bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Copper micromesh-based lightweight transparent conductor with short response time for wearable heaters
Authors: Kim Han-Jung , Kim Yoonkap 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThickness-controlled transparent conducting films (TCFs) were fabricated by transfer printing a 100 nm thick Cu micromesh structure onto poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) substrates of different thicknesses (~ 50, ~ 80, and ~ 120 μm) to develop a lightweight transparent wearable heater with short response time. The Cu mesh-based TCF fabricated on a ~ 50 µm thick PVA substrate exhibited excellent optical and electrical properties with a light transmittance of 86.7% at 550 nm, sheet resistance of ~ 10.8 Ω/sq, and figure-of-merit of approximately 236, which are comparable to commercial indium tin oxide film-based transparent conductors. The remarkable flexibility of the Cu mesh-based TCF was demonstrated through cyclic mechanical bending tests. In addition, the Cu mesh-based TCF with ~ 50 μm thick PVA substrate demonstrated a fast Joule heating performance with a thermal response time of ~ 18.0 s and a ramping rate of ~ 3.0 ℃/s under a driving voltage of 2.5 V. Lastly, the reliable response and recovery characteristics of the Cu mesh/PVA film-based transparent heater were confirmed through the cyclic power test. We believe that the results of this study is useful in the development of flexible transparent heaters, including lightweight deicing/defogging films, wearable sensors/actuators, and medical thermotherapy pads.
Empowering computing students with proficiency in robotics via situated learning
Authors: Wang Weitian , Coutras Constantine , Zhu Michelle 
Published: October 2021

AbstractWith the increasing employment of robots in multiple areas such as smart manufacturing and intelligent transportation, both undergraduate and graduate students from computing related majors (e.g., computer science and information technology) demonstrated strong interests in learning robotics technology to broaden their career opportunities. However, instilling computing students with robotics knowledge remains a challenge since most of them have limited pre-training in engineering subjects such as electronics and mechatronics. Therefore, robotics education for computing students demands an immersive real-world learning environment by considering both theories and intensive hands-on projects. Different from traditional textbook-directed robotics learning, in this study, a situated learning-based robotics education pedagogy is proposed for computing students to equip them with robotics expertise and foster their problem-solving skills in real-world human–robot interaction contexts. To create a realistic human–robot collaboration situation, a multi-modal collaborative robot is employed in the classroom-based learning community for the whole semester. Mini-project-based homework and team projects are designed for students to practice their critical thinking and hands-on experiences. The bidirectional-evaluation approach is utilized by the instructor and students to assess the quality of the proposed pedagogy. Practice results and student evaluations suggested that the proposed situated learning-based pedagogy and robotics curriculum provided computing students to learn robotics in an effective way, which was well recognized and accepted by students even most of them were beginners. Future work of this study is also discussed.
Fundamental factors of economic growth in post-socialist transformation countries
Authors: Miłaszewicz Danuta 
Published: October 2021

Motivation: Economic growth is the product of many interrelated shallow and deep (fundamental) determinants. The deep ones include the geographical conditions of development, institutional conditions and the openness of the economy. Research on the impact of fundamental factors on economic growth and their importance were carried out for various groups of countries, primarily developing as well as developed ones.
Aim: The study continued the analysis of the fundamental factors of economic growth in selected transition countries carried out in 2010. The focus was on determining the changes that have occurred over time in the area of fundamental determinants of growth in order to perform a comparative time analysis after the next decade of functioning of these countries.
Results: The analysis shows that the geographical factors that formed one of the elements of the initial conditions turned out to be important for the analysed economies. Institutions are also very important, and the change in their quality in the analysed period was the smallest in the group of the poorest countries.
The experiences and perceptions of stroke survivors engaging in a virtual choir during COVID-19: a thematic analysis
Authors: Seckam Abdul , Hallingberg Britt 
Published: October 2021

Background: Stroke is a public health concern, and the emergence of the COVID-19 virus has made the continuation of social support/rehabilitation groups for stroke survivors difficult. Many stroke survivors have been required to self-isolate for 12 weeks or more, according to government rules and regulations. This has led to the use of innovative technological platforms (eg Zoom) for delivering rehabilitation activities through ‘life after stroke’ group sessions, such as choir practice for stroke survivors. Aims: The purpose of this study was to explore stroke survivors' experiences and perceptions of engaging, or choosing not to engage, in a virtual choir (VC) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Eight participants were recruited from the Stroke Association Strike a Chord VC. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the verbatim transcriptions were analysed using thematic analysis. Findings: Three main themes were identified: experience of singing in a choir; VCs and me; and yearning to sing face-to-face, with respective subthemes. The experience and perceptions presented here are intertwined. While most stroke survivors perceived the VC as a positive platform for providing a sense of belonging (community), there was a sense of yearning for face-to-face singing. Conclusions: This research may offer some support for those facilitating social and meaningful virtual group activities to groups in communities that may struggle with communication and digital literacy.
Socio-economic and demographic patterns of mental health complaints among the employed adults in Estonia
Authors: Reile Rainer , Sisask Merike 
Published: October 2021

Background
Mental health problems follow a distinct socio-economic gradient and contribute to the health inequalities. The study aims to analyse the socio-economic and demographic factors of self-reported mental health complaints (stress, depressiveness, overtiredness, suicidal thoughts) among employed adult population in Estonia.

Methods
Data on 4041 employed respondents (2064 men and 1977 women) aged 20–64 years from nationally representative health surveys from years 2016 and 2018 in Estonia were used for the study. Dependent variables included self-reported stress, depressiveness, overtiredness, and suicidal thoughts. Descriptive statistics and both log-binomial and Poisson regression analysis were used to describe the socio-economic and demographic variations in these mental health complaints.

Results
More than half of the respondents had either stress, depressiveness, overtiredness or suicidal thoughts with 25% reporting two or more of mental health complaints. Lower personal income was associated with higher rates of all mental health complaints (stress, depressiveness, overtiredness, and suicidal thoughts) among employed adults in Estonia. Additionally, lower education was associated with higher prevalence of depressiveness and lower job skills predicted higher prevalence of suicidal thoughts. Higher prevalence ratios for depressiveness and overtiredness were found for women compared to men whereas Estonians had higher prevalence ratios for stress and suicidal thoughts compared to non-Estonians. All mental health complaints were more frequently reported at younger ages (compared to 50-64-year olds) and by not married or cohabiting respondents.

Conclusion
High prevalence of mental health complaints and their socio-economic and demographic patterning refer to considerable inequalities in mental health among employed adults. Policy actions targeting especially younger adults and those with financial difficulties are needed to address these early manifestations of mental health problems.
KOMODITAS EKSPOR DALAM PERSPEKTIF SEJARAH KRISIS: STUDI KASUS KOPI, TEH DAN BUNGA POTONG DI KENYA (1930–2011)
Authors: Erman Erwiza 
Published: October 2021

Tulisan ini berusaha untuk melihat dampak krisis keuangan yang terjadi di Amerika Serikan dan kemudian meluas hingga ke Eropa terhadap komoditas ekspor penting di Kenya, Kenya sebagai salah satu negara di Afrika Timur yang bergantung pada tiga komoditas utama yaitu kopi, teh, dan bunga potong, Melalui studi pustaka dan penelitian lapangan, penelitian ini menemukan bahwa ketiga komoditas tersebut memiliki trendnya masing-masing dan saling bergerak bergantian selama fase krisis internal dan internal yang terjadi selama periode 1930-2013, Sebagai contoh kopi, mengalami berbagai macam krisis seperti krisis harga pada pasar internasional, depresi ekonomi pada tahun 1930, resesi ekonomi dunia pada 1980 dan krisis akibat perubahan iklim seperti musim kering berkepanjanganan yang terjadi pada tahun 2001/2002, Berbagai macam krisis berdampak pada produksi kopi, sehingga ekspor komoditas digantikan oleh teh dan bungan potong.
Specific Plasma MicroRNA Signatures in Predicting and Confirming Crohn's Disease Recurrence: Role and Pathogenic Implications
Authors: Moret-Tatay Inés , Cerrillo Elena , Hervás David , Iborra Marisa , Sáez-González Esteban , Forment Javier , Tortosa Luis , Nos Pilar , Gadea Jose , Beltrán Belén 
Published: October 2021

INTRODUCTION:
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important epigenetic regulators in Crohn's disease (CD); however, their contribution to postoperative recurrence (POR) is still unknown. We aimed to characterize the potential role of miRNAs in predicting POR in patients with CD and to identify their pathogenic implications.

METHODS:
Of 67 consecutively operated patients with CD, we included 44 with pure ileal CD. Peripheral blood samples were taken before surgery and during follow-up. The patients were classified according to the presence or absence of POR assessed by ileocolonoscopy or magnetic resonance imaging enterography. The miRNAs were profiled by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction before surgery and during morphological POR or, for those who remained in remission, 1 year after surgery. R software and mirWalk were used.

RESULTS:
Five human miRNAs (miR-191-5p, miR-15b-5p, miR-106b-5p, miR-451a, and miR-93-5p) were selected for discriminating between the 2 patient groups at presurgery (PS), with an area under the curve of 0.88 (95% confidence interval [0.79, 0.98]). Another 5 (miR-15b-5p, miR-451a, miR-93-5p, miR-423-5p, and miR-125b-5p) were selected for 1 year, with an area under the curve of 0.96 (95% confidence interval [0.91, 1.0]). We also created nomograms for POR risk estimation. CCND2 and BCL9L genes were related to PS miRNA profiles; SENP5 and AKT3 genes were related to PS and 1 year; and SUV39H1 and MAPK3K10 were related to 1 year.

DISCUSSION:
Different plasma miRNA signatures identify patients at high POR risk, which could help optimize patient outcomes. We developed nomograms to facilitate the clinical use of these results. The identified miRNAs participate in apoptosis, autophagy, proinflammatory immunological T-cell clusters, and reactive oxygen species metabolism.
“Simple” Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement With Conscious Sedation: Safety and Effectiveness in Real-World Practice
Authors: Postalian Alexander , Strickman Neil E. , Costello Briana T. , Dougherty Kathryn G. , Krajcer Zvonimir 
Published: October 2021

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is a well-established alternative to open surgical replacement. Strictly selecting low-risk patients and using conscious sedation during TAVR has enabled hospital stays to be safely shortened. We evaluated the safety and effectiveness of a less rigorous patient-selection process involving multidisciplinary case discussions, percutaneous procedures with the use of conscious sedation, and post-procedural care outside an intensive care unit, with the goal of discharging patients from the hospital early. We call this “simple TAVR.”
We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients who underwent TAVR from March 2015 through February 2020 at our center. The procedures were performed by 2 high-volume operators. Of 524 total procedures, 344 (65.6%) qualified as simple TAVR.
All 344 procedures were successful. The most frequent complication at 30 days was new permanent pacemaker implantation (7.3%, 25 patients); the rates of major vascular complications, stroke, and all-cause death were less than 3% each. Of note, 252 patients (73.3%) were discharged from the hospital the day after TAVR, and 307 (89.2%) within 48 hours.
Simple TAVR is safe, economical, and feasible in real-world practice, and it does not necessitate a rigorous perioperative protocol or patient-selection process.
Downregulation of STOX1 is a novel prognostic biomarker for glioma patients
Authors: Jin Fei-qin , Jin Lei , Wang Yan-ling 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Storkhead box 1 (STOX1) is a winged helix transcription factor structurally and functionally related to the forkhead family of transcription factors. Recent studies have highlighted its role in the central nervous system and revealed hints in the development of glioma. However, the expression profiles of STOX1, its association with clinicopathological characteristics, and potential functions in glioma remain unknown. In this study, we analyzed three publicly available datasets including CGGA, TCGA, and Rembrandt and revealed a grade-dependent reduction in STOX1 expression in glioma (P < 0.001). Chi-square test demonstrated that low STOX1 expression was significantly associated with older age at initial diagnosis (P < 0.001), less IDH1 mutation (P < 0.001), and advanced WHO grade (P < 0.001). Moreover, multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that STOX1 expression may serve as a novel independent prognostic biomarker in glioma patients. Bioinformatic functional analysis (GSEA) predicted that STOX1 was related to many key cancer pathways including P53 signaling pathway (P < 0.01), DNA replication (P < 0.05), homologous recombination (P < 0.05), and Wnt signaling pathway (P < 0.05). Taken together, these findings suggested that STOX1 may be used as a novel predictive molecular biomarker for glioma grading and overall patient survival. Further investigations on the functional roles and therapeutic value of STOX1 in glioma are warranted.
Monitoring the spatiotemporal dynamics of surface water body of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir using Landsat-5/7/8 imagery and Google Earth Engine
Authors: Wang Ruimeng , Pan Li , Niu Wenhui , Li Rumeng , Zhao Xiaoyang , Bian Xiqing , Yu Chong , Xia Haoming , Chen Taizheng 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Xiaolangdi Reservoir is a key control project to control the water and sediment in the lower Yellow River, and a timely and accurate grasp of the reservoir’s water storage status is essential for the function of the reservoir. This study used all available Landsat images (789 scenes) and adopted the modified normalized difference water index, enhanced vegetation index, and normalized difference vegetation index to map the surface water from 1999 to 2019 in Google Earth Engine (GEE) cloud platform. The spatiotemporal characteristics of the surface water body area changes in the Xiaolangdi Reservoir in the past 21 years are analyzed from the water body type division, area change, type conversion, and the driving force of the Xiaolangdi water body area changes was analyzed. The results showed that (1) the overall accuracy of the water body extraction method was 98.86%, and the kappa coefficient was 0.96; (2) the maximum water body area of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir varies greatly between inter-annual and intra-annual, and seasonal water body and permanent water body have uneven spatiotemporal distribution; (3) in the conversion of water body types, the increased seasonal water body area of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir from 1999 to 2019 was mainly formed by the conversion of permanent water body, and the reduced permanent water body area was mainly caused by non-water conversion; and (4) the change of the water body area of the Xiaolangdi Reservoir has a weak negative correlation with natural factors such as precipitation and temperature, and population. It is positively correlated with seven indicators such as runoff and regional gross domestic product (GDP). The findings of the research will provide necessary data support for the management and planning of soil and water resources in the Xiaolangdi Reservoir.
Computer-assisted preoperative planning of reduction of and osteosynthesis of scapular fracture: A case report
Authors: Madeja Roman , Bajor Grzegorz , Klima Ondrej , Bialy Lubor , Pometlova Jana 
Published: October 2021

Abstract

Introduction
Reports on the use of computer-assisted trauma surgery of comminuted scapula fracture are still quite rare. In this article, we present a case of comminuted scapula fracture, the surgical reconstruction of which was pre-operatively planned using a complex software solution.

Materials and methods
For surgical planning of the fracture, we used the TraumaTech software facilitating virtual reconstruction (both manual and automatic), surgery planning, design of the implant, planning of screw placement and lengths, and production of a 3D print model of the fracture and the implant. The software also supported ordering such custom-made plate from a plate producer who was capable of fast and precise production of the plate.

Results
The surgery using the custom-ordered plate was successful. The actual used screw lengths did not differ from the planned ones by more than 2 mm. One year after the surgery, the patient was capable of more demanding activities and doing sports activities.

Conclusion
This approach provides a great way to prevent complications of the surgery and to shorten its duration. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first description of the treatment of a scapula comminuted fracture utilizing computer-assisted preoperative planning.
Genetic diversity of Omani barley (Hordeum vulgareL.) germplasm
Authors: Al Lawati Ali H. , Nadaf Saleem K. , AlSaady Nadiya A. , Al Hinai Saleh A. , Almamari Almandhar R. , Al Maawali Abdulaziz A. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractOman has enormous diversity in important crops of global significance like wheat and barley considered as strategic crops. The country has an ancient cultivation history of barley because of its location on the eastern edge of the Arabian Peninsula and is known to have several landraces spread across all the agro-ecological regions. The present study was undertaken to comprehend genetic diversity in 16 indigenous Omani USDA accessions repatriated recently to select parents for hybridization in national crop improvement programs. The trial was conducted consecutively for two cropping seasons (2017–2018 and 2018–2019) from November to March on the layouts of loamy soil sites under sprinkler irrigation system in augmented design under spacing and crop husbandry practices as per national recommendations. The data on eight quantitative characters and presence (score 1) or absence (score 0) of anthocyanin pigmentation on two plant parts were subjected to both hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) to know the contribution of characters toward diversity and form prime diverse clusters. The results indicated not only significant differences between accessions (p< 0.05) with respect to the most of quantitative characters but also two significant correlations involving four characters associated with maturity and inflorescence (p< 0.05). The results of two multivariate analyses led to the formation of four diverse clusters with similar constituents of accessions to the most extent, thus supporting each other in discerning diversity. The parents were selected for hybridization for improving characters of growth for higher yield or productivity with anthocyanin-related characters.
Corticosteroids in the Treatment of Pediatric Retropharyngeal and Parapharyngeal Abscesses
Authors: Goenka Pratichi K. , Hall Matthew , Shah Samir S. , Florin Todd A. , Leone Nicole , Narayanan Sridaran , Ishman Stacey , Gill Peter , Liewehr Sheila , Palumbo Nancy , McGeechan Stacy , Mestre Marcos , Parikh Kavita 
Published: October 2021

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Treatment of retropharyngeal abscesses (RPAs) and parapharyngeal abscesses (PPAs) includes antibiotics, with possible surgical drainage. Although corticosteroids may decrease inflammation, their role in the management of RPAs and PPAs is unclear. We evaluated the association of corticosteroid administration as part of initial medical management on drainage rates and length of stay for children admitted with RPAs and PPAs.

METHODS
We conducted a retrospective study using administrative data of children aged 2 months to 8 years discharged with RPAs and PPAs from 2016 to 2019. Exposure was defined as systemic corticosteroids administered as part of initial management. Primary outcome was surgical drainage. Bivariate comparisons were made between patients in the corticosteroid and noncorticosteroid groups by using Wilcoxon rank or χ2 tests. Outcomes were modeled by using generalized linear mixed-effects models.

RESULTS
Of the 2259 patients with RPAs and PPAs, 1677 (74.2%) were in the noncorticosteroid group and 582 (25.8%) were in the corticosteroid group. There were no significant differences in age, sex, or insurance status. There was a lower rate of drainage in the corticosteroid cohort (odds ratio: 0.28; confidence interval: 0.22–0.36). Patients in this group were more likely to have repeat computed tomography imaging performed, had lower hospital costs, and were less likely to have opioid medications administered. The corticosteroid cohort had a higher 7-day emergency department revisit rate, but there was no difference in length of stay (rate ratio 0.97; confidence interval: 0.92–1.02).

CONCLUSIONS
Corticosteroids were associated with lower odds of surgical drainage among children with RPAs and PPAs.