bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preoperative Anxiety in Chinese Adult Patients Undergoing Elective Surgeries: A Multicenter Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Yu Jiawen , Zhang Yuelun , Yu Tian , Mi Weidong , Yao Shanglong , Wang Zhen , Xu Li , Huang Yuguang
Published: September 2022

Background

Preoperative anxiety is associated with increased use of anesthetics and poorer postoperative outcomes. However, the prevalence of preoperative anxiety has not been characterized in Chinese patients. In this study, we aimed to estimate the overall prevalence of preoperative anxiety in Chinese adult patients and to explore the sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with preoperative anxiety in China.

Methods

This study was a multicenter cross‐sectional study conducted at 32 tertiary referral centers in China from September 1 to October 31, 2020. Adult patients scheduled for elective surgery were evaluated by the 7‐item Perioperative Anxiety Scale (PAS‐7) for preoperative anxiety after entrance to the operating zone.

Results

A total of 5191 patients were recruited, and 5018 of them were analyzed. The prevalence of preoperative anxiety measured by PAS‐7 was 15.8% (95% CI 14.8 to 16.9%). Multivariable analyses showed female sex, younger age, non‐retired, first in a lifetime surgery, surgery of higher risk, and poorer preoperative sleep were associated with higher prevalence of preoperative anxiety.

Conclusions

Preoperative anxiety was relatively common (prevalence of 15.8%) among adult Chinese patients undergoing elective surgeries. Further studies are needed using suitable assessment tools to better characterize preoperative anxiety, and additional focus should be placed on perioperative education and intervention, especially in primary hospitals.

Trial registration

This study was registered prospectively at www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR1900027639) on November 22, 2019.
How do coupled models represent the African Easterly Jets and their associated dynamics over Central Africa during the September–November rainy season?
Authors: Kuete Giresse , Mba Wilfried Pokam , James Rachel , Dyer Ellen , Annor Thompson , Washington Richard
Published: September 2022

Climate models are vital to the assessment of the impacts of climate change in the Central African regions. Establishing how well models reproduce key processes is important to the confidence we attach to these tools. This study examines model representation of the September to November characteristics, such as location and intensity, of the African Easterly Jet (AEJ) north and south in a sample of 16 commonly evaluated CMIP5 and CMIP6 models and in two reanalyses (ERA5 and MERRA2). The analysis evolves to assess key drivers of the AEJ from energetic interactions, the characteristics of mid-level highs and thermal lows and the nature of surface thermal heating. Over West Africa, several models miss the southeast-northwest orientation of the AEJ-N core, leading to a gap of around 60 in the location of the jet while most CMIP5 models also fail to locate AEJ-S over southern Central Africa. In general, the spread of simulated AEJ locations around reanalyses is larger for the CMIP5 sample compared to CMIP6 equivalent models, indicating improvement from CMIP5 to CMIP6 in this 16 model subset. However, this improvement in some CMIP6 models (e.g. GISS-E2-1-G and MIROC6) is not related to a maximum surface meridional gradient in temperature. Most CMIP5 and CMIP6 models underestimate the surface temperature gradient over AEJ-N region. As a first order diagnostic of the jet's acceleration, most coupled models better simulate the atmospheric energetic interactions over AEJ-N region that leads to its strong contribution to AEJ-N maintenance compared to AEJ-S. This study strengthens our understanding of the mid-level circulation over Central Africa by detecting gaps in the mechanisms maintaining the AEJ in coupled models and highlights processes that should be improved in future ensembles.
On the exact $$l_{1}$$ penalty function method for convex nonsmooth optimization problems with fuzzy objective function
Authors: Antczak Tadeusz
Published: September 2022

In this paper, the convex nonsmooth optimization problem with fuzzy objective function and both inequality and equality constraints is considered. The Karush–Kuhn–Tucker necessary optimality conditions are proved for such a nonsmooth extremum problem. Further, the exact $$l_{1}$$

l
1

penalty function method is used for solving the considered nonsmooth fuzzy optimization problem. Therefore, its associated fuzzy penalized optimization problem is constructed in this approach. Then, the exactness property of the exact $$l_{1}$$

l
1

penalty function method is analyzed if it is used for solving the considered nonsmooth convex fuzzy optimization problem.
Sonne und Mond bei Ptolemäus
Authors: Girstmair Kurt
Published: September 2022

Der Almagest, das astronomische Hauptwerk des Klaudios Ptolemaios, arbeitet mit teilweise komplexen Bewegungsmodellen für die sieben Himmelskörper, die keine Fixsterne sind. Zwei davon, nämlich die Modelle für Sonne und Mond, können als Paradigmen angesehen werden. Sie werden hier detailliert behandelt, wobei die Bestimmung der Parameter sowie die Bahnen und Geschwindigkeiten besonders berücksichtigt werden.
Seeing the System from Above: The Use and Potential of Remote Sensing for Studying Ecosystem Dynamics
Authors: Senf Cornelius
Published: September 2022

Remote sensing techniques are increasingly used for studying ecosystem dynamics, delivering spatially explicit information on the properties of Earth over large spatial and multi-decadal temporal extents. Yet, there is still a gap between the more technology-driven development of novel remote sensing techniques and their applications for studying ecosystem dynamics. Here, I review the existing literature to explore how addressing these gaps might enable recent methods to overcome longstanding challenges in ecological research. First, I trace the emergence of remote sensing as a major tool for understanding ecosystem dynamics. Second, I examine recent developments in the field of remote sensing that are of particular importance for studying ecosystem dynamics. Third, I consider opportunities and challenges for emerging open data and software policies and suggest that remote sensing is at its most powerful when it is theoretically motivated and rigorously ground-truthed. I close with an outlook on four exciting new research frontiers that will define remote sensing ecology in the upcoming decade.
Habitat thresholds for successful predation under landscape change
Authors: Atkinson Holly , Cristescu Bogdan , Marker Laurie , Rooney Nicola
Published: September 2022

Context

Habitat loss and alteration affect wildlife populations worldwide. Bush encroachment alters landscapes and threatens arid and semi-arid grasslands, but its effects on predator–prey relationships and carnivore community ecology are not well understood. Predation strategies of large predators, for example high-speed pursuits versus ambush from short distances, are likely to be affected differently by bush encroachment.

Objectives

We assessed how bush encroachment affects overall predation success of cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) and leopards (Panthera pardus) in a savanna landscape under variable fractional woody cover (FWC). We tested if predation success remained relatively unchanged for leopards across a gradient of FWC, and whether cheetah predation was most successful at low to intermediate cover and varied seasonally.

Methods

Belly scores of predators were measured from camera-trap images collected over 7 years in north-central Namibia and used to index predation success. We derived predicted belly score probabilities as a function of FWC, which was measured using a Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)-derived satellite data layer.

Results

Predicted leopard predation success was highest at 0.27–0.34 FWC in the dry season, potentially due to lower prey density in highly covered areas and decreased prey catchability in low cover. Predicted cheetah predation success was highest at 0.24–0.28 FWC in the wet season, potentially due to increased landscape openness, high availability of habitat margins for visualising and stalking prey, and decreased kleptoparasitism by leopards. These results highlight optimal habitat cover thresholds that favour lower FWC for cheetah than for leopard.

Conclusions

The findings indicate that landscape heterogeneity is important for predation success of cheetahs and leopards, suggesting that habitat management should focus on bush control efforts to maintain intermediate levels of bush cover.
Optimizing energy dissipation in gas foil bearings to eliminate bifurcations of limit cycles in unbalanced rotor systems
Authors: Papafragkos Panagiotis , Gavalas Ioannis , Raptopoulos Ioannis , Chasalevris Athanasios
Published: September 2022

High-speed rotor systems mounted on gas foil bearings present bifurcations which change the quality of stability, and may compromise the operability of rotating systems, or increase noise level when amplitude of specific harmonics drastically increases. The paper identifies the dissipating work in the gas film to be the source of self-excited motions driving the rotor whirling close to bearing’s surface. The energy flow among the components of a rotor gas foil bearing system with unbalance is evaluated for various design sets of bump foil properties, rotor stiffness and unbalance magnitude. The paper presents a methodology to retain the dissipating work at positive values during the periodic limit cycle motions caused by unbalance. An optimization technique is embedded in the pseudo-arc length continuation of limit cycles, those evaluated (when exist) utilizing an orthogonal collocation method. The optimization scheme considers the bump foil stiffness and damping as the variables for which bifurcations do not appear in a certain speed range. It is found that secondary Hopf (Neimark–Sacker) bifurcations, which trigger large limit cycle motions, do not exist in the unbalanced rotors when bump foil properties follow the optimization pattern. Period-doubling (flip) bifurcations are possible to occur, without driving the rotor in high response amplitude. Different design sets of rotor stiffness and unbalance magnitude are investigated for the efficiency of the method to eliminate bifurcations. The quality of the optimization pattern allows optimization in real time, and gas foil bearing properties shift values during operation, eliminating bifurcations and allowing operation at higher speed margins. Compliant bump foil is found to enhance the stability of the system.
Truthmaker puzzles for one-level physicalists
Authors: Baysan Umut
Published: September 2022

According to one-level physicalism, reality is exhausted by fundamental physical entities and properties. This position is sometimes defended on the basis of the truthmaker view of ontological commitment. Accordingly, physicalists can affirm higher-level truths without ontologically committing to any higher-level properties or states of affairs; fundamental physical states of affairs serve as truthmakers of all truths that have truthmakers, and a physicalist’s ontology should consist of nothing but the fundamental physical states of affairs and their constituents. In this paper, I raise a problem for one-level physicalists who defend their views by appealing to the truthmaker view of ontological commitment. I argue that the truthmaker view faces certain puzzles the solutions of which clash with the main tenets of one-level physicalism. I conclude that either truthmaking is not a good guide to ontological commitment or one-level physicalism cannot be defended on the basis of the truthmaker view.
Artifacting Identity. How Grillz, Ball Gags and Gas Masks Expand the Face
Authors: Voto Cristina , Soro Elsa
Published: September 2022

By questioning the attribution of a primary role to the eyes as bearers of identity within traditional Western culture, this paper will problematize the agentivity performed by the lower mereology of the face, identified with the mouth-nose assemblage. In particular, the study will focus on the manipulation of such facial spatiality through the intervention of three “lower face” artifacts: the grill, the ball gag and the gas mask. This piece of work will examine their plastic and figurative dimensions in the technological interaction with the facial organs. Furthermore, we will take into consideration the sociocultural context of wearability performed by the different bearers with the aim of grasping the identity shift that the artifacts trigger. The study, therefore, will organize the corpus as a sequence that starts inside the oral cavity where the grill is worn; then moves to a progressive exteriority with the ball gag that emerges from the mouth through the straps fastened around the head; eventually dealing with the exterior projection operated by the gas mask which by means of its filters portends beyond the anatomical face. Ultimately the three artifacts are presented as a threefold articulation of a liminal agency towards an expanded form of humanity including animality embedded within and without the space of meaning represented by the face.
The relationship between negative life events and mental health of overseas Chinese left-behind children: A moderated mediation model
Authors: Liao Chuanjing , Zhang Ke , Lin Yingying , Han Li , Hu Xinxin
Published: September 2022

To examine the factors influencing the mental health and sociality of overseas Chinese left-behind children, and to identify the protective mechanisms of their mental health, the current study investigated 568 overseas Chinese left-behind children. The age distribution of the sample ranges from 10 to 16 years, with an average age of 13.51 years and a standard deviation of 1.11. Using the Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, Perceived Social Support Scale, General Self-Efficacy Scale and Mental Health Inventory of Middle-school Students, results showed that: (1) Perceived social support played a moderate mediate role in the relationship between negative life events and mental health. (2) The effect of negative life events on perceived social support was moderated by general self-efficacy. Negative life events of overseas Chinese left-behind children with higher self-efficacy were more likely to experience negative mental health. Conclusion: Perceived social support plays a moderating mediating role in the relationship between negative life events and mental health of overseas Chinese left-behind children.
German version of the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire (TDEQ-5)
Authors: Alfermann Dorothee , Lobinger Babett H. , Nesges Oliver , Martindale Russell J. J. , Andronikos Georgios
Published: September 2022

The quality of the talent development environment and how it supports youth athletes has been identified as one major factor of success. Nonetheless, in psychological talent assessment there is a lack of standardized instruments addressing environmental aspects. One well-known questionnaire is the Talent Development Environment Questionnaire (TDEQ; Martindale et al., 2010). Until recently, the TDEQ had been translated into several languages, but not into German. Within this study, the five-factor, 25-item TDEQ‑5 (Li, Wang, Pyun, & Martindale, 2015) was systematically forward and backward translated and administered to 276 German youth athletes from different sports, aged between 13 and 21 years (mean [M] = 16.01; standard deviation [SD] = 2.1). In addition, 63 of these athletes completed both the German and English TDEQ‑5 to test for quality of translation. Confirmatory factor analysis revealed that the five-factor structure was acceptable according to the chi-square test to degrees of freedom ratio (1.9), root mean square error of approximation (0.058), and standardized root mean square (0.061). The comparative fit index (CFI) of 0.88 and the Tucker-Lewis Index of 0.86 was slightly below the 0.90 cut-off value. The reliabilities of the TDEQ‑5 factors were considered moderate to satisfactory (α = 0.62 to 0.75). In conclusion, the German TDEQ‑5 appears to be an applicable tool for use in research and applied settings but needs further analysis. In particular, we encourage future research to test the construct validity and ecological validity of the German TDEQ‑5 and suggest practitioners to utilize the tool to test and drive applied interventions within talent development environments.
Formation evaluation and reservoir quality assessment of the Albian clastic sequence in the SWM Oilfield, Southwest the Mesopotamian Basin, Iraq
Authors: Ashoor Riadh , Nabawy Bassem S. , Kamel Adel
Published: September 2022

This work intends to delineate the petrophysical properties and the reservoir quality of the Albian sequence in the Mesopotamian Basin which has been deposited as a siliciclastic sequence. The well log data (including the caliper, gamma-ray, density, photoelectric factor 'PEF', neutron, sonic, and resistivity logs), derived from eight wells in the SWM (Southwest Mesopotamian) Oilfield, was studied and interpreted using the appropriate software (IP3.6). These borehole data indicate the necessity to divide the sequence into five reservoir rock units (U1, U2, M, L1, and L2 units). This enabled depicting the porosity, shale volume, water saturation, and net-pay thickness in the vertical and horizontal directions. It is indicated that the M and L1 units are the most promising units with good to very good porosity (∅ ≥ 17.2%), low water saturation (Sw ≤ 28.0%), and acceptable shale volume (Vsh ≤ 8.4%). The net-pay thickness varies between 32.8 and 77.4 m in the different wells of the SWM Oilfield. The well log data were supported by more detailed conventional core data including porosity (∅He) and permeability (k), from which the reservoir quality parameters were estimated precisely. In the present study, reservoir quality assessment based on conventional core data is considered for the first time for evaluating and discriminating the Albian–Aptian sequence in the Southwest Mesopotamian field into reservoir zones and hydraulic flow units. The estimated reservoir parameters include the Flow Zone Indicator (FZI), the Reservoir Quality Index (RQI), and the effective pore radius (R35). Based on the available core data and the estimated reservoir quality parameters, the studied sequence was divided into three reservoir rock types (RRT1–3). The best petrophysical properties have been assigned for the medium-grained sandstone of the RRT1 that dominates in the L1 and the M units (av. ∅He = 23.0%, av. k = 1581 mD, av. R35 = 23.7 μm, av. FZI = 7.368 μm, and av. RQI = 2.304 μm). On the other side, the fine-grained sandstone of the RRT3 is characterized by the lowest petrophysical properties and reservoir quality parameters (av. ∅He = 17.1%, av. k = 5.49 mD, av. R35 = 0.92 μm, av. FZI = 0.603 μm, and av. RQI = 0.136 μm). The integration between the well log and core data of the studied Albian sequence stated that the M and L1 units are the most promising reservoir units. They are predominated by medium-grained and fine to medium-grained sandstones of the RRT1 and the RRT2, respectively. This well log-core data integration is applicable to the different oilfields in the different fields in the Mesopotamian Basin and other basins in south Iraq and elsewhere.
Practical learning opportunities and changes in teachers’ self-efficacy beliefs: Does the development of bachelor student teachers’ competence differ before and during COVID-19?
Authors: König Johannes , Gerhard Kristina , Jäger-Biela Daniela J.
Published: September 2022

This article investigates changes in student teachers’ teacher self-efficacy beliefs (SEBs) as part of their competence development during their three-year bachelor’s program and how these changes can be explained through practical learning opportunities. Using two bachelor’s student teacher cohorts who studied during and prior to COVID-19, differences in the development of their competence are analyzed longitudinally over three time points. Unexpectedly, no increase in SEBs was observed; rather, a significant decline was identified, with little practical relevance for the cohort who had studied before and medium practical relevance for the cohort who studied during the pandemic. At the end of their bachelor’s program, students in the cohort who studied before the pandemic reported slightly higher levels of SEBs than those who had to study during the pandemic. A path model indicates that studying during the pandemic negatively impacted both practical learning opportunities and changes in student teachers’ SEBs, whereas practical learning opportunities positively impacted SEBs changes. The findings’ implications for practical learning opportunities in initial teacher education are discussed.
Stochastic epigenetic mutations as possible explanation for phenotypical discordance among twins with congenital hypothyroidism
Authors: Gentilini D. , Muzza M. , de Filippis T. , Vigone M. C. , Weber G. , Calzari L. , Cassio A. , Di Frenna M. , Bartolucci M. , Grassi E. S. , Carbone E. , Olivieri A. , Persani L.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The elevated frequency of discordance for congenital hypothyroidism (CH) phenotype between monozygotic twins suggests the involvement of non-mendelian mechanisms. The aim of the study was to investigate the role of epigenetics in CH pathogenesis.

Methods

A genome-wide DNA methylation analysis was performed on the peripheral blood of 23 twin pairs (10 monozygotic and 13 dizygotic), 4 concordant and 19 discordant pairs for CH at birth.

Results

Differential methylation analysis did not show significant differences in methylation levels between CH cases and controls, but a different methylation status of several genes may explain the CH discordance of a monozygotic twin couple carrying a monoallelic nonsense mutation of DUOX2. In addition, the median number of hypo-methylated Stochastic Epigenetic Mutations (SEMs) resulted significantly increased in cases compared to controls. The prioritization analysis for CH performed on the genes epimutated exclusively in the cases identified SLC26A4, FOXI1, NKX2-5 and TSHB as the genes with the highest score. The analysis of significantly SEMs-enriched regions led to the identification of two genes (FAM50B and MEG8) that resulted epigenetically dysregulated in cases.

Conclusion

Epigenetic modifications may potentially account for CH pathogenesis and explain discordance among monozygotic twins.
Parallel temporal feature selection based on improved attention mechanism for dynamic gesture recognition
Authors: Chen Gongzheng , Dong Zhenghong , Wang Jue , Xia Lurui
Published: September 2022

Dynamic gesture recognition has become a new type of interaction to meet the needs of daily interaction. It is the most natural, easy to operate, and intuitive, so it has a wide range of applications. The accuracy of gesture recognition depends on the ability to accurately learn the short-term and long-term spatiotemporal features of gestures. Our work is different from improving the performance of a single type of network with convnets-based models and recurrent neural network-based models or serial stacking of two heterogeneous networks, we proposed a fusion architecture that can simultaneously learn short-term and long-term spatiotemporal features of gestures, which combined convnets-based models and recurrent neural network-based models in parallel. At each stage of feature learning, the short-term and long-term spatiotemporal features of gestures are captured simultaneously, and the contribution of two heterogeneous networks to the classification results in spatial and channel axes that can be learned automatically by using the attention mechanism. The sequence and pooling operation of the channel attention module and spatial attention module are compared through experiments. And the proportion of short-term and long-term features of gestures on channel and spatial axes in each stage of feature learning is quantitatively analyzed, and the final model is determined according to the experimental results. The module can be used for end-to-end learning and the proposed method was validated on the EgoGesture, SKIG, and IsoGD datasets and got very competitive performance.
Transforming undergraduate education in geriatric medicine: an innovative curriculum at Bristol Medical School
Authors: Pearson Grace M. E. , Welsh Tomas , Pocock Lucy V. , Ben-Shlomo Yoav , Henderson Emily J.
Published: September 2022

The World Health Organization (WHO) advocates investment in high-quality undergraduate education in geriatric medicine as a means of meeting the future needs of the aging population. However, there is a lack of evidence for the optimal delivery of training in this area. Rigorous pedagogical research is required to determine the most effective way to equip tomorrow’s doctors with the skills and knowledge to care for older adults with complex health and social care needs. The transition between two undergraduate medical curricula meant that Bristol Medical School (BMS) was uniquely positioned to innovate and evaluate undergraduate education in geriatric medicine. This transition marked BMS’ departure from a ‘traditional’ curriculum to case-based learning. The outgoing curriculum included a 4-week unit in geriatrics, whilst the new programme includes an 18-week clerkship titled ‘Complex Medicine in Older People’ (CMOP). CMOP is a clinical clerkship with 18 cases at its core, covering the fundamental aspects of geriatric medicine. The core cases and clinical learning are enhanced with five expert lectures, six tutorials and three journal clubs. Reflective practice is modelled and promoted with Balint groups and a book club. Consolidative workplace-based assessments and clinical portfolio mirror those used in postgraduate training, preparing students for professional practice. CMOP is iteratively improved in real-time using staff and student feedback. This marked shift in mode and duration of teaching affords the opportunity to evaluate the impact of differing education in geriatrics, providing an evidence-based model for teaching on aging.
Blood flow CFD simulation on a cerebral artery of a stroke patient
Authors: Rahma Ahmed G. , Yousef Khaled , Abdelhamid Talaat
Published: September 2022

The purpose of this paper is to conduct a numerical simulation of the stroke patient's cerebral arteries and investigate the flow parameters due to the presence of stenosis. The computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations are based on simplified and realistic cerebral artery models. The seven simplified models (benchmarks) include straight cylindrical vessels with idealized stenosis with variable d/D (0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1). The realistic model of the cerebral artery is based on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for patient-specific cerebral arteries. The simulation for the realistic model of the cerebral artery is performed at boundary conditions measured by ultrasonography of the input and the output flow profiles (velocity and pressure). The obtained CFD results of the benchmarks are validated with actual data from the literature. Furthermore, a previous vascular contraction is assumed to be exist and the effect of this contraction area ratio on the blood flow regime is discussed and highlighted. Furthermore, CFD results show that a certain vascular contraction area critically affects the blood flow which shows increasing the wall shear stress WSS at the stenosis site. An increase in the blood velocity and vortex appears after the contraction zone, this lead to vessel occlusion and strokes.

Article highlights

The pressure drop across the arterial contraction is reduced when the area ratio d/D is increased.

In some cases, the vortex can prevent blood flow from crossing, this leads to vessel occlusion especially at low d/D

The WSS near the contraction area is high. Increasing the WSS can cause embolism that leads to lead to vessel occlusion.
Waste Textile Reutilization Via a Scalable Dyeing Technology: A Strategy to Enhance Dyestuffs Degradation Efficiency
Authors: Zhai Heng , Liu Zekun , Xu Lulu , Liu Ting , Fan Yangyang , Jin Lu , Dong Ruihan , Yi Yangpeiqi , Li Yi
Published: September 2022

The rapid expansion of the fast fashion industry brings about environmental concerns such as dyestuffs-related water pollutions and waste textiles. Conventional wastewater-disposal strategies emphasize the optimization of photocatalytic activity to improve pollutant degradation efficiency, while the absorptivity, recyclability and sustainability of photocatalysts are always ignored. The overproduced textiles are still in urgent of being recycled and reutilized in eco-friendly approaches. In this work, a scalable dyeing technology is employed to achieve green and sustainable reutilization of waste textiles. The functionalized TiO2/reduced graphene oxide wool fabrics show excellent sustainability, remarkable adsorbing capacity and enhanced photocatalytic performance. By taking advantage of these properties, we develop an integrated strategy of night-time adsorption and day-time photodegradation which could significantly optimize the dyestuffs degradation efficiency. The concept of waste textiles reutilization and wastewater treatment in this work provides practical potential for efficient and sustainable environmental remediation.

Graphical abstract

Concept of waste textiles reutilization and wastewater treatment.
Optimal Contact Points for an Octopus Arm
Authors: Cacace Simone , Lai Anna Chiara , Loreti Paola
Published: September 2022

We investigate the optimality of the configurations of a tentacle-like soft manipulator ensuring a planar force-closure condition. In particular, the optimization is performed with respect to both to the control strategies and to the set of contact points ensuring a planar, frictionless, first-order force-closure of the target. The case of an elliptic target object is discussed in detail, and numerical simulation are presented.
Metacognitive strategies in solving mathematical word problems: a case of Rwandan primary school learners
Authors: Kusaka Satoshi , Ndihokubwayo Kizito
Published: September 2022

This study aims to understand the use of metacognitive skills by Rwandan learners while solving mathematical word problems. We interviewed and assessed third-, fourth- and fifth-grade learners from a public primary school. The following three points emerged. First, the metacognitive skills of learners with correct answers were considerably higher than that of those with incorrect answers. Second, although there was no considerable difference in metacognitive skills between learners who answered correctly and those who did not at the stage of ‘understand the problem’, considerable differences were observed in the ‘search for solving methods’ and ‘execute the solving methods’ and ‘examine the answer’ stages. During the ‘search for solving methods’ and ‘execute the solving methods’ stage, learners who answered correctly mainly used three metacognitive skills to control their learning—‘writing the process by sentences’, ‘drawing tables’ and ‘drawing pictograms’. Third, when metacognitive skills were measured and scored, the average scores for fifth and third graders were similar. The interview revealed that the teachers of third graders taught them metacognitive strategies in mathematics lessons. It can be inferred that consequently, the metacognitive skills of third graders were raised to be as high as those of fifth graders. Although this is only a single empirical study in Rwanda, it is a major step towards improving the standard of mathematics education in African countries. In the future, similar research must be conducted in other African countries to accumulate relevant research results.
Short- and long-run macroeconomic impacts of the 2010 Iranian energy subsidy reform
Authors: Zarepour Zahra
Published: September 2022

This paper examines the short- and long-run effects of the 2010 Iranian energy subsidy reform on macro indicators including GDP and inflation. The subsidy reform, which consists of a simultaneous energy subsidy cut and a cash transfer to households, is not fiscally motivated but instead aims to reduce energy consumption. Using timeseries to analyse the dynamics of the macro variables in response to the subsidy reform elements (energy price increase, and cash transfer), this study reveals that the subsidy reform has a negative effect on the economy in the short- and mid-term, and the cash transfer to households does not fully compensate for this adverse effect. These results are robust and consistent across specifications. The main channel that transmits the effect of energy price to GDP is value-added of industry and service sectors. The long-run analysis rejects the existence of a long-run relationship between the energy subsidy reform and GDP. The findings indicate that the energy subsidy reform does not result in a reduction in energy consumption. These findings challenge the environmental aspect of the fossil fuel subsidy reforms as stand-alone policies without major reforms in the energy efficiency of economic sectors.
Different but the Same? Comparing Drivers and Barriers for Circular Economy Innovation Systems in Wood- and Plastic-Based Industries
Authors: Holzer Daniel , Mair-Bauernfeind Claudia , Kriechbaum Michael , Rauter Romana , Stern Tobias
Published: September 2022

Circular economy is an emerging concept that places an emphasis on strategies (e.g., reduce, reuse, recycle) to decouple resource use from economic growth, minimize waste and emissions, and maintain the highest utility along a product life cycle. The transition to a circular economy requires innovative solutions along entire value chains. This literature review was carried out to investigate the respective innovation systems that emerge along the wood-based and plastic-based value chains. To investigate different barriers to and drivers for the transition to a circular economy, the system functions of the technological innovation system framework were used. The results reveal that the two sectors hold different strategic positions and that barriers are dominant in the innovation system for plastics, while drivers are more prevalent in the innovation system for wood. This study is one of the first to direct a focus toward different industrial origins and their underlying logic, contributing to a better overall understanding of the circular economy.
Bacterial Colonization on Healthcare Workers’ Mobile Phones and Hands in Municipal Hospitals of Chongqing, China: Cross-contamination and Associated Factors
Authors: Yao Ning , Yang Xue-Fan , Zhu Bing , Liao Chun-Yan , He Ya-Ming , Du Jiang , Liu Nan , Zhou Chun-Bei
Published: September 2022

Background

Mobile phones are widely used in clinical settings and could be colonized by potential pathogenic bacteria which may lead to hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) transmission. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of bacterial contamination of healthcare workers’ (HCWs) mobile phones, identify bacterial isolates, and assess the factors associated with mobile phone contamination.

Methods

Self-administered questionnaire was used to collect the information on the demographic characteristics and the use of mobile phones. A total of 111 HCWs’ hands and their mobile phones were swabbed, then bacterial culture, isolation, and identification were performed. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression were applied to identify factors associated with mobile phone bacterial contamination.

Results

Totally 106 (95.5%) of the 111 mobile phones investigated were contaminated with bacteria. Staphylococcus epidermidis (13/111), Acinetobacter baumannii (4/111) and Staphylococcus aureus (3/111) were the predominant bacterial isolates from HCWs’ mobile phones. Univariate analyses showed that age, gender, profession and the frequency of mobile phone utilization were significantly associated with the number of bacterial colonization. Frequency of phone utilization (OR 8.366; 95% CI 1.496–46.797) was found to be the most significant factors associated with the qualified rate of mobile phones bacterial load. In addition, phone cover using was associated with the increased risk of mobile phone bacterial contamination.

Conclusion

There was cross-contamination between hands and phones. It is necessary to develop guidelines for mobile phone cleaning. Special attention needs to be paid to the disinfection of mobile phone covers to reduce contamination and transmission of pathogens.
The Role of the “Anti-Inflammatory” Couple for the Management of Hyperuricemia With Deposition
Authors: Sansone Andrea , Reisman Yacov , Meto Suada , Dolci Susanna , Jannini Emmanuele A.
Published: September 2022

Introduction

Gout is the most prevalent inflammatory crystal arthropathy worldwide and is a chronic disease requiring strict, lifelong adherence to drug therapy and healthy lifestyles. Gout has a heavy burden on the patient's sexual health, owing to the associated inflammatory status, long-term complications, and chronic pain; however, the effects of gout also extend to the partner's sexual health.

Aims

We aimed to investigate how the presence of a partner could influence the complex interaction between risk factors for sexual dysfunctions in gout in order to define novel strategies to improve sexual health and disease management.

Methods

Clinical and experimental data on the role of the couple in chronic diseases, as well as on the association between gout and sexual health, were searched through Pubmed.

Main outcome measures

Evidence from studies describing how the presence of a couple and leveraging sexual health can improve management and clinical outcomes for chronic diseases.

Results

Treatment adherence can improve the sexual health of gout patients and their partners; likewise, by leveraging sexual health, it would be possible to promote better health-seeking behaviors, ultimately improving gout management.

Clinical implications

Promoting awareness of the sexual health relevance of gout can potentially be a pivotal strategy to improve disease management and prevent the progression of sexual dysfunctions from subclinical to overt forms.

Strengths and limitations

Identifying a bidirectional association between sexual health and disease management paves the way for improved disease control and can potentially prevent the development of sexual dysfunctions in couples affected by gout. However, the relevance of the couple has not been adequately addressed in gout management, and most evidence comes from other chronic diseases.

Conclusion

Improving gout management results in better sexual health, and vice-versa promoting better sexual health can improve disease control for gout. The presence of a partner improves the behavioral well-being of gout patients, with beneficial effects on both sexual health and gout management.
A Preliminary Study of Constructing the Tissue-Engineered Corpus Cavernosum With Autologous Adipose Stem Cells In Vivo
Authors: Cao Zilong , Liu Liqiang , Jiao Hu , Gan Cheng , Tian Jia , Zhang Tiran , Han Bing
Published: September 2022

Introduction

The autologous skin flap is still the mainstream method for penile reconstruction, but it is very difficult to reconstruct a functional corpus cavernosum. Tissue engineering provides a new idea aiming to restore the damaged or absent corpus cavernosum.

Aim

To assess the feasibility of constructing the tissue-engineered corpus cavernosum with autologous adipose stem cells in a rabbit model.

Methods

A total of 30 New Zealand male white rabbits. Among them, 20 rabbits were used to obtain the original corpus cavernosum which were used to prepare the acellular corporal scaffolds (ACSs). The others were used for acquiring autologous adipose stem cells (ADSCs) and constructing tissue-engineered corpus cavernosum in vivo.

Outcome

ACSs were obtained from rabbit penile tissues through an established decellularization procedure. Rabbit autologous ADSCs as seed cells were harvested and expanded. The ADSCs seeded and unseeded ACSs were implanted back into the intramuscular and subcutaneous site in vivo, and the tissue-engineered corpus cavernosum was harvested and analyzed with gross morphology, histological staining, and real-time PCR assay after 1, 3, and 6 months.

Results

ACSs were successfully prepared. The cell non-cytotoxicity and integrity of micro-architecture of ACSs was confirmed in vitro. The cell-seeded scaffold in the intramuscular group was considered as the better strategy for constructing the tissue-engineered corpus cavernosum compared with the other groups. Some α-SMA and CD31 positive cells were detected and identified by immunofluorescent staining and real-time PCR assay in the tissue-engineered corpus cavernosum.

Clinical Translation

This study provides a new method for constructing the tissue-engineered corpus cavernosum.

Strengths and Limitations

First, it is urgent to improve the transformation rate of the endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells from ADSCs. Second, the scaffold harvested in this study was not a complete matrix. Third, further study is needed to explore the potential mechanism of which scaffolds are more suitable for living in intramuscular rather than subcutaneous environment.

Conclusion

In this study, we used the autologous ADSCs as seed cells, the acellular corpus cavernosum as scaffolds, and implanted the grafts back into the rabbit model to preliminarily construct the tissue-engineered corpus cavernosum. This study would provide help for further development in tissue-engineered corpus cavernosum.
Linear instabilities of pulsatile plane channel flow between compliant walls
Authors: Lebbal Smail , Alizard Frédéric , Pier Benoît
Published: September 2022

The linear dynamics of perturbations developing in an infinite channel with compliant walls is investigated for pulsatile flow conditions. Two-dimensional modal perturbations are considered for Womersley-type pulsating base flows and the wall motion is only allowed in the normal direction. It is found that the flow dynamics is mainly governed by four control parameters: the Reynolds number

$Re$

, the reduced velocity

$V_R$

, the Womersley number

$Wo$

and the amplitude of the base-flow modulation

$\tilde Q$

. Linear stability analyses are carried out within the framework of Floquet theory, implementing an efficient approach for removing spurious eigenmodes. The characteristics of flow-based (Tollmien–Schlichting) and wall-based (both travelling-wave flutter and divergence) modes are investigated over a large control-parameter space. It is shown that travelling-wave flutter (TWF) modes are predominantly influenced by the reduced velocity and that the Reynolds number has only a marginal effect. The critical reduced velocity (corresponding to onset of linear instability) is demonstrated to depend both on the Womersley number and modulation amplitude for a given set of wall parameters. Similarly to the steady flow case, the Tollmien–Schlichting (TS) mode is also found to be only weakly affected by the flexibility of the wall in pulsatile flow conditions. Finally, the classification given by Benjamin (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 16, 1963, pp. 436–450) is found to be too restrictive in the case of pulsatile base flows. In particular, a new type of mode is identified that shares characteristics of two distinct Floquet eigenmodes: TS and TWF modes. Due to coupling of the different Floquet harmonics, a phenomenon specific to time-periodic base flows, this two-wave mode exhibits a beating over the intracyclic dynamics.
Added mass and damping of structures with periodic angular shape
Authors: Newman J.N. , Malenica Š. , Ouled Housseine C.
Published: September 2022

Symmetry relations are derived for the added mass and damping of structures where the shape is unchanged by rotation about the vertical axis through an angle

$\theta = 2 {\rm \pi}/N$

with the integer

$N\ge 3$

. For this type of structure, the added mass and damping for horizontal translation are the same for all directions, as in the case of axisymmetric structures. The same symmetry applies to rotations about horizontal axes. The principal application is to offshore structures and other bodies floating on the free surface or submerged, but the same symmetry relations apply more generally to unsteady body motions in an ideal fluid.
The accountability of politicians in international crises and the nature of audience cost
Authors: Ashworth Scott , Ramsay Kristopher W.
Published: September 2022

We study the problem of how citizens should punish or reward a leader's choices during international crises. Audiences should impose costs rooted in citizens’ preferences over policy outcomes, but that need not mean that these costs directly reflect the citizens’ preferences over actions. Instead, rewards and punishments are valued for their equilibrium consequences. To understand how citizens’ policy preferences shape electoral accountability, we characterize the retention strategies that maximize citizen welfare. In the optimal strategy, citizens always punish leaders who initiate crises and then back down. This is a robust finding, and true even though the citizens have no intrinsic preferences for policy consistency. Whether they punish leaders for backing down rather than going to war, on the other hand, depends on the status quo and on the costs of war. Importantly, these strategies of rewarding and punishing leaders need not have any immediate connection to voter'sex antepreferences over war and peace, even if preferences over policy outcomes ultimately motivate citizen behavior. This has important implications for interpreting empirical and experimental results related to audience costs.
Does Sunlight Kill Germs? Stock Market Listing and Workplace Safety
Authors: Liang Claire Y. C. , Qi Yaxuan , Zhang Rengong (Alex) , Zhu Haoran
Published: September 2022

This study highlights the positive impact of a stock market listing on workplace safety. We find that workplace injuries in publicly listed firms are lower than those in comparable private firms, and this effect relates to heightened monitoring by the media and regulators. The media pays more attention to public firms’ safety issues than to those of private firms, and the reduced media scrutiny due to local newspaper closures leads to greater increases in injuries in public firms. Regulators also monitor public firms more strictly, evidenced by a higher likelihood of nonroutine inspections and larger penalties for detected violations.
Zero-shot sim-to-real transfer of reinforcement learning framework for robotics manipulation with demonstration and force feedback
Authors: Chen Yuanpei , Zeng Chao , Wang Zhiping , Lu Peng , Yang Chenguang
Published: September 2022

In the field of robot reinforcement learning (RL), the reality gap has always been a problem that restricts the robustness and generalization of algorithms. We propose Simulation Twin (SimTwin) : a deep RL framework that can help directly transfer the model from simulation to reality without any real-world training. SimTwin consists of a RL module and an adaptive correct module. We train the policy using the soft actor-critic algorithm only in a simulator with demonstration and domain randomization. In the adaptive correct module, we design and train a neural network to simulate the human error correction process using force feedback. Subsequently, we combine the above two modules through digital twin to control real-world robots, correct simulator parameters by comparing the difference between simulator and reality automatically, and then generalize the correct action through the trained policy network without additional training. We demonstrate the proposed method in an open cabinet task; the experiments show that our framework can reduce the reality gap without any real-world training.