bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated Photothermal‐Pyroelectric Biosensor for Rapid and Point‐of‐Care Diagnosis of Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Convergence of Theoretical Research and Commercialization
Authors: Yu Zhichao , Gong Hexiang , Gao Yuan , Li Ling , Xue Fangqing , Zeng Yongyi , Li Meijin , Liu Xiaolong , Tang Dianping
Published: July 2022

Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) survivors face a high risk of mortality as a result of increasing heart failure and irreparable myocardial injury. New portable methods for immediate diagnosis must be developed to provide patients with daily warnings. Herein, the development of a dual‐mode photothermal‐pyroelectric output system based on a point‐of‐care platform for rapid AMI detection is reported. Termed as Integrated Photothermal‐Pyroelectric Biosensor for AMI (IPPBA), the method leverages cascade enzymatic amplification to convert the target signal into a thermal and pyrooelectric conversion of the testing process by delicate pyroelectric pervokite NaNbO3 nanocubes modified microelectrodes for sensitive detection of cTnI protein in whole blood. In addition, the mechanism of the proposed pyroelectric bioassay model is explored in depth based on in situ variable temperature X‐ray diffraction (XRD) lattice change statistics and density function theory (DFT) calculations. With standard samples and under optimized experimental conditions, the proposed IPPBA platform exhibits excellent signal stability and ultra‐low detection limit (0.05 ng mL–1) for the target cTn I. With further developments in digital technology (e.g., 5G signaling protocols, fully automated systems), the integrated digital bio‐testing platform IPPBA is fully capable of accomplishing positive and timely diagnosis of AMI.
Flexible Color Tunability and High Transmittance Semitransparent Organic Solar Cells
Authors: Han Danao , Han Shuo , Bu Ziming , Deng Yanyu , Liu Chunyu , Guo Wenbin
Published: July 2022

Organic solar cells (OSCs) own unique advantages such as solution process, low cost, mechanical flexibility, and colorful semitransparency, making them preferable candidates to realize building‐integrated photovoltaics. To meet the requirements of architectural aesthetics, the Fabry–Perot micro‐cavity electrode is a good choice to achieve flexible color tunability. Herein, a Ag/MgF2/Ag micro‐cavity is constructed to act as a spectral selective transmission electrode. The micro‐cavity electrodes demonstrate high peak transmittance in specific wavelengths (blue, green, and red) by adjusting the thickness of dielectric layer MgF2, enabling the optimized colorful OSCs with blue, green, and red colors to exhibit high power conversion efficiencies of 13.15%, 13.03%, and 12.83% with peak transmittance of 35.5%, 33.7%, and 21.9%, respectively. Impressive results imply that our Ag/MgF2/Ag micro‐cavity electrodes possess great potential in practical colorful semitransparent OSCs applications.
A Static Model for Energy‐Optimizing Furnace
Authors: Vidhyasagar Malaiyappan , Kumar Deepoo , Viswanathan Nurni Neelakantan , Kumar S. M. , Manjini Sambandam
Published: July 2022

In an integrated steel‐making plant, crude steel is produced mainly through a basic oxygen furnace (BOF) and an electric arc furnace (EAF). Apart from these two, energy‐optimizing furnace (EOF) is also evolving as a competent technology in the primary steel‐making process. Currently, a few plants are using the EOFs for crude steel production. The process control tools available in the EOFs are also limited, which may be the reason for limited reported attempts to improve this process. Mass and heat balance are essential methodologies to understand the mass flow of a process much better. Many mass and heat balance‐based studies have been carried out for the BOFs and EAFs, which can aid the operation of these furnaces toward process optimization. The present work focuses on developing a static model for the EOF process that can give a better understanding of the process and can aid the operation. A Microsoft Excel‐based model has been developed considering heat and mass balance coupled with thermodynamic data and operating conditions of the furnace from the plant scale experiments. The present model can predict the entire mass flow in the process and its accuracy is also assessed. The possible reasons for the present accuracy level were also elaborated.
Effects of the Cooling Rate and Recovery Temperature on the Growth of AlN Precipitates in Gear Steel
Authors: Shen Wenjun , Cheng Guoguang , Hou Yuyang , Li Yao , Zhan Xinlin , Liu Junjiang , Zheng Hongguang
Published: July 2022

During the continuous casting and rolling process of gear steel, AlN precipitation often causes surface cracks on the cast slab. Rapid cooling of the slab surface is a new concept to inhibit AlN and improve the cracking resistance, but it requires further investigation for practical application. Here, the effects of the cooling rate and recovery temperature on AlN growth behavior in gear steel are investigated by designing five cooling conditions. A mathematical model to describe the growth characteristics is constructed based on Ostwald ripening theory. The experimental results show that the cooling rate significantly influences the size and quantity of AlN. When the cooling rate increases from 3.0 to 5.0 °C s−1, the average diameter of AlN decreases from 133.6 to 75.8 nm and the number density of AlN decreases from 6.8 × 105 to 2.1 × 105 cm−2. The calculated results show that AlN has maximum size, which significantly decreases with decreasing temperature. When AlN reaches the maximum size, it stops growing. AlN growth during the cooling process mainly occurs above 800 °C. Therefore, a high cooling rate and a recovery temperature lower than 800 °C are key to inhibiting AlN precipitation and improving the cracking resistance.
On the asymptotic properties of a bagging estimator with a massive dataset
Authors: Gao Yuan , Zhang Riquan , Wang Hansheng
Published: July 2022

Bagging is a useful method for large‐scale statistical analysis, especially when the computing resources are very limited. We study here the asymptotic properties of bagging estimators for ‐estimation problems but with massive datasets. We theoretically prove that the resulting estimator is consistent and asymptotically normal under appropriate conditions. The results show that the bagging estimator can achieve the optimal statistical efficiency, provided that the bagging subsample size and the number of subsamples are sufficiently large. Moreover, we derive a variance estimator for valid asymptotic inference. All theoretical findings are further verified by extensive simulation studies. Finally, we apply the bagging method to the US Airline Dataset to demonstrate its practical usefulness.
Inhibition on α‐Amylase and α‐Glucosidase of Polysaccharides from Inonotus obliquus and Effects on Delaying the Digestion of Polysaccharides‐Dough system
Authors: Dai Li‐jun , Yan Jia‐xing , Xia Qing , Wang Shi‐qi , Zhou Qing , Zhang Jiu‐liang , Wen Chong
Published: July 2022

In the present study, three alcohol precipitation polysaccharides fractions (IOP40, IOP60, and IOP80) are isolated from Inonotus obliquus polysaccharides (IOP). In vitro starch digestion experiments suggest that IOP40 and IOP60 show stronger inhibitory effects than crude polysaccharides. Inhibition kinetics demonstrates that IOP60 has reversible and anti‐competitive inhibitory effect on α‐glucosidase. I. obliquus polysaccharides also have a significantly effect on the digestion of dough. Furthermore, in vivo studies prove IOP60 can inhibit the increase in postprandial blood glucose level. IOP60 is further purified to gain IOP‐2S. The results of monosaccharide composition show that IOP‐2S consisted of mannose, rhamnose, glucose, galactose, xylose, and arabinose in Moorbys of 0.521:0.511:1.551:0.793:0.567:0.232. IOP‐2S's molecular weight is 26.76 kDa. Congo red results reveal that IOP‐2S contains a triple helix structure. This study indicates that I. obliquus polysaccharides might be used in functional foods for postprandial hyperglycemia control.
Recent developments in the use of gold and silver nanoparticles in biomedicine
Authors: Pasparakis George
Published: July 2022

Gold and silver nanoparticles (NPs) are widely used in the biomedical research both in the therapeutic and the sensing/diagnostics fronts. Both metals share some common optical properties with surface plasmon resonance being the most widely exploited property in therapeutics and diagnostics. Au NPs exhibit excellent light‐to‐heat conversion efficiencies and hence have found applications primarily in precision oncology, while Ag NPs have excellent antibacterial properties which can be harnessed in biomaterials' design. Both metals constitute excellent biosensing platforms owing to their plasmonic properties and are now routinely used in various optical platforms. The utilization of Au and Ag NPs in the COVID‐19 pandemic was rapidly expanded mostly in biosensing and point‐of‐care platforms and to some extent in therapeutics. In this review article, the main physicochemical properties of Au and Ag NPs are discussed with selective examples from the recent literature.

This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Nanomedicine for Oncologic Disease

Diagnostic Tools > In Vitro Nanoparticle‐Based Sensing

Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
The Role of Agriculture in Economic Development
Authors: Rohne Till Emelie
Published: July 2022

The book’s main research focus is the role of the agricultural sector in economic development. This chapter discusses the main theoretical underpinnings of this role based on the extensive body of literature on this subject. The chapter covers both the role of agriculture for economic development and the development of the agricultural sector itself with a focus on the macro-level drivers of agricultural development.
Case Study Context: Ethiopia
Authors: Rohne Till Emelie
Published: July 2022

In this book, Ethiopia is used as a case study to understand the role that the agricultural sector can play in economic growth in a low-income country. Ethiopia is not intended to be interpreted either as a representative or as a unique case for the broader sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) experience, but the book instead intends to shed light on Ethiopia’s particular development experience. To contextualize the findings of the research, this chapter therefore discusses some key elements of Ethiopia’s rich economic, political, and agricultural history.
Methodology
Authors: Rohne Till Emelie
Published: July 2022

This chapter introduces the book’s empirical investigation of the role that agricultural growth has played in aggregate economic growth in Ethiopia in the twenty-first century. This chapter describes the main method and data used for empirical investigation. It describes both the data contained in the three Social Accounting Matrices (SAMs) that form the book’s main empirical data source, as well as the methodological proceedings of the Semi-Input-Output multiplier model that the book applies.
Ontenna: Design and Social Implementation of Auditory Information Transmission Devices Using Tactile and Visual Senses
Authors: Honda Tatsuya , Baba Tetsuaki , Okamoto Makoto
Published: July 2022

Ontenna is a device that can be worn on the hair, earlobe, collar, or sleeve, and it transmits sound characteristics to the human body using vibrations and light. It can serve as an auxiliary acoustic sensory device for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH), whereas for others, it can serve as a novel acoustic perception device. A condenser microphone mounted on the main body of Ontenna acquires sound pressure data and drives the vibration motor and light-emitting diode in real-time according to the input signals. This allows the user to perceive various sonic features such as the rhythm, pattern, and strength of sound. Furthermore, by simultaneously controlling several Ontenna devices using a controller, rhythms can be transmitted to each user. In this paper, we present the design of Ontenna for DHH and its fabrication process, which was improved through digital fabrication methods. Additionally, we present case studies regarding the usage of Ontenna in a hearing-impaired school and case studies on the application of Ontenna in the entertainment field for hearing-impaired people and others. Furthermore, we discuss the effects of programming education using Ontenna.
Ageism in Design: Accessibility Without User Experience?
Authors: Hallewell Haslwanter Jean D. , Takacs Christiane
Published: July 2022

We investigated the perceptions of young computing science students about older people with regard to computer-based systems. Participants were shown a picture of either an old or young woman or man and asked to assess that persons computer literacy and suggest appropriate design aspects for them. The goal of this study was to see if the biases against older people and their perceived computer literacy extend to the design of systems for them.

The results draw on 216 questionnaires from students in the first year of their Information and Communications Technology (ICT) studies at an Austrian university of applied sciences. Mixed methods were used to explore the differences between the perceived design needs for older and younger people, and how these relate to the components of user experience and accessibility.

The results show that the design aspects mentioned for older people differ greatly from those mentioned for younger. Whereas for younger people many aspects that could be considered valuable and desirable are mentioned, for older people the focus is on accessibility and usability, almost to the exclusion of aspects that are valuable and desirable. Regarding accessibility, despite the perceived lack of expertise, the focus was on aspects like large fonts. This is concerning, as future systems will be designed by the students of today. These biases may influence whether future systems are acceptable to older people, and hence whether older people will benefit from them.
Assessing the Outcome of Mobility Assistive Technology (OMAT) in Daily Living: Preliminary Results in an Italian Sample
Authors: Borgnis Francesca , Pigini Lucia , Ramella Marina , Salatino Claudia , Saruggia Maurizio , Folini Chiara , Converti Rosa Maria
Published: July 2022

The World Health Organization has defined assistive technologies (AT) as the fourth pillar of global health and supported identifying AT outcomes among the five top priorities in AT research. In this framework, the research study OMAT (Outcomes of Mobility Assistive Technology in rehabilitation pathways) was developed by Fondazione Don Carlo Gnocchi. The OMAT study aims to develop and test the applicability of a model of rehabilitation pathway related to prosthetic interventions in the field of mobility: a multidisciplinary assessment of patients’ needs and expectations was made at baseline and after an adequate period of use of the prescribed assistive devices in everyday settings. To date, the study is ongoing. The present work aims to show the preliminary results of the OMAT research study, in particular its primary outcomes. Specifically, OMAT AT outcome assessment consists of 1) perceived effectiveness of assistive mobility products, 2) satisfaction of the intervention and 3) possible changes in quality of life. Among the recruited subjects (N = 32), most patients (87.5%) received only one mobility assistive product, especially bimanual self-propelled wheelchairs. Patients used the received mobility assistive products for 3–6 months, with a good frequency (few-days/ week) and moderate support. Preliminary results showed a positive impact of assistive mobility products in terms of perceived effectiveness, intervention satisfaction, and quality of life. Interestingly, patients showed improved quality of life, showing a significant decrease of the severity degree in problems identified at baseline evaluation. Further studies will be conducted to replicate these promising results in a larger sample.
Density conditions with stabilizers for lattice orbits of Bergman kernels on bounded symmetric domains
Authors: Caspers Martijn , van Velthoven Jordy Timo
Published: July 2022

Let$$\pi _{\alpha }$$παbe a holomorphic discrete series representation of a connected semi-simple Lie groupGwith finite center, acting on a weighted Bergman space$$A^2_{\alpha } (\Omega )$$Aα2(Ω)on a bounded symmetric domain$$\Omega $$Ω, of formal dimension$$d_{\pi _{\alpha }} > 0$$dπα>0. It is shown that if the Bergman kernel$$k^{(\alpha )}_z$$kz(α)is a cyclic vector for the restriction$$\pi _{\alpha } |_{\Gamma }$$πα|Γto a lattice$$\Gamma \le G$$Γ≤G(resp.$$(\pi _{\alpha } (\gamma ) k^{(\alpha )}_z)_{\gamma \in \Gamma }$$(πα(γ)kz(α))γ∈Γis a frame for$$A^2_{\alpha }(\Omega )$$Aα2(Ω)), then$${{\,\mathrm{vol}\,}}(G/\Gamma ) d_{\pi _{\alpha }} \le |\Gamma _z|^{-1}$$vol(G/Γ)dπα≤|Γz|-1. The estimate$${{\,\mathrm{vol}\,}}(G/\Gamma ) d_{\pi _{\alpha }} \ge |\Gamma _z|^{-1}$$vol(G/Γ)dπα≥|Γz|-1holds for$$k^{(\alpha )}_z$$kz(α)being a$$p_z$$pz-separating vector (resp.$$(\pi _{\alpha } (\gamma ) k^{(\alpha )}_z)_{\gamma \in \Gamma / \Gamma _z}$$(πα(γ)kz(α))γ∈Γ/Γzbeing a Riesz sequence in$$A^2_{\alpha } (\Omega )$$Aα2(Ω)). These estimates improve on general density theorems for restricted discrete series through the dependence on the stabilizers, while recovering in part sharp results for$$G ={\mathrm {PSU}}(1, 1)$$G=PSU(1,1).
Microstructural alterations in association tracts and language abilities in schoolchildren born very preterm and with poor fetal growth
Authors: Kallankari Hanna , Taskila Hanna-Leena , Heikkinen Minna , Hallman Mikko , Saunavaara Virva , Kaukola Tuula
Published: July 2022

Background

Prematurity and perinatal risk factors may influence white matter microstructure. In turn, these maturational changes may influence language development in this high-risk population of children.

Objective

To evaluate differences in the microstructure of association tracts between preterm and term children and between preterm children with appropriate growth and those with fetal growth restriction and to study whether the diffusion tensor metrics of these tracts correlate with language abilities in schoolchildren with no severe neurological impairment.

Materials and methods

This study prospectively followed 56 very preterm children (mean gestational age: 28.7 weeks) and 21 age- and gender-matched term children who underwent diffusion tensor imaging at a mean age of 9 years. We used automated probabilistic tractography and measured fractional anisotropy in seven bilateral association tracts known to belong to the white matter language network. Both groups participated in language assessment using five standardised tests at the same age.

Results

Preterm children had lower fractional anisotropy in the right superior longitudinal fasciculus 1 compared to term children (P < 0.05). Preterm children with fetal growth restriction had lower fractional anisotropy in the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus compared to preterm children with appropriate fetal growth (P < 0.05). Fractional anisotropy in three dorsal tracts and in two dorsal and one ventral tract had a positive correlation with language assessments among preterm children and preterm children with fetal growth restriction, respectively (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

There were some microstructural differences in language-related tracts between preterm and term children and between preterm children with appropriate and those with restricted fetal growth. Children with better language abilities had a higher fractional anisotropy in distinct white matter tracts.
Cancer-targeted photoimmunotherapy induces antitumor immunity and can be augmented by anti-PD-1 therapy for durable anticancer responses in an immunologically active murine tumor model
Authors: Hsu Michelle A. , Okamura Stephanie M. , De Magalhaes Filho C. Daniel , Bergeron Daniele M. , Rodriguez Ahiram , West Melissa , Yadav Deepak , Heim Roger , Fong Jerry J. , Garcia-Guzman Miguel
Published: July 2022

The complex immunosuppressive nature of solid tumor microenvironments poses a significant challenge to generating efficacious and durable anticancer responses. Photoimmunotherapy is a cancer treatment strategy by which an antibody is conjugated with a non-toxic light-activatable dye. Following administration of the conjugate and binding to the target tumor, subsequent local laser illumination activates the dye, resulting in highly specific target cell membrane disruption. Here we demonstrate that photoimmunotherapy treatment elicited tumor necrosis, thus inducing immunogenic cell death characterized by the release of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). Photoimmunotherapy-killed tumor cells activated dendritic cells (DC), leading to the production of proinflammatory cytokines, T cell stimulation, priming antigen-specific T cells, and durable memory T cell responses, which led complete responder mice to effectively reject new tumors upon rechallenge. PD-1 blockade in combination with photoimmunotherapy enhanced overall anticancer efficacy, including against anti-PD-1-resistant tumors. The combination treatment also elicited abscopal anticancer activity, as observed by reduction of distal, non-illuminated tumors, further demonstrating the ability of photoimmunotherapy to harness local and peripheral T cell responses. With this work we therefore delineate the immune mechanisms of action for photoimmunotherapy and demonstrate the potential for cancer-targeted photoimmunotherapy to be combined with other immunotherapy approaches for augmented, durable anticancer efficacy. Moreover, we demonstrate responses utilizing various immunocompetent mouse models, as well as in vitro data from human cells, suggesting broad translational potential.
Vortex Pairs and Dipoles on Closed Surfaces
Authors: Gustafsson Björn
Published: July 2022

We set up general equations of motion for point vortex systems on closed Riemannian surfaces, allowing for the case that the sum of vorticities is not zero and there hence must be counter-vorticity present. The dynamics of global circulations which is coupled to the dynamics of the vortices is carefully taken into account. Much emphasis is put to the study of vortex pairs, having the Kimura conjecture in focus. This says that vortex pairs move, in the dipole limit, along geodesic curves, and proofs for it have previously been given by S. Boatto and J. Koiller by using Gaussian geodesic coordinates. In the present paper, we reach the same conclusion by following a slightly different route, leading directly to the geodesic equation with a reparametrized time variable. In a final section, we explain how vortex motion in planar domains can be seen as a special case of vortex motion on closed surfaces.
Rolle der Chirurgie bei der Behandlung des Nebenschilddrüsenkarzinoms
Authors: Schlegel Nicolas , Lenschow Christina
Published: July 2022

Hintergrund

Das Nebenschilddrüsenkarzinom (NSD-CA) stellt eine sehr seltene Erkrankung dar, die etwa 1 % aller Patienten mit primärem Hyperparathyreoidismus (pHPT) betrifft. Die 10-Jahres-Überlebensrate ist mit > 85 % gegenüber anderen malignen Tumoren vergleichsweise gut, während die hohen Rezidivraten die Lebensqualität stark beeinträchtigen. Die chirurgische Therapie stellt die einzige Möglichkeit dar, eine langfristige Heilung von Patienten mit NSD-CA zu erreichen.

Material und Methoden

In einer narrativen Übersichtsarbeit nach selektiver Literaturrecherche wird der aktuelle Kenntnisstand der Behandlungsmöglichkeiten beim NSD-CA mit Schwerpunkt auf der operativen Therapie dargestellt.

Ergebnisse

Klinisch unterscheidet sich der benigne pHPT nicht eindeutig vom Nebenschilddrüsenkarzinom und wird deshalb häufig erst postoperativ diagnostiziert. Exzessiv erhöhte Kalzium- und Parathormonwerte sowie eine ausgeprägte klinische Symptomatik eines pHPT können prätherapeutisch auf ein malignes Geschehen hinweisen. Der einzig beinflussbare Prognosefaktor stellt die biochemische Remission durch die chirurgische Entfernung des Befundes dar. Daher sollte bei Malignitätsverdacht eine En-bloc-Resektion (Hemithyreoidektomie mit Entfernung der erkrankten Nebenschilddrüse) durchgeführt werden. Bei Vorliegen von Lymphknotenmetastasen sollte eine befallsorientierte Resektion erfolgen. Aufgrund der Seltenheit des NSD-CA gibt es keine Empfehlung hinsichtlich einer adjuvanten oder primären Therapie mittels Radiatio und/oder Chemotherapie.

Schlussfolgerung

Eine wichtige Herausforderung für die Zukunft wird sein, eine spezifische prätherapeutische Diagnostik zu entwickeln, die das Nebenschilddrüsenkarzinom in der biochemischen Konstellation eines pHPT eindeutig erkennbar macht.
Forgotten effects of active tourism activities in Spain on sustainable development dimensions
Authors: González-Morcillo Silvia , Horrach-Rosselló Patricia , Valero-Sierra Oscar , Mulet-Forteza Carles
Published: July 2022

This research aims at exploring the impact of active tourism activities on sustainable development dimensions. The methodology applied was based on the Theory of Forgotten Effects, which involves the use of different matrices as a research method representing relationship between different elements. According to experts’ opinions, direct and indirect relationships effects caused by active tourism on sustainable development dimensions were evaluated. Particularly, the elements in the matrices were, on the one hand, types of active tourism activities by natural setting (ground, underground, water, underwater and aerial) and, on the other hand, dimensions of sustainable development goals (economic, social, environmental, cultural and governmental). The use of the Forgotten Effects Theory allowed us to analyse incidence relationships, both direct causalities identified by experts in the first place, and also significant linkages between elements in the matrices which had been overlooked initially but showed a strong incidence after applying the aforementioned research method (indirect causalities). Besides this identification of overlooked incidences or “forgotten effects”, another remarkable contribution of this pioneer work is in the selection of themes or objects of study included in the fuzzy metrics, as no other work relating active tourism activities and sustainable development dimensions was found in the literature.
Understanding and Supporting Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in the Primary School Classroom: Perspectives of Children with ADHD and their Teachers
Authors: McDougal Emily , Tai Claire , Stewart Tracy M. , Booth Josephine N. , Rhodes Sinéad M.
Published: July 2022

Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are more at risk for academic underachievement compared to their typically developing peers. Understanding their greatest strengths and challenges at school, and how these can be supported, is vital in order to develop focused classroom interventions. Ten primary school pupils with ADHD (aged 6–11 years) and their teachers (N = 6) took part in semi-structured interviews that focused on (1) ADHD knowledge, (2) the child’s strengths and challenges at school, and (3) strategies in place to support challenges. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the interview transcripts and three key themes were identified; classroom-general versus individual-specific strategies, heterogeneity of strategies, and the role of peers. Implications relating to educational practice and future research are discussed.
Hybrid Delivery of Mindfulness Meditation and Perceived Stress in Pediatric Resident Physicians: A Randomized Clinical Trial of In-Person and Digital Mindfulness Meditation
Authors: Purdie Denise R. , Federman Myke , Chin Alan , Winston Diana , Bursch Brenda , Olmstead Richard , Bulut Yonca , Irwin Michael R.
Published: July 2022

Physicians are experiencing epidemic levels of work-related stress and burnout. Determine efficacy of mindfulness meditation delivered as a hybrid (in-person and digital) format to reduce perceived stress in pediatric residents. Pediatric residents (n = 66) were block randomized to a hybrid Mindful Awareness Practices (MAPs) intervention, comprised of one in-person 60–min session and 6-week access to a digitally delivered MAPs curriculum (n = 27) or wait-list control (n = 39). Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) was administered at baseline and post-intervention as the primary outcome measure. A priori secondary outcomes were measured using the Abbreviated Maslach Burnout Inventory-9, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, UCLA Loneliness Scale, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. After the first session, 58% participated at least one digital session (M = 2.0; SD = 1.3). MAPs participants showed significant decrease in PSS compared to controls, with between-group mean difference of 2.20 (95% CI 0.47–3.93) at post-intervention (effect size 0.91; 0.19–1.62). No secondary outcome group differences were detected. Exposure to a hybrid mindfulness intervention was associated with improvement in perceived stress among pediatric residents.

Trial Registration: NCT03613441.
The correlation of fibrinogen-like protein-1 expression with the progression and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Hua Nanni , Chen Anxian , Yang Chen , Dong Hui , He Xianglei , Ru Guoqing , Tong Xiangmin , Zhou Feifei , Wang Shibing
Published: July 2022

Background

Fibrinogen-like-protein 1 (FGL1), a member of the fibrinogen-related protein (FREP) family, is a major ligand of the immune inhibitory receptor lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3). While FGL1 is strongly implicated in the development and prognosis of a variety of diseases, its role in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is still disputed. Therefore, the role of FGL1 expression in the progression and prognosis of HCC was investigated.

Methods and results

In the present study, bioinformatics analysis was first used to probe the expression profile of FGL1 in multiple malignant tumor tissues and paired normal tissues, and to explore the possible relationship between FGL1 and prognosis of HCC patients. Thereafter, the expression levels of FGL1 were determined and compared in human HCC cell lines, HCC tissues, peri-tumor tissues and normal liver tissues by western blot analysis. Furthermore, tissue microarrays were used to detect the expression of FGL1 through immunohistochemical staining and to verify whether the FGL1 expression level was associated with clinicopathological features and the prognosis of HCC patients. The results showed that FGL1 was downregulated significantly in most of the HCC cells lines and HCC tissues, corresponding to the results of the bioinformatics and western blot analyses. FGL1 expression level in HCC was found to be correlated to Edmondson grade and metastasis of the HCC. Additionally, high FGL1 expression was associated with better overall survival in HCC patients, suggesting that FGL1 could function as a tumor suppressor.

Conclusions

The expression level of FGL1 can be correlated with the progression and prognosis of HCC, suggesting its potential as a prognostic biomarker.
In vivo through-range passive stiffness of the lumbar spine: a meta-analysis of measurements and methods
Authors: Watt Andrew A. , Callaway Andrew J. , Williams Jonathan M.
Published: July 2022

Passive spinal stiffness is an important property thought to play a significant role in controlling spinal position and movement. Measuring through-range passive stiffness in vivo is challenging with several methods offered in the literature. Currently, no synthesis of values or methods exists to which to compare literature to. This study aims to provide a contemporary review and quantitative synthesis of the through-range in vivo passive lumbar spinal stiffness values for each of the cardinal planes of movement. A structured systematic search, following PRISMA guidelines, of 28 electronic databases was conducted in 2022. Articles were restricted to peer-reviewed English language studies investigating in vivo through-range passive stiffness of the lumbar spine. Thirteen studies were included, ten relating to flexion/extension, four to lateral bending and five to axial rotation. Average stiffness values, as weighted means and confidence intervals, for each of the four sections of the moment-movement curves were synthesised for all planes of movement. Lateral bending was found to be the comparatively stiffest movement followed by flexion and then axial rotation. Future research should focus on the validity and reliability of measurement techniques. Axial rotation would also benefit from further study of its latter stages of range.

Graphical abstract
A Multiscale Mathematical Model of Plasmodium Vivax Transmission
Authors: Anwar Md Nurul , Hickson Roslyn I. , Mehra Somya , McCaw James M. , Flegg Jennifer A.
Published: July 2022

Malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites which are transmitted to humans by the bite of an infected Anopheles mosquito. Plasmodium vivax is distinct from other malaria species in its ability to remain dormant in the liver (as hypnozoites) and activate later to cause further infections (referred to as relapses). Mathematical models to describe the transmission dynamics of P. vivax have been developed, but most of them fail to capture realistic dynamics of hypnozoites. Models that do capture the complexity tend to involve many governing equations, making them difficult to extend to incorporate other important factors for P. vivax, such as treatment status, age and pregnancy. In this paper, we have developed a multiscale model (a system of integro-differential equations) that involves a minimal set of equations at the population scale, with an embedded within-host model that can capture the dynamics of the hypnozoite reservoir. In this way, we can gain key insights into dynamics of P. vivax transmission with a minimum number of equations at the population scale, making this framework readily scalable to incorporate more complexity. We performed a sensitivity analysis of our multiscale model over key parameters and found that prevalence of P. vivax blood-stage infection increases with both bite rate and number of mosquitoes but decreases with hypnozoite death rate. Since our mathematical model captures the complex dynamics of P. vivax and the hypnozoite reservoir, it has the potential to become a key tool to inform elimination strategies for P. vivax.
A Dark Side of Telework: A Social Comparison-Based Study from the Perspective of Office Workers
Authors: Maier Christian , Laumer Sven , Weitzel Tim
Published: July 2022

Telework became a necessary work arrangement during the global COVID-19 pandemic. However, practical evidence even before the pandemic also suggests that telework can adversely affect teleworkers’ colleagues working in the office. Those regular office workers may experience negative emotions such as envy which, in turn, can impact work performance and turnover intention. In order to assess the adverse effects of telework on regular office workers, the study applies social comparison theory and suggests telework disparity as a new theoretical concept. From the perspective of regular office workers, perceived telework disparity is the extent to which they compare their office working situation with their colleagues’ teleworking situation and conclude that their teleworking colleagues are slightly better off than themselves. Based on social comparison theory, a model of how perceived disparity associated with telework causes negative emotions and adverse behaviors among regular office workers was developed. The data were collected in one organization with telework arrangements (N = 269). The results show that perceived telework disparity from the perspective of regular office workers increases their feelings of envy toward teleworkers and their job dissatisfaction, which is associated with higher turnover intentions and worse job performance. This study contributes to telework research by revealing a dark side of telework by conceptualizing telework disparity and its negative consequences for employees and organizations. For practice, the paper recommends making telework practices and policies as transparent as possible to realize the maximum benefits of telework.
Rethinking Maker: Hegel's Realism Revisited
Authors: Webster George
Published: July 2022

I provide a metaphysically realist interpretation of Hegel’sPhilosophy of Nature—one that allows us to make sense of one of the more puzzling references to nature in hisScience of Logic. I do so by affording William Maker’s under-appreciated account of Hegel’s realism more of the attention and scrutiny it deserves—not least because it involves a distinctively simple and elegant account of the famously obscure move from logic to nature in Hegel’s system. Though I point out its limitations, I claim that Maker’s arguments can be revised in order to recover more of the rigour and complexity of Hegel’s metaphysics.
On the near-wall instability of oblique flow over a wavy wall
Authors: Hall Philip
Published: July 2022

The instability of a shear flow passing over a wavy wall with wave crests not perpendicular to the flow direction is investigated. The friction Reynolds number for the flow is large and the wave amplitude scaled on the wavelength is small compared with the viscous wall layer. The instability takes the form of a streamwise vortex of wavelength comparable to the viscous wall layer in which the basic flow adjusts to the presence of the wall. For a given wall amplitude, the instability considered is the first one to arise as the Reynolds number is increased and modes of wavelength comparable to the viscous layer grow much faster than modes of wavelength comparable to the wall wavelength. The instability is not driven by centrifugal or viscous effects but is a novel kind of cross-flow vortex instability associated with a spatially periodic flow; the existence of the instability is associated with the orientation of the wave crests. The instability is investigated for wavelengths comparable to the depth of the viscous wall layer; the limiting cases of large and small wavelengths are investigated asymptotically. At small wavenumbers and roughness heights the instability connects with disturbances of wavelength comparable to the wall wavelength. At high wavenumbers and roughness heights a new structure emerges and the disturbance moves away from the wall, that structure takes on a self-similar form with progressively faster variations in the streamwise and spanwise directions as the roughness height increases.
FOLD-RM: A Scalable, Efficient, and Explainable Inductive Learning Algorithm for Multi-Category Classification of Mixed Data
Authors: WANG HUADUO , SHAKERIN FARHAD , GUPTA GOPAL
Published: July 2022

FOLD-RM is an automated inductive learning algorithm for learning default rules for mixed (numerical and categorical) data. It generates an (explainable) answer set programming (ASP) rule set for multi-category classification tasks while maintaining efficiency and scalability. The FOLD-RM algorithm is competitive in performance with the widely used, state-of-the-art algorithms such as XGBoost and multi-layer perceptrons, however, unlike these algorithms, the FOLD-RM algorithm produces an explainable model. FOLD-RM outperforms XGBoost on some datasets, particularly large ones. FOLD-RM also provides human-friendly explanations for predictions.
Strong Equivalence of Logic Programs with Ordered Disjunction: A Logical Perspective
Authors: CHARALAMBIDIS ANGELOS , NOMIKOS CHRISTOS , RONDOGIANNIS PANOS
Published: July 2022

Logic Programs with Ordered Disjunction (LPODs) extend classical logic programs with the capability of expressing preferential disjunctions in the heads of program rules. The initial semantics of LPODs, although simple and quite intuitive, is not purely model-theoretic. As a result, certain properties of programs appear non-trivial to formalize in purely logical terms. For example, the current characterization of strong equivalence for LPODs, does not coincide with logical equivalence in some specific logic. This comes in sharp contrast with the well-known characterization of strong equivalence for classical logic programs, which coincides with logical equivalence in the logic of here-and-there. In this paper we obtain a purely logical characterization of strong equivalence for LPODs as logical equivalence in a four-valued logic. Moreover, we provide a new proof of the coNP-completeness of strong equivalence for LPODs, which has an interest in its own right since it relies on the special structure of such programs. Our results are based on the recent logical semantics of LPODs, a fact which we believe indicates that this new semantics may prove to be a useful tool in the further study of LPODs.
Next-Generation Agreements and the WTO
Authors: Claussen Kathleen
Published: July 2022

This paper reviews the trade agreement landscape and argues that the conventional understanding of trade agreements as encapsulated in the WTO Agreements is now outdated. This misperception about trade agreements is not just an institutional insufficiency. Concentration on those agreements has led many practitioners and commentators to underestimate the variable texture of the global trade agreement fabric. But these shortcomings have not inhibited states from concluding innovative alternatives to regulate and manage the cross-border movement of goods and services. As this paper shows, trade-related agreements that do not fit the perceived traditional mold have proliferated. Given these advances, more policy and scholarly attention is required. Accordingly, this paper serves as a roadmap for the accommodation of trade agreements within the WTO and as an agenda for additional research.
Rethinking materialism and Asia: Miki Kiyoshi and Hiromatsu Wataru
Authors: Murthy Viren
Published: July 2022

This paper argues that the interwar Japanese Marxists Miki Kiyoshi and more contemporary Hiromatsu Wataru each moved towards developing this perspective beyond simple distinctions between idealism, which is confined to concepts, and materialism, conceived as presupposing that ideas are determined by matter. Japanese Marxism was in a unique place to affect such a synthesis because of the existence of Kyoto School philosophy, with whom both Miki and Hiromatsu were associated. The proponents of the Kyoto School combined Eastern and Western philosophical perspectives, which had the aim of criticizing modernity. Miki Kiyoshi and other members of the Kyoto School eventually supported Japan's wartime effort, which delegitimized their concerns about modernity during the postwar. However, in postwar Japan, Hiromatsu developed a creative reading of Marx's materialism and in the 1994 surprised everyone by advocating a pan-Asianist critique of modernity. Hiromatsu suggested that despite problems that Miki and the Kyoto School represented, one had to grasp the rational kernel, which could save Marxism from slipping into an equally dangerous modernization theory. This task remains for us today when the dystopia of globalized capitalism seems to have become a reality that threatens the survival of our planet.
Feasibility evaluation of a dual-mode ankle exoskeleton to assist and restore community ambulation in older adults
Authors: Fang Ying , Harshe Karl , Franz Jason R. , Lerner Zachary F.
Published: July 2022

Background

Age-related deficits in plantar flexor muscle function during the push-off phase of walking likely contribute to the decline in mobility that affects many older adults. New mobility aids and/or functional training interventions may help slow or prevent ambulatory decline in the elderly.

Objective

The overarching objective of this study was to explore the feasibility of using an untethered, dual-mode ankle exoskeleton as a mobility aid to reduce energy consumption, and as a resistive gait training tool to facilitate functional recruitment of the plantar flexor muscles.

Methods

We recruited six older adults (68–83 years old) to evaluate acute metabolic and neuromuscular adaption to ankle exoskeleton assistance and to evaluate the potential for ankle resistance with biofeedback to facilitate utilization of the ankle plantar flexors. We also conducted a 12-session ankle resistance training protocol with one pilot participant.

Results

Participants reached the lowest net metabolic power and soleus integrated electromyography (iEMG) at 6.6 ± 1.6 and 5.8 ± 4.9 min, respectively, during the 30-min exoskeleton assistance adaptation trial. Four of five participants exhibited a reduction (up to 19%) in metabolic power during walking with assistance. Resistance increased stance-phase soleus iEMG by 18–186% and stance-phase average positive ankle power by 9–88%. Following ankle resistance gait training, the participant exhibited increased walking speed, endurance, and strength.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that dual-mode ankle exoskeletons appear highly applicable to treating plantar flexor dysfunction in the elderly, with assistance holding potential as a mobility aid and resistance holding potential as a functional gait training tool.
Banding Together in Cape Town and Lagos: Engaging Reciprocity as Applied Ethnomusicology
Authors: BRUINDERS SYLVIA , KUNNUJI JOSEPH
Published: July 2022

This article discusses reciprocity in research as engaged scholarship and, more specifically, applied ethnomusicology. It draws on two ethnographic studies and their associated activism in Cape Town, South Africa and Lagos, Nigeria. The article investigates the histories of engaged scholarship and applied ethnomusicology and suggests that each community requires a method of engagement based on its contextual specifics. Hence, the case studies may be seen to animate workable approaches in different socio-cultural contexts. The paper concludes that these methods may serve as frameworks for developing site-specific strategies of engaged scholarship in other parts of Africa.
Impacts of Changes in Land Use and Land Cover Between 2001 and 2018 on Summertime O3 Formation in North China Plain and Surrounding Areas–A Case Study
Authors: Yu Jiaoyang , Zhou Weijian , Wu Jiarui , Li Xia , Liu Suixin , Wang Ruonan , Liu Lang , Jiang Qian , Tie Xuexi , Li Guohui
Published: July 2022

Changes in land use and land cover (LULC) influence meteorological fields and biogenic emissions, further affecting the atmospheric chemistry and air quality. Combining the satellite measurements and WRF‐Chem model simulations, we evaluate the impacts of the LULC change between 2001 and 2018 on the summertime ozone (O3) formation in North China Plain and surrounding areas (NCPs). Satellite measurements have revealed that from Taihang to Yanshan Mountain, the fraction of broadleaf and needle forest coverage has increased by 5%–20% and the urban area has increased by up to 25% in the NCP. Additionally, the vegetation density has increased significantly in the NCPs except for urban areas. The LULC change generally enhances biogenic volatile compounds emissions in the NCPs, particularly over Taihang and Yanshan mountain, but the O3 variation is divergent. The maximum daily 8‐ihr average (MDA8) O3 concentrations are reduced by 1%–7% over Taihang and Yanshan Mountain because the raised vegetation density increases O3 dry deposition velocity to accelerate the O3 loss. The raised vegetation density enhances the evapotranspiration to decrease the near‐surface temperature by 0.1°C–1.5°C, which also generates a divergence in the low‐level atmosphere in the NCPs, causing secondary northerly or easterly winds in the NCP. The O3 enhancement along the coastal areas of the NCP is attributed to the perturbation of wind fields and photolysis induced by the LULC change. The divergent variation of the MDA8 O3 concentrations in the NCP is generally caused by the variations of biogenic emissions and photolysis.