bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic Pricing with Point Redemption
Authors: Chung Hakjin , Ahn Hyun-Soo , Chun So Yeon
Published: January 2022

Problem definition: Reward points function as a new currency that consumers can spend on products and services. We study how point redemption affects the seller’s day-to-day pricing and inventory decisions. Academic/practical relevance: Despite widespread use of point redemption, little has been done on its implication on the seller’s operational decisions. This paper extends the revenue management literature to incorporate the impact of point redemption and provides managerial insights on how the seller can factor point redemption into decisions about price and inventory. Methodology: We develop a choice model in which a consumer chooses to pay with cash or points based on the attributes of reservation price, point balance, and the perceived value of a point. We incorporate this choice model into a dynamic model where a seller adjusts the price along with redemption availability and the required point amount. Results: We show that the effect of point redemption on the seller’s price is nontrivial, as the optimal price tilts upward or downward to the reimbursement rate (the compensatory revenue for a reward sale) depending on the inventory level, time, and the reimbursement rate. Furthermore, such price adjustments can attenuate the optimal markup/markdown level, reducing the price fluctuation derived by a dynamic pricing policy in the absence of reward sales. We find that operationalizing reward sales with some discretionary policies (e.g., control over the reward availability or point requirement) can considerably increase the seller’s revenue. Managerial implications: Our results guide how sellers manage prices and inventory dynamically when consumers can redeem points for purchases. Specifically, we show that a seller can benefit from allowing reward sales even when the reimbursement rate is substantially lower than the cash price. Although the seller benefits from having full control over the required point balance, the greatest benefit can be realized via the control of reward availability.
Network Inspection for Detecting Strategic Attacks
Authors: Dahan Mathieu , Sela Lina , Amin Saurabh
Published: January 2022

Ensuring the security of critical infrastructures is crucial for the society’s welfare and prosperity. However, these infrastructure networks are inherently vulnerable to both intentional and unintentional threats. In “Network Inspection for Detecting Strategic Attacks,” Dahan, Sela, and Amin study a strategic network inspection problem, formulated as a large-scale bilevel optimization problem, in which a utility seeks to determine an inspection strategy with minimum number of smart detectors that ensures a desirable expected detection performance under worst-case attacks. The authors derive structural properties of optimal solutions and show that the problem can be solved using Nash equilibria of a large-scale zero-sum game. Their analysis leads to a computationally tractable and operationally feasible solution approach with theoretical guarantees based on combinatorial objects that capture the nature of equilibrium inspection and attack strategies. Their computational study indicates that utilities can achieve a high level of protection in large-scale networks by strategically positioning a small number of detectors.
Histone deacetylase inhibitors attenuated interleukin-1β-induced chondrogenesis inhibition in synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cells of the temporomandibular joint
Authors: Liao Wen-ting , Sun Jia-dong , Wang Yun , He Yi-qing , Su Kai , Lu Yun-yang , Liao Guiqing , Sun Yang-peng
Published: January 2022

Aims

In the repair of condylar cartilage injury, synovium-derived mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) migrate to an injured site and differentiate into cartilage. This study aimed to confirm that histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, which alleviate arthritis, can improve chondrogenesis inhibited by IL-1β, and to explore its mechanism.

Methods

SMSCs were isolated from synovium specimens of patients undergoing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) surgery. Chondrogenic differentiation potential of SMSCs was evaluated in vitro in the control, IL-1β stimulation, and IL-1β stimulation with HDAC inhibitors groups. The effect of HDAC inhibitors on the synovium and condylar cartilage in a rat TMJ arthritis model was evaluated.

Results

Interleukin (IL)-1β inhibited the chondrogenic differentiation potential of SMSCs, while the HDAC inhibitors, suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and panobinostat (LBH589), attenuated inhibition of IL-1β-induced SMSC chondrogenesis. Additionally, SAHA attenuated the destruction of condylar cartilage in rat TMJ arthritis model. IL-6 (p < 0.001) and matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) (p = 0.006) were significantly upregulated after IL-1β stimulation, while SAHA and LBH589 attenuated IL-6 and MMP13 expression, which was upregulated by IL-1β in vitro. Silencing of IL-6 significantly downregulated MMP13 expression and attenuated IL-1β-induced chondrogenesis inhibition of SMSCs.

Conclusion

HDAC inhibitors SAHA and LBH589 attenuated chondrogenesis inhibition of SMSC induced by IL-1β in TMJ, and inhibition of IL-6/MMP13 pathway activation contributes to this biological progress. This study provides a theoretical basis for the application of HDAC inhibitors in the treatment of TMJ arthritis. Cite this article: Bone Joint Res 2022;11(1):40–48.
The limits of burden-reducing policies: a case study of unemployment insurance during the COVID-19 crisis in Israel
Authors: Tarshish Noam , Benish Avishai , Eseed Rana , Gal John , Holler Roni
Published: January 2022

This study examines policy efforts to reduce administrative burden and to increase accessibility to unemployment insurance (UI) during the COVID-19 crisis in Israel and the consequences of these for claimants. A mixed-method approach was applied, utilising administrative documents, interviews and survey data. The findings suggest a mixed trend: burden-reducing measures were introduced but were constrained by the system’s preexisting infrastructure. While some claimants experienced the process as simple, many others experienced it as onerous, primarily due to a lack of communication with authorities. Two key insights for successful implementation of burden-reduction policies are highlighted: a well-established infrastructure and bidirectional communication.
Analysis of the atmospheric visibility influencing factors under sea–land breeze circulation
Authors: Liu Nana , Luo Tao , Han Yajuan , Yang Kaixuan , Zhang Kun , Wu Yang , Weng Ningquan , Li Xuebin
Published: January 2022

Factors influencing atmospheric visibility (VIS) in coastal areas are more complex than those for inland and far oceans owing to the complex circulation and aerosol sources. This study analyzed the factors influencing VIS under sea–land breeze circulation (SLBC) for different external aerosol sources based on field survey data in southern Chinese coastal areas. First, SLBC characteristics observed during the experiment period showed that on SLBC days, sea breeze occurs more frequently (∼50%) than land breeze (∼27%), and the wind speed (WS) is generally small, with a mean sea and land breeze WSs of ∼2.18 m/s and ∼2.38 m/s, respectively. Then, analysis of factors influencing VIS was conducted for different land/sea breeze conditions and external aerosol source conditions indicated by the HYSPLIT4 model simulations. Results showed that the aerosol particle number concentration (PNC) and relative humidity (RH) both had negative correlations with VIS, while only very weak relationships between WS and VIS were found, possibly due to small WSs on SLBC days or because local aerosols were not pure marine aerosols. Further two-factor analysis of VIS showed that the power-law function relating VIS with PNC in each RH bin ranges from ∼-0.3 to ∼-1.5, and VIS exhibited sharper exponential decline with increasing PNC under high RH. A new method of retrieving aerosol-extinction hygroscopic growth factor (fext) with the measured VIS, RH, and PNC was developed to investigate the optical hygroscopic growth property of aerosols. Results show that aerosols in the study area have similar fext under different land/sea breeze and external aerosol source conditions; the deliquescence RH of aerosols is ∼60%, suggesting that mainly polluted marine aerosol was observed during experiments in this area.
Researching pointing error effect on laser linewidth tolerance in space coherent optical communication systems
Authors: Li Mi , Guo You , Wang Xue , Fu Wanwang , Zhang Yuexing , Wang Yisi
Published: January 2022

In order to evaluate the pointing error effect on laser linewidth tolerance in a space coherent optical communication system, we derive a closed-form bit error rate (BER) model for binary phase-shift-keying (BPSK) modulation and heterodyne detection, under atmospheric turbulence, pointing error and laser phase noise. Based on the BER model, the linewidth tolerance is given, and numerical simulation is conducted. We find that laser linewidth tolerance decreases greatly with the increase of pointing error. Considering that pointing error consists of jitter and boresight, the effect of jitter and boresight are discussed separately and jointly in detail. Our results show that laser linewidth tolerance is more sensitive to the jitter variation than the boresight variation. In addition, with the increasing of the pointing error, the linewidth tolerance decreases faster under the large pointing error as compared to the case under the small pointing error. This paper is a good reference for designing space coherent optical communication systems.
Operation of a fiber-coupled laser-cooler down to cryogenic temperatures
Authors: Vicente Rémi , Cittadino Giovanni , Di Lieto Alberto , Tonelli Mauro , Gardelein Arnaud , Nogues Gilles
Published: January 2022

We report on the optical cooling of a 7.5%

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crystal down to 125 K in a multi-pass Herriott absorption cell, coupled via a single mode polarization maintaining optical fiber to the laser source. This configuration, never exploited before, is more practical for potential applications, in particular for spaceborne cryogenics setups. Moreover, the temperature reached is exactly the one needed in many setup embarked in small and medium satellites. We evaluate the heat load on the crystal at the minimum attainable temperature, which is comparable to state of the art systems.
Multi-objective optimization method for reducing mutual interference in cockpit illumination
Authors: Zhou Li , Wei Liangzhuang , Song Jun , Ruan Chao , Wang Huishuang , Lin Yandan
Published: January 2022

The cockpit is a compact space comprised of various light-emitting devices. The light from different devices interferes and overlaps on the target surface. The light distribution requirements of different target surfaces are different. A suitable decision-making process is required to simultaneously meet the requirements of multiple target surfaces. A GPR-NSGA-II framework was proposed in the present study and a corresponding Gaussian process regression prediction model was established to predict and optimize multiple optical quality parameters in the cockpit. The luminous flux and beam angle of the typical luminaires were selected as controlled input parameters in a model case. The average illumination of targets that need lighting were set as constraints, and uniformity of illuminance of these surfaces and vertical illumination (direct light) of the eye position were set as the variables. An orthogonal experiment was conducted using the lighting model and a dataset was generated to validate the proposed framework. The results demonstrate that the solution set of luminescence parameters in cockpit illumination can be specified by GPR-NSGA-II framework.
3D imaging through a highly heterogeneous double-composite random medium by common-path phase-shift digital holography
Authors: Ohta Manami , Kodama Shutaro , Miyamoto Yoko , Osten Wolfgang , Takeda Mitsuo , Watanabe Eriko
Published: January 2022

A method is proposed for 3D imaging through a highly heterogeneous double-composite random medium made of a thick mildly inhomogeneous medium followed by a thin strongly scattering layer. To realize the immunity to the heterogeneous random medium, a system of common-path phase-shift digital holography is designed in such a manner that the wavefront distortion caused by the first inhomogeneous medium is canceled out by the common-path geometry, and the influence of the random phase introduced by the second scattering layer is removed by the intensity-based recording of the digital hologram on the thin scattering layer. The validity of the method was confirmed by experiments.
Effects of the linewidth enhancement factor on the microwave linewidth of the period-one oscillations of optically injected semiconductor lasers
Authors: AlMulla Mohammad , Liu Jia-Ming
Published: January 2022

We investigate the microwave linewidth of the period-one (P1) nonlinear dynamics of an optically injected semiconductor laser as a function of the linewidth enhancement factor. Under proper conditions of optical injection, the destabilizing effect of a large value of the linewidth enhancement factor of the injected semiconductor laser is found to be unexpectedly suppressed in the P1 oscillation of the laser, thus resulting in a narrow P1 linewidth equal to that generated by a laser of a small linewidth enhancement factor. By properly choosing the operating point, P1 oscillations with microwave linewidths that are an order of magnitude narrower than the free-running optical linewidths of the master and slave lasers are observed.
Intelligent reconfigurable metasurface for self-adaptively electromagnetic functionality switching
Authors: She Ying , Ji Chen , Huang Cheng , Zhang Zuojun , Liao Jianming , Wang Jiangyu , Luo Xiangang
Published: January 2022

Reconfigurable metasurfaces have attracted a deal of attention owing to their multifunctional and dynamic electromagnetic (EM) manipulation properties. However, most of the previous reconfigurable metasurfaces rely on manual control for function switching, which has huge limitations in practical application. Here, an intelligent metasurface with the self-adaptively EM manipulation capability is proposed. It integrates the sensing-and-feedback components to construct a closed-loop system, which can automatically adjust EM functionalities for the different incident power information. The sensing module in this metasurface can first perceive the incident EM power intensity and then provide the feedback signal to the field programmable gate array controlling platform that can send the corresponding instruction to the executing material for switching the EM functionality among transmission, reflection, and tunable absorption. Good self-adaptive reaction capability and practicability of the proposed metasurface have been demonstrated by the experiment. It has the capability of making a real-time response with adaptive EM behavior to the varying incoming wave power without the aid of human beings. Our design provides an avenue toward intelligent and cognitive metasurfaces, which has extensive application prospects in smart skin, intelligent absorber, and the related EM fields.
European Cybersecurity Certification Schemes and cybersecurity in the EU internal market
Authors: Stewart Ferguson Donald David
Published: January 2022

The principal question addressed by this paper is: how adequate are the minimum security objectives of the European Union Cybersecurity Act (Regulation (EU) 2019/881) in assisting organisations in the European Union internal market with resisting and recovering from cyber threats? The question is answered by first identifying the scope of the minimum security objectives. Scope identification, performed through legislative interpretation, reveals an integrated system of security objectives with significant gaps. Second, the minimum security objectives are evaluated within a model of cyber attacks from attack reconnaissance to legal proceedings to reveal further significant gaps. Finally, the minimum security objectives are evaluated within five cyber attack scenarios, reflecting the highest ranking cyber threats to the internal market. The simulation analysis accentuates the findings of the model analysis and identifies further significant gaps. In conclusion, the minimum security objectives are found to be largely inadequate in assisting organisations in the European Union internal market with resisting and recovering from cyber threats. The analysis of the adequacy of the minimum security objectives is timely, as the first European cybersecurity certification schemes are currently being designed.
Development of a simple, rapid, and sensitive diagnostic assay for enterotoxigenic E. coli and Shigella spp applicable to endemic countries
Authors: Chakraborty Subhra , Connor Sean , Velagic Mirza
Published: January 2022

Enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC) and Shigella spp (Shigella) are complex pathogens. The diagnostic assays currently used to detect these pathogens are elaborate or complicated, which make them difficult to apply in resource poor settings where these diseases are endemic. The culture methods used to detect Shigella are not sensitive, and the methods used to detect ETEC are only available in a few research labs. To address this gap, we developed a rapid and simple diagnostic assay–"Rapid LAMP based Diagnostic Test (RLDT)." The six minutes sample preparation method directly from the fecal samples with lyophilized reaction strips and using established Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) platform, ETEC [heat labile toxin (LT) and heat stable toxins (STh, and STp) genes] and Shigella (ipaH gene) detection was made simple, rapid (<50 minutes), and inexpensive. This assay is cold chain and electricity free. Moreover, RLDT requires minimal equipment. To avoid any end user’s bias, a battery-operated, handheld reader was used to read the RLDT results. The results can be read as positive/negative or as real time amplification depending on the end user’s need. The performance specifications of the RLDT assay, including analytical sensitivity and specificity, were evaluated using fecal samples spiked with ETEC and Shigella strains. The limit of detection was ~105 CFU/gm of stool for LT, STh, and STp and ~104 CFU/gm of stool for the ipaH gene, which corresponds to about 23 CFU and 1 CFU respectively for ETEC and Shigella per 25uL reaction within 40 minutes. The RLDT assay from stool collection to result is simple, and rapid and at the same time sufficiently sensitive. RLDT has the potential to be applied in resource poor endemic settings for the rapid diagnosis of ETEC and Shigella.
Do hostile takeover threats matter? Evidence from credit ratings
Authors: Chatjuthamard Pattanaporn , Ongsakul Viput , Jiraporn Pornsit
Published: January 2022

Exploiting a novel measure of takeover vulnerability mainly based on state legislations, we explore the effect of hostile takeover threats on credit ratings. Our results reveal that companies with more takeover exposure are assigned significantly better credit ratings. In particular, a rise in takeover vulnerability by one standard deviation results in an improvement in credit ratings by 7.89%. Our findings are consistent with the view that the disciplinary mechanism associated with the takeover market mitigates agency problems and ultimately raises firm value. Further analysis corroborates our conclusion, including propensity score matching, entropy balancing, and an instrumental-variable analysis. As our proxy for takeover susceptibility is plausibly exogenous, our results are more likely to show a causal effect.
Latin American registry of renal involvement in COVID-19 disease. The relevance of assessing proteinuria throughout the clinical course
Authors: Lombardi Raúl , Ferreiro Alejandro , Ponce Daniela , Claure-Del Granado Rolando , Aroca Gustavo , Venegas Yanissa , Pereira Mariana , Chavez-Iñiguez Jonathan , Rojas Nelson , Villa Ana , Colombo Marcos , Carlino Cristina , Guimarâes Caio , Younes-Ibrahim Mauricio , Rizo Lilia Maria , Guzmán Gisselle , Varela Carlos , Rosa-Diez Guillermo , Janiques Diego , Ayala Roger , Coronel Galo , Roessler Eric , Amor Serena , Osorio Washington , Rivas Natalia , Pereira Benedito , de Azevedo Caroline , Flores Adriana , Ubillo José , Raño Julieta , Yu Luis , Burdmann Emmanuel A. , Rodríguez Luis , Galagarza-Gutiérrez Gianny , Curitomay-Cruz Jesús
Published: January 2022

The Latin American Society of Nephrology and Hypertension conducted a prospective cohort, multinational registry of Latin American patients with kidney impairment associated to COVID-19 infection with the objective to describe the characteristics of acute kidney disease under these circumstances. The study was carried out through open invitation in order to describe the characteristics of the disease in the region. Eight-hundred and seventy patients from 12 countries were included. Median age was 63 years (54–74), most of patients were male (68.4%) and with diverse comorbidities (87.2%). Acute kidney injury (AKI) was hospital-acquired in 64.7% and non-oliguric in 59.9%. Multiorgan dysfunction syndrome (MODS) due to COVID-19 and volume depletion were the main factors contributing to AKI (59.2% and 35.7% respectively). Kidney replacement therapy was started in 46.2%. Non-recovery of renal function was observed in 65.3%. 71.5% of patients were admitted to ICU and 72.2% underwent mechanical ventilation. Proteinuria at admission was present in 62.4% of patients and proteinuria during hospital-stay occurred in 37.5%. Those patients with proteinuria at admission had higher burden of comorbidities, higher baseline sCr, and MODS was severe. On the other hand, patients with de novo proteinuria had lower incidence of comorbidities and near normal sCr at admission, but showed adverse course of disease. COVID-19 MODS was the main cause of AKI in both groups. All-cause mortality of the general population was 57.4%, and it was associated to age, sepsis as cause of AKI, severity of condition at admission, oliguria, mechanical ventilation, non-recovery of renal function, in-hospital complications and hospital stay. In conclusion, our study contributes to a better knowledge of this condition and highlights the relevance of the detection of proteinuria throughout the clinical course.
Relationship between adiponectin multimer levels and subtypes of cerebral infarction
Authors: Tagawa Noriko , Fujinami Aya , Natsume Shigeatsu , Mizuno Shigeto , Kato Ikuo
Published: January 2022

Aim

Serum adiponectin levels are decreased in patients with cerebral infarction. Adiponectin in circulation exists in three isoforms: high molecular weight (HMW), medium molecular weight (MMW), and low molecular weight (LMW) adiponectin. We measured serum levels of total adiponectin and adiponectin multimers (HMW, MMW, and LMW) in patients with cerebral infarction and compared the serum levels of the three adiponectin multimers in stroke subtypes. We also evaluated the clinical value of adiponectin multimer levels as a biomarker for cerebral infarction.

Methods

We assessed a total of 132 patients with cerebral infarctions. The serum levels of total and adiponectin multimers were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

The total and HMW adiponectin levels were significantly lower in atherothrombotic infarction (AI) than in cerebral embolism (CE) (total, p < 0.05; HMW, p < 0.05). In male patients, the MMW adiponectin level was significantly lower in the lacunar infarction (LI) group than in the AI group (p < 0.05). The LMW adiponectin level was significantly lower in the AI group than in the LI and CE groups (LI, p < 0.001; CE, p = 0.001). However, there were no significant differences in adiponectin multimer levels among the stroke subtypes in female subjects. Additionally, in female patients with AI and LI, the LMW adiponectin levels were negatively associated with C-reactive protein (CRP; AI, p < 0.05; LI, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that a decrease in adiponectin is associated with AI and that serum LMW adiponectin level represents a potential biomarker for AI.
Irradiated fibroblasts increase interleukin-6 expression and induce migration of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Suzuki Shinsuke , Toyoma Satoshi , Kawasaki Yohei , Yamada Takechiyo
Published: January 2022

Background

Cytotoxic effects of radiation play an important role in the treatment of head and neck cancer. However, irradiation is known to lead to the migration of various cancer cells, including those of head and neck cancer. Recently, fibroblasts in the cancer microenvironment have been reported to be involved in this mechanism. Nevertheless, the mechanism underlying migration of head and neck cancer cells remains unclear. Herein, we aimed to elucidate this migration mechanism induced by irradiation in terms of the interaction of head and neck cancer cells with fibroblasts.

Methods

We used the head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines SAS and FaDu as well as fibroblast cell lines. These cells were irradiated and their viability was compared. In fibroblasts, changes in interleukin-6 (IL-6) secretion caused by irradiation were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The cell migration ability of cancer cells was evaluated via a migration assay using a semipermeable membrane. HNSCC cells were cocultured with irradiated and nonirradiated fibroblasts, and their migration ability under each condition was compared. We also examined the effect of IL-6 on the migration of HNSCC cells. Furthermore, to investigate the effect of fibroblast-derived IL-6 on the migration ability of HNSCC cells, we conducted a coculture study using IL-6 neutralizing antibody.

Results

Irradiation reduced the survival of HNSCC cells, whereas fibroblasts were resistant to irradiation. Irradiation also increased IL-6 secretion by fibroblasts. Migration of HNSCC cells was enhanced by coculture with fibroblasts and further enhanced by coculture with irradiated fibroblasts. We also confirmed that the migration of HNSCC cells was induced by IL-6. The enhanced migration of cancer cells caused by coculturing with fibroblasts was canceled by the IL-6 neutralizing antibody.

Conclusion

These results show that fibroblasts survive irradiation and induce the migration ability of HNSCC cells through increased secretion of IL-6.
Impact of a virtual learning environment on the conscious prescription of antibiotics among Colombian dentists
Authors: Angarita-Díaz María del Pilar , Bernal-Cepeda Lilia , Bastidas-Legarda Leidy , Forero-Escobar Diana , Ricaurte-Avendaño Angélica , Mora-Reina Julián , Vergara-Mercado Martha , Herrera-Herrera Alejandra , Rodriguez-Paz Martha , Cáceres- Matta Sandra , Fortich-Mesa Natalia , Ochoa-Acosta Emilia María
Published: January 2022

Appropriate antibiotic prescription contributes to reducing bacterial resistance; therefore, it is critical to provide training regarding this challenge. The objective of this study was to develop a virtual learning environment for antibiotic prescription and to determine its impact on dentists’ awareness, attitudes, and intention to practice. First, the learning content on multimedia resources was developed and distributed into three challenges that participants had to overcome. Then, a quasi-experimental study was performed in which the virtual learning environment was implemented on dentists from seven Colombian cities. The median of correct answers and the levels of awareness, attitudes, and intention to practice were compared before, immediately after, and 6-months post-intervention. Wilcoxon signed-rank and McNemar’s tests were used to determine the differences. A total of 206 participants who finished the virtual learning environment activities exhibited a favorable and statistically significant impact on the median of correct answers of awareness (p < 0.001), attitudes (p < 0.001), and intention to practice (p = 0.042). A significant increase occurred in the number of participants with a high level of awareness (p < 0.001) and a non-significant increase in participants with high levels of attitudes (p = 0.230) and intention to practice (p = 0.286). At 6 months, the positive effect on the median of correct answers on awareness and intention to practice persisted (p < 0.001); however, this was not evident for attitudes (p = 0.105). Moreover, there was a significant decrease in the number of participants who showed low levels of awareness (p = 0.019) and a slight increase in those with high levels of the same component (p = 0.161). The use of a virtual learning environment designed for dentists contributed to a rapid improvement in awareness and intention to practice antibiotic prescription; however, their attitudes and information retention need reinforcement.
Phylogenetic analysis and antimicrobial susceptibility profile of uropathogens
Authors: Ullah Hanif , Bashir Kashif , Idrees Muhammad , Ullah Amin , Hassan Neelma , Khan Sara , Nasir Bilal , Nadeem Tariq , Ahsan Hina , Khan Muhammad Islam , Ali Qurban , Muhammad Sher , Afzal Muhammad
Published: January 2022

The uropathogens is the main cause of urinary tract infection (UTI). The aim of the study was to isolate bacteria from urine samples of UTI patients and find out the susceptibility of isolated bacteria. Bacteria were identified using both conventional and molecular methods. Sanger sequence procedure used for 16S ribosomal RNA and phylogenetic analysis was performed using Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis (MEGA-7) software. In this study,Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumonia,Staphylococcuswere reported as 58, 28 and 14.0% respectively. Phylogenetic tree revealed that 99% of sample No. Ai (05) is closely related toE.colito (NR 114042.1E.colistrain NBRC 102203). Aii (23) is 99% similar toK.pneumoniaeto (NR 117686.1K.pneumoniastrain DSM 30104) and 90% Bi (48) is closely linked toS.aureusto (NR 113956.1S.aureusstrain NBRC 100910). The antibiotic susceptibility ofE.colirecorded highest resistance towards ampicillin (90%) and least resistant to ofloxacin (14%). Some of the other antibiotics such amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, ceftazidime, cefuroxime and nitrofurantoin resistance were observed 86, 62, 24, 55, 48 and 35% respectively. The cefuroxime showed the highest antibiotic resistance againstK.pneumoniaewith 85% followed by amoxicillin, ciprofloxacin, gentamicin, ceftazidime, ampicillin and nitrofurantoin resulted in 60, 45, 67, 70, 75 and 30% respectively. The resistance ofS.aureusagainst erythromycin, cefuroxime and ampicillin were found with 72%. The resistance against amoxicillin, gentamicin, ceftazidime and ceftriaxone found 57, 43, 43 and 15% respectively. Phylogenetic analysis shows that sequences are closely related with the reference sequences andE.coliis the dominant bacteria among UTI patients and is resistant to the commercially available antibiotics.
Personalized next-best action recommendation with multi-party interaction learning for automated decision-making
Authors: Cao Longbing , Zhu Chengzhang
Published: January 2022

Automated next-best action recommendation for each customer in a sequential, dynamic and interactive context has been widely needed in natural, social and business decision-making. Personalized next-best action recommendation must involve past, current and future customer demographics and circumstances (states) and behaviors, long-range sequential interactions between customers and decision-makers, multi-sequence interactions between states, behaviors and actions, and their reactions to their counterpart’s actions. No existing modeling theories and tools, including Markovian decision processes, user and behavior modeling, deep sequential modeling, and personalized sequential recommendation, can quantify such complex decision-making on a personal level. We take a data-driven approach to learn the next-best actions for personalized decision-making by a reinforced coupled recurrent neural network (CRN). CRN represents multiple coupled dynamic sequences of a customer’s historical and current states, responses to decision-makers’ actions, decision rewards to actions, and learns long-term multi-sequence interactions between parties (customer and decision-maker). Next-best actions are then recommended on each customer at a time point to change their state for an optimal decision-making objective. Our study demonstrates the potential of personalized deep learning of multi-sequence interactions and automated dynamic intervention for personalized decision-making in complex systems.
Population wide testing pooling strategy for SARS-CoV-2 detection using saliva
Authors: Esteves Eduardo , Mendes Ana Karina , Barros Marlene , Figueiredo Cátia , Andrade Joana , Capelo Joana , Novais António , Rebelo Carla , Soares Rita , Nunes Ana , Ferreira André , Lemos Joana , Duarte Ana Sofia , Silva Raquel M. , Inácio Bernardino Liliana , Correia Maria José , Esteves Ana Cristina , Rosa Nuno
Published: January 2022

SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has forced frequent testing of populations. It is necessary to identify the most cost-effective strategies for the detection of COVID-19 outbreaks. Nasopharyngeal samples have been used for SARS-CoV-2 detection but require a healthcare professional to collect the sample and cause discomfort and pain to the individual. Saliva has been suggested as an appropriate fluid for the diagnosis of COVID-19. We have investigated the possibility of using pools of saliva samples to detect SARS-CoV-2 in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients. Two hundred and seventy-nine saliva samples were analyzed through RT-PCR of Envelope, Nucleocapsid and Open Reading Frame 1ab genes. Reproducibility assays showed an almost perfect agreement as well as high sensitivity (96.6%), specificity (96.8%), positive predicted value (96.6%), and negative predicted value (96.8%). The average Cycle Threshold of the genes detected was 29.7. No significant differences (p > 0.05) were detected when comparing the cycle threshold average of two consecutive reactions on the same positive saliva samples. Saliva samples have a higher median viral load (32.6) than in nasopharyngeal samples (28.9), although no significant differences were detected (p > 0.05). Saliva-pool samples allowed effective SARS-CoV-2 screening, with a higher sensibility (96.9%) on 10-sample pools than in 20-sample pools (87.5%). Regardless of pools size specificity was high (99.9%) and an almost perfect agreement was observed. Our strategy was successfully applied in population wide testing of more than 2000 individuals, showing that it is possible to use pooled saliva as diagnostic fluid for SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Instance segmentation convolutional neural network based on multi-scale attention mechanism
Authors: Gaihua Wang , Jinheng Lin , Lei Cheng , Yingying Dai , Tianlun Zhang
Published: January 2022

Instance segmentation is more challenging and difficult than object detection and semantic segmentation. It paves the way for the realization of a complete scene understanding, and has been widely used in robotics, automatic driving, medical care, and other aspects. However, there are some problems in instance segmentation methods, such as the low detection efficiency for low-resolution objects and the slow detection speed of images with complex backgrounds. To solve these problems, this paper proposes an instance segmentation method with multi-scale attention, which is called a Hybrid Kernel Mask R-CNN. Firstly, the hybrid convolution kernel is constructed by combining different kernels and groups, which can complement each other to extract rich information. Secondly, a multi-scale attention mechanism is designed by assign weights to different convolution kernels, which can retain more important information. After the introduction of our strategy, the network is more inclined to focus on the low-resolution objects in the image. The proposed method achieves the best accuracy over the anchor-based method. To verify the universality of the model, we test Hybrid Kernel Mask R-CNN on Balloon, xBD and COCO datasets. The test results exceed the state of art methods. And the visualization results show our method can extract low-resolution objects effectively.
Logistic modeling to predict the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of olive leaf extract (OLE) against Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Du Renjie , Qu Yuejun , Zhao Min , Liu Yanhong , Qi Phoebe X. , Sun Xingbin
Published: January 2022

Olive leaf extract (OLE) has been increasingly recognized as a natural and effective antimicrobial against a host of foodborne pathogens. This study attempts to predict the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of OLE againstListeria monocytogenesF2365 by utilizing the asymptotic deceleration point (PDA) in a logistic model (LM), namely MIC-PDA. The experimental data obtained from the inhibitory rate (IR) versus OLE concentration againstL.monocytogeneswere sufficiently fitted (R2= 0.88957). Five significant critical points were derived by taking the multi-order derivatives of the LM function: the inflection point (PI), the maximum acceleration point (PAM), the maximum deceleration point (PDM), the absolute acceleration point (PAA), and the asymptotic deceleration point (PDA). The PDA ([OLE] = 37.055 mg/mL) was employed to approximate the MIC-PDA. This MIC value was decreased by over 42% compared to the experimental MIC of 64.0 mg/mL, obtained using the conventional 2-fold dilution method (i.e., MIC-2fold). The accuracy of MIC-PDA was evaluated by anin vitro L.monocytogenesgrowth inhibition assay. Finally, the logistic modeling method was independently validated using our previously published inhibition data of OLE against the growths ofEscherichia coliO157:H7 andSalmonella enteritidis. The MIC-PDA (for [OLE]) values were estimated to be 41.083 and 35.313 mg/mL, respectively, compared to the experimental value of 62.5 mg/mL. Taken together, MIC-PDA, as estimated from the logistic modeling, holds the potential to shorten the time and reduce cost when OLE is used as an antimicrobial in the food industry.
Platform governance and the politics of media regulation: The review of the European Audiovisual Media Services Directive
Authors: Vlassis Antonios
Published: January 2022

The rapid expansion of video-on-demand platforms, such as Netflix or Disney Plus, associated with the advance of digital capitalism makes the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) adopted by the European Union a particularly relevant case for understanding the politics of the digital media policy. Based on an actor-centred constructivism, the article seeks to propose a conceptual approach to explore platform governance and highlight the key dynamics through which platform governance related to the media sector is formulated in light of the actors involved. As such, it provides an ‘in situ and in action’ view on normative building, introducing politics into the analysis of platform governance. The study focuses on the political framing of two key issues related to the crystallization of AVMSD: (1) the financial contribution of online platforms to European and national audio-visual content creation and (2) the presence and prominence of European and national audio-visual works in the online catalogues.
Problematizando as novas ferramentas pedagógicas no ensino de História
Authors: Ferreira de Sousa Maria Aparecida , Sá da Silva Jackson Ronie
Published: January 2022

O presente artigo tem por objetivo problematizar as tecnologias educacionais e as novas ferramentas pedagógicas, vislumbrando as potencialidades destas para o ensino de história e a aprendizagem significativa dos alunos a partir das mundanças da sociedade e, consequentemente, nas formas de aprender e ensinar. Estudo de perspectiva qualitativa onde se realizou um sistemático levantamento bibliográfico sobre as conexões entre ensino de história e tecnologias educacionais. Utilizou-se a análise do conteúdo no processo de categorização dos dados. A escola, enquanto campo específico de construção de saberes, deverá necessariamente desenvolver novas competências para o ensino de história, incorporando às suas práticas o uso das tecnologias.
Garotas do velho Rio: As personagens de Alceu Pena e seu pertencimento cultural a cidade do Rio de Janeiro
Authors: Queiroz Campos Daniela
Published: January 2022

O presente artigo aborda o pertencimento cultural de suas personagens da coluna Garotas do Alceu a cidade do Rio de Janeiro. A coluna circulou nas páginas da grande revista brasileira de variedades de meados do século XX – O Cruzeiro (1928-1975) – de 1938 à 1964. As chamadas Garotas constituía afamada coluna de pin-ups ilustrada pelo desenhista mineiro Alceu Penna. As personagens femininas traçadas por Penna semanalmente apresentavam aos leitores de O Cruzeiro o cotidiano de jovens mulheres “modernas” em diferentes situações sociais que abarcavam novos modelos de sociabilidade urbana naquele Rio de Janeiro dos ano dourados – pós segunda Grande Guerra mundial.
Los grandes en un mercado de chicos. El abasto de carne en Buenos Aires colonial.
Authors: Dupuy Andrea Lidia
Published: January 2022

Se ha demostrado que el abasto de carne a la ciudad de Buenos Aires tardo-colonial es un mercado diversificado en el que predominan los medianos y pequeños productores y comercializadores donde las pequeñas transacciones modelan una demanda constante y sistemàtica. Sin embargo, en ese universo  se presenta un reducido grupo de “grandes productores”  y “grandes abastecedores”, que matizan este universo. Grupo que aparece en los corrales de abasto citadino con un promedio que excede las 100 reses mensuales, destacándose del resto. En el presente estudio intentamos profundizar la identidad de estos actores sociales, teniendo como  objetivo principal su identificación a través del estudio de sus características, puntos de acercamiento, asì como su incidencia dentro de este mercado local y de la economía tardo-colonial de Buenos Aires en su conjunto.
Corpo Axé – Um Relato de Experiência Autobiográfico sobre Consciência Corporal de um jovem Umbandista / Axé Body – An Autobiographical Experience Report about Body Counciousness from a Young Umbandista
Authors: Silva Jorge Francisco Sandro Souza
Published: January 2022

RESUMOO presente artigo trata-se de um relato de experiência autobiográfico a partir da vivência do autor em templo de Umbanda. Apresentando um resgate histórico das religiões afro-brasileiras e tecendo aproximações possíveis entre o corpo numa perspectiva da cosmovisão africana e para a Análise Bioenergética a partir de relatos pessoais.  PALAVRAs CHAVE: Consciência corporal; Ancestralidade Africana; Umbanda; Análise Bienergética; Religiões Afro-Brasileiras.
Paternidades Insubmissas: Família QUEER / Unsubmissive Paternities: QUEER Family
Authors: Costa José Amaro da
Published: January 2022

Resumo: Este artigo foi pensado para dar voz ao que é estigmatizado, muitas vezes silenciado e indesejado pelos defensores de modelos tradicionais quando o assunto é paternidade, educação e família. Para tanto, é necessário dialogar sobre o contexto da experiência paterna separada de uma masculinidade tóxica e hegemônica. Também considerar a liberdade de existências e dar visibilidade e respeito às famílias que transgridem a matriz binária de sexualidades. Destaca-se nesse artigo relatos obtidos através de uma entrevista com dois pais homossexuais que vivem a paternidade via adoção, impulsionando transformações na sociedade.Palavras-chave: Paternidade; Educação; Família Queer. Abstract: This article was designed to give voice to what is stigmatized, often silenced and unwanted by advocates of traditional models when the subject is parenthood, education and family. To do so, it is necessary to dialogue with the context of the paternal experience diverted from a toxic and hegemonic masculinity. Also consider the freedoms of existence and give visibility to families that transgress the binary matrix of sexualities. Highlights in this the reports obtained in an interview with two homosexual fathers who experience fatherhood through adoption, driving transformations in society. Keywords: Fatherhood; Education; Queer Family.
Eating Competence, Body Appreciation, and Personal and Social Responsibility: An Evaluation of a Middle School Program
Authors: Lin Stephanie , Gray Virginia , Galvan Christine , Ede Alison , Rodriguez Alexandra M.
Published: January 2022

Eating competence and body satisfaction have been linked to healthier diets, self-acceptance, and active lifestyles. This study evaluated the impact of a nutrition and fitness intervention on middle-school girls (n 21), aged 12–14, in Southern California using a mixed methods
design. Non-parametric sign tests evaluated changes in eating competence, body appreciation, and personal/social responsibility. Focus group data were coded using thematic analysis. Although no significant changes were found based on quantitative metrics, qualitative data suggest changes in
confidence, respect for their bodies, willingness to try new things, and consciousness about health; participants also cited social support and fun as motivators of participation. These may be important areas of focus in similar programs for middle-school girls.
An Untenable Workload: COVID- 19 and the Disproportionate Impact on Women's Work-Family Demands
Authors: Pettigrew Rachael N.
Published: January 2022

In January 2020, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) emerged as a global concern and was declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 11, 2020 (WH0, 2020). The Canadian government responded with directives encouraging people to wear masks and practice physical distancing,
along with a shelter-in-place order implemented mid-March (Terry, 2020). Employers scrambled to respond with new workfrom-home policies and universities were expeditiously transitioned from face-to-face course delivery to online delivery. Primary and secondary schools and childcare facilities
also closed mid-March per the government directives (Franklin, 2020). These unprecedented events resulted in employees working from home (if feasible) and professors and students transitioning to online classes, thus having to adapt to new technology (See et al., 2020) while parenting and
home-schooling children.
Second-line Sonazoid-enhanced ultrasonography for Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System category 3 and 4 on gadoxetate-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging
Authors: Kim Yeun-Yoon , Min Ji Hye , Hwang Jeong Ah , Jeong Woo Kyoung , Sinn Dong Hyun , Lim Hyo Keun
Published: January 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the utility of second-line contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (CEUS) using Sonazoid in Liver Imaging Reporting and Data System category 3 (LR-3) and 4 (LR-4) observations on gadoxetate-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Methods: This retrospective study included LR-3 or LR-4 observations on gadoxetate-enhanced MRI subsequently evaluated with CEUS from 2013 to 2017. The presence of MRI features, CEUSarterial phase hyperenhancement (CEUS-APHE), and Kupffer phase defect (KPD) was evaluated. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant imaging features associated with the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The optimal diagnostic criteria were investigated using the McNemar test.Results: In total, 104 patients with 104 observations (63 HCCs) were included. The presence of both CEUS-APHE and KPD on CEUS enabled the additional detection of 42.3% (11/26) of LR-3 HCCs and 78.4% (29/37) of LR-4 HCCs. Transitional phase (TP) hypointensity (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 10.59; P<0.001), restricted diffusion (adjusted OR, 7.55; P=0.004), and KPD (adjusted OR, 7.16; P=0.003) were significant imaging features for HCC diagnosis. The presence of at least two significant imaging features was optimal for HCC diagnosis (sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy: 88.9%, 78.1%, and 84.6%, respectively), with significantly higher sensitivity than the presence of both CEUS-APHE and KPD (sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy: 63.5% [P=0.001], 92.7% [P=0.077], and 75.0% [P=0.089], respectively).Conclusion: The combined interpretation of gadoxetate-enhanced MRI and second-line CEUS using Sonazoid, focusing on TP hypointensity, restricted diffusion, and KPD, may be optimal for further characterizing LR-3 and LR-4 observations.