bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of generational status on immigrants’ entrepreneurial intentions to start new ventures: a framework based on structural equation modeling and multicriteria decision-making
Authors: Khaw Khai Wah , Thurasamy Ramayah , Al-Abrrow Hadi , Alnoor Alhamzah , Tiberius Victor , Abdullah Hasan Oudah , Abbas Sammar
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to identify the intentions of immigrant entrepreneurs to start new projects by investigating the role of influence of institutional support, social context, cultural intelligence, self-efficacy, optimizing personality traits and hierarchy legitimacy on intentions to start new ventures. In addition, the strength of the relationship for such factors and intentions to start new ventures was determined through the moderator role of easy access to venture capital.

Design/methodology/approach

To this end, this study complements the academic literature by integrating the structural equation modeling (SEM) and multiple-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques. Thus, the MCDM (i.e. analytic hierarchy process and vlsekriterijumska optimizcija i kaompromisno resenje [VIKOR]) is an effective approach to solving the problem of complexity and evaluation (i.e. multiple evaluation criteria, important criteria and data variation). Hence, to complete the strategic guideline solution, this study uses a survey for collecting data from 202 immigrants in Malaysia, Pakistan, Nigeria and Singapore.

Findings

The results from SEM prove several critical factors of immigrants’ entrepreneurs. These factors of immigrants’ entrepreneurs can be vital for academics and host countries. By focusing on these aspects and by developing some personality traits (such as self-efficacy and optimal personality traits), these factors can contribute a good deal to increasing the capabilities of immigrant’s entrepreneurs toward entrepreneurial intentions. In the validation, the statistical objective method indicates that the immigrants' prioritizations in all countries are supported by the systematic ranking. Thus, entrepreneurial intentions for immigrants can pursue the order proven by the VIKOR results.

Research limitations/implications

This study has some significant practical and theoretical implications. Practically, the study findings will enable managers to develop strategies to support immigrants for entrepreneurial intentions to start new ventures.

Originality/value

The novelty of the context under given circumstances of global environment adds to the originality of this study. Several previous studies have also emphasized the need for this type of study in other contexts. The findings can call managers’ attention toward a critical issue of immigrants’ entrepreneurial intentions to start new ventures.
Consumer fear and healthy eating during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Campos Patrícia de Oliveira , Mélo Letícia Barbosa de , de Souza Jéssica Carvalho Veras , Santana Poliana Nunes de , Matte Juliana , Costa Marconi Freitas da
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to contribute to the healthy eating literature by analyzing whether fear of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), ability to prepare food and the safety-seeking are antecedents of the intention to consume healthy foods during COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted two studies. The first study was done with a sample of 546 valid respondents. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to analyze data. The second study was qualitative, in which 40 subjects took part. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

Findings

The main findings reveal that ability to prepare food and the safety-seeking are strong antecedents of the intention to consume healthy foods. In addition, safety-seeking mediates the relationship between fear of COVID-19 and intention to consume healthy eating. However, high levels of fear did not influence the ability to prepare food and intention to consume healthy foods. Also, the ability to prepare food does not mediate the relation between fear of COVID-19 and intention to consume healthy food.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to consider terror management propositions to analyze the intention to consume healthy foods during COVID-19 pandemic. From a scientific point of view, it has several contributions to the literature. First, this study provides advances and innovation in the field by identifying new explanatory relations. Second, this study extends the scope of terror management health model (TMHM) by analyzing it in the pandemic context. Third, the findings seem to provide empirical support for recent criticism of TMHM assumptions. Moreover, practical implications are outlined to public health decision-makers and healthy food businesses on increasing consumers’ intention to healthy eating.
Influencer fit post vs celebrity fit post: which one engages Instagram users more?
Authors: Ahmadi Arash , Ieamsom Siriwan
Published: December 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the effects of the fit between two types of opinion leaders (influencer vs celebrity) and the products promoted in a fashion marketing campaign on user engagement (willingness to like and share the fit posts). Instagram involvement is examined as an applied moderator in the proposed theoretical model of this research.

Methodology

To test the hypotheses of the research, an experimental study was conducted. The sample was formed by female participants who were randomly assigned to one of the two conditions (fit of influencer–product vs fit of celebrity–product).

Findings

The results showed the superiority of the fit of influencer–product over the fit of celebrity–product on users’ engagement. It also indicates that highly involved Instagram users (vs lowly involved Instagram users) moderate the more prominent effect of the fit of influencer–product post on users‘ engagement.

Practical implications

The research helps brands to increase their knowledge of marketing campaigns formed through the fit of the opinion leaders with the products promoted.

Value

This research in addition to highlighting the role of users involved with Instagram contributes to a better understanding of the importance of promotional post fitting.
Evaluation of passenger service within the area of Beijing west railway station
Authors: Shi Ruolin , Feng Xuesong , Li Kemeng , Tao Zhibin
Published: December 2021

Purpose

This study aims to analyze passenger service quality in Beijing West Railway Station from the perspective of passengers, to better understand the current service quality and obtain the areas of weakness for improvement.

Design/methodology/approach

The research investigates the passenger experience of service in Beijing West Railway Station by using a questionnaire survey. The service quality (SERVQUAL) evaluation method is used to analyze the survey data, and it divides the passenger service into 5 attributes with 20 indicators. This research uses the Likert five-level scale method to process data and calculates the SERVQUAL value and weight difference of each attribute to evaluate the passenger service. Therefore, the deficiencies have been pointed out, so the station manager can improve the passenger service accordingly.

Findings

It is indicated that among the five studied attributes, Beijing West Railway Station has the smallest service quality value in terms of timeliness, which means this part needs the largest improvement. To the five attributes, each lacks in station security check, ticketing efficiency, station identification accuracy, emergency processing of train delays and the restroom environment, respectively.

Originality/value

The research can provide specific suggestions for the optimization of the passenger service of Beijing West Railway Station, and provide reference information for the formulation of policies.
Effect of early nutritional initiation on post‐cerebral infarction discharge destination: A propensity‐matched analysis using machine learning
Authors: Ikezawa Kazuto , Hirose Mitsuaki , Maruyama Tsunehiko , Yuji Koichiro , Yabe Yoshito , Kanamori Takeshige , Kaide Naohiro , Tsuchiya Yusuke , Hara Seigo , Suzuki Hideo
Published: December 2021

Aim

Malnutrition is associated with poor outcomes in cerebral infarction patients, with research indicating that early nutritional initiation may improve the short‐term prognosis of patients. However, evidence supported by big data is lacking. Here, to determine the effect of nutritional initiation during the first 3 days after hospital admission on home discharge rates, propensity score matching was conducted in patients with acute cerebral infarction.

Methods

This retrospective observational study, using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination anonymised database in Japan, included 41 477 ischaemic cerebral infarction patients hospitalised between 2016 and 2019. The patients were divided into two groups: those who received oral or enteral nutrition during the first 3 days of hospital admission (early nutrition group, n = 37 318) and those who did not (control group, n = 4159). One‐to‐one pair‐matching was performed using propensity scores calculated via extreme gradient boosting to limit the confounding variables of the two groups.

Results

After propensity score matching, 3541 pairs of patients were selected. The dependence of home discharge rates on early nutrition was significant (p < 0.05), and the effectiveness of early nutrition for home discharge showed an odds ratio of 1.79 (95% confidence interval of 1.59–2.03 in Fisher's exact test).

Conclusions

Our findings revealed that early nutritional initiation during the first 3 days of admission resulted in higher home discharge rates.
Plantes sous serres: Acclimatation, conservation de la nature et savoirs végétaux à Paris au XVIIIe siècle
Authors: Synowiecki Jan
Published: December 2021

This article focuses on the development of greenhouses and particularly in Paris in the 18th century. Faced with the increase in the number of naturalist specimens in the Jardin du Roi and the enlargement of the areas of supply, under the dual impact of imperial expansion and voyages of discovery, the conservation of plants became a central issue, mobilising knowledge of climate, soil and geography. The development of greenhouses was accompanied by intense discussions on the most appropriate way to acclimatise, even though plant conservation remained a highly complicated process.
Effect of a heat‐based root canal obturation technique on push‐out bond strength of the classical bioceramic and new HiFlow sealer
Authors: Dewi Anat , Upara Chawin , Sastraruji Thanapat , Louwakul Phumisak
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the heat‐based obturation technique on the push‐out bond strength of the classical bioceramic and new HiFlow sealer. Fifty single‐rooted human mandibular premolars were obturated using one of the following techniques: (1) BC‐SC; (2) BC‐W; (3) HiFlow‐SC; (4) HiFlow‐W; and (5) AH Plus‐W. Following obturation, specimens were sectioned into 1‐mm‐thick root slices 4 and 8 mm from the working length and were subjected to a push‐out bond test using a universal testing machine and examined for their modes of failure under an inverted phase‐contrast microscope. At both distances tested, there was no difference in the push‐out bond strength among the four bioceramic groups (P > 0.05). The AH Plus‐W group had lower bond strength than every other group at both distances from the working length. The most common failure mode was mixed failure.
‘Mad’, bad or Muslim? The UK's Vulnerability Support Hubs and the nexus of mental health, counterterrorism and racism
Authors: Aked Hil
Published: December 2021

The UK government's ‘Prevent’ counter‐extremism policy was placed on a statutory footing in 2015, requiring specified authorities including NHS providers by law to work to ‘prevent people being drawn into terrorism’, leading to calls for a boycott on ethical grounds. Since 2016, mental health professionals have been embedded within counterterrorism police units in ‘Vulnerability Support Hubs’, to assist in the management of individuals referred to Prevent perceived to have vulnerabilities related to mental health. Drawing on data obtained through Freedom of Information requests, this paper examines these hubs in the context of Prevent's racial politics. It examines the pseudo‐scientific concept of radicalization through the lens of racialization theory and explores the whitewashing and colourblindness endemic to most research and practice at the nexus of counterterrorism and mental health. Four ethical issues arising from the hubs are highlighted: (a) the securitization of care, including the way counterterrorism concerns appear to influence medical treatment regimes; (b) harm, including potential criminalization; (c) the erosion of patient agency and confidentiality; and (d) the pathologization of political dissent. It is argued that due to the UK's status as a leading innovator in the field of counter‐radicalization, all of these highly racialized phenomena hold wider relevance and augur a troubling direction of travel for counterterrorism's turn towards mental health.
Clinicopathological predictors of finding additional inguinal lymph node metastases in penile cancer patients after positive dynamic sentinel node biopsy: a European multicentre evaluation
Authors: de Vries Hielke M. , Lee Hack Jae , Lam Wayne , Djajadiningrat Rosa S. , Ottenhof Sarah R. , Roussel Eduard , Kroon Bin Klaas , de Jong Igle Jan , Oliveira Pedro , Alnajjar Hussain M. , Albersen Maarten , Muneer Asif , Sangar Vijay , Parnham Arie , Ayres Benjamin , Watkin Nick , Horenblas Simon , Stuiver Martijn M. , Brouwer Oscar R.
Published: December 2021

Objective

To develop a predictive model for additional inguinal lymph node metastases (LNM) at inguinal lymph node dissection (ILND) after positive dynamic sentinel node biopsy (DSNB) using DSNB characteristics to identify a patient group in which ILND might be omitted.

Patients and Methods

We conducted a retrospective study of 407 inguinal basins with a positive DSNB in penile cancer patients who underwent subsequent ILND from seven European centres. From the histopathology reports, the number of positive and negative lymph nodes, presence of extranodal extension and size of the metastasis were recorded. Using bootstrapped logistic regression, variables were selected for the clinical prediction model based on the optimization of Akaike's information criterion. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver‐operating characteristic curve was calculated for the resulting model. Decision curve analysis (DCA) was used to evaluate the clinical utility of the model.

Results

Of the positive DSNBs, 64 (16%) harboured additional LNM at ILND. Number of positive nodes at positive DSNB (odds ratio [OR] 2.19, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17–4.00; P = 0.01) and largest metastasis size in mm (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03–1.10; P = 0.001) were selected for the clinical prediction model. The AUC was 0.67 (95% CI 0.60–0.74). The DCA showed no clinical benefit of using the clinical prediction model.

Conclusion

A small but clinically important group of basins harbour additional LNM at completion ILND after positive DSNB. While DSNB characteristics were associated with additional LNM, they did not improve the selection of basins in which ILND could be omitted. Thus, completion ILND remains necessary in all basins with a positive DSNB.
Sensory deprivation leads to subpopulation‐specific changes in layer 6 corticothalamic cells
Authors: Breuer Tobias Maximilian , Krieger Patrik
Published: December 2021

The effect of sensory deprivation on anatomical and physiological properties in two genetically defined types of layer 6 corticothalamic pyramidal cells in mouse somatosensory barrel cortex was investigated using in vitro electrophysiology. The two types analysed were the L6‐Ntsr1 subtype, found preferentially in the upper region of layer 6 and projecting to both ventral posterior medial nucleus of the thalamus and posterior medial nucleus of the thalamus, and the L6‐Drd1a subtype, located mostly in the lower regions of layer 6 and projecting to posterior medial nucleus. We found that the apical dendrite in L6‐Ntsr1 cells is longer and more branched, compared with L6‐Drd1a cells, and that the increase in firing frequency with increasing current stimulation is steeper in L6‐Drd1a cells. Sensory deprivation was achieved clipping one row of whiskers from birth until the day of experiment (16 ± 2 days). Mice of this age are actively exploring. In L6‐Ntsr1, but not in L6‐Drd1a cells, sensory deprivation decreased apical and basal dendrite outgrowth, and calcium influx evoked by backpropagating action potentials. These results contribute to the ongoing functional characterisation of corticothalamic layer 6 cells and indicate differences in the postnatal cortical refinement of two distinct corticothalamic circuits.
Multisensory responses in a belt region of the dorsal auditory cortical pathway
Authors: Merrikhi Yaser , Kok Melanie A. , Carrasco Andres , Meredith M. Alex , Lomber Stephen G.
Published: December 2021

A basic function of the cerebral cortex is to receive and integrate information from different sensory modalities into a comprehensive percept of the environment. Neurons that demonstrate multisensory convergence occur across the necortex but are especially prevalent in higher order association areas. However, a recent study of a cat higher order auditory area, the dorsal zone (DZ) of auditory cortex, did not observe any multisensory features. Therefore, the goal of the present investigation was to address this conflict using recording and testing methodologies that are established for exposing and studying multisensory neuronal processing. Among the 482 neurons studied, we found that 76.6% were influenced by non‐auditory stimuli. Of these neurons, 99% were affected by visual stimulation, but only 11% by somatosensory. Furthermore, a large proportion of the multisensory neurons showed integrated responses to multisensory stimulation, constituted a majority of the excitatory and inhibitory neurons encountered (as identified by the duration of their waveshape) and exhibited a distinct spatial distribution within DZ. These findings demonstrate that the DZ of auditory cortex robustly exhibits multisensory properties and that the proportions of multisensory neurons encountered are consistent with those identified in other higher order cortices.
High resilience of carbon transport in long‐term drought‐stressed mature Norway spruce trees within 2 weeks after drought release
Authors: Hikino Kyohsuke , Danzberger Jasmin , Riedel Vincent P. , Rehschuh Romy , Ruehr Nadine K. , Hesse Benjamin D. , Lehmann Marco M. , Buegger Franz , Weikl Fabian , Pritsch Karin , Grams Thorsten E. E.
Published: December 2021

Under ongoing global climate change, drought periods are predicted to increase in frequency and intensity in the future. Under these circumstances, it is crucial for tree's survival to recover their restricted functionalities quickly after drought release. To elucidate the recovery of carbon (C) transport rates in c. 70‐year‐old Norway spruce (Picea abies [L.] KARST.) after 5 years of recurrent summer droughts, we conducted a continuous whole‐tree 13C labeling experiment in parallel with watering. We determined the arrival time of current photoassimilates in major C sinks by tracing the 13C label in stem and soil CO2 efflux, and tips of living fine roots. In the first week after watering, aboveground C transport rates (CTR) from crown to trunk base were still 50% lower in previously drought‐stressed trees (0.16 ± 0.01 m h−1) compared to controls (0.30 ± 0.06 m h−1). Conversely, CTR below ground, that is, from the trunk base to soil CO2 efflux were already similar between treatments (c. 0.03 m h−1). Two weeks after watering, aboveground C transport of previously drought‐stressed trees recovered to the level of the controls. Furthermore, regrowth of water‐absorbing fine roots upon watering was supported by faster incorporation of 13C label in previously drought‐stressed (within 12 ± 10 h upon arrival at trunk base) compared to control trees (73 ± 10 h). Thus, the whole‐tree C transport system from the crown to soil CO2 efflux fully recovered within 2 weeks after drought release, and hence showed high resilience to recurrent summer droughts in mature Norway spruce forests. This high resilience of the C transport system is an important prerequisite for the recovery of other tree functionalities and productivity.
Efficiency of pre‐process anoxia treatment on quality of fresh‐cut pineapples cv. ‘Phulae’ during storage
Authors: Supapvanich Suriyan , Techavuthiporn Chairat
Published: December 2021

The aim of this study was to investigate the competency of pre‐process anoxia treatment on physicochemical quality of fresh‐cut pineapples cv. ‘Phulae’ during storage. The fruits were kept in anoxia atmosphere (N2) for 16 h before processing. The fruits were processed immediately after treatment (G1) and after storage at 13 °C for 6 days (G2). Anoxia treatment delayed the weight loss and had no effect on the L* value of both G1 and G2 fresh‐cut pineapples. The yellowness (b*) value of G1 fresh‐cut pineapple was maintained by anoxia. The PPO activity of anoxia‐treated G1 and G2 fresh‐cut pineapples was lower than that of untreated fresh‐cut fruits (control). Total sugars contents of both G1 and G2 anoxia‐treated fresh‐cut pineapples trended to be higher than that of control samples. Anoxia had no influence on the total ascorbic acid content during storage. The increases in total bacteria and yeast of both G1 and G2 fresh‐cut pineapples were retarded by anoxia. In conclusion, anoxia is a feasible alternative to maintaining quality and delaying microbial increases in fresh‐cut pineapples during storage.
Characterization of a novel, biofilm dispersing, lytic bacteriophage against drug-resistant Enterobacter cloacae
Authors: Nair Aparna , Vyawahare Renuka , Khairnar Krishna
Published: December 2021

Aim

To characterize a novel bacteriophage, En5822, isolated from the environment against Enterobacter cloacae and exploring its application as an alternate antimicrobial.

Methods and Results

Bacteriophage was isolated from sewage sample by membrane-filtration immobilization technique. It was purified and studied for its various physical properties like microscopic structure, thermal and pH stability, latent period and burst time, antimicrobial and anti-biofilm activity as well as molecular aspects by genome sequencing and analysis. En5822 is a myovirus with relative pH and thermal stability. En5822 shows a notable reduction of host bacterial biofilm as well as planktonic cultures. Whole genome sequence analysis revealed that the En5822 genome does not contain undesirable temperate lifestyle genes, antibiotic resistance genes and toxin-encoding genes.

Conclusions

En5822 displays high lytic activity, specificity and biofilm reduction capability. It has a short latent period and high burst size that aid faster activity. Its genomic and physical attributes offer possibilities for its as an alternative antimicrobial for the treatment of drug-resistant E. cloacae infections.

Significance and Impact of Study

The study describes a novel, naturally virulent bacteriophage from environment capable of lysing multi-drug resistant E. cloacae effectively. The phage could potentially serve as an alternative strategy for treating antibiotic-resistant infections.
Successful management of a large mucosal fenestration at 18‐months follow‐up
Authors: Yadav Vikender Singh , Gupta Vandana , Chawla Amrita , Tewari Nitesh , Yadav Renu
Published: December 2021

Objectives

Mucosal fenestrations are infrequent and often challenging to treat depending on the extent of soft and hard tissue destruction. This article presents the successful management of a relatively larger mucosal fenestration associated with complete absence of buccal bone plate in a mandibular incisor secondary to trauma‐induced periapical pathosis.

Clinical considerations

After non‐surgical endodontic therapy, surgery was performed for debridement of the osseous defect, root resection/shaping, connective tissue graft (CTG) placement on the affected root surface and platelet rich fibrin (PRF) in periapical osseous defect rather than use of bone graft and/or barrier membrane. Healing was uneventful, however, a small mucosal defect remained at 2 weeks follow‐up. After 3 months of primary surgery, a corrective surgery was performed utilizing an “incision‐free” approach i.e. tunnel technique with CTG in contrast to the contemporary flap approach. At 18 months follow‐up, complete closure of the mucosal defect with a thick gingival biotype, normal sulcus depth, and good esthetic outcome were achieved. No recurrence and any clinical signs of infection or inflammation were observed.

Conclusions

Based on the outcomes of present case, an early intervention utilizing the minimally invasive surgical therapy and autologous biomaterials may be considered a viable approach to treat such complex lesions.

Clinical significance

Endodontic therapy in combination with PRF and CTG appears to provide successful outcomes in treatment of a large mucosal fenestration with periapical osseous defect.
Prolonged ethanol exposure modulates constitutive internalization and recycling of 5‐HT1A receptors
Authors: Wang Shiyu , Liu Haoran , Roberts Jonté B. , Wiley Aidan P. , Marayati Bahjat F. , Adams Kristen L. , Luessen Deborah J. , Eldeeb Khalil , Sun Haiguo , Zhang Ke , Chen Rong
Published: December 2021

Alcohol exposure alters the signaling of the serotoninergic system, which is involved in alcohol consumption, reward, and dependence. In particular, dysregulation of serotonin receptor type 1A (5‐HT1AR) is associated with alcohol intake and withdrawal‐induced anxiety‐like behavior in rodents. However, how ethanol regulates 5‐HT1AR activity and cell surface availability remains elusive. Using neuroblastoma 2a cells stably expressing human 5‐HT1ARs tagged with hemagglutinin at the N‐terminus, we found that prolonged ethanol exposure (18 h) reduced the basal surface levels of 5‐HT1ARs in a concentration‐dependent manner. This reduction is attributed to both enhanced receptor internalization and attenuated receptor recycling. Moreover, constitutive 5‐HT1AR internalization in ethanol naïve cells was blocked by concanavalin A (ConA) but not nystatin, suggesting clathrin‐dependent 5‐HT1AR internalization. In contrast, constitutive 5‐HT1AR internalization in ethanol‐treated cells was blocked by nystatin but not by ConA, indicating that constitutive 5‐HT1AR internalization switched from a clathrin‐ to a caveolin‐dependent pathway. Dynasore, an inhibitor of dynamin, blocked 5‐HT1AR internalization in both vehicle‐ and ethanol‐treated cells. Furthermore, ethanol exposure enhanced the activity of dynamin I via dephosphorylation and reduced myosin Va levels, which may contribute to increased internalization and reduced recycling of 5‐HT1ARs, respectively. Our findings suggest that prolonged ethanol exposure not only alters the endocytic trafficking of 5‐HT1ARs but also the mechanism by which constitutive 5‐HT1AR internalization occurs.

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Communication training programmes for informal caregivers of people living with dementia: A systematic review
Authors: Perkins Luke , Felstead Cerne , Stott Joshua , Spector Aimee
Published: December 2021

Aims and Objectives

Current research suggests that communication training programmes for caregivers of people living with dementia can benefit both parties by improving communication, quality of life and stress. Previous reviews in this area focus on mixed samples of formal and informal caregivers. This review aimed to evaluate current research for trainings specifically for informal caregivers, including the research quality and the key training components.

Design and Methods

The review followed the PRISMA research reporting checklist. The electronic databases CINAHL, Embase, Medline and Psychinfo and reference lists of included literature were searched for studies relevant to the aims. Of the 45 identified studies, 36 were excluded based on pre‐specified criteria. Nine studies were included in the final review and subject to quality appraisal using the Qualsyst tool.

Results

The included studies’ programmes averaged 5 to 6 hours in length over four to five sessions, were mostly face to face in both group and individual settings and were developed using various communication and psychological theories. Studies demonstrated variable quality and outcomes, making it difficult to identify optimal components. However, careful consideration of different factors enabled some suggestions for training dose, delivery method, content and outcomes to measure.

Conclusions

Communication training programmes can benefit people living with dementia and their informal caregivers in outcomes such as communication skills and quality of life. Suggestions are made on the training components that optimise these benefits.

Relevance to clinical practice

Given the clear benefits on outcomes such as quality of life, there is a need for communication trainings to be offered in clinical contexts. However, given the limited pool of variable quality research and lack of accessible manuals, it is unlikely that this is the case. Consolidating and widening the evidence through further research is essential in making these trainings more widely available.
Genetic variation of infection degrees to blast disease among rice genotypes
Authors: Hubballi Manjunath , Pandey Abhay K. , Giriyappa Rajesha
Published: December 2021

The blast of rice caused by Pyricularia oryzae is a disease prevalent throughout the world. The pathogen overwintering in rice straw and stubble for many years makes disease mitigation difficult. Among all available methods of managing disease, the use of resistant varieties is an economical approach. The objective of this study was to identify genotypes with slow‐blasting that could be used in breeding resistant hybrids. A total of 25 rice genotypes with different combinations of resistance genes were tested in 2013 and 2014 for rice blast resistance. The reactions of genotypes varied from highly resistant to highly susceptible. Of the 25 genotypes tested in 2013, only three were highly resistant to leaf blast (disease score: 1), while Rasi and RamanadStr3 were resistant (disease score: 2). Genotypes Co39 and HR12 were highly susceptible recording a disease score of 8 and the remaining genotypes were classified as susceptible with scores ranging from 5 to 7. In 2014, only Tetep genotype was found highly resistant to leaf blast with disease score ‘1’, and genotypes NILA57, RamanadStr3, Shia‐tia‐tsao, IR64, Rasi, and Tadukan were resistant with disease scores ranging from 2 to 3. The remaining genotypes were susceptible to leaf blast with disease scores of 4–7 and two genotypes Co39 and HR12 were highly susceptible to leaf blast (disease scores: 8–9). For neck blast, all genotypes were resistant (disease scores: 0–3) in both years except for CO39 and HR12, which were recorded as moderately resistant in 2013 and resistant in 2014. Based on 2 years of data on the apparent rate of infection, area under the disease progress curve, and components of slow‐blasting, the genotypes viz., IR64, Tadukan, Rasi, Tetep, and RamanadStr3 were identified as slow‐blasting types. Hence, these genotypes can be harnessed to develop blast‐resistant varieties in rice breeding programmes.
Body composition correlates with laboratory parameters and disease severity in infants with biliary atresia
Authors: Marderfeld Luba , Waisbourd‐Zinman Orith , Biran Neta , Rozenfeld Bar‐Lev Michal , Silbermintz Ari , Poraz Irit , Reznik Dana , Jack Yifat , Mozer Glassberg Yael , Shamir Raanan
Published: December 2021

Aim

Infants with biliary atresia (BA) generally have chronic malnutrition. However, the best anthropometric measure to assess malnutrition and its correlation with disease severity is unknown. We aimed to assess correlations of various anthropometric measurements, including air displacement plethysmography (ADP), with laboratory parameters and with the pediatric end‐stage liver disease (PELD) score in infants with BA.

Methods

Infants with BA were followed at a pediatric liver transplantation center during 2014–2018. Follow‐up comprised laboratory tests and nutritional assessment by a dietitian including dietary intake, weight, height, mid‐upper arm circumference (MUAC), and skin‐fold thickness. Fat‐free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) were measured by ADP.

Results

Forty‐three nutritional evaluations were performed in 28 infants with BA (13 boys, 44.4%). The median age was 20.7 weeks (IQR: 13–25.9). Based on the various anthropometry modalities, infants with BA were found to be malnourished on most of the visits; 63% had a MUAC‐Z score lower than −2 standard deviations. High serum bilirubin level predicted lower weight for age, length for age, and MUAC‐Z. Lower MUAC‐Z was associated with a higher PELD score. Neither FM mass nor FFM correlated with PELD or with serum bilirubin level. However, FM correlated with skin‐fold thickness‐Z and was low in most patients.

Conclusions

The majority of BA infants suffer from malnutrition as assessed by most anthropometrics modalities; low MUAC correlated best with disease severity and serum bilirubin level. Further studies are warranted to determine the contribution of FM measurement by ADP to the anthropometric assessment of infants with BA.
CLOUD-BASED TEMPERATURE MONITORING MECHANISM FOR COVID-19 PANDEMIC TRACKING
Authors: Tung Lun Loo , Swee Chin Tam , Ishak Mohamad Khairi , Mohd Asaari Mohd Shahrimie
Published: December 2021

The unprecedented outbreak of novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) globally has a huge impact to our daily life in numerous ways. To effectively minimize the spread of the virus, early symptom detection is crucial, especially in closed environment with high human traffic areas which post higher chances of human-to-human transmission. Body temperature measurement has been identified among the vital monitoring parameters. However, current available temperature monitoring mechanism is costly, limited to single individual and limited to locally without integrating to cloud and database. This led to difficulty in effective surveillance for suspicious COVID cases. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to introduce an end-to-end Internet of Things-enabled application for thermal monitoring as an early signal detection and screening method. This work integrates Raspberry Pi, thermal sensor, LCD display, buzzer, and LED light with Raspbian and Restful API for device-to-cloud communication. The system implemented is capable for user identification, body temperature remote monitoring and warning signal for fever symptoms. The result of this real-time system is capable to detect and screen the suspected contagious person in an organization effectively. Future works on integrating face recognition with machine learning and artificial intelligent enhancement.
DEVELOPMENT OF LOCATION ESTIMATION ALGORITHM UTILIZING RSSI FOR LORA POSITIONING SYSTEM
Authors: Kavetha S. , Ja'afar A. S. , Aziz M. Z. A. , Isa A. A. M. , Johal M. S. , Hashim N. M. Z.
Published: December 2021

LoRa is identified as Long-Range low power network technology for Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) usage. Nowadays, Global Positioning System (GPS) is an important system which is used for location and navigation predominantly used in outdoor but less accurate in indoor environment. Most of LoRa technology have been used on the internet-of-things (ioT) but very few use it as localization system. In this project, a GPS-less solution is proposed where LoRa Positioning System was developed which consists of LoRa transmitter, LoRa transceiver and LoRa receiver. The system has been developed by collecting the RSSI which is then used for the distance estimation. Next, Kalman filter with certain model has been implemented to overcome the effect of multipath fading especially for indoor environment and the trilateration technique is applied to estimate the location of the user. Both distribution estimation results for Line-Of-Sight (LOS) and Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) condition were analyzed. Then, the comparison RMSE achievement is analyzed between the trilateration and with the Kalman Filter. GPS position also were collected as comparison to the LoRa based positioning. Lastly, the Cumulative Density Function (CDF) shows 90% of the localization algorithm error for LOS is lower than 0.82 meters while for NLOS is 1.17 meters.
Robust Predictive Energy Management of Connected Power-Split Hybrid Electric Vehicles Using Dynamic Traffic Data
Authors: Sotoudeh Seyedeh Mahsa , HomChaudhuri Baisravan
Published: December 2021

This research focuses on the predictive energy management of connected human-driven hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) to improve their fuel efficiency while robustly satisfying system constraints. We propose a hierarchical control framework that effectively exploits long-term and short-term decision-making benefits by integrating real-time traffic data into the energy management strategy. A pseudo-spectral optimal controller (PSOC) with discounted cost is utilized at the high level to find an approximate optimal solution for the entire driving cycle. At the low-level, a long short-term memory neural network (NN) is developed for higher quality velocity predictions over the low-level's short time horizons. Tube-based model predictive controller is then used at the low level to ensure constraints satisfaction in the presence of velocity prediction errors. Simulation results over real-world traffic data show an improvement in fuel economy for the proposed controller that is real-time applicable and robust to the driving cycle's uncertainty.
Real-Time Ecodriving Control in Electrified Connected and Autonomous Vehicles Using Approximate Dynamic Programing
Authors: Deshpande Shreshta Rajakumar , Gupta Shobhit , Gupta Abhishek , Canova Marcello
Published: December 2021

Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs), particularly those with a hybrid electric powertrain, have the potential to significantly improve vehicle energy savings in real-world driving conditions. In particular, the ecodriving problem seeks to design optimal speed and power usage profiles based on available information from connectivity and advanced mapping features to minimize the fuel consumption over an itinerary. This paper presents a hierarchical multilayer model predictive control (MPC) approach for improving the fuel economy of a 48 V mild-hybrid powertrain in a connected vehicle environment. Approximate dynamic programing (DP) is used to solve the receding horizon optimal control problem, whose terminal cost is approximated with the base policy obtained from the long-term optimization. The controller was tested virtually (with deterministic and Monte Carlo simulation) across multiple real-world routes, demonstrating energy savings of more than 20%. The controller was then deployed on a test vehicle equipped with a rapid prototyping embedded controller. In-vehicle testing confirm the energy savings obtained in simulation and demonstrate the real-time ability of the controller.
Survey Use to Validate Engineering Methodology and Enhance System Safety
Authors: Corrado Jonathan K.
Published: December 2021

Surveys and the resulting data provide powerful insights to an item or concept being assessed. Not only do they garner feedback that can be used to enhance the item, but, in the instance of this article, they can enhance the validity of positive change via novel concepts prior to spending the time and money in incorporating these concepts and running the risk of negligible meaningful return. In an effort to ensure the validity of proposed novel methods in a design engineering context, a survey was developed and administered to engineering subject matter experts. This was done to not only ensure that the proposed methods would be viable if implemented but gave confidence in the results of the research that drove the method development. This assessment activity served as a risk reduction activity to ensure smooth implementation of the methods from both an efficiency standpoint and, most importantly, as part of maximizing system safety. This paper discusses the composition and considerations of the survey administered in the research study, in addition to the survey results with the intention of providing a format for others in a similar context to glean from and, if practical, replicate the method.
Neural Network-Based Electric Vehicle Range Prediction for Smart Charging Optimization
Authors: Eagon Matthew J. , Kindem Daniel K. , Panneer Selvam Harish , Northrop William F.
Published: December 2021

Range prediction is a standard feature in most modern road vehicles, allowing drivers to make informed decisions about when to refuel. Most vehicles make range predictions through data- or model-driven means, monitoring the average fuel consumption rate or using a tuned vehicle model to predict fuel consumption. The uncertainty of future driving conditions makes the range prediction problem challenging, particularly for less pervasive battery electric vehicles (BEV). Most contemporary machine learning-based methods attempt to forecast the battery SOC discharge profile to predict vehicle range. In this work, we propose a novel approach using two recurrent neural networks (RNNs) to predict the remaining range of BEVs and the minimum charge required to safely complete a trip. Each RNN has two outputs that can be used for statistical analysis to account for uncertainties; the first loss function leads to mean and variance estimation (MVE), while the second results in bounded interval estimation (BIE). These outputs of the proposed RNNs are then used to predict the probability of a vehicle completing a given trip without charging, or if charging is needed, the remaining range and minimum charging required to finish the trip with high probability. Training data was generated using a low-order physics model to estimate vehicle energy consumption from historical drive cycle data collected from medium-duty last-mile delivery vehicles. The proposed method demonstrated high accuracy in the presence of day-to-day route variability, with the root-mean-square error (RMSE) below 6% for both RNN models.
Enabling Artificial Intelligence Studies in Off-Road Mobility Through Physics-Based Simulation of Multiagent Scenarios
Authors: Young Aaron , Taves Jay , Elmquist Asher , Benatti Simone , Tasora Alessandro , Serban Radu , Negrut Dan
Published: December 2021

We describe a simulation environment that enables the design and testing of control policies for off-road mobility of autonomous agents. The environment is demonstrated in conjunction with the training and assessment of a reinforcement learning policy that uses sensor fusion and interagent communication to enable the movement of mixed convoys of human-driven and autonomous vehicles. Policies learned on rigid terrain are shown to transfer to hard (silt-like) and soft (snow-like) deformable terrains. The environment described performs the following: multivehicle multibody dynamics cosimulation in a time/space-coherent infrastructure that relies on the Message Passing Interface standard for low-latency parallel computing; sensor simulation (e.g., camera, GPU, IMU); simulation of a virtual world that can be altered by the agents present in the simulation; training that uses reinforcement learning to “teach” the autonomous vehicles to drive in an obstacle-riddled course. The software stack described is open source. Relevant movies: Project Chrono. Off-road AV simulations, 20202.
Atomic layer etching of SiO2 with self-limiting behavior on the surface modification step using sequential exposure of HF and NH3
Authors: Miyoshi Nobuya , Kobayashi Hiroyuki , Shinoda Kazunori , Kurihara Masaru , Kawamura Kohei , Kouzuma Yutaka , Izawa Masaru
Published: December 2021

Thermal atomic layer etching (ALE) for SiO2 films with self-limiting behavior on the surface modification step was developed using sequential exposure to HF and NH3 gases followed by infrared (IR) annealing. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis showed that an (NH4)2SiF6-based surface-modified layer was formed on the SiO2 surface after gas exposures and that this layer was removed using IR annealing. The etch per cycle (EPC) of the ALE process saturated at 0.9 nm/cycle as the gas exposure times increased. With this self-limiting behavior, SiO2 was etched with high selectivity to poly-Si and Si3N4. The dependence of the EPC on the partial pressures of HF and NH3 was found to be in good agreement with the Langmuir adsorption model. This indicated that the HF and NH­3 molecules were in equilibrium between adsorption and desorption during the exposure, which resulted in the self-limiting formation of the modified layer. In addition to the process with an HF gas flow, it was demonstrated that an H2/SF6 plasma can replace the HF gas exposure step to supply the SiO2 surfaces with HF molecules. The EPC saturated at 2.7 nm/cycle, while no measurable thickness change was observed for poly-Si and Si3N4 films.
Behavior of the field enhancement due to mutual depolarization on a pair of triangular emitters at short and large separations
Authors: de Carvalho Neto Edgar Marcelino
Published: December 2021

The Schwarz-Christoffel transformation is used to analytically evaluate the Field Enhancement Factor (FEF) in the vicinity of the apex of two isosceles triangular emitters close to each other. It is shown that the fractional reduction between the apex-FEF of a single triangular emitter and this same FEF evaluated when another identical emitter is placed close to it, −δ, may be well described by an exponential or a power-law behavior involving the ratio between the distance and the height of the emitters and/or their aspect-ratios at different regimes. This way the analytical model presented here intends to investigate the existence of universal depolarization laws for non-cylindrical emitters used in different scientific and technological applications involving large area field emitters. The results obtained here show a quadratic power-law decay of the fractional reduction with respect to the ratio between the distance and the height of the emitters for asymptotically large distances between them. This differs from the cubic decay frequently verified in the literature for three-dimensional structures but the robustness of this exponent, which remains independent of the aspect-ratio of the emitters, is also reinforced.
Associations Between Planned Exercise, Walking, Incidental Physical Activity, and Habit Strength in Older People: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Andrews Sophie C. , Parekh Dinaz , Brady Brooke , Delbaere Kim , Hamidul Huque Md , Killcross Simon , Anstey Kaarin J.
Published: December 2021

Habits play an important role in physical activity (PA) engagement; however, these associations in older people are not well understood. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between engagement in types of PA and their automaticity in older people, using an observational, cross-sectional design. Current hours engaged in planned exercise (excluding walking), planned walking, and incidental activities and the automaticity of those PA behaviors were measured in 127 community-dwelling Australians aged 65 years and older via an online questionnaire. After controlling for demographic and health factors (age, gender, education level, body mass index, history of falls, and anxiety and depression symptoms), higher automaticity scores were associated with more hours undertaking planned walking and incidental activity but not planned exercise. Although preliminary, these findings indicate that the role of habit in maintaining PA in older people may, therefore, differ depending on the type of activity.