bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
High signal-to-noise ratio differential conductance spectroscopy
Authors: Alemansour Hamed , Moheimani S. O. Reza , Owen James H. G. , Randall John N. , Fuchs Ehud
Published: January 2021

The scanning tunneling microscope (STM) has enabled manipulation and interrogation of surfaces with atomic-scale resolution. Electronic information about a surface is obtained by combining the imaging capability of the STM with scanning tunneling spectroscopy, i.e., measurement of current-voltage (I/V) characteristics of the surface. We propose a change in the STM feedback loop that enables capturing a higher quality dI/dV image. A high frequency dither voltage is added to the bias voltage of the sample, and the fundamental frequency component of the resulting current is demodulated. The in-phase component of this signal is then plotted along with the X and Y position data, constructing the dI/dV image. We show that by incorporating notch filters in the STM feedback loop, we may utilize a high-amplitude dither voltage to significantly improve the quality of the obtained dI/dV image.
The development of gendered speech in children: Insights from adult L1 and L2 perceptions
Authors: Fung Priscilla , Schertz Jessamyn , Johnson Elizabeth K.
Published: January 2021

Past studies have shown that boys and girls sound distinct by 4 years old, long before sexual dimorphisms in vocal anatomy develop. These gender differences are thought to be learned within a particular speech community. However, no study has asked whether listeners' sensitivity to gender in child speech is modulated by language experience. This study shows that gendered speech emerges at 2.5 years old, and that L1 listeners outperform L2 listeners in detecting these differences. The findings highlight the role of language-specific sociolinguistic factors in both speech perception and production, and show that gendered speech emerges earlier than previously suggested.
Crystallization in one-step solution deposition of perovskite films: Upward or downward?
Authors: Chen Shangshang , Xiao Xun , Chen Bo , Kelly Leah L. , Zhao Jingjing , Lin Yuze , Toney Michael F. , Huang Jinsong
Published: January 2021

One-step deposition of perovskite films follows the downward crystallization from intermediate phases during thermal annealing.
Gut microbiota from patients with arteriosclerotic CSVD induces higher IL-17A production in neutrophils via activating RORγt
Authors: Cai Wei , Chen Xiaodong , Men Xuejiao , Ruan Hengfang , Hu Mengyan , Liu Sanxin , Lu Tingting , Liao Jinchi , Zhang Bingjun , Lu Danli , Huang Yinong , Fan Ping , Rao Junping , Lei Chunyan , Wang Jihui , Ma Xiaomeng , Zhu Qiang , Li Lili , Zhu Xiuyun , Hou Yujiao , Li Shu , Dong Qing , Tian Qing , Ai Lulu , Luo Wenjing , Zuo Mengyun , Shen Liping , Xie Congyan , Song Hongzhong , Xu Ganlin , Zheng Kangdi , Zhang Zhao , Lu Yongjun , Qiu Wei , Chen Tao , Xiang Andy Peng , Lu Zhengqi
Published: January 2021

Dysbiosis of gut microbiota might promote the pathophysiological process of aCSVD.
Identification of Listeria monocytogenes Genes Contributing to Oxidative Stress Resistance under Conditions Relevant to Host Infection
Authors: Mains David R. , Eallonardo Samuel J. , Freitag Nancy E.
Published: January 2021

The Gram-positive bacteriumListeria monocytogenessurvives in environments ranging from the soil to the cytosol of infected host cells. Key toL. monocytogenesintracellular survival is the activation of PrfA, a transcriptional regulator that is required for the expression of multiple bacterial virulence factors.
Development of surface ruptures by hanging-wall extension over a thrust ramp along the Ragged Mountain fault, Katalla, Alaska, USA: Applications of high-resolution three-dimensional terrain models
Authors: Heinlein Sarah N. , Pavlis Terry L. , Bruhn Ronald L.
Published: January 2021

High-resolution three-dimensional terrain models are used to evaluate the Ragged Mountain fault kinematics (Katalla, Alaska, USA). Previous studies have produced contradictory interpretations of the fault’s kinematics because surface ruptures along the fault are primarily steeply dipping, uphill-facing normal fault scarps. In this paper, we evaluate the hypothesis that these uphill-facing scarps represent extension above a buried thrust ramp. Detailed geomorphic mapping along the fault, using 20-cm-resolution aerial imagery draped onto a 1-m-resolution lidar (light detection and ranging) elevation model, was used to produce multiple topographic profiles. These profiles illustrate scarp geometries and prominent convex-upward topographic surfaces, indicating significant disturbance by active tectonics. A theoretical model is developed for fault-parallel flow over a thrust ramp that shows the geometric relationships between thrust displacement, upper-plate extension, and ramp dip. An important prediction of the model for this study is that the magnitude of upper-plate extension is comparable to, or greater than, the thrust displacement for ramps with dips greater than ∼45°. This model is used to analyze profile shapes and surface displacements in Move software (Midland Valley Ltd.). Analyses of scarp heights allow estimates of hanging-wall extension, which we then use to estimate slip on the underlying thrust via the model. Assuming a low-angle (30°) uniformly dipping thrust and simple longitudinal extension via normal faulting, variations in extension along the fault would require a slip gradient from ∼8 m in the north to ∼22 m in the south. However, the same north-south variation in extension with a constant slip of 8–10 m may infer an increase in fault dip from ∼30° in the north to ∼60° in the south. This model prediction has broader implications for active-fault studies. Because the model quantifies relationships between hanging-wall extension, fault slip, and fault dip, it is possible to invert for fault slip in blind thrust ramps where hanging-wall extension is the primary surface manifestation. This study, together with results from the St. Elias Erosion and Tectonics Project (STEEP), clarifies the role of the Ragged Mountain fault as a contractional structure within a broadly sinistral shear system in the western syntaxis of the St. Elias orogeny.
Gestational age at birth and child special educational needs: a UK representative birth cohort study
Authors: Alterman Neora , Johnson Samantha , Carson Claire , Petrou Stavros , Rivero-Arias Oliver , Kurinczuk Jennifer J , Macfarlane Alison , Boyle Elaine , Quigley Maria A
Published: January 2021

Objective

To examine the association between gestational age at birth across the entire gestational age spectrum and special educational needs (SENs) in UK children at 11 years of age.

Methods

The Millennium Cohort Study is a nationally representative longitudinal sample of children born in the UK during 2000–2002. Information about the child’s birth, health and sociodemographic factors was collected when children were 9 months old. Information about presence and reasons for SEN was collected from parents at age 11. Adjusted relative risks (aRRs) were estimated using modified Poisson regression, accounting for confounders.

Results

The sample included 12 081 children with data at both time points. The overall prevalence of SEN was 11.2%, and it was inversely associated with gestational age. Among children born <32 weeks of gestation, the prevalence of SEN was 27.4%, three times higher than among those born at 40 weeks (aRR=2.89; 95% CI 2.02 to 4.13). Children born early term (37–38 weeks) were also at increased risk for SEN (aRR=1.33; 95% CI 1.11 to 1.59); this was the same when the analysis was restricted to births after labour with spontaneous onset. Birth before full term was more strongly associated with having a formal statement of SEN or SEN for multiple reasons.

Conclusion

Children born at earlier gestational ages are more likely to experience SEN, have more complex SEN and require support in multiple facets of learning. This association was observed even among children born early-term and when labour began spontaneously.
Global incidence and mortality of neonatal sepsis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Fleischmann Carolin , Reichert Felix , Cassini Alessandro , Horner Rosa , Harder Thomas , Markwart Robby , Tröndle Marc , Savova Yoanna , Kissoon Niranjan , Schlattmann Peter , Reinhart Konrad , Allegranzi Benedetta , Eckmanns Tim
Published: January 2021

Background

Neonates are at major risk of sepsis, but data on neonatal sepsis incidence are scarce. We aimed to assess the incidence and mortality of neonatal sepsis worldwide.

Methods

We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis. 13 databases were searched for the period January 1979–May 2019, updating the search of a previous systematic review and extending it in order to increase data inputs from low-income and middle-income countries (LMICs). We included studies on the population-level neonatal sepsis incidence that used a clinical sepsis definition, such as the 2005 consensus definition, or relevant ICD codes. We performed a random-effects meta-analysis on neonatal sepsis incidence and mortality, stratified according to sepsis onset, birth weight, prematurity, study setting, WHO region and World Bank income level.

Results

The search yielded 4737 publications, of which 26 were included. They accounted for 2 797 879 live births and 29 608 sepsis cases in 14 countries, most of which were middle-income countries. Random-effects estimator for neonatal sepsis incidence in the overall time frame was 2824 (95% CI 1892 to 4194) cases per 100 000 live births, of which an estimated 17.6% 9 (95% CI 10.3% to 28.6%) died. In the last decade (2009–2018), the incidence was 3930 (95% CI 1937 to 7812) per 100 000 live births based on four studies from LMICs. In the overall time frame, estimated incidence and mortality was higher in early-onset than late-onset neonatal sepsis cases. There was substantial between-study heterogeneity in all analyses. Studies were at moderate to high risk of bias.

Conclusion

Neonatal sepsis is common and often fatal. Its incidence remains unknown in most countries and existing studies show marked heterogeneity, indicating the need to increase the number of epidemiological studies, harmonise neonatal sepsis definitions and improve the quality of research in this field. This can help to design and implement targeted interventions, which are urgently needed to reduce the high incidence of neonatal sepsis worldwide.
Socioeconomic position and cardiovascular mortality in 63 million adults from Brazil
Authors: Mallinson Poppy Alice Carson , Luhar Shammi , Williamson Elizabeth , Barreto Mauricio L , Kinra Sanjay
Published: January 2021

Background

It has been suggested that cardiovascular disease exhibits a ‘social cross-over’, from greater risk in higher socioeconomic groups to lower socioeconomic groups, on economic development, but robust evidence is lacking. We used standardised data to compare the social inequalities in cardiovascular mortality across states at varying levels of economic development in Brazil.

Methods

We used national census and mortality data from 2010. We used age-adjusted multilevel Poisson regression to estimate the association between educational status and cardiovascular mortality by state-level economic development (assessed by quintiles of Human Development Index).

Results

In 2010, there were 185 383 cardiovascular deaths among 62.5 million adults whose data were analysed. The age-adjusted cardiovascular mortality rate ratio for women with <8 years of education (compared with 8+ years) was 3.75 (95% CI 3.29 to 4.28) in the least developed one-fifth of states and 2.84 (95% CI 2.75 to 2.92) in the most developed one-fifth of states (p value for linear trend=0.002). Among men, corresponding rate ratios were 2.53 (95% CI 2.32 to 2.77) and 2.26 (95% CI 2.20 to 2.31), respectively (p value=0.258). Associations were similar across subtypes of cardiovascular disease (ischaemic heart disease and stroke) and robust to the size of geographical unit used for analysis.

Conclusions

Our results do not support a ‘social crossover’ in cardiovascular mortality on economic development. Our analyses, based on a large standardised dataset from a country that is currently experiencing economic transition, provide strong evidence that low socioeconomic groups experience the highest risk of cardiovascular disease, irrespective of the stage of national economic development.
Savings of loss-of-life expectancy and lifetime medical costs from prevention of spinal cord injuries: analysis of nationwide data followed for 17 years
Authors: Lien Wei-Chih , Wang Wei-Ming , Wang Fuhmei , Wang Jung-Der
Published: January 2021

Background

The objectives of this research were to determine the savings of loss-of-life expectancy (LE) and lifetime medical costs (LMC) from prevention of spinal cord injuries (SCI) in Taiwan.

Methods

From the claims database of Taiwan National Health Insurance, we identified 6164 adult patients with newly diagnosed SCI with permanent functional disability from 2000 to 2015 and followed them until the end of 2016. We estimated survival function through the Kaplan-Meier method and extrapolated it to lifetime.

Results

For the SCI cohort, the LE and loss-of-LE were 17.6 and 13.3 years, respectively, while those for SCI with coding of external causes (E-code) were 18.1 and 13.0 years, respectively. For the SCI cohort with E-code, the loss-of-LE of motor vehicle (MV)-related SCI was significantly higher than that of fall-related SCI. In young and middle-aged patients with SCI with E-code, the loss-of-LE of MV-related paraplegia was significantly higher than that of MV-related quadriplegia and fall-related SCI. With a 3% discount rate, the LMC for patients with SCI after diagnosis were US$82 772, while those for patients with SCI with E-code were US$81 473. The LMC and the cost per year for those living with quadriplegia were significantly higher than those for paraplegia in all age groups, possibly related to the higher frequencies of stroke, chronic lung disease and dementia.

Conclusions

We conclude that quadriplegia has a higher impact on medical costs than paraplegia, and MV-related SCI has a higher impact on loss-of-LE than fall-related SCI. We recommend comprehensive SCI prevention be established, including infrastructures of construction and transportation.
An Attribute-Based Cross-Domain Access Control Model for a Distributed Multiple Autonomous Network
Authors: Zhang Yunpeng , Liu Xin
Published: January 2021

The distributed multiple autonomous network has become the main trend of modern information systems, such as Cloud, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) and Internet of Things (IoT). Access control in such a heterogeneous and dynamic system has become a major information security challenge, which hinders the sharing of resources and information. In this work, we present an Attribute-Based Access Control (ABAC) model for cross-domain access control. The proposed access control model comprises a boundary control server designed to provide cross-domain access control capability. An eXtensible Access Control Markup Language (XACML) policy model-based implementation is introduced. Process and implementation show the proposed model alleviates the security risk on the domain boundary during the cross-domain access control process.
Stealthy Attacks against Robotic Vehicles Protected by Control-based Intrusion Detection Techniques
Authors: Dash Pritam , Karimibiuki Mehdi , Pattabiraman Karthik
Published: January 2021

Robotic vehicles (RV) are increasing in adoption in many industrial sectors. RVs use auto-pilot software for perception and navigation and rely on sensors and actuators for operating autonomously in the physical world. Control algorithms have been used in RVs to minimize the effects of noisy sensors, prevent faulty actuator output, and, recently, to detect attacks against RVs. In this article, we demonstrate the vulnerabilities in control-based intrusion detection techniques and propose three kinds of stealthy attacks that evade detection and disrupt RV missions. We also propose automated algorithms for performing the attacks without requiring the attacker to expend significant effort or to know specific details of the RV, thus making the attacks applicable to a wide range of RVs. We demonstrate the attacks on eight RV systems including three real vehicles in the presence of an Intrusion Detection System using control-based techniques to monitor RV’s runtime behavior and detect attacks. We find that the control-based techniques are incapable of detecting our stealthy attacks and that the attacks can have significant adverse impact on the RV’s mission (e.g., deviate it significantly from its target, or cause it to crash).
Natural Variation in Crops: Realized Understanding, Continuing Promise
Authors: Liang Yameng , Liu Hai-Jun , Yan Jianbing , Tian Feng
Published: January 2021

Crops feed the world's population and shape human civilization. The improvement of crop productivity has been ongoing for almost 10,000 years and has evolved from an experience-based to a knowledge-driven practice over the past three decades. Natural alleles and their reshuffling are long-standing genetic changes that affect how crops respond to various environmental conditions and agricultural practices. Decoding the genetic basis of natural variation is central to understanding crop evolution and, in turn, improving crop breeding. Here, we review current advances in the approaches used to map the causal alleles of natural variation, provide refined insights into the genetics and evolution of natural variation, and outline how this knowledge promises to drive the development of sustainable agriculture under the dome of emerging technologies.
Dendritic Cells Revisited
Authors: Cabeza-Cabrerizo Mar , Cardoso Ana , Minutti Carlos M. , Pereira da Costa Mariana , Reis e Sousa Caetano
Published: January 2021

Dendritic cells (DCs) possess the ability to integrate information about their environment and communicate it to other leukocytes, shaping adaptive and innate immunity. Over the years, a variety of cell types have been called DCs on the basis of phenotypic and functional attributes. Here, we refocus attention on conventional DCs (cDCs), a discrete cell lineage by ontogenetic and gene expression criteria that best corresponds to the cells originally described in the 1970s. We summarize current knowledge of mouse and human cDC subsets and describe their hematopoietic development and their phenotypic and functional attributes. We hope that our effort to review the basic features of cDC biology and distinguish cDCs from related cell types brings to the fore the remarkable properties of this cell type while shedding some light on the seemingly inordinate complexity of the DC field.
The Use of Corpus Linguistics in Legal Interpretation
Authors: Goldfarb Neal
Published: January 2021

Over the past decade, the idea of using corpus linguistics in legal interpretation has attracted interest on the part of judges, lawyers, and legal academics in the United States. This review provides an introduction to this nascent movement, which is generally referred to as Law and Corpus Linguistics (LCL). After briefly summarizing LCL's origin and development, I situate LCL within legal interpretation by discussing the legal concept of ordinary meaning, which establishes the framework within which LCL operates. Next, I situate LCL within linguistics by identifying the subfields that are most relevant to LCL. I then offer a linguistic justification for an idea that is implicit in the case law and that provides important support for using corpus analysis in legal interpretation: that data about patterns of usage provide evidence of how words and other expressions are ordinarily understood. I go on to discuss linguistic issues that arise from the use of corpus linguistics in disputes that involve lexical ambiguity and categorization. Finally, I point out some challenges that the growth of LCL will present for both legal professionals and linguists.
Control of Chemical Reaction Pathways by Light–Matter Coupling
Authors: Devasia Dinumol , Das Ankita , Mohan Varun , Jain Prashant K.
Published: January 2021

Because plasmonic metal nanostructures combine strong light absorption with catalytically active surfaces, they have become platforms for the light-assisted catalysis of chemical reactions. The enhancement of reaction rates by plasmonic excitation has been extensively discussed. This review focuses on a less discussed aspect: the induction of new reaction pathways by light excitation. Through commentary on seminal reports, we describe the principles behind the optical modulation of chemical reactivity and selectivity on plasmonic metal nanostructures. Central to these phenomena are excited charge carriers generated by plasmonic excitation, which modify the energy landscape available to surface reactive species and unlock pathways not conventionally available in thermal catalysis. Photogenerated carriers can trigger bond dissociation or desorption in an adsorbate-selective manner, drive charge transfer and multielectron redox reactions, and generate radical intermediates. Through one or more of these mechanisms, a specific pathway becomes favored under light. By improved control over these mechanisms, light-assisted catalysis can be transformational for chemical synthesis and energy conversion.
In Situ Optical Investigations of Lithium Depositions on Pristine and Aged Lithium Metal Electrodes
Authors: Kühnle Hannes , Knobbe Edwin , Figgemeier Egbert
Published: January 2021

A custom-designed in situ optical cell is used to investigate the behavior of lithium (Li0) deposition in a symmetrical face-to-face setup. The experiment aims at monitoring the lithium deposition on both pristine and aged lithium foils, as a function of the waiting time between the lithium electrodes and the electrolyte (LP30: 1.0 M LiPF6 in EC: DMC (50/50 (v/v))). Constant current and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements are applied at ∼28 °C. The experiments show that lithium metal deposits in a wide range of morphologies, which are cataloged in terms of forms, structures, textures and colors for better visualization and improved analysis. Pristine lithium electrodes show tree-like deposition morphologies over the entire range of applied waiting times, but aged samples provided fibrous, and spheroidal forms as dominant lithium deposition morphologies at waiting times ≥ 24 h. Gas-treated metal foils (artificially aged by exposing pristine lithium to N2 at 25 °C for 1 h) showed a similar deposition behavior as the aged-over-time foils. The storage of lithium has a measurable influence on the deposition behavior on lithium foils. The obtained results help to further understand the lithium deposition behavior under different realistic conditions, which is for instance applicable to rechargeable lithium metal batteries.
Exceptional Reduction of Faradaic Redox Reactions of Activated Carbon-Based Electrodes in the Capacitive Deionization of Water through a Facile Gold Impregnation Method
Authors: Kazemzadeh Mehdi , Falamaki Cavus , Naderifar Abbas
Published: January 2021

Activated carbon-based capacitive deionization (CDI) electrodes have been coated with gold nanoparticles through a facile impregnation method. Activated carbon (AC) in the original and nitric acid treated form had been used. Au addition, irrespective of AC being acid treated or not, increases the salt adsorption capacity (SAC), increases charge efficiency and reduces specific energy consumption (SEC) in the CDI process. While applying both acid treatment and gold deposition result in maximum SAC (6.1 mg g−1), sole gold decoration is accompanied with least SEC (0.7 KWh (kg adsorbed ion)−1). Interestingly, gold addition significantly reduces cathodic reduction and anodic oxidation reactions in the case of untreated and treated AC, respectively. A theoretical explanation has been proposed.
Hybridizing Beam Search with Tabu Search for the Irregular Packing Problem
Authors: Rao Yunqing , Wang Peng , Luo Qiang
Published: January 2021

The irregular packing problem involves arranging all the irregular pieces on a plate with the objective of maximizing the use of material. In this article, the layout is formed by the ordered sequence of the irregular pieces which is obtained by a hybrid search algorithm and where the order is decoded by a proposed placement principle. First, a novel no-fit-polygon (NFP) generator is introduced. Then, a placement principle is presented with the new NFP generator. Finally, a search algorithm hybridized with beam search (BS) and tabu search (TS) is proposed to search over the sequence. The numerical experiments with many benchmark problems show that the hybrid algorithm is an applicative and effective approach for solving the irregular packing problem. The hybrid algorithm can produce competitive solutions in less time than many other typical algorithms.
Blockchain-Enabled Public Key Encryption with Multi-Keyword Search in Cloud Computing
Authors: Chen Zhenwei , Wu Axin , Li Yifei , Xing Qixuan , Geng Shengling
Published: January 2021

The emergence of the cloud storage has brought great convenience to people’s life. Many individuals and enterprises have delivered a large amount of data to the third-party server for storage. Thus, the privacy protection of data retrieved by the user needs to be guaranteed. Searchable encryption technology for the cloud environment is adopted to ensure that the user information is secure with retrieving data. However, most schemes only support single-keyword search and do not support file updates, which limit the flexibility of the scheme. To eliminate these problems, we propose a blockchain-enabled public key encryption scheme with multi-keyword search (BPKEMS), and our scheme supports file updates. In addition, smart contract is used to ensure the fairness of transactions between data owner and user without introducing a third party. At the data storage stage, our scheme realizes the verifiability by numbering the files, which ensures that the ciphertext received by the user is complete. In terms of security and performance, our scheme is secure against inside keyword guessing attacks (KGAs) and has better computation overhead than other related schemes.
A New Lifetime Distribution: Properties, Copulas, Applications, and Different Classical Estimation Methods
Authors: Alotaibi Naif
Published: January 2021

A new continuous version of the inverse flexible Weibull model is proposed and studied. Some of its properties such as quantile function, moments and generating functions, incomplete moments, mean deviation, Lorenz and Bonferroni curves, the mean residual life function, the mean inactivity time, and the strong mean inactivity time are derived. The failure rate of the new model can be “increasing‐constant,” “bathtub‐constant,” “bathtub,” “constant,” “J‐HRF,” “upside down bathtub,” “increasing,” “upside down‐increasing‐constant,” and “upside down.” Different copulas are used for deriving many bivariate and multivariate type extensions. Different non‐Bayesian well‐known estimation methods under uncensored scheme are considered and discussed such as the maximum likelihood estimation, Anderson Darling estimation, ordinary least square estimation, Cramér‐von‐Mises estimation, weighted least square estimation, and right tail Anderson Darling estimation methods. Simulation studies are performed for comparing these estimation methods. Finally, two real datasets are analyzed to illustrate the importance of the new model.
Interaction of Dust-Acoustic Shock Waves in a Magnetized Dusty Plasma under the Influence of Polarization Force
Authors: Saini N. S. , Singh Kuldeep , Sethi Papihra
Published: January 2021

The interaction of dust-acoustic (DA) shock waves in a magnetized dusty plasma under the influence of nonextensively modified polarization force is investigated. The plasma model consists of negatively charged dust, Maxwellian electrons, nonextensive ions, and polarization force. In this investigation, we have derived the expression of polarization force in the presence of nonextensive ions and illustrated the head-on collision between two DA shock waves. The extended Poincaré–Lighthill–Kuo (PLK) method is employed to obtain the two-sided Korteweg–de Vries–Burgers (KdVB) equations and phase shifts of two shock waves. The trajectories and phase shifts of negative potential dust-acoustic shock waves after collision are examined. The combined effects of various physical parameters such as polarization force, nonextensivity of ions, viscosity of dust, and magnetic field strength on the phase shifts of DA shock waves have been studied. The present investigation might be useful to study the process of collision of nonlinear structures in space dusty plasma such as planetary rings where non-Maxwellian particles such as nonextensive ions, negatively charged dust, and electrons are present.
Determinants of Second-Trimester Safe Termination of Pregnancy in Public Health Facilities of Amhara Region, Northwest Ethiopia: An Unmatched Case-Control Study
Authors: Wasihun Yosef , Mekonnen Temesgen , Asrat Anemaw , Dagne Samuel , Menber Yonatan , Fentahun Netsanet
Published: January 2021

Background. Second-trimester medical abortion is the termination of pregnancy between 13 and 28 weeks of gestational age. Although the majority of abortions are performed in the first trimester, 10–15% of terminations of pregnancies have taken place in the second trimester globally. Objective. To identify the determinant factors of second-trimester safe termination of pregnancy in public health facilities of the Amhara region, northwest Ethiopia. Methods. An institution-based unmatched retrospective case-control study conducted from 01/10/2019–30/02/2020. A systematic random sampling technique was used to select 119 cases and 238 controls. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect the data. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to identify determinant factors. The odds ratio with 95% CI was computed to assess the strength and significance of the association between dependent and independent variables. Result. Rural resident (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.9; 95% CI 1.07–3.25), irregular menses (AOR = 1.8; 1.06–3.13), had no known symptoms of pregnancy (AOR = 1.9; (95% CI 1.06–3.46)), not knowing the abortion law (AOR = 3.0; (95% CI 1.63–5.60)), low level of education (1st–8th grade) (AOR = 2.7; (95% CI 1.06–6.60), opposition against abortion care (AOR = 2.6; (1.22–5.42)), delayed referral (AOR = 10.1 (95% CI 4.02–29.18)), and not undertaking pregnancy test (AOR = 2.2; (95% CI (1.21–4.04)) were determinants of second-trimester safe termination of pregnancy. Conclusion. Women being rural residents, irregular menses, not undertaking pregnancy test, not knowing the abortion law, low-level educational status, delayed referral, no knowledge about signs and symptoms of pregnancy, and opposition of safe abortion were determinants of second-trimester safe termination. The Regional Health Bureau and Health Facilities should give emphasis to women living in rural areas, and they should increase awareness towards abortion law and sign and symptoms of pregnancy and encourage female education.
Human Dental Pulp‐Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cell Potential to Differentiate into Smooth Muscle‐Like Cells In Vitro
Authors: Ha Jinhee , Bharti Dinesh , Kang Young-Hoon , Lee Sang-Yeob , Oh Seong-Ju , Kim Saet-Byul , Jo Chan-Hee , Son Jang-Ho , Sung Iel-Yong , Cho Yeong-Cheol , Rho Gyu-Jin , Park Jeong-Kil
Published: January 2021

Previous studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) derived from various tissue sources can be differentiated into smooth muscle‐like cells (SMLCs) in vitro. In this paper, dental pulp‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (DPSCs) were evaluated for their differentiation ability towards smooth muscle‐like cells (SMLCs) under the effect of widely used cytokines (TGF‐β1 and PDGF‐BB) with special focus on different culturing environments. For this purpose, both the commercially used culturing plates (Norm‐c) and 0.1% gelatin‐precoated (Gel‐c) plates were used. Isolated cells displayed plastic adherence, pluripotency and cell surface marker profiling, and adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation potential with lineage specific marker expression. Differentiated cells induced under different culturing plates showed successful differentiation into SMLCs by positively expressing smooth muscle cell (SMC) specific markers both at the mRNA and protein levels. Gelatin coating could substantially enhance DPSC differentiation potential than Norm‐c‐induced cells. However, the absence of mature marker MHY‐11 by immunostaining results from all treatment groups further indicated the development of immature and synthetic SMLCs. Finally, it was concluded that DPSC differentiation ability into SMLCs can be enhanced under cytokine treatment as well as by altering the cellular niche by precoating the culturing plates with suitable substrates. However, to get fully functional, contractile, and mature SMLCs, still many different cytokine cocktail combinations and more suitable coating substrates will be needed.
A Self-Adaptive Response Strategy for Dynamic Multiobjective
Evolutionary Optimization Based on Objective Space Decomposition
Authors: Liu Ruochen , Li Jianxia , Jin Yaochu , Jiao Licheng
Published: January 2021

Dynamic multiobjective optimization deals with simultaneous optimization of multiple conflicting objectives that change over time. Several response strategies for dynamic optimization have been proposed, which do not work well for all types of environmental changes. In this article, we propose a new dynamic multiobjective evolutionary algorithm based on objective space decomposition, in which the maxi-min fitness function is adopted for selection and a self-adaptive response strategy integrating a number of different response strategies is designed to handle unknown environmental changes. The self-adaptive response strategy can adaptively select one of the strategies according to their contributions to the tracking performance in the previous environments. Experimental results indicate that the proposed algorithm is competitive and promising for solving different DMOPs in the presence of unknown environmental changes. Meanwhile, the proposed algorithm is applied to solve the parameter tuning problem of a proportional integral derivative (PID) controller of a dynamic system, obtaining better control effect.
Variae sunt artes diaboli: A Curious Misunderstanding
Authors: Krans Jan
Published: January 2021

According to a motto used by Ronald Hendel, “Variants are arts of the devil.” However these words, traced back to Laurentius Fabricius in 1625, turn out to rest on a misunderstanding of Fabricius’ words.
Whither Runneth the Lord’s Command?
Authors: Shnider Steven , Zalcman Lawrence
Published: January 2021

The elegant antanaclasis in Psalm 147 involving the threefold use of the homograph דברו in vv. 15, 18, and 19 emphasizes a central message of the psalm: that God’s true delight is not in the glory of nature, but in the faithful obedience of those who fear Him and trust in His lovingkindness.
Vide Spinozam, or Burchard de Volder between Cartesianism and Heterodoxy
Authors: Strazzoni Andrea
Published: January 2021

In this article, I intervene in a long-standing debate over the alleged assumption and teaching of Spinozist ideas by the Dutch philosopher and scientist Burchard de Volder (1643–1709). I discuss De Volder’s position with respect to three main topics (necessitarianism, substance monism, and biblical interpretation), as well as the use his student Jacob Wittich made of De Volder’s ideas in Wittich’s highly controversial De natura Dei (1711). Eventually, I argue that De Volder was certainly a sympathizer of Spinoza, accepted necessitarianism, and considered Spinoza a reliable interpreter of Descartes in physics, even if he did not accept Spinoza’s monist metaphysics, nor his biblical hermeneutics.
The Prophetic Self-Fashioning of Conrad Grebel (ca. 1498–1526)
Authors: Lundeen Erik
Published: January 2021

Previous studies on the emergence of Swiss Anabaptism focus on the confluence of religious, political, social, and economic factors as explanatory causes. This article, while not disputing such approaches, instead investigates the interpretive constructions that early Anabaptist leader Conrad Grebel applied to his own experiences. Using Stephen Greenblatt’s notion of self-fashioning, it analyzes Grebel’s extant correspondence to argue that Grebel progressively came to view himself as a persecuted prophet, an identity that fueled his resistance to Zwingli and his reforming zeal. The article closes by suggesting the implications of such an approach for future studies on Anabaptism and on prophecy in the Reformation more broadly.
The good, the bad and the creative
Authors: Stalmaszczyk Piotr
Published: January 2021

The following text is a review of Wittgenstein and the Creativity of Language, edited by Sebastian Sunday Grève and Jakub Mácha (Houndmills, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan, 2016. ISBN 978-1-137-47253-3. xxi + 314 pages). Wittgenstein and the Creativity of Language is a collection of eleven essays investigating the creative potential of language within Wittgensteinian philosophy language. The essays are grouped into five sections, and cover a whole range of issues including language creativity, conceptions of art, ethics, metaphysics, but also Wittgenstein’s comments on Gödel’s proof, and Alfred Loos’s influence on Wittgenstein.
A new Rorippa species (Brassicaceae), R. hengduanshanensis, from the Hengduan Mountains in China
Authors: ZHENG QUAN-JING , YU CHIH-CHIEH , XING YAO-WU , HAN TING-SHEN
Published: January 2021

A new species of genus Rorippa, R. hengduanshanensis, from the Hengduan Mountains, is described herein. Comparing the floral structure and overall fruit morphology of R. hengduanshanensis with similar taxa (e.g., R. benghalensis, R. dubia, and R. indica) revealed a series of morphological differences, both qualitative and quantitative. R. hengduanshanensis differs from R. benghalensis in the ebracteate racemes; from R. dubia in the flattened silique, the presence of four petals and the ploidy level (2n=6x=48); and from R. indica in the uniseriate seeds. Phylogenetic analyses using three plastid markers (psbC-trnS, trnG-trnM, and trnL) further revealed clear interspecific divergences that can distinguish R. hengduanshanensis from its morphologically related taxa.
Typification of four names of Dioscorea (Dioscoreaceae) from India
Authors: PAGARE RAVIKIRAN S. , ARISDASON WILSON , JANARTHANAM MALAPATI K.
Published: January 2021

Lectotypes for Dioscorea nummularia var. belophylla [the basionym of Dioscorea belophylla], D. kalkapershadii, D. oppositifolia and D. velutipes are designated.
Novel Insights Regarding Nitric Oxide and Cardiovascular Diseases
Authors: Infante Teresa , Costa Dario , Napoli Claudio
Published: January 2021

Nitric oxide (NO) is a powerful mediator with biological activities such as vasodilation and prevention of vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation as well as functional regulation of cardiac cells. Thus, impaired production or reduced bioavailability of NO predisposes to the onset of different cardiovascular (CV) diseases. Alterations in the redox balance associated with excitation–contraction coupling have been identified in heart failure (HF), thus contributing to contractile abnormalities and arrhythmias. For its ability to influence cell proliferation and angiogenesis, NO may be considered a therapeutic option for the management of several CV diseases. Several clinical studies and trials investigated therapeutic NO strategies for systemic hypertension, atherosclerosis, and/or prevention of in stent restenosis, coronary heart disease (CHD), pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and HF, although with mixed results in long-term treatment and effective dose administered in selected groups of patients. Tadalafil, sildenafil, and cinaguat were evaluated for the treatment of PAH, whereas vericiguat was investigated in the treatment of HF patients with reduced ejection fraction. Furthermore, supplementation with hydrogen sulfide, tetrahydrobiopterin, and nitrite/nitrate has shown beneficial effects at the vascular level.
Buy Less, Buy Luxury: Understanding and Overcoming Product Durability Neglect for Sustainable Consumption
Authors: Sun Jennifer J. , Bellezza Silvia , Paharia Neeru
Published: January 2021

The authors propose that purchasing luxury can be a unique means to engage in sustainable consumption because high-end products are particularly durable. Six studies examine the sustainability of high-end products, investigate consumers’ decision making when considering high-end versus ordinary goods, and identify effective marketing strategies to emphasize product durability, an important and valued dimension of sustainable consumption. Real-world data on new and secondhand accessories demonstrate that high-end goods can be more sustainable than mid-range products because they have a longer life cycle. Furthermore, consumers engage in more sustainable behaviors with high-end goods, owning them for longer and disposing of them in more environmentally friendly manners. Nevertheless, many consumers prefer to concentrate their budget on multiple ordinary goods in lieu of fewer high-end products partly because of product durability neglect, a failure to consider how long a product will last. Although consumers generally believe that high-end products last longer, they fail to take such a notion into account when making purchases. Finally, this research offers actionable strategies for marketers to help consumers overcome product durability neglect and nudge them toward concentrating their budget on fewer high-end, durable products.
Variable Compensation and Salesperson Health
Authors: Habel Johannes , Alavi Sascha , Linsenmayer Kim
Published: January 2021

Positive effects of incentives on salespeople’s motivation, effort, and performance are well-established in literature. This article takes a novel look at their influence on salespeople’s health. The results of four empirical studies, including more than 1,400 salespeople, suggest that an increasing variable compensation share (i.e., greater pay-for-performance component in salespeople’s compensation plans) increases salespeople’s stress, resulting in emotional exhaustion and more sick days. These outcomes are more likely for salespeople with lower personal ability and fewer social resources. The harmful effects of the variable compensation share on salespeople’s health reduce the positive effects of this incentive on sales performance. To practice better marketing for a better world, if variable compensation is used, the authors recommend that managers screen new hires for job-related resources and help their existing staff build such resources. In addition, companies may personalize incentive schemes and sensitize managers to the stress-inducing effects of variable compensation shares.
Interactive Read-Aloud Instruction With Narratives: Teaching Inferencing Using Theory of Mind
Authors: Kelly Jerae , Taboada Barber Ana
Published: January 2021

Interactive read alouds (IRAs) present an opportunity for early elementary educators to support their students’ academic skills as well as social development. Conducting IRAs with narrative texts, in particular, showcases how academic and social skills work together to support children’s reading comprehension alongside social development. When IRA instruction targets higher-order reading comprehension skills such as inference-making around characters’ thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, students draw on their emerging Theory of Mind (ToM; i.e., a socio-cognitive skill that refers to the ability to identify another’s mental state) skills. In this article, we aim to provide a framework for earlygrade educators to leverage and support students’ emerging ToM skills to facilitate inferencing making as part of IRAs in order to support students’ overall comprehension and social development.
Influence of sulfuric acid solution on the durability of high-performance modified polyphenylene sulfide and polytetrafluoroethylene sewing thread for high-temperature filtration
Authors: Huang Wanzhen , Zhang Bin , Alassod Abeer , Xu Guangbiao
Published: January 2021

High-temperature filtration is a promising development in particle collection technology. In this field, the filtration efficiency of the filter bag is affected by the surface hairiness of the sewing thread, which has the function of sealing pinholes. A high-performance modified polyphenylene sulfide (MPPS) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sewing thread had been prepared. However, the effect of the addition of MPPS fibers on acid resistance of MPPS/PTFE sewing thread was a crucial issue that was still unknown. In this study, surface morphology, tensile properties, and the corrosion mechanism of MPPS/PTFE sewing thread exposed to sulfuric acid (H2SO4) solution was investigated under different temperatures, concentrations, and times. It was noticed that the auxiliary agent on the surface of MPPS/PTFE sewing thread was partly removed. Besides, the surface of MPPS fibers was slightly damaged by H2SO4 solution. Moreover, the tensile properties showed that the maximum loss of fracture strength and the maximum deviation of elongation at break of MPPS/PTFE sewing thread were around 9.1% and 4.6%, respectively. Hence, it could be concluded that the addition of MPPS fibers had little effect on MPPS/PTFE sewing thread. Furthermore, when the concentration of H2SO4 solution did not exceed 10 mol/L, MPPS/PTFE sewing thread showed a good acid resistance. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis did not show a change in the structure of the benzene ring skeleton of the macromolecular chain in MPPS/PTFE sewing thread after treatment with H2SO4 solution. In contrast, the carbon–sulfur bonds attached to the benzene ring in MPPS/PTFE sewing thread had rotated or even partially broken. Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry measurements revealed that the thermal stability of MPPS/PTFE sewing thread was slightly decreased.
Prediction of garment fit level in 3D virtual environment based on artificial neural networks
Authors: Wang Zhujun , Wang Jianping , Zeng Xianyi , Sharma Shukla , Xing Yingmei , Xu Shuo , Liu Li
Published: January 2021

This paper proposes a probabilistic neural network-based model for predicting and controlling garment fit levels from garment ease allowances, digital pressures, and fabric mechanical properties measured in a three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment. The predicted fit levels include both comprehensive and local fit levels. The model was set up by learning from data measured during a series of virtual (input data) and real try-on (output data) experiments and then simulated to predict different garment styles, for example, loose and tight fits. Finally, the performance of the proposed model was compared with the Linear Regression model, the Support Vector Machine model, the Radial Basis Function Artificial Neural Network model, and the Back Propagation Artificial Neural Network model. The results of the comparison revealed that the prediction accuracy of the proposed model was superior to those of the other models. Furthermore, we put forward a new interactive garment design process in a 3D virtual environment based on the proposed model. Based on interactions between real pattern adjustments and virtual garment demonstrations, this new design process will enable designers to rapidly, accurately, and automatically predict relevant garment fit levels without undertaking expensive and time-consuming real try-ons.