are predicted using the proposed method and optimized using dynamic programming (DP) algorithm in conjunction with the state of charge (SOC) reference and vehicle state. The energy management strategy derived is then implemented in the vehicle controllers. Comparing with the traditional rule-based energy management strategy, simulation results indicate that the PEM strategy proposed herein can reduce fuel consumption.
Investigations on microstructural and mechanical properties of BSK 46 steel weldments
Authors: Sivateja P. , Asati B. , Vidyarthy R. S.
Published: February 2023

BSK 46 is a low alloy structural steel with excellent mechanical and corrosion properties and is widely used in many applications, including tipper bodies of heavy-duty trucks. Optimizing the welding parameters to reduce defects and improve productivity is critical for the users. The present work addresses optimizing the welding process parameters to improve productivity with adequate weld quality during the pulsed gas metal arc welding (P-GMAW) process. Three BSK 46 weldments (weld-1, weld-2 and weld-3) were fabricated by varying the root gap, root face, filler pass and heat input. The metallographic and mechanical characterization of P-GMAW weldments were done through microstructures, Vickers micro-hardness, transverse tensile strength, Charpy toughness and three-point bend test. Subsequently, a correlation has been developed between the microstructural features and mechanical properties of the weld joints. The hardness was found to be incremental in nature from the base metal to the fusion zone. Maximum hardness of 215.81  ±  10 HV was observed in the weld-3 fusion zone. Tensile test results reveal that weld-3 weldments exhibit a higher tensile strength of 547.48  ±  2 MPa than weld-1 (537.46  ±  7 MPa) and weld-2 (533.67  ±  9 MPa) weldments. Maximum impact toughness of 136.33  ±  14 J was observed in the weld-3 weldments. Post-bend testing showed no cracks on the weld surfaces, indicating defect-free weld joints with good ductility. It is observed that weld-3 showed relatively better mechanical properties than weld-1 and weld-2 in lesser welding time and lower welding cost
Cytotoxic, in vitro Enzyme Inhibitory Potential and Phytochemical Profiling of Odontonema strictum
Authors: Nadeem Nida , Khan Kashif Maqbool , Koala Moumouni , Islam Muhammad , Chohan Tahir Ali , Khan Shujaat Ali , Fatima Nighat , Bashir Kashif , Qamar Shaista , Chaman Sadia , Tahir Muhamamd Azam , Mannan Abdul
Published: February 2023

Background

Odontonema strictum is an herbaceous plant, indigenous to Central America and Central Africa, and has been used traditionally by the local community against various ailments. The current piece of work was carried out to evaluate the cytotoxic potential of O. strictum by using brine shrimp lethality and the in vitro cytotoxicity/viability assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide [MTT]), as well as the in vitro enzyme inhibitory potential by using alpha-amylase, protein kinase enzymes and phytochemical analysis of the different extracts of aerial parts of O. strictum.

Materials and Methods

Extracts of aerial parts of O. strictum were prepared through the successive extraction method using solvents with the order of polarity as n-hexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water. Cytotoxicity was assessed through brine shrimp lethality assay and in vitro cell viability assay (MTT), whereas enzyme inhibition potential was evaluated through Alpha-amylase and protein kinase assay. Phytochemical analysis was done by assessing the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents of both leaves and flowers.

Results

All the extracts exhibited various phytochemical and biological activities. Remarkable toxicity profiles against the brine shrimp lethality assay (LD50:11.5 µg/mL) were shown by the leaf extracts, whereas both leaves and flowers exhibited promising anti-proliferative activity, assessed by the MTT assay. Significant alpha-amylase and protein kinase inhibition potential were manifested by leave extracts with IC50:195.6 µg/mL and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC): 16.3 µg/mL respectively. The phytochemical analysis of the plant showed that it was sufficiently rich in phenolic compounds with a total phenolic content and total flavonoid content (96.8 µg GAE/mg and 65.1 µg QE/mg, respectively).

Conclusion

It is plausible to believe that the cytotoxic and enzymatic activity of the aerial parts of O. strictum aerial parts might be, at least partly, to the presence of phenolic chemicals and could be a possible source of cytotoxic agent and an enzyme inhibitor.
Police Extortion and Drug Dealers’ Negotiation Strategies: Exploring the Accounts of Street-Level Dealers in Nigeria
Authors: Nelson Ediomo-Ubong E.
Published: February 2023

This study explores police extortion and the negotiation strategies of dealers in street drug markets. Analysis of 31 in-depth interviews with male retail drug dealers in Uyo, Nigeria, framed by the theoretical concept of habitus, revealed how bribery and collusion with corrupt police officers offered protection from raids and arrests. Connivance with police was a double-edged sword; it also fostered exploitation of dealers by police officers. Police extortion, motivated by greed and opportunism, undermined profit from drug trade. Dealers negotiated police extortion by walking-away from exploitative collusions and forming new ones, and temporarily desisting from selling drugs to reduce the risk of arrest by vindictive police officers. I argue that street market policing, driven by greed and self-interest, encouraged bribery, extortion, and criminal alliances that effectively redirected policing from the goals of crime control and public order to personal enrichment of police officers. On the other hand, the negotiation of extortion through street habitus suggests that drug dealers are not passive victims of police predation. Improved oversight over patrolling officers and providing viable alternative livelihoods for dealers are suggested as measures for addressing police corruption and retail drug trade.
Design and parameters influence analysis of dynamic vibration absorber for fastener clips in high-speed railway
Authors: Zhang Yingjie , Yang Xinwen , Liu Shutong
Published: February 2023

The fracture phenomenon of fastener clips occurs frequently in the sections with serious rail corrugation of high-speed railway, which brings huge potential safety hazards to track service and driving safety. In order to prevent the vibration fatigue fracture of fastener clips in high-speed railway, a dynamic vibration absorber (DVA) for clips is proposed in this paper to suppress the primary sensitive frequency of the corresponding resonant of clips. Firstly, based on the optimal design theory of DVA, a parameters design method of ring-shaped DVA suitable for clips is proposed. Secondly, the vibration characteristics of the high-speed railway fastener system are investigated, and the main reason for the fastener clips fracture is analyzed by simulation analysis combined with filed test. Then, focusing on the primary resonant frequency of clips, the vibration reduction effect of the ring-shaped DVA is analyzed. The results show that the ring-shaped DVA can change the natural frequency of the clip system, reduce the vibration response in the range of the original resonant frequency, and avoid the resonance phenomenon. Finally, the influences of mass ratio, frequency ratio, and damping ratio on the vibration reduction effect are analyzed, and the effectiveness of the parameters design method of ring-shaped DVA proposed in this paper is further proved. The research results can provide methodological support for the anti-breakage design of high-speed railway fastener clips.
The Strength to Diet: If it Fits Your Macros Dieting as Masculine Body Work
Authors: Jensen Warren
Published: February 2023

Drawing on a qualitative content analysis of 76 “day of eating” vlogs, this article explores how cis men adhering to the “If It Fits Your Macros” diet dynamically negotiate the meanings of their eating habits and their bodies to bolster their claims to hegemonic masculinity. Employing Foucault’s theory of disciplinary technologies and critical masculinities scholarship, the analysis serves as a case study of how the body work of dieting men reinforces normative discourses of masculinity. While dieting has previously been framed as a “technology of femininity,” this article argues that dieting similarly operates as an embodied practice through which men perform masculinities. Extending the literature on the subjective experiences of dieting men, I suggest that men navigate the ostensibly “feminine” terrain of dieting by via repertoires of self-discipline and embattlement against fat. Using these discursive tools, men portray dieting as a moral-aesthetic project that bolsters and secures their own hegemonic constructions of masculine status.
QT interval instability and QRS interval dispersion in healthy cats and cats with a hypertrophic cardiomyopathy phenotype
Authors: Bastos Rodrigo Franco , Tuleski Giovana LR , Sousa Marlos Gonçalves
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common heart disease in cats. Electrocardiographic (ECG) analysis can help with the diagnosis of HCM and also in the investigation of the secondary consequences of the disease. This study investigated ECG markers of QT interval variability (total instability [TI], short-term instability [STI], long-term instability [LTI], QT variance [QTv]), mean QT interval (QTa) and QT interval corrected for heart rate (QTac), as well as the duration (QRSd) and dispersion (QRSv) of the QRS interval in healthy cats and in those with HCM.

Methods

Data were collected from 63 domestic cats: 40 in the control group and 23 in the HCM group. Fifty consecutive QT intervals were recorded for all cats and then QTa, QTac, QTv, TI, LTI and STI were calculated. QRSd and QRSv were also obtained for all animals. A Mann–Whitney U-test was used for group comparison. Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of all markers for HCM. Logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the risks of cats having HCM, based on the studied indexes.

Results

QTa ( P <0.01), QTac ( P <0.01), QRSd ( P <0.01) and STI ( P = 0.02) were higher in the HCM group. QTa >158.8 ms, QTac >27.4 ms and QRSd >0.045 s had an accuracy of 77.4%, 68.2% and 80.9%, respectively, in detecting HCM. Logistic regression showed that cats with QTa >158 ms, QTac >27.4 ms and QRSd >0.045 s had a 1.58-, 1,23- and 6.5-fold higher risk, respectively, of developing HCM.

Conclusions and relevance

Cats with HCM had higher ventricular instability as assessed by STI and showed a prolongation of the QT and QRS intervals via the QTa, QTac and QRSd markers. These markers show potential as ancillary screening tools for identifying the presence of HCM.
Navigating digital inclusion and the digital vā among Niue mamatua through the provision of mobile phones during COVID-19
Authors: Matenga-Ikihele (Te Whānau-ā-ApanuiNiue) Amio , Fa’alau Fuafiva , Dobson Rosie , Fa’alili-Fidow Jacinta , Roberts Mary , Taufa Seini , Tuesday Ruby , Whitakker Robyn , McCool Judith
Published: February 2023

Technology and digital platforms have become essential for people and communities to interact because of COVID-19. Despite its benefits, digital exclusion disproportionately affects Pacific communities living in New Zealand. This article provides insights into how Niue mamatua (older adults) used their gifted mobile phones and mobile data as part of a COVID-19 digital inclusion initiative. It begins with an overview of the digital inclusion needs of older adults, followed by a description of the digital vā (relational space) and negotiating a new way of maintaining connection in an online world. The tutala (a Niue method of conversation anchored on respect) with 12 mamatua highlighted the benefits, support factors, and challenges of how they were able to use their mobile phone. Importantly, mobile phones provided the necessary access and connectivity to interact in a digitally connected world, namely the digital vā, when in-person connections were disrupted because of COVID-19.
From terra nullius to Indigenous collective land rights: cases before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights
Authors: Vivas-Barrera Tania Giovanna , Quintero-Sánchez Gabriel Alejandro , Pérez-Salazar Bernardo
Published: February 2023

Since 2001, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has issued 14 sentences requiring the states to protect collective land ownership rights of Indigenous peoples and tribal groups that descend from the syncretism of Indigenous and African peoples. The objective is to assess the level of compliance of international responsibilities by offending states and the main difficulties that have hindered the process up to now. An initial set of typologies of the outcomes is presented, together with some general patterns concerning the challenges that remain for the effective legal protection of collective land ownership rights in Central and South America. Findings are based on the analysis of the documentation produced by the Court concerning these cases. Presently, Nicaragua is the only state that has completely fulfilled its orders.
Tourism development and women employment: A study on the European union countries
Authors: Bolukoglu Anil , Gozukucuk Tugce
Published: February 2023

The intergovernmental institutions recommend tourism development as a policy goal for reducing gender inequality through employment channels. However, such approaches ignore the indirect and induced effects of tourism sector development on women’s employment through male dominated forward and backward linkages. Adverse spillover effects of tourism-related sectors limit the impact of tourism on generating women’s employment. With this goal in mind, the study estimates the spillover effect of tourism sector development on the gender gap in selected employment indicators of 27 European Union countries between 2008 and 2019. Results show that development in the tourism sector, measured by the number of tourists per active population, improves the gender gap in labor force participation, employment, and unemployment among EU countries. Considering the precarious working conditions of the tourism sector, results only reflect a limited aspect of women’s empowerment.
An active learning framework featured Monte Carlo dropout strategy for deep learning-based semantic segmentation of concrete cracks from images
Authors: Kang Chow Jun , Peter Wong Cho Hin , Siang Tan Pin , Jian Tan Tun , Zhaofeng Li , Yu-Hsing Wang
Published: February 2023

Training a deep learning model is always challenging as the data annotation requires expert knowledge, and is time consuming and laborious. To address this issue, the authors formulate an active learning framework to facilitate the training of deep learning models for performing concrete crack segmentation from images. The Monte Carlo dropout (MCDO) strategy, which requires no modification of deep learning models, is adopted to develop the uncertainty-based method to aid estimating the concrete crack features that the deep learning models are uncertain of, that is, feature representations that have not been well learned. Then, the informative data, that is, concrete crack images associated with high uncertainty score, are identified and retrieved for subsequent model training and optimization. The aforementioned processes can be repeated until all instances in the data pool are completely annotated or the target performance is attained. The feasibility of the proposed active learning framework is validated using an open-source concrete crack dataset. With only about 25% of training data, the deep learning model attains an intersection over union (IoU) of 0.930, which is about 99.2% of the score trained with all the training data (10,000 concrete crack images), demonstrating the capability of using sufficient amount of informative data to attain a promising result in concrete crack segmentation from images.
Research-Problem Validity in Primary Research: Precision and Transparency in Characterizing Past Knowledge
Authors: Schweinsberg Martin , Thau Stefan , Pillutla Madan
Published: February 2023

Four validity types evaluate the approximate truth of inferences communicated by primary research. However, current validity frameworks ignore the truthfulness of empirical inferences that are central to research-problem statements. Problem statements contrast a review of past research with other knowledge that extends, contradicts, or calls into question specific features of past research. Authors communicate empirical inferences, or quantitative judgments, about the frequency (e.g., “few,” “most”) and variability (e.g., “on the one hand,” “on the other hand”) in their reviews of existing theories, measures, samples, or results. We code a random sample of primary research articles and show that 83% of quantitative judgments in our sample are vague and do not have a transparent origin, making it difficult to assess their validity. We review validity threats of current practices. We propose that documenting the literature search, reporting how the search was coded, and quantifying the search results facilitates more precise judgments and makes their origin transparent. This practice enables research questions that are more closely tied to the existing body of knowledge and allows for more informed evaluations of the contribution of primary research articles, their design choices, and how they advance knowledge. We discuss potential limitations of our proposed framework.
A multi-step approach for reliability-based robust design optimization of truss structures
Authors: Mehanpour Hashem , Hoseini Vaez Seyed Rohollah , Fathali Mohammad Ali
Published: February 2023

There are two general methods of robust design optimization (RDO) and reliability-based robust design optimization (RBRDO) for the optimal design of structures with non-deterministic variables. In the problem-solving process of both RDO and RBRDO, assessing the probabilistic constraints of the problem and the standard deviation of the structural responses is time-consuming and costly. In this study, by presenting a multi-step approach, for a probable optimal solution, the deterministic constraints are first investigated. Then the limit state functions related to probabilistic constraints are computed based on the mean value of random variables (in the RBRDO problem) and in the step of uncertainties effects simulation on the response of the structure, probabilistic constraints are evaluated (in the RBRDO problem). Designs that not meeting the deterministic constraints or in the unsafe area for the mean values of the random variables are not included in calculating the first and second terms of the objective function and reliability assessment. This leads to reduce the volume of calculations. The Monte Carlo simulation method is used to assess the probabilistic constraints, and the EVPS metaheuristic algorithm is used for the optimization process. Three benchmark trusses of 10, 25, and 72 bars were studied to assess the efficiency of the proposed approach. The first objective function in these problems was the mean weight of trusses and the second objective function was the standard deviation of the displacement of a specific node in a certain direction.
Reflections on Bain, Political Theology of International Order
Authors: Philpott Daniel
Published: February 2023

William Bain sustains his audacious claim to write a landmark in international relations thought. His view that the medieval theological debate between imposed order and immanent order structures contemporary thought about international order is largely compelling, especially in light of his demonstration that certain thinkers such as Hobbes and Grotius served as transmission belts, carrying this debate into modernity. He also persuasively shows that imposed order, or nominalism, dominates today’s schools of international relations thought, while immanent order only whispers its dissent. I raise two questions in critical conversation. First, while Bain argues persuasively that political theology persists after Westphalia, which he seeks to debunk as a milestone in secularization, nevertheless Westphalia stands as a milestone in the marginalization of religion (though not political theology) as an influential force in politics. Second, while Bain demurs from choosing between imposed and immanent order on normative grounds, his claim that the choice is a matter of faith appears to be a choice for imposed order. Clarifying this normative question is an apposite task for this important author’s next book.
Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty with inlay glenoid component: A systematic review
Authors: Berk Alexander N. , Cregar William M. , Rao Allison J. , Trofa David P. , Schiffern Shadley C. , Hamid Nady , Saltzman Bryan M.
Published: February 2023

Background

A total shoulder arthroplasty (TSA) system utilizing an inlay glenoid component has been proposed as a means of reducing glenoid component loosening while still providing patients with desirable functional and clinical outcomes. The purpose of this study was to systematically review current outcomes literature on TSA using an inlay glenoid component.

Methods

A literature search was conducted using PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Web of Science databases. Studies comparing pre- and postoperative functional and clinical outcomes were included.

Results

Five studies with 148 shoulders (133 patients) were included. Patient-reported outcomes improved, including the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (mean change 34.1 to 80.6), Penn Shoulder Score (mean change 43.3 to 85.5), Single Assessment Numeric Evaluation score (mean change 34.1 to 80.6), and visual analog scale-pain (mean change 6.9 to 1.6). Range of motion improved for forward elevation (mean change 109.6 to 156.2) and external rotation (mean change 21.5 to 50.8). Glenoid component loosening occurred in one shoulder (0.68%). Two revision surgeries (1.35%) were performed.

Discussion

The use of an inlay glenoid component is associated with improvements in postoperative pain, function, and satisfaction while minimizing rates of glenoid component loosening and the need for revision surgery over short-term follow-up.

Level of evidence

systematic review, level IV
Enduring neurological sequelae of benzodiazepine use: an Internet survey
Authors: Huff Christy , Finlayson A. J. Reid , Foster D. E. , Martin Peter R.
Published: February 2023

Introduction:

Benzodiazepine tapering and cessation has been associated with diverse symptom constellations of varying duration. Although described in the literature decades ago, the mechanistic underpinnings of enduring symptoms that can last months or years have not yet been elucidated.

Objective:

This secondary analysis of the results from an Internet survey sought to better understand the acute and protracted withdrawal symptoms associated with benzodiazepine use and discontinuation.

Methods:

An online survey ( n = 1207) was used to gather information about benzodiazepine use, including withdrawal syndrome and protracted symptoms.

Results:

The mean number of withdrawal symptoms reported by a respondent in this survey was 15 out of 23 symptoms. Six percent of respondents reported having all 23 listed symptoms. A cluster of least-frequently reported symptoms (whole-body trembling, hallucinations, seizures) were also the symptoms most frequently reported as lasting only days or weeks, that is, short-duration symptoms. Symptoms of nervousness/anxiety/fear, sleep disturbances, low energy, and difficulty focusing/distractedness were experienced by the majority of respondents (⩾85%) and, along with memory loss, were the symptoms of longest duration. Prolonged symptoms of anxiety and insomnia occurred in many who have discontinued benzodiazepines, including over 50% who were not originally prescribed benzodiazepines for that indication. It remains unclear if these symptoms might be caused by neuroadaptive and/or neurotoxic changes induced by benzodiazepine exposure. In this way, benzodiazepine withdrawal may have acute and long-term symptoms attributable to different underlying mechanisms, which is the case with alcohol withdrawal.

Conclusions:

These findings tentatively support the notion that symptoms which are acute but transient during benzodiazepine tapering and discontinuation may be distinct in their nature and duration from the enduring symptoms experienced by many benzodiazepine users.
Melanogenesis Inhibitory Activity, Chemical Components and Molecular Docking Studies of Prunus cerasoides Buch.-Ham. D. Don. Flowers
Authors: Kooltheat Nateelak , Tedasen Aman , Yamasaki Kenshi , Chatatikun Moragot
Published: February 2023

Safe depigmenting agents are currently increasing in the cosmetic or pharmaceutical industry because various compounds have been found to have undesirable side effects. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the melanogenesis inhibitory effects of Prunus cerasoides Buch. -Ham. D. Don. flower extracts and their molecular mechanism in B16F10 mouse melanoma cells. Moreover, we also examined phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant activity, chemical constituents of potential extracts, and molecular docking. The highest phenolic and flavonoid contents with the greatest scavenging activity were found in the butanol extract of the P. cerasoides flower compared to other extracts. From all extracts, only crude, diethyl ether, and butanol extracts showed an inhibition of mushroom tyrosinase activity, cellular tyrosinase activity, and melanin content as well as the downregulation of the gene expression of the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2) in α-MSH-stimulated B16F10 cells. Based on the molecular docking study, n-hexadecanoic acid, heptadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid, 9,12-octadecadienoic acid, 9,12,15-octadecanoic acid, and eicosanoic acid might show an inhibitory effect against tyrosinase and MITF. In conclusion, this finding demonstrates that both the diethyl ether and butanol extracts of the P. cerasoides flower can effectively reduce tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis through the downregulation of the melanogenic gene expression in B16F10 cells and through the molecular docking study. Taken together, the diethyl ether and butanol extracts of the P. cerasoides flower could be an anti-melanogenic ingredient for hyperpigmentary or melasma treatment.
Angiomyolipoma with epithelial cysts, an unexpected discovery in a gunshot abdomen: a single case report
Authors: Mtshali Nompumelelo Zamokuhle , Shandu Nontokozo , Mukendi Alain Mwamba
Published: February 2023

Background

Angiomyolipoma with epithelial cysts is a rare variant of an angiomyolipoma that typically occurs sporadically. Patients with pre-existing kidney lesion or disease have significantly increased risk of morbidity and mortality associated with trauma. Abnormal and diseased kidneys are frequently injured by low or insignificant velocity impacts. The vulnerability of these kidneys is related to the type of pathology. However, cystic or hydronephrotic kidneys are more susceptible to trauma. Recent studies have shown an association of this rare entity with tuberous sclerosis complex. Despite the rarity of genetic association of Angiomyolipoma with epithelial cysts and tuberous sclerosis, the emerging findings raise the necessity of genetic testing of these lesions to confirm a remote possibility of tuberous sclerosis complex.

Case presentation

We report a case of a 38-year-old male patient who sustained a right renal injury as a result of a gunshot to the abdomen and underwent an emergency nephrectomy due to hemodynamic instability. A grossly looking shattered kidney was surgically removed. The morphology in conjunction with immunohistochemistry of the specimen favoured a diagnosis of Angiomyolipoma with epithelial cysts.

Conclusion

This is the first reported case of angiomyolipoma with epithelial cysts diagnosed on a nephrectomy specimen from renal trauma. We aim to highlight an approach to renal trauma on a kidney with pre-existing AMLEC as well as an approach to adult cystic renal neoplasms and to propose the importance of genetic testing for Tuberous Sclerosis.
De novo transcriptome assemblies of C3 and C4 non-model grass species reveal key differences in leaf development
Authors: Prochetto Santiago , Studer Anthony J. , Reinheimer Renata
Published: February 2023

Background

C4 photosynthesis is a mechanism that plants have evolved to reduce the rate of photorespiration during the carbon fixation process. The C4 pathway allows plants to adapt to high temperatures and light while more efficiently using resources, such as water and nitrogen. Despite decades of studies, the evolution of the C4 pathway from a C3 ancestor remains a biological enigma. Interestingly, species with C3-C4 intermediates photosynthesis are usually found closely related to the C4 lineages. Indeed, current models indicate that the assembly of C4 photosynthesis was a gradual process that included the relocalization of photorespiratory enzymes, and the establishment of intermediate photosynthesis subtypes. More than a third of the C4 origins occurred within the grass family (Poaceae). In particular, the Otachyriinae subtribe (Paspaleae tribe) includes 35 American species from C3, C4, and intermediates taxa making it an interesting lineage to answer questions about the evolution of photosynthesis.

Results

To explore the molecular mechanisms that underpin the evolution of C4 photosynthesis, the transcriptomic dynamics along four different leaf segments, that capture different stages of development, were compared among Otachyriinae non-model species. For this, leaf transcriptomes were sequenced, de novo assembled, and annotated. Gene expression patterns of key pathways along the leaf segments showed distinct differences between photosynthetic subtypes. In addition, genes associated with photorespiration and the C4 cycle were differentially expressed between C4 and C3 species, but their expression patterns were well preserved throughout leaf development.

Conclusions

New, high-confidence, protein-coding leaf transcriptomes were generated using high-throughput short-read sequencing. These transcriptomes expand what is currently known about gene expression in leaves of non-model grass species. We found conserved expression patterns of C4 cycle and photorespiratory genes among C3, intermediate, and C4 species, suggesting a prerequisite for the evolution of C4 photosynthesis. This dataset represents a valuable contribution to the existing genomic resources and provides new tools for future investigation of photosynthesis evolution.
Bayesian networks identify determinants of outcomes following cardiac surgery in a UK population
Authors: Mazhar Khurum , Mohamed Saifullah , Patel Akshay J. , Veith Sarah Berger , Roberts Giles , Warwick Richard , Balacumaraswami Lognathen , Abid Qamar , Raseta Marko
Published: February 2023

Background

Traditional risk stratification tools do not describe the complex principle determinant relationships that exist amongst pre-operative and peri-operative factors and their influence on cardiac surgical outcomes. This paper reports on the use of Bayesian networks to investigate such outcomes.

Methods

Data were prospectively collected from 4776 adult patients undergoing cardiac surgery at a single UK institute between April 2012 and May 2019. Machine learning techniques were used to construct Bayesian networks for four key short-term outcomes including death, stroke and renal failure.

Results

Duration of operation was the most important determinant of death irrespective of EuroSCORE. Duration of cardiopulmonary bypass was the most important determinant of re-operation for bleeding. EuroSCORE was predictive of new renal replacement therapy but not mortality.

Conclusions

Machine-learning algorithms have allowed us to analyse the significance of dynamic processes that occur between pre-operative and peri-operative elements. Length of procedure and duration of cardiopulmonary bypass predicted mortality and morbidity in patients undergoing cardiac surgery in the UK. Bayesian networks can be used to explore potential principle determinant mechanisms underlying outcomes and be used to help develop future risk models.