bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identification of a novel CDK9 inhibitor targeting the intramolecular hidden cavity of CDK9 induced by Tat binding
Authors: Asamitsu Kaori , Hirokawa Takatsugu , Okamoto Takashi
Published: November 2022

HIV-1 transcription is specifically augmented by a transcriptional activator complex composed of Tat, an HIV-1-encoded activator, and the host transcription elongation factor P-TEFb, which is composed of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9) and cyclin T1. Several observations suggest that P-TEFb is an attractive anti-HIV-1 drug target. However, the long-term cytotoxicity of CDK9 inhibitors hinders their widespread use in HIV-1 therapy. Thus, novel and safe inhibitors are sorely needed. By performing molecular dynamics simulations of the 3D structure of Tat/P-TEFb, we previously identified a unique cavity structure of CDK9, the CDK9 hidden cavity, that is specifically induced by Tat binding. Here, we attempted to identify compounds that fit this cavity and inhibit CDK9 activity by in silico screening. We identified compounds that could inhibit CDK9 activity. One of such compound, 127, showed the strongest inhibitory activity against CDK9. Interestingly, it also inhibited CDK6 to a similar extent. We inspected the amino acid sequence and structural properties of the CDK9 hidden cavity to determine whether it is conserved in other CDKs, such as CDK6. The Ile61, comprising the center of the CDK9 hidden cavity, appears to be crucial for its kinase activity, thus indicating that the identification of the CDK9 hidden cavity may provide vital information for the development of novel CDK9 inhibitors.
Combining predictive models with future change scenarios can produce credible forecasts of COVID-19 futures
Authors: Newcomb Ken , Bilal Shakir , Michael Edwin
Published: November 2022

The advent and distribution of vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 in late 2020 was thought to represent an effective means to control the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This optimistic expectation was dashed by the omicron waves that emerged over the winter of 2021/2020 even in countries that had managed to vaccinate a large fraction of their populations, raising questions about whether it is possible to use scientific knowledge along with predictive models to anticipate changes and design management measures for the pandemic. Here, we used an extended SEIR model for SARS-CoV-2 transmission sequentially calibrated to data on cases and interventions implemented in Florida until Sept. 24th 2021, and coupled to scenarios of plausible changes in key drivers of viral transmission, to evaluate the capacity of such a tool for exploring the future of the pandemic in the state. We show that while the introduction of vaccinations could have led to the permanent, albeit drawn-out, ending of the pandemic if immunity acts over the long-term, additional futures marked by complicated repeat waves of infection become possible if this immunity wanes over time. We demonstrate that the most recent omicron wave could have been predicted by this hybrid system, but only if timely information on the timing of variant emergence and its epidemiological features were made available. Simulations for the introduction of a new variant exhibiting higher transmissibility than omicron indicated that while this will result in repeat waves, forecasted peaks are unlikely to reach that observed for the omicron wave owing to levels of immunity established over time in the population. These results highlight that while limitations of models calibrated to past data for precisely forecasting the futures of epidemics must be recognized, insightful predictions of pandemic futures are still possible if uncertainties about changes in key drivers are captured appropriately through plausible scenarios.
Grey relational analysis method for typhoon vulnerability assessment of civil engineering structures based on the 2-tuple linguistic neutrosophic number
Authors: Qi Yong , Zhu Chen , Wang Fang , Xia Yu
Published: November 2022

As one of the severe natural disasters, typhoon hazard brings tremendous tragedy to human beings. The foreland in the southeast of China is one of the most typhoon prone areas in the world. There are amount of damage of civil engineering structures induced by typhoon every year. Especially for the spacious villages, the low-rise buildings are vulnerable to typhoon so that many of them are destroyed regionally. The typhoon vulnerability assessment of civil engineering structures is a classical multiple attribute group decision making (MAGDM) issues. In this paper, the 2-tuple linguistic neutrosophic number grey relational analysis (2TLNN-GRA) method is built based on the grey relational analysis (GRA) and 2-tuple linguistic neutrosophic sets (2TLNSs) with incomplete weight information. For deriving the weight information of the attribute, an optimization model is built on the basis of the GRA, by which the attribute weights can be decided. Then, the optimal alternative is chosen through calculating largest relative relational degree from the 2-tuple linguistic neutrosophic number positive ideal solution (2TLNNPIS) which considers both the largest grey relational coefficient (GRC) from the 2TLNNPIS and the smallest GRC form 2-tuple linguistic neutrosophic number negative ideal solution (2TLNN NIS). Then, combine the traditional fuzzy GRA model with 2TLNNSs information, the 2TLNN-GRA method is established and the computing steps for MAGDM are built. Finally, a numerical example for typhoon vulnerability assessment of civil engineering structures has been given and some comparisons is used to illustrate advantages of 2TLNN-GRA method.
The silent majority: The typical Canadian sex worker may not be who we think
Authors: Kennedy Lynn
Published: November 2022

Background

Most sex worker population studies measure population at discrete points in time and very few studies have been done in industrialized democracies. The purpose of this study is to consider how time affects the population dynamics of contact sex workers in Canada using publicly available internet advertising data collected over multiple years.

Methods

3.6 million web pages were collected from advertising sites used by contact sex workers between November, 2014 and December, 2016 inclusive. Contacts were extracted from ads and used to identify advertisers. First names were used to estimate the number of workers represented by an advertiser. Counts of advertisers and names were adjusted for missing data and overcounting. Two approaches for correcting overcounts are compared. Population estimates were generated weekly, monthly and for the two year period. The length of time advertisers were active was also estimated. Estimates are also compared with related research.

Results

Canadian sex workers typically advertised individually or in small collectives (median name count 1, IQR 1–2, average 1.8, SD 4.4). Advertisers were active for a mean of 73.3 days (SD 151.8, median 14, IQR 1–58). Advertisers were at least 83.5% female. Respectively the scaled weekly, monthly, and biannual estimates for female sex workers represented 0.2%, 0.3% and 2% of the 2016 Canadian female 20–49 population. White advertisers were the most predominant ethnic group (53%).

Conclusions

Sex work in Canada is a more pervasive phenomenon than indicated by spot estimates and the length of the data collection period is an important variable. Non-random samples used in qualitative research in Canada likely do not reflect the larger sex worker population represented in advertising. The overall brevity of advertising activity suggests that workers typically exercise agency, reflecting the findings of other Canadian research.
Reducing the risk of transfusion-transmitted infectious disease markers in blood and blood component donations: Movement from remunerated to voluntary, non-remunerated donations in Lithuania from 2013 to 2020
Authors: Kalibatas Vytenis , Kalibatienė Lina
Published: November 2022

Lithuania has a long history of remunerated donations. The first steps towards voluntary, non-remunerated blood and blood component donations started in 2004. Lithuania achieved 99.98% voluntary non-remunerated donations (VNRDs) in 2020. This study aimed to assess the risk of transfusion-transmitted infectious (TTI) disease markers for remunerated donations in comparison with VNRDs in Lithuania from 2013 to 2020. Data were obtained from the Lithuanian Blood Donor Register. The prevalence was calculated as the rate between the number of confirmed positive results for all TTI disease markers (serological anti-HCV, HBsAg, Ag/anti-HIV 1 and 2, and syphilis, and/or HCV, HBV, and HIV-1 NAT) per 100 donations. The relative risk of infectious disease markers for remunerated donations was then estimated. In total, 796310 donations were made. Altogether, 2743 donations were positive for TTI markers as follows: HCV, 1318; HBV, 768; syphilis, 583; and HIV 1 and 2, 74. The prevalence of confirmed TTI markers were 2.86, 0.97, 0.18, and 0.04 per 100 first-time remunerated donations, first-time VNRDs, repeat remunerated donations, and repeat VNRDs, respectively. Remunerated first-time and repeat donations had a statistically higher prevalence of TTI disease markers than VNRDs. First-time and repeat remunerated donations had statistically significantly higher relative risks of confirmed TTI disease markers than VNRD. In conclusion, the risks of TTI disease markers for remunerated first-time and repeat blood and its component donations are significantly higher than those for VNRDs.
Improvement of non-invasive tests of liver steatosis and fibrosis as indicators for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with elevated cardiovascular risk profile using the PPAR-α/γ agonist aleglitazar
Authors: Grobbee Esmée J. , de Jong Vivian D. , Schrieks Ilse C. , Tushuizen Maarten E. , Holleboom Adriaan G. , Tardif Jean-Claude , Lincoff A. Michael , Schwartz Gregory G. , Castro Cabezas Manuel , Grobbee Diederick E.
Published: November 2022

Background

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) agonists may have favorable outcomes on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This study serves as proof of concept to evaluate whether dual PPAR-α/γ agonists improve non-invasive tests of liver steatosis and fibrosis.

Methods

This is a post-hoc analysis of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-center trial comprising 7226 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and recent coronary artery disease randomized to receive aleglitazar, a PPAR-α/γ agonists, or placebo for two years. Main outcomes were change in non-invasive tests for liver steatosis and fibrosis: Liver Fat Score (LFS), Liver Accumulation Product (LAP), Fibrosis-4 (FIB-4), and NAFLD Fibrosis Score (NFS).

Results

LFS, LAP and FIB-4 decreased upon treatment, whereas scores in the placebo group remained the same or increased (P<0.001). NFS responded differently but remained consistently lower than placebo. In the treatment group more participants shifted to a lower FIB-4 and NFS category, or improved in respect to the LAP cut-off values compared to the placebo group (P<0.001 for FIB-4 and LAP,P<0.004 for NFS). LFS had a low discriminative power in this study.

Conclusion

This post-hoc analysis showed improvement of non-invasive tests of liver steatosis and fibrosis after starting dual PPAR-α/γ agonist treatment, adding to the evidence that this pathway has potential in non-alcoholic fatty liver disease treatment.
Taking the past out of the pastoral: TikTok’s queer ‘cottagecore’ culture and performative placemaking
Authors: Ryan Kathryn (Rin) , Tileva Antoaneta
Published: November 2022

TikTok’s ‘cottagecore’ subculture has been fertile ground for the growth of a new queer rural imaginary. Through performative elements such as food, dress, imagery and Sapphic sentiments, queer women on TikTok curate an idyllic and idealized vision of rural queer life and lay claim to it. Cottagecore as a performative practice allows queer people to revel in a fictional frontier lifestyle for their own enjoyment, without concern for its actualization. This article outlines the way in which queer TikTokers play/pretend the pioneering landscape, which previously has been dominated by hetero voices. By populating these virtual spaces and queer-coding forms of dress and performance, they claim their right to belong in frontier and pioneering narratives and figuratively, if not literally, stake claim to the rural terrain.
Diasporic returns and queer kinship networks in contemporary French and Maghrebi francophone cinema
Authors: Tarjanyi Peter
Published: November 2022

Recent portrayals of trans-Mediterranean mobility within French and Maghrebi francophone queer cinema have showcased the return of immigrant and second-generation queer men of Maghrebi origin to their diasporic homeland in North Africa. Focusing on two films from this corpus – Rémi Lange’s 2001 Tarik El Hob (The Road to Love) and Mehdi Ben Attia’s 2009 Le fil (The String) — this article traces the ways in which ethnic queer subjects have fostered alternative genealogies of kinship and intimacy in relation to the French nation state and the Maghrebi heteronormative family. It demonstrates how such a reconceptualization of kinship ties involves the renegotiation of domesticity for queer Maghrebi immigrant and diasporic subjects against the backdrop of institutional kinship structures such as civil unions and same-sex marriage in contemporary France.
The European Integration Process: Crisis and Resilience in the Aftermath of the Covid-19 Pandemic
Authors: Duarte António Portugal , Redzepagic Srdjan , Murta Fátima Teresa Sol
Published: November 2022

The process of European integration is considered the most innovative example of regionalism in the world.
The Covid-19 pandemic crisis, which the world experienced since the beginning of 2020, caused a brutal negative shock on the economies. It raised new doubts and challenges about the European integration project, making the prospect of the EU’s dissolution something possible, even if undesirable.
The book analyses these events, counting with the contribution of 41 authors, from universities and research centers of several European countries, and also from other continents. Its objective is to gather four perspectives to the European integration in a post-pandemic context: I) that of the countries of the Eurozone; II) that of the Eurozone candidate countries; III) the East “look” of EU candidate countries, and IV) the view of the rest of the world.
The book is divided into four parts, each corresponding to one of these inputs, for a total of 24 chapters.
Attractivity of solutions of Riemann–Liouville fractional
differential equations
Authors: Zhu Tao
Published: November 2022

Some new weakly singular integral inequalities are established by a
new method, which generalize some results of this type in some previous
papers. By these new integral inequalities, we present the attractivity of
solutions for Riemann–Liouville fractional differential equations. Finally,
several examples are given to illustrate our main results.
Existence and uniqueness for a semilinear sixth-order ODE
Authors: Danet Cristian-Paul
Published: November 2022

By using variational methods and maximum principles we discuss the existence, uniqueness and multiplicity of solutions for a semilinear sixth-order ODE. The main difference between our work and other related papers is that we treat a general case and we do not impose sign restrictions on the nonlinearity
f
or on its potential
F
.
The Stress Less With Mindfulness Program: Motivations, Benefits, and Barriers to Participation in a Community-Based Mindfulness Program
Authors: Smith Rebecca , Nichols Allison
Published: November 2022

The family and consumer sciences (FCS) knowledge base includes three core elements: human well-being, family strengths, and community vitality. In order to increase knowledge in these three elements while enhancing relevancy to contemporary society, FCS professionals might consider
mindfulness training as a component of their programming. This paper describes an evaluation study of Stress Less with Mindfulness (SLM), a 5-module program to reduce stress and build emotional skills that was conducted with 70 participants in 8 workplace sites. Questions were asked about
motivation for attendance, benefits of participation, and barriers to practicing skills. Pre- and post-surveys and inventories were used to collect data. Most attended because they felt stressed or wanted to help someone else who felt stressed. They increased skills in relaxation, coping,
and identifying stress cues. Barriers to using the techniques included time constraints, difficulty practicing self-awareness, misunderstanding of control, and inability to give up bad habits.
Educational belief systems among American parents: Exploring the relationship between integration, testing, and enhanced academics
Authors: Diehl David K.
Published: November 2022

Current research typically uses surveys to study parental preferences but examines the responses in isolation from each other. A key insight from the sociology of culture and political psychology, however, is that the meaning of responses in opinion data comes from their relationships with one another. To make progress in understanding the meaning of parental preferences, it is necessary to study their educational belief systems - the structural configuration of their attitudes related to schools. Using data from Phi Delta Kappa’s annual survey on education, I employ correlational class analysis to identify three subsets of parents whose members configure their beliefs about integration, standardized testing, and enhanced academics in distinct ways. These three groups of parents are convergents, who see testing and integration as being aligned; integration divergents, who see standardized testing and integration as being in opposition; and academic divergents, who see standardized testing and enhanced academics as being in opposition. Compared to the full sample, these subgroups display more structure in the associations among their preferences. I also examine if the relationships between preferences and sociodemographic characteristics vary across subgroups and if political ideology predicts belief systems. I conclude with a discussion of implications for policy and future work.
Part 2. A systematic review of formative assessment in language learning
Authors: Vassiliou Skevi , Papadima-Sophocleous Salomi , Giannikas Christina Nicole
Published: November 2022

A Systematic Review (SR) is “the art and science of identifying, selecting, and [synthesising] primary research studies to provide a comprehensive and trustworthy picture of the topic being studied” (Oakley, 2012, cited in Crompton, Burke, & Gregory, 2017, p. 5). According to Crompton, Burke, and Lin (2019), an SR “can uncover new trends and additional findings” (p. 5). In the case of Formative Assessment (FA) research, scholars aggregate findings to gain a better understanding of how FA is supporting Language Learning (LL) (Bachelor & Bachelor, 2016; Graham, Harris, & Hebert, 2011; Jian & Luo, 2014; Saoud, 2016; Widiastuti & Saukah, 2017; Wolf, Shore, & Blood, 2014).
Macam-Macam Dialek Bahasa Inggris dan Potensinya dalam Memunculkan Kesalahpahaman pada Komunikasi Lintas Budaya
Authors: Pratama Rifka
Published: November 2022

Terlepas dari popularitas dan posisi politiknya yang kuat, bahasa Inggris sebagai basantara dalam pergaulan antar budaya lingkup internasional menyimpan potensi kesalahpahaman di antara para penuturnya. Potensi kesalahpahaman tersebut terdapat pada adanya ragam dialek bahasa Inggris yang cukup banyak. Artikel ini berupaya memaparkan apa saja macam dialek bahasa Inggris, perbedaan satu dan lainnya, dan bagaimana sub-aspek bahasa tersebut berpotensi memunculkan hambatan dalam komunikasi lintas budaya. Data pada artikel ini diambil dengan metode studi pustaka dan dianalisa dalam kerangka kualitatif dimana perilaku kebahasaan dan komunikasi dilihat sebagai fenomena kebudayaan. Hasil analisis menunjukan adanya perbedaan dialek bahasa Inggris berpotensi menghambat komunikasi lintas budaya karena masing-masing dapat memiliki aspek kebahasaan yang berbeda. Perbedaan tersebut dapat mencakup perbedaharaan kata, cara pengucapan, cara penulisan, tata bahasa, dan lain-lain.
Pola Perilaku Penyebaran Informasi Mahasiswa S-1 Ilmu Perpustakaan Fakultas Ilmu Budaya Universitas Diponegoro Dalam Merespon Berita Covid-19 di Media Sosial Instagram
Authors: Azhmi Dhea Anasita , Krismayani Ika
Published: November 2022

Tersebarnya berita Covid-19 yang berasal dari berbagai macam sumber memungkinkan munculnya berbagai informasi yang belum diketahui kebenarannya, yang apabila dibiarkan dapat memicu informasi tersebut menjadi hoaks. Instagram menjadi salah satu media dengan tingkat penggunaan yang sangat tinggi, kemudahan akses yang ditawarkan menyebabkan platform ini dapat diakses kapanpun, di manapun dan oleh siapapun, tak terkecuali mahasiswa. Mahasiswa S-1 Ilmu Perpustakaan, Fakultas Ilmu Budaya, Universitas Diponegoro (FIB Undip) memiliki strategi dasar dalam menghadapi berita Covid-19 yaitu dengan menerapkan literasi informasi yang diperoleh pada saat perkuliahan semester empat. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengeksplorasi bagaimana perilaku informasi mahasiswa S-1 Ilmu Perpustakaan, FIB Undip terkait pola perilaku penyebaran informasi dalam merespon berita Covid-19 di media sosial Instagram. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini yaitu metode kualitatif dengan pendekatan fenomenologi. Pengambilan data dalam penelitian ini dilakukan dengan observasi dan wawancara yang melibatkan sepuluh informan yang telah dipilih dengan menggunakan teknik convenience sampling. Informan yang dipilih merupakan alumni dan mahasiswa S-1 Ilmu Perpustakaan, FIBUndip angkatan 2017, 2018 dan 2019 yang sudah sesuai dengan kriteria yang ditentukan. Data yang terkumpul dianalisis menggunakan teknik thematic analysis. Hasil dari analisis data menyebutkan bahwa mahasiswa S-1 Ilmu Perpustakaan, FIBUndip memiliki tiga pola perilaku penyebaran informasi yaitu ketika sudah menemukan berita Covid-19 yang terverifikasi valid maka ada yang menyebarkan, hanya menganggap sebagai angin lewat saja dan memilih tetap diam serta tidak melakukan penyebaran. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa mahasiswa S-1 Ilmu Perpustakaan, FIB Undip memiliki sikap kritis dan bertanggung jawab yaitu dengan tidak akan melakukan pemanfaatan, pengolahan maupun penyebaran sampai informasi Covid-19 tersebut benar-benar sudah teridentifikasi dan terverifikasi kebenarannya, namun beberapa mahasiswa juga ada yang menyebarkan, hanya menganggapnya sebagai angin lewat saja serta lebih memilih diam dan tidak meneruskan penyebaran meskipun informasi tersebut sudah terbukti benar.
ANALISIS LINGKUNGAN KERJA PENGRAJIN BATIK TULIS PADA PEKERJA TETAP DAN PEKERJA BORONG LEPAS DI DESA WISATA JARUM
Authors: Mahachandra Manik , Rumita Rani , Aisyah Wahyu Nur
Published: November 2022

Desa Wisata Jarum merupakan kawasan industri batik yang dibuka untuk destinasi wisata. Pengrajin batik tulis terbagi menjadi dua kelompok yaitu pekerja tetap dan pekerja borong lepas. Kedua kelompok tersebut mempunyai kondisi kerja yang berbeda. Perbedaan kondisi kerja diindikasi dapat mengakibatkan perbedaan lingkungan kerja. Lingkungan kerja yang nyaman dapat meningkatkan kinerja pekerja. Sebagai upaya untuk menentukan lingkungan kerja yang lebih nyaman, dibutuhkan analisis perbandingan. Mann Whitney U Test digunakan untuk membandingkan nilai rata-rata dua kelompok independen sampel. Uji ini juga digunakan untuk mengetahui apakah usia dan lama bekerja berpengaruh terhadap respon responden. Penilaian lingkungan kerja terdiri dari tujuh dimensi yaitu temperatur, pencahayaan, kebisingan, tata ruang, pengawasan, suasana kerja, dan struktur tugas. Hasil penelitian ini menemukan bahwa 71,43% lingkungan kerja antara kedua kelompok pengrajin batik tulis signifikan berbeda. Pekerja tetap mempunyai tiga dimensi yang lebih baik, sedangkan pekerja borong lepas mempunyai dua dimensi yang lebih baik. Dari hasil analisis, pekerja tetap sebaiknya mengevaluasi dimensi kebisingan dan suasana kerja, sedangkan pekerja borong lepas sebaiknya mengevaluasi dimensi pencahayaan, pengawasan, dan struktur tugas. Dapat disimpulkan bahwa pekerja tetap mempunyai lingkungan kerja yang lebih baik. AbstractJarum Tourism Village is a batik industrial area open to tourist destinations. Batik Tulis's craftswomen are divided into two groups: permanent workers and freelance workers. Both groups have different working conditions. Differences in work conditions are indicated that can affect differences in the work environment. Moreover, a comfortable work environment can increase worker performance. Therefore, a comparative study was needed to determine a comfortable work environment. Mann-Whitney U test compared the mean values between two independent sample groups. The test was also applied to determine whether the age and length of work affected the participant's response. The work environment assessment consisted of seven dimensions, i.e., temperature, lighting, noise, layout, supervision, work atmosphere, and task structure. This study found that 71.43% of the work environment between two groups of batik craftswomen differed significantly. Permanent workers encountered three better dimensions, while freelance workers had two better dimensions. From the analysis, permanent workers should improve the noise and work atmosphere conditions, while freelance workers should enhance the lighting condition, supervision, and task structure dimensions. In summary, permanent workers experienced a better work environment.Keywords: batik craftswomen; work environment; comparison test
Redukcjonizm w twórczości fletowej Henryka Mikołaja Góreckiego z lat 1986–1996
Authors: Kassner Weronika
Published: November 2022

The aim of this discussion is to demonstrate manifestations of reductionism in the works of Henryk Mikołaj Górecki. In order to achieve this the article compares conclusions based on analyses of three works for the flute by Górecki composed during the same decade – For you, Anne-Lill op. 58 for flute and piano (1986), Good Night op. 63 for soprano, alto flute, piano and three tam-tams (1990) as well as Valentine Piece op. 70 for flute and bell (1996). The part of the flute is analysed in particular detail – the way it is shaped, its type of narration, and its relation to other instruments. The article is in two parts: the first outlines the tendencies in flute compositions in 20 th century in Poland and in the world, while the second part presents analyses of selected flute compositions by Górecki. The conclusions point to Górecki having an individual approach to using the flute as a solo instrument or as part of a group of instruments in a chamber composition, as well as to cohesiveness of the development of flute compositions against the background of the composer’s stylistic evolution as a whole.
Model predictive control for retinal laser treatment at 1 kHz
Authors: Schaller Manuel , Kleyman Viktoria , Mordmüller Mario , Schmidt Christian , Wilson Mitsuru , Brinkmann Ralf , Müller Matthias A. , Worthmann Karl
Published: November 2022

Laser photocoagulation is a technique applied in the treatment of retinal disease, which is often done manually or using simple control schemes. We pursue an optimization-based approach, namely Model Predictive Control (MPC), to enforce bounds on the peak temperature and, thus, to ensure safety during the medical treatment procedure – despite the spot-dependent absorption of the tissue. The desired laser repetition rate of 1 kHz is renders the requirements on the computation time of the MPC feedback a major challenge. We present a tailored MPC scheme using parametric model reduction, an extended Kalman filter for the parameter and state estimation, and suitably tuned stage costs and verify its applicability both in simulation and experiments with porcine eyes. Moreover, we give some insight on the implementation specifically tailored for fast numerical computations.
Cardiac troponins – a paradigm for diagnostic biomarker identification and development
Authors: Lackner Karl J.
Published: November 2022

The introduction of cardiac troponins into clinical diagnostics has not only improved diagnostic pathways for myocardial infarction but also profoundly influenced the definition of myocardial infarction. The term troponin appeared in the literature almost 60 years ago, i.e. shortly after this journal was founded. The development of cardiac troponins from proteins involved in muscle contraction, which were in the focus of few specialized research groups from physiology and biochemistry, to one of the most frequently measured protein biomarkers in medicine is a paradigmatic success story which is also reflected in almost 300 publications on the topic in this journal. From the viewpoint of biomarker development the critical success factors were medical need, timely generation of medical evidence, and the rapid development of robust and precise laboratory assays.
Investigation of the P1′ and P2′ sites of IQF substrates and their selectivity toward 20S proteasome subunits
Authors: Gladysz Radoslaw , Malek Natalia , Rut Wioletta , Drag Marcin
Published: November 2022

High levels of expression and activity of the 20S proteasome have been linked to many types of pathologies, including neoplasia, autoimmune disorders, neurodegenerative diseases and many more. Moreover, distinguishing between 20S proteasome catalytic subunits is neglected, although it may provide further insight into the development of pathologies. Several approaches have been developed to detect 20S proteasome activity, one of which is internally quenched fluorescent (IQF) substrates, which currently suffer from low efficiency and sensitivity. Previous reports focused on peptides including natural amino acids; therefore, in this report, we synthesized and analyzed IQF substrates with both natural and unnatural amino acids in the P1′ and P2′ positions to investigate their influences on selectivity toward 20S proteasome subunits. We found that elongation of the substrate by the P1′ and P2′ positions increased specificity in comparison to tetrapeptides. Moreover, we were able to obtain IQF substrates for the Ch-L subunit, which was characterized by higher selectivity than formerly used tetrapeptides. These findings may further contribute to the development of novel diagnostic tools for 20S proteasome-dependent disorders.
There’s more than one metaverse
Authors: Buchholz Florian , Oppermann Leif , Prinz Wolfgang
Published: November 2022

Will there only be one Metaverse in the future? Since October 2021, many virtual worlds suddenly called themselves “Metaverse”, but is that justified? What is the meaning behind the pervasive term Metaverse? How can it be approached from a pragmatic and research-oriented point of view, and maybe separated a bit from pure marketing? This paper tries to contextualise the term and thereby offer an orientation for readers from different industries. Based on a review of past and present activities, we will propose our own definition of the term Metaverse. This is applied to analyse different application scenarios before the paper continues with a general discussion. In a direct comparison, we will tabulate some worlds that already call themselves a Metaverse and check them against criteria from our own definition. In conclusion, we present relevant focal points for a potential future Metaverse resulting from this comparison.
Estimating complier average causal effects for clustered RCTs when the treatment affects the service population
Authors: Schochet Peter Z.
Published: November 2022

Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) sometimes test interventions that aim to improve existing services targeted to a subset of individuals identified after randomization. Accordingly, the treatment could affect the composition of service recipients and the offered services. With such bias, intention-to-treat estimates using data on service recipients and nonrecipients may be difficult to interpret. This article develops causal estimands and inverse probability weighting (IPW) estimators for complier populations in these settings, using a generalized estimating equation approach that adjusts the standard errors for estimation error in the IPW weights. While our focus is on more general clustered RCTs, the methods also apply (reduce) to nonclustered RCTs. Simulations show that the estimators achieve nominal confidence interval coverage under the assumed identification conditions. An empirical application demonstrates the methods using data from a large-scale RCT testing the effects of early childhood services on children’s cognitive development scores. An R program for estimation is available for download.
Exponential stability of traveling waves for a nonlocal dispersal SIR model with delay
Authors: Wu Xin , Ma Zhaohai
Published: November 2022

This article is concerned with the nonlinear stability of traveling waves of a delayed susceptible-infective-removed (SIR) epidemic model with nonlocal dispersal, which can be seen as a continuity work of Li et al. [Traveling waves for a nonlocal dispersal SIR model with delay and external supplies, Appl. Math. Comput. 247 (2014), 723–740]. We prove that the traveling wave solution is exponentially stable when the initial perturbation around the traveling wave is relatively small in a weighted norm. The time decay rate is also obtained by weighted-energy estimates.
A Reading of Nietzsche’s Revaluation of all Values as a Cynical Dialectic
Authors: Guo Cheng
Published: November 2022

This paper tries to interpret Nietzsche’s revaluation of all values as a dialectical structure of Cynicism. Ancient Cynicism is regarded as the thesis, modern cynicism as its antithesis, namely its decadent form. In recent years this decadence has been somewhat overcome by the attempt to underline a new Cynicism, which can be seen as a synthesis. I’m well aware that Nietzsche did not appreciate Hegel. But I find this way of presentation quite convincing in the reading of his revaluation as a dialectical structure. And the dialectical structure is not meant in the Hegelian sense, but in the broader sense of the word. Although Nietzsche strongly criticizes Hegel’s dialectic, one can also find ‘dialectical’ features in his philosophy. The three transformations of the spirit in Thus Spoke
Zarathustra can be understood as a dialectical structure: The camel that obediently carries the heavy old values is considered the thesis. The lion, which no longer respects the old values and creates only freedom, is considered the antithesis. But only the child can create new values and so the final transformation of the spirit is considered the synthesis. Moreover, Oliver Dier sees an inner dialectical movement in Nietzsche’s doctrine of the eternal recurrence (Oliver Dier, Die Verwandlung der Wiederkunft, in: Nietzsche-Studien, 30 (2001), 133–174). According to Werner Stegmaier, the word “great” in late Nietzsche also has a dialectical sense (Werner Stegmaier, Nietzsches Befreiung der Philosophie. Kontextuelle Interpretation des V. Buchs der ‘Fröhlichen Wissenschaft’, Berlin a. Boston 2012, 29). Roberto Esposito considers Nietzsche’s biopolitics to be “inscribed in the dialectic of immunity and community” (Quoted from Vanessa Lemm, Nietzsche and biopolitics: Four readings of Nietzsche as a biopolitical thinker, in: Sergei Prozorov a. Simona Rentea [eds.], The Routledge Handbook of Biopolitics, New York 2017, 50–65; here: 51). I then compare Nietzsche’s revaluation of all values with the coin metaphor of Diogenes. The revaluation is close to Cynicism, both in a literary as well as in a philosophical way. The starting point of the revaluation is obviously Cynical. But Nietzsche takes the will to power much further than the Cynics. I subsequently discuss the danger that the revaluation of all values will result in a cynical nihilism and the way Nietzsche overcomes it with his doctrines of the eternal recurrence and the Übermensch. Finally, the paper concludes with the claim that Nietzsche completes his revaluation with his own Cynicism as a synthesis.
Synthesis and characterization of graphene oxide/alginate and application of central composite design in the adsorption of Th(IV) on the nanobiocomposites
Authors: Adman Nildeniz , Yusan Sabriye
Published: November 2022

In this study, graphene oxide and aginate were used to synthesis of nanobiocomposites under different synthesis conditions and the used to investigate the adsorption properties of Th (IV) ions from aqueous solutions. BET surface area, SEM and TEM images, FT-IR spectrometry, XRD techniques were used for the characterization of the adsorbents. In batch adsorption experiments, parameters affecting the adsorption efficiency such as solution pH, contact time, Th (IV) concentration and temperature were investigated using central composite design (CCD). ANOVA (analysis) analysis at the 95% confidence interval of the model applied for the experimental design and the compatibility of this model with the experimental findings were examined. The relevance of the model for the nanobiocomposite prepared by the 1st method is that the P value is <0.05 and the model F value is 23.77 and 39.45 with the 2nd method, respectively. These results show that the regression for this method is statistically high. The correlation coefficient (R
2), which was 95.69% for the 1st method and 97.36% for the 2nd method, indicates a high coordination between the observed values and the estimated values. According to the CCD results, it has been observed that the main effects of the adsorption process with the materials obtained by the 1st method are in the direction of increasing the concentration, while pH, time and temperature do not have a statistically significant effect. In the adsorption process with the materials obtained by the 2nd method, it was observed that the concentration, time and temperature caused an increasing effect. Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherms were used to determine the adsorption model and the constants related to these isotherms were calculated. In addition, the adsorption process was also investigated in terms of thermodynamics.
Trends in the Phenological Pattern of Hybrid Plane Trees (Platanus × acerifolia (Ait) (Wild)) in Sarajevo Ecological Conditions
Authors: Memišević Hodžić Mirzeta , Ballian Dalibor
Published: November 2022

Phenological research of plant species is of great importance in the context of adaptation to climate change and changing environmental factors, especially in dynamic urban environments, such as the area of Sarajevo. This research aims to determine trends in the phenological pattern of hybrid plane trees in the area of Sarajevo so that recommendations can be made for the use of plane trees in greening urban and suburban areas since they largely depend on microclimatic conditions. In this paper, the authors researched the variability of leafing phenology of maple (Platanus × acerifolia (Ait) (Wild)) at six different localities in the area of Sarajevo. Observations were made in the spring of 2009, 2014, 2016, and 2020. Six phenological phases in the spring aspect of leaf development were monitored (0 - dormant buds, 1 - beginning of bud opening, 2 - open buds, 3 - leaf opening, 4 - young leaves, 5 - fully developed leaves). The results showed differences in the beginning and end of phenological phases by years and localities. Analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences in the duration of leaf development phases caused by the year of observation, locality, and the interaction of locality and year, which indicates the influence of seasonal climatic elements and micro-location conditions, as well as their interaction on the occurrence of phenophases. The results of this research can be used to recommend the use of plane trees in selected locations, with the selection of appropriate provenances and respect for phenological characteristics. Research needs to be continued and extended to leaf rejection research, which is particularly significant given the frequent heavy snowfall during the winter months in the investigated area.
Decoding the Time Course of Spatial Information from Spiking and Local Field Potential Activities in the Superior Colliculus
Authors: Heusser Michelle R. , Bourrelly Clara , Gandhi Neeraj J.
Published: November 2022

Place code representation is ubiquitous in circuits that encode spatial parameters. For visually guided eye movements, neurons in many brain regions emit spikes when a stimulus is presented in their receptive fields and/or when a movement is directed into their movement fields. Crucially, individual neurons respond for a broad range of directions or eccentricities away from the optimal vector, making it difficult to decode the stimulus location or the saccade vector from each cell’s activity. We investigated whether it is possible to decode the spatial parameter with a population-level analysis, even when the optimal vectors are similar across neurons. Spiking activity and local field potentials (LFPs) in the superior colliculus (SC) were recorded with a laminar probe as monkeys performed a delayed saccade task to one of eight targets radially equidistant in direction. A classifier was applied offline to decode the spatial configuration as the trial progresses from sensation to action. For spiking activity, decoding performance across all eight directions was highest during the visual and motor epochs and lower but well above chance during the delay period. Classification performance followed a similar pattern for LFP activity too, except the performance during the delay period was limited mostly to the preferred direction. Increasing the number of neurons in the population consistently increased classifier performance for both modalities. Overall, this study demonstrates the power of population activity for decoding spatial information not possible from individual neurons.
Calnexin reveals a sugar‐free taste within the lipid bilayer
Authors: Guay Kevin P , Williams Robert V , Hebert Daniel N
Published: November 2022

Maturation of membrane proteins is complicated by the need to fold in three distinct environments. While much is known about folding in the two aqueous milieus constituted by cytoplasm and ER lumen, our knowledge of the folding, arrangement, and quality control of transmembrane regions within the lipid bilayer, and its facilitation by molecular chaperones, is limited. New work by Bloemeke et al now reveals an expanded role of the ER chaperone calnexin acting within the lipid bilayer in a carbohydrate‐independent manner.
The Motivation of Fitness Center Members in Doing Fitness at NR Gym Fitness Center Medan
Authors: Simarmata Hans Hp , Karo Karo Alan Alfiansyah Putra , Sari Liliana Puspa , Hendrawan Dicky , Aditya Rinaldi
Published: November 2022

The type of research used in this study is to use quantitative methods of survey methods. Survey research deals with questions about one's own beliefs and behavior. In this study, the population was all Fitness Members at NR Gym Fitness Center Medan, which amounted to 3 people as the research sample, all of which were 3 people. The purpose of this research is to see the motivation of Fitness Center Members in doing fitness at NR Gym Fitness Center Medan. Respondents were asked to put a tick (√) in the available column according to the actual situation and this study used a Likert scale with a range of 5 (five). Based on the analysis found, it can be concluded that the Motivation of Fitness Center Members in Doing Fitness at NR Gym Fitness Center Medan is for fitness.
The Analysis of Well-being’s Level on Athletes with Special Needs
Authors: Hawari Fajar , Wahyudi Agung , Castyana Billy
Published: November 2022

This is qualitative research that uses a descriptive approach focuses on knowing the level of welfare of athletes with special needs in national training centers. Primary data was obtained by using interviews addressed to 20 athletes who were willing to be resource persons. Interviews were conducted based on the welfare level instrument used by the Central Bureau of Statistics of Indonesia with indicators in the form of income, expenses, living conditions, housing facilities, ease of obtaining health services, and ease of obtaining transportation facilities. In addition, researchers also took information in the form of monthly salary receipt data obtained by athletes as secondary data from this study. The data was then analyzed using the NVivo 12 Pro. The search results using the word cloud feature in the NVivo 12 Pro application program that comes from all research data, the sentence "has fulfilled" is a sentence that often appears as evidenced by the percentage of 57.53%. Based on the data analysis that has been done, it can be seen that the majority of athletes with special needs have a high level of welfare.
How zombie firms affect healthy firms: The case of Portuguese trade sector
Authors: Da Silva Armando , Gonçalves Ana
Published: November 2022

Zombie companies can be classified as being nonprofitable, having low productivity and being ten years old or over; these businesses continue to exist due to the support of banks and governments. This paper aims to understand the impact of these types of firms on the investment, employment growth and labour productivity of healthy companies from the wholesale and retail trade and the hospitality sector during the period 2011-2018.
The data obtained indicate that the prevalence of zombie companies in Portugal (in the sectors under study) is higher in periods of economic crisis and that most of them are old and large companies, especially in the hotel industry sector.
By using panel data models with fixed effects, our investigation concludes that zombie firms negatively affect how healthy companies are run, because they reduce the latter’s investment expenditure and workforce productivity.
Consideraciones sobre la oferta hídrica de los sistemas acuífero-humedal en la cuenca Magdalena-Cauca, Colombia, a partir de la interpretación de datos de los satélites GRACE
Authors: Bolaños-Chavarría Silvana , Betancur-Vargas Teresita , Salazar-Villegas Juan F. , Werner Micha
Published: November 2022

[Introduction]: Thanks to the recent data provided by the GRACE satellites, it is possible to establish a prelimi- nary estimate of changes in groundwater storage (GWS), thus offering a new and unprecedented tool for studying the dynamics of aquifer-wetland systems. [Objective]: As a result of the trends observed in GRACE for the Magdalena-Cauca basin in Colombia, this study investigates the water availability of the aquifer-wetland systems. [Methodology]: For this purpose, a map overlay analysis was performed using GRACE data to estimate ground- water recharge and discharge for different basins and aquifer-wetland systems. [Results]: Considering the trends in groundwater storage (GWS), we obtained water volumes and translated these into recharge and discharge esti- mates of the aquifer-wetland systems identified in the Magdalena-Cauca basin. These values show a total recharge between 2002 and 2010 of 284.65 mm, followed by a loss of 490.68 mm between 2011 and 2017. Furthermore, good correspondence was observed between the ENSO and GWS events, especially during the strong 2010-2011 La Niña and 2015-2016 El Niño events, which caused severe impacts in the country and that were particularly evi- dent in the Mojana wetland area located in the north of the basin. [Conclusions]: Although these results have yet to be validated with continuous monitoring data, the results presented in this study raise questions on the formulation of better policies and management of water resources that promote future water security.