bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Acute and Subchronic Oral Toxicity Evaluation of Herbal Formulation: Piper crocatum Ruiz and Pav., Typhonium flagelliforme (Lodd.) Blume, and Phyllanthus niruri L. in Sprague–Dawley Rats
Authors: Murwanti Retno , Nurrochmad A. , Gani Andayana P. , Sasmito Ediati , Edwina Angela E. , Chandra Mayang K. , Suryawan F. H. , Wardana A. R. , Natalia  , Budiningsih Jelita L. S. R.
Published: January 2023

Background. The product combination of Piper crocatum Ruiz. and Pav., Phyllanthus niruri Linn., and Typhonium flagelliforme (Lodd.) BL ethanolic extract (SKM) exerts immunomodulatory activity. However, the toxicity profile of the combination has never been investigated. Objective. This study aimed to establish the acute toxicity profile of the SKM product on Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats and its subchronic toxicity profile on female SD rats. Method. The acute and subchronic toxicity tests were conducted in accordance with OECD 423 and OECD 408, respectively. Result. The SKM product was safe up to 5000 mg/kg b.w. in male and female SD rats. In repeated doses of SKM for 90 days, the administration of 22.5, 45, and 90 mg/kg b.w. per day of the SKM product to female SD rats did not affect clinical signs, body weight, food and water consumption, hematological parameters, clinical chemical parameters, urinalysis, relative organ weights, and gross pathological and histopathological features compared with the control group. Conclusion. Analyses of these results suggest that the long-term oral administration of the SKM product for 90 days does not cause subchronic toxicity.
Research on the Propagation of Acoustic Signal and Attenuation Change Law of Gas Pipeline Double-Point Leakage
Authors: Li Yao-bin , Fu Qing-Yun , Guo Xin
Published: January 2023

In order to better model the acoustic signal propagation and attenuation of pipeline leaks, a laboratory gas pipeline leak detection platform taking air as the experimental medium is hereby adopted to investigate the law of hole spacing on acoustic signal propagation and attenuation at different pressures for double-point leaks. The results show that in the case of a fixed pressure, the amplitude of the three hole spacing in the propagation along the pipe decreases gradually, while that near the leak point decreases the most, with a maximum difference being up to 90%, after which the difference gap between the amplitude is gradually narrowed; different hole spacing has little effect on the RMS voltage along the downstream of the double-point leak pipe but exercises a greater effect on the RMS voltage propagation between the double-point leak; the attenuation coefficient of the leak signal decreases generally with the distance, which generally becomes smaller with the increasing distance and that along the downstream of the pipeline and near the leakage point decreases the most in the case of the double-point leakage, with a decrease rate reaching close to 50%. Then, the decrease rate becomes smaller gradually and reaches close to 20%, while that of the attenuation coefficient of the two distances between the three sensors is relatively close for the double-point leakage, with the first section close to 50% to 60% and the second section close to 60% to 80%. Under the condition where the pressure is different and the hole spacing remains the same, the acoustic signal increases with the increasing pressure when the attenuation coefficient decreases.
Relationship between Obstructive Sleep Apnea and Liver Abnormalities in Older Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study
Authors: Jin Yong-Xu , Wang Bi-ying , Wang Xiao-li , Yu Xing , Chen Li-da , Yang Yi-song , Huang Jie-feng
Published: January 2023

Background. Older age is a risk factor for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which is associated with the development of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to investigate the correlation between OSA and liver injury among older patients. Study Design. This is a cross-sectional study. Methods. Consecutive older (≥60 years) snoring patients were included. Subjects were divided into no OSA, mild OSA, moderate OSA, and severe OSA groups according to the apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) and were also separated into liver injury and nonliver injury groups based on liver function. Logistic regression analysis was applied to analyze the independent risk factors for liver injury. Results. We studied 227 patients (155 male, 72 female). The prevalence of liver injury exhibited an increasing trend among groups with mild-to-severe OSA. In addition, body mass index, AHI, and TG showed significant differences between the liver injury and nonliver injury groups. Logistic regression analysis revealed that AHI and TG were the major contributing factors for liver injury in older patients (adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 1.055,

p
=
0.013

, and OR = 1.485,

p
=
0.039

, respectively). Conclusions. Older patients with OSA have an increased risk of liver injury and NAFLD, and sleep apnea and high TG are important factors in contributing to the development of liver injury.
Stimulated Raman Scattering Microscopy Enables Gleason Scoring of Prostate Core Needle Biopsy by a Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Ao Jianpeng , Shao Xiaoguang , Liu Zhijie , Liu Qiang , Xia Jun , Shi Yongheng , Qi Lin , Pan Jiahua , Ji Minbiao
Published: January 2023

Focal therapy (FT) has been proposed as an approach to eradicate clinically significant prostate cancer while preserving the normal surrounding tissues to minimize treatment-related toxicity. Rapid histology of core needle biopsies is essential to ensure the precise FT for localized lesions and to determine tumor grades. However, it is difficult to achieve both high accuracy and speed with currently available histopathology methods. Here, we demonstrated that stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) microscopy could reveal the largely heterogeneous histologic features of fresh prostatic biopsy tissues in a label-free and near real-time manner. A diagnostic convolutional neural network (CNN) built based on images from 61 patients could classify Gleason patterns of prostate cancer with an accuracy of 85.7%. An additional 22 independent cases introduced as external test dataset validated the CNN performance with 84.4% accuracy. Gleason scores of core needle biopsies from 21 cases were calculated using the deep learning SRS system and showed a 71% diagnostic consistency with grading from three pathologists. This study demonstrates the potential of a deep learning–assisted SRS platform in evaluating the tumor grade of prostate cancer, which could help simplify the diagnostic workflow and provide timely histopathology compatible with FT treatment.

Significance:

A platform combining stimulated Raman scattering microscopy and a convolutional neural network provides rapid histopathology and automated Gleason scoring on fresh prostate core needle biopsies without complex tissue processing.
Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in an Adolescent Girl with Graves’ Disease: A Coincidence or Consequence
Authors: Fadlalbari Ghassan Faisal , Hassan Samar Sabir , Abdalla Asmahan T. , Abusamra Samar Omer , Abdalrhman Abeer Mohamed , Abdullah Mohamed Ahmed
Published: January 2023

Background: Graves’ disease (GD)-related bone marrow injury presents usually as agranulocytosis or less commonly as pancytopenia. However, acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has been reported recently in an adult patient with GD. The underlying pathogenesis is not fully understood. Nevertheless, the harmful effects of anti-thyroid drugs or autoimmune reaction to bone marrow cells are anticipated to be the causative factors. Case Presentation: We report a 16.5-year-old girl with GD who was on carbimazole for the first 14 months of her illness, with irregular follow-up; then it was withdrawn because she developed hypothyroidism. Meanwhile, she developed severe anemia without fever which necessitated blood transfusion. Eight months later, she presented with thyrotoxicosis relapse, febrile illness, bone pain, and pancytopenia which was proved to be ALL on bone marrow examination. Conclusion: The presence of ALL in a young GD patient is an unprecedented event. Although it is difficult to demonstrate the causality between them, need for further studies cannot be denied.
Radiological Disease Activity in Secondary Progressive Multiple Sclerosis
Authors: Zohar Daniela Noa , Magalashvili David , Dreyer-Alster Sapir , Hoffmann Chen , Harari Gil , Dolev Mark , Achiron Anat
Published: January 2023

Introduction: MRI activity is less frequent among secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (SPMS) patients. In the current study, we aimed to identify SPMS patients with higher radiological disease activity (RDA) and determine their clinical characteristics. Methods: We evaluated the occurrence of RDA in SPMS patients followed at the Sheba Multiple Sclerosis Center between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2020. All patients underwent brain and spinal cord MRI examinations as a routine follow-up unrelated to clinical disease activity. Patients were subdivided into RDA and non-RDA MRI groups based on the presence of active gadolinium-enhancing T1 lesions and/or new/enlarging T2 lesions. Demographic variables and disease-related data were compared. Results: One hundred consecutive SPMS patients, 74 females, median age of 50 years, disease duration of 19.5 years, and neurological disability by the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score of 6.0, were included in the study. The RDA group comprised 35 patients (35%), of them 65.7% (n = 23) exhibited only brain MRI activity, 22.8% (n = 8) only spinal cord MRI activity, and 11.4% (n = 4) had both. Patients in the RDA group were diagnosed at a younger mean (SD) age of 28.2 (8.9) versus 33.7 (10.1) years and were younger with a mean (SD) age of 47.8 (9.9) versus 53.4 (10.1) years, as compared with the non-RDA group. No significant differences were found in relation to disease duration, EDSS, exposure to immunomodulatory treatments, and duration of immunomodulatory treatments. Conclusions: RDA unrelated to clinical symptomatology was more frequent in a subgroup of young SPMS patients.
Educação Crítica para o Desenvolvimento Sustentável (EDS) no Ensino Superior: reflexões sobre conservação e manejo da biodiversidade e a cartografia temática
Authors: Tozato Heloisa de Camargo
Published: January 2023

O presente artigo apresenta reflexões acerca da contribuição da educação crítica para o desenvolvimento sustentável (EDS) no ensino superior para apoio à agenda de conservação e manejo da biodiversidade brasileira, apontando a riqueza da cartografia temática para seu entendimento. Inspirado no potencial transformador do descortinar de mundos da combinação da troca dialógica de saberes e das capacidades tecnológicas do planejamento ambiental e da gestão territorial, ele traz reflexões sobre a importância do desenvolvimento das competências específicas e transversais para o desempenho bem-sucedido da conservação.
Are Particulate Pollutants Emitted by Open-Burning of Agricultural Plastic Waste (Greenhouse LDPE Film) Harmful?
Authors: Kim Tae-Han , Lee Jae-Young
Published: January 2023

Background and objective: Agricultural plastic waste (APW), which includes various types of plastics and greenhouse film, accounts for the largest volume of annual average incineration of plastic (Korea Environment Corporation, 2021). Open-burning incineration of such APW emits metallic particulate pollutants, the human hazard of which is widely known. As such, the systematic management of incinerable APW is required. Furthermore, basic physicochemical research on particulate pollutants (PPs) is needed for related policy decision-making.Methods: The U.S. EPA particulate test method (Method 5G) was applied to set up the experimental infrastructure for an open-air incineration simulation. Scanning electron microscopes with SEM-EDS and XRF were used for a chemical species analysis of the generated particulate matter (PM). Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), used as a greenhouse material and collected by the Dangjin plastic collection office of the Korea Environment Corporation, was used as samples and subjected to incineration test three times.Results: Chemical speciation by an XRF analysis showed that the major chemical components of LDPE before incineration, listed in order of their content, were Fe (26.87%, SD = 20.67) > Si (25.91%, SD = 11.29) > Al (16.43%, SD = 7.23), which was changed to Si (44.51%, SD = 0.25) > Zn (16.53%, SD = 0.03) > Ba (15.73%, SD = 0.05) after incineration. An SEM-EDS analysis found the PM emitted as rock-like shapes and cotton-like shapes. Regarding the weight ratio, the rock-shaped particles contained less C (8.94 wt%, SD = 1.90) and more Al (11.77 wt%, SD = 3.08) and Fe (9.58 wt%, SD = 7.14), whereas the cotton-shaped particles contained more C (29.44 wt%, SD = 3.97), less Al (2.34 wt%, SD = 0.19), and an untraceable amount of Fe (ND).Conclusion: This study found that PPs emitted through the incineration of APW such as LDPE can be classified into rock-like shapes and cotton-like shapes, which is related to the difference in weight ratio of non-metals (C), transition metals (Fe), and other metals (Al) in unit particulate matter.
A Governance Structure Based on an Opinion Analysis of Local Stakeholders of Saemangeum Floating Photovoltaic Power Plants Project: Using Text Mining for Each Subject
Authors: Lee Jae-hyuck
Published: January 2023

Background and objective: As the use of renewable energy is expanding worldwide, conflicts are emerging in local communities due to environmental damage and competition for land use with existing industries, including agriculture and fishery. Accordingly, while many studies are trying to find alternatives to address such conflicts, studies on governance to implement these alternatives are insufficient. This study attempted to find options for the contentious field of renewable energy using text mining for each subject, and to suggest a direction for building governance to apply this in practice.Methods: Text mining for each subject was conducted targeting the Saemangeum floating photovoltaic power plants (FPVs) project, a large-scale renewable energy project in Korea.Results: As a result of the analysis, three clusters (stakeholder groups) were identified. First, local public officials complied with the government plan, as well as environmental activists from relatively remote areas. Second, local environmental activists and fishermen insisted on ecological conservation. Third, members of the public-private council (PPC) were concerned about industrial transformation. All groups shared a common perception that it was a renewable energy project that benefited the local ecological environment and people.Conclusion: Based on this, local public officials will play a role in cooperating and arranging improvements in renewable energy projects, fishermen and local environmentalists will play a role in developing ecological environment-based renewable energy plans, and the PPC will play a role in seeking a direction for coexistence with the fishery and revitalizing the region. It was also possible to set the direction of governance to implement a project effectively. As such, establishing governance that is tailored to the area where a renewable energy zone is developed can be a starting point for managing local conflicts and operating a project efficiently.
An online Indigenous Knowledge Database on Climate Change Adaptation of Farmers in the Vietnam Mekong Delta
Authors: Nguyen Van Hoa , Bui Thi Mai Phung , Le Thanh Phong , Nguyen Hoang Tung , Truong Minh Tuyen , Do Minh Nhut , Duong Van Nha
Published: January 2023

Background and objective: For countries vulnerable to climate change as Vietnam, indigenous knowledge (IK) might assist in revealing the values of local people's adaptations to environmental stresses and potentially support decision-making. Despite IK can provide the adaptive capacity of local people's activities within environmental contexts, but it is rapidly vanishing. This study aimed to describe the documentation of IK associated with climate change adaptation of farmers in the Vietnam Mekong Delta (VMD).Methods: We focused on collecting and establishing online access to IK documents through collaboration between IK holders, public sector, collecting institutions, and researchers in the five agro-ecological zones of the VMD. An online IK database for storing IK documents has been designed and implemented based on the web application schema.Results: Through interviews, we gathered IK from farming practices that are well-adapted to climate risks such as floods, droughts, and saltwater intrusions as well as traditional knowledge being used to forecast weather, flood, and saltwater intrusion. The database for storing IK documents has been successfully deployed using free and open-source software. The database currently contains more than 260 IK documents, with their location on agro-ecological zones displayed on a web-based map.Conclusion: We have captured and provided an online access to IK on climate change adaptation of the farmers in the VMD. This research is expected as an initial strategy for long-term sustainable development of the agriculture system in this region.
Effects of culture medium composition on the in vitro growth of stem cuttings of Kirengeshoma koreana Nakai, a rare species in Korea
Authors: Shin Jung Won , Chi Yong Hun , Kim Jung Min , Lee Ji Won , Chae Jung Hyun , Yang Cho Hyun , Baek Da Seul , Baek Sang Geul , Yoon Hyun Won , Lee Ha Na , Seo Jeong Min , Kim Yeoung Ryul , Nam Jae Ik , Ahn Chang Ho
Published: January 2023

Background and objective: Kirengeshoma koreana Nakai is an endemic and endangered species in South Korea. We conducted in vitro propagation and regeneration of K. koreana from stem cuttings to investigate the effects of nine different basal culture media and five different carbohydrate sources on its growth.Methods: Apical segments (at least 1 cm long) collected randomly from a six-week-old K. koreana plantlet grown in vitro were used as explants. In the first experiment, the explants were transferred into square vessels containing 50 mL of nine different basal culture media supplemented with 30 g⋅L-1 sucrose and 3 g⋅L-1 Phytagel. In the second experiment, the explants were transferred into square vessels containing 50 mL half-strength SH medium supplemented with five different carbohydrate sources at 30 g⋅L-1. Each medium was solidified with 3 g⋅L-1 Phytagel. All experiments contained 4 cultures, and the experiments were repeated four times to enhance reproducibility. Data on stem length, shoot fresh weight, leaf width, leaf length, root count, and root length were collected at the end of 8 weeks of culture.Results: ANOVA showed that the basal culture medium had a significant effect on K. koreana growth (p < .001). The half-strength SH medium was the best condition for stem length, shoot fresh weight, leaf width and root length (3.76 ± 0.12 cm, 0.60 ± 0.06 g, 1.19 ± 0.05 cm, and 2.83 ± 0.13 cm, respectively). However, the highest percentage increase in root count (13.00 ± 0.90) was found to occur with half-strength WPM. The effect of different carbohydrate sources on K. koreana growth was significantly different (p < .001), with the exception of stem length and leaf width (p = .26 and p = .09, respectively). Maltose was the best condition for shoot fresh weight (0.90 ± 0.09 g). Although there was no significant difference, sucrose was found to be best for leaf width, leaf length and root length (1.34 ± 0.07 cm, 2.34 ± 0.10 cm, and 3.86 ± 0.19 cm, respectively).Conclusion: This in vitro propagation and regeneration system for K. koreana shows promise in terms of scalability and could help greatly with germplasm conservation and restoration efforts for the species.
The Changes of Panseokbo in Seyeonji Pond at Yun Seon-do’s Garden on Bogildo Island
Authors: Lee Jae-yong , Jeong Da-In , Kim Chae-won
Published: January 2023

Background and objective: In the academia, controversy over the transformation of Panseokbo has continued.Methods: To analyze changes in the name, shape, and structure of Panseokbo from the 1970s to 2021, a survey was conducted based on reliable data including excavation, repair and maintenance reports. Academic papers and books were also reviewed where additional fact-checking was required.Results: The results of the study are as follows. First, "Panseokbo" was called by different names from the 1970s to the 1990s, including "Gul-ttuk-da-ri," "Mul-mak-ee Jebang," "Seokje" and "Panseok Jebang." Since then, "Panseokbo" has been established as its proper name. By examining the origin of its name through Bogildoji (甫吉島識, 18C), it was found that Panseokbo had a distinct character of "Je (隄)" which served as both a bridge and an embankment, not "Bo (洑)" which was simply installed for the purpose of watering rice fields. Second, Panseokbo was severely damaged in 1972, so the exact plane shape could not be confirmed, but in 1981, data showed a greatly curved shape downstream. In particular, a triangular flagstone was used to connect the bent central part. After that, in the 1984 data, the triangular top stone disappeared, and the plane shape changed to a gentle curve toward the upstream. This shape was transformed into a much straighter line than in 1984 during the renovation in 1990. The current plane shape of Panseokbo has been maintained since it was repaired in 1990. Third, considering various environmental factors including quantity and depth of water storage, direction of streamflow, water pressure, and frequency of overflowing, Panseokbo was designed to have a structure in which "L"-shaped cutouts were made on side stones and upper stones were placed on them. In addition, as a large number of seokchok holes were found on natural bedrocks around Seyeonji pond and the east end of Panseokbo, it seems that seokchoks were used as a binding joint for far more members than those currently identified in the central part.Conclusion: Therefore, the results of this study are expected to contribute to setting the direction for future repair and maintenance of Panseokbo, and to establish the traditional manufacturing method or technology of landscaping facilities.
An Analysis on the Long-term Management of Urban Tree Carbon Reduction ‘Forestry Inventory Analysis’ towards Climate Change Adaptation
Authors: Nam Jinvo , Bae Hyun-Mi , Lee Chang-Hun , Lee Gil-Sang
Published: January 2023

Background and objective: Climate change and its impact on carbon storage in urban trees is a topic that has received increasing attention. Related studies focusing on data collection and analysis-based programs, such as the Forestry Inventory Analysis (FIA) programme in the US, have presented remarkable approaches to obtaining integrated analysis estimates and its management structure from a long-term perspective. This study explored the FIA programme in the context of long-term management in relation to tree carbon-related data collection and analysis.Methods: For the analysis, this study employed bibliometric methods (network using VOSviewer and coordinated analysis using NVivo) and an analytical framework. The case study is based on FIA-related driver changes of the keywords 'carbon' and 'tree' as well as the FIA management structure, using place-keeping theory as an integrated analytical framework and as the approach to long-term management.Results: Analysing FIA shows long-term management which has run since 2010, revealing key issues and significant terms in six dimensions of place-keeping analytical frameworks: public-private partnership-based data collection and political support in policy, central and local government-integrated fundraising from income generation, active governance-formed community activities in governance, alliance-structured networks in partnerships, integrated or unified estimated structures in evaluation, and maintenance. The case analysis reveals the necessity of a long-term management approach that incorporates a carbon storage estimate-focused policy, integrated income-partnerships, expanded active governance, Private Public Community Partnership (PPCP) multi-sector partnerships, and data platform settings.Conclusion: Newly emerging urban tree management structures should be reflected first on establishing an integrated carbon neutrality-based estimating system and secondly, on building long-term management approaches to the system. This will ultimately allow for climate change adaptation to approach carbon neutrality.
Revision of the genus Allocotaphis Börner, 1950 (Hemiptera, Homoptera, Aphididae, Macrosiphini)
Authors: STEKOLSHCHIKOV ANDREY V. , QIAO GE-XIA
Published: January 2023

Allocotaphis Börner, 1950 (Hemiptera, Homoptera, Aphididae, Aphidinae, Macrosiphini) and its three species are fully revised. The history of the descriptions of the involved taxa is critically presented. Descriptions of the known morphs of these species and complete information on the biology and distribution of the species are presented. Three subjective synonymies are established: Spinaphis L.K. Ghosh, 1986 syn. n. and Longisiphoniella Chakrabarti, Saha & Mandal, 1988 syn. n. of Allocotaphis Börner, 1950, and Longisiphoniella subterranea Chakrabarti, Saha & Mandal, 1988 syn. n. of Allocotaphis multisetosa (L.K. Ghosh, 1986) comb. n. An hypothesis for the formation of the genus and the speciation that took place within it is proposed.
Short and Long-Term Prognostic Significance of Galectin-3 in Patients with ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Undergoing Primary Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
Authors: Köktürk Uğur , Püşüroğlu Hamdi , Somuncu Mustafa Umut , Akgül Özgür , Uygur Begüm , Özyılmaz Sinem , Işıksaçan Nilgün , Sürgit Özgür , Yıldırım Aydın
Published: January 2023

This study evaluated the short and long-term prognostic value of galectin-3 in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) who underwent primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Patients (n = 143) were admitted with STEMI and followed up for 2 years. The study population was divided into high and low galectin-3 groups based on the admission median value of serum galectin-3. Primary clinical outcomes consisted of cardiovascular (CV) mortality, non-fatal reinfarction, stroke, and target vessel revascularization (TVR). CV events were recorded in hospital and at 1 and 2 years. The primary clinical outcomes (in-hospital, 1 year and 2 year) were significantly higher in the high galectin-3 group. ( P = .008, P = .004, P = .002, respectively). High galectin-3 levels were also associated with heart failure development and re-hospitalization at both 1 year ( P = .029, P = .009, respectively) and 2 years ( P = .019, P = .036, respectively). According to Cox multivariate analysis, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was an independent predictor of 2-year cardiovascular mortality ( P = .009), whereas galectin-3 was not ( P = .291). Although high galectin-3 levels were not independent predictors of long-term CV mortality in patients with acute STEMI who underwent primary PCI, it was associated with short-term and long-term development of adverse CV events, heart failure, and re-hospitalization.
Low energy repair of co-continuous metal-ceramic composites using electrodeposition
Authors: Mahmoudi Mohammadreza , Oh Se , Minary-Jolandan Majid
Published: January 2023

The concept of self-healing materials, mainly inspired from biological systems, in the last several decades has been pursued toward fully autonomous materials and structures. Self-healing of polymers (extensively) and metals (to much less extent) have been demonstrated, however, there are no such reports for metal-ceramic composites. Metal-ceramic composites are technologically significant as structural and functional materials and are among the most expensive materials to manufacture and repair. Hence, technologies for self-healing metal-ceramic composites are of paramount importance. Here, we demonstrate a concept to fabricate and heal co-continuous metal-ceramic composites at room temperature. The composites are fabricated by infiltration of metal (here copper) into a porous alumina preform (fabricated by freeze-casting) through electroplating; a low-temperature and low-cost (by ∼60-times lower cost compared to traditional molten metal infiltration) process for fabrication of such composites. Additionally, the same electroplating process is demonstrated for healing damages such as grooves and cracks in the original composite, such that the healed composite recovers its strength by more than 80%. Such technology may be expanded toward fully autonomous self-healing structures.
A 3D printed liquid metal emulsion for low stress activated stretchable electronics
Authors: Sánchez Cruz Ramón E , Zopf Stephanie F , Boley J William
Published: January 2023

A strain-induced electrically conductive liquid metal emulsion for the programmable assembly of soft conductive composites is reported. This emulsion exhibits the shear yielding and shear thinning rheology required for direct ink writing. Examples of complex self-supported 3D printed structures with spanning features are presented to demonstrate the 3D printability of this emulsion. Stretchable liquid metal composites are fabricated by integrating this emulsion into a multi-material printing process with a 3D printable elastomer. The as-printed composites exhibit a low electrical conductivity but can be transformed into highly conductive composites by a single axial strain at low stresses ([Formula: see text] 0.3 MPa), an order of magnitude lower than other mechanical sintering approaches. The effects of axial strain and cyclic loading on the electrical conductivities of these composites are characterized. The electrical conductivity increases with activation strain, with a maximum observed relaxed conductivity of 8.61 × 105 S⋅m−1, more than 300% higher than other mechanical sintering approaches. The electrical conductivity of these composites reaches a steady state for each strain after one cycle, remaining stable with low variation ([Formula: see text] standard deviation) over 1000 cycles. The strain sensitivities of these composites are quantitatively analyzed. All samples exhibit strain sensitivities that are lower than a bulk conductor throughout all strains. The printed composites showed low hysteresis at high strains, and high hysteresis at low strains, which may be influenced by the emulsion internal structure. The utility of these composites is shown by employing them as wiring into a single fabrication process for a stretchable array of LEDs.
Relationship Between Mindfulness and Physical Activity in College Students: The Mediating Effect of Eudaimonic Well-Being
Authors: Zhang Zhanjia , He Zhonghui , Qian Junwei , Qi Xin , Tong Jiajin
Published: January 2023

Previous research has shown many benefits of mindfulness for physical and psychological health, including its link to such health behaviors as increased physical activity (PA). We re-examined the association between mindfulness and PA to better understand a possible mediating role of eudaimonic well-being in this association, while controlling for participants’ age, gender, and affect. We had 738 undergraduate student participants (45.0% females; M age = 19.58 years) complete measures of trait mindfulness, eudaimonic well-being, and PA, and we used age, gender, and affect as covariates in a single-wave assessment. We conducted this mediation analysis with a bootstrapping technique to produce 10,000 resamples. We replicated findings of a significant relationship between mindfulness and enhanced eudaimonic well-being ( β = 0.474, p < 0.001), which in turn contributed to increased PA ( β = 0.193, p < 0.001). The bootstrapping method indicated a significant indirect effect of eudaimonic well-being ( β = 0.092, 95% CI = [0.043, 0.142]) in the relationship between mindfulness and PA through eudaimonic well-being. Thus, eudaimonic well-being may mediate the connection between mindfulness and PA. College administrators should consider incorporating mindfulness into health promotion programs as a means of enhancing college students’ well-being and health behaviors.
Resistance to Sunk Cost Propensity Moderate Relationship between Negative Life Event and Hopelessness
Authors: Zhang Shilei , Liu Jingjing , Peng Jiaxi , Xu Changfeng , Shi Rui
Published: January 2023

Previous research has found that a negative life event is a main risk factor for hopelessness, which in turn is considered to be a proximal cause of major depression disorder and a suicide risk factor. Unfortunately, very little attention has been paid to the role of decision-making constructs between negative life events and hopelessness. To fill this gap, the present study aims to test the moderation role of sunk cost propensity in this relationship, which is an over-generalized tendency to persist, based on past investment. A total of 495 university students completed assessment of their resistance to sunk cost propensity, whereas the negative life events, hopelessness, mental health state (depression, anxiety) and big-five personality traits were measured by various questionnaires. Participants’ tendency to resist sunk cost propensity moderated the relationship between negative life events and hopelessness. Individuals who tended to resist sunk cost bias are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of negative life events. This effect is still significant, even after controlling for individuals’ psychological well-being (depression, anxiety) and big-five personality traits. The current findings provide preliminary evidence that resistance to sunk cost propensity may be an important characteristic associated with an individual’s hopelessness when exposed to a negative life event.
Kinesin family member 3A induces related diseases via wingless-related integration site/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Liu Shupeng , He Yang , Li Shifeng , Gao Xuemin , Yang Fang
Published: January 2023

Kinesin family member 3A is an important motor protein that participates in various physiological and pathological processes, including normal tissue development, homeostasis maintenance, tumor infiltration, and migration. The wingless-related integration site/β-catenin signaling pathway is essential for critical molecular mechanisms such as embryonic development, organogenesis, tissue regeneration, and carcinogenesis. Recent studies have examined the molecular mechanisms of kinesin family member 3A, among which the wingless-related integration site/β-catenin signaling pathway has gained attention. The interaction between kinesin family member 3A and the wingless-related integration site/β-catenin signaling pathway is compact and complex but is fascinating and worthy of further study. The upregulation and downregulation of kinesin family member 3A influence many diseases and patient survival through the wingless-related integration site/β-catenin signaling pathway. Therefore, this review mainly focuses on describing the kinesin family member 3A and wingless-related integration site/β-catenin signaling pathways and their associated diseases.
From Segregation to Suspension: The Solidification of the Contemporary School-Prison Nexus in Boston, 1963-1985
Authors: Kautz Matthew B.
Published: January 2023

Current scholarship emphasizes the adoption of “zero-tolerance” policies as the cause of the punitive turn in school discipline. The focus on “zero tolerance,” however, has obscured how and for what offenses schools most commonly issue suspensions, namely non-attendance and “classroom disruption.” Using Boston as case study, this article situates the formation of the contemporary school-prison nexus in the decades following the Supreme Court’s decision in Brown v. Board of Education and argues the preservation of educator discretion shaped its structure. Beginning in the decade prior to Boston’s court-ordered desegregation, it analyzes how white Bostonians racialized conceptions of safety and crime to sustain segregation and how that rhetoric shaped the city’s preparations for and implementation of desegregation. It examines how police conduct combined with educators’ disciplining power repurposed the racist logics undergirding segregation to make schools active institutions in spurring carceral expansion and later mass incarceration.
Green by Affiliation? Ownership Identity and Environmental Management System Adoption in Chinese Business Groups
Authors: Wang Ruxi , Heugens Pursey P.M.A.R. , Wijen Frank
Published: January 2023

How does owner identity affect environmental management system (EMS) adoption by business group affiliates? While current research on EMS adoption is mostly focused on stand-alone Western firms, a marked uptake of adoption has unfolded in Eastern countries such as China, where business group affiliates are the dominant organizational form. This stark contrast between corporate interest and research attention has left a clear lacuna in our understanding of how systems that can reduce environmental impact diffuse across industrial settings. We argue that state, family, and foreign owners of affiliated firms show distinct propensities to adopt an EMS, owing to differences in legitimacy needs, ownership competencies, and group-level preferences to engage in systematic environmental practices. Logistic regressions based on data from listed Chinese business group affiliates between 2008 and 2019 show that state and family ownership negatively influence the likelihood of EMS adoption, whereas foreign control has a positive effect. More intragroup transactions exacerbate the low adoption propensity of family-owned firms. Our study contributes to the literatures on business groups and corporate environmentalism.
Left ventricular diverticulum in association with bicuspid aortic valve and pseudocoarctation: Hitherto unreported association
Authors: Bhatia Harsimran , Naganur Sanjeev Hanumanthacharya , Sharma Arun , Singhal Manphool
Published: January 2023

Left ventricular diverticulum is a rare cardiac abnormality characterised by focal protrusion of the ventricular wall containing all the three layers with synchronous contractility. They have been described more commonly in paediatric patients and may be seen associated with congenital midline thoracoabdominal abnormalities. There are few reports of left ventricular diverticulum in cases of patent ductus arteriosus and coarctation with subaortic diverticula in the bicuspid aortic valve. Here, we report a case of left ventricular diverticulum in association with bicuspid aortic valve and pseudocoarctation in a 53-year-old female patient with a pertinent review of the literature.
Addressing inadequate blood flow during normothermic regional perfusion for in-situ donation after circulatory death grafts preservation
Authors: Squiccimarro Enrico , Colombaro Chiara , Civita Antonio , Rociola Ruggiero , Buys Dedre , Gesualdo Loreto , Paparella Domenico , Lorusso Roberto
Published: January 2023

Donation after circulatory death (DCD) has emerged as attainable strategy to tackle the issue of organ shortage, expanding the donor pool. The DCD concept has been applied to the multiple declinations of circulatory arrest, as per the Modified Maastricht Classification. Notwithstanding, whichever the scenario, DCD donors experience a variable warm ischemia time whose correlation with graft dysfunction is ascertained. This applies to both “controlled” (cDCD) donors (i.e., the timespan from the withdrawal of life-sustaining therapies to the onset of in-situ perfusion), and “uncontrolled” DCD (uDCD) (i.e., the low-flow period during cardiopulmonary resuscitation – CPR). This sums up to the no-flow time from cardiac arrest to the start of CPR for uDCD donors, and to the no-touch period for both uDCDs and cDCDs. Static and hypothermic storage may not be appropriate for DCD grafts. In order to overcome this ischemic insult, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation devices are adopted to guarantee the in-situ grafts preservation by means of techniques such as the normothermic regional perfusion (NRP) which consists in a selective abdominal perfusion obtained via the endovascular or surgical occlusion of the thoracic aorta. The maintenance of an adequate pump flood throughout NRP is therefore a sine qua non to accomplish the DCD donation. The issue of insufficient pump flow during NRP is prevalent and clinically significant but its management remains technically challenging and not standardized. Hereby we propose a systematic algorithmic approach to address this relevant occurrence.
Categorical encoding of moving colors during location tracking
Authors: Sun Mengdan , Xin Xiaoyang , Ying Haojiang , Hu Luming , Zhang Xuemin
Published: January 2023

Categorical perception (CP) describes our tendency to perceive the visual world in a categorical manner, suggesting that high-level cognition may affect perception. While most studies are conducted in static visual scenes, Sun and colleagues found CP effects of color in multiple object tracking (MOT). This study used functional magnetic resonance imaging to investigate the neural mechanism behind the categorical effects of color in MOT. Categorical effects were associated with activities in a broad range of brain regions, including both the ventral (V4, middle temporal gyrus) and dorsal pathways (MT + /V5, inferior parietal lobule) of feature processing, as well as frontal regions (middle frontal gyrus, medial superior frontal gyrus). We proposed that these regions are hierarchically organized and responsible for distinct functions. The color-selective V4 encodes color categories, making cross-category colors more discriminable than within-category colors. Meanwhile, the language and/or semantic regions encode the verbal information of the colors. Both visual and nonvisual codes of color categories then modulate the activities of motion-sensitive MT + areas and frontal areas responsible for attentional processes.
Transit Signal Priority Method Based on Speed Guidance and Coordination Among Consecutive Intersections
Authors: Wu Bing , Wang Haishan , Wang Yanli , Zhai Ben , Yang Hang
Published: January 2023

Speed and punctuality are essential to the quality of bus services. To reduce bus delays and increase bus speed, a transit signal priority (TSP) method based on speed guidance and coordination among consecutive intersections is proposed. The TSP problem is formulated as a binary mixed integer nonlinear program. Impacts of TSP on the current intersection and adjacent intersection downstream are measured by deviations of split time from background timing plans and non-overlapping degrees, respectively. The weighted sum of the two measurements and bus travel time is taken as the objective function. The method does not change the original cycle length, and it is adaptive to timing plans with an arbitrary number of phases. Exclusive bus lanes are required to provide good conditions for speed guidance. A simulation case study of three consecutive intersections in Shanghai, China, is conducted. In the experiments, no priority method, the conventional TSP method, and the proposed method are applied. The results indicate that the proposed method performs the best. Compared to no priority method, the average travel time of buses, delays of bus, and delay per capita are reduced by 26.3%, 91.3%, and 14.5%, respectively. In addition, no serious deterioration is observed in the experience of other road users as the congestion level rises. The study illustrates the possibility of giving high priority to buses without significant negative impacts on other road users, and it can help traffic managers to alleviate traffic congestion in densely populated cities.
Sample Size Study of Driving Simulator Experiment for Freeway Design Safety Evaluations
Authors: Wang Xuesong , Liu Shuang , Cai Bowen , Hurwitz David , Guo Qiming , Wang Xiaomeng
Published: January 2023

Driving Simulator, a powerful simulation tool, has already been used in safety evaluation of roadway geometric design during the pre-construction design stage. Conventional ways of estimating proper sample size include the empirical method, the resource equation, power analysis, and the Bayesian method. However, significant boundaries and prior distributions of operational indices are hard to identify in simulator studies, which makes it difficult to use conventional ways in choosing the acceptable sample size. This study proposes an empirical method to infer proper sample size. The Tongji University eight-degree-of-freedom driving simulator was utilized to collect continuous driving behavior data from a simulated mountainous freeway. Vehicle speed and lane departure events were selected as the indices to measure the influence of geometric design features on operational efficiency and safety. A mixed linear model and a mixed logistic regression model were used to assess the relationships between geometric design features and vehicle speed and lane departure. Random sampling was used to choose 10 samples of 5 to 50 drivers from a total of 55 drivers. Acceptable sample size was determined based on the parameter coefficient convergence elbow points of the mean squared error (MSE) curves of significant variables. The clear elbow points of the MSE curves indicate that 30 is an acceptable sample size.
User Comprehension of Bicycle Signal Countdown Timers
Authors: Cobb Douglas P. , Monsere Christopher , Hurwitz David S. , Kothuri Sirisha , Jashami Hisham
Published: January 2023

For a person on a bicycle at signalized intersections, trail crossings, or midblock locations, knowing how long they must wait to receive a green indication is valuable information. In the international context, this information is often provided by small, nearside bicycle signal heads that contain a countdown display that visually conveys the amount of waiting time. This paper presents the results of research to investigate the comprehension of bicycle countdown timer displays in the U.S. context. The study conducted an online survey to analyze the understanding and preference of three alternative bicycle countdown timer displays. Respondents were recruited by two recruitment methods: mailed postcards (568 responses) and social media ads (772 responses). A countdown timer with circular disappearing dots was then installed at an intersection in Portland, OR, and an intercept survey was conducted of users (29 responses). For both surveys, comprehension rates were established by coding an open-ended response to a question about the display's intended meaning. The surveys found that the bicycle signal countdown displays were intuitive, and the intended meaning was fully understood by over 60% of online survey respondents and 52% of the intercepted bicyclists. Partial comprehension increased to over 70% and 97% of those intercepted, respectively, which would result in safe user interpretation. A countdown timer may also improve the waiting experience for stopped bicyclists, as 70% of respondents strongly or somewhat agreed that they would feel better about waiting at an intersection if a bicycle countdown timer was present.