bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structure shape measurement method based on an optical fiber shape sensor
Authors: Tian Yuqi , Dang Hong , Liu Wenya , Cui Jiwen , Li Yang , Tan Jiubin
Published: April 2023

In industry and architecture, real-time and complete measurement of structures has become a research frontier since it is directly related to the safety of life and property. Optical fibers have the potential to monitor constructions due to advantages such as small size, anti-electromagnetic interference, etc. However, existing research on optical fiber sensors pays attention to the sensing fiber itself and ignores the layout of the optical fibers. As a result, currently available fiber sensors are only suitable for monitoring one-dimensional rigid structures such as surgical robots and puncture needles. They may face challenges when measuring the freeform surfaces encountered in industrial and architectural scenarios. In this paper, a cross-orthogonal measurement method based on optical fiber shape sensors is proposed to meet the shape measurement requirements of freeform surfaces. The cross-orthogonal network allows global measurement and performs surface reconstructions more easily as compared to single-fiber arrays. It also divides the sensing fiber into several segments that are reconstructed separately (with different initial frames), avoiding the cumulative error at the end of the sensing fiber. Results of verification experiments using four-core fibers indicate that the presented method can improve measurement accuracy.
Adaptive soft sensor design using a regression neural network and bias update strategy for non-linear industrial processes
Authors: Vijayan S Venkata , Mohanta Hare K , Rout Bijay K , Pani Ajaya Kumar
Published: April 2023

Soft sensing of quality parameters in process industries has been an active area of research for the past two decades. To improve the performance of soft sensors in the scenario of time varying process states, adaptation capability is incorporated into the soft sensor model. In this work, recursive (R), sliding window (SW) and just-in-time learning (JITL) frameworks are used for adaptive soft sensor design. A rarely explored modeling technique in the adaptation framework, the generalized regression neural network (GRNN) is used as a local modeling strategy. A bias update procedure is applied during the model adaptation activity to improve the prediction accuracy. Further, the performances of the developed models are tested against input–output data dimension mismatch along with various concept drift phenomena by considering a different number of labeled samples for inputs and outputs. The proposed adaptation strategy is applied on two benchmark industrial processes. Simulation results show that the GRNN local modeling approach combined with the bias update strategy gives higher prediction accuracy than other adaptive soft sensors proposed in the literature. Moreover, GRNN local modeling strategy using SW adaptation mechanism has the least computation time among the three adaptation methods due to the use of a low number of samples for model development.
Roadmap on thermoelectricity
Authors: Artini Cristina , Pennelli Giovanni , Graziosi Patrizio , Li Zhen , Neophytou Neophytos , Melis Claudio , Colombo Luciano , Isotta Eleonora , Lohani Ketan , Scardi Paolo , Castellero Alberto , Baricco Marcello , Palumbo Mauro , Casassa Silvia , Maschio Lorenzo , Pani Marcella , Latronico Giovanna , Mele Paolo , Di Benedetto Francesca , Contento Gaetano , De Riccardis Maria Federica , Fucci Raffaele , Palazzo Barbara , Rizzo Antonella , Demontis Valeria , Prete Domenic , Isram Muhammad , Rossella Francesco , Ferrario Alberto , Miozzo Alvise , Boldrini Stefano , Dimaggio Elisabetta , Franzini Marcello , Galliano Simone , Barolo Claudia , Mardi Saeed , Reale Andrea , Lorenzi Bruno , Narducci Dario , Trifiletti Vanira , Milita Silvia , Bellucci Alessandro , Trucchi Daniele M
Published: April 2023

The increasing energy demand and the ever more pressing need for clean technologies of energy conversion pose one of the most urgent and complicated issues of our age. Thermoelectricity, namely the direct conversion of waste heat into electricity, is a promising technique based on a long-standing physical phenomenon, which still has not fully developed its potential, mainly due to the low efficiency of the process. In order to improve the thermoelectric performance, a huge effort is being made by physicists, materials scientists and engineers, with the primary aims of better understanding the fundamental issues ruling the improvement of the thermoelectric figure of merit, and finally building the most efficient thermoelectric devices. In this Roadmap an overview is given about the most recent experimental and computational results obtained within the Italian research community on the optimization of composition and morphology of some thermoelectric materials, as well as on the design of thermoelectric and hybrid thermoelectric/photovoltaic devices.
Lasing mode manipulation in a Benz-shaped GaN cavity via the Joule effect of individual Ni wires
Authors: Qin Feifei , Ji Xin , Yang Ying , Li Meng , Li Xin , Lin Yi , Lu Kerui , Wang Ru , Wang Xiaoxuan , Wang Yongjin , Zhu Gangyi
Published: April 2023

Silicon-based gallium nitride lasers are considered potential laser sources for on-chip integration. However, the capability of on-demand lasing output with its reversible and wavelength tunability remains important. Herein, a Benz-shaped GaN cavity is designed and fabricated on a Si substrate and coupled to a Ni metal wire. Under optical pumping, excitation position-related lasing and exciton combination properties of pure GaN cavity are studied systematically. Under electrically driven, joule thermal of Ni metal wire makes it easy to change the temperature of the cavity. And then, we demonstrate a joule heat-induced contactless lasing mode manipulation in the coupled GaN cavity. The driven current, coupling distance, and excitation position influence the wavelength tunable effect. Compared with other positions, the outer ring position has the highest lasing properties and lasing mode tuning abilities. The optimized structures demonstrate clear wavelength tuning and an even mode switch. The thermal reduction of the band gap is identified to account for the modification of the lasing profile, but the thermo-optic effect is non-negligible under a high-driven current.
Synthesis of non-planar graphene-wrapped copper nanoparticles with iron(III) oxide decoration for high performance supercapacitors
Authors: Chu Hsuan-I , Ho Hsiao-Yun , Huang Yi-June , Tsai Dung-Sheng , Lee Chuan-Pei
Published: April 2023

The performance of supercapacitors strongly depends on the electrochemical characterizations of electrode materials. Herein, a composite material consisted of iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3) and multilayer graphene-wrapped copper nanoparticles (Fe2O3/MLG-Cu NPs) is fabricated on a flexible carbon cloth (CC) substrate via two-step synthesis process for supercapacitor application. Where, MLG-Cu NPs are prepared on CC by one-step chemical vapor deposition synthesis approach; thereafter, the Fe2O3 is further deposited on the MLG-Cu NPs/CC via successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction method. The related material characterizations of Fe2O3/MLG-Cu NPs are well investigated by scanning electron microscopic, high resolution transmission electron microscopy), Raman spectrometer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy; the electrochemical behaviors of the pertinent electrodes are studied by cyclic voltammogram, galvanostatic charge/discharge (GCD) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The flexible electrode with Fe2O3/MLG-Cu NPs composites exhibits the best specific capacitance of 1092.6 mF cm−2 at 1 A g−1, which is much higher than those of electrodes with Fe2O3 (863.7 mF cm−2), MLG-Cu NPs (257.4 mF cm−2), multilayer graphene hollow balls (MLGHBs, 14.4 mF cm−2) and Fe2O3/MLGHBs (287.2 mF cm−2). Fe2O3/MLG-Cu NPs electrode also exhibits an excellent GCD durability, and its capacitance remains 88% of its original value after 5000 cycles of the GCD process. Finally, a supercapacitor system consisted of four Fe2O3/MLG-Cu NPs/CC electrodes can efficiently power various light-emitting diodes (i.e. red, yellow, green, and blue lights), demonstrating the practical application of Fe2O3/MLG-Cu NPs/CC electrode.
Multi-level fusion network for mild cognitive impairment identification using multi-modal neuroimages
Authors: Xu Haozhe , Zhong Shengzhou , Zhang Yu
Published: April 2023

Objective. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a precursor to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) which is an irreversible progressive neurodegenerative disease and its early diagnosis and intervention are of great significance. Recently, many deep learning methods have demonstrated the advantages of multi-modal neuroimages in MCI identification task. However, previous studies frequently simply concatenate patch-level features for prediction without modeling the dependencies among local features. Also, many methods only focus on modality-sharable information or modality-specific features and ignore their incorporation. This work aims to address above-mentioned issues and construct a model for accurate MCI identification. Approach. In this paper, we propose a multi-level fusion network for MCI identification using multi-modal neuroimages, which consists of local representation learning and dependency-aware global representation learning stages. Specifically, for each patient, we first extract multi-pair of patches from multiple same position in multi-modal neuroimages. After that, in the local representation learning stage, multiple dual-channel sub-networks, each of which consists of two modality-specific feature extraction branches and three sine-cosine fusion modules, are constructed to learn local features that preserve modality-sharable and modality specific representations simultaneously. In the dependency-aware global representation learning stage, we further capture long-range dependencies among local representations and integrate them into global ones for MCI identification. Main results. Experiments on ADNI-1/ADNI-2 datasets demonstrate the superior performance of the proposed method in MCI identification tasks (Accuracy: 0.802, sensitivity: 0.821, specificity: 0.767 in MCI diagnosis task; accuracy: 0.849, sensitivity: 0.841, specificity: 0.856 in MCI conversion task) when compared with state-of-the-art methods. The proposed classification model has demonstrated a promising potential to predict MCI conversion and identify the disease-related regions in the brain. Significance. We propose a multi-level fusion network for MCI identification using multi-modal neuroimage. The results on ADNI datasets have demonstrated its feasibility and superiority.
Head and neck tumor segmentation convolutional neural network robust to missing PET/CT modalities using channel dropout
Authors: Zhao Lin-mei , Zhang Helen , Kim Daniel D , Ghimire Kanchan , Hu Rong , Kargilis Daniel C , Tang Lei , Meng Shujuan , Chen Quan , Liao Wei-hua , Bai Harrison , Jiao Zhicheng , Feng Xue
Published: April 2023

Objective. Radiation therapy for head and neck (H&N) cancer relies on accurate segmentation of the primary tumor. A robust, accurate, and automated gross tumor volume segmentation method is warranted for H&N cancer therapeutic management. The purpose of this study is to develop a novel deep learning segmentation model for H&N cancer based on independent and combined CT and FDG-PET modalities. Approach. In this study, we developed a robust deep learning-based model leveraging information from both CT and PET. We implemented a 3D U-Net architecture with 5 levels of encoding and decoding, computing model loss through deep supervision. We used a channel dropout technique to emulate different combinations of input modalities. This technique prevents potential performance issues when only one modality is available, increasing model robustness. We implemented ensemble modeling by combining two types of convolutions with differing receptive fields, conventional and dilated, to improve capture of both fine details and global information. Main Results. Our proposed methods yielded promising results, with a Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 0.802 when deployed on combined CT and PET, DSC of 0.610 when deployed on CT, and DSC of 0.750 when deployed on PET. Significance. Application of a channel dropout method allowed for a single model to achieve high performance when deployed on either single modality images (CT or PET) or combined modality images (CT and PET). The presented segmentation techniques are clinically relevant to applications where images from a certain modality might not always be available.
Effect of the toroidal flow shear on the m/n = 2/1 tearing mode by using the rotating resonant magnetic perturbations in the J-TEXT Tokamak
Authors: Jia Ruo , Li Da , Ding Yonghua , Ren Zhengkang , Wang Nengchao , Mao Feiyue , He Ying
Published: April 2023

It has been found that a higher-frequency rotating resonant magnetic perturbation (RRMP) can suppress a large tearing mode (TM) and avoid subsequent disruption (Li et al 2020 Nucl. Fusion
60 056022). To clarify the mechanism of the stabilizing effect of the higher-frequency RRMP, experiments on the effects of RRMPs with different frequencies on the TM amplitude are presented in this paper. After eliminating the destabilizing effect of RRMP, the statistical analysis reveals a notable negative correlation between changes in the amplitude of the TM and changes in the mode frequency. Further investigation indicates an absence of a suppressive effect of the toroidal flow on the TM. Instead, the data shows a clear linear relationship between changes in the TM amplitude and the flow shear in proximity to the resonant surface, with a high coefficient of determination (r
2). Those experimental results suggest that the flow shear plays a significant role in the suppression of TMs and offer a plausible method to prevent disruptions in future devices.
On Hermitian manifolds whose Chern connection is Ambrose-Singer
Authors: Ni Lei , Zheng Fangyang
Published: April 2023

We consider the class of compact Hermitian manifolds whose Chern connection is Ambrose-Singer, namely, it has parallel torsion and curvature. We prove structure theorems for such manifolds.
Combined use of nivolumab and ipilimumab in Japanese patients with melanoma: a multicentre retrospective study of 111 cases
Authors: Fujisawa Yasuhiro , Namikawa Kenjiro , Yoshino Koji , Kiniwa Yukiko , Ito Takamichi , Kato Hiroshi , Matsushita Shigeto , Hoashi Toshihiko , Nakamura Yasuhiro , Yoshikawa Shusuke , Miyagawa Takuya , Asai Jun , Matsuya Taisuke , Fukushima Satoshi , Kato Jyunji , Takenouchi Tatsuya , Uchi Hiroshi , Masuzawa Mamiko , Yanagi Teruki , Maekawa Takeo
Published: April 2023

In Japanese patients with melanoma, the response rate of nivolumab plus ipilimumab (N/I) was lower than (35.1%) and the rate of adverse events was similar to (60.4%) those reported in previous clinical trials. No survival difference was observed with the use of N/I between clinical types. Patients who achieved a good response had better outcomes. Elevated lactate dehydrogenase level and having three or more metastatic sites were poor prognostic factors.
Predicting coarse-grained semantic features in language comprehension: evidence from ERP representational similarity analysis and Chinese classifier
Authors: Huang Zirui , Feng Chen , Qu Qingqing
Published: April 2023

Existing studies demonstrate that comprehenders can predict semantic information during language comprehension. Most evidence comes from a highly constraining context, in which a specific word is likely to be predicted. One question that has been investigated less is whether prediction can occur when prior context is less constraining for predicting specific words. Here, we aim to address this issue by examining the prediction of animacy features in low-constraining context, using electroencephalography (EEG), in combination with representational similarity analysis (RSA). In Chinese, a classifier follows a numeral and precedes a noun, and classifiers constrain animacy features of upcoming nouns. In the task, native Chinese Mandarin speakers were presented with either animate-constraining or inanimate-constraining classifiers followed by congruent or incongruent nouns. EEG amplitude analysis revealed an N400 effect for incongruent conditions, reflecting the difficulty of semantic integration when an incompatible noun is encountered. Critically, we quantified the similarity between patterns of neural activity following the classifiers. RSA results revealed that the similarity between patterns of neural activity following animate-constraining classifiers was greater than following inanimate-constraining classifiers, before the presentation of the nouns, reflecting pre-activation of animacy features of nouns. These findings provide evidence for the prediction of coarse-grained semantic feature of upcoming words.
Human Papillomavirus-Associated Anal Cancer Incidence and Burden Among US Men, According to Sexual Orientation, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Status, and Age
Authors: Deshmukh Ashish A , Damgacioglu Haluk , Georges Damien , Sonawane Kalyani , Clifford Gary M
Published: April 2023

Background

Men who have sex with men (MSM) without HIV are known to be at elevated relative risk for Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated anal cancer in comparison to men who have sex with women (MSW), but are poorly characterized in terms of anal cancer incidence due to absence of reporting of sexual behavior/identity at a population-level.

Methods

By combining age-specific statistics from multiple data sources (anal cancer incidence among all males; anal cancer incidence among MSM and MSW with HIV; population size of men with HIV by sexual orientation), we developed a mathematical model to estimate anal cancer incidence, annual number of cases, and proportion by (a) sexual orientation (MSM versus MSW), (b) HIV status, and (c) age (<30, 30–44, 45–59, and ≥60 years).

Results

Anal cancer incidence (per 100 000) among MSM without HIV was 1.4 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 0.6 to 2.3), 17.6 (95% UI = 13.8–23.5), and 33.9 (95% UI = 28.3–42.3), at ages 30–44, 45–59 and ≥60 years, respectively. 19.1% of all male anal cancer occurred in MSM without HIV, increasing from 4% of anal cancer diagnosed at 30–44 years to 24% at ≥60 years; 54.3% occurred in MSW without HIV (increasing from 13% at age 30–44 to 67% at >60 years), and the remaining 26.6% in men (MSM and MSW combined) with HIV (decreasing from 83% at age 30–44 to 9% at >60 years).

Conclusions

These findings should inform anal cancer prevention recommendations in male risk groups, including, for the first time, for the important group of MSM without HIV.
Individual Consequences of Occupational Decline
Authors: Edin Per-Anders , Evans Tiernan , Graetz Georg , Hernnäs Sofia , Michaels Guy
Published: April 2023

We assess the career earnings losses that individual Swedish workers suffered when their occupations’ employment declined. High-quality data allow us to overcome sorting into declining occupations on various attributes, including cognitive and non-cognitive skills. Our estimates show that occupational decline reduced mean cumulative earnings from 1986–2013 by no more than 2%–5%. This loss reflects a combination of reduced earnings conditional on employment, reduced years of employment and increased time spent in unemployment and retraining. While on average workers successfully mitigated their losses, those initially at the bottom of their occupations’ earnings distributions lost up to 8%–11%.
Involvement of Racially and Ethnically Minoritized Youths in Behavioral Type 1 Diabetes Interventions: A Systematic Review
Authors: Dimentstein Karen , Greenberg Brooke A , Valenzuela Jessica M
Published: April 2023

Objective

Psychosocial interventions targeting glycemic health in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have been promising. Nonetheless, disparities in T1D treatment and outcomes are pervasive among racially/ethnically minoritized (REM) youth and a systematic review examining the inclusion of REM youth in psychosocial interventions is lacking. Therefore, the present systematic review examined the literature to determine the inclusion of REM youth with T1D in psychosocial interventions.

Methods

A systematic literature review was conducted per PRISMA guidelines for psychosocial intervention studies of youth (<19 years) with T1D between 2011 and 2022 using PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and MedLine. Tables of contents for JPP, CPPP, and Diabetes Care were also reviewed. The date last searched was April 26, 2022. Studies were examined for risk of bias using the QualSyst rating system.

Results

Twenty-four studies met inclusion criteria with a total of 3,117 participants. Studies utilized various psychological interventions (e.g., CBT, MI, behavioral modalities). Seventeen studies reported participants’ race/ethnicity and eleven studies included >20% REM youth.

Conclusions

One study examined the impact of interventions on REM youth or whether the intervention reduces existing racial/ethnic disparities. Implications for future research and practice are discussed.
Metal line emission from galaxy haloes at z ≈ 1
Authors: Dutta Rajeshwari , Fossati Matteo , Fumagalli Michele , Revalski Mitchell , Lofthouse Emma K , Nelson Dylan , Papini Giulia , Rafelski Marc , Cantalupo Sebastiano , Arrigoni Battaia Fabrizio , Dayal Pratika , Longobardi Alessia , Péroux Celine , Prichard Laura J , Prochaska J Xavier
Published: April 2023

We present a study of the metal-enriched halo gas, traced using Mg ii and [O ii] emission lines, in two large, blind galaxy surveys – the MUSE (Multi Unit Spectroscopic Explorer) Analysis of Gas around Galaxies (MAGG) and the MUSE Ultra Deep Field (MUDF). By stacking a sample of ≈600 galaxies (stellar masses $M_*$ ≈ 106–12 $\rm M_\odot$), we characterize for the first time the average metal line emission from a general population of galaxy haloes at 0.7 ≤ z ≤ 1.5. The Mg ii and [O ii] line emission extends farther out than the stellar continuum emission, on average out to ≈25 and ≈45 kpc, respectively, at a surface brightness (SB) level of 10−20 $\rm erg\, s^{-1}\, cm^{-2}\, arcsec^{-2}$. The radial profile of the Mg ii SB is shallower than that of the [O ii], suggesting that the resonant Mg ii emission is affected by dust and radiative transfer effects. The [O ii] to Mg ii SB ratio is ≈3 over ≈20–40 kpc, also indicating a significant in situ origin of the extended metal emission. The average SB profiles are intrinsically brighter by a factor of ≈2–3 and more radially extended by a factor of ≈1.3 at 1.0 < z ≤ 1.5 than at 0.7 ≤ z ≤ 1.0. The average extent of the metal emission also increases independently with increasing stellar mass and in overdense group environments. When considering individual detections, we find extended [O ii] emission up to ≈50 kpc around ≈30–40 per cent of the group galaxies, and extended (≈30–40 kpc) Mg ii emission around two z ≈ 1 quasars in groups, which could arise from outflows or environmental processes.
COVID-19 infection, admission and death and the impact of corticosteroids among people with rare autoimmune rheumatic disease during the second wave of COVID-19 in England: results from the RECORDER Project
Authors: Rutter Megan , Lanyon Peter C , Grainge Matthew J , Hubbard Richard , Bythell Mary , Stilwell Peter , Aston Jeanette , McPhail Sean , Stevens Sarah , Pearce Fiona A
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To calculate the rates of COVID-19 infection and COVID-19-related death among people with rare autoimmune rheumatic diseases (RAIRD) during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic in England, and describe the impact of corticosteroids on outcomes.

Methods

Hospital Episode Statistics data were used to identify people alive on 1 August 2020 with ICD-10 codes for RAIRD from the whole population of England. Linked national health records were used to calculate rates and rate ratios of COVID-19 infection and death up to 30 April 2021. Primary definition of COVID-19-related death was mention of COVID-19 on the death certificate. NHS Digital and Office for National Statistics general population data were used for comparison. The association between 30-day corticosteroid usage and COVID-19-related death, COVID-19-related hospital admissions and all-cause deaths was also described.

Results

Of 168 330 people with RAIRD, 9961 (5.92%) had a positive COVID-19 PCR test. The age-standardized infection rate ratio between RAIRD and the general population was 0.99 (95% CI: 0.97, 1.00). 1342 (0.80%) people with RAIRD died with COVID-19 on their death certificate and the age–sex-standardized mortality rate for COVID-19-related death was 2.76 (95% CI: 2.63, 2.89) times higher than in the general population. There was a dose-dependent relationship between 30-day corticosteroid usage and COVID-19-related death. There was no increase in deaths due to other causes.

Conclusions

During the second wave of COVID-19 in England, people with RAIRD had the same risk of COVID-19 infection but a 2.76-fold increased risk of COVID-19-related death compared with the general population, with corticosteroids associated with increased risk.
Hypertensive crisis: diagnosis, presentation, and treatment
Authors: Stewart Merrill H.
Published: April 2023

Purpose of review

Hypertensive crisis (HTN-C) is a condition of increasing prevalence. It carries significant morbidity and mortality, and prompt recognition and treatment are crucial. There is a paucity of controlled trials, so a working knowledge of the most recent literature in the area of HTN-C is helpful.

Recent findings

Novel serological markers, including serum corin, have been found to aid in the early identification of end-organ damage from severely elevated blood pressure (BP). In the area of BP following thrombolysis for ischemic stroke, lower target BP (130–140 mmHg) is associated with some improved outcomes. Two large trials of lower BP following mechanical thrombectomy in stroke have failed to show improved outcomes; however, observed data show benefits at lower than currently recommended levels. Clevidipine, a calcium channel blocker marketed for unique use in HTN-C, was found to be noninferior to the generic less expensive nicardipine. Oral nifedipine was found to be the most effective agent for sustained BP reduction in preeclampsia.

HTN-C remains an area with few prospective randomized trials, but there is active research on identifying lower goals for specific clinical scenarios. Ideal therapeutic agents should be tailored for specific end-organ damage.
Congenitally corrected transposition: not correct at all
Authors: DeWeert Katherine J. , Lancaster Timothy , Dorfman Adam L.
Published: April 2023

Purpose of review

Congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries is a rare congenital defect with several management options. Disagreement continues on strategies, such as anatomic repair, physiologic repair or observation-only. This review discusses recent data that provide further guidance for clinical decision-making.

Recent findings

New data provide greater insights into practice patterns and outcomes. Recent data from high-volume centers show progressively high rates of systemic right ventricle dysfunction over time with lower rates of systemic left ventricle dysfunction following anatomic repair; there is a statistical trend towards better survival of anatomic repair patients. Data comparing anatomic repair to observation showed that anatomic repair patients had a lower hazard of reaching a composite adverse outcome. These complex operations are predominantly performed at a small subset of congenital heart surgery centers.

Anatomic repair compared with physiologic repair may have better outcomes, although there are relatively high rates of morbidity for both approaches. In the patient without associated lesions, nonsurgical management can have excellent outcomes but is complicated by right ventricular failure over time. Multicenter research will help determine risk factors for bad outcomes; management at high volume, experienced centers will probably be beneficial for this complex patient population.
Albuminuria and cardiorenal risk
Authors: Georgianos Panagiotis I. , Dounousi Evangelia , Liakopoulos Vassilios
Published: April 2023

Purpose of review

This article explores the prognostic association of albuminuria with the risk of adverse health outcomes and also provides an overview of novel guideline-directed therapies that confer cardiorenal protection in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients with or without type 2 diabetes.

Recent findings

Although the identification of CKD is based on the simultaneous assessment of estimated glomerular filtration rate and albuminuria, recent studies have shown that the regular screening rate for an increased urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio is very low in daily clinical practice. Accordingly, a large proportion of high-risk patients with early-stage CKD remain unidentified, missing the opportunity to receive optimized treatment with novel agents that are effective in causing regression of albuminuria and in improving adverse cardiorenal outcomes.

The broader implementation of albuminuria assessment in daily clinical practice facilitates the identification of high-risk patients with early-stage CKD who are candidates for treatment with sodium-glucose co-transporter type 2 inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists and the nonsteroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone. These novel drug categories have modified the role of albuminuria from a powerful cardiorenal risk predictor to a modifiable target of therapy.
Why do patients with antiphospholipid syndrome bleed? A clinical paradox
Authors: Fuentes-Lacouture María Cynthia , Gómez Lizeth Bustamante , Torres Nicolás , Arteaga-Unigarro Carlos
Published: April 2023

Although worldwide-known criteria of antiphospholipid syndrome include thrombotic and obstetric events, a moderate number of patients manifest with bleeding episodes during course of the disease, which is typically attributed to the long-term anticoagulation. However, these haemorrhagic manifestations sometimes are part of pathophysiological changes that might occur secondary to the disease that involves endothelial activation, platelets dysfunction and blood clot factors misfunction. Recognizing these mechanisms of bleeding is crucial not only due to the need of treatment change or adding, but also because of changes in the disease’ prognosis. In this review, we attempted to explain those complications, from its mechanism to a treatment approach, in order for physicians to be able to recognize patients with antiphospholipid syndrome and haemorrhagic manifestations, and to understand that, beyond over-anticoagulation, there are some other mechanisms that can trigger this complication and thus carry out a better diagnostic and therapeutic approach.
Coal-fired electricity generation in Brazil under public regulation: security-of-supply assessment
Authors: Battesini Marcelo , Koppe Jair Carlos
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to propose an approach to assess the security of supply (SS) in a coal-fired electricity generation supply chain subject to public price regulation in Brazil. This study characterizes the Brazilian scenario of coal-fired electricity generation, which represents less than 3.5% of the energy sources.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from six mining companies that supply a coal plant were analyzed in a case study. The risks were characterized and objectively estimated through a synthetic multidimensional index. Structural changes in the earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and exploration indicator time series of coal companies (CC) were statistically detected.

Findings

Empirical evidence demonstrates that the supply chain has a low disruption risk (SS index equal to 0.74). However, when suppliers are individually analyzed, 48.64% of all coal shows moderated disruption risk, and 2.51% is under high risk. In addition, this study finds a drop in the financial results of CC related to public regulation of coal prices. This impacts the security of coal supply.

Research limitations/implications

This study discusses the influence of legal and regulatory policy risks in a coal power generation supply chain and the implications of the SS index as a management tool.

Originality/value

A novel SS index is presented and empirically operationalized, and its dimensions – environmental, occupational, operational, economic-financial and supply capacity – are analyzed.
Tribological behavior of different doped ta-C coatings for slip-rolling contacts with high hertzian contact pressure
Authors: Polzer Markus , Bartz Marcel , Rothammer Benedict , Schulz Edgar , Wartzack Sandro
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The curved and tribologically highly stressed surfaces of bearing components pose a major challenge for steel alloys or tribological resistant coatings like tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) coatings which in particular have an increased risk of delamination due to the significantly increased residual stresses. A possibility to prevent coating failure is the use of dopants while maintaining or even increasing tribological properties. This study aims to compare the tribological behavior of several doped diamond-like-carbon coatings with an undoped ta-C coating under varying slip conditions and Hertzian pressure up to 1800 MPa.

Design/methodology/approach

For this purpose, the tribological behavior was studied using of a ball-on-disc tribometer and a two-disc test rig under mixed/boundary conditions. The tests were conducted with coated specimens against uncoated 100Cr6 steel. Additionally, the influence of lubrication additives was studied due to the use of two fully formulated PAO-based oils, one without and one with molybdenum containing additives. The friction was measured in situ, and the wear was analyzed trough laser scanning microscopy and tactile measurement.

Findings

It was shown that the use of doped ta-C coatings exhibited a tendency for a more favorable tribological behavior compared to undoped ta-C coatings, with no general dependence on the lubricants used. The use of the most suitable coatings reduced the wear of the steel counter-body considerably.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first approach of testing the tribological behavior of these doped ta-C coatings, developed for friction efficiency, in dependency on lubrication additives under the given load collective. The approach is relevant to determine whether the friction reduction and the wear inhibition of these coatings are suitable for higher contact pressures and load cycles.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-11-2022-0336/
Fractured academic space: digital literacy and the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Lloyd Annemaree , Hicks Alison
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The study focussed on information literacy practices, specifically on how higher education staff managed the transition from established and routinised in-person teaching, learning and working practices to institutionally mandated remote or hybrid working patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative study forms part of a broader research project, examining how information literacy and information practices unfolded during the COVID-19 pandemic. Phase Three of this project, which forms the subject of this paper, employed semi-structured interviews to explore the impact of COVID-19 on the workplace and, in particular, the role that technology and digital literacy plays in enabling or constraining information literacy practices necessary for the operationalisation of work.

Findings

The complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic precipitated a fracturing of workplace information environments and worker information landscapes by disrupting all aspects of academic life. The study recognises that whilst the practice of information literacy is predicated on access to modalities of information, this practice is also shaped by material conditions. This has implications for digital literacy which, in attempting to set itself apart from information literacy practice, has negated the significant role that the body and the corporeal modality play as important sources of information that enable transition to occur. In relation to information resilience, the bridging concept of fracture has enabled the authors to consider the informational impact of crisis and transition on people's information experiences and people's capacity to learn to go on when faced with precarity. The concept of grief is introduced into the analysis.

Originality/value

This study presents original research.
Effect of climate and flooding on the phenology of Attalea phalerata (Arecaceae) in a white‐water floodplain forest of the Amazon River
Authors: Furtado Rafael Neri , Guedes Marcelino Carneiro , Dantas Adelson Rocha , Lira‐Guedes Ana Cláudia , de Toledo José Júlio
Published: April 2023

Little is known about the effect of the polymodal tide of the Amazon estuary on the phenology of palms. We evaluated the effect of climate/flood and biotic factors on the phenology of 80 Attalea phalerata palms over 1‐year period. Bract emission and young leaves percentage were negatively correlated to accumulated rainfall. Inflorescence and leaf production occurred mainly in the dry season. Immature fruit was positively correlated with rainfall, showing that fruit development occurs during the rainy season. The production of flowers, unripe fruit, and young leaves were positively correlated to flooding. The production of infructescence, per palm, varied from 0 to 4 and 18% of the variance was explained by variables of stem diameter, number of new leaves, altitude, and flood amplitude. The number of infructescence increased for large palms and decreased for individuals subjected to high amplitudes of flooding. These findings reveal that phenological patterns of A. phalerata are driven by seasonal variation in rainfall and flooding. Furthermore, infructescence production can be predicted by plant size and this production is sensitive to variations in flood amplitude. Alteration in rainfall and flooding due to climate change may have a negative impact on fruit production if extreme events increase in frequency.
Filling the gap: A comparative analysis of stormwater utility fees and stormwater program budgets in the Puget Sound watershed
Authors: Kinney Aimee , Evrard Raye , Bogue Kevin , James Christopher Andrew
Published: April 2023

Stormwater utility fees (SUFs) are one way to fill the growing gap between stormwater management needs and available funding. However, there is a lack of data on the overall role they play in stormwater program budgets. This paper presents an evaluation of SUFs across multiple jurisdictions to understand their contributions to overall revenue, the uses of revenue, and the extent to which ratemaking is equitable within and between jurisdictions. We compiled data on SUFs for 124 jurisdictions and program budgets for 80 jurisdictions to describe the composition of revenues and influence of municipal stormwater permit status. We also calculated SUFs applied to individual parcels in 11 jurisdictions to assess two equity outcomes: proportionality and affordability. Results indicate that SUF revenue contributed 91% of the $537.7 million in total 2019 stormwater program operational revenue. There was enormous variation among jurisdictions in annual SUF revenue per capita ($17–328), per housing unit ($42–1007), and on an area‐normalized basis (<$0.01–2.70 per ft2 impervious surface). SUFs in some cities were large enough to burden low‐income households, and the way they are billed may preclude assistance for renters. In the context of escalating costs driven in part by new regulatory requirements, these results illustrate the tension between achieving full cost recovery for stormwater services and ensuring prices are affordable for ratepayers.
Just‐below pricing in real estate: Impact by price segment and market conditions
Authors: Beck Jason , Levine Lindsay , Toma Michael
Published: April 2023

Most prior studies of just‐below pricing have primarily focused on low‐stakes inconsequential consumer purchases, such as everyday household items. Using data from the Multiple Listing Service for the city of Savannah, Georgia, from 2006 through 2021, this study extends the more limited research on just‐below pricing for more consequential purchases, specifically housing. Beyond an examination into the general effectiveness of just‐below pricing in real estate, this study also explores the heterogeneous effects of its usage on sale price during different market conditions and in different market segments. The study shows that just‐below pricing is common in the real estate market, and it does have an impact on final sale price, working most effectively within cold real estate markets. Furthermore, it is found that just‐below pricing works best (though it is utilized least often) within low‐end price segments, while just‐below pricing can work against the seller in high‐end home price segments (though it is used most often in these segments).
Short‐term toxicity assessment of combined use of zidovudine, lamivudine and lopinavir/ritonavir in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Wen Pingjing , Ge Xianmin , Wang Yanwu , Ge Yun , Lan Guanghua , Li Bin , Qin Guangqiu , Zhu Qiuying , Chen Huanhuan , Zhu Jinhui , Qin Huiyan , Yang Hui , Luo Hailan , Gao Yuqiu , Meng Qin , Luo Liuhong , Liu Shuaifeng , Wu Xiuling , Li Shanshan , Deng Yueqin
Published: April 2023

Introduction

A combination of zidovudine (AZT), lamivudine (3TC) and lopinavir/ritonavir (LPV/r) is one of the most effective drugs for preventing mother‐to‐child transmission (PMTCT) of HIV. However, limited information is available regarding its systemic toxicity. This study aimed to investigate its potential toxicity.

Method

An acute oral toxicity test was conducted to assess the potential acute toxicity of AZT + 3TC + LPV/r. Bacterial reverse mutation, mammalian erythrocyte micronucleus and mouse spermatogonia chromosomal aberration tests were conducted to assess its potential genotoxicity. A 28‐day feeding test was conducted to assess the potential subacute toxicity.

Results

In mice, the LD50 of the AZT + 3TC + LPV/r mixture was greater than 2000 mg/kg body weight (BW). The rate of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) increased in a dose‐dependent manner in mice (P < 0.01). After treatment with AZT + 3TC + LPV/r for 28 days, the BW gain of male and female rats in the high‐dose group was lower than that in the control group (P < 0.05); the relative weights of the liver, kidney, spleen and brain increased (P < 0.05); and pathological abnormalities appeared in the thyroid and spleen of male and female rats in the high‐dose group. The haemoglobin (HGB) and red blood cells (RBCs) count in male and female rats decreased, but the white blood cells (WBCs) and lymphocyte apoptosis rates in male and female rats in the high‐dose group increased (P < 0.05). The total protein, albumin, cholesterol and blood glucose levels of male and female rats in the high‐dose group were significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine (Cr) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels of male and female rats in the medium‐ and high‐dose groups increased significantly (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results suggest that AZT + 3TC + LPV/r may exhibit genotoxicity and subacute toxicity under experimental conditions.
The impact of group singing on children's subjective well‐being: Mixed methods research
Authors: Davies J. , Bentham S. , Duah F.
Published: April 2023

Improving the well‐being of children has been widely discussed, yet research‐exploring strategies aimed at improving this in school‐based settings is still an emerging field of research. This mixed methods study investigated the impact of a singing intervention on the subjective well‐being of a class of 27 children aged 8–9. Over the course of 2 weeks, the class took part in 20 minutes of daily group singing with a focus on learning popular music that they chose. The sessions were delivered by a generalist primary teacher who had previously worked as a music specialist. In measuring children's subjective well‐being with emphasis on life satisfaction, the ‘Student's Life Satisfaction Scale’ was administered to the children pre‐ and post‐intervention. Of the 27 children, four (identified as disadvantaged) were interviewed as part of a focus group at the end of the intervention and questions centred around the children's opinions and enjoyment of the intervention. Results indicated that there was a much lower proportion of children with low subjective well‐being scores after the intervention than before the intervention (as measured by the SLSS questionnaire). Analysis of the Likert scale data showed a ‘medium’ (d = 0.5) effect size. Thematic analysis of the focus group revealed that singing had a broadly positive effect on the well‐being of those children, which is consistent with findings found in similar trials involving adults. Links to the theoretical framework of ‘flow’ by Csikszentmihalhi (1975) are drawn, alongside the PERMA well‐being framework model (Seligman, 2012) to help explain the effects of being engrossed in an enjoyable activity such as group singing and how this in turn can impact subjective well‐being.
Fronto‐parieto‐subthalamic activity decodes motor status in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Zhang Quan , Xie Hutao , Zhao Baotian , Yin Zixiao , Liu Yuye , Liu Defeng , Bai Yutong , Zhu Guanyu , Qin Guofan , Gan Yifei , Tian Runfa , Shi Lin , Yang Anchao , Meng Fangang , Jiang Yin , Zhang Jianguo
Published: April 2023

Aims

Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) have various motor difficulties, including standing up, gait initiation and freezing of gait. These abnormalities are associated with cortico‐subthalamic dysfunction. We aimed to reveal the characteristics of cortico‐subthalamic activity in PD patients during different motor statuses.

Methods

Potentials were recorded in the superior parietal lobule (SPL), the primary motor cortex (M1), premotor cortex (PMC), and the bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) in 18 freely walking patients while sitting, standing, walking, dual‐task walking, and freezing in medication “off” (Moff) and “on” (Mon) states. Different motor status activities were compared in band power, and a machine learning classifier was used to differentiate the motor statuses.

Results

SPL beta power was specifically inhibited from standing to walking, and negatively correlated with walking speed; M1 beta power reflected the degree of rigidity and was reversed by medication; XGBoost algorithm classified the five motor statuses with acceptable accuracy (68.77% in Moff, 60.58% in Mon). SPL beta power ranked highest in feature importance in both Moff and Mon states.

Conclusion

SPL beta power plays an essential role in walking status classification and could be a physiological biomarker for walking speed, which would aid the development of adaptive DBS.
Dermatovenerological infections
Authors: Fabri Mario , Stary Georg
Published: April 2023

In dermatology, infections caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites play an important role. A large proportion of pathogen‐related infections of the skin and mucous membranes are transmitted sexually. All areas of infectious diseases and dermatovenerology are subject to highly exciting, dynamic change. This is driven by changes in the epidemiology of long‐established diseases, changes in the resistance of pathogens to anti‐infectives, recurrence of known pathogens, and the emergence of completely new pathogens. In this article, we address “resistance to anti‐infectives”, “sexually transmitted infections”, and “emerging viral infections”, three core areas of dermatovenerology that will shape the field in the years to come.