bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Physical Characteristics and Cellular Pharmacological Activity of Baicalin-Lecithin Complex-Loaded Poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) Membranes
Authors: Dandan Ma , Haihe Guo , Xiaoyan Chen , Chunjuan Fang , Ling Huang , Wenwen Jiang
Published: March 2022

In this study, the physiochemical properties and cellular-level biological effects of baicalin-lecithin complex (BLC)-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) membranes were studied. Several parameters were measured to evaluate the preparation of these membranes, such as the coating thickness, scanning electron microscopy-detected surface morphology, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermodynamic behavior. The drug-release behavior was mainly controlled by the degradation of the PLGA. The release of BLC lasted for more than one month, which matched the development of the restenosis process. The BLC-coated PLGA (60:40) membrane had good drug release in terms of its long release cycle, and the efficacy of baicalin in the form of BLC in cardiovascular stents matched the development of restenosis.In vitrocell culture test showed that endothelial cells (ECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) for 12 h, 1 d and 3 d, BLC-loaded PLGA membranes (1%, 5% and 10% (w/w)) had significant activity towards the proliferation of ECs and the inhibition of SMC proliferation (P< 0.05). BLC-loaded PLGA film has good drug release trends.
Erythrocyte Ghost Based Fusogenic Glycoprotein Vesicular Stomatitis Virus Glycoprotein Complexes as an Efficient Deoxyribonucleic Acid Delivery System
Authors: Bian Hong , Dou Qing-Li , Wei Jian , Liu Jing-Le , Wang Xiao , Liu Xin
Published: March 2022

This study aimed to construct a new type of fused erythrocyte vector for gene delivery system. The conditioned medium of AD293 cells expressing vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein gene was collected, and erythrocyte ghost was prepared by hypotonic lysis. Using cationic polymer to
condense deoxyribonucleic acid to form a complex, fusogenic erythrocyte ghost was incubated with this complex to obtain virion. Flow cytometry and luciferase activity analysis were used to detect the delivery of fusogenic erythrocyte ghost to deoxyribonucleic acid in AD293 cells and refractory
cells, respectively. Transfection efficiency of fusogenic erythrocyte ghost in vivo was detected by confocal microscope. Vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein and erythrocyte ghost were effectively integrated, and fusogenic erythrocyte ghost was successfully prepared. deoxyribonucleic
acid/polyethylenimine complexes form 100–300 nm particles. Fusogenic erythrocyte ghost can effectively incorporation deoxyribonucleic acid complexes. Confocal microscope observed red fluorescence close to blue fluorescence, indicating that labeled fusogenic erythrocyte ghost may trigger
liver and spleen tissue endocytosis or fusion. A new delivery vector of fusogenic erythrocyte ghost was constructed. This system could enhance the delivery efficiency even in cells which refractory to conventional transfections in vitro.
miR-103 Derived from Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cell (BMSC) Retards the Chemo-Resistance Through Targeted-Regulation of TP53 Regulated Inhibitor of Apoptosis 1 (TRIAP1) in Breast Cancer
Authors: Chen Yihua , Luo Yan , Tian Qiang , Zeng Dongmei
Published: March 2022

The chemo-resistance was one of the major reasons for the treatment failure for breast cancer. Our study aimed to discuss the action of miR-103 derived from BMSC on retarding the chemo-resistance through targeted-regulating TRIAP1 in breast cancer. The cisplatin-resistant breast cancer
cells were cultivated and transfected with si-RNA targeting miR-103 followed by analysis of cell invasion, migration and apoptosis by Transwell. MiR-103 target gene was analyzed with bioinformatics method and dual-luciferase reporter assay. TRIAP1 expression was measured by Western Blot. The
cell apoptosis was reduced when miR-103 expression was restrained along with enhanced cell proliferation. The co-cultivation with BMSC in vitro could upregulate TRIAP1 expression in breast cancer cells. In cells transfected with si-miR-103, the expression of TRIAP1 was reduced, cell
apoptosis was increased and invasion was decreased. In conclusion, the chemo-resistance is induced and the malignant invasion of breast cancer cells is retarded by co-cultivation with mikR-103 derived from BMSC which might be through regulating the expression of TRIAP.
MicroRNA-139 Facilitates Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Progression via Modulating the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR)/Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase (MEK)/Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase (ERK) Signaling Pathway
Authors: Zhang Hao , Shu Ruichen , Zhang Xun , Sun Daqiang
Published: March 2022

We aimed to elucidate the role of miR-139 in the progression of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and its underlying mechanisms. Tumor tissues and paracancerous tissues were collected to obtain NSCLC cells and normal pulmonary epithelial cells, respectively. The expression of miR-139
in tissues and cells were determined via real-time quantitative PCR. The NSCLC cells were transfected with miR-139 inhibitor, siRNA-NC, miR-139 mimics, or vectors, respectively, followed by expression measurement of miR-139 via PCR. Colony formation and CCK-8 assays were employed to assess
the cellular proliferation, along with transwell experiment for investigating the tendency of cancer cells in invasion and metastasis. The expression levels of proteins were semi-quantified via Western Blot analysis, including proteins involved in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)/mitogen-activated
protein kinase (MEK)/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway and those related to epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). For rescue experiments, an EGFR agonist was applied to transfect cells, followed by the detection of potentials of cancer cells in proliferation and invasion
along with the expression determination of the proteins involved. Eventually, mouse xenograft models were established using cells transfected with miR-139 inhibitor or siRNA-NC, respectively, of which the tumor development was monitored and the expression of EGFR in the tumor tissues of the
mouse xenograft models was detected via immunohistochemical staining. A significant increase of miR-139 was detected in NSCLC tissues, of which the elevation was related to the tumor size, malignancy, and poor prognosis. Compared with cells in the control group, miR-139 inhibition enhanced
the proliferation of NSCLC cells both in vivo and in vitro, which was accompanied by the suppressed expression of proteins related to the EMT process, along with the enhanced potentials cell invasion and migration. Additionally, miR-139 modulated EGFR expression and activated
its signal transduction in EGFR/MEK/ERK pathway to exert its carcinogenic function. MiRNA-139 may facilitate NSCLC progression via modulating the EGFR/MEK/ERK signal-transduction pathway.
miR-18a-5p Reduces Inflammatory Response and Human Dermal Microvascular Endothelial Cells Permeability by Targeting Thrombospondin 1 in Chronic Idiopathic Urticaria
Authors: Zhang Yijin , Ye Yujian , Li Zhao , Dai Hui , Wang Ping
Published: March 2022

Chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU) is a skin disease that has an acute attack when patient encounters an allergen. Previous research demonstrated that microRNA (miRNA) has a crucial role in CIU occurrence and development. This study aimed to investigate the role and mechanism of miR-18a-5p
in CIU. StarBase and dual luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed that thrombospondin 1 (THBS1) was a direct target of miR-18a-5p. miR-18a-5p negatively regulated THBS1 expression in human mast cell line HMC-1 and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs). Further analysis indicated
that miR-18a-5p mimic significantly reduced inflammatory factors including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α release, decreased the degranulation rate and histamine release rate of HMC-1 cells. Besides, we found that miR-18a-5p reduced
the permeability of HDMECs by suppressing THBS1 expression. Finally, the data indicated that miR-18a-5p inhibited the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β)/SMAD family member 3 (Smad3) signaling pathway in HDMECs by inhibiting the expression of THBS1. Taken together, the results
suggested that miR-18a-5p reduced inflammation and human skin microvascular endothelial cell permeability in CIU by targeting THBS1. miR-18a-5p might be a new target for CIU treatment.
Co-Culture of MSCs with miR-496 Prompts Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transformation of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC)
Authors: Chen Chunhui , Wang Pengcheng , Xu Kedan , Fu Xinhai
Published: March 2022

This study discusses the molecular mechanism of co-culture of MSCs with miR-496 in the EMT of OSCC. miR-496 expression in OSCC tissues and cells was detected by qRT-PCR. The MSCs+si-NC, MSCs+pc-DNA-NC, MSCs+si-miR-496, MSCs+pc-DNA-miR-496 was transfected into SCC-PKUs to analyze cell
apoptosis, proliferation and clone formation as well as the expression of proteins related with EMT. miR-496 in OSCC tissues was elevated and positively related with the clinical stage of OSCC patients. The cell activity and invasive ability of SCC-PKU was increased after co-culture of MSCs
and pc-DNA-miR-496 along with increased expression of EMT-related proteins. However, all above changes were reversed after treatment with MSCs and si-miR-496. In conclusion, co-culture of MSCs and miR-495 prompts the occurrence and development of OSCC through regulating EMT processes, indicating
that they might be novel targets for the treatment of OSCC.
Mean State of the Northern Hemisphere Stratospheric Polar Vortex in Three Generations of CMIP Models
Authors: Rao Jian , Garfinkel Chaim I. , Wu Tongwen , Lu Yixiong , Chu Min
Published: March 2022

Progress and persistent biases in the simulation of the stratospheric polar vortex from three generations of Coupled Model Intercomparison Projects (CMIPs) are assessed. On average, the stratospheric cold bias is largest in CMIP3, but is improved in CMIP5 and CMIP6. The climatological ridge in the stratosphere over the North Pacific is underestimated persistently across CMIPs. Four parameters of the stratospheric polar vortex are evaluated among models and among CMIPs, and some common biases are identified for most models, including the too-large size of the vortex periphery, overstrong strength, too-small aspect ratio of the vortex shape, and too-westward displaced a vortex centroid. Intermodel spread in some parameters is highly correlated with the sea surface temperature (SST) bias in northern tropical oceans. Namely, a cold SST bias in the northern tropical Pacific is associated with a too-strong and too-large polar vortex, and a cold SST bias in the northern tropical Atlantic seems to be related to the westward bias of the vortex centroid. The implications of biases in the mean state of the vortex for stratospheric events such as sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) are also identified in this study. Models with a climatological vortex that is too strong, has too low an aspect ratio, or has a westward-biased centroid usually produce fewer SSWs, whereas ones with weaker strength, high aspect ratio, and eastward-biased centroid produce more. Based on the multimodel mean, the biases of all parameters have improved across three generations of CMIPs, although persistent biases in some individual models exist across CMIPs. Intermodel relationships between the polar vortex and SST highlights the important role of the SST simulation for the stratosphere.
The constitution of political contention: The case of protests and riots at the turn of the 19th century
Authors: Gøtzsche-Astrup Johan
Published: March 2022

How is political contention constituted as an intelligible political practice, distinct from mere social disorders? This article gets at the question by analysing the relation between protests and riots at the turn of the 19th century in England. Drawing on Michel Foucault’s discussion of visibilities and post-foundational political theory, it contrasts the 1760s Wilkes and Liberty agitations with that of the London Corresponding Society in the 1790s. It articulates two ways of configuring the relation and constituting political contention in the self-governing practices of contentious actors. In the first case, political contention is an exercise of public spirit that may include riots and is opposed to passivity or factional interest. In the second, it is a process of public inquiry premised on a constitutive exclusion of riots. The comparison reveals how the emergence of protest politics also resulted in a new way of delineating and constituting political contention. In this way, it offers a new perspective on the contemporary constitution of political contention.
The Impact of mRNA Technology in Regenerative Therapy: Lessons for Oral Tissue Regeneration
Authors: Wisitrasameewong W. , Champaiboon C. , Surisaeng T. , Sa-Ard-Iam N. , Freire M. , Pardi N. , Pichyangkul S. , Mahanonda R.
Published: March 2022

Oral tissue regeneration following chronic diseases and injuries is limited by the natural endogenous wound-healing process. Current regenerative approaches implement exogenous systems, including stem cells, scaffolds, growth factors, and plasmid DNA/viral vectors, that induce variable clinical outcomes. An innovative approach that is safe, effective, and inexpensive is needed. The lipid nanoparticle-encapsulated nucleoside-modified messenger RNA (mRNA) platform has proven to be a successful vaccine modality against coronavirus disease 2019, demonstrating safety and high efficacy in humans. The same fundamental technology platform could be applied to facilitate the development of mRNA-based regenerative therapy. While the platform has not yet been studied in the field of oral tissue regeneration, mRNA therapeutics encoding growth factors have been evaluated and demonstrated promising findings in various models of soft and hard tissue regeneration such as myocardial infarction, diabetic wound healing, and calvarial and femoral bone defects. Because restoration of both soft and hard tissues is crucial to oral tissue physiology, this new therapeutic modality may help to overcome challenges associated with the reconstruction of the unique and complex architecture of oral tissues. This review discusses mRNA therapeutics with an emphasis on findings and lessons in different regenerative animal models, and it speculates how we can apply mRNA-based platforms for oral tissue regeneration.
Maintaining aircraft manufacturing through government purchases: Australia and Canada from the end of the Second World War until the 1970s
Authors: Abbott Malcolm
Published: March 2022

In this article, a comparison is provided of the alternative Australian and Canadian government procurement policies for military aircraft in the post-Second World War period. Procurement was used by both governments to maintain manufacturing capacity that was established in the Second World War. By undertaking this analysis, the differing characteristics of the two policies are highlighted. In both cases procurement policies promoted the maintenance of aircraft manufacturing industries, however, the resulting industries were quite different in nature, a result partly of the differing natures of the policies, and different to some degree to the results of the policy in other Western countries.
Heald frame motion trajectory based on minimum warp friction in the shedding process of three-dimensional woven fabrics
Authors: Leng Zhuang , Ma Wensuo , Huang Zhaohua , Jia Chenhui , Lei Xianqing , Jianjun Yin
Published: March 2022

The partial fiber breaking in the warp yarn of three-dimensional (3D) woven fabrics needs to be urgently reduced considering the large shedding displacement and repeated yarn frictions in the fabricating process. A kinematical model of the heald frame was established in order to analyze the impact and wear of the warp yarn in the shedding process of 3D weaving. The variation tendency of the friction force between the yarn and heddle eye was obtained and the variable acceleration trajectory of the heald frame based on minimizing the friction and impact load on the yarn was derived. The experimental results showed that the fiber breakage rate in one warp yarn using the derived curve trajectory reduced drastically. The research results are beneficial to the theoretical design of the shedding system of weaving machines for 3D woven fabric.
Green synthesis of nanosilver using Fomes fomentarius mushroom extract over aramid fabrics with improved coloration effects
Authors: Hasan K M Faridul , Kóczán Zsófia , Horváth Péter György , Bak Miklós , Horváth Adrienn , Bejó László , Alpár Tibor
Published: March 2022

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were greenly synthesized over aramid fabrics from wild mushroom ( Fomes fomentarius) to develop colorful products. The localized surface plasmon resonance characteristics of AgNPs provided versatile coloration effects on fabrics, with improved color strength ( K/ S) and other colorimetric values ( L*, a*, and b*). The stability of the colored materials was also investigated in terms of color fastness to wash and rubbing (both wet and dry states). The characteristics of deposited AgNPs over aramid materials were characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy testing of solid fabric samples. Morphological properties of the aramid substrates were investigated using SEM (scanning electron microscopy) testing to check the surfaces both for nanosilver-treated and untreated materials. Moreover, the developed nanoparticles were also confirmed further using SEM-deployed energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and elemental mapping analysis. The chemical bonding between the aramid fiber and deposited AgNPs was tested using Fourier infrared spectroscopy analysis. The thermal stability of the aramid fabrics was examined in order to investigate their behavior when exposed to heat in terms of thermogravimetric analysis and derivative thermogravimetry analysis. The K/ S values and darkness values were increasing with the increased loading of the nanosilver precursor. Moreover, statistical analysis was also conducted in terms of the coefficient of variation ( R2) to understand the significance of the connection between the nanosilver loading and coloration characteristics, and found a significant relationship. Overall, a novel, sustainable, and facile biosynthesis route of AgNPs is reported in this current research.
Managing Channel Partner Conflict: The Case of Z-Tel Mobile, India
Authors: Chintaluri Manoj Gour , Bala Subramanian R.
Published: March 2022

A channel partner is a third party involved in sales and services. They act as a front end for the organization and play a vital role in promoting the business. If a channel partner acts against the business, what options are left with the company? The case narrates such a scenario of conflict between a leading mobile telephony business player and its channel partner in Andhra Pradesh Telecom Circle, India. The channel partner created chaos by intimidating the sales team and approached the distributor association to address the conflict. The association initiated a boycott of business related to the company in that region. It became imperative for the COO of that organization to resolve the issue without compromising its image and business interests. The case involves stakeholders such as channel partners, distributors, a trade body and the sales employees of the organization. The resolution of the issue is embedded in the theoretical aspects of negotiation and social exchange theory.
Oh, SO Sarcastic: Diverse Strategies for Being Sarcastic
Authors: D’Arcey J. Trevor , Fox Tree Jean E.
Published: March 2022

Sarcasm has been defined in a plethora of different ways, but too often the definitions hinge on researchers’ own perceptions of what constitutes sarcasm or verbal irony, and not enough on the perceptions of people producing the sarcastic content. We asked people ( N = 82) to transform internet forum posts to make them sarcastic without providing information about what sarcasm is. Participants then critically examined their creations. People identified a variety of strategies that they use to communicate sarcasm in writing. A content analysis of written productions by eight raters confirmed the use of these strategies, several of which were more likely than by chance alone to be present alongside sarcasm. Results are useful for understanding sarcasm production, comprehension, and linguistic rapport.
Warfarin-related epidural hematoma: a case report
Authors: Li Xiaoting , Zeng Zhaohao , Yang Ying , Ding Weilong , Wang Lu , Xu Yezi , Yang Wei , Bi Wei
Published: March 2022

Spinal epidural hematomas are rare, with trauma being the most common cause. Spinal epidural hematomas caused by coagulation dysfunction are even rarer; however, long-term warfarin therapy increases the risk. The clinical manifestations of spinal epidural hematoma are neurological deficits below the corresponding spinal cord segment level. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred method for diagnosis, and the main treatment for epidural hematoma with typical symptoms is urgent decompression of the lumbar spine. We describe an almost 80-year-old female patient who received long-term oral warfarin therapy for atrial fibrillation. She developed sudden onset waist pain, and 2 days later, she developed pain and weakness in both lower limbs. Computed tomography (CT) of the thoracolumbar spine showed no obvious hematoma. Eight days after admission, contrast-enhanced CT of the thoracolumbar spine showed intraspinal hematomas at T5–T8 and T12–L2 levels. We performed T3–T7 laminectomy, T5–T8 hematoma removal, and spinal dural repair. The clinical symptoms did not improve significantly, postoperatively. The low incidence of spinal epidural hematoma after anticoagulation treatment means this condition is not recognized timely, and it is misdiagnosed easily. Clinicians should consider this condition when patients treated with anticoagulants have neurological deficits below a spinal segmental plane.
Effect of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Asthma Biological Rhythms
Authors: Hazan Guy , Fox Carolyn , Eiden Elise , Anderson Neil , Friger Michael , Haspel Jeffrey
Published: March 2022

Asthma has a striking temporal character, in which time-of-day, patient age, and season each influence disease activity. The extent to which rhythms in asthma activity reflect exposure to specific disease triggers remains unclear. In this study, we examined how virus mitigation strategies enacted during the COVID-19 pandemic (“lockdown measures”) affected rhythms in asthma clinical activity in children. To this end, we retrospectively analyzed asthma clinical presentations in children aged <18 years to our regional academic medical center, comparing 4 years of medical records prior to COVID-19 lockdown measures with the 12 months immediately after the institution of such measures. We correlated these data to positive viral test results, febrile seizures, and allergic clinical surrogates (allergic reaction visits and Emergency Department [ED] antihistamine prescriptions, respectively) over the same time frame. In the 12 months following the institution of the COVID-19 lockdown, positivity rates for common respiratory viruses dropped by 70.2% and ED visits for asthma among children dropped by 62% compared to pre-COVID years. Lockdown suppressed seasonal variation in positive viral tests and asthma ED visits, while diurnal rhythms in asthma visits were unchanged. Asthma seasonality correlated most strongly with rhinovirus positivity both before and after the institution of COVID lockdown measures. Altogether, our data support a causal role for viruses in driving seasonal variability in asthma exacerbations in children.
Nothing to sniff at: Odorless Reah Nihoah in early biblical interpretation
Authors: Zuckier Shlomo
Published: March 2022

Within the Hebrew Bible, the phrase reah nihoah (ריח ניחוח‎), “a pleasing smell,” appears frequently throughout accounts of sacrifice, referring in a most literal sense to the smell of an offering burnt on the altar and offered up “to the Lord.” Throughout multiple Second Temple Jewish texts, both the incidence and meaning of this term shift considerably. Some texts essentially erase the term from sacrificial discourse; others “spiritualize” it, employing reah nihoah in contexts other than physical sacrifices; yet others conflate the “pleasing smell” language with other sacrificial technical terms such as “acceptability” and “atonement.” This article examines the manifold shifts in meaning of reah nihoah in Ancient Jewish texts, considering various biblical translations, Hellenistic works, materials from Qumran, and New Testament texts. After considering how these texts interpret the biblical reah nihoah, it considers possible impetuses for this shift as well as its ramifications.
Racial Bias in Police Traffic Stops: White Residents’ County-Level Prejudice and Stereotypes Are Related to Disproportionate Stopping of Black Drivers
Authors: Stelter Marleen , Essien Iniobong , Sander Carsten , Degner Juliane
Published: March 2022

Racial disparities in policing are well documented, but the reasons for such disparities are often debated. In the current research, we weighed in on this debate using a regional-level bias framework: We investigated the link between racial disparities in police traffic stops and regional-level racial bias, employing data from more than 130 million police traffic stops in 1,413 U.S. counties and county-level measures of racial bias from more than 2 million online respondents. Compared with their population share in county demographics, Black drivers were stopped at disproportionate rates in the majority of counties. Crucially, disproportionate stopping of Black drivers was higher in counties with higher levels of racial prejudice by White residents ( rs = .07−.36). Furthermore, county-level aggregates of White people’s threat-related stereotypes were less consistent in predicting disproportionate stopping ( rs = .00−.19). These observed relationships between regional-level bias and racial disparities in policing highlight the importance of the context in which police operate.
Investigating Trust to Bridge the Attitude–Behaviour Gap: A Study of Socially Responsible Customers in a Low Trust Society
Authors: Khan Shamila Nabi , Talat Amina , Ashraf Fahad
Published: March 2022

While corporate social responsibility (CSR) is widely investigated in the Western world, the CSR attitude–behaviour gap is still wide and underexplored in the context of developing countries. Limited empirical research has tried to examine how CSR customer awareness (CA) may lead to subjective cognitive attributes such as customer’s trust on CSR, which in turn leads to behavioural outcomes (e.g., purchase intention) in a low trust society. To address these shortcomings in the literature, this article builds on the stakeholder theory to examine the influence of CSR CA on purchase intention (PI), considering the facilitatory roles of customer’s trust on CSR when company evaluation (CE) and product association (PA) moderate the mediated relationship. The data were collected in Pakistan from a sample of 321 socially responsible customers. Hypothesized relationships were tested using structural equation modelling using mediation and moderated mediation analysis. The results demonstrated that customers’ trust on CSR mediated the relationship between CSR CA and PI. PA was insignificantly different for low and high components of PA on the CA–trust–PI link compared to CE that was significantly different for the CA–trust–PI link. This indicates that, when socially responsible customers process CSR information, CE plays an important role regarding the associative attributes on the CA–trust–PI link than PA in low trust societies. The discussion and implications conclude the research study.
A discrete output feedback 2-SMC using Linear Matrix Inequalities and adaptive switching gain approaches: Real application on a chemical reactor
Authors: Dehri Khadija , Messaoud Anis , Ben Abdennour Ridha
Published: March 2022

The chattering phenomenon is one of the most pervasive problems in sliding mode control (SMC), especially for discrete time applications. In this paper, we propose a new discrete output feedback second order sliding mode control (DOF2SMC). The design of this controller is based on the Linear Matrix Inequalities (LMI) approach. Then, an adaptive switching gain (ASG) is incorporated into the discontinuous part of the controller to obtain good closed loop performance in terms of tracking and reducing chattering in the case of systems subject to internal and external disturbances.

Simulation results of a steer-by-wire (SBW) system show the effectiveness of the proposed DOF2SMC with ASG.

To validate, once again, the performance of the proposed control system, an experimental validation on a transesterification reactor is presented. The obtained results show good closed loop performance.
Active crack control approach applied to a horizontal rotating machine
Authors: Leão Leandro de S , Pereira Iago A , Carvalho Felipe C , Cavalini Aldemir A , Steffen Valder
Published: March 2022

The present contribution proposes an active vibration control technique devoted to shafts with cracks aiming to minimize their propagation. The existence of a crack in rotating shafts can be characterized by 2 X and 3 X super-harmonic amplitudes in the vibration responses of the rotor, which can increase as the crack propagates along the shaft’s cross-section. A proportional-integral-derivative control technique is applied to suppress the 2 X and 3 X vibration amplitudes of a cracked shaft, which is performed by using a bandpass filter applied to the vibration responses of the rotor. Numerical and experimental results are obtained through both a representative finite element model of a horizontal rotor and its corresponding test-rig. In this case, electromagnetic actuators are used to apply the control effort to the rotor. The Mayes model is applied for simulating the breathing behavior of the transverse crack. The linear fracture mechanics theory is considered to correlate the crack depth with the corresponding additional rotor flexibility. Both numerical and experimental results demonstrate the possibility of reducing the effects of a transverse crack through active control on the dynamic behavior of a rotating machine. Moreover, it is shown that the proposed control law is capable of controlling the crack effects with the rotor operating in different rotation speeds.
Metabolic Syndrome and Breast Cancer Molecular Subtypes: An Observational Patient Study
Authors: Ademi-Islami Dafina , Manxhuka-Kerliu Suzana , Tarifa-Koroveshi Dhurata , Koliqi Rozafa , Mujaj Blerim
Published: March 2022

Background:

Breast cancer molecular subtypes share various prognostic profiles, and luminal A molecular subtypes have a better prognosis compared with other molecular subtypes. However, whether metabolic syndrome or individual risk factors of metabolic syndrome influence on the development of molecular subtype remains elusive. We aimed to assess the association between metabolic syndrome risk factors and breast cancer molecular subtypes among patients with metabolic syndrome in a clinical setting.

Methods:

In total, 101 breast cancer patients with mean age, 58.4 ± 8.5 years, and overt metabolic syndrome prospectively were recruited. Immunohistochemistry procedure was used to determine molecular subtypes. Assessment of clinical, biochemical, and anthropometric parameters was performed. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between risk factors and breast cancer molecular subtypes categories. A similar approach was used to assess the relation between breast cancer molecular subtypes and menopause.

Results:

Comparison of metabolic syndrome individual risk factors according to breast cancer molecular subtypes no statistical difference was found for systolic ( P = .33) and diastolic blood pressure ( P = .17), fasting glucose ( P = .77), triglycerides ( P = .62), high-density lipoprotein ( P = .33), body mass index ( P = .87), and waist circumference ( P = .81). A positive trend was found between high-density lipoprotein and HER2+. No association was found with other risk factors. Moreover, an association was found between HER2+ categories and menopause.

Conclusion:

In breast cancer patients with metabolic syndrome, we observed an increased trend between high-density lipoprotein and HER2+ molecular subtype, suggesting that underlying dyslipidemia may favor poor prognosis. HER2+ was associated with menopause which may influence further expression of HER2+ .
Evaluation of Viral Loads in Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Delta Variant Infection: Higher Loads Do Not Translate Into Different Testing Scenarios
Authors: Gomez Marti Juan Luis , Mays Ashley , McCullough Melissa , Wells Alan , Phan Tung
Published: March 2022

The Delta SARS-CoV-2 variant is very infectious, and it is spreading quickly during this pandemic. In the study, we compared viral loads estimated by means of the Ct values emerging from RT-PCR swab tests in surging cases infected with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in the fourth wave of COVID-19 with the three prior waves. The data comprised viral loads from positive cases detected within the UPMC health care system in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. A total of 2059 upper airway samples were collected and tested for SARS-CoV-2 positive by RT-PCR during March 2020 to September 2021. We did not observe significant difference in viral load difference between the third (December 2020 to January 2021) and fourth (June 2021 to September 2021) waves; however, they had the higher viral load than the first (March 2020 to June 2020) and second waves (June 2020 to August 2020). We did find an age-related effect with the elderly presenting with lower viral loads, which was also seen in the earlier waves. However, the level of the viral loads in the fourth wave in the respect of the previous ones was not sufficiently increased to change our testing strategies by means of increased use of rapid antigen tests (RAT).
Lifestyle Modification Practice and Associated Factors Among Diagnosed Hypertensive Patients in Selected Hospitals in Central Gondar Zone
Authors: Smachew Moges , Melak Melkitu Fentie , Atenafu Azeb , Belew Aysheshim Kassahun
Published: March 2022

Background:

Hypertension is one of the leading causes of disability and death in both developed and developing countries including Ethiopia. Non-communicable diseases account for 42% of deaths in Ethiopia. However, it is still widely undetected and poorly controlled. Hence, this study aims to assess the lifestyle modification practices and related factors of adult hypertensive patients in the central Gondar region of northwestern Ethiopia.

Methods:

Institutional based, cross-sectional study was conducted from April 10 up to May 10, 2021. A simple random sampling was used to select 629 study participants. Data were collected by using self-administered and structured questionnaire. Data were entered to EpiData 4.6 and exported to SPSS 20 for further analysis. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the factors associated with lifestyle modification. Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval was used to show the strength of association, while a P-value <.05 of was used to declare the significance of association.

Results:

The overall prevalence of recommended lifestyle modification in hypertensive patients was 24.2% (95% CI (20.8, 27.5)). Age ⩾65 years (AOR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.39, 0.88), no formal education (AOR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.4, 0.97), diagnosis time is 5 to 10 years (AOR = 1.93, 95% CI: 1.11, 3.34), co morbidities (AOR = 0.47, 95% CI: 0.3, 0.73), and rich wealth index (AOR = 1.99, 95% CI: 1.22, 3.27) are is significantly associated with good lifestyle modification practices.

Conclusions:

The practice of good lifestyle modifications in the study area was found to be low among the hypertensive patients. Respondents’ age, education status, wealth index, duration of diagnosis, and co morbidities were found to be significant factors related to good lifestyle modification practices. Therefore, more attention should be paid to providing nutrition counseling and health promotion to improve the practice of lifestyle modification in patients with hypertension.
Study on mechanical properties of seawater sea-sand coral aggregate concrete-filled BFRP tubular arches
Authors: Dong Zhiqiang , Liu Ziqing , Wu Gang , Zhu Hong , Lu Fei , Yan Zeyu , Shao XinXing
Published: March 2022

In this paper, a novel arch-shaped BFRP tube with longitudinal BFRP bars pre-bonded on the inner wall is proposed and fabricated. It can provide strength in both circumferential and longitudinal directions and is suitable for the rapid construction of arch bridges in island environments by filling with seawater sea-sand coral aggregate concrete (SWCC) in situ. Ten SWCC-filled BFRP tubular arches were fabricated and tested under monotonic loading. Test variables include the wall thickness of the BFRP tube, the radius angles of the arch, and with or without pre-bonded BFRP bars. Test results showed that the failure modes of arches without BFRP bars were bending failure under the loading point. The ultimate bearing capacities were increased by 33.1% and 71.7% as the wall thickness increased from 2 mm to 3 mm and 4 mm, respectively. The failure modes of arches containing pre-bonded BFRP bars were bending-shear failure close to the loading plate. The ultimate bearing capacity of arches, which containing BFRP bars, with a wall thickness of 2 mm, 3 mm, and 4 mm increased by 215%, 248%, and 189%, respectively, compared with the specimens without BFRP bars. The integrity and ultimate bearing capacities of arches decreased with the increase of the radius angle and their failure modes exhibited obvious brittle damage characteristics. The proposed new type of arch has good prospects for application in the marine environment.
Racism and journalism: The dangers of returning to the ‘safe-space’ of objectivity
Authors: Budarick John
Published: March 2022

Although a contested term in journalism research, the need for a critique of objectivity is increased by responses to the current “crisis of journalism,” which have united around the rediscovery of sacred journalistic ideals such as truth, facts, and autonomy. In particular, objectivity must be critiqued for its role in the persistence of racism in liberal democratic journalism, a persistence that runs across different funding models and organizational structures. Objectivity, as a contested and flexible political concept, has proven incapable of addressing systemic racism. I argue that objectivity needs to be understood as an inherently political concept, which is as much proscriptive as descriptive in the way it shapes the field of journalism and the profession’s relationship to political and social life. Rather than return to the safe ground of autonomy, truth and facts, professional, liberal journalism must recognize its foundations within racially unequal political and social structures.
Investigating mean room surface exitance values for office lighting
Authors: Durante A , Kelly K
Published: March 2022

Mean room surface exitance (MRSE) is a metric proposed to assess lighting quantity within a new design methodology focused on ambient and target illumination. This research builds upon findings from previous research examining the suitability of MRSE as a metric for assessing ambient illumination brightness levels and illumination adequacy for offices. An experiment was conducted to investigate a finding from previous studies that a linear relationship existed between perceived adequacy of illumination (PAI) and MRSE. It was found that the relationship diverges from linear once the scale of MRSE values is extended above the 100 lm/m2. This study also suggests a relationship between spatial brightness and MRSE for an extended range of MRSE values up to 1400 lm/m2. The findings from this research provide insight into a tentative range of MRSE levels that may be suitable for an office environment.
Changing attitudes about online continuing education and training: A Singapore case study
Authors: Billett Stephen , Leow Anthony , Chua Shuyi , Le Anh H
Published: March 2022

The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated an unprecedented education crisis, causing severe disruption to global education systems. One consequence has been an increased demand for online educational platforms, leading to a shift from face-to-face to online teaching. This was the case in Singapore where online educational provisions were quickly adopted and implemented by institutions providing continuing education and training to adult learners. This paper reports on the data from a survey of 258 participants on the accessibility and effectiveness of the different modes of learning (i.e. online learning, face-to-face learning, and a combination of both) based on comparisons prior to and after the onset of COVID-19. The findings indicate that familiarity with online platforms enhances the potential efficacy of online provisions of continuing education and training, but also illuminate issues concerning the kinds of experiences required for effective continuing education and training, with implications for providers and educators in and beyond Singapore.
A Health Behavior and Lifestyle Intervention Pilot Trial for Childbearing Adolescents
Authors: Wambach Karen , Davis Ann M. , Nelson Eve-Lynn , Romine Rebecca Swinburne , Romero Karman , Muzzy Rachel , Murray Megan , Bakula Dana
Published: March 2022

We pilot tested a multiple health behavior change (MHBC) intervention to improve breastfeeding rates, healthy eating/active living, and depression prevention among pregnant and parenting adolescent mothers. We also assessed utility of the MHBC mHealth approach by examining health behavior coaction and intervention acceptability. We used a longitudinal randomized controlled trial to compare the tablet-delivered momHealth to a control condition (usual care). Delivered between 32 weeks of pregnancy and one month postpartum, momHealth included nine multi-media education modules, simultaneous daily educational text messaging, and weekly videoconferences for individual and group support. Main outcomes included “any” and “exclusive” breastfeeding initiation and continuation for 5 weeks and 3 months postpartum; number of fruit and vegetable servings; minutes of moderate/vigorous physical activity per day; and depressive symptoms. Sixty-two adolescents aged 16–19 having their first baby were randomized. Compared to Control, more momHealth participants were still breastfeeding at 5 weeks (chi-square = 3.91, df = 1, P = .048). Mothers who breastfed for 3 months were more likely to eat adequate daily fruits/vegetables. Participants positively rated the intervention. momHealth positively affected early breastfeeding continuation and trended toward positive outcomes in healthy living and depressive symptoms. A fully powered trial is planned to test the intervention more effectively.
Plausibility and structural reanalysis in L1 and L2 sentence comprehension
Authors: Lee Juyoung , Witzel Jeffrey
Published: March 2022

This study examines whether English native speakers and highly proficient non-native speakers make comparable use of plausibility information during online sentence processing. Two sentence types involving temporarily ambiguous structural configurations—subordinate-clause ambiguity sentences and sentences with adjacent/split verb-particle constructions (VPCs)—were tested in a self-paced reading task. In the subordinate-clause ambiguity sentences, the pattern of reading times indicated that both native and non-native speakers used plausibility to recover from initial structural misanalysis. Native speakers were also able to use this information during syntactic and semantic reanalysis in the sentences involving split VPCs. Non-native speakers, however, showed persistent processing difficulty for split VPC sentences, regardless of plausibility. These results are taken to indicate that both native speakers and non-native speakers use plausibility information to recover from misanalysis, even in sentences that require major syntactic revision. The only clear limit on non-native speakers’ ability to use this information related to lexico-syntactic/semantic processing difficulty, in that they appeared to be unable to use this information to recover from misanalysis associated with the structural properties of English VPCs.
Time and timing–A methodological perspective on production analysis
Authors: Bruun Hanne , Frandsen Kirsten
Published: March 2022

In recent years, media production studies have grown into a thriving field of research, which has given rise to a discussion of the theoretical and methodological approaches it employs (Paterson et al, 2016; Frandsen, 2007; Bruun, 2010, 2016b). This article is a contribution to this development. The focal point is a discussion of how time and timing are important in media production research. The article points out that time is not just a matter of the amount of time that researchers have for their data collection. In production studies, the researcher constructs the object for analysis, and time is to be considered depending on the type of analytical object you are trying to create, on the temporality that is present in the production process behind specific genres and subject areas, and on the changes the media are undergoing. A particular aspect of time is timing, which has both a performative and a strategic dimension. The importance of time and timing will be illustrated with examples from our own and other researchers’ projects.
Teaching China’s First Critical Futures Studies Courses: Insights and Issues
Authors: Anthony Marcus T.
Published: March 2022

There is a common perception that Chinese students are proficient test takers, but less adept at critical thinking. There is conflicting evidence to support this claim. In this article, the author first briefly traces the development of critical and independent thinking in Chinese history and outlines the situation in Chinese education today. Secondly, he presents his personal experience of encouraging the development of Futures-oriented and critical thinking in a Chinese tertiary education setting, via the creation and teaching of China’s first extended Critical Futures Studies courses. The criticality component of the program was modified specifically for the Chinese context. An ethnographic approach is taken in the latter part of this article as the author shares details of that curriculum, as well as successes and shortcomings gleaned from the experience. The purpose of this sharing is to assist other Critical Futures Studies educators in setting up Critical Futures Studies courses in China, or in similar environments where Futures thinking and critical thinking have not been emphasized within the culture and/or educational curricula. The article also posits suggestions on how to develop such programs and related critical thinking processes in broader school curricula. Finally, the author reflects upon his/her role as a critical futurist in China, using Inayatullah’s (2018) Causal Layered Analysis.