bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of interactive teaching intervention on medical students’ knowledge and attitudes toward stem cells, their therapeutic uses, and potential research applications
Authors: Abdulrazeq Fayez , Kheirallah Khalid A. , Al-Mistarehi Abdel-Hameed , Al Bashir Samir , ALQudah Mohammad A. , Alzoubi Abdallah , Alsulaiman Jomana , Al Zoubi Mazhar S. , Al-Maamari Abdulwahab
Published: January 2022

Background

Stem cell science is rapidly developing with the potential to alleviate many non-treatable diseases. Medical students, as future physicians, should be equipped with the proper knowledge and attitude regarding this hopeful field. Interactive teaching, whereby the teachers actively involve the students in the learning process, is a promising approach to improve their interest, knowledge, and team spirit. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an interactive teaching intervention on medical students’ knowledge and attitudes about stem cell research and therapy.

Methods

A pre-post test study design was employed. A six-session interactive teaching course was conducted for a duration of six weeks as an intervention. Pre- and post-intervention surveys were used. The differences in the mean scores of students’ knowledge and attitudes were examined using paired t-test, while gender differences were examined using an independent t-test.

Results

Out of 71 sixth-year medical students from different nationalities invited to participate in this study, the interactive teaching course was initiated by 58 students resulting in a participation rate of 81.7%. Out of 58 students, 48 (82.8%) completed the entire course. The mean age (standard deviation) of students was 24 (1.2) years, and 32 (66.7%) were males. The results showed poor knowledge about stem cells among the medical students in the pre-intervention phase. Total scores of stem cell-related knowledge and attitudes significantly improved post-intervention. Gender differences in knowledge and attitudes scores were not statistically significant post-intervention.

Conclusions

Integrating stem cell science into medical curricula coupled with interactive learning approaches effectively increased students’ knowledge about recent advances in stem cell research and therapy and improved attitudes toward stem cell research and applications.
A purine and a backbone discontinuous site alter the structure and thermal stability of DNA minidumbbells containing two pentaloops
Authors: Ngai Cheuk Kit , Lam Sik Lok , Lee Hung Kay , Guo Pei
Published: January 2022

Minidumbbell (MDB) is a noncanonical DNA structure found to form in several pyrimidine‐rich short tandem repeats associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The most recently reported MDB contains two pentaloops formed by ATTCT repeats. Here, we studied the effects of a purine residue and a backbone discontinuous site on the structure and thermal stability of MDBs containing two pentaloops. It was found that a purine as the fourth loop residue improved the thermal stability of MDBs containing two regular pentaloops, while a backbone discontinuous site between the third and fourth, or between the fourth and fifth loop residues enhanced the thermal stability of MDBs containing a regular and a quasi pentaloops. The results of this study provide new insights into the sequence criteria and structural basis of MDBs.
sTWEAK is a leukoaraiosis biomarker associated with neurovascular angiopathy
Authors: da Silva‐Candal Andrés , Custodia Antia , López‐Dequidt Iria , Rodríguez‐Yáñez Manuel , Alonso‐Alonso Maria Luz , Ávila‐Gómez Paulo , Pumar José M. , Castillo José , Sobrino Tomás , Campos Francisco , Iglesias‐Rey Ramón , Hervella Pablo
Published: January 2022

Objective

Leukoaraiosis (LA) refers to white matter lesions of undetermined etiology associated with the appearance and worsening of vascular pathologies. The aim is to confirm an increased frequency and intensity of LA in symptomatic patients with neurovascular pathology compared with asymptomatic subjects, and its association with circulating serum levels of soluble tumor necrosis factor‐like weak inducer of apoptosis (sTWEAK).

Methods

An observational study was conducted in which two groups of patients were compared. Group I (N = 242) comprised of asymptomatic subjects with arterial hypertension and/or diabetes or with a history of transient ischemic attacks, and Group II (N = 382) comprised patients with lacunar stroke or deep hemispheric intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) of hypertensive origin. Serum levels of sTWEAK were analyzed and correlated with prevalence and intensity of LA according to the Fazekas scale.

Results

The prevalence of LA was higher in symptomatic (85.1%) versus asymptomatic patients (62.0%). Logistic regression model showed a significant relation of LA with neurovascular pathologies (OR: 2.69, IC 95%: 1.10–6.59, p = 0.003). When stratified according to the Fazekas scale, LA of grade II (OR: 3.53, IC 95%: 1.10–6.59, p = 0.003) and specially grade III (OR: 4.66, 95% CI: 1.09–19.84, p = 0.037) showed correlation with neurovascular pathologies. Increased sTWEAK levels were found in the symptomatic group in all LA grades (p < 0.0001), and associated with 5.06 times more risk of presenting clinical symptoms (OR: 5.06, 95% CI: 2.66–9.75, p < 0.0001).

Interpretation

LA showed a higher prevalence in patients with symptomatic lacunar stroke or deep hemispheric ICH. There is an association between sTWEAK levels and LA degree.
Monolithic Perovskite‐Silicon Tandem Solar Cells: From the Lab to Fab?
Authors: Fu Fan , Li Jia , Yang Terry Chien‐Jen , Liang Haoming , Faes Antonin , Jeangros Quentin , Ballif Christophe , Hou Yi
Published: January 2022

This review focuses on monolithic 2‐terminal perovskite‐silicon tandem solar cells and discusses key scientific and technological challenges to address in view of an industrial implementation of this technology. The authors start by examining the different crystalline silicon (c‐Si) technologies suitable for pairing with perovskites, followed by reviewing recent developments in the field of monolithic 2‐terminal perovskite‐silicon tandems. Factors limiting the power conversion efficiency of these tandem devices are then evaluated, before discussing pathways to achieve an efficiency of >32%, a value that small‐scale devices will likely need to achieve to make tandems competitive. Aspects related to the upscaling of these device active areas to industry‐relevant ones are reviewed, followed by a short discussion on module integration aspects. The review then focuses on stability issues, likely the most challenging task that will eventually determine the economic viability of this technology. The final part of this review discusses alternative monolithic perovskite‐silicon tandem designs. Finally, key areas of research that should be addressed to bring this technology from the lab to the fab are highlighted.
A multistage Gompertz life‐cycle model applied to threatened Chinook salmon
Authors: Hinrichsen Richard A. , Paulsen Charles M.
Published: January 2022

Because the Gompertz model has a long history of use as a population model, we analyzed its properties as a multistage stock‐recruitment model. We found that if a life‐cycle model is a sequence of linked Gompertz stock‐recruitment models at each life stage, then it is also a Gompertz stock‐recruitment model. This is similar to the well‐known result for the Beverton–Holt stock‐recruitment model. The Gompertz model is guaranteed to yield least squares estimates and therefore, can offer a distinct advantage over the Beverton–Holt model, which cannot be fit using linear regression and may not yield valid maximum likelihood estimates. We illustrate the use of this multistage modelling framework by applying it to Snake River spring/summer Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha). We found that the Gompertz model fit the data better than the Beverton–Holt Model, and yielded similar carrying capacity estimates for both juveniles and adults. Past work by others on these populations has usually assumed that parr‐to‐adult survival is density independent. However, we found that this assumption may be incorrect: when we applied two‐stage models to these populations, we found density dependence at the juvenile‐to‐adult stage. This suggests that life‐cycle modelling to date has been overly optimistic about the benefits of survival rate increases in the hydro‐system and elsewhere to improve the viability of salmon populations threatened with high extinction risk.
The impact of cultivar development and cultural practices on Louisiana rice yield
Authors: Kennedy P. Lynn , Schmitz Andrew , Linscombe Steve , Zhang Fangyi
Published: January 2022

This analysis investigates the impact of cultivar development and cultural practices on Louisiana rice (Oryza sativa L.) yield growth using the Chow test (Chow, 1960) in combination with regression analysis. The analysis examines the 1895–2019 period, and uses four scenarios in which one, two, three, and four subperiods show varying rates of rice yield growth in Louisiana. There has been a significant increase in Louisiana rice yields over time. However, the growth in yields for some of the subperiods is greater than for others. Our results of significant rice yield increase over time correspond with events such as the establishment of Louisiana's Foundation Seed Program, the release of the Magnolia rice cultivar, and increased mechanization.
Synthesis of antibacterial polymer metal hybrids in irradiated poly‐1‐vinyl‐1,2,4‐triazole complexes with silver ions: pH tuning of nanoparticle sizes
Authors: Zezin Alexey , Danelyan Gurgen , Emel'yanov Artem , Zharikov Alexey , Prozorova Galina , Zezina Elena , Korzhova Svetlana , Fadeeva Tat'yana , Abramchuk Sergei , Shmakova Nina , Pozdnyakov Alexander
Published: January 2022

Poly‐1‐vinyl‐1,2,4‐triazole (PVT)‐based materials with silver nanoparticles are promising antibacterial products. The metal nanoparticles with controllable sizes were obtained by radiation‐induced reduction of the dispersions of complexes of PVT with silver ions. Formation of the silver nanoparticles in aqueous suspensions irradiated at pH 6.0, 2.5, and 2.0 was studied using methods of UV–VIS spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. UV–VIS spectroscopy has detected a change in the efficiency of interaction between protonated or non‐protonated PVT units and the surface of silver nanoparticles. The interaction of macromolecules with the metal surface under different degrees of protonation of PVT functional groups afforded the nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution and an average size from 3 to 10 nm. An increase in the acidity also leads to a decrease in the ratio of the generation/growth of nanoparticles. The radiation approaches both provide the synthesis of the nanoparticles of controlled sizes and permits to obtain the nanocomposites containing no impurities of chemical reducing agents. The nanocomposites obtained exhibit high antibacterial activity against various bacterial strains, which depends on the size of silver nanoparticles.
Adaptive event‐triggered robust H∞ control for Takagi–Sugeno fuzzy networked Markov jump systems with time‐varying delay
Authors: Shamrooz Aslam Muhammad , Qaisar Irfan , Majid Abdul , Shamrooz Summera
Published: January 2022

This paper considers an adaptive event‐triggered robust H∞ control for the Takagi–Sugeno (T‐S) fuzzy under the networked Markov jump systems (NMJSs) with time‐varying delay. First, a new adaptive event‐triggered scheme is developed to guarantee the T‐S fuzzy NMJSs, and as a result, communication energy consumption reduced while device efficiency is maintained. Besides, an asynchronous operation method is adopted to deal with the mismatched premise variables between the fuzzy system and the fuzzy controller. One of the main objectives of this article is to construct the fuzzy state‐feedback controller (mode‐dependent) in a closed‐loop form for stochastic stability for all admissible parameter uncertainties with an H∞ performance index. Different from the conventional triggering mechanism, in this paper, the parameters of the triggering function are based on a new adaptive law that is obtained online rather than a predefined constant. To achieve the less conservative control design, a new type of stochastic Lyapunov–Krasovskii functional is designed by decomposing method, in which the delay interval transforms into various equidistant subintervals in terms of linear matrix inequalities. An example of a truck‐trailer application is used to demonstrate the effectively of the proposed algorithms.
Trust spillovers in the sharing economy: Does international Airbnb experience foster cross‐national trust?
Authors: Kas Judith , Delnoij Joyce , Corten Rense , Parigi Paolo
Published: January 2022

Sharing economy platforms commonly claim to bring about positive social impacts, such as facilitating contact between individuals that would not have met otherwise. According to contact theory, such intergroup contact would change the stereotypes that individuals hold of outgroup members, such as people with a different nationality or ethnicity. We use a large‐scale online Investment Game experiment among Airbnb users to study the effect of Airbnb interactions on cross‐national trust. In contrast with common claims about the positive impact of the sharing economy, we did not find that individuals who had prior experience with a nationality as a host or a guest on Airbnb trusted persons of that nationality more. This may be because monetization, institutionalization and professionalization of Airbnb limits the intensity of contact, or because Airbnb mostly establishes contact between individuals with similar backgrounds.
Chromium phosphide nanoparticles embedded in porous nitrogen‐/phosphorus‐doped carbon as efficient electrocatalysts for a nitrogen reduction reaction
Authors: Yu Jiayuan , Chang Bin , Yu Wanqiang , Li Xiao , Wang Dufu , Xu Zhinian , Zhang Xiaoli , Liu Hong , Zhou Weijia
Published: January 2022

The resource recovery of heavy metals from effluent has significant environmental implications and potential commercial value. Chromium phosphide nanoparticles embedded in a nitrogen‐/phosphorus‐doped porous carbon matrix (CrP/NPC) are synthesized via a consecutive Cr6+ leachate treatment and resource recovery process. Electrochemical testing shows that CrP/NPC shows excellent nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) performance, which yields the highest NH3 production rate of 22.56 μg h−1 mg−1cat. and Faradaic efficiency (16.37%) at −0.5 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode in a 0.05 M Na2SO4 aqueous solution, as well as robust catalytic stability. The isotopic experiments using 15N2 as a nitrogen source confirm that the detected NH3 is derived from the NRR process. Finally, density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the electron deficiency environment of the Cr site can significantly reduce the barrier of the NRR process and promote the formation of intermediate species.
Chemically Tuned Intracellular Gene Delivery by Core‐Shell Nanoparticles: Effects of Proton Buffering, Acid Degradability, and Membrane Disruption
Authors: Cho Soo Kyung , Lee Rebecca T. , Hwang Yoon‐Hwae , Kwon Young Jik
Published: January 2022

Nanoparticles consisting of a condensed nucleic acid core surrounded by protective layers which aid to overcome extracellular and intracellular hurdles to gene delivery (i. e., core‐shell nanoparticles, CSNPs) synthetically mimic viruses. The outer shells shield the core and are particularly designed to enable facilitated release of the gene payload into the cytoplasm, the major limiting step in intracellular gene delivery. The hypothetical proton sponge effect and degradability in response to a stimulus (i. e., mildly acidic pH in the endosome) are two prevailing, although contested, principles in designing effective carriers for intracellular gene delivery via endosomal escape. Utilizing the highly flexible chemical‐tuning of the polymeric shell via surface‐initiated photo‐polymerization of the various monomers at different molecular ratios, the effects of proton buffering capacity, acid‐degradability, and endosomal membrane‐lysis property on intracellular delivery of plasmid DNA by CSNPs were investigated. This study demonstrated the equivalently critical roles of proton buffering and acid‐degradability in achieving efficient intracellular gene delivery, independent of cellular uptake. Extended proton buffering resulted in further improved transfection as long as the core structure was not compromised. The results of the study present a promising synthetic strategy to the development of an efficient, chemically‐tunable gene delivery carrier.
The association of obesity with the progression and outcome of COVID‐19: The insight from an artificial‐intelligence‐based imaging quantitative analysis on computed tomography
Authors: Lu Xiaoting , Cui Zhenhai , Ma Xiang , Pan Feng , Li Lingli , Wang Jiazheng , Sun Peng , Li Huiqing , Yang Lian , Liang Bo
Published: January 2022

Aims

To explore the association of obesity with the progression and outcome of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) at the acute period and 5‐month follow‐up from the perspectives of computed tomography (CT) imaging with artificial intelligence (AI)‐based quantitative evaluation, which may help to predict the risk of obese COVID‐19 patients progressing to severe and critical disease.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective cohort enrolled 213 hospitalized COVID‐19 patients. Patients were classified into three groups according to their body mass index (BMI): normal weight (from 18.5 to <24 kg/m2), overweight (from 24 to <28 kg/m2) and obesity (≥28 kg/m2).

Results

Compared with normal‐weight patients, patients with higher BMI were associated with more lung involvements in lung CT examination (lung lesions volume [cm3], normal weight vs. overweight vs. obesity; 175.5[34.0–414.9] vs. 261.7[73.3–576.2] vs. 395.8[101.6–1135.6]; p = 0.002), and were more inclined to deterioration at the acute period. At the 5‐month follow‐up, the lung residual lesion was more serious (residual total lung lesions volume [cm3], normal weight vs. overweight vs. obesity; 4.8[0.0–27.4] vs. 10.7[0.0–55.5] vs. 30.1[9.5–91.1]; p = 0.015), and the absorption rates were lower for higher BMI patients (absorption rates of total lung lesions volume [%], normal weight vs. overweight vs. obesity; 99.6[94.0–100.0] vs. 98.9[85.2–100.0] vs. 88.5[66.5–95.2]; p = 0.013). The clinical‐plus‐AI parameter model was superior to the clinical‐only parameter model in the prediction of disease deterioration (areas under the ROC curve, 0.884 vs. 0.794, p < 0.05).

Conclusions

Obesity was associated with severe pneumonia lesions on CT and adverse clinical outcomes. The AI‐based model with combinational use of clinical and CT parameters had incremental prognostic value over the clinical parameters alone.
Subtle structures with not‐so‐subtle functions: A data set of arthropod constructs and their host plants
Authors: Pereira Cássio Cardoso , Novais Samuel , Barbosa Milton , Negreiros Daniel , Gonçalves‐Souza Thiago , Roslin Tomas , Marquis Robert , Marino Nicholas , Novotny Vojtech , Orivel Jerome , Sui Shen , Aires Gustavo , Antoniazzi Reuber , Dáttilo Wesley , Breviglieri Crasso , Busse Annika , Gibb Heloise , Izzo Thiago , Kadlec Tomas , Kemp Victoria , Kersch‐Becker Monica , Knapp Michal , Kratina Pavel , Luke Rebecca , Majnarić Stefan , Maritz Robin , Martins Paulo Mateus , Mendesil Esayas , Michalko Jaroslav , Mrazova Anna , Perić Mirela Sertić , Petermann Jana , Ribeiro Sérvio , Sam Katerina , Trzcinski M. Kurtis , Vieira Camila , Westwood Natalie , Bernaschini Maria , Carvajal Valentina , González Ezequiel , Jausoro Mariana , Kaensin Stanis , Ospina Fabiola , Pérez Jacob Cristóbal , Quesada Mauricio , Rogy Pierre , Srivastava Diane S. , Szpryngiel Scarlett , Tack Ayco J. M. , Teder Tiit , Videla Martin , Viljur Mari‐Liis , Koricheva Julia , Fernandes G. Wilson , Romero Gustavo Q. , Cornelissen Tatiana
Published: January 2022

The construction of shelters on plants by arthropods might influence other organisms via changes in colonization, community richness, species composition, and functionality. Arthropods, including beetles, caterpillars, sawflies, spiders, and wasps often interact with host plants via the construction of shelters, building a variety of structures such as leaf ties, tents, rolls, and bags; leaf and stem galls, and hollowed out stems. Such constructs might have both an adaptive value in terms of protection (i.e., serve as shelters) but may also exert a strong influence on terrestrial community diversity in the engineered and neighboring hosts via colonization by secondary occupants. Although different traits of the host plant (e.g., physical, chemical, and architectural features) may affect the potential for ecosystem engineering by insects, such effects have been, to a certain degree, overlooked. Further analyses of how plant traits affect the occurrence of shelters may therefore enrich our understanding of the organizing principles of plant‐based communities. This data set includes more than 1000 unique records of ecosystem engineering by arthropods, in the form of structures built on plants. All records have been published in the literature, and span both natural structures (91% of the records) and structures artificially created by researchers (9% of the records). The data were gathered between 1932 and 2021, across more than 50 countries and several ecosystems, ranging from polar to tropical zones. In addition to data on host plants and engineers, we aggregated data on the type of constructs and the identity of inquilines using these structures. This data set highlights the importance of these subtle structures for the organization of terrestrial arthropod communities, enabling hypotheses testing in ecological studies addressing ecosystem engineering and facilitation mediated by constructs. There are no copyright restrictions and please cite this paper when using the data in publications.
Magnetohydrodynamic mixed convection in a non‐Newtonian third‐grade fluid flowing through vertical parallel plates: A semianalytical study of flow and heat transfer
Authors: Chaudhuri Sumanta , Chakraborty Paromita , Das Mrutyunjay , Das Bitanjaya
Published: January 2022

Buoyancy assisted and buoyancy opposed mixed convection of a third‐grade fluid, which flows through vertically oriented parallel plates, subjected to uniform and constant wall heat fluxes, under the effect of an externally applied magnetic field, are investigated. The coupled, nonlinear conservation equations of momentum and energy are solved employing the collocation method (CM) and velocity and temperature distributions are solved semianalytically. The results produced by the CM and the results of exact solution are compared for the buoyancy assisted and buoyancy opposed flow of a Newtonian fluid through the vertically oriented parallel plates arrangement without the effect of the externally applied magnetic field. An excellent agreement is exhibited by demonstrating the efficacy of the CM. The effects of the third‐grade fluid parameter, Hartmann number, and mixed convection parameter on the dimensionless velocity, temperature, and Nusselt number are studied. The results imply that in the case of buoyancy assisted flow, an increment in the non‐Newtonian third‐grade fluid parameter causes a decrease in the fluid velocity near the plate walls, which finally causes an increase in the velocity in the central core of the plates. In buoyancy opposed flow, the effect of the same parameter is to oppose the flow reversal near the walls and with higher values of this parameter, it can totally prevent the flow reversal near the walls. The results of the present study can be useful in the fields of flow and heat transfer of various grades of polymers, paints, and food processing.
Numerical study on the parabolic flow of MHD fluid past a vertical plate in a porous medium
Authors: Reddy Poli Chandra , Umamheswar Mummadisetty , Reddy S. Harinath , Raju A. B. Madhumohana , Raju M. C.
Published: January 2022

A numerical investigation on MHD fluid flow in parabolic mode has been performed to point out its significant properties. Thermal radiation, porous medium, heat generation, chemical reaction, and thermal diffusion along with variable temperature and concentration are taken into consideration in the analysis. The novelty of the work is the inclusion of heat generation and thermal diffusion along with exponentially varying temperature and concentration. The constituent governing equations are solved by using finite difference schemes in explicit form. The fluctuations in velocity, concentration, and temperature are observed and discussed with the help of graphs as well as numerical data. Their gradients are also calculated and analyzed the flow properties by using numerical tables. The existence of heat generation, as well as viscous dissipation, creates an increment in the temperature. The gradient of heat transfer rises with the impact of Prandtl number and decay in it is examined under the existence of a source of heat and viscous dissipation.
1,7‐Diazaperylene in Organic Field Effect Transistors
Authors: Yumusak Cigdem , Mayr Felix , Wielend Dominik , Kahraman Bilge , Kanbur Yasin , Langhals Heinz , Irimia‐Vladu Mihai
Published: January 2022

A thorough material characterization of 1,7‐diazaperylene via multiple investigation techniques (cyclic voltammetry, photoluminescence, photoluminescence excitation, impedance spectroscopy) was performed to understand its applicability in organic electronic devices. The recorded data of this perylene derivative was placed in conjunction with the respective data of the parent perylene molecule, and the behavior of this novel compound in organic electronic devices (planar diodes and field effect transistors explained). Although no photovoltaic effect behavior was recorded in planar diodes where 1,7‐diazaperylene was employed both as a donor as well as an acceptor, the perylene derivatives proves functional as dielectric layer in organic field effect transistors.
Abortion‐related infections across 11 countries in Sub‐Saharan Africa: Prevalence, severity, and management
Authors: Baguiya Adama , Mehrtash Hedieh , Bonet Mercedes , Adu‐Bonsaffoh Kwame , Compaoré Rachidatou , Bello Folasade Adenike , Govule Philip , Msusa Ausbert Thoko , Kim Caron R. , Kouanda Séni
Published: January 2022

Objective

To estimate the prevalence of infection among abortion‐related complications in health facilities, describe their management, and identify sociodemographic and clinical factors associated with abortion‐related infections.

Methods

A secondary analysis of the WHO Multi‐Country Survey on Abortion‐related morbidity (MCS‐A) conducted in 210 health facilities of 11 Sub‐Saharan African countries between 2017 and 2018. The outcome variable was abortion‐related infections, categorized into three mutually exclusive groups of abortion‐related complications: infections only, infection with other complications, and other complications without infection. We described the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and the management of abortion‐related infection and identified the factors associated with abortion‐related infections using a multinomial logistic model.

Results

A total of 9232 women with abortion‐related complications were included, with infection occurring among 10.6% of women (n = 974). Infection was involved in 47.4% (n = 153) of severe maternal outcomes with a case fatality rate of 27.4% (n = 42). The most common management approach was antibiotics, uterine evacuation, and uterotonics combined: 43.2% (n = 384) in the group of women with infection only and 48.6% (n = 4235) among those with infection and other complications. In addition, 85.9% (n = 7095) of women without infection also received therapeutic antibiotics. Factors associated with an increased odds of infection only compared with complication without infection were age younger than 20 years compared with those aged over 30 (aOR 1.84; 95% CI,1.24–2.74), not living in a couple (aOR 2.05, 95% CI,1.52–2.76), and gestational age of 13 weeks or more (aOR 1.70, 95% CI,1.27–2.26). The same factors were associated with infection and other complications.

Conclusion

Infection is frequent among severe abortion‐related complications, and its case fatality rate is high. Further research to assess the relationship between abortion‐related infections and outcomes is needed. There is also a need to question the quality of postabortion care and improve adequate use of antibiotics.
Beta‐ketothiolase deficiency: A case with unusual presentation of nonketotic hypoglycemic episodes due to coexistent probable secondary carnitine deficiency
Authors: Alijanpour Morteza , Sasai Hideo , Abdelkreem Elsayed , Ago Yasuhiko , Soleimani Shima , Moslemi Leila , Yamaguchi Seiji , Rezapour Masomeh , Hakimi Mohammad T. , Matsumoto Hideki , Fukao Toshiyuki
Published: January 2022

Beta‐ketothiolase (T2, mitochondrial acetoacetyl‐CoA thiolase) deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder of isoleucine catabolism and ketone body metabolism that is characterized by increased urinary excretion of 2‐methylacetoacetate, 2‐methyl‐3‐hydroxybutyrate, and tiglylglycine. Most patients with T2 deficiency develop their first severe ketoacidotic events between 5 and 24 months of age. We encountered a case of T2 deficiency who developed the first hypoglycemic crisis without ketosis during her neonatal period and repeated such nonketotic hypoglycemic crisis during her infancy and early childhood. This is a very atypical clinical phenotype in T2 deficiency. We finally realized that she also has severe carnitine deficiency which might suppress beta‐oxidation resulting in nonketotic hypoglycemia. After carnitine supplementation, she actually developed episodes with ketonuria. Her carnitine deficiency was probably a secondary deficiency which is rare in T2 deficiency but if present, may modify the clinical manifestation of T2 deficiency from ketoacidotic events to hypoketotic hypoglycemic events.
Different responses of soil nitrogen to combined addition of labile carbon sources with fresh versus decomposed litter#
Authors: Ma Hongliang , Tecimen Hüseyin Barış , Ma Fen , Imran Shakeel , Gao Ren , Yin Yunfeng , Raza Taqi , Sun Jie
Published: January 2022

Background

It is well known that litter releases dissolved organic carbon (DOC), which would impact the role of litter in soil nitrogen (N) transformation. Thus, this study aimed to explore the effect of litters decomposed at different levels on soil N dynamics in the presence of labile carbon.

Methods

An incubation experiment was carried out with fresh litter (SF), partially decomposed litter (SP) or the combined addition of glucose and alanine in soils for 210 days. The influence of litter addition on soil was investigated by changes of soil soluble organic N, NH4+‐N, NO3−‐N and microbial biomass N (MBN).

Results

There was higher soil NH4+‐N and NO3−‐N in SF, nonetheless lower in SP than control. Litter addition decreased soil dissolved organic N (DON), but increased DOC compared to control. These results suggested that the effects of litter on soil N might change with the varying status of decomposed litter. Alanine addition increased each soil N form, which was more of DON and less of MBN in SP than SF. After adding amino acids, the priming amount of DON was computed positive at 0.5 day with the highest soil MBN, simultaneously. Moreover, the net N transformation rate preceded the gross rate. Glucose addition also improved soil NH4+‐N and DON more in SP than SF, while lessened MBN in SF than SP. These results indicated that the differential effect of labile C sources, alanine and glucose, on soil N might be related to the chemistry of the differently decomposed litter. As a labile C source, glucose had a lesser effect on soil N than alanine.

Conclusions

Our findings highlighted the coexistence of litters at varied decomposition status and C sources released from litters, which are contributed to the N dynamics in soil and are critical for the ecological functioning of the degraded litter.
The Hill report: Most states falling behind in 988 readiness
Authors: Canady Valerie A.
Published: January 2022

With about six months to go, the new three‐digit number for the suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline is expected to go live; however, to date, only four states have laws in place to ensure that 988 is in working order, according to a new report from The Hill.
Numerical solution of variable‐order stochastic fractional integro‐differential equation with a collocation method based on Müntz–Legendre polynomial
Authors: Kumar Singh Abhishek , Mehra Mani , Mehandiratta Vaibhav
Published: January 2022

In this work, our motivation is to design a new collocation method based on Müntz–Legendre polynomial involving operational matrices to solve variable‐order stochastic fractional integro‐differential equation. We first prove the existence and uniqueness result for the solution of considered problem. The operational matrices are used to convert the variable‐order stochastic fractional integro‐differential equation into non‐linear system of algebraic equations. Further, the accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method are investigated through numerical experiments. Finally, we show the advantage of the variable‐order model over the constant order model through a real‐world example of mathematical finance.
A request for e‐voting system in South Africa: A case of 2019 national elections
Authors: Mamokhere John , Mabeba Selaelo John
Published: January 2022

On the 8th of May 2019, South African citizens in all nine provinces were granted with the opportunity to elect their preferred political party into power. Over million people exercised their right through a ballot voting system for political parties of their choice. However, not every citizen was satisfied with how the election process was coordinated and facilitated particularly in certain areas. This is triggered by the fact that rumors were circulating in various social media platforms imparting that some of the eligible voters were accused of multiple voting while some of the ballot papers were found outside certain voting stations. The paper requests the South African government to introduce an e‐voting system as a means to prevent the above‐mentioned challenges that are associated with the manual voting system. Consequently, using the diffusion of innovation theory, this paper argues that e‐voting system has several pros that may strengthen the credibility of elections by reducing the risk of double voting and spoilt ballot papers and it also acknowledge the 4IR as an advanced system to complement and be integrated into the e‐voting system to be more effective. The aim of this paper was achieved through the use of desktop content analysis approach to reflect on the pros and cons with specific focus to both e‐voting and manual system. The paper examined the pitfalls associated with the ballot voting system. In conclusion, some of the challenges that emerged in the 2019 general elections could be resolved through the adoption of e‐voting system in the long‐run.
Study on the effect of aluminium foil on packaging thermal insulation performance in cold chain logistics
Authors: Zeng Taiying , Jiang Hailin , Hao Fayi
Published: January 2022

This study developed a mathematical model to analyse the effect of aluminium foil on packaging thermal insulation performance in cold chain logistics. The maximum insulation time (MIT) was adopted to quantify the thermal insulation performance of the packaging boxes. The heat penetration rate of the insulation box was verified through the ice melting test. The numerical relationship between the MIT and the phase‐change material (PCM) complete melting time was obtained, and the thermal insulation performance of different insulation boxes was further studied. The results showed, when k = 0.5593 and C = −3.4614, the mathematical model was in good agreement with the thermal insulation performance of the packaging box. It demonstrated that the method of linear fitting the MIT through the PCM complete melting time effectively assessed the thermal insulation performance of the packaging with aluminium foil. Moreover, the thermal insulation performance of adding aluminium foil to the inner surface of the insulating material outperformed the outer surface. An increase of 25.39% and 4.03% in MIT was obtained from adding aluminium foil to the inner surface and the outer surface compared with the insulating material without aluminium foil. Adding aluminium foil to the double‐sided surface of the insulating material achieved more significant insulation performance. The MIT increased by 28.70% and 2.64%, respectively, compared with the material without aluminium foil and adding aluminium foil to the inner surface of the insulating material.
Bivariate copula monitoring
Authors: Easton Andrew , van Dalen Okki , Goeb Rainer , Di Bucchianico Alessandro
Published: January 2022

The assumption of multivariate normality underlying the Hotelling chart is often violated for process data. The multivariate dependency structure can be separated from marginals with the help of copula theory, which permits to model association structures beyond the covariance matrix. Copula‐based estimation and testing routines have reached maturity regarding a variety of practical applications. We have constructed a rich design matrix for the comparison of the Hotelling chart with the copula test by Verdier and the copula test by Vuong, which allows for weighting the observations adaptively. Based on the design matrix, we have conducted a large and computationally intensive simulation study. The results show that the copula test by Verdier performs better than Hotelling in a large variety of out‐of‐control cases, whereas the weighted Vuong scheme often fails to provide an improvement.
The concept of one health applied to the problem of zoonotic diseases
Authors: Shaheen Mohamed N. F.
Published: January 2022

Zoonotic diseases are a burden on healthcare systems globally, particularly underdeveloped nations. Numerous vertebrate animals (e.g., birds, mammals and reptiles) serve as amplifier hosts or reservoirs for viral zoonoses. The spread of zoonotic disease is associated with environmental factors, climate change, animal health as well as other human activities including globalization, urbanization and travel. Diseases at the human‐animal environment interface (e.g., zoonotic diseases, vector‐borne diseases, food/water borne diseases) continue to pose risk to animals and humans with a great significant mortality and morbidity. It is estimated that of 1400 infectious diseases known to affect humans, 60% of them are of animal origin. In addition, 75% of the emerging infectious diseases have a zoonotic nature, worldwide. The one health concept plays an important role in the control and prevention of zoonoses by integrating animal, human, and environmental health through collaboration and communication among osteopaths, wildlife, physicians, veterinarians professionals, public health and environmental experts, nurses, dentists, physicists, biomedical engineers, plant pathologists, biochemists, and others. No one sector, organization, or person can address issues at the animal–human–ecosystem interface alone.
Collaboration and advance planning across campus create more cybersecure colleges, universities
Authors: Bannister Mary
Published: January 2022

“Cybersecurity is a threat that changes all the time, so addressing it involves everybody living and breathing security as second nature.” This was a key theme of a National Student Clearinghouse webinar titled “CyberSecurED: Building a Cyber‐Ready Campus.” The webinar panelists — experts from EDUCAUSE, the Cyber Readiness Institute, REN‐ISAC, and NSC — discussed best practices for preventing and responding to cyberattacks.
Create inclusive content with accessibility tools
Authors: Talarico Donna
Published: January 2022

When you create social media graphics, downloadable lead magnets, new academic program pages for your website, and email newsletters, are you keeping accessibility in mind? I certainly hope so. It's not only required by federal law for many colleges and universities, but it's simply the right thing to do — and will most likely lead to a better experience for all, not just students with disabilities.
Tap into texting to better engage with students
Authors: Talarico Donna
Published: January 2022

SMS — or short message service — is the more technical term for text messaging. As a marketing channel, it's gaining ground in industries of all kinds. From generating and qualifying leads to sending application reminders and status updates, text messaging can be an efficient and cost‐effective channel.
Globoid cell leukodystrophy in two dachshund siblings
Authors: Kosinova Pausova Tereza , Rosati Marco , Tomek Aleš
Published: January 2022

An 11‐week‐old male dachshund and its 13‐week‐old female sibling presented with slowly progressive gait abnormalities, cerebellar ataxia and intention head tremor. In the pedigree of their parents, there were no signs of these neurological abnormalities. The magnetic resonance imaging scan results, cerebrospinal fluid and complete blood analysis obtained in the male dog were not consistent with metabolic, infectious or anomalous conditions, leaving a degenerative disorder as the most likely differential diagnosis. Both puppies were euthanased (male after 3 weeks and female after 6 weeks) due to diffuse central nervous system abnormalities. Histopathology findings were consistent with globoid cell leukodystrophy. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first confirmed case of this lysosomal storage disease in a dachshund.
Waves of change: Responding, recovering, and rebuilding in crisis
Authors: Steele Michelle Cummings , Pierre Darren E. , Priest Kerry L.
Published: January 2022

In this article, we use the metaphor of a tsunami to illustrate the waves of change brought on by the global pandemic. We discuss the role of leadership educators in responding, recovering, and rebuilding in the aftermath of crisis. We draw from transition theory and complex adaptive leadership theory for sense‐making and action.
The Sharing Economy in France: A Favourable Ecosystem for Alternative Platforms Models
Authors: Lewkowicz Myriam , Cahier Jean-Pierre
Published: January 2022

This chapter reflects on the sharing economy in France and what can be considered a favourable ecosystem for alternative platform models. This chapter starts by reviewing a large amount of academic literature, reports, and legislation that have been produced for the last ten years and that has certainly helped businesses, public sector institutions, and local communities to anticipate changes inspired by technology and its uses and to open up their innovation processes. The chapter then focuses on platform cooperatives in three emblematic domains (meal delivery service, carpooling, and energy) that illustrate how France has embraced the criticisms of the sharing economy and its platforms. This chapter finally discussed how some factors could be considered as characteristics of a ‘French touch’ in terms of platform cooperativism.
Time Banks in the United Kingdom: An Examination of the Evolution
Authors: Perez-Vega Rodrigo , Miguel Cristina
Published: January 2022

Time banks allow people to exchange and trade their skills; an hour for an hour. Today the United Kingdom (UK) has built a diverse ecosystem around times and skills sharing of both generic (e.g., TimeBanking UK, Communities Together) and specialist skills (e.g., Frontline19). This chapter defines the main characteristics and benefits of time banks. It also provides a typology of platforms that can be found in the UK based on the types of transactions and the types of assets being exchanged. The chapter analyses the evolution of time banks in the UK and how the COVID-19 pandemic has fostered the development of new initiatives. Finally, the chapter also includes a discussion of the attempts to measure the economic and social impact of time banks.
The Sharing Economy Business Models in Poland: Aspects of Trust, Law, and Initiatives Facing the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Lukasiewicz Agnieszka , Nadolska Aleksandra
Published: January 2022

This chapter presents an analysis of sharing economy development in Poland, not only big businesses such as Uber or Airbnb but also smaller, local initiatives—often in their niches, doing better than global corporations. All kinds of enterprises and institutions are increasingly willing to incorporate elements of shared economics for business practice and organisational culture through stressing cost savings and flexibility. With all the opportunities sharing economy brings, it also creates many unsolved issues, such as regulations, labour law, competition, which often lead to conflicts of different stakeholders. Authors discuss various sharing economy initiatives in Poland as well as social strands, trust, and problems with legally unregulated issues. Furthermore, this chapter also covers different aspects of sharing economy initiatives embedded in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Peer-To-Peer Accommodation in Europe: Trends, Challenges and Opportunities
Authors: Farmaki Anna , Miguel Cristina
Published: January 2022

The aim of this chapter is to discuss the evolution of the peer-to-peer (P2P) accommodation phenomenon in Europe and to examine the key trends noticeable in the sector, including any external factors that influence P2P accommodation operations, practices and future development. Correspondingly, the chapter also examines the opportunities and challenges that emerge from P2P accommodation’s rapid growth. As such, the chapter aims to contribute to the ongoing discussion on the evolution of P2P accommodation platforms in Europe. Specifically, the chapter offers insights that may illuminate the understanding of the drivers, inhibitors, and influencers pertinent to the phenomenon’s development and resilience potential in the COVID-19 pandemic era.
Very stable Higgs bundles, equivariant multiplicity and mirror symmetry
Authors: Hausel Tamás , Hitchin Nigel
Published: January 2022

We define and study the existence of very stable Higgs bundles on Riemann surfaces, how it implies a precise formula for the multiplicity of the very stable components of the global nilpotent cone and its relationship to mirror symmetry. The main ingredients are the Bialynicki-Birula theory of$${\mathbb {C}}^*$$C∗-actions on semiprojective varieties,$${\mathbb {C}}^*$$C∗characters of indices of$${\mathbb {C}}^*$$C∗-equivariant coherent sheaves, Hecke transformation for Higgs bundles, relative Fourier–Mukai transform along the Hitchin fibration, hyperholomorphic structures on universal bundles and cominuscule Higgs bundles.