bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Revisiting the Fetal Assault Law in Tennessee: Implications and the Way Forward
Authors: Darlington Caroline K. , Compton Peggy A. , Hutson Sadie P.
Published: February 2021

The rising prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) among those living in the United States has demanded a collaborative response from health care and policy spheres. Addressing OUD among pregnant women is especially difficult, given the controversies surrounding the medical and ethical balance between meeting maternal versus fetal/newborn needs. Most medical organizations discourage the criminalization of drug use in pregnancy due to the adverse public health outcomes of such an approach. Despite this recommendation, many states continue to use punitive law to address drug use in pregnancy. In 2014, the Fetal Assault Law in Tennessee (TN) became the first law in the United States to directly allow women to be prosecuted for drug use in pregnancy. Since its expiration in 2016, this law has been re-introduced several times to the TN legislature in support of permanent implementation. This article outlines the impact of the initial Fetal Assault Law on maternal/newborn health in TN and provides alternative immediate, short-term, and long-term health policy strategies through which health care providers and legislators can better advocate for the well-being of both mothers with OUD and their infants.
Walking–sliding experimental analysis of frictional characteristics socked feet
Authors: Sun Guangwu , Xie Hong , Lake Mark J , Li Jiecong , Chen Xiaona , Li Yanmei
Published: February 2021

Simulation experiments and in-vivo experiments were widely employed for investigating sock-skin frictional characteristics. The simulation experiments usually was a type of sliding experiment which described the relative slip between fabric and artificial skin. The in-vivo approaches typically involved subjects adopting a variety of postures and friction between their clothing and the skin was estimated. However, simulation and in-vivo experiments were reported only separately. The connection between the two types of experiments was scarcely reported. To reveal the connection, we synchronously carried out two interrelated experiments, a natural walking experiment and sliding experiment, using the same sock fabric. In the natural walking experiment, the subject wearing socks walked on the force platform. Then the soles of these socks were cut out and were used in the soles-artificial skin sliding experiment. The coefficients of friction in the two types of experiments reflected some correlative frictional characteristics. We found the effect of the walking speed or sliding speed on the friction coefficient was not significant. While, water content increased the friction coefficient in the two experiment. Additionally, the friction in the coronal direction was smaller than that in the sagittal direction during walking. Through our efforts, we hope to bridge the simulation and in-vivo experiments and elucidate the frictional characteristics between the sock and insole.
Enhancing the properties of nylon 66 fabric coated with a combination of PVA and SiO2 nanoparticles composite for vehicle airbag application
Authors: Ali Salma , Abdalla Ibrahim , Gibril Magdi Elamin , Ahmed Hasab AM , Jiang Xiaoze
Published: February 2021

Due to increase in fabric thickness and decrease compactness in packing, film bonding is unfavorable for airbag fabrics, furthermore, the uncoated fabric fabricated with a high density but it still has hot gas leakage problems. This study focuses on enhancement of vehicle airbag nylon 66 fabric properties by using a combination of different concentration of silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) and low-density adhesion polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The results illustrated that the nylon 66 fabric, which coated with PVA and SiO2 NPs presents an excellent property such as a thin layer reached at (0.009 mm), also thermal and mechanical properties have been enhanced to include better mechanical properties according to commercial guidelines airbag of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Additionally, the weight per square meter of nylon 66 fabric coated with the PVA and high concentration of SiO2 NPs is 9.9 grams. Besides, the final dry weight of the coating (PVA/SiO2) material taken by the nylon 66 fabric is just 0.4 grams per square meter. The coated fabric demonstrated a hydrophobicity property in addition to the air-permeability has decreased by increasing the amount of SiO2 NPs in the composite material. The PVA and SiO2 NPs dispersed on the surface of the fabrics without any aggregation, as well, the coated fabric is gradually changed from flexible to hard which resulted in the better final performance in the proper and regular thickness along the whole fabric.
Heat and moisture transfer properties of a firefighter clothing with a new fire-resistant underwear
Authors: Eryuruk SH , Gidik H , Koncar V , Kalaoglu F , Tao X , Saglam Y
Published: February 2021

Under dynamic wear conditions, moisture management and heat transfer behaviour of clothing between the human body and its environment are very important attributes for comfort and performance. Especially considering heavy works like firefighting, it is important to analyse liquid moisture management and thermal comfort properties of fabrics that influence moisture sensation and personnel comfort feeling significantly. This study mainly investigates thermal comfort and moisture management properties of a firefighter clothing with a new fire resistant underwear. Analysing single layer fabric (underwear, outer shell, moisture barrier and thermal barrier) performance properties, together with their three-layered and four-layered combinations gives a better understanding of comfort and protective performance. For characterizing the fabric structures, weight, thickness, FTIR analysis and SEM-EDX tests were conducted. Heat and moisture transfer properties were measured with limited flame spread, thermal resistance (skin model), water vapour transmission rate (dish method), thermal conductivity, air permeability, thermal diffusion, water vapour resistance, moisture management transfer (MMT) and water vapour permeability tests.
Prognostic Value of Pretreatment D-Dimer Level in Small-Cell Lung Cancer: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Li Jialong , Wang Yan , Li Jue , Che Guowei
Published: February 2021

Purpose:

Pretreatment plasma d-dimer has been reported to be a potential prognostic indicator of lung cancer. To determine the prognostic significance of pretreatment d-dimer level in predicting clinical outcomes, such as the overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS), of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC).

Methods:

A systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CNKI, SinoMed, Wanfang and VIP databases was performed to identify available studies. The pooled hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were applied to assess the association of pretreatment d-dimer level with prognosis of SCLC patients. All statistical analyses were conducted via the STATA 12.0 version software.

Results:

A total of 7 studies involving 964 patients were included in this meta-analysis and all patients were from China. The results showed that elevated pretreatment d-dimer level was significantly correlated with worse OS (HR = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.55-2.34, P < 0.001) and PFS (HR = 1.52, 95% CI: 1.24-1.85, P<0.001). Subgroup analyses based on the treatment, d-dimer cut-off, detection method and source of HR were also performed to further verify the prognostic value of pretreatment d-dimer level in SCLC.

Conclusions:

Pretreatment blood concentration of d-dimer may deserve as a reliable factor to predict prognosis of Chinese patients with SCLC. More well-designed prospective studies with large samples are still needed to verify our findings.
Leveraging Human Resource Development Practice to Enhance Organizational Creativity: A Multilevel Conceptual Model
Authors: Hirudayaraj Malar , Matić Jennifer
Published: February 2021

Developing creativity is a critical challenge for the survival and success of businesses. Using Amabile’s dynamic componential theory of creativity as a framework, we examined the underexplored potential of HRD practice to develop and foster creativity at the individual, group, and organizational levels. We bring together dispersed attempts in HRD literature to hypothesize the role of individual HRD activities under a conceptual model and indicate how the different activities influence specific component/s of organizational creativity identified in the theory. The model demonstrates the potential of HRD practice to exert a multilevel influence on organizational creativity and provides a theoretical grounding for the potential of HRD to develop creativity and augment the strategic capabilities of organizations. This article also contributes to organizational creativity literature by outlining specific relationships between key HRD practices and components of organizational creativity and to an underexplored area of creativity, namely developing the creative abilities of individuals and teams within organizational contexts.
Identification of 6 gene markers for survival prediction in osteosarcoma cases based on multi-omics analysis
Authors: Li Runmin , Wang Guosheng , Wu ZhouJie , Lu HuaGuang , Li Gen , Sun Qi , Cai Ming
Published: February 2021

Multiple-omics sequencing information with high-throughput has laid a solid foundation to identify genes associated with cancer prognostic process. Multiomics information study is capable of revealing the cancer occurring and developing system according to several aspects. Currently, the prognosis of osteosarcoma is still poor, so a genetic marker is needed for predicting the clinically related overall survival result. First, Office of Cancer Genomics (OCG Target) provided RNASeq, copy amount variations information, and clinically related follow-up data. Genes associated with prognostic process and genes exhibiting copy amount difference were screened in the training group, and the mentioned genes were integrated for feature selection with least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (Lasso). Eventually, effective biomarkers received the screening process. Lastly, this study built and demonstrated one gene-associated prognosis mode according to the set of the test and gene expression omnibus validation set; 512 prognosis-related genes ( P < 0.01), 336 copies of amplified genes ( P < 0.05), and 36 copies of deleted genes ( P < 0.05) were obtained, and those genes of the mentioned genomic variants display close associations with tumor occurring and developing mechanisms. This study generated 10 genes for candidates through the integration of genomic variant genes as well as prognosis-related genes. Six typical genes (i.e. MYC, CHIC2, CCDC152, LYL1, GPR142, and MMP27) were obtained by Lasso feature selection and stepwise multivariate regression study, many of which are reported to show a relationship to tumor progressing process. The authors conducted Cox regression study for building 6-gene sign, i.e. one single prognosis-related element, in terms of cases carrying osteosarcoma. In addition, the samples were able to be risk stratified in the training group, test set, and externally validating set. The AUC of five-year survival according to the training group and validation set reached over 0.85, with superior predictive performance as opposed to the existing researches. Here, 6-gene sign was built to be new prognosis-related marking elements for assessing osteosarcoma cases’ surviving state.
Evidence for a Window of Enhanced Plasticity in the Human Motor Cortex Following Ischemic Stroke
Authors: Hordacre Brenton , Austin Duncan , Brown Katlyn E. , Graetz Lynton , Pareés Isabel , De Trane Stefania , Vallence Ann-Maree , Koblar Simon , Kleinig Timothy , McDonnell Michelle N. , Greenwood Richard , Ridding Michael C. , Rothwell John C.
Published: February 2021

Background

In preclinical models, behavioral training early after stroke produces larger gains compared with delayed training. The effects are thought to be mediated by increased and widespread reorganization of synaptic connections in the brain. It is viewed as a period of spontaneous biological recovery during which synaptic plasticity is increased.

Objective

To look for evidence of a similar change in synaptic plasticity in the human brain in the weeks and months after ischemic stroke.

Methods

We used continuous theta burst stimulation (cTBS) to activate synapses repeatedly in the motor cortex. This initiates early stages of synaptic plasticity that temporarily reduces cortical excitability and motor-evoked potential amplitude. Thus, the greater the effect of cTBS on the motor-evoked potential, the greater the inferred level of synaptic plasticity. Data were collected from separate cohorts (Australia and UK). In each cohort, serial measurements were made in the weeks to months following stroke. Data were obtained for the ipsilesional motor cortex in 31 stroke survivors (Australia, 66.6 ± 17.8 years) over 12 months and the contralesional motor cortex in 29 stroke survivors (UK, 68.2 ± 9.8 years) over 6 months.

Results

Depression of cortical excitability by cTBS was most prominent shortly after stroke in the contralesional hemisphere and diminished over subsequent sessions ( P = .030). cTBS response did not differ across the 12-month follow-up period in the ipsilesional hemisphere ( P = .903).

Conclusions

Our results provide the first neurophysiological evidence consistent with a period of enhanced synaptic plasticity in the human brain after stroke. Behavioral training given during this period may be especially effective in supporting poststroke recovery.
Investigating Therapies for Freezing of Gait Targeting the Cognitive, Limbic, and Sensorimotor Domains
Authors: Chow Rebecca , Tripp Bryan P. , Rzondzinski Daniel , Almeida Quincy J
Published: February 2021

Background

Freezing of gait (FOG) is arguably the most disabling motor symptom experienced with Parkinson’s disease (PD), but treatments are extremely limited due to our poor understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Three cortical domains are postulated in recent research (ie, the cognitive, limbic, and sensorimotor domains), thus, treatments targeting these mechanisms of FOG may potentially be effective. Cognitive training, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT, a well-known anxiety intervention), and proprioceptive training may address the cognitive, limbic, and sensorimotor domains, respectively.

Objective

To investigate whether these 3 treatments could improve functional outcomes of FOG.

Methods

In a single-blind, randomized crossover design, 15 individuals with PD and FOG were randomized into different, counterbalanced orders of receiving the interventions. Each consisted of eight 1-hour sessions, twice weekly for 4 weeks. FOG severity was assessed as the primary outcome using a novel gait paradigm that was aimed at evoking FOG when the cognitive, limbic, or sensorimotor domains were independently challenged.

Results

FOG severity significantly improved after the cognitive intervention, with strong trends toward improvement specifically in the baseline and cognitive-challenge assessment conditions. CBT, as the anxiety intervention, resulted in significantly worse FOG severity. In contrast, proprioceptive training significantly improved FOG severity, with consistent trends across all conditions.

Conclusions

The cognitive and proprioceptive treatments appeared to improve different aspects of FOG. Thus, either of these interventions could potentially be a viable treatment for FOG. However, although the results were statistically significant, they could be sensitive to the relatively small number of participants in the study. Considering the significant results together with nonsignificant trends in both FOG and gait measures, and given equal time for each intervention, proprioceptive training produced the most consistent indications of benefits in this study. (clinicaltrials.gov NCT03065127).
A node localization algorithm based on Voronoi diagram and support vector machine for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Hao Zhanjun , Dang Jianwu , Yan Yan , Wang Xiaojuan
Published: February 2021

For wireless sensor network, the localization algorithm based on Voronoi diagram has been applied. However, the location accuracy node position in wireless sensor network needs to be optimized by the analysis of the literature, a node location algorithm based on Voronoi diagram and support vector machine is proposed in this article. The basic idea of the algorithm is to first divide the region into several parts using Voronoi diagram and anchor node in the localization region. The range of the initial position of the target node is obtained by locating the target node in each region and then the support vector machine is used to optimize the position of the target node accurately. The localization performance of the localization algorithm is analyzed by simulation and real-world experiments. The experimental results show that the localization algorithm proposed in this article is better than the optimal region selection strategy based on Voronoi diagram-based localization scheme and Weighted Voronoi diagram-based localization scheme localization algorithms in terms of localization accuracy. Therefore, the performance of the localization algorithm proposed in this article is verified.
Comparative and Combined In Vitro Vasotoxicity of Nanoparticles Containing Lead and Cadmium
Authors: Bushueva Tatiana V. , Minigalieva Ilzira A. , Panov Vladimir G. , Sutunkova Marina P. , Gurvich Vladimir B. , Shur Vladimir Ya. , Shishkina Ekaterina V. , Naumova Anna S. , Artemenko Elizaveta P. , Katsnelson Boris A.
Published: February 2021

In vitro toxicological experiments were performed on an endothelial cell line exposed to different doses of spherical nanoparticles of cadmium and/or of lead sulfides with mean diameter 37 ± 5 nm and 24 ± 4 nm, respectively. Toxic effects were estimated by Luminescent Cell Viability Assay, endothelin-1 concentration and cell size determination. Some dose-response relationships were typically monotonic (well approximated with hyperbolic function) while others were bi- or even 3-phasic and could be described within the expanded hormesis paradigm. The combined toxicity type variated depending on the effect it was assessed by.
Reduced High-Dose Radiation-Induced Residual Genotoxic Damage by Induction of Radioadaptive Response and Prophylactic Mild Dietary Restriction in Mice
Authors: Wang Bing , Tanaka Kaoru , Katsube Takanori , Maruyama Kouichi , Ninomiya Yasuharu , Varès Guillaume , Liu Cuihua , Hirakawa Hirokazu , Murakami Masahiro , Fardous Zeenath , Sultana Nahida , Fujita Kazuko , Fujimori Akira , Nakajima Tetsuo , Nenoi Mitsuru
Published: February 2021

Radioadaptive response (RAR) describes a phenomenon in a variety of in vitro and in vivo systems that a low-dose of priming ionizing radiation (IR) reduces detrimental effects of a subsequent challenge IR at higher doses. Among in vivo investigations, studies using the mouse RAR model (Yonezawa Effect) showed that RAR could significantly extenuate high-dose IR-induced detrimental effects such as decrease of hematopoietic stem cells and progenitor cells, acute radiation hematopoietic syndrome, genotoxicity and genomic instability. Meanwhile, it has been demonstrated that diet intervention has a great impact on health, and dietary restriction shows beneficial effects on numerous diseases in animal models. In this work, by using the mouse RAR model and mild dietary restriction (MDR), we confirmed that combination of RAR and MDR could more efficiently reduce radiogenotoxic damage without significant change of the RAR phenotype. These findings suggested that MDR may share some common pathways with RAR to activate mechanisms consequently resulting in suppression of genotoxicity. As MDR could also increase resistance to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in normal cells, we propose that combination of MDR, RAR, and other cancer treatments (i.e., chemotherapy and radiotherapy) represent a potential strategy to increase the treatment efficacy and prevent IR risk in humans.
Sulpiride Serves, a Substrate for the Gut Microbiome
Authors: Mukhtar Imran , Anwar Haseeb , Mirza Osman Asghar , Ali Qasim , Ijaz Muhammad Umar , Hume Michael , Prabhala Bala Krishna , Iftikhar Arslan , Hussain Ghulam , Sohail Muhammad Umar , Khan Kashif ur Rehman
Published: February 2021

In the contemporary research world, the intestinal microbiome is now envisioned as a new body organ. Recently, the gut microbiome represents a new drug target in the gut, since various orthologues of intestinal drug transporters are also found present in the microbiome that lines the small intestine of the host. Owing to this, absorbance of sulpiride by the gut microbiome in an in vivo albino rats model was assessed after the oral administration with a single dose of 20mg/kg b.w. The rats were subsequently sacrificed at 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours post oral administration to collect the gut microbial mass pellet. The drug absorbance by the gut microbiome was determined by pursuing the microbial lysate through RP-HPLC-UV. Total absorbance of sulpiride by the whole gut microbiome and drug absorbance per milligram of microbial pellet were found significantly higher at 4 hours post-administration as compared to all other groups. These results affirm the hypothesis that the structural homology between membrane transporters of the gut microbiome and intestinal epithelium of the host might play an important role in drug absorbance by gut microbes in an in vivo condition.
Study on Caenorhabditis Elegans as a Combined Model of Microdosimetry and Biology
Authors: Yu Wentao , Long Huiqiang , Gao Jin , Wang Yidi , Tu Yu , Sun Liang , Chen Na
Published: February 2021

Microdosimetry is a tool for the investigation of microscopic energy deposition of ionizing radiation. This work used Caenorhabditis elegans as a model to estimate the microdosimetric deposition level at the 60Co gamma radiation. Monte Carlo software PHITS was employed to establish irradiated nematodes model. The dose deposition of the entire body and gonad irradiated to 100 Gy was calculated. The injury levels of radiation were evaluated by the detection of biological indicators. The result of microdosimetric experiment suggested that the dose of whole body of nematodes was estimated to be 99.9 ± 57.8 Gy, ranging from 19.6 to 332.2 Gy. The dose of gonad was predicted to be 129.4 ± 558.8 Gy (9.5-6597 Gy). The result of biological experiment suggested that there were little changes in the length of nematodes after irradiation. However, times of head thrash per minute and the spawning yield in 3 consecutive days decreased 27.1% and 94.7%, respectively. Nematodes in the irradiated group displayed heterogeneity. Through contour analysis, trends of behavior kinematics and reproductive capacity of irradiated nematodes proved to be consistent with the dose distribution levels estimated by microdosimetric model. Finally, C. elegans presented a suitable combined model of microdosimetry and biology for studying radiation.
177Lu-DOTATATE Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy: Indigenously Developed Freeze Dried Cold Kit and Biological Response in In-Vitro and In-Vivo Models
Authors: Roohi Samina , Rizvi Shakera Khatoon , Naqvi Syed Ali Raza
Published: February 2021

Somatostatin receptors (SStR) based 177Lu-DOTATATE therapy is known as one of the highly effective neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) treatment strategy. Development of DOTATATE freeze-dried kit for imaging and therapy of SStR positive NETs is a prime goal in neuroendocrine cancer research. The present work describes the development of 177Lu-DOTATATE freeze dried cold kit for indigenous needs, through technology development fund (TDF) program offered by Higher Education Commission (HEC) Pakistan. The parameters for freeze dried kit production was optimized and tested the stored lyophilized cold kits for different time intervals after labeling with 177Lu radioisotope. The effect of ligand to radionuclide ratio, pH and reaction time at 90°C was recorded. Five times greater molar concentration of ligand, pH 5 and 30 min reaction time were the effective reaction conditions for maximum radiochemical yield. The radiolabeling yield at 1 day, 1-week and 4-week post storing period showed ∼100% radiochemical yield. The biodistribution study using rat model depicted the absence of non-targeted accumulation while glomerular filtration rate also explains the rapid renal washout. Cytotoxicity study showed quite favorable results for subjecting the radiopharmaceutical to clinical practice in Pakistan.
Asynchronous Online Focus Groups for Health Research: Case Study and Lessons Learned
Authors: Gordon Allegra R. , Calzo Jerel P. , Eiduson Rose , Sharp Kendall , Silverstein Scout , Lopez Ethan , Thomson Katharine , Reisner Sari L.
Published: February 2021

Increasingly, social life—and accordingly, social research—is conducted in online environments. Asynchronous online focus groups (AOFGs) have emerged as an important tool to conduct remote research with geographically diverse populations. However, there remain few systematic accounts of AOFG methods to guide researchers’ decision-making in designing and implementing studies. This paper seeks to address this gap by describing a recent study on body image and health among transgender and gender diverse (TGD) young adults. In this study, eight AOFGs were conducted in August-October 2019 with 66 TGD young adults residing in 25 U.S. states. Each AOFG lasted four consecutive days with two prompts posted by moderators per day. Overall, participant satisfaction with AOFGs was high: 98% reported their experience was excellent, very good, or good and 95% would be somewhat or very likely to sign up for another AOFG. This example is used to illustrate key methodological decision-points, acceptability of the method to participants, and lessons learned. The goal of this paper is to encourage other researchers, particularly health researchers, to consider using AOFGs and to engage with the method’s strengths and limitations in order to develop new opportunities for online technologies to enrich the field of qualitative health research.
Understanding and Quantifying: A Mixed-Method Study on the Journalistic Coverage of Canadian Disasters
Authors: Champagne-Poirier Olivier , Carignan Marie-Ève , David Marc D. , O’Sullivan Tracey
Published: February 2021

This article presents a mixed methodology approach that was developed to analyze news coverage of four Canadian disasters. Here, we present the technical aspects of a mixed methods group research project that enabled analysis of more than 3,014 journalistic articles. We explain how alternating between inductive and deductive epistemological stances led to the quantification of characteristics of journalistic treatment not originating from a prior theoretical framework, but rather rooted in the data under study. Although our approach does not escape the difficulties and challenges posed by mixed methods and group research, in this article we present a way out of the usual methodological segmentation in journalistic discourse analysis by simultaneously exploiting the strengths of two approaches often perceived to be opposing.
Effect of semi-active HDS on vehicle longitudinal vibration and shock in the process of in-situ shift with different shift time
Authors: Wang Daoyong , Zhang Wencan , Jiang Mian , Li Fajing
Published: February 2021

In order to reduce the oil consumption, the vehicle in the process of in-situ shift should be quick enough, but the vibration and shock of the vehicle will be deteriorate. Then the effect of a novel semi-active hydraulic damping strut (HDS) on vehicle shock and vibration in the process of in-situ shift quickly in this study is analyzed. Firstly, the shift shock is analyzed from the driver system, and the powertrain mounting system (PMS) is regarded as the object to be optimized in this study. Then the 13 degree of freedoms (DOFs) vehicle dynamic model (VDM) with semi-active HDS is presented in this paper. The excitation force in the process of quick in-situ shift is identified, and the evaluation indexes (EIs) are reduced with semi-active HDS introduced. Finally, the experiments are carried out to validate the effect of the semi-active HDS on vehicle longitudinal vibration and shock in the process of quick in-situ shift, and the results show that the acceleration of the seat rail and steering wheel are reduced to a great extent. Different shift time is discussed and the results show that we can reduce the shift time to save the oil with semi-active HDS introduced.
Processing chain for 3D histogram of gradients based real-time object recognition
Authors: Vilar Cristian , Krug Silvia , Thörnberg Benny
Published: February 2021

3D object recognition has been a cutting-edge research topic since the popularization of depth cameras. These cameras enhance the perception of the environment and so are particularly suitable for autonomous robot navigation applications. Advanced deep learning approaches for 3D object recognition are based on complex algorithms and demand powerful hardware resources. However, autonomous robots and powered wheelchairs have limited resources, which affects the implementation of these algorithms for real-time performance. We propose to use instead a 3D voxel-based extension of the 2D histogram of oriented gradients (3DVHOG) as a handcrafted object descriptor for 3D object recognition in combination with a pose normalization method for rotational invariance and a supervised object classifier. The experimental goal is to reduce the overall complexity and the system hardware requirements, and thus enable a feasible real-time hardware implementation. This article compares the 3DVHOG object recognition rates with those of other 3D recognition approaches, using the ModelNet10 object data set as a reference. We analyze the recognition accuracy for 3DVHOG using a variety of voxel grid selections, different numbers of neurons ( Nh) in the single hidden layer feedforward neural network, and feature dimensionality reduction using principal component analysis. The experimental results show that the 3DVHOG descriptor achieves a recognition accuracy of 84.91% with a total processing time of 21.4 ms. Despite the lower recognition accuracy, this is close to the current state-of-the-art approaches for deep learning while enabling real-time performance.
Design and analysis of the cable-driven parallel robot for cleaning exterior wall of buildings
Authors: Shao Zhufeng , Xie Guangqiang , Zhang Zhaokun , Wang Liping
Published: February 2021

With the development of cities, more high-rise buildings continue to emerge. Regular cleaning of building exterior walls is necessary, which mainly relies on manual work now. In this article, the planar four-cable-driven parallel robot (CDPR) is adopted to carry out the external cleaning of high-rise buildings. Firstly, the kinematic model and static model are established. The influence of the maximum cable force on the workspace is analyzed, and the position of the cable connection points on the end effector is discussed. Then, the stiffness of the CDPR is analyzed, which reveals that a large difference of the width-to-height ratio between the end effector and the base improves the stiffness condition number and average stiffness of the CDPR. Considering the size of the cleaning module, the horizontal cross layout is adopted and cable connection points are determined. The cable force range is discussed considering the variable size of the base. Finally, the prototype of a cable-driven cleaning robot is designed accordingly.
Effect of the use of an iPad on the attention span of a child with Smith Magenis Syndrome: A single case study
Authors: Rikken-Evers MT , Smith KD , Sterkenburg PS
Published: February 2021

Aims:

To assess the effectiveness of iPad use on the attention span of a child with Smith Magenis Syndrome (n = 1), compared to attention span while working on the same tasks manually.

Methods:

An AB design with a baseline and an intervention phase was used. Three manual tasks were chosen for the baseline, which matched the participant’s intellectual age by the Early Intervention Method: a jigsaw puzzle (six pieces), a shape sorter, and matching pictures. These same tasks were performed on an iPad during the intervention phase. Six baseline and nine intervention phase films were included in the analysis. The 15 films were independently scored twice by two observers: once to observe the types of distractions that occurred (such as standing up from the chair, calling the teacher, or turning around on the chair), and a second time to measure the effective working time.

Results:

iPad use led to a 45% decrease in the number of total distractions. The effective working time improved by 8% and showed a more consistent range compared to working on tasksbmanually. While task enjoyment was not directly measured, the observers and teachers agreed that working on the iPad appeared to be more enjoyable.

Conclusions:

In this single case study the participant showed that in his case iPad use can be effective in decreasing his distractions and therefore can improve his attention span. Enjoyment was higher while working with the iPad than performing tasks manually. This technology could therefore create more learning engagement for the participant, which could positively impact his behavior. Further research into iPad implementation for children with intellectual disabilities, poor fine motor skills, and/or attention deficits is needed.
The emerging role of kainate receptor functional dysregulation in pain
Authors: Li Huili , Li Junfa , Guan Yun , Wang Yun
Published: February 2021

Pain is a serious clinical challenge, and is associated with a significant reduction in quality of life and high financial costs for affected patients. Research efforts have been made to explore the etiological basis of pain to guide the future treatment of patients suffering from pain conditions. Findings from studies using KA (kainate) receptor agonist, antagonists and receptor knockout mice suggested that KA receptor dysregulation and dysfunction may govern both peripheral and central sensitization in the context of pain. Additional evidence showed that KA receptor dysfunction may disrupt the finely-tuned process of glutamic acid transmission, thereby contributing to the onset of a range of pathological contexts. In the present review, we summarized major findings in recent studies which examined the roles of KA receptor dysregulation in nociceptive transmission and in pain. This timely overview of current knowledge will help to provide a framework for future developing novel therapeutic strategies to manage pain.
Duchenne Smiles as Honest Signals of Chronic Positive Mood
Authors: Sheldon Kennon M. , Corcoran Mike , Sheldon Melanie
Published: February 2021

Chronic positive mood (CPM) has been shown to confer a wide variety of social, functional, and health benefits. Some researchers have argued that humans evolved to feel CPM, which explains why most people report better than neutral mood (the “positivity offset bias”) and why particularly happy people have particularly good outcomes. Here, we argue that the Duchenne smile evolved as an honest signal of high levels of CPM, alerting others to the psychological fitness of the smiler. Duchenne smiles are honest because they express felt positive emotion, making it difficult for unhappy people to produce them. Duchenne smiles enable happy people to signal and cooperate with one another, boosting their advantages. In our literature review, we found (a) that not all Duchenne smiles are “honest,” although producing them in the absence of positive emotion is difficult and often detectable, and (b) that the ability to produce and recognize Duchenne smiles may vary somewhat by a person’s cultural origin. In the final section of the article, we consider behavioral influences on CPM, reviewing research showing that engaging in eudaimonic activity reliably produces CPM, as posited by the eudaimonic-activity model. This research suggests that frequent Duchenne smiling may ultimately signal eudaimonic personality as well as CPM.
Does Neonatal Imitation Exist? Insights From a Meta-Analysis of 336 Effect Sizes
Authors: Davis Jacqueline , Redshaw Jonathan , Suddendorf Thomas , Nielsen Mark , Kennedy-Costantini Siobhan , Oostenbroek Janine , Slaughter Virginia
Published: February 2021

Neonatal imitation is a cornerstone in many theoretical accounts of human development and social behavior, yet its existence has been debated for the past 40 years. To examine possible explanations for the inconsistent findings in this body of research, we conducted a multilevel meta-analysis synthesizing 336 effect sizes from 33 independent samples of human newborns, reported in 26 articles. The meta-analysis found significant evidence for neonatal imitation ( d = 0.68, 95% CI = [0.39, 0.96], p < .001) but substantial heterogeneity between study estimates. This heterogeneity was not explained by any of 13 methodological moderators identified by previous reviews, but it was associated with researcher affiliation, test of moderators ( QM) (15) = 57.09, p < .001. There are at least two possible explanations for these results: (a) Neonatal imitation exists and its detection varies as a function of uncaptured methodological factors common to a limited set of studies, and (2) neonatal imitation does not exist and the overall positive result is an artifact of high researcher degrees of freedom.
Successful talent development in popular game sports in Switzerland: The case of ice hockey
Authors: Stegmann Pascal , Sieghartsleitner Roland , Zuber Claudia , Zibung Marc , Lenze Lars , Conzelmann Achim
Published: February 2021

There is continuing discussion in talent research on the best approach to developing sporting expertise through learning activities during early sport participation. Among other concepts, the specialized sampling model describes a pathway between early specialization and early sampling and yields promising results in Swiss football. As successful constellations of early sport participation might be affected by sport-specific constraints (e.g., age of peak performance, selection pressure, and physiological/psychological requirements), other popular game sports may show similar promising pathways. This study investigates whether ice hockey, another popular game sport in Switzerland, shows similar successful constellations of early sport participation. A sample of 98 former Swiss junior national team players born between 1984 and 1994 reported on early sport participation through a retrospective questionnaire. Using the person-oriented Linking of Clusters after removal of a Residue (LICUR) method, volumes of in-club practice, free play, and activities besides ice hockey until 12 years of age were analyzed, along with player’s age at initial club participation. The results indicate that ice hockey enthusiasts with the most free play and above-average in-club practice had a greater chance of reaching professional level compared to other groups. This implies that high domain specificity with varied sampling experiences is the most promising approach to developing sporting expertise in ice hockey. As similar results were previously found in Swiss football, comparable sport-specific constraints might indeed require similar constellations of learning activities during early sport participation. Therefore, in popular game sports in Switzerland, the specialized sampling model seems to be most promising.
Ambient affiliation, misinformation and moral panic: Negotiating social bonds in a YouTube internet hoax
Authors: Inwood Olivia , Zappavigna Michele
Published: February 2021

Deceptive communication and misinformation are crucial issues that are currently having a significant impact on social life. Parallel to the important work of identifying misinformation on digital platforms is understanding why such material proliferates. One approach to answering this question is to attempt to understand the values that are being targeted by misinformation as a means of interpreting the underlying social bonds that are at stake. This study examines the kinds of social bonds that are communed around and contested in a corpus of YouTube video comments about the viral internet hoax ‘The Momo Challenge’. A social semiotic approach to ‘ambient affiliation’ (Zappavigna, 2011) is used to investigate how these bonds are negotiated in this digital discourse. This approach involves establishing the types of personae (for instance Moralisers, Myth Spreaders and Connoisseurs) who were negotiating meaning in the comments on the basis of the values that they recurrently shared, deferred or disputed. The analysis suggests that, in addition to concern over whether Momo was real and dangerous, there was a deeper moral panic about parenting in the digital age and the legitimacy of institutions such as schools and media as brokers of knowledge.
Toward the design of dynamically similar artificial insect wings
Authors: Reid Heidi , Zhou Huimin , Maxcer Miles , Peterson Robert KD , Deng Jia , Jankauski Mark
Published: February 2021

Flapping wing deformation influences the aerodynamics of insect flight. This deformation is dictated by the dynamical properties of the insect wing, particularly its vibration spectra and mode shapes. However, researchers have not yet developed artificial insect wings with vibration spectra and mode shapes that are identical to their biological counterparts. The goal of the present work is to develop artificial insect wings that are both isospectral and isomodal with respect to real insect wings. To do so, we characterized hawkmoth Manduca sexta wings using experimental modal analyses. From these results, we created artificial wings using additive manufacturing and heat molding. Between artificial and real wings, the first two natural frequencies differ by 7% and 16% respectively, with differences of 16% and 131% in gains evaluated at those natural frequencies. Vibration modes are similar as well. This work provides a foundation for more advanced wing design moving forward.
To HIIT or not to HIIT? The question pregnant women may be searching for online: a descriptive observational study
Authors: Nagpal TS , Everest C , Goudreau AD , Manicks M , Adamo KB
Published: February 2021

Aims:

An increasingly popular exercise modality for women is high-intensity interval training (HIIT). Limited research has assessed HIIT during pregnancy, and as a result, pregnant women may inquire about HIIT on their own through online searches. The purpose of this study was to systematically search and critically evaluate online resources that women may access when inquiring about performing HIIT during pregnancy.

Methods:

Following previously published methodology, we systematically examined the online search engine Google with the terms ‘HIIT’ and ‘pregnancy’. Using the 2019 Canadian Guideline for Physical Activity throughout Pregnancy as a reference, we identified evidence-based safety recommendations that apply to all prenatal exercise regimes. All selected links were assessed for whether or not they included evidence-based exercise and pregnancy safety recommendations. Descriptive analyses were performed to report the frequency of each construct.

Results:

Seventy-six links were retrieved, and 33 relevant links were selected for inclusion. The majority of the retrieved links recommended that women should consult a healthcare provider before beginning any exercise programme (67%), and modify the intensity and types of exercises in the active HIIT bout based on general pregnancy-related changes (73%) and individual comfort level (55%). Just under half of the links recommended modifying intensity based on prepregnancy activity level (46%), offered trimester-specific recommendations (42%), and only 12% mentioned contraindications to exercise.

Conclusion:

Publicly accessible information online on HIIT during pregnancy does not routinely adhere to evidence-based safety recommendations for prenatal exercise. Further research on HIIT during pregnancy and public dissemination of findings is required.
COVID-19: implications for NCDs and the continuity of care in Sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Owopetu Oluwatomi , Fasehun Luther-King , Abakporo Uzoma
Published: February 2021

There has been a rise in non-communicable diseases (NCD) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), driven by westernization, urbanization and unhealthy lifestyles. The prevalence of NCDs and their risk factors vary considerably in SSA between countries and the various sub-populations. A study documented the prevalence of stroke ranging from 0.07 to 0.3%, diabetes mellitus from 0 to 16%, hypertension from 6 to 48%, obesity from 0.4 to 43%, and current smoking from 0.4 to 71%. The numbers of these NCD cases are predicted to rise over the next decade. However, in the context of a global pandemic such as COVID-19, with the rising cases, lockdowns and deaths recorded worldwide, many people living with NCDs may find accessing care more difficult. The majority of the available resources on the subcontinent have been diverted to focus on the ongoing pandemic. This has caused interruptions in care, complication management, drug pick-up alongside the almost neglected silent NCD epidemic, with major consequences for the health system post the COVID-19 era. We explore the issues surrounding the continuity of care and offer some solutions for Sub-Saharan Africa.
Lorlatinib in pretreated ALK- or ROS1-positive lung cancer and impact of TP53 co-mutations: results from the German early access program
Authors: Frost Nikolaj , Christopoulos Petros , Kauffmann-Guerrero Diego , Stratmann Jan , Riedel Richard , Schaefer Monica , Alt Jürgen , Gütz Sylvia , Christoph Daniel C. , Laack Eckart , Faehling Martin , Fischer Richard , Fenchel Klaus , Haen Sebastian , Heukamp Lukas , Schulz Christian , Griesinger Frank
Published: February 2021

Introduction:

We report on the results of the German early access program (EAP) with the third-generation ALK- and ROS1-inhibitor lorlatinib.

Patients and Methods:

Patients with documented treatment failure of all approved ALK/ROS1-specific therapies or with resistance mutations not covered by approved inhibitors or leptomeningeal carcinomatosis were enrolled and analyzed.

Results:

In total, 52 patients were included [median age 57 years (range 32–81), 54% female, 62% never smokers, 98% adenocarcinoma]; 71% and 29% were ALK- and ROS1-positive, respectively. G1202R and G2032R resistance mutations prior to treatment with lorlatinib were observed in 10 of 26 evaluable patients (39%), 11 of 39 patients showed TP53 mutations (28%). Thirty-six patients (69%) had active brain metastases (BM) and nine (17%) leptomeningeal carcinomatosis when entering the EAP. Median number of prior specific TKIs was 3 (range 1–4). Median duration of treatment, progression-free survival (PFS), response rate and time to treatment failure were 10.4 months, 8.0 months, 54% and 13.0 months. Calculated 12-, 18- and 24-months survival rates were 65, 54 and 47%, overall survival since primary diagnosis (OS2) reached 79.6 months. TP53 mutations were associated with a substantially reduced PFS (3.7 versus 10.8 month, HR 3.3, p = 0.003) and were also identified as a strong prognostic biomarker (HR for OS2 3.0 p = 0.02). Neither prior treatments with second-generation TKIs nor BM had a significant influence on PFS and OS.

Conclusions:

Our data from real-life practice demonstrate the efficacy of lorlatinib in mostly heavily pretreated patients, providing a clinically meaningful option for patients with resistance mutations not covered by other targeted therapies and those with BM or leptomeningeal carcinomatosis.