bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Regulation of SMC Gene Expression and Splicing Predict Causal CAD Genes
Authors: Aherrahrou Rédouane , Lue Dillon , Perry R. Noah , Aberra Yonathan Tamrat , Khan Mohammad Daud , Soh Joon Yuhl , Örd Tiit , Singha Prosanta , Yang Qianyi , Gilani Huda , Benavente Ernest Diez , Wong Doris , Hinkle Jameson , Ma Lijiang , Sheynkman Gloria M. , den Ruijter Hester M. , Miller Clint L. , Björkegren Johan L.M. , Kaikkonen Minna U. , Civelek Mete
Published: January 2023

Background:

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death worldwide. Recent meta-analyses of genome-wide association studies have identified over 175 loci associated with CAD. The majority of these loci are in noncoding regions and are predicted to regulate gene expression. Given that vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) play critical roles in the development and progression of CAD, we aimed to identify the subset of the CAD loci associated with the regulation of transcription in distinct SMC phenotypes.

Methods:

We measured gene expression in SMCs isolated from the ascending aortas of 151 heart transplant donors of various genetic ancestries in quiescent or proliferative conditions and calculated the association of their expression and splicing with ~6.3 million imputed single-nucleotide polymorphism markers across the genome.

Results:

We identified 4910 expression and 4412 splicing quantitative trait loci (sQTLs) representing regions of the genome associated with transcript abundance and splicing. A total of 3660 expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) had not been observed in the publicly available Genotype-Tissue Expression dataset. Further, 29 and 880 eQTLs were SMC-specific and sex-biased, respectively. We made these results available for public query on a user-friendly website. To identify the effector transcript(s) regulated by CAD loci, we used 4 distinct colocalization approaches. We identified 84 eQTL and 164 sQTL that colocalized with CAD loci, highlighting the importance of genetic regulation of mRNA splicing as a molecular mechanism for CAD genetic risk. Notably, 20% and 35% of the eQTLs were unique to quiescent or proliferative SMCs, respectively. One CAD locus colocalized with a sex-specific eQTL (
TERF2IP
), and another locus colocalized with SMC-specific eQTL (
ALKBH8
). The most significantly associated CAD locus, 9p21, was an sQTL for the long noncoding RNA
CDKN2B-AS1
, also known as
ANRIL
, in proliferative SMCs.

Conclusions:

Collectively, our results provide evidence for the molecular mechanisms of genetic susceptibility to CAD in distinct SMC phenotypes.
The Unfolding Illiberalism in Hungary
Authors: Drinóczi Tímea
Published: January 2023

The emerging literature on illiberalisms offers a framework for detecting whether or not a special Hungarian illiberalism has been unfolding. Over the last 12 years, Hungary’s former liberal constitutionalist nature has been changed to illiberal constitutionalism. This transformation of the constitutional system recently culminated with the fourth consecutive electoral victory of Viktor Orbán in April 2022. Nevertheless, the possible ideological nature of Orbán’s regime has been understudied so far. Drawing on some newly published literature on illiberalisms, I claim that changes in electoral law (2014), the revised approach to the relationship between EU law and domestic law (2016 and 2021), and identity rights (2013, 2019–2020), along with the preceding political narratives, can be viewed as seeds from which a special, state-driven illiberalism has been growing in Hungary. If it is so, it could be concluded that Hungarian illiberalism is based on and the result of two factors: i) the translation of illiberal speech into the language of the law, and ii) the creation of intertwined identities for the constitution, the state, and citizens, which are based on (ethno)nationalism, sovereigntism, traditionalism and heteronormativity against mainly EU obligations and Western values.
Depicting What Cannot Be Heard? A Preliminary Study of Diagrams in Greek Harmonic Theory
Authors: Weddigen Anne
Published: January 2023

This paper considers the shape and function of musical diagrams transmitted in ancient musical treatises, focusing on two main types of musical diagrams. The first of them is the canon-diagram. It originates in arithmetical visualization habits, and shows great variety of degrees ranging from a realistic schema of a tool to an abstract mathematical proof. The second object under investigation is the Lambda-shaped diagram, only described in Greek commentaries to the Timaeus, but handed down to us in its graphical version through the Latin tradition well known to Renaissance scholars.

These two examples show the strong and interwoven link between theoretical thinking and diagrammatic visualization as a support for abstraction. As one of the quadrivial arts, music’s borrowing from mathematical tools is not surprising; but their application shaped music-theory as a whole and left a long-lasting mark on the perception of ancient Greek music.
To Exaggerate Data at All Costs: Data-Driven Fan Culture, Platforms, and the Remaking of the New Poor in China
Authors: Hou Jiaxi
Published: January 2023

Among Chinese fans of ‘traffic celebrities’ (liuliang mingxing 流量明星), generating excessive data either on digital platforms or various sales charts to inflate a specific entertainer’s popularity has become a normalized ritual to demonstrate their fan identity. The so-called fandom economy effectively mobilizes fans from diverse socio-economic backgrounds to consume and participate, thus generating tremendous revenue. Although some fans can easily satisfy their consumerist desire for being economically powerful and socially successful, many others – who are seduced by the communitas of fan activism and agency as consumers – cannot or are not yet fully able to afford this lifestyle. Based on data from an eighteen-month ethnography, this study unpacks how these fans are seduced and, to some extent, included but still exploited in the transitional Chinese consumer society as what Bauman calls the ‘new poor’, for whom digital platforms have become a new structuring nexus and transform the existing power dynamics.
Assessing the Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on the Welfare and on the Behavior of Puppies and Dogs in Ireland
Authors: Walsh Elizabeth Ann
Published: January 2023

The popularity of puppies/dogs as companions/playmates/walking buddies was highlighted in Ireland with COVID-19 restrictions in March/2020, when the demand for puppies/dogs increased as people were confined to within 2/km of their homes. However, what was the rational supporting this trend, the influences/research undertaken by prospective owners? Two online-surveys were conducted, targeting veterinarians and behaviorists to establish motivation/attitude to owning dogs and behavioral issues being presented. Interviews by phone were conducted with the Dublin Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Dog’s Trust and three Italian shelters for comparison purposes, to investigate the welfare of dogs during restrictions. An Garda Síochána (the National Police Service of Ireland) were contacted, to clarify the situation, in relation to dog theft and domestic abuse, which is strongly associated with animal abuse. Many factors may have influenced/impacted the epigenetic development of the behavior and resulting welfare of puppies/dogs, during this period.
A Taxonomic Revision of the Neotropical Genus Martiodendron (Fabaceae: Dialioideae)
Authors: FALCÃO MARCUS JOSÉ DE AZEVEDO , TORKE BENJAMIN M. , GARCIA GABRIEL SANTOS , DA SILVA GUILHERME SOUSA , MANSANO VIDAL DE FREITAS
Published: January 2023

Martiodendron (Leguminosae/Fabaceae) is a Neotropical genus of trees and shrubs comprising five species. It is characterized by its yellow pentamerous corolla, four to five long poricidal anthers and large, attractive red samaras; it represents an intermediate stage of floral reduction among the 17 genera of the subfamily Dialioideae, which display diverse floral morphologies including different types of reduced flowers in the perianth and androecium. The last taxonomic revision of Martiodendron was published some 60 years ago and there is frequent misidentification of specimens in herbaria, databases, and floristic works with mistreatment of taxa and unclear geographic distributions. Thus, circumscriptions of the species and varieties of the genus require reassessment in light of the substantial new data that has become available during the last several decades. Here, we synthesized morphological, geographical, and ecological data on the genus to produce a modern integrative taxonomic treatment. Our taxonomic concepts are underpinned by analysis of 352 herbarium specimens and substantial fieldwork in South America. We recognize five species and four varieties of Martiodendron. All of these taxa display high levels of morphological and geographical cohesion. One of the varieties, M. mediterraneum var. concinnum, is described as new to science. Detailed descriptions of each recognized taxa are accompanied by illustrations, distribution maps, conservation status assessments, and complete nomenclatural treatments with four new lectotypifications. An identification key and a morphometric analysis of fruits are also provided.
Cyperaceae of Ukraine: taxonomy and linear classification
Authors: DANYLYK IVAN M. , KOOPMAN JACOB
Published: January 2023

In this research the family Cyperaceae in Ukraine has critically been revised. An up-to-date classification of all taxa is presented, i.e. one subfamily (Cyperoideae), 13 tribes, 16 genera, and 148 species. The genus Cyperus s.l. includes now Acorellus, Dichostylis, Juncellus, Mariscus, Pycreus, and Torulinium, which were previously considered as separate genera. However, the genera Schoenoplectus and Schoenoplectiella are listed by us as recognised taxa. A new combination in the rank of section, Hostianae (Carex: Cariceae), is given. The basic unit of our classification is the species, although subspecies and varieties are indicated to cover intraspecific heterogeneity when necessary.
Molecular phylogeny and morphological characterization of Paramicrothyrium bambusae sp. nov. and Tumidispora thailandica sp. nov. from leaf litter
Authors: TENNAKOON DANUSHKA S. , HONGSANAN SINANG , DE SILVA NIMALI I. , SUWANNARACH NAKARIN , LUMYONG SAISAMORN
Published: January 2023

During our ongoing studies of fungal diversity on leaf litter, two exciting species were collected from Thailand. Morphological examination coupled with phylogenetic analyses revealed that our species belongs to Paramicrothyrium and Tumidispora in Microthyriaceae. Maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony, and Bayesian analyses of combined internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and large nuclear subunit ribosomal DNA (LSU) sequence data were performed to clarify the phylogenetic affinities of the species. Based on their distinctive morphological traits and phylogenetic support, the new species Paramicrothyrium bambusae and Tumidispora thailandica were introduced. In addition, the new species were compared with phylogenetically and morphologically closely related species, and detailed descriptions, micrographs, and phylogenetic trees of the new species are provided.
The Deep Arctic Ocean and Fram Strait in CMIP6 Models
Authors: Heuzé Céline , Zanowski Hannah , Karam Salar , Muilwijk Morven
Published: January 2023

Arctic sea ice loss has become a symbol of ongoing climate change, yet climate models still struggle to reproduce it accurately, let alone predict it. A reason for this is the increasingly clear role of the ocean, especially that of the “Atlantic layer,” on sea ice processes. We here quantify biases in that Atlantic layer and the Arctic Ocean deeper layers in 14 representative models that participated in phase 6 of the Climate Model Intercomparison Project. Compared to observational climatologies and hydrographic profiles, the modeled Atlantic layer core is on average too cold by −0.4°C and too deep by 400 m in the Nansen Basin. The Atlantic layer is too thick, extending to the seafloor in some models. Deep and bottom waters are in contrast too warm by 1.1° and 1.2°C. Furthermore, the modeled properties hardly change throughout the Arctic. We attribute these biases to an inaccurate representation of shelf processes: only three models seem to produce dense water overflows, at too few locations, and these do not sink deep enough. No model compensates with open ocean deep convection. Therefore, the properties are set by the inaccurate volume fluxes through Fram Strait, biased low by up to 6 Sv (1 Sv ≡ 106 m3 s−1), but coupled to a too-warm Fram Strait, resulting in a somewhat accurate heat inflow. These fluxes are related to biases in the Nordic seas, themselves previously attributed to inaccurate sea ice extent and atmospheric modes of variability, thus highlighting the need for overall improvements in the different model components and their coupling.

Significance Statement

Coupled climate models are routinely used for climate change projection and adaptation, but they are only as good as the data used to create them. And in the deep Arctic, those data are scarce. We determine how biased 14 of the most recent models are regarding the deep Arctic Ocean and the Arctic’s only deep gateway, Fram Strait (between Greenland and Svalbard). These models are very biased: too cold where they should be warm, too warm where they should be cold, not stratified enough, not in contact with the surface as they should, moving the wrong way around the Arctic, etc. Some problems are induced by biases in regions outside of the Arctic and/or from the sea ice models.
The Myth of Social Mobility: Subjective Social Mobility and Mental Health
Authors: Kim Taewon , Shein Brenda , Joy Eileen E. , Murphy Patrick K. , Allan Blake A.
Published: January 2023

A common assumption is that upward mobility produces positive psychological outcomes. However, status-based identity framework and social class worldview model propose that perceived social mobility in either direction will lead to increased distress. Based on this claim, we examined relations among subjective social mobility, life satisfaction, and mental health using polynomial regression with response surface mapping. In Study 1, groups that experienced both subjective downward and upward mobility reported more depressive symptomatology than groups that remained in middle or upper social statuses in a sample of 567 adults. We did not find significant relations between subjective social mobility and life satisfaction. In Study 2, both groups that experienced subjective downward and upward mobility reported more depressive and academic distress symptomatology than groups that remained in middle or upper social social statuses in a sample of 7,598 clients from college counseling center data. The results provide insights relevant to multicultural counseling and training.
Influence of the bevel and steeple triggers on crashworthiness of carbon fiber-reinforced composite channel section structure
Authors: Lv Rui , Ren Yiru
Published: January 2023

To induce the progressive crushing of composite channel section structure (CCSS), the bevel and steeple trigger are proposed and designed. A nonlinear damage model considering both damage initiation and evolution of intra-ply and inter-ply is developed. The damage initiation and stiffness degradation processes of intra-ply are predicted by the maximum stress criterion and an exponential evolution law, respectively. The adhesion behavior between adjacent plies is modeled following the surface-based cohesive contact method, and the delamination failure behaviors of inter-ply are predicted using the traction-separation model. The effects of different configurations of bevel and steeple trigger on the energy absorption characteristics of CCSSs subjected to quasi-static axial loading are compared and analyzed. The results show the initial peak load of CCSS using the bevel and steeple trigger has a negative correlation function with the bevel angle. The steeple trigger can induce progressive crushing of the structure and significantly enhance the specific energy absorption (SEA).
Morphological, mechanical, and color strength properties of infrared dyed pineapple leaf fibers
Authors: Mohd Amin Anis Nazahah , Ruznan Wan Syazehan , Suhaimi Suraya Ahmad , Mohd Yusof Nor Juliana , Ab Kadir Muhammad Ismail , Mohd Nor Mohd Azlin
Published: January 2023

The enormous number of pineapple plantations in Malaysia are dominated by small to large agronomists governed by the Malaysian Pineapple Industrial Board, which addresses almost all pineapple industry-related issues. In Malaysia, more than 147,000 hectares of land are utilized for pineapple plantations, which create 65 tons of residue per hectare. Consequently, the waste production comes from the long leaves of the harvested mother plants of pineapples that are cut off to allow the young sucker to grow freely, which then can be found abundantly. However, the handling practice for pineapple leaf waste in Malaysia is still poorly managed. Realizing the importance of this issue, as an alternative to reduce waste, fibers from pineapple leaves were extracted and dyed to improve the aesthetic value and marketability of pineapple leaf fiber by adding dyeing substrates using a low energy consumption dyeing approach. Two different techniques of dyeing were used to investigate the morphological, mechanical, color strength, and colorfastness properties of dyed pineapple leaf fibers. The dyeing of pineapple leaf fibers was investigated using C.I. reactive blue 5, C.I reactive red 11, and C.I Reactive yellow 86 at different concentrations. As a result, the characterization of dyed pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) showed that the dyeing process modified the original structure of PALF but no significant differences were observed on dyed PALF in the comparison of each dyeing technique. In addition, under optimized conditions of two dyeing techniques dyed PALF presented lower breaking strength, whereas comparable breaking strength value was gained with each technique. Fibers of both dyeing techniques displayed interesting color findings with excellent colorfastness to washing, lightfastness, and good colorfastness to perspiration. The infrared dyeing method resulted in similar and better dyeing behavior compared to exhaustion dyeing techniques. This method could further be refined by considering the production of textile materials, which can provide alternative to the usage of highly expensive silk fibers in the songket making industry.
Study of color reproduction in pigment digital printing
Authors: Li Yujia , Zhang Xin , Yang Liu , Zhang Ruiyun , Li Rui
Published: January 2023

In pigment ink digital printing, the color difference between the original and the printed product can be visible due to the varied color gamut of devices and the impact of fabric characteristics on the color-presenting effect. To improve the color reproduction accuracy of digital printing, two methods, the full-process optimized (FPO) method and the neural network aided original adjustment (NNAOA) method, were proposed to reduce printing color difference during the color-transferring process. The FPO method, based on accounting for the fabric type and the characteristics of the printing machine, was proposed by optimizing the printing parameter settings in the color management process. Here, the optimal single-channel ink limit was determined and dot gain was compensated using the inverse function correction method, and then the International Color Consortium profile was generated. After using the FPO method, the color difference between the printed sample and the original was reduced from 20.8 to 5.254 compared with performing the original color management. To reduce the reliance on personal experience in color adjustment, the NNAOA method was proposed and implemented for 20 color patches with the largest color differences in the FPO method, allowing the color of the originals to be adjusted with the establishment of the general regression neural network model. This method predicted the input CMYK values of the original using measured L*a*b* values for the printed sample. The results showed that the color difference of the 20 color patches was reduced from 8.54 to 6.60. Consequently, both methods offered distinguishable improvements in the color reproduction effect.
The carbon fiber/epoxy composites toughened by fire-resistant glass fiber veils: Flammability and mechanical performance
Authors: Nie Lei , Li Jiawei , Yan Xiaofei , Zhu Chenkai , Yang Xiaoming , Li Yaobang , Qi Dongming
Published: January 2023

The fire-retardant properties of high-performance fiber-reinforced composites are the crucial benchmark for composite structure stability. However, in the current flame-retardant solution for composites it is difficult to reach the balance between fire resistance and structural performance due to the deteriorating composite interface. In this work, the carbon fiber-reinforced composite was covered with functional glass fiber layers, in which the glass fiber veil had been treated with flame-retardant agents and silicone-modified waterborne polyurethane, in order to be endowed with flame-retardant capability and structure toughness. As such, a significant improvement in the flame retardancy and mechanical structure of the composites could be observed. When compared with the control, the total heat release and total smoke release for composites with 8% silicone-modified waterborne polyurethane treatment could be decreased by 18.5% and 18.1%, while the tensile and flexural strength were significantly increased by 47.3% and 62.2%, respectively. This well-balanced performance is attributable to the structure design with a toughened glass fiber veil to protect the composite surfaces from fire combustion and structure failure. Therefore, this flame-retardant structure design provides a new strategy to achieve high-performance composites with prospective applications for aircraft and aerospace.
The clinical assessment of foreign body ingestions: Experience in a developing country
Authors: Barnett Francis , Duncan Alfred , Ramsay Zachary , Ramsay Taralee , Simmons Quincy , Brooks Tracey-Ann , Channer Guyan
Published: January 2023

Foreign body (FB) ingestion is an important emergency in low- to middle-income countries. Our study sought to identify which clinical and radiological findings best predict upper gastrointestinal FB impaction. Amongst 149 adolescents and adults presenting to two Jamaican hospitals between 2018 and 2020, FB's were found at 31% of telescopic laryngoscopies and 60% of rigid oesophagoscopies. Commonest sites of impaction were the tonsils at laryngoscopy (15/46) and proximal oesophagus at oesophagoscopy (17/22). Odds of pharyngeal impaction were higher with fish bone ingestion, persistent discomfort, perceived location of discomfort above the cricoid cartilage and symptoms noted during a meal. Persistent discomfort and FB shadow on X-ray imaging produced higher odds of oesophageal impaction. Simple clinical and radiological assessments are useful in predicting FB impaction in resource-limited settings.
Full prediction cascade control of permanent magnet toroidal motor with time-varying parameters
Authors: Liu Xin , Wang Zhengyang , Wang Xiaoyuan
Published: January 2023

This paper presents the modeling and predictive control of permanent magnet toroidal motor (PMTM). Based on the spatial structure characteristics and working principle of toroidal motor, the time-varying inductance parameters are derived. The nonlinear mathematical model of toroidal motor is established in rotating coordinate system. The output fluctuation of the toroidal motor is analyzed. To improve the output performance of toroidal motor, the full predictive cascade speed and current control (F-MPC) strategy for toroidal motor is proposed. For F-MPC of toroidal motor, the finite control set model predictive current control (FCS-MPCC) strategy with delay compensation is adopted in current inner loop, and the deadbeat model predictive speed control (DB-MPSC) strategy is adopted in speed outer loop. Meanwhile, to achieve DB-MPSC, the reduced-order Luenberger observer is designed to obtain load torque in real time. F-MPC is the combination of current-speed prediction and Luenberger observer; it can overcome the limitation of excessive parameter adjustment of traditional cascade PI (Proportional Integral) controller. The simulation results show that compared with FOC (Field Oriented Control) and FCS-MPCC, F-MPC can improve the dynamic response and anti-interference performance of toroidal motor, and it can also reduce the fluctuation of output speed and torque significantly.
Transforming metadata content guidelines and instructions to linked data
Authors: Taniguchi Shoichi , Hashizume Akiko
Published: January 2023

Among metadata-related standards, data content standards like metadata guidelines and instructions for creating metadata still remain in legacy forms. This study investigates a way to transform data content standards to linked data (LD) through conversion from other formats, while referring to the proposed layered framework. Under the basic policies for making LD on which this study is based, several principal matters were examined: (a) defining units to be assigned with Universal Resource Identifiers (URIs), (b) defining relationships among the instructions with URIs and (c) expressing instructed content in instructions properly with certain Resource Description Framework (RDF) properties. With the proper choice(s) for each matter, some actual standards were converted to LD: Resource Description and Access (RDA) and Dublin Core User Guide. The results showed that the adopted way of transforming data content standards to LD is valid and proper, and the resultant LD would be expected to be utilised in various manners.
Hate speech in the Internet context: Unpacking the roles of Internet penetration, online legal regulation, and online opinion polarization from a transnational perspective
Authors: Liu Zikun , Luo Chen , Lu Jia
Published: January 2023

Hate speech has plagued human societies for decades and severely influenced the whole world. By analyzing a balanced panel dataset covering 167 countries and 19 years derived from the V-Dem project, the relationships between critical Internet context indicators and online hate speech were disentangled, casting light on how to tackle the hate speech problem on a global scale. We found that Internet penetration was positively associated with online hate speech in general, confirming Internet's technological affordances have the potential to facilitate hate speech expression. Online legal regulation was negatively related to online hate speech but had no significant moderating effect between Internet penetration and online hate speech, reflecting an underlying tension among legal approaches’ comprehensive effects. Online opinion polarization was positively related to online hate speech and significantly moderated the relationship between Internet penetration and online hate speech, which indicated that a polarized opinion atmosphere might exacerbate hate speech and intensify intergroup conflicts. Our findings’ theoretical contributions and policy implications are further discussed.
Working Conditions Affecting Home Care Workers’ Stress and Turnover Intention
Authors: Lee Samsik , Oh Gyeongrim
Published: January 2023

This study explored how working conditions influence the psychological outcomes of paid family and non-family home care workers, focusing on the interaction between institutional and recipient effects. Using data from the 2019 Korean Long-Term Care Survey (N = 998), we performed regression analyses on home care workers’ stress and turnover intention. For both types of home care-workers, inadequate working conditions and high occupational hazards influenced stress, while good working conditions and low occupational hazards influenced turnover intention. Overall, the findings suggest that wages, working hours, and work intensity must be reformed in a home care-worker-friendly manner; the wages for home care workers must be raised to a level appropriate to their care work; the services provided by home care workers should be explicitly stipulated; and, to eliminate occupational hazards, environments for fostering cordial relationships between recipients and home care workers must be developed.
Rebel institutions and negotiated peace
Authors: Albert Karen
Published: January 2023

Civil wars are difficult to resolve through negotiated settlements. Rebel institutions are thought to make negotiations more successful. I show, however, that this positive association does not hold. Rather, rebel service provision is negatively correlated with successful negotiated settlements. The well-established literature on commitment problems suggests that negotiated settlements are not reached because governments end negotiations amidst fears of rebel growth from civilian support derived from service provision. I offer an alternative explanation—strategic stalling—based on rebel incentives to realize the full long-term benefits of service provision. Qualitative evidence shows that observable implications of strategic stalling are observed in the cases surveyed.
What’s with the water: The nature of reporting on the problem of nitrates in Nebraska
Authors: Walsh Jessica Fargen , Perreault Mildred
Published: January 2023

This article examines how 22 Nebraska newspapers and a wire service covered nitrate contamination in Nebraska’s groundwater over nearly 4 years. We found coverage lacked depth and examined a few solutions although 88% of Nebraskans get drinking water from the ground. Reliance on fertilizer and irrigation for crop production leads to groundwater contamination, making this a concerning coverage gap as climate change impacts promise to make farming more challenging and increase environmental risks.
Assessment of variables determining the health management departments’ efficiency with analytical hierarchy process
Authors: Yesilaydin Gozde , Tarcan Menderes
Published: January 2023

This study was conducted to determine the variables that play a role in the efficiency of Health Management departments in Turkey and the ranking of them in order of importance. These variables were determined by systematic analysis. The Prisma method was used in the systematic analysis approach. Input and output variables used in studies assessing the efficiency of higher education institutions in the literature were listed. The ranking of these variables was determined by Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method. The questionnaire used for the AHP analysis and the judgments of 127 academicians working in Health Management Departments in universities in Turkey were assessed. The first three input variables found as a result of the AHP were “the number of registered undergraduate students per faculty member”, “the number of faculty members”, and “the number of other academic staff”. The most important three output variables included “the number of articles searched on SCI, SSCI, SCI-E”, “the number of papers presented in international congresses”, and “the count of publications published in international peer-reviewed journals”. To achieve positive developments in the efficiency of Health Management Departments, it is recommended to carry out studies to increase the number of qualified publications.
Powder reusability in Metal Binder Jetting
Authors: Bidare Prveen , Abdullah Raja , Jiménez Amaia , Essa Khamis
Published: January 2023

Metal binder jetting is a potential mass-production additive manufacturing technique that enables faster production of complex structures with isotropic material properties. In metal binder jetting, the quality of parts is heavily influenced by the powder characteristics, and even small variations in powder feedstock can result in poor-quality parts. Powder management is crucial in this technology because the powder is processed in a high-humidity environment in the machine, and the binder is mixed with the powder as well. In this paper, the characteristics of 316l and 17-4PH stainless steel powders under the machine atmosphere and their reusability are studied in detail. Powder samples were taken from the build box at a fixed interval of time and their moisture content, packing density, and morphology were analysed through scanning electron microscopy. Based on the results obtained, it was observed that moisture content of the powder increases with time up to a few hours when it gets constant. Additionally, it was observed that after the first reuse cycle of the powder, the finest powder particles almost disappear, which may have a detrimental effect on the density of the generated parts. Finally, the recycling of broken green parts was also investigated by means of a new approach. Taking into account that broken green parts are generally scrapped in metal binder jetting, the recyclability of this material could reduce the high material costs related to the process.
Intervention treatment distributions that depend on the observed treatment process and model double robustness in causal survival analysis
Authors: Wen Lan , Marcus Julia L. , Young Jessica G.
Published: January 2023

The generalized g-formula can be used to estimate the probability of survival under a sustained treatment strategy. When treatment strategies are deterministic, estimators derived from the so-called efficient influence function (EIF) for the g-formula will be doubly robust to model misspecification. In recent years, several practical applications have motivated estimation of the g-formula under non-deterministic treatment strategies where treatment assignment at each time point depends on the observed treatment process. In this case, EIF-based estimators may or may not be doubly robust. In this paper, we provide sufficient conditions to ensure the existence of doubly robust estimators for intervention treatment distributions that depend on the observed treatment process for point treatment interventions and give a class of intervention treatment distributions dependent on the observed treatment process that guarantee model doubly and multiply robust estimators in longitudinal settings. Motivated by an application to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) initiation studies, we propose a new treatment intervention dependent on the observed treatment process. We show there exist (1) estimators that are doubly and multiply robust to model misspecification and (2) estimators that when used with machine learning algorithms can attain fast convergence rates for our proposed intervention. Finally, we explore the finite sample performance of our estimators via simulation studies.
Can Smaller Powers Have Grand Strategies? The Case of Rwanda
Authors: Assamah Daniel , Yuan Shaoyu
Published: January 2023

The conventional wisdom is that grand strategy has always been a great power phenomenon, and previous scholars have predominantly focused on countries with great military and economic capabilities. In this article, we propose that smaller states can have a grand strategy, considering how the country deploys national resources in response to external challenges and opportunities, and how this is largely impacted by the country’s historical memory. We explore how Rwanda defines grand strategy as a country, followed by an examination of the country’s major external challenges and possibilities, and then a discussion of the national pathologies that drive Rwanda’s grand strategy and decision-making process. Finally, we analyze the critical instruments Rwanda employs in its grand strategy and how the African nation dealt with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Damage-based optimal control of steel moment-resisting frames equipped with tuned mass dampers
Authors: Khatibinia Mohsen , Akbari Sadegh , Yazdani Hessam , Gharehbaghi Sadjad
Published: January 2023

The efficacy of a tuned mass damper (TMD) in dissipating the seismic energy transmitted to a structure depends on the TMD’s and structure’s characteristics and the structural response(s) that the TMD is intended to control. This study presents an approach to designing TMDs considering seismic damage as a representative of structural response. Damage is quantified by the Park–Ang damage index, which integrates deformation-induced damages with the cumulative hysteretic energy dissipated by structural members. The design problem is formulated into an optimization framework. The objective function is assumed to be the maximum value of story damage averaged over an ensemble of independently applied, scaled historical ground motions, and constraints are defined such that an adjustably uniform distribution of the mean story damage along the height of the structure is achieved. The approach is demonstrated by finding the optimum design of a TMD for a 10-story inelastic steel moment-resisting frame (SMRF) using the passive congregation particle swarm and grey wolf optimization techniques and showing that the optimized TMD substantially mitigates local damage in beams and columns, achieves a more uniform damage distribution in stories, yields an improved balance of reduced drifts and accelerations in the structure, and reduces the seismic fragility of the SMRF at different performance levels.
When Is Masculinity “Fragile”? An Expectancy-Discrepancy-Threat Model of Masculine Identity
Authors: Stanaland Adam , Gaither Sarah , Gassman-Pines Anna
Published: January 2023

Academic Abstract

Manhood is a precarious social status. Under perceived gender identity threat, men are disproportionately likely to enact certain stereotype-consistent responses such as aggression to maintain their gender status. Yet less is known regarding individual variation in men’s threat responsiveness—that is, the psychological conditions under which one’s masculine identity is more or less “fragile.” We propose a novel model of masculine identity whereby masculine norm expectancy generates discrepancy within the self to the extent that rigid norms are internalized as obligational (actual-ought discrepancy) versus aspirational (actual-ideal discrepancy), which predict extrinsic versus intrinsic motivations to reduce these discrepancies, respectively. Under threat, then, extrinsic motivations predict externalized responses (e.g., aggression), and intrinsic motivations elicit internalized responses (e.g., anxiety, shame, self-harm). We also consider the conditions under which masculinity may be less fragile—for example, in contexts with less rigid expectations and among men who reject expectations—as pathways to mitigate adverse masculinity threat-related outcomes.

Public Abstract

In many cultures, men prove their manhood by engaging in behaviors that harm themselves and others (e.g., violence, sexism, homophobia), particularly people from marginalized groups. Yet less is known about why some men are more likely than others to enact these masculinity-proving behaviors. The goal of our model is to specify certain conditions under which masculinities become “fragile” and elicit these responses when under threat. We start by describing the rigid expectations men experience—for example, that they are strong and tough. We propose that these expectations cause men to experience different forms of discrepancy within themselves that produce corresponding motivations to reduce these discrepancies. Under threat, motivations driven by others’ expectations elicit outward attempts to restore masculine status (e.g., aggression), whereas motivations driven by self-ideals cause internalized responses (e.g., shame, self-harm). We conclude by discussing how to reduce these discrepancies, such as mitigating the rigidity of and encouraging men’s resistance to masculinity expectations.
Stress Induced Cortisol Release Depresses The Secretion of Testosterone in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: Khan Safir Ullah , Jannat Saba , Shaukat Hadia , Unab Shiza , Tanzeela  , Akram Maleeha , Khan Khattak Muhammad Nasir , Soto Monica Vizcara , Khan Muhammad Fiaz , Ali Amir , Rizvi Syed Shakeel Raza
Published: January 2023

Background:

Both hormonal and genetic data reveal that the stress hormone cortisol and its regulating genes may affect the level of testosterone in humans. It is uncertain whether type 2 diabetes mellitus would manifest similarly. Furthermore, a genetic strategy to screen out the stress system genes that may contribute to testosterone decline in humans is less understood.

Objectives:

In this study, we aimed to elucidate the link between stress and testosterone levels, both hormonally and genetically.

Method:

This study comprised 37 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 50 healthy individuals. For the analysis of hormones and the targeted genes, we used the RIA system and bioinformatics expertise.

Results:

The patients had significantly elevated cortisol and lower testosterone readings, according to data from hormonal analyses. The bioinformatics approach reveals that SHBG was intracellularly suppressed by 2 defined stress system genes: FKB5 and CYP17. TCF4/TCF8, ATRX, and AR in skeletal muscle were inversely related to stress system genes. Furthermore, all testosterone regulated genes were positively linked with SHBG in the current study. A strong relationship between GNAS and PKA with CYP17 and FKBP5 reveals that the Gαs-cAMP/PKA signaling pathway may be one of the regulatory pathways through which the suppression of testosterone system genes happens. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that beyond stress, the key stress system genes might affect cortisol levels, which in turn affect testosterone figures via the Gαs-cAMP/PKA signaling pathway.
Neurofilament light is associated with clinical outcome and hemorrhagic transformation in moderate to severe ischemic stroke
Authors: Rattanawong Wanakorn , Ongphichetmetha Tatchaporn , Hemachudha Thiravat , Thanapornsangsuth Poosanu
Published: January 2023

Background

Ischemic stroke is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. One possible predictor is the use of biomarkers especially neurofilament light chain (NFL).

Objectives

To explore whether NFL could predict clinical outcome and hemorrhagic transformation in moderate to severe stroke.

Design

Single center prospective cohort study.

Methods

Fifty-one moderate to severe ischemic stroke patients were recruited. Blood NFL was obtained from patients at admission (First sample) and 24-96 hours later (Second sample). NFL was analyzed with the ultrasensitive single molecule array (Simoa). Later, we calculated incremental rate NFL (IRN) by changes in NFL per day from baseline. We evaluated National Institute of Health stroke scale (NIHSS), modified Rankins score (mRs), and the presence of hemorrhagic transformation (HT).

Results

IRN was found to be higher in patients with unfavorable outcome (7.12 vs 24.07, P = .04) as well as Second sample (49.06 vs 71.41, P = .011), while NFL First sample was not significant. IRN had a great correlation with mRS (r = .552, P < .001). Univariate logistic regression model showed OR of IRN and Second sample to be 1.081 (95% CI 1.016-1.149, P = .013) and 1.019 (1.002-1.037, P = .03), respectively. Multiple logistic regression model has shown to be significant. In receiver operating analysis, IRN, Second sample, combined IRN with NIHSS and combined Second sample with NIHSS showed AUC (.744, P = .004; 0.713, P = .01; 0.805, P < .001; 0.803, P < .001, respectively). For HT, First sample and Second sample had significant difference with HT (Z = 2.13, P = .033; Z = 2.487, P = .013, respectively).

Conclusion

NFL was found to correlate and predict clinical outcome. In addition, it was found to correlate with HT.
Retrospective multifactorial analysis of ocular firecracker injuries and review of literature
Authors: Kaur Kirandeep , Gurnani Bharat , Gupta Isha , Narayana Shivananda
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To analyse demographics, risk factors, clinical features, functional, anatomical outcomes, and prevalence of blindness in firecracker injury patients presenting to a tertiary eye care centre.

Methodology

A retrospective analysis of ocular firecracker injuries patients who presented to our hospital from April 2018 to March 2019 was performed. A total of 114 patients with a minimum follow-up of 3 months were included. The parameters recorded were demographics, mode of injury, type of cracker, baseline and last follow up best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), anterior and posterior segment findings, seidel's test, intraocular pressure, gonioscopy, treatment, functional and anatomical outcomes. Investigations in form of B Scan, X-ray, or CT scan were undertaken whenever indicated.

Results

A total of 132 eyes of 114 patients were analysed. The mean (SD) age was 18.96 +/−15.4 years (range 3–71 years). Seventy-four (64.91%) patients were ≤ 18 years of age. The male-to-female ratio was 4:1. The ratio of right: left eye involvement was 1:1. Eighteen patients (15.79%) had bilateral involvement. A total of 125 eyes had closed globe injury, 7 eyes had open globe injury and 17 patients needed hospital admission for management. The mean (SD) baseline BCVA was 0.54(+/−0.75). The mean (SD) final BCVA improved to 0.23(+/−0.62) till the last follow-up. The final outcome was good in most patients, except 5 eyes (3.78%) which resulted in near/total blindness.

Conclusion

Firecracker injuries are a major cause of irreversible blindness, especially among the younger age group. Prompt diagnosis with meticulous management can prevent devastating sequelae.
Promoting trust and police legitimacy in African Australian communities: A critical reflection on community engagement strategies and practical recommendations for police
Authors: Ali Mohammed M. , Shepherd Stephane , Ahmed (Shiday) Berhan M.
Published: January 2023

Community engagement strategies intended to build trust and legitimacy are used widely by police agencies. Available research on the utility of these strategies shows mixed results and police have been criticised for adopting a ‘one-size fits all’ mentality when employing these strategies across minority groups. Yet, community engagement strategies remain a preferred tool for police seeking to improve their relations with minority groups. This article unpacks police–community engagement as a tool for promoting trust and legitimacy among African Australians. The first half of the article provides an overview of community engagement strategies and presents an engagement typology that is used to assesses critically the strengths and limitations of key strategies used by police vis-à-vis trust and legitimacy. The second half of the article canvasses the relationship between African Australian communities and the police, and draws attention to sociocultural factors that must be considered by police when developing and implementing engagement initiatives. The article concludes with several recommendations for police including the need to prioritise the needs of the community over intelligence gathering by embedding employment and education services into engagement initiatives.