bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
On Predictive Modeling for the Al2O3 Data Using a New Statistical Model and Machine Learning Approach
Authors: El-Morshedy Mahmoud , Almaspoor Zahra , Srinivasa Rao Gadde , Ilyas Muhammad , Al-Bossly Afrah
Published: July 2022

In this article, we focused on predictive modeling for real data by means of a new statistical model and applying different machine learning algorithms. The importance of statistical methods in various research fields is modeling the real data and predicting the future behavior of data. For modeling and predicting real‐life data, a series of statistical models have been introduced and successfully implemented. This study introduces another novel method, namely, a new generalized exponential‐X family for generating new distributions. This method is introduced by using the T‐X approach with the exponential model. A special case of the new method, namely, a new generalized exponential Weibull model, is introduced. The applicability of the new method is illustrated by means of a real application related to the alumina (Al2O3) data set. Acceptance sampling plans are developed for this distribution using percentiles when the life test is truncated at the pre‐assigned time. The minimum sample size needed to make sure that the required lifetime percentile is determined for a specified customer’s risk and producer’s risk simultaneously. The operating characteristic value of the sampling plans is also provided. The plan methodology is illustrated using Al2O3 fracture toughness data. Using the same data set, we implement various machine learning approaches including the support vector machine (SVR), group method of data handling (GMDH), and random forest (RF). To evaluate their forecasting performances, three statistical measures of accuracy, namely, root‐mean‐square error (RMSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and Akaike information criterion (AIC) are computed.
Chemical Characterization and Antibacterial Properties of Fontitrygon margarita (Günther, 1870) Liver Oil
Authors: Noutsa Boris Simo , Tchabong Sammuel Raymond , Djitieu Arlette Danelle Deutchoua , Dongmo Fabrice Fabien Dongho , Ngamga Fabrice Hervé Njike , Zokou Ronice , Tamgue Ousman , Ngane Rosalie Anne Ngono , Tchoumbougnang François
Published: July 2022

Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical characteristics and antibacterial activity of Fontitrygon margarita liver oil against the bacteria responsible for food poisoning. Methods. Oils were extracted from F. margarita liver using two methods (exudation and cooking-pressing) and analyses by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Quality indexes were determined using standard methods and the fatty acid profile was carried out by gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). Antibacterial activities of these oils, their emulsion, and their interactions with common antibiotics were evaluated by the broth microdilution method. Results. Extraction yield was higher with cooking-pressing (16.90%) compared to exudation (14.49%). The quality indexes of both oils were conformed to Codex Alimentarius Standard. Thiobarbituric acid index was higher with exudation compared to cooking-pressing (3.20 ± 0.14 and 2.36 ± 0.14 μmol MDA/kg, respectively) while acid, iodine, peroxide, and anisidine values did not significantly vary with the extraction methods (2.15-2.30 mgKOH/g, 102.42-106.65 gI2/100 g, 3.34-3.57 meqO2/kg, and 2.85-3.32 respectively). FTIR analyses clearly show that the two spectra are similar (no differences in the frequency and absorbance of their bands). The fatty acid profile revealed that, regardless of the extraction methods, F. margarita oil is richer in monounsaturated (55.97-55.41%) followed by polyunsaturated (28.17-28.52%) and saturated fatty acids (15.86-16.07%). Moreover, these oils showed antibacterial activity on all the bacteria strains tested with MICs between 16 and 256 mg/ml. Regardless of the extraction methods, emulsions showed higher activity (6.25 ≤ MIC ≤25 mg/ml) compared to crude oils. Additionally, F. margarita liver oil potentiated the antibacterial activity of ciprofloxacin, tetracycline, gentamicin, amoxicillin, and chloramphenicol. Conclusion. These results showed the effectiveness of Fontitrygon margarita liver oil against some bacteria responsible for food poisoning, thus demonstrating their antibacterial properties which could be due to their chemical composition.
[Retracted] Innovative Practice of Multimusic Performance Culture Education of Core Literacy in Multimedia Environment
Authors: He Siyuan , He Sixian , Gao Xin
Published: July 2022

Under the framework of disciplinary knowledge integrating technology, the multimedia teaching application of music performance attracts a major opportunity for reflection and reconstruction. The purpose of this study is to explore the laws and experiences of music performance teachers’ multimedia teaching applications under the framework of subject teaching knowledge integrating technology. Through the research to understand the classroom multimedia teaching application of music performance teachers, according to the research results, relevant strategies are put forward for the application of music performance teachers’ classroom multimedia teaching, in order to effectively improve the classroom teaching effect of music performance teachers. This research mainly uses the classroom observation method and data statistical analysis method and takes 100 music video lessons of the National Educational Resources Public Service Platform as the survey object. A total of 100 teachers were observed and scored in the classroom through the compiled multimedia teaching observation table for music performance teachers, and then the data was analyzed to draw conclusions. The conclusions of this study are as follows: The multimedia application behaviors of the teachers of the excellent courses are different from those of the teachers of the daily classes. The two types of teachers have differences in the effectiveness of multimedia teaching application of music performance, and the scores of the practical application of information technology are uneven. The overall score of multimedia teaching applications of excellent course teachers is higher than that of daily course teachers, and the classroom teaching effect is better. In this regard, based on the observation and assessment of the effectiveness of multimedia teaching applications by two types of teachers, this paper puts forward some suggestions for music performance teachers to improve the effectiveness of multimedia teaching applications in classrooms from the aspect of teachers themselves and educational functions. It is hoped that it can provide some theoretical basis and practical materials for the personal and professional development of music performance teachers.
Isolation, Assessments of Risk Factors, and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Test of Klebsiella from Gut of Bee in and around Haramaya University Bee Farm, East Hararghe, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Authors: Abdurehman Damissie Abdallahi , Abdurahman Musa Kedir
Published: July 2022

A cross-sectional study was employed from March 2021 to October 2021 to isolate and identify Klebsiella species found in the gut of honey bees collected from worker of honey bee (Apis mellifera) from hives in Haramaya University bee farm, Damota and Finqile’s, managed under traditional and modern beekeeping apiculture. From the selected farm, a total of 60 samples of live adult honey bees were collected purposively. The live adult worker of the honey bee was individually surface-sterilized and complete alimentary canals of the worker bee were dissected and processed for Klebsiella isolation. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the occurrence of Klebsiella species and the proportion of Klebsiella found in the gut was analyzed for the association with study variables by the Pearson chi-square test. The overall prevalence of Klebsiella spp. was 50% from samples. The prevalence of Klebsiella pneumoniae was 26.7% and that of Klebsiella oxytoca was 23.3% from isolated using bacteriological examined samples. The isolates were characterized for the antimicrobial susceptibility test using the disc diffusion method. Among the isolated colonies, Klebsiella pneumoniae had the highest resistance to ampicillin (84.2%) and showed less resistance to gentamycin and trimethoprim sulfamethoxazole (26.3%). Klebsiella oxytoca was highly resistant to ampicillin (54.5%) and erythromycin (54.5%) and showed low and equal resistance to gentamycin and amoxicillin (18.2%). Molecular characterization should be conducted to identify Klebsiella spp. from honey bees. Monitoring antimicrobial effectiveness is recommended to tackle the existing problem in apiculture farms, and its possible public health threat should be noted for community by public health professionals.
Preschool Education Students’ Understanding of Children’s Picture Books
Authors: Li Shengnan
Published: July 2022

Children’s picture books are the first books that children come into contact with. They are an important carrier for children to contact and perceive the outside world and are essential for children to form subconscious and basic cognition of the world. Because of the particularity of picture books’ audience, picture books must be specially processed before they can be recognized by children and parents, and as children’s enlightening reading materials, their cultural attributes cannot be ignored. Compared with foreign countries, picture books in China started late, drawing lessons from and imitating western picture books to a certain extent, which led to the shadow of western culture in picture book materials, which was not conducive to children’s cognition and recognition of Chinese traditional culture, and even more detrimental to their cultural confidence. As future preschool educators, preschool education majors are the first teachers of children’s culture and life and also users of children’s picture books. Therefore, it is of practical significance for preschool education majors to know and understand children’s picture books. Firstly, this paper points out the significance and main methods of studying children’s picture books and summarizes the development status of picture books at home and abroad. Secondly, it expounds the important functions of children’s picture books, explores the characteristics of children’s psychology and behavior, and explores the development direction and related theories of children’s picture books. Finally, from the perspective of preschool education majors, we understand the educational value of children’s picture books that the design of picture books should meet the needs of children and point out that children’s picture books are the enlightenment education of Chinese culture and revolutionary spirit. This paper discusses the related understanding of children’s picture books from the perspective of preschool education majors and expounds the significance of children’s picture books for children’s enlightenment education from the aspects of picture book development, picture book function, education and enlightenment value, etc., to carry out theoretical research for the development of picture books in China and help the brand and product development of picture books.
Study of the Associations between Color Doppler Ultrasound Grading of Hyperthyroidism and Biochemical Data on Thyroid Function
Authors: Zhang Lingyun , Li Jie , Zhang Suzhen , Su Chen , Su Zengcun , Zhang Yuezhong , Gai Yonghao , Shao Shanshan , Li Jianzhi , Zhang Guoquan
Published: July 2022

Objective. The main study objective was to investigate the correlation between the color Doppler ultrasound grading of hyperthyroidism and the biochemical data of thyroid function. Methods. Seventy-six patients were diagnosed with hyperthyroidism based on clinical and laboratory data at our hospital. The patients were examined using color Doppler ultrasound and laboratory investigations before starting 131I treatment. First, patients were divided into two groups based on the blood flow distribution determined by ultrasound. If the blood flow signal in the parenchyma was scattered and thinned, with dispersive points and discontinuous streaky distribution, the blood flow distribution area in the sample frame was less than or equal to 1/2 of the sample frame area and was judged to be level 1. If the parenchyma was filled with diffuse blood flow signals or if most areas had depicted rich blood flow distribution when the area of blood flow distribution in the sampling frame was greater than 1/2 of the sampling frame area, it was judged to be level 2. Then, the correlations between color Doppler ultrasound grading and biochemical data of thyroid function were analyzed. The indices included FT3, FT4, TSH, anti-TG, anti-TPO, and TRAb. Parameters of thyroid homeostasis, including thyroid’s secretory capacity (SPINA-GT), the total deiodinase activity (SPINA-GD), Jostel’s TSH index, and the thyrotroph thyroid hormone sensitivity index (TTSI), were calculated and compared. Results. Correlations were noted between color Doppler ultrasound grading and FT3, FT4, TRAb, SPINA-GT, TSHI, and TTSI. Moreover, FT3, FT4, TRAb, SPINA-GT, TSHI, and TTSI were higher in level 2 patients compared with level 1 patients. Conclusion. Correlations were noted between color Doppler ultrasound grading and biochemical data of thyroid function.
Supervised Classes, Unsupervised Mixing Proportions: Detection of Bots in a Likert-Type Questionnaire
Authors: Ilagan Michael John , Falk Carl F.
Published: July 2022

Administering Likert-type questionnaires to online samples risks contamination of the data by malicious computer-generated random responses, also known as bots. Although nonresponsivity indices (NRIs) such as person-total correlations or Mahalanobis distance have shown great promise to detect bots, universal cutoff values are elusive. An initial calibration sample constructed via stratified sampling of bots and humans—real or simulated under a measurement model—has been used to empirically choose cutoffs with a high nominal specificity. However, a high-specificity cutoff is less accurate when the target sample has a high contamination rate. In the present article, we propose the supervised classes, unsupervised mixing proportions (SCUMP) algorithm that chooses a cutoff to maximize accuracy. SCUMP uses a Gaussian mixture model to estimate, unsupervised, the contamination rate in the sample of interest. A simulation study found that, in the absence of model misspecification on the bots, our cutoffs maintained accuracy across varying contamination rates.
Investigating the Impacts of Information Overload on Psychological Well-being of Healthcare Professionals: Role of COVID-19 Stressor
Authors: Li Wei , Khan Ali Nawaz
Published: July 2022

While past research has focused on the benefits of social media during pandemics, this study emphasizes the possible negative effects of social media use among healthcare professionals. It has been stated that healthcare professionals are exposed to COVID-19 and its impacts on the mental health of these workers. Even though recognizing the importance of healthcare professionals during the pandemic, the impacts of COVID-19 on the mental health of healthcare professionals have been rarely considered for investigation by researchers. By applying differential susceptibility to the media effects model (DSMM), the current article investigated the effect of COVID-19 information overload (CIO) on psychological and mental well-being and underline mechanisms. Time-wave technique was applied to collect the data. This study tested moderated mediation model by collecting data from 314 healthcare professionals. The findings stated that COVID-19 information overload impacted COVID-19 fatalism and COVID-19 exhaustion directly. Likewise, COVID-19 fatalism mediated the association between CIO and COVID-19 exhaustion. Moreover, the COVID-19 stressor moderated this mediating relationship. This study proposes several practical recommendations for healthcare professionals, social media platform providers, health authorities, organizations, and institutions on how to use social media effectively and sustainably during the global COVID-19 epidemic.
A New RCM Approach to Survival Analysis: The Conditional-Incidence-Rate Model
Authors: Yamaguchi Kazuo
Published: July 2022

This article introduces a new causal analytic method for survival analysis that retains the framework of Rubin’s causal model as an alternative to the marginal structural model (MSM). The major limitation of the MSM is a systematic bias in the effects of past treatments when the method is applied to the hazard rate analysis of nonrepeatable events in the presence of unobserved heterogeneity. This systematic bias is demonstrated in the article. The method introduced here assumes a semiparametric conditional-incidence-rate model and provides consistent estimates of the effects of present and past treatments on the conditional cumulative-incidence rate in the analysis of nonrepeatable events in the presence of unobserved heterogeneity. Unlike the MSM, which requires a sequential and cumulative use of the inverse-probability-of-treatment weighting many times for data with many time points, the new method uses the inverse-probability-of-treatment weighing only twice sequentially for estimation of the present and past treatment effects at each time of entry into treatment, and not cumulatively across different treatment entry times. Analysis of the conditional-incidence rate can also provide a more efficient parameter estimate for the treatment effect than the hazard rate model in cases where a majority of sample persons experience the event and thereby cease to be members of the risk set of the hazard rate during the period of observation. An application to an analysis of sexual initiation demonstrates that leaving home promotes sexual initiation, especially premarital sexual initiation, because it greatly increases the rate of premarital sexual initiation during the year after leaving home.
Mobility Hubs: Review and Future Research Direction
Authors: Arnold Thomas , Frost Matthew , Timmis Andrew , Dale Simon , Ison Stephen
Published: July 2022

Globally, cities face a range of transport-related environmental, social, and economic challenges, not least congestion, air pollution, and promotion of sustainable modes of public transport. Mobility hubs (MHs) have been identified as a mechanism to aid the move toward a sustainable transport network and are at various stages of implementation in cities throughout the world. The growing prevalence of MH schemes highlights the requirement for a holistic overview of MH networks to ascertain their characteristics and inform policy direction. Consequently, this study presents a review of current MH deployment and literature, with the aim of examining this global phenomenon and identifying a future research agenda. The study combines a comprehensive review of web searches with gray literature and a limited number of articles from academic journals. Twenty locations, at different stages of development and implementation, were identified as examples to be reviewed and analyzed, thereby providing a context for the review. Subsequently, four themes have emerged: objectives of MHs, format, location, and operational factors. Key findings include the importance of stakeholder engagement in design and location choices, the significance of branding, and connection with existing travel infrastructure including public transport and active travel. Additionally, the provision of amenities is common to MH schemes because it promotes usage and integration into the local landscape. From this detailed review of the state of MHs, a future research agenda has been identified, including further defining MHs, understanding the origin and applicability of MH objectives, considering day-to-day operations, policy transfer implications, and further evaluations of single and network MHs.
Multi-Stage Equitable Bus-Based Hurricane Evacuation Model With a Stochastic Driver Availability Component
Authors: Wang Ding , Ozbay Kaan
Published: July 2022

Transportation planning before the actual landfall of a hurricane can save lives by allowing evacuees to be transferred from the affected area to shelters in a safe and timely manner. This paper aims to fill an important research gap by proposing a detailed framework for bus-based evacuation planning with fair resource allocation in dense urban areas. We deconstruct the bus-based evacuation problem into multiple stages. Firstly, we identify a subset of existing bus stops to serve as bus pickup locations during the evacuation through the use of an integer programming model. The objective is to minimize the total number of pickup locations while ensuring full coverage of the demand. Secondly, the selected bus pickup locations are assigned to shelters where safe shelters are provided by the government. An equity component was introduced in the shelter assignment stage to ensure fair evacuation resource allocation. Finally, a bus driver management model was proposed that can be used to determine the optimal crew size in bus-based evacuation planning. A hypothetical hurricane evacuation scenario in New York City was used to evaluate the performance of the proposed methodology and the impact of model parameters. The results can provide feasible decisions on identifying bus pickup locations, shelter assignment, as well as the number of drivers needed for transit-based evacuation planning. The equity component shows a noticeable increase in equity index despite it only adding a small cost to the average travel distance.
Assessment of Polyacrylamide Concentration in Construction Stormwater Runoff Using an ASTM D6459 Rainfall Simulator
Authors: Manning Christin , Perez Michael , Donald Wesley
Published: July 2022

Polyacrylamide (PAM) is a polymer used in construction stormwater management as both an erosion and sediment control measure. PAM is considered one of the environmentally safest polymers on the market, however overapplication concerns dictate that large quantities in runoff be avoided. For slope erosion applications, ensuring proper concentration requires methods for testing residual concentrations. This research investigated residual concentrations of PAM when dry-applied at a rate of 25 lb/acre (28 kg/ha) for slope stabilization and subjected to 1-h of simulated rainfall following ASTM D6459-19 protocols at three 20-min successive 2-, 4-, and 6-in./h (5-, 10-, and 15-cm/h) intensities. Residual concentrations were determined by centrifuging runoff samples to remove soil and reading absorbance from an ultraviolet-visible spectrometer, comparing values to those at known concentrations. Concentrations in collected runoff samples were found to surpass values found in previous research and in other PAM applications, especially during first flush, and were high enough to affect water viscosity. An alternative application method is presented that may mitigate PAM runoff concentration. The spectrometry method was also used to highlight the possibility that polymers used in hydromulches may also deposit excess concentrations in stormwater runoff, and that formal residual testing of such products is warranted. The processes used for this study demonstrated how discharge may be monitored and regulated to minimize undesirable runoff conditions from construction sites and underscore the importance of appropriate design and implementation when using additives for erosion control.
Clustering-Based Travel Pattern for Individual Travel Prediction of Frequent Passengers by Using Transit Smart Card
Authors: Ye Pengyao , Ma Yiqing
Published: July 2022

Individual travel prediction is very important for the construction of intelligent urban transportation systems. Previous studies mainly focus on the improvement of algorithms, but pay little attention to the mining of data information. In this paper, the concept of the travel pattern is introduced into the field of individual travel prediction of frequent bus passengers. The travel pattern of passengers refers to the trip with similar boarding time and similar boarding and alighting stations of the same person. Through clustering the travel pattern by DBSCAN algorithm, the regularity of passenger travel can be better exploited and travel information can be integrated into a unified unit as well. In the process of prediction, we first predict whether the passenger will travel, and then, if so, predict the probability distribution of the next trip conditional on the previous one. The proposed method is tested using the Automatic Fare Collection data of Chengdu’s frequent bus passengers in May 2019. Based on travel pattern, the average accuracy of travel information prediction is about 41%, which is 13% higher than the method without using travel pattern. Furthermore, this paper also discusses the influence of spatial threshold in clustering on the prediction results.
Context Classification and Associated Transportation Expectations in Support of Contextual Roadway Design
Authors: Stamatiadis Nikiforos , Kirk Adam , Steyn Hermanus , Musselman Jennifer , Raulerson Mary
Published: July 2022

In the United States, highway functional classification has played a central role in planning and designing roadway projects. Classifications have served as a surrogate for design inputs (e.g., design speed). However, functional classification lacks the resolution needed to develop context-sensitive designs and prioritizes motor vehicles over other modes of transportation. NCHRP Report 855 introduced an expanded context classification system that supports more integrative and context-adapted roadway designs. This system was subsequently adopted in the 7th Edition of the Policy of Geometric Design for Highways and Streets ( Green Book). Transitioning from functional classification to context classification as the primary basis of design entails a major shift in design practices. Context sets expectations for each setting and informs the entire project development process—from visioning to design and implementation. Based on a review of context classification systems adopted by state departments of transportation (DOTs), this paper updates the Green Book’s context classifications and introduces the concept of Transportation Expectations, which are fundamental concepts that define how users expect to move in each context. A case study focused on Lexington, Kentucky, U.S., explores these concepts and discusses how they facilitate multimodal roadway designs—the focal point of the upcoming Green Book 8th Edition.
Active motor damping strategy for driveline vibrations of a hybrid electric vehicle during ABS operation
Authors: Bayar Kerem
Published: July 2022

Torsional drivetrain vibrations in hybrid and electric drivetrains, which occur during traction and braking control, are commonly encountered. This problem occurs mainly due to the weak damping characteristic of the hybrid/electric drivetrain and the fast time response characteristics of the electric motor. An active motor damping (AMD) control algorithm for a hybrid electric vehicle, considering ABS braking maneuvers on different road conditions, is developed in this work. The control problem is structured such that the control objective is disturbance rejection against the estimated brake torque signal received from the ABS module. Communication delay between the ABS and motor control module is handled within the control strategy. State feedback control strategy is used with the linearized version of the non-linear state-space equations together with an Extended Kalman filter. Gear backlash is taken into account without the need to estimate the mode of backlash. In the development of the controller, state feedback gains are set such that the ABS functionality on tire slip regulation is not altered. Existing studies in the literature feedback only the angle of twist and axle wrap angular speed for damping the vibrations. The structure of the controller in this study is different in that it estimates and feeds back tire slip, in addition to these two. Simulation results show the effectiveness of the controller in reducing the angle of twist without deteriorating ABS tire slip control and braking performance of the vehicle.
A Prospective Study of an HLA-Haploidentical Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation Regimen Based on Modification of the Dose of Posttransplant Cyclophosphamide for Poor Prognosis or Refractory Hematological Malignancies
Authors: Nakamae Hirohisa , Okamura Hiroshi , Hirose Asao , Koh Hideo , Nakashima Yasuhiro , Nakamae Mika , Nishimoto Mitsutaka , Makuuchi Yosuke , Kuno Masatomo , Harada Naonori , Takakuwa Teruhito , Hino Masayuki
Published: July 2022

The optimal dose of posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy) for use in patients undergoing HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation with posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PTCy-haplo) has not been sufficiently examined. This study evaluates the safety and efficacy of HLA-haploidentical hematopoietic cell transplantation with a reduced dose of PTCy for patients with a poor prognosis or those with refractory hematological malignancies. We conducted a prospective clinical study of PTCy-haplo with peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) using a modified PTCy dosage regimen consisting of 50 mg/kg on day 3 posttransplantation and a reduced dose of 25 mg/kg on day 4. The cumulative incidences of grades II to III and IV acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) at day 100 posttransplantation were 30% and 0%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of moderate-to-severe chronic GVHD after transplantation was 7.0%. The cumulative incidence of nonrelapse mortality at 1 year posttransplantation was 6.1%. Overall survival (OS) at 1 year was 66%. In addition, the restricted cubic-spline Cox regression analysis showed nonlinear relationship between the number of infused CD34+ cells and CD3+ cells, and OS. A graft composition of >4.54 × 106/kg CD34+ cells and >1.85 × 108/kg but ≤3.70 × 108/kg CD3+ cells was significantly associated with better survival, irrespective of the disease status (hazard ratio, 0.13; 95% confidence interval, 0.04–0.41; P < 0.001). These results suggest that PTCy-haplo with PBSCs using a de-escalated dose of 50 mg/kg on day 3 and 25 mg/kg on day 4 posttransplantation is a feasible option.
Inflammatory Immune Responses Trigger Rejection of Allogeneic Fibroblasts Transplanted into Mouse Skin
Authors: Farrokhi Ali , Rahavi MohammadReza , Jo Sumin , Jalili Reza , Lim C. James , Ghahsary Aziz , Reid Gregor S. D.
Published: July 2022

Fibroblasts, or their homolog stromal cells, are present in most tissues and play an essential role in tissue homeostasis and regeneration. As a result, fibroblast-based strategies have been widely employed in tissue engineering. However, while considered to have immunosuppressive properties, the survival and functionality of allogeneic fibroblasts after transplantation remain controversial. Here, we evaluated innate and adaptive immune responses against allogeneic fibroblasts following intradermal injection into different immune-deficient mouse strains. While allogeneic fibroblasts were rejected 1 week after transplantation in immunocompetent mice, rejection did not occur in immunodeficient γ chain–deficient NOD-SCID (NSG) mice. T-cell- and B-cell-deficient RAG1 knockout mice showed greater loss of fibroblasts by day 5 after transplantation compared with NSG mice ( P ≤ 0.05) but prolonged persistence compared with wild-type recipient ( P ≤ 0.005). Loss of fibroblasts correlated with the expression of proinflammatory chemokine genes and infiltration of myeloid cells in the transplantation site. Depletion of macrophages and neutrophils delayed rejection, revealing the role of innate immune cells in an early elimination of fibroblasts that is followed by T-cell-mediated rejection in the second week. These findings indicate that the application of allogeneic fibroblasts in tissue engineering products requires further improvements to overcome cell rejection by innate and adaptive immune cells.
Religion, Spirituality, and Coping During the Pandemic: Perspectives of Dementia Caregivers
Authors: Britt Katherine Carroll , Richards Kathy C. , Radhakrishnan Kavita , Vanags-Louredo Andrea , Park Eunice , Gooneratne Nalaka S. , Fry Liam
Published: July 2022

Religious and spiritual (R/S) practices support individuals during difficult situations. The COVID-19 social distancing restrictions may have limited access to R/S practices for older adults with Alzheimer’s disease related dementia (ADRD) and their caregivers, affecting coping and well-being. This qualitative study explored the impact of social distancing on R/S practices and coping in ADRD-caregiver dyads from the perspective of caregivers. Interviews were conducted with 11 family caregivers of older adults with ADRD residing in nursing homes ( n = 4) or private homes ( n = 7). Caregivers continued individual and started virtual R/S practices which improved their ability to cope. However, organized R/S practices were unavailable for those with ADRD, but they used prayer and read religious texts which noticeably improved their mood. Healthcare professionals’ sharing of individual and community R/S resources available for ADRD-caregiver dyads could decrease anxiety and agitation, while improving their ability to cope with increased isolation.
Cancer Treatment Data in Central Cancer Registries: When Are Supplemental Data Needed?
Authors: Bradley Cathy J , Liang Rifei , Jasem Jagar , Lindrooth Richard C , Sabik Lindsay M , Perraillon Marcelo C
Published: July 2022

Background:

We evaluated treatment concordance between the Colorado All Payer Claims Database (APCD) and the Colorado Central Cancer Registry (CCCR) to explore whether APCDs can augment registry data. We compare treatment concordance for breast cancer, an extensively studied site with an inpatient reporting source and select leukemias that are often diagnosed outpatient.

Methods:

We analyzed concordance by cancer type and treatment, patient demographics, reporting source, and health insurance, calculating the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive values (PPV) and Kappa statistics. We estimated an adjusted logistic regression model to assess whether the APCD statistically significantly reports additional cancer-directed treatments.

Results:

Among women with breast cancer, 14% had chemotherapy treatments that were absent from the CCCR. Missing treatments were more common among women younger than age 50 (15%) and patients aged 75 and older (19%), rural residents (17%), and when the reporting source was outpatient (22%). Similar and more pronounced patterns for people with leukemia were observed. Concordance for oral treatments was lower for each cancer. Sensitivity and PPVs were high, with moderate Kappa statistics. The APCD was 5.3 percentage points less likely to identify additional treatments for breast cancer patients and 10 percentage points more likely to identify additional treatments when the reporting source was an outpatient facility.

Conclusion:

A robust data infrastructure is needed to investigate research questions that require population-level analyses, particularly for questions seeking to reduce health inequity and comparisons across payers, including Medicare Advantage and fee-for-service. APCD data are a step toward creating an infrastructure for cancer, particularly for patients who reside in rural areas and/or receive care from outpatient centers.
Association Between Self-Perceived General Human-Likeness During Walking and Walking Speed in Stroke Patients: A Preliminary Study
Authors: Hayashida Kazuki , Nakazono Ryota , Yamamichi Nami , Narita Masa , Onishi Koichiro , Morioka Shu
Published: July 2022

The difference between the walking speeds of stroke patients and the general population may influence the self-perception of patients, who perceive their walk as lacking general human-likeness. Perception toward human-likeness during walking is defined here as the feeling that one can walk as intended, just like healthy people. Such negative subjective experiences may curb their social participation. However, the perception associated with walking speed in stroke patients is poorly understood. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between walking speed and perception toward general human-likeness during walking in stroke patients. Thirty-two post-stroke patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. Patients performed 10-m walk tests at comfortable and fast speeds and answered questions about their perceived human-like walking after completing the walk (“How much did you feel your walking resembled the human-likeness during walking of general people?”). We found a significant positive correlation between perception toward human-likeness during walking and walking speed at both comfortable and fast speeds. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first to suggest that walking speed may correlate with self-perception. Our findings may help understand the underlying mechanism in patients perceiving less human-likeness during walking.
Research on mechanical characteristics and safety of working platform in rod pumping process
Authors: Dehua Feng , Yanqun Yu , Jinhai Liu , Bensheng Wang , Yaoguang Qi
Published: July 2022

Rod pumping on offshore platform provides a solution to low efficient extraction of offshore heavy oil and the safety of working platform is the prerequisite for the implementation of this new technology. In this paper, a coupling dynamics model of rod pumping system and the jacket platform is established, and the dynamic characteristics of the pumping unit excitation, rod pumping system, and jacket platform is studied. Based on the analysis of the multi-body dynamics model, the three frequencies (pumping unit excitation, rod pumping system, jacket platform) are far apart, so the dynamic effect of rod pumping on the platform can be analyzed according to static load. Based on the limit working state and the cumulative damage theory of the structure, the safety evaluation standard for the increased load of the jacket platform is established. Under the extreme marine environment once in 50 years, the safety factor of the main structure of the platform is greater than 4, and the overall safety factor is 3% lower than that before the rod pumping operation. Offshore rod pumping has less influence on the jacket platform from analysis, and which lays a theoretical and safety foundation for offshore oil pumping.
Selective oxidation of primary benzylic alcohols to aldehydes using NaNO3 under ball milling
Authors: Wang Jing-Fei , Lu Li-Yu , Zhang Pu , Qin Yu-Jun , Guo Zhi-Xin
Published: July 2022

A facile method for oxidation of primary benzylic alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes is reported using NaNO3/P2O5 under high-speed ball-milling conditions. This approach is clean, efficient, and exhibits broad functional group compatibility.
Characteristics and trends of globally registered glioma clinical trials in the past 16 years
Authors: He Xiaofang , Zhao Wenbin , Huang Jianwen , Xu Jia , Niu Shaoqing , Zhang Qun , Zhang Nu , Jin Huawei , Shen Guoping
Published: July 2022

Background:

Advancement in the treatment of glioma has been vacant since temozolomide has proved its therapeutic value in glioblastoma in 2005.

Aim:

To help investigators understand the landscape of glioma clinical research, we analyzed the characteristics and trends of globally registered glioma trials in the past decades.

Methods:

This is a cross-sectional analysis of glioma trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov between January 2006 and December 2021. Characteristics regarding phase, enrollment number, study design and type, funding source, tumor site, pathology, patient status, age of population, trial purpose, and participating country were abstracted, and chronological shifts were analyzed.

Results:

There were 1531 registered glioma trials involved 58 participating countries. The trial purpose concerning surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, tumor-treating fields, immunotherapy, other antiglioma therapy and non-antiglioma research trial accounts for 3.5%, 6.5%, 9.5%, 28.9%, 2.0%, 16.4%, 12.5%, and 20.6%, respectively. In the past 16 years, the numbers of chemotherapy and targeted therapy trials declined; tumor-treating fields and immune checkpoint inhibitor application trials sprang at the latter half period; Immunotherapy, other antiglioma therapy and non-antiglioma research trials escalated (all above ptrend < 0.005). The trend also showed the phased trials registered diminishingly and that the trials which focused on glioblastoma registered incrementally (those two ptrend < 0.05). Among 784 drug therapy trials, it was included 45 cytotoxic drugs, 186 targeted drugs, 19 immune checkpoint inhibitors, 78 other drugs, and five immunomodulatory drugs. Two trials belonged to Bayesian adaptive randomized design. By the end of December 2021, 309 trials had publications. Only everolimus and tumor-treating fields exhibited meaningful survival benefit in specific glioma patients in phase 3 trials.

Conclusion:

Meaningful effective treatments regarding drugs or methods for glioma were difficult to be found. Bayesian adaptive platform trials may accelerate clinical research in glioma. Development of novel treatment modalities for glioma is still challenged.
Cabozantinib combination therapy for the treatment of solid tumors: a systematic review
Authors: Castellano Daniel , Apolo Andrea B. , Porta Camillo , Capdevila Jaume , Viteri Santiago , Rodriguez-Antona Cristina , Martin Lidia , Maroto Pablo
Published: July 2022

Background:

Cabozantinib monotherapy is approved for the treatment of several types of solid tumors. Investigation into the use of cabozantinib combined with other therapies is increasing. To understand the evidence in this area, we performed a systematic review of cabozantinib combination therapy for the treatment of solid tumors in adults.

Methods:

This study was designed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, and the protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020144680). On 9 October 2020, we searched for clinical trials and observational studies of cabozantinib as part of a combination therapy for solid tumors using Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane databases, and by screening relevant congress abstracts. Eligible studies reported clinical or safety outcomes, or biomarker data. Randomized and observational studies with a sample size of fewer than 25 and studies of cabozantinib monotherapy were excluded. For each study, quality was assessed using National Institute for Health and Care Excellence methodology, and the study characteristics were described qualitatively. This study was funded by Ipsen.

Results:

Of 2421 citations identified, 32 articles were included (6 with results from randomized studies, 24 with results from non-randomized phase I or II studies, and 2 with results from both). The most commonly studied tumor types were metastatic urothelial carcinoma/genitourinary tumors and castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). Findings from randomized studies suggested that cabozantinib combined with other therapies may lead to better progression-free survival than some current standards of care in renal cell carcinoma, CRPC, and non-small-cell lung cancer. The most common adverse events were hypertension, diarrhea, and fatigue.

Conclusion:

This review demonstrates the promising efficacy outcomes of cabozantinib combined with other therapies, and a safety profile similar to cabozantinib alone. However, the findings are limited by the fact that most of the identified studies were reported as congress abstracts only. More evidence from randomized trials is needed to explore cabozantinib as a combination therapy further.
Ease of Mind or Ties That Bind? Costs and Benefits of Disclosing Daily Hassles in Partnerships
Authors: Rauers Antje , Riediger Michaela
Published: July 2022

People often tell others about recent daily hassles. Such social sharing of emotion is often assumed to support affect repair, but empirical evidence points to the contrary. We tested the notion that social sharing primarily serves relationship closeness, rather than immediate affect repair. Using dyadic experience sampling with N = 100 couples, we captured social sharing in everyday contexts and assessed socioemotional implications for speakers and listeners. Across M = 87 individual measurement occasions, both partners reported potential social-sharing episodes following daily hassles and rated their momentary negative affect and relationship closeness. Global evaluations of relationship closeness were assessed at baseline and 2.5 years later. Social sharing involved both affective benefits and costs, but it predicted momentary and long-term increases in partners’ relationship closeness. These results suggest that sharing bad news in relationships may not primarily serve immediate affect–repair functions. Rather, it may be a catalyst for creating and nourishing relationship closeness.
Change in individual chronic obstructive pulmonary disease assessment test item scores after short-term bronchodilator therapy and its impact on exacerbation in treatment-naïve patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Kim Bo-Guen , Shin Sun Hye , Gil Hyun-Il , Zo Sungmin , Im Yunjoo , Song Ju Yeun , Lee Chai Young , Kang Danbee , Cho Juhee , Park Hye Yun
Published: July 2022

Background:

The chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) assessment test (CAT) measures the health status of patients with COPD. We aimed to investigate the change in individual CAT scores after short-term bronchodilator therapy among treatment-naïve patients with COPD.

Methods:

Data from 148 patients newly diagnosed with COPD between January 2016 and April 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. We compared the CAT score, modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) dyspnea grade, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) before and after short-term (6 ± 2 months) bronchodilator therapy. We analyzed the change trends using generalized estimating equations.

Results:

The mean patient age was 70.9 years, and 92.6% were male. The total CAT score did not significantly improve. However, among the CAT items, phlegm [adjusted difference: –0.22 (–0.48, –0.002)], chest tightness [–0.30 (–0.56, –0.05)], and breathlessness [–0.45 (–0.66, –0.23)] scores significantly improved after bronchodilator therapy. The patients were divided into two groups: CAT score improved ( n = 69) and not improved group ( n = 79). The development of moderate-to-severe exacerbations during follow-up was significantly lower (2.9% versus 17.7%, p = 0.004) in the CAT score improved group.

Conclusion:

The improvement in CAT items indicating respiratory symptoms was more evident than the CAT total score after short-term bronchodilator therapy. Despite the significant increase in FEV1 after bronchodilator therapy, fewer than half of the patients achieved meaningful improvement in CAT, and this group showed significantly lower development of exacerbation during follow-up.