bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Generalized Nusselt Number Correlation for Binary Hybrid Nano-Oils as Heat Transfer Fluid in Solar Thermal Systems
Authors: Upadhyay Satish , Savant Pankaj Rajendra , Chandra Laltu , Sarkar Jahar
Published: April 2022

The turbulent flow of binary hybrid nano-oils is investigated and Nusselt number correlation is developed for futuristic concentrated solar thermal application. Available Nusselt number correlations for water-based hybrid nanofluids are nanoparticle-specific property correlations dependent and substantially over-predict the values for hybrid nano-oils. Therefore, a generalized Nusselt number correlation for turbulent flow of water and oil-based binary hybrid nanofluids is deduced using the separation approach. Dissimilar to the available correlations, the developed correlation needs only the thermophysical properties of base fluid and nanoparticles. It is valid for the Reynolds number range 10,000–30,000 and the Prandtl number range 0.5–2000. It is found that the proposed correlation predicts the published experimental values for different hybrid nanofluids mostly within ±10–20%. Computational fluid dynamics simulation is also performed for turbulent flow of different hybrid nano-oils to assess the developed correlation. The comparative assessment also confirms that the developed correlation predicts the numerical values for hybrid nano-oils within ±10–20%. The deduced Nusselt number correlation will be useful for a realistic heat transfer analysis with different water or oil-based hybrid nanofluids. The need for experiments with different hybrid nano-oils is realized for further improvement.
Uncertainty Propagation and Assessment of Five-Axis On-Machine Measurement Error
Authors: Zhuang Qixin , Wan Neng , Guo Yanheng , Chang Zhiyong , Wang Zhan
Published: April 2022

As an important technology of adaptive machining, on-machine measurement (OMM) is always used to measure the shape of the to-be-cut surface. Due to the multi-source errors in an OMM system, the confidence of the measurement accuracy becomes particularly important before planning the next cutting procedure. OMM is implemented by multi-components involving machine tools, fixture, and on-machine probe. Each component introduces uncertainty of error into the measurement result. The positioning error, alignment error, and eccentricity error are investigated in terms of the expectation, uncertainty, and probability density function. By the kinematics of the components participated in the measurement, these errors are accumulated to affect the measurement results. Thus, the uncertainty of the final measurement result is determined by the accumulation of uncertainty of error sources. In order to evaluate the uncertainty of measurement error, an uncertainty propagation model involving positioning error of five-axis machine tools, alignment error of workpiece, and eccentricity error of the stylus tip is established in terms of the kinematic chain of OMM. Then, the uncertainty of the measurement result in vector form is obtained. Finally, the simulation and the experiment about the impeller are employed to validate the effectiveness and repeatability of the uncertainty propagation model for five-axis OMM.
All-dry free radical polymerization inside nanopores: Ion-milling-enabled coating thickness profiling revealed “necking” phenomena
Authors: Cheng Yifan , Khlyustova Alexandra , Yang Rong
Published: April 2022

Conformal coating of nanopores with functional polymer nanolayers is the key to many emerging technologies such as miniature sensors and membranes for advanced molecular separations. While the polymer coatings are often used to introduce functional moieties, their controlled growth under nanoconfinement could serve as a new approach to manipulate the size and shape of coated nanopores, hence, enabling novel functions like molecular separation. However, precise control of coating thickness in the longitudinal direction of a nanopore is limited by the lack of a characterization method to profile coating thickness within the nanoconfined space. Here, we report an experimental approach that combines ion milling (IM) and high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) for acquiring an accurate depth profile of ultrathin (∼20 nm or less) coatings synthesized inside nanopores via initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). The enhanced capability of this approach stems from the excellent x–y resolution achieved by FESEM (i.e., 4.9 nm/pixel), robust depth (z) control enabled by IM (step size as small as 100 nm with R2 = 0.992), and the statistical power afforded by high-throughput sampling (i.e., ∼2000 individual pores). With that capability, we were able to determine with unparalleled accuracy and precision the depth profile of coating thickness and iCVD kinetics along 110-nm-diameter nanopores. That allowed us to uncover an unexpected coating depth profile featuring a maximum rate of polymerization at ∼250 nm underneath the top surface, i.e., down the pores, which we termed “necking.” The necking phenomenon deviates considerably from the conventionally assumed monotonous decrease in thickness along the longitudinal direction into a nanopore, as predicted by the diffusion-limited kinetics model of free radical polymerization. An initiator-centric collision model was then developed, which suggests that under the experimental conditions, the confinement imposed by the nanopores may lead to local amplification of the effective free radical concentration at z ≤ 100 nm and attenuation at z ≥ 500 nm, thus contributing to the observed necking phenomenon. The ion-milling-enabled depth profiling of ultrathin coatings inside nanopores, along with the initiator-mediated coating thickness control in the z-direction, may serve to enhance the performance of size-exclusion filtration membranes and even provide more flexible control of nanopore shape in the z dimension.
Sound field reconstruction using block sparse Bayesian learning equivalent source method
Authors: Bi Chuan-Xing , Zhang Feng-Min , Zhang Xiao-Zheng , Zhang Yong-Bin , Zhou Rong
Published: April 2022

Nearfield acoustic holography based on the compressed sensing theory can realize the accurate reconstruction of sound fields with fewer measurement points on the premise that an appropriate sparse basis is obtained. However, for different types of sound sources, the appropriate sparse bases are diverse and should be constructed elaborately. In this paper, a block sparse Bayesian learning (SBL) equivalent source method is proposed for realizing the reconstruction of the sound fields radiated by different types of sources, including the spatially sparse sources, the spatially extended sources, and the mixed ones of the above two, without the elaborate construction of the sparse basis. The proposed method constructs a block sparse equivalent source model and promotes a block sparse solution by imposing a structured prior on the equivalent source model and estimating the posterior of the model by using the SBL, which can achieve the accurate reconstruction of the radiated sound fields of different types of sources simply by adjusting the block size. Numerical simulation and experimental results demonstrate the validity and superiority of the proposed method, and the effects of two key parameters, the block size, and sparsity pruning threshold value are investigated through simulations.
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Fibular Versus Talocrural Mobilization With Movement in Individuals With Chronic Ankle Instability
Authors: Wright Cynthia J.
Published: April 2022

Talocrural mobilization with movement (MWM) and fibular MWM are ankle joint mobilization techniques which may treat deficits in ankle dorsiflexion range of motion (DFROM) and balance in individuals with chronic ankle instability (CAI). The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effect of fibular MWM versus talocrural MWM in individuals with CAI. Thirty-nine individuals with CAI were enrolled and randomized to intervention (fibular MWM, talocrural MWM, or control). Baseline DFROM, inversion range of motion, and balance were assessed pre- and postintervention. Only the talocrural MWM group significantly increased DFROM postintervention. There were no significant group differences in inversion range of motion or balance. The results support the use of talocrural MWM, but not fibular MWM, to acutely improve DFROM in individuals with CAI.
Effect of Mobility Restrictions During the Coronavirus Disease Epidemic on Body Composition and Exercise Tolerance in Patients With Obesity: Single Institutional Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Matsumoto Yoshinari , Kurose Satoshi , Miyauchi Takumi , Yoshiuchi Sawako , Habu Daiki , Kimura Yutaka
Published: April 2022

Background: This study investigated the effects of mobility restrictions (MRs) during the COVID-19 epidemic on physical activity, body composition, and exercise tolerance in patients with obesity. Methods: We analyzed data of obesity patients participating in a 6-month weight loss program in February 2020, and after, when the epidemic was considered to have had some effect on outdoor activity in Osaka, Japan (MR group). MR group patients were compared to patients with obesity attending the program in 2018 and 2019 (non-MR group) who had a similar number of months as MR group. Changes in physical activity, body composition, and exercise tolerance (O2 consumption; VO2) owing to the weight loss program were analyzed between both groups using analysis of covariance and logistic regression analysis. Results: Decreases in body fat were significantly higher in MR group than in non-MR group. However, increases in physical activity, VO2 at anaerobic threshold, and peak VO2 were significantly lower in MR group; however, increases in peak VO2 owing to the weight loss program were less likely to be achieved in MR group (odds ratio, 0.21; 95% confidence interval, 0.06–0.81). Conclusion: MR during the COVID-19 epidemic may have affected the exercise tolerance of patients with obesity.
Mercury and Motion: The Influence of Seasonality on Off-School Hours High School Facility Use
Authors: Mulhearn Shannon C. , Yu Hyeonho , van der Mars Hans , Griffo Janelle M. , Kulinna Pamela H.
Published: April 2022

Purpose: Grounded in the behavioral ecological model, and to address a lack of park space, this study looked at community members’ use of public high school physical activity (PA) facilities during nonschool hours while considering the effects of seasonality. Method: Data included 3,959 observation sweeps across 19 public high school campuses over 1 year (all seasons) in Arizona. Results: Differences in contextual supports were evident between seasons, with facilities being more accessible, usable, and lighted in spring than summer or fall. Accessible facilities were most often outside (68.6% of the time). The highest frequency of sedentary behavior was in summer. Conclusion: The present study expands our understanding about the influence of seasonality as related to community access to PA facilities. During times of extreme temperatures, it may be beneficial to find ways to make indoor PA facilities more accessible to support increased PA levels of community members.
Single-cell RNA-seq reveals cell type–specific molecular and genetic associations to lupus
Authors: Perez Richard K. , Gordon M. Grace , Subramaniam Meena , Kim Min Cheol , Hartoularos George C. , Targ Sasha , Sun Yang , Ogorodnikov Anton , Bueno Raymund , Lu Andrew , Thompson Mike , Rappoport Nadav , Dahl Andrew , Lanata Cristina M. , Matloubian Mehrdad , Maliskova Lenka , Kwek Serena S. , Li Tony , Slyper Michal , Waldman Julia , Dionne Danielle , Rozenblatt-Rosen Orit , Fong Lawrence , Dall’Era Maria , Balliu Brunilda , Regev Aviv , Yazdany Jinoos , Criswell Lindsey A. , Zaitlen Noah , Ye Chun Jimmie
Published: April 2022

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a heterogeneous autoimmune disease. Knowledge of circulating immune cell types and states associated with SLE remains incomplete. We profiled more than 1.2 million peripheral blood mononuclear cells (162 cases, 99 controls) with multiplexed single-cell RNA sequencing (mux-seq). Cases exhibited elevated expression of type 1 interferon–stimulated genes (ISGs) in monocytes, reduction of naïve CD4
+
T cells that correlated with monocyte ISG expression, and expansion of repertoire-restricted cytotoxic
GZMH
+
CD8
+
T cells. Cell type–specific expression features predicted case-control status and stratified patients into two molecular subtypes. We integrated dense genotyping data to map cell type–specific cis–expression quantitative trait loci and to link SLE-associated variants to cell type–specific expression. These results demonstrate mux-seq as a systematic approach to characterize cellular composition, identify transcriptional signatures, and annotate genetic variants associated with SLE.
Single-cell eQTL mapping identifies cell type–specific genetic control of autoimmune disease
Authors: Yazar Seyhan , Alquicira-Hernandez Jose , Wing Kristof , Senabouth Anne , Gordon M. Grace , Andersen Stacey , Lu Qinyi , Rowson Antonia , Taylor Thomas R. P. , Clarke Linda , Maccora Katia , Chen Christine , Cook Anthony L. , Ye Chun Jimmie , Fairfax Kirsten A. , Hewitt Alex W. , Powell Joseph E.
Published: April 2022

The human immune system displays substantial variation between individuals, leading to differences in susceptibility to autoimmune disease. We present single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data from 1,267,758 peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 982 healthy human subjects. For 14 cell types, we identified 26,597 independent cis-expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and 990 trans-eQTLs, with most showing cell type–specific effects on gene expression. We subsequently show how eQTLs have dynamic allelic effects in B cells that are transitioning from naïve to memory states and demonstrate how commonly segregating alleles lead to interindividual variation in immune function. Finally, using a Mendelian randomization approach, we identify the causal route by which 305 risk loci contribute to autoimmune disease at the cellular level. This work brings together genetic epidemiology with scRNA-seq to uncover drivers of interindividual variation in the immune system.
An upset to the standard model
Authors: Campagnari Claudio , Mulders Martijn
Published: April 2022

Latest measurement of the
W
boson digs at the most important theory in particle physics
Topological engineering of terahertz light using electrically tunable exceptional point singularities
Authors: Ergoktas M. Said , Soleymani Sina , Kakenov Nurbek , Wang Kaiyuan , Smith Thomas B. , Bakan Gokhan , Balci Sinan , Principi Alessandro , Novoselov Kostya S. , Ozdemir Sahin K. , Kocabas Coskun
Published: April 2022

The topological structure associated with the branch point singularity around an exceptional point (EP) can provide tools for controlling the propagation of light. Through use of graphene-based devices, we demonstrate the emergence of EPs in an electrically controlled interaction between light and a collection of organic molecules in the terahertz regime at room temperature. We show that the intensity and phase of terahertz pulses can be controlled by a gate voltage, which drives the device across the EP. Our electrically tunable system allows reconstruction of the Riemann surface associated with the complex energy landscape and provides topological control of light by tuning the loss imbalance and frequency detuning of interacting modes. Our approach provides a platform for developing topological optoelectronics and studying the manifestations of EP physics in light–matter interactions.
Biomaterials for boosting food security
Authors: Marelli Benedetto
Published: April 2022

Renewable silk-protein technologies promote plant growth and reduce food waste
6S RNA-Dependent Susceptibility to RNA Polymerase Inhibitors
Authors: Esberard Marick , Hallier Marc , Liu Wenfeng , Morvan Claire , Bossi Lionello , Figueroa-Bossi Nara , Felden Brice , Bouloc Philippe
Published: April 2022

Bacterial small RNAs (sRNAs) contribute to a variety of regulatory mechanisms that modulate a wide range of pathways, including metabolism, virulence, and antibiotic resistance. We investigated the involvement of sRNAs in rifampicin resistance in the opportunistic pathogen
Staphylococcus aureus
.
Expression of the K74 Killer Toxin from Saccharomyces paradoxus Is Modulated by the Toxin-Encoding M74 Double-Stranded RNA 5′ Untranslated Terminal Region
Authors: Rodriguez-Cousiño Nieves , Gómez Pilar , Esteban Rosa
Published: April 2022

Killer yeasts produce toxins to which they are immune by mechanisms not well understood. This self-immunity, however, is compromised in certain strains, which secrete an excess of toxin, leading to sick cells or suicidal phenotypes.
Multicenter Evaluation of the BioFire Respiratory Panel 2.1 (RP2.1) for Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Nasopharyngeal Swab Samples
Authors: Berry Gregory J. , Zhen Wei , Smith Elizabeth , Manji Ryhana , Silbert Suzane , Lima Amorce , Harington Amanda , McKinley Kathleen , Kensinger Bart , Neff Crissy , Lu Daisy
Published: April 2022

As the incidence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) begins to overlap with the traditional respiratory season in the Northern Hemisphere, simultaneous testing for SARS-CoV-2 and the other common causes of respiratory infections is imperative. This has led to the development of multiplex respiratory assays that include SARS-CoV-2 as a target. One such assay is the BioFire respiratory panel 2.1 (RP2.1), which is an expansion of the original BioFire FilmArray respiratory panel 2 (RP2) to include SARS-CoV-2.
Genome Sequences of Five Arenaviruses from Pygmy Mice (Mus minutoides) in Sierra Leone
Authors: Vučak Matej , Bangura James , Ghersi Bruno M. , Nichols Jenna , Hughes Joseph , da Silva Filipe Ana , Tremeau-Bravard Alexandre , Wolking David J. , Amara Emmanuel , Bangura Abdulai , Kanu Marilyn C. , Kanu Osman T. , Kargbo Dickson , Lavalie Edwin G. , Lungay Victor , Robert Willie , Turay Mohamed , Fornie Steven , Samba Thomas T. , Sesay Bankolay B. , Swaray Patrick , Vandi Mohamed A. , Bah Mohamed Alpha , Mansaray Andrew A. , Bird Brian H. , Davison Andrew J.
Published: April 2022

The genome sequences of five strains of a mammarenavirus were assembled from metagenomic data from pygmy mice (
Mus minutoides
) captured in Sierra Leone. The nearest fully sequenced relatives of this virus, which was named Seli virus, are lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus, Lunk virus, and Ryukyu virus.
Complete Genome Sequences of
Arthrobacter
Phages Eraser, Kaylissa, and Phives
Authors: Gadula Srinidhi , Pallothu Nayan , Jean-Baptiste Rodrigue , Holloway Joseph , Salichos Leonidas , Gibb Bryan
Published: April 2022

Bacteriophages Phives, Kaylissa, and Eraser are siphoviruses infecting
Arthrobacter globiformis
B-2880 that were isolated in fall 2019 in Long Island, New York, from soil samples collected in Old Westbury, New York. All three bacteriophages are assigned to phage cluster AZ based on gene content similarity. While many aspects of the genomes are similar across the three phages, the endolysin genes for the phages are different and are located in different locations within the genomes.
Genome Sequence of Micromonospora aurantiaca Strain G9, a Member of a Bacterial Consortium Capable of Polyethylene Degradation
Authors: Schneider Beate , Pfeiffer Friedhelm , Dyall-Smith Mike , Kunte Hans-Jörg
Published: April 2022

Nine different bacterial isolates were recovered from landfills. Each isolate was obtained in pure culture. As a consortium, the bacteria degrade polyethylene. The complete genome sequence of strain G9 was determined by PacBio sequencing. Using the TYGS server for taxonomic classification, strain G9 was assigned to the species
Micromonospora aurantiaca
.
The Alpha Variant (B.1.1.7) of SARS-CoV-2 Failed to Become Dominant in Mexico
Authors: Zárate Selene , Taboada Blanca , Muñoz-Medina José Esteban , Iša Pavel , Sanchez-Flores Alejandro , Boukadida Celia , Herrera-Estrella Alfredo , Selem Mojica Nelly , Rosales-Rivera Mauricio , Gómez-Gil Bruno , Salas-Lais Angel Gustavo , Santacruz-Tinoco Clara Esperanza , Montoya-Fuentes Héctor , Alvarado-Yaah Julio Elias , Molina-Salinas Gloria María , Espinoza-Ayala Gloria Elena , Enciso-Moreno José Antonio , Gutiérrez-Ríos Rosa María , Loza Antonio , Moreno-Contreras Joaquín , García-López Rodrigo , Rivera-Gutierrez Xaira , Comas-García Andreu , Wong-Chew Rosa María , Jiménez-Corona Maria-Eugenia , del Angel Rosa María , Vazquez-Perez Joel Armando , Matías-Florentino Margarita , Pérez-García Marissa , Ávila-Ríos Santiago , Castelán-Sánchez Hugo G. , Delaye Luis , Martínez-Castilla León P. , Escalera-Zamudio Marina , López Susana , Arias Carlos F.
Published: April 2022

The emergence and rapid increase of the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) lineage of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) throughout the world were due to its increased transmissibility. However, it did not displace cocirculating lineages in most of Mexico, particularly B.1.1.519, which dominated the country from February to May 2021.
Toward Optimization of a Rabbit Model of Staphylococcus aureus (USA300) Skin and Soft Tissue Infection
Authors: Malachowa Natalia , McGuinness Will , Kobayashi Scott D. , Porter Adeline R. , Shaia Carl , Lovaglio Jamie , Smith Brian , Rungelrath Viktoria , Saturday Greg , Scott Dana P. , Falugi Fabiana , Missiakas Dominique , Schneewind Olaf , DeLeo Frank R.
Published: April 2022

Animal models of
S. aureus
infection are important for evaluating bacterial pathogenesis and host immune responses. These animal infection models are often used as an initial step in the testing of vaccine antigens and new therapeutics.
Systematic review of dog bite prevention strategies
Authors: Duncan-Sutherland Natasha , Lissaman Abbey C , Shepherd Michael , Kool Bridget
Published: April 2022

Background

The prevention of dog bites is an increasingly important public health topic, as the incidence of serious injury continues to rise.

Objectives

To evaluate the effectiveness of interventions to prevent dog bites and aggression.

Methods

Online databases were searched (PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase and Google Scholar), using the search terms:dog/s, canine, canis, kuri, bite/s, bitten, aggression, attack, death, fatal, mortality, injury/ies, prevention, intervention, for studies between 1960 and 2021. All study designs were considered. Outcomes of interest were the incidence of dog bites or dog aggression. Non-English studies, and those without full-text access were excluded.

Results

Forty-three studies met the review criteria, including 15 observational and 27 interventional studies. Fifteen studies investigating dog-control legislation, including leash laws, stray dog control and infringements indicated this can reduce dog bite rates. Breed-specific legislation had less of an effect. Six studies investigating sterilisation, showed while this may reduce dog bites through a reduction in the dog population, the effect on dog aggression was unclear. An alcohol reduction programme showed a significant reduction in dog bite rates in one study. Seven studies assessing educational approaches found that intensive adult-directed education may be effective, with one study showing child-directed education was not effective. Eight studies on dog training (two police-dog related), and six evaluating dog medication or diet were generally low quality and inconclusive.

Conclusions

Multiple strategies including effective engagement with indigenous communities and organisations will be required to reduce dog-bites and other incidents involving dog aggression. This review provides some evidence that legislated dog control strategies reduce dog bite rates. Available evidence suggests greater restrictions should be made for all dogs, rather than based on breed alone. Due to a burden of child injury, protection of children should be a focus of legislation and further investigations. Prevention strategies in children require redirection away from a focus on child-directed education and future research should investigate the effectiveness of engineering barriers and reporting strategies.
Evaluating the effects of intercrop management on weeds and soil aggregate stability during the establishment of semihardy grapevines in southern Quebec
Authors: Minville Audrey-Kim , Simard Marie-Josée , Carisse Odile , Halde Caroline
Published: April 2022

Living mulches from resident vegetation or intercrops could be used to control weeds and partially alleviate soil erosion during vineyard establishment in Quebec. However, their impact on grapevine yield and fruit quality is poorly documented. Growing semihardy grapevines is a challenge in southern Quebec as winter protection is necessary. Winter protection is provided either by hilling or by geotextiles and these methods determine what type of living mulch can be grown. Annual plant species are best suited for the former method, while perennial species are compatible with the latter. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of two grass living mulches (annual and perennial) on weed control and diversity, soil aggregate stability, vine growth, and fruit quality in comparison with cultivation and an unmanaged (weedy) control during vineyard establishment. The cultivation treatment was the most efficient weed control method and decreased weed species richness and diversity in comparison with intercrops. Maintaining a living mulch in the interrow, however, helped preserve soil aggregate stability better than cultivation did. Vine yield and fruit quality were not affected by any interrow weed management method. Consequently, the use of living mulches is a promising alternative to cultivation in the interrow during vineyard establishment in Quebec, Canada.
Students’ mindsets on research integrity—a cross-cultural comparison
Authors: Valeva Milena , Dankova Petya , Priess-Buchheit Julia
Published: April 2022

Research integrity (RI) has been a focus of society in recent years as a means to create and to keep trust in science. Higher education institutions (HEIs) play a key role in promoting a culture of RI and responsible conduct of research (RCR). The understanding and practice of RI can vary across cultures. This article aims to outline initial insights into university students’ RI mindsets based on five RI facets: understanding, importance, value–action gap, enforcement approaches, and training. A qualitative exploratory cross-cultural study was conducted with participants from Germany and Bulgaria via semi-structured guided group interviews. An explicit transcultural agreement regarding the significance of RI was categorically indicated. Intercultural differences between the two European countries were revealed and discussed in reference to understanding RI, the value–action gap, enforcement approaches, and training preferences.
No symplectic Lipschitz structures on S2n≥4
Authors: Joksimović Dušan
Published: April 2022

We prove that a closed manifold which admits a symplectic Lipschitz structure has non-vanishing even-degree cohomology groups with real coefficients. In particular, spheres [Formula: see text] do not admit symplectic Lipschitz structures.
ULTRASOUND-GUIDED PLATELET-RICH PLASMA INJECTION THERAPY IN PARTIAL THICKNESS ROTATOR CUFF TEARS: LONG-TERM RESULTS
Authors: Agarwal Shubham , Jain Hemant , Raichandani Kishore , Ujjwal H. S. , Singh Amit
Published: April 2022

Introduction: Rotator cuff tendinopathy/partial tear is the most common cause of shoulder pain encountered in clinical practice. The treatment varies from conservative to surgical options. Recently there has been extensive use of blood-derived products for the healing of tendon injuries. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is hypothesized to augment tendon healing due to various growth factors including PDGF, VEGF and TGF-b. While the theoretical explanations look promising, the clinical efficacy of PRP is conflicting, thus establishing a clear need for extensive studies.

Aim: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of the use of PRP in patients having partial rotator cuff tears.

Material and Methods: Fifty patients of the age group 25–50 years who had partial cuff tears ([Formula: see text] involvement) identified on Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and had continuous pain for a minimum three months were studied. They were treated with PRP therapy and the results of their function were evaluated over time.

Results: Shoulder function assessment was done was UCLA and Quick DASH score. Each of these scores showed a statistically significant improvement at 6 and 12 months. The Mean UCLA score pre-procedure was [Formula: see text] and at final follow-up was [Formula: see text]. There was reduction in the average Quick DASH score from [Formula: see text] pre-therapy to [Formula: see text] at 12 months follow-up.

Conclusion: After the final follow-up, most of the patients were able to resume their daily activities. The world of PRP therapy looks promising and is needed to be explored further in orthopedics as a lot of controversy over its benefits exists in the literature.
Existence of wormholes in f(𝒢) gravity using symmetries
Authors: Naz Tayyaba , Mustafa G. , Farasat Shamir M.
Published: April 2022

The current study examines the geometry of static wormholes with anisotropic matter distribution in the context of modified [Formula: see text] gravity. We consider the well-known Noether and conformal symmetries, which help in investigating wormholes in [Formula: see text] gravity. For this purpose, we develop symmetry generators associated with conserved quantities by taking into consideration the [Formula: see text] gravity model. Moreover, we use the conservation relationship gained from the classical Noether method and conformal Killing symmetries to develop the metric potential. These symmetries provide a strong mathematical background to investigate wormhole solutions by incorporating some suitable initial conditions. The obtained conserved quantity performs a significant role in defining the essential physical characteristics of the shape-function and energy conditions. Further, we also describe the stability of obtained wormholes solutions by employing the equilibrium condition in modified [Formula: see text] gravity. It is observed from graphical representation of obtained wormhole solutions that Noether and conformal Killing symmetries provide the results with physically accepted patterns.
A retrospective study of physiotherapy management for patients with pneumonia requiring invasive ventilation in a single-center Australian ICU
Authors: Kwan Baldwin Pok Man , Hill Anne-Marie , Elliott Mercedes , van der Lee Lisa
Published: April 2022

Background: Pneumonia is a frequent diagnosis for patients admitted to Australian intensive care units (ICUs) for invasive ventilation. Physiotherapists in ICU provide interventions to enhance respiratory function and physical recovery.

Objective: This retrospective cohort study aimed to describe physiotherapy management of adults with pneumonia who require invasive mechanical ventilation in a single Level 3 ICU in a quaternary teaching hospital.

Methods: All adults admitted with a medical diagnosis of pneumonia requiring invasive mechanical ventilation over a two-year period were included. Demographic and clinical data, including APACHE II score, ventilator-free days (VFDs) to day 28, ICU length of stay (LOS), and type and frequency of physiotherapy episodes of care delivered in ICU, were collected from electronic medical records. Correlations between VFDs to day 28 and the frequency of physiotherapy interventions delivered per subject were examined using Spearman’s rho analysis.

Results: From 208 records screened, 66 subjects with an ICU admission diagnosis of pneumonia, who required invasive mechanical ventilation, were included. Median (IQR) ICU LOS was 10 (5–17) days, and mortality rate was 15.2% ([Formula: see text]). The cohort had a median of 20.5 (IQR 2–25) VFDs to day 28. Community-acquired pneumonia (66.7%, [Formula: see text]) was the most frequent type of pneumonia diagnosis. There were 1110 episodes of physiotherapy care, with patients receiving a median of 13.5 (IQR 6.8–21.3) episodes during their ICU stay, with a median rate of 1.2 (IQR 1.0–1.6) episodes per day. Over 96.7% of patients with pneumonia received physiotherapy treatment during their ICU stay. Overall, physiotherapy treatments consisting only of respiratory techniques were most commonly provided (55.1%, [Formula: see text]). Airway suctioning (92.4%, [Formula: see text]), patient positioning (72.7%, [Formula: see text]) or positioning advice to nurses (77.3%, [Formula: see text]), and hyperinflation techniques (63.6%, [Formula: see text]) were among the respiratory techniques most delivered.

Conclusion: This study described the current intensive care physiotherapy management in a single center for adults with pneumonia who required invasive mechanical ventilation, demonstrating that respiratory physiotherapy interventions are often provided for this ICU patient cohort. Further research is warranted to determine the efficacy of respiratory physiotherapy interventions to justify their use for ICU patients with pneumonia receiving invasive mechanical ventilation.
THE INFLUENCE OF NON-FINANCIAL RESOURCES ON HIGH POTENTIAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN UGANDA
Authors: SSERWANGA ARTHUR , KICONCO REBECCA , AGASHA ESTER , KYOMUHENDO BRENDA
Published: April 2022

It often has been argued that entrepreneurs in developing countries can be classified as either “survival” or “growth-oriented.” However, there is little systematic knowledge about the classification of entrepreneurs and their predictors in developing countries. Recently, scholars have distinguished high potential entrepreneurs from low potential entrepreneurs, given that high potential entrepreneurs recognize and effectively exploit opportunities. In Uganda, high potential entrepreneurs have access to more resources than low potential entrepreneurs. However, the literature does not clarify whether access to resources influences entrepreneurship classifications, especially in a developing country context. We surveyed more than 700 entrepreneurs in Uganda to establish how resources influence entrepreneurship classification. In this paper, we attempt to investigate how psychology and other human and social resources influence forms of entrepreneurship.
Portfolio Optimization of Uncertain Random Returns based on Partial Exponential Entropy
Authors: Liu Jin , Ahmadzade Hamed , Zarei Hassan
Published: April 2022

Partial entropy is a device to measure uncertainty of an uncertain random variable. In order to characterize indeterminacy of uncertain random variables, the concept of partial exponential entropy for uncertain random variables is presented. By invoking inverse uncertainty distribution, we derive a formula for computing partial exponential entropy for uncertain random variables. As an application of partial exponential entropy, portfolio selection problems for uncertain random returns are optimized via partial entropy-mean models. For better understanding, several examples are provided.
Explaining Black-box Predictions by Generating Local Meaningful Perturbations
Authors: Verma Tejaswani , Lingenfelder Christoph , Klakow Dietrich
Published: April 2022

Generating explanations of predictions made by machine learning models is a difficult task, especially for black-box models. One possible way to explain an individual decision or recommendation for a given instance is to build an interpretable local surrogate for the underlying black-box model in the vicinity of the given instance. This approach has been adopted by many algorithms, for example LIME and LEAFAGE. These algorithms suffer from shortcomings, strict assumptions and prerequisites, which not only limit their applicability but also affect black-box fidelity of their local approximations. We present ways to overcome their shortcomings including the definition of neighborhood, removal of prerequisites and assumption of linearity in local model. The main contribution of this paper is a novel algorithm (LEMP) which provides explanation for the given instance by building a surrogate model using generated perturbations in the neighborhood of the given instance as training data. Experiments show that our approach is more widely applicable and generates interpretable models with better fidelity to the underlying black-box model than previous algorithms.
Use of AI to Help Researchers Improve their Research Funding Capacities, Relevance, and Performance
Authors: Spyroglou Odysseas , Yildirim Cagri , Koumpis Adamantios
Published: April 2022

Researchers and scientists face globally, and parallel to their core research activities, increased pressure to successfully lead or participate in fundraising activities. The field has been experiencing fierce competition with success rates of proposals falling dramatically down, while the complexity of the funding instruments and the need for acquiring a wide understanding of issues related to impacts, research priorities in connection to wider national and transnational (e.g. EU-wide) policy aspects, increase discomfort levels for the individual researchers and scientists. In this paper, we suggest the use of transdisciplinary AI tools to support (semi-)- automation of several steps of the application and proposal preparation processes.
Compressed-Domain ECG-based Biometric User Identification Using Task-Driven Dictionary Learning
Authors: Sun Ting-Wei , Ali Danish , Wu Ayeu (Andy)
Published: April 2022

In recent years, user identification has become crucial for authorized machine access. Electrocardiography (ECG) is a new and rising biometrics signature. Rather than traditional biological traits, ECG cannot be easily imitated. In the long-term monitoring system, the wireless wearable ECG biomedical sensor nodes are resource-limited. Recently, compressive sensing (CS) technology is extensively applied to reduce the power of data transmission and acquisition. The prior CS-based reconstruction process aims at improving energy efficiency with different schemes, and they focus on the performance of reconstruction only. Therefore, we present a sparse coding-based classifier, trained by task-driven dictionary learning (TDDL), to realize low-complexity user identification in compressed-domain directly. TDDL is one of the dictionary learning and designed for classification tasks. It co-optimizes the dictionary and classifier weighting simultaneously, which gives better accuracy. In this article, we are proposing a TDDL-based compression learning algorithm for ECG biometric user identification as this directly identifies user identity (ID) without undergoing reconstruction process and conventional classifier. It can extract necessary information from the compressed-ECG signal directly to save the system power and computational complexity. The algorithm has 2%–10% accuracy improvements compared with state-of-the-art algorithms and maintains low complexity at the same time. Our proposed TDDL-CL will be the better choice in the long-term wearable ECG biometric devices.
Pervasive Pose Estimation for Fall Detection
Authors: Luo Jiaqing , Bai Ruiyu , He Suining , Shin Kang G.
Published: April 2022

Falls are the second leading cause of accidental or unintentional injuries/deaths worldwide. Accurate pose estimation using commodity mobile devices will help early detection and injury assessment of falls, which are essential for the first aid of elderly falls. By following the definition of fall, we propose a
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ervasive
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ose
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imation scheme for fall detection (
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), which measures changes in tilt angle and height of the human body. For the tilt measurement,

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leverages the pointing of the mobile device, e.g., the smartphone, when unlocking to associate the
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exploits the fact that the person’s height remains unchanged while walking to calibrate the pressure difference between the device and the floor. We have prototyped and tested

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in various situations and environments. Our extensive experimental results have demonstrated that

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can track the body orientation irrespective of which pocket the phone is placed in. More importantly, it enables the phone’s barometer to detect falls in various environments with decimeter-level accuracy.
Adversarial Attack Protection Scalar Multiplication for WSNs Resistance Machine-Learning Side-channel Attack
Authors: Yang Weizhong
Published: April 2022

Wireless sensor networks (WSNs) have limited storage and low processing capabilities. However, these devices may be captured by opponents, so the security requirements are particularly strict. With the development of side-channel attacks based on the machine-learning, designing a safe elliptic curve scalar multiplication for computing-limited devices like WSNs has become a major challenge. Based on the adversarial attack technology, a secure scalar multiplication is proposed in this article. The main contributions are: (1) We propose an efficient non-zero form (NZF) encoding algorithm that can be applied to various types of elliptic curves; (2) we have designed a secure scalar multiplication algorithm that can resist against conventional side-channel attacks such as SPA, DA, DPA, RPA, and ZPA; and (3) we propose an adversarial protection mechanism based on blind point technology and NZF coding, which can prevent side-channel attacks based on machine learning. The algorithm has no precomputation and is suitable for low communication frequency, low calculation amount, and high security requirements. Especially, it can be applied to lightweight equipment such as WSN and IoT.
Active Prolonged Engagement EXpanded (APEX): A Toolkit for Supporting Evidence-Based Iterative Design Decisions for Collaborative, Embodied Museum Exhibits
Authors: Long Duri , McKlin Tom , Boone Nylah Akua Adjei , Dean Dezarae , Garoufalidis Mirina , Magerko Brian
Published: April 2022

This article presents Active Prolonged Engagement eXpanded (APEX), a framework and toolkit for informing evidence-based decisions about the iterative design of embodied, collaborative museum exhibits. We provide an overview of APEX, a framework that builds on both prior work and experimentally derived data to provide an understanding of how visitors' physical, social, emotional, and intellectual engagement transform during the course of their interaction with an exhibit. We present two case studies demonstrating how to apply APEX in practice, analyzing video recordings of participant interactions with different design iterations of TuneTable-an interactive exhibit for co-creative computational music-making-at both a macro- and micro-level. In the case studies, we explore how APEX reveals important features of participant interaction that suggest implications and directions for design. Finally, we present a toolkit of resources to aid researchers in operationalizing APEX as a framework for video analysis, in-situ observation, and iterative design and evaluation.
Assessing the Fairness of AI Systems: AI Practitioners' Processes, Challenges, and Needs for Support
Authors: Madaio Michael , Egede Lisa , Subramonyam Hariharan , Wortman Vaughan Jennifer , Wallach Hanna
Published: April 2022

Various tools and practices have been developed to support practitioners in identifying, assessing, and mitigating fairness-related harms caused by AI systems. However, prior research has highlighted gaps between the intended design of these tools and practices and their use within particular contexts, including gaps caused by the role that organizational factors play in shaping fairness work. In this paper, we investigate these gaps for one such practice: disaggregated evaluations of AI systems, intended to uncover performance disparities between demographic groups. By conducting semi-structured interviews and structured workshops with thirty-three AI practitioners from ten teams at three technology companies, we identify practitioners' processes, challenges, and needs for support when designing disaggregated evaluations. We find that practitioners face challenges when choosing performance metrics, identifying the most relevant direct stakeholders and demographic groups on which to focus, and collecting datasets with which to conduct disaggregated evaluations. More generally, we identify impacts on fairness work stemming from a lack of engagement with direct stakeholders or domain experts, business imperatives that prioritize customers over marginalized groups, and the drive to deploy AI systems at scale.
Trial by File Formats: Exploring Public Defenders' Challenges Working with Novel Surveillance Data
Authors: Warren Rachel B. , Salehi Niloufar
Published: April 2022

In the United States, public defenders (lawyers assigned to people accused of crimes who cannot afford a private attorney) serve as an essential bulwark against wrongful arrest and incarceration for low-income and marginalized people. Public defenders have long been overworked and under-resourced. However, these issues have been compounded by increases in the volume and complexity of data in modern criminal cases. We explore the technology needs of public defenders through a series of semi-structured interviews with public defenders and those who work with them. We find that public defenders' ability to reason about novel surveillance data is woefully inadequate not only due to a lack of resources and knowledge, but also due to the structure of the criminal justice system, which gives prosecutors and police (in partnership with private companies) more control over the type of information used in criminal cases than defense attorneys. We find that public defenders may be able to create fairer situations for their clients with better tools for data interpretation and access. Therefore, we call on technologists to attend to the needs of public defenders and the people they represent when designing systems that collect data about people. Our findings illuminate constraints that technologists and privacy advocates should consider as they pursue solutions. In particular, our work complicates notions of individual privacy as the only value in protecting users' rights, and demonstrates the importance of data interpretation alongside data visibility. As data sources become more complex, control over the data cannot be separated from access to the experts and technology to make sense of that data. The growing surveillance data ecosystem may systematically oppress not only those who are most closely observed, but groups of people whose communities and advocates have been deprived of the storytelling power over their information.