bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Systematic Review on the Advanced Techniques of Wearable Point-of-Care Devices and Their Futuristic Applications
Authors: Prakashan Drishya , P R Ramya , Gandhi Sonu
Published: March 2023

Personalized point-of-care testing (POCT) devices, such as wearable sensors, enable quick access to health monitoring without the use of complex instruments. Wearable sensors are gaining popularity owing to their ability to offer regular and continuous monitoring of physiological data by dynamic, non-invasive assessments of biomarkers in biofluids such as tear, sweat, interstitial fluid and saliva. Current advancements have concentrated on the development of optical and electrochemical wearable sensors as well as advances in non-invasive measurements of biomarkers such as metabolites, hormones and microbes. For enhanced wearability and ease of operation, microfluidic sampling, multiple sensing, and portable systems have been incorporated with materials that are flexible. Although wearable sensors show promise and improved dependability, they still require more knowledge about interaction between the target sample concentrations in blood and non-invasive biofluids. In this review, we have described the importance of wearable sensors for POCT, their design and types of these devices. Following which, we emphasize on the current breakthroughs in the application of wearable sensors in the realm of wearable integrated POCT devices. Lastly, we discuss the present obstacles and forthcoming potentials including the use of Internet of Things (IoT) for offering self-healthcare using wearable POCT.
Aspergillus Sensitization and Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis in Asthmatic Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Agarwal Ritesh , Muthu Valliappan , Sehgal Inderpaul Singh , Dhooria Sahajal , Prasad Kuruswamy Thurai , Soundappan Kathirvel , Rudramurthy Shivaprakash Mandya , Aggarwal Ashutosh Nath , Chakrabarti Arunaloke
Published: March 2023

Background: The prevalence of aspergillus sensitization (AS) and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) in asthmatic children remains unclear. Objective: To systematically review the literature to estimate the prevalence of AS and ABPA in children with bronchial asthma. Methods: We searched the PubMed and Embase databases for studies reporting the prevalence of AS or ABPA in pediatric asthma. The primary outcome was to assess the prevalence of AS, while the secondary outcome was to evaluate the prevalence of ABPA. We pooled the prevalence estimates using a random effects model. We also calculated the heterogeneity and publication bias. Results: Of the 11,695 records retrieved, 16 studies with 2468 asthmatic children met the inclusion criteria. Most studies were published from tertiary centers. The pooled prevalence of AS in asthma (15 studies; 2361 subjects) was 16.1% (95% confidence intervals [CI], 9.3–24.3). The prevalence of AS was significantly higher in prospective studies, studies from India, and those from developing countries. The pooled prevalence of ABPA in asthma (5 studies; 505 children) was 9.9% (95% CI, 0.81–27.6). There was significant heterogeneity and publication bias for both outcomes. Conclusions: We found a high prevalence of AS and ABPA in asthmatic children. There is a need for community-based studies from different ethnicities using a standard methodology to ascertain the true prevalence of AS and ABPA in pediatric asthma.
The Characteristics of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Cutaneous Melanoma and the Particularities for Elderly Patients—Experience of a Single Clinic
Authors: Bobircă Florin , Tebeică Tiberiu , Pumnea Adela , Dumitrescu Dan , Alexandru Cristina , Banciu Laura , Popa Ionela Loredana , Bobircă Anca , Leventer Mihaela , Pătrașcu Traian
Published: March 2023

Background: Melanoma is a malignant tumor that determines approximately 80% of deaths as skin cancer-related. The sentinel lymph node (SLN) represents the first filter of tumor cells toward systemic dissemination. The primary objective was to outline the surgical specifics of the sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) technique, correlate the location of the lymph node with the radiotracer load, and identify the characteristics of older patients. Methods: In this prospective study, 122 cases of malignant melanoma needing SLNB technique were included, between June 2019 and November 2022, resulting in 162 lymph nodes removed. Results: Patients’ mean age was 54.3 ± 14.4 years old, the prevalence of 70 years and older being 20.5%. The rate of positive SLN was 24.6%, with a single drainage in 68.9% of cases. The frequency of seroma was 14.8%, while reintervention 1.6%. The inguinal nodes had the highest preoperative radiotracer load (p = 0.015). Patients 70 years old or older had significantly more advanced-stage melanoma (68.0% vs. 45.4%, p = 0.044, OR = 2.56) and a higher rate of positive SLN (40.0% vs. 20.6%, p = 0.045,OR = 2.57). Melanoma of the head and neck was more common among older individuals (32.0% vs. 9.3%, p = 0.007,OR = 4.60). Conclusions: The SLNB has a low rate of surgical complications and the positivity of SLN is not related to radiotracer load. Elderly patients are at risk for head and neck melanoma, have more advanced stages, a higher SLN positivity, and a greater rate of surgical complications.
Dual-UAV Payload Transportation Using Optimized Velocity Profiles via Real-Time Dynamic Programming
Authors: Mohiuddin Abdullah , Taha Tarek , Zweiri Yahya , Gan Dongming
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a real-time dynamic programming (RTDP) approach was developed for the first time to jointly carry a slung load using two unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with a trajectory optimized for time and energy consumption. The novel strategy applies RTDP algorithm, where the journey was discretized into horizons consisting of distance intervals, and for every distance interval, an optimal policy was obtained using a dynamic programming sweep. The RTDP-based strategy is applied for dual-UAV collaborative payload transportation using coordinated motion where UAVs act as actuators on the payload. The RTDP algorithm provides the optimal velocity decisions for the slung load transportation to either minimize the journey time or the energy consumption. The RTDP approach involves minimizing a cost function which is derived after simplifying the combined model of the dual-UAV-payload system. The cost function derivation was also accommodated to dynamically distribute the load/energy between two multi-rotor platforms during a transportation mission. The cost function is used to calculate transition costs for all stages and velocity decisions. A terminal cost is used at the last distance interval during the first phase of the journey when the velocity at the end of the current horizon is not known. In the second phase, the last stage or edge of the horizon includes the destination, hence final velocity is known which is used to calculate the transition cost of the final stage. Once all transition costs are calculated, the minimum cost is traced back from the final stage to the current stage to find the optimal velocity decision. The developed approach was validated in MATLAB simulation, software in the loop Gazebo simulation, and real experiments. The numerical and Gazebo simulations showed the successful optimization of journey time or energy consumption based on the selection of the factor λ. Both simulation and real experiments results show the effectiveness and the applicability of the proposed approach.
The Effect of Financial Development and MFI’s Characteristics on the Efficiency and Sustainability of Micro Financial Institutions
Authors: Mata Mário , Shah Sayyed , Sohail Nida , Correira Anabela
Published: March 2023

The Micro Financial Institutions (MFIs) have been touted as development strategies for Emerging Markets and Developing Economies (EMDEs) which merits research into the effect of financial development on the efficiency and sustainability of the MFIs. The Efficient and sustainable MFIs significantly paved the way for the economic development of a country particularly in developing countries. Surprisingly there are very rare studies that examine the nexus of financial development, MFIs efficiency, and sustainability. Also, these studies are confined to the impact of financial development either on the efficiency or sustainability of MFIs. Addressing this gap, the study attempts to explore the country-specific and MFIs-specific factors which significantly affect the efficiency and sustainability of the MFIs. For this purpose, the study first determines whether financial development contributes to the efficiency and sustainability of MFI. Secondly, the effect of MFIs’ specific characteristics such as credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk, lending strategy, Development Financial Institutions (DFIs) funds management, financial outreach, and poverty alleviation on the efficiency and sustainability of MFIs. The study has been conducted for Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan consisting of a panel data set of 12 MFIs over a period spanning from 2008–2018 using Stochastic Frontier Analysis and Cobb Douglas production function regression analysis. Overall empirical analysis reveals that financial development has significantly affected the efficiency and sustainability of the MFIs. While specific characteristics such as poverty alleviation and DFIs funds management have been shown to improve MFIs efficiency whereas an increase in credit risk, lending strategy, and market risk decrease MFIs sustainability and liquidity risk along with an increase in financial outreach leads to a decrease in MFIs efficiency. The directions and magnitudes of the findings suggest the stakeholders for all three countries for the significant direction leads to the efficiency and sustainability of MFIs. Moreover, future research could strive to understand the aspects of financial development which negatively correlate with the MFIs’ efficiency and sustainability such as stringent tax policies, creditor rights protection, and implementation of rules and regulations.
Experimental Analysis of the Current Sensor Fault Detection Mechanism Based on Neural Networks in the PMSM Drive System
Authors: Jankowska Kamila , Dybkowski Mateusz
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a current sensor fault detection mechanism based on multilayer perceptron (MLP) in a permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) drive system is presented. The solution for the PMSM was previously described and tested only in simulation studies. The described application allows the detection of basic faults (lack of signal, gain error, signal noise) in current sensors and the indication of the phase (A or B) in which the fault occurred. The work is focused on the analysis of the fault detector but also presents the possibilities of their classification. The work mainly presents experimental research for different values of speed during the load and regenerative mode. In addition to the study of various operating conditions of the drive system, the detector efficiency was also verified for three neural structures with a different number of neurons in the hidden layers. The work also presents simulation tests (in Matlab Simulink software) for the additional conditions of the drive system for the same neural structures as in the experimental studies. The results obtained during offline and online faults detection with the use of the DS1103 controller are presented.
Research on Railway Obstacle Detection Method Based on Developed Euclidean Clustering
Authors: Qu Jinyan , Li Shaobin , Li Yanman , Liu Liu
Published: March 2023

To prevent the problem of safety accidents caused by the intrusion of obstacles into railway clearance, this paper proposes an obstacle detection method based on Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) to obtain and process rich three-dimensional (3D) information and depth information of the railway scene. The method first preprocesses the point cloud of the railway scenario collected by LiDAR to divide a basic area containing the rails. Then, the method divides the roadbed plane and fits the rails with the random sample consensus (RANSAC) algorithm, dividing the detection area according to the position of the rails. To address the issue of over or under-segmentation in the traditional Euclidean clustering method, which is due to sparser point clouds the farther the object is from the LiDAR, this paper improves the conventional Euclidean clustering. It introduces an adaptive distance threshold to categorize obstacles. Finally, compared with traditional Euclidean clustering, K-means clustering, and density-based spatial clustering of applications with noise (DBSCAN) clustering, the improved Euclidean cluster has achieved better results in terms of computing time and segmentation accuracy. Experimental results show the ability of the method to detect railway obstacles successfully.
Evaluation and Optimization of a Command and Control System Based on Complex Networks Theory
Authors: Li Tengda , Wang Gang , Guo Xiangke , Zhao Minrui , Liu Jiayi , Du Chong
Published: March 2023

With the rapid development of information technology, network-centric warfare (NCW) has become the main operational style now and even in the future, and the destruction resistance of networks has become one of the most important issues in the field. Based on the complex networks theory, the command and control (C2) network is constructed, and the topology characteristics of the network are analyzed. Aiming at the deliberate attack and random attack, the destruction resistance of C2 network is analyzed and optimized. The simulation results show that the C2 network conforms to the small-world and free-scale characteristics, and it is sensitive to deliberate attack. The strategy of low-degree edge addition can be adopted, that is, by expanding the horizontal contact between the same layer of combat entities and increasing the cross-layer contact between the different layers, the destruction resistance of C2 network can be effectively enhanced. The simulation results have a certain theoretical significance for the establishment of the C2 network and the optimization of destruction resistance of C2 network.
Cooperative Localization of Firefighters Based on Relative Ranging Constraints of UWB and Autonomous Navigation
Authors: Chong Yang , Xu Xiangbo , Guo Ningyan , Shu Longkai , Zhang Qingyuan , Yu Zhibin , Wen Tao
Published: March 2023

There are many demands for the cooperative localization (CL) of multiple people, such as firefighter rescue. The classical foot-mounted inertial navigation based on zero velocity update (ZUPT) suffers from accumulating error due to the low-cost inertial sensor, and the pre-placed anchors in the ultra-wideband (UWB) system limit the application in an unknown environment. In this study, a group of sensors including the inertial measurement unit (IMU), magnetometer, barometer, and UWB sensor is used. Through the different characteristics of sensors and the position relationship between people, a cooperative localization system using an extended Kalman filter for three-dimensional firefighter tracking is proposed. Ranging information between firefighters from UWB is utilized, and couplings introduced by relative measurement are estimated. Two experiments are designed to verify the proposed algorithm in building and forest environments. Compared with the results of single-person inertial navigation, the average positioning precision of the algorithm in the building and forest is, respectively, improved by 38.93% and 79.01%. This approach successfully suppresses the divergence of positioning errors, and fixed UWB anchors are not needed.
A Big Data Platform for International Academic Conferences Based on Microservice Framework
Authors: Yang Biao , Liu He , Xiong Xuanrui , Zhu Shuaiqi , Tolba Amr , Zhang Xingguo
Published: March 2023

In the era of the information explosion, big data are always around us. Academic big data are defined as a large amount of data generated in the life cycle of all academic activities, which usually contains a large amount of academic information. Academic conferences can effectively promote academic exchanges among scholars. In recent years, academic conferences in various fields have been held around the world. However, with the increase in the number of academic conferences, the quality of conferences and the efficiency of hosting and participating in conferences are uneven. In today’s fast-paced life, high-quality and efficient academic conferences have become the first choice of scholars. In this paper, a conference recommendation method based on a big data analysis of users’ interests and preferences is proposed to help users choose high-quality academic conferences and to help organizers reduce conference costs and improve the conference operation efficiency. The method first divides the research fields of user-related academic conferences into three categories: the fields that users are interested in, the fields that users attend, and the research fields that users follow up. Then, the weights of these three categories are set, and the importance of each category recommendation related to the user is calculated. Finally, the conference recommendation index is calculated and several conferences with a high recommendation value are recommended to users. The experimental results show that the proposed conference recommendation method provides a convenient and fast service to conference participants and conference organizers. The developed big data platform can significantly improve the operation and participation efficiency of academic conferences, reduce the costs, and give full play to the role and value of academic conferences.
Thermal Behavior and Kinetics of Shenmu Coal Pyrolyzed under Hydrogen-Rich or Methane-Gas-Rich Atmosphere
Authors: Zou Chong , Li Xi , Ren Mengmeng , Wang Weian , Wu Hao
Published: March 2023

The pyrolysis characteristics of Shenmu coal under an atmosphere containing H2 (40%) and another containing CH4 (40%) were studied via a thermogravimetric analysis, and the kinetic parameters of pyrolysis were calculated by using a distributed activation energy model (DAEM). The results showed that H2 promoted the cleavage of CH-like functional groups by providing reactive hydrogen groups to combine with CH groups and –OH groups in the coal. However, the H2 and CH4 atmosphere inhibits the cleavage of oxygen-containing functional groups such as carbonyl groups and C–O groups, and this is unfavorable to the production of CO2 and CO. The pyrolysis weight-loss rate of raw coal decreases with the increase of the heating rate, and the weight-loss curve shifts to the high-temperature region. At the same conversion rate and pyrolysis temperature, the activation energy of pyrolysis under the H2 and CH4 atmospheres is lower than that under the N2 atmosphere, and the activation energy does not conform to the Gaussian distribution. The activation energy of pyrolysis was distributed in a narrow range, in which the activation energy of the H2 and CH4 atmospheres was concentrated in the range of 175–215 kJ/mol and 225–230 kJ/mol, respectively, and the activation energy of the H2 atmosphere was lower than that of the CH4 atmosphere under the same conversion rate.
Identification of Inrush Current Using a GSA-BP Network
Authors: Ruhan Zhou , Mansor Nurulafiqah Nadzirah Binti , Illias Hazlee Azil
Published: March 2023

Ensuring a stable and efficient transformer operation is a very crucial task nowadays, especially with the integration of modern and sensitive electrical equipment and appliances down the line. However, transformer maloperation still cannot be completely avoided, particularly with the existence of inrush current that possess similar characteristics as the fault currents when a fault occurred. Thus, this paper proposes an enhanced method for inrush current identification based on a backpropagation (BP) network, optimized using genetic and simulated annealing algorithms. The proposed method has the ability to find the global optimal solution while avoiding local optima, with increased solution accuracy and low calculation complexity. Through extensive simulations, it was found that the inrush and fault currents have differences in their harmonic contents, which can be exploited for the identification of those currents using the proposed identification method. The proposed genetic simulated annealing–BP (GSA-BP) algorithm make use of 200 current samples to improve the detection accuracy of the inrush current from 80% to 97.5%. Comparative studies performed against the existing identification methods show that the GSA-BP network has superior efficiency and accuracy while being practical for real-life application to improve the transformer protection system.
Artificial Intelligence as a Booster of Future Power Systems
Authors: Pinto Tiago
Published: March 2023

Worldwide power and energy systems are changing significantly [...]
Turbulent Flame Propagation in Hydrogen-Air and Methane-Air Mixtures in the Field of Synthetic Turbulence: Direct Numerical Simulation
Authors: Basevich Valentin Y. , Belyaev Andrey A. , Frolov Fedor S. , Frolov Sergey M.
Published: March 2023

A technique alternative to the direct numerical simulation of turbulent combustion of gas mixtures is proposed. It is based on the solution of the three-dimensional transport equations for species concentrations and the energy conservation equation in the “synthetic” field of constant-pressure homogeneous, isotropic and statistically stationary (forced) turbulence using the detailed reaction mechanism. The synthetic turbulence with given spatial and temporal correlation functions is generated using the Monte Carlo method, assuming that the components of the vector of fluctuation velocity obey the normal Gaussian distribution. The technique is applied to the problem of turbulent combustion of fuel-lean and stoichiometric mixtures of hydrogen and methane with air at a turbulence intensity up to 10 m/s. The calculated turbulent flame propagation velocities agree satisfactorily with the values measured in the fan-stirred bomb. The predicted volume fractions of active reaction centers H, O, and OH in a turbulent flame are shown to be less than in a laminar flame up to an order of magnitude, which also agrees with the experiment. In general, calculations indicate that the “wrinkled flame” model is applicable to fuel-lean and stoichiometric mixtures of hydrogen and methane with air at turbulence intensities up to 10 m/s
Economic Ripple Effects Analysis of Cross-Laminated Timber Manufacturing in Japan
Authors: Liu Mengyuan , Huzita Tomohumi , Murano Akito , Goh Chun Sheng , Kayo Chihiro
Published: March 2023

Japan has been actively promoting the various uses of timber to efficiently utilize its plantation forests and contribute to its climate commitments. Cross-laminated timber (CLT), owing to its unique structural characteristics and environmental advantages, has received widespread attention in Japan. Being a high-value-added timber, CLT’s value chain involves various industries, including forestry, timber processing, transportation, construction, and civil engineering. However, the economic impact associated with the increasing production and use of CLT is ambiguous. Targeting CLT manufacturers in Japan, this study evaluated the economic ripple effects of CLT through an input–output analysis, which is a method that is used to evaluate the independent association between different economic sectors and industries. An extended input–output table was established according to the survey of revenue and expenditure data of the largest CLT manufacturers in Japan in 2020. The result was compared with the glued-laminated timber (GLT) scenario at the same final demand value. The results showed that activities not elsewhere classified, timber, logs, road freight transport (except self-transport), and wholesale trade were the top five sectors that had the largest economic impact on CLT manufacturing. Our research has implications for policies and programs to promote the revival of forestry and sustainable development of the timber industry in Japan.
Research on Image Encryption Based on Fractional Seed Chaos Generator and Fractal Theory
Authors: Chang Haiping , Wang Erfu , Liu Jia
Published: March 2023

In this paper, a new fractional-order seed chaotic generator is designed to solve the problem of the complex operations of single low-dimensional systems and simple high-dimensional systems. The fractional-order chaotic system generated is proven to have better chaotic performance using Lyapunov exponential differential calculus, approximate entropy, 0–1 test and other indicators. On this basis, the “multiple squares nested body scrambling (MSNBS)” model is extended from fractal theory to complete the image scrambling process, and a new algorithm is proposed to be applied to the encryption field in combination with the fractional-order coupled chaotic system. Experimental simulations show that the algorithm can resist common differential attacks and noise attacks and improve the security of the algorithm.
Iroquois Family Genes in Gastric Carcinogenesis: A Comprehensive Review
Authors: dos Santos Everton Cruz , Petrone Igor , Binato Renata , Abdelhay Eliana
Published: March 2023

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth leading cause of cancer-associated death worldwide, accounting for 768,793 related deaths and 1,089,103 new cases in 2020. Despite diagnostic advances, GC is often detected in late stages. Through a systematic literature search, this study focuses on the associations between the Iroquois gene family and GC. Accumulating evidence indicates that Iroquois genes are involved in the regulation of various physiological and pathological processes, including cancer. To date, information about Iroquois genes in GC is very limited. In recent years, the expression and function of Iroquois genes examined in different models have suggested that they play important roles in cell and cancer biology, since they were identified to be related to important signaling pathways, such as wingless, hedgehog, mitogen-activated proteins, fibroblast growth factor, TGFβ, and the PI3K/Akt and NF-kB pathways. In cancer, depending on the tumor, Iroquois genes can act as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. However, in GC, they seem to mostly act as tumor suppressor genes and can be regulated by several mechanisms, including methylation, microRNAs and important GC-related pathogens. In this review, we provide an up-to-date review of the current knowledge regarding Iroquois family genes in GC.
Identification and Pyramiding Major QTL Loci for Simultaneously Enhancing Aflatoxin Resistance and Yield Components in Peanut
Authors: Jin Gaorui , Liu Nian , Yu Bolun , Jiang Yifei , Luo Huaiyong , Huang Li , Zhou Xiaojing , Yan Liying , Kang Yanping , Huai Dongxin , Ding Yinbing , Chen Yuning , Wang Xin , Jiang Huifang , Lei Yong , Shen Jinxiong , Liao Boshou
Published: March 2023

Peanut is susceptible to Aspergillus flavus infection, and the consequent aflatoxin contamination has been recognized as an important risk factor affecting food safety and industry development. Planting peanut varieties with resistance to aflatoxin contamination is regarded as an ideal approach to decrease the risk in food safety, but most of the available resistant varieties have not been extensively used in production because of their low yield potential mostly due to possessing small pods and seeds. Hence, it is highly necessary to integrate resistance to aflatoxin and large seed weight. In this study, an RIL population derived from a cross between Zhonghua 16 with high yield and J 11 with resistance to infection of A. flavus and aflatoxin production, was used to identify quantitative trait locus (QTL) for aflatoxin production (AP) resistance and hundred-seed weight (HSW). From combined analysis using a high-density genetic linkage map constructed, 11 QTLs for AP resistance with 4.61–11.42% phenotypic variation explanation (PVE) and six QTLs for HSW with 3.20–28.48% PVE were identified, including three major QTLs for AP resistance (qAFTA05.1, qAFTB05.2 and qAFTB06.3) and three for HSW (qHSWA05, qHSWA08 and qHSWB06). In addition, qAFTA05.1, qAFTB06.3, qHSWA05, qHSWA08 and qHSWB06 were detected in multiple environments. The aflatoxin contents under artificial inoculation were decreased by 34.77–47.67% in those segregated lines harboring qAFTA05.1, qAFTB05.2 and qAFTB06.3, while the HSWs were increased by 47.56–49.46 g in other lines harboring qHSWA05, qHSWA08 and qHSWB06. Conditional QTL mapping indicated that HSW and percent seed infection index (PSII) had no significant influence on aflatoxin content. Interestingly, the QT 1059 simultaneously harboring alleles of aflatoxin content including qAFTA05.1 and qAFTB05.2, alleles of PSII including qPSIIB03.1, qPSIIB03.2, and qPSIIB10 and alleles of HSW including qHSWA05, qHSWB06, qHSWA08 had better resistance to A. flavus infection and to toxin production and higher yield potential compared with the two parents of the RIL. The above identified major loci for AP resistance and HWS would be helpful for marker-assisted selection in peanut breeding.
Evaluation of a Less Invasive Cochlear Implant Surgery in OPA1 Mutations Provoking Deafblindness
Authors: Tekin Ahmet M. , Baelen Hermine , Heuninck Emilie , Bayazıt Yıldırım A. , Mertens Griet , Rompaey Vincent van , Heyning Paul van de , Topsakal Vedat
Published: March 2023

Cochlear implantation (CI) for deafblindness may have more impact than for non-syndromic hearing loss. Deafblind patients have a double handicap in a society that is more and more empowered by fast communication. CI is a remedy for deafness, but requires revision surgery every 20 to 25 years, and thus placement should be minimally invasive. Furthermore, failed reimplantation surgery will have more impact on a deafblind person. In this context, we assessed the safety of minimally invasive robotically assisted cochlear implant surgery (RACIS) for the first time in a deafblind patient. Standard pure tone audiometry and speech audiometry were performed in a patient with deafblindness as part of this robotic-assisted CI study before and after surgery. This patient, with an optic atrophy 1 (OPA1) (OMIM#165500) mutation consented to RACIS for the second (contralateral) CI. The applicability and safety of RACIS were evaluated as well as her subjective opinion on her disability. RACIS was uneventful with successful surgical and auditory outcomes in this case of deafblindness due to the OPA1 mutation. RACIS appears to be a safe and beneficial intervention to increase communication skills in the cases of deafblindness due to an OPA1 mutation. The use of RACIS use should be widespread in deafblindness as it minimizes surgical trauma and possible failures.
Correlates of Physical Activity Participation among Individuals Diagnosed with Cancer: An Application of the Multi-Process Action Control Framework
Authors: Tabaczynski Allyson , Arbour-Nicitopoulos Kelly P. , Rhodes Ryan E. , Sabiston Catherine M. , Trinh Linda
Published: March 2023

Background: The purpose of this study was to test Multi-Process Action Control (M-PAC) processes as correlates of physical activity (PA) intention formation and translation (i.e., action control) in individuals diagnosed with cancer. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey, completed from July to November of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. PA and M-PAC processes were self-reported using the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire and questionnaires for reflective (instrumental/affective attitudes, perceived opportunity/capability), regulatory (e.g., goal-setting, planning), and reflexive processes (habit, identity). Separate hierarchical multinomial logistic regression models determined correlates of intention formation and action control. Results: Participants (n = 347; Mage= 48.2 ± 15.6) were primarily diagnosed with breast cancer (27.4%) and at a localized stage (85.0%). Most participants intended to perform PA (70.9%), yet only 50.4% met guidelines. Affective judgements (p < 0.001) and perceived capability (p < 0.01) were significantly associated with intention formation. Preliminary models indicated employment, affective judgements, perceived capability, and self-regulation to be significant (ps < 0.05) correlates of action control, but in the final model, only surgical treatment (p = 0.02) and PA identity (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with action control. Conclusion: Reflective processes were associated with PA intention formation, while reflexive processes were associated with PA action control. Behavior change efforts for individuals diagnosed with cancer should extend beyond social-cognitive approaches to include regulatory and reflexive processes of PA behavior (i.e., PA identity).
Epidemic Diffusion Network of Spain: A Mobility Model to Characterize the Transmission Routes of Disease
Authors: Del-Águila-Mejía Javier , García-García David , Rojas-Benedicto Ayelén , Rosillo Nicolás , Guerrero-Vadillo María , Peñuelas Marina , Ramis Rebeca , Gómez-Barroso Diana , Donado-Campos Juan de Mata
Published: March 2023

Human mobility drives the geographical diffusion of infectious diseases at different scales, but few studies focus on mobility itself. Using publicly available data from Spain, we define a Mobility Matrix that captures constant flows between provinces by using a distance-like measure of effective distance to build a network model with the 52 provinces and 135 relevant edges. Madrid, Valladolid and Araba/Álaba are the most relevant nodes in terms of degree and strength. The shortest routes (most likely path between two points) between all provinces are calculated. A total of 7 mobility communities were found with a modularity of 63%, and a relationship was established with a cumulative incidence of COVID-19 in 14 days (CI14) during the study period. In conclusion, mobility patterns in Spain are governed by a small number of high-flow connections that remain constant in time and seem unaffected by seasonality or restrictions. Most of the travels happen within communities that do not completely represent political borders, and a wave-like spreading pattern with occasional long-distance jumps (small-world properties) can be identified. This information can be incorporated into preparedness and response plans targeting locations that are at risk of contagion preventively, underscoring the importance of coordination between administrations when addressing health emergencies.
Radial or Focal Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Lateral Elbow Tendinopathy: A Real-Life Retrospective Study
Authors: Pellegrino Raffaello , Di Iorio Angelo , Filoni Serena , Mondardini Paolo , Paolucci Teresa , Sparvieri Eleonora , Tarantino Domiziano , Moretti Antimo , Iolascon Giovanni
Published: March 2023

Lateral elbow tendinopathy (LET) is characterized by pain, poor muscle strength of the wrist ex-tensors, and disability. Among the conservative rehabilitative approaches, focal as well as radial extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT), are considered effective in LET management. The objective of this study was to compare the safety and effectiveness of focal (fESWT) and radial (rESWT) in terms of LET symptoms and the strength of wrist extensors, taking into account potential gender differences. This is a retrospective longitudinal cohort study of patients with LET treated with ESWT that had received a clinical and functional evaluation, including visuo-analogic scale (VAS), muscle strength using an electronic dynamometer during Cozen’s test, and the patient-rated tennis elbow evaluation (PRTEE) questionnaire. Follow-ups were carried out weekly in four visits after enrollment, and at 8 and 12 weeks. During the follow-ups, the VAS score decreased in both treatments, even if patients receiving fESWT reported early pain relief compared to those treated with rESWT (time for treatment p-value < 0.001). Additionally, peak muscle strength increased independently of the device used, and again more rapidly in the fESWT group (time for treatment p-value < 0.001). In the stratified analysis for sex and for the type of ESWT, rESWT appears to be less effective in female participants in terms of mean muscle strength and PRTEE scores, without differences according to the type of device used. The rESWT group reported a higher rate of minor adverse events (i.e., discomfort, p = 0.03) compared to fESWT. Our data suggest that both fESWT and rESWT might be effective in improving LET symptoms, even if the higher rate of painful procedures were reported in patients treated with rESWT.
An Empirical Study on Emergency of Distant Tertiary Education in the Southern Region of Bangladesh during COVID-19: Policy Implication
Authors: Gazi Md. Abu Issa , Masud Abdullah Al , Sobhani Farid Ahammad , Dhar Bablu Kumar , Hossain Mohammad Sabbir , Hossain Abu Ishaque
Published: March 2023

Many fields have been affected by COVID-19, including education. The pandemic has prompted a change in education due to the requirement for social distancing. Campuses are now closed in many educational institutions across the globe, and teaching and learning are now conducted online. Internationalization has significantly slowed down. A mixed-method study was designed for this research, with the goal of ascertaining the impact of COVID-19 on Bangladeshi students enrolled in higher education during and after the pandemic. A questionnaire with 19 questions on a Google form was used to collect quantitative data using a 4-point Likert scale and was conducted on 100 students from different universities in the southern part of Bangladesh, such as Barisal University, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, and Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Science and Technology University. For collecting qualitative data, six quasi-interviews were conducted. A statistical package for Social Science (SPSS) was used to analyze both quantitative and qualitative data. The quantitative results demonstrated that during the COVID-19 pandemic, pupils continuously received teaching and learning. The current study’s findings revealed a significant positive correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and teaching, learning, and student achievement and a significant negative correlation between the COVID-19 pandemic and student goals. The study also revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic had a detrimental effect on students enrolled in higher education programs at the universities. The qualitative judgment showed that students faced many problems when joining classes, such as poor Internet connection and insufficient network and technological facilities, etc. Some students live in rural areas and have slow Internet speeds, which sometimes prevented them from joining class. The findings of the study can help policy makers in higher education to review and adopt a new policy in higher education in Bangladesh. It can also help education instructors in universities to develop a proper study plan for their students.
Changing the Underlying Conditions Relevant to Workplace Bullying through Organisational Redesign
Authors: Li Yiqiong , Tuckey Michelle R. , Neall Annabelle M. , Rose Alice , Wilson Lauren
Published: March 2023

In view of the discrepancy between anti-bullying strategies used in organisations and knowledge of bullying that is grounded in the international scholarly literature, the aim of this study is to implement and evaluate an intervention program specifically targeting the root causes of workplace bullying by identifying, assessing, and changing the contexts of people management in which bullying arises. The present research describes the development, procedures, and co-design principles underpinning a primary intervention that is focused on improving organisational risk conditions linked to workplace bullying. Our study evaluates the effectiveness of this intervention using deductive and abductive approaches and multi-source data. Specifically, our quantitative analysis examines changes in job demands and resources as a central mechanism underlying how the intervention takes effect and provides support for job demands as a mediator. Our qualitative analysis expands the inquiry by identifying additional mechanisms that form the foundations of effective change and those that drive change execution. The results of the intervention study highlight the opportunity to prevent workplace bullying through organisational-level interventions and reveal success factors, underlying mechanisms, and key principles.
Impact of Different Lignin Sources on Nitrogen−Doped Porous Carbon toward the Electrocatalytic Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Li Zheng , Feng Yuwei , Qu Xia , Yang Yantao , Dong Lili , Lei Tingzhou , Ren Suxia
Published: March 2023

Lignin is an ideal carbon source material, and lignin−based carbon materials have been widely used in electrochemical energy storage, catalysis, and other fields. To investigate the effects of different lignin sources on the performance of electrocatalytic oxygen reduction, different lignin−based nitrogen−doped porous carbon catalysts were prepared using enzymolytic lignin (EL), alkaline lignin (AL) and dealkaline lignin (DL) as carbon sources and melamine as a nitrogen source. The surface functional groups and thermal degradation properties of the three lignin samples were characterized, and the specific surface area, pore distribution, crystal structure, defect degree, N content, and configuration of the prepared carbon−based catalysts were also analyzed. The electrocatalytic results showed that the electrocatalytic oxygen reduction performance of the three lignin−based carbon catalysts was different, and the catalytic performance of N−DLC was poor, while the electrocatalytic performance of N−ELC was similar to that of N−ALC, both of which were excellent. The half−wave potential (E1/2) of N−ELC was 0.82 V, reaching more than 95% of the catalytic performance of commercial Pt/C (E1/2 = 0.86 V) and proving that EL can be used as an excellent carbon−based electrocatalyst material, similar to AL.
Hospital Length of Stay and Surgery among European Children with Rare Structural Congenital Anomalies—A Population-Based Data Linkage Study
Authors: Garne Ester , Tan Joachim , Damkjaer Mads , Ballardini Elisa , Cavero-Carbonell Clara , Coi Alessio , Garcia-Villodre Laura , Gissler Mika , Given Joanne , Heino Anna , Jordan Sue , Limb Elizabeth , Loane Maria , Neville Amanda J. , Pierini Anna , Rissmann Anke , Tucker David , Urhoj Stine Kjaer , Morris Joan
Published: March 2023

Little is known about morbidity for children with rare structural congenital anomalies. This European, population-based data-linkage cohort study analysed data on hospitalisations and surgical procedures for 5948 children born 1995–2014 with 18 rare structural congenital anomalies from nine EUROCAT registries in five countries. In the first year of life, the median length of stay (LOS) ranged from 3.5 days (anotia) to 53.8 days (atresia of bile ducts). Generally, children with gastrointestinal anomalies, bladder anomalies and Prune-Belly had the longest LOS. At ages 1–4, the median LOS per year was ≤3 days for most anomalies. The proportion of children having surgery before age 5 years ranged from 40% to 100%. The median number of surgical procedures for those under 5 years was two or more for 14 of the 18 anomalies and the highest for children with Prune-Belly at 7.4 (95% CI 2.5–12.3). The median age at first surgery for children with atresia of bile ducts was 8.4 weeks (95% CI 7.6–9.2) which is older than international recommendations. Results from the subset of registries with data up to 10 years of age showed that the need for hospitalisations and surgery continued. The burden of disease in early childhood is high for children with rare structural congenital anomalies.
Research on Spatial Delineation Method of Urban-Rural Fringe Combining POI and Nighttime Light Data—Taking Wuhan City as an Example
Authors: Yu Jing , Meng Yingying , Zhou Size , Zeng Huaiwen , Li Ming , Chen Zhaoxia , Nie Yan
Published: March 2023

The boundary delineation of the urban-rural fringe (URF) is the basic work of fine planning and governance of cities, which plays a positive role in promoting the process of global sustainable development and urban and rural integration. In the past, the delineation of URF had shortcomings such as a single selected data source, difficulty in obtaining data, and low spatial and temporal resolution. This study combines Point of Interest (POI) and Nighttime Light (NTL) data, proposes a new spatial recognition method of URF according to the characteristics of urban and rural spatial structure, and conducts empirical analysis with Wuhan as the research object, combining the information entropy of land use structure, NDVI, and population density data to verify and compare the delineation results and field verification was conducted for typical areas. The results show that (1) the fusion of POI and NTL can maximize the use of the characteristics of the differences in facility types, light intensity, and resolution between POI and NTL, compared with the urban-rural fringe boundary identified by POI, NTL or population density data alone, and it is more accurate and time-sensitive; (2) NPP and POI (fusion data of Suomi NPP-VIIRS and POI) can quantitatively identify potential central area and multi-layer structure of the city. It fluctuates between 0.2 and 0.6 in the urban core area of Wuhan and between 0.1 and 0.3 in the new town clusters, while in the URF and rural areas drops sharply to below 0.1; (3) the urban-rural fringe area of Wuhan covers a total area of 1482.35 km2, accounting for 17.30% of the total area of the city. Its land use types are mainly construction land, water area, and cultivated land, accounting for 40.75%, 30.03%, and 14.60% of the URF, respectively. Its NDVI and population density are at a medium level, with values of 1.630 and 2556.28 persons/km2, respectively; (4) the double mutation law of NPP and POI in urban and rural space confirms that the URF exists objectively as a regional entity generated in the process of urban expansion, provides empirical support for the theory of urban and rural ternary structure, and has a positive reference value for the allocation of global infrastructure, industrial division, ecological function division, and other researches.
Developing a Model to Express Spatial Relationships on Omnidirectional Images for Indoor Space Representation to Provide Location-Based Services
Authors: Claridades Alexis Richard C. , Kim Misun , Lee Jiyeong
Published: March 2023

The unavailability and fragmentation of spatial data are challenges in creating realistic representations of objects and environments in the real world, especially indoors. Among the numerous methods for representing indoor space, the existing research has shown the efficiency and effectiveness of using omnidirectional images. However, they lack information on spatial relationships, so spatial datasets such as the Node-Relation Structure (NRS) must be used to provide location-based services (LBS). This study proposes a method for embedding topological relationships on omnidirectional images, and correspondingly extracting NRS data to enable the expression of these relationships on the images. These relationships include the connectivity of relations among the indoor subunits, and the containment of relations between the spaces and indoor facilities on the image data. This model allows for the construction of an image-based indoor space representation for providing LBS. This paper also demonstrates an approach to utilizing these datasets through an image-based platform that enables the direct performance of spatial analysis relevant to LBS on the images, and provides the accurate visualization and expression of the spaces and indoor points of interest data representing indoor facilities. This paper also includes an experimental implementation to demonstrate the potential of our model for providing an efficient space representation and the handling of basic spatial queries for indoor space applications.