bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Occupational exposure to diesel engine exhaust and serum levels of microRNAs in a cross‐sectional molecular epidemiology study in China
Authors: Hu Wei , Wong Jason Y. Y. , Dai Yufei , Ren Dianzhi , Blechter Batel , Duan Huawei , Niu Yong , Xu Jun , Fu Wei , Meliefste Kees , Zhou Baosen , Yang Jufang , Ye Meng , Jia Xiaowei , Meng Tao , Bin Ping , Rahman Mohammad L. , Dean Hosgood H. , Vermeulen Roel C. , Silverman Debra T. , Zheng Yuxin , Lan Qing , Rothman Nathaniel 
Published: February 2023

AbstractDiesel engine exhaust (DEE) is an established lung carcinogen, but the biological mechanisms of diesel‐induced lung carcinogenesis are not well understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play a potentially important role in regulating gene expression related to lung cancer. We conducted a cross‐sectional molecular epidemiology study to evaluate whether serum levels of miRNAs are altered in healthy workers occupationally exposed to DEE compared to unexposed controls. We conducted a two‐stage study, first measuring 405 miRNAs in a pilot study of six DEE‐exposed workers exposed and six controls. In the second stage, 44 selected miRNAs were measured using the Fireplex circulating miRNA assay that profiles miRNAs directly from biofluids of 45 workers exposed to a range of DEE (Elemental Carbon (EC), median, range: 47.7, 6.1–79.7 μg/m3) and 46 controls. The relationship between exposure to DEE and EC with miRNA levels was analyzed using linear regression adjusted for potential confounders. Serum levels of four miRNAs were significantly lower (miR‐191‐5p, miR‐93‐5p, miR‐423‐3p, miR‐122‐5p) and one miRNA was significantly higher (miR‐92a‐3p) in DEE exposed workers compared to controls. Of these miRNAs, miR‐191‐5p (ptrend = .001, FDR = 0.04) and miR‐93‐5p (ptrend = .009, FDR = 0.18) showed evidence of an inverse exposure–response with increasing EC levels. Our findings suggest that occupational exposure to DEE may affect circulating miRNAs implicated in biological processes related to carcinogenesis, including immune function.
Evaluating a woman's leadership journey and impact by adapting contribution mapping and analysis tools
Authors: Garcia Diaz Villamil Alejandra , Santos Legaspi Rodrigo , Akoto Ophelia Delali A. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractComplexity manifests in no clearer arena than women's political leadership and overall empowerment. The nature of the leadership journey, comprised of multiple events and milestones, paired with environmental factors like COVID‐19, adds to this complexity. This chapter tackles the challenges of measuring program impact in advancing women's leadership by discussing the Vital Voices Global Partnership (VVGP) approach. Using an adapted contribution mapping and analysis tool, VVGP identified contributions at three levels: programmatic, individual, and community. The tool allowed VVGP to collect evidence about VVGP's contributions to improved political leadership and the overall VVGP model's theory of change (TOC).
Made in Africa: Understanding Indigenous African approaches to democracy, human rights, and governance evaluation through the study of proverbs
Authors: Badjo Sîm‐Yassah Awilêlo 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe African Evaluation Association (AfrEA) plays a unique role as the pan‐Africa umbrella organization of African Voluntary Organizations for Professional Development (VOPEs). This chapter is in a self‐interview format with the former Chief of AfrEA Secretariat and discusses an AfrEA initiative calledMade in Africa Evaluation(MAE). Part of MAE considers how Indigenous African proverbs contribute to improved evaluation practices in the African context. This interview discusses the approach to the use of proverbs with reference to democracy assistance, human rights, and governance programs (DRG).
“Politics is more difficult than physics”: Complexity and the challenge of democracy, human rights, and governance program evaluation
Authors: Oakley Alysson Akiko 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWhat is democracy, human rights, and governance (DRG) program evaluation? This chapter defines the subfield, outlines major challenges to undertaking evaluation in highly politicized programming environments, and orients its current state with respect to its historical trajectory. The author describes the pendulum swings DRG evaluation has undergone in methodology, paradigms, and interests, organized into four generations: the Cowboys, the Technocratic Disenchantment, the Messy Middle, and the Complexity Crew. The chapter describes how the concept of complexity came to dominate the subfield, emerging out of the importance placed in context and contextual relevance for programs focused on political goals. The author puts forward a framework for operationalizing complexity more consistently within the DRG evaluation sector and concludes with a discussion of current issues and debates in the field.
Artificial intelligence biosensors for continuous glucose monitoring
Authors: Jin Xiaofeng , Cai Andrew , Xu Tailin , Zhang Xueji 
Published: February 2023

AbstractArtificial intelligence (AI) algorithms in combination with continuous monitoring technologies have the potential to revolutionize chronic disease management. The recent innovations in both continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and the closed‐loop highlight the far‐reaching potential of AI biosensors for individual healthcare. This review summarizes some of the most advanced progress made in CGM biosensing. We will focus on three main applications of AI algorithms in diabetes management: closed‐loop control algorithms, glucose predictions, and calibrations. The challenges and opportunities of AI technologies for CGM in individualized and proactive medicine will also be discussed.
Covalent organic frameworks as electrode materials for rechargeable metal‐ion batteries
Authors: Wu Manman , Zhou Zhen 
Published: February 2023

AbstractCovalent organic frameworks (COFs), as a class of crystalline porous polymers, featuring designable structures, tunable frameworks, well‐defined channels, and tailorable functionalities, have emerged as promising organic electrode materials for rechargeable metal‐ion batteries in recent years. Tremendous efforts have been devoted to improving the electrochemical performance of COFs. However, although significant achievements have been made, the electrochemical behaviors of developed COFs are far away from the desirable performance for practical batteries owing to intrinsic problems, such as poor electronic conductivity, the trade‐off relationship between capacity and redox potential, and unfavorable micromorphology. In this review, the recent progress in the development of COFs for rechargeable metal‐ion batteries is presented, including Li, Na, K, and Zn ion batteries. Various research strategies for improving the electrochemical performance of COFs are summarized in terms of the molecular‐level design and the material‐level modification. Finally, the major challenges and perspectives of COFs are also discussed in the aspect of large‐scale production and electrochemical performance improvements.
Creating a common discourse on practitioner inquiry as stance
Authors: Buelow Stephanie , Koja Cassandra , Tom Matthew , Bacon Heidi R. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractPractitioner Inquiry (PI) is the systematic, intentional study of one's professional practice. It makes reflective teaching visible and actionable. In this article, we reflect on our experiences as practitioner researchers across elementary, secondary, and teacher education and engage in critical conversations with one another to present a common discourse around the complexities of PI. We elucidate the ways that PI positions literacy educators as self‐directed learners, agents of change, and storytellers to recenter literacy teaching and learning.
Effectiveness of Sufentanil‐Based Patient‐Controlled Analgesia Regimen in Children and Incidence of Adverse Events Following Major Congenital Structure Repairs
Authors: Xie Deying , Liu Fei , Zuo Yunxia 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate postoperative analgesia effectiveness and patient‐controlled analgesia (PCA)‐related adverse events. The children who received sufentanil‐based PCA following major surgery to repair congenital hip dislocation and hypospadias were divided into 3 groups: sufentanil 4 µg/kg + tramadol 10 mg/kg (ST; n = 301), sufentanil 4 µg/kg (S4; n = 211), and sufentanil 5 µg/kg (S5; n = 451). Analgesics with granisetron 0.2 mg/kg were diluted in 0.9% saline to 100 mL and infused continuously at a basal infusion rate of 1 mL/h. A total of 963 children whose average age was 4 years were investigated. The incidence of moderate to severe postoperative pain during rest was significantly lower in the S5 group (0.2%) and ST group (0.3%) compared with the S4 group (3.3%) within 72 hours after surgery (P < .05), and the incidence of moderate to severe pain during activity within 72 hours was also significantly lower in the S5 group (3.5%) compared with the other 2 groups (ST, 21.9%; S4, 33.2%; P < .001). A significant difference was identified among the 3 groups in the total number of PCA administrations, but there was no statistical difference of total usage of opioids among the 3 groups. In terms of PCA‐related adverse events, the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting in the S5 group was lower compared with the ST group within 72 hours after surgery (P < .001), and there was no significant difference compared with the S4 group (P = .254). There was also no significant difference in the incidence of pruritus and dizziness among the 3 groups. Sufentanil‐based PCA can be effectively and safely used in children after major congenital structural malformation repair surgeries. The sufentanil 5 µg/kg dosage in the PCA regimen is superior to sufentanil 4 µg/kg alone or combined with tramadol in lowering moderate to severe pain.
Characterizing Australia's east coast cyclones (1950–2019)
Authors: Gray Jessie L. , Verdon‐Kidd Danielle C. , Jaffrés Jasmine B. D. , Hewson Michael G. , Clarke John M. , Sharma Krishneel K. , English Nathan B. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractEast coast cyclones (ECCs) provide an essential reprieve from dry periods across eastern Australia. They also deliver flood‐producing rains with significant economic, social and environmental impacts. Assessing and comparing the influence of different types of cyclones is hindered by an incomplete understanding of ECC typology, given their widely variable spatial and temporal characteristics. This study employs a track‐clustering method (probabilistic, curve‐aligned regression model) to identify key cyclonic pathways for ECCs from 1950 to 2019. Six spatially independent clusters were successfully distinguished and further sub‐classified (coastal, continental and tropical) based on their genesis location. The seasonality and long‐term variability, intensity (maximum Laplacian value ± 2 days) and event‐based rainfall were then evaluated for each cluster to quantify the impact of these lows on Australia. The highest quantity of land‐based rainfall per event is associated with the tropical cluster (Cluster 6), whereas widespread rainfall was also found to occur in the two continental clusters (clusters 4 and 5). Cyclone tracks orientated close to the coast (clusters 1, 2 and 3) were determined to be the least impactful in terms of rainfall and intensity, despite being the most common cyclone type. In terms of interannual variability, sea surface temperature anomalies suggest an increased cyclone frequency for clusters 1 (austral winter) and 4 (austral spring) during a central Pacific El Niño. Furthermore, cyclone incidence during IOD‐negative conditions was more pronounced in winter for clusters 1, 2, 3— and clusters 4 and 5 in spring. All cyclones also predominantly occurred in SAM‐positive conditions. However, winter ECCs for clusters 1 and 3 had a higher frequency in SAM‐negative. This new typology of ECCs via spatial clustering provides crucial insights into the systems that produce extreme rainfall across eastern Australia and should be used to inform future hazard management of cyclone events.
Analysis of follicular fluid and serum markers of oxidative stress in women with unexplained infertility by Raman and machine learning methods
Authors: Depciuch Joanna , Paja Wiesław , Pancerz Krzysztof , Uzun Özgur , Bulut Huri , Tarhan Nevzat , Guleken Zozan 
Published: February 2023

AbstractOocytes are surrounded by a fluid called follicular fluid, which provides an essential microenvironment for developing oocytes in human fertility. Various molecules exist in antral follicles, including proteins, steroid hormones, polysaccharides, metabolites, reactive oxygen species, and antioxidants. Oxidative stress is involved in the etiology of defective oocyte development or poor oocyte and embryo quality. Raman spectroscopy, a noninvasive method, can be used for biological diagnostics and direct chemical identification of follicular fluid. Therefore, we measured the oxidative index of follicular fluids and then attempted Raman spectroscopy on the follicular fluids combined with machine learning techniques to identify, detect, and quantify follicular fluid of unexplained infertility‐diagnosed women as a safe and effective tool to use as adjacent for clinical studies. This was a retrospective study set in an academic hospital where the patients were selected from an unexplained infertility‐diagnosed population in the in vitro fertilization (IVF) center. Raman spectra of 128 follicular fluid samples (n = 63 control; and 65 unexplained infertility) were obtained. To profile Raman‐based results of follicular fluid, oxidative load measurements, multivariate analysis, correlation tests, and six machine learning methods were used. Raman bands associated with oxidative load and amide III and lipids differed significantly. Classification using stacks of Raman signals was applied by random forest, C5.0 decision tree algorithm, k‐nearest neighbors, deep neural networks, support vector machine, and XGBoost trees algorithms achieved an overall accuracy of 92.04% to 99.17% in assigned correctly. Group has an oxidative load in their follicle fluids consistent with clinical results and biochemical measurements and performing testing based on Raman spectra validated by kNN clustering and SVM object vector separation machine learning methods. The study suggests that Raman spectroscopy can detect changes in follicle fluid in unexplained infertility.
Bistable All‐Optical Devices Based on Nonlinear Epsilon‐Near‐Zero (ENZ) Materials
Authors: Gosciniak Jacek , Hu Zibo , Thomaschewski Martin , Sorger Volker J. , Khurgin Jacob B. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractNonlinear and bistable optical systems are a key enabling technology for the next generation optical networks and photonic neural systems with many potential applications in optical logic and information processing. Here, a novel bistable resonator‐free all‐optical waveguide device based on indium tin oxide as nonlinear epsilon‐near‐zero material providing a cost‐efficient and high‐performance binarity photonic platform is proposed. The salient features of the proposed device are compatibility with silicon photonics, enabling sub‐picosecond operation speeds with moderate switching power. The device can act as an optical analogue of memristor or thyristor and can become an enabling element of photonic neural networks not requiring OEO conversions.
The effect of immediate lymphatic reconstruction on the post‐operative drain output after axillary lymph node dissection for breast cancer: A retrospective comparative study
Authors: Lin Ying‐Sheng , Kuan Chen‐Hsiang , Tsai Li‐Wei , Wu Chien‐Hui , Huang Chieh‐Huei , Yeong Eng‐Kean , Tai Hao‐Chih , Huang Chiun‐Sheng 
Published: February 2023

AbstractIntroductionAxillary lymph node dissection (ALND) for breast cancer has been considered to be associated with a variety of complications, such as excessive postoperative wound drainage, prolonged drain placement, or seroma formation in the short term, or arm lymphedema in the long run. Immediate lymphedema reconstruction (ILR) has been proposed to reduce the occurrence of arm lymphedema by anastomosing the transected arm lymphatics to nearby branches of the axillary vein immediately after ALND. This study aims to demonstrate that ILR can also reduce the postoperative drainage amount.Patients and MethodsBetween April 2020 and January 2022, a total of 76 breast cancer patients receiving ALND were reviewed. Forty four of them also received ILR immediately after ALND. The assignment of ILR surgery was non‐random, based on patients' willingness and plastic surgeons' availability. The lymphatic vessels in the axillary wound were anastomosed with nearby terminal branches of the axillary vein under surgical microscope. Patients' characteristics, including age, body mass index (BMI), neoadjuvant therapy, type of breast surgery, the occurrence of seroma formation, number of removed lymph nodes, number of positive nodes, and the drainage amount from the operative wounds were compared between ILR and non‐ILR groups.ResultsNo statistically significant difference was noted between groups in terms of age (56.5 ± 9.8 vs. 60.9 ± 10.7, p = .09), BMI (22.6 ± 3.7 vs. 23.7 ± 3.8, p = .27), type of breast surgery (p = .32), the occurrence of seroma formation (p = 1.0), the likelihood of receiving neoadjuvant therapy (p = .12), number of lymph nodes removed (17.5 ± 7.6 vs. 17.4 ± 8.3, p = .96), or number of positive nodes on final pathology (3.7 ± 5.4 vs. 4.8 ± 8.5, p = .53) except the ILR group had statistically significantly less drainage amount than non‐ILR group (39.3 ± 2.6 vs. 48.3 ± 3.7, p = .046).ConclusionFor breast cancer patients receiving ALND, the immediate lymphatic reconstruction can reduce the postoperative drainage amount from the operative wound.
Ultra‐high dose rate FLASH radiation therapy for cancer
Authors: Kim Michele M. , Zou Wei 
Published: February 2023

AbstractConformality has been a key requirement in radiation therapy for cancer to minimize normal tissue toxicity while maintaining tumor control. Since 2014, there has been great interest in ultra‐high dose rate (UHDR), “FLASH,” radiation therapy to enhance this therapeutic window. In multiple pre‐clinical studies, it was seen that normal tissue demonstrated less damage due to radiation of various modalities when the same dose was delivered at ultra‐high mean dose rates exceeding ∼40 Gy/s while tumor control remained indifferent to changes in dose rate. The scientific community has large‐scale interdisciplinary studies to investigate this potentially breakthrough technique to enhance treatment options for cancer. FLASH studies have been performed using a number of modalities and delivery techniques for many pre‐clinical models. There have been several studies reporting evidence of the FLASH effect as well as technological developments relating to UHDR studies. There is sustained interest and motivation for this topic as well as many questions that are yet to be answered. We provide a short overview to highlight some of the major work and challenges to advance research in FLASH radiotherapy.
Classification and ecological relevance of soundscapes in urban informal settlements
Authors: Fleming Genie M. , ElQadi Moataz M. , Taruc Ruzka R. , Tela Autiko , Duffy Grant A. , Ramsay Emma E. , Faber Peter A. , Chown Steven L. 
Published: February 2023

Abstract

Sound exerts wide‐ranging influence on humans. The quality of that influence depends on the sound source and context in which it is perceived, but nature sounds are generally preferred by people and associated with health and well‐being benefits.

In many environments, sounds are highly mixed giving rise to a multi‐source ‘soundscape’ that may vary through days or seasons. The complex and dynamic nature of soundscapes makes them challenging to quantify or classify to rigorously compare them and their contributing sources quantitatively through space and time.

We address this challenge by developing an analytical procedure resulting in a generalized soundscape classification framework that (i) elucidates dominant sound sources (e.g. biophony vs. anthrophony) and (ii) can be used to improve our understanding of spatial and temporal variation in soundscapes across different contexts.

We also address a knowledge gap in urban sound research by describing the soundscapes of urban informal settlements in Fiji and Indonesia. Despite the growing emphasis on improving the physical design and quality of life in urban informal settlements, little is known about soundscapes in these settings or their relationship to human health and well‐being.

We identified seven soundscape classes representing relative dominance by (i) sustained geophony, biophony dominated by (ii) insect stridulation or (iii) bird song, anthrophony dominated by (iv) machines, (v) vehicles, (vi) human voices or (vii) a mixture of the former. These classes were applicable in both Indonesia and Fiji but differed in their prevalence between the countries, times of day and seasons in expected ways. Future automatic sorting of new sound data into this classification framework is provided by a supervised classification model that attained an overall testing accuracy of 94% and Cohen's kappa of 0.93.

Our procedure yields broadly applicable, informative soundscape classes indicative of dominant sound sources, including natural sounds, that are known to have different effects on human health. Therefore, our soundscape classification framework can be used in conjunction with health, well‐being, or economic data, to aid the development, assessment and scaling of sustainable design solutions for liveable cities and especially for improving urban informal settlement environments.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Zero‐temperature‐coefficient of capacitance in BaTiO3/PI composite films using paraffin as barrier layer
Authors: Pu Linyu , Li Yu , Tang Jingyuan , Long Yiting , Wang Wei , Dai Yatang , Huang Xu 
Published: February 2023

AbstractFirstly, the BaTiO3 nanoparticles were coated with a layer of paraffin, forming a core shell structure. Then, as‐prepared paraffin@BaTiO3 nanofillers were directly blended with polyimide (PI) prepolymer to fabricate paraffin@BaTiO3/PI composite films. The microstructure, thermal, and dielectric properties were investigated in detail. The surface‐modified paraffin@BaTiO3 nanoparticles exhibited a typical core shell structure with uniform and complete coverage. The char yield of the composite film with 10 wt% paraffin@BaTiO3 increased from 56.40% to 70.73%. It is obvious that the paraffin@BaTiO3 nanofillers have a positive effect on ablative performance of the composite film. Compared with pure PI, the εr of paraffin@BaTiO3/PI composites with 40% mass fraction increased from 3.41 to 9.35 (1 kHz). The tanδ of paraffin@BaTiO3/PI composites was just 0.0065 (1 kHz) when the filler loading was 40 wt%. Temperature dependency of the permittivity of the composites reveals a zero‐temperature‐coefficient from 80°C to 180°C.