bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Social climate in university classrooms: A mindfulness‐based educational intervention
Authors: Amutio Alberto , Telletxea Saioa , Mateos‐Pérez Estibaliz , Padoan Sonia , Basabe Nekane
Published: December 2021

There is a limited number of studies on the impact of mindfulness‐based interventions on university students and their positive effect on collective experiences of shared flow. The aim of the present study was to explore the effectiveness of mindfulness training in terms of reducing stress and enhancing well‐being, experiences of shared flow and classroom climate (engagement and affiliation). The intervention and control groups were matched by age and sex (n = 125; M = 20.71, SD = 4.60, 68% women). The intervention group comprised mindfulness exercises performed in the classroom over the course of 7 weeks. The principal variables were measured at pretest and posttest, and shared flow was also measured in the intervention group. In comparison with the control group, statistically significant differences were observed in the intervention group in relation to mindfulness, perceived stress, and classroom climate (affiliation). Furthermore, the perception of shared flow among students increased from the beginning to the end of the program. Mindfulness skills were found to mediate improvements in perceived well‐being and stress. It is concluded that mindfulness practice can turn learning into a challenging and shared task. The study highlights the importance of fostering programs that enhance the development of competencies related to mindfulness among university students.
Synthesis and characterization of sodium‐carboxymethylcellulose from cotton, powder, microcrystalline and nanocellulose
Authors: Abdullaevich Yuldoshov Sherzod , Ergashovich Yunusov Khaydar , Abdukhalilovich Sarymsakov Abdushkur , Shavkat o'g'li Goyipnazarov Ilhom
Published: December 2021

Cotton cellulose, powder cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose and nanocellulose were carboxymethylated with monochloroacetic acid by the suspension method in an ethyl alcohol medium. The effects of reaction conditions such as cellulose materials, sodium hydroxide concentration, molar NaOH/anhydroglucose unit ratio, monochloroacetic acid consumption, reaction temperature and etherification time on product quality, especially the degree of substitution, degree of polymerization and water solubility of sodium‐carboxymethylcellulose, were studied. By controlling these parameters, completely water‐soluble sodium‐carboxymethylcellulose samples with a high degree of substitution within 0.75, 1.47, 0.88, and 1.23 were obtained from cotton cellulose, powder cellulose, microcrystalline and nanocellulose. The boundaries of complete solubility of the obtained sodium‐carboxymethylcellulose were at low degrees of substitution (0.6, 0.44, 0.43, 0.33) and degrees of polymerization (880, 490, 240, 150) obtained from cotton cellulose, powder cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose and nanocellulose, respectively.
Assessment of role strain among family caregivers of adult patients with cancer at a national referral hospital in Kenya
Authors: Muriuki Morris Murithi , Oluchina Sherry , Mbithi Bernard Wambua
Published: December 2021

Objective

Globally, cancer incidence is on the increase and cancer care is complex, psychologically, physically and financially draining. Family caregivers of patients with cancer in low‐ and middle‐income countries not only face enormous challenges in having their patients access comprehensive cancer treatment services but also the critical and complex roles that they play greatly predispose them to role strain. Role strain is multifaceted and encompasses physical, psycho‐social and financial strain. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the level of role strain among the family caregivers of patients with cancer and ensure appropriate referral to care and support services.

Methodology

The study adopted cross‐sectional design involving 255 systematically sampled family caregivers of adult patients attending Kenyatta National Hospital outpatient cancer treatment clinic. Quantitative data from Modified Caregiver Strain Index tool and questionnaire was analysed by deriving descriptive statistics and data was presented by use of tables and figures. SPSS software version 25 was utilized in data analysis.

Results

From the study findings, the family caregivers who had mild, moderate and severe role strain were 25.9%, 44.3% and 29.8%, respectively.

Conclusion

Role strain was prevalent among family caregivers and this, therefore, calls for healthcare practitioners to assess all family caregivers of adult patients with cancer for role strain and appropriately refer those experiencing moderate to severe strain for psychological counselling, social and financial support.
Completing the family of human Eps15 homology domains: Solution structure of the internal Eps15 homology domain of γ‐synergin
Authors: Kovermann Michael , Weininger Ulrich , Löw Christian
Published: December 2021

Eps15 homology (EH) domains are universal interaction domains to establish networks of protein–protein interactions in the cell. These networks mainly coordinate cellular functions including endocytosis, actin remodeling, and other intracellular signaling pathways. They are well characterized in structural terms, except for the internal EH domain from human γ‐synergin (EHγ). Here, we complete the family of EH domain structures by determining the solution structure of the EHγ domain. The structural ensemble follows the canonical EH domain fold and the identified binding site is similar to other known EH domains. But EHγ differs significantly in the N‐ and C‐terminal regions. The N‐terminal α‐helix is shortened compared to known homologues, while the C‐terminal one is fully formed. A significant proportion of the remaining N‐ and C‐terminal regions are well structured, a feature not seen in other EH domains. Single mutations in both the N‐terminal and the C‐terminal structured extensions lead to the loss of the distinct three‐dimensional fold and turn EHγ into a molten globule like state. Therefore, we propose that the structural extensions in EHγ function as a clamp and are undoubtedly required to maintain its tertiary fold.
Analysis of lymph nodes metastasis in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma based on contrast‐enhanced computed tomography imaging
Authors: Wang Dongqing , Zhang Shuguang , Xu Jin , Zhai Limin , Li Baosheng
Published: December 2021

Objective

To investigate the frequency, distribution, and potential factors of lymphatic metastasis at each nodal level, and stratify the risk of lymph node metastasis in hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma based on computed tomography.

Methods

Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography images of 176 patients with pathologically confirmed hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma without any cancer‐related therapeutic history were analyzed retrospectively. The lymphatic metastasis ratio at each nodal level was determined. Potential factors that correlated with lymph node metastasis were identified using univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results

Metastatic lymph nodes were found in 145 (82.4%) of 176 patients. The lymphatic metastasis ratio was 0.6% (Ia), 4.0% (Ib), 67.6% (IIa), 43.8% (IIb), 45.5% (III), 13.1% (IV), 5.1% (Va), 1.7% (Vb), 1.7% (VIa), 12.5% (VIb), and 15.9% (VII) for each nodal level in the ipsilateral neck. In contrast, a lower lymphatic metastasis ratio was observed in the contralateral neck, with the highest measuring 18.2% at level IIa. Esophageal invasion was highly correlated with an increased risk of developing level VIb metastasis (P = 0.019). Furthermore, posterior pharyngeal wall invasion was highly correlated with an increased risk of level VII metastasis (P = 0.014).

Conclusion

In general, nodal levels IIa, III, and IIb were highly susceptible to metastasis in the ipsilateral neck. Nodal levels IV, VIb, and VII in the ipsilateral neck, and IIa in the contralateral neck showed a moderate risk of metastasis. Levels I and V were considered low risk. The anatomical characteristics and infiltration of tumors in different subsites should also be considered in the delineation of the clinical target volume.
Portability analysis of data mining models for fog events forecasting
Authors: Zazzaro Gaetano
Published: December 2021

This article describes an analytical method for comparing geographical sites and transferring fog forecasting models, trained by Data Mining techniques on a fixed site, across Italian airports. This portability method uses a specific intersite similarity measure based on the Euclidean distance between the performance vectors associated with each airport site. Performance vectors are useful for characterizing geographical sites. The components of a performance vector are the performance metrics of an Ensemble descriptive model. In the tests carried out, the comparison method provided very promising results, and the forecast model, when applied and evaluated on a new compatible site, shows only a small decrease in performance. The portability schema provides a meta‐learning methodology for applying predictive models to new sites where a new model cannot be trained from scratch owing to the class imbalance problem or the lack of data for a specific learning. The methodology offers a measure for clustering geographical sites and extending weather knowledge from one site to another.
Exploring Charged Defects in Ferroelectrics by the Switching Spectroscopy Piezoresponse Force Microscopy
Authors: Alikin Denis , Abramov Alexander , Turygin Anton , Ievlev Anton , Pryakhina Victoria , Karpinsky Dmitry , Hu Qingyuan , Jin Li , Shur Vladimir , Tselev Alexander , Kholkin Andrei
Published: December 2021

Monitoring the charged defect concentration at the nanoscale is of critical importance for both the fundamental science and applications of ferroelectrics. However, up‐to‐date, high‐resolution study methods for the investigation of structural defects, such as transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray tomography, etc., are expensive and demand complicated sample preparation. With an example of the lanthanum‐doped bismuth ferrite ceramics, a novel method is proposed based on the switching spectroscopy piezoresponse force microscopy (SSPFM) that allows probing the electric potential from buried subsurface charged defects in the ferroelectric materials with a nanometer‐scale spatial resolution. When compared with the composition‐sensitive methods, such as neutron diffraction, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and local time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, the SSPFM sensitivity to the variation of the electric potential from the charged defects is shown to be equivalent to less than 0.3 at% of the defect concentration. Additionally, the possibility to locally evaluate dynamics of the polarization screening caused by the charged defects is demonstrated, which is of significant interest for further understanding defect‐mediated processes in ferroelectrics.
Geospatial distribution of groundwater quality using entropy water quality index and statistical assessment: A study from a tropical climate river basin
Authors: Mohan Uma , Krishnakumar Appukuttanpillai
Published: December 2021

A combination of multivariate statistical techniques and an integrated water quality index methodology was adopted to understand the genesis of major ionic composition of groundwater in a tropical river basin of South India. The present study aims to examine the hydrochemical characterisation and drinking suitability of groundwater reserves of Kallada River Basin (KRB), India by collecting samples from 31 wells during pre‐monsoon (May 2019), monsoon (September 2019), and post‐monsoon (February 2020) seasons. The findings were compared with the maximum acceptable limites prescribed by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS 2012) and World Health Organization (WHO 2017). The study also highlights the comparison of the present work with the regional and global average cation and anion concentrations. The Principal Component Analysis (PCA) extracted three factors and the obtained results shows that Cl−, TDS, Na+, and Ca2+ ions contribute towards the moderate pollution load in groundwater. The increased population around the river basin indicates the unhygienic practices in the area and hence eco‐friendly authority steps/actions should be taken to enhance the groundwater quality of the basin. The findings of this study outlines the desire for groundwater research with a further marked focus on upgrading the quantity and quality of groundwater reserves on a global scale.
Transient thrombocytopenia in a cat following G‐CSF treatment
Authors: Kim Kyeong‐Bo , An Ju‐Hyun , Lee Jeong‐Hwa , Park Su‐Min , Chae Hyung Kyu , Song Woo‐Jin , Youn Hwa‐Young
Published: December 2021

A 4‐year‐old, castrated male, Russian blue cat with idiopathic epilepsy was diagnosed with neutropenia. The neutropenia was classified as idiopathic after blood tests and abdominal imaging did not reveal an infectious, inflammatory or neoplastic aetiology. As a treatment trial for idiopathic neutropenia, the cat was administered granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor by subcutaneous injection once daily for 3 days. Two weeks after completion of granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor therapy, the cat developed severe thrombocytopenia, with the granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor therapy considered to be the most likely cause. No treatment was initiated, and the thrombocytopenia had resolved spontaneously by 2 weeks after diagnosis. This is the first reported case of transient severe thrombocytopenia in a cat following granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor treatment.
Synthesis, Structures, and Properties of a Series of Isostructural Lanthanide‐Thiopheneacrylate Complexes
Authors: Jiajaroen Suwadee , Dungkaew Winya , Kielar Filip , Sukwattanasinitt Mongkol , Chainok Kittipong
Published: December 2021

We report the synthesis, crystal structures, and properties of three lanthanide(III) coordination complexes based on 2‐thiopheneacrylic acid (Htpa) of the formula [Ln(tpa)3(H2O)3] ⋅ 3(Htpa) (Ln=Tb (1), Dy (2), Er (3)). The complexes were characterized by single crystal X‐ray diffraction, powder X‐ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR, TGA, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Structural analysis indicates that all three complexes are isostructural and crystallize in the trigonal space group R3. The structures of these complexes consist of a discrete neutral mononuclear species [Ln(tpa)3(H2O)3] and the Htpa molecule. In the crystal, the complex species are self‐assembled into a one‐dimensional (1D) supramolecular chain through classical O−H⋅⋅⋅O hydrogen bonds existing between water molecules and carboxylate oxygen atoms. The adjacent chains are further joined together by C−H⋅⋅⋅π hydrogen bonds involving the thiophene moieties, resulting in the formation of a 3D supramolecular framework. The frameworks feature 1D channels with a dimeter of ca. 1.5 nm that can accommodate Htpa molecules to allow the formation of cocrystals via strong hydrogen bonds. In addition, the solid‐state luminescence and thermal properties of these complexes were also investigated.
Rapid adsorption and selective capture of methylene blue by anionic In‐based MOF with carboxyl‐decorated pore surface
Authors: Zhang Xiaofei , Sun Yuan , Ma Shiyu , Kong Zhe , Duana Xing
Published: December 2021

We reported a PtS‐type anionic metal organic framework (MOF) with uncoordinated carboxyl‐groups and suitable pore size, (Me2NH2)2[In2(THBA)2](CH3CN)9(H2O)21 (InOF). InOF displays high‐density electronegative functional sites about 12 negative sites in one unit cell, which exhibits its potential application for selective removal cationic dye from effluents. In fact, the InOF crystals can rapidly and selectively capture methylene blue dyes from effluents based on the charge‐effect and size‐effect at room temperature.
Non-standard neutrino and Z′ interactions at the FASERν and the LHC
Authors: Cheung Kingman , Ouseph C. J. , Wang TseChun
Published: December 2021

Abstract

We study the impact of non-standard neutrino interactions in the context of a new gauge boson Z′ in neutral-current deep-inelastic scattering performed in ForwArd Search ExpeRiment-ν (FASERν) and in monojet production at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). We simulate the neutral-current deep-inelastic neutrino-nucleon scattering νN → νN at FASERν in the presence of an additional Z′ boson, and estimate the anticipated sensitivities to the gauge coupling in a wide range of Z′ mass. At the LHC, we study the effect of Z′ on monojet production, which can be enhanced in regions with large missing transverse momenta. We then use the recent results from ATLAS with an integrated luminosity of 139 fb−1 to improve the limits on the gauge coupling of Z′. We interpret such limits on Z′ gauge couplings as bounds on effective non-standard neutrino interactions. We show that the FASERν and the LHC results cover the medium and high energy scales, respectively, and complement one another.
Resurrecting low-mass axion dark matter via a dynamical QCD scale
Authors: Heurtier Lucien , Huang Fei , Tait Tim M.P.
Published: December 2021

Abstract

In the framework where the strong coupling is dynamical, the QCD sector may confine at a much higher temperature than it would in the Standard Model, and the temperature-dependent mass of the QCD axion evolves in a non-trivial way. We find that, depending on the evolution of ΛQCD, the axion field may undergo multiple distinct phases of damping and oscillation leading generically to a suppression of its relic abundance. Such a suppression could therefore open up a wide range of parameter space, resurrecting in particular axion dark-matter models with a large Peccei-Quinn scale fa ≫ 1012 GeV, i.e., with a lighter mass than the standard QCD axion.
Universal functors on symmetric quotient stacks of Abelian varieties
Authors: Krug Andreas , Meachan Ciaran
Published: December 2021

We consider certain universal functors on symmetric quotient stacks of Abelian varieties. In dimension two, we discover a family of$${{\mathbb {P}}}$$P-functors which induce new derived autoequivalences of Hilbert schemes of points on Abelian surfaces; a set of braid relations on a holomorphic symplectic sixfold; and a pair of spherical functors on the Hilbert square of an Abelian surface, whose twists are related to the well-known Horja twist. In dimension one, our universal functors are fully faithful, giving rise to a semiorthogonal decomposition for the symmetric quotient stack of an elliptic curve (which we compare to the one discovered by Polishchuk–Van den Bergh), and they lift to spherical functors on the canonical cover, inducing twists which descend to give new derived autoequivalences here as well.
Implications, conflicts, and reductions for Steiner trees
Authors: Rehfeldt Daniel , Koch Thorsten
Published: December 2021

The Steiner tree problem in graphs (SPG) is one of the most studied problems in combinatorial optimization. In the past 10 years, there have been significant advances concerning approximation and complexity of the SPG. However, the state of the art in (practical) exact solution of the SPG has remained largely unchallenged for almost 20 years. While the DIMACS Challenge 2014 and the PACE Challenge 2018 brought renewed interest into Steiner tree problems, even the best new SPG solvers cannot match the state of the art on the vast majority of benchmark instances. The following article seeks to advance exact SPG solution once again. The article is based on a combination of three concepts: Implications, conflicts, and reductions. As a result, various new SPG techniques are conceived. Notably, several of the resulting techniques are (provably) stronger than well-known methods from the literature that are used in exact SPG algorithms. Finally, by integrating the new methods into a branch-and-cut framework, we obtain an exact SPG solver that is not only competitive with, but even outperforms the current state of the art on an extensive collection of benchmark sets. Furthermore, we can solve several instances for the first time to optimality.
Advance rent mobilisation strategies of graduate renters in Ghana: a submarket of the private rental housing market
Authors: Asante Lewis Abedi , Ehwi Richmond Juvenile , Gavu Emmanuel Kofi
Published: December 2021

The practice of advance rent, where landlords ask renters to pay a lump-sum rent covering 2 or more years, is gaining scholarly and political attention in Africa. Nevertheless, there is limited empirical research investigating how renters mobilize funds to meet this financial commitment. Existing literature suggests that renters, irrespective of their educational level, face difficulties in paying advance rent, hence compelling them to rely mainly on their bonding (family and friends) and bridging (employers and financial institutions) social capital to pay advance rent. Drawing on rational choice and social capital theories coupled with data from a novel (graduate) sub-market of Ghana’s rental housing market, this article finds that personal savings remain the most rational current and future source of funding options graduate renters draw upon to pay advance rent, albeit some still drawing on their social capital. The findings demonstrate that graduate renters do not use bonding social capital in their future mobilization strategies after they have drawn on the same in previous years, although they continue to rely on their bridging social capital and other strategies to mobilize funds for advance rent. The study suggests the need to rethink rational choice and social capital theories to incorporate inter-temporal dynamics among different social groups and to traverse the current binary conception of the rental housing market in Ghana to consider different sub-markets and how they respond to existing challenges in the housing sector.
Rigid impacts of three-dimensional rocking structures
Authors: Várkonyi Péter L. , Kocsis Márton , Ther Tamás
Published: December 2021

Studies of rocking motion aim to explain the remarkable earthquake resistance of rocking structures. State-of-the-art assessment methods are mostly based on planar models, despite ongoing efforts to understand the significance of three-dimensionality. Impacts are essential components of rocking motion. We present experimental measurements of free-rocking blocks on a rigid surface, focusing on extreme sensitivity of impacts to geometric imperfections, unpredictability, and the emergence of three-dimensional motion via spontaneous symmetry breaking. These results inspire the development of new impact models of three-dimensional facet and edge impacts of polyhedral objects. Our model is a natural generalization of existing planar models based on the seminal work of George W. Housner. Model parameters are estimated empirically for rectangular blocks. Finally, new perspectives in earthquake assessment of rocking structures are discussed.
A comprehensive conceptual and bibliometric study of person-centered methodologies
Authors: Rey-Martí Andrea , Sendra-Pons Pau , Garzón Dolores , Mas-Tur Alicia
Published: December 2021

Person-centered approaches, such as latent profile analysis (LPA) and qualitative comparative analysis (QCA), have gained in popularity in organizational scholarship because of their ability to provide insight into how interrelations between a group of conditions can lead to a particular outcome. Despite the growing acceptance of person-centered approaches in social science research, traditional variable-centered approaches continue to prevail, although their dominance is increasingly questioned. This paper offers in-depth analysis of the current state of QCA and LPA from both a conceptual and a bibliometric perspective. This study thus aims to contextualize the role of person-centered methodologies in organizational scholarship. This aim is important, given the significance of exploring novel approaches to advance knowledge in organizational research. This paper provides scholars with quantifiable and readily comparable information on the use of these emerging but promising methods in organizational studies. Ultimately, this scientific contribution sheds light on the current and prospective applications of person-centered methods in research. Moreover, it offers scholars who are considering applying these methods objective analysis of the scientific production in this area thus far.
TACKLING THE DECISIVENESS DEFICIT—HOW TO ENHANCE CLIMATE AMBITION OF THE ASIA-PACIFIC COUNTRIES?
Authors: Nikolova Aneta , Ryder Hannah
Published: December 2021

This article presents clear evidence that current announced climate pledges by Asia-Pacific countries – even those dependent on climate finance – are insufficient to keep the world within a 1.5°C temperature rise. The article provides analysis explaining why and how countries in the region are not being ambitious enough, and proposes three key steps for how to overcome a “decisiveness” deficit to spur further ambition.
HAPPINESS AND THE GOOD LIFE
Authors: Louzecky David
Published: December 2021

The question I raise is whether happiness constitutes a good life. I argue that it does not and contend that the good life is based on three essentials: worthwhile activities, worthwhile character, and worthwhile relationships. I provide examples of possibly happy lives that are not good and good lives that are not happy.
PHILOSOPHY AND THE MEANING OF LIFE
Authors: Lyons William
Published: December 2021

The author sets out to respond to the student complaint that ‘Philosophy did not answer “the big questions”’, in particular the question ‘What is the meaning of life?’ The response first outlines and evaluates the most common religious answer, that human life is given a meaning by God who created us and informs us that this life is just the pilgrim way to the next eternal life in heaven. He then discusses the response that, from the point of view of post-Darwinian science and the evolution of the universe and all that is in it, human life on Earth must be afforded no more meaning than the meaning we would give to a microscopic planaria or to some creature on another planet in a distant universe. All things including human creatures on Planet Earth just exist for a time and that is that. There is no plan or purpose. In the last sections the author outlines the view that it is we humans ourselves who give meaning to our lives by our choices of values or things that are worth pursuing and through our resulting sense of achievement or the opposite. Nevertheless the question ‘What is the meaning of life?’ can mean quite different things in different contexts, and so merit different if related answers. From one point of view one answer may lie in terms of the love of one human for another.
HOW TO AVOID GETTING KILLED BY A STATUE: SOME LESSONS ON TEACHING AND LYING FROM NIETZSCHE'S THUS SPOKE ZARATHUSTRA
Authors: Dalton Stuart
Published: December 2021

In Thus Spoke Zarathustra Nietzsche explores the nature of teaching and learning and concludes that a teacher can do more harm than good in a student's life if she allows her students to become her ‘disciples’. A disciple assigns too much authority to a teacher and thus loses the ability to think independently; this is what Zarathustra means when he warns his students, ‘Beware that you are not killed by a statue!’ In this article I argue that Zarathustra's solution to this problem is to undermine his own authority by performing several different variations of the Liar's Paradox in parts 2 and 3 of Thus Spoke Zarathustra.
THE SALUTOGENIC EFFECTS OF AWE TOLD EXISTENTIALLY
Authors: Nelson Rachel
Published: December 2021

Feelings of awe can generate well-being. The typical explanation of this is that an otherwise self-absorbed individual now experiences something so vast that it forges a humble new perspective of self. Self-absorption is replaced by altruistic characteristics that result in a sense of well-being. However, the observations of Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Carl Rogers provide an existential framework for understanding the human being in relation to the world and well-being within that framework. And such a framework offers a different perspective on how the experience of awe produces well-being. Existentially understood, incongruence is the anti-thesis of well-being. Incongruence is developed by a hyper-focus on external conditions of worth. Rather than a remedy to self-absorption, the experience of awe offers the remedy of self-absorption, towards congruence. This article will explore key observations by each existentially principled thinker to display this framework in order to comprehend how awe produces well-being within it.
Long non-coding RNA-associated competing endogenous RNA axes in the olfactory epithelium in schizophrenia: a bioinformatics analysis
Authors: Sabaie Hani , Mazaheri Moghaddam Marziyeh , Mazaheri Moghaddam Madiheh , Amirinejad Nazanin , Asadi Mohammad Reza , Daneshmandpour Yousef , Hussen Bashdar Mahmud , Taheri Mohammad , Rezazadeh Maryam
Published: December 2021

The etiology of schizophrenia (SCZ), as a serious mental illness, is unknown. The significance of genetics in SCZ pathophysiology is yet unknown, and newly identified mechanisms involved in the regulation of gene transcription may be helpful in determining how these changes affect SCZ development and progression. In the current work, we used a bioinformatics approach to describe the role of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-associated competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs) in the olfactory epithelium (OE) samples in order to better understand the molecular regulatory processes implicated in SCZ disorders in living individuals. The Gene Expression Omnibus database was used to obtain the OE microarray dataset (GSE73129) from SCZ sufferers and control subjects, which contained information about both lncRNAs and mRNAs. The limma package of R software was used to identify the differentially expressed lncRNAs (DElncRNAs) and mRNAs (DEmRNAs). RNA interaction pairs were discovered using the Human MicroRNA Disease Database, DIANA-LncBase, and miRTarBase databases. In this study, the Pearson correlation coefficient was utilized to find positive correlations between DEmRNAs and DElncRNAs in the ceRNA network. Eventually, lncRNA-associated ceRNA axes were developed based on co-expression relations and DElncRNA-miRNA-DEmRNA interactions. This work found six potential DElncRNA-miRNA-DEmRNA loops in SCZ pathogenesis, including, SNTG2-AS1/hsa-miR-7-5p/SLC7A5, FLG-AS1/hsa-miR-34a-5p/FOSL1, LINC00960/hsa-miR-34a-5p/FOSL1, AQP4-AS1/hsa-miR-335-5p/FMN2, SOX2-OT/hsa-miR-24-3p/NOS3, and CASC2/hsa-miR-24-3p/NOS3. According to the findings, ceRNAs in OE might be promising research targets for studying SCZ molecular mechanisms. This could be a great opportunity to examine different aspects of neurodevelopment that may have been hampered early in SCZ patients.
The cis/trans conformation approach for tuning the magnetic coupling in a diradical: isolation of pure pyridine-based diradical dianions
Authors: Sun Qiang , Liu Min , Ruan Huapeng , Chen Chao , Zhao Yue , Tan Gengwen , Wang Xinping
Published: December 2021

The transoid conformer can be converted to a cisoid one, and its J value can be tuned without changing the linking unit.
Nanoparticle and surfactant controlled switching between proton transfer and charge transfer reaction coordinates
Authors: Das Minati , Brahma Mongoli , Shimray Sophy A. , Chipem Francis A. S. , Krishnamoorthy G.
Published: December 2021

The reaction coordinates of a molecular photo-switch 2-(4′-diethylamino-2′-hydroxyphenyl)-1H-imidazo-[4,5-b]pyridine (DHP) were tuned with nanoparticles and surfactants.
Dynamics and vector correlations of vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) photodissociation of CO2 at 155 nm
Authors: Sakkoula Evangelia , Sharma Gautam , Wang Xingan , North Simon W. , Parker David H. , Wei Wei
Published: December 2021

The trend in the speed dependent β, is a result of dissociation via the 21A′ state and non-axial recoil effect.
Insights into enzymatic degradation of physically crosslinked hydrogels anchored by functionalized carbon nanofillers
Authors: Nair Adwaita SR , Devi Sudeepa , Mandal Subhash , Tripathi Upendra K. , Roy Debmalya , Prasad N. Eswara
Published: December 2021

Immobilization of hydrophobic enzymes on the surface of nanofillers disturbs the non-covalent interactions of polymer–filler networks and destabilizes physically crosslinked hydrogels.
Magnetic particle imaging: tracer development and the biomedical applications of a radiation-free, sensitive, and quantitative imaging modality
Authors: Harvell-Smith Stanley , Tung Le Duc , Thanh Nguyen Thi Kim
Published: December 2021

This review focusses on magnetic particle imaging (MPI), considering progress made in the many biomedical applications, and the design of nanoparticle tracers tailored towards optimal performance.
A chloride-doped silver-sulfide cluster [Ag148S26Cl30(CCBut)60]6+: hierarchical assembly, enhanced luminescence and cytotoxicity to cancer cells
Authors: Jiang Zhan-Guo , Wu Wei-Hong , Jin Bo-Xing , Zeng Hui-Min , Jin Zhi-Gang , Zhan Cai-Hong
Published: December 2021

An unprecedented luminescence [Ag148S26Cl30(CCBut)60](SbF6)6 exhibits a hierarchical structure and induces the apoptosis of cancer cells.
Lubricated soft normal elastic contact of a sphere: a new numerical method and experiment
Authors: Liu Zezhou , Dong Hao , Jagota Anand , Hui Chung-Yuen
Published: December 2021

A new numerical method is developed to study lubricated elastic normal contact of spheres. This method is used to study a relaxation test in which a rigid spherical indenter is brought into normal contact with a thick elastic substrate lubricated by a liquid film.
Diffuse scattering from lamellar structures
Authors: Hamley Ian W.
Published: December 2021

Fluctuations in lamellar phases give rise to diffuse scattering, which can provide valuable information on the elastic properties of lamellae. Models to account for this are described, and diffuse scattering from in-plane fluctuations or structures such as perforations or patterned nanoparticles is considered.
Internet of vehicle's resource management in 5G networks using AI technologies: Current status and trends
Authors: Elfatih Nada M. , Hasan Mohammad Kamrul , Kamal Zeinab , Gupta Deepa , Saeed Rashid A. , Ali Elmustafa Sayed , Hosain Md. Sarwar
Published: December 2021

The Internet of Vehicles (IoV) and Vehicle‐to‐Everything (V2X) concept have emerged from IoT technology, which refers to connecting many vehicles with various applications to the internet. The 5G new radio is based on a cloud‐radio access network (CRAN), considered as the communication infrastructure for IoV. However, due to the significant challenges and issues, researchers have been working on IoV and V2X. One of the main challenges for V2X is resource allocation and management for a high‐speed vehicular environment. This paper discusses and provides complete detail for resource allocation and management for IoV over 5G RAN networks focusing on artificial intelligence techniques. The paper also presented reviews on integrating the multi‐layers of vehicular network architecture with AI strategy to identify advancement and future directions for resource allocation and management issues.
Two new Hager–Zhang iterative schemes with improved parameter choices for monotone nonlinear systems and their applications in compressed sensing
Authors: Waziri Mohammed Yusuf , Ahmed Kabiru , Halilu Abubakar Sani , Sabi’u Jamilu
Published: December 2021

Notwithstanding its efficiency and nice attributes, most research on the Hager–Zhang (HZ) iterative scheme are focused on unconstrained minimization problems. Inspired by this and recent extensions of the one-parameter HZ scheme to system of nonlinear monotone equations, two new HZ-type iterative methods are developed in this paper for solving system of monotone equations with convex constraint. This is achieved by developing two HZ-type search directions with new parameter choices combined with the popular projection method. The first parameter choice is obtained by minimizing the condition number of a modified HZ direction matrix, while the second choice is realized using singular value analysis and minimizing the spectral condition number of a nonsingular HZ search direction matrix. Interesting properties of the schemes include solving non-smooth problems and satisfying the inequality that is vital for global convergence. Using standard assumptions, global convergence of the schemes are proven and numerical experiments with recent methods in the literature, indicate that the methods proposed are promising. The effectiveness of the schemes are further demonstrated by their applications to sparse signal and image reconstruction problems, where they outperform some recent schemes in the literature.
Spinal Epidural Lipomatosis Associated with Intrathecal Flow Voids: Demonstration of Engorged Veins Using Flat Panel Catheter Angiotomography
Authors: Yadav Nishtha , Hedaoo Ketan , Kumar Ambuj
Published: December 2021

We present a case of a 54-year-old male with spinal epidural lipomatosis who had associated flow voids on magnetic resonance imaging with dilated intrathecal vessels. During spinal angiogram, 20s DynaCT (flat panel catheter angiotomography) was utilized to demonstrate the intrathecal engorged veins. Venous engorgement of epidural venous plexus has been previously described in epidural lipomatosis; however, dilated intrathecal perimedullary veins have not been demonstrated by imaging. We have described the utility of flat panel catheter angiotomography in understanding venous disorders in such patients.
Supervised Physical Therapy Versus Video-Assisted Technique for Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain: A Comparative Study
Authors: Shetty Spoorthi , KU Dhanesh Kumar , Chippala Purusotham
Published: December 2021

Objective To compare the effect of supervised physical therapy versus video-assisted technique in patients with chronic mechanical low back pain.

Materials and Methods This is a comparative study. Forty-two patients were recruited in the study where they were randomized by simple random sampling. Group A (n = 21) received supervised physical therapy, and Group B (n = 21) received the video-assisted technique. The intervention was given 45 minutes per day for 15 days. The measures of visual analog scale (VAS) and Roland–Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMQ) were taken both at baseline and after 15 days of intervention.

Results Comparison between the two groups using Mann–Whitney U test, supervised physiotherapy group showed significant improvement in VAS on activity, RMQ, and RMQ percentage (p < 0.005). However, Group A, VAS on rest was not significant (p > 0.005).

Conclusion Supervised physical therapy is effective in reducing pain on activity and improved the disability of patients with chronic mechanical low back pain than the video-assisted technique.
Six-Minute Walk Test and its Correlation with Spirometry in Stable COPD Patients
Authors: Krishna B. Sai , Mohapatra Amrut Kumar , Behera Debasis , Jagaty Suman Kumar , Subhankar Saswat , Venkataram Rajesh , Dash D. P.
Published: December 2021

Objectives An impaired exercise tolerance, the main feature in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), occurs due to multiple factors. The 6-minute walk test (6MWT) is easy to perform, well-tolerated, and more reflective of activities of daily living. The facility of spirometry is unavailable in many areas of India, where 6MWT can be done easily. This study aims to compare the six-minute walk distance (6MWD) with various demographic, clinical, and spirometry parameters.

Materials and Methods A total of 118 consecutive stable COPD patients fitting the criteria were included in the study. Spirometry was performed in these patients before and after giving a short-acting bronchodilator. 6MWT was performed according to the ATS guidelines. All patients underwent the 6MWT after 10 minutes of spirometry. Statistical analysis was done using GraphPad calculator and SPSS 24.0.

Statistical Analysis All data were clubbed together in a single Excel chart. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 24.0. Descriptive data are presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Qualitative data are presented as a percentage. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare between means. The linear regression model was used to compare between variables. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered significant.

Results The majority of the patients were > 60 years of age (mean age = 62.99 ± 6.68 years) and comprised males and females in the ratio 5.9:1. Smoking was determined to be the most important predisposing factor for the development of COPD. There was a significant negative correlation between 6MWD, age, and smoking index (p = 0.0075 and 0.0295 respectively). The 6MWD showed a significant positive correlation with FEV1 (in liters), FEV1 (%), FVC (in liters), and FVC (%). The 6MWD (meters) and % predicted 6MWD showed a significant negative correlation with a drop in SpO2 after the 6MWT (r = –0.36; p = 0.000769, r = –0.3; p = 0.004, respectively).

Conclusion 6MWT can be used in cases of COPD where spirometry is unavailable as it correlates significantly with various parameters of the latter.
Ureteric Rupture: Rare Complication of Inappropriate Urinary Bladder Catheterization
Authors: Kumar Neeraj , Sharma Mini , Nayyar Nishant , Rana Lokesh , Sood Dinesh
Published: December 2021

We have reported case of 71-year-old male with acute urinary retention due to gross prostatomegaly. Due to inappropriate catheterization, urinary bladder remained distended and ultimately caused left ureteric rupture. This article is peculiar as it shows that misplaced Foley's catheter may also lead to exceedingly rare complication of ureteric rupture and highlights importance of proper management of difficult catheterization which is otherwise considered a simple procedure.
Two Clinical Cases of Metastatic Merkel Cell Carcinoma Illustrating Avelumab Tolerability in Elderly Patients
Authors: Josephs Bridget , Sewak Sanjeev
Published: December 2021

We present two cases of primary cutaneous Merkel cell carcinoma in a 80-year and a 95-year old patient. Both patients had a wide local excision, but early recurrences occurred. Case 1 required palliative radiotherapy. He did not receive chemotherapy but case 2 did. They then proceeded to have immunotherapy with sustained responses lasting greater than 2 and 3 years. This report highlights an important new class of drug for the treatment of advanced Merkel cell carcinoma. Furthermore, our case report demonstrates that avelumab immunotherapy can be safely delivered to elderly patients, including 80- and 95-year-old patients. This report parallels the high and durable response rates to avelumab (including complete responses) that were shown in the JAVELIN phase II trials.
Performance of the microINR Point-of-Care System Used by Self-Testing Patients: A Multicenter Clinical Trial
Authors: Refaai Majed A. , Jacobson Alan K. , Rosenfeld Jack C. , Orr Robert R.
Published: December 2021

Introduction Anticoagulation monitoring is a major practical and clinical challenge. We assessed the performance of the microINR system in patient self-testing (PST).

Methods This study was performed at four US medical centers. After the training visit of warfarin anticoagulated patients (n = 117) on microINR system, PST was performed at home and in two visits to the medical centers. At the medical centers, both PST and healthcare professionals (HCPs) performed duplicate tests with the microINR System. A venous blood sample for the laboratory testing was also extracted. Accuracy and precision were assessed.

Results The comparison between microINR PST results and microINR HCP results revealed an equivalence with a slope of 1.00 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–1.00), and an intercept of 0.00 (95% CI: 0.00–0.00). When compared with the laboratory analyzer, microINR PST results also showed good correlation with a slope of 0.94 (95% CI: 0.86–1.04) and an intercept of 0.14 (95% CI: -0.09–0.34). Predicted bias values at international normalized ratio (INR) 2.0, 3.5, and 4.5 were 0% against HCP and ≤2.5% against the laboratory. Analytical agreement with both HCP and laboratory was 100% according to ISO17593 and 99.1 and 100% according to CLSI POCT14 with HCP and laboratory, respectively. Clinical agreement with HCP regarding 2.0–4.0 as INR therapeutic range was 98% (within range). The precision (coefficient of variation) of microINR system used by PST was comparable to HCP.

Conclusion The microINR results when used by self-testing patients show satisfactory concordance to both HCP results and laboratory analyzer. The microINR system is adequate for self-testing use.
Developing luminogens to advance multi-photon theranostics
Authors: Piccone Ashley
Published: December 2021

Luminogens with aggregation-induced emission characteristics have potential for biomedical imaging and treatment.
Assigning probabilities to non-Lipschitz mechanical systems
Authors: Vanpoucke Danny E. P. , Wenmackers Sylvia
Published: December 2021

We present a method for assigning probabilities to the solutions of initial value problems that have a Lipschitz singularity. To illustrate the method, we focus on the following toy example: d2r(t)dt2=ra, r(t=0)=0, and dr(t)dt∣r(t=0)=0, with a∈]0,1[. This example has a physical interpretation as a mass in a uniform gravitational field on a frictionless, rigid dome of a particular shape; the case with a=1/2 is known as Norton’s dome. Our approach is based on (1) finite difference equations, which are deterministic; (2) elementary techniques from alpha-theory, a simplified framework for non-standard analysis that allows us to study infinitesimal perturbations; and (3) a uniform prior on the canonical phase space. Our deterministic, hyperfinite grid model allows us to assign probabilities to the solutions of the initial value problem in the original, indeterministic model.
Spatially resolved optical spectroscopy in extreme environment of low temperature, high magnetic fields and high pressure
Authors: Breslavetz I. , Delhomme A. , Pelini T. , Pawbake A. , Vaclavkova D. , Orlita M. , Potemski M. , Measson M.-A. , Faugeras C.
Published: December 2021

We present an experimental setup developed to perform optical spectroscopy experiments (Raman scattering and photoluminescence measurements) with a micrometer spatial resolution in an extreme environment of low temperature, high magnetic field, and high pressure. This unique experimental setup, to the best of our knowledge, allows us to deeply explore the phase diagram of condensed matter systems by independently tuning these three thermodynamic parameters while monitoring the low-energy excitations (electronic, phononic, or magnetic excitations) to spatially map the Raman scattering response or to investigate objects with low dimensions. We apply this technique to bulk FePS3, a layered antiferromagnet with a Néel temperature of T ≈ 120 K.
Single-momentum path integral Monte Carlo simulations of uniform electron gas in warm dense matter regime
Authors: Larkin A. S. , Filinov V. S. , Levashov P. R.
Published: December 2021

In this paper, the single-momentum path integral Monte Carlo method, previously developed for simple quantum systems and hydrogen plasma, is adapted to simulations of the uniform electron gas. The developed method is based on the combination of Wigner formalism and the path integral approach and is able to calculate various thermodynamic values and distribution functions without differentiation of the partition function. Since the exchange interaction between electrons is taken into account by the Gram determinants of the exchange matrix, the fermionic sign problem is reduced significantly, and in the case of coordinate-depending variables, is completely eliminated. The method was applied to study thermodynamic properties of the uniform electron gas in warm dense matter regime. Average kinetic, potential, and exchange-correlation energy were calculated in a wide range of states.