bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Minority nations v. constitutional architectures: A critical appraisal of unitary and federal models of the modern state
Authors: Mathieu Félix
Published: March 2022

Are the constitutional orders framed on a federal architecture more welcoming vis‐à‐vis the presence of minority nations within their midst than are the ones inspired by a unitarian logic? From an ideal‐typical perspective, to what degree unitary and federal models of the modern state are indeed meeting or conflicting with minority nations' most typical claim to be formally recognised and to possess the institutional anchorage to self‐govern and self‐determinate? Mobilising an analytical framework derived from the Societal Culture Index, this article combines constitutional studies with the tools of political theory. It argues that both unitary and federal models of the sovereign state have the potential to promote a normative rationale, that is, after all, fairly hospitable towards minority nations' typical claims. Nevertheless, it stresses that the normative rationale of federal systems in general, and asymmetrical federalism in particular, leads to constitutional architectures that shall be most hospitable towards minority nations.
Long‐term personalized low FODMAP diet in IBS
Authors: De Palma Giada , Bercik Premysl
Published: March 2022

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) patients often resort to dietary interventions to manage their symptoms, as these are frequently exacerbated by various food items. A diet low in fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and polyols (FODMAPs) is now considered by many a first‐line treatment option for IBS, as it has been found to be superior to alternative dietary interventions. However, concerns have been raised as restricting fermentable carbohydrates might result in nutritional deficits or alter composition and function of the gut microbiome in the long term. The study by Staudacher et al., published in this issue of the journal, is the first prospective study to follow IBS patients after completing all three phases of the low FODMAPs diet (restriction, reintroduction, and personalization), demonstrating that this is safe and effective in long‐term, when patients are supervised by a dietician. This mini‐review provides an up‐to‐date overview of the use of fermentable carbohydrate's restrictions for symptom management in IBS patients, while summarizing the current knowledge on the possible mechanisms of action behind low fermentable carbohydrate diet efficacy.
Social media use and binge eating: An integrative review
Authors: Kim Bo Ra , Mackert Michael
Published: March 2022

Despite binge eating being important to public health, no recent reviews have been conducted to produce a comprehensive synthesis of current literature on the relationship between social media use and binge eating. The aims of this review were: (1) to standardize the measurement of social media use in recent research, (2) to identify eating types that include binge‐eating concepts, and (3) to identify the relationships between social media use and binge eating. This is an integrative review of studies conducted from 2016 to 2021 on binge eating and social media use. Searches were conducted in PubMed, PsycInfo, and Web of Science; eight studies were included in this integrative review. Included studies found direct or indirect effects of social media use on binge eating. The more participants use social media, the more likely they are to have increased appetite or intention to eat, which can lead to binge eating. The recent binge‐eating studies indicated a significant relationship between social media use and binge eating. Interventions for binge eating should be developed with an understanding of individuals’ social media use.
Model‐informed health system reorganization during emergencies
Authors: Gonçalves Paulo , Ferrari Paolo , Crivelli Luca , Albanese Emiliano
Published: March 2022

The COVID‐19 pandemic presented the world to a novel class of problems highlighting distinctive features that rendered standard academic research and participatory processes less effective in properly informing public health interventions in a timely way. The urgency and rapidity of the emergency required tight integration of novel and high‐quality simulation modeling with public health policy implementation. By introducing flexibility and agility into standard participatory processes, we aligned the modeling effort with the imposed reality of the emergency to rapidly develop a regional system dynamics (SD) model integrating diverse streams of data that could reliably inform both health system restructuring and public health policy. Using Lombardy data, our SD model was able to generate early projections for the diffusion of the pandemic in neighbor Ticino. Later, it projected the timing and size of peak patient demand. Our work also supported the need for reorganization of the healthcare system and volume flexibility strategies increasing hospital capacity (e.g., intensive care unit [ICU] and ward beds, medical and nursing staff, and oxygen supply) in Ticino. Counterfactual analyses quantify the impact of the decisions supported by our interventions. Our research contributes to our understanding of volume flexibility strategies used by healthcare organizations during emergencies, highlighting the critical role played by available response time in the deployment of strategies that either prioritize critical services or leverage available resources. It also contributes to the literature on participatory systems modeling by describing a flexible and agile participatory process that was successfully deployed in a rapidly evolving high‐stakes emergency.
Defects in meristem maintenance, cell division, and cytokinin signaling are early responses in the boron deficient maize mutant tassel‐less1
Authors: Matthes Michaela S. , Darnell Zoe , Best Norman B. , Guthrie Katy , Robil Janlo M. , Amstutz Jen , Durbak Amanda , McSteen Paula
Published: March 2022

Meristems house the stem cells needed for the developmental plasticity observed in adverse environmental conditions and are crucial for determining plant architecture. Meristem development is particularly sensitive to deficiencies of the micronutrient boron, yet how boron integrates into meristem development pathways is unknown. We addressed this question using the boron‐deficient maize mutant, tassel‐less1 (tls1). Reduced boron uptake in tls1 leads to a progressive impairment of meristem development that manifests in vegetative and reproductive defects. We show, that the tls1 tassel phenotype (male reproductive structure) was partially suppressed by mutations in the CLAVATA1 (CLV1)‐ortholog, thick tassel dwarf1 (td1), but not by other mutants in the well characterized CLV‐WUSCHEL pathway, which controls meristem size. The suppression of tls1 by td1 correlates with altered signaling of the phytohormone cytokinin. In contrast, mutations in the meristem maintenance gene knotted1 (kn1) enhanced both vegetative and reproductive defects in tls1. In addition, reduced transcript levels of kn1 and cell cycle genes are early defects in tls1 tassel meristems. Our results show that specific meristem maintenance and hormone pathways are affected in tls1, and suggest that reduced boron levels induced by tls1 are the underlying cause of the observed defects. We, therefore, provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms affected by boron deficiency in maize, leading to a better understanding of how genetic and environmental factors integrate during shoot meristem development.
Association of serum thyroid hormone levels with positron emission tomography imaging in non‐demented older adults
Authors: Goto Megumi , Kimura Noriyuki , Matsubara Etsuro
Published: March 2022

Background

Background

Although increasing evidence indicates that even variations in normal range thyroid function are associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD), the association between serum thyroid hormone levels within the reference range and AD biomarkers remains unclear. This study examined whether variations in thyroid hormones within the reference range are associated with brain amyloid burden and cortical glucose metabolism in older adults without dementia.

Methods

One hundred and two non‐demented older adults underwent 11C‐Pittsburgh Compound B positron emission tomography (PiB‐PET), 18F‐fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)‐PET, and measurement of serum thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (T3), and free thyroxine (T4) levels. The discrimination between PiB‐negative and PiB‐positive subgroup was made on the basis of a subject's cortical uptake value ratio greater than 1.4. The association of serum thyroid hormone levels with global PiB or FDG uptake, and PiB or FDG uptake in each region of interest, including frontal and temporoparietal lobes and posterior cingulate gyrus, was analysed using a multiple regression model with adjustment for covariates, including age, gender, years of education, apolipoprotein E4 status or PiB uptake value.

Results

In the PiB‐positive subgroup, the serum TSH levels positively associated with the global FDG uptake (β = 0.471, P = 0.003) and FDG uptake in the frontal and temporoparietal lobes (β = 0.466, P = 0.003, β = 0.394, P = 0.012, respectively); the serum‐free T3 levels negatively associated with the FDG uptake in the temporoparietal lobe and posterior cingulate region (β = −0.351, P = 0.033, β = −0.544, P = 0.002, respectively). The PiB‐negative subgroup showed no significant associations. The serum thyroid hormone levels did not correlate with the global PiB uptake and PiB uptake in each region.

Conclusions

The variations in the thyroid hormones within the reference ranges are associated with glucose metabolism, particularly in the specific regions affected by the neuropathologic changes of AD, in non‐demented older adults with brain amyloid burden.
Balancing protein and energy in Nile tilapia feeds: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Konnert Gauthier D. P. , Gerrits Walter J. J. , Gussekloo Sander W. S. , Schrama Johan W.
Published: March 2022

Farmed fish are increasingly grown in intensive and semi‐intensive systems where most nutrients are provided by formulated feeds. These are formulated to minimise costs and optimise growth, notably the rate of muscle protein synthesis (i.e., fillet). Protein synthesis depends on the availability of amino acids (i.e., protein) and energy. Thus, fish feeds are often formulated to provide a balanced ratio of protein to energy (P:E). Above and below the optimal dietary P:E, absorbed protein and energy are expected to be under‐utilised for body protein synthesis, respectively. Estimates of the optimal dietary P:E vary largely for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus (L., 1758)). Published values range from 13 to 26 g of dietary protein per MJ of energy. Here, we challenge the idea that growth, protein utilisation efficiency and body composition can all be simultaneously optimised, when Nile tilapia are fed an optimal dietary P:E. Through linear and non‐linear regression meta‐analyses, we quantitatively describe the effects of protein and energy intake on nutrient partitioning, feed efficiency and growth. We find linear relationships between the dietary P:E and protein retention efficiency. The lack of an inflection contradicts the existence of an optimal P:E. Our regressions of protein and energy intake versus protein gain, indicate that protein gain is often simultaneously limited by both protein and energy intake, and may be limited by other factors than protein and energy intake, such as a maximal protein deposition capacity (PDmax). We conclude that there is no physiological basis for an optimal P:E in Nile tilapia feeds.
Prevalence and prognosis of chronic fibrosing interstitial lung diseases with a progressive phenotype
Authors: Takei Reoto , Brown Kevin K. , Yamano Yasuhiko , Kataoka Kensuke , Yokoyama Toshiki , Matsuda Toshiaki , Kimura Tomoki , Suzuki Atsushi , Furukawa Taiki , Fukuoka Junya , Johkoh Takeshi , Goto Yoshihito , Kondoh Yasuhiro
Published: March 2022

Background and objective

The development of clinically progressive fibrosis complicates a wide array of interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). However, there are limited data regarding its prevalence and prognosis.

Methods

We analysed consecutive patients seen for initial evaluation of a fibrosing form of ILD (FILD). Patients were evaluated for evidence of progressive fibrosis over the first 24 months of follow‐up. We defined a progressive phenotype as the presence of at least one of the following: a relative decline in forced vital capacity (FVC) of ≥10%; a relative decline in FVC of ≥5%–<10% with a relative decline in diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide of ≥15%, increased fibrosis on HRCT or progressive symptoms.

Results

Eight hundred and forty‐four patients (397 with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis [IPF] and 447 non‐IPF FILD) made up the final analysis cohort. Three hundred and fifty‐five patients (42.1%) met the progressive phenotype criteria (59.4% of IPF patients and 26.6% of non‐IPF FILD patients, p <0.01). In both IPF and non‐IPF FILD, transplantation‐free survival differed between patients with a progressive phenotype and those without (p <0.01). Multivariable analysis showed that a progressive phenotype was an independent predictor of transplantation‐free survival (hazard ratio [HR]: 3.36, 95% CI: 2.68–4.23, p <0.01). Transplantation‐free survival did not differ between non‐IPF FILD with a progressive phenotype and IPF (HR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.85–1.48, p = 0.42).

Conclusion

Over one‐fourth of non‐IPF FILD patients develop a progressive phenotype compared to approximately 60% of IPF patients. The survival of non‐IPF FILD patients with a progressive phenotype is similar to IPF.
Enhancing rural income through public agricultural R&D: Spatial spillover and infrastructure thresholds
Authors: Zhan Jintao , Ma Yubei , Hu Wuyang , Chen Chao , Lu Qinan
Published: March 2022

How much farmers benefit from public agricultural research and development (R&D) has been a topic of continued interest. Compared to studies based on classical statistics, we show theoretically and employ the Spatial Durbin Model and the Panel Threshold Regression Model to investigate the different impacts and spatial spillover effects of public agricultural R&D on farm and nonfarm income. Using China's provincial panel data from 2000 to 2015, we find that public agricultural R&D has a positive impact on rural household income. This impact is mainly reflected by nonfarm income and exhibits heterogeneous interprovincial‐spatial spillover. We also find that interregional differences in infrastructure, represented by road transportation and Internet access in rural areas, are the main reasons for the spatial heterogeneity. Higher road density and Internet penetration enhance the positive impact of public agricultural R&D on rural income, and the enhancement exhibits characteristics of thresholds, after which the size of enhancement becomes increasingly larger.
How Interviewers Affect Responses to Sensitive Questions on the Justification for Wife Beating, the Refusal to have Conjugal Sex, and Domestic Violence in India
Authors: Singh Abhishek , Kumar Kaushalendra , Arnold Fred
Published: March 2022

Despite a general understanding that interviewers might cause measurement errors on sensitive questions in sample surveys, there is relatively little research on interviewer effects on responses to questions on women justifying a woman's refusal to have sex with her husband, women justifying wife beating, women's experience of physical and sexual violence, and whether the woman's father ever beat her mother. This study examines interviewer effects on these indicators that were collected in two large‐scale National Family Health Surveys (NFHS) in India (2005–2006 and 2015–2016). We use cross‐classified random intercept multivariable multilevel logit models to examine interviewer effects. In both surveys, we find large interviewer effects on questions about the justification of a woman refusing to have sex with her husband (32–33% in NFHS‐3 and 45–46% in NFHS‐4) and the justification of wife beating (27–28% in NFHS‐3 and 33–34% in NFHS‐4). The interviewer effects were much larger in the 2015–2016 survey than in the 2005–2006 survey. Such large interviewer effects should be considered when interpreting trends and patterns on these topics, especially since the interviewer effects might have changed between survey rounds. Understanding interviewer effects is important given the wide use of these surveys in policy formulation and monitoring in India.
Validating a predictive algorithm for suicide risk with Alaska Native populations
Authors: Shaw Jennifer L. , Beans Julie A. , Noonan Carolyn , Smith Julia J. , Mosley Mike , Lillie Kate M. , Avey Jaedon P. , Ziebell Rebecca , Simon Gregory
Published: March 2022

Introduction

The American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) suicide rate in Alaska is twice the state rate and four times the U.S. rate. Healthcare systems need innovative methods of suicide risk detection. The Mental Health Research Network (MHRN) developed suicide risk prediction algorithms in a general U.S. patient population.

Methods

We applied MHRN predictors and regression coefficients to electronic health records of AI/AN patients aged ≥13 years with behavioral health diagnoses and primary care visits between October 1, 2016, and March 30, 2018. Logistic regression assessed model accuracy for predicting and stratifying risk for suicide attempt within 90 days after a visit. We compared expected to observed risk and assessed model performance characteristics.

Results

10,864 patients made 47,413 primary care visits. Suicide attempt occurred after 589 (1.2%) visits. Visits in the top 5% of predicted risk accounted for 40% of actual attempts. Among visits in the top 0.5% of predicted risk, 25.1% were followed by suicide attempt. The best fitting model had an AUC of 0.826 (95% CI: 0.809–0.843).

Conclusions

The MHRN model accurately predicted suicide attempts among AI/AN patients. Future work should develop clinical and operational guidance for effective implementation of the model with this population.
Epidemiological observations on pastern dermatitis in young horses and evaluation of essential fatty acid spot‐on applications with or without phytosphingosine as prophylactic treatment
Authors: Raizner Nicola T. , Gedon Natalie K.Y. , Zablotski Yury , Kania Stephen A. , Kühnle Harald F. , Kühnle Christoph , Mueller Ralf S.
Published: March 2022

Background

Equine pastern dermatitis (EPD) is a common multifactorial clinical syndrome in horses. Treatment can be difficult; pathogenesis and triggering factors cannot always be determined.

Objectives

To assess risk factors for developing EPD in a large group of horses kept under the same conditions and to analyse whether or not a spot‐on containing essential fatty acids and antimicrobial agents is able to prevent the development of EPD or accelerate the healing process.

Animals

Each year 50 young, privately owned, warmblood horses were prospectively included.

Methods

All horses were examined weekly between August and October for the presence of typical EPD skin lesions. Additionally, in the first year, horses were randomly divided into three subgroups of intervention. The pastern areas were treated once weekly either with 0.6 mL of a spot‐on containing essential fatty acids and aromatic oils, or a preparation containing additional antibacterial phytosphingosine, or not at all.

Results

Nonpigmented pastern areas were affected significantly more often than pigmented pastern areas (P < 0.0001). The interaction between moisture and opportunistic pathogens seemed to be a major triggering factor for EPD. There was no difference in the occurrence of EPD in the three subgroups. The lesion scores of affected limbs in both spot‐on groups were significantly lower compared to the control group.

Conclusion and clinical importance

Moisture and lack of pigmentation predisposed to EPD. Topical application of the tested spot‐on once weekly did not prevent the disease. A positive effect of both spot‐on products on the severity of EPD lesions was detected.
Brachycephaly in French bulldogs and pugs is associated with narrow ear canals
Authors: Töpfer Tanja , Köhler Claudia , Rösch Sarah , Oechtering Gerhard
Published: March 2022

Background

Brachycephalic dog breeds have multiple skull malformations which may lead to anatomical changes in the external auditory canal. It is our frequent observation that in the otoscopic examination of the external ear in these breeds we are unable to visualise the tympanic membrane as a consequence of extreme narrowing of the proximal ear canal. Additionally brachycephalic dogs reportedly are predisposed to otitis externa (OE) and otitis media.

Objectives

To characterizse the transition of the cartilaginous ear canal to the bony meatus acusticus externus using computed tomography (CT) and to investigate a possible association with OE in brachycephalic dogs.

Materials and methods

Seventy‐five client‐owned dogs [pugs (n = 20), French bulldogs (n = 55)] were included and assessed for OE using an owner questionnaire and otoscopic and cytological examinations. In dorsal plane CT scans, the diameter of the porus acusticus externus was measured using novel methodology. The results were compared with a normocephalic control group without preexisting otological disorders.

Results

Brachycephalic dogs had a significantly smaller porus acusticus externus diameter (2.6 mm) than normocephalic dogs (5.0 mm). Of the brachycephalic dogs, 32% had OE yet this was not statistically significantly related to the diameter of the porus acusticus externus. Middle ear effusion (44%) and narrowing of the external ear canal (82.6%) were significantly more frequent in brachycephalic dogs. Only five of 150 eardrums could be visualised otoscopically.

Conclusions and clinical relevance

Malformation of the porus acusticus externus causes severe stenosis of the proximal ear canal in brachycephalic dogs. A connection between stenosis of the external auditory canal and OE could not be confirmed.
RIVER MODELING FOR FLOOD INUNDATION MAP PREDICTIONS USING 2D-HEC-RAS HYDRAULIC MODELING WITH INTEGRATION OF GIS
Authors: Adane Amare , Abate Brook
Published: March 2022

Floods are natural disasters which if occurred produce damage to property and human life. The study of floods is important for protection of properties and human life risk. This study focuses on flooding characteristics in the flood plain of Tikurwha river catchment using two-dimensional (2D) hydrodynamic modeling. The flood inundation map of the flood prone areas is carried out using HEC-RAS 2D models with incorporation of Arc-GIS tools. Hence, using the magnitude of the flood at 2, 10, 50- and 100-year return period with a respective value of 72, 98.69, 123 and 135 (m3/s). The output of flood hazard inundation maps are carried out in 2D HEC-RAS Mapper in which the flood area at a respective return period’s flood magnitude are 75 ha, 102 ha, 108 ha, and 122 ha respectively. Based on the obtained flood inundation area, the economic impact of the flood at the specified return periods are estimated as 1791.99, 2436.89, 2589.45, and 2914.861 quintals of crop production were damaged due to flooding at respective return periods of 2, 10, 50 and 100 years.
MIXTURE DESIGN AND TEST PARAMETER EFFECT ON FRACTURE PERFORMANCE OF ASPHALT: A REVIEW
Authors: Radeef Hasanian Radhi , Abdul Hassan Norhidayah , Zainal Abidin Ahmad Razin , Mahmud Mohd Zul Hanif , Ismail Che Ros , Abbas Hind Fadhil , Mashros Nordiana
Published: March 2022

Fracture energy is critical for crack evaluation and asphalt mixture design. Thus, the fracture mechanics of asphalt materials should be further investigated. Fracture energy is significantly correlated with factors related to mixture design and testing parameters, as shown in prior studies. Mixture design factors include aggregate gradation and asphalt modification, and test parameters include testing temperature and loading rate. In this systematic review, related studies on the effect of these parameters on the fracture energy of asphalt mixtures are discussed from the perspective of fracture mechanics. Strong relationships between asphalt mixtures’ testing parameters and fracture energy are found in the literature. Moreover, selecting an appropriate loading rate and testing temperature related to the in-service conditions is crucial in evaluating the fracture energy of asphalt mixtures. Good understanding of these relationships can aid in eliminating the fluctuation in the fracture energy results determined in the laboratory. In turn, asphalt’s resistance against cracking can be characterised further.
SINGLE CHANNEL SPEECH ENHANCEMENT USING EVOLUTIONARY ALGORITHM WITH LOG-MMSE
Authors: Ghorpade Kalpana , Khaparde Arti
Published: March 2022

Additive noise degrades speech quality and intelligibility. Speech enhancement reduces this noise to make speech more pleasant and intelligible. It plays a significant role in speech recognition or speech-operated systems. In this paper, we propose a single-channel speech enhancement method in which the log-minimum mean square error method (log-MMSE) and modified accelerated particle swarm optimization algorithm are used to design a filter for improving the quality and intelligibility of noisy speech. Accelerated particle swarm optimization (APSO) algorithm is modified in which a single dimension of particle position is changed in a single iteration while obtaining the particle’s new position. Using this algorithm, a filter is designed with multiple passbands and notches for speech enhancement. The modified algorithm converges faster compared with standard particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO) and APSO giving optimum filter coefficients. The designed filter is used to enhance the speech. The proposed speech enhancement method improves the perceptual estimation of speech quality (PESQ) by 17.05% for 5dB babble noise, 33.92 %  for 5dB car noise, 14.96 % for 5dB airport noise, and 39.13 % for 5dB exhibition noise. The average output PESQ for these four types of noise is improved compared to conventional methods of speech enhancement. There is an average of 7.58 dB improvement in segmental SNR for these noise types. The proposed method improves speech intelligibility with minimum speech distortion.
A SURVEY ANALYSIS: STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF USING SIMULATION GAME AS LEARNING TOOL
Authors: Wong Seng Yue , Hussain Azham , Ali Saare Murtaja
Published: March 2022

The potential use and effectiveness of simulation games for learning purposes have heavily drawn on human cognition or information processing theories. Lack of acceptance and study on simulation games as learning tool in higher education offer this opportunity to conduct a survey analysis on students’ perceptions on how to utilize simulation game as learning tool in higher education. This paper discusses the findings of the survey that was carried out with an objective to examine quality of simulation games meant for learning in higher education institutions. Respondents in the survey were students from a local university. Quantitative data was collected with the survey questionnaires. Finally, the analysis results uncovered to what extend students differ in their perception of participating simulation games and attitudes towards utilizing simulation games as learning tool. The survey results have shown most of the respondents agree and give positive responds on utilization simulation games as learning tool in higher education institution. Students’ perceptions (simulation as valid presentation, apply relevant theoretical knowledge to the game, and ease of use interface) also have shown their predictive effect in their learning from the participation of simulation game, with the variances 97.7%. Students also shown their strong confident that they satisfied the benefits and learning from participating in the simulation game. Simulation games are recommended as learning tool in higher education from the overall students’ perceptions in the survey.
A Plausible Future for High Scientific Literacy in Muslim Societies
Authors: Dahlan Hadi Akbar
Published: March 2022

Muslim society had contributed to the development of sciences from the golden age of Islam and throughout the middle ages. However, Muslim society contribution to Scientific knowledge declines after the 16th century. Many scholars had discussed the factors of why Muslim contribution toward science declined, but discussion on how Muslim society could regain the "scientific glory" were very few. This paper intends to describe plausible future of Muslim society returning to high scientific literacy in that context. The plausibility future in this term refers to a possible future if a certain possible “occurable” scenarios are met in present-day Muslim society. The possible “occurable” present-day scenarios are based on historical factors of declining Muslim scientific contribution. Plausible challenges to the plausible future are also discussed in this paper. Plausible challenges in this context are plausible causes that cause the decline of the Muslim scientist in the past but in a future setting. In conclusion, this paper discussed the plausible way for Muslims to become a scientific society as well as becoming an example of how plausibility can be utilized in constructing a future scenario planning.
The Concept of Integrated Islamic Schools in the 21st Century: An Understanding among School Leaders in Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor, Indonesia
Authors: Fajri Annur , Faizuddin Ahmad
Published: March 2022

The main objective of the current study is to explore the understandings of school leaders in Pondok Modern Darussalam Gontor (PMDG) about the concept of integrated Islamic schools in the present day. Using a qualitative case study approach, 10 school leaders from PMDG were interviewed. They included six school leaders, three senior teachers, and one senior staff who have important roles at PMDG and involve directly in students’ activities. Based on a thematic analysis, the findings revealed five main themes, namely (1) combining Islamic and modern education, (2) building school and community relationships, (3) integrating theory and practice, (4) producing open-minded persons, and (5) producing future education leaders. This study concludes that Indonesian Islamic schools combine pedagogy of learning based on Islamic principles and worldwide values. In terms of leadership and capacity building, a new strategy is enforced to produce well-balanced human beings for the success of both religious and worldly affairs.
Kesan Faktor Risiko Kesihatan Ke Atas Penggunaan E-Zakat Di Malaysia Ketika Pandemik Covid-19 (The Impact of Health Risk on E-Zakat Usage in Malaysia During the Covid-19 Pandemic)
Authors: Ahmad Riayati , Alma’amun Suhaili , Abdullah Nurizzati Safuhah
Published: March 2022

The present study investigates whether health risk influences the level of intention of individual muzakki to use E-Zakat during pandemic Covid-19. The study examines factors that might influence muzakki level of intention to use E-Zakat based upon the theoretical framework of the technology acceptance model, the theory of planned behaviour and the concept of health risk. According to the survey, which was conducted on 401 individual muzakki in Malaysia, respondents have a high level of intention to use E-Zakat during the pandemic COVID-19 (3.20 out of 4). Empirical findings show that perceived usefulness, perceived subjective norms, perception of behavioral control and health risk are positively associated, but perceived ease of use is not significantly associated with muzakki intention to use E-Zakat during pandemic Covid-19. Based on the current pandemic, COVID-19, the findings may help zakat institutions as well as other Islamic economic institutions by providing input onbehaviouralt of health risk factors on the use of e-services and actions that can be taken by zakat institutions to face risk challenges in e-services, especially E-Zakat.
Reliability of the passive leg movement assessment of vascular function in men
Authors: Groot H. Jonathan , Broxterman Ryan M. , Gifford Jayson R. , Garten Ryan S. , Rossman Matthew J. , Jarrett Catherine L. , Kwon Oh Sung , Hydren Jay R. , Richardson Russell S.
Published: March 2022

New Findings

What is the central question of this study?

Use of the passive leg movement (PLM) test, a non‐invasive assessment of microvascular function, is on the rise. However, PLM reliability in men has not been adequately investigated, nor has such reliability data, in men, been compared to the most commonly employed vascular function assessment, flow‐mediated vasodilation (FMD).

What is the main finding and its importance?

PLM is a reliable method to assess vascular function in men, and is comparable to values previously reported for PLM in women, and for FMD. Given the importance of vascular function as a predictor of cardiovascular disease risk, these data support the utility of PLM as a clinically relevant measurement.

Although vascular function is an independent predictor of cardiovascular disease risk, and therefore has significant prognostic value, there is currently not a single clinically accepted method of assessment. The passive leg movement (PLM) assessment predominantly reflects microvascular endothelium‐dependent vasodilation and can identify decrements in vascular function with advancing age and pathology. Reliability of the PLM model was only recently determined in women, and has not been adequately investigated in men. Twenty healthy men (age: 27 ± 2 year) were studied on three separate experimental days, resulting in three within‐day and three between‐day trials. The hyperemic response to PLM was assessed with Doppler ultrasound, and expressed as the absolute peak in leg blood flow (LBFpeak), change from baseline to peak (ΔLBFpeak), absolute area under the curve (LBFAUC), and change in AUC from baseline (ΔLBFAUC). PLM‐induced hyperemia yielded within‐day coefficients of variation (CV) from 10.9 to 22.9%, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) from 0.82 to 0.90, standard error of the measurement (SEM) from 8.3 to 17.2%, and Pearson's correlation coefficients (r) from 0.56 to 0.81. Between‐day assessments of PLM hyperemia resulted in CV from 14.4 to 25%, ICC from 0.75 to 0.87, SEM from 9.8 to 19.8%, and r from 0.46 to 0.75. Similar to previous reports in women, the hyperemic responses to PLM in men display moderate‐to‐high reliability, and are comparable to reliability data for brachial artery flow mediated vasodilation. These positive reliability findings further support the utility of PLM as a clinical measurement of vascular function and cardiovascular disease risk.
A Distributed Fuel Injection Approach to Suppress Lean Blow-Out and NOx Emissions in a Methane-Ammonia-Fueled Premixed Swirl Combustor
Authors: Viswamithra Varun N. , Menon Shyam K.
Published: March 2022

In an effort to reduce the harmful effects of greenhouse gas emissions, ammonia is being pursued as a fuel for power generation as it is a carbon-free energy source. However, the use of ammonia-air mixtures in premixed swirl combustors poses challenges due to low flame speed, reactivity, and high Nitrous oxide emissions. This study attempts to overcome lean blowout limits of methane-ammonia-air mixtures by a novel, multipoint (O(103)) injection strategy, whereby micron-sized holes on the swirler vanes generate a coflowing stream of fuel and air, which is then injected into a swirling air cross-flow. The resulting improvement in mixing facilitated by increases in momentum flux ratio and fine-scale turbulence is found to reduce lean blowout (LBO) limits to equivalence ratios between 0.65 and 0.7 for mixtures containing ammonia as high as 80–90% by volume. The measurements carried out using a model-swirl combustor setup are analyzed further using zero-dimensional chemical kinetic models as well as CH* and OH* chemiluminescence. Chemiluminescence imaging shows the heat release zone to move downstream and broaden with an increase in ammonia content, as a result of decreasing flame speed. This forms a precursor to lean blow out through the action of instabilities at the flame front, which is potentially alleviated by the improved mixing achieved through the multipoint injection strategy. The resulting ultrashort mixing length can lead to a compact combustor design with the ability to lower LBO limits and improve Nitrous oxide emissions while utilizing carbon-free ammonia.
Recent Advances in the Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation: Literature Review From 2012 to 2020
Authors: Otsuka Keisuke , Makihara Kanjuro , Sugiyama Hiroyuki
Published: March 2022

Absolute nodal coordinate formulation (ANCF) is a nonincremental nonlinear finite element procedure that has been successfully applied to the large deformation analysis of multibody systems for more than two decades. Although a comprehensive review on ANCF was conducted by Gerstmayr et al. (2013, “Review on the Absolute Nodal Coordinate Formulation for Large Deformation Analysis of Multibody Systems,” J. Comput. Nonlinear Dyn., 8(3), p. 031016), significant theoretical developments have been made since then at a much faster pace to improve the element accuracy and computational efficiency. In order to overview recent advances in ANCF simulation capabilities that are not covered in the first review paper, this paper aims to conduct a comprehensive review of 259 papers concerning ANCF published from 2012 to 2020. It is shown that the ANCF element library has grown substantially for beam, plate/shell, solid elements, eliminating drawbacks of ANCF elements developed earlier. The application areas have extended, especially in the aerospace field, and the enhanced ANCF simulation capabilities have been demonstrated in solving challenging engineering problems. Research efforts have been made continually to integrate computer-aided design (CAD) and analysis with ANCF elements. Furthermore, computational improvements and multiphysics simulations have become major research topics for ANCF. It is also demonstrated that the accurate ANCF geometry description can be exploited to facilitate structural optimization of multibody systems.
Speaking rate normalization across different talkers in the perception of Japanese stop and vowel length contrasts
Authors: Kawahara Shigeto , Kato Misaki , Idemaru Kaori
Published: March 2022

Perception of duration is critically influenced by the speaking rate of the surrounding context. However, to what extent this speaking rate normalization is talker-specific is understudied. This experiment investigated whether Japanese listeners' perception of temporally contrastive phonemes is influenced by the speaking rate of the surrounding context, and more importantly, whether the effect of the contextual speaking rate persists across different talkers for different types of contrasts: a singleton-geminate stop contrast and short-long vowel contrast in Japanese. The results suggest that listeners generalized their rate-based adjustments to different talkers' speech regardless of whether the target contrasts depended on silent closure duration or vowel duration. Our results thus support the view that speaking rate normalization is an obligatory process that happens in the early phase of perception.
Brain-like functional specialization emerges spontaneously in deep neural networks
Authors: Dobs Katharina , Martinez Julio , Kell Alexander J. E. , Kanwisher Nancy
Published: March 2022

The human brain contains multiple regions with distinct, often highly specialized functions, from recognizing faces to understanding language to thinking about what others are thinking. However, it remains unclear why the cortex exhibits this high degree of functional specialization in the first place. Here, we consider the case of face perception using artificial neural networks to test the hypothesis that functional segregation of face recognition in the brain reflects a computational optimization for the broader problem of visual recognition of faces and other visual categories. We find that networks trained on object recognition perform poorly on face recognition and vice versa and that networks optimized for both tasks spontaneously segregate themselves into separate systems for faces and objects. We then show functional segregation to varying degrees for other visual categories, revealing a widespread tendency for optimization (without built-in task-specific inductive biases) to lead to functional specialization in machines and, we conjecture, also brains.
The metalloprotease ADM-4/ADAM17 promotes axonal repair
Authors: Ho Xue Yan , Coakley Sean , Amor Rumelo , Anggono Victor , Hilliard Massimo A.
Published: March 2022

Axonal fusion is an efficient means of repair following axonal transection, whereby the regenerating axon fuses with its own separated axonal fragment to restore neuronal function. Despite being described over 50 years ago, its molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate that the
Caenorhabditis elegans
metalloprotease ADM-4, an ortholog of human ADAM17, is essential for axonal fusion. We reveal that animals lacking ADM-4 cannot repair their axons by fusion, and that ADM-4 has a cell-autonomous function within injured neurons, localizing at the tip of regrowing axon and fusion sites. We demonstrate that ADM-4 overexpression enhances fusion to levels higher than wild type, and that the metalloprotease and phosphatidylserine-binding domains are essential for its function. Last, we show that ADM-4 interacts with and stabilizes the fusogen EFF-1 to allow membranes to merge. Our results uncover a key role for ADM-4 in axonal fusion, exposing a molecular target for axonal repair.
BirdBot achieves energy-efficient gait with minimal control using avian-inspired leg clutching
Authors: Badri-Spröwitz Alexander , Aghamaleki Sarvestani Alborz , Sitti Metin , Daley Monica A.
Published: March 2022

Designers of legged robots are challenged with creating mechanisms that allow energy-efficient locomotion with robust and minimalistic control. Sources of high energy costs in legged robots include the rapid loading and high forces required to support the robot’s mass during stance and the rapid cycling of the leg’s state between stance and swing phases. Here, we demonstrate an avian-inspired robot leg design, BirdBot, that challenges the reliance on rapid feedback control for joint coordination and replaces active control with intrinsic, mechanical coupling, reminiscent of a self-engaging and disengaging clutch. A spring tendon network rapidly switches the leg’s slack segments into a loadable state at touchdown, distributes load among joints, enables rapid disengagement at toe-off through elastically stored energy, and coordinates swing leg flexion. A bistable joint mediates the spring tendon network’s disengagement at the end of stance, powered by stance phase leg angle progression. We show reduced knee-flexing torque to a 10th of what is required for a nonclutching, parallel-elastic leg design with the same kinematics, whereas spring-based compliance extends the leg in stance phase. These mechanisms enable bipedal locomotion with four robot actuators under feedforward control, with high energy efficiency. The robot offers a physical model demonstration of an avian-inspired, multiarticular elastic coupling mechanism that can achieve self-stable, robust, and economic legged locomotion with simple control and no sensory feedback. The proposed design is scalable, allowing the design of large legged robots. BirdBot demonstrates a mechanism for self-engaging and disengaging parallel elastic legs that are contact-triggered by the foot’s own lever-arm action.
Metabolically efficient walking assistance using optimized timed forces at the waist
Authors: Antonellis Prokopios , Mohammadzadeh Gonabadi Arash , Myers Sara A. , Pipinos Iraklis I. , Malcolm Philippe
Published: March 2022

The metabolic rate of walking can be reduced by applying a constant forward force at the center of mass. It has been shown that the metabolically optimal constant force magnitude minimizes propulsion ground reaction force at the expense of increased braking. This led to the hypothesis that selectively assisting propulsion could lead to greater benefits. We used a robotic waist tether to evaluate the effects of forward forces with different timings and magnitudes. Here, we show that it is possible to reduce the metabolic rate of healthy participants by 48% with a greater efficiency ratio of metabolic cost reduction per unit of net aiding work compared with other assistive robots. This result was obtained using a sinusoidal force profile with peak timing during the middle of the double support. The same timing could also reduce the metabolic rate in patients with peripheral artery disease. A model explains that the optimal force profile accelerates the center of mass into the inverted pendulum movement during single support. Contrary to the hypothesis, the optimal force timing did not entirely coincide with propulsion. Within the field of wearable robotics, there is a trend to use devices to mimic biological torque or force profiles. Such bioinspired actuation can have relevant benefits; however, our results demonstrate that this is not necessarily optimal for reducing metabolic rate.
Klebsiella pneumoniae Mutants Resistant to Ceftazidime-Avibactam Plus Aztreonam, Imipenem-Relebactam, Meropenem-Vaborbactam, and Cefepime-Taniborbactam
Authors: Satapoomin Naphat , Dulyayangkul Punyawee , Avison Matthew B.
Published: March 2022

We show that a previously described
Klebsiella pneumoniae
variant that is resistant to ceftazidime-avibactam plus meropenem-vaborbactam, has a
ramR
plus
ompK36
mutation, and produces the V239G variant KPC-3 (V240G per the standard numbering system) exhibits resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam plus aztreonam and imipenem-relebactam but not cefepime-taniborbactam. The V239G variant does not generate collateral β-lactam susceptibility like many KPC-3 variants associated with ceftazidime-avibactam resistance.
Assessment of Long-Term Macrolide Exposure on the Oropharyngeal Microbiome and Macrolide Resistance in Healthy Adults and Consequences for Onward Transmission of Resistance
Authors: Burr Lucy D. , Taylor Steven L. , Richard Alyson , Schreiber Veronika , Lingman Stevie , Martin Megan , Papanicolas Lito E. , Choo Jocelyn M. , Rogers Geraint B.
Published: March 2022

While the use of long-term macrolide therapy to prevent exacerbations in chronic respiratory diseases is widespread, its impact on the oropharyngeal microbiota and macrolide resistance and the potential for onward transmission of resistance to close contacts are poorly understood. We determined the effects of long-term exposure to azithromycin or erythromycin on phenotypic and genotypic macrolide resistance within the oropharyngeal microbiome of healthy adults and their close contacts in a randomized, single-blinded, parallel-group trial of 4 weeks of twice-daily oral 400 mg erythromycin ethylsuccinate or twice-daily oral 125 mg azithromycin. Using oropharyngeal swabs collected from 20 index healthy adults and 20 paired close contacts, the oropharyngeal microbial composition and macrolide resistance in streptococci were assessed by 16S rRNA sequencing and antibiotic susceptibility testing of oropharyngeal cultures, respectively, at baseline and weeks 4 and 8 (washout). Targeted quantitative PCR of antibiotic resistance genes was performed to evaluate paired changes in resistance gene levels in index patients and close contacts and to relate the potential transmission of antibiotic resistance. Neither azithromycin nor erythromycin altered oropharyngeal microbiota characteristics significantly. Proportional macrolide resistance in oropharyngeal streptococci increased with both erythromycin and azithromycin, remaining above baseline levels for the azithromycin group at washout. Levels of resistance genes increased significantly with azithromycin[
erm
(B) and
mef
] and erythromycin (
mef
), returning to baseline levels at washout only for the erythromycin group. We found no evidence of onward transmission of resistance to close contacts, as indicated by the lack of concomitant changes in resistance gene levels detected in close contacts. (This study has been registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry under identifier ACTRN12617000278336.)