bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Computational Visualization of Semi-transparent Metallic Thin Films with Roughness
Authors: Loi Wei Sen , Chau Kenneth
Published: March 2023

We model the visual appearance of thin, semi-transparent metallic films coated on arbitrary three-dimensional substrates, incorporating effects including nanoscale film roughness, microscale substrate roughness, and source of light. Film reflectance is modeled by combining electrodynamic simulations with a modified version of the Schlick approximation, which is adapted and validated to describe the color appearance of thin semi-transparent metallic films with nanoscale, subwavelength roughness. Diffuse scattering originating from microscale roughness of the substrate and partial reflectance is described by a microfacet model. Photorealistic rendered images generated by our approach are qualitatively compared to photographs of fabricated thin film samples under similar lighting conditions. We render images of semi-transparent metallic films as a function of film thickness, multilayer composition, substrate type, nanoscale film roughness, microscale substrate roughness, and environmental lighting, yielding physically plausible results consistent with previously reported observations.
Metheor: Ultrafast DNA methylation heterogeneity calculation from bisulfite read alignments
Authors: Lee Dohoon , Koo Bonil , Yang Jeewon , Kim Sun
Published: March 2023

Phased DNA methylation states within bisulfite sequencing reads are valuable source of information that can be used to estimate epigenetic diversity across cells as well as epigenomic instability in individual cells. Various measures capturing the heterogeneity of DNA methylation states have been proposed for a decade. However, in routine analyses on DNA methylation, this heterogeneity is often ignored by computing average methylation levels at CpG sites, even though such information exists in bisulfite sequencing data in the form of phased methylation states, or methylation patterns. In this study, to facilitate the application of the DNA methylation heterogeneity measures in downstream epigenomic analyses, we present a Rust-based, extremely fast and lightweight bioinformatics toolkit called Metheor. As the analysis of DNA methylation heterogeneity requires the examination of pairs or groups of CpGs throughout the genome, existing softwares suffer from high computational burden, which almost make a large-scale DNA methylation heterogeneity studies intractable for researchers with limited resources. In this study, we benchmark the performance of Metheor against existing code implementations for DNA methylation heterogeneity measures in three different scenarios of simulated bisulfite sequencing datasets. Metheor was shown to dramatically reduce the execution time up to 300-fold and memory footprint up to 60-fold, while producing identical results with the original implementation, thereby facilitating a large-scale study of DNA methylation heterogeneity profiles. To demonstrate the utility of the low computational burden of Metheor, we show that the methylation heterogeneity profiles of 928 cancer cell lines can be computed with standard computing resources. With those profiles, we reveal the association between DNA methylation heterogeneity and various omics features. Source code for Metheor is at https://github.com/dohlee/metheor and is freely available under the GPL-3.0 license.
Exploring healthcare-seeking behavior of most vulnerable groups amid the COVID-19 pandemic in the humanitarian context in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh: Findings from an exploratory qualitative study
Authors: Hossain Muhammad Riaz , Parray Ateeb Ahmad , Sultana Rafia , Aktar Bachera , Rashid Sabina Faiz
Published: March 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised new concerns about healthcare service availability, accessibility, and affordability in complex humanitarian settings where heterogeneous populations reside, such as Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh. This study was conducted in ten Rohingya camps and four wards of the adjacent host communities in Cox’s Bazar to understand the factors influencing healthcare-seeking behavior of the most vulnerable groups (MVGs) during COVID-19 pandemic. Data were extracted from 48 in-depth interviews (24 in each community) conducted from November 2020 to March 2021 with pregnant and lactating mothers, adolescent boys and girls, persons with disabilities, elderly people, and single female-household heads. This study adopted Andersen’s behavioral model of healthcare-seeking for data analysis. Findings suggest that the healthcare-seeking behavior of the participants amid COVID-19 pandemic in the humanitarian context of Cox’s Bazar was influenced by several factors ranging from socioeconomic and demographic, existing gender, cultural and social norms, health beliefs, and various institutional factors. Lack of household-level support, reduced number of healthcare providers at health facilities, and movement restrictions at community level hampered the ability of many participants to seek healthcare services in both Rohingya and host communities. Most of the female participants from both communities required permission and money from their male family members to visit healthcare facilities resulting in less access to healthcare. In both communities, the fear of contracting COVID-19 from healthcare facilities disproportionately affected pregnant mothers, elderly people, and persons with disabilities accessing health services. Additionally, the economic uncertainty had a significant impact on the host communities’ ability to pay for healthcare costs. These findings have the potential to influence policies and programs that can improve pandemic preparedness and health system resilience in humanitarian contexts.
11β-HSD1 inhibition does not affect murine tumour angiogenesis but may exert a selective effect on tumour growth by modulating inflammation and fibrosis
Authors: Davidson Callam T. , Miller Eileen , Muir Morwenna , Dawson John C. , Lee Martin , Aitken Stuart , Serrels Alan , Webster Scott P. , Homer Natalie Z. M. , Andrew Ruth , Brunton Valerie G. , Hadoke Patrick W. F. , Walker Brian R.
Published: March 2023

Glucocorticoids inhibit angiogenesis by activating the glucocorticoid receptor. Inhibition of the glucocorticoid-activating enzyme 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) reduces tissue-specific glucocorticoid action and promotes angiogenesis in murine models of myocardial infarction. Angiogenesis is important in the growth of some solid tumours. This study used murine models of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) to test the hypothesis that 11β-HSD1 inhibition promotes angiogenesis and subsequent tumour growth. SCC or PDAC cells were injected into female FVB/N or C57BL6/J mice fed either standard diet, or diet containing the 11β-HSD1 inhibitor UE2316. SCC tumours grew more rapidly in UE2316-treated mice, reaching a larger (P<0.01) final volume (0.158 ± 0.037 cm3) than in control mice (0.051 ± 0.007 cm3). However, PDAC tumour growth was unaffected. Immunofluorescent analysis of SCC tumours did not show differences in vessel density (CD31/alpha-smooth muscle actin) or cell proliferation (Ki67) after 11β-HSD1 inhibition, and immunohistochemistry of SCC tumours did not show changes in inflammatory cell (CD3- or F4/80-positive) infiltration. In culture, the growth/viability (assessed by live cell imaging) of SCC cells was not affected by UE2316 or corticosterone. Second Harmonic Generation microscopy showed that UE2316 reduced Type I collagen (P<0.001), whilst RNA-sequencing revealed that multiple factors involved in the innate immune/inflammatory response were reduced in UE2316-treated SCC tumours. 11β-HSD1 inhibition increases SCC tumour growth, likely via suppression of inflammatory/immune cell signalling and extracellular matrix deposition, but does not promote tumour angiogenesis or growth of all solid tumours.
Evaluation of a Physical-Psychological Integrative (PPI) intervention for community-dwelling spinal cord injury survivors: Study protocol of a preliminary randomized controlled trial
Authors: Li Yan , Wong Arnold , Chung Wai Man , Li Mengqi , Molasiotis Alex , Bressington Daniel , Ma Christina Zong-Hao , Kor Patrick Pui Kin , Yeung Wing Fai
Published: March 2023

Introduction

There is a considerably large group of community-dwelling spinal cord injury (SCI) survivors living with low quality of life. Physical inactivity, depression, and chronic pain are major problems faced by SCI survivors discharged from the acute phase of treatment or inpatient rehabilitation. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a Physical-Psychological Integrative (PPI) online group intervention on community-dwelling SCI survivors’ physical activity, depression, and chronic pain.

Methods

This is a two-arm pilot randomized controlled trial with repeated measures (pre-, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up) design. Seventy-two participants will be randomly assigned to two study groups. The PPI intervention group will receive a video program for physical activity training and eight-week online group psychological interventions using skills of group-based motivational interviewing and mindfulness-based stress reduction. The control group will receive an eight-week online didactic education programed. Focus-group interviews will be conducted post-intervention to explore their views about acceptance and suggested improvements to the intervention. The feasibility of study procedures and the acceptability of interventions will be evaluated. The effectiveness of the PPI intervention will be evaluated by leisure-time physical activity, depression, chronic pain, exercise efficacy, mindfulness, and quality of life. We will use the generalized estimating equation to assess intervention effects and content analysis for interview data. This study has received ethical approval from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (HSEARS20210705004) and was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05535400).

Discussion

This study will be the first to provide empirical data on the evaluation of an online-group intervention integrating both physical activity promotion and psychological approaches, aimed at reducing physical inactivity, depression, and chronic pain for community-dwelling SCI survivors in Hong Kong. The findings could provide evidence supporting the use of PPI intervention as a novel online group support, in addressing both the physical and psychological needs of community-dwelling SCI survivors.
Hacia una educación inclusiva. La Educación Especial ayer, hoy y mañana
Authors: Ortiz González María del Carmen
Published: March 2023

Al inicio del nuevo milenio bien pudiera hacerse una visión retrospectiva sobre la situación de la educación especial, con el fin de ir cerrando algunas puertas e ir abriendo algunas ventanas que renueven el aire en el que vayamos a respirar desde la teoría y desde la práctica en el ámbito de la diversidad. De ahí que en este artículo hagamos una revisión tanto a nivel terminológico como conceptual para centrarnos sobre todo en la perspectiva de futuro que se nos ofrece desde la filosofía de una educación inclusiva y la buena práctica de una escuela para todos. Avanzamos la idea de propiciar un medio ambiente enriquecedor, manteniendo las diferencias en un mundo diverso, potenciando las posibilidades personales y multiculturales para crecer todos juntos en un mundo sin barreras físicas, morales o sociales. Si por nuestra parte hay actitud favorable hacia las personas con discapacidad, y si por nuestra parte arbitramos las medidas necesarias para dar respuesta a las posibles necesidades, sería factible acoger a todo el que llegue, darle la bienvenida y brindarle las ayudas necesarias para que cada uno –junto a todos los suyos– encuentre su trayectoria en la vida.
Ketahanan UMKM di Indonesia menghadapi Resesi Ekonomi
Authors: Mardanugraha Eugenia , Akhmad Junaidi
Published: March 2023

Wabah COVID-19 telah membuat ekonomi Indonesia masuk episode resesi, yang ditunjukkan oleh pertumbuhan ekonomi (y-o-y) negatif selama 2 kuartal berturut-turut, yaitu Q2-2020 sebesar -5.32% dan Q3-2020 sebesar -3.49%. Penelitian ini menjelaskan bahwa usaha mikro, kecil dan menengah (UMKM) di Indonesia memiliki daya tahan yang cukup kuat dalam menghadapi resesi ekonomi. Penelitian ini mewawancarai 541 UMKM dari seluruh Indonesia selama Agustus-Oktober 2020 melalui telepon dan video call. Penelitian ini juga melakukan focus group discussion (FGD) dari beberapa responden yang disurvei. Berdasarkan analisa deskriptif ditemukan bahwa 19% UMKM sudah tidak dapat bertahan, 30% UMKM masih mempertahankan karyawannya, dan 51% lainnya masih dapat bertahan. Bantuan dari pemerintah baru dirasakan oleh UMKM yang memiliki kredit dari bank. Berdasarkan pengujian t-statistik, terjadi penurunan pada seluruh indikator kinerja UMKM akibat COVID-19. Penurunan signifikan terjadi pada modal kerja (-54%), tenaga kerja (-37 %), pendapatan bulanan (-34%), tanah (-2%), dan mesin dan peralatan (-3%). Sementara itu, penurunan beban oerasional bulanan (-21%) secara statistik tidak signifikan. Kegiatan FGD menyimpulkan bahwa UMKM yang bertahan adalah yang memiliki cadangan kekayaan (hidden wealth) berupa tabungan, atau asset bangunan dan kendaraan yang dapat dijual atau digadaikan. Disaster risk management (DRM) dan penyusunan business continuity plan (BCP) merupakan hal terpenting bagi UMKM sehingga dapat bertahan dalam kondisi kritis saat bencana terjadi. Pemerintah harus mulai membantu UMKM dalam penyusunan hal tersebut. Social bonds dapat menjadi instrumen alternatif bagi pemerintah, untuk mengatasi persoalan ini.
A globalizációs folyamat jövője szorosan kapcsolódik a multilaterális rendszer fennmaradásához : Interjú Simai Mihály akadémikussal, a Budapesti Corvinus Egyetem professzor emeritusával
Authors: Csontos Tamás , Trautmann László , Simai Mihály
Published: March 2023

A Köz-gazdaság interjút kért Simai Mihálytól a globalizáció és a nemzetközi viszonyok jelenlegi helyzetéről. Úgy láttuk, hogy a jelenlegi viharos geopolitikai és világgazdasági helyzet egyre sürgetőbbé teszi a stratégiai gondolkodás megerősítését, a helyes kérdések és az arra adott helyes válaszok megtalálását. Ez alól a feladat alól Magyarország sem vonhatja ki magát, és a tudományos párbeszédbe történő bekapcsolódáshoz minden lehetőség adott. Ennek érdekében kérdeztük Simai Mihályt, aki az ENSZ Egyetem Helsinkiben működő Világgazdaság-fejlesztési Intézetének volt főigazgatója és tagja volt az ENSZ több szakértői bizottságának, többek között a nemzetközi pénzügyi kérdésekkel, az államszervezetek reformjával és a fejlesztéstervezéssel foglalkozó bizottságoknak. Az ENSZ Egyetem Igazgatótanácsának elnökeként, illetve az UNICEF Kormányzótanácsának alelnökeként dolgozott több éven át. A beszélgetést Csontos Tamás és Trautmann László készítette.
Socio-Economic Inequality and Populism: A Theoretical Framework of Analysis
Authors: Ivanov Denis
Published: March 2023

The literature connecting growing socio-economic inequality and populism as the main political consequence of it, is burgeoning. However, modern studies are often limited to one-directional models that are based on the available data and are often operationalized on a limited number of variables. This article provides an in-depth literature review of elements of socio-economic inequality and populism, as well as introduces a new conceptual framework to provide pointers for qualitative or qualitative applications. In terms of independent variables, the framework decomposes the multilayered concept of socio-economic inequality into inequality of income (insecurity, polarization and perception) and wealth (via its link to rent-seeking and state capture) as well as inequality of opportunity (circumstances and effort, perception of opportunity). The main dependent variables that define populism are attitudes and voting on the demand side of populism, as well as party strategy and policies on the supply side, with the latter having the potential for a reverse causality. The most important innovation of the theoretical model is the incorporation of the institutional filters as mediating variables and their influence on the impact of inequality on populism. When economic and political institutions do not function well or citizens do not evaluate them positively, it has a potential to further exacerbate the economic grievances and amplify the support of populism. The proposed theoretical framework is particularly useful for case study and large N research designs focusing on Central and Eastern Europe, as besides the role of institutions, it incorporates the literature on rents.
Individuals with a Family History of Colorectal Cancer Warrant Tailored Interventions to Address Patient-Reported Barriers to Screening
Authors: Jain Shailavi , Galoosian Artin , Wilhalme Holly , Meshkat Sarah , May Folasade P.
Published: March 2023

STRUCTURED ABSTRACT

Introduction:

Population health interventions to increase colorectal cancer (CRC) screening rates often exclude individuals with a family history of CRC, and interventions to increase screening in this high-risk group are rare. We aimed to determine the screening rate and barriers and facilitators to screening in this population to inform interventions to increase screening participation.

Methods:

We performed a retrospective chart review and cross-sectional survey of patients excluded from mailed fecal immunochemical test (FIT) outreach due to a family history of CRC in a large health system. We used Chi-square, Fisher’s exact, and Student’s t-tests to compare demographic and clinical characteristics of individuals overdue and not overdue for screening. We then administered a survey (mailed and telephone) to overdue patients to assess barriers and facilitators to screening.

Results:

There were 296 patients excluded from mailed FIT outreach and 233 had a confirmed family history of CRC. Screening participation was low (21.9%), and there were no significant demographic or clinical differences between those overdue and not overdue for screening. There were 79 survey participants. Major patient-reported barriers to screening colonoscopy were patient forgetfulness (35.9%), fear of pain during colonoscopy (17.7%), and hesitancy about bowel preparation (29.4%). To facilitate screening colonoscopy, patients recommended reminders (56.3%), education about familial risk (50%), and colonoscopy education (35.9%).

Conclusions:

Patients with a family history of CRC that are excluded from mailed FIT outreach have low screening rates and report multiple mutable barriers to screening. They warrant targeted efforts to increase screening participation.
A esperança velada: o lírico e o épico em “San Vicente”
Authors: S. S. Lima Rezende Gabriel , Castro Diniz Sheyla
Published: March 2023

Na atmosfera carregada dos primeiros anos da década de 1970, foi lançada a canção “San Vicente”, faixa do álbum Clube da Esquina, de Milton Nascimento e Lô Borges. Sua ampla repercussão, que lhe rendeu o epíteto de hino latino-americano, contribuiu para estabelecer ações recíprocas de produção e circulação de música entre artistas brasileiros e de outros países do subcontinente. Mas seu entrelaçado poético-musical, que alinha temporalidades de naturezas diversas, contrastou com as formas mais recorrentes de tratar os temas caros ao movimento da Nueva Canción Latinoamericana, emblematicamente representadas por “Canción con todos” na gravação de 1970 de Mercedes Sosa. Partindo da distinção entre traços estilísticos lírico e épico, que orienta nossa análise poética e musical de “San Vicente”, buscamos demonstrar como a canção tematiza e elabora a experiência da radicalização da repressão no Brasil ditatorial e do espraiamento dos golpes militares em outros países latino-americanos, e, finalmente, revelar a maneira particular pela qual seu entrelaçado poético-musical projeta a esperança
Utilization of the spent catalyst as a raw material for rechargeable battery production: The effect of leaching time, type, and concentration of organic acids
Authors: Panggabean Tabita Kristina Mora Ayu , Susanti Ratna Frida , Astuti Widi , Petrus Himawan Tri Bayu Murti , Kristijarti Anastasia Prima , Wanta Kevin Cleary
Published: March 2023

This study examines the potential use of the spent catalyst as a raw material for rechargeable batteries. The spent catalyst Ni/γ-Al2O3 still contains relatively high amounts of nickel. This indicates the potential use of the spent catalyst to be leached and purified for synthesizing nickel-based compounds so that it can be applied to rechargeable battery cathodes. In this study, the spent catalyst leaching process employed four types of organic acids: citric acid, lactic acid, oxalic acid, and acetic acid. The spent catalyst was leached under atmospheric conditions and room temperature. Organic acid concentrations were also varied at 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2 M. The leaching process took place for 240 minutes, where sampling was conducted periodically at 30, 60, 120, 180, and 240 minutes. Experimental results showed that Ni (II) and Al (III) ions were successfully leached to the maximum when using 2M citric acids at a leaching time of 240 minutes. The conditions succeeded in leaching Ni (II) and Al (III) ions of 357.8 and 1,975.4 ppm, respectively. Organic acid, notably citric acid, has excellent potential for further development. Citric acid, as a solvent, has the ability to leach metal ions with high recovery. In addition, this acid is categorized as an eco-friendly and green solvent compared to inorganic acid. Thus, the leaching process can take place without harming the environment.
Chow groups of Gushel–Mukai fivefolds
Authors: Zhou Lin
Published: March 2023

We compute the Chow groups of smooth Gushel–Mukai varieties of dimension 5.
Filtrations of numerically flat Higgs bundles and curve semistable Higgs bundles on Calabi–Yau varieties
Authors: Bruzzo Ugo , Capasso Armando
Published: March 2023

We consider Higgs bundles satisfying a notion of numerical flatness (H-nflatness) that was introduced in [5; 4], and show that they have Jordan-Hölder filtrations whose quotients are stable, locally free and H-nflat. This is applied to show that curve semistable Higgs bundles on simply connected Calabi–Yau varieties have vanishing discriminant.
The Dissatisfied Skeptic in Kant’s Discipline of Pure Reason
Authors: Goldhaber Charles
Published: March 2023

Why does Kant say that a “skeptical satisfaction of pure reason” is “impossible” (A758/B786)? I answer this question by giving a reading of “The Discipline of Pure Reason in Respect of Its Polemic Employment.” I explain that Kant must address skepticism in this context because his warning against developing counterarguments to dogmatic attacks encourages a comparison between the critical and the skeptical methods. I then argue that skepticism fails to “satisfy” [befriedigen] reason insofar as it cannot “pacify” reason’s tendency to go beyond its own boundaries. The skeptical method reveals the past failures of dogmatic metaphysics but cannot rule out future successes. Only critical knowledge of reason’s proper bounds can do this, thereby pacifying our restless reason. I close by arguing that Kant’s discussion implies that a skeptic must feel dissatisfied with her renunciation of metaphysics, and that this dissatisfaction can lead her to take interest in Kant’s critical philosophy.
In-Fill Asymptotic Distribution of the Change Point Estimator when Estimating Breaks One at a Time
Authors: Tayanagi Toshikazu , Kurozumi Eiji
Published: March 2023

In this study, we investigate the least squares (LS) estimator of a structural change point by the in-fill asymptotic theory, which has been recently used by Jiang, Wang, and Yu (2018. “New Distribution Theory for the Estimation of Structural Break Point in Mean.” Journal of Econometrics 205 (1): 156–76; 2020. “In-Fill Asymptotic Theory for Structural Break Point in Autoregressions.” Econometric Reviews 40 (4): 359–86), when the model with two structural changes is estimated as the model with only a one-time structural change. We, hence, show that the finite sample distribution of the estimator of the first break has four peaks, which is different from the classical long-span asymptotic distribution, which contains only one peak. Conversely, the in-fill asymptotic distribution of the estimator has four peaks and can approximate the finite sample distribution very well. We also demonstrate that the estimator is consistent in the in-fill asymptotic framework with a relatively large magnitude of the break. In the latter case, the finite sample distribution of the estimator has only one peak and is well approximated by both the in-fill and long-span asymptotic theory.
News exposure and Americans’ perceptions of China in 2019 and 2021
Authors: Tang Shuo , Willnat Lars
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The relationship between China and the United States has been in freefall in recent years. Both the Covid-19 pandemic and the U.S.-China trade war contributed to more negative perceptions of China among the American public. This study analyzes how Americans’ news consumption and personal traits affected their general perceptions of China before and after the outbreak of Covid-19 in 2020 to explore how major international events might influence people’s perceptions of foreign nations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relied on data from two national online surveys conducted in the United States in early 2019 (N = 1,250) and 2021 (N = 1,237). Both surveys measure the respondents’ media use, personal traits, and their perceptions of China.

Findings

The findings indicate that perceptions of China were mostly shaped by exposure to partisan and social media—rather than consumption of mainstream news media. However, these relationships were significantly stronger in 2021 than in 2019, pointing to a growing influence of the U.S. news media in U.S.-China relations. This study also found that partisanship and personal traits were strong predictors of Americans’ attitudes toward China.

Practical implications

Researchers can learn from this study which variables should be included in surveys that focus on public perceptions of foreign affairs.

Social implications

This study shows that media effects and personal traits interact in complex ways to shape Americans’ perceptions of China.

Originality/value

This study analyzes and compares data from two national representative samples, offering insights into how major international events might influence public opinion. It also measures the possible impact of the Chinese social media platform TikTok on Americans’ perceptions of China.
Study on the impulse mechanism of optical films formed by laser plasma shock waves
Authors: Wang Guixia , Su Junhong
Published: March 2023

In a high-power laser system, when the surface pressure of the optical film caused by laser plasma shock wave is greater than the adhesion per unit area of the film layer, the film will produce mechanical damage, and in serious cases, the whole system may not work. Therefore, studying the formation mechanism of optical film surface pressure and impulse caused by laser plasma shock wave is the key to ensure the normal operation of the high-power laser system. In this article, by studying the relaxation process of laser plasma shock wave on the surface pressure of optical film, and using the time accumulation effect of various pressures on the surface of the optical film, the calculation model of impulse on the optical film’s surface formed by laser plasma shock waves was established, and the variation rules of the impulse

I

st

{I}_{\text{st}}

and impulse coefficient

j

j

on the unit area of single-layer Al2O3 and HfO2 optical films with different parameters were obtained. When the incident laser wavelength

λ

\lambda

was 1,064 nm, the energy

E

E

was

0.1

J

0.1\hspace{.1em}\text{J}

, the pulse width

t

p

{t}_{\text{p}}

was

10

ns

10\hspace{.25em}\text{ns}

, the focal length of the focusing lens

f

f

was

350

mm

350\hspace{.25em}\text{mm}

, the distance between the film surface and the focal plane of the focusing lens

z

0

{z}_{0}

was

5

mm

5\hspace{.5em}\text{mm}

, and the film radius

R

R

was

5

mm

5\hspace{.5em}\text{mm}

, the calculation and simulation results show that the impulse

I

st

{I}_{\text{st}}

of the two films was

1

0

−
4

N

s

1{0}^{-4}\hspace{.5em}\text{N}\hspace{.5em}\text{s}

order of magnitude, the impulse coefficient j of the two films was

1

0

−
5

N

s/J

1{0}^{-5}\hspace{.5em}\text{N}\hspace{.5em}\text{s/J}

, the Al2O3 film with small atomic number will obtain larger

I

st

{I}_{\text{st}}

and

j

j

,

I

st

{I}_{\text{st}}

and

j

j

of the two films increase with the increase of

E

E

and

f

f

, and

I

st

{I}_{\text{st}}

and

j

j

of the two films decrease with the increase of

z

0

{z}_{0}

and

t

p

{t}_{\text{p}}

. In the total impulse transfer time (

t

0

{t}_{0}

),

I

st

{I}_{\text{st}}

and

j

j

both increase with the increase of

R

R

.
Average or unique – Polish place-names and word-initial consonant groups
Authors: Jaskuła Krzysztof
Published: March 2023

Place-names occupy a special area in the vocabulary of the Polish language. Their shape occasionally differs to a greater or lesser extent from that of words which constitute the bulk of the lexicon. They have been investigated in terms of semantics and etymology by various linguists, but their phonological analysis is only occasionally provided. In this paper, word-initial consonant combinations found in Polish place-names are presented and analysed from the viewpoint of Government Phonology in its most recent version called Complexity Scales and Licensing. The analysis, covering bi-consonantal, tri-consonantal and tetra-consonantal clusters, will be conducted with a view to finding out how the model shows the possible governing relationships between consonants. Of specific interest is the question of whether these toponyms are totally peculiar or just normal in terms of the phonotactics of the Polish language.
Identification of potential inhibitors of thymidylate synthase (TS) (PDB ID: 6QXH) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF–κB) (PDB ID: 1A3Q) from Capsicum annuum (bell pepper) towards the development of new therapeutic drugs against colorectal cancer (CRC)
Authors: Olajide Monsurat , Abdul-Hammed Misbaudeen , Bello Isah Adewale , Adedotun Ibrahim Olaide , Afolabi Tolulope Irapada
Published: March 2023

Colorectal cancer is the third most deadly cancer globally. Drug resistance and attendant side effects make the available standard anti-colorectal cancer drugs against target receptors inefficient. Phytochemicals from medicinal plants are safer, cheaper, effective, and heal diseases from the cellular level. This study is aimed at identifying potential inhibitors of thymidylate synthase (TS) and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF–κB) target receptors from Capsicum annuum towards the development of new therapeutic drugs against colorectal cancer via in silico approach. One hundred and fifty (150) ligands previously reported from Capsicum annuum were downloaded from the PubChem database and were subjected to chemo-informatics analyses such as ADMET, drug-likeness, oral bioavailability, bioactivity, and PASS prediction to ascertain their therapeutic and safety profile before docking. The ligands that passed the analyses were docked against TS and NF–κB in duplicate using a creditable docking tool (PyRx). Raltitrexed and emetine were used as the standard drug inhibitors for TS and NF–κB, respectively. The results obtained from this study showed that feruloyl-beta-D-glucose (8.45 kcal/mol), 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (−8.40 kcal/mol), 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid methyl ester (−7.89 kcal/mol), feruloyl hexoside (−7.40 kcal/mol), O-glucopyranoside (−7.55 kcal/mol), and quercetin (−7.00 kcal/mol) shared the same binding pocket with TS while feruloyl-beta-D-glucose (−7.00 kcal/mol), chlorogenic acid (−6.90 kcal/mol), 5-O-caffeoylquinic acid (−6.90 kcal/mol) and feruloyl hexoside (−6.50 kcal/mol) shared the same pocket with NF–κB. These compounds were selected as best hits due to their excellent inhibitory efficiency and chemoinformatic profiles. Thus, the compounds may function as prospective lead compounds for developing a new anti-colorectal cancer drug.
Tailoring the optical and UV reflectivity of CFRP-epoxy composites: Approaches and selected results
Authors: Haiden Lukas , Brunner Andreas J. , Pansare Amol V. , Feuchter Michael , Pinter Gerald
Published: March 2023

Specific nano- and micro-scale morphologies of composites can affect the resulting optical and UV reflectivity of the materials. One example is “Vantablack®” made from aligned carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with 99.96% absorption. A similar material with CNTs grown on surface-activated aluminum (CNTs/sa-Al) even yielded 99.995% absorption, one order of magnitude higher than Vantablack®. On the other hand, fresh snow reflects 90% or more of the incident electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths between 400 and 1,000 nm. The reflectivity of snow originates from multiple scattering in the porous morphology made of snow grains. Taking these complex morphologies as inspiration, CFRP epoxy composites with different types, sizes, shapes, and amount of nanoparticles are prepared and compared regarding their optical and ultraviolet (UV) reflectivity. Increasing the reflectivity in the near and far UV may be beneficial for the durability of the epoxy composites, but selective higher or lower reflectivity in certain wavelength ranges may also yield tailored visual effects. Results from different processing approaches with selected nanoparticles are presented and discussed.
Voltage and frequency controlled Ge/SeO2 thin film transistors designed as rectifiers, negative capacitance and negative conductance sources
Authors:   Department of Physics, Arab American University, Jenin, Palestine, Qasrawi A. F. , Khanfar Hazem K. ,   Department of Telecommunication Engineering, Arab American University, Jenin 240, Palestine
Published: March 2023

Herein voltage and frequency controlled thin film transistors fabricated by depositing SeO2 onto germanium thin crystals are reported. For these devices measurements of the current-voltage characteristics revealed a biasing dependent rectification ratios. The devices showed metal-oxide-semiconductor character under reverse biasing conditions. In addition, the biasing dependent capacitance and conductance spectral studies in the frequency domain of 20M-1000MHz has shown the possibility of switching the capacitance and negative conductance from negative mode to positive mode. The features of the Ge/SeO2 devices make them attractive for use in electronic circuits as parasitic capacitive circuit elements, noise reducers, signal amplifiers and microwave oscillators.
The adaptive strategies of cells in the face of CIN
Authors: Storchová Zuzana
Published: March 2023

An increased frequency of chromosome segregation errors, known as chromosomal instability (CIN), leads to accumulation of aneuploid cells with abnormal chromosomal numbers, which impairs viability through negative effects on survival and proliferation under most conditions. Two recent papers find by independent approaches that the key to surviving high levels of CIN is reducing the instability itself, showcasing the remarkable adaptability of the chromosome segregation machinery, in particular the microtubule–kinetochore interface, and highlighting the crucial role that maintaining chromosomal stability plays in cell proliferation.
Quantitative protein biomarker panels: a path to improved clinical practice through proteomics
Authors: Hartl Johannes , Kurth Florian , Kappert Kai , Horst David , Mülleder Michael , Hartmann Gunther , Ralser Markus
Published: March 2023

The utilisation of protein biomarker panels, rather than individual protein biomarkers, offers a more comprehensive representation of human physiology. It thus has the potential to improve diagnosis, prognosis and the differentiation of responders from nonresponders in the context of precision medicine. Although several proteomic techniques exist for measuring biomarker panels, the integration of proteomics into clinical practice has been limited. In this Commentary, we highlight the significance of quantitative protein biomarker panels in clinical medicine and outline the challenges that must be addressed in order to identify the most promising panels and implement them in clinical routines to realise their medical potential. Furthermore, we argue that the absolute quantification of protein panels through targeted mass spectrometric assays remains the most promising technology for translating proteomics into routine clinical applications due to its high flexibility, low sample costs, independence from affinity reagents and low entry barriers for its integration into existing laboratory workflows.
Stress‐sensitive dynamics of miRNAs and Elba1 in Drosophila embryogenesis
Authors: Örkenby Lovisa , Skog Signe , Ekman Helen , Gozzo Alessandro , Kugelberg Unn , Ramesh Rashmi , Magadi Srivathsa , Zambanini Gianluca , Nordin Anna , Cantú Claudio , Nätt Daniel , Öst Anita
Published: March 2023

Early‐life stress can result in life‐long effects that impact adult health and disease risk, but little is known about how such programming is established and maintained. Here, we show that such epigenetic memories can be initiated in the Drosophila embryo before the major wave of zygotic transcription, and higher‐order chromatin structures are established. An early short heat shock results in elevated levels of maternal miRNA and reduced levels of a subgroup of zygotic genes in stage 5 embryos. Using a Dicer‐1 mutant, we show that the stress‐induced decrease in one of these genes, the insulator‐binding factor Elba1, is dependent on functional miRNA biogenesis. Reduction in Elba1 correlates with the upregulation of early developmental genes and promotes a sustained weakening of heterochromatin in the adult fly as indicated by an increased expression of the PEV wm4h reporter. We propose that maternal miRNAs, retained in response to an early embryonic heat shock, shape the subsequent de novo heterochromatin establishment that occurs during early development via direct or indirect regulation of some of the earliest expressed genes, including Elba1.
Work Models in the Ukrainian IT Industry: Between Employment and Contractor Models
Authors:   Ukrainian Catholic University, Ukraine, Horodyskyy Ivan
Published: March 2023

The field of labour is one of the most dynamic in the society and develops under the influence of the general social progress. Rapid development of digital technologies, towhich public regulators appeared not to be ready in many aspects, has also changed the field of labour by stimulating search and application of new forms of employment. Resulting from technological changes, they also often appear to be beyond legal regulation, thus posing risks both for the state or business, and for employees. Normally new, hybrid forms of labour relations are considered in the context of tax and employment law. That is because they are also related to human rights as it is individual rights and freedoms that are exposed to risks. Respectively, all hybrid models and public initiatives require scrupulous attention and analysis, since their effect may go beyond the framework of employment law or fiscal consequences. In the present article wewill consider the key factors affecting launching of such hybrid models, their pros and cons, as well as public initiatives aimed at regulating relations in the field, as exemplified by different forms of labour organization in the Ukrainian IT industry.
Reactivated thyroid hormone receptor β attenuates anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) stem cell activity
Authors: Zhu Xuguang , Zhao Li , Doolittle Woo Kyung Lee , Cheng Sheue-yann
Published: March 2023

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is one of the most aggressive solid cancers in humans, with limited treatment options. Recent studies suggest that cancer stem cell (CSC) activity contributes to therapeutic resistance and recurrence of ATC. We show that the expression of the endogenous thyroid hormone receptor β gene (THRB) is silenced in ATC and demonstrate that the exogenously expressed TRβ suppresses CSC activity. Decitabine is one of the demethylation agents to treat myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia patients and is currently in clinical trials for hematopoietic malignancies and solid tumors. We aim to show that the re-expression of the endogenous THRB gene by decitabine can attenuate CSC activity to block ATC tumor growth. We treated ATC cell lines derived from human ATC tumors (11T and 16T cells) with decitabine and evaluated the effects of the reactivated endogenous TRβ on CSC activity in vitro and in vivo xenograft models. We found that treatment of 11T and 16T cells with decitabine reactivated the expression of endogenous TRβ, as evidenced by western blot and immunohistochemical analyses. The expressed TRβ inhibited cell proliferation by arresting cells at the S phase, increased apoptotic cell death by upregulation of cleaved caspase-3, and markedly suppressed the expression of CSC regulators, including cMYC, ALDH, SOX2, CD44, and β-catenin. Decitabine also inhibited xenograft tumor growth by suppressing CSC activity, inhibiting cancer cell proliferation, and increasing apoptosis. Our findings suggest that re-expression of the endogenous TRβ is a novel therapeutic approach for ATC via suppression of CSC activity.
Diabetes-related foot disease: new insights with an antipodean focus
Authors: Hamilton Emma J , Twigg Stephen M
Published: March 2023

Diabetes-related foot disease (DFD), defined as ulceration, infection or destruction of tissues of the foot in a person with current or previously diagnosed diabetes mellitus, is associated with a heavy burden for both patients and the healthcare system with high morbidity, mortality and costs. Improved outcomes for people with DFD are achieved with an interdisciplinary approach and adherence to best practice clinical guidelines; however, in the Australian context, the vastness of the country presents unique challenges in achieving optimal outcomes for all people with DFD, with variation in service delivery, availability and accessibility between metropolitan, rural and remote areas. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and people with diabetes living in rural and remote areas experience higher rates of lower-extremity amputation, and further efforts and resources are required to improve outcomes for these high-risk groups. In recent years, there have been advances in knowledge, including the understanding of the pathogenesis of diabetes-related peripheral neuropathy, genetic polymorphisms and mechanisms of disease associated with acute Charcot neuroarthropathy, biomarkers and potential mediators of diabetes-related foot ulcer (DFU) healing, the microbiology and microbiome profile of DFUs, pressure assessment and management as well as an expanded understanding of DFU sequelae and comorbidities. In this review, we describe new insights into pathophysiology, sequelae and comorbidities of DFD with a focus on basic and translational aspects and contributions to the field from Australian and New Zealand DFD researchers.
Interferon-λ contributes to endometrial receptivity
Authors: Yao Kezhen , Sun Yu , Ye Xiaoqun , Wu Ying
Published: March 2023

In brief

IFN-λs participate in the fetal–maternal immune interaction, involving in immune regulation, uterine receptivity, cell migration and adhesion, and endometrium apoptosis. Our study helps to elucidate the underlying causes of the IFN-λs deficiency to spontaneous pregnancy loss in women.

Immunotherapy has been commonly used to prevent recurrent pregnancy loss in women with inadequate uterus receptivity or immunological imbalance. Many immune regulators are now identified as having crucial roles at the embryo–maternal interface. However, the clinical efficacy of immunity-related markers during the peri-implantation period remains to be explored in depth. Here, we demonstrated that endometrial expression of interferon-λ (IFN-λ), regarded as a newer class of interferons, is aberrantly lower in women who suffered from recurrent implantation failure than that in fertile control. We further uncovered genetic and biochemical evidence that IFN-λ is induced directly by estrogen in the endometrial cells, and IFN-λ pathway may play multiple roles involving the inflammatory response, uterine receptivity, cell migration, and blastocyst adhesion. Furthermore, we indicated IFN-λ lessens the sensitivity of endometrium to FASL-mediated apoptosis. In addition to uncovering this IFN-λ as a novel nonredundant regulator that participates in the fetal–maternal immune interaction, our study helps to elucidate the underlying causes of spontaneous pregnancy loss in women.
Multicenter Study of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Initiation and Duration of Use in Bronchiolitis
Authors: Byrd Courtney , Noelck Michelle , Kerns Ellen , Bryan Mersine , Hamline Michelle , Garber Matthew , Ostrow Olivia , Riss Valerie , Shadman Kristin , Shein Steven , Willer Robert , Ralston Shawn
Published: March 2023

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

There is a paucity of multicenter data on rates of high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) usage in bronchiolitis in the United States, largely because of the absence of standardized coding, with HFNC often subsumed into the larger category of noninvasive mechanical ventilation.

METHODS

We examined HFNC utilization in patients with bronchiolitis from a sample of hospitals participating in a national bronchiolitis quality improvement collaborative. Medical records of patients aged <2 years admitted November 2019 to March 2020 were reviewed and hospital-specific bronchiolitis policies were collected. Exclusion criteria were prematurity <32 weeks, any use of mechanical ventilation, and presence of comorbidities. HFNC utilization (including initiation, initiation location, and treatment duration), and hospital length of stay (LOS) were calculated. HFNC utilization was analyzed by individual hospital HFNC policy characteristics.

RESULTS

Sixty-one hospitals contributed data on 8296 patients; HFNC was used in 52% (n = 4286) of admissions, with the most common initiation site being the emergency department (ED) (75%, n = 3226). Hospitals that limited HFNC use to PICUs had reduced odds of initiating HFNC (odds ratio, 0.3; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.3 to 0.4). Hospitals with an ED protocol to delay HFNC initiation had shorter HFNC treatment duration (−12 hours; 95% CI, −15.6 to −8.8) and shorter LOS (−14.9 hours; 95% CI, −18.2 to −11.6).

CONCLUSIONS

HFNC was initiated in >50% of patients admitted with bronchiolitis in this hospital cohort, most commonly in the ED. In general, hospitals with policies to limit HFNC use demonstrated decreased odds of HFNC initiation, shorter HFNC duration, and reduced LOS compared with the study population.
Experimental investigation on replacement of PET aggregate as fine aggregate and water hyacinth as bio plasticizer in concrete
Authors: Daisy Angel Priya I. , Akshaya S. , Harsha Neya S. , Vanitha S. , Karthigai Priya P. , Johnson J Nittin
Published: March 2023

Usage of single use plastics has been rapidly increasing in the recent past and it is challenging to dispose of these plastics safely, since they are non-biodegradable. Especially, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) which is widely used in the form of water bottles cannot be easily recycled or reused. On the other hand, construction projects require sustainable materials having good strength, accordingly various studies have been conducted to reuse plastic wastes in the concrete and positive results have been obtained. In this study, the crushed PET bottles are partially substituted with fine aggregates and water hyacinth is added as a bio plasticizer in concrete. The concrete specimens are cast by substituting PET aggregates with the fine aggregates at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10% and water hyacinth is added at 10 & 20% by weight of water. The specimens are tested and it is noted that with the addition of PET aggregates up to 4% the strength of the concrete increases and beyond 4%, strength of the concrete gradually decreases, and addition of water hyacinth enhances the strength of the concrete.