bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of COVID-19 preparedness response plan on higher education students simulation of WHO intra-action review in Egypt
Authors: Saeed Hager Moustafa , SAAD ELGHAREEB Azza , El-Hodhod Mostafa Abdel Aziz , Samy Gamal
Published: January 2023

Because of the COVID-19 outbreak, Mass gathering restrictions were imposed. The lockdown of the Higher Education Institutions was obligatory to save lives. In February 2021 in Egypt, HEIs were allowed to ease the lockdown restrictions on a case-by-case basis gradually. In this paper, we propose a risk evaluation of planned regular mass gathering events during the pandemic, such as students gathering on-campus during indoor exams, by implementing WHO COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan through Intra-Action Review guidance. This one-group posttest-only design study was done on October 6 University campus during indoor students' exams in Giza, Egypt. We conducted IAR to implement the WHO's COVID- 19 SPRP; Country-level coordination; risk communication; surveillance, rapid response teams; points of entry; infection prevention control; laboratories; supply chain; case management; essential health services, and other possible topics. Between February-21, 2021; April-10, 2021, 25,927 students attended the on-campus living exams. Our result suggests that the high level of Readiness–Capacity during mass gatherings will reduce COVID-19 transmission. The most compelling evidence is the significance of synchronization between the ten pillars in preventing COVID-19 transmission. These findings may be used to influence decision-making for continual improvement of the operational planning guidelines during the outbreaks.
Classification of red cell dynamics with convolutional and recurrent neural networks: a sickle cell disease case study
Authors: Darrin Maxime , Samudre Ashwin , Sahun Maxime , Atwell Scott , Badens Catherine , Charrier Anne , Helfer Emmanuèle , Viallat Annie , Cohen-Addad Vincent , Giffard-Roisin Sophie
Published: January 2023

The fraction of red blood cells adopting a specific motion under low shear flow is a promising inexpensive marker for monitoring the clinical status of patients with sickle cell disease. Its high-throughput measurement relies on the video analysis of thousands of cell motions for each blood sample to eliminate a large majority of unreliable samples (out of focus or overlapping cells) and discriminate between tank-treading and flipping motion, characterizing highly and poorly deformable cells respectively. Moreover, these videos are of different durations (from 6 to more than 100 frames). We present a two-stage end-to-end machine learning pipeline able to automatically classify cell motions in videos with a high class imbalance. By extending, comparing, and combining two state-of-the-art methods, a convolutional neural network (CNN) model and a recurrent CNN, we are able to automatically discard 97% of the unreliable cell sequences (first stage) and classify highly and poorly deformable red cell sequences with 97% accuracy and an F1-score of 0.94 (second stage). Dataset and codes are publicly released for the community.
Symptoms timeline and outcomes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using artificial intelligence
Authors: Segura Tomás , Medrano Ignacio H. , Collazo Sergio , Maté Claudia , Sguera Carlo , Del Rio-Bermudez Carlos , Casero Hugo , Salcedo Ignacio , García-García Jorge , Alcahut-Rodríguez Cristian ,   Savana Research Group, Aquino José , Casadevall David , Donaire David , Marin-Corral Judith , Menke Sebastian , Polo Natalia , Taberna Miren
Published: January 2023

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal, neurodegenerative motor neuron disease. Although an early diagnosis is crucial to provide adequate care and improve survival, patients with ALS experience a significant diagnostic delay. This study aimed to use real-world data to describe the clinical profile and timing between symptom onset, diagnosis, and relevant outcomes in ALS. Retrospective and multicenter study in 5 representative hospitals and Primary Care services in the SESCAM Healthcare Network (Castilla-La Mancha, Spain). Using Natural Language Processing (NLP), the clinical information in electronic health records of all patients with ALS was extracted between January 2014 and December 2018. From a source population of all individuals attended in the participating hospitals, 250 ALS patients were identified (61.6% male, mean age 64.7 years). Of these, 64% had spinal and 36% bulbar ALS. For most defining symptoms, including dyspnea, dysarthria, dysphagia and fasciculations, the overall diagnostic delay from symptom onset was 11 (6–18) months. Prior to diagnosis, only 38.8% of patients had visited the neurologist. In a median post-diagnosis follow-up of 25 months, 52% underwent gastrostomy, 64% non-invasive ventilation, 16.4% tracheostomy, and 87.6% riluzole treatment; these were more commonly reported (all Ps < 0.05) and showed greater probability of occurrence (all Ps < 0.03) in bulbar ALS. Our results highlight the diagnostic delay in ALS and revealed differences in the clinical characteristics and occurrence of major disease-specific events across ALS subtypes. NLP holds great promise for its application in the wider context of rare neurological diseases.
Epidemiology of patients who died in the emergency departments and need of end-of-life care in Korea from 2016 to 2019
Authors: Lee Sun Young , Ro Young Sun , Shin Sang Do , Ko Eunsil , Kim Seong Jung
Published: January 2023

The need of palliative care at the end-of-life in the emergency departments (ED) is growing. The study aims to investigate the epidemiology of patients who died during care in ED using nationwide database, and to estimate the need for palliative care in the ED. A retrospective observational study was conducted using the National Emergency Department Information System (NEDIS) database. Patients who died during ED care between 2016 and 2019 were included. Palliative care-eligible disease was defined as cancer (C00–C99 of ICD-10), chronic respiratory disease (CRD, J44–J46), chronic liver disease (CLD, K70–K77), and heart failure (HF, I50). Among the 36,538,486 ED visits during 4 years, 34,086 ED deaths were included. The crude incidence rate of ED deaths per 100,000 person-year was steady between 16.6 in 2016 and 16.3 in 2019 (p-for-trend = 0.067). Only 3370 (9.9%) ED deaths were injury, while 30,716 (90.1%) deaths were related to diseases. The most common ED diagnosis was cardiac arrest (22.1%), followed by pneumonia (8.6%) and myocardial infarction (4.7%). In cases of disease-related ED deaths, about 34.0% stayed longer than 8 h in the ED (median (interquartile range): 4.5 (1.9–11.7) h) and 44.2% received cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at end-of-life time. A quarter of the disease-related ED deaths were diagnosed with palliative care eligible disease: cancer (16.9%), CLD (3.8%), HF (3.5%), and CRD (1.4%). Cancer patients received less CPR (23.4%) and stayed longer in the ED (median (interquartile range): 7.3 (3.2–15.9) h). Over the past 4 years, more than 30,000 patients, including 5200 cancer patients, died during care in the ED. A quarter of disease-related ED death were patients with palliative care-eligible condition and more than 30% of them stayed longer than 8 h in the ED before death. It is time to discuss about need of palliative care in the ED.
Foundation integrity assessment of failed buildings in Ehamufu and Aguamede, South East Nigeria
Authors: Eze Kelechi Nnaji , Igwe Ogbonnaya , Okereke Daniel Nnadozie , Uwom Chinenyem Stella , Ukor Kelechi Paulinus
Published: January 2023

The failure of civil engineering structures especially buildings by severe cracks, partial, or complete collapse have kept the natives of communities in Aguamede and Ehamufu (Southeastern Nigeria) communities in a bothered state. Detailed geotechnical techniques and X-ray diffraction analysis were applied to investigate the soil samples from the study area. Geotechnical results revealed that the soil of the area have high clay content (62.78–82.37%), high liquid limit (48–54%) with a plasticity index of 20–28%, high moisture content (25.06–27.28%) and low permeability of 2.21 × 10–8–1.74 × 10–6 (m/sec) which hinders drainage. Maximum dry density values were in the range of 1.73–1.98(g/cm3) with an optimum moisture content of 17.5–19.8% and average specific gravity of 2.5 (mg/m3). Shear strength test revealed high cohesion (32–36.4 KN/m2) to low angle of intergranular friction (10–12°). Coefficient of consolidation ranges from 0.04 to 0.94 m2/year were observed. Coefficient of volume compressibility values were in the range of 0.00012–0.00028 m2/kN and showed that the soils are highly susceptible to compression as the foundations are underlain by an inadequate soil layer that is vulnerable to settlement in amount ranging from 0.553–0.654 mm/year at load pressure of 400 kN/m2. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that the mineralogy of soil in the study area consist of quartz (89–89.7%) and kaolinite (10.3–11%). Statistical analyses showed that specific gravity, cohesion, clay, silt, NMC, PI, sand, LL and phi have strong interrelation in the correlation table. Comparing the geotechnical parameters from the study area with the Nigerian specification for constructions, it is shown that the study area has poor foundation materials.
Discovery of associative patterns between workplace sound level and physiological wellbeing using wearable devices and empirical Bayes modeling
Authors: Srinivasan Karthik , Currim Faiz , Lindberg Casey M. , Razjouyan Javad , Gilligan Brian , Lee Hyoki , Canada Kelli J. , Goebel Nicole , Mehl Matthias R. , Lunden Melissa M. , Heerwagen Judith , Najafi Bijan , Sternberg Esther M. , Kampschroer Kevin , Ram Sudha
Published: January 2023

We conducted a field study using multiple wearable devices on 231 federal office workers to assess the impact of the indoor environment on individual wellbeing. Past research has established that the workplace environment is closely tied to an individual’s wellbeing. Since sound is the most-reported environmental factor causing stress and discomfort, we focus on quantifying its association with physiological wellbeing. Physiological wellbeing is represented as a latent variable in an empirical Bayes model with heart rate variability measures—SDNN and normalized-HF as the observed outcomes and with exogenous factors including sound level as inputs. We find that an individual’s physiological wellbeing is optimal when sound level in the workplace is at 50 dBA. At lower (<50dBA) and higher (>50dBA) amplitude ranges, a 10 dBA increase in sound level is related to a 5.4% increase and 1.9% decrease in physiological wellbeing respectively. Age, body-mass-index, high blood pressure, anxiety, and computer use intensive work are person-level factors contributing to heterogeneity in the sound-wellbeing association.
Diverse but unique astrocytic phenotypes during embryonic stem cell differentiation, culturing and development
Authors: Freitag Kiara , Eede Pascale , Ivanov Andranik , Sterczyk Nele , Schneeberger Shirin , Borodina Tatiana , Sauer Sascha , Beule Dieter , Heppner Frank L.
Published: January 2023

Astrocytes are resident glial cells of the central nervous system (CNS) that play complex and heterogeneous roles in brain development, homeostasis and disease. Since their vast involvement in health and disease is becoming increasingly recognized, suitable and reliable tools for studying these cells in vivo and in vitro are of utmost importance. One of the key challenges hereby is to adequately mimic their context-dependent in vivo phenotypes and functions in vitro. To better understand the spectrum of astrocytic variations in defined settings we performed a side-by-side-comparison of murine embryonic stem cell (ESC)-derived astrocytes as well as primary neonatal and adult astrocytes, revealing major differences on a functional and transcriptomic level, specifically on proliferation, migration, calcium signaling and cilium activity. Our results highlight the need to carefully consider the choice of astrocyte origin and phenotype with respect to age, isolation and culture protocols based on the respective biological question.
Global patterns of tree density are contingent upon local determinants in the world’s natural forests
Authors: Madrigal-González Jaime , Calatayud Joaquín , Ballesteros-Cánovas Juan A. , Escudero Adrián , Cayuela Luis , Marqués Laura , Rueda Marta , Ruiz-Benito Paloma , Herrero Asier , Aponte Cristina , Sagardia Rodrigo , Plumptre Andrew J. , Dupire Sylvain , Espinosa Carlos I. , Tutubalina Olga V. , Myint Moe , Pataro Luciano , López-Sáez Jerome , Macía Manuel J. , Abegg Meinrad , Zavala Miguel A. , Quesada-Román Adolfo , Vega-Araya Mauricio , Golubeva Elena , Timokhina Yuliya , Bañares de Dios Guillermo , Granzow-de la Cerda Íñigo , Stoffel Markus
Published: January 2023

Previous attempts to quantify tree abundance at global scale have largely neglected the role of local competition in modulating the influence of climate and soils on tree density. Here, we evaluated whether mean tree size in the world’s natural forests alters the effect of global productivity on tree density. In doing so, we gathered a vast set of forest inventories including >3000 sampling plots from 23 well-conserved areas worldwide to encompass (as much as possible) the main forest biomes on Earth. We evidence that latitudinal productivity patterns of tree density become evident as large trees become dominant. Global estimates of tree abundance should, therefore, consider dependencies of latitudinal sources of variability on local biotic influences to avoid underestimating the number of trees on Earth and to properly evaluate the functional and social consequences.
Transferring chemical and energetic knowledge between molecular systems with machine learning
Authors: Heydari Sajjad , Raniolo Stefano , Livi Lorenzo , Limongelli Vittorio
Published: January 2023

Predicting structural and energetic properties of a molecular system is one of the fundamental tasks in molecular simulations, and it has applications in chemistry, biology, and medicine. In the past decade, the advent of machine learning algorithms had an impact on molecular simulations for various tasks, including property prediction of atomistic systems. In this paper, we propose a novel methodology for transferring knowledge obtained from simple molecular systems to a more complex one, endowed with a significantly larger number of atoms and degrees of freedom. In particular, we focus on the classification of high and low free-energy conformations. Our approach relies on utilizing (i) a novel hypergraph representation of molecules, encoding all relevant information for characterizing multi-atom interactions for a given conformation, and (ii) novel message passing and pooling layers for processing and making free-energy predictions on such hypergraph-structured data. Despite the complexity of the problem, our results show a remarkable Area Under the Curve of 0.92 for transfer learning from tri-alanine to the deca-alanine system. Moreover, we show that the same transfer learning approach can also be used in an unsupervised way to group chemically related secondary structures of deca-alanine in clusters having similar free-energy values. Our study represents a proof of concept that reliable transfer learning models for molecular systems can be designed, paving the way to unexplored routes in prediction of structural and energetic properties of biologically relevant systems.
Triple quadrupole LC/MS method for the simultaneous quantitative measurement of cefiderocol and meropenem in serum
Authors: Riezk Alaa , Vasikasin Vasin , Wilson Richard C. , Rawson Timothy M. , McLeod James G. , Dhillon Rishi , Duckers Jamie , Cass Anthony E. G. , Holmes Alison H.
Published: January 2023

LC/MS method for the simultaneous quantitative measurement of cefiderocol and meropenem in serum samples.
In situ Raman monitoring of electroreductive dehalogenation of aryl halides at an Ag/aqueous solution interface
Authors: Zhou Ying-Hua , Jiang Chen-Chen , Yu Zhou , Wang Ya-Hao , Zheng Ju-Fang , Zhou Xiao-Shun
Published: January 2023

Shell-isolated nanoparticle-enhanced Raman spectroscopy has been successfully applied to probe electroreductive dehalogenation of aryl halides at an Ag electrode.
Recent nanotechnology-based strategies for interfering with the life cycle of bacterial biofilms
Authors: Wu Jiahe , Zhang Bo , Lin Nengming , Gao Jianqing
Published: January 2023

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the state-of-the-art progress in nanotechnology-based strategies for interfering with the biofilm life cycle according to the requirements of different stages.
Interaction of nitrite with ferric protoglobin from Methanosarcina acetivorans – an interesting model for spectroscopic studies of the haem–ligand interaction
Authors: Sgammato Roberta , Van Brempt Niels , Aerts Roy , Van Doorslaer Sabine , Dewilde Sylvia , Herrebout Wouter , Johannessen Christian
Published: January 2023

Advanced spectroscopic analysis shows that ferric M. acetivorans protoglobin selectively binds nitric oxide under nitrite-rich conditions in which many ferric globins show nitrite coordination and haem greening, highlighting its resilience to RNS.
Combined sewer overflows: relating event duration monitoring data to wastewater systems' capacity in England
Authors: Giakoumis T. , Voulvoulis N.
Published: January 2023

Water pollution caused by the frequent use of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) has been attracting increased media and political coverage in England as in other places in the world.
Solving the problem of high concentration aniline inhibiting nitrogen removal: starting the SBBR with the prolonged aeration mode
Authors: Lin Bing , Zhang Qian , Su Junhao , Li Meng , Zhang Yunjie , He Jing , Wu Nanping , Liu Xiangyu , Wei Hua
Published: January 2023

A prolonged aeration mode can heighten the nitrification performance, and the combination of prolonged aeration mode and an SBBR system was conductive to improving the nitrogen removal effect.
Amino acid-driven adsorption of emerging contaminants in water by modified graphene oxide nanosheets
Authors: Mantovani Sebastiano , Marforio Tainah Dorina , Khaliha Sara , Pintus Angela , Kovtun Alessandro , Tunioli Francesca , Favaretto Laura , Bianchi Antonio , Navacchia Maria Luisa , Palermo Vincenzo , Calvaresi Matteo , Melucci Manuela
Published: January 2023

Amino acid modified graphene nanosheets adsorb emerging contaminants from tap water outperforming unmodified precursors and activated carbon for carbamazepine, bisphenol A and benzophenone 4. Structure–adsorption relationships are unraveled.
Synthesis, structure and electrochemical properties of a new cation ordered layered Li–Ni–Mg–Mo oxide
Authors: Dong Bo , Castells-Gil Javier , Zhu Pengcheng , Driscoll Laura L. , Kendrick Emma , Allan Phoebe K. , Slater Peter R.
Published: January 2023

Disordered rocksalt Li1.2Ni0.4Ti0.4O2 is transformed into a new cation ordered layered phase Li1.2Ni0.4Mo0.2Mg0.2O2 through a dual cation substitution strategy.
Predicting and accessing metastable phases
Authors: Kocevski V. , Valdez J. A. , Derby B. K. , Wang Y. Q. , Pilania G. , Uberuaga B. P.
Published: January 2023

Metastable phase formation of Ln2O3 phases was explained and successfully predicted using calculated metastable phase diagrams. Irradiation experiments of Lu2O3 show formation of 3 phases, confirming the prediction, showing a unique behavior.
Surface engineering of PDMS for improved triboelectrification
Authors: Ģērmane Līva , Lapčinskis Linards , Iesalnieks Mairis , Šutka Andris
Published: January 2023

Surface functionalization with SAMs can increase the contact-separation charge of PDMS layers by three orders of magnitude. The effect of the SAM can be matched with the roughness of PDMS to enhance the charge density.
Shape deformable hydrogels prepared by altering surface areas with scratching and photolithography patterning methods
Authors: Chen Yuanyuan , Shi Yunqi , Liang Min , Wang Huiliang
Published: January 2023

Shape deformations of hydrogels are achieved by changing the surface areas of isotropic hydrogels with simple, facile and efficient scratching and photolithography patterning methods.
A colossal barocaloric effect induced by the creation of a high-pressure phase
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Jiang Xiaoming , Hattori Takanori , Xu Xiong , Li Min , Yu Chenyang , Zhang Zhe , Yu Dehong , Mole Richard , Yano Shin-ichiro , Chen Jie , He Lunhua , Wang Chin-Wei , Wang Hui , Li Bing , Zhang Zhidong
Published: January 2023

The creation of a high-pressure rhombohedral phase leads to a colossal barocaloric effect in KPF6.
Profiling protein targets of cellular toxicant exposure
Authors: Genereux Joseph C.
Published: January 2023

Protein profiling technologies enable the identification of proteins that are damaged by exposure to environmental toxins.
Omics approaches to better understand the molecular mechanism of necroptosis and their translational implications
Authors: Pradhan Apoorva J. , Atilla-Gokcumen G. Ekin
Published: January 2023

Necroptosis is a type of programmed cell death associated with an inflammatory phenotype. Pradhanet al. reviews recent -omics-based studies that help better understand necroptotic signaling and inflammatory response associated with it.
Organocatalyzed epoxidation in the total synthesis of (−)-trans-, (+)-trans- and (+)-cis-disparlures
Authors: Sharma Ajay , Pandey Satyendra Kumar
Published: January 2023

A simple, flexible and efficient organocatalyzed synthetic approach for the total synthesis of (−)-trans-, (+)-trans- and (+)-cis-disparlures has been described.
Tandem C- and O-alkylative annulation of β-ketosulfones with 1,2-bisbromomethyl arenes: one-pot construction of sulfonyl indanes and dioxadibenzofused macrocycles
Authors: Hsueh Nai-Chen , Chen Kuan-Ting , Chang Meng-Yang
Published: January 2023

The synthesis of sulfonyl indanes and dioxadibenzofused macrocycles is described via a base-mediated tandem C- and O-alkylative annulation of β-ketosulfones with 1,2-bisbromomethyl arenes with moderate to good yields under open-vessel conditions.
Mussel-inspired adhesive hydrogels for local immunomodulation
Authors: Xie Chaoming , Li Yazhen , Guo Xiaochuan , Ding Yonghui , Lu Xiong , Rao Shuquan
Published: January 2023

This review highlights the rational molecular structure design of mussel-inspired adhesive hydrogels and their applications in local immunomodulation.
Construction of multiphasic membraneless organelles towards spontaneous spatial segregation and directional flow of biochemical reactions
Authors: Zhorabek Fariza , Abesekara Manisha Sandupama , Liu Jianhui , Dai Xin , Huang Jinqing , Chau Ying
Published: January 2023

The bottom-up construction of multiphase droplets with structural and functional mimicry of intracellular organelles, capable of spatiotemporal confinement and coordination of complex reaction networks.
Experimental and computational insights into the mechanism of FLP mediated selective C–F bond activation
Authors: Gupta Richa , Csókás Dániel , Lye Kenneth , Young Rowan D.
Published: January 2023

A combined computational and experimental study reveals the mechanism for selective C–F activation by frustrated Lewis pairs (FLP) comprising of B(C6F5)3(BCF) and 2,4,6-triphenylpyridine (TPPy), P(o-Tol)3or tetrahydrothiophene (THT).
Mapping the effect of configuration and protecting group pattern on glycosyl acceptor reactivity
Authors: van Hengst Jacob M. A. , Hellemons Rik J. C. , Remmerswaal Wouter A. , van de Vrande Koen N. A. , Hansen Thomas , van der Vorm Stefan , Overkleeft Hermen S. , van der Marel Gijsbert A. , Codée Jeroen D. C.
Published: January 2023

A systematic series of 67 acceptor glycosides has been used to map structure–reactivity–stereoselectivity principles for glycosyl acceptors.
Role of defect density in the TiOx protective layer of the n-Si photoanode for efficient photoelectrochemical water splitting
Authors: Hong Songwoung , Lee Woo , Hwang Yun Jeong , Song Seungwoo , Choi Seungwook , Rhu Hyun , Shim Jeong Hyun , Kim Ansoon
Published: January 2023

Understanding the role of defect density in thick oxide passivation layer in electrolyte/oxide/semiconductor (EOS) junction photoanode system is critical for efficient photo-electrochemical water splitting with long-term stability.
First principles study on Li metallic phase nucleation at grain boundaries in a lithium lanthanum titanium oxide (LLTO) solid electrolyte
Authors: Kim Hyungjun , Conlin Patrick , Bergschneider Matthew , Chung Hayoung , Kim Sung Youb , Cha Suk Won , Cho Maenghyo , Cho Kyeongjae
Published: January 2023

Among various intergranular microstructures, pore spaces in SEs play a critical role in Li-metal nucleation in SEs. To realize Li-metal nuclei-free inside the SE, removing pore spaces is essential and a commonly applicable design strategy to all SEs.
Interface, vacancy, and morphology engineering synergistically improve In2S3@Cu2S electrocatalytic performance for pH-universal HER
Authors: Sun Yongkai , Sun Wenyuan , Li Guicun , Wang Lei , Huang Jianfeng , Meng Alan , Li Zhenjiang
Published: January 2023

The novel S vacancy-rich In2S3@Cu2S nanorod heterostructure arrays were in situ grown on copper foam, constructing an efficient electrocatalyst for pH-universal HER.
In situ moulded troilite 2H phase FeS ultrathin electrodes via pulsed laser deposition for flexible solid state high capacity supercapacitor besides boosted electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction
Authors: Velmurugan Ramasamy , Amuthan Dekshinamoorthy , Saranyan Vijayaraghavan , Subramanian Balasubramanian
Published: January 2023

Troilite 2H phase FeS thin film nanostructures as next-generation green (clean) energy storage novel material for eco-friendly, wearable/portable multifunctional devices.
LEGO-block-inspired versatile triboelectric nanogenerators as power cells to harvest vibration energy
Authors: Xiao Longfa , Ning Heng , Zheng Changyue , Liang Chuangjian , Li Haohua , Liu Boxun , Du Zhentao , Wan Lingyu , Peng Yan , Liu Guanlin
Published: January 2023

Like batteries, the proposed LI-TENGs are compact and can be rapidly assembled and spliced without additional wires.
Sodium alginate based skin-core fibers with profoundly enhanced moisture-electric generation performance and their multifunctionality
Authors: Zhang Rui , Qu Meijie , Wang Hai , Li Shuhui , Song Yutong , Tang Ping , Bin Yuezhen
Published: January 2023

A green, flexible, weavable, multifunctional moist-electric fiber is prepared, which can simultaneously realize flexible, continuous power generation and high output.
Mn2P2S3Se3: a two-dimensional Janus room-temperature antiferromagnetic semiconductor with a large out-of-plane piezoelectricity
Authors: Jiang Peng , Zheng Xiaohong , Kang Lili , Tao Xixi , Huang Hong-Mei , Dong Xiaochen , Li Yan-Ling
Published: January 2023

A novel 2D Janus monolayer Mn2P2S3Se3 with room-temperature antiferromagnetic order and a large out-of-plane piezoelectricity is theoretically predicted.
The Effects of Speech Task on Lexical Stress in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Exner Andrew H. , Francis Alexander L. , MacPherson Megan K. , Darling-White Meghan , Huber Jessica E.
Published: January 2023

Purpose:

Hypokinetic dysarthria associated with Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by dysprosody, yet the literature is mixed with respect to how dysprosody affects the ability to mark lexical stress, possibly due to differences in speech tasks used to assess lexical stress. The purpose of this study was to compare how people with and without PD modulate acoustic dimensions of lexical stress—fundamental frequency, intensity, and duration—to mark lexical stress across three different speech tasks.

Method:

Twelve individuals with mild-to-moderate idiopathic PD and 12 age- and sex-matched older adult controls completed three speech tasks: picture description, word production in isolation, and word production in lists. Outcome measures were the fundamental frequency, intensity, and duration of the vocalic segments of two trochees (initial stress) and two iambs (final stress) spoken in all three tasks.

Results:

There were very few group differences. Both groups marked trochees by modulating intensity and fundamental frequency and iambs by modulating duration. Task had a significant impact on the stress patterns used by both groups. Stress patterns were most differentiated in words produced in isolation and least differentiated in lists of words.

Conclusions:

People with PD did not demonstrate impairments in the production of lexical stress, suggesting that dysprosody associated with PD does not impact all types of prosody in the same way. However, there were reduced distinctions in stress marking that were more apparent in trochees than iambs. In addition, the task used to assess prosody has a significant effect on all acoustic measures. Future research should focus on the use of connected speech tasks to obtain more generalizable measures of prosody in PD.
Feature extraction of arc high impedance grounding fault of low‐voltage distribution lines based on Bayesian network optimisation algorithm
Authors: Sun Jing
Published: January 2023

In order to accurately extract the fault features of arc high impedance grounding of low‐voltage distribution lines and judge the fault feature types of arc high impedance grounding of low‐voltage distribution lines, a fault feature extraction method for arc high impedance grounding of low‐voltage distribution lines based on Bayesian network optimisation algorithm is proposed. According to the model of arc high impedance grounding fault based on Thomson’s principle, the parameter information of each transmission signal in arc high impedance grounding fault is extracted. Through the denoising method of arc high impedance grounding signal based on combined filter, the noise information of transmission signal in case of arc high impedance grounding fault is removed and the signal purity is improved. The detection and recognition method for fault characteristics of arc high impedance grounding of low‐voltage distribution lines based on Bayesian network optimisation algorithm is used to detect and judge the fault characteristics of the abnormal characteristics of the denoised transmission signal, and complete the fault feature extraction. After testing, this method can accurately and real‐time extract the fault characteristics of arc high impedance grounding of low‐voltage distribution lines, and has application value.
Retracted: Neural network economic forecast method based on genetic algorithm
Authors: Li Zhong
Published: January 2023

Retraction: [Zhong Li, Neural network economic forecast method based on genetic algorithm, IET Software 2023 (https://doi.org/10.1049/sfw2.12090)].

The above article from IET Software, published online on 12 January 2023 in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), has been retracted by agreement between the Editor‐in‐Chief, Hana Chockler, the Institution of Engineering and Technology (the IET) and John Wiley and Sons Ltd. This article was published as part of a Guest Edited special issue. Following an investigation, the IET and the journal have determined that the article was not reviewed in line with the journal’s peer review standards and there is evidence that the peer review process of the special issue underwent systematic manipulation. Accordingly, we cannot vouch for the integrity or reliability of the content. As such we have taken the decision to retract the article. The authors have been informed of the decision to retract.
Imaging-spectroscopy of a band-split type II solar radio burst with the Murchison Widefield Array
Authors: Bhunia Shilpi , Carley Eoin P. , Oberoi Divya , Gallagher Peter T.
Published: January 2023

Type II solar radio bursts are caused by magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) shocks driven by solar eruptive events such as coronal mass ejections (CMEs). Often, both fundamental and harmonic bands of type II bursts are split into sub-bands, which are generally believed to be coming from upstream and downstream regions of the shock; however, this explanation remains unconfirmed. Here, we present combined results from imaging analyses of type II radio burst band splitting and other fine structures observed by the Murchison Widefield Array (MWA) and extreme ultraviolet observations from Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO)/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly (AIA) on 28 September 2014. The MWA provides imaging-spectroscopy in the range 80−300 MHz with a time resolution of 0.5 s and frequency resolution of 40 kHz. Our analysis shows that the burst was caused by a piston-driven shock with a driver speed of ∼112 km s−1 and shock speed of ∼580 km s−1. We provide rare evidence that band splitting is caused by emission from multiple parts of the shock (as opposed to the upstream–downstream hypothesis). We also examine the small-scale motion of type II fine structure radio sources in MWA images, and suggest that this motion may arise because of radio propagation effects from coronal turbulence, and is not due to the physical motion of the shock location. We present a novel technique that uses imaging spectroscopy to directly determine the effective length scale of turbulent density perturbations, which is found to be 1−2 Mm. The study of the systematic and small-scale motion of fine structures may therefore provide a measure of turbulence in different regions of the shock and corona.
Digital Production and Biotechnology as a New Techno-Economic Paradigm
Authors: Tikhonyuk Natalia , Paytaeva Kometa , Ivanova Svetlana
Published: January 2023

Digital technologies continue to actively penetrate into all spheres of human activity. At the same time, there has been a trend in production to move from the use of individual solutions to the introduction of unified knowledge, technology and competency management systems - digital platforms. The use of new materials, computer engineering and virtual modeling technologies, additive technologies, the “industrial Internet”, mechatronics and robotics ensures the growth of the quality of traditional and the emergence of fundamentally new products, reducing the costs of creating and manufacturing products, including by reducing the volume of full-scale tests, terms bringing finished products to market, and generally increasing the predictability of industrial systems. It becomes possible to carry out a quick restructuring of production facilities for various conditions, which ensures the customization of production, as well as quickly respond to market changes.
Physicochemical, Antibacterial, and Cytotoxic Properties of Composite Materials Based on Biodegradable Poly (Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid) Functionalized with Zno Nanoparticles
Authors: Burmistrov Dmitriy , Serov Dmitriy , Grigorieva Daria , Simakin Alexander
Published: January 2023

One of the tasks of modern nanotechnology is the creation of new materials with a wide range of applications and good antibacterial activity. In this work, we developed a new composite material based on poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) and zinc oxide nanoparticles. The resulting material had a smooth surface without microdefects. The polymer matrix did not affect the generation of reactive oxygen species, 8-oxoguanine, and long-lived protein forms. The addition of ZnO-NPs enhanced the generation of these compounds. The addition of ZnO-NPs to the polymer at a concentration of 0.001-0.1 wt% made it possible to achieve a significant bacteriostatic effect, while not affecting the growth, division, and viability of eukaryotic cells. The resulting composite material is of great interest for biomedical use and the food industry due to controlled biodegradability and antibacterial activity.
Report on the 23rd Fukushima Dialogue “Thinking together about issues of Fukushima Daiichi treated water”
Authors: Ando R. , Koyama R. , Schneider T. , Lecomte J.-F. , Isse M. , Koyama Y.
Published: January 2023

On 27 November 2021, the non-profit organization (NPO) Fukushima Dialogue held the 23rd Fukushima Dialogue meeting in Naraha Machi, Fukushima Prefecture. The theme was “Sharing the situation surrounding Fukushima Daiichi treated water”. It was the 23rd meeting since the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) launched the ICRP Dialogue in Fukushima Prefecture in 2011, which the NPO Fukushima Dialogue took over in 2019. Held in a hybrid form, it was open to the public and has gathered up to 120 participants. The first part was devoted to presentations related to the theme of the meeting: technical aspects, testimonies about local (institutional or not) and foreign (Korea) perception, experiences from abroad of stakeholder involvement in the nuclear field. The second part was devoted to a structured dialogue between a panel of local citizens. The audience was participatory. This article summarizes the fruitful exchanges during these two days.
Dose measurement study of the chest during a CT scan using a fabricated phantom
Authors: Alzoubi A.S. , Alqahtani F.F.
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this study was to evaluate radiation doses during computer tomography (CT) scans of the whole body and organs using a fabricated phantom. The Weighted Computer Tomography Dose Index (CTDIw) was evaluated and measured using a fabricated phantom, and five CT scanners were used for chest examinations from four hospitals in Najran, Saudi Arabia. The heart, lungs, esophagus, and spinal cord doses were measured with clinical whole body CT acquisition protocol using Thermoluminescent Dosimeters (TLDs). The TLDs used for measurements were selected for an accuracy of 5% and calibrated for the X-ray radiation field. The CTDIw and organ doses reported in this study were compared with results of ImPACT software for calculating organ doses. The results show good agreement with the calculations and the literature. The measured specific organ doses ranged between 1.33 mGy (lung marrow) and 1.65 mGy (esophagus). The model is easy to produce and useful for evaluating the organ doses and CTDIw.
Impact of online tools on the learning experience of students in higher education
Authors: Lydia Melisa Zibusiso , Naidu Vikas Rao , Bhat Anjum Zameer , Frrag Siham
Published: January 2023

The evolution of teaching and learning has come across various significant phases over the past hundreds of years. History has witnessed tremendous and revolutionary changes in teaching & learning, from Education 1.0 to Education 4.0 and beyond. Overall experts may have a difference of opinion on various aspects of teaching and learning and their evolution however one thing we all agree on is that the modern classroom has changed to an extent that we have witnessed revolutionary innovations happening in the way the modern classroom is managed, lecture delivery, learning environment, and collaboration. Activity-based learning and the use of tools and web applications have significantly increased over the past one and a half to two decades. Numerous applications and tools are utilized to boost student participation, interest, motivation, and concentration levels. Moreover, revision and repetition of topics are also being done innovatively. This research study is based on the evaluation of a teaching and learning tool Socrative. This research study comprehensively analyses the effectiveness of this tool and its impact on the learning experience of the students. The study has been conducted in one of the premier higher education institutions in the Sultanate of Oman.
Support for students with Special needs during and after the COVID-19 pandemic through E-learning: A Case Study
Authors: Al Hosni Badriya , Naidu Vikas Rao , Al Mandhari Shima
Published: January 2023

Faculty in the university's department of special education had a lot of difficulties when it came to providing online learning opportunities for the group of students with special needs during the Corona epidemic. Five academic staff members who work with students that have special needs made up the research sample. To examine current systems and related worldwide studies, a systematic review of the literature was used. The results of the study show that academic staff members have a favorable attitude toward adopting e-learning programs for the group of students who have special needs. Additionally, they aid in these students' ability to manage educational involvement, social connections, and knowledge exchange. The academic staff showed disinterest in investing time in training and agreed that the technique did not call for more time than was often provided for regular class sessions. The academic department's members provided their thoughts on the development of systems and appropriate curricula, which will aid in removing obstacles and promoting support for e-learning for students with special needs for a variety of courses, as the research concluded. The academics' suggestions centered on how to employ e-learning for students with specific needs in an efficient way. Additionally, it was suggested that e-learning be introduced into curriculum, that departments be furnished with the appropriate software and educational resources, and that there be sufficient opportunities for education to enable teachers with special needs to acquire the required abilities. In proposed system, authors would recommend an AI based Chatbot, in higher educational sectors, so that the students who hesitate to come forward to discuss their issues, can also take advantage of support system by interacting and identify some common solutions.
Alumni mentoring: An approach to build community of learners
Authors: Kurian Preethy Sinu , Kumaran Nair Smitha Sunil
Published: January 2023

Mentors play a vital role in students' academic journey by providing guidance and encouragement to achieve ambitions and educational goals in future. What if the mentor is an alumnus? In this article, a case study of alumni mentoring in Postgraduate Studies at Middle East College, Sultanate of Oman is presented and proposes an alumnus mentoring framework with three major phases for a systematic implementation across the institution. The practice was implemented in a phased approach, starting with 1stsemester modules, and further extended to higher semester modules based on student feedback. The survey conducted to review the effectiveness of alumni mentoring sessions confirms that the alumni mentoring practice contributes significantly to shaping students' journey to academic success and supports in creating a community of learners.
New Role of Leadership in AI Era: Educational Sector
Authors: Milton Jeyarani , Al-Busaidi Arwa
Published: January 2023

Background:

Educators are required to adapt and adopt digital technologies, methodologies, and mindsets as Higher Education sector becomes more competitive. Digital transformation is essential to be successful in new digital world. AI is the main component in the digital world specially in Digital transformation. Artificial Intelligence yields tremendous opportunities not only in teaching & learning but also in leadership. Leaders in Educational sectors are expected to be more prepared, adaptable, updated and aligned with the new technologies. This article attempts to analyse how the Role of Leadership is going to change with the inclusion of Artificial Intelligence. Aim: The main aim of this research article is to answer the following key questions.

How is the Role of Leadership going to change with use of AI?

What will be new set of competencies required by leaders in coming future?

Does AI replace the Human role in leadership?

Research Methodology:

External Desk Research methodology is used here as the data is based on the material published in reports and similar documents that are available in public libraries, websites, data obtained from surveys already carried out, etc.

Findings:

Artificial Intelligence (AI) have changed the role of leadership in the aspect of IQ and EQ. The use of robust data analytics grounded in AI and machine learning techniques reveal new insights for educational applications. Hence the leaders of digital era in Educational Sectors should have Hard skills like cloud computing and Data flow to manage new technologies and soft skills to manage team as a package to lead the Higher Education to the top level.
Gaining Mesenteric Length following Colorectal Resection: Essential Maneuvers to Avoid Anastomotic Tension
Authors: Vargas Herschel David
Published: January 2023

A surgeon must possess the knowledge and technical skill to obtain length following a left-sided colorectal resection to perform a tension free anastomosis. The distal target organ – either rectum or anus – is fixed in location, and therefore requires surgeons to acquire mastery of proximal mobilization of the colonic conduit. Generally, splenic flexure mobilization (SFM) provides adequate length. Surgeons benefit from clearer understanding of the multiple steps involved in SFM as a result of improved visualization and demonstration of the relevant anatomy – adjacent organs and the attachments, embryologic planes, and mesenteric structures. Much may be attributed to laparoscopic and robotic platforms which provided improved exposure and as a result, development or refinement of novel approaches for SFM with potential advantages. Complete mobilization draws upon the sum or combination of the varied approaches to accomplish the goal. However, in the situation where extended resection is necessary or in the case of re-operative surgery sacrificing either more proximal or distal large intestine often occurs, the transverse colon or even the ascending colon represents the proximal conduit for anastomosis. This challenging situation requires familiarity with special maneuvers to achieve colorectal or coloanal anastomosis using these more proximal conduits. In such instances, operative techniques such as either ileal mesenteric window with retroileal anastomosis or de-rotation of the right colon (Deloyer's procedure) enable the intestinal surgeon to construct such anastomoses and thereby avoid stoma creation or loss of additional large intestine.
Knowledge and Competency of First Aids and Basic Life Support (BLS) Skills in Speech and Hearing Students
Authors: Bhatarai Prabuddha , Lokwani Prateek , Bhattarai Biraj , Paudel Dilli Raj , Sharma Aashish , Prabhu Prashanth
Published: January 2023

Purpose This study aimed to analyze speech and hearing students' knowledge, awareness, and attitude regarding first aid and basic life support (BLS).

Methods A descriptive cross-sectional survey study was performed through a web-based questionnaire regarding knowledge of first aid and BLS skills, experience, and views about training on these skills among speech and hearing students.

Results Four-hundred forty-two students from 26 different speech and hearing colleges participated in the study. About 88.23% of participants reported the necessity of knowledge about BLS skills and first aids. Fifty-five percent of participants encountered at least one emergency during their training. There is significant difference between awareness and confidence in performing these skills (Mann–Whitney U test= 76.5; /z/= −2.39; p = 0.019; effect size = 0.27). Most of the students (92.5%) reported not being trained to perform first aid and BLS skills and seek inclusion of these skills in their academic curriculum.

Conclusions Overall confidence in first aid skills is less in the students of speech and hearing when compared with the awareness level. Hence, formal training of first aid and BLS should be introduced into the curriculum to provide students with sound knowledge and practical skills and help them boost their confidence.