bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vehicle Trajectory Control and Signal Timing Optimization of Isolated Intersection under V2X Environment
Authors: Zou Yazhu , Li Moyan , Guo Jiabo , Yao Enjian , Chen Rongsheng
Published: June 2023

This study proposes a two-level optimization model system for vehicle control and signal timing at isolated signal intersections under the mixed traffic flow environment composed of intelligent connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) and connected human-driven vehicles (CHVs), to minimize the energy consumption and vehicle delay at intersections. The proposed two-layer optimization model is composed of a two-layer vehicle trajectory control model and a fuzzy control signal timing optimization model. The two-layer vehicle trajectory control model includes a signal-oriented vehicle trajectory control model and a car-following oriented vehicle trajectory control model. The former calculates expected acceleration and speed commands at each time step according to the coming signal information, to help vehicle pass the closest signal intersection without stopping during the green light interval; the latter uses the variable headway (VTH) strategy to follow the preceding vehicle by maintaining a safe distance. A microscopic simulator based on SUMO is developed to test the performance of the proposed optimization algorithm. In the simulation experiment, with the driving characteristics of CHV drivers considered, the results show that our model performs well under a CAV penetration rate of 30%–60% and under small or moderate levels of traffic flow. The average waiting time of vehicles is reduced by about 25% compared with the uncontrolled scheme. Under the condition of penetration rate of 60%, the average energy consumption of vehicles in the proposed model is 17.56% lower than that of the uncontrolled scheme. In addition, the proposed model reduces by 21.94% compared with the scheme of only controlling vehicles. When the traffic flow is at a low or medium level, the average energy consumption and waiting time of vehicles are reduced by nearly 35% with the proposed model.
Metabolic Imaging as a Tool to Characterize Chemoresistance and Guide Therapy in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer (TNBC)
Authors: Sunassee Enakshi D. , Jardim-Perassi Bruna Victorasso , Madonna Megan C. , Ordway Bryce , Ramanujam Nirmala
Published: June 2023

After an initial response to chemotherapy, tumor relapse is frequent. This event is reflective of both the spatiotemporal heterogeneities of the tumor microenvironment as well as the evolutionary propensity of cancer cell populations to adapt to variable conditions. Because the cause of this adaptation could be genetic or epigenetic, studying phenotypic properties such as tumor metabolism is useful as it reflects molecular, cellular, and tissue-level dynamics. In triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), the characteristic metabolic phenotype is a highly fermentative state. However, during treatment, the spatial and temporal dynamics of the metabolic landscape are highly unstable, with surviving populations taking on a variety of metabolic states. Thus, longitudinally imaging tumor metabolism provides a promising approach to inform therapeutic strategies, and to monitor treatment responses to understand and mitigate recurrence. Here we summarize some examples of the metabolic plasticity reported in TNBC following chemotherapy and review the current metabolic imaging techniques available in monitoring chemotherapy responses clinically and preclinically. The ensemble of imaging technologies we describe has distinct attributes that make them uniquely suited for a particular length scale, biological model, and/or features that can be captured. We focus on TNBC to highlight the potential of each of these technological advances in understanding evolution-based therapeutic resistance.
Data from Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor (GM-CSF) Influence on Soluble and Membrane Bound ICOS in Combination with Immune Checkpoint Blockade
Authors: Li Xiaoyu , Li Jingjing , zheng Yue , Lee Sandra J. , Zhou Jun , Giobbie-Hurder Anita , Butterfield Lisa H. , Dranoff Glenn , Hodi F. Stephen.
Published: June 2023

Abstract
With the successful development of immune checkpoint blockade, there remains the continued need to improve efficacy and decrease toxicities. The addition of GM-CSF to ipilimumab has previously demonstrated both an improvement in efficacy and decrease in the incidence of high-grade adverse events. ICOS+CD4+ or ICOS+CD8+ peripheral blood T cells are significantly greater in the patients treated with ipilimumab plus GM-CSF than in the patients treated with ipilimumab alone. To better understand the effects of GM-CSF on ICOS and clinical outcomes, the relative roles of identified soluble ICOS and membrane-bound ICOS were evaluated. The ICOS splice variant was secreted and found to have immunologic suppressive effects. Changes in soluble ICOS splice variant levels in treated patients correlated with clinical outcomes. GM-CSF enhanced membrane-bound ICOS in an IL12-dependent manner but did not increase soluble ICOS levels. Whereas soluble ICOS plays a role in immune suppression, GM-CSF efficacy involves increasing membrane-bound ICOS and induction of dendritic cell development. Thus, soluble ICOS splice variants may be used as a biomarker for GM-CSF and immune checkpoint blockade-based therapies.
Avian biodiversity assessment studies in a Neotropical wetland – the combination of sampling methods makes the difference
Authors: Deus Filipe Ferreira de , Schuchmann Karl-L. , Tissiani Ana Silvia de Oliveira , Nogueira Wagner , Marques Marinêz Isaac
Published: June 2023

In studies of avian diversity, many different methods have been applied. Since methodological approaches may affect research results, the choice of a given methodology must be consistent with the scientific objectives. The aim of this study was to investigate how different methodologies with their intrinsic limitations help detect and monitor birds to evaluate how they complement each other in the survey of species. Three different assessment methods, mist nets, point counts, and autonomous acoustic recordings were used to serve this purpose in a study of different Pantanal habitats, such as savannas and forests. The point counts detected more species (126 species) than the two other methods autonomous acoustic recordings (113 species) and mist nets (79 species). We observed significant differences in the number of species detected by mist nets and the other two methods. Each survey method identified exclusive species. When comparing habitats, all three methods showed significant differences in bird species composition. Savannas were richer in bird species than forests, and replacement was the main driver responsible for the differences in beta diversity between the habitats. The three methodologies, when applied together, proved to be complementary in avian species detection.
Modified Dual-Zone Therapeutic Concept of Single Immediate Implants with Bone and Soft Tissue Augmentation: Technical Report with Three Cases
Authors: Do Jonathan H
Published: June 2023

Although connective tissue grafts (CTGs) have been found to increase gingival thickness and reduce facial gingival recession in immediate implant placement and provisionalization (IIPP), they are associated with significant loss of buccal bone thickness. This loss is thought to be related to the preparation of the facial CTG recipient site. This technical report presents a modified dual-zone therapeutic concept in which the bone zone is grafted with bone graft and the tissue zone is grafted with tuberosity CTG without elevation of a facial partial- or full-thickness envelope.
Fragment Reattachment: A 4-Year Case Report of Uncomplicated Dental Fractures
Authors: Almulhim Khalid S , Oliveira-Haas Luana
Published: June 2023

Two fractured maxillary central incisors were restored via the crown fragment reattachment technique with adhesive systems and composite resin material. A long-term successful outcome was achieved after 4 years of follow-up. The patient presented with fractured maxillary central incisors, and a comprehensive intraoral and radiographic examination revealed that both teeth had extended crown fractures with no pulpal exposure (Class II, Ellis and Davey). The tooth fragments were thoroughly cleaned and inspected before being repositioned. Both fragments were in excellent condition with almost no pieces missing. Therefore, the proposed treatment was fragment reattachment. After verifying the repositioning and adaptation of the fractured fragments, a flowable composite was used to perform the reattachment procedure under rubber dam isolation. With modern dental adhesives, the reattachment of tooth fragments in good condition is considered a more conservative option for restoring tooth morphology, esthetics, and function. Although one tooth showed signs of irreversible pulpitis and required root canal treatment 2 weeks after the restoration, the clinical and radiographic evaluations at the 4-year follow-up visits confirmed the success of the restorative treatment. The restorations showed good functional and esthetic outcomes after 4 years of follow-up.
Change in Caregiver Health-Related Quality of Life From Before to Early After Surgery: SUSTAIN-IT Study
Authors: Chuzi Sarah , Wilcox Jane E. , Kao Andrew , Spertus John A. , Hsich Eileen , Dew Mary Amanda , Yancy Clyde W. , Pham Duc T. , Hartupee Justin , Petty Michael , Cotts William , Pamboukian Salpy V. , Pagani Francis D. , Lampert Brent , Johnson Maryl , Murray Margaret , Takeda Koji , Yuzefpolskaya Melana , Silvestry Scott , Kirklin James K. , Wu Tingqing , Andrei Adin-Cristian , Baldridge Abigail , Grady Kathleen L.
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND:

Information about health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among caregivers of older patients with heart failure who receive heart transplantation (HT) and mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is sparse. We describe differences and factors associated with change in HRQOL before and early post-surgery among caregivers of older heart failure patients who underwent 3 surgical therapies: HT with pretransplant MCS (HT MCS), HT without pretransplant MCS (HT non-MCS), and long-term MCS.

METHODS:

Caregivers of older patients (60–80 years) from 13 US sites completed the EQ-5D-3 L visual analog scale (0 [worst]–100 [best] imaginable health state) and dimensions before and 3 and 6 months post-surgery. Analyses included linear regression,
t
tests, and nonparametric tests.

RESULTS:

Among 227 caregivers (HT MCS=54, HT non-MCS=76, long-term MCS=97; median age 62.7 years, 30% male, 84% White, 83% spouse/partner), EQ-5D visual analog scale scores were high before (84.8±14.1) and at 3 (84.7±13.0) and 6 (83.9±14.7) months post-surgery, without significant differences among groups or changes over time. Patient pulmonary hypertension presurgery (β=−13.72 [95% CI, −21.07 to −6.36];
P
<0.001) and arrhythmia from 3 to 6 months post-operatively (β=−14.22 [95% CI, −27.41 to −1.02];
P
=0.035) were associated with the largest decrements in caregiver HRQOL; patient marital/partner status (β=6.21 [95% CI, 1.34–11.08];
P
=0.013) and presurgery coronary disease (β=8.98 [95% CI, 4.07–13.89];
P
<0.001) were associated with the largest improvements.

CONCLUSIONS:

Caregivers of older patients undergoing heart failure surgeries reported overall high HRQOL before and early post-surgery. Understanding factors associated with caregiver HRQOL may inform decision-making and support needs.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://www.clinicaltrials.gov
; Unique identifier: NCT02568930.
Discrimination Between Pre‐ and Postcapillary Pulmonary Hypertension Using Platelet RNA
Authors: Arkani Mohammad , Kianzad Azar , Jansen Samara , Smits A. Josien , Post Edward , Ramaker Jip , Lagerweij Tonny , In’t Veld Sjors G. J. G. , Noske David P. , Vonk Noordegraaf Anton , Wurdinger Thomas , Best Myron G. , Bogaard Harm‐Jan
Published: June 2023

Background

Appropriate treatment of pulmonary hypertension (PH) is critically dependent on accurate discrimination between pre‐ and postcapillary PH. However, clinical discrimination is challenging and frequently requires a right heart catheterization. Existing risk scores to detect postcapillary PH have suboptimal discriminatory strength. We have previously shown that platelet‐derived RNA profiles may have diagnostic value for PH detection. Here, we hypothesize that platelet‐derived RNAs can be employed to select unique biomarker panels for the discrimination between pre‐ and postcapillary PH.

Methods and Results

Blood platelet RNA from whole blood was isolated and sequenced from 50 patients with precapillary PH (with different PH subtypes) as well as 50 patients with postcapillary PH. RNA panels were calculated by ANOVA statistics, and classifications were performed using a support vector machine algorithm, supported by particle swarm optimization. We identified in total 4279 different RNAs in blood platelets from patients with pre‐ and postcapillary PH. A particle swarm optimization–selected RNA panel of 1618 distinctive RNAs with differential levels together with a trained support vector machine algorithm accurately discriminated patients with precapillary PH from patients with postcapillary PH with 100% sensitivity, 60% specificity, 80% accuracy, and 0.95 (95% CI, 0.86–1.00) area under the curve in the independent validation series (n=20).

Conclusions

This proof‐of‐concept study demonstrates that particle swarm optimization/support vector machine–enhanced classification of platelet RNA panels may be able to discriminate precapillary PH from postcapillary PH. This research provides a foundation for the development of a blood test with a high negative predictive value that would improve early diagnosis of precapillary PH and prevents unnecessary invasive testing in patients with postcapillary PH.
Arrhythmias and Clinical Outcomes in a Swiss Multicenter Cohort of Patients With Dextro‐Transposition of the Great Arteries and Atrial Switch
Authors: Nozica Nikolas , Asatryan Babken , Aur Stefania , Clement Judith Bouchardy , Schwerzmann Markus , Guan Fu , Pascale Patrizio , Gass Matthias , Duru Firat , Reichlin Tobias , Pruvot Etienne , Wolber Thomas , Roten Laurent
Published: June 2023

Background

Data on the incidence of arrhythmias, associated cardiac interventions, and outcome in patients with dextro‐transposition of the great arteries and atrial switch are scarce.

Methods and Results

In this multicenter analysis, we included adult patients with dextro‐transposition of the great arteries and atrial switch regularly followed up at 3 Swiss tertiary care hospitals. The primary outcome was a composite of left ventricular assist device, heart transplantation, and death. The secondary outcome was occurrence of ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or sudden cardiac death. We identified 207 patients (34% women; median age at last follow‐up, 35 years) with dextro‐transposition of the great arteries and atrial switch. Arrhythmias occurred in 97 patients (47%) at a median age of 22 years. A pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator was implanted in 39 (19%) and 13 (6%) patients, respectively, and 33 (16%) patients underwent a total of 51 ablation procedures to target 60 intra‐atrial re‐entry tachycardias, 4 atrioventricular nodal re‐entry tachycardias, and 1 atrial fibrillation. The primary outcome occurred in 21 patients (10%), and the secondary outcome occurred in 18 patients (9%); both were more common in patients with concomitant ventricular septum defect than in those without (hazard ratio [HR], 3.06 [95% CI, 1.29–7.27],
P
=0.011; and HR, 3.62 [95% CI, 1.43–9.18],
P
=0.007, respectively).

Conclusions

In patients with dextro‐transposition of the great arteries and atrial switch reaching adulthood, arrhythmias occur in almost half of patients, and associated rhythm interventions are frequent. One‐tenth of those patients do not survive until the age of 35 years free from left ventricular assist device or heart transplantation, and the outcome is worse in patients with concomitant ventricular septum defect.
Associations Between Characteristics of Individuals With Fontan Circulation With Blood and Urine Biomarkers of Kidney Injury and Dysfunction
Authors: Katz David A. , Gao Zhiqian , Freytag Joshua , Mahendran Arjun , Szugye Cassandra , Woodly Shalayna , Alvarez T. Christine E. , Lubert Adam M. , Alsaied Tarek , Goldstein Stuart L. , Opotowsky Alexander R.
Published: June 2023

Background

Fontan circulation is associated with kidney injury and dysfunction, often unappreciated until Fontan circulatory failure. We hypothesized that cystatin C‐estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) would identify chronic kidney disease more frequently and that urine kidney injury biomarkers would be higher with declining Fontan physiological features.

Methods and Results

We enrolled 100 ambulatory individuals. Blood and urinary laboratory measurements were compared with demographics and clinically obtained data. Different eGFR equations were used for individuals aged ≥19 years and <19 years. Chronic kidney disease was defined as eGFR <90 mL/min per 1.73 m
2
. Median (25th–75th percentile) age was 19 (14–26) years, and 43% were female patients. Cystatin C eGFR detected chronic kidney disease (37%) in more patients than creatinine eGFR (11%). Cystatin C eGFR was positively associated, and skeletal muscle mass was negatively associated, with creatinine eGFR in both univariate (cystatin C eGFR β=0.44±0.12,
P
=0.0006; skeletal muscle mass β=−0.72±0.32,
P
=0.03) and multivariable analysis (cystatin C eGFR β=0.43±0.12,
P
=0.0005; skeletal muscle mass β=−0.69±0.29,
P
=0.02). Urine neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin concentration correlated with Fontan pressure (
r
=0.28;
P
=0.04), ventricular end‐diastolic pressure (
r
=0.28;
P
=0.04), and body fat mass (
r
=0.26;
P
=0.03).

Conclusions

Cystatin C eGFR identified more kidney dysfunction, likely attributable to creatinine eGFR being confounded by skeletal muscle mass. Elevated urine neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin was associated with worse Fontan hemodynamics and higher percentage body fat, suggesting that higher venous pressure and higher adiposity are associated with ongoing kidney injury.
Optimized Risk Score to Predict Mortality in Patients With Cardiogenic Shock in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit
Authors: Yamga Eric , Mantena Sreekar , Rosen Darin , Bucholz Emily M. , Yeh Robert W. , Celi Leo A. , Ustun Berk , Butala Neel M.
Published: June 2023

Background

Mortality prediction in critically ill patients with cardiogenic shock can guide triage and selection of potentially high‐risk treatment options.

Methods and Results

We developed and externally validated a checklist risk score to predict in‐hospital mortality among adults admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit with Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions Shock Stage C or greater cardiogenic shock using 2 real‐world data sets and Risk‐Calibrated Super‐sparse Linear Integer Modeling (RiskSLIM). We compared this model to those developed using conventional penalized logistic regression and published cardiogenic shock and intensive care unit mortality prediction models. There were 8815 patients in our training cohort (in‐hospital mortality 13.4%) and 2237 patients in our validation cohort (in‐hospital mortality 22.8%), and there were 39 candidate predictor variables. The final risk score (termed BOS,MA
2
) included maximum blood urea nitrogen ≥25 mg/dL, minimum oxygen saturation <88%, minimum systolic blood pressure <80 mm Hg, use of mechanical ventilation, age ≥60 years, and maximum anion gap ≥14 mmol/L, based on values recorded during the first 24 hours of intensive care unit stay. Predicted in‐hospital mortality ranged from 0.5% for a score of 0 to 70.2% for a score of 6. The area under the receiver operating curve was 0.83 (0.82–0.84) in training and 0.76 (0.73–0.78) in validation, and the expected calibration error was 0.9% in training and 2.6% in validation.

Conclusions

Developed using a novel machine learning method and the largest cardiogenic shock cohorts among published models, BOS,MA
2
is a simple, clinically interpretable risk score that has improved performance compared with existing cardiogenic‐shock risk scores and better calibration than general intensive care unit risk scores.
Continuous Theta-Burst Stimulation of the Contralesional Primary Motor Cortex for Promotion of Upper Limb Recovery After Stroke: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Vink Jord J.T. , van Lieshout Eline C.C. , Otte Willem M. , van Eijk Ruben P.A. , Kouwenhoven Mirjam , Neggers Sebastiaan F.W. , van der Worp H. Bart , Visser-Meily Johanna M.A. , Dijkhuizen Rick M.
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND:

Despite improvements in acute stroke therapies and rehabilitation strategies, many stroke patients are left with long-term upper limb motor impairment. We assessed whether an inhibitory repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment paradigm started within 3 weeks after stroke onset promotes upper limb motor recovery.

METHODS:

We performed a single-center randomized, sham-controlled clinical trial. Patients with ischemic stroke or intracerebral hemorrhage and unilateral upper limb motor impairment were randomized to 10 daily sessions of active or sham continuous theta-burst stimulation (cTBS) of the contralesional primary motor cortex combined with standard upper limb therapy, started within 3 weeks after stroke onset. The primary outcome was the change in the Action Research Arm Test score from baseline (pretreatment) at 3 months after stroke. Secondary outcomes included the score on the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months and the length of stay at the rehabilitation center. Statistical analyses were performed using mixed models for repeated measures.

RESULTS:

We enrolled 60 patients between April 2017 and February 2021, of whom 29 were randomized to active cTBS and 31 to sham cTBS. One patient randomized to active cTBS withdrew consent before the intervention and was excluded from the analyses. The mean difference in the change in Action Research Arm Test score from baseline at 3 months poststroke was 9.6 points ([95% CI, 1.2–17.9];
P
=0.0244) in favor of active cTBS. Active cTBS was associated with better scores on the modified Rankin Scale at 3 months (OR, 0.2 [95% CI, 0.1–0.8];
P
=0.0225) and with an 18 days shorter length of stay at the rehabilitation center than sham cTBS ([95% CI, 0.0–36.4];
P
=0.0494). There were no serious adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS:

Ten daily sessions of cTBS of the contralesional primary motor cortex combined with upper limb training, started within 3 weeks after stroke onset, promote recovery of the upper limb, reduce disability and dependence and leads to earlier discharge from the rehabilitation center.

REGISTRATION:

URL:
https://trialsearch.who.int/
; Unique identifier: NTR6133.
Transradial Versus Transfemoral Access for Mechanical Thrombectomy: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Elfil Mohamed , Ghaith Hazem S. , Doheim Mohamed F. , Aboutaleb Pakinam E. , Romeo Dominic , Salem Mohamed M. , Aladawi Mohammad , Jankowitz Brian T. , Burkhardt Jan‐Karl , Nguyen Thanh N. , Al‐Mufti Fawaz , Nogueira Raul G.
Published: June 2023

Background

In patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke, a few studies have compared transradial access (TRA) to transfemoral access (TFA) with inconsistent results. We conducted this systematic review and meta‐analysis to provide comprehensive evidence regarding the comparison of procedural and clinical outcomes of TRA versus TFA in patients with acute ischemic stroke undergoing mechanical thrombectomy.

Methods

We performed a comprehensive literature search of 4 electronic databases from inception until May 1, 2022. After title and full text screening, relevant data were extracted and then analyzed. For outcomes that constituted continuous data, the mean difference between the 2 groups and its SD were pooled. For outcomes that constituted dichotomous data, the frequency of events and the total number of patients in each group were pooled as odds ratio (OR) between the 2 groups.

Results

Nine observational studies were included in this meta‐analysis. The population of the studies was homogenous comprising a total of 2161 patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy, including 446 patients via TRA and 1715 patients via TFA. There were no significant differences across the 2 groups in terms of successful recanalization (OR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.55–1.25];
P
=0.36), complete recanalization (OR 1.16 [95% CI, 0.50–2.68];
P
=0.73), favorable functional outcomes (OR, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.53–1.41];
P
=0.56), first‐pass reperfusion (OR, 0.88 [95% CI, 0.64–1.19];
P
=0.41), number of passes (mean difference, 0.12 [95% CI, −0.18 to 0.42];
P
=0.43), access‐to‐reperfusion time (mean difference, −3.92 minutes [95% CI, −9.49 to 1.65];
P
=0.17), or symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (OR, 0.86 [95% CI, 0.47–1.57];
P
=0.62). However, access site complications were significantly less frequent in the TRA group as compared with the TFA group (OR, 0.18 [95% CI, 0.06–0.51;
P
=0.001).

Conclusion

In patients undergoing mechanical thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke, the collective evidence suggests that TRA seems to result in lower rates of access site complications than TFA without significant compromise in other clinical or procedural metrics. Randomized or prospective studies are warranted to confirm these results.
Instructional Coaching Personnel and Program Scalability
Authors: Blazar David , McNamara Doug , Blue Genine
Published: June 2023

Instructional coaching is an attractive alternative to one-size-fits-all teacher training and development in part because it is purposefully differentiated: Programming is aligned to individual teachers’ needs and implemented by an individual coach. But, how much of the benefit of coaching as an instructional improvement model depends on the specific coach with whom a teacher works? Collaborating with a national teacher training and development organization, TNTP, we find substantial variability in effectiveness across coaches in terms of changes in preservice teachers’ instructional practice (roughly 0.25 to 0.3 standard deviation from our preferred sample and models). The magnitude of coach effectiveness heterogeneity is quite similar to average coaching program effects on teaching practice identified in other research. Through a set of alternative model specifications and permutation tests, we rule out the possibility that our estimates of coach effectiveness heterogeneity are driven by nonrandom sorting of coaches to teachers, at least on observable characteristics available in our data, as well as the possibility that these estimates are simply statistical noise. These findings suggest that identifying, recruiting, and supporting highly skilled coaches will be key to scaling instructional coaching programs.
Unleashing the True Potential of Sequence-to-Sequence Models for Sequence Tagging and Structure Parsing
Authors: He Han , Choi Jinho D.
Published: June 2023

Sequence-to-Sequence (S2S) models have achieved remarkable success on various text generation tasks. However, learning complex structures with S2S models remains challenging as external neural modules and additional lexicons are often supplemented to predict non-textual outputs. We present a systematic study of S2S modeling using contained decoding on four core tasks: part-of-speech tagging, named entity recognition, constituency, and dependency parsing, to develop efficient exploitation methods costing zero extra parameters. In particular, 3 lexically diverse linearization schemas and corresponding constrained decoding methods are designed and evaluated. Experiments show that although more lexicalized schemas yield longer output sequences that require heavier training, their sequences being closer to natural language makes them easier to learn. Moreover, S2S models using our constrained decoding outperform other S2S approaches using external resources. Our best models perform better than or comparably to the state-of-the-art for all 4 tasks, lighting a promise for S2S models to generate non-sequential structures.
Human Responses to Climate Change in the Second Millennium AD
Authors: Chimwanda Acquiline
Published: June 2023

The history of past civilisations in southern Africa from AD 700 to AD 1450 has engendered unresolved debates on the social complexities and ultimate decline of these powerful states. The purpose of this paper is to examine the history of the Mapungubwe and Great Zimbabwe state systems in southern Africa through an environmental perspective by taking into consideration human responses to persistent droughts and dry spells. The theories underpinning this study are derived from contemporary societal responses to similar environmental hardships in the Bikita and Chivi districts of southern Zimbabwe. Using rainfall data, and interviews with chiefs, villagers, farmers and experts, this study notes that the occurrence of droughts and dry-spell experiences interfere with sociopolitical organisation. The concepts of sustainability, resilience and transformation are used to explain what could have transpired in societies in southern Africa in the second millennium AD in the face of persistent droughts and dry spells.
Missionaries’ Children and the Bible: A Critical Response to Some Theological and Missiological Views
Authors: Bakker Freek L.
Published: June 2023

This article scrutinizes some biblical texts playing an important role in motivating missionaries to separate from their children on a young age so that they were able to receive proper school education. The children received this schooling on a place far away and often also in another country. Thorough analysis demonstrates that the meaning of these texts was almost always different from the sense many missionaries and mission organizations extracted from them. Mirabile dictu these biblical pericopes were very seldom discussed within missiological academic literature.
Biomimicry in STEM Education
Authors: Vasinayanuwatana Thanika , Plianram Suwannee
Published: June 2023

The integration of biomimicry with the biology subject was proposed as a teaching approach that was a productive way to support a group of pre-service teachers to teach STEM. This article focuses on the pre-service teachers’ perceptions of biomimicry, designing, and transformation of the design to teach STEM procedures. The study was set up in the context of a compulsory course during pandemics. A qualitative case study was used. The data were collected and analyzed by using descriptive and inductive thematic analysis. For the findings, the majority of pre-service teachers perceived biomimicry by connecting it to the basic knowledge of evolution theory. Two main approaches of noticeable biomimicry design which were performed by the pre-service teachers consisted of identifying problems to biology, and examining nature to design. This study has implications for educators trying to establish biomimicry activities to support and develop science teachers to take on the challenge in STEM teaching.
Reviewing Design Thinking in and out of Education
Authors: Park Hyejin , Kim Mi Song , Ifewulu Henrietta Amaka
Published: June 2023

Design thinking has gained increasing importance in addressing the challenges faced in diverse fields. Even so, although various concepts and definitions of design thinking have been discussed in the previous literature, it still seems to be a vague area where researchers have a limited understanding of its process and methodologies and how it can be utilized effectively. Meanwhile, education is one of the domains where design thinking has been adopted; however, educational researchers still need to work on defining what it means to design thinkers in teaching and learning contexts. To address these challenges, this review research comprehensively investigates research trends in design thinking in and out of education during the past 20 years. Conducting a scientometric analysis and visualization, how design thinking has been developed was explored, comparing key topics and research evolution in education with those in non-educational domains. Implications derived from the findings are addressed.
Impact of Mode-S Enhanced Surveillance Weather Observations on Weather Forecasts over the MetCoOp Northern European Model Domain
Authors: Lindskog Magnus , Azad Roohollah , de Haan Siebren , Blomster Jesper , Ridal Martin
Published: June 2023

Meteorological Cooperation on Operational Numeric Weather Prediction (MetCoOp) is a northern European collaboration on operational numerical weather prediction based on a common limited-area, kilometer-scale ensemble system. The initial states of this model are produced using a three-dimensional, variational, data assimilation scheme utilizing a large number of observations from conventional in situ measurements, weather radars, global navigation satellite systems, advanced scatterometer data, and satellite radiances. Since 2019, the MetCoOp system was enhanced by utilization of observations based on selective mode (Mode-S) enhanced surveillance (EHS) reports that are broadcast by aircraft in response to interrogation from air traffic control radar. These observations, obtained from the European Meteorological Aircraft Derived Data Center, are used to derive indirect information of atmospheric wind speed and temperature. The use of these observations compensated for the considerably reduced number of direct aircraft observations encountered as an effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The MetCoOp observation handling system is described, with emphasis on Mode-S EHS data. The quality of these observations is evaluated, and we show that they are suitable to be used in MetCoOp data assimilation. The impact on average forecast verification scores of the additional Mode-S EHS data is slightly positive. The benefit of using Mode-S EHS was demonstrated for an individual case and also a demonstration of utilizing the Stockholm Arlanda receiver data in assimilation has been performed.
Validity Index for Clustered Data in Non-negative Space
Authors: Modak Soumita
Published: June 2023

We propose a novel nonparametric cluster validity index which can be used to evaluate the unknown number of existing clusters prevailing a data set, to assess the quality of classification for a clustered set of data members, or to compare the clustering output obtained from different algorithms. Our efficient measure depends only on the observation-wise distances of the non-negative clustered data from their origin given in an arbitrary dimensional space. Its fast implementation makes it appealing for big data analysis, whereas the high-dimensional applicability widens its usefulness. Easy interpretation, simple algorithm, speedy computation and great performance, shown in terms of data study, establish our advised validity index as a strong cluster accuracy measure among the acknowledged ones from the literature.

AMS subject classification: 62H30
A study on the clinical spectrum of Hepatitis C virus infection from a tertiary care center in Sub-Himalayan India—spontaneous clearance, a neglected phenomenon
Authors: Chatterjee Kuhu , Kalita Deepjyoti , Omar Balram Ji , Gupta Rohit , Gupta Pratima
Published: June 2023

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection has varied clinical manifestations. Noninvasive tools can be useful to assess the severity of liver disease and the rate of spontaneous clearance. HCV infection was determined by antibody or RNA-based tests over a period of 18 months in 8030 samples from the Gastroenterology department. Noninvasive indicators (AST-to-platelet ratio index and fibrosis-4 index) were computed. HCV RNA load was compared with Child–Turcotte–Pugh score. Rate of spontaneous clearance was estimated. About 3.2% of patients were found to have HCV. Fatigue, anorexia, and nausea were the primary complaints followed by ascites and encephalopathy. Extrahepatic features such as autoimmune hepatitis and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma were rare. There was an absence of advanced liver cirrhosis (κ = 0.96) in the majority of cases. Spontaneous HCV resolution was seen in 10.37%.
Pregnancy outcomes in 16 women with previous catheter-directed thrombolysis and stenting for acute left iliofemoral deep vein thrombosis
Authors: Zhou Yadong , Chen Yingying , Xue Ming , Zheng Xuexun , Guan Yunbiao
Published: June 2023

Background

Whether iliac vein stents affect pregnancy or whether they will be affected by pregnancy was rarely reported in the literature. The aim of this study was to report our experience of pregnancy in women who received thrombolysis and stenting for a previous deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

Methods

16 patients with previous stenting for treatment of acute left iliofemoral DVT who had subsequent pregnancies were identified. Patient demographic information and outcomes were recorded. Duplex scanning and venography were performed as scheduled to evaluate the patency of stents in perinatal period and at 12 months after delivery.

Results

None of the patients had a hemorrhagic complication and recurrent venous thromboembolism during their pregnancies and postpartum. No stent compression/occlusion and structural damage occurrence in all patients during follow-up.

Conclusion

Pregnancy managed with prophylactic dalteparin resulted in no re-thrombotic events or structural damage to the iliac stents and did not appear to negatively affect pregnancy outcomes.
Effect of dual physical modifications on structural and functional properties of gluten and whey protein: Ultrasound and microwave
Authors: Mastani Sayeh , Bahmanyar Fereshte , Shojaee-Aliabadi Saeedeh , Mirmoghtadaie Leila , Hosseini Seyede Marzieh
Published: June 2023

In this study, the effect of dual modification using ultrasound (100 and 300 W for 5, 10, and 15 min) and microwave (600 W for 45 s) treatments on functional properties of wheat gluten protein (WGP) and whey protein concentrate (WPC), as two by-products of food industry with different primary functional properties, was investigated. Ultrasound treatment did not affect the solubility of both proteins significantly but the emulsion and foam properties were increased up to 10 min. Nevertheless, microwave treatment after ultrasound caused a significant decrease in the solubility of both proteins. However, the foam stability of the WPC and WGP was not significantly modified after microwave treatment. The obtained results showed a more positive effect of ultrasound at 100 W for 10 min than other ultrasound treatments on the functional and structural properties of both proteins. The zeta potential of both proteins was decreased after dual physical modifications, but thermal stability of proteins was improved after microwave treatment.
The Now, New, and Next of Digital Leadership: How Artificial Intelligence (AI) Will Take Over and Change Leadership as We Know It
Authors: Quaquebeke Niels Van , Gerpott Fabiola H.
Published: June 2023

There is an emerging consensus that traditional management roles could—and maybe should—be performed by machines infused with Artificial Intelligence (AI). Yet, “true” leadership—that is, motivating and enabling people so that they can and will contribute to the collective goals of an organization—is still predominantly viewed as the prerogative of humans. With our opinion piece, we challenge this perspective. Our essay aims to be a wake-up call for large parts of academia and practice that romanticize human leadership and think that this bastion can never be overtaken by AI. We delineate why algorithms will not (need to) come to a halt before core characteristics of leadership and potentially cater better to employees’ psychological needs than human leaders. Against this background, conscious choices need to be made about what role humans are to play in the future of leadership. These considerations hold significant implications for the future of not only leadership research but also leadership education and development.
The Challenges of Education Development of Ethnic Minorities in Vietnam and Handling Solutions
Authors: Kiên Đoan Trung
Published: June 2023

Education for ethnic minorities (EM) in Vietnam faces different challenges. In each stage of the country’s development, it stands before the difficulties and problems rooted in various specific socio-economic and cultural factors. In the present, even though the government has put many efforts to develop EMs, the gap between the ethnic majority and EMs is still not narrowed, even unchanged in some aspects. Being one of the decisive factors for the development of EMs, education should be put in the centre of the efforts of the Vietnam government. This article analyses some challenges to the education development of EMs. The concept covering the contents of this article is that in any country, especially in Vietnam as a developing country, the government cannot narrow the development gap between ethnic majority Kinh on the one hand and EMs on the other hand if the latter’s right to education is not appropriately provided and duly implemented.
Indonesian Government Regulation on Heritage Registration
Authors: Qimyatussa’adah  , Sharma Mala
Published: June 2023

In January 2022, Indonesian Government Regulation No. 1 of 2022 (GR No 1 of 2022) on national heritage registration was released. This Government Regulation describes the national registration process for heritage, which can be carried out by all parties, allowing the wider community to participate in the acknowledgement and preservation of heritage assets. The issuance of GR No 1 of 2022 follows 12 years after the issuance of Law No. 11 of 2020 on heritage, because of the diversity of types of cultural heritage in Indonesia, which spans a large geographic area. The issuance of GR No 1 of 2022 was welcomed by numerous parties since it demonstrates the government of the Republic of Indonesia’s earnest endeavour to protect various cultural heritages in Indonesia. This rule clarifies the direction and aim of cultural growth. However, the lack of human resources in the field of heritage preservation, the damage of the heritage and the needs of other regulations on heritage are still being the challenges of heritage management in Indonesia.
Assumptions on decision making and environment can yield multiple steady states in microbial community models
Authors: Theorell Axel , Stelling Jörg
Published: June 2023

Background

Microbial community simulations using genome scale metabolic networks (GSMs) are relevant for many application areas, such as the analysis of the human microbiome. Such simulations rely on assumptions about the culturing environment, affecting if the culture may reach a metabolically stationary state with constant microbial concentrations. They also require assumptions on decision making by the microbes: metabolic strategies can be in the interest of individual community members or of the whole community. However, the impact of such common assumptions on community simulation results has not been investigated systematically.

Results

Here, we investigate four combinations of assumptions, elucidate how they are applied in literature, provide novel mathematical formulations for their simulation, and show how the resulting predictions differ qualitatively. Our results stress that different assumption combinations give qualitatively different predictions on microbial coexistence by differential substrate utilization. This fundamental mechanism is critically under explored in the steady state GSM literature with its strong focus on coexistence states due to crossfeeding (division of labor). Furthermore, investigating a realistic synthetic community, where the two involved strains exhibit no growth in isolation, but grow as a community, we predict multiple modes of cooperation, even without an explicit cooperation mechanism.

Conclusions

Steady state GSM modelling of microbial communities relies both on assumed decision making principles and environmental assumptions. In principle, dynamic flux balance analysis addresses both. In practice, our methods that address the steady state directly may be preferable, especially if the community is expected to display multiple steady states.
Pest status, molecular evolution, and epigenetic factors derived from the genome assembly of Frankliniella fusca, a thysanopteran phytovirus vector
Authors: Catto Michael A. , Labadie Paul E. , Jacobson Alana L. , Kennedy George G. , Srinivasan Rajagopalbabu , Hunt Brendan G.
Published: June 2023

Background

The tobacco thrips (Frankliniella fusca Hinds; family Thripidae; order Thysanoptera) is an important pest that can transmit viruses such as the tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus to numerous economically important agricultural row crops and vegetables. The structural and functional genomics within the order Thysanoptera has only begun to be explored. Within the > 7000 known thysanopteran species, the melon thrips (Thrips palmi Karny) and the western flower thrips (Frankliniella occidentalis Pergrande) are the only two thysanopteran species with assembled genomes.

Results

A genome of F. fusca was assembled by long-read sequencing of DNA from an inbred line. The final assembly size was 370 Mb with a single copy ortholog completeness of ~ 99% with respect to Insecta. The annotated genome of F. fusca was compared with the genome of its congener, F. occidentalis. Results revealed many instances of lineage-specific differences in gene content. Analyses of sequence divergence between the two Frankliniella species’ genomes revealed substitution patterns consistent with positive selection in ~ 5% of the protein-coding genes with 1:1 orthologs. Further, gene content related to its pest status, such as xenobiotic detoxification and response to an ambisense-tripartite RNA virus (orthotospovirus) infection was compared with F. occidentalis. Several F. fusca genes related to virus infection possessed signatures of positive selection. Estimation of CpG depletion, a mutational consequence of DNA methylation, revealed that F. fusca genes that were downregulated and alternatively spliced in response to virus infection were preferentially targeted by DNA methylation. As in many other insects, DNA methylation was enriched in exons in Frankliniella, but gene copies with homology to DNA methyltransferase 3 were numerous and fragmented. This phenomenon seems to be relatively unique to thrips among other insect groups.

Conclusions

The F. fusca genome assembly provides an important resource for comparative genomic analyses of thysanopterans. This genomic foundation allows for insights into molecular evolution, gene regulation, and loci important to agricultural pest status.