bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Targeting the molecular & cellular pillars of human aging with exercise
Authors: Goh Jorming , Wong Esther , Soh Janjira , Maier Andrea Britta , Kennedy Brian Keith
Published: December 2021

Biological aging is the main driver of age‐associated chronic diseases. In 2014, the United States National Institute of Aging (NIA) sponsored a meeting between several investigators in the field of aging biology, who identified seven biological pillars of aging and a consensus review, “Geroscience: Linking Aging to Chronic Disease,” was published. The pillars of aging demonstrated the conservation of aging pathways in diverse model organisms and thus represent a useful framework with which to study human aging. In this present review, we revisit the seven pillars of aging from the perspective of exercise and discuss how regular physical exercise can modulate these pillars to stave off age‐related chronic diseases and maintain functional capacity.
Delineation of biliary epithelial cell dynamics in maternal liver during pregnancy
Authors: Kozuki Satoshi , Sakurai Satoko , Suzuki Atsushi , Yamamoto Takuya , Toyoshima Fumiko
Published: December 2021

In pregnant mice, the maternal liver expands drastically during gestation, which is believed to be essential to accommodate various metabolic demands caused by physiological changes and fetal growth. Although hepatocyte proliferation and hypertrophy have been reported, little is known about the dynamics of biliary epithelial cells (BECs), which comprise the bile duct epithelium in the liver. Here, we show that BECs transiently proliferate during the early stage of gestation. Lineage tracing revealed that BEC progeny were retained in the bile duct epithelium and did not differentiate into hepatocytes, indicating BEC self‐replication during pregnancy. RNA‐sequencing analysis of BECs identified their early pregnancy‐signature transcriptomes, which highlighted Yes‐associated protein (YAP) signaling‐related genes. Nuclear accumulation of YAP was enhanced in BECs during pregnancy but was barely detectable in hepatocytes. In addition, the pharmacological inhibition of YAP attenuated BEC proliferation and liver weight gain during pregnancy. Our results delineate the proliferation and transcriptomic dynamics of BECs during pregnancy and suggest the relevance of YAP‐mediated signals.
Mass education and the British Empire
Authors: Jackson Stephen
Published: December 2021

This article explores recent scholarship on the history of education in the British Empire, with a particular focus on the imperial origins of mass education. Though universal and compulsory education only became a global phenomenon after World War II, the beginnings of mass education can be found in the colonial era. The article examines the rise of a missionary and humanitarian discourse in the early 19th century that powerfully advocated for expanded educational opportunities for working‐class Britons and colonized subjects alike, the rise of mass education in Britain and the settlement colonies in the late 19th century that often‐excluded nonwhite subjects, and the successive policies of adapted education and schemes for educational development that arose in the interwar period. The article stresses that indigenous peoples throughout the British Empire were active agents in this process, and calls for additional research to better understand the widespread acceptance of mass education across the British Empire.
Lake Champlain Community Scientist Volunteer Network Communicates Critical Cyanobacteria Information to Region‐wide Stakeholders
Authors: Vaughan Matthew C.H. , Campbell Mae Kate , Fisher Lori , O'Brien Bridget , Gorney Rebecca M. , Shambaugh Angela , Sopher Lauren S. , Pierson Oliver , Howe Eric A.
Published: December 2021

Lake Champlain is a treasured resource for recreation, tourism, and drinking water situated in New York, Vermont (U.S.), and Québec (Canada). Because its shores span two states and two countries, management strategies for the lake require strong cross‐boundary partnerships and cooperation. In recent decades, increased prevalence of harmful cyanobacteria blooms has impacted public health and recreation. A lake‐wide cyanobacteria monitoring program was established in 2001 with an emphasis on water sample collection and analysis to inform management strategies. In 2012, this program transitioned from laboratory‐based analyses at a limited number of locations to a visual assessment protocol validated by water samples. This transition opened the door to more effective and widespread monitoring, communication, and inclusion of a greater number of monitoring locations and stakeholders. Today, through a unique partnership of community scientist volunteers, public beach managers, nonprofit organizations, and state and federal agencies, a comprehensive network of trained cyanobacteria monitors generates timely data on water quality conditions to relay critical public health information. The majority of these reports are provided by trained community scientist volunteers, strengthening the geographic coverage of the program and the environmental literacy of lake users. This program now trains hundreds of community scientists, documents thousands of water quality condition reports annually, and communicates cyanobacteria conditions to the public via an online Cyanobacteria Tracker map. In this article, we describe the evolution of this successful program, discuss key findings from analysis of these volunteer‐collected data, and suggest how similar programs could be effectively developed in other regions.
Minnesota Stormwater Research and Technology Transfer Program – A Comprehensive Approach to Collaborative Research
Authors: Bilotta John P. , Peterson Jeffrey M.
Published: December 2021

The University of Minnesota Water Resources Center (UMN WRC) in collaboration with the Minnesota Stormwater Research Council (MSRC) has developed a robust program to advance urban stormwater management and policy through the completion of research. Through this unique collaboration, stormwater professionals and researchers across Minnesota are engaged in multi‐sector research to prevent, minimize, and mitigate urban stormwater impacts by studying existing and innovative structural and non‐structural practices, policies, and management techniques. The center and the council have evolved a comprehensive approach by:

Obtaining diversified funding resulting in an annual average $1M budget.

Coordinating and building partnerships at local, regional, state, and federal levels to leverage stormwater research resources.

Using the council to engage with stormwater researchers, professionals, policymakers, and stakeholders. 

Identifying strategic priorities through assessments of needed research (i.e., the Minnesota Stormwater Research Roadmap).

Providing a process for prioritizing, soliciting, submitting, approving, and implementing stormwater‐related research proposals.

The program also invests in technology transfer seeking the effective and efficient dissemination of research results to those who can best benefit from it. The council is an organization of stormwater professionals, practitioners, managers, engineers, researchers, and others established in 2016 to work with the center to facilitate relevant, applied research and support education and technology transfer. This paper summarizes the efforts of the program, the future outlook, and highlights the collaboration and the connection of the University and the center to agencies, local units of government, and private engineering consulting businesses, who all were integral to the success of the program.
The sustainable mitigation of in vitro ruminal biogas emissions by ensiling date palm leaves and rice straw with lactic acid bacteria and Pleurotus ostreatus for cleaner livestock production
Authors: Kholif Ahmed E. , Gouda Gouda A. , Patra Amlan K.
Published: December 2021

Aims

The sustainable utilization of date palm leaves (DPL) and rice straw (RS) as feed materials for ruminant was evaluated using an in vitro wireless gas production (GP) technique.

Methods and Results

DPL and RS were individually ensiled with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for 45 days or used as substrates for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus (PO) mushroom for 35 days. A total mixed ration was formulated as a control ration. In the other rations, berseem hay replaced DPL (ensiled without additives or ensiled with LAB or PO) at 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%. Ensiling with LAB did not affect the chemical composition of DPL or RS, while PO treatment reduced their fibre fraction contents. Ensiling without additives lowered (p < 0.05) the asymptotic production of total gas, methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), and the rate of CH4 and CO2 while increasing (p < 0.05) the lag time of CH4 and CO2 production. Ensiling of materials with LAB and treatment with PO decreased (p < 0.05) the asymptotic production of total gas, CH4 and CO2 production and decreased the rate of CH4 and CO2 production. Ensiling without additives decreased (p < 0.05) total bacterial count, and increased (p < 0.05) fermentation pH and total volatile fatty acids (VFA), while LAB-ensiled DPL increased (p < 0.05) total VFA and propionate concentrations and decreased total protozoal count. The PO-treated DPL decreased (p < 0.05) bacterial count, protozoal count and fermentation pH and increased total VFA production.

Conclusions

Replacing berseem hay with LAB or PO-treated DPL at 25% increased GP; however, increased CH4 and CO2 production, whereas the other replacement levels decreased total gas, CH4 and CO2 production. The treatment with LAB is more recommended than the PO treatment.
Violating social distancing amid the COVID‐19 pandemic: Psychological factors to improve compliance
Authors: Farias Jéssica , Pilati Ronaldo
Published: December 2021

This study uses the theory of planned behavior as a framework to predict intentions of noncompliance with social distancing during the COVID‐19 pandemic while also assessing the predictive role of intolerance of uncertainty and sociodemographic variables. A total of 2,056 Brazilian participants completed measures on attitudes, injunctive, and descriptive norms, and perceived behavioral control toward social distancing. They also answered about their political ideology, income, employment status, gender, age, and educational level. Our findings indicate that positive attitudes toward complying with physical distancing, stronger descriptive norms using ingroup members as referents, and weaker perceived behavioral control over the action of breaching social distancing predict stronger adherence. Besides, individuals who support right‐wing parties, younger people, and males are more prone to noncompliance. We suggest designing interventions that foster positive attitudes toward social distancing and address the negative consequences that violating social distancing can cause to in‐group members to persuade individuals to stay at home. We also discuss the need for support from prominent political figures to increase adherence to this preventive measure.
Preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of a brief self‐control intervention on reducing the short‐term harmful consequences of violent video games on adolescents
Authors: Gabbiadini Alessandro , Riva Paolo , Andrighetto Luca , Volpato Chiara , Bushman Brad J.
Published: December 2021

Exposure to violent video games can cause a wide array of harmful consequences to adolescents. This study shows preliminary evidence of the effectiveness of a brief intervention to decrease aggression and increase self‐control following exposure to a violent video game. Participants (157 high‐school students; age range: 13–19) were randomly assigned to play a violent or nonviolent video game for 25 min. Next, they were exposed to an intervention (i.e., a brief article) designed to induce weak versus strong beliefs in self‐control capabilities. We also included a neutral article unrelated to self‐control. After reading the article, aggression and self‐control‐related variables (i.e., impulses inhibition, cognitive performance) were measured. Aggression was operationalized using the intensity and duration of aversive noise participants gave an accomplice on the Competitive Reaction Time Task, impulse inhibition was operationalized using the ability to resist eating candies, and cognitive performance was operationalized using the “spot the differences” task. Our results found that adolescents who played a violent video game were more aggressive and reported lower levels of impulse inhibition (i.e., ate more candies). However, inducing beliefs in self‐control capabilities by reading a brief article stating that the human’s brain is a powerful tool for exercising self‐control eliminated these harmful effects. The interaction was nonsignificant for cognitive performance. Overall, our study offers initial evidence that a brief intervention might help limit the harmful consequences of exposure to violent video games on adolescents.
A randomized, double‐blind clinical trial to evaluate the blood pressure lowing effect of low‐sodium salt substitution on middle‐aged and elderly hypertensive patients with different plasma renin concentrations
Authors: Che Li , Song Wei , Zhang Ying , Lu Yan , Cheng Yunpeng , Jiang Yinong
Published: December 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the blood pressure (BP) lowing effect of low‐sodium (LS) salt substitution and how the effect influenced by plasma renin concentration (PRC) on middle‐aged and elderly hypertensive patients. Three hundred fifty‐two hypertensives were randomized at a 1:1 ratio into a LS group and a normal salt (NS) group. We compared intergroup changes observed in office blood pressure measurement (OBPM) and home blood pressure measurement (HBPM). Then, all patients in LS group were divided into tertiles according to baseline PRC, aldosterone concentration, and aldosterone/renin ratio (ARR), and changes in OBPM and HBPM were compared across the three tertile subgroups. Follow‐up surveys were completed by 322 patients. The intergroup net reduction in systolic OBPM, systolic HBPM, and diastolic HBPM was −6.6, −4.6, and −2.3 mmHg, respectively (all P < .05), and −1.8 mmHg in diastolic OBPM (P = .068). There was a more significant reduction in OBPM and HBPM among the low baseline PRC subgroup than among the high PRC subgroup. There were no significant differences in the changes in OBPM and HBPM between the three subgroups when grouped according to baseline aldosterone concentration. The reduction in OBPM and HBPM in the high tertile of ARR was larger than that in the low tertile subgroup. LS salt substitution is effective in reducing systolic OBPM, systolic HBPM, and diastolic HBPM in middle‐aged and elderly hypertensive patients. LS salt substitution may offer a non‐pharmaceutical therapy for hypertensive patients. Baseline PRC may be a marker to predict BP response after salt restriction.
Observational study on dietary changes of participants following a multicomponent lifestyle program (Reverse Diabetes2 Now)
Authors: Pot Gerda K. , de Jong Hanne B. T. , Battjes‐Fries Marieke C. E. , Patijn Olga N. , Pijl Hanno , Voshol Peter J.
Published: December 2021

Background

Lifestyle intervention studies to treat type 2 diabetes (T2D) are on the rise. However, in‐depth research is lacking into the dietary changes that participants make.

Methods

The present study aimed to observe the dietary intake of participants following the group program ‘Reverse Diabetes2 Now’ (RD2N) over 12 months. The web‐based 24‐h dietary recall‐tool Compl‐eat was used to collect dietary intake data.

Results

In total, 147 T2D patients were included in a cross‐sectional study (n = 37 at baseline, n = 58 at 6 months, n = 52 at 12 months). A lower intake of total energy, carbohydrates and iodine was found for the groups at 6 and 12 months compared to the baseline group. The absolute consumption of total fat and saturated fat did not differ between the groups; only the percentage as total calorie consumption decreased. Consumption of vegetables and full‐fat yoghurt was higher in groups at 6 and 12 months compared to the group at baseline. Consumption of bread, cakes and sweet biscuits, pasta/rice/tortillas, artificially sweetened soft drinks, and crisps were lower in the groups at 6 and 12 months compared to the group at baseline. Similar results were observed in a separate prospective study in 22 participants over 12 months following the same lifestyle‐intervention.

Conclusions

Overall, participants shifted their dietary intake somewhat towards a healthier dietary pattern with overall lower energy and carbohydrates and more vegetables. Moreover, participants largely maintained this healthier pattern over 12 months. There were some concerns regarding iodine intake. These promising results need to be confirmed in a fully‐scaled study, as well in a comparison with controls.
Nurses’ mental health from early COVID‐19 pandemic to vaccination
Authors: Kim Son Chae , Rankin Larry , Ferguson Jennifer
Published: December 2021

Aims

The influence of the COVID‐19 vaccine and the evolution of the pandemic over time on nurses’ mental health have not been thoroughly examined. This study aimed to explore the changes in nurses’ mental health from the early pandemic to the early vaccination period over a 1‐year time span and examine vaccination and coping mechanisms as predictors of nurses’ poor mental health and burnout.

Methods

Three cross‐sectional surveys were conducted: Early‐pandemic (n = 320), pre‐vaccination (n = 228), and early‐vaccination cohorts (n = 292).

Findings

About 72% of nurses in the early‐vaccination cohort were fully vaccinated with two doses of mRNA COVID‐19 vaccines. There were significant decreases in moderate/severe anxiety and moderate/severe depression for the early‐vaccination cohort compared to the other cohorts. In multivariate analyses, vaccination had almost three‐fold higher odds of moderate/severe anxiety (Odds Ratio [OR] = 2.87; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] = 1.28–6.44). High resilience, family functioning, and spirituality were associated with two‐ to five‐fold lower odds of poor mental health and burnout.

Conclusions

Although nurses in the early‐vaccination cohort had lower anxiety and depression than earlier cohorts, COVID‐19 vaccination had minimal associations with nurses’ mental health. Coping mechanisms and organizational support appear to be important predictors of nurses’ poor mental health and burnout.

Clinical relevance

The evidence gathered over 1 year of the pandemic may be helpful for a better understanding of the challenges facing frontline nurses and preparing for future healthcare crises. As a part of the preparedness plan for the future, evidence‐based interventions that raise frontline nurses’ resilience, as well as family and spiritual support, should be considered.
My Song is Love Unknown: Liturgical Music and Rational Faith
Authors: Stacey Gregory R. P.
Published: December 2021

Whilst philosophers have argued that musical experience provides evidence for theism, their discussions often fail to consider the aesthetic properties which give musical experience its distinctive character, or ways in which musical experience might support the beliefs of particular religious traditions. This paper begins to remedy this omission by examining how attention to liturgical music can provide rational support for Christian faith. I first explore music's emotional nature and impact, and its ability to embody Christian narratives and doctrines. In light of this discussion, I then introduce two probabilistic arguments for the truth of Christian orthodoxy, arguing that liturgical music can provide distinctive evidence for their premises.
Is OLP potentially malignant? A clue from ZNF582 methylation
Authors: Chiu Yu‐Wei , Su Yee‐Fun , Yang Cheng‐Chieh , Liu Chung‐Ji , Chen Yi‐Ju , Cheng Han‐Chieh , Wu Cheng‐Hsien , Chen Pei‐Yin , Lee Yu‐Hsien , Chen Yen‐Lin , Chen Yi‐Tzu , Peng Chih‐Yu , Lu Ming‐Yi , Yu Chuan‐Hang , Kao Shou‐Yen , Fwu Chyng‐Wen , Huang Yu‐Feng
Published: December 2021

Objective

Whether oral lichen planus (OLP) was potentially malignant remains controversial. Here, we examined associations of ZNF582 methylation (ZNF582m) with OLP lesions, dysplastic features and squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Materials and Methods

This is a case–control study. ZNF582m was evaluated in both lesion and adjacent normal sites of 42 dysplasia, 90 OSCC and 43 OLP patients, whereas ZNF582m was evaluated only in one mucosal site of 45 normal controls. High‐risk habits affecting ZNF582m such as betel nut chewing and cigarette smoking were also compared in those groups.

Results

OLP lesions showed significantly lower ZNF582m than those of dysplasia and OSCC. At adjacent normal mucosa, ZNF582m increased from patients of OLP, dysplasia, to OSCC. In addition, ZNF582m at adjacent normal sites in OLP patients was comparable to normal mucosa in control group. Dysplasia/OSCC patients with high‐risk habits exhibited significantly higher ZNF582m than those without high‐risk habits. However, ZNF582m in OLP patients was not affected by those high‐risk habits.

Conclusions

OLP is unlikely to be potentially malignant based on ZNF582m levels. ZNF582m may also be a potential biomarker for distinguishing OLP from true dysplastic features and OSCC, and for monitoring the malignant transformation of OLP, potentially malignant disorders with dysplastic features and OSCC.
Conditional impacts of political and fiscal factors on state environmental budgets
Authors: Duggan Andrew R. , Carr Douglas A. , Yan Wenli
Published: December 2021

Maintaining fiscal responsiveness to deteriorating environmental conditions is a critical concern for civil society and public managers. Drawing from multiple theoretical perspectives and panel data of state environmental agency appropriations, we add to the budgeting literature on this salient topic with an examination of the legal, political, institutional, and fiscal factors that drive, and condition, environmental budgets. Given the influence of environmental pollution on funding—as stressed by previous literature—we offer evidence that such impacts are moderated by business interests, political party control in government, and fiscal capacity. Findings from this investigation provide insights into fiscal responsiveness and environmental governance at the state level, which can help elucidate and guide other federal and state co‐funded programs.
Immigrant status, race, and voter turnout in the American mass public
Authors: Qi Dan , Gonzalez Sylvia
Published: December 2021

Objective

This study examines the joint effects of immigrant generation and race on voter turnout.

Methods

Using data from the 2018 Cooperative Congressional Election Study, this study compares voter turnout across immigrant generations across different racial groups.

Results

Our analysis shows that turnout rates in the 2018 midterm election are higher for blacks and Latinos as they become further removed from their immigration generation. Immigration generation has no effect on the turnout for Asians and other race respondents, and for whites, we find that voter turnout is highest among third‐generation immigrants.

Conclusion

Our findings generally support our expectations but there are differences across racial groups.
Characterization of the novel HLA‐B*55:122 allele by two next‐generation sequencing methods
Authors: Cheneau Mary‐Luce , Calvo De Olmos Orane , Bonneville Francoise , Blanchet Gaelle , Walencik Alexandre
Published: December 2021

The novel HLA‐B*55:122 allele was characterized using two next generation sequencing technologies.
An outbreak of SARS‐CoV‐2 on a transplant unit in the early vaccination era
Authors: Roberts Scott C. , Foppiano Palacios Carlo , Grubaugh Nathan D. , Alpert Tara , Ott Isabel M. , Breban Mallery I. ,   Yale SARS‐CoV‐2 Genomic Surveillance Initiative, Martinello Richard A. , Smith Cindy , Davis Matthew W. , Mcmanus Dayna , Tirmizi Samad , Topal Jeffrey E. , Azar Marwan M. , Malinis Maricar
Published: December 2021

Background

Solid organ transplant recipients are at increased risk of COVID‐19‐associated morbidity and mortality.

Aims

We describe a nosocomial outbreak investigation on an immunocompromised inpatient unit.

Methods

Patients positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 were identified. An epidemiologic investigation was assisted with whole genome sequencing of positive samples.

Results

Two patients were identified as potential index cases; one presented with diarrhea and was initially not isolated, and the other developed hypoxemia on hospital day 18 before testing positive. Following identification of a SARS‐CoV‐2 cluster, the unit was closed and all patients and staff received surveillance testing revealing eight additional positive patients and staff members. Whole genome sequencing confirmed an outbreak. Enhanced infection prevention practices mitigated further spread. Asymptomatic patients with COVID‐19 were successfully treated with bamlanivimab.

Discussion

Preventing SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreaks in transplant units poses unique challenges as patients may have atypical presentations of COVID‐19. Immunocompromised patients who test positive for SARS‐CoV‐2 while asymptomatic may benefit from monoclonal antibody therapy to prevent disease progression. All hospital staff members working with immunocompromised patients should be promptly encouraged to follow infection prevention behaviors and receive SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination.

Conclusion

SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreaks on immunocompromised units can be mitigated through prompt identification of cases and robust infection prevention practices.
THE CONVERGENCE OF SCIENCE AND RELIGION
Authors: Fowler Charles W.
Published: December 2021

Many natural patterns are obvious. We observe them in the weather, our physiology, the solar system, and our habits. We see that every finite thing is made up of parts and every finite thing is a part of something else. Relationships and characteristics occur in patterns. We see structure and function everywhere we look; everything falls into categories. Some patterns are not so well‐defined, including the function of our minds—thoughts, beliefs, emotions, opinions, and worldviews. Even so, patterns exist in the ways our minds influence what we are and do. Changing our thinking changes everything. This article is based on the premise that carefully chosen patterns provide holistic guidance. Furthermore, thinking that seeks and follows such guidance is essential—but it is ominously absent from today's world. The case is made that rectifying this situation involves conceptual consistency that matches reality/truth and the convergence of all belief systems.
SELECTION OF ALTERNATIVE MARINE FUEL TECHNOLOGY BASED ON LITERATURE REVIEW BY APPLYING APPROPRIATE MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION-MAKING METHOD
Authors: Alam Md Moshiul , Mohammad Roslina , Hira Friha Anjum
Published: December 2021

The use of alternative fuel in ships can help alleviate high carbon emissions and adverse environmental consequences produced by the maritime industry. Due to the complexity of assessing many performance factors and lack of information, it is challenging for decision-makers to select the best sustainable alternative energy source for shipping from various options. Nevertheless, alternative energy decisions can be supported, and contradicting impacts can be analyzed with MCDM methodologies. This study focuses on applying decision-making processes for sustainable energy development concerns. A systematic review of published papers in the Scopus database on alternative fuel technologies and MCDM approaches from 2001 to 2021 has been conducted. All the selected articles were sorted by application area and process. In classifying the scientific journal articles and in-depth analysis, a SWOT analysis of MCDM techniques is offered. Convincing data support the conclusion that MCDM methods help decision-makers select appropriate fuel technology and are widely utilized in practice.
THE PROSPECTS AND CHALLENGES OF YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN ZANZIBAR, TANZANIA: ADMINISTRATORS’ PERSPECTIVES
Authors: Mohamed Khamis Said , Yusof Mohar
Published: December 2021

Youth entrepreneurship is an emerging enquiry, which is critical in addressing unemployment crisis among young people. This paper explored prospects and challenges of youth entrepreneurship in developing economy, Zanzibar in Tanzania. The paper adopted qualitative methods using thematic analysis techniques to derive prospects and challenges from recorded transcripts according to administrator’s perspective from public and private institutions responsible for entrepreneurship in the country. The study found that youth entrepreneurship is strategic initiative of transforming necessity entrepreneurship into opportunity entrepreneurship, stimulating innovation initiatives for solving challenges facing society, promoting sectoral linkage, job creation and building entrepreneurial culture. However, youth entrepreneurship is constrained internally by lack of funds, poor growth and sustainability of youth enterprises, lack of entrepreneurial mindset and alertness to opportunities, while externally by poor coordination of public institution responsible for entrepreneurship development, bureaucracy, and lack of family support. The study becomes empirical evidence on the importance of youth entrepreneurship and thereby recommended for policy intervention would ameliorate the challenges and helps build entrepreneurial culture for the development of entrepreneurship in the country.
A Review of the Current and Emerging Trends of Higher Education Institutions in Developing Countries
Authors: Law Mei Yuan
Published: December 2021

Higher education in developing countries is experiencing and embracing changes due to globalization and market development and advancement. In this regard, a review of existing works related to the current status and emerging trends of higher education institutions is useful to provide insight on the current researches. The paper is divided into several sections of the review. A general understanding of the context of higher education, the impact of globalization and higher education in developing countries are highlighted in this review. The paper provides a discussion, and a review of the challenges higher education institutions face in the Malaysian context as a developing country. Literature on the challenges related to student mobility, the academic profession, and information and communication technologies are presented. The fundamental challenges have made it possible to understand the state of higher education and stimulate further research, growth and development for the nation.
A fractional model in exploring the role of fear in mass mortality of pelicans in the Salton Sea
Authors: Kashyap Ankur Jyoti , Bhattacharjee Debasish , Sarmah Hemanta Kumar
Published: December 2021

The fear response is an important anti-predator adaptation that can significantly reduce prey's reproduction by inducing many physiological and psychological changes in the prey. Recent studies in behavioral sciences reveal this fact. Other than terrestrial vertebrates, aquatic vertebrates also exhibit fear responses. Many mathematical studies have been done on the mass mortality of pelican birds in the Salton Sea in Southern California and New Mexico in recent years. Still, no one has investigated the scenario incorporating the fear effect. This work investigates how the mass mortality of pelican birds (predator) gets influenced by the fear response in tilapia fish (prey). For novelty, we investigate a modified fractional-order eco-epidemiological model by incorporating fear response in the prey population in the Caputo-fractional derivative sense. The fundamental mathematical requisites like existence, uniqueness, non-negativity and boundedness of the system's solutions are analyzed. Local and global asymptotic stability of the system at all the possible steady states are investigated. Routh-Hurwitz criterion is used to analyze the local stability of the endemic equilibrium. Fractional Lyapunov functions are constructed to determine the global asymptotic stability of the disease-free and endemic equilibrium. Finally, numerical simulations are conducted with the help of some biologically plausible parameter values to compare the theoretical findings. The order $\alpha$ of the fractional derivative is determined using Matignon's theorem, above which the system loses its stability via a Hopf bifurcation. It is observed that an increase in the fear coefficient above a threshold value destabilizes the system. The mortality rate of the infected prey population has a stabilization effect on the system dynamics that helps in the coexistence of all the populations. Moreover, it can be concluded that the fractional-order may help to control the coexistence of all the populations.
Acoustofluidic-mediated molecular delivery to human T cells with a three-dimensional-printed flow chamber
Authors: Centner Connor S. , Moore John T. , Baxter Mary E. , Long Zachary T. , Miller Jacob M. , Kovatsenko Ekaterina S. , Xie Benjamin , Menze Michael A. , Berson R. Eric , Bates Paula J. , Yaddanapudi Kavitha , Kopechek Jonathan A.
Published: December 2021

Cell-based therapies have garnered significant interest to treat cancer and other diseases. Acoustofluidic technologies are in development to improve cell therapy manufacturing by facilitating rapid molecular delivery across the plasma membrane via ultrasound and microbubbles (MBs). In this study, a three-dimensional (3D) printed acoustofluidic device was used to deliver a fluorescent molecule, calcein, to human T cells. Intracellular delivery of calcein was assessed after varying parameters such as MB face charge, MB concentration, flow channel geometry, ultrasound pressure, and delivery time point after ultrasound treatment. MBs with a cationic surface charge caused statistically significant increases in calcein delivery during acoustofluidic treatment compared to MBs with a neutral surface charge (p < 0.001). Calcein delivery was significantly higher with a concentric spiral channel geometry compared to a rectilinear channel geometry (p < 0.001). Additionally, calcein delivery was significantly enhanced at increased ultrasound pressures of 5.1 MPa compared to lower ultrasound pressures between 0–3.8 MPa (p < 0.001). These results demonstrate that a 3D-printed acoustofluidic device can significantly enhance intracellular delivery of biomolecules to T cells, which may be a viable approach to advance cell-based therapies.
Introduction to the special issue on the theory and applications of acoustofluidics
Authors: Friend James , Thompson Charles , Chitale Kedar , Denis Max
Published: December 2021

Acoustofluidics is a burgeoning field that applies ultrasound to micro-scale to nano-scale fluidic systems. The discovery of the ability to effectively manipulate fluids and particles at small scales has yielded results that are superior to other approaches and has been built into a diverse range of research. Recasting the fundamentals of acoustics from the past to include new phenomena observed in recent years has allowed acoustical systems to impact new areas, such as drug delivery, diagnostics, and enhanced chemical processes. The contributions in this special issue address a diverse range of research topics in acoustofluidics. Topics include acoustic streaming, flows induced by bubbles, manipulation of particles using acoustic radiation forces, fluid and structural interactions, and contributions suggesting a natural limit to the particle velocity, the ability to deliver molecules to human immune T cells, and microdroplet generation via nozzle-based acoustic atomization.
Biomechanical and Anthropometric Factors That Differentiate National- and Regional-Level Judo Players
Authors: Teixeira Felipe Guimarães , Rosa Paulo Tadeu Cardozo Ribeiro , Mello Roger Gomes Tavares , Nadal Jurandir
Published: December 2021

Purpose: The study aimed to identify the variables that differentiate judo athletes at national and regional levels. Multivariable analysis was applied to biomechanical, anthropometric, and Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) data. Method: Forty-two male judo athletes from 2 competitive groups (14 national and 28 state levels) performed the following measurements and tests: (1) skinfold thickness, (2) circumference, (3) bone width, (4) longitudinal length, (5) stabilometric tests, (6) dynamometric tests, and (7) SJFT. The variables with significant differences in the Wilcoxon rank-sum test were used in stepwise logistic regression to select those that better separate the groups. The authors considered models with a maximum of 3 variables to avoid overfitting. They used 7-fold cross validation to calculate optimism-corrected measures of model performance. Results: The 3 variables that best differentiated the groups were the epicondylar humerus width, the total number of throws on the SJFT, and the stabilometric mean velocity of the center of pressure in the mediolateral direction. The area under the receiver-operating-characteristic curve for the model (based on 7-fold cross validation) was 0.95. Conclusion: This study suggests that a reduced set of anthropometric, biomechanical, and SJFT variables can differentiate judo athlete’s levels.
Difference of Hamstring Activity Between Bilateral and Unilateral Nordic Hamstring Exercises With a Sloped Platform
Authors: Soga Toshiaki , Keerasomboon Taspol , Akiyama Kei , Hirose Norikazu
Published: December 2021

Context: This study aimed to examine the differences in electromyographic (EMG) activity of the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) and semitendinosus (ST) muscles, break-point angle (BPA), and the angle at peak BFlh EMG activity between bilateral and unilateral Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) on a sloped platform. Design: This study was designed as a case-control study. Methods: Fourteen men participated in the study. The participants initially performed maximum voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC) on the prone leg curl to normalize the peak hamstring EMG amplitude as the %MVIC. Then, participants were randomized to perform the following 3 variations of NHE: bilateral (N40) or unilateral (N40U) NHE with a platform angle of 40°, and unilateral NHE with a platform angle of 50° (N50U). The EMG activities of the BFlh and ST and the knee flexion angle during the NHE variations were recorded to calculate the EMG activity of the BFlh and ST in terms of the %MVIC, the angle at peak BFlh EMG, and BPA. Results: The BFlh %MVIC was significantly higher in N40U (P < .05) and N50U (P < .05) than in N40. A significant difference in BFlh %MVIC and ST %MVIC was observed between N40U (P < .05) and N50U (P < .05). The mean values of BPA and the angle at peak BFlh EMG were <30° for all NHE variations. Conclusions: In the late swing phase of high-speed running, BFlh showed higher EMG activity; thus, unilateral NHE may be a specific hamstring exercise for hamstring injury prevention.
Syncope caused by lymphomatous encasement of the internal carotid artery
Authors: Altshuler Ellery , Aryan Mahmoud , Delaune Jess , Lynch James
Published: December 2021

We present a case of a 77-year-old man who reported 5 months of syncopal episodes. He was found to have diffuse large B-cell lymphoma encasing the left internal carotid artery but not impeding blood flow. The syncopal episodes resolved after his first cycle of chemotherapy. Recurrent syncope in non-cardiac lymphomas and other head and neck masses is exceedingly rare and may be due to reflex syncope prompted by carotid baroreceptor activation. There are 11 previously described cases of recurrent syncope associated with non-cardiac lymphoma. In all cases, lymphadenopathy abutting the carotid artery was present and the syncopal episodes resolved with treatment. Our case illustrates that malignancy should be considered in patients with unexplained recurrent syncope.
Inadvertent placement of a nasogastric tube following traumatic nasal tube intubation
Authors: Manzie Timothy , Chia Philip , Gananadha Sivakumar , Bobinskas Alexander
Published: December 2021

Adequate nutrition is necessary in head and neck surgery. Enteral feeding via a nasogastric tube is often required due to the altered anatomy and to allow sufficient intraoral healing. Insertion of a nasogastric tube is commonly performed without complication and confirmation of its position by a number of different methods. Incorrect positioning can cause significant morbidity with associated mortality. This case report describes the inadvertent placement of a nasogastric tube in a patient with a mandibular squamous cell carcinoma, into the abdominal cavity following a failed traumatic nasal tube intubation. Chest radiography and auscultation failed to identify the abnormal position with subsequent commencement of feeds for a number of days. Following a laporotomy and insertion of abdominal drains, the patient recovered and was discharged from hospital. To prevent recurrence, it is suggested that direct laryngoscopy or direct visualisation of the upper aspect be performed.
Allgrove syndrome with amyotrophy
Authors: Soares Míriam Carvalho , Lins Otávio Gomes , Lima de Carvalho José Ronaldo , de Sá Cláudia Cristina , Van der Linden Vanessa , Covaleski Anna Paula Paranhos Miranda
Published: December 2021

Allgrove syndrome is an autosomal recessive disease mostly caused by mutations in the AAAS gene. It has variable clinical features but its cardinal features comprise the triad of achalasia, alacrimia and adrenal insufficiency. It typically develops during the first decade of life, but some cases have second and third decades onset. We describe a 25-year-old woman with Allgrove syndrome who had progressive amyotrophy, achalasia, dry eyes and adrenal insufficiency since childhood. Awareness of its neurological manifestations and multisystem features helps to shorten the time for diagnosis and allow appropriate symptomatic treatment.
Tiled Sparse Coding in Eigenspaces for Image Classification
Authors: Arco Juan E , Ortiz Andrés , Ramírez Javier , Zhang Yu-Dong , Górriz Juan M
Published: December 2021

The automation in the diagnosis of medical images is currently a challenging task. The use of Computer Aided Diagnosis (CAD) systems can be a powerful tool for clinicians, especially in situations when hospitals are overflowed. These tools are usually based on artificial intelligence (AI), a field that has been recently revolutionized by deep learning approaches. These alternatives usually obtain a large performance based on complex solutions, leading to a high computational cost and the need of having large databases. In this work, we propose a classification framework based on sparse coding. Images are first partitioned into different tiles, and a dictionary is built after applying PCA to these tiles. The original signals are then transformed as a linear combination of the elements of the dictionary. Then, they are reconstructed by iteratively deactivating the elements associated with each component. Classification is finally performed employing as features the subsequent reconstruction errors. Performance is evaluated in a real context where distinguishing between four different pathologies: control versus bacterial pneumonia versus viral pneumonia versus COVID-19. Our system differentiates between pneumonia patients and controls with an accuracy of 97.74%, whereas in the 4-class context the accuracy is 86.73%. The excellent results and the pioneering use of sparse coding in this scenario evidence that our proposal can assist clinicians when their workload is high.
Scaling of average receiving time on double-weighted polygon networks
Authors: Li Xiaoyan , Sun Yu
Published: December 2021

In this paper, we introduce a class of double-weighted polygon networks with two different meanings of weighted factors [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], which represent path-difficulty and path-length, respectively, based on actual traffic networks. Picking an arbitrary node from the hub nodes set as the trap node, and the double-weighted polygon networks are divided into [Formula: see text] blocks by combining with the iterative method. According to biased random walks, the calculation expression of average receiving time (ART) of any polygon networks is given by using the intermediate quantity the mean first-passage time (MFPT), which is applicable to any [Formula: see text] ([Formula: see text]) polygon networks. What is more, we display the specific calculation process and results of ART of the double-weighted quadrilateral networks, indicating that ART grows exponentially with respect to the networks order and the exponent is [Formula: see text] which grows with the product of [Formula: see text]. When [Formula: see text] increases, ART increases linearly ([Formula: see text]) or sublinearly ([Formula: see text]) with the size of networks, and the smaller value of [Formula: see text], the higher transportation efficiency.
Application of Ni-doped ZnO nanorods in surface acoustic wave ultraviolet photodetectors
Authors: Water Walter , Li Cheng-Je , Ji Liang-Wen
Published: December 2021

A surface acoustic wave ultraviolet photodetector was fabricated on a ZnO thin film with pure and Ni-doped ZnO nanorods deposited on a Si substrate. Piezoelectric ZnO thin films were grown on Si through radio-frequency magnetron sputtering, and ZnO nanorods were synthesized on ZnO thin films by using the hydrothermal method. The crystalline structure, surface morphology, and luminescent characteristics of ZnO films and nanorods were examined using X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectrometers and scanning electron microscope. The performance of the surface acoustic wave photodetector was evaluated using the variations in surface capacitance, insertion loss, and phase shift. ZnO nanorods became shorter and thicker with an increase in the concentration of Ni doping; however, the variations in surface capacitance of Ni-doped ZnO nanorods were greater than those of pure ZnO nanorods obtained under ultraviolet irradiation. Devices with Ni-doped ZnO nanorods exhibited larger shifts in insertion loss and phase than those with pure ZnO nanorods did.
Effects of parameters on titanium nitride formation at atomic level
Authors: Lv Yanan , Chen Dong
Published: December 2021

The effects of parameters on nanoscale titanium nitride during the formation process in ferrite were studied via the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation. The formation of titanium nitride was executed by employing a dislocation-motivated formation model in which the atomic diffusion has a significant contribution. The roles of N/Ti atom ratio, temperature and matrix defect were identified and the according nitride formation property was analyzed.
Multiple exact solutions for the dimensionally reduced p-gBKP equation via bilinear neural network method
Authors: Zhang Run-Fa , Li Ming-Chu , Fang Tao , Zheng Fu-Chang , Bilige Sudao
Published: December 2021

In this paper, new trial functions are constructed via extended “3-3-2-3-1” and “3-3-2-3-2-1” network models based on the bilinear neural networks method. The new lump-type solution, interaction solution, plentiful arbitrary function solutions and periodic lump solutions of the dimensionally reduced [Formula: see text]-generalized Burgers–Kadomtsev–Petviashvili equation are solved. To analyze the dynamic properties of the solutions, appropriate parameters and different activated functions are defined in arbitrary function solutions. Through the three-dimensional and density plots, the dynamical characteristics of the solutions are shown well.