bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrode‐supported and free‐standing bilayer lipid membranes: Formation and uses in molecular electrochemistry
Authors: Labbé Eric , Buriez Olivier 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis short review is aimed at emphasizing the recent most prominent advances in the electrochemical investigation of the interactions of molecules with purely lipid bilayers. The first part which deals with electrode‐supported bilayer lipid membranes is articulated around the nature of electrode material with a focus on mercury to celebrate this special issue entitled “100 years from polarography to contemporary electrochemistry”. The second part is devoted to suspended or free‐standing bilayer lipid membranes that are robust models to investigate the passive transport of molecules. It is notably shown that molecular electrochemistry methods such as cyclic voltammetry, square wave voltammetry, amperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, or electrochemiluminescence are well‐adapted for the investigation of molecules/lipids interactions or the passive transport of molecules. These various techniques bring meaningful information notably on molecule/lipid interactions and transport modes across phospholipids.
Stock market as a nowcasting indicator for real investment
Authors: Degiannakis Stavros 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe paper proposes a novel method to assess whether real investment can be nowcasted based on information that is available on the stock market. The stock market index on a daily sampling frequency is assessed as a predictor of gross fixed capital formation on a quarterly sampling frequency. For France, Germany, Greece, and Spain (four representative countries of eurozone), we find significant empirical evidence that the information from the stock market does produce accurate nowcasting values of gross fixed capital formation.
Efficacy of hydrogels for repair of traumatic spinal cord injuries: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ayar Zahra , Hassannejad Zahra , Shokraneh Farhad , Saderi Narges , Rahimi‐Movaghar Vafa 
Published: December 2021

AbstractHydrogels have been used as promising biomaterials for regeneration and control of pathophysiological events after traumatic spinal cord injuries (TSCI). However, no systematic comparison was conducted to show the effect of hydrogels on pathophysiological events. This study was designed to address this issue and evaluate the regenerative potential of hydrogels after TSCI. From 2857 records found in MEDLINE and EMBASE databases (April 23, 2021), 49 articles were included based on our inclusion/exclusion criteria. All studies discussing the effect of hydrogels on at least one of the main pathophysiological events after TSCI, including inflammation, axon growth, remyelination, glial scar formation, cavity size, and locomotor functional recovery were included. For statistical analysis, we used mean difference with 95% confidence intervals for locomotor functional recovery. The results showed that both natural and synthetic hydrogels could reduce the inflammatory response, hinder glial scar formation, and promote axon growth and vascularization. Also, the meta‐analysis of the BBB score showed that using the hydrogels can lead to locomotor functional recovery. It was found that hydrogels are more efficient when used in transection and hemisection injuries (SMD: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.26, 2.52;P < .00001) compared to other injury models. The pre‐formed implanted hydrogels (SMD: 1.79; 95% CI: 1.24, 2.34;P < .00001) found to be more effective compared to injection (SMD: 1.58; 95% CI: 0.64, 2.52;P = 0.0009). In conclusion, based on the available evidence, it was concluded that hydrogel composition as well as implantation method are dominant factors affecting tissue regeneration after TSCI and should be chosen according to the injury model in animal studies.
The development of a self‐report scale to assess therapists' acceptance of telepsychotherapy
Authors: Békés Vera , Aafjes‐van Doorn Katie , McCollum James , Prout Tracy R. , Hoffman Leon 
Published: December 2021

AbstractObjectiveWe aimed to develop a self‐report measure of therapist acceptance of telepsychotherapy based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) framework.MethodsUsing a cross‐sectional survey design, 1265 therapists completed the UTAUT‐T, as well as additional questions.ResultsConfirmatory analysis indicated that the original UTAUT model did not fit the therapist context well. Exploratory factor analysis specified a better‐fitting five‐factor model, which showed good internal validity fit (χ2 = 17,753.36, RMSEA = 0.063, TLI = 0.886, SRMSR = 0.04). The five UTAUT‐T subscales showed high internal consistency (Cronbach's α = 0.86) and together predicted the intention to use online therapy in the future (R2 = 0.42, F(5, 1259) = 181.9, p < 0.001).ConclusionThe 21‐item UTAUT‐T offers a promising self‐report measure of therapist acceptance of telepsychotherapy and intention towards using it in the future. Future studies on the convergent and predictive validity of the UTAUT‐T are warranted.
Psychological well‐being and family distress of Italian caregivers during the COVID‐19 outbreak
Authors: Fusar‐Poli Laura , Surace Teresa , Meo Valeria , Patania Federica , Avanzato Chiara , Pulvirenti Alfredo , Aguglia Eugenio , Signorelli Maria Salvina 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThe present study aimed to investigate the personal well‐being and family distress of Italian caregivers during the lockdown. Five hundred sixty‐five family caregivers and 638 age‐ and sex‐matched noncaregivers completed a web‐based survey. The following scales were administered to all participants: General Health Questionnaire‐12 items (GHQ‐12), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Brief Resilient Coping Scale (BRCS), and Family Distress Index (FDI). Caregivers were also asked to provide information about their family members with disabilities. Individual and family distress, as well as insomnia, were significantly higher in caregivers than controls. Contrariwise, caregivers reported lower resilience levels. Multiple linear regression showed that distress was higher in caregivers living in Central and Southern Italy. Individual well‐being was negatively predicted by low independence measured by the activities of daily living (ADL). Family distress was higher in households of psychiatric patients. Finally, low resilience levels appeared as the strongest predictors of both individual and family distress. The lockdown caused severe distress among caregivers and families of people with disabilities. Support networks for people with disabilities and their families are fundamental to prevent severe consequences from a psychological, social, and economical point of view.
A one‐stop shop model for improved efficiency of pre‐exposure prophylaxis delivery in public clinics in western Kenya: a mixed methods implementation science study
Authors: Roche Stephanie D. , Odoyo Josephine , Irungu Elizabeth , Kwach Benn , Dollah Annabell , Nyerere Bernard , Peacock Sue , Morton Jennifer F. , O'Malley Gabrielle , Bukusi Elizabeth A. , Baeten Jared M. , Mugwanya Kenneth K. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractIntroductionIn public clinics in Kenya, separate, sequential delivery of the component services of pre‐exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) (e.g. HIV testing, counselling, and dispensing) creates long wait times that hinder clients’ ability and desire to access and continue PrEP. We conducted a mixed methods study in four public clinics in western Kenya to identify strategies for operationalizing a one‐stop shop (OSS) model and evaluate whether this model could improve client wait time and care acceptability among clients and providers without negatively impacting uptake or continuation.MethodsFrom January 2020 through November 2020, we collected and analysed 47 time‐and‐motion observations using Mann–Whitney U tests, 29 provider and client interviews, 68 technical assistance reports, and clinic flow maps from intervention clinics. We used controlled interrupted time series (cITS) to compare trends in PrEP initiation and on‐time returns from a 12‐month pre‐intervention period (January–December 2019) to an 8‐month post‐period (January–November 2020, excluding a 3‐month COVID‐19 wash‐out period) at intervention and control clinics.ResultsFrom the pre‐ to post‐period, median client wait time at intervention clinics dropped significantly from 31 to 6 minutes (p = 0.02), while median provider contact time remained around 23 minutes (p = 0.4). Intervention clinics achieved efficiency gains by moving PrEP delivery to lower volume departments, moving steps closer together (e.g. relocating supplies; cross‐training and task‐shifting), and differentiating clients based on the subset of services needed. Clients and providers found the OSS model highly acceptable and additionally identified increased privacy, reduced stigma, and higher quality client–provider interactions as benefits of the model. From the pre‐ to post‐period, average monthly initiations at intervention and control clinics increased by 6 and 2.3, respectively, and percent of expected follow‐up visits occurring on time decreased by 18% and 26%, respectively; cITS analysis of PrEP initiations (n = 1227) and follow‐up visits (n = 2696) revealed no significant difference between intervention and control clinics in terms of trends in PrEP initiation and on‐time returns (all p>0.05).ConclusionsAn OSS model significantly improved client wait time and care acceptability without negatively impacting initiations or continuations, thus highlighting opportunities to improve the efficiency of PrEP delivery efficiency and client‐centredness.
Sequence analysis of the emerging SARS‐CoV‐2 variant Omicron in South Africa
Authors: Wang Lulan , Cheng Genhong 
Published: December 2021

AbstractDespite the worldwide vaccination, the COVID‐19 pandemic continues as SARS‐CoV‐2 evolves into numerous variants. Since the first identification of the novel SARS‐CoV‐2 variant of concern (VOC) Omicron on November 24th, 2021, from an immunocompromised patient in South Africa, the variant has overtaken Delta as the predominant lineage in South Africa and has quickly spread to over 40 countries. Here, we provide an initial molecular characterization of the Omicron variant through analyzing a large number of mutations, especially in the spike protein receptor‐binding domain with their potential effects on viral infectivity and host immunity. Our analysis indicates that the Omicron variant has two subclades and may evolve from clade 20B instead of the currently dominant Delta variant. In addition, we have also identified mutations that may affect the ACE2 receptor and/or antibody bindings. Our study has raised additional questions on the evolution, transmission, virulence, and immune escape properties of this new Omicron variant.
Nutrition challenges of cancer cachexia
Authors: Gaafer Omnia U. , Zimmers Teresa A. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractCancer cachexia, or progressive weight loss, often despite adequate nutrition contributes greatly to cancer morbidity and mortality. Cachexia is metabolically distinct from starvation or protein malnutrition, although many patients with cancer and cachexia exhibit lowered appetite and food consumption. Tumors affect neural mechanisms that regulate appetite and energy expenditure, while promoting wasting of peripheral tissues via catabolism of cardiac and skeletal muscle, adipose, and bone. These multimodal actions of tumors on the host suggest a need for multimodal interventions. However, multiple recent consensus guidelines for management of cancer cachexia differ in treatment recommendations, highlighting the lack of effective, available therapies. Challenges to defining appropriate nutrition or other interventions for cancer cachexia include lack of consensus on definitions, low strength of evidence from clinical trials, and a scarcity of robust, rigorous, and mechanistic studies. However, efforts to diagnose, stage, and monitor cachexia are increasing along with clinical trial activity. Furthermore, preclinical models for cancer cachexia are growing more sophisticated, encompassing a greater number of tumor types in organ‐appropriate contexts and for metastatic disease to model the clinical condition more accurately. It is expected that continued growth, investment, and coordination of research in this topic will ultimately yield robust biomarkers, clinically useful classification and staging algorithms, targetable pathways, pivotal clinical trials, and ultimately, cures. Here, we provide an overview of the clinical and scientific knowledge and its limitations around cancer cachexia.
Melanoma trials that defined surgical management: Overview of trials that established NCCN margin guidelines
Authors: Sharib Jeremy , Slingluff Craig L. , Beasley Georgia M. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractSince the observation that clearance of all visible and microscopic tumors from cutaneous melanoma is critical to prevent a recurrence, wide surgical margins have been central to surgical dogma. In the last several decades, more conservative margin widths have been vigorously studied by surgical investigators to lessen wound complications, the need for reconstruction, and healthcare costs. This review summarizes surgeon‐led clinical trials that define current guidelines and highlights the challenges to initiate and perform trials today.
Abundant solitary wave structures of the higher dimensional Sakovich dynamical model
Authors: Younis Muhammad , Seadawy Aly R. , Baber Muhammad Z. , Yasin Muhammad W. , Rizvi Syed T. R. , Iqbal Muhammad S. 
Published: December 2021

In this study, the abundant families of multiwave structures are constructed for (2 + 1)‐dimensional Sakovich model. The single and combined wave structures are observed in shock, complex solitary‐shock, shock‐singular, and periodic‐singular forms. The rational solutions are also emerged during the derivation. The new modified extended direct algebraic (NMEDA) technique and mathematica software are used to obtained the solutions. The obtained results are very useful to study and verify the analytical solutions with numerical and experimental work in nonlinear dynamics. Moreover, the graphics of obtained solutions for the different values of parameters are drawn in three and two dimensions along with their contour diagrams.
Malnutrition screening and diagnosis tools: Implications for practice
Authors: House Mary , Gwaltney Caitlin 
Published: December 2021

AbstractDespite the prevalence of protein‐calorie malnutrition (PCM) in acute‐care hospitals and long‐term care centers, a national and global consensus on nutrition screening and malnutrition diagnosis is lacking. PCM is associated with various acute and chronic complications, such as impaired wound healing, increased risk for infection, debility, and increased risk for rehospitalization. The consequences of PCM are also incredibly costly to both the patient and the healthcare facility. The purpose of this paper is to identify nutrition screening tools and malnutrition diagnosis tools currently being utilized in acute‐care healthcare centers across the United States.
Investigating soil conditions around buried water pipelines using very‐low‐frequency band alternating current electrical resistivity survey
Authors: Jinguuji Motoharu , Yokota Toshiyuki 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTUnderground pipeline infrastructures, such as water supply and industrial water pipes, were rapidly constructed in Japan during the 1970–1980s economic boom and have been ageing quickly. In general, corrosion of buried metal water pipes depends on the physicochemical properties of the soil around them. Conventionally, when conducting such investigations, the soil is excavated and sampled to analyse these properties in laboratories. As this damages the paved road surface, an alternative method is required. Resistivity is a significant physical property measured when investigating the corrosion risk of underground pipelines. Therefore, if geophysical exploration can facilitate the investigation of soil resistivity from the ground surface, it will play a key role in the renewal planning of water pipes. Traditionally, geophysical methods such as electrical and electromagnetic exploration have been used for measuring subsurface resistivity. Electrical exploration is a robust and noise‐tolerant method; however, it requires electrode installation. Most roads over the pipelines are paved, making conventional electrical exploration using metal electrodes a challenging task. Therefore, the Geological Survey of Japan, the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, has developed a very‐low‐frequency band alternating current electrical surveying technique that uses water‐saturated polyvinyl alcohol sponge electrodes. In this technique, electrodes are placed on an asphalt or concrete paved surface and the electrode measures the soil resistivity profile and detects the corrosive soil distribution without damaging the paved surface. Moreover, we improved this equipment to enable vertical electrical survey of numerous points and acquired data for 740 m of the survey line in 1 day at Maborikaigan coast in Yokosuka City. We found that the resistivity values varied with the depths and locations of the buried water pipes. These variations indicated that surveys and evaluations on long survey lines along water pipe burial routes are essential for risk management in water pipelines.
Trajectory optimization with obstacles avoidance via strong duality equivalent and hp‐pseudospectral sequential convex programming
Authors: Xia Weibo , Wang Weihong , Gao Chuan 
Published: December 2021

AbstractA trajectory optimization algorithm is developed in this article to compute a trajectory that avoids obstacles for an unmanned aerial vehicle and minimize the load factor. Quadratic and polyhedron obstacles are both considered in this article. To satisfy the safety distance requirements in engineering practice, a distance‐based obstacle avoidance constraint is formulated, which restricts the minimum distance that a vehicle can approach the obstacle. Strong duality equivalent converts the constraints into equivalent forms without introducing binary variables. Subsequently, the trajectory optimization problem is numerically solved via a hp‐pseudospectral sequential convex programming method, which iteratively solves a sequence of second‐order cone programming subproblems until convergence is attained. Furthermore, a modified trust‐region constraint and a customized nominal trajectory update rule are proposed to accelerate the convergence of the algorithm. A group of simulations are performed to demonstrate that the algorithm is computationally efficient and capable of generating a trajectory that satisfies safety distance requirements, preventing conservativeness in the trajectory, reducing the incidence of intersample constraints violation.
What a deep song: The role of music features in perceived depth
Authors: Wen Xin , Huang Zhengxi , Sun Zaoyi , Xu Liang 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis study examines perceptions of music depth by exploring its relationships to different music features. First, a correlation analysis shows that the perceived depth of music is negatively correlated with valence and arousal and is also related to different music features, including tempo, Mel‐frequency cepstrum coefficients, chromagrams, spectral centroids, spectral bandwidth, spectral contrast, spectral flatness, spectral roll‐off, and tonal centroid features. Applying machine learning methods, we find that selected music features can predict perceptions of music depth, and a random forest regression (RFR) is found to perform best in this study. Finally, a feature importance analysis shows that the principal component of spectral contrast dominates the RFR‐based music depth recognition model, showing that deep music usually has clear and narrow‐band audio signals.
Primary central nervous system lymphoblastic B cell lymphoma located at cerebellum in a child: A case report and literature review
Authors: Yang Xueliang , Duan Yanlong , Zhou Chunju , Jin Ling , Zhang Ningning , Huang Shuang , Zhang Meng , Yang Jing , Zhang Yonghong 
Published: December 2021

ABSTRACTIntroductionPrimary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is extremely rare in pediatric population. We reported a case of PCNSL in a 3‐year‐old girl and reviewed the literature in the past three decades.Case presentationA 3‐year‐old girl presented with gait disturbance. A contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance image of the brain showed a solitary bulky mass in the left cerebellar hemisphere, hydrocephalus and cerebellar tonsillar hernia. Surgical resection was performed and the patient was diagnosed with primary central nervous system lymphoblastic B cell lymphoma. Then the patient received regular chemotherapy, including 6 cycles of chemotherapy containing high‐dose methotrexate (HD‐MTX). The patient remains alive 15 months after the diagnosis with no evidence of active disease, but suffered twice chronic subdural hematoma, which was treated by burr hole drainage.ConclusionLymphoblastic B cell lymphoma is a rare histologic subtype of pediatric PCNSL. Chemotherapy containing HD‐MTX remains the most effective treatment. The patient should avoid head impact after surgical resection of the tumor to prevent chronic subdural hematoma.
On the corners of the cubed‐sphere grid
Authors: Zerroukat M. , Allen T. 
Published: December 2021

AbstractThis note shows how the cubed‐sphere grid can be extended (i.e., halo filling) to achieve high‐order representation of fields and derivatives near the panel edges and specifically the corners of the cubed sphere. This makes it possible to obtain uniformly high‐order multi‐dimensional approximations and specifically makes the use of high‐order finite differences/volumes or fully multi‐dimensional semi‐Lagrangian schemes viable options with the cubed sphere.
High‐temperature mass spectrometric study of the thermodynamic properties in the Sm2O3‐ZrO2‐HfO2 system
Authors: Kablov Eugene N. , Stolyarova Valentina L. , Vorozhtcov Viktor A. , Lopatin Sergey I. , Shugurov Sergey M. , Shilov Andrey L. , Karachevtsev Fedor N. 
Published: December 2021

RationaleThe Sm2O3‐ZrO2‐HfO2 system is a promising base for the development of a wide spectrum of new refractory materials. Reliable data on thermodynamic properties in this system are of significant importance for planning the preparation and application of high‐temperature ceramics. Especially, they can be useful for calculation of the unknown phase equilibria in this system.MethodsThe thermodynamic properties of the Sm2O3‐ZrO2‐HfO2 system were studied by the high‐temperature mass spectrometric method. The samples in the system under consideration synthesized by the solid‐state method were vaporized from a tungsten twin effusion cell using a MS‐1301 magnetic sector mass spectrometer. Ionization of the vapor species effusing from the cell was carried out by electrons at an energy of 25 eV.ResultsIt was shown that, at temperatures below 2500 K, the main vapor species over the ceramics based on the Sm2O3‐ZrO2‐HfO2 system were SmO, Sm, and O corresponding to vapor composition over pure Sm2O3. The SmO, Sm, and O partial vapor pressures over the samples and the Sm2O3 activities were obtained in the temperature range 2319–2530 K. This allowed the excess Gibbs energy values to be determined. For comparison, the excess Gibbs energies in the Sm2O3‐ZrO2‐HfO2 system were also calculated by the semi‐empirical Kohler, Toop, Redlich‐Kister, and Wilson methods and optimized by the statistical thermodynamic Generalized Lattice Theory of Associated Solutions (GLTAS).ConclusionsThe thermodynamic data calculated by the semi‐empirical approaches at 2423 K were shown to be lower than the experimental values. However, the Toop and Wilson methods were found to be useful for evaluation of the excess Gibbs energy values at the Sm2O3 mole fraction less and higher than 0.32, respectively. The self‐consistent thermodynamic description of the Sm2O3‐ZrO2‐HfO2 system was derived at high temperatures by optimization of the experimental results using the GLTAS.