bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The processing of subthreshold visual temporal order is transitory and motivation-dependent
Authors: Polgári Patrik , Jovanovic Ljubica , van Wassenhove Virginie , Giersch Anne 
Published: May 2023

AbstractProcessing a sequence of events is different from encoding the relative order of the elements composing the sequence. Whether order processing arises automatically from the sequential processing of events is yet unknown, however the literature suggests that order processing can occur at an automatic level when the order of stimuli is not detected consciously. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the question of automatic order processing in a difficult visual task where participants identified one among two possible target luminances. The luminance of the targets was contingent on the order of presentation of two visual cues separated by a subthreshold asynchrony. Participants' performance was compared to that in a control condition where the cues were presented synchronously. In a first experiment, participants’ performance benefited from the use of subthreshold order information compared to the control condition, however this facilitation effect was transient and disappeared over the course of the experiment. In a second experiment, we investigated and confirmed the role of motivation, via a monetary incentive, on the previously observed effect. Taken together, our results suggest that the processing of temporal order of sub-threshold asynchronies is possible, although fragile and likely dependent on task requirements.
Investigating the epidemiological and economic effects of a third-party certification policy for restaurants with COVID-19 prevention measures
Authors: Hirokawa Kazuya , Hirota Jumpei , Kawaguchi Daiji , Masaki Yusuke , Onita Chiaki 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis study investigates the effects of a third-party certification policy for restaurants (including bars) that comply with indoor infection-prevention measures on COVID-19 cases and economic activities. We focus on the case of Yamanashi Prefecture in Japan, which introduced a third-party certification policy that accredits facilities, predominantly restaurants, that comply with the designated guidelines. We employ a difference-in-differences design for each of our epidemiological and economic analyses. The estimation results show that, from July 2020 to April 2021, the certification policy reduced the total number of new infection cases by approximately 45.3% (848 cases), while increasing total sales and the number of customers per restaurant by approximately 12.8% (3.21 million Japanese yen or $30,000) and 30.3% (2909 customers), respectively, compared to the non-intervention scenarios. The results suggest that a third-party certification policy can be an effective policy to mitigate the trade-off between economic activities and infection prevention during a pandemic, especially when effective vaccines are not widely available.
Potential drivers of human tick-borne encephalitis in the Örebro region of Sweden, 2010–2021
Authors: Kjær Lene Jung , Johansson Magnus , Lindgren Per-Eric , Asghar Naveed , Wilhelmsson Peter , Fredlund Hans , Christensson Madeleine , Wallenhammar Amélie , Bødker René , Rasmussen Gunløg , Kjellander Petter 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIncidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) has increased during the last years in Scandinavia, but the underlying mechanism is not understood. TBE human case data reported between 2010 and 2021 were aggregated into postal codes within Örebro County, south-central Sweden, along with tick abundance and environmental data to analyse spatial patterns and identify drivers of TBE. We identified a substantial and continuing increase of TBE incidence in Örebro County during the study period. Spatial cluster analyses showed significant hotspots (higher number of cases than expected) in the southern and northern parts of Örebro County, whereas a cold spot (lower number of cases than expected) was found in the central part comprising Örebro municipality. Generalised linear models showed that the risk of acquiring TBE increased by 12.5% and 72.3% for every percent increase in relative humidity and proportion of wetland forest, respectively, whereas the risk decreased by 52.8% for every degree Celsius increase in annual temperature range. However, models had relatively low goodness of fit (R2 < 0.27). Results suggest that TBE in Örebro County is spatially clustered, however variables used in this study, i.e., climatic variables, forest cover, water, tick abundance, sheep as indicator species, alone do not explain this pattern.
Long-term effect of using hard contact lenses on corneal endothelial cell density and morphology in ophthalmologically healthy individuals in Japan
Authors: Ono Takashi , Sakisaka Toshihiro , Takada Keita , Tokuda Shota , Mori Yosai , Nejima Ryohei , Iwasaki Takuya , Miyai Takashi , Miyata Kazunori 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe adverse effects of hard contact lenses (HCL) on the corneal endothelium have been studied in the short term; however, long-term effects remain still unclear. In this study, we analyzed the effect of long-term HCL use on corneal endothelial cell density (ECD) and morphology in healthy Japanese individuals. This cross-sectional observational study included individuals using HCL for refractive errors examined at a single specialty eye hospital. Patient age, duration of HCL usage, ECD, coefficient of variation of the cell area (CV), and rate of appearance of hexagonal cells (6A) obtained via non-contact specular microscopy were assessed. We analyzed 8604 eyes (mean age: 35.6 ± 10.0 years, 837 males, 3465 females). The mean duration of HCL usage was 14.7 ± 9.1 (range, 1–50) years. Multivariate analysis revealed that ECD significantly correlated with age (P < 0.001) but not with duration of usage; however, CV and 6A significantly correlated with both factors (P < 0.001). Univariate analysis revealed that CV and 6A correlated with duration of usage (all, P < 0.001). According to our results, CV and 6A correlated with the duration of HCL usage in ophthalmologically healthy Japanese individuals. Therefore, it is important to monitor corneal endothelial morphology in long-term HCL wearers.
Comparison of the effects of oxidative and inflammatory stresses on rat chondrocyte senescence
Authors: Yagi Misaki , Endo Kentaro , Komori Keiichiro , Sekiya Ichiro 
Published: May 2023

AbstractOsteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related degenerative joint disease that causes progressive cartilage loss. Chondrocyte senescence is a fundamental mechanism that contributes to the imbalance of matrix homeostasis in OA by inducing senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Although OA chondrocytes are mainly exposed to oxidative and inflammatory stresses, the role of these individual stresses in chondrocyte senescence remains unclear. In this study, we compared the effects of these stresses on the senescence of rat chondrocytes. Rat chondrocytes were treated with H2O2 and a combination of IL-1β and TNF-α (IL/TNF) to compare their in vitro effect on senescent phenotypes. For in vivo evaluation, H2O2 and IL/TNF were injected into rat knee joints for 4 weeks. The in vitro results showed that H2O2 treatment increased reactive oxygen species, γ-H2AX, and p21 levels, stopped cell proliferation, and decreased glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-producing ability. In contrast, IL/TNF increased the expression of p16 and SASP factors, resulting in increased GAG degradation. Intraarticular injections of H2O2 did not cause any changes in senescent markers; however, IL/TNF injections reduced safranin O staining and increased the proportion of p16- and SASP factor-positive chondrocytes. Our results indicate that oxidative and inflammatory stresses have significantly different effects on the senescence of rat chondrocytes.
Construction and integrated analysis of the ceRNA network hsa_circ_0000672/miR-516a-5p/TRAF6 and its potential function in atrial fibrillation
Authors: Liu Xing , Wu Mingxing , He Yan , Gui Chun , Wen Weiming , Jiang Zhiyuan , Zhong Guoqiang 
Published: May 2023

AbstractAtrial fibrosis is a crucial contributor to initiation and perpetuation of atrial fibrillation (AF). This study aimed to identify a circRNA-miRNA-mRNA competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory network related to atrial fibrosis in AF, especially to validate hsa_circ_0000672/hsa_miR-516a-5p/TRAF6 ceRNA axis in AF preliminarily. The circRNA-miRNA-mRNA ceRNA network associated with AF fibrosis was constructed using bioinformatic tools and literature reviews. Left atrium (LA) low voltage was used to represent LA fibrosis by using LA voltage matrix mapping. Ten controls with sinus rhythm (SR), and 20 patients with persistent AF including 12 patients with LA low voltage and 8 patients with LA normal voltage were enrolled in this study. The ceRNA regulatory network associated with atrial fibrosis was successfully constructed, which included up-regulated hsa_circ_0000672 and hsa_circ_0003916, down-regulated miR-516a-5p and five up-regulated hub genes (KRAS, SMAD2, TRAF6, MAPK11 and SMURF1). In addition, according to the results of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis, these hub genes were clustered in TGF-beta and MAPK signaling pathway. In the patients with persistent AF, hsa_circ_0000672 expression in peripheral blood monocytes was significantly higher than those in controls with SR by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (p-value < 0.001). Furthermore, hsa_circ_0000672 expression was higher in peripheral blood monocytes of persistent AF patients with LA low voltage than those with LA normal voltage (p-value = 0.002). The dual-luciferase activity assay confirmed that hsa_circ_0000672 exerted biological functions as a sponge of miR-516a-5p to regulate expression of its target gene TRAF6. Hsa_circ_0000672 expression in peripheral blood monocytes may be associated with atrial fibrosis. The hsa_circ_0000672 may be involved in atrial fibrosis by indirectly regulating TRAF6 as a ceRNA by sponging miR-516a-5p.
Search mechanism for data contents based on bloom filter and tree hybrid structure in system wide information management
Authors: Zhang Lizhe , Bai Zhuoning , Cui Bohua , Wu Zhijun 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe system wide information management (SWIM) system infrastructure layer uses information‐centric networking (ICN) to implement the cache routing and sharing of air traffic information data. The SWIM network searches and forwards routes on the basis of content names. The variable length, hierarchical name structure, and routing updates caused by the frequent publication and deletion of content make the implementation of fast name routing lookup algorithms a significant but arduous task. To address this problem, this study designed a name matching mechanism on the basis of the hybrid structure of the Bloom filter and the Tree. Compared with the traditional Bloom filter search scheme, this search mechanism reduces the quantity of Bloom filter insertion entries and reduces the possibility of hash collisions. Compared with the traditional Tree search scheme, the proposed mechanism can effectively solve the problem of numerous memory accesses caused by extremely long name prefixes, improving the query efficiency. In addition, the proposed composite structure is compared with several methods, such as DIPIT and NPT, by analyzing the effects of layering, global delay and search speed. The experimental results show that the proposed structure has a favourable performance in terms of storage overhead and search speed.
A delay tolerant network routing algorithm based on multi‐step double Q‐learning
Authors: Wu Jiagao , Jin Hongyu , Cai Shenlei , Liu Linfeng 
Published: May 2023

AbstractDelay tolerant networks (DTNs) refer to a kind of novel wireless mobile network, where there is no constant end‐to‐end connection between network nodes due to frequent movement, sparse distribution and limited communication range of nodes. Instead of the traditional store‐forward routing strategy, in DTNs, the new store‐carry‐forward routing strategy is adopted for data transmission. Therefore, how to select the best next‐hop node among network nodes is the main challenge of the routing in DTNs. To this end, here, a k‐step double Q‐learning routing (K‐DQLR) algorithm is proposed, which integrates the multi‐step and double Q‐learning algorithms to make an unbiased, accurate and efficient routing decision in DTNs. Besides, a new dynamic reward mechanism is proposed, which combines the number of routing hops and the node centrality to adopt the dynamic network environment of DTNs. The simulation results show that K‐DQLR can significantly increase the delivery ratio while reducing the delivery delay and overhead compared with the related state‐of‐the‐art routing protocols of DTNs.
Control of arc suppression devices for reducing powerline bushfires in resonant grounded power distribution networks using global terminal sliding mode controller
Authors: Roy Tushar Kanti , Mahmud Md Apel 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis paper proposes a global terminal‐sliding mode controller (GT‐SMC) to compensate powerline bushfires due to electric faults in power distribution networks using arc suppression devices (ASDs). A GT‐sliding surface along with a new quick reaching law is used to design the controller. The major control objective is to compensate the fault current caused by single line‐to‐ground (SLG) faults to a value that cannot ignite fires in bushfire prone areas. A T‐type residual current compensator inverter within an ASD is controlled to achieve the goal. An integral‐sliding mode controller (I‐SMC) is also designed using a conventional reaching law for comparing the performance. Simulations studies and processor‐in‐loop implementations are carried out to investigate the ability of the GT‐SMC over an I‐SMC over a range of fault impedance scenarios. Dynamic properties of the voltage and current due to SLG faults along with the current injection by the ASD are analyzed against the standard criteria, to be followed to get rid of powerline bushfires. Results under different operating scenarios indicate that both controllers are capable to maintain standard criteria for preventing powerline bushfires though the GT‐SMC is proven to exhibit superior transient responses to that of the I‐SMC and integral backstepping controller.
Graph transformer based dynamic multiple graph convolution networks for traffic flow forecasting
Authors: Hu Yongli , Peng Ting , Guo Kan , Sun Yanfeng , Gao Junbin , Yin Baocai 
Published: May 2023

AbstractTraffic prediction is an important part of intelligent transportation system. Recently, graph convolution network (GCN) is introduced for traffic flow forecasting and achieves good performance due to its superiority of representing the graph traffic road structure network. Moreover, the dynamic GCN is put forward to model the temporal property of the traffic flow. Although great progress has been made, most GCN based traffic flow forecasting methods utilize a single graph for convolution, which is considered not enough to reveal the inherent property of traffic graph as it is influenced by many factors, for example weather, season and traffic accidents etc. In this paper, an exotic graph transformer based dynamic multiple graph convolution networks (GTDMGCN) is conceived for traffic flow forecasting. Instead of the single graph, multiple graphs are constructed to modulate the complex traffic network by the proposed graph transformer network. Additionally, a temporal gate convolution is proposed to get the temporal property of traffic flow. The proposed GTDMGCN model is evaluated on four real traffic datasets of PEMS03, PEMS04, PEMS07, PEMS08, and there are average increments of 9.78%, 7.80%, 5.96% under MAE, RMSE, and MAPE metrics compared with the current results.
Design of a Real-World Observational Study in Previously Untreated and Minimally Treated Hemophilia A Patients: Protect-NOW
Authors: Oldenburg Johannes , Halimeh Susan , Hall Georgina W. , Klamroth Robert , Vera Pascual Marco , Jansen Martina , Mathias Mary 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Background The efficacy, safety, and immunogenicity of each of Octapharma's factor VIII (FVIII) products, Nuwiq, octanate, and wilate, have been investigated in previously untreated patients (PUPs) with severe hemophilia A in prospective clinical trials. The aim of the Protect-NOW study is to evaluate the effectiveness, safety, and utilization patterns of Nuwiq, octanate, and wilate in PUPs and minimally treated patients (MTPs; <5 exposure days [EDs] to FVIII concentrates or other blood products containing FVIII) with severe hemophilia A in a real-world setting. Real-world data provide valuable information that complement data obtained from interventional clinical trials.
Methods Protect-NOW (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT03695978; ISRCTN identifier: 11492145) is a real-world study in PUPs and MTPs treated with either the human cell line-derived recombinant FVIII Nuwiq (simoctocog alfa) or a plasma-derived FVIII concentrate containing von Willebrand factor (octanate or wilate). It is a prospective and (partly) retrospective, observational, international, noncontrolled, noninterventional study. A total of 140 PUPs and MTPs with severe hemophilia A will be enrolled across around 50 specialized centers worldwide and followed for either 100 EDs or a maximum period of 3 years from ED1. The primary objectives are to assess effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of bleeding episodes and overall safety, including inhibitor development. The secondary objectives are to assess utilization patterns (including dosage and frequency of administration) and the effectiveness in surgical prophylaxis.
Conclusions The Protect-NOW study will provide information on the treatment of PUPs and MTPs in routine clinical practice, which will help guide clinical decision making for treating these patients in the future.
On Reading Berlant Reading the World
Authors: Wiegman Robyn 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
This essay offers a close reading of Lauren Berlant’s posthumously published book, On the Inconvenience of Other People (2022), while addressing its place in the critic’s body of work, especially in relation to the field changing project of Cruel Optimism (2011).This is a Lauren Berlant book . . . which means that readers are tasked with following a critical eye that has grown increasingly more interested in when and how clarity falters . . . than in marshaling cultural criticism to shore up the pretense of understanding and knowing.
148 Keynote: Should We Rely on Air Monitoring? What Can Biomonitoring Bring to the Party?
Authors: Sepai Ovnair 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Measuring concentrations of chemicals in media air, water and soil is inadequate for assessing human exposures and the effects of exposure. Human biomonitoring (HBM) offers an improved understanding of potential health risks through the detection of “biomarkers” of exposure that indicate the progressive response to exposures in the human body that lead to disease… before disease occurs. Do you agree? From a public health perspective HBM was used to reduce human exposures to lead, PCB’s and the pesticide DDT. Examples of how UKHSA (formerly PHE) has used HBM to protect human health illustrate the need for HBM data. The use of HBM data as well as measurements of arsenic in drinking water is an example of the need for both. UKHSA is planning a national HBM program for the UK building on the work of the European HBM Initiative - HBM4EU. Public health risk assessments are based on evaluation of environmental exposure compared to Tolerable Dailey Intakes: HBM data can reduce uncertainty in human health risk assessment. But HBM is not a magic bullet and there are ethical issues that need to be considered.
149 Keynote: Air Sensor Performance Testing in the AQ-Spec Program
Authors: Papapostolou Vasileios 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
The Air Quality Sensor Performance Evaluation Center (AQ-SPEC) at the South Coast Air Quality Management District in Southern California was initiated in 2014 as a leading-edge program to gauge the capabilities of low-cost, commercially-available air sensors against reference air monitors. AQ-SPEC is in the unique position of having evaluated over 210 sensors to date, allowing us to provide independent commentary on the overall state of performance of sensors available on the market. The array of testing resources available within AQ-SPEC, as well as the various sensor evaluation methods the program can execute will be covered, including the program’s long-standing field and laboratory evaluation protocols for sensors measuring criteria pollutants. New tools and increased interest in diverse sensor applications have motivated AQ-SPEC’s involvement in, and development of, many innovative sensor testing approaches, including mobile measurement protocols, indoor PM2.5 and CO2 sensor testing protocols, and laboratory evaluation of VOC sensors. The AQ-SPEC program is poised to transition to the latest sensor testing techniques and provide services that enable the comparison of sensors against performance targets.
150 Keynote: A New Aerosol Mass-Spectrometer for Simultaneous Detection of Health-Relevant Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, Soot and Inorganic Components from Individual Airborne Particles
Authors: Zimmermann Ralf , Passig Johannes , Irsig Robert , Czech Hendryk , Martens Patrick , Adam Thomas , Schade Julian , Ehlert Sven 
Published: May 2023

Abstract
Air pollution by fine particles represents a severe environmental health-risk. The particle’s content of toxic compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), elemental carbon/soot or redox-active transition metals (e.g. Fe), is highly relevant for their toxicity. The particulate matter (PM) composition can be determined by chemical analysis of PM-loaded filter samples but no information on the mixing state of toxicants, i.e. the distribution of toxicants within the particle ensemble, is obtainable by this approach. The mixing state, however, is a crucial parameter to assess health effects as the toxicants may either be equally distributed over many particles (internally mixed) or could be highly concentrated within a small particle sub-population (externally mixed). In the latter case, the few particles with a very high concentration of toxicants can induce stronger cellular effects at the lung-deposition site. A new approach is based on single particle mass spectrometry (SPMS) but introduces a novel, tailored laser ionisation process. Aerosol particles are on-line sampled from the air and size-characterized by laser velocimetry. The organic coating of individual particles is desorbed by intense IR-laser pulses and subsequently the relevant toxicants (transition metals, PAH and soot) are ionized and MS-detected particle-by-particle, using a novel combined UV-laser ionization scheme (Schade et al. Anal., Chem. 2019; Passig et al. ACP 2022). The novel SPMS system offers the characterisation of the most relevant PM-toxicants (soot, metals, PAH) on a sized-resolved, single particle-basis and gives insight into their mixing state. First SPMS-ambient air monitoring results for PAH or metals show that, depending on conditions, the toxicants indeed either are concentrated on a very small fraction of the particle-ensemble or are rather uniformly distributed over all particles. Future application concepts of the new SPMS-technology in air monitoring and environmental health research are discussed.