bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Unilateral Shoulder Disorder on the Stance Phase of Human Gait
Authors: Missmann Martin , Aron Gerald , Stöggl Thomas , Pirchl Michael , Grote Vincent , Fischer Michael J.
Published: April 2022

Background. Gait analysis systems serve as important tools for assessing disturbed gait patterns. Amongst other factors, functional limitations of the shoulder joint may relate to such disturbances. Patient-reported outcome measures, assessment of pain, and active range of motion are commonly used to describe shoulder impairment. Purpose. The aim of this cohort study was to evaluate the impact of unilateral limitations of shoulder mobility and pain on gait patterns and to detect correlations between pain, shoulder mobility, and particular phases of human gait using a Zebris gait analysis system. Methods. 20 subjects with unilaterally restricted mobility and pain of the affected shoulder and a control group of 10 healthy subjects underwent a gait analysis. Various gait parameters, the DASH score, pain at rest and movement of the affected shoulder, and the active range of motion (aROM) for shoulder flexion and abduction were recorded. Results. We determined significant differences of the duration of the loading response (

p

 = 0.021), midstance (

p

 = 0.033), and the terminal stance phase (

p

 = 0.019) between the shoulder group and the control group, with a shorter loading response phase and a longer terminal stance phase of the affected side in the shoulder group. In the shoulder group, we found significant correlations between the DASH and the duration of the midstance phase (

p

 = 0.023) and the terminal stance phase (

p

 = 0.038). In addition, there was a significant correlation between shoulder flexion and the duration of the midstance phase (

p

 = 0.047).
Simvastatin Inhibits NLRP3 Inflammasome Activation and Ameliorates Lung Injury in Hyperoxia-Induced Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia via the KLF2-Mediated Mechanism
Authors: Wang Xinye , Huo Ran , Liang Zhongjie , Xu Congcong , Chen Tingting , Lin Jingjing , Li Luyao , Lin Wei , Pan Bingting , Fu Xiaoqin , Chen Shangqin
Published: April 2022

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic lung disease commonly found in premature infants. Excessive inflammation and oxidative stress contribute to BPD occurrence and development. Simvastatin, as an inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase, has been reported to have antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. However, its effect and possible mechanisms in hyperoxia-induced lung injury are rarely reported. In this study, in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to investigate whether simvastatin could ameliorate hyperoxia-induced lung injury and explore its potential mechanism. For the in vivo study, simvastatin could improve alveolar development after hyperoxic lung injury and reduce hyperoxic stress and inflammation. The in vitro study revealed that simvastatin can reduce inflammation in A549 cells after high-oxygen exposure. Simvastatin suppressed NLRP3 inflammasome activation and played anti-inflammatory and antioxidant roles by increasing KLF2 (Krüppel-like factor 2) expression. In vitro experiments also revealed that these effects of simvastatin were partially reversed by KLF2 shRNA, indicating that KLF2 was involved in simvastatin effects. In summary, our findings indicate that simvastatin could downregulate NLRP3 inflammasome activation and attenuate lung injury in hyperoxia-induced bronchopulmonary dysplasia via KLF2-mediated mechanism.
lncRNA GHET1 Promotes the Progression of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer via Regulation of miR-377-3p/GRSF1 Signaling Axis
Authors: Wang Yu , Li Chen
Published: April 2022

Objective. This study is aimed at investigating the role of lncRNA GHET1 in the progression of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Methods. Tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues (normal) of TNBC patients were collected. Human normal breast cells (MCF10A) and TNBC cells (MDA-MB-468 and HCC1937) were employed for in vitro analysis. The expression of lncRNA GHET1, miR-377-3p, and GRSF1 was detected by qRT-PCR. The lncRNA GHET1 and miR-377-3p were overexpressed or knocked down in the TNBC cells, respectively. To determine the specific biological activities of the TNBC cells, MTT, flow cytometry, and wound healing assay were adopted to evaluate the cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and migration abilities, respectively. MMP-9 and MMP-2 protein expression levels were detected as well by Western blot in the cells. The relationship between miR-377-3p and lncRNA GHET1, miR-377-3p, and GRSF1 was validated using dual-luciferase reporter assay. Results. lncRNA GHET1 was significantly upregulated in the TNBC patients’ tissues and the TNBC cell lines. Overexpression of lncRNA GHET1 significantly increased the proliferation and migration ability, but decreased apoptosis in the TNBC cells. Additionally, overexpression of lncRNA GHET1 upregulated both MMP-9 and MMP-2 protein expression levels. Correlation analysis found that miR-377-3p had a positive relationship with GRSF1, but had a negative relationship with lncRNA GHET1. miR-377-3p mimic attenuated the effects of lncRNA GHET1 on cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and migration of the TNBC cells. Conclusion. lncRNA GHET1 promotes TNBC progression through the miR-377-3p/GRSF1 signaling axis.
Xiaoyao-Qingluoyin Cure Adjuvant-Induced Arthritis by Easing LPS Response-Related Pathway-Mediated Immune Abnormality
Authors: Li Dan-Feng , Xie Chen-Qiong , Wu Yi-Jin , Shi Chao , Ji Chao-fan , Hu Yi-Fang , Liao Qiang , Li Yan
Published: April 2022

Qingluoyin (QLY) is a representative herbal formula prescribed for hot symptom-related rheumatoid arthritis treatment. Among its derivatives, Xiaoyao-Qingluoyin (XYQLY) attracts increasing attention due to the notable clinical efficacy. In this study, we compared its effects with QLY on adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) in rats and partially elucidated the antirheumatic mechanism using a network pharmacology-based strategy. After continuous oral treatments, clinical outcomes were systematically evaluated by radiographic, histological, immunohistochemical, and serological analyses. Possibly altered pathways were predicted based on reported interactions between the related chemicals and proteins/genes. The obtained conclusion was further validated by experiments in vitro. QLY and XYQLY eased polyarthritis in AIA rats after repeated doses, which reflected in reduced inflammation and bone degradation and downregulated p-p65, MMP3, and TLR4 expressions in joints. Meanwhile, they restored oxidative stress (MDA, SOD, GSH, T-AOC, and NO) and inflammatory indicators (TNF-α and CO) in serum. Synovium-based immunoblotting assay revealed that QLY and XYQLY were similarly effective in downregulating MMP3 and COX-2, but XYQLY treatment exhibited notable merit in suppressing p-p65 expression. Network pharmacology analysis hinted that XYQLY should exert greater impacts on LPS signaling and the downstream. Based on results from LC-MS analysis, we treated AIA rat-derived peripheral blood mononuclear cells with either QLY or XYQLY-based chemical combinations and confirmed that XYQLY had the better potential in inhibiting TLR4/NF-κB-controlled IL-6 production. Consequently, it led to a more profound decrease in Th17 cells counts. Overall evidence demonstrated that XYQLY was especially effective in regulating innate immunity and, therefore, improved immune environment in AIA rats as a whole.
Long-Term Sequelae in Young Convalescent COVID-19 Patients
Authors: Nakamura Ayumi , Farrer Thomas J. , Liu Andy
Published: April 2022

As of March 2022, over 78 million cases of COVID-19 and 900,000 deaths have been reported in the United States. The consequences in the acute phase due to the SARS-COV-2 infection are well defined. Beyond the direct effects of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) involving the lung parenchyma, the post-viral complications within the central nervous system are still largely unknown, and a comprehensive evaluation regarding the long-term neuropsychological sequelae from this disease is not well characterized. An increasing number of patients previously diagnosed with COVID-19 have now presented with ongoing symptoms of inattention, executive function, and memory difficulties. These symptoms are collectively and commonly known by the public as ‘brain fog’, with many expressing concerns over their inability to engage in the workplace due to these symptoms. Here, we describe three patients who were seen in the Memory Disorders Clinic at Duke University to characterize the long-term neuropsychological symptoms, neuropsychological test results and brain MRI findings after infection with SARS-CoV-2 in a cohort of patients under the age of 60.
Repurposing Itraconazole and Hydroxychloroquine to Target Lysosomal Homeostasis in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Marastoni Stefano , Madariaga Ainhoa , Pesic Aleksandra , Nair Sree Narayanan , Li Zhu Juan , Shalev Zvi , Ketela Troy , Colombo Ilaria , Mandilaras Victoria , Cabanero Michael , Bruce Jeff P. , Li Xuan , Garg Swati , Wang Lisa , Chen Eric X. , Gill Sarbjot , Dhani Neesha C. , Zhang Wenjiang , Pintilie Melania , Bowering Valerie , Koritzinsky Marianne , Rottapel Robert , Wouters Bradly G. , Oza Amit M. , Joshua Anthony M. , Lheureux Stephanie
Published: April 2022

Drug repurposing is an attractive option for oncology drug development. Itraconazole is an antifungal ergosterol synthesis inhibitor that has pleiotropic actions including cholesterol antagonism, inhibition of Hedgehog and mTOR pathways. We tested a panel of 28 epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) cell lines with itraconazole to define its spectrum of activity. To identify synthetic lethality in combination with itraconazole, a whole-genome drop-out genome-scale clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats sensitivity screen in two cell lines (TOV1946 and OVCAR5) was performed. On this basis, we conducted a phase I dose-escalation study assessing the combination of itraconazole and hydroxychloroquine in patients with platinum refractory EOC (NCT03081702). We identified a wide spectrum of sensitivity to itraconazole across the EOC cell lines. Pathway analysis showed significant involvement of lysosomal compartments, the trans-golgi network and late endosomes/lysosomes; similar pathways are phenocopied by the autophagy inhibitor, chloroquine. We then demonstrated that the combination of itraconazole and chloroquine displayed Bliss defined synergy in EOC cancer cell lines. Furthermore, there was an association of cytotoxic synergy with the ability to induce functional lysosome dysfunction, by chloroquine. Within the clinical trial, 11 patients received at least one cycle of itraconazole and hydroxychloroquine. Treatment was safe and feasible with the recommended phase II dose of 300 and 600 mg twice daily, respectively. No objective responses were detected. Pharmacodynamic measurements on serial biopsies demonstrated limited pharmacodynamic impact. In vitro, itraconazole and chloroquine have synergistic activity and exert a potent antitumor effect by affecting lysosomal function. The drug combination had no clinical antitumor activity in dose escalation.

Significance:

The combination of the antifungal drug itraconazole with antimalarial drug hydroxychloroquine leads to a cytotoxic lysosomal dysfunction, supporting the rational for further research on lysosomal targeting in ovarian cancer.
A Golden Decade of Deep Learning: Computing Systems & Applications
Authors: Dean Jeffrey
Published: April 2022

The past decade has seen tremendous progress in the field of artificial intelligence thanks to the resurgence of neural networks through deep learning. This has helped improve the ability for computers to see, hear, and understand the world around them, leading to dramatic advances in the application of AI to many fields of science and other areas of human endeavor. In this essay, I examine the reasons for this progress, including the confluence of progress in computing hardware designed to accelerate machine learning and the emergence of open-source software frameworks to dramatically expand the set of people who can use machine learning effectively. I also present a broad overview of some of the areas in which machine learning has been applied over the past decade. Finally, I sketch out some likely directions from which further progress in artificial intelligence will come.
Neural Mechanisms of Perceiving and Subsequently Recollecting Emotional Facial Expressions in Young and Older Adults
Authors: Izumika Reina , Cabeza Roberto , Tsukiura Takashi
Published: April 2022

It is known that emotional facial expressions modulate the perception and subsequent recollection of faces and that aging alters these modulatory effects. Yet, the underlying neural mechanisms are not well understood, and they were the focus of the current fMRI study. We scanned healthy young and older adults while perceiving happy, neutral, or angry faces paired with names. Participants were then provided with the names of the faces and asked to recall the facial expression of each face. fMRI analyses focused on the fusiform face area (FFA), the posterior superior temporal sulcus (pSTS), the OFC, the amygdala (AMY), and the hippocampus (HC). Univariate activity, multivariate pattern (MVPA), and functional connectivity analyses were performed. The study yielded two main sets of findings. First, in pSTS and AMY, univariate activity and MVPA discrimination during the processing of facial expressions were similar in young and older adults, whereas in FFA and OFC, MVPA discriminated facial expressions less accurately in older than young adults. These findings suggest that facial expression representations in FFA and OFC reflect age-related dedifferentiation and positivity effect. Second, HC–OFC connectivity showed subsequent memory effects (SMEs) for happy expressions in both age groups, HC–FFA connectivity exhibited SMEs for happy and neutral expressions in young adults, and HC-pSTS interactions displayed SMEs for happy expressions in older adults. These results could be related to compensatory mechanisms and positivity effects in older adults. Taken together, the results clarify the effects of aging on the neural mechanisms in perceiving and encoding facial expressions.
Propofol Anesthesia Alters Cortical Traveling Waves
Authors: Bhattacharya Sayak , Donoghue Jacob A. , Mahnke Meredith , Brincat Scott L. , Brown Emery N. , Miller Earl K.
Published: April 2022

Oscillatory dynamics in cortex seem to organize into traveling waves that serve a variety of functions. Recent studies show that propofol, a widely used anesthetic, dramatically alters cortical oscillations by increasing slow-delta oscillatory power and coherence. It is not known how this affects traveling waves. We compared traveling waves across the cortex of non-human primates before, during, and after propofol-induced loss of consciousness (LOC). After LOC, traveling waves in the slow-delta (∼1 Hz) range increased, grew more organized, and traveled in different directions relative to the awake state. Higher frequency (8–30 Hz) traveling waves, by contrast, decreased, lost structure, and switched to directions where the slow-delta waves were less frequent. The results suggest that LOC may be due, in part, to increases in the strength and direction of slow-delta traveling waves that, in turn, alter and disrupt traveling waves in the higher frequencies associated with cognition.
Development of an Auxiliary Device for X-ray Examinations Using 3D Printing and Evaluation of Its Usefulness
Authors: Kim Hyeong-Gyun
Published: April 2022

Background/Objectives: An auxiliary device was developed using 3D printing and its usefulness and quality performance were evaluated to improve the speed, stability, and accuracy of plain X-ray exams that require changing the central axis of the human body according to anatomical positions.
Methods/Statistical analysis: The device was fabricated by assembling commercially available parts after printing the design model with a 3D printer. In terms of performance, the stability of the device was evaluated by tensile tests with a Universal Testing Machine, and the speed and accuracy
were evaluated by simulations. Findings: The developed auxiliary device enabled patients to maintain accurate positions at any location on the examination table and provided features such as 360° rotation and fast and easy attachment and detachment. The tensile strength of the auxiliary
device was 45.5 kgf at a 67 mm displacement in the horizontal direction and 73.3 kgf at a 47.6 mm displacement in the vertical direction, indicating the stability of the device through quantitative figures. Improvements/Applications: The developed auxiliary device showed high clinical usefulness
by enabling patients to change positions more accurately and stably than conventional fixed devices during plain X-ray exams according to changes in the central axis.
Augmented Reality-Based Health-Care and Emergency-Treatment System for the Elderly
Authors: Cho Myeon-Gyun
Published: April 2022

With the rapid aging of society and the transition to nuclear families, the number of elderly families living alone with chronic diseases is also increasing. Therefore, it is necessary to support health management for chronic diseases of senior citizens and to provide a life-saving
method to cope with emergencies. By introducing a smart elderly-care service through augmented reality (AR) and IT convergence, old people can manage their health from chronic diseases and respond to emergencies such as cardiac arrest. This paper proposes an AR-based smartphone app that helps
the elderly to manage their health with hand acupuncture, and to save the life from cardiac arrest using cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) treatment. Through the network between hand acupuncture server and smartphone, we have developed AR-based hand acupuncture therapy in smartphones, with
which the old can manage their health from the chronic disease at home. Besides, an AR-based CPR support system is proposed as an emergency measure for elderly families suffering from sudden cardiopulmonary arrest. With this system, we were able to provide visual and auditory guidance to the
elderly around emergency patients to perform accurate and fast CPR. Conventional AR technology is widely used in games, shopping, education, medical care, architecture, travel, while few studies have been done in AR technology as a means of managing the health of old people or saving lives
from emergencies. Therefore, we have developed an AR-based application that finds exact points of hand acupuncture therapy for chronic disease and gives direction on how to do CPR properly. By implementing an elderly-friendly app with two functions in the smartphone, we believe that the app
could contribute to the elderly managing their health at home and saving the lives of partners from cardiac arrest situations. If the proposed system is adopted by elderly families living alone or with an old partner, the old will be able to lead independent lives healthily and safely at home.
In the future, further research on how to increase the applications of hand acupuncture therapy and improve the accuracy and efficiency in training laypeople CPR skills.
Relevance of Cybercrime and Human Maliciousness in Cyberattack
Authors: Hong Jin-Keun
Published: April 2022

Cybercrime characteristics in cyberattack environment is malicious tendency. Therefore, in this paper, we describe the malicious nature of the attacker who caused the cyberattack. This paper focuses on the cultural values or prejudices that individuals and society give to the malicious
tendencies of attackers who cause cyberattacks. First of all, in this paper, we research about the related issues, including cybercrime and cyberattack spread. This study interested in maliciousness which affecting cyber security incident and approached the issue of how integrity, rationality
and benevolence will affect cyberattacks. So these attributes have found relevance to money gains or extortion cyberattacks, accidental cyberattacks and persistent cyberattacks. Also, we wanted to find a point of discussion about how the character traits of integrity, rationality, and benevolence
affect the cyberattack. How these properties are linked to these cyberattacks and what trends these characteristics would have if they were assumed to occur with an arbitrary probability distribution were studied. Human maliciousness affects cyberattacks. What effect will human good character
have on cyberattacks? If a cyber attacker had a sense of integrity, how would this attacker be affected by financial gains or extortion attacks? Usually, people with a high sense of integrity tend to have less or less desire for money or profit taking than those who do not have a sense of
integrity. Therefore, it can be judged that a person with a high consciousness has a relatively low probability of a takeover attack targeting financial interests, etc. In this paper, There are used these factors such as sense of charity, impulsive rationality, integrity for probabilistically
analysis. We can have the following insights: If the integrity is low, it is more likely to pursue money interests and attack them. Attackers with high impulsive emotions have a high chance of accidental attack, while those with high self-interest have a low chance of sustained attack. In
this paper, we considered from a probabilistic point of view, focusing on how the propensity to cause cyberattacks relates to benevolence, integrity and impulse consciousness. This is because cyberattacks are determined by right value system as a moral judgment of human beings. If right value
system determines that attack is right, it will cause an attack, and if it is wrong, it is highly likely that it will not cause an attack. This research result could be used as a basis for the probabilistic study of human characteristics in the relevance of cyberattacks and human maliciousness
in the future.
Internet of Medical Things-Based Multiple Data Processing Techniques Optimized for Healthcare Environments
Authors: Jeong Yoon-Su , Shin Seung-Soo
Published: April 2022

As IT technology has recently been combined with portable device (smartphones, tablets, etc.), demands for state-of-the-art infrastructure are growing. Among them, there is a need for IoMT technology that combines big data and IoT technologies into healthcare. In this paper, we propose
a distributed management technique that can efficiently manage the health care (monitoring and chronic disease management, etc.) information of remote patients by applying various artificial intelligence-related technologies (big data analysis, blockchain, deep learning, etc.) to IoMT technology.
The proposed technique facilitates the collection and management of data by equating the basic management structure of the data with the existing patient model of the hospital. In particular, since the information collected from the IoMT sensor is composed of multiple blockchains, the task
weight of the endpoints is minimized. Also, the proposed technique improved the accuracy of the IoMT information by using the stratified cumulative probability values of the IoMT sensor information. Proposed technique have improved the efficiency of data collection processing by 14.7% over
conventional techniques by automating the linkage between IoMT equipment on the central server for all actions of the IoMT device.
Development of Intelligent Smart Air Conditioning Service Using Non-Contact Bio-Signal and Emotional Lighting
Authors: Kim Jong-Min , Heo Hak-Soo , Ryu Gab-Sang
Published: April 2022

Recently, in the mature life market of Home appliances, technical differentiation of products using convergence technology has been receiving a lot of response to satisfy consumer demand. In this paper, the convergence technology (bio-signal, emotional lighting, ASMR) service for air
conditioners has been developed. Intelligent smart air conditioner service is equipped with IR-UWB radar sensor to collect bio-signal (respiration, movement) by non-contact method and operate air conditioner according to user’s biorhythms, and air conditioner is operated to make a pleasant
sleeping environment through sleep monitoring. Warm/Cool white and RGB LED combination works according to the user’s emotions. In addition, Eight ASMR stored on the server are serviced through air conditioning speaker. The IR-UWB radar sensor for bio-signal collection designed with antenna
frequency 6.0–8.5 GHz and vertical/horizontal 65° to enable object location tracking at distance of 8 m. The respiration rate can be measured 0–40 times and the average error rate of the respiration rate measurement is 4.22%. Emotional lighting consisting of Warm/Cool White
and RGB LEDs can control color (RED: x-0.68 y-0.30, GREEN: x-0.15 y-0.71, BLUE: x-0.13 y-0.06) and color temperature (2700–6500 K). Maximum CRI was measured at 92. The air conditioner operation information and sensor information are transmitted
by JSON method using HTTP protocol and stored, processed, analyzed, and serviced on the big data platform. Our smart air conditioning service platform proved reliability with a data transmission error rate of 0.01%.
Countermeasures Against Military Cyber Threats in Accordance with Internet of Things-Based Defense Intelligence
Authors: Sung Kyung-Sang , Na Wonshik
Published: April 2022

The new world paradigm as brought on by the Fourth Industrial Revolution has initiated a change in a nation’s defense system, with cybersecurity now being recognized as a crucial to national security. As the scope of national security expands to include cyberspace, it is now necessary
to protect both a nation’s physical and cyber space in order to secure national security and the people’s safety. As such, countries all over the world are seeking to strengthen their defense capacity and prepare reliable cybersecurity strategies by linking the private, public,
and defense sectors at the national strategy level. South Korea’s military should also focus on reinforcing its national defense by establishing a cyber defense system that meets the rapidly changing security environment that applies the latest information and communication technologies,
such as the Internet of Things. This paper suggests five areas in which Korea’s military may be able to actively lead its transformation by looking at various coping mechanisms against cyber threats.
An Assessment of UAV Photogrammetry Based on GNSS Positioning Technology for Its Availability
Authors: Kim Dong-Moon
Published: April 2022

There is a growing need for fusion and convergence technology between UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle)s, which is attracting attention as a new growth engine for spatial information in the future. This need bolsters research efforts to make use of UAV and location positioning technologies
based on their fusion and convergence in various fields. Therefore, this study set out to assess georeferencing method techniques based on RTK (Real Time Kinematic), PPK (Post Processed Kinematic), and GCP (Ground Control Point), which are types of UAV photogrammetry based on GNSS (Global
Navigation Satellite System) positioning technology on the basis of fusion and convergence between UAVs, whose utilization began in survey, architecture, forestry, and disaster prevention, and location positioning technologies in location accuracy, work time, and accessibility of final results
(mapping). The study also aimed to propose a technique of UAV photogrammetry based on GNSS positioning technologies capable of offering options according to areas of application, including UAV-based aerial photogrammetry, disaster prevention in agriculture, inspection of construction and structures,
and forest survey. These techniques were applied to a research lot of approximately 0.6 Km2, and their outcomes were analyzed. The analysis results show that RTK and PPK had all of their operations automated and were thus able to reduce work time and GCP volume in the field. They
could, however, cause problems with checking survey outcomes or testing their accuracy, except for the georeferencing approach based on GCP. These outcomes were arranged according to the survey methods: RTK will be applicable to areas where its real-time application is possible; PPK will be
applicable to areas characterized by faster work times, small volume of indoor work, and medium-level accuracy in the field; and the GCP-based georeferencing technique will be applicable to areas that require a lot of work time and high accuracy. The findings of the study provide information
about appropriate techniques and their advantages and disadvantages for each area of application. The study also offered a set of criteria to apply UAV photogrammetry techniques to the environment, ecology, and disaster prevention as well as spatial imagery information, thus considerably improving
the efficiency of related jobs.
Deep-Learning Based Recognition of Mask Wearers for a Droplet Infection Prevention and Monitoring System
Authors: Lee Min-Hye , Lim Soon-Ja
Published: April 2022

The primary method to prevent virus infection through droplets is to check if individuals wear a mask. However, inspecting and controlling each individual involves challenges. This study suggests a method to distinguish those who wear a mask from those who do not and to issue a warning
alarm when detecting a person whose access is restricted. With data sets generated in the preprocessing steps, those who do not wear a mask are distinguished from mask wearers in application of the deep-learning model. Individuals are counted for image analysis, and alarms are issued upon
an event. In order to secure a high level of reliability on warning alarms, the actual ground truth (GT) was compared with the accuracy rate of recognizing mask wearers and non-wearers based on images that the learning model acquired. As a result, the accuracy of mask wearer recognition based
on test data sets was 95.3%, and that of non-wearer recognition was 94.5%. With the number and percentage of non-wearers checked out of the entire subjects, it turned out that based on detection results, warning alarms were issued correctly. In conclusion, it has been verified that the method
suggested in this study is applicable to an access control system judging situations based on images and issuing warning alarms accordingly.
An Unmanned Smart Parcel Locker System with a Parcel Sterilizer
Authors: Lee Min-Hye , Yu Tae-Soo , Lim Soon-Ja
Published: April 2022

Parcel loss and personal information leakage involved thereof is a critical issue. Existing parcel lockers involve the need to share the password between two. This study suggests a double-security smart parcel locker to keep parcel safe from the risk of loss and personal information
leakage by using parcel invoice bar-codes as well as the near field communication (NFC) module for smart-phones. In addition, the suggested method sterilizes a parcel box by means of the ultraviolet-c radiation light emitting diode (UV-C LED) in consideration of the fact that it may be exposed
to insanitary conditions for a long time. To verify the suggested smart parcel locker, tests were conducted on the invoice bar-code mechanism for password security, the near field communication (NFC) module for user authentication reliability, and the Bluetooth interaction distance between
a smart-phone app and the system. Test results show that the accuracy of the near field communication (NFC)-based user authentication was 97%, bar-code and that of the parcel locker opening mechanism was 95%. Thus, the sufficient level of security was verified. The max. transmission distance
for smooth communication between a smart-phone and the parcel locker upon bluetooth pairing turned out to be 5 m. Test results show that as the near field communication (NFC) and invoice bar-codes are used instead of a password, the parcel locker can be utilized as a highly secure instrument.
Smart-Mirror Control for Efficient Information Supporting Framework
Authors: Jeong Seungdo , Kim Sunhee
Published: April 2022

There are a number of studies on efficient control methods related to Smart Home. This paper proposes a smart mirror-based interface for efficient information provision service. The information providing interface proposed in this study is based on a mirror with an information display
function. Basically, there should be no inconvenience in using the function of the mirror itself, and it should be able to be used effectively even when the use of hands is not free. Therefore, in this paper, we propose an efficient interfacing method using voice recognition and dynamic position
control. Smart mirrors have often been used as interfaces for smart home systems. However, the existing interface uses a display equipped with a touch panel. This is not efficient in terms of price, and additional application programs must be provided for control. On the other hand, the proposed
smart mirror can be manufactured in a form in which a half mirror film is attached to the front of a general display, so that cost can be reduced, and it can be easily used even when hands cannot be used by controlling using a speech recognition function. In addition, the efficiency of information
provision is improved by dividing the display regions so as not to interfere with the use of the existing mirror function, and controlling the information display regions to change dynamically according to the user’s location. Through the experiment, it was confirmed that the proposed
method has a positive response to the user. The proposed smart mirror-based interface can be used in various applications requiring visual information even in situations where hand use is not free.
Joint Clustering Method and Reinforcement Learning-Based Spectrum Management in Mobile Cognitive Radio Networks
Authors: Lee Chang-Woo
Published: April 2022

The spectrum management scheme is a crucial issue to utilize the limited resource and secure a higher quality of performance in mobile cognitive radio networks. We propose a spectrum management method to utilize the spectrum effectively and minimize the communication cost in mobile
cognitive radio networks. We consider the following parts such as statistical information about spectrum access patterns and the number of spectrum hand-off. In addition, this paper proposes to make the parameters to decide the spectrum access of the secondary user during the primary user
doesn’t use it. Those parameters are based on dynamic clustering and reinforcement learning. However, both the dynamic clustering method and reinforcement learning haven’t been studied much to minimize communication costs in mobile cognitive radio networks. Firstly, our study is
to improve the opportunity of spectrum access through the analysis based on the spectrum patterns and the number of both the secondary user and the primary user in mobile cognitive radio networks. Secondly, we decrease the number of hand-offs because it checks the status of the available channel
and the patterns of the spectrum usage in the clustering. Above all, the improvement of this paper is to cut down the cost of communication by utilizing the way of the optimal spectrum access in mobile cognitive radio networks.
Image Quality Evaluation Based on Differences in Diagnostic System and Dose Intensity According to Heel Effect
Authors: Kim Seong-Hwan , Lim Cheong-Hwan , Jeong Sung-Hun
Published: April 2022

Based on the structure of the radiation-generating equipment and the generation principle, the image quality should be maintained under minimum dose for an excellent diagnostic image. To minimize the factors during the differences in diagnostic imaging by the same examinee due to differences
in systems, we compared and analyzed the changes in signal intensity of the images acquired in the F/S and the DR system at the cathode, center, and anode. Images were acquired with a tube voltage of 55 kVp and a tube current of 4 mAs (100 mA, 0.004 sec). The obtained images were averaged
by measuring the concentration 5 times at 3 centers (center, center to anode 3 cm, center to cathode 3 cm), 3 anode areas (6 cm from center to anode, 9 cm from center to anode, and 12 cm from center to anode), and 3 cathode areas (6 cm from center to cathode, 9 cm from center to cathode, and
12 cm from center to cathode). The concentration of the cathode area was higher than that of the anode in the F/S system. In the DR system, the gradient value of the anode part was higher than that of the cathode. However, the heel effect was large in the F/S system, but not as large as in
the DR system. In the DR system, a study is needed to investigate whether the darkest point in the digital image was large or small in the expression of the gradient value.
On the value of early marine weather observations: the Malaspina expedition (1789-1794)
Authors: ObregÓn M.A. , Rodas M.T. , Farrona A.M.M. , Domínguez-Castro F. , Gallego M.C. , García-Herrera R. , Vaquero J.M.
Published: April 2022

Great advances in meteorological science were made in the late 18th century. In particular, meteorological instruments were carried on ships and the first systematic meteorological readings over the oceans were made. One of these collections of instrumental meteorological readings was carried out by the Malaspina expedition (1789-1794), organized by the Spanish crown to study its vast possessions around the world. We have recovered meteorological variables such as air temperature (maximum and minimum), atmospheric pressure (maximum and minimum), wind (intensity and direction), and appearance (state of the sky) from the documentation generated by the explorers during the journey. In total, nearly 13 000 instrumental data have been digitized and rescued from this maritime expedition. The comparison of daily temperature and pressure observations with reanalysis and weather stations data shows a good overall agreement. Moreover, apparent discrepancies during several anchored periods have allowed for testing the consistency and quality of these early instrumental marine weather readings.
Spatial Analysis of United States National Weather Service Excessive Heat Warnings and Heat Advisories
Authors: Hondula David M. , Meltzer Samuel , Balling Robert C. , Iñiguez Paul
Published: April 2022

Public heat alerts are important risk communication tools, but there has been no systematic analysis of how frequently they are issued or how patterns in alert frequency relate to regional climatology or heat–health impacts. We compiled and analyzed all excessive heat warnings and heat advisories (collectively, heat alerts) issued by the U.S. National Weather Service for 2010–19. Heat alert frequency was correlated to climatological indicators derived from reanalysis data aggregated to Weather Forecast Office (WFO) polygons and to estimates of heat-attributable mortality for 134 metropolitan areas. The type of heat alerts used and the frequency with which they were issued were highly variable. Across 77% of the country, heat advisories were the primary product issued. The median location experienced 2.3 heat alert days per year. Regions with the highest frequency (approaching 25 heat alert days per year) included the southern Midwest and Great Plains, as well as the desert Southwest. The 95th-percentile daily maximum heat index was the climatological indicator most strongly correlated with heat alert frequency across all WFOs (r = 0.71). Locations that issued heat alerts more frequently than would be expected based on climatology were primarily located along the Pacific coast; those that issued heat alerts less frequently than expected were in southern Texas and southern Florida, the latter of which includes multiple cities with high rates of heat-attributable mortality. Our results suggest that the public may be receiving mixed signals about the severity of the heat hazard, with some hotter locations particularly underserved by heat risk messaging.
How the COVID-19 Pandemic Impacted the Perception of Climate Change in the UK
Authors: Ruiu Gabriele , Ruiu Maria Laura , Ragnedda Massimo
Published: April 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic erupted during the climate change (CC) crisis, forcing individuals to adapt abruptly to a new scenario, and triggering changes in everyone’s lifestyles. Based on a sample of the UK population ( N = 1013), this paper investigates how the COVID-19 pandemic invited/forced individuals to reflect upon a more sustainable way of life (which might be enhanced by the use of digital technologies for daily activities) and to (re)consider the anthropogenic impact on the environment. The results show that older individuals tend to be less sceptic around the human impact on CC. Other control variables such as income, gender and employment status have a limited impact on this attitude towards CC. Secondly, the findings indicate a clear separation between those with a minimal level of education, who support the natural origin of CC, while individuals with a higher level of education believe that CC is caused by human actions. Finally, on average, younger and more educated individuals tend to associate the COVID-19 pandemic with an opportunity to promote an eco-friendly world and to adopt an eco-sustainable approach.
Planning for the Next Pandemic: Trauma Injuries Require Pre-COVID-19 Levels of High-Intensity Resources
Authors: Mokhtari Ava K. , Maurer Lydia R. , Wong Yee M. , Hardman Claire , Hafiz Shabnam , Sharrah Mark , Soe-Lin Hahn , Peralta Rafael , Parks Jonathan J. , Rattan Rishi , Butler Caroline , Hwabejire John O. , Fawley Jason , Fagenholz Peter J. , King David R. , Kaafarani Haytham , Velmahos George C. , Lee Jarone , Mendoza April E. , Saillant Noelle N.
Published: April 2022

As hospital systems plan for health care utilization surges and stress, understanding the necessary resources of a trauma system is essential for planning capacity. We aimed to describe trends in high-intensity resource utilization (operating room [OR] usage and intensive care unit [ICU] admissions) for trauma care during the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Trauma registry data (2019 pre-COVID-19 and 2020 COVID-19) were collected retrospectively from 4 level I trauma centers. Direct emergency department (ED) disposition to the OR or ICU was used as a proxy for high-intensity resource utilization. No change in the incidence of direct ED to ICU or ED to OR utilization was observed (2019: 24%, 2020 23%; P = .62 and 2019: 11%, 2020 10%; P = .71, respectively). These results suggest the need for continued access to ICU space and OR theaters for traumatic injury during national health emergencies, even when levels of trauma appear to be decreasing.
The Prevalence of Post-COVID-19 Hypertension in Children
Authors: Uysal Berfin , Akça Tuğberk , Akacı Okan , Uysal Fahrettin
Published: April 2022

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the greatest pandemic in a century. In this study, children with mild COVID-19 infections were evaluated at least 8 weeks after the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test positivity, and the frequency of hypertension (HT) in these children was investigated. These results were compared to those of the control group, which consisted of 32 healthy children in the same age range as the trial group but who did not have COVID-19. This prospective multicenter study was conducted including children aged 10 to 18 years. There were 16 patients (16%) who had elevated systolic blood pressure, while 11 patients (11%) had stage-1 HT and 1 patient (1%) had stage-2 HT. It was revealed that children with COVID-19 had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressures than normal healthy children. The findings of this study contribute toward increasing the understanding of the sequelae of mild COVID-19 in pediatric patients.
County-level Correlates of Human Trafficking Arrest Levels in Ohio: Social Disorganization, Social Capital, and Physical Contexts
Authors: Benanzer Hillary L. , Anderson Valerie R. , Hayes Brittany E.
Published: April 2022

The present study investigated county-level correlates of human trafficking arrest levels in Ohio. Study variables were comprised of measures derived from social disorganization, social capital, and physical contexts of Ohio counties ( N = 88). A negative binomial regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationship between county arrest counts and independent variables. Larger counts of human trafficking arrests were explained by higher levels of racial/ethnic heterogeneity, a social disorganization measure. Additionally, an increase in demand reduction strategy use was associated with a predicted increase in human trafficking arrest count. Further research on the influence of social variables and anti-human trafficking efforts on human trafficking arrest levels is needed to better understand how to effectively identify and combat human trafficking.
The Association between Parental Educational Expectations and School Functioning among Young People with Disabilities: A Longitudinal Investigation
Authors: O’Donnell Alexander W. , Redmond Gerry , Arciuli Joanne , Robinson Sally , Skattebol Jennifer , Raghavendra Parimala , Thomson Cathy , Wang Joanna J. J. , Emerson Eric
Published: April 2022

Past research has established clear educational inequities between young people with disabilities and their peers. In part, some of these inequities may be attributed to expectations. In this study, we examined whether parental expectations were related to school functioning at high school, with school functioning broadly defined as ease and frequency of engagement in school-based activities. Using the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children ( N = 3,956; 48.9% female; 5.01% with disability), we examined parental expectations and school functioning measured at three time-points, biennially from the ages of 12 and 13 through to 16 and 17. A multigroup, parallel latent growth curve analysis revealed that high parental expectations at the first timepoint predicted steeper increases in the trajectory of school functioning over time, but only among young people with disability. Parental expectations did not significantly predict school functioning trajectories for the remainder of the sample. Subsequent multigroup analyses that compared disability characteristics revealed that learning difficulties and speech problems, in particular, were associated with lower parental expectations. These results suggest that the perceptions of parents in the lives of young people with disability are important and efforts to shape them may have long-term benefits.
Nel cuore dell’apocalisse. Un percorso all’interno della scrittura “postuma” di Antonio Tabucchi
Authors: Brysiak Anna Małgorzata
Published: April 2022

L’articolo approfondisce la dimensione postuma della scrittura di Antonio Tabucchi attraverso l’analisi di Per Isabel. Un mandala (2013) per analizzare le caratteristiche di una ricerca sospesa fra rappresentazione della fine e rivelazione, in dialogo con la simbologia del mandala, così come con quella apocalittica. Viene altresì evidenziato il procedere di Tabucchi, assieme ai suoi personaggi, in un inquietante viaggio conoscitivo che però mette in discussione le categorie di spazio e tempo, oscilla fra malinconia e desiderio, fra disvelamento ed esperienza del nulla. Emerge così, in definitiva, il disegno di un’opera in cui si addensa, attorno alla figura centrale di Isabel, e in fitto dialogo con il disegno spirituale del mandala, una ricerca di senso che si svolge per intero all’interno di un incessante gioco di velamenti e svelamenti.