bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamic linkages among energy consumption, urbanization and ecological footprint: empirical evidence from NARDL approach
Authors: Khan Yousuf , Khan Mohd. Azam , Zafar Shadman
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The primary purpose is to investigate the dynamic relationships among urbanization, energy use and environmental pollution in the context of India from 1971 to 2018. The paper also examines the validity of Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis in the present Indian context.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a nonlinear autoregressive distributed lag cointegration test (Shin et al., 2014) to investigate the dynamic relationship among the mentioned variables. The Wald test is also used to statistically check the presence of asymmetry. Additionally, the VECM test is applied to examine the causality among the variables.

Findings

This study documents that urbanization in India is good for environment in the long run, whereas energy consumption is bad for the environment. It also finds that positive and negative shocks of energy and urbanization exert asymmetric impacts on ecological footprint. Furthermore, the results could not validate the EKC hypothesis for India.

Practical implications

The outcome of the study suggests designing an environmental policy which considers the nonlinearity of the investigated relationships and bearing in mind the use of comprehensive indicator like ecological footprint is equally important to address the wide-ranging problem of the environment. Policy reorientation towards the production and consumption of green energy, investment in research and development, and use of efficient technology is very crucial to achieve sustainable outcomes in the long run.

Originality/value

In this study, the researchers use the ‘ecological footprint’ variable to obtain a more accurate and comprehensive assessment of environmental deterioration. The mentioned dynamic relationships are investigated using an improved methodology of the NARDL model, which assumes the asymmetric impact of the explanatory variables on the response variable. The novelty of this study lies in examining the non-linear impact of urbanization and energy on ecological footprint which is inadequately addressed in the context of Indian economy.
Valid questions: the development and evaluation of a new library learning analytics survey
Authors: Asher Andrew , Briney Kristin , Goben Abigail
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This article describes the development processes, sampling and analysis practices and the assessment of reliability and validity of a new 0survey that sought to evaluate undergraduate students' perceptions and expectations related to privacy and library participation in learning analytics studies. This article provides other researchers with information required to independently evaluate the survey's efficacy, as well as guidance for designing other surveys.

Design/methodology/approach

Following question development, pre-survey validity assessments were made using subject matter expert panel review and cognitive interviews. Post-hoc analysis of survey construct reliability was evaluated using the Omega coefficient, while exploratory factor analysis was utilized to assess construct validity. Survey design limitations and potential bias effects are also examined.

Findings

The survey exhibited a high level of reliability among research constructs, while the exploratory factor analysis results suggested that survey constructs contained multiple conceptual elements that should be measured separately for more nuanced analysis.

Practical implications

This article provides a model for other researchers wishing to re-use the survey described or develop similar surveys.

Social implications

As learning analytics interest continues to expand, engaging with the subjects, in this case students, of analysis is critical. Researchers need to ensure that captured measurements are appropriately valid in order to accurately represent the findings.

Originality/value

This survey is one of very few addressing library learning analytics that has undergone extensive validity analysis of the conceptual constructs.
Co-creation service readiness model: a decision support for the selection of public services suitable for improvement through co-creation
Authors: Vrbek Sanja , Jukić Tina
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a model that supports public organisations in making informed strategic decisions as to which public services are most suitable to be improved through co-creation. Thus, it first identifies the features that make public services (un)suitable for co-creation and then applies this knowledge to develop a multi-criteria decision support model for the assessment of their co-creation readiness.

Design/methodology/approach

The decision support model is the result of design science research. While its structure is determined by a qualitative multi-criteria decision analysis, its substance builds on a content analysis of Web of Science papers and over a dozen empirical case studies.

Findings

The model is comprised of 13 criteria clustered into two groups: service readiness criteria from the perspective of service users and service readiness criteria from the perspective of a public organisation.

Research limitations/implications

The model attributes rely on a limited number of empirical cases and references from the literature review. The model was tested by only one public organisation on four of its services.

Originality/value

The paper shifts the research focus from organisational properties and capacity, as the key co-creation drivers and barriers, to features of public services as additional factors that affect the prospect of co-creation. Thus, it makes a pioneering step towards the conceptualisation of the idea of “service readiness for co-creation” and the development of a practical instrument that supports co-creation in the public sector.
Variability in benefit from intensive insulin therapy on cardiovascular events in individuals with type 1 diabetes: A post hoc analysis of the DCCT/EDIC study
Authors: Helmink Marga A. G. , Hageman Steven H. J. , Visseren Frank L. J. , de Ranitz‐Greven Wendela L. , de Valk Harold W. , van Sloten Thomas T. , Westerink Jan
Published: July 2023

Aim

To evaluate presence of treatment effect heterogeneity of intensive insulin therapy (INT) on occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

In participants from the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial/Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT/EDIC) study, individual treatment effect of INT (≥3 daily insulin injections/insulin pump therapy) versus conventional therapy (once/twice daily insulin) on the risk of MACE was estimated using a penalized Cox regression model including treatment‐by‐covariate interaction terms.

Results

In 1441 participants, 120 first MACE events were observed and 1279 individuals (89%) were predicted to benefit from INT with regard to MACE risk reduction. The study population was divided into four groups based on predicted treatment effect: one group with no predicted benefit and three tertiles with predicted treatment benefit. The median absolute reduction in 30‐year risk of MACE across groups of predicted treatment effect ranged from −0.2% (i.e. risk increase; interquartile range [IQR] −0.1% to −0.3%) in the group with no predicted benefit to 6.6% (i.e. risk reduction; IQR 3.8%–10.9%; number needed to treat 15) in the highest tertile of predicted benefit. The observed benefit of preventing microvascular complications was stable across all subgroups of predicted MACE benefit.

Conclusions

Although INT reduces the risk of MACE in the majority of individuals with type 1 diabetes, benefit varies substantially. These individual differences in the effect of INT underline the necessity for a better understanding of the individual response to intensive treatment.
Neurofilament light, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and tau in a regional epilepsy cohort: High plasma levels are rare but related to seizures
Authors: Akel Sarah , Asztely Fredrik , Banote Rakesh Kumar , Axelsson Markus , Zetterberg Henrik , Zelano Johan
Published: July 2023

Objective

Higher levels of biochemical blood markers of brain injury have been described immediately after tonic–clonic seizures and in drug‐resistant epilepsy, but the levels of such markers in epilepsy in general have not been well characterized. We analyzed neurofilament light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and tau in a regional hospital‐based epilepsy cohort and investigated what proportion of patients have levels suggesting brain injury, and whether certain epilepsy features are associated with high levels.

Methods

Biomarker levels were measured in 204 patients with an epilepsy diagnosis participating in a prospective regional biobank study, with age and sex distribution correlating closely to that of all patients seen for epilepsy in the health care region. Absolute biomarker levels were assessed between two patient groups: patients reporting seizures within the 2 months preceding inclusion and patients who did not have seizures for more than 1 year. We also assessed the proportion of patients with above‐normal levels of NfL.

Results

NfL and GFAP, but not tau, increased with age. Twenty‐seven patients had abnormally high levels of NfL. Factors associated with such levels were recent seizures (p = .010) and epileptogenic lesion on radiology (p = .001). Levels of NfL (p = .006) and GFAP (p = .032) were significantly higher in young patients (<65 years) with seizures ≤2 months before inclusion compared to those who reported no seizures for >1 year. NfL and GFAP correlated weakly with the number of days since last seizure (NfL: rs = −.228, p = .007; GFAP: rs = −.167, p = .048) in young patients. NfL also correlated weakly with seizure frequency in the last 2 months (rs = .162, p = .047).

Significance

Most patients with epilepsy do not have biochemical evidence of brain injury. The association with seizures merits further study; future studies should aim for longitudinal sampling and examine whether individual variations in NfL or GFAP levels could reflect seizure activity.
Analysis of post‐extraction bleeding in patients taking antithrombotic therapy using data from the longevity improvement and fair evidence study
Authors: Nakamura Junya , Nakatsuka Kiyomasa , Uchida Kazuaki , Akisue Toshihiro , Maeda Megumi , Murata Fumiko , Fukuda Haruhisa , Ono Rei
Published: July 2023

Background

Several studies have investigated post‐extraction bleeding in patients on antithrombotic therapy, but most included a small sample size.

Objective

This study aimed to analyse post‐extraction bleeding in patients on antithrombotic therapy using data from a large database.

Materials and Methods

Claims data of National Health Insurance and Late‐Stage Elderly Healthcare System enrollees who underwent tooth extraction between October 2014 and March 2019 (n = 107 767) in a large multiregional cohort study (Longevity Improvement and Fair Evidence study) were included. Antithrombotic therapy was determined based on the drug codes used at the time of tooth extraction (classified into six groups: no antithrombotic, single antiplatelet, dual antiplatelet, Direct Oral Anticoagulant, warfarin and combined antiplatelet and anticoagulant therapies). The outcome was defined as the presence of “post‐extraction bleeding” as a receipt disease name in the same month as tooth extraction. To examine the association between antithrombotic therapy and post‐extraction bleeding in detail, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed with post‐extraction bleeding as the objective variable; each antithrombotic therapy as the explanatory variable; and age, sex and comorbidities as adjustment variables.

Results

Antithrombotic therapy was administered in 14 343 patients (13.3%), and post‐extraction bleeding was observed in 419 patients (0.4%). The rate of post‐extraction bleeding was significantly lower in the no antithrombotic therapy and single antiplatelet groups than that in the other groups (odds ratio: 2.00–9.02).

Conclusion

The frequency of post‐extraction bleeding is high in patients on anticoagulation or dual antithrombotic therapy. Therefore, careful preparation before extraction is necessary in these patients.
Self‐ and co‐regulation of physiological activity during mother‐daughter interactions: The role of adolescent non‐suicidal self‐injury
Authors: James Kiera M. , Balderrama‐Durbin Christina , Israel Elana , Feurer Cope , Gibb Brandon E.
Published: July 2023

Background

Non‐suicidal self‐injury (NSSI) is a significant public health concern that is thought to increase risk for future self‐injurious behaviors, including suicide attempts. Notably, NSSI is especially prevalent among adolescents, which underscores a critical need to identify modifiable risk factors that could be targeted to reduce future risk. The current study examined self‐ and co‐regulation of physiological responses during mother‐daughter interactions in adolescent girls with and without a history of NSSI.

Methods

Participants were 60 girls aged 13–17 with (n = 27) and without (n = 33) a history of NSSI and their mothers. Adolescents and their mothers completed positive and negative interaction tasks during which physiological reactivity was assessed via respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA).

Results

Using Actor‐Partner Interdependence Modeling (APIM), we found that adolescents with an NSSI history demonstrated a higher RSA setpoint than adolescents without this history during the negative, but not positive, interaction task. In addition, there were differences in co‐regulation during the negatively valenced interaction, such that mothers of daughters with NSSI were more reactive to fluctuations in their daughters' RSA than mothers of daughters without an NSSI history.

Conclusions

These findings highlight intra‐ and interpersonal aspects of physiological dysregulation associated with NSSI that could provide promising targets of intervention to reduce future risk in adolescent girls.
The moderating role of work‐to‐family spillover in the association between nurses' work values and work engagement: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Hara Yukari , Yamada Masako , Takada Nozomu , Sugiyama Shoko , Asakura Kyoko
Published: July 2023

Aim

Although researchers have emphasized the importance of enhancing work engagement in nurses to ensure work‐related well‐being, the underlying mechanisms of the influencing factors of work engagement remain unclear. This study aimed to elucidate whether work‐to‐family spillover moderates the relationship between nurses' work values and work engagement.

Methods

In total, 2600 nurses from 52 hospitals in the Tohoku region of Japan were recruited, and 1587 nurses participated. The questionnaire included items on demographic characteristics, the Nurses' Work Values Scale, the Japanese version of the Work‐life Balance Scale, and the Work Engagement Scale. Data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression.

Results

The interaction terms of negative work‐to‐family spillover with extrinsic work values and prestige work values were significantly associated with work engagement. The interaction terms of nurses' work values and positive work‐to‐family spillovers did not show a significant association.

Conclusions

Nurses who emphasized extrinsic work values and those who did not emphasize prestige work values had the lowest work engagement in settings with high negative work‐to‐family spillover. To ensure nurses' work‐related well‐being and engagement, nursing managers could provide support for nurses in tackling work‐related negative events, so that these do not carry over to family settings.
Regenerating Maya‐Mam ways of governing, Indigenous emancipatory politics in the age of the extractive imperative
Authors: Vanthuyne Karine , Dugal Marie Christine
Published: July 2023

The literature on the recent exponential growth of the extractive industry in Latin America and beyond has documented the various processes through which this sector has been empowered to expand its frontier, as well as the strategies that affected communities employ to resist it. However, in this article we instead focus on how some Maya‐Mam residents of San Miguel Ixtahuacán understood and addressed the divisive effects of the Marlin Mine, which operated between 2005 and 2017 and was Guatemala's largest open‐pit mine. Drawing on ethnographic and oral history research, we uncover the resilience of Maya‐Mam ways of thinking and engaging with politics, in addition to the challenges they faced in their endeavors. As we will see, in the face of Guatemala's deeply engrained “culture of corruption,” the tactic of appealing to others’ conciencia (critical awareness and moral integrity) rather than offering monetary rewards to garner political support proved to be too ambitious.
Clinical features of fetal hydrothorax associated with mucopolysaccharidosis‐VII
Authors: Kamihara Yuki , Ozawa Katsusuke , Muromoto Jin , Sugibayashi Rika , Wada Seiji , Shibata Yuka , Hori Asuka , Hasegawa Fuyuki , Hata Kenichiro , Sago Haruhiko
Published: July 2023

Mucopolysaccharidosis (MPS)‐VII, called Sly disease, is a lysosomal storage disorder that can cause fetal hydrops, including fetal hydrothorax (FHT). We describe two fetal cases that received thoracoamniotic shunting for FHT, which was later found to be associated with MPS‐VII by exome sequencing. Bilateral FHT accompanied by skin edema and ascites was found before 20 weeks of gestation in both cases. One fetus died in utero at 35 weeks of gestation, and the other survived with preterm delivery at 30 weeks of gestation. Both cases inherited compound pathogenic variants of GUSB from parents. Comparison with previously reported primary FHT cases revealed distinct clinical features in MPS‐VII‐associated FHT: early gestational age at diagnosis (<26 weeks), bilateral effusion, skin edema with ascites, and poor survival. A genetic analysis would be considered for FHT cases, with consideration of shunting when they show early‐onset bilateral effusions with skin edema and ascites.
Hepatic recompensation according to Baveno VII criteria is linked to a significant survival benefit in decompensated alcohol‐related cirrhosis
Authors: Hofer Benedikt Silvester , Simbrunner Benedikt , Hartl Lukas , Jachs Mathias , Balcar Lorenz , Paternostro Rafael , Schwabl Philipp , Semmler Georg , Scheiner Bernhard , Trauner Michael , Mandorfer Mattias , Reiberger Thomas
Published: July 2023

Background & Aims

Removing the primary aetiological factor in decompensated cirrhosis may lead to a restoration of hepatic function. In this study, we investigated the clinical implications of recompensation and the subsequent survival in patients with decompensated alcohol‐related cirrhosis.

Methods

The rate of recompensation was evaluated in patients with decompensated alcohol‐related cirrhosis and persistent alcohol abstinence undergoing a hepatic venous pressure gradient (HVPG) measurement. Recompensation was defined according to Baveno VII criteria as resolution of ascites and hepatic encephalopathy, absence of variceal bleeding and improvement in liver function.

Results

Two hundred and four abstinent patients with decompensated alcohol‐related cirrhosis (age: 57.2 [IQR:50.1–63.7] years; 75.0% male; median MELD: 15 [IQR:11–19]) and a median HVPG of 20 (IQR:18–24) mmHg were included. During a median follow‐up of 24.4 (IQR:10.9–50.4) months, 37 patients (18.1%) achieved abstinence‐induced recompensation. Lower baseline HVPG, lower Child‐Pugh score, lower BMI, higher albumin and higher mean arterial pressure were linked to a higher probability of recompensation. After adjusting for age, disease severity, portal hypertension and systemic inflammation, achieving recompensation resulted in a significant and considerable reduction in liver‐related mortality (adjusted HR: 0.091 [95% CI: 0.012–0.677]; p = .019). Only 13 patients (6.4%) developed hepatocellular carcinoma, with a tendency towards a lower risk upon recompensation (HR: 0.398 [95% CI: 0.084–1.878]; p = .245), yet this finding did not reach statistical significance and requires further investigation.

Conclusions

Alcohol abstinence led to recompensation in 18.1% of our cohort of HVPG‐characterised patients with decompensated alcohol‐related cirrhosis. Achieving hepatic recompensation resulted in a >90% risk reduction in liver‐related mortality.
The role of insider knowledge in the trajectories of highly accomplished scientists
Authors: Subotnik Rena F. , Olszewski‐Kubilius Paula , Worrell Frank C.
Published: July 2023

Insider knowledge is critical information about how to achieve success that is not available to the general public but is relatively well‐known to individuals within the domain and to those who have access to those individuals. The goal of this study was to examine the perceived role of insider knowledge in a sample of highly accomplished American professionals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). We asked participants explicitly if insider knowledge had played a role in their talent development trajectory from K–12 education to their current creative work, with questions related to experiences at the undergraduate and graduate level and during their careers. The study was exploratory, so no formal hypotheses were put forward. Given the lack of research on the topic of insider knowledge as defined in this paper, we conducted semi‐structured interviews with a select group of individuals who had successful careers in STEM fields, both to see if insider knowledge was something that they considered important and to see if they felt that insider knowledge had played a role in their educational and career trajectories. Our hope is that the results of this paper will inform future in‐depth studies on the topic of insider knowledge.
Hybrid Substrates for Heterogeneous Integration
Authors: Lau John H. , Chen Gary Chang-Fu , Yang Channing Cheng-Lin , Teng Vincent , Peng Andy Yan-Jia , Huang Jones Yu-Cheng , Liu Hsing-Ning , Chen Y. H. , Tseng Tzyy-Jang , Li Ming
Published: July 2023

The hybrid substrate (organic interposer + build-up package substrate + solder joints + underfill) of multiple systems and heterogeneous integration is investigated. The organic interposer of the hybrid substrate is fabricated by a fan-out chip-last on a temporary panel with two different kinds of dielectric materials, namely, the photo-imageable dielectric and the Ajinomoto Build-Up Film. These two hybrid substrates are supporting two different chips. The flatness of metal lines of the redistribution-layers, the quality of the hybrid substrate after chip-to-hybrid substrate bonding, and the reliability of the solder joints between these two hybrid substrates will be discussed.
Caucusing: Creating a space to confront our fears
Authors: Giles Rebecca , Rivers Shirley
Published: July 2023

Learning does not occur in a vacuum and this reality challenges all educators to provide for the differing learning needs that exist because of students’ particular relationship to the course material. Teaching Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the colonial history of Aotearoa New Zealand to adult students of social work and counselling in mainstream tertiary education programmes provides particular challenges and opportunities for tutors and students alike. When teaching this topic, it is essential that the nature of the relationships that exist today between the peoples that represent the signatories of the Tiriti / Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 is explored. Yet, at the same time, the learning needs of all students must be met.The authors have extensive experience in the teaching of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to adult learners. They have found the practice of caucusing helpful in creating a process that affords an opportunity for a transfer of learning to take place. How this process operates is the subject of this research study. In it, the authors identify distinct differences between Maaori and non-Maaori students’ experiences of caucusing. Worthwhile explanations of these differences are provided and linked to literature findings. Excerpts from research relating to the hidden dynamics of white power and domination are provided and assist in increasing an understanding of the intense reactions expressed by students during the transfer of knowledge process. Comments from students are included to highlight the shifts in understanding as the caucusing experience proceeds. The authors suggest that this topic has quite different implications for students within the same classroom, dependent upon whether they are located within the group that has experienced colonisation and domination (Maaori) or the other group, i.e. the colonising group (non-Maaori). They highlight the need to go beyond an intellectual fact-gathering exercise to achieve significant and worthwhile educational outcomes in this topic area.
Using collaborative critical autoethnography to decolonise through “seeing” and doing: Social work, community engagement, and ethical practice
Authors: Van Katwyk Trish , Guzik Catherine
Published: July 2023

INTRODUCTION: This article reports on a collaborative critical autoethnographic study that we, two white settler social workers, conducted about our engagement with Inuit youth in Nunavut.
APPROACH: We facilitated three digital storytelling projects with youth living in three different Nunavut communities. By engaging in a collaborative critical autoethnography study, we were able to attend to the ways in which we were entering into communities, paying particular attention to the ways in which white supremist colonial thought has impacted our training and our locations within larger structures—shaped by colonising histories with consequences that mould day-to-day life and opportunity for the Inuit youth engaged in the digital storytelling.
FINDINGS: Through collaborative critical autoethnography, using individual research memos and guided dialogue, we considered the ways in which commodification was structured into our relationships, how these structures continue to be colonising, and consider the impact of the past and current colonisation. We also encountered the many strengths and resistances of the Inuit of Nunavut.
IMPLICATIONS: By bringing these considerations to light, we hope to enter into relationships with Inuit communities with fewer of the biases and assumptions that underlay and rationalise the structures that we have critically examined.
Fluorochemicals from fluorspar via a phosphate-enabled mechanochemical process that bypasses HF
Authors: Patel Calum , André-Joyaux Emy , Leitch Jamie A. , de Irujo-Labalde Xabier Martínez , Ibba Francesco , Struijs Job , Ellwanger Mathias A. , Paton Robert , Browne Duncan L. , Pupo Gabriele , Aldridge Simon , Hayward Michael A. , Gouverneur Véronique
Published: July 2023

All fluorochemicals—including elemental fluorine and nucleophilic, electrophilic, and radical fluorinating reagents—are prepared from hydrogen fluoride (HF). This highly toxic and corrosive gas is produced by the reaction of acid-grade fluorspar (>97% CaF
2
) with sulfuric acid under harsh conditions. The use of fluorspar to produce fluorochemicals via a process that bypasses HF is highly desirable but remains an unsolved problem because of the prohibitive insolubility of CaF
2
. Inspired by calcium phosphate biomineralization, we herein disclose a protocol of treating acid-grade fluorspar with dipotassium hydrogen phosphate (K
2
HPO
4
) under mechanochemical conditions. The process affords a solid composed of crystalline K
3
(HPO
4
)F and K
2−

x

Ca

y

(PO
3
F)

a

(PO
4
)

b

, which is found suitable for forging sulfur-fluorine and carbon-fluorine bonds.
Simulating the Universe
The Universe in a Box: Simulations and the Quest to Code the Cosmos
Andrew Pontzen
Riverhead Books, 2023. 272 pp.
Authors: Abel Tom
Published: July 2023

An accessible introduction to computational cosmology offers fodder for profound reflection
In Science Journals
Authors: Smith H. Jesse , Jiang Di , Stajic Jelena , Yeston Jake , Fogg Christiana N. , Malo Courtney S. , Ash Caroline , Simonti Corinne , Scanlon Seth Thomas , Szuromi Phil , Lavine Marc S. , VanHook Annalisa M. , Grocholski Brent
Published: July 2023

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
Hereditary Conditions Associated with Elevated Cancer Risk in Childhood
Authors: Suspitsin Evgeny N. , Imyanitov Evgeny N.
Published: July 2023

Widespread use of the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies revealed that a significant percentage of tumors in children develop as a part of monogenic hereditary diseases. Predisposition to the development of pediatric neoplasms is characteristic of a wide range of conditions including hereditary tumor syndromes, primary immunodeficiencies, RASopathies, and phakomatoses. The mechanisms of tumor molecular pathogenesis are diverse and include disturbances in signaling cascades, defects in DNA repair, chromatin remodeling, and microRNA processing. Timely diagnosis of tumor-associated syndromes is important for the proper choice of cancer treatment, genetic counseling of families, and development of the surveillance programs. The review describes the spectrum of neoplasms characteristic of the most common syndromes and molecular pathogenesis of these diseases.
A New Low-Voltage Second Generation Voltage Conveyor Using Merged Voltage Follower and DTMOS Techniques
Authors: Kumar Arvin , Kumari Shweta , Gupta Maneesha , Parthasarathy Harish
Published: July 2023

A very simple, compact and low-power second generation voltage conveyor circuit using only eight transistors is proposed in this work. Voltage follower stage is implemented using merged voltage follower (MVF), offering very low output impedance. A simple current mirror forms the input stage of the proposed voltage conveyor. To further enhance the linearity, another circuit is proposed where input transistor in MVF is replaced with DTMOS (Dynamic Threshold Voltage MOSFET), giving [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mV linearity range as compared to [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mV of the first proposal. Proposed-II VCII provides reduced offset voltage due to decreased effective threshold of DTMOS, and gain bandwidth product of the circuit also improves. Simulation results are computed using 180-nmCMOS technology with supply voltage of [Formula: see text][Formula: see text]V to validate the proposed circuits. Proposed-I and proposed-II VCII consume 85.1[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]W and 97.5[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]W, respectively. An application of the proposed conveyors as “current to voltage converter”, is also presented.
SiamTDNN: Enhancing Discriminative Embeddings for Speaker Diarization
Authors: Zhang Runqing , Lu Huijun , Cai Dunbo , Huang Zhiguo , Du Yujian , Qian Ling , Zhang Yijun
Published: July 2023

Recent advances in speaker embeddings promote a great development of speaker diarization. However, determining ‘who spoke when’ in the meeting scenarios is still challenging due to similar speaker voices and unknown speaker quantity. In this paper, this research proposes enhanced discriminative features for speaker diarization, including discriminative speaker-specific features based on Siamese networks, and a speaker re-verification method. With Siamese architecture, SiamTDNN, this research first explores latent representations which is capable of modeling intra-class and inter-class differences between speakers, by training with audio pairs. Then, the re-verification method is introduced with a local-global strategy to identify speakers in a multi-person talking scene. Our method provides a novel speaker embedding with enhanced discriminative power for disambiguated speakers and achieves an elevated upper bound on the number of speakers. The proposed speaker embedding achieved an EER of 1.1% and a minDCF of 0.1192 on VoxCeleb1 for the speaker verification task. Extensive experiments on AiShell-4, ICSI, AMI and VoxConverse demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method with an average DER reduction of 3% and an RTF of 0.0792.
Nonlinear Damping and Vibration Assessment of Sandwich Beam with Composite Faces and Viscoelastic Core Layer
Authors: Al-Dulaijan Salah U. , Youzera Hadj , Meftah Sid Ahmed , Al-Osta Mohammed A. , Tounsi Abdelouahed , Al-Gharabli Mohammad
Published: July 2023

This work deals with the damping and vibration characteristics evaluation of sandwich beams based on higher-order shear deformation theories (HSDT’s). The studied sandwich beams are composed of composite materials at faces and homogeneous, isotropic viscoelastic material in the core layer. This latter (viscoelastic material) is described by complex Young’s modulus in the frequency domain. Indeed, the real part represents the stiffness, and the imaginary one describes the damping property. Nonlinear damping parameters and frequency curves are obtained using the nonlinear equation of frequency amplitude governed by multiple complex coefficients. In conjunction with a one-mode Galerkin’s procedure, the harmonic balance method is employed to obtain the nonlinear loss factor and the response frequency curves. The nonlinear frequency value and, in turn, the system loss factor ratio are obtained for various amplitudes to examine the impacts of the ply angle of fiber-reinforced composite faces, the viscoelastic shear modulus, the shear deformation model, for considering different geometric and material parameters. In the framework of this study, one attempt is to describe a better way to achieve satisfactory passive vibration control of the laminated beams.
Dynamic Analysis of Elastically Supported Functionally Graded Sandwich Beams Resting on Elastic Foundations Under Moving Loads
Authors: Chen Wei-Ren , Lin Chien-Hung
Published: July 2023

Vibration behaviors of elastically supported functionally graded (FG) sandwich beams resting on elastic foundations under moving loads are investigated. The transformed-section method is first applied to establish the bending vibration equations of FG sandwich beams, then the Chebyshev collocation method is used to study free and forced vibrations. Two types of sandwich beams with FG faces-isotropic core and isotropic faces-FG core are considered. The material properties of FG materials are assumed to vary across the beam thickness according to a simple power function. Regarding the free vibration analysis, bending vibration frequencies are calculated numerically by forming a matrix eigenvalue equation. As for the forced vibration analysis, the backward differentiation formula method is employed to solve the time-dependent ordinary differential equations to obtain the dynamic deformations of the beam. To ensure the accuracy of the proposed model, some calculated results are compared with those in the published literature. Parametric studies are then performed to demonstrate the effects of material gradient indexes, stack types, layer thickness ratios, slenderness ratios, excitation frequency and speed of moving loads, and foundation and support stiffness parameters on the dynamic characteristics of FG sandwich beams.
Mesoporous Nanosized Manganese Dioxides for Efficient Toluene Oxidation
Authors: Zhang Nan , Dong Changqing , Yao Haizhou , Liu Yinghua , Wu Baogang , Cheng Junfeng
Published: July 2023

An efficient approach to synthetize the sandwich-like graphene-supported manganese oxides nanosheets (G-MnO[Formula: see text] had been developed for catalytic combustion of toluene by employing sandwich-like graphene-silica nanosheets (G-silica) as intermediates. The as-prepared G-MnO2 not only inherited the two-dimensional structure of reduced graphene, high specific surface areas, the unique mesoporous structure, good dispersion, but also possessed numerous nanoparticles of crystalline MnO2 with the size of about 5[Formula: see text]nm on each nanosheet. Such unique features had enhanced significantly the catalytic performance and catalytic stability of MnO2 for toluene oxidation. As a consequence, with the help of sandwich-like G-silica intermediates, the T[Formula: see text] and T[Formula: see text] of G-MnO2 for toluene was 240[Formula: see text]C (3.92[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]mol [Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]h[Formula: see text] and 262[Formula: see text]C (7.06[Formula: see text][Formula: see text][Formula: see text]h[Formula: see text] respectively, and even after 30[Formula: see text]h at 288[Formula: see text]C, the conversion of toluene could still be maintained at 99.7% (GHSV[Formula: see text]60[Formula: see text]000[Formula: see text]mL[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text][Formula: see text]h[Formula: see text].
Synthesis, In-Silico, In Vitro and DFT Assessments of Substituted Imidazopyridine Derivatives as Potential Antimalarials Targeting Hemoglobin Degradation Pathway
Authors: Ferreira Oberdan Oliveira , Mali Suraj N. , Jadhav Bhagwat , Chtita Samir , Kuznetsov Aleksey , Bhandare Richie R. , Shaik Afzal B. , Siddique Farhan , Yadav Akshay R. , Lai Chin-Hung , Cruz Jorddy Neves , de Aguiar Andrade Eloisa Helena , Arvindekar Snehal , Jawarkar Rahul D. , de Oliveira Mozaniel Santana
Published: July 2023

Malaria is a serious illness transmitted through the bite of an infected mosquito, which is caused by a type of parasite called plasmodium and can be fatal if left untreated. Thus, newer antimalarials with unique mode of actions are encouraged. Fused pyridines have been vastly reported for numerous pharmacological activities including but not limited to analgesics, antitubercular, antifungal, antibacterial and antiapoptotic agents. In a current study, a series of substituted Imidazo[1,2-a]pyridine-3-carboxamides (IMPCs) (SM-IMP-01-13) along with some hydrazides (DA-01-DA-02) were synthesized and characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H-/[Formula: see text]C-NMR (proton/carbon nuclear magnetic resonance), elemental analyses and mass spectra. These synthesized analogies were subjected for in vitro biological activities such as Brine Shrimp lethality (BSL), and assay of [Formula: see text]-hematin formation inhibitions. The BSL assay results suggested that compounds, SM-IMP-09, SM-IMP-05 were found to be less toxic and they also had comparable toxicity as of 5-Flurouracil (control) ((e.g., at 10 [Formula: see text]g/ml: 20% deaths of nauplii). Derivatives SM-IMP-02, and DA-05 inhibited [Formula: see text]-hematin formation: IC[Formula: see text]: 1.849 and 0.042 [Formula: see text]M, respectively). Our molecular docking analysis on plasmodial cysteine protease falcipain-2 indicated that compound DA-05 (–9.993 kcal/mol) had highest docking score and it was comparable to standard Chloroquine (–7.673 kcal/mol). The most active molecule, DA-05 was also retained with lower HOMO–LUMO energy gap as 3.36 eV. Further, we have also analyzed MEP, and other global reactivity indexes for all IMPCs using DFT. Finally, our in-silico pharmacokinetic analysis suggested that all compounds were having good% human oral absorption values ([Formula: see text]100%), good Caco-2 cell permeabilities (>1600 nm/s), and non- carcinogenic profiles.
Exploring the Associations and Molecular Impacts of miR-146a/rs2910164 and miR-196a2/rs185070757 with Rheumatoid Arthritis in a Pakistani Population
Authors: Ali Yasir , Khan Aamir , Akhtar Mehran , Khan Suleman , Islam Zia Ul , Farooqi Nadia , Shah Aftab Ali , Chen Yangchao , Jalil Fazal
Published: July 2023

Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a new class of molecules that participate in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression and hence have been reported to have a crucial role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to investigate the association of miR-146a rs2910164 (G/C) and miR-196a2 rs185070757 (T/G) with RA susceptibility in Pakistani patients and to bioinformatically predict the molecular function of these miRNAs. Methods: A case-control study on 600 individuals was conducted, including 300 RA patients and 300 matching healthy controls. Genotyping was performed by tetra-primer amplification of refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction, and the association between variants and RA was statistically determined using different models. Results: For the variant rs2910164 (G/C) in miR-146a, no difference in genotype distribution was observed between RA cases and controls, as determined using co-dominant (χ2 = 4.33; p = 0.114), homozygous dominant (C/C vs. G/G + C/G) (OR = 0.740 [0.531–1.032]; p = 0.091), homozygous recessive (G/G vs. C/C + G/C) (odds ratio [OR] = 01.432 [0.930–2.206]; p = 0.126), heterozygous (G/C vs. C/C + G/G) (OR = 1.084 [0.786–1.494]; p = 0.682), and additive (OR 0.778 [0.617–0.981]; p = 0.039) models. Similarly, the GT genotype in the rs185070757 (T/G) miR-196a2 variant did not differ between cases and controls with any models (p > 0.05). For the first time, we report no association of miR-146a rs2910164 (G/C) and miR-196a2 rs185070757 (T/G) with RA in a Pakistani population. A subsequent bioinformatic analysis revealed that the CC genotype of miR-146a rs2910164 might have a protective role against RA pathogenesis, with no effect observed with the miR-196a2 rs185070757. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that these miRNAs might have little-to-no impact on the RA pathogenesis in the Pakistani population.
Paraneoplastic Autoimmune Limbic Encephalitis Associated with an Atypical Carcinoid Tumor of the Lung: A Case Report
Authors: Marull Paretas Emma , De Vito Claudio , Catalano-Chiuve Sabina , Vargas Maria-Isabel , Assal Frédéric , Lalive Patrice , Bridel Claire
Published: July 2023

We report the case of a patient with a history of an atypical lung carcinoid tumor who developed a rapidly progressive memory impairment. The clinical presentation as well as brain MRI, cerebrospinal fluid, and laboratory tests led to the diagnosis of seronegative paraneoplastic autoimmune limbic encephalitis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case in literature of such association. This case also highlights an exceptionally favorable outcome, both clinically and radiologically, after immunosuppression and tumor removal.
Desmoplastic Fibroma of the Phalanx of the Hand: A Rare Case Report
Authors: Singh Belzinder Pal , Abdul Halim Syurahbil , Yahaya Sahran , Mat Zin Nor Azman , Tuan Sharif Sharifah Emilia , Wan Ismail Wan Faisham
Published: July 2023

Desmoplastic fibroma is a rare primary benign bone tumour that typically affects the long bones, mandible, and pelvis. It has a similar local aggressiveness to soft tissue fibromatosis. It rarely involves the small bones of the hand. We describe an extremely rare case of desmoplastic fibroma of the proximal phalanx of the hand in a patient who presented with an aggressively enlarging but painless mass on the left ring finger. Radiological features suggested malignancy; however, an initial biopsy revealed fibrotic tissue. Trans-metacarpal amputation of the ring and little fingers and soft tissue reconstruction were performed using a local ulnar-based flap of the little finger. The final histopathological evaluation revealed desmoplastic fibroma. Aggressively growing masses in the hand should be treated according to a sarcoma management protocol, and desmoplastic fibroma should be included in the differential diagnosis.
Can Growth Hormone Lead to a Faster Recovery from Guillain-Barré Syndrome? Case Report of the First Therapeutic Use in One Patient
Authors: Amereller Felix , Schopohl Jochen , Störmann Sylvère , Schilbach Katharina , Bidlingmaier Martin , Fischer Martin , Rieckmann Peter , Gulde Philipp
Published: July 2023

Although the prognosis in Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) is generally good, protracted and incomplete courses of recovery can be a heavy burden. Animal studies suggest growth hormone (GH) treatment could stimulate myelin repair and thus accelerate functional recovery in acute polyneuropathy. We report on the first use of GH in GBS. Our objective was to monitor safety and tolerability as well as to evaluate the effect of an off-label GH therapy during recovery from GBS in 1 patient. A 28-year-old male with flaccid tetraparesis caused by pure motor GBS was treated off-label with GH (1 mg/day) for 10 weeks. Muscle strength was measured regularly before, during, and after the treatment over a total span of 330 days. Serum levels of IGF-I were assessed before, during, and after GH treatment. Changes in strength gain were used as the main parameter of efficacy. No side effects of GH treatment were observed. Serum IGF-I increased from 177 ng/mL at baseline to an average of 342 ng/mL (normal range 78–270 ng/mL) during treatment. Prior to GH administration, strength (R2 = 0.99, p < 0.01) was associated with time, representing the natural course of recovery. During GH treatment, the slope of strength gain increased (Glass’ ∆ = 1.08, p < 0.01). The association between alterations of strength gain and IGF-I serum levels reached trend level (R2 = 0.36, p = 0.09). In this single case, GH treatment seemed to be associated with faster muscular strength gain. Controlled studies are needed in order to establish GH as a potential therapeutic approach in motor GBS.
Cerebrovascular Pulsatility Index Is Reduced in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease
Authors: Steele Cortney N , Oh Ester S , Wang Wei , Farmer-Bailey Heather , Gitomer Berenice Y. , Chonchol Michel , Nowak Kristen L
Published: July 2023

Introduction: Cerebrovascular dysfunction, characterized by increased brain pulsatile flow, reduced cerebrovascular reactivity, and cerebral hypoperfusion precedes the onset of dementia and is linked to cognitive dysfunction. Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) may increase the risk of dementia, and intracranial aneurysms are more prevalent in ADPKD patients. However, cerebrovascular function has not been previously characterized in patients with ADPKD. Methods: Using transcranial Doppler, we compared middle cerebral artery (MCA) pulsatility index (PI, cerebrovascular stiffness) and MCA blood velocity response to hypercapnia (normalized for blood pressure and end-tidal CO2, cerebrovascular reactivity) in patients with early-stage ADPKD versus age-matched healthy controls. We also administered the NIH cognitive toolbox (cognitive function) and measured carotid-femoral pulse-wave velocity (PWV, aortic stiffness). Results: Fifteen participants with ADPKD (9F, 27 ± 4 yrs, eGFR: 106 ± 22 mL/min/1.73 m2) were compared to 15 healthy controls (8F, 29 ± 4 yrs, eGFR: 109 ± 14 mL/min/1.73 m2). MCA PI was unexpectedly lower in ADPKD (0.71 ± 0.07) versus controls (0.82 ± 0.09 AU; p < 0.001); however, normalized MCA blood velocity in response to hypercapnia did not differ between groups (2.0 ± 1.2 vs. 2.1 ± 0.8 %Δ/mm Hg; p = 0.85). Lower MCA PI was associated with a lower crystalized composite score (cognition), which persisted after adjustment for age, sex, eGFR, and education (β = 0.58, p = 0.007). There was no association of MCA PI with carotid-femoral PWV (r = 0.01, p = 0.96), despite greater carotid-femoral PWV in ADPKD, suggesting MCA PI reflects vascular properties other than arterial stiffness (such as low wall shear stress) in ADPKD. Discussion/Conclusion: MCA PI is lower in patients with ADPKD. Follow-up research on this observation is merited as low PI has been associated with intracranial aneurysm in other populations.