bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Horizontes geográficos y tendencias pedagógicas: posibles imbricaciones en la enseñanza de la Geografía
Authors: de Carvalho Sobrinho Hugo , Capelle Suess Rodrigo , Costa Leite Cristina Maria
Published: February 2023

En las ciencias, las teorías son siempre explicaciones provisionales de la realidad, que cooperan para la composición epistemológica y metodológica del conocimiento, su sistematización y difusión. En la práctica pedagógica en Geografía se movilizan teorías junto a prácticas que revelan una relación inseparable entre horizontes geográficos y tendencias pedagógicas. Consideramos el horizonte geográfico los límites que circunscriben las posibilidades de la investigación geográfica, guiada especialmente por métodos científicos, donde se insertan el horizonte lógico-formal, el horizonte crítico y el horizonte humanista. Por tendencias nos referimos a las concepciones filosóficas de la educación, que alimentan razones y significados para la realización de la educación en el contexto social y escolar brasileño: pedagogías liberales - tecnicistas y renovadas; pedagogía crítico-reproductiva; y pedagogías progresistas - liberadoras e histórico-críticas. Esta relación, sin embargo, no es explícita y requiere aclaración. Así, el objetivo de este artículo es discutir esa relación, promover su comprensión y, a partir de eso, promover la producción de conocimiento, que pueda contribuir para la mejora de las relaciones de enseñanza y aprendizaje de la Geografía, en el ámbito escolar. En esa intención, consideramos fundamental tomar conciencia de este proceso a través de un análisis de las interfaces entre los horizontes geográficos y las tendencias pedagógicas en la enseñanza de la Geografía, como punto de intersección entre las teorías de la Geografía y la Educación. Para ello, se abordarán los siguientes puntos: principales métodos de producción de conocimiento y sus intersecciones entre Geografía y Educación; e interfaces entre horizontes geográficos y tendencias pedagógicas en sus relaciones con la enseñanza de la Geografía. De esta manera, creemos que, a través de la intersección, la interfaz, la interrelación y la complementariedad de los temas relacionados con la Geografía y la Educación, se producirán nuevos conocimientos.
A Review of the Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills under Rasch Modeling for Unidimensionality Based on Difficulty
Authors: Leyva Edgar Moctezuma
Published: February 2023

Objectives
This work presents a restructuring of the conceptualization on mindfulness. It aims to reassess the theory behind the multifactorial construction of The Kentucky Inventory of Mindfulness Skills to form a linear unidimensional construct based on difficulty rather than independent subgroups.
Methods
A random sample of two hundred applications of the KIMS inventory were retrieved online. The tests were then analyzed by the new light of Krathwohl’s Taxonomy of affective domains on the theoretical side and Rasch methodology on the practical side using the software Linacre, J.M. (2019). Winsteps® (Version 4.4.6).
Results
Most items fall within acceptable parameters of item fit statistics for Rasch modeling appropriateness of MNSQ from 0.7 to 1.3 and ZSTD from -2 to +2. Recoding the five Likert type answer labels to three possibilities would serve to fix several issues. First, a clear representation for each distinct position within the underlying variable seen by the Andrich threshold changing at least by one logit. Secondly, meeting the minimum required observations of ten in each category. The Wright map shows there is an inkling of progression worked into the instrument. The theoretical progression of skills for mindfulness is parallel to the difficulty of items from the test.
Conclusions
There is evidence of reconsideration for items. The Wright map shows several items that should be exclusively in the third difficulty grouping have a broad range of difficulty. With fewer items the distribution along difficulty for the third and fourth factor would increase in differentiation.
Unraveling Data From an Idea Management System of 11 Radical Innovation Portfolios Key Lessons and Avenues for Artificial Intelligence Integration
Authors: jakobsen Henning Sejer Sejer , Brix Jacob , Jakobsen Rune Sejer
Published: February 2023

In strategic and radical innovation, the degree of uncertainty and the amount of complexity is much higher compared to ‘business as usual’. Therefore, idea management systems are often used to support such innovation processes. An interesting question is what we can learn from studying data in such idea management systems and what potential implications we can derive from the innovation management literature. In this study, we were allowed to access and analyze data from the same idea management system used in 11 radical innovation projects from the year 2012-2018. Our analysis unravels 8 findings that in different ways nuance or challenge current research on innovation management. Finally, we discuss how the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in idea management systems can support innovation team members in increasing the innovation potential of the ideas that are elaborated.
Socio-ecological approach to a forest-swamp-savannah mosaic landscape using remote sensing and local knowledge: a case study in the Bas-Ogooué Ramsar site, Gabon
Authors: DEMICHELIS Christophe , OSZWALD Johan , McKEY Doyle , ESSONO Paul-Yannick BITOME , SOUNGUET Guy-Philippe , BRAUN Jean-Jacques
Published: February 2023

Studies of landscape dynamics in protected areas often rely exclusively on remotely-sensed data, leading to bias by neglecting how local inhabitants, who often have a long history of interaction with their environment, perceive and structure the landscape over time. Using a socio-ecological system (SES) approach in a forest-swamp-savannah mosaic within the Bas-Ogooué Ramsar site in Gabon, we assess how human populations participate in landscape dynamics over time. We first conducted a remote sensing analysis to produce a land-cover map representing the biophysical dimension of the SES. This map is based on pixel-oriented classifications, using a 2017 Sentinel-2 satellite image and 610 GPS points, that categorized the landscape in 11 ecological classes. To study the landscape’s social dimension, we collected data on local knowledge to understand how local people perceive and use the landscape. These data were collected through 19 semi-structured individual interviews, three focus groups and three months of participant observation during an immersive field mission. We developed a systemic approach by combining data on biophysical and social dimensions of the landscape. Our analysis shows that in the absence of continued anthropic interventions, both savannahs and swamps dominated by herbaceous vegetation will experience closure by encroaching woody vegetation, leading to eventual biodiversity loss. Our methodology based on an SES approach to landscapes could improve the conservation programs developed by Ramsar site managers. Designing actions at the local scale, rather than applying one set of actions to the entire protected area, allows the integration of human perceptions, practices and expectations, a challenge that is more than essential in the context of global change.
Poor and Uneducated Parents Increased the Risk of Stunting among Children Living in Non-Remote Areas of Indonesia
Authors: Nugraheni Wahyu Pudji , Mahmudiono Trias , Faisal Debri Rizki , Purwatiningsih Yuni , Lestyoningrum Sinta Dewi , Yulianti Anni , Nainggolan Olwin , Abihail Chrysoprase Thasya
Published: February 2023

Introduction: The prevalence of stunting among under five years old children in Indonesia is still high, including those living in urban and non-remote areas that was taught to have better access of food and nutrition. The study aimed to determine the correlation between predisposing factors of stunting among toddlers in non-remote areas which thought to have good access to food and healthcare.
Methods: This was a secondary data analysis using Indonesia’s Nationally Representative Survey known as the Basic Health Research 2018. The sample were children aged 0-59 months who were measured in selected households. Stunted children was determined based on the measuring height for age (HAZ) with a z-score less than -2 standard deviation. Multivariate analysis with a logistic regression test was performed to test predisposing factors associated with stunting.
Results: The results showed that the prevalence of stunting among under-five years old children in non-remote areas of Indonesia was 29.7%. Adjusting for the multivariate analysis, the predisposing factors that significantly correlated with the incidence of stunting in a non-remote areas were families with a poor economic (AOR=1.49; 95%CI=1.39-1.59), household heads with low education levels (AOR= 1.50 (1.33-1.69) and health insurance ownership (AOR=1.16; 95%CI=1.09-1.24).
Conclusions: In conclusion, families living in non-remote areas of Indonesia did not necessarily benefit from food availability or healthcare facilities, but it needs to be educated and wealthy enough to purchase food and also insurance.
Trial Registration: Ethical approval research was issued by the Health Research Ethics Commission, Health Research and Development Agency of the Ministry of Health Number LB.02.01/2/KE.267/2017.
Solvent-Free Recyclable Heterogeneous Copper(I) oxide/Zinc oxide (Cu2O/ZnO) nanoflake: C-O Coupling of Phenols With Aryl halides
Authors: Hosseini-Sarvari Mona , Sheikh Hossein , Moeini Fatemeh
Published: February 2023

Following the need for a straightforward and efficient catalyst for the C-O coupling reaction, we proposed Cu2O/ZnO as a new heterogeneous catalyst candidate. We developed a simple green procedure for O-arylation of various phenols from differently substituted aryl halides (X = I, Br, Cl), that was not only solvent and ligand-free but also well-tolerated by various functional groups along with high-yield corresponded products. In addition, the described method benefits from air stability and catalyst recyclability.
Multi-decadal variation of ENSO forecast skill since the late 1800s
Authors: Lou ‪Jiale , Newman Matthew , Hoell Andrew
Published: February 2023

Diagnosing El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) predictability within operational forecast models is hindered by computational expense, resulting in hindcasts limited in their period of record, initialization frequency, and/or forecast leads. Here, we examine the multi-year predictability of ENSO since the late 1800s based on the subsequent evolution from anomalous states that most closely match observed sea surface temperature and height anomalies in 25 pre-industrial control simulations from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6. We found our ENSO forecast skill is comparable to twice-yearly 20th century hindcasts generated by a European operational forecasting system. However, our monthly initialization indicates that the so-called spring predictability barrier, presents throughout the century, does not impede second-year (~9-18 month leads) ENSO skill, which was notably high both in recent decades and towards the end of the 19th century. Overall, ENSO has exhibited a roughly U-shaped evolution in both amplitude and skill since the late 1800s.
A pilot study of stable isotope fractionation in Bombyx mori rearing
Authors: Li Hao , He Yujie , Lu Jinzhong , Jia Liling , Liu Yong , Yang Dan , Shao Shuai , Lv Gang , Yang Hailiang , Zheng Hailing , Zhou Yang , Peng Zhiqin
Published: February 2023

Hydrogen, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen isotopes derived from three different strains of silkworms at different life stages involved in silkworm rearing, were measured to understand the fractionation characteristics of stable isotopes at different stages of silkworm development, and to trace the movement of these isotopes from food to larva to excrement and finally to silk. We found that silkworm strain had little effect on δ2H, δ18O and δ13C values. However, a large difference was found in the δ15N levels of newly-hatched silkworms between Jingsong Haoyue and Hua Kang No.3 orthogonal strains, suggesting that the mating and egg laying differences may result in an inconsistent kinetic nitrogen isotope fractionation. The δ13C values of silkworm pupae and silkworm cocoon also displayed significant differences, suggesting that heavy carbon isotopes are greatly fractionated from the larva to the silk during cocoon formation. Overall, these results may be used to clarify the relationship between isotope fractionation and the ecological process of the Bombyx mori and expand our ability to resolve stable isotope anomalies at a small regional-scale level.
Isolation and characterization of an endophytic fungi from Zingiber officinale Rosc. and its activity to promote the growth of tissue culture ginger plantlets in bottles.
Authors: Zhang Shuting , Pei Yinghong , Wang Jiao , Lin Xiaolong , Tang Zizhong , Zhou Lijun , Chen Tao , Feng Shiling , Ding Chunbang , Chen Yanger , Zhang Zhongwei , Yuan Shu , Yuan Ming
Published: February 2023

Zingiber Officinale is a perennial rhizomatous vegetable and seasonings with amazing flavor, as well as a wide range of pharmacological activity. Endophytic fungi live with plants, and some of them can help plants adapt to various stress and promote the growth and development of plant. Four endophytic fungi were isolated from ginger rhizome and named GR-1, GR-2, GR-3, and GR-4, respectively. GR-2 promoted the growth of tissue culture gingerplantlets in bottles, and it was identified as Sarocladium strictum. S. strictummight be a good candidate in the industry of tissue culture plantlet production.
Associations between early CT head findings and clinical characteristics following out-of-hospital cardiac arrest
Authors: Sriniva Vasisht , Hall Jane , Wahlster Sarah , Johnson Nicholas J , Branch Kelley
Published: February 2023

Background/Objective
Cardiac arrest is a leading cause of death and disability in the United States. Current consensus guidelines recommend obtaining a non-contrast CT head as part of standard post-arrest care. We aimed to correlate early CT findings of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) with specific arrest characteristics in a pragmatic and generalizable fashion.
Methods
This is a retrospective multi-center cohort of patients with out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) who underwent whole-body imaging within 6 hours of hospital arrival. Head CT reports were systematically analyzed with an emphasis on findings suggestive of HIE, including cerebral edema, sulcal effacement, and blurred grey-white junction. The primary exposure was the duration of cardiac arrest. Secondary exposures included bystander cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), initial cardiac rhythm, and cause of arrest. The primary outcome was the presence of CT findings consistent with HIE.
Results
A total of 227 patients (average age 55 years, 32% female, 65% White, 56% witnessed arrest, 31% shockable rhythm) were included in the final analysis. CT findings of HIE were seen in 47 (48.3%) patients. Univariable analysis showed an association between HIE and CPR duration (OR 1.05, 95% CI 1.02–1.09, p = 0.002), age (OR 0.97, 95% CI 0.95–0.99, p = 0.004), and shockable rhythm (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.14–0.81, p = 0.015). Multivariate analysis demonstrated a correlation between CT findings of HIE and age under 55 (OR 2.6, 95% CI 1.2 -5 .6, p = 0.02) and CPR duration (OR 1.1, 95% CI 1.02–1.1, p < 0.01) but not with the initial rhythm.
Conclusion
Signs of HIE are commonly seen on initial CT head within 6 hours of OHCA, occurring in approximately half of patients, and associated with CPR duration. These findings may identify pathophysiological changes in the early stages after OHCA.
Factors Affecting the Stagnation of the Baiu Front that Induced Heavy Rainfall in July 2020 over Kyushu, Japan
Authors: MOTEKI Qoosaku
Published: February 2023

In this paper, the influencing factors of the long-term stagnation of the Baiu front that induced heavy rainfall in July 2020 over Kyushu, Japan, were examined. The position of the Baiu front was determined from a weather chart at 130°E. The front remained stationary between 30 and 35°N for 20 days in July 2020. The number of total days of Baiu front stagnation was the largest from 2002–2021. By examining a certain index of the Yellow Sea High (YSH), which is a necessary condition for Baiu front stagnation near Kyushu, it was confirmed that in 2020, a positive high-pressure anomaly persisted over the Yellow Sea until the end of July. The observed YSH maintenance was potentially due to the negative sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly over the Yellow Sea throughout July 2020. In addition, the impact of extratropical cyclones passing at the end of June was suggested as a factor of the occurrence of significant negative SST anomalies in the Yellow Sea. With the passage of a strong extratropical cyclone through the central part of the Yellow Sea from June 29–30 in 2020, a rapid SST decrease ranging from 0.5–1.5°C/day was caused by ocean mixed layer deepening. This rapid SST decreasing process was repeated 3 times on 13, 19, and 24 July. As a result, a notable SST contrast was maintained at approximately 30°N because the SST difference between the Kuroshio Current and the Yellow Sea remained large throughout July 2020. The notable contrasts in the SST and surface air temperature (SAT) coincided well with YSH maintenance over the sea west of Kyushu and could contribute to long-term stagnation of the Baiu front.
Barriers to access to hepatitis C treatment with direct-acting antivirals in people who inject drugs in the community setting. A qualitative study with prison population.
Authors: Yela Elena , Solé Neus , Puig Lidia , Clua Rafael , Lopez-Gallegos Dario
Published: February 2023

Barriers to access to hepatitis C treatment with direct-acting antivirals in people who inject drugs in the community setting. Qualitative study with prison population.
Hepatitis C (HCV) treatments with direct-acting antiviral therapy (DAA) are an easy and effective option among people who inject drugs (PWID). However, difficulties in accessing and monitoring treatment in community services and dropouts on release from prison are detected among PWID. For this reason, the aim of the study is to know the access barriers in the diagnosis and treatment of HCV in community health services. An exploratory qualitative study was carried out through semi-structured interviews with 33 PWID recruited in a preventive prison in Barcelona, with the information obtained, a thematic analysis of the data inspired by grounded theory was carried out. Among PWID, personal barriers are related to intense drug use, lack of interest and ignorance of HCV infection and treatment, as well as being in a situation of social exclusion. In relation to health providers, they reported receiving little information, the existence of language barriers in migrants, not receiving screening and treatment proposals, and having poor interactions with some professionals. Systemic barriers were expressed related to the health system circuit being complicated, perceiving little comprehensive care and lack of community support. It is recommended to intensify prevention and treatment campaigns, improve health education, make the diagnosis and treatment process more flexible, and promote social policies and holistic care for greater coverage of the needs of PWID.
Effect of colored electronic and overlay filters on reading performance of children with dyslexia
Authors: Barela José A. , Mazzolani Rafaela C. , Garrett Isabela Herz , Barela Ana Maria F. , Hospital Michel A. M. , Figueiredo Gabriella A.
Published: February 2023

This study aimed to examine the effects of colored blue electronic and overlay filters on reading performance and eye movements of children with and without dyslexia. Children with and without dyslexia (15 in each group) were recruited as participants and seated on a chair, with their heads stabilized by a forehead and chin support. They read different texts shown on a 14-inch laptop screen with no filter, blue electronic filter, and blue overlay filter. Eye movements were recorded using an eye-tracking system (ETG 2.0 - SMI), and the total reading time duration, number and mean fixation duration, and number and duration of saccades were obtained. Children with dyslexia showed longer reading durations and higher numbers of both fixations and saccades. In addition, they read faster with the blue overlay filter compared with in the other conditions. Furthermore, the blue overlay filter reduced the fixation duration and increased the saccade duration. These results show that a blue overlay filter improves reading performance in children with dyslexia owing to changes in eye movement patterns.
Prediction of Lightning Activity over Bangladesh Using Diagnostic and Explicit Lightning Parameterizations of WRF Model
Authors: Parama Maruf Md Rabbani , Rabb Khan Md Golam , Imran Ashik , Islam Md. Jafrul , Syed Ishtiaque M.
Published: February 2023

Lightning discharge from thunderstorms is a major weather hazard and the loss of lives and properties caused by lightning is high in Bangladesh due to frequent lightning activity in the pre-monsoon season (March-May). In this study, numerical simulations in predicting the lightning flashes using diagnostic and explicit lightning parameterization options in WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model are performed over Bangladesh for three selected pre-monsoon lightning events (01 April 2019, 04 April 2019 and 20 May 2021). WRF model sensitivity for five microphysics and three planetary boundary layer schemes are also investigated in this work. The combination of Morrison and YSU (Yonsei University scheme)is found to be the best configuration by comparing the RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) of hourly area averaged rainfall. The lightning flash counts are estimated by using four diagnostic methods: (1) PR92 (Price and Rind 1992) (based on wmax), (2) PR92 (based on 20 dBZ top), (3) PR92 (based on level of neutral buoyancy), (4) LPI (Lightning Potential Index) based on cloud hydrometeors and updraft and (5) an explicit: physics-based method from cloud electrification referred to as WRF-Elec. The WWLLN (World Wide Lightning Location Network) and NASA LIS (Lightning Imaging Sensor) observations are used to compare the simulated lightning flashes for the three events. The 24 hr (hour) accumulated rainfall are also analyzed and the results show good consistency with the observations from NASA GPM datasets. Evaluations based on FSS (Fraction Skill Score) and performance diagrams are carried out for a better understanding of rainfall of how model simulations perform in forecasting rainfall. In qualitative assessment framework, the spatial patterns of WRF-Elec based simulations of lightning flashes to predict the primary regions of lightning occurrence exhibit good agreement with observations in most of the studied cases.
Direct Visualization of Carbon Black Aggregates in Nitrile Butadiene Rubber by THz Near-field Microscope
Authors: Moon Youngil , Lee Haneol , Jung Jaekap , Han Haewook
Published: February 2023

The use of filling agents for rubber reinforcement is beneficial in various industrial applications, and several experimentalmethods have been used to study the effect of fillers on rubber. However, due to the lack of a suitable imaging technique, fillerdispersion and distribution in rubber cannot be easily displayed. Thus, we utilize the THz near-field microscope (THz-NFM)to directly visualize the distribution of carbon black (CB) aggregates in nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR). The THz time-domainspectroscopy (THz-TDS) was used to evaluate the optical properties of the NBR specimens. Results revealed significantindices contrast between CB and NBR at the THz regime, which was attributed to the variation in electrical conductivities. Themicrographs of NBR in the THz-NFM revealed the distribution of CB aggregates. The area fraction (AF) of the CB aggregateswas calculated using a binary thresholding algorithm to compare with the transmission electron microscope method. Bothmethods yielded comparable AF values, suggesting, for the first time, that CB can be detected in the NBR without preprocessingthe specimens.
Time-dependent recruitment of GAF, ISGF3 and IRF1 complexes shapes IFNα and IFNγ activated transcriptional responses and explains mechanistic and functional overlap
Authors: Sekrecka Agata , Kluzek Katarzyna , Sekrecki Michal , Boroujeni Mahdi Eskandarian , Hasani Sanaz , Yamauchi Shota , Sada Kiyonao , Wesoly Joanna , Bluyssen Hans
Published: February 2023

To understand in detail the transcriptional and functional overlap of IFN-I and IFN-II activated responses, we used an integrative RNAseq-ChIPseq approach in Huh7.5 cells and characterized the genome-wide role of pSTAT1, pSTAT2, IRF9 and IRF1 in time-dependent ISG expression. For the first time, our results provide detailed insight in the timely steps of IFNα and IFNγ induced transcription, in which pSTAT1 and pSTAT2-containing ISGF3 and GAF-like complexes and IRF1 are recruited to individual or combined ISRE and GAS composite sites in a phosphorylation and time-dependent manner. Accordingly, composite genes displayed a more intermediate expression pattern, as compared to GAS (early) and ISRE genes (late), with the time- and phosphorylation-dependent recruitment of GAF, ISGF3 and IRF1 after IFNα stimulation and GAF and IRF1 after IFNγ. By sharing features of GAS and ISRE genes, composite genes were able to sustain IFN responsiveness in STAT1-, STAT2-, IRF9-, IRF1- and IRF9/IRF1-mutant Huh7.5 cells compared to Wt cells. Thus, the ISRE + GAS composite site acted as a molecular switch, depending on the timely available components and transcription factor complexes. As part of the increasing complexity, STAT1, STAT2 and IRF9 were identified as functional composite genes that are part of a positive feedback-loop controlling long-term IFNα and IFNγ responses. More important, in the absence of any one of the components, the positive feedback regulation of the ISGF3 and GAF components appeared to be preserved. Together, these findings provide further insight in the existence of a novel intracellular amplifier circuit prolonging ISG expression and controlling cellular responsiveness to different types of IFNs and subsequent antiviral activity. It also offers an explanation for the existing molecular and functional overlap between IFN-I and IFN-II activated ISG expression.
Novel mutation in NOD2 gene with report on three families with Blau syndrome (BS) from a single centre in India - case series and review of literature
Authors: Baisya Ritasman
Published: February 2023

Blau syndrome ( BS ) , considered a rare pediatric autoinflammatory disease, is characterized by a triad of granulomatous arthritis, dermatitis and uveitis . Here we present a tale of three families evaluated in our outpatient department over the last two years (2020-2022). More than one member of the family was affected with either skin, ophthalmological and joint involvement with either biopsy-proven granuloma or a genetic mutation at NOD2 gene suggesting the diagnosis of BS. The third family had a novel pathogenic mutation in the NOD2 gene with clinical features of BS
Trans-activating mutations of the pseudokinase ERBB3
Authors: Elenius Klaus , Koivu Marika , Chakroborty Deepankar , Airenne Tomi , Johnson Mark , Kurppa Kari
Published: February 2023

Genetic changes in the ERBB family of receptor tyrosine kinases serve as oncogenic driver events and predictive biomarkers for ERBB inhibitor drugs. ERBB3 is a pseudokinase member of the family that, although lacking a fully active kinase domain, is well known for its potent signaling activity as a heterodimeric complex with ERBB2. Previous studies have identified few transforming ERBB3 mutations while the great majority of the hundreds of different somatic ERBB3 variants observed in different cancer types remain of unknown significance. Here, we describe an unbiased functional genetics screen of the transforming potential of thousands of ERBB3 mutations in parallel. The screen based on a previously described iSCREAM (in vitro screen of activating mutations) platform, and addressing ERBB3 pseudokinase signaling in a context of ERBB3/ERBB2 heterodimers, identified 18 hit mutations. Validation experiments in Ba/F3, NIH 3T3, and MCF10A cell backgrounds demonstrated the presence of both previously known and unknown transforming ERBB3 missense mutations functioning either as single variants or in cis as a pairwise combination. Drug sensitivity assays with trastuzumab, pertuzumab and neratinib indicated actionability of the transforming ERBB3 variants.
Compact and wideband nanoacoustic pass-band filters for future 5G and 6G cellular radios
Authors: Giribaldi Gabriel , Colombo Luca , Simeoni Pietro , Rinaldi Matteo
Published: February 2023

The last half a century has seen an enormous growth in mobile communication, reflecting into an increasingly interconnected world. Nevertheless, the incessant demand for faster data-rates requires a shift to higher carrier frequencies, which translates to the need for more ubiquitous hardware due to the increased wave propagation losses. The 7-20 GHz range, located between the sub-6 GHz (5G FR-1) and the mm-wave (5G FR-2) spectrum, provides an excellent trade-off between network capacity and coverage. Such spectrum portion constitutes a yet-to-explore third frequency range (FR-3) for future 5G applications, and is foreseen to become the 6G mid-band, devoted to crowded urban area coverage. This work proposes a technological platform able to deliver CMOS-compatible, on-chip multi-frequency low-loss, wideband, and compact passband filters for cellular radios operating at mid-band frequencies, exploiting the micro-to-nano scaling of acoustic electromechanical resonators and filters. The presented results showcase the first-ever demonstrated low insertion loss bank of 7 nanoacoustic passive passband filters in the X-band, spanning more than 3 GHz of operation, all fabricated on the same substrate with state-of-the-art and low-complexity micro-machining process. Most of the filters showcase fractional bandwidths above 3% and sub-dB loss per stage, all in an extremely compact form factor, enabling the manufacturing of X-band filters and duplexers that can be integrated in mobile handsets at each antenna element. The novelty of the current results stems from the adoption of a high-crystallinity piezoelectric Sc-doped AlN thin film, together with an optimized resonator topology in terms of design and fabrication.
Broadband, angle-dependent optical characterization of asymmetric self-assembled nanohole arrays in silver
Authors: El-Ansary Z. , Kumar H. P. R. , Brioual B. , Petronijevic E. , Cesca T. , Scian C. , Mattei G. , Hasnaoui M. El , Sibilia C. , Belardini A.
Published: February 2023

Plasmonic nanostructured materials made of nanohole arrays in metal are significant plasmonic devices exhibiting resonances and strong electromagnetic confinement in the visible and near-infrared range. As such, they have been proposed for use in many applications such as biosensing and communications. In this work, we introduce the asymmetry in nanoholes, and investigate its influence on the electromagnetic response by means of broadband experimental characterization and numerical simulations. As a low-cost fabrication process, we use nanosphere lithography, combined with tilted silver evaporation, to obtain a 2D hexagonal array of asymmetric nanoholes in Ag. Our experimental set-up is based on a laser, widely tunable in the near-infrared range, with precise polarization control in the input and in the output. We next resolve the circular polarization degree of the transmitted light when the nanohole array is excited with linear polarization. We attribute the disbalance of left and right transmitted light to the asymmetry of the nanohole, which we support by numerical simulations. We believe that the optimization of such simple plasmonic geometry could lead to multifunctional flat-optic devices.
A Contemporary Assessment of Patients Presenting to a Tertiary Medical Center with Peyronie’s Disease
Authors: Roadman Daniel , Wang Vinson , Beer Adam , Levine Laurence
Published: February 2023

Peyronie’s disease continues to be poorly understood. We characterize the presenting features of Peyronie’s disease within a large cohort and elucidate the factors that correlate with surgical intervention. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed on 1483 consecutive patients to assess pre-operative predictors of surgical intervention for Peyronie’s disease. 1263 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 55 ± 11 years with a mean duration of disease at presentation of 33.2 ± 42.5 months. Mean primary curvature was 49.8 ± 20.8°. Primary ventral curvature was present in 11.4% and 36.5% of patient had a multiplanar curvature. During penile duplex ultrasound evaluation indentation/narrowing deformities were appreciated in 76.0%, hourglass deformity in 10.1%, and hinge effect in 33.0% of patients. Calcification was seen in 30.1% of patients. Operative intervention occurred in 35.3% of patients. Severity of primary curvature (1.03 OR, p<0.001), hourglass deformity (1.82 OR, p=0.01), decreased tunical elasticity (1.20 OR, p=0.03), and prior intralesional collagenase clostridium histolyticum injections (2.94 OR, p <0.001) predicted surgical correction. Compared to historical studies, we found a higher incidence of severe degree of curvature, indentation deformities, hinge-effect, multiplanar curvature and penile calcifications. Ultimately, predictors of surgical intervention included those with worse erectile function and more severe characteristics.
Becoming an English language teacher over lines of desires
Authors: Nigar Nashid , Kostogriz Alex , Gurney Laura
Published: February 2023

The article explores the becoming of English language teachers, focusing on the past experiences of sixteen English language teachers, mostly prior to their migration to Australia. Findings revealed two lines of becoming and their intersections – the line of becoming an English language learner and the line of becoming an English language teacher. The histories of their ‘becoming’ demonstrate the interplay of socially produced desires and personal investment in professional learning and capabilities. Through exploring the assemblages within which their desires to become teachers were fomented and strengthened, we argue that the concept of English teachers’ ‘desired becoming’ provides a window into the formation of their professional identities as an interplay of the affective and the rational.
Day Surgery unit Robotics Thoracic surgery: feasibility and management
Authors: Li Xin , Liu Yuanqi , Zhou Yanwu , Gao Yang , Duan Chaojun , Zhang Chunfang
Published: February 2023

Background:Day surgery has been widely carried out in medical developed countries such as Europe and the United States with high efficiency, safety and economy. The development of thoracic day surgery started late, and currently only a few top three hospitals carry thoracic day surgery. In recent years, with the continuous in-depth application of the concept of accelerated rehabilitation surgery (ERAS) in the field of surgery, thoracic surgery ERAS has also entered clinical practice with remarkable results. At present, the application of day surgery in the field of thoracic surgery is still in its infancy, and the application of robot-assisted thoracic surgery in thoracic surgery has brought new opportunities for the popularization of day surgery in thoracic surgery.
Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 86 patients underwent thoracic day surgery under the application of robot-assisted surgery system and through systematic randomization method choose 86 patients underwent conventional thoracic surgery under the application of robot-assisted surgery system at our Institute between 2020 and 2022. We analyzed the clinical and pathological features between the two groups.
Results: The clinical feature of location of the nodules, the size of nodules, pN, histology and post-operative complications were homogenous between the two groups. The average age was significantly higher in the conventional mode group, the ratio of male patients and the patients with history of smoking were significantly lower in day-surgery mode group. The major surgical method in conventional mode group was lobectomy resection(48.8%). While the segmental resection was the major surgical in day surgery mode group. The hospital stay and the time of drain was significant longer in conventional mode group. And the total medical cost in conventional was more than day-surgery mode group. While the histology and post-operative complications were homogenous between the two group.
Conclusion: Before this, day surgery and robotics assistant surgery in thoracic surgery had been proved feasibility and safety. However, there was no report of day surgery unit robotics assistant thoracic surgery. Our clinical practice demonstrated that the method of day surgery unit robotics thoracic surgery is feasibility and safety enough.
The Impact of Verbal Communication Disturbance and Nonverbal Sensitivity on Social Functioning in Schizophrenia Patients
Authors: Demirok Zeynep Nur , Akça Erdoğdu , Demirok Ömer , Sağ Yağmur , Kuşçu Mehmet Kemal
Published: February 2023

Communication skills are vital to social functioning (SF). Patients with schizophrenia (SCH), a population with vital impairments in SF, are known to have difficulties in both verbal and nonverbal communication. To compare the influence of nonverbal sensitivity (NVS) and verbal communication disturbances (VCD) on SF, 38 SCH and 40 healthy controls (HC) were included in the present study. Mini Profile of Nonverbal Sensitivity Test (Mini-PONS Test) and Communication Disturbance Index (CDI) were respectively used to assess nonverbal and verbal abilities. The level of SF was determined using Social Functioning Scale (SFS). The severity of illness was measured with Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANNS). Lower NVS and higher rate of VCD were found in SCH compared to HC. CDI and Mini-PONS total scores were significantly correlated with SFS total score in SCH, but not in HC. PANSS and Mini-PONS total scores remained a significant predictor of SFS total score in subsequent regression models in SCH. Symptom severity was shown to be a full mediator of the relationship between VCD and SF. The results indicate that the impairment of nonverbal communication skills have a salient impact on the decline in SF in schizophrenia.
Perioperative redox changes in patients undergoing hepato-pancreatico-biliary cancer surgery
Authors: Stevens Jia L , McKenna Helen T , BSc Helder Filipe , Lau Laurie , Fernandez Bernadette O , Murray Andrew J , Feelisch Martin , Martin Daniel S
Published: February 2023

Background
Tissue injury induces inflammation and the surgical stress response, which are thought to be central to the orchestration of recovery or deterioration after surgery. Enhanced formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species accompanies the inflammatory response and triggers separate but integrated reduction/oxidation (redox) pathways that leads to oxidative and/or nitrosative stress (ONS). Quantitative information on ONS in the perioperative period is scarce. This single-centre exploratory study investigated the effects of major surgery on ONS and systemic redox status, and their potential associations with postoperative morbidity.
Methods
Blood was collected from 56 patients at baseline, end of surgery (EoS), and on day-1. Postoperative morbidity was recorded using the Clavien-Dindo classification and further categorised into minor, moderate and severe. Plasma/serum measures included markers of lipid oxidation (thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances; TBARS, 4-hydroxynonenal; 4-HNE, 8-iso-prostaglandin F2⍺; 8-isoprostanes). Total reducing capacity was measured using total free thiols (TFTs) and ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP). Nitric oxide (NO) formation/metabolism, was measured using cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), nitrite, nitrate and total nitroso-species (RxNO). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-⍺) were measured to evaluate inflammation.
Results
Both oxidative stress (TBARS) and nitrosative stress (total nitroso-species) increased from baseline to EoS (+ 14%, P = 0.003 and + 138%, P < 0.001 respectively), along with an increase in overall reducing capacity (+ 9%, P = 0.03) at EoS and protein-adjusted total free thiols (+ 12%, P = 0.001) day-1 after surgery. Nitrite, nitrate and cGMP concentrations declined concomitantly from baseline to day-1. Baseline nitrate was 60% higher in the minor morbidity group compared to severe (P = 0.003).The increase in intraoperative TBARS was greater in severe compared to minor morbidity (P = 0.01). The decline in intraoperative nitrate was more marked in the minor morbidity group compared to severe (P < 0.001), whereas the cGMP decline was greatest in the severe morbidity group (P = 0.006).
Conclusion
In patients undergoing major HPB surgery, intraoperative oxidative and nitrosative stress increased, whilst reductive capacity also increased. Baseline nitrate was inversely associated with postoperative morbidity, and the hallmarks of poor postoperative outcome include changes in both oxidative stress and NO metabolism.
Lead poisoning epidemiology, challenges and opportunities: first systematic review and expert censuses of the MENA region
Authors: Sukaiti Waleed Al , Shuhoumi Mohammed Abdullah Al , Balushi Hassan Al , Faifi Musa Al , Kazzi Ziad
Published: February 2023

Lead is the most ubiquitous heavy metal in the Earth's crust. Since prehistoric times, lead has widely propagated and mobilized in the environment, increasing its non-essential uptake and exposure. The amount of lead entering the atmosphere has reduced substantially in the majority of wealthy nations. Acute exposure becomes relatively low, but chronic exposure to low levels of lead remains a significant public health issue. However, disadvantaged groups are developing and industrializing countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Our current study comprises various sources of lead pollutant from 48 studies. Of these, 34 studies entered systematic review synthesis after quality assessment and evaluation using the Mixed Method Appraisal Tool (MMAT). The study sought to identify lead pollution sources, epidemiology and distribution and analyse lead poisoning clinical manifestations, management, challenges and opportunities throughout the MENA countries.
Plant Community Structure and Species Diversity Characteristics in Traditional Villages of Dong Nationality in Southeastern Guizhou and Their Interrelation
Authors: Chen Xuan , Huang Zongsheng , Zhang Yuanbo , Chen Haixia , Liu Lin , Zhang Hao , Liu Zhengji , Xiang Huiwen
Published: February 2023

To investigate the plant community structure and species diversity characteristics in the traditional villages of Dong nationality in Southeastern Guizhou and the interrelation between the two, the author adopts biodiversity theory, fractal theory, and forest stand spatial structure parameters to analyze the plant community structure and species diversity characteristics in the traditional villages of Dong nationality in Southeastern Guizhou. The coupling relationship between the two is also investigated. Results showed that: the plant communities in the traditional villages of Dong nationality display a low-degree clustering pattern, and the communities are in a transition from moderately mingled to stable states. Community structure parameters and species diversity are significantly different among different types of green spaces and three spaces, but show no significant changes under different topography and landforms. The spatial isolation degree of tree species in the arbor layer, the individual spatial distribution pattern and the spatial occupancy degree of the arbor layer are the main factors affecting species diversity in the arbor and shrub layer, while the main factor that affects the herb layer diversity is the competitiveness of the arbor layer. Dong culture acts as a key factor in maintaining the plant community structure and species diversity in the traditional villages of Dong nationality in Southeastern Guizhou. In the future, we need coordinate the relationship between ethnic cultural development and ecological environmental protection, strengthen ethnic culture construction to promote the sustainable development of biodiversity. This study can provide a theoretical foundation for the construction of plant landscapes under the background of rural revitalization, which is of important significance to the construction of an ecologically livable environment.
Who are the donors? A characterisation of two years of volunteer milk donors to a community-based UK milk bank
Authors: Wedekind Sophie , Watt Jo , Grimwade-Mann Michael , Brown Amy , Shenker Natalie , Weaver Gillian
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Demand for donor human milk (DHM) is increasing secondary to increased neonatal unit admissions and acceptability. Recruitment and retention of donors is a priority for human milk banks (HMB), but little data is available to optimise donor recruitment, ensuring donors are effectively and compassionately supported, as well as ensuring operational strategies to maximise inclusivity and efficiency. A review was therefore undertaken of all recruited donors to the Hearts Milk Bank, a large, community-based charitable HMB over a 2-year period.
Methods: A retrospective data collection was undertaken to review the demographics, characteristics, and donation history of all donors registered to the Hearts Milk Bank in 2020 or 2021, who donated up to 31st March 2022. Donor variables included age, ethnicity, location, occupation, pumping modalities and reason for donating, alongside infant variables including gestational age, birthweight, age at registration, and admission to a neonatal unit. Descriptive statistics were calculated based on duration of donation, volume and donation numbers, and microbiological fail rates compared between groups using T-tests.
Results: A total of 498 donors were recruited over a 2-year period (2020, n=244; 2021, n=254). Of these, 48 donors who had either donated to Hearts before or continued donating after their infant reached another milk bank’s age limit. Most donors lived with a partner (92%) and every ethnicity was represented with the exceptions of Black Caribbean and Mixed White / Black Caribbean. The mean gestational age at birth was 36 weeks, with 40.5% of infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The mean age of the infant at registration was 18.8 weeks. Overall, 47% donors made only a single donation and 7.2% of recruited donors never donated. The mean total volume of milk donated was 14.9 litres, with significantly greater volumes donated by those registered before their infant was 6 months of age (26 - 80 weeks; 15.9 L (range vs. 6.44 L).
Conclusions: Donors were broadly reflective of previous studies regarding demographics, and representative of Hearts’ local populations. These findings will support future research that can encourage the recruitment, optimal support and retention of milk donors.
Invasiveness, Intrusiveness and Influence: Three new metrics to measure communication between political digital echo chambers
Authors: Kalluçi Eglantina , Peshkopia Ridvan
Published: February 2023

The contemporary debate about the role of political digital echo chambers (DPECs) relies more on assumptions, guess work, and speculations rather than empirical conclusions. Such shortcomings reflect the lack of empirical tools to measure the communication between echo chambers and the outside world. We try to overcome this deficiency by construing three graph-level metrics, Invasiveness, Intrusiveness and Influence, which try to capture the information dominance of a DPEC over another one, its strength of information source, and the penetration capability of one DPEC’s message deep into another DPEC’s space, respectively. We tested our metrics with simulated and real network data, and they seem to respond according to their design and our expectations.